JANET: Hello, Rosie. My goodness! What happened to you?
ROSIE: [Grumpily] Broke my stupid leg.
JANET: How? [Janet may guide Rosie to garden bench if one is used. Both sit down.]
ROSIE I don’t really know. I was playing totem tennis with the kids and I just stepped back the wrong way and crashed.
JANET: Oh! You poor dear!
ROSIE: [Bitterly] Yeah! Well it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I have so many commitments at the moment, and getting around just seems to take forever.
JANET: I’m sure your family is a great comfort and help to you.
ROSIE: No way! All the kids do is complain that I’m not doing enough for them. My husband is no help either. Yeah! I know he works a ‘gazillion’ hours a week, but I can’t be expected to hobble around after him morning and night!
JANET: Oh dear! You are in a bad way. Can I help? Maybe I can do some ironing or baking for you.
ROSIE: Yes. I’d appreciate that. This stupid thing has been so achy and itchy I haven’t really been able to cook much lately. Though, I’ll warn you now, the kids are pretty fussy. They don’t like anything too fancy and they won’t eat anything with cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli, beans, cabbage, brussell- sprouts, beet-root, spinach and eggs! They’d have McDonald’s or Pizza every night if I let them. And as for ironing – well! I have a pile that’s threatening the world’s highest peak record!
JANET: [Laughs lightly] Oh Rosie! You can’t keep going like that! I’ll bring you a couple of meals that might suit you and your family, and pick up some of that ironing for you. But, you must be positive about all this. It will pass. I shall pray that your leg gets better sooner than later! Hey?
ROSIE: Ha! Fat lot of good that will do! The specialist said it’s broken in three places and if it doesn’t set right he’ll have to re-break it and pin it! It’ll just be my luck and I’ll be in surgery on my birthday. [Gloomily] Hmmpf! A lot of fun that will be!
JANET: Surely not! The hospital staff are very kind. I’m sure they’ll make your day special for you. Besides, there’s no guarantee that you’ll end up having surgery. Is there?
ROSIE: Don’t bet on it! It’s a dead cert with my luck.
JANET: Well, I shall still pray for you. I know God is looking after you. He will bless you despite all this. [Pause] Maybe you could try counting up all the things you can be grateful to Him about! I know that when I get down, I think of all the blessings God has given me and I usually feel much better. I have learned to be content no matter what happens. I have heaps to be thankful for and I’m sure you do too.
ROSIE: [sarcastically] Yeah! Sure! I’m really grateful!
[ENTER SUE]
SUE: [Smiles brightly] Hi! Janet! [Half-heartedly acknowledges Rosie] Rosie. [To Janet again - sincerely] How are you? Are you coping Ok?
JANET: Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.
SUE It’s such a shock… you know… about your news.
JANET: Yes it was. But I have so much to thank God for it was hard to be angry for long. I have never felt more Joy and Peace than I do now.
SUE: [In awe] Wow! You are such an inspiration, Janet! How do you do it?
JANET: Only by the Grace of God! [Slight pause] Well! I have to go now. Bye Rosie. I will pray for you. [Hugs Sue] Thank you Sue. Thanks for caring. Please keep in touch. Bye!
[EXIT JANET]
SUE: She is amazing! I don’t know how she manages to be so positive. She’s so gracious. She doesn’t seem worried or bitter about it at all! Now, that’s what I call faith. What an inspiration!
ROSIE: [Very annoyed] Why do you keep saying that? What is so inspiring about her?
SUE: [Shocked] Don’t you know?
ROSIE: Know what?
SUE Janet is dying. She has terminal cancer. They think she might only have a year or so to live.
[Sue pauses. Rosie is mortified and covers her mouth with her hand. Both freeze during the reading of the text.]
NARRATOR: In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learnt to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learnt this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.
....................................................................................
© Michelle Pitman 1999, 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. She may be contacted at: michelle_pitman@hotmail.com