More information about

                                 IN A PICKLE

MAIN POINT
Every parent has faced the confusing realization that the only source for truth about a situation is the child who is not always truthful. In such a case, the kid holds all the cards. He can lie with impunity - at least for a while. So the parent alternates between the desire to trust and have a trustworthy child, and their instinctive mistrust based on previous errors. It's a classic dilemma both in honesty and parenting.

The lessons can go either way. This sketch seeks to take a little pressure off parents by depicting the impossibility inherent in their jobs, while also showing the necessity of truth at all costs. Parents usually experience an immense amount of relief simply knowing they're not the only ones who have pulled their hair out over a certain issue. Kids need to see how trust is damaged by even one little lie, and that people of integrity tell the truth even when the truth brings negative consequences. That kind of truth-telling is a mark of both character and maturity.

CHARACTERIZATION
Dad needs to be an empathetic character. He can't be too lenient or too strict. Don't let his skepticism overshadow his softer side. The longer the script goes, the more frustrated he gets. But he's not so much frustrated with Kenny as he is with the predicament in which he finds himself.

Kenny, in a similar way, should be hard to categorize. He needs to be sincere enough to be believable but defiant enough to express frustration. Just like his father, the audience should have a hard time discerning whether or not he's telling the truth.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) Gender is not terribly significant. With a few minor changes this could be a father/daughter or mother/daughter.

2) Dad does most of the movement, like an interrogator circling a suspect.

3) Work on the freezes and unfreezes until they're seamless and smooth. Dad should utilize Kenny almost as a prop while he's frozen.

4) Kenny should freeze in an interesting pose with an appropriate expression on his face.

RELATED THEMES
From the 9th commandment to the six things God hates in Proverbs 6, lying is soundly condemned in scripture. Ephesians 4:25 speaks of the necessity of truth in the community of God. Saul (1 Samuel 15) and Ananias (Acts 5) both met their downfall by covering up the truth.

RELATED THEMES
Besides the primary theme of telling the truth, this sketch can support teaching on honesty, integrity, trust or parenting.