This Life

A Musical

By Sally Scott Blackburn

This Life  -a Musical

Music Composer and Script Writer- Sally Blackburn  -  Copyright 2004

Logline- 
A successful businessman and his family question their purpose in life when he gets a DWI and faces his addiction.  His recovery progresses well- both poignant and hilarious- until he drinks again, shattering the hopes of his family- and his dream to find 
his long-lost alcoholic father.

Story Synopsis-  
John is a successful businessman.  His wife, Susan, is taking evening college classes to fulfill her long time dream to become a nurse.   Susan had postponed college to raise their two children.
	John has been spending time with his business friends in the evenings- gambling and drinking.  The high life is enjoyable until spending and drinking get out of control, and John gets a DWI.  
John slowly faces an addiction he thought he could control.  He is aided by his “crusty old” AA sponsor, Jack.  At the local shelter, John meets an old man named Leo, with whom he recreates the relationship with his long-lost alcoholic father.  First, however, he must survive a treatment program with a hardcore counselor- a former barmaid and addict named Stella.  
	Susan and her daughter, Julie, face their issues as Julie questions whether she was really wanted.  Susan’s best friend, Val, lends steady support with the help of her dancing dog, Booty.  
John’s experiences in recovery are both poignant and hilarious, but just as things start going well, John ends up drinking again, shattering the hope of his family. As John prepares to leave for a long-term treatment program, he receives a return letter from his long-lost father. 
Music (20 songs ranging from pop, ballads, funk, and Latin) about recovery, love, anguish, and hope, touches the heart of the audience.  

Biography-
	Sally Blackburn has her bachelor’s degree in music education.  She has two master’s degrees- in education and counseling.  She is presently completing her Ph.D. in counseling and Psychology.  She has extensive experience in the field of recovery.  She
has composed music in the popular genre, and she has published poetry.

1039 Hidden Ridge Trail
Valley Park, MO 63088
636-399-0908           sal_36@email.com

SCENE IS THE HOME OF JOHN AND SUSAN

Julie is sitting on the couch reading a magazine.  There is a kitchen area off to stage left.
John and Susan come in the front door, very happy.  John appears slightly drunk.

				JOHN
			Hey baby, you are looking at two 
winners!

				JULIE
			You were gone to the casino so 
long, I assumed you had either won 
a lot or lost a lot.

				SUSAN
			Oh, Shh… (softly) Is Jeremy 
asleep?
	
				JULIE
			     (softly)
			Yes, I tucked your son into bed.

Jeremy comes running around the corner from his bedroom.

				JEREMY
			Dad!  

Jeremy hugs his father around the waist.  

				SUSAN
			So much for being quiet.

Jeremy yawns, rubs his eyes, and his hair is sticking way up on one side.

				JOHN
			Well, you look wide awake.

				JEREMY
			I wasn’t asleep, really.

John sits down on a couch, and Jeremy sits on his lap.

				JOHN
			Come here, kiddo.

				JEREMY
			Dad, you stink!

				JULIE
			Man, you two do smell like 
smoke.  

John starts straightening Jeremy’s hair.

				SUSAN
			That’s from the casino.  It can get
			really strong in there.
				
				JULIE
			How can it bother you if you 
smoke?

				JOHN
			Trust me, she was contributing to 
the cause…

John sits up pretty and pretends to smoke like a woman.
Jeremy leans in to his father’s face.  

				JEREMY
			Hey Dad, you’ve got dog breath!  
			
				JOHN
			Who taught you to say that?
	
				JEREMY
			Mom.

				SUSAN
			Now, I did not say it like that.  

				JEREMY
			Yes you did.  

				SUSAN
			I was referring to his morning 
breath.   
	
				JULIE
			Yea, it is pretty bad.

				JOHN
			Hey, this feels like a conspiracy.  
Do all of you call me “dog breath”
			in the morning?  

				SUSAN
			Yea.

				JEREMY & JULIE
			Uh-huh.    

John stands up and pulls a wad of money out of his pocket.

				JOHN
			Well, “dog breath” here, has a load 
of money! 

John waves a stack of 100 dollar bills.  Jeremy jumps up and down, and Julie cheers.

				JOHN
			Hey Jeremy, you want to roll in 
some money?

				JEREMY
			Cool!

John throws the 100 dollar bills on the floor, and Jeremy lays down, then John starts rolling him around in them. Susan and Julie laugh.  

				JOHN
			This is called rolling in the dough.  

				JEREMY
			I’m rolling in the dough!

	JULIE
			Hey, I should get paid for baby-
sitting tonight. 

				JEREMY
			I am not a baby!

				JULIE
			I had to make you dinner.

				JEREMY
			Macaroni and cheese.

				SUSAN
			Julie, you are the queen of macaroni 
and cheese.	

				JEREMY
			She’s the cheese sleaze!

				JULIE
			Mom!

				SUSAN
			Jeremy.  (stern look)
			
Jeremy walks over to the couch where John is sitting, and John gives him a high five, and they both laugh.  	

				SUSAN
			We appreciate you taking care of 
your brother.  
				
				JULIE
			That’s all I do.  My friends went to 
the mall tonight.

John picks up the 100 dollar bills and holds them like a deck of cards to Julie.

				JOHN
			Okay, Ms. Baby-sitter, here is a
			deck of hundreds.  Pick a bill, any bill.
	
				SUSAN
			John!

				JULIE
			Wow!

				SUSAN
			That’s too much.

Julie grabs one of the bills.

				JULIE
			I’ll baby-sit anytime Dad asks.  

				JEREMY
			Hey, I get some!

Jeremy grabs at the money, but John pulls it away.

				SUSAN
			John, we have got credit card bills 
to pay.

				JOHN
			Here buddy, you can have $20 to 
get a new game.  

John hands a 20 dollar bill the Jeremy.

				JEREMY
			I got paid to baby-sit myself.
	
				JOHN
			I have lots to go around.  I am in 
the Winner’s Circle now.  

				JEREMY
			What’s the Winner’s Circle?

John stands up and waves his arms out.

				JOHN
			The Winner’s Circle is the casino’s 
exclusive Club- you get to eat meals 
free.

				SUSAN
			They should call it the Loser’s 
Circle.

				JULIE
			Why should they call it that?

				SUSAN
			Because you get into the exclusive 
club by playing a lot- in other words, 
			LOSING a lot.  

				JOHN
			I’ve been on a winning streak lately.
	
				SUSAN
			What about your losing streak before 
that?

				JEREMY
			I thought you said you always win, 
dad?

				JOHN
			I didn’t lose much before.

				SUSAN
			     (mocking)
Let’s see, I’m in the Winner’s Circle.  
I will have my free meal, and my $500 
piece of pie.  

				JULIE
			Who pays $500 for a piece of pie?!

				SUSAN
			I’m just saying- that is what the 
“free meal” costs by the time you 
add up what you have lost to get into 
the club.  

				JOHN
			Susan, you’re exaggerating. Besides, 
now we can take friends there. 

				SUSAN
			Hey, that will be great for your 
business contacts, and I would love 
to take Val.     

				JEREMY
			Will you get to ride in a limousine?

				JOHN
			Actually, if you score 	enough 
points on your players card, you 
can get picked up in a limo.  
	
			JULIE
			Woe!  Can we ride in it for my 
16th birthday?!

				JEREMY
			Imagine what the neighbors will 
think.  They’ll think we’re rich!
	
				JOHN
			Buddy, we ARE rich.

				SUSAN
			We are?

				JOHN
			We have the things we want 
the most.      (pause)
			And we have money!

John waves the hundred dollar bills up in the air around the living room.  

MUSIC STARTS FOR SONG:  “We’re Rich!”

	LYRICS:
		JOHN’S VERSES
	I can see, where I can be, right out in front of me,
	Where I can have, all that I’ve ever dreamed.
	No chains on me, nothing is binding me-     I am now free-
		ALL- Chorus
	We’re rich, we’re rich, we’re rich, we’re rich…
		SUSAN & JULIE’S VERSES
	We have it all, we have it all,
	We’ve got what we need.
	Stick by us now, stay by our wide,
	You’ll see what we mean.
		ALL-CHRORUS
	We’re rich, we’re rich, we’re rich, we’re rich…
ALL:
	We are, rich beyond our dreams! We are, rich beyond our dreams!

The song finishes, and they all settle on the floor with the money.   
John holds up a wad of money.
	
				JOHN
			Here’s to the winners in the 
Winner’s Circle.

				JEREMY
			Can I eat there, too?

				JULIE
			You have to be 21, Dork.

				JEREMY
			Don’t call me Dork, bubble butt.  

				JULIE
			Mom, he has been this way all night.

				SUSAN
			And now, you are a rich kid, so you 
get paid well to put up with it.  

				JOHN
And now, we all need to get some rest. 

				JEREMY
			I want to roll in the flour some 
more.  

				JULIE
			Flour!  It’s called roll in the dough.  
You ARE a dork!  

Jeremy kicks at his sister.  Susan steps between them.

				SUSAN
			     (sternly)
Good night- both of you.

Julie kisses both parents on the cheek and leaves.
Jeremy hugs his father and his mother.

				SUSAN
			Jeremy, I will be right in to tuck 
you in bed.

				JEREMY
			    (sarcastically)
			Mom…who does that 	anymore? 

John walks over to Susan, grabbing her around the waist. 

				JOHN
			You can tuck me into bed.
			I think we’re alone now…
				
				SUSAN
			We are never alone in this 
house, dear.  

They stand face to face.

				SUSAN
			Honey, you really do have 
dog breath.  
	
				JOHN
			Kiss me, my love!

Susan recoils from him.  They laugh.  

				SUSAN
			Let me ask you this:  how are you 
going to get up and go to work 
early in the morning after all of those
gin and tonics?
		
		JOHN
			I am going to spring right up and jog 
all the way to work.  But I am sure 
ready for bed.

				SUSAN
			As your designated driver, I will 
escort you to your room.

				JOHN
			As your designated drunk, I will 
follow.

Susan walks toward the bedroom with John, and he staggers a little on the way.  Then John turns around.

				JOHN
			Wait, I need to get a drink of 
water.

John goes over to the sink and fills up a glass of water.  He turns to see if Susan is looking.  He then opens a drawer and pulls out some letters - shuffling through the letters, sweeping his hand through his hair, wiping his mouth, and turning back to see if she is looking.  He puts the letters back at the bottom of the drawer and closes it.  He then goes to bed without drinking the water.  

SCENE IS A CASINO 

John is at a blackjack table.  There is a dealer, JACK, and one other player.  Two slot machines are off to the right side.  A 3-piece musical ensemble is playing in the background.  The music is “Lift Me Up”, instrumental only.  John looks tired and drunk.

				JOHN
			I cannot believe you haven’t busted 
yet this shoe.  

				JACK
			My turn will come.

				JOHN
			I have had such lousy luck tonight.  
Last night it was like I couldn’t lose.

				BLACKJACK PLAYER
			Doesn’t it always seem to go in 
cycles like that?

				JOHN
			You would swear they have it fixed.  
How the heck do you fix blackjack?

				JACK
			Easy, I just step on this little 
peddle down here on the floor.

The men look at him funny, then they laugh.

				JACK
			Ah, made you look.

Keeps dealing, hitting, etc.

				JOHN
			Hit me.  

				BLACKJACK PLAYER
			We all love a wise guy when we’re 
losing…   (waves a pass)
	
				JACK
			Hey, I would love to give this money 
away-  it isn’t mine. 

				BLACKJACK PLAYER
			You know, all you dealers say 
that, but you sound pretty sincere. 

				JACK
			I am sincere, just ask my four 
ex-wives.  

John raises his beer bottle to the dealer in a toast.

				JOHN
			Hey, you are my American idol.

				JACK
			You do NOT want me as your 
role model.

				JOHN
			Right about now I might trade 
places with you.

The dealer raises his eyebrows at John.

				JACK
			Are you going to sit here at my 
table and throw a pity party?!

				JOHN
			Did I invite you?

				JACK
			Oh, now you ARE pathetic!

				JOHN
			You must not be wanting a 
tip tonight.

				JACK
			Tips are for cue sticks, waitresses, 
and clueless entrepreneurs.  

				JOHN
			Look, I’m sorry.  I’m normally a 
pretty nice guy.  I just blew it all 
tonight.  I don’t know how I’m going 
to tell my wife.  

				JACK
			How about just being honest?

				JOHN
			Man, there is so much she doesn’t 
know.  

				JACK
			My plaintiff number four gave me 
some good advice.

				JOHN
			Who?

				JACK
			Plaintiff number four- my fourth 
ex-wife. I get their names mixed up 
over time.  

He shrugs his hands up at John.

				JACK
			She told me that I would have 
stood a much better chance if I 
would have just been honest with her.   

John suddenly jumps from his seat.  

				JOHN
			I know what I can do. 	I got it!  
			    (pause)
			I have an account where I can 
move some money around.  I can 
do it in the morning.  

John starts to leave.

				JACK
			Come back and play with me 
again, son.

John looks at his watch, then grabs his cell phone.  

				JOHN
			Oh, man!  Oh no!  What time is it?  

				JACK
			It’s almost nine o’clock.

				JOHN
			Oh my God…
				
				JACK
			Is something wrong?

				JOHN
			This is the night my wife has a 
college nursing class.  I had my 
nights mixed up.  I forgot to pick 
up my son!

John runs out of the casino.    

