BY: SMK SERI AMPANG

SYNOPSISThis play is mainly about Bella, an actress, who followed her friend,

Lina, to the Madame Mooch's Mystery Readings and Message Parlor. In contrast with Lina, Bella does not believe in fortune telling, but Lina succeeded in persuading Bella to try to have a read. Madame Mooch, the fortune teller, has given Bella the winning lottery numbers for that day and she predicts that Bella is going to be famous one day. Bella chooses to be famous in this life and later she even has fans and a good review of herself. However, Bella still cannot believe on what has been happening to her. Thus, she asks Madame Mooch to consult her cards. Madame Mooch warns Bella to not believe in one arm bandit. Surprisingly, Bella believes in Madame Mooch this time as she does not accept the film contract offered by Bonnie Bandito, the famous director who offered Bella to act in 18SX movie.

Lina comes back with the lottery ticket she bought by using Madame Mooch’s numbers, but Bella thinks it is a waste money. As they are heading their way out, Edward nervously enters the parlor looking for Madame Mooch. Madame Mooch comes out from her secret room as she senses some danger. Edward is angry towards Madame Mooch because she told his wife that he had an affair with Megan, and that is not the truth. Madame Mooch still acting innocently, though she had ruined Edward’s life.

Out of nowhere, the police and the reporters has surrounded the place. As the reporter reported the news, there have the lottery numbers at the bottom of the screen, and they won. Suddenly, Edward changes his mind, and he wants that ticket. Lina refused to give to him, thus he shoots both them. As Edward happily holding the lottery ticket, Madame Mooch hits his head from the back and takes the ticket. At the end of the story, the police entered the parlor and grab her.

   

Cast of Characters

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 BELLA: An actress who has a chance at being famous. LINA: Bella's slightly ditsy friend who takes her to see Mooch. MOOCH: A fortune teller who is having an insightful day. EDWARD: An angry customer of Mooch's who didn't like her prediction. SARA: Bella’s fan.

GINA: Bella's agent. BONNIE: A Hollywood casting director. REPORTER 1 and REPORTER 2 

Time and PlacePresent day psychic reading parlor.

  Scene 1

 (Front room of Madame Mooch's Mystery Readings and Message Parlor. BELLA waits impatiently alone. LINA appears from a curtained area)

 BELLAThis is so stupid, can we go now? It's Saturday night and there’s other places I'd rather be... LINAYou'll never guess who she said I was in one of my past lives. BELLALet's see. Cleopatra? LINAHow on earth did you know that? BELLAPsychic's always say women were Cleopatra! For some reasons, everyone wants to be her. 

LINAYou don't think it's true? BELLALINA, these people aren't for real. Don't you read the brochure?(Holds up brochure)For entertainment purposes only.

LINAShe seems so real, so convincing! 

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MOOCH(Enters from curtained area)Oh, sorry. I didn't know anyone was still here? BELLAYeah, she's real perceptive. MOOCHDoes your friend want a reading? LINAYes! BELLANo! LINACome on, BELLA. I'll pay for it. BELLADon't waste your money.

 LINAIt's just for fun. You said it yourself, for entertainment purposes only. What do you have to fear? BELLAFear itself? MOOCHCome, come. I won't bite. BELLAYeah, but I might. LINAThere, I paid for it.(Gives MOOCH money)

MOOCH(Holds bill up to light)I feel my power returning to me. BELLAYeah, right! LINAGo on.  BELLAFine, let's get this over with. MOOCH

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The spirits come to me. Come to Mama. MOOCHSo what do you want to know? BELLAThe quickest way out of here.

LINADon't be difficult, BELLA. Try to have fun with it. BELLAFine. What are this week's winning lottery numbers?

LINALottery numbers! Lottery numbers! MOOCH3-5-9-20-25-49 and the Powerball is(Draws card from Taro deck)7. BELLAPretty specific. LINA (Writes the numbers down)Why didn't I think to ask that? BELLAWhat else do you see in the cards? MOOCH(Draws more cards)I can see your past and your future. BELLALet me guess. I was Cleopatra too.  MOOCHI'm afraid in your past you were nobody famous. BELLA(Surprisingly disappointed)Nobody? Ever? MOOCHNever ever. 

BELLA

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What about my future? MOOCHYou will be famous one day. BELLANow or in a future life. MOOCHWould you like to be famous in this life? BELLAWhat do you mean? MOOCHIn everyone's life cycles, they are allowed one time to be famous. BELLAOnly once huh?(Amused. Smiles at LINA) MOOCHDo you wish it to be this one? BELLA(Laughs)Sure, why not? MOOCH(Her voice booms)Then so be it!

