The Chess Team

Actors: 4
Reference: Romans 12:4-10
Notes: Don't forget: these are nerds. Now would be a good time for you to practive your Steve Urckle voice!

Synopsis

Three excited members of the chess team (Greg, Arlene, and Marla) march into the locker-room, obviously pumped up about their upcoming match. Charles, their star player, is sprawled across a bench reading a comic book. Arlene, the warm-up leader, invites him to join their calisthenics, but he refuses he doesnt need to warm up. Unperturbed, the others proceed to do a series of exercises. First they all flex their fingers while Arlene calls Flex-2-3-4. Second, they mimic moving a chess piece, hitting the timer, and putting their hand back down while Arlene calls Up-Side-Down. After 2-3 repetitions, Greg remarks that it sounds like theyre saying Upside down and they all laugh. Finally, they move into Reach-Side-Down while stretching up, to the side, and back down. After 2-3 repetitions, Marla remarks that it sounds like theyre saying Reach side down and they all look at her like shes an idiot. During the warm-ups, Arlene also announces the reason for each exercise the first helps keep their fingers loose, the second ensures they wont accidentally knock over a piece during a move, the third keeps them from tensing up in their chairs. The whole time there is a nerdy banter about old victories, near misses, etc. Basically, it sounds like a football team except theyre discussing chess. Finally, it is time for the traditional post-warm-up look at the starting lineup Coach posts on the board. Charles is still looking bored on his bench he is always the opener. As they read the list, a general cry of dismay goes up, because Charles is not the opening player. In fact, hes listed at the very end as backup. Instead, the honor falls to Arlene. She is quite dismayed because opening is not her forte. Charles is of his bench in an instant, complaining that Coach must be out of his mind, because everyone knows he is the best starting player. Arlene agrees that opening is not her forte and she is quite dismayed with this turn of events. Her part has always been to come in and rescue the team after the queen is lost. Marla is always the second one in because she can rattle the opponents with her annoying voice, and Greg always finishes the game up. None of them feel competent to take on the new roles, although the try to assure each other that Coach knows what hes doing. Charles, however, is not to be convinced. Finally, Marla reminds him that he has not been coming to many practices lately. So what? is his response. I dont need as much practice as most people. He also missed the team lunch where they watch videos of past matches, Marla points out. Charles defends himself, saying his friends from the video-game club had invited him to eat with them instead and anyway, when youve seen one chess game, youve seen em all. Greg finally points out that Charles hasnt been to Coachs office to talk one-on-one for several weeks. Charles claims he was too busy reading his comics, and then threatens to quit the whole team. And do what? asks Marla with scorn. Become a Band Nerd? I guess he could try for the drama club, puts in Greg, but they probably wouldnt take him theyre all way too clever for us! Everyone agrees. You could join the FFA, suggests Arlene, I hear theyre out standing in their field! Everyone laughs. Charles begins to realize what little choice he has and moreover, he starts to recognize that he has really let the team down with his poor, arrogant behavior. He promises to change, and to talk to the Coach right after their game. Their team restored, all four march out to face the enemy, singing the cheesiest school fight song you can come up with.