SCENE IS THE LIVING ROOM

Susan walks in, followed by John, who has a bandage on his head.  They are both quiet and look upset.  

				JOHN
			Thanks for coming to get me.

Susan nods, then they both walk over by the kitchen.

		JOHN
			I cannot believe they kept me at 
the police station for five hours.

Susan picks up a butcher knife that’s on the counter, looks at it carefully, then places it in the sink.  John steps back from her.
			
				JOHN
So the kids are at Val’s?

				SUSAN
			She’s having them spend the night.  

John nods.  

				SUSAN
			They love playing with her dog.  
			    (pause)
He has dog breath, too.  

Susan keeps a serious look.

				JOHN
			I see.

John keeps a serious look.  

				JOHN
			I was hoping you would break the ice. 

				SUSAN
			That is the least of what I may 
break.  

				JOHN
			I don’t know what to say. 

				SUSAN
			You just got a DWI, you wrecked 
the car, you forgot to pick up 	your 
son, and you don’t know what to
			say?

				JOHN
			I’m sorry, of course, I am extremely 
sorry.

				SUSAN
			That’s a good start.  

				JOHN
			I just…I…don’t know how all 
this happened.

John walks to the living room.
	
				SUSAN
			You don’t know how you ended 
up drunk at a casino?
			
				JOHN
			No, it’s not that.

John turns around.  Susan walks toward him.

				SUSAN
			Then what?

				JOHN
			I don’t know how I lost track 
of the days.

Susan looks at him confused.  She walks back around.

				SUSAN
			I was at my nursing class.

				JOHN
			I know.

				SUSAN
			Jeremy called you over and over 
on your cell phone.

				JOHN
			I had it turned down.	The office 
calls so much.

They pace around.

				SUSAN
			Couldn’t you just check…?

				JOHN
			I just got really messed up.

Susan sits on the couch.

				SUSAN
			Oh, I would say so.

				JOHN
			I had just been so stressed out at 
work.  It’s been so crazy there lately.  

				SUSAN
			So you go to the casino and drink 
by yourself?

				JOHN
			No.  I had a couple of 	drinks at 
the bar after work with the guys.  
They do it all the time.  

				SUSAN
			You drink after work and then go 
drive to pick up Jeremy?

				JOHN
			It’s only a couple of drinks.  We 
all do it.
	
SUSAN
John, the police said your blood 
alcohol count was very high. 

				JOHN
			I had a couple more beers at the 
casino.  It was no big deal.  

				SUSAN
			You got a DWI.

				JOHN
Those alcohol levels for a DWI 
are ridiculously low.  I’m not 
drinking any more than the 
other guys.  I just got caught 
because some jerk pulled out 
in front of me.  It was his fault.  

				SUSAN
			What if you had hurt someone
			in that wreck?

Susan just stares at him.

				JOHN
			Well, I didn’t.  I would not have 
been driving so fast if I hadn’t 
been upset about Jeremy.
		
	SUSAN
You poor man.

	JOHN
I didn’t mean it like that. Is
Jeremy okay?

	SUSAN
He is upset, but he stayed late at 
the learning center and played on 
the computer. 

				JOHN
			I’ll talk to him about this
			tomorrow. 
	
				SUSAN
			Anyway, you heard what the police 
officer said.  To get through your 
DWI, you will likely have to go through 
			some type of alcohol treatment 
program.  

				JOHN
			That’s so crazy.  I can quit on my 
own if I want to quit.
  
				SUSAN
			You HAVE tried to cut back on your 
drinking before.  It seems like you’re 
always out drinking with the guys from
			work. 

				JOHN
			That’s how I relax.  How is my time 
out with the guys less important than 
your time going to college?

				SUSAN
			Are you really comparing the two?

				JOHN
			No, not really.

				SUSAN
			Then, when you come home from
work, the first thing you do is have 
another beer.

John shakes his head and flips up his hands like Susan is annoying him.

				SUSAN
			John, you are going to have to do 
whatever the police or judge tells 
you to do.
	
				JOHN
			I’ll call a lawyer about it in the 
morning.

				SUSAN
			We can’t afford a lawyer!

				JOHN
			I don’t know how everything got 
so confusing.  I feel like I’m losing 
my mind.  

				SUSAN
			John, I just think we need to take a 
look at what we’re doing.  We are both 
running in and out of the house without 
time to see each other or the kids.

				JOHN
			I know.  I know.

				SUSAN
			When did we stop tucking Jeremy 
into bed?

John looks sincerely thoughtful.

				JOHN
			I don’t remember.

				SUSAN
			You know, we used to be happy 
before we tried to be big shot rich 
people.

				JOHN
			Man, what is happening?  When did 
I ever forget my son?

Susan just looks at him.

				JOHN
I don’t know when money quit 
meaning money when I used it to 
gamble.

	SUSAN
What do you mean?

	JOHN
Like, when I put money in a slot 
machine, it doesn’t feel like money.  
It’s just a game. 

				SUSAN
			We cannot afford to be doing this.

				JOHN
			It’s just all out of control.  My sense 
of time feels out of control, credit cards…

				SUSAN
			We can get the cards paid off, we 
just have to follow our plan.  

				JOHN
			No, no…I have to tell you something.

John looks very frightened.

				SUSAN
			What?

				JOHN
			I haven’t been paying it.

				SUSAN
			Oh God, John.

John sits down and puts his head in his hands.  

				SUSAN
			Where are the bills?  How much is it?

				JOHN
			I’ve got it.  I can take care of it.  

				SUSAN
			But you are not taking care of it!

				JOHN
			I will.  I have an idea. 

				SUSAN
			Your ideas are obviously not working.  

				JOHN
			Trust me on this.

				SUSAN
			“Trust me” is not a good phrase 
for you to use right now.  

				JOHN
			I didn’t have to tell you.  I could 
have just kept it a secret. 

				SUSAN
			Is that what we’re about?

John pauses.  John slowly reaches for Susan’s hand, but she sits down.  

				SUSAN
			John, I am so scared. 

John moves to sit beside her. 

				JOHN
			I know.  I am so sorry
			
				SUSAN
			    (talking rapidly)
			You have to be able to drive to work.
			We have to take care of the kids.

				JOHN
			I WILL make it up to you.

				SUSAN
			Your license is already suspended
			until a court date, then things could 
even get worse. 

John puts his hands forward, and they are shaking.

				SUSAN
			Your hands are shaking.

				JOHN
			Yea.

				SUSAN
You know I am really mad at you?

	JOHN
Oh, really?

	SUSAN 
			You’re not shaking your hands 
like that just to get sympathy from 
me are you?

				JOHN (playfully)
			Sure.

				SUSAN
			Come here.

Susan puts her arm around John.

				SUSAN
			We will get through this.

				JOHN
			I was always the responsible one.

				SUSAN
			When?  When you left your underwear 
drying on the back porch?  (pause)
			When you ate cheetos out of the Val’s 
dog’s mouth?

				JOHN
			I am the business guy here.  I do the 
money stuff.  

He holds out his shaking hands.

				JOHN
			Look at my hands. I used to work out, 
I’m supposed to be in good shape.  

Susan flexes her muscles.

				SUSAN
			You were the high school linebacker.    

				JOHN
			You were the cutest flute player.

				SUSAN
			I was the pregnant high school
			flute player…

John smiles and nods.

				JOHN
			We are a real American story.  

				SUSAN
			We have some great kids.

				JOHN
			What in the world have I done?

				SUSAN
			We can pull it together.

				JOHN
			I have a great wife.

				SUSAN
			I have always had faith in you.

				JOHN
			I will do whatever they tell me to do.  
I’ll just get through this.  

				SUSAN
			Is this our mid-life crisis?

				JOHN
			Are we old enough for that?
	
				SUSAN
			You are looking pretty old right now.

They both laugh.

JOHN
You are wonderful.  I 	cannot believe 
you put up with me sometimes.
	
				SUSAN
			Now you’re getting sappy.

				JOHN
			I guess I am, but I have always thought 
you were the kindest person I have ever
			known, and you are going to make a 
fabulous nurse.
				
				SUSAN
			That is my dream, but you have always 
been the dreamer.

John reaches for a picture on a coffee table.

				JOHN
			Look at this picture of us. Remember 
when we first dated, and we were so 
innocent?

				SUSAN
			We were so innocent even when we 
were first married.  

				JOHN
Do you think we can try to get back 
that innocence?

				SUSAN
			How?
	
John reaches for a photo album under the coffee table and holds it open.

				JOHN
			Let’s go back to when we first met.

				SUSAN
			Are you inviting me on a journey?

				JOHN
			Right this way… (they stand)

Song begins to play:  “Love of My Life”

	LYRICS

		JOHN
	You shined your light into my life, 
	How could, I turn away?
		SUSAN
	You offered selfless love to me,
	I wanted you to stay.
		JOHN
	You loved me for the way I am,
	Not how I ought to be.
		SUSAN
	You gave me strength, you were my friend,
		JOHN
	You helped me find my dreams.
		BOTH- CHRORUS
	Love of my life, hold me close to your heart.
	Share my dreams, my hopes.
	Love of my life, sent from heaven above.
	Guide my heart, my soul.
		JOHN
	You’re patient with my restless heart, 
	And all the dreams I hold.
		SUSAN
	You promised that you’d never leave,
	I’d never be alone.
		JOHN
	If I could give a love like yours.
		SUSAN
	My love is pure and true.
		JOHN
	What kind of peace would fill my life?
		SUSAN
	It brings me close to you.
		CHORUS AGAIN
	Love of my life…
		 JOHN (Spoken lines to each other):
	Remember when we would get so excited just to go out to
	dinner together?
		SUSAN (Spoken lines to each other):
	I want to feel that way again.
		CHORUS AGAIN with tag ending
	Love of my life…

The scene closes as they embrace.  

SCENE IS KITCHEN TABLE

Susan and Val are drinking coffee. Val’s dog, Booty, is on her lap.

				SUSAN
			Val, thanks so much for taking 
the kids last night.

				VAL
			Hey, what are best friends for?  
Besides, they loved playing with 
Booty, the wonder dog.

The dog, Booty, sits in her lap.

				SUSAN
			I drove Mr. DWI to work this morning. 

				VAL
			Did he tell anyone what happened?

				SUSAN
			Oh, a couple of his co-workers.

				VAL
			Are you worried about him losing 
his license? 

				SUSAN
			I’m worried about how much he’s 
drinking.

				VAL
			John?  Really?

	SUSAN
You know, John’s father was an 
alcoholic.  He doesn’t talk to him.  

				VAL
			That’s sad.  

				SUSAN
			It is.  Apparently his father drank all 
the time, then left with some other 
woman when John and his sister
were young.  

				VAL
			He doesn’t see him at all?

				SUSAN
			No.  John says he lives in 
Detroit somewhere.  
			
				VAL
			Does his father know he has 
grandchildren?

				SUSAN
			One time John’s sister told me she 
found his address and sent family 
pictures to him, but he never wrote 
back.

				VAL
			Maybe the address was wrong.

				SUSAN
			Or he may not even be alive 
anymore.

				VAL
			But the letter was not returned, was it?

				SUSAN
			No, no it wasn’t.

				VAL
			Has John ever tried to write him?

				SUSAN
			Oh, no.  He says he doesn’t want to.  

				VAL
			Hmm.

Val takes a drink of her coffee.

				SUSAN
			I sure would like a cigarette.

				VAL
			Let’s have one.

Val starts to dig in her purse.

				SUSAN
			Let’s wait.

				VAL
			Don’t tell me you are going to quit 
again.  This is not the time for you 
to turn into a wild banshee woman.

				SUSAN
			I just want to stop smoking in 
the house- in front of the kids.  

				VAL
			You think they won’t know you 
smoke?  Besides, they aren’t here now.

				SUSAN
			But I want to try to cut back.  I’m 
afraid of the examples we’re setting 
for our children.

				VAL
			Is this because you caught your
			15-year old daughter with a couple 
of cigarettes before a dance?.  

				SUSAN
			Maybe.  I was smoking by the time I 
was 15.  I don’t know that I’ll ever be 
able to stop now.

				VAL
			Here’s to Joe Camel.

Val takes a drink of her coffee in a toast.

				SUSAN
			We have another problem.  John has 
been hiding credit card debts from me.

				VAL
			John?!!  Mr. Businessman?

				SUSAN
			I have always been so proud of his 
business work..  I was the one who 
gave up going to college to raise the 
kids.

				VAL
			I just cannot believe he would do that.

				SUSAN
			YOU can’t.

				VAL
			Is it a big amount?
		
				SUSAN
			We’re going to talk it over tonight.  

				VAL
			Hey, but you are back in college now, 
girl.
	
				SUSAN
			What if all of this gets in the way of 
me taking my nursing classes?

				VAL
			It had better not, or I’m gonna kick 
that drunken dude all over this house. 

Val picks up the dog and kicks his leg forward.

				VAL
			Anyone messes with you, and they 
mess with me!
							 
Val flexes her muscles at Booty, who stands and holds his arms up on the table, then jumps back in Val’s lap.

				SUSAN
			Thanks, Val.
			   (pause)
			You know, I love working now as a 
nurse’s assistant on weekends.  It’s 
just that the pay is lousy.  

				VAL
You have always sacrificed for every-
one else.  Now it’s your time to make 
your dreams come true.  

				SUSAN
			I may have to put those dreams on hold 
for while if John has to go to an
			alcohol treatment program.	

