A young person is confronted by the Grim Reaper and seeks the guidance of those around him for ways to deal with it. Death closes in as the main character rejects the typical advice given for dealing with it.

All of us have to deal with the specter of death sooner or later. Ignoring it or embracing it will still have the same results if you are in a lost condition. Only by accepting Christ can you defeat the fear of it, and ultimately, its condition.

A large open room, with several chairs and small tables positioned around the edges. A boom box can be placed on one of the tables, to play the music required for the party.

Any of the "natural" characters, i.e.; mortal or non-figurative, can be played by either a male or female. If the players are all teens, then encourage them to dress in styles relative to the current trends (as long as it isn't in bad taste). The background music can be something that represents the culture but is to be played at a low level. If the players are more mature, they can dress accordingly and the music should reflect that as well.

M.C. represents "Everyman," and as such should be played straight, not too broad or comedic.

PERSON #1 could be played as a "nerd" type character, or simply more straight-laced than the others.

PERSON #2 should be played as the most "in" character who is up on the latest lingo and moves. Encourage the player to work in attitudes that those familiar with popular culture could relate to.

PERSON #3 could be carrying a small pocket New Testament. This character should come across as the most "together" person in the crowd, not preachy or weird.

DEATH should be played by a tall male. He should move in a subtle threatening manner, but not in a hokey, "Bela Lugosi" style. Think of the Spirit of Christmas Future from the "Scrooge" films. Restraint should be used with a minimum of unnecessary movement.

THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST actor wears a white cloak, which could include a hood that is like the ones worn by Christ in art and film. The player should move naturally, with each action sure and strong.

NOTE: Your actors deliver the dialog and you play the background music and effects tracks as listed in the script to enhance your performance.

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(A small-to-medium size group of people are on stage, gathered in twos and threes. Music from your own separate source can be playing softly in the background suggesting a party or a simple gathering, such as happens at mall food courts where teens hang out. In the foreground are MC and his friend, JB.

MC: (Playfully elbowing him and nodding toward a girl onstage.) "Who?" Lisa Hampton, who else have you been talking about for a week?

JB: (Looking over at her in the crowd.) Uh, well... no, actually... not yet. I will though. I'll get around to talking to her tonight and I'll ask her.

As they make small talk and laugh, DEATH enters the room and stands near the side of the stage, watching the crowd.

(If you are using the Supplemental Skit Trax CD, begin Track #32, the "Death Stalks" music.)

After a moment DEATH begins to slowly make his way through the crowd, which seemingly does not see him. MC, however, does notice DEATH and points him out to JB.)

(MC points back over JB's shoulder at DEATH as the specter takes another measured step in their direction. JB glances over his shoulder at the approaching figure. Everyone else in the crowd acts as if they don't see him, but they do move aside to let him pass.)

JB: (Nonchalantly) Oh, him. That's the Specter of Death. He comes around every so often. He must be here for a pickup.

(JB continues making small talk but MC is too shaken by the approach of DEATH to answer, and he watches helplessly as it nears JB. MC gestures wordlessly and backs up as DEATH slowly and deliberately closes the gap.)

(As MC wordlessly points, DEATH arrives, then reaches out and lays a hand on JB's shoulder. JB shivers as if suddenly cold .)

(DEATH unshoulders his scythe and lowers the blade between MC. and JB as if severing something between them. )

JB: Hey! What's happening? (He looks back over his shoulder and into the face of DEATH.) NO! Not me! I'm not ready!

(DEATH firmly grips JB's arm and begins to escort him toward the side of the stage.)

JB: (Pleading) You can't... I'm too young to go with you! (Looking back at MC.) Help me, don't let him take me, man!

JB: (Sobbing, as he is unwillingly led offstage by DEATH.) No, I'm not ready, I'm not ready...I never thought you'd come for me so soon! Noooo!

(MC watches as JB. is escorted out of sight. His shoulders droop and he is visibly depressed. Several people from the crowd come over and pat him on the back in a brief attempt to console him. They soon go back to talking with each other and laughing. MC stands alone, looking lost.)

MC: What a bummer! JB was my best friend. This is just the worst thing that could possibly happen.

(Just then DEATH re-enters and stands in the same spot as before. MC sees him and stares, aghast.)

(DEATH is staring back at MC who tries to determine if DEATH is looking at him or someone else. He looks around and then points to himself and mouths "Who, me?" to the specter. DEATH remains unmoving. MC moves through the crowd and sits down in a chair. He picks up a magazine and holds it in front of his face as if reading. He is really trying to hide from DEATH and keep an eye on him at the same time. When he peeks over the magazine, DEATH is unmoving. But every time he raises the magazine to "read," DEATH takes a few steps closer. Finally MC holds the magazine directly against his face and trembles in fright, during which DEATH moves to stand right in front of him. MC gingerly lowers the magazine again and jumps in terror--trashing the magazine--when he sees DEATH confronting him.)

(MC jumps up and makes a wide berth around DEATH, who slowly turns to keep MC in sight. MC is unnerved by this attention and is about to panic. No-one else seems to notice his distress.)

PERSON #1: Sure. (Bids good-bye to EXTRA he was talking to and turns his attention to MC.) Now, what's the problem?

MC: This may sound strange, but I think I'm being followed, and I wanted to be with someone.

(PERSON #1 looks, sees DEATH, then turns away quickly and talks sideways to MC.)

PERSON #1: Don't look at him! Don't even talk about him! Just...ignore him. Maybe he'll go away.

