Poor Richard

This Christian play begins with a man lying on the floor, and the only person who comes to his aid to even see if he is alive is his lawyer, Samantha Good. The victim is Richard Blumfeld, who has invited several people over for a party, and someone there has stabbed him and left him for dead. Samantha becomes the sleuth while they wait for the paramedics and the police, and they all begin to try to solve the mystery of who tried to kill poor Richard. It seems almost everyone has a motive, as he was not a likable fellow. Could it have been his evangelist brother, the evangelist’s wife, the business partner, the therapist, his only son, the girlfriend or the cook? In act four, the perpetrator is caught, and Richard recovers…a changed man. Besides the tongue-in-cheek mystery, this play deals with issues like shame, phony Christianity, forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption and just doing what the Lord would have you to do.

10 actors (6 male and 4 female) all adult or older teens. 50-60 minutes.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

SAMANTHA GOOD:  Richard’s lawyer.  She is the Good Samaritan character, who is the only one who really shows concern for a dying man.  She must be played as a loving and caring Christian, for it is her example that brings about the change in Richard’s heart at the end.  This is the lead role (the sleuth) and by far the largest part with the most lines.

RICK BLUMFELD:  Richard’s son, a young man with an attitude, very sarcastic and bitter in general.  His mother died when he was 15, so he came to live with his formerly absent father.  They have never gotten along, but he stays around because he is the heir to Richard’s fortune.  This is a large part and an interesting character role.

ZIGGY:  Richard’s therapist, Zigfield Friedlich, is an eccentric character that seems suspicious just by his being a little different.  Revealing his true self, he is ashamed of his own actions, and poor witness.  This interesting character part can be played with a German accent.

CHARLES BLUMFELD:  Richard’s brother, the evangelist.  This character must have an outgoing and charismatic personality.  He appears spiritual, but does not have a good relationship with his only brother.  Richard’s lifestyle has been a hindrance and an embarrassment to his ministry and he has even sent Richard money to encourage him to maintain a low profile.

GRACIE BLUMFELD:  Charles’ wife, whose outspoken disdain for Richard makes her very suspicious.  She doesn’t seem to be concerned that Richard could be dead, and admits it would be nice to have him out of their lives.  Her actions put her true Christianity in question.

AUSTIN:  Richard’s partner, who has been very angry when he found out that Richard, has been stealing money from him.  Some of his actions seem suspicious to others.  This part could also be played by a woman and called, Justine.

MARYANNE:  Richard’s girlfriend, who seems phony in her concern for Richard.  She has noticed his distancing himself from her and she is jealous of other women in his life.  She must dress attractively and look younger than Richard.

ALICE:  Richard’s cook, who hates working for him because he treats her unfairly.  She doesn’t like him or his son, but she feels trapped, like she has no other alternative, as he won’t allow her to quit.  She can be played as British with a cockney accent for fun.

RICHARD:  The victim, who is on stage throughout most of the play, lying unconscious on the couch.  Almost all of his lines are in the last scene, where he has made a big transformation that is made clear by his testimony.  We see a changed man.

DETECTIVE NABORS:  A small part with very few lines only in one scene in Act Four.  Could come in dressed in trench coat and hat.

Excerpt:

(The cook enters looking around)

ALICE: Mr. Blumfeld? Are you in here? Mr.…. (she sees the body and
screams)
(Everyone runs into the room and just stares at the body on the floor.
The lawyer, Samantha Good is the only one to actually check the body)

SAMANTHA: I’m getting a pulse! He’s still alive. Richard? Richard,
can you hear me? Someone call 9-1-1!

AUSTIN: There is no hospital for miles…and in this weather; it will
take a long while for anyone to get here.

SAMANTHA: Well, we are not going to let him just die! We have to do
all we can to save him. So, do it! Hurry! (He gets out his cell
phone and dials, then walks toward the back of the room mumbling to
the person on the phone)

ZIGGY: Perhaps he just fainted.

SAMANTHA: He didn’t faint. Richard has been stabbed. (everyone
reacts) Somebody help me get him onto the couch. (several of the men
help get him off the floor and on the couch) Alice, run get me
something that we can put on him to stop the bleeding. (Alice exits)

MARYANNE: Is he going to be alright?

SAMANTHA: I don’t know.

RICHARD: (moans)

SAMANTHA and MARYANNE: Richard? (he passes out again)

SAMANTHA: He is going in and out of consciousness.

GRACIE: Charles, Dear, you should say a prayer for him.

SAMANTHA: That’s a good idea. He certainly needs that right now.

CHARLES: Alright. Let’s pray. Father God, my brother, Richard is
hurt real bad, and he really needs a touch of Your healing hand upon
him right now… (he pauses…becoming emotional)

RICK: Amen. So what do you think; is my dad going to die? Is this
it?

MARYANNE: No Rick, we must hold on to some positive attitudes here.
Don’t worry; we’ll make sure he gets better. We need to be strong for
him.

RICK: Sure…you wouldn’t want to see him die. He was going to marry
you, and then you could have his money!

SAMANTHA: Rick! That will not help this situation!

MARYANNE: Rick, I loved your father.

AUSTIN: Loved? He’s not dead yet, you know.

MARYANNE: That’s not what I meant to say.

SAMANTHA: We are all upset. Let’s all try to calm down and concentrate
on helping poor Richard.

RICK: Poor Richard. Maybe we can help him by trying to figure out
who hated him the most. You said he was stabbed? Has anyone thought
about the fact that someone in this room could have done it? If he
dies, then we have a murderer among us. (everyone looks around the
room at each other) I suggest that no one leaves this place until we
find out who the culprit is.

AUSTIN: Don’t be ridiculous. Obviously someone has broken into the
house and Richard caught him and got stabbed trying to protect himself.
Whoever did it is long gone by now.

RICK: Oh… you sure figured that one out fast didn’t you? Sounds to
me like you may have rehearsed it a little bit.

AUSTIN: You’re being ridiculous, Rick. That’s not that hard to figure
out. It seems the only logical thing to me. No one here would want to
harm your father.

RICK: Ha!

SAMANTHA: What is taking Alice so long? This man could bleed to death!

RICK: She hates him, too. Maybe she did it.

CHARLES: Do we have to contend with all of your accusations?

RICK: Wait till I start in on you and Aunt Gracie.

MARYANNE: Rick, this isn’t helping. Why don’t you run and see what is
taking Alice so long? (he exits)

SAMANTHA: (to Austin) Are the paramedics on the way?

AUSTIN: Yes, I believe so. But it is going to take them a while to
get here in this weather and this far out from town. Are you holding
back the bleeding well?

SAMANTHA: Yes, I think so. I’m trying.

MARYANNE: (sitting next to Richard on the floor) Richard, Honey?
Richard, can you hear me? Hang in there, Darling. Help is on its way.
Miss Good, I sure appreciate you helping Richard like this.

SAMANTHA: Well, I’m only doing what needs to be done
“Dear Warren, EXCEPTIONAL!!! Your play was a Masterpiece!!! We’ve received Rave reviews!!!  Knocked ’em dead!!! Many, many blessings to you for your using your talents for the Lord!!! This play has made my husband a hero in my eyes, for he found you for us!!!  My principal truly appreciates our doing Christian dramas, ones with/Christian messages/themes, so we’re ready for your next one. Thanks a bushel.”
Karl and Janzi, Cole Christian School, Boise, ID