Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Reader (04/15/10)
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TITLE: Bob and Marcia meet the Sidewalk Prophet | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
04/17/10 -
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BOB – Crabby “Archie Bunker” type character
MARCIA – Bob’s curious, sweet wife
SIDEWALK PROPHET – Street preacher who dramatically reads the Word of God
Summary:
Bob and Marcia decide to do some downtown shopping and encounter the Sidewalk Prophet.
(Sidewalk Prophet stands stage left, holding a Bible, dramatically reading from Hebrews 12 and 13. Bob and Marcia enter from behind the audience, walking toward the stage. Bob is holding a cell phone to his ear.)
MARCIA
Isn’t this WONderful? I love shoppin’ downtown.
PROPHET
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
BOB
Yep, I’m wit’ da wife today. We’re downtown… Shoppin’.
MARCIA
Hey Bob, do you hear dat voice? I sees him! Look Bob, right over dare!
BOB
Yeah, Marcia, I hears him and now I sees him. All dis traffic – plus that joker – means I can’t hear Murray.
MARCIA
Stop! (suddenly stands still and stops Bob with her arm). Listen to him.
PROPHET
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
MARCIA
Amazin’, just amazin’.
PROPHET
You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
BOB
What? Oh forget it Murray. I can’t hear you anyway. Dese tings don’t work so well downtown. (shuts off the cell phone).
PROPHET
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.
MARCIA
Come on, Bob, we gotta go over there an’ listen to him real close.
BOB
Wha…?!? Wait, Marcia, wait!
(Marcia goes up on stage, and then stands near the Sidewalk Prophet, listening intently.)
PROPHET
If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
MARCIA
(As the Prophet speaks, Marcia tilts her head, and nods)
Ahh…like all the earthquakes and volcanos we been havin’, hey?
BOB
(shaking his head in disgust, walks toward the stage) Wifes dese days, I’ll tell ya. I take her shoppin’ just like she (mocks Marcia) always wanted all dese years, and what does she do? Goes and listens to a religious nutcracker.
PROPHET
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."
MARCIA
Awe…awesome.
(Bob makes his way on stage and taps Marcia on the shoulder.)
BOB
Whaddya doin’ over here? I thought you wanted to go shoppin’?
PROPHET
Hebrews 13. Keep on loving each other as brothers.
MARCIA
Now hold on Bob, just a minute (pushes his hand away) – just a minute!
(looks back at the Sidewalk Prophet)
PROPHET
(turns his head and looks directly into Marcia’s eyes)
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
MARCIA
Wow…
PROPHET
(continues reading) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
MARCIA
Wow, Bob, dis is amazin’, just amazin’. (raises one hand toward heaven) Thank You, Lord. (then looks back at Bob, seriously and directly) Dis man is an angel.
BOB
What? Dis’ man? Are you—
MARCIA
No Bob, I am not crazy – don’t ever say dat.
BOB
I didn’t mean it.
MARCIA
Oh, but you almost said it.
BOB
I’m sorry, Marcia. I love you, babe.
MARCIA
I’m sorry, too. I love you more.
PROPHET
Marriage should be honored by all…
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Reference: Hebrews 12:14-29; 13:1-4a (NIV - New International Version)
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