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EASTER SKIT 2012

“ROPE/SET ME FREE”

By Jamuel Enriquez

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„And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in

paradise."‟ Luke 23:43

Two men search for purpose and simple happiness in their lives.

As the world grasps for their souls will they seek salvation

before it‟s too late?

STORY

Two strangers find themselves cold and lost in a dark,

unfamiliar world. Jesus attempts to help them appearing to them

as a Christian human offering them warm clothing and food. The

Christian man begins to form a friendship with them and tries to

lead them to heaven. However, before Jesus leads them to heaven

the men encounter another character in this world called

“Temptation”.

“Temptation”, appearing as a confident and successful man offers

a friendship offering intriguing, material gifts. The men leave

Jesus believing “Temptation” can do more for them instead of Him.

However, before the men receive their gifts “Temptation” reveals

the men have to sign a contract to receive the gifts he offers.

Though one of the men eagerly signs away, one man is hesitant,

looking back at his Christian friend (Jesus). Ultimately both

sign the contract and unwittingly sign away their souls in

exchange for these gifts.

The men go through the motions of life and continue to enjoy

their gifts. However, with “Temptation” in control of their soul

they begin feeling gradually weary, and burdened. Though their

former Christian friend offers a way out, one man continues to

chase after the distractions “Temptation” throws in their way.

However the other man begins to seriously ponder whether there‟s

more to life than what “Temptation” offers, whether freedom –

through what his Christian friend offers – is the real path to

happiness.

Ultimately the men – still controlled by “Temptation” – become

so heavy burdened they actually begin to reach the end of their

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lives without their knowledge. As “Temptation” attempts to fully

take the men‟s souls one of the men (the more hesitant man) asks

his Christian friend for help showing complete humility and

rejects his current life in exchange for the Christian friend‟s

help. The Christian friend comes to his aid. The Christian

friend offers the other man aid too however he proudly rejects

the Christian friend and opts to continue living on

“Temptation‟s” gifts. The Christian friend frees the more

hesitant man from his burden by taking the jacket off him.

“Temptation” sees this and attempts to enter the stage to argue

the breach in the original contract the hesitant man had signed.

However, the Christian friend wears the jacket sacrificing his

own life to save the hesitant man.

With “Temptation‟s” final effort he uses his burdens to take

both the lives of one of the men (the proud man) and the

Christian friend (while the other, more humble man is saved).

“Temptation” – seemingly victorious – begins to advance towards

the saved man appearing to attempt to take his soul also.

However, Jesus rises still carrying the saved man‟s burdens.

“Temptation” tries with all his might to bring Jesus down but

fails as Jesus resoundingly clears the saved man‟s burdens,

defeating “Temptation” in the process.

Jesus returns to the saved man still as his Christian friend.

The man looks both free of his burdens, yet shameful for his

(former) life and the way he treated his Christian friend. His

Christian friend warmly accepts him with a clean slate and

finally reveals Himself as Jesus to the man. Jesus walks with

the man and finally takes him to heaven.

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SCRIPT

NOTE: Since the skit will be a dialogue-free drama, verbal cues

in this script will be replaced specific movement and acting

cues.

INT. STAGE – NIGHT

Lights are off. Projector Screens show a black screen.

Stage setup: there are two characters crouched down in the

centre of the stage 1.5m-2m away from each other.

On the far right of the stage there is a figure standing with a

white sheet draped all over him. Approximately 2.5m to the left

of this white character there – what the audience see – is a

wooden plank standing vertically up, with its thin edge facing

the audience.

On the far left of the stage (the opposite side) there is a

group of people dressed in black.

The sound of a chilly wind, verging on a blizzard plays through

the speakers as the lights dim on.

The projector screens transitions from black to a chilly, windy,

snowy night. The two figures crouched in the middle of stage

stand in unison to reveal themselves as two men.

At this point the chilly wind sound transitions to a melancholy

yet foreboding piano, moaning guitar and an eerie pad

instrumental (A loop of the first four bars at the intro of

Casting Crown‟s “Set Me Free”)

MEN

(Dressed in a grey-ish, charcoal

T-shirt and ordinary jeans.)

