Plays by Alan Richardson

Out of Sight

New Script: only available from the author

Synopsis

Pop star Steve Byron is about to launch his much heralded new album at a press conference at a prestigious hotel. But upstairs, in a darkened bedroom, Steve is suffering after the night before. He is even less prepared for the unexpected arrival of a female fan. Lesley is secretary of his fan club and is seeking background material for her fan web site. Instead, she uncovers a shocking secret that could end his career and send him to prison. Lesley wants to tell the truth, but Mike Parry, Steve's machiavellian manager is equally determined to protect his lucrative percentage - at any cost. Who will win the battle of wills?

  The Characters
Steve Byron (Teens or twenties)
Mike Parry (Any age from late twenties)
Lesley Ward (Teens or twenties)

  The Setting: A hotel bedroom    The Period: The Present

(Approx running time: 35 minutes)

Sample Scene

Steve has been involved in a road accident that left a child dead and himself blinded. Shortly after the accident, Steve's sight returned, but his manager, Mike, decides to continue a deception that has boosted the singer's flagging career. In this scene, Lesley has just discovered that Steve is not blind.

LESLEY You saw that! You can see!
STEVE Yes. (He throws his dark glasses aside)
LESLEY You can see. But you were blind... everybody thinks you're still... How long have you been able to see again?
STEVE About six months.
LESLEY Six months?
STEVE I was blind at first, believe me.
LESLEY How can I believe you any more?
STEVE I was. After the crash and all the time in hospital. It was just after I was discharged I got my sight back. Want to know how? (He picks up a bottle) Thanks to this. One night I was at Mike's place. He was arguing. I didn't want to perform again, ever. But he kept going on about this golden opportunity. We were both drinking. Drinking? I was pissed. He wouldn't let it go because I wouldn't do what he wanted. Started throwing his weight about. Like grabbed me and shook me. I caught my foot on a table, tripped and bumped my head. And that was it. Suddenly I could see again. Must have been the optical nerves. Since then, my eyesight's been great.
LESLEY Why didn't you let the whole world know? Everybody would have been overjoyed.
STEVE  Except Mike. He said no. I wanted to. Of course I wanted to. But he said no. (Pause) I shouldn't have told you anything of that. (Pause) What are you going to do now?
LESLEY Better question; what are you going to do now?
STEVE I don't know. (He thinks) Mike! He's always got an answer. Mike knows best. (He picks up the bedroom phone) What number was the conference? (Thinks) Two, five, two. That's it. (He presses the numbers and waits) Hello...Gemma? Steve. Yes, yes, I'm on my way. Listen, I need Mike... Yes, I know he's busy... I don't care who he's talking to, I need him up here, now... yes, now! (He hangs up) Mike will know what to do.
LESLEY I don't know how so many people were fooled. You were so convincing, on TV, at that concert. During the last number when you tripped over a cable, everything just stopped. Everybody's heart was in their mouth. Then you just got up and started the song again. The cheer that went up. Now I find out it was all…
STEVE Part of the act. Carefully rehearsed in an empty stadium. Mike's idea, not mine.
By now, Lesley has retreated into a corner of the room, where she now sits.
It's easier than you'd imagine. How many people do you think I have any real contact with? Half my time's spent at scheduled events, all controlled by Mike. The other half at hotels like this. At least here, I get to live a little, out of sight.
LESLEY You call this "living"? You can't keep this secret any longer. (He shakes his head) Steve... go downstairs and tell the truth.
STEVE To the press pack? They'd crucify me. Can you imagine the headlines?
The door opens and Mike enters. At first he isn't aware of Lesley.
MIKE I hope you've got a damn-good reason for dragging me away. What's up? Needing your shoe laces tied?
STEVE She's what's up.
MIKE (seeing Lesley) Brilliant. One of the most important press conferences of your short, but eventful, career, and you waste time screwing…
STEVE No, it's not that.
MIKE No? A first time for everything I suppose. Then who is she? What's she doing here? And you should be wearing your glasses.
LESLEY I'm Lesley Ward, secretary of his official fan club. I only came here to get some background stuff for the web site. Maybe a photo. 
MIKE A what? No way! (He whips the camera from around her neck)
LESLEY Hey! That's private property!
MIKE Not here, sweetheart.
He opens the back of the camera and pulls out the film.
LESLEY I didn't take any.
MIKE (starting to unwind the film) I don't believe you.
STEVE   She didn't.
MIKE I don't believe you either. Why do I have to clean up your every mess?
LESLEY You can't do that. I'll get the Police.
MIKE Don't make me laugh, sweetheart.
The unwound film is tossed on the bed. He gives her back the camera.
Next, we summon those two excuses for security.
He produces a mobile phone.
STEVE Mike...wait. (Mike pauses) She knows.
MIKE What?
LESLEY I know the truth about his eyesight.
Mike pockets the mobile.
MIKE Brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant.

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