One Foot in the Future
By Andy Lund
Summary
Come on! You say Abraham was 99 when God told him he would have a son?
Are you sure you are considering his needs as an aged person?
Characters
Official
Reader
Script
Reader: When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to
him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will
confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
Official: What? How old did you say our client was?
Reader: 99
Official: So, well into the third age, as it were?
Reader: Oh, yes.
Official: Had you considered the shock to system of a sudden appearance
of God Almighty, El Shaddai? Whilst we believe that those of more mature
years should have the benefit of exposure to many and varied stimuli-as
many as possible- we still do have to consider the impact of such an appearance.
Reader: Oh, right.
Official: And God Almighty spoke to him. How?
Reader: Well, by using the voice, I assume. That is the normal means
of oral communication.
Official: Had you considered the possibility of hearing impairment
in my client? Was there a loop system available, for instance? Had he been
offered any testing and the possibility of a discrete behind the ear device?
Reader: Well, no. I imagine not.
Official: And God Almighty actually appeared to him. Again I have to
sound a note of reservation here. Even though our client is of a reasonably
robust constitution, it is still not advisable to expose seniors to sudden
shocks such as the appearance of the Almighty. I don’t know about the condition
of Mr Abram’s heart but…
Reader: Abraham.
Official: What?
Reader: His name has been changed to A b r a - h a m.
Official: Does my client know about this alteration in nomenclature?
Reader: Oh, yes. He was informed by God.
Official: Only things of this nature - changes in circumstances and
familiar routines can be very disorientating for the more mature client.
Reader: Well, I feel sure God was aware of that but as you may know
there’s a lot in a name. God wanted to convey to Mr Abraham a certain change
in the role he had in mind for him.
Official: Well, there you go, changing routines and roles. All very
distressing potentially. What change of role are you implying here in any
case?
Reader: From that of Abram, which as you may know means exalted father…
Official: I can only approve of anything that gives utmost credence
to the role of the older person in society.
Reader: ..to that of Abraham-Father of many.
Official: By which God means?
Reader: Well - Father of many really. Father of a whole new race which
will be dear to God’s heart and from which many will spring those who will
be God’s children.
Official: (having trouble choosing appropriate words) No, hang on a
minute….Just wait a second or two. Are you seriously telling me that God
is expecting Mr Abram…err .Abraham..to start performing, er, um, certain,
err duties which frankly are more suited…more suited to a younger man.
Because if you are I think I shall have to make serious representations
to the powers that be.
Reader: He is the powers that be.
Official: (embarrassed) Quite so. But really. Your "walking before
me" I can go along with and "being blameless" - all right, although it
does bring a certain restriction which I would prefer not to impose on
a man of Mr Abraham’s years. But as for increasing in numbers - well, really.
We do have to consider our client’s capabilities in all this.
Reader: So you are saying that Almighty God will find it impossible
to use a man of Abraham’s years in the fulfilment of his sovereign will.
Is that right?
Official: Well not exactly.
Reader: Well what exactly?
Official: It’s just that there are limitations, you know.
Reader: In Abraham or God.
Official: Um…in Abraham, I suppose.
Reader: Whom, God made and gave power and strength to carry out his
will.
Official: Well yes, I suppose He did.
Reader: This being the God who created the universe from nothing?
Official: Well…yes
Reader: The God who put every creature on the earth in the first place?
Official: err…yes.
Reader: Including the human race. And who gave Abraham his life and
his future. A future that has implications for the history of the world?
Official: Yes.
Reader: You see, with our God there are no limits.
........................................
© Andy Lund, All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies
are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In
exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified
of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted
at: andrew.lund@ntlworld.com