DRAMA TEMPLATE: Martha, Mary & Lazarus. John 11:1-43
(onstage there are two chairs with a coffee table between them, a lamp, and another table with a pitcher of water and several glasses -- everything looks very homey, with doilies and a rug or two -- a bell rings, once, then is cut off -- boy comes out of back room in pajamas with a teddy bear and a blanket, gets a drink of water but before he can drink he is seized by a fit of coughing -- a deep cough, he is obviously weak with some consuming disease, he drops the teddy bear and forgets about it)
MARIA:
(quickly enters stage from up center aisle, she has been listening for that cough, and now rushes forward to save her son) Larry? Larry! What are you doing out of bed? You get back in that bed, Sweetheart! (helps him drink water)
LARRY:
(wiping his mouth) Cut it out, Mom. Don't have a cow! I was just thirsty.
MARIA:
(hovering over him, adjusting his blanket about his shoulders) You should have rang the bell. I would have been there in a second.
LARRY:
Mom. You know, I don't mind walking a few steps every now and then. (flexes his muscles, but it obviously makes him tired to do even a simple joke) I'm all muscle, you know?
MARIA:
You go get in bed, Larry. We're going to have an exciting night, tonight. You're going to have a special visitor!
LARRY:
(obvious excitement) Is it Joshua?
MARIA:
(pauses, shows a little sadness) No -- no. Not Joshua. Hopefully he'll make it soon. I've sent word for him to come. But tonight a very special visitor is going to come see you!
LARRY:
(disgusted) Oh GREAT. Not Mr. Black Suit, AGAIN!
MARIA:
(shocked) Larry! Don't speak that way about Simon. He's very anointed!
LARRY:
(smart-aleck sarcasm) Yeah, he's got enough grease in his hair to anoint FIVE people! Can I share my mousse with you? Just a little dab will do ya!
MARIA:
(reaches out and shakes him, a little too roughly) Larry! How dare you say that about a man of God! That's blasphemy! Sacrilege!
LARRY:
(suffers coughing fit) I don't (cough) like his (cough) eyes! Have you ever looked deep into his eyes? He's SICK.
MARIA:
(suddenly sorry about shaking him) I'm sorry, Larry! I'm sorry! (hugs him) But you can't be talking about Simon like that. When you look in his eyes, and feel uncomfortable, that's just the Holy Ghost . . . that's all. It's just the Holy Ghost. I felt it too, but Simon told me it was the Holy Ghost.
LARRY:
(shaking his head) Why in the world would the Holy Spirit make you UNCOMFORTABLE? Anyway. Mom. Gotta go. To bed. (stoops like an old man)
MARIA:
Yes, yes. You head up to bed. When Simon gets here he'll pray over you...
LARRY:
Oh boy. (heads off to bed)
(doorbell rings)
MARIA:
(claps hands like a little girl) Oh, that must be Simon!
LARRY:
(about to disappear into bedroom) Quick! Lock the door! (being funny)
MARIA:
Larry! (rolls her eyes, but goes up center aisle to answer door, touching up her hair, straightening her clothes to make herself presentable)
(stage is empty for a few beats, then suddenly, Larry pops his head out the bedroom door, quickly comes sneaking out on tippy-toes to nab his teddy bear, seizes it by one leg, but then hears the voice of his mother and Simon approaching -- he rushes out and loses his grip on the stuffed animal, it falls where it lay before)
SIMON:
(coming up center aisle with Maria, smooth and groomed, hair slicked back, expensive black suit and ponderous Bible under his arm) Oh, I've got some splendid news for you, Maria. The Lord Jehovah has given me many prophecies concerning you and Larry! There's so many Words I don't know where to start!
MARIA:
Oh, I'm so excited! (claps her hands) I love your Holy Spirit parties, Simon!
SIMON:
Yes, the Lord IS good, isn't He? (they go to sit down -- Maria sits, but Simon hovers for a moment, then stands straight up, his eyes closing, lifting his hands) WAIT! Ah! The Holy Ghost is talking to me, even now, Maria! This is an incredible one! (his eyes roll and twitch in REM, clenched shut) REALLY, Lord?
