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The Bully Game 2

The Bully Game Synopsis: It’s a brand-new reality show at your school: Three bullies compete to see who can do the best job abusing their victim with words, blows, and even Your Mama jokes. But how will they respond when they find out their victim's terrible secret? (The script includes segments on verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying.) Themes: Bullying, peer pressure, compassion. Characters: 2 males (Thor, Justin), 3 females (Brittany, Heidi, Theodora), 1 either gender (Announcer). Running Time: 15 minutes (20 minutes with optional scene). Staging Needs: If possible, a curtain should hide the game show setup until Theodora has been roped into participating by Brittany’s lies. Then, each Bully should stand behind some sort of “contestant’s podium.” The Announcer can hold up an Applause sign at key moments in the game as an extra source of irony. The monologues by the Bullies should either take place in a tight spotlight, or perhaps be videotaped and shown on a screen. General area lighting is fine for the rest of the action. A game show theme song is the only sound cue needed. Acting Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Tone: Comedic dialogue with dramatic moments. Can It Stand Alone?: Yes. Author’s Comments: Persistent bullying is not a normal part of growing up. Its victims grow into adults with low self-confidence and high rates of depression. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that more than half of schoolyard bullies grow into adult criminals. Now, it’s true that only a minority of kids are repeatedly bullied (though many more face this problem at some time in their lives). However, all kids bear a responsibility to speak up for the victims, who are often too intimidated to speak for themselves. Performance Tips: Your Theodora should be able to cry convincingly onstage. The Bullies must come across as fairly normal kids who just don’t know when to quit—and suffer from problems of their own.

The Bully Game 3

The Bully Game By George Halitzka

(A tight spotlight shines on BRITTANY, who is touching up her makeup in a compact.)

BRITTANY

It’s all about the show. Put on a smile and give ‘em what they want. Make ‘em laugh; make ‘em like you, whatever it takes. Yeah, somebody might get hurt, but it’s you or them. Keep ‘em laughing or you’re gonna be the one who cries. Don’t know what I mean? Stick around for the show . . . you’ll see.

(The lights come up to reveal BRITTANY motioning to someone behind her. The ANNOUNCER appears on the other side of the stage and calls to BRITTANY.)

BRITTANY

Come on, Theodora!

ANNOUNCER Did you find her?

BRITTANY Yeah, she’s almost here.

ANNOUNCER Well, half the school’s waiting.

(The ANNOUNCER disappears behind a curtain.)

BRITTANY I told you; she’s almost . . . Theo, come on!

THEODORA I never heard of a video game tournament at school.

BRITTANY You’re gonna love it! I bet you can win it all.

The Bully Game 4

THEODORA

Well, I’m okay, I guess . . .

BRITTANY Just wait behind the curtain—

THEODORA Brittany, are you my friend?

BRITTANY Sure.

THEODORA I mean, my real friend? ‘Cause once, this girl said she was my friend, then knocked down my books.

BRITTANY I would never do that!

THEODORA We shouldn’t be in here after school. We’re gonna get in trouble . . .

BRITTANY Look, I didn’t wanna tell you this . . . if you do this, it’ll help your Mom.

THEODORA Really? You swear?

BRITTANY Swear.

(Pause.)

THEODORA If it’ll help Mom.

BRITTANY Wait here. The show’s about to start!

THEODORA What show?

The Bully Game 5

BRITTANY I mean, the video game tournament. Stay here.

THEODORA If it’ll help Mom.

(BRITTANY shoves THEODORA hastily behind the curtain, then runs offstage in the opposite direction. Theme music. The curtain opens.)

ANNOUNCER

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for everybody’s favorite after-school activity, the Bully Game—where the meaner you are, the better you play! Let’s meet today’s bullies.

(Each BULLY enters as he or she is introduced.) Our first contestant enjoys tormenting cats, bench-pressing small cars, and stuffing seventh graders in lockers. His friends call him Thor Helgenschmidt, but you can just call him “cruel.”

(Applause sign.) Contestant number two is the class clown with a mean streak, Justin Hoogelmann. Justin loves to make folks laugh, especially at other people’s expense!

(Applause sign.) Finally, Heidi Stimple’s specialties include sending nasty text messages, starting rumors, and being two-faced. Don’t tick her off, girls, or she’ll make you cry yourself to sleep tonight!

(Applause sign.) And now here is the host of the Bully Game, Brittany Smear!

BRITTANY Thanks, [Announcer’s Name]. Well, bullies, you know how the game is played. You have three rounds to abuse today’s victim. Whoever does the best job will be the biggest meany in [Your Town]. Are you ready to play?

