By Peggy Barnell
A lesson in love and forgiveness is learned from a group of poor and homeless.
The Homeless
Colonel - a Vietnam vet, quiet but strong, a leader
Slow-motion Sam - from Texas, everuthing he says or does is in slow-motion
Fry-pan Jack - from Australia. He wears cast-iron skillets on his coat, in case an opportunity for a meal comes along.
JJ - a tough, street-wise lady with a bit of a drinking problem
Cookie - a lady who's the naive/innocernt one of the bung.
Likewise - all she knows is how to say "likewise, I'm sure." She's not all there upstairs, but sweet just the same.
Preacher - it's his mission to preach and tell people of God's love, just give him a platform.
Lisa (Preacher's wife) - loving, supportive wife.
Mrs Linkhoff - russian immigrant woman who owns/runs the corner grocery.
Katrina Linkhoff - sweet teen from the poor side of town
Jared - rich teen who is in love with Katrina (Katie)
Officer Muldoon - he tries to keep the peace in the park - not too successfully
Oscar - the hot dog vendor with a heart of gold
This play was written around specific songs so they blend beautifully, but without the songs to complete it, additional dialogue would need to be written. I could do this, but the songs do a much nicer job of it. The city park is an easy set to do. Park benches and street lamps are a nice touch, as well as a burn barrel with branches and sticks poking out of it. Of course a snowman and lots of artificial snow and Christmas lights are a plus, as well. A row of store fronts is needed on one side of the set, with a door to go in and out of one store. We used our 'loft', and built a bridge on top of it. The area under the loft became the tunnel-type area beneath the bridge where the homeless people sleep. An old blanket tacked up over the opening gave the homeless a bit of privacy when the script indicated. The bridge up above was the place where the young love-birds met; all their scenes took place there.
SCENE 1-A:
(OPENING SONG: THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (THIS SHOULD BE A BIG, BUSY SONG WITH PEOPLE AND ACTIVITY ALL OVER THE PARK.)
SCENE 1- B
(song has ended, people are exiting but cont. to talk & laugh and wish each other a merry Christmas, happy holidays, etc... only the homeless characters remain on stage)
Cookie: Good-bye! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, everyone!
JJ: Christmas! I hate Christmas! I hate the crowds and all these people singing and laughing and slapping each other on the back saying 'Merry Christmas' Ain't it just touching!
Cookie: And Happy New Year, too! (she says final greetings to those leaving the park)Oh, I love this time of the year! Everyone is so full of the holiday spirit-they're loving and kind to one another and there's true peace on earth, if only for a little while-
JJ: Stop it, Cookie! I can't take any more. I don't need any extra of that 'holiday cheer' from you! I'm already hearing jingle bells in my sleep!
Cookie: Me too, JJ Isn't it wonderful? I've been dreaming of jingle bells and presents under the tree and decking the halls and hanging the-
JJ: Look-if I hear one more Merry Christmas, someone is likely to see my left hook!
Colonel: Take it easy, JJ. She doesn't mean anything by it.
JJ: Well I mean something by it! I don't like this one bit! (shoppers stroll by and gaze warily at the homeless & JJ becomes coy) Anybody want to buy an apple? (she realizes she's not going to make a sale) What's the matter? Ain't you never seen nobody a little down on their luck before?
(JJ starts towards them menacingly and the people quickly disperse. one shopper hangs back to tentatively hold out a few dollar bills with a faint "Merry Christmas, lady")
JJ: (snatches money and tucks it away after viewing it briefly) Now scram! Go on-get out of here!!
Colonel: You don't have to make a scene, JJ.
Cookie: (calling after little boy)Thank you, little boy-thank you very much! She really didn't mean anything by that....she's really very nice if you get to know her!
JJ: all these do-gooders and their holiday spirit and I ain't had a decent hand-out in weeks! Jack, Likewise, there's the kind you gotta watch out for in this park-they'll steal you blind if you're not looking out for it! That kid was holding out those bills with one hand and probably ready to stick his other hand in my pocket when I wasn't looking! Yes sir, be on the look out for that kind.
Likewise: Likewise, I'm sure.
Jack: He looked innocent enough to me.
Sam: Hey, JJ, speaking of hand-outs, they're serving hot chicken-noodle soup down at the mission today. It was really good, too. I bet they've got some left over.
JJ: I need some hot liquid all right, but chicken soup is not exactly what I had in mind.(holds up a little brown paper bag with a bottle inside and tips it up.) Ar-r-g-g-g-h......empty again.
Cookie: Oh, JJ, I worry about you're drinking. It's just not good for you.
Colonel: You know what the doctor told you.....
JJ: You guys don't be wasting your time worrying about me. All I need is just a little nip now and then to keep the chill off my bones..... Hey, who's that? (Preacher has entered the opposite side of stage and is setting up his box to preach from as well as looking for an audience)
Colonel: Haven't you seen Preacher before?
JJ: Preacher? Preacher who?? (ducks behind a tree for a better view.)
Colonel: Just Preacher. I don't know what his real name is, but that's what I hear people calling him. He's been volunteering down at the mission the past week or so.
Cookie: Oh,, I've met him- I think he's a very, very nice man. He just wants to read the bible out loud and tell everyone about God.
JJ: Great, just great! Just what we need!
Colonel: I think he's harmless, JJ.
