i am always open to thoughtful rewrite suggestions.

thanks,

jp

=)

 WAKE UP & LIVE   ________________     A Play in Four Acts                       by John Paul  Copyright © 2008                                                                         by John Paul                                                                                                                     Cast of Characters Messenger:                      1 male/female Man:                                1 male Wife:                               1 female Son:                                 1 male Daughter:                        1 female Doc:                                1 male/female Pastor John:                    1 male Pastor Paul:                    1 male extras/church members:  a total of                                          approximately 10                                          males & females Punk:                              1 male/female Mary:                              1 female Tramp:                            1 male/female Gate Keeper:                   1 male  Scene A polished family home in an unknown country.  Time The distant future.  ACT I Scene 1 SETTING:                                   We are inside the Neilson house.  There are only                                                        three chairs at the kitchen table because WIFE                                                      does not have a place at the table.                                                AT RISE:                                      Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble In The World”                                                      has just finished playing. MESSENGER is                                                      standing at the stage apron under a spotlight. MESSENGERi got my fist clinchedand i wanna cock it backi wanna cock it backi saw my brother get hit with the enemy’s toyand as the smoke cleared i did have that fist cocked backi did have my finger on the triggerhe took mine i’m gonna take hishe took one of mine i’m gonna take more of hisi was lost in that fisti was blindi was fighting violence with violencei was not solving the problem of violencei was participating in violencei was blind to life and i could only see the darkness of deathi could not see beyond this earthly breathi was fighting to preserve this fleeting momentfighting to extend my mortalityi did not have my eyes on heaveni had my sight picture set on my enemykill or be killedlive or diei was blinded by my urge to fight till one dayafter many days of wrestling with the question whywhy do i fight?i was given back my sightyou see i turned my gaze towards heavenand i gave my questions to Godwhy do i have my fist cocked back?what am i fighting for i asked?and slowly but surely i became a changed mannow i look at the crucifixionand i’m given a different pathi’m a warrior   my strength is in my willingness not to fightthat is to say not to fight with that fisti fight with lovei know that might sound like a clichéthere are those who would laugh at the notion that love has the strength we need- to resist violenceso be itlet them laughi fight with lovethat sounds like truth and hope to my earsi fight with lovewill you join me?will you fight with me?our enemies cannot defend their feet against our humilityour enemies’ feet shall be washed with our lovewith our lovewith lovethat lovethat love of Godthat love of God that did saythat did say yesterday that says today and that will say tomorrowput that sword awaywe don’t live for the swordwe don’t live through the sword with the sword in the swordwe don’t live like that cause that aint livin’that’s deathwe used to die like that before but we aint dyin’ anymorewe’re livin’ nowwe’re not livin’ in that old law of eye for an eye tooth for a toothwe’re livin’ with that new command to love our enemies as God loved loves and- will always forever and ever love uswe’re livin’ in that lovewe’re livin’ for that lovethat love who is our kingwe are living for our king our Lordthrough him with him and in him we shall pick up our cross and followwe take our clinched fist and we don’t cock it anymore like we did before              (MESSENGER slowly raises his fist up.)we raise it high above our struggles and all of our troublesopen that fistand lift up that other hand of yours              (MESSENGER lifts up his other hand.)lift both hands up to the sky and raise them high and wide              (MESSENGER positions his arms to create the image of a crucifixion.)clear that warrior throat and roar like a conquering lionwith a whisper that shakes the earthi thirstdo we echo the voice of our Lord?do we have ears to hear him?i thirsti thirst for something more than wari thirst for something deeper than temporary peace signed on a dotted line today- only to be erased tomorrowi thirst for something more than a theory to make our wars just and our enemies- wars unjusti thirst for mercy and lovei give you my mercy i give you my lovenow do as i have donewill you lay your life down for your enemy or will you give him that sword?will you give your enemy that sword or will you give him my love?the crucifixion is unjustthe crucifixion is love              (MESSENGER falls to his knees and drops dead.  