THE VITAL SIGNS

 

A Play for Christmas

By Jewell Ellen Smith

 

Copyright © 1988 Jewell Ellen Smith. Nonprofit groups may use this play without further paperwork, but we ask that you notify David, Jewell’s older son, at DSmith1204@aol.com, particularly if you have questions or comments. First performed at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, in 1988. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.

 

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"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us)"--Isaiah 7:14.

"The angel said unto them (the shepherds) ... this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."--Luke 2:10-12.

"There shall come a Star ..."--Numbers 24:17.

"We have seen His star in the East and are come to worship Him."--Matthew 2:2.

 

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Time: Christmas Eve night, 1983. And, a time 2,000 years ago.

Place: Crawford Memorial Hospital, at a U.S. Army Post in the South.

Theme, or Purpose: To tell the age-old Christmas Story a new way, by showing how the ancient prophets of Israel foretold--in prophecies filled with signs and wonders--that God would send the Messiah. And, to show that these vital signs came true when the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: In the order of appearance:

Captain Nan Allen, an Army nurse

Dr. Wiley, a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps

Sergeant MacDougal, a medical specialist

Carl, a medical technician

Eddie, a medical technician

Dave, an Army ambulance driver

Chaplain Wright, a retired Army chaplain from North Carolina

Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet in Jerusalem, about 750 BC

Voice of God

King Ahaz, an evil ruler of Judah in the time of Isaiah

Three Attendants of Ahaz

The Angel Gabriel

Myra, an elderly resident of Nazareth, grandmother of Joseph

Two Women at the Nazareth village well

Micaiah and Jochebed, young girls of Nazareth

Mary, a young woman of Nazareth

Joseph, a carpenter, who is engaged to Mary

Angel of the Lord

Bethlehem Innkeeper

Host of Angels

Bethlehem Shepherds: Spokesman, Second Shepherd, Third Shepherd

Forerunner of the Magi

Magi from the East: Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior

Christ Child

Wedding party from Mississippi:

Sally, the bride, granddaughter of Chaplain Wright

Lee, the bridegroom

Two Bridesmaids

Maid of Honor & Best Man

Two Groomsmen

Flower Girl & Ring Bearer

 

SYNOPSIS of THE VITAL SIGNS

The Vital Signs is two stories, one within the other.

The first one opens Christmas Eve night, 1985, in the Emergency Room of Crawford Army Hospital, as an ambulance crew brings in retired Army Chaplain Wright of North Carolina. The chaplain, badly injured in a car wreck, had been enroute to Mississippi to officiate in the Christmas Day wedding of his granddaughter Sally.

Dr. Wiley examines the chaplain, determines that he will need immediate surgery and has Nurse Nan Allen call in an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Wiley orders that the patient's vital signs be taken every hour, and, that Sergeant MacDougal and the other medics on hand sit with the elderly patient throughout the night.

After his surgery, Chaplain Wright's sleep is disturbed again and again as his attendants take his vital signs. He dreams that God sends an angel robed in an Army nurse's uniform to check his vital signs and to show him that there are many vital signs in the Bible.

On Christmas morning the chaplain determines to search the Scriptures for the signs the angel-nurse has described. He asks ambulance driver Dave to read to him from the new Bible that was to have been Sally's wedding gift. And he gets Sergeant Mac to take notes.

As Dave reads, and Mac and the chaplain listen, the second story begins. The ancient prophecies and events concerning the advent of the Christ Child unfold before them. The three see Isaiah the prophet praying to God, pleading with the wicked King Ahaz, and writing down these words of the Lord:

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son ..."

Next, the Angel Gabriel comes to Nazareth. At the village well he speaks first to Myra, an aged kinswoman of Joseph, and then to Mary, whose engagement to Joseph has recently been formalized. Gabriel announces to Mary that God has chosen her to become the mother of Jesus. Later, the chaplain and the soldiers hear Mary tell Joseph that she is "with child." Next, they see her run away to the Hill Country. And they watch an angel appear to Joseph in a dream, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary to be his wife.

As Dave reads on, the three follow Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, where the only lodging available is a stable. After that, they see a host of angels announcing the birth of the Christ Child to some shepherds out on the hills. The shepherds hurry off to Bethlehem to find the Holy Child "wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Traveling with the shepherds is a party of magi from the East. However, the magi are reluctant to believe that the Babe in the stable could possibly be the royal, newborn Child whom they seek. Only after they have reviewed the signs associated with the Child do they bow down and worship Him, and give Him gifts.

Dave and Mac are greatly moved by the beautiful story of the Christ Child. While they are still talking with the chaplain, the other story ends when Sally arrives from Mississippi with her wedding entourage--so that her grandfather can perform the marriage ceremony, after all.

Before he does the honors, Chaplain Wright presents the Bible to Sally and declares: "There are 'vital signs' in the Bible. God had them put there long, long ago to foretell the coming of the blessed Child whose birthday is today! Christmas Day!"

SCRIPT

 

ACT I Scene 1

Scene 1. It is early evening, Christmas Eve, 1983. In the Emergency waiting room of U.S. Army Crawford Memorial Hospital, Nurse Nan Allen is leaning over the reception desk, busily straightening a stack of medical records-her back toward the audience. There is a miniature Christmas tree on the table in the corner. The EMERGENCY ROOM sign above the door is flanked by Christmas wreaths, and there are other holiday decorations about the room.

Temporary partitions draped with white sheets separate the front part of the room from the examining section.

Major Wiley comes bustling in, his raincoat and umbrella dripping with rain, his briefcase stuffed with medical journals. He is talking to himself as he enters.

