FireQuill Publications
The Short Stories And Bible Studies
The Short Stories And Bible Studies
of Kathy Kearney
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Joy Restored
A Two Act Play
NOTE:
These require practically no props. In the first one we used a reclining chair (a small love seat would do better) and in the second one practically the same thing. Don’t clutter your stage up with lots of props. This can also be done in two stages of ACT 1 on one Sunday and ACT II on another time. For small groups with a tight time schedule this works best.
Little Girl
(Crying over a paper in her hand)
Satan
Well, well, what are you crying about, little one?
Little Girl
This test I got back at school.
Satan
Let me see it, sweetie. (Looks at it with a grin) Oh my badness, I mean goodness, why are you crying when you got an A? You should be laughing and singing.
Little Girl
You don’t understand, I cheated. I wrote notes on the sleeve of my shirt and I chhhheeeetted! (Tears really flowing)
Satan
Well, it was a hard test and you really didn’t have time to study because you promised your softball team that you would pitch the night before. You couldn’t let them down, now could you?
Little Girl
(Wipes her eyes and blows nose noisily) No, I guess not, but I know that God is angry with me.
Satan
Oh, Him. (Sneers) Well, since you fessed up to me, I’m sure he forgives. After all, if I can understand your good reasons for cheating, certainly He can, don’t you think?
Little Girl
But don’t I need to tell my teacher? My grade should be changed to an F.
Satan
My hooves and tail!!! No!!! That’s the worst thing you could do. Why then your parents would find out and so would all your classmates. Then you would be grounded from softball and not only that, you would have a black mark against you for life. When you apply for college, the answer will be, “No way!” Any hopes of a job will be out the window and you’ll end up digging ditches and barely making enough to live on. No, I’m sure God just wants you to keep this between himself and you.
Little Girl
(Really begins to sob) If only I could talk to Jesus about this. I know He would tell me what to do.
Satan
Oooooh, don’t say that name, please, makes my face hot. You silly little twit, just do as I say and be quiet. No need to call in, (points up with thumb and winces) you know---JJJJJJesssss (Can’t even say the name as the attempt degenerates into a vile hiss.)
Jesus
Did someone stutter my name? Ah, I knew you would show up here. (Satan cowers back)
Jesus
(Turns to little girl) Well, now, child, is there something you want to tell me?
Little Girl
Oh Jesus, I’ve done something awful. (He leans down and she whispers the story into his ear.) Now you will never want me around.
Jesus
Nonsense, little one I have promised to be with you always. Besides, I’ve been here all along, just waiting for you to call my name. You are forgiven, and I will help you to never cheat again. But you were right when you said you must tell the teacher. You’ll feel so much better when you do, and perhaps mom and dad will ground you for a bit, but only because they love you.
(Turns to Satan). You are soooo dismissed! And one day real soon, you’re going to feel hot on more than just your face. Now scat and leave my child alone. (Satan scampers away around the top of the choir loft and out through the audience.)
Little Girl
(Giggles as she watches the enemy run away) Oh Jesus I’m so glad you came and forgave me and chased the devil away. I feel clean inside and out. Thank you, Jesus. (Giggles again and deepens her voice to imitate Jesus.) You are sooooo dismissed! Can I say that to him next time?
Jesus
I think you just better call me if he shows up again. He has to listen to me!!
SCENE 2
Man
(Walks in throws briefcase down, takes off jacket and unloosens tie, sits down puts head in hands) I don’t think I can take another day of this miserable loneliness. (Gets up and goes to “window” audience) Look out there. All those people hurrying home to a family—the very thing I threw away. How could I have been so stupid?
(Looks heavenward) Oh, God, please hear my cries for forgiveness. I am unworthy to even ask, but please have mercy on me. (Knock on the door) Yes?
Satan
Room service, sir.
Man
I don’t want any dinner tonight. Take it back. (Starts to untie shoelaces)
Satan
I can’t take it back unless you sign for it, sir. It will just take a moment.
Man
(Man throws shoe down in disgust and walks to the door, jerking it open. He reaches for the bill, but the waiter pushes past and enters the room.)
Satan
This is kind of a lonely place for a married man with a wife and kids at home, isn’t it?
Man
(Getting angry at the man’s presumptuousness.) It’s none of your business. But for your information, I’m not married.
Satan
(Turns slowly and faces the man with a sinister grin.) Ah, let truth rule! For your information, I’m not a waiter.
Man
Look I don’t know what your game is, but I’m not in the mood for it, or for your company either. Why don’t you leave while you can still walk? (Raises fist starts to swing, but something invisible grabs his arm and stops it.)
Satan
Oh my, such rudeness. I only came to help. I know how you hate this room, the loneliness, and the guilt. Trust me, I only want to help. (Motions to the chair.) Sit; sit. Take off that other shoe before you trip.