JJ: It ain't enough we got Christmas carolers and holiday shoppers and Santa Clauses and jingle bells, now we got us a preacher of all things!
Preacher: (calling out as people pass by) God loves you! Please, turn to Him now. The time of His return is drawing near! John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.
JJ: Why I oughta go over there and-
Colonel: (pulls JJ back) Let him alone, JJ. He's not hurting anyone.
Preacher: Jesus said that the greatest of all the commandments is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Do you know Him today? He longs for you to turn to Him so He can show you love in return. (some shoppers have stopped to listen and Preacher talks with them quietly)
JJ: I don't like this one bit!
Cookie: Oh, JJ, don't be so hard on Preacher-he's really O.K.
JJ: How do you know so much about him?
Cookie: Well......yesterday Preacher said Likewise and I looked hungry and he bought us both a sandwich at Lucy's diner.
JJ: What? Are you for real?
Likewise: (stands to pat her tummy) Likewise, I'm sure.
JJ: Who left Cookie and Likewise alone?
Colonel: JJ, it was only a lunch. They seemed real interested in what Preacher had to say. AND- I was close by the whole time, keeping my eye on them. Besides, I'm trying to tell you, Preacher's O.K.
JJ: We gotta stick together-we're like family!
Cookie: JJ, I was really hungry and it was only-
JJ: I said we gotta stick together! We gotta watch out for each other. Jack, you don't know this neighborhood like the rest of us yet, so pay attention. We take care of each other, especially Cookie & Likewise. The things we gotta watch out for here are the police and the store owners, especially that nasty little Mrs. Linkhoff, and now we're gonna add Preacher to the list. Got it, Colonel? Sam? He's bad news-I can tell by the looks of him.
Cookie: Oh, JJ.......you don't understand...
Mrs. Linkhoff: (enters out of the store-front, broom in hand to assess the situation) Hey, what are you doing on my stoop? (to Preacher) You got no business being here in front of my store! You must leave now! Go, go! (to homeless) And YOU! How many times I gotta tell you? Get away from my store right now! You do not belong here in this neighborhood... bunch of lazy, no-goods anyway.... Bums! You are Bums, all of you! I count to three and if you're not gone I'm gonna scream for the police! One....(homeless begin to scatter)
JJ: Time to go! I've felt the end of that broom too many times as it is!
Likewise: Likewise, I'm sure!
Mrs. Linkhoff: Two! (Mrs. L. gives Sam a swat with her broom to speed him up)
Mrs. Linkhoff: Three! Good, they're gone.
Preacher: God loves you, Ma'am
Mrs. Linkhoff: (turns back to Preacher who has not left) What, you still here? Are you a new bum? You part of that bunch of no-goods?
Preacher: No, Ma'am. I just want people to know that God loves them. He loves you, too.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Go away. Do not come back to my store. Today I need customers. I do not need God.
Preacher: Yes, Ma'am. (he exits)
SCENE 1- C
Mrs. Linkhoff: (mumbles to herself as she scans the street) Katrina! (louder) Katrina!! You come home now! It is time to work!
(to herself again) When I was her age I worked 14 hours a day in my father's store and I thought I was lucky because there was butter to go on my bread at the dinner table. Katrina!!
Katie: (enters breathless) Yes, Mama, I'm coming.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Where have you been, Katrina? (gives her no chance to reply) You have work to do. Get going and unload the pallets in back. They have been sitting for hours. Then we must scrub the floors. It's Tuesday-have you forgotten? I do not understand why it takes you so long to return home from school these days.
Katie: Mama, I-
Mrs. Linkhoff: Then you must take the inventory of the bakery counter. We must have our order ready first thing in the morning. Well? What are you waiting on? Idle hands are good for no one.
Katie: Yes, Mama. (exits through store front)
Mrs. Linkhoff: (cont to survey the street) One more lazy bum in this neighborhood is not what we need.
(enter Officer Muldoon, other side of stage)
Muldoon: Good day, Mrs. Linkhoff. I greet you with an Irish blessing. May your troubles be as far apart as my grandmother's teeth!
Mrs. Linkhoff: Blessing, nothing! How typical for you to show up late! Where were you just a few minutes ago?
Muldoon: What's the trouble, Mrs. Linkhoff?
Mrs. Linkhoff: It's those bums, those no-goods! You've got to keep them away from my store, Officer. They are bad for my business.
Muldoon: Well, I realize they're becoming a problem...I'll see what I can do.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Every week there's more of them-a new one today, right here on my stoop! But....... I been thinking. My daughter, Katrina.....she is a lovely young woman. Do you agree?
Muldoon: I.....that I do.
Mrs Linkhoff: Maybe you can find a way to keep the bums away from my door, and maybe I can find a way for Katrina to have an extra loaf of my cinnamon bread in the bakery every week, huh?
Muldoon: Are you offering me a pay-off, Mrs. Linkhoff?
Mrs. Linkhoff: Please...Officer, I am just a hard working citizen trying to be nice to the Mr. Policeman...
Muldoon: I'll see what I can do, Mrs. Linkhoff.
(lights fade to black)
(lights up on Jared in the park. He sings the chorus only of "Will I Find Love", as performed by First Call)
Katie: (enters breathless) Jared, I'm here! (they embrace)
Jared: Katie, I was about ready to give up for the night and go home. It's freezing out here.
Katie: I'm sorry, let me warm you up. (she rubs his hands together with her own) It's just so hard to get away...Mama, she expects so much.
