January 4, 2011 Drama 10 – Script Writing Edmond Lo
The S.F. Piano Contest is today, and it takes place in a small town. The winner of the contest will win $12,000. The age limit for the contest is 8-16 years old. They will first have an audition, and the top 4 players will be entered in the final. The five talented musicians in this small town have prepared for a long time for today. One of these people is Adam Wellis, a 16 year old piano player competing in the contest to raise enough money for his grandmother who has cancer. Many people dubbed him as the town’s “best piano player” but he had a tough opponent, Martha Harris. Adam has been playing piano for more than 11 years. He loves playing piano. His parents died when he was a small child, so he grew up with his grandmother. Martha is a spoiled piano player, who also loves playing piano. Her parents are rich, and they also know a lot of people including the Judge. Ken and Adam are best friends. Their lives are similar. The both grew up with their grandmother. Ken does not play piano. Justin was forced to play piano as a kid because his parents “knows what’s right and beneficial for him” Joseph liked piano as a kid, but as he grew up, he disliked piano more and more, but he still manages to play the piano well.
Cast:
ADAM, MARTHA, JUSTIN, JOSEPH, KEN, THE JUDGE, GRANDMOTHER
The four musicians and the judge are in the church waiting for the contest to start. No other audience are allowed inside. They are sitting at the left side of the room, and the piano is at the right side. There are two sets of chairs. One set of chairs is at the left side, and the other set of the chairs is in front of the piano. Everyone sits at the first set of chairs, but when they finish playing the piano piece, they sit at the second set of chairs to indicate that they’re finished. There are two doors, the entrance is at the left and the exit is at the right. The piano can be mimed. Justin, Martha, Joseph, and Adam are talking. When people are playing the piano, the piano players are just miming.
Lights on.
SCENE 1: THE PIANO CONTEST (CHURCH)
Justin: Are you ready for the contest? I bet you practiced a lot.
Martha: Yes, I have a lot of confidence that I’ll win. I practiced so much!
Justin: That’s good. What piece are you playing?
Martha: I’m playing a Sonatina piece by Beethoven.
Joseph: Shh. The contest is starting!
All Four: Good luck!
Justin: [Whispers] I’m nervous.
Adam and Martha: I’m not.
Judge: Justin Hamilton?
Justin: [Whispers] I have to go up now to perform. I can’t believe I’m first.
Justin stands up and walks towards the piano. He plays his piano piece, the audience claps, and Justin walks to the bench in the front row to indicate that he is finished. The judge is writing on his notebook.
Adam: Justin did pretty good.
Martha: Yes, he played it really fluently, and the dynamics were really well. I didn’t even hear him mess up.
Adam: I agree.
Martha: I heard you’re the best piano player in the town. You must be pretty serious about piano.
Judge: Joseph Beadles?
Joseph stands up and starts to play his piece.
Adam: Thanks. Don’t believe those rumors. I heard that you’re pretty good too. I have to be serious. I need the money for my grandmother’s surgery today. She has cancer.
Martha: Well, good luck with that. I’m sorry to say, but I’m winning.
Adam: Why do you need to win so bad?
Martha: No particular reason. I’ve never lost in my life.
Joseph does a mistake in his piano piece
Joseph: I’m sorry, may I restart?
Judge: Sure.
Joseph plays his piece again, and then sits down to indicate he is finished.
Martha: Wow. That sucks how he messed up. I hope it doesn’t happen to you.
Adam: I think he did great on his second time.
Joseph: Good job, Justin.
Justin: Thanks, you did good too, but you’re not going to win. Too bad you messed up.
Joseph: Thanks. [Sarcastically]
Judge: Martha Harris?
Justin: Well, it’s Martha’s turn now finally. The judge takes such a long time to write notes!
Martha stands up and goes to the centre, introduces herself, plays her piece, and then sits down.
Martha: Hello. My name is Martha Harris and I will be playing… [Mimes}
Joseph: Oh no, I forgot to introduce myself.
Justin: She’s going to get an advantage.
Joseph: Well, you can’t really say that, it all depends on how she plays her piece.
Justin: We all know Martha is going to win.
Joseph: Did you hear that the judge is a friend of Martha’s dad?
Adam gets a phone call. He reaches for his cell phone.
Martha sits down with Joseph and Justin.
Adam: Hello? … Yes… I’m Adam… He’s my friend…What? Ken? He’s been in a car accident?...He has a huge chance of dying? Wait.. Which hospital?...That hospital is right next to the church I’m in! …Yes, I’ll come immediately…Yes, I understand it might be my last time seeing him.
