Young Writers Society

I had an assignment to write a play that is five pages, consists of only one scene and only three characters. When read out it should be about 3-7 minutes, so reading this will be quick.

This is the first piece of theatrical writing I've ever attempted so ANY input would be greatly appreciated.

IT’S LATE INTO THE NIGHT, AROUND MIDNIGHT. THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIGHT COMES FROM THE MOON AND STREETLAMPS POURING IN THROUGH THE WINDOW BLINDS, AND ALSO FROM A SMALL DESK LAMP. A YOUNG MAN, COLLIN, SITS AT HIS DESK, TYPING AWAY AT HIS LAPTOP. THERE IS A YOUNG WOMAN, SARAH, IN BED BEHIND HIM, OCCASIONALLY TOSSING AND TURNING. THE ROOM IS VERY MINIMALIST, WITH ONLY A DESK, BED AND NIGHTSTAND. THERE ARE PIECES OF CLOTHES SCATTERED AROUND, STACKS OF BOOKS ON THE FLOOR.

AT RISE: THE LIGHTS BRIGHTEN A BIT AS SARAH JUMPS UP, NOW SITTING IN BED.

SARAH

Collin! It’s 12:30... Just get in bed, now.

(Collin continues to type and doesn’t move)

Collin, give it a rest. You have plenty of time to write that.

COLLIN

Few more minutes, I’ll be done.

(Sarah takes a deep sigh, knowing that a few minutes would turn into a few hours. She rolls back into bed and places a pillow over her head. Collin continues to type, when all of a sudden he stops.)

COLLIN

This isn’t gonna work...

(From a dark corner of the room, we see another man emerge.

He moves swiftly and walks right behind Collin.)

CONNOR

Keep going. It’ll work itself out.

COLLIN

Don’t tell me that again, you always say the same things...

CONNOR

Because it’s true. Keep writing the story..it’ll eventually have to develop.

COLLIN

This idea is going nowhere. Writers block--

CONNOR

Which is really just a fancy term so you can justify being lazy, getting drunk—

COLLIN

Shut up! Shut the fuck up! You’re not the one who has to sit here, and realize you’re worth nothing, your ideas are nothing. Every single effort you’ve put into your career, to life has been...a sham! Worthless! You don’t have to go through that, you just live in my mind.

CONNOR

You certainly don’t have to either...but I’m sure the next bottle will enjoy hearing about your horrible, horrible life again...

(Connor nudges over to the collection of empty bottle underneath the bed. Collin suddenly gets up, loudly pushing his chair back and holds Connor at his throat.)

COLLIN

Don’t you dare talk—

(Lights suddenly brighten against Sarah, and Connor is gone. Collin doesn’t realize this and is still holding up “Collin” by the throat. Sarah pulls the pillow over her head, rather quickly and sits up, with a look of pure annoyance.)

SARAH

Collin. What the hell are you doing?

(Collin puts his hands down and stays silent for a moment, not looking at Sarah.)

CONNOR

Nothing, nothing...I was just..stretching.

(Sarah stares blankly at him)

SARAH

Stretching... You’re so fucking weird. You coming to bed or not? I have to get up early tomorrow.

CONNOR

It doesn’t matter, just go to sleep.

SARAH

Doesn’t matter...? How the hell am I going to sleep when you’re having imaginary fights with yourself?

(Short pause)

I need sleep. I haven’t been able to sleep for weeks because of you. I have an actual job you know...I’m the one paying the bills! And you know we’ve been behind...if you’re not going to help, then at least do this at a decent hour. You can sit around, tossing silly ideas in the morning.

(Collin continues to stand there, looking at his feet for a while, and then looks up. Sarah’s face shows a bit of hope, but then crumbles when he turns around, and plops back into his chair. She gives a small frustrated scream and pulls a pillow over her head. Connor goes back into motion.)

CONNOR

Well...that sounded pretty bad. Do you think she’s right?

COLLIN

Leave me alone.

CONNOR

You do think she’s right.

(Pause)

What did you expect? For her to cheer you on as the night progresses? The glamour of the struggling artist died for her a long, long time ago. You know that.

COLLIN

I know it did. But some god damn moral support every once in awhile would be nice.

CONNOR

Eh, a person with questionable morals is never good at giving moral support anyway.

COLLIN

You’re not very good at it either...

CONNOR

Of course I am. I’ve stuck with you always, and in the end aid in pulling out your best creations.

COLLIN

Why don’t you help me now?

CONNOR

With the story? With Sarah?

COLLIN

Both...no, everything. I’m stuck in this dump, wasting time.

CONNOR

You don’t waste time, only yourself.

(Collin sits for a few moments, and then stands, sure of himself. He takes his laptop, and shoves it into a bag, along with handfuls of clothing that was piled on the floor. In the process of doing so, his arms clink the alcohol bottles under the bed, and Sarah sits up.)

SARAH

Collin...what are you doing?

COLLIN

Leaving.

SARAH

When are you coming back?

COLLIN

Don’t bother asking when you already know the answer.

(Collin steps out of the bedroom, leaving a numb Sarah alone, as the lights fade to black.)