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Heart |
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Cast of Characters
FATHER JOHN: Catholic priest
FAITH: Father John's faith
EVE: Father John's lust
Scene I
Father John, dressed in black, stands center stage. He is talking to himself in a mirror represented in light and shadow. It appears that a figure is on the other side.
FATHER JOHN I hope you're doing well. Heart, body and soul. I know that's a challenge, but you're worth it. Believe me, you are. I know life seems difficult at times. It is, but you'll be fine if you have faith in yourself.
Father John turns away from the light.
FATHER JOHN (CONT'D) Don't turn away from me like that. Trust in your soul, that indestructible part of God in you. The body is weak. The heart can mislead you, but if you shift trust to God, you'll be free. Don't you want that? You don't think I know. I am Father John.
Father John makes the sign of the cross.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) That is my badge of honor, and my secret shame. I've made a career of following God's footsteps. I've been a savior. With God's grace, I moved mountains until they came to test me. Foul! Foul! Their parents entrusted their spiritual care to me. They were good people, may they rest in peace.
Father John scrubs at his heart.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) Foul things are spawned in the dark, but my calling brought them to me, and I couldn't turn away. One was called Eve.
Spotlight on Eve, stage right, standing behind Father John, dressed in multi-colored clothes.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) Horrible temptress. What a questing mind, so bright with wonder! I believed her so innocent, but she never had faith in God. Sex was her creed. Rooting in the mud, for pleasure's sake.
EVE Sex is God, who art in me, hallowed be thy rod. Thy orgasms come, thy will be done on flesh to work our hearts. Give us daily beatings, and forgive our pain as we forgive those who beat against us. For this, open us to pleasure and deliver us to your will. Amen.
Spotlight on Faith, stage left, standing behind Father John, dressed in white.
FATHER JOHN Her parents named her for me, to reflect the beacon that I was. Faith was her name, but she betrayed me for science. Mired in facts and inferences. Hypothesizing the way to God's death. Doubt is an awful thing because she had faith in God.
FAITH 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 our daily bread? Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation? but deliver us from evil. Hmmm.
Spotlights fade on Eve and Faith. Father John pulls out a small bible hidden against his heart.
FATHER JOHN God, my God. I was sorely tried. For you did I submit. Listen and learn what hides even in the best hearts. Scene II
On stage left, Faith sits in a chair at the mental ward. On an altar, a picture of a smiling old lady is on the right of a picture of Jesus' crucifixion, and a picture of a distinguished gentleman is on the left. Father John enters, bible in hand.
FAITH Have you come to weep at Faith's fate?
FATHER JOHN I've come as a friend.
FAITH Then be a pal, and get me out of here.
FATHER JOHN That isn't my decision.
FAITH Was it ever mine?
FATHER JOHN Every soul is responsible for his fate.
With arms extended for a hug, Faith stands. Instead, Father John examines the room, turning the bible over in his hand.
FAITH Ah, God and free will. How trite! You look like a beggar standing at the door. Don't be a stranger, Father. We know of each other, yes?
FATHER JOHN I don't know what you mean.
FAITH We're like beggars searching for God's crumbs.
Faith falls to the ground.
FAITH You, the blind man of faith. I, named Faith but blind to it all. Where's my crumb?
Faith scrounges on the ground for crumbs.
FATHER JOHN Salvation lies in God's hands.
FAITH But every soul is responsible for its fate, no? Yet salvation lies in God's hands, not in mine? Ah, then God is beyond me.
Faith gazes into her empty hands, laughing.
FATHER JOHN If you choose God, Faith, then salvation is yours to pluck, even from God's hands. That's better than a crumb.
FAITH God never sheds crumbs, not a single piece of light. Only the sun brings light.
FATHER JOHN What about the moon?
Faith leaps on the chair, and howls at the pretend moon. The howls become laughter.
FAITH To be touched by the hands of God. Marvelous, except for that catch. I have to put myself in the right position, yes?
Faith opens her legs in the manner of a whore.
FAITH (CONT’D) What position did you get into, Father, to ready yourself for God's touch?
FATHER JOHN Enough Faith.
Faith sits like a lady.