(A big boom, like thunder is heard. The lights flicker and go out. When the lights come on again MOOCH is gone)

 SARA(Enters through front door looking around) (Starts to go and sees BELLA)Oh, hey! Aren't you that actress? BELLAWho? Me? SARAYeah, the one is the play downtown. What's it called? Vampire must die. That's it. LINADid you see her? SARAYeah, you were incredible. 

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BELLA(Shrugs)Thanks. SARADid you see the review in today's paper?(Holds up paper) LINAYou got a review?(Takes paper and looks) BELLAThat reviewer is an idiot. He wouldn't know a play if a stage fell on him.  LINA(Reads)BELLA SUMMER lives up to her name. Her radiant talent brightens this otherwise ordinary play. They even got your picture here. BELLALet me see that.(Takes the paper)This is so great! My agent will go nuts. SARAMaybe I better get your autograph. Sounds like you're going to make it big. LINA(Pulls out pen and hands it to BELLA)Here (A reporter and a photographer come in and rush to Bella)

REPORTER 1: BELLA SUMMER…the famous actress! 

SARAThanks. I got to go. Bye.(Exits) BELLAWhat was that all about?

LINAYou’re famous now as Madame Mooch said. We better go get a copy of the paper so you can show your agent. BELLAWait a minute. This smells like a set up. 

LINA

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What do you mean? BELLAWasn't that awfully good timing? She says I'm going to be famous and then this guy comes in here and acts like I'm some new star. LINABut how could she fake that newspaper review? BELLA(Scowls)Good point. LINASo do you think there might be something to this psychic thing? BELLAIt's a coincidence. That's all.(Cell phone rings)Hello? Hi, Gina.(To LINA)It's my agent. LINAI'll bet she saw the review. BELLAYeah, I read it.(Pause)Very good.(Shocked)What?(Pause)No way. LINAWhat is it? What?

BELLA(Waves away LINA)Shhhh.(To phone) (Pause)Yes, let's do it.(Looks around)I hate to admit this, but I'm at some psychic reading place.(Picks up brochure)Madame Mooch!(Pause)You’ve been here? (Pause)

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Sure I'll wait for you here.(Hangs up phone)You won't believe this.

LINAProbably not, but tell me anyway. BELLAMy agent is coming over with BONNIE!

LINABONNIE BANDITO? You’re kidding… BELLAI’m serious!

LINAYou’ll be famous! BELLA(Stops)This can't be happening. Where is that Madame Money? LINAMooch. BELLAWhatever. Come out, Madame! I have something for you.  MOOCH(Enters)I sense that you require my services. BELLA(Smiles at LINA, then looks at MOOCH)I need some information. MOOCHInformation is my middle name, though my abilities have been weakened by all the recent activities. BELLA(Hands her a bill)There. Feeling better? MOOCHA bit better, yes. BELLAGood. MOOCH

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I sense your friend here wants to go. BELLADo you? LINA(Looks at watch)Oh, my gosh. I have reservations for five minutes ago.(Waves good-bye)Thank you, Madame Mooch. Bye BELLA.(ALICE exits)  BELLANow for my question.. MOOCHMy power is fading. BELLA(Hands her another bill)Feel better? MOOCH(Stuffs bill in shirt)Ask your question. BELLAHow can Madame Mooch cook up such an elaborate scam? MOOCHMadame Mooch didn't scam you. You want to be famous, so you will be famous. BELLAWhat if I've changed my mind? MOOCHIt is your destiny now. Don't fight it. Fighting it will only bring doom upon you. BELLADoom. That's certainly what I'm expecting from all this. 

MOOCHI predict that your bad fortune is over. BELLAI hope you're right. MOOCHUnless! BELLA

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There's always an unless. Okay, give me the bad news. MOOCHI must consult the cards.(Goes to her table) BELLAThat's probably going to cost me again.(Goes to table and sits opposite MOOCH) MOOCH(Lays out some cards)The meaning of these cards escape me!(BELLA sighs and gives her more money)Ah, yes. I see now. Beware the one armed bandit.MOOCH(Rises)Beware. Beware the one armed bandit. BELLAOne armed bandit? (MOOCH starts to go)Wait. I have more questions. MOOCHNo time. You have visitors.(Exits as GINA and BONNIE enter front door) BELLAHow did she know that? GINAHey, BELLA. How's my big star?(GINA and BELLA do a fake kiss on the cheek) BELLAStill in wonder. GINAI want you to meet someone.(Drags over BONNIE)This is Bonnie Bandito. You know…the famous director.. BELLAOne armed bandit? Oh,(Looks where MOOCH went)Uh, hi! GINABELLA..I thought you'd be more excited. This is a big opportunity.BELLA

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Sorry, this has all been very sudden. GINABELLA is new to the theatre scene. BONNIEShe's a natural. She appears to have years of experience. GINASo will she work, BELLA?(To BELLA)He wanted to meet you before He decided on anything. BONNIEI'd like to interview you a bit first.  GINAWe can sit over here.

