Cast of Characters
Greg Sams: Male in his 60’s in an insect-like figure
(Voiceover with a miniature insect figure can be used for a Zoom performance)
Savior: Male or Female in their 60’s, dressed like a hermit
Martha Sams: Female in her 50’s
Eddi Becker: Male in his 40’s
Place and Time
Sometime in the early 20th century in Germany
Greg’s bedroom and a hallway (The stage is divided with the bedroom door: his bed on Stage Left, a hallway on Stage Right)
Synopsis
Greg Sams is an upper-middle class man who runs a real estate business. He lives with a quiet, submissive wife, Martha. One morning, Greg finds himself transformed into a gigantic insect-like creature. A Savior shows up and offers a chance to restore his body, if Greg can produce just one friend by sunset. After a series of failures, Greg persuades a long-time employee to show up, but is that man a friend indeed?
Note from Author: “…” in the script means a short pause
One morning, GREG awakes as a gigantic insect.
GREG
What the hell is happening? Am I still in my dream?
SAVIOR appears in front of GREG in spotlight.
SAVIOR
Yes and no, Greg Sams.
GREG
Who… who are you? How did you get in here?
SAVIOR
I am your Executor, and I can also be your Savior.
GREG
You mean, you did this to me? If so, can you change me back?
SAVIOR
Well, that is up to you, Greg Sams. I’m here to give you a chance to restore your body.
GREG
Tell me how. I would do anything. Pay anything.
SAVIOR
Greg Sams. Do you have friends?
GREG
Do I have friends? Yes, of course! I’m a successful business man.
SAVIOR
Then, bring me one. Before sunset.
GREG
Bring you a friend, before sunset? That’s all you are asking?
SAVIOR
Yes, a friend who is willing to help you regardless. “A friend in need, a friend indeed.”
GREG
Then, I have one here! Martha. My wife.
SAVIOR
I said “friend,” not a family member.
GREG
Why? Well… yes, that shouldn’t be a problem.
SAVIOR
I will be around here, watching you. Remember, with no friend before sunset, you will remain the way you are, forever.
SAVIOR fades away in the dark.
GREG
The most bizarre dream I’ve ever had…
GREG tries to manage to get out of bed but ends up falling.
GREG
What is this shell? So hard to maneuver!
All right. I’ve got to make some calls, but I can’t with these flimsy things. I need…
Martha… Martha! Could you come here? But don’t come in. Stay at the door.
MARTHA enters the stage and speaks to GREG through the bedroom door.
MARTHA
What’s the matter, dear? Are you unwell?
GREG
I’m fine. No, you’re right. I’m not well, so I’d suggest you stay away from me.
Martha, I’d like you to call Holtzman at his office to see if he’d come over for lunch.
MARTHA
I thought you are unwell and trying to distance from people.
GREG
Ah, that’s not your concern. He will be fine. Tell him I need to see him today. I want to discuss the real estate investment he mentioned a few weeks ago.
MARTHA
Well, if you say so.
(As exiting the stage) So typical! (To the audience) He always has to get his way.
MARTHA exits the stage.
GREG
Holtzman will do me a favor. Over the years, I’ve been feeding him so many accounts. He wouldn’t say no to me.
MARTHA returns to the door.
MARTHA
Greg, Holtzman said he has a series of meetings today, so he offered to meet you somewhere tonight.
GREG
(To himself) Tonight? That’s too late! I must find someone else…
(To Martha) All right, Martha, forget about Holtzman. Call Mr. Schultheib instead. Tell him I need to see him today.
MARTHA
Mr. Schultheib? You mean Mr. Schultheib at Schultheib & Schultheib?
GREG
Yes, my dear. My lawyer, Mr. Schultheib at Schultheib & Schultheib.
MARTHA
Well, Greg, you know how difficult it is to make an appointment with him. It usually takes a week or two. Would you still like me to call him?
GREG
Just call him, would you? Tell him I have an urgent matter to discuss.
MARTHA exits the stage, a little frustrated.
Martha’s right. That’s a long shot. I need another plan…
GREG’s voice is becoming weaker.
MARTHA returns to the door.
MARTHA
Greg, I called Mr. Schultheib and talked to Mrs. Schultheib. She said he’s out of town and won’t be back until next week.
GREG
Ah-ha! That’s not surprising. They’re out of town unless stuck with meetings. Martha, then would you call Dr. Freudenberg.
MARTHA
You mean, to ask him to pay a visit to see you as a patient?
