BACK WATCH 4'2m0f Jesus prayed while John and Peter schlept (scene: two chairs on bare stage, John and Peter enter) JOHN --- (shouting back toward exit) Alright, Jesus, I promise we'll stay awake this time. I promise. (sits) PETER -- (sits, immediately falls asleep) JOHN --- (elbows Peter, whispers) Peter. Peter. PETER -- (snorts, wakes) Huh? JOHN --- Peter, Jesus told us to stay awake and keep watch. PETER -- I'm tired. (closes eyes) JOHN --- Peter! I promised the Lord we would stay awake this time. PETER -- (eyes closed) I can't help it, John. I had four cups of wine with Passover supper tonight. JOHN --- We all had four cups of wine, Peter. But I'm not falling asleep. Not this time. I promised Jesus. PETER -- But, he sometimes prays for hours at a time. Why do we have to keep watch, anyway? JOHN --- We don't want anyone to interrupt the Lord while he's praying. And we should pray for him too. PETER -- We'll take turns. You wake me when it's my turn. JOHN --- Peter, why can't you just.... FRED --- (Hops onstage on Peter's side, bound and gagged, groans) JOHN --- Peter. Someone is coming. Peter. (points) PETER -- (wakes, jumps up, shouts) Just a minute, there, buddy. Nobody disturbs the Lord while he's praying. FRED --- (groans) JOHN --- Peter! Be quiet. You'll disturb the Lord's prayers. PETER -- Yeah, be quiet, there, buddy. You'll disturb the Lord's prayers. FRED --- (groans) JOHN --- Peter! Can't you see he's bound and gagged? Untie him. PETER -- (Unties only his hands) Alright, buddy, why are you barging in where you're not wanted? FRED --- (groans) PETER -- Alright, fella, talk. FRED --- (groans, tugs at gag, points at knot behind his head, groans) PETER -- Alright, buddy. You're out of here. (pushes him one step back toward exit) FRED --- (Groans, holds up two fingers) PETER -- Two words. FRED --- (groans, shakes head) PETER -- No, one word, two syllables. Second syllable. Sounds like.... FRED --- (Groans, points at Peter, nods, points offstage away from Jesus) PETER -- Sounds like finger. Sounds like point. Sounds like there. JOHN --- Peter, why don't you just untie the gag? PETER -- No, he's doing good. Playing charades is a good way to stay awake. (to Fred) Sounds like away. Sounds like... what direction is that, John? JOHN --- West. PETER -- Sounds like west. FRED --- (Nods excitedly, groans) PETER -- Second syllable sounds like west. Best. Pest. Nest. Rest. FRED --- (Nods excitedly, groans) JOHN --- Peter, this could be serious. Untie the gag. PETER -- No, no! We're doing good. Second syllable is rest. What's the first syllable? FRED --- (Holds up hand with forefinger up) PETER -- First syllable. FRED --- (Nods excitedly, moans, then, holds thumb and forefinger a fraction of an inch apart, groans) PETER -- First syllable is a little word. FRED --- (Nods excitedly, groans) PETER -- A.... E.... FRED --- (Nods excitedly, groans) PETER -- E... is it E? FRED --- (Shakes head in frustration) PETER -- A... A...? Is it A? FRED --- (Nods excitedly, groans) PETER -- A...rest. A rest? Is somebody going to take A REST? Hey, I'd like to take A REST. FRED --- (Shakes head, groans and jumps up and down angrily) JOHN --- Arrest. The word is ARREST, Peter. Who is going to be arrested? FRED --- (Nods, points offstage toward Jesus, groans) JOHN --- Jesus? They're coming to arrest Jesus? FRED --- (Nods excitedly, groans) PETER -- John! I could have guessed it. You didn't have to jump in and ruin it. JOHN --- Peter, they're coming to arrest Jesus! PETER -- (Tries to exit) We've got to warn Jesus! JOHN --- (Stops Peter) No, Peter, Jesus gave us strict orders to keep watch. PETER -- John, he's going to be arrested. Don't you think we should make an exception here? JOHN --- No. Especially not now. PETER -- Now? What's so special about now? JOHN --- Jesus told us at supper tonight that the end is near. He's expecting to be arrested. Let's not interrupt what might be his last quiet time with the Father. FRED --- (groans excitedly) PETER -- (nods at Fred as if he understood) Yeah, John, what ARE we going to do then? JOHN --- (pauses, double takes, frowns, then contemplates briefly) We'll intercept the soldiers and delay them until Jesus is finished praying. Let's go. (exits) PETER -- Good idea, John. (Begins to exit) FRED --- (groans loudly, jumps up and down, pointing at his gag and leg ties, makes several hand signals) PETER -- Two words, first word, second syllable, sounds like tie. I'm sorry, fella, we don't have time to play charades. (exits) FRED --- (exits hopping, groaning) ©2008 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: bob@bobsnook.org BACK |