MAN is standing                  behind MESSENGER with a bloody knife/dagger.) MANDo not listen to this man.  Do not listen to this man.  Enough with the God talk.  We’re past that now.  Aren’t we?  Look at him.              (MAN spits on corpse.)  You don’t want to end up like him do you?  No you don’t want to end up like him.                   (MAN fastens a rope around MESSENGER’Sfeet and then              MESSENGERis dragged offstage by stage crew that remains unseen.  If              there is a problem with MESSENGERbeing dragged offstage then one              of the offstage crew who is dressed in a soldier costume can come                  onstage to solve the problem and get MESSENGERdragged offstage.)After all there are plenty of people that say they want to go to heaven but none of those people want to die do they?  So let’s be honest.  Let’s just leave that God talk at church where it belongs.  Agreed?  Agreed.              (MAN places bloody knife/dagger inside his inner coat pocket.) Now on with the play.              (MAN sits at the breakfast table. WIFEis serving breakfast.) SONThe other day I was at McDonald’s and I bought a Big Mac value meal.  When I set my food down on the table I realized I didn’t have any ketchup.  So I went to the counter to get some ketchup but when I got back to the table there was a lady sitting in my seat.  She was from the middle east I think.  She was wearing those clothes they wear there.  You know those clothes that covers her head and all.  What do you call that? MANI’m not sure but I know what you’re talking about. DAUGHTERA khimar. SONYeah a khimar.  She was wearing a khimar and she had a big old purse next to her. Anyways she was sitting in my seat and she was eating my food. WIFENo. SONYeah she was eating my food and I told her “You’re eating my food”.  And she said “No I’m not.  I have the receipt right here”.  And she waved the receipt at me.  You know how they leave the receipt on the tray when they give you your food.  Well they left the receipt on my tray and this lady was waving it at me like that’s all she needed for that food to be hers. WIFENo. SONYeah.  Well I didn’t feel like arguing with her so I just went back to the counter and bought another meal. MANSon you shouldn’t let people treat you like that.  You need to stand up for what’s right. SONYes father.  Well anyways I bought another meal and I sat directly across from this lady and I gave her the evil eye.  I was staring at her the whole time I was eating and I was cursing her under my breath wishing her all sorts of harm. MANThat’s more like it.  You let her know she’s your enemy and she better be careful how she treats you. SONYes father.  I was cursing her loud enough to where she started to hear some of the things I was saying. MANGood. SONEventually she got up to use the restroom.  But she left her purse behind.  That big old purse.  Well… MANYou stole the purse. WIFEHoney you shouldn’t steal.  You can get into trouble for that. MANBut he didn’t get into trouble Dear.  It was a risk worth taking.  There must be vengeance. There must be justice.  Our boy’s becoming a man.  He risked his own welfare for something higher than himself.  He did what he had to do to make things right. WIFEI suppose. MANYou did steal the purse didn’t you? SONYes father.  I stole the purse. MANGood.  We’re real proud of you son. SONI don’t know how I was able to get away with that purse but I did.  It was huge.  And heavy.  That thing must have weighed fifty pounds or more.  And it stank.  I almost didn’t take it it smelled so bad.  But I snatched it alright. MANWhat was in the purse? SONA bag full of bullshit like the story I just told you.              (MANlaughs and WIFEgestures disapproval.) WIFEYou shouldn’t be using that kind of language at the breakfast table. DAUGHTERWhy did she have a bag full of bullshit in her purse? WIFERose Claire Neilson. MANYour mother’s right children.  We shouldn’t be using that language at the breakfast table. It tends to ruin people’s appetites.  