(GENERAL standing at map-covered war table with LIEUTENANT advising, both visibly upset, studying maps)
GENERAL:
(tapping on a map, comparing to another map) For the time being a limited airstrike is out of the question. There are just far too many of our people mixed in -- too many innocents will be harmed.
LIEUTENANT:
These rebels have reneged on every pact you have offered them, General. They cannot live in peace -- their very hearts cry out for war and bloodshed. How much longer will you contend with them?
GENERAL:
I am afraid not much longer. Still, I cannot bring myself to annihilate them. I cannot help but love them. Even now.
LIEUTENANT:
Of course I respect your judgment, General, Sir, but I cannot help but think that the situation is hopeless. These rebels break peace treaty after peace treaty, they trample on pact after pact, agreement after agreement.
GENERAL:
Still, we must prepare for our ultimate negotiation. (pointing through maps) For now, we will proceed with our rescue mission: I want a contingent of our best commandos dropping back here, behind the enemy lines, and I want some radio boosters dug in here, and here, and here -- here and especially, here. Lieutenant, it seems no matter how we put the message out, we are ignored.
LIEUTENANT:
Fine, Sir, I will deploy those orders immediately. (turns and whispers into cell phone as GENERAL speaks to Himself)
GENERAL:
(speaking to Self) Even now, I can hardly give the Ultimate Orders. If there was only some other way. I cannot bear to think of Him in such danger, in such a humiliating circumstance -- such unwarranted pain, such disrespect.
LIEUTENANT:
(off the phone) Sir, I'm afraid I don't understand, General. I just received a report that the Commander of the Host has moved to the front lines.
GENERAL:
(taking deep breath) Yes, Lieutenant. Our Ultimate Plan is moving into place.
LIEUTENANT:
(emotion building) With all respect, Sir, I request permission to accompany the Commander.
GENERAL:
Your request is denied. The Commander must proceed unaccompanied.
LIEUTENANT:
(outraged, angry, but very respectful) ALONE! General, Sir! With all respect, Sir, I would really like to be at my Commander's side...
GENERAL:
(gripping LIEUTENANT's shoulder, turning back to maps) You will have to trust Us, Lieutenant. I appreciate your concern.
SERGEANT:
(rushing in, upset, near tears, bravely keeping respectful, waving a sheet of paper) Sir! Sir! General, Sir! A report, Sir! Terrible news! Oh it is terrible news, Sir! (salutes)
LIEUTENANT:
(returns salute) Calm yourself, Sergeant! Give me the report, and tell the General your news!
SERGEANT:
(The Commander of the Host has proceeded to the enemy lines! And He is completely unprotected! The enemy is attacking Him, even now! We've gotta DO something!
LIEUTENANT:
(with direct military precision, spitting out orders) THIS IS LUNACY! Assemble a full battalion of our toughest commandos, Sergeant! I will lead them myself -- I want full air support -- round up all the agents in the field and make it pronto soldier!
SERGEANT:
YES SIR! My pleasure, Sir! (turning to rush from room but is interrupted by GENERAL)
GENERAL:
(calmly, gravely, quietly) Belay those orders, Sergeant! The Commander of the Host must proceed alone.
LIEUTENANT/SERGEANT:
(in confused, upset chaos, breaking into incoherent babble, both swarming about the GENERAL) SIR! There must be some mistake! Sir! This is too much! We must support the Commander! Please reconsider, General! Sir, let us help, please let us help, Sir! (LIEUTENANT/SERGEANT mix up lines)
GENERAL:
(raising hands -- INSTANT silence, long pause) Some tough times are ahead, my friends. Strengthen yourselves, and trust in Me. Trust in your Commander. Brace yourselves for terrible things.
CORPORAL:
(rushing in, extremely upset, waving sheet of paper) General! Sir! Terrible news, Sir! (saluting)
LIEUTENANT:
(returns salute, at the breaking point, losing temper) Now WHAT!? What is your news, Corporal?
