BACK BARAK 5'1m*f RT: Prophetess Deborah pushes Barak into battle (RT == Readers' Theater: requires little or no memorization, little or no rehearsal. An indefinite number of reporters are salted throughout the audience.) BARAK -- (enters wearing tunic and sandals -- helmet and sword optional -- crosses to podium) Good Morning. My name is Barak son of Abinoam. I am the supreme commander of the Israeli Army. The reason I called this press conference is to announce the result of our war against the Canaanites. In spite of being outnumbered and underequipped, my army, through superior strategy and training, defeated the Canaanite army roundly and soundly. As many of you know, the Canaanite General Sisera had equipped his army with nine hundred state-of-the-art chariots. And Sisera himself was considered to be the most knowledgeable and competent military strategist in this era. Yet, in spite of these facts, Israel prevailed. And Sisera himself is dead. I think that should make it clear who is really the most knowledgeable and competent military strategist in this era. Now, if you would like me to explain how I outsmarted Sisera, I would be happy to do that. Are there any questions? REPORTER -- Is it true that Deborah had to talk you into facing Sisera? BARAK -- Deborah. REPORTER -- Deborah is the prophet of God and the judge over all of Israel appointed by God. BARAK -- I know who deborah is! Did she put you up to this?! REPORTER -- Is it true that when Deborah first commanded you to go into battle, you refused to go? BARAK -- (turns to another part of the audience) Is there a question from over here? REPORTER -- Is it true that you refused to go into battle? BARAK -- Is there an echo in here? (turns to another part of the audience) Is there a question from over here? REPORTER -- Is it true that you refused to go into battle? BARAK -- Would anybody like to hear how I outsmarted Sisera? (points) You? REPORTER -- Is it true that you refused to go into battle? BARAK -- (surveys audience for a friendly face, seeing none...) Listen, I wouldn't exactly say that I REFUSED to go into battle. REPORTER -- How WOULD you characterize your reaction to Deborah's command? BARAK -- I told Deborah that I would go.... But I had my conditions. REPORTER -- What conditions? BARAK -- (softly) I told Deborah that she had to go with me. REPORTER -- You took a WOMAN into battle with you?! BARAK -- It sounds worse than it really was. REPORTER -- What redeeming value could there be in taking a woman into battle with you? BARAK -- Well, first of all, Deborah is no ordinary woman. She's a prophet of God. And second, she assured me that God was on our side. REPORTER -- If God was on your side, why did you need to bring Deborah with you? BARAK -- Have you ever seen what Sisera does to the Generals he conquers? He hangs them from a tree and lets the birds feed on the dead carcass. REPORTER -- But if Deborah prophesied that God was on your side, you were never in danger. BARAK -- A man can't be too careful these days. REPORTER -- So, you took Deborah along as your lucky charm. BARAK -- Don't be silly! We Jews are not allowed to have lucky charms! REPORTER -- Then why take a woman into battle with you? BARAK -- I thought Sisera would be less likely to kill me if a woman was present. Can we change the subject? (turns to another section of the audience) How about a question from over here? REPORTER -- Is it true that you didn't kill Sisera yourself? BARAK -- Well, it wasn't for lack of wanting to. I had him on the run. I was this (shows space between forefinger and thumb) close to catching up with him. I had my sword ready. I would have run him through alright! REPORTER -- Who killed Sisera? BARAK -- (quietly) The name was Jael. REPORTER -- Jael is a woman's name. Are you saying that a woman killed the most feared military leader of this era? BARAK -- Some people are just lucky I guess. REPORTER -- Is it true that, because you insisted on taking a woman into battle with you, God gave the death of Sicera to a woman? BARAK -- I don't know why you press people have to be so negative all the time. I beat the army of Sisera! Don't I get any credit?! REPORTER -- How can you claim any credit? Deborah said that God had handed the Canaanite army over to you. When God is on your side, you can't claim any credit. BARAK -- Can too! REPORTER -- Is it true that this woman Jael killed Sisera by driving a tent state through his head? BARAK -- I think I'm going to be sick. (exits) ©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 |