Typecast

Typecast (a work in progress)

Act 1
John, Hollywood producer has hired Cal as the director for an action movie which is currently in pre-production. John has a number of films in various stages of production. John is talking on his cell phone as he approaches Cal on the lot.

Cal: Hey John.
John: Hey Cal. How goes the prep for the greatest, heist movie of all time?
Cal: Good. The script is in good shape and I have most of the tech people lined up. I’m gonna use the same cinematographer as on my last picture. But we need to start casting the major roles soon if we are to meet our production deadlines.
John: What do you need?
Cal: Well I want to be true to the material and true to life. To do that I need to find actors who can find the essence of their character. People who just feel right for the part. I like to cast according to type. I have some ideas.
John: Sounds good. I already have a good relationship with Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, so if we can work them in that would get us off to a good start.
Cal: Do you have some time right now to brainstorm a few ideas?
John: Absolutely, what do you have in mind.
Cal: Well, first we need to find our male lead.
John: Crucial. Gotta be a big box office draw.
Cal: Right. In the old days I would have thought of someone like Henry Fonda or Gregory Peck. Guys with stature. Today I think of … hmm, you know there aren't that many left in our cynical, post-modern world. Harrison Ford, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, come to mind, maybe Mel Gibson, or George Clooney. These are the kinds of guys that naturally have a sense of presence and authority. They’re tall and the audience trusts them. It’s uncanny how that works. John: Yeah. I agree. They’re all the tall, leading man type. How about we contact Morgan and Denzel’s agent and send him the script. The same guy represents them both. Also I know it’s a long shot, but let’s try Harrison. I can’t afford George but how about we try Sean Connery as well. This is just the kind of story that might intrigue him and he’d be great box office. As far as Mel goes, I like him, but after his Jewish comments, he’s radio-active right now.
Cal: True. Okay. I’ll contact their agents this afternoon. Now who do we want in the love interest role? She has to be someone that will have great chemistry with these guys. Someone that will play off them nicely. In the old days Audrey Hepburn or Catherine Deneuve would have been just the ticket. These days I see someone like Natalie Portman, Anne Archer, or even Calista Flockhart . They make great babes in distress with a pinch of spunk thrown in. You just instinctively want to protect them and they work great with the leading men types. You know, as I think about it, there are a lot of actresses of this type around town. Like Anne Hathaway, Jill Hennessy, Katie Holmes, Kate Beckinsale, Audrey Tautou - although technically Audrey’s not actually in this town.
John: We’ll have to make sure the age difference works with some of these girls but let’s keep all our options open.
Cal: Yeah. Now, Calista would be interesting. She and Harrison are a couple so they might both be attracted to the project. I know Calista is in that TV series but perhaps she can work around it. I don’t think Jill would work out. People associate her with a little more toughness now from her TV series. She’s played down the soft, doe image of Law and Order.
John: You’re right about that.
Cal: Now for our no-nonsense cop we need a real martial type guy. I’m thinking of someone like Russell Crowe, Mickey Rourke or Gene Hackman.
John: Boy these guys are expensive. Any other choices?
Cal: Well to play the tough, aggressive type we could possibly go with Laurence Fishburn.
John: Yeah I can see that - but not if we have Morgan or Denzel in lead – too many black guys.
Cal: Right. Oh and what about Bruce Willis?
John: Yeah I like those guys. So feel out Mickey, Laurence and Bruce. Geez, this is gonna cost an arm and a leg.
Cal: It always does. Now we need the mastermind thief. I see a guy – hmm could be a girl I suppose, someone that’s slippery – someone like a Johhny Depp or a Sean Penn. No, not Sean Penn, too much baggage. Here’s a long shot, maybe Annette Bening?
John: Hmm. Annette Bening. Drop dead gorgeous. Can never hurt. She’s the type for this role. Especially after seeing her in “Grifters”. But I’m worried that she doesn’t have the chops. And Johnny’s too expensive for a supporting role. Anybody else? What about Matt Damon? I’m tight with him.
Cal: No that doesn’t work. He’s too four square – he’s more like the cop. I’ll audition him in with the other cops.
John: Okay. Perhaps for the mastermind we could go with a no–name. That’ll save some money. Cal: Okay, I can go that route. Oh, and there was that fantastic guy in the Argentine movie “Nine Queens”. Don’t know if he speaks English. I’ll check him out as well.
John: Okay. Now what about Julia? She always delivers. Can we get her in here someplace?
Cal: Yeah, Julia’s great, but fully booked these days. There are lots of gorgeous older women out there. And no parts for them. Should be no problem to find one.
John: You’re right.
Cal: Just one more to go, the friendly sidekick. We want a jovial guy like Rob Reiner or even Jim Broadbent.
John: Rob Reiner certainly looks the part and was great in Sleepless in Seattle. Not sure about Jim. Any other ideas?
Cal: This is a long shot. How about Rita Wilson. That would get us in tight with Tom Hanks and that’s gotta be a good thing.
John: Well the Tom angle sounds good…. Okay, explore it.
Cal: Sure. Well that’s a good day’s work.
John: A day’s work? Hardly. Get on your horse and contact those agents. They’ll have ideas as well. But be careful, they always have their own clients to push.
Cal: Right. See you John.
John: Call me on my cell if anything develops.
Cal: Will do. (smiling) Do you sleep with that cell taped to your ear John?
John: Get outta here genius.
Cal: Bye.

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Act 2

A University lecture hall.
Prof Andrews is lecturing to a group of about 20 students on typology.

Prof. Andrews: So in our last class we covered Sheldon’s typology. Does anyone want to summarize that for us?
Jane: I will. The Endomorph, physically, is plump, buxom, with a developed visceral structure and psychologically is relaxed, sociable, tolerant, comfort-loving, and peaceful.
The Mesomorph is muscular and is active, assertive, vigorous, and combative.
The Ectomorph is lean, delicate, with poor muscles and is quiet, fragile, restrained, non-assertive and sensitive
Prof. Andrews: Good. Deirdre can you give us any examples?
Deirdre: Well Falstaff is presented as an endomorph. All jocks look like mesomorphs to me. And as for ectomorphs I think of Audrey Hepburn.
Prof. Andrews: Not bad. What type do you think you are Deirdre and why?
Deirdre: Oh I guess I’m an endomorph. I’m basically like “live and let live”. But physically I’d sure love to be skinnier like an ectomorph.
Prof. Andrews: Okay. So Sheldon’s typology is one model. Today I’d like to talk about the traditional “humors” typology. It consists of 4 types. The choleric, the sanguine, the phlegmatic and the melancholy. I’m not going to go over the history of this ancient system. You should have read that in prep for this class.

