BACK PUNCTUAT 4'2m?f Greek lacks important punctuation. NED -- When he had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." FRED - Excuse me, but you missed something there. NED -- Do you mind? I'm reading here. FRED - Yes, but you missed something. NED -- No, I didn't. I read it right out of the New International Version. FRED - Yeah, well, see, that's the problem. The original Greek was inadequate to reveal the true emotions of the Bible characters. I have developed a system of punctuations that fill that gap. NED -- What ARE you talking about? FRED - Well, let's take, for instance, that passage you just read. NED -- Yeah, what about it? FRED - That passage is just crying out for this punctuation here. NED -- Don't write in my Bible! FRED - Oh, it's just a tiny little punctuation mark. Here. NED -- It's just a squiggle. FRED - Oh, but it adds a whole new emotional intensity to the passage. NED -- Well, it doesn't do anything for me. What is it? FRED - It's a huuuuuuh sign. NED -- A huuuuuh sign? FRED - Yes, let me demonstrate. You read the passage until you get to the words of Simon. I'll read his words WITH the huuuuuh. NED -- Oh, alright. FRED - (chuckles) You're really gonna like this. NED -- When he had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." FRED - Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. (SIGH) Huuuuuuh. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." NED -- Oh, brother. FRED - Let's look another passage. Turn the page. There. Read that. I'll read the words of Jesus, WITH this punctuation. NED -- Another squiggle. What's this one? FRED - It's a yulchhh. NED -- A yulchhh. FRED - Yes, you see if it doesn't change the meaning. Go ahead, read. NED -- While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man... FRED - ...and said "(sound of disgust) Yulchh. I am willing. Be clean!" NED -- And immediately the leprosy left him. FRED - Well what do you think? NED -- Thanks for stopping by, but... FRED - Here, turn the page again. I've got another punctuation mark. NED -- I think I get the point. Do we have to... FRED - It'll just take a minute. It will amaze you what a difference this tiny little speck of a punctuation mark makes in the emotion of this passage. I'll put one mark here and one here. Okay, you read the up to words of the Pharisees. I'll read the rest with the (clicks tongue) NED -- That's the punctuation? (clicks tongue) FRED - I'll show you. Read! Read! NED -- When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend , your sins are forgiven." The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, FRED -- (clicks tongue)"Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? (clicks tongue) Who can forgive sins but God alone?" NED -- Don't you have to be somewhere? FRED - What's the matter? Don't you like my new punctuation marks? NED -- Here, let me try one. FRED - Oh, I've never seen that one before. What does it do? NED -- You read the verse and I'll put in the punctuation at the end. FRED -- Okay. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. FRED - (gagging sound) NED -- That's gross! I think I'm going to be sick. FRED - Here, let me show you to the door. (door open, close) NED -- (vomits, muffled) ©2013 Bob Snook. Conditions for use: Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances. You may reproduce and distribute this script freely, but all copies must contain this copyright statement. http://www.bobsnook.org email: [email protected] BACK |