Free Monologues - Ticker

From War of the Buttons


Ticker, a hyperactive imp about 12 years old who has just gotten into a fight with some students from the nearby prep school, talks to Charlie. Charlie's parents have left him—and it's starting to look as if it's for good. They're on a sidewalk, where Charlie sits with his family's luggage. From War of the Buttons.

(Warning: Using this monologue without permission is illegal, as is reproducing it on a website or in print in any way.)

TICKER
I'll stay with ya'.
(beat)
You gonna' eat that cone?
(Beat, then Charlie gives it to him. Ticker takes a bite, then devours it. As Ticker talks, the lights should dim almost imperceptibly as it grows later.)
My Mom said I might be able to get these new pump sneakers. She found this mail order place that sells 'em for ten bucks less than K-Mart.
(Charlie nods distractedly.)
If I come up with twenty from my paper route, she'll do the other half.
(Ticker takes off one of his worn sneaks.)
Need 'em bad. See?
(He removes a piece of colored construction paper from inside the shoe; it covers a hole in the sole. He shows Charlie.)
Stole ten sheets off the art teacher's desk. Good as new. Rubs somethin' bad though.
(beat)
I gotta' get home or I won't get dinner. She says if I miss again I'm not eatin'. Period. And when she says period . . . You wanna' come for dinner? There probably isn't any extra, but I'll give you some 'a mine.
(beat)
If they don't come back, and you want somethin' to eat, just throw stones at my window like on TV. I'll save some 'a my dinner for ya', just in case.
(Ticker drifts toward the exit.)
You'll be at the factory tomorrow—right? 'Cause they're gonna' beat the hell outta' me if you don't come.
 
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Upcoming Productions
Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Clay High School Limelighters (Toledo, OH), May 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Circle Arts Theatre (New Braunfels, TX), May 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Paris Community Theatre Teen Theatre (Paris, TX), May 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
East High School (Cheyenne, WY), May 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Hutchinson High School (Hutchinson, KS), May 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Fremont High School (Sunnyvale, CA), May 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Bay Theatrix: Dover Bay Secondary (Nanaimo, BC, Canada), May 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Fernley High School (Fernley, NV), May 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Kellam High School (Virginia Beach, VA), May 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Sequoia Middle School (Pleasant Hill, CA), June 2012

Pepperoni Apocalypse
University of Tasmania (Launceston, TAS, Australia)

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Tuckahoe Middle School (Richmond, VA), June 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Jane Addams K8 (Seattle, WA), June 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Luton Players (Rochester, United Kingdom), June 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy (Topeka, KS), June 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
St. Mary's Anglican Girls' School (Perth, WA, Australia), July 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Fort Myers High School (Ft. Myers, FL), August 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Lyndale Secondary College (Dandenong North, VIC, Australia), August 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight (one-act version)
Yokohama International School (Yokohama, Japan), October 2012

Harry's Hotter at Twilight
Drama With a Difference (Melbourne, VIC, Australia), December 2012

Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions
Westwood High School (Palestine, TX), January 2013

 
Rumors of Polar Bears: 

Though the one-act version, available from Playscripts, stands on its own (and is perfect for competition!), this play was always intended to be a full-length composed of three acts:  Rumors of Polar Bears, Ursa Major and Northern Lights.  Look for the other two plays in the cycle sometime in 2012.


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