Judge: Adam Wellis? [5 seconds later] It’s your turn now, Adam.
Adam: Huh? It’s my turn? Okay, but can you wait-[Phone calls] Sorry.
Judge: Please turn the cell phone off. We don’t have all day.
Adam: Wait! It’s from my grandmother. She’s has cancer and I’m worried for her.
Judge: Fine. You can answer it, but please be quick!
Adam: Hello? What happened? Nothing? Oh…that’s good. Good luck? … Oh thanks. The doctor wants to talk to me? Okay. Yes. Yes. She has to do the surgery today? Okay. Yes, I’ll deliver the money. Okay, I’ll hurry. Okay. Bye….. Bye grandma.
Adam stands up and walks to the piano. He starts playing.
Martha: There’s something wrong with Adam. He’s not playing as good.
Joseph: That’s what I was just thinking too!
Justin: Same! It seems like he’s not trying at all. I heard he’s doing this contest for his grandmother who has cancer. He needs to raise money for the surgery or something.
Joseph: I wonder why he’s like barely trying.
Adam: Sorry. I can’t do this. My best friend is dying. I need to see him one last time.
Adam runs off stage. Blackout.
SCENE 2: THE HOSPITAL
The hospital is split into two parts. The left side is Room 4444. The right side is Room 4445.Ken is laying down on his bed, same with the grandmother.
Adam: [Offstage] Room 4445! I found it! [Opens door]
Ken: Oh! Hey Adam, I can’t believe I’m alive. The doctor says that I was rushed to the hospital immediately, which obviously is a good thing.
Adam: Thank god. I was worried. Why don’t you have any cuts?
Ken: You just can’t see them because I’m under this huge blanket!
Adam: Is your grandmother okay?
Ken: Well actually, it was my friend that was driving.
Adam: Sorry Ken, I’m going to the room beside you. That’s where my grandmother is. [Adam walks to Room 4444.]
Ken: Okay.
Grandma: Adam! Did you win the piano contest?
Adam: I-I quit.
Grandma: You WHAT? You quit?
Adam: Ken, you know Ken, right? He was in a car accident. I needed to see if he was fine.
Grandma: The doctor said if I don’t do the surgery today I’ll die! You can just care for your friend Ken, just leave me alone. Don’t trust him either. I’m going to die anyways. I’m so old! I’m disappointed with you. You’re a terrible grandson!
Adam: I’m sorry! I’ll go ask the doctor to do the surgery.
Grandma: We have no money. We would have money if you won the piano contest! It’s your entire fault!
Adam: I’m sorry. No. I’ll go beg. I promise I’ll get the doctor to do the surgery for you. You’ll live. I’m so sorry.
Grandma: It’s no use! They wouldn’t do the surgery without the money! Just go! I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to die right next to my terrible grandson! GO!
Adam: I’m so sorry. I’ll go find the doctor right now. Don’t move. Stay there!
Adam leaves the room and enters Room 4445.
Grandma: [Coughs] I wish I never had lung cancer! I hate-[Grandma coughs some more and the coughing fades and the grandma dies]
[Adam goes offstage. He continues to talk offstage]
Adam: I understand. Can you please do the surgery now? … Exactly. I promise I’ll pay later. Please? I’ll beg you. What? You’ll do it? Thanks!
Adam runs in the room happily.
Adam: Grandma, the doctor said he’ll do the surgery first! Grandma! Grandma wake up! [Adam puts his ear near Grandma’s mouth and realizes she’s dead] Doctor! Help! No!... [Adam runs back to Room 5055]
Adam: Ken! My grandmother is –Ken? Where did you go?
[Adam runs offstage]
SCENE 3: THE CHURCH
Adam: [Opens door] I’m sorry, can I please-
Judge: And the winner is... Martha Harris!
[Martha smiles and she shakes hands with the judge. She receives a cheque]
Adam: Good job.
[Ken runs onstage and hugs Martha]
Ken: I’m so happy for you! You totally deserved it.
Martha: You helped a lot, thanks to your amazing acting skills.
Adam: What? Ken? You weren’t really in a car accident?
Ken: It was all Martha’s idea. I’m sorry, but maybe if you talked to the doctor you would know I wasn’t even in a car accident. I just fainted while doing a blood test, and Martha thought it would be a good idea to trick you.
Adam: I trusted you! My grandmother died because of you!
Ken: What’s the point? Even if she lived, she would die soon anyways. You should know clearly that she has a lot of other medical problems too.
