The Climb

             I was asked to think small and write big, so that’s what I did. I was inspired by events in my own life to write this play. I was very intimidated at first. Dialogue is not generally something I enjoy, but as I started writing it all began to flow.

The Climb

     A group of three embarks on a hike up a mountain. Two of the three are adventurous and athletic, while the third member of the group is not. They leave the trail and continue blazing their own climbing up rock walls and jumping boulder to boulder. The weather is perfect and the sun shines down through the trees above. The scene starts as the group comes across their first serious rock wall.

JESSICA: Hey guys you know what, I think I'm just going to stay here. (Stops walking and looks up at the wall before them)

KATE: Nnnnooooo… Jess you’re coming with us. I'm not leaving you here. (Turns back and looks at JESSICA)

JESSICA: No really its fine, I promise. I’ll just wait right here for you guys. (Looks around for a nice boulder to sit on. Finds one that is appropriate and sits down) See this is perfect for me. You all can keep hiking up the mountain and I will just wait here. I’ll be perfectly content.

BEN: Come on Jessica, it won’t be that bad. I brought my little sister up here and she is the biggest wimp ever. If she could do it, anyone can.

JESSICA: So if your sister is a wimp, I am an even bigger one. That wasn’t a very convincing story.

BEN: But it was supposed to be…

JESSICA: Well that backfired…

KATE: Shoot, sassy Jess. He was just trying to help.

JESSICA: If he was actually trying to help he wouldn’t have brought us on this death hike. I’ve already fallen twice and slipped my feet into the creek, and that was without climbing any rock walls. If I try to go up that (Gestures toward rock wall before them) I would probably die.

BEN: Jessica, don’t be dramatic. It is really not that bad. I’ll even help you!

JESSICA: Unless you can fly me up that wall, I don’t think I'm going to make it.

BEN: That won’t be necessary, just watch me! (Walks bravely up to the rock wall. Sums up what he is about to deal with and plans his route up. He places his hand firmly in a divot in the wall and begins to pull himself up.) See Jessica, this isn’t hard at all.

JESSICA: Easy for you to say... (Rolls her eyes)

BEN: (Pulls himself up over the last bit of the wall and stands up) I made it up, so now I can help you.

JESSICA: Alright, fine I’ll try it. If I die I'm blaming all you.

BEN: (Nods) Fine by me

KATE: Fine by me too! Only cause you won’t actually die (Laughs)

JESSICA: (Walks tentatively up to the wall) so what’s first?

BEN: Well place your right hand on the wall above your head and your left hand in the hole above the little bump right there. Then step your right foot onto that stump, and your left foot onto that piece that sticks out. (Gestures towards the places)

KATE: (Starts laughing) This sounds more like a game of twister than rock climbing!

BEN: Kate, shut up! That’s not going to make her feel any better. And anyway, it works so who cares? (Continues to point to places for JESSICA)

JESSICA: I can’t believe you are making me do this! (Continues climbing until she reaches the top)

BEN: Look at you! You made it to the top! (Gives JESSICA a big hug)

KATE: I told you that you could do it!

JESSICA: I am going to be sore tomorrow…

Black out