THE NIGHT BEFORE
A CHRISTMAS STORY
by Matt Hewes
Copyright, 2016
Matt Hewes
Director
All rights reserved c. 2016
CHARACTERS
Mary
Dexter, Jr.
Rev. (Male or Female)
Granny
Rigga
Homeless Man
Gang Male #1
Amy/Tre
Dexter’s Girlfriend / Gucci Woman #2
Edward/Announcer
Gucci Woman #1/Bitter Woman
OTHER CHARACTERS
4 – 6 Carolers, 1 Male, 1 Female dancers.
Note All recitatives (recit) are to be ab-lib in the gospel–style (minor overtones) and have free-style gospel organ accompaniment. For some productions, recitatives may be spoken.
ACT I
OPENING - COMPANY
SONG GOD REST YE, MERRY GENTLEMAN
Lights up.
1. A marquee is flashing The Downtown arena presents Ices Capades – Holiday on Ice.
OPENING - COMPANY
The REV is sitting at the pulpit. The choir behind him sits after the song.
REV
Thank you, choir for
that wonderful rendition.
We worship God in
spirit and truth.
In truth we honor the
reason for the Christmas
season, the birth of
his son. Choir.
Choir stands and sings: OPENING
Lights off on Church and up on MARY, a teacher, is in front of her class.
MARY
Class, make sure
everyone has turned
in their permission
slip for the field
trip to the ice capades
tomorrow. Class dismissed.
After Mary says good bye to the students, she makes a phone call.
MARY (CONT'D)
Hey, babe. I hope the
job interview went well.
I know God was on your
side. See you at home.
MARY: ONE THING HAVE I dESIRE OF THE LORD
Lights out on Mary and up on EDWARD, an unemployed banker. Edward is putting on his shirt and jacket. GIRLFRIEND, a much younger girl, runs behind him and hugs him.
GIRLFRIEND
Are you going to look
for a job?
EDWARD
Don't you worry about
that.
GIRLFRIEND
I love you. Don't go,
I have some good news
to tell you.
EDWARD
I'll be back. Be a
good girl and wait
for me.
Edward hugs Girlfriend and leaves. Girlfriend is on top of the world with excitement.
GIRLFRIEND SONG: I'M WALKING TOWARDS TOMORROW
Lights up on full stage.
OPENING - FINALE (GIRLFRIEND,MARY,CHOIR)
Black out.
SCENE 2 - INT. DEXTER’S BEDROOM
Curtain opens to DEXTER in his room getting dressed. He sings
DEXTER
Silent night, holy night
all is calm, all is bright.
round young virgin mother
and child…
Dexter picks up his Bible.
DEXTER (Cont’d)
Why not father and child. I’m
sure Joseph was there.
(RECIT)
Everyone forgets Joseph, the
earthly father of Jesus. I bet
Joseph never left Jesus alone
like my father left me. Thank
God for my grandfather. (mother)
REV. enters Dexter’s room.
REV.
After we break our fast, we’ll
go out into the field today..
to the subway station.
DEXTER
Lots of sinners in the subway
station need to hear the word….
REV.
Yes, son lots of sinners.
Prepare yourself…ask the Lord
to forgive you of your sins.
DEXTER
Yes, sir (ma’am).
Rev. walks to the door and watches Dexter as he kneels to pray. Rev., pleased, exits.
DEXTER (Cont’d)
Heavenly father, please
for give me of my sins.
Thank you for my grand-
father (mother)who has
taken care of me…and thank
grandfather for teaching
me the Word.
Dexter turns to look back to see if Rev. is looking at him. When he sees that Rev is not, he gets comfortable.
DEXTER (Cont’d)
I also ask that you
remember my father.
(RECIT)
Where ever he is,
touch him, Lord.
Let him know kindness,
Let him know peace,
Let him know… I
forgive him.
…In the precious name
of Jesus. Amen.
SCENE 3 - INT. MARY’S LIVINGROOM
MARY, a school teacher, prepares to take her class to the ice capades. She is having trouble finding the tickets.
