The Girl in the Haunted House - Outline

1. The Girl in the Haunted House - Outline Ms. Nelson’s Beginning Drama Class

2. Once upon a time there was… • A girl who did not believe in ghosts. She did not believe in ghosts because her parents were scientists and always had an explanation for anything that went bump in the night. “Just the wind,” her mom would say. “The house is settling,” her dad would explain.

3. Even so, every day… • On her way to and from the bus stop, the girl would pass a dark and creepy mansion, from which came some very ghoulish noises. “Just the wind,” the girl would tell herself, though no wind blew. “Or the house is settling,” she’d nod as she kept walking on her way.

4. One day… • While returning home from the bus stop, she noticed something different about the dark and creepy house. The ghoulish noises had stopped. And there was an unusual man standing by the gate, dressed in all black. His one eye fixed on the girl, he smiled at her, showing a mouth with several missing teeth. “Hello,” he said in a nasal voice. The sound made the girl’s skin crawl, but instead of running, her feet rooted themselves to the ground.

5. “We are having a party this evening,” the man continued, “and we would be much overjoyed for you to honor us with your presence.” The man tenderly grabbed the girl’s hand, and she felt tingles run beneath her skin. She watched in a daze, as the man regained his missing eye and teeth. As she walked, her body felt as though it moved independently of her mind. Awestruck, she watched the dark and creepy house turn into a bright and cheerful mansion. “Just my imagination,” the girl spoke aloud to herself. “’Fraid not,” grinned the man.

6. Once inside the house, the man introduced the girl to several people sitting around a long dinner table, which was full of delicious smelling food. “Have some roast!” chirped a woman with a red hat. The girl, still feeling as though her body was not her own, obliged the company by taking a seat and allowing them to fill her plate and cup. Once she had eaten until she thought her stomach would burst, the girl noticed the group looking at her mysteriously. “What?” She questioned. “Well,” said the nasal man in black, “no sense beating ‘round the bush any longer. You see, we are ghosts. And you are special. When you were young, your parents put a chemical in you that can help free us from the evil one that keeps us in the house.” “Nonsense!” cried the girl. “There’s no such thing as ghosts.” “Ah. But there is…” came a sinister voice from behind the girl.

7. And then… • The evil ghost sucked her into the spirit world and turned HER into a ghost.

8. And ever since that day… • The girl lived as a ghost, which she did not believe in at the start…

9. OUTLINE • Once upon a time there was… • And everyday… • Until one day… • And then… • And then… • And then… • And ever since that day…