Title: The bell
by Jack from Derbyshire | in writing, fiction
The Bell
Blackout. The light comes on but only faintly, leaving the sides of the stage in darkness. There is the faint sound of a clock ticking. It gets louder and louder until it reaches its peak. The ticking stops and there's the loud ring of a school bell and the lights become bright as around 30 school children come flooding out of the sides of the stage. They all wear the same school uniform. Eventually, the children form orderly rows of about five. They face the audience, in the centre of the stage. They stand still for about 1 or 2 minutes then gradually, they begin to fidget. Finally, one speaks.
Boy 1: Where is everyone?
A few children: Shush!
The lights begin to flicker. They all stand still for approximately 30 seconds, looking puzzled, and then a girl speaks up, her voice quivering with emotion.
Girl 1: I'm scared.
Girl 2: It's alright.
Boy 1: (Looking at the lights) It's weird.
Boy2: (Starts laughing) I think it's cool, a school without teachers!
Boy 3: (Grinning) Mr Maltby's never late!
Girl 2 whimpers. Some of the children laugh, a few sit on the floor. One gets out a mobile phone and they start chatting. Boy 2 strides to the front.
Boy 2: Right stand up straight.
They look at him in amusement.
Boy 2: Today's assembly is about not wasting time. Like you there Edwards on the phone. Bet you're M.S N'ing every night
Boy 4: I'm not sir I'm Wi'ing. (Mimes using phone as a Wii-remote
Laughs at own joke. Others groan. After another pause a girl speaks.
Girl 2: I know'Lets sing a song!
A few kids snort with laughter.
Girl 4: Shurrup laughing! I think it's a great idea!
Girl 2: Amy Winehouse.
Boy 6: Oh shush!
Boy 4: (Starts to sing) Why are we waiting, why are we waiting.
A few children join in, waving their arms.
Boy 2: (Shouts) SHUT UP! Listen!
The lights gradually stop flickering and there is the sound of a clock ticking which gets louder. The children all listen intently and look uneasy. After a couple of extremely tense moments, the school bell goes again. Lights snap off. Teacher speaks in blackout.
Teacher: Sorry Year 8. An electrical fault...stay where you are; we'll soon have it sorted. (Laughs nervously. Pause) Does anyone know any songs?
Pause then lone voice starts to sing: Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, the futures not ours to see. Que sera sera. All join in and sing through twice together.
In this short play, the children at a school are left alone with no teacher to take the assembly. One boy takes control, but they mainly bicker and argue amongst themselves. Eventually, the teacher returns explaining why he has been away. It is simple, yet theatrically powerful and there is a very subtle meaning behind it, which our day is dictated by time and needing to conform but when something disturbs that, we react in different ways.
Comments