Alan
C Dougall ©1998-2001
www.startatthecross.net
Scene 3: Exploiters and those easily misled (Matt. 27:39-40)
This is predomanently a mimed fast action scene mixed with slow pauses for effect. It is dominated by familiar music, popular at the time when Princess Diana of England died (in 1997).
| photographer | A
photographer arrives (donning an anorak)
to capture the full frontal scene. He shifts
from side to side rapidly, above
and below cautiously (standing on a chair if
necessary), back and forward
deliberately, in order to capture the best still
camera shots
of Jesus hanging on the cross. The photographer attempts to involve the crowd in the shoot (and does so, if appropriate and willing - perhaps the man in the crowd). "Just hold that one more time!" the photographer jests sarcastically, looking upwards to the cross (from the side). As time permits, the photographer scribes (or reveals) the following on a small board to put at the top of the cross before taking one final photograph:
|
Goodbye Norma
Jean Thought I never knew you at all You had the grace to hold yourself while those around you crawled, They crawled out of the woodwork, and they whispered into your brain They set you on the treadmill and they made you change your name. |
The music begins quietly (i.e. Norma Jean) and quickly increases (0:10): Elton John - Candle in the Wind | |
| reporter | The
reporter appears on the scene and composes
herself: make-up, hair tied
back, dress, etc. "Quickly!
Quickly!"
she snaps loudly at the photographer.
Then the reporter stands firmly, ready with microphone in hand, holding her notes on another small board, waiting silently. |
And it seems
to me you lived your life like a candle in the wind - Never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in. |
(0:37) | |
| photographer | The photographer hangs the still camera around his wrist, crouches down, and using a video camera prepares to capture the reporter in the foreground with the cross in the background (if necessary, requesting the crowd to move aside - particularly the man in the crowd). | And I would've
liked to have known you but I was just a kid. Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did. |
(0:54) | |
| photographer | "Ready: Three - Two - One! - Action!" as the photographer slams the clapperboard shut. | End of chorus
triggers the action and the decreased
volume of the instrumental: (1:06) |
||
| reporter | The
reporter begins: "Following the
recent announcement of a prisoner amnesty by the Prime
Minister to comemorate the Good Friday agreement,
we have just heard the surprise
news that they freed the man Barabas and not Jesus,
as was widely tipped for release this Easter." "This is Tina Jones from the Bournemouth Herald," concludes the reporter. |
|||
| photographer | The photographer rushes off to the journalist with his film and photographs. | Loneliness was
tough, the toughest role you ever played. Hollywood created a superstar And pain was the price you paid. |
End of instrumental: (1:19) | |
| journalist | "Excellent pictures! Brilliant footage!" applauds the entrepreneur journalist, who is wearing a long grey coat. Shaking the photographer's hand firmly, he rises to commend him: "Well done! It's just what we're looking for!" | |||
| photographer | The photographer hurries off quickly through the crowd, pleased as Punch! | |||
| journalist | The
journalist moves into the middle of the
scene, facing away from the cross and calls another
business man on his mobile phone: "Hello, John! I've
got this superb story! It's the hottest
news this century! I promise you it is going to sell
papers fast." (slight pause) He continues
quickly: "Ok. It's a deal! The
papers should be on the streets in a few
hours." The journalist turns around sharply and walks off excitedly. |
Even when you
died The press still hounded you - All the papers had to say.... |
2nd stanza: (1:34) | |
| newpaper girl | Two newspaper salespersons appear on the scene and set
up shop with the newstand billboard
displaying the large bold headline:
|
...it's no
sacrifice Just a simple word It's two hearts living in two separate worlds |
The volume increases slightly to balance the noisy selling: Elton John - Sacrifice (1:43) | |
| newspaperman | After he has taken the time to set up, the newspaperman launches into the crowd repeatedly blasting out: "Saviour cannot save himself! Exclusive pictures!" | But it's no
sacrifice No sacrifice It's no sacrifice at all |
end of chorus: (2:01) |
|
| newpaper girl | Following the set up, the newpaper girl also storms into the crowd repeatedly shouting: "Read all about it!" | |||
| newpaper girl | The newpaper girl continues to appeal to the crowd, shouting: "Get the latest news here! Was God seduced by a kiss? Find out everything in this in-depth report!" | Volume decreases
during instrumental: (2:16) |
||
| newspaperman | "Today' special offer..." the newspaperman offers (in harmony), "...win a free holiday in Paradise!" | |||
| photographer | The photographer buys a newspaper from the newspaperman (as he heads off through the back of the crowd) and flashes a copy of the newspaper cutting (with photo)around everybody in the front crowd. | Mutual
misunderstanding After the fact Sensitivity builds a prison In the final act We loose direction No stone unturned No tears to damn you When jealousy burns |
next verse: (2:30) | |
| photographer | The photographer repeatedly boasts: "Hey look! That's my photograph - Superb isn't it?" | |||
| newpaper girl | Meanwhile, the newpaper girl continues to sell the newspapers to the crowd. | |||
| man in the crowd | The
man
in the crowd
comes out of the crowd and also buys the newspaper
from the newpaper girl (who then exits the scene).
As the man in the crowd moves out towards the middle of the scene, faces downwards to scan through the newspaper (held at a distance), and then peers at the centre page deliberately (held close up). |
And it's no
sacrifice Just a simple word It's two hearts living in two separate worlds |
Chorus begins: (2:57) | |
| man in the crowd | The man in the crowd looks up contemplatively, and then facing the crowd, says: "Somebody else trying to make a name for himself, I suppose..." and then stops suddenly staring slightly upwards into space. | But it's no
sacrifice No sacrifice |
End of chorus: (3:14) | |
| The scene freezes... ...until the dismissive lyrics fades, and then (after about 10 seconds) the man in the crowd starts walking again, back into the crowd (on the same side, or returns to his seat). |
It's no
sacrifice at all ...no sacrifice at all |
Volume increases:
(3:25) Music stops (3:40) |