Missing in Paradise

Written By:

Sinomtha Yanta

Ndivhuwo Sadiki
CONFIDENTIAL

Benjamin Suremann
Kaley Govindasamy

Nokutenda Mangena

Directed by

Sinomtha Yanta

Ndivhuwo Sadiki

No portion of this script may be performed, published, reproduced, sold, or distributed by any
means or quoted or published in any medium, including on any website, without the prior written
consent of the writers. Disposal of this script copy does not alter any of the restrictions set
forth above.

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Cast List:

Mr. Alistair Beaumont(Jehoshua)

(A guest who goes missing)

Mrs Margaux Beaumont (Hannah)

(Alistair’s wife, who is slightly suspicious)

Thembekile "Thembi" Mthembu(Sino)

(A member of staff of the hotel, who is the first to find out about Mr
Beaumont’s disappearance)

Bobby Sanchez(Retshegofaditswe)
(Another staff member of the hotel. He used to be a famous actor and wants
everybody to know. He is self-centered and shows this in weird ways, such as
speaking about himself in the third person. He has an annoying habit of
flicking his hair)

Dominic Le Roux (Ben)

(One of the resort owners and the first emcee)

Celeste Lombard (Ndivhu)

(The other owner of the resort, and the second emcee)

DI Veronica Pstarekase(Kaley)
(One of the detectives assigned to find Mr. Beaumont. She is very motivated
and blunt. The ‘bad cop’)

DI Jess Stardust (Isabelle)

(The second detectives assigned to find Mr. Beaumont. The ‘good cop’)

Mr. Antony Francis (Josh H)

(Mr. Beaumont’s best friend)

(Antony’s wife, and Mrs. Beaumont’s good friend)

Lesedi Radebe (Michayla)

(An audaciously self-entitled guest)

Lulu Radebe(Nokutenda)
(Sister to Lesedi Radebe)

Yandre Van Zyl (Lana)

Angry Guest Representative
ethany Sinclair (Mikayla)
Angry Guest Representative #2

various staff members,

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Sipho-a staff member (Hlelo), various guests, a Mr D delivery driver (Jack)

Songs and Dances

Palm Trees by JUNGLE(Jazz/Upbeat)

Choreographed by Benjamin Suremann

XXXXXXXXXX(R&B)
Choreographed by Laura Hleza, Nomfundo Pilane, Amy-Rose
Beukes

Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan (instrumental)(Tango)

Choreographed by Faith Hall, Botlhale Maepa, Mikayla Singh

Slower – Tate McRae(Couples Dance)

Choreographed by Faith Hall, Botlhale Maepa, Mikayla Singh

Living Room Flow – Jhenie Aiko(All Boys Dance)

Choreographed by Retshegofaditswe Kasoane, Benjamin
Suremann, Laura Hleza

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Stage Design

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Act 1: Welcome to Paradise Isle

Scene 1: The Grand Welcome

(Lights up. The resort entrance is vibrant and alive. Staff members, dressed
in luxurious tropical uniforms, move rhythmically to the beat of Palm Trees
by Jungle They dance with grace and precision, welcoming guests as they
arrive with suitcases and resort-branded cocktails in hand. The dance builds
in energy, culminating in a synchronized formation. As the music fades, the
staff step aside, revealing the resort owners, Dominic and Celeste, dressed
impeccably, standing at the top of the grand staircase. The two MCs step
forward, microphones in hand, radiating charm and enthusiasm)

Dominic:
(Beaming) Welcome, welcome, esteemed guests, to the most exclusive retreat in
the world— Paradise Isle!

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Celeste:

Where the sun never sets on luxury and every desire is but a whisper away!

(The guests applaud politely)

Dominic:

Over the next few days, prepare to indulge, unwind, and immerse yourself in
the magic of our island.

Celeste:

And tonight, oh tonight, we begin with an evening of music, dance, and of

course… exquisite dining under the stars!

(The guests applaud again, excitement buzzing in the air. The MCs gesture to
the staff, who begin escorting guests to their rooms)

(Girls Dance)

Scene 2: The Scream

(As guests disappear into the resort, the scene subtly shifts. Soft, ambient
music plays. Resort staff tidy up behind the leaving guests, whispering about
the night’s festivities. The mood is relaxed but hints of unease linger. The
lights dim slightly. Shadows stretch. A breeze rustles the palm trees.
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling SCREAM pierces the air. It echoes through the
hallways, stopping everyone in their tracks. The focus shifts to Mrs.
Beaumont’s suite. She stands alone, frozen, clutching a crumpled note, her
breath ragged. Her hands tremble. The note is from Mr. Beaumont’s
‘kidnapper’. A sharp knock on the room door is heard. In comes Thembi, the
cleaner, holding fresh towels. She stops mid-step, seeing Mrs. Beaumont’s
distress)

Thembi:

Ma’am…?

(Mrs. Beaumont turns, wide-eyed, gasping. She drops the note. Footsteps are
heard echoing down the corridor. Dominic and Celeste rush in, their polished
exterior cracking as they take in the chaos.)

Celeste:

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What on Earth is going on? I’m running a very serious establishment and I
can’t have you screaming like a-

Mrs. Beaumont:

He’s gone!

