Inspector Findout and the Lost Cherry Pie
                              
                                  is published by

     BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS

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       Two Brief Excerpts

                       Excerpt #1

Mom.    I’ve just declared maternal law.

Tom.    What’s that?

Mom.    It's like martial law, only I make the rules rather than the army. Your right against self incrimination is suspended [or the duration. Now, look me straight in the eyes.

Tom.    Before, I do, can I talk to a lawyer?

Mom.    You can’t afford your father’s fees. Look me in the eyes, Buster!

Tom.    (To audience) I thought they abolished the Spanish Inquisition..... (Back to Mom, realizing that mom is deadly serious). Yes, ma'am.

****************************************
                                   Excerpt #2

Tom.    Ah ha, a suspect!

Erin.    Me?

Tom.    (Tom takes a step toward Erin to confront her) Yes, you! Mom's cherry pie is gone. You took it. What did you do with it?

Erin.    What did I do with it? You suspect me,  your darling little sister,  of stealing a pie?

Tom.    I suspect everyone and everybody.

Erin.    I think your being redundant.  “Everyone” would include “everybody,” and vice versa.

Tom.    Do not mince words with Inspector Findout.

Erin.    (Erin crosses down stage) I wasn't mincing words. (To Audience) "Mincing" would imply chopping words into little pieces. Nobody does that. (Quite pleased with herself) I was parsing them. (Turns back to question Tom) Who's this Inspector Findout, anyway?

Tom.    I am he.

Erin.    You look like my big brother. Can I see some identification?

                    Synopsis

When Mom's freshly baked pie disappears, to ferret out the culprit, she deputizes her son, Tom, under his pseudonym,
Inspector Findout.

In the course of the investigation, he examines all the "usual suspects," which, in this case, include the family dog as well as four uncooperative sisters.

During the course of his investigation, "Inspector Findout" with his magnifying glass leaves no paw, tee shirt or toilet seat "unturned."


                                          One-Act

                              By: John Donald O'Shea

Cast:(1 boy, 5 girls, 1 either. Note: Double casting is unlikely  to work )

             Performance Time: Approximately 25 minutes.



            Cast of Characters

Mom                         She is bright, witty and perceptive, and        
                                   always one step ahead of the kids


Tom.                         A precocious sixth or seventh grader with a
                                 superior imagination, and intelligence. He
                                 likes mysteries, and playing "detective."


Erin.                         Tom's darling younger sister. As bright as
                                 Tom, but with only a little less formal
                                 education. Doesn't quite trust Tom.

Gipper.                    The family dog, or preferably, a kid wearing a
                                  dog costume. He (she) specializes in being
                                  underfoot.

Amy.                         A seventh or eighth grader. Tom's older
                                  sister. Chrissy's twin. Above being impressed
                                  with Tom or any other young boy.

Chrissy.                   A seventh or eighth grader. Tom's older sister.
                                 Amy's twin. Above being impressed with        
                                 Tom or any other young boy.

Sarah.                      Tom's older sister. An eighth or ninth grader.
                                  Equally bright. Will indulge younger siblings
                                 only to a point.