In The Middle Of The Room

The sisters bring with them, Julia and Mindy, who had no place to go. Julia is from a poor family who can’t afford to bring her home, and she is very homesick. Mindy is from a wealthy family, and her parents are vacationing in Europe. The sisters’ young uncle, Mike has come to stay for awhile, also, as he is having marriage problems. Uncle Mike and Trish get the idea to come up with enough money to send Julia home for Christmas as a surprise. Christi is reluctant. Meanwhile, God is working on Julia’s heart and she tells them that it is God’s will that she doesn’t go home. But they have already bought the ticket. What should they do? It all wraps up nicely with Mindy getting saved and Mike’s wife returning.

Cast of 16 (7 women and 4 men plus 5 children – all ages) Some smaller parts can be dropped. About 30-40 mins.

CAST:

TRISH: Largest part, she is the oldest and leader of the college girls. A take charge type of person.

JULIA: College friend from a poor Christian family. She is far from home and can’t afford to go home for Christmas. Struggling with her loneliness, but has a strong faith.

MINDY: The non-Christian college friend, who is from a wealthy family and she ends up getting saved.

CHRISTI: Trish’s sister, outgoing, funny, brash, selfish, stingy, and has the most to learn from the events.

MIKE: Trish and Christi’s uncle currently separated from his wife and only about 10 years older than the girls. He has very good report with them, and they love him.

JAN: Mike’s older sister and mom to the girls. A recent widow with 5 children.

JAKE: Jan’s oldest, and the only boy among all girls. Close to his sisters.

ASHLEY: Teenage (or pre-teen) sister of Trish and Christi.

AMY: Another teenage (or pre-teen) sister.

CINDY: Mike’s wife, who wants to leave him but has a change of heart.

SUE: Aunt to the girls and younger sister of Jan. She has 3 children.

BOB: Sue’s husband.

MICHAEL: Their youngest boy (probably pre-teen or young teen).

MARCI: Bob and Sue’s teenage daughter. She would like to be one of the college girls.

TODD: Their oldest boy. Very close to cousin Jake, like a brother. Closer to his age.

MELISSA: Mike and Cindy’s daughter.

Excerpt:

MINDY: (To Julia) This place is like Grand Central Station.

JULIA: Yeah.

MINDY: The only thing missing is the clock in the middle of the room.

JULIA: The clock?

MINDY: Oh, sorry. If you’ve been to Grand Central Station in New
York City, there is this big room where everyone has to walk through
and there is a clock in the middle of the room.

MIKE: I know it well. So, what brings you girls to the Anderson
household for Christmas?

MINDY: It was better than staying on campus by ourselves. My folks
are in Europe, so the invitation looked good to me. Julia lives too
far away.

JULIA: My folks just can’t afford to bring me home for Christmas.
I just started college in August. So this is my first Christmas
away from home.

MIKE: (Sympathetic) Ohh….couldn’t you find some low air fares?

JULIA: No fares are low for my family. I have five brothers and 2
sisters, all younger and still at home. My mom stays at home, so
my dad is the only one making any money. He really wants to send
his kids to college… so we learn to cut corners every place we can.

MIKE: What’s your major?

JULIA: Education. We are all home schooled, and I have helped a
lot with the teaching of my brothers and sisters, and I really enjoy
it. I think I would like being a teacher. I told my dad that he
should save the college money for my brothers, because what if I end
up getting married and having kids like mom, and quit working anyway;
then all that money spent on education goes down the drain.

MIKE: And what did he say?

JULIA: And what if you don’t? He wants me to be ready to support
myself if I need to. Besides, if I did start a family, then I would
be equipped to teach them at home if I wanted to.

MIKE: Does your mom have a teaching degree?

JULIA: No, but she is a good teacher.

MIKE: How about you Mindy? What is your major?

MINDY: Theater Arts and Music.

MIKE: Oh, you and Christi!

MINDY: Yep. That is where we met. We’ve already done one play
together. What do you do, Mike?

MIKE: I’m in advertising. I travel a lot.

MINDY: Did I hear someone say that you have a daughter?

MIKE: Yes, Melissa. She will be with her mom for Christmas. My
wife and I are having problems.

MINDY: I’m sorry.

MIKE: Hey, its part of life. We always have lessons to learn. So,
what are you girls getting for Christmas? Do you know?