Thembi:

What? Who?

Mrs. Beaumont:

M-My husband! He’s gone!

Celeste:

Oh, relax, he’s probably taking a lovely stroll on the beach.

Mrs. Beaumont:

No! No! There’s a note.

(she starts reading This poem doesn’t need to be memorised)

"The Man Who Vanished"

He walked beneath the silver sky,

A whisper caught in twilight's sigh.
No struggle heard, no broken gate—
Just vanished through the hands of fate.

Don’t seek him where the rivers bend,

Nor chase the moonlight to its end.
For every door that once stood wide,
Now hides the place where truths abide.

A laugh, a step, a shadow cast—

And love replaced with echoes past.

(she stops reading)

Some sick poet took my husband.

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Thembi:

It’s not just one poet. Look, it’s signed…

ALL (Looking up at the matrics)

Class of 2025…

(All lights cut. End scene)

Scene 3: The Storm

(Dramatic lighting returns. The sky has darkened. The sound of distant
thunder rumbles. Palm trees sway violently as the wind picks up. The storm is
rolling in - not just outside, but within the resort itself.
Inside the staff quarters, resort employees are gathered. The tension is
thick. Thembi sits in the middle, sobbing loudly and clutching a tissue,
seemingly greatly affected, while her coworkers try — unsuccessfully — to
calm her down.)

Thembi:

(wailing and shaking her head) Hayi no! I knew it! I told them! I said, "Eish,
something is not right, I can feel it in my bones!" But did they listen? NO!

(Thembi wipes her face dramatically and blows her nose loudly into her apron.
The staff members exchange glances, trying not to laugh or roll their eyes)

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Staff Member 1:

(whispering to another staff member) Hawu, she’s acting like it’s her husband
who went missing

Thembi

No it’s not that I’m crying (wipes her eyes) it’s just my eyes are sore
(Sniffs) I know, I need to see a gynecologistgynaecologist.

Staff Member 2:

Whuu, shame Thembi!

Thembi:

(standing up suddenly, pointing at nothing in particular) In fact This resort

is cursed! (All Staff gasp) Open your eyes guys, this it’s the days of signs
and wonders. Mark my words, CURSED! First the ice machine breaks, now Mr.
Beaumont disappears. Next thing, we’re all going missing!

(The wind howls outside. A flash of lightning brightens the room. Everyone
shivers. Celeste and Dominic burst into the staff room, looking very serious.
The room falls silent, except for Thembi’s sniffles)

Celeste:

Alright, listen up everyone. As you all know, Mr. Beaumont has gone missing.
The police will be arriving soon. Until then, nobody leaves the resort, and
nobody here talks to guests about this. Understood?

(The staff members murmur their agreement, shifting uncomfortably.)

Dominic:

We need everyone to stay calm. The storm is only making things worse, so let’s
focus. Thembi… please, get yourself together.

(All eyes turn to Thembi as Dominic and Celeste rush off again)

Thembi:

(snapping out of it, straightening her uniform and nodding) Okay, okay, I’m
fine. But if I see a ghost, I am RUNNING, and I do not care who’s in my way!

(Some of the staff chuckle. The tension breaks, but fear still lingers)

Bobby:

Ah, don’t even stress about that, shawty. You know, as long as the Big Sanchez
is here, no harm will come to us… (Pausing, then flicking his hair) …me. No
harm will come to me, but I’ll tell your story.

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Thembi:

Oh Bobby, if you’re telling me that you’re head of security, then we are

definitely doomed.

Bobby:

Uh… no. Let’s not forget about the time that the great Bobby Sanchez fought a
bear… on a helicopter… inside a volcano!

Thembi:

You did NOT do any of that, it was just a movie, and it was definitely your
stunt double!

(Bobby shushes Thembi as the storm surges outside. Celeste and Dominic re-
enter the scene, Celeste holding a laptop)

Dominic:

Ag, will you two shut your faces? The storm has now gone full hurricane! We
have had to evacuate the guests from their rooms and into the lobby, because
half of the lodge has blown away!

(The staff react with chatter and gasps. A pair of guests make their way
towards the staff room to complain about the weather, the décor, and the
noise)

Guest 1(Emma)

I told you we should’ve gone to that lodge across the road. There are no
hurricanes across the road.

Guest 2: (Dante)

Ja, I’ll just say these hurricanes weren’t mentioned in the brochure. I expect
full compensation from the hotel.

(As the guests arrive at the staff room, the staff give them dirty looks.
More guests, including Mrs Beaumont, who is being comforted by Antony and
Emily, suddenly arrive in a murmur of confusion and disappointment.
Meanwhile, Celeste is on the phone with the South African Maritime Emergency
Services while many guests and staff try their phones to no avail, holding
them up in hopes of finding service)

Celeste:

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Everybody, be quiet, I’m on the phone with the maritime services. Hi, yes,
this is Celeste Lombard, co-owner of the Paradise Isle resort… yes, yes, the
storm, and we need… detectives, there’s a bit of a situation here…

(Having heard one side of the conversation, and seeing that the phone call is
over, guests and staff attack Celeste with questions)

Guest 3: Nono

(dramatically) I can’t be stuck here; I have a Zumba class tomorrow.