MARY
I must have been out of
my mind agreeing to chaperone
3rd graders on a field trip to
The Arena… and to see the Ice
Capades. Black folks don’t ice
skate…
(Shouts)
Edward, I’m going. Tre,
I’m not waiting for you.
TRE
I’m coming.
MARY
Whose idea was this, anyway?
Oh, yea…Mrs. Thompson.
Her and her bad back. ‘My back’s
to bad to take them chur’in
anywhere. You take‘m…I can
hardly raise my arm…and
I got a weak bladder…chill’
…can’t sit more than a
minute. But, Mrs. Thompson,
you can sit through six
hours of Bingo, in Atlantic
City, on a Saturday night…
Mary imitates Mrs. Thompson raising her arms and doing a holy dance.
MARY (Cont’d)
Bingo…oh, glory…
Mary hits her pants and finds the tickets in her pocket.
MARY (Cont’d)
There they are…
A cell phone rings.
MARY (Cont’d)
…that’s not my phone.
Mary searches for the phone and finds it in the couch. She flips the phone.
VOICE
Edward, Edward, baby…c’mon…
don’t tease me, especially
after last night…
Edward runs in. He stops when he sees Mary with the cell phone.
MARY
It’s for you.
EDWARD
Give it to me…
Edward takes the phone from Mary.
MARY
When did you get that phone?
EDWARD
(in the phone)
I’ll call you later…I
said later.
MARY
I guess you got your
holiday treat. Who is
it, this time? Some
cheerleader?
EDWARD
You couldn’t handle it.
MARY
Try me.
MARY (RECIT)
Every morning, you get
up in put on your best
suit,…telling me you’re
looking for a job. And
all the time you were
cheating on me.
EDWARD
As usual, you’re blowing
this out of proportion. It’s
not what it seems.
MARY
Proportion it for me, please.
EDWARD
You wouldn’t understand.
MARY (RECIT)
I understood the nurse. I
understood my best friend.
I understood the woman at
the court house. I even
understood ya’ little
Hoochie at Burger Hut.
EDWARD
Ya’ see… See how you
act? I can’t take this.
MARY
Take what?
EDWARD
How can I find a job
under this kind of pressure?
I can’t talk to you.
MARY
Don’t you turn this
around.
EDWARD
I know what this is,
Mary? You think it’s my
fault the bank laid me
off.
MARY
What?
EDWARD
I know what you’re trying
to do. You’re trying to make me
feel less than a man. Well, I
do…satisfied? See what you
did…Mary…see?. I’ve got to
get out of here.
Edward leaves.
MARY
...don't you walk out on me...
Edward... Edward...
Mary sings.
SONG: WHERE IS THE MAN?
SCENE 4. INT. RIGGA'S LIVING ROOM
RIGGA is in the living room, smoking a joint with his gang members, GANG MALE #1, . His Girlfriend comes through with a suitcase and a bag.
RIGGA
Ho…ho…hold up.
(To is gang members)
Yo…check this out…
I’ll holla at ya’ later.
GANG MALE #1
(To Rigga)
You bett’a handle that.
The gang members exit.
RIGGA
Where you think you goin’?
GIRLFRIEND
I’m outta here. I’m
tired of the weed…the
gangbangin’…the
fighting. My baby’s
not goin'’ to be raised
like this.
RIGGA
I told you I got this.
I can take care of us.
Scene workshop video
GIRLFRIEND
How? Selling drugs?
Hitting 7-11’s?
RIGGA
I do what I gotta do.
GIRLFRIEND
You do what you gotta do.
I’m done. We done.
RIGGA
No, we ain’t done. What
you got goin'? You got
another player, or su’um?
GIRLFRIEND
Yea. I got another player.
Only, he ain’t a player.
He’s a bank manager. That’s
a title…do you get that?
He ain’t a “G”…a homie…
a blood…a crew…a nigga…
a posse. What are you, Rigga?
