The Name of the Game
A drama
The challenge of this piece was to write a play with three to four
characters in the middle of a card game. The game had to be played
while including a deeper plot.
Cast List:
Anna: The birthday girl. She is dating Brad, and is easily aggravated.
Brad: He is dating Anna, and is passive.
Callie: A friend of Anna’s who is celebrating with Anna and Brad.
Dan: An obnoxious friend of Brad’s who does not get along with Anna.
(Two women and one man are sitting at a round table for four people. They are celebrating Anna’s birthday. They are in the middle of a card game. Suddenly, the fourth walks in.)
Dan: (enthusiastically) Alright I’m here let’s get this show on the road. (Clapping his hands)
Anna: You’ll have to wait till the end of this game. Two 3’s. (throws down 2 cards)
Dan: Ok, no problemo Amy. I’ll just chill over here. (Taking a seat)
Anna: It’s Anna. Brad hon, it’s your turn.
Brad: One 4. (Puts down a single card)
Callie: Three 5’s.
Dan: What game are we playing?
Anna: BS, and Callie I’m calling BS on that one.
(Callie picks up the stack of cards in the middle of the table)
Dan: Sounds like a jolly old time. Why aren’t we playing Poker?
Anna: Because I don’t know how to play poker. Four 6’s (puts down four cards)
Dan: Who cares?
Brad: Well, it’s Anna’s birthday so we should play whatever she wants. Three 7’s. (puts down three cards while smiling at Anna.)
Dan: That’s bullshit.
Anna: Um, that’s a little rude. Brad aren’t you going to say something? Who invited you anyway?
(Anna looks at Brad intently, while Brad avoids eye contact.)
Dan: Well he doesn’t have 3 sevens. I can see his cards. I thought calling people out was the point of the game. And Brad did of course, we’re best buds.
Anna: First of all that’s cheating. Second of all, you’re not playing this round so just sit tight and relax for a bit. (Looking over at Callie.) Callie it’s your turn.
Dan: Whatever you say Ashley.
Anna: It’s Anna. (sounding frustrated.)
Callie: (Turning to Dan) You look just like one of my good friends. Two 8’s.
Anna: Three 9’s. (puts down cards)
Dan: (excitedly) No way Jose, who?
Callie: My friend back from back home.
Brad: Two 10’s. (Gently placing the cards down)
Anna: BS babe.
Brad: You got me. (Picks up the stack of cards)
Callie: One Jack. (Turning to Dan.) Yea we were really good friends but then I left for college.
Dan: Coolio.
Anna: Three queens.
Brad: Two kings
Anna: (Turning to Brad and smiling) BS again babe.
Dan: You go to Albs?
Callie: I did but I dropped out. One ace.
Dan: No kidding. Why would you do that?
Callie: I wanted to go to cosmetology school instead.
Dan: That’s pretty sweet.
Anna: Two 2’s.
Brad: BS
Anna: Sorry dear, I was telling the truth you take the pile.
Brad: (sarcastically) Great. Okay three 3’s.
Anna: BS.
Brad: You’re good at this.
Anna: I’ll always know if you’re lying. Remember that.
Dan: (elbowing Brad) Watch out Brad, Audrey’s on to you.
Anna: (frustrated) It’s Anna. Callie it’s your turn.
Dan: Yea Callie, tell me more about beauty school.
Callie: It’s kind of boring actually. Two 4’s
Dan: Oh come on, there has to be something you can tell me.
Anna: This isn’t sharing time. Four 5’s.
Dan: We’re sitting in a circle aren’t we?
Brad: Three 6’s.
Anna: BS.
(Brad picks up the cards)
Anna: You know sweetie with how many cards you’ve been picking up you shouldn’t have to lie.
(Brad is beginning to look frustrated, but doesn’t say anything.)
Dan: It’s getting a little hot in here from all this tension, someone should open a window. You need to chill out April. Go ahead Callie.
Anna: You remember her name but not mine?
Callie: Two 7’s.
Anna: Three 8’s.
Brad: (standing up and shouting) b-b-b-b-bullshit.
(Brad looks over at Anna and immediately sitting back down after seeing her schocked expression.)
Anna: (In a very serious tone) Sweetie, will you please watch the language.
Dan: It’s the name of the game
Anna: It’s not very appropriate.
Dan: You picked the game.
Brad: Two 9’s
Callie: One ten. I win! (Throwing down her last card excitedly)
Dan: Good deal, (looking over at Anna and taking the cards from her hand) now I get to play. Let me shuffle Abby.