The Great Commandment

By Don McKerahan

The Christman family, on their way to Broadway, move into the small town of Apple Valley as Paul Christman hasn't yet finished his book about the love of God. Horace Appletree, mayor of Apple Valley, and religious leader and son, high priest of Town Church, run the town. The mayor is determined to have Paul and family join his church. Paul, willing to go along, attends one time, but not again. When Mayor Appletree realizes Paul is winning the townsfolk over, he decides to hire a harlot to

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781644625491

Don McKerahan

I'm a ninety-one-year-old artist who fell in love at the age of twenty-two and married the girl, Pat Zurcher, in 1953. Today, I'm as much in love with her as ever. We raised six children and have a beautiful group of grand and great-grandchildren. Presently, I'm on a mission to remind folks of our loving creator GOD, who it seems, the world has forgotten. So if you don't mind, permit me to give you a quick bit of advice. Let's just say you're not doing much with the life GOD gave you. If you give that life back to him, watch GOD work the most impossible miracles in your life you have ever known. Merely ask! And it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find.

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The Great Commandment

Don McKerahan

Copyright © 2019 Don McKerahan

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2019

ISBN 978-1-64462-548-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64584-352-8 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64462-549-1 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Act I

Act II

This musical is dedicated to the love of GOD toward man. Jesus said, Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Act I

Paul Christman and family arrive in Apple Valley. They enter and stand outside the house in which they will live. The real estate agent is very anxious to leave.

REALTOR

Well, here we are, folks. I’m sure you’ll be very happy in Apple Valley.

(Reaches quickly to shake Paul’s hand and bid farewell.)

Here’s the number to call in case of any questions. In the meantime, I’ll have the owner get back to you.

(Turns to leave.)

PAUL

Can you show us through the house?

REALTOR

Don’t have time!

(Starts to hurry away.)

PAUL

(calling.)

Hold on! Where’s our key?

REALTOR

(appearing nervous.)

Oh, the key! Almost forgot!

(Fumbles in his pockets.)

Now I know I had it here somewhere.

(Finds key.)

Aw, here it is!

(Hands Paul the key.)

Gotta go!

PAUL

Give me a minute!

REALTOR

What for? Make it quick!

PAUL

About our conversation on the way up here.

REALTOR

Conversation?

PAUL

Don’t you remember?

REALTOR

(sounding firm.)

Oh, that! Well, let me put it to you this way, mister. I’m a member of the Town Church, so don’t try to convert me. Good day.

(Leaves.)

RUTH

Right to the point, wasn’t he?

PAUL

Wonder if he got my point?

LANIE

(pulling Ruth’s arm.)

Mommy, is this where we’re gonna live?

RUTH

Only for now, Lanie. It’s not a mansion, so let’s make the most of it.

LANIE

Awright! But I hope we don’t hafta move again, that is, till we go to New York.

JENNY

Lanie’s right, Mother, we get tired of moving.

REBECCA

(complaining.)

And I’ll probably never see Hector again.

JENNY

Oh, grow up, Becky. That Hector was a dork.

REBECCA

Mother! Did you hear Jenny?

RUTH

Paul, will you stop them?

PAUL

(sounding sympathetic toward his daughters.)

Girls, please settle down! Your mother and I realize how difficult it’s been for you to come here, and maybe you have a right to complain, but after all, there’s a reason we came.

RUTH

Your dad’s right. So give it a chance, and let’s brighten up the place.

LANIE

(cheering enthusiastically.)

Yeah! I will, Mother!

PAUL

That’s the spirit, Lanie!

(They begin to pick up their luggage.)

LANIE

(ear catching distant sound of drums and sounding excited.)

Daddy! Daddy, I hear a parade!

PAUL

I don’t hear anything.

RUTH

(listening.)

Sure, Paul, Lanie’s right!

(Pauses.)

Listen!

(The sound of drums become louder and louder as the Apple Valley Band march down the aisle, preceded by Mayor Appletree; his son, Clarence, high priest of the Town Church; the town council; and Sheriff Wade. They enter the stage playing and singing: Apple Valley Band. The townsfolk join in.)

The drums go bang and the cymbals clang,

As the rumble breaks the air.

The high-pitched toot of a little flute

Can be heard most ev’rywhere.

The sliding of the trombone,

The man who plays the sax,

They all blend into one tone

To help the crowd relax.

Oh, oh, oh, I like a marching parade,

Where the music’s clear and the people

Cheer ’long the way.

Oh, I like a marching parade,

As we tap our feet to the rhythmic beat

As they play.

The trumpets blare all around the square,

As the people wave and shout.

It’s good to see the children

And the neighbors all turn out.

The men who make the music,

They all deserve a hand.

It’s the Apple Valley Band,

Ain’t they grand?

It’s the Apple Valley,

Best in the land.

It’s the happy Apple Valley Band.

Apple Valley Band a second time through march-and-dance routine.

Band makes exit as drumroll diminishes.

MAYOR

(appearing proud.)

Welcome to Apple Valley. I’m Mayor Horace Appletree.

PAUL

Paul Christman, Mayor.

(They shake hands.)

MAYOR

We were expecting you. Glad to meet another man of God.

