A gray-haired black man with a pleasant face stands on the sidewalk. He’s known as SHOESHINE. Feeling a nip in the air, he buttons his raggedy jacket.
Next to him is a tall chair with a foot rest. Below the chair are various shoeshine supplies: brushes, cloths, shoe polish, etc.
He looks up and down the sidewalk, doesn’t see anyone. He studies the sky, a peaceful grin on his face.
Finally a Young Couple walk by. He smiles at them, nodding.
SHOESHINE
Good day!
They glance at him briefly, don’t acknowledge him, continuing their conversation.
Shoeshine’s warm smile remains as we he watches them go.
He begins HUMMING a happy tune as he straightens up his work area, coordinating his brushes and cloths.
He looks up as a Business Man hurries past.
SHOESHINE
Good day, sir. Could I interest
you in a shine?
The Business Man never looks up, keeps on walking.
Shoeshine is undeterred, grinning as he watches him go.
He notices a bird flying overhead. He admires it, fascinated, as he starts to HUM his song again.
He tidies up his work area some more.
After a moment, he notices something out of the corner of his eye -- a Man approaching slowly, awkwardly, in an almost wandering manner. This is EDWARD ROGERS, late 40’s, wearing a shirt and tie and looking a bit disheveled.
Shoeshine turns toward him, curious.
Edward stares at the sidewalk. He pauses, glances around, almost appearing lost.
Shoeshine takes a couple of steps toward him.
SHOESHINE
Good afternoon, sir!
Edward eyes him, somewhat alarmed, as if he hadn’t been aware of his presence. Unresponsive, he turns his back to Shoeshine.
He looks around, then back down at the sidewalk. He swallows hard.
Shoeshine studies him, concerned.
Edward starts to walk away, but then suddenly pauses and walks in the other direction. As he steps past Shoeshine...
SHOESHINE
Sir, may I offer you a shine?
Edward pauses, notices the chair.
EDWARD
No.
As he starts to walk off...
SHOESHINE
All shoeshines are free today...
Edward pauses again, slightly irritated.
EDWARD
No offense, mister, but my shoes
are the least of my problems.
Edward starts off again but then looks around as if not sure where to go or what to do. He rubs his face, exasperated, almost tearful.
Shoeshine wants to connect with him.
SHOESHINE
C’mon, take a load off... just for
a minute. It’s been a slow day...
I could use some company.
Edward eyes him. He examines the chair, looks around a bit more. He sighs, frustrated.
Giving in, he reluctantly steps over to the chair. Shoeshine gleams as he takes a seat.
Edward studies Shoeshine suspiciously. Then he looks away and takes a deep breath, trying to gather himself.
Shoeshine notices Edward’s turmoil but quickly turns his attention to his shoes, which look a bit scruffy.
SHOESHINE
Yeah. You could definitely use a
shine. It’ll make you feel better.
It’ll put a spring in your step!
He picks up a brush and cloth. Before starting, he gazes at the sky, smiling, awestruck.
SHOESHINE
It’s a glorious day, isn’t it?
Edward gives him a strange look.
EDWARD
How long will this take?
SHOESHINE
Oh, just a couple of minutes. I
won’t keep you long.
Shoeshine kneels down and gets to work. Edward watches him closely.
Shoeshine grins as he works. He’s very precise, very careful, very attentive.
A bird SINGS nearby. Shoeshine glances in its direction, chuckling.
SHOESHINE
My, isn’t that a joyful sound? The
beauty of a bird’s song never ceases
to amaze me.
Edward gives him another puzzled look.
Shoeshine WHISTLES a happy tune.
EDWARD
You sure are cheerful for someone
who shines shoes.
Shoeshine chuckles.
SHOESHINE
If my happiness depended on
circumstances, I’d probably be a
grumpy old man. I live in a
shack and I eat sardines for supper
most nights. But one day I decided
to let the Holy Spirit inside me --
and my heart has been filled with
joy ever since. It instantly made
those sardines taste better, too!
Edward frowns.
EDWARD
Oh, so it’s a religious thing.
You’re one of those people...
SHOESHINE
Religion has nothing to do with it.
Religion causes pain, suffering, wars.
No, I don’t have much use for it.
Edward studies him briefly, then looks away, distracted.
Shoeshine examines Edward as he works.
SHOESHINE
I don’t know why you’re troubled --
it’s none of my business. But...
have you sought out God’s help? I know
we like to think we can accomplish things
all by ourselves, but--
EDWARD
There you go with religion again. Are
you almost done?
SHOESHINE
God isn’t religion. God is love.
Frustrated, Edward rubs his hand over his head.
EDWARD
This God of yours... Will he pay my
bills? Will he feed my kids?
Where is he?!
Shoeshine pauses, looks up at Edward. He gently
places a hand on his knee.
SHOESHINE
“Ask and it shall be given you.
Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it
shall be opened unto you.” Matthew 7.
Shoeshine points at something in the distance.
SHOESHINE
See that tree over there? He’s there.
And that bird flying overhead? He’s
there, too. Look at that cloud in
the sky. He’s there. He is everywhere.
(pointing at Edward’s heart)
And he’s in here. But you must believe.
You must have faith. That’s all he asks
of us.
Edward turns away and shakes his head, irritated.
He looks down beside the chair, noticing the shoeshine supplies. He sees a Bible.
EDWARD
So you’re a preacher then?
SHOESHINE
No sir, I’m not a preacher. I have
no right to preachin’ at anyone.
I don’t know any more than anyone else.
But... I have been blessed. The Holy
Spirit lives inside me. I’m just...
here to share. I’m just... God’s
instrument.
