Coins In A Kettle

A visit to a homeless shelter really opens up Tommy’s eyes and at the same time we meet a young mother who is working on a possible reconciliation with her parents. She has a little girl who they don’t even know about and her recent conversion to Christ is helping her to make some good changes in her life. It all ends happy with Tommy and his mother back at the kettle as she shares with him about God’s gift to us at Christmas…Jesus as our Savior.

Cast of 12 plus extras. (5 males, 4 females, 3 children) Gender can be adjusted some. Close to 30 min.

 

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

MARCIA: Speaks 1777 words. A mother who volunteers for the Salvation Army and wants to teach her son about giving.

TOMMY: Speaks 1252 words. Marcia’s young son who doesn’t understand why they volunteer to help.

CHARLIE: Speaks 699 words. A Salvation Army worker.

ANNA: Speaks 637 words. A young mother in need.

JAKE: Speaks 424 words. Tommy’s friend.

GLORIA: Speaks 248 words. Anna’s mother.

CRAIG: Speaks 205 words. Tommy’s dad.

BRIAN: Speaks 201 words. Anna’s dad.

VOLUNTEER: Speaks 29 words. Works at the homeless shelter.

EVE: Speaks 25 words. Anna’s little girl.

HOMELESS MAN: Speaks 9 words.

MAC: Speaks 6 words. Charlie’s friend.

EXTRAS: Shoppers, homeless people, volunteer workers.

There are a few scene changes that might require some different set pieces. We have two scenes in a living room (probably easier than a kitchen) and three scenes in front of a store on the walkway where extras can be passing by. Two scenes are also inside a homeless shelter where you may want to use extras as homeless people and volunteer workers.

Excerpt:

INT. LIVING ROOM OR KITCHEN
SCENE ONE
The scene begins with two boys playing a video game on the floor.
JAKE
This game is so cool! I’m going to ask my mom and dad if I can get this for Christmas!
TOMMY
I thought you had this one.
JAKE
Really? Did you see it at my house?
TOMMY
Well, I was looking at all your games and I thought I remembered seeing this one.
JAKE
Well, if I do have it…I’ve never played it before. That was stupid since it’s so fun!
TOMMY
I can’t believe you have a game that you haven’t even played.
JAKE
I have so many. I can’t play them all.
TOMMY
I only have a few. My mom says that they are expensive and I can’t get new ones that often.
JAKE
That’s a bummer! I get new ones all the time! I can pretty much get anything I want for my birthday and for Christmas.
TOMMY
Anything?
JAKE
Well…you gotta be smart. You think about how much money your parents are willing to spend on you, and you add up what everything you want is worth, and you get them to reach their limit. Like…I wouldn’t ask for a car or plasma TV or anything like that. But they usually go up a little bit every year, so I end up getting more stuff.
TOMMY
Wow. That’s cool. I wonder if I can do that.
JAKE
Sure you can!
TOMMY
Well, my mom and dad are always saying that they aren’t made of money.
JAKE
Hey…you’re their kid and they want you to have a good Christmas. They got money. If they don’t spend it on you, then they’ll just buy each other real nice stuff.
TOMMY
Yeah! They do buy each other nice things for Christmas. This year, I’m going to ask for more stuff.
Marcia enters with a bag of groceries and crosses behind the boys.
MARCIA
Hi Jake. How are you?
JAKE
I’m fine.
MARCIA
How was school today, Tommy?
TOMMY
Fine, Mom. Jake and I are playing a game.
MARCIA
That’s fine, honey…but I’m afraid Jake needs to go home now.
JAKE
Did my mom call?
MARCIA
No Sweetie…it’s just that Tommy and I have to go somewhere.
TOMMY
Where? Where do we have to go?
MARCIA
Tommy…you remember. We talked about it this morning.
TOMMY
Oh, that. Can’t we play just a little longer?
MARCIA
No. Now I told you that we can’t be late. So I need you to cooperate with me. Now say good-bye to Jake and let’s get ready to go.
JAKE
(getting up)
I’ll be seein’ ya! (Crosses to exit)
TOMMY
Yeah. See ya. (Pause) Mom…do we have to do this? What is it again?
MARCIA
You remember, Honey. We did it last year. Remember, we stood on the street ringing a bell to get people to give money. They threw their pennies in a big kettle. Remember?
TOMMY
I remember. We do it every year! Why do we have to do it again this year?
MARCIA
I thought you liked doing it.
TOMMY
Who told you that?
MARCIA
Tommy! I’m surprised at you. You don’t like doing this?
TOMMY
It’s okay. But do we have to do it every year?
MARCIA
I think it is a good thing. I volunteer every year. I think it is good for us.
TOMMY
I think they should let us keep some of the money. We stand out there in the cold for a long time and get them to throw their pennies in the bucket. We should be allowed to keep some of it for all our time and hard work.
MARCIA
Tommy…if that is what you think about this then you are missing the point of the whole thing. That money is going to help people. People who need it. Now, we can’t give very much money, but we have some time to give, so we can give them our time, and I think it is a very good thing. Someone needs to stand there and ring that bell, and it might as well be us.
TOMMY
But this year I would rather just stay home and play my video game. Can’t I just stay here?
MARCIA
I can’t leave you hear by yourself. You know that.
TOMMY
I’ll be okay.
MARCIA
Don’t even try that. We are not doing that, and so you can just forget that thought right now. Your father is working and I’m not wasting money on a sitter when there is no reason why you can’t go with me and help me do this. We’ve done it before and you seemed to like it just fine.
TOMMY
But I was a kid then…
MARCIA
Tommy… lets go. We need to leave now so we aren’t late. Come on. Get your coat. This is for a good cause. That money we collect really helps people who need it. That’s what Christmas is all about.
TOMMY
(Finally getting up and getting his coat)
Collecting pennies? I don’t think that is what Christmas is all about.