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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Hotel/Motel (09/12/05)
Category: Slice of Life illustration

Synopsis: Reading and meditating on God’s word is critical to withstanding enemy attacks. This drama shows the value of that discipline.

Cast: One male – Derrick One female - Penny (the waitress) One male offstage voice

Props: telephone, small table, table and chair, menu, small trash can, foil covered plate and uncovered plate,play money

Setting: General Stage

Scripture: Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. NIV

[Derrick on the phone in a heated conversation]

Derrick: Of course, I care! Why are you getting mad at me? …….Jodi, that’s ridiculous!.....Do you really believe that! I know how hard it is for you to be home alone….Jodi, I have to work. Do you think that I love being away from you and the kids all of the time?.........Yes, I know how much responsibly falls on you………Look, I’ll call you later. This isn’t getting us anywhere…….I love you! If I stay on the phone any longer, I’m going to say something that I’ll regret. ….I’m hanging up now! I love you!
[Hangs up the phone – runs his hands through his hair in total frustration- kicks a trash can across the room]

Offstage voice: Well, there’s a perfect end to a rotten day! I guess, I’ll go down to the bar and see if the bartender wants to take a few shots at me.

[Pantomimes opening and shutting door, walks across the stage to small table and sits down.]

[Waitress enters with menu]

Waitress Penny: Hi my name is Penny. I’ll be your server this evening. I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu and I’ll be back to take your order.

[Derrick watches as she walks away]

Offstage voice: Not bad! At least the scenery is nice!

[Penny returns]
Waitress Penny: What can I get for you?

Offstage voice: Of course, she means food, doesn’t she?

Derrick: Can I get a glass of unsweetened ice tea, the 9 oz. sirloin, medium rare, baked potato with butter and sour cream, a salad with Italian dressing and that should do it. [He gives her a big smile]

Waitress Penny: [Smiling back and turning on the flirting behavior] I’ll be right back with that, Hon. Just let me know if you need anything else, okay?
[Watches as she walks away]

Offstage voice: Let them eat steak! Ha Ha!
I Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
[Derrick looks away and rubs his hand over the back of his neck]
When I get home, I’m selling that van. It’s been nothing but trouble. I can’t believe that she thinks I left knowing that the van would break down. Geeze Jodi, what do you think that I am doing out here? …..Well Honey, I’m off to my world of glamour and intrigue, Holiday Inns, airports, itty bitty rental cars and traffic! Of course there is always the highlight of the trip….laying around in my underwear and watching TV, alone! I guess I better get used to it; a warm reception when I get home is pretty unlikely!

Offstage voice: That cute little waitress seems warm enough.

[Waitress returns with food]

Waitress Penny: Here you go, Sugar. Can I get you anything else?

Offstage voice: I Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality.

Derrick: Thank you, this looks great! But if you don’t mind I think that I would like this wrapped up to go. I’m really kind of tired. I think that I will just eat in my room.

Waitress Penny: Sure thing, I’ll be right back. [Walks away with the plate]

[Returns with foil covered plate]

Waitress Penny: Here you go.

[Derrick hands her money and takes plate}

Derrick: Thanks
[He crosses to other side of stage, mimes unlocking door, sets down food, picks up telephone and dials]
Derrick: Hi Stan. This is Derrick. Could do me a favor?…… I’m out of town and our van broke down. Would you mind going over tomorrow and seeing if you can figure out what the problem is?........... Thanks, I really appreciate it!..... I owe you one. [Hangs up the phone and then dials again]

Offstage voice: Ephesians 5:25 Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Derrick: Hi Hon, It’s me..

[Lights out]
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This article has been read 2039 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brandi Roberts
09/20/05
Very good entry!
I got a little confused in the part that starts off "Offstage voice: Let them eat steak! Ha Ha!" Was the rest of it (ie When I get home, I’m selling that van...) part of the offstage voice? Or was the character actually voicing this? Because after that it says "Offstage voice: That cute little waitress seems warm enough." And that would make it seem like he was talking the van part and not thinking it.
I love the idea behind this - the verses in the mind to correlate with Psalm 119:11. And it's an awesome storyline. Thanks for sharing!
Donnah Cole
09/21/05
Whew! I was so afraid he was going to give in to the temptation! Thanks for the suspense...I really liked how you included the Bible verses as the temptations surfaced and the "off stage" voice portraying his thoughts. Well written, easy to follow...Enjoyed!
Jan Ackerson
09/21/05
Seems like you should have had two offstage voices? One the voice of temptation, and one the Spirit, saying the Scriptures? But well done, very realistic. As I've said before, I'd really love to be at a church that does these skits regularly. They're great!
Pat Guy
09/22/05
Very easy to follow and visualize! A good one and good message. You showed so simply how easy sin can tempt us and how to overcome it. Great job!
Anita Neuman
09/22/05
Great job on this! It flows smoothly, the characters are very realistic, and the point is very clear. Well done!
Lynda Lee Schab 
09/22/05
Another great drama, Darlene. I agree about the two off-stage voices - great idea but the word count thing... (I think you said that same thing about word count on my entry LOL)
Nevertheless, a powerful piece. Well done!
Blessings, Lynda
Linda Watson Owen
09/23/05
Really great skit that says a lot in a few words. It's interesting, realistic, and drives the point home.
Suzanne R
09/23/05
Excellent! I hope you're going to make a book out of all the slice of life skits. I've not yet read one I haven't enjoyed and found helpful.
Shari Armstrong 
09/23/05
Very well done - I liked the internal dialog coming from off-stage.