Priests... Angels... Humans

By Robert A. Parker

This second collection of plays by Robert A. Parker explores our spiritual and metaphysical lives, as well as the daily world of human reality. Many of these plays feature priests, who interface with the reality that confronts others. Other plays deal with we humans and the reality of our conscience, a reality we may also call our guardian angel. Still other plays bring an understanding of reality through our human confrontation with death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387463510

Book preview

Priests... Angels... Humans

Priests…

Angels…

Humans:

More plays

Robert A. Parker

Also by Robert A. Parker

Literature

Heaven & Earth (plays)

A Literary Cavalcade: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII

Travel

Three Steps to Easter

The Measure of Time

Leaving Home

Venice: A Tender Craft

Art direction and text copyright © 2019 by Robert A. Parker. Revised.

All actions and dialogue have been created by the author, and any similarity to that of persons living or the dead is purely coincidental.

The author retains the sole copyright for his contributions of text and graphics to this book.

ISBN: 978-1-387-52813-4

To my family and friends,

the memories of whom

have inspired

the creation of many

of these fictional worlds.

Priests…

Our Fathers

A short play

in three acts

Robert A. Parker

CHARACTERS

Father Joe LeavittPastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church

Pete MurphyParishioner and trustee, father of Rick

Sister Marie ThereseSchool principal, more fair than strict

Tim HealeyScience teacher at St. Michael’s

Father Rick MurphyA priest at St. Thomas Episcopal School

Mary MurphyMother of Rick, wife of Pete, Catholic

Father Jerry MurphySon of Rick and Ellen, a Catholic priest

Ellen MurphyWife of Father Rick, Episcopalian

Man/woman in pewParishioner, one line

Some characters may be doubled, but care should be taken not to foster confusion among the different members of the Murphy family.

TIME

The present.

PLACE

A New England town.

THEME

The differences and the commonality of faith. The forgiveness needed.

Act one

Prologue

Sister Marie Therese advances on stage, in front of office of her boss, Pastor Joseph Leavitt. The office, dimly lit, features his desk, three facing chairs, a sofa at the side, and a filled book case, with a crucifix on the wall. Spotlight on her as she addresses the audience.

SISTER MARIE THERESE

"Good evening.  I am Sister Marie Therese. The playwright has asked me to present this story of the Murphy family. Since it is a story of faith, he apparently feels that—and I am not sure why—being a nun makes me more qualified to lead you through the family history.

I see some of you seem restless. Perhaps thinking of marching up that aisle? Well, that’s not really necessary. This story will not preach to you. It is really a story of the human response to faith.

And, like my fellow nuns, I am really an observer of events. More than a participant. And observers can be helpful. If they’re objective.

…Which is our reputation. As nuns. As held by believers…That we are fair…

And if you are not a believer? Do not be concerned. We shall not be evaluating your faith. Or the lack thereof. This is also about the commonality of all our faiths. As well as the differences.

Because they are different. People are different. You know that. And this is really a play about how we humans react to those differences. The, even at times, resentment…

SISTER MARIE THERESE (CONTINUED)

It is also a story of three generations, and this may be a little confusing. But don’t worry. I shall return, to help you over the jumps in time.

…Our story begins when a teenage boy, Rick Murphy, rebels. Against his family, his school, even his church. And upsets his parents….You think you know the type…?

Well, maybe…but maybe you don’t.

Scene one

Lights up on the office of Msgr. Joseph Leavitt, the pastor of St. Michael’s, a New England Catholic church. He is seated at his desk. There is a knock on his door.

FATHER JOE

Come in.

A middle aged man enters.

(Stands.) Hey, Peter, how are you? Been meaning to call. You did a great job.

How do you like it, our new building?….

PETE MURPHY

Looks great, Father. Great.

FATHER JOE

Well, we owe it to you.

…So...How you been?

PETE

Fine, Padre. Hope you are, too. (They shake hands.)

FATHER JOE

….So…what can I do you for?

PETE

He turns, closes door.

Can we talk, Father? Privately?

FATHER JOE

Sure. Gloria won’t interrupt us. What’s up?

PETE

This can’t go beyond (looks back) that door. Okay?

FATHER JOE

That’s my policy. Always ….But, don’t look so serious. What is it?

PETE

Father, you know me. I don’t go off half-cocked. But this Healey…

FATHER JOE

Tim Healey? What about him?