Are you a Lawyer, or a doctor.
or a mayor?
RIGGA
No, I’m the Rigga.
Riggamortis… and I hit hard
anybody that comes up in
here tryin’ to take mine.
GIRLFRIEND
No, Arthur Williams, You
nothin’ and I’m not yours…
and you are dead to me.
RIGGA
You think I’m gonna let
another player raise my
child…
GIRLFRIEND
News flash…
RIGGA
(Silence)
GIRLFRIEND
Remember all those times
you were busy? So was I.
RIGGA
Why you….
GIRLFRIEND
What? What you gonna do?
Get over it. Go play
basketball…go shoot
something…oh…here’s a
good one…go pray.
Girlfriend exits.
RIGGA
Go ‘head…I don’t need
you… hey… get back here…
nobody runs out on the
“Rigga”. Nobody.
Rigga and Girlfriend sings: Duet
SONG: IS THIS A GOOD TIME TO PRAY.
SCENE 5. INT. DEXTER'S BEDROOM
Dexter is reading his Bible, sitting on his bed. Rev. enters the room.
REV.
Grandson, you make
me proud.
DEXTER
Thank you, Rev. I just
want to help you do
God’s work.
REV.
Then, let’s go save some
souls, today.
(RECIT)
The world is full of wicked
people…liars…cheaters
…backbiters…whores
…adulterers…drug addicts.
DEXTER
…and we can save them
all, right Rev.
REV. (RECIT)
Through confession,
repentance and forgive-
ness, my son.
.
DEXTER
What’s our message today?
REV.
Jesus was born a little
bitty baby, to redeem us
from sin. So, this holiday
season, why don’t you
praise the Lord…
DEXTER (RECIT)
Praise the Lord…
SONG: WHY DON’T YOU PRAISE THE LORD, TONIGHT
Trio Rev., Mary, Dexter
SCENE 5. INT. SUBWAY PLATFORM
A Subway platform. People are waiting for the station. The holiday spirit is everywhere. A HOMELESS MAN has his hat in his hand and is begging for money.
HOMELESS MAN
Ho, ho, ho...Merry
Christmas. You ain’t
got to be homeless to
be hungry.
Rev. and Dexter enter the station.
REV.
Well, son…let’s get
started. Go over there
and start passing out
those tracts.
Dexter starts passing out tracts
DEXTER
Merry Christmas…Christ
is the reason for the
season…
REV.
Repent, all ye sinners,
Or face the wrath
of God.
A HOMELESS MAN enters the station. The HOMELESS MAN puts a box on the ground.
HOMELESS MAN
Merry Christmas, everybody.
We are here to spread a little
holiday spirit, because Christ
was born in Bethlehem. Can I
get an “Amen”?
CROWD
Amen.
HOMELESS MAN
Now, listen up…
I need yo’ help… every
body… clap your hands
like this… here we go…
Christmas time is full of cheer,
For getting gifts and drink beer.
Tell yo’ grandma to have no fear
Her lay-away is free and clear.
It’s also the season to shed a tear,
To pay yo’ debts will take a year.
And for all you “G’s” with shady careers,
If you give her gold, she’ll disappear.
So, treasure the season and hold it dear
Open yo’ hearts…
…and you wallets, purses,
what ever you got and
put the money here.
The people in the station applaud.The HOMELESS MAN takes the box and passes it around. Some people put money in the hat.
HOMELESS MAN
Thank you for sharing a
little Christmas spirit.
Ho, ho,ho. It ain’t
greedy to be needy.
As Homeless Man exits, Dexter continues to pass out tracks and does not notice the Homeless Man.
DEXTER
Merry Christmas…here’s
some reading material
for you.
Rev. sees a very fashionable WOMAN carrying a lot of shopping bags.
REV.
My sista… repent…
Christmas is not about
purchases, packages,
and bags. Christmas
is not about material
possessions…shopping is
not the reason for the
season.