You can say B.S. instead. DAUGHTERWell why was she carrying a bag full of B.S. in her purse? SONIt’s a joke Rose.  The whole story was B.S.  Tommy Johnson told me that joke the other day. WIFETommy Johnson. MANWell I got to hand it to that Johnson kid.  That’s a pretty clever joke.  A bag full of bullshit. WIFEHoney. MANSorry Dear.  A bag full of B.S.              (The sound of a mortar is heard whistling in the sky and then impacting                 outside in the distance.) WIFEWhat was that? MAN(MAN is reading the newspaper.)  The war is coming to town.  It’s just indirect fire.  Sounds like it’s a few neighborhoods away.  We’re not in any danger.  We should keep the door locked just to be on the safe side.(WIFE goes to lock the door)  Make sure you put the chain on and use the deadbolt Dear.              (The sound of another mortar is heard.).  Nowson there’s an important lesson to be learned here.  Do you know how to judge the distance of the mortar’s impact?  You see son when you hear the whistle of the mortar round get louder and louder that’s the sound of it coming closer and closer but when you hear the whistling sound getting softer and softer that’s the sound of it going farther away from us.  Do you understand? SONYes father. MANWell let’s see how well you understand.  Tell me if the mortar sound I make is the sound of a mortar landing nearby or far away.              (MAN makes the sound of a mortar landing far away) SONFar away. MANCorrect.  Now try this one.              (MANmakes sound of mortar landing nearby with dramatic sound effect                 of the explosion while grabbing SON.) SONNearby.              (SON& MAN laugh together while the sound of an actual mortar is                 heard.) MANNow that one got closer.  It sounds like the impact is two neighborhoods away.  I think we should keep the children home from school for the time being.  Besides they can learn just as well from the television and internet. WIFEIf you say so Honey.  That sounds like a good idea to me. MANWell it’s settled then.  Kids.  No more school. SON & DAUGHTERYea… MANFor the time being that is.  Once this whole war mess passes through town it will be back to normal and back to school for the both of you. SON & DAUGHTERYes father.              (The sound of an air raid siren is heard.) MANWell I better be getting off to work now.  Children mind your mother.  She’s your principal now.  I better not come home from work to find out you’ve been sent to the principal’s office.  I’m sure you don’t want to feel the sting of my belt? SON & DAUGHTERNo father. MANYes.  Be good little children.  Mind your mother and everything will be fine. WIFEDon’t forget your lunch honey.              (WIFE handsMANhis lunch as he walks to the door.) MANThank you Dear.  Don’t forget to lock the door behind me. WIFEI won’t.  You be careful out there. MANNo need to worry.  I’ll be alright. WIFEI love you. MANI love you too.              (MAN& WIFEkiss goodbye.  SON& DAUGHTER rush to the door.) SON & DAUGHTERGoodbye father. MANGoodbye children. WIFEGoodbye Honey. MANGoodbye Dear.              (MAN& WIFEhave one more quick kiss goodbye.  MANexits through                  the door & WIFElocks door behind him.) WIFEGo learn something children.  Mommy has to clean up now. SON& DAUGHTERYes mother.              (SON& DAUGHTERgo to the living room to watch television.  There’s                 another sound of a mortar impact and small arms fire in the distance.                WIFEputs on some music  -  Dean Martin’s “You’re Nobody Till                Somebody Loves You”  -  and turns up the volume to drown out the              noise of the war outside.  WIFE then begins to clean up the kitchen.                WIFEplays the same song throughout Act 1.) (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE)  ACT I Scene 2 SETTING:                                    We are inside the Neilson house. AT RISE:                                      The sound of a mortar is heard.  WIFEis all                                                        dressed up and is looking out the window. WIFEKids your father is home from work.  Come to the door to greet him.                (SON& DAUGHTER line up at the door to greet MAN.)Let’s fix that tie of yours so we can look nice for your father when he walks through the door.  There. I’ll get the beer from the fridge and the cookies out of the oven.              (WIFE quickly gets items, prepares them to be given to MAN, and              returns to the door.  WIFE places items in the hands of SON &              DAUGHTER for them to give to MANthen unlocks the door and opens              door for MANto enter.  