Set on a deserted island, several plan crash survivors wait to be rescued – one of whom is overwhelmed with fearful thoughts tries everything he can think of to save himself from his fears.
Characters:
1. Panic Pete: has to get off island asap for every fearful reason. Gets very wet most acts.
2. Faithful Frank: has great faith all will be ok and people will rescue them
3. Lovely Lisa: a ‘hip’ girl, not really made for the outdoors. Has a lipstick slip steak on her cheek each act.
4. Mathematician Matt (Minor lines): pipes in with gloomy stat of unlikely survival rates here and there
5. Son-lover Sunny (Minor lines): Love’s his sun and is very chilled.
6. Captain (last act only): Serious
ACT 1 Meat and Greet
[Frank and Lisa stagger in from each side of the stage, in a bit of a daze, and meet in the middle. Background sounds of gentle waves and seagulls play throughout]
FRANK: Hey! You ok?
LISA: Think so. You?
FRANK: Yeah, just a bruise or two. Well, that was intense, hey!
LISA: Ya-ha! One minute I’m touching up my lipstick in the restroom, and the next thing I know I’m falling from the sky and landing in a palm tree!
FRANK: Ok, I see. That explains it!
LISA: Explains what?
FRANK: Oh…. Nothing. I’m Frank.
LISA: Lisa.
SUNNY: Ello ello, Frank and Leesa – Sunny is here!
LISA: Heeey! You ok?
SUNNY: Yeah mon! Couldn’t have crashed on a better island, no? Look at the raaaays!
FRANK: Well, that’s one way of looking at it!
SUNNY: Eay. What happened to your [points to his cheek]
LISA: What?
[everyone looks around to see Pete and Matt enter, Pete leading the way]
PETE: …so we’re almost certainly going to die before the day is though because unless we find water within the next hour or two we’ll… ha! Ha HAA! We’re saved [yanks on Matts arm]. Were saved Matt!
Hi, I’m Pete, and this is Matt. We’ve just survived a plane crash and really should get a medical checkout. Could we borrow your mobile so we can call an ambulance? I Don’t think were too hurt, I mean I already had a bad back from putting my carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment but that’s the airlines fault for having the overhead compartments too high.….
LISA: [tries a couple of time to stop Pete during the above speech] Pete!......... Pete…… PETE!
PETE: Yeah?
LISA: We were all in the plane crash too!
[Pause]
MATT: Augh! That explains the [points to his cheek]
LISA: What?
MATT: Oh… Never mind.
PETE: We gotta find help guys or we going to die here!
FRANK: We’ll be right Pete. Let’s just settle in and help will come.
PETE: We’ll you can stay here, but I’m going to find help. Has anyone been this way yet?
[walks of side of stage out of sight, keeps talking while out of sight (could read below script even) and then comes onto other side of stage, as if going right around the island. Sound desk could even pan the audio to the side of stage he walking off, slowly to other side, and then back to centre as he re-appears]
PETE: I can’t believe these guys were just standing around as if help was going to come to them. I tell you, the worst thing you can do is put any kind of faith in others. You got to look after yourself cause there’s no one going to look after you. Hey, is that?... Guys, I think I can see some people on a beach up ahead! See you just got to make things happen yourself or you’ll be left to die. Hello! Excuse me! We’re in need of medical assistance… [comes into view on opposite side of stage] You see we were in a plane crash and we landed on your island and there’s several of us. Bust most of them are back there sitting around waiting to be rescued, but I took my own action and…
LISA: [tries a couple of time to stop Pete during the above speech] Pete!......... Pete…… PETE!
PETE: Yeh?
LISA: You’ve just walked all the way around the island!
PETE: Oh no! Oh NO! This is a disaster. We’re going to die here. We’re all going to die!
FRANK: It’s ok Pete!
PETE: We’ve got to get off this Island a-sap!
SUNNY: Why is that, man? I’m just starting to get a tan!
PETE: Well, do you have any food?
SUNNY: No, mon. [walks off stage]
PETE: What about you?
FRANK: I don’t.
PETE: And you?
LISA: I do!
PETE: You do!? THANK GOODNES!
LISA: Yeah, I got some low calorie salt.
PETE: WHAT!? But that’s all we got around us – salt, salt, SALT!
MATT: It’s true, the salt water content of the ocean is about 3.5%. You can only survive about 6 days drinking sea water.
PETE: Six days! Oh man, we got to get collecting water. Here [pulls out plastic bag] If anyone needs to blow their nose, blow it in here!
LISA: YUCK!
SUNNY: Augh. That’s better
PETE: What’s better?
SUNNY: All this talk of water and I’ve been busting for a pee since we left Sydney airport!
PETE: You… just peed in the bush?
SUNNY: Yeah mon – I hate going on planes.
PETE: Hey! We needed that!