Jared: It's ok, Katie. You're here. I missed you.
Katie: I missed you, too. Jared: I've been thinking about you so much...about you and me and us...
Katie: Yes, I know. Me too.
Jared: Sometimes it seems you're all I think about.
Katie: Jared, do you ever wonder about why...about fate, and us, and why we met when we did?
Jared: Yes. I'm glad we met!
Katie: But it just seems so unfair! I think about you too, Jared - all the time. But with every thought of you comes other thoughts...
Jared: Other thoughts?
Katie: Thoughts about how we are such an unlikely pair; about how surely fate or God has played a dirty trick on us.
Jared: Katie, what are you talking about?
Katie: There's so many things about us that are just not practical; your father for starters. Maybe if we had met later on in our lives...
Jared: Katie!
Katie: I'm serious, Jared. It scares me the way I feel about you... when I think that I'll never be able to leave here, at least not for years and years. Mama wouldn't allow it. I'm all she has and she needs me too much.
Jared: I'm sure your mother wants you to be happy--what's best for you.
Katie: No, you don't understand. She thinks work is the only thing that's important. She thinks she knows what's best for me--that I am only a child.
Jared: Well I'll wait, Katie. We'll do whatever it takes to convince her. We can't just give up on us--that's not what you want is it?
Katie: No, Jared, of course that's not what I want. It just seems so hopeless for us to make plans for the future or to dream of what-
Jared: No, Katie! We can dream - we should dream! Look. (he turns her around and points upward) Just look at those stars. It's the whole wide world out there. The possibilities are endless for us.
Katie: For you - the possibilities are endless for you, Jared, but not for me. I can't be the one to keep you from-
Jared: No! Don't say that! Whatever happens, we do it together. We have to promise each other not to give up. We met for a reason. I know there's a purpose for us and a way for us to be together. Tell me you believe it.
Katie: Oh, Jared. I want to believe it....but I'm not Cinderella. I won't be turning into a fairy princess. I'm a girl from the poor side of town. If your father knew about me, he'd put a stop to us seeing each other, like that!(snaps fingers)
Jared: I think you're all ready a princess, Katie. And if my father got to know you, he'd love you just as much as I do.
Katie: Jared......you said...
Jared: I love you, Katie. I've wanted to tell you for so long, but I didn't know how to begin....
Katie: Oh, Jared...(they embrace)
Jared: Now usually when someone tells a person 'I love you' for the first time, there's a certain kind of response they're looking for.....
(loud KLUNK! from the other side of platform where JJ has been watching and listening to the love birds)
Katie: (startled and turning away)I have to go in.
Jared: Wait! Don't go! Tell me what's in your heart, Katie.
Katie: (as she exits she hesitates and turns back to him) I love you, Jared Johnson!
Jared: (shouts aloud and dances as he leaves the park) She loves me! She loves me! Whoopee!!!
SCENE 2- B
(JJ steps out of the shadows, rubbing her leg and limping from the stumble she just took. She stands to gaze after Jared, smiling wistfully. Enter Oscar with his hot dog cart)
Oscar: Hey, JJ! What in the world you doing out here so late?
JJ: Well, Oscar-as I live and breathe....I could ask you the very same question. I ain't seen you in weeks! How you doing? Where have you been?
Oscar: Well with the Christmas season in full swing, I've found business to be much better over on Lincoln & Parkway. It's surprising what a difference a couple of blocks make.....lots of late-night shoppers out tonight, too. But hey, JJ, you didn't answer my question. What are you doing out so late? I thought you'd be buttoned down in one of your little cubby holes by this time of night.
JJ: Just getting a breath of fresh air, Oscar.
Oscar: Oh yeah?
JJ: AND- maybe hoping some nice gentleman with a hot dog cart would pass by with some free left-overs.
Oscar: JJ, how am I supposed to make a profit giving away my products?
JJ: You know good and well you don't sell left-over dogs the next day. You want me to get down on my knees and beg? I ain't had a hot meal in days, Oscar!
Oscar: If you want to beg I ain't stopping you, but actually I was hoping to run into you or some of your friends. I've got some extras tonight.
JJ: God love ya, Oscar! Sam! Colonel! Wake everybody up! Oscar brought us a bed-time snack!
(Homeless enter, stretching, yawning, greeting Oscar)
Oscar: Dig in, everybody. They should still be nice and hot. Come on, don't be bashful. (homeless are sticking hot dogs up their sleeves and in their pockets as well as devouring them) Every time I see you guys you've gained a new face or two.
Colonel:Forgive me, Oscar. You know Cookie, and Slow-motion Sam, and of course JJ. This here is Likewise.
JJ: Likewise don't talk.
Cookie: At least not much. The only thing she seems to be able to say is 'likewise, I'm sure' so.....we just decided to call her Likewise.
Oscar: Oh, I see. Nice to meet you, Likewise.
Likewise: (mouthful of hot dogs as she speaks) Likewise, I'm sure.
Cookie: (she covers The ears of Likewise as she speaks) JJ says she's probably a bit 'touched in the head' if you know what I mean. But she's very nice and I like her very much.
Oscar: I'm sure you're good for her, Cookie.
Colonel: Then this here is Fry-pan Jack. He's originally from Australia. He got his name from-well.....I guess you can tell how he got his name.
Oscar: Hello, Jack.
Jack: G'day, mate.
