Power Made Perfect, Part One

Go to Part Two

Scene 1: In the Car
(Jack, Lucy)

Music is joyful. Jack and Lucy are in a moving car – there is mild traffic.

JACK

(reading)

Odyssey – one mile ahead. Looks like we’re almost there, Lucy.

LUCY

It’ll be good being back in Odyssey again. It feels like it’s been so long since our last visit.

JACK

I know. I thought this day would never come.

LUCY

That’s the problem with having to wait for something you really want. The more you think about it, the longer it takes to happen.

JACK

Well, we won’t have to wait anymore. Here we are.

(reading a road sign)

Welcome to Odyssey. Population…

(stops reading)

Whoa! Look at how much this place has grown since we lived here.

LUCY

It’s the same as it was the last time we were here.

JACK

I don’t know about that. I don’t remember Odyssey ever having that many people.

LUCY

Jack, is hasn’t been that long since we were last here. You’re remembering what it was like when we were kids.

JACK

Maybe. There’s nothing wrong with that though. I have good childhood memories of this place.

LUCY

Me too. Remember when we would walk to school together?

JACK

Mm-hmm. I remember you were too scared to walk by that one house because you were afraid of the kid looking out the window.

LUCY

You were scared, too.

JACK

I wasn’t scared. The kid just creeped me out, that’s all.

LUCY

You were scared.

JACK

Yeah, sure. At least I could walk past it – unlike a certain someone who walked all the way around the next block just so they didn’t have to look at some kid sitting in a window.

LUCY

You got us into a lot of trouble over that.

JACK

Oh, it wasn’t that bad.

LUCY

What do you mean it wasn’t that bad? Jack, you sat spying outside that house at five in the morning one day because you thought the family was a bunch of mad scientists.

JACK

Actually, I was leaning towards the mafia.

LUCY

You had the police come out.

JACK

I thought the guy was carrying a dead body. How was I supposed to know it was a bunch of rolled up carpets?

LUCY

Oh, I don’t know - maybe if you had just opened your eyes and looked.

JACK

(starting to laugh)

It looked pretty shady to me.

LUCY

(also beginning to laugh)

Right.

Jack and Lucy end their teasing. They both sigh happily. The music fades out.

LUCY

It’s good to be back home, Jack.

JACK

Yes, it is.

Calm, cheerful music begins.

LUCY

So long, Texas. So long, college. Farewell, all you musty classrooms and textbooks.

JACK

I thought you liked studying.

LUCY

Hello, Odyssey. Hello, new life.

JACK

Hello, debt.

LUCY

Jack, this is supposed to be a happy moment.

JACK

Oh, I’m happy. I’m happy I was able to get a good job here in Odyssey… and that I was actually able to graduate on time… and that we got a good deal on this car… Oh, look, there’s Whit’s End. Hey, turn on the radio, will you? I want to see if KYDS radio is still on the air.

LUCY

Oh, I loved KYDS radio. Remember when we acted out those parts for Mr. Whittaker?

Lucy turns on radio.

JACK

How could I forget? Hey, I’m kind of thirsty. Are you thirsty?

LUCY

Yeah, kind of.

JACK

Let’s go in and get something to drink then.

LUCY

Maybe we’ll see some familiar faces.

JACK

Oh, hey, it’s the broadcast.

Lucy turns the sound on the car radio up. – at this point, the dramatization on the radio begins to lose its static-tinny feel and the world of Jack and Lucy begins to fade away as the sound of their soft voices fades into silence – the world of the radio dramatization has become the new setting for this scene.

Scene 2: On Mount Carmel

(Narrator, Elijah, Ahab,)

NARRATOR

Our story begins on the top of a mountain. Elijah – the true prophet of God – is about to come head-to-head with the prophets of Baal – the false god. The prophets of Baal had tried all day to call down fire from heaven, but to no avail. – Now it was Elijah’s turn.

ELIJAH

O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again!

Rumbling sound begins, then the sound of something traveling at a high speed, but beginning to slow down, then a great crash and explosion, and the sound of a raging fire. – Fire fell from heaven and consumed the altar.

PEOPLE

(frantic but amazed)

The Lord is God! The Lord is God!

ISRAELITE

Did you see that? Did you see the fire of the Lord fall from heaven!?