FAITH Is this more to your liking?
FATHER JOHN That's more like the Faith I know. What can I do to help you regain your faith in the Word?
FAITH God let mother and father die, and Eve go wild so I'm lost in the dark with only free will. I am such a torment. Laugh at my follies.
FATHER JOHN (with difficutly) I know life seems difficult at times. It is, but if you have faith in God...
FAITH No! No! No! Fooled me with life.
FATHER JOHN Life's a gift, Faith, not a way for God to make fools of us.
FAITH Science of life.
FATHER JOHN Science? That belongs to man.
FAITH God creates all, even science.
FATHER JOHN God creates life. Man interprets it through science.
Faith slithers to Father John.
FAITH I can destroy God. God is vulnerable to the faithlesss, yesss? FATHER JOHN How absurd!
FAITH As absssurd as having faith, yesss? As the laws of our nature are fixxxed, yesss? If God can't overcome nature, He's weak and I dessstroy Him with lack of faith, yesss? (beat) So salvation is a crock.
FATHER JOHN God gave us free will to choose our nature. And salvation is what we make of it. It's a gift we can choose to accept.
FAITH Ah, the truth comes. You're no friend. You just want to save my soul. So I can be another knot on your belt, yes?
Faith lunges at Father John. He holds the bible as protection before him.
FAITH (CONT’D) Not a notch! Fool for you? Never shall I succumb to you again. Trickster! Liar!
FATHER JOHN Faith, please, that wasn't my intention.
FAITH Fool! Fool! Fooled me.
Faith drives Father John out, then throws herself onto the chair in tears. Scene III
On stage right is Eve's living room, similar to Faith’s mental ward. Within it, a large broken wooden cross rests on a dirty white couch. On an altar, a picture of a smiling old lady is on the right of a picture of Jesus' crucifixion, and a picture of a distinguished gentleman is on the left. Eve enters, searching.
EVE I lost it. I lost it.
She sinks to the floor, toying with the broken cross. Father John enters.
FATHER JOHN Eve, I told you to stay in bed.
Father John puts the room in order.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) You never did listen to good advice, except when it suited your purpose. Such a hard head for a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. But that's why your father loved you so. Eve, grieving is good and natural, but you've taken it too far.
EVE I've taken things too far, yes. Yes, too far to go back now.
Eve pushes Father John away when he tries to take her broken cross.
EVE (CONT’D) I don't need the father, and forget your mother. Especially lost is my faith, so you go away.
FATHER JOHN I promised your mother, may she rest in peace, to look after you.
EVE It's so sad what loss does to some people, yesss?
FATHER JOHN Such venom in your heart! You girls used to be each other's shadow. Faith and Eve as one.
EVE Even twins must go their separate ways when the heart's persuasion leads us astray. You see, Father John, Faith and I are no more shadows than a fool would become his God. God's shadow, yesss?
FATHER JOHN I'm a fool for God, if a fool I must be in your eyes.
EVE Go away, fool.
FATHER JOHN Friends don't leave when things are at its lowest.
EVE For better or worse, and a good Samaritan? How gracious! But.
Eve places her hands on Father John's knees.
EVE (CONT’D) I...don't...want...you. So take your gracious self and get out. What’s left is mine, mine life.
FATHER JOHN Can you stop thinking about yourself for a moment? Help me save Faith.
Eve pushes Father John away.
EVE Dissect her heart to enter her mind, yesss? Dance for me, and I'll give you her heart on a platter.
FATHER JOHN Dance for you?
Eve tucks the broken cross in her waistband and strikes a dance pose.
EVE Dance with me then. I know you're new to this so I'll be gentle.
FATHER JOHN This isn't time to play, Eve.
EVE Father John, if you want something, you have to give me a little something. Ssso dance with Eve. Beautiful, yesss?
FATHER JOHN (entranced) Beautiful...no! no!
EVE Such faithful ardor! But what of passion? What of love so wet you can smell its perfume in the air?
Eve licks her finger and rubs her lips.
EVE (CONT’D) What of pleasure consummated in pain? You know, yesss, life turns on pain…grief…misssery…woe…oh, such wonderful sufferings as can be imagined in our tortured hearts.