MINDY: Yes, my folks already told me. They are taking me on a
cruise to Alaska on my summer break. I know that sounds like
something old people do, but I really love Alaska and I’ve always
want to do that.

MIKE: Wow! That sounds like a neat trip. How about you, Julia?
With all those siblings, I would expect you take in quite a haul.

JULIA: Actually, we only do gift giving on our birthdays. Since
Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, then as a family, we try to give
something to Him.

MIKE: How interesting. And how would you do that? Give money to
charity or church or something?

JULIA: Well, what we usually do is we find a poor family and we buy
presents for the children.

MIKE: (Very impressed.) That is so…wow. So unselfish.

JULIA: It really helps all the kids keep Christmas in perspective.

TRISH: (Enters) What are we talking about?

MIKE: Gift giving.

TRISH: Oh…how funny. That is why mom wanted to see me. She needs
to run out and buy our presents. So she wants to know what Christi
and I want.

MIKE: What did you tell her?

TRISH: Well, I can’t speak for Christi, but I would really like a
new digital camera. Mine is a couple years old and so outdated. I
could also use a new monitor for my computer. I really want one of
those big screen ones. I try to give her several things to choose
from so that I am a little bit surprised on Christmas. My third
choice was a new camera cell phone. That might be my first… I can’t
decide.

JULIA: Those all sound really neat, Trish.

MINDY: I have one of those phones. They are really cool. How about
you Mike? Anyone getting you anything?

MIKE: Well, what I want… Santa can’t bring me. I guess mine will
have to come from God, Himself. He is the only One who can give me
what I want. (There is silence as no one wants to say anything after
that.)

CHRISTI: (Enters, breaking the silence) So…what’s going on in here?

MIKE: We’re talking about what we want for Christmas.

TRISH: Yeah, and Mom wants to know cuz she hasn’t bought them yet.

CHRISTI: That’s easy! A new car!

TRISH: Very funny. Now tell us something that makes sense.

CHRISTI: If dad were still alive, he would get me a car.

TRISH: There are five of us…and he would buy YOU a car?

CHRISTI: Why not? You and Jake have cars, and the girls are too
young.

TRISH: Just save your money and buy your own like we did.

CHRISTI: Okay. Let me think. Something that mom could actually
get me. Maybe one of those camera cell phones.

TRISH: That’s what I said!

CHRISTI: Oh that would be easy for mom… one-stop shopping!

JAKE: (Entering) Okay ladies…your beds are ready. Hi Mike! I guess
you are bunking with me!

MIKE: That’ll be great!

JAKE: You don’t snore do you?

MIKE: (Pause) Maybe you will want to pick up some ear plugs later
today.

JAKE: Eeek. (Sits) What do my sisters want for Christmas?

MIKE: Oh, not this again!

JULIA: Do you guys mind if I go and lie down? I’m so tired from
the drive and I don’t want to fall asleep in front of you and
embarrass myself.

EVERYONE: Not at all… etc. (Julia exits)

TRISH: We need to know what you want, too, Jake. And you too,
Uncle Mike. I hope we have some time to do some shopping tomorrow.

CHRISTI: Jake already told me. This is going to be fun!

MIKE: Have you guys heard how Julia spends Christmas?

CHRISTI: What do you mean? This year, she is spending it with us.
Hey, we should get her something too… and you too, Mindy. What do
you want?

MINDY: I think Mike was about to tell you an interesting story.

CHRISTI: Huh?

MIKE: Julia was telling Mindy and I that on Christmas they don’t
give presents to each other because it is not their birthdays, but
Jesus’ birthday.

CHRISTI: They are so poor; they probably can’t afford to buy
presents for all those kids.

MIKE: Well, actually, what they do is give to Jesus.

TRISH: How do they do that?

MIKE: You know that verse that says, “Whoever gives to one of the
least of these my brethren, gives to me?” That was my paraphrase.

TRISH: I think that is from the teaching of the sheep and goats.
The guy is standing before the Lord and the Lord tells him that he
helped all these people and he doesn’t remember helping people, and
Jesus said when you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.

MIKE: Yeah, that’s the one. Well, they find a poor family and buy
presents for the children. I think that is so beautiful. It is the
spirit of giving that really brings out the spirit of Christmas.
It’s what Christmas should be all about.

TRISH: Like that other verse that says it is better to give than to
receive.

