Summary: Two people meet at the beginning of the New Year – one is a bored pessimist, the other an expectant optimist.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 4min
Characters: 2M/F
Script
(B is sitting thumbing through a magazine – not really looking at anything. Knock on the door.)
B: Come in (in a bored voice )
A: Happy New Year. New Year ! How wonderful. I wonder what it will hold! Isn’t it exciting!
B: Oh Hello. Exciting is not the word I would use for it. A good year is boring – most years aren’t as good as that!
A: What do you mean “boring”” Think of all the new and exciting things that could happen. We don’t know what 2024 holds . I think that is really exciting, don’t you?
B: No (emphatically).
A: Why not?
B: I like to know what is going to happen. I don’t like surprises. And I don’t like change - unless it’s for the better……..( which it never is!). The country is in such a mess, the world is in such a mess, - Apparently the planet is getting hotter – not that I’ve noticed – the weather doesn’t seem any better to me – it will probably explode soon, and …........
A: (interrupting) Stop! - I know there are lots of bad things happening, but there are good things too. Why not try looking for the good things for a change? You could make that your New Year’s resolution? “I will look for the good in people and situations and do anything I can to make things better.” That would be a good New year’s resolution for you.
B: There is no point in making a New Year’s resolution – I would only break it! ……Have you made a New Year’s resolution?
A: Yes I have. It is actually the same one I make every year .
B: What is the point of that! If you didn’t keep it last year, are you likely to do any better this year?
A: Well I think I did a bit better last year and I am going to try to do a bit better this year.
B: What is it anyway?
A: Oh my New Year Resolution is - “Trust God more.
B: Trust God more? What do you mean?
A: Well I believe that God can do anything, He is all powerful, and He also all-loving. He wants the best for everyone, and will help us if we ask him.
B: Then He is not doing very well at it – look at all the terrible things happening – murders, wars and all sorts of horrible things, like I said – not to mention the nasty things people say and do to each other even here.
A: Yes I agree there are lots of bad things going on. God has given us free will – we can choose to do wrong or choose to do good. God is always ready to help us do the right thing ……. if we ask Him, of course.
B: Ask Him? How do you ask God ?
A: I pray about whatever it is and ask God to show me what is the right thing to do….- and I believe he does.
B: Really? Surely God is far too busy to bother about you – no offense meant, but you are not exactly an important person are you?
A: To the world I’m not an important person – just an ordinary Christian trying to trust God, and do what little I can to make the world a better place. But as far as God is concerned every human being is important. He loves us – each one of us - and is ready to help us if we ask.
B: So you think God might help you to be a bit better this year?
A: Yes I do. I trust Him, and I want to trust Him more . With God’s help I am really looking forward to what 2024 will hold. The world may not look much better by the end of 2024 - (unless Jesus returns to the world to sort it all out of course - and that is another story – we don’t know when that is going to happen!) But even if the world doesn’t look any better by the end of the year, I want to know that with God’s help, I have tried to make my little bit of the world just a bit better. I can’t do it without God’s help – I know that – so my New Year’s Resolution is to trust God more and let Him show me how to live every day. Lets go and have a coffee and we can talk some more if you want to.
B: That is a very good idea. I could do with a coffee.
(Puts down the magazine. Both start to leave and then pause.)
A: Incidentally, how are you getting on with that neighbour?
B: Oh she never talks to me.
A: Do you talk to her? Do you even say “Good morning” when you see her?
B: No I don’t!
A: Why not ? Someone has to start to improve your relationship! That could be you.
B: I suppose I could just say “Good morning”.
A: Sounds good! You could even say “Good Morning” with a smile! You never know, by the end of the year you could be going out for a coffee with her!
B: (doubtfully) Do you think so?
(Both leave.)
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© Copyright Jean Herrick, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
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.
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© Copyright xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
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. Feel free to make any cultural changes. 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: