Negative Negativity

The play, "Negative Negativity," is a comedic yet thought-provoking skit about facing opposition and negativity in life. It centers around two contrasting characters:

• Joe, an optimistic and rational individual who welcomes people to Trinity Christian Center.
• Moe, a deeply cynical character who views life through the lens of Murphy’s Law—believing that if anything can go wrong, it will.

Theme & Message:

The skit humorously explores how negativity and pessimism distort our view of life. Moe embodies an extreme form of negativity, always expecting the worst, while Joe represents a more balanced, faith-driven outlook. Their conversation highlights how a mindset focused on failure and opposition can trap people in despair, whereas faith and a positive perspective help overcome challenges.

In the end, Joe convinces Moe to listen to the pastor’s sermon on facing opposition, leaving open the possibility that Moe might change his perspective. This underscores the biblical truth that while negativity exists, faith in God helps us rise above it.

Run-time: 6-8 minutes depending on pacing and delivery of lines.

Cast: 2

Biblical Reference: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV)

Sample of script:

Script:

(Joe notices Moe and approaches with a warm smile.)

Joe: Oh, hello! Welcome to Trinity Christian Center. Can I help you? You look as though you’re lost.

Moe: Lost? I guess you’re right. So, that’s great!

Joe: Great? It’s great to be lost? I don’t understand.

Moe (annoyed): Well, think about it! If I knew where I was going, I’d be headed in the wrong direction.

Joe: I beg your pardon? That doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to me!

Moe: Oh, really? Don’t you realize that in nature, nothing is ever right? Therefore, if everything is going right... something is wrong.

Joe: Wait a minute. You’re saying that if everything is going right, then… something is going wrong?

Moe: Right! After all, we all know that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Joe: I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about!

Moe: Think about it, man! Remember the last time you lost something?

Joe: Well, as a matter of fact, I lost my glasses just a little while ago.

Moe: Did you notice something? You always find something in the last place you look. Ever notice that?

Joe: Sounds to me like you’re opposed to everything.

Moe: Opposed? Me? To everything? Why wouldn’t I be? After all, everything that could ever work against something… always will.

Joe: Yeah, but, I mean, it’s still up to us to try to fix things.

Moe: Fix things? Why would we try to fix things? Anything you try to fix will take longer and cost more than you thought. And if you fool around with a thing for too long, you’re sure to mess it up.

Joe: Does everything go wrong in your life?

Moe: Of course it does. Everything goes wrong in everyone’s life. Don’t you realize that if anything can go wrong, it will? In fact, if there’s a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that causes the most damage will be the first to go wrong. And even if something just can’t go wrong… it will anyway!

Joe: I can’t believe that you actually believe this garbage! Things are going very well in my life.

(Moe suddenly grabs Joe’s arm, pulls him to the side, and looks up dramatically.)

Moe: Watch it, bud! Let me tell ya—if everything seems to be going well, you’ve obviously overlooked something!

Joe: So, according to you, you just can’t win?

Moe: Worse! You can’t win, you can’t break even, you can’t even quit the game!

Joe: No light at the end of the tunnel, is that what you’re saying?

Moe: Let me warn ya! Just when you see the light at the end of the tunnel… the roof caves in.

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