Time: Summer of July 2004

Place: Philadelphia, Pa

Description: The stage is divided into three (3) sections. Only section 2, center stage, will be used for the prologue. There is dialogue between Mr. Malice and Mr. Grace. The red and blue stage lights hit center stage (section 2) with the light beams crossing. The red light is on Mr. Grace the defense lawyer and the blue light on Mr. Malice, the prosecutor. They have just finished jogging and are both wearing sweat suits. They are sitting at a round table covered with a white linen tablecloth. There is a vase filled with red and white carnations. Mr. Malice pours both himself and Mr. Grace a tall glass of spring water from the chilled pitcher. A formally dressed waiter brings out a bottle of Dom Perignon and pours it into the chilled silver-champagne flutes.

They are having a discussion about the upcoming case.

MR. MALICE:

(wiping his brow with towel)

You know GRACE, one of these days you may actually beat me either on the track or in the courtroom. (pumps up sneaker, smirks then chuckles arrogantly)

I love luring you into the that false sense of possibly beating me and then pouring it on in the end and watching you wallow in defeat.

(clenches fists towards the sky)

MR. GRACE:

(laughing while stretching)

One day MALICE, one day you are going down my brother.

MR. MALICE:

(inquisitively)

That reminds me. Have you seen that case on the trial docket today, David MASKE a.k.a. Old Man?

MR.GRACE:

(sips quickly then places flute on table)

Yes I have.

MR. MALICE:

Well, after reviewing his life tapes, we may need to build a new level in Hell.

MR. GRACE:

(assuredly)

Well in the end, we will all burn together no matter what level we are occupying for now! But MR. MALICE, I think I can get this one sentenced to level 5 until Judgment.

MR. MALICE:

(surprised)

Level 5, are you reviewing the same case I am? This was a nasty, arrogant, angry individual. His words and actions were as fatal as a sniper’s bullet.

MR. GRACE:

But he never physically killed anyone.

MR. MALICE:

(gets up and places hand on GRACE’S shoulders)

Son, there is nothing worse than murdering someone’s spirit. There’s nothing more damning that killing someone’s hopes and dreams, especially before they even get off the ground.

MR. GRACE:

(strongly)

Well I think that if he was shown more love he would have exhibited more love.

MR. MALICE:

(passionately)

But for love to happen you must allow people in to love you. You must allow yourself to be hurt to take that chance on experiencing love. He was a coward and chose to withdrawn from everyone into his own little world. He was so cold that his heart must have been made of ice.

MR. GRACE:

(pounds fist into open hand)

I just truly believe that he can be reached under that rough exterior. I know he can be changed.

MR. MALICE:

(exasperated, walks towards center stage and the audience)

When will you learn your lesson GRACE? Mankind is not going to change! They’re getting worse. Above ground dwellers this past century have no regard or respect for anyone or anything.

(walks to stage left places hands in a praying manner)

They don’t even respect God unless He’s doing something for them! And when the going gets tough they deny or bail out on Him and let their god of choice, anything from gluttony, sex to drugs console them.

MR. GRACE:

(walks stage left and faces MALICE)

But just suppose, just suppose he could change? He would be a living testimony for God.

"Oh Lord, if you help me get over this hangover I'll never drink again, just give me one more chance. This comment is usually spouted while draped around the toilet bowl like an ex-lover. Or Lord, if you get me out of this bad relationship, I promise that I'll wait for you to pick my next mate. All I ask for is one more chance. We call upon the Lord to deliver us from ourselves although we don't see it that way. We become victims of our own bad decisions. We ask Him for guidance and direction yet will do what we want anyway. He knows all and answer our prayers yet still allow us to make our own decisions which in my case are ninety-five percent wrong. Mind you, this is probably only my story.