Fiction

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I don't consider myself an author but felt inspired to write this tale. It is just a small piece but I was interested in your critique. Do not fear to be harsh. I wish to learn from the experience. Thank you


Jack Wagner is a fairly happy guy. No he is a very happy guy darn it. After all he had survived law school. He didn't exactly score at the top of his class so the fancy law firm jobs didn't come his way but he managed to open his own office in a small town and made enough money to pay the rent or at least half the rent he shared with another lawyer, Linda Mitchell. They mostly worked separately but would occasionaly bring the other in on a job. That was the case today.

They were occasionally given some work by the ####. Jack was always grateful for these jobs as they were usually easy and paid well. They would be called upon to investigate a sinister case of school prayer or some other constitutional violation. Usually their appearance would be enough to send the school administration into a fit trying to reassure them they would issue a new policy and enforce it immedeately. Jack learned early on, regardless how anybody felt about it, they just didn't have to financial resources to to engage in a legal battle. Besides he was doing the world a favor by stopping these ignorant hicks from shoving their primitive superstition down peoples throats.

Today Linda and he were going to see a school play which has been reported to be full of blatant Christianity. Freedom high school is part of a small neighboring community and they are surprised to find themselves in a long line of bumper to bumper traffic. There must be something going on," Linda says trying to see around the line of cars in the hopes of getting a clue what was happening. Following the example of others they pull into a large field, now half full of cars and start walking towards the center of town. Before long they find themselves in a crowd marching down main street.

As they stop at an intersection Jack asks a lady "Excuse me, could you direct us towards the high school?" She looks at him with a smile, "just follow the crowd." "That's where everybodys going." "What's happening at the school," Jack asks? "It's the school play." the lady responds. "This many people for a school play?" Linda asks, "Must be one heck of a play!" "Oh it is, these kids are great." the lady and steps into the street.

They approach the school and get in line to buy tickets. Jack is surprised by the enthusiasm for this play and he is getting curious. They enter the building and then file into the gym which has a stage set up at one end, bleachers along the sides and the rest of the floor filled with folding chairs. At first it doesn't look like they will get a seat but eventually they find a couple. A middle aged looking gentleman in a cheap suit coat, jeans, and tennis shoes walks to center stage amidst a throng.

"Good people of Freedom and guests I welcome you here this evening." Jack assumes he is the principle. "I would like to thank you all for supporting the Freedom school system." "We are so fortunate to have so many talented students who, along with some of our staff, have managed to put together this wonderful performance." "So without further ado let the show begin." The lights go down as he exits the stage. The audience is cheering exuberantly as grips prepare the backdrops. Jack has never seen such school spirit before and is genuinely moved by it.

Stage lights fade in and a young woman saunters towards the center to the sound of strings. She is followed by a group of young ladies on her right and young men on her left. She starts singing a ballad. Jack was surprised to hear a young girl with such a powerful voice. Then she is accompanied by the choir lining up around her. They weren't just singing. They had choreographed their movements to the music.

The next song is a spunky rock n roll song with a girl and a guy bantering vocals off each other backed up by the chior. A typical boy, girl arguement put to music. After that a saddened girl sings a prayerful ballad to the stars. Fake snow sprinkles softly around her to accentuate her saddness as she pleads for mercy. The production continues. It wasn't really a play so much as a number of musical numbers strung together into a theme. These kids were really inspired and Jack could now understand the communities enthusiasm. The show continued with a number of gospel songs. One of which started with a quietly spoken but impassioned prayer. A few ballads and ended with some high energy rock songs.

The audience was clapping and shouting wildly for several minutes before a young lady, one of the singers, came out and introduced the performers, musicians, and supporting staff. She was smiling as a hush fell over the audience. "I am so grateful." "We are all so blessed." "Our city is blessed, our school is blessed, and the cast and myself are so blessed." Then right in he middle of the stage she lowers herself to her knees. The other singers come out and kneel beside her. While holding the microphone between her clasped hands she begins to pray. "Heavenly Father," the chior responds "heavenly Father." "We thank you for bringing us together tonight." This time the chior and audience join together in the repeat "We thank you for bringing us together tonight."

This is crossing the line Jack thought. They are using a public school event to hold a religious service. Still he couldn't help but feel moved by it. "You are the sovereign lord..." at one point he almost felt tears welling up in his eyes. He acted like he was yawning but he had to actively disassociate himself with what was going on around him. "Ahmen." The audience applauds and many people hug each other. The lights go on and then the long crowded shuffle to the exit.

He was surprised by how moved he was by the whole thing. He must be tired. He and Linda didn't say much but as they got in the car "Can you believe that!?" Linda says "They have no right to do that!" "We can't let them get away with this!" Linda was a true believer. She believed she was protecting the masses from Bible thumping religious lunatics. Normally Jack would agree with her but this didn't really feel like that and he was a little uncomfortable with the idea of telling them to cease and desist or they were going to sue them. Still a job was a job and he was obligated. On teh way home Linda didn't seem to mind dominating the conversation. Jack just didn't feel likew talking. She seemed to have the situation under control. He would just check in with her tomorrow and go over the game plan.

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Abigail is a joyful spirited girl. She loves to sing and dance. She has so much energy she would often skip rather than walk which most teenagers would consider risky behavior for fear of not being "cool" but Abigail just didn't care about such things. This morning she had volunteered to collect the attendance sheets and run them down to the office. This gave her a chance to get out of her seat and burn off a little extra energy before class.

Shes enters the office and awaits the secretary, Mrs Higgert, to take the sheets. The principles door is open and she can hear Mrs Higgert and he argueing with someone. The Priciple, Mr Keely, sees her and motions for her to come in. She points to herself and silently mouths the question "me?" He nods and motions again. She enters the office and sees there are a man and woman in the room.

"Excuse me Mr Keely but don't you think it would be best if we conducted this meeting private?" Linda asks. "Ms Mitchell, it only seems fair that you should have to face the people you are inflicing instead of expecting me to do it." "Abigail, meet Mr Wagner and Ms Mitchell." Abigail says "Nice to meet you." "They are here representing an organization that says it's against the law for us to include prayer in our school production." "Thats silly," Abigail says thinking they must be kidding her. Linda says "The law states you can't use public institutions to establish religion." "That's not exactly what we are doing," interjects Mr Keely. "Many judges have ruled in our favor on that subject Mr Keely."

"We are done playing games here," Linda states crossly. "Either cut out all prayer immediately or we will file suit." "But that doesn't make any sense." Abigail objects. "This is for adults to work out now maybe you can excuse us so we can finish our business here." Linda was getting especially brissly. She didn't like the game Keely was playing bringing the girl in and she was getting into her fighting stance. During all of this Jack had remained unusually silent. He felt uneasy about it. Abigail looked visibly upset and he was afraid she was going to cry. She says sternly "We won't have the play."

Then the strangest thing of all, Abigail steps up to him and lays her hands on him. When he tries to politely move away she grasps his coat. He looks up at Mr Keely who calmly walks over to assist. "Come on Abi, let go now." At first Jack thought she was begging him but then he realized she was praying for him. "Father please forgive him, release him, let him see your glory..." Jack didn't know what to think of this but he felt like a total rat. He looks up at Mr Keely and says "It's just a play." "We'll just forget about it this time but please try to be more sensitive to athiests who may be in the audience."

"WHAT!?!" Linda yells in outrage. "Please, we'll talk about this in the car." He says calmly. A disbelieving Linda storms out of the room and Jack jogs after her. "You better have some great plan up your sleeve." Linda says as he catchs up. She is fuming and in truth Jack doesn't have any idea what to say to her....

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