Martha: I told you Adam, I’ve never lost in my life.
Adam: Can I please play my piece?
Judge: Nope. You missed your turn.
Adam: Wait a minute! I left the church at 1:35 pm, and now it is 1:53pm. The rules [Adam pulls out a book] state that the piano piece “need not be longer than twenty minutes” I should still have like two to three minutes.
Judge: All right, you can get 3 minutes to play your piece. I guess you’re right.
Adam: Thanks. Tell me when I should start and one hundred and eighty seconds later, stop me.
Judge: All right.
[Adam walks to the piano]
Judge: Start.
[Adam starts playing his piece]
Joseph: Wow! What a sad song.
Justin: I agree. I’ve never heard anyone play this piece this good!
Joseph: I heard this is a SUPER hard song to play.
Justin: I’ve actually played it before. Wow! He’s talented.
Judge: [Looking at his watch] Stop.
Adam: Thank you. [Bows]
Judge: [The judge writes some notes on his notebook]
Joseph: Good job Adam. You did amazing!
Justin: Yeah, you’re going to win.
Joseph: That’s amazing how you played such an amazing piece in only three minutes!
Adam: Thanks, this song was my grandmother’s favourite.
Judge: I will now announce the winner. The winner of the 15th S.F. Piano Contest is…
Joseph: It’s got to be you!
[Adam smiles]
Judge: Martha Harris!
Martha: Thank you, thank you so much!
Judge: You deserved it! I’m sure your dad would be really proud when they see this twelve thousand dollar cheque! [The judge hands Martha the cheque and Martha hands it to Ken] [Whispers] By the way, tell your dad I said hi.
Ken: Good job Martha!
Martha: I will. Thank you so much!
Justin: [SHOUTS] That’s not fair! Adam should have won!
Joseph: I told you that Martha knows the judge.
Justin: Wow.
Adam: Why did I lose?
Judge: Martha deserved it. She played her 8 minute piano piece beautifully, and filled with dynamics. The only negative note I would say about her is that she overused some arm movements. You were second place.
Justin: Adam was way better than Martha!
Ken: Come on, don’t spoil Martha’s birthday. Happy 17th birthday! Here’s your present. [Ken hands Martha a wrapped present]
Judge: Happy Birthday!
Martha: Thank you so much Ken! Thanks.
Adam: Wait. You’re seventeen? [Adam pulls out his book again] The age limit is 8-16!
Judge: Oh no. Wow… I’m sorry to say Martha, but you’re disqualified. I’m so sorry.
Martha: What?!?
Judge: The winner of the 15th S.F. Piano Contest is…Adam Wellis!
Martha: [To Ken] Why did you tell everyone that today is my birthday? It’s your fault! [To Judge] My dad’s going to be so mad at you! [Martha throws the present to Ken] Here you go! I don’t want to see you ever again! [Martha leaves]
[Martha, Justin, Joseph, and the Judge leaves]
Ken: [Ken hands the cheque to Adam] I’m so sorry. You deserved it. It’s my fault. Martha promised me she’ll give me half of the money from the cheque if she wins.
Adam: Sorry doesn’t fix everything. You don’t even need that much money.
Ken: Who doesn’t want money? You’re right, I don’t need it, but I want it.
Adam: I chose you over my grandmother, and I didn’t regret it, but now I do! I trusted you. Just go.
Ken: Sorry, and I will go. I can’t face anyone here, especially you. I’m going to move away to another town.
Adam: Oh. [Shocked] Okay. Is your grandma coming with you?
Ken: Yeah, she will. I haven’t even bought plane tickets yet.
Adam: Why?
Ken: I don’t have any money. I was just as poor as you, but you have a talent. You can play piano. I don’t. I’m just a waiter! I barely have any money to keep after buying food for me and my grandma.
Adam: When you’re finished school, you can go the university and get a good job.
Ken: University? I won’t have enough money. You do, there’s piano contests every year!
Adam: I guess you’re right. Well, I’m going. I still have to go to the hospital. [Adam walks away, holding on to the cheque with his right hand. He opens the door and he drops the cheque on the floor and walks away to the exit on the right]
Ken: Bye. [Ken notices the cheque on the floor and smiles. He walks towards it and picks it up] [Shouts] You dropped something. [Two seconds later] Adam?
Adam: [From offstage] [Coughs] Yea, I know.
[Ken exits to the right offstage, smiling, and running after Adam]
Lights off, Blackout.
The End.
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