GUCCI WOMAN
Shopping’s not the reason
for the season? Are you
crazy? If Jesus was
walking on earth, today,
what do you think he’d
be wearing? A robe and
sandals? If he wants to
get arrested.
REV.
My sista… I'm trying
to save your immortal soul.
GUCCI WOMAN
Go and save somebody
who's broke. Don't you
know shopping is the
reason for the season…
gonna tell me... Didn't
the Wise Men bring gifts
to baby Jesus? They had
to shop for it. Christmas
means Christ must have a
credit card.
Gucci Woman sings
SONG: JESUS BLESSED THE DESIGNERS
Another shopping woman runs in.
GUCCI WOMAN #2
C’mon, girl...they
selling real Gucci
bags in the alley.
Both women run off stage.
DEXTER
Merry Christmas…Don’t
forget Jesus this season…
REV. (RECIT)
All you adulterers…drug
addicts…backbiters… you
all are Hell bound if
you don’t repent.
HOMELESS MAN
Ho,ho,ho…C’mon,
people…help a brotha
out…it ain’t easy to
be cheesy…
Dexter continues to pass out until he bumps into the homeless man.
HOMELESS MAN
Hey...
DEXTER
I'm sorry, sir.
HOMELESS MAN
That's alright... This is
the season for getting
close. Jr…? Well bless
my eyes. The last time
I saw you...
Rev. sees that Dexter has encountered the Homeless man and runs to intercept.
REV.
Jr…
DEXTER
Yes, sir (ma’am)?
HOMELESS MAN
Rev.
REV.
Dexter.
DEXTER
Rev. do you know this
man? Do I know you?
HOMELESS MAN
You don’t know me?
REV.
Jr,…go home.
DEXTER
Dad?
They embrace.
REV.
Dexter Roberts, III,
I said go home.
Dexter pulls back and starts to leave, but lingers to hear the conversation.
HOMELESS MAN
My son doesn’t even know
me. What lies were you
telling?
REV.
There's nothing but
lies in a drug addict.
My grandson shouldn't
concern himself with a
man who abandons his
child.
HOMELESS MAN
You threw me out.
REV.
Do you think I was
going to let you ruin
his life, too?
DEXTER
You threw him out?
REV.
Jr., go home I said.
HOMELESS MAN
I was on drugs and he(she)
kept me away from
you… and he/she should
have… that was right.
But now, I’m clean, son.
REV.
You keep away from him.
HOMELESS MAN
I’ve changed.
REV.
You will never change.
HOMELESS MAN
Please believe me, son.
DEXTER
I believe you…
REV.
Dexter… go home.
Dexter exits.
HOMELESS MAN
Still the same old hell-fire
and brimstone preacher…
standing in the pulpit
passing out judgment like
you God Almighty.
REV
What do you know about
God?
HOMELESS MAN
I know I found him.
REV
There’s nothing you can
say to me.
HOMELESS MAN
I found the Lord. But,
I guess that doesn’t
matter to you.
REV.
God can't help you.
Now, get out of my
sight.
Homeless man backs away.
HOMELESS MAN
You wrong Rev. God has
already help me. I’ve
already been redeemed.
Rev. exits.
HOMELESS MAN (CONT’D)
My son believes me…
that's all that matters.
It's all because of you.
Homeless man sings
SONG: MAKE ME FEEL I’VE CONQUERED THE WORLD
6. INT. DEXTER'S ROOM
Dexter is in his room. He has changed from his church suit to street gang-like attire. Rev. enters.
REV
What are you doing,
Dexter? Why are dressed
like that? I raised you
better.
DEXTER
Better than my father
would have if he had
raised me?
REV.
Don't sass me, boy.
DEXTER
…hypocrite.
REV.
What did you call me?
DEXTER
I call you a hypocrite.
REV.
I don't have to explain
my actions to you.
DEXTER
Yes, you do because you
lied to me.
REV
I didn't lie to you. Your
father is a drug addict.
DEXTER
But, he didn't leave me.
REV.
Oh, what difference
does it make? Was he
going to give you a home?