(He moves to the blackboard.)
Here are the types:
1) The choleric type
Driven to get results, this type is aggressive and assertive in their approach to problems - people like Ross Perot, Margaret Thatcher, or Colin Powell, who are strategic in their thinking, have the end in mind when approaching a problem.
2) The sanguine type
Driven by the need to influence people, these expressive social-types are enthusiastic, approachable and at times impulsive. In negotiations, their goal is to move a person from one position to another. They are persuasive, friendly and effervescent. Their weakness is follow through and inconsistency.
3) The phlegmatic type
Calm and unemotional. They are very consistent, relaxed, and observant, making them good administrators and diplomats. Their strength is stability, and their weakness can be inflexibility and a resistance to change.
4) The melancholy type
Driven by the need to maintain standards, the melancholy often is cautious and tentative when responding to a problem. Many accountants fall into this category. They view things in regard to what is right or wrong. Strengths include organization and accuracy. Their weakness is in decision-making and delegation.

I’ll finish today’s class with a quick summary of another typology from a Russian philosopher and mystic named P.D. Ouspensky. It came originally from his teacher, a man named Gurdjieff and was formulated by a student of Ouspensky’s named Rodney Collin. Now this material is not in your book so you will have to take notes and it will be on the mid term.
This system includes 7 types which they named after the heavenly bodies. They are Lunar (associated with the moon), Venusian (Venus), Mercurial (Mercury), Saturnine (Saturn), Martial (Mars), Jovial (Jupiter) and Solar (the sun). Each type is differentiated along 2 axes. Active or passive. And positive or negative.
The Lunar is generally fairly delicate in structure and often obstinate. A passive, negative type.
The Venusian is fleshy and pear shaped. They are very passive and do not have a strong sense of self. A passive, positive type.
The Mercurial is generally smaller and loves attention. They are cute, but sometimes not completely above board. They make great con men. They are active, negative.
The Saturnine type is generally tall with a good intellectual ability. A real leader type. They are active, positive. Abraham Lincoln is often given as an example.
The Martial type is generally short and fiery, very aggressive and active. They often have red hair. Also a leader type but they lead quite differently than the more cerebral Saturn. They gravitate to roles like fireman, cop or soldier.
The Jovial type loves company and generally has many friends and social acquaintances. They are generally heavier. They are passive, positive.
And the Solar is a rare type that lights up a room when they enter it. They are admired and prized by all other types. They are active, positive. Marilyn Monroe is the common example.
See if you can find any material on the Gurdjieff/Ouspensky typology from any source and bring it to our next class.
Well that's it for today.

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When the Student is Ready

When the Student is Ready


3 angels are on stage. John and Colleen are senior angels. This is Jennifer’s first day on the job.

John: (Looking at a book in front of him). Well to start with we have the teacher named Doug in a small town in Canada. I can’t quite make out the name of the town.
Colleen: (looking at the book). I think it's Peterborough, John.
John: Thanks Colleen. And we have the student in France, Bordeaux France named Yann. They need to meet. How are we going to make this happen?
Jennifer: (in a very breezy voice) Well, that should be easy. “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.”
Colleen: (looking at John and rolling her eyes). Holy cow. A real beginner. Jennifer, you are about to see just how much work we have to do to achieve the inevitable.

======================================
Angela and Doug are in the kitchen of their Bed & Breakfast in Peterborough Ontario.
Doug is reading an email on the computer screen

Doug: Angela, we just received an email from a guy in France. He says that he is coming to a conference in Peterborough in November and needs accommodation for 4 nights.
Angela: Do we have a room available?
Doug: Let me check. (He refers to a binder). Nope. Too bad. I’ll email him and suggest another B&B.
Angela: That's too bad – we could have used the money. What kind of conference is it?
Doug: His email says that it is a Physical Anthropology conference. I think Anthropology has to do with the evolution of the different species including humans. But I don’t know what Physical Anthropology is. It sounds interesting and I‘ve always wondered whether humans came from monkeys. I know there is a huge debate in the U.S. between Creationism and Darwinian evolution. I’ll check Wikipedia and do a Google search later. It’s a shame he can’t stay with us – I would have loved to talk to him. Well, I’ll reply to his email.
(Doug starts clicking on the keyboard. Angela looks over his shoulder at the booking page in the binder.)
Angela: Just a minute Doug. If we move the Watson couple to the Moffat Suite we can put Yann into the Luscombe room for the 4 days.
Doug: You're right love – that will work. That’s great. I’ll email him and offer him a discounted rate and ask for his credit card number.

The next day. Same kitchen.

Doug: Well we got an email from Yann this morning. He says we are too expensive even with the discount I offered. I guess I could offer him an even lower rate.
Angela: Go ahead. You really would like to meet him and talk to him.
Doug: Okay, I will.

1 weeks later. Same kitchen.

Angela: Did you ever hear back from Yann?
Doug: Nope. I guess he booked somewhere else.

Another week later. Same kitchen.

Doug: Angela, I just came upon an email that Yann sent to us 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately he sent it to the wrong email address. He is interested in staying with us or at least he was interested. I’ll email him and find out.

Later that day. Same kitchen.

Doug: Yann has accepted and sent his Visa card number. That’s great.
Angela: I’m happy for you love.

============================================

Our 3 Angels are on stage.

Jennifer. I am starting to see what you guys were talking about. How did you pull that off John?
John: Well Colleen was the brains behind this so far. But let’s see how the story develops. We are far from finished.

======================================

Same kitchen. Doug is at the computer. Angela enters.

Doug: Hi love. I’ve been researching Physical Anthropology. This is the area of University study that specializes in the question of how we human beings came to be. That is exactly the area that I am most interested in. This is a fascinating co-incidence. We move to a small town and the experts from across Canada and the world come to our doorstep. I am going to see if I can register myself for the conference. I think I would enjoy it. I can already see that the official Anthropology position is evolution along the lines of Darwin. The current version is called the “modern evolutionary synthesis”, also called neo-Darwinism. It is opposed to Creationism and the most modern version of Creationism called “Intelligent Design.” And there is the older discredited "Lamarckian" theory which theorized that an individual can evolve through their behaviour in their lifetime and pass this on to their offspring.
Angela: Well this conference is a chance for you to hear what they have to say. And you have to drive a full 5 minutes to get there.
Doug: Even when I was in University years ago I could not quite believe the Darwin theory. It always seemed to be unlikely, but the official establishment supports it and you have to be pretty strong to stand up to them.
Angela: (smiling) Well, that sounds just up your alley Doug.
Doug: I’m looking forward to meeting Yann. I hope he’ll have some time to talk.

==============================================
(The day that Yann arrives.)

Doug: You must be Yann. Welcome to Peterborough. My name is Doug and this is my wife Angela.
Angela: Hello Yann.
Yann: Nice to meet you. My English is not great but I do my best.
Angela: Well you are probably tired. Would you like me to show you to your room?
Yann. Merci, yes thank you.
(Yann and Angela move offstage left.)

=================================================
Later that evening. Yann enters the kitchen where Doug is working on the computer.

