Jesus: Michael Come in Have a Seat, it's been a while since we have talked. How's your family?
Michael: (Comes in like he's just had a dozen cups of coffee.) Well Jesus, look I know it's been a long time and so all I am asking is just for some of your time. I mean, I know I haven't called on ya in a while, and so I am praying you'll forgive me and see, look this is why I brought this box in with me. I've got some steaks in here and I was gonna set up a little barbecue grill. I mean I wasn't really sure if you would be ok with it, but I have my BBQ grill out in the car and I got lighter fluid and everything and if you didn't mind I was gonna have some of the steak cause, well I haven't eaten since this morning so. Are you cool with that?
Jesus: Michael, Michael! Take a breather. If you'll just relax and tell me what's going on I can get you through this.
Michael: Alright, well it's like this, Everyday I just wanna sit there and cry, I mean when will things ever change. My Family, Jesus, it's like I don't have one. Do you know what it is like Jesus? I mean how do you cope with having the one thing you love being stripped away from you? I love my family so much, but why!? Why is it that every time I go home something really bad has happened?
Jesus: To answer your question about having the one thing you love the most being stripped away from you, well yes......
Michael: (Interrupting Jesus) I mean it's like every time I call to you it's like you're not listening, I say things Jesus, but I never hear what you're saying. I mean, I do talk to you, am I not supposed to get a response?
Jesus: Michael, if you'll just give me a minute to say something ....
Michael: (Interrupting Jesus) And to top it off. My friends, it's like they always let me down. When am I gonna find a true friend Jesus? They say they're my friends and then when I need them the most they can't help me. When will I find someone who is gonna help me out when I really need it. Cause the times when I need someone the most they are not there. Who's gonna help me out in my time of need, Jesus?
Jesus: Michael, I am trying to tell you something, but you're not listening. Will you just hear me out for a minute or so?
Michael: And Man, What about my brothers? How was I supposed to react to seeing him get sent to jail? Do you know what it's like to be separated from someone you love and watch them suffer? I do Jesus, I do. And do you know what it's like to watch your own mother cry? Do you know what it is like? And what about my father? Where is he now? I thought he was supposed to be my hero! GOD IF YOU'RE THERE! I WISH THAT YOUD SHOW ME AND GOD IF YOU CARE THEN I NEED YOU TO KNOW ME. Who will be there in my time of need. And will be there when the world has turned its back on me? Who, Jesus? Who?
(Pause for a moment while Michael weeps)
(Michael Freezes with head dropped down and his head resting in his hands)
Jesus: Michael, Do you not know what I have done for you. In all of those times where you were lying in your bed crying yourself to sleep, I was there. And the time when Your Father said "I love you Son, I'll see you when you get back from camp." Then when you got home he wasn't there because he had left. And the times when you looked behind the glass window of the County Jail at your brother. Do you know who held you when the tears fell from your eyes while your brother watched you cry? I too, Michael, have watched someone I love the most suffer. I have watched my own mother cry, I watched her watch me die. Do you know the pain I suffered, Michael? And the times when your friends were not there, Michael, I reached out my hand. I was there! When will you open your eyes and see me Michael? When will you hear my words and my concern for you? Must I show you the scars? Michael, I have done everything in the world for you. I love you so much. Just to be with you Michael, and just to have you as my own child, I have given everything. And as much as it would hurt, I would do it again if necessary. In all of your trials and sufferings you must remember me. In this world, people will abandon you, people will hurt you and people will hate you, and I am the only one who really loves you. I am the one who truly seeks to be your friend. I Michael, I will be here forever.
(Lights Fade)
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© Matt Worthington, 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: mrw03b@acu.edu