PLAY #

THE K-6 SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM

Written by
Joseph Frost

Draft
8/30/17

written as part of the 2017 31 Plays in 31 Days challenge

FrostJosephD@gmail.com
Member, Dramatists Guild of America
 A folding table with a series of chairs around it. If there
are walls and decorations, it is a childrens Sunday school
room.

BONNIE, a woman in her late 30s, is cleaning up papers,

styrofoam cups, and other items from the table.

WALTER, a man in his early 40s, sits at the far end of the
table. He is leaned back and contemplating. His hands
together, fingertips at his lips.

WALTER
I dont think they understood.

BONNIE
They understood just fine. They just didnt like it.

WALTER
I didnt explain it properly.

BONNIE
Im telling you they understood. Its just a terrible idea.

WALTER
You dont like it either.

BONNIE
Of course I dont like it, Walter.

WALTER
You didnt understand.

Bonnie stops.

BONNIE
Walter. You explained it well, everyone just hates the idea.
(indicates specific chairs)
Judy hated it. Paul hated it. Simon hated it. Harmon, Philip, and Sandy hated it.
(beat)
And I hated it.

WALTER
What about Arthur.
 2.

BONNIE
What about him.

WALTER
He didnt hate the idea.

BONNIE
He couldnt hear you.

WALTER
What?

BONNIE
His hearing aid battery died and he didnt want to bother anyone by saying so.

WALTER
How do you know?

BONNIE
Because he didnt say anything about how awful your plan was.

WALTER
Bonnie...

BONNIE
Sheila told me when she dropped him off. He didnt want to miss an elders meeting.

WALTER
Hes a good man.

BONNIE
Im going to miss him.

WALTER
Dont. Hes not leaving.

BONNIE
He has to. He cant keep up with these responsibilities.
(beat)
And if we close down the church...

WALTER
Were not closing down the church.
 3.

BONNIE
There arent the people left to sustain this.

WALTER
There are people still here.

BONNIE
We cant afford to keep it going.

WALTER
If we try my plan...

BONNIE
No. We are not asking the pastor to take the summer off.

WALTER
What are we supposed to do?

BONNIE
If the church needs to close, it needs to close.

WALTER
We cant close the church. What about our community?

BONNIE
Walter.

WALTER
What?

BONNIE
You know that people are going to the church in town.

WALTER
Who.

BONNIE
The Millers. Hank and Sally. The Von Marks. The Andersons. Phyllis.

WALTER
Phyllis has been staying home the past couple of weeks. Shes sick.
 4.

BONNIE
Shes been going to church with the Andersons. They pick her up and take her.
(beat)
Our community. They are all in town.
(beat)
Pastor Greg already knows.

WALTER
Knows what.

BONNIE
Were shutting down the church.
(beat)
Hes visiting over at the church in Bingham.

WALTER
Bingham. I thought Randy Reynolds would never leave there.

BONNIE
Randys taking over the organizing of the trips to Jamaica.

WALTER
Helping with Pastor Arnold.

BONNIE
Hes retiring to Florida.

WALTER
How do I not know any of this?

BONNIE
I have no idea.

WALTER
How do you know it all?

BONNIE
I listen.

A moment.

WALTER
So Pastor Greg is leaving.

BONNIE
Yes.
 5.

WALTER
Then well save money there.

BONNIE
Were done, Walter. Its over. Without a pastor, without a congregation, without a
building. This is over.

WALTER
Without a building.

BONNIE
Harding has offered to purchase the building.

WALTER
Harding has?

BONNIE
Its a good location for him.

WALTER
Yeah. I bet it would be.

BONNIE
It is.

Bonnie has finish straightening up the papers, throwing

things away. She starts stacking the chairs.

WALTER
So thats it.

BONNIE
It is.

WALTER
I dont want it to be it.

BONNIE
I know.

WALTER
I cant let it go.

BONNIE
Youre going to have to.
 6.

WALTER
But, Lisa...

Bonnie stops.

BONNIE
Its going to be for the best. I know it hasnt been easy. I know that shes everywhere
here for you.

WALTER
We met here. We got married here. We prayed over her here. We had her...

She continues to stack chairs.

BONNIE
None of that changes.

WALTER
Its not even going to be a church anymore. Its going to become Hardings place. Bunch
of trucks parked outside.
(beat)
Hell probably paint it.

BONNIE
That would be for the best.

Bonnie turns up the table, and folds up the legs.

WALTER
I dont want it to happen.

BONNIE
I know.

WALTER
I dont want to admit shes gone.

BONNIE
I know.

WALTER
I dont want to let her go.

Bonnie pulls the table to the wall, laying it flat.

 7.

BONNIE
Whether you want to or not.

A moment.

BONNIE (CONTD)
Its time to go.

WALTER
Ill lock up.

BONNIE
You have the keys.

WALTER
Just give me a moment.

BONNIE
Its time.

A moment.

Walter stands.

Bonnie stacks his chair with the others.

Bonnie goes to the door.

Walter crosses out and exits.

Bonnie turns off the light.

The end.