TRAVIS: (running in) Hey God! I’m back!
GOD: Sweet!
TRAVIS: The place looks great!
GOD: And we’ve got a bed in the dorm with your name on it!
TRAVIS: My own reservation.
GOD: No. You carved it there when you were 12 years old.
TRAVIS: Oops.
GOD: So…what’re you excited about?
TRAVIS: Oh man, there’s so much to look forward to when I come to camp. Two whole days of dancing and puppets and mime and stuff. And the really cool part. By the end of the weekend I always make friends with some really cool new friends.
GOD: What a waste.
TRAVIS: Waste? Whatta ya mean?
GOD: Of time. What a waste of time.
TRAVIS: (a beat) Lord, I thought that’s why we came to camp… to worship you and meet new Christian friends….
GOD: I mean the part about the end of the weekend. I know you, Trav. You’re always a little bashful at the beginning of camp. It seems like it’s Saturday night before you get around to knowing people…and then it’s time to leave.
TRAVIS: So….I mean…what do I do?
GOD: Start now.
TRAVIS: Uh…start what?
GOD: For once, YOU be the one who begins a conversation. Hey, I gave you eyes to see and a mouth to talk. Use them. Look out there, Travis. There’s a whole room full of people who’d like another good friend right now, but most of them are scared to start it. So come on, guy. I didn’t give you those great eyes and handsome body for nothing.
TRAVIS: So…how do I start?
GOD: Well… talking would be good. You can handle that, can’t you?
TRAVIS: With uh…with who?
GOD: Do I have to do everything for you, Travis? It’s a God buffet. Take your pick! Go ahead. And if you need help, invite me in. I’m really good at relationships.
TRAVIS: That’s funny. “God is good at relationships.”
GOD: You’re stalling.
TRAVIS: I know. Sorry. (a beat as you look out into the audience, then) Uh…does anybody out here like me?
GOD: Oh good grief! Stop being such a wimp! Talk to somebody!
TRAVIS: (go to audience and start a conversation with someone you don’t know…then a second person) (after you’re done) Hey. I liked that. I’ve got two new friends.
GOD: Not bad. And you missed the best part.
TRAVIS: What’s that?
GOD: Right now there are two people in the audience who are feeling pretty special…maybe even a little bit loved…just because you took the time to talk. How’s that for a bargain?
TRAVIS: So…how do I make this last? I mean, you meet people at camp then you never see them again for a year.
GOD: Put me in the middle.
TRAVIS: In the middle?
GOD: Friends come and go.. but two friends who both love me… They’re together even when they’re apart.
TRAVIS: Wow. You should write songs.
GOD: I do… They’re called _______, and _______, and _________, and ________. And this weekend…if you take the time and listen to them, you’ll hear some of the most beautiful music in your life…all sung in the lives of my children.
TRAVIS: (a long beat, then) This is gonna be good. I’m gonna go carve me name again.
GOD: Yeah?
TRAVIS: This time in somebody’s life. (exit)
Travis and God IV-1