CORPORAL:
The Commander has been surrounded by the enemy, and He is not wearing His armor! He is completely vulnerable! They are going to KILL Him!!!
LIEUTENANT/SERGEANT/CORPORAL:
(after a pause the CORPORAL joins in as well, pleading and begging) We must DO SOMETHING! This is crazy! Oh, I'm going to die! Rally the soldiers! To His side! Protect the Commander! To the Commander's side! Save the Commander! (mix up lines in terrific passionate babble)
GENERAL:
(slamming fist on table, and roaring) SILENCE! (they immediately quiet, but are visibly anxious, fidgeting) Resolve yourselves, my faithful soldiers. These will be some tough, terrible moments for you -- but these are my orders, as well as those of the Commander. Take hope, friends, because the Commander IS wearing armor. You must trust me.
Corporal, what else is in your report? Anything concerning the Commander's activity in the field?
CORPORAL:
Sir! Yes SIR! The Commander seems to be constructing something. Sir, He is building some form of -- an excavation, or a TUNNEL -- right in the heart of enemy territory. Building it, all alone.
GENERAL:
Very well. Thank you, Corporal. There IS hope, then. We must have peace. The price will be terrible. But we must have peace. Our Ultimate Plan is on schedule.
(cell phone rings, LIEUTENANT answers)
LIEUTENANT:
(speaking into phone) Lieutenant Gabriel. Please report. WHAT!? (visibly shaken, a growing horror, disbelief, the others wait with alarm, wringing hands, pacing, shaking, only the GENERAL is calm, waiting, studying His hands upon the maps) NO! That is IMPOSSIBLE! WHAT!? NOOOO!
SERGEANT/CORPORAL:
I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! What is happening! Tell us, PLEASE! (speak together, in tears)
LIEUTENANT:
(closing cell phone, staring, turns blankly to others in state of shock) The Commander has been wounded. He has almost completed the bridge to our side. But He is not expected to survive...
SERGEANT:
(falling to knees before GENERAL, very emotional) PLEASE let me go, Sir! I can be at His side in a moment, General, Sir! I NEED to go
GENERAL:
(placing hand upon SERGEANT's head, very moved, choked with emotion) I appreciate your devotion, my fine warriors. But . . . no. No. I am . . . so sorry. But no
(all bow their heads, grim, brimming with emotion, grief -- cell phone rings)
LIEUTENANT:
Lieutenant Gabriel. Please report. Yes. (listening) Yes. Yes. (voice softening, choking with emotion) I . . . understand. Yes. Thank you.
SERGEANT/CORPORAL:
(looking up, turning to LIEUTENANT with hope, reading his expression, hope failing, drop their heads)
LIEUTENANT:
The bridge has been completed. (very long pause, fighting for control of emotions) The Commander is dead. (very long pause, covers face with hands, as does everyone) The Commander's final report: "It is finished." (lowers head, weeping)
GENERAL:
(behind hands) It is finished. The tunnel is complete. And now, finally peace. (drops hands from face, is bone weary, exhausted, bleary eyed, weeping) My children may enter the tunnel, and be covered. We have purchased peace, with the Commander's blood. Now my children can reach me -- we have purchased peace . . . (long pause) with . . . my . . . SON's . . . blood...
(long silence of shared misery and defeat)
LIEUTENANT:
(finally looking up) General? And our Commander? Must He . . . remain . . . behind enemy lines?
GENERAL:
(looking up, smiling, wiping away tears) That is the Good News, my friends. (he reaches and consoles each of them, patting backs, gripping shoulders) For your Commander is the Firstfruits of all those who will cross the tunnel. (they all respond with ecstatic smiles) Do you know what that means, my friends? Yes, I see you do!
(with building joy) My good, good friends, on the third day, HE SHALL RISE AGAIN.
(the group begins to exchange looks, building in excitement, building in joy, clasping hands in a circle)
__________________________________________
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Always a parable. Storytelling making the difference.
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