MAN enters covered in blood.) MANHello family.              (MAN& WIFEkiss then WIFEtakes MAN’Scoat, hat, and suitcase to              put away for MAN.) SON & DAUGHTERHello father. MANWhy thank you.             (MANtakes a cookie from the small tray which DAUGHTER is holding.                MANputs cookie in his mouth, then takes beer from SON and moves to              the armchair in front of the television in the living room.  SON &              DAUGHTERfollow. WIFEthen returns from putting away MAN’S              coat, hat, & suitcase and joins them in the living room.) DAUGHTERWould you like another cookie father? MANYes I would like another cookie daughter.  Thank you very much.  These cookies taste delicious Dear. WIFEThank you Honey. MANKids along with your mother being the prettiest wife a man could hope for she’s also the best cook in the whole wide world.  Don’t tell grandma I said that. SON & DAUGHTERYes father.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) WIFEChildren tell your father what you learned today. DAUGHTERElephant news says that the liberals are always whining.  Donkey news says that the conservatives are always lying.  MTV news says that Trick Dog got arrested and is planning to release his new album next week.  Judge Stern says that the men who enter his courtroom better be paying child support that the women better be supporting their men and that the children better be showing their elders respect especially those elders who sit in the judge’s chair and bang the gavel.  The audience in his courtroom laughed when he asked the plaintiffs and defendants if they realized how stupid they sounded. The audience applauded whenever he banged his gavel and said “O no you don’t.  Not in my courtroom you don’t.  You better shut your mouth before I have to shut your mouth for you”.                 (The sound of a mortar is heard.) SONWell I went on the internet and printed out this essay about the first atomic bomb that was dropped.  The paper was given an A plus for some student in some class at some college somewhere.  The essay states that the United States of the Americas was the first country to drop an atomic bomb in the history of warfare. MANI believe they meant to say America.  There was no United States of the Americas.  There was a country named U.S.A. or United States of America.  Which was part of what we now call No Man’s Land.  But never a United States of the Americas.  The United States of America was the first country to drop theatomic bomb in warfare.  They were the superpower of the twentieth century.  What else does your paper say. SONThe United States of the Americas I mean the United States of America was able to kill over one hundred forty thousand of their enemy with their nuclear bomb named “Little Boy” and for added measure three days later they killed another seventy four thousand of their enemy with another one of their nuclear bombs.  They named their second bomb “Fat Man”.  They won the war and saved many of their own soldiers’ lives.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANSon that sounds like an excellent paper.  We must never forget the war heroes of the past. WIFEHow was your day at work Honey? MANPlenty busy with this war and all.  Business is good.  If this war lasts we should have enough spending money for that add-on to the house we’ve been talking about where we can put that hot tub you’ve always wanted.  Maybe just maybe we might have enough money for a swimming pool.  Do you know any kids who would enjoy this new swimming pool of ours? WIFEOh I think I know one or two.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANWell I think it’s time I get out of these clothes and get cleaned up for dinner.  Thanks for the beer and cookies Dear. WIFEMy pleasure Honey.              (MAN exits as the sound of another mortar is heard.  WIFEputs on                 music to drown out the sounds of war.) (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE) ACT I Scene 3             SETTING:                                    We are inside the Neilson house.             AT RISE:                                      The sound of a mortar is heard.  WIFEis                                                                  serving dinner to her family at the dinner table.                                     WIFEThe Johnsons’ house blew up today Honey. MANWho?  What happened? WIFEOur neighbors the Johnsons.  A bomb fell on the Johnson family today and they’re all dead now.  They got hit during the air strike today.  Their house was destroyed. MANThat’s a shame.  I really liked them.  They’ve been such good neighbors.  