The Inn Crowd

THE INN CROWD

by Jeff Dyer Copyright Notice

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The Inn Crowd A Christmas comedy about a complex check-in

by Jeff Dyer 2

CAST OF CHARACTERS In order of appearance

MARTHA SUSANNA SILAS ASAPH LEPER PROPHET JOSEPH MARY JETHRO OBED BLIND PERSON SCRIBE SAMARITAN SADDUCEE PHARISEE WIDOW SHEPHERDS 1-7 WISE MAN 1-3 ANGELS (Nonspeaking roles) POOR TRAVELER

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 3

PRODUCTION NOTES

Did you ever wonder who else may have been turned away from the Inn besides Mary and Joseph? There’s a vacancy at Martha and Silas’ inn — and an assortment of characters try to claim the one remaining room, ranging from a leper to a Pharisee to a scribe to a prophet with a penchant for a Magic 8 Ball. As unyielding innkeeper Martha finds something wrong with each one, the sign quickly gets changed to “No Vacancy.” Even Mary and Joseph get banished to the barn! But through the supernatural events of Jesus’ birth, Martha softens, and she finds room in her heart — and her inn — for some of “the least of these.” Suggestions for Doubling Parts The parts that should not be doubled are Martha, Susanna, Silas, Joseph, and Mary. The same person could play the Leper, Blind Person, the Samaritan, and Poor Traveler. Another actor could play Asaph, the Prophet, Jethro, and the Scribe. There may be fewer Shepherds by reassigning lines. Obed, the Scribe, the Samaritan, Sadducee, Pharisee, and Widow may double as Shepherds, Wise Men, or Angels. Props Rags, broom, large sign reading “No Vacancy” on one side and “Vacancy” on the other, decorative basket, piece of paper folded to look like a brochure, suitcase, clipboard and pen, shovel, robe, Magic 8 Ball, bottle of red wine or sparkling grape juice, vase of flowers, walking stick, feather pen, several scrolls, doll for baby Jesus, gifts resembling gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the Wise Men, and a large sign reading “Holy Day Inn.” Costumes Biblical costumes for all. Simple robes, sandals, and headpieces would work for Martha, Susanna, Silas, Joseph, Mary, Widow, and Shepherds. Richer robes would be best for Asaph, Prophet, Jethro, Scribe, Sadducee, Pharisee, and Wise Men. Tattered robes would work for Leper (with the addition of bandages), Blind Person, Obed, and Poor Traveler. The suggested doubling of roles listed above groups the parts according to richer- or poorer-looking robes. Try to add or

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 4 subtract something from the costume to change it up for the next appearance. Additionally, accessorize with staffs for the Shepherds, hats for the Wise Men, an apron for Susanna, and any other pieces you feel would accentuate the characters. Set A humble inn. A simple table and chairs and perhaps some clay pots should suffice. At Stage Right is a stable with straw and animals (may be painted on backdrop).

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 5 1 (SUSANNA, a servant girl, enters. She is cleaning and dusting. 2 MARTHA, wife of the innkeeper, enters. There is a large sign 3 reading “No Vacancy” posted. She flips it over to read 4 “Vacancy.” She cleans up the same places SUSANNA has 5 already cleaned, humming and whistling lightly.) 6 MARTHA: Be sure to sweep under the rugs too, Susanna. 7 SUSANNA: Yes, ma’am. 8 MARTHA: Hmmmm. I think the guest rooms could use a little 9 more attention. 10 SUSANNA: Yes, ma’am. Right away, ma’am. (Exits. After a few 11 seconds, SILAS the innkeeper enters. He is carrying a 12 decorative basket.) 13 SILAS: Honey, where did you want this basket? 14 MARTHA: Oh, I’ve been looking all over for that! Here, let me 15 have it. (SILAS hands it to her. She places it down, steps back, 16 and stares at it.) Hmmmm … 17 SILAS: Good? O-kaaaay. (Starts to slowly back away.) Think I’ll 18 be going now. There’s a big chariot race today. 19 Zebediah and I are going to watch it. So … I’ll just see 20 you later? (MARTHA motions with her finger for him to come 21 back. He sighs.) Yes, dear? 22 MARTHA: Silas, this inn is a mess! We have to keep it well 23 maintained. You never know who might show up! 24 (SUSANNA enters quietly.) 25 SILAS: I know, I know. It has been quiet around here the 26 past few weeks. If you weren’t so — well, picky — maybe 27 we’d have more guests. (SUSANNA slowly creeps away, 28 avoiding the argument.) 29 MARTHA: What? What did you say? 30 SILAS: Well, honey, you know you are a bit particular about 31 the company we keep. 32 MARTHA: Am I? Is it wrong to have high standards? Now 33 that Quirinius is Governor of Syria, and what with the 34 census, business will pick up. You’ll see! (Shows him a 35 brochure.) Look, I’ve made up a new pamphlet to 36 advertise! Still trying to come up with a name for our 37 inn, though. 38 SILAS: (Reading) “Come and stay at the Bethlehem

