Scene One
(FATHER DANIEL’s
office. Windowless. A large wooden desk dominates the room. A large crucifix
hangs on the wall behind the desk and chair. OLIVIA walks in, straightens her
dress, and sits in a chair before the desk. DANIEL sits behind desk, hands together,
templed. DELILAH stands beside the father, bible cradled in her hands. The
atmosphere should be inviting and pleasant.)
Olivia
Father, I’m so glad
you invited me here today! Everyone has been so kind to me since I came here…
Daniel
Now, now Olivia! The
church welcomes all of those who are willing to open their hearts and minds to
God. (He smiles). We hope that you will be joining us more often.
Olivia
Why thank you,
Father. I’m so thankful your community has accepted me with open arms. I didn’t
come from the best place before I came here, and it means so much to have a
church family welcome me in.
Delilah
So, I understand that
you will be taking the new teaching position at St. David’s?
Olivia
Why, yes, Miss—
Delilah
Delilah. And if you
stick around long enough, you’ll learn that news travels fast around here.
We’re quite a close-knit community, but I’m sure that you’ll fit in nicely
here.
Olivia
Oh? Well I’m quite
glad to hear that! You know, not all communities are ready—
Delilah
Of course, you should know that St. David’s has a dress
code. (She looks over her glasses disapprovingly at OLIVIA’s slightly revealing
neckline.)
Olivia
(Reaching to her
neckline) Oh, of course. Sorry about this…It was short notice and I—
Daniel
Don’t you worry,
dear. (He crosses around desk and hands her a small box)
Olivia
(opening box to
reveal a cross pendant necklace) Oh, Father, I couldn’t possibly—
Daniel
No, no, dear. I
insist! (He moves in close to wrap the necklace gentle around her neck. Her
takes extra care while latching the lock, and then lifting her hair from
beneath the chain. DELILAH grips bible tighter.)
Olivia
Well, thank you so
much!
Delilah
(Through her teeth)
What a…pleasant gesture, Daniel….
Daniel
Just a token for a
new daughter of Christ, Del. You’ve had yours too, remember?
Delilah
(Looks down at her
silver cross bracelet) Of course, Father Daniel.
Daniel
(Laughing) Besides,
we want her to look the part, don’t we!
Olivia
Look the part,
sir—Father?
Delilah
(Perking back up) As
I said before, our community is
rather tight. We get along well because none of us argue, right Father Daniel?
Daniel
Of course, Del. And
what do we have to argue about? God has graced us with our secluded
valley-town! Here we are free to follow His teachings with little interference
from the evils outside.
Olivia
(Looking uneasy) Well
it was certainly a pleasure to meet you finally. I cannot wait for your sermon
on Sunday! (She stands to leave, grabbing her coat)
Daniel
Before you go, there
is one thing we might ask of you….
Olivia
Yes, Father?
Delilah
St. David’s, although
it’s a public school is a very…Conservative
environment.
Olivia
What do you mean?
Daniel
What she means, is
that—in the past—we’ve found that a Christian education is often the best
approach the teaching the children of our community. Del?
Delilah
(Handing a file
folder to OLIVIA) This is a copy of the lesson plans our last teacher used.
They’ve held strong for a long time.
Daniel
We would be delighted to have you consider them when
teaching your classes.
Olivia
Uh…Certainly. I’ll
look them over later. Thank you…. (uncomfortable pause) I’ll just—(She motions
to leave, and moves toward the door)
Delilah
(Catching OLIVIA as
she takes a step out of the door) Oh, Miss Newberry!
Olivia
(Bouncing back in) Yes?
Delilah
You never told us
where you were from…
Olivia
Oh, that… Just
another little town. You’ve probably never heard of it.
Delilah
Of course. Have a
bright day.
Daniel
And may the Lord be
with you always!
Olivia
(Smiles, then exits)
Delilah
I don’t like her.
There’s something she’s not telling us.
Daniel
Now, now, Delilah!
Everyone is entitled to their secrets. It’s surely nothing serious. A smart,
attractive young lady like her is just the sort of new face we need around
here. (He moves behind desk and picks up a framed painting, moving to put it on
wall behind the chair OLIVIA was sitting in)
Delilah
Yes, but what if she is hiding something?
