Thursday, February 09, 2006
The Cross Shop
THE CROSS SHOP
Running Time: approximately 4 minutes
(SHOPKEEPER enters with JESUS and sets up the shop, crosses of various sizes including at least one full sized cross. SHOPKEEPER dusts his shop and whistles or hums “I Am Thine, O Lord.” JESUS stands quietly with the crosses and perhaps hums along quietly. SHOPKEEPER turns back on audience to dust the big cross, while SHOPKEEPER faces the back, FIRST CUSTOMER enters. FIRST CUSTOMER clears throat and rings bell to interrupt)
SHOPKEEPER: How can I help you today?
FIRST CUSTOMER (embarrassed): I’m looking for a cross.
SHOPKEEPER: Then you have come to the right place. This is the Cross Shop!
(There is an uncomfortable silence while the SHOPKEEPER waits for the FIRST CUSTOMER to talk.)
FIRST CUSTOMER (less certain): I don’t, um, have a cross right now.
SHOPKEEPER: You didn’t lose it did you?
FIRST CUSTOMER (nonplussed): No, I don’t think so. I mean, I grew up going to church, but I don’t seem to have a cross anymore. (Pauses.) Maybe I never had one.
SHOPKEEPER: I see, I see. Well, I’ve got just the thing for you. (SHOPKEEPER walks to JESUS and the large cross.)
FIRST CUSTOMER: No, no, no. I couldn’t possibly— That’s much too big. Don’t you think?
SHOPKEEPER: It’s big, alright.
FIRST CUSTOMER: I just lost my job, and my whole life is sort of messed up right now. That’s partly why I’m here . . . just looking for a little cross, you know. Something to wear maybe?
SHOPKEEPER (nodding and finishing his thought): And keep close to your heart. I have just the thing. (SHOPKEEPER produces a gold cross on a chain.)
FIRST CUSTOMER: That is perfect. I can wear it under my shirt, so no one will—you know.
SHOPKEEPER (sadly): I understand.
FIRST CUSTOMER: Can’t wear my heart on my sleeve.
SHOPKEEPER: Why not?
FIRST CUSTOMER (ignoring him and getting out his wallet): How much do I owe you?
SHOPKEEPER (resigned): The price is on the tag.
JESUS: I’ll get it for you.
FIRST CUSTOMER: Excuse me?
JESUS: Let me pay for this.
FIRST CUSTOMER (pays the SHOPKEEPER, speaking to JESUS): Do I know you?
JESUS: You can’t pay for everything.
FIRST CUSTOMER: Well, I bought the cross didn’t I? (FIRST CUSTOMER leaves)
JESUS (waits until FIRST CUSTOMER has left): No. You didn’t.
SHOPKEEPER: He bought a cross.
JESUS: But not a Savior.
(SECOND CUSTOMER enters.)
SHOPKEEPER (hopeful): How may I help you?
SECOND CUSTOMER: I’m looking for a cross.
SHOPKEEPER: Then you have come to the right place. This is the Cross Shop!
SECOND CUSTOMER: For my kids, you know.
SHOPKEEPER: Can’t raise kids without a cross.
SECOND CUSTOMER (picking up a soft pillow cross): This one is nice and (lays her head against it) so soft.
SHOPKEEPER: The cross can bring you peace.
SECOND CUSTOMER (half-serious): The Lord knows I need that!
JESUS (nodding): You do.
SECOND CUSTOMER (serious): The clothes kids wear these days. The things they say to you. (Quietly) My oldest is in serious trouble.
JESUS: I know.
SECOND CUSTOMER (upset): I don’t know what to do anymore. (Composing herself with a sigh.) A nice soft cross like this might fix everything.
SHOPKEEPER: How many kids do you have?
SECOND CUSTOMER (nonchalant): I don’t need one for each kid. That would be too expensive. (Pulling money from her purse.) Just this one will do.
JESUS: I’ll get it for you.
SECOND CUSTOMER: Excuse me?
JESUS: Let me pay for it.
SECOND CUSTOMER (pays the SHOPKEEPER, speaking to JESUS): Do I know you?
JESUS: You can’t pay for everything.
SECOND CUSTOMER: (Considers his offer.) That’s awful sweet of you, Mister, but I can’t accept a random gift like that from a stranger.
SHOPKEEPER (to JESUS): He’s not a stranger.
SECOND CUSTOMER: Look, I have to pay for this myself. (SECOND CUSTOMER leaves.)
SHOPKEEPER: They all want to pay for themselves.
JESUS (sadly): But they can’t . . .
(SHOPKEEPER starts humming/whistling “I Am Thine, O Lord” again. THIRD CUSTOMER enters extremely distraught. He ignores the SHOPKEEPER and immediately goes to the foot of the large cross to kneel before JESUS. JESUS motions for SHOPKEEPER to stop humming/whistling.)
THIRD CUSTOMER: I did it again, Lord. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what is wrong with me. I hate the things I do, but I can’t seem to stop doing them. Please, Lord. Please. Help me.
JESUS (kneeling next to the man): How can I help you?
THIRD CUSTOMER: I don’t know. I guess, I’m looking for the cross.
SHOPKEEPER: Then you’ve come to the right place!
THIRD CUSTOMER: You don’t understand. I’ve lost everything.
JESUS: I’ll get it for you.
THIRD CUSTOMER: I can’t ask you to pay for this.
JESUS: I know, but I’ve done it just the same.
THIRD CUSTOMER: You’ve already bought it?
JESUS: I knew you were coming.
(THIRD CUSTOMER struggles to pick up the cross.)
JESUS: I’ll even help you carry it.
THIRD CUSTOMER: How far?
JESUS: As far as you need.
THIRD CUSTOMER (needing to be upfront): Do you know what I’ve done?
JESUS: I do.
THIRD CUSTOMER (considers this): Together, then?
JESUS: Together.
(JESUS and THIRD CUSTOMER exit together carrying the large cross.)
SHOPKEEPER (singing and packing up his “store”):
Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
(Choir / Congregation sings Fanny Crosby’s 1875 hymn,”I Am Thine, O Lord.”)
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