Drama: Sledding

7 of 8

by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: December 04, 2008

Scene. The outer door opens up and the family steps into the cold garage.

FATHER. UNCLE FRED. SONS - LOUIS & WALTER, DAUGHTER EILEEN, HER FRIEND BETH.

Father: I know it's in here somewhere. I packed it away a long time ago... when we moved from the old house. Louis! Walter! look back behind those boxes. Eileen! Beth! Stay right over here. Just in case a possum or a raccoon snuck in here.

Beth: (Quietly to Eileen) Gross!

Eileen: (Whispers back) He's just kidding!

Louis: We have a sled in here? I don't remember seeing one.

Father: Sure! I remember I had it back against the back wall.

Beth: This garage stinks. It smells like gasoline and stuff.

Eileen: Not all of us can have a furnished garage, Beth.

Fred: Where does your old man keep his cars?

Beth: Under the heated carport.

Fred: I had to ask!

Walter: How can all of us go sledding with only one sled? Do we have to take turns like the time we made that go-cart? I never got a chance to drive it at all before Louis ran into the curb and got the tire rim all smashed up!

Father: (Still looking) Believe me! We all will get a ride on this baby! Even your Uncle Fred!

Beth: I don't like standing and waiting in the cold.

Father: There won't be much waiting. I promise. We just a climb up the hill and off we all go!

Eileen: We? You don't mean...

Walter: You mean... that is what we are looking for?

Louis: The Death Mobile?

Father: (Finding it) Here it is!

Beth: What is that? A piece of plywood?

Father: It's the old family toboggan!

Fred: It's been in our family for years! Oh, you kids don't know how much fun you have missed with this thing!

Walter: I thought we had a real sled this year.

Father: It is a real sled, Walter!

Louis: I agree. It's not that fun! You can't turn it. You get all scrunched up. And when you crash into something...

Beth: That's it! I'm going home!

Eileen: Wait! He's just kidding! It is fun!

Walter: Sure Beth! After the old men get tired of walking up and down the hill a few times, you can have your boyfriends carry it up for all of us.

Father: I don't remember getting that tired...

Fred: You have been putting a little on around the middle...

Father: Look at you? Where did your hairline go? You are beginning to look like Dad!

Fred: You could wear his jumbo suits now...

Louis: (To the adults) Kids! Kids! Stop fighting! Now go outside and gather up some kindling so we can take this diving board and use it to start a bonfire!

Father: We are taking it sledding, Louis!

Fred: What have you kids got against tobogganing?

Walter: (Indicates Louis) Like he said! It can't turn. It gets heavy climbing back up the hill after a couple times. And you have to get all scrunched up. (Indicates Uncle Fred) And I always end up behind him and he always toots.

Fred: What? I don't!

(They all stare at him silently)

Fred: Well! Don't worry! I haven't eaten a thing today!

Walter: Mom just made us all chili, Uncle Fred!

Beth: Well you guys go! I think I am just going to head home.

Eileen: Beth! I invited you here for the weekend! You are going to stay! And we are going sledding... tobogganing!

Louis: Ok! If Eileen is going... I'll go too!

Walter: You are going because Beth is going!

Louis: (Punches Walter in the arm. Then quietly) Shut up!

Father: Ok! Now that we are all decided.

Walter: I haven't decided!

Father: You have decided! Everyone grab a spot and we will carry Old Woody out to the car.