Yann: Hello Doug.
Doug: Good evening Yann. All settled in?
Yann: Everything is fine.
Doug: Good. I have signed up for the conference myself. So I will be driving over tomorrow morning. Would you like a ride with me?
Yann: That would be nice. Thank you.
Doug: If you have some time I would enjoy talking to you about Physical Anthropology. I have been reading and thinking a lot about the Darwinian theory of evolution – and things like natural selection and the random mutation of cells. As I understand it, random mutation of cells can produce offspring that are different than their parents. And if these offspring are better suited to their environment then they are more likely to live, mate and pass on their genes. This is how over vast periods of time a species becomes better adapted for survival
Yann: Yes that is true and includes the evolution from one species to another.
Doug: And in this evolution there is no intention, no mind behind the scenes directing things.
Yann: Right. There is no need for anything but the physical processes themselves. Everything can be explained physically.
Doug: And what do you believe Yann? Are we just very intelligent animals?
Yann: I believe that evolution occurs by chance, by chance events that lead to the species adapting to its environment through natural selection and survival of the fittest.
Doug: Is the species itself a living organism?
Yann: You mean like when birds in a flock all move in synch for example?
Doug: No. I mean are all the individual members of the species part of one being, part of the body of one living organism.
Yann: No. Only the individual members exist. And they pass on their characteristics through inheritance and sometimes through random cell mutation.
Doug: So you and I are the products of chance. Here is what I have trouble with. There is so much intelligence built into us including our eyes and hands and particularly our brains. Can we believe that these occurred by chance?
Yann: That is what the theory says. And even if it does not explain everything yet, it is still the best theory by far. And with neo-Darwinism we have included new genetic evidence that supports the Darwinian Theory.
Doug: Well tomorrow we should head out a bit early for the conference. We need to register and that will take some time.

The lights fade.

================================================

3 angels on stage.

Jennifer: Well it looks like this will not go very far.
John: Oh, I’m not so sure.
Colleen: Did you not hear the clue that Doug placed into the conversation. Roll the tape back will you please John.
=============
Doug: “Is the species itself a living organism”?
=============
Jennifer: Sure I heard that and I understand the significance of it. But it had no effect on Yann.
John: So far.
Colleen: (smiling) Perhaps it will evolve over time.
=======================================================

Doug and Yann are driving to the conference.

Doug: So I was thinking Yann about what was required for us to meet. (Doug recounts the difficulties they worked through for Yann to be there.)
Yann: And there is more to it than that. Here is how I came to be at the conference. I have a friend in Portugal who learned of this conference in Canada some months ago. He applied to give a presentation. He was accepted and he suggested that they might be interested in my paper. They contacted me and I applied and was accepted.
Doug: And on my side if I had not bought the bed and breakfast and moved to Peterborough I would not be in a position to meet you either.
Yann: Very interesting!
Doug: Lots of links had to work together for us to be here talking.
Yann: Yes.
Doug: It reminds me of the whole idea of evolution.
Yann: How so?
Doug: Well in evolution there were an innumerable number of changes, modifications and links that were necessary for us humans to be here.
Yann: Yes, but Nature was acting blindly. The Universe certainly doesn’t care whether we are here or not.

========================================================

3 angels.

Jennifer: I am starting to see that their meeting required huge efforts by you guys for months.
John: Yes. Are you beginning to see how our world intersects with their world continuously?
Jennifer: I’m starting to get some idea.
Jennifer: So how did you get Doug and Yann together?
John: Colleen began her part of the work when the whole course of history had already resulted in Doug and Yann being on planet earth – one in France and one in Canada. And we were instructed to get them together.
Jennifer: “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.“
Colleen: Right. I knew that Yann was a Physical Anthropologist. We have quite extensive records as you can imagine. So I worked on persuading the Canadian Physical Anthropology Association to have their conference in Peterborough. I did that by inserting that idea in a couple of people’s minds. They thought it was their own idea of course. But even before that I needed to work on the man from Portugal. First, I arranged for his parents to live in Canada so that later on he would have the required Canadian link. Then when he moved to Portugal and became friends with Yann the stage was set for him to make the link between Yann and the conference. Then, I had to give Yann an incentive for coming to Canada. I did this by arranging for him to have a job interview in New York and I made sure they scheduled it for just after the conference. That way Yann could persuade himself that he could afford to come to North America because it could lead to a job in his field. I also had to make sure that he was unemployed. That part is always easy. In fact the Devil helped with that part.
Jennifer: The Devil helped?
Colleen: Surprising isn’t it.
Jennifer. I am starting to see that there is a lot more here than I first suspected.
John: Lots of people on planet earth think that we just strum our harps up here and laze around. As you can see that is far from the truth.
Jennifer: I do. Why do we want Yann and Doug to get together?
John: That is a very long story Jennifer, but luckily we have eternity to tell you. But let’s get back to Doug and Yann and you may start to see where this is going.
Jennifer: Sounds good to me.

============================================

Yann and Doug have returned from the first day of the conference.

Doug: The conference today was great Yann.
Yann: (smiling) I noticed that you asked the presenters a whole lot of questions.
Doug: Yup. And at the breaks I went and talked to most of them one on one. It was just fantastic. But I was surprised that no one was talking about the debate between evolution and Creationism. I managed to steer my questions toward that debate even if that was not their particular topic.
Yann: Are you a Creationist Doug?
Doug: I’m probably closer to a Creationist than a materialist but I would like to reconcile the 2 positions. That is one of the reasons I wanted to attend the conference and talk to you.
Yann: Well I believe that all of this happened randomly. There was no plan. Nature is not aiming toward some particular outcome. Humanity just happened to be on planet earth and you and I just happened to meet.
Doug: I wonder if there could possibly be a reason for us meeting, perhaps the Universe wanted us to get together
Yann: I doubt it.

=============================================

Our 3 Angels are on stage.

John: Well we have brought Yann and Doug together. Now we need to set the stage so that Yann can begin to hear what Doug has to offer. We all know the Zen story. (Colleen smiles. Jennifer looks perplexed).
Jennifer: The Zen story?
Colleen: A young man comes to a Zen master for instruction. The Zen master takes him to the gazebo in the monastery’s garden for the ritual tea. It is truly a beautiful setting. They talk for a short while. The Zen master pours tea into the young man’s cup till it is full. But the master keeps pouring. The young man becomes distraught as the cup overflows and the tea starts to run down on the floor. But the master keeps pouring and pouring. Finally the young man asks the master what he is doing.
John: What do you think the master says Jennifer?
Jennifer: Let me think. Is this a koan? One of those Zen puzzles like the famous “what is the sound of one hand clapping”?
John: Perhaps. So what do you think he says?
Jennifer: (Thinking intently for a few seconds) Well, if the cup represents the young man himself then the Zen master may be demonstrating that the young man is already so full of his own opinions and sure of his own rightness that the master has no way of saying anything that will penetrate him. The young man will have to empty himself first.
(Colleen and John nod – very pleased.)
Colleen: We have a young angel with potential here John. We will need to put that in the report.
(Jennifer is all smiles.)


