The Sacrifice

Twin brothers, Jess and Sam, have taken very different life paths—Jess is a faithful Christian, while Sam is entangled in crime. When Sam participates in a violent robbery and is implicated in a possible murder, he realizes the consequences of his actions are closing in. Meanwhile, Jess, battling terminal cancer, discovers his brother's predicament and offers an extraordinary act of sacrifice: taking Sam’s place by wearing his blood-stained clothes, potentially facing arrest in his stead.

The play explores themes of redemption, unconditional love, and sacrifice, leaving the ending open-ended, prompting reflection on the true cost of love and salvation.

Run-time: 25 minutes
Cast: 7+ (flexible male/female roles)

• Jess – the “good” twin
• Sam – the “bad” twin
• Grace – mother of the twins
• Tom – father of the twins
• Ruth – sister of the twins
• Nick – gang leader
• Sarge/Sarah – gang enforcer (female)
• Other gang members as available

Biblical References:

• John 3:16 – God's ultimate act of sacrificial love
• Galatians 2:20 – Living by faith in Christ, who sacrificed Himself
• Ephesians 5:2 – Christ's love and sacrifice as an example

Setting:

• Scene I: A bare stage, representing a gang hideout
• Scene II: A family living room with chairs

Costumes & Props:

• Gang members wear dark clothing
• Sam wears nice clothes, stained with blood
• Family members wear casual clothing
• Props: Knife
• Lighting & Sound: Standard setup

The Sacrifice

Scene I – Bare Stage

(Nick, Sarge, Sam, and gang members stand center stage, congratulating Sam.)

Sarge: You done good, ma man!

Nick: I have to admit, maybe I was wrong about you, kid. Maybe tougher than I thought, tougher than you look.

Sam (proud): Didn’t I tell you guys I could handle that old guy in the motel office?

Nick: Ya, you did, Sam. But look, next time, when the mark forks over the money, no need for slappin’ him around. I mean, the guy was old and—

Sarge: What you talkin’ about, Nick? The old guy was makin’ noise. Sam, he done good, shuttin’ the old guy down, way I see it. I mean, you are the boss and all, Nick, but…

(Nick holds a knife near Sarge’s neck.)

Nick: Glad you noticed that little detail, Sarge. Matter of fact, yes, I am the boss, and I say I am not about to go down for any Sunday school boy when he gets stupid and knocks off somebody’s Grandpa, then sings like a budgie bird.

Sarge: I know Sam, I recruited him if you remember. Sam don’t squeal if he gets caught, I’d stake my life on it!

Nick (acidly to the other gang members): Oh, do you hear this, guys? Sarge here, she stakes her life on the Sunday school boy Sam not squealing! Hear that?

(Others laugh, shaking their heads.)

Nick: Sarge here, she’s more right than what she even knows. ‘Cause if Sunday school boy here goes stupid, beats on somebody’s old Grandpa, he dies, then for sure Sarge here stakes her life. And the rest of us guys, we stake our life too. ‘Cause when Sunday school boy Sam gets caught, first thing he does is sing like he was in the church choir. Yeh, for sure, we all stake our life… make it 20 years to life, for murder one!

Sam (frightened): Murder? Murder? You mean the old guy is…

Nick: No, he’s not dead. Not when we left there, at least. Only reason he isn’t dead is the guys here pulled you off him when you went wacko! Maybe he’s dead by now, maybe he’s not. But even if the old guy lives, next time, unless you smarten up, you’re not gonna be so lucky!

Sam: OK, so maybe I went overboard a bit, give me a break. It was my first time, I’ll learn, you just watch!

Nick: Maybe so, maybe no. First thing you learn—get rid of your clothes. You got blood all over them.

Sam: I will wash them when I get home. Not about to dump these Dockers—cost me a hundred and forty-five bucks last week.

Nick (to group): Did anyone here ask the Sunday school boy how much he paid for the pants? Does anyone care?

(Mumbling comments and laughter from the gang.)

(Nick roughly grabs Sam by the shoulders and gets right in his face.)

Nick: OK, Sunday school boy, let me tell you what’s what! That there blood on your pants can lead straight to the old guy at the motel. And that can lead the cops straight to arresting you… which, if that’s what you want, hey, go right ahead. But not when it also could get the rest of us sent up with you.

Sam: What’s the big deal? Like I said, I’ll wash them good at home.

Nick (livid): Look, punk! When I say you will—

(Sarge quickly steps in between Nick and Sam.)

Sarge: Cool it, Sam! What Nick is saying is right. You will never get the blood out of those clothes to the point that the lab can’t link the DNA. (To Nick) It’s cool, Nick. Sam will get rid of the clothes, no problem.

Nick: I am gonna tell you, better be no problem! Any trouble outta you, Sunday school boy, you’re gonna wish the cops get to you before I do! (To the gang) Come on guys, let’s get outta here, before I change my mind about the Sunday school boy.

(Nick and the gang move off stage, leaving Sarge and Sam on stage.)

Sam (angry): Hold it right there, Nick! You aren’t getting away with that any longer!

Nick (his back to Sam, ignoring him): Fellas, if I didn’t know better, I would swear the Sunday school boy was directing that foolish remark at me.

Sam: I am talking to you, Nick! I will never again have you call me Sunday school boy!

Nick (turning to face Sam, sarcastic smile on his face): I see. So let me get this straight. The Sunday school boy doesn’t want to be called Sunday school boy no more? Is that what you are saying, Sunday school boy?

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.