MARIA:
(watching enraptured, her hands clasped tightly -- she's actually a little frightened, such is this man's incredible connection to the Lord)
SIMON:
(eyes open, speaks in awe) The Lord is coming soon and He is going to give you a complete city to rule! Los Angeles! And it will be a TRUE CITY OF ANGELS!
MARIA:
(shocked) ME? But -- but why ME?
SIMON:
(sits, with great sophistication straightens suit, showing off the expensive material, grin huge in a smarmy smile) Because you are SPECIAL, my daughter. Yes, I knew it from the first time I laid my eyes upon you. And Larry is special. The Lord has revealed to me that when He lands here on Earth, in a great fiery craft, His feet will split the Mount of Olives, and the oil that rushes from beneath His feet will anoint you, Maria, and your precious son! The Holy Ghost has revealed it, and it never lies!
MARIA:
(out of breath -- whispers) This is wonderful...
SIMON:
I'll tell ya, Maria . . . the thing about becoming a Christian, it makes you SPECIAL. A true Son or Daughter of God. You put off the old man. You put on the NEW. And you become a NEW CREATURE. And that new creature is so, so, so much BETTER than these poor people of the world -- the NON-Christians. You have to believe it, Maria -- that you are a GOD!
(continue to talk animatedly but volume goes down -- mime having a great, animated talk, with Simon leaning in close, praising, swelling praise)
MARTY:
(entering up center aisle, pauses half way -- she wears an apron, her hair in babushka, a dish cloth in her hands -- she addresses the audience) I just don't know what to do! I love my sister Maria with all my heart . . . but she's fallen in with this -- this -- CREEP. You'd be amazed at the things he teaches her. I mean . . . just listen to THIS...
SIMON:
(volume goes up) You're getting better all the time, Maria, at USING the Holy Ghost. You just keep practicing, like I taught you, and soon you too will be an Anointed One!
MARTY:
(sarcastically, addressing Simon, gesturing at Simon as if to say "Take it Away!") No, Simon, why don't you tell my sister again about the NATURE of the Holy Spirit!
SIMON:
(he doesn't really hear Marty, but in reply he trots out his favorite doctrine concerning the Holy Ghost) You see, Maria, the Holy Ghost is like a great Power Cloud, encircling the Earth. And us, the Anointed, can seize a piece of it! Like THIS! (he reaches out and grabs a hunka-hunka "holy ghost" -- he weighs "it" and then suddenly and dramatically flings his invisible handful upon Maria)
MARIA:
(gasps and leans suddenly back in her chair) I can feel the Spirit! I can really feel it! (she's overwhelmed, swooning, and she ain't fakin' it!)
MARTY:
(to audience) You think THAT sounds like a zoo? Well how about THESE apples (makes the "Take it Away" gesture to Simon again)...
SIMON:
(confidentially) The main thing is, Maria, when you're made into a New Creature, God puts a new spirit inside you, and you have to listen to this spirit, for all things. You can trust this spirit, because it is the REAL you, it's the part of you that goes to heaven when you die. So to be safe against all these mainstream, orthodox, fundamental CHURCHES (said as if it is a dirty word) -- these carnal buildings empty of spirit -- to keep you safe from all their cultic lies, use your SPIRIT, not your BRAIN. Your mind, your brain, will lie to you. But your spirit will ALWAYS tell you the truth!
MARIA:
So whatever I do, DON'T THINK...
SIMON:
Good! Good! Don't THINK -- FEEL! It's so important that you get this straight!
MARIA:
FEEL!
SIMON:
That's right, it's the only way to be safe! You'll FEEL a check in your spirit, and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with THINKING! Remember, don't THINK, you must FEEL!
(volume down, they continue chatting)
MARTY:
(eyes upturned, emanating frustration) Lord! What can I do for my sister, Lord? (she addresses audience) Do you see how it works? She actually is PROOFED against using logic! I can't even talk to her, my own sister! Because her SPIRIT knows more than I'll ever know, even when it's contradicting the Bible!
JOSHUA:
(joins Marty, dressed in blue jeans and jean jacket, sandles, a Bible under his arm -- he places a loving arm about Marty's shoulders) Once upon a time, a farmer planted seeds in a field. During the night, an enemy came and planted weeds in the field. In the morning, the good plants and the weeds grew side by side. The farmer realized his field had been sabotaged by his enemy. But he didn't pull up the weeds; instead he allowed them to grow side by side with his plants.
