There's Just Something About The Cross

Morning commute, same old grind. Robin and Terry are just two commuters chatting about sweaters and coffee—until Wendy boards the bus wearing a handmade cross necklace. What begins as lighthearted fashion talk turns uncomfortable when Wendy explains what her cross really means. The others suddenly can’t get off that bus fast enough.

A humorous yet sobering snapshot of how our culture embraces the symbol of the cross—but resists its power.

Cast: 3 m or f

• Robin
• Terry
• Wendy
• there may be others in non-speaking roles as passengers on the bus

Bible Reference: Colossians 1:20

Set:

• representing inside of a bus

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions:

• any number of actors are on stage, sitting or standing holding on as bus moves

Time: 5

Sample of script:

Any number of actors are on stage, sitting or standing, holding on as the bus “moves.”

Robin: Man, these early mornings, going to work, riding this old bus, I mean, this gets to me, know what I mean?
Terry: You are so right on, Robin! Mornings wouldn’t be so bad if they just didn’t come so early in the day.
Robin: I just simply love that sweater, Terry—it is so… you! Is it new?
Terry: Do you like it? … I picked it up at Target—(pronounced Tar-jaay).
Robin: Tar-jaay? … Is that a new store in town?
Terry: Oh, all right, Target… but that sounds so common and ordinary!

Wendy comes on stage, holds on as bus “moves.” Terry and Robin look her up and down.

Terry (to Wendy): Nice necklace.
Robin: I gotta get me one of those… Looks awesome.
Wendy: Thanks… Are you a believer?
Terry: A believer? … In what?
Wendy: Well… a believer in Jesus.
Terry (wary): In… Jesus?
Wendy: Well, my necklace is a cross.
Robin: I don’t understand… lots of guys wear crosses.
Wendy: Well this is a special cross—I made it. See? (points to the cross) I carved a little fish in it, right there.
Terry: Why would you, like, carve a fish into the cross?
Wendy: Well, it shows I’m a follower of Jesus.
Robin: You’re a follower of… Jesus? Like, where do you follow Him to?
Terry (uncomfortable): Hey, I think this is where I get off the bus.
Robin (looks offstage): No, you have another four blocks to go, Terry.
Terry gives Robin a dirty look.

Wendy: You guys said you’d like a necklace like mine.
Robin: I for sure do… and I know Terry here wants one.
Wendy (takes necklaces from pocket): Well, I have lots here. I bring them along to give to people who want to know more about Jesus. May I give a necklace to you guys? And we can talk about Jesus.
Terry: Attractive though that is… sorry, I… can’t… on account of…
Robin: On account of she, like, only wears… purple accessories.
Wendy (digs in pocket): Here we go—a purple necklace!
Terry (embarrassed): Purple? What are you talking about, Robin—it’s not that I want purple—it’s… it’s…

Robin: How could I forget? Terry can’t accept your necklace on account of she’s… allergic to fish.

Terry and Wendy together:
Both: Allergic to fish?

Terry: Anyhow, sorry, I just can’t and—
Wendy: I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to come on that strong. Sorry if I offended you. I didn’t mean to be pushing my Christianity on you guys.
Terry: Hey, no, not at all. I mean, I’m like, religious myself and…
Robin: Me too! Why, I even sometimes go to church—on Christmas. Sometimes. Not always, but…
Terry: Hey listen, nice talking with you, Wendy, but this here is the stop where I get off and—
Robin: Yeah, catch you later, Wendy. And hope you get rid of your cross necklaces and all…

Terry and Robin leave stage. Wendy watches, sad, shakes her head.

Wendy: Wow. Strange, isn’t it? … There’s just something about the cross.
Lights down.