SIMON’S STORY

A Play by Diane Pasco

A drama based on a true testimony. In this testimony Simon did not know God before he was set free, so it makes his story even more miraculous. 2 Cor 4:6 For God who said "Let light shine out of darkness", made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

CHARACTERS

Simon

Satan

Satan’s helpers (2)

2 Heavies

Jesus

PROPS

Whips

Rope

Chair

Lights –red and white

COSTUMES

Black clothing

White Clothing

Blue overalls

The stage isset with a chair only. Satan and is helpers are dressed completely in black. Jesus is dressed completely in White. Simon wear’s a pair of blue overalls.

Satan (with authority): Bring in the traitor

SATAN: Simon, you are charged with cohorting with the enemy.

SATAN’S HELPER 1: What have you got to say for yourself?

SIMON (Looking bewildered): I don’t know what you mean. Why am I here? What do you want?

SATAN’S HELPER 1(sneering): Ooh..Why am I here? What do you want?

SATAN: We know you’ve had contact with the other side, Simon.

SIMON: What other side? Who are you?

SATAN: I’ve been your keeper Simon. You’ve been mine since birth. I’ve guided you life, watched over you. When that women from Social Welfare told your mother "What a shame you’re having twins", that’s when you became mine. Your mother never wanted you, she had too many other children, and she didn’t want them either. But I did, Simon, I wanted you.

SIMON: If you LOVED me, then why did let me be separated from my family when I was born. All those years…in all those foster homes…I never knew my mother, or my father till I was 10 years old, when I was sent back to live with them…if you loved me…WHY?

SATAN (angrily): LOVE? Who said anything about love? That’s not a concept I embrace. No Simon, love has no place in MY life.

HELPER 2 (cracking whip): Sit up Simon! Listen up, this is no time to be a wimp. You have to choose.

SIMON (Frightened): Choose what? Who are you, I don’t know you!

SATAN (Drawing closer to Simon and speaking coercively): Ah, but you do, Simon, you do know me. It’s just that you’re trying to block me out because of the influence in your life from the (spitting) other side…(collects himself, and speaking gently and more coercively) Can’t you feel me Simon. Close your eyes and remember. Remember the good times you had, Simon. I was responsible for those.

SIMON(angry): Do you mean you that you were responsible for my mother not wanting me when I came home to live, and that my father was an alcoholic and used to beat me, and the other kids, black and blue. The state of neglect we all suffered!…was that ‘cos of YOU??

SATAN (ildly shocked): Simon, Simon, How could Ihave been responsible for that? I had no control over their actions. (soothingly) No, it was you I was interested in. Think about the apprenticeship you got in mechanics when you left school.

SIMON: What? You mean you were responsible for my mother coming to my workplace every payday and bullying me for the cash?

SATAN (becoming frustrated) No Simon!! I’ve already told you I’m not responsible for their actions.

SIMON: I had no money at all! My parents spent the lot on alcohol and gambling, all for themselves!

HELPER 1 (calmly): We got you out of that house Simon, remember the flat?

SIMON: Yes, I remember that because of all the abuse and neglect I had no idea how to take care of myself. 21 years old, and I didn’t know how to live! But YOU know that. Do YOU also rememberhow I spent everything I had on alcohol and drugs cos I thought it was normal? The first time I had control of my own money after all those years, and I didn’t know how to look after myself. I had no social skills, no idea about anything practical (Angry again) Do you call that looking after me!!

HELPER 2: Shall I whip him boss, bring him to his senses?

SATAN: No!Put the whip away. (Soothingly to Simon) That was atemporary glitch simon. Think of the money you saved after that, the house you bought, the woman you married. Think how prosperous you became. No mortgage, a lovely house. Think simon, think. Who gave you those. (more soothing ly) Remember how happy you were. All the good times. (Puts his hand on Simon’s shoulder)

SIMON: (succumbing) Yes, I rember. (closes eyes) I remember…for the first time in my life I was happy. Yes, I remember. (Smiles and rocks gently)

SATAN: (Softly)Remember, Simon, remember. You were so happy, you were rich, you were in love. They were good times, Simon. Remember…

SIMON(whispering): Yes it felt so good. (Sits rocking with arms round his knees) (He starts to cry, head in his hands, then lets out a shout) YES! Iremeber coming home, and my wife saying she was leaving me, that she wanted out, a divorce, that she didn’t love me anymore!…She took the house and everything, (lunging at Satan) I remember THAT!

SIMON: Why, why did you let that happen. How could you love me and let that happen? My whole world collapsed. (starts to cry) How could you let that happen if you loved me.

SATAN: Think, Simon, think. I gave you a way out of that. The pills, Simon, think of the bed, the sleeping pills.Who do you think provided tose pills, gave you the idea to end all the pain. It was so easy Simon, so easy…Painless and simple.

(angry) But you had to go and ruin it! It would have been so easy, just swallow the pills, and I’d do the rest, But you had to spoil it all. You could have been mine completely, but you allowed yourself to be taken by the enemy!!

SIMON (shrinking back): I don’t understand, I took the pills, you know that. By all accounts, I should’ve been, would have been dead, but something happened, something wonderful, I can’t explain it….That bright light, so warm, so loving I’ve never felt anything like it, (speaks softly) it was the most wonderful thing I’ve felt in my whole life.

SATAN (Losing his cool, and mad): SHUT UP SIMON! Shut UP! You fool, can’t you see what you’ve done. You’ve ruined everything!….all those years, my plans… (composing himself) Simon, Simon, I’m prepared to overlook this little glitch, we can try again. (Holds out his hand and talks gently) come Simon, Come. Yu know I only want what’s best for you. You do know that don’t you? Cme to me, I have suchplans for you. Come Simon, Come.

SIMON: I’m confused. You’re not the light I saw, the warmth…

SATAN: Ah but I can be Simon, I can be anything you want (gets excited) We can try again, can’t we Simon, we can try again, just come to me.

SIMON (hesitates) Promise me you won’t let that happen again, promise you won’t let me get hurt, promise me things will be better.

SATAN: I promise Simon. Let me make it up to you..Just come to me…..come….

JESUS: STOP SATAN! The victory is mine. Simon was never yours, he was mine all along! Release him now!

SIMON: YOU’RE the light! What’s your name?

JESUS( walks over and helps Simon up) Simon, it’s finished. Get up. I’m the one who rescued you that night. My name is Jesus and I’ve loved you since before you were born. Come with me.

SIMON: Yes, Lord.