MARTY:
That doesn't make sense! Why didn't the farmer just rip out all the weeds?
JOSHUA:
(using his hands to paint his meaning as he talks) The roots of the weeds entwine with the roots of the plants, and to rip out a weed, you risk ripping out the plant you love so very much.
MARTY:
(glances back at her sister and Simon, sighs, then turns again to Joshua) But isn't there ANYTHING that can be done?
JOSHUA:
You can pray for your sister. And love her. Never stop loving her.
MARTY:
But what about HIM!? (violently gesturing toward Simon)
JOSHUA:
(a pregnant pause) Especially, pray for HIM.
MARTY:
Are you CRAZY? Pray for this . . . DECEIVER?!
JOSHUA:
Especially pray for him. For such as him, it would be better that he be handcuffed to the steering wheel of an armored car, and all be dropped into the deepest part of the ocean -- if he hurts an innocent child such as your sister.
MARTY:
But what about my sister?
JOSHUA:
(opens Bible to 2 Timothy 3:6-7) They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to
acknowledge the truth.
(they exit together -- volume comes back up on Simon and Maria)
SIMON:
You know, Maria. It makes me uncomfortable for me to even bring this up, but you do realize that the Bible speaks about aiding those that bring the Gospel...
MARIA:
Oh, Simon, I'll help you in any way I can. You know I don't have much money
SIMON:
The Gospel is free, but someone has to put in the plumbing, and that takes money . . . and the thing to remember is, you contribute to the Lord's work, and He will bless you a hundred times over! What you give me today, will make a great difference, for time and eternity! This is just a seed, and God has laid down some laws that He can't break, and you sow your seed in faith, and God has to bless you, and you are going to to reap such a harvest. Reap and sow, reap and sow. You just keep sowing them seeds, Maria, it ain't a money thing, it's an obedience thing. You obey God and you obey the Man of God.
MARIA:
(hesitant, but finally reaches under her chair for her purse -- she produces a few dollars) So much of my money goes toward Larry's medicines . . . otherwise, I'd be glad to give more . . . you DO know that, don't you Simon?
SIMON:
(accepts the money graciously) Well, thank you. And God bless you, my daughter. OF COURSE, I know that, Maria. Child of God. And what about Larry? Why don't you bring him out here so I can pray over him? We'll get him fixed up and then you can start investing your hard-earned money where it'll REALLY make a difference, not in useless medicines. A Christian should NEVER be sick, God performed every single healing at the cross -- if someone is sick today, it's because they ain't a Christian. Build up your faith, Maria. Build up your faith.
MARIA:
(instantly, fully overjoyed -- this is truly what she's been waiting for) Oh good! Thank you, Simon! I'll go get him!
(Simon kicks back, putting his arms behind his head, and smiles peacefully at the ceiling)
MARIA:
(entering leading Larry) Look who's here? The sleepy boy!
(Larry has been sleeping, and now yawns, wrapped in his blanket -- he's shivering and only half-conscious, feeling terrible, his fever up high -- he spots his missing teddy bear and goes for it, but right at that moment Simon steps between the boy and the stuffed animal -- Larry swallows hard and looks up fearfully at Simon)
SIMON:
Well -- well -- WELL. The sleepy boy! What do you have sitting on your poor shoulders tonight, my son?
LARRY:
On my shoulders? Huh?
SIMON:
(said over Larry's head to Maria) He has the spirit of fever sitting on him. I see it crouching there like a bat. A foul bat, dripping saliva.
LARRY:
(terrified) Mom! Tell him to leave me alone! (he throws his arms about Maria and turns his face away from Simon, attempting to hide)
SIMON:
Stand up Larry. Stand up for Joshua! The spirit of fear has just joined fever. Don't worry. They are no match for me, Larry, don't worry, Maria.
MARIA:
(pushing the boy away from her) Go ahead, Sweety. Simon is going to help you!
SIMON:
Stand up like a man, Larry! Joshua wants you to stand up.
LARRY:
(hesitating, terrified, but been through this before, finally stands up, wobbling)
SIMON:
Good, Larry. Now don't be afraid. (begins addressing another, unseen entity) Come out of this boy! In the name of Joshua, come out of him! Spirit, I have been given authority to remove you, so depart at once! You fear, and you fever, I cast you out! Do you hear me, Satan? I bind you, and I cast you to dry places!
