----------------------------- A NOTE REGARDING THIS VERSION ----------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. Visit our web site at http://hc.dlampel.com to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version for performance. NONE OF THAT MATTERS a fable of grace by David S. Lampel Copyright 2010 David S. Lampel. All rights reserved. Production Notes In keeping with most His Company sketches, the first production of None of That Matters was staged without set--just the two characters on stage. Because the venue had no "backstage," both characters entered down the side aisle (in character, of course), from the back of the sanctuary--which seemed especially fitting for the character of Mr. Smith. An on--stage entrance should work just as well. As the cover states, this sketch was commissioned by the pastor to illustrate his Sunday morning message on Romans 4:1-12, but it will work just as well for any occasion in which the concept of God's grace, through Christ, needs to be illustrated. Costumes & Makeup Miss Jones: a business suit Mr. Smith: rumpled, perhaps torn clothes (e.g., jeans, sweatshirt). He should have a growth of unkempt beard, and it helps to redden his eyes--as if from either too little sleep, or too much alcohol. Props and Set A checkbook, carried in an inside jacket pocket, for Miss Jones. No set is required. Characters Mr. Smith: Daniel Smith, a reprobate. Miss Jones: a representative of billionaire Silas T. Worthington. Scene The Time: Today The Place: Anywhere House lights down. Stage lights up. Enter a man, approximately middle-aged. His clothing is disheveled and well-worn. His hair is uncombed. On his face is the blank stare of someone without direction, without hope. He is past weeping; now he is just numb. Enter a woman, middle-aged or slightly younger. She is dressed in a business suit, tailored, immaculate. Her hair is neat as a pin, perhaps pulled back from her face, giving her an almost stern appearance. Her manner befits her appearance. She is cool, measured, utterly business-like. Her face is expressionless; she is humorless. She approaches the man, stopping a few feet away from him. Miss Jones (an inquiry that is mostly a statement of confirmation) You are Mister Smith. The man glances up (or turns around), seeing her for the first time. He opens his mouth to speak, but then draws back. We can see him wither with fear, like a trapped animal without defense. He knows he is in trouble--but he also knows that he is a poor liar. Mr. Smith (haltingly) Maybe. Miss Jones (sternly) The truth. Mr. Smith (after a pause; stammering) Who are you? Miss Jones My name is Jones. Please identify yourself. Mr. Smith (now imagining the worst) Were you--sent? Miss Jones nods, almost imperceptibly, in the affirmative. Mr. Smith (pleadingly) Look, I said I'd make the payment--and I will. But I'm tapped out. Nothing. Can't you see? Miss Jones Mister Smith-- Mr. Smith Besides, it's not my fault. Just a run of bad luck, that's all. Miss Jones (is that so?) Really. Mr. Smith You gotta give me more time. I'm good for it-- (turning away; dejectedly) --well, I will be. Miss Jones is silent as Mr. Smith curls in on himself with shame. Finally, she speaks. Miss Jones Mister Smith, I-- Mr. Smith (resignedly) It's not true. None of it. I don't have a cent to my name. (with a heavy sigh) What difference does it make. Whatever you're here to do to me--I deserve it. The things I've done--the things I haven't done. I've been lousy at everything I've ever tried--lousy husband, lousy dad, lousy man. What little I had I've gambled away. Anything left went to booze. My family lives hand-to-mouth--or worse. My kids are ashamed of me--and I don't blame them. I couldn't be any more worthless. Miss Jones (after a pause; icily) None of that matters. Mr. Smith (in desperation) Then what does? What will? (mustering his last measure of resolve) There has been good in my life. Miss Jones Really. Mr. Smith (pleading his case) I guess I wasn't always a bum. And when you dig down--I mean really dig down--I'm not a bad sort. (beat) I don't hate anybody. Never killed anybody. (beat) And I do love my family. I love my wife, my kids. (darker) There's just this. monster living inside me. I have to keep feeding it. (mechanically; darker still) I have to. (snapping out of it) But there's good inside me. Somewhere in there--there's good. Something worth-- Miss Jones Worth what? Mr. Smith (heavily; resignedly) I don't know. I don't know any more. (weakly) Just that there has been some good in my life. Miss Jones (after a pause; as before, icily) None of that matters. Mr. Smith (angrily) Then quit stalling. Do what you came to do. Just get it over with. Mr. Smith steels himself for the worst. Miss Jones slowly reaches into her suit jacket. Mr. Smith, believing she has come with a gun or knife--some weapon of his demise--backs away from her, reacting with fear, visibly trembling. Instead of a weapon, however, she withdraws from her pocket a. checkbook. Mr. Smith is at once surprised and relieved. Miss Jones seems surprised by Mr. Smith's behavior. Mr. Smith (eyeing the checkbook; haltingly) What is that? Miss Jones (with a warmer tone to her voice) I am here to help you. Mr. Smith (cynically) Help me how? Miss Jones I represent a benefactor. Mr. Silas T. Worthington. Mr. Smith That name's familiar. I've heard of him. Miss Jones He is rather well--known. Mr. Worthington has sent me to help you. Mr. Smith (haltingly) You mean you're not going to kill me? Miss Jones (honestly stumped) Why would I do that? You're already doing that to yourself rather well. Mr. Smith (eyeing the checkbook; eagerly incredulous) Are you going to pay off my debts? Miss Jones Nothing so trivial. Mr. Worthington purchased your debt long before it was established. Your losses are owed to no one but Mr. Worthington. Mr. Smith Then why would he help me if I owe him so much? Miss Jones Are you prepared to buy your way clear? Mr. Smith I already told you--I can't do that. I haven't any way out. Miss Jones Then--do you believe that Mr. Worthington is your only hope? Mr. Smith I don't know where else to turn. I've tried everything else. Miss Jones (sternly) That isn't what I asked. (holding up the checkbook; firmly) Do you believe that Mr. Worthington is your one hope? Mr. Smith mulls over the question. Mr. Smith (with tempered resolve) Yes. At this, Miss Jones hands him not a single check, but the whole checkbook. Astonished, Mr. Smith begins flipping through the checkbook. Mr. Smith (utterly confused) But--these are all blank. And--what is this? I don't understand. They're all signed by Daniel Worthington. Who is Daniel Worthington? Is that Mr. Worthington's son? Miss Jones Yes. (long beat) That is you. Mr. Smith But my name is Smith. Daniel Smith. Miss Jones No. Your name is now Daniel Worthington. Mr. Smith (utterly confused; shaking his head as if it clear it) No--this can't be. Miss Jones You are now Mr. Silas T. Worthington's adopted son and heir. All your debts are now paid. More than that, Mr. Worthington's vast holdings are now yours. In the future all you need do is fill in an amount whenever you need anything. Mr. Smith But--I'm no good. Miss Jones (as she begins to direct him out) You're right. (beat) None of that matters. Mr. Smith (brightly) Was it my good deeds? Miss Jones None of that matters. Mr. Smith (darker) But the things I've done. Miss Jones None of that matters. They exit. -------------------------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE -------------------------------- This script is Copyright 2010 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. The data file may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 2010 David S. Lampel"). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, promotions, or spoken messages. Permission is hereby extended for this script to be printed for rehearsal and performance use. Copies may be reproduced in sufficient number for the director, actors, and technical personnel, as long as each copy contains the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 2010 David S. Lampel") ----------------- USING THIS SCRIPT ----------------- For electronic distribution, the Internet version of this script uses the following conventions: * character names are in ALL CAPS. * stage directions within a character's line are enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(with anger)"). * stage directions without are enclosed in brackets (e.g., "[They exit.]"). * the plus sign (+) indicates when to cue trax or begin intro for next song ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These plays and musical resources are made available free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David S. Lampel Winterset, IA 50273 USA Complete resources at http://hc.dlampel.com/ "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36) 20120305