Author's note: Dear readers, settle back and enjoy the conclusion of the play. May you feel uplifted and inspired by the message of the story of Jesus as much as I have been in writing it. At this point, I could probably sit down and actually write a whole play narrative, using the many references to it in the story!
Molly smiled as she waited for the second Act to begin. Things were going so perfectly, and best of all, Greg had just become a Christian! What a joyful night this was already.
She closed her eyes briefly and uttered a quick thanks to God.
The curtain rose, and a rendition of the famous hymn, "All Glory, Laud and Honour," played as Sherlock in his role as Jesus sat on the donkey, which began to walk along the stage. As people threw down palm branches and cloaks, the donkey placidly plodded on.
Sherlock/Jesus held out his hand and clasped the hands of people as he passed, including Molly's, giving it a quick squeeze.
Molly loved hearing the lyrics of that grand hymn during the procession, even as the actors added their voices at times in a cry of "Hosanna!" or "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" or "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Following the success of the triumphal scene, the second curtain rose to display a scene with a projected image of the temple courts. Several actors slipped on more elaborate outer garments to play Pharisees and Sadducees as Jesus preached, this time to a less receptive crowd.
Molly watched from the side of the stage as Jesus related several parables.
Mark said from his position at the podium, "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question."
This was the cue for one of the men to say, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Of course, this was something Molly knew had to be included in the play, it was so central to Jesus' ministry.
She smiled as Sherlock quoted Jesus's words from the Bible with authority, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Molly was unable to tear herself away from watching as the play continued.
After the telling of several more parables, the Pharisees and Sadducees dispersed, leaving Jesus with his disciples, and he said, "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
At that, the inner curtain dropped down as Mark said, "Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him."
Bob, as Caiaphas, stepped in front of the curtain to say, walking along with some Pharisees, "But not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people."
As soon as he had crossed from one side of the stage to the other, Sherlock began to walk across with the disciples as he narrated the parable of the Good Samaritan, which Molly had decided should be added from the Gospel of Luke.
While this was going on, behind the curtain, things were being arranged for the Mary and Martha scene. A chair was placed for Jesus to sit upon.
Martha, who had come to the stage a couple minutes earlier to wait for the scene change and her own entrance once the scene had begun, said to Molly, "Things are going very well, aren't they?"
Molly smiled at her. "Very well."
She walked onto the stage and lowered herself to the floor in front of the chair, along with the fake bottle of perfume set upstage of her so it would not be seen. Molly hoped people would forgive her poetic licence in integrating the Mary and Martha scene with the one of Jesus being anointed with the perfume. She licked her lips nervously as she waited for the inner curtain to rise once again. It was weird; she was fine when it came to singing in front of people, or even to do presentations, but acting in front of strangers was something she hadn't done since the little bit that had been part of singing chorus music in the opera scenes workshop she had done at uni many years earlier. Her lips twitched. Oh, and the duet from Don Giovanni that Sherlock and I acted out last month for the talent show. And then there was also the role-play acting she and Sherlock had done together, but that was private.
Molly watched Philip Anderson, Greg, and a couple other disciples who had not been part of the Good Samaritan group, take their places near the chair where Jesus would sit.
Then Molly saw Sherlock hurrying from the side of the stage to take his place on the chair, as John and Matthias also took up positions.
Mark's voice said, "A little while later, Jesus and his disciples went to the house of Martha and her sister Mary. While Mary sat at Jesus' feet to listen to him, Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made."
The inner curtain rose. This time, there was a projection showing the interior of a house.
This was the cue for Martha to come onstage, and she walked to stand next to Jesus. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
Molly was pleased that Martha, who had had several issues in remembering her lines, few though they were, was able to say them perfectly this time.
Jesus looked up at the elderly woman, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
As Martha bowed her head and exited the stage once again, Molly took up the bottle lying beside her.
Bending forward a little awkwardly due to the size of her belly, she mimed pouring the perfume onto the bare feet of the man in front of her.
Then she proceeded to take one foot and pretend to wipe it with her hair, even as Philip, in his role of Judas, came forward and said, in a tone of indignation, "Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Molly took hold of Sherlock's other foot, as he said solemnly, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my feet, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Molly raised her head slightly to watch as Judas stalked off and the inner curtain came down once again.
Molly set down Sherlock's foot, and he helped her stand, kissing her temple. "Nice work, Molly," he whispered.
