The Lunch Special

Turns out that one of the girls is a non-believer, but she is very open and seeking to know the truth. Simple script and simple blocking, only the waitress and the boy move around. An extra boy is needed to walk in but has no lines. Other extras could be added to the scene in the diner. This was written as a dramatic companion to a choir musical… so songs could easily be added at the end of each scene. It also works well as a non-musical drama.

Cast of 5 (4 females, 1 male, plus an extra male) About 20-25 mins. of dialog

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

DOLORES: (Speaks 1119 words) She is a strong Christian waitress and shares Christ.

BETHANY: (Speaks 844 words) Not a believer but seeking.

CHELSEA: (Speaks 718 words) The youngest and the hungriest. Bubbly personality

ABBY: (Speaks 684 words) Chelsea’s older sister. The reasonable one.

EVAN: (Speaks 142 words) The popular boy who they all think is cute.

Excerpt:

LIGHTS UP ON:

SCENE ONE:
The set is a diner. You might have others on stage as extras at other tables, but the main characters are the 3 teenage girls sitting at one table/booth. This should probably be center stage where the waitress comes up to the table from upstage, so the waitress is facing the audience and the table and the girls are sitting sideways to the audience view. The girls are already seated.

ABBY
Are you guys getting sick of Christmas carols, yet?
BETHANY
I don’t know if I would say sick. But I have heard a lot of them.
CHELSEA
I love Christmas carols.
ABBY
Of course you do.
CHELSEA
What?
ABBY
That’s one of the reasons I am sick of it. I have to listen to you playing them all the time.
CHELSEA
If you don’t like it then you can just go away.
ABBY
I live there!
BETHANY
Hey… you two promised me that you would not fight if we hung out together today!
ABBY
I’m sorry Bethany. I shouldn’t let her get on my nerves. But you know how little sisters can be.
BETHANY
No, actually I don’t. I’ve never had any siblings. But I am friends with both of you and I want to hang out with both of you… but both of you need to chill!
CHELSEA
I will if she will.
ABBY
Sorry, Bethany.
BETHANY
So, why don’t you like Christmas carols?
ABBY
It’s not that I don’t like them… I just get tired of hearing the same ones over and over.
CHELSEA
That’s because you keep your radio on that same station. You don’t get enough variety.
BETHANY
So, which ones do you like, Chelsea?
CHELSEA
Oh, I don’t know. It changes all the time. I guess I like the ones we sing at church.
BETHANY
Which ones are they?
CHELSEA
You know… Angels We Have Heard on High… The First Noel and O Come, All Ye Faithful.
BETHANY
Those are like the really old ones, right? Like the ones my grandparents listen to.
CHELSEA
I guess so. But I don’t care how old they are. I just like them because they tell about the birth of Jesus. That helps me stay on track for what Christmas is really all about. Otherwise I might get caught up in all the commercialism.
BETHANY
Wow, Chelsea… that was deep.
ABBY
Don’t let her fool you… it’s all an act.

Dolores, the waitress enters with some food. Probably something simple like french fries.
DOLORES
Here you go, girls. A plate of fried carbohydrates.
CHELSEA
Excuse me?
DOLORES
It was a joke, Sweetie. Enjoy your fries. I just can’t believe this is what you are having for lunch.
CHELSEA
We like fries. I suppose you wanted us to get the lunch special that you were pushing.
DOLORES
At least the lunch special has food. This is barely food.
ABBY
We’re not that hungry, I guess.
CHELSEA
I am.
ABBY
What’s new?
DOLORES
Well, let me know if you change your mind and want something else… you know, like food?
BETHANY
Oh, Miss?
DOLORES
Yes? …and you can just call me Dee. What can I get you?
BETHANY
Some ketchup?
DOLORES
Oh! Of course! I’m sorry… I don’t usually serve fries without ketchup. A little tomato with your potato…

She exits
CHELSEA
Did you know that ketchup can be spelled k-e-t-c-h-u-p and also c-a-t-s-u-p?
ABBY
Please! I’ve had enough school for one day.
BETHANY
Chels… you must have learned that… what…. Five years ago?
ABBY
She’s into insignificant facts.

Chelsea starts eating the fries.
BETHANY
Chelsea! Starving much?
CHELSEA
Sorry… but they’re really good. I guess I’m kind of hungry.
BETHANY
So you said.
Evan enters and walks past their table and sits at another table. He may or may not have someone with him.
BETHANY
Don’t look know, but Evan Whitaker just came in.
CHELSEA
Who?
BETHANY
Evan Whitaker! Don’t you think he’s kind of cute?
ABBY
If you go for that type. I guess he’s okay.
CHELSEA
Which one? That guy right over there? That just walked past our table?
BETHANY
Sshhh… yes. Don’t stare!
CHELSEA
Is he a friend of yours?
BETHANY
Not really. I mean, I know him…. but…
CHELSEA
So introduce us!
BETHANY
No way!
CHELSEA
Why not?
ABBY
Because, Chelsea! Don’t be a dope.
CHELSEA
How am I being a dope? I just want to meet the guy.

Abby and Bethany laugh.
ABBY
Like you’re going to meet Evan Whitaker!
CHELSEA
What’s wrong with that? If Bethany knows him, she can introduce us.
ABBY
Everyone KNOWS him… that doesn’t mean you can just talk to him.
CHELSEA
Well, that’s just silly.
BETHANY
No, Chelsea. He’s very popular. He has no reason to talk to any of us.
CHELSEA
Why not? Is he stuck up or something?
BETHANY
No… I heard he’s very nice.
CHELSEA
Then we should talk to him. We have a lot in common.
BETHANY
What?
CHELSEA
We’re also very nice.
ABBY
Aren’t you cute and funny and totally out of your mind?
CHELSEA
I can’t believe you guys… if you want someone to notice you, you have to put yourself out there!
ABBY
Well, he’s probably already noticed you the way you’re putting away those french fries!
BETHANY
Yeah… there’s not going to be any left if you keep that up.
CHELSEA
I’m not stopping anyone.
BETHANY
I’m waiting for the ketchup!

Dolores enters.
DOLORES
Sorry, darlin’… that shouldn’t have taken so long. Here ya go.

She has noticed them looking at Evan and talking about him.
DOLORES
So, who’s the boy?
BETHANY
What?
DOLORES
The little one here hasn’t taken her eyes off of him ever since he walked in.
ABBY
Chelsea! We told you not to stare!
DOLORES
Don’t worry about that. Most cute boys like to have girls staring at them.
CHELSEA
See? I told them to introduce me, but they won’t do it. I really want to meet him! I think he’s very cute! Don’t you think they should introduce me?
DOLORES
My! You’d think someone was announcing the birth of the long awaited Messiah!
BETHANY
The what?
DOLORES
The Messiah. You know, Jesus.
BETHANY
Oh. I just never heard that name before.
CHELSEA
You never heard of the Messiah?
DOLORES
Well, believe me, honey… back when Jesus was born… all the Jews knew about the coming Messiah. The prophets had foretold of His coming and they had been waiting a very long time. He was going to deliver them from all oppression. So… when He came… they really had reason to rejoice.