A Cursed Dream

-by Kunwar Aridaman Singh

9839223525,Tondon Hostel, roomno.113
aridaman90151@gmail.com
20215086
Team- Darpan
Setting- The story is set in the 1900s in Athens, the capital of Greece. It was a time when
the barrier between the human realm and the Demon realm had become weak but most of
the humans did not know about this except a few ‘chosen ones’.
Agnes, Andrea, Kristof, Phoebe and Steven are a group of 5 friends who go to the same
school.

Characters-

Agnes- A happy, friendly boy who lives in the village

Andrea- A strong, charming girl who likes Steven

Kristof- A theist, pansy boy, comes from a family of priests

Phoebe- A calm, sweet girl who observes simple things in life

Steven- A rich boy who is a spendthrift with a big ego

Jason- Father of Agnes

Helen- Mother of Agnes

Oneiroi- Demon of Dreams

ACT 1
SCENE 1
(A single white light, focussed on Agnes and Jacob, Jacob is wearing a white shirt stained
with blood and black trousers, Agnes is wearing casual clothes )

(Jacob is lying on the stage, Agnes is holding his hand)

Agnes

(crying) No dad, why did you do this? Why did you sacrifice yourself?

Jacob

The barrier has been broken Agnes, Oneiroi is free now.

 Agnes

(confused)Who is Oneiroi? What are you trying to say? I am not able to understand a single
thing dad.

Jacob

I don’t have much time left, here take this, (hands Agnes a key locket).

Agnes

What is this key dad? What is this supposed to mean?

Jacob

Promise me, Agnes, that you will keep this key always with you, It has been in the
possession of our clan since time immemorial and it is our responsibility to keep this key
safe!

Agnes

(confused)But what does this key do? What is its significance?

Jacob

Go inside the store room and open my closet, this key will allow you to see something that
no one else can! He is still a baby, his mother passed away recently so take good care of
him, he is the key to defeating Oneiroi. (intense pain)Ahhhh.

Agnes

Dad? Dad? Open your eyes dad, You cannot leave me like this, (screams)dad!!

(lights off)

(a bench with drawer, to show closet, normal white lights)

(Agnes is standing at one side of the stage next to the closet)

Agnes

I guess this is the closet dad was talking about.

(he opens the closet and is shocked to see what’s inside)

Agnes

A baby dragon.!!(in a surprised loud voice), (he lifts the baby dragon very gently in his arms),
Oh my god, look at you, so handsome with your crimson scales and diamond eyes(caresses
the dragon’s head). You were here all this time? (smiling)I hope we become good friends!

(he places the dragon in the closet)

Agnes
What is your name dragon? What should I call you? I’ve decided, I will call you Draco from
now, yes, your name is Draco.

Agnes

just give me a second Draco, I wanted to check something

(He takes off his locket and wears it again, he does this two-three times)

Agnes

(shocked)Oh my god, this key is magical, I cannot see Draco without this.

(Agnes was admiring the dragon just when very little smoke rises where Agnes is sitting)
(smoke is shown with grey powder)

Agnes

(shocked) What!, smoke? Don’t tell me you can breathe fire Draco! There’s a person I want
you to meet, I’ll take you to my school tomorrow.

SCENE 2
(normal white lights, 2 benches and 2 chairs, Agnes and Phoebe are sitting on a chair,
Kristof, Andrea and Steven are standing , all of the friends are in school uniform)

Steven

Guys I’ve been planning this for a long time, that we should go camping in the forests near
Agnes’ home in the coming summer vacation next month.

Andrea

Wow! that is a great idea, It would be a lot of fun.

Kristof

Yes, it would be a great experience, we should definitely go for camping!

Steven

Okay, so it’s decided, we’re going camping next month! (looking at Agnes and Phoebe) I
hope you guys don’t have any problem with it.

Agnes

No absolutely not, I’m looking forward to it too.

Steven

You know what, no one cares. (all except Phoebe burst into laughter)

(Steven, Agnes and Kristof leave)

 Agnes

(excitedly) Hey Phoebe, I wanted to show you something.

