A Play in Two Acts by Samantha Walters & Daneil Palmer

1. Exchange for Change
A Play in Two Acts
by
Samantha Walters & Daneil Palmer
Copyright © 2017
Cast of Characters

2. 1
Daneil Palmer: Senior Accountant
Samantha Walters: Branch Manager
Kay-Ann Wilkinson: Human Resource Manager
Shantal McCubbin: Senior Employee
Scene
At the National Commercial Bank in Half-Way Tree.

3. 2
Time
The present.
ACT I
Scene 1
SETTING: We are in the National Commercial Bank of
Jamaica, a huge building in the commercial
area of Kingston. Wednesday morning, at
about 11 o’clock. The bank is very busy
and noisy; however, it is just enough
noise for clients and their tellers to
carry out transactions. The left side of
the room is taken up by queue of people
waiting their turn to get to the front of
the line with even a little pushing now
and again. The right side is occupied by
senior citizens in their seat patiently
waiting for their queue number to be
called. But, the lines even got longer,
and the seats were all taken as the
minutes quickly went by.

4. 3
AT RISE: KAY-ANN WILKINSON walks in and puts her
bag away in her locker then takes a seat
at her desk.
KAY-ANN
First to arrive at work early again! I swear Jamaicans do not know how
to arrive on time.
(KAY-ANN whispers, sighing all the same)
Suddenly, the door buzz went off. KAY-ANN
leaps from her seat to the automatic door
opener
Finally, someone is here!
SHANTAL
(The door opened.)
Is anyone here!
(Shouting)
The traffic was so hectic this morning. Kay-ann!
KAY-ANN
(Sighs)
Good morning Shantal. Yes, I am here.
SHANTAL
I am sorry for being late. I got stuck in traffic on the Mandela
Highway.
(SHANTAL said tiredly)
KAY-ANN
We should get working because this place is already crowded! Hopefully
Daneil comes in early to help us out or we’ll be here all day and i’m
not signing up for that again!
(KAY-ANN walks off hastily making
her way to the new account section)
Suddenly, her first client for the

5. 4
day started to make her way over.
SHANTAL
Ok.
(SHANTAL whispers)
SHANTAL and KAY-ANN goes to work
and after 30 minutes…
SAMANTHA
(SAMANTHA walks in)
Where is Ms. Palmer?
SHANTAL
Well, she...
DANEIL
(DANIEL hurriedly runs in)
Goodmorning all, sorry for being late.
SAMANTHA
Ms. Palmer, please see me in my office immediately!
(SAMANTHA said very sternly)
KAY-ANN
Well, goodmorning you too when it is close to the afternoon already.
(KAY-ANN said sarcastically under her breath)
DANIEL
Yes, Ms Walters!
(DANIEL said hastily)
DANIEL walks into SAMANTHA’S
office, closes the door and
takes a sit.
SAMANTHA
Ms. Palmer,can you explain to me why you were so late today?
(SAMANTHA says very stern yet
concerned.)
DANEIL
Well… I was about to call you but it was a little urgent. I had to go
to the doctor. I had terrible migraines when i woke up this morning.
(DANIEL says in a somber tone)
SAMANTHA
This is the third time this month you’ve been late Ms. Palmer. I know
this is not like you. It is starting to give me a bad impression of
you though. This behaviour can not work in business.
(SAMANTHA says sternly)
DANEIL

6. 5
My apologies…
SAMANTHA
(SAMANTHA suddenly cuts her off)
But miss you told me that the occasions before. May this be the last
time I have to speak to you about this issue again!
(SAMANTHA says very angrily)
DANEIL
Ok. I understand.
(DANEIL says sadly)
DANEIL gets up opens the door
and walks out the room)
(END OF SCENE)
Scene 2
SETTING: We are now in the manager’s office.
Thursday afternoon, at about 2 o’clock. The
room is very spacious and cozy but very
dominant and formal. To the left there is a
big wooden table with the window right
behind it and potted plants on the
windowsill.The door is situated on the left
side along with white standing lamp.