MAN

Yes! How could I not see? It burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and even licked up the water in the trench!

ISRAELITE

Praise the name of the Lord God almighty! The creator of heaven and earth!

ELIJAH

Quick! Everyone! Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let anyone get away! Take them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughter them!

MAN

Yes, Elijah! Hurry, men! After them! Don’t let them escape!

All the people begin to shout and run down the mountain after the prophets of Baal. Music takes over, and then fades out. The music is victorious, and very dramatic.

Scene 3: On a Normal Odyssey Sidewalk

(Wooton, Andy)

The music is cheerful. Wooton is walking down the sidewalk, saying hi to people as they walk past him. Everyone he greets is happy to see him. A little boy named Andy walks towards him.

ANDY

Hi, Wooton.

WOOTON

Oh, hey, Andy. What’s that you’ve got there?

ANDY

This? Oh, it’s just some stuff I got from the candy store.

WOOTON

Oh, cool. The candy store’s my second favorite place to shop for groceries.

ANDY

The candy store? But all they sell there is candy.

WOOTON

I know. That’s why it’s my second favorite. But if they decided to start stocking fresh pink salmon it’d be right at the top of list.

ANDY

Yeah… because people are always looking to buy fish when they go to the candy store.

WOOTON

Isn’t that what you do?

ANDY

Gross! No. I hate fish.

WOOTON

Oh, but you can’t hate salmon! A salmon is more than just a fish. It’s a… it’s… it’s… it’s a… yeah, it’s a fish. So, what have you got in the bag?

ANDY

Oh, just the usual stuff.

WOOTON

Fruity and chocolaty goodness?

ANDY

Yeah… and some fresh licorice too.

WOOTON

Oh, that’s gre…

(becomes completely alert)

Did… did you just say fresh licorice?

ANDY

Yeah.

WOOTON

Do you think you could let me have some?

ANDY

Shouldn’t you be delivering the mail right now?

WOOTON

The mail? – Oh, yeah… the mail. But don’t you think I could just have a bite? …or if it’s too much to ask, could I just smell it for a little while?

ANDY

The candy store’s right over there.

WOOTON

It is? Oh, yeah, it is. I guess I should have known that since it’s on my mail route.

(becomes sad)

Oh, no.

ANDY

What?

WOOTON

It’s on the other side of the street.

ANDY

So?

WOOTON

I have to finish this side before I can come back around to the candy store.

(thinking out loud)

Maybe if I go as fast as I can the licorice will still be fresh when I come back. Hey, it was nice talking to you, Andy, but I’ve got to run.

Wooton begins running down the sidewalk.

ANDY

Bye, Wooton!

WOOTON

(calling back – already out of breath)

See ya’, Andy! Don’t forget what I said about fresh pink salmon!

ANDY

(to himself)

I try to avoid thinking of fish while I eat licorice.

Scene 4: Further Down the Sidewalk

Wooton is running down the sidewalk. He is panting. Every so often people's voices can be heard as he passes them. Mild traffic is on the street.

WOOTON

(talking to himself through gasps for air)

Got to… get to… fresh… licorice. Got to… get… licorice. Can’t… breathe… licorice.

Wooton runs up to Bernard as he is washing a store window. Bernard’s voice becomes louder as Wooton gets closer.

BERNARD

Wooton?

WOOTON

(panting and running)

Hey, Bernard!

(quickly)

Can’t stop now! Got to get fresh licorice!

Music increases in intensity.

BERNARD

(concerned)

Wooton, be careful. I’ve got my stuff out…

(more concerned)

Watch your step, it’s…

(panic)

Look out for…

(yelling)

Wooton!

Wooton trips over Bernard’s cleaning supplies as he runs past. A bucket of water is knocked over, and Wooton falls to the ground while making out-of-breath panicked noises. The music stops.

BERNARD

(to himself – calm)

…the bucket.

(moaning)

Wooton…

WOOTON

(on the ground)

Whoa! What was that! Someone must have hit me from behind. Did anybody get the license plate on that skateboard?

BERNARD

(annoyed)

Wooton… are you out of your mind? Do you realize what you just did?

WOOTON

No, but it reminds me a lot of Power Boy issue number 373, when Power Boy was walking down the street and Dr. Ichabodia showed up out of nowhere and hit him from behind with a giant marshmallow…

BERNARD

(irritated)

You weren’t hit from behind. You fell over your own feet.

