I wrote this play during my senior year of high school. It is available on Amazon.
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Chameleon Expression
By Josh Sanabria
Introduction
Set in a city in the present time, this play follows the spiritual transformation of a group of friends. They have stuck together despite their insecurities and doubts about their purpose in life and their beliefs. The friends are well versed in many ideologies and religions but none have taken hold. They were brought up in Christian homes but the seemingly dull or inconsistent lifestyles of their parents drove them to search elsewhere. We enter the story somewhere in a dark building where the crew is on another one of their escapades.
Act 1
Scene 1
[Scene opens to a very dark warehouse with a single light source. Jet carries a radar device with an attached flashlight. The Characters enter silently trying to sneak around. They are actively searching for something. The silence is soon broken.]
Caden: [Singing Ghost Busters Theme] “If their is something strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call?”....
Mary: Quiet!
Caden: “Who ya gonna call? Ghost busters!”
Jet: This is silly. Why am I doing this?
Mary: Because this is the only way.
[Jet rummages through a pile of junk in the corner. His feigned interest is quickly waining.]
Jet: I have a hard time believing that for some reason. Oh wait!! I know why! It’s this ridiculous thing I have on my head!
Caden: [clears throat] You’re looking for connection Jet.
Sam: Are you mocking my work Caden?
Caden: Are you mocking mine?
Sam: Oh please Caden, you’re not in 5th grade anymore. At least attempt to act your age.
Mary: You’re about 10 now right?
Caden: At least I don’t have an I.Q. of ten!
[Mary slaps Caden with a solid thud.]
Caden: Hey!
Jet: Guys, chill!! I already feel like an idiot. if we get caught doing this I’m going to feel even worse. Sam are you sure this thing even works? Is it supposed to be buzzing or something?
Sam: Buzzing? Come on man, I’m not that much of an amateur. Come here and try in this corner.
Mary: Calm down Sam, we will found it. One way or another.
Caden: I hate to be the skeptic here Mary but this entire adventure was a waste of time from the start. The last thing Jet was connected to was his Xbox.
Mary: Hold on guys lets have some faith.
[Jet interjects as he rummages though another pile of junk.]
Jet: Faith?
Mary: Yes, faith. He’s bound to find something sometime. I mean with that contraption, it’s not every day you see that! Haha LOL.
Caden: Did you just say L-O-L?
Mary: What of it?
Sam: Hey, Hey whatever guys, focus.
Mary: Sorry.
Sam: Do you see anything Jet?
Jet: What? Nah, just allot of cobwebs. This thing you built for me is kind of a joke.
Sam: Don’t blame me, I followed the instructions perfectly from the website.
[Caden starts humming Ghost Busters Theme louder this time around. Even pretending to suck up ghosts from the ceiling.]
Mary: Quiet you dork.
Caden: [In a spooky voice] Are you afraid?
Mary: You’re the one who better be afraid.
Caden: Great comeback sis.
Jet: Guys I’m done with this nonsense. Let’s get out of here.
Mary: So are we going to scratch this theory off the list?
Jet: It is probably for the best. Honestly, who believes that “the other side” can be reached with a glorified vacuum anyway?
[Everyone shrugs their shoulders, looks at each other for a second then exits the scene]
End of Act 1
Act 2
Scene 1
[The crew is sitting in a small pew in this order: Caden, Sam, then Mary. It is a large city church, where certain attendants might slip through unnoticed. The Preacher gets up and leads the congregation through service. The church scene however stays completely mute; only the main character’s voices are heard.]
Mary: [yawing] When is Jet getting here? I feel bad that last night was pretty much a disaster. It was kind of funny though, my mom asked where I was when I got home. For the first time in long time I had no idea what to tell her.
Sam: Did she scold you for being out too late?
Mary: Yea something like that. Its weird that she always asks who I’m with when it is always the you guys.
Sam: [mimicking a motherly voice, wagging her finger] And WHERE have you been young lady?
Mary: [sheepishly] on Facebook?
Sam: [laughing] Oh no!
Mary: Its not a big deal I guess. I was more frustrated that nothing really worked out.
Sam: I had my doubts too but it sounded like so much fun.
Mary: Most of the things Caden comes up with sound like fun. I feel like I’m waisting my time though.
Sam: I figure that one day we will stumble on something that makes sense. Searching for magnetic traces of the deceased was a fail- big surprise there- but I have a feeling we are getting closer.
Mary: That’s the spirit Sam.
Sam: Gracias.
[Jet slides into pew and sits next to Mary]
Jet: Hi guys.
Everyone: Hey!
Jet: Last night it took me nearly half an hour to get all the cobwebs off of me!
Sam: [chuckling] My sincere regrets. I don’t think Mary fared much better.
[Sam reaches over to pick something out of Mary’s hair.]
Mary: You see Caden! I was suffering last night.
Caden: Your just mad because for you the hairdryer might as well be a revolver.
Mary: I’m not amused.
Caden: Boom, click, boom boom!!
Jet: Chill the back burners will you Sam. I’ll be back.
Sam: Oh, that’s always fun. Hey wait, do you know where Arielle was last night?
Jet: No, that’s what I’m going to find out.
[Sam nods as Jet exits the scene.]
Sam: Hey did you guys here about what happened to The Wall?
Caden: Your Facebook wall?
Mary: No! The one with all the awesome graffiti.
[Trying to act smart, Caden begins a short impassioned speech about the wall. He obviously is talking about himself and the crew.]
Caden: It is not only a vivid display of pure art but a testament, a monument to our modern society. It is our expression of life and faith. I admire those artists.
Mary: Oh dear brother, wax on, oh eloquent brother, please continue.
Caden: [pridefully turning up his nose] Perhaps I shall.
Sam: You guys haven’t heard I’m guessing. The whole thing has been white-washed. The whole thing is gone.
Caden: Gone? White?
Caden: How?
Mary: But that’s practically sacrilegious, those thieves.
Sam: It’s gone, everything. the whole thing. I happened to see it on the news yesterday. It was part of some community clean-up project.
