Southern Dreaming by Trevor Scott Floyd

Draft 3.3 3.4.18

Characters

YOUNG DAVEY (M, 10): Innocent, Curious

DADDY (M, late 40s): Old school blue collar southerner. Davey's father.

DAVEY (M, mid 40s): Charming. Extremely charming. A big heart. Dylan and Marie's father.

MARIE (F, 16): Bright, unmotivated

DYLAN (M, 17): Has his dad’s big heart, his mom’s big brain, and no idea what to do with either.

PASTOR ERIC (M, Early 40s): Manipulates followers with ease, perhaps unconsciously. He is sincere, cautious, and firm when he needs to be.

PASTORS WIFE/TAMMY/PAMMY/FANNIE/JENNIFER/NIKKI HALEY (F, 40s)

ASSOCIATE PASTOR/BUDDY 1/CONFEDERATE SOLDIER (M, 40s)

CHURCH GUITARIST/BUDDY 2/CONFEDERATE SOLDIER (M, 40s)

CHURCH DRUMMER/BUDDY 3/CONFEDERATE SOLDIER (M, 30s)

MICAIAH (M, 26): Not completely immature, but not exactly mature enough for his age. Played by the same actor who plays Jeremy.

JEREMY: Perennially underachieving. Kind of a redneck. Played by the same actor as Micaiah.

UNION SOLDIERS: Played by the same actors as Pastor Eric, Pastors Wife, Micaiah

Prologue

Rural Georgia, 1977. Nighttime. Open on DADDY’s private room. Guns on display. Daddy is cleaning one, inspecting it. A shotgun. A glass of bourbon accompanies him, which he periodically drinks. A moment passes, then YOUNG DAVEY enters in pajamas.

DAVEY Daddy?

DADDY (wheeling around) Davey! Son, what are you doin’ up?

DAVEY It’s too hot. I can’t sleep.

DADDY Go put your drawers in the icebox and sleep on the porch then.

DAVEY It’s raining!

DADDY (He laughs) A little water won’t kill you, boy.

DAVEY Why are you still up anyhow?

DADDY Just enjoying some peace and quiet.

DAVEY Ohhhh…well then I’m gonna enjoy some peace and quiet with you!

DADDY That’s not really how it works. (Davey looks at him with a slightly confused, slightly sad expression). Oh alright fine, you can stay up with me for a few more minutes.

DAVEY Yippee!

DADDY Just don’t tell your mama! She’d skin me alive if she knew I was letting you stay up this late.

DAVEY I won’t daddy, I promise.

DADDY Good boy. Us men got to look out for each other. We’re outnumbered in this house, you know.

DAVEY But wait, there’s only one girl and me and you and Ricky makes three men.

DADDY Yeah, but the only girl is your mama. She whips us all day long, all night too. I don’t think she even sleeps. It’s like having a whole army patrolling around all the time.

DAVEY (Doesn’t really understand) Girls are weird.

DADDY Son, you don’t have a clue.

DAVEY (A moment) What were you doing with that shotgun?

DADDY Cleaning it. So it’ll fire properly. In case I need it.

DAVEY Need it?

DADDY Yeah. Never know when you need a shotgun. There are a lot of bad guys out there who want to do bad things to our family. You and me, we’re men. It’s our job to protect your momma and your little brother. We can do that with a shotgun.

DAVEY We?

DADDY (Laughs) Yes, we. What if a bad guy comes by while I’m at work or somewhere else? Don’t you want to protect your family?

DAVEY Of course!

DADDY Well then, you ought to learn how to use it.

DAVEY I’m not sure.

DADDY Does it scare you?

DAVEY I ain’t scared of anything!

DADDY You should be scared. A shotgun is a powerful weapon. It’ll blow someone’s head right off. Do you know what the first rule of handling a gun is?

DAVEY Don’t drop it?

DADDY (Laughs) Well shit, I never thought of that. Okay, don’t drop it. But the second rule is: don’t ever, ever point it at somebody unless you are planning on shooting them. And if you are planning on shooting them, you better plan on killing them.

DAVEY I don’t know if I could kill somebody.

DADDY Nobody? Not even bad guys?

DAVEY Not even bad guys. Not even Darth Vader.

DADDY (Laughs) Not even Darth Vader? Even if he had the Death Star pointing at Earth and you and all your friends and family were gonna get zapped?

DAVEY Well…maybe.

DADDY It’s a hard truth, son. But a man’s got to protect what’s his. That means his property and his family.

DAVEY I guess.

DADDY There are lots of bad guys out there. Some of them are just low lifes that don’t wanna work for themselves so they want to hurt you and take what’s yours. A lot of people will tell you to worry about niggers, but it ain’t just them. It’s the poor white folk too. Let me tell you, Davey, there ain’t nothing worse in this world than the poor stealing from the poor. It just isn’t Christian. Black, white, whatever. You get what I’m saying?

DAVEY Yes, sir.

DADDY That’s not it, though. There’s also bad guys that come from the bank, or the government. They’re the ones that keep all of us poor and keep us fighting and robbing each other. The point is, you gotta protect what’s yours from whoever wants to take it. Understand?

DAVEY (A little more hesitant) Yes sir, I think so.

DADDY Good. You’re growing up. It’s about time you heard these things.

DAVEY We learned about the government at school. We watched Schoolhouse Rock! And we learned that song…”We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquilityyyyy.” Isn’t the government supposed to protect our freedoms?

DADDY Is that what they teach you at school? Listen here—freedom comes from God, Davey. It’s something you’re born with, something nobody can take away from you, unless you let them. Don’t let anybody tell you different. (sensing his confusion) You got the world at your feet, you hear me? You are the smartest kid I’ve ever known. I’m serious. You got the freedom to do anything you want, you just gotta have the brains and choose to do it. What do you want to be when you grow up?

DAVEY Uh, I don’t know.

DADDY Come on, you ain’t thought about it?

DAVEY Maybe I could run the hardware store?

DADDY Son, if Jimmy Carter can be President, you can do better than a hardware store.

DAVEY But isn’t that what you chose? Ain’t you got freedom too?

DADDY Sure I do. I was free to marry your momma, I was free to have you, and I was free to open that hardware store to make a good life for us so you could be free to do something even better. Think about it. What do you wanna do more than anything?

DAVEY (Thinks for a moment) I wanna be a pilot, like Luke Skywalker!

DADDY (Laughs) Well, alright then. You’re going to be a pilot. Just don’t let anyone take your freedom away from you, alright? It’s the only thing a man has really got in this world, which is why everyone wants to take it from you so bad. You gotta defend it with everything you’ve got.

DAVEY From the bad guys?

DADDY Right. From the bad guys.

DAVEY Do I have to use a gun?

DADDY I don’t know of anything else that’ll get the job done. Do you want to learn how to shoot it?

DAVEY (Thinks for a moment) No, sir…I don’t think so.

DADDY Well how about for now I just teach you how to clean it?

DAVEY Okay.

DADDY Come over here, and I’ll show you. You know, your Grandaddy taught me how to do this when I was about your age. It’s pretty simple really.

Over this next passage, Daddy disassembles and reassembles the shotgun, showing Davey how to clean it at every step. He is very thorough. He treats the weapon with tremendous affection.

Any time you fire a gun, it contributes to residue buildup. If too much residue builds up, it can cause the gun to misfire, and that’s really dangerous. So, what’s the first step?

DAVEY Don’t point it at somebody you ain’t gonna kill!

DADDY See, I told you that you’re smart. Point it away from yourself, then remove all the shells. You just push this little release by the trigger, and keep pushing it until all there aren’t any shells left. (He does so) Next, take the barrel off the end. Just unscrew the cap, take off the forearm, then twist the barrel off. Take a clean cloth and wipe down everything. Want to help?

DAVEY Sure!

Daddy grabs two cloths and hands one to Davey, and a piece of the disassembled gun. Davey vigorously wipes.

DADDY Keep cleaning until the cloth is black. Then get another cloth. If you want a good, clean shot, the gun has got to be spotless.

Davey holds up a black cloth. Daddy hands him another one, and throws that one into a rag pile

DADDY Then you spray this stuff (picks up a bottle of solvent) all over the gun, and then take this brush (picks up a brush) and really scrub it. Can you do that for me?

DAVEY

Yeah! (He does)

DADDY Good job, son. Once that’s done, you take this little pick (grabs the pick) and scrape away the little pieces that are still stuck on.

DAVEY Like the dentist?

DADDY Exactly. (A moment of quiet as he picks at the gun. It is methodical, purposeful) And now we can put it back together.

Daddy puts the gun back together as Davey watches, maybe even soliciting his help. It should be a halfway sweet and halfway terrifying moment of father-son bonding.

DADDY That wasn’t so bad, right?

DAVEY No. It was actually kinda cool, I guess.

DADDY Damn straight.

DAVEY Damn straight!

DADDY (Laughing) Shhh, your momma!

DAVEY Is that what you always doing when you’re alone with the door closed? Cleaning your gun?

DADDY Um…how about one life lesson at a time, son?

DAVEY Yes, sir.

DADDY

Thanks for your help, Davey. Now get to bed ‘fore your momma catches you up and whips your behind raw. I’m gonna enjoy a little more peace and quiet.

DAVEY Yes, sir. (A moment). I love you, daddy.

Davey exits for bed. Daddy returns to his shotgun, inspecting it for one final time. He gets up as if to leave himself, but closes the door instead while still in the room. He sits back down, puts the shotgun in his mouth. Blackout, then a gunshot.

Act One

Summer 2015. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “Southern Dreaming” by The Sheepdogs plays in the blackout. Under the music, something that sounds like gunshots, but not quite. Firecrackers. Then the crackling of a fire. Lights up on a bonfire.

I. Bonfire

The music fades to a small radio on the ground. People dancing near the radio, fire nearby, maybe offstage. MARIE sits off to the side, watching people dance, maybe checking her cellphone, a gaudy tracfone. DAVEY, now a grown man, is dancing poorly with a woman. They are drinking cheap beer. A few empty beer cans strewn about. Tammy trips, but Davey catches her.

DAVEY Whoa baby! Be careful now, I don’t want you to hurt that pretty head of yours.

TAMMY Davey, why do you take such good care of me?

DAVEY Because I love you, Tammy.

MARIE (aside) Why are they always named Tammy?

TAMMY You don’t love me.

DAVEY The hell I don’t! I’ve loved you since high school.

TAMMY Then how come we didn’t get married and you went off with that other skanky bitch?

MARIE (aside) My mother…

DAVEY It wasn’t the right time, baby. It just wasn’t the right time.

They continue dancing. The fire is raging, perhaps just offstage, or perhaps realized on stage with lights and sound. Or perhaps there’s a real fire on stage, that’s fine too.

TAMMY (To Marie) What about you, baby? You want to dance with your daddy?

DAVEY Aw, Tammy, wait…

MARIE I don’t dance.

TAMMY Oh stop it, there’s nothing to it!

MARIE You’ve made that obvious.

TAMMY (Laughs, obliviously flattered) Aw, thanks doll!

DAVEY Come on, baby, she said no. Why don’t you come here and…(he grabs her butt and pulls her in tight)

TAMMY Davey, you’re so…sexy!

MARIE Jesus Christ.

The radio has probably moved on to another song by now. Kenny Chesney, or an approximation thereof.

TAMMY Davey honey, I think we need some more beer! Why don’t I go grab some from the cooler?

DAVEY About time! Marie you want one?

MARIE Seriously?

DAVEY

I’m just teasing. Lighten up.

MARIE It’s not funny.

DAVEY Aw, I’m sorry. Alright Tammy, one for you, one for me, and a soda for my baby girl.

TAMMY Okay. You two behave while I’m gone.

Tammy exits, followed by an awkward pause.

DAVEY Pull my finger.

MARIE What!?

DAVEY Pull my finger!

MARIE Daddy, stop!

DAVEY You used to love it when you were younger.

MARIE No I didn’t.

DAVEY Yeah you did! You used to ask me if you could do it!

MARIE You have to stop now, thanks.

DAVEY Pull it.

MARIE No!

DAVEY It’s building up inside me! I’m going to blow up if you don’t! Come on, pull it!

MARIE I am way too old for this.

DAVEY Pull it!

MARIE I have always been too old for this.

DAVEY Come on!

MARIE No!

DAVEY PULL IT!

MARIE Fine! (She does. He farts. She laughs a little.) God dammit.

DAVEY See? I knew you weren’t too old to have fun with your dad.

MARIE God. This is why I’m in summer school.

Just as it seems like they might be having a moment, Tammy returns with one beer and one soda.

TAMMY Ok, a beer for me, a soda for the girl, and…wait, did you want something honey?

DAVEY Don’t mess with me.

TAMMY Oh, did you want a beer? I think they’re out! I think I got the last one.

DAVEY Come on now, it’s not funny.

TAMMY Guess us girls will enjoy our drinks and you don’t get anything! (She sneaks a look at Marie, who is not into this charade at all. Per usual, Tammy is oblivious)

DAVEY Give me my god damn beer, Tammy.

TAMMY (A little stunned by this demand) Shit, Davey, here. I was just playing around.

DAVEY It isn’t funny. You know I’m dying for another one.

He cracks it open and downs about half of it in one gulp. Tammy gives him an odd look.

TAMMY How many of those have you had, Davey?

DAVEY Same amount as you.

TAMMY No, I only had one from that first case.

DAVEY Okay, so a little more than you.

TAMMY And weren’t you drinking at the house, too?

DAVEY Why are you getting on my case in front of my daughter?

TAMMY I’m not getting on your case, I’m just saying—

DAVEY I’ve told you to stay off it.

TAMMY I’m just looking out for you.

DAVEY It is none of your business, woman, god damn.

TAMMY Sorry.

DAVEY You are always on my back. You always were on my back about shit all the time.

TAMMY I don’t think Marie needs to hear—

DAVEY She’s MY daughter, don’t tell me what she needs to hear!

A pause. Marie is watching closely. Tammy sees her, and has her first real moment of clarity.

TAMMY You know what, I think I see a friend of mine from work over there. I’m gonna go say hey. Why don’t the two of you talk for a while?

DAVEY Oh come on, you know I didn’t mean—

TAMMY It’s fine. (She smiles) I’ll be right back!

Tammy exits.

DAVEY God dammit.

MARIE You have had a lot, you know.

DAVEY Don’t start.

MARIE

Whatever.

DAVEY I’m just saying, don’t start with me.

MARIE Okay! I’m sorry I even came.

DAVEY Aw, don’t say that. I’m sorry. You know I love you. I’m love it when we spend time together. Your brother hardly ever sees me anymore.

MARIE He’s just…busy.

DAVEY Yeah, I guess. I miss seeing you guys all the time. I really do. I tell everyone about my kids. I’m so proud of you two. I raised some great kids.

MARIE We are definitely pretty great.

DAVEY Yeah. (“Free Bird” comes on the radio) Hey this is my song! (He turns it up a bit, and sings along poorly)

If I leave here tomorrow Would you still remember me? For I must be travelin’ on now There’s too many places I got to see

You know this song right?

MARIE (A little attitude) Yes, daddy, I know Free Bird.

DAVEY Alright, alright, I don’t know what you millennials listen to, besides (with serious disdain) Justin Bieber. This right here is a classic. This song takes your daddy back. Way, way back. Way, way, way, way back. You know my daddy used to listen to this song all the time on his record player. You even know what that is? (She gives him a dumb look). Anyway I remember thinking it was odd that he loved it so much, because he sure as shit never went anywhere. For some reason though, it really meant a lot to him. So it meant a lot to me too. (Marie is silent). You’re probably thinking I never go anywhere either right?

MARIE Do you?

