COLD AWAKENING
In the heart of a bustling city lies a morgue, a place where the line between the living and the dead blurs into a realm of eerie uncertainty. Here, amidst the cold steel and sterile corridors, a drama unfolds that defies logic and challenges the very fabric of reality. Follow the journey of Kato, a weary soul on the brink of demise, as he navigates the chilling corridors of the morgue and embarks on a surreal quest for survival.
CHARACTERS:
KATO: A hardworking man in his mid-30s, Kato is the protagonist of the story. He’s been feeling overwhelmed by the stresses of his job and is desperately in need of a break. Despite his exhaustion, he cares deeply for his wife, Iman, and his sister, Shasa.
IMAN: Kato’s devoted wife, Iman, is a nurturing and caring woman in her early 30s. She works as a nurse and is accustomed to handling crises with a calm demeanor. However, seeing her husband in distress pushes her to the brink of panic.
SHASA: Kato’s outspoken and protective sister, Shasa, is a feisty and bold woman in her late 20s. She’s fiercely loyal to her brother and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even if it means challenging authority. Shasa works as a freelance graphic designer and is always ready to defend her family.
MORGUE DRIVER: A middle-aged man with a gruff exterior, the Morgue Driver is responsible for transporting bodies to and from the morgue. He’s seen his fair share of strange occurrences but remains skeptical of anything supernatural. Despite his tough demeanor, he has a kind heart and genuinely cares about the well-being of others.
MORGUE OWNER: The owner of the morgue is a stern and no-nonsense individual in his late 40s. He takes his job seriously and expects his employees to do the same. Although he may come off as cold and aloof, he’s ultimately concerned with maintaining the reputation of his establishment.
MORGUE EMPLOYEE: A young and inexperienced employee at the morgue, this individual is often tasked with menial duties such as filing paperwork and cleaning equipment. Despite their lack of experience, they are eager to learn and prove themselves in their role.
POLICE OFFICER: The police officer who responds to the morgue’s call is a seasoned veteran with a dry sense of humor. He’s seen it all during his years on the force and isn’t easily rattled by strange occurrences. While he may initially dismiss claims of ghosts, he’s always ready to investigate any potential threat to public safety.
SCRIPT:
(Kato, his wife, and his sister are in the dining room)
IMAN: (to Kato) How was work today?
KATO: Like being trapped in a pressure cooker! The tension is suffocating.
SHASA: Maybe it’s time for a career change. Your boss is draining the life out of you. Literally.
IMAN: But we can’t risk losing our home, Shasa. We’re barely staying afloat as it is.
SHASA: (nodding) I know, but at what cost? Look at Kato, he’s practically a ghost of himself.
IMAN: (concerned) Kato, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you feeling all right?
KATO: (wearily) I just need some rest. My head is pounding.
IMAN: (fetching medicine) Here, take this. It should help.
(Kato takes the pill and collapses)
IMAN: Kato! What’s happening?!
SHASA: (checking his pulse) He’s not breathing!
IMAN: (frantically slapping Kato) Wake up! Don’t you dare leave me!
SHASA: Iman, I think he’s… gone.
IMAN: (in disbelief) No, no, no! Kato, please!
SHASA: (grimly) He’s… deceased.
IMAN: (sobbing) But he can’t be! We have plans, a life together!
SHASA: (resigned) I’ll call for help.
IMAN: (desperately) Yes, call anyone who can fix this!
(Shasa makes the call while Iman tries to revive Kato)
SHASA: (after the call) They’re on their way.
IMAN: (hugging Kato) You can’t leave me, Kato. We still have so much to do.
(The doorbell rings)
SHASA: (wiping her tears) I’ll get it.
(Shasa opens the door to reveal the morgue employees)
MORGUE EMPLOYEE: We’re here for the pickup.
SHASA: (with a heavy heart) Please, come in.
(The morgue employees examine Kato)
MORGUE DRIVER: No signs of life.
(The morgue employees prepare to take Kato away)
IMAN: (clinging to Kato) Please, don’t take him!
SHASA: (softly) We have no choice.
