There Can Be Only One

There Can Be Only One

(10m)   by Thom Goddard
 

Comedy Skits   (63663 Views 39 Comments)

A dusty, dirty antique book store.
Ribboned light streams into
the store from a skylight
exposing the dust and uncleanliness
of the store.

On the left of the stage is a
long book shelf filled with
comic books in no discernible
order - Superman, X-men,˜Batman
and The Avengers are spread out
together in no˜particular order.

Opposite the large bookshelf
is a long, glass counter.
Stood behind the counter is
BARRY a man wearing
old clothes, in particular
a stain-covered wool tank top.

At the rear is the front door of
the shop.

BARRY is reading a comic.

The door opens.
The antiquated sound of a bell
ringing sounds to indicate the
door has been opened.

Barry doesn't raise his head
from his reading.

A woman enters.

She is dressed in a suit and
carries a briefcase.

She looks like a mother buying
for her child - completely out of
place in a comic book store.

She looks at the long book shelf
for a limited time and turns
to face Barry.

He doesn't raise his head.

MARY - Good morning.

Barry turns another page.
He pretends not to hear her.

MARY - I said, good morning.

Barry pauses as he turns a
page. He doesn't look up.
He turns over the page.

Mary steps up to the counter
in front of Barry.

MARY - Good morning, I'm here to buy a comic book.

Barry stops turning and
looks at her like she has
caught him on the toilet.

BARRY - Really? In a comic book shop? I'd never have guessed.

MARY (nervous) - I... I'm sorry but I'm looking for...

BARRY - Something for your son?

MARY (sternly, in control) - No. I hear you have a Spiderman, Number 1.

BARRY - Yes. The last one in existence.

MARY - The last one? I thought there were two left in the world?

BARRY - Well, strictly speaking there are two left in the world. But! One of them has been lost for over thirty years so our copy is generally regarded as the last one left in the world.

MARY - I see.

BARRY - But you don't want to buy it.

MARY - I don't?

BARRY (patronizing) - No. Buy some up to date comics (pointing) on the shelf behind you.

MARY - Thank you. But I'm here to purchase Spiderman, Number 1.

BARRY - Ok. Well I didn't want to do this but you can't because... you can't afford it. It is the last Spiderman, Number 1, left in the world and it is very expensive.

MARY - I would expect nothing less... if it truly is unique.

BARRY - Oh it's unique alright. Unique to the tune of one hundred thousand dollars.

MARY - Ok. May I see it?

BARRY - Ok what? But, you know, I like your persistence. I'll just get it from out back. So we can both have a look.

Exit Barry stage right.

Mary picks up the comic Barry has
been reading. She flicks through
it and throws it back on the counter.

MARY - Now I see who reads this trash.

Enter Barry stage right.

Barry is holding the comic.
It is sealed in a protective
plastic casing.

He places it carefully on
the counter.

BARRY - Behold. The legendary, last surviving copy of Spiderman, Number 1.

MARY - Allegedly, the last copy.

BARRY (smiles) - The last known copy.

Mary moves to pick it up.
Barry stops her.

BARRY - No, no, no. What do you think you're doing?

MARY - I want to have a look at it.

BARRY - You can see it just fine from there.

MARY - How much is it again?

BARRY - One hundred thousand dollars.

MARY (looking closely at the comic) - Wow.

BARRY - Yes, expensive. It would be more, a lot more.

MARY - Really?

BARRY - As long as the other copy is out there, even though it's been lost for years, this comic is not unique.

MARY - Not unique?

BARRY - As you have pointed out, this cannot be called ?the last one in the world?. The last Superman, Number 1, comic is now worth over a million dollars.
Now that truly is the last ever copy.

MARY - I'm not interested in Superman.

BARRY - No, me neither. Too much of a goody-two-shoes. It is a shame though.

MARY (not listening) - Really?

BARRY - Well, now that comic is stored in some vault. In a bank or someone's personal safe buried deep in their basement. It will probably not see the light of day again.

MARY - Hmmm. I'd like to have a closer look at this one, if I may?

BARRY - I have already explained that you'd have to buy...