DAVEY No, I guess not. But I will. Trust me. I’m gonna show you the world. You and your brother, if he ever wants to see me again.

MARIE (Sincerely) I would like that.

DAVEY (Carefully) Speaking of going places….what would you say if I told you I was thinking of moving? Get out of South Carolina for a little while. Maybe go back to Georgia, stay with Uncle Rayford for a bit.

MARIE Wait, then when would I see you?

DAVEY You’d come visit! I could show you where I grew up. My old house. That’d be cool, right?

MARIE That won’t happen. I’d probably never see you again.

DAVEY What? Why would you say that? I would never let that happen. You aren’t ever gonna get rid of me, girl.

MARIE Like herpes.

DAVEY You better watch that smart mouth.

MARIE Sorry. (A beat) Please don’t move.

DAVEY I don’t know if I have a choice.

MARIE Of course you have a choice. It’s a free country. Don’t move.

DAVEY Marie, it’s not that simple.

MARIE Sure it is. You love me, right?

DAVEY Of course.

MARIE You say you miss seeing Dylan and me every day and you love me so it actually is pretty simple, don’t move.

DAVEY You don’t understand.

MARIE What is there to understand?

DAVEY It’s not for you to understand, is what I meant.

MARIE Bullshit.

DAVEY Watch it.

MARIE Well, it is!

DAVEY It’s been hard for me here. Ever since your momma and I got divorced, and I lost my job and then she put me in jail for not paying child support, I can’t find any work. People talk. Nobody wants me around.

MARIE She said she didn’t have anything to do with it, that the court goes after you automatically.

DAVEY Is that what she said?

MARIE

Yeah.

DAVEY Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. If I can’t find work I’m going to end up back there. And I don’t want to go back. You don’t want me back there either, right?

MARIE No, of course not.

DAVEY Well, okay. So I have got to figure out a plan.

MARIE Whatever. Even when we do spend time together there’s always someone else around.

DAVEY Wait, don’t you like Tammy?

MARIE Seriously?

DAVEY Yeah, okay.

MARIE If you moved away to Georgia, as far as I’m concerned you might as well be in jail. I’d see you just as much.

DAVEY Okay, okay. (A pause) I won’t move. I’ll stay here. I’ll figure it out.

MARIE Promise?

DAVEY I promise.

MARIE Thanks. I love you, daddy.

Davey has a moment of recognition

DAVEY I love you too, baby girl.

MARIE So how much longer are we gonna be here?

DAVEY Aren’t you having a good time?

MARIE Not really.

DAVEY Oh, come on! I used to go to bonfires every weekend when I was your age. What’s wrong with you?

MARIE What’s so cool about a bonfire?

DAVEY It’s a big fucking fire! And it’s an excuse to hang out with your friends and be outdoors.

MARIE None of my friends are here. And I’m not really an ”outdoors” person. I prefer my bed.

DAVEY It’s summer! You have GOT to go outside more. Breathe some fresh air. Get a tan.

MARIE I don’t tan. I’m a vampire. (She makes a face like a vampire, showing off her pointy incisors)

DAVEY You’ve got my vampire teeth! (He makes the same face back at her, moving his upper lip to show his teeth. They are not white.) Unfortunately for you, we’re only part vampire, so we can survive in the sun. Take advantage!

MARIE Ugh.

DAVEY Tell Dylan that too. I swear you kids just stay inside sleeping your lives away. Where is your brother, anyway?

Marie shrugs. Suddenly, the music becomes live. It is “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman. The scene transitions into a church service, with a contemporary band leading it.

II. Blessed Be Your Name

The band features a guitarist, a keyboardist, a drummer, and two singers—one male, the ASSOCIATE PASTOR, and one female, the PASTOR’S WIFE. The instrumentalists may or may not sing back up. They are all wearing casual clothing—jeans, polos. The keyboardist, MICAIAH, pronounced Muh-kai-uh, is sporting a sharp looking punkish suit and haircut. The lyrics are projected so the congregation can sing along.

SINGERS Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name Every blessing You pour out, I'll Turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out I'll Turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name, oh Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name God you give and take away Oh you give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name, oh Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name You give and take away God give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name God you give and take away Oh you give and take away But my heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name Oh you give and take away God give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name, oh Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name

At the conclusion of the song, a fairly good looking just-short-of-middle-aged man enters, wearing a polo and jeans. He thanks all of the band members. This is PASTOR ERIC. He kisses his wife on the cheek, then turns to address the crowd.

PASTOR ERIC Thanks, everyone. That concludes our Friday night worship service. As always, the youth group will meet in the fellowship hall, and adult classes will start in the classrooms upstairs. If this is it for you, have a good night—and we’ll see you at Sunday school!

Pastor Eric and his wife walk off, and the band packs up and begins to move off. DYLAN enters and approaches the keyboardist, who, it cannot be emphasized enough, is nine years older. Dylan is wearing a Star Wars t-shirt.

DYLAN Yo, Micaiah!

MICAIAH Hey Dylan!

They do an awkward bro hug

DYLAN That was awesome, dude.

MICAIAH Really?

DYLAN Yeah, you totally nailed it.

MICAIAH I was nervous, you know, my first time playing with the main band, not just in youth group.

DYLAN You were great. I couldn’t tell you were nervous at all. Maybe they’ll let you play on Sunday soon!

MICAIAH Maybe. If that’s God’s plan.

DYLAN Right, of course.

MICAIAH Are you staying for youth?

DYLAN Yeah, I should probably text my mom.

He whips out a sort of sad looking tracfone and sends a text. The other band members continue to pack up and exit.

MICAIAH What is that?

DYLAN What?

MICAIAH (referencing tracfone) Is that your cellphone?

DYLAN Oh, yeah. It’s a tracfone. It’s got prepaid minutes.

MICAIAH Oh. You gotta get yourself an iPhone dude! (Whips out his iPhone 4). You can download all these apps. I’ve got one app that I’m using to learn Japanese. And another one that gives me a devotional every day. I’ve got the whole Bible and the whole Constitution on here.

DYLAN I don’t think we can afford that.

MICAIAH So you have to share that thing with your whole family?

DYLAN My family?

MICAIAH Yeah.

DYLAN No, this one is mine. My sister has one too.

MICAIAH Oh.

DYLAN (awkwardly) Yeah…do you share a phone with your family?

MICAIAH Yeah! It gives us like, crazy good accountability.

DYLAN So…when I text you…it’s like I’m texting your whole family?

MICAIAH Basically, yeah.

DYLAN (embarrassed) So when I was texting you about how I have a crush on Charity…

MICAIAH (He laughs) Oh yeah, that was great. My mom thought that was hilarious.

DYLAN Oh, yeah, okay, that’s great. Just great. Fantastic. (A beat). Why didn’t you tell me you shared your phone with your whole family?

MICAIAH Does it matter?

DYLAN (Not sure what to say) I mean…

MICAIAH Look, there is nothing that we could talk about that I would not want my mom or dad to see. I mean, God sees everything anyway. If I have to answer to Him for it, my mom and dad are nothing!

Micaiah finds this funny. Dylan is weirded out. Changing topics—

DYLAN

Right…hey are you as pumped as I am for the new Star Wars movie this year? They just released the trailer for it and I, like, cried, I was so happy.

MICAIAH YES DUDE I AM SO STOKED FOR THIS!

DYLAN Do people still say stoked?

MICAIAH You were like an infant when The Phantom Menace came out right?

DYLAN Yeah but I mean I’ve seen them all like a million times.

MICAIAH Still. I remember seeing it in theatres.

DYLAN Was it any better on the big screen?

MICAIAH No it still sucks in surround sound.

DYLAN This one is going to be so much better. I can just feel it. Like, we are so due. After the prequels, and of course what happened with the Harry Potter movies—

MICAIAH Harry Potter?

DYLAN Yeah, you know, how the first ones and the last ones were good but the middle ones were terrible.

MICAIAH I’ve never seen Harry Potter.

DYLAN Oh are you one of those people that just reads the books?

MICAIAH No dude. I’ve never seen it or read it. It’s sinful.

DYLAN Sinful?

MICAIAH It’s witchcraft. It’s like, super Satanic. J.K. Rowling works for the devil.

DYLAN How do you know that if you’ve never read the books?

MICAIAH I know what they’re about. I’ve seen what it does to kids—makes them dress up like witches, pretend to cast spells to control and kill their friends. It’s evil, dude.

DYLAN They’re just kids books—

MICAIAH That’s exactly it. Satan targets kids because they are impressionable. We are losing the minds and hearts of children in the war against evil all over the world and Harry Potter is a big part of that.

DYLAN So, Harry Potter is evil, but Star Wars okay?

MICAIAH Yeah. My parents grew up with Star Wars.

DYLAN Okay. What about Lord of the Rings?

MICAIAH I LOVE it! And I love the new Hobbit movies.

DYLAN How about Pokémon?

MICAIAH “Pocket monsters”? Definitely satanic.

DYLAN The Simpsons?

MICAIAH A little crude, but I think it’s hilarious.

DYLAN Family Guy?

MICAIAH Poisonous.

DYLAN The Beatles?

MICAIAH Classic!

DYLAN Gorillaz?

MICAIAH I haven’t figured them out, so probably very dangerous.

DYLAN So basically you are allowed to like anything that existed when your parents were kids but nothing that has come out since?

MICAIAH We live in a fallen world, Dylan.

Pastor Eric re-enters.

PASTOR ERIC Micaiah, that was excellent. I know you were nervous, but you are going to be great in this band. The holy spirit is guiding you.

MICAIAH I know, you’re right dad. I feel bad that I was even nervous about it.

PASTOR ERIC That’s alright, even I get nervous sometimes. Just put your trust in God, understand?

MICAIAH Yes, sir.

PASTOR ERIC Great. Hey Micaiah, can you give Dylan and me a chance to chat really quickly? I won’t keep him long, I know you two probably have a game of RISK to continue in the fellowship hall.

MICAIAH (Laughs) He’s got no shot at winning anyway! I’ll see you over there, Dylan. (He goes to exit)

DYLAN See you in a bit, man. I’m coming to take back Australia!

MICAIAH (offstage) In your dreams, bro!

DYLAN What’s going on, Pastor Eric?

PASTOR ERIC I just wanted to check in with you, Dylan. You’ve been coming here for a few years, to Sunday worship and youth group and weeknight services. And yet I still have a lot to learn about you.

DYLAN Oh, there’s not much to know really. I just like it here.

PASTOR ERIC That is very good to hear. I want this to be a welcoming place for you.

DYLAN It definitely is! I’ve made so many friends. It’s like a second home.

PASTOR ERIC That’s good. Can I ask about your first home?

DYLAN What do you mean?

PASTOR ERIC Well you’re the only person who comes to all of our services but doesn’t come with the rest of your family. Heck, you’re the only kid in the congregation who isn’t home schooled.

DYLAN It’s not really their thing, I guess.

PASTOR ERIC Your parents are divorced, right?

DYLAN Yeah. But that happened a long time ago.

PASTOR ERIC Do they support you coming here?

DYLAN Totally! Well, my mom does. Pretty sure she’s just glad I haven’t gotten anyone pregnant like every other guy at my high school. My dad, well…he doesn’t really know I come here, but that’s just because we don’t talk much.

PASTOR ERIC Why not?

DYLAN He is pretty messed up.

PASTOR ERIC Can I ask what you mean by that? Messed up?

DYLAN He does drugs. Like, all of them, I think. And he drinks a lot. I just can’t stand being around it. He used to have a good job, when my parents were married. He worked for a phone company. I looked up to him, I thought he was the coolest person ever. But he lost his job when he failed a drug test. Then my mom took my sister and I away and it was never the same. One time, when I had my tonsils taken out, my mom took me to the pharmacy to get a refill on my liquid pain medicine. This was like, really hard stuff. It took me two weeks to get through the first bottle. But when we got there the pharmacist told us that I had already gotten my refill. She wouldn’t give us another one. Turned out, my dad went and refilled it himself, and didn’t tell us. So my mom calls him up, furious, and makes him tell her where the bottle is. He hid it in the kitchen. When we find it, it is almost empty. (A pause) He drank the whole bottle in a day. He barely left any for me at all. I think that was probably the last straw for my mom. (A moment, as Dylan is a bit lost) I’m sorry; I don’t know why I just told you all of that.

PASTOR ERIC That’s okay.

DYLAN Yeah…thanks.

PASTOR ERIC We live in a fallen world, son. Without Jesus, we have no power over sin. It consumes us. Does your dad know Jesus?

DYLAN Pfft, doubt it.

PASTOR ERIC Then he is powerless. He is lucky to have a smart kid like you, though. It seems that you have been put in his life to help lead him back to the right path.

DYLAN You think so?

PASTOR ERIC God is telling me so. You need to pray for him, and you need to be an example in his life. Show him Christ’s love as it lives within you. Otherwise, spiritually, he will die.

DYLAN Pastor Eric, will you pray for him? Could you pray for him with me right now?

PASTOR ERIC (A moment of pride and understanding) Of course, son. (He prays) Heavenly father, we come to you in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, we rebuke Satan, and we rebuke the sin that lives inside—um, what’s his name?

DYLAN Davey.

PASTOR ERIC We rebuke the sin that has consumed Davey. We cast it out in the name of Jesus. We speak love into Davey’s heart tonight. We speak your love, heavenly father. The awesome, amazing love that you have for the world that made you sacrifice your only son. We ask that you use Dylan to be a positive force in Davey’s life, father. Let your love shine through Dylan and lead Davey back into your light. We ask that you use Dylan to show Davey what it looks like to walk with Christ. We know the bible says “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because you are with me.” Be with Dylan tonight, Lord, and be with Davey. Help them both to walk with you. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

DYLAN Amen.

PASTOR ERIC I’m glad you’re here, Dylan. You always have a home here. This world is scary. We are living in extreme days. But you are such a smart, bright kid. You are going to be an incredible soldier in God’s army.

DYLAN Thanks, Pastor Eric. That really means a lot.

PASTOR ERIC Of course, son. (A moment) Alright, time for youth!

DYLAN Oh, right! I’M COMING FOR YOU AUSTRALIA!

He exits. PASTOR ERIC pauses for a moment, thinking.

III. Catfish, Part One

The scene transitions into Davey and his buddies, played by the same actors who played the Associate Pastor, Guitarist, and Drummer from earlier. They are now BUDDY 1, BUDDY 2, and BUDDY 3. They are sitting outside with a small fryer, turned off after having just cooked catfish, drinking beer, and passing around a joint. Empty liquor bottles litter the ground as well. It is about 9pm.

BUDDY 1 I’m just saying—

BUDDY 2 Shut the fuck up.

BUDDY 1 I’m just saying!

BUDDY 2 No, shut the fuck up.

BUDDY 1 But I’m just saying!

BUDDY 2 You sound like a retard. Shut the fuck up.

BUDDY 1

I’m just saying if—

BUDDY 2 No.

BUDDY 1 IF—

BUDDY 2 Jesus.

BUDDY 1 IF Obama was born in this country—

BUDDY 2 God dammit.

BUDDY 1 Which he obviously wasn’t—

BUDDY 2 You are seriously a fucking moron.

BUDDY 1 But if he was, he should still have been disqualified from being President.

DAVEY How do you figure?

BUDDY 1 He doesn’t love this country. He hates America.

BUDDY 2 How do you know that?

BUDDY 1 He talks about America like we’re all bad. He goes around the world and apologizes for America. Apologizes for America! We’re the ones that brought freedom and democracy to all the corners of the globe. Most of this world owes their freedom to US! Think about World War II, or Reagan beating back the Soviets. That’s America, man. That ain’t nothing to apologize for.