PETE

He’s…teaching…no, he’s brainwashing my son….I mean Rick.

FATHER JOE

Rick? He’s one of our…he’s a smart boy. Surely not Rick….How?

PETE

He doesn’t believe in Adam and Eve anymore.

FATHER JOE

Hold on…you need to explain a little more, Pete.

PETE

It’s, like I said, your new science teacher. He’s into evolution.

FATHER JOE

Yes…? And…?

PETE

And he’s teaching them about new scientific discoveries. About human remains being found. And not just in Africa. Dating back millions of years.

FATHER JOE

…Isn’t it difficult to pin down, when human life really began?

PETE

It’s not just when human life began. It’s whether they were the only ones. It’s about  spontaneous evolution. Without God. The appearance of humans in multiple places. In Africa, to begin with.

And then Asia, even Australia, maybe South America.

FATHER JOE

Haven’t anthropologists tracked…the spread of humans…over thousands of years…?

PETE

But now there’s new evidence, Healey says. That they may not have had to…travel.

FATHER JOE

I find this hard to believe. Healey said there was no…First Ancestor?

PETE

Not like the St. Paul says, Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death. Through one man.

FATHER JOE

Of course, Paul didn’t know what we know today. The anthropology, I mean. Might Healey have been speaking… metaphorically? The Bible uses metaphors. You know that.

PETE

But St. Paul? That doesn’t sound like a metaphor to me.

FATHER JOE

Not if you take that line literally, no. But…?

PETE

Look, it’s common sense. How could there be multiple first ancestors? There has to be one pair that is first.

And if you say there were many, then you’re saying mankind developed naturally. All over. That God didn’t play any role in the evolution of man.

FATHER JOE

Hold on, Pete. Let’s get this straight. There’s no conflict, not if God created a world in which evolution would occur.

PETE

But that’s not what Healey said. He said new science shows that human beings developed all over Africa. At the same time. So there was no…Adam and Eve. No single couple that begat all of mankind….That’s not what I was taught.

FATHER JOE

Pete…this may be more complicated….Let me look into it. Maybe you’re mistaken. You weren’t in that class. Let me talk to some people….That okay with you?

PETE

Sure, Father. Look into it. That’s all I ask. You know I’m a good Catholic. But I don’t want anyone led astray. Sorry to break in like this…but I’m upset….After all I’ve done…

FATHER JOE

I can see you are. Upset….Pete, you’ll hear from me. I promise.

PETE

Thank you, Father. It’s all I ask.

(He leaves.)

Scene two

Scene twoSISTER MARIE THERESE

Steps to front of stage. To audience.

This is my big scene….Well, one of them.

She turns to Father Joe.

It is the pastor’s office, later that day.

SISTER MARIE THERESE

You wanted to see me, Father?

FATHER JOE

Yes, have a seat, Sister….Sister, I’ve had a complaint. About the school.

SISTER

(Sits.) Oh?...From whom?

FATHER JOE

From Pete Murphy.

SISTER

Mr. Murphy? That’s surprising. He seems to be a good man. His Rick’s a favorite of ours.

FATHER JOE

Yes. And it’s about Rick.

SISTER

Rick?...What did he do?

FATHER JOE

He didn’t do anything. Except, maybe, misunderstand something….In science….I hope.

SISTER

Misunderstood what?

FATHER JOE

About Adam and Eve.

SISTER

What’s there to misunderstand about Adam and Eve?...Our first parents.

FATHER JOE

Everything, it seems. Like there weren’t any. First parents. And God played no role.

SISTER

He heard that in our classroom? That doesn’t sound like Mr. Healey…

…Are you sure? Is Mr. Murphy sure?

FATHER JOE

I know. I know….So remind me about Mr. Healey. We discussed him, I believe.

SISTER

Yes. He was highly qualified, despite…

FATHER JOE

You mean his leaving a number of schools…

SISTER

Yes. We discussed it….Remember?

FATHER JOE

Of course, I do. He seemed a very nice young man. I agreed with you then.

SISTER

So you think the fact that he…

FATHER JOE

…that he’s gay? No. I can’t see that’s at work here. Pete Murphy’s not that kind of guy.

No, but I do need to know more about Tim Healey… What can you tell me about him?...Before I talk to Rick.

SISTER

If you talk to Rick, you know I must be there.

