Servant And Two Masters
Drama
Lectionary Scenes
57 Vignettes For Cycle A
Theme
We make a choice whom we will serve -- God or the world.
Summary
This vignette is like the Comeddia dell Arte of sixteenth century, Italy. It is light and fun and the costumes are extravagant. Nickolo is the servant of two masters, the lovable Adonatino and the miserly Mammonitees. He finds he must make a choice to serve one or the other.
Playing Time: 5 minutes
Place: The stage of the Comeddia dell Arte
Props: Ledger, stool, bag of gold
Costumes: The costumes of Comeddia del Arte
Time: The sixteenth century, Italy
Cast: NICKOLO -- the servant
ADONATINO -- good master
MAMMONITEES -- evil master
WIDOW
NICKOLO: (A SERVANT AND A VERY CLEVER FELLOW. HE ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE) I am a fellow most worthy of praising, at least among you into whose hearts I'm gazing.
Doubly attuned to work am I, but from one master to the other I fly. (ADONATINO ENTERS AND STANDS) Here, Adonatino, much loved and adored, to all unselfish and to all in accord. (MAMMONITEES ENTERS AND STANDS OPPOSITE ADONATINO)
And here, Mammonitees, all grouchy and growl,
He takes what is his and repays with a scowl.
Wealth in abundance is near both their hands, and palaces of beauty rest on their lands.
Mammonitees, flinty gray with heart as cold, beckons my presence as if to scold.
MAMMONITEES: Nickolo, you lazy, louting fool, bring me my ledgers. Where is my stool? (NICKOLO RUSHES ABOUT EXECUTING HIS MASTER'S WILL, GIVING HIM HIS LEDGER AND HIS STOOL JUST BEFORE MAMMONITEES HITS THE FLOOR)
NICKOLO: Adonatino, good and with heart of gold, calls me to him with virtues manifold.
ADONATINO: Nickolo, come to me and you will be blest, I wish to share my wealth with the rest. (NICKOLO RUSHES TO ADONATINO AND RECEIVES A BAG OF GOLD TO GIVE TO OTHERS)
NICKOLO: So, here is the problem that lays in my lap, I have double duty but therein lies a trap. For my good master on the South side resides, and he with greed on the North abides. So, as I'm bid, I run and scurry, hither and back always with a hurry. And neither to the other am I known, so that in each of their minds, think me their own.
MAMMONITEES: Nickolo, go and collect this rent! From the widow you snatch it ere on bread it's spent. (NICKOLO SCURRIES TO RUN HIS ERRAND SNATCHING MONEY FROM A WIDOW)
ADONATINO: Take this bread, my man, to a woman I know. Direst of need faces her by my trow. (NICKOLO TAKES BREAD TO THE SAME WIDOW)
NICKOLO: (EXHAUSTED) Not only is this business wearing me thin, I think I am on the brink of sin. If by doing the bidding of one, I negate the bad that the other has done. Then, good has no chance to win, but just stay even and therein lies the sin.
Good must abound says God's Book to me, and how can it happen?
ADONATINO: You are the key!
NICKOLO: I? Change this business? How can this come about?
ADONATINO: You must choose which to serve and which lifestyle to tout.
When duty calls you must choose the right, then, good will increase and God will win the fight.
NICKOLO: Ah, but 'tis easier said than done, my Lord, when worries tell me they're aboard. I also have a wife and children to feed, and how can I afford the family steed?
ADONATINO: Take no thought for what you shall eat, or the shoes for the children's feet. Fret not for what you will drink, for to you heaven is on the brink.
NICKOLO: What do I do when the wolf is knocking?
ADONATINO: Trust in God to fill your stocking. Look at the birds who in the air do fly, do not they eat and drink with no need to buy? And the flowers, so wondrous in their beauty? Are they not splendid without worry or duty? God will care for you in all your need, (AS HE HELPS NICKOLO INTO A FINE JACKET)
And as for the future you will take no heed. (HE GIVES NICKOLO A BAG OF MONEY)
NICKOLO: Then, in faith, I will trust Him who sustains, and will serve Him with all my life's gains.
ADONATINO: And when money calls what will you do?
MAMMONITEES: Nickolo!
NICKOLO: Quit his service and to you be true.
ADONATINO: So, from your experience what have you gained?
NICKOLO: This much -- God has on me goodness rained. Henceforth from this day only Him will I trust. My future and fortune He will add as He must. (ALL BOW AND EXIT)
We make a choice whom we will serve -- God or the world.
