Chapter 1 is in the midst of a re-write.  Currently it is in play form.  I have included the original version for a sense of completeness to the story.

Scene 6  -- A Jack Armstrong Mystery

 Players:

Jack Armstrong--32 year old Fiancee to Amy Hoodman

Alan Hoodman--34 year old brother to Amy Hoodman and Peter Hoodman, recently released   from prison in Paris, France.  He was a CIA operative that was framed for assassinating  the President, Alain Pierre of France.  Three years later he was released due to the son  of the President being found to be the real assassin.

Amy Hoodman--Sister to Peter Hoodman and Fiancee to Jack Armstrong; works as a music  teacher at a local elementary school.
 
Peter Hoodman--Recent graduate of Smithville Military Academy, Planning to marry his high  school sweetheart, Becky Greene after finishing summer Officer’s Training School at  Pensacola Florida.

Charlie Ford--Former history for all the friends--Secret, mortal enemy of Jack Armstrong and  Alan Hoodman

John Paul Francois--Encouraged of Alan Hoodman while Hoodman was in prison; teacher of  Jack Armstrong

(The Long Hills Community Church in Smithville, California.  The church seats about 200 people and is decorated with old wooden pews and wooden floors.  Amy, Jack and Alan, and Peter, Alan’s younger brother, are seated in the front of the church on an altar.  Alan has been away in prison for three years in Paris, France--He had been framed for murder.  He has been in the country for three weeks and arrived in town a week ago.)

Alan: I brought you here to tell you the truth of what happened to me three years ago.

Amy: Alan, we all love you...we understand that it was an accident...you did not mean to  kill...(Alan interrupts with a quick, fervent answer.)

Alan: Amy, I’m sorry this hasn’t been easy for you...(He hands her a wildflower.) We all four grew up together--(Alan looks at Jack) Jack, I used to love throwing dirt clods at Amy and Peter with you...we didn’t want kids to disturb our fort.  Unfortunately, I brought you here tell you the truth of what happened and how all of our lives are in danger.

Peter: Alan??(Alan continues)
 
Alan: (Pleadingly) Listen...Please.  I have been involved in a CIA cover-up and I have learned a bitter lesson as to why Father always used to tell us trust in God more than in the good words of men.  While I was in China many years ago with the Army, I was asked to acquire confidential papers from the Chinese government.  I was successful and became recognized as a valuable commodity to our country’s intelligence agencies.  When I wanted to leave the Army and come back to work with dad on the farm, the operatives blackmailed and sent me to Bogota, Columbia.  Those two years in the drug infested jungles were like a living “hell” to me...if only “Hell” would that nice.  I am ashamed that I did not face the firing squads in China, Columbia, Iran and Iraq that wanted my head.  Finally, three and a half years ago the operatives promised me that the assassination be a publicity stunt to save the conservative government before the election.  Everything went crazy that day.  I ended up in jail and was never released until three weeks ago.  While in jail, many men died of starvation, and of hopelessness.  We were kept in a ship at Marseilles at the dockyards.  We fought the rats every night for a place to sleep.  One man shared everything he had until he died.  His name was John Paul Francois.  One hour after he died a crazy heroin addict started screaming.  He’s dead, he’s dead, God is finally dead and then he started hideous laughing.  Many of the sane men started beating their hands on the walls and crying in desperation.  At that moment...John Paul got up and walked--he grabbed the heroin addict by the hair on the top of his head and forced his head into a dirty tub of water.  John Paul said the words, “Be clean!”  When the addict came out of the water, his stupor was ended and he thanked John Paul for he could think and breathe again.  John Paul then looked at me straight in the eyes and commanded, “It is time for you to go home and speak my words to your family.  Go now!”  He then disappeared.  At that moment the guard came and released me.  Here I am.   The words that were spoken to me encouraged me to remember the ways of my Father and Mother.  He told me not to be good, but to receive good only through the Savior.  The most holy Christ, Jesus who died and came to life again, and sits in heaven for all ages, to be worshipped and adored.  It is imperative that all of us make a commitment to Believing in Jesus in our hearts and sharing that we will follow the ways of God all our lives to each other and all our friends.

 We must now pray.  Pray after me.  Lord Jesus, Please forgive us for all that we have ddone.  Let us live in your ways for the rest of our lives.  AMEN.

 How do you all feel?

Jack: Thank you for reminding me...I am not sure how to live...will God help me?

Amy: He will, Jack...we will read the Bible together and learn the right way to live.

Peter: Alan will tell Becky the story?

Alan: Yes, my little brother(A scream interrupts)
 
Charlie:  The time has come, Alan,  for me to give you death!!...what a fool bringing and telling your family the whole story...they could have remained alive...now you will all die.

Jack: No!!!!!(Jack screams) Charlie...you were our teacher....You will die first, Armstrong.  I hated your good deeds and solving of mysteries.  You sent my best operative to prison for life.  No!!!(He screams and pulls his gun, Charlie starts firing and shoots Alan, Amy and Peter through the head with his semi-automatic pistol.  He shoots Jack through the arm.  Jack shoots him in the stomach.)

Charlie:  (Laughing) What a liar I am...The Angel said that I could have all of these other ones,  but not you.  The Angel told me that you had many things; yet to do--that I could not  touch you.  What a liar I am...you grabbed your gun and shot me, but the Angel said I  would die whether you shot me or not.   The Angel told me to remember what my Father  used to tell me , “Son, no matter how far you go, ask God to forgive you for the wrong  road you have chosen; otherwise it will lead to Hell.”  My father was wrong...What a liar  I am...What a stupid bitter, drunken liar I am...I am going to my Father...(He laughs,  chokes, louder and louder, and starts screaming for a minute...then is silent cold  and dead.)

Jack: (Jack falls down against the altar and cries)Ohhhhh, Jesus....Ohhhhh,  Jesus,...(Interrupted  by a strong sweet voice).

John Paul Francois: I revealed myself to Alan so that you all would be saved from a fate similar to Charlie Ford.   Charlie was like you and Peter...good families and a desire to do right and be patriotic for his country.  Charlie, in his own mind died for his country...and he went to Hell...you four were destined to be with him.  I gave you a different option and  knew that you would choose the right way...Charlie, 15 years chose the wrong way and in  the name of moral refinement and sophistication--He never came back...(With tears in his eyes and his voice)..I loved that guy...what a waste.  Alan knew me as John Paul Francois,  you know me...Alan knew me...I used to listen to you all sing around the campfire during summer nights with your parents.  By the way,  you are alive because there are more things for you to do...but never shoot anyone, again, unless I tell you to...and I will tell you to, sometimes; however, usually when you trust that person and he is ready to stab you in the back.  The rest of the time ask me for help...I will protect you always!  You see, Charlie Ford had a heart attack before the bullet from your gun hit his body.  Charlie Ford was three-quarters of the way to Hell, before you pulled the gun.  You will hurt for awhile and then I will bring you healing forever.  Goodbye, my son.  I will see you in my Spirit. (John Paul walks away and Jack sees Charlie being beaten  and shaken by demons in Hell...then Hell disappears.   Jack then sees Amy, Peter,  and Alan holding hands and smiling.  He hears them crying and singing the words...)

Amy, Peter, and Alan:    Jesus, Jesus, Thank You, Jesus, Thank You Jesus!  We knew it all the  time...there is no one like you Jesus, Jesus, Thank You.!!!!

(Jack Armstrong smiles and then passes out...a police siren is heard in the distance)

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