This was something I actually did as a piece for submission last Thursday...

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Rats Adaptation

Scene: A simple setting, containing a table covered with a sheet and a desk towards the rear, and two chairs towards the fore. The covered table is towards the right of the stage. A person lay beneath the sheet. The desk is to the left, accompanied by another chair and several bags. The chairs at the fore are central, placed next to each other. Two drinking vessels are by the legs.

(Enter a man stage right, dressed appropriately. He stops centre stage.)

Character 1: And if you was to walk through the bedrooms now, you’d see
the ragged, mouldy bedclothes a-heaving and a-heaving like seas. A-heaving and a-heaving with what, he says. Why, with rats under ‘em.

(Pause)

But were they? I have reason to believe that they were not. It was a fine spring day when I arrived, seeking solitude in order to go about my work. I was reading, you see, coming from the University of Cambridge. I had been there about a month, and often in my afternoons I would go for a walk. One such day I noticed a block of white stone with a square hole in the top. Naturally I questioned the landlord as to its purpose.

(He sits in the right chair. Enter another man, stage left, to sit in the left chair. They both pick up a vessel.)

Character 2: Old fashioned thing, that is. None of us alive when that was put
there.

Char 1: It stands pretty high. Could it have been a seamark?

Char 2: I have heard they could see it from the boats, but whatever was
there fell to bits a long time ago. Good job, too. It weren’t a lucky mark, not for fishing, I mean.

(Character 2 sips at his drink.)

Char 1: Why ever not?

Char 2: They had some funny ideas, peculiar, them old chaps. I shouldn’t
wonder they had it away themselves.

(Both put their vessels down. Character 2 leaves. Character 1 moves to the desk and sits down.)

Char 1: It was impossible to get anything clearer from them. The next
word uttered was about crops. Not every afternoon I would go walking. Once I was writing very late, about three, when I decided to take a short break. The house was empty, and I felt sure that the landlord wouldn’t mind if I explored the vacant rooms. All rooms were identical to mine. The last room I came to was locked. Believing there to be no damaging secrets in a place such as this, I satisfied my curiosity. I fetched the key for the room and opened it.

(By this point Character 1 is standing close to the covered table.)

It was quite a bare room, with nothing to brighten it except a checked counterpane. The counterpane heaved and shivered as though someone was beneath it, yet the face was covered as though they were dead.

(As Character 1 says this, the person below the sheet shifts to create that impression.)

I shut the door quickly and locked it with some caution. Upon hearing the sound of footsteps the other side, I fled to my room and locked myself in. I of course wanted to leave the immediately, but had said only the previous day that I would stay another week. As I had received no untoward experiences barring that, I decided to stay the week. Meanwhile I would formulate a plan to get another glimpse into that room without arousing suspicion. Then it struck me.

(Re-enter Character 2, stage left, and helps Character 1. Both load bag onto a chair at the front of the stage.)

Char 1: Yes, it’s a pleasant part of the country. I’ve been very comfortable.
Thank you.

Char 2: I’ve done my best. I’m very glad to have your good word.

Char 1: I’ll just pop upstairs to see if I’ve left a book. You needn’t trouble
yourself, I shall be back soon.

(Character 1 creeps towards the covered desk. Once he is near, the person rises from it and takes a few steps towards him. Character 1 runs towards a chair at the fore. The ‘ghost’ slumps to the floor. Character 2 picks up a vessel and waves it under the nose of Character 1. Character 1 comes round.)

Char 2: You shouldn’t have done that. It’s not a kind way to act toward
people that have done you their best. There’s been no problem with him since he’s been there. Who knows what’ll be consequence now.

(Character 2 exits, stage left. Character 1 stands.)

Char 1: Turns out he was the landlord there a long time ago. He was in with
highwaymen that roamed the heath. Because of it, he was hung from the gallows atop that white stone. I am now very cautious when I enter boarding house rooms.

End

A very interesting piece for our first contestant. You indicate that this is an adaptation of "Rats" - unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with that work, so I can't comment on how true an adaptation that is. I may well look it up within the month.

If it is an adaptation, might I ask why you didn't choose to do an original piece of work?

The language is good, and I get a fair idea of how these people talk. The stage direction are sufficiently detailed. Character1's first line, however, confused me.

In that line his 'voice' is different to the rest of the scene, as he uses "was" where he should use "were", and the frequent use of "a-".

Nevertheless, an interesting piece. I say you're through to the next round.

I had to it hand. And his 'voice' is supposed to be different. As your are unfamiliar with the work, you won't know, but it's a quotation right at the start of the story. I can lend it to you when we get back, if you'd like.

And YEY! I'm through to the next round!