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The Statement

A real-time mystery for two voices

  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • 2-character play
  • 1 woman, 1 either
  • 12 min
  • Intermediate
  • Ages 12+
PDF Word Free, no sign-up

Synopsis

Three in the morning, in an office at a police station. Commandant Verne is questioning the only person who can confirm the alibi of a man arrested for a burglary. The account is clear, the times fall into place, the details match. Too well, for someone just dragged out of bed.

An office in a police station in a French town, one night in November, a little after three in the morning.

Casting

103 lines
  • VERNE Female role, Adult 50, police commandant, on night duty, twenty-six years on the job.
  • CAMILLE No gender marker, Adult thirties, according to the suspect, the only person who can confirm his alibi.

Excerpt

Scene 1

(An office, at night. A table, two chairs, a lamp. In a corner, high up, a camera, its light off. Camille waits on the visitor’s chair, a wet coat across the knees. Verne comes in with a file and two paper cups. She puts one down in front of Camille.)

VERNE

Commandant Verne. Sorry to keep you waiting. Coffee. It’s bad, but it’s hot.

CAMILLE

Thank you.

(Verne sits down, opens the file, picks up a pen.)

VERNE

Surname, first name.

CAMILLE

Roussel. Camille.

VERNE

Date of birth.

98 more lines

The rest is waiting in the file.

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