When the Conductor Calls

The play opens with a Busker, playing a guitar. The lights are off when the lone voice of a guitar player is heard strumming and singing the song “Lonely People”. (Words and Music by Dan Peek and Catherine L. Peek) This was performed by the group America in the 70's. When he nears the end of the tune the lights come up onto a set resembling a Train Station.

Dave: Look Christina it's not my idea that we should travel to Winnipeg over the holidays. (He reaches over and drops some coins into the buskers open guitar case.)

Christina: It's certainly not mine.

Dave: I didn't say it was, but it's just that you've been giving me such a hard time about it.

Christina: Have I now? (As if to say, you think I've been making it hard for you, just wait)

Dave: Well not that bad, but I mean you do seem upset.

Christina: Really? (sarcastic)

Dave: Just forget it, I mean … Look it just seems that no matter what I say, I'll wind up putting my foot in my mouth.

Christina: Well your mouths big enough. (laughingly)

Dave: Talk about big enough. (Pointing at her obviously expectant stomach)

Christina: Well that's why I'm not anxious to travel, you try sitting in a seat for any length of time when you're this far along. (Sits down)

Dave: So when are you due? (Sits down)

Christina: I can't believe you don't know, I mean this isn't just my child.

Dave: It's a guy thing. I love you and the baby but you could tell me ten times and I still wouldn't remember the due date. Actually you've told me more that ten times, so that just proves my point.

Christina: What that you have a mind like a sieve.

Dave: Well yeah, but you know what I mean.

Christina: Yes, I do. 38 weeks, now I hope you know what I mean.

Dave: Yes I'm sorry for your sake we have to do this. It's too bad we couldn't fly.

Christina: Even if we could we couldn't afford it, the way you throw your money away.

Dave: Meaning?

Christina: For starters, the guy playing the guitar.

Dave: Look, it was only a couple bucks and well, I like the song.

Christina: Stuck in the 70's are we.

Dave: Look around this place, that song just seems to be on the mark. Look at all the lonely people. I've been to bus and train stations all over the place and it always seems the same. Not just here but everywhere, even on the bus I take to work each day. Everyone is just trying to make it through the day. Just trying to make it home for the day. And for what? To start the cycle all over the next day. Out they go, off to somewhere only to make their way home at the end of the day.

Christina: It's called having a job.

Dave: It's more than that, count how many people here are smiling.

Christina: One, just the guy playing guitar. (Pause) Are you sure you only gave him a couple dollars?

Dave: Yes, besides I think his is a fake smile. Part of his job.

Christina: You're probably right.

Dave: (Stands) Do you want a coffee or something?

Christina: (Stands) How about a tea?

Dave: That's OK I can get it. (Christina sits and Dave makes his way over to the coffee bar)

Dave: A large Columbian and a ….Do you have any herbal teas?

Scott :Take your pick. (Points to a basket)

Dave: O.K. the coffee and a large tea.

Scott : Is there anything else?

Dave: How about a smile.

Scott: (with a bit of a laugh) The smiles free, but the rest will be $6.87.

Dave: Here you go.

Scott: So are you waiting for someone or are you waiting to go?

Dave: Oh, we're going.

Scott: That's the one sure thing here.

Dave: and that is?

Scott: Everyone here is waiting for something or someone. Even me, I wait for customers.

Dave: (Looking around the room) They all look lost to me.

Scott: Some may be, but I'm sure most have their travel plans together..
Dave: Actually, I didn't mean lost in that sense. Its just I was thinking there has to be more to this world than this day to day existence.

Scott: oh …. Well there is. We can search and we can wait and many people keep on searching even when they are told about him. Some still wait for him.

Dave: For who? Santa Claus?

Scott: You're on the right track there with Christmas, but I'm talking about Jesus.

Dave: Jesus? Are you crazy, like that's what's going to get them through the day?

Scott: And why not, do you know who Jesus is?

Dave: You mean was.

Scott: Yes he was but he still is.

Dave: Look I've heard of him, I know he was what some people call a prophet, but he's been dead for a thousand years.

Scott: Closer to two thousand.

Dave: What difference does it make.

Scott: I'm sorry, you're right, it doesn't make any difference about how long ago. But I'm not so sure you do know who Jesus is. He was the Christ, that's where Christmas comes from.

Dave: Sears, Best Buy, that's where Christmas comes from.

Scott: Oh, yes the material goods that we must buy to fill up “the most wonderful time of the year.” Searching for the perfect gift, when it's been given to us already.

(Maria gets up from her seat and goes to the Coffee Bar)

Dave: Look, I don't know what I believe in or am searching for. I don't even know if I am searching.