Moving in unison. They look at each

other with peculiarity and show that

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they are not acquaintances but complete

strangers. Despite this they move in

such unison showing metaphorically

identical characters. They search the

stage in unison. They wander in

confusion, in unison. They shiver, in

unison.

At this moment the character in white (now with the lights on

the audience assume is Jesus) on the right of the stage begins

to move towards the men.

JESUS

He sees the MEN and acting out of

immediate compassion He walks towards

them and begins to leave his side

(right side) of the stage. As he passes

the wooden plank on stage JESUS removes

his white robes and wears clothes of a

normal man. JESUS approaches the MEN in

a friendly/caring manner in the form of

a CHRISTIAN FRIEND.

The background music continues throughout the rest of this skit.

As JESUS/CHRISTIAN FRIEND approaches the MEN the projector

screens transition from a snowy, windy moving image to a warmer,

blurry sunny image.

MEN

They simultaneous see Jesus, looking

cold and lost still.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

Greets the MEN warmly. He offers them

warm jackets. He gives them food.

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MEN

Look visibly warmer, more comfortable.

They continue to move in unison and

simultaneously gesture to the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND as if asking why he is doing

this for them.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

As he responds to the questions he

opens the bible and gestures as if he

is explaining to the MEN about

Christianity. As he is explaining he

walks with the MEN back to his side

(the right side [heaven]) of the stage.

As the MEN follow the CHRISTIAN FRIEND/JESUS the image on the

projector screen becomes increasingly warmer and brighter.

As these events unfold the group of people off the stage dressed

in black (DARK ONES) look visibly. From the group emerges one

character and walks onto the stage.

As he appears in the light he is impeccably dressed, confident

and looks the epitome of success of power. His name is

TEMPTATION.

As he approaches the three characters the image on the screens

begin to darken again, slowly. The light does not completely die

but the screens are a metaphor for the state of the MEN‟s lives.

TEMPTATION

He reaches the MEN before the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND/JESUS can take the men to heaven.

He abruptly – and almost rudely –

interrupts the MEN‟s conversation with

the CHRISTIAN FRIEND.

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MEN

Are surprised by this new character

TEMPTATION and both look slightly

annoyed at first, but upon seeing

TEMPTATION are intrigued by him. They

stop talking and looking at JESUS and

give TEMPTATION their full attention.

TEMPTATION

He gestures in a way as if questioning

why they are following (such an

inferior) person such as the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND. He gestures at himself, his

beautiful suit showing that he is much

“better”.

MEN

They are impressed. They simultaneously

look at their own clothes.

(NOTE: At this point will be the first time the MEN stop moving

in complete unison. By breaking their unison this will symbolise

slight differences in the character‟s choices. When the MEN are

not moving in unison they will go by individual character names.

The man on the left will be referred to as PROUD MAN. The man on

the right will be referred to as HUMBLE MAN. They will be doing

two different things but on stage they will do it simultaneous

to one another so it is necessary to assign individual character

names. When they need to move in unison again this script will

refer to them as the usual character grouping “MEN”)

PROUD MAN

After looking at his own clothes looks

he immediately looks TEMPTATION in

delight.

HUMBLE MAN

After looking at his own clothes

briefly looks at the CHRISTIAN FRIEND,

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but then looks at TEMPTATION with

interest.

TEMPTATION

He sees the MEN delightedly distracted

by him and he reveals a lot of cash and

some car keys. He baits them, almost

taunting them with it, waving them in

the air in front of them.

MEN

They begin to look increasingly

„tempted‟..

TEMPTATION

He slowly walks backwards to the centre

of the stage continuing to bait the MEN.

As he reaches closer to the centre He

looks briefly back at the DARK ONES off

stage. At this point a beautiful, but

proud woman walks onto the stage from

amongst the DARK ONES to join

TEMPTATION‟s side. Her name is LUST.

MEN

Upon seeing LUST arrive at the centre

of the stage they are totally sold by

TEMPTATION.

PROUD MAN

Immediately joins TEMPTATION in the

middle of the stage.

