Narrator: The whites buried their son in the cemetery two miles away. As the days passed, they hardly spoke. They had nothing to talk about except sorrow. It is now a week after the funeral. The old man is awakened at night by his wife
Mrs. White:The monkey's paw! THE PAW!
Mr. White: Where? What's the matter?
Mrs. White: I want it! Where is it?
Mr. White: It's downstairs. But why do you want it?
Mrs. White: Oh, why didn't I think of it before? It's so easy!
Mr. White: Think of what? What are you talking about?
Mrs. White: The other two wishes. We've only had one.
Mr. White: Wasn't that one enough?
Mrs. White: No! We'll have one more. Get the paw and wish for Herbert to be alive again.
Mr. White: My God! You're crazy!
Mrs. White: No I'm not. Hurry! Get it and wish.
Mr. White: You don't know what you're saying.
Mrs. White: The first wish came true. Why not the second?
Mr. White: It was just a terrible coincidence.
Mrs. White: Go and get the paw and wish.
Narrator: Mr White goes downstairs in the dark. He feels his way to the table where the monkey's paw lies. He rushes back to the bedroom. His wife's face is terrible to see.
Mrs. White: Hurry! Wish!
Mr. White: It's foolish and wicked. The paw is evil.
Mrs. White: Wish!
Mr. White: (raising his arm)I wish my son alive.
Narrator: The paw falls to the floor. Mr. and Mrs. White are silent. They wait until the candles burns out. Then they go back to bed. They can't sleep. A stair creaks. A mouse runs through the wall. Mr. White takes a deep breath. He takes the matches, strikes one, and goes downstairs for another candle. At the foot of the stairs the match goes out. There is a quiet knock on the door. Mr. White doesn't dare breathe. The knock comes again. He turns and runs back to the bedroom. A loud knock sounds through the house.
Mrs. White: What's that noise?
Mr. White: It's a rat. Just a rat
Mrs. White: No, it's Herbert! It's my son!
Narrator: She runs to the door. Mr White stops her.
Mrs. White: Let me go! I forgot the cemetery is two miles away. That's what took him so long. I must let him in.
Mr. White: You can't let him in!
Mrs. White: You're afraid of your own son!
Narrator: There is a knock, and another. The old woman breaks free. She runs downstairs. Mr White hears the chain on the lock rattle.
Mrs. White: The lock is stuck! I can't reach it. Come and help me!
Narrator: Mr. White is on his knees, He is feeling for the paw. If only he can find it before the thing outside gets in! The knocks are coming loud and fast. He hears his wife drag a chair to the door. She climbs on the chair. He hears the bolt creak back. At the same time, he finds the paw and holds it in the air.
Mr. White: (whispering)I wish my son back in the grave.
Narrator: Suddenly the knocking stops. The doors opens. The cold wind rushes up the stairs. A long cry of sorrow from his wife gives Mr. White the courage to run downstairs. He goes out to the gate. The street lamp shines an a quiet, empty road.
THE END