Staff member (Sipho): (Hlelo)

How long did they say the storm was going to last?

Mrs Rothford:

(audaciously) Um, my phone has no signal.

(Everyone mumbles in collective annoyance at the current predicament.

Suddenly, Bobby gasps dramatically, silencing everyone. Unnoticed in all the
commotion, Detectives Veronica Pstarekase and Johnny Stardust enter the
scene)

Yandre:
I mean this is absurd, we paid for a 5-star experience not some cheap service
from… I don’t know where

Bethany:
Exactly, Dominic darling you own the place, fix this! Unless you want to find
yourself on New York Times front page

Bobby:

Oh no…

Thembi:

What? Did you forget something? Is someone missing?

Bobby:

(Looking down, and not realizing who he is talking to) No, it’s worse than
that…

All:
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What?

Bobby:

Sipho, our Nando’s order is outside. We need to go get it.

(The guests and other staff members audibly sigh and roll their eyes at
Bobby)

Sipho:

(Defensively) We?! Who’s we?!

Det. Stardust:

(In an attempt to get rid of Bobby) You know what, maybe you guys should go.
Maybe you’ll be able to signal for help.

Dominic:

S-Signal for help, yeah.

Sipho:

(Shaking his head) yey, wena, go by yourself.

Bobby:

Come Siphs! There’s no time to waste! My extra hot Half Chicken is getting wet
and cold!

(Sipho and Bobby leave the group to signal for help and get Bobby’s food. All
stage lights cut. The wind howls and the rain gets louder. The guests
continue to complain and chatter while the spotlight follows Thembi and Bobby)

Bobby:

(Offstage) He said he’s by the gate!

Sipho:

(offstage) Text him to come here, phela.

Bobby:

I- I see him.

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Delivery Driver:

Sho sho, baba

Bobby:

Hm, this weather is crazy, hey?

(While Bobby and the delivery driver are talking in the midst of the storm,
Sipho encounters a mysterious figure and they fight, resulting in Sipho being
dragged off stage by the “kidnapper”

Bobby:

I am THE Bobby Sanchez, yeah I know.

Delivery Driver:

Eh, just give me my tip.

Bobby:

My presence is your tip.

(The delivery driver scoffs and drives away)

Bobby:

Yey, Sipho, let’s g- Sipho? SIPHO?

(Bobby returns alone to the stage and stage lights go on again. Bobby is
holding an obviously-soggy bag. Everybody’s eyes follow him as he enters
apart from Dominic and Celeste, who are in conversation with the detectives.
The four’s conversation seems to end and they turn to address the people)

Bobby:

(To Det. Pstarekase, chewing with his mouth open) Wait, so who are you now
even? You kind of look like that one… um… Allisyn Francis! You know, Bobby
Sanchez once did a movie with her?

Thembi:

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Hai, Bobby. No one cares. And besides her (Pointing at Det. Pstarekase)?
Allisyn Francis? You are crazy (Thembi draws crazy rings around her ears
behind Bobby’s back).

Dominic:

Um, Bobby, where’s Sipho?

(The crowd is silent)

Bobby:

(Shrugs his shoulders unbothered)

Celeste:

What do you mean you don’t know?

Bobby:

I mean… I turned around and he was gone.

Det. Stardust:

And you didn’t think to look for him?

Bobby:

You know the saying “Sacrifice the few to save the Sanchez”?

Det. Pstarekase:

Um, excuse me. I can hear you, you know? And since you seem so intrigued,
I’ll make it very clear that I am Detective Pstarekase, and this is my
partner, Detective Stardust.

Det. Stardust:

(meekly) Hi.

Dominic:

So, the detectives over here are going to help us find Mr Beaumont. I’ll have
you know that they will not be tolerating any nonsense.

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Det. Pstarekase:

Yes, that is correct (Det. Stardust nods out of obligation). Our first order
of business is to conduct interviews with anyone who knows anything. First of
all, no one leaves the Island, second of all I’m not here to make friends. I’m
here to find the truth. No one is above suspicion. Not the smiling bartender,
not the overworked lifeguard, not even the over-decorated hula dancer. If you
were breathing when it happened — I want to hear from you. I will start with
the resort staff. They know the ins and outs of this place better than anyone.
We’ll begin with Thembi

(Det. Pstarekase starts to leave and Det. Stardust follows when he realises
that she is leaving)

Bethany Sinclair:

Uh, hel-lo? What about the rest of us? We don’t know what to do. Floods are
usually for the poor people, you know?

(Everyone turns to Bethany sharply to indicate that she is wrong)

Emily Francis:

(taking his hand off of his wife’s shoulder to rebuke her lightly) Colleen!

Bethany Sinclair:

No? Is that just me?

Dominic

Guys can everybody please just calm down hey look the sun is out, it’s a
beautiful day

Celeste:

Yeah, we’re in Paradise Isles crying out loud, the most luxurious resort on
Earth.

Det. Pstarekase

Sounds a bit like you’re… hiding something.

Det. Stardust

It’s like we’re getting too close to the truth, it’s a bit suspicious…

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Dominic & Celeste

No, it’s not.

Bobby

Well, Bobby Sanchez is never one to miss an opportunity to tango on a beach.

