Louisiana Bones ~ Walking with God

By Heather Cooper

Summary

Louisiana Bones, adventurer and archaeologist, is searching for a lost treasure, when her arch enemy turns up. Their journey through the caves illustrates aspects of walking by faith.

Scripture

John 11

Characters

Louisiana Bones  -  adventurer / archaeologist
Dr. Henry Bones -   her father
Katie Murray - Louisiana’s student and sidekick
Tamara Von Hoffman – Louisiana’s arch enemy

Set

The set is a cave labyrinth of tunnels.  We used our church’s raised platform and steps at the front of the sanctuary and draped pieces of furniture in dark cloth to create the illusion of passages.  We used Christmas lights along one of the steps to turn on as each step of faith was taken. We downloaded fire sound effects and used coloured lights just offstage to create the illusion of fire.  For the treasure at the end, we illuminated a large wooden cross at one side of the stage.

Script

Louisiana: This is it.  We’ve found the entrance to the passage, thanks to you Dad.
Dr. Bones: I’ve waited my whole life to finally get here.  The treasure that lies at the end is beyond imagining!
Katie:  What exactly is this treasure we’re seeking, Louisiana?
Louisiana: When we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, we inherited eternal life.  But that was just the beginning.  God is calling us onward and upward.  The prize is His pleasure and everlasting glory as we become all that He wants us to be.
Dr. Bones: Well, what are we waiting for?  Let’s go!!
(They enter cave.  The stage is darkened and they use flashlights.  The spots are filtered with blue.)
Katie:  This looks like a maze.  How will we know which way to go?
(Enter Tamara Von Hoffman, very coolly.)
Tamara: Yes, Dr. Bones and Louisiana, we meet again.  I, too, am interested in this prize.  I have heard that untold wealth and power lie at the end of this labyrinth for the one who is successful in navigating it!  My country would be very interested in attaining this prize!
Louisiana: Tamara Von Hoffman!  I might have known.  But I don’t think this treasure is what you’re expecting.
Dr. Bones: And the way is fraught with danger!
Tamara: Why do you think I haven’t had you all killed?  My armed guard is waiting at the entrance.  Once you have led me to the prize, they will take you away.  You take the risks, I take the reward!
Katie:  Why, you … I ought to …
Louisiana: Katie, Katie!  Calm yourself!  Suit yourself, Tamara.  I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for.  Dad, what has your research told you about finding the way through these tunnels?
Dr. Bones: You see these ancient runes on the wall here? (shines flashlight on letters) They’re written in a little known dialect of the Arcenian herdsmen.  But I believe I can translate … hmmm… yes, this is a scripture reference (slowly)… Proverbs 3: 5&6.
Louisiana: Katie, get my Bible out of my pack. (Opens and leafs through.) Yes, here it is:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Dr. Bones: We’d better keep that Bible handy and prayer would be appropriate!
Tamara: Get on with it!!  (pushes Dr. Bones)
Louisiana: Patience, Tamara.  Follow me – this way.  (Leads on with a flashlight.  They walk on, coming to a fork in the path.)
Katie:  Now which way – the right tunnel or the left?
Tamara: Obviously, the left one.  Look, it has a wide entrance, it’s smooth, easy-going, slightly downhill.  The right tunnel has such a narrow opening, we’d have to squeeze through.  It’s rocky and steeply inclined!  The left tunnel has been well used! It’s the one.
Louisiana: We need to walk with God here and not rely on our own instincts.  Look – more runes, Dad.
Dr. Bones: Another scripture, Louisiana!  “Walk with God: Matthew 7: 13 & 14.”
Katie:  (looking it up) I’ve got it:  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it.”
Louisiana: Well, it’s obvious then – to the right.  Let’s go!
Tamara: You’re crazy!  No one has used that tunnel.  The left is the right way.  Come on!
Louisiana: You go ahead – but go carefully!  We’re taking the right.  Call if you need us.
Tamara: Fine. (Heads off to the left. Screams.  Louisiana turns back and goes to the left.  Comes back supporting a shaken Tamara.)
Tamara: (panting)Just around a sharp corner – a pit – filled with snakes! I fell – no warning!  I tried to climb out but the sides were too steep!
