BACK EMOTIONS 5'?m2f Salvation, emotions, faith, cults LIZ -- (enters, crosses to C, looks at watch, paces repeatedly) AMY -- (enters opposite, excitedly) I'm sorry I'm late. LIZ -- You know, we only have an hour for lunch. AMY -- I know. I'm sorry. You're not going to believe why I'm late! LIZ -- Why are you late? AMY -- I spent the morning with Mr Wonderful! LIZ -- Mr Wonderful. AMY -- You know, the man I'm going to marry! LIZ -- You're not dating anyone. Who.... AMY -- ...I just met him this morning on the way in. We spent the entire morning talking soul to soul. LIZ -- Soul to soul. AMY -- You know me. I'm not normally the emotional type. LIZ -- No, as a matter of fact.... AMY -- ...But when two souls resonate the way our two souls resonate, you can't help it. LIZ -- Help what? AMY -- He asked me to marry him. LIZ -- You're kidding. AMY -- No. LIZ -- He asked you to marry him after knowing you for only a few hours?! AMY -- Yes. LIZ -- Please don't tell me you said yes. AMY -- I did. LIZ -- You did?! AMY -- Yes. LIZ -- I can't believe it! You NEVER do things like that! You NEVER make such important decisions without gathering enough information to write a doctoral thesis. AMY -- Well, I did it this time. Aren't you proud of me?! LIZ -- Listen, Amy, I don't want to throw a wet blanket on your fire, but.... AMY -- Oh, please don't tell me you disapprove! LIZ -- I disapprove. AMY -- But why?! I feel so right about this. LIZ -- Amy, this is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. The decision you make about marriage will reverberate through your whole life. All you really know about this guy is what your emotions tell you and that's just your first impression of him. AMY -- So, let me get this right. You don't think important life changing decisions should be made on the basis of first impressions or emotional reactions? LIZ -- No! Emotional reactions and first impressions tell you almost nothing about the guy! He's on his best behavior. He only tells you what you want to hear. He'll never be brutally honest about his short-comings on your first encounter. AMY -- Well, maybe he doesn't have any short-comings. LIZ -- Believe me, nobody is perfect. There's always a down side to every important decision. AMY -- I'm sure I could get used to his quirks. How bad could they be? LIZ -- Well, frankly, this charming Mr Wonderful could turn out to be a smooth talking serial killer! AMY -- But, I love him! I know in my heart that he's a beautiful human being! I am committed to making this marriage work! LIZ -- Without knowing anything about him, you're commitment is completely emotional. What happens after the emotional high subsides? AMY -- So, you think I need to know him better? LIZ - Absolutely. Do some research. Ask around. Talk to people who know him, his friends AND his enemies. AMY -- Oh. So, let me get this right. You don't think important life changing decisions should be made on the basis of first impressions or emotional reactions? LIZ -- (pauses) Oh, wait a minute. AMY -- What? LIZ -- You never spent the morning with Mr Wonderful. AMY -- I didn't? LIZ -- No. You made it all up. AMY -- Why would I do a thing like that? LIZ -- You're just mimicking my reaction to my new church. AMY -- I am? LIZ -- Yes. You think my commitment to this new church is just like committing to marrying a complete stranger. AMY -- Well, is it? LIZ -- (pauses) Well, in a way... I suppose it could be. AMY -- How much research have YOU done? LIZ -- Well, that's just it. They told me that if I relied on evidence and reason to make my decision, I didn't have REAL faith. AMY -- So, do you think I had REAL faith in Mr Wonderful? LIZ -- Boy! This is just like Mr Wonderful, isn't it? But there is no way you could have real faith in someone you hardly know. AMY -- So, you think you ought to do some more research? LIZ -- I should at least get to know them better. I mean, there's even more than just a lifetime marriage involved here. This is eternity here! But... it felt so right. I had this burning in my bosom. AMY -- That's just a feeling. Do you think you can trust your feelings when it comes to life-long commitments? LIZ -- Now I'm not so sure. AMY -- Even if their claims are correct, building your church membership on your emotional reaction is just like marrying a guy based on an emotional reaction. What will happen to your commitment to the church after your emotional reaction fades? LIZ -- I suppose the same thing that happened last time: when my emotions faded, so did my commitment to the church. AMY -- I suppose that's why the divorce rate is so high too. LIZ -- You know, I never liked your cold, calculating approach to making decisions. But without something more than emotions, I could be making the worst decision of my life. AMY -- Let's talk about it over lunch. (exits) LIZ -- (follows) Boy, you really had me going there. AMY -- Oh, did I? LIZ -- Don't ever do that to me again! You almost gave me a heart attack! ©2007 Bob Snook. Conditions for use: Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances. You may reproduce and distribute this script freely, but all copies must contain this copyright statement. http://www.fea.net/bobsnook email: bobsnook@fea.net BACK |