THE PARTY 61086
by Nan Allen

GENRE: Comedy
TIME: 5–6 minutes
CAST BREAKDOWN: 1F; 3M; 1 role of either gender
THEME: Temptation; Discernment; Decision Making
CHURCH YEAR SEASON: Any
SUGGESTED USE: Young Adults Group; Youth Group; Worship Service

CHARACTERS:
Five teens/young adults
JOHN––A regular guy
VOICE #1––A former drinking buddy
VOICE #2––A flirtatious girl
VOICE #3––A comedian
VOICE #4––Holy Spirit

SYNOPSIS: A guy goes to a party and hears several "voices." But only one is from God.

PROPS: Plates, cups, "partyware", car keys
COSTUMES: Contemporary
SOUND: 5 cordless microphones, optional live or recorded party music
LIGHTING: General stage
SETTING: Party
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Romans 6:14; James 1:1–17; James 4:7; 2 Peter 2:9

DIRECTOR'S TIP: Keep the tone of this light and the pace fast—a bubbling, crazy, fun ride—until John gets deep into his conversation with VOICE #4. Voices 1–3 should be appealing, pleasant and fun with no ominous overtones until John has a moment to take a breath and reflect.

Scene opens at the party. OPTIONAL: Party music playing in the background. People including VOICE 1, 2, 3 and 4 are standing around talking, dancing, etc.

Enter JOHN. A few people acknowledge his presence.

JOHN: Hey, Rudy. Stacy...what's happenin'? Hey, Marla, lookin' good.

VOICE #1: crosses to JOHN.

VOICE #1: Hey, John.

JOHN: (Not recognizing VOICE #1) Hey, uh, man.

VOICE #1: Great party, huh?

JOHN: Uh…well, I just got here.

VOICE #1: Rockin' music. Good food. Have you tried the cheese dip?

JOHN: No, not yet.

VOICE #1: Let me get you some.

JOHN: Well, uh...maybe later.

VOICE #1: Whatever you say. Hey, John. Marla looks great, doesn't she? I mean really great.

JOHN: Excuse me. Have we met before?

VOICE #1: Sure, pal. Don't you remember?

JOHN: No, I'm afraid I don't.

VOICE #1: Last time we talked was last month at Buzz's party.

JOHN: Yeah, I was at Buzz's party. But I don't remember you at all.

VOICE #1: I don't doubt it.

JOHN: I'm sorry...I can't place you.

VOICE #1: It's me, John. Your little voice.

JOHN: My little voice? You mean, you're my conscience?

VOICE #1: Call me what you want, John. I'm just here to help you have a good time. (Punching him on the arm) Like you did at ol' Buzz's party. What a blast, huh?

JOHN: I don't remember much about that party actually. It's kind of a blur.

VOICE #1: Trust me, John. You had a great time. And you were a riot!

JOHN: Really?

VOICE #1: Would I lie to you? I mean, what's funnier than wearing a lampshade for a hat, huh?

JOHN: I don't remember that part.

VOICE #1: And your chicken impersonation was a scream.

JOHN: Chicken impersonation?

VOICE #1: I couldn't stop laughing for a week. (Laughing, lifting leg) Anybody for a drum stick?

JOHN: I said that? That's pretty funny. (Trying to be funny, lifting leg) Anybody for a drumstick?

VOICE #1: (Laughing hysterically) Oh, man. A few beers and you're too much. (Trying to compose himself) Are you sure I can't get you some dip. And let me bring you a cool one...something to wash it down with.

JOHN: Well, cheese dip maybe, but....

VOICE #1: You need to loosen up. Hey, man there's a lampshade with your name on it.

JOHN: Okay.

VOICE #1: Be right back.

JOHN: (Seeing if it will work again, lifting leg) Anybody for a drumstick?

VOICE #1 crosses upstage, laughing hysterically. JOHN starts dancing, trying to look cool. Enter VOICE #2, crossing to JOHN.

VOICE #2: Hi, John.

JOHN: (Not recognizing her) Oh, uh, hi.

