100 Short and Effective Monologues
In this book are 100 one-minute, original, contemporary monologues for adult men and women, with a mixture of dramatic, comedic, romantic, and reflective pieces, in no certain order.
There are no setups for any of these monologues--no genders, no age ranges, no locations, and no backstories. This leaves them wide open for the actor to develop and move each character and scene in most any direction the actor chooses.
Most of these monologues are subtle, not requiring grandiose physical performances, because delivering natural, believable, conversational dialogue in front of a stationary camera is usually all that's required to showcase an actor's true ability.
Samples: TERRITORIES
Johnny Baldwin said he had guys who could protect him. Right. Him and his old man ran everything from 6th Street down to Finley for like, fifteen years. That is until Andy Santino and his gang came in two years ago. Before that, nobody would have dreamed of stepping on any of the Baldwin's toes. There was respect. I mean, it wasn't like anyone was getting killed. It was small business. A little gambling, a little hooking, a dime bag of weed here or there. And with a few of the cops on Johnny's payroll, the department usually looked the other way. But Andy had bigger plans. And the only thing standing between him and his business model was the Baldwin family. His thugs took out the old man and both of Johnny's brothers. Most of the group broke apart after that and Johnny decided to split. He'd planned on reorganizing two towns away. What he didn't know was, the Santino gang had already taken that over too. Johnny's guys weren't there to protect him. I don't think I have to tell you the rest.
RETURN ON INVESTMENTOh, you are charming, aren't you. A real gentleman. Offering to spend your hard-earned money on buying my next drink. And you don't even know me. You must have amazing intuition. I was just sitting here thinking, "Oh, my, I'm down to my last few dollars, and I'm going to be needing a refill soon. Lordy me, what on Earth am I going to do? I sure hope that average-looking businessman with the pot gut, cheap suit, and white line on his finger where his wedding ring used to be comes over and offers to buy a round. That would just make my night. And for his kindness, I of course would be obliged to accompany him to his budget motel room and spend the rest of the evening showing him my appreciation. That is, after all, how these scenarios are to be played out." Am I right? Is that how you intend this scenario to play out? Because if that is your intention, I guarantee you, sir, you'll not be seeing that kind of return on your investment. Thanks, but I can buy my own drinks.
MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS
Yes, Captain Ellis. I shot him. I and the other officers had gotten the call that Paddock had barricaded himself in the warehouse at Dodge and Main. Witnesses said they had seen him dragging a young woman in there with him. Said she was hanging limp on his arm, barely able to walk. We surrounded the warehouse and were calling for a negotiator when we heard a gunshot from inside the building. We then entered the premises. I was the first one to find him. The woman he'd abducted was lying on the floor in a puddle of blood with a bullet wound to the head. The gun was lying at her side. Paddock was standing next to her with his hands in the air. He was smiling at me. He said, "Little too late there, officer. And you didn't see a thing. Looks like I get to testify in court that I witnessed a suicide." Then he started laughing. My report will read that at this point he reached for the gun. Yes, Captain Ellis. I shot him. And I'd do it again.
Published by Scribernaut Press, LLC.