				VAL
			When would that be?

				SUSAN
			They want him to check into a hospital 
for a few days for what they call detox, 
but he says he doesn’t need it.  

				VAL
			What do you think?

				SUSAN
			I don’t know.  He said most people who 
work have to attend treatment classes at 
night.	

				VAL
			Look.  However long his program is, 
I will pick up Jeremy on the afternoons you 
have classes.
	
				SUSAN
			I can’t ask you to do that.

				VAL
			You are not asking.  I am Offering- No, 
I’m telling You-  it’s what I’m going 
to do. 

				SUSAN
			Val?

				VAL
			I always work mornings at the beauty 
salon…Susan, friends stand together.     
	
				SUSAN
			Someday I will pay you back.  
				
Music starts for “You’ll Never Stand Alone”.

LYRICS

		VAL
	Darkness may be all around,
	Just look, the light of love can still be found.
	Nothing you can say or do, 
	Can make true love turn away from you.
		CHORUS
	You’ll never stand alone, you’ll never stand alone.
	With you, right by your side I’m with you,
	To guide you, I’m with you, right by your side,
	I’m with you, beside you,
	I’m with you, right by your side I’m with you,
	Till the end, I’m with you, right by your side,
	I’m with you, I’m your friend, and know
		CHORUS
You’ll never stand alone, you’ll never stand alone.

SCENE IS TREATMENT CENTER

John walks in.  Leo and Cindy are laying back in lawn chairs drinking orange juice.  
John looks at a pamphlet on the wall.

				JOHN
			This says St. Francois.  Is this the 
treatment center?

				LEO
			Hey, we got a newbie!

				CINDY
			Fresh meat!

				LEO
			Hey, hey, let me be the first to ask 
him.

Leo waves over to Cindy.

				LEO
			Young fellow, tell me now, are you 
an alcoholic?
				
				JOHN
			Oh, I don’t think so, I 	don’t know.

				LEO
			Ha!!
				
				CINDY
			This is gonna be fun!

				LEO
			Okay, why are you here?  DWI, 
flunked a drug test at work, wife 
on your case?
			
				JOHN
			DWI.

				CINDY
			Okay, Leo, you win.

Cindy pays Leo some money.

				LEO
			Have a seat, stretch out.  This is where 
we relax before the meetin’.

				CINDY
			You can have a coffee or orange juice. 

				LEO
			If you smoke, you can go out to the 
liar’s bench.

				JOHN
			The liar’s bench?

				LEO
			Yea.  That’s where the smokers 
gather to brag about who used to 
drink the most and who had the 
			most wild dates.  

				JOHN
			I think I will sit right here.

John sits down in a folding chair.  As the music starts to play, orderlies come out and put down tropical scenery, and nurses start serving orange juice, etc., to John.

Music starts to play:  “There’ll Be Sunshine”

	LYRICS- sung by treatment center nurses

		NURSES
	Stop all the rain now,
	There’ll be sunshine.
	No clouds in the sky,
	No time to cry,
	It’s our day, it’s our way.
	There’s blue sky and sunshine,
	It’s like summer time.
	Lay back and relax,
	It’s a natural high.

				JOHN
			This is great!

When the music picks up, John stands up and starts dancing, one of the nurses joins him.  
Suddenly, STELLA enters the room, blowing a loud whistle!!!!!!!!!
Orderlies come out and pick up the folding chairs and tropical scenery and take it away.  

				STELLA
			Enough of this relaxation! It’s time 
for treatment!

				LEO
			“Stella”, is here.  

				STELLA
			Did I tell you, that you could 	talk?

				LEO
			No, mame.  

Leo smiles, then Stella looks at John.

				STELLA
			And you.  Who’s the newbie?

				CINDY
			We got fresh meat today.

				LEO
			He’s not an alcoholic.

Stella smiles and walks up to John. 
			
				STELLA
			Nice.  I’ll have you for lunch today.  

Stella steps aside.
		
				STELLA
Meanwhile, let’s set up for the AA 
meeting.  

				CINDY
			I got donut patrol.

				LEO
			I got coffee.

				STELLA
			NO!  Newbie gets coffee patrol.  He 
needs to learn about service work..

				LEO
			He hasn’t been properly trained.  The 
coffee makes or breaks the AA meeting.

				STELLA
			Okay, Newbie can assist you today.  

				JOHN
			My name is John.

				STELLA
			John, Newbie, whatever.  

John and Leo start to work with the coffee machine. 

				JOHN
			Leo, right?

				LEO
			Yep.
				
				JOHN
			What just happened back there?

				LEO
			Look, when you come to your first 
treatment or AA meeting, your imagination
			is going to run really crazy- your memory 
of it will be all weird.  So just take in what 
you can.  

Other people start coming into the AA meeting.  People start walking around, smiling, and hugging each other. 

				STELLA
			Okay, Crusty Old Men, 
			over here.  

A big sign reads:  Crusty Old Men Club.
	
				STELLA
Neurotic Divorcee Women, be sure to sit 
by the Kleenex. All newcomers who are 
still in denial, please sit next to the
braggarts so you can annoy one another.     
	
People begin moving chairs, still greeting and hugging one another.

				STELLA
			Attention please!  Make way for the 
Big Book!

There is a trumpet fanfare.  
A group of men enter carrying a giant book on an altar like an Egyptian carriage.

				JOHN
			What is that?

				LEO
			Man, you don’t know 	anything, do 
you?

				JOHN
			No.

				LEO
			That’s the Big Book.

				JOHN
			It IS pretty big.

				LEO
			Everyone in AA should get a copy of 
the Big Book.  It has the story of how
			Alcoholics Anonymous was founded, 
how it works, and then it has stories about 
alcoholics who got better.

				JOHN
			Why is that book so big?

				LEO
			That’s just your imagination.

Leo grabs John by the face.  

				LEO
			Listen to me careful. The imagination 
plays terrible tricks on some people at 
their first AA meeting.  It may all seem 
like an exaggerated dream, okay?

				JOHN
			Otay.

Leo lets go of John.

				LEO
			Many people get confused like this at 
their first meeting.
			
				STELLA
			Attention please!  Bring out the 
12-steps board.

A group of men bring out a large board that lists the AA 12 Steps of Recovery.  
A group of women follows on the side singing on the song, about 
the 12 Steps: “Precious to Me” – 60’s like song in a satire.

	LYRICS- sung by cast

		CAST
	12 steps, you are precious, to me (echo = precious, precious)
	12 steps, you are precious, to me (echo = precious, precious)
	I need you more and more each day, need you every way.
	I need your strength, I need your spirit beside me, to guide me,
	I need your peace through the day, 12 steps, I need you to stay!
	12 steps, you are precious, to me (echo = precious, precious)
	12 steps, you are precious, to me (echo = precious, precious)

John looks to Leo.

				JOHN
			Why are they making such a big deal 
about the 12 steps?
		
				LEO
			That’s the whole program of how 
we get sober and stay sober.  Again, 
you are just imagining the steps looking
so big, but they are truly important.

				JOHN
			Those 12 steps look like a lot to do.

				LEO
			Well, they say it’s simple if you just 
follow it.

				STELLA
			Sponsors, please check in with 
your sponsees.  

One old man walks in with about 15 younger men following his every move.  They get him coffee and wait on him.   Leo addresses John.

				LEO
			That’s George.  He sponsors more people 
than anyone else in the AA group.

				JOHN
			What is a sponsor?

				LEO
			A sponsor is like your personal mentor- 
Someone who teaches you about the
			12 steps and leads you through them.
			 
				JOHN
			So it’s like a friend?

				LEO
			Oh, it’s a great friend, but it should 
be someone you’ll look up to.

				JOHN
			Do you have a sponsor?

				LEO
			I’ve had a lot of sponsors. They keep 
firing me.

				JOHN
			Why?
		
				LEO
			Because I keep drinking.

				JOHN
			How long have you been coming here?

				LEO
			Oh, about 17 years.

				JOHN
			Why do you come back? 

				LEO
			It keeps me going, I guess.
				
John starts reading the steps.

				JOHN
			Let me see, Step 1, it says my life 
was unmanageable.  Okay, 
I can buy that, to a degree.  	

				LEO
			I bet things got pretty out of hand.

				JOHN
			Next it says, restore us to sanity?  
Hey, I was not looney!

				LEO
			We’ll get to that part.

				JOHN
			We will?  Number 3…decision, 
turn my life, turn my life over to God?!
			What is this God stuff?!

				STELLA
			    (screaming)
			Where’s my robe?!

				LEO
			I was afraid this would happen.  Here 
we go with that first meeting imagination
			thing again.

Stella puts on a church choir robe, other people stand up and hold signs for God, start singing.  During the rhythm break toward the end of the song, Stella dances with John.  

The music starts for “Praise the Lord”.  This is sung in a humorous style, imitating a fanatic church service.  

		LYRICS  (Stella with cast)

		CAST
	Praise the Lord!  
		STELLA
I got to hear it from you now!
		CAST
	Praise the Lord!  
		STELLA
We’ll shake it up and set it down!
		CAST
Praise the Lord!  
	STELLA
We cannot let each other down!
		CAST
Praise the Lord!
		STELLA
	I got to see it on your face.
	We got to shout it in this place.
	I got to hear it in your voice.
	There’s got to be no other choice.
	CAST
Here what we’re sayin’ to you now…
Praise the Lord!
	(repeat of call and answer from beginning)
		STELLA
	We got to show the others how,
	We got to tell it to them now.
	We got to show the others why,
	We got to shout it to the sky,
	CAST
Here what we’re sayin’ to you now…
Praise the Lord!
	(repeat of call and answer from beginning)
			STELLA
	We’ve got to set it to the beat.
			(Rhythm break- Stella dances…)
			Repeat of Call and Answer Chorus as beginning

				STELLA
			    (taking off robe)
			Whew!  We had to do that for the 
new guy.

				EVERYBODY
			New guy!
People start forming a group around John.

				STELLA
			Don’t worry Newbie, that was all part 
of your imagination.  

				JOHN
			What?

				STELLA
			The first time some people come to an 
AA meeting, they get freaked out by 
the part about God.  It’s really not as
elaborate as the song we just sang.  

				JOHN
			Yea, your song was a little intense.

				STELLA
			You’ll get it as we go 	along.  Just keep 
an open mind.  

People step forward to shake John’s hand.

				BANKER
			New Guy, pleased to meet you.  

				PUNK ROCKER
			We’ll take good care of you here.

Men pass by quickly shaking John’s hand. A group of women suddenly rush over to John. One woman instantly hugs John, then Carol, pulls her off of him and Carol hugs him- leaning back to talk to him.

				CAROL
			You poor thing, we will surround you
			with love.  

All of the women close in to hug John.  Leo shakes his head.

				LEO
			How I loved my first meeting.

Stella walks to the front of a table, taps a gavel loudly, and sits down.  All of the other people take their seats around in a circle.  

				STELLA
			My name is Stella, and I’m an alcoholic.

				EVERYBODY
			Hi, Stella.

				JOHN
			Hi…

Everybody turns and stares at John.  He looks out of places as he stops waving.

				STELLA
Since this is the Newbie’s first meeting, 
and we’re doing this for his memory, 
we’re going to skip all the usual 
introductory stuff.  He’s not going to 
remember it, anyway.

				JOHN
			You keep calling me…
		
				STELLA
			Please! No talking out of turn, and 
no cross talk.  

All of the crusty old men fold their arms and nod their heads in agreement.  
			
				STELLA
			Since new people usually only 
remember the speakers from their 
first meeting, I’m going to share the 
gory details from my personal story. 

Everybody leans back in their chairs at once.  John is the only one sitting straight up.  He slowly leans back, but his chair squeaks all the way down.  Everyone turns to look at him.
Stella stands up.

				STELLA
			I’m Stella, and I’m still a drunk.		

				EVERYBODY
			Hi, Stella.

				STELLA
			I used to get drunk.  I used to get real 
drunk.  I like drugs.  I like good drugs, 
I like bad drugs, I like any drugs.  I was 
a barmaid.  It used to tick me off to see
			people leave that poor glass of beer half 
empty.  What a waste of good alcohol.  I
			don’t even like to waste bad alcohol.  I 
used to get drunk on Nyquil.  My kids used 
to ask me, Dang, Mama, you got a cold 
again?!… Uh-huh.  (rubs nose).
			I was a truly nice thief. I’d steal your 
wallet, then help you look for it. Drug money.  
Till  I got busted, lost custody of my kids.  So 
I finished my GED while I was in jail, I got 
my kids back, and I got sober in AA.  I 
believe God had a plan for me when I got 
busted that night.  I was throwin’ my life away.  
Instead of getting’ pinched on the butt in the 
bar, now I’m kickin’ butt here at the treatment 
center, gettin these newbies sober.  

People laugh.

				STELLA
			I wrote a song about how I finally asked for 
help.  I’d like to dedicate this song to both 
the barmaids and the drunks, who need 
			someone to lift them up.
			
Song plays:  “Lift Me Up.”

	LYRICS

		STELLA
	Lift me up- high, Lord, oh, 
	Lift me up- raise, me, oh,
	Lift me up- high, Lord, oh,
	Lift me up- save, me, oh,
	I need your help, to take this pain away.
		I need your strength, to make it though the day, oh,
	I need your hope, to make me feel alive,
		I need your love, a love that never dies, oh
	Chorus again…
	I need your hand, to life me from my knees,
		I need your hope, to set my spirit, free, oh,
		I need your faith, to start a brand new day,
	I need your light, to guide me on my way, oh
Chorus again…
	Bridge:  	Lift me up, hold me up, raise me up, take me up,
		Lift me up, hold me up, raise me up, take me up, oh,
	Chorus again in modulated key.  