LARRY:
(shaking, looks back at his mother)
MARIA:
(nods encouragingly, her hands clasped tightly together in worry)
(they FREEZE, remain unmoving)
MARTY:
(entering, stopping halfway to the front, center aisle) Oh no! Not this again! Joshua! Joshua!
JOSHUA:
(arriving) Yes, Marty?
MARTY:
It's a nightmare! A complete nightmare!
JOSHUA:
(opens Bible to 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
MARTY:
But Joshua! That's not fair! Why should God send delusions to my sister! She wants to be good! She loves the Lord! She wants to be saved! She wants Larry to be healthy and whole. Why in the world would God send a delusion to her?
JOSHUA:
Our Father does not force anyone to love Him, nor to obey Him. If they choose to accept something other than His truth, then they face the consequences. They CHOOSE to live under deception. By allowing His children to choose their own way He runs the risk that they will choose unwisely. Pray for your sister, Marty. Intercede for her. By standing in the wisdom God has given you, and by caring for your sister, and praying for her, you can make all the difference in her eternity. (he departs, leaving Marty to witness the scene coming to life upon the stage)
SIMON:
(unfreezing) Let the Spirit speak! (he closes his eyes, and his mouth drops open, as if here were going to sleep, and suddenly, an odd language comes out of his mouth) Fruth moe shen ti rhen pho aren taru fallono shen to pi! (his eyes jerk grotesquely in REM beneath closed lids) Fruth moe shen ti rhen pho aren taru fallono shen to pi!
LARRY:
(throws his hands over his ears) God! Protect me! Joshua! JOSHUA!
MARIA:
(places her hands upon her son's shoulders) It's okay, Larry! It's okay! He's just praying in his prayer language! It's just a prayer language, Larry!
SIMON:
(he opens his eyes, continuing to pray in an "unknown language," and begins making flinging gestures upon Larry, as if he is grabbing hunks off the Holy Ghost and throwing it upon the boy) Fruth moe shen ti rhen pho aren taru fallono to pi!
LARRY:
(he lowers his hands from his ears, closes his eyes and prays, trembling)
SIMON:
(he seems to be growing angry) Behold! The power of the Lord! (and he steps forward and with the heel of his right hand he shoves Larry backward -- Maria, watching closely, is set to catch the boy, which she does)
MARIA:
(catching Larry, lowering him to the ground -- in an enthralled state of awe) Isn't that amazing, Larry? Have you ever experienced the power of God like that before?
LARRY:
(lying upon the ground for a few moments, he laughs, then pushes himself up on his elbows) Mom! He SHOVED me over!
MARIA:
No Larry, that was the Holy Ghost!
SIMON:
(sternly) Don't blaspheme the Holy Ghost, Larry. There is no forgiveness for those who talk against the holy power! Be very, very careful what you say. (he suddenly snaps his hands together very loudly, startling both Maria and Larry) I break those words of death! I am embued with the Holy Ghost, and you cannot speak against me, for I create with my lips, and I speak LIFE to you, boy, I speak DEATH to your illness. ILLNESS, I speak DEATH to you! DIE! I curse you! I CURSE you! I curse you to DEATH!
SIMON:
(ignoring Simon) I need to go to bed, Mom. (pleading) PLEASE Mom, let me go to bed, PLEASE?
MARIA:
Okay, Sweetheart. I'll take you back to bed
(she takes Larry back into the bedroom)
SIMON:
(spots the teddy bear and picks it up, seats himself in the chair, looking very satisfied, and plays with the stuffed animal while he talks to God, keeping his eyes open) Lord. I thank you for giving me the juice to kick out these demons. All for your glory, Lord. I will do all miracles in Your name, Jehovah. And I thank You for these lambs You have given me. It's a tough gig, Lord, doing Your work. But I wouldn't choose any other work! You have blessed me after all the wonderful things I have done for You. Amen.
(he makes a few bizarre faces at the teddy bear, winks, and then stretches out his arm and drops the toy onto the carpet, as if it were filthy -- dropping it in roughly the same place it has been since the opening)
MARTY:
(approaches down center aisle, stops midway as before) Where is Joshua? Why doesn't he come? The days fly by, and poor Larry weakens. My poor nephew is dying!
