CAST OF “IN THE SHADOW OF 9/11”
Phillip James, Qantas Pilot (on layover in New York City)
Thomas White, former pastor
Laura Samson, 29-year-old (lost her husband when the World Trade Center collapsed)
Brandon Samson, Laura’s six-year-old son
Nahlah - Muslim woman who works at the Empire State Building
Lizzie White, Thomas’s deceased wife
Jayden White, Thomas’s three-year-old deceased son
Janie White, Thomas’s one-year-old deceased daughter
Firefighter
Three or four police officers who take statements
Extras (several emergency personnel)
Sara Taylor and Josh Cook -- hosts of Christian talk show
Nate Snowden -- reporter on location in Australia with Phillip James
SETTING
Lift in the Empire State Building
Whites’ driveway (Thomas’s flashback)
Cockpit of Phillip James’s private twin-engine plane (Phillip’s flashback)
TV studio – the set of a Christian talk show
Recognizable Australian location
LIGHTS COME UP ON FIVE PEOPLE IN ESB LIFT: 1.
LAURA has her arm around Brandon’s shoulder and is holding him close.
NAHLAH is looking straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with the other lift occupants.
BRANDON
Look, Mummy, a pilot.
LAURA
Yes, Brandon.
PHILLIP
(smiling at Brandon, speaking to Thomas)
Didn’t I see you on the plane?
THOMAS
I was visiting relatives in Sydney.
PHILLIP
(reaching out his hand)
I’m Phillip James. You?
THOMAS
(reluctantly shaking hands)
Thomas. Thomas White.
PHILLIP
Your first trip to Australia?
THOMAS
(after a moment, he shakes his head)
No, I lived there years ago.
BRANDON
Mummy, can we go to ’stralia?
LAURA
I don’t know, sweetheart. Maybe someday.
BRANDON
Daddy said I could ride in a kangaroo’s pouch, just like in my book.
LAURA
(smiles weakly)
Honey, Daddy was just teasing.
2.
BRANDON
I still wanna go to ’stralia. (to Phillip) Could we fly on your plane, Mister?
PHILLIP
I’d like that. I could show you the cockpit.
BRANDON claps his hands and jumps up and down.
Suddenly the lift jerks to a halt.
LAURA pulls Brandon even closer.
BRANDON
Did I do that, Mummy?
LAURA shakes her head, apparently too frightened to speak.
THOMAS
You OK?
LAURA shakes her head.
BRANDON
We’re not gonna go to heaven like Daddy; are we, Mummy?
LAURA
(tears rolling down her cheeks)
I … I don’t think so. Not yet.
PHILLIP
Don’t worry, Sport. God will take care of us.
THOMAS
Humph!
BRANDON
Don’t ya believe in God, Mister?
LAURA
Brandon, that’s not polite.
BRANDON
(sighs)
Sorry. (after a brief pause) Well, don’t ya?
3.
PHILLIP tries to hide a smile.
THOMAS shakes his head.
NAHLAH answers her ringing cell phone and carries on a conversation inaudible to the others.
BRANDON
Cool! That lady’s name is from the Lion King.
LAURA
(taking slow, deliberate breaths)
What?
BRANDON
See her name tag? It says “Na La”.
PHILLIP
You are one smart little man.
BRANDON
Hey, that’s what Daddy used to call me?
PHILLIP casts a questioning glance at LAURA.
LAURA
(glances at Nahlah and lowers her voice)
My … uh … my husband was working in the Towers on September 11.
PHILLIP
I’m sorry … but I’m sure your faith has helped.
THOMAS
Lay off, would ya?
PHILLIP
Pardon me?
THOMAS
(indignant)
God had nothing to do with it. If He did, do you really think He’s the kind
of God someone could turn to for help?
4.
BRANDON looks questioningly at THOMAS.
THOMAS
Sorry, kid, but you might as well know now: God forgot about us a long time ago.
LAURA
I would thank you …
PHILLIP
(raising his hand)
Why would you want to shake an innocent little boy’s confidence in God?
NAHLA hangs up and puts her cell phone back in her purse.
THOMAS
After 9/11, none of us are innocent.
NAHLA glances in his direction but quickly turns away.
PHILLIP
(speaking to Laura)
I don’t have the answers to your pain, but God still cares. His plans are for
our good, even if we can’t see that.
THOMAS clenches and unclenches his fists.
The lift shudders slightly.
LAURA lets out a quiet squeal.
BRANDON
(gives his mum a hug)
It’s OK, Mummy. I believe the ’stralian pilot. God will take care of us.
