![]() |
MIDNIGHT OF THE SOULby D. M. Larson |
Time and Place
Late Spring, 1991. Eastern Washington town. The living
quarters of a church in a poorer neighborhood.
Scene
1 (The entire play takes place in the living quarters of a church. There is a small kitchen area with a stove, cupboards, counter, and refrigerator UL. All of these things can be implied. The door to outside is L. LC is a set of table and three chairs. Starting R, there are stairs that lead up to a small landing and a door where the bedroom is. DL is a small living room with a sofa. There is a door behind it to the bathroom. Another door, ULC, leads to a chapel) (Late morning. Lights come up on THOMAS in a casual suit standing DR looking out a window. His arms are crossed and he has a drink in one hand. He's lost in thoughts of days lost and an uncertain future. WALTERS, an old widow, who is a loyal church goers enters UR through the door to the chapel. WALTERS Pastor Thomas? THOMAS (Turns, not trying to hide his drink) Yes, Mrs. Walters? WALTERS I was wondering why the service was cut short today? THOMAS It's hot out and we don't have air conditioning. I thought people might like getting out before they died of heat stroke. WALTERS You should have called me before the service. I could have brought over some fans. THOMAS I didn't want to bother you. WALTERS It's no bother, Pastor Thomas. I like to help out whenever I can. THOMAS I'll be sure to call next time. (Pause) Is there anything else? WALTERS I was hoping I could receive communion. THOMAS You know I don't like to do communion any more, Mrs. Walters. WALTERS You really should. Pastor Mike did communion every Sunday. It was real important to him and very special to the congregation. THOMAS I know how important it was to Pastor Mike but it doesn't feel right for me somehow. WALTERS I don't see why not? THOMAS Could we please not argue about this? WALTERS I will until you give me my communion. THOMAS (Giving in) All right, Mrs. Walters. You win. I'll give it to right here, right now, in God's dining-room. WALTERS Thank you. THOMAS (Goes to kitchen) You prefer red or white wine? WALTERS Don't you have any grape juice? THOMAS Sorry. Fresh out. It's wine or nothing. If it's good enough for Jesus, then it's good enough for me. WALTERS I'll only take a little sip then. (THOMAS pours her a glass of wine. She take a kitchen
chair and places it center. He gives her the wine) What will you use for bread? Thomas returns to kitchen. THOMAS (As he searches) I don't think I have any bread left. I haven't been to the
store in awhile. But I think I have some saltine crackers. WALTERS They make me thirsty. THOMAS Then I'll pour you some more wine. WALTERS (Sighs again and kneels at chair) Never mind. Bring them here. (THOMAS gives her a cracker) Well? THOMAS What? WALTERS Aren't you going to say something? THOMAS Sure. Eat, drink, and be merry. WALTERS I was hoping for something a little more religious, like a passage from the last supper.
THOMAS (Frustrated) All right. (He says the following with difficulty) "Eat and drink in remembrance of me." (She eats and drinks) Don't drink too much now. I might think you like it. WALTERS Thank you. I'll see you next Sunday. THOMAS Mrs. Walters? Why do you come to my church? You never seem happy with anything I do. WALTERS I've come to this church ever since I was a child. I was baptized at this church's altar and married here when I was seventeen. My husband's funeral was here and this is where I intend to have my own. (Shrugs) And besides, this is the only church within walking distance of my house and I haven't got a car. THOMAS (Laughs) Mrs. Walters. If you were a few years younger I think I'd be in love. WALTERS If you were a few years younger, I'd give you a good spanking. (Starts for door)
THOMAS Good-bye, Mrs. Walters. WALTERS (Stops) I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your sermon about the absentee landlord today. What possessed you to use that passage? THOMAS I just played Bible roulette and there it was. I always do that when I have trouble thinking up a new sermon. WALTERS Why don't you reuse old sermons? THOMAS I hate it when pastors do that. I think that's the reason why people never make any progress in this world. They're always preaching the same old sermon and doing the same old things. We still have war and we still have the poor. Women still aren't treated equally and people are still starving. As long as we have these things, I'll preach new sermons until I hit on something that works. Then and only then will I repeat myself. If they won't listen the first time, then won't hear me the second. WALTERS Well, your heart's in the right place. (Turns to go)
THOMAS Can I offer you a cup of coffee before you go? WALTERS No, thank you, Thomas. Good-bye. END OF SCENE |
|
Free Stage Play Scripts at Freedrama.net
Blog post on how copying our scripts without permission hurts us as writers
|
|
*All mentions of the script should include the author (D. M. Larson) and the source (Freedrama.net).
