The Play.

I've been kicking around a few ideas in the back of my brain for the past few weeks or years (depending on the idea).  My wife told me to write more short stories instead of my typical thought du jour.  So I'll start with the basics and expand from there nightly.  The short stories take more time than the raving but I'll try.  Sounds simple doesn't it?  Then why doesn't everyone do it?

I'm thinking of a play because that will force me to limit it to one "camera" or focal point.  Also by doing it as a screenplay then I don't have to worry about sounding trite with all of the "he said" "she returned" jazz.  I'm not actually a fan of most plays, most are musicals and I'm not a fan of musicals, but the structure should be better for my writing skills.  Since I'm not a pro at doing this, any rules or systems for writing a screenplay will be missing.

Act one.

SETTING:  Hotel room.  Two chairs at a table/desk.  Bed.  Three guys.  Two Federal Agents slightly rumpled looking, one older and one younger.  "Mobster" type dressed well in a pinstripe suit.  Shades drawn, place should look like they have lived there for awhile.  Younger Agent (Fields) is annoyed with the criminal, older one (Shaw) just thinks it's a job.

MOBSTER:  After the trial then what?
FIELDS:  We've been over that.  We get you a new id and a job then we never have to see you again.
MOBSTER:  (DISBELIEVING) Yeah, in case you haven't noticed before, the only things I am qualified to do is crime and government work.  (SNEERING)  And I have standards.
FIELDS:  (GETTING ANGRY) Hey, you need to watch your lip...
SHAW:  (TALKING OVER HIS PARTNER)  Don't sell yourself short.  I have studied your profile, you're good at spotting a liar, good at motivating people (glares at partner when he's about to say something) even without violence, you know more about accounting than a lot of politicians, all around good communication and leadership skills...
FIELDS:  (SHAKING HIS HEAD) You make him sound like my brother the minister, too bad this mobster doesn't want to be a minister.
MOBSTER:  (SHY AND AMUSED) Well, now that you mention it; before I started working for Mr. Rocco I thought about it and actually got a degree in Religious History.
FIELDS:  (QUIETLY) No way.
SHAW:  (EXCITED) It could work, Mr Rocco would never look for you in a church.  (POINTING AT MOBSTER) Quick, name three states you would love to go to.
MOBSTER:  Easy California, Florida, and Hawaii.
SHAW:  (PACING) Fly over state it is.  Let's get this trial done with and we'll get something worked out and have you preaching before the month is out.
MOBSTER:  (LOOKING AT HIS SUIT SLEEVE) I'm going to miss pinstripes.
End of Act 1.