ENG2D7-2A Readers Theatre Presentation Script Arshia Javidan

Readers Theatre Presentation ScriptThe following is an adaptation of scene I, act IV of Richard III.

A, Arshia: Clarence/son B, Brinda: NarratorBr, Bryan: Murderer 2/robber 2L, Lisa: Keeper/motherN, Naeem: Murderer 1/robber 1

B: Our story begins in a typical household of the 21st century. It is a normal school day for 8-year old Arshia, and he seems to be running late.

L: Arshia! Come on! Get up! You’re going to be late for school.A: (mumbles) Five more minutes, mom!L: No! Come on! Hurry up! You’re late enough as it is.A: Ugh, fine. (pause) Uhh, mom, I don’t feel so good.L: Son... what’s wrong?A: I don’t know, but I have a headache. I had a nightmare.L: Nightmare, sh-nightmare. Come on, young man, let’s go.A: No mom, not today. I don’t feel well. I’m serious.L: Hmm... alright. Fair enough. So, tell me about your nightmare. Maybe it’ll make things better.A: So, it was just another usual day. My father was driving me to school. He seemed a bit... pissed... in the morning. I don’t know why, but he was really mean to me during the ride. Once we got there, we saw a group of students on the playground. It was really strange. They were huddled around something.L: Something? Do you remember what it was?A: Yeah, dad and I went to get a closer look, and we saw there were two people in the middle. They were about to start a fight or something. The first kid pushed the other, and then people were chanting “fight, fight, fight, fight!”L: Well, you’re a responsible kid. What’d you do?A: I went to get a teacher. I wouldn’t just let someone get hurt. When I came back with one, I saw that one kid was lying on the ground unconscious. I couldn’t believe it. I noticed something other than that when I came back too. My dad was whispering something to the principal. L: That’s hardly a nightmare, dear!A: No, I’m not over. A few minutes later, I was called into the principal’s office with my dad. I had been informed that I was expelled. The principal said that I had beaten up the kid. That was crazy. My dad didn’t even stand up for me, even though he knew I had nothing to do with it. L: Well, I’m sure th-A: Wait! The whispering! My dad was whispering something to the principal. Could... could he have told the principal that I was responsible for the act? But... no, that’s impossible. My dad is a caring man. He would never do something to his son like that.

ENG2D7-2A Readers Theatre Presentation Script Arshia Javidan

L: Yeah! There’s no way he would do something like that. Did your nightmare end after the expulsion?A: No, not at all. Afterwards, when I came home, I told you that it wasn’t my fault, and you didn’t believe me. You said that whatever dad said was right, since dad always told the truth. What was even stranger was that dad was actually happy I got expelled.L: That’s very strange indeed. Your dad would never do something like that, ever. Well, Arshia, I have to go to work now.A: Mom, wait. Could you stay with me for a bit.L: Sure.

(pause)

B: During Arshia and Lisa’s conversation, two robbers were in the neighbourhood, and they took note of how luxurious his house looked. So, they had an idea. One simple idea. They chose to stay in the neighbourhood, observing the house, and simply waited until Lisa left. Once this happened, they decided to make their move.

N: Alright, she left. Let’s go rob this house.Br: Alright, are we going to go in through the back door or the front?N: Well, the front door is sort of risky.Br: Well then, back door it is. We’ve done this so many times, we’ll never get caught.N: Alright, come on, let’s go. Br: Actually, wait. The idea of getting caught. I... I don’t think I want to do this.N: Are you afraid? Come on dude, let’s go.Br: No, not at all. I’m not afraid of robbing the house. I’m afraid of going to prison for this.N: Alright then, let’s not do it.Br: Woah, woah, woah. Hold on a second. Let me think about it.N: Alright, you thought about it. What now?Br: I don’t know. I’m feeling kind of risky about this.N: Dude, but look inside. They have a 50 inch tv, 4 laptops, and, and look at all those gaming consoles.Br: Oh! Alright, I forgot what we could sell all of this stuff for. Let’s go rob it all. N: Where is your conscience now?Br: In my wallet. Come on, let’s go!

(pause)

N: Alright, we’re in. Take the TV.Br: No, you do it. I’ll get the laptops.N: Sure, sure.A: Mom! Can I have some advil?Br: Hey! Who said that?N: (pretend to look around).N: Sshh. There’s someone here. Br: What, who is it?

ENG2D7-2A Readers Theatre Presentation Script Arshia Javidan

N: Looks like, looks like it’s a little boy.A: Mom?N: Quick! What do we do?A: Hey! Who are you guys? Are you one of dad’s friends?Br: Sure, sure. We’re one of your dad’s friends.A: Alright... Hey wait! What are you doing with my laptop in your hand?N: Uh... your dad asked us to inspect it. A: But your clothes... Hey! You guys are robbers! Get out of here.N: No, we’re telling you the truth. Hey, Brinda, get that jewellery. Looks valuable.A: Guys! Stop it! Why are you doing this?Br: Because we want to. Need a better reason than that?A: Yes! What you’re doing is wrong! I’m going to call the police.N: No, I don’t think so.A: Hey! Stop! Let go of me.Br: Tie him up. Hold on, I see some great stuff in that room.

B: Afraid of having Arshia call the police, Bryan, the second robber ties Arshia up to a chair, restraining him from any movement.

A: You know what? Why are you guys doing this to me? Why me?N: Because we found great value in this house.Br: Alright, all done. Let’s go.A: You guys are going to prison! I shouldn’t be the one tied to a chair. It’s you who should be!N: Shush little boy, shush.Br: So, what are we going to do about him?N: I say we kidnap him and hold him for a ransom.A: Wait! Stop! My father is a wealthy person. If you keep me safe, I’m sure he’ll reward you.N: And that’s exactly why we’re kidnapping you.A: Hey! Stop! (mumbled).

B: Our story ends with Arshia’s sad kidnapping. What happened next? Perhaps the murders had sick intentions and he was tortured, or perhaps the murders wanted money and held him for ransom. However, we’ll never know.