The Cleanup Crew
Drama
Gabriel's Horn
Readers' Theater for Advent
Object:
Characters
Angel Marvelous
Angel Wonderful
Angel Gabriel
Janitor
God's People (Congregation)
(Enter the angels Marvelous, Wonderful, Gabriel, and Janitor.)
Marvelous
Are you sure that the map that you bought is correct?
I thought that the temple we'd stop and inspect!
We'd see how the people are faithful, deserving
Of more time, of good time. It's God that they're serving!
Don't ring down creation while good people gather.
Gabriel
Just what sort of people? Like old Cotton Mather
Who said he was one of God's chosen, yet while
He cracked down on fun he would not crack a smile?
Wonderful
Now please both relax, keep your halo and shirt on.
The temple should be on this spot, I am certain.
All the same I can't help but be puzzled by sticks
That are scattered around where I'd like to see bricks!
Where is the altar? Where is the stonework?
Just seeing these ruins is making me groan.
Gabriel
Shirk
Your duty no longer. Don't try to impress me
And don't you suggest that among all this mess --
Marvelous
See!
There is a person who's pushing a broom.
Gabriel
If I'm not convinced, it's alarums and gloom
As I blow on this trumpet and bring to an end
The world. It's a goose on a wild chase we send
By coming to here on this forsaken spot.
I'm sorry to tell you, impressed I am not.
Janitor
Got to clean up, got to work in this rubble.
No time to shave so I've still got a stubble.
Why don't the people who ought to care more
Help to rebuild the old temple and share more
Of substance and service? The reason's not hazy.
I'm really disgusted because some are just lazy.
I know they are busy. Priorities matter.
But why not squeeze service to God in the batter
We bake of our lives? All the people have sinned.
That's why it's dry and the hot blowing wind
Has battered our crops. What is more I am sure
That service to God is a part of the cure.
Wonderful
Hey you, who is wandering here in the ruins
Of what was the temple, where now wild bruins
And beasts from the wilderness howl and haunt,
Please tell us what happened, or else if you can't
Direct us to somebody else who just might.
Janitor
There's really no secret, O creature of light.
I'm just as depressed by this sad, dismal sight.
The crops are not growing, though farmers are sowing
There isn't the rain, so nothing we gain.
I'm trying to warn 'yer, there's nothing to garner
From field or fountain, valley or mountain.
I'm sure it's because we've forgotten the altar
Of regular worship and that's why we falter.
Marvelous
That's exactly the point, and if we don't rouse
These people to once again build up God's house
That very large angel with trumpeting horn
Will call down upon all the earth the dark scorn
Of angels avenging and call to an end
This world of great sadness.
Janitor
How can I defend
A people who won't from their tracks set about?
Wonderful
We need us a prophet, who'll give a great shout!
Will you be that prophet? Will you be the one
Who keeps our friend Gabriel from having his fun?
Gabriel
I doubt it. Although he is nobody's fool
I don't think this man went to propheting school.
Janitor
And not only that, but in just four months' time
I have to be moving on. Is that such a crime?
Marvelous
But who says a prophet must give up a year?
Wonderful
Or many years? No one. Get rid of your fear.
In only four months we could all rearrange
Priorities, get all these people to change!
Marvelous
Just try it. Just cry aloud, warn all these people
They should have been here building up the high steeple,
And hanging the church doors --
Wonderful
This list could get numbing.
Gabriel
I'll put in my spoke and insist upon plumbing.
Janitor
But why would they listen?
Wonderful
Don't settle for art.
Just say what you think and please speak from the heart.
Marvelous
These folks need a prophet and don't even know it.
There are a seed to be planted. Won't you please sow it?
It's just for a couple of months of your trouble
And then you'll be free. Won't you start on the double?
Janitor
(turns to Congregation)
Say, all of you there, who are sitting at ease
As fat and as sassy as each of you please!
Just look all about you, don't take my word for it.
The temple's in ruins. This wall, I must shore it.
There aren't any windows, but clear to the sky
You can see all the birds and the clouds floating by.
I work in the summer and can't stand the heat,
And clean up all winter, just stamping my feet.