PERSON #1: Look, everybody knows that he's around, but you try not to think of it. Since you can't prevent him from coming, just act as if he doesn't exist. Don't let it spoil your fun...eat, drink and be merry!

MC: Oh, that's really a big help. I want to know where I'd be going if he took me. (He looks back at DEATH)

PERSON #1: (Quickly jerking MC back around) Stop looking at him! If you pay too much attention to him he might get you quicker. And as far as where you go, who knows? It's a mystery, so why worry about it? (Nervously) Look, I gotta go. He might notice me too if I stand here with you. Sorry.

MC: (to himself after #1 leaves) Hey, it's not like I have a disease or something. (He coughs.)

(MC looks around, spies PERSON #2 reading a hardback book. MC goes over to him, standing so that PERSON #2 is between him and DEATH.)

PERSON #2: Hey, chill out! Death is a part of life. It's something to look forward to!

PERSON #2: Sure! (He looks over at DEATH and waves. DEATH does not respond.) Look at it as an excellent adventure. Death is our friend, freeing us from worry, pain and responsibility. My advice is to run toward it, embrace it!

(PERSON #2 hands his book to MC then goes over to DEATH and puts his arm around his shoulders, buddy-buddy. He grins at MC as he acts familiar with the unmoving specter.)

(He playfully nicks DEATH's bony chin with his fist as he hangs around his neck.)

PERSON #2: My pal over there thinks you're some kind of bogeyman. (He looks back at MC.) Me and my pal Death been hanging out together for years! We rock and roll! He's really rad!

(He slaps DEATH on the back a little too hard, and the grim reaper finally slowly turns his head and looks at him.)

PERSON #2: Catch you later, dude! (He saunters back over to MC.) See? No sweat!

(PERSON #2 hold up the book, with it's large printed jacket. The words read, "Final Exit.")

PERSON #2: It's forwarded by Dr. Death, and it comes with a free plastic bag and easy instructions. Plus a money back guarantee!

PERSON #2: You can have it when I'm finished with it. I'll leave it to you in my will!

MC: (Waving him off and rubbing his head as if in deep thought or pain.) Don't bother!

(PERSON #2 shrugs, then goes back to reading the book. He walks off stage, holding the book in one hand and using the other as if acting out something he is reading. He points a finger at his head and acts as if shooting a gun, pantomimes pulling a rope up from his neck, pulls a finger across his throat, etc. MC shakes his head and turns around to seek the advice of another when he nearly runs into DEATH who has confronted him. MC screams in fright and backpedals, almost falling down, and starts to run in the opposite direction. He bumps into and almost knocks down PERSON #3, who grabs his shoulders to steady him.)

MC: (doing a double-take) You do? Nobody else had anything worth listening to. Let me guess...ignore him, right?

PERSON #3: Well, if it were me, I would say, "Grave, where is thy victory? Death, where is thy sting?"

PERSON #3: It's from God's Word. And it says that Jesus Christ suffered death for each of us in our place. And then He defeated him forever!

MC: (Doubtfully.) Well, if He defeated Death, how come he's still around, taking people?

PERSON #3: Because as fallen men, we are already dead in our sins toward God, and death reigns in our mortal bodies. But when we choose life and repent, turning to Christ, we receive His life in us. Death holds no more terror, for someday it will be swallowed up in victory.

MC: (Hesitating.) I'm not sure.... maybe I should give it a little more thought... get a second opinion. This is a big step, you know...

PERSON #3: (Looking past him at Death on the far side of the room.) Well, if I were you, I'd take some big steps right now... cause it looks like Death is on his final approach!

(Begin Track #33, the "Final Approach" music. The music is quite dramatic and should be practiced with to maximize the impact.)

(MC swings his head around, and Death has begun moving toward him with the scythe raised high!)

(MC starts to run and has made it a few steps away, when suddenly Death raises a hand and points at him dramatically. MC finds himself nearly paralyzed, and struggles to move from his near-frozen position. He manages to move in slow motion, as if each step takes a supreme effort. Death is slowly moving closer.)

MC: (To PERSON #3, shouting pleadingly.) Help me! I can hardly move a muscle! I can't escape!

PERSON #3: (Lifting his hands helplessly, he backs away out of Death's path.) I can't! The only one that can help you now is the Lord. Call on Him before it's too late! (He bows his head and puts his clasped hands under his chin, praying for MC.)

(MC continues to struggle, moving a few more steps, and falls to his knees, exhausted from the struggle. Death is nearly upon him, and is readying the scythe to swing it.)

MC: All right! I give up!(He clasps his hands in supplication and looks up to heaven from his kneeling position.)

MC: Lord Jesus, I need you! I believe in You, and ask you to save me! Come into my heart now, I receive You as my Savior!

(PERSON #3 moves to kneels beside him and they pray together. As they do, a white-robed figure comes into the room. It is the PRESENCE OF CHRIST.)

(The previous track, still playing, begins building majestic music -the "Christ Arrives" segment- that rises in intensity and glory. Work out your stage actions to time out to the music.)

(Christ, moviing in a stately manner, comes down the aisle through the audience and mounts the stage as the music swells. He steps between DEATH and MC and holds up his hand authoritatively to DEATH, who stops cold, cowering. MC and PERSON #3 rise. The PRESENCE OF CHRIST points to the door, and DEATH, dejected, leaves. Then the PRESENCE OF CHRIST places a hand on MC's shoulder, who smiles radiantly as him. Together, they slowly walk off the stage as PERSON #3 watches.)

(MC turns, waves with a smile, then looking at his new friend, leaves with him. The music reaches the crescendo and ends the play on a dramatic note.)

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