Cookie: We heard that Jack used to knock crocodiles in the head with one of his skillets, and then fry 'em up in the same pan he knocked 'em in the head with.
Jack: That's right! (crazy wide grin)
Oscar: That's good to know. (His expression says he's not sure it's good) Well, go on you guys, eat-eat!
Cookie: You're a good man, Oscar.
Colonel: Thanks, Oscar.
Likewise: Likewise, I'm sure.
Oscar: I'm just sorry there's not more I can do for you. I worry about you guys, out here on the street, in the cold.
JJ: Your concern is admirable, Oscar. But we take care of ourselves just fine.
Oscar: If I had enough room in my flat I'd invite you all to move in. My landlord would never go for it though.
JJ: We got us a system worked out. We do real good in looking after each other.
Colonel: We've learned to survive, Oscar. And there's always the mission when it gets down bitter cold.
Cookie: These hot dogs are wonderful! They remind me of weenie-roasts back home.
Oscar: Where is home, Cookie? Where are you from?
Cookie: Pennsylvania-that's where I grew up. We used to have a fire in the fireplace on cold winter nights. My sister and I would always use that as an excuse to roast some hot dogs over the fire.
Sam: Hot dogs roasted over a fire taste the best.
Jack: Hot dogs roasting on an open fire.....isn't that an American song?
Oscar: No, Jack, it's chestnuts. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. It's a Christmas song.
Cookie: Oh, I love Christmas songs!
Jack: Well sing one for us, Cookie.
JJ: No! No singing!
Sam: Well it's not like we have anything else on our schedule. I'd like to hear Cookie sing a Christmas song.
Likewise: Likewise, I'm sure.
JJ: Well this just gets better and better.(sarcastic)
Cookie: O.K. let me see.....oh I used to love to be all snug and warm inside while the wind blew outside. There's a song about that......
Oscar: Go for it, Cookie.
(Cookie sings 'LET IT SNOW' and some of the others join in on the chorus. JJ is visibly sour and she enlists the help of Likewise to throw snow balls at the singer from the other side of stage during the chorus of the song.)
Oscar: That was wonderful, Cookie! (others agree)
Sam: You made me lonesome for my home with that song.
Oscar: How did you guys end up here in the street anyhow?
JJ: Just a series of events, Oscar, at least for most of us.
(noise from other side of stage distracts the homeless-enter Preacher)
Cookie: Hey, Preacher-we're over here!
JJ: Oh wonderful, just who I was hoping would show up.
Colonel: JJ(gives her the 'behave yourself' look)
Preacher: So, this is where you guys hang out. Hello, Cookie, Likewise.
Cookie: Preacher, these are all my friends I was telling you about.
Preacher: I enjoyed our talk the other day, and now I get to meet them all. You must be Fry-pan Jack.
Jack: Good to meet you, Preacher.
Preacher: And Colonel. (Colonel nods his greeting) Hello, Likewise.
Sam: (as he continues to enjoy his hot dog) Yu-m-m-m....Y-u-m-m-m-m.....
Preacher: This has to be Slow-motion Sam.
Sam: How did you know me, Preacher?
Preacher: Just a lucky guess. (tuns to JJ) JJ, right? (he offers JJ his hand and she gives him her turned shoulder instead)
JJ: Charmed, I'm sure.
Cookie: This is Oscar-that's his hot dog cart. He brought us left-overs!
Preacher: Good to meet you, Oscar. (Oscar nods) I've been praying for everyone of you by name since I met Cookie and Likewise the other day.
JJ: (flies into Preacher's face)Listen, Preacher, let's get something straight right off the top. You can do all the praying you want. Just don't be sticking your nose in here where it don't belong!
Colonel: JJ! (pulling her back)
Preacher: That's O.K.- no need to apologize.
Cookie: We we're just talking about how we all ended up here on the street, Preacher.
JJ: Tell me, Preacher....what would God have to say about the way we live?
Preacher: Well I don't know that I can speak directly for God. But I can tell you that God loves you and cares very much about your situation, whether you're living in a penthouse or out in the street.
JJ: Oh please.........don't even start.
Preacher: Did you ever stop to think about the fact that Jesus knows exactly what it's like to be homeless?
Colonel: Huh?
Preacher: Jesus was homeless himself for three years.
Cookie: What are you talking about, Preacher?
Preacher: When Jesus began his time of ministry he was about 30 years old. For three years he traveled by foot from town to town. All he owned was the clothes on his back. They didn't have high-rise hotels back then, and even if they had, Jesus wouldn't have been able to afford to stay in one.
Jack: I remember that story from when I was a little tike.
Preacher: Actually if you stop to think about it, Jesus was born homeless. His parents, Mary and Joseph had to leave their home when she was pregnant because of a census that was being taken. Jesus was born in a stable because his parents were in a strange city with no place to stay.
Cookie: Oh, Preacher, tell us more! (claps her hands)
Preacher: Jack, if you remember how it happened, why don't you tell it?
Jack: Let me see now... you all might have to help me fill in some spots.
SONG: NEW STAR SHINING [song by Gaither Vocal Band] (during the second verse of the song, Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus enter far side of stage as though passing through on their journey from Bethlehem. They should be in biblical costume and stop to pantomime a brief worried conversation . The homeless see this and react as if it is a vision from heaven.)
Sam: Thanks, Jack, that was really nice.
Cookie: So Jesus was really homeless-like us?
