Act II--Behind-the-Scenes Christmas (Portion Where Traditional Program is Embedded)

THIS CAN BE TREATED AS AN INDEPENDENT SECTION, WITH CHARACTERS IN ACT I BEING PART OF THE SHOW. FOR EXAMPLE, JIM CAN FILL THE ROLE AS THE MC, ALLISON CAN READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY, AND AMY SINGS HER SONG AS THE END. EVERYONE IS VERY PROFESSIONAL, AND NOTHING GOES WRONG. TO THE IMAGINARY TELEVISION AUDIENCE, EVERYTHING APPEARS NORMAL.

FROM A STORY STANDPOINT, OUR ACTUAL AUDIENCE HAS AN EMOTIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE SHOW DOING WELL—CONSIDERING THIS IS EITHER THE STATION’S LAST CHRISTMAS PROGRAM OR ON THE HOPE THE RATINGS WILL BE SO GOOD THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVES ARE GOING TO CALL BACK AND CHANGE THEIR MINDS.

ACTORS CAN HAVE A LOT OF FREEDOM WITH THIS, ESPECIALLY WITH ALLISON SHOWING SOME EMOTION AS SHE READS THE CHRISTMAS STORY, AND THE FINAL SONG BY AMY JUST BLOWS EVERYONE AWAY.

THE CLOSE OF THE TV PROGRAM HAS THE SAME CROWD OF PEOPLE REPRESENTING THE STATION’S STAFF COME OUT ON STAGE, WITH JIM, ALLISON, AND AMY STANDING TOWARD THE FRONT. THE INSTURMENTAL OF THE FINAL SONG IS STILL PLAYING, AND THEY ALL LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE CAMERA.

85) AMY: God loves you.

86) ALLISON: Jesus will meet you where you are.

87) JIM: You’re never too old, too young, or too far gone.

88) AMY: He’ll change your life.

89) ALLISON: He’ll be your anchor through the storms.

90) JIM: And He’ll use you to change other lives for the better.

91) AMY: All it takes is a decision—a first step. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You just ask Jesus into your life and mean it in your heart, and then you follow up that step with finding a good local church so that over time you can learn and grow with other Christians on the same journey.

92) JIM: Along the way you may have to face some fears—and some past pains—but Jesus loves you so much and wants to see you through them. He wants to show you the difference between just existing and getting by to having a peaceful and fulfilling life.

93) AMY: If everyone will please stand and bow your heads. If you would like to make this decision, you can repeat this simple prayer or use your own words. Jesus, I want you to be my Lord and Savior. I know that I have sinned, and that it separated me from God. You died for my sins, was raised from the dead, and paid the price for my salvation. I invite you and the Holy Spirit into my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

TWO THINGS NEED TO BE NOTICED WHEN EVERYONE LOOKS UP. ONE IS ALLISON IS NOW STANDING BETWEEN JIM AND AMY, HOLDING ONE HAND FROM EACH OF THEM—IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HEAR HER VOICE ALONG WITH AMY’S DURING THE PRAYER, ALTHOUGH NOT AS LOUD. THE OTHER IS THAT WHITNEY IS ON ONE SIDE OF THE STAGE AND SAID THE PRAYER, TOO—ONLY SHE’S OUT OF SIGHT OF EVERYONE ELSE ON THE MAIN SECTION OF THE STAGE. (WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A SPOTLIGHT ON HER HOWEVER SO AUDIENCE NOTICES HER)

94) ALLISON: From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

EVERYONE TAKES A BOW, CURTAIN GOES DOWN.