The Ransom of Red Chief

Adapted by Burton Bumgarner
2 m, 4 w, 2 flexible, extras, doubling possible
Eldridge Plays and Musicals

Here is a hip, contemporary adaptation of O'Henry's famous short story. Bonnie, Bridget and Billy Driscoll are living in a dumpy apartment, their credit cards charged to the max, trying to make it on their own in New York. When Bridget brings home Dolly, a seemingly sweet lost little girl, (perhaps a bit "high strung"), the siblings soon realize that she is the daughter of an extremely wealthy New Yorker. While Billy plays cowboys and "indigenous people" with Dolly, the sisters jokingly write a ransom note on the computer for the modest amount of $25,000, enough to cover their out-of-pocket expenses. But Dolly, now wildly whooping through the apartment as Red Chief, punches the computer and sends the e-mail message. An hour later, after a broken window, a kitchen fire, and a visit from the police, the siblings receive a response to their demand. It's a counter offer from Dolly's dad, asking for money from them to take her off their hands. And the siblings may just dig up enough cash to meet it!