The following is the script for the 2024 Ball Drop Blitz play, performed 01 January 2025. The prompt for the writers was “AC/DC’ songs, and I was given the scene title “Thunderstruck”. We also had to work in the line “A hug is always the right size”, as well as a pair of devil horns into the plot.
Characters
Martha – NYC local, friends with Nathan and Leah, they are visiting from the UK, she is doing all of the touristy stuff with them, is just a bit of a third wheel – (Stephanie)
Nathan – British Tourist, very bored of this tour at this point, dating Leah (Jabil)
Leah – British Tourist, a bit more posh than Martha, dating Nathan (Danielle)
Sheldon – Creepy Janitor, who knows way too much about the history of the island, and may possibly be the ghost of one of the many who has passed through the island. Slightly sinister (Max)
Catherine – Park Ranger on her first day, overwhelmed and herding cats, buffalo allergy and aversion to smells. (Kalea)
Synopsis
A group of tourists is stuck in a storm shelter on Ellis Island, due to a severe thunderstorm warning. Getting a bit stir crazy as it has been a few hours already. Tensions mount. People come and go, and keep increasingly coming up with strange things they have seen, like the statue of liberty being struck by lightning and moving around in the harbor, coming to eat them alive, or that they are all, in fact already dead, and this room and the island is purgatory, just like the island was a gateway to America, they now stand on the gateway to the land of the dead. But it just turns out that the characters that left end up having smoked some really bad weed with the creepy janitor, and in fact nothing is really going on, and they get the all clear and everyone goes their separate ways a little wiser. The devil horns being worn signify when a character has smoked the bad stuff. The title is a play on Thunderstruck (Thunderstuck)
Set
The scene takes place in a waiting room of the Ellis Island national monument. There are benches/chairs/tables. It is a disused room that our characters have been stuck in due to the freak storm.
Props/Costumes
Everyone is wearing streetclothes. The Janitor should have some sort of Janitor outfit, coveralls/overalls etc. The Park Ranger could have an outfit, or not, as it is explained it is her first day. Props include a radio for the ranger, as well as her bag, other characters have backpacks/water bottles/tourist things. The Janitor has a broom/mop cleaning supplies.
Thunderst(r)uck
Interior – Ellis Island Immigration Museum, a waiting area with benches.
Nathan and Leah are sitting together on a bench, looking bored and tired on their barely functioning phones. Catherine, a Park Ranger is nervously pacing around the room, Martha slightly off by herself.
Nathan
Uggh, How long has it been already?
Leah
You have a phone don’t you? Just look at the time.
Nathan
I am just making conversation, get off it. It’s been bloody hours. I barely have any bars anyhow.
Catherine
The National Weather service says that the storm is stuck over the bay, it will be a while yet, but we are just going to have to wait until we get the all clear.
Leah
Well, I am sure the rest of our tour group already made it back ashore. We are only stuck here because Martha had to get a picture at the wall of honor.
(Martha seems dejected)
Martha
…..“The Labia Family”
Leah
What?
Martha
The inscription said “The Labia family”. What the actual fuck?
Nathan
What are you on about?
Martha
My family bought an inscription for me, for my birthday, as a gift, and it said “Martha Labia – The Labia Family”. Lamia, its L A M I A (Pronounced Lame e yuh). How did they fuck that up?
(Sheldon, who has been quietly sitting in the corner interjects. Everyone is visibly spooked and shocked by his appearance.)
Sheldon
That is one hell of a typo.
Catherine
Gah! I thought you went out to check on the status of the ferry?
Sheldon
I did, and I came back.
Catherine
Well?
Sheldon
Ain’t running, on account of the weather.
(Nathan/Leah/Martha all express their frustration oh man, come on etc)
Nathan
Come on…….
Sheldon
(Taking Catherine aside)
Ayy… Haven’t seen you around the island, how long have you been a ranger?
Catherine
(exasperated, this is a lot for a first day)
One day. I don’t even have my uniform. We did training earlier today, and then this storm happened, and they told us over the radio to go out and find any visitors and get them inside and to wait out the storm until the ferries can come back. I am this close to a breakdown!
Sheldon
(Addressing everyone, declaratively)
Haven’t seen anything this bad since Sandy.
(There is a long pause, as it appears that Sheldon is going to continue with some sort of story, but there is nothing else, to break the silence)
Is anyone holding?
Nathan
Is that appropriate?
Catherine
I don’t know, I am not his boss!
A peal of thunder cuts through the conversation
Leah
That sounded really close
Nathan
Yo, I read that the Statue of Liberty can get struck by lightning, is that true miss?
Catherine
I don’t know, they didn’t go over that in the training.
(The lights flicker as another loud rumble goes off. When the lights come up, Martha is gone. Everyone looks around at eachother.)
Catherine
Wait.. where is that other girl? What was her name?
Nathan
Martha Labia!
(Leah and Nathan laugh it up)
Catherine
This is not the time for jokes, it is pouring buckets out there, where did she go?
Sheldon
Maybe she had to take a shit?
Catherine
Is that appropriate?
Sheldon shrugs
Well, can you go check outside?
