In His Name
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About this ebook
In His Name: A Play In Three Acts
“Some people can justify anything in His name, even murder!”
Stephen believes he’s a Christian. He has no reason to doubt that he is. He works very hard to make sure that everything he does is sanctioned by God in the Bible. Even when he kills people, he assures himself that God has approved the reason and method of death. But in spite of all his spiritual precautions, he hits a pretty deep pothole in his road to purity. He runs afoul of the local crime family. To avoid the unpleasantness heading his way, he migrates from New York City to a small town where he believes he can just to blend in - which he does for a while. Here we meet Pastor Guy who heads up the church over the 99 Cent Store - 99 Cent Baptist - and a host of others. One of which is Maggie. Unhappy in her marriage, she’s drawn to Stephen, who has found himself drawn to her. Sure that she loves him and that God wants them to be together always, Stephen begins to make plans to accomplish what God wants and eliminate the one thing that stands between his having Maggie for his own - her husband John. And he knows just how God would want him to do it. Some people, like Stephen, can find the justification for just about any behavior in Scripture, and Stephen’s found just what he needs.
But our play isn't completely shadowy and dark. We have a fun and compelling love story woven into this tapestry. As well as, stunning moments when God works deeply in the hearts of those He saves, one as urgent and timely as the thief on the cross.
You'll love this play, either to produce it as a full production or as a readers theater, or just to immerse yourself in on a cold winter's night before a glowing, warm fire. After all, without all that pesky description, plays read much like novels - and much faster.
However you enjoy this work, though, when the last page turns and the last line is read, you'll have traveled a sometimes dark, sometimes humorous, always entertaining road into the hearts of God's people as you see God at work there.
William Kritlow
Indiana born, California raised, a Christian at 9, a returning prodigal at 37, I published my first books with Thomas Nelson Publishing Company when I was 50 and now have 7 novels in print, and a number of non-fiction books, some with, some without my name on them. I'm currently pioneering a Theater Arts Program for adults and children in Fountain Valley, CA. God is working faithfully in His children's lives. My passion is to explore His love and grace.
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In His Name - William Kritlow
In His Name
a play in three acts
by William Kritlow
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2007 William Kritlow
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Additional Permissions: If you purchase a copy for each cast member, you are given permission to perform the play three times within a year from the purchase of the cast member copies. Additional performances must be authorized by William Kritlow or his estate. Contact: mailto:billkritlow@gmail.com
Cover Art by Sally Truong - http://www.inkit-printing.com
<<<<<<>>>>>>
Table of Contents
Play Summary
Cast
Act One - Scene One (a prelude)
Act Two - Scene One
Act Three - Scene One
Back to Top
<<<>>>
In His Name: A Play In Three Acts
Some people can justify anything in His name, even murder!
Stephen believes he’s a Christian. He has no reason to doubt that he is. He works very hard to make sure that everything he does is sanctioned by God in the Bible. Even when he kills people, he assures himself that God has approved the reason and method of death. But in spite of all his spiritual precautions, he hits a pretty deep pothole in his road to purity. He runs afoul of the local crime family. To avoid the unpleasantness heading his way, he migrates from New York City to a small town where he believes he can just to blend in - which he does for a while. Here we meet Pastor Guy who heads up the church over the 99 Cent Store - 99 Cent Baptist - and a host of others. One of which is Maggie. Unhappy in her marriage, she’s drawn to Stephen, who has found himself drawn to her. Sure that she loves him and that God wants them to be together always, Stephen begins to make plans to accomplish what God wants and eliminate the one thing that stands between his having Maggie for his own - her husband John. And he knows just how God would want him to do it. Some people, like Stephen, can find the justification for just about any behavior in Scripture, and Stephen’s found just what he needs.
But our play isn't completely shadowy and dark. We have a fun and compelling love story woven into this tapestry. As well as, stunning moments when God works deeply in the hearts of those He saves, one as urgent and timely as the thief on the cross.
