Dr. Jek l - Scope

Drama
CLASSIC
with
a story appeal
s
s
e
timel
The Strange Case of
Dr. Jek l
Mr. Hyde
and
Robert Louis Stevenson’s
classic tale of good and evil
TURN
THE
PAGE
to
perform
this
spinetingling
story.
Adapted by the editors of Scope | ART BY DAVID PALUMBO
www.Scholastic.com/Scope • MAY 2014

19
CHARACTERS
*Dr. Henry Jekyll, a successful scientist
Mr. Poole, Jekyll’s butler
Mrs. Bates, Mr. Bates, Dr. Lanyon,
friends of Dr. Jekyll
All Guests, to be read by the whole class
Miss Nancy Hawkins, a young woman
Inspector Newcomen, a detective
Circle the character you will play.
*Starred characters are major roles.
*Narrators 1 and 2 (N1, N2)
*Mr. Gabriel Utterson, a lawyer
Mrs. Rebecca Enfield, Mr. Utterson’s cousin
Mr. Edward Hyde, an ugly, beastlike man
Who is responsible for
Mr. Hyde’s behavior?
chilled me to the bone.
UttersoN: Do you recall his name?
Enfield: Hyde—Mr. Edward Hyde. But the check had
setting: London, England, 1880s
another name on it, a Dr. Henry Jekyll.
Act I
UttersoN: Oh, dear.
scene 1
Enfield: What’s wrong?
UttersoN: Jekyll is one of my clients—and an old
N1: Mr. Utterson walks with his cousin Rebecca Enfield.
friend. He has a laboratory in his house, and that door is
Enfield: I cherish our Sunday walks, Gabriel.
a back entrance to it. What sort of trouble is he mixed
UttersoN: Indeed, they are the jewel of my week.
up in?
scene 2
N2: They approach a filthy-looking two-story building. It
stands out on an otherwise charming block.
N1: The building has no windows. The dilapidated door
N2: In his study, Utterson removes a file from his safe.
lacks a knocker.
Utterson (reading): “The Last Will and Testament of
Enfield: Have you ever noticed this building?
Dr. Henry Jekyll.”
UttersoN: Why, yes, actually. It’s the back door into—
N1: Utterson begins pacing.
Enfield (distractedly): I saw the strangest thing here the
Utterson (reading): “In case of the death or
other day.
disappearance of Dr. Henry Jekyll, all his possessions
UttersoN: Oh? And what was that?
shall pass into the hands of his friend . . . Edward Hyde.”
Enfield: A small man was charging down the sidewalk,
(to himself ) I knew I’d heard that name before. Why
and a little girl was walking in the opposite direction.
would Jekyll leave all his belongings to this awful Hyde?
Well, the man just trampled right over her!
N2: Utterson reaches for his coat.
UttersoN: How awful!
UttersoN: Well, if he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.
scene 3
Enfield: It was. The poor girl was sprawled on the
ground, crying. I comforted her while others grabbed
the scoundrel and held him until the girl’s parents
N1: Utterson stands outside the decrepit building,
arrived. She wasn’t hurt, thankfully. But we told the man
waiting for Hyde. A small man approaches.
he must pay for his crime or we would make his
UttersoN: Mr. Hyde? I am Mr. Utterson—
name stink across London!
Hyde: Never heard of you.
UttersoN: Did he?
N2: Hyde begins fiddling with the lock.
Enfield: Yes. He went into that ugly building
UttersoN: Why are you hiding your face?
and came back with a check for 100 pounds.
N1: Hyde slowly turns toward Utterson.
UttersoN: That building? You are sure?
Enfield: Positive. But the strangest thing was
the way he looked. I can’t describe it, but . . . he
20
Scholastic Scope • MAY 2014
An English pound
is a form of
currency, like the
American dollar.
N2: Utterson gasps at the ghastly sight.
Hyde: How do you know my name?
UttersoN: We, uh, have friends in common.
Shutterstock (background, pound)
AS YOU READ,
THINK ABOUT:
Hyde: Ha! I have no friends.
LanyoN: Sure, light meat and dark meat.
UttersoN: What about Dr. Jekyll?
Mrs. Bates: Hardly groundbreaking
Hyde: Jekyll never told you about me, you
research, Henry.
all Guests: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
stinking liar!
