Play one- The Dark Man.

[A spotlight clicks on, center stage. It’s empty until a man dressed in dark clothing steps into it. He looks out into the audience with a blank face.]

DARK MAN:
You shall not covet thy neighbor’s things.

[A spotlight clicks on to a man hanging from the ceiling by a rope that is wrapped around his neck. The Dark man does not recognize that he is there.]

DARK MAN:
You shall not lie.

[A spotlight comes up on a man slouched against the wall with a bullet hole in the middle of his forehead.]

DARK MAN:
You shall not steal.

[A spotlight comes up on a small child lying in a pool of blood, cradling the stump of an arm with a missing hand. He moans and rocks back and forth.]

DARK MAN:
You shall not commit adultery.

[A spotlight comes up on a dead woman surrounded by pill and alcohol bottles.]

DARK MAN:
You shall not murder.

[A spotlight comes up on a man, pinned to the wall. A stream of blood trickles out of his mouth.]

DARK MAN:
Honor thy father and thy mother.

[A spotlight comes up on a little girl. Her throat is slit ear to ear.]

DARK MAN:
Remember the Sabbath.

[A spotlight comes up on a man in a pool of blood, his wrists slit.]

DARK MAN:
Do not take the lord’s name in vain.

[A spotlight comes up on a man. His eyes are glazed and blood is pouring out of his mouth. His tongue has been cut out.]

DARK MAN:
You shall not worship idols.

[A spotlight comes up on a woman underwater with a cinder block tied to her leg.]

DARK MAN:
[Changing from expressionless and starting to cry]
And you shall have no other gods before him.

[The Dark man pulls out a knife and plunges it into his stomach. He sinks to his knees. All lights fade as the Dark man stays on his knees, clutching the knife and gasping for breath.]
END