Man
(Sits down as though in a trance and removes his other shoe.) Who told you about me?
Satan
Well, let’s just say that I get around a lot and I hear a lot too. Now, tell me about it—why are you here?
Man
If you know so much, you tell me the story. (Glares sullenly.)
Satan
Oh, I could, but confession is good for the soul. It will be more therapeutic if you tell it.
Man
Sure, why not. I cheated on my wife. I realized too late what I traded for stolen moments of what I thought was happiness. I begged for a second chance, but she asked me to leave. Wouldn’t even let me say goodbye to the kids. That was two months ago, she won’t take my calls or answer my letters. I can’t believe the pain I’ve caused her. I can hardly breathe just to think of what I put her through.
Satan
Man, you really blew it big time. How could you be so foolish?
Man
It started so innocently. My best friend died, and I tried to help his wife by fixing things around the house, helping her with legal stuff. Slowly I began spending more time with her than my wife and kids. It all started so innocently.
Satan
So you ruined the life of your best friend’s wife too. You deserve everything you’re going through and more. Why an eternity of suffering would never make up for what you did. And to think I thought I could help you. Man, you’re toast. Toasted scum, that’s what you are!
Man
(Puts hands to face and sobs) I don’t deserve to live. Oh, God forgive me.
Satan
Too late! He can’t help you; you turned your back on him the first time you gave into temptation. (A knock on the door. The man answers.)
Jesus
Hello, son. You know me, don’t you? (Satan takes one look and leaves Stage Right)
Man
(Kneels before him) Yes, I know you. I deserve eternal damnation for my sin. I am so sorry, Lord; so sorry.
Jesus
Yes, all sin deserves eternal death, but I know you are sorry, and I forgave you when you first asked.
Man
But he said…. (He turns and looks around, but room is empty.)
Jesus
Who said? Oh, you mean the fellow who just slithered out the door. He is a liar and the father of lies. You are my Father’s child. Even when you sin, I am waiting to forgive, cleanse and restore.
Man
I messed up big time, Jesus. It’s such a mess. Can it ever be straightened out?
Jesus
Well, you made the right start by getting you straightened out. Much damage has been done, some that can never be put right. That’s the awful thing about sin; you can’t take it back or undo the pain in an instant.
(Puts his arm around man’s shoulder.) Let’s go visit some folks now and see if we—you and I together, can’t begin to replace sorrow with joy. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Let’s go.
Exit
NOTE:
These require practically no props. In the first one we used a reclining chair (a small love seat would do better) and in the second one practically the same thing. Don’t clutter your stage up with lots of props. This can also be done in two stages of ACT 1 on one Sunday and ACT II on another time. For small groups with a tight time schedule this works best.
Little Girl
(Crying over a paper in her hand)
Satan
Well, well, what are you crying about, little one?
Little Girl
This test I got back at school.
Satan
Let me see it, sweetie. (Looks at it with a grin) Oh my badness, I mean goodness, why are you crying when you got an A? You should be laughing and singing.
Little Girl
You don’t understand, I cheated. I wrote notes on the sleeve of my shirt and I chhhheeeetted! (Tears really flowing)
Satan
Well, it was a hard test and you really didn’t have time to study because you promised your softball team that you would pitch the night before. You couldn’t let them down, now could you?
Little Girl
(Wipes her eyes and blows nose noisily) No, I guess not, but I know that God is angry with me.
Satan
Oh, Him. (Sneers) Well, since you fessed up to me, I’m sure he forgives. After all, if I can understand your good reasons for cheating, certainly He can, don’t you think?
Little Girl
But don’t I need to tell my teacher? My grade should be changed to an F.
Satan
My hooves and tail!!! No!!! That’s the worst thing you could do. Why then your parents would find out and so would all your classmates. Then you would be grounded from softball and not only that, you would have a black mark against you for life. When you apply for college, the answer will be, “No way!” Any hopes of a job will be out the window and you’ll end up digging ditches and barely making enough to live on. No, I’m sure God just wants you to keep this between himself and you.
Little Girl
(Really begins to sob) If only I could talk to Jesus about this. I know He would tell me what to do.
Satan
Oooooh, don’t say that name, please, makes my face hot. You silly little twit, just do as I say and be quiet. No need to call in, (points up with thumb and winces) you know---JJJJJJesssss (Can’t even say the name as the attempt degenerates into a vile hiss.)
Jesus
Did someone stutter my name? Ah, I knew you would show up here. (Satan cowers back)
Jesus
(Turns to little girl) Well, now, child, is there something you want to tell me?
Little Girl
Oh Jesus, I’ve done something awful. (He leans down and she whispers the story into his ear.) Now you will never want me around.
