Alero: Guess what dropped off Frank’s pocket on our way home yesterday?
Sam: Lots of Christian tracts.
Alero: Nop, try again!
Sam: Ally, I don’t have time for unrewarding conversations this evening just tell me what it was; I have to redeem time because the days are evil?
Alero: Just guess?
Sam: Spare me the space please?
Alero: Alright, I will tell you. It was an x-rated movie DVD!
Sam: What! Well that does not mean that it is his.
Alero: It is not a matter of it being his own or not, what was it doing in his pocket?
Sam: May be he is trying to…
Alero: (cuts in) …evangelize with it.
Sam: Will you stop this nonsense; I will not join you to condemn him.
Alero: And who is condemning him?
Sam: You of course! When you saw it fall off his pocket, you should have called him and asked him why he possessed such movie. Then you would have corrected him in love and nobody will hear about it. Do you know that so many people are trapped in certain habits today because somebody ignores his responsibility?
Alero: Really?
Sam: Yes. Many parents leave their children in the hands of guidance who some times expose these children to undignified pictures and images. Yet some parents through their carelessness have left their children hanging in between what is moral and what is immoral by not properly disposing what should be kept secret.
I once heard a story about a young girl who came back from school switched on the television and before her was an x-rated film her parents had left in the video machine and could not remove because the Power Holdings Company did what they are known for. Before long she started practicing what she saw on her siblings. It took the intervention of a neighbour to stop the abominable act.
Alero: Jesus Christ! Why would her parents be so careless?
Sam: It is unfortunate but that is what happens. Sadly recent research have shown that there over 72,000 pornographic website and more than 85% of its viewers are young people within the age range of 13-16.Pornography which refers to pictures writings or film intended to arouse sexual interest is not only on the internet, but also in almost every thing we see today.
On our phones, on television especially pay T.V, adverts and in wild hip-hop video. Still little or no pressure is been mounted to stop this seeming madness.
Alero: What a wicked world!
Sam: Yes it is. The devil is just looking for ways to degrade man before God. This is what pornography seeks to achieve. Where men and women alike are reduced to just mere instrument for gratifying the flesh.
Alero: I guess we live in a world and generation where vices have become virtues, where the abnormal things are glorified even pornography has carved a niche for itself in the secular society.
Just the other day, I overheard a government official stating how many night clubs they have banned where women dance naked in Lagos State! At first, I did not believe it until another friend of mine confirmed it.
Sam: Surprisingly, even married men visit these places thus lots of marriages are in jeopardy because one party is cheating on the other through pornography addiction. A pastor once confided in a friend of mine that he is addicted to porno.
Alero: A pastor?
Sam: I was once an addict
Alero: Even you!
Sam: it may be shocking to you, but that is the challenge of some people today. It was by the grace of God that I was able to scale through and the same grace is still sufficient for me. Do you know it led me to different sinful habits like masturbation, fornication and having sexual activities in my dreams? (Pauses for a while and takes a long distant look) If not for God, I would have contracted HIV from sleeping around.
Alero: (Looking away from Sam with tears welling up in her eyes) what exactly did you do to escape?
Sam: (Did not notice the tears welling up in Alero’s eye but continued talking) Firstly I got to a point where I became tired and ashamed of all I was doing. How can I be a member of the choir and be attached to porno, I just did not see any connection. I then made up my mind; you know we are the product of the choices we make.
Instead of viewing porno, I occupied my time and thoughts with other things. I got involved in reading my bible and other motivational books. I bought and listened to tapes and messages of anointed men of God as well as meditated on God’s word at all times depending solely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
I must confess that it took me some time, but I am better for it today. Have you not noticed the realm in which I minister songs?
Alero: Yes (a bit of control over the tears already rolling down her cheeks)
Sam: (Still oblivious of what is happening) that is because I decided to yield my body to the Spirit of God. The bible declares in 1 Corinthians 3:16, that our body is the temple of God. I did not end there; I also consulted some few understanding elders in the church who surprisingly have struggled with the habit at some points in their lives.
That is why I told you earlier not to condemn Frank, but correct him in love, that is the way to go about it. The same principle should be applied to any one who offends you. Don’t go behind the person spreading false accusation, call the person aside and straighten things.
In addition, I went further to use channel blocks and internet filters when watching and surfing the internet respectively so that pornographic pictures are completely shut out. Above all, I completely avoided places that will lure me into going back to my vomit.
Alero: Aha, Aha! (Crying profusely now) help me Brother Sam. I have lied to you. (Brother Sam is shocked) It was not Frank that has the DVD I am the guilty one.
Sam: What do you mean?
Alero: I came across the material at Tinuke’s place when I visited her about one month ago. She told me that she got it from her dad’s old stuff as she cleaned up his room. I stole if from her without her knowledge after we saw it together at her place and since then, I have stuck to it. The truth is that my spiritual life has not known growth throughout this time in fact I have not been myself after that day.
How can God ever forgive me? I am doomed. (Bro Sam takes her to his bosom) God o! (Looks up to bro Sam) can God ever forgive me?
Sam 
With empathy) Why not! You know what God told me when I was passing through my challenge as I cried to Him one night, he said, “Son don’t ever condemn yourself to the extent that you cannot ask me for forgiveness”
No matter what you do, your power is not enough to help you escape from the enslavement of pornography. You have to put yourself in His hands. He is the only one you can still trust for He is faithful to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
Alero: Really?
Sam: Besides nothing can separate you from the love of Christ not even pornography. God loves you so much to think of forsaking you. Do not live in self condemnation; just trust God to help you through this challenge. He loves you and wants the best for you so you can use your body to serve him better.
