Ellie and God, PAC III, 1
Cue Erin ahead of time
ELLIE: Hi God.
GOD: Ellie…good to talk to you.
ELLIE: Yeah. It seems so easy out here.
GOD: It is.
ELLIE: So….how come? Why do I seem to close to God at PAC but at other times. . . .
GOD: Lots of reasons. The music….being away from distractions. . . .people have been praying for everyone at PAC. But one of the main reasons is right in front of you.
ELLIE: (a beat, then) The kids?
GOD: The kids…the counselors…the people. Ellie, did you ever meet your twin?
ELLIE: My twin?
GOD: Yeah. In fact, she looks just like you.
ELLIE: (a beat, then) Mom, is there something you didn’t tell me?
GOD: No….don’t blame Christine. There are two Ellie’s…the real Ellie and the pretend Ellie.
ELLIE: This is getting pretty weird.
GOD: Don’t blame me. You did it.
ELLIE: Huh?
GOD: The real Ellie…the one I’m talking to right now….it’s very easy for her to talk to God. She doesn’t pretend to be anyone else, just Ellie. You see, I like to talk to real people.
ELLIE: Then who’s the other one?
GOD: Well…she pops up a lot. She’s the one who appears when the real Ellie gets nervous…when the real Ellie is afraid of what people might think of her….that’s when the other Ellie shows up.
ELLIE: Is she…is she nice?
GOD: She’s okay. But it’s really hard to talk to her since she’s not real.
ELLIE: (a beat, then) Is it okay if I’m confused?
GOD: (laughs) Yes…that’s okay. I don’t blame you. But guess what? Out here at camp the other Ellie doesn’t have to show up.
ELLIE: She’s not here?
GOD: No, the beds in the girls’ dorm are filled up.
ELLIE: That’s funny.
GOD: And that’s why it’s so easy for you talk to me out here…you’re you and nobody else.
ELLIE: I like that.
GOD: Me too.
ELLIE: But why is it different out here?
GOD: The answer is right in front of you. . . . people who accept you as you are. Sometimes you don’t let people know who you are because you’re afraid if they knew they wouldn’t like you.
ELLIE: And I’m wrong?
GOD: I cannot tell you how wrong you are. (a beat, then) Be you, Ellie…the real you…the Ellie I made, not the one you made up.
ELLIE: (a beat, then) God…here’s my prayer. . .
GOD: Who am I talking to?
ELLIE: The real me.
GOD: Cool.
ELLIE: I pray that everyone will feel safe to be themselves this weekend. (a beat, then) How was that?
GOD: Ask Erin.
ELLIE: Huh?
GOD: Ask Erin.
ELLIE: Erin?
ERIN: Just do it!