FATHER JOE

Of course. But Healey comes first. It will be informal. For background only. I just need to understand him better.

SISTER

Agreed….I’ll talk to him. And set it up.

FATHER JOE

Sister…you don’t have to bother yourself.

SISTER

No. I do. I’m responsible. I hired him.

FATHER JOE

No, Sister. This is my job.

She waves assent.

…So…tell me more about him.

SISTER

What do you want to know?

FATHER JOE

His habits. How he gets along with other teachers. And his students.

SISTER

His main habit? He goes to mass and communion every morning. Haven’t you seen him?

FATHER JOE

I don’t pay attention. Not at that hour. It’s all a blur…

Besides, I’m not sure I’d recognize him again.

…What else?

SISTER

The other teachers like him. You always see them around him. And students, too.

FATHER JOE

They’ve told you?

SISTER

Yes. Students say he makes science really interesting….Which is not easy.

FATHER JOE

Amen. So…what about his being gay. Is that a problem? With others?

SISTER

No. He’s not effeminate. I know that sounds prejudiced, but…well, there’s no mimicking. No teasing.

As I said, he gets along with everyone. Plus he’s very consistent. Attending mass. Getting to class. Marking and returning papers….We’ve hit gold, Father. I couldn’t imagine the school without him.

FATHER JOE

Me, neither….If what you say is true.

SISTER

So how much attention are you going to pay to Mr. Murphy?

FATHER JOE

A lot. You know that. Where do you think we’d be without our new auditorium?

...We both wanted it.

SISTER

I know…. But he’s not going to buy me.

FATHER JOE

Sister. Sister. Be charitable.

SISTER

Well, I will…if he is.

FATHER JOE

So…we’ve decided. You’ll set up our talk with the Murphy boy?

SISTER

(Rises.) Yes, Father….Thank you, Father.

FATHER JOE

Just let me set up the meeting with Healey first.

Scene three

SISTER MARIE THERESE

(To audience.) We’re still in Father Joe’s office….You may wonder how I can present these scenes. You’ll have to ask the author….Like all nuns, I’m just doing my job.

Father Joe sits behind his desk. Tim Healy walks in.

HEALEY

You wanted to see me, Father?

FATHER JOE

Yes. Come in, come in. (Gestures that Healey sit. Waits.)

…I’ve had some troubling news.

HEALEY

(Seated, leans forward.) Troubling?...About me?

FATHER JOE

Yes. About your science class.

HEALEY

Oh. That.

FATHER JOE

Yes, that….Then, you know what I’m talking about.

HEALEY

I like to challenge my students. And some, well, took it too seriously.

FATHER JOE

Rick Murphy.

HEALEY

Oh, no. Not him. He understood.

FATHER JOE

Not according to his father.

HEALEY

No?...What did he say?

...I’m sure Rick told him…

FATHER JOE

That you said it wasn’t clear that they were our original parents. Adam and Eve.

HEALEY

No. Some scientists say that. Who don’t believe. I challenged the class with that. How do you defend the Bible, I asked. I just took the scientists’ side.

FATHER JOE

Isn’t that argument more for our religion classes?

HEALEY

With all respect, Father, they’re going out into the real world. They need to prepare for that.

FATHER JOE

Granted. But can’t you see how it looks? Your defending scientists.

HEALEY

Father, I wasn’t defending….Look, where is all this going?...What are...? I know Mr. Murphy means a lot to this parish…But……Are you going to…fire me?

FATHER JOE

Fire you? No. But you need to become aware that—

HEALEY

Powerful people in the parish don’t agree. I understand….

Is there anything else you want…?

Healey stands up.

FATHER JOE

Sit down! I said you’re not being fired….You’d know it if you were. The minute you stepped through that door.

HEALEY

(Sits.) So what is it you want? That I stop introducing reality into the classroom?

FATHER JOE

Mr. Healey! What about…what about you showing how to refute the scientists. Instead of taking the other side. What about showing everyone how to?

HEALEY

I don’t teach refuting science. I teach understanding it. Even when it goes against our faith.

FATHER JOE

Look. I want to keep you here. And keep you happy. And I need, I really need, to keep Pete Murphy happy….So…

…Well, what would you suggest?

HEALEY

I think we…you…need to talk to his son.

FATHER JOE

I already plan to. But what are you going to do?...In your classroom.

HEALEY

I don’t know….maybe all this is a subject for, well, a separate class.

