The Reason We Are Here

By Sharon-Kathleen Corner

The Reason We Are Here

Two guys walk in, packs on their back, walking sticks.  Settle down to have a lunch.

M:  This is crazy

X:  Would you just stop it already?

M:  No, this is just crazy?

X:  I GET it!

M:  Well, it is.

X:  So, you’ve said.

M:  I have a business to run, I don’t have time for this.

X:  Yup, got it.

M: I am an important man.  I am needed in my store, I could be making money, a LOT of money.  Instead, where am I?

M & X: Wasting my time wandering in the desert.

M glares at X.

X:  I’ve heard it before.

M:  Well, you can hear it again.

X rolls his eyes.

M:  Who does Julius think he is?  WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS? 

X:  Emperor.  I think he thinks he is the Emperor.

M:  That shouldn’t give him the right to make me close my doors, lose money and walk hundreds of miles through this awful dry desert so he can count how many people there are.  And do you know WHY he is doing this?
X:  (Sighs) Why?

M: So he can collect more taxes, that’s why.  No other reason.  Just so he can steal more money from the people.

X:  Probably, but-

M:  He has some nerve!  HE HAS SOME NERVE!!!

X:  Well, I’ll tell you what.

M:  What?

X:  Why don’t you march up to Julius Ceaser – that is, if you can get past those pesky little soldiers  and their pointy spears.  You walk up to him and tell him he has some nerve.  Just one question.

M:  What?

X:  What flowers should I send to your funeral?

M:  Oh, ha ha, very funny.

X:  (shrugs)

M:  This is just so stupid.

X:  Would you just give it up?
M:  Why can’t we just have stayed where we were?  Why can’t the census be done in the town where we are in now?  Why do we have to return to the town of our birth?  What sense does that make?

X: Well, I for one, am looking forward to seeing grandma again.

M:  Would you STOP being so cheerful?

X:  Why?
M:  Because it is driving me crazy!

X:  Everything drives you crazy.  You are crazy.

M:  Crazy?  I am not crazy!  I am going to go poor because of this stupid census!
X:  Poor?  Oh please.  You are one of the richest men in Nazareth.  You have Achmel running your store while you are away and people will need to buy things while they are there waiting to be counted, you will be rich beyond measure.

M: (Rubs his chin, considering)  this is true, people will need to buy….

X:  There…

M:  But I still DON’T understand why we are here!

X:  (Throws up his hands.)

A moment of silence as they eat.

X:  Have you heard the rumor?
M:  About the King?

X:  The Son Of Man.

M:  Being born here. 

X:  Do you believe Elizabeth?

M:  I have never known her to lie.  (silence for a moment)  Joseph and Mary left before we did.  They should have arrived already.

X:  Could you imagine?
M:  What?

X:  Getting to worship our King?

M:  (stares at X then looks over his head)  Look.

X: (Turns and looks the other way)  What is that?
M:  A sign.   A sign He is here.   THAT is why we are here.

X:  The reason we are here.

M:  (Helps his friend up)  The reason we are here.  Let’s go worship our King.