Drama - Year A - Pentecost 20 (Proper 23)

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Drama - Year A - Pentecost 20 (Proper 23)

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DRAMA—20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A

Proper 23, 1999   Bible reference: Matthew 22:1–14

 

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING ATHLETES

 

CHARACTERS:  Sam Smythe — a passionate sports presenter; Tony Smart — an enthusiastic reporter on location; Ashley McCourtney — a businesslike, professional reporter.

 

PROPS: News desk, and chair, 2 microphones, tape of sports or Olympic theme music, tape of crowd noises.

 

(Sam sits behind a desk, centre stage. The desk is set up to look like a news desk. Sam focuses on a point beyond the audience, as if looking into a TV camera. When Sam ‘crosses live’ to Tony or Ashley, focus is changed to a point just beyond desk as if looking at a small TV screen. Tony and Ashley are on opposite sides of the stage holding microphones. It may look effective if they put one hand to an ear when Sam speaks to them, as if listening through a concealed microphone. Recorded sports theme or Olympic music is briefly played as Sam enters and sits)

 

SAM:

(Enthusiastically) Welcome to the live coverage of the Olympic Games. We are inviting you to join us and the world’s greatest athletes for the opening ceremony, due to commence in less than ten minutes. Let’s cross to Tony Smart, live at the opening ceremony...(Turns to face ‘small screen’) Tony!

 

TONY:

(Half shouting due to sound effects of crowd noise) Hello Sam!

 

SAM:

What’s the atmosphere like at the stadium?

 

TONY:

Well, Tony (Looks at imaginary crowd), the crowd is awesome and the atmosphere...(Slight pause) electric! There’s nothing quite like a crowd of two hundred thousand people to get the        adrenalin really pumping. This stadium is sensational! Fully equipped to make competing        ideal for the athletes. They will be impressed when they turn up. Take, for example, the track...

 

SAM:

(Interrupting) Excuse me, Tony. Can we back up for a moment? Did you say ‘when they turn up’?...What do you mean?

 

TONY:

Yes, Sam, that’s right. Even though the ceremony is due to start in...(Looks at watch) almost five minutes, there’s no sign of any of the athletes. News is limited as to why. I’ll have to get back to you on that. (Freezes, crowd noises cease)

 

SAM:

Very interesting, Tony, we’ll talk to you later. (Turns back to ‘camera’) Well, it seems we are faced with the mystery of the missing athletes. Never in the history of the Olympics has such a situation occurred. (Deliberately) The invited guests, the athletes, are nowhere to be  found. We cross live to Ashley McCourtney at the athletes’ village. (Faces ‘small screen’) Ashley, can you shed any light on this situation?

 

ASHLEY:

Hello, Sam. I’m here at the athletes’ village and the scene is incomprehensible. The whole village is empty. Not one athlete is here. It’s very much a ghost town, or ghost village in this situation.

 

SAM:

Can you tell us why the athletes aren’t there?

 

ASHLEY:

There’s little to explain why they aren’t here, Sam. However, police sniffer dogs have discovered a note placed in a sports bag, strategically left on the steps of the village. (Gets out note) It reads (Reads), ‘To whom it may concern. While we are thankful for the invitation to attend the Olympic Games, we find that the event clashes with other things we have on at the time. There are those of us that have work or businesses to run, or forgot to organise for time off the Games. Others have opportunities to buy stock or make investments that don’t come along that often. Many have family obligations. More than one have been hit by Cupid’s arrow, and if they don’t get married now they might miss out all together— you know how it is. We also have radio and TV promotional commitments and our gruelling training schedules don’t allow  for much time off.  We hope this doesn’t inconvenience you too much. From the athletes. (Looks at ‘camera’) Well, there you have it, Sam. Basically the athletes have better things to do! (Throws note away)

 

SAM:

That’s quite a development. Thanks, Ashley. (Turns to ‘camera’) We’ll cross now to Tony who has information regarding the International Olympic Committee’s solution to this catastrophe.

      (Turns to ‘small screen’)

 

TONY:

By now you are all aware that the athletes have refused their prestigious invitation. In an unprecedented move, the IOC has issued invitations Australia-wide.

 

SAM:

Who’s coming, Tony?

 

TONY:

(Consults list) Little Athletics teams from Adelaide, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Toowoomba and surrounding areas are coming, as is the Kalgoolie Junior Swim Team. The members of the Hamilton Lawn Bowls Club are coming out of retirement, and a team of three cyclists from Nhill. (List can include other appropriate local or topical sporting references)

 

SAM:

Will that be enough athletes?

 

TONY:

Sam, these facilities can cater for thousands more and the IOC wants them used to their fullest potential. (Excited) That’s why what I am about to announce is so amazing.

 

SAM:

An exclusive, Tony? Tell us.

 

TONY:

The IOC is asking for any, that’s right, any interested people to come and compete in these Olympic Games. Expertise isn’t necessary, just the ability to enjoy and take advantage of the opportunity freely given. I’m even going to sign up, Sam, I used to love shot putt. I never thought I’d be competing in the Olympics!

 

SAM:

Thanks, Tony. I just might give weight-lifting a try! (Turns to ‘camera’) What an amazing turn of events. These Olympics started as a complete debacle, and now they look set to become one of the most interesting games ever! I won’t be back after this short break. I’ve got to find my weights! (Exits)              

 

 

 

© Rebecca Simboras 1998

 

Permission is given for the owner of this disk to make sufficient copies of this script for their group or congregation, for rehearsal and performance purposes only.