The Night Of No Return
An original work
By Phil spence
Cast (18 parts)
Percy(16): casual 2017 male. Dresses in university style clothing
Olivia(16): casual 2017 female. Dresses in university style clothing
Margret(16): casual 2017 female. Dresses in university style clothing
Mason (16):casual 2017 male. Dresses in university style clothing
Rex(27) Percy's dad
Mel(27) Olivia's mom
Ryan(28) Mason's dad
Grace(28)Margret's mom
Cyndi(15)villain's daughter
Betty(38): villain. Cyndi's stepmother
Ben (16): Casual 2017 male
Drake(26): Ben's father
Extras to play Betty's henchmen and dogs
Scene 1
(Light up on Cyndi as she speaks)
Cyndi: I didn't ask for this. I never asked to be the daughter of a villain. Why. I'll tell you. See it all started when Dad died and My stepmother took me in and started to look after me. I knew things would start to go down from here
(Cyndi exits)
(Lights up on the whole stage. We see Percy, 16, with his friends watching a movie eating popcorn and lollies)
Percy: These effects are so fake. I mean. You can totally tell he's not actually singing.
Margret: how exactly?
Percy: Well…I don't actually know
Mason: See. you can't even give a concrete point on why these effects are fake
Rex: Mason, how are you and your friends getting home?
Mason: Dad's picking all of us up
Rex: Well. That's good you've all got a ride home
Margret: anyway. Back to the movie
(Cyndi enters behind the kids)
Cyndi: aww. How sweet. But I have other ideas for you kids
Percy: Did any of you guys just here something?
Mason: No
Margret: Nah
Olivia: Nada
Percy: Huh. must just be me
Cyndi: Oh. my. Gosh. how thick are these people? Well, if they aren't gonna turn around. I guess I'll have to make them. Force them even. (to audience) Which do you think seems more painful?
(Cyndi shrugs and exits)
(Phone rings)
Percy: Hello, Perseus speaking
Cyndi(Offstage): HOW THICK ARE YOU? IF YOU AREN'T GONNA TURN ROUND I'LL FORCE YOU TO LOOK
Percy: Hey. Did you guys set my ringtone to a shrieking girl?
Olive?
Olivia: No
Percy: Mason?
Mason: No
Percy: Margret?
Margret: Nah
Percy: O.K. then. Prank call
Cyndi(Enters behind the kids): Well played Perseus. Well played indeed, my friend
Percy: What?
Mason: Is everything O.k?
Percy: Yeah, I just keep thinking that I keep hearing someone call my name. My full name at that
Margret: What's your full name?
Percy: Perseus. It's Greek
Margret: Oh.
(Lights down on the kids as Betty Appears and stands next to Cyndi)
Betty: UGH. Cyndi. If you can't do anything properly then don't say you'll do it
Cyndi: Yes Betty
Betty: Get me the spray
Cyndi: Yes, Betty. Here you are
Betty: Thank you
(Betty dispenses the spray over the kids)
Mason: Hey, do you guys smell anything strange?
Percy: smells awful
(Lights down on the kids and spotlights up on Cyndi and Betty as the kids exit)
Cyndi: Yes. that's it. Breathe in the fumes. You'll be in our clutches soon enough. Wait was that too dark?
Betty: Heavily.
Cyndi: Damnit
(End scene)
Scene 2
(Lights up on Ryan and Damon They are both on the phone)
Ryan: Damon,is Mason with you?
Rex: No
Ryan: He hasn't come home
Rex: You too?
Ryan: What?
Rex: I call Percy for breakfast and he doesn't come down
Ryan: Same here. Mason hasn't turned up from your place
Rex: Well sorry, he's not here
Ryan: Thanks
(Rex hangs up and Grace rings)
Grace: Rex. Is Margret with you
Rex: No
Grace: well she hasn't turned up
Rex: Yeah. same as Percy
Grace: Well. I'll keep you, Ryan and Mel posted if I hear anything
Rex: Thanks Grace
Grace any time, dude
(Rex hangs up and Mel rings)
Mel: Hey, Rex. Sorry to bug you, but have you seen Olivia around?
Rex: No
Mel: Do you know where she is. She said she'd be at your place
Rex: You're not the only one, Mel. I've just had phone calls from Ryan and Grace seeing if I knew where Margret and Mason ran off to. And to top it all off, Percy doesn't show himself for breakfast
Mel: That's concerning
Rex: Well, I'll keep you posted if I hear anything
Mel:" Thanks
(Lights down and spotlight up as cyndi and Betty enter)
Cyndi: Well that was eventful wasn't it mother?
