Big Wheel

A Ferris wheel in an amusement park, late in the evening. the wheel arcs up out of our view; we can see one car on the upward curve (SL), and one on the downward (SR).

[Production note: we can trust the audience’s imagination and use a minimal set, Thornton Wilder-style. The wheel can be entirely notional, and the two cars two pairs of rocking chairs tied together.]

Each car contains a couple: SR are DES and DOPH, in their 60’s. SL are BILL, in his early 40’s, and ANIK, somewhere under 30. The cars are not moving on their cycle, but Anik is making their car rock back and forth.

ANIK

Come on come on come on!

BILL

Stop it, Anik.

ANIK

Make it go.

BILL

It will go real soon.

ANIK

You promised you would take me to the top.

BILL

And I will.

She stops agitating the car.

BILL (cont’d)

Modern Ferris wheels are really hi-tech. If something goes a little bit wrong, they stop real quick until it can get fixed.

ANIK

When it stopped so real quick, I lost a shoe.

BILL

I’ll get you another. I’ll get you a dozen.

ANIK

I wanted that one.

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To find out what happens next, email andrew AT cottage14 DOT com to request a copy of the script.