Dad Wouldn't Understand
written by John Kenneson & John Wayne Samples
Subjects:
Father's Day • Dad • Memories • Parents • Success • Couples
Synopsis:
A successful executive wonders why "Ol' Dad" never gets the recognition he deserves, then ends by remembering some of the lessons taught by his dad.
(This was written to be followed by an appropriate Father/Son type of song. If there is no song, it should be used as a set-up for a sermon which will deal further with the Father/Son relationships.)
Purpose:
To make the audience -- especially the men -- reconsider their priorities and their
relationship with
their "Father".
2 Characters:
The Son - Nice suit, professional looking. Thirty or Forty something.
The Dad - Fishing clothes and hat. Sixtyish.
Staging:
The Son - Stage right. The Dad - Stage left.
Unless you just want to do it the other way.
Props:
Cordless phone, laptop, books, a desk, a family picture, a Bible, fishing pole, tackle box.
Notes:
This sketch is particularly effective when performed by an actual father-son team.
Son on the phone sitting at his computer.
Son
Hey, that's great, Mr. Baker-- I mean Bill! You won't regret this.
Friday night? 7 o'clock? No, problem. I'll be there...
Absolutely. I'm sure Kathy will be able to make it...
And I'm looking forward to meeting your wife, too...
Thank you again, sir for the opportunity. Good-bye.
To the audience.
Wow! The struggle pays off!
Look at me. I finally made it. I mean, I can hardly believe it. Me-- the Executive Vice President!
Corner office. Luxury company car. Health club. Great retirement. Six weeks vacation. Great retirement.
Brief flash of chest pain.
Oooo!
I might need that early retirement clause.
I went to the doctor last week and he gave me one of those good-news-bad-news routines. The good news is I'm in great shape for a man of 52. The bad news is I'm only 39.
Well, everything has its downside, right? This trip has had a few for sure... The hours, the weekends, the years. The missed ball games and recitals. It's a pretty big price to pay, but, hey, look around, it was worth it, right?
It would be better if there were just someone with whom I could really share my success. Someone who could appreciate how far I've come.
Oh, sure, there's Kathy,
Picks-up family picture.
...but she'll just remind me how we can, at long last, move out of our four bedroom shack in suburbia and into a real house.
And of course there's Scott. Just graduated from high school and looking forward to attending the most expensive private college he could find. I think he's enjoying that new car, too. I envy him. Sort of. All his life ahead of him...
Who was it that said it was too bad that youth has to be wasted on the young?
Suddenly almost angry.
And would it be asking too much for a little recognition for ol' Dad? A little pat on the back for my accomplishments, for what I've done. A little acknowledgment of what I've given-up to provide for them.
You know, I think I've heard this tune before.
Remembering.
My Dad warned me that the business world could exact a heavy toll... "A heavy toll physically, emotionally and spiritually," he used to say. "A young man must be on the alert!"
But, a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do, right?
Dad was always a pretty good guy, considering. I mean, he always seemed pretty content for someone who didn't have very much. There was just something about him.
Sits back at the computer as "Dad" enters opposite stage whistling a familiar tune and carrying a tackle box and fishing pole.
Son notices Bible, takes it and dusts it off as dad messes with his gear, still whistling quietly.
Son
Oh, he tried to tell me his secrets, to teach me his song. And for a while, I knew it pretty well. But there were other secrets that I wanted learn, and did.
Dad notices his son, keeps whistling, but at a different, slower pace.
And gradually over time, his song just faded into the distance.
Dad stops whistling.
I wish I could know a little of his peace right now, and hear his song again.
Dad
You can, son. All you need to do is listen, but, that's not something you were always real good at, is it?
Son
It's been so long since we even talked. I bet it's been a year since I even called him.
Dad
A year?!
To the audience.
My son the hot-shot executive!
Back to son.
It's been 2 years, 3 months and 4 days. And I'm still here.
Come on home. My arms are still wide open.
Son
I doubt if he would be too impressed with my success. It never seemed to matter much to him. Other things were always more important, like God.
Now there's a guy I haven't talked to in a real long time.
No, I suspect he would not approve of the price I've paid.
Why am I feeling so old! It's like I've exchanged my youth for a bunch of things! Like I've exchanged all my beliefs for all my belongings.
Sometimes it seems right, but other times, I wish I could be young again. To just start over.
Dad
You can, son. Just come home. Come back and accept Him as a little child, just like you did when you were young.
Son
I wonder if he'd forgive me. I know I've hurt him terribly. Not writing, not calling, not going to see him. But most of all...
Picks-up Bible
But he just never understood!!!
Do you suppose he'd forgive me? Let me come home?
Dad
It must have been hard for you. It must be hard right now.
Will I forgive you? Let you come home? Of course I will! All you have to do is ask. I'm your father. Always have been, always will be.
As Fathers' Day song is sung, Dad settles down to his fishing. Son gets back to work on his computer with frequent pauses and reflections. During last chorus, Son closes computer and makes his way to his father. They embrace as song ends.
(If no song, take lights to black as Dad returns to his tackle box and the son begins typing on his computer.)
The End