As Barry talks, Mary moves
her briefcase onto the counter.
She opens it and turns it
towards Barry.

BARRY (continued) - ...it for... PAUSE How much is that?

MARY (now in complete control) - One hundred thousand dollars. In cash.

Barry is open-mouthed.
He shakes his head in
disbelief.

BARRY - Ok.

Not taking his eyes off the money
Barry pushes the comic to Mary.
Mary picks the comic up.
Barry picks up a stack of money.
Mary gazes at the comic with
the same love Barry is gazing at
the money.

Mary unseals the plastic jacket
and slides the comic out.
This wakes Barry from his trance.

BARRY - Be careful! I know you just paid all this beautiful money for it but remember it is pretty unique.

MARY - Not quite unique.

BARRY - Ha, yes. I suppose we won't go over that again. Is there anything else you want?

MARY - No, no. I'm fine. (holding the unsealed comic) This is all I came for.

BARRY - Good. I hope you don't mind then if I just go and put this money away. In my safe.

Barry greedily picks up the still-open
briefcase, turns and walks out.

Exit Barry stage right.

Mary takes a deep breath and lovingly
strokes the front of the comic.
Mary then tears it up with her hands.
She tears the comic into strips.
And then those strips into smaller pieces.

Just as she is finishing Barry
crashes back into the shop.

Enter Barry stage right.

BARRY (shouting) - What are you doing?

Mary finishes tearing.
The small pieces are all over
the counter and the floor.

Barry is speechless.

BARRY - But... but... but... you can't.

Barry picks up some of the pieces
of paper and they fall through his fingers.

Mary stands triumphant.

MARY - Do you have a waste basket?

BARRY (wide eyed) - I can't believe you did it.

MARY - You just don't get it, do you?

Mary leans towards Barry.

MARY - Now... my copy is unique.

Barry's eyes widen even further
with the realisation of what
has happened.

MARY - There can be only one!

Mary turns and leaves the shop to
the rear of the stage.

Exit Mary.

Barry frantically searches
through the remnants.
He cries.

Blackout

CURTAIN

THE END

Comedy Type: Script Length: Post date: Script Market:
Public

Author's Message

Please contact me through iComedyTV if you want to use this script. No contact = no permission

Copyright Statement



Comments

   