Daniel
(Hanging the painting
on the wall. We can see that it is a copy of Raphael’s Crucifixion) Then the Lord will surely shed light on it. Believe me
Delilah, she will be a wonderful addition to our family.
Delilah
(Mutters under her
breath)
Daniel
What was that?
Delilah
Your painting’s
crooked. (she exits.)
Daniel
(Inspects the
painting. Straightens it. Then moves to desk, and sits in his chair. LIGHTS)
Scene Two
(Same location and set
up as before. All actors in same places from beginning. The atmosphere should
be the opposite, however. Uninviting, awkward, heavy. Delilah is clenching her
bible now, rather than cradling it. Daniel’s demeanor is one of disappointment.
Olivia, now dressed more modestly, looks as uncomfortable as the scene.)
Olivia
Father, I don’t
understand why I’m here. I don’t understand why anyone would say such terrible
things about me. Especially since everyone was so warm and welcoming since I
came here…
Daniel
Calm now, Olivia. I
am sure we can get to the bottom of this in a civilized manner. The truth of
the matter is, though, that the church takes accusations of this kind very
seriously.
Delilah
Olivia Newberry: You
have been accused of entering the house of our Lord under false pretenses, of
corrupting the minds of the innocent and of being a practicing witch.
Olivia
(Jumping from chair)
Of what? That’s absu—
Delilah
(Interrupting) In light
of these accusations (glaring at OLIVIA), you are being formally asked to leave
the church immediately.
Olivia
Father! This is
absurd! Witchcraft? Corrupting the innocent? You can’t possibly believe this
slander?
Daniel
Olivia, please. Do
not embarrass yourself. The accusation was filed anonymously after mass last
week, and has since been investigated.
Olivia
Investigated? What do
you mean investigated?
Daniel
(Motions to DELILAH)
Del?
Olivia
(Watches, puzzled, as
DELILAH exits. Turns back on DANIEL. In a low voice…) Daniel! What is all of
this? Why are you doing this to me?
Daniel
(Avoiding eye
contact) I have done nothing, Olive. All that happens here is by the grace of
our Lord God…
Olivia
(Slams fists against
desk) That’s bullshit, Dan, and you know it! How dare you pull that on me!
After the dinners we shared? I’ve been keeping your secret for you all this
time! You told me that what happened that night was an accident. An
uncontrollable urge, and that you repented. And I accepted your apology! I believed
you were good. And honest.
Daniel
I do not know what
you are talking about Olivia. (Levels his gaze at her, finally meeting her
eyes). And neither would anyone else. You are new here, and I am a respected
church figure. I’m truly sorry that it had to turn out this way, but you’ve
become, how shall I put this…a liability
to the organization. We can’t have that now, can we?
Olivia
(eyes wide, not sure
what to say) But…but—
Daniel
(Standing) But,
nothing. Believe me, if I could have it another way, I would. I would choose
you. But, alas, our Lord does not will our union, and so you must leave. There
are higher powers at work here, but I have faith that the Lord Almighty will
shed light on your ordeal.
Olivia
(sits, shaking her
head) I can’t believe this… There’s no way you can prove any of that!
Daniel
(sits. Temples hands
again) We shall see.
Delilah
(Enters carrying a
cardboard box) I’m back, Father. Here it is.
Daniel
Thank you Del. (Pulls
a book from the box. He does this with each title mentioned) Bridge to Terebithia, The Golden Compass,
1984, Brave New World, Farenheit 451. (shakes head) I believe these are all
books that you are teaching in your classes, correct?
Olivia
Well yes, Father, but
I don’t see what that has anything to do with—
Daniel
(Opening Farenheit 451 to a random page) “Go home and think of your first husband divorced and
your second husband killed in a jet and your third husband blowing his brains
out, go home and think of the dozen abortions you've had, go home and think of
that and your damn Caesarian sections…” and it goes on! You’re subjecting
youths to this type of reading?
Olivia
Daniel, please—
Delilah
(Stepping forward, aggressively) That’s “father” to
you, charlatan! (OLIVIA jumps from chair, ready to hit DELILAH)
Daniel
(Also jumping from chair) Ladies! Calm yourselves!