Several stage hands brought in a large table and chairs that were to be used for the Last Supper, although, historically, the men would have been reclining, rather than sitting on chairs.
As this was taking place, and the disciples took their seats, along with Jesus, Molly walked back off the stage.
In front of the curtain, Judas was offering his services to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Molly knew she could go downstairs to the dressing room and wait for her next call, which would be the crucifixion scene, but she couldn't bring herself to leave the wings. This was her baby, after all. It was the work of months finally coming to fruition, and she didn't want to miss any of it.
As the Last Supper scene moved on to the garden of Gethsemane, Molly made sure she kept out of the way of the stagehands moving props back and forth.
During the scene where Judas kissed Jesus as the pre-arranged signal for the arrest, Molly had to grin as she was able to see the slight grimace Sherlock made when Philip appeared to actually kiss his cheek, rather than mime it, as he had done during rehearsal. Molly had the feeling this was deliberate on Philip's part, to tease Sherlock.
Following this scene was the one with Jesus before the Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. With the two scenes following one another, Molly had decided that the easiest way to do it was to use half the stage for each scene, with the lighting highlighting the current scene. She was pleased that it worked seamlessly.
Bob did his part as Caiaphas, as if he'd been acting all his life.
After this scene, Peter's denial occurred in front of the curtain so the stage could be prepared for Jesus before Pilate.
Mark then narrated the details of Judas hanging himself and the inner curtain rose on the scene.
Molly was still feeling quite impressed with George's dedication in playing the part of Pontius Pilate. George had worn a beard for as long as she'd known him, but he had shaved it off just before the first dress rehearsal, to be more authentic in his role as the clean shaven Pilate.
When it was time for the soldiers to mock Jesus and place the crown of thorns on his head, Molly found it hard to watch, even from the wings. This scene was done in front of the inner curtain as well, so that the cross for Jesus could be set in place. Sherlock acted the part so well, the pain Jesus must have felt, even as little blood packets concealed in the crown of thorns burst to lend authenticity to the scene. Molly felt like crying, thinking of how Jesus had truly suffered. Blood packets had also been put into the sticks as the actors pretended to strike Jesus. Molly had to turn away then, because it made her not only think of Jesus, but also of how Sherlock had suffered in his time in Serbia, being tortured. His back held the scars of that time too.
She took her position with others behind the curtain on the stage and realised tears were already pooling in her eyes.
The scene in front of the curtain complete, it seemed the audience was holding its collective breath as Sherlock was helped into his position on the cross. The projected backdrop for this scene had images of the thieves on either side.
The curtain lifted, and the scene began. Molly was not the only one who was openly crying as Sherlock, seeming to gather up his best acting skills, uttered those devastating words, even more powerfully than he had done in rehearsal.
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The scene ended as Brad, this time not faltering, lifted Sherlock, who had gone limp, from the cross and carried him offstage, and the curtain came down again.
Even as people helped to clean the fake blood from Sherlock's head and body, Molly listened to the beautiful sound of Matthias's voice, singing a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Were you There?"
And in what seemed like the blink of an eyelid, the scene with the empty tomb and the risen Jesus was concluded, and it was time for Molly to sing "Who will Call Him King of Kings?"
She walked out in front of the curtain, as an earpiece provided her with the sound of the music, rather than having to just hear it coming from speakers. Adrenaline rushed through her as she sang the song.
At the end of it, she knew she'd never sung it with more emotion. Her heart was so full from being part of the play, for experiencing more fully what it would have been like to be a witness to Jesus' ministry, his death and resurrection.
And as she stopped singing the high G at the same time as the music, there were a few beats of complete silence, and then the clapping began, thunderous to her ears.
Molly stepped offstage and handed the earpiece to a stagehand as the curtain rose to display the unnamed play participants assembled for their bow.
Then came the people with roles, taking their bows in small groups from stage right, then stage left, progressing from the smaller roles to the more prominent ones.
At last, Sherlock stepped from the side of the stage for his solo bow, and Molly clapped from the wings even as the audience displayed their enthusiasm in clapping hardest for him. She was so proud of him.
Sherlock gestured to Mark to join the front row of principal actors, and Mark also bowed. Finally, Sherlock broke from the line of actors to go to where Molly stood waiting for him, and he escorted her onto the stage, kissing her hand before he stepped back so she could take her own bow.