The audience applauds.

				STELLA
			Okay, since this is Newbie’s first meeting, 
we’re not going to introduce ourselves
			as usual, because he’s not going to remember 
that.  So, who wants to talk?  

				MARY
			Uh, I am new, and I got drunk and went 
to my daughter’s school dance.  I am so 
ashamed.

Carol raises her hand.

				CAROL
			I used to get drunk all the time and 
end up sleeping on the couch instead 
of taking care of my children.  It was
			awful.  I never thought I could ever 
get better, but I did.  It really is possible.  
			   (to Mary) You can talk to me after the 
meeting.  

Other people start standing up and saying their lines faster and faster.

				BANKER
			I’m a banker, I stole money.

				HOOKER
			I was a hooker.
	
				BIKER
			I spent time in jail.

				PUNK ROCKER
			I do a prison ministry.	

A man with shirt unbutton stands up, running his hands across his chest dramatically.

				SEX ADDICT
			I… am a sex addict!

				DOCTOR
			I’m a doctor.
					
				TEACHER
			I’m a teacher.

				WAITER
			I’m a waiter.

				MILLIONAIRE
			I’m a millionaire.

				HOMELESS WOMAN
			I’m staying in the homeless shelter 
next door.

				NYMPHOMANIAC
			Whenever I drink, I end up sleeping 
with any man around!

				SEX ADDICT
			A-hem, you can see me after the meeting.

He sits down as there is a pause.

				LAWYER
			I’m a lawyer.

				TRUCK DRIVER
			I’m a truck driver.  
			
				COFFEE DRINKER
			I thought this was Starbucks!

The coffee drinker gets up and leaves.
John stands up and holds his head with his hands.

				JOHN
			This is all so confusing.  It’s all 
running together.
	
Leo stands up beside John.
			
				LEO
			Remember John, some of this is your
			imagination run wild.  
			
				STELLA
			Okay, thank you all for coming. We 
now have to hold the treatment group 
in this room.

Everyone picks up chairs, hugging as they work, and they exit.
Left behind are Stella, John, Leo, and Cindy.  John approaches Stella.

				JOHN
			Your story was really touching.

				STELLA
			Touch me, and you lose an arm.  

John sits down where Leo and Cindy are already seated.
Stella looks at her notepad.

				STELLA
			Okay, we have a new guy with a DWI 
who doesn’t think he’s an alcoholic, an 
old guy who keeps relapsing-   welcome 
back Leo…

Leo nods.

				STELLA
			And a flighty drunk chick who blames 
everyone else for her problems.

Cindy waves daintily and smiles.
	
				STELLA
			Okay, let’s start with Leo.  You’re back.

				LEO
			Yep.

				STELLA
			You’ve already done the 30 day 
hospitalization treatment?

				LEO
			The food was awful.

				STELLA
			You drank again because the 
food was awful?

				LEO
			I drank again because 	I missed 
your pleasing personality.

				STELLA
			Leo, if seeing me will get you to 
finally quit drinking, baby, I’ll move
			in with ya.  

				LEO
			Promises, promises.  
			
				STELLA
			Don’t tempt an old barmaid.  
			    (pause)
			How did you end up drinking again?
			
				LEO
			I don’t know.

				STELLA
			We go through this every time.  
You have to have a trigger to set
			you off, something that upsets you 
and makes you want to drink.  	

				LEO
			I guess it was my son’s birthday.  

Stella sighs.

				JOHN
			How old is your son?

				STELLA
			Did we establish the rules
			about when to talk in here?

				LEO
			My son died when he was eight.

				JOHN
			Geez, I’m sorry.

				LEO
			He was hit by a car.  

				STELLA
			You know, Leo, you’re drinkin’ 
yourself to death, but you’re doing 
it a hell of a lot slower than the 
			rest of the drunks I see go through 
this place.    

				LEO
			I guess that’s why I keep comin 
around.

Stella takes Leo’s hands into hers and looks at him sincerely.

				STELLA
			Leo, we want you around.

				LEO
			Hey, I play an important part here.  
I serve as the best bad example.
			 	(pause)
			Everyone will tell you:  “just don’t 
end up like Leo.”

Stella caresses Leo’s face with her hand.

				STELLA
			You just remember:  In AA, the 
only requirement for membership is 
the DESIRE to stop drinking.  Don’t 
ever let anyone try to run you off.  

John leans over to Cindy.

				JOHN
			Hey, she can be nice.

Stella turns to Cindy and yells.

				STELLA
			Cindy!!!

Cindy jumps in her seat.  Stella and Cindy speak rapidly to one another.

				STELLA
			How’s it going?

				CINDY
			New day, same crap.

				STELLA
			The job still suck?

				CINDY
			It’s horrible.  The boss hates me 
for no reason.

				STELLA
			Just like that last five jobs?

				CINDY
			They are all the same.

				STELLA
			How’s the boyfriend?

				CINDY
			He’s a big pig.

				STELLA
			Any better than the ex?

				CINDY
			I don’t know which is worse.

				STELLA
			How’s your mom?
	
				CINDY
			She’s an old nag.

				STELLA
			Your little girls still being brats?
				
				CINDY
			I am ready to sell them in Indonesia 
as prostitutes.  
				
Stella leans back.  They talk slower now.

				STELLA
			Cindy, are you ready to start
			working with me on why you
			keep gettin into the same bad
			situations?

				CINDY
			Well, sure.

				STELLA
			Look, either every situation and
			relationship you get into in life
			is bad, or your attitude is bad.		

				CINDY
			MY, attitude?  (sarcastic) Right!

				STELLA
			How can it be that ALL of life sucks?
				
				CINDY
			What if people really don’t treat me 
fair?

				STELLA
Focus on that if you want, but you 
can either have people’s pity, or 
you can have their respect.  And pity 
is what keeps you drinkin.

Cindy pouts.  

				STELLA
			If you’ve got real jerks in your life,
			then we need to get rid of ‘em.  If you 
want to work on this together later, 
we’ll talk.

				CINDY
			I guess.

Stella turns to John.

				STELLA
			So your name is John.

				JOHN
			     (chokes)
			Ye… Yes. 

				STELLA
			Besides a DWI, why are you here?

				JOHN	
			That’s it.

				STELLA
			That’s all?  No other reason?  Life 
is fine?  No drinking problem?

				JOHN
			I guess it is a problem.
				
				STELLA
			When they asked you on this form 
if you were an alcoholic, you put 
“I don’t know”--- Is this an identity 
crisis defense?

				JOHN
			Things are, kind of confusing..

				STELLA
			John, what is an alcoholic?

				JOHN
			Someone who drinks too much?

				STELLA
			Do they have to be homeless?
			Can they have a good job?
			
				JOHN
			I don’t know.

				STELLA
			That’s what you’re here to learn.  
You see, it’s not a matter of how 
much you drink or how often
you drink. Alcoholism is 
a disease. It can be genetic. 

				JOHN
			My father was an alcoholic.

				STELLA
			You say “was”, is he deceased?

				JOHN
			I don’t know.

				STELLA
			Oh, we got a can of worms to 
open there.  

John looks down.

				STELLA
			Did you intend to get a DWI? 

John looks confused and shrugs.

				JOHN
			No.

				STELLA
Businessmen like to be in control.  
What are you in control of?

				JOHN
			What I do, my kids, lots of things.  

				STELLA
			Oh, a month ago you planned to 
be here today? 
Again, what are you in control
of, John?

	JOHN 
It doesn’t seem like much right
			now.

				STELLA
			Guess what?  You’re not in control 
of anything.  You or I could die of a 
heart attack right now.  

John nods.
			
	STELLA
			Years ago Leo thought he was in 
control of his life, and he came home 
one day to find an ambulance parked 
in front of his house. 

Stella reaches over and touches Leo on the hand.

				STELLA
We’re not in control, John.  That can 
be frightening, or it can set us free.  
That’s where the God stuff of AA comes in.
It’s easier to relax and get sober If we let 
somebody else be in charge.

	JOHN
Being able to relax would be
very nice.  

				STELLA
			Not every treatment center uses the AA 
approach, but we do. Even in the best 
programs, up to 70 percent of you will go
			back out and drink.

				JOHN
			Really?

				STELLA
			Thirty percent of you will die from 
this disease.

John raises his eyebrows.    

				STELLA
			Some programs have been able to 
teach people to drink in moderation, 
but that usually only works for people 
who aren’t really addicted alcoholics.  

				JOHN
			How do we know?

				STELLA
			Hey, give it a try.  Have you tried 
to cut back on your drinking before?

				JOHN
			Yes, sort of.

				STELLA
			Sort of, huh?  I guess it didn’t work.  
Some people can drink normally- 
gamble normally. We call those people 
“normies”. 

				LEO
			Darn Normies.

They all smile.

				STELLA
			Some people can drink and it doesn’t 
cause ‘em any problems.  Not you.
				
				JOHN
			So why me?
		
				STELLA
			Are vitamins good?

				JOHN
			Sure.
				
				STELLA
			Do you take a whole bottle?

				JOHN
			Well, no.

				STELLA
			That would be crazy, wouldn’t it?  
I’ll bet you think the step about 
insanity doesn’t apply to you.
			
				JOHN
			It just seems like my drinking is
			not that severe.
				STELLA
			There are many stages of alcoholism.
			Most homeless alcoholics began as
			fellows just out drinking with friends.
			The problem is when it starts effecting
			your life.
			
				JOHN	
Are the things I’ve done that bad?

				STELLA
Tell me, have you ever had an affair?

				JOHN
			What?!  No.

				STELLA
			Are you sure about that?
			
John looks confused.

				STELLA
			Did you ever spend time away 
from your family when you should 
have been with them?  Did you ever 
keep a secret about what you’d been 
doing? 

John look sullen.

				JOHN
			I guess I did.

There is a knock at the door.  A man, Jack, is standing there with a guitar.  Jack is the dealer from the casino.

				STELLA
			Jack!  Come on in.  I got your 
Newbie here.  

				JACK
			Hey Stella.  Hey Leo.

				LEO
			Jack, this is Cindy.

				JACK
			Hi, Cindy, how are you?

They shake hands.

				CINDY
			I have sure been better!

				LEO
			This is John.

They shake hands.

				JACK
			Nice to meet…Hey, I know you.

				JOHN
			The casino…

				JACK
			You had the wrong day.  Hope it 
was not a big problem.

				JOHN
			It’s a long story.

				JACK
			We all have a long story.

				JOHN
			You’re in AA?
				
				JACK
			Hi, I’m Jack, and I’m an alcoholic.

Jack reaches out to shake John’s hand.

				JOHN
			Wow.

				JACK
			Not ready yet, I see.  That’s okay.  

				JOHN
			How do you work at the casino 
around all that drinking?

				JACK
			Oh, it took me many years to be 
able to be around alcohol.  Now
			I use that as a chance to gently spot 
those who need help.  

				JOHN
			Like me?

				JACK
			Oh yes.

				JOHN
			Why didn’t you say something to me 
at the casino that night?

				JACK
			People have to be ready, really ready. 
Most folks have to hit some kind of low
			point in their lives to feel bad enough 
to be ready to get help.

				STELLA
			I’ve asked Jack if he’ll speak to you 
today, kind of as a temporary sponsor.

				JOHN
			Do you have time?

				JACK
			This is what we DO. You’ll see.  

				STELLA
			Leo and Cindy, you two come with 
me.

The others leave the room.

				JOHN
			I don’t want to take up your time, 
Jack.

				JACK
			Son, helping other people is what 
keeps us on track.  That’s the final step 
of the program.

	JOHN
Right, the steps.

	JACK
It’s not about money or time.  You 
keep sobriety by giving it away to other
people.

				JOHN
			I’m used to everything being about 
money.

				JACK
			Well, we cannot be about money.  Groups 
can’t accept contributions from 
organizations.

				JOHN
			Why not?  Imagine all the good you 
could do helping people.

				JACK
			That’s not how people get sober.  This…
			   (he waves his hand
			    between the two)
			is how people get sober.

				JOHN
			I just want to be able to finally 
stop worrying.

				JACK
			This afternoon, I’ll go over what 
we call the Promises.  

				JOHN
			The Promises?
			
				JACK
			The Promises are in the Alcoholics 
Anonymous “Big Book”, from AA, 
and the promises tell about the nice 
things that happen to you after
			you work the steps.  

				JOHN
			Like what?

				JACK
			Serenity.

				JOHN
			Now that sounds wonderful.

				JACK
			The best way I find serenity is by 
helping out here, or by working at the 
St. Francois Shelter that’s attached to
the building here.

Jack points to some adjoining doors.  Jack picks up his guitar.

				JACK
			Sometimes I play my guitar for the 
kids at the shelter. 

				JOHN
			Kids?

				JACK
			You think only alcoholic old men 
are homeless?
			
				JOHN
			I didn’t even know there was a 
shelter here.

				JACK
			Here is a song I play about the 
			peaceful feelings I get when
			I work with the people here.			

