This is an original play, that is loosely based on Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. It is about a boy and his family who are asked to watch a hotel for three years, but during their stay, they are antagonized by a ghost. 

Three Winters
By: Jordan Katzeff

Characters
Kevin: He is a 9 year old boy. Kevin has a mischievous personality that excels at getting into trouble with his parents.

Dad: A mild mannered man. He is a basic person that has a family, mortgage, and a stable job. He is constantly working on his novels and is very well known in the hotel business.

Mom: She is a middle aged woman who is tired from always dealing with her child. The bags under her eyes have grown since the years of her marriage and doesn’t even know what sleep is anymore.

Rick: He is the hotel manager who is of the older set. He is a bit overweight and has always indulged in the riches left behind by his parents

Scene 1

In this opening scene, RICK calls DAD at their house. They live in a mountainous range in a Victorian style house where a large forest looms. In the distance from the house, you can see the outline of a hotel on the horizon. The sun is beginning to set and KEVIN and MOM are outside enjoying the setting with lemonade in hand. RICK is on the phone with DAD.

RICK: You know I would do it for you if you needed my help.
DAD: I know you would, but you are talking about three years up there. I can’t take my son out of school and keep my family stuck in there for that long of a time.
RICK: It won’t feel that long anyway. All the food is free for your family, plus amenities and a king size suite. It will be even better than home, and all you have to do is watch the hotel for me while I roam the countryside with my grandchildren.
DAD: Rick, I just can’t do it.
RICK: I’ll even pay you $200,000.
DAD: Well…. That is a lot of money. Alright fine, but you owe me one.
RICK: Thanks man. You won’t regret your decision
Blackout

Scene Two

It is spring and KEVIN and his family are on the way to the hotel. KEVIN is not looking forward to being stuck at the hotel for so long, but he decided that he was going to try his hardest to make his parents want to leave. As they approach the hotel you can see that it is large. With three separate buildings, a pool, a ball room, and a large central building topped off with a large archway in front.

DAD: Just look at this place. It’s incredible.
KEVIN: It’s alright I guess.
DAD: Well Kevin you better start liking it soon because this is your home for the next three years. There’s Rick now. Hey Rick!
RICK: There you are. Come on this way, there’s lots to show. (KEVIN follows the group as they travel the hotel, but quickly darts behind a corner so he can go explore.)

KEVIN: This is place is huge!  (KEVIN takes two steps down the stairs when you hear it snap and he falls all the way down. )

KEVIN: What the hell was that? The stair just snapped.

The audience then sees a ghost in the background that only they can see. The ghost is adorned in a long bridal gown with blood stains splattered on her dress. Her face is hidden behind a black veil. She walks behind a corner as KEVIN’S family makes its way back to the lobby.

DAD: Kevin are you alright?
KEVIN: Yea, the stair just broke.
RICK: Now don’t be silly kid. The stair doesn't look broken to me. (Group goes to examine stair.)

KEVIN: I swear to you it was broken. I didn't just fall.
DAD: There he goes again, trying to get all of us in trouble. Kevin just face it, we are staying.
KEVIN: I’m not lying.
RICK: Well, here are your keys. The staff will be leaving for the winter so you will be here alone until the spring time. The kitchen is stocked with food and the whole hotel is open to you.
DAD: Thanks Rick.
RICK: No thank you. Well see you guys later.
Blackout

Scene 3

KEVIN is walking around the halls. It has been 6 months since they have gotten there and winter has just begun. KEVIN is adorned in a large parka and has been walking into every room to see if anyone has left anything behind that he can take.

KEVIN: Dang it, nothing in this room. (At that moment the door slams shut and large gust of cold wind blows in. KEVIN takes two steps back towards the window when he sees the ghost.)

KEVIN: What do you want? Don’t hurt me I’m just a kid.  (The ghost laughs and runs at KEVIN, knocking him out the window of the top story. He is dead on impact.)

DAD: Kevin! Kevin! Get out here!
MOM: What is it? Oh my god! My baby boy! Move!

She hugs her child as the ghost moves to the top of the roof and knocks off all the snow from the top of the building. The entire family is buried in snow and suffocates. They are discovered in the spring upon the employees return, frozen together.
Blackout

THE END