Mountain High one act play script

ONE ACT PLAYS

MOUNTAIN HIGH
An adventure drama for a teenage cast written by Dave Buchanan. Shortlisted in SCDA Play On Words 2002.

PLOT RESUME
A group of teenagers from a youth club go on a hostelling trip to Arran, to walk Goat Fell. Conflicts emerge before and during the trip as the kids confront their main objective. With an entertaining and fast-moving plot and sharp dialogue, the play has much appeal to youth groups.

CAST FOUR BOYS FOUR GIRLS TWO MEN ONE WOMAN (all parts may be taken by teenagers)

BOYS
KEVIN, 15
SCOTT, 15
ALLAN, 15
MALKY, 13

ADULTS
MARTIN
SUE GIRLS
JESSICA, 15
MAGGIE, 15
CARLA, 13
MARLENE, 15

SEAMAN

SET
Various simple settings.

TIME - the present
DURATION - approx. 40 minutes

Script Sample

On the minibus

SUE Come on, girls. It's nearly time to go.
CARLA We were just getting sweeties, Miss.
SUE Call me Sue, Carla.
CARLA But you're a teacher, Miss.
SUE I know, Carla, but it's different at the Youth Club. It's a different sort of relationship. More informal, you know.
JESSICA Does that mean we can be cheeky, Sue?
SUE No it does not, Jess. So I wouldn't try it if I were you. Where's Marlene by the way? Wasn't she with you?
MAGGIE Dunno. She's probably getting fags. But I haven't seen her.

The four boys drift on with bags/cases

SUE Gentlemen, nice to see you, to see you nice! Good of you to condescend to come. Only five minutes late.
KEVIN You're a bit sarky today, Sue. Mr Livingstone says it's the lowest form of wit.
SUE Quite right, Kevin. I take it back.
MALKY What's condescend?

Martin arrives, bustling. He counts the numbers

MARTIN Right, we all ready to go? Wait, there's one missing.
MAGGIE It's Marlene.
MARTIN Well where is she then?
MAGGIE Don't ask me.
MARTIN I just did. You're her mate, aren't you?
MAGGIE Yeh, but I'm not her keeper.
MARTIN If we miss that ferry, I'll wring her neck.
SCOTTY Don't get your twickers in a mist, Martin!

Laughs, as Martin paces up and down, looking at his watch

SUE Don't worry, Martin. You've allowed plenty of time.
MALKY Here she comes!
MARTIN Thank God for that.

Marlene appears, walking casually. She walks straight to the back seat

MARLENE Hi ya, lassies!
MARTIN Excuse me, Marlene.
MARLENE Yes?
MARTIN Don't you even have the good grace to apologise?
MARLENE What for?
MARTIN For being late.
MARLENE I slept in.
MARTIN It's twenty minutes to ten.
MARLENE So?
MARTIN Oh sit down, Marlene, for goodness sake. Now then pay attention, everybody. I want to go through a list of Dos and Don'ts.
KIDS Oh no!
MARTIN First, no smoking on the bus or in the Youth Hostel. Apart from that, you can contaminate your lungs to your heart's content as far as I'm concerned. Second, anything you throw down on the bus, you pick up before we leave the bus. And third, watch your bleeding language. Marlene and Maggie, you know who I mean!

Laughs

MARTIN In fact why don't we have a swear box?
MAGGIE Look I thought we was supposed to be treated like adults?
MARTIN But you're not adults, are you, Maggie? You're that weird species called (he gestures "quotes") the teenager. Adolescens horribilis.
MAGGIE Eh?
MARTIN Forget it. It was Latin. You know Latin, do you?
SCOTTY Aye. Ballroom dancing, in't it?

The kids laugh

MARTIN Very funny. Anyway, about swearing. I am no way having you lot effing and blinding all the time. Let's say 50p a time.

There are loud protests from the kids

Now, Sue, do you want to say something?
SUE I don't think so. Oh. Have you all got your mobiles with you?

All the kids show their mobiles

MARTIN One more thing. Another banned word is "boring". If I hear anyone say "boring", I will personally shoot them at dawn!
CHORUS Boring!
MARTIN Right. Is that it? Let's get this road on the show. Oh, and no obscene gestures from the bus. Yes, guys?
CHORUS Yes, Martin!

Martin drives off

ALLAN Hey look, there's that bleeding St Medan's lot!

All the kids stand up and give a vigorous two-fingers salute

from Mountain High

259 The Moorings, Dalgety Bay, Fife, KY11 9GX.
Tel: (01383) 825737 E-mail: enquiries@spotlightpublications.com