Daniel Conderman 
A One-Act Play
Dramatis Personae
- Maxwell Harrington – A wealthy corporate magnate, arrogant and panicked, with a badly broken leg.
- Sofia Tran – A no-nonsense outdoor guide, determined and level-headed.
- Robin Alavez – A volunteer EMT with minor injuries, driven to help.
- Tyrell – A capable but uncertain mechanic/handyman, torn between greed and conscience.
- Diana – A thoughtful, pragmatic individual who sees through illusions of wealth.
Setting
- Location: A charred clearing in a remote wilderness, shortly after a small plane crash.
- Stage: Scattered wreckage, a crumpled fuselage backdrop, debris and luggage strewn about. Smoke or haze can suggest recent flames.
- Time: Late afternoon; storm clouds threaten above. Distant thunder may rumble occasionally.
Lights Up: The Wreckage
(All five survivors are near the wreck. Maxwell is on the ground, a makeshift splint on his leg. Sofia stands watch at the tree line, scanning for rescue. Robin is bandaging her ribs. Tyrell rummages in a half-open toolbox. Diana lingers near a broken wing, assessing the surroundings.)
Scene 1
Maxwell (voice trembling, clutching a stack of money): “I’ll pay you each a million dollars—just carry me out of here. Money’s no object! Just… get me to civilization.”
(He lifts the cash, half delirious from pain, half commanding. Tyrell glances from the money to Maxwell’s injured leg, conflict flashing in his eyes.)
Tyrell (quietly, almost to himself): “One million… that’s life-changing.”
(Sofia steps between them.)
Sofia (firm): “Money doesn’t matter out here, Tyrell. We can barely carry ourselves, let alone haul him across miles of rough terrain. Night is coming—try that in pitch-black forest on foot? Suicide.”
Maxwell (waving the bills again, more desperate): “Look at me! I can solve all your problems forever. All I need is you right now. Don’t walk away from a fortune!”
(Diana shifts her weight, leaning on the broken wing. She regards Maxwell with pity but no illusions.)
Diana (softly): “A fortune tomorrow won’t build a fire, give us first aid, or summon rescue now, does it?”
(Robin presses a hand to her side, wincing.)
Robin: “He needs real medical attention right away. If we don’t get him help soon, that leg could kill him. And dragging him over this terrain… it just isn’t going to work.”
(A tense silence falls, each character wrestling with what to do. A low rumble of thunder underscores the urgency.)
Scene 2: The Makeshift Plan
Sofia: “We can’t just leave him here. But we can’t all go either—not with the storm coming.”
(She gestures to the thick clouds rolling in.)
Diana: “Maybe we split up? One group searches for help—signal flares or a ranger station—while someone stays with Maxwell?”
Tyrell: “We can’t be sure anyone’s out there to find. We’re off the main flight path.”
(Maxwell attempts to shift position, grimacing in pain.)
Maxwell (through clenched teeth): “I don’t care how you do it. Just do it! I’ll pay triple if that’s what it takes.”
(Robin checks Maxwell’s splint, noticing the swelling.)
Robin (quietly, to Sofia): “He needs antibiotics, a real doctor. This break could lead to sepsis or who knows what.”
Sofia (voice lowered): “We barely have a first-aid kit. Even if we tried to carry him in a makeshift stretcher, we can’t outrun this storm… or nightfall.”
(Another beat of thunder. The group collectively realizes the grim stakes.)
Scene 3: Confrontation
(Maxwell notices Tyrell eyeing the toolbox and money uneasily.)
Maxwell (reaching out with the stack of bills): “Tyrell, you’re a resourceful guy. You fix things, right? I saw you handle that engine on the plane. Just rig up something—a sled, or a wheel—whatever it takes to move me. I’ll pay for your kids’ college, buy you a house. Anything!”
(Sofia wheels around, frustrated.)
Sofia: “We’re too far from any road, Maxwell! It’s thick forest for miles. You think we can MacGyver up a miracle?”
Maxwell (shouts back, pain fueling his anger): “You’re the outdoor expert! Isn’t that your job? Survive anything, lead the group? Lead us out!”
(A lightning flash from behind the trees. Robin rubs her temples, anxiety building.)
Robin: “Calm down. We have to keep it together. Arguing wastes energy.”
Diana (points to the sky): “That storm might wash out any tracks or signals we leave. Helicopters can’t fly in this weather, either.”
(Sofia kneels, studies a battered map from a seat pocket—maybe from the plane.)