Alero: Thank you Sam, you have helped me get my confidence. I will not allow the devil to cheat me off God’s love. I choose to rest in His love irrespective of my failures.
O wow! What a piece, @Sambrightomo!
If this piece is meant for the stage, you should have categorised it well, mi dear, hm? And also, you should have edited it well in your little NS-kitty for better presentation. I believe you are a pastor because of your constant reference to God towards the ending of this piece. I believe in practical Christianity where there wouldn’t be any need to keep calling on God’s name; His name is already everywhere, in our lives and in this life, for all we have to do is acknowledge him, hm? Life is a matter of choice. Are you going to tell me that when you know you did something bad [like watch those movies that stir your insides out, that make your private parts public), you blame the devil, hm? Abeg leave devil out of it, jare! It’s all about you. It is your world; it is your life; it is your choice. The greatest and biggest gift God ever gave us is free will. We bear the consequences of everything we do, of every choice we make, and God is the ultimate judge, not us. We only judge ourselves to uplift our self-esteem.
Alero’s outburst at the end was too impulsive, a bit too immature, too over-dramatic, so was Sam’s ‘saintly’ nature. In my opinion, it was too good to be true. I can compare Alero to the biblical quotation of ‘the seed that fell on rocky soil’ or ‘the seed that fell on thorns’.
So, @Sambrightomo, I don’t believe this is an article, especially when you gave two characters their space to converse and the characters’ actions were bracketed. Once again, you must try and edit any work you paste in your NS-kitty for better presentation. Trust me, I almost fell asleep when Sam started preaching, I had to jump to the end biko!
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thank u my big sis,i appreciate ur critique.i will definitely brush up on my writing skills.thank u so much.
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You know, @Sambrightomo, I didn’t really tell you what to do when it comes to the presentation of plays. The rules somehow remain the same, it’s basic: The names should be well-highlighted, bold or capitalised e.g. ALERO: SAM: ; all actions of the characters should be in brackets & italicised; no paragraphing, the speech and action of one character should be separate from another character; if the playwright is giving a picture of the setting of the play in his/her script, it should be written in brackets and/or italicised, depending on the mood of the playwright. This is what differentiates a stage play from a short story/novel/flash fiction and also from a poem. A screen play has another kind of construct and presentation.
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emmanuella already pointed out the corrections, the message however is true. there r some thngs people see as the norm e.g. masturbation, extra marital affairs, double dating… but they arent and shdnt be
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@ emmanuella a very big thank you to the information.i like you to know still that i used the character of sam to pass a message.it may sound too preachy,but therein lies an undertone to correct wrong perceptions the society esteems.@febby thanks for dropping by here and doting your points,i hope the message intended by this piece registered.And as you rightly point out,many people are trapped in this and still dont feel remorse.
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Emmanuella has said it all….U did good with the subject.
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for the first time, i totally agree with @emmanuella. this was worth the read….more like pilgrim’s progress
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“Son, never condemn yourself to the point that you cannot ask me for forgiveness”. That was the highlight for me in this piece. The clear is clear and true, and imperative too. Good work Sam!
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Clear message, other than that Emmanuella is on course. Keep writing.
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Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ?That is very encouraging.U realy put me in a churchy mood.
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LOVE IT. Very relatable…I don’t know about others, but I can definitely relate. Especially the Choir part. Trust me, some things we just hide, and perfectly well too. I would agree with @Emmanuella on this about the presentation though. How lovely would it have been if it was in the right format. I personally don’t think it was too preachy though, I mean the characters were both church people…but there is no doubt it could have been improved, in terms of believability. GOD IS GOOD…and the message is actually a very timely one too, especially in the age. Some things like @febby pointed out are fast becoming the norm.
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@ xikay,scopeman,kaycee and whitman,thanks my ogas for your absolute and objective thoughts shared here.i really appreciate,i hope to do better next time.@ ayokunle thanks for the comment.just to quickly add here that this was an converted from an essay I had written,but I didnt pay attention to the fact that I should have classified it rightly. I guess I was in a hurry to pass the message in this format rather than pay attention to the technicalities.I thought the message will be passed easily when it is dramatised in a simple form.Perhaps I am pioneering a new writing style.if soyinka had written in this format,will it be acceptable?
?Still, I am most grateful that great minds on ns appreciate this,just has i hope it registers.one love y’all.mwah
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@ayokunle, yeah..i can really relate to this
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Very nice piece. Sure, gets people thinking… Well done.
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Enough has been said. I like the message you were trying to put through, but a lot can be done to improve delivery.
Well done!!!
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@ lawal believe me,i will improve.working towards that.merci mon frere.
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@ Agema thanks for appreciating.
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Hmmmnn… I appreciate the fact that you’re bold about your faith. Most people are usually not,being afraid of what the public would say. I have been encouraged to do the same.
?At a point l thot it was too preachy too but the message is out and clear. I loved @scopeman’s highpoint too & l beg to differ from @emmanuella’s first comment.
God bless you for putting this up and encouraging folks-there is a way out!
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@ miss Rola I highly appreciate your comments.very encouraging. A very big pat on the back i must say.The truth is I wrote this piece originally for my church magazine a pointer to its preachyness.But should we be bothered about the preachyness or the literary content as expressed.
?Again if one believes in God one should be bold about it.Others are not afraid to express their beliefs why should us?God loves us,we should at least replicate by hating what He hates.May God help us all,none,absolutely none is exempted.
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The Mastress has spoken. Good message you have here. Guess people have so many ways of stopping addictions, especially when the addiction isn’t really a big issue. Keep writing. And ride on pastor.
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nice content. you know, i’m curious… do you…?
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