Director's Notes:
As I mentioned earlier, you can alter many of my existing dramas to work with a new subject. With that in mind, I decided to alter 'The Attic' to focus on why how people know that we are Christians. When you hear the old song 'They will know we are Christians by our love...' what does that mean to you? How do we show others that we are Christians? Although no one has a literal 'Box O' Jesus' where they keep evidence of their faith, many people show their relationship with God based on stuff ather than how they live...
Cast:
John: A man who wants to be taken seriously as a Christian
Katie: John's wife
Props:
A number of cardboard boxes (One with Box O' Jesus written on it)
A cap with a Christian slogan on it
A Sunday School pin
A scarf
Setting:
The family's attic
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where John is rummaging through a box.)
Katie: John? John? Where are you?
John: I’m up here, honey.
Katie: In the attic?
John: Yeah.
Katie: (comes in) What are you doing up here? It’s so hot! Don’t tell me you’re getting the Christmas stuff down already!
John: Hmm? Oh, no, no. It's only the middle of August... I still have a couple of weeks for that.
Katie: Well, what are you looking for?
John: My Box O' Jesus.
Katie: Box O' Jesus?
John: Yeah. You know, my Box of J E S U S….(pronounces it slowly)
Katie: I know what you said. I just don’t know why you said it. What in the world is a Box O' Jesus?
John: You’re kidding right? Do you mean to tell me that you don’t own a box O' Jesus?
Katie: Uh, no.
John: Wow. Well, for you unfortunate souls, it's where I keep my Jesus stuff.
Katie: (sarcastically) Oh, now it’s so clear to me.
John: Good. (buries his head back in the box)
Katie: John. I am your wife. Tell me right now what’s in that…
John: AHA! Here’s the first piece. (takes out a baseball cap and quickly puts it on his head) What do you think?
Katie: What do I think about what?
John: Hmmm, see? It's my "What Would Jesus Do" hat. Remember when I got this? I had this on when I was in Minneapolis 7 years ago when the Pope visited. (Holds it up high) This hat got run over by the Pope mobile... It’s sacred. This will show him!
Katie: Show who?
John: Nick at work. I overheard him telling Jim Wells that he didn't think I was much of a Christian.
Katie: Really.
John: Yeah, this hat will show him that I believe in God and I'm proud of it!
Katie: John, I'm not so sure...
John: (interupts her) That it's enough? You're right! I've got more stuff in here.
Katie: I can’t wait.
John: AHA! (takes out a pin and pins it on)
Katie: What is that?
John: This? This is my Sunday School attendance pin.
Katie: (Dumbfounded) What?
John: Yeah, you see, when I was a kid, you got this pin see? And every year that you had perfect attendance you got a bar added to the bottom of it - kinda like a general but, er, more like a church general.
Katie: Church general?
John: Yeah. This will show Nick how serious I am about God. This will prove that I'm a follower of Jesus all the way baby!
Katie: John, I think...
John: It's still not enough? You're right! (starts going into the box again)
Katie: John? John? JOHN?! (pulls him out!)
John: What?
Katie: Did it ever occur to you that none of stuff this matters?
John: What do you mean?
Katie: I mean that other people will know you are a Christian by how you act, what you say, how you treat them, and how kind and compassionate you are. And when you get the opportunity, by what you tell them about Jesus and what's He's done in your life.
John: (long pause) Yeah, sure. Now, where’s the rest of that stuff? (goes back to the box)
Katie: Argh! (storms off stage)
John: AHA! Honey? Honey! Here it is! (he throws it around his neck as he shouts after her) The Scarf of Turan!!!
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
END
(c) 2001 Dave Marsh
Experiencing Worship, The Study