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Out of This World
Author's note:
One-Act Play, Fiction, Sci-Fi
Characters:
Jada
Mrs. Laura
Operator 1 (David)
Operator 2
Strange creature
Out of This World
Scene 1:
(The stage is dark. There is not a peep in the distance. It seems to be in an untidy work office. A young girl is standing in the center of the stage with a dazed look on her face.)
Jada
Hello, hello? Is anyone there?
(A light begins to shine down on a computer. The computer is making strange noises.)
Jada
Ugh, not this again.
(Jada appears in the light.)
Jada
Mom, your computer is acting up again! It’s kinda scaring me.
(The stage lights up. A middle-aged woman bolts into the room with a serious look on her face. Her face is always like this.)
Mrs. Laura
Jada, what did I say about going near my project?
Jada
I’m sorry Mother, it just drew my attention.
Mrs. Laura
Listen, I know you’ve always wanted to work like me, but you’re just a young girl. I am doing a lot for the world here, something you could never figure out, knowing you..
Jada
That’s a bit harsh.. I can do many things.
Mrs. Laura
Riding your bike doesn’t count. You don’t even know how to make mac and cheese without blowing up the kitchen. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to hear that story.
Jada
Wow, thanks.
(Mrs. Laura pauses and blankly stares at the computer.)
Jada
You don’t seem to know what you’re doing yourself, Mom. You know, it’s quite rare to find life on other planets - Especially considering only a few people have ever been to space.
Mrs. Laura
Keep telling yourself that Jada, but I’m going to figure it out today. I’m gonna be the strongest woman on this planet, you just watch.
(Voice in the distance)
Mrs. Laura, number 187 is ready for you.
Mrs. Laura
I’ll be there in a few. This work computer won’t cooperate, y'all better learn to fix these old pieces of junk up.
(Loud sigh in the distance)
(Voice in the distance)
Number 187 is ready for you, Mrs. Laura.
Mrs. Laura
Never go for these kinda jobs. They’ll have you working for 14 hours a day and don’t even care to treat you with respect. Honestly I would rather work at McDonalds.
(Mrs. Laura gets up from the computer and leaves the scene)
(Jada walks up to the computer)
Jada
I’d much rather be doing this than focusing my whole life trying to get a doctorate degree..
Jada
Computer, what do you think?
(Jada puts her finger up to the computer. The computer starts to light up and shines out to the audience.)
Jada
Computer?
(Computer makes a strange noise. Jada moves her hands closer. Suddenly there is a loud crash. The stage goes dark.)
Scene 2:
(The stage is accompanied by a big spaceship, where the audience can clearly see what’s going on in the inside by an opening inside the ship.)
Operator 1
Are we almost ready?
Mrs. Laura
Affirmative.
Operator 2
Make sure the systems are all clear - We’re taking off in 3 minutes.
(Loud spaceship sounds.)
Mrs. Laura
Something is wrong. These buttons seem to be jammed. Can we get an extra eye on these?
Operator 2
That is your job, Mrs. Laura.
Mrs. Laura
Look, if I’m gonna discover something that has never been found before, it’s gotta be perfect. Just imagine my name being talked about everywhere.. In every newsletter, everywhere you look, I’ll be there. Why is it life on other planets have been discovered and proven through the naked eye? Why are the biggest theories of life now solved? We can all thank the famous Clare Laura.
Operator 1
We need an extra look on these.
Mrs. Laura
Will anyone ever listen to me here? God, this place is like a prison.
Operator 1
2 more minutes.
(Jada runs onto the stage. She’s frightened.)
Jada
Stop the ship!
Mrs. Laura
Jada Elizabeth Laura! What did I tell you about interfering with my work?
Jada
I’m serious! There is a malfunction in the ship and when you take off it’s gonna go the wrong direction, which would be dangerous considering we have not planned to go to any other planet besides Mars.
Mrs. Laura
Your mother knows what she’s doing. What’d you think I was an idiot?
(Jada hops inside the spaceship)
Jada
Let me see this.
