ME Shakespeare Ink

911: A Prayer For Help

Based off of Kirk Franklin’s 911 featuring Bishop T.D. Jakes

Miriam Emille
Cast:
Kirk
Boss
Tammy
Kennedy (8)
Carrington (15)
Kerrion (14)
Caziah (1)
Voice
Daughter
Bishop
Offstage Singer
KIRK’S JOB 10.18.2001
ENTER KIRK IN THE BREAK ROOM AS BOSS WALKS IN STAGE RIGHT…
Boss: Kirk, can I talk to you in my office please?
Kirk: Yes sir. Is there a problem?
Boss: I’m afraid so.
BOSS AND KIRK WALK DOWNSTAGE RIGHT CLOSES DOOR AND MOTIONS FOR KIRK TO SIT
DOWN…

Kirk, you’re one of my top employees, but I’ve received a few complaints, actually a lot of
complaints that are associated with the new owners’ policy. I’m sure you’ve read it?
Kirk: No sir, I haven’t yet. I never received a copy.
Boss: Here, I have a printed copy. Can you read the third one on there, out loud please?
Kirk: “No religious music/practice during work hours.”
Boss: Every day since the company issued this policy, at least two people have left emails saying
that they have seen or heard you playing or singing gospel music or praying during work hours.
Personally, I have no problem with that, but since you’ve already received numerous complaints,
the policy states that I have no choice but to fire you without warning and dock you of this
week’s pay. You have until tomorrow afternoon to pack up your things and leave. I’m sorry
Kirk.
Kirk: So am I.
END SCENE WITH KIRK EXITING STAGE RIGHT OUT DOOR AND LIGHTS FADING…

KIRK’S HOUSE LATER THAT DAY

ENTER TAMMY SITTING ON THE COUCH READING HER BIBLE AS KIRK WALKS IN STAGE LEFT…
Tammy: Kirk, what are you doing home so early?
Kirk: I got fired today. Apparently the new owners have no religious tolerance.
Tammy: Baby, you know it’s nothing but the devil. I was just reading in Romans and right
before you came in this one verse really hit me. It says that God causes all things work together
for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them, so sooner
or later God will show us the real reason behind why you got fired.
Kirk: I know He will. So where are the kids?
Tammy: Kerrion is playing basketball with Eric and Aaron Hamilton, Carrington took Kennedy
out back to keep her busy, and Caziah is upstairs taking a nap. Did you hear the news today?
Kirk: No, what happened?
Tammy: Well they said that there’s been more anthrax scares, this time in London. They shut
down the London Stock Exchange, several post offices, and even a catholic church.
Kirk: Baby, I don’t know what this world is coming to.
ENTER KENNEDY STAGE RIGHT…
Kennedy: Daddy!
Kirk: Hey baby girl. Come give your old daddy a hug.
Kennedy: You’re not that old daddy.
ENTER CARRINGTON STAGE RIGHT…
Carrington: Hey dad. How come your home so early?
Kirk: Kennedy, go upstairs and see if Caziah is awake yet.
Kennedy: Ok daddy.
EXIT KENNEDY STAGE RIGHT AND ENTER KERRION STAGE LEFT…
Kirk: Good, you’re here. Kerrion, Carrington, I need to talk to you.
Kerrion: Dad, can this wait? I really gotta go.
Kirk: This will only take a minute. I got laid off today.
Carrington: Why?
Kirk: Because the new owners don’t have religious tolerance.
Kerrion: So you got fired because, because we’re Christians?
Kirk: That pretty much explains it.
Kerrion: That’s messed up. It’s their loss anyways. So can I go now?
Tammy: Go ahead. On your way back bring Caziah and tell Kennedy to get ready for dinner.
EXIT KERRION STAGE RIGHT…
Carrington: So does that mean we won’t be going to Nana’s house for thanksgiving?
Kirk: I’m not sure yet, but I think we will be able to, if we cut back on some things.
Tammy: We’ll talk about this later, ok? Now go wash your hands and set the table for dinner.
EXIT CARRINGTON STAGE RIGHT…
We’re gonna make it through this; God will help us through this.
Kirk: I know.
 END SCENE WITH LIGHTS FADING…

KIRK’S HOUSE 10.20.2001

ENTER KIRK, TAMMY, KERRION, KENNEDY, CARRINGTON, AND CAZIAH SITTING AROUND THE DINING
ROOM TABLE EATING DINNER…

Tammy: Baby, you’ve barely touched your food.

