Here She Is

SCRIPT TITLE:

Here She Is

AUTHORSHIP:

BIBLE BASIS:

Book of Esther

SCRIPT THEME:

God orchestrates our lives "for such a time as this."

KEY VERSE:

"...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

CHARACTERS

Miss Cush, contestant in a beauty contest for Queen

Miss Persia, another contestant

Miss Babylon, another contestant

Miss Susa, another contestant, also known as Esther

Master of Ceremonies

Security Guards (2)

PROPS:

Hand-held microphone

Index cards

Microphone on stand

Envelope containing a card

Crown

Bouquet of roses

MEDIA:

A recording of orchestral "interlude" music and a drumroll to be played over the sound system. Or, enlist a pianist and drummer to provide music on cue.

COSTUMES:

Contestants dressed in evening gowns, with a sash identifying their hometown (i.e, MISS CUSH)

Master of Ceremonies dressed in tuxedo.

Security Guards dressed in uniforms.

SETTING:

A beauty pageant stage, with an area upstage left for contestants to line up and a microphone on a stand at downstage right.

DRAMA

Four women face the audience, lined up for a beauty contest. A master of ceremonies (MC) stands nearby, holding a microphone.

MC: (to the audience) Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! The tension is mounting as we enter the final round of competition. One of the four lovely beauties before you today will be crowned Queen of all Persia and will marry King Xerxes. Now, for the final bonus question. (to the contestants.) Are you ready, ladies?

The four contestants nod their heads, looking nervous and excited.

MC: All right, here goes. Miss Cush, you're first. (reading question from an index card) What two things will you do first if you are chosen queen?

Miss Cush crosses to standing microphone.

MISS CUSH: Oh, gee Bob, that's a really hard question. I mean, just think of all the possibilities!

MC: Yes, yes, Miss Cush, but we are running out of time. Your answer, please.

MISS CUSH: (giggling) Oh, I know. First, I would buy a royal robe -- you know, the red kind with the white ermine trim. And second, I would do my best to achieve world peace in my lifetime.

MC: (to audience) Ladies and gentleman, isn't that just fantastic? Thank you very much, Miss Cush. (MISS CUSH steps back into line.) Now, Miss Persia, how about you? What two things will you do first if you are chosen to be queen?

Miss Persia steps up to the MC, grabs the microphone away from him, and begins her speech.

MISS PERSIA: (militantly) First, I'd abolish these stupid contests. I mean, really, it's demeaning and degrading. Besides, these gowns are uncomfortable. And then I'd introduce legislation to abolish...

Before she can finish her speech, Miss Persia is forcibly removed by two Security Guards, who enter from off stage and drag her off.

MC: (wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, clearing his throat, embarrassed) Well, I guess that kind of narrows down the competition, wouldn't you say, ladies?

The remaining contestants giggle nervously.

MC: That brings us to you, Miss Babylon. What will you do first if you are chosen to be queen?

MISS BABYLON: (speaking into the microphone) Well, first I'd hire a maid, and second I'd order her to give the palace a good cleaning. I hear there are dust balls in the kitchen that were around when Methuselah was a boy.

MC: Thank you, Miss Babylon. Isn't she just lovely, ladies and gentlemen?

Miss Babylon returns to the line up.

MC: Miss Susa, you're our last contestant. What's your answer? What two things will you do if you are chosen to be queen?

MISS SUSA/ESTHER: Well, Bob, I'd first like to thank the one true God for this opportunity to represent and glorify Him.

MC: That's very sweet, Miss Susa.

MISS SUSA/ESTHER: Thank you. Now, to answer your question. If I were queen, the first thing I would do is to change my name from Hadassah to Esther. I like Esther so much better, don't you?

MC: "Queen Esther." Hmmmmm. It does have a ring of authenticity about it.

ESTHER: The second thing I would do as queen is to risk my life to save my people from the evil plot of a deranged man. Thank you very much.

MC: (confused) You're welcome, Miss Susa. (To audience.) Ladies and gentleman, there will be a short intermission while the judges tabulate their votes.

An interlude of recorded music plays for a moment or two. Then, a security guard enters and hands the Master of Ceremonies an envelope.

MC: Well, folks, it looks like the judges have made their decision. (As he opens the envelope, a drum roll is heard off stage.) (pause, reacts to what is written on the card) Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you your next Queen, Miss Susa!

Esther exclaims in joy as the other contestants congratulate her. The Master of Ceremonies crowns Esther and hands her a bouquet.