Mary: That really ticks me off. I just can’t handle it any longer. When will they learn to just leave our stuff alone? Is that to much to ask? We didn’t damage anything, it isn’t like that space was being used for anything anyway!
Sam: I know, I’m really angry too but Imagine what Arielle will feel. She’s the one who really took control of that project. We all played a small part compared her.
Mary: You’re right. Maybe she did find out and that’s why she wasn’t there last night?
Caden: That’s true. What should we do? Should we ask her? I’d txt her but she hates carrying around that phone for some reason.
Sam: I’m not sure yet but I don’t think that’s the best idea just yet. It could be the reason she wasn’t at the warehouse. Something has been definitely different about her. She doesn’t seem like us anymore. She doesn’t like to do the fun stuff anymore. Remember the days when you two would sneak into the gas station and steal the newspaper.
Caden: All because Jet wanted to read his precious world news. Who reads those things anymore anyway?
Mary: Ah yes, the days of the British rock bands and Indian rap.Those were the bad ol’ days. The all or nothings days when we rolled more like a gang than artists.
Caden: We weren’t cultured apparently.
Mary: You know what I mean!
Sam: Sometimes I miss those days.
Caden: I do all the time!! I feel like we had more energy, it was raw energy, raw spirit. Nothing stood in our way. I wasn’t afraid of anything back then.
[Sam starts laughing as he quietly remembers past exploits.]
Mary & Caden: What?
Sam: Just thinking; do you guys remember in 7th grade when Arielle was raking leaves up by Mrs. K’s house?
Mary: Yea!!
Sam: She was gloating over how many leaves she had raked and all this money she was going to have.
Mary: Then Caden jumps straight into the pile sending the leaves everywhere and Arielle into a rage.
Sam: She went crazy! Chasing you around trying to stab you with the rake!
Mary: He was running and yelping!
Caden: I was not yelping!!
Sam & Mary: Oh yes you were!!
Caden: Whatever, that’s nothing. Remember in elementary when Mary went down the B One!! Smarty pants here went down it with shorts in July!
Mary: Oh man, the Big One! What a rush that was. I still feel the pain.
Caden: A Scorching experience if I remember correctly.
Sam: Who makes slides out of metal anyway! Remember the constant warnings our teachers gave against going down the slide head first. Didn’t you try that too Caden?
Caden: You bet, I couldn’t let Mary have all the fun.
Sam: So many memories in that playground. I met you guys there right?
Mary: Yup, I had my first kiss there.
Caden: My first fight…
Sam: and my first friends.
[All 3 sigh]
Sam; To bad it was torn down.
Mary: Yea, along with the school. I actually liked that place. Even classes were fun back then.
Caden: Even Bible class, Ms. Berkeley was great. I wonder what ever happened to her.
Mary: Who knows, I don’t think her husband was that great of a guy. I hope things got better after we left. I heard my parents talking about her one time but that was a long time ago.
Sam: I guess she didn’t make the best choices.
Sam: Elementary was fun. I wonder what happened to Mr. Diego? I hated him the most! I still don’t get why he took PE so seriously.
Mary: That is just because you didn’t like running. I was able to indulge in Skittles without gaining a pound.
Caden: So what changed?
Mary: Excuse me nerd boy? I don’t see you doing any exercise.
Caden: [pretending to play a video game] My thumbs are in good shape!
Sam: We know Caden. I guess we just became who we were supposed to be. Sometimes I’m not sure how or why but it just happened.
Caden: Plenty of people did mold us though. I like computers and technology because of Mr. Dover. Despite the thick glasses, his laid back attitude felt familiar.
Mary: Oh yea and the fact that he is a millionaire didn’t affect you at all?
Caden: That is just a healthy bonus. I did like the way his BMW roared to life. I must have asked him a dozen times to give me a ride in it.
Mary: Mrs. Barrett was my favorite. The way she spoke about the world captured my imagination. Ever since then I can’t get the thought of traveling and exploring the globe out of my mind. To see the mountains of Nepal and the valleys of France, exploring their culture. I can’t wait!
Sam: I want to teach at Oxford University, be the head of the English department. Be well respected and instruct the world on the correct grammar usage down to the most minuet detail.
[pause]
Mary & Caden & Sam: Whatever!!!
Sam: No way! I want to go live on Broadway!
Caden: OK Shakespeare, leave some limelight for the rest of us!
Mary: We are a diverse crowd aren’t we?
Sam: Yes, I guess you could say that.
Mary: I suddenly have an urge to hear Jet play his guitar.
Caden: You mean his air guitar!
[Caden and Sam laugh while imitating Jet on his air guitar]
Mary: Hey!! I think it’s awesome he likes music.
Sam: Obviously, were not disagreeing with you. The question though, is whether he can actually play. I’m sure he was Hendrix in another life.
Caden: Remember those times he made us join in just so he could look like a real band leader. He always gets really intense about it too! I guess it’s kind of Arielle’s fault. She is into all that choir stuff. Honestly, I cant believe she is still in the church choir. The only reason I come here is for you guys.
Sam: Yea me too. I think the last time I really enjoyed it was after all those disasters with Pathfinders. That model rocket badge was mine!
Mary: You're just mad because Caden built a better rocket.
Caden: Wait! Are you defending me?
Mary: Don’t get used to it!
Caden: I knew it, my twin actually likes me! Yes!
Sam: I ended up using mine to distract that guy at the 7 Eleven gas station. Wasn’t his name Moe?
Mary: I don’t remember but I think it was something silly like that.
Sam: Remember how we shot it from across the street straight into the window? It was a good thing the window didn’t break or else it could have gotten messy really fast.
Caden: That was the most intense heist ever!! He seriously thought his store was under attack!!!
Sam: All the screaming! All the blood!
Caden: That’s just because I had to go and slice my finger cutting open the crates. I remember we only got away with half of what we went for. Jet almost peed when the rocket went off and the clerk Moe grabbed him. He claims he was about knock him out but you know how that goes!