DR. WILEY: Wow! What a miserable Christmas Eve night! Freezing rain, and "cold as floogins!" Shakes out umbrella, peels off wrap. I hope to heaven we don't get a flock of patients tonight. I want to catch up on my journals. Takes journals from briefcase, as he turns to nurse. Merry Christmas Eve, Captain Allen!

NURSE NAN: Looking up for the first time Same to you, Doctor Wiley! But it may not be so merry around here.

DR. WILEY: What's up?

NURSE NAN: Our ambulance crew just left. There's been a wreck over on US 31, right at State Line Road.

DR. WILEY: Bad?

NURSE NAN: I don't know exactly how bad. An 18-wheeler bashed into three cars. The state trooper who called in talked to Sergeant MacDougal. And he said the patient we're to get is a retired Army chaplain, with a North Carolina tag on his car. He is--phone rings, nurse answers--Emergency Room, Crawford Hospital, Captain Allen speaking. May I help you? pause Yes, Sergeant Mac. pause Heavens, I don't know. Dr. Wiley just walked in. You'd better talk to him. hands phone to Dr. W. It's Sergeant Mac.

DR. WILEY: Dr. Wiley speaking. Pause Sure, Sergeant. First, tell me what his vital signs are. reaches over to pick up pen, pad. --pause-- Respiration 20. makes notes as he repeats after Mac --pause-- Pulse rate 120.--pause-- Blood pressure 90 over 60! My! My! Can you estimate how much blood he's lost?--pause--That's bad. Temperature 97.--pause-- I'm worried that he could go into shock. Start an I-V line: Ringer's Lactate at 200 c.c.'s an hour.--pause--Facial lacerations and broken lower extremity? One ear almost severed? We'll be ready for him. –pause-- Who's driving the ambulance tonight? Dave? Well, you tell Dave to be extra careful. That rain's freezing as fast as it hits the ground.

Hangs up phone, turns to nurse.

Captain Allen, call the blood bank and have them send up two units of O-Negative.

NURSE NAN: Yes, Sir.

DR. WILEY: Sergeant Mac says the patient is rather badly injured.

NURSE NAN: Is he conscious?

DR. WILEY: Semi-conscious. One problem is going to be his age. He's up in years, Sergeant Mac said. Picks up stack of journals. I don't guess I'll read any journals tonight.

Doctor goes behind partition screen to put on his white coat and to get his stethoscope; nurse dials phone.

NURSE NAN: on phone Hello? Is this the Blood Bank? This is Captain Nan Allen in EMERGENCY. Doctor Wiley needs you to please send up two units of O-Negative. --pause--Yes, there's been a right bad auto accident, and we're getting one of the patients. --pause--You're the only person on duty, and you don't have anybody to send? --pause-- Well, I'll come get the blood myself.--pause--You mean to say the whole Intensive Care Unit is closed till after Christmas Day? I knew we'd just have a skeleton crew on duty, tomorrow being Christmas Day, but--pause-- I'll be down there in a minute. Hangs up, calls out to doctor, who is still behind the screen. Doctor Wiley, I'm going down to the Blood Bank. They're short-handed down there.

DR. WILEY: calling out All right.

Nurse exits, doctor remains behind screen.

End of Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 2. Same as Scene 1, a few minutes later. Nurse Nan has returned and is seated at the desk. Dr. Wiley walks about anxiously, impatient for the ambulance to arrive.

DR. WILEY: looking at his watch I wonder what's keeping that ambulance? Dave knows every minute counts. Sergeant Mac, too.

NURSE NAN: Don't worry. They'll be here, any time now.

DR. WILEY: The roads are slick as glass. I just hope to heaven Dave doesn't let that ambulance slide in a ditch!

NURSE NAN: He won't. Dave is a real good driver.

Off stage there is a commotion, with loud voices, indicating the arrival of the ambulance.

NURSE NAN: That's them now!

Doctor hurriedly moves screen aside so that the crew can place patient on portable examining table. Audience can hear Sergeant MacDougal giving orders, instructions.

SGT. MAC: offstage, in loud urgent tone Easy with him, Carl! Eddie, let me get there! You take care of the I-V pole! Dave, turn off your motor and come help us! You bring the patient's suitcase and stuff.

As crew comes in, the nurse and doctor hurry to give assistance. All medics are wearing raincoats. Carl and Mac bear the stretcher on which Chaplain Wright lies, partly covered by a blanket. Eddie is holding up the I-V pole. Ambulance driver Dave follows, carrying a dress blue uniform in a plastic bag, a suitcase, a briefcase, and a large gift-wrapped package that has been crushed to the extent that the large Bible inside is spilling out.

The patient's forehead and right ear are bandaged. There is blood on the bandage and all over his face, and the civilian clothes he wears are rain-soaked. The I-V tube has been attached to his lower left arm.

DR. WILEY: urgently Put the patient here, Sergeant. indicates exam table

SGT. MAC: Stretcher and all? Or do you want us to take him off the stretcher?

DR. WILEY: Leave him on the stretcher ‘till I can get his vital signs. Here, I'll help you.

Doctor helps lift side of stretcher, keeps talking. Dave puts patient's belongings down, the Bible falls to the floor. Dave picks it up, places it on the desk.

Nurse, get the transfusion started! Then wash that dried blood off his forehead so we can see the gash there in his hairline. Take the bandage off his ear, too!

Nurse , assisted by Sgt. Mac, hurriedly places two units of O-Negative blood on I-V pole, fastens tubes to I-V line. Then she hurries to get a basin of water. Ambulance crew members take off their rain coats, step out of the way. Mac remains at doctor's side.