Lights off, begin Tango

Act 2: Connecting the Dots

Scene 1: Thembi’s Interview
(The detectives and Thembi sit opposite each other at a table. All stage
lights are off except for a spotlight which shines on the table. Throughout
the interview, Det. Pstarekase makes notes of relevant clues in a small
notebook)

Det. Stardust:

(speaking into his voice recorder, which he places on the table) Interview
number one. The interviewee is Mrs. Thembekile Mthembu, a staff member of
Paradise Isle Resort, who was the first one to enter the room after Mrs.
Beaumont discovered the note.

Det. Pstarekase:

Mrs. Mthembu-

Thembi:

(Interjecting) Please, just call me [Link] can I ask? Mina were do I

enter in this situation, nidifakelandi guys kulento(Xhosa-why am I being
involved in such) IM JUST A CLEANER!

Det. Pstarekase:

(Seeming offended) RELAX Thembi. We just doing our job and what to know what
exactly happened to Mr Beaumont (Pausing as though struggling to pronounce
Thembi’s name) so Te-mbie, what did you observe when you entered room 27,
which was allocated to the Beaumont’s? On what conditions did you decide to
enter the room in the first place?

Thembi:

(To Det. Stardust) Wow! Wena u-Detective P-staircase really likes her posh-
posh English, hey? (Pausing, and then again to Det. Pstarekase) No, so, I
basically was just walking in the corridor when I heard this really ugly

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scream from the room where Mrs. Beaumont was. Jô! (To Det. Stardust) That lady
needs to learn to scream nicer, hey. (Then again to Det. Pstarekase) But, no,
I obviously wanted to find out why this lady had shrieked like that, so I
knocked and the door and went inside.

Det. Pstarekase:

How come you were walking in the corridor? And how did you get into the room
if Mrs. Beaumont didn’t open the door for you with her keycard?

Thembi:

I was walking in the corridor because I had just left room 26 to fetch clean
towels from the storeroom for Mr. Francis, like he asked me to. And I used my
staff card to get into the room. (Pausing) Is that suspicious?? Do you think
I’m delulu enough to do this and risk losing my job?

Det. Stardust:

No, Thembi, my partner is just covering all the bases. (Pausing and giving a
stern look to Det. Pstarekase) Now, Thembi, going back to our initial
question, what did you see when you entered room 27?

Thembi:

If you want to know so badly, why don’t you two glorified policemen just go
look yourself?

Det. Stardust:

(politely making as though the answer is obvious) Um, no, we actually can’t go
look for ourselves, the room is flooded.

Thembi:

Oh, ja, shem, I forgot about that. Well, the room was very messy – there were
clothes everywhere, but they didn’t look like they were thrown around.

Det. Pstarekase:

Anything else?

Thembi:

Yes, actually. The sliding door to the beach was open… And I’m not sure, but
it seemed like Mrs. Beaumont “snapped” into her crying face when she saw me.
It was weird.

Det. Stardust:

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I see. Now, our final question: have you noticed anything among the guests or
staff that could hint towards who may have taken Mr. Beaumont?

Thembi:

I mean there was this one group that seemed very talkative at reception. I
forgot their names…..oh yeah(pulls out a list) Bobby gave me a list of their
names it included Rendani Sadiki, Junior Masithula, Tawana Chikasha, Sam
Clark, Thato Mpago, Braedon Naidoo and… Lethabo Nsoko. That group seemed to be
too obsessed with Mr. Beaumont . Among the staff, I haven’t noticed anything,
but you know. (Jokingly) Anything is possible with (forming finger quotation
marks) “The Great Bobby Sanchez” …

(Lights out)

Scene 2: The Francis’ Interview

(The detectives and Antony stand opposite each other in a hotel corridor. All
stage lights are off except for spotlights which shine on the characters.
Throughout the interview, Det. Pstarekase makes notes of relevant clues in a
small notebook, and Antony seems nervous and generally distressed. He paces,
and Det. Stardust attempts to follow him with the voice recorder)

Det. Stardust:

(speaking into his voice recorder) Interview number two. The interviewee is
Mr. Antony Francis, a close friend of the Mr. Beaumont.

Det. Pstarekase:

Mr. Francis, we have reason to believe that your friendship with Mr. Beaumont
was fabricated – that you befriended him because of his money. And what better
way to take hold of his money that to ask for a ransom for him? What were you
doing at the time that Mrs. Beaumont discovered her husband, your “friend”, to
be missing?

Mr. Francis:

(Pacing) I, I-, I was in the reception hall with my wife, y-, you can ask
her. (Defensively) I don’t know where you get the idea that I’m only friends
with Alistair because of his money. Our friendship is genuine. It started
before he got rich. And if I really needed money, which I don’t, I could just
ask him.

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Det. Stardust:

(very empathetically) I hope, for your sake, that you are telling the truth,
Mr. Francis, however you are still a suspect.

