What's It Worth?

“What’s It Worth” is a short dramatic script in the form of a TV game show about the lure of the world’s temptations, and what we may or may not be willing to sacrifice to achieve them.

 

Keywords: temptation, wealth, Satan, soul, materialism

 

Bible Reference:     Matthew 26:/p>

 

Cast:       2 males, 1 female, 1 (male) offstage voice

 

LOU, 30-50

BILL, 30-50

MARCIE, 30-50
ANNOUNCER, voice only

 

Set:        A “game show” set: two podiums side-by-side, video projection screen above and behind.

 

Special effects:      Recorded applause, “game-show theme” and “Jeopardy” music, a ringing bell (boxing-match type), screen images of game-show logo, sports car, and item list.

 

Props:      None

 

Costumes:   “Contestants” wear street clothes, “host” wears overly-garish sport coat & tie.

 

Lighting:    Standard

 

Sound:      Standard

 

Special  instructions:
All (royalty-free) recorded sounds and images required for this scene are available from DramaShare.

 

Time:       5 min.

 

Sample of script:

 

The scene opens on a dark stage

 

ANNCR (VOICE ONLY):

And now, it’s time for America’s favorite game show, What’s It Worth!  Here’s your host, Lou Cypher!

 

SFX:        A video screen showing a game-show logo, SPRIGHTLY GAME-SHOW MUSIC, and RECORDED APPLAUSE

 

Lights rise to reveal two game show contestants, MARCIE and BILL, standing at podiums.  A game show host, LOU CYPHER, swiftly enters.

 

LOU, exuberantly:

Hey, hey, hey!  Hello and welcome to What’s It Worth; the show where you can win it all, as long as you’re willing to lose it all!  Let’s meet our contestants, shall we?  First up is a struggling single mother with four beautiful kids.  Give it up for Marcie!

 

MARCIE, grinning and waving nervously):

Hi, everybody!

 

LOU:       Our second contestant is also our reigning winner, who’s made it all the way through to the finals.  A genuine risk-taker, let’s hear it for Bill!

 

BILL, waving with confidence:

Hello!

 

LOU:       All right, then, let’s get started.  First up is Marcie.  (points to video screen)  Marcie, here’s your prize!

 

ANNCR (VOICE ONLY):

A brand-new luxury car!

 

SFX:       A video screen projection of an expensive sports car, RECORDED APPLAUSE

 

Marcie SQUEALS and CLAPS delightedly.

 

SFX:       A video screen projection of a short list: GROCERY BUDGET, HOUSE PAYMENT, COLLEGE FUND

 

 

 

LOU, pointing to the screen:

Here’s what you can trade: your grocery budget, your house payment, or your oldest daughter’s college fund.  Okay, Marcie, it’s up to you.  What’s it worth?

 

MARCIE, anxiously:

Oh, gee, Lou, I just don’t know.  That’s such a beautiful car,

And I’d just love to have it, but I really need to make all those other

payments.

 

LOU:  I understand, Marcie.  (waving at screen)  But take a look at that beauty.  You’d be the envy of all the other moms with their perfect families and their wonderful lives.  (temptingly)  Surely that’s worth just a little sacrifice?

The complete script, plus all 2,000 other DramaShare scripts, are available at no charge to DramaShare members, non-members may purchase the individual script.

Lure of the world's luxury temptations is in the form of a TV game show.

What we may or may not be willing to sacrifice to achieve these "luxuries" is the message of this drama.
Keywords: temptation, wealth, Satan, soul, materialism
Well written by DramaShare member Randy Harding.

Cast: 4 m or f

• LOU, 30-50
• BILL, 30-50
• MARCIE, 30-50
• OSV (Offstage voice) ANNOUNCER

Bible Reference: Matthew 26:41

Set:

• “game show” set two podiums side-by-side, video projection screen above and behind.

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX:

• Recorded applause
• “game-show theme” and “Jeopardy” music
• a ringing bell (boxing-match type)
• screen images of game-show logo, sports car and other items list.

Props: none

Costumes:

• “Contestants” wear street clothes
• “host” wears overly-garish sport coat & tie.

Special Instructions:

• All (royalty-free) recorded sounds and images required for this scene are available on the internet, for assistance contact DramaShare

Time: 5

Sample of script:

The scene opens on a dark stage

ANNCR (VOICE ONLY):  And now, it's time for America's favorite game show, What's It Worth!  Here's your host, Lou Cypher!

SFX:        Video screen showing a game-show logo, SPRIGHTLY GAME-SHOW MUSIC, and RECORDED APPLAUSE

Lights up show contestants, MARCIE and BILL, at podiums.
LOU CYPHER, quickly enters.

LOU, exuberantly:   Hey, hey, hey!  Hello and welcome to What's It Worth; the show where you can win it all, as long as you're willing to lose it all!  Let's meet our contestants, shall we?  First up is a struggling single mother with four beautiful kids.  Give it up for Marcie!

MARCIE, big smile, waves nervously):   Hi, everybody!

LOU:       Our second contestant is also our reigning winner, who's made it all the way through to the finals.  A genuine risk-taker, let's hear it for Bill!

BILL, waving, confident:  Hello!

LOU:       All right, then, let's get started.  First up is Marcie.  (points to video screen)  Marcie, here's your prize!

ANNCR (VOICE ONLY):  A brand-new luxury car!

SFX:     video screen shows an expensive sports car,
RECORDED APPLAUSE

Marcie SQUEALS and CLAPS delightedly.

SFX:     video screen shows: GROCERY BUDGET, HOUSE PAYMENT, COLLEGE FUND

LOU, pointing to the screen:  Here's what you can trade: your grocery budget, your house payment, or your oldest daughter's college fund.  Okay, Marcie, it's up to you.  What's it worth?

MARCIE, anxiously:   Oh, gee, Lou, I just don't know.  That's such a beautiful car, . . . And I’d just love to have it, but I really need to make all those other payments.

LOU:  I understand, Marcie.  (waving at screen)  But take a look at that beauty.  You'd be the envy of all the other moms with their perfect families and their wonderful lives.  (temptingly)  Surely that's worth just a little sacrifice?