Afraid of Clark Gable? by Petra Michelle

 

FADE IN:

INT. STAGE. CARNEGIE HALL - NIGHT

APPLAUSE accompanies a famous MAGICIAN after completing his Disappearing Act. He turns to the audience and bows. 

MAGICIAN Thank you. Now, for my next act, I will need two volunteers.

A scattering of people in the audience rise. The magician points to a COUPLE wearing baseball caps in the second row and gestures they join him onstage. When they arrive,

MAGICIAN And what is your name, sir?

MAN Eddie.

MAGICIAN Very nice to meet you, Eddie. And is this your lovely wife?

EDDIE My soon to be wife, Belle.

MAGICIAN And a belle you are.

Belle grins bashfully, nervously clasping her hands below her waist.

MAGICIAN Now, this act is about our fears. Most of us have some type of phobia. A fear of heights, for example, or of snakes.

He turns to Eddie.

MAGICIAN Hold out your cap, would you please, Eddie, and close your eyes. Now, think of something you're afraid of.

After closing his eyes, a tarantula crawls from Eddie's hat.

MAGICIAN You can open your eyes, Eddie.

Eddie GASPS at the sight of the spider he's deathly afraid of, dropping his cap to the stage floor. The audience APPLAUDS wholeheartedly. The magician bows, then turns to Belle.

MAGICIAN Are you ready, Belle?

She nods apprehensively.

MAGICIAN All right then. Take off your cap, close your eyes, and think of what scares you most. 

Belle shuts her eyes tightly. The audience begins to LAUGH. Eddie retreats. The magician looks puzzled. Belle beams from ear to ear.

MAGICIAN You're afraid of Clark Gable?

BELLE Not at all. I'm terrified of marrying Eddie. (turns to Clark Gable) Ready, Mr. Gable?

Arm in arm, they saunter off stage together; Eddie scratching his head.

FADE OUT