Untitled Sermon

Scene 1

Vivian – (In the kitchen getting snacks ready for the ladies’ auxiliary meeting)

Jack – (Sneaks in the door. Walks up behind Vivian) BOO!

Vivian - (Throws a bowl of Chex Mix) Good lord Jack! You made my heart jump

up in my throat. Now look Chex Mix all over the floor and the ladies will be

here in just a few minutes.

Jack – Here let me help you pick it up. 30 second rule!

Vivian – I will not serve Chex Mix that has been on the floor.

Jack – Oh it will be alright. (Laughing)They are just a bunch of cackling hens. Let

them scratch around on the floor.

Vivian– (Laughing) Oh hush up and help me!

(While Vivian and Jack are picking up the Chex Mix the doorbell rings)

Vivian – Come in!

Jack – (Jack pulls out a rubber chicken and starts laughing. Vivian smacks at Jack)

(May Lynn, Clariee, Ella, Janice all enter the living room greeting Vivian and Jack. Everyone proceeds to the kitchen table except Jack)

Jack – Well, ladies I must bid you adieu (pulls out the rubber chicken again starts laughing)

Anna – (Walking into the living room from the patio) Hey mom, I need to talk

to you.

Vivian – Oh ladies here comes my little superstar lawyer! Now you all know she

is getting ready to attend Vanderbilt University’s law school. We are so

proud of her. Valedictorian of her high school senior class and now on to

Vanderbilt University!

Anna – Mom, I really need to speak with you. It’s important.

Vivian – Honey you are being rude in front of our guests. Now I am sure it can

wait for a few hours. Now go on and we will talk later.

Anna – (Walks back to her room sad looking back at everyone)

Clariee – (In a sarcastic way) Vivian you and Jack must be so proud of Anna. Now

my boy Brian just signed his first Contemporary Christian recording

contract with Capital Christian Music Group. Janice what is Shelby

doing?

Janice – (Very condescending) Pregnant and unmarried!

May Lynn – Well Janice Van Meter what an awful thing to say about your

daughter and your future grandchild!

Janice – Well it will probably come out just as confused as Shelby is. You know I

knew something was wrong with her the day I pulled up in the driveway

and she was standing at the front door screen with her bathing suit,

cowboy boots and cowboy hat on eating captain crunch out of the box

and giggling.

May Lynn – Well Janice she was just a little girl playing dress-up.

Janice – She was 22!

May Lynn – Oh you are a mess!

(Other ladies laughing)

Ella – Now ladies let’s be serious. As you all are aware I have just been

appointed by Reverend Scott as the new Ladies Auxiliary President and you

all are my little worker bees.

Clariee – (Rolling her eyes and with a very irritated voice) Yes, Ella for the last

time we are all aware of your title.

Ella – (Looking directly at Clariee and in an overly sweet sarcastic tone) Now be nice Clariee GOD don’t like ugly.

May Lynn – Well Ella, he must hate you!

(All ladies laughing except Vivian)

Vivian – Now ladies stop it. We need to get things organized for the….

(Jack comes through the door laughing with Rev. Scott who is also laughing)

Jack – Ladies look who I found!

Reverend Scott – Good evening, ladies how are all of you doing?

(All ladies saying hello to Rev. Scott and each one saying they are doing fine)

Ella – Well Reverend we were not expecting you here tonight.

Reverend Scott – Vivianasked me to come over and be a part of your meeting.

Ella – (looking at Vivian) Oh she did.

Vivian – Reverend would you like something to drink? We also have some

snacks.

Reverend Scott – Well don’t mind if I do Vivian.

Anna – (Comes out of her room and walks straight to Jack) Hey daddy, I need to

talk to you about something important.

Jack – Well hey sweetheart! Look who’s here.

Anna – I really need to speak with you in private.

Vivian – Anna don’t be rude Reverend Scott is here.

Anna – Oh sorry Reverend.

Reverend Scott – Oh that’s okay. I just stopped by for the Ladies Auxiliary

meeting.

Anna – (Looking at Jack) Daddy do you have a few minutes to talk?

Jack – Sorry, sweetheart I have to go over to Dr. Roberts and fix his car.

Anna – But daddy.

Jack – It can wait sweetheart. (Turning to the Reverend) You know Reverend our

little girl here has been accepted to Vanderbilt University’s law school.

She is working over at Bill Johnson’s law firm. Our little girl is growing up!

One day she is the senior class valedictorian and today she works for a law

firm and will be in law school this fall. We are so proud of her.

Reverend Scott – Anna that is wonderful!

Anna – (In a low voice) Yeah wonderful.