Mr. Francis:

Yes, yes, I get it, you’re “not ruling anything out”, but I don’t understand
why you would think that I would do such a thing, or anyone here for that
matter. You should be interviewing all of Alistair’s friends that aren’t here
– they definitely knew where he was going to be. Like those cats at Caitlin
Fernandes, Gomolemo Mphahlele, Isabella Marques, Kiera Weiss, Antoon Gerges,
Reese Sauls, Denver Chideu and Jaydon Jefries. (Mrs. Francis is seen coming
down the corridor) And Margaux. You should focus on Margaux. She thinks that
my wife married me for money, but anyone will tell you that she’s the real
gold-digger. She doesn’t care one bit for Alistair, but he doesn’t see it.

(Mrs. Francis arrives at the conversation and takes a hold of her husband’s
arm)

Mrs. Francis:

Hey. Is-

Det. Stardust:

(Interjecting and putting his hand up as though to stop Mrs. Francis) Sorry
just- (speaking into his voice recorder) Mrs. Emily Francis, wife of Antony
Francis, and friend of Mrs. Beaumont, has now joined the conversation.
(Signaling with his hands waving in circles) Continue.

Mrs. Francis:

(Visibly offended, to Mr. Francis) Is everything alright?

Mr. Francis:

Yes, we were just finishing – the detectives were asking me about Alistair. We
can go.

Det. Pstarekase:

(To Mrs. Francis) Actually, Mrs. Francis, would you mind answering a few
questions for us? You know, standard procedure. (To Mr. Francis) We have no
further questions for you, Mr. Francis, you can rejoin the rest of the guests.

(Mr. Francis leaves the group and the stage after checking that his wife will
be ok)

Mrs. Francis:

(Agitatedly) Well, it doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice, so ask away.
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Det. Pstarekase:

Mrs. Francis, would you say that you share a genuine friendship with the
Beaumont’s?

Mrs. Francis:

Woah. That seems far from standard procedure. But the honest answer would be
no. I’m still trying to figure out what my husband’s deal is with Alistair
because he seems to have hidden intentions when it comes to Alistair.

Det. Stardust:

Your husband said that he was with you in the reception hall when Mrs.
Beaumont found her husband to be missing. Is this true?

Mrs. Francis:

I can’t say. Antony disappeared to the bathroom for a long time while I was
at the reception, and I had left the reception by the time that I heard
Margaux’s shriek.

Det. Pstarekase:

Alright. Thank you very much Mrs. Francis. That’s all we wanted to know.

Scene 3: “Tea & Secrets” – Mrs Beaumont’s Room

(Mrs. Beaumont’s private suite. Elegant and minimal. A kettle whistles
softly. Rain patters against the window. Two teacups sit on a silver tray.
Thembi sits in a plush armchair — slightly uncomfortable but pretending not
to be. Mrs Beaumont pours tea, calm as ever.)

Mrs. Beaumont:
(Laughing quietly) Thembi! You didn’t! You are wicked!

Thembi:
(Sips, smirking) I’m just saying… some of these rich folks, they really
believe their perfume can cover up their bad intentions.

Mrs. Beaumont:
Mmm-hmm. And did you see how quickly that Celeste girl jumped to call a
"meeting"? Power-hungry little thing.

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Thembi:
(Leans in) What if I told you the person they’re all looking for... is right
under their noses?

Mrs. Beaumont:
(Sips slowly, suspicious smile) Then I’d say... pass me more sugar.

(They both burst into laughter.)

MRS. BEAUMONT
What questions did they ask you?

THEMBI
(Shrugs)
Nothing new. Where was I? Did I see anyone? Did I touch the note?
All things. And also, your little performance there for Celeste? Top Tier,
you need an Oscar, girl.

MRS. BEAUMONT

Yoh-(before she can finish her sentence, Bobby enters the room)

BOBBY
(Over-the-top shocked)
Well, well, well… What do we have here?
Thembi Mthembu… sipping Twinings in a guest suite?

THEMBI
(Chokes on her tea a little)
Bobby! Don’t you knock?

BOBBY SANCHEZ
(Sauntering in, arms folded)
Bobby Sanchez is shook.
Thembi, darling — fraternising with a guest? That’s not exactly in your job
description, is it?

THEMBI
(Stands, brushing down her uniform)
Please, Bobby. We’re just… discussing laundry schedules. Very elite stuff.

BOBBY
(Smugly)
Uh-huh. Should I alert management?

(Thembi rises from her seat and playfully convinces bobby not to tell anyone)

Thembi

Hawu bobby… come on man relax, we just having a ladies talk nyana. Wena Bobby
you forget me and you go way back ne, I don’t think you would want this small
issue to ruin our years of friendship… so if you know what’s good for you

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you’ll keep your mouth shut and not tell anyone, especially Celeste and
Dominic

Bobby:

Mhmmmm, okay Thembi, but you owe me!

(He exits, still smirking. Thembi sits back down. Both women sip their tea in
silence. The mood shifts slightly — back to mystery.)

Thembi
You think he’ll say something?

MRS. BEAUMONT
He might.

THEMBI
(Sips her tea)
Then let him.

(Boys Dance)

Scene 4: Bobby Sanchez’s Interview

(The detectives stand while Bobby sits informally on a chair in the staff
room. Bobby is very relaxed and confident. All stage lights are off except
for spotlights which shine on the characters)

Bobby:

(Gesturing to two open chairs) Take a seat guys. Make yourselves comfortable
for your interview with the Bobby Sanchez. You never thought you’d see this
day coming, did you?

