Transition into Act III with ALL singing Blessing (Us)
Spirit of love, surround us.
Spirit of joy, sustain us.
Spirit of hope, call us onward.
Spirit of life, bring us home.
Spirit of life, bring us home.
or at http://youtu.be/X7WjP0Xzkgo
Lighting zeros in on JOHN and BILL
JOHN continues singing, changing to Blessing. BILL sings echoes in the song
or view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmzQttoy-NM&feature=youtu.be
JOHN:
Spirit of love, surround me.
BILL:
(surround you)
JOHN:
Spirit of joy, sustain me
BILL:
(sustain you)
JOHN:
Spirit of hope, call me onward.
BILL:
(call you onward)
JOHN:
Spirit of life, bring me home.
BILL:
Spirit of life, bring you home.
JOHN and BILL embrace. Lights down on JOHN and BILL, up on CAROLE as she moves downstage center for her monologue.
CAROLE:
- My name is Carole and I'm an alcoholic (wait) I've been in the program for four years, but I've only got six months of continuous sobriety. I shouldn't say "only". I'm proud of those six months. Bob, my sponsor, says we only have one day at a time. I had ten months the first time, but it didn't make any difference when I took that first drink. This time feels different, though, because I'm doing it for me. I started A.A. because Jan was in A.A., and I was in love. Then I stayed in and stayed sober so the people in the group would like me. Anything to be popular, right? Trouble was, when I ran into my old drinking friends, I wanted to be popular with them, too. When Bob finally got me to do my inventory, I realized that all my life being popular has been the most important thing. I was afraid of being alone. I was afraid things wouldn't work out with Jan, so I tried to keep other options open. I'm not proud of that, but I've learned from it. I have to work the steps every day. Just because I ask God to remove my faults, doesn't mean they won't try to come back. Right now I'm really afraid for my friend John. Bob says I shouldn't judge, just accept. But something like AIDS is pretty hard to accept. I've tried to find out as much as I can about AIDS. Jan and I joined a support group that visits people with AIDS who can't get out, and helps out with stuff like housework and groceries. People at work said "Aren't you afraid you'll catch it?" but I told them I'm a lot more afraid of looking at myself in the mirror if I don't do what I can to help others. One thing I've gotten out of all this is a real appreciation of what I have with Jan. We're even talking about having some kind of a commitment ceremony or something. Time is short. None of us know how much we have. I don't want to waste any more of OUR time on things that don't matter. you can't take life for granted. We can't take each other for granted. I'm glad I'm sober. I like myself now. Thank you.
HENRY: (reading)
Ten. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Eleven. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him. Twelve. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps....
JO:
I feel like I'm waking up, spiritually.
HENRY:
My spiritual alarm clock keeps going off and I keep hitting the snooze button.
JOHN:
I'm just taking it a day at a time
BOB:
A day at a time
CAROLE:
A day at a time
BILL:
A day at a time. Each day is so precious.
JAN:
We're planning the commitment ceremony for three months from now
BOB:
Mama died yesterday
JO:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
JOHN:
I'm thinking of stopping all my medicines
BOB:
The funeral is this Friday
JAN:
The commitment ceremony is next week
BILL:
John really wants to see the bluebonnets blooming one last time. But they've all wilted from the drought.
RONNY:
He said he wanted to stop all his medicines. He told me not to tell anyone else.
JOHN:
Now I lay me down to sleep
JO:
Hallowed be thy name
HENRY:
Jan and Carole's ceremony was so beautiful
CAROLE:
The service for Bob's mom was so beautiful
JO:
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
BILL:
John is back in the hospital. I think this is it.
HENRY:
He said he wanted to stop all his medicines. He told me not to tell anybody else.
BOB:
I didn't know what to say to John. I told him to just be willing to accept whatever happens
BILL:
Just be willing
RONNY:
Just be willing
HENRY:
Just be willing
BOB:
I feel like she's still around
RONNY:
I'm so sad for John, and for my friend Holly.
JO:
Give us this day
JOHN:
This day
BILL:
This day
JAN :
This day - we can't take it for granted
CAROLE:
It's all we've got
BILL:
He's gone off all medicines and refused life support. It's what he wants.
JOHN:
I pray the Lord my soul will keep
RONNY:
I keep dreaming about her. It's like she's here with me.
BILL:
And he asked me if it was all right if he just let go
JOHN:
If I should die before I wake
JO:
Give us this day our daily bread
HENRY:
Just be willing
BOB:
It's like she's still here with me. Like she's not really gone.
JOHN:
I pray the Lord my soul will take.
BILL:
Just be willing
Stage goes black. JOHN exits, and comes back bringing flowers and candles for each of the other actors as CAROLE recites Psalm 100. Spotlight on CAROLE. JOHN remains on stage for the rest of the play, off to the side, watching.
CAROLE:
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord, he is God. It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.
Spotlight off CAROLE. Intro music begins for "Our Father". JO lights her candle, which she uses to light the next character's candle and then holds in front of her face as she sings. During the song, the other characters pass the flame around and slowly join in the song. NOTE: The song should crescendo on "Give us this day our daily bread" and the next few lines, and then one by one the other actors drop out of the song, leaving JO to sing the last lines alone (For the kingdom...)
JO and CAST:
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Instrumental continues. BOB speaks these lines as cast members hum:
BOB: (speaking)
Lord, hold John in your hands. Grant us strength, hope and love as we continue to follow your path.
JO: (singing)
For the kingdom, and the power and the glory are yours
Now and forever, amen.
ALL:
Amen
All throw their flowers to the center of the circle, and blow out their candles.
Spotlight on JOHN, who sings "I'll Still Be Here".
Or view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s26zTLsLS3k&feature=youtu.be
JOHN:
I know I said someday I'd leave
But I never could, you must believe
The first warm day of spring, I'll be here
When the mockingbird sings, I'll still be here
He'll be whistling along, with a voice clear and strong
You'll hear one of my songs, and I'll be here
And as the flowers grow, I'll be here
Yes I want you to know, I'll still be here
And when the irises bloom, with their sweet perfume
In your heart find some room and I'll be here
When you're walking through my garden
The daylilies glistening with dew
I will still be here, yes I will be here
And I'll still be loving you.
And when the crape myrtle fades, I'll be here
In every seed that they've made I'll still be here
And when the pink blossoms fall from the hollyhocks so tall
In a flash of recall, I'll still be here
And in the autumn chill I'll be here
You must know that I will, I'll still be here
And at Christmas you'll see, when you're trimming the tree
Hang a seashell for me and I'll be here
In the colors of each sunset
And by the fireplace when evening is through
I will still be here, yes I will be here
And I'll still be loving you
And when you sew my panel for the quilt
Make it purple and teal and sky blue
And I'll still be here, yes I will be here
And I'll still be loving you
I know I said someday I'd leave
But I never could, you must believe.
End of Act III scene 1
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