BUDDY 3

He’s right. One time he got off his helicopter and saluted the marine with a coffee cup in his hand. He saluted. A Marine. With. A coffee cup! He’s got no respect. And how about how he won’t say “Islamic terrorism”? Like, what’s the big deal with calling something for what it is? It’s because he has such a hard on for Muslims. And he hates Christians. He is such a fucking scummy piece of shit.

BUDDY 2 Look, I’m not saying I LIKE the guy—

BUDDY 1 Please.

BUDDY 2 I’m not. I’m not saying I like the guy.

BUDDY 1 You suck his dick all the time.

BUDDY 2 No, I voted for McCain and Romney. Which is more than you can say.

BUDDY 1 Fuck off you know I can’t vote on account of that thing that happened.

BUDDY 2 I’m NOT saying I like the guy.

DAVEY Then what are you saying?

BUDDY 2 I’m just saying there’s plenty to hate on without getting caught up in the personal stuff. Whether he was born here or what his religion secretly is doesn’t matter.

BUDDY 1 Of course it matters.

BUDDY 3 Yeah.

BUDDY 1 It fucking matters.

BUDDY 3 It does.

BUDDY 1 I don’t know much, but I know it matters.

BUDDY 3 I mean, he’s the president, even if he’s an illegitimate one.

BUDDY 1 Yeah.

BUDDY 3 So it matters.

BUDDY 1 Exactly.

BUDDY 3 It matters what his secret plans are because of who he secretly is.

BUDDY 2 You guys are nuts.

DAVEY You know, I heard the other day that he wants to give all the black people food stamps and welfare checks. Like, an unlimited amount, for nothing. Like as reparations for slavery or something, and make white people pay for it. As if there’s not enough abuse already.

BUDDY 1 You know I heard that 98% of people on food stamps sell them for cash, and then buy drugs? (Somehow the joint reaches him at this exact moment)

DAVEY It’s true. I mean, I’m on food stamps, and I use them the right way.

BUDDY 3 Me too!

BUDDY 1 Yeah, me too! (Takes a hit)

DAVEY But it’s a fact that most people abuse it. Just a known fact.

BUDDY 2 I still think you’re all nuts.

BUDDY 1 (Grabs his crotch) What’s that, you wanna suck my nuts?

BUDDY 2 In your wet dreams, faggot.

DAVEY You’re both faggots. Shut the fuck up.

BUDDY 1 What has gotten into you, man?

DAVEY Nothing. I’m just trying to relax for one night and you assholes just won’t quit.

BUDDY 2 Damn, settle down.

DAVEY Then quit! I’m already stressed and you guys make it worse.

BUDDY 3 What do you have to be stressed about?

DAVEY I’ve got kids, man.

BUDDY 3 Yeah, so do I, who cares?

DAVEY Seriously?

BUDDY 2 (to Buddy 3) You’re so fucking stupid.

DAVEY Really, though—I actually got to see my daughter the other day. Took her to a bonfire with this girl I knew from high school. Um…Tanya, I think. Anyway, I told her I might move but she didn’t like that. I knew she wouldn’t. I don’t know what to do though, I can’t find work around here, and if I don’t get a job my ass is going back to jail.

BUDDY 1 That bitch ex won’t cut you a break?

DAVEY She’s been telling the kids it’s not her fault. I don’t know, maybe it’s isn’t. No matter what, though, I can’t go back there.

BUDDY 3 It’s not so bad. (They all give him a dumb look)

BUDDY 2 Okay, listen, I might have a job for you down at the beach. We’re building that new theme park, and we could use some extra hands. It’s not permanent but it’s something right?

DAVEY Yeah…yeah I guess that would be good.

BUDDY 2 Just stop by tomorrow around 10. I’ll see what there is for you to do.

DAVEY Thanks, man. Thanks, I appreciate it.

BUDDY 2 Just—promise me…

DAVEY What?

BUDDY 2 Just please be sober.

DAVEY What? Of course. What are you even saying?

BUDDY 2

I have never seen you sober in my life.

DAVEY That’s because we’re buddies! We’re always just hanging out, frying catfish or something. You can’t be sober to fry catfish, it’s against the law.

BUDDY 2 I know, I know. Alright, I hear you. So tomorrow at 10?

DAVEY Yeah! Yeah, tomorrow at 10. I’ll be there. What time is it now anyway?

BUDDY 3 About 9:15.

BUDDY 1 Oh, man. I need another beer.

DAVEY Yeah I need one too.

BUDDY 2 Me too.

BUDDY 3 Fuck, me too.

A few moments pass. They all drink quietly.

DAVEY Did you mean 10 AM?

IV. Waiting

A continuation in time from the previous scene, light up on Dylan and Marie, together, waiting on their father. Maybe the catfish hangout is still barely lit while this scene takes place in a different part of the stage. Maybe Dylan and Marie have been here throughout the entire previous scene, waiting.

MARIE What if something happened?

DYLAN

Nothing happened.

MARIE But what if it did?

DYLAN Nothing ever happens.

MARIE But what if it did this time?

DYLAN Like what?

MARIE I don’t know. What if he, like, got in a car wreck, or something?

DYLAN Why would you say that? He didn’t get into a wreck.

MARIE What if he did, though? I’m not saying he died, but like, what if we’re sitting here all mad, waiting on him, except he was actually on his way here this time but then boom: car wreck? And the car flipped over, and he was pinned underneath. But he crawled out, and he tried to crawl here, but the paramedics wouldn’t let him because like, it’s their job I guess. It’s their job to take care of him. And they tell him, “it’s our job to take care of you” and he says “you don’t understand, it’s MY job to take care of my kids, I have to go get them, they’re waiting on me.” But then they don’t. Then the paramedics don’t let him go and so he doesn’t get here because they’re taking care of him.

DYLAN Then why wouldn’t he call?

MARIE I don’t know. He probably got his cellphone cut off again because he couldn’t pay the bill.

DYLAN Well, call him and find out.

Marie pulls out her own gaudy tracphone, dials a number.

MARIE Busy signal.

DYLAN Did you call the right number?

MARIE What?

DYLAN He’s had so many numbers. Did you call the right one?

MARIE I don’t know, what does it start with?

DYLAN 765, I think.

MARIE No, that’s an old one. I dialed the one that starts with 910.

DYLAN No, that’s definitely old. That’s from, like, way long ago.

MARIE Oh.

DYLAN Let me just look at my contacts. (Looking through his phone) Let’s see…Dad 1, Dad 2, Dad 3, Dad 3.5, Dad, Dad, Daddy, David, Asshole, Dad…wait, no! It’s this one—the one that starts with 650.

MARIE Oh yeah, you’re right! (She dials) “Boo boo BOOP. We’re sorry, the number you have dialed has been disconnected.”

DYLAN Dang.

MARIE So that’s why he can’t call us from the hospital…

DYLAN He’s not in the hospital, Marie.

MARIE You don’t know that.

DYLAN No, I guess not.

MARIE Maybe he thought we were gonna go to him. Maybe he’s waiting on us. Can we get mom to drive us?

DYLAN She’s asleep. And there is no way she would agree to take us over there or even let me use the car. He knows that.

MARIE Yeah, I guess. Must be the hospital then.

A moment.

DYLAN Are you a Christian?

MARIE Excuse me?

DYLAN It’s just a question.

MARIE It is not just a question.

DYLAN Okay. Are you?

MARIE I mean, yeah?

DYLAN Oh. Okay.

A moment

DYLAN

Because you know that like really means something.

MARIE Oh my god, Dylan.

DYLAN See, Christians shouldn’t say that. They shouldn’t say “oh my god” because it is taking the Lord’s name in vain.

MARIE What does that mean? Taking the Lord’s name in vain?

DYLAN To be honest I don’t really know. I just know the Bible says not to do it. So Christians shouldn’t do it. I mean, nobody should do it, but Christians definitely shouldn’t do it, because Christians have to set an example for the rest of the world.

MARIE I’m 16, how am I supposed to be an example for the rest of the world?

DYLAN You said you are a Christian. That’s what Christians do.

MARIE Dylan, we live in South Carolina. Everyone is a Christian. Who are you setting an example for?

DYLAN Is daddy a Christian?

MARIE I don’t know.

DYLAN You said everyone was.

MARIE I was exaggerating to make a point.

DYLAN You spend more time with him than I do. Is he a Christian?

MARIE

I mean, he was raised Christian. He’s a conservative white southern male. So, probably?

DYLAN But does he have Jesus in his heart?

MARIE What are you talking about?

DYLAN Does he walk with Jesus? Has he accepted Christ into his heart and given himself over to Him...self?

Marie stares at him

DYLAN Okay, never mind, I’ll drop it.

MARIE Thank you.

A moment

DYLAN I think he drinks and does drugs because he’s not a Christian.

MARIE Lots of Christians do that stuff.

DYLAN They aren’t real Christians, then. Real Christians don’t.

MARIE If you say so.

DYLAN I don’t say so, God does.

MARIE Are you proselytizing right now?

DYLAN Sorry.

MARIE Not everyone has to believe the same things you do, Dylan.

DYLAN I mean—

MARIE No. Stop.

DYLAN You’re too young. You don’t understand.

MARIE I understand just fine.

DYLAN No you don’t! Because everyone does have to believe what I do. You, daddy, mommy, everyone. Otherwise, you are powerless against sin.

Marie stares at him again.

DYLAN Or we can talk about something else.

MARIE Our dad is in the hospital and you are talking about sin.

DYLAN He’s not in the hospital!

MARIE YOU DON’T KNOW THAT!

A moment. Dylan takes out his phone and makes a call.

DYLAN Yes, hello? Is this Rivertowne Medical? (Marie looks at him, pissed off) Hi, yes I just wanted to see if a patient had been checked in. David Cail. Yeah, I’ll wait…No? Not there? Oh, okay. Can I ask if there were any car accidents tonight? No, none that you know of? Okay, thanks! (He hangs up, looks at Marie). Good news! He’s not in the hospital.

MARIE

I hate you.

DYLAN Whatever.

MARIE I really hate you.

DYLAN Okay.

MARIE You really used tracfone minutes for that?

Dylan looks away

MARIE I knew he wasn’t in the hospital, jerk. I knew that. Why did you have to be such a jerk?

DYLAN I just—

MARIE Whatever. Stop talking.

DYLAN Fine.

MARIE Fine.

They sit in silence.

DYLAN How is school going?

Silence

DYLAN Oh you’re going to be silent now?

Silence

DYLAN Okay fine I can be silent too, watch.

Silence

DYLAN UGH I’m sorry come on just talk to me.

Silence

DYLAN Baby sisterrrrr please talk to me.

Silence. Dylan pokes Marie. She ignores him. He pokes her harder. She breaks a little but still ignores him. He pokes and pushes her with his finger even harder. Then again, and Marie breaks out laughing.

MARIE (through laughter) Stooooooooooooop!

DYLAN (still poking) Stop what? Stop what?

MARIE Oh my god you’re such a dork.

DYLAN (still poking, going too far) I’m not a dork you’re the dork I’m not a dork you’re the—

MARIE Dylan that’s enough!

He stops. A moment.

DYLAN So how is school going?

MARIE Fine.

DYLAN Just fine?

MARIE Yes, just fine.

DYLAN Why just fine?

MARIE Probably because I shouldn’t be in summer school to start with.

DYLAN Yeah, I know.

A moment. Dylan awkwardly puts his arm around Marie to comfort her. It’s not quite right, but she appreciates it.

MARIE Thanks.

DYLAN (smiling at doing something right, and asking the same question over again) So…how is school? Like, for real.

MARIE Honestly, I think I’m getting dumber. My math teacher only shows up about half the time, and when he does he just has us working problems out of like, an elementary school workbook. My science teacher doesn’t believe in evolution and we spent a whole week on “teaching the controversy” which was really just state sponsored creationism. My health teacher is Catholic, and my history teacher is a football coach who thinks Barack Obama is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

DYLAN What about English?

MARIE We just finished “The Fountainhead.”

DYLAN Ah.

MARIE For history class we all got paired up for a presentation on a topic our teacher chose. I’m pretty sure he assigned us this because he doesn’t actually know anything about history and he wants us to teach him. Anyway I got assigned to present on “the fundamental causes of the Civil War” with this dude Jeremy

who is super skeevy and I’m pretty sure has been in high school for like six years? And when he gave me the topic he said, “remember, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet. The only two sources you can fully trust are your textbook and your Bible.”

DYLAN Oh. So…school is fine.

MARIE Yeah, it’s fine.

Silence

DYLAN He always does this.

MARIE Not always.

DYLAN Why do you get your hopes up?

MARIE Because what else am I supposed to do?

A moment

DYLAN Remember Carowinds?

MARIE What?

DYLAN Remember when he was going to take us to Carowinds? A few years ago. He told us he got the passes, and he got the hotel room, and he was going to drive us up in his new car for the whole weekend. So we packed, and we waited, and we waited, and then he just didn’t show up. Remember?

MARIE What’s your point?

DYLAN He always does this.

MARIE Shut up.

Marie’s phone rings. She pulls it out to answer.

MARIE Hello!? Hello!? Oh…hi Sam. Yeah, I can talk now.

She gets up and exits. Dylan sits alone for a moment. He gets up and sneaks into an adjacent room offstage, being very quiet. When he returns he is holding car keys. Or maybe they come to him. He listens for someone to wake up, then exits with the keys.

V. Catfish, Part Two

A continuation in time and setting from Scene III. Buddy 2 and Buddy 3 have gone home.

DAVEY Hey, you ever get the feeling like you’re supposed to be somewhere else?

BUDDY Yeah, all the time. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had finished college and gone to law school like I was planning. Maybe I would have been rich, and had a hot wife. Hell, even a six would have been okay. What if my life had some other purpose that I have totally thrown away, and now my soul is lost, wandering around the Earth with nowhere to go and I am helpless to steer it back in track, having thrown away everything without even knowing it?

DAVEY Yeah…right, but I meant just like you missed an appointment or something?

BUDDY Oh…no I’m pretty organized.

DAVEY Oh.

BUDDY Yeah.

DAVEY Okay. A pause.

DAVEY So can you hook me up?

BUDDY With what?

DAVEY I’ve been having terrible headaches. Do you have any oxy? It’s the only thing that helps.

BUDDY Why don’t you go to the doctor and get some yourself?

DAVEY I’m in between insurance policies right now. I can’t really afford it. But I need it.

BUDDY I don’t want to see you in pain, Davey, but you’ve been to rehab, I don’t know if I should be giving that stuff to you.

DAVEY I’m not asking for you to give it to me, I’ll pay for it. I’m not worthless.

BUDDY I didn’t say you were worthless.

DAVEY Fuck you, what kind of friend are you?

BUDDY Come on Davey, I didn’t say you were worthless.

DAVEY You were thinking it.

BUDDY I wasn’t.

DAVEY Bullshit. Just go, man, if you think I’m that bad.

BUDDY

What are you doing?

DAVEY What are you talking about?

BUDDY I’m not going anywhere. Here, I can get a few Oxys for you. Got an empty bottle?

DAVEY No, no I don’t want your pity pills.

BUDDY Davey, if you’re in pain, take the damn pills.

DAVEY Alright, alright.

Davey grabs an empty ibuprofen bottle conveniently laying nearby. Buddy pulls out a prescription bottle, pours out six or seven pills, and gives them to Davey, who puts them away. A pause. Buddy looks at Davey.

DAVEY What?

BUDDY Thought you said you could pay?

DAVEY You’re drinking my beer, aren’t you?

BUDDY God dammit, Davey.

DAVEY I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I’ll bring you some cash in the morning okay?

BUDDY You sure?

