One Minute Play

The Bookclub

By Matthew

Character breakdown:

John: Book club owner

Susan: Participant

Matthew: Participant

Setting:

A local coffee shop

Time:

Now

Scene: A local coffee shop

At rise: John is waiting in the coffee shop with a cup of coffee. Susan is also there flicking through a book the club is discussing this week. Matthew is about to walk into the café.

JOHN

I can’t wait to discuss the book for this week, what do you think?

SUSAN

(Rapidly flicking through the pages) I’m not sure, hopefully I can remember what happens in the book!

JOHN

Understandable; do you know what happens in the book this week? Actually, have you read this week?

SUSAN

Unfortunately, one week is not that much time to read a book; but I have read some of it which is good.

(Matthew enters the coffee shop, John and Susan looking surprised)

MATTHEW

Hello everyone! It has been a while indeed!

JOHN

Weren’t you supposed to be in Paris for a year? I remember seeing you last month.

MATTHEW

Yes I was there for a while, but unfortunately I lost my job

(Both Susan and John look shocked)

SUSAN

But you worked really hard to get that job! Weren’t you the head engineer of that oil company?

MATTHEW

Yes, but unfortunately, I got made redundant; the company is cutting back on its staff.

JOHN

Oh, I see, this cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone, companies to individuals, from Paris to London.

SUSAN

Indeed, I just read a news article the other day which mentioned that this crisis is not going to go away anytime soon. This blasted war of the US against communist Australia!

MATTHEW

Yes, it’s a shame how is this crisis affecting you guys?

(Matthew looks sad and dejected)

JOHN

For me I think that a lot of people can’t even afford to go to have a drink, this book club has taken a massive hit recently.

SUSAN

Indeed, I have noticed that where is everyone today, we usually get over 10 people?

JOHN

Yes, nobody can afford to go out because fuel is so expensive, also because the drinks in shops also expensive nowadays: it is ridiculous.

MATTHEW

Yes I’ve noticed that for me to travel back to London it took a while and also the plane ticket was also very expensive.

(Looks agitated and angry)