This is the first of a series of plays in which Godfrey and Hadley discuss various issues and opportunities. Here they are considering the options of how Godfrey might have a closer relationship with humankind. Presented at Rainbow Mennonite Church and the Uptown Arts Bar in December 2015.
Godfrey and Hadley are having coffee
Godfrey: H, I have an idea
Hadley: Oh no here we go again. You remember what happened last time you had an idea? Create those creatures you said, they will be good for the earth you said. How did that turn out? Huh?
Godfrey: Well, not as well as I hoped but….
Hadley: And then there was that big flood thing, seemed harsh but it was going to clean things up some, did that last? No, I don’t think so, and then there was a thing about a burning bush and….
Godfrey: Ok, enough, yes things have not gone great but I’m lonely still and I want to connect with them
Hadley: G, you have me? Am I not enough? We have big discussions, we get along… well, sort of
Godfrey: H, yes, I have you and I won’t ever be done with you but I want more. H, I’m thinking of being with them.
Hadley: Huh? You’re kidding, right?
Godfrey: Well, no, no I’m not. It sounds crazy I suppose
Hadley: Sounds! Sounds crazy???? You suppose??? Yes, G, that’s crazy. Never mind the mechanics of this but why?
Godfrey: Well, I want a real connection; I want to offer them something that is more than they are today….something that could give them a way to go beyond what they are. I want to relate to them.
Hadley: G, listen to me. Have you seen them? Look at them!!! Do you really want to be there? They have not turned into such a great thing. They have their ways and they can be cute sometimes but, really, they are a mess. Don’t be stooping to them. You are the big Godfrey, Almighty, Beginning and Ending all things. Look! Look! Look at me. Don’t do this. I’m not very sentimental but I really hate to see you hurt and I don’t have much hope when it comes to them.
Godfrey: H, that’s the problem with you. No hope at all. You see them and you are disgusted. You don’t want to have them succeed and have anything better. Well, I do. I want more. H, this is for them but it’s also for me. It bothers me that I got this all started and it’s not going well. Maybe they just need an example, you know, someone who can give them some ideals and ways to live that will make them happier.
Hadley: G, look at them. Why, they’re happy, they do seem to get into war a lot but then they fight for awhile and make up and they seem to be having children…..I don’t know I suppose you think it should go better, you’re like that but I say leave them alone and let them suffer through it all. They disgust me and I would think you would feel the same way, they aren’t exactly paying you any respect after all and you would think they would, after all, you gave them their start and got them going.
Godfrey: H, you are impossible. You see them and you see only what they are today. I see them and I love them and I want more. I’m not satisfied, H and it hurts me and since I started it all, I’m going to get involved and offer them something.
Hadley: What do you mean offer them something? Why not give it to them straight….cram it down their little throats and get what you want?
Godfrey: I suppose I could do that, maybe it would take hold this time.
Hadley: Yes, now you’re talking. Let them have it. I’ll even help you. Right in the face, Push it on them. They’ll know who’s boss then and, like you said, you’re lonely and they ought to feel you a little more….might be good for them and you!
Godfrey: Well, that’s an idea. But, I just can’t get past that I want to offer them an option; let them decide.
Hadley: G, for God’s sake (oh, sorry) for the sake of the heavens, why won’t you listen to me!!?! You want to let them decide; give them options, open doors for them?? NO, a thousand times NO. If you want a connection then hook ‘em! You’ll have a connection all right and they’ll know it and you’ll know it. Things will be better and then you and I can get back to having some good coffee and a little more peace and quiet up here.
Godfrey: Yeah, maybe
(reads the paper, drinks some coffee, walks around a little)……..
Godfrey: H, I can’t forget it
Hadley: Oh, for sake of Gabriel’s wings what is it now?
Godfrey: That idea of having a better connection with them. I want to send part of me to them. I don’t think they will want to turn away; I have hope that they will get it and I can’t get over it. It keeps bothering me and keeping me up at night….even Gabriella is worried now about me
Hadley: OK, you need a connection. You want to be close to them. Whatever, just remember I told you so. I warned you not to get too close. They are going to hurt you, G. You are going to be disappointed and this is not going to work.
Godfrey: No, I don’t suppose it will be perfect. But I want to love them, H. I don’t know how, really, but I want to and I want them to decide to be with me and even love me. I need this. I’m sad and I’m lonely. I may be the Beginning and the End as you say but I need something in the middle, H. And they are it. I miss them.
Hadley: Sentimental, old fool! I care about you but you won’t listen to me! No, you have to go getting involved with those, those creatures, those humans. Eeek! Have you even watched them?? They seem hopeless to me but I suppose you are going to go your own way. You always do; never listen to good practical reason! So, what are you going to do?
Godfrey: Send a child.
Hadley: Huh, say that gain.
Godfrey: Send a child; as a baby. I think I will send a boy.
Hadley: Oh, ok, well, they have babies all the time so I suppose you could pick one and give it some sort of power. You know a little “leg up” so to speak. I saw a really cute blond one this morning. Good looking. Big boy! Seems smart. Really good parents too as far as I can tell. They’ve got money so I suppose if you have to do this you should start with one that has something going for him…..I bet we can work it so that he gets into some good schools and gets connected well, get a good position with one of those big things they have…what do they call them?
Godfrey: You mean businesses?
Hadley: No, I was thinking that you would want him to be in a…..a church!! You always like good works and good deeds so put him in there, set him up G! Get him into a mega-one! Let’s get going and then you’ll be happy. Maybe this could even be fun and I might even grow to like this.
Godfrey: H, stop it. That’s not what I want.
Hadley: Are you never satisfied? What is it you want?
Godfrey: I want to offer myself to them.
Hadley: Offer yourself? I thought you wanted to send a baby.
Godfrey: Yes, my baby.
Hadley: Your. baby. a baby from G, almighty. I don’t think so. You need more coffee.
Godfrey: No, I’m serious.
Hadley: Have you seen how the humans do that?? It is more than disgusting! That is not possible. You have gone over the edge this time, G. You are way out there. You need to rest, I’m calling Gabriella.
Godfrey: I’ve already talked with her.
Hadley: And?
Godfrey: She says she can work it out.
Hadley: Work it out? What? Are you going to go hang out in a bar somewhere? What kind of pickup line does G almighty use? Hi, I’m Godfrey, King of all there is. Maker of everything. God of fire and a jealous God….. wanna make a baby?
Godfrey: Stop it, H. It’s not like that. I’m not like that and you know it.
Hadley: That’s the point, G. You’re not so you should stay in your place and forget this. What was Gabby even thinking?
Godfrey: She says she can send a baby to Mary, the daughter of Elizabeth, the betrothed of Joseph.
Hadley: Are you nuts? Mary? The betrothed of Joseph? Never mind the mechanics of that idea, they are poor, G. No home. No place to stay. No income. and, huh, G…. they. are. Jewish. This could not be more wrong. He’s a carpenter! They’re not even married yet! Holy smokes, where did this go off the rails so far?! You should have talked to me earlier so that I could help with this planning.
Godfrey: H, I tried to but you wouldn’t listen. You just scorned the idea and made fun of me and them for that matter. So, I kept thinking about it and Gabriella is set to make the announcement.
Hadley: Announcement? G, Almighty is sending out a birth announcement?
Godfrey: No, the choir is doing it. I think you might even like it. They’ve been practicing. Want some more coffee?
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