All Change

by Brian House & Alan Dougall - © 1997

A Brian House Group Drama

Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen: for what is seen passes away; what is unseen is eternal.

2 Cor. 4:18 (NEB) extract from verses, 4:16 - 5:4

Summary

There are two humorous scenes: the first depicts a disjointed family that is focused on the material here and now and all that is earthly (where such points are emphasised towards the audience); the second portrays that same family communicating with each other, just a few months later, focused on God and heavenly desires. The audience is left thinking what on earth has effected a change in their lives.

Before: The husband is at home sitting in the armchair, watching television. The lottery is drawn, and he hasn't won again! The wife returns from shopping: every meal much the same as before. The husband expresses his disgruntled state at everything: the same food in the bags, the cost of the bill, his inattentive wife... Meanwhile, the wife, oblivious of her husband's comments, talks incessantly: about whom she met at the supermarket, about the rising prices, about the so-called new Labour in power, nags her husband about his untidy papers... The schoolboy son returns home bouncing a ball, and the father complains at the scuffs on the son's new shoes.  The son asks repeatedly for more pocket money to buy the latest gear, while launching for his Gameboy...  The husband buries himself in his newspaper, ignoring his son and reflects on his memories and longs for a change.  Just then, the doorbell rings. Aunt Edna, a sweet old Christian, pops in and interacts with everyone. She gives sweets to the son and to the audience also. She helps her sister-in-law put away the shopping. She dispels a brewing argument between the husband and wife. Finally, she mentions what she heard down the town that day: it could be the answer to their prayers. This could change their lives...!

After: The family is at peace and communicating with one another. The husband helps his wife set the table as they discuss going out to a prayer and worship meeting. The son asks about Aunt Edna and what has happened to her now that she has died. The father explains his pleasure at Aunt Edna's parting gift to them: not in her will, nor in donating her body to medical research, but in showing them what God could do. The son misunderstands at first, but is genuinely interested in what has changed his mum and dad. Sitting down to eat the meal which has been presented, the son's father explains frankly and graphically about the good news after death that they now share with Jesus - not just pie in the sky when they die, but better than steak on a plate while they wait. His wife is notably gentle towards her son and supportive (and affectionate) towards her husband (but not demure).

Scene 1 - Before

Narrator: Walks across the stage, saying: Are your eyes fixed on the things that are seen: pauses deliberately, then proceeds to walk off the stage, saying: for what is seen, passes away...?

The husband is at home sitting in the armchair reading today's newspaper and with a messy pile of yesterdays' papers beside him. He looks at his watch. He throws down the paper and jumps up quickly.

Husband: Just in time for the lottery - must see if I've won for a change.

He switches on the television. The lottery is about to begin. Just then, the wife returns from shopping, heavy laden with bags.

Wife: Thanks for opening the door! (sarcastically)

Husband: Ssh! It's my turn to win tonight!

Wife: Don't suppose you ever thought of giving me a hand for a change?

TV: pink, 18

Husband: yes (quietly)

The wife comes in with more bags.

Wife: If you're just goin' to sit there as usual, it's about time I invited my mother round to stay with us and give me a hand.

TV: 27

Husband: yes (louder)

Wife: Well that's a change for the books!

The wife comes in again with more bags and continues talking non-stop.

TV: 48

Husband: yes, there's a chance

Wife: I met your sister, Edna down the town. She's popping in on her way home.

The wife returns from the kitchen.

Wife: What a mess! Honestly! You'll have to tidy up those papers before she arrives. She's your sister!

TV: 13

Husband: no (gruntled)

The wife pauses on her way out for more shopping.

Wife: I knew it wouldn't last. Now if only you had turned out like your sister. She's so helpful and caring.

The wife returns with the last of the shopping.

Wife: Is that son of yours back from school yet?

TV: 2

Husband: yes! (perks up again)

Wife: Good! It's about time that lad did some homework for a change. He's always wasting time playing football or something. He'll grow up, no doubt, to be as useless as his father.

TV: 9

Husband: That's it - not good enough! It's always the same! When I finally win something - it's a measly ten quid. What's the point? I spent ten quid on the darn tickets anyway! What a waste of time! Those balls must be fixed!

TV: 24

Man from audience: Yes, I've got the bonus ball! (shouts euphorically) Where's the nearest telephone? Stoops down to listen to an old lady also in the audience. Thanks, deary! I'm off! The man walks out smartly.

Husband: Just my luck! It's always someone else. Why not me for a change?

The wife storms in with the shopping bill and switches off the television.

Wife: Forget those numbers. Look at the ones on this shopping bill. Prices are rising again! I've no change left off that fifty pounds you gave me two days ago. It'll be beans on toast again on Monday!

The husband grunts ignorantly and then rummages on the floor looking for today's papers. He returns to his slouching position and continues reading as before.

Husband: You'll just have to try that new superstore for a change? But you never listen to my advice. I don't know! So much for new Labour! What's the difference? They're all the same when they get into power! Smooth-talking us all the way to the polling booth - and then they disappear again for another five years! Even the newspapers repeat the same stories.