FATHER JOHN There's no solace in what you suggest.
Eve runs her hands down her body. She slithers to Father John.
EVE There is pleasure, a relief from pain, if you are brave enough to discover the truth of the flesssh. It's sssooo lonely to possess free will, yesss? Just your lonely self in the dark.
FATHER JOHN Temptations only lead you further from the light. Let us pray for strength to defeat our demons.
EVE What demons could hide in the heart of God's shadow?
FATHER JOHN I'm not sure...Eve...stop!
Father John pushes away from Eve.
EVE She's torn over faith. Not enough to ensure salvation.
FATHER JOHN So she believes in God?
EVE With free will, what use is there for God?
FATHER JOHN But she has faith?
EVE Faith is for fools. Fool for you.
Eve slaps Father John's buttocks. FATHER JOHN I am not your fool.
EVE Pay attention to her heart's desire, and you'll have it.
FATHER JOHN Salvation?
EVE Love is all that's ever desired by foolish hearts, yesss?
Eve throws herself on the couch, spreading her legs wide in the manner of a whore akin to Faith.
EVE (CONT’D) Nothing but one of God's little toys. Can't possibly know what lies in the cracks of a woman's heart.
FATHER JOHN How can I help Faith?
EVE Faith's stained. You can't help Faith any more than I can help myself. Like what you see?
Eve caresses herself from her breasts to her crotch. In great effort, Father John turns away.
EVE (CONT’D) Poor man of faith. Yes, take your crumb and go. Eve pulls a whip and handcuffs from beneath the couch.
EVE (CONT’D) The crumbs of my god are so much more fulfilling.
FATHER JOHN Stop this blasphemy!
EVE You started this, but I'm going to end it.
Eve stalks Father John, who pulls out his bible as protection.
FATHER JOHN Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Eve touches the whip’s point at the bible.
EVE Sex is God, hallowed be thy rod. Thy orgasms come, thy will be done on flesh to work our hearts.
FATHER JOHN Give us our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. EVE Give us daily beatings, and forgive our pain as we forgive those who beat against us. For this, open us to pleasure and deliver us to your will. Amen.
Eve touches the whip to Father John’s heart.
FATHER JOHN What would your parents say if they saw you, knew you were like this?
EVE They did, and died for their knowledge. Now that's a fatal fall.
Eve launches herself at Father John, wrapping her legs around his waist.
EVE (CONT’D) Want to go for a ride? Giddy up!
Father John falls onto the couch. Eve rips his shirt open, and licks the whip before cracking it on the side of the couch. Father John pushes Eve off him.
EVE (CONT’D) You want it rough, Johhnyboy? Good, that's the way I like it.
Eve takes the bible from Father John’s slack hand.
FATHER JOHN For God's sake, woman, control yourself!
Eve slides off Father John onto the ground. Then she proffers the whip and bible.
EVE Sex is god in my house. No need for control!
FATHER JOHN Return the Good Book to me. It isn't yours to pollute.
EVE Too late!
Father John tries to grab the bible, but Eve stuffs it against her crotch. She spreads her legs wide.
EVE (CONT’D) If you want it, come get it.
Father John reaches for the bible, then abruptly jerks back.
EVE I look forward to our next...tryssst.
Father John exits.
Scene IV
The divide between Eve's room and Faith's room. The glare of the mirror is more pronounced. Spotlight on Father John front stage center.
FATHER JOHN They're interested in crumbs when I offered God to them. If I offered you a diamond, say, the size of your heart, would you throw it back at me? What arrogance! One thinks I'm taking her for a ride, the other wants to ride me. They should know I'm not that kind of man. I'm Father John, for God's sake. Why should I care? Because I do. Isn't that enough? That I should have compassion.
Father John vigorously shakes his head.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) Don't think like that! Yes, compassion is akin to pity, and pity is a mean emotion. But it doesn't have to be. I'm not rationalizing. Compassion can come from love. Of course not! I'm like their father...Don't go there!
The light begins to fracture.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) I don't hate them. My own flesh and blood.
Father John grabs himself.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) It's hard to get past the flesh to find the soul. I know there's a good heart in here. What? Stop thinking such dirty thoughts.