(BONNIE heads for chairs in waiting room. GINA says to BELLA quietly)What is your problem? Get excited. BELLA(Aside to GINA)I have a bad feeling about this. GINABrenda, shush(They go sit near BONNIE) GINABonnie is on a tight schedule

BONNIENo, I admire her candor. Go ahead BELLA.

BELLAI'm going to be frank… GINA(Trying to warm)BELLA… BELLAWhy would a big studio want a little small time nobody like me? BONNIEYou have the look! 

BELLA

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(Skeptically)The look? GINA(She says excitedly to BELLA as if understanding BONNIE perfectly)You know, the look. BELLAPerhaps you could explain the look to me a bit more! BONNIEYou have that natural spark that will light up the screen! GINAShe does have a spark, doesn't she? La Chizpa as they say. BONNIE(He hands BELLA an orientation/promotional packet on the movie)Let me be frank. You are very attractive and our producer liked you, a lot.  

BELLA(Looks in packet)This director is also known for wanting a whole lot more from his actresses than is in the contract. BONNIEHe's very influential, he could take you far. BELLA(Hands back the packet to BONNIE)I'd rather he didn't take me anywhere. GINA(Shocked at BELLA)BELLA!(Tries to laugh it off)She's so funny, isn't she? BONNIEWe don't need a comedian.(Rises)We need someone who takes direction well. (Gets up)Maybe this was a mistake! GINA(Jumps up to stop BONNIE)No, wait. I don't understand. I thought we had an agreement. BONNIESorry, I can already tell it's not going to work out. (Starts to exit)GINA

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But,(Starts after her) Wait! BELLALet him go, Gina.(BONNIE shakes her head at them and exits) GINAWhat was that all about? BELLAThat director is infamous for wanting something I don't want to give. GINABut I have done a lot for you! BELLAI'm sorry, but I don't think they were interested in my acting skills. GINALook, BELLA. What did you expect? Being a star involves give and take. BELLASorry, but I don't want to give what he wants to take. GINAThen maybe you need to find another agent. BELLAWhat? GINAMaybe Morality Movie Studio is looking for actresses. Oh wait, there’s no such thing! See you, BELLA. Thanks for nothing.(GINA exits) BELLA(To self)Wow, Madame Mooch. You sure were right about this one. LINA(Returns)Wow, Gina sure didn't look happy. What happened? BELLAI just blew my chance at fame and fortune. LINAWhy'd you do that? BELLA

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Forget it. What are you doing back here? LINAAlex called and canceled our dinner date so I went and bought a lottery ticket. I used Madame Mooch's numbers. BELLAThat was a waste of a dollar. LINAIt was worth a try. BELLALet's go, okay? EDWARD(EDWARD enters)I can't wait any longer.(He’s nervous. He blocks their exit)Where's Madame Mooch?(Won't move from doorway)I want to see Mooch now! BELLAAll you have to do is wave a few dollars around. She'll appear. EDWARDMaybe if I wave this instead!(Pulls out gun) LINAHe's got a gun! BELLAHey, now buddy. We don't want any trouble. EDWARDWell, that's what you're going to get unless I see Mooch.  BELLAI don't know what your problem with her is, but it has nothing to do with us. So if we could just go.. EDWARDYou're witnesses now. You stay. LINAWitnesses? EDWARDTo a crime.(BELLA and LINA find chairs and sit)

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Come out here, Mooch before I start shooting around! MOOCHHello, EDWARD. What do you want? EDWARDI want my life back, Mooch. The one you stole from me. Because of you my wife left me.  MOOCHI can not hide the truth. EDWARDBut that wasn't the truth. I never betray her. MOOCHAre you sure? EDWARDYes! MOOCHWhat about Megan? EDWARDMegan? You mean my ex- girlfriend? MOOCHDid you have something with her? EDWARDNot since I've been married. MOOCHOh, dear. I guess my visions got crossed. 

EDWARD"Oh, dear." Is that all you can say?! You ruined my life and you just say, "Oh, dear." BELLAI can't believe your wife would leave you based on something some two-bit psychic would say. MOOCHHow dare you call me a... EDWARDShut up, Mooch.

