Today You Are With Me

A contemporary version of the thieves on the cross with Jesus.

Takes place in prison on death row. How do the thieves handle their situation?

Cast:    3, (m or f)

• Jess the one who is reminiscent of Jesus
• Flake unrepentant but afraid
• Leslie asks Jess to "remember in heaven"

Bible Reference: 

Set:

• blank but could be made up to resemble a jail cell

Lighting:  standard

Sound:  wireless mics if available

Song:   none

SFX: 

• sound of cell door opening and closing

Costumes:

•  striped prison clothes if available

Props:

Special Instructions:   none

Time:  9

Sample Script:

(SFX: The sound of a heavy cell door slamming shut. Jess and Leslie bow their heads in silence. The lights flicker.)

(Flake sneers, arms raised in defiance, fists clenched. He laughs mirthlessly.)

FLAKE (laughing)
Another one bites the dust!
Did you see the lights flicker?
Crank up the solar panels, the wind turbines—
The chair is a big consumer of electricity!

LESLIE
Have you no decency at all?

FLAKE
Me? They call me Flake… So you expect decency?
You saw on TV what the judge said…
Called me a non-repentant, immoral fiend!
So you judge!

LESLIE
I am Leslie…
And a human being was just put to death in the next room!
How can you treat that so callously, so hard-heartedly?
How can you show absolutely no compassion?

(Flake laughs, shaking his head.)

FLAKE
Me? Not compassionate? Showin’ no remorse?
Listen, Leslie… I slit the throats of my entire family—
Startin’ with my father!
And if I had the chance, I’d do it again, with a smile on my face!

LESLIE
What had your family done to you?

FLAKE
Done to me?
I had no reason to let them live—especially my father!
They meant nothin’ to me. Why would I grieve the loss?
They were just takin’ up space, breathin’ precious air, consumin’ food.

LESLIE (disgusted)
You are scum!

FLAKE (laughs)
Yes, I am, and proud of it!
And why are you here, choirboy (or choirgirl)?

LESLIE
I took a life…
Not proud of it.
I’d give anything to go back to that night—undo what I did.

FLAKE
Well, you can’t. So stop your snivellin’!
You bleedin’ hearts make me sick to my stomach!
Man up and take your medicine!
(laughs)
Or in this case, take your high-voltage large charge!

(Flake turns to Jess, sizing him up.)

FLAKE
You’re quiet… Who are you, and what misdemeanor brought you to this outstanding palace?

JESS (calmly)
My name is Jess…
And what importance is it why I am here?

LESLIE (realizing)
You are Jess?
I’ve heard rumors…
I heard you’re covering for some people.

FLAKE
Coverin’ for anyone is just dumb!
Take it from someone who’s been around the block—
Trust no one.
They’ll stab you in the back every time.

LESLIE
Flake, stop it, will you?

FLAKE (shrugging)
Whatever!
Regardless…
In a few minutes, they’ll strap us to the chair, flip the switch, and we’ll be goners…
And that’s just fine with me!

FLAKE Done to me? . . . I had no reason to allow them to live, especially my father! . .  They meant nothin’ to me, why would I grieve the loss? . .  They were simply takin’ up space on this planet, breathin’ precious air, consumin’ food.

LESLIE (disgusted)
You are scum!

FLAKE (laughs)
Yes, I am, and proud of it!
And why are you here… choirboy (or choirgirl)?

LESLIE
I took a life…
Not proud of it.
I’d give anything if I could go back to that night, undo what I did!

FLAKE
Well, you can’t. So stop your snivellin’!
You bleedin’ hearts make me sick to my stomach!
Man up and take your medicine! (laughs)
Or in this case, take your high-voltage, large charge!

(Flake turns to Jess, studying him.)

FLAKE
You’re quiet… Who are you, and what misdemeanor brought you to this outstanding palace?

JESS (calmly)
My name is Jess…
And what importance is it why I am here?

LESLIE (realizing)
You are Jess?
I’ve heard rumors…
I heard you’re covering for some people.

FLAKE
Coverin’ for anyone is just dumb!
Take it from someone who’s been around the block—
Trust no one.
They’ll stab you in the back every time.

LESLIE
Flake, stop it, will you?

FLAKE (shrugging)
Whatever.
Regardless… in a few minutes, they’ll strap us to the chair, flip the switch, and we’ll be goners…
And that’s just fine with me!

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