Heat Lightning

Our English classes are performing a drama play. My group decided to do an adaptation of Heat Lightning by Robert F. Carroll, a play which I found to be way too serious in tone and not quite to my taste, so I rewrote it, adding characters, adding lines, and giving the Narrator a personality. Here's the masterpiece:

Heat Lightning

Adapted from the play Heat Lightning by Robert F. Carroll

Adaptation by G!

Characters

Narrator, Man, Girl, 2^nd Man, 2^nd Girl (The Narrator and the 2nd Girl are characters not in the original play)

Scene: Bus station

Narrator – early summer, it is a stormy day, and lightning flashed and thunder cracked, and the rain is mighty. Outside the lone old bus station, it looks like midnight, but actually it’s only eleven pm, anyways, beside the point, here we go with the story. In the station, this well dressed, thirty-something year old Man (the man enters from the Man’s room) is alone; he’s wet from the rain, so he’s drying himself off.

A twenty-something year old Girl bursts into the station from the main entrance, dragging her companion, another Girl of similar age and appearance behind her. They are both soaked through by the storm, and quite disheveled. The first Girl slams the door behind her and puts the bolt over the door, locking it. The Man observes this scene without moving.

            Girl – Thank God! You’re here! Thank God!

            Man – What-what is it? What’s going on?

2^nd Girl – (to Girl) Will you calm down? (To Man) Look, sorry about this… (Tries to calm her friend down)

            Girl – Help us! Please help us!

            Man – Gee, you guys are in a terrible state. What happened?

            Girl – Don’t let him in! Please. He’s after us! Please don’t let him in!

            Man – Who’s after you?

            Girl – He’ll be here any minute. Help us!

2^nd Girl – (tries to calm the girl down) She’s in a state, I’m sorry. She said she saw something terrible…

Man – I see. (To Girl) Now please, try to tell me what happened. You’ve locked the door. No one can come in. now try to calm yourself. (This has no effect on the girl, who continues in a state of hysteria)

2^nd Girl – you’re waiting for the bus, aren’t you?

Girl – please don’t leave us!

Man – there, my dears. Of course I won’t leave!

Girl – The bus, what time-tell me it will be here soon!

Man – the last one’s due any time now. The storm has probably slowed it down…

Narrator – the storm has worsened, and it’s quite a strain on the power lines out in the roads, I think they’ve already gotten hit by lightning a few times…

Man – (To narrator) I’m not finished!

Narrator – well what am I supposed to say? Give me some credit! They hire me to every play that’s ever been made and what do I do? All I get to do is deliver the damn introduction!

Man – okay, but this scene is vital to the development of this story, can you come in at a…more appropriate time?

Narrator – fine, fine, and fine! Go back to where you left off, I’m listening.

Man – okay, (to both girls) now listen to me, I shall do whatever I can to help, but you must tell me what has happened.

2^nd Girl – we were at a party, and my friend here decided that we shouldn’t stay for the night. She was going to drive us both home because she enough she had enough gas…

Man – where do you live?

2^nd Girl – about eight miles from here (the Man nods), and a mile from here, her car ran out of gas, so we decided to walk down the road and catch the bus, and then we’d go back for the car later. She took the flashlight because it was getting really dark and all, I guess she got ahead of me when I stopped to tie up my shoelaces, and it’s really dark, suddenly I couldn’t see her anymore, so I stayed put since I don’t have a flashlight. A while later, she’s sprinting and screaming back in my direction and dragged me running all the way here…

Man – (to the Girl) what did you see?

Girl – I - I must have walked ahead of her - just a little way - I don’t know - and I noticed a car pulled off into a lane. I thought I’d call to them and ask if they could help us-if they might have some gas.

Man – did you?

Girl – no – I – I didn’t get the chance. I walked near enough to the car to be heard, but – before I could call out, I saw someone. The front door of the car was open and someone – a man – he was – he was pulling something out of the car. I couldn’t see at first – and then the lightning – and I – I saw her hand – and then her head – her hair was light and long and it dragged in the mud!

Narrator – the thunder is now even louder!

Man – yes, thanks for the description but you’re ruining the suspense.

Narrator – fine, fine, fine! It’s not like I don’t know the cue or anything. Gosh!

Man – (Back to the girl) did the man see you?

Girl – maybe my flashlight – maybe I screamed – I don’t know – I don’t think so, I was too frightened. I dropped the flashlight and started running, I ran back to my friend and we ran off the road. I could hear him chasing us, we ran into the woods and I think we lost him…wait, he’ll be here! I know he will! Oh, God I’m scared!

