A grieving, middle-aged woman walking alone at night through a dark alleyway is confronted by a mugger with a gun.

SYNOPSIS:

Clutching her handbag, JESSICA (Black, 50s) walks down an alley late at night. She is stopped by DONNIE (white, 30s) who demands she give him her handbag. He is surprised when she refuses.

Jessica questions his use of gun. The two argue, back and forth, with Donnie becoming increasingly frustrated and angry. In the end, he points his 9mm at her head and demands she hand over her bag. Sad, but determined, Jessica refuses.

The sound of a gun shot is heard. Moments later, Donnie sprints into view, clutching Jessica’s handbag.

In a loading bay, Donnie sets down the handbag and opens it. Inside is a framed photo of Jessica and TYRELL, a young Black man in military uniform. Attached to the frame, is a Purple Heart.

Donnie recognises Tyrell. In a brief flashback we see Donnie shoot and kill Tyrell in another alley.

Back in the loading bay, Donnie shrugs off the “coincidence” and pulls the framed picture from the handbag. He hears a CLICK and, to his horror, sees a grenade in the bag.

The sound of the explosion echoes through the streets and alleyways.

• Screenplay available upon request: robert@assortedprojects.net

Thirty-Seven Dollars has now been produced as a “radio play” by First Read Radio and you can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episo...