Jack plays his guitar with the song, “Peace in My Life”

LYRICS

		JACK
	Let me be the one, Lord, to show that you care,
	When someone needs help, Lord, I long to be there,
	And there’ll be peace, peace, in my life.
	Let me be the one, Lord, to offer your love,
		When someone is hurting, send strength from above,
And there’ll be peace, peace, in my life.
	Where there are lies, 
I want to share the truth.
	Where there is hate, 
Let me bring hope.
	Let me be the one, Lord, to show that you care,
		When someone needs help, Lord, I long to be there,
		And there’ll be peace, peace, in my life.
	Peace, peace, in my life.
	Peace, peace, in my life.

				JOHN
Jack, I think my life would become 
a lot more peaceful if I could look at 
life the way you do. 

				JACK
			You stick around, and peace will 
happen. It’s in the Promises.  

				JOHN
			What do I have to do?

				JACK
			Here’s your first Big Book.

Jack hands John a book.

				JOHN
			Where do I start?

				JACK
			First thing, you “put the plug in the jug.”

				JOHN
			The what?

				JACK
			“Put the plug in the jug”- quit drinking.

				JOHN
			For good, like forever?  ME, never 
drink again?  I’ve drank most my life.

				JACK
			I didn’t say never drink again. You 
don’t even think of it that way.  Just 
don’t drink today.  Can you do that 
for 24 hours?

				JOHN
			I guess so.  

				JACK
			Then tomorrow, you just don’t drink 
again tomorrow.  Don’t go worrying 
about the next day, or five years from 
now.

				JOHN
			Do I have to read this whole book?

				JACK
			Just start reading the first part.  Start 
praying that you’ll get some insight.
		
				JOHN
			All this prayer stuff.  I haven’t been 
to church since I was a child, and that
			was with my father who ran out on us.  

				JACK
			So the church didn’t do what it was 
supposed to do, huh?

				JOHN
			It’s not like that.  My dad sure didn’t 
do his part.

				JACK
			All we are asking you to do is recognize 
that you cannot do this on your own.
			
				JOHN
			But why even have the God part?

				JACK
			It’s the basis of the whole program.  
Read the part called the Doctor’s Opinion. 
Alcoholics were dying all over, with no 
hope, until a program came along that 
was based on a spiritual change instead 
of just medical treatment.  

				JOHN
			Really?

				JACK
			You know, some  churches don’t like 
AA calling God a Higher Power, but in 
the long run, most people in AA end up 
going back to their original church beliefs.  
I joined the St. Francois Church here. My
sponsor attends synagogue.

	JOHN
I had been Presbyterian.

	JACK
It’s just a long time ago the group
			voted not to offend anybody by 
advocating one religion or denomination 
over another.

				JOHN
			I can understand that

				JACK
			It’s hard enough just to get some 
drinkers to consider the thought of 
trusting God.
			
	JOHN
	For me, it’s hard to think of God as 
a father figure, after what my father did.  

				JACK
			Uh-huh.  Tell me this, how do you 
want to see God?

				JOHN
			I always saw God like at Christmas 
time- the Holidays- like the world at 
peace.  

				JACK
			The more you recover, the more
			you’ll look at the core of your beliefs.

John puts his hands out like he is meditating.

				JOHN
			I shall seek to discover the meaning 
of life.  

				JACK
			Let me know what you find out.
			
Stella walks by in the back with Carol.  

				JOHN
			So all I have to do is work on 
			this relationship with God?

				STELLA
			You fellas still on the God part?

Jack laughs.	

				JACK
			He’s doing alright.  He has an 
open mind.

				STELLA
			Well, he’s better off than I was
			when I started recovery.

				JOHN
			You didn’t start with an open mind?  

				STELLA
			Oh, not at all.  I thought I could get
well on my own just by knowing what 
causes people to drink. (pause)
Carol is here to be Cindy’s sponsor and
help her with that concept.  

Carol, Jack, and John wave at each other.

	STELLA
When I finally got miserable enough, 
other people in recovery showed me a 
place they could take me where I didn’t
			have to be afraid anymore.

				JOHN
			Where’s that place?

				STELLA
			Let me tell you.

Music starts for:  “We Can Take You There”-  Stella, Carol, Jack

	LYRICS

		STELLA
	Have you ever heard, of a wonder land?
	Did you ever think, there’s a better plan?
	I know a place, where we don’t have time for cryin’.
	I know a life, where we don’t have fear of dyin’.
		STELLA & JACK & CAROL
I said, we can, we can, we can take you there.
	We can, we can, we can take you there.
		JACK
	Did you ever know, you could start again?
	Did you ever think, you could ever win?
	I know a world, where the light shines from above.
	I know a house, where we all can live in love.
		STELLA & JACK & CAROL
	I said, we can, we can, we can take you there.
	We can, we can, we can take you there.
	This is the life you live, this is the choice we give,
	This is the path and the way, now, today, now.
		ALL
	We can, we can, we can take you there.
	We can, we can, we can take you there.

				JOHN
			Stella, where did you learn to sing 
like that?

				STELLA
			Front row and center of my church
			choir.  

				JOHN
			I might like to attend your church 
			just to hear you sing- wait-  does
			your church have any strange rules?

				STELLA
			Sure we do-  no talking during the 
			sermon, and don’t stink up your pew.

John laughs, then Stella and Carol leave.

				JOHN
			So this is all I have to do, huh?

				JACK
			Then you do a 4th and 5th step,
			telling me all the bad things 
			you’ve ever done.

				JOHN
			Ever?!

Jack nods.

				JACK
			Then you make amends to
			anybody you’ve ever harmed.

				JOHN
			Anybody?

				JACK
			Uh-huh.
				(pause)
			Then you spend every day making 
sure that you are  living a completely 
honest life, and you go out to help 
other alcoholics.

				JOHN
			Oh yea?

				JACK
			That’s all there is to it.

				JOHN
			I thought I could just quit drinking.

				JACK
			Oh, you can do that, but you will be 
miserable.  

				JOHN
			What do you mean?

				JACK
			Look behind you.

John looks behind him.

				JOHN
			What?

				JACK
			Right behind you, you are pulling 
an invisible trailer.
			
				JOHN
			I am.

				JACK
			Oh, it’s a giant U-Haul, and it’s just
			full of guilt, lies, resentments,
			anger at your father, and stress.

				JOHN
			I still don’t see it.

				JACK
			Of course you don’t.  You haven’t done 
the 12 steps yet.  As you do the steps, 
you start emptying out your trailer.

				JOHN
			Hmm.  I have to learn all this,
			but then I have to pray.  Which 
			is more important?

Jack folds his fingers together.

				JACK
			You combine the two.  You do
			the praying, and I will lead you
			through the recovery steps.

			 	JOHN
			Tell me.  If this alcoholism
			thing could be genetic, do
			you ever feel mad that you 
could have inherited it?

				JACK
			No, no.  Sometimes I feel like 
it has been a gift.

				JOHN
			A gift?!  Are you kidding?

				JACK
			Let’s just say I did not like the person 
I had become in life.  Falling apart as 
an alcoholic made change my heart.  
It helped me find my purpose in life.

				JOHN
			Purpose in life…

				JACK
			I think meaning in life, just for me, 
for Jack, is to learn to be able to 
understand, love, and tolerate all 
people.

				JOHN
			That’s the meaning of life?

				JACK
			Maybe for me it is. You have to
			find your own meaning.

				JOHN
			So, we’ll do some of the steps, unhook 
my trailer, and dump some manure out.

				JACK
			You got it, kid.

				JOHN
			It’s a deal.

The two shake hands, then walk off stage.

INTERMISSION

SCENE IS KITCHEN 

Susan and Julie are talking.  Julie is upset.

				JULIE
			Mom, I already told the girls
			I would meet them at the cinema.

				SUSAN
			Julie, I’m sorry.  Val can usually stay 
with Jeremy on Thursdays, but her 
mother is sick, and you know I have
			class.  

				JULIE
			Can’t you miss class once in awhile?

				SUSAN
			I do not skip class.

				JULIE
			People do it all the time.

				SUSAN
			We are taking important notes tonight.

				JULIE
			Why is everybody else’s life more 
important than mine right now?

				SUSAN
			Oh sweetie, it’s not. 

				JULIE
			Jeremy is ten, he can stay by himself.  

				SUSAN
			I do not want him to be alone.  It’s 
not safe.  

				JULIE
			I should not lose my social life with 
my friends because dad screwed up 
and you’re going back to college.

				SUSAN
			Honey, I’m doing this for all of us.

				JULIE
			No you are not.  You’re doing
			it for yourself. 

				SUSAN
			We can use the extra money, and I’ll 
get insurance coverage.

				JULIE
			And you can brag about having a 
degree.  What is the difference?  You 
already do the same kind of work.

				SUSAN
			It’s not really the same.

				JULIE
			I just want to see my friends this once. 

				SUSAN
			I really cannot miss class tonight.

				JULIE
			I don’t care if you are a nurse.  Why do 
you have this big dream about it?

				SUSAN
			    (angry)
			Why do you think I couldn’t
			go when I was younger?!

They both stop when she realizes what she’s asked.

				JULIE
			I know, it was my fault.

				SUSAN
			No, I didn’t mean that.

				JULIE
			Mom, I know I was an accident.

				SUSAN
			Don’t you ever say that!
			WE, have never said that!

				JULIE
			I certainly was not planned.

				SUSAN
			Planned?  How many people plan 
for children? We knew you were a 
possibility- How can anyone call a 
child an accident?  

				JULIE
			I have always felt like I wasn’t
			meant to be born.

				SUSAN	
			Are you serious?!

				JULIE
			You guys have joked to people right 
in front of me how you got pregnant
			in high school.

				SUSAN
			Honey, we’ve always told you how 
much we love you.

Julie still looks mad.

				SUSAN
			What was the use in lying?

				JULIE
			And I am tired of raising Jeremy for 
you.

	SUSAN
	Raising him? Everyone does
their part in a family.

	JULIE
I do more than you do with him, 
ask him yourself.

	SUSAN
I didn’t know you felt that way.

				JULIE
			I say it all the time.  Nobody listens.  
So why did you even have him- Just 
because I am a convenient baby-sitter?
				
				SUSAN
			That is just ridiculous.

				JULIE
			Is it?  Why do parents even have kids?  

				SUSAN
			If we had not wanted you, we could 
have just had an abortion like other 
people do. 

				JULIE
			You guys thought about that?

Susan pauses for a second.

				SUSAN
			I wouldn’t have.  

Julie walks away, throwing up her hands. She stops with her back turned to Susan.

				SUSAN
			Julie, I love you, I love both
you and Jeremy.

Music starts for song:  “If You Knew”

	LYRICS
		SUSAN
	If you knew, how much, I love you,
	Could you turn, and walk away?
	If you knew, you are my future,
	Would you turn around and stay?
		JULIE
	If you hadn’t known the future,
	Would you do it all again?
	Would you choose a different road now?
	Would a different dream begin?
		SUSAN
	Love, is all I give to you, 
	It’s love that’s pure and true.
		JULIE
	Love, is what I want to know,
	And all I ask of you.
SUSAN
	If you knew how much I’ve given,
	Of my heart, and of my soul,
		JULIE
	Would you hold my heart forever,
	Would you never let it go?
		SUSAN
If you knew, I see my own life,
	In your sparkling eyes each day,
JULIE
	If you knew I’ve often wondered,
	If you’d want my love some day.

			BOTH SINGING AT ONCE- JUXTAPOSED
				JULIE
			And if you knew, how much I care,
			Could you ever change your mind?
			And if you knew, the love we’ve known,
			Could you leave it all behind?
				SUSAN
			How can you think that I’d ever regret what I have,
			When you’re my life my hope and,
			How can you ask such a thing when you know,
That I’d give my heart and soul?
		SUSAN
	If you knew how much I love you,
	Could you take me by the hand?
		JULIE
If you knew how much I love you,
	We can try to understand.
		TOGETHER
	If you knew, you are my future,
	Could we ever turn away?
	If you knew how much I love you,
	Could we ever waste a day?
	If you knew…my love is true.
	
	The song finishes with Julie and Susan embracing.

				JULIE
			I am sorry mom.

				SUSAN
			I love you so much, Julie.

				JULIE
			I never thought about how much
			you gave up for me.

				SUSAN
			I never realized how much responsibility 
I was putting on you. I’ll give up college 
for you and Jeremy.

				JULIE
			No. I’ll baby-sit for a while longer,
			until you get that nursing job.

The two hug, and the scene closes.  
				
SCENE IS THE AA MEETING

John and Jack walk into the AA meeting area, where a small instrumental group is playing.  People are standing around socializing.  

The band is playing music:  “I Want What You Got”.  
The music is mostly instrumental.

		LYRICS
	I want, I want, I want what you got.
	I want, I want, I want what you got.
	I want it, tell you that I want it, I want what you got…

Stella is dancing to the music.  She winks and waves at John.  The band takes a break.  

				JOHN
			Jack, that’s the same band that plays 
at the casino.

				JACK
			Sure, they are all in AA.

				JOHN
			Are you kidding me?

Jack nods.

				JOHN
			You guys are everywhere.

				JACK
			You would be surprised.  That’s
			why they call it anonymous.

				JOHN
			Why are they playing here?

				JACK
			They had a dance planned 
			for before the meeting.

				JOHN
			You guys do stuff like that?

				JACK
			We have barbecues, float trips, 
carnivals…
		
				JOHN
			Carnivals?
			