DAVEY Of course, man. I’m good for it.

BUDDY Okay. Alright then.

A pause. Davey and Buddy drink.

BUDDY So do you think you’re missing something?

DAVEY Nah.

At that moment, headlights blind the two men on stage. A car is pulling up.

DAVEY Oh, shit, that’s right. Fuck, I totally forgot…

BUDDY Wait, who is that?

A car door slams.

PAMMY (offstage) David Cail, your ass better have a good explanation for why you didn’t show up tonight!

DAVEY Pammy.

BUDDY Pammy?

DAVEY Pammy.

BUDDY What about Tanya?

DAVEY Who?

BUDDY The other girl you were with?

DAVEY Oh, you mean Tammy?

BUDDY What?

Pammy enters

PAMMY Do you know how EMBARRASSING it is to be STOOD UP at your own MOMMA’S HOUSE?

BUDDY You were going to her parent’s house…?

PAMMY My grandmother made dinner for you, asshole! My whole family was so excited to meet my fiancée! (As she says that, she starts hitting Davey with her purse)

BUDDY You know what, I’ve got to take a leak…at my house.

Buddy exits

PAMMY Why? Why would you do this to me?

DAVEY I guess I just forgot, baby.

PAMMY You forgot? How could you forget me?

DAVEY No, no, you got it all wrong. I didn’t forget you. I was here telling the guys all about you. How much I love you and how I’m the luckiest man in the world. All the same stuff I tell you.

PAMMY Yeah, sure. If you love me so much how could you forget dinner with my family?

DAVEY Forget? Who said I forgot dinner?

PAMMY You did, like ten seconds ago!

DAVEY No, baby, we said we’d have dinner tomorrow night.

PAMMY No we didn’t, that’s a lie, Davey!

DAVEY Come on, would I lie to you? Hmm? Would I intentionally stand you up?

PAMMY Obviously you would!

DAVEY No, no I wouldn’t! The right answer is of course I wouldn’t. Come on, now—don’t you think it’s possible, at all possible, that you might have gotten the night wrong?

She looks at him. He looks at her. She looks at him.

PAMMY Well…

DAVEY Exactly! Alright then. I’m sorry you got the night wrong, baby, but I do still want to have dinner with your family. Especially since we’re engaged.

PAMMY I still can’t believe you asked me to marry you after a week! I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

DAVEY Don’t I know it!

Another set of headlights

PAMMY Who is that!?

DAVEY How am I supposed to know?

PAMMY This is why you didn’t come to dinner! You had some other tramp meeting you tonight!

DAVEY What? No, come on, I—

PAMMY No, Davey. No more lies. The wedding is off!

DAVEY Oh stop it now—

Dylan enters

DAVEY Dylan!

PAMMY Well he’s a little young for you, Davey—

DAVEY This is my son.

PAMMY Wait. YOU HAVE KIDS!?

DYLAN Who is this?

DAVEY This is Pammy, my…friend.

PAMMY Your friend!? The wedding is definitely off now, Davey!

DYLAN Wedding?

PAMMY Goodbye forever!

She starts to exit, then turns around

PAMMY Unless you still want to have dinner with my family?

DYLAN Get out of here!

She gives a startled look to Dylan, then exits

DAVEY What are you doing here?

DYLAN You don’t even know?

DAVEY Don’t get a smart mouth with me, boy.

DYLAN Don’t call me boy.

DAVEY Excuse me?

DYLAN Don’t call me boy! You don’t have that right.

DAVEY I’m your father, I’ll call you whatever I want.

DYLAN Not tonight, you’re not. You don’t have that right tonight.

DAVEY What on Earth are you talking about?

DYLAN You really, really don’t know?

Davey thinks for a moment, then realizes.

DAVEY

Oh, shit. Oh, son, I’m sorry.

DYLAN Yeah, me too.

DAVEY I’m so sorry.

DYLAN How did I know I would find you here? Trash drunk and not even ten o’clock. Empty handles of vodka? And what—twenty empty beer cans?

DAVEY It wasn’t just me, my buddies were over—

DYLAN What buddies?

DAVEY I…(looks around) well, they were here earlier.

DYLAN And who was that woman? Why was she talking about a wedding?

DAVEY Well, I was going to tell you—

DYLAN You’ve GOT to be kidding me!

DAVEY --but I thought you might not take it well.

DYLAN Are you ever going to get it together?

DAVEY What are you talking about? I’ve got it together.

DYLAN

No, you don’t. If you had it together I wouldn’t have a devastated little sister at home, and I wouldn’t be driving out here at night to this sketchy apartment building and finding you blitzed and forgetting that you were supposed to go out with your kids tonight.

DAVEY Okay, okay, I messed up. But…but I couldn’t leave, because I was getting a job! I got a job, actually. I’m starting tomorrow. That’s something, right? I’m going to be able to pay the child support again.

DYLAN A job? Doing what?

DAVEY Construction. That new theme park that’s being built. Tell you what—when it’s all done being built, I’ll take you and Marie. To make up for tonight.

DYLAN Why should I trust you?

DAVEY I just told you, I’ve got it together! I’ve got a plan. A new job, a new start. You’ll see. Have some faith in your dad.

DYLAN Daddy, I just…(he fights back tears).

DAVEY Yes?

DYLAN I want to trust you.

DAVEY You can trust me.

DYLAN I need to trust you, it’s so important.

DAVEY You can! You can always trust me. Okay, so I messed up tonight, and maybe I’ve messed up a few other times. I’m sorry. You know I’m sorry, right? I’ll make it up to you and to Marie. I’ll come by tomorrow and tell her how sorry I am, and tell her I got this new job and that I’m going to take you guys to the new theme park to make it up to you. I promise. I’ll do it.

DYLAN Even if you take us, you’ll be hammered.

DAVEY Wait, is this about my drinking?

DYLAN Isn’t it always? You haven’t had a single sober day in years.

DAVEY That’s not true. That can’t be true.

DYLAN Why do you think I never want to be around you?

A pause. Dylan knows he said something he can’t take back.

DAVEY You’re right.

DYLAN I love you, daddy. I want you to get better. I want you to be better. But you’ve got to start showing it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t show it.

DAVEY You’re right. Okay. You’re right.

DYLAN You believe that I care about you, right?

DAVEY Sure.

DYLAN Okay. Okay good.

DAVEY I’ll make it up to you, I promise.

DYLAN Sure you will. I’m sure. One more thing…do you know Jesus?

DAVEY What?

DYLAN Have you accepted Christ into your heart?

DAVEY Are you some kind of missionary?

DYLAN No, I—

DAVEY My son won’t be a missionary. You could go to Africa and get AIDS.

DYLAN What? No, I’m just asking—

DAVEY Or worse, France. (He laughs at his joke)

DYLAN Stop it, okay? I’m serious.

DAVEY I’m a Christian. Of course I am.

DYLAN How come you don’t go to church?

DAVEY I’ve been to church enough for ten lifetimes.

DYLAN How is that even possible?

DAVEY Enough questions for one night, okay? I’m tired. I’m starting work tomorrow! We should both go to bed. Start fresh in the morning, right?

DYLAN

Yeah, okay. Start fresh. But please, I’m begging you…don’t let me find you like this again. Don’t miss out on another time with Marie. I can take it, you know? I don’t care. It doesn’t hurt my feelings. I expect it from you, really. But it breaks her. Every time you do this, another crack forms, and pretty soon, she’s going to be shattered into a million pieces.

DAVEY I think that’s enough for one night.

DYLAN Just promise me you won’t do this again.

DAVEY Fine. I promise. I do. Are you going to keep making me feel like garbage all night?

DYLAN No. No, I think I’m done. Goodnight, daddy.

DAVEY Goodnight, son.

VI. Studying

Lights up on Marie’s bedroom. Pop punk band posters litter the wall. Think All Time Low, 5 Seconds of Summer, etc. Marie is alone, listening to music off of an old portable cd player. We hear a knock somewhere off stage. During this next bit, Marie is growing increasingly visibly annoyed with her brother. Dylan and Jeremy are either off stage or just off center.

DYLAN (Off Stage) Hello?

JEREMY (Off Stage) Hey, what’s up man! I’m Jeremy, I’m here to see Marie.

DYLAN (Off Stage) Nope. No you’re not.

JEREMY (Off Stage) What?

DYLAN (Off Stage) Nope no way get out.

JEREMY (Off Stage) No man, I’m here to study with her!

DYLAN (Off Stage) Yeah I’ve heard that one before.

JEREMY (Off Stage) No, seriously! We are in the same history class!

DYLAN (Off Stage) Dude you’re like 25!

JEREMY (Off Stage) I’m taking my time, alright?

MARIE OH MY GOD DYLAN WILL YOU STOP IT HE IS HERE TO STUDY OKAY!?

Dylan opens the door to Marie’s bedroom, pops his head in

DYLAN (whispering) Seriously?

MARIE (not whispering) YES SERIOUSLY WILL YOU JUST LET HIM IN ALREADY

Dylan looks doubting but moves out of the way to let Jeremy in. Except, he still sort of blocks his path through the door. Jeremy struggles but fights his way into Marie’s bedroom. Dylan gives him the two finger eye point, then walks away slowly.

JEREMY Your brother is kind of a tool.

MARIE He’s just protective.

JEREMY He’s a psychopath.

MARIE Hey, douchebag, he’s still my brother.

JEREMY Sorry.

MARIE Okay listen dick breath, I don’t want to be doing this any more than you. Can we just go over these study questions so you can leave?

JEREMY Fine, whatever.

MARIE (pulls out a study guide) Okay, first question: who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

JEREMY My pastor said that the Declaration of Independence was handed down to the founding fathers by Jesus Christ himself.

MARIE Yeah that’s probably not going to be the right answer on the test, though.

JEREMY Thomas Jefferson.

MARIE Wait, that’s actually right. How did you know that?

JEREMY I’ve taken this class three times, something was bound to stick.

MARIE Okay, question two: who wrote the bill of rights?

JEREMY That’s easy. It was our fourth President, James Madison.

MARIE That’s right!

JEREMY I’ve got the second amendment memorized, want to hear it?

MARIE

Question three: who was the President of the Confederate States of America?

JEREMY Jefferson Davis. I’ve got a t-shirt with his picture on it.

MARIE Question four: who was the General of the Confederate Army in the Civil War?

JEREMY Robert E. Lee. I’ve got a t-shirt with his picture on it.

MARIE Question five: what was the primary reason the Civil War was fought?

JEREMY States’ rights.

MARIE No, dummy, slavery.

JEREMY Really? Is that what the study guide says?

MARIE (Looks at study guide) Um… no, actually, it says… states’ rights.

JEREMY Right. So, next question.

MARIE Hold on.

JEREMY Ohmygodwhat?

MARIE How can this study guide just say that? Like it’s a fact?

JEREMY Because it is, I guess?

MARIE

How do you know that?

JEREMY Um, duh, because it’s in the study guide?

MARIE Do you even know what rights the states were fighting over?

JEREMY Wasn’t it, like, freedom?

MARIE Freedom from what, dipshit?

JEREMY Tyranny, or… like, taxes? One of those ‘t’ words.

MARIE You don’t know shit about shit, do you?

JEREMY Listen I’m just trying to pass if I fail again my daddy is going to take my four-wheeler away.

MARIE Why are we studying together again?

JEREMY Because we are study buddies for the summer and we have to do a power point presentation together at the end of the term for our final grade.

MARIE Right.

JEREMY I really suck at power point. It’s why I’ve had to take this class three times.

MARIE Okay, really, who sucks at power point?

JEREMY Oh my god sorry I’m not perfect.

MARIE Whatever. Look, I’m not sure why the study guide just says States’ Rights. I mean – it was more complicated than that, right? Let’s just read the textbook and see what it says.

Marie grabs her backpack, pulls out a worn history textbook. She flips to the appropriate chapter, but when she does, the entire book falls apart in her hands.

JEREMY Thanks Obama.

MARIE How did I end up in summer school anyway?

JEREMY Because you disappeared from school for like three months and failed all your classes?

MARIE (did not need the reminder) Right, thanks for reminding me.

JEREMY No problem!

MARIE (putting some of the book back together) Okay, let’s see. It says… “There has been a lot of debate in modern society about the underlying causes of the Civil War. Some scholars say that it was a battle over the Confederate States’ right to autonomy; other scholars identify slavery as the primary issue. The truth is, states’ rights was the primary cause of the war, and slavery was just a side issue.”

JEREMY See, it’s right there in the textbook. When has a textbook ever lied about anything?

(Marie lets the book fall apart again)

MARIE When was this published anyway? (She fishes for the publishing date) 1972.

JEREMY What does that matter? It’s history, it doesn’t change.

MARIE Yeah you are definitely the kind of person who would be bad at power point.

JEREMY Whatever at least I’m not a fucking vampire.

MARIE I’m not a vampire you fucking redneck.

JEREMY I’m… well I am a redneck but at least I embrace it.

MARIE UUUUGGGGHHHHH WHY AM IN SUMMER SCHOOL AND WHY AM I STUCK DOING THIS STUPID PROJECT WITH YOU?

JEREMY God damn girl, I already told you it’s because you were gone for three—

MARIE Yeah I remember I was there thanks!

(Silence)

JEREMY Where’d you go, anyhow?

MARIE Excuse me?

JEREMY Where did you go? When you disappeared from school?

MARIE I was sick.

JEREMY That’s some bull.

MARIE I was.

JEREMY You can still do school when you’re sick. Even if you’re really sick. They’ve got programs for that. They give your friends your homework to bring with you.

MARIE Well, I didn’t do that.

JEREMY Oh. Okay.

(A pause)

JEREMY Is it because you don’t have friends?

MARIE No, no we are not talking about this.

JEREMY It is, isn’t it?

MARIE This is not happening.

JEREMY Hey, I’m cool. You can tell me if you don’t have any friends.

MARIE Dude. Just stop. I have friends.

JEREMY Okay, okay.

(A beat)

JEREMY Then why didn’t you do the program?

MARIE You never quit, do you?

JEREMY I’m in summer school in my 20s.

MARIE

Point taken.

JEREMY So what’s your deal?

MARIE Okay, I’ll tell you, but just to make you shut up. But you have to promise not to tell anyone.

JEREMY I promise!

MARIE Seriously, I will fucking murder you.

JEREMY Yeah, okay, I promise.

MARIE Do you swear?

JEREMY I swear.

MARIE Do you pinky swear?

JEREMY (laughing) I pinky swear.

Marie very earnestly holds out her pinky. Jeremy seems confused for a moment, then pinky swears.

MARIE Okay. If it means we can get back to this project, I’ll tell you. I was very depressed. I’ve been very depressed. I’ve been on antidepressants for years.

She checks for his shock, but he is not shocked. At some point over the next bit, dim lights go up on Dylan somewhere else on stage, alone, lost In thought, perhaps fiddling with a baseball or something similar.

MARIE When I was younger I used to harm myself, mentally and physically. Mostly physically. I just read about it on the internet and it seemed like a good idea, for some reason. I started by digging my finger nails into my skin. Then I would use a razorblade to cut my wrists. I always wore clothes that would hide my

arms. I told my friends about it, but I made them promise to keep it a secret, and they did. It’s literally the only thing my friends have ever been able to keep a secret. Having that secret…it made me feel powerful. I knew something everyone else didn’t. Eventually though my mom found out. It’s good that she did, I guess, but she really freaked out. Like, really, really freaked out. I didn’t know she could get like that. I mean she really loves me, I know she does. She blamed herself because she wasn’t around enough. It wasn’t her fault but I couldn’t convince her of that.

JEREMY So she took you out of school?

