Description

Modern day “Dickens-like Christmas Carol” look at corporate America.

The executive of a “successful” software company express their opinions, and fears.
Sometimes our success becomes more than we can handle.
This drama is entirely fictional, any similarities to people, places, situations or events is purely coincidental.
Cast: 7 m or f

• Jeff and Jim carry the bulk of the drama
• Jeff This character is a fictional character, a brilliant and successful entrepreneur, the head of a huge hi-tech company
• Jim Jeff’s partner and employee, a trusted employee who has been with Jeff from the
  beginning.
• Jeff(2) Jeff character in the scrim set (will be younger version of Jeff)
• Jim(2) Jim character in the scrim set (will be younger version of Jim)
• Morley Jeff’s former partner
• Sarah Jeff’s ex-wife
• Voice over

Bible Reference: Luke 2

Set:

• There is a split stage format with the two main actors performing on one side of the stage, while at the other side a scrim covering is used to display the past time frames
• there is main stage area plus an acting area behind scrim, in order to display or hide the action in the past scenes
• A very large gaudy garish Christmas set with flashing lights for opening scene
• for details and assistance on scrim sets contact DramaShare

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: Away In A Manger

Lighting:

• single spotlight for main actors, plus lighting in front of and behind scrim to hide and expose the past scenes

SFX: none

Props: large extension cord

Costumes:

• very little specific costuming is necessary, past time frame could use dated costuming

Special Instructions:

• This drama is entirely fictional, any similarities to people, places, situations or events is purely coincidental.

Time: 70

Sample of script

Jeff walks on stage, looks around, looks toward shadows at upstage left, smiles, picks up a large extension cord which is lying very noticeably on the floor, plugs it into outlet.
Jeff is visibly proud as garish Christmas promotion lights up, flashing lights,
Away In A Manger plays softly in the background.

Jeff: Excellent, simply a breakthrough! Yeppers, this will do just fine! Another world-wide first for SoftSolutions Computer Systems! And I wonder where this baby’s headed?

Voice over: Christmas greetings from SoftSolutions Computer Systems! And to help you celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season, SoftSolutions introduces our NuNoel In-home Computer System, featuring 96” SoftSolutions low radiation screen so family and friends can watch and play together, world’s most advanced 512 meg SoftSolutions memory bank, 6 independent SoftSolutions 96X CD drives, 6 independent SoftSolutions ergonomically designed Phase 3 keyboards allowing up to 6 friends or family members to simultaneously interact or compete, each with their own SoftSolutions Eagle Majestic 38 page-per-minute laser printer. And, of course, the feature of this, as all SoftSolutions computing systems, is the exclusive patented SoftSolutions OS SoftSecure Operating Systems, the OS system available only on SoftSolutions hardware.

Jim comes on stage at downstage right, watches in the shadows

Voice over: Just think of it, celebrate Christmas together the old-fashioned way, a family working and playing together, enjoying time-honoured family values, around the SoftSolutions NuNoel In-Home Computer System. And here’s just a few of the built in choices you have to celebrate the exciting news of Christmas. On SoftSolutions Abundant Selection #1 we have “Christmas Values with Fonzie and the Family”. You will be challenged and blessed with the traditional Christmas message as the “Happy Days” gang enjoy a Christmas break on SoftSolutions’ tropical paradise, Security Island!
SoftSolutions Abundant Selection #2 whisks you away to a Christmas dream experience based on the time-treasured “Father Knows Best” TV series. Relive and experience first-hand again the excitement and family closeness of a more restful time.
For those who seek a more futuristic telling of the Christmas message, SoftSolutions Abundant Selection #3 is just what you have been looking for! “Star Wars Christmas” tells of Captain Kirk’s personal mission to bring the Christmas message to the Disasteroids on the newly discovered planet of R92B.
And if you are seeking a more traditional approach, SoftSolutions Abundant Selection 4 is our all new interactive animated option where you and your friends can assume the roles of shepherds, wise men, Joseph, Mary, even the Baby Jesus! Think of the learning experience as each family member interactively creates their own ending to the original tale.

Jeff punches a button, voice over off, just a few lights continue to flash

Jeff: Excellent, simply a breakthrough! Yeppers, this will do just fine! SoftSolutions NuNoel In-home Computer System! All you computer giant wannabees, react to this! SoftSolutions Computer Systems! First off the mark again! And I wonder where this baby’s headed?

Jim: Yes, Jeff, where indeed!

Jeff: Jim, didn’t see you there. Come on in, got somethin’ to show ya! You simply won’t believe this! Excellent, simply a breakthrough! Yeppers, this will do just fine! Watch here, somethin’ new! We call it the SoftSolutions . . . . .

Jim: . . . . SoftSolutions NuNoel In-Home Computer System, I heard!

Jeff: What’d’ya think Jimmy boy?

Jim: Jeff, you really don’t want to hear what I think!

Jeff: You know that’s not true, Jim! You and me, we’ve been together, right from the beginning. You and me, and . . . .

Jim: . . . . . and Morley, and Sarah. Yeh, from the very beginning.

Jeff: Yeh, well, anyway, but this here is an exciting time! What we’ve got on our
hands is a winner! No way to know where this baby’s headed! So, what’d’ya
think Jimmy ma’boy?

Jim: Like I said, Jeff, you really don’t want to hear what I think.

Jeff: What are you sayin? You know full well how I regard your opinions. Don’t I
always say, “send in Jim”? Don’t I?

Jim: Yes, you do Jeff. But we both know that you don’t like when anyone says
anything negative about your projects, your “babies”.

Jeff: What’s this! You sayin’ you don’t like the SoftSolutions NuNoel In-home
Computer System? I tell ya, Jimmy, we’ve got on our hands is a winner! No
way to know where this baby’s headed! Make us millions is my guess! So, tell
me then, what’d’ya think Jimmy ma’boy?

Jim: I have no doubt that you may have a winner again, Jeff. And seems like
everything you do makes millions, so why wouldn’t this one as well?

Jeff: Good to hear you so excited! What’s this “everything I do”? Thought we were
in this together, right from the beginning, you and me and . .. .

Jim: . . . and Morley and Sarah.

Jeff: Yeh, well, mainly it’s been you an’ me. Ever since . . . since

Jim: . . . since Morley died and since you and Sarah separated?

Jeff: What gives with you Jim? Lighten up a bit! It’s Christmas for Pete’s sake!
Aren’t you the one always pushing your religion thing? Here I’ve put together a
program that’ll give a boost to your religion thing, and it’s as though I’ve
committed some crime for Pete’s sake! You’re a SoftSolutions employee for
Pete’s sake! You know full well what I always say, “On the team or . . .”

Jim: . . . . yes, I know, Jeff, “on the team or turfed!” But, doesn’t really matter, Jeff.
That’s why I came here tonight, to tell you that I’m resigning from SoftSolutions.

Jeff: You’re what? Resigning? You can’t resign! Why, you’ve been here from the
beginning! It was you and me and . . . . .

Jim: . . . and Morley and Sarah. Yes, I know, but time has come for me to do
something new. I have felt God’s calling to be a missionary in Russia, and . . .

Jeff: . . . a missionary? In Russia? What kinda cockamamie idea is that? (pause)
Oh, it’s money, isn’t it? Look, I’ll double whatever you’re gonna make in
Russia. . . .