VOICE #2: (Starts dancing) Great party, huh?

JOHN: Yeah. (Looking at her) I'm sorry, you look sort of familiar, but I can't remember how I know you.

VOICE #2: Oh? (Coyly) I'm just your little voice.

JOHN: My little…wait a minute. That guy, that guy I was just talking to…he's my little voice.

VOICE #2: Yeah? Well, I guess it's possible to have more than one little voice, now isn't it?

JOHN: Ya think?

VOICE #2: Would I lie to you? You know, John, I've been watching you.

JOHN: You have?

VOICE #2: Yeah, and you're the coolest guy here.

JOHN: Really?

VOICE #2: Oh definitely! The clothes, the hair, the "moves". In fact, how would you like to, you know, skip the party, okay? (Holding up car keys) I've got my car. We could go back to my place.

JOHN: (Stops dancing) Well, I don't know.

VOICE #2: What's the matter? You don't like me?

JOHN: Oh, no. It's not that. You're beautiful. It's just...

VOICE #2: You're just saying that.

JOHN: Nah. I mean it. Really. Hey, let's skip the party. Okay?

VOICE #2: Oh, John.

VOICE #2 cradles her arm in JOHN'S arm. JOHN and VOICE #2 begin to exit up stage. VOICE #1 crosses downstage carrying plate and cup.

VOICE #1: Hey, John. Where ya going? I've got beer.

JOHN: (Turning back downstage) Oh, yeah. I forgot.

VOICE #1: You forgot?

JOHN: (Tries it once more) Anybody for a drumstick?

VOICE #1 doesn't laugh, but looks jealous.

JOHN: Get it? Drumstick.

VOICE #1 doesn't laugh, looks hurt.

VOICE #2: John…I'm waiting.

JOHN: (Trying to decide) Uh…

Enter VOICE #3, crossing to JOHN.

VOICE #3: Hey, John.

JOHN: Yeah?

VOICE #3: You hear the one about the farmer's daughter?

JOHN: No. Is it good?

VOICE #3: Oh, it's the best.

JOHN: Yeah? Tell me.

VOICE #1: Hey, man. The food's gettin' cold.

VOICE #2: John! You coming or not?

VOICE #3: See, there was this traveling salesman...

VOICE #1: (Holding up beer) Beer won't freeze ya know.

VOICE #2: (Holding up car keys) I'm double parked!

VOICE #3: (Holding up index finger) You wanna hear a good one or not?

JOHN: Stop it!

All characters except JOHN freeze in a party position. VOICE #1 freezes holding up beer, VOICE #2 freezes holding up car keys, VOICE #3 holding up index finger as if making a point.

JOHN: What's the matter with you...voices? You're confusing me. I'm not sure which one to listen to.

VOICE #4 breaks freezes and crosses down stage.

VOICE #4: Hey, John?

JOHN: What?! Are you another one of my voices?

VOICE #4: Sort of.

JOHN: Well, keep it to yourself, will ya? I've had enough temptation for one night.

VOICE #4: Oh?

JOHN: I've heard enough.

VOICE #4: What have you heard, John?

JOHN: A guy who wants me to get blasted, a girl I've never met who wants to take me home and some joker wanting me to listen to his dirty jokes.

VOICE #4: I see. A guy...a girl...a joker. They were tempting you? They were just voices, weren't they?

JOHN: They looked real.

VOICE #4: They claimed to be your conscience.

JOHN: My conscience is supposed to be my guide. Why would my conscience argue with itself? (Pause) All these voices. Are they my conscience?

VOICE #4: Well, not exactly. Your conscience is knowing and choosing right over wrong.

JOHN: But the voices...

VOICE #4: Those were voices of reason. They sound good to your head, but they lie to your heart.

JOHN: Are you my conscience?

VOICE #4: No, I'm just a voice, too. A reminder, you might say, that God is watching and He wants you to do the right thing.

JOHN: Yeah. I need to be reminded of that.

VOICE #4: Hey, let's talk about it over a bowl of cheese dip.

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.

Copyright © 2002 by Nan Allen