GREG
(Agitatedly) No, not as a patient! Oh, wait a minute. It may work better that way. Yes, tell him I need to see him as I’m “painfully” unwell.
MARTHA rolls her eyes and exits without a word.
Well, he’s my doctor, we’ve known each other for decades. He’d come as long as he’s available.
MARTHA returns to the door.
MARTHA
I talked to his wife and she said Dr. Freudenberg is on the way to see a patient in the south and won’t be back until late at night.
GREG
(To himself) Why? Why is there no one I can count on?
MARTHA
Greg, are you all right? Shall I bring something, like some water?
GREG
No, Martha. I’m fine… I just need some rest…
MARTHA
Of course.
MARTHA exits the stage.
GREG
Who else can I call…?
Oh, Becker! He’s been there, working for me for more than half of his life. If I offer a raise, he’d do anything for me.
Martha… Martha!
MARTHA returns to the door.
Call Becker… Ask him… to come over… whenever he can today… But make sure… it has to be before sunset.
MARTHA
Certainly. Greg, you sound weaker and weaker…
GREG
(With irritation) I said I’m fine… Now go call Becker!
MARTHA exits the stage frowning.
Soon after she returns to the door.
MARTHA
Becker said he has some tenants to visit to collect rent, but he will drop by before returning to his office.
GREG
Good. Now I’ll get some rest…
MARTHA exits the stage. GREG tries to rest on the floor. Meanwhile, SAVIOR returns in spotlight.
SAVIOR
Greg seems to have found someone to visit him. I hope the visitor is his true friend.
SAVIOR disappears in the dark.
MARTHA returns and knocks on the door.
MARTHA
Greg, Becker’s here. Greg?
GREG
Martha, thank you… Get him here.
MARTHA exits the stage.
BECKER enters the stage and knocks on the door.
BECKER
Mr. Sams, I’m here. Is everything all right, Sir?
GREG
Oh, Becker. Thank you for coming. I have some good news for you. Since you impressed me over the Main Street deal, I’m going to give you a raise.
BECKER
You are, Mr. Sams? I’m so grateful. Thank you, Sir.
GREG
You’re welcome.
Now, I’m having a little trouble here… Would you help me out?
BECKER
Of course, if there is something I can do for you, Sir.
GREG
Well, this may sound odd but… I look different since this morning… but with your help… I can return to the way I was.
BECKER
I’m not quite following, but I’ll see what I can do, Sir.
GREG
Good. Then, come in.
BECKER walks into the bedroom. GREG crawls out from behind the bed. BECKER jumps back in surprise.
BECKER
What, what’s happened to you?
GREG
I can’t explain. All I know is… my body can be restored if I… meet a condition.
BECKER
A condition?
GREG
This Savior figure who turned me into this said… if I bring him a friend, he’ll change me back.
BECKER
So, where is your friend? I can bring the friend for you.
GREG
No, Becker, it’s you. You are the friend. You are here as my friend.
BECKER
Me? (Pause) I’m sorry, Mr. Sams. I don’t think that would work.
GREG
What do you mean?
BECKER
I mean, I’m not your friend.
GREG
You are my friend. We’ve known each other for years.
BECKER
Well, we have, but you don’t truly know me, and neither do I. I’ve been just working for you.
GREG
So, you are saying a boss cannot be friends with his employee?
BECKER
I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is… we are not.
GREG
Why not?
BECKER
Well, there is something missing. Something very important, for two people to have in order to become friends.
GREG
What is it?
BECKER
(Short pause) Mutual respect.
BECKER exits the room. GREG crawls after him to the hallway.
GREG
Becker… Wait…
MARTHA calls out to BECKER.
MARTHA
(Off-stage) Becker, are you all right?
MARTHA enters the stage, finally sees GREG, and starts hysterically screaming and goes faint.
GREG
Martha! No… You can’t bail on me… Wake up, Martha! Without you… I’m finished.
SAVIOR returns in spotlight.
SAVIOR
Greg Sams. What will you do now? The sun is still out. Would you like to knock on any neighbors’ doors?
GREG
No, it’s no use.
(Short pause) I admit… I don’t have anyone… that I can call a “true” friend.
SAVIOR
Well done. It takes strength and courage to admit the truth, and be honest with yourself.
GREG
I’m exhausted… I need to rest peacefully… then, when I awake… everything is back to normal… Otherwise… no need to wake up…
SAVIOR
Greg Sams. I highly respect a man of honesty. As without it, no friendship can grow.
(Short pause) Take some rest. We will see if you remain the way you are, or become restored to your human body. When the sun rises, you will know.
End of Play
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