Reading Comes Alive

Act I

The Librarian and the Volunteer walk into view. The Librarian turns and looks at the Volunteer.

Librarian: Since you have been such a big help to me, I have decided to let you pick what the Book of the Month is. Here is a list of options.

The Volunteer nods and the Librarian walks out of view. The Volunteer starts pacing.

Volunteer reads aloud: The Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, Batman, the Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Divergent, Tom Sawyer, and Sherlock Homes, what to choose?

The Volunteer just stands there for a moment, considering the choices. Then a voice cries out.

Dwight: Yes! I broke my all-time record.

Dwight walks out from behind a bookcase wearing a cape and holding a book.

Volunteer: Who are you? Do you need help?

Dwight: I'm Captain Dwight! I think you should read this book. I read, [hands her Origami Yoda] before I became a Magic Squirrel.

The Volunteer seems puzzled, staring at Dwight.

Dwight: You shouldn't take it from me though. You should talk with Origami Yoda. [He holds up a Origami Yoda finger puppet]

Dwight using a bad Yoda voice: Read this book you must.

Suddenly an arrow flies by and barely misses Yoda.

Glaring at someone, Dwight says.

Dwight: If you cut him down he grow stronger than you can ever imagine!

The Volunteer turns to see what Dwight is staring at. This person turns out to be Katniss, who enters holding a thick novel and her bow.

Katniss knocks another arrow and Dwight runs off, dropping his book and screaming [Squirrels! Squirrels! Save me!

Katniss: You shouldn't read that book. Read this instead.

She shows the Volunteer the Hunger Games.

Volunteer: Who are you?

Katniss: My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capitol hates me.

Volunteer: Why did you come here?

Katniss: You said earlier you didn't know what to choose. Why is that?

Volunteer: All of them sound so good. It's impossible to choose.

While the Volunteer is saying that sentence, Janine Matthews walks over.

Janine: But you must choose.

Katniss and the Volunteer look at her.

Volunteer: Who are you?

Janine: I am Janine Matthews, and you must make a choice about the books.

Volunteer: I'm not sure I can.

Janine sighs and makes a tsk tsk sound.

Janine: That means we will have to terminate you. Divergents wreck the system.

Volunteer: Divergents?

Janine shows the Volunteer the book that is tucked under her arm: Divergent.

Janine: Choose one of the books. The future belongs to those who know where they belong.

Volunteer: I'm still not sure.