Search for the Golden Rooster

A one act play for 7 students to perform in class.

Cast

 * 1) The Professor
 * 2) Jenny, an archaeology student
 * 3) Spirit, an archaeology student
 * 4) Doctor Why
 * 5) Psychic
 * 6) Explorer
 * 7) Outlaw/Holmes

Scene
An archaeological dig in the remote part of a country


 * Props: Some stones, a spade, maps, a folding table and some chairs, a metal box, a water bottle, some rope and a revolver.


 * Sound Effects:
 * Eerie music, howling wind, gun fire
 * Supplied off stage as appropriate


 * Conventions: Full caps text is SHOUTED; italicised text is spoken with emphasis

''The curtain rises as five people surround a table looking at a map. Two are standing and three are sitting.''

PROFESSOR: I’m sure this is the right location.

EXPLORER: Well, its taken us long enough to get here. How can we be sure?

JENNY: This is exactly like the drawings in the diary.

SPIRIT: That’s right. We have to line up those two peaks over there. (Pointing to a direction off stage)

PROFESSOR: And exactly, at this time of the year, the sun comes up over that mountain in the East. (Pointing to another direction off stage.)

EXPLORER: But that’s a pretty old diary and are you sure the translation is right?

PSYCHIC: I have a feeling about this place. There were people here.

PROFESSOR: I’ve got a lot of faith in our friend here. After all, it was those visions that led us to the diary in the first place.

PSYCHIC: All my life has been tied up with the myth of the Golden Rooster.

EXPLORER: Well, I just hope it is more than a myth.

SPIRIT: All myths are based on some element of truth.

JENNY: That’s right. So many legends and myths just tell the stories about things that happened which were beyond the understanding of the people at that time.

PROFESSOR: I’m convinced the story of the Golden Rooster is true. Too much evidence has come to light that verifies the story.

EXPLORER: But it’s all circumstantial.

PSYCHIC: What else could it be; after all, we’re dealing with a story that’s thousands of years old.

PROFESSOR: And it’s a pretty interesting story.

JENNY: It’s the sort of story I love; it has everything; romance, greed, good and evil and lost treasure.

EXPLORER: Yeah; we all know the story. It’s the lost treasure bit that we are after now.

SPIRIT: Well, that’s true but, we’re here to preserve whatever we find. Isn’t that right Professor?

PROFESSOR: Most definitely. If we can prove the legend is based on fact it will be a stepping stone to even greater discoveries.

EXPLORER: To each his own then. We’ll just have to wait and see what turns up.

PSYCHIC: You are aware that the myth of the Golden Rooster says it can only be possesed by those with a pure heart?

EXPLORER: Yeah; I know all about that superstitious rot. Those stories are made up to scare people off finding the treasure.

PROFESSOR: A superstition it may be, but we aren’t going to take any risks on that score.

SPIRIT: I think we should get started. We may have a lot of digging to do.

PROFESSOR: You are right. Let me mark the spot where should start.

(The Professor starts lining things up with his hands, pointing off stage, walking around a bit, making a few adjustments until he decides.)

PROFESSOR: Here’s the spot. This is where we should start.

(Spirit goes to the spot with the spade and starts digging)

JENNY: (Coming over to Spirit with a water bottle) Have a rest Spirit. Here’s a drink; let me take over.

SPIRIT: Thanks Jenny, this is pretty hot work.

(Jenny takes the spade and starts digging. She wipes her brow a couple of times as the others watch.)

PROFESSOR: We’ll take the digging in turns. We’ll each do a little bit.

EXPLORER: OK. My turn. (Jenny hands over the spade in exchange for the water bottle)

PROFESSOR: (Pointing to the area being dug) What’s that? Over there.

EXPLORER: (Getting down on his hands and knees) It looks like a box.

PROFESSOR: Spirit, give him a hand. (Spirit goes over to the Explorer and helps lift the small box but, making out it is very heavy)

PSYCHIC: Be careful with that; it has a strong aura about it.

JENNY: Do you think we’ve found it?

PSYCHIC: It seems the diary might have been right.

PROFESSOR: Bring it over here and put it on the table.