SUNNY: Yeah, I know I sure did. Feels much better out than in!
PETE: No! We could have drunk it!
LISA: YUCK!
SUNNY: Mon… [backs away in confusion] I’m just going to go over here and catch some rays.
FRANK: Hey Pete, calm down. Let’s just sit tight and we’ll be rescued in no time.
PETE: Sit tie? SIT TIGHT!? What are we going to eat!
MATT: You can survive about six weeks without any food,
PETE: Oh, well that’s a relief
MATT: But we’ll die here before that from lack of water
LISA: Not helping, Matt!!
PETE: Come on, let’s light a fire and get some smoke happening. Here, lets set this tree on fire...
[walks just off side of stage out of view]
I have a match I always carry around with me for fear of this very situation. There we go.
[trigger smoke machine, and shine in some torches form the side with red cellophane over them, as if there’s a red/orange glow shining form a fine. Walks back out, looks up in awe at smoke.]
SUNNY: Hey, mon. You’re blocking my rays with that smoke!
PETE: There it goes. All burnt up. Now we just wait a few minutes.
MATT: I believe in most cases it’s best to wait for a passing ship or aircraft before creating a smoke signal. As far as I can tell, unless something goes past in the next 17 seconds, the smoke signal will be in vain.
[pause for 15 seconds]
PETE: We’re doomed. [slumps]
FRANK: We’ll be right Pete. Someone will come and rescue us. You’ll see. How bout we all go get some rest. Conserve our energy.
MATT: Excellent idea. Though, it is highly likely that not all of us will survive the night.
LISA: Not helping Matt.
FRANK: See you when the sun rises, guys.
[ all retreat off sides of stage]
ACT 2 - That Sinking Feeling
[Rooster crows, seaside sounds again, and everyone comes out from where they exited the previous day.]
FRANK: Well, don’t know about you but I was out like an English batter last night!
PETE: How could you sleep. Have you any idea what kind of critters must be around here.
MATT: By my calculations, there are approximately 97 bighting and stinging poisonous creatures likely to be on this island
LISA: Not helping, Mat t
PETE: See, we gotta get off this island before another night. We’re lucky to be alive.
LISA: What I would give to have a brush and mirror!
SUNNY: Hey mon, look, help is on it’s way! [points out over audience]
PETE: Where? I can’t see – the suns right in my eyes!
SUNNY: Yeah mon, the suns coming up. We can catch some raaaaays!
[puts sunnies on and goes to back of stage]
PETE: So there’s clearly no food around.
LISA: Hey, I said I had salt
PETE: I guess we’re going to have to eat someone
LISA: Yuck!
PETE: No, you’ve got your salt, should taste alright.
FRANK: Hey, it’s only been a day, Pete, no one need to eat anyone! Help will be here soon.
PETE: How do you know for sure help will be here soon
FRANK: I don’t
PETE: Well, there you go
FRANK: But I have faith a rescue will come
PETE: Faith, augh, the only way off this island is to save ourselves. I’m building a boat. [picks up some wood form back of stage and carries it off stage out of view and starts banging around]
FRANK: Hey Mat, what are Pete’s chances of building a boat that will be able to reach the nearest civilization
MATT: If he leaves at a low tide, and there’s a strong easterly wind of about 300 knots, and he builds a boat that can steer around the reefs and avoid any splashing sounds to attract sharks – he has a 1 in 4… hundred… thousand chance.
FRANK: Well, there’s faith for you!
[Pete returns across stage to get more materials and goes back to building]
PETE: If you guys aren’t going to help, there’s only going to be room for one on this ship!
FRANK: Pete, I really don’t think it’s a good idea. You’re more likely to survive waiting for help, then trying to escape yourself.
PETE: Haven’t you seen the movie Castaway?
FRANK: Yes, and do you have a volleyball to take with you?
MATT: He doesn’t
PETE: I don’t need a volleyball to succeed
FRANK: According to the movie, there’ has to be a volleyball, at least for part of the journey. Stay and wait for rescue with us, Pete.
LISA: Yeah, Pete. Promise we won’t eat you!
PETE: You’ve all gone crazy, sitting around waiting to die. My boats about done. I’m heading out – and don’t expect me to remember where you are stranded when I do find help.
LISA: Lovely.
FRANK: Race you to civilization, Pete.
PETE: Farewell. And thanks for nothing!
[Pete leaves]
PETE: Haha, it’s working, were floating!... And we’re sailing!... We’re steering!... We’re leaking!... We’re sinking!...
[bubble sound effects and then Titanic theme song plays a few bars]
LISA: Well, THAT didn’t go too well
MATT: It was consistent with my mathematical equation within a standard deviation of 7.
[Pete walks on stage 100% drenched (has had a bucket of warm water poured over him back stage and is dripping away)]
FRANK: You all good, Wilson?