N1: With a savage laugh, Hyde flings open
the door, hurries in, and slams it shut.
scene 4
The idea for this tale came
to Robert Louis Stevenson
(above) in a dream. The story
was wildly popular—Divergent
kind of popular—when it came
out in 1886.
N2: A week later, Utterson attends a
chicken, a single creature, contains both
light and dark. Have you ever considered
that humans might be the same?
LanyoN: A rather fowl comparison, Jekyll!
dinner party at Dr. Jekyll’s elegant townhouse.
all Guests: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
N1: Jekyll’s butler, Poole, takes Utterson’s coat.
Mr. Bates: I hope you’re not going to serve us for
UttersoN: Poole, do you happen to know a friend of
dinner next time.
Dr. Jekyll’s named Hyde?
all Guests: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Poole: Why, yes, sir.
Jekyll: No, I am studying the human mind—human
UttersoN: The other day, I saw him enter the doctor’s
nature, actually. Within each person, there is light and
laboratory through the back door.
dark. It’s a delicate balance.
Poole: Mr. Hyde has his own key, sir.
LanyoN: I’m not sure I follow you, Henry, but this
UttersoN: Dr. Jekyll must have a lot of trust in him.
chicken is delicious.
Poole: Yes, sir. We all have orders to obey Mr. Hyde.
Jekyll (with a smile): I’m so glad.
N2: Dr. Jekyll walks in.
N1: Jekyll bites into his chicken leg.
Jekyll: Utterson, my dear man! So good to see you.
N2: The merry dinner continues. Utterson, seated next
Come, we’re all waiting.
to Jekyll, leans over and whispers.
scene 5
adoc-photos/Corbis (Stevenson)
Jekyll: Bear with me, friends. The
UttersoN: Jekyll, we must discuss your will.
Jekyll: Again?
N1: Jekyll and his guests are eating and talking in a
UttersoN: I have heard some rather . . . abominable
candlelit dining room.
rumors about that Mr. Hyde.
Jekyll: . . . and so, I’m proud to announce that
Jekyll: I will not change my will.
Dr. Jekyll’s Home for Orphans and Runaways will open
UttersoN: Jekyll, you can trust me. I can help you.
within the month.
Whatever you owe this Hyde—
all Guests: (applause)
Jekyll: My dear Utterson, put your good heart at rest.
Mrs. Bates: Bravo, Henry! You continue to outdo
The moment I choose, I can get rid of Mr. Hyde. Now,
yourself in your charity work.
please, this is a private matter.
Mr. Bates: Not to mention your volunteering at church.
UttersoN: I suppose you are right.
LanyoN: Very admirable. But Henry, you must also tell
Jekyll: Listen, Hyde told me you saw him. I fear he was
us about your latest experiments. What are you working
rude. But I have great interest in the poor man. Promise
on in the lab?
to look after him, just as my will says?
Jekyll: I wouldn’t want to bore everyone.
Utterson (reluctantly): All right, I promise.
Mrs. Bates: Don’t be ridiculous. We’re fascinated.
Act II
Mr. Bates: Come now, what’s London’s most brilliant
scene 1
scientist up to?
Jekyll: Well, it’s, ah, complicated. But . . .
N2: Jekyll thinks for a moment, then lifts a chicken leg
N1: A year has passed.
from his plate and holds it up.
N2: At a police station, a young woman speaks
Jekyll: Chicken has two kinds of meat—right?
to a detective.
www.Scholastic.com/Scope • MAY 2014
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21
NewcomeN: What happened first?
Hawkins: I was sitting by my window. It was
a foggy night, but peaceful. In the moonlight,
I saw Sir Carew coming down the block.
Then I saw . . . the other man.
NewcomeN: Hyde?
Hawkins (shivering): Yes. I knew
immediately it was Mr. Hyde. I had seen him
before, and he has a face you don’t forget.
There’s something . . . disturbing about it.
NewcomeN: Please, go on.
Hawkins: Well, suddenly, Hyde became
very angry. He started stamping his feet.
Then he started beating Sir Carew with his
cane, furiously—like a wild beast! Carew fell,
and Hyde kept hitting him. Then the cane
split and Hyde ran off. I called the police
immediately, but I—I was too late. (choking
back tears) Oh, it was awful, Inspector!
NewcomeN: Thank you, Miss Hawkins.
You’ve done very well. You may go.
N1: Miss Hawkins leaves. Utterson enters.