Sheldon
Yeah, fine, the vibe is off in here anyways man.
(Sheldon exits into the storm. Everyone is quiet for a while, because there is nothing to do, nothing to say, they are all stuck here together. After a few awkward seconds, characters just milling around, there is another peal of thunder and flickering of lights)
Leah
That was really loud.
Nathan
Are we safe here? Like, is this island safe? Should we be on the first floor?
(Both Leah and Nathan look to Catherine)
Catherine
I don’t know! I just moved here from Wyoming. They… they didn’t go over this in the training.
(There is some radio squawk, Catherine listens to her radio. She looks crestfallen)
Leah
Well, what?
Catherine
(Things are starting to get overwhelming, panic is setting in)
I uhh, well, uhh, They don’t have a lot of information, but they said that we have to remain sheltered in place, inside… Damn Oh where did she go? I am going to get fired! My first day, and I lose a tourist! Why did it have to be NYC? I really wanted the Grand Canyon.. Why did I have to be allergic to Buffalo. Why is this happening to meeeeeeeee…..!
(Catherine begins a soft sobbing, she is starting to lose it. Thunder peals and the lights go out and on, and Sheldon is back inside, arms outstretched miming a hugging motion. He is wearing light up devil horns.)
Sheldon
You look like you could use a hug, a hug is always the right size.
(Everyone is visibly spooked by Sheldon, and his entrance is unsettling almost like a villain in a slasher film, they are confused by what he has on his head as well.)
Leah
Is that appropriate?
Catherine
Eww, no! Did you find her?
Sheldon
Find who?
Catherine
Martha
Sheldon
The Labia girl? No. Found this cool hat though.
(Sheldon is very pleased with himself and his discovery)
Catherine
Can you go and find her?
Sheldon
Alrighty
(Sheldon leaves, Catherine seems a bit more calmed down, almost as if the interaction was weird enough to get her mind off the situation.)
Nathan
Miss
Catherine
Yeah
Nathan
Can we go to the bathroom?
Catherine
slightly taken aback, this is an adult man asking where the bathroom is
Yes??
Nathan
And it is where?
Catherine
Oh! Of course
(She fumbles through her bag, for a map)
It should be just down the hall, around the corner, please come right back.
(Nathan heads off to the bathroom. Another peal of thunder, and flickering lights There is another awkward pause, until someone strikes up a conversation.)
Leah
So, you said Wyoming, did you work at Yellowstone?
Catherine
Yes, until I got transferred here, that is where I got my start with the Parks Service.
Leah
That must have been really cool, I’ve always wanted to go. Why did you leave?
Catherine
The buffalo, and the smell. I found out I am allergic to Bison, but honestly, it was the smell.
Leah
The smell? Of the Buffalo?
Catherine
No, hmm.. the smell… have you ever been to a natural hot spring?
Leah
No, they have them in Bath, but I have never been.
Catherine
Well, natural hot springs contain a lot of dissolved minerals and gases, and in the case of the smell, it’s the hydrogen sulfide gas, in particular
Leah
Really?
Catherine
Yeah, it is just awful. They say you get used to it, but I never did. Clothes reeking of rotten eggs, that, and the hives from the bison, I just couldn’t deal with it anymore.
Leah
That makes sense
(Tension seems to be easing a bit here, despite the situation outside, which continues to rumble)
Catherine
Sorry, we never got properly introduced, I am Catherine by the way.
Leah
Oh, cheers. I am Leah, and my friend is Nathan. We are visiting from the UK, seeing our friend from College, Martha… (chuckles), well you already heard her name. She is always bragging about NYC, so we decided to take a trip. I guess we picked the perfect day to go out in the bay. We are used to weather in the U.K., but not this.
Catherine
Yeah, it is crazy outside. I haven’t seen rain like this before.
(Things are getting awkward again, as the small talk has devolved into weather)
Hmm…Where is everyone?
Leah
Yeah, what the hell? Shouldn’t you go and check on them?
Catherine
Well, we were taught, when you are in a situation where you are lost, you should stay put and wait for the rescue to find you.
Leah
Well, aren’t they the people who are lost, and shouldn’t you be looking for them?
(Thunder peals again, and the lights flicker and Sheldon has appeared. Catherine is visibly sniffing the air, they haven’t noticed him)
Catherine
Do you smell that?
Sheldon
Smell what?
(Catherine and Leah both jump at Sheldon, who entered the room without them noticing again.)
Catherine
Jesus, you scared the shit out of us. Well, did you find them?
Sheldon
Yeah, that chick with the lady-parts name was right outside, she was right behind me.
(Martha enters, wearing the devil horns, visibly shell-shocked)
Leah
Martha!!! You’re back, you had us worried!
(Martha is shaky and is clearly terrified of something outside) Martha
G. g. G. g.g g. Giant Woman!
Leah
What?
Martha
Outside! In the rain, she is coming to get us!
Catherine
Who?
Martha
L A D Y L I B E R T Y!!!
Leah
What? You aren’t making sense
Martha
The Lightning, didn’t you hear it?! She was struck by lightning, and she came to life, and now she must feed.