Louisiana: Good thing we hadn’t left yet.
Tamara: Yes.  Why would you rescue me?
Louisiana: Love your enemy!
Tamara: Well, don’t think it’s going to save you!  I still mean to claim that prize.  Move!
(They head through narrow opening and mime climbing for awhile.  Dr. Bones leads.)
Dr. Bones: Whoa!  Look ahead!
Katie:  A chasm!  We’re blocked.
Louisiana: What’s at the bottom -  molten rocks?  Just feel the heat.
Katie:  Now what?  If the other side was level with us we might be able to jump, but it’s a lot higher.  I don’t think we can do it.
Dr. Bones: There must be more runes here someplace (searches) – oh, here they are:  “Serve with Love – John 15:13”
Louisiana: (reads from the Bible)  “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  Hmmm, what does that mean?  … Lay down? … okay, now I see.
Dr. Bones: Yes, Louisiana, I know what you’re thinking.  It will have to be me.  I’m the tallest.
Louisiana: Dad, I can’t let you do that.  It’s too dangerous!
Dr. Bones: It has to be me.  It will be alright.  (Falls forward and just reaches the edge.)
Dr. Bones: It’s so hot!  Hey, just a minute – there’s something here.  Pull me back! (Others pull him upright again and he unrolls  a rope ladder and anchors it on their side.)
Tamara: A ladder!  What a relief!  I don’t think I could have trusted you to support me!  Up the ladder, everyone!  (All climb over the abyss.)
Katie:  I need to take a rest.
Tamara: Oh, no you don’t.  Keep moving.  We’ve wasted enough time as it is!  (pushes Katie)
Dr. Bones: This isn’t a race, Miss Von Hoffman.  Slow and steady does it.
  (They proceed for a while.)
Louisiana: Stop!  Look on the ground – it’s wet.  (Touches it, tastes it) It’s not water, it’s oil!
Katie:  (shining her flashlight to the left) What is that device for?
Dr. Bones:  It looks like a windlass for raising or lowering something heavy.
Louisiana: Hmmm!  Well, let’s keep moving.  (steps ahead) Oh, oh! The floor just moved.
Katie:  Look there – off in that side passage – light!  And what’s that roaring noise?
Tamara: It’s fire, you fools!  Run!
Dr. Bones: We have to block it or it will overtake us!
Louisiana: Quick, read these runes.
Dr. Bones: “Work with Courage – 1 Chronicles 28:20”
Katie:  (flipping through Bible) Where is it?  Where is it?  Here:  “Be strong and of good courage and do it; do not fear or
  be dismayed for the Lord God – my God- will be with you.” Do what?
Louisiana: Maybe turn the windlass. (Tries) A wall is closing the entrance.  The rest of you go ahead.  I’ll close it!
Tamara: It’s coming too fast.  You’ll never do it in time. (Runs off)
Louisiana: (to others) God is with me! Go! (Keeps turning, dodging fireballs.  Others run ahead slightly.  Roar gets louder, then stops.  Slam is heard.) Whew!
Dr. Bones: We must be getting close now – just up ahead, I think.
Louisiana: (leading)  I’ll see. (Runs then stops abruptly – teetering.)  Stop!
Katie:  Oh, my goodness!  It’s at least 50 feet to the other side.
Tamara: And it looks bottomless!  Now what?  I told you it was the wrong way.
Louisiana: (points to letters) What do they say, Dad?
Dr. Bones: “Increase in Faith – Hebrews 11: 1&6” (looks it up) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Katie:  And we’re hoping for a way across!
Louisiana: We need to take a step of faith.
Tamara: You’re crazy.  That’s suicidal.  Let’s go back and see where we made a wrong turn.
Dr. Bones: No, look!  There is the end, the prize, just across the chasm. (Curtains open on baptismal scene.)
Louisiana: I’ll try.  (Slowly steps out, as into thin air – but her foot lands on something solid.  She looks down in wonder and walks quickly across, then shines the flashlight back across.)
Louisiana: Come on, it was there all along. I don’t know why I couldn’t see it!  (All, except Tamara, repeat her experience – step, then see, and cross.)
Tamara: (slowly) A step of faith – first you step – then you see! (Takes a tentative step, then another.)  I see it!! (Walks
  across) (All get down on knees at window, lastly Tamara.)
  (Lights out)
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Copyright Heather Cooper, all rights reserved.
This script may be used with royalty, provided no charge is made for entrance to the performance. In return for free use, the author would like to be told of any performance. She may be contacted at coopers@silk.net