NewcomeN: Ah, Mr. Utterson. Thank you for
coming. I suppose you have heard that
there has been a murder? Sir Danvers
Carew, the politician.
UttersoN: Very tragic.
EDWARD HYDE
SHORT, REPULSIVE, POSSIBLY EVIL
APPROACH WITH CAUTION! VERY DANGEROUS!
OFFERING GENEROUS REWARD!
NewcomeN: I called you in because Sir
UttersoN: Yes, Sir Carew was my client.
weapon. I know you gave Hyde that cane, because I
NewcomeN: Do you also happen to know a Mr. Hyde?
gave it to you as a gift years ago! Now where is he?
UttersoN: Hyde?! I’ve . . . heard of him.
Jekyll: He’s gone. Look, I’ve received a letter from
NewcomeN: An eyewitness claims it was Hyde who
him just today. (pointing at a letter) He apologizes for
murdered Sir Carew. We also found the murder weapon,
any trouble and promises never to be heard from again.
or half of it, anyway. (holding up the broken cane)
UttersoN: Well. That is some relief.
What’s wrong, Mr. Utterson? You look white as a sheet.
N1: On his way out, Utterson sees Poole.
UttersoN: I . . . I . . . Have you found this Mr. Hyde?
UttersoN: Poole, I know Dr. Jekyll received a letter
NewcomeN: Not yet, but we will.
today. Do you recall what the messenger looked like?
scene 2
N2: Later that day, Utterson bursts into Jekyll’s office.
UttersoN: Have you heard about Sir Carew?
Poole: Why, I’m sorry, Mr. Utterson, but I’m positive
we’ve had no deliveries today.
scene 3
Jekyll: Yes. Awful business.
N2: A few weeks pass.
UttersoN: Henry, the police showed me the murder
N1: Utterson is once again walking with Mrs. Enfield.
22
Scholastic Scope • MAY 2014
Shutterstock (background); istockphoto.com (wanted)
Carew had your business card in his pocket.
UttersoN: The police are offering a substantial reward
N2: The lab is a chaotic mess, with broken glass and
for Mr. Hyde, but the man seems to have vanished.
scientific devices strewn about.
Strangely, so too has Dr. Jekyll. He has not hosted a
N1: In the middle stands none other than Mr. Hyde. He
dinner party in weeks.
holds a vial of blood-red liquid.
N2: They pass by Jekyll’s house.
Hyde: Get out!
Enfield: Look, up in the window: Isn’t that Dr. Jekyll?
UttersoN: What have you done with Dr. Jekyll?
UttersoN: Yes! That’s his laboratory window. (calling
HYDE (with a sinister voice): Ha! Very well, then. Watch!
up) Henry! It’s been so long. How are you?
N2: He drinks the liquid in one gulp.
Jekyll: Oh, I am very low, Utterson.
Hyde: Ahhhhh!
UttersoN: You stay indoors too much. Come out and
N1: Hyde staggers and collapses.
walk with us.
N2: Suddenly his face seems to melt—then swell. He
Jekyll: I’d like to, but—no, it’s impossible. You see—
grows in height. His wrinkled gray skin becomes pink
oh, oh no!
and smooth.
N1: A look of terror passes across Jekyll’s face.
N1: And there, before Utterson and Poole, lies
Jekyll: Not again! NOOOOOOOO!
Dr. Jekyll.
N2: Jekyll slams the window shut.
Poole: What is the meaning of this?!
Utterson (shouting at the window): Henry?! Let us in!
Jekyll (weakly): Utterson. Here, this letter will
Let us help you!
explain.
Enfield (gently): It seems he doesn’t want to be
N2: Jekyll pulls an envelope from his jacket. Then his
bothered. Perhaps we should leave him.
eyes close.
N1: Utterson nods reluctantly, and they walk away.
Utterson (shaking Jekyll): Henry!
scene 4
Jekyll (voice offstage): Dear Utterson: In all of us,
there is both good and evil. I wondered: What if I could
N2: The next night, Poole shows up at Utterson’s
separate myself in two? My evil side could enjoy itself,
front door.
and my good side could be free of corruption.
UttersoN: Poole, what brings you here? Is Jekyll ill?
N1: Utterson lifts Jekyll’s wrist, trying to find a pulse.
Poole: Something has gone wrong. You must come!