(Reverend Scott looks at Anna with a concerned look)

Jack – Well Reverend I’ll leave you to the snake pit…Uh... I mean to the ladies…

(All ladies looking at Jack with hateful looks. Jack smiling backing out of the room towards the door)

Reverend Scott – Anna I would like to speak with you before you go off to college.

Anna – Yeah sure Reverend. Mom, I have a phone call to make. I have to go.

(Anna pulls her cell phone out of her pocket as she walks back to the patio)

Reverend Scott – Vivian is Anna, ok?

Vivian – Oh yeah, she is fine. She is just a little nervous about law school.

Reverend Scott – (Using a concerned voice) Ok, I am a little concerned about her.

Vivian – Oh she will be fine.

Reverend Scott – Well Ella it sounds like you have a good plan for the future of the

Ladies Auxiliary.

Ella – Well thank you Reverend. I appreciate your support.

(Doorbell rings)

Vivian – (Walks over to the door) Well as I live and breathe Brian Avery!

Clairee - Ohhhh! My baby!! Come give momma a hug!

Brian – Hey momma! (Brian runs over to his mother giving her a big hug)

Clairee – Brian say hello to the ladies and to Reverend Scott.

Brian – Hello ladies and Reverend Scott.

(All ladies and Reverend Scott reply with hello)

Clairee – Reverend have I told you Brian has landed a singing contract?

Reverend Scott – No you have not. That is wonderful news Brian. I remember

when you sang in the church choir. Man, you have a God given

talent.

Brian – Well Reverend I am beyond a church choir now.

Reverend Scott – Brian, don’t ever forget that God gave you the talent you have

and don’t ever forget where you came from. Stay humble.

Brian – Uhm yeah sure Rev. Mrs. Rose is Anna around?

Vivian – I think she is put on the patio. She had a phone call to make or something. (waiving her arms in the air)

( Brian walks out to the patio)

Anna – (With a big smile on her face) Brian! Is that you?

Brian – (Turning around to look at Anna) It sure is! In the flush!

Anna – (Runs over to Brian and gives him a big hug) Oh Brian it is so good to see you.

Brian – It’s sure is good to see you too Anna.

Anna – (Patting on the chair) Have a seat. I need to talk to you.

(Brian sits down)

Reverend Scott – Clairee, is Brian doing ok? It seems like the singing contract has

changed him.

Clairee – He is fine Reverend. Why just full of excitement. You know how it is at

that age.

Reverend Scott – Yeah, I do and that is what worries me.

Anna – Wow, Brian it seems like everything that we have ever dreamed of is

coming true.

Brian – Yeah, it does. How is law school working out so far? Are you still working?

at Bill Johnson’s law firm?

Anna – Well not exactly.

Brian – What do you mean, not exactly?

Anna – Well they fired me last week.

Brian – What? Really!

Anna – Shhh! Mom and dad don’t know yet.

Brian – (Laughing) Oh man when you tell them your mom is going to get the

vapors and faint and your dad will go outside and get his chainsaw and cut

down half the trees in the Cherokee Forest.

Anna – Brian, it’s not funny. Worst of all without the internship with Mr. Johnson’s

law firm I cannot get into law school.

Brian – Anna, I am really sorry.

Anna – Yeah me too.

Brian – You never did say why they fired you.

Anna – It’s embarrassing.

Brian – Hey, it’s me that you are talking to. You can tell me anything.

Anna – Well, I was late getting to the office several times. I overslept. Then there

were a couple of projects I did not complete on time.

Brian – Well, listen Anna it’s not the worst thing in the world. People think just because I work with a Contemporary Christian record label that everything is perfect. It’s not. You would not believe what goes on behind the scenes. But hey it’s all good. I mean nothing is perfect in this world.

Anna – Brian I have been so depressed. I don’t know how to tell my parents. They

expect perfection from me. It’s too much. I can’t keep this up, this mask

that I wear everyday gets harder and harder to put on. Something has got to

give. I can’t go on like this.

Brian – Ok, let me help you.

Anna – How?

Brian – (Pulling a bottle of pills out of his pocket) Here take one of these. You will feel so much better. Heck, I am on them right now.

Anna – I don’t think that I should take something that was prescribed for you.

Brian – (Laughing) Prescribed! No Anna these were given to me by my drummer

I doubt they will hurt you. Anyway, they help you to sleep you

know-(making a motion in the air) forget about all your worries.

Anna – To forget about my worries, depression and expectations from my parents.

That would be great.