Jesus
Nonsense, little one I have promised to be with you always. Besides, I’ve been here all along, just waiting for you to call my name. You are forgiven, and I will help you to never cheat again. But you were right when you said you must tell the teacher. You’ll feel so much better when you do, and perhaps mom and dad will ground you for a bit, but only because they love you.
(Turns to Satan). You are soooo dismissed! And one day real soon, you’re going to feel hot on more than just your face. Now scat and leave my child alone. (Satan scampers away around the top of the choir loft and out through the audience.)
Little Girl
(Giggles as she watches the enemy run away) Oh Jesus I’m so glad you came and forgave me and chased the devil away. I feel clean inside and out. Thank you, Jesus. (Giggles again and deepens her voice to imitate Jesus.) You are sooooo dismissed! Can I say that to him next time?
Jesus
I think you just better call me if he shows up again. He has to listen to me!!
SCENE 2
Man
(Walks in throws briefcase down, takes off jacket and unloosens tie, sits down puts head in hands) I don’t think I can take another day of this miserable loneliness. (Gets up and goes to “window” audience) Look out there. All those people hurrying home to a family—the very thing I threw away. How could I have been so stupid?
(Looks heavenward) Oh, God, please hear my cries for forgiveness. I am unworthy to even ask, but please have mercy on me. (Knock on the door) Yes?
Satan
Room service, sir.
Man
I don’t want any dinner tonight. Take it back. (Starts to untie shoelaces)
Satan
I can’t take it back unless you sign for it, sir. It will just take a moment.
Man
(Man throws shoe down in disgust and walks to the door, jerking it open. He reaches for the bill, but the waiter pushes past and enters the room.)
Satan
This is kind of a lonely place for a married man with a wife and kids at home, isn’t it?
Man
(Getting angry at the man’s presumptuousness.) It’s none of your business. But for your information, I’m not married.
Satan
(Turns slowly and faces the man with a sinister grin.) Ah, let truth rule! For your information, I’m not a waiter.
Man
Look I don’t know what your game is, but I’m not in the mood for it, or for your company either. Why don’t you leave while you can still walk? (Raises fist starts to swing, but something invisible grabs his arm and stops it.)
Satan
Oh my, such rudeness. I only came to help. I know how you hate this room, the loneliness, and the guilt. Trust me, I only want to help. (Motions to the chair.) Sit; sit. Take off that other shoe before you trip.
Man
(Sits down as though in a trance and removes his other shoe.) Who told you about me?
Satan
Well, let’s just say that I get around a lot and I hear a lot too. Now, tell me about it—why are you here?
Man
If you know so much, you tell me the story. (Glares sullenly.)
Satan
Oh, I could, but confession is good for the soul. It will be more therapeutic if you tell it.
Man
Sure, why not. I cheated on my wife. I realized too late what I traded for stolen moments of what I thought was happiness. I begged for a second chance, but she asked me to leave. Wouldn’t even let me say goodbye to the kids. That was two months ago, she won’t take my calls or answer my letters. I can’t believe the pain I’ve caused her. I can hardly breathe just to think of what I put her through.
Satan
Man, you really blew it big time. How could you be so foolish?
Man
It started so innocently. My best friend died, and I tried to help his wife by fixing things around the house, helping her with legal stuff. Slowly I began spending more time with her than my wife and kids. It all started so innocently.
Satan
So you ruined the life of your best friend’s wife too. You deserve everything you’re going through and more. Why an eternity of suffering would never make up for what you did. And to think I thought I could help you. Man, you’re toast. Toasted scum, that’s what you are!
Man
(Puts hands to face and sobs) I don’t deserve to live. Oh, God forgive me.
Satan
Too late! He can’t help you; you turned your back on him the first time you gave into temptation. (A knock on the door. The man answers.)
Jesus
Hello, son. You know me, don’t you? (Satan takes one look and leaves Stage Right)
Man
(Kneels before him) Yes, I know you. I deserve eternal damnation for my sin. I am so sorry, Lord; so sorry.
Jesus
Yes, all sin deserves eternal death, but I know you are sorry, and I forgave you when you first asked.
Man
But he said…. (He turns and looks around, but room is empty.)
Jesus
Who said? Oh, you mean the fellow who just slithered out the door. He is a liar and the father of lies. You are my Father’s child. Even when you sin, I am waiting to forgive, cleanse and restore.
Man
I messed up big time, Jesus. It’s such a mess. Can it ever be straightened out?
Jesus
Well, you made the right start by getting you straightened out. Much damage has been done, some that can never be put right. That’s the awful thing about sin; you can’t take it back or undo the pain in an instant.
(Puts his arm around man’s shoulder.) Let’s go visit some folks now and see if we—you and I together, can’t begin to replace sorrow with joy. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Let’s go.
Exit
