Where Is The JOY?

As you may have guessed, these two characters are based on the sisters, Mary and Martha in the Bible. As they try to work together, more problems occur and they finally realize that God has other plans and they end up inviting a needy family rather than their friends. There are two obvious main characters and a few extras at the end with just a few lines. The Christmas theme can easily be taken out for a non-seasonal time.

6 actors (all female, 5 adult, 1 child) About 10 mins.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:
BERTHA: Speaks 716 words. Patterned after Martha from the Bible.
SHERI: Speaks 678 words. Patterned after Mary (Martha’s sister) from the Bible
MOLLY: Speaks 75 words. Carol’s mother and very poor.
CAROL: Speaks 67 words. Molly’s daughter and very poor.
CAROLINE: Speaks 2 words. Carol’s daughter.
LOUISE: Speaks 0 words. Sheri’s friend. Walks in at the very end.

Excerpt:
SCENE ONE
As the lights come up we see two women preparing for a Christmas party. There might be a table set or that could be offstage, and just a living room. Sheri is sitting and reading her Bible and Bertha is very busy getting things ready. She enters with an apron and looking a bit frazzled.

BERTHA
Sheri… how long are you going to be?
SHERI
I’m having my quiet time.
BERTHA
I know that… I was just wondering how long it was going to take you.
SHERI
You’re not asking me to rush my quiet time, are you?
BERTHA
Of course not… but I finished mine over an hour ago. There is a lot to do to get ready for the party..
SHERI
Don’t worry… I’ll help you.
BERTHA
You bet you will! (Pause) So… any idea of when that might be?
SHERI
Well, as long as you are standing here talking to me, I’m not getting it finished, am I?
BERTHA
Well, today of all days… please don’t take all day with your quiet time! We have so much to do and I can’t do it all myself!
SHERI
Oh… Bertha Bertha… you worry about so much…
BERTHA
Now don’t start that! I know you think you’re Mary and I’m Martha… and that is so ridiculous!
SHERI
Okay… I’m finished.
BERTHA
Oh… don’t let me rush you! You were clearly not done.
SHERI
I can’t concentrate with you running all around working hard… so I might as well start helping. So, what have your gotten done so far?
BERTHA
Well, I have the table set and most of the prep work is done in the kitchen.
SHERI
Sounds like you have things under control. What do you need me to do?
BERTHA
It’s a Christmas party, Sheri. Don’t you think our place needs to look more festive?
SHERI
We have decorations up. I think it looks fine.
BERTHA
Well, I brought out another box of stuff… can you go through it and maybe put out some more?
SHERI
Okay… but you tell me if it looks good or not. You’re better at that than I am.
She goes to the box and begins pulling out decorations and taking them around the room and putting them in various places.
BERTHA
Okay… if you’ve got that, I’ll get back to the kitchen.
Bertha exits as Sheri continues going through the box. The phone rings. Sheri answers it.
SHERI
Hello? (Pause) Oh, hi Louise… how are you doing today? (Pause) Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. How are you coping with that? (Pause) No… go ahead, I’ve got time… tell me all about it.
She sits on the couch and gets comfortable. Bertha enters.
BERTHA
Who was on the phone? Oh.
Sheri looks up and then puts her hand over the receiver and quietly says to Bertha:
SHERI
It’s Louise.
BERTHA
Oh no! That woman can go on for hours! Why is she calling today? Can’t you tell her that you have work to do?
SHERI
Then I would have to explain what I’m doing.
BERTHA
So?
SHERI
So… we didn’t invite her to the party, did we?
BERTHA
Oh. Right. Well, try not to be all day!
(She shoots off a quick prayer as she goes)
Oh Lord… whatever is bothering that woman today, help her to get if off her chest quickly and release my sister so she can help me.
Bertha exits
SHERI
What? (Pause) Oh… okay… talk to you later… I’ll be praying for you, Louise… good bye.
She gets up and starts putting things out from the box again. Bertha comes through with the vacuum cleaner.
BERTHA
What happened?
SHERI
What?
BERTHA
You’re off the phone already!
SHERI
Oh, she got another call. It sounded important.
BERTHA
Wow. God even answers selfish prayers!