Characters in the Play

1. Amy Marshall – 17 years old

2. Betty Marshall – Amy’s younger sister
3. Rose Field – 16 years old, the Marshall’s neighbour
4. Sara Field – 9 years old, Rose’s sister
5. Jim Hall – 17 years old, another neighbour
6. Mr. Peters – Member of the Red Cross Disaster Committee
7. Penny Marsh – Red Cross nurse

Scene I
The Cloudburst
It is a late afternoon in March, the Marshall sisters and their neighbour
Rose are hanging out in the Marshall household. Rose looks out of the
window and points to the small lake that has formed in the backyard
because of the heavy rain. Amy and Betty join in on her observation and
the younger sister informs that the radio said the river had crossed the
flood stage.

While the three are discussing, their other neighbour Jim makes an entry.
Jim breaks the news that the downpour is a cloudburst and the river
water is rising fast. He informs that the situation is turning grim.

Gearing Up

A phone call makes it known that Mrs. Marshall is stuck at a friend’s

place and will not be able to make it to their house. Rose is asked to stay
at the house and the kids get in action. Jim, who served in the Junior Red
Cross emergency squadtakes leadership and assigns duties to the girls.
Betty is assigned with searching for candles, torches and lanterns, while
Rose has to fill water and Amy and Jim, will gather food supplies and
warm clothes for everyone.
Remaining Calm

As Rose and Betty leave, Jim turns to Amy and tells her that the house is
in direct line of the river. With the dam broken, they are stranded and
can only hope for a rescue to boat to reach them as both the exits are
flooded. The water keeps rising and reaches around the garage.

Amy begins to panic and Jim assures her by reminding how the old pals
have always stuck together in every problem and managed to solve them
all, including the fire at the school. He tells her that they must remain
calm and not panic, gather all supplies and if the need arises then they
would climb to the roof. Once on the roof, they would signal for help.

Little Sara

As the four were conversing, they heard a child’s voice. The voice
belonged to none other than Rose’s younger sister Sara. The little girl
followed her sister and was now stranded on the playhouse porch.
Although the playhouse was on high ground it is almost afloat and
sooner than later it would submerge.

Jim sets out to fetch Sara and is soaked with the water reaching his
knees. Amy tells Betty to get some of Mr. Marshall’s clothes for Jim and
Dick’s for Sara. Jim enters with a very happy Sara on his back. Sara
unaware of the gravity of the situation is in a playful mood and demands
more piggyback rides.

Lights Out

While Amy was about to fetch some supper, the power goes out. They
all gasp and Betty screams. Jim who was trying to stay calm, casually
adds that the power house must be out of commission and asks Betty to
light her candles. Betty gets her flashlight and lights three candles.
Fortunately, they can still have supper as their stove is oil operated.

The kids not letting their spirits dampen, march to the kitchen,
humming. With little time on their hands until the water invades their
house, Jim decides to go to the roof and signal for help. He is certain that
someone will see the light and come to help them. Both Jim and Amy
are terrified but being the older ones, they keep a brave front.

Scene II

Evacuating to the Attic

The same group sits in the hall, except Jim who is on the roof. Sara is
asleep and Betty unsuccessfully tries to read a book in the dim
candlelight. The clock has struck 11 but none of them could sleep. A
noise is heard and Rose rushes to the window but sees nothing except
pitch darkness. She thinks something bumped against the house and that
caused the noise. A scared Betty asks everyone to stay close.

Jim returns from the roof hopeful that someone must have spotted his
light before the batteries died. Jim once again takes charge and suggests
they should start moving to the attic since the rain has stopped pouring.
Betty rushes to get her new spring coat and Rose gently wakes up Sara.
Amy seems to prioritize books and jewels and Jim reminds her they
need water and food for survival.
The Rescue Boat

Jim was interrupted by a shout from outside and they realise it’s a recuse
boat. Betty too excitedly comes to look. Amy and Jim call for them from
inside. Mr. Peters and Miss Marsh have come with their boat. Miss
Marsh is a Red Cross nurse. Jim asks them to direct the boat towards the
back porch and enter from there. The helpers come in and Betty
excitedly calls for Sara.
Just as they were speaking a loud crash and crying sound emerges and
Rose shouts that Sara has fallen off the ladder. Jim fixes some chairs for
Sara to settle on and Mr. Peters carries her and places her on the chairs.
Miss Marsh helps a crying Sara and assures her that she will take Sara
home safely.

Miss Marsh takes the elder children to a side and informs that Sara has
broken her right leg below the knee and needs to be taken to the Red
Cross hospital in Armoury. They prepare a makeshift splint for Sara
with pillows and umbrella. Sara, Rose and Betty are taken along with
Mr. Peters and Miss Marsh while Amy and Jim are kept behind for a
second ride. They wish each other luck and Jim and Amy raise a coffee
toast in gratitude of being rescued.

Conclusion

Throughout the entire calamity, although fearful the kids did not let their
fear overpower their sense of survival and quick wit. Amy and Jim
especially, incredibly fulfilled their roles of being the eldest and
smartest. If anything, this story teaches us to bravely face all difficulties
that life presents before us. It teaches one to calmly understand the issue
and not panic. When one panics, they lose their control over the problem
and their emotions then cloud the judgement.

One must also have some knowledge of first aid and volunteer in aiding
programs. It is important to remember that, everyone needs help and
when you can, you must be the helper.