LOUIS

SYNOPSIS:
Brother and sister hatch a daring plot to free themselves of vacation travel constraints imposed by the special needs of a spouse’s beloved pet (adapted from a short story by Saki). (Run time: 10 minutes)

CHARACTERS:

HECTOR – Mild-mannered, upper middle class English gentleman, adjusting to his first year of conjugal life.

ETHEL – HECTOR’s younger sister, on her first visit to the couple’s home.

LENA – HECTOR’s domineering wife.

SAMPLE DIALOGUE:

ETHEL: Hector, if you really wish to see Vienna again, you must dispatch the dog.

HECTOR: I suppose there’s nothing to be done for it. (Reluctantly turns on the gas. Hissing sound.)

ETHEL: I have had but a few days to observe your household, Hector, but even from such cursory observation I can conclude that Lena is merely using Louis as an instrument for getting her own way. And this Brighton nonsense is but one small instance of her abuse of your good nature.

HECTOR: When we first met she seemed so… pliable. I thought marriage would unite us as one.

ETHEL: As Cousin Oscar says, the only question is: Which one? Be strong, brother, and Brighton shall soon become a distant, album-bound memory.