A Winters Broadcast

 

Script for winter solaces edition of “Matt and John”, Bethlehem broadcasting and Cable network’s local current affairs program.  Typical studio with two presenters sat behind a desk.

 

Matt    Good evening and welcome to the program that discusses the issues that affect you.

 

John     Yes and tonight we examine the industrial case that has split the local farming community in two.  Also the royal visit that set the palace rumour mill into overdrive.

 

Matt    But first we examine Squatters.  Yes you see them around, try to ignore them but why are they there and what can we do about them.  We go to Mark our man on the street to find out.

 

On location, Bethlehem high street.   Two men together, one with microphone the other standing looking ill at ease in front of the cameras.

 

Mark   Thanks Matt, now what would you do if you found squatters on your property, well local man Peter Simmonds had just this problem.  He owns a local pub and often puts up lodgers but even he was shocked when squatters moved in on his stable.  Peter would you like to tell us about it.

 

Peter   Well, err, I was like just putting the feed out for the animals, you know, before I went to bed like and there was this couple in there right.

 

Mark   In the stable itself?

           

Peter   Yeah, just sat on the straw, I mean, you wouldn’t catch me doing that, never know what you’re sat in but they both looked so tired I hadn’t the heart to kick them out.

 

Mark   Did you speak to them?

           

Peter   Um, not really, they’re from Nazareth way, can’t make out what they’re saying.

 

Mark   What does your wife say about this.

 

Cut to large woman serving drinks in the pub.

 

Wife    Well I think it’s disgusting, he’s twice her age and she’s already up the spout, even had the baby in there, its not what I call hygienic (sniff)  anyways they say there just here for the census, well they could be here till the messiah turns up for all I know.  I’ve told them, if there not out by the Sabbath I’m calling in the centurion.

 

Cut back to the main street

 

Mark   Obviously a strong minded woman, so what are you going to do with them?

 

Peter   Well, they’re not doing any harm, if they are still there at the week end I guess I’ll have to call in the authorities, but I mean they’ve a child and I don’t want to drop them in it.  The blokes a bit of a carpenter, so I’ve said if he can patch up the stable I’ll give em a meal, hell the girls just had a baby I don’t want that on my conscience.

 

Mark   So there we have it, two more victims of the Roman state, when will Pilate realise that however strict his new criminal code is, unless more is done to aid the homeless, people will still be out on the streets. Back to the studio.

 

Cut back to the studio, Matt sat behind desk, John out of sight.

 

Matt    Thanks Mark, Now many of you know about the recent troubles with Bethlehem International Sheep and Shepherd.  The company that owns nearly ninety percent of sheep in this area with substantial flocks all across Israel and beyond.  A group of ex-employees have brought the firm to the king’s attention with a claim of unfair dismissal.  We talk to the leader of this group Linus.

 

Cut to a rough looking man with an obvious chip on his shoulder, a typical union rep with a crook.  John is standing next to him looking understanding.

 

Linus    It is obviously an attempt by the company to cut overheads and avoid redundancy payouts, everyone knew they wanted to get rid of some people and were just waiting for an excuse to sack people.

 

John     We have in our possession a letter from the company it reads.

           

Dear Sirs

            With regards to the recent unfortunate events involving company shepherds.  The events of the night in question were as follows.  At 9.15 p.m. a company inspector made a routine check on flock D9B.  The flock were unattended indeed a lamb was missing, temporary staff were immediately sent for and arrived at 9.32 to find the regular staff just returning.  The shepherds claimed they had had a message from “angels in the sky.” 

            It appeared that not only had they abandoned their post (itself a sackable offence) leading to the loss of valuable company property but from the sound of it had consumed considerable quantities of alcohol at least we assume it was an alcoholic beverage that caused them to see angels.

            Regrettably we felt that we had no alternative but to terminate the contracts of these employees. 

                        Yours Sincerely

                                                T. C. Landers

Company solicitor.

 

            Do you want to tell us your side of the story?

           

Linus    Well me and the lads were just sat round, you know passing the time when we got the message that there was a new baby just born in town and like its traditional, we penned up the sheep took a lamb for luck you know present for the Mother, and went to pay us respects Everyone knows its just what shepherds do.  As for the angel bit (looks uncomfortable)  well just a misunderstanding, it was Angela, Godfrey’s Missus that told us.

 

John     Well those are the stories now to our legal correspondent Luke .

 

Cut to serious looking man.

 

 

Luke     I’m afraid I do have to support the company in this one.  According to the contracts the shepherds do have to stay with the sheep.  Technically the removal of the lamb was theft so I cannot really see any grounds for appealing against their dismissal.  Although there does seem to be some confusion over the initial message it has no real bearing on the case.

            It does seem to be just another example of the misunderstandings that can occur when traditional farming is taken over by business and run using modern business methods.

 

Cut back to John.

 

John     Well personally I feel the BIS acted rather harshly and could have been more respectful of ancient traditions but they are the biggest employer in the area and while many workers support the unfortunate shepherds they are in too much fear for their own jobs to come out in support.

 

Matt    Now onto a lighter note, you wait years for a royal visit then three kings turn up at once! Yes the ever popular Caspar, Balthasar and Melcior were in town yesterday.  According to advance reports they were looking for a new heir to the throne.  In the event though, it turned out to be just another goodwill tour.  After the de-rigour trip to the palace and the photo shoot with Herod it was onto the streets to meet the people.  Being good will ambassadors, the trio found time to visit some of the areas homeless and showed their commitment to charity with gifts.

            They followed all this up with a trip round the backstreets, managing to avoid the press and slipping quietly away in the early hours of the morning.  Best of wishes to the royal highnesses.

 

            Well happy solstice and see you all next week!