DRAMA - TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK, YEAR C
Bible reference: John 12:23-33
THE POLITICS OF SUFFERING
CHARACTERS: Shirl and Baz, someone to operate light switches
PROPS: Bunch of keys
(Shirl is waiting outside the [imaginary] door to the party room office in the freezing cold of a chill winter morning, rubbing her hands etc. Along comes Baz with the keys . . . if possible the lights are down and it's dark)
BAZ:
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Yeah, mornin', Shirl. Gee she's a cold one, ain't she? (Not really a question, Baz has troubles trying to find the right key)
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SHIRL:
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What's keeping you there? Don't tell me you forgot to bring it?
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BAZ:
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(Finally finds the right key) No, there we go. (Door opens and they enter) Now for the lights . . .
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SHIRL:
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. . . Here . . . (Lights at the back of the room go on, and then off) . . . no. This place has so many damn light switches . . .
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BAZ:
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(Stage area lights go on) Ah . . . that's better.
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SHIRL:
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You know Baz, I just can't get used to the weather up here. No matter how much the Devils' Guild needs me to get things going and all, I still find the whole climate just a bit much sometimes.
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BAZ:
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(Looking cold) I know what you mean, Shirl. I almost resorted to buying an overcoat yesterday, and you know what the Supreme Ultimate Commander would say if he found that out!
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SHIRL:
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He'd deep-fry you for sure!
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BAZ:
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But by the sounds of things, now is when the Guild needs us most!
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SHIRL:
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(Curious) What do you mean?
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BAZ:
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Haven't you heard? I received a message from Head Office this morning. You remember Barb?
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SHIRL:
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(Trying to remember) Ye-e-ah . . .
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BAZ:
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Well, apparently she came out and said something that has all the head honchos on the defensive.
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SHIRL:
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The Supreme Ultimate Commander won't like that one bit . . . what in hell did Barb say?
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BAZ:
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She said the Guild has been betrayed . . . she reckons they've stolen our chief weapon . . .
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BAZ:
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(Getting nervous) You know . . . Him.
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BAZ:
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(Checking to see if anyone is listening) You know . . . God.
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SHIRL:
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(Sharp intake of breath) Shhhh, anyone could be listening . . . (Baz rolls his eyes) What did you say . . . He's . . . stolen?
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BAZ:
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Our chief weapon, our greatest tool in converting humankind . . .
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SHIRL:
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What, our policy statements?
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BAZ:
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No, you fool, suffering.
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SHIRL:
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You mean to say he's using SUFFERING? Not possible. (Shaking head) Nup, poor Barb's finally lost it this time . . .
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BAZ:
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Well, the Supreme Ultimate Commander and the chiefs of staff didn't believe her, anyway.
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SHIRL:
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(Still going on, both are carrying on their own conversations) I mean, how is he going to use SUFFERING to help them? They want to get as far away from suffering as they possibly can, that's why we use it . . .
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BAZ:
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Barb was quite convinced that . . .
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SHIRL:
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(Cutting off Barb) . . . Hell, it's our most effective weapon!
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BAZ:
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. . . HE had subverted it and . . .
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SHIRL:
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. . . No, it would just be unthinkable for him to, well . . . SUFFER . . . See, think about it, some of those new devices are pretty horrid . . . Like that cross thing . . . (Shudders) Ugh . . . No, I just don't believe it.
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BAZ:
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Yeah, I guess you're right. Next thing she'll be saying he's going to die! (Lights go out) Oh, the light's gone out again . . .
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SHIRL:
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Damn, I left my torch in the car, come and help me get it (Start to leave) Ouch! Ow! Ow! Burning hellfire! I've stubbed my toe on that filing cabinet again!!
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BAZ:
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Shirl, do you ever get sick of stumbling around in the dark? (Both exit)
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©Tamson Pietsch 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 performances only.
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