DR. WILEY: Leaning over patient Sir, I'm Doctor Wiley. You're at Crawford Army Hospital now, and we're going to take care of you. First, I need to take your vital signs. Can you hear what I'm saying?

CHAPLAIN: groaning Ohh-h-h me! I can hear you, Doctor, but why do you want my wallet size? I guess the wallet's in my pocket.

DR. WILEY: as he wraps on blood pressure cuff  Not your wallet size, Sir. It's your vital signs. Your blood pressure, your pulse rate, respiration, temperature. All that.

CHAPLAIN: halfheartedly Oh. That. I see. I thought sure you said my wallet size.

Nurse starts bathing patient's face

My ear feels like it's coming off!

NURSE NAN: Let's take off this bandage and have a look at your ear. It's going to be all right. The bleeding has nearly stopped. Doctor continues examination as nurse talks to patient soothingly That was some accident you had.

CHAPLAIN: Terrible! Rain and sleet thick as gravy. Couldn't half see. That 18-wheeler went right through the red light. The minute I saw him coming, I started praying. But it didn't do a bit of good. Blam! And I was in the ditch! catches breath Ah, I ought not to say such a thing--me being a chaplain. I could'a been killed. I ought to be thanking the Good Lord. And I do! I thank the Lord I'm alive!

NURSE: Of course you do. moves back

DR. WILEY. Sir, hold this thermometer under your tongue, just a minute. looks at injured ear, forehead Hmm-m, could be worse. Much worse. So you're a chaplain. From North Carolina, the state trooper told us.

CHAPLAIN: through clenched teeth Uh-huh. My name's "Wright."

DR. WILEY: Wright? takes thermometer, reads it That's a good name. Now Chaplain Wright, I'm going to do a little poking around. And I want you to tell me when it hurts, or if it hurts. Presses hands against rib cage First, your rib cage. Does that hurt?

CHAPLAIN: Some, yes. But not too much.

DR. WILEY: Have you spit up any blood?

CHAPLAIN: Not that I know of.

DR. WILEY: Mashes on patient's stomach Does your stomach feel OK?

CHAPLAIN: Yes, Sir.

DR. WILEY: Do you have any pain in your hips or along your pelvis bone?

CHAPLAIN: No, Doctor. I'm plain shook up all over. But it's just my leg that's killing me!

Doctor runs fingers along patient's left shin bone.

DR. WILEY: Along about here?

CHAPLAIN: screaming out Yi-eek! Good Lord, Doc! Don't do that again!

DR. WILEY: I'm sorry. I promise I won't even touch that leg again. That's where our main trouble is. pulls blanket up around patient Chaplain Wright, I don't think you're too badly injured. The gash across your forehead is not so deep. And we can save your ear. Your rib cage could be damaged, but I can't say for sure. Your left leg and foot are definitely fractured. I can't tell to what extent, exactly. So, first, we'll send you down to X-Ray. But, now, Sir, you don't need to worry. You'll be in good hands. We have two fine orthopedic surgeons. I'll call one of them in, and before Santa Claus makes his run tonight, we'll have you all fixed up!

CHAPLAIN: Santa Claus? Oh, my! I'd plumb forgot it's Christmas Eve. becomes upset Oh, Lord! Sally! The wedding! I don't know what to do!

NURSE NAN: hurries to patient What did you say about a wedding?

CHAPLAIN: sadly It's Sally's wedding. Christmas Day. I'm supposed to perform Sally's wedding. I know I can't make it! Look in my briefcase, and-- Oh, mercy, what'll I do?

NURSE NAN: Just relax, Sir. You don't have to do a thing. We'll call Sally, and take care of everything.

CHAPLAIN: with a sense of resignation Sally is my granddaughter. Tell her-- I don't know what to tell her.

NURSE NAN: We'll tell your granddaughter you're here, and everything's going to be all right. We'll put in the call as soon as we get you settled.

DR, WILEY: to Mac and other medics Take the patient on down to X-Ray, and get these wet clothes off of him, soon as you can.

SGT. MAC: Yes, Sir. motions to Carl to assist him

DR. WILEY: I'll be down there in a minute.

Mac and Carl roll patient out.

DR. WILEY: Dave, put the patient's things away, go park the ambulance, and then come back.

DAVE: Yes, Sir. Follows instructions, handling the Bible in such a way that the audience sees it

DR. WILEY: Captain Allen, look on the roster and see which surgeon is on call. Give him a ring and tell him to come on in. And let's hope to heaven he can get here.

NURSE NAN: What about the anesthetist? (a-NES-thuh-tist)

DR. WILEY: See if you can get hold of Major Kemp. If you can't get him, try calling his civilian assistant.

NURSE NAN: Yes, Sir.

DR. WILEY: turning to Eddie Eddie?

EDDIE: Yes, Sir?

DR. WILEY: Get the operating room ready. And you and Dave set up a bed in here.

EDDIE: We won't be sending the chaplain to Intensive Care?

DR. WILEY: ICU is closed till after Christmas Day. So we'll keep the patient in here. I want his vital signs taken every hour, on the hour.

EDDIE: Yes, Sir.

Doctor exits. Eddie goes behind portable partitions. Nurse begins making phone call. Lights go down, out.

End of ACT I

ACT II Scene 1

Scene 1. Same as Scene 2, ACT I. Shortly before midnight. Chaplain Wright's surgery has been successfully completed, and he is asleep in the bed set up for him in the EMERGENCY ROOM. The patient's left leg is in traction, with a huge bandage. His forehead is bandaged, his left ear covered. The I-V is still attached to his left arm.