MARIE No, no, that all happened like a year and a half ago. That’s when I started on antidepressants. We tried out a couple of different brands, different dosages. It took a while but we eventually landed on something that worked well. And my mom skipped so much work to be there for me, to take me to the doctor, things like that. I don’t know how she managed to pay the rent. I honestly think she would go days without eating because all of her money was going to keep the lights on for my brother and me. She would never admit it, but I’m like 95% sure. And even after all that, I decided to stop taking my antidepressants about eight months ago. If I was being poetic, I would tell you that I missed feeling powerful. But I don’t honestly really know the reason. The reason doesn’t matter. The point is, I stopped. And then I relapsed. I started cutting again, using shards of glass this time. The powerful feeling came back, but so did the really bad episodes. And they were so much worse this time. It actually happened pretty fast, but… I decided one night I didn’t want to be that way anymore. Either I was going to be better again, or I was going to end it. So I swallowed all of my pills. And some Tylenol. And I texted a friend of mine to tell her what I had done, and then I went to sleep. My mom woke me up, and she was panicking worse than the time before. Thankfully, my friend didn’t keep this one a secret. But that night was bad. Really, really bad. My brother drove us to the hospital because my mom couldn’t even see well enough to drive, she was crying so much. I ended up going into the pediatric psych ward at MUSC in Charleston. I was there for about a week, and then I stayed at home for a few months. I didn’t want to go back to school. I couldn’t face my friends. Or my teachers. My mom quit her second job and stayed home with me at nights. I don’t know how we made it through that time, either. But, we did, and here I am!

A moment.

JEREMY Wow.

MARIE Yeah.

JEREMY I mean, wow.

MARIE Okay don’t make a thing out of it.

JEREMY You know, my preacher said that depression is just separation from God, and antidepressants are poison.

MARIE That’s it. Get out. Get out of my room.

JEREMY Wait, wait, you didn’t let me finish. My preacher said that, but… I think he’s wrong. I’ve seen it myself. I know it’s real.

MARIE Oh. You believe me?

JEREMY I do.

They share a moment of understanding. Not romance, just mutual respect.

MARIE Thanks.

JEREMY (trying to lighten the mood) I can’t do power points but I can do people!

Marie gives him a look.

JEREMY I heard it. Imma just let it ride.

MARIE You do you.

JEREMY Hey, can I ask you a question?

MARIE Sure.

JEREMY Why did you do it?

MARIE Do what?

JEREMY Go off your antidepressants.

MARIE I told you, it made me feel powerful.

JEREMY Yeah, but, why did you actually do it?

A pause.

MARIE My dad.

JEREMY What did your dad do?

MARIE He’s an alcoholic and a drug addict.

JEREMY …and he injected you with heroin as a baby?

MARIE What the fuck?

JEREMY What did he do to you?

MARIE I just told you.

JEREMY Oh. That’s it?

MARIE I mean that’s pretty traumatic—

JEREMY No, no, of course, it’s just… I mean whose dad isn’t an alcoholic?

MARIE What?

JEREMY My dad used to be a total rager. He kicked the shit out of me every single day for years and threatened to kill me if I didn’t keep my mouth shut.

MARIE Oh my God.

JEREMY It really ain’t that big a deal. He would come home drunk as hell on Friday night. I’d let him beat me so he would leave my momma alone. He’d make it up to me on Saturday by taking me hunting. He bought me my first rifle. My pickup truck. Shit’s complicated.

MARIE That’s so fucked up.

JEREMY I guess, but, that’s just life.

MARIE Don’t you see? Your dad is the reason you are so fucked up.

JEREMY Who are you calling fucked up?

MARIE Sorry, I didn’t mean that, I just mean – he’s why you struggle in school and can’t get ahead. He’s put you so far behind in life.

JEREMY Yeah, probably.

MARIE Don’t you care?

JEREMY I mean, what do you think happened to him to make him that way?

MARIE I don’t know what you’re getting at.

JEREMY Listen, I believe that your depression is real. I know everybody is different and I respect that. But if you want some advice from an elder: give your dad the benefit of the doubt. People down here get their heads kicked in from an early age. Some survive, some don’t. As far as who does and who doesn’t, that’s mostly just dumb luck.

Marie sits with this.

VII. Peripetia

Lights up on Dylan and Pastor Eric in Pastor Eric’s office, a few nights later.

PASTOR ERIC So, how do you like these Wednesday night classes, Dylan? A little different from your school?

DYLAN For sure. It’s amazing just getting to know what I don’t know…you know?

PASTOR ERIC I do.

DYLAN I mean, everyone else here has been going to church for their whole lives, and I only started a couple years ago. I feel like I have a lot to learn. I’m pretty smart I think—

PASTOR ERIC I think so too.

DYLAN Yeah. Yeah, I’m pretty smart, but like school smart, not God smart. I want to be God smart.

PASTOR ERIC God smart? I like that.

DYLAN

Seriously, though. I’m so thankful God put me here. I’m growing closer to Him every day.

PASTOR ERIC How are things with your dad?

DYLAN Oh, um…

PASTOR ERIC Did something happen?

DYLAN No. I mean, we were supposed to hang out the other night, and he blew it off. And I told him I forgave him but we haven’t talked since.

PASTOR ERIC Why not?

DYLAN I don’t know.

PASTOR ERIC When we talked before, you seemed to be really concerned. Don’t tell me you have already given up.

DYLAN No, no, I haven’t given up, I just…maybe I’m not the one he needs.

PASTOR ERIC You are, son. God doesn’t give us challenges we can’t handle. You have to trust in Him and let Him guide you.

DYLAN I am. Or, I’m trying.

PASTOR ERIC Do you know why I asked to speak to you tonight?

DYLAN No.

PASTOR ERIC You’re going to be a senior this year, right?

DYLAN Yes.

PASTOR ERIC What are your plans for after graduation?

DYLAN I’m going to college. Duke, maybe? I got a 1590 on the SAT and I’m definitely poor enough to get the whole thing paid for. I think I have a good shot.

PASTOR ERIC How ambitious.

DYLAN Yeah, I guess. Why are you asking?

PASTOR ERIC I’ve been praying with the other leaders of the church. It has come to our attention that there are several of you who are going to be transitioning out of school soon. God has revealed to us that it is our responsibility to make sure you are well prepared for it.

DYLAN Prepared?

PASTOR ERIC Yes. We are starting an internship. The interns will be training to be well rounded members of the ministry. You will take classes, shadow the leaders of the church, and perhaps even assist with leading youth group or Sunday sermons. And I want you to be an intern.

DYLAN Me? Really?

PASTOR ERIC Of course. You are a smart kid, after all. You have potential. God has told me so.

DYLAN God?

PASTOR ERIC You know that God has placed you here for a reason, Dylan. Tell me, have you spoken to Him about your plans for after graduation?

DYLAN (Guiltily) I guess not.

PASTOR ERIC That’s a mistake. But that’s okay. It’s the sort of mistake we will correct in the internship.

DYLAN Are you saying God doesn’t want me to go to Harvard?

PASTOR ERIC He has bigger plans for you.

DYLAN It’s just…I’ve always thought…

PASTOR ERIC Dylan, I am your spiritual authority. It is my responsibility to be honest with you about what God wants. Do you want to follow God’s will?

DYLAN I do. More than anything.

PASTOR ERIC Then it’s time to start listening. Faith is hard, Dylan. And it’s only going to get harder.

DYLAN Harder?

PASTOR ERIC There’s a war coming, Dylan. You are a great soldier. Like any great soldier, you are going to be called to fight on the battlefield. Get ready for it, son.

A knock

PASTOR ERIC Come in!

Associate Pastor enters.

PASTOR ERIC You are interrupting an important meeting. What do you need?

ASSOCIATE PASTOR Pastor Eric. You should, uh, you should come see this. You should both come see this.

PASTOR ERIC See what?

ASSOCIATE PASTOR (He glances at Dylan apologetically) On the news. There’s…there’s been a shooting in Charleston. At a church.

VIII. Dixieland

Blackout. The following sequence happens rapidly. News reports related to the shooting at Mother Emanuel are projected. Video would be ideal, but audio is fine. The reports should grow progressively more cacophonous and follow some sort of chronology—including the initial report, the identification and capture of Dylann Roof, Roof’s arraignment, the badass woman who yelled at Don Lemon, and various other moments. At some point, Pastor Eric appears and says the following:

PASTOR ERIC There is a movement of violence and hate against our churches in this country. There is a mobilized and weaponized legion of people who want to destroy our faith, a government backed hostility against Christians. They will tell you this shooting was about race—I long for the day when we stop jumping to such conclusions in this country. We have to protect our churches. War is coming. War is coming!

More news reports. Calls to remove the confederate flag. Protests and counter-protests, building in veracity. Then a pause, before a video plays. It is President Obama singing “Amazing Grace” at the funeral for the Emanuel Nine.

After, NIKKI HALEY appears.

NIKKI HALEY Today we are here in a moment of unity in our state without ill will to say it is time to remove the flag from our capitol grounds. This flag, while an integral part of our past, does not represent the future of our great state.

Tin drums are heard offstage playing “Dixie Land”. Then, Davey’s buddies enter, now in full confederate soldier uniform, along with a fourth, younger recruit. They can be playing the music or just marching to it. One of them should be carrying a comically large confederate flag. Perhaps it takes two of them to hold it. After this point, the image of the confederate flag should never fully leave the stage.

We should get the effect of Pastor Eric and the Confederate Soldier speaking in turn to the audience and, respectively, Dylan and Davey. Buddy #1 from before is now the lead Confederate Soldier, who speaks with the others backing him.

The music builds throughout. Additional instrumentation is added in. It is overwhelming.

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER Dylann Roof is a hero! He has woken up the racist, anti-white, anti-patriot establishment to the reality of Real America. No longer will our white brothers and sisters be afraid to speak out. We will speak out against the culture that allows our women to be raped, our religion to be stripped, our jobs stolen, and our kids indoctrinated into homosexuality and multiculturalism all for the sake of diversity and political correctness. We will speak out, and do not be fooled—we will FIGHT. We will not stop until we take our country back.

PASTOR ERIC War is coming!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER If you don’t racialize, if you don’t tribalize, you will go extinct. We’ll be a minority soon, and do you think we’ll get a reservation? Do you think we’ll get affirmative action? If we don’t adopt an ethnocentric mindset, we’re finished.

PASTOR ERIC War is coming!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER We are taking our country back from the illegals and the Black Lives Matter terrorists and the Hollywood elite who enable them to tear us apart. We are taking our country back from BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA and his naked attempts to hand it over to the Muslim Brotherhood and the terrorists who want us dead!

PASTOR ERIC War is coming!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER In the Civil War, the brave martyrs of the Confederacy stood up to the oppression of Lincoln’s government. They refused to be ruled by a tyrant and fought back. They were knocked down, but with a promise to rise again. We are here to fulfill that promise.

PASTOR ERIC War is coming!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER

The tyrants of America today want to erase our history, our heritage, and tell us we are wrong for being white. Wrong for being southern. Wrong for working hard, paying our illegal taxes, and providing for our families.

PASTOR ERIC War is coming!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER There is no more being neutral! Time’s up—pick a side!

PASTOR ERIC War is coming! War is coming! War is coming!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER WAR IS HERE!

Blackout. End of Act One.

Act Two

During intermission, confederate imagery is placed around the theatre. Propaganda, flags, maybe a statue of Robert E. Lee. Most importantly, a giant confederate flag is hanging prominently—perhaps far upstage, perhaps on one wall of the theatre. A “Don’t Tread on Me” flag also hangs. At some point during intermission, at a low volume, white supremacist speeches are played in the house and maybe the lobby of the theatre. Think David Duke, Richard Spencer. From all time periods, woven together. Except, they are played soft, maybe underscored with southern rock or something that muffles it. The idea is for the audience to not really know what they are listening to, until some point, it clicks. If this isn’t working well, don’t do it.

“Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash plays leading out of the intermission, into a blackout. Rise on a dim atmosphere, blue and hard to see detail. Eventually we make out that it is an approximation of the room from the first scene. It is, however, nothing more than an approximation. Young Davey enters.

I. The Devil’s Right Hand

YOUNG DAVEY Daddy? Daddy, I can’t sleep. Are you in here daddy? Are you still up? Is momma okay? Daddy? Why do you have so many guns daddy? Where are you?

Young Davey finds a pistol and starts to toy with it. The audience should feel as if he is incredibly close to making a terrible mistake. He sings and looks around for his father.

ABOUT THE TIME THAT DADDY LEFT TO FIGHT THE BIG WAR I SAW MY FIRST PISTOL IN THE GENERAL STORE IN THE GENERAL STORE, WHEN I WAS THIRTEEN THOUGHT IT WAS THE FINEST THING I EVER HAD SEEN SO I ASKED IF I COULD HAVE ONE SOMEDAY WHEN I GREW UP MAMA DROPPED A DOZEN EGGS, SHE REALLY BLEW UP SHE REALLY BLEW UP, I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND MAMA SAID THE PISTOL IS THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND, THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND MAMA SAID THE PISTOL IS THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND

He finds his father

Daddy?

He realizes

D…daddy? Daddy? DADDY!?

He pauses. Then, a loud, echoing shriek, far louder and deeper than could come from the child alone:

MOMMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The scene transitions into the battle of Gettysburg. It is daytime. The confederate soldiers from before enter, but in a far more distressed state. They are armed with Springfield Muskets, fatigued from battle. Underneath the following, there is shouting, gunfire, and a growing fear of the inevitable. It is chaos. Lines may be assigned and improvised as the director sees fit, making the scene last as long as appropriate.

CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS What’s that? Look out! Don’t move! Retreat! Don’t move! Get out the way! DON’T MOVE! Reload! I got him! I’m hit! Reload! No, no I’m okay! I can’t see! I can’t tell! Shit! They’re reloading! They’ve got a cannon! Reload! God dammit! GOD DAMMIT! WATCH OUT! SHIT!

One soldier falls, shot in the head. He is not dead, which is worse than if he was. The others look on, then each suffers the same fate. Maybe one of them runs away. Pause. Then, Davey enters, an adult now, bumbling, his uniform untidy, struggling to hold up the gun. He tries to aim, fires, and is knocked on his ass. He tries to get up, but can’t. He’s paralyzed. He yells out, first in fear, then in anger. Dylan and Marie enter, in contemporary clothing.

DYLAN

What’s wrong?

MARIE What’s going on daddy? Why are you yelling?

DYLAN Are you okay?

DAVEY Dylan! Marie! Kids! Get out of here. It’s too dangerous for you! You’ll get hurt! Get behind me, I’ll protect you!

MARIE What are you talking about?

DAVEY You’re in the middle of a battlefield! Can’t you see what’s going on around you?

DYLAN I’m ready for battle. I’m a soldier.

MARIE Me too! Isn’t this what you want?

DAVEY What?

Dylan and Marie are shot. This should be done with some stylization. Davey starts yelling again. He keeps yelling as the scene transitions.

II. Awake

Davey wakes up in bed, continuing to yell. He’s been having a nightmare. Next to him lays his current girlfriend, FANNIE. She jolts up, unsure of what’s happening. Davey takes a few breaths and calms down.

FANNIE What….in…the…..HELL!?

DAVEY Oh God, oh God….

FANNIE

Davey! What in the hell?

DAVEY Oh God, I’m sorry, oh God.

FANNIE What’s wrong honey? Why were you yelling like that?

DAVEY Where am I?

FANNIE You’re in my bed, baby.

DAVEY Fannie?

FANNIE Well, who else?

DAVEY I think I was having a nightmare.

FANNIE Yeah, no shit! I got neighbors, you know.

