BACK VOICES 5'?m2f Salvation, no condemnation, sin, eternity (scene: podium or table with headphones and electronic gadget) AMY -- (enters wearing white lab coat, crosses to podium) Okay, let's hook you up to the machine so we can measure of your hearing acuity. LIZ -- (follows) I'll do anything to get rid of this problem. AMY -- (installing headphones over Liz's ears) Well, we have to start somewhere. (speaks into gadget) If you can hear me, nod your head. LIZ -- (nods) AMY -- Now, I'm going to send the headphones a series of sounds at various frequencies. Raise your right hand if you hear the sound in your right ear. Raise your left hand if you hear the sound in your left ear. Okay? LIZ -- (nods) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises right hand) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises left hand) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises right hand) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises left hand) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises left hand) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises right hand) AMY -- (twiddles dials on gadget, looks to Liz) LIZ -- (raises both hands) AMY -- (removes headphones) Well, your hearing is completely normal at all frequencies. Exactly what is the nature of your hearing problem? LIZ -- I hear voices. AMY -- You hear voices. LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- Open your mouth. LIZ -- My problem is with my hearing, not with my.... AMY -- Open wide. LIZ -- (opens mouth) AMY -- (inspects Liz's mouth with small flashlight) I'm checking for metallic dental fillings that have been known to act as receivers of radio and television stations but I don't see any suspicious fillings in your teeth. What is the nature of these voices? LIZ -- It's mostly criticism and derision. AMY -- Criticism and derision. LIZ -- Yes. AMY -- Are there several different voices? Or just one voice? LIZ -- (pauses) One voice. AMY -- Is there a time of day or specific circumstance associated with these criticisms? LIZ -- (pauses) Well, they happen at all times of the day and night. But they usually happen... just after... I make a mistake or do something stupid. AMY -- You're not a Christian, are you? LIZ -- What does that have to do with anything? AMY -- Just answer the question. LIZ -- Well, as a matter of fact, I AM a Christian.... At least I think I'm a Christian, I made a commitment to Jesus. AMY -- What kind of commitment did you make? LIZ -- What kind? AMY -- Yes. LIZ -- The kind where you become a Christian. AMY -- No. I mean, what kinds of things did you tell Jesus you would trust him for? LIZ -- Oh. Ah. (pause) Eternal life. Yes. That's it. Eternal life. AMY -- Okay. LIZ -- What's this all about? What does my commitment to Jesus have to do with my hearing problem? AMY -- That's just it. I don't think you have a hearing problem. I think you have a commitment problem. LIZ -- I don't understand. AMY -- Do you know why Jesus died on the cross? LIZ -- So that I could have eternal life. AMY -- Do you know how Jesus' death insures eternal life for you? LIZ -- Ah, no. AMY -- Let me put it this way. Do you know what keeps you from having eternal life without Jesus? LIZ -- Let's see. Sin? AMY -- That's right. Sin. In other words, the mistakes you make and the stupid things you do. LIZ -- Oh. The voice I hear after I make a mistake or do something stupid.... The voice is talking about my sins. AMY -- Yes. LIZ -- But if Jesus paid for my sins by dying on the cross, why am I still hearing the criticism and derision? AMY -- I'll give you a clue. It has nothing to do with your hearing. LIZ -- No. You said it has to do with my.... commitment. Oh. I made a commitment to trust Jesus for my eternal life, but I didn't trust him to take my condemnation for my mistakes and stupidity. AMY -- He paid for them, you might want to make a commitment to him to let him take care of your criticism and derision. LIZ -- He would do that? AMY -- The Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. LIZ -- I've heard that before. Is that what that means? AMY -- That's what that means. LIZ -- (exiting) Well, that's a relief. I thought I might need surgery. AMY -- (follows) But all you needed was commitment. ©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 |