Dennis the Menace

By Greg Brook
Summary	Dennis knows Christians are supposed to visit the sick, but has all the wrong approach when he meets Mrs Reid, an elderly lady who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Theme:	suffering, compassion

Characters: 	 Mrs Reid - an elderly lady, who has been diagnosed with terminal 
Cancer. She is a mature Christian with a strong faith that God will help her through this illness to eternal life. 
Dennis - someone who knows Christians are supposed to visit the sick, but has all the wrong ideas about what to do when he gets there. 

Script

MRS REID is on the phone to her daughter. She is in a living room, and was about to have a cup of tea when the phone rang – there is a small table set with tea things.

MRS REID: 	Yes, dear, there are times when it’s all a bit scary, and that’s when I miss your father, but when I pray I know that God’s with me, and always will be. … Yes, that’s right. Oh! That sounds like someone at the door. I’d better go. Lovely to talk to you. … Bye.

DENNIS enters as she finishes talking

DENNIS:	The door was unlocked so I thought I’d see myself in.

MRS REID: 	Please, have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea? I was just about to have one.

DENNIS: 	Yes, thank you.

MRS REID:	I’ll go and get another cup.

She exits again, but soon returns with the cup. DENNIS, meanwhile, glances at his watch, and consults a list in his pocket.

MRS REID: 	It’s very nice of you to call.

DENNIS: 	When someone at church told me you’d been diagnosed with cancer, I decided I had to come and have a chat with you and make you feel all right.

MRS REID: 	That’s very kind of you. Uh, do you take milk?

DENNIS: 	No thanks. Mrs Reid, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m sure you’ve been feeling dreadful. The emotions you’ve been suffering while going through this torment must be unbelievable. (He’s actually the only emotional one here). You’ve probably been feeling depressed, angry, bitter or … um (consults the list in his pocket) suicidal, that was it, at the moment …

MRS REID: 	(Surprised) No, not at all.

DENNIS:	(Not listening) … but I’ve come to tell you that you don’t really need to be. Try to think positive. It’s not that bad.

MRS REID: 	Well, thank you, but I don’t feel all that bad.

DENNIS: 	(Taking the credit) There you are then. Now, we had an excellent talk at church last week about why people suffer. You could listen to the tape of it if you want. Basically it’s like this: You see, good things happen to bad people, but … No that’s not it. Ah yes, bad things happen to bad people, but bad things also happen to bad people. No, good people happen to bad things and …Perhaps I need to listen to that tape.

MRS REID: 	That’s all very … interesting, but you see –

DENNIS:	One thing he said was that we all experience suffering. That’s certainly true of me. I can really identify with how you must be feeling at the moment.

MRS REID: 	You can?

DENNIS:	Yes, I’ve been under the weather a bit myself lately – a touch of flu, I think.

MRS REID: 	(Genuinely) Oh, you poor dear.

DENNIS: 	Don’t worry. I’ll get over it. It’s not as serious as what you’ve got. I knew someone once who died of cancer. They lived for quite some time before it killed them. I can still remember the expression of extreme pain on his face. (MRS REID sobs) I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. He obviously suffered quite badly, but they say not everyone does.

MRS REID: 	Do they? I really only know what my doctor has told me.

DENNIS: 	No, well some people die very quickly instead, so suffer less – it can be much easier on the families that way too. (MRS REID sobs more, handkerchief up to her face). Oh, uh, please, settle down, Mrs Reid. Remember you’ve got to pull yourself together and don’t think about the suffering. Now, if you need anyone to help you in any way, then feel free to ask … anyone who can help you in any way. (DENNIS stands up.) Well, I can’t stay any longer. Just remember what I’ve said and you’ll be all right. I’ll see myself out. Goodbye. (He exits)

MRS REID: 	(In between sobs) Oh, Lord.

Lights out.

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© Greg Brook (Dunedin City Baptist) July 2001
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged.
In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. Our drama group can be contacted at the following address: brook@clear.net.nz