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 6 1 metropolitan area’s finest inn! So affordable, you’ll only 2 pay shekels! Comfort beyond belief: the softest straw 3 beds for miles around! Complimentary breakfast 4 features fresh baked unleavened bread! Includes 5 outdoor swimming pool!” Uhhhh, Martha, we don’t have 6 a pool. 7 MARTHA: What do you call that pond behind the stables? 8 SILAS: Oh. Right. Speaking of stables, I should go feed the 9 animals. (Exits to the stable at Stage Right. ASAPH enters, 10 carrying a suitcase.) 11 ASAPH: (To MARTHA) Excuse me. I’ve been traveling for 12 days, heading to the registration. I would like a room. 13 MARTHA: Oh! Well, let’s talk about this first. I have some 14 paperwork I need you to fill out. (Takes out a clipboard 15 and pencil.) This is just a routine check-in procedure. 16 Name? 17 ASAPH: My name is Asaph. 18 MARTHA: And Asaph, what do you do for a living? 19 ASAPH: My job? Well … what does that have to do with 20 staying at your inn? 21 MARTHA: It’s routine procedure. Occupation? 22 ASAPH: Well, um, I’m a tax collector. 23 MARTHA: You’re a what? 24 ASAPH: T-tax collector. I collect taxes. Money. From people. 25 Why does that matter? 26 MARTHA: Oh, my. No. No! (Flips the sign back to “No Vacancy.”) 27 I’m sorry. We have no rooms available for you. You will 28 have to leave. So sorry. 29 ASAPH: What? But you had a room open when I first came 30 in! 31 MARTHA: Things change quickly. Have a nice day. Bye now! 32 (Walks away.) 33 ASAPH: Well, I never! Of all the … Hmph! (Stomps out, angry. 34 MARTHA waits until he is gone, then flips the sign back to 35 “Vacancy.” SILAS returns to the inn.) 36 SILAS: The cows are all fed, and I put some fresh straw in 37 there. It’s actually nice and warm in there! Almost cozy, 38 in fact.

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 7 1 MARTHA: Well, I’m sure the cows will be very comfortable. 2 Unfortunately, I had to send away another prospective 3 guest. 4 SILAS: Another one? (Sighs deeply.) Martha, we can’t afford to 5 have such “high standards”! Think of all the income 6 we’ve lost because so few potential guests are good 7 enough in your eyes, and you turn them away! 8 MARTHA: Silas, is it wrong to expect decent people to spend 9 the night here? Don’t forget — this is our home too. If 10 we give a common man a bed for the night, why, we 11 might be robbed in our sleep! Is that what you wish? 12 SILAS: No, of course not, but — 13 MARTHA: I have prepared this inn with love and care! I 14 want visiting kings to stay here! If we provide room for 15 royalty, think of how we will be regarded in the 16 community! Think of the treasures that might be given 17 us! 18 SILAS: I like to think we’re already rich, Martha. Helping 19 people in need, giving travelers a place to sleep for the 20 night … Isn’t that worth more than money or 21 reputation? 22 MARTHA: I think you’re going to be sleeping with the cows 23 tonight! 24 SILAS: Perhaps I should tend the crops? 25 MARTHA: Perhaps you should! (SILAS exits quickly. A LEPER 26 enters, wrapped in bandages.) 27 LEPER: (Shouting) Unclean! Unclean! Unclean! 28 MARTHA: (Jumps back, aghast.) Oh, dear! What — who — are 29 you? 30 LEPER: (Extends hand but MARTHA looks repulsed and doesn’t 31 take it.) Hello, ma’am. I am sorry to bother you, but my 32 sores are painful. 33 MARTHA: Wh-why do you have sores? 34 LEPER: I have leprosy. It’s quite uncomfortable. A soft bed 35 would help so much. (Points to the sign.) I see you have a 36 room — 37 MARTHA : Well … no. (Flips the sign back to “No Vacancy.”) If 38 only you were here five minutes earlier. It’s our busy