Sam: I’d do that all again!
Mary: Wait! Where was I during all this?
Caden: You were chatting up that French guy that came to visit his grandparents. What was his name?
Mary: Ah yes, my middle school love, Laurence. What a sweet talker he was. That accent could melt my little heart.
Caden: Alright alright, enough drooling for today.
Mary: Just because you don’t have a soft touch, you don’t have to be jealous. You think its all about one liners and antics.
Caden: James Bond uses one liners and smooth antics.
Mary: And you are James Bond? I don’t see you fighting to save the world.
Caden: Everyone wants a superman. If my girl doesn’t like Xbox, then she doesn’t deserve to have me.
Mary: Alright Caden, go search for her then.
[Caden Pouts his lips as he declares his resilience.]
Caden: I think I might! Thank you.
[The service begins to come to a close. The group quickly realizes that Jet and Arielle have missed the entire service.]
Sam: I wonder what happened to Jet?
Mary: It’s not like him to just run off. Something must be wrong.
Caden: I know one thing for sure, I can’t wait to get out of here. The carpet is starting to eat at my shoes, and the preacher seemed extra weary today. Plus, its such a nice day, who wants to be here?
Mary: I really want to go see the wall after this.
Sam: What’s left of it at least.
Caden: I cant believe that happened. It wasn’t bothering anyone. It wasn’t even obscene or anything!! They probably destroyed it because they know we go there!
Sam: What ever the reason, their is only one thing we can do.
Mary and Caden: Paint it again!
[Church is ending the crew gets up, Sam begins to speak indigently, shaking his fist against an imagined imperialistic overlord.]
Sam: Right! We cannot let our voice be muted! We are not to be cast away into the midst of the city scene; subdued or smothered! No!! Fight we must, fight we shall! Onward to reclaim our lands, defeat the hordes, conquer the vandals, and squash the unrighteous! To your swords and spray cans, let us reclaim our concrete canvas!
Mary: Wax on, my dear Shakespeare, wax on!
End of Scene 1
Scene 2
[Arielle is walking towards stage right slowly and undirected, Jet sees her and runs to catch up. They stop walking and turn towards a nearby bench.]
Jet: Arielle! Wait up. What is going on? We should be back at church with the rest of the crew. Is something wrong?
Arielle: Oh hey Jet, I just needed some time to get away. You know, to think,
Jet: Thinking about what?
[Both sit down, Arielle crosses her legs and puts them on the bench. She lets out a half hearted chuckle as she begins to explain.]
Arielle: Yea, thinking about stuff. You know me, I just want to figure everything out. I’ve just felt lately that things are not the same.
Jet: Between you and me?
Arielle: No no, with life. Maybe I’m saying in backwards. Things are the same and that’s the problem.
Jet: I don’t understand.
Arielle: It’s just every now and then I wonder if all those conquests and glories that we talk about are even real. I know right now, in “church” the crew is reminiscing about the “good old days’. When we had no responsibilities and just searched for another situation to exploit. We were just looking for another high.
But honestly, what good ol’ days are they talking about? When Caden was almost arrested or when you almost got beat up? What about the times when our parents cried when they got call after call from the principle. Who remembers that?!
I do, I remember. I’ve been too scared to mention it or even bring it up to you guys.
Jet: But those days are over, we are not like that anymore. You know that.
Arielle: Are you sure about that Jet? I’m not even sure I can trust you with all this.
Jet: Why can’t you trust me?
Arielle: I’m just not sure who I can trust anymore.
Jet: The only thing I ever do any more is cheat on tests every so often, big deal. Who doesn’t do that sometimes? Plus, its all busywork and doesn’t deserve my energy anyway. Otherwise I’m a good guy. You just don’t want admit that you meddle around too.
Arielle: I’m not saying I’m innocent!
Jet: Arielle calm down. Let’s just think for a moment. I’ve done it for years, you’ve done it for years, we all have and we are all fine. OK, so maybe we stole in the past but that is done with. Maybe we have cheated, but that's normal. Its not like we are committing huge crimes here.
Arielle: I know Jet but that isn’t even what I’m really talking about.
Jet: So what are you talking about then?
Arielle: I’m talking about how I feel in my soul. When was the last time you paid attention in church? When was the last time you paid respect to anyone? I was thinking to myself about all those years spent in the church pew. Sure I can name a few verses or tell you some stories but what is the use of it all?
[Jet looks on in silence]
Jet: What has been the use?
Arielle: Right now, nothing.
Jet: Maybe it really wasn’t as important as everyone claimed.
Arielle: Why? Because Sam says so with Ayn Rand in one hand and a prayer bead the other. I’m shrugging Jet. Shrug, shrug, shrug; big whoop. When was the last time we actually ever stood up for something?
I’m not looking for the easy way out Jet. I just want truth and the last time I felt that was when I was praying.
Jet: To who?
Arielle: To Jesus, to God.
[Jet is stunned, his head recoils and his eyes squint. Arielle looks at him with a new found confidence.]
Jet: What is happening to you? Just a month ago you could cuss out any one of us. “Stay sane and don’t complain” was your motto. Now start to doubt yourself?
Arielle: But I’m gaining trust in someone who never doubted me! Even though we were born only 17 years ago He was thinking about our lives an eternity ago. These are not just my questions either. It is what we have all been looking for. All these years we have been searching for that elusive gift: a reason. A reason to wake up, a reason to love, and reason to believe.
Jet: What if I have found a reason?!
Arielle: What reason would that be? We have tried so many different ideas and none have lasted for more than a week. So what is it today, scanning for dead people or somehighbrow philosophy?
Don’t you see? We have been complicating things this entire time. Christianity is not that hard. We don’t have to pray ten times a day or wear silly hats, we don’t have to erect any statues or burn incense, nothing. It’s all about faith and relationship. It’s unlike anything else we’ve tried before. We don’t even have to go anywhere to find it?
Jet: Oh yea? And just what is around here.
Arielle: God is everywhere! That’s the entire point, it’s amazing.
