When You Are Facing the Fire© In whom or what do you put your trust? Are you relying too heavily on things of this world that could let you down? Why not put your life in the hands of the One who will never fail? Keywords: trust rely faith failure Cast: This drama will involve 4 firefighters. Tom, Bernie, and Rick have been firemen for many years, (and this may reflect in their age), and Joey is a brand new recruit. Props / Set: All the firemen should be in their full fireman uniforms. Sound / Lighting: No special sound or lighting will be necessary.
Script: Scene opens as Tom, Bernie and Rick enter stage right. They have obviously just come back from fighting a fire, and are congratulating each other and their fine work. They all move to center stage. Tom:
Great job, guys! Really a team effort!
Bernie:
I haven’t seen anything that exciting in a long time!
Rick:
Yeah, I know what you mean! There hasn’t been a fire that challenging since that old pallet warehouse went up like a match back in ’79!
Bernie:
It’s times like this that you really call on your experience to back you up!
Tom:
Speaking of experience, did any of you guys see that new guy down at the scene?
Rick:
Yeah, I did. I thought for sure he was going to run home to Mommy!
(Rick and Tom chuckle to themselves.) Bernie:
Oh, come on guys! Give the kid a break! This was his first big call. I’m sure you can remember going out on your first call. It’s not easy the first time. But at least you’ve got the best of everything working for you.
(The men begin talking again about the fire while Joey enters stage right. Joey is obviously flustered and shocked. The others nod in his direction as Joey enters center stage.) Bernie, (slowly):
Hi, uh, big guy! How are you doing?
When You Are Facing the Fire© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2002
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Joey, (in shock): How am I doing? How am I doing? That was the most surreal thing I have ever seen! I have never been so close to a real fire before! Tom, (laughing):
Sure nothing like what they put you through in training, is it son?
Joey:
You can say that again!
Rick:
Are you going to be alright, kid? You look like your brain is swimming!
Joey:
Well, I guess it is. I have a lot of questions.
Bernie:
I know what you are thinking, Joey. I asked myself the same questions every time I go out to one of these fires.
Joey:
You do?
Bernie:
Yep. I always wonder why kids couldn’t do something better with their time instead of causing trouble like this that could have really hurt people. I’m afraid that you won’t find any answers.
Joey:
No, those aren’t my questions. My questions are for you guys, actually.
Tom:
Well, now that’s more like it! You want to hear about the biggest fire I ever put out? What about the time I nearly got lost in smoke trying to find a kitten in an apartment fire? Or maybe you want to hear exactly why I am known of somewhat of a legend around here for my secret technique?
Joey:
No, sir. Those aren’t my questions either.
Rick, (laughing):
Looks like the kid is smarter than we think, eh Tom?
Bernie:
Joey, if those aren’t your questions, then what do you want to know?
Joey:
I was thinking a lot about trust, really.
Rick:
Trust? What do you mean by that?
Joey:
Well, I really want to know - where do you put your trust everyday?
Tom:
Where we what? (Looking at Rick.) What did he say?
Rick:
Something about putting trust somewhere?
Bernie:
Just what do you mean about this trust business?
Joey:
Just exactly what I said! Where do you put your trust?
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The three older firemen look at each other in confusion. Bernie:
Trust, eh, Joey? You want to know where we put out trust? Sure, well, that’s easy. Uh, let me see now.
Rick:
I can answer that one, buddy-boy! You have to put your trust in your equipment. This equipment is the best that can be made. This stuff has been tested and re-tested to be sure this will keep us safe.
Joey:
Equipment. Okay, so your trust is in your equipment.
Tom:
Well, not only equipment, Rick. We have to put our trust in our fellow firefighters. I couldn’t do this job alone. We rely on each other to help one another out. We gotta watch each other’s backs.
Joey:
Okay, so you have to put your trust I other people.
Bernie:
Hold on, now! You guys are forgetting the most important thing of all!
Tom:
What’s that?
Bernie:
Training! We have to put our trust into our training so we can rely on our past experiences to help us think quickly.
Joey:
Makes sense, I guess.
Rick:
Yep! There you have it, kid! That’s where we put our trust! Really, that goes with life too. You gotta put your trust in things, or else who is going to help you out?
Joey, (thinking):
Interesting.
Tom:
Of course we’re interesting!
Joey:
No not you. I mean, oh, well of course you guys are interesting. You guys are all amazing at what you do everyday.
Rick:
Thanks, kid!
Joey:
But what I find especially interesting is the way you work seems to be the way so many people live their lives.
Bernie:
Do you think that people pattern themselves after firefighters?
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Joey:
In a way, I guess they do whether they realize it or not! You see, you guys put your trust so much in things that could so easily fail you. You leave a lot up to chance.
Tom:
Didn’t you hear what we were just telling you about all the things that we put our trust in? The specialized equipment, our co-workers, our training? These things would never let us down!
Joey:
These things are the best devices you can use to do your job, that’s true. But you are putting all your trust into something that has the ability to fail.
Rick:
Who do you think you are? Just a kid coming in here and telling us that we don’t know what we are doing! You got a lot of nerve, kid!
Joey:
Just hear me out! Your equipment is only man made, right? There could be something go wrong with it, and it could break or fail through a certain fire. Your co-workers are an incredibly reliable group, but, what if someone makes a wrong decision or misjudges? And what about your training – well, having just recently left my training, I can tell you that my head is full of all the information that I need to know over the next 30 years. It is possible that something I may need to know one day will not be recalled as quickly as others things. My training could fail me.
Bernie:
Okay, okay, kid. You’re right. We do put our life on the line everyday we do our job. But what did you mean when you said that many people live this way?
Joey:
So many people all over live their lives by putting their trust in something that can fail them.
Rick:
What do you mean?
Joey:
Well, we’ve all heard of those who put all their time, money, and energy into, say, a stock that is sure to have a great return. They can think of nothing else but this investment. As you know, someday this may fail them.
Tom:
Okay, what else?
Joey:
People can fail us – even people that love us. Being human, we do have the capacity to hurt the people we care most about. Someone that you thought would be with you the rest of your lives may someday leave. Look, guys, I am not saying to be cynical and distrustful of the world and everything in it. It is okay to have investments or to love others. But the point is, don’t put all your trust into things, because things can change and fail.
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Bernie:
Well that sounds pretty bleak! So, what are we supposed to trust? What one thing will never change or fail?
Joey:
God. After all, He created us and knows our path even before we have chosen it. Don’t you think it would make sense for us to put our trust back in Him?
(The men are quiet for a moment.) Rick:
I knew this conversation was heading around this way. I’m outta here.
Rick exits stage left. Bernie, (putting his arm around Joey’s shoulders): You’re a good kid, Joey. But don’t bring that God stuff into the workplace. That kind of religious talk should stay in the church. Bernie exits stage left. Joey, (shrugging):
Well, this kind if thing isn’t always easy to hear.
Tom:
Uh, Joey. If you have a few minutes, I’d like to hear some more of that God stuff you were talking about.
Joey:
Great! I’d love to tell you all about it! And then afterwards maybe I can go for another ride down that slidey pole, again! Deal?
Actors exit stage left.
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