(Martha takes off the devil horns tossing them aside, and strolls over to the window, looking out into the storm, Sheldon picks them up as he absentmindedly cleans the room)
Catherine
Don’t get too close to the windows! It isn’t safe.
Martha
Ha! Nowhere is safe from her, she weighs over 200 tons! This enormous woman will devour us all!! Her ancient metal body hungers for the flesh of the living! She must feed..
Leah
(Leah rushes over and shakes Martha to get some sense into her)
Martha, get a hold of yourself, you are speaking nonsense!
Martha
Oh Why did I make us go to this stupid museum!? It is my fault that we are all going to be eaten. I was just trying to impress you and Nathan. You two are always talking about all of the cool stuff you are doing in London.
Leah
What, Well, you live in New York, that is super cool!
Martha
I don’t live in New York
Leah
Yes you do! We came to visit you, remember?
Martha
(on the verge of tears)
I live in Jersey City (bawling), I only commute to work in the city. I am a complete fake!!
Leah
Oh, I don’t think that really matters, also, I don’t know why you think this tour would impress us?
(To Catherine)
No Offense
Catherine
None taken, I just started here, and I can’t talk, I live in Hoboken.
Leah
(moves to console Martha)
Oh Martha, it is O.K. you should see the shit flat that Nathan and I have, in Hounslow, which isn’t really in London, we live directly under the flight path at Heathrow. It gets so loud we can barely get any sleep.
(Leah seems to have calmed down Martha a bit)
Martha
Really?
Leah
Yeah, it is awful, you can’t believe everything you see on instagram.
Martha
Yeah.
Sheldon
(interjecting, everyone is again surprised by his entrance)
You gals on tiktok?
Catherine
Jesus Christ!
Sheldon
You should give me a follow.
(silent stares)
I review frozen pizzas, and do janitor pranks.
(silent stares)
I am Shelman420
(silent stares)
You guys listen to Rogan?
(This is too much, Catherine stops Sheldon)
Catherine
Ok, that’s enough. Can you go out and check on Nathan?
(Sheldon knows when he isn’t wanted, he leaves with the devil horns and his janitorial gear, Martha and Leah go to the bench to sit together, having cut the tension a bit and Catherine listens in on her radio)
Oh, thanks for the update.
Leah
What’s that?
Catherine
It sounds like the storm system might be moving again, the ferries should be running again in a little bit.
Leah
That’s great news!
(Nathan slowly enters, wearing the devil horns)
Nathan
We’re all dead, it makes perfect sense
Leah
What?
Nathan
This is purgatory, and we died in the storm.
Martha
What? You aren’t making sense
Nathan
No, this all makes perfect sense. We are trapped here, because we haven’t allowed our souls to move along. The gatekeeper awaits to ferry us off to the final resting place of our souls.
(Everyone is confused and somewhat shocked, Nathan motions for everyone to sit around, in a semicircle, as he gets low)
So, I was thinking, why would Martha invite us to such a shit place?
Catherine/Martha
Hey?!
Nathan
It clearly wasn’t to impress us, but think about it, where we are, what it symbolizes?
(Clearly Nathan is going to have to explain, everyone looks lost)
This is the gateway to America, where thousands of long dead immigrants passed through on their journey to the free world. For us, this is the gateway to the land of the dead, and we must decide to go through that golden door. To face our judgement and have our sins laid before us..
Sheldon
(who has re-entered during Nathan’s speech, cutting him off)
You sure you don’t listen to Rogan? Last week he had on this guy who did all this ayahuasca and…
Catherine
(Cutting him off)
Oh shut the fuck up!
(This has kind of shocked everyone into some sort of sense)
Sheldon
Whoa, mellow out. It’s fine if he isn’t your bag, he is just asking questions man, anyway, I came in to say, the ferry is here.
Nathan
Leah, I love you. I hope we shall meet again in the next life,
(reaching his hand out to Sheldon)
Lead on ferryman.
Sheldon
Oh yeah, also wanted to say, now I remember why I had tossed that stash away. That stuff is no good, bad batch.
Catherine
Wait what?
Sheldon
The weed, it was no good, sorry. I knew I tossed that stuff away for a reason. Should have left sleeping dogs lie.
Leah
Wait, you were all going out to smoke weed with the Janitor?
Martha
Yeah, I mean, what else were we supposed to do?
Nathan
I am not about to raw-dog 3 hours in a waiting room during a storm. So yeah, the janitor smoked us up.
(The light begins to filter in, it is sunny out)
Catherine
Well, it looks like the storm has passed, I hope you have fun on the rest of your trip!
Leah/Martha/Nathan
Yeah, thanks, cheers (etc.)
(Nathan/Martha/Leah collect their things and leave)
Sheldon
(Shooting his shot)
So, you live in Hoboken?
(Catherine gives and epic eyeroll and leaves,
I got better stuff!
(Sheldon shrugs, and puts back on the devil horns and gets to sweeping, humming/whistling thunderstruck, as the light fades)
End Scene
Blog post image:
Photo by Xuân Thống Trần: https://www.pexels.com/photo/storm-clouds-and-a-lightening-in-the-night-sky-17610017/