Apostolic Hours

Apostolic Hours

(Drama)

Characters: LUCY (a church ministry server) and SAMMY (LUCY’s best friend, an atheist, professional critic)

Time: The present. Approximately 9:30 P.M.

Setting: An empty, big, and very dark church that Lucy attends. Lucy and Sammy are the only ones here.

(Voice-over)

Although Sammy is atheist, she agrees to stop by Lucy’s church for a few minutes while Lucy has silent prayer time because she feels guilty that she took Lucy to see a live performance of The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe, and didn’t warn her of what the play was about. Lucy was so upset at the ending of the play, and how heavily the story was influenced by the theme of the devil and black magic, that Sammy agreed to go to church with her for a few minutes to calm her down. In the twenty years of their friendship, Lucy has always tried to make Sammy a believer, so Sammy knew this would cheer Lucy up. After they read a sign in front of the church that stated the church was not open to the public for the weekend, Lucy opened the church with her own pair of keys she has, as someone who serves in that church. Sammy insists they shouldn’t be inside.

SAMMY: I told you we shouldn’t be here. Besides the fact I’m not freakin’ religious, this church is obviously meant to be closed! It’s empty, and not even a candle is lit, Lucy! I can hardly see. I should have brought my cellphone, so I could use the cellphone light.

LUCY (Kneels at the first pew): Shhhhhhhh. There’s enough light coming from the moon through the ceiling windows. Now kneel and pray to the Blessed Father.

SAMMY (Sits at the first bench next to LUCY): “Pray to the Blesse…”? I’m an atheist! This is blasphemy! Why am I here anyway? Why am I your friend? (SAMMY slouches in the pew with her arms crossed).

LUCY:  Blessed Father, please forgive my friend Sammy. She is a good person. She’s just mad at the world right now.

SAMMY: I’m not mad at the world, I’m mad at you. And I’m leaving now. (Stands up and marches over to the front doors of the church).

LUCY: Ask the Blessed Father for forgiveness first. (Dangles church keys in SAMMY’s direction).

SAMMY: Don’t need to. (Shoves church doors with right shoulder and they won’t budge)

LUCY: Tell Him you’re sorry. (Smiles and continues dangling keys at SAMMY).

SAMMY: You locked us in here? Don’t make me wrestle you for that key, Lucy!

LUCY: I’m not letting you out until you apologize to my Blessed Father, Sammy. (Puts keys in pocket)

SAMMY: Then I have no choice. (Shrieks and begins charging at LUCY).

LUCY: You’re not getting these keys until you apologize to my Blessed Father! (Runs to the opposite end of church)

SAMMY: (Pause. Slouches over. Breathes heavily.) Lucy, give me the keys. Don’t make me kick your ass for them the way I did senior year in college.

LUCY: (Gasp) Now you’re never getting them. You just cursed inside of my Blessed Father’s home. Say sorry! (Pulls out keys and dangles them at SAMMY).

SAMMY: I said. I’m going to kick your ass! (Darts through pews)

LUCY: (Runs and recites) “Our father, who art in heaven, ho…

SAMMY: (SAMMY tackles LUCY) Stop praying! Stop! Sto…

LUCY: (Louder) …Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done…

SAMMY: (SAMMY jumps on top of LUCY and slams LUCY’s wrists against floor) Shut up! Shut up!

LUCY: Say sorry! Say sorry!

SAMMY: Give me the key first!

LUCY: I can’t…

SAMMY: Why…? (Sits up and releases LUCY’s wrists)

LUCY: Because remember when I was across from you and was dangling them? (Nervously laughs)

SAMMY: Yes…?

LUCY: Well…I thought you were going to kill me. So I ran for my life. And I didn’t have time to stick the keys back in my pocket and I tried to while I was running… (Squints eyes) Don’t hate me.

SAMMY: And…?

LUCY: …And I dropped them. (Covers face using arms)

SAMMY: (Stands up) Well, that’s okay. Let’s turn on these lights and look for them.

LUCY: (Slowly stands up) See, that’s the thing. In order to turn on the lights, we have to get in that room back there.

