Inspired by the April 14 reading from "My Utmost for His Highest."
LUST
By John Cosper
www.righteousinsanity.com
CHARACTERS
Lust - A man in a cheap suit, like a flea market or infomercial pitch man
Tim - An average, ordinary guy
There's a stool at center stage. Lust walks on stage right. He's dressed like a motivational speaker.
LUST: I'm the guy who makes it happen. I'm the guy who can get you out of your seat, rouse you from a state of total peace and serenity, and transform you into a go-getter. I'm the guy who will stop at nothing to make you the guy or gal who stops at nothing. Who am I?
He reaches into his cheap coat and pulls out a small, wrapped box.
LUST: A lot of people think I'm the guy with the carrot. I can assure you that's not at all true. No, I'm not the guy with the carrot. I'm not the guy who first showed you the carrot either.
Tim walks on stage left. (Note: Tim never looks at Lust, but he reacts to him like an inner voice in his head. Lust sees him. He walks to the stool.
LUST: I am the guy who reminded you the carrot is there.
He sets the carrot on the stool. Tim looks at it, locks eyes on it.
LUST: That's right, buddy. It's right here, waiting. Nothing to stop you. Nothing at all between you and your desire except you own free will. (begins to put on an over the top sales persona) And let's face it, your free will wants to make you happy.
Dramatic music begins to play. Tim fixates on the box.
LUST: And why shouldn't be happy? Huh? Why should you deny yourself of the one thing you want more than anything else, right here and right now? What if there's no tomorrow? What if this is your last night on Earth? Do you want to spend it watching summer re-runs, or some meaningless ball game? Why settle for that when you could have possibly the greatest moment of your life?
Tim shakes his head, tries to walk away. Lust follows him, but does not touch him.
LUST: I know that little voice inside you is saying. There are better things to do. There are other, more nobler pursuits in this life. Of course there are nobler and better things to do. But what can you do, right here, right now, to help your fellow man? Nothing. Not one single thing. But I'll tell you who you can help. You can help yourself.
Tim turns back toward the box.
LUST: That's right, friend. I'm the guy who reminds you who number one is. I'm the guy who makes the moment. The music swells. The crowd begins to roar.
The sound of a cheering crowd rises along side the music.
LUST: You hear that? That's the sound of a million voices, cheering for you. They want you to go for it. They want you to say yes to you! Don't listen to that inner voice! Listen to the crowd! Listen to those who have gone before you! Listen to the ones who know! Life is not about denial! Life is about going for it!
Tim walks over to the box, staring at it.
LUST: That's right, friend. I didn't invent the carrot. But every chance I get, I'll be the one to remind you that this is what you want! This is worth any price! Because this is what life is all about!
Tim grabs the box, picks it up. The music and the crowd get louder. Lust backs away.
LUST: I'm the guy who makes the moment! I'm the guy who makes the music swell and the millions cheer! I'll give you the focus to make it happen, blinding and deafening you to anything that might keep you from seizing the day! But I can't make it happen! No, friend, it's up to you! It's up to you to grab the brass ring! Only you can open the box! Only you can serve you! And the moment you do--
Tim opens the box quickly and eagerly. As soon as he does, he tips it so the audience can see it's empty. Abruptly, at that same instant, the music and cheering STOP and the stage lights go out except for a single spot on Tim.
TIM: The music stops. The crowd goes silent. All the sound and fury is gone, leaving nothing behind but emptiness. There's nothing gained but a few wasted hours. And guilt. It seemed so important at the time. So urgent. But now, that feeling's gone.
Tim walks away. From the darkness, just outside the spotlight, Lust speaks.
LUST: I'm not gone. I'm just waiting. When the time is right, you'll hear from me again. (pause) See you tomorrow.
The spotlight goes out.
Recent Comments