DR. AUSTIN: (Off to MRS. AUSTIN:) Sorry,...
Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
It is the run up to Christmas and Vicky Austin is worried. She has been cast as the youngest ever angel in the history of the town's Christmas Pageant. Vicky has been having a hard time rehearsing as her nerves have made her clumsy and unsure. The pressure is on and her confidence is low. Young Vicky confides in her father, Doctor Austin.
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DR. AUSTIN: (Off to MRS. AUSTIN:) Sorry, dear, I tried my best. (To YOUNG VICKY:) We’re all just tryin’ our best, right kiddo? How was rehearsal? (Sees her off-expression.) Everything all right?
YOUNG VICKY: I was talking to the Santa mug.
DR. AUSTIN: That’s okay—as long as it wasn’t talking back.
YOUNG VICKY: It wasn’t.
DR. AUSTIN: Good. What’s bugging the most famous angel in pageant history?
(YOUNG VICKY bursts into tears and runs into her father’s arms.)
DR. AUSTIN: Hey. Did I say something wrong?
YOUNG VICKY: The only thing I’m going to famous for is RUINING the pageant.
DR. AUSTIN: Now why would you say that?
YOUNG VICKY: Because it’s true! Everyone knows it. The director knows it. Donna and Beth know it.
DR. AUSTIN: Donna and Beth? (OLDER VICKY: Donna and Beth. Ugh.)
YOUNG VICKY: Beth’s playing Mary and—it doesn’t matter. Even the Donkey knows I’m going to wreck everything. Everyone knows.
DR. AUSTIN: I don’t.
YOUNG VICKY: Yes you do—I just told you!
DR. AUSTIN: Well I’ve already forgotten.
YOUNG VICKY: When people think of a Christmas angel they imagine a beautiful Golden angel atop a tree; stately and dignified and I’m a…mess.
DR. AUSTIN: Now what are you talking about—you’re going to be beautiful.
YOUNG VICKY: I’m a fraud.
DR. AUSTIN: You are not.
YOUNG VICKY: I’m going to ruin it and they’ll never do the pageant again.
DR. AUSTIN: I’m sure it’s not as bad as you feel.
YOUNG VICKY: I feel sick. Maybe I’ll call out for the rest of the month.
DR. AUSTIN: It’s a lot of pressure being the youngest angel ever, but that just means you have to work extra hard. They picked you for a reason.
YOUNG VICKY: They were all laughing.
DR. AUSTIN: Even the Santa Claus mug?
YOUNG VICKY: Especially the Santa Claus mug!
DR. AUSTIN: It’s only a matter of practice. You can be just as graceful, if not more so, than any other angel that’s ever been in any pageant in the history of pageants. Mommy and I will help you, all right?
YOUNG VICKY: You will?
DR. AUSTIN: Of course. You’ll be so graceful you’ll practically be floating. But you have to work at it. Promise?
YOUNG VICKY: I promise. I just wish I knew the inn keeper and the donkey were going to work on their parts, too.
DR. AUSTIN: You just focus on you.
YOUNG VICKY: But what if they mess up the blocking?
DR. AUSTIN: Then you adjust.
YOUNG VICKY: I’d rather know.
DR. AUSTIN: You can’t predict life, Vic. We’re all just tryin’ our best, right?
(YOUNG VICKY forces a smile and a nod.)
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