The Hike by Jerrod Whaley

Characters

Kate – Female. Active and outdoorsy. Patient. Wearing hiking shoes, baseball hat, shorts and a t shirt with a small backpack. 

David – Male. Outdoorsy in spirit. Active…online. Wearing athletic shorts and tennis shoes with a baggy shirt or tank. Carrying a plastic water bottle. 

Setting – Hiking through the woods towards a lake. 

(Kate enters and stops center stage. She takes a couple drinks of her water, smiling and standing tall. David is leaning against a tree and trying to drink water through labored breaths. He’s successfully hiding his heavy breathing for now.)

Kate

It’s so pretty out here, don’t you think? 

David

(Slightly out of breath)

Yeah. The trees are pretty. I’m really enjoying this. Thanks for inviting me.

Kate

Of course! I love it out here. I try to do at least one hike a month, and this is probably my favorite. 

David

Why is this one your favorite? 

Kate

Because the walk is beautiful. The destination is beautiful. Have you never been to Hanging Lake?

David

No. I don’t really go out too much. 

Kate

(Confused)

You told me you like the outdoors.

David

I do love the outdoors. I’m just not able to get out much. 

Kate

Oh. Well, I’m glad I was able to drag you outta the house for this. Hopefully you can make it out more often. 

David

(Finally standing up straight and taking a big drink of water)

A hundred percent. This is great. Just what I needed. 

Kate

Alright lets get moving so we can get there before too many people show up. 

(Kate hurries off stage. David caps his water bottle and  

heads off after her. Sounds of nature and crunching  

rock from walking. Kate enters.)

David

(from off stage)

SHIT!

(Sounds of a fall and slide. Kate looks back concerned.  

David enters a short time after.  

One shoe in hand. Back dusty. Visibly breathing hard this time.  

Kate notices.)

Kate

Are you ok?

David

(Failing to play it cool. Sits on a rock to put his shoe back on.)

Yeah. I’m fine. Just missed a step. (Pause) So is the lake just up ahead here? I think I can hear the waterfalls. 

Kate

(Tries to listen for the waterfalls. Nothing)

There’s no way. We’re like a mile out. (Laughs)

David

(Trying to play off his exhaustion)

Oh no yeah totally. I meant more like I could hear it in my imagination you know? Like how you can smell the ocean when you’re driving to the beach and you’re not even close. 

Kate

Oh. Sure. Are you sure you’re ok? 

David

Just a little out of breath from that fall. I’ll be alright. Thanks for asking. 

Kate

If you say so. Tie your shoe tighter this time so we can get moving. We’re burning daylight. 

David

Go ahead. I’ll catch up in a second. Gonna tie my other shoe better too. 

Kate

(Reaching into her backpack and grabbing a protein bar for herself.)

You need a protein bar?

David

(Perking up a bit.)

Definitely. I’d love one. I skipped breakfast.

(Kate tosses David the bar and walks off stage. David takes an extra second to catch his breath. Finishes tying his shoe and takes one more deep breath before heading off stage after Kate.)

We got this. Let’s go.

(More crunching and walking sounds. Slow rise of the sound of a waterfall nearby. Kate enters)

Kate

(Smiling and standing arms on her hips)

This view never gets old. Worth the effort right David?

(Kate looks around. David isn’t there)

David?

(Kate shouts)

David!?

(Shouts louder. Concerned)

DAVID!!!?

(David rushes on stage drenched in sweat and breathing heavy.  

Almost falling over. Startling Kate.)

What the hell happened to you?!

David

(Wheezing. Panicked)

I….lost…. your trail. (Deep breath) I heard you yelling. (Another deep breath) I thought I was lost forever. 

Kate

Are you ok? 

David

(Huffing and puffing)

I think I’m dying. 

Kate

Just come sit down. Where’s your water?

David

I lost it when I fell. 

Kate

WHAT?! That was like 20 minutes ago. Here!

(Kate hands David her water bottle. David drinks it,  

spilling water all over himself.  

He is struggling to catch his breath between drinks.)

Well…we’re here.

David

(Taking deep breaths and slowly catching his breath. Projection of Hanging Lake shows on background. David speaks through labored breaths)

You know what? Yeah. Worth it. 

(Leans over with his hands on his hips)

And I really need to get out more. 

Kate

Hell yeah. Proud of you. 

(They both admire the scenery for a moment)

Alright. Ready to head back?

(David gains a look of dread. Blackout.)