(Spirit and Explorer carry the box over to the table giving the impression it is very heavy)

EXPLORER: This thing weighs a ton. How can anything this small be so heavy?

SPIRIT: I must be full of gold.

EXPLORER: There’s more than gold in this; it’s way too heavy.

(They set the box gently on the table)

PROFESSOR: Now; let’s have a look at this and see if we can open it.

PSYCHIC: Let me have a feel first. We need to be careful.

EXPLORER: Careful of what? It’s just a box.

PSYCHIC: There’s a curse attached to the Golden Rooster. If we go about opening this the wrong way, we might all suffer.

EXPLORER: That’s crazy. Surely you don’t believe in all that stuff?

PROFESSOR: There’s an awful lot of things in this world that we can’t explain and psychic phenomena is one of them.

JENNY: Hey; it looks like we’ve got visitors. (Pointing off stage)

(Everybody turns to look as two people walk on to the stage)

DOCTOR WHY: Greetings everyone. This is indeed a coincidence. Do you have any water you can spare?

PSYCHIC: (Handing Dr. Why the water bottle) Here have some of this.

PROFESSOR: Greetings to you and your companion. And who are you may I ask?

DR. WHY: My apologies; let me introduce myself; I am Doctor Why and this is my erstwhile companion, Holmes. (Dr. Why hands Holmes the water bottle and he has a drink)

PSYCHIC: And what brings you out this way? You are well off the beaten track.

DR. WHY: As a matter of fact, we are undertaking some private research. Isn’t that right Holmes?

HOLMES: That’s right Doctor. Private research! (Holmes the hands the water bottle to the Explorer who also has a drink from the bottle)

EXPLORER: You don’t look very well equipped for doing anything in this region.

HOLMES: Oh; our vehicle broke down a little way back and we spotted your camp when we climbed the ridge over there. (Pointing off stage)

SPIRIT: Maybe I can help; I know about mechanics and might be able to repair your car.

DR. WHY: Splendid, my young lad but I fear it is a bit more serious than that.

HOLMES: Yes; we appear to have gearbox trouble.

SPIRIT: Yes; that could be serious.

DR. WHY: We were very lucky to find you here. As you say, it is rather inhospitable country.

PROFESSOR: What, may I ask, is the nature of your research?

HOLMES: I’m afraid we can’t say; it is private.

EXPLORER: Can’t say or won’t say?

PROFESSOR: Come now; come now; no need to get aggressive.

DR. WHY: Thank you Professor. No offence taken; it’s just that it is a private and confidential undertaking and we are not at liberty to explain.

PSYCHIC: It wouldn’t be anything to do with a treasure hunt; would it?

DR. WHY: Certainly not. What ever gave you that idea?

(Spirit and Jenny move to one side away from the others)

JENNY: I don’t trust these two; there’s something fishy about them.

SPIRIT: Yeah; I feel the same way. That’s why I wanted to have a look at their car.

DR. WHY: (Addressing the Professor) And what, may I ask, is your party doing out here?

PROFESSOR: We’re an archaeological team just doing some preliminary exploration.

HOLMES: That’s interesting. What are you looking for?

JENNY: (Spirit and Jenny have come back to join the main group) We believe there might be signs of ancient ruins in this area.

DR. WHY: That’s amazing. I had no idea.

SPIRIT: They will be well buried so, this is just a reconnaissance trip.

HOLMES: And what’s that on the table? Have you found something already?

PROFESSOR: Oh, no. That’s just a relic we brought with us for comparison in case we found something.

DR. WHY: Very interesting. Do you mind if I have a look?

PROFESSOR: Well; yes. It’s from a private collection and we promised to keep it confidential.

DR. WHY: Ah; I see. It certainly looks old; just as though it has been recently dug out of the ground.

JENNY: It is old, but it’s been in the collection for a long time.

HOLMES: We are very interested in antiquities; in fact, the Doctor here is quite an expert.

EXPLORER: That’s a coincidence. Is that why you’re out here; researching for antiquities?

DR. WHY: Well, yes. We are following some leads.

SPIRIT: Are you sure you’re not following us?

DR. WHY: Now, now, young man. You’re getting rather inquisitive.

HOLMES: (Drawing a revolver from under his jacket and pointing it at the Professor) I think you’d better let us have a look at that box.

