Status: A representation about how the concept of "framing" the innocent works in today's society.

Run

[Act 1 Scene 1 - Holiday Resort Lobby]

(The Friends enter the hotel lobby, chatting with each other)

JAMIE - This is going to be a good holiday.

JESSIE - You think? it's going to awesome. It's not like last year - you took us to some hotel made out of bamboo sticks.

JAMIE - It was a spa resort, Jessie! it's supposed to be like that.

JAKE - Please tell me this place has good wine.

JAMIE - Why are you always after wine?

JAKE - It's my hobby - going after good wine all around the world.

JESSIE - But, once you start having a drink......

RESORT MANAGER - Hello Madam, welcome to Casa Resort. How may I help you?

JAMIE - I booked a room, under the name of Jamie.

RESORT MANAGER - (Checking the server on his laptop) Hmm....Jamie, Yes. Room for three, right?

JAMIE - Yes.

RESORT MANAGER - Your room number is 915, on the 9th floor (hands over the key).

JAMIE - Thank you.

RESORT MANAGER - Sam! help with the luggage.

SAM - I'm on it!

(takes the luggage - and follows the friends)

[Act 1 Scene 2 - Hotel Room]

SAM - Luggage, madam.

JAMIE - Thank you.

SAM - Enjoy your stay (leaves).

JESSIE - Woah.

JAKE - It's not that great.

JESSIE - Have some respect, Jake. She put in a lot of effort to book.

JAKE - I'm just giving my input. Now then, if I'm not wrong....the mini bar should be right about (searching) there!

JAMIE - Jackpot.

(Jake searches the minibar)

JAMIE - I'll freshen up and be back. The brochure says we can see fireflies at the garden downstairs.

JESSIE - Ooh, nice.

(Jamie goes to freshen up)

JESSIE - Well? you found wine?

JAKE - They're all in cans, that's the bad part.

JESSIE - Don't drink here. Drink when you're outside. You'll wreck the room like last year.

JAKE - That was a different story - the wine had an extra kick.

(Jamie comes back)

JESSIE - Can I keep the luggage in the cupboard?

JAMIE - Sure, why not.

JESSIE - Jake, put it in the cupboard.

JAKE - Why me? I'm busy.

JESSIE - You can do this later. Put it in the cupboard.

JAKE - Fine (opens the cupboard - dead body falls out). Wait what?!

JAMIE - What is that?!

(pause - everyone in shock)

JAKE - (Goes near to the body) G-Guys....dead.

JESSIE - Dead?! w-who is it?

JAKE - (Flips the body over).

JAMIE - (Gasps).

JAKE - Phew! just some random girl.

JAMIE - No it isn't! t-that's Inspector Anna's daughter.

JESSIE - How do you know that?

JAMIE - I watch the news. I know who is who's children.

JESSIE - Cover it up! quick!

JAKE - With what?

JAMIE - (Thinks hard) P-Put it under the bed! no one will notice.

(they push the body inside)

JESSIE - Phew....I think we're done.

(door bell rings)

JAMIE - (Goes slowly to open the door).

SAM - Ma'am, I forgot to place the complimentary hamper.

JESSIE - P-Place it on the table.

SAM - (Places it on the table) Have a good day ma'am (leaves).

JAKE - Phew! I though it was going to be someone else.

(doorbell rings again)

JAMIE - (Goes slowly to open the door).

(Police officers enter in a rush)

INSPECTOR ANNA - Check the room! quick! I'm not leaving without the body!

JESSIE/JAKE - Huh?!

JAMIE - W-What are you guys doing?

OFFICER FRED - We're looking for a body. Tell me where it is, and there won't be harm.

JESSIE - B-Body? w-what body? we're here on holiday.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Found it?

OFFICER FRED - (Sits on the bed) Nope. Nowhere (kicking his legs towards the body underneath).

INSPECTOR ANNA - (Sits on the other bed) Ridiculous. Perfectly ridiculous. I receive information about the body in this hotel room, and this is what I end up with?!

JAKE - Um...

(Officer Fred kicks the body)

OFFICER FRED - Ma'am! t-there's something under the bed!

INSPECTOR ANNA - Take it out!

JESSIE - (Whispers) We're dead.

(they take it out)

INSPECTOR ANNA - Amy!! no!! don't leave me!!