Sergeant Mac is sitting with the patient and holding the wedding gift Bible in his hands. The chaplain's dress blue uniform is hanging on a stand in the corner. The room is in semi-darkness, except for a table lamp shining on Sgt. Mac.

Now and then the patient rouses and mumbles something. Sgt. Mac bends over him again and again, trying to hear what he says, and trying to reassure him.

CHAPLAIN: with thick tongue The Bible? Did you find Sally's Bible?

SGT. MAC: The Bible is right here, Sir.

CHAPLAIN: Did it get wet?

SGT. MAC: No, Sir. Feel of it. puts patient's free hand on Bible See? It's o.k. The box got smashed, but not the Bible.

Dr. Wiley comes in, very quietly. Nurse Nan follows, and immediately starts taking patient's vital signs.

NURSE: Sorry to wake you up again, Sir. I'm just checking your vital signs. Doctor's orders.

DR. WILEY: to Mac is he doing all right?

SGT. MAC: Yes, Sir. I think so. He's been talking in his sleep a whole lot. He tells me over and over that he was on his way to Mississippi to perform his granddaughter's wedding tomorrow.

DR. WILEY: Too bad, about the wedding.

SGT. MAC: He keeps asking what's happened to his dress uniform and this new Bible. holds up Bible It's his wedding present to Sally.

NURSE NAN: jotting vital signs on chart His vital signs are better.

DR. WILEY: Let me see. takes chart Yes, lots better. Feels patient's free hand and arm, listens to chest with stethoscope Spread another blanket over him. He feels cold. Now, Sergeant, if he takes a bad turn, you come wake me up. Since I've got duty again tomorrow, I'm going to go catch a few winks.

SGT. MAC: Dr. Wiley, you mean you volunteered for tonight and all day Christmas Day, too?

DR. WILEY: Well, yes. Some of the other doctors wanted to take leave and go places. I didn't have anywhere to go; so here I am! Call me, now, if you need me.

Exits. Nurse finds blanket, carefully tucks it around patient, exits. Dave enters, quietly.

DAVE: in low tone Mac, what am I supposed to do the rest of the night?

Dave notices Mac is holding Bible. He assumes playful tone.

Hey, man! Look at you--readin' the Good Book! This old banged-up chaplain's done made a believer out of you! Right?

SGT. MAC: No, nothing like that. He keeps worryin' about--

DAVE: still joking Wait'll I tell the guys! They'll be callin' you Preacher MacDougal! The Reverend Mac! I can hear 'em now!

SGT. MAC: laughing No, they won't do that. They all know me. Why, Dave, I haven't set foot in a chapel since I've been in the Army!

DAVE: How many years you got in now?

SGT. MAC: Come New Year's Day, it'll be 12 years. Exactly. Not a bad twelve years.

DAVE: Me, I've been in four. Don't let the word get back to my folks, but I never go to church, either. Except maybe at Easter and Christmas. I don't much plan to go tomorrow.

SGT. MAC: Changing the subject Dave, but would you go down to the Break Room and see if there are a couple of paperbacks I could read? I've got to stay here till the morning shift comes on.

DAVE: Any special kind you like?

SGT. MAC: Murder Mysteries. Or, I can read detective stories. Won't make much difference.

DAVE. I'll be right back.

Exits. Mac gets up, lays Bible aside, checks I-V line. Patient groans. Mac bends over him.

SGT MAC: Everything's all right, Chaplain. You're doin' fine. Just go back to sleep.

CHAPLAIN: wearily What time is it?

SGT. MAC: It's not quite midnight.

CHAPLAIN: It's not Christmas Day yet?

SGT. MAC: No, Sir. It's still Christmas Eve.

CHAPLAIN: That's good. drifts back to sleep

Nurse Nan enters, carrying vital signs equipment, and a miniature flashlight.

NURSE NAN: Sorry to wake you up, Sir, but I've got to check your vital signs again. Doctor's orders. puts thermometer in patient's mouth, but he sleeps on.

SGT. MAC: Want me to do the blood pressure for you?

NURSE NAN: I wish you would. Hands cuff to Mac, records figures on chart. Mac takes blood pressure. What do you get?

SGT. MAC: It's nearly normal. 110 over 68.

NURSE NAN: cheerfully That's great. starts out Did you know it's snowing, like all get-out?

SGT. MAC: You're kiddin'! I didn't think it ever snowed down here in the Deep South.

NURSE NAN: Oh, yes. Every 10 years, or so, we get a big one!

Nurse starts out, singing "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know ..." etc. Nurse meets Dave in doorway. He has a stack of paperbacks in one hand, a plate piled with fruitcake, candy, cookies in the other. Nurse casually picks up a piece of candy, pops it into her mouth and keeps going.

NURSE NAN: Thank you, Dave!

DAVE: You're welcome! to Mac Sorry it took me so long. Ol' Eddie made the mistake of opening up his Christmas package from home, and it had all manner of cake, and cookies, and fudge, and divinity candy--a heap of stuff-in it! So, naturally--

SGT. MAC: So naturally, the rest of you guys had to be sociable and eat some of it. Probably all of it!

DAVE: No, no. We saved you some. Here you are. hands plate to Mac 'Course it's against regulations to eat in here; but since it's Christmas, it won't matter.

SGT. MAC: much delighted Ah! Looks delicious! grabs up piece of divinity and looks at it I haven't tasted any divinity candy since I left home. My mom used to make tons of it, every Christmas.