(as Marty speaks, Maria and Simon go into "flashing mode" -- Simon rises from his chair, removes his coat, takes one or two steps away from the chair as if exiting, and then turns around, puts on his coat, walks back one or two paces and sits down -- Maria comes sadly from Larry's room, sits down, and then rises and hurriedly rushes to Larry's room, repeating until "flashing mode" ends -- this represents time passing as they cycle through this vicious loop, coat going on, coming off, Maria rushing back and forth, Marty watching, speaking)
MARTY:
(pacing, worried, frantic, addressing different members of the audience) I argue with my sister. I yell at her. We fight. And then she needs me, so badly, as her son weakens. The doctors say that Larry can't survive long, maybe a few days more, and he hangs on, the poor kid, waiting for his cherished Joshua to arrive. We all believe that if Joshua were here, Larry could be healed. But Joshua delays. And the terrible cycle repeats -- Maria and I scream at each other. I try to get through to her. Don't listen to this Simon guy. I mean, he is telling her such terrible, ghostly things...
(stops to listen to one of these terrible ghostly things, her arms crossed over her chest, for the first time walks closer, closer to Simon and Maria, stops at the very front of the stage only a few feet away from them as they cease their "flashing mode")
SIMON:
(adjusts himself comfortably as Maria leans forward raptly to listen to him) The wonderful thing about our spirit is, even after we die, our spirit remains here, close by, near to its loved ones. The Gospel truth is, for three days our spirit is able to wander the Earth, until the end of the third day, when it goes to be with God. That's why, often, when your loved one dies, you can still communicate with them, at least for the first three days after their passing! After that, God doesn't really want you talking to them, He allows it occasionally, like with Saul and Samuel, but it's not usually a good idea.
MARIA:
Oh that is wonderful! I never knew these things until you told me. Incredible. You know so much, Simon, you're an incredible blessing to this family.
SIMON:
(patting her hand cozily) You have much faith, Maria. MUCH faith. You know, I think if it was just up to YOUR faith, poor Larry would be healed.
MARIA:
(concerned) But WHY isn't he better, Simon? You've cast out demon after demon. You've prayed over him, and I have believed, and believed. And still he gets weaker
SIMON:
I'm afraid it is the unbeliever in our midst.
MARIA:
(confused) Unbeliever? Who in the world?
SIMON:
Your sister, Marty. I believe it is her unbelief that is keeping Larry depressed, subject to the spirits of illness, the demons of fever and night terrors, fear, scoffing, asthma, and worst, cancer.
MARIA:
(standing up in alarm) Marty! But she IS a Christian! She believes in Joshua! She loves Him! She knows Him very well!
SIMON:
(putting out calming hands) Joshua himself spelled it out: on some soil the seed falls, and shoots up, but the soil isn't deep and the plant ceases growing. Think about it. Does your sister have a prayer language? Does the Holy Ghost manifest itself to her as it does to you? Has she ever been slain in the spirit? She doesn't even believe in our Rapture, she sticks stubbornly to the Bible and all those traditions -- think about it, does your sister receive ANY new revelations? I'm afraid your withered sister is now endangering your son's health, not only in this world, but for his eternal salvation, as well. It's a deadly thing, unbelief.
MARTY:
(stepping forward, into their inner circle) All right! That's about enough, you evil man! I want you out of my house! Right now! And I don't want you ever to come back!
(Simon and Maria look at Marty with surprise and horror, speechless)
MARIA:
(leaps to her feet) Marty! You don't know what you're doing! You're hurting my son! Your nephew! How could you DO this? Speak this way to a man of God?
MARTY:
I know very well that THIS man does not worship the same God that I do! This is no man of God, unless it is the god of THIS world!
SIMON:
(calmly, soothingly) I'm so sorry, Maria. I tried to warn you, but I guess I was too late. (he looks at Maria with love and concern, sending the message with his eyes: "I told you so!")
MARTY:
The ONLY thing that is too late is in me kicking you out! NOW GET OUT! (she's on the point of shrieking, trembling)
MARIA:
This is my house too, Marty! And Simon is MY guest. You CAN'T kick out my guest.