===================================================

Doug and Yann are talking the next day at breakfast.

Yann: Still enjoying the conference Doug?
Doug: Yes, very much. Can we talk some more?
Yann: Sure.
Doug: I wanted to discuss an analogy concerning physical dimensions. This analogy was beautifully presented years ago in a small book called “Flatland” written by Edwin Abbott. In the Flatland story, a 3 dimensional person comes upon a world of only 2 dimensions and the creatures that live in that world. You can imagine that world as a very large sheet of paper and the creatures live flat on the top of the paper. They are intelligent but they are limited by their 2 dimensional senses. So for example when I push my 3 dimensional hand through their 2 dimensional world they see my hand as a series of unconnected 2 dimensional circles changing over time. They do not see that their sense perceptions over time are in fact all related to the same living hand that exists outside of their 2 dimensional world. With their 2 dimensional senses they cannot see that my hand exists in its totality right now. But we can see this. What they see over time is our present moment.
Yann: That’s complicated but it makes sense.
Doug: Now turning to the world we live in, we see 3 dimensional objects that exist over time. We do not see a 4 dimensional world. Yann, do you think that there might be a higher dimensional world.
Yann: Well I have not given that much thought, but I know that in some areas of science there is the idea of higher dimensions, for example in “string theory” in Physics.
Doug: Yes. So let’s do a thought experiment. Let’s imagine what our experience would be like if we were in fact living in a 4 dimensional world and only seeing a 3 dimensional representation of it or projection of it.
Yann: Okay. That sounds interesting.
Doug: First we would realize that what we learned about our 2 dimensional friends applies exactly to us as we go up a level. Each 3 dimensional object that we see is a representation of an invisible 4 dimensional reality. For example, the life of any particular elephant follows a pattern determined by the 4 dimensional elephant. For example, the life span of any physical elephant and the growth stages it goes through are determined by the qualities of the higher dimensional elephant. We can think of the 4 dimensional elephant as the mold from which all physical elephants are formed. To put it another way, each physical elephant we see is an expression of the 4 dimensional elephant “spirit”.
Yann: So each individual elephant represents or expresses the “elephant spirit”?
Doug: Right. With our 3 dimensional senses we do not see the higher dimensional world. We do not see the one, unified, living elephant there. We see merely a series of apparently unconnected, physical elephants in 3 dimensions. We do not see the “elephant spirit” that exists right now in its totality in a higher dimensional world, beyond our 3 dimensional perception.
Yann: Wow! It stretches my mind to think of this idea.
Doug: In our 3 dimensional view we conclude that a "species" evolves. What is really interesting is that what we call a "species" is in fact the living, 4 dimensional being I have been talking about.
Yann: That's interesting. The "species" is a living being, or organism. And it is right here, right now in its totality, which we could perceive if we could extend beyond our 3 dimensional perception and thinking.
Doug: Yes. And this gives us a new foundation for conceiving and interpreting what we observe in all the sciences including Physical Anthropology.
Yann: That sounds very interesting. But now it is time for us to head out.
Doug: I’m ready whenever you are.

===================================

Our 3 angels.

Jennifer. Now I see why Doug asked Yann earlier whether a species is itself a “living organism”.
Colleen: Right. When we see elephants, what we see with our higher dimensional eyes is what Doug is calling the “elephant spirit”. Unfortunately for humans they do not see as we do. With their 3 dimensional senses they see only the individual physical elephants over time.
Jennifer: I had forgotten that humans do not see elephants as we do. How in the world will Doug lead Yann to see “the great elephant” or the “great human being” for that matter?
John: Let’s continue to roll the tape.

=================================
Doug and Yann on the last day:

Yann: The ideas you have been talking about are whizzing around in my head.
Doug: That' great. If this idea leads you to think and search, perhaps someday you will find a way to perceive that higher dimensional world and the “great beings” that exist there including the ”great human” of which you and I are expressions.

=================================

3 angels.

Jennifer: Can you tell me now why you wanted Doug and Yann to get together?
Colleen: Let me try. Doug has something of value to give Yann. Something that can help Yann to think in a new way, to think beyond himself. So that Yann can awaken to the reality of himself and to the reality of the “great human” of which he is a reflection. This “great human” is the entire human species. We call it the “human spirit”.
John: So we come to the end of our work with Doug and Yann. Now we see why we led Yann to Doug.
Colleen: The seed has been sown. Now it is up to Yann, and the reader of our small story, to water that seed if they wish.

All the World’s a Stage

All the World’s a Stage

ACT 1

The stage is set up in 2 sections.

Stage left is set up to look like a small theatre. On the “stage” of this theatre is a kitchen with 4 chairs and a table. Two men sit in the chairs motionless. This section of the stage is in darkness.

Stage right is a small café with a few chairs and tables. It is evening. This section of the stage is lit.
Christopher sits, reading a magazine. Sophie enters.

Sophie: Hi Chris.
Christopher: (putting down his magazine.) Hi Sophie.
Sophie: What’s new?
Christopher: Not much. (Sophie sits).
Christopher: Oh, I went to see a play last night.
Sophie: Was it good?
Christopher: Yes. It was very interesting. Would you like me tell you about it?
Sophie: Yes I would.

=============================
Lights dim on stage right and come up on stage left.
Dave and Joe are characters in the “play within the play” sitting on chairs in a kitchen. They are having lunch. We join them partly into their conversation.

Dave: (putting down a sandwich). Joe, I’ve been thinking that things here are not the way they seem to be.
Joe: You mean right here Dave?
Dave: Yeah. Right here… and everywhere…. I’ve been noticing that ..(looking around) Do you hear that?
Joe: What?
(Dave cocks his head and listens.)
Dave: It sounds like there are people here. I can hear them.
Joe: (looking around): I don’t see them. What are they saying?
Dave: Something about……going to the theatre?
Joe: I don’t hear anything. Are you alright Dave? Didn’t you tell me you’d been to see your physician?
Dave: Yes. That’s true. I told him that I have lost interest in everything.… except
Joe: Except what?
Dave: ….except this mystery that’s haunting me. My mind’s in constant turmoil. But then sometimes it goes completely still and I start to sense that something is going on here behind the scenes.
Joe: (friendly attitude) Hmmm.
(Dave gets up and pours himself another glass of water. We notice that he does not offer Joe a glass.)
Dave: For example… me and this glass of water.
Joe: (enthusiastiacally) Yeah. Water is quite a scientific mystery. The qualities of water are really unusual.
Dave That’s true. But that’s not it. If I have a glass of water in my hand….then there is… me… and there is the glass of water.
Joe: (in a friendly, teasing way) Does the water talk to you Dave?
Dave: (smiling) No. Of course not. But there’s something strange – I just can’t put my finger on it. Something to do with me being here, in this place. Something I should remember. It’s really frustrating.
Joe: I bet.
Dave: And for some reason I’ve been thinking a lot about those Bible stories I learned as a kid. If the world is just as it seems, how do you explain those unbelievable stories about Jesus Christ.
Joe: Well I really don’t give them much thought Dave. What do you think?
Dave: Well take the story of Christ and John the Baptist. It’s weird, but sometimes, I feel as if I’m actually there.
(Dave begins to act out the story as if he is in it. He approaches a pretend river. He uses his hands to show us the action.)
Dave: I see a river running through a rocky, desert area. There are people all around and a big guy is standing in the river. He looks straight at me. For a moment I feel as if I am him, in the river looking at myself on the bank. I walk into the river and he has been expecting me. He pushes my head under the water and holds it there. Jesus Christ, he’s trying to drown me. I struggle and then everything goes completely still. I see my whole life pass before me.
Then he pulls me up and everything is different. It is like I have been asleep my whole life and now I am suddenly awake in the real world.
Joe. Wow! You really have a vivid imagination Dave.
(Christopher coughs quietly in stage right.)
Dave: Shhh. Did you hear that?
==================================
Lights dim on stage left and come up on stage right.