*The script is FREEDRAMA to use in a classroom, audition or workshop.
In return for using the script, I would be most thankful if you would subscribe to and/or follow Freedrama (at least one of the options below but the more the better!)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/freedramanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freeplayscripts
Newsletter: Subscribe to our newsletter
Twitter: @freedrama https://twitter.com/freedrama
Already subscribed? If you have used Freedrama scripts in the past, we’d love it if you left a positive rating and review on our Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/freeplayscripts/reviews/
IMPORTANT: The text of this script is copyright protected material. You are NOT allowed to repost the text of the script online for any reason (even educational). You may create a link to the script, but do not republish or redistribute the text of the script in any way online.
Need a PDF?
Purchase at https://sellfy.com/freedrama (if you do not see your script at this link, email doug@freedrama.net for help).
Making a VIDEO? If the script is recorded as a video and posted on the internet in any way, please begin the online description of the video with "From a Freedrama.net free stage play script." Here are additional rules for using scripts for videos: http://freedramaplays.blogspot.com/2015/07/would-you-like-to-use-free-script-for.html
Are you CHARGING admission or a fee to see the play or using the script in a competition? Are you placing ADS on your video of the script? If you PRODUCE the script for an audience for profit, please do the following:
OPTION 1: Purchase a PDF of the play at https://sellfy.com/freedrama and pay the $40 royalty https://sellfy.com/p/1MQC/
OR
OPTION 2: Purchase a copy of the play for each cast member from Amazon.com Published Plays by D. M. Larson http://amzn.to/2iRPBFl
OR
OPTION 3: Purchase one script from Amazon.com and leave a nice review (and you may use the script royalty free). Published Plays by D. M. Larson http://amzn.to/2iRPBFl
If you have trouble finding the script, please email doug@freedrama.net for help.
In an acting COMPETITION?
It is recommended that you purchase a copy of the play to show judges that the play is published. Scripts may be purchased from Amazon http://amzn.to/2iRPBFl
**Please reply and state that you agree to the above requirements.**
Thank you for selecting my script. Have fun and please let me know how it goes.
Sincerely,
D. M. Larson
ABOUT FREEDRAMA.NET
Freedrama provides free stage play scripts for actors, directors, teachers and students. Our free theatre resources are for both schools and theatre groups. Freedrama also has free help for new actors including a no cost online acting school. Improve your acting and communication skills with our variety of educational materials including improv drama games and fun learning activities such as MadScripts.
POPULAR Free Stage Play Scripts
Free MONOLOGUES for 1 Actor
Free Monologues for one TEEN Actor
Free One Act and Full Length Plays for TEEN Actors
Free SHORT Stage Play Scripts and SKITS
Free FUNNY Short Stage Play Scripts and COMEDY Skits
Funny Comedy Monologues
Free DUOLOGUES for 2 Actors
Free One Act and Full Length Plays for CHILDREN
Free Monologues for KIDS
Short Plays for CHILDREN
Small cast plays for CHILDREN
Short FILM scripts for video
Free Online ACTING School and Tips for New Actors
IMPROV Theatre Games
MadScripts Fill in the Blank Classroom GAMES
Classroom Ideas for TEACHERS