below is Act III of the play i am writing called Wake Up & Live. please read Acts I & II before reading Act IV. i am always open to any rewrite suggestions.

thanks,

jp

=)

ACT III Scene 1             SETTING:                                    We are at a bus stop.             AT RISE:                                      PASTOR JOHN & MARY aresitting on                                                                    opposite ends of a bus stop bench. They are                                                                    looking straight ahead into the audience. PASTOR JOHNSo this is the end. MARYI think so. PASTOR JOHNWhat’s your name? MARYI forget.  What’s yours? PASTOR JOHNI’m not sure. MARYHow did you get here? PASTOR JOHNI don’t know.  You? MARYI just woke up sitting on this bench next to you. PASTOR JOHNHmm.  Me too.  How long have we been sitting here? MARYI can’t tell.  Seems like a while though. PASTOR JOHNIt does doesn’t it? MARYWhat are we waiting for? PASTOR JOHNA bus? MARYI suppose. PASTOR JOHNWhat do you remember? MARYNot much. PASTOR JOHNThis all sounds familiar. MARYWhat sounds familiar? PASTOR JOHNThis dialogue. MARYDialogue? PASTOR JOHNThe words in a play. MARYPlay? PASTOR JOHNThat’s what people do for fun. MARYI think there’s people watching us right now. PASTOR JOHNI think you’re right. MARYDo you think they’re having fun? PASTOR JOHNI doubt it. MARYWhy? PASTOR JOHNWe’re not very entertaining. MARYI guess not. PASTOR JOHNMaybe we could do something about that. MARYLike what? PASTOR JOHNI think they find sex amusing. MARYWhat else do they like? PASTOR JOHNWar. MARYAnything else. PASTOR JOHNMoney. MARYIs that it? PASTOR JOHNFame. MARYThose things entertain them? PASTOR JOHNFunny huh? MARYNot really. PASTOR JOHNYou’re right. MARYMaybe we could entertain ourselves. PASTOR JOHNHow? MARYDo you know any jokes? PASTOR JOHNOne.              (There is a pause in the dialogue.)How do you keep a turkey in suspense? MARYHow? PASTOR JOHNI’ll tell you tomorrow.              (MARY smiles and then there is a pause in the dialogue.) MARYTomorrow? PASTOR JOHNI hope so. MARYI got one. PASTOR JOHNYeah? MARYWhat do you get when you cross a river and a stream? PASTOR JOHNA riv-eam? MARYNo. PASTOR JOHNA str-iver? MARYNo PASTOR JOHNI don’t know.  What do you get? MARYWet feet. PASTOR JOHNThat’s funny. MARYThanks.  Yours was funny too. PASTOR JOHNYou didn’t laugh. MARYI didn’t want you to think I was easy. PASTOR JOHNI don’t. MARYDo you want to play a game? PASTOR JOHNSure. MARYIt’s called Guess Who. PASTOR JOHNHow do you play? MARYWe guess whose watching us. PASTOR JOHNGod? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNAn audience? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNNo one? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNDoes this game go anywhere? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNIs maybe the only answer? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNDoes this game ever end? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNDo you know any other games? MARYMaybe. PASTOR JOHNLet’s play a different game. MARYOk. PASTOR JOHNIt’s called Guess What I Look Like. MARYHow do we play this game? PASTOR JOHNYou guess what I look like. MARYAnd then? PASTOR JOHNAnd then I guess what you look like. MARYIs this game fun? PASTOR JOHNMaybe. MARYAlright.  I guess you look tall and strong.  Like a mountain.  With kind eyes and a gentle heart.  What do I look like? PASTOR JOHNI guess you look soft and sweet.  Like a flower.  With pretty skin and a strong mind.              (There is a pause in the dialogue.) MARYDo you think we guessed right? PASTOR JOHNLet’s see.  On the count of three we’ll turn to face one another.  Are you ready? MARYI think so. PASTOR JOHNOne.  Two.  Three.              (PASTOR JOHN & MARYturn and face one another.)You look… beautiful. MARYSo do you. PASTOR JOHNSo do you think we guessed right? MARYBetter. PASTOR JOHNWhat’s your name? MARYI think Mary.  What’s yours? PASTOR JOHNJohn. MARYNice to meet you John. PASTOR JOHNThe pleasure’s all mine. MARYYou should share. PASTOR JOHNOK.  We’ll share the pleasure. MARYHow long do you think we’ll be here? PASTOR JOHNI don’t know.  Let’s ask someone.  Excuse me?  Hey Mister?              (MANenters stage and crosses to bus stop.) MANCan you spare a dime? PASTOR JOHNSure.                          (PASTOR JOHN digs into his pockets.) MANHow bout a quarter? PASTOR JOHNI think so. MANWell how bout a dollar then? PASTOR JOHNLet’s see. MANI could use a twenty if you got one. PASTOR JOHNThis is all I got.              (PASTOR JOHNhands MANall his change.)Now can I ask you some questions. Does the bus cost any money and if so then can I have my money back? MANThe bus is free but why would you want to take the bus? PASTOR JOHNWell I figured that’s what we’re here for. MANSuit yourself. PASTOR JOHNHow long’s the wait?  When does the bus show up? MANYour guess is as good as mine. PASTOR JOHNWhere will the bus take us? MANHow would I know? PASTOR JOHNWhat do you know? MANI know that I’m not going to get any more money from you so I might as well be moving on. MARYWhere are you going? MANAway from here. MARYWhat are you doing? MANI’m making money. MARYWhat are you going to spend it on? MANThere’s nothing for sale here.  I’m just collecting money cause it keeps me busy.  I like to imagine what I could spend it on if there were things here to spend it on but there’s not so I go on getting more money to keep my mind from thinking about what I can’t buy here. If I stop for too long then I get to thinking then I get to imagining and then I set myself up for disappointment so I might as well be moving along now.  I don’t have anymore answers for you goodbye.              (MANexits.) PASTOR JOHN & MARYGoodbye. PASTOR JOHNWell then. MARYSo be it.              (PASTOR JOHN & MARYlook at each other and scoot closer together              but still leave a space between them.) PASTOR JOHNMary. MARYYes John? PASTOR JOHNHow did you get here? MARYA bomb killed me. PASTOR JOHNI’m sorry. MARYI’m not.  It’s peaceful here.  I like talking to you.  It makes me feel younger. PASTOR JOHNI like talking to you. MARYHow did you get here? PASTOR JOHNI got shot.  It is peaceful here isn’t it? MARYYes it is.  Do you believe in God? PASTOR JOHNDo you? MARYI want to.  I keep asking God to help me believe. PASTOR JOHNYou should keep asking.  Don’t quit. MARYWhy? PASTOR JOHNIt’s worth the effort. MARYDo you really believe that? PASTOR JOHNYes I do. MARYHow? PASTOR JOHNFaith I guess. MARYWhere does faith come from? PASTOR JOHNIt’s a gift.  It just comes. MARYDo you think it will come to me? PASTOR JOHNI think it already has. MARYIt has? PASTOR JOHNYes.  If you didn’t have faith then you wouldn’t be able to ask God to help your lack of faith. MARYYou must be right. PASTOR JOHNMaybe.  I believe I’m right. MARYAre those people still watching us? PASTOR JOHNI don’t want to find out. MARYWhy not? PASTOR JOHNI’d rather keep looking at you instead of turning to look at them. MARYThat’s a sweet thing to say. PASTOR JOHNIt’s the truth.  Besides I’m pretty sure they’re still there.  I can feel their eyes staring at us. MARYSo can I. PASTOR JOHNLet’s just ignore them. MARYAlright. PASTOR JOHNCan I sing a song for you. MARYOf course. PASTOR JOHNwoman is the great mother of manwoman is a good sister and friendwoman heals the pain with her kisswoman has so many many giftsso we got to listen to what she has to say                   we got to treat her the right wayall of the night and all of the dayher place must be filled with our thanks and praisewoman carried the seed to this very daywoman is the heart of the human racewoman helped us get to where we're atwoman is the backbone of the power of manso we got to listen to what she has to say                   we got to treat her the right wayall of the night and all of the dayher place must be filled with our thanks and praise MARYThank you. PASTOR JOHNThank you. Mary. MARYJohn. PASTOR JOHNI love you. MARYYou barely know me. PASTOR JOHNI know enough. MARYI love you.              (PASTOR JOHN & MARYscoot closer together to close the space                 between them.  Theyhold hands then kiss each others hand and remain                 holding hands.) PASTOR JOHNIt looks like our bus is coming. MARYIt does doesn’t it? PASTOR JOHNI wonder what’s next. MARYWe’ll see. PASTOR JOHNAre you ready?  MARYI think so.              (Still holding hands, PASTOR JOHN & MARYstand up for the bus.                PASTOR JOHNraises his hand to ensure that the bus stops.  MARY              then hugs PASTOR JOHNand PASTOR JOHNdrops his hand to hug              MARY.  Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” begins to play as the lights fade                           out.) (BLACKOUT) (END OF SCENE)      ACT III Scene 2             SETTING:                                    We are at the gates of heaven.             AT RISE:                                      GATE KEEPER is standing behind or in front                                                                  of a large gate.  DAUGHTER enters and crosses to gate. DAUGHTERAre you God?                                      GATE KEEPERNo I’m not God.  I’m just the gate keeper. DAUGHTERI want to see God. GATE KEEPERWhat’s your name? DAUGHTERI don’t know my name. GATE KEEPERWell Miss I Don’t Know My Name you can have a seat in the waiting area and someone will call you as soon as God is ready for you. DAUGHTERWhy isn’t God ready for me now? GATE KEEPERI’m sure God will explain everything to you once you see God. DAUGHTERHave you seen God? GATE KEEPERYes I have. DAUGHTERIs God a man or a woman? GATE KEEPERBoth and neither.  You’ll see. DAUGHTERWhy does God need a gate with a gate keeper? GATE KEEPERGod doesn’t need anything. DAUGHTERThen why does God have a gate with a gatekeeper? GATE KEEPERThat’s a good question. DAUGHTERDo you have an answer? GATE KEEPERI do. DAUGHTERWhat’s your answer? GATE KEEPERNone of this actually exists. DAUGHTERWhat do you mean? GATE KEEPERYou’ll see. DAUGHTERAm I dreaming? GATE KEEPERYou’ll see. DAUGHTERWhere did you say the waiting area is? GATE KEEPERRight over there. DAUGHTERThank you. GATE KEEPERYou’re welcome.              (DAUGHTERexits.  PASTOR JOHN & MARYenter.) PASTOR JOHN & MARYHello. MARYIs this heaven? GATE KEEPERYou’re at the gates of heaven.  You can have a seat in the waiting area and someone will call you as soon as God is ready for you. PASTOR JOHNWhen will we see God? GATE KEEPERWhen God is ready for you. MARYIs it a long wait? GATE KEEPERSometimes. MARYHow long do you think we’ll have to wait? GATE KEEPERI don’t know but I’m sure it won’t seem long. PASTOR JOHNWhy’s that? GATE KEEPERYou two can wait together. PASTOR JOHNI guess you’re right.              (PASTOR JOHN & MARYkiss.) PASTOR JOHN & MARYThank you. GATE KEEPERYou’re welcome.              (PASTOR JOHN & MARYexit.  DOCenters.) DOCHello. GATE KEEPERHello. DOCWhere am I? GATE KEEPERYou’re at the gates of heaven.  You can have a seat in the waiting area and someone will call you as soon as God is ready for you. DOCIs there a lot of people waiting? GATE KEEPEREveryone is either waiting outside or resting inside? DOCWhat about hell? GATE KEEPERWhat about it? DOCIs there a hell? GATE KEEPERThere is. DOCWho’s in hell then? GATE KEEPERNo one. DOCThen why does it exist? GATE KEEPERFor the sake of justice. DOCJustice sounds like more bullshit to me. GATE KEEPERIt will all make sense to you once you see God. DOCFuck it. GATE KEEPERAmen. DOCOne more question. GATE KEEPERShoot. DOCIs there any war in heaven? GATE KEEPERNo. Everyone truly does rest in peace. No war and plenty of love. DOCWell I guess it’s worth the wait then. GATE KEEPERIt sure is. DOCThank you. GATE KEEPERYou’re welcome.              (DOCexits.  The remaining cast members, with the exception of                 MESSENGER, enter and cross the stage.)Folks if you follow that man over there he’ll lead you to where you need to be. REMAINING CAST MEMBERSThank you. GATE KEEPERYou’re welcome.              (The remaining cast members exit.  GATE KEEPERopens the gate.               TRAMPenters and crosses to the gate.) TRAMPBuenos dias Jesus.              (TRAMPembraces GATE KEEPER.) GATE KEEPERBuenos dias Senor. TRAMPPeace be with you. GATE KEEPERAnd also with you. TRAMPTake it easy. GATE KEEPERWill do.              (GATE KEEPERcloses gate.  Bob Marley’s “No              More Trouble” begins to play as the lights fade out.) ACT III Scene 3 SETTING:                                    We are inside the waiting area for heaven. AT RISE:                                      The cast members are sitting in chairs reading                                                      magazines. Punk looks up from his magazine. PUNKWhat happened?  Where are we?  How did we get here?  What are we waiting for?  What are we waiting for?  Wake up.              (Punk throws his magazine into the audience.)Wake up.  