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 8 1 season, you know. 2 LEPER: Busy? But I don’t see anyone around. 3 MARTHA: (Fake smile) Perhaps your condition has affected 4 your vision. 5 LEPER: I will keep to my own room away from the others. I 6 won’t be a problem for you. 7 MARTHA: Oh, it’s not that. We’re full. We really are. There’s 8 a Sheep Herding Convention in town, and we expect 9 many guests. And sheep! (A PROPHET enters with a scroll.) 10 May I help you? 11 PROPHET: I am heading to my hometown to register, and I 12 have seen a vision. You have an empty room, and I 13 would like it! 14 MARTHA: (Excited) Oh, my! Are you — are you — 15 PROPHET: A prophet? Yes. 16 MARTHA: How did you know what I was going to ask? (The 17 PROPHET smiles, raising an eyebrow knowingly.) Oh, of 18 course! You’re a prophet! (Flips sign back to “Vacancy.”) 19 PROPHET: Aha! The prophecy is fulfilled! 20 LEPER: What about me? 21 MARTHA: What about you? 22 LEPER: You’re treating me like a leper! 23 MARTHA: You think? Look, I spent hours cleaning, and 24 you’re — well, frankly, you’re unclean. You’re just not 25 the sort of person we want around here. (Calling Off- 26 stage) Susanna! (SUSANNA enters.) 27 SUSANNA: Yes, ma’am? 28 MARTHA: Please escort this … person out of here. And 29 please, don’t touch him. (LEPER exits with SUSANNA, who 30 stands far away. SILAS re-enters carrying a shovel. MARTHA 31 continues to talk to the PROPHET, obviously enraptured by 32 him.) So … do you travel much? 33 PROPHET: Oh, yes. I have seen the world! Well, the parts 34 already discovered, that is. 35 MARTHA: Really? How fascinating! 36 SILAS: So, do we have us a guest? 37 MARTHA: Yes! A world-renowned prophet! 38 SILAS: A real prophet? Incredible!

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 9 1 MARTHA: Tell me, will we be visited by a king any time 2 soon? 3 PROPHET: (Takes out a Magic 8 Ball and shakes it.) “Outlook 4 good!” 5 MARTHA: How exciting! Will this king be known the world 6 over? 7 PROPHET: (Shakes the Magic 8 Ball again.) “Signs point to 8 yes!” 9 MARTHA: Wonderful, wonderful! One more question: Does 10 he have a rich kingdom on earth, and will he hand out 11 gold and silver to those who bow before him? 12 PROPHET: (Shakes it again.) “Don’t count on it!” 13 MARTHA: Hmmmm … that’s strange. What kind of king 14 doesn’t have a kingdom on earth? Anyway, why don’t I 15 show our guest to his room? You’re going to love what 16 I’m cooking for dinner tonight! 17 PROPHET: It wouldn’t happen to be baked goat with lentils 18 and cornbread with sycamore jam, would it? 19 MARTHA: How’d you guess? (Both of them catch themselves, then 20 laugh as they exit. SILAS turns the sign back to “No Vacancy.” 21 He walks around a bit tidying up, then JOSEPH and MARY 22 enter.) 23 SILAS: Oh, hello there! 24 JOSEPH: Is there — is there room? 25 SILAS: Oh. You mean here? You want to stay here? 26 JOSEPH: (Nods.) Mary is about to have a child this very 27 night. 28 SILAS: Is she? Oh, my. Sounds as though you are in great 29 need. (Starts to turn the sign to “Vacancy.”) 30 JOSEPH: Are you in charge here? 31 SILAS: Yes. Well, actually … (Stops turning the sign, leaving it at 32 “No Vacancy.”) Hang on just a minute, please. (Runs out.) 33 JOSEPH: (Calls out.) We don’t have much time! (Sighs and 34 paces around.) 35 MARY: Oh, Joseph, what if they turn us away? 36 JOSEPH: They will not. They must not. (SILAS and MARTHA 37 enter.) 38 MARTHA: What do you mean, she’s having a baby? As in now?

