Alan
C Dougall ©1998-2001
www.startatthecross.net
Scene 2: "Ignorant" academics (Matt. 27:41-43)
This scene overlaps with the previous scene. The pace is fairly constant and the scene melancholy, with the music volume reduced to allow the conversation to be heard. The sound of modern secular "seeking" music for the 2 youths appearing, crosses over to a classical "triumphant" chorus when the 2 professionals appear. The latter chorus particularly contrasts with the dismissive attitude.
| two footballers | As the new music begins, the two footballers (as workers) casually gather their mallets, take their spoils, and then both go off to one side - passing their radio mikes to the 2 students. | Modern music begins: Joan Osborne - One of Us | |
| Two college students | Two college students appear on the scene (from the same end) with rucksack, books and folders, initially ignoring Jesus' plight, and talk about their social life, their studies and TV. | Yeah, yeah! yeah, yeah, yeah! |
|
| 1st student | The 1st student enquires: "Are you going to that party on Saturday night?" | If God had a
name what would it be and would you call it to His face if you were faced with Him and all His glory |
As the lyrics begin (0:22): the volume is decreased, and the converstion starts. |
| 2nd student | "I expect so. Though I don't know what I'm going to wear. Usual story," responds the 2nd student. "Do you think you are going to get that R.E. assignment in for next Wednesday?" she continues. | ||
| 1st student | "I don't know what I'm going to do about it. I haven't even started it or anything." the 1st student replies. | ||
| 2nd student | "Oh! Did you see Eastenders last night?" the 2nd student interjects, "There was a really gorgeous bloke." | ||
| 1st student | "Yes, wasn't he? What was his name?" says the 1st student. | What would you ask if you had just one question? |
(0:36) |
| man in the crowd | Just then, the man in the crowd sneaks on and grabs the football and while rushing off, looking around at who might be watching, he knocks into the 1st student and causes her to drop her books. | ||
| 1st student | "Silly fool! Can't you look where you're going?" the 1st student exclaims. | ||
| 2nd student | The 2nd student crouches down to help her friend pick them up. | And yeah, yeah! God is great! Yeah, yeah! God is good! |
(0:44) |
| 1st student | While gathering the books and folders (still crouched), they both stop as the 1st student notices Jesus on the cross: "Hey, take a look at this guy! Do you remember hearing about him at Sunday School? He doesn't look a pretty sight now, does he?" | ||
| 2nd student | The 2nd student stares first in amazement, "Yuk! What a sight!" which soon turns to disgust: "He looks so..." and then she pauses deliberately. | Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah! |
|
| The action and conversation freezes mid-sentence. | What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us |
The scene freezes to the increased volume of the chorus (1:00) | |
| 2nd student | "...He looks so revolting!" the 2nd
student
continues. Both students rise up, turn away and begin to stroll off. |
Just a
stranger of all us trying to make His way home. |
Volume is decreased resume (1:11) |
| 1st student | "In the end, he was just like one of us!" the 1st student ponders and says hopelessly with a half-laugh, "The so-called miracle maker couldn't even save himself!" | If God had a
face, what would it look like? |
(1:23) |
| 2nd student | "I guess if God came down and told me directly, I would believe Him, until then…", retorts the 2nd student, as they fade out of the scene (at the opposite end) - passing their radio mikes to the 2 older businessmen. | And would you want to see if seeing meant that you had to believe |
|
| accountant | A smartly dressed suit-and-tied stockbroker accountant appears with a laptop satchel accompanied by an equally smart lawyer/politician with a briefcase. As they walk by (facing away from the cross), they stop and discuss Jesus' demise: his poll rating, his "stock value" and the opportunities for stabilisation that Jesus' death will bring. | Classical music begins (1:30): Handel - Unto us a Son is Given | |
| politician | The conversation runs: "We missed out on a killing with that lastminute.com issue, didn't we?" suggests the lawyer/politician rhetorically. | For unto us a Child is born (For unto us a Child is born)! Unto us a Son is given! (Unto us a Son is given!) And the government (the government) shall be upon His shoulder (And the government shall be upon His shoulder.) And His name shall be called... |
(1:45) |
| accountant | "Not an issue you can rely upon though" (slight pause) "It's a pity, you know. That hosanna(.com) stock looked pretty good value at one time!" the stockbroker accountant assesses, stopping to talk, but ignoring the cross completely. "Now it's a loser for sure." he continues. | ||
| politician | "Yes, I guess 3 years in high office was an honourable stint," marbles the politician. "Not exactly a blue-chip background - illegitimate, some say." | ||
| accountant | As they both begin to walk again on by again, the accountant adds: "Mixed with the wrong sort. That was His downfall really." | ||
| politician | "Yes, in this life, you just cannot afford to do that if you want to succeed." responds the politician, as they both stop suddenly. | ||
| The movement freezes mid-step, as they gaze upwards slightly and facing towards each other. | Wonderful!
Counsellor! the Mighty God! the Everlasting Father! the Prince of Peace! |
The scene freezes to the increased volume of the rising triumphant chorus (2:12) | |
| man in the crowd | "If you ask me, this drama is also going downhill!" disturbs the man in the crowd. | ...the
Everlasting Father! the Prince of Peace! |
After the chorus, the volume is decreased for the echo (2:26) |
| politician | "That's exactly the sort I mean!" the politician remarks with reference to the man in the crowd, as they both begin walking again. "Even so, if only he had been more co-operative," he continues talking, as he stops again, "we could have offered Him a seat in power." | ||
| man in the crowd | "Well, get a move on, then!" hassles the man in the crowd. | ||
| accountant | "But I guess it's better that He has moved on - otherwise many more would have suffered such a loss," the accountant summarises, as they both start walking once more. | ||
| politician | "Anyway, let's go and finish off that new deal!" dismisses the politician jovially, as they both walk off (on the opposite end). | Music stops (2:53) |