Dave and Mac move over to one corner of the room, continuing to talk and to eat the goodies. Audience does not hear details of their conversation. Instead, the audience—but not the two medics—sees the dream which comes to the chaplain.

 

The Chaplain's Dream

Nurse Nan, looking like both a nurse and an angel, glides in from a side entrance. She wears her white uniform, covered over with the feathers and wings of an angel. On top of her nurse's cap is a golden halo. She carries a blood-pressure cuff, a stethoscope, a flashlight, and the patient's chart.

ANGEL-NURSE: Sorry to bother you, Chaplain. But I've come about the vital signs. God's orders. begins checking pulse rate

CHAPLAIN: talking in his sleep O.K. I'm used to the vital signs, now.

ANGEL-NURSE: God sent me.

CHAPLAIN: God? Oh, yes. Sure. I've been prayin' to God. But I didn't ask him to send an angel. with alarm Oh, mercy! You're not the Death Angel, are you?

ANGEL-NURSE: Oh, no, no. I'm not the Death Angel. You're not going to die. Not now, that is. Death comes someday--to everyone. That's the way of the earth.

CHAPLAIN: Yes, I know.

ANGEL-NURSE: God wants me to tell you not to forget.

CHAPLAIN: Not forget? Not forget what?

ANGEL-NURSE: Not forget the Christmas vital signs.

CHAPLAIN: I don't know what you mean!

ANGEL-NURSE: I'm talking about the vital signs in the Bible.

CHAPLAIN: I've never seen any vital signs in the Scriptures!

ANGEL-NURSE: Why, Chaplain, I'm surprised at you! picks up Bible, brings it to bedside You should have noticed how God had his prophets foretell the coming of the Messiah! They wrote--often in signs--using poetic words, wondrous sayings. For instance, there is the Star. leafs through O1d Testament till she finds Numbers 24:17

CHAPLAIN: Which star?

ANGEL-NURSE: The great brilliant star which the magi followed to Bethlehem. That was surely a sign. Right here shows chaplain page in the writings of Moses the Christ is called "the Star."

CHAPLAIN: I've read the Old Testament through and through, but I--

ANGEL-NURSE: Maybe you weren't paying attention to what you read! Listen to this: reads

"I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre (or great King) shall rise out of Israel ..."

CHAPLAIN: Well, I-- I--

ANGEL-NURSE: There are many, many signs. They're sacred. God wants you to find them, Chaplain. And tell people about God's sacred signs.

CHAPLAIN: Tell what people?

ANGEL-NURSE: You will know them when you see them.

Angel replaces Bible, slips away. The chaplain sleeps on. Lights out.

End of Scene 1 of ACT II

Scene 2

Scene 2. Same as Scene 1. It is Christmas Day, at breakfast time. Chaplain Wright is sleeping soundly, his left leg still in traction, his arm still attached to the I-V tube. Sgt. MacDougal enters, carrying a breakfast tray.

SGT. MAC: Cheerfully Wake up, Chaplain! I've got your breakfast here.

CHAPLAIN: It's breakfast time, already?

SGT. MAC: Right! This is a real Christmas breakfast. lifts cover from tray Looks good! Scrambled eggs. Toast. Coffee. Orange juice. Cereal--the works. Do you feel hungry?

CHAPLAIN: I can eat, I think.

SGT. MAC: Here, let me raise the head of your bed so you can sort of sit up a little. cranks up head of bed Chaplain, I wish this room had a window so you could look out and see the snow!

CHAPLAIN: Snow, way down here?

SGT. MAC: It's knee deep.

CHAPLAIN: My goodness!

SGT. MAC: Between midnight and 2:00 AM we had a real snowstorm. Roads are closed. Power lines are down. Phones are out. It's a good thing the hospital has its own generator, or we'd be in a fix.

As Mac is folding up the patient's top blanket, Dr. Wiley enters. He is in a happy mood.

DR. WILEY: Merry Christmas, Chaplain Wright!

CHAPLAIN: Same to you, Doctor.

DR. WILEY: How are you feeling this morning?

CHAPLAIN: Pretty good, considering everything.

DR. WILEY: Did you get any sleep?

CHAPLAIN: Off and on. Between the times the nurse was taking my vital signs. I even dreamed the Good Lord sent down an angel to take my signs!

DR. WILEY: Well, I'll tell you, God must'a had an angel looking out for you when that 18-wheeler bashed into you last night. You had a close call, Chaplain.

CHAPLAIN: Yes, I know.

DR. WILEY: We mustn't let your breakfast get cold, but I want to listen to your lungs a minute.

CHAPLAIN: Sure.

Doctor lifts patient's pajama top, places stethoscope on patient's back.

DR. WILEY: Take a deep breath. moves stethoscope Breathe again, real deep. patient obeys One more time. patient takes third very deep breath. Sounds good. moves around to examine broken leg and foot I see you've got a bit of swelling here. That's to be expected. Now I'll be checking on you through the day. If there's anything you want, just tell Sergeant Mac here. We've got this wing of the hospital all to ourselves today.

CHAPLAIN: How's that?

DR. WILEY: Last night, when we saw we were in for such a snowstorm, we sent ‘most everybody home--so they wouldn't be marooned here in the hospital all Christmas Day.

SGT. MAC: Doctor, I reckon you knew ol' Dave didn't go back to his barracks.

DR. WILEY: surprised He didn't? Why not?

SGT. MAC: All the guys he knows have gone home for the holidays, and he said he'd just rather stay here. Said maybe he could help us.

DR. WILEY: as he turns to leave Deep as the snow is, he sure won't have to drive the ambulance today.