LAURA
(picks up the emergency phone)
Listen, we’re stuck in here. Do you know when we’re going to get moving
again?
LAURA nods and hangs up.
PHILLIP
What did they say?
5.
LAURA
(doubtful)
He said it’s just a mechanical problem. They should have it fixed soon.
BRANDON
See, Mummy. We’re gonna to be fine.
LAURA smiles at her son. After a few moments of silence, panic crosses her face.
LAURA
(looking toward PHILLIP and THOMAS)
Did you hear that?
PHILLIP and THOMAS shake their heads.
LAURA
I thought I heard something. (lowering her voice so BRANDON won’t
hear) I think it could have been an explosion. Do either of you have a
cell phone? I’d like to make a call.
NAHLA begins to speak but thinks better of it.
PHILLIP
I’m sorry. I didn’t bring my phone with me. (laughing) I didn’t want the
airline to tell me my layover had been cancelled.
THOMAS pulls his cell phone from his pocket and looks at it.
THOMAS
Stupid!
BRANDON
(gasping)
Mummy, he said the “s” word.
THOMAS
(looking embarrassed)
I’m sorry, Brandon. I meant I’m stupid. I forgot to charge my phone.
BRANDON
(looking up at his mum)
Is everything really OK?
6.
LAURA
I don’t know, honey. I was going to call someone and try to find out.
NAHLA nudges LAURA’S arm with her phone.
LAURA
(smiling weakly)
Um … thanks.
PHILLIP
(speaking to NAHLA, referring to her name tag)
So you work here?
NAHLA nods.
PHILLIP
It must still be hard for everyone in New York.
THOMAS shakes his head in exasperation and rolls his eyes.
LAURA
(handing back the phone)
I couldn’t reach anyone.
PHILLIP
(speaking to Brandon)
Do you want to hear a story while we wait?
PHILLIP crouches down.
BRANDON
Is it all right, Mummy?
LAURA nods her head. Her expression reveals that she is only half listening.
BRANDON goes over and sits beside the pilot who is now sitting with his back against the side of the lift.
PHILLIP
A long time ago, there was a man walking down a very dangerous road.
BRANDON looks into the pilot’s face, eyes wide.
7.
PHILLIP
The man was all alone. On both sides of the road were lots of
places where robbers would hide.
BRANDON gasps.
PHILLIP
A group of them jumped out, stole his money, and left him there.
BRANDON
Oh, no. Did they hurt him?
PHILLIP nods.
BRANDON looks at Laura.
LAURA
(still distracted)
What? … Oh, it’s OK, sweetheart. I know this story, and it has a happy
ending.
BRANDON
What happened next, Mister?
PHILLIP
A very important man came by.
BRANDON
Did he help?
PHILLIP
(shaking his head)
Nope. He just kept on going.
BRANDON
That wasn’t very nice.
THOMAS
(muttering quietly)
Get used to it, kid.
PHILLIP
Then a leader of the church came by.
8.
BRANDON
He helped, didn’t he? Everyone at our church is really nice. Right,
Mummy?
LAURA smiles weakly and nods. She is growing increasingly panicky but doesn’t want her son to know.
PHILLIP
Not even he helped. They both walked right past as if the injured man wasn’t
even there.
THOMAS
(angrily)
Stop there, OK? I know the story, and so far, it’s bang on. Life sucks. Don’t
make any mistake about that. People will leave you beaten and bruised. If
there’s nothing in it for them, no-one, I repeat – no-one, is going to help you
out. Murphy’s Law, ya know?
NAHLA’S head droops, and she nods slightly.
BRANDON
(speaking to LAURA)
Mummy, who’s Murphy?
LAURA
(angry to the point of tears, verbally lashing out at THOMAS)
How … how could you say that? If you had children, you’d know better
than to crush a little boy’s dreams like that. You’re right. Sometimes life is unbearable. You may not want to get up in the morning or face another long
night alone. (pausing to catch her breath) But kids (smiles at Brandon),
they’re the reason we go on.
BRANDON
Mummy?
LAURA
(speaking to PHILLIP)
Finish the story. He needs to know how it ends. (looking at THOMAS) We
all need to be reminded that good things do happen. Some people actually
care about others.
PHILLIP
Well, Brandon. You’re Mum’s right; this story does have a happy ending.
One of the man’s enemy’s comes along.
9.
THOMAS glances over at NAHLA.
BRANDON, focused on PHILLIP, gasps and covers his mouth.
PHILLIP
Do you know what he did, Brandon?
BRANDON shakes his head.