SAMMY: Great. Let’s go. (Starts walking over to room)

LUCY: (Pause) Um. The key to that same room is on that key chain I dropped somewhere in this dark church. (Covers face using hands)

SAMMY: (Long pause)…

LUCY: Please don’t hate me, Sammy! I promise in front of our Blessed Father that it was an acci-

SAMMY: He’s your Blessed Father! Not mine! When are you going to get that through your thick skull, Lucy?

LUCY: (Through tears) I just want you to be saved…you’re my best friend, Sammy. I’m worried about your soul. (Sits on the floor; against the wall)

SAMMY: (Long pause) (Sits on floor next to LUCY) If you truly believe in all of this…and I know you also believe in prayer, then instead of locking me in a church, how about praying for me and believing in it? (Smiles at LUCY)

LUCY: (Wipes tears with sleeves) I can do that.

SAMMY: Isn’t the God you believe in, well, nice?

LUCY: (Opens eyes big at SAMMY) Nice? Are you kidding? That doesn’t begin to describe him!

SAMMY: (Puts her arm around LUCY) Well, then maybe your prayers for me, and me being a good person, are enough to “save my soul,” if He’s so nice. Maybe? Don’t you think? (Smiles at LUCY)

LUCY: (Smiles back at SAMMY) Yea…Maybe you’re right.

SAMMY: And, you know. If you went through all this trouble, only to get us stuck in a church, I’m sure it’s because God must exist. (Looks over at LUCY)

LUCY: You really mean that?

SAMMY: I know your tears were genuine and although your actions were extreme, I know where they came from. Just promise me you won’t do this again, Lucy. (Raises eyebrows at LUCY)

LUCY: (Raises right hand) I promise before Ou…I promise before My Blessed Father that I will never do this to you again, Sammy. (Smile)

SAMMY: I’m going to need you to shake on that. (Extends right hand out to LUCY)

LUCY: (Smile) Okay, okay, okay. (Extends right hand out to SAMMY and shakes hands)

END

(I own complete rights to this play. You do not have the right to copy it or plagiarize it. And blah blah blah blah blah. You can share the link to this, but that's about it. Ha-ha-ha.) - With love, Lils.

Intro to fictional short story exercise

(These are the directions I was given. I'm not sure if this short story is worth pursuing, or if I will, but here is a second draft.)

SETTING EXERCISE

*3. Write a scene in which the character’s mood is at odds with the weather, but make the weather nevertheless express his or her mood--joyful rain, threatening blue skies, chilling summer beach, etc.*

No Title Yet

I knew waiting at the bus stop on a cloudy day was a bad idea, but yet, here I am anyway. As if it is not enough that the clouds rough-housed the sun away, now I have to deal with the wind being the Brainy to my Helga. I sit hunched over with my elbows touching my knees, my hands cradling my chin, and staring down at my feet. All of a sudden, I hear a deafening swoosh and feel the wrath of the wind after it picks up a newspaper and slaps me in the face with it. Here I am thinking the clouds were the bullies, when the wind just practically tried making me participate in a slap-boxing competition I clearly cannot win. Just as I am about to start challenging mother-nature, the bus shows up. I push up the sleeves on my sweater, huff and puff, and stomp on into the bus.

I hand over my identification to the bus-driver, and he tells me that I need two forms of identification to ride this bus.

My shoulders drop along with my jaw, and after a few seconds, I compose myself and say to the bus-driver: “Look, Sir. I was waiting out there for you for a good thirty minutes while the damn wind kicked my ass. And now you want to tell me that I need two forms of identification? Are you kidding me?”

In the most tiresome voice ever, the bus-driver said, “Son, I’m sorry you’re having a bad day, but my job is simply…”

I exclaimed, “…You know what? I’m just going to see my way out because you’re not going to let me ride anyway.” While I stomped back out of the bus, he slightly lifted the right corner of his mouth while shrugging.

This time the clouds were sending down cold daggers of ice at me. I thought to myself, ooo, you mad. Ain't ‘cha, Mother Nature?