(Very proudly he makes introductions.)

This is my son, Clarence, high priest of the Town Church, members of the town council, and Sheriff Wade.

PAUL

I’d like to introduce my wife, Ruth, and our daughters, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Lanie.

(Each daughter curtsies as she is introduced.)

MAYOR

What charming girls!

(Pats Lanie on the head.)

And your name is Lanie?

LANIE

(answering politely.)

Yes, Mr. Mayor.

MAYOR

My, what a sweet child!

(He kisses Ruth’s hand.)

It’s easy to see, Ruth, where your daughters get their exquisite beauty.

RUTH

(discerning the mayor’s cunning ways, sounding subtly sarcastic.)

How flattering, Mayor. But please give my husband, Paul, some of the credit.

MAYOR

(caught off guard and not certain how to take Ruth’s remark.)

Why, of course! By all means!

(Wears puzzled expression as Ruth smirks.)

COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

Attention! May I have your attention for a moment?

(The crowd becomes quiet.)

Mayor Appletree has a few words to say. But first of all, we will have a word of prayer from the mayor’s son, the Most Reverend Clarence Appletree.

CLARENCE

May we prepare our hearts and bow our heads.

(Recites very stiffly and is pretentious.)

Oh, most majestic and supreme being in the heavens, hear our lowly, humble prayer. We thank you for this precious family that you have led into our midst, that we may shepherd them. Let us be a light unto their feet and shining example for them to follow. Hear our prayer, O Heavenly One.

(To the people.)

And all the people said, So be it.

PEOPLE

(in unison.)

So be it!

COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

At this time, it’s my pleasure to present the mayor of Apple Valley, the Honorable Horatio Ulysses Appletree. Let’s hear it for the mayor!

(Crowd applauds, with the exception of a few jeers from the local gang, Tremain, Creeeper, Joey, and group.)

MAYOR

(tipping his hat and clearing his throat.)

Thank you, thank you, fine people.

(Views the crowd proudly.)

Chairman of the council, council members, loving friends, and neighbors, once again we are gathered together on a great occasion. To reach out a hand of friendship to sheep of another pasture and draw them into our fold. To be a ray of hope and a guiding light unto them when they lose their way. We the people of Apple Valley, and the Town Church offers to you the Christman family, an outstretched hand of fellowship and brotherly love. Welcome to Apple Valley!

(People clap and cheer.)

Paul, do you have a few words to offer?

PAUL

(coming forward, somewhat apprehensively.)

This is most unexpected. Didn’t know I’d be asked to make a speech.

(Scans the audience, friendly and light.)

But now that I’m up here, I want to thank each of you for the warm welcome. First time we ever had a town turn out to greet us. Makes us feel right at home.

(On a more serious note.)

And if you’re wondering why we moved to your town, my best answer is, we’re here on a mission. And it looks like we’re off to a very good beginning. Thanks again from each of our family to all of Apple Valley.

MAYOR

(shaking Paul’s hand vigorously.)

Well said, Paul. One day you’ll have to tell me about that mission.

PAUL

Glad to!

MAYOR

Don’t leave just yet, folks! There’s a serious matter I need to mention. Some of you may have heard that there is one family no longer with us in Apple Valley. No need to mention their name. However, they were a bad element and influence on some of you, as well as a blemish to the excellent reputation and growth of our fair community. They just didn’t fit in. Let their removal serve as a lasting reminder to those of you who do not live up to and abide by the laws of our ever-growing metropolis.

(Warns the people as he accentuates each syllable of this line.)

Keep in line, and everything will be just fine.

(Returns to normal way of speaking.)

That’s all for now! Carry on.

(Turns to Paul.)

You know, Paul, we’re family here. If you ever need a hand, someone’s always willing to help. Especially the Town Church.

PAUL

I’ll keep that in mind, Mayor. And the same goes for our family. Who knows, you may need our help one day.

MAYOR

(chuckling boastfully.)

Well, I rather doubt that.

(Pacifies Paul.)

But then again, as you say, one never knows.

(Pulls watch from pocket.)

Why, look at the time! Gotta get back to Town Hall. A mayor’s work is never done.

PAUL

Kinda like God’s work.

MAYOR

(seeming unconcerned.)

Guess so! Gotta go!

(Hurries off.)

JEREMIAH

(old-time citizen of Apple Valley.)

Thought I’d come to make your acquaintance, if ya’ don’t mind.

PAUL

Not at all.

JEREMIAH

The name’s Jeremiah Jones. You’re Paul ’n Ruth. I heard.

(Shakes their hands.)

PAUL

Nice, friendly town, Apple Valley, with people like you and Mayor Appletree.

JEREMIAH

Sounds like you’re taken in by ol’ Horace.

PAUL

Well, it looks like he’s gone to a lot of trouble to make us feel welcome, wouldn’t you say?

JEREMIAH

Is that what ya’ think?

PAUL

(sounding polite.)

Don’t you? I get the feeling Mayor Appletree isn’t one of your favorite people.

JEREMIAH

I’ll jus’ hafta let ya’ figure that one out for yourself, now, won’t I?

(Smiles secretively as he is leaving.)

Been nice talkin’ to ya’.

PAUL

Hope