Mark Morelli's History of Christmas in Five 1-Minute Plays
Bethlehem Suite | Franchise | First Thread Unravels | The Godfather 2.5 | Step Up | Encore: Before He Changed Us
Download PDF of All
Download PDF of All
Franchise
Nicholas of Bari, the Bishop of Lycia, sits wearily on his throne. The year is 343.
Stage Design Note: The Bishop would probably not have any décor older than 341.
Offstage voice:
Bishop, the merchant is here.
Nicholas waves in the merchant.
Merchant:
Bishop Nicholas of Bari. I speak for all when I say, we love what you do.
Bishop:
And what is it that I do?
Merchant
The Bishop is humble. But who doesn't know that, under cover of night, he tosses gold coins into windows – right into stockings drying by the fire.
Nicholas
That happened once. And it was an accident.
Merchant
All due respect, Excellency, it was brilliant. And it's also time to expand. To spread this act of benevolence all over the world!
Nicholas
I’m exhausted!
Merchant
That's where I come in. We have others do what you do. Exactly the same way. Let me show you how.
Merchant unveils a big poster board visible only to the bishop.
Bishop:
Who is that?
Merchant:
You.
Bishop:
I don't own a red suit.
The merchant pulls a red coat out of a bag and holds it up.
Merchant:
You wear this for a year. During the full moon, you get spotted. Word gets around. All of a sudden, this coat...is you. And anyone in the world wearing a coat like this is suddenly...you, Bishop.
Nicholas is intrigued. Stands up and scrutinizes the poster board.
Nicholas:
You should fire your artist. Those eight little horses look weird.
Merchant (delightedly):
Just hear me out...
Lights to black.
Nicholas of Bari, the Bishop of Lycia, sits wearily on his throne. The year is 343.
Stage Design Note: The Bishop would probably not have any décor older than 341.
Offstage voice:
Bishop, the merchant is here.
Nicholas waves in the merchant.
Merchant:
Bishop Nicholas of Bari. I speak for all when I say, we love what you do.
Bishop:
And what is it that I do?
Merchant
The Bishop is humble. But who doesn't know that, under cover of night, he tosses gold coins into windows – right into stockings drying by the fire.
Nicholas
That happened once. And it was an accident.
Merchant
All due respect, Excellency, it was brilliant. And it's also time to expand. To spread this act of benevolence all over the world!
Nicholas
I’m exhausted!
Merchant
That's where I come in. We have others do what you do. Exactly the same way. Let me show you how.
Merchant unveils a big poster board visible only to the bishop.
Bishop:
Who is that?
Merchant:
You.
Bishop:
I don't own a red suit.
The merchant pulls a red coat out of a bag and holds it up.
Merchant:
You wear this for a year. During the full moon, you get spotted. Word gets around. All of a sudden, this coat...is you. And anyone in the world wearing a coat like this is suddenly...you, Bishop.
Nicholas is intrigued. Stands up and scrutinizes the poster board.
Nicholas:
You should fire your artist. Those eight little horses look weird.
Merchant (delightedly):
Just hear me out...
Lights to black.