Charlie’s in Trouble – A One Act Play

Nancy: Charlie, come here.

Charlie acts like he doesn’t hear her, continues to fiddle with some papers on his desk.

Nancy: Charlie. I said come here. Stand over here.

Charlie slowly walks to the front of the room, to the place of great punishment.

Nancy: Charlie. Look at me.

Charlie’s eyes divert to the floor, he looks at his fingernails. He pokes at the yellow and blue carpet with the pointy toe of his expensive shoes.

Nancy: Charlie. You’ve been a very bad boy. Do you know that? Look at me when I’m talking to you, Charlie!

Losing her temper now, Nancy waits until Charlie looks up at her for a brief moment and then returns to trying to dig his way through the floor.

Nancy: You’ve been a bad boy, Charlie. Shame on you. Do you have anything to say?

Charlie mumbles something to the floor.

Nancy: Charlie. Do you have anything to say for yourself before I tell you your punishment?

Charlie: No ma’am. I’m sorry ma’am.

Nancy: That’s all you have to say for yourself Charlie. After all you’ve done? That’s all you have to say?

Charlie: Yes ma’am. I’m sorry ma’am.

Nancy: Well Charlie. I’m sorry to have to do this to you. You know the rules. There’s nothing I can do. I’m going to have to scold you severely in front of your friends. Do you understand?

Charlie: Yes ma’am.

Nancy: OK. Shall I proceed. Do you have anything further to say?

Charlie: No ma’am.

Nancy: OK. Representative Charlie Rangel. You have been found guilty of being a very bad boy. You shouldn’t do that any more. You shouldn’t steal money from the U.S. Treasury. You shouldn’t lie about your income. You have been a naughty, naughty boy. No go, and stop being so naughty.

Charlie: Thank you ma’am.

Charlie leaves the Well and returns to his seat, where he finds a waiting piece of cake that his staff has prepared for him, knowing how cake can sooth anyone’s upsettedness. A number of his colleague slap him on the back, congratulating him for withstanding this blistering punishment. The U.S. House of Representatives resumes its regularly scheduled programming.