The Love Game

Screenplay by
Shakim Copeland, Jarod Marasco, Hailey Strayer

Act 1, Scene 1
Fade up on a telephone. Los Angeles. Joeys house. 11 am. A telephone is
ringing.
Joey, already upstage, walks over and picks up the phone.

Voice
We would like to ask you and Sarah to be on our game show. It is a show for
couples that think they know everything about each other. Would you like to
play?
Joey
Of course we would. We cant wait to play.
Joey hangs up the phone.
Sarah
I hope you know everything about me or this will not end good with my
father.
Joey
Trust me I know everything about you.
They drive to the studio where the game is played.
Voice
Now introducing your host of the show MARK FOREST.
Family Feud XIV track begins. Theme song.
Mark
Hello everyone, Im the host of your show Mark Forest. Now lets meet our
contestants.
Sarah
I am Sarah Pines.
Joey
I am Joey Caillat and we have been together for over 2 years.
Mark
Now for their competitors.
Jill
I am Jill Lane.
Sam
I am Sam Colly and we have been together for a little over 3 months.

Mark
Now lets get this show on the road. The objective of the game is to score as
many points as you can before time is up. For the first question, I will ask
your boyfriends to answer questions about you. One group will be out here
on stage while the other is backstage where they cant hear the questions.
Mark
Now the first question What is your womans favorite candy?
The males write down their answers on a white piece of paper and put it in
their answer box.
Mark
Next question. What is your womans favorite kind of flowers?
Again they write their answers and place it in the box.
Mark
And the final question is What color are your ladys eyes?
They write their final answers on the paper and the two women come out.
Mark
Now lets go over all of the answers. The first question was what is your
womans favorite candy? Joey, your answer was a Hersheys bar. Sarah would
you please show us your answer.
Her paper says a caramel.
Mark
Looks like you were way off Joey. Now lets see your answer Sam. Your
answer was a Twix bar. Jill would you please show us your answer.
Her paper says Twix bar.
Mark
After the first question, the score is 10 point for Sam and Jill and 0 points for
Joey and Sarah. Now for the next answers. The next question was What are
your ladys favorite type of flower? Joey, your answer was tulips. Sarah
would you please show us your answer.
Her paper says roses.
Mark
Your closer but still wrong Joey. What is your answer Sam. Your answer was
an Iris. Jill, please show us your answer.
Her paper says Iris.

Sarah
Hopefully you get the next question right.
Joey
Dont worry this next one will definitely be right.
Sarah
Lets see!
Mark
Now lets reveal the last answers. The last question was what are your ladys
eye color? Joeys answer is brown and Sams answer is brown. Joey and
Sarah remain with 0 points total because Sarahs eyes are blue. Ok folks we
now have the winner of the first round. Jill and Sam end up having 15
points. Joey and Sarah still have 0.
Jill
Yay thank you for knowing me so well Sam, we won the first round!
Sam
At least we dont look like those fools who have been together for 2 years
and dont know anything about each other.
Mark
Now for the final round of the contest. I will ask one question and it is worth
15 points for each team if they get it right. Lets get started! If you had to
buy a Christmas present for your women, what would she want you to buy
her?
They both write their answers on their card and turn it over on their lap.
Mark
Joey, what is your final answer?
He turns his paper over and it says a puppy. Then Sarah turns her paper
over and it says a diamond necklace.
Mark
Wow Joey you should start paying attention to Sarah, looks like she isnt
interested in animals. Alright everyone Id like to now say our final winners

of todays game is Jill and Sam with a total of 20 points. Our losers are Sarah
and Joey with a big total of 0 points.
Sarah
Joey, how come you didnt answer anything right? Weve been together for 2
years and you dont know one thing about me. My dad will never let us be
together now. This was your only chance to prove anything to him to let us
be together.
Joey
I do know a lot about you it was just those questions I didnt know I
promise.
Sarah
They were the simplest questions. What color are my eyes? Really you didnt
know that? I dont think you pay any attention to me.
Joey
Maybe your dad is right Ill just leave you alone.
Joey leaves Sarah outside and walks home.
Sarah
No I didnt mean that! Come back here and talk to me.
Sarah walks outside of the studio and sits on a bench.
Love Story begins.
Sarah
We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.
See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowd
And say, "Hello, "
Little did I know...
That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"
And I was crying on the staircase

Begging you, "Please don't go"

And I said...
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess,
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes".
So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes... escape this town for a little while.
Oh, oh.
'Cause you were Romeo - I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"
But you were everything to me,
I was begging you, "Please don't go"
And I said...
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess.
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes".
Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult but it's real.
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes".
Oh, oh.
I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town.
And I said...
Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come.

Is this in my head? I don't know what to think.