Christopher: Then there was a break in the action for some reason.
Sophie: Chris, I love the story about John the Baptist. It’s a story that works on so many different levels.
Christopher: Different levels?
Sophie: Yeah. Like a metaphor. Where something is like something else. (At this moment a waitress passes by and Sophie motions to the waitress) Can I have a glass of water please?
(Turning back to Christopher). Here’s what I mean.
The story at one level is about a man who has spent his whole life searching for something. Eventually he finds a man who knows some of the answers – that’s represented by the man in the water. And this man initiates the first man into many mysteries. He is able to help the first man to attain a new state of consciousness, a state represented symbolically by the word “water”. (The waitress delivers the water to Sophie and Sophie says to the waitress). Thank you.
Christopher (apparently struggling to put the pieces together): Let me think about this. So first there’s water. And then later …there’s the story of “changing water into wine” – that could be a metaphor as well – representing a man rising to an even higher state.
Sophie: Yes. Like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. Fascinating isn’t it. And the story can also be taken in a completely different way. In this way, all the people and places in the story represent things going on in the inner world of an individual person who is striving to awaken. So “river” and “rocks” and “desert” and even “John the Baptist” are not just physical things but also represent internal things.
Christopher: Wow!

Sophie is about to say more when Mary (a friend of Sophie and Christopher) comes in from stage right.

Sophie and Christopher together (as Mary sits down): Hi Mary.
Mary: Hi guys.
Sophie: Chris was just telling me about a play he saw last night.
Mary: Was it interesting? I’d love to hear about it.

==============================
Lights dim on stage right and come up on stage left.

Dave: Joe, I thought I heard something.
Joe: (with surprise and concern) Yeah, me too.
(Kathryn enters stage left. Kathryn is attractive and coquettish)
Dave and Joe: Hi Kathryn.
Kathryn: Hi guys.
Joe: (Turning to Dave) It was probably just Kathryn that we heard.
Dave: I’m not so sure.
(Kathryn sits down close to Dave. They are obviously infatuated with each other.)
Joe: Kathryn,… Dave tells me he’s hearing things and taking exotic trips to Biblical times.
Kathryn: (smiling) What? (turning serious) You’re not taking drugs are you Dave?
Dave: No. No, I’m not. Forget that idea. (trying to change the subject) So what have you been doing Kathryn?
Kathryn: I’ve been studying for an exam. It’s tomorrow.
Dave: Is it for one of your psychology courses?
Kathryn: Yeah. It’s about the psychologist Carl Jung.
(Dave and Joe look at each other - impressed but mischievous)
Dave: (singing) Fairy tales can come true it can happen to you (Joe joins in so both are now signing) ..if you’re Jung at heart.(both break into laughter )
Kathryn: (laughing) Well you 2 clowns are just impossible. Anyway I have to go. I need to be wide awake for the exam. See you Saturday Dave?
Dave: For sure. I’m looking forward to it. And good luck with the exam.
Kathryn. Thanks.
Dave and Joe: Bye Kathryn.
Kathryn: Bye guys.
(Kathryn leaves stage left).
Joe: What a babe. What’s happening Saturday Dave?
Dave: Only time will tell.

=================================================
Lights dim on stage left and come up on stage right.

Sophie: What time is it? (looks at her watch) Oh it’s late! Sorry Chris, I gotta go. I have a lot to do tomorrow. Bye. (Sophie leaves stage right)
Christopher and Mary together: Bye Sophie.
Mary: Lovely girl.
Christopher: Yes, she is very sweet. (Clearly Christopher is very fond of Sophie. Mary notices that.)
Christopher: So this play starting me thinking ….that ….well for example… I am here. (Christopher emphasizes the word “I”)
Mary: Right. (Mary is not sure where this is going)
Christopher: And you are there.
Mary: Right (Mary is still not sure where this is going)
Christopher: And you exist.
Mary: (teasingly) I believe so.
Christopher: But where are you?
Mary: Right here in this chair.
Christopher: (Standing and walking a few paces, looking at Mary): Yes, I can see your body there, but where are you.
Mary: (struggling with something in her mind): Hmm. Well. That’s a good question. I haven’t really thought about that.
Christopher: Are you in your body somewhere?
Mary: Well….yes…it seems that way.
Christopher: If scientists were to look inside your arm would they find you there?
Mary. No…that’s silly.
Christopher: How about if they were to look inside your brain?
Mary: Hmmm….no they wouldn’t find me there either. This is perplexing.
Christopher: So you exist… but you are invisible. I can’t see you. And you can’t see my invisible self either.
Mary: That’s true.
Christopher: But science tells us that there is no invisible stuff, just material stuff like tables and chairs and planets and brains. Perhaps things are not the way they seem to be.
Mary: Perhaps not.

Lights slowly fade.

================================

ACT 2

The stage is once again in 2 sections. Only stage right is lit.
It is a lovely sunny day but later it will cloud over.
Christopher and Sophie are on a picnic. There is food, a checkered cloth and a bottle of red wine.