(The detectives ignore Bobby’s invitation to sit down. Throughout the

interview, Det. Pstarekase makes notes of relevant clues in a small notebook)

Det. Stardust:

(speaking into his voice recorder) Interview number four. The interviewee is
Mr. Bobby Sanchez, an observant member of staff at Paradise Isle (pausing and
contemplating) and retired action-movie star.

Det. Pstarekase:

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Mr. Sanchez, we believe that you have picked up on some information that
would be helpful to our investigation from your position as a staff member
here at the hotel. Could you tell us what you know?

Bobby:

Ok, so, firstly, I saw Mrs. Beaumont go into her room long before she
screamed, which is very suspicious, hey. She obviously-

Det. Pstarekase:

(interjecting) Mr. Sanchez, we don’t need your conclusions, just tell us what
you know.

Bobby:

(Raising his eyebrows) Oh, I see. This is like the good-cop/bad-cop thing
they do in all the movies. (Pointing rudely at Det. Pstarekase) You must be
the bad cop.

Det. Stardust:

(politely interjecting) Mr. Sanchez, could you answer the question? Please.

Bobby:

Oh ja, I almost forgot, this is just so exciting, although I think it’s more
exciting in the Bobby Sanchez movies than with you two (Bobby waves his
finger between the two detectives). (Pausing, and then nonchalantly) Anyways,
ja, so I also saw that Mrs. Francis tannie moving like a snake, I won’t even
lie. She was like looking behind her with the big eyes the whole time, you
know, like how Bobby had to do it when he acted as that robber in that one
movie, umm (pausing and clicking his fingers), Bank Heist 2! Yes, that one!
That was a good one.

(Bobby smiles to himself and stares at the floor, suddenly realising that he
is no longer who he used to be. The detectives are visibly frustrated by
Bobby’s shenanigans)

Det. Stardust:

Is that all, Mr. Sanchez?

Det. Pstarekase:

Is there anything else?

Bobby:

(Thinking deeply) Well I also saw Thembi slither into Mr Beumount’s room
while everyone was still dancing at the reception, which was very suspicious,
unless…she’s Mr Beaumont’s LOVER!

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(Before Bobby can go on another tangent, the detectives decide to end the
interview)

Det. Pstarekase:

(Interjecting authoritatively) Thank you, Mr. Sanchez! We have no further

questions.

(The detectives leave the stage while Bobby remains seated, lost in his
thoughts and speculations about the guests. The stage lights dim and then
cut)

Act 3: The Dining Hall Eruption

Scene 1:
(The resort’s main dining hall. Stormy night outside, flickering candlelight
on tables. Staff are bustling — serving drinks, clearing plates, dodging snide
remarks. Low murmurs fill the room.
(Thembekile "Thembi" Mthembu enters carrying a tray. Bobby Sanchez follows,
dramatically brushing imaginary crumbs off his shoulder. Other staff bustle
about. Guests are seated at tables, visibly tense.)

YANDRE VAN ZYL

(Rising, slamming his napkin down)

Enough! This is outrageous! You lock us in this over-decorated prison, then
parade us around like suspects? Where is Mr. Beaumont?!

LESADI RADEBE
(Leaning back smugly)
Honestly. It’s giving a cheap mystery dinner theatre, not five-star resort.

THEMBI
(Stops mid-stride, clutching tray)
Oh? You’re still alive though, aren’t you?

CELÉSTE LOMBARD
(Entering from side, sharply)
Staff! Focus, please! You're not here to debate with guests — you’re here to
serve.

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DOMINIC LE ROUX
(Behind her, stern)
This is not a circus. Sit down, everyone. There is a process.

Bethany
(Steps forward, pointing)
A process?! We’ve been waiting for answers all night while your staff
whisper behind our backs and detectives give us the third degree. We want to
know what’s going on. Now.

MR ANTONY FRANCIS
(Quiet, but cold)
Mr. Beaumont is my friend. And no one’s told me a thing.

MRS EMILY FRANCIS

(Sitting beside him, worried)
And Mrs. Beaumont is distraught. Where is she?

DI VERONICA PSTAREKASE
(Storms in, flashing badge)
Nobody leaves. Nobody hides. This isn’t a game.
(Looking around)
And from what I’ve heard, someone in this room is lying.

DI JESS STARDUST
(Softer tone)
We're just trying to get to the truth. But it would help if people weren’t
turning on each other.

THEMBI
(Raises hand sarcastically)
Oh sorry, is this the part where we all cry and hug? Because somebody said
something about someone — and now suddenly, everyone's a snake?

LESEDI
(Accusing)
You said my name, didn’t you?

THEMBI
I said a lot of names, sweetheart. You’ll have to be more specific.

LULU
(To Bobby)
And what about you? Always in someone’s business with your creepy one-
liners.

BOBBY SANCHEZ
(Offended, flicks hair)
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Bobby Sanchez does not creep. Bobby Sanchez witnesses. And Bobby Sanchez saw
more than he let on...

(Gasps from surrounding tables. Suddenly the whole room starts erupting —
whispers become shouts, accusations fly.)

GUEST 1
You told the detective I was near the wine cellar!

GUEST 2
Because you were!