[Jet scowls]
Arielle: He doesn’t need to be hailed or waited for, He exists and always will. It’s not a contract, it’s a promise. We always assumed it was a “look”, something to be worn. When it fact it is a life style. I believe what we have been striving for and it has been right in front of us this entire time!
Jet: What makes you think this lifestyle is what we are looking for?
Arielle: We all yearn for relationship and that is what God has offered again and again. Sure, we search for it different ways but the core is the same. A vigorous life where we all feel our part in it is appreciated.
[Jet stares into space not looking at Arielle, he then turns and begins to speak softly and not arrogantly.]
Jet: How do you know God and church is right for us?
Arielle: Because I have faith that God has been searching for us all our lives. He hasn’t changed or become shallow. He was persistent despite our wandering.
As for church, that funny building we have been going to forever, it had more to say than we thought.
It is that place where the heater is always going haywire and the congregation can’t sing. It is that place that provided us with what should have been a foundation in Christ. Of all places it slipped our minds in our search for truth and happiness. Perhaps because we thought it was mundane, nothing took hold. I always assumed we were only there for our parents but now I understand something I never had before.
The point was to show us that God wants his followers to lead his work here on earth. He chose people with pains and problems so that we could learn to accept and work together. We always grouched about the hypocrisy but we were the prime examples. We downgraded principles to anecdotes and later ignored them entirely. We enjoyed debating what it meant to be “real” or to be “alive”, when in fact we did very little for the lives of real people. People who were in need and now we find that we are the ones in need. Who is here to lead us, to guide us? Our vision is hazy at best, blind at worst.
Jet: I always assumed we would find out what everything meant before reaching this point.
[Arielle stares at Jet, she speaks softly and calmly. She rests her arm on the bench, her hand cupping her cheek. Her excitement is hard to contain as she speaks of a future with Christ.]
Arielle: Jet?
Jet: Yea?
Arielle: I want you to be there Jet with Mary, Caden, and Sam. I want my parents, yours, and all my friends from school. Even that homeless guy Marc and his roadside band! I want them all to be there in Heaven. So we can all enjoy a new life and a new chance. The bad and lonely times will be a distant memory. When this is all over I want to be able to say “For I reckon that the sufferings of this world cannot compare to the glory that will be shown to us”
Jet: Arielle.
Arielle: Yes Jet?
Jet: I believe. I don’t know why but I’ve felt many of the same doubts and have always been afraid to entertain the possibility that He [points to the sky] was the answer. I’ve fought hard against it but even I am at my limit. I too want purpose.
End of Scene 2
End of Act 2
Act 3
Scene 1
[Stage starts out black, “Imagine” by John Lennon starts playing from a keyboard, lights come on. In the background is a whitewashed wall with obvious paint streaks. Standing in the center of the stage is Marc playing the keyboard. on his left is Sarah and on his right is Cambria. While they are performing, a few people drop money into a hat next to Marc.]
Marc: Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
[Upon closing the song Marc yawns and puts the keyboard to the side. With slight chagrin he looks at the hat.]
Marc: I’m tired. Wow, we are cleaning up today. I swear guys once we get our record off the ground-
Sarah: -we still will only manage to slide by.
Marc: [laughs] Don’t you have any faith in the gods of music?
Sarah: And who would they be?
Marc: I only remember a few, I know Apollo the Greek god is one.
Sarah: Oh yes, how could I forget?
Marc: You’ll never learn.
Sarah: Go get inspired Hermes!
Marc: Apollo!
Sarah: Whatever!
[Sarah walks away pretending to be angry. Marc turns his attention to the white wall behind him]
Marc: What happened here? I remember this wall being allot different.
Cambria: Who knows? We were gone one day and we came back to this.
Marc: I’m getting depressed just looking at it. It was probably one of those stupid “community development projects.” Why do they waist their time? I know this wasn’t mine but I still feel so angry, almost furious. It’s not like it was hurting anyone. The people who destroyed it will pay.
Sarah: And who are “They”?
Marc: The people who say they want to change the world but when they dream of revolutions their plans can be blown over with a whisper. The people who roam the streets looking for hypocrites when they can find what they seek within themselves.
Sarah: Who are you to judge?!
[In shock, Cambria & Marc exchange glances]
Marc: Why do you defend the guilty?
Sarah: Calm yourself down your not a very righteous person yourself. You haven’t authorized any revolutions and your wallet is empty just like everyone else’s.
Cambria: Oh chill out.
Sarah: No! I’m tired of listening to you criticize others. I don’t like how the whole purpose of your music is to glorify chaos! I’m tired of you judging the people around us.
Just last weak you rejected food from those Christian kids, because you said it had been blessed by other idols. I’m pretty sure Christianity renounces idols Marc!
[Marc starts laughing under his breath because he has heard this before.]
Sarah: What is so funny?!
Marc: Sarah, I know you. You’re hiding something.
Sarah: What makes you say that?
Marc: You would never get this mad at me unless you did something I wouldn’t approve of.
[Disappointed that she has been discovered so quickly, Sarah relinquishes the information easily.]
Sarah: Fine, maybe you’re right. I invited that man back here, the guy from Pathfinders. I want see what he says about all this.
[Sarah points at wall.]
Marc: Why? What could he help us with? He doesn’t own any record companies. Plus, isn’t his name is Moe? He looks more like a crazy person than I do. He’s always wearing orange and laughing. I hate that guy! I swear, if he enters with “Yo, yo, yo the name’s Moe!” I might have to shank him.
Sarah: You’re not going to be shanking anyone. He is bigger than you anyway. I just want to see what happens. He plays piano and guitar too, maybe you’ll hit it off.
Marc: I doubt it. How about this, he can come if you stop acting weird.
Sarah: OK, OK.
[Sarah begins to walk away then looks back to say more but doesn’t. She sits at the opposite of the stage tuning a guitar. Cambria turns to Marc and whispers.]
Cambria: Why did you allow her to convince you? I don’t want him here either. He might start asking questions and that is the last thing we need right now.