CHRISTI: I like to give…but I also like to receive! (Laughs)

MIKE: We all do. It is our human nature. We are all selfish people.
If we don’t work on that part of our nature, then it can affect
every aspect of our lives. It can destroy relationships. I know.
I’m living proof. I have been so selfish! I just hope its not too
late for me.

CHRISTI: Hey! Chill a little Uncle Mike! We aren’t in church you
know.

MIKE: I’m sorry. It’s just that what Julia said had such an effect
on me. She has this big wonderful family that doesn’t deal with
that “give me” attitude at Christmas. And she can’t even go home
and be with them. If I had the money, I would buy her a ticket!
In fact, if you guys are thinking about getting me a present, just
give me cash. I guess it just wouldn’t be enough to get her one,
though. Not at the last minute like this.

TRISH: To go home by Christmas she would have to leave tomorrow.
Well, Uncle Mike, you get points for thinking of such a nice gift.
Too bad it can’t be done.

JAKE: Who says? If I get everyone to give me cash, too, I could
donate to the cause.

CHRISTI: What? What are you saying? Do you know how much a last
minute ticket like that is going to cost?

JAKE: No, but I’ll be glad to get online and check it out. I’ll
get to it. (He exits)

MIKE: I’ll go with you. (He exits)

TRISH: I can’t believe we’re doing this.

CHRISTI: Who says we’re doing this?

TRISH: I think I am. I think this is the most wonderful gift that
I could ever give anyone.

CHRISTI: You don’t have that kind of money! Even if you go in with
Jake and Mike!

TRISH: (Jan enters) Mom! How much were you going to spend on my
Christmas present?

JAN: I don’t know dear. I haven’t priced the things you wanted yet.

TRISH: Ballpark figure! What do you think?

JAN: Trish! Shame on you! You shouldn’t ask how much I’m going to
spend.

TRISH: What if I said that I want cash instead?

JAN: Cash? That is so impersonal. I would much rather go and buy
you a gift that you could open on Christmas.

TRISH: But if you gave me cash, then I could spend it on just what
I wanted.

JAN: But you told me what you wanted….

CHRISTI: She is losing her mind, Mom. Don’t pay any attention to
her.

TRISH: It’s what I want, Mom. That digital camera was $100. If
you could just give the cash…

JAN: Well alright, if that is what you really want.

TRISH: So that is $100, and add Mike’s and Jake’s…

JAN: Mike and Jake?!

CHRISTI: Trish, you are freaking me out, here! (Looks at Mindy)
You’re freaking her out, too! Look! Mindy…are you crying?

MINDY: (Very emotional) I’ve never seen anything like this! People
who are willing to give up their Christmas presents so that a girl
can go home for Christmas…that is so beautiful! (She reaches into
her purse) I was going to buy presents tomorrow, also. I want to
put some money toward this. If we can get Julia home for Christmas,
she will be so happy, and I will experience something I have never
felt before. I have $80. Here Trish.

TRISH: Mindy…really? We actually might be able to do this! How
about it, Chris?

CHRISTI: I…I…uh…

JAN: You are trying to send Julia home for Christmas? How sweet!
I will put some money in toward that.

TRISH: You already are, Mom; all the money that you would have
spent on mine and Jake’s gift.

CHRISTI: Okay, okay! Me too! I’m in!

MIKE: (Entering with Jake) The best round trip deal we could find
costs over $700. We can’t do that much, can we?

TRISH: Well, Mom is giving each of us kids $100 instead of a gift,
so that is $300, and Mindy just put in $80. And I would have spent
at least $20 on presents for each of you, so I will put in another
$80.

JAKE: I can match that.

MIKE: Well, if I am adding correctly, that comes to $540.

CHRISTI: (Not enthusiastic…but resigned to it) I would have spent
$80 on gifts for all of you, too. So that makes $620.

MIKE: I had not thought about buying presents for you girls yet…but
if I had… I would probably spend close to $30. That makes $650.

JAN: You are almost there… I will put in the rest. I’m sure I
would have spent more than 300 dollars on you kids. Here, use my
credit card and book the flight. I’m sure she will be thrilled no
matter when the flights are. Well, what a different Christmas this
will be! But you are all doing a very good thing.

TRISH: It is…isn’t it? I can’t wait to see the expression on
Julia’s face when we tell her. I guess we should tell her right
away since she will have to leave tomorrow.

JAN: Why don’t you tell her tonight when everyone is here?