White: If you don’t want it, Morris, give it to me! White lunges forward and snatches the paw from the flames. SD4: Suddenly, Morris tosses the paw into the fire. Morris: It has caused enough mischief already. SD3: Morris picks up the paw and studies it. I had some idea of selling it, but I don’t think I will. White: If you’ve already had your three wishes, Morris, why do you keep the monkey’s paw? I don’t know what the first two were, but the third wish was for death. Morris: The first man made his three wishes. SD1: Morris slowly sets the paw on the small table before him. Herbert: Well then, why don’t you have three wishes, sir? He put a spell on it so that three men could each be granted three wishes. Morris: He wanted to show that fate rules our lives, and that those who interfere with fate do so to their sorrow. SD4: Morris leans forward as if to confess a secret. Morris: To look at it, it’s just an ordinary little paw. SD3: Morris fumbles in his pocket and pulls out a shriveled monkey’s paw. It’s just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps. SD2: Morris looks at the Whites’ curious faces. Herbert: But now we’re intrigued, Sergeant Major. SD1: Morris stares into the fire for a long moment. White: What was it you started telling me the other day, Morris? Something about a monkey’s paw? White: But what about the lively markets and enchanting old temples? White: I’d rather like to visit India myself. Herbert: Father says you’ve been in India, Sergeant Major. It’s a bit tedious working the machinery, but my boss has been hinting that I’ll soon be promoted. Herbert: I’ve got a job at Maw and Meggins. Morris: How have you been keeping busy, Herbert? White: I couldn’t bear the thought of Herbert packing off to distant lands. Morris: Indeed-just about Herbert’s age, I suppose. White: Twenty-one years it’s been since you left, Morris! You were a young man then. White, their son, Herbert, and Sergeant Major Morris are gathered before a crackling fire. SD3: The stage lights come up to reveal a cozy living room where Mr. SD2: After a minute, the sounds of the storm fade.
SD1: The sounds of howling wind and pelting rain rise from the darkness, punctuated by claps of thunder.