DRAMA—FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B
Bible reference: Mark13:24-37
JUST LIKE LIGHTNING
CHARACTERS: 2 people.1 is a bit dopey and 2 is a bit of an egg-head.
PROPS:
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A box painted black with buttons and dials on it. The box could be on a wheelbarrow for ease of movement. If possible a kind of satellite dish on top would look effective. Toolbox with assorted tools. A book or two on meteorology. A Bible. 2 could wear a white lab coat.
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(2 enters with box and begins tinkering with some wiring on it. 1 enters quietly, sees 2 and walks around box trying to work out what 2 is doing. 2 is absorbed and focused on the box. Does not notice 1)
1: Hi! What are you up to? (2 jumps with fright when 1 first speaks)
2: (Scowls at 1) I’m trying to catch lightning.
1: You’re doing what?
2: Trying to catch lightning
1: (Surprised) What on earth for?
2: To power the city.
1: Why do you want to do that?
2: (Rummages in toolbox) Well! We won’t always be able to rely on gas or electricity. We need an alternative energy source.
1: So you think that if you can catch lightning you can use it for our power needs?
2: (Finds tool and resumes work on box) Yep!
1: So what’s this thing?
2: (Caustically) This thing is a Magnetic Anti-bipolar Absorption Array! (Pats box affectionately) I call her Maggie for short!
1: Right! Sorry I asked!
2: Sshh! Don’t bug me right now. I have to get Maggie ready!
1: But there’s no storm! I can’t hear any thunder, can you?
2: No! But there’ll be a storm one day.
1: When?
2: I dunno! But there’ll be one some day.
1: So, you’re gonna wait here the whole time, just in case? You are really weird!
2: If I’m not ready, I’ll miss it. Lightning has more electricity in a single bolt than we can supply this town in a whole year. If that energy can be harnessed, then we all benefit.
1: (Unconvinced) But what about life! If you stand here staring at the sky all day you’ll miss life!
2: No I won’t! Besides, I’m not staring at the sky, I’m preparing Maggie!
1: Yeah, right! But how are you going to live and watch for lightning at the same time?
2: I’ll just live and watch, (Pointedly) and I reckon I’ll enjoy the living more, cos I got something to look forward to!
1:
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(Still unconvinced) But what if you miss it? Say you’re inside eating a meal. What if you don’t see the lightning?
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2: Ah, but then I’ll hear the thunder.
1: (Almost a smarty-pants) But lightning can be in the distance where you can’t hear the thunder.
2: I have a few people who are on the lookout; they’ll let me know when it’s here.
1: Right, so you can trust them then?
2: Yep!
1: (Suspiciously) How do you know that one of them won’t get it wrong?
2: I don’t. (Picks up a book on meteorology and holds it up) But I’m studying meteorology and climatology so I’ll know if they’re right or wrong.
1: You’ve got this all figured out, haven’t you! (Pause) You know? You remind me of one of those crazy doomsday prophets, trying to guess the end of the world!
2: I certainly hope not! I just want to be prepared. I’m not guessing exact dates, for goodness’ sake!
1: Oh! (Pause) Hour and day unknown?
2: Yeah! But watching for lightning is probably a bit like waiting for Jesus’ return. It’s totally unpredictable and it will happen in an instant!
1: (Thinks for a moment) So, if you can study the signs to know when lightning is gonna strike, how do we know what to look for when Jesus is coming back?
2: We don’t! The Bible only gives us a few clues. Basically, I reckon that life will be pretty much as it is now. People will be born, they’ll get married, and some will die. Just don’t give up hope in his return and don’t get slack in your responsibilities towards God and others. I think the word is vigilance.
1: (Slowly) Aha! Like you, preparing for lightning!
2: (Flippantly) ‘Exzachary’. (Begins to pack up tools and organise the box ready for exit)
1: So...what happens when you do catch lightning?
2: (Expansively) Then, more power for you, and me, and everyone who wants it!
1: Cool! Uh...Can I watch too?
2: Yeah, sure! (Rummages around the back of the box for Bible) Here, study this. It’ll tell you everything you need to know.
1: (Is expecting a book on meteorology but is confused instead) This is the Bible!
2: Yeah!
1&2: (Pause. Then both laugh, look at each other and say together) Vigilance!
(1 exits reading the Bible. 2 wheels the box off stage)
© Michelle Pitman 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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