Brian – (Cell phone rings, Brian answers) Hello, Oh yeah ok. Yeah, sure we will be

there in 30 minutes. Hey Anna, I have to bounce. I’m taking my mom out

to dinner tonight. That was the restaurant calling. I rented out the entire

place. Too many autographs to have to sign if I don’t.

Anna – Wait Brian. Hey, is there any way you could cancel and stay with me? I

really need a friend.

Brian – Sorry, babe I got to go. I promised my mom two weeks ago I would take

her out when I came into town.

Anna – Ok, I understand.

(Brian leaves the room. Lights come back up on the living room)

Brian – Hey mom we got to go. The restaurant just called.

Clairee – Oh, ok son let me grab my things.

Reverend Scott – Hey Brian before you go can I talk to you for just a minute?

Brian – Sorry Rev. I will catch you later.

(Brian and Clairee leave telling everyone bye)

Vivian – Ladies, Reverend would you all like some more coffee?

(Doorbell rings. Vivian goes over to the door)

Vivian – Well hello Shelby! Janice, Shelby is here.

Janice – Well she knows how to come in. Vivian, you don’t have to announce her. I

know the voice.

Shelby – Hello everyone.

(Everyone replies hello)

Vivian – Come on over here and sit down. You must be exhausted. 3 months

pregnant and working 45hrs a week. I am so proud of you honey.

May Lynn – Shelby honey don’t they have maternity leave at Dollar Max?

Shelby – Yes, they do offer maternity leave, but with me being the store manager

it’s hard to walk away from my store. I finally have the store where I

want it. It took a long time, but we actually made our bonus last month.

May Lynn – You mean you actually made a bonus last month.

Shelby – Yes! I am so proud of my team. I told them if I made a bonus last month then

I would share it with them.

May Lynn – Shelby that was so nice of you. What a good way to inspire your

employees and set a good example.

Shelby – Thank you May Lynn. I have a great group at the store.

Janice – Yeah, Saint Shelby going around giving money away. Pregnant and no

husband.

Shelby – Momma we have talked about this. With the awful inflation right now people need help.

Janice – Yeah, and who is going to help you? A baby on the way, no husband, and

working at the Dollar Max. That’s inspiring!

Ella – Why Janice Van Meter you should be ashamed of yourself. This child is

doing everything she can.

Shelby – It’s ok Ella. Momma thought that I should go off to college somewhere

and get a job with a firm in New York. I mean yeah, I could have done

that, but college was not for me. I just wanted a simple life. A good job, a

husband. A few children and a warm loving home.

Janice – Well you got one out of three. A baby on the way.

Shelby – Yeah, I made a mistake. GOD has forgiven me. I have a wonderful

church that has supported me and a wonderful pastor that has given

me great counsel. I am blessed beyond measure. Oh, and momma by the

way Jeremy has been coming to church with me and Reverend Scott has

been talking to both of us and we have set the date to get married. I am

very thankful for GOD’s wonderful love and grace that he has poured

out on me. Will the road be perfect? No, it will not, but GOD will be right

there with me all the way. Vivian is Anna here?

Vivian – Yes, sweetie, she’s out on the porch.

Shelby – I have not talked to Anna in two weeks.

(Shelby goes into Anna’s room.)

Ella – (Turns to Janice) What’s it like to eat crow Janice?

(Lights go dim in the living room and come up in Anna’s bedroom).

Shelby – Hey Anna! How are you doing girl? I have not seen you in forever.

Anna – (Anna on the bed looking at the pill bottle Brian gave her) Oh hey Shelby,

you scared me.

Shelby – What you got there?

Anna – Oh nothing. How’s things going?

Shelby – Well the baby and I are doing fine (Shelby pats her stomach), and work is

going well. I guess I can’t complain. GOD is good.

Anna – (In a low voice) Is he?

Shelby – Huh?

Anna – Nothing.

Shelby – Are you ok? You seem to be very distracted. Well, I guess you would be

with working at Bill Johnson’s law firm and getting ready to go off to law school.

Anna – (In a low voice) Yeah.

Shelby – Well, I guess I better get out of here. Got to get to work.

(Shelby leaves Anna’s room and walks back into the living room.)

Shelby – Vivian, it was so good to see you again. Reverend Scott, I will see you at

church Sunday. Ladies very good to see you all and momma I will talk to

you later.

Janice – Yep.

(Shelby exits)

May Lynn – I have felt more warmth in a meat locker!

Vivian – May Lynn!

May Lynn – Well it’s true.

(Reverend Scott looking at Janice with a puzzled look.)

Janice – (Getting up from the table) Well Ella I’ve got to go. Reverend I will see

you at church. Vivian always a pleasure and thank you for hosting the

meeting today.