MARTY:
Don't you see what he's doing to your life? He's ruining your relationship with God. Filling your head with all kinds of New Age junk!
SIMON:
Everything you Bible people can't understand or can't share, you label "New Age." But Maria has something you do not have. She has a spirit! Tell me, Maria, how does it make your spirit feel, what Marty is saying?
MARIA:
(slowly, sadly) I get a CHECK in my spirit.
SIMON:
And your spirit NEVER lies. Think about that. Do you need more proof? The spirit does not lie. But your sister DOES, doesn't she?
MARTY:
(lifts her finger under Simon's nose, and opens her mouth to scream in his face, but is interrupted)
LARRY:
MOM! (and a high pitched, terrible cry)
(there is a long beat of silence -- Maria and Marty turn and stare into each other's faces, terrified -- and suddenly they burst into motion, rushing for Larry's room)
SIMON:
(an ever-so-small smile, he bends and retrieves Larry's teddy bear -- he looks at it sadly, nodding a little bit, and then gently sets it in Maria's chair) Ah well. Death. (pause) And taxes. (he goes to sit in his chair, and then pauses, halfway down, rises, and goes to Maria's chair, reaches beneath it, producing her purse, he quickly and dexterously extracts several bills from the purse, stuffing them into his vest) Ah well, death and taxes. (he sits in his chair and closes his eyes) Remember, dear Maria, it was the widow who gave her ALL that received the greatest blessing!
(three or four mourners come out of the audience and wander about on the stage, consoling each other, hugging, weeping softly, quietly, murmuring peacefully, keeping distance from Simon, who nods peacefully)
MARIA AND MARTY:
(they emerge from Larry's bedroom, both with veils over their heads, stooped, weeping softly, arms about each other, drawn together in grief, they receive the mourners, hugging and consoling each other -- Maria sits in her chair, keeping her eyes down)
(as Maria begins to speak, Marty listen and shakes her head, frowning, but not speaking out of grief, and out of respect for her sister)
MARIA:
(speaks in a sad, ghostly voice) For the past three days my faith was strong. Oh, those three precious days when my son's precious spirit hovered near me, I could feel him, I could FEEL him with my spirit. I knew that Joshua could come during those days, and my son could live again. But then those three days passed, and all my hopes died . . . as Larry's spirit departed from me, leaving me all alone, so alone, and went to be with the Lord. (she puts her hands over her face and weeps, slowly, mournfully shaking her head)
JOSHUA:
(appears in the center aisle, halfway to the front, watching sadly) Larry . . . sleeps. (said sadly, and he sighs, deeply, teary-eyed)
MARTY:
(catches sight of Joshua, and throws off her veil, comes running to him) Joshua! Joshua! Is it you? Is it really you?
JOSHUA:
(catches Marty, and holds her to his chest) I am here, Marty. I am here.
MARTY:
(a little angrily) Joshua, Larry is dead. If you had been here, he might have lived! But my nephew is dead.
JOSHUA:
Don't be sad. You will see your nephew again
MARTY:
I know I will (stifling a sob, covering her mouth with both hands) . . . I know I will see him again . . . at the . . . Resurrection. When every eye will see you, Joshua, and the dead in You will rise first, and then those that are alive and remain...
JOSHUA:
I am the resurrection and the life, Marty. You will see your nephew again. (he begins moving toward the front)
MARIA:
(catches sight of Joshua, at first she floods with happiness, to see him again, but then incredible anger fills her) YOU! (she screams)
SIMON:
(he puts out a restraining hand upon Maria, but he's all eyes for Joshua) It's him, is it? Finally. I get to meet the man! Just wait till he gets a look at ME!
MARIA:
(she leaps to her feet as Joshua reaches the front, pushes Simon's hand away, and charges at Joshua) YOU! (she screams -- she rushes forward and slaps Joshua across the face)
MARTY:
(rushes around and grabs Maria from behind) Calm down, Maria! Calm down! It's Joshua! It's Joshua! He's come!
MARIA:
(shrieking at Joshua) My son is DEAD! If you had come earlier he wouldn't have died! If you would have come, even YESTERDAY -- he could have been resurrected! His SPIRIT! It's gone, it's too late -- it's the FOURTH DAY! My spirit feels that he is gone, he is gone...
