Characters:

Diana
Alvin
James

Sylvia

Andy

Librarian

Beggar Woman

Policeman

Scene 1

The scene opens showing a bleak room with panels for walls, and the lighting is dim. Furniture in the room consists of a low coffee table, a couch, a display case with family photos, a fireplace, and a TV set. Everything is covered by white sheets. There is a black door on one end and a white door in the other, both have gold knobs and both open towards the audience. There is only one big window, and it has wooden boards on it, nailed shut.

A teenage boy and girl, a young man in his twenties, an old maid and a butler reveal themselves from behind the furniture. They start pulling the sheets off and the teenagers take the boards away from the window and the stage becomes brighter. The old maid, Sylvia, begins brushing Diana’s hair, and they both sit on the couch, while the boy, Alvin plays with his chess pieces. The young man, James, is reading the newspaper on an armchair while the butler, Andy, pours tea.

Sylvia: Ninety-eight…ninety-nine…one hundred. There, you’re done. Rises and leaves the room

Diana sits down beside Alvin and picks up a chess piece

Alvin: Girls can’t play chess. They’re too dumb.

Andy: Well now Alvin, Girls are every bit as smart as boys. You’d be surprised. Why when I was your age I knew a girl who beat me at spelling every time we had a test.

Sylvia: Comes back in with the children’s tea That was because you never studied, and always copied the answers off Jeffrey White’s paper, and he never studied either. Sets tray down and serves the food

Andy: Whispers to Alvin disappointedly I loved to think it was just because the teacher was never fond of me.

Diana: Girls are just as smart and I will prove it.

Alvin: Mockingly How?

Diana: By beating you at chess.

Alvin: Let’s see about that then.

Both children start arranging the chess pieces in starting position. James folds the newspaper and picks up the teacup

Andy: Anything good, sir?

James: Meteorologists predict an eclipse this week. Just what we need, for it to get even darker. This winter months are dreadful.

Andy: Word from Mr Griffith arrived today, Sir. Shall I fetch it now?

James: Oh please do, Andy. I haven’t heard from my brother for so long.

Andy runs off and fetches the letter. The children crowd around James as he reads it out.

James: Dear children and James, my business trip is almost over and I’ll be home in a few days. I’ve got lots of gifts for all of you, and I just can’t wait to be back home with you all. Daddy has just struck an amazing deal and we can go on a vacation to The Bahamas this spring. I’m sure that you all will enjoy that The children look at each other and grin Take care while I’m gone and listen to Andy and Ms Sylvia. Love, Dad.

Sylvia: Well isn’t that just the greatest news.

Diana: Daddy’s coming home!

Sylvia and Andy smile at one another and the children hug. The doorbell rings and Andy sets down the Teapot.

Andy: I’ll get it. Walks forward, dusts the front of his coat and opens the white door. An old beggar women hobbles in with snow on her shoulders, shivering. James stands up immediately.

James: Dear lady, are you alright?

Old woman: Good Evening, sir. I was just looking for a place to stay tonight. The other houses refused me and the cold is unbearable.

James: Of course, of course, you can stay the night with us.

Sylvia: I’ll ready the spare bedroom for our guest.

Old woman: Thank you sir, ma’am, I’ll be off first thing tomorrow, I promise.

James: Nonsense, stay as long as you need. I’m James Griffith and this house belongs to my brother Jonathan. These are his children gestures to Diana and Alvin. They both nod as their names are mentioned, Diana and Alvin, and our butler, Andy.

Andy: That nice lady you just met was the nanny, Sylvia.

Old Woman: Thank you for letting me in.

Sylvia comes back into the scene

Sylvia: You’re room is ready, dear. Carefully now. Helps old woman out through the black door. James follows both of them out.

Andy: The winter is brutal. Assuredly I’m glad I don’t have to go outdoors.

James comes back into the scene, walking towards the armchair and speaking at the same time.

James: Andy, good man, if you could make a trip to the local store and pick up some nice-smelling soap. Poor dear looks like she hasn’t had a warm bath for days. Sits down on the armchair and unfolds newspaper

Andy: Annoyed Certainly, sir. Goes towards the door slowly and sadly I’ll go out in the cold….

James: Don’t forget your coat…

Andy: Gets his coat Courting pnuemonia…

James: I’ll take that chance.

Andy grumbles and heads out the door with his coat.

Diana: Andy always does the work around here…

Alvin: He is the butler.

Diana shrugs and makes a move on the chessboard.

Diana: Checkmate.

The lights dim and the scene ends.

Scene 2

The same family living room. The children and James are in different clothes, and Sylvia has had a change of apron. The tea sets and chessboard are gone and Andy is holding a feather duster. The old lady comes out of the black door. Sylvia gives her a brown paper bag.

Sylvia: Some food for the journey.

Old woman: You’re too kind.

James: Must you really leave? It wouldn’t do well on my conscience to have you out there in the cold.

Old woman: Oh yes. It wouldn’t do well on my conscience to keep intruding. Pats James’s cheek and nods towards the children. Pulls out a glove, make of black wool with gold embroidery from her coat and gives it to James. If you believe in stories, this may come of good use to you. I was told it was a piece of fine Egyptian art and would give one wish to whoever wants it. Even if it doesn’t do that, will you take it as a token of appreciation?

James: It’s wonderful. Goes to hang it up on a hook in the display case.

Old woman: It’s much more at home up there than in my old coat pocket. Such a thing ought to be displayed. Admires it for a while I’ll better be off now before nightfall. Good day, and thank you again.

Andy: Any time. Opens the white door for her.