Kids this is why we must keep up the good fight.  If we don’t keep our enemies at bay we might even loose our other neighbors.  Who are our other neighbors Dear? WIFEThe Jennings. MANThe Jennings.  If we don’t keep our enemies in line then we’ll loose the Jennings.  Then we’ll be neighborless.  I’ll miss the Jennings. WIFEThe Johnsons. MANWho? WIFEThe Johnsons died today.  The Jennings are still alive. MANWell at least we still have the Jennings.  I’ll miss the Johnsons.  Jim was such a good golf partner.  It will be hard to replace him.  That reminds me.  Did they ever return our golf cart? WIFEYes Honey. MANThat’s a relief.  We’ve had that thing for less than a year.  I’d hate to loose it because some neighbors of ours forgot to return it.  Maybe I’ll take you golfing this weekend Dear. WIFEThat sounds nice. SONCan we come too father? DAUGHTERPlease.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANI’m afraid not.  It’s still not safe for children to be playing outside.  You’ll have to stay inside and play your video games. SON & DAUGHTERYes father. WIFECan I get you another beer Honey? MANYes please.  Thank you Dear. WIFEEat your vegetables Johnny. SONYes mother.                (The sound of a mortar is heard.)Father? FATHERYes son. SONI’ve beaten all my video games. FATHERIs that right? SONYes father.  I think I’m ready for the real thing. FATHERThe real thing? SONI’d like to fight in the war. WIFEIsn’t he too young to fight in the war Honey? MANNonsense.  All he needs is our consent Dear. WIFEAre we going to give him our consent Honey? MANWell I see no reason not to.  You heard the boy.  He beat all his war games.  Our boy is ready to become a man.  You make your mother and I proud to be your parents.  We’re very pleased with you son. WIFEOur little man. MANWhen would you like to go to war? SONTomorrow. MANThat’s the spirit.  You don’t want to miss out on this war.  It might be a while before the next one comes around.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) WIFEWill he get a nice uniform? MANYou better believe he will.  You can use the uniform I wore for my first war. WIFEThat’s a fine uniform.  You’ll be the most handsome soldier at the war. MANThat’s the uniform I was wearing when I first met your mother.  Do you remember Dear? WIFEHow could I forget?  Your father was the best looking man around. MANWas? WIFEStill is.  When I saw him in that uniform I just knew I wanted to marry him and have his baby.  He walked right up to me and asked me to marry him.  I said yes right away.  That’s the first word I ever said to him and I’ve been happy to say yes to him ever since then. MANYour mother is the best wife a man could ask for.  She’s much better than the four I had before her.  She’s a keeper. WIFEI like to be kept. MANYes you do.  Just keep saying yes and I’ll keep coming home to hear you say it. WIFEYes.              (MAN & WIFEkiss passionately. The sound of a mortar is heard.) DAUGHTERFather? MANYes daughter. DAUGHTERCan I join the war too? MANDon’t be silly sweetie.  War is no place for a girl.  War is the business of men. Maybe someday you’ll be lucky enough to marry a soldier of your own like your mother did.  Until then you should just work on being pretty and saying yes. DAUGHTERYes father. MANThat’s the right attitude.  You’ll be a lovely wife someday.  Won’t she Dear? WIFE              (Cleaning dishes, not paying attention)Yes Honey.                          (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANSon.  Tomorrow you’ll be a man.  Listen to what I’m about to tell you.  We are a freedom loving people but the enemy hates freedom.  The enemy is nothing like you.  The enemy is a heartless murderer who enjoys killing.  The enemy is a non-human evil killing machine.  We will be depending on you to rid this world of evil enemy scum.  You will be doing an honorable job a noble duty for your family for your country protecting our freedom with your life.  Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.  Tomorrow you will be a hero.  SONYes father. WIFECan I get you another beer Honey? MANYes you may.  Thank you Dear. WIFEMy pleasure.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANNow what was I saying? DAUGHTERThe enemy. MANThat’s right the enemy.  Kill him swiftly.  Kill him with a great vengeance.  Kill him for Tommy Johnson.  Kill him for the freedom of your mother and sister.  Kill him for the pride of your father.  Kill him.  And have fun.  A man should enjoy his work. SONYes father. WIFEDon’t forget to take pictures. SONYes mother.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANYou should get some rest.  