HEIDI Excuse me, Brittany? There’s been a mistake. I’m not a bully; kids are just jealous. I can’t help being popular.

The Bully Game 6

JUSTIN

Yeah, I’m not a bully either. Some people can’t take a joke.

THOR You two are such amateurs.

HEIDI Say WHAT, musclehead?

THOR You heard me, Barbie.

JUSTIN Just ‘cause we don’t have to dig for our IQ . . .

THOR You can’t bully nobody.

JUSTIN Well, maybe Miss Priss is too good for this . . .

HEIDI Miss What? Get lost.

JUSTIN Is that what the boys tell you?

(The BULLIES advance on each other.)

THOR Fight! Fight! Fight!

(BRITTANY steps between JUSTIN and HEIDI.)

BRITTANY Slow down, Bullies! Save it for your victim, Theodora McGillicutty.

JUSTIN Theodora?

HEIDI The freak from math class?

The Bully Game 7

BRITTANY

Each of you will have three chances to abuse our victim, so we can discover the biggest bully of all. [Announcer’s Name], tell us about today’s sucker.

ANNOUNCER Theodora McGillicutty is an eighth grader who enjoys wearing black, watching Star Wars, and writing poetry. She doesn’t have many friends, and sometimes forgets her deodorant.

BRITTANY All right, bullies . . . it’s time for Round One! You have one minute, using only words, to make Theodora feel so low she needs a ladder to step over the curb. On your mark—

THEODORA Brittany! This isn’t what you said—

BRITTANY Get set—

THEODORA Where’s the video games?

BRITTANY GO!

JUSTIN (pointing to THEODORA’S outfit)

Theodora, who died?

THEODORA Oh, black’s just my favorite color.

JUSTIN Love your hair! Does your Mommy do it for you?

THEODORA Right now, my Mom isn’t—

THOR Does it stink in here? Or is it just you?

The Bully Game 8

THEODORA (smelling her own armpits)

I don’t smell!

THOR Back off! You probably got bugs, too.

JUSTIN What a reek! Did you take out the garbage, or are you just white trash?

HEIDI Theodora, I’m sorry they’re making fun of you.

THEODORA A lot of kids do . . .

HEIDI Do you like any boys?

THEODORA Kind of . . .

HEIDI You can tell me. I won’t say anything—promise.

THEODORA You swear?

(HEIDI nods.) Well . . . I think Thor is really hot.

HEIDI Hey Thor, White Trash likes you!

THEODORA You swore!

THOR That’s gross . . . I feel slimy all over!

BRITTANY Time’s up! Theodora, how do you feel?

The Bully Game 9

THEODORA

Justin, that was really mean, what you said about White Trash.

BRITTANY Can’t you take a joke?

THEODORA Thor, why did you say I smell?

BRITTANY The truth hurts. Have you heard of deodorant?

THEODORA I can’t believe you let Heidi tell everybody who I like! You’re my friend . . .

BRITTANY Only when people aren’t watching. If you stopped being so annoying, people would leave you alone.

THEODORA Brittany!

BRITTANY Heidi, that was a brilliant move— tricking Theodora into revealing her secret crush. You win round one!

(HEIDI steps forward into a spotlight.)

HEIDI I’m not trying to be mean. I swear. But if you were up here, you’d try and win. With everybody watching . . . yeah, you know you would. People say I’m “popular.” But that’s not, like, guaranteed. If kids see me making nice with a freak . . . I’m not good at anything. I’m not failing stuff, but it’s straight Cs, okay? I don’t play sports, I don’t sing or whatever, so I gotta do something to make people notice me. It’s not my fault I’m popular. It’s just the only thing I’m good at.

(The spotlight fades out. We return to normal lighting.)

The Bully Game 10

BRITTANY It’s time for Round 2: Physical Bullying!

THEODORA I’m leaving!

BRITTANY Don’t you wanna help your Mom?

THEODORA How can this help—

BRITTANY You’ll never know if you leave, Theo. On your mark—get set—GO!

(During this round, BRITTANY acts as a sort of sports commentator, narrating the BULLIES’ actions as they perform them.)

Looks like Thor is starting with a classic—knocking down Theodora’s books in the hallway. She’s trying to pick them up . . . wait; Justin offers to help! But not really—look at that book fly! Now Heidi moves in. She’s threatening to gossip about Theodora’s crush unless Theo gives up her necklace . . . smooth move, Heidi! Threatening can be much more effective than real violence. Uh-oh, it’s not working . . . so Heidi does a hair pull! Ouch, that hurt! And there’s the necklace! Justin comes in with a flanking move, tripping Theo as she walks away! Look at that laugh—great intimidation tactic. Meanwhile, Thor is back for more. I think—yes, he’s actually going to try and shove her in a locker. This man knows all the classics! Time’s up, bullies!

