Below we present the complete text of “The Road to Amnesia”, episode 2 of our new Fantasy Noir; The Girl in the Ivy Gate. This is a brand new (unpublished) series (introducing the characters Jess Allport and Cassie Torrens). If you would like to see these new stories advance from being drafts into polished publications then please consider supporting us by purchasing one or more of our previously published titles. Every sale directly funds the production of new stories.
THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE
EPISODE #2 – THE ROAD TO AMNESIA
by Philip Craig Robotham
Cover Illustration by Miyukiko
Unedited Draft
Copyright 2016 Philip Craig Robotham
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.
This play is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) International license. This play may not be commercially reproduced, performed, or sold. Non-commercial production, performance, and reproduction are allowed under this license so long as attribution is maintained. No derivative content or use is allowed. It can be freely shared in its current form (without change) under this license. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of this work (for your own personal non-commercial use, or to help financially support the author) then please return to https://www.weirdworlstudios.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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Serial #5: The Girl in the Ivy Gate
Jess is an ordinary girl at the very exclusive Seareach Boarding School. Most days all she has to contend with are the sneers of the trust-fund girls who want to look down on her for being a scholarship student. But when her best friend is killed in a dog attack at the full moon, just in time to make way for a new and unsettling female student to become enrolled, she finds herself teaming up with the nosiest girl in school to investigate a deepening mystery with some decidedly weird complications. Mysterious books, howls in the night, strangers meeting in the nearby woods, and a misdirected attempt at blackmail leads her through an adventure that could very well cost her more than her O-levels. Will she be able to uncover the secrets hiding within Seareach before the body count rises to include her own? Tune in to “The Girl in the Ivy Gate” and thrill as the investigation progresses towards its startling conclusion.
Episodes in the Host Your Own “Old Time Radio Drama” series are designed to provide a fun dinner party experience for 6–8 participants. Read along, taking on the role of one or more of the characters in the story, and listen as the exciting drama unfolds. This is the theater of the mind, where the special effects are only limited by your imagination, and your participation will build a memory that you’ll treasure for years to come.
THE GIRL IN THE IVY GATE
CAST LIST
NARRATOR: The Narrator
JESS ALLPORT: Scholarship student
CASSIE TORRENS: General Busybody
MISS TIZDALE: School Principal
BERTHA: Principal’s secretary
MR NORRIS: Guardian
HANNAH TRANSOME: New Student
WOLF: Wolf
ANNA LEA: Student
JEN FISHER: Student
SCENE 6: INT – SCHOOL HALLWAYS (JESS, CASSIE, BERTHA, TIZDALE, HANNAH)
217: MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.
218. NARRATOR: A student has died under mysterious circumstances and a new student, Hannah, has been accepted into the prestigious Seareach School in her place. Cassie is suspicious of the new student and convinces Jess to follow her during the lunch break…
219. SOUND: ECHOING FOOTFALLS – UNDER
220. JESS: (LOW VOICE) Where’s she going? I thought she’d probably head into the grounds not make her way into the corridors.
221. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) I told you.
222. JESS: (LOW VOICE) It doesn’t mean I think she’s up to something, just that…
223. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) Shhh. She’s stopping.
224. JESS: What’s she… That’s the principal’s office she’s going into.
225. SOUND: (DISTANT) DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
226. CASSIE: Come on, I want to see.
227. JESS: Wait… No…
228. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – COME TO STOP.
229. CASSIE: What’s that in her hand?
230. JESS: An envelope. Fairly bulky. She’s adding it to the top of the mail tray… Quick, get back behind this statue. She’s coming out.
231. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
232. SOUND: QUICK FOOTSTEPS – FADE INTO DISTANCE
233. CASSIE: Come on. We don’t want to lose her.
234. JESS: No wait. Someone’s coming.
235. SOUND: TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING – UNDER.
236. TIZDALE: I don’t care how long we’ve had this meeting booked, Bertha. I’m not going and that’s final. Reschedule it for some time the following week.
237. BERTHA: But…
238. TIZDALE: No, there’s simply too much happening at the moment and I am not going to spend an evening away from the school right now.