Sofia: “If we follow the ravine north, we might find a water source that leads to a ranger station. But it’s a steep, rocky path. The moment we try to haul Maxwell on that route, we risk dropping him or sliding ourselves.”
(A hush. Tyrell exhales, stepping forward.)
Tyrell: “Maybe a couple of us can scavenge more supplies from the wreck, build a better shelter for the night. Let’s hold out till morning at least. Maybe—maybe a rescue plane passes overhead.”
(Maxwell’s expression sours at the idea of waiting.)
Maxwell (scornful laugh, trembling from pain): “Waiting? You want me to just lie here, hoping a plane might see a single flicker of light in the middle of nowhere? No. That’s your plan if you’re broke and you have no options. I have options.”
(He brandishes the money, jabbing it toward them.)
Maxwell: “This is your chance at a better life, all of you. Don’t be idiots.”
(Diana quietly approaches Maxwell, looking him square in the eyes.)
Diana: “Out here, that (points to the money) can’t buy an extra hour of daylight, can’t buy medicine, can’t even buy an ounce of water.”
(Maxwell’s bravado falters. For a second, he realizes he’s powerless. He groans, clutching his leg as Sofia helps Robin re-tighten the splint.)
Scene 4: Splintered Decisions
(Some time has passed. It’s later afternoon; the storm is closer. Tyrell and Diana gather what supplies they can salvage. Robin checks Maxwell’s pulse. Sofia paces, scanning the treeline for any sign of rescue.)
Robin (to Maxwell, quietly): “Your pulse is weak. Pain’s getting worse, isn’t it?”
Maxwell (winces, nods): “I—I can’t bear it. I’ll do anything. Just… get me safe.”
(He glances at the others, lowering his voice.)
Maxwell: “Do you think Sofia’s plan is right? To wait it out here is madness. We’ll freeze. If you personally carry me, I’ll double the amount.”
(Robin stiffens, understanding he’s trying to buy her compliance.)
Robin (tone firm): “My job is to keep you stable, not kill myself in the process.”
(She stands, moves away. Tyrell approaches Maxwell, some guilt in his eyes.)
Tyrell: “I patched a piece of the fuselage into a roof for shelter. We’ll get a small fire going, block the wind. That’s our best shot—tonight, anyway.”
(A pause. Maxwell offers him the money again, almost pleading.)
Maxwell (voice cracking): “Tyrell, please. Do something. Anything.”
(Tyrell hesitates, then gently pushes Maxwell’s hand away.)
Tyrell: “I can’t carry you alone. None of us can. I’m sorry.”
Scene 5: Nightfall and Revelation
(Dusk settles; lights dim. The survivors have improvised a partial shelter. A flicker of firelight glows from some burning scraps of wood or seats. Thunder booms closer.)
Sofia: “It’s not perfect, but it’ll keep the rain off. Let’s try to rest, then at first light, Diana and I can scout for a route out.”
Diana (nodding): “I’ll go with you. If we find anything— a ranger station, a clearing for a helicopter— we’ll come back fast.”
(Robin checks Maxwell, who’s feverish. She shakes her head slightly at Sofia—time is short.)
Maxwell (muttering deliriously): “I can’t die out here. I’m Maxwell Harrington. You can’t just leave me. (He clutches the money in a trembling fist.) I’ve got— I’ve got everything…”
Sofia (kneels beside him, her voice gentler now): “No. Out here, all you’ve got is us. And we can’t carry you alone.”
(Maxwell stares at her, realization dawning: his wealth means nothing. He chokes on a sob.)
Maxwell: “…It’s worthless, isn’t it?”
(A low rumble of thunder underscores the moment. The tension in the air is thick.)
Robin (soft): “We’ll do our best, Maxwell. But we can’t promise miracles.”
(Lightning. The group huddles tighter as a drizzle begins to fall. Sofia and Diana exchange a look—both know the odds are bad. Tyrell sets his jaw, resolved but deeply troubled.)
Epilogue Beat
(The wind howls. Rain intensifies, spattering the minimal shelter. Maxwell groans, eyes fluttering in pain. Robin tries to comfort him. Diana and Tyrell hold up tarps or scraps to block the downpour. Sofia glances once more into the stormy sky, as if hoping to see a rescue craft. Nothing appears.)
(The fire sputters, symbolizing fading hope. The stage lights dim slowly, leaving the survivors in near-darkness.)
Blackout.
