Stations

STATIONS

Catechism Class:

Nun describes the Stations of the Cross to the audience. She explains that Mel Gibson’s film is actually more of a description of the Catholic Stations of the Cross than just a straight biblical portrayal of the Passion. (Somewhere in the scene she needs to call a precocious child who is a plant in the audience up to stand beside her for talking. After finishing she will drag him off the stage by his ear while admonishing him for interrupting and telling him he needs to go to confession.)

[Above the stage is a projection of subtitles of the plays themes and during foreign language sequences the dialog.]


1st Station: Jesus is condemned:

(Symbolic for all of our sins being responsible for the act of condemning the innocent savior. This type of commentary would be above all of the Station Scenes)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the first station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are at a trial of a young black man for the rape of a white woman. The entire jury pool is comprised of white males. His lawyer is lamenting that he has an iron clad alibi. He sits down and the entire court room freezes in time except for the jury, they talk among themselves. After a few moments a juror stands up. The courtroom comes alive and judge asks if he has reached a verdict. They find the defendant guilty of all charges.

The courtroom disperses and behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. In unison the church members chant, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”.


2nd Station: Jesus takes the Cross

(Symbolic for bearing the weight of all of humanities sins)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the second station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with an image of a freshly beaten and bloody Janet Jackson in black leather with her breast hanging out carrying the cross. As she walks along she is being whipped by someone in a suit. In the crowd someone spots Justin Timberlake, they confront him as the one on stage with Janet. He claims to not know her and even if I did the “wardrobe malfunctioned”. As he says this we hear a rooster crow.

After she reaches the other side of the stage behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. One of the church members is Mel Gibson smoking a cigarette looking very Mad-Max-ish. He looks to the person next to him then takes a manic drag on his cigarette and says, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


3rd Station: Jesus falls the 1st time

(We are called to reflect on Christ’s suffering for our sins)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the third station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with an image of a freshly beaten and bloody Martha Stewart dressed in prison stripes carrying the cross. (Along the trunk of the cross is written the company names, Enron, Tyco, Adelphia and WorldCom) As she walks along she is being whipped by John Ashcroft with a Roman helmet on. She falls and he whips her until she gets up.

After she reaches the other side of the stage behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. The church member next to Mel (now in a suit) is Donald Trump. He says to Mel, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


4th Station: Jesus meets Mary

(We are called to reflect on a Mother’s suffering over the pain endured by her child)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the fourth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a mother watching her son from the stands of a baseball field as his coach berates him in public for striking out. After sometime the son dejectedly departs and refuses the mothers attempts to console him. He leaves his mother on the stage. The coach goes the other way.

After they depart from each side of the stage behind them the curtain goes up mother frozen in place and there are pews with church members in them. One of the church members is Mel Gibson smoking a cigarette again looking very Lethal Weapon-ish. The person next to him is Babe Ruth with a baseball bat over his shoulder. Ruth takes a drag off of Gibson’s cigarette and says, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


5th Station: Simon helps Jesus carry the cross

(We are called to reflect on our unwillingness to help the suffering and how we are changed for the better when we succumb.)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the fifth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with an image of a Jewish man carrying the cross but crumbling under the weight. (The Cross has the word terrorism graphittied along its trunk.) With an image of a swastika, a Palestinian flag and the twin towers in the background George W. Bush reluctantly helps him and takes on the cross. In the crowd the French, German and Russian Prime Ministers are berating them and throwing fruit.

After they depart from each side of the stage behind them the curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. One of the church members is Mel Gibson smoking a cigarette looking like Hamlet. He looks to the person next to him the United Nations Secretary General who then takes a drag on Mel’s cigarette and says, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


6th Station: Jesus meets Veronica

(We are called to reflect on a selfless mercy for the suffering)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the sixth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with Mother Teresa tending the lepers in Calcutta. In spite of there hideous appearance and the danger of disease she continues to wipe their faces and feed them.

They freeze on the stage and it grows dark over them. Behind them the curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. With the exception of Mel all of them are men in suits with money falling out of their pockets all holding extra bags of money. One of the men looks over to Mel Gibson who is crying and says, “I don’t know, we’d use more blood”.


7th Station: Jesus falls the second time

(We are called to reflect on a his willful suffering for our sins)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the seventh station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a young Muslim man carrying the cross being beaten by Uncle Sam. Behind them is an image of the towers burning. He falls again and Uncle Sam beats him until he gets up and manages to go on.

After they depart from each side of the stage behind them the curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. They are all covered in blood. One of the church members is Mel Gibson smoking a cigarette looking very “The Patriot-ish”. The person next to him is George W. Bush he looks at Mel and says, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


8th Station: Jesus speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem

(We are called to reflect on a our contribution to Christ’s suffering)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the eighth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a young Muslim man carrying the cross, around his waist is a large wrap of dynamite. Off to the side are several very wealthy looking Muslim women lamenting his suffering. The rest of the members in the crowd are very poor looking children. He stops and tells the women “don’t cry for me, today I die a martyr. Cry for yourselves and your children. You and your husband’s unwillingness to share your wealth and educate your children are the reason I’m asked to make this sacrifice”. He then stumbles off the stage.
(There is a distant explosion heard off stage.)

After they depart from each side of the stage behind them the curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them, except for Mel all of them are dressed in Burkas. One of the church members says to Mel, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


9th Station: Jesus falls the third time

(We are called to reflect on the excessive torture of his persecutors.)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the ninth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with an image of a freshly beaten and bloody Caiaphas (the head of the Jewish elders from Mel’s the Passion) carrying the cross. As he walks along he is being whipped by Mel Gibson wearing a Roman helmet manically smoking his cigarette. He falls and Mel whips him until he gets up.

