Characters

Edmond(18)- Rich guy with a big ego. Emotionally blind but
charismatic.
Avery(18) -Smart girl who arrived at college purely through her
determination. Has high goals but needs to loosen up. Loves
cute things.
Carol(18)- Avery’s party filled high school friend who is always
nagging her, has good intentions but can get annoying.
Henry(18)- Edmond’s “best friend” but more like his minion.
Gets dragged along too much and needs to take some action.
Setting
Somewhere in the US, moves around an arcade, a party, and
college campus
Time
Modern day taking action throughout three days

Scene 1

(Arcade with neon lights and arcade sounds. EDMOND and
HENRY carrying multiple claw machine prizes. EDMOND
approaches a claw machine set on one side of the stage ready to
win more prizes)
HENRY
You completely cleared this arcade! By the time we’re done
there won’t be anything left.
EDMOND
It’s only natural. With me no arcade trip is complete without going home with a shopping cart full of these claw machine prizes.
Quick, I gotta win another.
HENRY
You want me to hop on swiping duty?
EDMOND
Yes.
(HENRY puts the plushies down and pulls out the game card
and swipes at least 10 times, rapid sound effect plays)
HENRY
Alright it’s ready for you, Edmond.
EDMOND
Now watch the master at work.
(Lights dim on the two when on the other side CAROL enters
excited with AVERY behind holding her notebook)
AVERY
Carol, I really think we should continue studying and not run off
to these loud places.
CAROL
Oh c’mon Avery, the test is two days away, we can study tomorrow. Look at all the cute stuffed animals.
(CAROL runs up to a claw machine with a bear holding a heart
inside excitedly tapping on the glass)
CAROL (Continued)
look at this bear!
AVERY
That is cute… but I can’t be spending my money on this. I still
need to save for food this month.
CAROL
Don’t worry, I came prepared!
(CAROL dramatically pulls out her game card)
AVERY
You came prepared?
CAROL
Never leave your house without a manner of safety. I was taught
that at a young age.
AVERY
Safety? Against what?
CAROL
Against boredom Avery. Now win this bear for me.
AVERY
Wait, me?
CAROL
Yep, get those hands ready.
(Carol swipes, sound effect plays once and lights dim on the two as lights
come back up on EDMOND and HENRY who have still have not won the
prize)
HENRY
Well that was ten swipes and we’re nowhere close.
EDMOND
You just have to adapt to the mindset that 99.9 percent of gamblers quit
before they win it big. five more swipes Henry, give me five more.
(HENRY swipes 5 more times sound effect plays and EDMOND goes in for
another try then immediately wins)
EDMOND
See, easy.
HENRY
What are we going to do with the other four swipes?
EDMOND
Leave it. Some random kid running around will eventually stumble across it
and will surely be excited to get four free plays. It’s good to give back to the
community. Remember to be a charitable man Henry, then women will flock
to you too.
HENRY
Will they?
EDMOND
Remember in high school Henry? I would bust out a big wad of cash and
everyone swarmed me like bees to a flower
HENRY
That reminds me there’s gonna be a party tonight. Wanna go?
EDMOND
Yeah I’m getting pretty bored here anyways, where is it?
HENRY
On campus in that girl Sarah’s dorm.
EDMOND
Are we invited?
HENRY
No, she said anyone who wants to come is welcome but said to keep it on the
down low. Her dorm can only hold so many people.
EDMOND
When did you become friends with Sarah?
HENRY
I didn’t.
EDMOND
Then how do you know all this information?
HENRY
Oh you know me, I have eyes and ears everywhere. I’m like a super spy.
EDMOND
Or you can also just be a super stalker who got too much time on their hands.
HENRY
We should probably go get ready. Let’s go.
EDMOND
Ignoring me isn’t going to erase the fact that you’re lonely y’know? But hey at
least you have me.
(HENRY grabs the plushies and exits)
EDMOND
Wait up!
(EMOND runs after HENRY and exits. Lights come back up on AVERY and
CAROL who failed to win the prize)
CAROL
Stupid claw machines! They’re such a scam! Who cares about a thing that
takes all luck and no skill anyways. We don’t need this dumb bear.
AVERY
Are we really giving up? I mean, we were so close.
CAROL
If I spend anymore money on points we’ll both have to starve ourselves for
the next week. I’d never have thought we would lose this hard.
AVERY
Is it really all luck though? I’m sure if I keep trying I’ll get it.
CAROL
You will but unfortunately we don’t have the means to continue. The truth is
these machines are all about turning a profit. Aiming the claw isn’t that hard
except the claw is so weak that there’s no grip at all. It’s programmed so once
a certain threshold of points or money is reached then the claw suddenly
becomes stronger and it snaps close. Stupid capitalists and their dumb
programs!
AVERY
So you’re saying if we had enough money then we’re sure to win it?
CAROL
Yeah, it’s how it is.
AVERY
So it’s rigged.
CAROL
That’s right.
AVERY
Well, are we just gonna leave?
CAROL
I mean yeah what else are we gonna do?
AVERY
But- oh nevermind let’s go.
CAROL
Hmm… Avery, did you secretly want to win this stuffed bear?
AVERY
No I-
CAROL
C’mon Avery you can’t hide from me, I knew you wanted it all along.
AVERY
I mean it’s cute but- no I didn’t want it.
CAROL
Oh, don’t worry Avery I’ll make it up to you… actually I know somewhere else
we can go.
AVERY
Where? I should really get back to-
CAROL
Oh, don’t worry about it, just come with me.
(CAROL grabs AVERY’S arm and starts pulling her offstage)
AVERY
No Carol I need to-
(CAROL and AVERY exit. Lights down)