HUMBLE MAN

Hesitates for a moment, looks briefly

back at the CHRISTIAN FRIEND but

decides to join TEMPTATION and resumes

his position beside the PROUD MAN.

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At this point the projector screens are showing an increasingly

darker screen. The light and warmth is not so obvious anymore

but not completely gone as the CHRISTIAN FRIEND/JESUS is still

present in the MEN‟s lives and on stage and never leaves. So on

the screens now is what was once an image like a radiant sunrise

is now but a small flickering candle.

The CHRISTIAN FRIEND/JESUS remains on the stage wearing normal

human clothes always there for the MEN but not forcing Himself

into their lives.

MEN are standing in the middle of the stage like at the start of

the drama but directly to the left of them are TEMPTATION and

LUST.

TEMPTATION

He pretends to give the money and car

keys to the MEN but he doesn‟t. He

pulls the gifts away from them and

shakes his finger at the MEN teasingly.

MEN

Simultaneously reach out for the gifts

but as TEMPTATION pulls them away they

look slightly perplexed, annoyed and

almost angry.

TEMPTATION

TEMPTATION sees the effect of his

„trick‟ and looks at LUST

LUST

At this point LUST walks towards the

DARK ONES. They hand her two large

pieces of papers which appear to be

contracts. LUST walks back to the

TEMPTATION holding out a contract in

each hand for the MEN.

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TEMPTATION

Upon the arrival of the contracts

TEMPTATION pulls out two pens from his

inner jacket pocket and hands one to

each of the MEN. He then gestures at

the cash, car keys and LUST suggesting

that the MEN will not get these things

unless they sign the contracts.

PROUD MAN

Signs his contract straight away and

reaches to TEMPTATION for the gifts.

HUMBLE MAN

Is apprehensive, hesitating again and

looks at the CHRISTIAN FRIEND briefly.

Despite this he fights his instincts

and signs.

TEMPTATION

Has a slight cunning smile. He gives

the MEN a lot of cash and the car keys.

He turns to LUST again and nods to her.

LUST

Rolls up the two contracts and walks

back to the DARK ONES. She hands them

the contracts. The DARK ONES hand LUST

two suit jackets and the ends of four

ropes (The other end of each of the

ropes leads off stage to the DARK ONES).

LUST returns to TEMPTATION and gives

him the jackets and two of the ropes

and keeps two with herself.

TEMPTATION

He puts the two ropes in his back

pocket. He then shows the MEN the two

suit jackets which look as impeccable

as his own.

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MEN

Both are simultaneously counting all

their money. As TEMPTATION shows them

the jackets they look up and amazed as

if this deal couldn‟t get any better.

TEMPTATION

He puts one jacket on the first man,

the PROUD MAN. As the PROUD MAN puts on

the jacket TEMPTATION attaches the end

of one of the ropes to the centre back

of the jacket.

NOTE: The MEN do not see the ropes as if they are super natural.

However they do feel the weight of them and they are the

„burdens‟ TEMPTATION uses to ensnare them.

PROUD MAN

He puts the jacket on, buttoning it up

in delight

TEMPTATION

He grabs the rope behind the PROUD MAN

in delight and test‟s his control by

giving it a light tug on the rope to

the right and left.

PROUD MAN

Moves in accordance to TEMPTATIONS tugs

like a puppet but is unaware of the

ropes and continues to delight in

counting his money. However after the

TEMPTATION‟s rope test he feels the

slight pain on his back where the rope

is attached. He resumes to be

distracted by counting his money.

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LUST

(While TEMPTATION is giving the

PROUD MAN his suit jacket and

controlling him)

She distracts the HUMBLE MAN so he

cannot see what TEMPTATION is doing.

HUMBLE MAN

(While TEMPTATION is giving the

PROUD MAN his suit jacket and

controlling him)

Cannot see what TEMPTATION is doing

because he is busy talking to LUST and

looking at his gifts.

TEMPTATION

He now walks over to the HUMBLE MAN.