				JACK
			It’s great.  I get in the dunking
			booth every year.

				JOHN
			The dunking booth?

				JACK
			Dunk the Drunk.

				JOHN
			All that and no alcohol?

				JACK
			It’s easy.  We still have a lot of fun.

				JOHN
			Just being around a bunch of people, 
listening to a bar band, I would feel like
			I need to be drinking.

				JACK
			After awhile you get over that.  If 
you are around people that are not 
drinking, it’s not a problem.

				JOHN
			What about my old buddies?

				JACK
			If you hang out at a bar with your 
old buddies, you are as good as 
			drunk when you’re new to the 
program.  

				JOHN
			What, am I supposed to dump my 
old friends?

				JACK
			It’s not like that.  You make sober 
friends, and with the old friends you
			stick to safe places for now.  

				JOHN
			Safe places…

				JACK
			You heard that song they
			were just playing?  It 
			said “I want what you got”.

				JOHN
			I think that song had a sexual 
overtone.  

				JACK
			Maybe in a bar it does, but in here, 
you look around and find people
			who have the serenity 	that you want.  

A woman comes up with some slices of pie.

				PEACEFUL CHICK
			Pie, pie, lots of pie!
Are you happy, joyous, and free?

				JOHN
			Uh, sure.

She walks away.

				JOHN
			Can I throw a pie in her face?

				JACK
			Will it make you feel serene?

				JOHN
			It sure will.

The woman walks up to Cindy.

				PEACEFUL CHICK
			Are you happy, joyous, and free?
	
				CINDY
			Are you full of crap?!

				JOHN
			Hey, Cindy’s here.

The peaceful chick walks away rapidly.

				JACK
			At this meeting tonight, they start
off reading a meditation to relax. 
Does that sound too strange?

				JOHN
			Not really.  There are no
			massages or anything, are there?

				JACK
			You can rub my feet. 

				JOHN
			I will pass.  

				JACK
			Some people like to officially do 
their third step, their commitment 
to God, at these meetings, but you 
only do that when you’re really ready.

				JOHN
			You do that in front of people?

				JACK
			Not usually, but you can. Some people 
say the third step prayer with their 
sponsor, or even with their spouse.  
		
				JOHN
			Their spouse?

				JACK
			Some do.  When you go through 
recovery and change, your family 
			changes, too.  
		
				JOHN
			I think when I’m ready, I will do my 
prayer with my wife.  

				JACK
			That tells me a lot about you, John.  

Stella, standing, slams a handle down on a table top.

				STELLA 
			Okay!  Shut up back there!  It’s time 
to relax and meditate.  

Stella sits down.

				STELLA
			Who wants to read the meditation?

Nobody raises their hand.

				STELLA
			Jack, thanks for volunteering.

Jack reaches up and gets the paper.

				STELLA
			I’ll get the lights.

Stella walks over the dims the lights.  Jack stands up to read the meditation.  He actually faces the audience in the theater at the start to invite them to participate.  

				JACK
			Sit back in your chairs.  This is a 
meditation, not hypnosis.  Try to relax 
your shoulders. Place both hands on 
your lap. Breath deeply.  Take in a
			breath, then exhale slowly. Close your 
eyes slightly as you relax your neck.
			Again, breathe in deep, then exhale.  
As you keep breathing slowly, think 
to yourself about the perfect love of 
God.  Tell yourself, “I Feel the Love”.  
			You’ll feel all your troubles start to lift.  
Your worries will float above you, 
peacefully, without disturbing you at all.
			You’ll be aware of all that goes on 
around you without it bothering your 
feeling of peace and love. Breathe in, 
breathe out. “I Feel the Love.”  Relax.  

The music starts for “I Feel the Love”.    
	
	LYRICS
		JACK & STELLA – do background humming and “ooh” vocals
		JOHN
	I feel the love inside,
	I feel the love, that my God gives to me.
	I feel the peace inside, 
	I feel the peace, that only God can bring.
	Now I can see, Now I can see,
		Where all my life should lead.
	Now I believe, Now I believe,
	The gift He gave to me.
	I feel the love, I feel the love,
	That’s now inside of me, I feel it,
	I feel the peace, I feel the peace,
	That only God can bring…
		
During the song, various lights and smoke effects can be used as different singers take turns on the verses.  When the song finishes, it is silent, then Leo snores loudly.  Everyone turns to look at Leo.  John turns to Jack.
			
				JOHN
			Jack, I want to talk to Susan.  I want 
to do my third step with her.  

				JACK
			Are you sure you are ready for this 
step?
 
				JOHN
			It’s important.

John and Jack get up to leave.  The Scene closes.  
	
SCENE IS THE LIVING ROOM

John comes in the front door.  Susan is sitting on the couch with Booty, the dog.

				SUSAN
			You’re home early, did the 
			meeting go all right?
	
				JOHN
			It was great.  Why do you have 
Booty?  

				SUSAN
The kids were playing with 
him, then Val took them 
to the movies so that I could 
do some homework.  

				JOHN
			Does Booty help you concentrate?

				SUSAN
			Oh, he just sits here.

				JOHN
			Listen, at the meeting, we did 
the most beautiful meditation.

				SUSAN
			A meditation?  That sounds
			a little odd.
			
	JOHN
			I can’t explain what happened.
			It really changed how I felt.

				SUSAN
			Do I need to shave your head
			and put you in a robe?

				JOHN
			No, but there is something I
			do want you to do.

				SUSAN
			What’s that?

				JOHN
			Remember how I told you about 
the new God relationship stuff?

				SUSAN
			Yes.

				JOHN
I want you to say my third
			step prayer with me.

				SUSAN
			Really?

				JOHN
			I’m supposed to do this
			step with someone important.

				SUSAN
			I think I fit that description.
	
				JOHN
			Saying the prayer is like an
			official commitment.

				SUSAN
			So, like, you and God are
			getting married.  
			
				JOHN
			Or engaged, we’ll see how
			it works out.  

				SUSAN
			Where is this prayer?

				JOHN
			It’s in the Big Book, page 63.

John gets out the book.

				JOHN
			Should we kneel down here?

John points to the couch.

				SUSAN
			This feels kind of funny.

				JOHN
			We have never prayed together 
like this.

Suddenly, Booty starts sniffing their butts.

				SUSAN
			Booty, get back.

Booty keeps sniffing their butts.  John pushes Booty away, but he continues.  

				JOHN
			Here’s the prayer.

Booty is wildly sniffing their butts.  

				JOHN
			I have GOT to put this dog in 
the bedroom!

				SUSAN
			I was SO hoping you would do that.

John picks up Booty and puts him in a back room.  He then comes back and kneels down with Susan.

				JOHN
			Are you okay?

				SUSAN
			Yes.

Together they recite the prayer.  

				JOHN & SUSAN
			God, I offer myself to thee,
			To build with me and do with	
			me as Thou wilt.
			Relieve me of the bondage 
			of self, that I may better do
			Thy will.  
			Take away my difficulties,
			That victory over them may
			bear witness to those I may
			help of Thy power, They love,
			and Thy way of life. 
			May I do Thy will always.
			Amen.  

John sits back.  

				SUSAN
			How does it feel?

				JOHN
			It feels good.  A lot of
			Thy’s and thou’s in there.

				SUSAN
			It is a mouthful.
		
				JOHN
			It feels like when I was
			a little boy at communion,
			and I really wanted my
			life to be about something
			good- to have a purpose.  
		
John stands up, and he helps Susan stand.

				JOHN
			Now I feel like I need to say
			something more, like a prayer
			of our own.

				SUSAN
			We can do that.

				JOHN
			Where do we begin?

				SUSAN
			How about we try a
			simple melody, like this…

Song begins for “My Heart is Yours”

	LYRICS
		SUSAN
	Lord you are guide of my life, you are my strength,	
	Life’s most perfect love, my heart is yours.
	Lord you are my only light, show me your way,
	Lead me all the days of my life…
	My heart is yours.
		JOHN
	Lord I now ask for your mercy,
	Clear my heart to serve Thee, all for Thy glory,
	Lord, I ask for the gift of your light,
	Place it in my heart, peace within my life,
	I long to be yours.
		TOGETHER
	I long to be yours, My God I’m yours, my heart is yours,
	Lord you are my light and savior,
	Life’s most perfect love,
	Guide me in your will,
	Live in my heart,
	You’re my one salvation, 
My strength and passion,
My hope today,
	Live in my heart…
	          (echoes)  Live in my heart…
		VERSES AGAIN IN DUET

				SUSAN
			I am really proud of you for 
all you’ve done with this.

John smiles and takes Susan’s hands.

				JOHN
You know, I do not want to refer to 
God as simply a higher power. In AA 
we respect other people’s beliefs, but 
this doesn’t feel complete, just for me,
if it is not my Christian faith.  

	SUSAN
That’s how I have always believed, 
but I guess I just have not shown 
it very well.  

				JOHN
			So, will you go to church with me 
on Sunday?

				SUSAN
			Are you asking me on a date?
			
				JOHN
			Do you put out?
		
				SUSAN
			Not in church.

				JOHN
			I’m still asking.  

				SUSAN
			It’s a deal.  

They embrace.  

SCENE IS THE SHELTER

Jack and Leo are in the shelter listening to a recovery music CD, a funky tune, and they are doing funky moves to it.

Music playing on the CD player is “Set Me Free”

		LYRICS
	Got to set me free- got to set me free,
	No more chains bind me, you got to set me free.
	I rely on my program now, not on my way now,
	And this sets me free…

John walks into the shelter.  Jack and Leo are there.  Jack turns down the CD player.
			
				JACK
			Hey there little Newbie.  You have 
made it two more days, I am 
proud of you.		
	
				JOHN
			Thanks for meeting me down 
here, Jack.

				JACK
			No problem, I got off of work 
early at three.

				JOHN
			Hi, Leo.

				LEO
			Hi, John.  How’s it going?

				JOHN
			Please tell me this gets easier.

				JACK
			Hey, you are the one who said he did not 
need to do the hospital detox program.

				JOHN
			I was okay until all the guys from
work went to happy hour without me.  
Now I am sweating and shaking. I 
Don’t have a treatment meeting again 
until tomorrow night.

				LEO
			Have you had the runs yet?

				JOHN
			Only when I see Stella. 

				JACK
			Did the doctor at the recovery center
give you any medication to help you
through this time?

				JOHN
			I got a six-day dose of Valium, because 
he said that some people can get 
seizures when they first stop drinking. 
I can’t tell that it’s doing anything.  

				LEO
			Hey, if you don’t want the rest of the 
Valium, I’ll take it.

				JACK
			Down, Leo.

				JOHN
			Leo, what are you doing here so late?

				LEO
			Well, I didn’t get the electric bill 
paid last month, so I may sleep over 
at the shelter if there’s room.

				JOHN
			I called my wife and told her all the 
things I am feeling, and she said that 
I’m describing PMS?

				JACK
			Can I get you a mini pad?

Jack and Leo laugh.

				JOHN
			I am glad you find this humorous.
			
				JACK
			Look, John, it’s not funny at all.  
It’s terrible- We’ve all been there.  Just
			remember what it’s like so you never 
have to go back again.  

				LEO
			Really.  You do not want to be like me.
Jack, how come I keep messing it up?
			
				JACK
			I don’t know, Leo.  Maybe you keep 
pouring the alcohol in, instead of
			pouring the pain out.  

				LEO
			Maybe it’s just stuck.  I’m not sure I 
can even cry anymore.    

				JACK
			Maybe you need to try some new 
outlets- art, poetry, or music.  

Jack picks up his guitar.  

				JACK
			Music is how I release my feelings.  

Jack strums some minor chords on his guitar.

				JACK
			Minor chords are wonderful. I sing 
in minor keys when I feel sad.
			Leo, you think about how you 
feel and what you need to say.

Jack starts a guitar solo at the start of the song, “Fly Away My Heart”

	LYRICS

		LEO
	When life gets tough and I feel like I can’t go on,
	I lift my heart to God in prayer and in a song.
	So many things I cannot handle on my own,
	What do I do, where do I turn when I’m alone?
	I lift my heart up high to make it go away.
	So many things I’ve lost, so many fears each day.
	I need a place where I feel safe and I’m secure,
	I don’t know why, I cannot cry, sometimes…

	Fly away my heart, fly my heart away,
	Fly away my heart, fly my heart away.
	GUITAR SOLOS, chorus again
	So many things I wish that I could do again,
	But I must ask for God to guide me to the end,
	So many love ones that I’ve lost along the way,
	I wish that I could know the plans for me today.
	I lift my heart up high to make it go away.
	So many things I’ve lost, so many fears each day.
	I need a place where I feel safe and I’m secure,
	I don’t know why, I cannot cry, sometimes…
	Chorus Again

When the song finishes, John walks up to Leo and hugs him.  

				JOHN
			Leo, my family is meeting at a 
restaurant down the street in thirty 
			minutes for the kids pizza night-
			pepperoni, sausage- the works.
I would love for you to join us.  

				LEO
			What do you want with
			a silly old fart like me?

				JOHN
			Have you got a better offer?

				LEO
			No, no, I sure don’t.

				JOHN
			Jack, do you want to join us?

				JACK
			I’ll come along just for a few
			minutes to have a soda with you.  

				JOHN
			Pizza and SODA; this IS a new
			lifestyle.

Leo, Jack, and John walk off with John’s arm around Leo.  

