Dimmed lights are switched on at the front of the main stage. Three students appear sitting around a table playing cards...
This scene is noisy, and the conversation quickens as the discussion becomes increasingly aggressive - laced with subtle humour! Dictator is wearing a long dark leather coat with heavy metal boots, and holding a short staff; Benefactor is wearing the latest fashion and carries a rucksack by his side, a pack of chewing gum in his back pocket, and a mobile phone; and Prophet, who is fairly plainly dressed, carries only a bible!
The discussion on the latest news has already begun. Dictator fiddles with his staff as Benefactor deals the cards. The folllowing words are deliberately slow, loud and clear...
| Dictator: | I think He will come with a sword in His right hand! (thrusting his fist with staff/knife in the air). | |
| Benefactor: | You must be joking! I think He will come with gifts for everyone - especially for me! (aside to the audience:) at Christmas! | Santa! |
| Prophet: | It looks (reading his bible) as if He will come with a warning to some and a blessings for others! | Luke 6:20-26 |
| Dictator: | He will smash to pieces the rulers of this world (thumping down with his fist holding the staff/knife). He will destroy all of those who challenge him! | |
| Benefactor: | Are you crazy? Surely He will bring happiness to everyone? And get rid of the bad stuff in this world! There will be no more strife. | |
| Prophet: | You've got to stop living in a dream world, mate! He will also re-establish God's kingdom and His justice (holding up His bible) and He will be called... (pause to look at the audience) ...a Prince of peace! | |
| Dictator: | But the best way to achieve peace is through total victory! (thrusting his elbow back). He will rule over all the kingdoms of this world for ever! | Matt 4:8-9 |
| Benefactor: | Call me a dreamer if you like but He will be perfect: putting an end to poverty and suffering throughout the whole world. | Matt 4:3-6 |
| Prophet: | But it says here (pointing to the scriptures), though He will heal many, no one will recognise Him, many will despise Him and He will end up... (places a card forcefully on the pack) ...dead! | Psalm 22 |
| Dictator: | Shut up, will you? He will reign forever in majesty and be the wealthiest ever! Perhaps (aside to the audience), he will even drive the latest Ferrari! (he says holding his arms out as if holding on to a modern chariot!?) | Matt 4:8-9 |
| Benefactor: | And He will establish democracy and restore every nation to prosperity (as he passes round a piece of chewing gum). | |
| Prophet: | But He wont carry any money (holding his arms half up) or bring us great wealth because He wont need to. It says here: only the poor people will honour Him! By the way, I win! (He then proceeds to collect his card winnings.) | |
| Dictator: | (Turning upon Prophet somewhat grieved at losing) What a disgrace you are to God! He cannot come as a mere human. His entry into this world must be magnificent! He'll come flying through the clouds (shoots his arm through the air). And seen from all over the world. | |
| Benefactor: | Otherwise (in agreement with Dictator), how could he have the power to save all of the nations - from disease... (pause)...and drought (pause) ...and devastation - if He wasn't some famous powerful guy...(turning to the audience)...Maybe there's still time for him to come as the next President of the US? | |
| Prophet: | (looking up from the scriptures) You know he's gonna come from Israel, don't you? | |
| Dictator: | (Turning more violently against the prophet personally) Not from Israel? That war-torn lump of land that religous maniacs keep fighting over! It's full of Jews! | |
| Prophet: | Perhaps he will come at first like King David - as a simple shepherd boy - and lead only those who choose to follow Him - to greener pastures and rivers full of refreshing water. | |
Dictator: |
Talk some sense, will you? (tugging at Prophet's shirt)? We need a great mighty general - not a farmer or a plumber! (interrupted by Benefactor)... | |
| Benefactor: | Yes! (interrupting Dictator) He's gonna have a decent job - like a great architect! | |
Dictator: |
(continuing quickly) We need a military dictator - not some country yokel from Cranborne! (pause) Go and get lost! (gives Prophet a final shove) | |
| Benefactor: | (continuing quickly) We don't want your kind of saviour with us - thank you! You are the weakest link! Goodbye! | |
| Prophet: | If that's how you feel, you can keep your money! (He throws back his card winnings in disdain at his dejection.) |
Prophet departs to one side; Dictator and Benefactor head off confidently in the opposite direction - marching with the table and chairs and arranging the mirror and bookcase at the rear of the main stage. The lights dim on main stage and eventually go off. There is silence.
A white uplight appears at the short end of the stage below Prophet who (after another short silence) reads from the Old Testament (NIV)...
| Prophet: | (looking upwards to
the audience) The time is coming... He grew up
before him like a tender shoot, Surely, He
took up our infirmities (looking
towards the other end of the stage deliberately We
all - like sheep - have gone astray, |
Isaiah 53:2-7 |
The lights go off suddenly on the short end of the stage. There is silence again.
Alan C Dougall ©2000