Director's Notes: This was a drama I did a couple of weeks before Promise Keepers where I was encouraging the congregation to 'Go the distance.' Christianity is not a sprint. It's a long distance race and we need to run to win. The race in this script obviously is a metaphor to our own walk with Christ. At first, it looks so easy and we have so much joy but it's easy to get tired. We need to help and encourage each other to go the distance...
BTW, it would be helpful to record Dave's thoughts and play them back via tape...
Cast:
Dave: A part-time runner
Robby: A full-time runner..
Props:
Athletic apparel
Setting:
A trail
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE. Robby is standing up there running in place.)
Robby: Hey, you slacker. Cmon, let’s go.
Dave: (comes stumbling in) Who me? Slacker?
Robby: Yeah, you!
Dave: I’m pacing myself. Give me a sec ok?
Robby: Whatever.
Dave: (START TAPE) I can’t believe this. What have I gotten myself into? It sounded so innocent when he called me and said “Let’s go out for a little jog” “You like to run right? It’ll be fun!” “We’ll just start on a small trail off of the AT.” “Sure. No problem” I said. “Sounds like a cake walk. I do this all the time. Well, I’ve been reading a lot about it…. Well, I know people who run…. Okay, I’ve heard of this thing called running…”
Robby: Come on, you ready to get moving? It’s gonna get dark soon.
Dave: Give me a minute, ok? You’re starting to sound like Alice’s drill-sergeant sister on the Brady Bunch. (voice over) Okay, who am I fooling? I knew what I getting into from the start. I went to the seminar and when they asked who was ready to start running, my hand suddenly went up. It was all so thrilling. I mean, deep in my heart, I knew that I was born to be a runner – to feel the ground beneath my feet, to feel the wind in my hair, to feel my heart beating, faster and faster…
Robby: Okay, you ready now Bruce Jenner.
Dave: Hold on there, Schwartzinegger. Give me a second. (voice over) Okay, admit it. I’m done. I’ve got nothing left. I should have never become a runner. I should have stayed on the couch, remote in one hand, Mountain dew in another. I had the good life – I think. I mean, things were kinda blah but that was ok, right? I mean, all this running to do what? Some race? Man, look at him. He’s a runner. Not me. I’ve got to tell him. I’m done.
Dave: Robby, I tell you what. You go ahead okay. I’ll get there eventually. You finish the run.
Robby: You sure?
Dave: Yeah, you go boy.
Robby: Alright, I’ll see you later.
Dave: Later. (Robby runs off and Dave stays on the stage and turns his back to the audience. Suddenly Robby comes back and starts pulling Dave up.)
Dave: What are you doing?
Robby: You’re nuts if you think I’m going to let you quit. How about we just take it a little slower. Ok?
Dave: Well…
Robby: Good! (Starts pushing him on)
Dave: Okay, okay, okay. C'mon you slacker! (They laugh as they go on)
Robby: Who's a slacker, etc...
(LIGHTS OUT SLOW)
END
(c) 2000 Dave Marsh
Experiencing Worship, The Study