GUEST 3
Stop lying! You said YOU saw Mr. Beaumont last!

THEMBI
(Shouting over them)
Everyone’s a detective now, huh? Except none of you cleaned up the glass in
the corridor, or heard the scream, or found the damn note!

Bethany
(Points across the room)
SOMEONE here knows more than they’re saying! And I will NOT be kept in the
dark while this turns into a free-for-all!

(The chaos builds. Bobby is spinning in dramatic frustration. Thembi is

snapping her fingers. Lesedi is yelling over Lulu. Plates clink. A waiter
trips. Someone spills wine.)
Dominic SLAMS a tray onto the table. Silence.

DOMINIC
(Sharp, commanding)
EVERYBODY — ENOUGH!

(Everything stops. Guests freeze mid-shout. Staff mid-step. Bobby mid-flick.)

DOMINIC
You want answers? Let the detectives work. You want someone to blame? Look
in the mirror.
(Points around the room)
Everyone here has a secret. Everyone here is under scrutiny.

CELESTE
(Stepping forward, icy calm)

So unless you want to make yourself look more guilty...

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(Slight pause)
Sit. Down.

(Everyone slowly returns to their seats. Tension still thick. Staff exchange
uneasy glances.)

DI VERONICA PSTAREKASE
We’ll continue the interviews now.

Detective Stardust

Dominic, Celeste? We need both of you.

Bethany

Mm. The very owners of the resort.

**********BLACKOUT. *********

***************Couple’s Dance***************
Scene 2: Dominic and celeste
Det. P

The boiler room, Let’s start there.

Dominic

We don’t know anything, okay? She’s just flapping her mouth around like she
often does.

Celeste

Hey!-

Det. S

So what were you two doing in the boiler room when everyone else was in the
conference room?

Dominic

(Hesitantly)You see, we were um… just… checking for things.

Celeste

Fine, fine, you got us… We’ve been doing maintenance and repairs on the hotel
because… we’re bankrupt, and we can’t afford to hire anyone else right now.
But if you’re accusing us of making people, go missing without first looking
at Table 3 you detectives really were hired off Temu.
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Det. P

Table 3? Who’s even seated there?

Dominic

Well, if I remember correctly, it was Daniel Brown, Candice Atkinson, Alisyn

Francis, Kristin Basson, Anderson Naidoo, and Adelaide De Lange.

Det. S

Yeah, nice try, those are decent people. I know them. They wouldn’t.

Celeste

Oh, they wouldn’t until they do.

Det. P

Anyway, this isn’t about them. It’s about you two. What exactly were you
doing in there? What went so wrong you had to sneak away to go fix in the
shadows?

Dominic

We were just shutting off the geyser because nobody’s using the hot water,
everyone’s in the conference room.

Det S

Wow, you guys really are living the struggle life.

Celeste

It’s not our fault, when we inherited this place, we blew all the money we
got on parties. So now, we can barely keep the lights on!

(The lights go out and there is a collective sound of disappointment coming

from the conference room. Dominic, Celeste, and the detectives reunite with
the rest of the crowd in the dark)

(These proceedings are in very low lighting so that the audience can see the
characters, but the characters cannot)

Jandre

I didn’t pay so much of my pension to sit in the dark. Thembi, my kind, Don’t
you people have generators for loadshedding?

Thembi

This isn’t loadshedding, it’s the storm. It cut the power out. There isn’t
much we can do…

Lesedi

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So now we’re just waiting patiently for something bad to happen? Because
being in a storm in the dark, is a terrible combination. Right Lulu?

(While Lesedi is talking, the kidnapper makes an onstage appearance and

quietly grabs Lulu off stage)

Lulu (offstage)

AHH! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT WAS YOU THIS WHOLE TIME!

(The lights come back on, and it is evident that Lulu has gone missing)

Antony

Okay, this isn’t so funny anymore…

Lesedi (She starts shoving him out of anger)

Funny? This was ever funny to you, Antony? Huh? Is it you? Are you the
weirdo? Bring her back!

Antony

Woah, woah, I was just playing, take a joke.

Lesedi

A joke? Your relationship is a joke

Antony

What did you say? -

Emily

Don’t be jealous, Lesedi.

Lesedi

You know, I’ve been patient with you and your outfit for too long. Come on,
let’s go.

Singers

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Act 4:
Scene 1: Interview with Mrs. Beaumont
Private lounge. The lights are dim. A detective sits across from Mrs.
Beaumont, poised and emotionally unreadable.

DI VERONICA PSTAREKASE
Thank you for sitting with us, Mrs. Beaumont.

MRS. BEAUMONT
(Sips tea)
As if I had a choice.

DI JESS STARDUST
We just want to ask a few questions. About your husband. About… your
relationship with the staff.

MRS. BEAUMONT
(Smiles faintly)
You mean Thembi.

DI VERONICA
Yes. The cleaner. Who, interestingly, found the note and also seemed to know
a lot of things before anyone else.

MRS. BEAUMONT
Thembi is loyal. She’s worked here for years. Unlike most of your “guests”,
she listens. Observes.

DI JESS
So you’re saying she wouldn’t do anything suspicious?