PETE: Shut-up.
[walks past Sunny who’s returning]
SUNNY: Ey mon. Someone needs some sun!
ACT 3 - Deflated
[Rooster crows, seaside sounds again, and everyone comes out from where they exited the previous day.]
FRANK: Well another night in paradise done.
LISA: Pete, you dried out I see.
PETE: If it worked, I could have been home by now.
MATT: The chances of you succeeding…
LISA: MATT! Too soon.
FRANK: What shall we do today?
SUNNY: I know what I’ll be doing mon, I’ll be over here in the sun, if anyone see a rescue approaching.
FRANK: What a bout a spot of eye spy?
PETE: We’ll I’ve been thinking about this and figured out it probably impossible to sail away from here
MATT: We’ll not technically impossible
LISA: MATT!!
PETE: I’m going to make a hot air balloon and float to the nearest civilization. With or without your help.
LISA: OK, you’re up, Matt.
MATT: The chances of survival are 725 to 1 [ Pete glares angry at Matt] – Actually, I have been known to make mistakes… from time to time.
PETE: We’ll it’s better than dying here with you lot
FRANK: Just settle, mate. Help will come!
PETE: Do you see help here? How long has it been? A year? Still no help!
MATT: 34 and a half hours so far
PETE: Not helping Matt! Don’t’ you see. We’re all going to die. There is no hope for us! We have to save ourselves. I’m out of here.
[Pete walks off one end of stage]
PETE: We’ll I think I know where all the hot air is going to be coming from for his balloon.
[Pete walks buy with a bunch of bed sheets out of view other side of stage.]
LISA: So you really think we will be saved, Frank?
PETE: I do. I mean there’s those who love us who will be wanting to save us. Those who own the plane will want to find us, and save us. And they have the ability to save us, and they must know about where we are. Just give them some time and we’ll see them coming in the clouds, I’m sure.
LISA: So you don’t know for sure?
FRANK: From my experience and my reading, I believe it is an almost certainty
LISA: But not 100%
FRANK: Nope, just faith.
LISA: Matt, what are the odds of being saved?
MATT: Well, if we all have loved ones missing us, and the plane company has the interest and capabilities as Frank mentioned, we are almost certainly going to be rescued.
LISA: And if we don’t have someone at home who loves us?
FRANK: There are people around who love you, I’m sure. For some it may not feel like their family does, but they usually do. And even if they didn’t, there’s others out there who care, not to mention God. He loves everyone – no matter who you are or what you’ve done!
MATT: If one is to take the Bible at it’s word, then there is a 100% certainty you are loved.
LISA: Thanks Matt
PETE: Ok, were done. Balloon’s inflating!.... balloon’s inflated!.... Balloon’s rising!.... We’re off the ground!.... We’re floating out to sea!.... There’s a seagull landed on the top!.... it’s starting to peck….. hey shoo, SHOO!! [sound effect POP – party balloon squeak that turns into a low flatulence sound – the cast on stage synchronise watching the air, looking back and forth as if the balloon is darting around everywhere – synchronise the pan of the sound effect too left and right. – then SPLASH! ]
LISA: Well, THAT didn’t go too well
MATT: It was consistent with my mathematical equation within a standard deviation of 3.
[Pete walks on stage 100% drenched (has had a bucket of warm water poured over him back stage and is dripping away)]
FRANK: You all good, Icarus?
PETE: Shut-up.
[walks past Sunny who’s returning]
SUNNY: Ey mon. Someone needs some sun!
ACT 4 - Arrrr
[Rooster crows, seaside sounds again, and everyone comes out from where they exited the previous day.]
FRANK: Well another night in paradise done.
[Pete walks past with timber, heading off stage.]
LISA: Pete, you dried out I see.
PETE: If it worked, I could have been home by now.
MATT: The chances of
LISA: MATT! Too soon.
FRANK: What are you up to today, Pete?
PETE: I’m building a fort
LISA: A fort? How’s that going to get you off the island?
PETE: We need protection from pirates.
LISA: PIRATES?!
PETE: Yeah, there’s a high probability that if we do see a boat and signal it for help, they’ll actually be pirates we’re attracting, and so we’ll need to defend ourselves. Tell them the probability, Matt.
MATT: Umm, Depends where we are. If we’re in the Caribbean, then it’s an almost certainty!
FRANK: Hey has anyone notice there’s a rooster each morning…
SUNNY: Yeah mon, it means the son’s coming up. I’m off to catch some raaaays.
LISA: A rooster? Yeah. Wish it would shup up.
FRANK: Hey Lisa. Did you say you had some… chicken salt?
LISA: No, it’s just…. Yes. It is.
FRANK: Matt, what’s the odds of you being able to build a rooster trap?
MATT: 100% I’m on it!