PHILLIP
He got off his donkey, went over to the man and bandaged his wounds.
NAHLA looks at PHILLIP in disbelief, obviously intrigued.
BRANDON
What’d he do next?
PHILLIP
He put him on his donkey and took him to the nearest inn.
BRANDON
What’s an inn?
NAHLA
It’s like a motel, Brandon.
The adults all look at NAHLA.
PHILLIP
(smiling)
She’s right. And the man’s enemy asked the innkeeper to take care of him. He even paid for his care and promised to come back and give him more money if
it wasn’t enough.
BRANDON
Really?
PHILLIP
Jesus used stories to teach people many things. This is one of those stories.
The lift jerks again.
BRANDON goes back to his mum.
10.
PHILLIP stands up.
The lift’s occupants are quiet and thoughtful.
A look of longing crosses THOMAS’S face as he watches mother and son assuring one another that everything will be all right.
PHILLIP
(speaking to THOMAS)
So, what’s your story, Mate?
THOMAS
What’da you mean?
PHILLIP
(gesturing toward LAURA and BRANDON)
I saw the way you were looking at them.
THOMAS
So?
PHILLIP
I’ve been thinking … and this wasn’t the first time you flew on my
plane, was it?
THOMAS
Like I said, I used to live in Australia. I suppose you could have been
the pilot at some point when I came back to the States to visit my folks.
PHILLIP
(quietly)
You weren’t alone the last time I noticed you.
THOMAS
What’s it to you?
PHILLIP
I remember she was beautiful and full of life. What was she? Seven
months pregnant? And the little boy, about two years old?
THOMAS
(speaking quietly, but red with anger)
What gives you the right ..?
11.
PHILLIP pats him on the arm.
THOMAS looks ready to throw a punch but doesn’t.
PHILLIP
You were happy, too … back then.
NAHLA
(speaking to Phillip)
Is that story really true?
PHILLIP
What story?
NAHLA
About the injured man and his enemy.
PHILLIP
Like I said to Brandon, Jesus used stories like that to teach us how to
live. I don’t know if it really happened, but the Lord was making a point.
NAHLA
Jesus was good teacher. Muslims know that.
PHILLIP
He was much more than that, Nahla.
THOMAS
So you’re going to start preaching to her now?
PHILLIP
I’m not preaching; I’m just telling her the truth.
THOMAS
Yeah, right … Ah, go ahead. Tell your stories. What difference does it
make?
BRANDON
I wanna hear more, too. Why did Jesus tell that story?
PHILLIP
He wanted to show us how we should live.
NAHLA and BRANDON are both puzzled.
12.
LAURA tries the emergency phone again only to find it isn’t working.
THOMAS does his best to ignore them all.
PHILLIP
Brandon, who do you think Jesus wants us to be like? The foolish man
who was alone on the dangerous road?
BRANDON
(shaking his head)
Nope. Mummy always tells me to be safe.
PHILLIP
How about the men who didn’t do anything to help?
NAHLA
No, there are already too many people like that in the world.
THOMAS looks as if he is going to say something but is stopped by the look on Phillip’s face.
BRANDON
The bad guy who was really a good guy. Right?
PHILLIP
(smiling)
You really are a smart little boy.
BRANDON beams.
NAHLA
Do you really think there are people like that? People help their family and
friends … at least sometimes, (softly and sadly) but I don’t know anyone who
is willing to help someone they think is their enemy.
Everyone is quiet for a few moments.
BRANDON
Mummy, I’m getting hungry.
LAURA
I’m sorry, Sport. I’ll buy you lunch once we get out of here. OK?
NAHLA reaches into her purse and withdraws a chocolate bar.
13.
NAHLA
(speaking to LAURA)
Is it OK?
LAURA
Thank you. What do you say, Brandon?
BRANDON
That’s my favourite. (taking the candy from NAHLA’S outstretched hand)
Thank you, Nahla.
LAURA
What did I teach you about calling grown-ups by their first name?
BRANDON
(speaking with a mouth full of candy)
But, Mummy, I don’t know her last name.
LAURA
(smiling and nodding)
And what did I teach you about talking with your mouth full?
NAHLA
It’s OK if he calls me Nahla … if that’s all right with you.
LAURA nods.
NAHLA
(speaking softly to LAURA)
Do you blame me? Do you think I’m your enemy?
LAURA is at a loss for words.
BRANDON is too busy eating to pay attention to the questions.
PHILLIP and THOMAS choose not to say anything.
