BACK TROUBLE 5'?m6f Salvation, count the cost, discipleship LIZ -- (enters with Bible open, staring off into space) AID -- (follows) Elizabeth? Elizabeth? LIZ -- (stops, turns) Yes? AID -- When did you become a Christian? LIZ -- A Christian? AID -- Yes, if you had told me before you took your test... LIZ -- ...Do I know you? AID -- No. Not really. I'm the teachers aid for your Mathematics professor. LIZ -- And how do you know me? AID -- The professor just called and told me to track you down and let you know. LIZ -- Know what? AID -- You got an "A" in your last test. LIZ -- I did?! AID -- Yes, of course! LIZ -- I don't understand the concepts that well. I thought sure I failed that test. AID -- (exiting) It's okay now. You're a Christian! LIZ -- What does that have to do with.... Well, isn't that interesting?! MSG -- (enters carrying folded note, shouting) Message for Elizabeth Johnson. Message for Elizabeth Johnson. LIZ -- (turns) I'm Elizabeth Johnson. MSG -- (offers message) Message for you from the Finance Committee. LIZ -- (takes message) What Finance Committee?! MSG -- From the college. LIZ -- I know. But, they sent a message by way of a courier?! MSG -- Apparently, congratulations are in order. LIZ -- For What?! (reads) "Your application for a student loan has been refused." (to Msg) I don't see why congratulations are in order. MSG -- Read the rest of the letter. (points, to paper, exits backward) The committee found out that you made a decision for Jesus today. LIZ -- (reads) "You have been awarded a full scholarship for the remainder of your stay at the college." (to Msg) This is because you think I'm a Christian?! (looks both ways) Where did she go? COP -- (enters) Oh, there you are. I've been looking all over for you. LIZ -- You were looking for me? COP -- Yes. LIZ -- Why? Oh! Don't tell me I got another parking ticket! Don't tell me you towed away my car! COP -- Not at all. LIZ -- Listen, I've been meaning to pay those previous parking tickets. But my cash flow has been.... COP -- Don't worry about cash flow. The police chief cancelled all your outstanding tickets and warrants. LIZ -- He what?! COP -- The police chief cancelled all your... LIZ -- ...I heard you. Why would he do that?! I've never met the Chief of Police! COP -- (exiting) He found out that you made a commitment to Jesus. Congratulations. LIZ -- What on earth is going on here?! I never told anybody... BNK -- (enters carrying credit card) Elizabeth Johnson? LIZ -- (turns) Yes? BNK -- Listen, I hate to bother you with business on such an important day. LIZ -- I know you. You're the teller from the bank, aren't you? BNK -- Yes. I.... LIZ -- If this is about my overdraft, I'm sorry. BNK -- There's no need to be sorry. The branch manager has decided to issue you an unlimited line of credit that will automatically cover any past or future overdrafts. He also issued you a Visa Gold Card to help you cut down on your check writing. (offers card) LIZ -- (takes card) Don't tell me. The branch manager found out that I made a commitment to Jesus. BNK -- (exiting) Yes! Congratulations! Your troubles are over! LIZ -- (examines card) This is absolutely amazing! DOC -- (enters) Elizabeth! I'm glad I found you! The x-rays and biopsy results came back! LIZ -- I'm on a roll. I'll bet the cyst was benign. DOC -- Better than that. The cyst we found has completely disappeared from your x-rays and the blood tests all came back negative. You're completely cured! Congratulations! (turns) LIZ -- Wait a minute. DOC -- (turns) Yes? LIZ -- This miraculous cure wouldn't just happen to have something to do with the fact that I made a commitment to Jesus today, would it? DOC -- Well, of course! LIZ -- What if I told you that I... I didn't really make a commitment to Jesus yet. What if I told you I was merely THINKING about committing my life to Jesus? DOC -- Oh. (pauses) Well... that explains everything. LIZ -- What do you mean? DOC -- I mean, I couldn't understand how I suddenly became a doctor. I've never been a doctor before today. LIZ -- You what? DOC -- That shouldn't be news to you. I'm your best friend. I live two houses away from you. Surely, if anyone knows I'm not a doctor, it would be you. LIZ -- Amy?! DOC -- I'm not even good at biology! How could I become a doctor?! LIZ -- What's going on here?! DOC -- Well, as near as I can tell, you and I are in church and you are considering making a commitment to Jesus. LIZ -- You mean, I'm day-dreaming all of this? DOC -- Yes, and it's not very realistic. LIZ -- You're right. There's no way you could ever survive medical school! DOC -- That's not what I mean. I mean, becoming a Christian doesn't mean that all of your problems are solved and everything is just rosey. LIZ -- It doesn't? DOC -- Of course not. You've got a Bible right there. Look up John 16:33. (exits quietly) LIZ -- (pages) John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble." Oh. Well, Amy, I guess I had the wrong idea of what it was like to be a Christian. (looks around) Where did she go? (exiting) I guess my day-dream is over. I guess I should take a closer look at what I can realistically expect as a Christian. ©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 |