How Mr. Sodd Found Christmas

Sodd doesn’t actually see a problem until a robber hits him over the head and then he is visited by three strangers (spirits?) who show him who he really is. He learns that his wife is about to leave him and that one of his employees has a sick daughter who may die because he won’t help with health care. It all wraps up in a happy ending as Edward sees his wickedness and cries out to God. Some humor & drama mixed throughout and the large part of Edward should be a lot of fun to play.

Cast of 22 plus extras. (8 males, 8 females, 6 children) The mourners could be men or women, the spirits could also be women, and only one of the children really needs to be a boy. Play runs about 37-40 min.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

EDWARD SODD: Speaks 2217 words. A business man who runs his father’s company, but has no Christmas spirit or a heart for God. Money is his god. He undergoes a transformation.

TRINA SODD: Speaks 848 words. Edward’s Christian wife.

MONICA: Speaks 570 words. Mr. Sodd’s secretary.

JONATHAN BARLEY: Speaks 459 words. An executive with the company. He sees no future there for him.

IMMINENT: Speaks 328 words. A spirit of future Christmases.

CONTEMPORANEOUS: Speaks 295 words. A spirit of the present Christmas.

AMANDA: Speaks 228 words. Trina’s mother.

BARNEY HATCHETT: Speaks 227 words. Mr. Sodd’s employee.

NOSTALGIA: Speaks 183 words. A spirit of past Christmases.

HANNAH HATCHETT: Speaks 168 words. Barney’s wife.

RICHARD SODD: Speaks 110 words. Young Edward’s father.

DOMINIC HATCHETT: Speaks 110 words. Barney’s son.

YOUNG EDDIE SODD: Speaks 72 words. Edward as a child.

FELICITY HATCHETT: Speaks 67 words. Barney’s sick daughter.

LESTER HATCHETT: Speaks 42 words. Barney’s son.

GRETCHEN SODD: Speaks 40 words. Young Edward’s mother.

JOSEPH: Speaks 37 words. Mary’s husband.

MARY: Speaks 35 words. Mother of Jesus.

PATRICK HATCHETT: Speaks 18 words. Barney’s son.

KENDRA HATCHETT: Speaks 15 words. Barney’s daughter.

TWO MOURNERS: Speak 40 words & 13 words.

EXTRAS: A robber and other mourners.

Excerpt:

