Scene VII: A dark alley. This scene is played before the main curtain. The lights behind the curtain are on producing a silhouette effect.

Pat: Gee, it’s dark in this alley.

Brad: Did we lose him?

Al: He ran right past.

Brad: Do you think he’ll double back? He might suspect we ducked in here.

Al: No, we’re safe right now.

Pat: Brad?…where are you, Brad?

Brad: I’m right here.

Pat: Where? I can’t see a thing.

Brad: I can’t either.

Pat: Maybe…do you think, maybe he’s playing cat and mouse with us? He might have known we hid in here and ran past to throw us off. He could be sneaking up behind us right now.

Brad: Where’s behind us? I can’t see anything. (Kicks garbage can)

Pat: What was that?

Brad: Oh, a garbage can. (In disgust)

Pat: Be careful. He’s deaf if he didn’t hear that.

Al: Hurry up.

Brad: Which way are you going?

Al: Over here. (In the center–lights lighter)

Pat: Why didn’t we think of that? (Pat and Brad light lighters. The three are spread across the stage)

Brad: There you are. (They come together and when they meet a green spot picks them up center)

Al: Gee, these things sure make a lot of light.

Pat: We can’t stay here. He might come back.

Al: I know, we’ve got to get to Scott somehow.

Bum: (Through center of curtain, leans pie-eyed over group)

Brad: What time is it?

Al: Eight.

Pat: Sure took us a long time to lose that character.

Brad: I’m dead. We’ve been on the run since noon.

Al: Scott wouldn’t be at the lot now–it’s too late.

Brad: Well, we can’t wander all over town looking for him.

Al: Yeah, I know. And we can’t go back to the hotel, that’s a cinch. Our friend would probably meet us at the door.

Bum: Hey, Mac, you gotta dime for a cup of coffee?

Keys: (Frightened reaction)

Bum: (Runs away in fright)

Keys: (Put out their lights)

Pat: What was that?

Al: I don’t know. Some bum, I guess.

Brad: I don’t like alleys. Let’s get out of here.

Pat: Where we gonna go?

Al: (Lights lighter–others follow suit) Pat, hold your hand still. You’re giving me the creeps.

Pat: Who’s shaking? I’m not nervous. Not a bit.

Brad: Me either. (Wailing) Al, what are we going to do?

Al: (Chewing fingernail) First of all we gotta…we gotta…

Pat: We gotta what?

Al: Keep calm…yeah, that’s it…keep calm.

Brad: Yeah, I’m calm. Aren’t you, Pat? I’m real calm.

Pat: Oh, I am too. Oh yeah. Real cool.

DARKNESS