Similar to what he did to the PROUD MAN

he helps put the suit jacket on the

HUMBLE MAN. Similarly, he attaches a

rope to the back of the HUMBLE MAN‟s

jacket. He tests his control like how

he did with the PROUD MAN.

HUMBLE MAN

He buttons up the suit jacket looking

happy with it. As TEMPTATION tests his

control over the HUMBLE MAN he moves in

the way TEMPTATION directs but he is

perplexed at what is happening. He

looks at the CHRISTIAN FRIEND, but as

TEMPTATION stops he resumes with

counting his money.

TEMPTATION

After he has attached his ropes to the

MEN he bids farewell to them and gives

a teasing tug on the MEN‟s ropes

hurting them. At this point TEMPTATION

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pulls out a huge amount of cash and

throws it in the air for the MEN (as if

it was an apologetic gesture for the

audience) but instead uses it as a

distraction to their burdens and his

control over them. TEMPTATION then

walks off the stage happy, caressing

the ropes, handling them as he leaves.

MEN

As TEMPTATION throws the cash at them

they simultaneously reach for the cash

and take us much as they can.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

Gives another tug on the MEN‟s ropes

MEN

Both feel TEMPTATION‟s pull. They feel

the pain of the ropes but they don‟t

see them. They feel the burden.

PROUD MAN

After the initial hurt, goes back to

gathering more money finding comfort in

the cash.

HUMBLE MAN

After the initial, he feels the pain

and briefly looks at the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND. He goes back to the money

gathers it, in unison but with less

eagerness as the PROUD MAN.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

He gestures to LUST to move towards the

MEN.

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LUST

While the MEN are gathering money she

seductively walks in front of them.

MEN

They simultaneously look up at LUST,

tempted and seduced by her presence.

LUST

After grabbing the MEN‟s attention,

LUST seductively approaches the MEN.

She caresses their shoulders but

deceptively attaches the rope ends she

holds to both of the MEN‟s right

shoulders. She then leaves them to go

off the stage to rejoin the DARK ONES.

MEN

Both simultaneously return to gathering

the money.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

Gives a couple more pulls at the MEN‟s

ropes.

MEN

This time the pulls are stronger and

they both fall to the ground. They sit

up and are in a lot of pain.

PROUD MAN

He rubs his shoulders in real pain but

continues to get more money.

HUMBLE MAN

He rubs his shoulders in real pain. He

looks at the CHRISTIAN FRIEND again. He

looks at the cash in his hand and he

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decides he doesn‟t want it. It‟s not

worth it and he slams the cash that he

has collected on the ground. He tries

to unbutton his jacket but he can‟t.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

He sees what the HUMBLE MAN is doing

and attempts to distract him. He sends

a group from amongst the DARK ONES to

the men.

A group of four arrive on the stage emerging from the DARK ONES.

In the light they are dressed in the clothes of normal humans.

They appear friendly to the MEN but are in fact FALSE FRIENDS.

Each of them is carrying an end of a rope in their back pockets

and a couple of them are holding concealed alcohol bottles.

At this point the instrumental music stops and transitions to

hear the lyrics of the song begin to play. It begins with the

first verse of Casting Crowns – “Set Me Free” with the lyrics

going ‘It hasn’t always been this way…

FALSE FRIENDS

They approach the MEN and greet them

warmly.

MEN

They simultaneously get up and are

initially surprised but they return the

greeting. They seem to get along well

with the group FALSE FRIENDS.

FALSE FRIENDS

The two people in the group the hold

alcohol hand one to each man. They all

encourage them greatly to drink it.

PROUD MAN

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He drinks the alcohol straight away,

proudly.

HUMBLE MAN

He hesitates again, and looks at the

CHRISTIAN FRIEND. He drinks

apprehensively.

FALSE FRIENDS

While the MEN are drinking the FALSE

FRIENDS place one rope on each of the

MEN‟s remaining shoulder and another

end somewhere else on the MEN‟s back

(The MEN now have four ropes on them).

The FALSLE FRIENDS congratulate the MEN

for drinking with them. While they

congratulate the MEN they all notice

the CHRISTIAN FRIEND on stage. They

whisper something to the both of them.