Scott: And they all look lost to you, eh? (Hands him the coffee and tea) Cream and sugar are on the side counter.

Dave: Thanks. (Dave walks away, and another customer arrives.)

Scott: May I help you?

Maria: A small coffee please.

(Dave walks over to Christina)

Christina: Thanks Babe. I hate to break it to you, but I've been watching the board, and our trains delayed.

Dave: Great, more waiting.

Christina: It seems crazy to travel now.

Dave: I'm sorry. Dad just thought this was the year we should all get together, one great big happy reunion before he gets too old. If you weren't so far along we could have flown and been there by now.

Christina: Well just as long as I don't give birth on this little jaunt of ours.

(Maria goes back to her seat and Deb who is sitting behind Dave and Christina then gets up and moves to a seat beside Christina)

Deb: Sorry I couldn't help but over hear your conversation and I'm just curious if you are expecting a Christmas baby.

Christina: I hope not, I'm actually not due till the 5th of January. Maybe we'll have a New Years baby.

Deb: Well you never know what God has in store for you.

Dave: God?

Deb: Yes God. Here I see you two traveling, with your wife expecting and all, and at this time of year, well it just reminds me of the Christmas story.

Christina: The Christmas story?

Deb: Surely you know the Christmas story. About 2000 years ago, while his mother was on a journey….. I don't think she really wanted to travel then either, but in a round about sort of way she had to travel because of family obligations. That sounds like you two doesn't it? So during this trip God's son was born in a stable.

Dave: So, Gods Son, and that would be?

Deb: Why Jesus of course.

Dave: Right, Jesus. (Sarcastic attitude)

Deb: He was born in a stable which I don't think were his mom's plans either. I think she would have rather have given birth back in her hometown or at least in…(Deb is interrupted by Dave)

Dave: So Jesus was born in a stable and they all lived happily ever after, the end.

Christina: Dave, don't be rude

Deb: That's all right dear.

Dave: Look, no I'm sorry, it's just I've heard of him, but never believed in him and you're not only the second person I've talked to here, but you're the second person to talk about this, this Jesus.

Deb: Oh, I'm sorry if it's made you a bit uneasy? Sometimes I feel the same way. I remember one time when I was with my Great Aunt Susan and someone approached me and started talking to me about football and well I know nothing about football, or wait maybe it was basketball, no it was football, so then I …(Deb is interrupted by Dave)

Dave: Look if you were talking to me about football I wouldn't have a problem with this conversation, but you're not. You're talking to me about religion and the thing is…. well, all you people that go to church are boring. You all live in your little pink houses and just are all too smiley.  Happy, happy, happy, and it's just not real.  That's not what real life is all about.  You've got to live it.  You have to do what you want to do, when you want to do it.

Deb: Sort of like this trip, doing what you want, when you want.

Dave: Sometimes you have to do what others want and when they want.

Deb: Exactly, but God wants you to enjoy your trip.   This small bit of time we have that we call life.  Enjoy your travels.  God wants you to always enjoy the ride but when you are done he wants you never to forget your way home.

Dave: I've got a map.

Deb: Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean your home where you live now.

Dave: I actually figured that out, but I'm still not buying into it.  I kind of believe that there is a God, or super being of some sort.  But Jesus, no I'm not buying that.
Deb: That's an interesting term, buying that. This time of year we've all been out buying lots. God on the other hand, gave. He didn't make us buy. He gave his Son so we could have eternal life.

Dave: The fountain of youth, I've found it! (Look up at the dispatch board)

Christina: Dave!

(Dave looks up at the dispatch board)

Dave: Look our trains pulled in.

Deb: Well when the conductor calls “All aboard” for the last ride, are you ready?

Dave: And you don't mean this train do you?

Deb: Well no I don't. Are all your bags packed or are you going to be left standing at the station? 

Dave: Well my bags are packed for our trip to Winnipeg, and that's all I care about. Our train looks like it's arrived so we should make are way down the platform.  Thanks anyway but I don't think that Jesus is what I'm looking for, maybe the winning lotto numbers, but Jesus, I don't think so. Come on Christina lets go. 

Deb: Wait take this with you, its just a little something that maybe explains what I've said to you, in a little clearer way.(Deb passes him a small pamphlet or book, he grabs it with one hand and a suitcase with the other. Christina grabs a suitcase and starts to follow, then looks back)

Christina:  I'm sorry if he was rude.  (Deb hurries to catch up)

Deb:   Don't worry about it, but please think about what I said.

(As they leave Dave drops the pamphlet on the counter of the Coffee Bar. The Busker finishes a few more bars of music then walks over and picks up the pamphlet and approaches Deb.)

Busker: Excuse me, but could you tell me more?