239. BERTHA: Yes, ma’am.
240. TIZDALE: Now, go take a break. I’ve got some correspondence to take care of.
241. BERTHA: Yes, ma’am.
242. SOUND: BERTHA WALKS AWAY – FADE
243. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
244. CASSIE: (THREE LONG BEATS) Okay, let’s get out of here.
245. JESS: No. I want to see this.
246. CASSIE: What? But you were the one who was…
247. JESS: I know. I know. So just shut up a second. If I lean out I can see through her window and…
248. TIZDALE: What’s this? Hmmm. Heavy. No sender.
249. SOUND: PAPER RIPPING – LET IT FINISH.
250. SOUND: HEAVY CLUNK (PAPER OPENER DROPPING ON DESK) – LET IT FINISH.
251. TIZDALE: What the…? (BEAT) (DISPROPORTIONATELY ANGRY, ALMOST TEARFUL) Who did this? Who knows? Who..? Who is responsible?
252. JESS: (WHISPERING) Quick. Let’s go.
253. SOUND: HURRIED FOOTSTEPS AS THE GIRLS RETREAT – ESTABLISH AND HURRIED STOP.
254. HANNAH: Going somewhere?
255. CASSIE: (SHORT SCREAM) Eek! You scared us!
256. HANNAH: Did I? Well the two of you could do with a good scare.
257. JESS: (DEFIANT) What do you mean?
258. HANNAH: I think you know exactly what I mean. You two need to keep your noses out of business that doesn’t concern you.
259. JESS: But…
260. HANNAH: You’ve had your warning… and you only get one. Stay out of my way or next time I won’t be so polite.
261. SOUND: HANNAH WALKS OFF – FADE
262. CASSIE: Did she just threaten us?
263. JESS: Yes, I think that’s exactly what she just did.
264. CASSIE: Well! Are we going to put up with that from the likes of her?
265. JESS: (THOUGHTFUL) Perhaps. This bears some thinking about…
266. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.
SCENE 7: INT – DORMITORY – NIGHT (CASSIE, JESS)
267. CLAPHAM: It is officially lights out girls.
268. SOUND: SWITCH BEING THROWN – POWERING DOWN OF ELECTRICS – UNDER.
269. CLAPHAM: Sleep well.
270. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – DOOR CLOSING – FOOTSTEPS FADE OUT.
271. CASSIE: (THREE LONG BEATS) Jess? Are you awake?
272. JESS: (RECOVERING FROM FRIGHT) Damnit Cassie. Yes, I’m awake. The lights have only just gone out. And you scared me half to death.
273. CASSIE: Sorry.
274. JESS: Well? What do you want?
275. CASSIE: Hannah’s on the move.
276. JESS: For crying out loud! This isn’t a spy movie you know?
277. CASSIE: She’s out of bed.
278. JESS: So are you!
279. CASSIE: Yes, but I’m still here. She’s left the dormitories. (BEAT) Oh, come on. Come over to the window and take a look.
280. JESS: Oh, alright.
281. SOUND: BEDGEAR THROWN OFF AND PADDING FOOTSTEPS TO WINDOW – LET IT FINISH.
282. JESS: It’s dark. There’s nothing to see.
283. CASSIE: No, look. Down there, in the grounds. See her?
284. JESS: Where? Oh, there. What’s she doing?
285. CASSIE: I think she’s heading into the forest. And she’s got that book with her.
286. JESS: What?
287. CASSIE: You remember. I told you I’ve seen her sneaking out of the grounds.
288. JESS: But the forest? That’s totally dangerous.
289. CASSIE: Wait, what are you doing?
290. JESS: I’m going after her.
291. CASSIE: At least get dressed first.
292. JESS: No time. My robe will have to do. You stay here… in case anything happens.
293. SOUND: QUICK PADDING FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR (BEAT) DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
294. CASSIE: But…
295. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.
SCENE 8: EXT – GROUNDS – NIGHT (JESS, CASSIE, NORRIS, HANNAH)
296. SOUND: MILD WIND, CRICKETS, OCCASIONAL OWL HOOT – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
297. SOUND: WALKING THROUGH GRASS – UNDER.
298. JESS: What on earth am I doing out here? It’s freezing (BEAT) (WRILY) Oh yeah, I’m trying to make sure Hannah stays safe.