WOOTON

I seem to remember seeing a strategically but absent mindedly placed bucket in front of me right before the world turned upside down… and I’m pretty sure this strategically but absent mindedly placed bucket was placed there by an absent minded but strategically gifted window washer…

BERNARD

Wooton…

WOOTON

And I’m pretty sure this window washer’s name begins with B…

BERNARD

Wooton…

WOOTON

…and ends in ernard…

BERNARD

Wooton…

WOOTON

No, his last name is Walton, but you were close.

BERNARD

Now, Wooton, don’t you come running past here yelling something about licorice and then try and blame me when you knock over all my good cleaning equipment.

WOOTON

I’m pretty sure if your absent-mindedly yet strategically placed stuff hadn’t had been there I wouldn’t be looking at the world from the viewpoint of a used piece of gum right now.

BERNARD

No, you would have found something else to plow into.

WOOTON

(not listening)

Though I kind of like seeing the world through the eyes of a used piece of gum. It’s a neat perspective.

BERNARD

(confused)

What?

WOOTON

In fact, if it weren’t for your gift of strategic absent-mindedness I might never have known…

BERNARD

(interrupting)

I am not absent-minded!

WOOTON

If it weren’t for your pure genius in strategy, I never would have…

BERNARD

(interrupting – calm)

Wooton.

WOOTON

(starts listening)

What?

BERNARD

Get up off the ground.

WOOTON

Okay.

Wooton begins to get up off the ground.

WOOTON (CONT’D)

That’s a nice pair of pants you’re wearing by the way.

BERNARD

Huh? Oh… thank you. My wife bought them for me.

WOOTON

(standing to his feet)

Yeah, they kind of remind me of a pair of pants my Uncle Langley used to wear. – except that his were plaid, and missing a few belt loops, and had a great big hole in the back pocket, a huge coffee stain down the front, and the left leg was held on by duct tape.

BERNARD

(slightly irritated)

What? Are you kidding? These look nothing like that.

WOOTON

Yeah, that’s why they only kind of remind me of them.

(becomes distracted and concerned)

Oh man!

BERNARD

What’s the matter?

WOOTON

(slightly irritated)

You got my mailbag all wet with your bucket of water.

BERNARD

(slightly irritated)

Don’t you start blaming me again…

WOOTON

I’m pretty sure that’s a federal offense.

BERNARD

Then I guess you’d better go turn yourself in. And if you say the words absent-minded window washer again…

Bernard becomes distracted as a car drives by.

BERNARD (CONT’D)

(distracted)

Well, pump me with helium and call me a balloon…

Music changes to being happy.

WOOTON

Huh?

BERNARD

Well, if that don’t beat all…

WOOTON

Uh… this is Power-Boy calling window washer, come in, window washer.

(chuckles)

And he complains when someone calls him absent-minded…

BERNARD

I heard that.

WOOTON

Oops.

BERNARD

Do you see what I see?

WOOTON

Now, now, Bernard, aren't you breaking your own rule about singing Christmas songs out of season?

BERNARD

No, no… look. Look at the car that just drove by.

WOOTON

The one with the "I love Power-Boy" sticker on the back bumper?

BERNARD

No, the light blue one. Look, there it goes.

WOOTON

Oh, yeah. That's a nice color… but check out that green one! Now that's a hotrod right there! …not to mention the fact that it has an "I love Power Boy" bumper sticker on it.

BERNARD

Didn't you see who that was?

WOOTON

Mr. Whittaker?

BERNARD

No...

WOOTON

Mrs. Randolphe?

BERNARD

No...

WOOTON

Can I stop guessing now? I want to get back to looking at the green car with the Power Boy bumper sticker.

BERNARD

Forget about Power Boy...

WOOTON

That'll be hard.

BERNARD

This is more important.

WOOTON

Really? Uh-oh. Should I be afraid?

BERNARD

If you ask me I'd say I just saw some old friends drive by.

WOOTON

Like I was saying, it was Mr. Whittaker...

BERNARD

It wasn’t Whit. It was… maybe I was just seeing things.

WOOTON

Yeah, the window cleaner will do that to you sometimes. Is it okay if I start thinking about Power Boy again?

