Confessions

[Scene: One Christian man and one Catholic priest talking; Setting: two ornate chairs are sitting side by side at an angle on stage. Between the two chairs is a self-standing wall. The wall has a screened window in it. On the side facing away from the audience there is a sliding wooden panel used to "shut" the window. The wall and chairs are at such an angle as the audience can only see one side of the wall except for what they can see through the window. The man has a noticable tattoo on his arm, visible only because his sleeves are rolled up, and is sitting nearest the audience. The priest sits on the other side of the wall so that he can be seen through the window.]

Man: Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

Priest: Tell me of your sin, child.

Man: I am guilty of sins agianst my body, my father, and my Lord God.

Priest: Explain these sins to me, my son.

Man: Well, father, it is one sin against my body, my father and my God.

Priest: What is this sin, my child?

Man: Against the will of my father , and that of my Lord God in heaven, I have marked my flesh... I have gotten a tattoo.

Priest: [There is a more serious tone in his voice] Show me this tattoo.

Man: [Holds his tattooed arm to the window so that the priest can see the tattoo.] Father, I must confess, there was more to this than simply decorating my body, that was my intent but it turned out to be so much more than that.

Priest: [Curiously] What do you mean my son?

Man: It was a highly spiritual experience and it changed my life... I'll never be the same person I was before I got it done. From the very moment that the needle first pierced my flesh, I've been feeling more like myself... like this is what my soul needs.

Priest: [Gravely.] This is a grave sin my son.

Man: But why, father? Why must it be a sin? Why can I not praise myself and decorate my body but still have love for my god?

Priest: Your body is a temple--

Man: [Interrupting] Look around you father, at this house of god in which we sit! Is it not a temple? Is this temple not decorated to appease God?

Priest: Yes, and yes.

Man: So, if my body is a temple to house my soul, why can I not decorate it?

Priest: Because the Lord God said so. Are you here to ask that your sin be forgiven?

Man: Initially father, I was; but since you told me that I cannot be who I am and still love my Lord God, I am going to have to leave the Church and server God in my own way. Good day.

[Priest slides wooden panel shut over the window; Man rises to leave; Curtain falls.]

The End.