THEODORA Thor, that hurt!

BRITTANY Boys will be boys.

THOR I’ll teach you to tell people you like me.

The Bully Game 11

HEIDI Nice necklace! Thanks, loser.

THEODORA Do I get that back after the game?

BRITTANY This round goes to Thor for his use of the classic book-tossing and locker-stuffing moves!

THOR I’m dedicating this win to my big brother, who taught me everything I know. Bluto, I hope you’ll get to see the pictures in prison.

BRITTANY Thank you, Thor. We’ll be back with our next round in one minute.

(THOR steps into the spotlight.)

THOR Pretty soon, I’ll be able to do it. I’m tired of hearin’ Mom cry when they fight. Tired of bein’ his punching bag if I get in the way. Yeah, pretty soon I’ll be able to do it. Stop my Old Man. But for now, I gotta give it back somehow. He’s too big. So when I get whupped, I whup on somebody too. Like you don’t. Maybe nobody pounds you, but when somebody makes you feel this low . . . you give it back. Don’t tell me you don’t. That’s how it works. I’m just bein’ like Dad. Like you. Kids should learn to defend themselves. That’s how it works.

[Insert the optional scene from page 16 here if you choose to use it.]

(We return to normal lighting.)

BRITTANY

Now, it’s time for our championship round! Heidi and Thor are tied at one win each, but Justin could come from behind and send us into overtime. Here’s everybody’s favorite part of the game: the Yo Mama round!

THEODORA But they don’t know my mother!

The Bully Game 12

BRITTANY

Life sucks and then you die. On your mark—get set—GO!

HEIDI Yo Mama’s so ugly, she walked into a Haunted House and came out with a job application!

THEODORA What does she have to do with this?

THOR Yo Mama’s so fat when she sits around the house, she sits around the house!

THEODORA Would you stop? You never met her!

JUSTIN Yo Mama’s so stupid she stayed up all night studying for a urine test!

THEODORA Brittany, stop them!

BRITTANY Everybody’s laughing but you. Whose problem is that?

HEIDI She’s so poor I saw her kicking a box down the street, and when I asked what she was doing, she said “moving.”

THOR So poor she can’t afford to pay attention.

JUSTIN Yo Mama’s so ugly, she went to the beauty parlor and it took four hours—for the estimate.

(THEODORA covers her face and begins to cry.)

BRITTANY She’s crying, bullies! Move in for the kill . . .

The Bully Game 13

JUSTIN Yo Mama’s so stupid—

THEODORA My mother has cancer, all right? She’s going to die.

(A moment of silence as THEODORA begins to cry.)

BRITTANY No mercy, bullies! Do you want to win or not?

HEIDI Um . . . Justin, why don’t you move in for the kill?

JUSTIN Maybe Thor should do it.

THOR I can’t . . .

BRITTANY Are you bullies, or losers?

HEIDI Brittany, her Mom’s dying . . .

JUSTIN I told you, I just wanna make people laugh.

BRITTANY Aww, let’s throw a pity party for the weirdo!

JUSTIN (extending his hand to THEO)

Theo, come on.

THEODORA (to BRITTANY)

You said this would help my Mom! You’re not my friend. You’re a liar.

(JUSTIN leads THEODORA offstage. A beat.)

The Bully Game 14

THOR You said this would help her Mom?

BRITTANY You don’t think she did it for fun, do you?

HEIDI Her Mom with cancer?

BRITTANY She’ll believe anything you say. Pitiful, huh?

HEIDI I always said I wasn’t a bully. But maybe I changed my mind.

(THOR and HEIDI begin to move in on BRITTANY threateningly.)

BRITTANY Whoa, I’m just the host . . .

HEIDI Hey Brittany, that’s a nice necklace.

BRITTANY You know, bullying can scar people for life . . .

HEIDI Somebody told me if you stopped being so annoying, people would leave you alone.

BRITTANY Uh, the game’s over . . .

THOR No, I think there’s one more round.

HEIDI On your mark—get set—GO!

(The BULLIES all gather around BRITTANY and begin to chase her, getting in their shots as they go. They chase BRITTANY all the way offstage as the theme music plays. As the music ends and the other BULLIES exit, JUSTIN is left alone in the spotlight.)