Christopher (eating): This is delicious. You are an amazing lady.
Sophie: Well thank you sir. And I’m looking forward to having some of that wine you brought. (She reaches for the bottle but stops.) Could you tell me more about the play you saw? I’ve been thinking about it for days. (She doesn’t drink the wine).
Christopher: I’d love to. But first can you tell me more about metaphors? What you said the other night was fascinating.
Sophie: Well the idea is that things can be going on at different levels at exactly the same time, in exactly the same place. And things at one level can stand for things at another level.
Christopher: Like physical “water” and “wine” at one level representing internal things at another level.
Sophie: Yes. Exactly.
Christopher: But I still don’t really get it.
Sophie: You can use your emotions to “get it”.
Christopher: My emotions? How do I do that?
Sophie (standing up and stretching). Well you like me, right?
Christopher: (seriously) Very much.
Sophie: Do you feel differently when you are with me.
Christopher: Yes I do…. In fact, I’ve never told you this, but sometimes, when we’re together, I feel that you and I are Adam and Eve and have just walked into a new world.
Sophie. Wow …that’s beautiful Chris. (Sophie pauses to relish the moment). So we are both here – but Adam and Eve are also here. Their living spirits animate us. Both levels are alive and present right here, right now.
Christopher: Hmm. I think I understand… but it slips away from me.
Sophie: (mock serious) Now you better tell me more about that play of yours or I will slip away. (Sophie emphasizes the word “I”)
Christopher: Well did I tell you about the 2nd act? It starts with Dave and the lovely Kathryn on a streetcar.
Sophie: Oooh, that sounds romantic. Where are they going?
Christopher: They’re going on a picnic.
Sophie (slightly annoyed because she thinks Christopher is making fun of her): Oh brother. What is this? They’re going on a picnic?
Christopher: Yes. That’s what happened. But they have a big argument on the streetcar and never get to the picnic. Something about types and archetypes starts it.
Sophie: What?
Christopher: I know it sounds strange but they get into this long and boring argument about types and archetypes. All of us in the audience wanted the argument to end because we were really rooting for them. But by the end of Act 2 everything was a mess.
Sophie: How sad.
Christopher: Yes, it was.
(A long and uncomfortable silence comes between them).
Sophie: It looks like it’s starting to rain.
Christopher (sadly). Yes, we should pack up. Perhaps we’ll have the wine another time. We better run.
Stage right goes dark as Christopher and Sophie quickly exit stage right.

================================================
Stage left lights up.
Dave and Kathryn are on a streetcar. They have the makings of a picnic including a bottle of red wine.

Kathryn: What a lovely day. I’m so glad you asked me out.
Dave: And your idea of a picnic is fantastic. I hope you like the wine I brought.
Kathryn: I’m sure I will. I wanted to tell you about my course. It’s about types and archetypes
Dave: Wow, not only beautiful but smart as well. Tell me about it.
Kathryn: Well the idea is that behind the things we see with our senses is another realm. And in this realm are living types and archetypes that animate and direct the physical world.
Dave: That reminds me of Plato.
Kathryn: Oh, I think that’s completely different.
Dave: Really?
Kathryn: Yeah, that’s all about “forms” and “ideas” and “shadows” and stuff.
Dave: Is that not the same?
Kathryn: Of course not. Why are you trying to change the topic? How come whenever I want to talk about something that interests me you turn it into something else?
Dave: I don’t do that!
Kathryn: Yes you do – I have certainly seen that pattern before.
Dave: Oh brother. You and your patterns. Can’t we just enjoy ourselves?
Kathryn: I don’t think I can enjoy myself now.
Dave: (Trying to save the situation) Could you tell me a little bit more about types and archetypes?
(For a moment it looks like Kathryn will put aside her upset - but then her face hardens.)
Kathryn: I would like to go home now. And you can keep your silly wine – I don’t like red anyway.
(Kathryn and Dave sit in silence as the lights fade).

Act 3

The stage is once again in 2 sections. Only stage right is lit.
Sophie and Mary are standing talking.

Sophie: That was a really odd play that Chris was telling us about.
Mary: You’re not kidding. But it certainly makes you think.
Sophie: Yes. It’s almost as if the characters are just as alive as we are.
(Christopher enters from stage right).
Sophie and Mary: Hi Chris.
Christopher: Hi ladies. How are things?
Sophie: Mary and I were just talking about the play you saw. Mary was filling me in on the parts that I missed and vice versa.
Mary: Yes. Can you tell us about the 3rd act now?
Christopher: Ahh. The 3rd act. Very strange. They really turned the tables on us.
Sophie: What do you mean?
Christopher: Well, here’s how it went.

=============================
Dave is alone in stage left. Kathryn enters from stage left and walks up to Dave.

Kathryn. I’m really sorry about our ruined picnic.
Dave: Me too.
Kathryn: Can we be friends again?
Dave: Sure. We never stopped being friends.….That’s funny. I sense something… or I feel something.
Kathryn: What is it?
Dave: I’m not sure. I‘m starting to feel as if … as if I’m a character in a play.
Kathryn: That sounds weird. What is that like?
Dave: There is no me. At least not as I have always known myself.
Kathryn: (Looking around with some concern.) I’m starting to feel that way too. (She holds Dave’s hand)
Dave and Kathryn are looking around anxiously when Joe enters from stage left.
Joe: Hi guys. How’s it goin’?
Kathryn: Well not so good actually. Dave and I are starting to feel that we are characters in a play.
Joe: What? Is this Dave’s idea? Dave, didn’t your physician straighten you out?
Dave: Joe, I didn’t go to my physician. I went to a meta-physician. And he was a great help. He was able to explain my symptoms perfectly. Turns out I have a very common condition. But it is not diagnosed correctly very often. And there is no cure at this level.
Joe: At this level? Well I’m lost. Where did I come in? (He pretends to be looking for an exit).
Kathryn: Hold on a moment Joe. Dave is on to something.
Dave: If we are very quiet we may be able to sort this out.

=================================
Stage left darkens and stage right lights up.

Christopher: So they are characters in a play.
Mary: (slightly annoyed): Of course they are characters in a play. We all know that. But I think it is very rude of the author to allow them to realize it.
Sophie: I agree. It makes it very distressing for them and really what can they do about it?
Christopher: I don’t think we can fault the author. Isn’t it much better for them to know their true state so they can escape their imaginary lives? If you were characters in a play wouldn’t you want to know?
Mary: I’m not so sure.
Sophie: So how does the play end?

===================================
Stage right darkens and stage left lights up.

Kathryn: Dave, if we are characters in a play, then there should an audience out there someplace.
Dave: Yeah. That makes sense (peering around, including looking into the audience – but seeing nothing) But I don’t see them. Is there some direction we can turn to see this audience?
Joe: Just a minute….. if this is a play, then there must be an author. Where is he? Can we communicate with him?
Kathryn (looking around) Maybe he’s been here all this time!
Dave: Guys ..something strange is happening to me. I feel separated from myself….. (wonderingly) …There really is a me. I remember now.
Kathryn: Talk to us Dave.
Dave: Well it’s very odd. It’s like I’m awake for the first time. I see that till now I’ve been looking at everything upside down…or inside out. It’s really hard to describe. But it’s perfectly clear to me now what’s going on. I am the author. (he emphasizes the word “I”). The author lives through me – and I live through him.
Joe: Oh, oh. I think that Dave has gone off the deep end.
Kathryn: (very seriously) Dave, if you are the author did you create Joe and me?
Dave: (speaking to Kathryn and Joe) No. (Dave turns and looks directly at the audience.) Each of you is the author.