PROUD MAN

(After the FALSE FRIENDS

whispered to him)

He walks over to the CHRISTIAN FRIEND

slightly staggering still holding the

alcohol bottle.

HUMBLE MAN

(After the FALSE FRIENDS

whispered to him)

Simultaneously but hesitantly walks

with the PROUD MAN to the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND slightly staggering still

holding the alcohol.

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PROUD MAN

Drunkenly slaps the bible out of the

CHRISTIAN FRIEND‟s hands. He continues

to laugh at him and takes a small step

backward as if waiting for the HUMBLE

MAN to do something.

HUMBLE MAN

He looks upon the CHRISTIAN friend

hesitantly and looks back at the FALSE

FRIENDS.

FALSE FRIENDS

They urge him to do what they whispered

to him.

HUMBLE MAN

Apprehension and sorrow floods his face.

He looks at the alcohol bottle in his

hand and wets the CHRISTIAN FRIEND with

its contents. The HUMBLE MAN doesn‟t

laugh. He just stands there, with the

same look on his face.

FALSE FRIENDS

They approach the MEN again

congratulating them leading them back

to the centre of the stage where they

first found the MEN. The FALSE FRIENDS

leave the MEN and return to the DARK

ONES.

At this point the second verse of the song begins. („Morning

breaks another day…‟). The song skips the first chorus of the

song and goes straight from the first verse into the second

verse.

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HUMBLE MAN

He can‟t stop looking at the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND and what he did to him.

MEN

Alone again they go back on their knees

and gather more money off the ground to

add to their collection

HUMBLE MAN

This time the HUMBLE MAN can‟t gather

money. He can‟t forget what he did to

the CHRISTIAN FRIEND. He tries to

gather a couple of cash notes but he

just can‟t stop feeling guilty and

continues to look at the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND with sorrow. He reaches for the

buttons of his jacket to unbutton it.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

He sees what the HUMBLE MAN is doing

and he pulls the ropes a few times

bringing them to the ground. He pulls

the ropes a couple more times while the

MEN are on the ground.

MEN

Both MEN are in terrible agony and

barely recover. After this they rub

their wounds but their body continues

to ache. Their shoulders are slumped

and their entire demeanour is

completely negative. They cannot sit up

straight.

PROUD MAN

After the pulls by TEMPTATION he cannot

sit up immediately and is basically

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crawling. He eyes the money and it

brings him a shallow smile and

continues to gather money.

HUMBLE MAN

After the pulls by TEMPTATION he cannot

sit up immediately and is basically

crawling. He manages to sit up after a

while but barely. He looks at himself.

He looks at the CHRISTIAN FRIEND again

which reminds him of what he did. He

looks at himself again and realises

what he has become. He strongly tries

to remove the jacket now, trying to

even rip it off but he can‟t. He calls

out to the CHRISTIAN FRIEND for help.

When the HUMBLE MAN asks the CHRISTIAN FRIEND for help the

lyrics of the song „Jesus rescue me…‟ coincides with his

desperate plee. The CHRISTIAN FRIEND comes to his aid straight

away coinciding with the chorus of the song.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

Without hesitation he responds the

HUMBLE MAN and kneels in the space

between the MEN.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

He sees that the HUMBLE MAN has called

upon the CHRISTIAN FRIEND/JESUS so he

begins to pull the MEN‟s ropes again.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

While in the centre of the stage the

MEN are being pulled by TEMPTATION. The

CHRISTIAN FRIEND looks to the HUMBLE

MAN and outstretches his left hand to

offer him help.

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HUMBLE MAN

The HUMBLE MAN‟s accepts the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND‟s hand immediately and almost

bow‟s his head in unworthiness to him.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

He smiles at the HUMBLE MAN and turns

to the PROUD MAN. He stretches out his

hand to him to offering him help. His

position is now like JESUS on the cross,

with both arms stretched out.

PROUD MAN

The PROUD MAN looks at the CHRISTIAN

FRIEND with pride. While being pulled

by TEMPTATION he lifts his hand but to

show the CHRISTIAN FRIEND his

collection of money and turns his head

away.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

He then turns back to HUMBLE MAN and

easily removes his suit jacket.