(Janice hugs Ella and Vivian, shakes Reverend Scott’s hand and exits)

Jack – (Coming back in the door with Dr. Roberts) See you, Janice! (Both walks over to the table)

Ella – (Getting up from the table) Vivian thank you so much for hosting our

meeting today. Reverend I will see you at church Sunday. Jack always a

pleasure.

Jack – (Pulls out the rubber chicken shaking it. Vivian smacks at him. Ella looking at Jack with a hateful look) Very mischievous Jack says - Bye Ella!

Vivian – Never mind him, Ella. It was my pleasure to host the meeting today.

(Ella exits)

Jack – (Jack laughing) Reverend you sure can clear out a room! Was it a long

winded meeting?

Vivian – Jack!

Jack – It’s just a question.

Reverend Scott – Now Jack will I see you at church Sunday?

Vivian – Yes, you will (Looking at Jack with a stern look)

Jack – Will you be showing the game on the projector?

Vivian – Jack!

Reverend Scott – (Laughing) Oh it’s ok Vivian. I know he is just joking.

Jack – (Laughing) Yeah Reverend I will be there with bells on!

Reverend Scott – (Getting up from the table) Well Vivian, Jack you both have a

good evening. Thank you both.

(Vivian and Jack walk the Reverend to the door saying goodbye. Then return to the table.)

Jack – He’s a good man.

Vivian – Yes, he is. I don’t know what we would do without him. I thank God for

him.

Jack – Yes, thank God for Reverend Scott.

(Light fades on Vivian and Jack. Comes up on the patio)

Anna – (Wiping tears from her eyes) I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t know how

I will ever tell mom and dad what has happened. I just want to give up. Go

to sleep. Never wake up. Forget everything. No more stress, no more pain.

No one will listen, no one cares, nothing can help me now.

(Anna takes several pills out of the bottle and swallows them. Anna then takes a piece of paper and starts to write.

Jack - Where is Anna? She wanted to tell me something earlier.

Vivian – I think she is out on the patio. Yeah, she said that she had something to tell

me too. I’ll see if she is still out on the patio.

(Vivian walks out to the patio and finds Anna asleep on the lounger)

Vivian – (Trying to wake up Anna) Anna are you asleep? Anna, you said that you

had something to tell your father and me. Anna honey wake up! Anna

can you hear me? Anna, what’s wrong baby? Anna wake up! Please

Anna! Anna, you’re scaring me! Please baby wake up! Jack!

Jack! Jack!

Jack – (Jumping and Dr. Roberts jump up from the couch) What’s wrong? Vivian? Anna?

Vivian – Do something doctor! She’s not breathing!

Dr. Roberts – (Starts CPR on Anna) Call 911 now!

Janet / Kathy come running down the aisle with emergency equipment. They both start working on Anna with the doctor. They roll Anna out down the aisle.

Adam sings

(When Adam finishes Jack and Vivian walk back down the aisle quietly. They go back to the house and sit down at the table. Dr. Roberts walks down the aisle rings the doorbell)

Jack – (Answers the door) Come in Dr.

Dr. Roberts – Vivian, Jack, how are you all holding up?

Vivian – Dr. Roberts is my baby going to be, ok?

Jack – We can’t lose our baby girl.

Vivian – Will she wake up doctor?

Dr. Roberts – Vivian / Jack I have done everything I can. The medication that Anna took is a prescribed narcotic for extreme pain. If she had only taken one or two at the most, we would have been able to do more. The amount that Anna took is toxic to the body. We will keep her in ICU so we can observe her closely. Right now, prayer is the best thing we can do. You both have been here for two days straight. You need to get some rest. You both go home and if there is any change at all I will call you.

Jack – Thank you doctor for everything you’ve done.

Vivian – Yes, doctor, thank you. I don’t know what we would have done if you had not been here.

Dr. Roberts – I’m glad I was here to help.

Vivian – Why didn’t I see she was having problems? A mother is supposed to know when her children are in trouble. She tried to talk to us. I wish I could hear her voice right now.

(As Vivian is talking all the church ladies walk down the aisle. The doorbell rings Dr. Roberts answers the door. All the ladies walk in hugging Vivian and Jack)

May Lynn – Vivian honey, how are you and Jack doing?

Vivian – We are just numb right now.

Ella – You’re a good mother Vivian.

Vivian – No, I am not. I should have seen the signs. I should have listened to her. She wanted to talk to me. I didn’t make time for her.

May Lynn – Vivian your nor Jack could have known.