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said...
Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone.
I love you, and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad - go pick out a white dress
It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes".
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you
Love Story ends.
Joey comes back and apologizes to Sarah.
Joey
I am sorry for walking away from you but I know a lot about you, I really do.
Sarah
OK. Joey I believe you.
Joey walks over to Sarah and gets on one knee. He pulls a ring out of his
pocket and proposes to Sarah.
Joey
Will you marry me?
Sarah starts to cry.
Sarah
YES! But I dont think my father will let us.
Joey
I am going to go ask for his blessing right now.
Act 1, Scene 2
Fade out then fade in on Sarahs father comes on upstage sitting in a chair
reading a newspaper. There is a knock on the front door. He gets up to
answer the door. The door opens and Joey is standing there.
Joey
Mr. Pines, I would like to ask for your permission to marry your daughter.
Bill

No, not after that performance on the game show.

Joey
I really love Sarah and would do anything I can to marry her and be with her
for the rest of my life.
Bill
Absolutely not, Joey. Now I would appreciate if you would leave Sarah and
our family alone. You know nothing about being a husband or caring for my
Sarah. She is only 18 years old. You both are too young.
Rude begins.
Joey
Saturday morning jumped out of bed
And put on my best suit
Got in my car and raced like a jet
All the way to you
Knocked on your door with heart in my hand
To ask you a question
'Cause I know that you're an old-fashioned man, yeah
Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life?
Say yes, say yes 'cause I need to know
You say I'll never get your blessing 'til the day I die
Tough luck, my friend, but the answer is 'No'
Why you gotta be so rude?
Don't you know I'm human too?
Why you gotta be so rude?
I'm gonna marry her anyway
Marry that girl
Marry her anyway
Marry that girl
Yeah, no matter what you say
Marry that girl
And we'll be a family
Why you gotta be so
Rude

I hate to do this, you leave no choice

Can't live without her
Love me or hate me we will be boys
Standing at that altar
Or we will run away
To another galaxy, you know
You know she's in love with me
She will go anywhere I go
Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life?
Say yes, say yes 'cause I need to know
You say I'll never get your blessing 'til the day I die
Tough luck, my friend, 'cause the answer's still 'No"
Why you gotta be so rude?
Don't you know I'm human too?
Why you gotta be so rude?
I'm gonna marry her anyway
Marry that girl
Marry her anyway
Marry that girl
No matter what you say
Marry that girl
And we'll be a family
Why you gotta be so
Rude
Rude
Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life?
Say yes, say yes 'cause I need to know
You say, I'll never get your blessing 'til the day I die
Tough luck, my friend, but 'No' still means 'No'!
Why you gotta be so rude?
Don't you know I'm human too?
Why you gotta be so rude?
I'm gonna marry her anyway

Marry that girl

Marry her anyway
Marry that girl
No matter what you say
Marry that girl
And we'll be a family
Why you gotta be so
Rude
Why you gotta be so
Rude
Why you gotta be so rude?
Rude ends.
Bill
Just go home and never come back here again. I dont want Sarah seeing
you anymore.
Joey
Ok.
He puts his head down and walks off stage. Later that night he sneaks out of
his bedroom window and goes to Sarah's house. He throws pebbles at her
window until she opens it.
Sarah
What are you doing here?!!
Joey
I dont care what your dad says I want to be with you. Lets run away
together. Now come down and lets go.
Sarah climbs out of her window and jumps down. They start to leave and
the sprinklers go off. Her dad runs out of the house.
Bill
Whats going on here? Joey didnt I tell you to never come over here again.
Joey
Yes sir, but I cant stay away from your daughter. She means everything to
me.

Bill
If you really love my daughter then you can marry her. On one condition.
Joey
I will do anything sir.
Bill
You must play The Love Game.
Act 1, Scene 3
The lights fade out. Scene 3 of Act One begins. The lights up on Joey and Bill
upstage. They are sitting in Bills house on 2 chairs.
Bill
Now let me tell you the objective of the game and how it works.
Joey
Proceed.
Bill
The game is used when 2 people love each other like you and Sarah do. The
game takes place in the woods. Both of you will start out on different sides
of the woods. When the buzzer rings the game will begin and from there you
have 1 week to find each other or you can never see my daughter again. If
you find her, you may marry her and be with her for the rest of your life.
Joey
I am up for the challenge. It is up to Sarah if she wants to play or not. Sarah
do you want to play?
Sarah
Anything to be able to be with you.
Bill
Then it is settled. I will take you to the woods tomorrow to start the game.
The lights fade up onto Joeys mother (Barbara) sitting on a chair in her
house. Joey walks in the door. Barbara stands up.
Barbara
Where have you been Joey?

