Drama – the Prodigal Son

1 Drama the Prodigal Son Scene 1: The family home Younger Son: I m fed up working day in, day out for my old man some of my friends have interesting jobs, loads of money, a great social life and here I am stuck on a farm in the middle of nowhere! Well - not for much longer! His father walks by Hey, Dad, I ve been thinking. I m young. I want to see a bit of the world. I know you ve always said you re going to leave me half your estate when you die, but I want to live I have my share now and go off and see the world? Father: Son, son, is that a good idea? Younger Son: Please, Dad. I need to do things NOW and have a good time. Father: Okay, if that s what you really wants. Younger Son: Thanks, Dad. See you around! Scene 2: A lively party drinks, drugs, women, lots of hangers-on Friend 1: Hey, is there any more wine? Younger Son: No, that was the last bottle. Friend 2: You got another joint?

2 Younger Son: No, you smoked the last one. Friend 3: This party sucks. Friend 4: Yeah. I heard there s a good time at Sam s. Friend 5: Well, what are we waiting for? Let s go there! All leave except one shy, rather nervous friend Younger Son: What can I do now they ve all left me and I ve run out of money not a penny left. Shy friend: You ll have to get a job there s a good website here (hands him a scrap of paper) Younger Son: (reads) hmm. Oh, what have I got to lose - I ll give it a go! Scene 3: A farm in the middle of nowhere Younger Son: Well, this was all I could get mucking out pigs some job for a Jewish boy, eh? The pay s lousy, some days I can t even afford to buy food and I m so hungry I end up eating the leftovers they give to the pigs. I must be mad. My Dad s got pots of money. I ve blown it as a favoured son, but I ll go home, grovel a bit and perhaps he ll be willing to take me on as a servant.

3 Scene 4: The family home Butler: C mon Sir. You ve been looking out that window every day for months now. He s young, he s having a good time, he won t be coming back here. Father: I know, I know, but I miss him. It was good having someone young around the place he was fun, he filled the house with laughter. (puts his head in his hands and sighs, then gets up and looks out one more time) Wait! There s someone out there, in the distance. Could it be? Yes, it is, it s him! (calls to his servant) Quick! Get some clothes - the best you can find a ring, he must have a ring, and you know that calf we ve been fattening up for the feast next week? Go and kill it and tell the cook to prepare a banquet let s have the best party this place has ever seen! Hurry now! (he runs out with arms open wide) My boy, my boy is home!! Elder Son: (coming in from a hard day s work in the fields) What s all that noise?

4 What s going on? (sees a servant going past with a tray full of wine and glasses) Hang on, isn t that the best wine? What s happening? Servant: It s your brother, sir. He s back and the master s having a celebration, no expense spared! Elder Son: (furious) Is he now! How dare he! We ll see about that! Hey, Dad what s all this I hear? You re throwing a party for that wastrel! Have you forgotten that he did you out of half your money and from what I ve heard he spent it all on drink, drugs and women and now you re welcoming him back as if nothing s happened! Are you mad? What about me? I slog my guts out day in, day out and you never even give me a burger and a cheap bottle of wine to share with my friends. But that scoundrel, that nobody, he gets a feast and the finest wine. Huh! Do I count for nothing? Father: My son, my son, of course I love you. But you are with me always.

5 I never have to worry about you but I thought I would never see him again and now here he is - back home again! Isn t that worth rejoicing about and having a party? Anne O Connor