Edward gazes at him, puzzled.
EDWARD
Why are you telling me all this?
SHOESHINE
Well, I guess because you’re willing
to listen.
(chuckling)
And because you’re the only customer
I’ve had today. I had to take it out
on someone...
Shoeshine polishes a shoe and examines his handiwork carefully.
Edward looks around, seeming a bit perplexed. Suddenly he buries his face in his hands, becoming quite emotional.
EDWARD
I’m sorry. It’s just... I don’t know
what to do anymore.
He turns his head away from Shoeshine, trying to hold back the tears.
Shoeshine stands and puts his hand on Edward’s shoulder in a comforting manner. Edward seems ashamed.
EDWARD
This “God of love” you talk about...
If he exists, then why does he put
us through so many hardships? Why
does life always have to be so
difficult?
Shoeshine considers this for a moment.
SHOESHINE
I like to think of it as if he’s
shaping us. Molding us. Preparing
us for something better. One thing
I’ve come to realize is that he has
the perfect plan for our lives. Our
own plans are of little consequence.
He gave us the gift of life. And we’re
here to glorify him. When you start to
understand that, things change. Then
when bad things happen in your life,
well... you can almost see the glory
in it.
Shoeshine smiles as he gets back to work. Edward looks at him curiously, contemplating. Then he looks up and down the street.
EDWARD
I’m not sure why I walked down this
street today. I never come this way.
Shoeshine smiles knowingly but doesn’t look up.
Edward suddenly notices his shoes, which look almost brand new.
EDWARD
That’s a pretty good shine.
SHOESHINE
Thank you kindly. I should be getting
good at it -- it’s all I’ve done for
forty years.
He grins as he puts his supplies away.
Edward studies him, as if attempting to figure him out.
EDWARD
By the way, I’m Edward... Edward
Rodgers.
SHOESHINE
Pleased to meet you, Edward. People
just call me Shoeshine.
Edward nods. For the first time a slight hint of a grin spreads over his face.
He studies Shoeshine a bit more, curious.
EDWARD
So do you have family around here?
SHOESHINE
No. No, I don’t. My wife and my
only son passed some time ago. I do
have two nieces and a nephew, but
they live far away.
Edward nods, not sure what to say.
Shoeshine continues to grin as he puts away his supplies and cleans up.
SHOESHINE
What about you, Edward. Do you have
family? Any kids?
EDWARD
Uh, yes... yes I do.
Standing, Edward takes out his wallet and removes a photo. He hands it to Shoeshine.
EDWARD
That’s my wife, Marie, and my two
sons, Marc and Jacob, and my daughter,
Miranda.
Shoeshine studies the photo carefully, admiring it.
SHOESHINE
My, oh, my. That is one nice-looking
family you got there...
EDWARD
Yeah. They are my... everything.
SHOESHINE
You are a blessed man, Edward -- a
very blessed man.
Edward considers it, as if he’d never done so in a very long time. He takes back the photo and studies it, nodding.
EDWARD
Yeah. I... guess I am.
SHOESHINE
Be strong and of good courage --
and your strength will flow through
them.
Edward nods, considering. He gazes at Shoeshine, slowly becoming in awe of him. He watches him put away his supplies.
EDWARD
Shoeshine, I don’t know if I believe
in this God of yours, but I do know
there’s something in you that I wish I
had in my life. Sort of a, I dunno, a...
SHOESHINE
Spirit?
Shoeshine smiles knowingly. Edward nods.
EDWARD
Yeah. A spirit.
SHOESHINE
It’s there for all of us, Edward.
It’s free. A gift from God. All you
have to do is accept it. All you need
is faith. Simple child-like faith.
Edward considers this. He suddenly seems overwhelmed. His mouth drops open. He looks around, seeming a bit flustered.
He looks back at Shoeshine, attempting to gather his
senses. He nods. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath.
Shoeshine looks toward the ground.
SHOESHINE
Oh, I have something for you.
He reaches down, opens a container and pulls out a big, red tomato. He hands it to Edward.
Edward takes it, puzzled.
SHOESHINE
It’s from my garden. Well, actually
it’s not a garden -- it’s just a
bucket container beside my back door.
But it produces some beautiful
tomatoes. It just keeps producing and
producing...
Edward admires the tomato.
EDWARD
Thank you.
Shoeshine nods.
SHOESHINE
Well, I didn’t mean to keep you
so long. Hope I didn’t talk your
ear off.
EDWARD
No, no... it was... fine. I’m glad
I stopped.
Shoeshine grins, nodding.
Edward, still seeming overcome, sticks out his hand.
EDWARD
Thank you, Shoeshine.
SHOESHINE
Edward, the pleasure was all mine.
They exchange a warm, meaningful handshake
Edward nods, turns, starts to walk off. He glances back at Shoeshine, who grins at him, nodding.
SHOESHINE
Try not to step in any puddles on the
way back. I don’t want your wife
thinking I do shoddy work!
Edward nods, laughing. He waves at Shoeshine, who waves back.
Finally Edward turns and slowly walks off, still seeming in awe and amazed.
He looks all around. He notices a bird in a tree SINGING a joyful song.
He takes a breath a fresh air, seeming filled with a newfound spirit. He now walks with a sense of purpose.
Shoeshine watches him go, pleased. Finally he returns to his spot beside his chair.
Shoeshine gazes at the sky with a sense of awe. He nods, smiling, a twinkle in his eye.
FADE OUT.
THE END
The Shoeshine Minister
WGA#1608696
By Jason K. Allen
jasonkallen3@gmail.com
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