Preacher: Yes, Cookie, He was really homeless like you. But He was different, too. Jesus was, and is the Son of God. He was without sin. He came to this earth for the purpose of giving up His life as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. And so that we could know about God for ourselves. He paved the way for us all to have a relationship with God, if we chose to.
Colonel: So what's your story, Preacher? What are you doing out here, tonight?
Preacher: Well you should know that I'm not really a preacher, but I don't mind being called one. I'm just a regular guy with a job and a beautiful wife and a family. But a couple of years ago I met Jesus and He changed my life. He forgave me for some major stuff....some major sins, and gave me a second chance. I have love and peace where there used to be turmoil and hate. He changed me on the inside and I want to tell anyone who will listen. I know if He was able to change someone like me, He can change anyone.
(Interruption & commotion from other side of stage as Mrs. L enters followed by policeman)
Mrs. Linkhoff: Here they are, Officer, just like I said! Please get rid of these bums-make them go away and stay away!
Muldoon: OK, folks, it's time to break it up. What's going on here, anyway?
Oscar: I'm just on my way home, Officer Muldoon. No one's causing any trouble.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Trouble? Trouble? You all cause me trouble just by breathing! You must leave my neighborhood!
JJ: If I wasn't a lady I'd give you a taste of my knuckle sandwich!
Likewise: (from behind JJ) Likewise, I'm sure!
Muldoon: OK, OK now, we'll have none of that-
Mrs. Linkhoff: Arrest them, Officer. They cannot speak to me that way with threats. They are loitering-take them to jail.
JJ: It's a city park, Lady. There ain't no laws about being on city property.
Muldoon: That's enough everybody-let's all calm down. No one is getting arrested tonight, but you folks do need to move along now. Oscar, Preacher, go on home. You too, Mrs. Linkhoff.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Bums! No-goods! You need to go to work! (to Preacher) You're a bum, too! Stay away from my store! Idle hands are good for no one. (she cont, to argue with Muldoon as lights fade to black) I don't understand why you cannot take them away to jail. In my country they would be dragged away and made to work on the chain gang with only bread and water to eat....
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK
SCENE 3- A
(Lights up on the park during the daytime. Shoppers mill about. Mrs. L is rebel-rousing other store owners on one side of the platform as Preacher does his preaching from the other side. JJ & Likewise are in the middle of platform on a park bench, watching all the action)
Mrs. Linkhoff: Join with me-this man hurts our business! We must stand together and fight together!
Preacher: Revelations 3:20 Jesus said: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Listen to him! He will drive the people away with all his ranting and raving!
JJ: This is great. For once in my life I'm not the reason for the conflict. I can just sit back and take it all in.....
Preacher: God loves you. He loves you so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to show you the way to him. Don't wait until it's too late. Jesus said the truth shall set you free, and that He is the way and the truth and the life! No man shall come to the Father except through the Son.
JJ: In this corner, we have Preacher, weighing in at 195 lb. He comes out swinging!
Mrs. Linkhoff: Can't you see what he is trying to do? He's working for the competition down the street-they must be paying him to chase our customers away!
JJ: And in this corner, we have Mrs. Linkhoff weighing in at.....(she gets a steely glare from Mrs. L.) well since I want to stay off this battlefield I won't go there! But she comes out swinging, too!
Preacher: John 8:12 Jesus said: I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.
Mrs. Linkhoff: Stop your ranting and raving, you crazy man! There is no such thing as God. What people need is work for survival, to learn to take care of themselves, to provide for their families. You need to get a job and leave us alone here!
Preacher: I have a job, Ma'am, and I provide for my family. But telling you about God's love is something I have to do. God has sent me here to tell you that He loves you, Mrs. Linkhoff.
Mrs. Linkhoff: (pause as she considers his words) They should take you away in a padded wagon with chains on your hands and feet! Not only are you a bum, you are a crazy bum! Ah-h-h-!! (throws her hands up & exits. The other store owners leave after seeing their ring-leader, Mrs. L. surrender)
JJ: Hey, Preacher, you must have struck a nerve with old Mrs. Linkhoff. I ain't never seen her give up so easy!
(carolers have stopped to listen to Preacher and now softly sing "Joy To The World" Preacher sings along for a few bars and then continues preaching)
Preacher: John 1:12 says that as many as received Jesus, the Father gave the right to become children of God. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
(Enter Preacher's wife through the crowd, looking for her husband)
Lisa: Rick?
JJ: (she's taking it all in) Ah-ha, the plot thickens.....
Preacher: Lisa, what are you doing here?
Lisa: Honey, please....come home. You've got to rest......the kids and I-we need you.
Preacher: Lisa, you have been so understanding.....I just want everyone to know.....there's so many that don't. They don't know how much He loves them.
Lisa: I know, Rick. I know how important it is. But I worry about you out here in this weather day and night. I know God wants you to rest, too. You're not much good to Him if you're asleep on your feet. Please, come home.
Preacher: OK, honey, you're right. It's time for me to come home for a while. I just want to pray once more. Please, pray with me, Lisa.