299. CASSIE: And just why exactly are you doing that? She was a total cow to us yesterday.
300. JESS: (JUMPING WITH FRIGHT). Oh! Stop creeping up on people like that! I thought I told you to stay inside!
301. CASSIE: You did. I didn’t. So why are we out here?
302. JESS: You know why. I might think Hannah is pretty weird, but… but…
303. CASSIE: (SOFTLY) But you don’t want what happened to Julie to happen to her?
304. JESS: Right.
305. CASSIE: Alright, but you’re not going out in the dark on your own. Here. I brought you a jumper.
306. JESS: Thanks. I owe you.
307. CASSIE: Yeah, you do. Now, which way did she go?
308. JESS: Through the fence over there and along the path in under the trees.
309. CASSIE: Come on then, we’d better hurry or we’ll miss her
310. SOUND: TRUDGING FEET IN GRASS – UNDER
311. NORRIS: (FADE UP AT A DISTANCE)… we don’t have a lot of time. Is this far enough to be out of sight?
312. HANNAH: Yes. We need to get this over with quickly. I’m getting weaker… and more hungry.
313. NORRIS: I know. The moon is only going to last for another day or two before it starts to wane.
314. HANNAH: Here, put the book down.
315. CASSIE: (WHISPERING) What the hell? Who’s she meeting? He looks too old to be her boyfriend.
316. JESS: I think his name is Norris. He was with her when she was enrolled at the school. I think he’s kind of like her guardian or something.
317. CASSIE: Or something? Hey look, she’s getting down on her hands and knees. What is she…?
318. JESS: I think she’s… pretending to be a dog. She’s sniffing the ground and… holy smokes, did you see that?
319. CASSIE: She just ran into the woods. What the hell is going on?
320. JESS: I don’t know.
321. CASSIE: (PLEADING) Come on. Let’s go back to the school. This is just too weird.
322. JESS: Wait! What’s he doing now?
323. CASSIE: He’s just watching the spot where she left.
324. JESS: No, he’s got the book open. It’s… it’s glowing.
325. CASSIE: What? But… that’s nuts. We can’t be seeing this.
326. WOLF: GROWL – UNDER.
327. JESS: Cassie. Cassie, behind you.
328. CASSIE: Oh no. What? What is it?
329. JESS: It’s a dog. A really big, really angry dog. No! Don’t run.
330. WOLF: MENACING GROWLS – UNDER.
331. CASSIE: Jess? Jess, I’m really scared.
332. JESS: I know. I know. I’m trying to think of something.
333. CASSIE: Well think faster or I’m going to, you know, pass out.
334. JESS: Easy there, doggy. Nice doggy.
335. WOLF: GROWLS – CONTINUE UNDER.
336. NORRIS: I suggest, if you wish to live through this, that you do exactly what I say.
337. JESS: What the hell is going on?
338. NORRIS: That’s actually none of your concern. Right now the only thing you should be thinking about is survival.
339. CASSIE: Hell, he’s got my vote. Cassie, please..?
340. JESS: Alright, what do we have to do?
341. NORRIS: Come this way… slowly.
342. JESS: Okay, here we come. Cassie, just walk forward.
343. NORRIS: Now get behind me and shade your eyes…
344. JESS: What are you going to…?
345. SOUND: PULSING NOISE
346. WOLF: YIP AND WHINE OF PAIN – LET IT FINISH.
347. SOUND: WOLF RETREATING INTO THE DISTANCE – FADE
348. NORRIS: (SIGHING WITH RELIEF) It’s gone. (SOBERING SUDDENLY) Damnit! It’s heading towards the village.
349. JESS: What’s going on. That light, it came from the book and chased it away. I don’t understand.
350. NORRIS: (ANGRY) You! Damn you for meddling with things that are beyond you.
351. JESS: But…
352. NORRIS: Get out of here. Now!
353. JESS: Yes. Yes, alright. C’mon Cassie. We need to get back to the school.
354. CASSIE: (WHIMPERS) Yes, lets go home.
355. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS – FADE
356. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS – FADE UP
357. CASSIE: Oh No. No No No. I did not just see that. That was impossible.
358. JESS: What was impossible?
359. CASSIE: Monsters. Magic. I didn’t just imagine it, did I?
360. JESS: No you didn’t. And I’ll tell you something else, too.
361. CASSIE: What?
362. JESS: The book he was carrying, the one that he got from Hannah, the one with the big dog on the cover.
363. CASSIE: Yeah?
364. JESS: When that dog thing was threatening us…
365. CASSIE: Yeah?
366. JESS: The picture on the cover was gone.
367. CASSIE: What? But it was stamped into the cover.
368. JESS: It was gone. (BEAT) I think… I think that, whoever they are, they might be responsible for the dog attacks… for the death of… of Julie.
369. FOOTSTEPS IN GRASS – FADE.
370. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.
