Being a Servant or Being First?
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Acts One prior to production.
This skit ponders how a potluck would go if no one was willing to serve,
and everyone wanted to be first. (Names may be changed without prior permission.)
All come pounding up the basement steps, then look around at the empty stage.
Person Three: Say, I thought we were having a potluck….
Person One: Yah, that's what Pastor Jon said.
Person Two: Hm, something seems wrong…
Person Five: I'd say.
Person Six: I'm hungry!
Person Four: Me too!
Person Two: Well, maybe we should set up this table…. Why don't you do it, Person One?
Person Four: Yah, usually there's a table here.
Person Three: No way. I came here to EAT, not to work.
Person One: Besides, (showing bicep) I already lifted weights at home. You and Person Four do it.
Person Four and Person Two: Oh, ok. (set up table running north and south)
Person Five: Hey, this is where it goes. (directing Person Four and Person Two)
Person Six: I'm first in line. (goes to south end of table)
Person Five: No, me. I'm older. (Person Five and Person Six have gentle shoving match, fighting over first place in line.)
Person Three: Say, (looking at the table) Uh, don't we need some plates?
Person One: Good point. I wonder if there's some in the kitchen? Why don't you look, Person Two?
Person Two: Hey, we set up the table! It's your turn.
Person Three: That's right.
Person One: Well, ok. (exits by the organ)
Person Two: Look and see if there's any silverware too!
Person Five: Forks and spoons!
Person Four: And cups!
Person One: (returning with plates, cups, and spoons) Here's a few things. (sets them on the table)
Person Five: (picking up a plate) Hey, all right.
Person Six: (grabbing a plate, too) No, me first!
Person Three: Wait a minute. What are you two going to put on those plates?
Person Five: (looking) Uh, I don't know--
Person Six: Where's the food?
Person Four: Usually the ladies bring it from the kitchen - Person One - you go look.
Person One: Why me?
Person Four: Cause I said so.
Person Two: Me too.
Person Three: And me.
Person One: Ok, I'll go look. (exits to organ)
Person Two: Wow, I hope he finds something.
Person Three: Me, too. I'm getting very hungry!
Jess & Person Six: Me, too!
Person One: (enters with a casserole dish with lid) Hey, look what I found.
Person Three: All right!
Person Two: What is it?
Person One: I don't know --(takes off the lid and looks disappointed)
Person Four: Oh, what is it -- broccoli?
Person One: No, it's uh, EMPTY!
All else: Empty?
Person One: (turning the dish upside down) Yep.
Person Three: Now what?
Person Two: Well, maybe you can find something else --
Person Three: Me??
All else: Yes, you!
Person Three: All right. There's got to be something! (exits to organ side)
Person Six: (shoving again with Person Five) Me first!
Person Five: No, me - I'm older!
Person Six: No, me - I'm younger!
Person Five: I was here first.
Person Six: You were first on THAT side of this end. I was here first on THIS side.
Person Three: (entering with a bottle of ketchup) Well, I found this…
Person One: What are we going to do with ketchup?
Person Three: I don't know…
Person Two: That's the best you could do?
Person Three: Well, I don't think you could do much better.
Person Four: Yah, what do you think you could find?
Person One: Why don't you go find us something?
Person Three: Yah. You go get something then.
Person Two: Well, ok. (exits by organ)
Person One: Man, this is about the worst potluck I've ever been to. Where is everyone else anyway?
Person Four: Yah? Do you think we got the date wrong?
Person Three: I don't know -
Person Two: (entering with a bag of chips that is only about 1/4 full) Hey, I found some chips! (eats one)
Person Three: All right!
Person Two: (making a face) I think they're a little old..
Person One: All we need is something to dip them in.
Person Two: I've looked all over, and this is all there is.
Person Four: Hey, the ketchup! (squirts some on a plate)
Person Five: Ketchup?
Person Four: Sure. (gets a chip and dips it in the ketchup and eats it)
Person One: Is it good?
Person Four: Well, that depends on how hungry you are….
Person Three: Oh, dear.
(Person Seven enters from the basement)
Person Two: Hey, there's Person Seven -
Person One: Where have you been?
Person Seven: On the phone. Uncle Gordon called and the train stopped across 196 so the people can't get here from the east, and will be a little delayed.
Person Three: Oh, that's the problem --
Person Seven: Only part of it.
Person Two: Really? What about the Donovans and Nicholsons?
Person Seven: Pastor Jon called, too. A semi overturned near his corner and traffic is blocked up for awhile from the west.
Person Three: Oh, that's no good.
Person One: Say, maybe we ought to help out by setting up the tables while we wait on everyone to get here. (exits to piano side)
Person Four: Well, I guess I could help you. (also exits)
Person Three: Maybe I could get the chairs. Person Six and Person Five, wanna help?
Person Six: I'll be first.
Person Five: No, me!
Person Three: Say, this is one time it's good to want to be first! (all three exit to piano side)
Person Two: I'll get the plates and stuff. (exits to organ)
Person Seven: (bewildered by the boys' eagerness to help) I wonder what that was all about. I've never seen them so helpful! (picks up the plate of chips and ketchup) Hm. (dips chip in ketchup and eats it, making a face) You know, I think I'll go help with those chairs! (sets plate down and exits to piano.
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