Father John covers his ears.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) Stop it! Stop it! Sheep? Yes, I am overjoyed to be one of God's sheep and salvage for his crumbs. You don't want that? It's not so bad, having someone watch over you. No, it doesn't weaken you. Strength in numbers. You're so thickheaded! Still a fool? For God's sake, will you just shut up. You misunderstand the situation. I'm here to help you.
The fractured light winks out until only Father John's face is highlighted.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) I can help myself very well.
EVE (O.S.) Lights out!
Father John lies down at the divide.
Scene V
It is dim. Father John is sleeping. The sound of a whip is heard.
EVE Beg Eve for more! I can't hear you.
Father John groans in pain, then moans in pleasure. Off stage left, Faith is heard mimicking the moans and groans of Father John.
EVE (CONT’D) You know you deserve this!
FAITH Please, I'm scared of the dark.
Dim spotlight on Eve slashing her whip through the air while straddling the couch.
EVE Down on your knees! How dare you speak without permission?
Dim spotlight on Faith crawling around the chair in her room.
FAITH I can't find my way.
EVE This is what you need. What you want! FAITH (simultaneously with Evey) No!No!No! EVE (simultaneously with Faith) Yes!Yes!Yes!
Father John wakes up, searching for crumbs.
FATHER JOHN Ahhhhhh! What the devil? Where am I? Where is it? My God, I've lost it. My God! My God! My God!
EVE Lights out!
Blackout.
Scene VI
Faith bangs one of the broken chair's legs on the ground, and sits on another leg. Father John enters.
FAITH Back for more, and without your crutch. Lose your bible along the way?
FATHER JOHN Faith's all I need.
FAITH It's nice to know I'm sssooo needed.
FATHER JOHN You'd mock a friend?
FAITH Only a mock friend. Sit with me, and prove your worth if you dare.
Faith offers Father John one of the pieces of her chair. Father John uncertainly sits on his wood piece.
FAITH (CONT’D) What's the game? Prayer. Preaching. Pissing. Pooping.
FATHER JOHN No games, Faith. I'd like to talk. Faith claps her hands like a child.
FAITH Getting naked? Show me! Show me! Your quivering naked soul.
FATHER JOHN I...I don't...know what to do. I don't know what to say to make it right.
FAITH What is right?
FATHER JOHN You. Or what you were. Eve is beyond redemption, but there is hope for you. And I'd like to believe there is hope. Will you listen?
FAITH I have no defense against sincerity.
FATHER JOHN I have no defense either. Just my heart's desire to...let me...talk about God. The words aren't easy. God is...God is...everything.
Spotlight on the picture of Jesus' crucifixion in Eve's living room.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) In my room, there's a picture of Jesus' crucifixion. I know his face by heart. As well as I know the creases and lines in my parent's faces. Spotlight includes the picture of the elderly man and woman.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) They are my life, my hope, my righteousness. God is everything.
FAITH I know.
FATHER JOHN If you know, then help me. Help me save you, Faith. It's not too late for us. It's not too late to believe in everything.
FAITH I wanted to know God.
FATHER JOHN Desire is the first step to knowing God. Jesus' face opened the way for me. Can you look upon his face and not marvel? There is acceptance and peace in it.
FAITH Have you found acceptance? Have you found peace, John?
FATHER JOHN What are you implying?
FAITH God moved in me once. From head to toe, His grace burned like the gentlest light. You don't know how it feels to be broken until you've felt whole, right John?
FATHER JOHN If you've known God, how can you reject Him?
FAITH I'd rather be a broken shell than have my faith and obedience taken for granted. Right John? Free will! Look what that did to my family! Look what it did to me?
FATHER JOHN Would you rather have no will?
FAITH God of hope and power! I scorn your gift. For there is no guilt and pain when there is no will. I used my free will. I lived my life and I failed to walk the right path by whose standards? Now I'm jailed in this hellhole forever.
Faith tosses the leg of the chair underneath her towards Father John. He picks it up.
FATHER JOHN My poor Faith. For better or worse, life goes on and there can be salvation ahead. Pray with me.
FAITH Is that a threat?