SGT. MAC: I'll find something for him to do.

DR. WILEY: exits, but comes back immediately Chaplain, I forgot to tell you-- We called your granddaughter last night.

CHAPLAIN: eagerly What'd Sally say?

DR. WILEY: Of course she was upset over your accident. Then, just as she was saying she would phone you today, the line went out--on account of the storm. So it may be a couple of days before you hear from her.

CHAPLAIN: Well, thank you for calling her.

DR. WILEY: Glad to do it. exits

CHAPLAIN: turning to Mac Sergeant, I'll tell you what I'd like for the ambulance driver to do. takes sip of coffee You heard me tell the doctor I had a peculiar dream last night?

SGT. MAC: Yes, Sir. I wondered what--

CHAPLAIN: I dreamed that an angel who was dressed up like a nurse--an Army nurse, at that--came in here, and--

SGT. MAC: An angel dressed up like a nurse?

CHAPLAIN: She walked right up to my bedside, here, and started taking my vital signs and telling me that there are vital signs in the Bible!

SGT MAC: much interested Go on!

CHAPLAIN: She called 'em "sacred signs." Said God wants me to find these signs and tell people about them. She even read one to me--out of Sally's Bible.

SGT. MAC: Sir, you must have been dreaming.

CHAPLAIN: Now, here's where Dave comes in.

SGT. MAC: How? Dave doesn't know a thing about angels. And me, neither.

CHAPLAIN: My glasses got smashed in the wreck last night, so--

SGT. MAC: I know. I picked up the pieces, myself.

CHAPLAIN: I can't see to read a blessed word without those glasses. So I would like for Dave to read a bit out of the Bible to me. That way, I can find all those signs.

SGT. MAC: I'm sure Dave will be glad to read for you. I'd do it myself, but, Chaplain, I never read a word out of the Bible in my whole life!

CHAPLAIN: It's easy. And parts of it are plain fascinating!

SGT. MAC: I'll go get Dave. exits

CHAPLAIN: To himself I've got the feeling I ought to do something about what the angel said that God said. pauses, sips orange juice I've got it: I know what I'll do! While this boy reads to me, I can make mental notes--maybe even an outline--for a sermon about the signs. A Christmas sermon!

gets rather carried away

That's it! A real Christmas sermon. Why, I could do a series of sermons. One for every Sunday in Advent! Ah, I can almost hear the first one now. I'll start off with the grand old prophets. Isaiah will be first. raises voice

"The Lord himself shall give you a sign ..."

checks his own enthusiasm

But right now I guess I'd better finish this breakfast.

nibbles at toast

The more I think about that dream, the more I wonder if it was a dream. Maybe it was real. Maybe God actually sent an angel, and I just thought she was a nurse. Or, maybe, it was a nurse, and I just thought she was an angel. Sighs Ah, me-- I just don't know. In ancient times God did speak to people in dreams. The Bible says so.

Drinks a little coffee. Enter Mac and Dave

SGT. MAC: in much good humor Chaplain, here's your reader. Dave is agreeable.

CHAPLAIN: Good morning, Dave. Or rather I ought to say "Merry Christmas!"

DAVE: Merry Christmas to you, Sir. Mac here says you need somebody to read to you out of the Bible.

CHAPLAIN: Yes. You'd be doing me a great favor. Will you do it?

DAVE: I'll sure try. But I warn you I'm not such a good reader--'specially out of the Bible. I don't reckon I've read a verse since I was a kid in Sunday School--twenty years ago.

CHAPLAIN: Never mind that.

SGT. MAC: picking up tray Let me get this tray out of your way. Then you two can get down to business. exits, carrying tray

CHAPLAIN: We'll use this Bible. points to gift Bible

DAVE: carefully looking at the Bible as he picks it up. I noticed your Bible last night. It surely is nice. Looks brand new.

CHAPLAIN: It is new. It's the wedding present I was taking to Mississippi to give to my granddaughter Sally and her bridegroom on their wedding day.

DAVE: I believe I heard you say the wedding is today?

CHAPLAIN: Yes, this afternoon. Somebody else will have to do the ceremony, needless to say.

DAVE: That's a shame.

CHAPLAIN: Well, it can't be helped. So let's get on with our little project. You sit right over here, and I'll pick out the passages for you to look up. You'll have to read fairly loud, because with my ear bandaged, I can't hear worth a hoot.

DAVE: No problem.

CHAPLAIN: Turn to the Book of Isaiah.

DAVE: Isaiah? I'll have to look in the index.· 'Cause I don't know a thing about Isaiah, or his book.

As Dave searches, the Chaplain talks on.

CHAPLAIN: Isaiah was one of the great old prophets of the Jews. He lived in Jerusalem and prophesied for a long time. Some 60 years. A good 750 years before the coming of Christ. Isaiah's book is the very heart of the Old Testament.

DAVE: with enthusiasm I've found it. You want me to start with the first verse?

CHAPLAIN: That'll be fine. Read slowly. That way, I can think about it and see it all in my mind.·

Mac enters, unobserved by Chaplain and Dave. He carries a fresh I-V bag, but he becomes so enthralled with Dave's reading that he sits down to listen, still holding the bag.

DAVE: reading "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uz-ZI-ah, JO-tham, A'-haz, and Hez-e-KI-ah, kings of Judah.

"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, ... it shall come to pass ..."

Voice fades, as Scene 3 opens, without a break. Spotlight shifts from Dave and Chaplain to Isaiah's garden.

