This is like a Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson detective story, with a clear mixture of certainty and doubt – something of a melodrama with few words, but action and expression to convey meaning.
1: (speaking with authority) This is a story!
2: A story?
1: Positively!
2: (gaining interest) Legendary?
1: Repeatedly!
2: (excitedly) Mystery??
1: Undeniably
(2 assumes a forensic attitude, like a detective on a case, seeking evidence,
while 1 seems hard to pin down.)
2: Historical?
1: (seeming vague) Hopefully
2: Factual?
1: Possibly
2: Verifiable?
1: Unlikely
2: Reliable?
1: Probably
2: Indefinite?
1: Totally
(pause)
2: So what’s the story?
1: (melodramatically with action) Doors…
2: Locked?
1: (nods, gesturing around) Disciples…
2: Afraid?
1: (nods, then pointing). Master…
2: (as if solving a clue) Risen!
1: Definitely! (raises index finger, then rubs chin)
2: Uncertainty?
1: Indubitably
2: Doubting?
1: (nodding) Thomas…
2: (musing, hand on chin, but has no idea) Clearly…
1: Thomas (looking around, as if to say “He’s not here…”)
2: (realising) Absent?
1: Absolutely!
2: Questioning?
1: Hopefully
2: Sceptical?
1: Positively
(A pause - 2 wanting to hear more. 1 not saying anything. 2 getting frustrated…)
2: Subsequently?
1: Appearing! (acting like Jesus appearing)
2: Astounding! (reacting like disciples)
1: Greeting (hands out like Jesus welcoming)
2: Embracing (arms out as if embracing Jesus).
Thomas? (walks away and turns back to enact Thomas)
1: Fearing
(They act out the following encounter as they speak)
2: (doubtful) Master?
(pause)
1: (open hands) Inviting
2: (slowly walking forward) Approaching
1: Revealing (shows palms and side)
2: Touching (touches side of 1)
1: (whispering, not in pain, but as if remembering) Piercing
2: (gasping, then kneeling)
1: Forgiving (hands reaching down)
2: Trusting (hands reaching up)
(Pause. 2 stands up.)
1: I’m glad you doubted.
2: You can’t have faith without doubt.
1: Possibly
2: Probably
1: Absolutely
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