Outreach One Java At A Time

This one-woman dramatic monologue follows a waitress at the Modern Diner, who shares how her everyday job is actually a mission field where she can show God’s love to others.

As she serves coffee and conversation, she explains how listening to people’s struggles—like Billie McIver, a lonely man whose wife left him—gives her the opportunity to be a light in their lives. She once dreamed of being a missionary in Africa or a big city, but now realizes God placed her right where she was needed.

Despite long hours, sore feet, and low pay, she finds purpose in offering encouragement, kindness, and sharing the gospel. Even Billie, who once resisted, began to ask about Jesus—though he hasn’t accepted Him yet.

Cast: 1 (likely female)

Set: inside a diner, tables with checked tablecloth, chairs

Costumes: waitress uniform

Props: coffee pot, menus, coffee cups, plates, cutlery, sugar, napkins, etc

Special Instructions: at the end of the drama the Bible passage is projected on the screen or spoken by offstage voice

Run-Time: 7

Sample of script:

Actress is sitting, drinking coffee, reading a newspaper. She “sees someone come on stage,” smiles, stands, picks up a menu, speaks.)

ACTRESS:
Hey, come on in, take a load off...

(Walks to table, sets down menu.)

This table OK?

(Looks around, smiles.)

Guess you could about have your choice of any table in the place... like you can see, not a real busy day here at Modern Diner.

Bring you a Java while you dissect the menu?

(Pours coffee.)

Should tell you, special today is hot hamburger sandwich, hot apple pie and ice cream, $4.95.

(Giggles.)

If you been here ever before, you know that... fact is, every day is the very same special, very same price.

Well, same price since back, (thinks)... will be going on 4 years now... the boss raised the price for the special from $4.75 to $4.95...

(Laughs.)

You’d’a thought we were breaking the bank... adding on another twenty cents...

Old Billie McIver swore he’d never set foot in the diner again... and he didn’t... well, not for a week or so... then he’s back again, big as life and twice as obnoxious.

(Pauses.)

Old Billie, he loves to complain... taxes, young kids today, music today, government, too much rain, not enough rain... if it’s out there, old Billie’s gonna complain about it.

(Pauses, smiles.)

That’s OK though... old Billie, and lots of others like him, they just need someone to listen to them sometimes...

That’s my job... listening... and pouring coffee... Oh, and giving advice too, at times.

Most folks, I find, just want someone to listen.

Most have been through their own personal struggles.

Like old Billie McIver.

He’s all alone now.

Billie’s wife ran off with a no-good bum.

Old Billie... he never was no prize, but he for sure didn’t deserve what happened.

(Pauses, thinking.)

Billie’s wife and this guy ran off to the city with Billie’s car and most of his bank account.

By the time the money was gone, so was the guy.

(Pauses, lowers voice.)

Story around here is Billie’s wife died in an accident...

Fact is, Billie told me, she died from a drug overdose.

Couldn’t bring herself to come back home, likely...

A shame, actually.

(Shakes head, suddenly remembers.)

Hey, listen to me, going on and on, and you wanting something for the inner man... what will it be?

(Pauses, smiles.)

Just coffee? No problem...

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