Betty: Thought so
Cyndi: How do you know
Betty: I was watching Rex freak out when he was calling Percy's friend's parents
Cyndi: Classic. The father freaks when his son goes missing
Ben(Offstage): Where are you. Come here and fight me like the man you are. Witch
Cyndi: Be quiet. Or I'll make sure you never see the light of day ever again
(End scene)
Scene 3
(Lights up on an empty stage. Percy, Mason, Margret, olivia and Ben enter)
Olivia: O.k. whatever happened two nights ago was weird
Ben: I'll say
(Olivia screams, ben clamps his hand over her mouth)
Ben: zip it. If Cyndi or Betty hears. We'll all be sorry
Olivia: Why?
Ben: Betty is ruthless and while her step-daughter may look innocent. She is pure evil
(Betty enters)
Betty: Talking to strangers are we, Benny?
Ben: Don't call me that. Call me benjamin if you must call me something other than my name.
Betty: In your dreams, sunshine
Percy: O.k. who are you, and what do you want?
Ben: She's Betty Swift. And while she make look innocent she will straight-up whip you raw. If she feels really malicious
Mason: How long have you been here?
Ben: Six years. Since I was eleven.
Margret: So. you're 16?
Ben: Yeah. I got a phone call from Cyndi screaming at me to look up. I look to the roof and there she is. She then grabs me and I've been imprisoned ever since
Olivia: Ouch. Rough. Isn't it?
Ben: yeah. Stick with me and We'll all get out of here alive
Margret: why can't we just ring the cops?
Ben: Yeah. Cyndi's got that covered. When I tried to ring the cops, she cut the phone line. We are isolated out here.
Percy: well, how do we get out of here?
Ben: when I first came here, Cyndi dragged me through a dungeon
Olivia: And?
Ben: I think I know a way out of this place
(End scene)
Scene 4
(Lights up on Ben and co. they are in an isolated part of the dungeon with flash lights)
Ben: Watch your step, guys
Olivia: Why?
(Olivia stands on a bone and it crunches loudly underfoot)
Ben: That's why
Percy: What was that?
Ben: Yeah. Forgot to mention. Cyndi has animal skulls in her dungeons
Margret: and you know this. How?
Ben: I've been in here a couple of times when Betty believed I needed "Time out" when in all reality she was working out what other sick act of assault to commit
(The Kids come to a dead end)
Mason: Dead end. Now what?
Ben: easy. Open up, make it quick. Unlock this door without a kick
(Lock clicks in the door)
Ben: Yes. let's get out of here
(End scene)
Scene 5
(Lights up on Ben and co. they are outside of their prison. All is quiet. Cyndi enters behind them)
Ben: We made it.
Cyndi: You thought you could get past us. Huh, Benny?
Ben: How many times do I have to to tell you psychos? that isn't my name(To audience) they just aren't getting it
Cyndi: But I thought you'd stay.
Ben: You are mental. And no, I'm not staying any longer. I'm taking myself and these kids home
Cyndi: Why. d'you think their parents are worrying?
Ben: Yes! That's the point, witch!
(Betty enters)
Betty: What's going on here cyndi?
Ben: Oh. Thank god. Your daughter is a bloody psycho. So can you please explain to her that we are going home?
Betty: No.
Percy: Run?
Ben: Yep
(The kids bolt offstage)
Betty: Fine, you wanna play it that way? Very well,Prick the leg and prick it deep, send the kids off to sleep
(End scene)
Scene 6
(Spotlight up on Ben)
Ben: well, needless to say. We got away from them. But little did we know that this wasn't going to be easy
(Lights up on the whole stage. We see Ben and co walking out on the front yard. They come across a wall of thorny vines)
Percy: Great. We're trapped here. Now what, Ben?
Ben: Easy. incendio
(The wall of weeds erupt into flames)
Percy: Wow. where'd you learn that?
Ben: Latin class. Incendio comes from the word "Incendia" Meaning fire
Olivia: You are full of surprises
Ben: What can I say? Being trapped here for six years without any way to pass time does something to a person
Margret: Oh
(They come across another wall of vines)
Mason: Now what?
Ben: I can't use the same trick twice or she'll notice
(The vines start to hiss)
Percy: Ben. I don't think those are vines…they're snakes
Margret: Should we run?
Olivia: Yep
Boys: Girls. Calm yourselves and keep your wits about you
Girls: Yes. Ok.
(Ben Thrusts his arm forward and the snakes start to freeze)
Percy: Let me guess, you learned that in captivity as well?