FATHER JOHN Do prayers threaten you?
FAITH Depends what I'm praying to. The facts tell me not to pray with someone who holds death in his hands.
FATHER JOHN I wouldn't hurt a friend.
FAITH Are we friends, John?
FATHER JOHN Ah, I remember. You value cold facts, science, logic over friendship. Even over faith in me. That's a pitiful life when there's no trust. It's sssso lonely in the dark.
FAITH Did she whisper your sins into the dark too?
Father John reacts as if hit. He moves to strike Faith. She stares at him until he backs down.
FATHER JOHN Pray with me. Salvation is at the tip of your tongue. You have but to ask.
FAITH Then ask for it.
EVE (O.S.) Yes!
Father John jerks at Eve's voice.
FAITH Ask for it, John.
Blackout.
Scene VII
Eve exuberantly dances around her living room with bible in hand. Faith bangs a piece of wood on the ground.
EVE Never lose you again, my precious heart. Foolish man of faith. Did you sleep with my words next to your breast?
Eve opens the bible and reads.
EVE (CONT’D) Sex is God, hallowed be thy rod.
FAITH I saw a hint of God's shadow. Makes me fear the dark.
EVE Nothing will threaten me now. Not even a frightened shadow of Faith.
Eve spits across the barrier at Faith. Faith gets up to examine Eve's spit.
FAITH Hate knows no bounds. Why despise such a lost sheep?
In a yearning gesture, Eve reaches to Faith with the bible. EVE Sister, twin of my heart, reflection of my soul. I never did.
FAITH Nothing gained from such a loss.
Eve reacts as if slapped.
EVE Trickster! Liar! Don't be a fool for Him. Sets you up for a fall, that's what God does!
FAITH All men are fools, and I am but one.
EVE With His good rules, there's no free will!
Eve falls on all fours.
EVE (CONT’D) Animals, wild and free, don't obey rules.
FAITH So sad what loss does to some people.
EVE What hasss it done for you?
FAITH Science subdues nature.
Eve crawls on her stomach.
EVE Yesss, our natures rule usss.
FAITH I want my crumb. There's a piece for me.
EVE You'll never escape your prison.
FAITH John said there's salvation.
Eve opens the bible. As she reads, the light in Faith's room shrinks into a coffin-like space.
EVE Sex is God, hallowed be thy rod.
Father John enters and stands at the divide, looking from Eve to Faith.
EVE (CONT’D) Thy orgasms come, thy will be done on flesh to work our hearts.
Faith struggles to stand, arms reaching for Father John. At the word "beat," Faith falls to the ground.
EVE (CONT’D) Give us daily beatings, and forgive our pain as we forgive those who beat against us.
Father John and Eve gazes upon the other.
FATHER JOHN/EVE (CONT’D) For this, open us to pleasure and deliver us to your will. Amen.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) (sadly) ) Amen.
Scene IX
Father John stands with arms at his sides at the divide. He steps through the mirror, which dims behind him, hiding Faith and Eve in shadow.
FATHER JOHN I shall save you? With bible in one hand, and pride in another, I was Father John. Blind man of faith! Oh, to be truly blind so I may see.
Father John examines himself.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) Nothing but a man of flesh. Hair, skin, teeth...nothing but rot in the end. Whom shall I save? Because I'm Father John. I'm Father John. I'm Father....
Sound of a mirror breaking. Father John scrounges on the ground for its pieces.
FATHER JOHN (CONT’D) Father, help me. Failed. Oh God, I've failed. Father...who art in heaven...Forgive my trespasses. Lead me from temptation...deliver me from evil. (beat) Please.
Father John falls to the ground, spread-eagled. Blackout.
In her living room, Eve gloats over Faith as she lies in her room. The whip and handcuffs are on the dirty couch. Father John remains spread-eagled at the divide.
EVE Foolish Faith. Did you think you could defeat me? Even the bible's against you. The Good Book? Just a book with my juices marking every passage.
Eve licks the bible.
EVE (CONT’D) Hmmm, sssso good! I'm not evil, you know. And God isn't everything. Would you believe me if I told you I wanted acceptance and peace? Because I love you. You are me as I am you. Why can't you accept me? I just want...
Faith turns her back to Eve.
EVE (CONT’D) Always judging me. So be it. Judge away to your death. I don't care. I don't care. I never cared.
Eve stomps to the couch. She discards the bible next to the whip and handcuffs, then examines the broken cross stuck in her waistband. Eve angrily throws it towards Faith.
EVE (CONT’D) My God! Do you hear me? I never cared.
Faith reaches for the broken cross. Eve turns to her idols: whip and handcuffs. During Eve’s rant, Faith stands renewed with cross in hand.
EVE (CONT’D) These are all I need. All I need is you, yesss, to be complete. Make me whole, make me strong. Nothing's going to stop us from experiencing, yesss, all the grandeur, yesss, all the degradation of life, yessss.
Faith crosses the divide separating the two rooms.
FAITH No!
Eve turns to confront Faith with bible in one hand and whip in the other.
EVE You can't defeat me. I am what life is all about.
FAITH There's more to life than what you feel.
EVE There is only what we feel, what we know from what we touch. No hell, no heaven beyond this. And God has no part in my equation of life. FAITH Then you have nothing to fear. Shall we pray?
Eve slashes her whip at Faith. Faith continues undaunted. Eve tries to whip the cross out of Faith's hands. Failing that, Eve howls like an animal and lunges back and forth at Faith, but Faith calmly advances.
FAITH Pray with me.
EVE Never.
FAITH It doesn't have to end like this.
EVE How does it feel to have me at your mercy? Can you feel the rush in your loins?
FAITH Pray with me, Eve. It doesn't have to be like this.
EVE Ah, sister, we all die. But at least I can say I lived.
Faith raises the cross as if to strike.
EVE (CONT’D) My heart aches for you. My heart bleeds for you. My heart stops for you.
Faith strikes Eve with the cross. Eve collapses onto the couch.
EVE (CONT’D) How...does...it...feel?
The whip slips out of her hand, but Eve never releases the bible. Faith falls to her knees beside her. Father John enters and rushes to Eve.
FATHER JOHN Oh my God!
FAITH She wouldn't pray with me. She wouldn't, Father.
FATHER JOHN What has my Faith done?
Faith grabs the whip, and stands over Father John.
FAITH Will you pray with me?
FATHER JOHN It doesn't have to be done like this.
FAITH It has to be like it is. This is my life, John.
Father John drapes himself protectively over Eve.
FAITH (CONT’D) This is your life, John. It has to be like it is.
FATHER JOHN I didn't want it to end like this.
FAITH I can't rescue you from the facts of your life. It lies before you even now. Do you regret its loss even after you asked for its deliverance?
FATHER JOHN Who is right?
FAITH There is only one way.
FATHER JOHN Who is right?
FAITH What do you want, John?
FATHER JOHN I want it to be like it was.
FAITH You can't be like you were. You can't hide from what you are. Whom shall you choose, Father John?
FATHER JOHN It's so hard. It's so hard.
FAITH Take your crumb.
FATHER JOHN Is murder your deliverance, Faith?
FAITH I asked for my crumb, but it wasn't enough. God helps those who help themselves. As you did. As what you did. Your poor parents turns in their graves at John boy’s exploits.
FATHER JOHN How righteous is my Faith! You dare hypothesize God's death until yours is imminent. Then you call upon His Almighty grace to save you. Do you think yourself blessed as you sin in His name?
FAITH Whom shall you choose?
FATHER JOHN Our Father, who art in heaven, deliver me.
Father John knocks the whip out of Faith's hand. They struggle over the broken cross.
FAITH No! No! No!
Father John gets the cross and hits Faith. Faith falls next to Eve.
FAITH How...does...it...feel?
FATHER JOHN I am Father John.
Father John rends the bible to scraps of paper. Then he snaps the whip in half.
Scene XI
Father John stands holding the broken cross. He walks to the divide.
FATHER JOHN Thank you for listening to my secret...heart.
Faith and Eve step forth and stand at his side. Father John looks at Eve, then Faith.
FATHER JOHN I am still Father John.
Father John exits, but Faith and Eve remain behind.
END OF PLAY
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