Short Dramas and Plays

---

The Water Cooler Stand Off
By Dan Blankenship
© 2007 Dan Blankenship



Jack Wilcox made his way to the water cooler for a cup of water, never dreaming Felicia Haggard would be headed to the same place. It was too late to turn back by the time he saw her; it would be too obvious, too awkward. He decided to act like nothing had ever happened.

“Hi,” Jack said, his voice cracking just a little.

“Hi,” she offered back. “Ummm…I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday…”

Oh no! Jack thought. She’s going to let me have it again.

“I really didn’t know a whole lot about abortion and how many babies are aborted each year,” Felicia continued. “I was just repeating the stuff I had heard others say.”

Jack was speechless. He had no idea that he had made a dent in Felicia’s arguments supporting abortion as a means of birth control. This must be your doing, Lord, because I know I couldn’t find the words I needed yesterday.

“When you said 1.3 million babies are aborted every year in the United States…well…I never knew it was such a large number. And then, when you told me that 46 million babies are aborted worldwide every year…well…I looked it up on the Internet. I actually started crying when I thought about all of those babies never getting a chance to grow up.”

“I didn’t think you believed me when I told you that,” Jack replied.

“I didn’t want to, Jack. I wanted to believe that you were wrong. I wanted to believe that abortions were rare and only used as a last resort. I know that’s not true, now.”

Thank you so much, Lord. I know this is by your will. I didn’t think Felicia was absorbing anything I said yesterday.

“Jack, it took a lot of guts to stand your ground with me and tell me the facts. You’ve probably never heard anyone say this before, but I am glad I know the truth, and I have completely changed my mind about abortion. It is a tragedy that people need to stop ignoring and offering excuses for.”

“Wow, Felicia, I thought you were going to yell at me about how rude I was yesterday. I thought you were going to tell me how lame and exaggerated my arguments were. Frankly, I almost turned back when I saw you headed to the water cooler just now.

“Actually, I tried to make sure I met up with you here, today, Jack. I wanted to ask you if you’ve ever been to a Right to Life meeting?”

“Why, yes…yes, I have been to a couple of them.”

“Do you think you could let me know when you are going to another one? I would especially love to go to one where the speaker is the son or daughter of a woman who decided at the last minute not to have an abortion. I read a few accounts from survivors of abortion and I was amazed by their testimonies.”

“Felicia,” Jack answered, “I will definitely let you know when there is another gathering.”

“Thanks, Jack! I appreciate it. Well, I better get back to work. Talk to you later.”

Lord, Jack whispered to himself, is there anything you’re incapable of?

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE