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Cast:
Dave: A Dad who just got laid off
Melinda: Dave's wife
Amanda: Dave's teenage daughter
Adam: Amanda's boyfriend
Kaitlin: Dave's youngest daughter.
Props:
A briefcase
Remote control
Videotape (or cassette tape) with some news footage of Iraq war.
Setting:
Family Room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE)
(Dave comes walking in from a day at work. Briefcase in hand…)
Dave: Oh man. What an awful day. Laid off. I can’t believe it. I thought I was safe. 5 years and I get the heave ho. Oh man.
Melinda: From off screen) Honey, is that you?
Dave: Oh, um, Yeah, it’s me.
Melinda: (From off screen) Okay, I’ll be right there.
Dave: Okay. (to self) Alright, I can’t let her see me down. I need to put on a happy face. Yeah, that’s it. That’s all I need to do. Put on a happy face. (puts on a fake smile)
Melinda: (enters) Hi, honey. How was your day?
Dave: My day? Fine. Good. Great! Well, I mean, I was laid off and all but other than that I’m good to go!
Melinda: What? You were laid off?
Dave: Yeah, but that’s okay. I have peace about it. Really! I can get a job anywhere!
Melinda: Oh, well okay. I guess I’m glad to hear that at least. Let’s talk about it after dinner. I’ve got to go check on that. Amanda and he new boyfriend are eating with us by the way. (she starts walking off)
Dave: Okay, that sounds great! Don’t worry your pretty little head about anything! Remember, I can get a job anywhere! (waits for her to leave and starts to panic) Where am I gonna get a job? I mean, how many companies in Charlottesville make video games? Who’s gonna hire me anyway? I have no hair! Who wants to hire bald guys? No one! They hire people with hair! I’m doomed!
Amanda: (comes in off screen with Adam. Adam is dressed in a black leather jacket and sunglasses) Dad? Dad, are you alright?
Dave: Huh? Oh, hi Honey. Yep. I’m fine. Heh, just joking around. Heh. And who is this, er, fine young man?
Amanda: Daddy, this is Adam. Adam, this is my dad. (Dave goes to shake his hand but Adam just looks at it.)
Dave: Oh, well, nice to meet you Adam. (turns to Amanda) So, honey, how long have you and, er, Adam been dating?
Amanda: 4 days now and you know what? We’re in LOVE! Aren’t we Adam? (Adam grunts)
Dave: Oh, heh, Love eh? (puts on fake smile) Well, that’s great! I mean, you are, after all, 16 years old. I mean, I fell in love for the first time at 24. That’s about the same age right? Heh…
Amanda: And do you know where we are going tomorrow night? (Dave shakes his head) We’re going to a concert!
Dave: Well that’s great! Who are you going to see? Pat Boone? Johnny Mathis? Barry Manilow?
Amanda: Ozzy Osbourne!
Dave: (holding it back) Well! Really? Ozzy Osbourne. No kidding. Well, I’m sure that will be a wonderful uplifting time!
Amanda: Okay, well, we’re gonna go snuggle or something before dinner. Bye Daddy! (Adam grunts)
Dave: Bye honey! (Waits for her to leave and starts counting on his fingers). Okay, the first thing I’m gonna do is get a police background check on Adam. Second, I’m gonna follow them to that concert. Better yet, I’m gonna be in the trunk. Okay, stay calm. Stay calm! I’M NOT STAYING CALM! We’ll move! We’ll move to the outback somewhere where there are no boys! We’ll be hermits or monks or something!
Kaitlin: (enters) Daddy?
Dave: (looks up) Oh… hi honey. Daddy’s just playing make believe. Heh heh. What’s up, honey?
Kaitlin: Daddy, do you remember the big screen TV?
Dave: (holding it back) What do you mean “Remember” honey?
Kaitlin: Well, there was an accident.
Dave: (forcing a smile) An accident?
Kaitlin: It’s not so big anymore. I’m sorry.
Dave: (sweating) Oh, heh, that’s okay honey. It’s just a TV after all. A 72 inch plasma picture in picture TV that I haven’t finished payments on anymore. Don’t worry honey. See, Daddy’s not mad. He’s got peace about it. Now go and get ready for dinner.
Dave: (waits of her to leave) My 72 inch plasma picture in picture TV THAT I HAVEN’T FINISHED PAYMENTS ON! I can’t believe it! First I lose my job! And then my daughter is dating the anti-Christ! And now my baby, my 72 inch baby, is…..gone….. (sob) How am I supposed to have peace through all this??? Okay, okay, get a hold of yourself. It’s not that bad, right? I mean, it could be worse, right? Right??! Okay, I’ll just relax for a bit. Yeah, I’ll just watch some TV here. Yeah, I’m sure I’ll feel much better.
Dave: (switches on TV via remote and put a video of news footage of the war) (Total sarcasm and defeated) Oh, yeah, this makes me feel much better…
END
(c) 2003 Dave Marsh
Experiencing Worship, The Study