(Lisa and Preacher join hands for prayer as JJ & Likewise lean in to listen)
Preacher: Dear Jesus, these people I see out here...they're so lost. I know that You love them-I just want them to know that. Help me to say it right so that they know about You and how much You care about their lives. Please, protect JJ and Colonel and their group of friends. There's so much danger for them out here on the streets. JJ, she seems so tough and smart on the exterior, help me to break through to what's on the inside. And Mrs. Linkhoff....she seems so bitter, so full of hate. I don't know what in her life has caused her to be that way, but you do, Lord. Help her to see the truth about who you are. So many people who don't know the first thing about you..... Please speak to them, to their hearts. Help me to know exactly what it is you want me to do. Amen.
Lisa: He heard you, Rick.Come on, let's go home now. (they exit)
(Mrs. Linkhoff has been listening to the last half of the prayer from her store front. She quietly shuts her door.)
SCENE 3- B
JJ: If I didn't know better I'd think that guy was for real, that he really might care...... Did you ever wonder where you'd be if things in your life had gone a different direction? Maybe if you'd made some different choices along the way?
Likewise: (big sigh) Likewise, I'm sure..........
JJ: Like maybe if I had given up the drink (holds up her brown bag thoughtfully) and stayed in Virginia with my husband and son...... Maybe tried to make a real go of it. (Likewise just studies her) You know I maybe could've gotten a real good job. We might have even gone to church sometimes, you know... together like a real family. You know I've never told anyone this......there's a reason I've stayed here in Riverside Park these past few years. There's a young man I like to keep an eye on. I've watched him grow up here. He use to ride his bike right over there on those trails, and over there he played basketball with his friends......and now....well now he's in love. She's a beautiful young woman. You remember what young love is like?
Likewise: Likewise, I'm sure.......
JJ: He's my...... son. (pause) I don't know for sure if he even know I exist. But, sometimes I think it's enough that I know that he's OK. (LW looks questioningly at JJ) I let his father have custody when he was just a toddler. I don't think I was ever really cut out for his kind of life-style anyway. My husband was into that hoity-toity social scene-that just wasn't me-I didn't fit in. I was so lonely and so empty for so long...... so I started to drink. And the drinking got really bad after the baby was born. I knew I couldn't ever be a real mother to him the way I was, and I couldn't stop drinking. So when me and my husband divorced, I just gave up. I figured my son would be better off with one stable father than being tossed back and forth between his dad and his drunken worthless mother. But if I would've kept trying-if I would've hung in there-at least Jared would know that he's got a mother that loves him so much. (JJ gets emotional)
LW: (sympathetic and trying to comfort JJ) Likewise, I'm sure.
JJ: What am I doing? Stop it Likewise. I don't need your sympathy. (straightens herself up) Don't you breath a word of this to anyone!! I'm fine. I do just fine on my own-I don't need nothing from nobody!
(enter Jared strolling across stage. LW jumps up and stands in his path)
Jared: Excuse me...(tries to step around but LW hangs in there as Jared becomes more irritated) Excuse me, Ma'am....(finally he's exasperated) What is it that you want, Lady?
LW: (very coy now) Likewise, I'm sure.(she pulls JJ in front of Jared)
Jared: Look, I don't want any trouble....
JJ: We don't want to give you any trouble.
LW: (making frantic hand signals between Jared & JJ) Likewise, I'm sure.
JJ: Would you like an apple, Son?
Jared: I don't want to buy an app-
JJ: I'm not trying to sell you an apple. It's a gift. Please, take it.
Jared: (studies JJ and the apple before he takes it from her) Thank you, Ma'am. (he exits but pauses at end of platform to turn and look again. As JJ and LW stand watching Jared leave, 2 heads appear from hiding places behind them. Sam & Cookie give each other knowing looks)
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK
SCENE 4
(lights up on Katie waiting for Jared. she sings the chorus only of 'WILL I FIND LOVE' [song by First Call] as Jared enters, they greet & embrace briefly)
Katie: Oh, Jared, what took you so long?
Jared: Hey.......you missed me-that's a very good sign!
Katie: I did miss you. I couldn't wait to talk to you!
Jared: What's going on?
Katie: I don't know exactly, but things are changing around here...this neighborhood, the people.
Jared: Well, it's Christmas, what do you expect?
Katie: No, no it's different, it's more than that. Even my mother seems different She's softer, nicer sort-of. I don't know, it's hard to describe.
Jared: I know what it is, Katie-you're in love! You're in love with me and seeing everything in a brand new light because of it! Yes!
Katie: No, Jared, it's not that. (realizes she's hurt his feelings) Oh I mean yes- I do love you, but it's more than that. It's something different.
Jared: Well what? What is it?
Katie: Jared, do you believe in God?
Jared: What?
Katie: Do you believe that there's a God?
Jared: Well yes, I suppose I do.
Katie: There's a man that's been kind of preaching here in the neighborhood recently. I don't know what his name is, but everybody calls him-
Jared: Preacher. I've seen him.
Katie: I think he's got something to do with the changes around here. I've listened to him a couple of times, and I talked to him once.
Jared: What did you talk about?
Katie: What else? God.
Jared: And?
Katie: Well, I just never imagined God the way Preacher describes Him... He talks about Jesus being the Son of God, and it's like...it's like someone that he knows really well.
Jared: Is he OK? (makes the loco sign)
Katie: Yes. He made perfect sense. He kept saying how much God loves all of us, not just as a group or a nation, but as individuals He created for purpose.
Jared: He seems to have had quite an impact on you.
Katie: Jared, I want to pray the prayer that he told me about, the one about knowing Jesus.
Jared: Huh?
