The Overview of      Father Said

Where do you receive your instruction? Many times, in our youth, it is our fathers who make and enforce the rules of behavior. What do we do when father is not around? Beth’s friends cannot understand why she won’t bend the rules like the rest of them. Is she just a squeaky clean do-gooder? Does she think she is better than them? Their investigation reveals she doesn’t even live with her father. Why is she still listening to what Father Said?

Sample scene setup and text of manuscript: 

                                                 SCENE 

(Rachel and Kelsey are walking down the hall at school as Beth approaches from the opposite direction).

Rachel:  Hey Beth!    (Beth gives a sheepish grin and waves).    Did you ask your mother about the party?
Beth:     Yes.
Rachel:  Well, what did she say?
Beth:     Ask your father.
Kelsey:  Oh surprise.
Rachel: What did he say?
Beth:     No.
Kelsey:  No you can’t go, or no you can’t not go.
Beth:     I didn’t try that.
Kelsey:  Surprise again. I’ve heard enough. Stay home…Marsha.
    (Kelsey exits).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(excerpted text)
Beth:  You know how hard I have tried to do what is right. I want so bad to fit in and to make friends, but I never want to disappoint you either.
(Rachel walks up behind the bench. She is listening as Beth continues to pray. Beth is unaware that Rachel is there).    Lord, (Pause) Father, show me what to do. I know you do not want me to go to the party, Father, but I do not want to cause problems for Rachel. I know that she is not living for you right now, but I also know that she has a good heart. Father, help me somehow to figure out a way to show Rachel that I did not mean to hurt her.
(Rachel slides onto the bench next to Beth and squeezes her arm).
Beth: Rachel.
Rachel:  God, is the Father who you have been talking about all this time?
Beth:  Rachel, I am sorry. I wasn’t trying to mislead you. I don’t have a father like you and the others do. My only father is the Heavenly Father. That is whom I turn to when I need help, when I need to know right from wrong, or in this case, whether to go to the party or stay home. I don’t always like what He tells me, but He has never been wrong and He has never disappointed me.
Rachel:  Beth, I am sorry for what I said to you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~