Posted: June 27th, 2015

Five Page Play

Brief synopsis of the play

The play opens in a computer room within Homeland High school. Janet and Steve are in the computer room having a conversation. They are having a conversation which does not end up well. Steve enters in the midst of the conversation and leaves immediately. The entire play changed when Steve enters together with the head teacher.

 

 

Collins

(Walking in slowly seems as if he is looking for someone). Hello Janet? How was your holiday?

Janet

(She looks up so quickly trying to conceal what she was watching). It was a normal holiday, just long and boring. I was missing school. How was yours?

Collins

(He seems to have sensed that Janet is trying to hide something since she is preventing him from seeing the computer screen that she is using). My holidays were great. I had a lot of fun. I visited new places, and I met new people. It was the best holiday I ever had. I also managed to complete all my assignments and bought new books for the subjects which were challenging me last term. I have a new method of revising which I found so interesting.

Janet

(Looking bored by the long explanation given by Collin). Where did you get all that time within three weeks?

Collins

My dad taught me how to plan and create time. I followed the steps he showed me, and within three days, I was finding it easy to create time on my own. I met a friend who assisted me in completing the assignments. I found it so easy and enjoyable when I got used to it. I also managed to read using videos instead of books. It was so entertaining.

Janet

(Trying to switch of the computer but it does not go off). Can I have a look at your completed assignments?

Collins

(Surprised) Why?

Janet

(Sounding friendly and persuasive). Please give me your book. I want to compare your answers with mine. It will be to our benefit. You could be wrong, and I can help you correct it.

Collins

(He looks persuaded but also not sure). Why don’t you let the teacher mark the books then we compare the answers as we correct them. I think that will be better. Besides, I left the book in class.

Janet

The classroom is not far. We can go and pick it. You can never be sure of your answers maybe you are wrong. What’s wrong with that?

Collins

I think we should wait until the teacher marks the assignments and then we can compare them. I know I can be wrong, but I think the teacher will correct me. I took a lot of time to read the assignments and identify the right answers. I also called friends who cross checked and assured me that my answers were correct. In the next one hour, the teacher will be in class, and he can confirm that. Why don’t you be patient? I promise to give you my book once the teacher has gone through it. I will also make sure that we go through the assignment together.

Janet

Honestly, I have not completed the assignments, and I intended to check some of the answers from your book. Those questions were not easy, and no one was willing to assist me in completing the assignment. I do not know what to do when the teacher finds that I have not completed the assignments. I cannot imagine being suspended. (She tries to log off the computer in a rush). Can you please help me switch this computer? There seems to be something wrong with it.

Collins

(He walks close to Janet and gets a clear view of the computer screen. He is shocked). This is completely unbelievable. Janet, you are very unserious. Instead of concentrating on completing the assignment, you are watching a movie. You wanted to use my book, yet you are not putting any effort to finish your assignment. This is the time you should be reading or asking questions. If this matter gets to the teacher, you will be suspended. Instead of using the school internet for constructive research, you are downloading pornographic movies?

Janet

You should not judge me; I am not the first person to do this. Almost everyone in this school does it. It’s only that no one gets caught. I assure you that, if it was not for this computer’s failure to log off, you would not have known. Do not forget that I called you here to help me switch off the computer but not to check what I was watching. Stop sounding like you are my parent.

Collins

(He is determined to switch off the computer, but he leaves it to respond to Janet). You know very well that the rules of the school prohibit downloading movies from the computer. To make matters worse, the movie you were watching is not only prohibited in school, but also at home. You cannot possibly get away with it. I must make sure that the matter reaches the school administration.

Janet

(She is not surprised by Collins statement, and she looks composed and ready to make her point). Consider the repercussions of your actions before you make any decisions. It may affect you more than me. In fact, we should go since the teacher is about to come, and I have to get answers from your book.

Collins

(Annoyed). What repercussions are you talking about? It is clear that I found you and I must report you. You cannot touch my book now. You may think that I am joking, but I must make sure that you pay for what you did.

Janet

(Laughing). I am very cunning, and there is no way you will escape the suspension. Remember you were once caught selling movies in school. How will you convince the teacher that I was not watching the movie with you? What if I say you sold the movie to me and I was checking whether it was okay before I paid you? I told you that before you take any action; think about what will happen to you. In addition, I want to transfer from this school; so, if I am suspended, I will get a good reason for convincing my parents to get a transfer for me.

Collins

(He is surprised by the turn of events, and he is very scared). Do not try to blackmail me. Although I have been caught before, that does not make me guilty whenever someone else is caught with a movie. I will convince the teacher that I caught you red handed, and there is no way you can implicate me.

Janet

(She is back to the computer determined to switch it off). If I can only manage to switch off this computer, no one will listen to you. How will you prove it was me and not you? We can strike a deal. Let us leave this matter the way it is. I have reasons to believe that you need to stay in this school more than I do. You should not easily forget that you have been warned some times back. If I say we were watching together, you will leave this school before me.

Collins

If I had known you were here, I would not have come. You are trying to make me feel like I did something wrong while you very know that you are the guilty one. Why are you doing this?

Steve

(He must have listened to the conversation before getting in the computer room. He enters and walks near Janet). What is wrong with the computer? (He takes time to recover from the shock upon seeing the movie). What? Who was watching this? (Before they answer Steve walks out so fast without any indication of where he is going).

Janet

You see? It is no longer my problem. Steve thinks that we were both watching. Instead of standing and arguing, let us find a way of switching off the computer before anyone finds us. (They both try to switch off the computer. Steve enters accompanied by the head teacher. He points at both of them. Collins opens his mouth trying to say something, but words do not come out. Janet smiles and looks at Collins. The head teacher simply directs the two out of the computer room. Collins looks more disturbed than Janet. Outside the room, the head teacher orders Janet and Collins to submit their assignments before the next step. Janet gets back with her book, but Collins does not find his book in his bag. Collins is equally guilty).