Summary
This vignette is like the Comeddia dell Arte of sixteenth century, Italy. It is light and fun and the costumes are extravagant. Nickolo is the servant of two masters, the lovable Adonatino and the miserly Mammonitees. He finds he must make a choice to serve one or the other.
Playing Time: 5 minutes
Place: The stage of the Comeddia dell Arte
Props: Ledger, stool, bag of gold
Costumes: The costumes of Comeddia del Arte
Time: The sixteenth century, Italy
Cast: NICKOLO -- the servant
ADONATINO -- good master
MAMMONITEES -- evil master
WIDOW
NICKOLO: (A SERVANT AND A VERY CLEVER FELLOW. HE ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE) I am a fellow most worthy of praising, at least among you into whose hearts I'm gazing.
Doubly attuned to work am I, but from one master to the other I fly. (ADONATINO ENTERS AND STANDS) Here, Adonatino, much loved and adored, to all unselfish and to all in accord. (MAMMONITEES ENTERS AND STANDS OPPOSITE ADONATINO)
And here, Mammonitees, all grouchy and growl,
He takes what is his and repays with a scowl.
Wealth in abundance is near both their hands, and palaces of beauty rest on their lands.
Mammonitees, flinty gray with heart as cold, beckons my presence as if to scold.
MAMMONITEES: Nickolo, you lazy, louting fool, bring me my ledgers. Where is my stool? (NICKOLO RUSHES ABOUT EXECUTING HIS MASTER'S WILL, GIVING HIM HIS LEDGER AND HIS STOOL JUST BEFORE MAMMONITEES HITS THE FLOOR)
NICKOLO: Adonatino, good and with heart of gold, calls me to him with virtues manifold.
ADONATINO: Nickolo, come to me and you will be blest, I wish to share my wealth with the rest. (NICKOLO RUSHES TO ADONATINO AND RECEIVES A BAG OF GOLD TO GIVE TO OTHERS)
NICKOLO: So, here is the problem that lays in my lap, I have double duty but therein lies a trap. For my good master on the South side resides, and he with greed on the North abides. So, as I'm bid, I run and scurry, hither and back always with a hurry. And neither to the other am I known, so that in each of their minds, think me their own.
MAMMONITEES: Nickolo, go and collect this rent! From the widow you snatch it ere on bread it's spent. (NICKOLO SCURRIES TO RUN HIS ERRAND SNATCHING MONEY FROM A WIDOW)
ADONATINO: Take this bread, my man, to a woman I know. Direst of need faces her by my trow. (NICKOLO TAKES BREAD TO THE SAME WIDOW)
NICKOLO: (EXHAUSTED) Not only is this business wearing me thin, I think I am on the brink of sin. If by doing the bidding of one, I negate the bad that the other has done. Then, good has no chance to win, but just stay even and therein lies the sin.
Good must abound says God's Book to me, and how can it happen?
ADONATINO: You are the key!
NICKOLO: I? Change this business? How can this come about?
ADONATINO: You must choose which to serve and which lifestyle to tout.
When duty calls you must choose the right, then, good will increase and God will win the fight.
NICKOLO: Ah, but 'tis easier said than done, my Lord, when worries tell me they're aboard. I also have a wife and children to feed, and how can I afford the family steed?
ADONATINO: Take no thought for what you shall eat, or the shoes for the children's feet. Fret not for what you will drink, for to you heaven is on the brink.
NICKOLO: What do I do when the wolf is knocking?
ADONATINO: Trust in God to fill your stocking. Look at the birds who in the air do fly, do not they eat and drink with no need to buy? And the flowers, so wondrous in their beauty? Are they not splendid without worry or duty? God will care for you in all your need, (AS HE HELPS NICKOLO INTO A FINE JACKET)
And as for the future you will take no heed. (HE GIVES NICKOLO A BAG OF MONEY)
NICKOLO: Then, in faith, I will trust Him who sustains, and will serve Him with all my life's gains.
ADONATINO: And when money calls what will you do?
MAMMONITEES: Nickolo!
NICKOLO: Quit his service and to you be true.
ADONATINO: So, from your experience what have you gained?
NICKOLO: This much -- God has on me goodness rained. Henceforth from this day only Him will I trust. My future and fortune He will add as He must. (ALL BOW AND EXIT)