What are you waiting for?              (Punk throws the cast’s magazines one by one.  One by one the cast rises              from their chairs.)Wake up.  Wake up.  Wake up…              (PUNKgrabs PASTOR PAUL’Smagazine but PASTOR PAUL              holds onto it.  PASTOR PAULstands up and forces PUNKto sit in                 PASTOR PAUL’Schair. The magazine is thrown at PUNK.) PASTOR PAULDo not listen to that man.  Do not listen to that man.              (PASTOR PAULcloses the curtain so that the audience can no longer              see the other cast members.)Forget what you’ve just heard.  Listen to me now.  There are no punks in heaven.  That man is on a one way ticket to hell.  If you listen to that man then you will burn with that man.  You will burn with that man that punk that low life that degenerate that rebel. There are no rebels in heaven.  So you better ask yourself do you want heaven or do you want hell?  Eternal life or eternal death?  Punishment or reward?  Joy or torment?  Victory or defeat?  Do you want to live or do you want to die for all of eternity?  You decide.  Just remember it’s your own damn fault if you go to hell.  If you’re a God damned fool then you are undeserving of sympathy.  The righteous who choose heaven will not pay you a second thought.  You will be dead to us.  As an enemy of God you will be an enemy of the righteous and the righteous shall celebrate the justice of your eternal damnation.  If you know what’s good for you you’ll stay in your seat and you’ll keep your mouth shut.  Just stay put and wait for your name to be called.  That’swhat I’m going to do. You can either be like me or you can burn in hell. The choice is yours.              (PASTOR PAULexits through the curtain.  MESSENGERenters              through the curtain.) MESSENGERI know what you’re thinking.  This play doesn’t make any sense.  It’s beginning to sound like a broken record of peace and love love and peace and fuck the bullshit etc. etc. etc.  That’s what you’re thinking isn’t it?  That’s what I’d be thinking if I were you.  So what is the point of this play?  Maybe there isn’t any point to it.  Does there need to be a point? Does it have to make sense?  What’s the point of your lives?This play is not a philosophy or a theology.  This play is a question without an answer. It’s not supposed to make any sense.  It’s supposed to disturb you.  It’s supposed to challenge you to love with all your heart.  Love your lovers love your friends love your neighbors love your mothers love your fathers love your brothers love your sisters love your wives love your husbands love your sons love your daughters.  And yes.  Yes.  Love your enemies.  Not because they deserve it.  Simply because life is much more graceful when it’s lived in love.You don’t need to build a philosophy or a theology around that.  It does not require an ideology for you to hate for to kill for.  Just live it as best you can.  Live it.  Die for it if you must.  But you can not hate for it.  You can not kill for it.  Hate and war contradict love.  You can wave your philosophies and your theologies and whatever other flag you choose but in the end you either live in love or you don’t.If you speak with the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love you have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If you have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge and if you have all faith so as to remove mountains but do not have love you are nothing.  And if you give all your possessions to feed the poor and if you surrender your body to be burned but do not have love it profits you nothing. Love is patient love is kind and is not jealous love does not brag and is not arrogant does not act unbecomingly it does not seek its own is not provoked does not take into account a wrong suffered does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth bears all things believes all things hopes all things endures all things.  Love never fails but if there are gifts of prophecy they will be done away if there are tongues they will cease if there is knowledge it will be done away.Love is the greatest thing there is.  You either live in love or you don’t.  The choice is yours.              (Lights fade and Bob Marley’s “Time Will Tell” begins to play.) (BLACKOUT) (END OF ACT)