Sample Radio Play

Glimmers, A One Act Radio Play, by Kiana Kidd

[Enter an elderly woman, about 70, in an abandoned movie set. The woman is visibly unsettled. Props are strewn throughout the room. It’s about ten at night.]

Helen: Oh my. Will you look at the mess of the place? In all my years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place in disarray quite as bad as this. I nearly killed myself tripping over that cable back there. Drat, where are the lights?
Ahhh, there they are. Much better. Well, the good news is I can see. But the bad news is, now I can clearly see just how messy this place is! Where is that old Alfred now? He’d have a fit if he saw the place like this. Over by that busted window is an overturned table, over by that escape door are about fifty cables, and the rest of the room is covered in ash from the fire of ‘57. Could you imagine if Alfie saw this mess? He’d surely have a heart attack! Ha ha ha.
Ooh yes, will you look at that. I almost looked right over my favourite prop of all, that big lounge sofa. Other than a bit of smoke damage, the fabric is still in pretty decent condition. The memories I made just on this sofa alone could last one a lifetime. I remember when I was still working as an understudy, I would come into the studio after hours, and pretend I was Judy Garland. I would pretend to boss people about, and lounge in this sofa, sometimes even falling asleep in the chair. Then there was my big break. In one scene, I was to lie asleep on the sofa, and wait for my leading man, Johnny Fairchild, to come in and kiss me. Not many people know this, but he was my first kiss! He wasn’t very good at it as he didn’t have much experience, he was rather new on the acting scene. But he had piercing blue eyes, a full head of jet black hair, and a Scottish accent! Oh I was the envy of all my girlfriends. Oh my, I do believe I’m getting quite flushed! Is it warm in here, or is it just me?
(Chuckles) Well, I suppose that’s a rather silly question. The heat hasn’t been turned back on since that fire. When I think about it, I’m really acting quite foolish. Hell, I don’t even know why I’m here. It’s not as if there’s someone here to talk to, for the past few minutes I’ve been talking to myself! And the place is a complete wreck. As strange as this might sound, as horrible as the place looks, it’s peaceful. I feel completely safe here! It feels like home. I’ve always preferred coming here after dark. It reminds me when I used to come here to meet my Frankie. While I was studying, he would offer to help me. Poor lad couldn’t read a word though, so I taught him. He swears he just wanted to help, but I was wise to him. He would use our study sessions to flirt with me, and every day he would ask me to go steady, but I would always say no. Then I remember he had that accident when he apprenticed as an electrician, the poor boy was electrocuted! It nearly killed him too. It was when he was being rushed off to the hospital that I realized just how strong my feelings for him were.
(Sigh) Maybe it’s the smoke smell or I’m just getting old, but I feel utterly exhausted all of a sudden. Perhaps I’ll just rest a moment here on this sofa.
[Falls asleep on the sofa. An hour passes by.]
[Rustling comes from outside, awakening the sleeping woman. She awakes with a start.]
Frank: (Grunts) Hello? Anyone in there?
Helen: H-hello? Who’s there! I have pepper spray!
Frank: Oh thank heavens it’s you!
Helen: What on earth are you talking about! Who are you! I don’t know you. Get away from me!
Frank: Baby, it’s me! Your Frankie! Don’t you remember?
Helen: I have pepper spray! Back away!
Frank: Listen, I’m Frank. You’re Helen. We’ve been married for forty years. We have four kids. This is where you used to act, and I would do the wiring. I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to take you home. You went out for a walk about an hour and a half ago to get some bread, but never came home, so I came looking for you.
Helen: Help! Help me! Somebody! You get away from me you . . . I don’t know how you know me, but I certainly don’t know you! I’m not going anywhere!
Frank: Relax, there’s no one living down this end of town, no one’s gonna hear you!
Helen: Is that supposed to relax me?!
Frank: Hang on a sec. . . (dials 911 from his cell phone) . . . yes the old movie lot. Yes I’m aware it’s abandoned!. . . I don’t care if it’s trespassing. . . I have no idea why she’s here again. Can you just come get us?. . . be gentle, she has Alzheimer’s. No. No, she’s having another episode. She’s panicking. . . Obviously she doesn’t remember me!. . . just get here as soon as you can, ok?
(Under his breath). . .fine, I’ll humour her until you get here. Hurry! (Click)
Helen: You called the cops on ME? Just wait til they get here, and I tell them how you tried to frighten me! They’ll take you away!
Frank: Somehow I doubt that!
Helen: Frank you needn’t be snippy with me! We both know how excitable you are. Remember what Dr. Murphy said, keep your temper under control, because your blood pressure is all out of whack! What are you doing here anyway? DID YOU FOLLOW ME HERE?! You don’t trust me do you! You thought I was having an affair or something, so you came to try to catch me in the act! Well sorry to disappoint you, mister "I Don’t Trust My Wife".
Frank: Amazing. Baby, you never fail to amaze me.
Helen: What on earth is that supposed to mean!
[Sirens getting closer]
Frank: Oh, its nothing hun. Come on, let’s get out of here, before the whole place collapses.
Officer: Is everything alright here, sir?
Frank: Yes sir, officer. My wife and I are just out for a walk on this fine autumn evening.
Officer: Ma’am, you’re alright?
Helen: Yes, doesn’t it look like I’m alright?
Officer: Well, you are covered in ashes.
Helen: Oh, will you look at that! I am too. How on earth did that happen? Alfie just finished cleaning the place inside. My mother is going to have a fit trying to wash this out!
Frank: Now, now dear, I’m sure your mother will be fine.
Helen: Oh, I’m just a right mess tonight. I’ve forgotten my purse inside! Wait right there while I go fetch it?
Frank: Of course, dear.
Officer: (When Helen is inside) Dad, you really can’t keep doing this. This is the third night this week I’ve had to come out here because of mom. I realize I’m a cop and everything, but I can’t keep covering for these trespassing charges. I can only look the other way so many times before my reputation is called into question. She’s getting worse. Hell, grandma’s been dead for fifteen years!
Frank: I know son, I know. But I couldn’t dare to lock your mother up somewhere like an animal! She just has so many memories in this place, I couldn’t live with myself if I kept herself away from it.
Officer: What are you gonna do when she can’t remember anything anymore?
Frank: All I can do is love her, and pray for a miracle.
Officer: It just isn’t fair. There should be a cure for it.
Frank: Believe me, if there was a cure, I’d be first in line to get it for her. Thank you so much for coming out here. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.
Officer: You’re just lucky I’ve been on the night shift this week, otherwise you’d have quite a few fines to pay.
Helen: Ah here it is! I got it! Silly me! You see, officer, I’m always forgetting something! My mother always tells me I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached! Ha ha ha! Say, you look awful familiar officer! Haven’t we ever met before?
Officer: No ma’am, I don’t believe we have.
Helen: Oh, fancy that. I’m almost certain we have. Oh well, are you ready to go honey?
Frank: I’m ready when you are. Is that all officer?
Officer: Yeah, I think we covered everything. Do you two need a ride home?
Frank: Oh that’s alright, I’m sure we can manage getting home. Thanks again for coming out here son. I appreciate it.
Officer: It’s just a part of the job. Have a safe night, folks.
Both: You too! Have a good one.
Helen: What a nice young boy. His parents must be so proud.
Frank: I don’t even think proud begins to cover it.
[end]