Kirk: I guess I’m not that hungry.
Kerrion: Hey dad, can I have your baked potato if you’re not gonna eat it?
Tammy: Kerrion!
Kerrion: What? I’m still hungry.
Kirk: Tammy, it’s fine. Here Kerrion.
Kerrion: Thanks dad.
Kirk, to Tammy: What?
Tammy: Nothing.
Kirk: No, it’s not nothing. Why’d you look at me like that?
Tammy: Well I spent all that time cooking your favorite meal and you aren’t even eating.
Kirk: I have a lot of things on my mind, ok. So just drop it.
Tammy: Fine.
EXIT KIRK STAGE RIGHT, MUTTERING SOMETHING …
Carrington: May I be excused? I have a lot of homework to finish.
Tammy: Go ahead.
Kerrion: Wait, it’s your night to do the dishes.
Kennedy: I’ll help you with them Kerrion.
Kerrion: Thanks Kenny.
EXIT CARRINGTON STAGE RIGHT AND END SCENE WITH LIGHTS FADING…

KIRK’S HOUSE THE NEXT EVENING

ENTER TAMMY AND KIRK SITTING ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM…
Tammy: That was a good message Bishop preached today, wasn’t it?
Kirk: Yeah it was.
Tammy: I’m going to go upstairs and go to bed, are you coming?
Kirk: In a minute.
Tammy: Ok. Well check on Caziah before you go to bed.
Kirk: Sure.
Tammy: Goodnight.
Kirk: Night.
Tammy: I love you.
Kirk: You too.
EXIT TAMMY STAGE RIGHT AS LIGHTS DIM…
Kirk: God,
Voice: God’s not real. If He was then why are all these bad things happening?
Kirk: You’re lying. Get out of my head.
Voice: Why should I? Besides, if God was real, then why did your mother abandon you all those
years ago, huh? Why did all those millions of people die on September 11th? And why did you
get fired on Thursday?
Kirk: I don’t know why those things happened, but it is all part of God’s plan.
Voice: So you mean that millions of fathers and husbands, like you, wives and mothers, like
Tammy, and sons and daughters, like your kids, had to die for one man’s plan? You don’t truly
believe that do you? Of course you don’t because if you did I wouldn’t be here, now would I?
Kirk: Get out of here.
Voice: Oo, sounds like someone’s getting angry. It’s gonna take a lot more than that to get rid of
me. So, what are you going to do?
Kirk: What are you talking about?
Voice: I’m talking about the fact that you no longer have a job, yet you still have to pay rent for
your house and the studio, all your bills, plus grandma’s medical bills? Pretty soon you’re gonna
be broke with six mouths to feed. Now if God was real, why would He leave you with all those
bills to pay and all those mouths to feed, with barely any money? Tell me, does that sound like a
“loving God”?
(Off stage) Kennedy: Daddy?
Kirk: Down here baby girl.
Voice: Saved by the little girl. It would be such a shame if something happened to her. Good bye
Kirk, for now.
VOICE FADES, ENTER KENNEDY STAGE RIGHT…
Kennedy: Daddy, I’m thirsty, can you get me some water.
Kirk: Sure thing baby girl. Here, take my water bottle.
Kennedy: Thanks daddy.
Kirk: After you’re done drinking, go back to bed. It’s late.
Kennedy: Daddy, will you come with me? It’s dark.
Kirk: Alright.
END SCENE WITH KIRK AND KENNEDY EXITING STAGE RIGHT…

KIRK’S HOUSE 11.5.2001

ENTER KERRION PLAYING CHECKERS WITH KENNEDY ON THE COFFEE TABLE IN THE LIVING
ROOM…

Kerrion: No way! You can’t jump backwards.

