The Reluctant Witnesses one act play script

ONE ACT PLAYS

THE RELUCTANT WITNESSES
An explosive drama by Les Clarke for four men and two women on a topical theme.

Plot Summary
During a terrorist bomb-scare, a number of people who witnessed the incident are assembled in the interview room of a police station. And they are a motley crowd: two businessmen, an elderly bag-lady, a clown en route to a kids’ party, and a aggressive teenage hoodie with attitude. As conflicts arise, PC Stanley has his work cut out to prevent the tension spilling over into open hostility.
ISBN 1 904930 55 7

CAST FOUR MEN TWO WOMEN

ROBERT CRAIG, a young businesman
RUTHIE, an elderly bag-lady
PATRICK JAMES CARTER, a young "hoodie" with attitude JEFFREY MOUNT, a middle-aged consultant
HAPPY HARRY, a professional clown
PC STANLEY, a police constable

SET
An interview room in a police station

TIME - present day
DURATION - approx. 40 minutes

Script Sample - The interview room

PC Stanley has brought in the first two witnesses: Robert Craig and Ruthie

Robert (to PC Stanley) Have you any idea how much longer this is going to take?
PC Stanley No, I’m sorry I don’t at the moment. There’s a lot of people to sort out but as soon as I know something I’ll let you know. It’s an unusual situation as I’m sure you appreciate. Tell you what; I’ll see if I can rustle up some tea for you.
Ruthie I don’t take sugar! It’s bad for me teeth.

PC Stanley smiles, nods at Ruthie and exits closing the door behind him

It’s good here, innit? Nice and dry. It makes a change to have something solid over me head.

Robert nods and turns away. He flops down on a chair. Ruthie takes a short tour of the room then sits

Bastard what happened, wan’ it? And I was having a good day an’ all. This’ll bugger things up for weeks! I’ve had three lots of sandwiches bought me today …

Robert omits a short laugh

What? What you blooming laughing at? You laughing at me?
Robert (sits forward) No, no not at all. I was just thinking about the irony in what you just said about sandwiches.

Ruthie pulls a face confused

You see if I hadn’t have popped out for a sandwich I wouldn’t be stuck in here now. I’d still be at work. This is going to affect my targets something chronic. And my supervisor she’ll be tearing her hair out wondering where the hell I’ve got to. (He straightens up) Oh this won’t go down very well at all. Oh God! (He sighs)
Ruthie (delves in her plastic bag) I’ve still got a sandwich in here somewhere, you’re welcome to it. I hid it after they’d had a poke about. (She nods) I’ve only eaten one half I ain’t touched the other half. It’s in one of them plastic cases.
Robert How come they let you keep a bag?
Ruthie (stops rummaging and cackles) It’s me spares. Look. (She pulls her hand out the bag and holds up an assortment of old underwear. She holds a pair up in front of her and models them) If I’ve had a drop of drink see, I sometimes wets meself. So I keep me spares with me all the time. If I can’t change me drawers straight away I gets a rash. Oow itches like mad, it do! So they let me keep me bag of drawers but I hid that sandwich when they wa’nt looking. (She starts rummaging again) I know it’s in here somewhere.
Robert Look its okay. Don’t bother on my account please … I’ve lost my appetite.

from The Reluctant Witnesses

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