JAKE - (Whispers) T-That's inspector Anna?

OFFICER FRED - Quiet there! (notices blood stains on Jake's shirt). Stop right there! (holds his shirt). Ma'am! the culprits!

JAMIE - What?!

INSPECTOR ANNA - (Checks his shirt) H-How dare you! how dare you kill my daughter?! with what bravery are you still standing in this very room?

JAMIE - We didn't murder her! t-there's a mistake.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Officer Fred! do a finger print scan of the body.

OFFICER FRED - (Uses a gadget) Positive. Their finger prints are on the body.

INSPECTOR ANNA - I see....you break into this room. Kill her with a gun or a knife, then push her underneath the bed to cover it up? clever - but in the end you appear before me like a bunch of fools.

(Jake from behind tosses a blanket sheet, wrapping them up together)

INSPECTOR ANNA/OFFICER FRED - Hey!! get off! load your gun, officer!

JAKE - Let's go!

JAMIE - Why did you do that?! are you crazy?!

JAKE - I panicked alright?! now go!

(they run)

[Act 2 Scene 1 - Holiday Resort Lobby]

(Resort Manager, and Sam are present)

INSPECTOR ANNA - Officer Fred - arrange for a public announcement. I want the public to keep guard.

OFFICER FRED - Yes ma'am! (salutes and leaves).

INSPECTOR ANNA - Now then, (walking around the resort manager and Sam). You had three guests, check-in to the resort. They checked into Room 915, am I right?

RESORT MANAGER - Y-Yes.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Hmm....2 girls, and 1 boy. Am I right?

RESORT MANAGER - Yes.

INSPECTOR ANNA - You took their luggage upstairs, am I right?

SAM - Yes.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Did they carry any suspicious articles?

SAM - Not that I can think of. I didn't check their luggage yet.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Attend to it immediately. Report if you spot any suspicious articles.

(Sam leaves)

INSPECTOR ANNA - As for you. If my daughter checked into room 915, why did these guys check into the same room?

RESORT MANAGER - Um....

INSPECTOR ANNA - I need an answer.

RESORT MANAGER - Your daughter had already checked out of the same room.

INSPECTOR ANNA - She checked out? w-when?

RESORT MANAGER - Today morning, 7am.

INSPECTOR ANNA - When did they check in?

RESORT MANAGER - 8:30am.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Time is 10am....my daughter checked out at 7am, these guys checked in at 8:30am. Something is missing....if she already checked out, t-then why is she killed in the same room?

RESORT MANAGER - She said....h-her friends checked into the same room. She wanted to see them.

INSPECTOR ANNA - Her friends....checking into the same hotel....even more, same room? how? what's the chance of that? b-but why did they want to kill her?....strange. Give me a print out of their details. I'll inform the railway and airport authorities.

(Takes a print out and gives it to her)

INSPECTOR ANNA - Right then. I'll be on my way (leaves).

RESORT MANAGER - (On the phone) Hello? i-it's me. I'll collect the money tonight. Thank you (drops the call and looks around him).

[Act 2 Scene 2 - Line of Small Shops]

(Everyone is on stage - walking towards either side of the stage, pushing the three friends along)

ANNOUNCEMENT - Attention everyone! we are on a lookout for three suspects: 2 girls, and 1 boy. They're wearing blue/black pants and casual tops. Please keep a look-out, and if you find anything suspicious - contact us immediately at 999.

JOSEPH - (Notices Jessie) Hmm....

JESSIE - (Whispers) Let's move!

[Act 3 Scene 1 - Bakery Store]

JAMIE - Did we lose them?

JESSIE - I think so.

JAKE - This is ridiculous. I can't believe we're being hunted down for something we didn't do!

JAMIE - Calm down.

JAKE - I can't!

JAMIE - Don't worry. When everything is fine, we'll find the best wine in town for you.

JESSIE - What do we do meanwhile? if we go outside, we'll be caught.

JAMIE - Hmm....(walking around in circles).

JAKE - Well?

(Jamie notices a baker - struggling in his work)

JAMIE - Ehem...s-sir?

(Baker ignores)

JAMIE - S-Sir?

BAKER - Are you talking to me?

JAMIE - Y-Yes. Um....we were wondering if you could....

BAKER - Do what? give you cake?

JAMIE - No! No! I'm fine.

