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BillySundae
Member
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Posted: Thu May 17th, 2007 06:38 pm |
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Below is the last seven pages or so of the original version of this play. (I posted a redraft of the play in the rewrites section of the Playwright's Gym, yesterday: May 16, 2007). I've been working on the two different versions at the same time-- really struggling with where to head with the play. Today, I "finished" the original script. Tell me what you think. Perhaps I need to merge the two together? Or is one script better than the other? I've been working on this play for several months now, almost daily, maybe I just need to step back from it awhile. Any thoughts about that?
Grace 14
ROBERT
Your church, a church founded by the humble carpenter of Nazareth who told the adulteress only to go and sin no, won’t allow me to join, or even attend it?
JAMES
Unfortunately, that’s right.
ROBERT
But how can I change my life if your church, or some church, won’t give me an opportunity to demonstrate that I’ve changed, that I’m not the same person who committed those heinous acts against a little girl, his niece, no less?
JAMES
I don’t know.
Good day, Robert.
Robert gets up and moves toward the door.
ROBERT
Robert, from the doorway.
One last question. What would Jesus do?
JAMES
What would Jesus do?
ROBERT
Yes. What would Jesus do? About me—or someone else who is a social pariah?
JAMES
I don’t know. I have a sermon to complete.
Grace 15
JAMES (Cont)
Please leave.
ROBERT
Yes. You know.
JAMES
I don’t. Now leave!
ROBERT
(calmly)
Pastor Walker, denial is not helpful. You and I both know that Jesus was accepting of social pariahs. Whether they were tax collectors like Mathew—one of his disciples—or Zachius he ate in their homes and spoke with them in public. He saved the adulteress from being stoned. And he knew prostitutes, which is what at least some people think Mary Magdalene was. So why are you wanting me to leave? Am I not in the same league as a tax collector, adulteress or prostitute?
JAMES
No. You’re not.
ROBERT
I am. And I won’t be told I’m not. You’re writing a sermon about acceptance. What does it say?
JAMES
Come tomorrow and find out.
ROBERT
I can’t. Remember?
JAMES
Oh.
Grace 16
JAMES (Cont)
Yeah. Well, it will be posted on our web site by Tuesday morning at the latest.
ROBERT
Tell me about the sermon.
JAMES
I’m sorry, I haven’t finished it. You’ll need to read it on-line.
ROBERT
Well, then I’ll tell you what’s in it. 2nd Corinthians—the passage on love will be your New Testament reading. Then you’ll talk about how there are several types of love: the love of God for his children, the love of a man for a woman, the love of a parent for a child and finally the love of people for others unselfishly in times of need.
You’ll speak about how this last type of love is one that may be overlooked. We are a society of people that tend to focus on those closest to us and ignore the hurting peoples of our community and our world. So now we, as the loving people of Grace Community Church that we are, need to reach out to the lost, seek to help those in need of food, clothing and shelter, and be more accepting of those who are not like us so that we can bring more people into the loving arms of a loving and embracing God.
Is that about the sum and substance of your sermon?
JAMES
It could be.
ROBERT
Well. I can see I’m wasting my time; your heart is like a pillar of stone.
Robert exits.
Grace 17
James sits there a moment, then calls out:
JAMES
Robert. Robert, come back.
A long pause. Nothing happens, Robert doesn’t reappear. James looks down at his sermon, then up. He gets up and starts to leave to follow Robert. Instead, he sits back down and resumes writing his sermon. Moments pass before there is a knock at his door.
ROBERT
Pastor Walker? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have stormed out of here a few minutes ago. I understand that you only want to put the best interests of your current members before those of a newcomer. Perhaps we’ll run into each other some place else. Thanks for your time.
Robert pauses, when James doesn’t respond he starts to exit.
JAMES
Robert. Just a minute please.
ROBERT
Yes?
JAMES
Have a seat please. Let’s try this again.
ROBERT
Okay.
JAMES
You didn’t get my sermon right, but you gave a good one of your own. Let’s see if we can’t come to some kind of agreement.
Grace 18
ROBERT
Agreement? About what?
JAMES
About how you can participate in the life of this church.
ROBERT
Really?
JAMES
Really.
My concern is the health and safety of my members and, most especially their children.
ROBERT
Ok. That makes sense.
What I want is the opportunity to attend church, an adult Sunday school class and to attend church-wide functions—picnics, sports events and the like. Do you have something in mind?
JAMES
I think so. We will make everyone here at the church aware of your situation. Every effort will be made to make everyone aware of your past and the very real danger you may represent. Signs will be posted in the church and notices will run in the newsletter. And you will not be allowed to be involved in any of the youth programming or in any activity—like the Easter egg hunt or the Christmas pageant – that is solely for children.
ROBERT
May I join the adult choir?
Grace 19
JAMES
That’s a decision for the choir director to make. But if you really can sing like a lark, I suspect he’ll want you to join. Sam is always looking for good male singers. Anything else?
ROBERT
One suggestion. You might want to have locks put on all the restroom doors and put up signs telling people—particularly children—to lock the door behind them. This may increase the feeling of security parents may have if they can’t take their children to the restroom themselves.
JAMES
Anything else?
ROBERT
May I join the church?
JAMES
Not tomorrow. I’ll take this conversation to the Deacon Board and ask for their input. We and the church will keep a close eye on you and on the situation for a while. See how you do. See how you get along with other members and make sure you keep your distance from the children.
ROBERT
Any idea how long that will be?
JAMES
No. All I can say is that I’ve come a long way today. The church’s members may not be so quick to come around. Just give it some time and we’ll see what happens.
ROBERT
Are we talking weeks or months?
Grace 20
JAMES
Robert, I don’t know. It takes as long as it takes. But come to the service tomorrow a little early and I’ll introduce you around to some folks. Afterwards, stick around for the fellowship hour—coffee and cookies. Let’s take it a day at a time and see what happens. Okay?
ROBERT
So I’m welcome to attend church here?
JAMES
Yes.
ROBERT
May I ask why you changed your mind?
JAMES
I didn’t change my mind, I changed my attitude.
ROBERT
What do you mean?
JAMES
Well, Robert I still think this is a bad idea. I still have the same concerns I had before. But you’re right—Jesus would have given you an opportunity. So I need to do no less. And I will do what I can to make sure that the Deacons and the church do likewise. Will I see you tomorrow?
ROBERT
Absolutely. Thank you.
JAMES
Good. I’ll see you tomorrow. Now, I need you to leave so that I can revise my sermon.
Grace 21
ROBERT
See you tomorrow Pastor Walker.
JAMES
Jim. Just call me Jim. I’ll see you in the morning.
ROBERT
Good. See you then, (beat) Jim.
Robert exits as James turns back to his work and
--- CURTAIN---
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alan0198
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 3rd, 2006 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 113 |
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 03:24 am |
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Billy: this works for me. Although Jim's reversal might be a bit abrupt, he is caught up short by the "WWJD" query--which is entirely believable. What's still a bit pat is the fact that he's got it all worked out about how to handle Robert's involvement with the church--that might need a little more exploring on his part-- but this ending pretty much solves the problems I had with the first few pages. Now I'll go see what the other version is like--
Alan
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