The Skeptic

Running time - 15 minutes

Genre - Dark comedy or drama

Setting—A living room. The present.

 

Characters - 1 Male, 1 Female or 2 Females

 

Synopsis: An atheist witnesses to a religious woman.

 

Dialogue Sample

 

(A woman sits drinking coffee. There is a knock at the door.)

 

Woman:  What can I do you for on this glorious Sunday afternoon?

 

Visitor:  I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time.

 

Woman:  You’re not selling anything, are you?

 

Visitor:  No, ma’am.

 

Woman:  Well, I already give to the Christian Bell Ringers Association.

 

Visitor:  I’m not a member of an organization, ma’am … although I’m sure it’s a worthy cause. No, I’m here on a much more urgent matter.

 

Woman:  Oh, my Lord. Is it Faith?

 

Visitor:  Faith?

 

Woman:  My daughter. Has something happened to her?

 

Visitor:  No, no. I’m sure she’s fine. However, what I’m here to discuss is a matter of faith.

 

Woman:  Are you a Mormon missionary?

 

Visitor:  No, ma’am.

 

Woman:  No, you wouldn’t be. There’s only one of you. You’re not one of those Watchtower people come to tell me I can’t celebrate Christmas or Easter?

 

Visitor:  No.

 

Woman:  If Tom Cruise sent you, you can high tail it out of here.

 

Visitor:  I don’t plan on jumping on any couches.

 

Woman:  Okay, then. Would you like some coffee?

 

Visitor:  That would be nice, thank you.

 

Woman:  Cream and sugar?

 

Visitor:  Oh yes.

 

Woman:  A sweet tooth, eh?

 

Visitor:  I’m afraid so.

 

Woman:  Now, what’s so important you come all the way out here on a Sunday?

 

Visitor:  As I said, it’s a matter of faith.

 

Woman:  Oh, I’ve got plenty of that. Church three times a week. I’m on my knees every morning.

 

Visitor:  You’re very devout.

 

Woman:  The Lord God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

 

Visitor:  Excuse me?

 

Woman:  So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites.

 

Visitor:  I’m not really sure what that has to do with—

 

Woman:  Amen.

 

Visitor:  Anything.

 

Woman:  What’s the name of your flock?

 

Visitor:  My what?

 

Woman:  I’m a member of the New Apostolic Charismatic Church of the Risen Savior.

 

Visitor:  Oh, I don’t belong to any church.

 

Woman:  No?

 

Visitor:  No, ma’am. I’m an atheist.

 

Woman:  (jumps up)

Get behind me devil!

 

Visitor:  Actually, I don’t believe in the devil or hell or anything like that.

 

Woman:  You’ll be in for a surprise.

 

Visitor:  The concept of hell is a superstition, a device to keep people living in fear so they’ll believe in a higher power.

 

Woman:  Well, it’s working on me.

 

Visitor:  There’s nothing to be afraid of.

 

Woman:  Have you looked outside?

 

Visitor:  I mean of divine retribution. What if I told you that you could live your life without fear? You could go about your days just as you do now, but free of those little offerings, indoctrinations, and sacrifices. To leave the darkness and come into the light, the light of independent thought, of enlightenment.

 

Woman:  Now, I know people. And people don’t always have what you call enlightened thought.

 

Visitor:  No, but they do make discoveries. Through reason and science.

 

Woman:  You one of those monkey people?

 

Visitor:  I believe in the scientific method. In things that can be measured and named.

 

Woman:  Oh, there’s a name for it all right. Not all things can be measured.

 

Visitor:  I think they can. The depths of the ocean. The distance between stars. Atoms.

 

Woman:  You’re talking about the physical world. What about the things you can’t see?

 

Visitor:  Like ghosts?

 

Woman:  Do you believe in love?

 

Visitor:  I believe in endorphins and a rapid heartbeat.

 

Woman:  My God is too big for your measuring stick.

 

Visitor:  What’s the use of grasping at air?

 

Woman:  Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.

 

Visitor:  Yes.

 

Woman:  All will be revealed.

 

Visitor:  Suppose you could reveal it yourself?

 

Woman:  Why then, I’d be God.

 

Visitor:  No, just human.

 

Woman:  In the beginning was the Word.

 

Visitor:  I think, therefore I am.

 

Woman:  If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.

 

Visitor:  Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.

 

Woman:  Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

 

Visitor:  I have judged others' religions by their lives, for it is from our lives and not our words that our religions must be read.

 

Woman:  Amen. More coffee?

 

Synopsis & Dialogue Sample

Sandra Hosking, M.F.A.

Playwright, journalist, teacher