BERNARD

Look. The car’s stopped in front of Whit’s End. It is! That’s Jack and Lucy Davis for sure!

WOOTON

Oh, wow. That’s even better than the Power Boy bumper sticker. Oops, you told me to stop thinking about that.

BERNARD

I wonder what brings them all the way back to Odyssey.

WOOTON

They probably heard about the fresh licorice.

BERNARD

Come on, Wooton.

Bernard begins packing up his cleaning equipment.

WOOTON

Where are you going?

BERNARD

To Whit’s End. You don’t think I’d pass up an opportunity like this, do you?

WOOTON

Aren’t you working?

BERNARD

You should talk.

Bernard and Wooton walk towards Whit’s End. Music takes over and ends the scene.

Scene 5: At Whit’s End

Whit is at the soda fountain with a customer. Kids can be heard talking in the booths. The building is not especially busy.

WHIT

(to customer)

…and forty-seven cents is your change.

CUSTOMER

Thanks, Whit. Have a nice day.

Customer walks away.

WHIT

You, too. Thanks for stopping by.

CONNIE

(calling from the kitchen)

Whit!

WHIT

Uh…

(calling back)

What is it, Connie?

CONNIE

We’re out of Raspberry Ripple again!

WHIT

Already? I thought we took care of that yesterday.

CONNIE

We did… but we’re out again.

WHIT

(to himself)

My goodness, I didn’t realize it was that popular.

Eugene walks up.

EUGENE

Greetings and salutations, Mr. Whittaker.

WHIT

Oh, hi, Eugene.

EUGENE

Did my ears deceive me, or did Miss Kendall just say that we’re out of Raspberry Ripple?

WHIT

Your ears didn’t deceive you, Eugene.

EUGENE

Hmm… You know, I’ve been thinking that you may want to invest in a larger refrigerator unit. I’ve actually been working on something in my spare time that I think you might be interested in.

WHIT

You’ll have to show me sometime, Eugene. – though I’m not sure a larger refrigerator would help with our shortage of Raspberry Ripple.

EUGENE

But don’t you see? A larger unit would allow you to stock a larger supply of Raspberry Ripple, thus ending the shortage.

WHIT

Yes, but Whit’s End is also the home of the county’s largest ice cream freezer, and even with that, we still run out of ice cream.

EUGENE

Oh, I took that into consideration when I set out on this endeavor.

WHIT

Well, like I said, you’ll have to show me sometime. Though, I find it hard to comprehend how you’ve had time to work on something like that.

EUGENE

One must always make time for science.

Jack and Lucy walk through the front door.

WHIT

Wait a minute. I think I just saw some familiar faces walk through the door.

EUGENE

Really?

Jack and Lucy walk up to the Soda Fountain.

WHIT

(happy)

Jack… Lucy. It’s good to see you again.

LUCY

It’s good to see you too, Mr. Whittaker.

EUGENE

Greetings and salutations.

JACK

Hi, Eugene. Wow, this place hasn’t changed a bit.

LUCY

At least not since we were last here.

EUGENE

I suppose it hasn’t… particularly the freezer…

Connie comes out of the kitchen.

CONNIE

Whit, did you see if…

(gasps – excited)

Lucy! Jack! What are you… When did you… How did…

LUCY

(laughing)

It’s good to see you, too, Connie.

CONNIE

(happy)

I can’t believe this. You’re back.

JACK

We sure are.

CONNIE

Wow, I must be seeing things.

EUGENE

Hopefully.

Bernard and Wooton walk in the front door. Cheerful music begins.

BERNARD

Well, stuff me in a brown skirt and call me a girl scout. I thought I was seeing things.

WOOTON

It’s true. He did. Wow, this mailbag is getting heavy. Probably has something to do with all that water.

WHIT

Oh, hello, Bernard. Hi, Wooton.

BERNARD

Hi, Whit.

(to Jack and Lucy)

Well, if you two aren’t a sight for sore eyes.

WOOTON

Yeah, the window cleaner makes them sore after awhile.

JACK

Hi, Mr. Walton.

LUCY

Hello.

BERNARD

Did you two just get back in town?

JACK

Yeah, we did. We’re getting set to move in and everything.

