The Boy Who Fell Into A Book
Two-hander · Comedy
The Boy Who Fell Into A Book
The Boy Who Fell Into A Book · Alan Ayckbourn
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The Boy Who Fell Into A Book
Published by scriptsandsketches.com
When Kevin is pulled into the story of Rockfist Slim, he must navigate a dangerous world and help his hero escape a dire situation. Can he find his way back home before it's too late?
Duologue
Characters: KEVIN, ROCK
KEVIN is a keen reader who slips inside the story of his favorite detective novel.
KEVIN:
Who are you and what are you doing here?
ROCK:
(A cigarette lighter clicks in the darkness. The room fills with light, revealing ROCKFIST in snap brim trilby and trench coat) The name's Rockfist Slim, kid.
KEVIN:
Rockfist - ? You're Rockfist - ? You're Rockfist Slim? Rockfist Slim ?
ROCK:
(Impatiently) Yeah, Rockfist Slim. Rockfist Slim, OK? Who the hell are you?
KEVIN:
I’ve told you, I'm Kev –
ROCK:
Yeah, Kerry Carthorse, OK. But what are you doing-?
KEVIN:
Carter. Kevin Carter.
ROCK:
Yeah, OK. So what are you doing here?
KEVIN:
I was - I just ... (Looking around) What is this place - ?
ROCK:
You don't know?
KEVIN:
No
ROCK:
I thought it was your bedroom.
KEVIN:
I - well, it isn't any more. It's ... Where are we?
ROCK:
We're in what we term in my line, kid, a tight spot. A place they only let you out of feet first. Generally they leave you to die.
KEVIN:
(In wonder) It's the old smelting oven … phew … what’s that smell?
ROCK:
Believe me, it'll smell even worse in an hour.
KEVIN:
You've been shut in here by the Green Shark's men, haven't you?
ROCK:
Green Shark? What do you know about the Green Shark?
KEVIN:
Quite a bit.
ROCK:
(Menacingly) You working for the Green Shark?
KEVIN:
No! I'm just... I’m...
ROCK:
How do you know about the Green Shark?
KEVIN:
I'm – I’m reading the book.
ROCK:
Book? The Green Shark's brought out a book?
KEVIN:
No - it's – hard to explain. I -
ROCK:
Listen. Just level with me, huh, kid? What are you doing here?
KEVIN:
I was - You're not going to believe this ...
ROCK:
Try me. I’ll believe you. If you tell me the truth, I'll believe you.
KEVIN:
(Rapidly) I was in bed reading a book called Rockfist Slim and the Case of the Green Shark and I was halfway through it when my dad told me to turn out the light or he'd get cross, and so I turned out the light and I was sitting there in the dark, thinking about the story, and then suddenly I was falling, falling and the next minute I ended up here.
ROCK:
I don't believe you.
KEVIN:
Told you, you wouldn't.
ROCK:
Whoever you are, you shouldn't be here. You may be crazy but you shouldn't be here.
KEVIN:
I know I shouldn't. I just seem to have - fallen in.
ROCK:
OK. So fall out.
KEVIN:
I can't. I don't know how to. I don't know how I get home.
ROCK:
Listen. I'd like to help you. But I can't keep you around. I've got problems of my own. I'm locked in here, there's no way out and I have less than seventy-two hours before the Green Shark destroys half the planet. All you’ve got to do is get home. I’m trying to save the world here, kid.
KEVIN:
I know.
ROCK:
You know?
KEVIN:
I'm halfway through the book. It's very serious.
ROCK:
You bet it's - Book? Listen, What's with the book?
KEVIN:
It's – Well, you see. You're in a book.
ROCK:
I'm in a book.
KEVIN:
Yes. This is a book. We’re both in a book.
ROCK:
We're both in a book.
KEVIN:
Right.
ROCK:
Are we both in the same book, by any chance?
KEVIN:
At the moment. I think we are.
ROCK:
I don't think we are. I don’t even think we're on the same planet. Less than seventy-two hours to go and I'm trapped in an oven with a lunatic kid. What am I doing here? I don't even like kids. I hate kids. Get out of my oven. Get off my planet. Let me out of here.