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 10 1 SILAS: It would appear that way. This is — I’m sorry, I didn’t 2 catch your names. 3 JOSEPH: I am Joseph, and this is my wife, Mary. 4 MARY: We have traveled so far this cold, dark night. Please 5 help us! 6 MARTHA: (Grabs her clipboard.) Occupation? (JOSEPH looks 7 confused.) 8 SILAS: (To JOSEPH) It’s standard procedure. 9 JOSEPH: (Nods.) Carpenter. 10 MARTHA: (Snooty) Oh, I see. (Looks closely at MARY.) You are 11 quite young. 12 MARY: I am. 13 MARTHA: I suppose your husband is pleased he is to be a 14 father soon. 15 MARY: (Hesitant) My husband is not the child’s father. 16 MARTHA: Excuse me? What did you say? 17 MARY: There was an angel, you see. He told me the baby was 18 from God! (MARTHA looks astonished.) 19 MARTHA: Silas, please see them out. 20 SILAS: Oh, no. Martha, certainly you see that we can help 21 this couple! Should we not? 22 MARTHA: No. We. Should. Not. Did you hear what that 23 delusional girl said? Her baby, from God? Whoever 24 heard of such a thing! Now, I have some tidying up to 25 do. I trust you will take care of this situation! (Exits.) 26 SILAS: I am sorry. There is no room for you at our inn. 27 MARY: (Drops head.) Joseph, what are we going to do now? 28 JOSEPH: We’ll think of something. Thank you for your time. 29 Good evening. (They start to leave slowly. SILAS looks down 30 at his shovel.) 31 SILAS: (To himself) The stable! At the very least, we can let 32 them stay there! (To MARY and JOSEPH) Please stop! 33 (Runs to them.) I know it’s not much, but we do have a 34 stable. It will give you some shelter from this night. 35 JOSEPH: Thank you. We gladly accept your generous offer. 36 MARY: You are most kind. (She puts her hand on SILAS’ face. 37 SILAS leads them to the stable, where they sit down amid the 38 animals.)

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 11 1 SILAS: If there’s anything you need, please let me know. 2 (JETHRO and OBED enter the inn. SUSANNA and MARTHA 3 greet them. JETHRO carries a long robe.) 4 MARTHA: Welcome, welcome! Susanna, please take the 5 gentleman’s robe. (SUSANNA takes the robe from 6 JETHRO.) May I help you? 7 JETHRO: I would like a room. 8 MARTHA: (With clipboard) Occupation? Of course, I can see by 9 your beautiful robe that you must be a man of plenty! 10 JETHRO: Yes, I am. My name is Jethro, and I own a large 11 vineyard. (Hands MARTHA a bottle of red wine.) Please 12 accept this gift as a token of my appreciation. 13 MARTHA: Oh, how wonderful! What year? 14 JETHRO: 45 B.C. A good year! A dry red wine. Dry as the 15 desert, but as refreshing as the Jordan River! 16 MARTHA: (Glances at OBED, who is dressed poorly.) And who are 17 you? 18 JETHRO: Answer the woman! She’s talking to you! 19 OBED: M-my name is Obed. I work in the vineyard. I am a 20 day laborer. 21 MARTHA: (Writing on clipboard) Well! It appears we have room 22 for one of you, but not the other. Susanna, will you 23 please see Jethro to his room? And put this in the wine 24 cellar, please. (Hands her the bottle. SUSANNA escorts 25 JETHRO away. MARTHA stands there looking with disgust at 26 OBED.) 27 OBED: What about me? 28 MARTHA: Sorry, that won’t be possible. 29 OBED: What about the stable? Could I stay in there instead? 30 MARTHA: Oh, don’t be silly! Who would sleep in a stable? 31 OBED: (Points to MARY and JOSEPH and SILAS.) Well … those 32 people over there! 33 MARTHA: (Surprised) What? No … no, you will need to leave. 34 (OBED exits sadly. MARTHA watches from afar with disdain 35 and crosses her arms. SILAS approaches MARTHA, sees her 36 angry face, and knows he is in trouble.) 37 SILAS: We, um, had room in the stable. The cows … they 38 won’t mind. D-do you?

