CHAPTER FOUR: JOAN

JOAN: "That's the killer."

TRU: "How can you be sure?"

JOAN: "We went to high school together. The last time God had me interfere with him, I saved over twenty lives."

GEORGE: "And he has a graveling with him."

The other three give George a quizzical look.

GEORGE: "I can see them clearly, but since you three have spiritual abilities, you may be able to spot it out of the corner of your eye."

Tru, Jaye and Joan tilt their heads and take a sideways glance- each one reacts strongly.

TRU: "What is that hideous thing?"

GEORGE: "The gravelings are the cause of sudden, tragic loss of life. None of the Reapers know what they are, but we all hate them."

JOAN: "They're demons- the souls of the damned who are used by the devil to counter the natural balance."

JAYE: "You seem awfully sure."

JOAN: "I know God."

Meanwhile, Steve Ramsey has come to a halt in front of the group of young women. His face is one of utter desperation.

RAMSEY: "Joan? Is that really you?"

JOAN: "Hello Ramsey. I lost track of you after you were arrested for pulling a gun on my Dad."

RAMSEY: "I got sent to a juvenile psychiatric facility. After I turned 18, they let me go with a huge supply of happy pills to keep my anger under control. I was doing pretty good- I moved here and my cousin helped me find a job. But lately, everything is getting out of control again."

The wax lion in Jaye's hand pipes in with: "He hears voices." Only the women notice the comment.

RAMSEY: "I can't sleep, can't think… My life is falling apart, and I haven't had a moment's peace in weeks. I'm sorry, but I have to do this."

Ramsey removes a pistol from under his jacket and points it directly at Tru…

GEORGE: "No! It's not her time!"

George leaps in front of the gun just as the trigger is pulled. The gunshot echoes loudly in the narrow confines of the alley. George is slammed back with a bullet in her heart. Tru catches the falling, bleeding Reaper while Ramsey stares appalled at the scene.

RAMSEY: "Oh God, what have I done?"

Jaye doesn't wait for Ramsey to recover from his shock. Quickly, she gives him a long hard zap with her stun gun. He twitches spasmodically before collapsing to the ground.

JOAN: "How's the girl?"

TRU: "How do you think? She has a bullet in her heart. She's dead."

JAYE: "Maybe this is the way it was fated to occur?"

TRU: "I can't accept that. She died saving me. Come on George, ask me to help you! I swear I'll get it right the next time. George!"

JOAN: "Uh guys, we have company."

Standing before them is a very handsome young man in a brown corduroy jacket. He smiles fondly at the group.

JOAN: "Tru, Jaye allow me to introduce God."

JAYE: "Wow, God is really cute."

JOAN: "Trust me, he doesn't always look like this."

TRU: "Is it true? Are you really God?"

CUTE GOD: "Yes, I am."

TRU: "Then help her! Don't let George die this way."

CUTE GOD: "Georgia died years ago, but I understand what you mean. Don't worry Tru, Reapers heal very quickly…"

Proving the point, George opens her eyes, coughs a few times and moans…

GEORGE: "Damn that hurt."

TRU: "George, you're alive?"

GEORGE: "Yeah, sorta. I'm back to being undead. Who's this guy?"

TRU: "Believe it or not, that's God."

GEORGE: "Uh-oh. Am I in trouble? I know I broke the rules when I prevented a scheduled death."

CUTE GOD: "Yes, but why did you break them?"

GEORGE: "I realized if you did send Joan and Jaye to protect Tru, then there must have been a screw-up in the system."

CUTE GOD: "And you sacrificed tourself to do my will. Excellent work George, I'm pleased. In fact, I'm pleased and proud of each of you. All of you heard the call I placed before your lives, and you responded."

JAYE: "But why us?"

CUTE GOD: "You asked that once before, remember?"

JAYE: "Oh yeah, of the brass monkey. He said it was because I listen."

CUTE GOD: "I speak to all of humanity, but few choose to listen. Even fewer have the faith and courage to act upon my will."

TRU: "And you needed all four of us to deal with this Ramsey guy?"

CUTE GOD: "No, he was but a puppet in all of this. The screw-up, as George puts it, was this particular graveling, who sprang from the corrupted soul of a very evil individual. He caused an imbalance in the natural order that needed to be corrected. That's why it was necessary to gather the four of you together."

JOAN: "Is that who I think it is?"

CUTE GOD: "Yes Joan, and the honors are all yours."

Joan approaches the quivering demon/graveling, who has been held immobile since the appearance of God.

JOAN: "Creature of darkness, I cast you into hell, never to return!"

There is a flash of flame and smoke, and the graveling crumbles into dust and ashes, before blowing away in the wind- leaving behind the slight stench of brimstone.

JOAN: "And what about Ramsey?"

CUTE GOD: "The gunshot caused the police to be called. Steve Ramsey will be returned to proper medical care. Without his demonic tormentor, he has a good chance of a full recovery. Good work ladies."

TRU: "So that's it? Now we return to our odd little lives without any answers for all of our questions?"

CUTE GOD: "Joan already knows this, but Tru, Jaye and George, all I ask is that you trust me. If I explained everything, where would faith be? Follow my will to the best of your ability, and know that I am always with you."

With a peaceful smile, Cute God briefly touches a cheek of each young woman, then turns and walks away. Just before rounding the corner, he gives a small, backhanded wave, and then he is gone.

JOAN: "So now what?"

TRU: "I hear sirens approaching. We better leave before we get stuck with a lot of questions we can't answer."

JAYE: "I for one could use a drink."

GEORGE: "Best idea I've heard all day."

TRU: "There's a place just around the corner. Coming Joan?"

JOAN: "Why not? I bet we've got a lot of interesting stories to swap."

Arms linked, the four very extraordinary young women exit the scene.

The End

In the '03/'04 TV seasons, four clever and innovative series premiered. Each was about a young woman exploring an unusual spiritual path. Sadly, the shows lasted only 13 to 45 episodes. Meanwhile, trashy "reality" shows proliferate. What is wrong with the viewing public?

PLEASE REVIEW