After he reaches the other side of the stage behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. Mel, helmet and all, runs in and makes his way to his seat. The church member next to Mel is Steven Spielberg holding a stuffed ET. He says to Mel, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”.


10th Station: Jesus is stripped

(We are called to reflect on the humiliation of his final moments)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the tenth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a bloody image of a freshly beaten young alter boy, the cross is on the ground. The men stripping him are Catholic Priests wearing Roman Helmets. They are enjoying themselves.

The lights above them grow dark and behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. The church member next to Mel is the Pope. He says to Mel, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”. (Mel is dressed as a priest. He continues to manically smoke.)


11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross

(We are called to reflect on the piercing of his skin and injustice of hanging with criminals.)

On the Curtain is a projected image of the eleventh station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a bloody image of Bill Clinton in a tattered suit being nailed to the cross. When he is raised up, beside him there are two other people also being crucified. One is OJ in full Buffalo Bill gear, the other is Michael Jackson with one glove. OJ starts to taunt Clinton and Jackson interrupts and says, “we deserve to be here, but what has this man done”? At that point OJ tells him to, “shut up chump I was found innocent.”

The stage goes black, the curtain comes down and the Subtitle Screen indicates a Flashback.

From here we get a flashback of Bill Clinton drawing in the sand. In the distance you can see the feet of many well dressed people in suits their heads are in the dark. In ancient Aramaic, Clinton tells the crowd let him without sin cast the first stone. The subtitles above are in English. As he says this the light is cast on the people dropping the stones they are comprised of many of the liberal politicians, celebrities and media. A light then shines on a grateful man who was being stoned and is now saved by Clinton’s kindness, it is a bloody Rush Limbaugh reaching for Clinton’s feet.

The lights above them grow dark and behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. The church member next to Mel is Al Gore. He says to Mel, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”. (Mel is now dressed as Braveheart. He continues to manically smoke.)


12th Station: Jesus dies

(We are called to reflect on a his final forgiveness and surrender to his body and his wounds. )

On the Curtain is a projected image of the twelfth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a bloody image of a suffering baby up on the cross. Before he dies he calls out, “Forgive them father for they know not what they do”. He then expires. After a short moment a man dressed as a surgeon with a Roman Helmet on approaches him and spears the dead child. At this point the stage grows black and we hear thunder.

Behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. The church member next to Mel is Gloria Steinman. She says to Mel, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood”. (Mel is dressed as Braveheart with full face paint. He continues to manically smoke.)


13th Station: Jesus is taken from the cross

On the Curtain is a projected image of the thirteenth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with four scenes happening in unison one being highlighted and then the other. They are all the same scene but different viewpoints:

• One is a US grief stricken mother being given the flag of her sons casket at a military funeral. (Taps is playing.)
• One is a grief stricken Jewish mother being given the dead body of her baby at a terrorist bombing site.
• One is a grief stricken Palestinian mother holding her son at the site of a Jewish retaliatory bombing raid.
• One is a grief stricken Iraqi mother holding her dead son after a “No-Fly-Zone” bombing raid.

The lights above them grow dark and behind them another curtain goes up and there are pews with church members in them. The church members next to Mel are George W. Bush, Ariel Sharon, Saddam Hussein and Yassar Arafat. They all say to Mel, “I don’t know, we’d use more blood”. (Mel is still dressed as Braveheart with full face paint but now covered in blood. He continues to manically smoke.)


14th Station: Jesus is laid in his tomb

On the Curtain is a projected image of the fourteenth station from some catholic church. A Priest and two alter boys holding candles are in front of the curtain.
A normal prayer description of the scene is given.

V: “We adore thee O Christ and bless thee.

R: ”Because of thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

As the image fades the curtain goes up and we are presented with a man (Adam) grieving the death of his wife at her gravesite. The stone has the name EVE engraved on it in large bold letters. He stands there silently wind blowing his hair and above him on the subtitle screen reads:
“Wheresoever there was Eve, there was Eden” – Mark Twain

The lights above them grow dark and behind them another curtain goes up and there is now a movie set. In a director chair watching the scene is a man with long white hair and a long white beard wearing a long white robe and sandals. He yells “Cut”! At that point Adam comes out of character and turns to listen. Beside the director on one side is Spielberg still clutching ET and on the other side Mel still dressed as bloody Braveheart. The man in the beard looks to both of them and says, “I don’t know, I’d use more blood.”


Confession

The curtain rises and there is a confessional with the entrances open so you can see in. The pews are full of all of the cast members in prayer awaiting their chance to get in.

In one side of the confessional is Braveheart Gibson. In the priest side is a very bloody Christ. Christ is telling Mel, “Its fine, it’s really fine. Yes, even this is forgiven. Now go and sin no more”. As Mel is leaving Jesus sticks his head out of the confessional and says, “Oh one more thing Mel, that’s enough blood”.

Mel leaves and the next person comes in. It’s the author. He sits down and says, “Bless me Father for I have sinned. It’s been a long time since my last confession”.

Yeah Mike I know. It’s been, 22 years 2 months 14 days, and fifteen minutes. However this one is going to cost you”.

“Will I be forgiven?”

“Everyone who asks is forgiven”.

The lights start to fade and the curtain starts to fall.

“Okay Father, are we talking a lot of Hail Mary’s and Our Fathers here”?

“Yeah Mike I think the technical term here is a shit load”.

The lights go dark and the curtain falls.

The End