*"Rift in Time"*

*Act 1*

(The scene opens in Ethan's laboratory. Ethan, Maya, and Disley are present.)

ETHAN:
Do you think it will happen?

MAYA:
How will I know? Let's try it out!

DISLEY:
Ethan, Ethan, come and take a look at this side!

ETHAN:
Not now, Disley. We're on the verge of a historic journey.

DISLEY:
Historic journey? You're not going to mess with the timeline again, are you?

MAYA:
Who's Disley?

ETHAN:
My lab assistant. Ignore him, Maya.

DISLEY:
Ignore me? You're ignoring the warning signs on the time machine's console!

MAYA:
Warning signs? Ethan, what's going on?

ETHAN:
Nothing to worry about, baby.

DISLEY:
Aren't you afraid of what's coming, Ethan? At least do it for your wife.

MAYA:
What!! Wife?

ETHAN:
Uh, Disley, that's not relevant right now.

MAYA:
Actually, it's very relevant. You're married?

DISLEY:
Yeah, Ethan's been keeping secrets. You should see the wedding ring he's been hiding.

MAYA:
Ethan, is this true?

ETHAN:
Maya, focus. We have a time-traveling opportunity of a lifetime here.

MAYA:
I'm focusing, all right. On your deception.

DISLEY:
Told you, Ethan. Honesty is the best policy.

*Act 2*

(Cracks and sounds echo through the room.)

DISLEY:
Ethan, Ethan! Come and see this!

ETHAN:
What is it, Disley?

DISLEY:
The time machine's energy levels are spiking! We have to shut it down now!

MAYA:
What's happening?

ETHAN:
I don't know! Disley, try to override the system!

(Sirens blare, lights flash.)

DISLEY:
It's not responding! We're experiencing a temporal rift!

MAYA:
What does that mean?

ETHAN:
We're losing control of time itself.

*Act 3*

(Smoke fills the room, alarms blaring.)

MAYA:
(not now... I don't want to die, Ethan! I don't want to die!

DISLEY:
Ethan, we have no other option!

ETHAN:
You know we can't do this, Disley! You know how risky it is!

(Maya collapses, faints.)

DISLEY:
Ethan, look at Maya! We have no time! It's now in your hands, either you save her or let her die in your face!

ETHAN:
(confused, looks at Maya, then at the watch, then again at Maya, then at Disley, who nods urgently)

DISLEY:
Go on, Ethan!

ETHAN:
(fearfully) No...no, this can't be happening!
...