The brief given to Scott: A two part play on the days theme, "Be courageous in the year to come"
Finalist: 2013 Manifest Creative Arts Festival
“Mind” is read by an unseen reader as the conscience voice
of a “mime” on stage who silently walks around a ‘lounge room’ after a days
work
In Act 2, the script is repeated identically, except this
time we can see a guardian angel following behind and radioing to heaven for
assistance in the good choices being made – only to cancel them all as the
‘mind’ backs out each time.
ACT I - Struggle
Cast
- Mind: The unseen conscience voice of the Mime
- Mime: Acts the events and makes thinking expressions
[Mime enters, plonks bag and flops on couch]
Mind: What a Monday.
[Mime grabs mug]
Mind: I need a coffee... Mmmmm, I shouldn’t.
[Mime mimes making a coffee.]
Mind: Naah, I deserve it. It’s been a tough day.
Mind: What should I do?...
[Mime picks up Bible]
Mind: I haven’t read the Bible in ages.
[Mime picks up remote]
Mind: Oh, my favourite TV series is returning.
Mind: Though, I shouldn’t get caught up in another season.
Mind: Oh, let’s just see what happens after last season’s cliff-hanger.
[Mime picks up Magazine]
Mind: Hasn’t started... I should give this magazine to Garry next door. There’s an excellent article on coping with a death in the family.
Mind: I should share my understanding of the Bible.
Mind: What would I say?
Mind: What would He say?
[Mime plonks magazine]
Mind: I’m no preacher. He’ll figure out I’m a Christian if I just smile and say hello.
[Mime leaves]
Mind: Oh, it’s Monday. Better take out the rubbish.
ACT II - Support
- Mind & Mime: An identical performance to Act I
- Angel: Dressed in a white robe. Acts and speaks on stage
- HQ: A mature voice, heard only
[Mime enters, plonks bag and flops on couch]
[Angel follows a few paces behind]
Mind: What a Monday.
Angel: HQ, we’re home safely.
HQ: Well done, stay close..
[Mime grabs mug]
Mind: I need a coffee... Mmmmm, I shouldn’t.
Angel: HQ, prepare health package 3137, we’re skipping coffee tonight.
HQ: Copy that.
[Mime mimes making a coffee.]
Mind: Naah, I deserve it. It’s been a tough day.
Angel: Cancel that.
HQ: Cancelled.
Mind: What should I do??
[Angel picks up Bible]
Angel: They’ve had a tough day, send the idea to read the Bible.
HQ: Sent
[Angel replaces Bible quickly]
[Mime picks up Bible]
Mind: I haven’t read the Bible in ages.
Angel: Prepare to open at encouraging passage.
HQ: Passage selected.
[Mime picks up remote]
Mind: Oh, my favourite TV series is returning.
Angel: Cancel that.
Mind: Though, I shouldn’t get caught up in another season
Angel: Hang on!...
Mind: Oh, let’s just see what happens after last season’s cliff-hanger.
Angel: Never mind.
[Mime picks up Magazine]
Mind: Hasn’t started... I should give this magazine to Garry next door. There’s an excellent article on coping with a death in the family.
Angel: HQ, prepare to initiate contact with Garry.
HQ: That’s great news!
Mind: I should share my understanding of the Bible.
Angel: Prepare witnessing script. Initiate dictation link.
Mind: What would I say?
HQ: Link connected, script ready for download.
Mind: What would He say?
Angel: Prepare Garry’s comprehension.
HQ: Activated
[Mime plonks magazine]
Mind: I’m no preacher. He’ll figure out I’m a Christian if I just smile and say hello.
Angel: Cancel that, we’re playing it safe.
HQ: Cancelled.
[Mime leaves]
[Angel follows]
Mind: Oh, it’s Monday, better take out the rubbish.
Angel: Gotta go.
ACT III - Sneak
- Mind, Mime, Angel & HQ: An identical performance to Act II
- Tempter: Shorter angel with slightly soiled costume
- Boss: An abrupt voice heard only
[Mime enters, plonks bag and flops on couch]
[Angel follows a few paces behind]
[A second Tempter lags behind]
Mind: What a Monday.
Angel: HQ, we’re home safely.
HQ: Well done, stay close..
Tempter: Look, a coffee mug. You NEED a coffee.
[Mime grabs mug]
Mind: I need a coffee... Mmmmm, I shouldn’t.
Angel: HQ, prepare health package 3137, we’re skipping coffee tonight.
HQ: Copy that.
Tempter: Come on, you deserve it.
[Mime mimes making a coffee.]
Mind: Naah, I deserve it. It’s been a tough day.
Angel: Cancel that.
HQ: Cancelled.
Tempter: YES! [Pumps fist]
Mind: What should I do??
Tempter: How about some telly?
[Angel picks up Bible]
Angel: They’ve had a tough day, send the idea to read the Bible.
HQ: Sent
[Angel replaces Bible quickly]
[Mime picks up Bible]
Mind: I haven’t read the Bible in ages.
Tempter: No! TV, TEEE VEEEE.
Angel: Prepare to open at encouraging passage.
HQ: Passage selected.
Tempter: Your favourite TV series is returning tonight.
Mind: Oh, my favourite TV series is returning.
Angel: Cancel that.
Mind: Though, I shouldn’t get caught up in another season.
Angel: Hang on!...
Tempter: Come on!! Remember last season’s cliff-hanger. You’re DYING to see what happens!
Mind: Oh, let’s just see what happens after last season’s cliff-hanger.
Angel: Never mind.
Tempter: AND HE SCORES! [Hands in the air to the crowd]
[Mime picks up Magazine]
Mind: Hasn’t started... I should give this magazine to Garry next door. There’s an excellent article on coping with a death in the family.
Angel: HQ, prepare to initiate contact with Garry.
Tempter: Hey, watch these ads, look the new iPhone – you NEED one of those.
HQ: That’s great news!
Mind: I should share my understanding of the Bible.
Tempter: Really? What would you say?
Angel: Prepare witnessing script. Initiate dictation link.
Mind: What would I say?
HQ: Link connected, script ready for download.
Tempter: And what would He say to you?
Mind: What would He say?
Angel: Prepare Garry’s comprehension.
HQ: Activated
Tempter: You’re no preacher.
[Mime plonks magazine]
Mind: I’m no preacher. He’ll figure out I’m a Christian if I just smile and say hello.
Angel: Cancel that, we’re playing it safe.
Tempter: YES! [commences celebration dance]
HQ: Cancelled.
[Mime leaves]
[Angel follows]
Mind: Oh, it’s Monday, better take out the rubbish.
Angel: Gotta go.
[Tempter just notices they’ve left]
Tempter: Hey, boss?
Boss: ...What?
Tempter: This Christian’s locked into a holding pattern. They won’t be any use to God’s cause any time soon.
Boss: Excellent. If we can’t change em, keep em quiet.
Tempter: Too easy, [Hides Bible under papers and leaves] ...too easy.