FATHER JOE

Maybe. But the subject’s going to come up again. What we here teach in our classrooms. And the next time it may have a political basis. Not a religious one.

HEALEY

I know. It’s already is in some schools. The plays they do. The novels they read.

FATHER JOE

I need your understanding, Tim. Your awareness.

HEALEY

Of course….but none of this is easy, Father. What the scientists say is true, you know. About our ancestors. We don’t know. Really. Where they came from….And the Bible is so definite….

FATHER JOE

I hear you, Tim. But it’s our job. Preparing the young for reality, like you said. But it’s also making sure they keep our faith. In God. In Christ’s mission.

HEALEY

And yet, Father, understand science. Accept science. Understand why Galileo was wrong. And why the seven days of creation weren’t seven 24-hour days….

FATHER JOE

Or, even, why sexual orientation doesn’t define us…

HEALEY

Father, Father…don’t go there.

FATHER JOE

I just want you to know that that doesn’t matter here. With me. In case you…

HEALEY

I appreciate that, Father. But my world is different from yours. It’s, for me, a very real world. And, sometimes, an unforgiving world. I do have science on my side. But, for some, that doesn’t seem to matter….And you should be prepared for that.

FATHER JOE

I may not be prepared like you. But I am, in another way….I mean, as a celibate.

HEALEY

With all respect, Father, mine is another world. I have to watch everything I do. And be very careful. Always. Even now.

FATHER JOE

I’m sure you are…even in this world of St. Michael’s.

Well. thank you for coming in, Tim. I am very grateful for all you’ve done for us.

HEALEY

…So…what are you going to do?

FATHER JOE

I’m going to talk to Rick, first. Then I’m going to talk to the Murphys.

And then…we’ll see.

Scene four

Again, in pastor’s office. Rick Murphy enters with Sister Marie Therese. Father Joe directs him to a chair in front of his desk. Sister Marie Therese sits to the side, in a straight back chair. She is facing the pastor.

FATHER JOE

Thank you for arranging this, Sister. And thank you for coming, Richard.

RICK

Sure….I know what it’s all about. Sister told me.

Sister smiles at audience.

FATHER JOE

Yes?

RICK

It’s about Adam and Eve. And my conservative parents. Who hear what they want to hear.

FATHER JOE

Yes. Adam and Eve. True. But it’s about more than that. It’s about you also. What you got from the class. And how you described it. To your parents.

…How did you?

RICK

I just told him what happened. How he said scientists now dispute Adam and Eve.

FATHER JOE

I believe Mr. Healey said more than that.

RICK

He defended them. The scientists.

FATHER JOE

I’ve talked to him, Richard. He says he gave you their arguments, and wanted you, the class, to dispute their arguments….Did he say that?...Or not?

RICK

Once, maybe. Then all he did was argue with us. When we defended the Bible. Even…how stupid we were….That’s what I remember.

FATHER JOE

You’re a very smart boy, Richard. You know he was playing a role. Of one of those scientists.

RICK

Well, we couldn’t get a word in. He made fools of everyone.

FATHER JOE

Richard, he’s a very good teacher. His classes do very well when measured against other schools.

RICK

I know. But he gets on us sometimes. Like my father does…at home.

FATHER JOE

Richard, you just told me your parents are conservative. How did you think they were going to react…to the description you gave them?

SISTER

Were you trying to challenge your parents, Richard?

RICK

Challenge them? I’ve learned that lesson.

FATHER JOE

They’re intelligent people, Richard. I’ve dealt with both of them. Why would you want to challenge them?

RICK

You don’t live with them. They always…

SISTER

Richard, think about what you’re saying. Your parents are good people.

RICK

(Turns.) You don’t live with them, either.

FATHER JOE

Richard! Look, being conservative in politics is one thing. Being conservative in religion is another.

RICK

That’s not what they say.

FATHER JOE

Which is?

RICK

God created the world of science. And he can’t contradict himself.

FATHER JOE

That’s true. He can’t….But Mr. Healey wasn’t challenging God. He was challenging you.

SISTER

You’re smart enough to know that, Richard.

RICK

I resent…everyone thinks they know better than me.

FATHER JOE

We often do know better. We’re older….But it doesn’t mean we know more.

RICK

I’ve heard that all my life. Wait ’til you’ve grown up.

FATHER JOE

I remember thinking that….When I was your age. And