James: Do come again if you need anything…the house is always open.

The old woman smiles at him and leaves the house. Sylvia goes out of the black door and returns with a newspaper, which she gives to James.

Alvin: Do you suppose it really works? The glove I mean.

Diana: She did look sure of what she was saying.

Alvin: Too bad it only gives us one wish, if we try to find out if it does work, we won’t be able to use it.

James: Alvin, you don’t really believe in all these nonsense.

Alvin: I guess so…but still,

James cuts him off with the exclamation of his departure to work. He does not want to speak of the glove any more.

James: Well, I better be off to work now. I don’t want to be late. Walks towards door. Will you fetch me my coat and case, Andy?

Andy: Certainly, sir.

Andy gets James’s black detective-like coat and briefcase from the coffee table and helps him into it, before opening the door to let him out. While they do that Diana, Sylvia, and Alvin go out through the black door and Diana comes back with a book. She sits on the armchair reading. Andy shuts the door and goes out through the black door.

The lights black out. a ten second pause where the characters come back into the scene and pose themselves naturally around the space. Andy is polishing the glass pieces in the display case and Sylvia is reading to the children on the couch. The lights flicker on again and James comes back into the scene through the white door. Alvin gets up from the couch and walks towards him.

Alvin: I was thinking, maybe we could test the glove to be sure. It would be a waste if we don’t-

James: Shouting. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS MAGIC! LET ALONE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THAT GLOVE! He pauses for a while and relaxes before continuing sternly. One more word about that thing and I’ll send you straight to the pastor for confession.

James throws his briefcase and bag onto the floor and storms out of the room through the black door. Alvin stares at him leave, and the rest of them stare at Alvin. The scene ends

Scene 3

It’s night. The stage is dimly lit. Muffled night sounds from outside the house can be heard, crickets, an owl. There is one star outside the window. The black door opens slowly and Diana steps out, in a long white nightgown holding a lighted candle. She is sleepwalking. She sleepwalks to the armchair, sits down, picks up the remote control and turns on the television. The screen of the TV cannot be seen by the audience, but it lights up the room slightly, showing Diana’s wide eyes. She sits very still. A female reporter’s voice comes from the television.

Reporter: This just in. A passenger plane carrying 31 people has exploded and crashed along the coast of Italy. Rescue work is being brought to the disaster but it has been reported, it is highly unlikely there will be any survivors. The European Airlines have been unavailable for comment on the incident.

The television shuts off suddenly. All lights go out. A ten second pause. The television lights up again with a loud crashing sound. It is the only source of illumination on the stage this time. A male reporter’s voice comes from the television.

Reporter: Latest news from the Italian Coast Plane Crash. Rescue authorities have confirmed, the plane crash has left no survivors. This is the fifth of a series of deadly disasters occurring in and around Europe. The plane’s black box has yet to be recovered, making the cause for the disaster, unknown. Small pause In other news, the highly valued antique that has been stolen from the Tutankhamen museum is still missing, and anyone who has information on this is urged to come forward. The relic, a black glove said to be worn by the king himself…voice trails off

The television switches off by itself again. Diana jerks awake. She realizes what has happened and runs from the room through the black door. The doorbell rings. A five second pause. The doorbell rings again. The lights come on. James and Andy comes out of the black door, wearing pajamas and halfway through putting on their sleeping robes. James steps aside and Andy opens the door. A policeman steps into the house.

Policeman: Is this the residence of one, Jonathan Griffith?

Diana creeps back into the room slowly through the black door, pulling Alvin by the wrist behind her. He is wearing a set of maroon pajamas and walks sleepily. They come in unnoticed and hide behind the armchair. Diana listens to every word but James dozes off, still kneeling down.

James: Hugs robe tighter around him. Yes sir, I’m his brother James. Is anything wrong?

Policeman: Do forgive me for intruding at this hour but I have some, dreadful news. Your brother was one of the passengers in a plane headed for London which, crashed as it was passing the Italian waterfront.

Sylvia comes out of the black door in a nightgown and sleeping robe and stands beside Andy

James: Shocked Is he alright?

Policeman: There were…no survivors. I’m…very sorry.

James, Sylvia and Andy are in shock. The policeman bows his head down, opens the door and leaves slowly. James and Andy stare at the floor, not moving.

Sylvia: And what will the children say? She looks at Andy and they both look into each other’s eyes for a while. James still stares at the floor in shock.

James: We won’t tell them. At least, not yet. We’ll wait a while…

Sylvia: Stay strong, Mr Griffith. Squeezes his shoulder

James nods, slowly steps towards the black door and goes in. Andy and Sylvia follow. The lights dim until the stage is dark but still can be seen. Diana sits down in front of the coffee table and pulls Alvin beside her and strikes a match to light the candle. Alvin goes down on his knees beside her and grabs her wrist. They speak in whispers.

Alvin: What, is going on? What did that policeman come here for?

Diana: Pulls her hand away. The match goes out. Strikes another match and lights the candle.You heard them.

Alvin: I could only barely hear them, and having been just woken up by you I couldn’t register what they said.

Diana: He said….lets her hands fall to her sides…he said dad’s gone.

Alvin: Pause. I thought I heard that…

Diana: He’s never coming back. The plane he was in crashed and now, he’s gone.. I was thinking, we still haven’t given the glove a try… They both turn to look at the display case and stare.

Alvin: Do you really believe in stories?

Diana: Not until now. It’s worth a try…everything is worth a try now.

Alvin: Pause. Not tonight.

They remain kneeling down and stare at the lighted candle until a gust of wind blows it out. The stage goes completely dark and the scene ends.