Jekyll (voice offstage): I created a potion that
N1: It’s a wild, cold night. Poole and Utterson hurry
transformed me into an embodiment of my evil
through the streets, their footsteps echoing in the wind.
side. As Hyde, I felt pure, happy—free of the laws
N2: Once inside Dr. Jekyll’s house, Poole leads
of morality.
Utterson to the laboratory door.
N2: Utterson puts his ear to Jekyll’s chest.
Poole: Mr. Utterson here to see you, Doctor!
Jekyll (voice offstage): But when Hyde
Jekyll (in a strange voice): Tell him I cannot
murdered Carew, I vowed never to transform
see anyone!
again. For a while, all was well. Then my dark
Poole (whispering): That is not Jekyll’s voice.
Jekyll: Agghhhh!
Poole: Hurry, we must get in there!
N1: Poole fetches an axe and hands it to
Utterson.
UttersoN: Henry, please, let us in!
Shutterstock
N2: Silence.
Utterson (muttering): God forgive me.
N1: It takes five swings to break through the
thick door.
side grew stronger. I started turning into Hyde
The late 1880s,
when this tale
was written,
were a time of
amazing scientific
discovery. Some
people feared the
consequences of
interfering with
the natural world.
How does this
story reflect
those fears?
uncontrollably. Worse, I was running out of
the potion that would stop me from changing.
N1: With tears in his eyes, Utterson looks at
Poole and shakes his head.
Jekyll (voice offstage): I’ve learned that you
can’t eliminate evil. So tonight, I’ve taken all
the potion I have left, and it will likely kill me.
So I will stop writing now. This is the end
of the unhappy life of Henry Jekyll.
•
www.Scholastic.com/Scope • MAY 2014

23
essay
The summer I felt like a real-life Jekyll and Hyde
A
(without the whole murder thing) By Courtney Davidson
sk my friends and
they’ll tell you: I am
kind, considerate,
and generous. I
am not a spiteful person. I am
not a bully, and I am not a
monster. But when I was 15, I
did something that I regret to
this day: I became a hazer.
At my summer camp, the
seniors ruled. Being a senior
was great. To become a senior,
though, you had to be a junior
first, and that was dreadful.
By tradition, the seniors
tormented the juniors. When I
was a junior, the seniors spit
chewed-up food on us, then
ordered us to clean it off with
our bare hands. They yelled at
us, insulting us until we cried.
Before the all-camp dance, they
smeared dyed-green oatmeal
all over our faces—and they
wouldn’t let us wipe it off. I
remember having to face the boy
I liked with nasty green chunks
dripping down my face and
splattered all over my fancy
dress. I felt hurt and small.
So why did I turn around
the following summer and do to
the juniors the same horrible
things that had been done to
me? I could have refused to
participate. In fact, I was a
leader; I might have persuaded
the other seniors to change this
awful hazing tradition.
But I didn’t.
Hazing is the process of
initiating new members of a
group through humiliating,
difficult, or even dangerous
tasks. You might associate
hazing with college fraternities
or the military, but in
fact hazing is much more
widespread. Experts estimate
that 1.5 million high school
students are hazed every year—
on sports teams, in clubs, and
even in church groups. Now,
kids in middle school and even
younger kids are getting hazed.
Unlike bullying, which is
done primarily by individuals,
hazing is all about groups. It’s
supposed to create powerful
bonds. The idea is that if a
group of people experience
something terrible together,
they will become closer. But in
fact, hazing can be extremely
traumatic—even deadly. At
least 100 kids have died in
hazing-related rituals since
1970. Today, 44 states have
anti-hazing laws.
Looking back, I think I felt
that since I was hazed, it was
only fair that the younger girls
should be hazed too. I blamed
the tradition. I blamed the
friends who stood beside me.
Now, I realize I can blame only
myself. The way I treated the
juniors wasn’t out of a desire to
build togetherness. It was out
of spite. I was angry that I had
been powerless the previous
summer, and I wanted my power
back. But hazing the juniors
didn’t make me powerful, and it
didn’t take away the pain I felt
from being hazed. It just turned
me into something ugly.
Nine years later, it’s hard to
believe I behaved so cruelly. It’s
like I became a different person.
But I am the one who has to
live with what I did forever.
•
In the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, based on J. K. Rowling’s book, Sirius Black says,
“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on.
That’s who we really are.” Would Davidson agree? Would Dr. Jekyll? Explain. Send your
Get this
response to JEKYLL CONTEST. Five winners will get Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron.
activity
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