2^nd Girl – so all this time this is your story? I don’t believe it, how… (Trails off)

Man – (to 2^nd Girl) I think she’s telling the truth. (To Girl) The bus will be here soon and you’ll be alright. Listen, you’ll have to get to the police as soon as possible.

Girl – No – I couldn’t. I don’t want to – it’s that – I don’t have any evidence, I don’t even remember, I can’t go back. I’m afraid.

Man – I’m sure you will remember something, the flashlight, you could identify that, couldn’t you?

Girl – yes, but –

Man – there, you see! Now look, (points to the ‘Women’s’ room) go in there, dry your eyes and fix yourself up. You’ll feel much better. (To 2^nd Girl) I think you should go and help her a bit, she’s very upset.

2^nd Girl – you won’t leave, will you?

Man – of course not, my dear. I’ll be right here.

The Girl starts for the Women’s room, and suddenly she sees a man’s face pressed against the glass outside. She screams. The door rattles viciously.

Man – (pushing the girls into the women’s room) Get in there. Stay until I tell you to come out.

2^nd Man – let me in! Open this door! Let me in!

Man – (alone in the main lodge) what do you want?

2^nd Man – I want to get out of this storm. What the hell do you think I want?

The man unbolts the door and the 2^nd Man enters quickly.

Narrator – the second man, a nondescript sort of person, tall, nice looking and about thirty years of age, he is soaked through by the storm and…

Man – thanks, but we can all see clearly what the 2^nd Man looks like, you don’t need to read off a description.

Narrator – fine, fine, fine! Well I gotta do something, right?

2^nd Man – (continues where he left off) you’ve got no right to lock that door – keeping people outside in this kind of weather. Has there been a bus?

Man – no – not yet.

2^nd Man – Late, huh? Good.

Man – why?

2^nd Man – why? I’d have missed it if it were on time, wouldn’t I? There are other people here, right?

Man – what do you mean?

2^nd Man – I saw someone – two girls, when I looked in.

The two men stare at each other for a moment. Then the man goes over the women’s room and knocks, on the other side, a conversation is happening.

            2^nd Girl – so what do you think of the man?

            Girl – he seems trustworthy, what do you think?

            2^nd Girl – (shrugs) it’s too early to judge, wait, he’s knocking.

The Man opens the door and the girls come out, the Girl appears frightened to see the 2^nd Man. The 2^nd Girl is surprised too. The Man brings a finger to his lips, indicating silence.

            2^nd Man – I thought you said-

            Man – I didn’t say anything.

2^nd Man – you tried to tell me there was no one else here. I knew there were. What was the idea of lying?

            Man – I wasn’t conscious of lying about anything.

            2^nd Man – oh well, forget it. How far you going?

            Man – just into town.

            2^nd Man – and you, Misses?

            Girl – not far.

2^nd Man – (advancing towards the girl) it’s pretty late, isn’t it? I was in luck, don’t you think? I told that to our friend here, but he didn’t get it. (To Man) I bet they’re both smarter than you are.

Man – yes – I suppose they might – be.

2^nd Man – (to Girl) Say, you look pretty nervous about something. Storm upset your plans? If people were smart they wouldn’t be out on a night like this. Just try to get somewhere when it storms – can’t be done – especially if you’re in a hurry.

2^nd Girl – we’re in no hurry.

2^nd Man – well, I sure as hell am – and there’s nothing I can do about it. (Notice the Girl’s increasing nervousness) say, you’re really upset aren’t you? Has somebody been bothering you?

Girl – it’s – it’s just the storm.

2^nd Man – afraid of storms?

Girl – yes – I – am.

Man – hey, she’ll be alright, why don’t you leave her alone?

2^nd Man – Yeah! Sure!

Man – (walked to the girl) here! Have a cigarette. (The Man lights a match)

2^nd Man – don’t mind three on a match, do you?

Man – of course not (gives him a light). (To 2^nd Girl) Do you want one?

2^nd Girl – no thanks, I don’t smoke.

2^nd Man – God! What a night! Always wonder what brings people out on nights like this. Wouldn’t catch me out if it weren’t pretty important, (to Girl and 2^nd Girl) how about you two?

2^nd Girl – we were visiting – with friends.

Girl – I should have stayed the night.

2^nd Man – Oh! You’re not together then?

Man – er – no.

2^nd Man – I see. (To 2^nd girl) How far did you say you were going?

2^nd Girl – not far – about eight miles.

The 2^nd Man notices the Girl distancing herself from him, he looks puzzled.

