Doomsday, USA, Scene 1

By Nate Feldman 

SYNOPSIS: Josh, an idealist, has created his dream summer camp, where both humans and monsters of all kinds come together to interact with one another and form lifelong relationships.  His dream, however, is challenged when a menacing creature begins attacking and killing people at his camp, leading to further problems between humans and monsters in the community. Can Josh and his staff overcome their differences to defeat this creature?

Characters

Josh

Ghazel

The Cameraperson

The Creature 

Scene 1: Josh is doing a promotion for Camp Doomsday, a program he co-founded and co-directs.  He is in his office at the camp with Ghazel, a witch and his co-director, and a cameraperson.  Josh is sitting behind a desk with a placard with the words "Camp Director" written on it.  The wooden walls behind him have promotions for co-existence between humans and monsters.  Beside him is Ghazel, a witch, and Josh's co-director.

Cameraperson: Are you guys ready to do the video?

Josh and Ghazel (in unison): Absolutely! 

Cameraperson: OK, on three.  Three, two, one!    

Josh: Hi!  My name is Josh and I am from the town of Doomsday, USA, the only place in the world where half of the inhabitants are humans, and the other half are monsters.  And when I say monsters, I mean all kinds.  We have witches, werewolves, and warlocks.  There are vampires, gremlins, ghouls, and goblins.  You name the monster, it’s in our town.

As you know, humans and monsters have been in conflict for ages, and we in Doomsday have not been spared the carnage.  It was just last year that a group of monsters attacked a human community, ransacking the place, killing thirty individuals while devouring their brains.  In retaliation, a group of humans formed a posse, attacking monsters throughout town, killing hundreds.

I’ve known violence and fear all of my life, but I don’t believe it has to be this way.  That is why I am the co-founder and co-director of Camp Doomsday, the only summer camp in the world that welcomes both young humans and monsters.  We teach young people and creatures of all kinds to live together in harmony.  And we practice what we preach.  Our staff is made up of both humans and monsters in a variety of positions, showing that cooperation between the two species is possible when given the opportunity.  I'd like to welcome my amazing co-director, Ghazel.  

Ghazel: Growing up as a witch, I was taught to fear humans.  But, when I met Josh, I realized it was possible to live together with them. Our camp enables humans and creatures of all kinds to learn about one another’s traditions and breakdown stereotypes and misunderstandings. 

So, if you are a human or a monster, and you have young children, register them for Camp Doomsday this summer.  The place where monsters and humans co-exist.

Cameraperson (stops recording): And that’s a wrap!  Great job you guys!  

Josh (motioning for the others to leave): Thanks!  It’s about time to get ready for dinner.  (Pointing to the cameraperson)  You can join us for dinner and see what a meal at our place is like.

Everyone exits to the right.  When they are all gone, a creature with two dark eyes, no mouth, and sharp claws enters and looks around.  It goes up to one of the sings promoting co-existence behind Josh's desk and tears it with its claws.  It then walks slowly throughout the cabin and then heads back out.