Phoebe

What is it, Agnes?

(Agnes takes out the dragon from his bag and holds it in his hand)

Agnes

Look at this Phoebe.

Phoebe

(confused) Is there something on your hand Agnes? I can’t see anything

Agnes

U cannot right now but when I do this (he takes off his locket and makes Phoebe wear it), Do
you see Draco now?

Phoebe

(shocked) Oh my god Agnes, is this a Dragon? He is so handsome, Where did you find him?

Agnes

This key and this dragon are the only things that my father left me, this key is a must to see
Draco.

Phoebe

So, what are you going to do with Draco now?

Agnes

My father said that I have to become friends with him, he said that he would be the key to
defeating a demon called Oneiroi,

Phoebe

(shocked) what! A demon? that sounds quite mind-boggling, do demons exist in this world?

Agnes

Dad said that the demon broke free after a barrier was destroyed…

Phoebe

Hmmm Just take care of yourself and don’t do anything stupid.

(lights off)
 ACT 2
SCENE 1
(normal white lights, Agnes’ house, each friend is having a backpack with them filled with
camping equipment, each friend is in a khaki uniform, Helen is wearing a casual robe)

(Steven, Andrea, Kristof and Phoebe all have come to Agnes’ house and they are about to
leave for the forest)

Helen

(Smiling) So, you kids all prepared for your camping night?

(All except Agnes say “yes aunt Helen” in chorus)

Agnes

(frowning) come on now mom! We’re not kids anymore.

Helen

(caressing Agnes)I know Darling, you are all “grown-ups” now,

Agnes

Mom, Why are you embarrassing me in front of my friends?

(Phoebe giggles, Agnes is embarrassed)

Helen

Oh, by the way, did each one of you keep a knife with you? The forest is a house of
dangerous creatures these days...

Kristof

(scared)Aunt Helen, why are you scaring us like that?

Agnes

okay mom, we’re heading out now. B-Bye.

(lights off)

SCENE 2
(a single, dim white light, props include backpacks, knifes an artificial fire lamp with an on-off
button (will be used as a bonfire), a tree made of cardboard placed at the back, Oneiroi is
wearing a black hooded cloak with demon horns, pieces of wood are scattered across the
stage, each friend is in a khaki uniform jungle noises)

(The 5 friends are walking through the forest)

 Kristof

I think we should set up our camp here, we have come deep enough into the forest.

Agnes

Yes, I feel tired too.

Steven

Okay, let’s collect some firewood for the bonfire.

(everyone collects the scattered firewood)

Steven

let’s light this up now…

(everyone desperately tries to light the bonfire but to no avail)

Agnes

You guys go set up the camp, till then (emphasis)Agnes The Great will light this puny fire.

Andrea

Well, good luck with that.

(everyone else gets busy with setting up the camp,)

(lights off for a short time during which the firewood is replaced with the artificial fire lamp)

(lights on, dim single white light)

Agnes

(whispering) Hey Draco, it’s time to show our magic, help me light this firewood.

(Agnes switches on the fire lamp)

Agnes

(hugging Draco) Good job boy!

(Everyone comes back)

Andrea

How did you do that? even Steven could not light it up.

Agnes

Umm, you could say that Agnes the great is friends with the fire.

(Phoebe giggles, Steven is embarrassed)

 Steven

It must be a fluke, Andrea, it’s just not possible that this wimp lighted a fire that I could not.

(silence)

(lights off for a moment)

(very faint white light using black translucent cloth, Oneiroi in a black hooded cloak with devil
horns appears behind the tree placed at the back of the stage, only his silhouette is visible
faintly)

(Kristof begins to feel uneasy)

Kristof

I don’t know why but I feel a heaviness in the environment, aren’t you guys feeling anything
strange?

Andrea

It must be the fatigue from walking for so long, I don’t feel anything.

Kristof

I can swear on Christ that it’s not because of the fatigue, (looks here and there) I don’t know,
I am just not feeling good at the moment.

