Summary: A sketch exploring issues of exclusion.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 6min
Actors: 5M/F, 1Puppet.
Scripture: based around Matthew 15: 21-28
Characters
Doctor
4 Patients
1 Puppet
Script
[The scene is a line of 3 seats in front of the puppet screen and to the left there is a table with two chairs where the doctor and Patient 1 sit. Patients 2 & 3 are already sat in the waiting area. The puppet then appears above the screen and positions herself “behind” Patient 3. The doctor scribbles a prescription which he hands to patient 1, who exits.]
Doctor: Next
[Patient 2 gets up and goes to the table. Patient 3 and the puppet move up. While the Doctor is speaking (in whispers) to Patient 2, Patient 4 arrives hobbling on a crutch and plonks himself in the next chair. He doesn’t notice the puppet. The doctor scribbles a prescription which he hands to Patient 2, who exits.]
Doctor: Who’s next?
[Patient 3 gets up and goes to the table. Patient 4 and the puppet move up, but the likelihood of a problem is beginning to become apparent as Patient 4 puts himself in the seat closest to the doctor and the puppet begins to glance anxiously and position herself closer to the doctor. The doctor scribbles a prescription which he hands to Patient 3 who exits]
Doctor: Next please [this time the doctor is looking up at the patients, so sees what happens].
[Patient 4 and the puppet both move towards the doctor, and then see each other.]
Doctor: I’m sorry sir, I think this lady is next. I will see you as quickly as I can.
Patient 4: [angrily] What?! You’re seeing that thing before me?
Doctor: Yes, that’s right, sir. She is next in the queue and she isn’t a thing.
Patient 4: [explodes] But…but, it’s not one of us – it’s different.
Doctor: I don’t see why that should be a problem, sir. We are all different and if she needs medical attention it is my job to provide it.
Patient 4: [apoplectic] But…this is outrageous! It’s just a puppet – a load of old rags and stuffing. It shouldn’t be here at all.
Puppet: [attempting to handbag him] I am NOT a load of old rags and stuffing, and I’ll mind you to be a bit more respectful, young man.
Patient 4: But you are a puppet, which means you’re not one of us and you have no right to be taking my place in the doctor’s queue.
Doctor: Now, now.
Patient 4: [interrupts] Alien weirdo.
[The puppet throws her arms up in horror!]
Doctor: PLEASE! – just calm down everybody. I am seeing this lady first and you will just have to wait your turn, and that is all there is to it. [Doctor and puppet exit]
Patient 4: [sits down and mutters to self] Humph…What is this world coming to… it shouldn’t be allowed… though maybe I did go too far in calling her a load of old rags and stuffing.
[End]
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© Copyright Ian Wallace, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: