Everything Must Go!
(A drama about dealing with anxiety and worry)

Director's Notes:
Anxiety and worry can incapacitate us. If we don't trust that the Father will provide and care for us, we can literally worry ourselves to a spiritual death. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I go to bed, even though I'm physically exhausted, I won't be able to fall asleep because a million anxious thoughts are bouncing around inside my head. I decided to write this drama based on that where every sentence was a question.

Like many dramas I've written, the dialogue takes place inside the person's head. I've recorded it HERE if you wish to use it. Simply right click on the blue link, select 'Save Target As...', and save the MP3 file to your hard drive.

Cast:
Dave: A man who worries way too much

Props:
Remote control
Mail

Setting:
The family room

(Lights up. Dave is sitting at a table hosting a yard sale...)

Dave: (yelling to someone off screen) Hey. Thanks a lot. You’re gonna love that baby.

Crystal:   (enters with Amanda) Dave? Was that your lazy boy I just saw on the back of that truck?

Dave:   Yeah. Had to sell that bad boy.

Crystal:  (looks around) Well… whatever. When did you decide to have a yard sale?

Dave:   Oh sorry Honey. I should have told you. I decided last night.

Crystal:  Last night? Why didn’t you tell me?

Dave:   I don’t know. I figured it’s all my stuff anyway.

Crystal:  Um, excuse me? Your stuff?

Dave:    Yeah. I mean, I have the job. I bought it. It’s my stuff. I mean no offense of anything. I figured you wouldn’t mind.

Crystal:   (looks at Amanda)

Amanda:    Hey mom, don’t look at me. You married him.

Crystal:    Look Dave…

Dave:    See. I saw this guy on TV last night. I don’t know – some infomercial or something that said that everything you have has a price associated with it including your time and talents so I thought, “Heck! Why not just start selling all my stuff and make some cash!” and that’s what I’m doing – see? Here’s some of the stuff I’ve sold so far (hands her a list)

Crystal:   (takes list) Card table, novels, tupperwear, walkman, family pictures!!! You sold our family pictures??

Amanda:   And my walkman??

Dave:   Hey come on! They were just taking up space. I got a great deal on ‘em!

Crystal:    David Roberts, get all this stuff back in the house now!

Dave:    Can’t. In 10 minutes I have to be over at Mr. Ferguson's house.

Crystal:    Who’s Mr. Ferguson?

Dave:    He needed a carpenter so I sold him 3 hours of my time.

Crystal:    3 hours? Your supposed to be over at the church helping Pete finish the new shed.

Dave:    Sorry, no time for that. Priorities you know.

Crystal:    Ugh. Come on Amanda, help me bring this stuff in.

Dave:       Can’t. She has to baby-sit Mrs. Groves kids today.

Amanda:    Mrs. Grove? The lady with quintuplets?!

Dave:    Yeah, you gotta be over there in…(looks at watch)... actually you’re late. (turns to Crystal) Can you drive her?

Amanda:   (angry) Mom?!

Crystal:   Hey don’t look at me. He’s your father.

Amanda:  (really angry) MOM?!

Crystal:     Fine. (Firm and quite preturbed) Dave. Number 1: This is not all your stuff. Number 2: You are going to take this inside and Number 3:…

Chris:   (enters) Hey, how much for the wedding dress?

Dave:   10 bucks.

Crystal:   YOU’RE SELLING MY WEDDING DRESS FOR $10????!!!!

Dave:    Okay, 12 but that’s my final offer.

Chris:    Deal. (starts handing him the money.)

Crystal:   (through gritted teeth to Dave) Touch that money Mister and I’ll give you a final offer.

Dave:      (to Chris) Er, you better go.

Crystal:   Actually, I think I’ll go. Come on Amanda. (leaves)

Dave:     Aw, come on Honey!

Crystal:    (shouts back) If you are looking for me, I’ll be at my mothers.

Dave:      Wait! She won’t be there. I sold her for $20 bucks!

LIGHTS OUT FAST

END

© 2004 Dave Marsh