A Creation of a false reality

this is my little Fiction Stage mini
Despite the specific names used in this story, the story itself is totally made up. ~jh

Setting:
     SJKP building,  2nd story, Fr. G's office

     circa 1979–2016

cast:
     Fr. G, a great archpriest
     Anastasia, the matushka
     Errand Boy, a promising catechumen, new to the community

____________
Act I     Scene I  
Sunny day.  Bright sunshine in the window.

Fr. G is busy working with some papers on his desk.  Errand Boy is busy dusting shelves and/or cleaning windows.   Anastasia is seated in a chair near the door, apparently she is content just to keep company with her husband and has no particular task in the office.

Fr. G: Errand Boy, would you please run upstairs to the library and get me the Psalter of the Seventy.

Errand Boy exits the stage and returns with the Psalter.  He places it on Fr. G's desk with care to make it accessible, but also not to cover anything Father is focused on at the moment.  Fr. G glances up at the book that was placed in his range of sight.

Fr. G:  Errand Boy, I told you to get the Bible.  This is the Psalter.

Errand Boy hesitates in momentary confusion, but then without saying anything he gently picks up the Psalter and exits the stage.  He returns promptly with the Bible.  In the same manner as before he places the Bible on Fr. G's desk so that it is accessible but without going on top of anything Fr. G might be needing to see at the moment.

Fr. G:  thank you.  that's what I need...  (Fr. G appears satisfied, but annoyed, and mumbles disapproval about helpers in general who do not pay attention to details.)

At this point Anastasia moves her chair closer to Fr. G's desk along with her knitting basket. She cocks her ear to show she wants to hear what Fr. G. is mumbling.  Then she brings her knitting project up to her lap and and starts to work on her knitting.

________________
Act I     Scene II  
Sun has gone down, electric lights are turned on.  Fr. G is slowly packing up his work for the night, compiling orderly stacks of papers on his desk.  Errand Boy is also packing up his cleaning supplies.  Anastasia is still sitting knitting.  While Fr. G. is packing he leans over to Anastasia and starts talking to her in a lowered voice.  Fr. G. is losing confidence in Errand Boy's competency, and Anastasia is asking Fr. G. to be patient and give him another chance.  Errand Boy overhears them talking.  He catches a few key words and realizes that he is the subject of their conversation.  Errand Boy approaches Fr. G's desk: 

 

Errand Boy:  Father, I don't want you to think I'm an idiot.  All due respect, Father, at first you asked for the Psalter.

Fr. G (sternly lowers his eyebrows): I asked for the Bible.

 

Errand Boy:  I know, I remember you said the Psalter.

Fr. G (more sternly lowers his eyebrows): I asked for the Bible.

 
Errand Boy, looking over to Anastasia:  

 

Errand Boy:  Father, please forgive me, but you first asked for the Psalter.  I don't want you to think I am incompetent or disobedient.  You asked for the Psalter.

Fr. G   (emphatically)  No! I said the Bible.

Errand boy, turns to Anastasia for support.  She avoids eye contact with him at first, but she knows he is looking to her.  Fr. Gregory also looks at Anastasia, and Anastasia is aware that her husband is looking at her also, but she does not glance back at him.  Then, she lifts her head from her knitting, straight up to look at Errand Boy straight in the eye:

Anastasia:  Errand Boy, Father asked for the Bible.

Anastasia stuck to this assertion to the end of her life. even after Fr. G died. 

See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3an9crV9feM

     15 minutes

or here:  

https://app.box.com/s/jzkrmah6lhivq6vegbo4muuv2j7cafy7

 download necessary to view

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