BACK PRAISE2 4'?m2f Music, praise and worship AMY -- (enters, crosses hurriedly, looks around, paces, looks repeatedly at watch and back to exit) LIZ -- (enters dejected, crosses unhurriedly) AMY -- Oh, there you are. It already started. Hurry. LIZ -- Let's not go in right away. AMY -- Didn't you hear me? I said it already started. LIZ -- Let's wait until we can talk to him alone. I hate all that gushing. AMY -- Gushing?! Giving credit where credit is due is hardly gushing. LIZ -- Well, I don't feel all that gushy right now. My boy friend just broke up with me. AMY -- Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm sorry. LIZ -- So, you don't mind if we wait for a while? I just don't feel like it. AMY -- I don't feel like it either. I had a root canal yesterday and my pain pills aren't working. But he doesn't deserve any less praise merely because I don't feel like praising him. And don't forget, he saved your life! LIZ -- He saved a lot of people's lives. Let the others praise him. AMY -- So, you think he deserves less praise just because you feel bad or because other people can praise him? LIZ -- Well,... AMY -- You know, it isn't like we're here to praise him for winning the lottery or for being a nice person. LIZ -- I know. He's a hero. AMY -- Would it kill you to go in there and acknowledge him in front of other people? LIZ -- I don't... I just don't FEEL like it. Besides, he's saved hundreds of lives. Don't you think he'll get tired of everybody telling him what a great hero he is? AMY -- I will remind you that we're doing this as much for us as for him. LIZ -- I don't understand. How is gushing... AMY -- (points figure at Liz's nose) LIZ -- Alright, I'm sorry. Let me rephrase that. How is acknowledging his heroism going to benefit us? AMY -- By acknowledging the hero and his heroism in public, we are holding up heroism as an ideal to be strived for. The more we praise him, the more we become like him. Do I have to remind you... LIZ -- ...No, you don't have to remind me. Because of his example, I was inspired to go out and save a life myself. AMY -- And when we praised you and acknowledged you for your heroism, do you remember what you said? LIZ -- Yes. I remember. I said I did it without thinking about it. It was automatic. AMY -- Do you remember WHY you said it was automatic? LIZ -- I know what you're driving at. AMY -- What am I driving at? LIZ -- I said it became automatic because we have been meeting regularly to praise HIM for HIS heroism. AMY -- So, in addition to praising him for saving your life, it wouldn't hurt you to praise him for also being a good example. LIZ -- But don't you think he gets tired of hearing all of us... AMY -- ...Listen! LIZ -- Alright. I'm listening. AMY -- If you won't praise him for his heroism or for being such a great example, at least you can praise him for who he is. LIZ -- Who he is. He's a hero. AMY -- No. I mean, praise him for who he is TO YOU. LIZ -- To me. AMY -- If it weren't for him, you wouldn't even be here! LIZ -- I said that. He saved my life. But... AMY -- No. I mean, without him you wouldn't even exist. LIZ -- Oh, you mean, I should praise him because he's my father. AMY -- Do you know how many people would just love to have him for a father? LIZ -- Lots, I suppose. AMY -- Don't you think he'd like to hear you say that your proud to be his CHILD? Would that be asking too much? LIZ -- I guess it would be kind of an insult if I didn't at least acknowledge him. Wouldn't it? AMY -- Kind of. LIZ -- (exiting) Let's go. AMY -- (follows, mimicking) Oh, but I hate all that gushing! ©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 |