(OLIVIA returns to her seat. DELILAH give a smirk, straightens dress, then
steps back to desk). Now, Olivia. When you came here and took over for our
dearly departed Miss Johnson, it was understood that you would not be making
any changes to the syllabus.
Olivia
Daniel—Father… The reading list that Miss Johnson
taught consisted entirely of Christian-based texts. I mean, she even had The Bible itself on the reading list.
Delilah
(failing to see her point) What’s your point? That
list has stood strong for over 40 years while Miss Johnson taught. I read those
self-same books when she taught me!
Olivia
My point,
“Del”, is that there is a very clear standard that is put in place by the government for the type of books
to be taught in public schools. Church and state are to have a clearly defined
line, and clearly the ignorance of the law here has been overlooked for far too
long! Plus, there are the standards of learning tests that require the
students’ basic knowledge of non-Christian themes!
Delilah
More like Anti-Christian
themes! Pullman? Huxley? Orwell? Anyone reading these abominations should be afraid
for their immortal souls, not their school grades!
Olivia
But
these students need to learn to think, not—
Daniel
Ladies,
please! The subject is not up for debate. The church’s stance on this matter is
to strictly forbid these books. Indeed, God-fearing men should be wary of them, but the church has deemed each of these
titles inappropriate for school-aged children.
Olivia
(speechless)
Daniel
Shall
we move on then? (Olivia shakes head, still speechless) Alright then. (Pulls a
file-folder from the box and hands it to DELILAH who shoves it to OLIVIA) Now,
can you explain what this is?
Olivia
(Opening
file, her eyes widen as she looks over the contents) How did…how did you find
this?
Delilah
(Smug
look on face) The church takes accusations like this very seriously. A proper
investigation must be performed in order to ensure there are no mix-ups.
Olivia
But
this was in my house… (understanding) This was in my house! You went into my house?!
Delilah
Like
I said, the church takes accusations like this very—
Olivia
(Stands
angrily) You broke into my house? You broke into my house! You actually broke into my house! How dare
you, what gives you the right?
Daniel
Olivia,
you live in Church-owned property. Please calm yourself. (stares until she
sits). I sent Delilah to investigate your home earlier today. I wanted to find
something that would protect you, but I’m afraid to say that I was
disappointed.
Delilah
(Snatching
file from OLIVIA) Care to explain—
Olivia
(Jumping
after her) Give that back!
Delilah
(yanks
it out of reach, and continues) Care to explain these? (she sets several
photographs on the desk, and slides them across to OLIVIA)
Olivia
(Looks
at them in silence, before turning away) That’s Jenna…
Delilah
And
who, exactly, is “Jenna”?
Olivia
(Tearing
up, but seeing no way to avoid the question, answers) She was my wife.
Delilah
Oh
really now (smiling, and gloating). Your wife, you say?
Olivia
(turning
to confront DELILAH angrily) Yes, my wife! Last time I checked, love wasn’t a
sin!
Delilah
No,
but sodomy is a sin, devil woman!
Olivia
(Yelling)
How dare you!
Delilah
(smiling)
Care to explain the label on the back, though?
Olivia
(Thrown
off) The huh? (She turns over the photograph) “Jenna and Abby, Beach Trip.”
(Silence)
Daniel
Abby?
Olivia
Abigail.
I had my name changed from Abigail when I left her. I figured it would be
harder for her to find me that way! I didn’t want her to hurt me anymore!
Daniel
So
what you’re saying is that your name is not Olivia Newberry?
Olivia
Well,
not anymore, but—
Daniel
So
you were not born “Olivia Newberry.”
Olivia
No,
Father, but—
Daniel
So
what you’re telling me is that, not only did you conceal your homosexuality
from your church family, but you have also come into our presence in false
witness to your birth name?
Olivia
Father,
I never meant to—
Delilah
What
you meant is immaterial. All that
matters now is what you’ve done.
Daniel
I’m
afraid she’s right on this one, Olivia. The evidence is against you. If it
weren’t for this last piece, I’m sure we could’ve worked something out, but I’m
afraid there’s only so much we can do. (Pulls candles, incense, and cards from
box)
Delilah
(Grinning)
Let’s see you try to explain this one, witch!
Olivia
(Picking
up candle) They’re candles? And incense?
