CONGREGANT

What I want is for you to tell me the truth

PASTOR

I am.

CONGREGANT

no lying—not in this church, not at this pulpit

PASTOR

I don’t.

CONGREGANT

this business about Hell, would you have brought it up, before the church was paid for?

PASTOR

…

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

(After a moment of really searching for the answer …)

God had not yet told me to deliver that message

CONGREGANT

so you’re saying you never thought about how that sermon could maybe make it so the church wasn’t paid off, you’re telling me that you never worried about it, never crossed your mind.

PASTOR

…

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

no, I’m not saying that.

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

I do make decisions based on what’s best for the church. I try to make decisions based on—I think about what the congregation is ready for, and when they’re ready for it

CONGREGANT

how do you know what I’m ready for and what I’m not ready for, what gives you that—

PASTOR

in my heart—I felt that we needed to overcome one hurdle before we took on another—and I do think about—it’s not just about me—we have a board of directors—they handle the business of the church—I don’t—and it’s an enormous burden, right Elder Jay?

ELDER

…

CONGREGANT

I just want a good answer is all,

because that guy I was dating,

he made a lot of good points,

and I don’t know what to say back to him.

PASTOR

…

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

…

CONGREGANT

(Off-mic.)

you gonna say anything?

PASTOR

…

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

(Maybe half off-mic.)

I I I see how you um—

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

…

(And the silence goes on for a bit.)

(PASTOR is awkward.)

(But CONGREGANT waits for an answer.)

(But then she lowers her head, she nods.)

CONGREGANT

okay, I guess I’m gonna go.

PASTOR

…

CONGREGANT

…

PASTOR

…

(And she goes …)

(ELDER stands and exits.)

(And then the Music Director goes, too.)

(And then the Choir.)

(PASTOR turns back and looks at WIFE, regards her.)

(Long pause.)

(To the audience.)

and I look at my wife and I say,

hey

(Pause.)

(WIFE takes a mic.)

WIFE

hey

(Pause.)

PASTOR

I say,

how’re you holdin up there?

WIFE

I’m not sure

PASTOR

she says,

WIFE

I think more people just left our church

PASTOR

and she says,

WIFE

maybe

PASTOR

she says,

WIFE

maybe it’s not such a good idea to talk about Hitler.

PASTOR

And we lie in bed,

and I think, and she asks,

WIFE

what are you thinking

PASTOR

and I say

(To WIFE.)

I’m thinking

about that woman

WIFE

what woman

PASTOR

that woman Jenny, the woman who

WIFE

thinking what about her?

PASTOR

… Did she go to your Women’s Bible Study group?

WIFE

she did

PASTOR

and she had all those questions

WIFE

yes, she did

PASTOR

and it sorta made me wonder if she ever asked you