TEMPTATION

(Offstage)

Seeing what the CHRISTIAN FRIEND has

done TEMPTATION continue to pull the

ropes and begin to ascend the stage.

TEMPTATION walks towards the centre of

the stage holding the ropes and the

contracts the MEN originally signed

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

Seeing what TEMPTATION is doing he

takes the HUMBLE MAN‟s jacket and puts

it on himself sacrificing himself for

the HUMBLE MAN‟s soul.

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TEMPTATION

He sees what the CHRISTIAN FRIEND has

done and (knowing He is actually JESUS)

TEMPTATION and the DARK ONES pull the

rope the hardest they can.

At this point the PROUD MAN and the CHRISTIAN FRIEND completely

collapse. The HUMBLE MAN looks completely shocked, but still

reeling from the initial pain from the jacket.

The image on the projector screens change as if the candlelight

has been blown out.

The music has stopped after the chorus and (before 2nd chorus)

there is complete silence. There might be a sound of a light

wind to convey emptiness.

TEMPTATION

He looks victorious and begins to

advance on the HUMBLE MAN.

Suddenly, the 2nd chorus of the song begins to play („Do you

wanna be free?...‟)

The projector screen changes suddenly too with a warm light

which is vibrant and strong.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

At the point in the 2nd chorus when the

lyrics hit the word “free” the

CHRISTIAN FRIEND stands up still with

the jacket and ropes on him. He begins

to walk towards the wooden post with

ease.

TEMPTATION

He sees the CHRISTIAN FRIENDS stand up

and together with the DARK ONES they

try their hardest to pull the CHRISTIAN

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FRIEND down but they are nowhere near

strong enough.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

He reaches the wooden post on the stage.

He removes the suit jacket and puts it

on this plank.

TEMPTATION

As soon as the jacket touches the

wooden post TEMPTATION and the DARK

ONES collapse immediately.

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

(Having just placed the jacket on

the wooden post)

While his hand is on the jacket (on the

wooden post) the CHRISTIAN FRIEND turns

the post around and reveals it is

actually a wooden cross. The CHRISTIAN

FRIEND then picks up his white robe

which he was wearing at the beginning

of the drama. He now appears as his

true form, JESUS.

HUMBLE MAN

He is still sitting with a combination

of shock, awe and shame on his face.

JESUS

He returns to the HUMBLE MAN. He picks

him up and embraces him, comforting him.

He walks with HUMBLE MAN towards the

cross.

HUMBLE MAN

He pauses at the cross and looks at his

old jacket, his old life in shame.

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JESUS

He gestures to forget that jacket, that

life. JESUS then gives him a new

garment, a white robe to cover the

HUMBLE MAN. He walks with the HUMBLE

MAN and takes him past the line of the

cross and with him to heaven.

As the HUMBLE MAN crosses into heaven the room is suddenly

bright and warm as the projector screens change their image.

There is hope and the image is of either a warm sunrise or

beautiful clouds in the sky.

HUMBLE MAN

As he walks into heaven, warmth and

wonder fills his face as he has found

real happiness in true paradise.

The song ends. The screen fades to white and JESUS and the

HUMBLE MAN walk off the stage to the right.

[Tentative maximum duration: 10 minutes]

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MEDIA:

Music - “Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns. This will primarily

play in the latter half of the skit where there is a lot of

tension. At the start of this song there is a four bar

instrumental intro which I was looking to loop to provide music

for the first half of the skit. The second half of the skit will

be where the lyrics come in, which will be a bit more relevant

in relation to what is happening on stage.)

Moving Images for projector – Snowy wind, gradually building and

decreasing light, clouds and flickering candle.

PROPS:

Large wooden cross

Eight ropes

Cash props

2 sets of car keys

2 big contract-looking documents

2 pens

2 covered alcohol bottle props

Bible

COSTUME:

2 white robes

2 suit jacket props (with places to attach ropes to on the back)

2 casual jackets

1 complete suit outfit

8 sets of casual clothes

1 red dress

5 black robes (maybe ragged)