Out to Lunch
© Frontier Creations, Inc.

CAST: Reggie, Lois, Waitress (human hand and arm puppet)
PROPS: Table, chairs, dishes, sign saying 'Hometown Cafe'
SCENE: Restaurant, Reggie and Lois enter.  Waitress enters from opposite side.

REGGIE: Do you serve crabs here?

WAITRESS: We serve anyone.  You may sit here. (REGGIE AND LOIS SIT DOWN)

LOIS: Are there eggs on your menu today?

WAITRESS: No, I wiped them off this morning.  May I take your order now?

LOIS: Yes, I'd like a triple chocolate ice cream sundae with lots of nuts and whipped cream, please.

WAITRESS: Do you want a cherry on it?

LOIS: No thanks, I'm on a diet.

WAITRESS: And what about you, sir?

REGGIE: I'd like a cup of coffee and a muttered buffin.

WAITRESS: You mean a buffered muttin?

REGGIE: No, I mean a muffered buttin.

WAITRESS: How about a donut hole instead?

REGGIE: Yes, that will be fine.  By the way, make it black.

WAITRESS: Sorry, sir, we don't have black holes here.  I think you can get them down the street at a joint named  the Burmuda Triangle.

REGGIE: I meant the coffee.

WAITRESS: Our coffee doesn't have holes, it's freshly ground each morning.

REGGIE: (UNDER HIS BREATH) Yeah, I bet it tastes like mud.

WAITRESS: Will that be all?

REGGIE: (DISGUSTED) Yes, that does it. (WAITRESS EXITS)

LOIS: This is a nice restaurant, Reggie.  I remember when we were here with my folks I ordered a fresh egg and got the freshest egg in the world.  I ordered hot coffee and got the hottest coffee in the world.

REGGIE: I know, Lois, I know.  I ordered a small steak.

LOIS: Speaking of eggs, that reminds me.  Do you know what you get when you cross a dog with a chicken?

REGGIE: No, what?

LOIS: A pooched egg. (LAUGHS)

REGGIE: Here comes our order.

WAITRESS: (ENTERS, PUTS FOOD ON TABLE) I'll be right back with your whole-y coffee. (EXITS)

(REGGIE STARTS T0 EAT, LOIS BOWS HER HEAD TO PRAY.)

REGGIE: Hey, what's the matter, Lois?  Do you have a headache, or do your eyebrows itch?  Or is there something under the table? (LOOKS DOWN)

LOIS: No, Reggie.  I was just giving thanks for the food.

REGGIE: You mean right here in the restaurant?

LOIS: Sure, why not?

REGGIE: But in front of all these people?  Aren't you embarrassed?

LOIS: I'd be more embarrassed if I didn't.

REGGIE: What?  I don't get it. (WAITRESS ENTERS WITH COFFEE AND WAITS)

LOIS: Well, you see, Reggie.  I'm a Christian, and Jesus said if anyone was ashamed of Him here on earth, then He would be ashamed of that person before God in Heaven.

REGGIE: Sure, I know. I'm a Christian, too. But Jesus also said to do your praying in secret and not where other people could see you.

LOIS: Oh... that's right, he did. (PAUSE) So, which of those things is the right thing to do?

REGGIE: I dunno...

WAITRESS: (PLACING COFFEE ON TABLE) They're both right.

LOIS: What?

REGGIE: Huh?

WAITRESS: Sure. Jesus DID say both of those things but his point was really all about your motive.

REGGIE: What do you mean?

WAITRESS: I mean, praying doesn't mean anything if you don't have the right attitude. Lot's of people pray and lots of them don't believe in Jesus at all.

LOIS: Oh! That's true.

WAITRESS: So, it isn't the praying that's important. It's what you mean when you pray. Praying before a meal in a restaurant is fine if you aren't doing it to be seen and thought "holy" by other people. In other words, praying in a restaurant is not for showing how a Christian isn't ashamed of Jesus. If it's a real prayer, it's for thanking God for His provision. Jesus said people will know who is a follower of His by the love they show.

REGGIE: Yeah!

WAITRESS: But praying in secret wan't meant to keep you from being "embarassed" about talking to you Savior. Sometimes, it makes sense to offer a prayer that others can hear simply to remind them that God is interested in everyone.

LOIS: Right. All that makes sense, but doesn't solve our problem. Should a person give thanks before eating in a restaurant or not?

WAITRESS: Depends on whther you're thankful or not. But remember... you don't have to bow your head or close your eyes to pray. I mean, ever pray while you're driving to work?

REGGIE: Are you kidding? With traffic like it is, I need all the help I can get.

LOIS: You said it.

WAITRESS: Well, I hope you don't bow your head and close your eyes then!

LOIS: (GIGGLES) Of course not.

WAITRESS: But the prayer is still a real prayer, isn't it?

LOIS: It is. Sure it is!

WAITRESS: So, really, it's up to every person whether or not you pray before eating in a restaurant. Just be sure you pray - or don't pray - for the right reasons.

REGGIE: Hmmm. Well, you've certainly given us a lot to chew on. (PAUSE) Much like this inedible donut. Thanks.

WAITRESS: My pleasure. (EXIT)

REGGIE: (LOOKS AT HIS WATCH) Wow! Look at the time. We'd better be going. Are you finished eating?

LOIS: Yes, I'm done.  Let's go. (THEY START TO LEAVE)

REGGIE: Maybe we should talk about this in Sunday School this Sunday.

LOIS: That would be super. (PAUSE) Um, Reggie. Didn't you forget something?

REGGIE: You want me to pray right now?

LOIS: No, Reggie, just pay.

REGGIE: Oh, yeah - I almost forgot! (RUNS BACK.  LIGHTS DIM.)

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