Shooting Margaret

This was actually the first play script I ever wrote which was during college in 2005. Not my best work really, at least I don't think so. It's a short story about a man called Jack who meets up with a woman called Sarah who both plan to break into a rich

Shooting Margaret

 

By Daniel Seal

 

 

Characters

 

Jack

Sarah

Barman

Man In Pub

 

Scene 1 - Jack’s Pub

 

 

(The stage is dark. It’s after hours in a dark, disused pub. Over the speakers we hear the sound of heavy rain battering tired old windows. Lights up. On stage there are tables with empty glasses, some are broken. JACK is sat at a table with a briefcase beside him and lighting up a cigarette. He is a tall, dark figure and is looking at a map. We hear the sound of a bell)

 

Barman:

(offstage)

Last orders!

 

(A MAN gets up from another table and goes towards Jack)

 

Man In Pub:

Thanks again Jack. See you next week.

 

Jack:

Yeah no problem, seeya mate!

 

(The man exits. After a moment the door from left opens and SARAH enters. She is a small woman wearing a large cloak. She shoots an icy stare at Jack who continues to sit there unaware of her presence)

 

Sarah:

Ahem…

 

Jack:

(he looks up)

Ah Sarah…I see you have made it please take a seat.

 

(She walks over and picks up the chair and begins to walk away)

 

Jack:

No, no sit down!

 

(She sits)

 

are you still on for December the 13^th?

 

Sarah:

Yes of course Jack…have you brought the money?

 

Jack:

(indicating the briefcase)

Right here, £3M in cash…now this is the plan…we have to breach the mansion walls through here (pointing at map), there is a small hatch hidden in a bush near the back door, we’re gonna bust in, eliminate the target and get out got it? Simple as that.

 

Sarah:

Then what are we waiting for? Tell me about the target and why you are so desperate to kill her?

 

Jack:

Well her name is Margaret, the richest person in this town and she is becoming quite a nuisance…now this is what we are going to do…

 

(Blackout)

 

 

Scene 2 - Mansion Grounds (December 13^th, 2am)

 

(The stage is quite dark. We hear owls screeching over the speakers among others. A light can be seen from what appears to be a dim street light.Jack & Sarah enter together from the right. They are outside, cold and wet. They are wearing dark clothes and are carrying weapons.

 

Jack:

(indicating Sarah)

Where the hell are your lock tools?

 

Sarah:

I have something better.

 

(She shows him a key to the front door)

 

Jack:

(surprised)

How on earth did you get that key?

 

Sarah:

(laughing)

Well unlike you it seems I’ve come prepared.

 

Jack:

(smiling)

You angel. Lets do this!

 

(Blackout)

 

Scene 3 - Mansion Hallway

 

(Dim lights come up on stage. Jack & Sarah enter slowly from left creeping down a dark, gloomy hallway in the mansion)

 

Jack:

So do you do this often?

 

Sarah:

(frowns)

Killing people?

 

Jack:

No I mean coming to fancy places like this?

 

Sarah:

(smiles)

Quite often actually.

 

Jack:

(hesitating)

You see I was wondering…maybe…if you wanted to meet up sometime after this mission? Go out for a drink or something?

 

Sarah:

(smiling)

Oh I wouldn’t be sure of that Jack. Who knows? You might not live to see another day after this mission.

 

Jack:

(shocked)

Hey! What is that supposed to mean?

 

Sarah:

(laughing)

Oh nothing! Don’t worry about it. Come on! On with the mission.

 

Jack:

(suspicious)

Hmmm. Well look maybe it’s best we split up and search this place. Here…

 

(He gives Sarah a walkie talkie)

 

Use this walkie talkie to keep in contact in case something happens ok? Let’s go.

 

(Blackout)

 

Scene 4 - Mansion Bedroom

 

(Lights on stage remain dim. On set we see a bed that looks to have someone sleeping in it. Jack enters from right. He is now carrying a gun. He walks very slowly towards the bed, he rips off the bed sheets)

 

Jack:

AHHHHH!!!

 

(He shoots 5 times and to his horror inside the bed is a dummy)

 

(surprised)

What the f**k?

 

 

(Sarah enters behind Jack unnoticed. She is pointing a gun at him as she turns on the bedroom light)

 

Sarah:

Looking for someone Jack?

 

(Jack spins around and aims “his” gun at Sarah)

 

Jack:

(shocked)

Sarah? what the hell are you doing?

 

Sarah:

(grinning smugly)

Oh! Did I forget to tell you? I am Margaret.

 

Jack:

What?? But how? So this is what you meant by me not living to see another day! You tricked me! You b***h!

 

Sarah:

Yes that’s right. It would have been lovely to go out for that drink with you Jack, but you see, I don’t go out with guys who…well, want to KILL me!

 

(After a moment, Jack begins to laugh hysterically)

 

What on earth could be so funny? Wow madness! You really have lost your mind Jack! Oh well, I guess you will die laughing then. Goodnight.

 

Jack:

Ha, ha, ha, ha think again MARGARET.

 

Sarah:

Hmm?

 

(A man enters behind her. She quickly turns round. Blackout. We hear about 7 gun shots followed by a loud thud. After a moment the lights come back up on stage. Both Margaret & the man are lying dead on the floor. Jack is still standing for a moment, his gun still raised. He laughs and then collapses dead)

 

(Blackout)

 

The End

 

Copyright 2005

Author's Note

All comments are appreciated. Let me know what you think and by all means, be critical.