SCENE IS KITCHEN

Val, Susan, and Julie are in the kitchen cooking.  Music playing is “Whoop it Up”.- Instrumental
All three are dancing lightly to the music.  Val puts her dog on the table, and he puts his arms up in the air and dances with her.  The music comes to a stop.

				JULIE
			Great job, Booty!

				SUSAN
			That dog sure has the moves.  

				VAL
			It is sad how you entertain yourself 
when you’re single.  

				JULIE
			When does dad get home?

				SUSAN
			He had a business meeting at 
4:00, so he should be here by
			6:30 or 7:00.  

				VAL
			Can you believe he has ONE
			WEEK sober now?

				SUSAN
			I can’t believe a whole week has
gone by. 

				JULIE
			Do you think he’ll like his
			“One week sober taco night
			party”?

				SUSAN
			Well, I know he loves
			taco night-  even more than
			he loves pizza night.

				JEREMY
			Pizza night was fun.  Can we
			do it again?

				SUSAN
			Sure, sweetie.

				VAL
			Was that only four nights ago?
			Boy, time flies.  

				SUSAN
			We are going to surprise John by 
inviting Leo over for taco night 
tonight.

				JULIE
			Leo is cool.

				VAL
			What about Jack?

				SUSAN
			Jack has to work.
			
				VAL
			You think John is making a father 
connection with Leo?

				SUSAN
			Oh, I haven’t told you.  John wrote 
a letter to his father.  He got the address
from his sister.  Jack told him it was 
way too early to write his father, but 
John wanted to see if his father would 
answer it.  

				JULIE
			What’s my grandfather like, mom?

				SUSAN
			I don’t know, sweetie. 

Susan pulls Val aside.

				SUSAN
			Anyway, we got a letter back.  I 
haven’t opened it. I am going to give 
it to John tonight as his special surprise.  

				VAL
			Can you imagine?  Hearing from 
your father after all these years?  

				SUSAN
			I just hope his father wants
			to see him.  I hope he’s not a
			big disappointment.  
			
The doorbell rings.

				SUSAN
			That must be Leo.

Jeremy runs in to the door.  He opens the door, and Leo comes in.

				JEREMY
			Leo!

				LEO
			Hey, little man.

				SUSAN
			Come on in, Leo.

Susan places the letter on the counter.

				JEREMY
			Welcome to taco night.  This 	is 
even better than Pizza night.

	SUSAN
And it’s homemade.

				LEO
			I can’t wait.

Jeremy takes Leo by the hand and leads him over to the kitchen.

				JEREMY
			Do you like tacos, Leo?

				LEO
			I love tacos.  You don’t put beans 
in them, do you?

				JEREMY
			No, why?

				LEO
			You’ll understand when you’re older.  

				SUSAN
			Have a seat, Leo.  Can I get 
you a soda?

Jeremy leaves to go to his room.

				LEO
			No, thanks, I just had some coffee 
at the shelter. 

				VAL
			I don’t think we’ve ever had taco 
night without margaritas.  This will 
be a first.  

				SUSAN
			We’re serving coke with slices of 
lime.  

Jeremy comes running back into the kitchen area, wearing a sombrero, and he puts a sombrero on Leo.  

				JEREMY
			I’m ready for taco night!

				SUSAN
			We need some Latin music.

Susan turns on a CD player.
The music starts for “The Greatest Love I’ve Known” (Latin beat).

	LYRICS	
		Shout, shout, shout it to the world now!
		Shout, shout, shout it to the world now!
		Shout, shout, shout it to the world now!
		Shout, shout, shout it to the world now!
	Sing to the world, sing to the world,
	All the have a voice, let us sing,
	Let’s sing of this love, 
	It’s the greatest love I’ve know,
	That love that you have shown, to me,
	Love that sets me free,
It’s the greatest love I’ve know,
	That love that you have shown, to me,
	Love that sets me free!
	(Latin beat till the end)

They all start dancing, throwing around peppers, lettuce, and Leo dances with them and the dog, forming a Latin line dance.  
The phone rings, so Susan turns down and then off the CD player.  

				SUSAN
			Hi honey, where are you?
			 	(pause)
			What?
				(pause)
			What do you mean?
     (getting upset)
			How?!
				
The others step back and look concerned.

				SUSAN
			    (upset)
			You were going to go to happy hour 
and drink iced tea while they had
			pitchers of beer?
				(pause)
			No, no, I don’t understand.
			Dave knows about your DWI.
				(pause)
			No, you shouldn’t come here.

Leo steps over to Susan.  He touches her gently on the arm.

				LEO
			Susan, have him meet me
			at the shelter.
		
				SUSAN
			John, can you meet Leo
			at the shelter?			
				(pause)
			Yes, Leo is here.
				(pause)
			Don’t ask.
				(pause)
			Dave can drive you?
				(pause)
			Okay.

Susan hangs up the phone and turns to Leo.

				SUSAN
			He will meet you there.

				LEO
			I’ll go.  Susan, it happens.

				SUSAN
			How does it happen?!  Why
			can’t he just stop?

Leo pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket.

				LEO
			Call the hotline.  There are
			people to help you, too.

Susan takes the paper.  

				JEREMY
			When is dad coming?

				JULIE
			He’s going to be late, 	Jeremy.

				JEREMY
			Again?  He promised me!

Jeremy storms off to his room.  

				LEO
			I’ll give you a call, Susan.
			
				SUSAN
			Thanks, Leo.

Leo walks out the door.  Val puts her arm around Susan, who puts her hand to her chin, and Julie sits down on the couch.  Susan walks over and picks up the letter from John’s father.  She looks at it, then sets it down.  The scene closes.  

THE SCENE IS THE SHELTER

Leo is pacing, waiting for John.
John comes in, obviously drunk, waving back to someone.

				JOHN
			Leo, buddy.

				LEO
			Hi, John.

				JOHN
			Man, have I messed it up this time.  
I’ve really gone and screwed the
			pooch.  

				LEO
			You could say that.

John is holding on to a chair.  

				JOHN
			You know, I always hated it when 
my father came home like this.  
			Huh! Here I am, just like him!

				LEO
			It doesn’t have to be that way.  

				JOHN
			Look who’s giving me advice!  You 
are the king of the treatment center!

				LEO
			You’re right, but this doesn’t have 
to be your life.

				JOHN
			Maybe this is just who I am.  

				LEO
			In the second step, we come to 
believe, believe, that it’s possible 
to change. That’s where I’ve never
			been able to make it happen.

				JOHN
			Maybe I can’t make it happen, either.

				LEO
			Get some sleep.  There’s no reasoning 
with a drunk.  

John starts strutting around.  

				JOHN
			I’m just a drunk!

				LEO
			Jack works the night shift here.  
Sober up and let your sponsor 
deal with you.

				JOHN
			Jack, Mr. Sober, Mr. Serenity, 
Mr. Honesty.  

				LEO
			Listen to you…

				JOHN
			Hey, I got some lottery tickets-  
ten dollar scratch-offs.  I could win 
500 thousand dollars instantly.  

				LEO
			That’s nice.

				JOHN
			What are my odds?  I could get on a 
plane to the Bahamas-  get the hell
away from Stella!

	LEO
You just don’t understand Stella.

	JOHN
Stella invented the shock and 
awe campaign!

John holds up his lottery tickets and looks to the sky.

				JOHN
			Okay, God, if you let me win the 
lottery, I will get sober for good.

				LEO
			Watch what you’re doing, son, 
that’s not the way God works.

				JOHN
			Really?  How does He work?

				LEO
			He doesn’t do bargains.

				JOHN
			How do you know?  Maybe I’ll sell 
my soul to the devil.

				LEO
			    (angry)
			Now you watch it!

				JOHN
			Whoa-  Leo gets mad, does he?  

				LEO
			That’s not the kind of thing
			you mess with.

				JOHN
			Why not bargain with God?  
It’s a lot like gambling.

				LEO
			    (pause)
			You think I didn’t bargain with 
God?!  I know God doesn’t work 
that way!

John looks at him seriously.

				LEO
			If God took bargains, then
			my son would be alive…
			and I would be dead.

Leo turns and walks away.  

				JOHN
			Leo…

John looks down.

				JOHN
			I broke a promise to my son.

				LEO
			Alcoholics shouldn’t make
			promises.  

				JOHN
			I’m an alcoholic.

Leo turns around.

				LEO
			It’s about time you said that.

Leo puts his arm around John.  John puts his arm around Leo.  Then Leo steps back.

				LEO
			You got some nasty breath!

				JOHN
			I keep hearing that.

They both smile.

				JOHN
			My son wants you to come to his 
school on grandparent’s day.

				LEO
			Are you serious?

				JOHN
			You might meet some rich old lady.

				LEO
			I’ve got one nice pair of
			Docker Khaki pants.  

				JOHN 
			If you need a cool shirt,
			I’ve got a wild Hawaiian
			surfer dude shirt.  

Leo nods and smiles.  

				LEO
			You lay down.  Sleep it off a little 
while I make some coffee.  

John lays down on his back on a couch.

	LEO
They’ll let you spend the 
night here. 

Leo starts making some coffee.  John sits up and looks at his lottery tickets.  

				JOHN
			Lottery, lottery, what do 
			you hold? God, if I hit this lottery, 
I’ll give it all to this shelter, if
			you help me get through this mess.  

John kisses the lottery tickets. 

				JOHN
			I can’t help it, I guess being a 
gambler is just the way I am.  

John lays back on the couch.  His hand holding the lottery tickets droops to the side, then he drops the tickets to the floor as he falls asleep.
Leo looks at John carefully, then sneaks over to him.  Leo stands over John to make sure that he’s awake, then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out some money.
John suddenly wakes up and sits up.

				JOHN
			What the hell are you doing?!

				LEO
			I just needed a few dollars.

				JOHN
			So you grabbed a twenty?

				LEO
			It’s what was right there.

				JOHN
			Why the hell didn’t you ask?

				LEO
			I’m tired of begging.

				JOHN
			You don’t want to beg, but 
it’s okay to steal from me?!

				LEO
			I couldn’t bring myself to ask, 
not after all you’ve done for me.

				JOHN
			Yea, after all I’ve done.  You
			are so much like my father!

				LEO
			You’re right, I am!  Maybe 
			it’s just the way I am.

				JOHN
			Where are all the women in
			your life, like dad had?

				LEO
			They’ve come and gone. They
			don’t want anything to do with me.

				JOHN
			Just keep the twenty.

				LEO
			No.

Leo throws it back to him.

				JOHN
			I said keep it!

John throws it back at Leo on the floor & lays back down..  Leo looks at the money, then slowly picks it up and walks to a back room.  The lights go out.

THE SCENE IS STILL THE SHELTER

The lights come back on.  John is laying on the couch, but he is laying across Stella’s lap.  She is sitting on the end of the couch, awake, drinking coffee.  
John wakes up, moves around a little, then grabs Stella’s breast.  When he realizes it’s Stella, he jumps up.

				JOHN
			Stella!

				STELLA
			Good morning, Sunshine!

				JOHN
			   (stuttering)
			Wha..wha…what?

He looks down at his hands, then yells.

				JOHN
			Ah!

				STELLA
			Oh come on, honey.  I was a 
barmaid.  You think your the first 
fellow who’s tried to cop a feel 
of my boob.

				JOHN
			What are you doing here?

				STELLA
			Jack had to work overtime. I 
volunteer down here sometimes, too.

John shakes his head, looking hung over and confused.

				STELLA
			I bet you’re ready for some coffee.

				JOHN
			I sure am.

				STELLA
			Get it yourself.  What do I
			look like, room service?

				JOHN
			No, no.  

John stands up, sees the lottery tickets on the floor, and puts them in his pockets.  He then walks over and gets some coffee off of a table.

				JOHN
			I’m so confused.

				STELLA
			You’re ready now.

				JOHN
			For what?

				STELLA
			For me to maybe start
			being nicer to you.

				JOHN
			Oh, God!

				STELLA
			Really, you’re ready to work a 
good recovery program.  
				(pause)
			I talked to your wife.

				JOHN
			You did?

				STELLA
			With your insurance, you
			can do a full 30-day
			inpatient treatment program.
			There’s a great place about
			two hours away from here.

				JOHN
			Two hours away?

				STELLA
			They’re real nice there.

				JOHN
			You mean they won’t call
			me Newbie, or fresh meat?

				STELLA
			I promise.

				JOHN
			But thirty days?  I can’t take
			off work for that.

				STELLA
			Most employers will support you
			for this.  Besides, it’s time 
			for you to decide if recovery
			is worth it to you.

				JOHN
			I’ll do anything for my family.
			The scary thing is-  I really don’t 
know if I can beat this.  
			
Stella puts her arm around John.

				STELLA
			I remember that feeling.

				JOHN
			It doesn’t make sense. I have 	
			got such strong willpower-
			
				STELLA
			Beating addiction has nothing 
to do with willpower.  Don’t be
too hard on yourself- you’re still
dealing with the physical part of
your addiction.

	JOHN
I definitely want a drink.

	STELLA
After your body adjusts, you heal 
when you get a change of heart 
and spirit.

				JOHN
			I feel like that’s happening.

				STELLA
			I can tell that you’re a person who
			wants to be a contributor in life, and
			that makes all the difference.
You’ve also got good family support. 

				JOHN
			What do people do when they 
don’t have good insurance or 
money for treatment programs?