BERNARD

Move in? You mean you guys are staying this time?

LUCY

Yep.

BERNARD

That’s great.

WOOTON

Move in? Wow, you’re moving into Whit’s End? I wish I could do that. I think it might get kind of scary at night though.

JACK

Actually, we’re moving into an apartment.

CONNIE

Wow… you’re moving back? I feel like we need to celebrate or something.

JACK

We can celebrate all we want after I get the job tomorrow.

CONNIE

Job?

LUCY

Jack was able to find a job here.

JACK

I’m meeting with the manager tomorrow to go over everything. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

WHIT

So, they haven’t offered you the job yet?

JACK

Not yet, but I was talking to them over the phone and they were really impressed with me, and wanted to see me in person.

WHIT

Oh, I see. Well, that sounds promising.

JACK

Yeah, I wouldn’t have been so quick to move back to Odyssey if I didn’t think I would get the job.

WHIT

Okay, well, I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow then.

LUCY

So do we.

WHIT

What was the name of this business?

JACK

Sanderson Enterprises.

WHIT

Oh, okay. Yeah, I’ve heard of them.

CONNIE

Would you like something to drink?

JACK

A lemonade would be nice.

LUCY

I’ll have a lemonade as well, thanks.

CONNIE

Two lemonades coming right up.

WHIT

Where are you staying?

LUCY

An apartment on McGregor Street, number 208.

WHIT

Oh, I know where that is.

CONNIE

Yeah, me too, and I’d love to help you guys move in.

LUCY

Thanks, Connie. We appreciate it.

EUGENE

And I would be happy to assist you in any way possible.

LUCY

Thanks, Eugene.

WHIT

Just let me know when you need me and I’ll be there.

LUCY

Thank you to all of you. You’ve definitely made us feel welcome.

WOOTON

Hey, you guys are on my mail route. I deliver to those apartments. Wow, they have a lot of stairs… those aren’t so fun.

BERNARD

Wooton, how is it that a mailman who gets as much exercise as you do could be so out of shape?

WOOTON

Are you kidding? I’m in perfect shape.

BERNARD

Yeah, for a bowling ball maybe.

WOOTON

What can I say? I love sugar and sugar loves me.

BERNARD

I can see that. I’m sure all that licorice didn’t help any.

WOOTON

Oh man. Why’d you have to bring that up? By the time I get to the candy store now, it’ll be stale. And I don’t think you should be talking, Bernard. I saw you eating that king-sized candy bar the other day.

BERNARD

Oh, so I guess you were spying on me, eh?

WOOTON

Yep, and I was using this pair of binoculars, too.

BERNARD

Okay… that’s creepy.

EUGENE

I observed you consuming an entire cheesecake the other evening when Katrina and I were dining at Littleton’s Restaurant.

BERNARD

So you were spying on me, too.

EUGENE

Merely observing. Maude didn’t seem to mind what you consumed.

BERNARD

That’s because Maude loves me and lets me eat anything I want.

LUCY

(to Jack)

This conversation has taken an interesting turn.

JACK

(to Lucy)

No kidding.

WHIT

(to Jack and Lucy)

Maybe we can sneak upstairs.

JACK

Right behind you, Mr. Whittaker.

CONNIE

And let’s not forget the brownies Joanne brought in the other day.

BERNARD

What about them? They were good, weren’t they?

CONNIE

You ate half of them.

BERNARD

Okay, well, now you’re getting personal.

CONNIE

You two need to get back on my diet.

BERNARD

Oh, please no. I’d rather die fat and happy than die with spinach coming out my ears.

WOOTON

I’m too afraid to get back on that diet. I’m scared I might lose something.

EUGENE

Weight perhaps?

WOOTON

No, I was thinking about fresh licorice.

BERNARD

Maybe you should go on Connie’s diet, Eugene.

EUGENE

At 109 pounds, I hardly think that’s necessary.

BERNARD

Yeah, you weigh less than Connie does.

CONNIE

Hey!

BERNARD

Well… not that that’s a bad thing… I mean that’s one of the benefits of working at Whit’s End. You get to sample all the ice cream.

EUGENE

Perhaps this explains our shortage of Raspberry Ripple.

CONNIE

I can’t believe I’m talking to you guys! You’re terrible!

