DRAMA - EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, YEAR C
Bible reference: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
MERELY NUMBER TWO
CHARACTERS: Hugh and Death. Death is dressed all in black contemporary clothes, speaks in a fairly deep voice
PROPS: Microphone for Hugh
HUGH:
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(Entering with mike) This is Hugh B. First for The Guiness Book of Records. I'm here to investigate someone who claims to be the most powerful thing in the universe. (Death enters, Hugh looks at him doubtfully) So you're death?
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DEATH: That's Death, with a capital 'D'.
HUGH: Is it alright if I call you Death?
DEATH:
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Actually most people just call me 'Ahhhhhhhhh! Aargh!' . . . (Chokes off scream as if dying) but you can call me Death.
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HUGH: (Unsure) Thank you, it's er . . . a pleasure to meet you.
DEATH:
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It's a pleasure to meet you too, although you were bound to meet me sooner or later.
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HUGH:
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(Slightly intimidated) Er . . . yes. (Looking Death up and down) Look, I must say I'm a bit surprised. I expected . . .
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DEATH: (Interrupting) Something different? A skeleton perhaps?
HUGH: Well, yes.
DEATH: (Rolling eyes) Carrying a giant scythe,I suppose?
HUGH: Yes, that too, now you mention it.
DEATH:
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I gave all that up years ago. All very melodramatic and overdone, and rather chilly too.
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HUGH: Chilly?
DEATH:
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You try walking around in just your bones some time. The wind just whistles right through them.
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HUGH:
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I see. (Trying to regain control of the interview) I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about your claim of being the most powerful . . . er . . . thing in the universe.
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DEATH: It's not actually a claim.
HUGH: (Surprised) It's not?
DEATH:
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No, it's a fact! I am the most powerful thing in the universe. No one can resist my power. (Menacingly to audience) I get everyone in the end. You'll all finish up pushing up daisies, although some of you look like you'll be pushing up a lot more daisies than others! Everyone fears me. (Getting carried away) People try to avoid me, ignore me, delay me, escape me, but no one can defeat death!
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HUGH: (Tentatively) Er . . . what about Jesus?
DEATH: (Angry intake of breath) He died, didn't he?
HUGH: Yes, but he rose again.
DEATH: (Dismissing him) So, he was an exception!
HUGH: He defeated you.
DEATH: It wasn't a defeat, it was merely a er . . . temporary setback.
HUGH: And what about all those who believe in him?
DEATH: (Crossly) What about them?
HUGH: Doesn't Jesus give them victory over you? Doesn't he give them eternal life?
DEATH: (Reluctantly) I suppose you could put it like that.
HUGH:
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So you are not, in fact, the most powerful thing in the universe, merely number two.
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DEATH: Well . . . yes, but I am still the second most powerful thing in the universe.
HUGH: I see. I'll be off then. (Starts to leave)
DEATH:
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(Stopping Hugh) Wait a minute! The second most powerful thing in the universe is still pretty powerful!
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HUGH: (Starting to leave again) I'm sure it is.
DEATH: (Following him) Being second is still a really big achievement!
HUGH: (Turning to face Death) I'm sorry, we're not interested in losers.
DEATH: (Looking up and waving fist) This is all your fault, Jesus, I'll get you!
HUGH: I believe you've already tried that. (Exits with Death following)
© 1999 Verena Johnson
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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