A Novel Death
© 2001 by Edward J. Thomas, all rights reserved
CHARACTERS
Daphne Velma
Jack Queen
Paige Turner
Mary Blotter
R. J. Token
Ray Doe
SYNOPSIS
Comedy/Murder Mystery
3 men, 3 women
A nominee falls dead onstage at an award show. With no police present, a mystery novelist tries to find the culprit, despite being a suspect herself.
PAIGE
Is Jack really going to show up?
RAY
You mean Mr. Queen? I don’t know. Maybe.
PAIGE
Mister Queen? Please. It’s best you just call him Jack. It’s half the name he deserves.
RAY
Well, I was raised to show respect to people I don’t know.
PAIGE
Oh, you don’t know Jack, do you? Trust me, if he shows up, you will know him. And you won’t respect him all that much anymore, either.
RAY
Something tells me you have a past.
PAIGE
We all have pasts, Ray. It’s how we got here.
RAY
No, I meant you and Mr. Queen.
PAIGE
Jack and I have, unfortunately, known each other for years.
RAY
So, not to be rude Ms. Turner, but have you…
PAIGE
Have I what?
RAY
You know…
PAIGE
That is none of your business.
RAY
Actually, I thought all that was public record.
PAIGE
WHAT?
RAY
I thought you turned all of your affairs into ideas for your books. You’ve been quoted as saying that.
PAIGE
I only write about the good ones. And even then I have to liven them up a bit. But as far as Jack is concerned…
(R.J. TOKEN and MARY BLOTTER enter)
MARY
Oh, good. It looks like we’re here on time.
R.J.
I told you I could get us here. Cutting off that bus turned out to be a good idea.
PAIGE
Mary! R.J.! Good to see you.
MARY
You, too. Did we miss anything?
PAIGE
No, nothing.
RAY
We were just talking about Jack Queen.
PAIGE
As I said, nothing.