Where… on the street
with him? Was he going
to provide for you, like
I have?
DEXTER
I don’t know about all
that…
REV
…and what was he going
to teach you… digging out
of garbage? Surely,
not the word, the way
the Lord has guide me to
do.
DEXTER
He said he found the Lord,
you heard him.
REV
Well, I question his god.
DEXTER
I know my father is a drug
addict. I remember seeing
him trying to hide needles…
going in the bathroom one
way and coming out another.
But, every day we are out
in the streets preaching
forgiveness...and you had
none for him?
REV
Son…
DEXTER
I'm not your son.
REV
I won’t apologize for
practicing tough
love...
\
DEXTER
Where in the Bible does it
Say, ‘blessed is he who
practice tough love’?
‘As many times as a man asks
for forgiveness...’ Remember
that preacher. Thank you,
grandfather (mother), I use
to have something I could
believe in. I'm out.
Dexter exits. Rev. stands firm.
Rev sings: ANNOINTED
REV.
I shall not be moved
Jr., wait...
Rev. follows him.
Black out
End of Act I
INTERLUDE
Dexter walks out on stage.
SONG UNTIL I FIND MY WAY
ACT II
1.INT. SUBWAY STATION
It is the day before Christmas Eve and hosts of people are in the subway station loaded with presents, groceries, etc. GRANNY, AMY, her grandchild, CAROLERS enter station. Rigga and his gang members also enter the station. The carolers begin to sing. Rigga sees Girlfriend waiting in the station.
RIGGA
So he supposed to meet
you here or sumthin'?
GIRLFRIEND
Yes, I'm meetin' him
here and it's none of
yo' business. I told
you we through.
RIGGA
I'm 'a wait for him...
and when I see him,
he better run.
GIRLFRIEND
It's over!
Girlfriend walks away.
GANG MALE
C'mon, man...we'll
wait for that busta.
SONG: THERE IS A LIGHT (HYMN)
Bitter Woman enters. She hears the carolers.
BITTER WOMAN
I’d wish they’d shut up.
(To the Caroler)
Hey. Cut all that noise.
Don’t nobody want hear that.
Amy is throwing a tantrum and being abusive to Granny.
AMY
I said I want to go
to the ice capades,
and I want to go now.
GRANNY
You know, Amy, baby,
Granny’s not feeling
too well.
AMY
I don’t care. I want
to go to the ice capades
…now.
GRANNY
Well, I was planning
to take us to the church’ s
Christmas program, There's
going to be singing and…
AMY
I don’t want to go
to no church…I want
to go the ice capades
…ice capades...ice capades.
GRANNY
Please,baby…Granny’s
not feeling good. I
can’t take you screaming,
right now.
AMY
Ice capades…ice capades…
ice capades…
GRANNY
Okay, we’ll go to the
ice capades.
AMY
Yeah…ice capades.
ANNOUNCER
Now stopping. 96th
Street. Watch your step.
Mary and Tre enter the station following by Rev. and Dexter. Mary ushers Tre away from the gang members.
MARY
C’mon Tre
REV.
Let me talk to you…
DEXTER
Stop following me…I
don’t want to hear
nothing you have to say.
Dexter moves away from Rev.
MARY
When we get to the Arena
Stay close to me. There’re
a lot of crazy people walking
around. Don’t make me have
to look for you, you hear
me?
TRE
Yes, mamma.
MARY
Are you excited to
see the ice capades?
Tre cheers.
TRE
I can’t wait. It’s
supposed to be good.
But, momma, there’s
one thing I don’t get.
MARY
What’s that, Baby?
TRE
I know what ice is,
but what’s a capade?
MARY
(Laughs)
I don’t know either.
ANNOUNCER
May I have your attention,
Delayed due to technical
difficulties the next train
will be delayed. We
apologize for the
inconvenience.
There is grumbling and complaining among the passengers.
TRE
(To MARY)
Momma, does that
mean we’ll miss the
show?
MARY
We might, but have a
little faith...
Tre lowers head.