7. 6
AT RISE: SAMANTHA WALTERS sits at her desk with her
hand at her jaw as she wonders about a
solution to her problem.
SAMANTHA
This is not working. Shantal is too reserved. Daniel is constantly
late. Kay-Ann… too condescending.If we continue like this, I may have
to fire … Samantha...let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Let me try
to fix this one last time.
(she continues to talk to herself
and suddenly saw a picture
on her desk)
Oh yeah, I remember that team building workshop. Probably I should try
to motivate them!
(she says in excitement)
Then her computer suddenly
alarmed. She opens an email
and reads it silently
An email from headquarters?
(she asked worriedly)
Yes! This is perfect, a video too.
She opens the video, watches and
listens then closes it
This just would work
She starts writing swiftly holding
her head down as the ideas flowed
(END OF SCENE)

8. 7
SCENE 3
SETTING: Just a normal day at the bank. People
pushing and shoving each other to get their
transactions done. The crowd is as large as
ever but the staff is trying as hard as
they can to satisfy each client
accordingly.

9. 8
AT RISE: An announcement comes on the intercom
for some employees to make their way
to the manager's office.
Employees get to the office,
closes the door and takes their seat.
SAMANTHA
So, I have exciting news from headquarters. They are asking for
proposals that will show our appreciation to our valued clients for
this Christmas season.
(SAMANTHA said enthusiastically
while continuing)
The deadline for this proposal is December 18, 2017 at 12 noon. You
can email me your proposals to promotions@jnbs.com. However, I prefer
to be handed a hard copy no later than December 19. Along with your
proposal you will be working on your own weaknesses. As I’ve observed,
they vary. Shantal every week until the 18th you will come up with new
ideas for management. Daneil you will work on your tardiness and Kay-
Ann you are to be more patient and less harsh on your co workers. Any
questions?
Employees pause in shock while
looking at the manager.
KAY-ANN
Is it mandatory?

10. 9
(KAY-ANN says interestingly)
SAMANTHA
No, but it would be great if we participated.
(SAMANTHA says bossily)
DANEIL
Ok. Fine.
SHANTAL
I’m on it but... what will we get?
SAMANTHA
A twenty percent bonus of course for the proposal winner and five
percent for those who have significantly improved on their weaknesses.
Since everybody is clear on what to do the meeting is adjourned!
(SAMANTHA says promptly)
(END OF SCENE)
Act 2
Scene 1

11. 10
SETTING: In the manager’s office on the day of the
proposal.
AT RISE: The manager sit at her desk looking at
her computer
SAMANTHA
Today is the day.

12. 11
manager hears a knock at the door
Come in!
(SAMANTHA shouts)
SHANTAL
Door opens SHANTAL walks in
and gives SAMANTHA a folder
I think I have the best proposal ever!
(SHANTAL says excitedly)
DANEIL
DANEIL walks in
Good Morning Ms. Walters, Here is my proposal I hope you like it.
KAY-ANN
KAY-ANN walks in hurriedly
Good Morning. I hope I did well on this proposal.
(KAY-ANN says tiredly)
SHANTAL
I am sure we will do well guys.
(SHANTAL says happily)
SAMANTHA
Back to work people!Thank you for your hard work,I’ve seen great
progress in each of you. I really appreciate the effort.
(END OF SCENE)
Scene 2

13. 12
SETTING: Two weeks later...we are now in lunch room.
It is slightly a small room but big enough
for a kitchen and an adjoining bathroom for
the staff only. The room has almost all the
employees in the building as it is now
lunch time as they are glued to the tv.
AT RISE: Employees anxiously sit nearby the tv
awaiting the results of who won the
proposal.
SHANTAL nudges KAY-ANN and
shows her the screen. KAY-ANN
nudges DANIEL and also shows
her the screen as they looked
at each other in shock.

14. 13
SHANTAL
Oh my god!You won!
(SHANTAL says excitedly)
KAY-ANN
Congratulations.
(KAY-ANN says nonchalantly)
KAY-ANN
And we all got five percent bonuses for improving on our weaknesses
(she says victoriously)
(all celebrate with hugs, squeals and high fives)
(BLACKOUT)
(END OF SCENE)