DOWN WITH THE PHAT ICE

60970 DOWN WITH THE PHAT ICE

by Timothy Bass

PURPOSE: To open a discussion on communication between youth and adults
THEME: Communication; Generational Differences; Christian Living
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6:7-10; Colossians 3:12-17
CHURCH YEAR SEASON: Christmas; Easter; Pentecost
TIME: 5 minutes
CHARACTERS:
Cindy ~ Age 22; well-dressed young woman
Mr. Kinks ~ Age 45; a bookish sort of man
PROPS:
1) A desk
2) Two chairs
3) A book for Mr. Kinks
COSTUMES: Contemporary clothing, appropriate to character
SOUND: Two wireless mikes
LIGHTING: General stage
SETTING: Mr. Kinks' office
DIRECTOR'S NOTES:
Everyone knows a Mr. Kinks — one of those youth leaders or teachers who thinks he's in touch with the language and culture of the youth but who is so far out of touch it's almost humorous. It's important that the actor portray Mr. Kinks as a man who really thinks he's communicating in the language of the youth. Cindy is polite but soon realizes that Mr. Kinks isn't the person she needs to talk to. This sketch can be used in a combined group of youth and adults as a lighthearted way for the adults to poke fun at themselves for failed attempts to connect with youth. It can also be used to open a more serious discussion on the difficulties of intergenerational communication.

Lights up on an office. Sitting behind a desk, reading, is

MR. KINKS. After a moment, CINDY ENTERS.

CINDY

Ahem … excuse me?

MR. KINKS

Yes?

CINDY

They told me I should come talk to you. They said you were the head of the young adult ministry.

MR. KINKS

Yes, I am. How can I help you?

CINDY

I’m not sure … I’m just … I don’t know … really down right now … I can’t seem to focus.

MR. KINKS

I’m down wid dat.

CINDY

Excuse me?

MR. KINKS

I’m down. Lots of Gen Xers come in here, lost, confused … it pains me to see them in such a solid bad. (He makes a fist of solidarity.) Anyway … I’m here to listen.

CINDY

Well … first of all, you should know that I’m not sure where I stand with God.

MR. KINKS

I can sound that. Doesn’t mean you’re HB.

CINDY

HB?

MR. KINKS

HB. Hell-bound. Goin’ south. Feelin’ heat.

CINDY

Oh. Right.

MR. KINKS

Yeah, you’re still a phat girl.

CINDY

What?!

MR. KINKS

You’re still phat. Dope. Tight. Bad.

CINDY

Oh, you mean …

MR. KINKS

Yeeessss … you are still one dope-tight-phat-bad Leslie.

CINDY

Leslie?

MR. KINKS

Leslie. Sheila. Girl. Woman. See, I’m straight down with the youth. I’m trippin’ ice. I know your vibes.

CINDY

Listen, Mr. Kinks …

MR. KINKS

Call me Kinko.

CINDY

Kinko?

MR. KINKS

It’s what the G's call me in the hood.

CINDY

Right. Listen, maybe I should come back another time. I’m feeling much better, and I just remembered I have to go and do that thing I have to go and do.

MR. KINKS

I’m up. That’s fresh. Be on to it. You chill with the B, and you’ll be flying phat dope.

CINDY

Chill with the B?

MR. KINKS

The B. The Book. The Bible.

CINDY

Oh! Right! Okay. Well. I’d better run. Now.

MR. KINKS

Okay. Now don’t forget — the door to my office crib is always open.

CINDY

Okay. I won’t forget. Goodbye.

CINDY runs from the room.

MR. KINKS

(Calling after her) Be good to your bad self! Don’t be trippin’ on the tight ice! (To himself) I love being down with the youth.

Lights out.

Performance and photocopying rights:
Your purchase of this script grants your church unlimited use of these sketches within your programs and worship services. You may photocopy the script for each cast member in your church. Scripts and performance rights are not transferable between churches and cannot be resold. You may not use the sketches for any commercial or fundraising purpose, and usage rights do not extend to video, radio, television or film.