"What The Innkeeper Missed"
written by Andrew and Susanna Little
Cast:
Innkeeper / Sam
Innkeeper's Son / Samuel
Joseph
Mary
Shepherds
Tax Collector
Joseph's Relatives
Setting: Office setting on the stage for the innkeeper. To the left of the stage is a podium and a small table set up for the tax collector. In the background a sheet is set up for the silhouette scene.
Scene 1
Opening Scene: Man comes from the side room to the middle of the stage.
Innkeeper: Good evening, everyone! It's good to see you here. You can call me Sam! I run the finest lodging establishment here in this town. Ask anyone around and they will tell you that you can't beat Old Sam! Our prices can't be beat, and if they can? Well... good for you! (Laughs slightly) I know this is a special time of the year for all of you, but this time of year always reminds me of that night. Oh that night... If I could just go back, I would change everything I did. I didn't know how important He was. I mean, I had heard the stories about His coming, but to be honest, I never really paid much attention to them. You see, I am a business man... wait, you didn't come here to hear my excuses. You came for the story. It started on a night much like this, a young couple came to town...
Innkeeper leaves the stage, song, "Hallelujah", plays and Mary and Joseph enter from the back. As they enter, a man enters from lower side door and stands at the podium.
Mary: Where are we going to stay?
Joseph: Just one thing at a time. The taxes need to be paid first.
Mary: Don't you have family still living here? Would they be willing to put us up for the night?
Joseph: Yes there are some, but we haven't spoken in years. I am sure they will. If not, I am sure we can find an inn that is still open. Don't worry, the Lord will provide.
Mary: I know He will... His Son deserves to be born some place nice, not out in the open.
Joseph: Don't worry Mary, everything will work out. (Muttering to himself) Now where is the tax collector?
Mary: Joseph, I am so cold.
Joseph: (Wrapping a shawl around Mary) Don't worry, I will find you some place warm.
Joseph walks over to the tax collector, while Mary waits on him.
Tax Collector: Good evening, sir!
Joseph: Good evening, we are here to pay the taxes we owe, as declared by Caesar Augustus.
Tax Collector: I can certainly help you with that. What is your name?
Joseph: My name is Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Matthan.
Tax Collector: Oh yes, here you are. (Turns book to him, points to page) Here is what you owe, and I need you to sign here.
Joseph hands money to the tax collector.
Tax Collector: Thank you sir, have a wonderful evening.
Joseph: Thank you. Is there an inn around here where my wife and I could stay for the night?
Tax Collector: We have several fine establishments around here, but honestly they are probably all full up. You should try the one next door. It is run by my good friend, Sam. You can't beat Sam!
Joseph: Thank you for your help.
Joseph rejoins Mary when some relatives walk by.
Joseph: Hey, I haven't seen you in a long time!
Relative: It has been awhile, how are you?
Joseph: We are doing well. Mary, these are relatives of mine who still live in the city. (Turns back to relative.) My wife and I are looking for a place to rest for the night. Don't you own an inn here in town?
Relative: Why yes, we do!
Joseph: Could you put us up for the night?
Relative: (Begins to laugh.) You're joking, right? At this late notice?
Joseph: No, my wife is expecting our first child to be born soon.
(Woman standing with relative touches Mary's shoulder and says, "Congratulations")
Relative: You should have arrived earlier, we have no rooms available.
Joseph: Ok, I understand. Thank you anyway.
Relative: Sorry we couldn't help out.
Relatives walk towards back out of sight. Mary and Joseph walk through right door out of sight.
Song: "No Room"
Scene 2
Innkeeper comes back out to the center stage, this time accompanied by his son. The son takes a seat near the desk.
Innkeeper: Things didn't look too happy for the young couple. They searched several local inns before they came to see me. Oh, the things I would have done differently, if I had just realized who they were.
Innkeeper sits down at desk with his son. Mary and Joseph reenter and stand off to the left of the stage.
Mary: Joseph, what are we going to do? The time is getting close, and I don't know how much further I can go on.
Joseph: Let's try one more, surely they have a place we can stay. This is the place the tax collector recommended.
Mary and Joseph step up on the stage.
Innkeeper: Welcome friends! The name is Sam! And this is my son, Samuel. I am the owner of this fine establishment. What can I do for you?
Joseph: My name is Joseph, and this is my wife, Mary. We have searched several inns in the area trying to find a place to stay.
Innkeeper: Well you should have come to see me first! There is always room with Sam!
Joseph: So do you have a room for us to stay?
Innkeeper: Did you have a friend or relative reserve a room for you?
Joseph: No, we just got to town, hoping to find a place to stay when we got here.
Innkeeper: (Begins to laugh) Are you kidding me? We have been booked up for a week.
Joseph: You have to have something. My wife and I are expecting our first child anytime now. She just can't go on anymore.
Innkeeper: I am really sorry, but I don't have anything available.
Joseph: Thank you anyway. (Turns to Mary) I'm sorry honey...
Joseph and Mary begin to walk away.