MARY (Cont’d)
Don’t be sad. How about
I read you a story while
we wait? Okay? I’m sure
the train will be here
any minute.
Tre nods. MARY takes out a book.
MARY (Cont’d)
How about I read… T’was the
Night Before Christmas?
Tre lifts head with delight. Amy tries to go to Mary. Granny holds her arm to stop her.
GRANNY
Stay with granny, baby.
Amy hits granny.
AMY
I want to hear the story.
Amy walks over to Mary.
AMY (Cont'd)
Can I listen?
GRANNY
I’m sorry, but my
gran-baby wants to
listen. Is that alright?
MARY
Of course.
(To Amy)
Sit here. Hopefully we
won’t be here too long.
Amy sits next to Tre. Granny moves closer to them. MARY begins to read from the book.
MARY (Cont’d)
T’was the night before
Christmas and all through
the house, not a creature
was stirring, not even
a mouse.
The gang members begin to notice Mary reading the book. They slowly begin to gather around her.
MARY (Cont’d)
The stockings were hung
by the chimney, with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas
soon would be there...
The gang members interrupt the MARY.
INT. 3 SUBWAY STATION CONTINUES.
BITTER WOMAN
Stockings? You mean
tube socks.
RIGGA
Ain’t no chimney in
the projects.
BITTER WOMAN
...and you better put
them tube-socks on
yo’ feet.
(Laughter)
GANG MALE #1
If somebody comes up
in my house, talkin'’
‘bout “ho-ho-ho”,
They gonna catch a
serious beat-down
RIGGA
Teacher, you better tell
them the real story.
GIRLFRIEND
...cause there ain’t
no Santa Claus.
BITTER WOMAN
...not bringin'’ no
gifts in the hood.
Other gang members agree.
RIGGA
T’was the night before
Christmas and all
through the house.
Not a creature was
stirring, not even
wino that lives under
my house.
Laughter. MARY tries to ignore the gang members.
MARY
Children attention.
‘The children were
nestled, all snug in
their beds while visions
of sugar plums danced
in their head.’
BITTER WOMAN
The children were nestled
all snug in their beds
while visions of their
deadbeat daddies...
danced in their heads.
...cause that’s the
only way they gonna
see him.
(Acknowledgements)
REV.
Leave this teacher alone.
GANG MALE #1
Or what, old man/woman?
DEXTER
I'll show you what...
RIGGA
Chill. What are you
...some kind of preacher.
or somethin"?
DEXTER
I am a servant of God.
RIGGA
Well,.Preacher man(lady),
it's Christmas. God
ain't here.
REV.
God is everywhere.
GRANNY
Everybody... the station will
be moving soon. Everybody,
settle down. Let's this
nice teacher finish reading.
Everyone settles down. Mary continues reading.
MARY
‘When out on the lawn,
there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my bed
to see what was the matter.
GANG MALE #1
When out on the streets
the cops made such a clatter.
They sprang into my house
…saying my right don’t
matter.
DEXTER
Or how about this…
When out on the streets
Dealer’s pockets get fatter.
They tell you to do drugs,
your home, your family
don’t matter.
That story’s played out.
There’s no Santa, no
happy little family
waiting him.
REV
Stop it, right there.
I worked hard to give
you a good home. Don’t
you dare stand there
and askew your home
life to impress a
bunch of thugs.
GANG MALE #1/RIGGA/GIRLFRIEND
So, we thugs, now,
Preacher?
GRANDMA
Keep reading, Miss.
MARY
Away to the window
I flew, like a flash.
Tore open the shutters
and threw up the sash.
RIGGA (RECIT)
Away to the bathroom,
I flew like a flash.
(SPOKEN)
Flushed down the conic (drugs)
and threw out the hash. (cash)
(Laughter from the gang)
MARY
And what do my wandering
eyes should appear,
But a miniature slede
and eight tiny reindeer.
GIRLFRIEND(RECIT)
No wonder they wandering
mind disappears.
