Losing Steam

(man enters lugging huge Bible, very solemn, almost frowning, sighs loudly as he finds a chair, sits down, and stares at the Bible in his lap)

 STANLEY STEAMLESS:

(musing to himself)  Oh yeah, it just doesn’t get any better than this.  (sighs)  Bible study.  Yep.  The Word of God.  All scripture is profitable — blah blah blah.  (listlessly opens the Bible and glances through a few pages, not really reading anything)  Oh yeah, this is deep stuff.
(looks at the walls and windows, stares up at the ceiling, and then sighs again loudly — finally, takes the Bible and with great ceremony lays it at his feet upon the floor; then he merrily removes a thick novel from his coat and with great glee opens the book and is instantly engrossed — after a few moments he laughs uproariously, loud and long, reads some more and laughs even louder, even wiping a few tears from his eyes)

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(enters, swaying as she walks, singing and almost waltzing with the Bible in her arms) 

Amazing Grace!  How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!  I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see!  (reaches front and is ALL smiles, beaming at the audience)
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(looking up from his book)  Do you mind?  I’m trying to read here!
MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(notices Stanley)  Oh, I’m sorry!  I’m just so filled with joy!  I’ve never known this kind of peace, this kind of contentment before!
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(looking at her — is she for REAL?)  Yeah, that’s . . . NICE.  (returns to book)

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(notices Bible on the floor)  Oh wow!  Is that your Bible — look!  I’ve got my Bible too!  (pulls up a chair)  Isn’t that just incredible, that we can have the Word of God?  (she hugs the Bible to her heart)

STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(giving her a look — she’s not quite up to speed, is she?)  Um, I guess . . . you’re pretty NEW to Christianity, aren’t you?

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(surprised)  How could you tell?  I never knew before that I could have a relationship with God — I mean I’m getting to know, personally, the Creator of everything!
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(nodding, turning away, yawning)  Some of us have known Jesus all our lives.  It’s a good life, too.  Well, good luck.  You have some exciting times ahead of you.  You just keep studying…
MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(has a great idea)  Oh!  Since you know Him so well — do you think maybe you could study with me, maybe for just a while?
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(sighs, weighs his novel, checks the time on his watch, and then sighs again, reluctantly slipping the novel back into his jacket)  Well, you know, my lunch hour is just about up.  I try to spend a few minutes with the Lord every day.  (retrieves his Bible, weighs it in his hands)

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
Isn’t it just the most exciting thing in the world — the most incredible thing you’ve ever heard?  That the Son of God became a man and died for us?  I mean, for ME, personally, He actually died for ME…
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(looking at her closely, half-disbelieving)  …are you . . . for real?  (even so, feels a little troubled)

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(bubbling over)  Well, yeah!  I mean, everything is different now — I mean, “I” am different now.  He made me into a whole new person!  Before there was no hope — and now it’s like my whole life is an ADVENTURE!
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(a little put out)  Well, it’s not an adventure.  It’s just, it’s just, well, it’s just your LIFE.  When you get over all this excitement stuff, your perspective is going to change, it’s all going to become more — well, more . . . more…
MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
…um, uh, boring?
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(thinking)  …well, yeah . . . kinda…
MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
Well I don’t see how.  I can’t seem to forget that He died for me.  That He’s given me all these incredible promises — and that He really is coming back to get me!

STANLEY STEAMLESS:
But the world is still the world.  I mean, all the problems we have, all the sin . . . I mean, you know, it’s kind of like the whole sin thing hasn’t been solved yet.  (sighs)  I don’t know.  Things just kind of go on.  It’s kind of hard to keep caring.  It’s kind of hard to keep any kind of hope alive…

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(patting him on the back)  Don’t you have a lot to be happy about?  Think of all the promises…

STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(checking his watch)  Look.  Maybe we can do this studying thing later in the week.  My lunch hour is about over.  (getting ready to go)  How about next week?

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(surprised, and a little sad at his abruptness)  Oh!  Yeah, sure, I guess so…
STANLEY STEAMLESS:
(exiting, frowning)  Great.  Great.

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
God bless you!

STANLEY STEAMLESS:
Yeah, Gesundheit to you, too!  (exits)

MISTY PRESSURECOOKER:
(exits, singing “Amazing Grace” but with far less gusto, carrying the Bible like any book)  Amazing Grace, how sweet the . . . sound…