(Everybody except Dr. Why looks alarmed)

PSYCHIC: Be warned; you don’t know what you’re getting into.

HOLMES: Shut up. We know what we’re doing.

DR. WHY: That’s perfectly true. Now, if you don’t mind, we shall examine the box.

PROFESSOR: This is preposterous. That’s just an ordinary relic.

DR. WHY: Far from ordinary; I think it holds the key to the Golden Rooster.

JENNY: That’s stupid. We don’t know anything about any Golden Rooster.

HOLMES: (Turning to the Explorer) Is that so my good friend; you haven’t been telling us stories; have you?

EXPLORER: There’s the proof; right there on the table.

PROFESSOR: What! You traitor; you’ve been selling us out all along?

JENNY: How could you?

EXPLORER: Stuff your history; I’m in this for the money.

DR. WHY: Well spoken; and that’s what we’re here for too. Now, let’s have a look at this relic.

HOLMES: (Gesturing with the revolver) Over there you bunch. Get away from the table.

PSYCHIC: I’ve warned you; you have no idea what you’re getting into.

(The group move away from the table leaving the Explorer and Dr. Why to examine the box while Holmes stands guarding the others.)

EXPLORER: It’s damned heavy for whatever is in it.

DR. WHY: It appears solid. There doesn’t seem to be a way to open it.

EXPLORER: Hey Professor; what’s the secret for opening the box?

PROFESSOR: I have no idea. I haven’t had a chance to examine it before you gatecrashed the party.

DR. WHY: There seems to be some writing on the top. (Brushing the box clean)

HOLMES: Can you read it?

DR. WHY: No; it’s in a script I’ve never seen before. What is it Professor?

PROFESSOR: I’m sure I don’t know.

EXPLORER: Come off it Professor. You didn’t come all this way out here without a good idea of what you’d find.

PROFESSOR: We had leads but, mainly through the special help of our Psychic friend.

DR. WHY: (Turning to the Psychic) So, do you know what it means?

PSYCHIC: I suspect it is probably text from the ancient Dropa tribe in China.

HOLMES: That’s a bloody lot of help. Can you read it?

PSYCHIC: No!

DR. WHY: Are you sure? How can you know it’s from the Dropa tribe?

PSYCHIC: It came to me in the warning.

HOLMES: What warning? Don’t tell us you’re getting messages from the beyond?

SPIRIT: That’s exactly what happens.

DR. WHY: That’s rubbish!

JENNY: That’s what I’d expect from you mercenary skeptics.

HOLMES: Watch your tongue or you’ll be sorry.

DR. WHY: (Addressing the Psychic) I think you had better come over here and have a look at this.

(The Psychic goes to the box and looks at it closely)

DR. WHY: Well; what do you make of that?

(The Psychic places her hands over the box and appears to go into a trance)

HOLMES: What’s the matter; what’s going on?

(Some strange eerie noise seems to come from the Psychic and everyone, except the Psychic, places their hands over their ears.)

(Suddenly, the noise stops and Holmes, Dr, Why and Explorer, drop to their knees exhausted and gasping for breath)

(Professor, Jenny and Spirit recover as the Psychic comes out of the trance.)

PROFESSOR: What happened? What was that noise? What’s happened to those three?

SPIRIT: (Running over to Holmes and picking up the revolver he’s dropped) I’ve got the gun.

PSYCHIC: Good. I think we had better tie them up.

JENNY: I’ll get some rope. (Jenny goes off stage and comes back with some rope – she and Spirit tie the hands behind the other three)

PROFESSOR: What happened? I don’t understand.

PSYCHIC: You remember I told you that the legend say the Golden Rooster can only be possessed by those with a pure heart.

PROFESSOR: Yes, I remember. So that’s why it affected those three?

PSYCHIC: No, not really. I sensed these three were up to no good as soon as those two showed up.

PROFESSOR: So, What did you do?

PSYCHIC: I simply placed a drug in the water we gave them when they arrived.

JENNY: So, it wasn’t the box at all?

PSYCHIC: Oh no; not at all. The box is a clue; just one of many we will have to find on our search for the Golden Rooster.

(The curtain comes down)

THE END