NAHLA
(gently, but insistently)
I need to know. So many people do, you know. I almost moved away. I
love it here. New York is an amazing city. (sighs) But it’s just so hard …
LAURA
(as if seeing NAHLA for the first time)
I never thought of that.
14.
NAHLA
You never thought of what?
LAURA
That this must be hard on you, too.
After a few seconds, BRANDON breaks the silence.
BRANDON
(licking his fingers)
Now, I’m thirsty.
THOMAS has a flashback. His two children, Jayden (3) and Janie (1), are in car seats in the backseat of the family car. THOMAS’S wife, Lizzie, is standing beside the open driver’s-side door.
THOMAS
Are you sure you don’t want to wait until the morning?
LIZZIE
You’re so cute when you’re worried. (putting her hand on his cheek)
It’ll be OK. God will take care of us.
THOMAS
(taking her hand and kissing the palm)
I know, but they’re calling for a nasty storm. I don’t want you to get
caught in it.
LIZZIE
My sister is expecting us tonight. We’ll be fine.
THOMAS
I could come with you.
LIZZIE
Are you forgetting about the business meeting this week? The
congregation wouldn’t appreciate it if their pastor wasn’t there.
THOMAS
You’re right. I’ll have to join you on the weekend.
JAYDEN
(popping the last of his animal crackers into his mouth)
Mummy, I’s firsty.
15.
LIZZIE
(handing JAYDEN a sippy cup)
Here you go, Sweetie. You be nice and quiet. Don’t wake your sister.
LIZZIE turns back to THOMAS, and they kiss good-bye.
THOMAS
(as the car drives off down the road)
Please God, keep them safe.
Back in the lift …
PHILLIP
(gently shaking THOMAS’S arm)
Thomas, did you hear Brandon?
THOMAS
What? … What did you say?
PHILLIP
Brandon was asking why you’re crying.
THOMAS, embarrassed, swipes at his eyes with his shirtsleeve.
BRANDON
What is it, Mister? Did you want some of my chocolate bar?
THOMAS
(taking a deep breath)
No thanks, Kid. I was just thinking …
BRANDON
’bout what?
LAURA
That’s enough, Brandon. I don’t think Mr. White wants to talk about it.
NAHLA receives another call on her cell phone.
LAURA sits down and pulls BRANDON onto her lap. They play tic-tac-toe with paper and pencils LAURA takes from her purse.
16.
PHILLIP
(speaking softly)
Were you remembering your family?
THOMAS starts to object, but simply slumps his shoulders and nods.
PHILLIP
What happened to them, Mate?
THOMAS
This loving God of yours … He took them from me. That is … He did if
He even exists.
PHILLIP
God didn’t take them from you. Bad things happen to all of us, but He
really does work it out for our good. Sometimes it just takes a long time
to see it.
THOMAS
(through clenched teeth)
What possible good could come from losing my family in a freak
accident?
LAURA
(looking up)
If you find the answer to that one, let me know.
NAHLA
(quietly, tears beginning to run down her cheeks)
I lost my family, too.
BRANDON
(jumping up and digging in his pocket)
I’ve got a Kleenex in here somewhere, Nahla.
LAURA stands and takes a tissue from her purse.
LAURA
(handing the tissue to NAHLA)
What happened? To your family, I mean.
NAHLA
(taking a deep breath)
I left them behind when I came to America.
17.
LAURA
Where are you from?
NAHLA
I came from Egypt when I was eighteen.
BRANDON
(eyes wide)
Have you seen the pyramids?
NAHLA
(smiling)
Yes, Brandon, I have.
BRANDON
Are they as big as they look on television?
NAHLA
(nodding)
Um, hmm … they are.
BRANDON
(speaking to PHILLIP)
Do you fly to Egypt, Mister? I wanna go there, too.
PHILLIP
Sorry, Pal. I’ve never been to Egypt, but it sounds like you want to be a real
world traveler.
THOMAS
(sadly)
So did Jayden.
BRANDON
Who’s Jayden?
THOMAS
(looking at LAURA; speaking gruffly)
He was my … my son.
LAURA
(looking down)
You … you had a son?
18.
PHILLIP
He had two children, didn’t you?
THOMAS
(firmly)
I don’t want to talk about it.
NAHLA
I don’t blame you.
Everyone casts questioning looks in her direction.
LAURA
(gently)
How come?
NAHLA
That’s why I had to leave Egypt. My … uh … my father and mother
wouldn’t let me keep my daughter. You see …
LAURA
(handing BRANDON paper and crayons)
Brandon, honey, why don’t you draw a picture for me?
BRANDON settles on the floor and begins to draw.