Submitted by Elia Kallas (not verified) on Tue, 03/08/2016 - 01:40
Loved your script so much and i asking permission to use this script as my project at my university. Thank you in advance
Submitted by Mano (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 09:17
Can i use this in a performance at my school? It's non-profit, it's for our school days.
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 21:29
@Mano - please do. If the show is recorded or shown online please give credit. All best
Submitted by Edmond Falk on Wed, 01/17/2018 - 07:12
I would also very much like to use this scrip for my humorous interpretation project in debat, if that's ok with you.
Submitted by Amaris (not verified) on Sat, 04/09/2016 - 11:03
This duet scene is amazing ! Can I use this for a duet scene I'm using in a festival?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 20:57
@Amaris - sure. If it is recorded please send me the link and give credit.
Submitted by Pearly (not verified) on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 03:04
Hi may I use this script for my university project? :) I am studying directing and I would love to direct this funny and witty script. :) thank you!
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 03:16
@Pearly - well, thank you. Please do use it and give credit if broadcast anywhere. Cheers
Submitted by Carrie B (not verified) on Sat, 04/23/2016 - 03:56
May we use this for our charity comedy show on June 18th?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Sun, 04/24/2016 - 20:36
@Carrie B - of course, anything for charity.
Submitted by Meishi (not verified) on Sun, 05/01/2016 - 04:53
May we use this script in a demo reel?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 07:27
@Meishi - yes, please give credit if the demo's uploaded to Youtube. Cheers
Submitted by Gazee Muzeeru (not verified) on Sat, 05/14/2016 - 00:54
Can I use this for my school's play?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Sun, 05/15/2016 - 23:20
@Gazee - sure, I hope it's a real success
Submitted by Fatemeh (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 16:15
Hi Tom, I really enjoyed this comedy. May I use it as my first time directing a 10 minute play project? I am living in Malaysia now and my major is literature. I am a member of theater group since last month and now they asked us to prepare a 10 minute play for October. Thanks
Submitted by Greg Vestal (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 03:11
I loved this concept and would like to shoot for a first time short film festival we are having here in Destin.
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 05:51
@Greg - excellent. Please give credit and send me a link to the film as I'd love to see your vision. All best for it.
Submitted by Michael Stuart (not verified) on Tue, 10/18/2016 - 05:40
I would love to shoot this as my first short (mostly because it's perfect for a very micro budget) would love permission if that's cool with you? Obviously it goes without saying that you would be credited in the movie and on IMDB. Only changes would be to change the name of the comic a not real title if that again is cool. It would be some time before I get round to it but I will keep you in the loop.
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Tue, 10/18/2016 - 05:53
@Michael - that sounds great. Please create a login and message me so I can sending you the shooting script. All best
Submitted by konanleda on Mon, 10/24/2016 - 05:24
Hello Thom.I really loved your script and would like to stage it as a play for an university non-profit event . Is that fine with you?
Submitted by Keith Brown (not verified) on Wed, 11/02/2016 - 09:36
Can I use this script for my acting competition in Phoenix Arizona??? -great script by the way
Submitted by Keith Brown (not verified) on Wed, 11/02/2016 - 09:44
I'm a student and I would like to use this for academic purposes.
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Wed, 11/02/2016 - 22:10
@Keith - whether an acting competition or acedemic purposes, that's fine to use it. All best!
Submitted by niti (not verified) on Fri, 11/04/2016 - 16:55
Excellent. May we use the script for a class drama???
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Sat, 11/05/2016 - 00:45
@niti - sure, I hope the class love it.
Submitted by McDonn117 on Wed, 11/09/2016 - 00:33
Hi Thom. This piece is great! May I please use it for my final exam for Filipino? I will use the same script translated into Filipino.
Submitted by AJ (not verified) on Thu, 11/10/2016 - 19:37
Hey! im gonna use this as my activity in school and illl include your name as well. THANKS!
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Thu, 11/10/2016 - 20:17
@AJ - well, thanks for asking.
Submitted by Serdar (not verified) on Fri, 01/20/2017 - 22:37
May we use your script for our Erasmus+ project ?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Sat, 01/21/2017 - 21:47
@Serdar - no problem. If it's filmed please send me a link to watch. And give credit, of course.
Submitted by Rosemount Student (not verified) on Mon, 01/23/2017 - 15:07
Hi, Thom I would love to use this script for a radio show we will be broadcasting as a theatrical production for our school's theatre program. I will make sure that the script is credited to you. Thanks, An Actor
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Mon, 01/23/2017 - 20:54
@Rosemount Student - no problem and thank you. Please send me the link so I can hear it in action. All best
Submitted by cambridgeazul on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 12:52
Hi Thom, I'm a member of a drama group with the local Moraira-Teulada U3A Branch (University of the Third Age) in Costa Blanca, Spain. We would very much like to use your sketch in our forthcoming 'An Evening of Tapas' production. We enjoy good relations with our local municipality and have free access and use of their theatres as a two-way benefit of Expats reaching out to the local community. Our annual programme includes a pantomime in English for the local schoolchildren. Admission to our productions is free. Full credit will be given in our published programme. https://www.u3amoraira-teulada.org/
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 11:55
@cambridgeazul - that's absolutely fine. I hope it's a great night. All best
Submitted by Upasanawadhwa_9504 on Sun, 08/06/2017 - 09:35
Hi sir, the script is amazing. Can I use it for my class play?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 01:19
@Upasanawadhwa - please do. I hope it's a success.
Submitted by BEST on Tue, 10/31/2017 - 02:17
Hi! Can me and my partner use this script for a competition between schools and cities in Bulgaria?
Submitted by Thom Goddard on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 13:13
@Best - definitely! I hope it's a success. Please send me any links if it's recorded and put online as I'd love to see. Good luck!
Submitted by farcd006.304_131677 on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 22:50
Hi, can I get your consent to use this play script?

10m Comedy Skits - There Can Be Only One