JOSHUA:
(he is stricken, so saddened by Maria's words, but he pushes past and goes toward the top of the stage, toward Larry's bedroom -- he passes the smiling Simon without even looking at him)
SIMON:
(stepping forward) Joshua! Hey, my main man! I finally get to meet you! (he reaches out his hand and grabs Joshua's sleeve)
JOSHUA:
(halts, turns around and looks at the hand that is holding him, there is a long, long beat of time, Joshua not looking up into the eyes of Simon)
SIMON:
(smarmy, the world's best salesman) Can I have your autograph? Or like, maybe, I was thinking, you and I can hit the road, start off the greatest revival this world's ever seen! I have a pink Cadillac, and I've got the route all mapped out...
JOSHUA:
(he looks up from Simon's hand and their eyes lock and Simon cuts off mid-speech, finally, still looking into Simon's eyes, Joshua speaks, distinctly, strongly, but kindly, sadly)
I. Do. Not. Know. You.
SIMON:
(laughs) Awww, come on! Don't be rude, Joshua! Why, I've performed all kinds of miracles in your name! I've cast out demons! I've healed the sick! Hey, I can do a non-stop 24/7 prayer language like nobody can! (but he's VERY nervous, Simon is, and it SHOWS -- he can't look Joshua in the eyes, his gaze goes everywhere else, and it's embarassing to watch)
JOSHUA:
(calmly, not looking away from Simon's gaze) Simon, I never knew you. Get away from me, you unrepentant sinner. You worker of iniquity.
SIMON:
(finally releases Joshua's sleeve, stumbles back) Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Why you looking at me like that? (looks away from Joshua, lifts a hand to shield his eyes -- glares at the mourners) And why YOU looking at me like that? Huh? You all stop looking at me! STOP looking at me!
(he runs down the center aisle, gulping as if he is close to vomiting, stuffing both hands into his face, holding his throat and stomach back on the far side of his lips)
SIMON:
(at the back, turns about for one parting shot) You don't know ME? Huh! I don't know YOU, pal! And I don't WANT to know you! You trickster! YOU are what's WRONG with Christianity, and THAT's the Gospel! (exits)
JOSHUA:
(looking pointedly at Maria) Put your trust in God . . . NOT in man... (he goes toward Larry's bedroom)
MARTY:
Joshua! Don't go there! The smell! Poor Larry's been dead for four days!
JOSHUA:
(looking gravely at the group) Larry is sleeping. Four days have passed, in order to bring glory to God. In order to break foolish pagan myths. Maria, the Truth will set you free...
GROUP:
(mourners draw together in one group, holding hands, or hugging one another, and Maria and Marty stand apart, their arms about each other -- everyone watching silently, with huge eyes, amazed and a little bit afraid)
JOSHUA:
(in a deep, powerful voice) Larry! (pause, lifts hand toward door) Wake up, Larry! (pause) Come forth!
(a long, pregnant pause, as all wait, not breathing -- is Joshua crazy? But then there is a loud bang from deep within Larry's room! A long pause)
JOSHUA:
Larry! Come out!
LARRY:
(he opens the door, but for a long while -- about 10 seconds -- does not come forth . . . then, slowly, rubbing his eyes, he comes slowly forth, the blanket over his head like a babushka -- then he sees Joshua, slowly a smile builds on his face) JOSHUA! (he laughs loud and throws off the blanket, and runs into Joshua's waiting arms)
MARIA:
(amazed) Larry! Larry!
LARRY:
(turns and sees his mother, and then dashes for her -- but almost to her he catches sight of his teddy bear, and snatches it up, holds it high above his head triumphantly, jumping up and down -- they embrace) Mom! That was the best sleep I've had in a long time! I feel good, I really do! I feel great, Mom, I feel GREAT!
(as Joshua comes down to embrace Larry and Maria, and as Martha comes over to embrace them with a wide dazzling smile, the mourners become REVELERS, cheering and clapping)
REVELERS:
CHEERS -- APPLAUSE -- LAUGHTER -- LOUD LOUD LOUD CLAPPING!
(the group, all smiling and ecstatic, exit up center aisle)
__________________________________________
Completely free Christian scripts, sketches, mimes.
Always a parable. Storytelling making the difference.
Soldier On. You were created on purpose.
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Art et Amour Toujours
