LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Drama Submission 2003

Laurie Eckhart

A Question of Willpower

Concept sentence: A quiet student wins the lottery over the holiday. When his classmates find out about his new fortune the price of wealth is realized.  

In order of appearance:

Enrique, Will, Corrie, Jennifer, Dr. White, Jason, Reani, Robert, Robin

Scene: Enrique is walking behind Will as the two exit the classroom at break. They are the last students leaving the room and Enrique sees Will drop a piece of paper.

Enrique: What’s this? [picks up the paper]

Will: Oh, it’s a list of…stuff. [Reaches for paper]

Enrique: [pulls paper away from Will]  Not so quick!

[Unfolds paper and reads aloud] Pay off bills, buy house, Ascari Ecosse, small tropical island, salt-water fish tank, chinchilla farm [looks at Will, puzzled] Chinchilla farm?

Will: [Holding out hand, impatient] Do you mind?

Enrique: [returns the list to Will] What is this? Your list for Santa Claus?

Will: [Shrugs] Something like that. [turns to leave, but turns back to Enrique] Can you keep a secret?

Enrique: [indignant] Of course!

Will: I won the lottery during the Thanksgiving holiday. [Holds list up] This is what I plan to buy.

Enrique: Yeah, right. Like you’d be in class if you won the lottery. What’d you win--300 dollars?

Will: $72 million

Enrique: [stares a minute, then laughs] Sure, Will. Me too, I won 8 billion dollars and cloned myself. I’m not even the real Enrique.

Will: Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe.

Enrique: [confused] Are you serious……why are you here?

Will: [shrugs] I still need an education.

Enrique: No one with 72 million needs an education. [claps Will on the back]

You need friends.

Will: [pulls another list from pocket] I already made a list of those too.

Enrique: Why?

Will: [places list back in pocket] People get weird about the money. I want be sure I know who my real friends are. Make sure you don’t tell anyone, I hate the attention.

Enrique:  Dude, you’re paranoid. Think roach motel—your secret went in, but it’s never coming back out. No one’s gonna know.

[Enrique & Will Exit Classroom.]

[Ten minutes later everyone except Will have returned]

Corrie: Did you talk to Enrique on break?

Jennifer: Uh, uh. Why?

Corrie: He swears Will won 72 million dollars in the lottery! But, we aren’t supposed to know so keep it a secret.

Jennifer: [looks confused] Will?

Corrie: [points to Will usual seat] You know, Will Frith...the “it has to get better” poem guy.

Jennifer: Oh, yeah. I really liked that poem. How weird-- he doesn’t seem any different.

[Will returns to class and walks to his seat. Both girls scrutinize him for obvious changes]

Corrie: Why do you think he wants to keep it a secret? Maybe he’s looking for true love and he knows he’ll never know if a girl loves him or his just money --so he’s keeping quiet. I can’t believe he came to class still.

Jennifer: Why not? He’s worked hard for his degree. I’m sure he still wants it.

Corrie: [waves hand in front of Jennifer’s face] Hello! We’re talking about 72 millions dollars here!

Jennifer: Yeah, but still. I’d keep doing whatever I was doing before the money, wouldn’t you?

Corrie: Yeah, just long enough to tell everyone I knew I was filthy rich, then Adios Corrios.

Jennifer:  A person couldn’t even spend that much money in a lifetime. Think of all the things he’ll be able to do. I just know he’ll donate to charities all the time now.

Corrie: [look speculative] Do you think he has a girlfriend?

Jennifer: [shocked] Corrie! You just got married!

Corrie: [aggravated] I know but, I have single sisters and friends.

Jennifer: What about all that talk about true love. Doesn’t that apply to your sisters and friends too?

Corrie Don’t preach to me. [Turns to Jennifer, looks calculating] What about you? He’s really cute and you aren’t married. You said you liked his poem.

Jennifer: Excuse me; do I look like I just stepped out of a Jane Austen novel? I’m not in the market for a rich husband, thank you very much.

Corrie [shrugs]

Dr White: [exasperated] Ladies!

Corrie: [whispers] We’ll talk later.

Jennifer: [nods]

Dr. White [writes student names on chalkboard & then turns to class] I want these people to exchange drama presentations before next week. Have there been any problems with the exchanges? Does anyone need help? [returns to seat]

Will: My computer died last weekend. Can anyone who sent me a draft resend it?

Enrique: Hey, you can just buy Dell and never have to worry about a computer again.

Dr White [puzzled expression] Enrique, is there something you’d like to share with the class?

Enrique: It’s nothing. I just… [ trails off]

Dr. White: Yes?

Enrique: I was just kidding with Will.

Dr. White [puzzled. Turns to Will] Will?

Will: [to Enrique] You have a big mouth.

Enrique: [ Shrugs, to Will] Hey, people are going to find out anyway. Might as well tell them yourself.

Dr White: [looks back and forth between Will and Enrique] What’s going on?

Jennifer: Will won the lottery Dr. White.

Dr. White Oh, I see. Well, congratulations Will.

Will [flat] Thanks.

Corrie: [excited/curious] Enrique said you have a list of the things you plan to buy…what’s on your list?

Will [big sigh]

Reani: What are you gonna buy first?

Will: A muzzle for Enrique.

Robert: When do you get the money?

Jennifer: I know several really good charities.

Robin: How much did you win?

Will [still glaring at Enrique] Enough to be comfortable.

Enrique: 72 million.

Robin & Reani: [together & loudly] 72 million!

Dr. White: All right, everyone calm down.

Jennifer: [ignores Dr. White] If I had that kind of money I’d open a shelter for orphans.

Corrie: [ignores Dr. White] If I won the lottery  I’d buy UHCL and fire all the people working in financial aid.

Jason:  [very intense] Will, I have an aunt who needs surgery. Can you help us out?

Corrie: You know what else I’d do? I’d make the school grill buy better hamburger meat!

Robert: My Dad’s in investments, I’ll give you his number.

Dr. White: Class, please!

Jason: She’s a really great person, but she can’t afford the bill. Can you help?

Reani: My cat needs hip replacement surgery; it’s only a thousand dollars. I could pay you back. Are post-dated checks ok?

Dr White: [stands up, pounds desk with closed fist to enunciate each word]    

Everyone  Shut   up!

Will: [looking at Enrique] This is why I didn’t want to tell anyone. No matter where I go this happens. [looks at class] I shared my poetry and story with you and most of you just sat there, comatose. Now I suddenly have money and you can’t wait to see what you might get out of me. You’re all a bunch of slugs.

Dr. White: Well, Will that’s certainly…

[Will cuts him off]

Will: No, Dr. White. Don’t say anything. At least you haven’t been affected. [picks up his backpack and heads toward the door]

Corrie: [nervous, quick] Uh, Will!

[Will stops and turns to see what she wants]

Corrie I can still send you my draft, right? I’d love to hear what you have to say. You’re a great writer.

Dr. White: [a bit hesitant, embarrassed, but persistent] Will, about that book I’ve been trying to publish… I’ll call you, ok?

[Will rolls his eyes and leaves the room]

Finis

Theme sentence: Perhaps Robinson Crusoe’s father was right; it’s better to exist in the middle of the spectrum, both poverty and great wealth present significant burdens to people.