PROMPT: Adapt the first paragraph or page of any novel, newspaper article, or poem as a theatrical piece.
Allison Gregory, playwright
A large banner across the back of the stage reads "OPENING MAY 2ND 1903 LUNA PARK $1,000,000 EXPOSITION, THE HEART OF CONEY ISLAND"
Dr. Smith, 56, dressed in a suit from 1903, steps forward. Behind him stands, P.D. Sharkey, 34. Skip Dundy, 41, advances with Dr. Smith.
DR. SMITH
Topsy the elephant died peacefully and quietly at 3:04 p.m. today. Six thousand six hundred volts of electricity killed her instantly. There was no pain for the creature. The execution was carried out humanely.
Dr. Smith steps back. Skip steps forward.
SKIP
I wish to thank everyone for coming to Luna Park on this gray January day! Our grand opening will be this coming May second! I hope all of you who have come out for today’s tragic spectacle will come back for the opening!
(turning to Dr. Smith)
I also wish to thank you Dr. Smith and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for assisting us in putting this dangerous beast down humanely. It is a sad day when such things have to be done. We at Luna Park did everything in our power to ensure that Topsy died without pain or discomfort.
(looking about out over the audience)
Luna Park tried unsuccessfully to find a home for Topsy, but no one was willing to take her. As many of you may know, her last rampage through the streets of Coney Island left several people injured. Fortunately, none of the injuries were serious, but it took our personnel and the local authorities several hours to bring the enormous beast under control. She was confined to a secure cage. We talked to circuses and zoos about taking her, but none were willing to take the risk.
(beat)
And this was not Topsy’s first rampage. She has killed more than a dozen people, including handlers and members of the audience while part of the Forepaugh & Sells Brothers' Circus in Texas. After the circus brought her to Brooklyn last year, she killed a spectator lifting him off the ground with her trunk and slamming him to the ground. Then she knelt and stomped on the poor man until trainers could subdue her. She was a dangerous animal and Luna Park had no choice but to execute her.
(beat)
Nonetheless, this is a sad day. It is always a sad day when a poor dumb animal, however dangerous, needs to be killed.
(Silence. He turns to P.D. Sharkey standing behind him.)
At this time, I would like to invite up Mr. P.D. Sharkey, and employee of Edison Electric and the man who provided the technical expertise needed to execute this tragic animal. Mr. Sharkey...
Skip steps back and Sharkey somewhat reluctantly steps forward.
SHARKEY
Howdy, folks. I’m... I’m not sure exactly what I can tell ya. Originally, this... execution had been planned for noon. Unfortunately, the enormous beast was unwilling to cross the bridge leading to the Electric Tower on the small island in the middle of the lake. Special wires had been run out to the island to handle the high voltage we planned to use to kill the beast without causing her any pain. When she refused to cross that bridge, it took us a couple of hours to re-run the wires to the new site for the... the execution. I’m sorry for the delay. We were dealing with very dangerous... situation. We needed to be careful so that no one, in the audience and none of the technicians on the scene would be injured... or killed. I appreciate everyone’s patience.
(beat)
The animal was killed with a current of electricity at six thousand six hundred volts. My colleagues and I felt certain that this would be enough to kill the animal instantly, without feeling any pain.
(beat)
Thank you.
Sharkey retreats. Caught a bit off guard, Skip steps forward.
SKIP
Thank you... Thank you, Mr. Sharkey. Well, that’s it folks. I hope to see all of you here in May for the grand opening of one million dollar Luna Park! Thank you!
Skip steps back smiling and waving.
End of play.
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