The Game of Life (Alt)
(A drama about about resolving conflict)

Director's Notes:
The Pastor was speaking on resolving conflict and since I hadn't done the 'Game of Life' drama in quite some time, I thought I'd bring it back. I rewrote it to accommodate only 2 actors (instead of 3) and it worked great!

This is another drama that people respond well to because they can relate...

Cast:
Jack: A normal husband and father
Sandy: Jack's wife

Props:
Table/desk
The game of Life
Bowl of chips, etc.

Setting:
Jack and Sandy's kitchen

(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE - Jack and Sandy are playing the board game "The Game of Life.)

Sandy:  You know, I can’t remember the last time I played this game. I must have been, like 10 or something. They really updated the box and everything (holds it up). It’s like a doctor used to make something like $20,000 when it first came out in the 70’s.

Jack:  (jokingly) Honey, are you gonna yap all night. Let’s finish the inevitable – you know, where I crush you in my suburban-money-hungry grip.

Sandy:  You are an absolute joy to play with, dear. You know, Jack, it’s not whether your win or lose it’s…

Jack:  (cuts her off) how badly you win. Yeah, I agree. Now spin. Sandy it’s your turn.

Sandy:  Okay, okay. Let’s see. Okay, a 4. (moves her piece). Strike oil. Collect $300,000! Wow! (looks at Jack) Okay, banker, hand it over!

Jack:  (Producing a collect card). Not so fast there, Speedy Gonzalez. I’d like half of that please.

Sandy:  Argh. What do you want with it anyway? You’ll just blow it on junk.

Jack:  What do you mean? I’m not the one with the spending problem…

Sandy:  What do YOU mean?

Jack: Well how about those Precious Moments figures you bought?

Sandy:  Hey, it’s not my fault…you told me to start a hobby.

Jack:  Yeah, I said start a hobby, not buy so many that we had to have a $15,000 addition put on to store the things!

Sandy:  Hey, look who’s talking. Who bought that Corvette? A Corvette’s really practical in a family of 5. And, if I remember correctly, we needed a new dishwasher at the time.

Jack:  Yeah, well, that wasn’t my fault. It was that car dealer friend of yours. He practically made me buy it.

Sandy:  Made you buy it? Friend of mine? You know, I think somebody here has a problem with owning up and taking responsibilities for their own actions and I don’t think it’s the people who have a full head of hair.

Jack:  What? Well, I, uh, look we… oh, just spin would you? (says slowly with his face only inches from Sandy's)

Sandy:  It’s your turn. (between gritted teeth)

Jack:  Fine. (Spins.) 6. (count’s em off). Let’s see – A baby boy is born. Collect presents. (looks at Sandy) That’ll be $500 please.

Sandy:  Here you go. Poor kids gonna need something.

Jack:  What do you mean by that?

Sandy:  Well, you know, it’s gonna be rough since he won’t see his father very much.

Jack:  (holds up the piece) Hey, I’m gonna see this little guy a ton! We’re gonna do all the great Dad things I do with my kids now.

Sandy:  What, like watch Daddy work late? Or watch Daddy bring home a full briefcase?

Jack:  Hey, as soon as you decide that you don’t like your lifestyle let me know.

Sandy:  It has nothing to do with that.

Jack:  It has everything to do with that.

Sandy:  Hey, all I’m saying is that if you’re gonna take care of that kid, you’d better get your priorities straightened out.

Jack:  My priorities? Have you taken a look at that Bible of yours? It has enough dust on it to choke a horse!

Sandy:  Hey, I’ve got to take care of the kids all day, not to mention picking up for you and washing your clothes and shopping for food.

Jack:  Oh, that’s good. Groceries before God. Those are good priorities. (knocks over the game)

Sandy/Jack:  (they look down on the game on the floor.)

Jack:  Yeah, well. (looks at game). This is, uh, an interesting game, this game of Life.

Sandy:  Yeah. (long pause) Maybe it hasn’t changed that much in twenty years after all.

(LIGHTS OUT SLOWLY)

END

© 2000 Dave Marsh