“The Lottery”

By Brainerd Duffield

This monologue is about people in the villages are gathering around for the daily lottery. You would think lottery is about receiving money, but in this town the lottery in which when the person’s name gets picked, they die. Joe Summers runs the lottery and devotes his time to the lottery with his sister Belva.

Little late today, folks. (waves to Jack)  Here, you! The Wilkins boy. Give me a hand and stir these names up. Stir ‘em  good and hard. (Jack comes and stirs box with paddle, which Joe hands him)  Norbert, you hold it steady for him. Better use both hands. (townsman using both hands to steady box, helps Jack with stirring business. He notices Belva and moves toward her, passing others.) How are you, folks? How are you Belva? I am almost ready. I didn’t forget and leave your name out. You’re down there. I just been checkin’ the list. If everyone says there’s a terrible responsibility, Belva, there must be something to it. Nobody asked me to come over and speak to you but you might give a thought to the neighbors..(turning away) Oh, what’s the use of talking to you!…(turns back to her) Although we don’t know where the wisdom stops and superstition begins, The Lottery has got to be taken serious. People get set in a way of doin things and you cant’ change’ em. It’s human nature. I am not the worst of anybody in this town becaue I didn’t drive him away. I didn’t drive our own brother away. Why would I? It was more your doin’ than mine. You’re the one brought him up to be a weaklin’ and a coward. You started him going out on the street and preachin’ against tradition. Even if he was brave to say what he thinks, when every hand is against him, I call that cowardly. (doggedly) He left his own accord. I didn’t send him. I am not a coward! Everyday of my life I have to listen to your craziness. If you want to go off lookin’ for him, Belva, I’ll give you the money. Take the mornin’ train. I’ll even draw alone the Lottery from now on. There- I couldn’t offer more’n that, could I? Leave! I don’t care anymore.