WORTHLESS: A MILLION REASONS ============================ Published: December 29, 2024 Author: Daniel Conderman Context: Recovered Conderman.Group one-act play; a full dramatization of the scenario outlined in "Worthless: The Broken Leg" Original URL: https://conderman.group/2024/12/worthless-a-million-reasons/ A ONE-ACT PLAY DRAMATIS PERSONAE ----------------- Maxwell Harrington -- A wealthy corporate magnate, arrogant and panicked, with a badly broken leg. Sofia Tran -- A no-nonsense outdoor guide, determined and level-headed. Robin Alavez -- A volunteer EMT with minor injuries, driven to help. Tyrell -- A capable but uncertain mechanic and handyman, torn between greed and conscience. Diana -- A thoughtful, pragmatic individual who sees through illusions of wealth. SETTING ------- A charred clearing in a remote wilderness, shortly after a small plane crash. Scattered wreckage, a crumpled fuselage, debris, and luggage lie beneath threatening storm clouds. It is late afternoon. Distant thunder rumbles. SCENE 1: THE WRECKAGE --------------------- (All five survivors are near the wreck. Maxwell lies on the ground with his leg in a makeshift splint. Sofia watches the tree line. Robin bandages her ribs. Tyrell rummages in a half-open toolbox. Diana assesses the wreckage.) MAXWELL (clutching a stack of money): I'll pay you each a million dollars -- just carry me out of here. Money's no object! Just get me to civilization. TYRELL (quietly): One million... that's life-changing. SOFIA: Money doesn't matter out here, Tyrell. We can barely carry ourselves, let alone haul him across miles of rough terrain. Night is coming. Try that in pitch-black forest on foot? Suicide. MAXWELL: Look at me! I can solve all your problems forever. All I need is you right now. Don't walk away from a fortune! DIANA: A fortune tomorrow won't build a fire, give us first aid, or summon rescue now, does it? ROBIN: He needs real medical attention. Dragging him over this terrain just isn't going to work. (Thunder underscores the silence.) SCENE 2: THE MAKESHIFT PLAN --------------------------- SOFIA: We can't just leave him here. But we can't all go either -- not with the storm coming. DIANA: Maybe we split up? One group searches for help while someone stays with Maxwell? TYRELL: We can't be sure anyone's out there. We're off the main flight path. MAXWELL: I don't care how you do it. Just do it! I'll pay triple if that's what it takes. ROBIN (to Sofia): He needs antibiotics, a real doctor. This break could lead to sepsis. SOFIA: We barely have a first-aid kit. Even with a makeshift stretcher, we can't outrun this storm or nightfall. SCENE 3: CONFRONTATION ---------------------- MAXWELL: Tyrell, you're resourceful. Rig up something -- a sled or a wheel -- whatever it takes. I'll pay for your kids' college, buy you a house. Anything! SOFIA: We're too far from any road! It's thick forest for miles. You think we can MacGyver up a miracle? MAXWELL: You're the outdoor expert! Isn't that your job? Survive anything, lead the group? Lead us out! ROBIN: Calm down. Arguing wastes energy. DIANA: That storm might wash out our tracks or signals. Helicopters can't fly in this weather either. SOFIA (studying a battered map): If we follow the ravine north, we might find a water source leading to a ranger station. But it's steep and rocky. If we haul Maxwell, we risk dropping him or sliding ourselves. TYRELL: Maybe we can scavenge supplies and build a better shelter. Let's hold out until morning. Maybe a rescue plane passes overhead. MAXWELL: Waiting? That's your plan if you're broke and have no options. I have options. This is your chance at a better life. Don't be idiots. DIANA: Out here, that money can't buy an extra hour of daylight, medicine, or even an ounce of water. (Maxwell's bravado falters.) SCENE 4: SPLINTERED DECISIONS ----------------------------- (Later. The storm is closer. Tyrell and Diana salvage supplies while Robin checks Maxwell's pulse.) ROBIN: Your pulse is weak. The pain's getting worse, isn't it? MAXWELL: I can't bear it. I'll do anything. Just get me safe. Do you think Sofia's plan is right? If you personally carry me, I'll double the amount. ROBIN: My job is to keep you stable, not kill myself in the process. TYRELL: I patched fuselage into a roof. We'll get a small fire going and block the wind. That's our best shot tonight. MAXWELL: Tyrell, please. Do something. Anything. TYRELL (pushing the money away): I can't carry you alone. None of us can. I'm sorry. SCENE 5: NIGHTFALL AND REVELATION --------------------------------- (Dusk. A partial shelter and flicker of firelight. Thunder is close.) SOFIA: It isn't perfect, but it'll keep the rain off. At first light, Diana and I can scout for a route out. DIANA: If we find a ranger station or helicopter clearing, we'll come back fast. (Robin checks the feverish Maxwell, then silently warns Sofia that time is short.) MAXWELL: I can't die out here. I'm Maxwell Harrington. You can't just leave me. I've got -- I've got everything... SOFIA (gently): No. Out here, all you've got is us. And we can't carry you alone. MAXWELL: ...It's worthless, isn't it? ROBIN: We'll do our best, Maxwell. But we can't promise miracles. (Rain intensifies. The survivors hold up scraps against the downpour. Sofia looks to the sky, but no rescue craft appears. The fire sputters. Blackout.)