To Tell Or Not to Tell

The Prize

Cast of Characters

Prizewinner ______(character needs a name)

Mom

Dad

Brother/Sister

(The setting is a kitchen, present day. There is a table C. with four chairs at L, R, and UC. The table is set for dinner. At curtain, Mom and Dad, and the Brother/Sister are at the table, preparing to eat. The Prizewinner, holding an envelope enters from R, and tries to exit L, to their bedroom, when Dad stops them.)

Dad: Stop right there! (Prizewinner stops) You’re late for supper. Sit down. (Prizewinner sits and tries to hide envelope)

Mom: Why are you so late?

Bro/Sis: Did you get a new boyfriend/girlfriend?

Dad: Maybe ______is just glad that school is over. Didn’t anyone think of that?

Mom: (noticing the envelope that the Prizewinner is trying to hide) What’s in the envelope?

Bro/Sis: (interrupting) I’ll bet it’s a love letter.

Prizewinner: It’s not a love letter, OK? If you really must know, I, …uh, won a prize at school today.

Dad: A prize? That’s great, ______!

Mom: What was the prize for?

Prizewinner: I won the prize for a story that I wrote. I got a letter congratulating me, and…(voice falls quiet)

Bro/Sis: And…,what else?

Prizewinner: (who had not planned to tell this information at this time) I got a cash prize.

(Both parents react positively to this news)

Mom: That’s wonderful! How much did you say the cash prize was?

Prizewinner: I didn’t say, Mom.

Mom: Well…?

Prizewinner: It’s for $50. (Quickly, before anyone else can react) But before you ask, I have a lot of things in mind to spend it on.

Sis/Bro: Like what, buy your girlfriend/boyfriend something special?

Prizewinner: None of your business, brat! (To Mom and Dad) And I have a few debts to pay too.

Dad: Well son, it seems to me that the biggest debt is to your family. I know your mother isn’t going to want to say this, but I will. I think you should give her your prize money so she can pay some of the bills.

Prizewinner: But Dad, I won that money and it’s mine. I need to buy some new clothes and…

Mom: (interrupting) Your father is right. You can do without new clothes. But our bills have to be paid. And when a family has bills to pay, everybody has to help when they can.

Prizewinner: (getting up to leave) Well, I’ll tell you one thing. I’m sorry I ever wrote that old story. I’m sure not going to write anymore.

(starts to leave)

Dad: Wait!

What happens next is up to you. Your cast must find a way to resolve the conflict. Without adding any additional characters, write the ending to this play, including dialogue, blocking and emotional notes. All characters must have at least one additional line of dialogue. No physical violence is allowed.

When you have completed your resolution, show your completed script to Mr. Dalton, who must approve your ending before you can begin rehearsing.