Director's Notes:
Let's face it - we're too busy. Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song about the "busyman." The Bible says that a man dies and leaves behind all his busy activities. Sometimes when I write a drama, God uses it first and foremost in my own life. There are a few laughs in this one but that's about it. Nothing really funny about this subject. I ended it as I'm apt to do - the Everyman can't make up his mind as the lights fade...
Cast:
Dave: A workaholic Dad
Jimmy: Dave's Son
Props:
A phone
Some papers
A chair
A desk
A laptop (if available)
Setting:
Home office
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE)
(Dave is busy working hard.)
Dave: I just don’t get it. I can’t seem to get these numbers to come out right! I mean, how many times do I have to run them? Argh! Maybe I’m cursed. That’s it! I’ve been cursed! Who’s the god of mathematics? I’m SURE there’s a god of mathematics and he’s got it in for me!
Dave: (Stands up on chair playing the god) You there, puny mortal! I am Algorithm, the god of mathematics and I bring you endless days and hours of unresolved decimal points and balance sheets that do not jive!
Jimmy: (Enters) Hey Dad. What are you doing?
Dave: (looks at this son) Nothing Jimmy. Daddy is just losing his mind.
Jimmy: Cool. Okay, I’ve got something for you.
Dave: (gets down) Um, Jimmy, I’m really busy… you see (phone rings) Hold on.
Jimmy: (sits down on steps)
Dave: Hello? Oh, hi Chris. Yeah, I’m looking at them right now. What? No, I haven’t. Yes, I know but I tried to get it done Friday… I tried to get it done Friday night – I tried to get it done Saturday even but the numbers won’t match. Yes. Yes. I know, they’re gonna be there at 3 on Monday.
Jimmy: Dad?
Dave: Hold on pal. (back to the phone) Yes. I know. Look Chris, there are only so many hours in the day. I’m trying to get these numbers to jive. Yes. I’m looking at them right now. Yep, I see that right here on page 4. What? Page 5? (looks at the papers on his desk) Uh, I don’t have a page 5. Yes. No… wait a minute. That’s right! Wait a minute it’s got to be here somewhere…
Jimmy: Dad. I have the numbers you need.
Dave: What?
Jimmy: Here you go.
Dave: Wow. Thanks Jimmy. You’re a lifesaver. (back to phone) Hold on. Let me look these over.
Dave: (He looks at them but notices this is not the page he thought it was…)
Dave: Um, Jimmy. What’s this?
Jimmy: Read it.
Dave: Hold on Chris… (he begins reading out loud)
Dad’s Time Monday – Friday : 50 hours of work -1 hour a night with me or 5 hours
Saturday: 6 hours of work - 3 hours with me
Sunday: ?
Dave: (looks at his son) Um, Jimmy…
Jimmy: I’ll wait outside, ok dad?
Dave: Uh… (phone) Yes, Chris, yeah, I’m still here. Yes, I know how important this is. What? Did I find the numbers? (He looks at the paper) Yeah, I found them…
Dave: (he looks back and forth between the computer and where his son left as the LIGHTS SLOWLY FADE)…
END
(c) 1998 Dave Marsh
Experiencing Worship, The Study