Scene 3: Rose Park Church

(a flashback)

(It is the end of the service. People are milling around. We see Mary looking for the pastor,then finding him.)

Pastor Sharp: (He is gushy, wordy, and very distant. He is shaking hands with others while talking with Mary. He is also making dinner arrangements throughout this whole exchange).

Yes, I’m pastor here. Good to have you. Glory! (ad lib)

Mary: I’m sorry to bother you, but...

Sharp: Oh! Absolutely no trouble at all, little lady, what’s on your mind?

Mary: (She is a bit off balance, watching this man’s antics) Thanks. I mean, good. Well, what I wanted to say is...well, I’ve had some pretty bad experiences with religion, and...

Sharp: I understand you perfectly. (He looks at watch and beyond her. Signals to friend that he will soon be free.) Haven’t we all! (He laughs)

Mary: Sir, am I keeping you?

Sharp: Ma’am, when the Lord’s work is at hand, I’ve got all the time I need. (again looks at watch and signals friend)

Mary: (looking to his friend, then back to him) Yeah, well, anyway...The last time I had a run-in with a preacher, I decided never to go to church again. But tonight, well, I kinda got that “feeling” again, you know?

Sharp: Right! Glory! That’s where it’s at, honey!

Mary: (growing even more nervous) Well, I was wondering, what would it take to become a member here?

Sharp: (smile vanishes as he examines her drab clothing) Uh huh. Tell me, dear, where do you live?

Mary: On Bank St., down by the river. Why?

Sharp: Hmmm, that would present a problem. It’s a long way out here, you know. I’ll tell you what might be good for you though. Right on Bank St. there’s several little store-front churches, where you might feel a little more...comfortable, at home, you know. Of course now, I’m just thinking of you. (looks at watch)

Mary: Are you saying I might not be too welcome here?

Sharp: (with false piety) Oh glory! (looks to heaven, raises hand) No! Why you’re welcome to attend here anytime you want. It’s just that there’s more involved when you’re talkin’ about church membership.

Mary: I’ve heard that somewhere before. Well, your friends are waiting. Have a nice night out. (she exits, he shrugs and goes with his friends. We hear faintly their conversation )

Friend: So how’d the meeting go?

Sharp: Pretty good! But we’re still havin’ trouble gettin’ people to join the church!

(blackout, and back to SCENE 1)

Mary: So about then I quit this religion bit altogether.

Dave: That was a good decision.

Mary: Huh?

Dave: Oh yeah. Most Religion’s not my thing either, Mary. Jesus didn’t come to bring us a new religion. He came to bring us Himself. And you know, He wanted to be accepted, just like you do. The Bible says that those who accept Him are added by GOD to HIS church.

Mary: “His” church? You mean the place where you preach?

Dave: (laughing) No, no. When Jesus gets inside two people, and they get together, that’s “His Church.”

Mary: Really!

Dave: Really. It’s that simple. And better yet, Mary. Jesus wants you in that church.

Mary: It’s hard to believe, listenin’ to those preachers.

Dave: Then listen to Jesus. He said, Everyone that’s tired, come and I’ll give you rest. Do you think He left you out?

Mary: (sobbing) I’m gettin’ that feelin’ again.

Dave: It’s not the feeling that’s important, although that’s gonna be there. What’s important is the faith that’s rising inside of you because of the Word of God that you’ve been hearing. Mary, do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Mary: Oh, I do, I do. (she completely breaks down)

Scene 4, at “The Well”

(It is as at the beginning. Music, rowdy. The new Mary enters. She is greeted by adlibbed

astonishment, along with the following:)

Joe: What happened to you?

Mary: I met a man.

Joe: That’s nothin’ new for Mary! (general laughter)

Mary: I met a man who loves me!

Joe: Marriage?

Mary: Just wait. Now, this man, he really understood my problems. And he had a solution. He introduced me to his friend.

Sally: Oh, there’s one for me too? (again general laughter)

Mary: Silly girl, you were there. I’m talkin’ about how Dave introduced me to Jesus. (general shock) You guys really need to give this Jesus a try. Look at me. I’m HAPPY! And I haven’t touched a drop for days!

Joe: I’m listenin’ . If it’d work for you, it’ll work for anyone. Preach it, girl.

Mary: (opens her Bible ) Well it says here in John (she ad libs a salvation message softly while SM gives his last speech, lights down except on him.)

SM: (appears during Mary’s speech with sign reading OUT OF BUSINESS. He nails this over the first one) And with those hammer blows we close to the neighborhood “The Well.” Seems people in this community are going elsewhere for high spirits and satisfaction these days.