Oneiroi

(in a low soft tone) Oh mine child, you must catch a wink anon,

For you have been, awake for long,

You shall see dreams, of heaven and beyond,

That won’t let you wake up, till life goes on.

(everyone starts feeling drowsy)

Steven

(half asleep) I think my head is getting heavy.

Andrea

(half asleep) yeah, my head feels heavy too.

(everyone sleeps)

(lights off)

SCENE 3
(the stage is divided into two halves, 1 half takes 3/5th part and is brightly lit up, 2 half takes
st nd

2/5th part and is completely dark, Agnes is near his house, in a khaki uniform, a table and
chair are set in the dark part of the stage)

(1 half)
st

(Agnes opens his eyes and finds him standing near his home, he is a bit confused)

Agnes

what was I doing anyways and isn’t this the winter season, why am I carrying this backpack?

(Agnes is casually roaming around when he suddenly hears a voice)

Jason

Agnes, come inside son or you will catch a cold.

Agnes

(shocked)Dad?? Did this voice come from my house?

(Agnes is utterly shocked and runs towards his home)

(2 half if lit up, with bright white lights)

nd

(Agnes is shocked, tears start rolling down his eyes)

Jason

(in a very calm voice) Why are you crying, Agnes? Did something happen?

Agnes

(crying)I thought you left me, dad, that day, when you sacrificed yourself to save me, I
thought I would never see you again.

Jason

(caressing Agnes’ cheeks) What are you even saying Agnes, I would never leave you
alone(smiling).

Agnes

I thought I lost you, dad, I held myself responsible for your death from that day but somehow
you are right in front of me, I don’t know what’s happening but I’m glad you’re alive. (hugs
Jason)

Helen

why don’t you father and son go outside and have some fresh air?

Jason

I think your mother is right, come, Agnes, let’s go.

 (2 half goes dark,)
nd

Jason

Agnes, did you meet him?

Agnes

(confused) meet whom dad? Whom are you talking about?

Jason

Oh, come on Agnes don’t tell me you haven’t met him yet?

(Agnes is still confused)

Jason

(pointing at Agnes’ locket) Agnes, Don’t you remember what this key is for?

Agnes

(snaps) Draco, Oh yes, I remember, my friend. Where is he? I am starting to remember, I

was camping with my friends in the forest, how did I come here? (teary)Where are you
Draco, why can’t I see you?

(Agnes recalls his past)

Agnes

Ow, why is my thumb getting so hot? Oh my god, it started burning. Is this you Draco? I
know you’re there somewhere, please reveal yourself.

Jason

Are you okay Agnes? What is happening?

Agnes

I don’t know dad, I don’t know what’s happening, I thought you died but now you’re standing
right in front of me, nothing makes sense right now, I can’t understand why I am not able to
see Draco (holds his thumb in severe pain). I think he’s trying to give me some message.
(Agnes cries in pain) Oh no my whole hand is starting to burn, Ahhhh…

(lights off for a moment)

(stage gets divided into two halves, the first half uses very dim white light using translucent
black cloth, second half is completely dark, an oak tree is placed at the back of the 1st half of
the stage, Agnes’ arm is painted black to show burned skin, ropes are used to show straws)

(Agnes suddenly wakes up panting, holding his arm, he looks around and sees everyone is
in a deep slumber and is very confused he then notices Draco)

Agnes
 (in a lot of pain) Oh Draco(hugs him), I was stuck in a dream for so long, thank you for
saving me, (smiles) though my hand is burned now. I’ll wrap a bandage around it.

(Agnes gets up to wrap a bandage around his hand when he notices each one of his friends
including him is connected with a straw that combines in the end and goes behind the oak
tree, Oneiroi reveals himself)

Agnes

W-What are you? And what have you done with my friends?

Oneiroi

I am the Demon of dreams, my name is Oneiroi, first tell me, boy, how were you able to
break free from my spell, this has never happened before.

