Jenna McNabb, my Two-act Play

Most of the folks who read my books have no idea that I also wrote a play several years ago. It is a romantic drama called, Jenna McNabb. I actually wrote it during 2002, but then I had some ideas for writing more novels, so I placed the play on the back burner and wrote several of my novels over the next few years. I now have nineteen novels in publication.

My wife and I saw a two-act play recently at our local theater, a play which turned out to be pretty bad. Watching it made me wonder how good my play was compared to the one I just viewed. So I dug it out of the archives and read it again. I was quite surprised at how good it was. I decided I would contact one or two of our local theaters to see if they would be interested in staging my play. I contacted two via e-mail and one chose to not respond to my offer of sending them an e-mail copy to review, but the second one sent me a notice they might want to read it. They stated they would contact me soon. As I write this, I wait for that contact. Here is a teaser from the beginning of the play, Jenna McNabb.

Jenna McNabb

 

(Curtain opens)

THE SCENE: Jenna McNabb is meeting at her desk with a chemical salesman she has done business with previously, Charlie. After the handshake greeting, Jenna sits and motions for Charlie to take a seat. Charlie continues to stand for a brief moment.

CHARLIE: That sure is a sweet scene down there. (Charlie is commenting on the view of her cleavage)

JENNA: (Abruptly stands and points toward the door of her office) That’s it! Get out of here and don’t ever come back. I will never buy anything from you again. You will not speak to me in an offensive way like that ever again. Get out! Get out of here right now!

CHARLIE: But I didn’t mea….

JENNA: Get out, I said! I don't want to have to call security to remove you

(Charlie picks up his attaché case, and with his tail between his legs, exits Jenna’s office to the waiting room. He encounters a competitor, an old friend he’s had a drink with from time to time.)

STUART: Hey Charlie, what’s happening, old buddy?

CHARLIE: Hey Stu, it’s nice seeing you again. It’s been a long time. (He shakes hands with Stuart Williams)

STUART: You’re right—like a couple of years at least.

CHARLIE: Yeah. I think it was over in Indianapolis when we last crossed paths if I remember correctly.

STUART: That’s right, it was. We stayed at the same hotel and had dinner together that evening. So what about you being here? Did you make a big sale here today?

CHARLIE: Are you kidding me? There’s no way I could make a sale at this joint today. I ran head on into the wrath of Jenna McNabb.

STUART: The wrath of Jenna McNabb? What does that mean?

CHARLIE: Apparently you haven’t encountered the notorious Jenna McNabb yet, huh? She’s the chemicals buyer.

STUART: No, I don’t know her. It’s my first time here. Is she really difficult to deal with?

CHARLIE: She’s a witch on a broom if there ever was one; she just tossed me completely out of her office and told me to never come back. I probably lost the account for my company.

STUART: I’m sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to meeting her—hoping she’d be really nice. Since I’ve never been here before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I guess maybe I’m not so anxious to meet her now.

CHARLIE: Take my word for it; she’s a real honest-to-goodness witch. You’d better be on your best behavior. Are you the next one to see her?

STUART: Yes, I think so. I have a ten o’clock appointment.

CHARLIE: Well old buddy, all I can say is, I’m sorry you’re next. She’s in rare form today and I left her mad as hell, so good luck to you. You’ll need it, that’s for darn sure. I think it must be her time of the month, if you know what I mean.

STUART: Thanks, Charlie. That sure gives me a lot of confidence to walk in there with.

CHARLIE: Hey listen, Stu, I’m making a couple of other calls here in town before I leave. Any chance of getting together for a beer later after work?

STUART: Yeah, sure—love to. Where at?

CHARLIE: How about Howie’s place over on Elm Street—say about six? You know the place, right?

STUART: Yeah, I know it—best burgers in town. I stopped there last night to grab a quick bite before I went home.

CHARLIE: Right, so maybe a couple of beers and a burger. Six okay with you?

STUART: Six it is—see ya there.

CHARLIE: Hey listen Stu; I’m tellin’ ya the straight stuff; don’t take any crap from that witch in there. She’s a real tough nut to deal with, and she won’t put up with any monkey business. I found that out the hard way.

 

***

 

The play runs approximately two hours with scene changes and an intermission.