You’ve been invisible for so long.
In drama scene from “In the Shadow of Fire”, Sheriff Sid begins to question himself and those around him when it comes to his duty.
Enter Deputy Hollister.
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: What in the hell was that all about?
SID: She’ll be back…
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: She just handed me back her keys after givin’ me a few choice words to boot.
SID: Yeah, well…you know Marilyn.
Deputy Hollister looks over Marilyn’s desk.
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Her desk is all cleared off…oh…except for this…
Deputy Hollister holds up a framed photo.
You and her a million years ago. Ha!
Deputy Hollister puts the framed photo back down on desk.
SID: What happened last night?
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Oh, you were all in Sheriff, they had those small fireworks going off in the back, and the food they brought over—
SID: I mean over at Orbell’s!
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Orbell’s? Oh, well, there was an incident.
SID: I know there was an incident. WHAT happened?
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Looks like there was an electrical fire, caused the place to flame up.
SID: Where’s the report?
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: There’s no need to see the report. Sheriff, I took care of—
SID: I said give me the DAMN REPORT!
Deputy Hollister gives Sid a look and pulls a folder out from his desk drawer.
Deputy Hollister hands the folder to Sid.
Sid snatches it from the deputy and sits down. He reads it over carefully.
Deputy watches him.
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Was just poppin’ in; best be gettin’ back to my patrol.
SID: This states that Mr. Orbell had an inspection nearly a month ago.
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: That’s correct.
SID: So, if he passed inspection…
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: He’s insured.
SID: We have surveillance on this?
DEPUTY HOLLSTER: You’re not gonna open up a can of worms?
SID: Excuse me, Deputy?
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: I’m just sayin’ that I’ve already investigated the matter, and there’s no foul play.
SID: No foul play?
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: I really best be gettin’ back to my –
SID: Where are you going?
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Why does that concern you?
SID: I’m your sheriff.
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: Are you? Are you my sheriff? Ain’t it time you retire? Hell, even Marilyn just quit. You’ve been invisible for so long, why not let someone else show up?
SID: Things are gonna change around here.
Deputy Hollister looks at Sid; he is not convinced.
DEPUTY HOLLISTER: I’ll swing back later, about eight o’clock…when you’re…
Sid reads over the report.
Sid goes over to the phone on Marilyn’s desk and dials.
He holds up the picture frame.
SID: Marilyn? Marilyn…did you get home okay? …Uh…I’ve been thinkin’…there is this place… Is there any way on God’s green earth I could invite you for a coffee and blueberry pie over at Napoli’s? (beat) Right now.
I’ll pick you up if you…I, I need to…there’s just so much…I’ll make my way to you now; Is that alright?
To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:
In the one-act eplay “In the Shadow of Fire,” Marilyn has come to the decision that she has had enough of Sheriff Sid letting her and the county they serve together down. 1 Woman, 2 Men. Drama.
