The Elevator

Act 1, Scene 1

Scene: Hotel lobby with sign “The Stratford Inn”

Stage Left: Woman sitting behind a desk. A large sign rests at the right of the desk that reads “Welcome authors!”

Center Stage: Three characters with backs turned towards audience waiting in front of an elevator

Receptionist: (Facing audience) May I help you sir?

Man No 1: (in front of desk, just to the right of the woman) But if Yes. I am checking in.

Receptionist: Last Name sir?

Man No 1: Shakespeare, William

Receptionist: (Looks at sheet for name) Yes, here you are Mr. Shakespeare. You are here for the convention. That is located on the 12^th floor. (Hands Man No.1 oversized name tag, along with other papers and room keys). (Points towards a group of people standing together center stage)

(cheerfully, and with a smile) We hope you enjoy your stay at the Stratford Inn!

William Shakespeare: (Reaching out to her accepting the papers) “I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”(William Shakespeare Thank You Quotes Page) (Drapes name tag around neck, turns and joins group waiting for elevator.)

Man No. 1 joins others standing center stage with backs turned to audience, heads looking upwards at the floor level of the elevator.

Sound Effect #1 Loud Heart Beat Thump

All look straight ahead as the doors of the elevator open. All step forward casually, except for Shakespeare who, in amazement and awe, curiously steps forwards. Then all turn around to face the audience. Nametags hang, draped around each of their necks and read from left: Truman Capote, William Shakespeare, J.K. Rowling, and Edgar Allen Poe.

Truman Capote: (Arms folded in front and hand against face, rubbing eyes.

Then presses one of the floor buttons, and in a whiny, nasally voice asks) What floor?

All: (Shakespeare, Rowling, Poe, one after the other) Twelve.

All are now staring upwards again at the floor level of the elevator as it rises. Suddenly, the elevator jerks to a halt, and all characters are thrown off balance and brace themselves against the elevator walls. The lights go dark momentarily, but the emergency lights quickly come on.

Shakespeare: “How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. (William Shakespeare Quotes Page 2)”

J.K. Rowling: We must be stuck. Someone should give a ring.

As soon as she says this, the emergency telephone rings. William Shakespeare jumps in surprise. He then looks curiously at the telephone and picks it up and answers.

William Shakespeare: “Wherefore art thou?” (William Shakespeare Complete Works)

(Turning towards others and placing his hand over the speak of the phone)

The mysterious specter is inquiring where for art thou.

(All look at each other and look up at the floor monitor puzzled)

Capote: Oh for heaven sake, we must be in between floors.

J.K. Rowling: (chuckling to herself) Perhaps we are at nine and three quarters.

Poe and Capote look at her with skepticism.

Edgar Allan Poe: (Said with impending doom) “I have, indeed, no abhorrence of danger, except in its absolute effect - in terror.” (Edgar Allan Poe Quotes)

(Turning towards Rowling) “The death of a beautiful woman, is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world.” (Edgar Allan Poe Quotes Page 2)

J.K. Rowling: “Death is just life's next big adventure.” (J.K. Rowling Quotes Page)

Truman Capote: (in apparent distress, with his left hand clutching his chest) Oh dear, I can hardly breathe.

Shakespeare: (to Capote) “I do desire we may be better strangers.” (William Shakespeare Hatred Quotes)

Capote: “I don't care what anybody says about me as long as it isn't true.” (Truman Capote Quotes Page)

Edgar Allan Poe: (to audience, thinking that he is hearing a sound that the others do not hear)” Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! -- no, no? They heard! -- they suspected! -- they KNEW! -- they were making a mockery of my horror! -- this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! -- and now -- again -- hark! louder! louder! louder! LOUDER!” ( Edgar Allan Poe, The Tell Tale Heart)

Capote: Oh shut up!

J.K. Rowling: “Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world.” (J.K. Rowling Quotes Page)

Sound Effect #2: Phone rings.

William Shakespeare: (Picks up phone and listens)

Capote: (urgently) Come on, what did they say?

Shakespeare: “That that is is.” (William Shakespeare Hatred Quotes)

The power suddenly comes back on.

Shakespeare: “Farewell, fair cruelty.” (William Shakespeare Quotes Page)

All breathe a momentary sigh of relief, until about three seconds later the elevator goes dark again. All that is heard is Poe speaking.

Poe: “Nevermore!” (Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven)

Works Cited

"Edgar Allan Poe Quotes - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2011. .

"Edgar Allan Poe Quotes - Page 2 - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"Hatred Quotes." Famous Quotes and Authors, Famous Quotations for all Occasions. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"J. K. Rowling Quotes - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Raven | Selected Works | Edgar Allan Poe Museum." Edgar Allan Poe Museum : Poe's life, legacy, and Works : Richmond, Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Tell-Tale Heart | Selected Works | Edgar Allan Poe Museum." Edgar Allan Poe Museum : Poe's life, legacy, and Works : Richmond, Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"SCENE II. Capulet's orchard. ." The Complete Works of William Shakespeare . N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"Thank You Quotes, Sayings to Say Thanks." The Quote Garden - Quotes, Sayings, Quotations, Verses. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"Truman Capote Quotes - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"William Shakespeare Quotes - Page 2 - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .

"William Shakespeare Quotes - Page 3 - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. .