SCENE 9: INT – BETWEEN CLASSES (ANNA, JEN, JESS, HANNAH, CASSIE)
371. SOUND: SCHOOL BELL – CORRIDOR MOVEMENT – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
372. ANNA: Did you hear? There was another dog attack in the village last night.
373. JEN: Yeah, it was in the morning paper. Apparently, they’re putting out poisoned baits to try and catch it.
374. ANNA: There’s some concern it might actually be rabid. You know, on account of how it’s been attacking people so boldly and all.
375. JESS: That’s it. Where’s Hannah?
376. JEN: What? I think I saw her in the Science wing.
377. JESS: Thanks, I’ll catch up with you in a minute.
378. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – FADE OUT
379. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS – FADE UP.
380. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
381. JESS: You’re not going to get away with this, you know?
382. HANNAH: What did you just say?
383. JESS: (ANGRY) I said, “You’re not going to get away with it.”
384. HANNAH: What are you talking about?
385. JESS: I’m talking about you. (BEAT) Did you really think no-one would notice? Never eating with the rest of us? Disappearing from class? Meeting up with, well, whoever he is in the woods?
386. HANNAH: I don’t have time for this kind of rubbish.
387. JESS: Oh, no you don’t. I’m not letting you out of this room until we’ve had this out.
388. HANNAH: Are you mental? Just what do you think is going on here?
389. JESS: I know, Hannah. I know your secret. I know you’re not even human, that you killed Julie to get into this school. I know why you’re hungry and what you’ve been doing at night. You’re not going to get away with it. I know what you are.
390. HANNAH: Is that so? And just what do you think I am?
391. JESS: I heard you last night, before you turned, talking to that man about the full moon. I know you’re a werewolf.
392. HANNAH: (DERISIVE) Can you hear yourself? You sound deranged.
393. JESS: I’m going to stop you. You’re not going to hurt anyone else.
394. HANNAH: (ANGRY) Is that what you think, is it? Then you listen to me, you little idiot. I warned you once before to stay out of my business. I told you, you’d only one chance to mind your own and leave well enough alone. I’m going to…
395. JESS: What? Eat me? Kill me like Julie? Is that it?
396. HANNAH: You stupid twit. Get out of my way.
397. JESS: No.
398. HANNAH: Then don’t say I didn’t warn you.
399. SOUND: SMACK OF FIST ON FACE – LET IT FINISH.
400. SOUND: BODY COLLAPSING INTO CHAIRS – LET IT FINISH.
401. JESS: (PAINED) Ugh. You cow. You knocked me halfway across the room.
402. HANNAH: Don’t try to get up. Or I’ll give you another to match. You stay out of my business, got it? I don’t have time for the stupidity of some little school girl.
403. JESS: Some little school girl? Look who’s talking!
404. HANNAH: Listen to me. Listen! If you don’t stop meddling you’ll be in for a lot more than bruises. Do you understand? I could snap you like a twig if I had half a mind. You need to stop this.
405. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
406. JESS: (GROANS) That could have gone better.
407. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
408. CASSIE: You can say that again.
409. JESS: Where the hell did you come from?
410. CASSIE: I admit it. I was nosy and I eavesdropped from the hall.
411. JESS: You could have backed me up.
412. CASSIE: What? And ended up on my duff like you?
413. JESS: Help me up.
414. CASSIE: Here.
415. GIRLS: GRUNTS OF EXERTION AS THEY GET UP.
416. CASSIE: What are you going to do now?
417. JESS: You heard her threaten me. You can be my witness. She all but admitted she killed Julie. We’ve got to tell someone.
418. CASSIE: Who?
419. JESS: Let’s talk to the principal.
420. CASSIE: Tizdale? You can’t be serious.
421. JESS: Why not? She hates Hannah. You should have seen them the first day Hannah arrived.
422. CASSIE: It’s one thing for a teacher to dislike a student. It’s another to believe something like this. What are you going to tell her?
423. JESS: I’ll think of something. We’ve done all we can on our own. Come on.
424. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.
SCENE 10: INT – PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE (CASSIE, JESS, NORRIS, TIZDALE)
425. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS IN THE CORRIDOR (CASSIE AND JESS) – ESTABLISH AND CONCLUDE
426. CASSIE: Well, is she there?
427. JESS: Looks like.
428. CASSIE: I don’t know, Jess. I’m not sure this is such a good idea.
429. JESS: Are you a man or a mouse?
430. CASSIE: Actually, I’m a teenage girl… (SQUEAKING) and squeaking (AHEM) squeaking doesn’t seem like such a bad idea right now.