You'll love this play, either to produce it as a full production or as a readers theater, or just to immerse yourself in on a cold winter's night before a glowing, warm fire. After all, without all that pesky description, plays read much like novels - and much faster.
However you enjoy this work, though, when the last page turns and the last line is read, you'll have traveled a sometimes dark, sometimes humorous, always entertaining road into the hearts of God's people as you see God at work there.
Back to Top
<<<<<<>>>>>>
Cast:
Stephen - as a boy (8)
Stephen - as an adult
Teresa - Stephen's mother
Kid - Off stage voice
Hank - adult a little older than Teresa
Detective Mitchell Hargrave - adult
Detective Carl Rovelli - Adult
Matthew Marks - 40
Morty Antolli, also known as Slash - Adult hit man
Maggie Starcross - 28
John Starcross - 28
Rachel Collier, 28
Jane Martin, 25
Pastor Guy Parsons, 30
Back to Top
<<<<<<>>>>>>
Act One (a prelude)
Scene One - 21 years ago
Set: Teresa and Stephen Edwards tenement apartment on the lower east side. It’s Christmas time and a string of lights has been carelessly thrown over a small, shabby tree on the table upon which the phone sits. There’s a cookie jar nearby. It’s night and the raspy sounds of the city radiate from below.
At Rise: STEPHEN EDWARDS, 9, sits in the shadows. His mother, TERESA, 23, paces anxiously, back and forth, back and forth.
Stephen: You okay, Mommy?
Teresa: (keeps pacing – anxious) Fine.
Stephen: Are you going to leave me again?
Teresa: (pacing – anxious) What?
Stephen: The last time you were like this you left me.
Teresa: (pacing – anxious) No I didn’t.
Stephen: For three nights –
Teresa: I didn’t leave you.
Stephen: Remember, before school started in summer. I ate thrown out pizza.
Teresa: (angry and guilty) I didn’t – leave – I didn’t.
Stephen: When you’re like this, something bad happens.
Teresa Nothing bad happens. (stops, then she grabs the cookie jar)
Stephen: Mommy, that’s the Christmas money. You promised. We were having Christmas this year.
Teresa: You got your tree. What else do you want? (sees money inside) All righty then. (takes out handful of bills) Stephen, mommy needs this. (counts the bills) There’s only thirty-three bucks in here. Stephen, where’s the rest?
Stephen: That’s all there is?
Teresa: There has to be more.
Stephen: No, Mommy
Teresa: You’re a thief! (slaps him)
Stephen: No. It’s for Christmas. I wouldn’t steal Christmas Money. It’s for my Hasbro Transformer – the dump truck that transforms into an all-powerful robot. You promised.
Teresa: (grabs phone – punches in number) It’s Teresa – Edwards, Teresa Edwards. Barney, I need thirty bucks worth. (beat) $49.95?! What? You work for Ronco? I don’t have $49.95. I got thirty.
Stephen: My Transformer. What about Christmas, Mommy?
Teresa: (to Stephen) It’s being Transformed. Now, shut up. (before going back to the phone – a preliminary sign) All righty, then. (to phone) So tear the stuff in half – okay, three-fifths. You got no rulers in that sty of yours. (raised voice) Yeah, I said sty. A pig sty. I want thirty bucks worth! (beat – conciliatory) Listen, Barney, I need it. (even quieter) Please, Barney, I got fired today, please. I only got thirty bucks. (beat) Consider the favor a Christmas gift. (beat) Sure it’s Christmas. Are you blind? What do you think all those plastic reindeer with the flashing red noses are doing – escaping one of your Meth Labs? No. I don’t lie about Christmas.
Stephen: But you’ll lie about my Transformer.
Teresa: I’ll smack you. Shut up, Stephen. (to phone) No, Barney, I don’t do that anymore. No more. Never. (beat) For the whole fifty? (to self) All righty, then. (sighs) I’ll be there in ten. (hangs up – throws money at Stephen) Here, take your stupid Christmas money. I’m doing this for you. You’re why your