DRAMA—SERIES A—SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Bible reference: 1 Peter 5:8,9
STANDING FIRM
Characters: Person 1 and 2. Person 2 is the devil in disguise, but he only reveals his true nature at the end. He should be very smooth and sure of himself in contrast to 1’s doubts and fears.
Props: Wheelbarrow, large bucket or container (big enough to stand in), Bible, bucket labelled ‘Instant Cement’, business card
Person 1 enters with wheelbarrow containing large bucket/container, Bible and bucket labelled INSTANT CEMENT. He/she gets out the bucket/container, picks up the Bible and shows it to the audience and puts it in the bucket, then stands in it. While standing in the bucket he/she picks up the instant cement.
2:
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(Enters and watches 1) What are you doing?
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1:
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I’m standing firm in the faith, or I will be as soon as I pour this cement in.
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2:
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What do you want to do that for?
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1:
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(Looks around suspiciously to see if anyone’s listening and beckons 2 closer. Whispers) The Bible says we have to be on the alert for...(Melodramatic voice) the devil! (Normal voice) And that we have to resist him by standing firm in the faith. So I am.
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2:
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Oh, come off it! This is ridiculous. (Takes cement bucket away) You surely don’t think…(Melodramatic voice take off) the devil (Normal voice) is suddenly going to appear complete with little horns and a forked tail, and attack you with his pitchfork? (Pretends to pounce on 1who flinches)
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1:
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(A bit embarrassed) Well, he might!
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2:
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And my fairy godmother might appear too!
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2:
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You don’t need to believe everything the Bible says. (1 looks shocked) Peter was just being a bit over-melodramatic. Writers are like that.
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1:
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But what about the...(Fishes in bucket and pulls out Bible , opens it and reads) ‘prowling around around like a roaring lion’ bit? (Looks nervously around)
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2:
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(Takes Bible) Artistic licence. (Throws it to one side) Look, you’re a Christian, right?
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2:
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And isn’t the devil supposed to be defeated.
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2:
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So what are you worried about? You’re safe. You’ve got right and might on your side.
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1:
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Well, when you put it like that...all this does seem a bit silly. (Steps out of bucket)
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2:
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A bit silly? Why it’s positively paranoid!
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1:
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(Looks around worried) But what about...temptation? (Panics and steps back in bucket)
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1:
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Don’t I have to watch out for it?
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2:
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Are you telling me that you won’t be able to recognise a bit of temptation when it comes along?
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2:
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Of course you will, it’ll be obvious!
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2:
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A good Christian like you will be able to spot it a mile off! Look, why don’t take you a break from all this for a while...(1 looks doubtful so 2 hurries on) Just to get some...er...fresh perspective.
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1:
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(Looking and pointing at Bible) But I was going to read my Bible...
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2:
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It’ll still be there when you get back, and just think, after a bit of a break you’ll be able to concentrate better.
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1:
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You know, you’re right. (Steps out of bucket)
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2:
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Of course I am. (Puts arm around 1’s shoulders and starts to propel him/her away)
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1:
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By the way, where are we going?
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2:
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I’ve got some fiends...I mean friends, I’d love you to meet.
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1:
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I don’t even know your name.
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2:
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(Gets out a card and gives it to 1) Here’s my card.
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1:
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(Reading card) Leo De Vil. That looks kind of familiar. I’m sure I’ve read it somewhere. Is it French? (Both exit, optional evil laughter)
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© Verena Johnson 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.
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