The Shepherds

By Alden Frye

Summary

Life is boring for Caleb and Aram out watching sheep on the hillside. Until something stunning happens.

Characters

Caleb
Aram

Script

Part 1

(Caleb and Aram sit in complete darkness)

CALEB -- Hey?

ARAM -- What?

CALEB -- You awake?

ARAM -- (pause) I think so.

CALEB -- You're not sure?

ARAM -- Well, it's so dark I can't tell if my eyes are open!

CALEB -- I'll stir the coals. That'll give you a little more light.

ARAM -- And maybe some heat!

(Caleb pokes at fire and very dim light illuminates them)

CALEB -- If it really bothers you I could get some more wood.

ARAM -- You think? I know this is only my second night, but... (pause)

CALEB -- But what?

ARAM -- How do you stand it? The cold. The darkness. The silence. The isolation.

CALEB -- You get used to it. Your eyes adjust after a while, and then you can see more.

(long pause)

ARAM -- So does it get any less boring? I mean, does anything ever happen out here at night?

CALEB -- A shooting star once in a while. What did you think a shepherd does, anyway?

ARAM -- I guess... I don't really know.

(pause)

CALEB -- Let's get up and check the sheep. You count them and I'll check for strays.

ARAM -- Give me a minute... my back hurts and my legs are getting stiff.

CALEB -- Surely walking around will help you warm up.

ARAM -- Don't call me Shirley!

CALEB -- What? I didn't.

(they stand and stretch as the fire light flickers out)

ARAM -- And there goes the fire. I guess that's the last light I'll see for a while!

(both depart in darkness)

Part II

(Caleb and Aram stand in complete darkness. Caleb is awestruck and Aram is excited.)

CALEB -- WOW!!

ARAM -- (in a loud whisper) Caleb? Caleb, did you see that? Please tell me you saw that! CALEB -- I... think so. If you did... then I did!

ARAM -- Then it wasn't a dream, right? If we both saw them it wasn't a dream!

CALEB -- WOW!

ARAM -- Caleb! They were angels, weren't they? We just saw angels!

CALEB -- I think they must have been angels. And they were talking about... a Savior...

ARAM -- A Savior? Do you think they were talking about... (pause) the Messiah?

CALEB -- I think so. For so long I've wanted the Messiah to come! And... in my lifetime!

ARAM -- Wow! The Messiah! And He'll kick the Romans out, right?

CALEB -- Wouldn't that be marvelous!! (pause) This could change everything!

ARAM -- So why did they come to us? Do you think the others saw them? They must have seen them--they filled the whole sky!

CALEB -- (lost in thought) A baby... in a manger?

ARAM -- How can that be? I mean, the Messiah would be in a palace, wouldn't He? Or the Temple? Wouldn't He be in Jerusalem? Not Bethlehem!

CALEB -- Well, some teachers say the prophet spoke of Bethlehem.

ARAM -- Then... the Messiah could be here! And just down the road from us!

CALEB -- WOW ! (pause) But a baby... in a manger? That makes no sense at all!

ARAM -- That is what the angels said, though! And they were angels, right?

CALEB -- We must go to Bethlehem.

ARAM -- What about the sheep?

CALEB -- Let the others watch the sheep! If this is the Messiah... I must see this baby!

ARAM -- Wait up! I'm going with you!

(both exit)

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Copyright Alden Frye, all rights reserved.
This script may be used free, provided no charge is made for entrance to the performance. In return the author would like to be told of any performance. He may be contacted at pandafrye@yahoo.com