#21
View attachment 424543
White House press briefing. Press Secretary Jane Pauley is at the podium.
“Of course we take it seriously. There have been something like 500 deaths from this disease, with what looks like a very high mortality rate. The CDC submits regular briefings to the president and as I’m sure you know by now he reads every single one.”
“And does the president have any statement about the people it’s affecting?”
“As you know, the president’s faith informs but does not drive his decision-making in office. While he personally cannot condone the activities that brought these victims to this state, he has nothing but compassion for the sick, and their families. Let’s remember these men all have mothers, ladies and gentlemen.”
“Are there any specific policy initiatives you’re considering to address it?”
“The danger from this disease is so new that our experts at the CDC and NIH have yet to have sufficient chance to study it. One thing I do know is that there is a drug policy bill under negotiation that should have implications for the spread of the disease, if congress is willing to meet the president’s call for the humane treatment of addicts.”
----
7th and Euclid
“EXTRY! EXTRY! Read all about it! Criminal code overhauled! Sentencing guidelines streamlined!”
“Al.”
“New penalties for white-collar crime, drug trafficking!”
“Hey, Al.”
EXTRY! Billions for rehab and communities, longer sentences for dealers; congress strikes compromise on drugs bill! EXTRY!
“You just ignoring me now?”
“Falwell Founds National Christian Environmental Congress! EXTRY!”
“Are we not talking anymore? What if it’s important?”
“EXTRY! EXTRY!”
“Al.”
“EXTRY!”
“Al.”
“EXTRY! Magnum P.I. tops ratings!
“Al.”
“Local pestering falafel vendor Hashim missing, presumed dead!”
“Hey!”
“Former best friend Al comforts attractive widow! EXTRY!”
“It’s true, my wife
is very attractive...”
----
Chad, a local pastor, enters the office of Eric, a congregant who also works at the county planning office.
“Chad! Good to see you!”
“Eric, hello!”
“I didn’t know I’d be seeing you today, what brings you down?”
“Well I was just filing some new permits and I thought it would be good to stop by and check on my favorite congregant.”
“Pff, stop it. Permits? Are we doing any construction at the church I didn’t hear about? We didn’t get the funding for the school already, did we?”
“No, I wish that it were so. A school would be a blessing. No, I have some joyous news, Eric. It’s a little strange because while my news is good, it comes with some sadness. I’m seeding a new congregation, Eric. And I hope you’ll consider coming with me.”
“What? Chad…”
Chad flashes Eric his rictus grin, though in truth the expression is rarely off his face.
“It has to be done. We have to follow Christ’s path, you know that’s our one duty on this Earth. It’s my never-ending joy to do it, just as I know it’s yours, brother. But we can’t do it from Pledged Grace Church anymore.”
“I don’t understand, you’re building a new church? What happened?”
“We- Brian and I and the other members of the leadership- we’ve had some differences of late. Some of us feel that Brian has been tempted down the wrong path. We think perhaps he’s been deceived, but we also know he’s not blameless. After he attended that meeting with the rever- with Mr. Falwell, he came back talking about moving the church away from Christ’s light to focus on more worldly matters.”
“I can’t believe it. You’re fighting over...over the tree-planting program?”
“That’s just one symptom. And you know, if it were just planting trees, of course there’s nothing wrong with that! Planting trees is a fine, perhaps even a noble, pursuit. But you can’t say you’re doing it in Jesus’s name. That’s blasphemy. And it’s unsupported by the text. And you know, besides, it’s more than that. There’s his communion with the Catholics.”
“The homeless shelter? Chad, people love the new shelter program. The archdiocese has the biggest support network in the area, it made no sense to build a new one when they were already-”
Chad starts laughing. Like. Too much.
“Eric! Eric! What are you saying? It almost sounds like you’re in favor of all that Catholic superstition, and I know that’s not you. We cannot compromise on issues of faith. We must not encourage false strains of Christianity, surely you see that. The bottom line is that Brian’s been tempted to seek fame. We believe he’s suffering from an excess of pride. And so we’re left with no choice.”
Brian looks dubious.
“Well if Brian is the problem, why are you leaving?”
Chad raises his arms in a shrug.
“It seems the Lord has offered me a lesson in humility. I was out-voted. But it is such a blessed opportunity, Eric, I’m so grateful the Lord has given it to me. We have a chance to start again, to learn from our mistakes, and to make for Him a truly devoted place on this Earth. And Eric, with all due humility, I want to welcome you into this new community.”
Eric doesn’t quite know what to say and stays quiet. Chad gives Eric that famous look of his, that look that says you’ve disappointed him, that look that’s halted a thousand questions and forced a thousand apologies from unprepared lips.
“Well I can see you might need some time. When you decide you want to join us in God’s grace, we’ll be there to welcome you.”
Eric still says nothing and refuses to make eye contact. Chad, truly angry now, but as ever trying to hide the emotion in public, gets up to leave before he says something rash that might affect his all-important reputation.
“Please give my love to Elise and the kids.”