LAURA
(speaking softly to NAHLA)
You weren’t married, were you?
NAHLA shakes her head.
LAURA
What happened to your baby?
NAHLA
I … I …
NAHLA’S shoulders begin to shake as she cries quietly.
LAURA spontaneously puts her arms around NAHLA and let’s her cry.
19.
PHILLIP
(speaking to THOMAS)
So you think Murphy’s Law is at work, huh? (motioning to LAURA and
NAHLA) Take a look over there.
THOMAS
Your point?
PHILLIP
Miracles happen every day.
THOMAS
What miracle? All I see is two sappy females hugging each other.
PHILLIP
Oh no. It’s more than that.
THOMAS
Like what, for instance?
PHILLIP
What I see is a frightened woman who got in the lift this morning with
someone she saw as an enemy …
THOMAS
Considering what just happened in this city …
PHILLIP
(raising his hand)
How many non-Muslims kill someone in this country every year?
THOMAS shrugs.
PHILLIP
Hundreds, right? Thousands even?
THOMAS
I guess.
PHILLIP
Just because a handful of (lowering his voice) terrorists commits an
unconscionable act doesn’t mean every Muslim is out to kill Americans.
Can you really tell me you think Nahla is your enemy?
20.
THOMAS looks at NAHLA and shakes his head.
PHILLIP
Maybe we’ve just seen two miracles.
THOMAS
I don’t even know what this first so-called miracle of yours is.
PHILLIP
Brandon’s mom is over there comforting her quote enemy.
THOMAS
I wouldn’t call that a miracle. Nice – or foolish maybe – but not a miracle.
And the second?
PHILLIP
You.
THOMAS
Me? What about me?
PHILLIP
Not that long ago, you were angry with everybody – God most of all.
THOMAS
I haven’t changed my mind about God. OK?
PHILLIP
Not OK, but that’s between you and Him.
THOMAS
About me and some kind of miracle …
BRANDON
(jumping up and waving the paper in the air)
Mummy, Mummy, look. I drew a picture of Nahla’s baby.
The adults look in BRANDON’S direction.
PHILLIP
Can I see that, Sport?
21.
BRANDON
(clasping the paper to his chest)
Well, I guess so, but it’s for Nahla so she won’t be sad anymore.
THOMAS
You don’t miss much, do you?
BRANDON
I wanna be a ’tective so I gotta notice stuff.
PHILLIP
Not a pilot?
Everyone except BRANDON and THOMAS chuckle.
BRANDON
(looking serious)
Um … no … I wanna be a ’tective like my Daddy.
Everyone is quiet until LAURA clears her throat.
LAURA
Let’s see your picture, Brandon. (speaking to NAHLA) I have stacks of
pictures of Jack, Brandon’s father. (speaking to BRANDON) You drew
them to make me feel better, didn’t you, sweetie.
BRANDON
Yep, and it worked, too. (sighs) Most of the time, anyway.
LAURA pops down and gives her son a quick hug.
BRANDON holds out the drawing to NAHLA.
NAHLA
(studying the picture)
That’s me, isn’t it? I’m holding my baby.
BRANDON
Every mummy should get to hold her baby. Babies make mummies
happy … ’cept when they’re crying. I don’t like it when babies cry.
LAURA
Brandon has a baby cousin with colic. She cries a lot, doesn’t she?
22.
BRANDON makes a face and nods.
PHILLIP
So, do we get to see the masterpiece?
NAHLA holds it out and even THOMAS glances at it.
PHILLIP
(speaking to BRANDON)
Know something? God is very happy that you drew that picture for
Nahla.
BRANDON
You think so?
PHILLIP
I’m sure of it.
NAHLA
Captain James, you said Jesus was more than a good teacher.
THOMAS
(shaking his head)
Oh no, here we go.
PHILLIP
(ignoring THOMAS’S comment)
That’s right, He is. Brandon, who is Jesus?
BRANDON
That’s easy. He’s God’s Son.
NAHLA
We’re all God’s children, aren’t we?
PHILLIP
Jesus was different. Right, Brandon?
BRANDON
Uh, huh. Jesus came from heaven. I came from my mummy’s tummy.
LAURA
(looking embarrassed)
That’s enough, sweetheart. Let Captain James talk to Nahla. OK?
23.
BRANDON
(looking dejected)
’kay, but he asked.
PHILLIP
(laughing)
I’ll take it from here, Pal. Thanks for your help.
BRANDON gives his mum a mildly cheeky “I told you so” look.
NAHLA
I’ve heard what the preachers on TV say, but some of it is confusing.