She was rather surprised that the clapping was just as strong for her as for Sherlock, but she smiled and joined the row of principal actors, where they and the rest of the cast took two more bows as the audience continued to clap, until the curtain dropped for the last time.
And then it was mayhem as everyone congratulated one another, shook hands, and Mycroft appeared to add his own congratulations. He had refused to be acknowledged as a participant, but had gone to watch the play from the audience.
"Sherlock, you did a fine job," he said. He looked at Molly, whose hand was securely clasped in Sherlock's, "and Molly, you are a truly remarkable and talented woman. Congratulations on your success." Then he added, "I took the liberty of going to the box office during the interval to find out how much money had been donated. I think you will be very pleased."
Molly and Sherlock looked at him expectantly, and Molly held her breath as Sherlock asked, "How much?"
Mycroft smiled. "Over ten thousand pounds."
Molly gasped. That figure was far beyond her wildest expectations. She wondered if Mycroft had contributed to it, but knew he would never admit to it if he had.
Sherlock squeezed Molly's hand. "I told you it was better not to set an admission fee. People tend to be more generous when they are just asked to offer a donation."
She smiled at him. "Well, you were right." She looked at Mycroft. "Thanks, Mycroft, and you did a wonderful job as the voice of God."
Mycroft smiled modestly. "It was no trouble. It may not have required me to use as many of my acting skills as when I played Lady Bracknell during my youth, but I think I acquitted myself adequately. Now, if you will excuse me, I must find my son and congratulate him also on a job well done. Takes after me, you know." And he smirked, a rare sight for him, before departing.
"I guess we should go and get changed, so we can meet up with everyone," said Sherlock, and she nodded.
"Yeah, I saw John already leave the stage. We need to thank our babysitters as well." She looked around. "Wow, most people have already gone to the dressing rooms."
"Yes, let's go. It has certainly been a memorable evening," Sherlock said. Molly felt so happy, and she felt the baby moving inside her, as if she too was expressing her delight at the way the evening had turned out.
They headed towards the private dressing room they were sharing, one of several that was usually reserved for the principals of a cast.
They passed the women's dressing room and attached toilets. "I'm just going to nip to the loo," said Molly. "Do you need to go too?"
Sherlock chuckled and rubbed her abdomen. "I'm fine. My bladder capacity is not being compromised with a baby pressing against it."
By the time Molly entered the small dressing room, Sherlock was taking off his fake beard. She was looking forward to seeing him clean shaven again.
She took off her makeup, then her costume, rather glad to be rid of the slightly scratchy material. She slipped the red dress over her head again with a grateful sigh, feeling the softness of the material against her body.
By this time, Sherlock was also dressed in his usual suit, and he walked over to Molly to place his hands on her bare shoulders. "A definite improvement," he murmured, bending his head to kiss her.
She pulled back and touched his now smooth face. His chin and upper lip were slightly red from pulling off the fake beard, but it was good to see her husband back to normal. "A great improvement for you too," she said.
Molly made a move towards the door but was halted by Sherlock, who was reaching into his shirt pocket. "Didn't you forget something?"
That was when Molly remembered she had handed her rings to Sherlock for safekeeping before they went on stage, and he had placed hers, along with his, in his pocket. "My rings!"
He smiled and withdrew the rings, slipping his own on first, then reaching to place Molly's back on her finger where they belonged.
"We'll pack up the rest of our stuff once we've retrieved Victoria and said hello to our parents," remarked Sherlock as they left the dressing room.
"Good idea." There was no point in carrying everything right now. Martha had said she wanted to stay afterwards to introduce her sister to them, and Molly thought there might be other people who were lingering, so they could also say hello.
They headed to another of the small principal dressing rooms in which Abigail and Lori were. The door opened just before they got there, and John and Kayla came out with Rosie and Adam, who was grizzling in Kayla's arms.
"I wish we could chat for a bit, but as you can see," John gestured to his son, "Adam is overtired and impatient to leave. Anyway, I think everything went off brilliantly, didn't it?"
"Bwilliant," said Rosie, parroting her father without any understanding of the word.
Molly smiled at Rosie, as Sherlock said, "Yes it did. Will we see you in church tomorrow? perhaps we could go somewhere for lunch afterwards to celebrate our success."
John glanced at Kayla, who nodded.
Goodbyes were exchanged, and the Watsons retreated along the passageway as Sherlock and Molly entered the dressing room.
