Howdy Folks! So what you are about to read are a selection of scenes from a play I'm working on. The working title is "Knowledge," but that may or may not change in the future. To put what you are reading into perspective, Daemon is a teenage boy fighting with a secret, one that fights his family's and school's traditional values. Now, I am aware that this can be taken as a generalization of the Catholic faith, however the growth in homophobic remarks made from those who are in the faith gives me belief that there are still a number of people still out there with these views. I hope you enjoy this selection; and I encourage your comments!

ACT I Scene ii:

(Center stage is a confessional booth cross-sectioned to see the people inside. PRIEST is on the right and the left is empty. At rise we see DAEMON walk in and take the left side of the booth.)

PRIEST:

Welcome, my child.

DAEMON:

(Performs the sign of the cross with complete accuracy behind shaking hands)

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It has been two weeks since my last confession. I know Father, I don’t need to confess so often but I didn’t know where else to turn. I’ve tried to be strong, and I know, I know it’s not right but I don’t, I don’t know what to do. I try hard not to be, but it just keeps coming back and taking over me. I don’t know how to escape it. Do you know what I’m trying to-

PRIEST:

Yes, I do.

DAEMON:

So what do I do?

PRIEST:

Keep your feelings secret. Don’t share this with anyone but God and you’ll be fine.

DAEMON:

But what if I can’t keep them secret. It takes everything out of me now. And what happens if I fail? What do I do then? Answer me!

PRIEST:

It will be a journey but God never gives you any trials you can’t take on. As long as you haven’t fallen to temptation; as long as you never acted that way then you will be fine. You never acted on it have you?

DAEMON:

(Looks away in shame)

PRIEST:

Tell me you haven’t acted on them!

DAEMON:

(Sits in silence shaking with fear)

PRIEST:

With who my child? You must tell me with who! We must save both your lustful souls. No one deserves eternal damnation!

DAEMON:

(Sits in silence shaking with fear)

PRIEST:

Fine. We’ll leave the other boy out of it. But you will have to discuss this with Father Flynn later.

DAEMON:

(Shifts in his seat uncomfortably)

Father, am I okay?

PRIEST:

I don’t know my child. Pray for forgiveness. For your penance pray two Hail Mary's. Now make an Act of Contrition.

DAEMON:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.

PRIEST:

(Cold)

God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace. I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

DAEMON:

(Choking on tears)

Amen

PRIEST:

(Even Colder)

God has forgiving your sins. Go in peace.

DAEMON:

(Through Tears)

Thanks be to God.

(DAEMON sprints off right in tears, ashamed of what he had said. (The PRIEST folds his head in his hands.)

ACT I Scene iii:

(A bed is seen to show that we are now in Daemon’s bedroom. There is a nightstand with a lamp and a picture of DAEMON and JAMES)

DAEMON:

(Kneeling at Bedside)

Dear Lord, please hear me out. I know that it is against your will for me to be gay but then why did you make me this way; to have these thoughts? Is this your plan? Is this a test to see if I truly would follow you and not give into temptation? If so, I’d like to retake it. I knew when it was happening it was wrong on so many levels but it felt..and I know that it was lust but he said it was all right. And with who he is, you’d think that he’d know how this all works.

I’m just so scared because, I don’t want to lose you in my life. Sister James taught us that sinners never really know you and I don’t think I could handle that. And why did you put James into my life? He’s my best friend, or was anyways. I can’t look at him the same now. When I look at him I just see that body, the boy I knew for years is now just see an object of lust.

I fell asleep in class today and I dreamt that we were dead and that we were at the gates of Heaven. When the gates opened he looked at me and walked in but turned back only to see me fall through the clouds down to Earth, and then through the ground to Hell. The devil danced around preparing for my punishment. I was so scared I woke up and yelled so loud, I was sent to Aloysius’ office.

FATHER:

(Offstage)

Daemon! Get to bed, it’s late!

DAEMON:

I’m praying! Geez. Sorry God, I didn’t mean to yell. Where was I? Oh, yes. Lord can you just guide me through this. Just show me what needs to be done. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, His Love to guard me through the night, And wake me in the morning's light. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed that I lie on. Four corners to my bed, Four angels round my head; One to watch and one to pray And two to bear my soul away.

(DAEMON gets into bed and reaches over to the lamp. He stares at the picture shamefully then puts it face down. He snaps the rubber band around his wrist. He then turns off the light. As the lights fade we hear a distant phone ringing)