Agnes

‘Oneiroi’, Why do I feel like I’ve heard this name before? (Agnes snaps) Oh yes, I remember
my father mentioned your name in his last moments, (Agnes is infuriated) Tell me demon,
were you the one who killed my father? And what have you done with my friends?

Oneiroi

(laughing) I have killed a lot of people in my life, your father did not have a name worth
remembering and as for your friends, they are in a deep slumber now, they will never wake
up, these straws suck the energy out of people while they dream, so the more they sleep,
the more I will gain energy from it. I don’t know how you woke up from your dream but I will
(loudly, pulls out his wand from his cloak and waves it) put you back to sleep.

(Agnes falls)

(lights off)

(2nd half of the stage is in use now, bright white light, 1st half is completely dark, Jason is
standing in the middle)

(Agnes opens his eyes and finds himself standing next to Jason)

Jason

(smiling)On Agnes, you’re back!

Agnes

(puts his palm on his face and cries) This is all just a dream dad, I know you’re not real, I
cannot be here, I have to go and save my friends

Jason

(sad)What are you talking about Agnes? Don’t you want to stay with your dad?

(Agnes does not reply, He holds his head and tries to think)

Agnes
 (panicked) What should I do now, where to go from here? (He suddenly remembers
something) There was a straw that connected everyone with the demon, He used it as a link
to extract energy from us, so it might be possible that our dreams are also connected. Yes! I
got to give it a try, I have no other option.

(Agnes joins his hands and tries to pray)

Agnes

Oh lord, take me to Phoebe’s dream. (pause) Please!

(lights off)

(Phoebe and Agnes with backpacks are on the stage, 2 part of the stage is in use, yellow
nd

lights, 1 part is still dark)

st

(Phoebe is facing backstage, Agnes notices her)

Agnes

Phoebe? Is that you?

(Phoebe instantly turns back and hugs Agnes and starts crying)

Phoebe

(Panicked)Oh Agnes where were you, what is this place? I ran away from my family a few
moments ago, this just doesn’t feel right. My heart tells me that something really strange is
going on.

Agnes

(consoling her) There’s a lot to explain Phoebe, we’re all trapped in a dream, Do you
remember the demon Oneiroi? That my dad talked about, he is real and has put us to sleep
and is sucking out our life. I’ll explain everything later, just come with me right now.

Phoebe

(confused) That’s a lot to take in at once but I believe you, no wonder this place feels so
strange. Let’s leave at once.

(Phoebe looks at Agnes’ hand)

Phoebe

oh my God Agnes! What happened to your arm?

Agnes

I promise to explain everything later, right now we have to save our friends, let’s try to find
Kristof.

Phoebe

(still unsatisfied) Okay but how are we going to find him?

 Agnes

All of our dreams are connected, that’s how I jumped from my dream into your dream, just
how my hand and try to focus with me together.

(they hold hands)

Phoebe

Okay!

(a small pause)

(lights off)

(Phoebe, Agnes and Kristof with backpacks are on the stage, 2 part of the stage is in use,
nd

blue lights, 1 part is still dark)

st

(Agnes and phoebe look around, Kristof stands at a distance facing backstage)

Agnes

So this is Kristof’s dream…

Phoebe

Look, Agnes, There’s Kristof.

(Kristof turns back and gets emotional seeing his friends)

Kristof

(crying)Where have you guys been? This place has such an unnatural environment, I feel
some kind of demonic presence.

Agnes

You have guessed it right Kristof, there is this Demon Oneiroi who has put everyone to
sleep, I accidentally managed to wake up but he put me back to sleep, I found out that our
dreams our connected so I decided to save everyone. Let’s go now and save Steven and
Andrea.

Kristof

(still in disbelief) I listen to you just this time, no wonder this place has been feeling so weird.

Andres

Okay, then let’s hold hands together and focus.

(they hold hands)

(a small pause)

(lights off)
(Phoebe, Agnes and Kristof with backpacks are on the stage, Steven and Andrea are sitting
on chairs, Steven is wearing a suit while Andrea is in a white dress drinking coffee, 2 part of
nd

the stage is in use, bright white lights, 1 part is still dark)

st

Steven

(calm and composed) Oh hi, what are you guys doing here?