Trina enters. Monica is holding the phone to her ear.
MONICA
Good morning, Mrs. Sodd. Merry Christmas!
TRINA
Merry Christmas, Monica… you too, Jonathan!
JONATHAN
What brings you around here this morning?
TRINA
Eddie forgot his lunch, today.
MONICA
(Giggles)
Eddie.
TRINA
I don’t think he lets anyone else call him that but me.
JONATHAN
It’s Christmas Eve, you and Ed should go out to lunch today. Oh! I guess not. What was I thinking?
TRINA
Why not? I think it’s a wonderful idea. I know what you are thinking. You may be right…but I can try.
MONICA
Are you not working today?
TRINA
It’s Christmas Eve. Not everyone in this town is like Eddie. I’m off work for a week!
MONICA
A week!
TRINA
You know, it’s not unheard of. I keep working on him. But, I’m afraid he’s a lost cause. I can’t even get him to let people off early today.
MONICA
Yeah…I was hoping that I could leave early to get some last minute shopping done.
TRINA
I’m going shopping now, is there something you want me to pick up for you?
MONICA
Oh, no…I couldn’t ask you to do that.
TRINA
Plus…you would miss out on all the fun. But I will if you need me to.
MONICA
Thank you. That’s nice of you to offer.
JONATHAN
Well, I better get to work. Do you want me to tell Edward that you are here?
TRINA
Sure. If you don’t mind.
MONICA
Yeah…because I’m on hold with the City Hall.
TRINA
The City Hall?
Monica shrugs, because she doesn’t know why. Jonathan exits.
TRINA
I wonder what he’s up to now.
Amanda enters.
AMANDA
Trina…are you going to be awhile? Because I can just have you meet me somewhere.
TRINA
Mom…you didn’t have to come in to ask me that. Just call me on my cell.
AMANDA
Oh, I still can’t get used to those things.
TRINA
I can’t believe how you still live in the dark ages. I don’t think I will be that long. Eddie hasn’t come out of his office yet…but I don’t think I’ll be much longer. How long has it been?
AMANDA
Oh, not long, I just thought that maybe I could walk down to Macy’s. It’s not that far. (Pause) I don’t get it. You’re his wife…can’t you just walk right into his office?
TRINA
I suppose. But he’s usually on the phone and I know he doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s conducting business.
AMANDA
Oh, that husband of yours is always conducting business. I never saw the likes of it before! Whenever I see him, he has one of those cell phones stuck to his ear.
TRINA
That’s because he has that new kind that you wear on your ear. You don’t have to hold it. But I have been working on him not to wear it around the house. I think he has started leaving it in his office.
MONICA
He didn’t have it on this morning.
Edward enters
EDWARD
Trina! What are you doing here?
She holds up his lunch
EDWARD
Oh, right. I forgot it again. I’m sorry. I don’t know where my head is these days. What a waste!
TRINA
It’s no big deal.
EDWARD
But you had to make a trip and waste all that gas. Gasoline isn’t cheap.
TRINA
I was coming in to town anyway. Mother and I are going shopping.
EDWARD
Oh. Good morning, Mrs. Adams.
AMANDA
How are you, Edward? Will you be joining us tomorrow?
EDWARD
Oh, I don’t know yet. We’ll see. I do have a lot of work to do.
AMANDA
On Christmas…honestly Edward! Take a day off once in a while! You should join us tonight! We are going to church. They are going to have their Christmas Program tonight. It is always so good! I think you would enjoy it.
EDWARD
No, thank you. I don’t think I will make that. You can go if you want, Trina.
AMANDA
Well, I hope you change your mind. Trina…I will meet you at Macy’s.
TRINA
Okay, Mother. I won’t be long.
Amanda exits.
EDWARD
Is there something else you wanted?
TRINA
Yes. I have an idea!
EDWARD
What’s that?
TRINA
How about you take me out to lunch today? I can be back here by noon…
EDWARD
You just brought my lunch!
TRINA
I know. But I think it would be fun.
EDWARD
But you made lunch! I need to eat this.
TRINA
No you don’t. That’s just a sandwich and a juice thingy…
EDWARD
It cost you something. If I don’t eat it, that would be wasteful! Plus…eating out is not cheap! They charge a lot of money at restaurants for needless things. It’s not just the food. You are paying for all the employees and the decor and the music…and all of that. The money you spend on one meal could probably buy enough groceries for one week!
TRINA
Oh, Eddie! You’re no fun!
EDWARD
What is with you, lately? You’re always wanting to have fun! Life isn’t about having fun. You know that.
TRINA
Okay. Okay. You can’t blame me for trying. You are the stingiest person I know! It’s not as if we are dirt poor! You are the president of the company for Pete’s sake!
EDWARD
There is a reason that we aren’t dirt poor. I have watched my wallet. People get crazy and spend money that they don’t have all the time. It is all about being sensible.
TRINA
Yes…yes… I know. You are the most sensible person in the whole world! It wouldn’t hurt you a bit to loosen up and spend a little money once in awhile. And it also wouldn’t hurt you to come to Mother’s place for Christmas!
EDWARD
Total waste of time! Besides, your family is getting used to the idea of me not coming. I’m sure they are happier with me not there, anyway.
TRINA
How can you say that?
EDWARD
Because they know that I would not have a good time! If they see their guest not having a good time, then they can’t have a good time. My way works better for all of us. I don’t mind if you want to go. I understand…they are your family after all.
TRINA
We used to celebrate Christmas when your dad was still alive.
EDWARD
No, you forget. I stopped celebrating Christmas several years ago. It was before we got married.
TRINA
How could I forget. Well, the least you could do would be to leave work early today.
EDWARD
And why would I do that?
TRINA
Oh…I don’t know… maybe because it’s Christmas Eve.! Isn’t that a novel idea!
EDWARD
If my employees have to work all day, then I should, too. It’s only fair.
TRINA
So, let them go early, too! Give them all their Christmas bonuses and send them home for Pete’s sake!
EDWARD
Christmas bonuses? Oh, I’ve stopped that practice! Dad was crazy to do that. That money came right out of our profits.
TRINA
(Very sarcastic)
Oh, naturally. I don’t know what got into me…a moment of insanity, I guess! Well, I’m going shopping with Mother, so I had better get going.
EDWARD
You’re not buying anything for me I hope!
TRINA
So what if I do? Is it a crime to buy my husband a present?
EDWARD
I don’t need anything, and you don’t need to spend money on me. You know that. If you insist on buying stuff for your family, then I don’t mind that too much. I understand the embarrassment that could come if you were the only one not bringing gifts. Though you should suggest that they all stop doing that altogether…think of the money they would save.
TRINA
(Starting to get angry)
Good bye, Edward! Have a nice Christmas Eve! If you don’t see me when you get home tonight, it is probably because I am at church with my family, worshiping the Lord and celebrating His birth!
EDWARD
Don’t even start with that stuff! It’s bad enough that your mother invites me to that thing every year!
TRINA
Edward Sodd…you have the coldest heart of anyone I know! I feel sorry for you!
She exits. He turns around and looks at Monica, wondering what she has heard or seen.
MONICA
Mr. Sodd… oh… Um… Edward….I have the City Hall on line one.
EDWARD
I’ll take it right here.
(Grabs the phone)
Hello? This is Edward Sodd from Sodd’s Software Solutions. I want to know if there is a city ordinance about public displays of nativity scenes. There is one set up next door to my office and I have to pass by it every day on my way to work. This is an attempt for that company to push their religious beliefs on the rest of the community which is a violation of the separation of church and state. Please inform them that they have to take it down. If it is still there when I come to work tomorrow… then I… (Pause) Okay, so tomorrow is a holiday, but that doesn’t mean that everyone observes it. I may be coming in to work, and I don’t want to see that display! Now don’t forget who I am and the fact that I have donated to the city council before because of their support for various causes. I know the law…and I am certain that the people next door are in violation of it! Do your job and take care of it!
He slams down the phone.
EDWARD
I’ll be in my office.
He storms out