Starving People

By Jack & Gretchen Hall

CHARACTERS

Timmy- A ten year old boy

Mom- Timmy’s Mom

Starving Boy

Starving Girl

UPS driver

A kitchen table and chairs are set up stage right. Timmy enters.

TIMMY- I love my mommy. For ten years, she has been my best bud and playmate. Mom takes me to cool movies. She plays catch. She even knows the names of all the Jedi knights. I’m saying all this because I want you to know, I DO like my mom. I just hate her meatloaf. Gosh, it’s awful. I mean meatloaf is bad enough when it’s done right, but my mother’s meatloaf… terrible! And I have proof! You see, one night, I sat down to dinner.

Timmy sits down. Mom enters with two plates.

TIMMY- Hey, Mom! What’s for dinner?

MOM- Something yummy! I made meatloaf!

Mom sits down and sets the plates on the table before her and Timmy.

TIMMY- Ewwwwww!

MOM- What’s the matter?

TIMMY- I don’t like meatloaf.

MOM- Yes you do.

TIMMY- No I don’t! I hate it! Meatloaf, I hate!

MOM- Just try it.

TIMMY- I don’t want to try it! I want mac and cheese!

MOM- Well I am sorry, I’m not making anything else.

TIMMY- Well I’m not eating it!

MOM- Okay, you’re gonna go hungry.

TIMMY- Better that than eat this crummy meatloaf!

MOM- Timmy, eat the meatloaf!

TIMMY- No!

MOM- I can’t believe you.

TIMMY- (aside to the audience) Here comes the big lie.

MOM- Starving children around the world would be happy to have that!

TIMMY- Yeah? Maybe I should send it to them.

MOM- Maybe you should.

Mom stands and exits.

TIMMY- That night, I snuck into the kitchen. After helping myself to some Pop Tarts, I cut off a piece of meatloaf, packed it in a box, and took it to my neighbor, this college kid who works for UPS.

At stage left, the Starving Boy and Girl enter. They are in rags and speak with heavy accents. The Girl carries a stuffed dog.

GIRL- Oh woe is we. I starve so much.

BOY- I too. Hunger in belly is too much to bear.

GIRL- I look at puppy, and think I might eat him!

BOY- No, sister. Puppy grows hungry too. Is no good to eat.

GIRL- Pray us to God that food might come.

The UPS Driver enters, carrying a box with an envelope on top..

UPS- Pardon me, kids, but I have a special delivery package for starving children.

BOY- That’s us!

GIRL- We are starving!

UPS- Well okay then.

The UPS Driver gives them the package, then exits. The Boy pulls the envelope off the top of the box.

BOY- Dear starving children, My mother tells me you would like this dinner. Please let me know how you like it. Love, Timmy.

GIRL- Brother, it is gift from Lord.

BOY- No, Sister, from America.

GIRL- Bless God America!

They open the box and look inside.

BOY- What in world is that!!

GIRL- It is disgusting!

BOY- What is green thing growing on it?

GIRL- This not food! This poison!

BOY- We test it. Feed to Puppy.

The girl lowers the puppy’s face into the bag. Sound effect of chewing, then a whimpering dog, then gagging.

GIRL- Brother, such tragedy! Puppy is died!

BOY- Down with America! They poison puppy! I shall write and tell American Timmy he bad person!

The Girl and Boy exit. Timmy stands, opening a letter.

TIMMY- A month after sending the meatloaf, I got a letter. "Dear Timmy, You bad American! You poison puppy with bad meatloaf! This worst food in world! Mean trick you pull on starving children!" Which just goes to prove my point. My mom’s meatloaf totally sucks!

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