DAVEY I’m sorry.

FANNIE It’s okay. I’m just worried about you. You haven’t been sleeping right.

DAVEY I haven’t?

FANNIE No. For days you’ve been tossing and moaning and carrying on. I even went and slept on the couch a couple times.

DAVEY I’ve been taking a Percocet and an Ambien every night. I can’t figure it out.

FANNIE Try an extra Ambien. Daddy used to take two Ambien with a glass of Scotch every night.

DAVEY Yeah, maybe that’s it.

FANNIE What are you having nightmares about, anyway?

DAVEY I was fighting a war. I think it was the Civil War and I was fighting for the south. But I was too scared to even fire my gun. My kids were there. They said they were soldiers. They were ready to fight. But they didn’t survive. Nobody survived. (A pause) What do you think it meant?

FANNIE (Very confused) Maybe you want to have sex with your mother?

DAVEY Fannie…I’m scared.

FANNIE Well I’m scared too, sweetheart, but you’ve got to get your sleep, and stop scaring me to death with your yelling! I’m gonna go get you an Ambien. Need anything else while I’m up?

DAVEY Maybe a half a Perc too?

FANNIE Alright sweetie. I’ll get you that, but you’re taking it with water, not Scotch. The Scotch killed my daddy when he was fifty years old.

She gets out of bed and exits. A sink is heard for a moment, then she re-enters with a drink and some pills, which Davey swallows.

FANNIE Well, I guess I’m up now. I’m gonna hop in the shower…you should go back to sleep.

DAVEY Yeah, okay.

She exits. We hear the shower come on. Davey pulls out his phone—a cheap flip phone. He plays a voicemail.

NURSE Hi there, this is Rhonda from Dr. Moritz’s office. We got the results back from your tests and, well… Dr. Moritz wants you to come in right away to talk about them. We also have some questions about your insurance—

He closes the phone and thinks for a minute. He opens it again, finds a contact, and calls.

DAVEY Hey—hey buddy. It’s your dad. Just wanted to say I love you and your sister and I’m thinking about you kids. Oh, hey, I got a few bucks from this job I’ve been working—why don’t we go to McDonald’s for lunch sometime this week? My treat. You kids deserve it. Alright, um, just call me when you get this I guess. Love you. Bye.

He hangs up. Fannie reenters with the pills, which he inhales.

III. PowerPoint

A projection screen drops. Or perhaps there is a space on stage set up for the following scene. Marie comes on stage, dragging along a very old projector with a small laptop hooked up to it. Something on it signifies that it was checked out from the county library. Jeremy tags along in his Sunday best with a stack of note cards in hand. He’s really got to pass this class. Marie attempts to turn the whole contraption on, but visibly struggles. This never works how it’s supposed to. Maybe she curses and then apologizes to the audience. Finally she gets it going. The first slide reads: “THE CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR, a Presentation by Marie and Jeremy”. Feel free to accent the PowerPoint however you like. It should have lots of fun unnecessary transitions, text motions, walls of text, mis-colored backgrounds, etc. Basically, Jeremy put it together. He is very happy about it and eagerly transitions the slides where appropriate.

MARIE Okay, thank you Steven for that great presentation on how slavery was actually a positive thing for African people and most slaves were happy with their lives. Of course you were supposed to present on the Vietnam War, but Coach sure seemed to like your presentation anyway, so I’ll just go home and watch Forrest Gump instead.

JEREMY (robotic, reading from note cards) Good morning, everybody. My name is—(changes notecards, looks down then up)—Jeremy. Marie and I are presenting today on—

Jeremy switches note cards. It’s not the right one. Uh oh. He begins to get flustered. He looks through his cards, then to the audience, then to Marie for help. She dryly points at the PowerPoint. He catches on. With a sweeping gesture:

JEREMY The causes of the Civil War!

MARIE Next slide please, Jeremy.

He moves to the next slide. Some gaudy transition effect accompanies this. The new slide reads: “WHAT WAS THE CIVIL WAR?”

MARIE What was the Civil War?

JEREMY (recombobulated, off note card again) The. Civil War. Was. A conflict. Between. The Northern. States. And. The. Southern. States.

MARIE Thank you, Jeremy. The Civil War was indeed a conflict between the Northern States and the Southern States. After the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, which our textbook refers to as “controversial”, the state of South Carolina—which you will recognize as the one we live in today—decided to secede from the union.

JEREMY (you get the idea) Merriam. Webster. Defines. Secede. As: To withdraw. From an organization. Such as. A religious. Communion. Or. Political. Party. Or. Federation.

MARIE Right. So South Carolina withdrew from the United States because the state officials did not want to be governed by President Lincoln. Our textbook says the people did not want it, but even though Steven may disagree I think there were quite a few people in this state who actually would have been okay with the situation. In fact, our textbook refers pretty frequently to the will of the people of South Carolina. But did you know that 57% of the people living in South Carolina in 1860 were slaves? Enslaved people outnumbered free people by 100,000. Next slide please, Jeremy.

Jeremy seems a little confused, but he obeys. The slide reads: “CAUSE #1: STATES RIGHTS”

JEREMY The. First. Cause. Of. The. Civil. War. Was. A. Fight. Over. States. Rights.

MARIE Yes, if we are listing the causes in reverse alphabetical order, the first cause of the Civil War was a fight over states rights. Our textbook quotes John C. Calhoun, who notably died ten years before South

Carolina seceded, when he wrote: “The Union next to our liberties the most dear. May we all remember that it can only be preserved by respecting the rights of the States, and distributing equally the benefits and burdens of the Union.” I was inspired by this to share a few of John C. Calhoun’s other quotes with you all. Like this one: “The day that the balance between the two sections of the country – the slaveholding States and the non-slaveholding States – is destroyed is a day that will not be far removed from political revolution, anarchy, civil war, and widespread disaster.” Or this one, from 1837: “I hold that in the present state of civilization, where two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual, are brought together, the relation now existing in the slaveholding States between the two, is, instead of an evil, a good–a positive good.” Sorry, I know, off topic. Next slide, please.

Jeremy changes slides. “CAUSE #2: ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES”

JEREMY The. Northern. Economy. Was. Industrial. While. The. Southern. Economy. Was. Agri. Cultural.

MARIE The Southern economy relied primarily on cash crops like cotton and tobacco. South Carolina was the richest state in the union before the Civil War. Southern states were very wealthy because of these crops, but Northern states were industrializing fast and their cities and economies were growing. Pretty soon they would be richer than the Southern states and they would be able to dictate changes to the Southern economy. The textbook does not mention what they would be working so hard to protect. What is it about their agricultural economy that Southerners would be so worried Northerners would try to change? What made those profit margins so great anyway? The world may never know. After the Civil War, South Carolina was the poorest state in the Union. Next slide, please.

Jeremy changes slides. “CAUSE #3: PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE”

JEREMY Southerners. Believed. That. Abraham Lincoln. Would. Destroy. Their. Way. Of. Life.

MARIE White people in the Confederacy were very proud of their heritage. They waved their rebel flags. They said things like “don’t tread on me” and “we’re not racist, we’re just traditional.” They worked and lived on farms and in went to saloons, and they didn’t trust people who worked and lived in cities and went to theaters. They believed their way of life was more noble and that Northerners wanted to destroy it. Of course, that was 1860. A lot has changed since then. Next slide, please.

Jeremy changes slides. “CAUSE #4: SOUTHERNERS DID NOT LIKE LINCOLN’S BEARD”. Jeremy does not have a note card for this one.

MARIE

Seriously, what was he hiding under there? Next slide, please.

Jeremy changes slides. “SUB-CAUSE: SLAVERY”

JEREMY Many. People. Believe. That. Slavery. Was. The. Primary. Cause. Of. The. Civil. War. But. Historians. Say. It. Was. A. Sub. Cause. At. Best.

MARIE Unfortunately, I don’t have anything else to say about this slide because I had so much trouble finding historians who said that slavery was not the primary cause of the war. Liberal media, I guess? Thankfully our textbooks have all of the real information. Although I did find it strange that the textbook doesn’t name any of these historians, either. Would have made research easier. Maybe it was on one of the pages that fell out. Next slide, please.

Jeremy changes slides. “CONCLUSION”

MARIE Finally, since Coach said the only sources we can trust are our textbooks and our Bibles, I thought I would share with you all a few things the Bible says about slavery. Steven mentioned that slave owners were good Christian people, and I actually think he is right about that. Exodus 21 says “When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.” I know, I know, Old Testament! So here’s one from 1 Peter 2:18: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” As we have clearly shown, the Civil War was not about slavery. But Southerners did think that if God was okay with slaves being viciously beaten and staying subjected to white masters, why couldn’t Abe Lincoln just be cool? Probably because he was a queer. Thank you. The end.

Jeremy is very pale.

IV. Construction

Davey on a construction site. It is excruciatingly bright, mid-day. A stark contrast to the PowerPoint scene. He is in full uniform. Miming laying bricks. From off stage:

VOICE (O.S.) Take a break, Davey!

Davey gives a thumbs up. He takes off his goggles and hard hat and wipes a gallon of sweat from his forehead. He sits down on the ground. A cooler appears. He opens the cooler, finds a beer, and drinks it pretty quickly. He goes in again, finds a soda, drinks that. Then a bottle of water. Then another soda. He

gets up, walks to the corner of the stage. Pees. When he’s done with that, he goes back to sitting. Wipes more sweat. Lays down. Sits back up, suddenly. Starts coughing. Doubles over. Coughing harder. Flem, and blood. He pulls out a rag. Wipes up the blood. Grunts. Spits.

VOICE (O.S.) Back on, Davey!

Davey gives a thumbs up. He stands up, goes back to his bricks.

V. Blessed Hope

The scene transitions to a church service. The band from before is now playing the end of “How Great is Our God” by Chris Tomlin.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR/PASTOR’S WIFE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE MY HEART WILL SING HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD, SING WITH ME HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD, AND ALL WILL SEE HOW GREAT, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

The Associate Pastor breaks out to make an appeal. The Pastor’s Wife and the band continue repeating the chorus.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR Do you feel Him here today, folks? Can you feel His presence? The holy spirit is in this building today. Do you know Him? Have you let Him into your heart? He is here, He is at the door, and He is waiting on you to let Him in. But He is a gentleman, and He won’t go where He isn’t invited. Invite Him into your heart today, folks.

He feels the spirit even harder

ASSOCIATE PASTOR God is telling me that some of you are still struggling. Some of you are struggling to let Him in today. You are holding on to sin, to the things of this world, to the people who want to hold you back. Let it all go this morning, folks. Let it all go right here in this building and let Him in.

And even harder. None of the following should be over the top. It is quiet, sincere, and deliberate.

Ra ba shalaban a sheeba hastalababa mosee can you feel Him folks? Abashala ra ba shalaban mohabala.

He goes to his knees and starts to cry.

Ra ba shalaban a sheeba hastalababa mosee abashala ra ba shalaban mohabala poma basha labamasta mosheeba mosheeba thank you God hastala shalaba postabla mostabala a sheeba a sheeba ba ra ba ra shalaban mosh hashaba yes God yes mashlababababa hastala shalaban. Yes. Yes. Thank you, Jesus! Oh, thank you Lord.

The song comes to an end and the Pastor’s Wife leads a polite round of applause. This is very obviously not an unusual occurrence for a Sunday service—in fact, it’s pretty typical. Pastor Eric enters, and the band finds their seats.

PASTOR ERIC Thank you, thank you so much. Wow. What a wonderful worship service. Our Associate Pastor is right, ladies and gentlemen—He is here today. He is in the building, and He wants to be let into your heart. You have to choose to let Him in. Please, if you don’t know Jesus, please consider letting Him into your heart today.

Okay. Okay then. Due to recent events, we are going to take a little detour today from our study of Proverbs. I know, I know, it was just getting good, right? Obviously you all know about the horrible, tragic attack on a church in Charleston. A young man, a man who hates Christians, walked into a church and shot nine good people during their bible study. Will you all join me in prayer this morning?

Lord, we are calling on you Lord, we are asking that you are comforting the families of those nine soldiers in your army who lost their lives. We ask that they find comfort in you Lord, and that they seek you, and that they know you in their hearts, Lord. We ask that you guide them to your open arms, Lord. We also ask that Dylann Roof comes to know you, Lord. We ask that he repents for his sins and you wash away his hate and that he knows your love, Lord, and welcomes you into his heart. We know that you loved the world so much, you sent your only son to die for us, and that your grace is available for everyone, Lord. So please lead everyone impacted by this shooting into your amazing grace. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Amen. So, today we are taking a detour from our study of Proverbs. If you don’t know it already, there is something big coming. In modern Christianity, we call it the rapture. Titus 2:11-14 in the NIV says:

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

The appearing of the glory of our great God is the blessed hope. Wow. How great is our God, right? And it should bring you hope. Because if you’re a believer, if you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Savior, you are going to rise to the kingdom of Heaven. The people left behind are going to face famine, war, disease, and death, while you are enjoying eternal life.

Let me tell you about the blessed hope, folks. It is going to happen within most of your lifetimes, including mine. Very soon. The Bible says do not be unsettled.

Jesus promises us he is going to spare His church from the wrath to come. This is good news if you’re a believer. Very good news. If you aren’t a believer, I’m here to tell you today what you are in store for. It isn’t good, folks, but it’s real—it’s what the Bible tells us.

Jesus has a seven-sealed scroll which He will begin opening at the start of the Tribulation. When He opens the first scroll, a rider on the white horse will appear and establish a one-world government by promising peace. But peace doesn’t come. When the second seal is opened, a great war begins. Bigger than all of the wars that have ever been fought, combined and times ten. The third seal will bring untold famine, and the fourth seal, finally, brings death. One and a half billion people will die.

The fifth seal brings about the martyrdom of believers. Remember, the church is absent, this is just what is happening when God’s people are up in Heaven with a front row view of the action. But 144,000 Jews will accept Christ into their hearts, and they will preach the word, and everyone who chooses to follow them will be martyred. They are the lucky ones, because it only gets worse.

The sixth seal unleashes God’s wrath through a mighty earthquake, an earthquake so severe, so unimaginable that people will be begging for rocks to fall on them and end their misery.

Finally, the seventh seal reveals the Seven Trumpets of Judgment and ends just the first quarter of Tribulation. Before we even get to the midpoint, just three and a half years in, the Bible tells us that a star will fall to Earth, the world will grow darker, and another 3 billion people will die.

Then, after seven years of tribulation on Planet Earth, the Battle of Armageddon begins. The forces of Heaven collide on Earth in the Valley of Megiddo, and let me tell you, it’s going to be a big win for the good guys. And their reward, our reward, is that Jesus Christ is going to come back. He will literally step his feet down in Jerusalem and his kingdom is going to reign for a thousand years. God isn’t sending the second best, folks. Jesus is going to come off His throne and cast all of the unrepentant souls into the lake of fire. Isn’t this beautiful, folks? The blessed hope. That’s what the Bible calls it. And I am hopeful. You should be too. We are privileged to be living in the last days of Earth as we know it. Those of us who are true believers won’t experience death. You young people will probably never even get married or have kids of your own. Armageddon is coming. If you aren’t ready, get ready. If your loved ones aren’t ready, it may be too late.

The President sang “Amazing Grace” down in Charleston. God tells us His grace offers salvation to all people, that it teaches us to say no to worldly passions and to lead Godly lives while we wait for the blessed hope. I don’t know if the President knows God’s grace. But he is shepherding a world that is bereft of grace. Barack Obama and Dylann Roof are harbingers of the end times that God has promised.

The reality is that history is God’s promise. And God is going to fulfill His promise.

