Random Acts of Kindness

Scene:    A bench on a street corner. Business man sits at one end of the bench and spends his lunch hour reading the newspaper.

Pete:        (Pete enters reading "Random Acts of Kindness" and sits next to the Business man on the bench. The old woman begins to walk down stage of the two sitting on bench. She tries to cross the street but never makes it. Once in a while waving her cane at the rude cars. She does this until Pete helps her across.) What a rip off. I spent close to ten bucks on this stupid book. (Looks at the cover) "Random Acts of Kindness" (to the Business man) Have you ever read this book? (Business man glances at Pete, then the book, but doesn't answer) Well, don't waste your money. This is the dumbest book I've ever read. Who has time to do "random acts of kindness." (Pete gets up and helps the old lady across the street.)
        I think "acts of kindness" is a bit over rated, don't you? I mean what do I get out of it. (A beggar enters and notices the two men sitting on a bench.) I will never understand one of those philan . . . phill lanthro . . . phill lant . . . those do gooders. It's a waste time and money. (The beggar reaches out his cup to the business man and the business man shakes his head no.) My mother always usta say, "Money don't grow on trees you know." (The beggar has walk around the back of the bench and holds cup to Pete. Pete reaches into his pocket and puts a dollar bill in the cup.)
        I guess it would be different if I was dealing with my friends. You see we do acts of kindness to each other and then repay the favor. I'm sure it's the say way for you. Wasting your time with strangers is a ridiculous idea. Think of it. You would never get repaid if you do acts of kindness to strangers.
        (A young gal with an arm load of stuff comes to the corner.) I'm a busy person. This book makes it look like I have tons of free time. Do you have lots of free time to do these things? I mean there's only 24 hours in one day. Between work, school and all the activities I'm involved in, what do they expect. (Something drops out the young gal's load and she doesn't notice it. Pete picks it up and hands it to the young gal)
        I guess this is OK for some people, but it's not for me.

Used by permission of CareActing Company