The Convert

ACT ONE SCENE II

9 ACT ONE SCENE II It is in the early hours of the afternoon. Charity is alone in Peter's apartment. She is knitting and singing songs of faith. CHARITY [Singing as she knits] Yes, I believe; Yes, I believe; Yes, I believe; Jesus died for me. Open, open, open are the gates of Heaven. Open, open, open is the heart of Jesus. Let's flood in one and all; let's flood in and be saved by the spilt blood of the sacred Lamb. [There is a knock at the door. Charity interrupts her singing and knitting, and goes to answer it. In comes Damien] DAMIEN Good afternoon Charity. CHARITY Good afternoon brother. DAMIEN [Smiling] You always mistake me for your brother. Do I resemble Peter that much? CHARITY No, but you are my brother in Christ. Whereas Peter is only a biological brother. 10 DAMIEN But who is more a brother? CHARITY The one in Christ, of course; which is why I wish you were one such brother to me. DAMIEN Has Peter gone back to work already? CHARITY Yes.... To what denomination do you belong? DAMIEN Catholic. CHARITY No doubt. I can smell a catholic from a thousand miles [smiles]. When will you receive Christ, Damien? Tell me in earnest. It isn't too late yet; you can still be saved. But you must hurry. When will you be born again in the Lord? Please, say when, for time is fast running out. DAMIEN What do you mean? [smiling] Don’t you know that I'm baptised? Where do you think I got the name Damien from? CHARITY No, what I mean is to be truly born again. 11 DAMIEN How many baptisms are needed to qualify me for that? CHARITY You don't understand, Damien. You may be baptised, yet not be born again. You may belong to the Catholic Church, but you are not a true believer. These issues are complex and quite annoying at times; but you must understand them if you desire true salvation. DAMIEN [Feigning seriousness] You seem to be particularly particular about truly true issues, aren't you? Can you truly tell me if Peter is very truly going to be in tonight? I most truly want to see him. CHARITY Do understand me Damien. You must not think that I jest when I talk to you about this issue of crucial importance. Do be serious please. I love you very much. DAMIEN [Delightfully surprised] Really? [Then with presumptuous seriousness] I am pleased to hear that Charity, from your own mouth. I can confess to you that since you arrived from Kamnogo several days back, I've scarcely had a night's sleep; my thoughts are all about of you. I have sweet mental pictures of you every time, everywhere. Even when I am reading, it's you I see bouncing between the lines. 12 How pleasant for you to confirm my dreams. And just like that! God in Heaven doesn't sleep! He is truly great! Rest assured, my dear, that you love a man who will spare no experience to give you pleasure. CHARITY Stop that please! Stop sinning so! Don't you know I'm God's anointed? Why do you assault my ears with evil? Why are you so immoral, so dirty, and so filthy? Why do you delight in offending Christ the Saviour with matters of the flesh? Can’t you see I love you like a brother? Can't you be as good as you look? DAMIEN Look? Do I actually look good Charity? You are mistaken; I disbelieve a sinner can look good. Of what use to God is a handsome sinner; why should God even create such an individual? No, Charity, the more realistic thing to say is that I am conveniently as ugly as my sins. Which is as well as saying that my mission in life suits my fatal personality. CHARITY I'm sorry I can't reciprocate the strong feelings you have for me; but I invite you all the same to come along with me tomorrow afternoon to the Ultimate Church of Christ. I'm sure you'll love what you see and hear there, and perhaps opt to join us in our fight against sin and pleasures of the flesh. And then we'll cease to belong to opposing camps. [3.142.98.108] Project MUSE...