Pray with me, ladies and gentlemen. Lord, thank you for this message of hope today. Thank you for filling us with your spirit.

He pauses. Slowly, he begins speaking in tongues. Then it becomes more intense.

Please join me, everyone, in speaking the language of heaven.

A chorus of people begin speaking in tongues, both on stage and surrounding the audience. It should be difficult for the audience to tell where it is all coming from. It builds to a horrifying roar, then silence.

Amen.

VI. McDonald’s

Lunchtime, a few days later. Davey, Dylan and Marie are at McDonald’s. Dylan is now in a Relient K t shirt. Davey looks like he didn’t go back to sleep that night—or any other night since. A moment of silence, then:

DYLAN Marie has a boyfriend.

MARIE What in tarnation—

DYLAN He came over the other day to study history with her for their summer school class.

DAVEY Is that so?

MARIE He is not my boyfriend we just did a project together.

DYLAN Oh please I heard the two of you laughing all night.

DAVEY Laughing, huh? That is pretty scandalous.

MARIE God, you only think that because you’ve never had a girlfriend.

DAVEY Ooooh, she’s got you there, son. Hey how come you’ve never had a girlfriend?

DYLAN You don’t know that.

MARIE Do to.

DYLAN Do not.

MARIE Do to.

DYLAN Do not.

MARIE Do to.

DYLAN Do not.

MARIE Whatever, Jeremy is not my boyfriend.

DAVEY Oh, his name is Jeremy? That’s nice.

MARIE He’s just a boy. He’s not even my friend! He’s just a study partner.

DYLAN How did that presentation go, anyway?

MARIE I got a C+. Coach said I used too many words. Jeremy is ecstatic. He gave me a fifty dollar gift card to Bass Pro Shops.

DYLAN Just don’t have sex, okay?

MARIE EW DYLAN OH MY GOD STOP

DYLAN I’m just saying!

MARIE Don’t just say! What is your deal?

DAVEY Dylan, maybe we should talk about something else.

DYLAN I was just saying.

DAVEY Seriously, Dylan. Something else.

DYLAN Okay. (A beat) You look awful.

DAVEY Thanks.

DYLAN I’m serious. What’s wrong with you?

DAVEY Nothing.

DYLAN Bullcrap.

DAVEY

I just haven’t slept well the last few nights. My shoulder hurts.

DYLAN What are you taking?

DAVEY Why do you assume I’m taking something?

DYLAN You’d get a prescription pain killer for a papercut. What is it now?

DAVEY It’s none of your business, boy. That’s what it is.

DYLAN What the freak are you taking?

DAVEY “What the freak?”

DYLAN That’s what I said.

DAVEY Gee willikers Dylan, don’t get so gosh darn worked up!

He grins at Marie, hoping she is on his side. She doesn’t look up from her fries.

DYLAN You’re ridiculous.

DAVEY You’re talking like Mr. Rogers.

MARIE Dylan is super into Jesus so he doesn’t cuss.

DAVEY You don’t cuss?

DYLAN No. It’s unchristian.

DAVEY How do you know?

DYLAN The Bible says so.

DAVEY Just say “fuck”.

DYLAN No.

DAVEY Doesn’t the Bible say to obey thy mother and father?

DYLAN Yes.

DAVEY Am I not thy father, boy?

DYLAN Technically.

DAVEY Then say “fuck.”

DYLAN No.

DAVEY Fuckity fuck fuck.

Marie smirks

MARIE Fuck fuck fuck.

DYLAN Guys, please stop.

DAVEY Fuckstick shit damn.

MARIE Bitch fuck cocksucker!

DYLAN (He puts his hands on his ears) STOP IT!

DAVEY We’re just fucking fooling around, boy! (he nudges Dylan and grins at Marie)

DYLAN (exploding) It’s not funny it’s not funny IT’S NOT FUNNY!

An awkward silence. Dylan is breathing heavy, fighting back tears.

DAVEY Aw, I’m sorry son. I’m just trying to make you smile. Try to have some fun, you don’t have to be so serious all the time.

DYLAN I have fun.

MARIE No you don’t.

DYLAN Shut up! (He shoves her)

MARIE Don’t push me! (She shoves him back, harder)

DYLAN OW!

DAVEY Now, children.

DYLAN That hurt! (He flicks her in the ear)

MARIE OW! Don’t be such a girl! (She punches him, hard)

DYLAN Fffff—

Davey and Marie lean in

DYLAN FREAK!

Davey and Marie laugh

DAVEY So close.

DYLAN I HAVE FUN THE POINT IS I HAVE FUN I HAVE FUN I HAVE FUN!

DAVEY Settle down, boy. What do you do for fun?

DYLAN I play video games with my friends. And we hang out at youth. You don’t have to drink and smoke and do drugs to have fun.

DAVEY I know that. You think I don’t know that?

DYLAN Have you ever tried to have fun sober?

DAVEY Yeah! Once. It was awful. (He laughs, and looks to Marie for support. She isn’t on his side this time.)

DYLAN That’s not funny.

DAVEY Lighten up, boy. Will you, for your old dad?

DYLAN

100

Whatever.

DAVEY Alright then.

MARIE I hate when you drink.

Dylan looks at her gratefully

DAVEY You too!? What’d I do?

MARIE I’m just saying. It’s not just Dylan. I hate it too. I always have.

DAVEY I know, baby. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to upset you, I’m just goofing off. I don’t get to see you guys too much anymore. Your mom has gotten so strict.

DYLAN That’s not why you don’t see us, though. You always bail when we do have plans.

DAVEY I’m here now, aren’t I?

MARIE Yes. Thank you, daddy. I love you.

DAVEY I love you too, baby girl. And you, son. You know that you kids are my world? I tell all my friends about you. And the guys I work with down on the construction site. I’m so proud of you guys. I wish my dad had been so proud of me. Have I ever told you about your grandfather?

MARIE Didn’t he fight a war or something?

DAVEY There was more to him than that. But I wish I knew what it was. He shot himself when I was nine.

DYLAN (Genuinely apologetic) Jesus, daddy.

101

MARIE Oh my god. How come you never told us that?

DAVEY You weren’t old enough to know the whole story. When I was growing up I wondered why he did that, if I was the reason. And when I got older I realized—yeah, I was probably the reason. Because of that, I always swore if I had kids, they would know I loved them and that they meant the world to me.

MARIE We know you love us, daddy.

DYLAN Yeah, we do. Promise.

DAVEY Good. That’s all I really want. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to have kids that are so smart and talented. I remember going to parent teacher conferences when you were both little and the teachers would tell me how good a job I must be doing as a dad to have raised such smart kids.

DYLAN Yeah, I remember. It was embarrassing.

DAVEY Embarrassing? Why would you be embarrassed to be smart? There’s nothing more important in this world, son. You could be President. Hell, if Jimmy Carter can do it…

DYLAN Jimmy Carter?

DAVEY Hmm?

DYLAN Why are you talking about Jimmy Carter?

DAVEY Forget it. The point is, you’re a smart kid, both of you are smart kids. Don’t end up like your daddy, wanting to take your kids to the moon but barely being able to go to McDonald’s.

MARIE You’re smart, daddy.

102

DYLAN (unsure) Yeah…of course you are.

DAVEY Not like you kids. I mean, Dylan—your grandmother told me you got into Duke! That’s amazing.

DYLAN Yeah, but I’m not going.

Davey and Marie look at him in astonishment.

MARIE Are you a fucking idiot?

DAVEY Not going? Why?

DYLAN Because. God is calling me into ministry instead.

MARIE Did you like talk to him on the phone, or…?

DYLAN Shut up. It’s not like that. Pastor Eric is my spiritual authority and God is telling him that I am supposed to join the new internship that the church is forming. He says I would do really well in it.

MARIE God or Pastor Eric?

DYLAN What?

MARIE Does God say you would do really well, or Pastor Eric? Because there is a difference. Pastor Eric is not God.

DYLAN I know he’s not God. But he speaks to God, and God speaks to the congregation through him.

DAVEY

103

Wait, so this Pastor guy talks to God? Like they’re drinking buddies or something?

DYLAN God doesn’t drink. He’s God.

MARIE Didn’t Jesus turn water into wine?

DYLAN Yeah, that was Jesus. I’m talking about God.

DAVEY Isn’t Jesus God?

DYLAN Jesus is the son. God is the father.

DAVEY And he talks to you?

DYLAN Some people in the church say God talks to them, but he hasn’t talked directly to me. Well, at least I don’t think so. But he does talk to me through Pastor Eric.

MARIE How?

DYLAN The holy spirit.

DAVEY Okay, now I’m confused.

DYLAN What’s so confusing about it?

MARIE You’re saying that an invisible man who lives in the sky and controls everything and everyone that has ever or will ever live and determines the fate of the entire universe is everyone’s father, and he had this one son who was like his super special son that he killed because he was just so special that if we killed him it would make it okay for the rest of us to be a little less special, and that instead of just picking up the phone this all powerful creator and destroyer of the universe speaks to you through another person

104

as a ghost, and that this ghost told this other person to tell you to turn down a full ride to Duke, even though he didn’t tell you not to apply, because instead you would be better off doing an internship in a church that this other person just so happens to be in charge of, the same church that taught you that this other person talks to the ghost about you?

DYLAN Basically.

MARIE Oh, well, that explains it.

DYLAN Look, I don’t expect you to get it, okay? It’s not an easy thing for me to do. But God has a plan for me and I have to follow that plan.

MARIE You’re the smartest person I know and you are so fucking stupid.

DAVEY Easy, now. (To Dylan) You are a smart kid. You’ll do what’s right.

Dylan is touched by an understanding he did not expect to receive

DYLAN Thanks, daddy.

Davey leans over and gives Dylan a hug. Dylan smells his breath.

DYLAN What is that?

DAVEY What is what?

DYLAN Are you drunk?

DAVEY We’re at McDonald’s.

Dylan grabs Davey’s soda cup

105

DAVEY What the hell is wrong with you, boy? Give me back my soda.

Dylan takes the lid off and sniffs it. He angrily throws it on the floor.

DYLAN I FUCKING KNEW IT!

DAVEY (laughing) Hey, I got you to cuss!

DYLAN (That realization makes him even angrier) YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE! You can’t have a simple meal with your own kids without getting hammered! Why can’t you just grow up and be our dad!?

DAVEY I am your dad. I bought you lunch.

DYLAN Oh yeah you want a trophy for that one?

DAVEY Don’t get smart with me, boy.

DYLAN I CAN’T HELP IT! I AM SMART! STOP CALLING ME BOY!

DAVEY You don’t want it? Don’t eat it.

Davey knocks Dylan’s meal onto the ground.

DYLAN FUCK YOU!

MARIE Can you stop?

DAVEY Listen to your sister.

MARIE

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Both of you! You’re acting like babies.

Dylan, fighting tears, gets up and heads for the exit.

DAVEY Oh, son, where are you going? Come on! I’m just fooling around.

DYLAN (Emotional, perhaps unaware of what he is saying) I can’t watch you die.

He exits. Marie is looking down, silent.

DAVEY I don’t know why I’m so damned mean.

VII. Fathers & Sons, Part One

A few days later, in a church communal space. Youth group has just finished. A half game played of RISK is spread out on a table, ready to be resumed next week. The room is a mess, with half empty orange soda bottles and bags of potato chips strewn about. Pastor Eric and Micaiah are cleaning in silence. After a moment, Micaiah speaks.

MICAIAH Hey dad, a few of us were wanting to go to that tobyMac concert next month. Do you think we could?

PASTOR ERIC I don’t know right now. Let me think about it. I might need you here.

MICAIAH Yeah, of course, just thought I’d ask.

PASTOR ERIC You have to think about your priorities, son. We have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time left to do it. You should constantly be praying and receiving guidance on how to spend your time in the most efficient way possible.

MICAIAH Yes, sir.

PASTOR ERIC Who else wants to go?

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MICAIAH Uh…Caleb, Matt, Pete, Hope, Sarah. Guys and girls would go separately, of course.

PASTOR ERIC What about Dylan?

MICAIAH I didn’t ask.

PASTOR ERIC Why not?

MICAIAH Dad, doesn’t Dylan seem a little weird to you?

PASTOR ERIC What do you mean weird?

MICAIAH It’s just like…he starts coming here by himself, like no family or other friends, just him. And he is like, constantly hanging around, like he’s desperate for attention. It’s pretty aggressive, actually.

PASTOR ERIC I see.

MICAIAH He says I’m his best friend. I feel bad for him.

PASTOR ERIC You don’t want to be his friend?

MICAIAH No, no, I do, it’s just…I mean I’m like a decade older than him. He’s just immature, I guess.

PASTOR ERIC True believers have very few friends in this world, Micaiah. Soldiers are naturally lonely. You should not discount the people who are on your side—they are the ones who will be fighting alongside you during Armageddon.

MICAIAH You’re right. Of course.

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PASTOR ERIC Dylan has faced a lot of challenges in his life and still he seeks to be a good soldier. Perhaps you should focus on being a role model for him.

MICAIAH It’s hard. He goes to public school.

PASTOR ERIC He needs you in his life, Micaiah. That’s all there is to it. Understood?

MICAIAH Understood.

PASTOR ERIC Thank you.

MICAIAH Hey dad—do you really think we are going to be raptured before I get married?

PASTOR ERIC I don’t know for sure, but the way things are in the world today, I don’t think we are going to be around much longer.

MICAIAH What about, um…well, what about sex? If I never get married, that means I’ll never have sex, right?

PASTOR ERIC Is that what you think about?

MICAIAH No, it’s just—

PASTOR ERIC Be careful of your thoughts, Micaiah. Your mind will deceive you.

MICAIAH Yes, I know, sir. I just—is it really sinful to want to get married and have sex? I’m 26, most people my age—

PASTOR ERIC You are not most people your age. Most people your age are in love with the world. Is that what you want to be?

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MICAIAH No sir.

PASTOR ERIC Sex is wonderful, Micaiah, but it is not one of God’s promises. Eternal life—I would take that over sex any day.

MICAIAH What if, um…what if I had sex outside of marriage? I mean, I know it’s a sin, but sex is one of God’s gifts to us, right? If I never get married, I can never receive that gift. That seems unfair.

PASTOR ERIC Is that how you justify sin?

MICAIAH It’s not like that, I just—

Pastor Eric slaps Micaiah.

PASTOR ERIC I do not ever want to hear you talk about this again. Do you hear me?

MICAIAH Yes sir.

PASTOR ERIC Give me your phone.

MICAIAH What?

PASTOR ERIC Don’t back talk me. Give me your phone.

Micaiah hands over his phone. It is a pretty basic smartphone. Pastor Eric begins to scroll through his messages.

PASTOR ERIC I’m going to keep this for a while. You need to get your head straight.

MICAIAH

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Yes, sir.

PASTOR ERIC You have the potential to be a great leader in these last days, Micaiah. It is important that you avoid being tempted by the world. I need you to be an example for everyone else. You know that.

MICAIAH I’m sorry, sir.

PASTOR ERIC I forgive you. Be sure to ask God to forgive you as well.

MICAIAH I will, sir.

PASTOR ERIC I’ve decided—assuming we are all still here next month—you can go to the concert. But only if Dylan goes with you. I want you to start keeping an eye on him.

MICAIAH But—

PASTOR ERIC That’s final, son.

MICAIAH Yes, sir.

PASTOR ERIC You finish tidying up in here. I’m going to my office to finish up some work, and then we’ll go home.

MICAIAH Okay, sir.

PASTOR ERIC I love you, son.

MICAIAH I love you too, sir.

Pastor Eric leaves, and Micaiah sits, thinking for a moment. Dylan enters.