            2^nd Man – I never saw anybody so afraid of a storm.

            Girl – It’s the lightning – I –

2^nd Man – lightning. I used to be afraid of it, when I was a kid, but I got over it. All by myself too. (Takes Girl to the window) look! Come and I’ll show you. Watch the sky next time there’s a big flash. One of the really beautiful sights in this world if you look at it right – like a great big Fourth of July. (Lightning flashes) Look! See, what did I tell you? (Girl breaks away) you wouldn’t even watch it. You’ll never get over being afraid of things if you won’t face them.

Narrator – The sound of a motor in the distance, gradually coming closer through the heavy rain.

2^nd Man – I guess that’s it – yep – looks empty.

Girl – Empty!

Narrator – and the sound of breaks…

2^nd Man – well, are we going?

Man – no.

2^nd Man – what?

Man – I’m not going.

2^nd Man – why?

Man – I don’t suppose it’s really any of your business.

2^nd Man – no, I guess you don’t at that. (Looks at the girls) In that case, I guess we’ll keep each other company, won’t we?

2^nd Girl – come on, let’s go. (To second man) Yeah, we’re coming.

The Girl looks stunned; she looks at the Man who is standing behind the 2^nd Man. The Man shakes his head and only she sees.

            Girl – no, I don’t think I’ll go either, I’ll wait…

2^nd Girl – what? What are you talking about?

2^nd Man – I think you’d better come on, your friend is coming and we got the bus all to ourselves.

Girl – no, no, I won’t. Leave me alone. I’m going to stay here…with him.

2nd Girl – what are you doing? Get over here! This is the last bus of the night! It won’t do any good to stay. Wise up, it’s time to leave!

Narrator – the sound of a horn can be heard from outside.

2^nd Man – leave them be. (Looks from Girl to Man) I get it. Waiting for a bus! (Laughs) No wonder you had the door locked! Come on, looks like it’s just you and me.

2^nd Girl – (to girl) I guess I’ll see you at home…later

The 2^nd Man and Girl exit the bus station. The girl rushes over and slams the door behind them.

            Girl – thank God! You had let him in! Why?

            Man – he was making a racket out there. Besides there was really no way to tell for certain that –

            Girl – I guess it wasn’t, no, I somehow don’t think it was…

            Man – you remember something, then?

            Girl – I seem…no, no...

            Man – Yes, yes you do! You know that wasn’t the man! Why? I knew it would come back to you!

Girl – no, only that he left…he left…

Man – first, you would say that wasn’t the man because I remember, and then later, that was the man because I remember. Yes. You would remember!

Girl – No! Oh no! The light!

Narrator – the light is about to go out.

Man – don’t worry, dear. You’ll have light. (Takes out a flashlight from his pocket, the very same flashlight the Girl had dropped when she witnessed the murder)

Narrator – what a twist! Look who’s the killer turned out to be!

Man – I’m sorry, Narrator, but you’re spoiling the thrill.

Narrator – what? You’d at least have the decency to let me explain some plot points the slower audiences would not understand at first, wouldn’t you?

Man – the point is, you’re interrupting –

Girl – Narrator! Help me!

Narrator – what am I supposed to do, I’m the Narrator; I don’t participate in the story.

Girl – but you can! Please help me!

Man – oh come on! Get real! Can we go back to where we left off?

The narrator is in deep thought; he decides to deliver a short speech.

Narrator – audience members, I have been in countless plays, since the early Greek tragedies to the stuff that get nominated for Tony Awards today, and not once in the history of theater have I actually done anything of value to a play. I communicate what playwrights are too lazy to convey through the play’s actual characters, and this disregard for me, the valueless Narrator, has angered me since the very beginning. Today, on this stage, I have decided against political correctness to do something out of the ordinary. (The Narrator takes a deep breath and walks into the scene)

Man – hey! You can’t do that.

The Narrator is holding a long stage tool. The Man eyes the metal rod nervously.

            Man – what are you going to do with that? Hey! What’s the meaning of this?

The Narrator raises the metal rod and prepares to strike the Man. The Man has lost control of his muscles to bewilderedness; he is frozen in a still position. The Narrator looks triumphant, the Man looks confused, and the Girl looks relieved.

Man- (shocked) I thought you’re only the narrator!

Narrator – Never judge anyone by appearance! (Strikes the Man down with a blow to the head)

A moment of silence hands in the bus station, then the Narrator exits the scene, putting the stage tool back in its place. The Girl leaves through the entrance of the bus station and the Man lies still on the floor.

The end