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 12 1 MARTHA: So she is to give birth in our stable? 2 SILAS: We could have had room for them. You know we have 3 an open room! Did they not deserve such 4 accommodations? 5 MARTHA: Silas, you’re not seeing the big picture. What if a 6 king unexpectedly showed up? That was one of our last 7 rooms, and there would have been no room at the inn! 8 Besides, you heard what the prophet said. A king will be 9 visiting us! It could happen at any moment. We must be 10 prepared! (SILAS nods silently. MARTHA looks up, 11 squinting.) What is that bright light? 12 SILAS: (Glances up.) Hmmmm. Looks like a star. And it’s 13 shining right over our stable. 14 MARTHA: Well, that’s strange. (MARTHA turns and looks at 15 MARY and JOSEPH, pauses a moment, then both she and 16 SILAS exit. Music plays as MARY holds baby Jesus for the first 17 time. MARTHA enters with a vase of flowers. SILAS enters 18 with a shovel.) 19 MARTHA: Won’t this arrangement look lovely, Silas? These 20 flowers will really brighten up the inn. And the 21 fragrance is simply divine! 22 SILAS: Yes, dear. Say, you know the couple that stopped last 23 night? They had their baby. A little boy! I hear they’ve 24 named him Jesus. 25 MARTHA: Oh, that’s wonderful for them! Is he healthy? 26 SILAS: Seems to be. Strong little fellow. You want to come 27 see? He’s right over there. 28 MARTHA: No, I’m busy getting things ready, Silas. Not right 29 now. 30 SILAS: Hey, Martha — you know how we don’t have a name 31 for the inn? Well, I’ve been thinking, and I came up with 32 something that just might — (SUSANNA runs in, out of 33 breath.) 34 SUSANNA: Miss Martha … Mr. Silas! 35 SILAS: What is it, Susanna? What’s wrong? 36 SUSANNA: The people! They’re lining up outside! 37 MARTHA: Are they? Oh, very good! Well, let them in! 38 (SUSANNA exits, then re-enters with a group of people: BLIND

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 13 1 PERSON, SCRIBE, SAMARITAN, SADDUCEE, PHARISEE, 2 and WIDOW.) Single file, please! Single file! (Grabs 3 clipboard. To BLIND PERSON) OK, what do you need? 4 BLIND PERSON: (Using a walking stick) I am blind. Will you 5 find it in your heart to give me room? To be a light for 6 me in the darkness? 7 MARTHA: I am sorry about your lack of vision, but we’re not 8 equipped to handle your … disability. Besides, if you 9 were to trip and fall, then — no, I’m sorry. (BLIND 10 PERSON shakes his head and exits.) Next! 11 SCRIBE: (Carrying a feather pen) I am a scribe. 12 MARTHA: (Impressed) Well, yes you are! It’s always a pleasure 13 to welcome scribes. 14 SCRIBE: I’m staying here while I write my next scroll. It’s 15 certain to be a bestseller! 16 MARTHA: Do you think you’ll be writing about our inn 17 during your stay? 18 SCRIBE: Oh, perhaps, if anything newsworthy happens 19 here. (Enters.) 20 MARTHA: Next! 21 SAMARITAN: I am from Samaria. 22 MARTHA: How unfortunate. 23 SAMARITAN: But I am a good person! 24 MARTHA: A good Samaritan? Is there such a thing? Sorry. 25 Nothing good has come out of Samaria. (SAMARITAN 26 exits.) Next! (SADDUCEE and PHARISEE stand side by side.) 27 SADDUCEE: (Stands tall and very haughty.) I am a Sadducee — 28 a high priest! 29 MARTHA: (Bows.) An honor to meet you! 30 PHARISEE: (Holding many scrolls) And I am a Pharisee — a 31 man of the law. 32 MARTHA: Did you say the law? 33 PHARISEE: You would not want a lawsuit, would you now? 34 MARTHA: (Smiles nervously.) Oh … Make yourselves at home. 35 Please! Let me know what I can do for you! (They enter.) 36 Next! (The WIDOW approaches meekly.) And you are? 37 WIDOW: I am a widow, alone in the world. I need a room for 38 tonight, if you could be so kind.