With no hope, no education,
(SPOKEN)
opportunities don’t come here.
MARY
With a little old driver,
so lively and quick.
I knew in a moment
it must be St. Nick.
RIGGA
And that little old drug
Dealer Who’ll pop you right
quick will make a broth
do drugs and a Sista turn
tricks. ho… ho… ho…
The gang laughs.
MARY
‘And he whistled and shouted
and called them by name.
…On Dasher. On Dancer.
On Prance and Vixen.
On Comet. On Cupid.
On Donna and Blixen.’
AMY
Don’t forget Rudolph.
MARY
...and Rudolph.
The gang member approaches Amy.
GANG MALE #1
Hey, Shortie. You wanna
know why Rudolph’s nose
was red?
GRANNY
Leave her alone.
Laughter. Gang Male walks away.
RIGGA
More rapid that
policeman, in the hood,
they came. And they
pulled out their nines
and started shootin'’ by
name. (Bam. (Bam!) Dancer.
(Bam!) Prance and Vixen.
Bam!) Pookie. (Bam!) Nookie.
Let the morgue come and get ‘em.
Mary approaches Rigga.
MARY
‘To the top of the porch,
to the top of the wall.
Dash away, dash away,
dash away all.’
GANG MALE #1
Three strikes, do life...
BITTER WOMAN
Put your hands on the wall...
DEXTER
…run away, run away...
RIGGA
…because you don’t have
no one to call. That’s
your Christmas story.
Rigga goes to the opposite side of the station.
GANG MALE #1
Now, wrap that up, teacher.
4. INT. CONTINUES
MARY
That’s it? That’s it?
You're just going to
interrupt my life,
these children’s lives
with you street philosophy
…like to got it all
wrapped up?
RIGGA
Su’um like that.
MARY
Has life beaten you down
so much that you have
to steal everybody’s
joy?
GIRLFRIEND
What you got to be so
joyful for?
GANG MALE #1
I know teacher’s type…
got a perfect lil’ life,
with a perfect teacher’s
pay check, with her
perfect rich husband…
BITTER WOMAN
He’s probable cheatin’
on her.
Laughter.
MARY
You don’t know me. You
know nothing about me.
REV.
Life has not been
fair, but you can’t
take it out on this
teacher. You kids must
have more faith.
GIRLFRIEND
Faith in what?
BITTER WOMAN
...that everything's
gonna be alright?
BITTER WOMAN AND GIRLFRIEND
DUET: FAITH
GRANNY
The reverend is right. This
is Christmas… a time for
rejoicing… Children, listen
to your heart…
Can’t you hear it?
GRANNY’S SONG:
CAN’T YOU HEAR THE ANGELS SINGING
GRANNY
Something just took all
you children's hope…
(To Bitter Woman)
And I don’t know what
your problem is.
REV.
But, you can get it
back through confession...
DEXTER
. ..confession, repentance
and forgiveness. Right, Rev.
REV.
...yes...confession, repentance
and forgiveness.
DEXTER
This applies to everyone
except you. You must be the
only person in the world who
can escape God's wrath.
(To Granny)
No offense, ma'am, but,
hope is closing your eyes
to what’s in front of you,
thinking it’s gonna change
when you open them.
RIGGA
So, Preacher man/Lady, when
my girlfriend "confessed"
that she was leaving me and
then told me that the baby
she's carrying ain't mine,
but she wasn't sorry for it
...I know she wasn't sorry
for it...then, I ain't got
to forgive her. I got the
right to vent my vengeance
upon her, now, don't I?
REV.
Everybody deserves forgiveness.
DEXTER
Everybody?
REV.
But, not him. Not him. He
killed your mother...with
all his drugs, he put her .
in the ground. That's why I
threw him out. She worried
herself sick over trying
to clean him up. He killed
her, just as sure as if he
took a gun and shot her
himself. I love her
like she was my own daughter.
DEXTER
Momma died of cancer. You
know that.
