Karen’s Story
Characters:
- Dad
- Karen
- Mom
- Debi
- Danny
- Mary
- Cindy
- Teacher
- Jesus
Dad: Karen, this is difficult to say. I’m sure you already know that your mother and I have really been going through some tough times. I’ve decided that it would be best for me to move out for a little while. I promise to visit every now and then. I guess what I’m trying to say— Believe me I don’t want to lie to you. You know I’d never want to do that. But I doubt your mom and I . . . that we’ll ever resolve things. She wants a divorce and — I do too.
Karen: Dad . . . I thought you’d be around. My birthday was last week. You didn’t even call. I don’t know if this letter will even get to you. Don’t you care for me? I’m your daughter. What did I ever do to—Why . . . I just want to know why.
Mary: Where did you get those jeans? They’re practically antique. Is your mom still shopping at K-Mart? I don’t see how you do it. I know that your mom and dad split up but get real! If you can’t afford new stuff, maybe you should think about getting a job after school. It’s getting embarrassing to be seen around you.
Mom: What’s wrong with you! Can’t you get a grip! I know why you spend half your life in your room with the doors closed. You try to hide it, but I know. You hate me. Why don’t you admit it.
Karen: I don’t hate you!
Mom: Don’t lie to me, Karen. You blame me for everything. Why don’t you grow up and take some of the blame yourself. I’m not the only reason your dad left.
Danny: I just don’t understand why. There’s no reason for you to be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m frustrated. I need you. Why don’t you just give in. I love you. What’s wrong with it. If you truly love a person you should have the freedom to express it.
Karen: I was just hoping that . . .
Danny: Hoping for what? Hoping that I would just stick around and wait for you to make up your mind about whether you love me or not?
Karen: It’s not a matter of love.
Danny: You don’t even know what love is about! The only thing you care about is yourself. What about me? What about my needs?
Debi: I think you ought to know this. We’ve heard a lot of stories about you and Danny. Can’t you see? He’s using you.
Karen: He loves me and we’re committed to each other.
Debi: I just hope you’re protected because you aren’t the first one and, if you want my opinion, you won’t be the last.
Danny: I feel like we’re a married couple. I need some space.
Dad: Karen, I really wish I could, but there’s no way. Money is really tight right now and the only possible way that you could make it to Seattle is by air.
Karen: I could drive.
Dad: Are you kidding? Look Karen, I’ve got to go. I’m leaving for L.A. Call me next week. No, that won’t work. I’ll still be on the road. You hang in there. I love you. Bye.
Karen: Sure Dad.
Danny: Somehow I knew it would come to this.
Karen: You lied to me.
Danny: We grew apart.
Karen: Why couldn’t you at least let me know about Cindy. Everyone knew—
Debi: I hate to break this to you but . . .
Karen: but me.
Danny: Don’t you get it, Karen? You’re living in a dream world. The thing you’re searching for doesn’t exist. You can’t expect people to live up to your fantasies of the perfect . . .
Karen: How dare you! How dare you talk to me about fantasies. You taught me to believe in them. You liar!
Danny: Nobody’s perfect.
Karen: Will you please leave?
Cindy: Come on, Danny. We haven’t got all day. (as they turn away from Karen) What a creep.
Teacher: You dropped out of the Drama Club. You flunked the written exam. And now you want out of the play? What’s gotten into you?
Karen: I’m just tired of it. I don’t enjoy it.
Teacher: I don’t think you understand what you’re asking me to do.
Karen: Please just sign the transfer slip.
Teacher: You really had me fooled. I thought you had real potential. Just remember, you back out here and you’ll be a failure the rest of your life.
(All the actors turn around and form a semi-circle around Karen)
Mom: You’re to blame for this whole mess.
All: Why were you even born?
Teacher: Go ahead. Do whatever you want to do. I really don’t care.
All: You’re a failure.
Dad: I’d love to, honey, but this month is a real killer. Maybe after summer’s over.
All: You’re not worth my time.
Cindy: We don’t know you very well, but we know enough to realize how totally mixed up you really are.
Mary: I hope you’ll grow up one of these days but until then . . .
All: Please leave us alone.
Danny: I hate that it had to come to this but I’ve changed since we first met. I don’t love you anymore.
All: Unlovable . . . Insignificant . . . Worthless . . .
Unlovable . . . Insignificant . . . Worthless . . .
Unlovable . . . Insignificant . . . Worthless . . .
Jesus: Karen?
Karen: Leave me alone!
Jesus: Come here. Come to Me.
Karen: You can’t help me. Just let me die. I’m tired of my life.
Jesus: I will give you rest. I love you.
Karen: That’s impossible. If You say You love me then You must not know me.
Jesus: Karen, please believe me. I know you. I know your every thought. Every moment I know where you are. I made every delicate cell and organ of your body.
Karen: If You know me that well, how can You even look at me. I’m so full of hate, greed, anger, failure, impurity. So full of sin—that’s what they call it at church. They call it sin. That’s me. That’s who I am.
Jesus: Stop evaluating yourself by what the world thinks of you. I love you. I died for you. If you come to Me, you will be a new person.
Karen: I can’t live up to that! I can’t be new.
Jesus: You’re right, Karen. You can’t. Not alone. There is no one who is righteous on this earth. Not even one! But come to Me.
Karen: Why are You accepting me?
Jesus: It’s not for you to understand.
Karen: I don’t think I can live up to Your—
Jesus: You don’t have to live up. Just live. I saved you not on the basis of deeds which you have done to be righteous. I saved you by My love. Karen, surrender is much different than earning. I’m not asking you to earn it. I just want you to come to Me. Come home, My weary child. Come home.