Cast of Characters

Special Effects For Conjuring Scene

Act I
Scene 1

James is sitting on his bed – down stage left.  The light gradually comes upon him – the rest of the stage is dark.  He is consulting a big, heavy book – covering his face with his hands and muttering.  He stands up, takes a piece of chalk out of his pocket along with a candle.  As he begins to draw on the floor, Grandpa's voice comes through from offstage.

James!James!

                  (The boy acts as though he doesn't hear.)

James, come on!  We're waiting for you.

                  (The boy slowly looks up and stops what he's doing.)

Yeah, yeahI'm coming..I'm coming.  (To himself, looking at the book)  Soon, I'll get it right.  Soon.

The light fades stage left and brightens down stage right where the rest of the family is gathered in the living room.  Grandpa is seated in his easy chair, reading.  Grandma is in her rocker winding a ball of yarn.  Sarah is sitting at her feet on a stool holding the yarn between her hands.

Shhh, here he is.

                  (James enters stage leftstands defensively with his arms crossed.)

Okay!

                  (Sarah and Grandma exit stage right.)

The roots of Halloween are in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.  It involved, among other things, human sacrifice and calling up the spirits of the dead.

                  (James face registers some surprise as he listens.)

But Halloween is still occultic.  And if we participate, we give authority to its evil roots.  Even the apparently innocent jack-o-lantern represents a man who sold his soul to the devil.

                  (Just then Sarah and Grandma come in with a tray, bowl of popcorn, and glasses.)

Here we are.

                  (Grandpa and James join them – Grandpa sits down and James pulls up a chair.)

Why don't you listen to the story and then see what you think

(The light slowly fades, leaving James alone at the curtain, still with his chin in his hands.)

Scene 2

Center stage left represents James' imagination.  Light comes up on center stage left.   There is a podium with Saul behind the mike.   He and his several advisors are all dressed in Army camouflage uniforms.  There are a few chairs with reporters in them.

Enough questions.  We have fact sheet to hand out with all the information you need.

                  (As reporters and aides begin to leave)

(Brightening)  Ah, well.  I can't disappoint my public.

(Enter stage left Mitzi Farko, power dressed, coiffed, microphone in hand.  Photographer in tow)

Ah – yes, Ms. Farko!  Where shall I stand?

                  (She indicates a spot and stands next to him with photographer and camera appropriately placed.)

Well, there you have it.  The reports of the King's shaky emotional condition seem to be true.   A very touchy King has outlawed ALL occultic practices.   No more daily horoscopes.   No more channeling crystals.

                  (As Mitzi is talking, Abner has entered left stage center by podium and a woman has come with him talking earnestly.  Mitzi sees the woman.

There you have it.  Another exclusive interview from "A Current Occurrence."  This is Mitzi Farko signing off.  Cut!  Let's get out of here.

                  (Mitzi and photographer exit stage left.)

                  (Lights fade – come up on family down stage right – listening to story)

War!  And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart greatly trembled.

                  (Again the lights go down on the family downstage right, and come up center stage left)

ACT II
Scene 1

The lights come up on Saul's office center stage left.  The podium has been replaced by a desk. There is a map on the board behind the desk.  Abner and the aides are present.

Yes, please.  (Waves his hand as if distracted.)

                  (Abner gets on the phone.)

It didn't change anyone's mind, did it?  Everyone still BELIEVES in the occult, right?  (Wide-eyed)  RIGHT?  You, you tell me what the people are saying.

                  (Abner and Aides start rap song.)

Heart Trouble
Verse 1:
 

Hey, we're no doctors but we've made a diagnosis,
You've got a bad case with a bad prognosis.
There are symptoms we've seen, that we can't ignore.
Things like anger, greed and pride, we could tell you more.
But you might get mad and try to kill us too.
If you want us to tell you, we know what's wrong wit' you.
 

(Saul indicates – Go  ahead)

CHORUS:

You've got heart trouble, call 911. 
You've got heart trouble, code blue's begun. 
The heart of the matter is what's the matter with you.
You don't listen to God.  You do what YOU want to do.
Quadruple bypass and angioplasty
Can't save you now, the die is cast.
 

Verse 2:

You already know what the future holds, 
When you disobeyed God, you were told.

(Saul – what?)

The little matter of sacrifice without waiting for Samuel,
Not very nice.
How about King Agag and the cattle and sheep
You were supposed to kill but you decided to keep?
 

Verse 3:

And how about David? We don't mean to carp. 
But you tried to kill him while he played his harp. 
And now you want to talk to the dead. 
You're a double-minded man. You're outta your head.

CHORUS

Well, I do know a woman who might be able to help

                  (Lights fade and come up down stage right on the family)

Oh no!  Listen.  "And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment"

                  (Light fades up center stage left.)

Scene 2

(Crossfade.At Endor.  See "Suggestions For Special Effects") 

Saul is disguised with a trench coat and dark glasses.  Abner and Aide 1 are with him.   There should be a sign for the Carpeteria.

Trust me.  I know this woman.  She told me to meet her here.  In her office.

                  (The room is dark with gauze, suggesting a foggy effect.  There is a round table with chairs and a cot of sofaLighting should be eerie, gloomy.  Hot spot on Madame Endor.)

Bring up Samuel.

                  (Madame Endor holds a large crystal and begins making a big production of hand movements over it.)

I am visualizing my Spirit Guide.visualizing my Spirit Guide.  Come oh-

                  (The special effects need to take place as the robed and hooded firgure appear.)

It must be him!  (Saul bows down.)

                  (Abner and Aide are wide-eyed and speechless.)

If you had done what you were supposed to with the Amalekites this would not have happened.  Plus, Saul, everyone will suffer.  Your army will be destroyed tomorrow and you and your sons will be with me!!!

                  (Samuel leaves in a flash.  Saul falls on the ground paralyzed.   All gather around him and lift him to the cot.)

Nono I couldn't.

                  (All encourage him.)

(Sitting with chin on hands) Why me?  Why me?   All I wanted was for people to accept me.  I was powerful.  I was successful.  Who is to blame for this mess?

                  (Crossfade to downstage right.)

She brought the meal to the King and his men and they ate it.  Then they went out into the night.

                  (Pause.)

(Kisses them both)  Goodnight!

                  (They exit stage right)

No, real armor.  I'll show you how I put it on every morning.  (Standing and miming each)

1.      The belt of the truth. Jesus is Lord.

2.      Breastplate of righteousness.  Jesus blood makes me right with God.

3.      Shoes of the gospel.  My mission is to show Jesus to all men.

4.      The shield of faith.  I believe God no matter what happens.

5.      The helmet of salvation.   I am the Lord's forever.  He will never leave me.

6.      The sword of the Spirit – God's Word.   My instruction manual (holds up his Bible)  See, now I'm ready to wrestle, not just with flesh and blood.

Yeah.  In a minute.  Goodnight.

                  (Grandpa exits stage right.) (James picks up Grandpa's Bible and sits in his chair.  He leans forward.)

Uh.  God.  You don't know me, and I don't know what to say.  But, I saw something tonight that scared me.  I don't want to be like Saul.  I want to be someone you're proud of.  I know I've done wrong things and I'm sorry. Jesus, come into my heart and help me.  I feel like you died just for me.

                  (He's quiet and then stands up and begins to mimic his Grandad putting on his armor as the lights fade.)