November People's Choice Award

The people have spoken... The November People's Choice Award goes to Jonathan Josephson for his short play, Dave’s Epic 40^th Birthday Party, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on November 13 at the Zephyr Theatre. Congratulations, Jonathan!

Courtesy of Mr. Josesphson, we're pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

Dave's Epic 40th Birthday Party

by

Jonathan Josephson

Character Breakdown

Dave - Good-looking, almost 40 M, newly divorced, drives a BMW, kind of a douche.

Max - A little awkward, generally good-natured, drives a used Prius, bit of a dork, about 40 M.

Lights rise on swanky living room.

There’s a bar cart to one side, some

snacks, maybe some decorations.

The doorbell rings. Dave, dapper and

chill, crosses from the kitchen to

answer.

DAVE

(to the door)

One sec!

(to Alexa)

Alexa - play Dave’s Super Sweet 40th Birthday Party Awesome Mix.

Alexa plays Europe’s “The Final

Countdown” over the home stereo system.

It’s loud. Dave rocks out for a second

then crosses to the door - he opens it

to discover Max.

DAVE

Heyyyyo!

(surprised)

Oh Hi.

MAX

(yelling over the music)

Hey Dave, happy birthday!

Max hands Dave a bottle of wine.

DAVE

Thanks, thanks for coming- is that-?

MAX

A bottle of wine! Customary for a happy birthday!

DAVE

Thanks.

MAX

It’s really loud!

DAVE

What?

MAX

I said-

DAVE

I heard you kid- hold on- Alexa - music, off! Please.

The music turns off. Max looks around.

MAX

Great place you have here.

DAVE

Thanks. There’s a full bar outside and in the next room

there’s a spread that will make your draw drop - caviar,

prime rib off the bone, shrimp as big as lobsters. On the

deck there’s, well later - when more people get here we’ll

check that out. Can I get you a drink?

MAX

I’ll take whatever. And thanks again for the invite, it was

super nice of you to include me. In your awesome party thing.

DAVE

Any time.

MAX

I don’t know if you saw my response to the Evite. I said

“thanks for the invite” right on the Evite.

DAVE

I didn’t really look at it after I sent, what did you want to

drink? Do Julio? Blue Lable?

MAX

Whatever. I am easy.

(not cool)

Sooo easy.

(calibrate)

It’s been what - 15 years?

DAVE

Probably, more than that. I didn’t know you were still in town.

Dave hands Max a drink.

MAX

I wasn’t for a while. But I’m back. Got the invite, here I am.

Max drinks - he coughs and gasps uncontrollably.

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Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on Monday, December 11, at the Zephyr Theatre and choose your own favorite. Click here for more info.