Hello, won't you listen? Is anyone there?
God's People
Just give us a reason, for none of us care.
We've errands to run, we've parcels to pack,
The leaves must be raked and someone must stack
The gifts in their boxes this holiday season.
You're asking a lot, without giving a reason!
Janitor
As my name is Haggai, and this is not my bull
I'm telling you words that come straight from the Bible.
If you don't want to be like chopped liver in wurst
Then I think that you people must all put God first!
You've lived in your houses all paneled for moons
Beyond measure. This temple is lying in ruins.
I'm waiting, and it's been a great many years
Since you have left Babylon, wiped away tears,
And started a new life in this happy land.
Now ask yourself why this good soil is sand,
And why you buy clothes and yet never feel warm
And eat and drink plenty, yet do yourself harm.
Your money is stuffed in a bag full of holes,
And all of your lawns are invaded by moles!
Think how you have fared, says the great Lord of hosts,
Go up to the hills and bring wood, or you're ghosts.
The Lord should come first, both in this and all seasons.
The fact God is God is the greatest of reasons.
God's People
You're right, and we won't say again that we're busy.
It's time that we all ran about in a tizzy
While working for God. Everyone, old and young
Will shout, sing, and holler, will loosen their tongue.
It's talent we've got, opportunity, time,
And the will to praise God in our prose and our rhyme.
Since God calls we're ready. We'll make no excuses
It's time to sing carols, no need to sing blueses.
Gabriel
Impressive. I guess that will settle for now
If I should the horn blow.
Marvelous
You said it.
Wonderful
And how.
It just took a prophet to rattle the town.
They're no longer lazy.
Gabriel
Take a look at this gown.
Do you think that it flatters me? The truth you must tell.
Marvelous
I'll let you know next week. I hear, like a knell
The temple bell's ringing. These people are working.
They're all acting busy, there's nobody shirking.
And you, please consider, a king will be here.
Wonderful
Enjoy everything in this season. It's clear
There's so much to do, but if you must hurry
Keep your eye on the star and not on the fury.
Gabriel
The words of the prophet called Haggai to all
Beg you not to be busy and miss on God's call.
Angel Marvelous
Angel Wonderful
Angel Gabriel
Janitor
God's People (Congregation)
(Enter the angels Marvelous, Wonderful, Gabriel, and Janitor.)
Marvelous
Are you sure that the map that you bought is correct?
I thought that the temple we'd stop and inspect!
We'd see how the people are faithful, deserving
Of more time, of good time. It's God that they're serving!
Don't ring down creation while good people gather.
Gabriel
Just what sort of people? Like old Cotton Mather
Who said he was one of God's chosen, yet while
He cracked down on fun he would not crack a smile?
Wonderful
Now please both relax, keep your halo and shirt on.
The temple should be on this spot, I am certain.
All the same I can't help but be puzzled by sticks
That are scattered around where I'd like to see bricks!
Where is the altar? Where is the stonework?
Just seeing these ruins is making me groan.
Gabriel
Shirk
Your duty no longer. Don't try to impress me
And don't you suggest that among all this mess --
Marvelous
See!
There is a person who's pushing a broom.
Gabriel
If I'm not convinced, it's alarums and gloom
As I blow on this trumpet and bring to an end
The world. It's a goose on a wild chase we send
By coming to here on this forsaken spot.
I'm sorry to tell you, impressed I am not.
Janitor
Got to clean up, got to work in this rubble.
No time to shave so I've still got a stubble.
Why don't the people who ought to care more
Help to rebuild the old temple and share more
Of substance and service? The reason's not hazy.
I'm really disgusted because some are just lazy.
I know they are busy. Priorities matter.
But why not squeeze service to God in the batter
We bake of our lives? All the people have sinned.
That's why it's dry and the hot blowing wind
Has battered our crops. What is more I am sure
That service to God is a part of the cure.
Wonderful
Hey you, who is wandering here in the ruins
Of what was the temple, where now wild bruins
And beasts from the wilderness howl and haunt,
Please tell us what happened, or else if you can't
Direct us to somebody else who just might.
Janitor
There's really no secret, O creature of light.
I'm just as depressed by this sad, dismal sight.
The crops are not growing, though farmers are sowing
There isn't the rain, so nothing we gain.
I'm trying to warn 'yer, there's nothing to garner
From field or fountain, valley or mountain.
I'm sure it's because we've forgotten the altar
Of regular worship and that's why we falter.
Marvelous
That's exactly the point, and if we don't rouse
These people to once again build up God's house
That very large angel with trumpeting horn
Will call down upon all the earth the dark scorn
Of angels avenging and call to an end
This world of great sadness.
Janitor
How can I defend
A people who won't from their tracks set about?
Wonderful
We need us a prophet, who'll give a great shout!
Will you be that prophet? Will you be the one
Who keeps our friend Gabriel from having his fun?
Gabriel
I doubt it. Although he is nobody's fool
I don't think this man went to propheting school.
Janitor
And not only that, but in just four months' time
I have to be moving on. Is that such a crime?
Marvelous
But who says a prophet must give up a year?
Wonderful
Or many years? No one. Get rid of your fear.
In only four months we could all rearrange
Priorities, get all these people to change!
Marvelous
Just try it. Just cry aloud, warn all these people
They should have been here building up the high steeple,
And hanging the church doors --
Wonderful
This list could get numbing.
Gabriel
I'll put in my spoke and insist upon plumbing.
Janitor
But why would they listen?
Wonderful
Don't settle for art.
Just say what you think and please speak from the heart.
Marvelous
These folks need a prophet and don't even know it.
There are a seed to be planted. Won't you please sow it?
It's just for a couple of months of your trouble
And then you'll be free. Won't you start on the double?
Janitor
(turns to Congregation)
Say, all of you there, who are sitting at ease
As fat and as sassy as each of you please!
Just look all about you, don't take my word for it.
The temple's in ruins. This wall, I must shore it.
There aren't any windows, but clear to the sky
You can see all the birds and the clouds floating by.
I work in the summer and can't stand the heat,
And clean up all winter, just stamping my feet.
Hello, won't you listen? Is anyone there?
God's People
Just give us a reason, for none of us care.
We've errands to run, we've parcels to pack,
The leaves must be raked and someone must stack
The gifts in their boxes this holiday season.
You're asking a lot, without giving a reason!
Janitor
As my name is Haggai, and this is not my bull
I'm telling you words that come straight from the Bible.
If you don't want to be like chopped liver in wurst
Then I think that you people must all put God first!
You've lived in your houses all paneled for moons
Beyond measure. This temple is lying in ruins.
I'm waiting, and it's been a great many years
Since you have left Babylon, wiped away tears,
And started a new life in this happy land.
Now ask yourself why this good soil is sand,
And why you buy clothes and yet never feel warm
And eat and drink plenty, yet do yourself harm.
Your money is stuffed in a bag full of holes,
And all of your lawns are invaded by moles!
Think how you have fared, says the great Lord of hosts,
Go up to the hills and bring wood, or you're ghosts.
The Lord should come first, both in this and all seasons.
The fact God is God is the greatest of reasons.
God's People
You're right, and we won't say again that we're busy.
It's time that we all ran about in a tizzy
While working for God. Everyone, old and young
Will shout, sing, and holler, will loosen their tongue.
It's talent we've got, opportunity, time,
And the will to praise God in our prose and our rhyme.
Since God calls we're ready. We'll make no excuses
It's time to sing carols, no need to sing blueses.
Gabriel
Impressive. I guess that will settle for now
If I should the horn blow.
Marvelous
You said it.
Wonderful
And how.
It just took a prophet to rattle the town.
They're no longer lazy.
Gabriel
Take a look at this gown.
Do you think that it flatters me? The truth you must tell.
Marvelous
I'll let you know next week. I hear, like a knell
The temple bell's ringing. These people are working.
They're all acting busy, there's nobody shirking.
And you, please consider, a king will be here.
Wonderful
Enjoy everything in this season. It's clear
There's so much to do, but if you must hurry
Keep your eye on the star and not on the fury.
Gabriel
The words of the prophet called Haggai to all
Beg you not to be busy and miss on God's call.
