Script sample

Script Sample : Taken from Pages 2 – 4 of the ‘Murder at Sea’ script

 (Enter Arabella Masters, stage right, in ‘jogging gear’)

Arabella Masters  (Jogging round, then jogging on the spot)
Phew! (She stops jogging, and leans her hands on her knees) I had no idea the ship was so big, and there are so many obstacles to negotiate on each circuit of the deck. (Introducing herself and extending her hand) Arabella Masters. And you are?

Linus Maine-Sail
Linus Maine-Sail. Delighted to meet you at last Miss Masters. Do you mind if I ask how many times you ran the gauntlet of the deck?

Arabella Masters
Not at all. This morning, I’ve run 5 circuits, but this was my first time. Tomorrow, I’ll double it. Who knows, by the end of the week, I could be up to 50. You said ‘delighted to meet you……….at last’. Any particular reason?

Linus Maine-Sail
I take it fitness is important to you because you take it so seriously whilst on vacation. But then again, I doubt very much that you’re ever truly on vacation, are you, Miss Masters? Lawyers of your calibre must hope to claim a client or two through meeting the right people aboard The Capricorn Star.

Arabella Masters
You’re very impertinent! You presume to know about me, when, as far as I’m concerned, we only just met.

Linus Maine-Sail
My apologies, Miss Masters, but it’s my business to be ‘in the know’. You see, I’m a reporter and I’m working on a documentary for Channel 10, about life at sea and…..

Arabella Masters (Interrupting)
Now I know who you are…………..the reporter who stops at nothing to get a good story. I knew I’d heard the name before. So, Mr. Linus Maine-Sail, it would appear that you’re never truly on vacation either. And what do you think you already know about me?

Linus Maine-Sail
I’m sure you must know, Miss Masters, that it’s your clientele that puts you in the news. Defending notorious members of the mob doesn’t exactly give you a low profile.

Arabella Masters
You know what? You’re right, but then again, someone has to do the job and everyone deserves a fair trial. Surely you wouldn’t argue with that?

Linus Maine-Sail
Of course not. A fair trial is about finding the truth – not dissimilar to my own job: if the information I find is in the public interest, or the public need to know, then I’ll tell them. It’s as simple as that.

Arabella Masters
And I just do my job, Mr. Maine-Sail. It’s a simple as that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to continue my run. (Starts to exit, stage left, then turns back) Oh, and by the way……..I don’t expect to hear the contents of this off the record discussion quoted in your documentary or you’ll be hearing from more lawyers than just me. Good day, Mr. Maine-Sail. (Exits, jogging, stage left)

Linus Maine-Sail (Smiling)
Hmm……..interesting lady. I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of her. I doubt if the mob would either. Still, there’s bound to be some kind of vulnerability about her. There always is.

(Hears chatting and laughter, off stage left)  Well, it’s early days yet. Don’t want to upset too many people too soon. I think I’ll sit this one out………………then again, maybe I’ll just take notes……..to get a feel for ‘life on the ocean wave’. After all, that’s why I’m here. I think I’ll assume my ‘quirky artist’ pose for this one. (Linus dons a Panama hat & dark glasses, gets out a small sketch pad, sits on a deckchair, facing the audience (i.e. out to sea), & appears to draw in his sketchpad as the next scene takes place)

(Enter Dr. Sternport and Mary Helmdon-Schooner, arm in arm)

Mary Helmdon-Schooner
But Morrison dear, you did everything you could to make it safe. It went through all the proper channels. I’m sure you’re worrying needlessly. Anyway, can’t we forget about your work and enjoy each other’s company for the rest of the cruise. After all, these meetings are precious and we should make them count.  (Linus Maine-Sail looks up with interest)

Dr. Sternport
You’re right, my dear, of course. You always are. But you realise our meetings can only take place when I’m off duty, which is extremely rare. As far as the passengers and crew are concerned, I’m never off duty. Besides, I’d rather keep things quiet for a little longer. I mean, it’s only been a couple of months since your hus……………..

Mary Helmdon-Schooner (Looking around furtively and interrupting)
Hush, my dear. Whilst I can’t exactly say ‘walls have ears’ in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, I can safely say we’re not the only ones on deck. You never know who may be listening and it’s always best to keep discussion to a minimum. Must be an old habit from my nursing days. (A groan is heard coming from the lifeboat) Good gracious, whatever was that?

Dr. Sternport
Probably one of last night’s revellers regretting having that extra nightcap. It happens all the time. People wake up in the strangest of places. It’s a combination of the sea air and the drink, you see. Makes ‘em totally disorientated and they forget where they are. Another one of those perils of modern society I keep harping on about. It’s easier to crash out where you end up rather than find your way back to your cabin and risk falling overboard. Perhaps I’d better see if he, or she, needs assistance.

Mary Helmdon-Schooner
Do be careful, darling. It could be anyone. They could be violent.

Dr.  Sternport (In heroic ‘gung-ho’ fashion)
Don’t worry about me, darling. I’ve seen enough over the years to make me almost totally unshockable. I’ve dealt with many a hangover since joining The Capricorn Star. (Lifts back the blanket from the lifeboard)  Well, well, what or who have we here? Wakey, wakey, old chap. Come on, the sun rose several hours ago and it’d be a great shame to miss out on all the fun of the cruise.

Zach Pinta (Groaning, holding his head and climbing tentatively from the lifeboat)
Oh……..oh………but I’ve only just gone to sleep. Where am I? What a night!

Mary Helmdon-Schooner
So it would seem. What on earth are you doing in that lifeboat, young man? The accommodation aboard The Capricorn Star is second to none. Even the lower decks are passable compared to spending the night on hard, wooden boards with no bedding.

Zach Pinta (Confused and changing his accent so as to appear upper class)
Er……………yeah! I mean Yup! Sorry…………..so sorry. Must’ve had a few too many last night. You know…..celebrating coming aboard and all that. Must be the sea air and the excitement of being on board ship, eh? Better find my cabin and get cleaned up for the next round, eh.  Just kidding!

Dr. Sternport
And where is your cabin? I’m the ship’s doctor. Perhaps I could give you some assistance back there. Why not give me the cabin number and your keys and my companion and I will escort you back.

Zach Pinta (Defensively)
No, no , you’re too kind. That really won’t be necessary. (Laughing nervously) Here are my keys, safely ‘stowed away’ in my back pocket (he gets them out and quickly flashes them to the Doctor & Mary, then returns them to his pocket). My cabin’s on (looking around)…………on Level 4.

Dr. Sternport
But those are car keys, and there are no cabins on Level 4 – that’s the engine room.