Characters

Mary Beth: Leader of cancer support group in a local church.

Visitor: Homeless man who walks into church.

Bob: Cancer support group member.

Patti: Cancer support group member.

Scene opens with three people in a

semi-circle of five chairs. Two women are

seated. Bob stands to speak to Mary Beth

(seated in center chair), while second

woman searches purse for car keys.

Bob: Looks like Patti and I are the last ones again. Sometimes I hate to

let go.

Patti: (stands) Thanks Mary Beth, you’re a miracle worker. One minute

I’m feeling scared to death, then I talk to you and somehow go home

smiling. You always know just what to say.

Bob: Do you need help getting to your car?

Mary Beth: Thanks, but I have my chair over there.

Y’all take off, I have a few things to gather up.

(Bob and Patti exit stage left. Mary Beth is busy piling things in her lap

as a shabbily dressed “homeless” man walks quietly up the center aisle.

As he approaches Mary Beth looks up, startled.)

Mary Beth: Oh my gosh! (looks around anxiously to see if she’s alone, but then smiles at the “visitor.”) I didn’t know you were … can I help you with something?

Visitor: I was standing back there watching; you seemed to have answers for everyone. So I waited my turn. Sorry if I startled you. (removes “beanie” cap)

Mary Beth: No harm done. It’s just that …

Visitor: You’re alone, and I’m a man.

Mary Beth: Yes. I’m sorry.

Visitor: Like I was saying, you appear to have a talent for setting things straight, and truth is I need help too. I was wondering if your church has a little fund for helping guys like me get a roof over their head for the night. Supposed to get cold tonight pastor.

Mary Beth: (laughs) I’m not the pastor here. That was just a little cancer support group I help lead. As far as a fund, I don’t know. If there is one, I certainly don’t have access to it.

Visitor: I see. (disappointed, turns to walk away)

Mary Beth: Wait! Have you tried the united ministries office over on Main Street? I could tell you how to get there. (looks at watch). Oh shoot; they’re closed by now.

Visitor: Maybe tomorrow; I’ll make do tonight. (Turns again, pulling cap over head)

Mary Beth: Wait! Give me a chance. (searches in purse) The church recommends against doing this but I think you can get a room for about 30 or 40 dollars. I know I have two twenties here somewhere.

Visitor: Oh no you don’t. I can’t take money from you. I was hoping the church could help.

Mary Beth: What difference …

Visitor: I don’t want to be like the others, you know the people in your little group. It looked like they were draining you dry.

Mary Beth: Not dry.

Visitor: But drained a little?

Mary Beth: A little. The medical news hasn’t been good for me lately.

Visitor: (pause) What kind of … cancer do you have?

Mary Beth: Oh, I could put a label on it, tell you how and where it started, but it’s complicated. Every cancer has its own story.

Visitor: Same with homeless people! People think they know all about how we end on the street, but everyone has a different story. Name a profession: builders, bankers, bakers …

Mary Beth: Candlestick makers?

Visitor: (smiles and waves her off) No … Edison did them in.

Mary Beth: So what’s your story? You don’t seem like a typical home … see there I go doing just what …

Visitor: No, no. Anyway, I’m more interested in your troubles. I mean, I got no one to worry about but me.

Mary Beth: You know, it just now came to me I was fibbing when I said my medical news was the thing getting me down; I’ve been getting bad medical news for years. I had this feeling here tonight like I wasn’t saying the right thing. People count on me to say something to give them hope. But tonight everything sounded … hollow to me. Not convincing.

Visitor: Maybe you just need some new material.

Mary Beth: (doubtful) Maybe that’s it. Like, here’s one I used tonight: “With God on your side, everything is possible.”

Visitor: I see what you mean. (fakes yawn)

Mary Beth: What’s wrong with that!? It’s true!

Visitor: Truth isn’t everything. Style counts too. Try this … people love sports metaphors, right? … Baseball: “Just ‘cause you struck out in the first inning, don’t mean you won’t homer in the fourth.” If that don’t inspire them, you clap, make a face and say, “go on; grab a bat and get your swings.”

Mary Beth: That might work for you, but I don’t like yelling at people.

Visitor: Yea, and it didn’t have anything about God in it. Is that required?

Mary Beth: Not required I guess, but it seems to work out that it usually does, this being a church and all.

Visitor: O.K. Let’s see, a metaphor … God and baseball … God and football!

Mary Beth: I’ve got one! “Feeling down, don’t think you can stand on your own two feet? Don’t sweat it. When God’s your partner, the whole world’s your dance floor!” (stands and wobbles)

Visitor: That’s catchy!

Mary Beth: If I don’t watch it you’ll be catching me! (he puts out hand to support her)

Visitor: That’s what I’m here for. (she sits down; he sits too) Maybe you should stick to the classics, like “love heals all wounds.”

Mary Beth: Or how about, “time heals all wounds.” Of course, after enough time we all end up … dead. (drops head like she had died)

Visitor: Maybe we shouldn’t go there

Mary Beth: I’m not sure there was anything wrong with the old material; in fact I’m not sure there ever was any material. I’m trying to remember that Bible passage …

Visitor: I feel one … (stands with eyes closed as if entranced) “Comfort, O comfort my people … Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill made low.”

Mary Beth: Isaiah?

Visitor: (he shakes head as if waking) I think so.

Mary Beth: Actually, I was thinking of when Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what they will say. Just open your heart and let the spirit speak through you.

Visitor: That might work too. (as he speaks he searches in his pocket. When he pulls out a wad of papers a hotel “room key” falls out.) Someone gave me the name of a person to ask for here. The pastor maybe. I know it’s too late now but …

Mary Beth: Well, I was thinking, maybe I could let you … (reaches down, picks up dropped key and reads). “Coastal Towers.” That’s one of the priciest places in town.

Visitor: I didn’t mean for you to see that. Sometimes my old life bubbles to the surface, but only for a day or two. (long pause; she stares at him)

Mary Beth: I was thinking about that saying, “be kind to strangers; you never know when you might be entertaining angels.” You’re not an angel are you?

Visitor: Me? Heavens no.

Mary Beth: You’re certainly not what I think of as a homeless guy.

Visitor: I don’t have a permanent address and I do spend many nights under the stars. And believe it or not, lots of homeless folks can quote scripture. Anyway, you’re not a typical cancer victim.

Mary Beth: Survivor. Cancer survivor.

Visitor: Survivor it is.

Mary Beth: Who are you really?

Visitor: Honest to God I’m homeless, but maybe not … typical. You could say I’m also a kind of reporter. That’s all I can tell you.

Mary Beth: A reporter? Like for a newspaper?

Visitor: Well, I guess I can say this much: I’ve walked into a hundred or more churches just like I did tonight. I keep notes on what happens.

Mary Beth: And what does happen?

Visitor: Sometimes I’m worthy; sometimes I’m not.

Mary Beth: You’re writing a book! A magazine article?

Visitor: (laughs) I can’t say anymore.

Mary Beth: O.K. It’s your mystery. Listen, I haven’t had dinner yet and, well, people would call this risky behavior on my part, but if you’d like to join me, it’s my treat.

Visitor: Risky? I don’t think so; the brave always go where others fear to tread.

Mary Beth: Or it could be a case of “fools rush in.” (they laugh). So what do you say to dinner?

Visitor: You wouldn’t expect a homeless guy to turn down a free meal. (she stands and hands him her stack of materials. She reaches out for his arm. They take one step forward, then stop)

Mary Beth: I’m not swearing to it, but I think you just might be an angel.

Visitor: You know, I was thinking the same about you.