THOMAS
You’re not kidding.
PHILLIP
You have to start at the beginning … well, at least a couple thousand years ago.
NAHLA
That’s when Jesus was alive. Right?
BRANDON
He’s still alive.
NAHLA looks questioningly at PHILLIP.
PHILLIP
He still is, but now He’s sitting at God the Father’s right hand.
NAHLA
But that’s where a prince would sit … or the king’s top advisor.
PHILLIP
We can’t understand it perfectly, Nahla, but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are
all God.
NAHLA
Christians believe in three gods?
BRANDON
’course not. That’s silly.
24.
LAURA
Brandon, hush. That’s enough.
BRANDON sticks out his bottom lip.
PHILLIP
Do you know why Jesus had to come to earth, Nahla?
NAHLA
(shaking her head)
Not really. Like I said he was a good teacher, but there have been lots of
teachers throughout history.
PHILLIP
He had to come to show us how to live, and He had to die for our sins.
THOMAS
(exasperated)
I can’t take it anymore. I stood behind the pulpit for almost ten years
preaching the same kind of garbage. The stup- (glances at BRANDON) …
The congregation just sat there and drank it all it.
For a moment the adults are dumbfounded and simply stare at THOMAS.
BRANDON is busy drawing another picture.
LAURA
You were a pastor? And you had a family?
THOMAS
Is that so hard to believe?
LAURA
My faith hasn’t taken away my pain, but I don’t know what I’d do
without God and the assurance that I’ll see Jack again.
THOMAS
(sad but defiant)
I wish I could believe there is a heaven. I wish I could see Lizzie and the
kids again.
PHILLIP
You will.
25.
THOMAS
What kind of a fantasy world do you live in, anyway? Planes are flown into buildings. (more softly) Children are taken from their own bedrooms. (looking
down) Whole families are wiped out in car accidents on stormy nights.
(looking up again, speaking more defiantly) There are too many reasons not to
believe.
PHILLIP
If you were a pastor, you know God’s promises. You know He said we only
have to look around the world He created to see evidence that He exists. What
about the happy times you had with your wife and children. Aren’t those
memories enough to remind you that God loves you? Some people don’t even
get that.
NAHLA dabs at her eyes.
PHILLIP
I’m sorry, Nahla, I wasn’t thinking.
NAHLA
That’s OK. (takes a deep breath) I’ve heard that Jesus died for sins. You told Brandon a story about a man who helped his enemy. Aren’t these just nice
stories Christian parents tell their children? Do you really believe what the
Bible says?
LAURA
I know I do. I couldn’t make it through the day if I didn’t believe.
PHILLIP nods.
The lift’s lights flicker but stay on.
BRANDON jumps up and hugs his mum around the waist.
BRANDON
Mummy, do you think the lights are going to go out? I don’t like the dark.
LAURA
(hugging BRANDON)
Don’t worry. Captain James is right. Mummy forgot for a little while, but God
is taking care of us. I just know He is.
26.
THOMAS
(speaking quietly to PHILLIP)
Congratulations. You’ve convinced another victim the fairy tale is true.
A muffled bang is heard. It could be an explosion.
The lift shudders considerably, and the lights go off.
PHILLIP has a flashback.
Close-up of altimeter reveals rapid descent of PHILLIP’S twin-engine plane.
Camera pans back to instrument panel. Several warning lights are lit.
A much younger PHILLIP is struggling to regain control.
PHILLIP
Some first solo flight!
Radio crackles and a garbled voice can be heard.
PHILLIP
(speaking into the radio)
My Cessna 340 is in a dive. Can you hear me?
Radio is silent.
PHILLIP
I repeat … this is Phillip James. I am losing altitude … fast!
The radio remains silent.
PHILLIP
(slamming the radio down)
Looks like I’m on my own.
PHILLIP’S MOTHER’S VOICE
“Never will I leave you.”
PHILLIP
Great! Now I’m hearing things.
PHILLIP’S MOTHER’S VOICE
“Never will I forsake you.”
27.
PHILLIP
(continuing to struggle with the controls)
My first, and maybe my last flight, and I’m back in Sunday School.
PHILLIP’S MOTHER’S VOICE
“Ye must be born again.”
PHILLIP
(breathing hard)
OK. I get the message. I don’t know if You’re there, God. I chalked up the
stories about sin and redemption and a home in heaven to myth … fairy tales
to make weak, ignorant people feel better about things. (to himself) Funny,
how I think of Bible verses when I’m face to face with eternity … if there is
such a thing.