Mrs. Laura
Out of here right this instant!
Operator 2
Mrs. Laura, we are taking off in less than a minute.
Mrs. Laura
See what you're doing? Stop acting like you know more than me, because you don’t.
Jada
Mom, trust me!
(Jada quickly pushes the button before taking off. The scene goes dark as there are loud spaceship noises signaling to take off. There is yelling in the background of people arguing.)
Scene 3:
(The stage is accompanied by a large backdrop showing a dark starry night and the image of a large planet reflecting down on the stage ground. The actors are clothed in light spacesuits. There appears to be a strange creature picking pieces off the ground and examining each piece.)
Strange creature
*Humming*
(Jada walks onto the stage, looking confused)
Jada
Mom?..
(No response)
Jada
Mom, I know you're mad.. Just please, stay with me.
(No response. )
(Jada looks down without speaking.)
Jada
Mom, how am I supposed to survive without you?
(The strange creature still seems to be humming. Jada turns around and notices the creature.)
Jada
Hello, can you help me find my mother?
(The strange creature looks confused.)
Strange creature
You're not afraid of me?
Jada
You can speak?
Strange creature
Yes, I am just like you - Just totally different.
Jada
You're not afraid of me?
Strange creature
I knew you existed, and I wanted to believe it, so I did. I knew you were out there, but nobody else did.
Jada
Nobody else?
Strange creature
Yes, I am probably the only creature you will ever be able to interact with. Considering, this is not.. How should I put it?.. Where I came from.
Jada
So, you’re just like me?
Strange creature
Not anymore. It’s crazy I can actually interact with you, to be honest. We aren’t made to interact with humans.
(Suddenly there is an echoing voice in the distance.)
Voice in the distance
Hello?
(Jada turns to face the voice.)
Jada
Is someone there?
Operator 1
Jada, thank god you’re okay. But your mother isn’t - We need your medical help on the ship.
Jada
On it, David.
Operator 1 (David)
You know my name? Not even my own boss knows my name.
Jada
I pay attention here and there.
David
Wow, you got potential, you know.
(Jada turns around)
Jada
I’m not the only one. I mean, you're not even freaked out by this guy?
David
What guy?
Jada
He’s right there! Isn’t he?..
Strange creature
Human girl, who are you talking to? I know I’m not that normal either, but I don’t talk to absolute nothingness. If you need, I can get out my pro-360 zapper if that’ll help - Made specially by.. Well.. Me.
(Jada gasps)
Jada
Mom!
(The actors run off the stage, but the alien is left there alone)
Scene 3:
(David and Jada run into the spaceship where Mrs. Laura is unconscious. Operator 1 is panicking, trying to help.)
Operator 1
Nothing is working, we need backup!
Jada
I know exactly what to do.
(The operators hand over the med kit. Jada does her job and recovers her mother.)
(Mrs. Laura awakens. She is very confused)
Mrs. Laura
Where am I.. And why is the air so tight? It smells terrible.
David
You’re awake!
Mrs. Laura
Ugh, not you again. Can someone make this awful smell go away?
(Suddenly the strange creature appears)
Strange creature
Woah, I’ve never been with this many humans for who knows how long..
Jada
Oh, hi again!
(Mrs. Laura screams in terror)
Mrs. Laura
What is that ugly mutant?!
Jada
You’ve always wanted to find life on other planets, right? Well, now you have.
Mrs. Laura
I didn’t actually want to. I just wanted to for the fame, you know. And now that I have, I am going to finally fulfill the dream I deserve!
(Jada and David look at each other. Mrs. Laura eagerly sits up with passion.)
Mrs. Laura
We’re heading home!
Strange creature
Home, as in, Earth? I haven’t been there since dinosaurs roamed the streets.
Mrs. Laura
Hah, I knew it! Dinosaurs do exist!
(David looks at Jada with a sarcastic expression.)
David
It’s cause’ she just woke up, I’m sure!
(Everyone laughs and gets on the ship to go home.)
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