(Doorbell rings. Jack gets up to answer the door)

Jack – Hello, Reverend.

Reverend Scott – Hello, Jack.

Jack – Please come in.

(Reverend Scott comes in and sits down at the table. Everyone says hello to the Reverend.)

Vivian – (Looks up at Reverend Scott) Thank you, Reverend for all the beautiful

things you said about Anna.

Reverend Scott – I truly meant every word.

(Doorbell rings again)

Dr. Roberts – I’ll get it Jack. Hello Shelby, come in.

(Shelby walks over to Vivian and Jack and hugs them)

Shelby – I am ashamed of myself. I just spoke to Anna a few days ago on the patio. I felt like something was wrong. She seemed so distant. I should have tried harder to find out what was wrong. I should have been a better friend.

Reverend Scott – Shelby, friends and family make mistakes all the time. We are

not perfect and sometimes we only think of ourselves. We all

need to make sure that we are there for each other as much as possible.

We will miss things that are right in front of us and that is why we

pray for each other. God sees and knows all. We pray for his

protection over our loved ones.

(Doorbell rings.)

Shelby – I will get it Jack. You stay with Vivian. (Shelby walks over and opens

the door.) Clariee, Brian come on in.

Clariee – Oh, Vivian, Jack I am so sorry.

Jack - (looking up at Clariee) Thank you.

(Clariee and Brian sit next to Shelby)

Vivian – (Looks up at everyone) I have not shown this to anyone. I found it on the patio when they took Anna to the hospital. I would like to share it with everyone. Vivan reads the first line of An Unwanted Friend. Then Anna’s voice takes over.

Brian – Mom, Mr. & Mrs. Rose, Reverend Scott I need to confess something.

Clariee – Yes, he does.

Brian – The other day when I was here I went out on the patio to talk to Anna.

I gave her some pills that I had been taking. I didn’t know that she would

take as many as she did. I would never hurt her. I am so sorry for what I

have done.

Clariee – Vivian, Jack as soon as Brian told me that he had given the pills to Anna

I told him to get in the car that we were coming over here to let you all

Know.

Dr. Roberts – Brian, how long have you been taking these pills? And were they

prescribed for you?

Brain – No, they were not prescribed for me. They were given to me by my drummer. He

said they would take the edge off. I swear I was only trying to help Anna.

Dr. Roberts – Brian, answer my question how long have you been taking them?

Brian – Almost a year now.

Dr. Roberts – Brian we need to get you some help. I know a very good treatment

center.

Clariee – Yes, I agree with you doctor. Brian, I have been so worried about you. I

saw the pill bottle months ago. I should have said something then. Brian

I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. Please let

Dr. Roberts help you.

Vivian – (Looks up at Brian) Brian if you are truly sorry for giving the pills to

Anna then do what your mother and Dr. Roberts are asking. You could

never imagine what it would do to your mother if something happened to

to you.

Jack – Brian get help before something happens that you might not come back

from.

Brian – I will. I will. I have known for a long time that I need help. I just didn’t

want to admit it.

Reverend Scott – (Robert will say what he would say to anyone that he counsels

about drug addiction)

Vivian – (Looks over at Janice) Janice, you have a good daughter that has made

mistakes but has remained faithful to GOD and is putting her life

together. Don’t push her away. You have no idea what it’s like when

they are not here.

Reverend Scott – (Robert will say what he would say to any parent that he

counsels about how to treat their children no matter how old

the child is.)

Ella – Yeah Janice listen to what Reverend Scott is saying.

Reverend Scott – (Robert will say what he would say to anyone that is in a

leadership position in the church and how to treat people in the

department that anyone might be over. Also, Robert will speak

about how Christian people should treat each other.)

Vivian – Doctor Roberts have you seen Anna today?

Dr. Roberts – Yes, Vivian, I just came from the treatment center. Her condition is improving and responding well to therapy.

Jack – Doctor, do you know when we can see her?

Dr. Roberts – Yes, I spoke to her therapist while I was there. She told me that she

will contact you and Vivian tomorrow to set up a time for a visit.

Vivian – I hate that my baby is in a treatment center.

Reverend Scott – Vivian, I know you want her here with you, but she is getting the

help that she needs. (Robert will say something about the stigma that is associated with treatment centers.) I am praying for you, Jack and Anna. The church is also praying and remember God is standing beside you all. It’s going to be a long road and God will take every step with you. Don’t look back. You are not going that way. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.

Anna – (Walking down the aisle starts singing Thank God I Do. Walks onto the stage and finishes the song then sits down with Vivian and Jack)

THE END……

Pastor Robert will speak at this point.