Ben: Yes. cyndi gave me a book of nonverbal spells to practise and keep me from going insane. I never thought that it would come in useful. Now, let's go
(They run offstage)
(Lights down)
Scene 7
(Lights up on betty and cyndi)
Betty: Twice, cyndi. Twice that little rat has gotten away from us
Cyndi: Yes, mom. I've tried my best to keep him here but-
Betty: Well, your best is obviously not enough. It's time I took matters into my own hands. Henchmen
(Betty's henchmen(Played by extras) enter)
Betty: Find those kids and Bring them to me. Even if you must injure them on the way. Especially that Benjamin fellow. I have a special brand of punishment for him
Henchmen(In unison): Yes Betty
Betty: Now go. Before you all experience unemployment
(Henchmen exit)
Scene 8
(Lights up on Percy and co. as they are walking down the street. Henchmen appear)
Henchman 1: O.k. hand over the boy and you won't get hurt
Ben: In your dreams. Like I'd ever go with you
(Henchmen advance on the group as they back up into an alley)
Henchman 2: We have you cornered. Now hand over the boy
(Dogs growl from offstage)
Ben: Should we run
Girls: Yeah
Boys(Less Ben): Yep
Ben: Ok. Run
(They exit)
Scene 9
(Lights up on the group as the trip on stage and back out of the alley getting chased by dogs)
Ben: Easy boy, sit. Stay. Nothing's working
(Dogs start barking)
Cyndi(Offstage): Turn around
Ben: Did anyone just hear that?
Boys(Less Ben):Yeah
Girls: Yes
Drake: Ben. get you and your friends out of the way
Ben: wait. Dad?
Drake: Ben! I thought I'd never see you again
Ben: Dad. I'm sorry, but can we talk about this when we aren't getting ambushed?
Drake: O.k. fair enough
(Drake blows on a whistle and the dogs recoil in fear)
Drake: Sit(dogs sit)Good boys
(Drake gives all the dogs a pat on the head for obedience)
Ben: Let's get out of here
Group: Yes
(Lights down as the group exits)
Scene 10
(Spotlight up on cyndi and Betty)
Betty: Fine. we'll give up chase. Because you're all useless
Cyndi: mom.
Betty: Don't call me that. You're just as useless. As far as I'm concerned you can forget I was ever your mother and consider yourself fired
(Cyndi starts crying)
Cyndi(Sobbing):I thought I liked you. But then I saw your true colours. You're a witch and I never liked you
Betty: Get out of my sight. I never want to see your filthy self ever again, Cyndi
(Cyndi runs offstage sobbing)
(we are now in a park. Ben is sitting on a bench as Cyndi runs in)
Ben: Hey cyndi. What's up?
Cyndi(Sobbing): I hate everything
Ben: What?
Cyndi: I hate Betty, I hate this world and I hate everything
Ben(Angry): Look. Cyndi, as far as I'm concerned, you have no family. Now let me try and knock some sense into that witch
Cyndi: No. Ben, don't. She'll only make life hell
Ben: I've already been in hell the past few years
(Ben exits)
Drake: Hey. Cyndi. If it makes you feel any better, someone's offered to kick some sense into Betty
Cyndi: I heard. It was your son. And he said I have no family
Drake: Yes you do, you have us Ben, Myself, Percy, Olive, Mason, Margret and their families. If you want, we could take you. Ben and I would look after you better than Betty ever could. What do you say?
Cyndi: I'll take you up on your offer
Drake: O.k. now let's go and watch Ben beat some sense into her
(End scene)
Scene 11
(spotlight up on cyndi)
Cyndi: Needless to say everything went well. I've been enrolled in the same school as Ben and he and the teachers are surprised at how quick I have caught up with the coursework and on the same page as everyone else no less. All of our friends are happy that they're home at last, and to top it all off, Betty's been imprisoned under 5 counts of abduction, murder of my parents, manipulation and attempted torture. Her sentence is life in prison with no chance of parole. Ben and drake have been helping me adjust to society and have been really chill about the whole ordeal
(Lights up on Ben and Percy having a phone conversation)
Percy: Yo, Benjamin
Ben: Hey, Perseus
Percy: you wanna come see a movie? You can bring cyndi and I'll see if Olive and co wanna come over. Your pick By the way. Yo dad?
Damon: Yeah?
Percy: Can some friends come over? We're gonna watch a movie
Damon: Yeah
Percy: Cool. thanks dad (on the phone) cool, Ben you and Cyndi are in as well as Olive and co are also in
(Lights up on Rex, Ryan, Grace, Mel and Drake)
Ryan: we are the best parents ever
Rex: You got that right dude
Drake: So since my kids are out of the way, what do ya say? Movie night at my house?, bar?
Mel: Movie night's safer
Drake: Alright. Let's go
(Lights down end of play)