BAKER - What do you want then?

JAMIE - A-Allow me to introduce ourselves. I'm Jamie, this is Jake, and that's Jessie.

JESSIE/JAKE - Hi.

BAKER - Okay then?

JAMIE - We're college students. We've come here to do our intern.

BAKER - Intern in a bakery? are you serious?

JESSIE - W-We're taking culinary arts courses. Our aim is to gain some work experience. It would be wonderful if you could give us that opportunity.

BAKER - Well um...I-I don't know what to say but-

JESSIE - We'll only work for a week's time. After which we'll report back.

BAKER - Okay then. I'll need one person helping me in the kitchen, one weighing the items, and one being the cashier.

JAKE - I'm in the kitchen! (goes in).

JESSIE - Please be the cashier.

JAMIE - B-But I'm scared.

JESSIE - Be strong, I'll be working right behind you.

JAMIE - Fine.

BAKER - Good luck.

[Act 3 Scene 2 - Police Station]

(Inspector Anna is going through their luggage - in detail)

OFFICER FRED - Are you busy ma'am?

INSPECTOR ANNA - Just taking a look at what they had in their luggage.

OFFICER FRED - (Looks inside) Not a big deal really. It seems like an ordinary vacation luggage to me.

INSPECTOR ANNA - (Yells) Don't jump conclusions! people are very sneaky these days - hiding stolen diamonds in their watches, stitching money to their jackets, you name it. It could be a trick.

OFFICER FRED - W-When is the funeral?

INSPECTOR ANNA - (Pauses in shock) T-Tonight. I-I can't take this! too much is happening. On one side I have my dead daughter, on the other? cold-blooded murderers. I want her honored by the entire police force. Call everyone to be here at 8:30 pm.

OFFICER FRED - Yes ma'am! (salutes and leaves).

(Inspector Anna checks the toiletry pouch and finds a perfume)

INSPECTOR ANNA - (Sprays it) Oh...strong, very strong perfume. They must've used it in action.

[Act 3 Scene 3 - Bakery Store]

(Joseph enters)

JOSEPH - Hello! (looking around)

JAMIE - (Notices the customer) Oh god!

JESSIE - What?

JAMIE - It's him.

JESSIE - Oh no! what do we do now?

JAMIE - Just follow my lead.

JOSEPH - Good day miss!

JAMIE - (In a creepy way) Hi there!

JOSEPH - (Scared) U-Um...h-hello there. C-Can I uh...wait a second! don't I know you from somewhere?

JESSIE - (In a creepy way) Do you?

JOSEPH - (Scared) No I don't!

JAMIE - (In a creepy way) Well, how can I help you?

JOSEPH - (Scared) C-Cake.....I want cake!!

JAMIE - (In a creepy way) Sure. Here you go, that'll be $3.

JOSEPH - (Scared) T-Take the money. (Rushing out with the cake) Creeps.

(Joseph leaves)

JESSIE - Is he gone?

JAMIE - Yes. Phew! thank goodness.

[Act 4 Scene 1 - Line of Small Shops (Night Time)]

ROB - (On the phone) Hello? it's me. Yes, operation successful. I've taken down the Inspector's daughter. How did I cover up?....let's just say that some poor soul out there is in deep trouble. (Laughs) is the money ready? yes, I'll get it tomorrow. Hmm....I see, hand over the money and we'll take this through. Thanks (drops the call). Time to sharpen the knife.

(He walks around - as if unsuspected - Jamie enters)

JAMIE - (Looks around and doesn't see anybody) (On the phone) Hello mum. It's me. I-I'm doing good, h-how are you? that's good to hear. I-I hope everything is going well there. Mum I want to tell you something really important. A-Apparently, o-our return flights got canceled. W-We're trying to book another flight to return home. U-Until then, w-we'll be here (looks up - upset) I-I'll try my best to come back home. B-Bye (drops the call).

(Jamie collapses onto ground - as she is upset)

JESSIE - (Runs on stage) What happened? a-are you okay?

JAMIE - (In tears) W-We're done for. W-We can't go home.

JESSIE - Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright. After all, it was Jake's fault in the first place.

JAMIE - Y-You're right. What did we do wrong?

JESSIE - Nothing, now come in. Let's sleep.
  1. Run (Part Two)
    Continuation from what happened in "Run" Part One.