Playwright: Rumble Rumble

This assignment was a one act playwright. I enjoyed writing this because it allowed me to turn a real life dilemma into a creative story/play. This piece illustrates my ability to write quality plays.

Rumble Rumble

Characters

Joe- A teenage boy, just older than 16 who’s daily routine consists of school, hours of football, and quality family time. On the weekends he is often away at some sporting event with his father while his sisters are off at college or visiting home.

Meatloaf- The hardy, zesty piece of meatloaf was not created but a few short days ago. Its contents consist of hamburger meat, sweet onions, ketchup, and other assorted spice. To be honest no family recipe book is complete without this delectable item. Just about once every two months he gets served for dinner, and then casually resides on the shelf as a left over for the week.

Barbecue Steak- Like most steaks are, this steak is from deep south and flown in just for the welcome home dinner for Joe’s oldest sister. This steak is nothing but pure masculinity dipped in decadent barbecue sauce. He is an item much more rare than the meatloaf but a special item for special occasions.

            Scene 1

It was a cold gloomy day. The clouds had just rolled in and the rain began to come down outside of the old ranch house in a town called Santa Rita. There was a musky scent blowing in through the blinds, and only the howl of the soft wind outside could be heard. At the window are Joe and his dog gazing outside as the drops of water bounce of the asphalt.

NARRATOR: The day had been long, and Joe had just gotten home from a hard football practice. It suddenly hit him as his stomach rumbled under his shirt.

JOE: Jeepers! (Grabbing his stomach in agony)

NARRATOR: That instant hunger settled in, and he needs food quickly. Deciding it would take too long to make a meal; he picked up his keys and was out the door to his car. As he turned the key…. Nothing.

JOE: You have got to be kidding me!!! (Hitting his steering wheel with frustration) Why must this happen in a moment of such hunger, my battery was fine yesterday.

As he slowly does the walk of shame back into the house hanging his head low with his hands held above trying to block the rain. Joe walks straight to the kitchen with the orange counter tops that seem to be straight from the 60’s. Joe opens the fridge and takes a deep breath as he stares at the countless items in the fridge that he has seen many times before.

JOE: I feel so dizzy, I must be starving, but I have no idea what I am craving. (He begins to look through the shelves hoping for something to call out his name)

MEATLOAF: How about you eat some of me Joe? I was only cooked the other night.

NARRATOR: Joe could not believe his ears, was he hallucinating or is the meatloaf really speaking to her? While pondering what reality is, he finds himself responding.

JOE: HMMM, no no no, not today. You do not seem to be what I want, maybe tomorrow though. Then, a much raspier voice comes from the shelf below.

BARBECUE STEAK: Well hello there, perhaps your taste buds would like some medium rare steak today. I feel might fresh if I must say so myself.

JOE: Maybe but I think I am going to keep looking until I find something that will surely hit the spot.

NARRATOR: Looking around, Joe spots a bag of salami hidden in the drawer of shredded cheese and lunch meat. His stomach growls in some sort of agreement to what he has seen, so he grabs it out.

JOE: Yes! That is a start.

NARRATOR: You can see his eyes scanning back and forth, up and down, and behind each and every item in the fridge, like a mouse in a maze.

JOE: Mustard! (He grabs the yellow container and sets it next to the salami) I will need this. LETTUCE! SLICED CHEDDAR CHEESE! CHICKEN! (A smile begins to grow on his face)

NARRATOR: The day seemed to get better as Joe places all of her chosen items on the counter and analyzes them. Something is missing, not from the fridge but…

JOE: Bread! Of course, how could I forget? (Grabbing the bread roll from on top of the fridge) Two slices of white bread should do the trick. All I need now is a paper plate to begin the construction of a masterpiece.

NARRATOR: Joe lays the bread next to each other on the plate and carefully places four pieces  of salami on each piece of bread, and then atop the salami a piece of American cheese.

JOE: I know!!! (Looking at the toaster oven on the other side of the kitchen)

NARRATOR: Joe knew that a toasted sandwich is much better than a cold one. Joe places the pieces of bread into the toaster and set it to medium for a nice warm crisp. Cutting up slices of the chicken to toss in the microwave for a little would be the next step.

JOE: I cannot wait to devour this beauty.

NARRATOR: He then delicately placed the warmed chicken on top of the salami and cheese, and then a layer of lettuce, finished off with some mustard.

JOE: Something is still missing… (He gazes up with a concentrated look on his face)

NARRATOR: Joe was in a deep ponder and new something else was needed, but couldn’t quite but his finger on it.

JOE: Chips! No true sandwich is complete without a topping of nacho Doritos inside.

NARRATOR: With that he brought his sandwich to the big comfy black couch and turned on the basketball playoff game. As he took the first bite he was able to let go of the troubles of his day. The dilemma had been solved and he had created the most delicious sandwich ever!