Tomorrow’s a big day.  There’ll be plenty of killing for you. Get a good night’s sleep and dream about your war tomorrow.  Tomorrow your dreams will come true. SONYes father. MANYou too Rose.  It’s time for you to go to bed. DAUGHTERYes father. SON & DAUGHTERGoodnight father.  Goodnight mother. MAN & WIFEGoodnight.                          (The sound of a mortar and other sounds of war are heard.  WIFEturns                              up music to drown out the sounds of war.  WIFEsweeps &MANdrinks                          his beer.) (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE) ACT I Scene 4 SETTING:                                                We are inside the Neilson house. AT RISE:                                                  The sound of a mortar is heard.  MANis                                                                    drinking beer in armchair. DAUGHTER is                                                                  coloring in a coloring book on living room                                                                  floor.  WIFE isstanding behind MANwith a                                                                  small tray of cookies and fresh beer.  SON                                                                    enters dressed in a uniform with a red white and                                                                  blue striped cape. SONWell  I guess I’m ready for war now. MANYou most certainly are. WIFEWould my little soldier like some cookies before he goes off to battle?  SONYes mother. MANGo ahead and give the man my beer.  If you’re old enough for war then your old enough to drink. SONThank you father. MANAre you nervous son? SONNo father. MANThat’s right there’s no need to be nervous.  Just go out there like your going to play some football.  Enjoy yourself.  Today the video games the movies they all become real for you.  The fantasy becomes reality.  I no longer look at you as a boy.  I look at you in that impressive uniform of yours and I see a man.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.)Well it sounds like your war is calling for you.  You better get out there before she forgets your name. SONYes father.  Goodbye Rose. DAUGHTERGoodbye Johnny. SONGoodbye mother. WIFEGoodbye Honey. SONGoodbye father. MANGoodbye son.  Make me proud. SONI’ll do my best. MANI’m sure you will. SONGoodbye family. MAN, WIFE & DAUGHTERGoodbye.              (SONunlocks & exits through the door. The sound of a mortar is heard.                WIFElocks the door & begins to clean the house.) DAUGHTERFather? MANYes sweetie? DAUGHTERIs Johnny coming back? MANWe hope so.  We’ll see. DAUGHTERWhere does war come from? MANThe enemy. DAUGHTERWhere does the enemy come from? MANThe enemy doesn’t come from anywhere.  He just appears.  He gives us our wars. DAUGHTERWhen will the enemy stop bringing us our wars? MANWhen we finish killing him. DAUGHTERCan the enemy be our friend? MANNo.  We cannot trust the enemy.  The enemy is dedicated to killing us.  We must kill the enemy before the enemy kills us. DAUGHTERWhat if the enemy became our friend?              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANThat will never happen.  That’s not in our best interest sweetie.  We don’t want the enemy be our friend.  It’s much easier to kill him.  Once we finish killing the enemy then we will have peace.  Do you understand? DAUGHTERYes father. MANWell then there’s no need for anymore questions. DAUGHTERYes father. WIFEWould you like another beer Honey? MANThank you Dear.              (MANreceives beer from WIFE.  WIFEimmediatelyreturns to cleaning.                The sound of a mortar is heard.) DAUGHTERFather I would like to go outside. MANWhy do you want to go outside sweetie? DAUGHTERI want to build a wall around our house. MANWhy do you want to build a wall? DAUGHTERTo keep the enemy from coming into our yard. MANThat sounds like a lot of work. DAUGHTERYes father but I’ve already made a drawing of it with my crayons.              (DAUGHTER shows MAN her drawing.) MANWell this looks like you’ve put a lot of thought into it.  What will you use for your building materials? DAUGHTERI can use the bricks from the Johnson’s house.  They’re not using those bricks anymore so I think I should use them.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANSweetie you make your father happy.  I like this idea of yours.  Go ahead and build your wall. DAUGHTERThank you father.              (DAUGHTER kisses father then unlocks & exits through the door.) MANOur little girl is growing up Dear. WIFEShe sure is.  Would you like another beer Honey? MANYes Dear.              (WIFE locks door, gives MAN a new beer, and returns to cleaning the              house. The sound of a loud mortar is heard.  WIFE puts on music and              turns up the volume to drown out the sounds of war. The sound of              someone banging at the door is heard.)Is someone at the door Dear? WIFEI’ll check Honey.              (WIFEturns music down.  Door breaks open before WIFEgets to it.                  DOCbrings wounded SON inside.)Johnny’s home Honey. MANJohnny?  Bring him on in here.  I’m ready to hear some of those exciting war stories of his.              (DOCstarts to bring SONto living room but WIFEstops him before he                 reaches the living room.) WIFEHoney I think Johnny should go to the garage where his army friend can take care of him and get him cleaned up.  I’m worried he’ll get blood on the carpet. MANWell whatever you think’s best Dear.              (WIFEdirects DOC& SONto the garage.)I’ll wait to talk to the boy once he’s all patched up and looking like a hero.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.)How did Johnny look? WIFEBloody. MAN“I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle -  victorious.” WIFEPatton? MANNo. WIFESun Tzu? MANNo. WIFEReagan? MANNo. WIFEI give up.  Who said that?              (MANpulls WIFEonto is lap and begins to get frisky with her.) MANVince Lombardi. WIFEVince Lombardi. MANSuper Bowls I and II. WIFE“Coach of the Century”.  “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” MANThe kids are away Dear.  We’re all alone now.  What do you think we ought to do about that? WIFEDo you have any suggestions Honey? MANYes I do. WIFEWell I’m all ears. MANGrrrrrrr.              (MAN nibbles on WIFE’Sears.) WIFELions tigers and bears oh my. MANOh my.              (MAN caresses WIFE. DOCenters living room.) DOCExcuse me Sir.  Ma’am.  I regret to inform you that your son has passed away.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.) MANWell thank you for coming.  We appreciate all that you do for our country.  You’re a true hero son.  Do you mind if I ask you a question.  What’s it like? DOCWhat’s what like? MANThe war.  Have you killed anybody? DOCWell sir… MANI must say that you truly are a hero son.  This war you’re fighting keeps my family safe and free.  We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice. DOCI’m getting tired of war. MANCheer up son.  You’ll get over it.  Would you like a beer. DOCYes sir.  But I’m afraid I can’t stay.  I’ll have to take the beer with me.  I got to get back to the war. MANI understand son.  Dear get this hero a beer and show him to the door. WIFEYes Honey.              (The sound of a mortar is heard.  WIFEleads DOCto beer & then to the                             door.) DOCO by the way.  When we were coming to the door I noticed a dead little girl in your yard. WIFEThat’s probably our youngest.  Rose.  She was building a wall. DOCWell I better be going now.  Thanks for the beer. MANTake care of yourself son.  Keep your head down. DOCAlright.  Goodbye now. MAN & WIFEGoodbye.              (DOC exits through busted door way.) WIFEWould you like another beer Honey? MANYes Dear.              (WIFEgets beer & gives it to MAN then returns to cleaning the house.                  The sound of an extremely loud mortar is heard. Backdrop falls to hide              kitchen and WIFEfrom audience.  The backdrop has some sort of image              on it to show the audience that the house has been hit and WIFEis dead.                MAN turns up the television volume to drown out the sounds of war.              MANpasses out in front of the television and MESSENGERappears.) MESSENGERwake upwake uprise above your fatal slumberyou may ignore it but it will not disappearyou may become indifferent towards it but it is still herewarit does not matter which side wins the passing wars of our dayjust as long as we continue to turn to warjust as long as we continue to turn to the swordjust as long as we sleep with warthe dream of lasting peace will remain a fleeting illusionand the nightmare of war shall be our children’s inheritancethere is no successful answer to warall we are left with is the faithful answer of peacelet us turn to something more than warlet us turn to something more than the swordlet us turn to peacelet us lay our lives down for peacelet us rise above the nightmare of warlet us rise above the swordlet us wake up and live              (Whistling sound of mortar gets louder and louder then shuts off before                 sound of impact transitioning strait into Bob Marley’s song “Wake Up &                  Live.&rdquo (BLACKOUT) (END OF ACT)