(To be continued...maybe. Lol)

My Open Letter to the World

As you guys can see, it’s been a very long time since I’ve shared thoughts or even music on here. I figured, with so much on my mind, I should share some thoughts. There’s been so many thoughts running through my mind, and for a while I let those thoughts sit there. After having many negative experiences come from me speaking my mind, I figured it was better that I kept my words to myself. I was partially right. Remember that quote: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”? Well, for many years I thought that was a lousy cop-out to shelter the overly sensitive from the truth. Now that I’m a little older, I realize why the older generations practiced this. Sure, in some cases, this doesn’t apply. In my case, this applied. See, I was building a career off the truth, but I was being brutally rude while delivering the truth. Some people would say, “Good! Some people need it!” Here’s the thing, stepping back and looking at the world, I realize the world already has too many people who make a living off negative comments. That’s partially what’s wrong with today’s world. If I know that I have a knack for catching people’s attention through words, why am I using my gift negatively? I’m not saying I have to lie and praise things I surely don’t support, but I also don’t have to tear them down. Our world lacks compassion. Where did the compassion go?

I hear many people recently saying, “All hope is lost in humanity. I give up on people. Humans suck.” If we as humans are saying this about our own kind, we are only worsening the problem. Where is your hope? Even if you don’t believe in a higher power, where is your hope for your kids, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.? Are you going to let them walk into a cruel world with no hope? When did we, as people, stop caring? When did we start having this arrogant you-aren’t-informed-enough,-you-hypocrite attitude? I keep thinking to myself, “What is wrong with us people?!”  We point the finger at other humans who supposedly make us lose hope in humanity, but look in the mirror. We are no better for criticizing those people. Who’s more successful: the person sitting on their butt complaining about the issues and whining about how doomed we are, or the person failing, but trying? I’m not trying to come off condescending, or even rude. I many times, fall under this category also.

I’ve come to the conclusion that our parents and grandparents are more correct than we think. Why have times changed? Because we stopped respecting them and what they have to say. We are single-handedly destroying humanity. Worst part about it, we don’t even realize it. Someone once told me if you’re invited to the grown folk table you should sit there and listen. Take the opportunity to listen and take notes. Our parents and grandparents hold the key to saving humanity. We even have people from overseas looking at us in a condescending manner criticizing us. Nobody has the right to criticize anyone. Nobody’s hands are clean. We have all lacked compassion at one point or another.

“If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” More people need to start learning this, and putting it to use. It’s golden.

Some might be saying, “You’re right. Okay, how can I start helping to fix humanity?” My response is: be the best version of yourself. If you are like me and have been told your strengths are giving speeches and writing, pursue it! Be the best public speaker and writer you can be. Do it with the best intentions. Do it with confidence. You and the world are deserving of your talent! If you have vocal cords on you, grab a vocal coach and sing your butt off! Inspire people through your lyrics and voice. If you are good at rapping, rap and write your butt off and inspire others. If you are good at being a mother, raise disciplined children and motivate them to contribute to the world with whatever talent they possess. Some may think being a mother is not a gift, but not anyone can be a great mother. Everyone has something to offer this world, and the easiest way to hurt humanity is to not share that gift you were given. No contribution is mediocre. Be the best version of yourself and always offer your gift to others.

I realized that by not sharing my gift, I am also partially responsible for harming humanity. I have things of substance to share, so why am I letting them sit on my mind? Sure, they motivate me to move. But am I using my gift to its full potential if I’m the only person I’m influencing with it? Don’t be the only person you share your gift with. Make this world beautiful again. Share the positives within yourself.

Merry Christmas, and happy holidays to those who don’t celebrate Christmas. I hope I got at least one person to think. (I shared a video at the bottom. Feel free to listen at your own leisure.)