Marc: Look Cambria, it is just easier this way. If I had said no she would have continued to bother me about it. He will come and go and that will be the end of it. Nothing has to happen and I will make sure he doesn’t ask any questions. Let’s just humor her, she will get over all of this soon enough.
Cambria: If you say so.
[Out of another alley Sam, Mary, and Caden burst into the scene]
Caden: Hey, hey, hey look who it is!
Marc, Cambria, & Sarah: Hey!
[Caden turns towards white wall and jumps back in surprise. He walks up to it, putting his hands of the rough surface he tries to scratch a bit off but soon realizes it is futile.]
Sam: It almost deserves a moment of silence.
Caden: You weren’t lying Sam. This sucks.
Sam: It’s much more than that my friends, much more.
[All turn to face Mary, who is running her fingers across the wall]
Mary: Yes, much more. What made them decide that our wall was to be next for “city beautification?” Was it not beautiful already? Our artwork was pure expression, it defined the difference between us and society's philistines. It showed our yearning and diligence in our search for faith. But no, they feel we are too simple. Perhaps we are chameleons in the world’s forest, changing on a whim to the pop culture hue. I want to stand out! But I just don’t know where to stand. I want to go home.
[Mary begins to cry. Sam goes to her, puts his arm around her. He points first at her mind then at her heart. He looks at her with his distinctive grin, eager to explain this great mystery. Caden begins to notice how Sam is manipulating Mary. He grows angrier with every word from Sam.]
Sam: We have found truth. Have you forgotten what I taught you? The truth is in one’s self! It comes from the balance and harmony of your spirit.
Marc: I agree with him. This world is overrun with people who believe in something out “there” just as a device to escape reality.
Sam: It is very easy Mary, just repeat after me. Reason is my domain, I am my king, and I will overcome.
[Whispering and mumbling to herself Mary takes Sam’s advice.]
Mary: Reason is my domain, I am my king, and I will overcome. Reason is my domain, I am my king, and I will overcome.
[Sam now takes center stage. His voice is bold and straightforward, Sam has been waiting for this day when he could finally strike the Achilles heal of his life: doubt. His speech is half to convince himself and half to reassure his friends.]
Sam: Good now just keep saying that. I know this a blow to all of us but their is no reason to fear it. Part of being human is the ability to overcome; to conquer something, to push past it by using the strength that is within all of us. If nothing else, millions of years of evolution has installed that fighting spirit in us.
We are only on this road together because we chose to be but in the end, the responsibility lies inside yourself. Right now we have no reason to worry, we are safe and the wall can be repainted. How about let’s just come back in the morning. It will give me time to think about what we should do first. What do you say crew?
[Caden blurts out against Sam. He senses that Sam is trying to take over. Caden, who has never been the leader makes a desperate attempt to prove his point.]
Caden: Knock it off!
Sam: What are you talking about?
Caden: You think you’re so smart with your philosophies and all those books you read!
Sam: I at least try to find the answers we are looking for! What are you doing Caden? Don’t be a child, be a man.
Caden: You claim to be a great leader? Every turn, every path we have taken just to please you has lead us from bad to worse. We had questions but you had motives Sam!
Sam: Motives? I had to take charge of our future!
Caden: Maybe it is more simple? Maybe you’re just jealous!
Sam: Jealous?! Jealous of who, you? You’re a little brat who still makes fart jokes and carries on like a child? I don’t think so buddy.
Caden: I’m the one who is childish? You fill your head with fairy tales. Mantras? Really Sam, that’s the best you could do? I don’t think talking to yourself counts as wisdom.
Sam: First of all Caden, it’s not talking to yourself. It’s emptying yourself so that you can be connected. What do you think the whole purpose of meditation is? We are purging our minds so that we can reach a state of peace.
Caden: When you’ve reached this state of peace and your mind is empty, who comes in?
[Jet & Arielle enter quietly and try to asses the situation. They stay in the far corner and do not see the white-washed wall.]
Sam: Who comes in?!
Caden: Your being fooled Sam!
[Sam rushes toward Caden, grabs his shoulders throws him on the ground. Caden begins to yell and swing at Sam but is not strong enough to fend him off. Jet rushes towards them and quickly pushes Sam off
Jet: Animals! What are you doing?!
[As Jet is about to question the two boys again his eyes catch the the white wall. He slowly walks towards it as if he had just lost a great friend. He shakes is head in disbelief; glancing at the others he wonders if they knew this had happened. Sam and Caden continue to glare at each other but their moment has passed. Arielle runs to stand next to Jet. Their ragtag style is in perfect contradiction to the lifeless wall.]
Cambria: It’s like they’ve lost a child or something. I don’t get them, they are too religious about all this stuff.
Sarah: Maybe it is religious but what is wrong about that? For them it’s not just about subtle hints or even booming arguments. It’s different, it’s about the warmth of truth. Truth is the flame that gathers people around its heat; this wall, this simple wall, was their flame and it just went out.
End of Scene 1
Scene 2
[Marc, Cambria, and Sarah are once again sitting by themselves. They are playing cards on the street by the wall. Poker chips are neatly stacked next to each player. The competition is always tense.]
Sarah: That was terrible yesterday.
Cambria: Yea it was, I have never seen Jet so freaked out. Couldn’t he see that coming though? The city does stuff like this all the time. They are always getting intense about graffiti and things like that.
Sarah: He’ll be alright, I know he is a smart guy and the pain will pass with time.
Cambria: I know, I know, what gets me is the way he looked at that wall like it was alive. It had breath to him.
Sarah: It was a symbol to them.
Cambria: I know it’s a symbol. But it’s dead, It’s nothing now. Look at me, now I’m talking like them. Let’s just play.
Marc: That’s a good idea. I’m tired of being so sentimental. Let’s focus here, we are not playing Go Fish.
[Marc begins to toss a blue chip into the pile as Moe breaks onto the scene. Jolly and joyful as usual Moe is nimble despite his size. He is dressed in his orange hoodie uniform, pronouncing his entrance with typical flare. He smile is contagious and his energy fools whomever he talks to into being happy, even if it just for a moment.]