You use these here in the church! What’s the big deal.
Delilah
The
big deal is that they were all found
in the same box with these. (Picks up the Tarot Cards)
Olivia
Tarot
Cards? Those aren’t mine.
Daniel
Olivia,
there’s no use trying to hide the truth any longer. They were found in your house, and you live alone! Who else
could they belong to?
Olivia
(Raising
her voice) But they aren’t mine! (She reaches for the cardboard box) What else
do you have in there, huh?
Daniel
(Standing
up, and sliding the box to himself) Well there are some other intriguing items.
Specifically these (Pulling out some books) and this (Pulling out what looks
like a game board).
Olivia
(Reading
book titles) Wicca for Learners, The Witches Guide to Herbs, Oh my God,
are you serious? (picks up last book) Twilight?!?!
I’m an educator! Do you really believe that I would read this drivel?
Daniel
Possession
is nine tenths of the law, Olivia. This was all found in your home…
Olivia
(Yelling
now) But it’s not mine!!!
Delilah
(Picking
up board and turning it on its back) How
do you explain this then, huh? This is YOUR name on the back, is it not?
Olivia
(Reads
name. Silence)
Daniel
Olivia?
Olivia
(shaking
head. quietly, and controlled, she speaks) Do you even know who you’re trying
to protect?
Daniel
(Taken
aback) Excuse me?
Olivia
(Turning
to Delilah, sharply, laughing) Do you even have any idea who this man is?
Delilah
(stepping
back) I don’t understand what you’re talking about…
Olivia
(Grabs
board) This board, you TRAMP! I mean, A Ouija
Board? Really? Did you really think that I would believe this was my handwriting? And all these witchcraft books? You planted
them in my house, didn’t you!?
Delilah
(Raising
voice) I would do no such—
Olivia
(Interrupts
by slamming fist on table) Do you even know what this man is? He is a fake!
Your precious father is a FAKE. We fucked! Yeah! Bet you didn’t know that, huh?
He took me out to dinner a couple times. Played sweet and nice, then brought be
back to his place and then we—
Daniel
(Slaps
OLIVIA across the face) OLIVIA YOU WILL STOP THIS RIGHT NOW! How dare you accuse me of this? The church
has come to its decision. If you try to return here again, we will take legal action. (He turns to leave)
You will pack your things and leave here by the end of the week, understood? (SILENCE.
He exits in a fluster, leaving OLIVIA and DELILAH alone).
Olivia
(Begins
to pack her things back into the Cardboard box, but leaves the Wiccan books and
paraphernalia on the desk.) I still can’t believe this… (She removes her
necklace, dropping it on the desk)
Delilah
(Smiling,
arms crossed) Me either. Ha! I figured you would’ve just accepted you defeat
when you realized there was nothing you could do to save yourself, but to come
up with a lie like that about the Good Father…
Olivia
It’s
true. I have proof. (She rubs her lower belly) And you should be careful about
who you believe.
Delilah
Father
Daniel is a man of God. He wouldn’t commit an act like that in a million years.
He’s too pure a man. That’s why, sometimes, it’s necessary for women like me to
ensure that the will of God is perpetrated.
Olivia
By
planting false evidence? (Gestures to Wiccan stuff) I assume the books came
from your bookstore?
Delilah
A
wonderfully diverse Fiction section we have, don’t we? (she winks) Should’ve
kept your mouth shut and stuck to the rules around here, huh?
Olivia
(quietly)
Go to hell. All of you. I know the truth. Even if your closed mind can’t see
the obvious facts…
Delilah
You
want an obvious fact? (Raising voice) Then tell me this: How am I supposed to
believe that a lesbian heretic comes along and is able to have sex with a
Celibate Priest? Hmm? Tell me how I’m supposed to believe that one, eh?
Olivia
(Picks
up box and turns to leave) I never said it was consensual… (Exits)
Delilah
(Follows
OLIVIA with her eyes before turning to desk with a look of concern. She shakes it off, then picks up the necklace, and
puts it on her own neck. She checks herself in a "mirror" that hangs on the fourth wall, looking pleased with herself. Suddenly, she cries out as a pain hits her in her lower stomach. She grabs her stomach, as though with child and falls to her knees. LIGHTS)
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