It takes place at A lavish masquerade ball in a 19th-century mansion. Lucy is really pretty and most people envy her. She’s still kind though. Ryder is a charming, flirty guy. Lady Elizabeth is the rich host of the ball. Mrs. Whistle is the housekeeper. The Masked figure is always in a shadow until his identity is revealed. He is evil. Malcolm is evil and is the masked figure. The detective is smart and quick thinking. The detective is kind, but usually suspicious of others Act 1 (The scene opens with Lucy, dressed in a stunning red gown, standing by the ballroom entrance. She looks around nervously.) Lucy: (whispering to herself) I have to be careful. I've received strange threats from an unknown sender. They're going to reveal my secret tonight. (Ryder, dressed in a dashing black mask, approaches Lucy.) Ryder: (smiling) Good evening, my dear. You look breathtakingly lovely. Lucy: (nervously) Ah, thank you... sir. But I'm not sure I know your name. Ryder: (winking) That's the beauty of the masquerade, isn't it? The mystery? (They dance together as the music plays. Show them for about 3 or more seconds dancing. Meanwhile, Lady Elizabeth watches from across the room with an air of suspicion.) Lady Elizabeth: (to herself, nosy) Who is this man? And what is his connection to Lucy? (Mrs. Whistle enters the ballroom, her eyes darting around the room.) Mrs. Whistle: (excitedly) Oh dear! The detective is here! Detective Jenkins! (Detective Jenkins, a stylish woman in a fitted suit and a sharp jawline, enters, scanning the room.) Detective Jenkins: Good evening, Lady Elizabeth. I've been investigating some strange occurrences in this mansion. Rumors of theft and blackmail. Lady Elizabeth: (smug) Ah, just small-time nonsense. Pay no mind. Detective Jenkins: (skeptical) Small-time nonsense? I think not. I've received reports of a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows. (The lights flicker ominously as Ryder disappears into the crowd.) Act 2: (As the night wears on, Lucy becomes increasingly agitated.) Lucy: (whispering to Ryder, nervous) I don't know what's going to happen, but I have a bad feeling about this. Ryder: (reassuringly) Don't worry, dear. You’re safe. Lucy: (to Ryder, Urgent) I must leave. This isn't safe. Ryder: (serious) No, my dear. You can't go alone. Not now. I’ll go with you. Lucy(Grateful): Thank you, kind sir. May I know your name now? Ryder: It’s Ryder. Lucy: And I’m Lucy. (Ryder and Lucy leave into a separate room. They are walking to the exit when suddenly, a Masked Figure appears behind Lucy.) Masked Figure: (menacingly) Ah-ah... Lucy... you shouldn't have come here tonight. Lucy: (terrified) Who are you?! (They take off their mask, but we can’t see him) Masked Figure: (evil) I am your worst nightmare. (The scene ends and Lucy is whisked away by the Masked Figure.)
Act 3: (The scene opens with Detective Jenkins investigating the ballroom.) Detective Jenkins: (to herself) Well, well, well. It seems we have a real mystery on our hands. A mysterious figure, a missing young woman, and a cast of suspicious characters. This should be interesting. (Ryder re-enters the ballroom, looking frantic.) Ryder: (to Detective Jenkins) You have to find Lucy! She's in grave danger! Detective Jenkins: (skeptical) And why should I care about this Lucy? What's her connection to you? Ryder: (desperate) Please, you have to believe me. I'm trying to protect her. Detective Jenkins: (drawling) Ah-ah... looks like we have ourselves a little drama! (Masked Figure enters, with a different mask on) Masked Figure(Fake nice): What’s going on here? Ryder(desperate): Lucy! She’s been kidnapped! Detective Jenkins: I’ll go investigate. (Detective leaves) Masked Figure(sly): Do you think that the detective kidnapped Lucy? Ryder(Surprised): What? No, she’s the detective. Masked Figure: But did you see her unwillingness to help you? Ryder: Huh, maybe you’re right. Masked figure: Think about it. (Masked figure leaves, Detective enters) Detective Jenkins: What did he want? Ryder(sternly, in a way shocked): To convince me you kidnapped Lucy. Detective Jenkins: What?! Ryder: I know, I didn’t believe him for a second. He’s suspicious. Detective Jenkins: I’ll keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, try not to let the other guest know what happened. We don’t need chaos. Ryder: I understand. Scene changed to the ball. Masked Figure is with Lady Elizabeth. The masked figure dropped his old mask into Lady Elizabeth's bag. Scene changes to the ball. Detective is wearing a ball gown. Detective approaches a guest. Detective Jenkins: Do you happen to see anyone leave from that room with lucy? Guest: No, sorry. Lady Elizabeth walks to detective Jenkins, who is in a ball gown. We can see the mask in the purse. Guest walks away. Detective is still wearing a ball gown Detective Jenkins: Lady Elizabeth? What’s that in your bag? Ryder enters. Detective is wearing a ball gown Ryder: That’s the mask!! But you’re not him. It was a man. Lady Elizabeth(Shocked): How did that get there?! Detective Jenkins: Who have you been with since we last saw you? Lady Elizabeth: Just that one gentleman, what’s his name? The one who was here earlier. Detective Jenkins: He must be the one who kidnapped Lucy!! Screen goes black. Scene changes to the ball. Lady Elizabeth is talking with guests. Guest #2: Do you remember Malcolm? Lucy’s old friend? Lady Elizabeth: No, I must not have ever met him. Guest #3: I do. Guest #2: Well apparently he got sent to jail a couple years ago for theft and blackmail, but he just escaped. Some say he is after Lucy for some sort of revenge. Guest #3: Oh wow! I wonder why he wants revenge? Lady Elizabeth(Realizes): I have to go. I’ll talk to you ladies later. Guest #3 and Guest #2: Bye! Scene changes back to the room. The detective and Ryder are in there already. Detective is wearing a ball gown (Lady Elizabeth enters, looking smug.) Lady Elizabeth: (to Detective Jenkins, smug) I think I can help you with your investigation. Detective Jenkins: (suspiciously) Oh? And how's that? Lady Elizabeth: (smiling) I have information about the mysterious figure. He's someone from Lucy's past. Someone she thought she'd left behind. Detective Jenkins: (intrigued) Go on. Lady Elizabeth: (serious) His name is Malcolm. He's a blackmailer and a thief. He's been threatening Lucy for months. (Detective Jenkins' eyes narrow) Detective Jenkins: (determined) I think it's time we had a chat with Malcolm. (The scene ends with Detective Jenkins and Ryder setting off to find Malcolm, while Lady Elizabeth watches with an air of satisfaction.) Mrs. Whistle: Shall I pour you a cup of tea, madam? You look like you could use a moment's rest after that unsettling display. Lady Elizabeth: No, no. I will return to the ball as if everything is normal. Mrs. Whistle: As you wish, madam. (The scene opens with Lucy, tied and gagged, being held captive by Malcolm in an abandoned room deep in the mansion.) Lucy(scared): What do you want from me?! Malcolm: (smirking) You should have stayed out of this, Lucy. Now you're mine. (Suddenly, Detective Jenkins bursts into the room. She is no longer in a ball gown.) Detective Jenkins: Ah-ah... looks like the game is up, Malcolm. (2 policeman enter) Policeman 1: Put your hands up! Policeman 2: You have the right to remain silent! (Malcolm is arrested and Lucy is freed. Ryder rushes to her side.) Ryder: (relieved) Oh, Lucy! I was so worried about you! Lucy: (smiling weakly, relieved) Thank you... Ryder. You saved me. (The scene ends with the two embracing as the sun rises over the mansion.)
