I Got Me No Job

Director’s Notes:
This is the closing drama for a stewardship series. The following sketches (I got me a job, I got me some bills and I got me no time) precede this drama. If you’ve read a lot of my stuff, you know that I don’t get very preachy but this ending seemed to wrap things up nicely without getting to schmarmy 🙂

Cast:
Dave: An average man
Teri: Dave’s wife
Lucas: Their son
Isabelle: Their daughter

Props:
A chair
CD of cool music (I used the Superman theme. You can grab it HERE. Right-click on it and select “Save Target As…”)

Setting:
Home

(Lights up. Dave and Teri are sitting on the couch. Dave is in his pajamas, remote in hand. Teri is reading)

Dave: Look at that guy building that bookshelf. He sure looks like he’s good at it. I wish I could build a bookshelf.

Teri: …
Dave: Look at that guy asking people for money. I bet he gets it. I wish I was a good motivational speaker.

Teri: …

Dave: Look at those people eating potato chips. They’re having a big party. Look how happy they are. Why are they so happy eating potato chips?

Teri: They’re actors.

Dave: I wish I could act.

Teri: (grabs remote) Okay Dave! Enough T.V. already. You’ve been doing nothing but sitting here all day and surfing channels for the last month. I can’t stand it anymore!

Dave: (sits in silence a long time and then starts singing) I lost me my job. Got fired by Bob. I got me no joooob, got no joooob…

Teri: (stands up) Argh! Dave… Honey, please! Anything but that song! (heavy sigh and sits next to him) Look, I understand, you lost your job but you have to snap out of it. It wasn’t your fault.

Dave: (feeling sorry for himself) Sure it was. I have no talent.

Teri: Oh that’s just ridiculous. Of course you have talent. You can do lots of stuff!

Dave: Name one.

Dave: (counting on fingers) You know how to create web pages. You can whip out spreadsheets. You can art direct a group of artists. You can build 4 color sell sheets. You can… run new wiring in our house.

Dave: I said name one. That’s five.

Teri: (glares at him)

Dave: Look, I know. It’s just that I really thought I had it made. We were making all this money and I “supposedly” was only going to work a 40 hour work week and they told me I could use all the things I was good at. None of it worked out the way I thought. I squandered our money, I worked 7 days a week and I never got a chance to use my talents. It’s all my fault.

Teri: Well, maybe you’re right. Maybe it was all your fault.

Dave: Hey! Thanks a lot for being so supportive!!

Teri: Look honey, what I mean is, maybe your priorities were out of whack.

Dave: Not that stewardship thing again.

Teri: Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m talking about and you know it. Look Dave, you’ve known the Lord for a long time but maybe you just need to make things right with him. (looks at watch) Oooo, I gotta go pick the kids up from the bus stop. I’ll be right back.

Dave: (sits down) Make things right, eh. (bows head) Lord, I’ve kinda made a mess of things lately. Teri’s right. I need to make things right with you. Forgive me for not giving you what you deserve. Help me to be faithful to you. Amen.

Dave: (start Superman music as Dave stands up on couch) Yes! I’m a new man! No longer just a guy sitting around in his pajama’s watching Days of Our Lives! I’m a new man! I’m going to find a new job where I can balance the time that God has given me with the things that matter the most – My family! And I’m going to use the money God has given me to serve Him better. I’m going to tithe and I’m going to pay off debt instead of incurring it! And I’m going to use my talents to benefit the Kingdom – not just in the marketplace!

Teri: (Teri and kids enter)

Dave: (stands up on couch) Yes! Yes! I’m a new man. I’m a 21st century man of God, using my time, treasure and talent to make a difference!!!!

Dave: What do you think of that, Honey?

Teri: Sounds great to me!

Dave: What do you think of that, Lucas?

Lucas: You go, Dad!

Dave: What do you think of that, Isabelle?

Isabelle: You need a shower!

Dave: (looks at audience – shrugs shoulders)

(LIGHTS OUT FAST)

END

© 2004 Dave Marsh

Dave Marsh

Hello and welcome to Stage Right, the online drama ministry of EXW. My name is Dave Marsh and there are a few things you should probably know about me. First, I’m not a ‘theatre guy.’ I’ve never quoted Shakespeare (at least seriously), and I’ve never played Daddy Warbucks in Annie. Second, I received my ‘training’ in writing, directing, and acting at a church called Willow Creek (in Illinois.) Third, I’m an online games producer by trade but my real passion is found in telling others about Christ through contemporary church drama.

I have a few opinions about drama in the church as well. I think that contemporary drama is both underutilized and misunderstood. I believe it is something like 5-10 years behind contemporary worship. When many churches think about using drama, it usually involves the Passion Play or a children’s Christmas musical. Many people don’t have the opportunity to experience what are called ‘slice of life’ dramas. These dramas may last only 3-4 minutes long but create a powerful (and many times humorous) illustration on any given Sunday. I also believe that any church, no matter what size, can use drama effectively, giving God glory, and inspire/convict normal folks like you and I to walk closer to God

So, what’s Stage Right all about? It’s about offering you the advice and resources you need to help you create and act in contemporary Christian dramas. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen lives changed as I continue to strive for excellence in this area, constantly praying that God would use me to tell others about how to live for Him. Over the coming weeks and months, I hope to provide you with articles about creating a drama philosophy, working with your pastor, developing a team, writing short effective scripts, directing actors, and acting on stage. I also look forward to hearing from you, taking suggestions on topics that you feel should be covered

Over the last 3 years, I’ve written over 45 dramas that are easy to memorize, require few actors, and are highly humorous and relevant. These dramas are available to you for free and will be added to this site over the course of the next few months. You can currently download all of these dramas from my personal site (www.dave-marsh.com) and can contact me personally if you wish (dave).

I look forward to serving you here at EXW and want to thank Steve for asking me to jump on board.

In His hands

Dave Marsh