When having Hope is everything
Play Synopsis
It’s forty years in the future. The West has burned, rising waters claimed a large portion of the coast and disease in the city destroyed the rest. Those that survived now work on farms to help sustain the dwindling population. Minka is in one of these camps, Camp Hope. This is a story about longing, love and resilience.
Character List
- MINKA (F)– (Teen – Young Adult) Strong Willed. Caring. Seeking change.
- KIMBALL (M) – (Teen – Young Adult) Protector. Has a fighting spirit.
- NYX – (E) (Young Teen), A worrywart. Younger. Tends to follow the rules.
- HUGH – (E) (Teen – Young Adult) Highly intelligent. Realist. Problem solver.
- MABLE – (F) (50-60 year old) Older. Has seen a lot. Has premonitions.
- LORA – (F) (Teen – Young Adult) Joyous. An artist. Refuses to hate.
- ROWAN (E) (Young teen) LORA’s brother or sister. Shy. Deaf. Easily frightened.
- DIAZ – (E) (Adult 40-50’s) Teacher with a keen mind. Caring.
- ELLIS – (E) (Young Adult) Wanderer. Has lots to say. Manipulator. Cocky.
- TROYTON – (M) (Young Adult) Guard. Angry about his job. Doesn’t want to get into trouble.
- BARRETT – (M) (20-30 year old Adult) Guard. Ruthless. Cold Hearted.
- GUARD 1/CAMP ANNOUNCER: (M) (Adult) Cold nameless Guard/Heard on the speaker giving orders.
- GUARD 2/RESIDENT: (E) (Adult) Cold nameless Guard/A person from the camp.
- RESIDENT – I (Young adult) A person from the camp.
- RESIDENT – I (Young adult) A person from the camp.
Script Sample
This show takes place 40 years from now. The west has completely burned and all the coastlines and surrounding lowlands around rivers have flooded beyond habitability. Disease ravaged most of the cities causing a mass exodus to areas that have higher altitude and a stable fresh water source. There is no more technology, electricity, plumbing or creativity. Survival is everything and the Establishment makes all the rules.
The Guards keep the peace, but no guns are ever used. Batons and dogs only.
A LIFE BEYOND HOPE
SCENE 1
CAMP HOPE
Sound Cue on Radio: (Voice 1) This is a code red, I repeat a code red…. Static (Voice 2) We need more fire teams near Red Butte and Grandeur Peak… Static (Voice 3) New York City is at a stand-still, all subways and streets are filled with rising water… (Voice 4) this is Memorial hospital in Kansas City, we have run out of supplies and our beds are full… (Voice 5) The fire has reached Denver, it is out of control. (Voice 6) Support needed in Memphis, the Mississippi is out of its banks and flooding downtown… (Voice 7) There is now a caravan headed out of California, need food and supplies. (Voice 2) Please send help (Voice 3) We are stranded (Voice 4) Kansas City hospital system is at a critical level. (Voice 5) We cannot survive much longer (Voice 6) Where are the helicopters? (Voice 7) Help…Static
(The lights slowly rise to the early morning on Camp Hope; an encampment where those that survived are living. This is one of many camps located around what was the United States. This particular camp is close to what we would have called Canada. We are close to the Great Lakes Area. The space should look worn down with fencing and crumbling walls. We see MINKA standing outside her barracks. NYX asleep inside on the lower bunk begins to toss and turn while dreaming. The dream quickly becomes a nightmare. MINKA crosses quickly to calm her/him down.)
MINKA
Shh… It’s okay. I’m here. Minka’s here.
(NYX continues to whimper, clinging to MINKA as they slowly begin to emerge from the grasp of fear that overtook them. As this is happening, KIMBALL shows up outside the barrack’s entrance.)
KIMBALL
Another nightmare?
MINKA
They are getting worse. This place isn’t good for Nyx.
(NYX has fallen back asleep. MINKA crosses to KIMBALL.)
KIMBALL
I found something you might like.
MINKA
Found? (laughing) Yeah, you “find” all kinds of stuff.
KIMBALL
What can I say? Some might call me lucky.
(Smiles at MINKA.)
MINKA
Okay, Kimball. What did you bring me?
KIMBALL
Close your eyes.
(MINKA sighs, smiling she closes her eyes.)
KIMBALL
Hands out.
(MINKA brings her hands out in front of her as KIMBALL places a round cloth in her palm.)
KIMBALL
Open.
(MINKA eyes light up as she removes the cloth and sees a perfect orange.)
MINKA
An orange! Oh, Kimball it’s too much! (Gives KIMBALL a tight hug.) Where did you find it? (looking around) What if you got caught?
KIMBALL
It was on one of the food trucks.
MINKA
We could have just waited.
KIMBALL
Have you ever seen any decent fruit here? Anything they hand out is bruised or damaged. Nah, perfect stuff like this, (grabbing the orange and tossing it up in his hand.) it’s too good for the workers at “Camp Hope.”
MINKA
Well now I’m just mad.
(MINKA crosses to sit on a stool near a small table. KIMBALL crosses to MINKA and leans against the table. HE begins to peel the orange.)
KIMBALL
Why? Nothing has changed. We get what they give and according to the powers that be, we should be happy with that.
MINKA
It’s not just the food Kimball, it’s everything. Don’t you miss it?
KIMBALL
You mean do I miss music, art, books, fun, laughter? Nah… this is way better.
MINKA
(Standing) Oh shut-up! I’m serious.
KIMBALL
So am I.
MINKA
Forget I said anything.
(MINKA turns away, KIMBALL grabs her and turns MINKA around to face him. THEY are very close to each other.)
KIMBALL
I hear music all the time Minka. They can’t stop the birds from singing. They can’t stop the clouds from painting scenes and they sure as hell can’t erase the stories my grandmother read to me before I went to sleep.
“To feel for ever in a sweet unrest, Still, sill to hear her tender-taken breath, And so live ever- or else swoon to death.”
(KIMBALL slowly leans in to lightly kiss MINKA when a camp alarm and announcement is made interrupting them.)
CAMP ANNOUNCER
This is an alert. The camp was notified that two members of our Hope family cut the fencing near the onion field and escaped. More Guards have been brought in from fellow camps to help us retain and encourage other workers to stay and do their part to keep our great country fed. Together we can hope for a better future.
MINKA
Camp Hope. Clearly the guy who named this place had a sense of humor.
KIMBALL
I wonder who got out… (Looking out away from MINKA deep in thought.)
MINKA
Doesn’t matter. Didn’t you hear, they brought in reinforcements.
KIMBALL
Yeah. (Agreeing, a little defeated)
(KIMBALL grabs the orange and passes some pieces to MINKA. NYX having been woken up by CAMP ANNOUNCER crosses to MINKA who hands them pieces as well. NYX vocalizes their enjoyment of the sweet fruit.)
NYX
I take it you brought this? (To KIMBALL)
KIMBALL
I’ll never tell.
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