[Pete walks past]
FRANK: Hey Pete, we have come up with a great idea for…
PETE: Not talking to you faith dreamers. I’ve got a catapult to install.
LISA: A Catapult?? MEEOOWWW! [swipes claws]
[everybody stops and stares at her for 3 seconds, and then carrys on]
FRANK: What do you need a catapult for?
PETE: So we can attack their boats before they reach the beach.
FRANK: Have you lived in fear your whole life, Pete.
PETE: No. Only since my parents split up. I was 13. Since then I figured you got to be prepared for every terrible and unexpected situation that could be upon you within a blink of an eye.
FRANK: Oh, I see. I’m sorry to hear that.
PETE: Ok, I should test it. I just…. got….to…. pull… it…. Back
FRANK: Um Pete? Should you really be sitting in the catapult’s cup while you do that?
[‘whee’ whistle sound effect – a dummy that looks like Pete flies across the stage, and there’s a splash on the other side. ]
LISA: Well, THAT didn’t go too well
[Pete walks on stage 100% drenched (has had a bucket of warm water poured over him back stage and is dripping away)]
FRANK: You all good, Duke Caboom?
PETE: Shut-up.
[walks past Sunny who’s returning]
SUNNY: Ey mon. Someone needs some sun!
ACT 5 - Lifted Up
[seaside sounds (no rooster), and everyone comes out from where they exited the previous day.]
FRANK: Well another night in paradise done, and a sleep in too. No rooster this morning!
LISA: Other than in my belly! Nice catch Matt.
MATT: Oh, but it is the chemical combination of the rooster and you salt that brought out the flavour
PETE: PIIIIIRATEEEEES! Pirates! Everyone to the fort, now!
[everyone scurries off stage]
PETE: Let’s use the catapult. Ready? Aim… FIRE!!!!!
[rock flies across stage.]
PETE: Miss, reload, reload. Fire!!
PETE: It’s a hit!! We’re saved! I saved us! SEE! I told you!
[everyone comes out, and on other side of stage a captain comes over]
PETE: Take that scallywag! You can’t just come here and steal all our gold!
MATT: We don’t have any gold
CAPTAIN: What are you doing? I came to rescue you. You… destroyed my boat!
LISA: Pete! WHAT…. HAVE…. YOU…. DONE!
SUNNY: Looks like more time in the sun, mon! [walks off]
CAPTAIN: Hey mate! You should get that spot on your neck checked out. It look cancerous.
PETE: [loses it, jumps around stomping] AAUUGGHHHHH! THAT’S IT! THAAATS IT!! – I’m SWIMMING out of here.
MATT: Pete, you’ll never make it. The odds of….
PETE: There’s no rescue coming. In fact if one does come, they just need rescuing too! I’m swimming.
CAPTAIN: But sir?!
PETE: No, that’s it. I’m gone.
CAPTAIN: Wait, sir!....[he’s gone] I have a radio to the helicopter! [Into radio]
“looks like there’s 6 of us, maybe 5 to pickup”.
[radio replies] “Roger that, coming in with the winch now”.
CAPTAIN: Let’s get you guys home!
[Helicopter sound starts to fade in an gets loud quickly, (fans??) A which rope and harness can come in from the side of stage, hook up in twos and they wonder out off stage, everyone on stage slowly looks up and pretends to see it going up off stage, for each person. Until just Captain and Frank are left]
CAPTAIN: Is that everyone?
[Everybody freezes. Sound effects stop.]
PREACHER/HOST: Ok ok, we’re reaching the end of our drama. Have you enjoyed it? Time for a vote.
How many here want Pete to be saved like the others? Hands up?
How many people here want Pete to miss out on being rescued? Hand’s up?
Looks like it’s ______ Continue on! ACTION!
|
Pete Saved Pete comes back soaking wet PETE: I
forgot my goggles [grabs goggles and,
acknowledges seeing the winch and heads a few steps back to sea before freezing and
spinning around and realising the rescue happening.] PETE: We’re saved! I knew someone would come for us. What did I tell you! CAPTAIN: Is that everyone? FRANK: Yes it is.... Yes it is [they all leave and sounds die down] LISA: HEY! Why didn’t someone tell me I had lipstick on my face! [chopper does a quick loud fly buy and away] |
Pete Lost CAPTAIN:
is that everyone? FRANK: PEEEETE! PEEETE! …. [discouraged] I guess so. PETE: I
forgot my goggles [grabs and heads a few steps back to sea before freezing and spinning around.] PETE: Where
is everyone? Augh, faith freaks. [puts goggles on, and chopper does a quick loud fly buy and away] PETE: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
|
[chopper flyover track melds into the Survivor TV theme - All cast come on stage.]
Host: how about our drama team!
[All line up and bow.]
Performance: Hills Adventist College (Senior) Week of worship - Sep 4-8, 2023