The Answering Machine
Drama
Living Parables
Illustrating The Message With Drama
Topic: Serenity, stress, bills, hard times, troubles, caring God
Characters: One female
Props: Answering machine, table, chair, Bible, mail, letter opener
Scene: Living room
Character walks in with a briefcase, purse, bag of groceries, and a stack of mail in hand. As she comes in, the bag of groceries breaks. As she is leaning over to pick it up, the purse opens up and dumps its contents. When she tries to put her briefcase down, it opens up. Papers and flies fall out. She finally gives up and sighs. Still holding the mail she starts to go through it.
Girl: Nothing but bills. Oh, wait. I think I've just won a million dollars. No, but I'm one of the finalists. Yeah, right, me and about 40,000 others. Doggone it. I'm sure I paid this bill. Can't they keep their records straight? I've been fighting with those-those-those (looking for a clean word to use) son-uva-guns since January. And they've messed it up again.
What's this? My car has been recalled. Two years too late, ya bunch of bozos. That piece of junk should have been recalled before it was made. That's the last time I buy a car that has the same name as my high school science teacher, good ol' Hugo Schlotz. (Pause) He said I'd never amount to anything. I guess he was right. Dead-end Doris, in a dead-end job.
Well, maybe the newspaper lottery called about that house I won. Believe me, the phone machine has got to be better than the mail.
(Pushes button)
Message 1: Doris, this is your mother. You promised to take me to the mall tonight. Where are you? I've already made dinner. It's your favorite - meatloaf. But make sure you bring your own ketchup. You know, I hate when you put ketchup on my meatloaf. Maybe your husband would still be around if you didn't use ketchup on your food. Listen, hon, Mom's got to go. See you about six and don't forget to bring some milk.
beep
Message 2: This is Rick Krauser calling from All America Realty. Ms. Shelley, starting July 1st, your rent is going up another $75. We're sorry for this inconvenience but the price of caring for the facility continues to grow and we need to pass some of those expenses on to you. Thank you.
beep
Message 3: Doris, this is Ed. Yes, that evil "ex" of yours. We need to talk. I think it's time for us to finally get out all the hostility between us. I'm coming over tomorrow morning. And this time, let me get a few words in edgewise.
beep
Message 4: (Soft, soothing male voice) Bad day, huh? Listen, I left a gift for you. It's on the chair. Open it up to the bookmark. (Pause)
Girl: What, who is this? How did someone get in? How did he know I was having a bad time of it?
Message 4: (Continues) Let's just say, I've been watching and I wanted to let you know I care. Bye.
Girl walks over and picks up the Bible. She opens the book to the bookmark and starts to read Psalm 23 (or the applicable Bible passage for the message). She weeps as she reads it. When she finishes it, she walks out carrying the Bible close to her heart.
Characters: One female
Props: Answering machine, table, chair, Bible, mail, letter opener
Scene: Living room
Character walks in with a briefcase, purse, bag of groceries, and a stack of mail in hand. As she comes in, the bag of groceries breaks. As she is leaning over to pick it up, the purse opens up and dumps its contents. When she tries to put her briefcase down, it opens up. Papers and flies fall out. She finally gives up and sighs. Still holding the mail she starts to go through it.
Girl: Nothing but bills. Oh, wait. I think I've just won a million dollars. No, but I'm one of the finalists. Yeah, right, me and about 40,000 others. Doggone it. I'm sure I paid this bill. Can't they keep their records straight? I've been fighting with those-those-those (looking for a clean word to use) son-uva-guns since January. And they've messed it up again.
What's this? My car has been recalled. Two years too late, ya bunch of bozos. That piece of junk should have been recalled before it was made. That's the last time I buy a car that has the same name as my high school science teacher, good ol' Hugo Schlotz. (Pause) He said I'd never amount to anything. I guess he was right. Dead-end Doris, in a dead-end job.
Well, maybe the newspaper lottery called about that house I won. Believe me, the phone machine has got to be better than the mail.
(Pushes button)
Message 1: Doris, this is your mother. You promised to take me to the mall tonight. Where are you? I've already made dinner. It's your favorite - meatloaf. But make sure you bring your own ketchup. You know, I hate when you put ketchup on my meatloaf. Maybe your husband would still be around if you didn't use ketchup on your food. Listen, hon, Mom's got to go. See you about six and don't forget to bring some milk.
beep
Message 2: This is Rick Krauser calling from All America Realty. Ms. Shelley, starting July 1st, your rent is going up another $75. We're sorry for this inconvenience but the price of caring for the facility continues to grow and we need to pass some of those expenses on to you. Thank you.
beep
Message 3: Doris, this is Ed. Yes, that evil "ex" of yours. We need to talk. I think it's time for us to finally get out all the hostility between us. I'm coming over tomorrow morning. And this time, let me get a few words in edgewise.
beep
Message 4: (Soft, soothing male voice) Bad day, huh? Listen, I left a gift for you. It's on the chair. Open it up to the bookmark. (Pause)
Girl: What, who is this? How did someone get in? How did he know I was having a bad time of it?
Message 4: (Continues) Let's just say, I've been watching and I wanted to let you know I care. Bye.
Girl walks over and picks up the Bible. She opens the book to the bookmark and starts to read Psalm 23 (or the applicable Bible passage for the message). She weeps as she reads it. When she finishes it, she walks out carrying the Bible close to her heart.
