Welcome back to my unprofessional yet eager writing exercises with U3A The Writers Collective based in Brisbane, Australia. Each week, give or take, I will post a short story which I have written to read out in our group. The theme comes from our prompt Word of the Week. Each writer gets the opportunity, at least once, to chose the Word of the Week.

This time, I have departed from my usual short story and have written script dialogue. The formatting, layout and presentation may not be to industry standard but I enjoyed writing it.
With thanks to the best playwright of them all, Mr W. Shakespeare.

THE WRITERS COLLECTIVE HOMEWORK MARCH 2026

WORD THEME: Plot
TITLE: ‘Lost The Plot’
SETTING: Old church hall am-dram stage rehearsal
CAST: Fran, Angelo, Elizabeth, Stage Crew
DRAFT: Version One
FONT: Courier New, 12-point
WORDCOUNT: 252
AI Free Zone

~~ACT ONE SCENE ONE~~

Fran: (thinks) I remember the time when Angelo had lost the plot half way through the second act…

She says (shouts) “For heaven’s sake, man, we’ve been through this a hundred times. Lola gives you a hug and you walk away. You do not apologise!”

Angelo: (shrugs) “But she is sad and lonely.”

Fran: (through clenched teeth) “That’s the whole idea. You are leaving her and going to Spain. Of course she will be sad, but comfort is not where the plot is taking us at this stage in our rehearsals. Okay?”

Angelo: (nods) “Okay.”
He leans over and pats Elizabeth on the arm.

Elizabeth: (gives Angelo a wan smile, quick shrug to Fran)
“Can we do it again please?”

Fran: (firm) “Okay, okay, take it from when Lola tells you she will not visit you in Spain.”

Angelo: (a wail) Angelo begins sniffling. He grapples in his pocket for handkerchief. “I can’t go on like this. My one true love has rejected me, pushed me aside for someone new.”

Elizabeth: (smile) “That someone new will be very, very new because I am having a baby.”

Audience of five: director, producer, stage manager, lighting technician, repetiteur, erupt into cheers and whistles.

Angelo: (bemused) thinks everyone has lost the plot.
He glances over at Elizabeth and she is calm, smiling.

Angelo: (shock) “Is this true, wife?”

Elizabeth: (nods, smiles) “Yes, husband, it is true.”

 ~~END~~

Author Note: This scene is not part of an original performance.
It is a take on the more usual ring-and-surprise marriage proposal.
Rehearsal ended 10pm with coffee and cake at Director’s house.
💗 © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2026

National Simultaneous Storytime 2026!

Remember your favourite childhood books? Please make a note that on Wednesday 27th May 2026 at 12.00noon AEST, millions of children, parents, teachers, and library lovers across Australia will come together to read Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller at the same time.
So much reading fun that I wanted to give it a special mention.
Please mark the date, ready to sit down with young readers at home, school or local library to read this book together!
Last year over 2.2 Million participants were part of National Simultaneous Storytime. Could this year be even bigger? Be part of something very special and join in the free fun wherever you live in Australia. GBW.