PHILLIP is growing noticeably tired. His arms begin to shake as he tries to pull the plane out of the dive.
PHILLIP
I guess it can’t hurt (squeezing his eyes shut) … God, if you’re real, please get
me out of this mess. I promise I’ll check into this salvation thing. Maybe I’ll
even go to church with my mum.
Slowly the plane levels off.
PHILLIP
(speaking so the others in the lift hear him)
Thank You, God!
THOMAS
(harshly)
What are thanking God for? Do you really want your life to end helplessly
trapped in this box with four strangers?
PHILLIP
What? Oh … sorry. I forgot where I was.
THOMAS
The lights go out, and you forget where you are?
BRANDON
Mummy, I’m scared.
28.
NAHLA produces a handful of light sticks from her purse. She shakes one and gives it to BRANDON.
NAHLA
I forgot I had these. This should help.
BRANDON
Thank you, Nahla. You’re a nice lady.
LAURA smiles at NAHLA and nods.
THOMAS
I don’t get it.
PHILLIP
What’s that?
THOMAS
We got on this elevator, and everything seemed fine, routine even. Then this
pathetic thing stops between floors.
THOMAS hits the wall of the lift with an open palm.
BRANDON jumps.
LAURA
(calmly, but forcefully)
Thomas, please don’t frighten Brandon.
THOMAS
That … that’s what I mean. You were a nervous wreck just a few minutes ago.
Now look at you, all forgiving (glances and NAHLA) and calm.
PHILLIP
And that’s a bad thing?
THOMAS
Don’t any of you get it?
29.
NAHLA
(with a new-found confidence)
Mr. White, I’m sorry about your family. I really am. I lost my family, too, and
I’ve lost respect in the country I’ve come to love. I’ve heard lots of talk about a
loving God, but I’ve also heard ministers on TV paint all Muslims with the
same brush, saying we’re violent, that we hate all that is American, all that is
Christian. But I look around this box as you call it and see what I think
Christianity is supposed to be about. (motioning to BRANDON and holding up
the picture he drew) Here’s a little boy who already knows too much heartache, but he’s loving and kind and does what he can to make even strangers feel
better.
BRANDON goes over and gives NAHLA a quick hug before going back to his mum.
NAHLA
(after taking a few deep breaths and swiping at her eyes)
And Brandon’s mum … Well, we all know how she felt when she first got on
this elevator with me.
LAURA opens her mouth to object, but NAHLA stops her.
NAHLA
No, it’s all right. I understand. I don’t blame you. It’s not your fault.
THOMAS
Give me a break. I don’t need a lecture.
PHILLIP
Well …
NAHLA
(smiling)
And you, Captain James. You’ve been nothing but kind to all of us. Because
of the story you told, I want to find out what else Jesus of Nazareth had to say.
(shaking her head) Maybe it’s best that my parents aren’t around to hear me
say that. (chuckles halfheartedly)
LAURA reaches over and squeezes NAHLA’S arm.
BRANDON’S light stick goes out.
BRANDON
(his voice shaking)
Nahla, can I have another light stick, please?
30.
NAHLA
Of course. Here you are. (hands another to BRANDON)
LAURA
(speaking to PHILLIP)
You’ve been quiet.
PHILLIP
I was just remembering when I promised to check out what God had to say
in the Bible.
NAHLA
You haven’t always been a Christian?
PHILLIP
No, my mum took me to Sunday School and church, but I thought it was all
make-believe.
THOMAS
(quietly, to himself)
The first smart thing I’ve heard him say.
PHILLIP
(ignoring THOMAS)
When I was taking my first solo flight, my plane went into a nosedive.
BRANDON
(gasps)
What did you do?
PHILLIP
I did everything I was supposed to, but the plane didn’t want to cooperate.
BRANDON
Were you scared?
PHILLIP
I sure was, Pal, but I remembered something my mum used to say. You
should always listen to your mum.
BRANDON
I try.
31.
LAURA
(smiles at BRANDON)
You do a good job, Buddy.
BRANDON
So what happened in the plane?
PHILLIP
I remembered some of the verses my mum taught me in Sunday School
class. I didn’t really believe what she’d said about Jesus and sin and being
saved, but I promised to find out all I could if God helped me, if He spared
my life.
BRANDON
And He did. That’s so cool!
LAURA
Brandon, honey, why don’t you tell Captain James about all the places
you want to go. Mummy wants to talk to Nahla.
BRANDON goes over to Phillip and begins to chatter about his plans.
NAHLA tries her cell phone.
NAHLA
I can’t get any reception.