MRS. BEAUMONT
I’m saying I know her. And people like you—
(Looks pointedly)
—don’t understand friendships outside your class bubble.

DI VERONICA
Mrs. Beaumont, it’s... unusual. Staff and guests don’t tend to “giggle over
coffee” in the back room during an active investigation.

MRS. BEAUMONT
(Coldly)
Maybe if more people had coffee together, my husband wouldn’t be missing.

(Silence.)

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DI VERONICA
(Leaning forward)
Where were you during the blackout?

MRS. BEAUMONT
(Composed)
Crying in the powder room.

DI JESS
Alone?

MRS. BEAUMONT
(Smiles, unbothered)
Aren’t we all?

(She stands up gently.)

MRS. BEAUMONT (cont’d)

You’ll find nothing here. Because the one you’re looking for... is hiding in
plain sight.... Table 4
(Leaning forward slightly)
Eric Charles, Thosh Naidu, Tyler Naidoo, Austin Slabbert, Josh Van Der Merwe,
and Adam Coote.

(A pause. Detectives glance at each other)

That’s the one. Loud. Too curious. Always whispering. (Soft smile)

Young people love games. Sometimes… they play too far.

DI Veronica
You’re saying a group of teenagers are involved in your husband's
disappearance?

MRS. BEAUMONT
(Slowly)
I’m saying... the storm wasn’t the only thing that hit this place
unexpectedly.

(She stands gracefully.)

(She exits.)

Scene 2: Detectives Reflect

(The detectives sit at a table in the dark dining hall. A single desk lamp
glows. Files are open, but no answers)
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DI VERONICA PSTAREKASE
Everyone’s lying.

DI JESS STARDUST
Everyone’s scared.

DI VERONICA
They’re turning on each other like hyenas.

DI JESS

Do you know what I think?

DI Veronica

What do you think? About all this?

DI Jess

Do you know which table managed to slip right under the radar? Table 5.

Ben Polack, Thomas Koslag, Aaron Bischoff, Karl Wortmann, and Jason Ridley.

DI Veronica

Are you serious? Of course it couldn’t be them, they were probably at some
Rugby game. Although that is a good cover… We can’t rule them out of
suspicion…

DI JESS
Well, then we have no solid leads. We’ve got interviews, fragments,
suspicion. No evidence.

DI VERONICA
And no Mr. Beaumont.

(A beat. They both stare into silence.)

DI JESS
What if we’re chasing something that doesn’t want to be found?

DI VERONICA
(Sighs)
Or someone’s helping him hide.

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DI JESS
Then we’re not chasing a mystery. We’re chasing a performance.

(Blackout.)

ACT 5

SETTING:

Back in the main resort hall. Guests are gathered. The guest detectives stand center
stage. Celeste and Dominic flank them. Staff and Matrics line the space, quiet,
expectant. Lights are soft, but dim.

DI Veronica Pstarekase

(speaking privately with DI Jess Stardust)

After all interviews inspections and reviews… we've found nothing

DI Jess Stardust

No evidence, no trace, no suspects we can officially charge.

we've reached a dead end

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DI Veronica

Sipho, Lulu, and Mr Beaumont are still missing.

But there is nothing more we can do. Not tonight.

(guests murmur. A wave of confusion and disappointment spreads)

Dominic

(Speaking privately with Celeste)

No man we can't end the evening like this

Celeste

We're not letting everyone leave this resort with fear on their faces.

Imagine the reviews we’re gonna get on Tripadvisor?

One star, my husband disappeared.

Dominic

But hey, the storm has cleared, we still have music, we still have light.

Let’s enjoy, we’re in Paradise Isle!

Celeste

DJ- play something. Let’s remind these guests that they came here to enjoy

(Music starts — upbeat, celebratory Amapiano/Pop fusion. Lights

brighten. A staff member slides a mic to the DJ. Beat kicks in.)

(The entire Grade 11 group joins in. Big, synchronised

choreography. Energy explodes. Staff join. Guests join. Celeste

and Dominic even jump in. Unity returns. For a moment… paradise

is real again.)

Celeste

This party isn’t complete without the ones at table six,

the ones that really know how to party!

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Dominic

Who?

Celeste

Ag, man, you know them. It’s Michaela Nxumalo, Victoria Maponga, Unathi Mbambo, Freda
Mapunye, Bukhosi Makhalima, and Nathan Philip

(The guests and staff make a collective sound of agreement)

(Suddenly — Mrs. Beaumont stumbles. Clutches her chest. Gasps.

She collapses.)

GUEST 1

Mrs. Beaumont?!

GUEST 2

She’s fainted! Someone help!

(The music cuts. Screams. People rush to her, crowding around.)

(Stage left. Thembi sits quietly at a table. She calmly stirs

her tea. Sips. Unbothered. Spotlight shifts to her as the panic

continues stage right.)

(She watches Mrs. Beaumont silently. No concern. No movement.)

(After a long pause… she slowly stands. Smooth. Controlled. She

fixes her apron. Walks away, exiting left — just as someone

screams for a medic.)

Projection Cue

(*The lights flicker. All freeze. A sharp click as the projector

behind them activates. On screen, in white text on black

background: *)

> YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OVER...

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SEE YOU AT THE MD.

END.

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