(The morgue employees gently lift Kato onto the stretcher and exit as Iman and Shasa mourn)
ACT II – AT THE MORGUE
(Kato lies on a stretcher in the cold, dimly lit “refrigerated room,” alongside two other bodies. In the adjacent room, the Morgue Employer types on his computer while the Morgue Driver reads the newspaper. Suddenly, Kato’s eyes flicker open.)
KATO: Brrr… it’s freezing in here. Iman, could you please turn off the air conditioning? (He waits for a response, then tries to get up.) Iman? Why isn’t anyone answering? Fine, I’ll do it myself.
(Kato shakily stands and gropes through the darkness, searching for the light switch. His hand brushes against a cold, unfamiliar object.)
KATO: What…? This isn’t Iman’s foot. Whose foot is this? Where am I?
(He begins to shout, pounding on the door.)
KATO: Help! Somebody, please help me!
(The Morgue Employer stops typing.)
MORGUE EMPLOYER: Did you hear that?
MORGUE DRIVER: (still reading) Hear what?
(Kato’s cries grow louder, his panic palpable.)
KATO: Help! Let me out of here!
(The Morgue Driver rises, alarmed.)
MORGUE DRIVER: I heard something.
MORGUE EMPLOYER: Shh, listen.
(Kato continues to shout for help.)
KATO: Please, I’m trapped!
(The Morgue Driver rushes towards the sound.)
MORGUE DRIVER: It’s… it’s a ghost!
(The Morgue Owner bursts in.)
MORGUE OWNER: What’s all this noise about?!
MORGUE DRIVER: It’s coming from the back room, Chief!
(Kato’s pleas echo through the morgue.)
MORGUE DRIVER: Chief, I swear, it’s a ghost!
MORGUE EMPLOYER: This place is haunted! I’m out of here!
(The Morgue Employer starts to leave.)
MORGUE DRIVER: Count me out too!
(The Morgue Owner tries to calm them.)
MORGUE OWNER: Hold on, calm down! I’ll call the authorities.
MORGUE DRIVER: Call the Ghostbusters!
MORGUE EMPLOYER: He’s not wrong.
(The Morgue Owner calls the police, then addresses the commotion.)
MORGUE OWNER: Sit down, both of you. Let’s wait for the police.
(Minutes later, the door opens to reveal Iman and Shasa.)
MORGUE OWNER: Who are you?
IMAN: We’re the relatives of the deceased brought in earlier. We are here to fill out the forms to take my husband’s body to the funeral home.
MORGUE DRIVER: Oh yes, please sit down. We’re waiting for the cops.
IMAN: What’s going on?
(The Morgue Owner tries to downplay the situation.)
MORGUE OWNER: Nothing to worry about.
(The police officer arrives.)
POLICE OFFICER: What seems to be the problem?
MORGUE EMPLOYER: We’ve got a ghost back there.
POLICE OFFICER: (amused) A ghost?
MORGUE OWNER: We believe so.
(The police officer heads towards the refrigerated room, followed by the Morgue Owner, Morgue Driver, Morgue Employer, Iman, and Shasa. Inside, Kato continues to pound on the door.)
MORGUE EMPLOYER: You see? It’s coming from in there!
(The police officer opens the door, revealing Kato standing inside.)
POLICE OFFICER: Is this your ghost?
IMAN: (relieved) Kato!
KATO: How did I end up here?
SHASA: You’re lucky they didn’t mistake you for another body.
(The police officer turns to the Morgue Owner.)
POLICE OFFICER: Next time, maybe call the Ghostbusters.
(As everyone exits, Iman and Kato embrace.)
IMAN: Let’s go home, dear. I’ll make you that cup of tea.
KATO: What a day it’s been!
(The Morgue Owner reflects on the near miss.)
MORGUE OWNER: He’s a lucky man. Almost ended up on the autopsy table.
As the echoes of panic fade away and the tension dissipates, one thing remains clear: the inexplicable events that transpired within the walls of the morgue will linger in the minds of those who bore witness. Through twists of fate and strokes of luck, Kato emerges from the brink of death, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the unknown. As the doors of the morgue close behind him, one can’t help but wonder what other mysteries lie hidden in the depths of the night, waiting to be unearthed by the light of day.
THE END
AUTHOR: K I D S I N C O
Related Play Script: Not Quite Dead
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