Fran Lang Productions, LLC

Hello: Included is a 4 page sample of a Fran Lang’s readers play. We have provided you with the first 2 and last 2 pages for your perusal. Also included is our license for usage. If you opt to produce one of our plays, please fill out the license and return it to us. We do hope you'll give us a try. Both the audience and the players alike meet Fran’s plays with great enthusiasm wherever they’re put on. Good luck!

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Fran Lang Productions, PO Box 430, Somersworth,

NH 03878-0430

Royalty Agreement and License between Fran Lang Productions

and ______________________________ (the Licensee). The Licensee is given permission to use one (1) of Fran Lang’s plays for one (1) year. A royalty payment of ten dollars ($10.00) must be paid. This includes the rights to unlimited performances at one location for one year starting from the date of the first performance. For performances at another location or after the one-year period, another royalty payment of ten dollars ($10.00) must be paid. All radio, television, and videotape rights are reserved. Family members and friends may record the performance for their personal use. The Licensee may produce videos in any form of the performance and sell them at cost without any permission required. If the Licensee wishes to sell the performance videos for profit or wishes to broadcast the performance on television, you must contact us first. Permission to sell videos for profit or broadcast a performance on television will only be granted in writing. A play consists of one (1) printed copy or one (1) electronic copy of a Fran Lang play. The Licensee is permitted to make one (1) copy for each character in the script, and two (2) copies for the director. The Licensee is responsible to ensure that all copies are destroyed (shredded, deleted, or by other method) after use, or at most after one (1) year. This license is not transferable without the express written prior permission of the copyright owner. ______________________ Jerome Lang Signature Fran Lang Productions ______________________ Organization ______________________ Date _______________________________ Name of the Play

The Fourth Wish

By

Fran Lang

(c) Fran Lang 2008,2012 Jerome Lang

Fran Lang Productions

P.O. Box 430

Somersworth,NH 03878

SAMPLE

The Fourth Wish

By Fran Lang

(c) 2008, 2012

The Cast: Rachael Satchel, Martha, Edna Perkins, Bertha,

Emily, Joey, Narrator

NARRATOR:

The year is 1933. Our story is set in the relatively

young town of Las Vegas, Nevada. It started out as a

small watering stop with a few hotels, stores, a saloon

and a few thousand residents. By 1933 the population is

more than FIVE THOUSAND people. The Legislature has

approved a legalized gambling bill. Construction has

begun on the Hoover Dam project. The Union Pacific

Railroad now passes through Las Vegas. In order for

this to happen, a few stores and saloons were

demolished along its path. Rachael Satchell is one of

the victims. Although Rachael is her name, everyone

calls her the Madam. She is out of a job. She inquires

about a job at the Cozy Acres boarding house. She

enters the two-story frame house that is badly in need

of repairs. Rachael sits in a chair facing the

dour-face owner, Edna Perkins, who is also is need of a

few repairs.

RACHAEL:

I am Rachael Satchel. You are looking for a new

manager? Nice place you have.

EDNA:

I am glad YOU think so. I am Edna Perkins. I inherited

this place from my Aunt Gertrude, may she rest in

peace. I have no intention of living here. All I see is

SIN and CORRUPTION. Mark my words, this town will not

last! Las Vegas is doomed! However, you might like

being manager of Cozy Acres. What is your age, Rachael?

RACHAEL:

My age? I believe age is irrelevant ... irrevocable ...

and an irresponsible indicator of how young and feisty

I feel.

EDNA:

Oh! So the subject is closed?

RACHAEL:

Yes, Edna.

SAMPLE

2.

EDNA:

Very well. Let us move on. What is your experience?

RACHAEL:

I was the Madam for the Red Rooster Night Club since

1931.

EDNA:

Oh, dear. The Red Rooster Night Club. I-- I never met a

Madam before. I’m afraid your background is not quite

suitable for Cozy Acres.

RACHAEL:

Those days are gone forever. I’m not a real Madam any

more but I am a very smart business woman. Last year

the income was over a thousand dollars.