Victoria looked around from where she and Grace had been sitting on the floor with assorted toys and beamed. "Mama! Dada!"
"Thank you both so much for watching Victoria," said Molly, looking from Abigail to Lori, as Sherlock scooped up their daughter.
Abigail smiled. "I expect you caught John and Kayla as they were leaving? He said everything went perfectly."
"We did, and yes, it did go well," confirmed Sherlock. "My brother told me that we have raised over ten thousand pounds as well for cancer research."
Abigail clasped her hands together in delight. "That is amazing! We will certainly have to announce that in church tomorrow. Of course," she grinned as she said, "practically all of the church was either involved in the play in some way or came to see it."
"I must tell my church about this too," put in Lori, adding her voice to the conversation for the first time. Then her eyes misted as she said, "Greg came here during the interval and told me he finally understands what I and our friends have been telling him for so long, and that he truly believes."
Sherlock nodded. "He told me himself. He said it was during the scene where Jesus and Peter walk on the water that it really became clear to him. God really moves in mysterious ways."
Lori put her hand on her abdomen. "Well, I am so grateful that this little one will be coming into the world with two believing parents. I was telling Abigail how this is what I've been praying for so fervently. She was kind enough to give me and Greg a few minutes alone, and I helped him pray and ask Jesus into his heart. It was just amazing." She blinked away sudden tears.
Abigail nodded her acknowledgment. "I was glad to give you that time. I'm so glad that Caleb was already a Christian when we met. I'm not sure I would have been up to the challenge of being with someone who didn't share my faith. It's such an important part of our life together."
"I must admit," said Sherlock, "even though I am grateful that Molly agreed to marry me before I became a Christian, and it was her love and dedication that helped me in my own journey towards faith, I will definitely be encouraging my own daughter," he patted Molly's belly, "I mean daughters, to seek Christian men as their life partners."
Lori cocked her head. "Your love for Molly was strong enough that you were willing to be open to the idea of faith. I think that also makes a difference."
"Unfortunately, that isn't always the case, though," put in Molly, thinking of Allison and Archie, and the husband who had abandoned them because his heart was hard and unwilling to take a serious look at her faith. Allison had told her a week earlier that she had told her husband she had decided she would not initiate the divorce. It would be up to him to begin the proceedings when he was legally able to do so. She had told Molly also that she felt a peace in knowing she was honouring God this way in not just initiating the proceedings for her estranged husband's convenience.
Molly shook herself out of her reflection. "But let's not talk about such things," she added brightly. "Let's rejoice that we have another brother in Christ."
"Amen to that," said Abigail, smiling at Lori.
"We must get going to the front now. I'm sure my parents and Molly's mum will be waiting to talk with us," said Sherlock.
"Greg should be back soon too. He popped in to say he was just going to get changed and pack up his things so we can leave."
"Same with Caleb," said Abigail.
Sherlock addressed Victoria, who Molly could see was looking sleepy, by the way she had rested her head against Sherlock's arm. "Say goodbye, Victoria."
Victoria opened and closed the hand not clinging to Sherlock. "Bye bye."
"Bye bye," said Grace, adding her own word of farewell to that of the other women."
"By the way, Grace did an admirable job onstage," said Sherlock to Abigail, and Grace, hearing her name, gave him a toothy grin.
"I'm so glad you hired someone to do a video recording, so I'll get to see it for myself," said Abigail. "I'll be first in line to buy it!"
Final goodbyes said, Molly headed towards the exit that would take them into the auditorium, Sherlock following close behind with their daughter.
Author's note: How I loved writing out these scenes! I must admit, my experience in performing in musicals and operas made it easier for me to describe scene changes, what happens backstage and how it all comes together, which most people wouldn't know if they don't have a background in theatre. Using projected images for operas has become more common in recent years in addition to sets, at least in my personal experience, and I felt this would be the easiest way to approach several of the scenes. I hope you felt transported into the story and were able to picture what was happening. Do you feel I succeeded in my quest to show a realistic portrayal of the play?
So all that is left after this is a final wrap up chapter, and the surprise appearance of a character I haven't spoken of in some time. Care to make any guesses?
Can I encourage anyone new to respond to my story with their thoughts on how it has progressed and whether it has touched them in a positive way? I hope and pray my stories provide something meaningful to my readers' lives beyond the usual entertainment of reading.
Thank you for your support of my writing.