WOOTON

Hey, where’d Whit go? I need to borrow his electric fan.

CONNIE

Where did Whit go? And what happened to Jack and Lucy?

BERNARD

Oh, they sneaked upstairs when you guys started making fun of my eating patterns. They couldn’t take the hostility.

WOOTON

Hey, I’m not the one who was comparing people to bowling balls.

BERNARD

No, you were the one with the binoculars.

WOOTON

I’m going upstairs.

CONNIE

Me too. I want to talk some more with Jack and Lucy.

EUGENE

And I as well.

BERNARD

Are you sure you can make it up all those stairs, Wooton, or do you need to take the elevator?

WOOTON

I can make it if there’s a fresh piece of licorice at the top.

Cheerful music takes over and then fades out as the next scene begins.

Scene 6: In Whit's Office

BERNARD

Well, Jack, it sounds like Sanderson really wants you.

EUGENE

Indeed.

JACK

Yeah, and I’m really excited about working for them, too. This will be the first real job I’ve had since graduation – which will be good, since we need the money to pay off our college bills.

EUGENE

Ah, yes. The college life certainly has its expenses. I remember those days well. My foster parents, the Burnettes, paid for a significant portion of my early years in college.

BERNARD

The early years. You mean half your life?

EUGENE

(thinking)

Mmm… more or less.

BERNARD

Well, Jack, we’re proud of you… and it’s good to have you and Lucy back in Odyssey. I tell you, I remember when you two were knee-high to a grasshopper.

EUGENE

…though not literally of course. And yes, congratulations on all you have achieved thus far.

JACK

Thanks. Well, I guess I’d better go and find Lucy so we can start moving into our apartment.

Music begins.

EUGENE

I am ready and able to assist you.

BERNARD

I’d love to see you try and lift all those boxes, Eugene. You and all your 109 pounds.

EUGENE

I’ll ignore that.

JACK

We actually don’t have a whole lot of stuff to begin with, but we’d appreciate your help anyway.

BERNARD

Let’s go.

Music continues into the next scene.

Scene 7: At the Soda Fountain

CONNIE

I think that’s really great, Lucy. Starting your own newspaper would be perfect.

Music stops.

LUCY

I’d like this to be more than just a typical newspaper. I want to put a Christian spin on it.

WOOTON

Hey, if you need a Bible based cartoon every now and then, I’m good with the colored pencil.

LUCY

Thanks, Wooton. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.

WOOTON

By the way, thanks for letting me use your electric fan, Whit.

WHIT

Oh, don’t mention it. I wouldn’t want people’s mail to be delivered to them soggy.

Calm and somewhat cheerful music begins.

WOOTON

Speaking of which, I should probably get back to my mail route now.

CONNIE

You’re leaving, Wooton?

WOOTON

Yeah, it’d probably be good if the people on my route got their mail before midnight.

LUCY

Are you coming to the party tomorrow night for Jack?

WOOTON

Oh yeah, I’ll be there. Should I dress up for the occasion?

LUCY

That won’t be necessary. We’re just celebrating him getting this job.

WOOTON

Okay, that’s good. My green tuxedo is still at the tailor shop.

WHIT

Bye, Wooton.

CONNIE

See ya’.

WOOTON

Bye, everyone. See you at the party.

Wooton walks out the door. Music stops.

WHIT

Anyway, Lucy, feel free to use the printing equipment that we’ve got here at Whit’s End. It’s not amazing, but it will do the trick for now.

LUCY

Thanks.

Eugene, Bernard, and Jack walk up. – light, cheerful music starts again.

EUGENE

Did someone mention my name?

WHIT

Oh, there you all are. I was wondering if you guys were ever going to help them move into their apartment, or if you planned on talking all day.

BERNARD

We’re ready as always.

EUGENE

Affirmative.

JACK

Are you ready to go, Lucy?

LUCY

Yeah, we need to get started on unpacking.

CONNIE

Let’s get going then.

EUGENE

(whispering to Jack and Lucy)

Be forewarned, Miss Kendall wants to help you move in just so she can look through all your boxes. Trust me, I speak from experience.

CONNIE

I heard that!

EUGENE

Oops.

CONNIE

Whit, are you coming?

WHIT

Oh, I have to work on some things for KYDS radio, but I’ll be by later.

