Father Knows Best Skit

Looks like we used this skit back in February of 2008...

Father Knows Best

Set: table with two chairs. Father is seated at SL end of the table, His left shoulder to the audience.

Daughter enters SR and sits at SR end of table, her right shoulder to audience. She has a cup of coffee and is skimming a paper as she speaks to her father.

Daughter (can be improvised along these lines) (speaking not comically fast, but without giving her father a chance to reply): Good morning, Daddy. I'm glad I get to have breakfast with you. It's such a great way to start my day. Oh, and what a day it's going to be! I have to get both kids to school before work since Tony's out of town. Then I have to meet the cable guy between what, 2 and 4 today. He better not be late because I have to be at a meeting at 4:30, and then I pick up the kids after practice at 6:00. And then of course we're supposed to have dinner at Luigi's with their uncle. I did tell you that my dear brother Charles [said with obvious sarcasm] is coming into town today, didn't I? Has he talked with you lately? I am so NOT looking forward to seeing him again. The last time we were together we got into a fight, and we never really resolved it. Oh goodness, I'm gonna be late if I don't hurry! I'll talk to you later, Dad. Bye!

Father watches silently as she exits SR.

Wait a beat. Then Daughter enters SR, sits at table with coffee and newspaper again. It's the next morning.

Daughter (again, can be improvised along these lines) (speaking at a slower pace, but without really listening to her father's replies): Good morning, Daddy. I really blew it last night. I tried to act like nothing was wrong between us, but Charles couldn't let it go. He wanted to “RESOLVE” things. So it's really not my fault right? I mean he asked me how we ended up at odds! So I told him!

Father (matter-of-factly): You only told him one side of it. Did you listen to how you hurt him back then?

Daughter (ignoring him): Now instead of a cold war we have a hot war going again. And in front of the kids. I cannot believe he blindsided me with them at the table. I'm so angry I don't know what to do. What do you think?

Father: You should forgive him. You should listen to him. You should ask him to forgive you for your part of this war.

Daughter: Maybe I can get Debbie to call him. She was always his favorite sister. Maybe she can talk some sense into him. [brightens] Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Thanks, Dad! It always helps to talk to you! [gets up, exits SR]

Wait a beat. Then Daughter enters and sits again, no props this time. It is later the same day.

Daughter: [defeated] Daddy, I only made things worse with Charles. He was so offended that I called Debbie. He called and really tore into me. Now I think Debbie's mad at me too! I don't know what to do. Why does it have to be so complicated?

Father: It doesn't.

Daughter: [looks up at him] You're right. I made this mess myself. My pride, my anger, my scheming, I'm the one who complicated things. But what can I do now? It's already complicated; it's too late to change that!

Father: It's never to late to be humble. You can lay down your pride, your anger, your scheming. You can confess to Charles how you were wrong back then, and how you were wrong last night, and how you were wrong today. You can confess to Debbie how you were wrong to involve her in taking your side. It's not too late for simple truth.

Daughter: But what if they don't want to forgive me?

Father: That's not your part. You're complicating things again. Do your part. Confess your faults. Let them worry about their parts. [stands]

Daughter: [stands] Thanks, Dad. I have another confession to make as well. These times together, well most of the time I don't really listen to what you have to say. I know you already know that, but I need to say I'm sorry. You always watch over me, and I know you know best. I don't want my prayers to be all one way. Lord, I'm so glad I'm listening to you now. [they hug, blackout]