Favor
 | Drama
by Dave Marsh
December 10, 2006
|
A drama about back sliding - Also Easter.
Director's
Notes: How is it that we allow ourselves to get caught up in other
stuff
that just pulls us
away from the joy of our salvation? This drama shows that the most
dangerous thing Satan
can do to us is slowly and subtly encourage apathy and put
stuff in our lives
that just doesn't matter. Another unfortunate thing here is how the
husband seems resigned
to his wife's spiritual condition...
The good thing about
this drama is that it can also be used on Easter (or the week
before as in this
case) as a wake-up call.
By the way, you may
notice my homage to 'A Christmas Story' in here. Yeah, it's
intentional :)
Cast:
Susan: A woman who
has forgotten her First Love
Jerry: Susan's husband
Props:
A bunny costume (the
goofier, the better)
A camera
A chair
Setting:
The living room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER
STAGE with Susan shouting toward the back of the worship center)
Susan: Jerry? Jerry?
Come on in here honey!
Jerry:
(from off stage) No.
Susan: Come on! I
spent 6 weeks making it! Come on!
Jerry:
(from off stage) I don’t want to.
Susan: Jerry Taylor,
you come in here right now!
Jerry:
(opens door and enters very slowly. Jerry is dressed in a ridiculous-looking
bunny costume. He
works his way slowly up to the stage, looking depressed as he
goes. Susan, on the
other hand, has her hands over her mouth, stifling the glee she
feels over her creation.)
Susan: Oh, that is
just precious!
Jerry:
Deranged is more like it.
Susan:
(ignoring him) I think this is about the cutest thing I have every seen!
Jerry:
Um, perhaps you didn’t hear me.
Susan: Oh, I heard
you all right. You look great. I can’t wait until next Saturday when
the kids see you
at the Easter egg hunt.
Jerry:
(dead pan) Yeah. Me too. Can’t wait.
Susan: Oh stop it.
(suddenly a thought strikes her) I’ve got to get the camera.
Jerry:
Lovely.
Susan: Don’t move
a muscle. (She runs off stage)
Jerry:
Wouldn’t dream of it.
Jerry:
(Turns to the audience) Okay, so I look ridiculous. So what, right? To
be
honest, I don’t mind
doing this all that much. I mean, I know I’ll catch some heat for it
from the guys but
she’s worth it, you know? I only put on the sour face because A)
After 12 years, she
expects it and B) I’ll be able to buy that DVD player I want
without much of a
struggle.
Jerry:
Anyway, she did spend 6 weeks making the beast and she really doesn’t
ask for much. It’s
always around the big 3 holidays that she seems to go all out and
really do stuff.
(starts counting on his fingers) On Thanksgiving she invites 30 of our
“closest” (does the
quotes thing) family and friends and spends 5 days in the kitchen
making the perfect
meal. On Christmas, she personally does all the shopping, puts
up every light and
lawn ornament known to man, and wraps every gift. Then, there’s
Easter. Egg hunts,
egg coloring, baskets everywhere, you name it.
Jerry:
(sits down) The sad part, though, is that it wasn’t always this way. I
mean,
don’t get me wrong,
none of this stuff is bad but the emphasis has changed. When
we first got married
and had kids, each of these holidays was about God. On
Thanksgiving, we
went to a service devoted to thanking God for the good things
He’s done. On Christmas,
we gathered around the fire and read the Christmas story
before the kids went
nuts on the presents. And on Easter, it was about celebrating
God’s grace towards
us.
Jerry:
For some reason, she slowly forgot about those things. It didn’t happen
all
at once. Things just
kind of got in the way. Not really bad things but just… things.
Distracting things.
Soon, before we knew it, the values she treasured were replaced
by this (pulls on
costume) stuff. You might ask why I don’t bring it up to her? Well, I
have and it just
causes us to get in a fight and well, there you go. Anyway, here she
comes. I better act
miserable. DVD player. You understand (winks)...
Susan: (comes running
back up) Okay, I found it. Strike a pose.
Jerry:
What?
Susan: You know, strike
a pose!
Jerry:
(heavy sigh as he strikes a sour pose.)
Susan: Come on. Smile!
(She snaps a couple of pictures)
Jerry:
Okay. Enough. Can I take this thing off now?
Susan: Sure. Right
after the neighbors see it. (shouts) Come on in you guys!
Jerry:
(Head snaps to the audience and his eyes get wide!)
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
END
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