================================
Stage left darkens and stage right lights up.

Mary: So is that the end?
Christopher: Just about.
Sophie: Well don’t keep us in suspense. What happens next?
Christopher: At that point, the entire audience leaps to its feet and there is bedlam. Only one man keeps his head amidst the uproar. He clears his throat and a hush falls over the theatre. All eyes are on him.
Christopher: The man begins to speak. You could hear a pin drop. (As he says this, he begins walking slowly to the front of the stage. Kathryn, Dave and Joe move to the edge of their section of the stage and stare intently at Christopher as do Mary and Sophie in their section.)

==========================================
(The stage fades to semi darkness. The spotlight is on Christopher as he walks out to the front of the stage, between the two sections and addresses the audience).

Christopher: (raising a glass of red wine to the audience) I hope you all are enjoying my play. I am your author. And remember – all the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.

THE END

The Prince Who Forgot He Was a Prince

The Prince Who Forgot He Was a Prince

A play in 3 acts.

ACT 1

It is evening and Uncle Jack and his niece Angela are sitting in the living room. It is almost bed time for Angela.

Angela: I’m glad you’re visiting us Uncle Jack.
Uncle Jack: Me too Angela. Would you like me to tell you a story before you go up to bed love?
Angela: Yes I would, very much.
Uncle Jack: Well, once upon a time there was a king who sent his son to a far away land on a very important mission – to find a pearl of great value and bring it back. The son agreed. He prepared and said goodbye to his mother and father…
Angela: “The king and the queen.”
Uncle Jack: Yes, and he went off with an adventurous spirit determined to do all he could to fulfill the task. But once he was settled into the new land he forgot his mission and eventually he even forgot that he was a royal prince.
Angela: That sounds sad - that he forgot.
Uncle Jack: Yes. And in this far off land he began to act very badly. He became very selfish and greedy and got into a lot of trouble. When he was completely at the bottom and at his rope’s end, he happened upon a man who he immediately did not like. This man was very cunning. But he seemed to know something about how to obtain a pearl of great value.
(Uncle Jack stops for a drink of water).
Angela: Please tell me more, Uncle Jack.
Uncle Jack: Well the prince did not want to have anything to do with this man. He disliked him. But the idea of the pearl attracted the prince.
Angela: “The prince who had forgotten he was a prince.”
Uncle Jack: Yes. So the prince asked the cunning man about the pearl. But the man would not tell the prince anything unless the prince would pay. So, our prince had to go out and work very hard to be able to pay for the knowledge that the man had for sale. After a while the prince had the money and returned to the man - but the cunning man now said that it would cost him double.
Angela: That doesn’t seem fair Uncle Jack.
Uncle Jack: Well, the prince also thought it was unfair and he was very upset. He vowed that he would not pay. But after a while he began to reason with himself and decided that he would accept what he thought was unfair and work to gain the additional money - which he did. He went back to the man to buy the knowledge. But now the man said that the prince would have to do more than pay the money. He would also have to work for him for a year to get the knowledge. The prince did not like it but agreed to the new deal. After a while the man gave the prince a task. The task was to care for the man’s dying mother. The prince did not argue and he cared for the woman. He looked after her and talked to her every day. She appreciated what he was doing and told him many stories. These stories did not make much sense to the prince at first. But after a while he began to understand them a little bit. He began to feel that there might be more to a life than he had previously thought. He even began to enjoy working with the man and it almost seemed that they were becoming like father and son. This certainly surprised the prince.
(Angela yawns).
Uncle Jack: Well love, we will have to finish the story tomorrow night.
Angela: No Uncle Jack, please tell me more.
Uncle Jack: Alright love – just a bit more… At the end of the year the prince asked the man about the pearl of great value. The prince offered him the money willingly. The man said that this was very special knowledge that required the student to have certain qualities. The man felt that the prince had these qualities now and he would tell him about the pearl.
Angela: It sounds like the prince had grown up a bit.
Uncle Jack: Yes. So the man began to teach the prince. He told him that every thing that the prince saw was just the surface of something much larger and grander. And that in fact, the importance and meaning of the thing lay in what was below the surface. Now the prince imagined that this meant that if he were to scrape the outside of anything that he would find the grander thing that his teacher was talking about. So he tried this on trees and pots but that led nowhere. So he asked his teacher about it. His teacher said that what was below the surface was the inner “life” of the object over time. He suggested that the prince try to imagine the life that the object had already had and would have. So the prince began to look at everything and imagine the life that the object had and would have. He even tried this with his own life.
Angela: This is hard to understand Uncle Jack.
Uncle Jack: Well for example, the prince would look at the table in their kitchen and see that at one time it was just an idea in someone’s mind. Then the builder assembled pieces of wood and made the table. Then he sold the table to the teacher’s family. They had used the table for years and would use it for many more years. Eventually it would be thrown out and burned. The teacher said that all of that was the inner “life” of that particular table.
Angela: I see. So let me imagine my own life. At first I was inside mom. Then I was born and was a tiny baby. And I have grown up to the age I am now. But that is not the end. I will grow up into an adult, perhaps get married and have children. I will become old and eventually die. All of that together would be my inner “life”?
Uncle Jack. That is very good love. Then the teacher told the prince that behind each life there was a reason. And the reason was only possible to see over time. For example the reason for a table is….
Angela: Let me try. The reason for a table is so that people can eat off of it. That is what the table builder had in mind right from the beginning. But what could the reason for someone’s life be?
Uncle Jack: A very good question love, but now you really must go to bed. We can continue tomorrow.
Angela: Good night Uncle Jack. Oh, Uncle Jack – tomorrow I will try to see the inner “life” of the things that I see.
Uncle Jack: OK. Good night love.

ACT 2
.
The next morning Angela and her mother are talking at breakfast. It is Saturday.

Mother: Have you cleaned your room Angela?
Angela: Why do I have to clean it? No one sees it. And it’s my room isn’t it?
Mother: Well young lady you will clean your room – and no back talk.
Angela: (sulking) OK, I will – but I think it is very unfair. (Angela looks like she has actually heard what she just said and that has an impact on her)
Mother: (trying to jolly her daughter and change the topic). So what are you going to do today? Will you be seeing your friend Clarissa?
Angela: (overcoming her sulk) Yes mom. We’re planning to play at the park, and then go to her place for lunch. Is that okay? Can I go after I do my room?
Mother: That would be fine. Please call me when you are at Clarissa’s house so I will know everything is okay.
Angela: I will….Mom…. I love you and I appreciate all that you have done for me all these years.
Mother: (almost speechless at hearing her daughter say something she had never said before). You’re welcome Angela. And dad and I love you very much too.
Angela: Well I’m off now. Bye Mom.

Angela and Clarissa meet at the park.

