What Doesn’t Make You Strong© Theme:
Do I have a responsibility to my weaker “brother”?
Bible Reference: 1 Corinthians 8 Cast:
3 as written there would likely be three male actors, one mid teens, two early twenties, however this could easily be altered to be female
Set:
none
Costumes, lighting, sound: standard Props:
none
Time:
5 minutes
Script: Jimmie comes on stage, obviously very unhappy, sits down, after a few second Bill and Don come on stage Bill, to Jimmie:
Hey little brother!
Jimmie, hesitates to look at Bill, mumbles: Oh, hi Bill. Bill, to Don: So I said to him, “Like what’s the big deal, I mean, it’s no biggie!” Don:
Well, maybe not to you, Bill, but I just would be a little concerned that maybe what you do might be seen by others as . . .
Bill:
Give me a break Don! I mean, I look after me, it’s up to the next guy to look after himself, way I see it.
Don:
Well, don’t you think you have any responsibility for others?
Bill:
Look this is no biggie! The guys from work are all going to the bar after work, why shouldn’t I go along? Everybody knows that I have a coke when I go to the bar, doesn’t bother me, and if it bothers the guys who are drinking liquor then, way I see it, it’s their problem, not mine.
Jimmie:
That was a coke you were drinking Bill?
What Doesn’t Make You Strong© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2005
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Bill:
Yeh, everyone there knows it was a coke, some of the guys gave me a dig about having a pop in the bar, runs off me like water off a duck’s back. Like I say, no biggie to me.
Don:
Well, Bill, it’s not so much the guys from work that concern me, what if someone sees you there and doesn’t realize you are having a coke and not liquor?
Bill:
It’s up to everyone to stand on their own two hind legs, alright? No use someone trying to spoon feed someone else, they gotta make their own decisions, learn on their own, in their own way. It’s like what I always say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you strong.”
Don:
Well, maybe you are right, but it still bothers me a bit. (looks at watch) Hey, see the time, I gotta get to work! See you guys.
Don hurries off stage Jimmie:
I wish I had known that was coke.
Bill:
Look little brother, why would it matter to you what I was drinking? Besides, you weren’t there, you’re not of age to be in the bar, so what’s the biggie?
Jimmie, ashamed: Actually I was in the bar Bill. Bill, angry:
You were what? How did you get in there, you are underage. Besides, why were you in there? Do you realize what mom and dad would say if they ever found out? You are just lucky that . . .
Jimmie:
It’s not if, it’s when. I was arrested for consuming alcohol as a minor.
Bill:
You were what? What on earth would ever give you the stupid idea to do such a stupid thing?
Jimmie:
You actually, Bill.
Bill:
Hey, just one cotton-picking minute here! Just exactly how did I give you the idea to be drinking alcohol?
Jimmie:
I was in the bar with a bunch of the older guys when you and your friends came in. I kinda looked down so you wouldn’t see me.
Bill:
And you were drinking?
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Jimmie:
No, I was not, I told the guys that I wasn’t into drinking, that I wanted to be just like my older brother. Then when your table all ordered the guys said, “hey look, your big brother is drinking!” And they made fun of me until I finally gave in and ordered a drink.
Bill:
But it was coke!
Jimmie:
How was I supposed to know that from across the bar?
Bill:
Because you know that I . . . because surely you would understand that . . .
Jimmie:
How was I supposed to know, Bill?
Bill:
Don’t go blaming me, Jimmie! Everyone has to, sooner or later, stand up on his own two hind legs. I mean you gotta make your own decisions, learn on your own, in your own way. It’s like what I always say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you strong.” I mean, I did it, I came through that same . . .
Jimmie:
Bill, I am not strong like you! I try really hard to be like you, to act like you, to make the same good decisions you always make. And see, I watch you a lot, more than likely you realize. And, although I know it was stupid and weak on my part, when I saw you in the bar, I just thought . . . .
Bill:
Why was I so stupid to go in the bar? I should have known that . ..
Jimmie:
No, it’s not that, it’s just that, couldn’t you have just sat there with no drink, same as I was doing at first? Or maybe get one honkin’ big coffee cup so everyone would . . . . . Sorry, Bill, that’s unfair of me. I am blaming you for my stupidity and weakness. I guess you are right as usual . . . but in my case, I guess what didn’t make me strong killed me. I am sorry I am not strong like you Bill.
Bill:
Hey listen, it’s not you that . . .
Jimmie:
How am I gonna tell mom, dad? What am I gonna do Bill? Why did I have to go and screw up?
Jimmie bows his head, crying Bill, puts arm around Jimmie: Hey, listen, let’s us both go, explain to mom and dad what happened. We both need to apologize for bad judgement. Jimmie:
You mean you will come with me? Bill, I really . . .
What Doesn’t Make You Strong© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2005
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Bill:
Come on little brother, let’s go face the music. Together.
actors off stage
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