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MICAIAH (surprised) Oh! Hey, man! What are you doing back here?

DYLAN My mom drove me back. I forgot my hoodie. What are you doing in here alone? Not trying to mess with the board are you?

MICAIAH My dad and I were cleaning up. He just went to his office.

DYLAN Sure, hahaha.

Dylan awkwardly punches Micaiah and pretends to inspect the RISK board.

MICAIAH So, um…hey, you like tobyMac right?

DYLAN Oh yeah! He’s my favorite. I really love “Made to Love”. (He starts singing, badly) Cuz I was made to LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE you, I was made just for you, made to adore you—

MICAIAH Yeah, right, cool, okay. Well, um, a few people from youth are going to his concert next month, you want to come?

DYLAN Oh my gosh!!! YES!!! That sounds awesome!

MICAIAH Cool, cool. I’ll keep you in the loop on our plans and everything.

DYLAN Totally! I can’t wait!

MICAIAH Great. (A pause) Hey—can I ask you something? Just between you and me.

DYLAN Oh, sure, yeah, I mean, of course! What’s up?

MICAIAH

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Do you ever think about sex?

Dylan was not expecting that question.

DYLAN Um...do you?

MICAIAH Honestly?

DYLAN Yeah.

MICAIAH All the time. Usually it’s all I can think about.

DYLAN Oh, uh, yeah, me too.

MICAIAH Really?

DYLAN Well, no. But I get what you mean. I think about, like, football a lot.

MICAIAH Oh. Yeah.

DYLAN Yeah.

MICAIAH Yeah, football isn’t really the same thing.

DYLAN No I guess not.

MICAIAH How can you not think about it? Don’t you want to do it?

DYLAN Yeah but, when I think about it, I usually just…take a shower, you know?

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MICAIAH Take a shower?

DYLAN Yeah.

MICAIAH And that helps? Showering?

DYLAN Well, it’s not the showering that’s the important part…

MICAIAH What do you do in the shower?

Dylan looks at him, unsure of where this is going

DYLAN I…um…you know…I play with it.

MICAIAH Play with what?

Dylan really can’t believe what he’s hearing

DYLAN With it! You know, my…my penis.

MICAIAH Oh! Oh. But…that’s a sin!

DYLAN When you think about sex, what do you think about?

MICAIAH I think about how good it must feel.

DYLAN Do you think about who you want to do it with?

MICAIAH (embarrassed)

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Uh…yeah.

DYLAN Do you think about her naked?

MICAIAH I mean, you have to be naked to do it right?

DYLAN Isn’t just thinking about sex with someone you aren’t married to considered adultery?

MICAIAH Oh…yeah I guess you’re right…

DYLAN Adultery is a sin.

MICAIAH Yeah but, I can’t help what I think about. I can’t stop myself from committing that sin.

DYLAN Sure you can.

MICAIAH How?

DYLAN BY JACKING OFF!

MICAIAH Maybe you shouldn’t yell that in a church.

DYLAN (whispering) Sorry!

MICAIAH So, wait. Won’t it like…make me impotent?

DYLAN Isn’t the world ending soon?

MICAIAH

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Yeah.

DYLAN Then who cares if you’re impotent!?

MICAIAH How did you learn how to do it?

DYLAN I don’t know. School, I guess?

MICAIAH Oh that explains it. I was homeschooled so…that would have been weird if I learned it in school.

Dylan feels really awkward now but Micaiah his genuinely intrigued.

MICAIAH Would you…would you teach me?

DYLAN That’s…that’s really something you should just figure out on your own. Or, you know, use the internet.

MICAIAH Yeah you’re right. Of course. Sorry.

DYLAN No problem.

MICAIAH Oh man, my dad would kill me if he found out.

DYLAN Aren’t you like, 30?

MICAIAH Twenty-six.

DYLAN Right.

MICAIAH It doesn’t matter. The Bible says to obey your father. It doesn’t say you can stop when you’re 18.

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DYLAN I’ve been hearing about that commandment a lot lately.

MICAIAH How are things with your dad anyway?

DYLAN Not good. I don’t know what to do.

MICAIAH Your dad is an addict. He loves his sin more than anything. You’ve done everything you can do. Let God handle it. You’re a soldier. You have bigger things to worry about.

Dylan’s phone vibrates.

DYLAN Hold on a second. (He pulls out the phone and looks at the incoming call). Speak of the devil!

MICAIAH I’m sorry!?

DYLAN Oh, no, I mean, it’s just my dad calling.

MICAIAH What do you think he wants?

DYLAN I have no idea. Who cares.

MICAIAH Your dad has really messed you up, Dylan.

DYLAN What?

MICAIAH I just…If I’m being honest, I think you have a lot of growing up to do. I think he has kept you from doing that.

DYLAN

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How would you know? You don’t even know him.

MICAIAH I know you.

These words sting in a way Micaiah probably didn’t mean for them to.

DYLAN Oh.

MICAIAH No, no, that’s not what I meant. I...

DYLAN I know what you meant.

MICAIAH We are going to be called to heaven soon. When that happens, your dad will have his chance to repent.

DYLAN Do you really believe that?

MICAIAH Yes.

DYLAN Why?

MICAIAH Because it’s the truth.

DYLAN What if it’s not?

MICAIAH It is.

DYLAN But what if it’s not? Or what if it is, but there are other truths too?

MICAIAH That’s not how truth works. Truth is absolute.

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DYLAN (mumbles) Only a Sith deals in absolutes.

MICAIAH What?

DYLAN (He gets a text, feels another vibration, and pulls out his phone) Nothing. (Checking the text). Hey, I gotta go, okay?

MICAIAH Wait--

Dylan grabs his hoodie and starts to leave.

DYLAN I don’t think I can make it to the concert after all.

Dylan leaves.

MICAIAH (calling after him) Come on man, the prequels were terrible!

VIII. Fathers & Sons, Part Two Davey is in a hotel room. Nighttime. There are needles, empty pill bottles, and a mostly empty bottle of whiskey on a table next to him. He is in a chair by himself. He has been here a few days. He is mostly unconscious. The door opens, and Daddy enters.

DAVEY Hey, I thought I locked that.

DADDY What the hell is wrong with you?

DAVEY Oh. It’s you.

DADDY You look like dog shit, son.

DAVEY

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Yeah, well, you looked worse with that bullet in your brain.

DADDY (Laughs) Guess you’re the same smart ass you always were.

DAVEY You ought to meet my son.

DADDY No time for that.

DAVEY Why are you here?

DADDY Can’t a man just check up on his boy?

DAVEY Yeah, whatever.

DADDY Yeah, whatever, sir.

Davey looks at him. Daddy is enjoying this.

DADDY Don’t you want to ask me what it’s like? To kill yourself? To be dead?

DAVEY Not interested.

DADDY Not interested? The ghost of your long dead dear old dad comes to visit you in this palace you’ve built for yourself, and you don’t have any questions?

DAVEY That’s right—sir.

DADDY Well you don’t look like you’re going anywhere. I’ll tell you about it anyway.

Davey closes his eyes, puts his hands against his ears, and lets out a loud groan.

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DADDY Quit your bitchin, son. I already told you there isn’t a lot of time.

This catches Davey’s attention. For the first time, he looks at his father. When he does, the room grows colder.

DADDY Being dead is exactly what you think it is. Being dead is nothing like what you think. It’s the most euphoric high you could ever have. It’s feeling nothing at all. It’s floating in the clouds. It’s being trapped in the dirt. It’s flying. It’s running. It’s walking. It’s crawling. It’s being very, very still. It’s infinity. It’s finite. It’s God. It’s the Devil. It’s Heaven. It’s Hell. Do you get where I’m going with this?

Davey grunts.

It is experiencing everything all at once and never feeling anything ever again. Like opium. Or a shotgun in your mouth.

Davey just stares at him

There’s no shame in what you’re doing, son.

DAVEY I don’t know what you’re talking about.

DADDY A lot of good men do it.

DAVEY Do what?

DADDY You might be using pills instead of a gun, but it’s all the same.

DAVEY No. No. You’re wrong.

DADDY I can’t be wrong. I’m dead.

DAVEY I’m not you. I’m not going out like that.

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DADDY Look around. You’ve already made that choice.

Davey jumps up and starts pacing, panicking.

DAVEY No, I’m telling you that’s not happening. My kids still need me. I’m not abandoning them like you did.

DADDY Your kids don’t need you. They’ve never needed you. It’s time for you to learn that. Women give birth, women nurture and raise and empower their children. Men—we drink, we cuss, we cheat. We don’t grow up. We get in the way. You’re just getting out of the way. They’ll be thankful.

DAVEY No, my kids love me. I’ll prove it. (He takes out his phone) I’ll call Dylan, tell him to come pick me up, that I need to go to the doctor.

He calls. A moment. Dylan doesn’t answer.

Shit. I—no, his phone is probably on silent. I’ll just text him. He’ll come. I know he will.

DADDY He won’t. Not in time.

DAVEY WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?

DADDY Grow up, Davey. Be a man. Accept the consequences of your actions.

DAVEY How can you possibly say that to me?

DADDY We were in a tight spot, son. I don’t expect you to understand. I made some bad decisions, and I accepted the consequences.

DAVEY What a load of horse shit.

DADDY

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I don’t have time to explain myself to you, boy. War is coming. It’s time to join the battle.

Davey pauses, giving Daddy a confusing look. He then continues to move, growing angrier. He hits the boombox. “Free Bird” starts playing.

DAVEY You son of a bitch! You ruined my life. You ruined my momma’s life. There’s a big difference between you and me—I stuck around. I’m still here. Did you really think you were saving me from something? You made me clean the fucking gun! You made me realize that we all would have been better off if I was never born. So, thank you, sir. Thanks daddy. But I’m not taking the easy way out like you did. I’m invincible, mother fucker, do you hear me? I’m not going anywhere, you hear me? I’m breaking that cycle. I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!

All of a sudden, he grabs his chest. The song gets louder and grows in intensity, becoming cacophonous and unrecognizable. He screams, gasps for air, and he seems to pull all of the air and light out of the room. Suddenly, he falls to the floor; the room and song return to as they were before. Davey is still for several moments. He has died.

DADDY The world is so much bigger than you, Davey. It always has been. I’m sorry I didn’t teach you that before I left.

After an uncomfortable amount of time, a knock.

DYLAN (offstage) Daddy?

Daddy seems surprised by this, but makes no effort to leave. More knocks. Some handle turns. Dylan becomes panicky.

DYLAN (offstage) Daddy? Daddy!? Are you there?

He walks away from the door and finds an employee.

DYLAN (offstage, faintly) Excuse me, excuse me, do you work here? Yes, sorry, do you speak English? Oh okay, um, my dad, he’s supposed to be in this room, or well—yeah, yeah, I’ve locked myself out, exactly, yeah, could I get a key? Oh, the front desk, right, I’ll go there, thanks.

Another few moments pass. Then Dylan returns, now with a key he opens the door and enters. He pauses. There is a stillness. He cannot see his grandfather, who watches Dylan closely.

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DYLAN Daddy?

IX. Ain’t No Grave

The scene transitions into a funeral. A casket is rolled on stage. Daddy lifts Davey’s body and places it into the casket. Daddy removes his 70s clothes in favor of more modern funeral attire. Dylan and Marie sit upstage of Daddy and the casket, facing the audience. Daddy is now playing the role of a preacher, although he should not lose his characterization and the funeralgoers should only recognize him as the preacher. It should be like Daddy is simply embodying the preacher. He delivers a eulogy.

DADDY I want to say thank you to everyone who came to pay their respects on this sweltering July afternoon. Davey was a man who spent his whole life chasing freedom. I don’t know what he would have done if he had ever caught up to it in this world. We can only hope he has found it in the next one. Now please everyone, look in your programs and sing along with me the song printed there.

Daddy begins to sing. It is haunting. He gets the audience to join in.

AIN’T NO GRAVE CAN HOLD MY BODY DOWN AIN’T NO GRAVE CAN HOLD MY BODY DOWN WHEN I HEAR THAT TRUMPET PLAYING I’M GONNA RISE RIGHT OUT OF THE GROUND AIN’T NO GRAVE CAN HOLD MY BODY DOWN AIN’T NO GRAVE CAN HOLD MY BODY DOWN

A moment. Daddy seems to have been transported to another world.

War is coming.

A deafening trumpet sounds, followed by a flash of light. Daddy disappears. Dylan and Marie have fallen to the ground. They have been left alone.

MARIE What was that!?

DYLAN

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Where did everybody go!?

MARIE Dylan what is going on!?

DYLAN I DON’T KNOW I DON’T KNOW!

Marie looks in the casket

MARIE Oh God. Oh God oh God oh God.

DYLAN What?

MARIE Oh God, Dylan, oh God.

DYLAN WHAT!?

MARIE He’s gone.

DYLAN What?

MARIE Daddy’s body. It’s gone.

DYLAN No. No! That’s impossible. I thought…

Dylan starts to drift off, confused, terrified, and paralyzed.

MARIE Dylan!? DYLAN!

A loud noise outside, the sound of a plane crashing. Fire and police sirens. Marie covers her ears. Dylan doesn’t seem to hear any of it.

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MARIE Where did everyone go!?

DYLAN The rapture. Everyone was raptured. We were left behind.

MARIE WHAT!? Why?

DYLAN We failed, Marie. We were bad soldiers.

MARIE What the fuck are you talking about!?

The environment grows more intense as the setting falls away. Slowly it begins to again resemble the Battle of Gettysburg. As the scene transitions, many of the tribulation prophecies unfold. First, the four horsemen appear in shadows. Then, gunshots are heard, followed by the sound of bombs. The air is filled with smoke, which is too much for Dylan and Marie. Caskets are rolled by in the background in a unending line, representing great death. Finally, a great earthquake. Underneath this, Dylan and Marie are being dressed in union uniforms, and are saying the following:

DYLAN We have to ask for forgiveness, Marie!

MARIE Okay! OKAY!

DYLAN Heavenly father, please forgive us for our sins! Please enter our hearts and save us from the lake of fire. Grant us eternal life! Amen!

MARIE Nothing is happening!

DYLAN IT WILL OKAY I PROMISE IT WILL! I’ll protect you!

MARIE I love you big brother!

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Silence, accompanied by blinding sunlight. They are in the Valley of Megiddo at the dawn of the Battle of Armageddon. It looks like Gettysburg. Then, another deafening trumpet sound. Through the light, a shadow forms—it is Jesus Christ, played by the same actor as Daddy. He is accompanied by soldiers in union garb—played by the same actors as Pastor Eric, the Pastor’s Wife, and Micaiah.

DYLAN Jesus?

Jesus hands a rifle to Dylan and one to Marie.

Gunshots are heard. The other union soldiers get into position. Jesus stands watch over all of them. The confederate soldiers from before enter with a new recruit—Davey. Dylan instinctively points his rifle at him.

DYLAN Daddy!? No. No!

Davey is confused, lost, unsure of what side he is on. The others are valiant, angry, demonic. The battle is chaotic. It takes a while, but one by one, they confederate soldiers fall, until only Davey remains. Dylan still has his rifle pointed at him.

JESUS Do it, my son.

Dylan shoots Davey through the heart. Davey falls over, dead, in the same position as before. Dylan drops his sword and falls to the ground, sitting down. He scoots backwards. As he does, the hotel room where he found his father is recreated around him. When he stops, he is leaning again the wall of the hotel room. The scene is the same as before, except Daddy is no longer there. Dylan rocks back and forth.

DYLAN War is coming. War is coming. War is coming. War is coming. War is coming. War is coming. War is coming. War is coming.

End of play.

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