Lils

 

Passage from: "THE Book" (5/2011) by Lils

Life is a series of unfortunate events that prepare you for one great moment that makes the unfortunate events all worth it. You can call me a pessimist, or even a functionalist. Do I believe my life is full of blessings? Absolutely. There’s no doubt in my mind that my creator looks after me, especially since he gives me another chance at life every morning I get to open my eyes. I also believe that life is about carrying your cross. Most of us, because we are human, make the process of carrying our cross harder than it has to be by adding things to the cross to make it heavier. Some of us have chosen to make our crosses as light as possible, while others have chosen to carry their own cross plus someone else’s. If you don’t carry your cross on your own, do you deserve to reap all the benefits for yourself?

Good moments in life are like having someone bring that soaked sponge to your mouth while you’re on that jagged quest to reach the top of the mountain. The water is a break of sorts. We all get those water breaks, and they usually come from someone we love or respect. I’ve had my fair share of water breaks. Some of those water breaks came from people who have walked the path next to me and every once in a while held the sponge up to my mouth when they saw I needed it most. Other times it came from people who decided to help momentarily, before finding someone else to help. From my perspective, all those who have been responsible for holding that sponge up to my mouth deserve respect. It doesn’t matter who was more consistent. Some of those people who held that sponge up to my mouth added to my cross at the same time. Some have even gone as far as leaning on my cross while I was trying to move/carry it. Some crosses naturally come heavier than others. My mom has always said I’ve had an unusual strength. Haha.

Anyway, my point is this. Carry your cross, no matter how heavy it is, without complaining. You don’t know whose cross might actually be heavier. Be grateful for the people along the road who hold that sponge up to your mouth. Don’t mind those who add to your cross because someone later down the road will help take some of the load off your cross.

Now, I’m not saying we’re like Jesus. I’m saying, whether you believe in him or not, the story has a moral and theme that we can all apply to our lives. Complaining about how heavy your cross is doesn’t make it any lighter. If anything, complaining drains your energy. If you have the opportunity to put your cross down and hold that sponge to someone’s mouth, do it. Who knows, maybe they haven’t had water in a long time and were on the verge of collapsing. If you purposefully add to someone else’s cross you are adding double to yours. If you spend all your time adding to other’s weight, you will never reach the top.

So, you choose.  

"Lily"

Can this Easter Lily withstand the test of time?

Month 1: It has just sprouted, beautiful, radiant, and pure.

Month 2: The weather changes and makes it harder for it to stand.

Month 3: It’s still beautiful but its petals are a bit dull.

Month 4: It begins to fall apart.

Month 5: Nobody checks to see how it’s holding up.

Month 6: All comes down, but the bare core.

Month 7: It begins to hunch over in despair.

Month 8: Its despair deepens. With no adorning petals to make it love alive, it loses hope.

Month 9: It’s gone and leaves only a memory of the space it once took up on Earth.

"The Magnet"

Angelic lips,

Stimulating breaths,

Complaisant finger-tips,

Gleaming smile,

Twinkling eyes,

Sheltering embrace,

Brilliant mind,

Uplifting laugh,

Soothing voice,

Enthralling soul, it's all but my favorite fable..

"Assiduous"

Weeping Willows scream as I sway by.

My rear view is shattered.

The tall weeds tickle my extremities and cause my tendons to twitch.

Just as I’m getting away, I hit the ground.

The sun hides in fear of what’s to come.

The skies scream at me to get up.

Just as I’m about to stand, the clouds start shedding tears at my disobedience.

I get the courage to get up and stagger through the mud puddles trying to make me stay.

I spot a hill and make it to the top.

I look back at what I’ve left behind, turn around, and witness what’s to come.

"Threshold"



I’m confined to a certain space. Why can I only travel left to right?
I have the ability to express myself freely. Why is someone else telling me what to say?
The sensation of communicating with what completes me is what keeps me sane. Why does my other half insist on setting rules and boundaries?
The bold red lines tell me to stay in my place. What if my place is beyond the bold red lines?

I’m guided by a stronger power, that power has control of what I’m communicating to you right now.
But, I’ve also noticed that higher-power is controlled by something other than itself, a subconscious.
So at the end of the day, I guess you humans pause to margins and follow subconscious rules, too.
You’re no better than I, the pencil...