PHONE GOSSIP

Here is another drama sketch I wrote in college, or somewhere around that time. I have tweaked it. This is the first time it has been published anywhere.

PHONE GOSSIP

SYNOPSIS: A man acts out a phone conversation between himself and his best friend. The best friend is not seen or heard. This skit is a monologue of James 4:3, "When you ask you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

SETTING: A typical living room with a man and a telephone.

ANNOUNCER: James 4:3-- "When you ask you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

THE SKIT BEGINS WITH A MAN SITTING ON A COUCH, CHANGING CHANNELS BY REMOTE. HIS PHONE RINGS. HE HURRIEDLY ANSWERS. MAN REMAINS VERY ANIMATED AND AGITATED THROUGHOUT THE PHONE CONVERSATION.

IN THE DIALOGUE BELOW, "..."REPRESENTS TIME WHEN THE "MAN" IS LISTENING TO HIS FRIEND ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE CONVERSATION. ONCE AGAIN PLEASE NOTE HIS FRIEND IS NOT SEEN OR HEARD.

MAN: Hello...Oh, hi Jay...You saw her today?...No way...Uh-huh...Well, did she mention me?...You what?!...You told her I liked her! How could you?...Well, what did she say?...That bad, huh?...It's no use. I'll never get the girl...I don't make enough money. Jay, chicks like guys who have lots of money...What about money?...Ya, I know who you mean. The Richardsons. They are that rich family from church...No way! Every year they take a month-long vacation in Hawaii? That makes me sick!...Are you kidding me? You actually saw Mrs. Richardson put a $20 bill into the offering plate and take out a $10 and a $5. Wait until I tell everyone about that...That is so unfair...Why does God do that? Why does He give money to people like that who misuse it?...Life is so unfair...Ya, well if I had money like that, I'd never misuse it. And I'd never take money out of the offering plate...What would I do with it? I'd buy a new car. Jay, chicks go for guys with nice cars...I don't understand it either. I've been praying for a new car and nothing has happened...Well, I've been praying for at least a couple of weeks now. I told you this already. I even asked you to pray about my getting a new car. You have been praying, haven't you?!...Ya, well thanks a lot. Hey, when you saw her today, what was she wearing?...The pink dress. Aah! I love her in the pink dress. Listen, Jay, I gotta go. Bye.

MAN HANGS UP PHONE AND GETS ON HIS KNEES. HE BEGINS TO MIME A FRANTIC PRAYER WITH A DESPERATE LOOK ON HIS FACE.

ANNOUNCER: James 4:3-- "When you ask you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

FADE TO BLACK. END SCENE.