The Chair
By Annette Wetherbee

Summary  
The parable of the banquet ( Luke 14:7-11) done in humorous style.

Cast:	 HOST- none speaking role, but person has to be animated.  Represents Jesus.
	GUEST ONE
	GUEST TWO
	
Scene:    Imagine a HOST preparing a banquet with a very special guest in mind.  The actual scene is a bare stage with a “special” chair.  What the chair looks like isn’t the issue, only how the cast react to it.  

Props:  Chair

Costumes:  Recommend plain clothes, similar in style for all (i.e.- blue jeans with similar t-shirts.)

HOST:  (Enters and “prepares” chair- possibly, dust, or put a special cloth over it to make it look more unique/regal.  Smiles at job and exits.)

ONE:  (Enters, passing HOST exiting.  Smiles at HOST, trying to look appreciative/humble, but this changes when HOST is gone.  Stands up straight, smirks and begins “checking out the chair.)

TWO:  (Enters a few moments after ONE is in place.  Spies chair, and joins ONE.)  Boy, that is some chair.

ONE:  Don’t I know it.  I saw the HOST work on it.

TWO:  (In awe)  Really?  This must be the place of honor.  (Begins to check it out more carefully.)  The HOST must have someone really special in mind to prepare a chair like this.  

ONE:  (Self satisfied.)  Yes, he must.  (Sits down.)

TWO:  What are you doing?  

ONE:  Trying it on for size.  

TWO:  Are you nuts?

ONE:  No.  

TWO:  What makes you think this chair is for you?

ONE:  Whom else could it be for?  

TWO:  Lots of people.  There are many here who deserve the place of honor.   

ONE:  Like whom?

TWO:  Lots.  (Pause.)  Take me, for example.

ONE:  Take you where?

TWO:  That chair could just as easily be for me as it is for you.

ONE:  (Sits back, getting comfortable.)  You’re joking, right?

TWO:  No, I’m not.    I’m just as important as you are to the HOST.

ONE:  Really?  Since when?

TWO:  (Childish.)  Since always.

ONE:  Oh yeah?

TWO:  Yeah!

ONE:  We’ll just see about that.  

TWO:  Why don’t you go ask the HOST yourself, and you’ll find out.  (Pause.)  I think I see him there.  (Points behind ONE.)

ONE:  (Stands up and moves in the direction of where TWO was signaling.)   Where?

TWO:  (Quickly steals chair from ONE, and sits down.)  Over there somewhere.  

ONE:  (Turns back.)  Hey!

TWO:  (Innocently.)  Hey, what?

ONE:  That’s my seat!

TWO:  Really?  I didn’t see you’re name on it anywhere.  

ONE:  You tricked me.

TWO:  And you’re observant.

ONE:  Here comes the HOST.  Now you’ll see whose seat that is!

(HOST comes up behind TWO, as ONE points behind the Chair.)  
   
TWO:  Yeah, like I’ll fall for that one.

(HOST steps into view of TWO, and looks down at TWO with a disappointed look and shakes his head.  TWO realizes the seat is not for him, and embarrassed, gets up.)

ONE:  See, I told you so!  Pride goes before a fall!   (ONE smiles smugly and begins to sit down, but the HOST stops him.  HOST looks at ONE and shakes his head no.)

TWO:  Timber!!!  (Sees look of disapproval from HOST and is quiet.)

(HOST looks at the two guests, shakes his head, and points to the “back” of the banquet hall.  Hanging there heads, the two exit, but the exchange a few words back and forth i.e.- see this chair is for me, I told you so, can’t you shut up as everyone exits.)

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Copyright Annette Wetherbee, all rights reserved.
This play may be performed free of charge, provided no entrance charge is made. In return, the author would like to be told of any performance. She may be contacted at annettebee2001@ yahoo.com