Scene 3

Scene 3. It is early morning, in Jerusalem. Isaiah, a man up in years, is in his garden, walking to and fro, as though he is weeping, worried, and in deep thought. Now and then he wipes away his tears. Isaiah stops abruptly and lays aside the scroll in his hand. He hears the voice of God.

VOICE OF GOD: calling, as if to a friend Isaiah, my servant?

ISAIAH: falling to his knees and gazing toward the sky Yes, Lord?

VOICE: Why are you weeping, Isaiah? Am I not your God? And are you not my prophet--the one I have chosen for Judah? Your heart should not be troubled.

ISAIAH: Yes, Lord. You are my God, and I am your prophet. But my heart quivers with fear, like the leaves of the Tell tree when the East Wind blows. I fear greatly for Jerusalem and all the land of Judah. We are surrounded by enemies.

Rezin the king of Syria; and Pekah, the son of Israel's king, plot war against us. And the Edomites and the Philistines are just waiting.

All this, our worthless King Ahaz knows. Yet Ahaz does nothing but sit in his palace and tremble.

Ahaz does not call on you, the Lord God of Hosts, the God of our fathers. Ahaz walks in the ways of the heathen kings, making molten images for Ba-a-lim. He sacrifices and "burns incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree!"

Players, see II Chronicles 28:1-8

VOICE: I know how King Ahaz has forsaken me, the Lord God of his fathers. He has transgressed sore against me. He has provoked me to anger. Yet, I will deliver Ahaz, and save his land, if he will turn to me and acknowledge me in all his ways.

ISAIAH: Lord, I am glad.

VOICE: Go now, Isaiah, and meet King Ahaz and reason with him. These are my words to him: "take heed, and be quiet, and fear not. Neither be faint hearted." Players, see Is. 7:34 Say to Ahaz that the Lord himself will give him a sign, if he asks.

ISAIAH: Yes, Lord. I will go to King Ahaz.

VOICE: You will find him "in the highway of the fuller's field," near Jerusalem.

 

Begin Scene 4, without a break

Isaiah rises and walks some distance to another portion of the stage, where he meets King Ahaz and three attendants along a road. One attendant fans the king as be walks, the other two hold a colorful, square umbrella-like shade over his head. Isaiah approaches, bows to Ahaz.

ISAIAH: King Ahaz, may I have a word with you?

AHAZ: without trying to conceal his displeasure What word this time, Isaiah? Usually your words are full of woe and dire prophecies.

ISAIAH: This time, what I say can be worth more than gold, King Ahaz. If you heed what I tell you.

AHAZ: If you are going to remind me again about the danger of war with Syria and Israel--or about the Edomites and the Philistines--I refuse to listen!

ISAIAH: King Ahaz, I bring you a message from the LORD our God, the Lord of Hosts, who dwelleth in Mount Zion, the God of Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob. The God of David and of your own father, Jo-tham.

AHAZ: Get on with what you have to say.

ISAIAH: God spoke to me, saying that He will deliver you, King Ahaz, and the land of Judah, and Jerusalem itself you will turn to Him, and walk in his ways.

Moreover, the Lord said: "Say unto Ahaz, 'Take heed, and be quiet, and fear not. Neither be fainthearted.'"

AHAZ: You know well that I do not put my trust in the LORD, your God. What else did he say?

ISAIAH: The LORD said that he will give you a sign, if you ask him. The sign you ask can be as "deep as Sheol (SHE-ol) or as high as heaven." see Isaiah 7:11

AHAZ: I will not ask for a sign. I need more than signs and wonders. I need horses and chariots, spears and shields, and warriors, a host of warriors. Mighty men in battle! You know what I'm going to do, Isaiah?

ISAIAH: No, King Ahaz. I don't know what you plan to do. I just know we'll be at war, in a matter of days!

KING AHAZ: I am going to make an alliance with the king of Assyria. He will help me. I will send him gifts, many gifts. I will strip the gold and silver from the temple! And take more riches from the palace. With Assyria on my side, I'll crush my enemies. They will lick the dust! Beg for mercy!

ISAIAH: aghast Oh, King! Do not rob the temple! It is the house of the Lord!

AHAZ: You waste your breath and my time, Isaiah.

ISAIAH: Do you not even wonder what sign the LORD our God would give you?

AHAZ: No, I don't wonder; but what is the sign?

ISAIAH: These are the words of the Lord himself: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

AHAZ: A virgin conceive? Impossible! A virgin cannot be with child! Have you lost your mind?

ISAIAH: No, King Ahaz.

AHAZ: And call his name Immanuel? What does Immanuel mean?

ISAIAH: It means "God with us."

AHAZ: with ridicule God with us? Ah, my great prophet Isaiah--you who claim to speak for the LORD God--you have outdone yourself!

A young woman who has never married is going to bring forth a son. Not just any son. But God Himself! Hah!

Isaiah, I wonder about you. Be gone! Go back to Jerusalem! Go to Egypt! Go somewhere! I don't want to see you again in a long, long time!

King stalks off, his attendants trotting behind him. Isaiah exits in opposite direction and returns to his Jerusalem garden. Scene 5 opens without a break.

 

Scene 5

Scene 5. Isaiah's garden, a short time later. When Isaiah enters, he goes to the spot where he had talked to God earlier and kneels to pray. His scroll and ink and pen are still on the garden table.

ISAIAH: Praying Lord, woe is me! Woe is the Land of Judah! Woe is Jerusalem! King Ahaz would not listen.

VOICE OF GOD: Isaiah, my servant, fret not thyself because of Ahaz. "Take thee a great roll, and write in it ... the words which I tell thee." see Isaiah 8:1

All people shall know my mercy and my faithfulness. "My hand is stretched out still."