Katie: I wanted to wait for you. I wanted to pray the prayer, Jared. If God is really out there, I want to know it. But I wanted to wait so we could do this, so we could share this experience together.
Jared: I'm not sure I understand...
Katie: I'm not sure I understand it either-at least not completely. But I do understand that the preacher has such love and joy that--- well I've never met anyone like him.
Jared: I don't know, Katie.
Katie: This is right. I just know it. He said all we have to do is tell God that we mess up sometimes...that we sin. We ask for God's forgiveness and for His Son, Jesus, to come into our lives to lead us. That's it. (pause as Jared considers this) What do you have to lose, Jared? I'm ready to try trusting God for once.
Jared: OK, Katie. Let's do this together.
(They kneel and pray silently for a minute, then song begins)
SONG: WILL I FIND LOVE [song by First Call]
(during musical interlude in the song. Katie and Jared look up toward the Heavens and Katie exclaims: It's true, Jared. God is real! He's out there!)
lights fade to black as song ends
SCENE 5
(Lights up with Cookie, Sam & Jack talking things over)
Cookie: Keep watching, Sam. He'll be coming any minute.
Sam: I just don't know if this is a good idea, Cookie.
Cookie: It's OK. It's gonna work out just fine.
Jack: In the Outback, ambushing a fella is reason enough to slit somebody's throat.
Cookie: Nobody's gonna slit anybody's throat-nobody's gonna get hurt at all. We've got to do this for JJ's sake.
Sam: I don't understand why we couldn't tell Colonel what was going on.
Cookie: No, it's best that we didn't. He wouldn't understand this. It's a woman thing....a mother thing. Now keep watching, Sam. Jared should be coming any time. Jack, you watch for LW's signal. JJ and Colonel should come from that direction.
Sam: Hey, here he comes. Get ready.
(Jared enters- homeless try to look casual until they jump the protesting young man, subduing him and putting a gag in his mouth)
Jack: (explaining very, very quickly) OK, look, we don't mean you any harm but we don't have a lot of time to explain so here's the deal: You have a mother, your natural mother. Her name is JJ. She lives here in the streets and she's been watching over you from a distance for years. She loves you, but she didn't want to mess up your life because she thinks she's kind of messed up herself. You're about to meet her. Got it?
Sam: Boy oh boy, I'm sure glad I didn't have to say all that!
(Jack removes the gag from Jared's mouth and he loudly protests)
Jared: Help! Help! These people are crazy! (Homeless replace the gag)
Jack: Didn't you hear what I just said?
Cookie: She's coming! Colonel and JJ are coming!
Jack: Your mother's coming! Straighten yourself up!
(JJ, LW and Colonel approach, they greet each other as LW and Cookie stand in front of Jared. Jack and Sam cont. to hold him down)
Cookie: Hi, JJ, Colonel. We have a surprise for you!
JJ: What's going on here?
Cookie: We have someone here for you to meet, JJ. (Sam & Jack remove the gag as LW and Cookie step aside) Jared, this is your mother, JJ. JJ, I believe you know Jared.
Jared: You???
JJ: Oh no...no........Jared, this isn't....
Jared: I don't know what's going on here, but you people are crazy- all of you! I don't have a mother-my mother died when I was a baby! (to JJ) I don't know who you are, but leave me alone or I will have you arrested!! Do you understand? Leave me alone!! (he runs away)
Colonel: What just happened here?
Cookie: Uh-oh- this didn't turn out at all like I was hoping.
JJ: What have you done? Oh no, what have you done?
Jack: Sorry, JJ. We were hoping-
JJ: Hoping for what? Hoping to ruin my life?
Cookie: JJ, I'm so sorry-
JJ: Sorry!! You're sorry? Well I'm sorry, too! Sorry I ever met any of you! Sorry that I thought you were my friends!
Oh God.....God, how could you let this happen? (she shakes her fist at the sky) My son, oh my son, my Jared....... (back to homeless) Get away! Get out of here! Leave me alone! All of you-leave me alone!
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK
SCENE 6- A
(Lights up as JJ is packing a few more things into her duffel bag. She is talking to herself)
JJ: Well it's not like I ain't never thought of heading South. It'll be warmer there-no more frozen toes and fingers in February. It's probably for the best. (She hesitates and scans the park, then gets a bit melancholy) I'm gonna miss this place though...... God, you know I ain't never asked for much, but I'm asking now. If you're up there and if you can hear me...I want you to take care of my son. I know him and me, we never exactly had the Brady Bunch kind of relationship going between us, but I'm gonna miss him just the same..... Please watch over him now..... since I won't be able to no more..........(JJ starts to cry softly)
(enter Lisa, the Preacher's wife. she sees JJ and hesitates)
Lisa: Excuse me.....
JJ: (quickly dries her tears) Go away.
Lisa: I couldn't help but see that you're upset. I'd really like to help.....
JJ: I don't need any help. Just go away.
Lisa: Wait a minute, you're JJ, aren't you?
JJ: Hey listen, lady, I asked you nice to leave me alone.
Lisa: (hesitates) Listen, JJ-
JJ: I said get outta here!!
Lisa: (hesitates again) No.
JJ: What did you say?
Lisa: I said no. I'm not leaving. It's a free country. I'm staying right here.
JJ: I don't believe this...
Lisa: JJ, did you know that my husband, the one you call Preacher, prays for you constantly?
JJ: So-am I supposed to be impressed?
