A Squeaky Wheel Gets Oiled

Everyone has heard the phrase, “it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil” but how many people know the back-story? The story begins in a kingdom far, far away over the rainbow – a kingdom called Spokend. This kingdom of wheels is a happy one for the gods have blessed the tiny hamlet with plentiful sunshine, water and most important…oil. Until a terrible drought starts to dry up all the oil supplies. What is to be done? The powerful barons of industry and politicians decide to hold a meeting to decide how to solve the situation. Since Spokend is a democracy all the citizens come to the meeting but their voices are ignored, especially the voices of of the poorer citizens of the community suffering from a squeak that can only be cured with oil, Spare Wheel and his wife Fifth Wheel. Despite Spare Wheel’s desperate pleas for oil, he is ignored and sent home without any help or consideration. Without oil, Spare Wheel’s squeak becomes so bad he loses his job and his family starts to suffer when his sick leave and unemployment benefits run out. What is he to do? Spare Wheel and Fifth Wheel develop a scheme that uses the squeak to their advantage against the town magistrate Big Wheel who finally relents and gives over the oil. Thus, for years after in the town of Spokend citizens in need of help are told “It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil.”

Cast Size: 10 flexible roles with doubling possible.

Running Time: 45 minutes.

Royalty Rate: $50.00 per performance.

Appropriate for all ages.

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Brenda Duffey grew up in Jefferson County, Kentucky, but her roots lie deep in the rural "hollers" of her home state. She grew up on Kentucky fried chicken (her mother's) and a conservative Bible Belt philosophy of education and hard work as the key to success. She received her undergraduate secondary education degree from the University of Louisville in 1967 with endorsements in social studies and English. She received her MSW from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville in 1986. After twenty-five years in public education spanning six different states, Brenda retired and wrote and self-published The Peacemaker through Xlibris Publishing Company in 2010. After a nationwide tour promoting the book and establishing an online website at http://www.kentuckywoman.net Brenda became a free lance writer for Demand Media. Since that time she has written and published over 100 informational articles that have appeared on eHow.com and Livestrong.com. Brenda has also written two articles for Ezine Articles and is considered an expert author. In 2011 Brenda collaborated with Dr. Alia Khan-Hudson and her husband Robert Hudson on the completion of a book entitled "The Last Day in Karachi -Through the Ring of Fire." Brenda has a website at http://angelbandproductions.com that contains links to other creative projects which include an album of original tunes available on iTunes and the most recent publication of her play "A Squeaky Wheel Gets Oiled." There are also links to face book, twitter, Brenda's blog "A Time for Peace" and her Ezine articles. The website includes a monthly calendar that keeps followers updated on where Ms. Duffey is appearing and also events connected with her involvement in the Beloved Community of Florence. There are numerous videos of presentations and book signings Brenda has done in connection with her novel, "The Peacemaker" as well as an NPR radio interview done in 2012 shortly after the release of the book. In her leisure time, Brenda enjoys singing, writing song lyrics and poetry, swing and Latin dancing, cycling, tennis and kayaking.

Copyright © Brenda Duffey