Free Monologues - John

From Play's End


John, late thirties or older, from Play's End. He speaks to Johnny, his 10 year old son, while they polish a rifle together.

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

 

JOHN
Your brother won't want a rifle.
(beat)
You think there's only one rifle around here? We've got a lot of good stuff.
(John picks up the pot from the right rear burner. He pulls out the gun and waves it at Johnny. He checks to make sure it’s still loaded before returning it to the pot and the pot to the stove.)
A lot of good stuff.
(beat)
Have we ever talked about the birds and the bees?
(beat)
The birds, those are the rifles. The bees are the handguns. Stay on their good side, and they're our friends. But you cross a bird, you get pecked. Cross a bee, you get stung. But treat them right, they'll do right by you when you need 'em. Big birds, skinny little ones, tiny bees, juicy fat ones. We've got friends all over this house. Know what happens if somebody tries to break in? The birds and the bees go to work on 'em. He comes at me through the front door, I got a rifle that matches this one in the hall closet. Mommy and I are upstairs in bed, we keep pistols under our mattress. Dinner time, no problem. Got a shotgun fastened under the kitchen table and of course our friend in the pot. The birds and the bees. Lots of good stuff for you and Jay.
(They finish cleaning the gun. John holds it up.)
Look at that. All bright and shiny.
 
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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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