ISAIAH: O, Lord, what shall I write? rises and takes up scroll and pen

VOICE: Write these words:

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them hath light shined....

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

"The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." See Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7

At the same time the VOICE is saying "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this," DAVE is reading the same sentence to the chaplain. The spotlight leaves Isaiah and returns to the Chaplain and Dave. This, to give the effect that Dave has been reading all of Scenes 3,4, and 5 from the Bible. Of course Isaiah exits.

DAVE: reading "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." turns quickly to Chaplain Chaplain Wright! I didn't know all this was in the Bible!

SGT. MAC: Me, neither!

DAVE: much surprised Mac? I didn't see you come in!

SGT. MAC: I've been listening to the whole thing! I hope you don't mind, Chaplain.

CHAPLAIN: Glad to have you hear it. And, since you're in here, Sergeant, let me please ask another favor.

SGT. MAC: Anything. Just let me fix this I-V for you. The doctor changed the formula a little bit. swaps bags There you are! Now, what can I do to help you?

CHAPLAIN: Get a piece of paper and jot down a few notes, as Dave reads along.

SGT. MAC: Sure! finds paper and pen on nearby reception desk.

CHAPLAIN: That'll help me a lot when I do the outline on my new sermon.

SGT. MAC: A good idea. What's first?

CHAPLAIN: So far, we've found two, or maybe three, of the sacred signs. Jot down "Virgin Birth," Great Light," and "Isaiah."

And put down that Isaiah said the coming Messiah would be descended from King David. Just write "House of David" and I'll remember what it means.

SGT. MAC: as he scribbles notes I've got it.

CHAPLAIN: Now, Dave, turn over to the New Testament. I want to refresh my memory about the Annunciation.

SGT. MAC: The what?

DAVE: Mac, don't show your ignorance! Everybody knows God sent the angel Gabriel down to earth to tell the Virgin Mary she was going to be the mother of Jesus! That's the Annunciation. Everybody knows about that.

SGT. MAC: Not me. All I ever heard about Gabriel was that on the Judgment Day, Gabriel is going to blow his horn! That's right, ain't it, Chaplain?

CHAPLAIN: I don't know exactly what Gabriel will do on the Judgment Day, but he is the angel God sent to speak to Mary. And Gabriel's announcement to her is called "The Annunciation." Dave, it's in the Gospel according to Luke. Mac, you don't need to worry. The name of the announcement is not important. It's the announcement that counts.

END OF ACT II

 

Dialogue continues, without a break.

ACT III, Scene 1

Scene 1. Same as the previous scene, in the Emergency Room of Crawford Army Hospital. Chaplain Wright, confined to bed because of an auto accident, is spending Christmas Day working out a sermon titled "The Vital Signs" and has enlisted the aid of two medics, Dave and Mac. Players would do well to read the following Bible verses for background on the coming scenes: Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18-25.

DAVE: Reading "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

"And the angel came ..." voice fades as spotlight shifts to Nazareth village well.

Three teen-age girls--Mary, Micaiah, and Jochebed--and two village women have gathered at the well. The women are talking to each other, their backs to the audience. The girls are pouring water into their large earthenware jars and pitchers.

With the girls is Myra, an old woman, who sits some distance from the well, waiting patiently for the girls to draw their water and to finish their laughter and talk.

Angel Gabriel enters--unobserved by the people at the well--and goes to speak to Myra.

GABRIEL: pleasantly Good woman?

MYRA: with interest Yes?

GABRIEL: I have never been to Nazareth before. Can you please tell me where to find a young woman named Mary? She is the daughter of one He-li, descended from the House of David.

MYRA: My, my, you are a stranger in Nazareth. Everybody knows Mary. She is the most beautiful young woman in the whole village. A sweet girl, too.

And besides that she is engaged to be married to my grandson! And my grandson Joseph is the finest young carpenter in this village or any other village. I'd go so far as to say "the finest carpenter in all Galilee!"

GABRIEL: patiently Yes, Ma'am. Where--

MYRA: dreamily, as if she sees the wedding already in progress Ah, I can't wait for the wedding. It will be so wonderful! So beautiful! Feasting! And dancing! And celebrating! I can see it all.

It's to be the first week in harvest. That's the best time for a wedding. That's when I was married.

You know why I'm so proud Joseph is going to marry Mary?

GABRIEL: No, Ma'am, I have no--

MYRA: Because she is of the House of David--just like us. We didn't want Joseph to marry an outsider. All his life I've prayed for Joseph to get a good wife. And Mary is the one! Young man, did you know the LORD our God answers prayers?

GABRIEL: Yes, I know. Ma'am, where does Mary live?

MYRA: You see those three young girls over there at the well?

GABRIEL: Yes.

MYRA: The one in the middle is Mary. The other two are my cousin's daughters, Micai'ah and Joch-e-bed. They' re almost old enough to be married. Now, me, I was betrothed when I was thirteen. Married at fourteen, and then--

GABRIEL: bows to Myra Yes, Ma'am. Thank you very much.

Gabriel makes his way toward the well.

MYRA: without looking toward girls Come, girls! We must go home. You can talk to Mary tomorrow. pauses as girls leave Mary Now careful with that water. Don't spill it! There's no need to come to the well and draw water if you're going to spill it on the ground!

Myra hobbles away, followed by Micaiah and Jochebed, who continue chattering to each other. Neither they nor the two women still at the well pay any attention to Gabriel's conversation with Mary.

Mary has picked up her pitcher of water and has turned to leave the well--going in the opposite direction from