Riley, a young sailor, is harassed by two shipmates in a Hong Kong bar the morning after a wild night. Riley's shipmates got him drunk and forced him to visit a prostitute. His wife, waiting for him stateside, is disturbed by the moral consequences of this behavior and angry that his comrades repeatedly do this and laugh it off. Riley whips out his service pistol and threatens to kill himself to prove how upset he is and to take a stand for all young, impressionable servicemen. In a gripping conclusion, Riley forces the two wild men to reexamine themselves and their moral outlook.
Published in Cross Country: Seven More One Act Plays.
SHORE LEAVE was originally presented by the Metropolitan Players, Anita Adsit, artistic director, at the Producer's Club Theatre in New York City on September 10, 1999 under the direction of Steve Terry.