Agnes

(confused) wait, how are you both together here?

Steven

This is my dream, Andrea says that she was thinking of something and magically found
herself here.

Agnes

(shocked) So you already know that this is a dream?

Steven

Obviously! This all seemed too good to be true and I even remember everything.

Kristof

Then what are you waiting for Steven, come, let’s go, we have to get out of here.

Steven

Have you gone mad? Why would I ever want to get out of here, I can do anything I want, get
anything I imagine and live in riches throughout my life, only an idiot would sacrifice all of this
and go back to live that terrible life.

(Kristof, Agnes and Phoebe are shocked)

Kristof

Andrea, What about you? Don’t you wanna leave this place?

Andrea

Don’t be stupid, I would never leave Steven and as he mentioned, this world has everything
you can ask for, by the way, what are you doing with these wimps, why don’t you stay here
too?

Kristof

I cannot be here, this is a fake world, conjured by a devil, I could never stay here.!

Andrea

Do as you wish.

(Kristof, Agnes and Phoebe move away from them)

 (light is focussed on the three)

Agnes

I think that they have been influenced by the demon, we will have to save them somehow.

Kristof

(panicked) But have you thought of how we are going to get out of here?

Agnes

Last time I woke up from my dream was due to extreme pain caused by my hand burning,
but I think Draco does not want to hurt me this time so he’s doing nothing, I have been
thinking about this for a long time, this might sound absurd but hear me, what if we kill
ourselves here, so it possible that we wake up in reality due to the pain.

Kristof

(disbelief) This is insane! That is never going to happen and who is this Draco? Is he one of
your imaginations again?

Phoebe

I think it might work, Agnes’ theory is quite reasonable and we don’t have any other option,
we got to give it a try.

Kristof

(unsatisfied) Okay but how are we going to kill ourselves?

(Agnes takes out the knife from his backpack)

Agnes

Each one of us has these knives with us, we will use them to stab ourselves. If things work in
our favour, we shall probably wake up in reality!

(Phoebe and Kristof take out their knives and stand still)

Agnes

(deep sigh)Come on guys, we gotta do it, I’ll give a countdown, be ready!

Phoebe

Okay!

Agnes: three… two… one!

(All three of them stab themselves)

(lights off)

ACT 3
 SCENE 1
(Stage is divided into two halves, 1 half has very dim white lights, a cardboard oak tree
st

placed at the back all 5 friends connected with straws are lying on the stage, Oneiroi is
sleeping, 2 half is completely dark, same attire as previous scene)
nd

(Agnes Kristof and Phoebe wake up, panting, they all have their hands on their chest)

Agnes

Oh my god it worked! We were able to break free!

Oneiroi

(wicked smile) So you learned how to break free from my magic huh?

Kristof

(angry)First tell me demon, what have you done with Steven and Andrea, I know you have
influenced them somehow

Oneiroi

(smiling) I promised them that I would show them the best of dreams, it was their decision in
the end, why do you want to live in a world where you cannot be happy? In your dreams, you
can become anything you want.

(Kristof takes his knife and rushes to attack the demon)

Kristof

(shouts)I’ll kill you demon.

Oneiroi

(takes out his wand and waves it, loud) That would happen when you are awake.

(Kristof falls)

(lights off)

(2 part of the stage, bright white lights, 1 part goes dark, Kristof is standing with a knife in
nd st

his hand)

(Kristof looks around)

Kristof

seems like he has put me back to sleep, I don’t care, I have to save my friends.

(Kristof takes his knife and stabs himself)

(lights off )
 (1 part of the stage, dim white light, same setting of the forest, Agnes and Phoebe are
st

standing beside Kristof, steven and Andrea are sleeping)

Kristof

no matter how many times you put me to sleep demon! I will destroy you.