Joey
I was at Sarahs. I am going to the forest to play The Love Game tomorrow.
Barbara
Absolutely not. Do you have any idea how dangerous that game is?
Joey
I want to be with Sarah and this is the only way that I can be with her.
Barbara
We will see what your father has to say about this. WALTER, GET IN HERE!!!
Walter walks into the room.
Barbara
Joey here, wants to play The Love Game. Do you think that is OK?
Walter
Joey is that what you want to do?
Joey
Yes, dad I will do anything that I can to be with Sarah.
Walter
If thats what you really want, then I cant stop you.
Barbara
Are you serious Walter? We are just going to let our son go into the forest
with a risk of dying.
Walter
We have to let him. He makes his own choices now.

Act 1, Scene 4
Barbara walks back into her room and slams the door. Joey and Walter walk
off stage. The lights fade out. The lights fade up on Bill already downstage.
Joey and Sarah walk up to him. It is 7am and they are at Sarahs house.
Bill
You ready for today?

Joey and Sarah

YES.
Bill
Then lets go.
They walk to the forest. He takes Joey to one side of the forest and the
Sarah to the other side. The buzzer sound goes off and the game has begun.
Sarah
I need to find shelter soon. It is getting dark.
She grabs some leaves and twigs and starts to knead them together.
Joey
It has only been 20 hours and Im scared as anything. Ive seen 3 snakes
and one bobcat that I luckily escaped from. I dont have any energy left, I
hope it doesnt rain because Im not making any shelter.
Voice
The first 24 hours are up. Good Luck.
Stage changes onto Bill and Paula
Paula
Bill, do you think this is the right thing to do.
Bill
Yes, they both agreed to play.
Paula
You are putting our daughter in danger because you didnt want her to
marry Joey.
Bill
Youre my wife, you are supposed to agree with me.
Paula
Not on this. This is out of hand.
The next morning Joey and Sarah both wake up early. Nothing happens the
next three days. On the fourth day, Joey is walking through the woods.
Joey

OUCH!! What just bit me? It doesnt look like anything. Oh well, I need to
keep going.
Sarah
I can barely move. The sun is getting to me. Im just gonna rest for today
and get back on path later.
Joey has been having a lot of trouble with finding resources to help him
survive. Sarah is finding this game easy.
Joey
How am I ever going to get to the other side of the woods in less than three
days. I have no more energy. But I love Sarah so I need to keep it together.
Light fades down and fades back up
Voice
There is less than 24 hours in the game. Good luck.
Sarah
Yes! Finally this game is almost over it wasn't even that hard. Here I am
laying down when I could be waiting for Joey at the finish line. I hope he is
not running into any trouble.
Joey
What? There is no way 6 days has passed. I've got to get a move on. The
sun is burning me and I have no energy, but I am going to force myself to
keep going just for Sarah.
Light fades down and fades back up to Sarah jumping in the air as she had
made it to the other side of the woods.

Sarah
Yes I've made it! But where is Joey? He is a guy, he should be here before
me!
Voice
2 hours remaining. Sarah has made it.
Joey

Thank god my dear Sarah is safe, that is all I needed to hear. I can see the
opening of trees where the sun is shining about 10 miles away.
Joey starts a slow jog when he realizes his leg is stinging again. He ignores
it and keeps going.
Sarah
Father, where is Joey? If I got here he should be here.
Bill
Honey, he will be here. I still don't know how I feel about you two getting
married. If it was meant to be he will soon be here. If he doesn't show, it
was not meant to be. That is the point of this game Sarah.
Sarah
I hope hes ok.
Act 1, Scene 5
The light fades up on Joey upstage. He is walking around the forest. Act one
scene 5 begins.
Voice
There is 1 hour remaining. Good Luck.
Joey
I dont know how much further I can go. I dont even know how close I am
to the middle.
Sarah screams.
Sarah
Come on Joey!! I know you can do it!!

Joey
How is she there already? She must have gotten the easy side of the forest.
I have had so many obstacles already. I see the middle! Now I just have to
figure out a way to get through all these bushes and trees.
Sarah
Father, I see him, he is right over there. He is so close to us. JOEY!! Keep
coming!!

Voice
30 minutes remaining.
Bill
Hes never gonna make it. He has so many more obstacles in his way. He
already looks so weak.
Sarah
He will make it. I know he will. If I know Joey, he always pushes himself to
the best of his ability for everything he does.
Joey
I just heard Sarah. I have been waiting to hear that voice for awhile now. I
cant wait to see her.
Sarah
Joey, you are so close. Just keep going and you will make it by the end of
the time.
Joey
My leg is really bothering me for some reason. What bit me that it hurts so
bad.
Voice
10 minutes remaining.
Joey starts running through bushes.

