Scene Detail
"Are you sure you’re not a snake? You’re awfully big to be a worm."
| From: Dr. Worm | | 2 Characters |
| Gender |
Age |
Character Name |
| Either |
Young Girl or Boy |
PETE |
| Either |
Adult: Any Age |
DR. WORM |
Setup:
This is the beginning of the play. Read on...
(Note: the dialogue is gender-neutral, so that the roles could be played by the opposite sex, with a change of the boy's name to Patty.)
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The full script of "Dr. Worm" is available for purchase as part of "Short Plays for Young Actors and Audiences, Volume 1" (in hard copy or download form) at
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/plays-for-young-actors-and-audiences/4941401
Part of Matthew's online script store
http://stores.lulu.com/matthewaeverett
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Scenecopyright 2003 by Matthew A. Everett
It’s raining.
With a mighty heave, DR. WORM flops into view over an object that could represent the edge of the hole he calls home.
He sputters and crawls off the edge of the object and onto the floor.
At that moment, PETE, a young boy, hurries on, covering his head with a newspaper.
PETE nearly steps on DR. WORM.
DR. WORM
Hey! Watch where you’re walkin’, kid!
PETE
Whoa!
DR. WORM
Person could get squished!
PETE
You’re not a person.
DR. WORM
Well, if you want to get technical about it --
PETE
Are you a snake?
DR. WORM
A snake?! I should say not. Why, the very idea is insulting!
PETE
Then what are you?
DR. WORM
A worm. Dr. Worm, to you, kid.
PETE
I’ve got a name, too, you know.
DR. WORM
Well, what is it?
PETE
Pete.
DR. WORM
Thanks for not stepping on me, Pete. I’d shake your hand but I don’t have any.
PETE
Are you sure you’re not a snake? You’re awfully big to be a worm.
DR. WORM
I’m highly evolved.
PETE
So you won’t bite me?
DR. WORM
Hey, you can step on me. I want to stay on your good side. Besides --
DR. WORM thrusts his butt in the air.
DR. WORM (continued)
No fangs, not even teeth, see?
PETE
I don’t think that’s your mouth.
DR. WORM
You sure?
PETE
You’re talking from that end.
DR. WORM
Oh. Well, sounds come out of that end, too, sometimes, but there’s normally a smell involved as well. Better stick to this end.
DR. WORM lowers his butt.
PETE
What are you doing out here were you can get stepped on?
DR. WORM
It’s raining.
PETE takes away the newspaper from his head.
It has stopped raining.
PETE
It’s not raining anymore.
DR. WORM
How nice for you. But it’s not that simple. I live underground. My living room’s flooded right now. I’d rather be a little moist that drowning, wouldn’t you?
PETE
Why don’t you just live above ground?
DR. WORM
Two words. Birds and feet like yours.
PETE
That’s more than two words.
DR. WORM
Are you arguing with Dr. Worm?
PETE
How can you be a doctor?
DR. WORM
It’s an honorary degree.
PETE
For what?
DR. WORM
My sterling command of the English language.
PETE
I speak English.
DR. WORM
Ah yes, but do you also speak Worm?
PETE
Oh.
DR. WORM
Help me back up on the edge of my hole, would you? I need to get out of the high traffic area or I’ll lose my tail.
PETE helps DR. WORM schlump up onto the object again which he first crawled over to appear at the start.
DR. WORM
Many thanks.
PETE
You’re welcome.
DR. WORM
Well, go on, ask away.
PETE
Ask what?
DR. WORM
Surely you must have some kind of question for a worm with my wealth of knowledge.
PETE
No. Not really.
DR. WORM
Oh, come on. One question.
PETE
No.
DR. WORM
Just a little one.
PETE
You just want to show off.
DR. WORM
Well, yes. Is there something wrong with that?
PETE
I guess not.
DR. WORM
Come on. I don’t get out much. Just a tiny question.
PETE
What’s your favorite word?
DR. WORM
Oh, that’s easy! Uh --
PETE
Should I give you a hint?
DR. WORM
No, don’t be silly. I’ll have it in just a second. Aha! Crossword.
PETE holds out his newspaper, revealing a crossword puzzle.
PETE
Oh, you mean this? I love doing these.
DR. WORM
Oh. That’s a crossword? No. Not that. I didn’t mean that. Not “crossword” then. Hmmm. Just a minute. Oh. Backward!
PETE hops backward.
DR. WORM (continued)
What are you doing?
PETE
You said “backward.”
DR. WORM
Really? That’s backward?
PETE hops backward again.
DR. WORM (continued)
OK. Not that. Um...crossword, backward...
PETE
Do you need some help?
(there's more, but the conclusion of the story isn't available for viewing on this website)
copyright 2003 by Matthew A. Everett
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