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PERSECUT 4'?m2f Discipleship, ministry, suffering, persecution

(scene: three chairs or park bench DC)

AMY -- (enters carrying Bible and walkman {with ear plugs, 
rather than head band and external head phones}, crosses to 
chairs, sits in end chair, insert ear plugs, pushes PLAY on 
walkman, sings softly with music) Bum ta dum, ta dum, ta dum. 
(covers ears with hair or hat, opens Bible, reads)

LIZ -- (enters, crosses to chairs, pauses behind opposite end 
chair, raises hand as if to begin speaking, looks around, 
changes mind, turns, walks away two steps, turns back, sits in 
end chair) 

AMY -- (looks to Liz, half smile, resumes reading)

LIZ -- (unaware that Amy can't hear a word) Listen, Amy. I know 
that I've always ragged on you for being a Christian. (looks 
both ways) But, I came to say I was sorry. 

(pause)

Alright, so I don't deserve your forgiveness. I know. I was 
really mean to you. And I'm sorry. I really am.

(pause)

Alright. I'll admit it. I lied. I didn't really come here to 
apologize to you, Amy. My main purpose for coming here is to 
tell you is that (looks both ways) I finally became a Christian 
myself.

(pause)

I know you find this hard to believe, Amy. You're probably 
thinking this is just another ploy that I'm using to embarrass 
you in public again. Well, it's not. It's really not. I did give 
my life to the Lord. And now I find myself in the same situation 
I put you in.

(pause)

I know what you're thinking, Amy. You're thinking, "Well, at 
last she's finally getting a taste of her own medicine. She 
deserves it." And I suppose I do.

(pause)

Amy, since I asked Christ into my life, I started sharing the 
gospel with my friends. And now they're treating me like I've 
committed high treason or something.

(pause)

Alright. I'll admit it. I lied again. I didn't really come here 
to tell you I was a Christian either. What I really came to you 
for was to get was some advice. That's all, just a little 
advice. Amy, what am I supposed to do about my friends? They're 
treating me like dirt.

AMY -- (turns page, points to page, reads silently)

LIZ -- What are you doing? What is that, your Bible? (leans)

LIZ -- (reads) "All men will hate you because of me". Who said 
that, Jesus? Yeah. Jesus said that. "All men will hate you 
because of me". (ponders)

AMY -- (turns page, points) 

LIZ -- (reads) "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you 
also." (ponders) So, what are you saying? Are you saying that I 
should have expected this? (looks to audience in puzzlement) 
Well, maybe I should just shut up and not talk about Jesus 
around them.

AMY -- (turns page, points) 

LIZ -- (reads) "Blessed are you when people insult you, 
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you 
because of me." (ponders) Blessed?! How can a person be blessed 
when his friends are raking him over the coals? (reads) "Rejoice 
and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." (ponders) 
Rewards. I see. But, listen, Amy, my friends are really getting 
vicious... Maybe I should just put them in their place. Maybe I 
should strike back. Or maybe I should just pretend I don't know 
them.

AMY -- (turns page, points) 

LIZ -- (reads) "If you love those who love you, what reward will 
you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you 
greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? 
Do not even pagans do that?" I guess he has a point there, Amy. 
But what good will it do to be nice to them? I mean, these 
people are hard core atheists.

AMY -- (turns page, points) 

LIZ -- (reads) "pray for those who persecute you". (ponders) 
Pray for them. Do you really think that will make a difference? 
(pauses, snaps fingers) Oh, how stupid can I be?! You've been 
praying for me all this time, haven't you, Amy? That's why I 
became a believer.... because of your prayers. Isn't it? 
(stands, walks around behind chairs) Oh, wow! I had no idea! 
Well, if prayer worked for me, it'll work for them. I'll pray 
for them. (exiting) Thanks, Amy. Thanks a lot. For everything.

AMY -- (looks to audience, looks to empty chairs) Liz, I want you 
to know.... (stands, looks around, exiting) Where did she go? 
Oh. I wanted to tell her that I was praying for her salvation. 

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