Everyone says bye to Whit as they walk out the door.

LUCY

When you get back from Sanderson’s tomorrow, you need to come over to Whit’s End.

JACK

Okay, but why?

LUCY

It’s a surprise. You’ll find out tomorrow.

       

The door to Whit’s End closes behind them, and Mr. Whittaker is left in his shop alone.

WHIT

(to himself)

Oh, that was fun. Alright, KYDS radio recordings – you need editing. Where did Eugene put that… oh, here it is.

Whit turns on tape player – sound is a bit scratchy.

WHIT (CONT’D)

Hmm… sounds a little rough still. I’d better go get that other tape.

Whit walks away as the tape continues playing. The tape stops being scratchy, and the setting of Whit’s End changes to the setting of the Elijah dramatization again.


Scene 8: Back on Mount Carmel
(Ahab, Elijah,)

AHAB

(approaching Elijah)

Oh, Elijah!

(amazed)

I, the King of Israel, have seen the power of Israel’s true King!

ELIJAH

It’s alright, Ahab. Go now. Eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.

AHAB

(confused)

What? Rain? It hasn’t rained in over three years. But if you say so, then I’ll listen to you. Obadiah! Bring out the food so that we may eat here.

OBADIAH

Yes, sire.

NARRATOR

So Ahab and his attendants sat down to eat and drink, but Elijah took his servant and climbed to the top of the mountain. After they reached the top, Elijah bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

BENJAMIN

What are you doing, sir?

ELIJAH

Shh – I’m listening. I hear the sound of heavy rain.

BENJAMIN

Rain, sir?

ELIJAH

Yes… heavy rain. Go and look toward the sea.

BENJAMIN

Alright. What am I looking for?

ELIJAH

Tell me if you see any clouds.

NARRATOR

So Elijah’s servant went and stood on top of a rock and looked out to sea, but he couldn’t see any clouds from on top of his perch. So he climbed back down and reported to Elijah.

BENJAMIN

There’s nothing there. No clouds in sight.

ELIJAH

Hmm… go back and look again.

NARRATOR

So the servant obeyed and went back to look out to sea, but still there was not a cloud in sight. Seven times Elijah told his servant to go back and look out to sea, but again and again he came back with the report that the sky was empty of any sort of rain cloud. – However, on the seventh time he spotted something a little different.

BENJAMIN

Master!

ELIJAH

What do you see this time, Benjamin?

BENJAMIN

I see a cloud that’s as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.

ELIJAH

(pleased)

Aah… Go and tell Ahab to hitch up his chariot and go down before the rain stops him.

BENJAMIN

Yes, sir.

NARRATOR

So the servant ran off and told Ahab what Elijah had commanded him. – Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, and a heavy rain came on as Ahab rode off towards Jezreel. As the storm was growing with intensity, Elijah stood on the mountain and watched the rain begin to pour down as King Ahab was desperately trying to reach the safety of Jezreel before the worst of the storm hit. As Elijah watched, the power of the Lord came upon him. He tucked his cloak into his belt and began to run down the mountain. As he ran, he began to move faster and faster as the power of God filled him with an amazing strength. Elijah was now running so fast that he had caught up with the king’s chariot!

Ahab and Obadiah are going full speed in Ahab’s chariot.

AHAB

I say, Obadiah! Look! Look at that! What is that running alongside us?

OBADIAH

Why… it appears to be a man.

AHAB

What kind of a man can run as fast as a horse?

OBADIAH

It’s… it’s Elijah!

AHAB

You’re not serious! It is Elijah! I can’t believe it… he’s outrunning my chariot! After today… I’ll believe anything.

OBADIAH

If he keeps this up, he’ll beat us back to Jezreel!

Dramatic score continues and stops at the start of the next scene.

Scene 9: At Sanderson's Office

Jack is waiting outside of Mr. Sanderson’s office.

SECRETARY

Mr. Sanderson will see you now.

JACK

Oh, uh, thank you.

Jack walks into Mr. Sanderson’s office and closes the door behind him.

JACK

Mr. Sanderson?

SANDERSON

Yes, come in, Mr. Davis. Have a seat.

JACK

Thank you.

SANDERSON

Well, first off, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.

JACK

Oh, it’s no problem, sir.

