Crazytown

DEATH VALLEY DQ (Part Two)

The final installment of my newest work, Death Valley DQ.
By Brett Ryback

In part one, we learned that Luna was anxiously awaiting Bobby Hernandez to arrive and ask her to prom.  Hank has just left for Las Vegas in pursuit of his wife who is actually at a hotel just down the street  - a secret kept by Jo. 

They are now four minutes to closing time.

•       •       •

(JO goes back to her paper and circles something.)

LUNA
Whatcha circling?

JO
Jobs.  I tell ya, I was real pissed off when they said they were closing us down.  Rodney’s supposed to start kindergarten next year and…It’s just the worst time for all of this.  There’s hardly anything in Baker.  And I…I don’t want to have to go to Vegas, but it doesn’t look like anyone else is hiring.

LUNA
How come you don’t want to go to Vegas?

JO
It’s…I don’t think I could do…any of that stuff. 

LUNA
They probably got a DQ in Vegas.

JO
Probably.  (A beat.)  Rodney’s dad is there.  And I’d rather…  I mean, if I don’t have to.

LUNA
My science teacher, Ms. Clark, just had a baby.  Maybe you could do her job til she gets back!

JO
I think you need to have schoolin’ to do that.

LUNA
Yeah, but you’ll be at school!

JO
What about you?  You going to school next year?

LUNA
No.  I’m gonna marry Bobby Hernandez.  If he ever gets here, already!

DEATH VALLEY DQ (Part One)

Part One of Two of my newest play, Death Valley DQ.
By Brett Ryback

10 minutes is a long time in the theatre.  There's a saying for writers: if the audience doesn't know what the show is about in the first 10 minutes, something's wrong.  These precious first 10-15 pages are where we meet our world, our protagonist(s), and the conflict of the show.  Everything else will hinge on those ingredients.

Now imagine an entire play in 10 minutes.

To create a world, protagonists, and conflict in the midst of a beginning, middle, and end is an interesting challenge.  That, coupled with the fact that 10 minute play contests abound in this country, was the reason I wrote Death Valley DQ.

Death Valley DQ received its first staged presentation at American Globe Theatre's 18th-Annual 15-Minute Play Fest, where it was awarded Honorable Mention for Best Play.  The presentation was directed by Brendan Naylor.  The role of Jo was played by Melissa van der Schyff; the role of Hank was played by Victor Hernandez; and the role of Luna was played by Andrea Ross.  

It also recently receieved 3rd Place in the McClean Drama Company's 10-Minute Play Contest, and will have a reading at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Rehearsal Hall in Washington, DC, this coming fall.

•       •       •

DEATH VALLEY DQ
A Ten-Minute Play

By:
BRETT RYBACK