Innkeeper's Son: (Jumps up and shouts) Wait! (Turns to his Dad) What about the stable out back?
Innkeeper: I didn't think about that, but I don't think they would want to stay in an old stable. (Looks at Mary and Joseph) Would you?
Mary: Anything would be better than sleeping on the streets.
Joseph: (Smiles at Mary) We will take it.
Innkeeper: Well I would say that out of all the stables in town, mine is the finest! Just lined it with fresh hay this morning myself. (Turns to his son) Samuel, run out there and make sure everything is presentable.
Samuel runs out the side door. Counts to 10, then runs back inside.
Innkeeper's Son: Daddy, everything looks good!
Innkeeper: Thank you, son. (Looks at Mary and Joseph) Just follow me.
All the on stage cast follow innkeeper out the door. Song plays while they are gone. After song, the Innkeeper and his son return. Son sits at desk while the Dad begins to pace, then turns to the audience. Song: "Do You Have Any Room?"
Light turns on in the back for the silhouette scene. We see Mary seated and Joseph standing behind her. Light stays on until after the song ends after Innkeeper speaks.
Innkeeper comes in alone.
Innkeeper: As soon as that young couple came to town, everything changed. I can't explain it, but it was like a presence had arrived in our little town that hadn't been before. Later on that night, I heard the sound of a baby crying, and I knew their child had been born. What happened next was strange...
Song plays, the light goes out.
From the back of the church, 2 young shepherds come running to the front. One falls down on the floor and the other slams his hands down on the desk.
Shepherd 1: (Out of breath) Where is He?
Innkeeper: Wait just a minute, you don't come barging into a fine place of business like this...
Shepherd 2: (Gets off the floor) You don't understand, where is He?
Innkeeper: Where is Who?
Shepherd 1: Him!
Innkeeper: Who?
Shepherd 2: You know, Him!
Innkeeper: I have no idea who you are talking about.
Shepherd 1: The Saviour! He just came to town.
Innkeeper: What does He look like?
Shepherd 2: They told us that we would find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Innkeeper: Alright, let me get this straight. You are looking for a baby, who just came to town, dressed in rags, lying in a food trough?
Both Shepherds: Yes!
Innkeeper: And you are saying He is the Saviour?
Both Shepherds: Yes!
Innkeeper: (Shouts) Are you both crazy?
Shepherd 1: No, the angels told us!
Innkeeper: Do what?
Shepherd 2: Yes, the angels! After the angel told us where to find Him, a whole host of angels showed up in the sky, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Shepherd 1: And as soon as they disappeared we talked about it and decided to come to Bethlehem and see what the Lord had made us aware of.
Innkeeper: I think you both are nuts, but there was a Baby born a little while ago. He is in the stable behind my inn. Just go right down that path.
Both Shepherds: Thank you, sir!
Both shepherds leave, leaving the innkeeper and his son on the stage. Innkeeper and his son stand up and stare at the door where the shepherds went through.
Innkeeper's Son: Daddy, what was wrong with those people?
Innkeeper: I have no idea.
Silhouette light comes on and we see Mary seated, with Joseph standing behind her. Both shepherds have joined them kneeling down. Song: "Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem" After song, the light goes back out.
Shepherds come running out of the side door back on stage, address the innkeeper, then continue on, repeating line to several people in the audience until they reach the back.
Both Shepherds: (Shouting) Woo hoo! He's here! He's here!
Innkeeper and his son watch as they leave.
Innkeeper's Son: Daddy, really, what was wrong with those people?
Innkeeper: I really have no idea.
Innkeeper and son leave stage. Song: "Go Tell It On The Mountain"
Scene 3
Innkeeper returns to center stage, working with papers and books at his desk. Mary and Joseph come out to see him.
Innkeeper: Well, hello there! How are you doing?
Joseph: We are doing well... we are headed home.
Innkeeper: Thank you for your stay, I trust you found your accommodations acceptable?
Mary: As nice as a barn could be!
Innkeeper: Oh, that's right, you guys are the ones staying in the stable.
Joseph: Yes, well, have a pleasant day.
Joseph and Mary start to walk away.
Innkeeper: Just a minute, you never told me your Child's name?
Mary: He carries the name given to Him by His Father.
Innkeeper: Oh, Joseph.
Mary: No, Jesus, for He is the Son of God.
Mary and Joseph walk off, while the innkeeper stands and stares as they leave. Innkeeper pulls the chair from the desk and sits it down in the middle of the stage.
Innkeeper: (Starts off with his head in his hands, then slowly raises his head) I missed it. I can't believe I missed it. I had the opportunity to meet God's Son, and I missed it. I have heard for the most of my life that the Saviour was coming, but I wasn't paying close enough attention. I missed Him.
Song: "While You Were Sleeping"
Preacher speaks, explains how the innkeeper, his relatives, the tax collector, and most of the people in the city missed the birth of Jesus. We need to be aware that Jesus came to die and rise again, and He will come back for His people. You don't want to miss it!