ENTER KIRK STAGE LEFT…
Kirk: He’s right baby girl. Only kings can jump backwards.
Kennedy: Daddy! Guess what.
Kirk: What?
Kennedy: I beat Kerrion four times in checkers.
Kerrion: I let her win.
ENTER CARRINGTON STAGE RIGHT…
Carrington: How do you let someone win four times at checkers? Face it Kerrion, Kenny is a
better checkers player than you. Hi dad.
Kerrion: Bet you a weeks’ worth of chores that you can’t beat her.
Carrington: Make it a month.
Kerrion: You’re on! Kenny, if you beat her, I’ll take you to see any movie you want.
Kennedy: Any movie?
Kerrion: Yup, and I’ll buy you any type of candy while we’re there.
ENTER TAMMY STAGE RIGHT…
Tammy: Kerrion, what’s this I hear about candy? I know you’re not getting any after you just
got your third cavity filled.
Kerrion: It’s not for me mom, it’s for Kenny after she beats Carrie in checkers.
Tammy: Ok, if you say so. Carrington, Kerrion, Kennedy, take this upstairs, I need to talk to
your father.
Kerrion and Carrington: Yes ma’am.
Kennedy: Yes Mama.
EXIT KERRION, KENNEDY, AND CARRINGTON STAGE RIGHT…
Tammy: So how did the interview go?
Kirk: It started off fine, but halfway through the manager told me that the people who just
bought the company are the same people who own my old job and issued the policy that got me
fired. He also said that if you got fired for breaking a policy you can’t work for any company that
they bought out. I read the list he gave of the companies they just bought and it looks like they
own practically every company in this county.
Tammy: What’s the name of the company?
Kirk: Carpathia Inc.
Tammy: I think I heard something about them on the radio this morning when I dropped
Kennedy off at Lexi’s house yesterday. I’m pretty sure it’s owned by some man who just moved
here from Romania. They said he-
CAZIAH CRYING OFFSTAGE…
Sounds like someone’s up from his nap. I’ll be back in a minute.
Kirk: Ok.
EXIT TAMMY STAGE RIGHT…
Voice: Alone at last. I thought she’d never leave. Looks like you’re outa luck buddy boy.
Kirk: There’s no such thing as luck. God has everything happen for a reason.
Voice: There you go talking about God again. Don’t you listen? I told you already that he isn’t
real. Keep on believing it if you want, but you’re only going to keep deceiving yourself.
Kirk: I can’t take this.
Voice: So what are you going to do tough guy? Get all angry again? Oo, how about crying to
grandma? Now that’d be pretty funny. Either way you’re not getting rid of me that easily.
KIRK PICKS UP THE PHONE, AND DIALS A NUMBER. IT RINGS…
Daughter: Hello?
Kirk: Hey, it's me, Kirk. I need to speak to Bishop.
Daughter: Sure, hold on.
Bishop: Hello?
Kirk: Hey. I got some stuff I need to talk to you about.
 911 STARTS PLAYING IN BACKGROUND…
Lately, pastor I've been having all these crazy kind of dreams. It's hard to sleep, I can't eat, scary,
you know.
Bishop: I know what you mean.
Kirk: I mean, every since that Tuesday, seems like life's just getting real strange.
Bishop: I hear you.
Kirk: Anthrax, terrorist attacks, and I aint even trying to get on no plane.
Bishop: I feel you.
Kirk: And you know when I try to pray, there's a voice that telling that God's not real.
Bishop: You know that's just the enemy.
Kirk: Yeah, but you aint feeling me.
Bishop: No son, I know just know you feel. See, just because I preach and teach doesn't mean
that I don't get scared sometimes.
Kirk: Yeah whatever, but you T.D. Jakes.
Bishop: Well, then I don't make mistakes?
Kirk: Well,
Bishop: Now let me tell you what's on my mind; when your smile is gone
Singer: He cares,
Kirk: Yea, but I feel so alone.
Singer: He's there and,
Bishop: Although, your heart is heavy, God said
Singer: Every burden I will bear.
Kirk: See, but you don't know my
Singer: My pain,
Kirk: And I'm getting so sick and tired of all
Singer: This rain,
Kirk: I just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due, so tell me what I got to gain?
