(Stage is like a giant waiting room with several couches and benches. One bench is front stage left with two people on it. Joe is on the left side; Lilia is on the right. Several other people from church sitting or standing throughout stage. At back of stage is a door and next to it is a sign that says “Highway to Heaven.” When door opens snippet of song “Highway to Heaven” plays. Inside the door and up wall are chasing lights that look to be running up when door is opened.)
Open
(People milling about in quiet conversation until Angel speaks and all is silent.)
Angel (Yells): Todd, Kerry, David, Rylee
(The called all head toward Angel. When they all get there the Angel say)
Angel: You may enter now.
(As the door opens “Highway to Heaven” plays and chasing light run. Brad enters stage Left)
Brad: Hey Joe! Hi Lilia! (Brad is carrying a cardboard box w/ a cross and a Thomas Kincaid picture. Brad is also wearing his green AWANAS shirt and cross ring. Brad sits between Joe and Lilia)
Brad: what happened; the church bus never stopped.
Joe: Yah! We plowed into that gas tanker and that’s all she wrote. I heard Tod tell Rex that he needed to get someone to look at the brakes the last time he drove it. I guess Rex forgot.
(Awkward silence for a moment then Angel calls again.)
Angel: Scott, Jane, Zack, Hannah
(They walk toward Angel as they get there)
Angel: You may enter
(As the door opens, song plays again and lights chase)
(When door shuts)
Lilia: What took you so long to get here? You didn’t have to lay there and suffer for a while, did you?
Brad: No, I went back to the house to get a few things. I could not get to heaven without them.
Joe: What do you mean?
Brad: You know a few things to show God that I belong. Like my AWANAS shirt, and my cross ring, this cross, or this Thomas Kinkade picture.
(Brad pulls the things out of the box as he talks about them. Then places them back in the box when he finishes)
Joe: I used to think like you and my life was a real mess… (Joe gives his EE testimony)
(When Joe finishes)
Brad: Man, you have a testimony; I always said I was going to get me a testimony after I heard Nicky Cruz… but I didn’t.
(Immediately Angel calls)
Angel: Joe, Tammy, Jenny, Joshua
(Joe sheepishly and slowly gets up and walks over to the angel)
Joe: (in hushed tones to the Angel) I am trying to show Brad the way to get Salvation; can you wait about 30 min?
Angel: (leans over and talks quietly with Joe) I am afraid it is too late for Brad. He died without Jesus. His trust is in those things, not Jesus; they will lead him straight to Hell. (Or substitute the Devil)
By the way, Joe you had talked with Brad hundreds of times, why did you wait until now.
(Joe hangs his head and even shows a tear in his eyes)
Angel: (Yelling again) you may enter
(Joe slowly enters the door “Highway to Heaven” plays and lights chase up. Joe looks back eyes red and tears)
Brad: (to Lilia) I knew Joe would make it, that testimony was good. But, he scared me when he was talking to the Angel that long.
Lilia: Can I ask you a question?
Brad: Sure
Lillian: If you were to die today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?
Brad: Dah uah! I am here aren’t I?
Lilia: You know the Bible tells us that you can know for sure. Would you like me to tell you how I came to know I have eternal life?
Brad: Sure, I bet you got a good testimony too.
Lillian: But let me ask you one more question.
Brad: okay
Lillian: If you were to die tonight and stand before God and He asked you, why should I let you into my heaven? What would you say?
Brad: That’s why I went back to the house to get all this stuff to show Him.
(At that moment, out of the stage right door comes a hooded black creature. The face is dark maybe use a Darth Maul mask. He runs across the stage grabs Brad’s cardboard box and runs out the stage left door. Brad gets up and runs after the creature)
Brad :( Yelling) Hey!!!!!
(Brad fellows him out at a full gallop. Outside the door it is total black [may have to place a curtain to get the effect.] Door slams shut and you hear Brad’s yell getting further away as he is falling, but he never hits bottom, then silence)
(Another awkward moment the Angel calls out)
Angel: Lilia …
(Black out)
