Howdy Buckeroo

If the leaders in your group have a tough time memorizing lines, this skit might be perfect for them.

Supplies:

• • Empty boxes to create a warehouse scene

• • Cowboy outfit with holster

• • gun loaded with caps/blanks

• • hat

• • boots

• • spurs and handkerchief

• • Second holster and gun

• • Employee style shirts or jumpsuits so characters look like they work in a warehouse
  • Howdee Buckaroo Instruction Sheet (which should be printed in bold letters and placed around the neck of the mechanical cowboy character)

Characters:

• • 1 mechanical-looking quick-draw cowboy dressed in full cowboy garb

• • 3 warehouse employees dressed appropriately

(Note: Only the mechanical quick-draw cowboy need remember any lines. They should be spoken in a mechanical manner: “Howdy Buckaroo. So you think you can beat me, eh? Put on the holster at my feet and on the count of 3, draw! Are you ready? 1…2…3!”)

Skit:
Two warehouse employees roll in the mechanical slot-machine “cowboy” for storage. They should chat with each other. For example, “Where should we put him? How about against the wall? I wonder how old this thing is. Sure looks dusty. I used to play with one of these at the county fair.” They place the extra gun-and-holster set at the feet of the mechanical “cowboy”.

The third employee walks in and seeing the robot, decides to try his luck. He reads the instructions printed on the chest of the mechanical man and then places a quarter in the slot. The robot winds up and gives the memorized spiel. The employee is unable to pick up the extra gun and holster set because it’s trapped under the boot of the mechanical cowboy. He panics and turns to run as the robot counts to three and shoots the employee.

Not to be outdone, the employee lifts the robot’s leg and puts on the gun set before inserting another quarter. He even practices his quick-draw skills several times. Feeling quite secure with himself, he inserts another quarter. The message is repeated but this time the gun sticks in the holster and again he is shot.

For the final attempt, the employee pulls his gun, stands to the side and holds his gun to the robot’s head and inserts another quarter. The robot repeats the message except that this time the mechanical cowboy winds down in the middle of “two.” The employee bangs on the robot a couple of times to get him moving again, but no response. Disgusted, he takes off the gun, sets his down at the robot’s feet and turns to walk off. The robot continues suddenly with the rest of the pre-recorded message, says “three,” and shoots the employee.

Original Idea by Young Life