(Kristof rushes towards Oneiroi with his knife)

Oneiroi

(wicked smile) Let’s see, how many times you can kill yourself(he raises his wand and
waves it)

(Kristof falls)

(lights off)

(2 part of the stage, dim white light, 1 part goes dark, Kristof is standing with a knife in his
nd st

hand, Agnes and Phoebe are standing beside Kristof, Oneiroi is standing near him)

(Kristof notices Oneiroi and he runs towards him with his knife, Oneiroi waves his wand)

(lights off)

(1 part of the stage, dim white light, same setting of the forest, Agnes and Phoebe are
st

standing beside Kristof, Steven and Andrea are sleeping, Oneiroi is hiding behind the Oak
tree)

(Kristof is confused, he takes his knife and stabs himself)

Agnes

(loud)No Kristof stop, this is the real world!!

(Kristof falls, Agnes and Phoebe rush towards him)

Phoebe

(crying)Wake up Kristof, Kristof! What did just happen, Agnes? Kristof killed himself?

(Oneiroi reveals himself)

Oneiroi

(loud wicked laugh) Hahahaha… Your friend could not differentiate between the real world
and his dream, I showed him an exactly same place in his dream! He thought he was in his
dream and stabbed himself.

Agnes

(crying and angry) I will not spare you demon! Give me back my friend.

(Agnes rushes towards Oneiroi with his Knife)

Oneiroi
(frustrated) Enough of these games,(takes out a knife from his cloak and attacks Agnes).
Huh? What did just happen? Did my attack stop mid-air?

Agnes

(crying)Nooooo, Draco!! What have you done? Why did you jump in between?

(He holds Draco in his arms and cries, Oneiroi is still confused)

Phoebe

(worried)What happened, Agnes? Is Draco alright?

Agnes

He jumped in between the attack to save me, he’s losing a lot of blood.

Oneiroi

I don’t know what just happened but don’t think you can escape from me.

(Oneiroi swings his knife at Agnes’ chest, the knife hits the key and it breaks )

Agnes

(panicked)Oh no! what did you do? (Agnes looks around in desperation) Draco? Draco?
Where are you, boy? (crying) what have you done, now I can’t see him!

Oneiroi

I don’t know what games you’re trying to play with me boy but your death is inevitable.

(Oneiroi rushes to kill Agnes)

(lights off for a brief moment, Oneiroi moves to the centre of the stage, single white light
focussed on him, sounds of a Dragon screeching)

(Oneiroi looks up at the sky)

Oneiroi

Ahh, What just hit me? Ah, my skin is burning.

Agnes

(crying) Draco, you’re still here? Stop! you’ve done enough, you can’t fight with these
wounds, you will die.

(an artificial fire lamp is placed in front of the light, the shadow of fire on the wall is used to
show Oneiroi burning)

Oneiroi

What is happening, I cannot die like this( he struggles and waves his wand in the air but
nothing happens)
 (Dragon’s screeching goes intense)

Agnes

(crying) Please boy, just stop, you cannot fight anymore!

(the struggle goes on for some time)

(silence)

(lights off)

SCENE 2

(same setting as the forest, dim white light, Steven and Andrea lay on the ground , all of the
friends are in a Khaki uniform, an artificial fire lamp to show bonfire)

(Agnes is crying, and Phoebe is sitting next to him)

Agnes

Phoebe, He sacrificed himself to save me and I can’t even see him, what am I supposed to
do?

Phoebe

Grab a hold of yourself, Agnes, his sacrifice did not go in vain, he fulfilled his purpose,
Instead of mourning for him, we should thank him for what he did for us.

Agnes

You’re right Phoebe...

(Steven, who is lying close to the lamp, switches it on)

(Agnes wipes his tears just when the bonfire is lit up)

Agnes

(very happy) Fire! Do you see that Phoebe? It means that Draco is still alive, he is here with
me. Oh lord, thank you so much.

Phoebe

(smiling) What a miracle!

Agnes

Although I can’t see him, he will always be there with me. No wonder he is my best friend!

(Steven and Andrea wake up, and they see Kristof and lying dead)
 Steven

(confused) What in the world just happened here?

(curtain closes, lights off)

The End