				STELLA
			They rely on AA or other self-help 
programs.

				JOHN
			I wish I could help Leo get sober.

				STELLA
Oh, you could.  

				JOHN
			Some people really don’t recover, 
do they?

				STELLA
			We lose a lot of good people,
			not because they are weak, but
			because addiction is a powerful
			enemy. 

Stella points her finger at John.

				STELLA
But let me tell you, I’ve seen 
some of the greatest miracles
			walk in and out of these doors.  
			People who had no hope- they 
literally become new, loving
			people.
			
John nods his head.

				STELLA
			You remember this- PEOPLE, 
change the lives of people.  We 
don’t ever give up on anyone.

				JOHN
			You said that I have family 
support, I don’t know how to face 
Susan and the kids after this.

				STELLA
			Well, she’s coming down here any 
time.  

				JOHN
			What do I say?

				STELLA
			I only have one word of advice.

				JOHN
			What?

				STELLA
			Honesty.

				JOHN
			I keep hearing that word.

				STELLA
			If you can just be honest,
			your life can change.  You’re
			either going to become an
			honest person, or you’re not.

John nods.  Stella walks toward the back room.  Susan comes in the front entrance.  
John sees Susan and looks at her.

				JOHN
			Susan.

John looks relieved to see her, pleased, but nervous.  She walks toward him.

				SUSAN
			I have been talking to a lot of people 
about what we need to do to help 
you, and to help ourselves.  

				JOHN
			That’s good.  You need to take care 
of yourself and the kids no matter what.

				SUSAN
			Will you do the thirty day treatment?  

				JOHN
			Yes, I will.

				SUSAN
			I’m supposed to tell you that I won’t 
let you come home until you do it.

				JOHN
			Really?

Susan nods strongly.

				SUSAN
			Yes.  It’s kind of a tough love 
approach.

				JOHN
			I see.

				SUSAN
			We can’t visit you at the treatment 
center until the last two weeks when 
they have family counseling.

				JOHN
			That may be good for all of us.  
				
				SUSAN
			Val’s going to watch Jeremy while 
I take my nursing classes.  

				JOHN
			She’s wonderful.

				SUSAN
			Real friends are priceless.  They 
don’t just meet you in a bar for 
happy hour.

John lowers his head, nodding.

				SUSAN
			My real friend, Val, and I
			are going to quit smoking.  

	JOHN
    (excited)
Are you really?

	SUSAN
We figured we can be wild
banshees together.

	JOHN
I might be glad that I’m not there.

	SUSAN
Count your blessings.

	JOHN
I am.  I am so sorry for everything.

	SUSAN
I know you are.  

	JOHN
	I think I really am an alcoholic.

Susan steps toward him and takes his hands.

				SUSAN
			I think so.  I don’t really 
			understand it, but I’m going
			to try to learn more.

	JOHN
There is so much I didn’t 
understand, myself.

	SUSAN
I got some pamphlets for children
and teenagers. I’ll show them
to Jeremy and Julie.

	JOHN
I am so grateful you’re doing 
that.  I don’t know how to 
explain things to them.

	SUSAN
I don’t know if this is something
we can ever explain.

They hold just one hand.

	JOHN
I just didn’t do the things I 
knew I was supposed to do.
When I felt like drinking, I
should have called Jack.  Lots 
of people from the AA meeting
gave me their numbers in case 
I ever needed someone to talk to.  
Imagine that?  Total strangers?

	SUSAN
I’m starting to learn that there
are some truly wonderful people
involved in this.

	JOHN
And I didn’t pray.  I didn’t simply
ask for help and for strength.  I
just gave up.

	SUSAN
These are the things you’ll learn
better at the treatment center.

John turns closer to Susan.

	JOHN
When I get back from treatment...

				SUSAN
			You can ask me out on a date.  
	
				JOHN
			I have to ask my wife 	out for a date?

				SUSAN
			It better be some place nice, and 
I expect you to dress up.

				JOHN
			Of course.

				SUSAN
			And I am not an easy catch.  You’ll 
have to court me like we’ve just met.  

				JOHN
			This could be fun.  

Susan walks in the other direction, looking around

				SUSAN
			This isn’t a bad place.

				JOHN
			No, it’s not.

Susan pulls the letter from John’s father out of her coat pocket.

				SUSAN
			Is Jack around?

				JOHN
			No, why?

				SUSAN
			People just gave me advice that
			your sponsor should be around to 
talk to you about big issues.

				JOHN
			I’ll see him tonight at a meeting.

				SUSAN
			That’s good.

Susan sneaks the letter back into her pocket.

				JOHN
			The tickets!

				SUSAN
			What?

				JOHN
			I had some lottery tickets.

John reaches into his pocket.

				SUSAN
			Let’s just throw them 	away.

				JOHN
			What?!
	
				SUSAN
			That’s behind us.

				JOHN
			What if we’re the 500 thousand
			dollar winners?
				
				SUSAN
			Then I would quit college and never
			know what it’s like to get my
			degree- to be proud of myself
			for something I have earned.
	
				JOHN
			You’re asking a lot of an old gambler.  

				SUSAN
			You’re right; we are asking a lot.  

				JOHN
			Okay, here’s to a new start.

John walks over to the trashcan and reluctantly throws the lottery tickets away.  
Susan walks over to John and kisses him.  

				SUSAN
			Do you know how sexy
			that makes you look?

Stella walks out from the back.

				STELLA
			Do you two need to get
			a room of your own?
			
				SUSAN
			No, I was just leaving.

				JOHN
			You are?

				SUSAN
			I need to work on some of my 
homework, and I cannot ask Julie 
to always watch Jeremy.  

				JOHN
			Right.  I guess I will just hang out 
here for awhile.

				STELLA
			Hey, there’s a banquet here tonight.  
It’s pot-luck, and that’s one of the best 
			nights for our gatherings. Family and 
kids are all invited. 

				SUSAN
			I don’t know.

				STELLA
			Really, it’s a good way for you to 
get to know some of the people. 

				SUSAN
			I will think about it. 
			
				JOHN
			I will call you.

Susan nods and walks away.  John sits down in a chair, then looks at the trashcan.  He walks to the trashcan and kicks it. He walks away from it. He runs back over to it, then stops.  He reaches into the trashcan and pulls out the lottery tickets.  He looks around nervously.  He runs his hand through his hair.  John scratches off one of the tickets.  

				JOHN
			Big fat loser! Figures.  
			God, look at me.  
			Is this really who I am?

John looks at the other lottery ticket.  He scratches it off.  

				JOHN
			Well, I’m not a 500 thousand dollar
			winner.  I traded my soul to dig in a 
trash can.  
			    (reads the card carefully) 
			“You’ve won our alternative prize-
			scratch here”.

John scratches the lottery ticket again, then he jumps up.

				JOHN
			One thousand dollars! Oh, yea!
			Man, do I need that.  It doesn’t touch 
what I really need, but it’s a start.  

				STELLA
			What’s the commotion about?

				JOHN
			I…

John holds the lottery ticket up, and Stella stares at him.

				STELLA
			How much, big boy?

				JOHN
			Not enough.

				STELLA
			It’s never enough.

				JOHN
			I threw these away with Susan.

				STELLA
			Oh, this is a good, honest start.  

				JOHN
			Last night, I made a bargain with God, 
that if I won this lottery, I would give the
			money to this shelter if God would help 
me get out of this mess.  

				STELLA
			Go on and deposit your
			money.  I won’t tell anyone.
			
				JOHN
			I really need the money just to pay 
bills that are overdue right now.

				STELLA
			I know, baby.

John hands the lottery ticket toward Stella.

				JOHN
			Take it, for the shelter.

				STELLA
			How do you know I won’t
			deposit the money?  I used
			to be a thief.  

				JOHN
			I think I know your heart.

				STELLA
			What about your bills?
			
				JOHN
			I don’t know.  I guess we’ll
			have to go to a credit
			counselor, but we’ll manage.

				STELLA
			What made you change your mind?
			
				JOHN
			I suppose I am either going to be an
			honest person, or I’m not.

Stella takes the lottery ticket.  John goes to a chair to sit down as Stella walks out. 

THE SCENE IS THE SHELTER WITH THE POT LUCK DINNER

Many people are present.  Food is being put out on tables.  People are singing and clapping to the song:  “We’re Grateful”

	LYRICS
		ALL
	We’re grateful, we’re grateful, 
	We’re grateful for today!
	We’re grateful, we’re grateful, 
	We’re grateful for today!
		(then sung in a round)
	We’re thankful, we’re thankful,
	We’re thankful for today!
	We’re thankful, we’re thankful,
	We’re thankful for today!
		(then sung in a round)

John is sitting with Jack.  John looks quiet and upset.

				STELLA
			Pies over here, meat over there, put 
them in a straight line!

				JACK
			Gotta love that Stella.

John doesn’t react.

				JACK
			Boy, I am ready to eat.
			    (looks around)
			Let’s see, are we at the table that’s 
likely to get dismissed first?

John shrugs.
				JACK
			You hungry, John?

				JOHN
			No, not really.

				JACK
			John, your family may not be ready 
to come to these things yet.  

				JOHN
			I know.

At the main door, Leo comes in and stops to look around.  

				JOHN
			There’s something I need to do.  

John walks over to the door to greet Leo.

				JOHN
			Leo, why don’t you come sit with us?

				LEO
			Really?

				JOHN
			Of course.  You are part of the group.

				LEO
			Thanks, John.

As John and Leo start to walk to the table, in walks Susan, Val, Julie, and Jeremy.

				LEO
			John, you have a family here.  

John smiles broadly. Jeremy and Julie come over and hug John.
				
				JEREMY
			Dad!

				JULIE
			Hi dad.

				JOHN
			I love you two so much.

Jeremy goes over to Leo and gives him a high-five.  John and Susan hug each other.  

				JOHN
			You don’t know how much this 
means to me. 

				SUSAN
			We want you to know we are here 
for you.  

				VAL
			Besides, I love a good potluck.  

				SUSAN
			Stella told me about the lottery ticket.  
	
				JOHN
			She did?

				SUSAN
			She said they will use the money 
for utility bills for the shelter.  

John smiles and looks over at Stella, who winks at him.  
Jack motions to Jeremy, Julie, and Val, who come to sit with him.
Leo, who had sat down, gets up to go get Susan and John.

				SUSAN
			There’s something else.

				JOHN
			What’s that?

Susan takes out the letter.

				SUSAN
			We got a letter back from your father.    

				JOHN
			My father?

Leo hears this, puts his head down, and walks away toward the coffee area, John looks over to Leo as he leaves.       Susan hands John the letter.

				SUSAN
			I haven’t opened it.

John opens the letter.

				JOHN
			It’s from a woman.  (pause)
			She said she was with
			my father.   (pause)
			He died last year, from
			liver failure.   (pause)
			She said he got the
			pictures my sister sent
			him of Jeremy and Julie.
			He said they were 
			beautiful grandchildren.
				
John breathes deep, wiping his eye.

				JOHN
			She said he was so proud
			of me for all that I had
			done with my life. 

Susan puts her arm around John and hugs him.

				JOHN
			It’s too late.  

				SUSAN
			I’m sorry.

				JOHN
			Why did I wait so long?

				SUSAN
			We can only work with
			the future.  

John holds Susan and looks over to his family.

				JOHN
			I don’t know what the future holds.  

				SUSAN
			That’s why we all need each other 
for a little help along the road.  

John nods.

				SUSAN
			Do you need to take a walk?

				JOHN
			I just want to sit down.

Susan takes John’s hand and starts to lead him toward the table.

				JOHN
			Wait.  I’ll be right with you.

John walks over to the coffee area, puts his arm around Leo, and leads Leo to the table with his family.  

				STELLA
			Before we eat, we’re going to find out 
who has the most sobriety in here.  Is 
there any crusty old man, or old woman, 
in here with over 30 years of sobriety?  

A man and a woman stand up.  Everybody applauds.

				STELLA
			Okay, now just as important are our 
newcomers.  These people need our help.  
Is there anyone here who is working on 
			only one day of sobriety?

John looks embarrassed, then he stands up.  Two other people stand up.  Everybody applauds, then they give them a standing ovation.  

				STELLA
			Let’s support these new people, and 
salute their courage for coming in here 
today.  One day of being sober is just as 	
			important as thirty years.

				OLD MAN IN THE BACK
			Keep comin’ back!

				STELLA
			Now, with my diet coke, I give a toast to 
these friends, this special love, and this
wonderful life.  

They all raise their cups.  The music begins to play for “Sent By an Angel”

	LYRICS
		JACK
	When I drive home, I can think of happy times.
	Long lines, stalled cars, but I’m grateful for what’s mine.
		STELLA
I’ve been blessed with the people I know,
	Peace follows me wherever I go,
		CHORUS-  ALL
	These friends, this love, this life, was sent by an angel.
	These friends, this love, this life, was sent by an angel.
		JACK
	Bad times, they come, but I know that they will pass.
	These friends, this love, these are things I know will last.
		STELLA
I’ve been blessed with the people I know,
	Peace follows me wherever I go,
		CHORUS-  ALL
	These friends, this love, this life, was sent by an angel.
	These friends, this love, this life, was sent by an angel.
		JOHN
	I can’t believe the friends in my life,
	Peace follows me in uncertain times, there’s joy in my life…
	These friends, this love, this life, was sent by an angel.
	These friends, this love, this life, was sent by an angel.