AKIR Dramatic Publishing

Heaven's Wager

Scene 1 Excerpt

Scene one:  I Have a story

Present Day.  Cadione’s Office.  The visitor’s (Kent from the end of the play)  face is never seen until the very end of the play.

Cadione:

So then, my friend.  You seem to be in good spirits.

Visitor:

Good spirits?  And what do you mean by good spirits, Padre?

Cadione:

I only meant you seem to be pretty happy with life, despite your…adversity.  Nothing more.

Visitor:

Adversity?  Adversity is a relative term, isn’t it?  It seems to me that if someone is happy, as you say, his circumstances cannot be adequately described as adverse.  No?  But you are right.  I am in very good spirits.

Cadione:

Yes, I can see that.  Being certain of one’s place in life does indeed bring one happiness.

Visitor:

I knew you could understand, Padre!  You have no idea how good it is to speak to someone who really understands.  Sometimes I feel like I’m ready to burst and no one around me understands.  You do understand, don’t you?

Cadione:

Yes.

Visitor:

Exactly!  People like you and I may have all the wealth in the world, but it’s this other thing that is really the magic of life.

Cadione:

Yes.

Visitor:

Nothing compares.  Nothing at all.  Am I right?

Cadione:

Yes.

Visitor:

Have you ever seen it, Padre?

Cadione:

Seen what?

Visitor:

The great reality behind all things.  The hand of God.

Cadione:

God’s hand?  Yes, I see it every day.  Everywhere I look.

Visitor:

Yes, of course.  But I mean really see, Padre?  Have you actually seen him do things?  Not something you believe he might have done.  Like, “Lookie there, I do believe God has opened up a parking spot near the door for us, Honey.”  But have you really seen God do something before your eyes?

Cadione:

Actually, I can’t say that I have.

Visitor:

Well, I know someone who has.  I know someone who does.

Cadione:

You do, huh?

Visitor:

I do.  And I have seen.  Would you like to see, Padre?  (beat)  It might change your world.

Cadione:

Yes.  I’m sorry, I was…uh…

Visitor:

Well then.  Open your mind, my friend.  Wide open.  Can you do that?

Cadione:

Yes…Yes, I suppose.

Visitor:

Good.  I have a story for you.

(Blackout.  The visitor’s voice continues as a voice over.  The scene changes to the Anthony Home.  One Year earlier.)

Visitor:

The city was Littleton, a suburb of Denver.  The neighborhood was best known as Belaire, an upper-middle-class spread of homes carefully spaced along black streets that snaked between bright green lawns.  The street was named Kiowa after the Indians who’d long ago called the plains their own.  The home, a two-story stucco topped with a red ceramic tile roof—affectionately called the Windsor by the developer—was the most luxurious model offered in the subdivision.  (Lights up on Anthony House)  The man standing at the front door was Kent Anthony, the holder of the hefty mortgage on this little corner of the American dream.