The Game of Life
 | Drama
by Dave Marsh
November 28, 2005
|
A drama about personal accountability and life priorities
Director's Notes:
It's easy to get caught up in the world and forget what is really important and where
our priorities should be. We can also start blaming each other for our own lack of
self-control and accountability. This is one of my favorites since many times it hits
close to home...
Cast:
Jack: A normal husband and father
Sandy: Jack's wife
Vicki: A friend of the family
Props:
Table/desk
The game of Life
Bowl of chips, etc.
Setting:
Jack and Sandy's kitchen
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE - Jack, Sandy, and Vicki are playing the board
game "The Game of Life.)
Vicki: You guys, I can’t remember the last time I played this game. I must have
been, like 10 or something.
Sandy: Yeah, they really updated the box and everything (holds it up). It’s like a
doctor used to make something like $20,000 when it first came out in the 70’s.
Jack: (jokingly) Hey, look, are you two gonna yap all night. Let’s finish the inevitable
– you know, where I crush you in my suburban-money-hungry grip.
Sandy: You are an absolute joy to play with, dear.
Vicki: You know, Jack, it’s not whether your win or lose it’s…
Jack: (cuts her off) how badly you win. Yeah, I agree. Now spin. Sandy it’s your turn.
Sandy: Okay, okay. Let’s see. Okay, a 4. (moves her piece). Strike oil. Collect
$300,000! Wow! (looks at Vicki) Okay, banker, hand it over!
Jack: (Producing a collect card). Not so fast there, Speedy Gonzalez. I’d like half of
that please.
Sandy: Argh. What do you want with it anyway? You’ll just blow it on junk.
Jack: What do you mean? I’m not the one with the spending problem…
Sandy: What do YOU mean?
Jack: Well how about those Precious Moments figures you bought?
Sandy: Hey, it’s not my fault…you told me to start a hobby.
Vicki: Uh, guys?
Jack: Yeah, I said start a hobby, not buy so many that we had to have a $15,000
addition put on to store the things!
andy: Hey, look who’s talking. Who bought that Corvette? A Corvette’s really
practical in a family of 5. And, if I remember correctly, we needed a new dishwasher
at the time.
Jack: Yeah, well, that wasn’t my fault. It was that car dealer friend of yours. He
practically made me buy it.
Vicki: Uh, guys?
Sandy: Made you buy it? Friend of mine? You know, I think somebody here has a
problem with owning up and taking responsibilities for their own actions and I don’t
think it’s the people who have a full head of hair.
Jack: What? Well, I, uh, look we…
Vicki: Guys!? C’mon now, this is a game. It’s supposed to be fun. Now, c’mon, let’s
play.
Jack/Sandy: Uh, yeah, sorry, etc.
Vicki: Okay, Jack, your spin.
Jack: (Spins.) 6. (count’s em off). Let’s see – A baby boy is born. Collect presents.
(looks at the ladies) That’ll be $500 each please.
Sandy: Here you go. Poor kids gonna need something.
Jack: What do you mean by that?
Sandy: Well, you know, it’s gonna be rough since he won’t see his father very
much.
Jack: (holds up the piece) Hey, I’m gonna see this little guy a ton! We’re gonna do
all the great Dad things I do with my kids now.
Vicki: Um, guys?
Sandy: What, like watch Daddy work late? Or watch Daddy bring home a full
briefcase?
ack: Hey, as soon as you decide that you don’t like your lifestyle let me know.
Vicki: Guys??
Sandy: It has nothing to do with that.
Jack: It has everything to do with that.
Sandy: Hey, all I’m saying is that if you’re gonna take care of that kid, you’d better
get your priorities straightened out.
Vicki: Bye. (frustrated. Gets up and leaves. Jack and Sandy don’t even notice.)
Jack: My priorities? Have you taken a look at that Bible of yours? It has enough
dust on it to choke a horse!
Sandy: Hey, I’ve got to take care of the kids all day, not to mention picking up for
you and washing your clothes and shopping for food.
Jack: Oh, that’s good. Groceries before God. Those are good priorities.
Sandy/Jack: (frustrated, they are biting back more words when they notice that
Vicki is gone.)
Jack: Hey, where’d Vicki go?
Sandy: I have no idea.
Jack: Yeah, well. (looks at game). This is, uh, an interesting game, this game of
Life.
Sandy: Yeah. (long pause) Maybe it hasn’t changed that much in twenty years after
all.
(LIGHTS OUT SLOWLY)
END
(c) 1998 Dave Marsh
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