Moe: YO YO YO THE NAME’S MOE!
[Marc crushes his Doritos as Moe surveys the scene.]
Moe: How are you guys this fine day? Oh no, what happened here?!
Sarah: Moe! Come sit down and play some poker with us.
Marc: You do know how to play right?
Moe: Yea of course man, who do you think I am? I used to play this game all the time when I was young..
Marc: You played poker?
Moe: Of Course! I grew up with four brothers and two sisters. We had all sorts of crazy things going on! Gambling for pillows became a necessity!
[Everyone starts laughing and even Marc begins to relax.]
Sarah: Well their aren’t many pillows here either.
Moe: Yes but their isn’t bloodshed either. My house was vicious, I was lucky to be the oldest and the biggest one!
Cambria: Are you going to check?
Moe: Yup.
Marc: I’m in, you?
Sarah: Of course!
Moe: I’m raising the stakes here.
[Moe tosses in two blue chips. Marc, not to be outdone, starts to get into it]
Marc: That’s all you got?
Moe: Are you scared?
Marc: Petrified.
Moe: So what is the deal with this white wall. I could have sworn it had some pictures or something on it the last time I was here.
Marc: These guys we know have been painting it for the last few months. It was pretty sick, they put allot into it. But sometime last week the city painted over it all. They have this lame new city beautification project going on. It’s more like an inquisition. They have destroyed allot of good artwork in the past month.
Sarah: I really loved it because it had a woman in front. Their was a strong light shining on her white dress. In the back was just a crazy mess of colors and patterns. They told us it represented the confusion and disorder of the world. But the woman stood there unfazed and perfect. Her eyes were looking at a reflection beneath. It was hard at first to tell who it was but it was her. She searched inward because she believed she was beautiful. It was sad though because no matter how hard she looked, she was still disappointed.
Moe: You got all of that from a picture?
Sarah: Of course. It made sense to me when the artists explained it.
Cambria: I never understood it myself. I think Jet was too focused on trying to be deep.
Moe: Jet?
Sarah: He is basically the leader of the group. He is pretty cool guy. Do you know him?
Moe: No, his name just sounded familiar. Sorry for interrupting, keep going.
Sarah: I think what they were trying to do was to show the need we have to believe in something. It was painting of that search.
Cambria: When they saw it had be painted over they acted like they had lost a child.
Sarah: I’m not even sure if they are looking for a god to believe in. I think they expect to find something different. Not so much a god but a place or a reason. I’ve heard them say that when people look to the heavens for answers they will only find either themselves or a thought. They exist for their own reason and not because of a creator. Their point in life is to live for the search while never compromising the self.
Moe: Where did they get these ideas?
Sarah: Oh knows, I think it mostly came from being unhappy or feeling empty. They all grew up together, that is pretty much all I know. I think their parents go to a Christian church near here.
[Never one to lose control of the conversation, Marc tries to lighten the mood by teasing Sarah.]
Marc: Have you met our local philosopher?
Sarah: Hey! I was smart before I ran away from home! I read books and stuff.
Marc: Just calm down, I’m not putting you down or nothing.
Sarah: I’m tired of being here Marc!
Marc: Whoa! Where did that come from?!
Sarah: It has been almost 4 weeks since we left our homes! Do you think I’m going to stay here forever holding on to your promises of how the “gods of music” will bless us? And what happens in the winter Marc?
Marc: Hey, I have kept us alive for this long! Statistically we should probably be dead already. So the honeymoon is over, big whoop. We all knew this was going to be hard. But is it as hard as being back “there”? I don’t think so.
With this music stuff, I’m going to make us famous no matter what I have to do. Whether that involves praying to a spaghetti monster with eight arms or even praying to myself, it’s going to happen!
Moe: Should I leave?
Sarah: No please stay. I’ll stop.
[Marc calms down, while Moe just stares at them]
Moe: I don’t know a whole lot of stuff about philosophies or about spaghetti monsters but I do know-
Marc: -Moe, please, spare me the lecture. OK? I came from a home that tried to find happiness in religion and they came up short. First my father teaches me all this garbage about “staying true” and then he’s out drinking and messing around? That sounds like sincerity.
I’m not about to resurrect his path or even try to fix his problems, I just want to get famous! Do you get the picture Moe? I’m shallow! I want the riches of the world, I want the fame, I want the spotlight. Soon my band, with my song will be on top. I’ll be recognized on the street instead of shunned. I honestly don’t care how I get there but I’m getting there.
Moe: You believe you are greedy person don’t you?
[Marc looks up Moe. His eyes convey a childish frustration]
Marc: I just said that I do!
Moe: We all have egos man, that’s not new; obviously you don’t bring it up when accepting an award or something but it’s nothing that isn’t forgivable.
Marc: What do you mean by “forgivable?” Who said anything about forgiving?
Moe: Chill out Marc, I’m just telling you that you aren’t alone with this problem.
Marc: You see, their you go again! I didn’t say I had a problem.
Sarah: But we all do Marc! You may be wrapped up in denial but it doesn’t change the fact! If anything it just adds to the issue.
Marc: If you are trying to get me to be all emotional over my past, it’s not going to work. I’ve stopped caring about all that stuff.
Moe: God never stopped caring for you Marc.
Marc: You better never say that again Moe. I didn’t want you here in the first place and now I almost loath your presence entirely. I don’t want my father’s religion, I made that choice a long time ago. So unless you’re going to keep playing poker, just shut up.
Moe: But it’s not your father’s. He was a fake. People who are fakes are the greatest distress to anything. They trick people and shape shift all over the place. Then people like you and me see it and assume that everyone else is a sham too. Belief in something changes you from the core.
Marc: His was just a show.
Moe: And how many other people have you given a chance?
Marc: It doesn’t matter!
[Marc leaps to his feet tossing cards and throwing chips everywhere. He circles around the stage, first staring at the wall then at Moe, Sarah, and Cambria sitting down.]