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 14 1 MARTHA: Do you have resources to pay for the room? 2 WIDOW: I am afraid I do not. I gave everything I had to a 3 beggar in the town square. 4 MARTHA: You gave everything you had? Why? 5 WIDOW: Because he needed it more than I did. 6 MARTHA: Well, you should have kept something for 7 yourself, because I cannot allow you to stay here if 8 you’re unable to pay! 9 WIDOW: I — I understand. (Exits. SHEPHERDS enter.) 10 MARTHA: Shepherds? Oh, dear … No, no, no. (Approaches 11 them.) Look, I’m sorry. What with the registration in the 12 area, we’re all full. (Points to “No Vacancy.”) 13 SHEPHERD 1: We’re not here to stay at your inn. 14 MARTHA: Y-you’re not? Then what are you — 15 SHEPHERD 2: We have been following a star overhead. 16 MARTHA: (Points up.) That one? Yes, I did notice it earlier. 17 SHEPHERD 3: It has led us here. 18 SHEPHERD 4: May we please have a look inside? 19 MARTHA: Inside my inn? No, I don’t think that would be — 20 SHEPHERD 5: Not your inn — your stable out back. 21 MARTHA: The stable? 22 SHEPHERD 6: We don’t wish to be a bother. We won’t 23 disturb your animals. 24 SHEPHERD 7: We’re good with sheep. 25 MARTHA: Silas, come here! (He approaches. She leans toward 26 him, stage-whispering.) We can’t let these shepherds into 27 the stable! They’ll find the baby in there. What will they 28 think of us? 29 SILAS: (To the SHEPHERDS) That stable is full of cows and 30 sheep. It’s kind of messy. You wouldn’t really enjoy it. 31 Smells kind of bad, too. 32 SHEPHERD 1: We don’t mind how it looks or smells. 33 SHEPHERD 2: We’ve come to see the Child. 34 MARTHA: (Pretending to be surprised) Child? Ha, ha! What 35 child? Why would there be a child in there? Of all the 36 silly things! 37 SILAS: Martha — enough! They know the truth. (To 38 SHEPHERDS) It’s OK. Go ahead. It’s that way. (Points

This perusal script is for reading purposes only. No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed. 15 1 them toward the stable. The SHEPHERDS approach and bow 2 before baby Jesus.) 3 MARTHA: Why in the world are they bowing? It’s just a baby, 4 for heaven’s sake! 5 SILAS: (To himself, reflectively) For heaven’s sake … 6 MARTHA: What? What did you say? 7 SILAS: When I saw the baby earlier, his eyes looked right 8 into mine. It was as if that little baby knew me … knew 9 everything about me! Doesn’t make sense, I know — but 10 that’s how I felt. (Shakes his head and exits. MARTHA 11 continues cleaning. MARY carries baby Jesus over to her.) 12 MARY: Hello. 13 MARTHA: Oh! How — how is your … stable? Anything I can 14 get for you? 15 MARY: No. We’re fine, thank you. 16 MARTHA: I — I’m sorry about not finding room for you at the 17 inn. You shouldn’t have to stay with the animals. Look 18 — if you want, I can make other arrangements. We can 19 find a room. We can make room. 20 MARY: This is good. It’s fitting. You were a blessing to us. We 21 are so lucky we found you — and this place. 22 MARTHA: Well, that’s … you’re welcome. (Looks at baby Jesus.) 23 He’s a beautiful baby. 24 MARY: Would you like to hold him? 25 MARTHA: Me? Oh, no. I wouldn’t — I don’t know how … 26 (MARY hands baby Jesus to MARTHA, who coos at him.) 27 Hello there! Silas was right. You’re looking right at me 28 like you know me. And he’s — he’s smiling! (Sticks her 29 finger toward the baby.) Quite a grip on this little guy! He’s 30 holding on like he will never let go of me, ever. (Looks 31 up.) What have I done? How many others have I turned 32 away, hungry and shivering, into the cold, dark night? 33 How many have I turned my back on? I could have 34 found the room. I should have let them in! How could I 35 turn them away? How could I turn this baby away? 36 (Hands the baby back to MARY, who crosses back to the stable. 37 SILAS runs On-stage, breathing hard.) 38 SILAS: Martha! Martha, they’re here! You won’t believe it!

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