Bishop: Well, see, trials come to make
Singer: You strong,
Bishop: Storms won't last
Singer: Last long,
Kirk: But how can I trust God in all this mess?
Bishop: Well, see that's the reason for the song. See, wherever you go there's one thing ya got to
know God, is right there by your side
Singer: Weeping may endure for a night,
Bishop: And he told me to tell you everything
Singer: Everything's gonna be alright.
Bishop: So thank you for calling, it's always good to hear from you.
Kirk: Yeah, but
Bishop: But I gotta go now,
Kirk: Wait a minute,
Bishop: I got another call on line 2
Kirk: But I aint through. See I'm sick and tired of all these church folk talking about stuff aint as
bad as it seems. See, y'all don't feel my pain.
Bishop: I don't have pain?
Kirk: I don't see how, you on the cover on Time Magazine
Bishop: See, but you're looking at now and you don't know how I struggled and what I've been
through.
Kirk: Yea, whatever.
Bishop: Now, you crossed the line.
Kirk: I'm just speakin' my mind.
Bishop: Ok, so let me speak mine, too; I've had some mountains, I've seen some valleys, I've
even had to cry sometimes.
Singer: Sometimes.
Bishop: Like when I lost my mother,
Kirk: Your mother?
Bishop: My mother.
Kirk: I'm sorry.
Bishop: No son, that's fine. See life is full of ups and downs but God said,
Singer: The storm won't last long,
Kirk: But how'd you make it through?
Bishop: Boy, I thought you knew? It was His
Singer: Love that kept me strong.
Bishop: When your smile is gone
Singer: He cares,
Kirk: But I feel so alone.
Singer: He's there and,
Bishop: Although, your heart is heavy, God said
Singer: Every burden I will bear,
Kirk: Yeah, but see y'all don't feel
Singer: My pain,
Kirk: And I'm getting very sick and tired of all this
Singer: This rain,
Kirk: Just got laid off, and to top it off the rent's due, so tell me, Bishop, what I gotta gain?
Bishop: Didn't I tell you trials come to make
Singer: You strong
Bishop: And those old storms won't
Singer: Last long
Kirk: How can I trust God in the midst of all this mess?
Bishop: See that's the reason for this song wherever you go there's something ya got to know
Singer: God still cares. Weeping may endure for a night.
Bishop: And he told me to tell you
Singer: Everything's gonna be alright
Kirk: Thank you pastor
Bishop: Any time.
Kirk: I think I can make it now, just tell me what I need to do
Bishop: Just pray this prayer with me. Say ‘Father’
Kirk and Singer: Father
Bishop: Forgive me
Kirk and Singer: Forgive me
Bishop: I'm sorry
Kirk and Singer: I'm sorry
Bishop: Please help me
Kirk and Singer: Help me
Bishop: I love you
Kirk and Singer: I love you
Bishop: I need you
Kirk and Singer: I need you
Bishop: Hold me
Kirk and Singer: Hold me
Bishop: Jesus
Kirk and Singer: Jesus
Bishop: My heart
Kirk and Singer: My heart
Bishop: My soul
Kirk and Singer: My soul
Bishop: Please take
Kirk and Singer: Please take
Bishop: Control
Kirk and Singer: Control
Bishop: Right now
Kirk and Singer: Now
Bishop: Now
Kirk and Singer: Now
Bishop: Now
Kirk and Singer: Now
Singer: Right now
Bishop: When you aint got no smile
Singer: He cares
Kirk: And even when you feel so alone
Singer: He's there and
Bishop: Although your heart is heavy, God said
Singer: Every burden I will bear
Kirk: And even in the midst of all ya
Singer: Pain
Kirk: And when you're sick and tired of all the rain
Singer: This rain
Kirk: Remember that the rain won't last always, and in Christ Jesus, you got so much to gain
Bishop: You see your trials come to make you
Singer: Strong
Bishop: And the storms won't last
Singer: Too long
Kirk: Remember my brother, my sister, it's only temporary
Bishop: See that's the reason for this song wherever you go
Kirk: There's something you've got to know
Bishop: God is still there
Singer: Weeping may endure for a night
Kirk: And told me to tell you
Singer: Everything's gonna be alright
END PLAY WITH MUSIC AND LIGHTS FADING…