Rock Solid (script) 

by Randall Beaird

(Martha enters the room shaking everyones hand and smiling.)

(Martha lays on the floor and goes to sleep.)

One stormy summer night, Martha has a dream. She sees a beautiful house with red ribbons wrapped around the chimney. 

(Narrator plays the accordian while Martha dreams.)

As the morning sun comes up, Martha sits and ponders her dream. Her heart races with excitement as she pictures the amazing house. She decides that she needs to find this gorgeous mansion. 

(Martha sits behind the wheel of her cardboard cut-out car pretending to be driving.)

Martha drives around for hours searching for this mysterious house, but to no avail. Martha's long journey slowly gives way to thoughts of finding a nice breakfast. Martha pulls into a roadside café.

(Martha moves to the table. The waiter/narrator delivers pancakes, and she begins eating while drawing the house on a napkin.)

She orders pancakes and orange juice, and starts drawing the house on a napkin. As Martha is drawing, something clicks inside. She decides if she cannot find the house, she will build the house!

(Nathan enters the room wearing a tool belt and hardhat.)

(Martha's only speaking part)
Oh Nathan! You would not believe my dream! There was this beautiful house! I drove all over town looking….I just can’t find it! Here is a picture I drew.I want you to build this house for me Nathan. Spare no expense! Build it with the best materials money can buy! Build it rock solid!

(Martha leaves while Nathan sits down at the table and begins working on the plans.)

Nathan knows this special house is his chance to be famous. He feels people will drive for hours to see its beauty. Nathan also knows he will have thousands of dollars available to buy building materials. Slowly, like a small dark shadow, an idea creeps into his mind. It grows into a decision that will change his life forever. Nathan was hired to build a rock solid home. However, he decides to purchase cheap, weak materials and pocket the savings.

(Nathan leaves.)

Instead of placing the framing studs sixteen inches apart, he places them at intervals of 24 inches. These weak walls are covered with painted sheetrock.

(Narrator demonstrates how Nathan spaces the framing studs farther apart with a prop.)

Also, while building the roof, Nathan puts down cheap, flimsy plywood sheets but covers them with attractive shingles. Wherever he could, Nathan puts the cheapest materials possible and keeps the savings for himself.

(Narrator shows the audience the difference between flimsy and thick plywood.)

(Martha and Nathan enter standing next to the large poster of the house. Nathan is pointing at different things while Martha is overcome with emotion.)

Finally, the house is finished. Even though the house is poor in quality, Nathan made it sparkle on the outside. Martha walks through her house with quivering lips. Tears fill her eyes; it is exactly like the house in her dream!

Then Martha remembers something in the dream. Red ribbons were wrapped around the chimney, and she pounces on a decision that makes her laugh outloud. All she needed was to see her dream house. Martha feels she has moved enough! Martha decides to give the new home that Nathan built, to Nathan!

(Martha points dramatically at the house, and then points to Nathan indicating her gift.)

Upon hearing of the incredible gift, Nathan’s heart sinks with sadness. He feels like putting his hands to his head and asking, why, oh why, did I do what I’ve done. But he says quitely, “Why thank you so much Aunt Martha.”

(Nathan mouths the words, “Why thank you so much Aunt Martha” while shaking her hand. Martha and Nathan exit.)

Just as Nathan ends up moving into the house that he built, every student, in every school around the world, will move into their own house one day. You are building it now! You start building the foundation in kindergarten as you learn your numbers and ABC's.

(The narrator uses cardboard blocks to build a foundation marked K—5)

As you move into middle school, you learn more and start building the walls. Some students are lazy and don’t care about good grades and good walls. Many former students regret not taking their education more seriously.

(Narrator uses cardboard blocks to build straight walls marked 6--8. Next to this house he uses blocks to build a lopsided foundation/walls to represent students who don’t feel school is important.)

During high school, your roof is put in place. Many students tell themselves they will "shape up" in high school. Old habits are hard to shake, and many leave school unprepared for the realities of life. They want a better life, a better house, and a better car. However, they were not prepared to pay the price by working hard in school.

(Narrator finishes the straight and crooked houses by placing a roof marked 9-12 on them).

To furnish your house perfectly, attend college or trade school. Many employers will not hire people without additional training after high school. Most parents don’t want their children sitting on their couch after they finish high school, eating cheetos and watching TV all day long. They want them working or studying, preparing for their own home and family. Where will you live? You are building it now! Build your house and build it well!