#theater script

Characters :

Kinect : The instructor, telekinetic, calm,  

Ember: hot-headed, a bully, pyrokinetic

Diamond : arrogant, enhanced strength, impenetrable skin  

Portal : Teleporter, observant

Drizzle : quiet, Weather manipulation

[In a gymnasium/ training room, over a dozen students are gathered around the Instructor. It’s orientation day and many are excited and eager to begin their training.]

Kinect: Ok cadets, gather around. Today is the day. I know all you have been preparing your whole lives for this. To show the world the wonders of what you can do.

[Unnoticed by the instructor is a small group of students near the back, among them are Ember and Diamond. None of them are paying attention. Instead they are laughing, joking, showing off their abilities.]

Ember: ( Tossing a ball of flame from hand to hand.) … the last time they ever messed with me. The EPU (ehanced persons unit) were never able to prove I started that fire.  

Diamond: I mean how could they. Unless there was a camera somewhere they’d never be able to trace it back to you. Besides, who would be stupid enough to go against one of us.

[Near the group, Portal stands quietly trying to focus on the Instructor’s speech. She can’t help but overhear and shakes her head.]

Kinect: … to determine the type of training you will receive. Who would like to start!

[Ember’s attention is directed to the instructor immediately. He lunges forward in an attempt to go first. In the process he attempts to shoulder Portal out of the way. In the blink of an eye Ember vanishes, making the group gasp and look around. Portal disappears a moment later reappearing in front of the group and the instructor.]

Portal: I would!

The group looks impressed but Kinect appears to be unfazed.

Kinect: Well done, Portal! Now can you please tell me what you’ve done with Mr. Ember?

The sounds of gagging catches everyone’s attention. They turn to see Ember bent over on the other side of the room dry heaving on the track.  

Portal: Don’t worry Em, it’s just you’re first time porting. You’ll get used to it.

Ember turns red, but it’s nothing compared to the rush of red flame that pours out of him. Flames spew from his mouth and nose like an angry dragon. Before anyone has time to react a stream of flames blast from his hands like a flame-thrower. His target is Portal but everyone is in danger.  The students and instructor are engulfed in a fiery explosion. When it clears there is nothing left but a dark burn where they previously stood.

Ember jumps when he realizes that all of them are now standing around him. The class looks shaken with the exception of Portal who is smirking and Kinect who looks proud.

Kinect: I’m impressed Portal, you’re able to transport a roomful of people without touching them.

Portal now looks smug. Kinect looks down at Ember with a frown.

Kinect: An excellent display Ember, but next time save it for combat training. Now, whose next.

Diamond moves away from the group until all eyes are upon her. Then she raises her foot and slams it down. Her foot makes a crater in the ground and a crack appears which spreads quickly throughout the room.  

Kinect: Admirable strength, but a little cliché. Why not try to be more creative next time.

Diamond’s jaw drops. Portal laughs quietly to herself.  

Gradually everyone in the room begins to demonstrate what they can do. A wide variety of abilities displayed, impressive or otherwise.

Eventually, Kinect consults his list.

Kinect: Only one person left. M-

Ember: Yeah, Drizzle why don’t you show us some rain drops. I’m sure in the heat of battle making the enemy wet will really be useful.

Half of the room bursts into laughter. Diamond the loudest of all. Kinect and Portal’s attention is on the guy standing apart from the rest. He doesn’t appear to have heard anything. He’s broken out into a sweat and he looks sick. Everyone watches as he takes his place in front of the group.

Kinect: Drizzle? That’s not really your name if I’m correct. (He checks the list of names.)  

Drizzle: (Avoiding eye contact, speaks in a low voice.) No sir, it’s Maelstrom.  

Kinect: Don’t be shy. Show us what you can do?

[Maelstrom closes his eyes. For a moment it appears as though he’s going to faint. There is a sound of crackling which shakes the building.]

Ember: What was that?

Diamond: I have no idea.

[The room darkens and through the windows the sky goes from a serene blue, to gray and cloudy, and finally black.]  

Kinect: Interesting.

Student 1: I don’t like this.  

Student 2: What’s going on? My power is light-based. I’m useless in the dark.

[Lightning flashes in the sky. A sizzling noise draws everyone’s attention to Maelstrom. Sparks of electricity flows through him. Ember and Diamond look uneasy.]

Portal: What were you saying Ember? Something about rain drops?  

[Suddenly the windows shatter, blown apart by a powerful gale. Instantly everyone is drenched by rain and bombarded with hail. ]

Ember: Ok we need to get out of here! OW! [A chunk of hail the size of a fits collides with his head.]

Diamond: Let’s go! Now!

Kinect: Cadets, settle down! Everything is fine!  

Miraculously while everyone is cowering and running for cover, Maelstrom just stands with his eyes closed. Electricity sparking but completely untouched by the storm.

Kinect: Ok, Maelstrom! I think you’ve proven yourself.

As quickly as it starts the storm ends. Everyone is now focused on Maelstrom with looks ranging from fear to envy and shock. Portal looks on with a knowing smile. Kinect for the first time in his career may be completely caught off guard.