Lisa: You were praying yourself just now, weren't you? (no response from JJ) Listen, I don't know what you were praying about, but I can tell you with certainty that God loves you and He cares about what concerns you. I care, too, JJ. I'd like to help you.
JJ: Please, just go away.
Lisa: Life can be so hard sometimes-at least it can be for me. I can't imagine what it must be like for you living here, struggling to survive.
JJ: Look, you don't have a clue about me or about my troubles. Being on the street is the least of my worries right now.
Lisa: You're right. I don't have a clue. But Jesus understands everything about every situation that you've ever been through, and He cares, JJ. He really cares-for you. (pause) I want to pray for you-right now. Is that OK, JJ?
JJ: I don't care what you do.
Lisa: Dear Jesus, I know you always hear me when I pray and I want to give you thanks for that. I remember the times you have delivered me from what seemed like impossible situations. I pray for my friend, JJ-she's hurting right now. I don't know the details of what's happening in her life, but you do. You know everything that she thinks and feels and how much she hurts. Please show her right now that you do care for her. Help her to take this pain and turn it over to you. Give her your comfort and show her what she needs to do to find peace, the kind of peace that only you can give. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
SONG: HAND OF SWEET RELEASE [song by Gaither Vocal Band] (first verse of the song is sung by Lisa. Cookie and Oscar step out of shadows to join her for the first chorus, then they folds their hands in prayer, continuing to stay in the background as Lisa cont, to minister to JJ. This song stop 1/2 way through for dialogue)
Lisa: You all ready know that God loves you, JJ. He's been speaking to your heart for a long time, hasn't He? You've been trying to push Him away, but it's time.There's no guarantee that He'll give you what you want, but if you just stop fighting and ask for His help He will give you His peace. It's time to ask God's forgiveness and surrender your heart. Give up the struggle. Give it up, JJ-stop fighting and let Jesus into your life.
JJ: Oh, Jesus! I've made such a mess of my life! I don't know how you could want somebody like me, but I keep hearing that you love me. Please forgive me for everything I've done, and help me to start living like you want you want me to. Amen.
SONG: HAND OF SWEET RELEASE [song by Gaither Vocal Band] (second half of song is sung by JJ with Lisa, Oscar, and the rest of the homeless {excluding Likewise} who have quietly joined the group)
JJ: I can't believe it! God loves me! He love me! Thank you, Jesus!
(JJ now acknowledges all the others, grabs and hugs them in excitement) God loves you, Cookie!! He loves me too! Hey, Sam-God loves you!! Did you know that?
JJ: (cont) Hey, I gotta tell Preacher. We gotta tell everybody! Preacher! Hey, Preacher! Hey everybody, Jesus loves ME!!
(the neighborhood begins to 'wake up' to see what's happening as Preacher enters and JJ cont to blubber) Preacher! God loves me! God loves you! He loves us all! We gotta tell 'em! Come on, Preacher, we gotta tell all the people that God loves 'em! (the other homeless join in the excitement, encouraging JJ and Preacher)
Preacher: JJ, that's what I've been trying to-
JJ: Come on, Preacher, there's no time to talk. We gotta tell 'em!!
SCENE 6- B
SONG: GO TELL EVERYONE [song by Gaither Vocal Band] (all crowds gradually enter to become part of this song, and sing the chorus: Go tell everyone. as song ends, everyone leaves to 'go tell everyone' except for all the main characters. Katie gives Jared a little push towards JJ, homeless give JJ a little push towards Jared)
Jared: I'm sorry, I didn't know that....
JJ: It's OK.
Jared: I went home and talked to my dad- and he told me all about it. He thought it would be easier for me to just believe I didn't have a mother....so all these years I didn't know about you. I thought you were dead.
JJ: It's OK, Jared. I understand. And I understand now if you don't want to-
Jared: No,no... I just wasn't ready before. I didn't know and it was such a shock... I think we should talk things over.
JJ: You and me?
Jared: Yeah.
JJ: Really?
Jared: There's a lot of questions I'd like to ask you.
JJ: Yeah, we could talk. Yeah, that would be good.
Jared: Would you like to get something hot to drink? Some hot chocolate maybe?
JJ: (hesitates and turns slightly towards her homeless friends) Something HOT to drink?
Homeless and Preacher and Lisa together: CHOCOLATE!!!
JJ: Yeah... hot chocolate...that sounds good. (JJ and Jared exit together)
(Mrs. L. approaches remaining group)
Mrs. Linkhoff: I would like to apologize to you, Mr. Preacher, and to all of you, too. (gestures toward the homeless) I have treated you very badly in the past. I know now that God loves you just as He loves me. Please forgive me.(she offers them bread from a basket she is carrying. homeless grab the bread as they and Preacher surround her and let her know she's forgiven)
(Oscar and Muldoon stand off to one side, taking it all in)
Muldoon: I never thought I'd see the day.... This neighborhood is never going to be the same.
Oscar: I'd say we've witnessed a miracle.
Muldoon: No, I'd make that a handful of miracles!
(as lights begin to dim, Likewise steps forward to respond. she looks up toward heaven and smiles as she answers.
Likewise: Likewise, I'm sure!
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK
..........................................................
© Peg Barnell. All rights reserved.
This play may be performed free of charge, provided no entrance fee is charged for the performance. In return, the author would appreciate being notified of any performance. She may be contacted at pedge58@hotmail.com