Moe: Marc, everyone is plagued by a bad influence somewhere. I believe false Christians hurt God’s image more than anything else ever could. I think it’s because we have a deep desire to believe but then we see the inconsistencies and we feel duped. So we run from everything, expecting the world to give us a new fix. What your father did was not God’s will. It was him following his sinful thoughts, it is the absence of God that made him do that! God wants to have his own relationship with you. Not the one you had, or didn’t have, with your father.
Marc: I think you’re just pulling things out of thin air to sound smart. What struggles have you been through?!
Moe: More than you know!
Marc: Oh, the jolly orange giant has had struggles?
Moe: I’ve heard that one before! I came from a family of eight. With my parents being illegal immigrants I never went to college and really was lucky to go to school at all! After my family got settled, I ended up working at our convenience store. My life was going nowhere! I worked 12 hours a day, 5am to 5pm! That was my life, day in day out.
I never really believed in anything or had any big goals. Sure, I had dreams but I never knew how to pursue them. As for my faith, we had our family beliefs but I felt disconnected from them. They were just traditions passed down to my parents. I didn’t know where they came from. Even though I thought my parents were good people I was alone in my mind. I had this creeping feeling of emptiness. But something happened that changed all of that! It is a pretty ridiculous story actually. I never thought I would find the answers to my questions because of it.
Sarah: What happened?
Moe: My store was robbed in broad daylight! I was checking off our supplies when I heard a loud pop and one of the customers screaming, “terrorists, terrorists!” I ran out to see what was happening just as one of the scoundrels took my keys from the counter, snuck into the back and stole sodas! But I caught one of the punks! When I grabbed him he had this look of complete panic! He started kicking and screaming and then he bit my hand! But I got his name when one of his friends yelled, “Jet! Escape quick!”
Marc, Sarah, and Cambria: Jet?!
Moe: Yea! I let go of him for a second after he bit me and he ran off! But they forgot one thing! I found a piece of the rocket! A little blue shard was cracked and burnt but I could still read the tiny sticker just before it melted.
Cambria: What did it say?
Moe: It said Pathfinders!
Marc and Sarah: Pathfinders?! What!
Moe: Yea and that’s where I searched to find those thieves. I looked up Pathfinders and found out it was some church club for kids and teenagers. So I went to all the churches that had this group!
[At that moment Jet, Arielle, Sam, Caden, and Mary burst in holding spray cans and brushes. Laughing and pushing each other playfully they come over to the poker game to see who is winning. In amazement and bewilderment at what Moe has just said Marc, Sarah, and Cambria are quiet.]
Mary: Hey guys!
Marc, Cambria, & Sarah: Hey.
[Marc, Cambria, & Sarah look at Moe and start nudging their heads towards Jet. Finally out of desperation, Cambria whispers to Moe.]
Cambria: That’s him Moe.
Moe: Who, what do you mean?
Cambria: The guy carrying the bag of spray paint is Jet. He is the one you caught!
[Before Moe can wrap his mind around the situation Sarah blurts out her thoughts.]
Sarah: Hey guys come over here, there is someone you should meet!
Jet: What’s up?
[Sarah nudges Moe to stand up. He stands with his face away from Jet. His hands are shaking slightly as the last few years run through his mind. After a brief moment Moe turns with determination despite his fear. Jet recognizes him immediately.]
Jet: Moe? Hey man that was a long time ago! I wasn’t-
Moe: -Its alright, its alright. It doesn’t matter anymore. I should be thanking you.
[Jet gives an awkwardly perplexed glance to his friends.]
Jet: What do you mean?
Sarah: He found a piece of the rocket you guys used!
Jet: The rocket?! I knew that was a piece of junk! But we stole from you and terrorized your customers why would you be thanking us?
Moe: Because of what you guys did, I found out about Pathfinders and God.
Arielle: Pathfinders?
Jet: It had a sticker, the rocket had a sticker on it didn’t it?!
Moe: It had a sticker. A big blue sticker that gave you away.
Jet: Then how come you didn’t track us down?
Moe: I tried! That was my mission for weeks. I looked in every church I could find. I knew your name Jet because of one of your friends. It is ironic but I found something completely different than what I was looking for.
Jet: You found Pathfinders? I’m not sure how much of a success that is.
Moe: It wasn’t just Pathfinders. I found a community that had truth, stability and purpose. I hated living without any idea of what I wanted to do with my life. When you guys broke in I fell apart. I wanted revenge more than anything else. I didn’t know who exactly you were but I strove to find you.
[Sam and Marc roll their eyes as the group gets pulled further into the story.]
Jet: You found truth? But in Pathfinders, in all that organized religion stuff?
Moe: Organized religion is a term created by people who want to argue against embodied believers. They get hung up over the thought of being “left behind” when they are the ones responsible for being alone.
Sam: This is all lies! You just need something like that to feel important! You need churches and sermons!
Moe: I follow God, not other people! The point of church is that you are worshipping together so you can support each other when you have questions. Think about Matthew 18:19 when it talks about two people praying together.
Sam: Whatever, the point is you have belief in something without reason!
Moe: Without reason? Do you think Jesus was a simpleton?
Sam: Jesus taught a long time ago. I don’t live in Israel and you don’t either. We are talking about now, the 21st century. I can find any information I want almost instantly. The great thinkers of our age have taught us something different than Jesus did. I live for myself and the betterment of myself. The second-handers who need religion are from a different era. They hold on to a outdated and bloated ideology.
Mary: What is a second-hander?
Sam: It is a person who can’t stand on his own two feet. He needs to have some illogical connection to something. Usually it is a ‘god’ that is over everything. Nothing presides over me. All our accomplishments have been achieved by man and man alone: skyscrapers, boats, rockets; we are the new ruling party of this earth. The words we speak are the only code that we live by. I’m not indebted to anyone or anything!
Moe: If you were in every frame of time since the beginning, then tell me how a human soiled with sin created the heavens and the earth? Did you call up the air that gives us life. These are not new questions, surely you have an answer.