431. JESS: Cassie!
432. CASSIE: Jess, I haven’t gotten through life as the least noticed person in school by sticking my neck out. It’s who I am.
433. JESS: Seriously? (ANGRY) Alright, if you won’t come with me, I’ll go alone.
434. CASSIE: Maybe that’s for the best.
435. JESS: Oh, shut up. (BEAT) (DEEP BREATH).
436. SOUND: TWO STEPS AND KNOCK ON DOOR – LET IT FINISH.
437. TIZDALE: Come in.
438. SOUND: DOOR OPENS – LET IT FINISH.
439. JESS: Miss Tizdale, I need to speak to you urgently about Hannah. I…
440. NORRIS: You need to speak to the Principal about my ward?
441. JESS: Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had someone with you.
442. TIZDALE: Miss Allport, this is Mr. Norris, Hannah’s guardian. He was just leaving.
443. NORRIS: Actually, Miss Tizdale, I don’t believe our business was concluded… and if this… young person… has something to say regarding Hannah, I’d like to hear it.
444. TIZDALE: Mr. Norris, the running of this school is in my care, not yours. I will interview Miss Allport in a moment. You have informed me that your ward will be withdrawing from the school in a few days and I can only say that I am relieved. I will tell you frankly, sir, that she does not seem to fit in with the culture of the school and, by and large, has been a disruptive influence and a difficult student.
445. NORRIS: (COLDLY) I see.
446. TIZDALE: Yes. And to that, I would add that this school is private property and I would like you to cease entering the grounds without an appointment.
447. NORRIS: I see. Notwithstanding the fact that all my attempts to make an appointment have been met with refusal.
448. TIZDALE: I am, as you can see, very busy, and it is not possible for me to grant you an audience at your whim.
449. NORRIS: And if I wish to speak to you again before Hannah withdraws?
450. TIZDALE: I’m afraid that simply won’t be possible. I’ve given you all the time I can spare. Now, if you do not mind, I have work to do.
451. NORRIS: Have it your own way. Good day.
452. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
453. TIZDALE: Now, dear, come and sit down… and tell me what has happened to your face. Should I call the nurse?
454. JESS: No. No, I need to tell you this urgently.
455. TIZDALE: Alright. What has happened to you? Does this have something to do with Hannah?
456. JESS: Yes. Hannah attacked me in the science wing and… and I believe she attacked me last night as well.
457. TIZDALE: This sounds serious…
458. SOUND: FAINT RINGING TONE – CONTINUES UNDER
459. TIZDALE: Tell me what happened?
460. JESS: I, uh, I… I feel strange…
461. TIZDALE: It’s all right, Jess, just take a breath and tell me what happened?
462. JESS: (DEEP BREATH) Alright. I think… I think Hannah killed Julie. I think she did it to create a vacancy at the school. I think… I think she’s a werewolf.
463. TIZDALE: (GENTLY) That’s a very strange thing to think, Jess. Why do you think she’s a werewolf?
464. JESS: I followed her last night… into the forest. She was talking to Mr Norris. He pretended he didn’t know me just now but last night he saw me and saved me from her after she changed.
465. TIZDALE: I see. Is there anything else I should know?
466. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes. There’s a book she carries. It’s blue, with a dog on the cover. I think it gives her power of some kind.
467. TIZDALE: I see. That’s very good Jess.
468. SOUND: RINGING INTENSIFIES – CONTINUE UNDER.
469. TIZDALE: And I’ll take care of it. All of it. But this is important, Jess, are you listening?
470. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes, Miss Tizdale.
471. TIZDALE: For you, Jess, none of this happened. Alright. The bruise on your face is from falling on the stairs. Hannah never hit you.
472. JESS: (DREAMILY) But…
473. TIZDALE: It’s Okay Jess. I will take care of it. She won’t get away with it, but for your own good, you can’t remember it the way it happened. She didn’t attack you, Jess. There are no such things as werewolves. You didn’t go out into the forest. That was just a dream.
474. JESS: A dream…
475. TIZDALE: Yes, that’s right. Just a silly dream. You believe me, don’t you Jess?
476. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes, miss Tizdale.
477. SOUND: RING ENDS – LET IT FINISH.
478. TIZDALE: (ALL BUSINESS) That’s good Miss Allport. Thank you for coming to see me and clearing up this little misunderstanding. I’m sorry about your fall. Perhaps you should go see the nurse now.