The Bully Game 15

JUSTIN I’m funny. That’s all. When you’re funny, people like you. I never saw anybody cry before, except . . . Y’know those days when nobody knows you’re alive? When the teacher only pays attention if you screw up? When people you thought were your best friends ignore you? I hate those days. When I was falling asleep in my room and nobody could see me . . . I used to cry. Hard. But I could make it different. “Justin, you’re so funny. You make me laugh.” “Justin, you should be on TV or something.” I stopped crying then. People have to notice when I’m funny. I never wanted to make somebody else cry. I just wanted . . . Y’know Theodora? She says she cries at night, too. And she’s not so good at laughing right now. Her Mom might not be here for eighth grade graduation. So I guess maybe I don’t wanna be funny anymore. I mean . . . not like that.

(Blackout.)

THIS IS A SAMPLE SCRIPT.

It is provided for personal reading and evaluation purposes only. You may

not perform this play until you have purchased a licensed copy of the script

from www.dramabygeorge.com.

Copyright © 2013 George Halitzka. All rights reserved.

The Bully Game 16

Optional Cyberbullying Scene This scene it can be inserted immediately after Thor’s monologue on page 11. Note that the dialogue inside {brackets} should be typed by the characters into their phones at the same time they say it aloud.

(We return to normal lighting.)

BRITTANY Good news, meanies, we have time for a bonus round: Cyberbullying!

THOR What’s psycho-babbling?

JUSTIN (rolling his eyes as he takes out his phone)

Talkin’ trash on the internet, genius.

THOR But I don’t have a phone!

BRITTANY Too bad, so sad—looks like this round is Heidi versus Justin. You have one minute to demolish Theo on the internet. On your mark—get set—go!

JUSTIN Hey freak, do you have Facebook?

(THEO crosses her arms and refuses to answer. Meanwhile, HEIDI is already searching on her phone.)

I bet you do . . .

HEIDI (showing JUSTIN her phone screen)

I wouldn’t admit it either, if I took selfies like that.

THEO (pulling out her own phone to see what they’re looking at)

Hey, that’s when I dressed up for the fall dance!

JUSTIN {Who are you trying to impress? No guy’s gonna dance with that.}

The Bully Game 17

HEIDI

{Nice hair. Too bad it’s not 1992.}

THOR (snatching HEIDI’S phone)

I wanna play, too! {U . . . R . . . ugly.}

(HEIDI snatches her phone back before he’s finished typing.)

THEODORA (to BRITTANY)

Make them stop! All my friends’ll see that stuff . . .

BRITTANY Like you have friends.

JUSTIN {This is what a freak looks like.}

(putting down his phone) So did I win the bonus?

BRITTANY Facebook comments—that’s all you got?

(JUSTIN looks confused—he thinks he’s doing just fine.) No text messages? No embarrassing pictures you took?

(JUSTIN and HEIDI shrug.) I’ll show you how it’s done.

(whipping out her phone) Here’s an awesome shot of Theo chewing with her mouth open at lunch.

THEODORA (horrified)

How’d you get that?

BRITTANY Yesterday in the cafeteria, when I was acting like your friend.

(to HEIDI and JUSTIN as she posts another photo) And here, Theo looks like a huge dork—

The Bully Game 18

THEODORA

Brittany, stuff you put on the internet never goes away!

BRITTANY Next, you blow up her phone with texts. {Theo, you look sooo dumb in those pictures.} {Why don’t you stop coming to school? Nobody wants to see you.} {Don’t you need a permit to be that ugly?}

(Mortified and upset, THEODORA turns off her phone.) See? That’s how you cyberbully.

HEIDI You’re good . . . can I take notes?

BRITTANY (taking a not-very-humble bow)

This bonus round goes to the host, for her brilliant use of embarrassing pictures and nasty texts. Our championship is coming up, bullies, so get ready for your final challenge.

(BRITTANY steps into the spotlight.) I know what you think: I’m a bully. A mean girl. But you don’t know me. Otherwise, you’d call me what I am: “Scared.” At my old school, me and this girl Katelyn were friends. But the guy she liked ended up going out with me instead, so Katelyn spread rumors about stuff we did. You know . . . sex stuff. But it totally wasn’t true! We never even kissed. The girls were calling me “slut,” and guys said all this dirty stuff, and people posted gross messages on the internet . . . it didn’t stop until I finally switched schools. You think I like this Bully Game? I put on a show because the Katelyn thing could happen again . . . and I’m freaked. If kids aren’t afraid of me, who’s Heidi gonna spread rumors about when she’s done with Theo? Who’s Thor gonna beat up? Our school counselor says bullying’s about power, but I think she’s wrong. It’s about fear. Kids leave you alone when they’re afraid of you. Otherwise . . . they figure out you’re the one who’s scared.

End of optional scene