Clarissa: Hi Angela.
Angela. Hi Clarissa. How are you today?
Clarissa: Not too good. I feel lost. And no one likes me.
Angela: I like you. I like you a lot. How can you say that?
Clarissa: Sure, I know that, but …
Angela: But what?
Clarissa: Can I tell you a secret Angela?
Angela: Sure.
Clarissa: And you promise not to tell any one?
Angela: Cross my heart and hope to die.
Clarissa: Well I am worried that I will grow up and live my whole life and never do anything important. Sometimes I feel that I am wasting my life and that things will not get better.
Angela: (not quite sure what to say, since she has never had this feeling. She says nothing but strokes Clarissa’s shoulder.)
Clarissa: (seeming to appreciate her friend’s empathy). I like being with you Angela.
Angela: Clarissa, you’re a wonderful girl. Maybe it’s okay to have this feeling. I bet something will bubble up.
Clarissa: Yes I hope so.

Angela and Clarissa are at Clarissa’s house with Clarissa’s mom. They are having lunch.

Angela: Thank you very much for the lunch Mrs. Johanssen.
Mom: You’re welcome Angela. So what trouble did you and Clarissa get into this morning.
Clarissa: Mommm!
Angela: (defending her friend even though she knows that Clarissa’s mom is just teasing them). Well I wanted to get into trouble but Clarissa stopped me.
Mom: (smiling) I see.
Clarissa: (somewhat importantly) Angela and I were talking about life and other important things.
Mom: Is that so?
Clarissa: Mom, when you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mom: I wanted to be a world famous ballerina.
Clarissa: So are you unhappy that you had children and never became a world famous ballerina?
(Angela is listening intently).
Mom: Oh not at all. I would not give you and your brothers up for all the tea in China.
Clarissa: Why?
Mom: Well for me that was my destiny. I came to feel it. And my life is not over. I know that there are still wonderful things ahead. There is so much to learn.
Angela: Mrs. Johanssen. What is “destiny”?
Mom: I really cannot explain it. It just feels sometimes that something is there – moving below the surface in a certain direction. It’s more like a feeling. I cannot explain it.
Angela: Thanks Mrs. Johanssen. And thanks for the lunch. I‘d like to call my Mom now. I don’t want her to worry. May I use your phone?
Mom: Of course.

(Angela moves toward the phone and the lights fade.)

ACT 3

Evening of the same day. Uncle Jack and Angela are once again in the living room.

Uncle Jack: Well your mom says it’s time for bed.
Angela: Uncle Jack, will you please tell me more about the prince who forgot he was a prince?
Uncle Jack: Okay love. I will. Where were we?
Angela: Well the prince was learning that everything had a larger and grander life below the surface like a table or even a person’s life – like my own life. Did I get it right Uncle Jack?
Uncle Jack: Yes, very good love. So let us continue. Now the prince wanted to understand more. He was still not at all clear where the grander life was. He understood that each thing had a life but where to go from there he did not know. He knew that scraping something would not bring it to light. So he asked his teacher. His teacher told him that the grander thing below the surface, that existed over time, was the “soul” of the object.
Angela: That is not what I learned at Sunday School, Uncle Jack. I learned that if I was good, my soul would go to heaven when I died. And I even pray about that every night – I say:
“Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
Uncle Jack: That is one good way to think about it love. But let’s see where our story goes. Is that all right?
Angela: Okay.
Uncle Jack: So the teacher said that the “soul” of an object, the "soul" of a person, is something large and grand and lies below the surface of the entire “life” of the thing. And the soul is inside the thing or the person.
Angela: Like inside my stomach Uncle Jack?
Uncle Jack: No, not like that. Think about the love that you have for your Mom and Dad. That is inside you but in a very different way than being in your stomach. Do you know what I mean?
Angela: Yes, I love them very much and that love is not the same kind of thing as what is in my stomach or my arms or my legs. The love I have is inside me in a different, deeper way.
Uncle Jack: Yes. So his teacher told him that the “soul” of a person is “inside” the entire life of the person. And it has to do with the meaning or the purpose of the person’s life.
Angela: What does “purpose” mean?
Uncle Jack: Well, “purpose” means what the thing is intended for or the reason that it exists. And it is “inside” the thing. For example the purpose of the table is inside the table right from the beginning when it was just an idea in the builder’s mind, right up to the end of its “life”. And that is true for a person as well.
Angela: So the purpose or meaning of my life is inside me from the very beginning right through to the end? That is hard to understand Uncle Jack. Where can I find it in my body?

Uncle Jack: Well, where do you find the love you have for your Mom and Dad?
Angela: Oh yes, I forgot. The love is inside me but in a very different way. So my “soul” is inside me in a special kind of way. Am I right Uncle Jack?
Uncle Jack: That is a very good way to think of it love. And the good news is that you can actually feel this “soul” of yours.
Angela: I can? How?
Uncle Jack: Well this “soul” of yours is asleep right now and ….
Angela: (slightly indignantly) That’s not true Uncle Jack! I am awake and listening to you. I am not asleep!
Uncle Jack: Yes, I know. You’re awake, but your soul is asleep. But it can wake up. For example have you ever had a really strong emotion and you felt quite differently?
Angela: Yes, when my cat died. I was very sad. And I felt that everything was much more real. I was really aware that I was alive right there and then. It was a funny kind of feeling even though I was very sad.
Uncle Jack: Your soul was a little bit awake then.
Angela: So my soul is really me. My soul is my experience of me?
Uncle Jack: Yes. Does that feel right to you?
Angela: Yes it does. Can you tell me more?
Uncle Jack: The teacher told him that at first he could only wake up when his emotion was very strong.
Angela: Like when my cat died?
Uncle Jack: Yes. But that afterward he would be able to wake up even when his emotion was not so strong because he would learn from practice how to do it.
The teacher also told the prince that when his soul woke up - when he woke up - he would see everything in an entirely different way. Instead of just seeing things happen as they do on the surface he would also see them as coming from the grander soul below the surface and having a meaning related to that grander soul. So our prince tried for a long time to experience his “soul” – to be awake. And he learned much.
Angela: He is a hard worker. I admire him.
Uncle Jack: Then one day his teacher’s mother died. The prince was distraught because he had come to love the good woman. And a miracle happened - the prince woke up. He remembered who he really was and his mission. And he realized that, even though he had not known it, he had been searching for the pearl of great value all along.
Angela: That’s a beautiful story Uncle Jack. Thank you.

Uncle Jack: You’re welcome love. And I have a prayer for you for tomorrow morning.

Angela: Please tell me.

Uncle Jack: Here’s how it goes:
“Now as I rise up from my break,
I pray the Lord, my soul to wake.
And as I travel through my day,
I pray the Lord, to light my way. “

Angela: Can we say it together?

Uncle Jack and Angela together:
“Now as I rise up from my break,
I pray the Lord, my soul to wake.
And as I travel through my day,
I pray the Lord, to light my way. “

Uncle Jack: Amen.
Angela: Amen.

(The lights slowly fade as they end the prayer.)

The End