EDWARD(Holds gun up to MOOCH's head)So psychic lady, can you see what's in your future?

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 MOOCHSorry, I can't predict the future for myself. EDWARDWell, let me give you some help.(Pulls trigger. Click. No bullets. MOOCH faints. LINA screams)Where'd I put my gun clip? BELLARun, LINA!(BELLA pulls LINA toward door) LINAWhat about Mooch? BELLAWe'll call the cops. EDWARD(Finds clip and puts it in gun. Points it at them just as they get to the door)Hold it!(BELLA and LINA freeze)Turn around and come back slowly. LINAWe're gonna die. EDWARDQuit blubbering and sit down. LINAAre you going to kill us? EDWARDNo, I don't want to kill anyone. BELLAIt looked like you wanted to kill Mooch. EDWARDI only wanted to scare her. BELLA(Goes to fallen MOOCH)I think you succeeded. Can we go now? EDWARDI’m still not satisfied!(Police siren sound effect)

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LINAI think we have a problem. EDWARDWho called the cops? BELLA and LINAWe didn't. EDWARDMooch must have called them before she came out. Now what do I do?

BELLASurrender. You haven't really done anything, yet. MOOCH(Wakes up)Am I still alive or am I in heaven? I see the police have arrived.I saw danger in my future so I took the liberty of calling them. LINAIsn't she amazing? EDWARDPerhaps you can see a way out of this for me. BELLAGive yourself up. It's the only way. LINA(Looks to window)Now I think there's a TV3’s crew. MOOCHOh, think of all the publicity. EDWARDI have to know what's going on out there. Turn on your TV, Mooch.(MOOCH goes to TV and turns it on) REPORTEROh, it’s on. I’m sorry.Hello and good evening. I’m Simon. Now, for the latest news. We're live outside Madame Moose's shop.  MOOCHMooch not Moose.  

REPORTER

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The police say the suspect is armed and dangerous. We have been informed that Bella Summer, the famous actress is one the victim. The police is doing their best.

EDWARDThat doesn't sound good. BELLAMaybe if you tell them your story then they'll go easy on you. EDWARDThat might give me some satisfaction being able to tell the news what a big fraud she is.  LINAShhh.. Wait. They have the lottery numbers at the bottom of the screen. BELLALINA.. Can't that wait? LINAThree! I've got a three. BELLALINA, please, not, LINAFive! Got a five! BELLALINA

 LINANine! We've got three numbers. EDWARDYou've got to be kidding.LINATwenty! We're winning! BELLA(Getting into it)Twenty-five. We have twenty-five. LINA49! BELLAAnd the Powerball is, LINASeven! We won! 

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MOOCHI told you so. BELLAWe won! We won!(Dances around with LINA and EDWARD) EDWARD(LINA and BELLA are still jumping up and down. EDWARD looks at his gun. Looks at them. MOOCH stops them and points to EDWARD)So how much did you win? BELLANot much. LINAOnly 95 million. EDWARD95 million! Dollars? MOOCHNo, Powerballs. EDWARDShut up!(To LINA and BELLA)This changes everything.(Points gun and holds out hand)Hand over the ticket.(EDWARD is distracted so MOOCH sneaks around behind her) BELLAEasy come, easy go. LINANo!! BELLANo, what? LINANo, I'm not giving her our ticket. This is our ticket. BELLALINA, this is no time to get a backbone. LINABut we won it. It's ours. BELLA

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(Shrugs and smiles sheepishly at EDWARD)It's amazing what a few million can do to a person. EDWARDHand it over or I'll take it off your dead body.

LINANO!!(Edward shoots LINA)

BELLAOh my God! LINA!!(Edward shoots BELLA and takes the lottery ticket) MOOCH(Picks up vase and moves behind EDWARD)Oh, EDWARD?!(EDWARD turns and MOOCH smashes it on his head)He didn't see that coming.(EDWARD falls to the ground and passes out)This is all mine!!Hahahahhaa!  (Police comes in and catches MOOCH)VOICE OF REPORTER: For the latest news..BELLA SUMMER the famous actress was found dead at Madame Mooch Reading Parlor, together with two others, and now Madame Mooch was arrested for further investigation. It is believed that they were fighting over a winning lottery ticket.

Lotteries can lead some people to believing that they can have EVERYTHING they want, instead of striking it rich, they strike out. Dissatisfied with what they had, they now have nothing. 

For the LOVE of money, is the root of all evil. Our destiny is always in our own hands. Don’t let fortune telling decide for us. So have faith in yourself.

END OF PLAY

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