479. JESS: Er… yes Miss Tizdale. Perhaps I should…
480. TIZDALE: Excellent, off you go.
481. JESS: Um… Miss Tizdale, is that yours?
482. TIZDALE: What dear?
483. JESS: That letter opener. It’s on the floor. Here.
484. SOUND: RINGING RETURNS – UNDER
485. TIZDALE: (SCARED) Uh, no. No dear, don’t give it to me. Why don’t you take it with you. Throw it away perhaps, hmmm?
486. JESS: (DREAMILY) Yes, alright…
487. SOUND: RINGING ENDS – LET IT FINISH.
488. TIZDALE: Very good. I’ll see you later.
489. JESS: Yes, Miss. Goodbye.
490. SOUND: DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES – LET IT FINISH.
491. MUSIC: SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH
492. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.
CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS
NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit the lonely city. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forward. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.
JESS ALLPORT: Hi, I’m Jess. I’m snarky and smart, but not mean. I’ve got a thick skin and a determined nature. It’s how I survive in this school full of snobs. I know my own mind and don’t give in to pressure from others. I also mind my own business… but when my curiosity is aroused I’m like a dog worrying at a bone. I’m not going to stop until I get to the bottom of it.
CASSIE TORRENS: A busybody. That’s me. And totally unsubtle. I mean, I’m totally not a gossip. I’ve still got friends and all, it’s just that, well, I’m curious about everything… and that puts some people off. If I want to know something I’ll usually just ask. Bluntly.
MISS TIZDALE: I am the headmistress of this school. It is my job to maintain the school’s reputation, keep the school running, bring in appropriate enrollments, do the hiring and firing. It’s the job I was born for and I’m very good at it. I can even fake a little concern for my students’ well-being when called upon to do so. Just don’t interrupt me right now. Can’t you see that what I’m doing is far too important for me to waste any real time on you?
MR NORRIS: My name is Norris. Just Norris. I am Miss Transome’s guardian. I may look and stand and sound like a butler, but I’m not. I’m polite, but firm, and I have powerful friends. It would be a mistake to cross me. I never say things twice.
HANNAH TRANSOME: I’m a complete cow to everyone. I don’t want to be at this school. I don’t want to make friends. I don’t want to take part in class or extracurriculars. I didn’t ask for this and I’m not happy that this is where I’ve ended up. I just want to be left alone to do what I’ve got to do until I can get out of here. And no, it’s none of your business what I’ve got going on.
BERTHA: Oh, uh, can I help you? Yes, I’m the secretary to the Head Mistress. Do you want to see Miss Tizdale? Um, do you have an appointment? She really doesn’t like to be interrupted. Oh, yes? I… I guess I can make you one. Would Monday be alright? At three? And what was your name? I know I had a pen around here somewhere. There’s always so much to do, don’t you know. And never enough time. Now, what was it I was doing?
CASTING SHEETS – MINOR CHARACTERS
STUDENTS (ANY): What’s that? Yeah, it’s pretty keen up at the school. I mean, we can be cows to each other too, but most of the time we have loads of fun. Joking, talking about boys, and, you know, studying (when we have to).
WOLF: I’m not the quiet skulking kind of wolf that avoids human contact. I’m huge and slavering and always hungry. And if I meet you in the wood, you’re going to either die or be really badly injured. I am all instinct and hate and hunger. It would be best to avoid me altogether.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Philip Craig Robotham grew up in a house full of books and has held numerous jobs as a teacher, computer programmer, graphic and web designer, an e-learning consultant and, most recently, writer. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and two sons. When he was younger and fitter he enjoyed martial arts, but in recent years his hobbies have tended towards more sedate fare (board games, movies, books, and role-playing games).
He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.
You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.
Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.
This post and all its content is copyright © 2013 Philip Craig Robotham and has been released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. This play cannot be reproduced, shared, or performed commercially without the written permission of the author. The production of derivative content, merchandise, or creative works and materials is expressly forbidden under this agreement. However you may share, reproduce, and perform this play freely so long as authorship is acknowledged, no money changes hands, and the play is not modified in any way.
The Girl in the Ivy Gate
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 1 – Death at Seareach
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 2 – The Road To Amnesia
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 3 – The Werewolf and the Sidhe
- The Girl in the Ivy Gate – Episode 4 – Bloodline
