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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Bitter and Sweet (05/28/09)
(Bob enters the stage; Marcia is sitting on one of two comfortable chairs, center stage. A small table sits between the chairs)

MARCIA
Oh, good morning Bob.

BOB
(grunts, then mocks Marcia) Good morning Bob. Is there anything good to eat?

MARCIA
I’m about to make pancakes.

BOB
That sounds good. It will taste even better.

MARCIA
(ignores the innuendo) You’re up early today—you couldn’t sleep?

BOB
No, I kept thinkin’ about the stupid Class Reunion tonight.

MARCIA
Why?

BOB
Why do ya think?

MARCIA
Ummmmm…

BOB
It’s not why—it’s who.

MARCIA
Ohhhhh…. I know. You mean Pastor Eddie?

BOB
Yeah, that’s who.

MARCIA
How can you still be mad at him for somethin’ that happened over 25 years ago?

BOB
I’m not mad.

MARCIA
Then why couldn’t you sleep?

BOB
I’m bitter.

MARCIA
You ain’t kiddin’.

BOB
What’ya mean by that crack?

MARCIA
Looks like you’re angry, too.

BOB
You make me angry.

MARCIA
Why, Bob? I’ve always been good to you, every day.

BOB
You keep goin’ to that ca-razy church.

MARCIA
Looks like you’re filled with resentment, too.

BOB
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

MARCIA
This has got to change. No time like right now!
(Marcia calls Pastor Eddie)

BOB
(mocks her) No time like right now.

MARCIA
(pulls out cell phone and dials it) Pastor Eddie? Yes, it’s me Marcia

BOB
Yeah, it’s me Marcia.

MARCIA
It’s time…
Yes… Yes, I’m sure.
Yes, now.
(clicks the phone connection OFF)
He’s comin over--

BOB
He’s…what?

MARCIA
I said he’s comin’ over--

BOB
Oh no he’s not--I’m leavin’—

MARCIA
In your pajamas?

BOB
Well—

MARCIA
Come on, just talk to him.

BOB
I…I don’t want to—

MARCIA
Please? I’ll go start on the pancakes.
(Gets up from her chair and exits stage)

BOB
(picks up a newspaper and reads it for a minute) Stock market fell again. Another huge layoff.

(we hear a knock at the door)

MARCIA
(off stage) Hey Bob, can you get the door please? I’m in the middle of flipping pancakes.

BOB
Government bails out another company. What’s the world comin’ to?
(gets up from his chair and walks toward a door standing stage left, then opens it)
We need to work together to create jobs—

EDDIE
Mornin’ Bob I need to talk to you. We need to work together on something very important.

BOB
I just said that—

PASTOR EDDIE
What?

BOB
Oh, it was nothing.

PASTOR EDDIE
Can I please come in?

BOB
Oh, I guess so… Yeah, sure, come in.
(motions toward the chairs)
Sit in Marcia’s chair – she ain’t usin’ it

PASTOR EDDIE
I know we haven’t talked in a very long time.

BOB
Wait—hold on just a minute—MARCIA!

MARCIA
(offstage) What, dear?

BOB
Marcia, make coffee!

MARCIA
(offstage) I’ll bring some in a minute.

PASTOR EDDIE
Bob, thanks for allowing me to meet with you today. This is truly an answer to prayer.

BOB
Yeah, yeah, yeah…what’s your point?

PASTOR EDDIE
I know our Class Reunion is tonight, and I wanted to clear the air before we saw each other there.

BOB
Well, I don’t really want to talk about it.

PASTOR EDDIE
Bob, please hear me out. Can you do that?

BOB
I suppose.

PASTOR EDDIE
Please forgive me, Bob. Forgive me for pushing my newfound faith on you way back in High School. Please forgive me—I was really excited and wanted you to know what Jesus did for me.

BOB
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. I never thought I would hear you say that. I forgive you. I really do. See, I’ve been talkin’ to the man upstairs, too. He listens to me, too.

PASTOR EDDIE
Oh, yes He does.

BOB
Well, it’s been way too long, my friend. And ‘life is too short’ as they say. I just have one question. What did you mean I must be ‘born again’? That’s been bugging me for a long, long time.

PASTOR EDDIE
I tried to tell you then, but you were so mad and—

BOB
I punched and knocked you out.

PASTOR EDDIE
Yes sir.

BOB
Well, Eddie, please forgive me for punchin’ you, even though you deserved it.

PASTOR EDDIE
Jesus said that we must be 'born again' to enter and see the Kingdom of God.

BOB
How can I be born again?

PASTOR EDDIE
Look here at Acts 2:38.

(Marcia enters with a tray with two mugs of coffee and a plate full of pancakes)

BOB
Thanks Marsh.
(picks up a pancake)
Sweeeeeet!





+++

Reference: (Scriptures from the New International Version)

Matthew 18:15-35

John 3:1-21

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:37-39
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This article has been read 1828 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Colin Swann
06/09/09
A very unique way of preaching the gospel in here. I've often thought how it could be done - as there always un-born again people in every organisation - even faithwriters. A very unique piece. I'm sure the Lord will be very impressed (and ME). Thanks, Colin
Virgil Youngblood 
06/09/09
A great job of presenting the gospel. I thought the conversation flowed well. Bob calling Eddie "my friend" didn't seem to ring quite right considering Bob's tight 25 year hold on his justification. I enjoyed reading this and the scripture references.
Mona Purvis
06/10/09
I think plays are hard to write because the action is in the voice, movements, facial expressions and the set.
I could see this successfully presented.

Mona
Carol Slider 
06/10/09
I'm glad Bob was finally able to let go of his bitterness... not only to forgive, but also to apologize. Thanks for this sincere and heartfelt play. I'd like to hear it read out loud!
Sonya Leigh
06/10/09
Bob was such a difficult man! The way he talked to his wife made me thank God he got saved.

There were a few "leaps" in the play, but for the 750 word limit they could easily be worked out.

Very detailed in the laying out of the staging, and in the dialogue between husband and wife. I would love to see a longer version of this play (with no word count limit:) Good job.