The wife continues to mutter to herself, as her husband argues with himself. The husband, noticing the date on the paper, throws down yesterday's paper and fumbles for today's.

Husband: (embarrassingly begins to justify his attitude to the audience) It doesn't help if I read yesterday's papers - at least today's is slightly different.

The schoolboy son bursts in the door, throws his bag on the floor, and continues to bounce a ball skillfully, until it disturbs the newspapers.

Husband: Watch what your doing, lad! How come those shoes are all scuffed already? You've only had them two weeks, and they're in the same condition as your last pair already! Do you think money grows in Edmondsham forest? Sit down and keep quiet for a change!

Wife: Is that you? Remember and put your sandwich box through here for washing?

The son apparently ignores both and launches towards his Gameboy on top of the TV, sits down before looking up at his father.

Son: Daaad, can I have more pocket money so I can get the latest pair of Nike trainers? Everybody who is in the sports team has got a pair, and if I want to have a chance at getting into the school team, I'll need to get the ones I've got changed before next week.

The son pauses his Gameboy, lays it down and shows the advert to his dad.

Son: Look, they're on offer this week only.

Husband: Another pair of trainers? (monotonously) In my day, son, we were lucky if we had one new pair of shoes every two years. They had to last in those days.

The son returns to continue playing with his Gameboy.

Husband: Then, it was usually passed from my brother to me, and then when they were too small, from me to my cousin. Maybe they don't make them to last these days. My father would have said the same thing if he were still alive: you'll just have to get out and earn something yourself for a change.

Just then, the doorbell rings.

Wife: Quick! That'll be your Aunt Edna.

The son jumps up and heads towards the front door.

Son: Auntie Edna! I wonder what she has got me this time. I hope it's different sweets this time!

The son opens the door.

Son: Oh hello, Auntie Edna. What have you brought me now?

Auntie Edna: Hello, Jeremy! Here's your favourite sweets that you asked for last time.

Son: You remembered! Thanks, Auntie. (pauses) When are you leaving?

Auntie Edna: What! I've Just popped in for a minute to see your Mum and Dad. So I won't be long. Why do you ask?

Son: Well, I was wondering... When you go, I get excited about you coming again!

Aunt Edna: I wonder why! (amusingly, to the crowd) Would you children like a sweet as well?

Aunt Edna gives each child at the front a wrapped sweet and throws a few others to the audience. Then, Aunt Edna goes over to her brother and gives him a hug while he reads the paper. Then she heads to the kitchen to help her sister-in-law.

Wife: Can I get you a cup of tea?

Aunt Edna: Oh that would be lovely! But don't you worry; I'll put the kettle on, and give you a hand with packing the freezer. After all, that's what families are for.

Wife: Thanks a treat. You're such a gem! I don't know anyone like you.

Aunt Edna: It's not a problem for me - really!

Aunt Edna: You'll never guess who I met down the town today? A man who was on the brink of death - he was saved by God, and he's coming to speak in the BIC tomorrow night. He gave me three free invitations because I said to him that I would so like you both to come as well. It could really make a whole world of difference!

Scene 2 - After

Narrator: Walks across the stage with a banner, 3 months later..., saying: Consider fixing your eyes on the unseen: pauses deliberately and holds up the banner, then proceeds to walk off the stage, saying: for what is unseen is eternal...!

The family is at peace and communicating with one another. The husband arranges the table and chairs, and then helps his wife set the table. They are excited about going out to praise God and worship together. Their son appears for his dinner.

Son: What about Aunt Edna? What has happened to her now that she is dead?

Father: Well, after that truck hit her, and before the ambulance got her to the hospital, I reckon she took eagle wings and went straight to heaven, son! She also left us something very, very special.

Son: What do you mean? Did she leave us millions of pounds?

Father: No, not in her will, Jeremy. She gave us so much when she was here, but she left all she had left to good causes - some sort of church building fund, was one of them.

Son: Well, did she leave you her kidney, dad? Or her heart? Or something?

Father: No, son, she did not even donate her body to medical research.

Father: She showed us what God could do if He was part of our lives. In fact, He is the whole reason we are here now. And one day, we will be with Him for ever and ever in heaven.

Mother: Yes, what a difference He has made!

The son is genuinely interested in what has changed his mum and dad.

They all sit down to eat the meal which the mother had prepared.

Father: Our pastor says it's a bit like this apple pie for dessert, son, except much much better. What was it our pastor said? Pie in the sky when we die! Yes, I remember! That is what he said.

Son: But what about here and now, Dad? Don't you care anymore?

Father: Well, our pastor, David, also said it's a bit like this steak, Jeremy. Steak on a plate while we wait! That was it!

His wife leans over to give her husband a hug and both look at each other and then at their son.

Mother: All I can add, Jeremy, to that is: I'm looking forward to the dessert! Don't settle for the starters - you'll never be satisfied. Don't stuff yourself with half-baked dough! Jesus really is the Bread of Life - He means everything to us!

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