Danny, King of the Basement

David S. Craig

• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN:
  9780887547393
• Edition: 2
• eBook ISBN:
  9780369102553
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Canadian Drama
• Index: Literature

In two years, Danny and his mom have moved more often than most kids lose teeth...

When Danny moves into a new basement apartment, the kids he meets seem to have way more problems than just being hungry. But Danny's imagination creates a community that allows his friends to cope with their problems and ultimately to help Danny—because his crisis isn't losing a home. It's gaining one…

ACT TWO

The next day.

A chorus of alarm clocks, buzzers and radio broadcasts. The sun comes up.

A garbage truck drives on, picks up the garbage in front of ANGELO and PENELOPE’s house and exits.

A taxi rushes on and screeches to a halt. PENELOPE’s MOTHER rushes on and shouts back through the door.

MOTHER: Penelope. There’s money for lunch on the counter, I’ll be back by noon, don’t watch too much TV.

The MOTHER jumps into the taxi and exits. As the taxi leaves, PENELOPE enters.

PENELOPE: Mother!

PENELOPE dials a cell phone as she exits back into the house, slamming the door.

Immediatly there’s a roar of a dinosaur and ANGELO rushes on. He timidly returns to the door.

ANGELO: Uh… Dad…?

There is another roar. A hockey stick sails out the door and into ANGELO’s hands.

Thanks.

The dinosaur grumbles. ANGELO begins to practise.

LOUISE enters on her way to work.

LOUISE: Good morning, Angelo.

ANGELO: Hi.

LOUISE: How do I look?

ANGELO: Okay.

LOUISE: Just okay?

ANGELO: You look fine.

LOUISE: Thanks! I’m a little nervous. It’s my first day at a new job. Listen, can Danny hang out with you till I get back?

ANGELO: I guess so.

LOUISE: Great. Well. I’m off to work. See you after work. Wish me luck. At work!

LOUISE exits. ANGELO practises. PENELOPE enters.

PENELOPE: What are you doing, Anjee?

ANGELO: None of your business.

PENELOPE: Practising?

ANGELO: Go away.

PENELOPE: It won’t do any good.

ANGELO: Go away!

PENELOPE: Ooooh.

ANGELO: Look. Why don’t you just ignore me like when you went to that private school.

PENELOPE: Who says I ever noticed you?

A cell phone rings. PENELOPE pulls one out of her pocket.

Hello?

A cell phone continues to ring. PENELOPE pulls out another cell phone.

Hello…. Hi Dad...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• Preface
• Playwright’s Notes
• First Production Information
• Prologue
• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• Epilogue
• About The Author