SANDERSON

I realize you traveled quite a bit of distance to meet with me… which is why it pains me to tell you this, Mr. Davis.

JACK

Pains you? Wait, what are you saying, sir?

SANDERSON

There’s no point in beating around the bush, I guess. You’re a qualified individual – very qualified, in fact, for this job.

JACK

Is there a problem, sir?

SANDERSON

Yes, Mr. Davis. The problem is that because of a few things about which I can’t go into detail right now, we’ve been put in sort of an awkward position.

JACK

Awkward position? How so?

Light, “concerned” music begins.

SANDERSON

Well, like I said, I can’t go into details right now. But the point is that because of this awkward position we’re in, we cannot be hiring any new employees.

Music begins to have sad tones as well.

JACK

You… so you’re saying… you can’t hire me?

SANDERSON

I’m afraid so. Like I said, though, you’re a very qualified individual for the kind of work that we do around here. We just can’t take you on right now. I’m sorry.

JACK

I see.

SANDERSON

I realize you came all the way from – where was it, Texas? – just to meet with us. And I realize this has probably been a disappointment, but my company will be happy to reimburse you for all your traveling expenses. I’ll let you go now. You should probably go back to your wife in Texas and look for a job there.

Jack stands up to leave.

SANDERSON

You, uh, you are married, right?

JACK

Yes, sir, I am.

SANDERSON

Good. And once again, I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Maybe sometime in the future you’ll get a call from us. Bye, now. Could you, uh, close the door on the way out?

JACK

Bye, sir.

Jack leaves the office and closes the door behind him.

JACK

(brief pause)

What in the world just happened?

“Worried” music takes over.

Scene 10: At Jezebel's Palace

The music is dark. This scene takes place in Ahab and Jezebel’s palace fortress at Jezreel. There is a violent thunderstorm raging outside.

JEZEBEL

(angry)

You let him do what!

AHAB

(nervous)

Please lower your voice, my queen. You needn’t trouble yourself. Everything is going to be alright now.

JEZEBEL

(angry)

How can you say that when you let that traitor kill all of my prophets! I should’ve known you would go and fowl everything up!

AHAB

(nervous and confused)

But Jezebel… if you had been there you would know. – There was nothing I could have done to stop him. It was the Lord’s doing. – The fire fell from heaven and consumed Elijah’s altar right before my very eyes! Even the stones and the water were gone!

JEZEBEL

(angry)

You let that magician fool you!

AHAB

(confused)

But Jezebel! Can’t you hear the rain falling to the ground? Can’t you hear the thunder? – And see the lightning?

JEZEBEL

(angry)

Of course I can hear the rain! Baal has finally been set loose and has come to answer our prayers. – But you mock him!

AHAB

(raising his voice)

But Jezebel! Don’t you see? It wasn’t Baal. – It was the Lord! – And Elijah! Don’t you remember that Elijah prayed that it would not rain? – And it hasn’t rained for these past three and a half years! – But now Elijah has shown us that Baal has no power whatsoever! The Lord caused the heavens to shut up and it is the Lord Who has caused the rains to come back to us again! Just as it was the Lord Who caused Elijah’s sacrifice to be consumed on the mountain by heavenly fire! – Your prophets were unable to get Baal to respond to anything they tried!

JEZEBEL

(angry)

Silence! Do you want the wrath of Baal to consume us even as we stand here? This rain is not a blessing, but Baal’s curse! I daresay you were nearly drowned on the way back to Jezreel.

AHAB

(cross)

Oh nonsense.

JEZEBEL

(angry)

And can you blame him? You let Elijah slip away after everything was over and all my prophets were dead!

AHAB

(Annoyed)

I did no such thing! In fact, Elijah is here in Jezreel right now. He raced me on foot through the storm all the way back from the mountain.

JEZEBEL

(lighting up)

You mean… you did bring Elijah back with you?

AHAB

(cross)

He came willingly.

JEZEBEL

(slowly - pleased)

I see. (beat) You may have just redeemed yourself, my husband.

AHAB

(cross)

There was nothing to redeem. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a celebration to attend to for the return of the rain.

Ahab walks away.

JEZEBEL

(to herself - angry)

There will be no celebration for me as long as that traitorous prophet is around. Do away with my prophets will you, Elijah? May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.

Go to Part Two