Sam: Science can explain everything!
Moe: Science was a gift from God so we could begin to understand him. He blessed us with the chance to explore our world and search his intricacies. We’ve been fooled to think that God and science can’t coexist.
Sam: Their you go being a second-hander. Let’s get out of here Marc!
[Arielle runs to the wall, grabs some spray paint and writes “God loves you!”]
Arielle: Sam! Look at this. This is love without reason. We don’t deserve it!
Sam: Believe whatever you want, I’m not with you and these ideas. If you want to follow foolish ideas and turn towards religion then that is your choice!
Arielle: But that’s just it! It was illogical for us to leave when the answer was right in front of us the entire time. We ignored it for years but now I’m ready to listen for once. Just give it a chance Sam.
Sam: Your failing me by ignoring everything I have taught you! Don’t crawl back to me when this proves to be a failure.
Caden: Sam, please man. Just give her a chance. Let’s try it. You know we have tried everything else.
Arielle: We won’t be crawling back Sam. Not this time.
Sam: Then I’m afraid this is goodbye. Let’s get out of here Marc.
Marc: I’m not going Sam.
Sam: What the hell are you saying Marc?
Marc: I’ve tried a lot of different things: books, chants, idols; everything that was thrown at me I took in. I’m tired of that nonsense. You always expected their to not be a god at all, while the rest of us were searching for a god. We always knew something was out there but their were so many options. I’m willing to try with Jesus.
Sam: Fine, go on and wave your banner. Just don’t expect me to help you carry it.
[Sam walks away quickly as Arielle begins to cry softly. Jet walks over to comfort her. The rest of the crew stands awkwardly waiting for something to break the silence.]
Jet: It’s all right, He will come back.
Arielle: No he won’t.
[Marc, realizing his decision, turns to Moe. His face reveals a deep seated anxiety.]
Marc: So you found truth? But what is it?
Moe: Its so simple many people miss it.
Marc: But what is it?
Moe: It is the Lord calling you. Your search for faith was him calling you home! A beacon that stayed with you through your life.
Arielle: It was there when we were in grade school, when we hung out at the church, and all those youth meetings we skipped!
Caden: But all it was religious jumble that I never understood.
Arielle: Maybe it’s because we were so distracted by everything else. We definitely distracted each other. Then it went to weird things, concepts and people we didn’t understand. We assumed they had the answers. We didn’t need church for superstitions, we forced many of our silly ideas on ourselves. We have been that way since I last remember! Our saving grace was our friendship. It was our strongest bond, we were always together causing mischief. Without our friendship things would have been worse. But who do you think invented friendship? God brought us together because he knew we wouldn’t be able to survive alone.
Moe: God isn’t about flying solo. What he wants most is a relationship with everyone of us. You have said yourself that friendship is the most important thing to you. That’s who God is, a friend. Where we get scared is when things happen that He did not intend. Tragedy is an inescapable part of life. It is because of our empathy for others that we feel pain when we see suffering. Now imagine that God is witnessing all of our pain! Anyone else would crumble but he sent his son Jesus to fix the problem. Through his sacrifice, all of our mistakes and sins can be cleansed!
Mary: What about me, who just ignored him?
Moe: Everyone can accept his offer.
Cambria: I am tired of always being on the run. I was always unsure if there was someone watching over us. He does watch over us right?
Moe: Yes, the Lord is with you all the time. He is right now and everywhere else!
Cambria: How does that make sense though? Will he be with me after you leave?
Moe: Yes of course. He will never leave you. He has been with you since you were born. He cares about you. Jesus isn’t tide down to our ideas of place or time. By trying to put God into a box, we attempt to make him “human sized”. Something that is impossible.
Cambria: What if I ran away from home?
Sarah: -and said I never wanted to go back?
Moe: Yes, even then. He is a merciful God, he understands us, he is sad when we fall short but he still carries you and supports your dreams. God is not barbaric or harsh. He isn’t waiting for you to mess up or fall. His is a father to the fatherless.
Sarah: What about Sam? Does he love Sam too?
Moe: Yes, He loves Sam.
Mary: But Sam doesn’t believe in God. Sam, is different. He hasn’t believed in anything besides himself in years.
Moe: People like Sam put up many barriers to the truth. Whether from certain books or media, their minds have been poisoned. It becomes more difficult for their minds to perceive the Lord reaching out to them. I used to read some of those things too. I was intrigued how selfishness was almost a virtue and being loyal to every whim of your conscience was considered right.
Mary: But is their hope for him?
Moe: Of course! God knows Satan’s tricks. Satan fell because of pride and he wants to take as many people as he can. Even though God knows it will take more to reach Sam, he still loves him.
Caden: What if God decided not to have me, for some reason he didn’t want me following him. What if everything about me was so broken that no one could fix it? What then?
Moe: He mends the broken bones and the tender wounds, no one is too broken. The enemy has only tricked you into thinking that. God’s family is always open.
Cambria: How can we get him to accept us into his family?
Moe: It’s easy. Pray and talk to him.
Caden: I have forgotten how to pray.
Moe: Then pray with me.
[They kneel down and put their arms around each other. Moe begins to pray. His voice is quivering as he feels the gravity of the situation. The crew is nervous but hopeful.]
Moe: Lord, you know every one of these guys and girls. You know what they have been through and the emptiness they have felt. That is why they went searching Lord. They went away but now they want to try your way. Bring them back into your family Lord. Help them so they can understand your love for them. Also Lord, help Sam who has hardened his heart towards you. I don’t know what is on his mind but you do. Give him understanding so he will know where to find you. We pray these things in your name, amen.
[They all raise their heads and look at each other. Moe starts laughing and Arielle joins in. The crew smiles and hugs each other as they begin to stand up. With a new found vigor they all look at each other expectantly.]
Sarah: What do we do now?
Moe: Let’s go tell the world!
[They exchange glances then run off stage to tell of the good news of Jesus Christ.]
The End