BACK SUFFER 5'0m2f Why does God allow pain and suffering? (scene: park bench or four chairs side by side facing audience) AMY -- (enters carrying baby or pushing stroller, sits on end of bench, pats baby's face, smiles) LIZ -- (enters, sits on opposite end of bench, sighs) (both acknowledge each other with a glance, look to audience puzzled, look to each other again) AMY -- Elizabeth? LIZ -- Amy! I thought I recognized you! (slides closer) It's been ages! Oh, what a darling baby! AMY -- Thank you. Her name is Elizabeth too. LIZ -- I know you didn't name her after me. You haven't seen me since high school. (snaps fingers) Your mom! You named her after your mom! AMY -- I'm surprised you remembered! It's been years! LIZ -- I've always had a good memory. It's kind of a curse. AMY -- How can a good memory be a curse? LIZ -- I also have a tendency to remember things I'd like to forget. AMY -- Like what? LIZ -- Remember Danny Johnson? AMY -- Danny Johnson?! Are you still dating him? You two were voted most compatible couple. Did you marry him? LIZ -- Unfortunately, no. We dated all through college, then he dumped me like a piece of trash. (restrains tears) AMY -- Oh, I'm sorry. Did it just happen? LIZ -- About two months ago. I can't seem to forget him. AMY -- Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. LIZ -- No, I'm sorry. I'm sure you didn't come to the park to do psychotherapy. AMY -- I really don't mind at all. Sometimes it helps to talk it out. LIZ -- Did you ever wonder why God allows pain and suffering as he does? AMY -- I used to wonder about that. But not anymore. LIZ -- Not anymore? What happened? AMY -- I became a mother. LIZ -- Being a mother told you why God allows suffering? AMY -- Yes. I think so. LIZ -- This I've got to hear. AMY -- The lesson came in loud and clear a few weeks ago, when I brought Elizabeth in for her first medical check-up. LIZ -- What happened? She's alright, isn't she? AMY -- Oh, she's fine now. But her check-up gave me a real insight into pain and suffering that I hadn't even considered before. LIZ -- How so? AMY -- Well, before the doctor came in to the examinig room, a nurse came in and told me to hold the baby still while she took a blood sample. Elizabeth had no idea why this cruel lady was inflicting such awful pain or why her mother was failing to protect her. I could feel her pain and anger. I cried more than she did. LIZ -- Oh, I see where you're going with this. AMY -- I could visualize God shedding tears while our suffering tests the healthy and unhealthy aspects of our lives. LIZ -- Now that I think about it, my suffering might have been a kind of blood test for me. But tell me. How did Elizabeth's blood test come out? AMY -- Oh, the blood test found a small chemical imbalance that pointed to a blockage in a blood vessel that, if left untreated, could have become fatal. Within two days Elizabeth was back in the hospital, lying helplessly with more needles poking her and a tube down her throat. LIZ -- Everything came out alright, didn't it? I mean, she looks fine. AMY -- Yes, the surgery was a success and she's back to normal. She even regained the weight she lost because of the surgery. LIZ -- Good. (pause) Oh, I see how this applies to my situation. God is doing surgery on me, to repair a potentially fatal condition. Meanwhile, I'm being a big baby, so all I see is this big divine doctor inflicting pain and suffering on me with no apparent motive. AMY -- (laughs) LIZ -- Why are you laughing? AMY -- Because when I compare myself to the big divine doctor, I realize that I'm such a terrible mother! LIZ -- You are? AMY -- Yes, this morning, about 3 a.m., Elizabeth woke up crying as usual. But I just layed in bed hoping beyond hope that she would go back to sleep. Finally, after I let her suffer for three or four minutes, I got up and changed her and fed her. LIZ -- Well, everybody does that. You're only human. AMY -- That's my point. God is not human. He's perfect. He would never let his child suffer pointlessly for his own comfort, or for any reason. LIZ -- (pause) Thank you. Thank you very much. I needed that. I can see now that I'm a better person because of my suffering. And I'm sure that my future relationships will be more healthy because of my momentary discomfort. AMY -- (stands) Come with me. LIZ -- (stands) Where are we going? AMY -- Your surgery was a success. LIZ -- I... I don't understand. AMY -- (exiting with Liz) I want you to come and meet my husband's brother. He's a great guy. He's perfect for you! ©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 |