GRANNY
Maybe it's time to let
go...and let God. Everything
is according to his plan...
you might not see it, but
he has one. Remember
you still have a reason
to go on...
(Indicates to Dexter)
REV
That boy is my life.
GRANNY
Does he know that?
GANG MALE #1
Don't waste you time,
Grandma...
BITTER WOMAN
The good Reverend ain't
got no more faith than
we do.
RIGGA
See, teacher, if the
good Reverend don't even
believe in yo' "white bread"
Christmas, why should you…
why should I… why should
anybody…
MARY
I'm not teaching a "white
bread" Christmas …
RIGGA
Then what are you teaching?
5. INT. CONTINUES
There is silence. TRE walks closer to RIGGA.
TRE
I’m sorry you don’t
like that story. I know
another one. Maybe you’ll
like this one better.
‘And there were shepherds
abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their
flocks by night...and...and…’
The Child is having trouble remembering the rest. Then, everyone begins to rem
Music: IN THE SILENT NIGHT
GRANNY
‘…and low, the angel of
the Lord came about them...’
RIGGA
‘…and the glory of the
Lord shown round about
them...’
DEXTER
…and they were sore
afraid.’
BITTER WOMAN
‘And the angel said
‘fear not’...
REV
...Fear not...
GIRLFRIEND
...Fear not...
GANG MALE #1
...Fear not.
AMY
‘For behold, I bring
you good tidings of
great joy.’
MARY
‘Which shall be to
all people.’
REV.
…all people.
BITTER WOMAN
…all people.
GRANNY
…all people, oh, Glory.
TRE, DEXTER AND RIGGA
‘For unto you is born, this
day, in the city of David,
a savior which Christ the
Lord.’
MARY
…the reason for the season.
RIGGA
I used to know that.
BITTER WOMAN AND GANG MALE #1
So, did I.
TRE
See. I know the real
Christmas story.
Mary hugs Tre and the return to their seats. It is silent.
ANNOUNCER
The station will now
resume it’s normal
schedule. The next
train will arriving
in 15 minutes.
MARY
And Christ spoke not
a word as he rose out
of sight. Merry Christmas
to all.
TRE
I feel like walking.
MARY
So do I.
GANG MALE#1
Peace on earth.
RIGGA
…good will to all men.
BITTER WOMAN
…and to all, a good
night.
…
Edward enters the train station. He immediately sees Girlfriend and goes towards her. Mary and Tre sees Edward. Mary intercepts him.
MARY
Edward. I am divorcing you
and I want you out of my house.
Mary and Tre exits. Girlfriend approaches Edward and looks at him with suprise. As Rigga approaches Edward. Rigga pulls out his gun and is about to confront him but changes his mind, remembering the season.
RIGGA
It's not worth it.
The reason for the
season.
Rigga looks at the Rev. and exits with Gang male. Girlfriend approaches Edward.
GIRLFRIEND
You're married? You been
lyin' to me all this time.
I don't need you. My baby
don't need you. You stay
away from me.
Bitter woman goes to Girlfriend.
BITTERWOMAN
Honey, he ain't worth it.
C'mon with me, let me tell
you, he just like my lyin', no
good cheatin' ex-husband...
Bitterwoman and Girlfriend exits. Mary and Girlfriend leave in opposite directions. Edward doesn't know which way to go so he sits on the bench.
REV
(To Dexter)
Can you forgive me. I
did what I thought was
best for you… because I
love you.
DEXTER
I forgive you. Can you
Forgive me.
(They embrace)
REV
Let's go find my son.
Rev and Dexter exit the station. Amy returns to where Granny is sitting.
AMY
Granny, I’m sorry. I
don't want to go to
the ice capades. I
want to go to church
with you.
Granny smiles.
GRANNY
That’s my baby….
Granny gives Amy a hug. Amy sits beside Granny and begins singing.
AMY SINGS
SONG: IN THE SILENT NIGHT
Black out.
End of Act II
FULL COMPANY REPRISE
SONG: THERE IS A LIGHT
Repeat with curtain call.
END