Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(The entire play takes place in the living quarters of a church. There is a small
kitchen area with a stove, cupboards, counter, and refrigerator UL. All of these
things can be implied. The door to outside is L. LC is a set of table and three
chairs. Starting R, there are stairs that lead up to a small landing and a door
where the bedroom is. DL is a small living room with a sofa. There is a door
behind it to the bathroom. Another door, ULC, leads to a chapel) (Late
morning. Lights come up on THOMAS in a casual suit standing DR looking
out a window. His arms are crossed and he has a drink in one hand. He's lost
in thoughts of days lost and an uncertain future. WALTERS, an old widow,
who is a loyal church goers enters UR through the door to the chapel.
WALTERS
Pastor Thomas?
THOMAS
WALTERS
THOMAS
It's hot out and we don't have air conditioning. I thought people might like
getting out before they died of heat stroke.
WALTERS
You should have called me before the service. I could have brought over
some fans.
THOMAS
WALTERS
THOMAS
(Pause)
WALTERS
THOMAS
WALTERS
You really should. Pastor Mike did communion every Sunday. It was real
important to him and very special to the congregation.
THOMAS
I know how important it was to Pastor Mike but it doesn't feel right for me
somehow.
WALTERS
WALTERS
THOMAS
(Giving in)
All right, Mrs. Walters. You win. I'll give it to right here, right now, in God's
dining-room.
WALTERS
Thank you.
THOMAS
(Goes to kitchen)
WALTERS
THOMAS
Sorry. Fresh out. It's wine or nothing. If it's good enough for Jesus, then it's
good enough for me.
WALTERS
(THOMAS pours her a glass of wine. She take a kitchen chair and places it
center. He gives her the wine)
THOMAS
(As he searches)
I don't think I have any bread left. I haven't been to the store in awhile. But I
think I have some saltine crackers.
WALTERS
THOMAS
WALTERS
Well?
THOMAS
What?
WALTERS
THOMAS
WALTERS
I was hoping for something a little more religious, like a passage from the last
supper.
THOMAS
(Frustrated)
All right. (He says the following with difficulty) "Eat and drink in remembrance
of me." (She eats and drinks) Don't drink too much now. I might think you like
it.
WALTERS
THOMAS
Mrs. Walters? Why do you come to my church? You never seem happy with
anything I do.
WALTERS
I've come to this church ever since I was a child. I was baptized at this
church's altar and married here when I was seventeen. My husband's funeral
was here and this is where I intend to have my own.
(Shrugs)
And besides, this is the only church within walking distance of my house and I
haven't got a car.
THOMAS
(Laughs)
Mrs. Walters. If you were a few years younger I think I'd be in love.
WALTERS
If you were a few years younger, I'd give you a good spanking.
THOMAS
WALTERS
(Stops)
I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your sermon about the absentee landlord
today. What possessed you to use that passage?
THOMAS
I just played Bible roulette and there it was. I always do that when I have
trouble thinking up a new sermon.
WALTERS
THOMAS
I hate it when pastors do that. I think that's the reason why people never
make any progress in this world. They're always preaching the same old
sermon and doing the same old things. We still have war and we still have the
poor. Women still aren't treated equally and people are still starving. As long
as we have these things, I'll preach new sermons until I hit on something that
works. Then and only then will I repeat myself. If they won't listen the first
time, then won't hear me the second.
WALTERS
(Turns to go)
THOMAS
WALTERS
END OF SCENE