8/11/2019 A child of sin

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Setting: Inside of church. Set is sparse. Current day, perhaps a few decades past.

Congregation is opening for easter service. Lights come up and we hear the end of a hymn, and thechorus leader begins sermon.

CL: Friends, we have gathered today to celebrate the rise of our lord Jesus Christ on this

holy day. (hopefully some sort of real church thing can go in here. Did not get that farinto research)

Choir breaks off into dull chatter in background of scene. Edna, a severe looking young woman in herelate 20s enters. She is revered in the church as a direct communicator with god. Approaches Rhonda.

Edna: Rhonda Rhonda, I need to speak with you immediately.

Rhonda: Yeah, sure. What is it?

Edna: Rhonda, I have had a terrible vision, the likes of which I barely have the heart to reveal,and I am afraid that it is centered around you.

Rhonda: What are you talking about, Edna?

Edna: You know that I have had previous visits from the angels warning me of disaster in thechurch, and I am saddened to say that it has happened once again. I was visited lastnight, and it has been revealed to me that you are to be the bearer of a child borne fromsin.

Rhonda: What do you mean, that doesnt even make any sense, Edna. I mean, Im not evenmarried, I havent been I dont

Edna: It is not my place to question these visits. I am only here to report. God be with you.

While the two were talking, a member of the chorus had overheard and goes to report to the rest of thecongregation. The news spreads throughout the congregation with some form ofmovement and a chant. This will be worked out once the script is finalized. During chant,Rhonda runs off stage and comes back with pregnancy test in hand. At end of chant,chorus is surrounding Rhonda in a semicircle. Chorus exits Stage Right, Rhonda crossesdown Stage Left, and Chaz enters downstage Right. Rhonda and chaz are talking to eachother on phones.

Rhonda: Hey, hey Chaz?

Chaz: Yeah.

Rhonda: Are you busy?

Chaz: Uh, no, not really, why?

Rhonda: I, uh, I kinda need to talk to you about something.

Chaz: Whats up?

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Rhonda: (beat) Im pregnant.

Chaz: What? How are you what? (beat) Are you sure?

Rhonda: Yeah.

Chaz: Oh my god.

Rhonda: What are we gonna do?

Chaz: You have to get rid of it.

Rhonda: What? Chaz, I

Chaz: Rhonda, we cant handle this! Were both in school, were barely even adults, and werehardly even dating!

Rhonda: So you just want me to run off and get an abor

Chaz: Its not like I WANT you to, Im just saying that that its our only choice, okay?

Rhonda: And what if I decide to keep it?

Chaz: Well, you cant count on any help from me.

Rhonda: Chaz, I cant! This child is a part of me now, and a part of you! All I wanted was to breakfree, to be my own person, and now look! We made these choices together, and nowwe have to deal with them.

Chaz: Rhonda, we CANT! This is too much for us!

Rhonda: But Chaz, I

Chaz: Listen, I know this guy. He can help you out. I can call him and set something up.

Rhonda: (beat) Okay.

Chaz hangs up phone and walks offstage.

Rhonda: Oh my god, what am I supposed to do? I cant handle this on my own. Hell, I couldnthandle this with Chaz. Everyone in the congregation is going to think Im some whore.Oh god, my parents my parents will never speak to me again. Oh god

Transition between scenes of Chorus grabbing coats, hats, mittens, etc. Hopefully to the beat of jinglebells in background.

CL: La la la some Christmas sermon

Rhonda and Edna are in choir, Rhonda feels sharp pain in stomach.

Rhonda: Oh god

Edna: Rhond a, whats wrong?

Rhonda: I just got this sharp pain oh god.

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Rhonda runs offstage, Edna looks after her, concerned. We hear Rhonda let out a scream, and Edna runsoffstage after her. Edna runs back on.

Edna: Oh my god, someone call an ambulance! Call 911, someone, right now, please!

CL: Edna, whats going on?

Edna: Shes had a baby.

More chorus chanting and movement to transition into next scene. Chorus exist and Rhonda enters withswaddled baby. Edna follows. There is a beat of Edna watching Rhonda care for the baby in silence.

Edna: We dont blame you, you know. Everyone makes mistakes. This is nothing that ourchurch has not seen before. You are not the first, and surely will not be the last to makesuch an error. Just place your faith in God, He will guide you through this.

Rhonda: I have to go, Edna.

Edna: Well, you know that my door is always open.

Rhonda: No, Edna, I mean I need to leave. Leave this town, leave this church. Forever. And Imleaving my baby with you.

Edna: Now Rhonda, you couldn t think that I would

Rhonda: Edna, please. You know that I cant stay here.

Edna: Rhonda, you cant simply leave. I know that things are hard, but this is the time that youneed to show your true strength and commitment to the lord. And to leave your childbehind? Goodness, Rhonda, I

Rhonda: But I cant raise her, Edna! Every time I look at her Im reminded of how Ive failed. Ihave no love for this child, and I know its wrong, but I cant make myself feel anythingbut hatred. I have nothing left, and this child is only a reminder to me of everything thatI have lost. Respect, my family, and most of all, God. I have sinned beyond repair, and ithas ruined not only me, but turned my church, my own religion against me. You are theonly person left in this congregation that will even speak to me! I come into service andam met with glares. People wont even stand within three feet of me anymore, they shyaway as if Im diseased and theyre afraid of being infected! I have to do this. I have toleave. Please, Edna. Please help me. I cant go on like this. Please.

Edna: (beat) As you wish.

Rhonda: (whispered) Thank you.

Rhonda hands Edna the baby, gathers her things and leaves. After Rhonda exist the stage, the babybegins to cry. Edna stands and takes the baby offstage.