EDNA:

A thousand dollars a year! Well-- uh-- you seem to have

other skills that are worth considering. I think you

might be just right for this job. At present we have

three women in residence.

RACHAEL:

All women?

EDNA:

The men come and go. They come here looking for a rich

widow or someone who is like their mother. We have

strict curfew rules. The men don’t stay very long.

RACHAEL:

Yes, we had a high turnover rate too. But they usually

returned.

EDNA:

I’d like to have you meet our residents. This is Emily

(each raises hand)

Martha .. ... Bertha. I want you to meet Miz. Rachael

Satchel!. She will be your new manager. I am leaving

you with a very ... uh ... very experienced lady.

Goodbye.

RACHAEL:

(looks at the exit)

Okay, she’s gone. My name is Rachael but you may call

me Madam.

(pause. looks around)

Well, I see there are a lot of things we can do. Make

the place a bit lively. I’ve got ideas for more

activities. jazz it up. Make it more exciting. Bring in

more residents. Cozy Acres will never be the same

again!

SAMPLE

Fran Lang Productions, LLC

THIS SAMPLE OF THE PLAY HAS BEEN MODIFIED.

A MAJOR PORTION OF THE TEXT/SCRIPT HAS BEEN REMOVED.

SAMPLE

6.

EMILY:

What about those dreams and secret wishes you told us

to hang onto? Madam, your worries are over because I

caught a rich man, a very rich man. He has hair and a

little round tummy. Cute as can be and he’s rich. He’s

vice president of the bank. I think he’ll give me

$4,000 if I ask him. Madam, it happened because you

built up my self-esteem. You made me want to look

pretty again.

BERTHA:

Madam, MY dream came true. You told me to never give

up. You gave me courage to face my fears and not be

afraid to try something new. So I bought those tickets

and we’re setting sail on a cruise next month.

MARTHA:

Madam, you dusted off the old piano and found some

sheet music and started me playing again. You made my

dream come true.

MADAM:

I love your sentiments, really, I do. However, if you

can come up with a magic formula for making $4,000, I’d

be more interested in that. End of discussion. This

meeting is over.

NARRATOR:

There is gloom all over the place. The residents gather

in groups and share their misery. Even Joey and his

friends get into the act and take up a collection.

Emily talks to her rich man at the bank but he says

that’s not the way it works. Martha bakes cookies and

tries to sell them. Bertha waits on tables in a saloon.

At least the activity generates a sense of hope . . . .

. of hanging on to a faith that says, "Yes, we can!"

Then Madam receives another telegram that changes

everything. She walks into the kitchen where the

residents are adding up their finances. There are big

smiles on their faces. They are so pleased with

themselves.

MARTHA:

Madam, listen to this: We have $189.52. We want to open

up a bank account. Then Emily’s rich man will loan us

the rest.

JOEY:

We’re on a roll. You can’t quit now, Madam.

MADAM:

I want to thank you for your efforts. I love you for

what you’re doing. But I have received another

telegram. It says: COZY ACRES SOLD. VACATE IN 30 DAYS!

SAMPLE

7.

ALL:

(There is a loud groaning and moaning)

Ohhhhhhhhhh!

(Martha loudly cries. This noise

continues until )

MADAM:

(Yells)

All right, STOP IT! RIGHT NOW!

(silence for 60 seconds)

I think $189.52 is enough to open up a bank account.

(pause)

WELL, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? C’mon, get ready! NOW!

(they’re all smiles)

We are going to make a spectacular entrance when we

march down to see Emily’s banker. We are going to

approach him with pride and guts . . . . and ambition.

(she speaks to the audience)

We believe in a dream! We’ll build a house of our own.

We’ll find a rich banker and ask for a loan. We pledge

allegiance to what is true. And pay off our debts

(pause)

with an I . . . 0 . . . . U!

Copyright (c) Fran Lang 2008, 2012

May not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means

without the express written consent of the publisher.

SAMPLE