"For Such A Time as This"
                   Copyright (c) 2000 Charlotte L Pound
                           

Synopsis: In the beauiful story of Esther, Haman schemes to do away with the Jews, but his great plan backfires. A young Jewish maiden's obedience and faith in God will save her people.

At Rise: King is giving a banquet for his friends, trying to impress them of his greatness and wealth. Music plays, characters lounging around eating, laughing, etc.

Scene One   Kings Palace

Narrator:  Now it came to pass, that King Ahasuerus who ruled all the provinces from Ethiopia to India, gave a great banquet feast in his palace in Shushan. The king wanted to show his friends all the glorious riches of his kingdom. 

Friend #1:- King Ahaserus, your fame spreads afar, not only do you have the grandest kingdom, but you are by far the richest king in these regions. (All agree, King nods proudly.)

King: Yes I must say that, that is so.

Friend #2: And is it not true also that, you above all other kings, have the most beautiful wife, in all the kingdoms?

(All men chuckle)

King:  Yes, I must say that is true also, Vashti is the most beautiful woman, and a perfect wife to me, so elegant, so lovely, so obedient.

Friend#3:  Well tell us O King, is it possible to catch a glimpse of this most wondrous creature?  (All agree)

King: Very well. So that you will know that everything that is said of my kingdom, is true, I will call my queen, and perhaps she will entertain you with a dance.   (all ooh and ahh, in anticipation)

(King smiles, claps hands, two slaves enter and bow)

Slave #1-  Oh King live forever, you have a wish?

(Friends look at each other as though impressed)

King: Yes, go and tell the Queen, that I request her presence, she is to meet my guests, and dance for them.

 (Slaves back out, bowing low, mumbling, stumbling, knocking into guests, etc.)
Slaves: Oh pardon us, O king, pardon... oh..sorry..

King:  You know, you can't get good help these days.

(Party continues, guest laugh and chat, etc.. Slave girls pouring water, serving, etc.Slaves #1& #2 return, but hang back nervously)

King: (snaps fingers, impatiently) Come Heckle and Jeckle where is your Queen?

Slave #1: O great king, live forever, most powerful king in all the.. 

King:  (interrupts) Get on with it man..

Slave #2: Well, oh great King , we gave Queen Vashti your request, and well uh, she, uh...

Slave #1: (interrupts) She said, she won't., I mean isn't able to come to this banquet.    (rolls eyes, at other slave)

(Friends nod and sneer at each other, King is embarrassed)

King: What! (yells) How dare she! Go and tell her that I am not asking, I am commanding her presence AT ONCE!

(Slaves scramble out, King smiles to friends)

King: Women! (smiles at friends) Now she'll come.

(music here as characters mime eating talking etc.)
(Slaves 1&2  return..alone, very frightened)

King: Well.... where is she?

Slave #2:  O great king, sh, sh,...she ref, refffuses to cccome...

King: WHAT!! (Friends crack up, as he rages and blusters) Well I... I won't stand for this. I hereby declare, Vashti is no longer Queen of this kingdom, (All gasp at this) I shall have a new Queen, one that will obey the Kings commands.

 (Music swells, all guest mumble.) END of SCENE ONE  

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