Joey
How did this time go by so quick. I just had 30 minutes left. I need to pick
up the speed and do whatever that I can do get to the middle of the forest. I
need to finish this game and prove myself to Sarahs father. I know that I
can do this. My leg needs to hold out for a little bit longer. I can get it looked
at when I get to the middle.
Voice

The countdown starts with 20 seconds left. There is currently 2 minutes

remaining.
Sarah
Run faster Joey. You are so close.
Voice
The countdown starts now. 20, 19, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12 , 11, 10, 9. You
have made it to the middle. Congratulations, you have won the game. Sarah
is in the safe house. You may now go see her.
Joey runs up to Sarah giving her a big hug.
Joey
Sarah! I'm glad to see you are ok. I missed you so much!
Sarah
I missed you so much Joey. It must be meant to be and we can finally get
married. Let's start planning soon!
Joey
I'm so glad we can be together. This has been the best week of my life. I did
all of that for you. Now we can be happy.
Both of the families stand with Sarah and Joey.
Bill
Well Joey I guess you have my permission to have my daughter.
Joey
Thank you sir. Really thank you. I'm going to make your daughter the
happiest girl alive.
Joeys mother runs up to him.
Barbara
Joey come here and give me a hug. That was one of the longest weeks of
my life.
Joey runs over and gives her a hug.
Walter
Congratulations son. You did a superb job out there. It takes guts to get out
there and do that.

Joey
Thanks pops. That means a lot. Can you check out my leg for me. While I
was out there I got bit by something, but I dont know what it was.
Walter looks at his leg and quickly sees that it was a snake bite.
Walter
Thats not good Joey. We need to take you to the doctor as soon as possible.
Sarah
What is going on?
Paula
Joey just has a bite honey he will be fine. Walter and I are going to take him
to the hospital. Why don't you go home and rest. It has been a very long
week for you and Joey.
Joey
Yes Sarah I'm going to be fine I will call your house as soon as I get it
checked out.
Sarah kisses Joeys forehead and Her and her family walk away. Lights fade
down and back up into the doctors room.
Joey
Im scared pops. Whats going to happen to me? I dont feel good at all right
now. I feel dizzy.
Walter runs out of the hospital room and goes to find a doctor as quick as he
can.
Walter
I need a doctor right now. My boy is not feeling to good. I think there might
have been venom in the snake bite that he got. We need to remove right
now or he will have no chance.
Doctor Byer runs into the room.

Dr. Byer
Hello Joey, my name is Doctor Byer. You do not have to worry about
anything. We will take care of you. We are going to take you to the surgery

room so we can check out this snake bite. So tell me where exactly were you
when this happened?
Joey
I was in the woods and felt a sting but the pain went away. I'm feeling a lot
more pain.
Dr. Byer
Let's see. Well first we are going to have to take your blood to see if this is a
serious snake bite and if it is already through your blood system.
He takes a blood sample and a couple hours pass for the results. He comes
in and asks to see Joeys parents.
Barbara and Walter
What is going on?!

Dr. Byer
The venom has reached throughout the blood system. It could hit his heart
anytime now. It is much too late to tell you I can prevent it but I will do the
best I can. I think it would be best if you told him.
The lights fade down and back up into the room where Joey and his parents
sit.
Barbara
Honey, I know this is hard to hear but you've been bitten by a rattle snake
and the venom is throughout your blood system.
Joey
No this can't be happening. I did this all for Sarah. Just for us to be together.
Why mom why did this have to happen?
Barbara begins to cry
Barbara
I should've never let you go out there I knew something bad was going to
happen.

Joey

No mom it isn't. Even if you said no I would've went for Sarah and to prove
Bill wrong. I need to call Sarah somehow. Or ask pops to go over there and
pick her up and bring her to see me in case something happens.
The light fades out and fades back up on Joey and Sarah sitting in the
hospital room.
Sarah
Joey you need to get better right now. I cant live the rest of my life without
you.
Sarah starts to cry.
Joey
Im not going anywhere. Dont worry. I will be out of here in a couple of days
and we will be back together and getting married soon. Go home now and
get some rest. Start planning for the wedding so I have something to look
forward to when I get out of here. I love you Sarah. Always remember that.
Sarah
Im not leaving you. Im staying with you until you get out of here. You
should be out of here soon and we can move on with our lives.
Walter
Sarah I need you to leave the room right now. Joey needs to get some rest
and you can come back in a few hours.
Sarah
Ok.
She goes out to where her dad is sitting.
Sarah
Father, this is all your fault. None of this would have happened if you would
have just let us get married in the first place.
Bill
Im sorry. I take complete blame for this.
Sarah goes to eat with her parents for lunch and then returns to Joey.

Sarah
How is Joey doing?

Dr. Byer
Sarah Im very sorry but the venom has reacher Joeys heart and he has
passed away.
Sarah
What? This cant be happening!
Sarah begins to cry. Barbara and Walter hug her. Light fades out and the
scene ends.