LAURA picks up the emergency phone but shakes her head.
LAURA
(moving closer to NAHLA)
Nahla, in case we don’t make it, there are some things I think you should
know.
As LAURA explains the plan of salvation, a loud explosion is heard and the lights go down.
32.
ALTERNATE ENDING
BRANDON
And He did. That’s so cool!
NAHLA tries her cell phone.
NAHLA
I can’t get any reception.
LAURA picks up the emergency phone but shakes her head.
PHILLIP
Would it be all right if we prayed together?
LAURA smiles and nods.
NAHLA
(hesitantly)
I don’t know. I guess it would be all right.
BRANDON
Cool! Can I pray first? Daddy always said I was a good pray-er.
PHILLIP
What about you, Thomas? Will you pray with us.
THOMAS shakes his head and retreats farther into the corner.
PHILLIP and the others gather into a circle.
BRANDON
Mummy, is it OK with you if I stand between Nahla and Captain James?
I wanna hold their hands.
LAURA
Only if it’s all right with them.
NAHLA nods and takes BRANDON’S hand.
PHILLIP
Sure, Pal. I’d like that.
PHILLIP takes BRANDON’S other hand.
33.
BRANDON
Hold Nahla’s other hand, Mummy, and Captain James’s, too.
LAURA takes the outstretched hands.
Those in the circle bow their heads and close their eyes.
BRANDON
Dear God, thank You for my mummy and my new friends, Nahla and
Captain James (more quietly) and Mr. White, too. Captain James is a
pilot, and he’s gonna take Mummy and me to ‘stralia sometime. God,
Nahla’s sad cuz they took away her baby. Please let Nahla meet her little
girl. Every little boy and girl needs their mummy. And God, please take
care of Mr. White. He’s real sad. Make him happy again, and let him
believe in You again. A-men!
After a moment’s silence, LAURA prays.
LAURA
(her voice shaky)
God, please forgive me. (squeezing NAHLA’S hand) Forgive me for my
wrong thoughts. Thank You that we’re here on this elevator for Your
purposes. Please bring our new friend to saving faith. And, God, I pray for
Mr. White, as well. Please heal his hurts, and may He find comfort in Your
love as I am learning to do. Amen!
PHILLIP
Lord, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I came to New York, but I
thank You for every minute. Thank You that You love each one of us. If
everything turns out the way we would like it to, I pray that we will always
remember that You made it possible and, Lord, if it doesn’t …
NAHLA
(tentatively)
Allah … I don’t know if it’s all right to call You Allah, but that’s the only
name I’ve ever known. Christians say Jesus is the Son of God. Captain
James and Laura and Brandon (squeezing his hand) have been very kind to
me. If the Christian God is the true God, if Jesus is His Son, I pray that I will
be saved. If Jesus really loved me enough to die for me, I pray that I will
have the chance to learn more.
BRANDON, LAURA, PHILLIP
Amen!
34.
The lights flicker on.
BRANDON
Hurray!
After another shudder, the elevator begins to move.
LAURA
(laughing)
Double hurray!
The doors open. Emergency personnel are buzzing around the lobby.
FIREFIGHTER
Someone up there was certainly watching out for you?
LAURA
What … What do you mean?
FIREFIGHTER
(glancing at BRANDON, speaking quietly)
A small bomb went off. It looks like it was meant to … Well, let’s
just say, I don’t think this elevator was supposed to make it safely
to the lobby.
PHILLIP
What happened?
FIREFIGHTER
We’re not exactly sure, but it looks like whoever placed it was an
amateur. Thankfully, they didn’t do their homework very well.
BRANDON
See, Mummy. Captain James was right. God took care of us.
THOMAS
(brusquely)
I have to be going. Brandon, you’re a good boy. You keep drawing
those pictures. (glancing at LAURA and NAHLA) They make lots
of people feel better.
BRANDON shyly gives THOMAS a quick hug. THOMAS pats him awkwardly on his back.
35.
THOMAS
Well … I’ve gotta go.
THOMAS walks away. An officer stops him to take a statement.
The others exchange hugs, handshakes and good-byes.
Officers approach them to take their statements as well.
An officer leads PHILLIP to a place near THOMAS and the officer who is taking his statement. PHILLIP overhears THOMAS, whose back is to him, talking to the officer.
OFFICER
Thank you for the information, Mr. White. You may go.
THOMAS
Before I do, could you tell me where the nearest church is?
PHILLIP smiles. Lights fade.
Six months later …
THOMAS, LAURA, BRANDON AND NAHLA are sitting on a couch across from JOSH AND SARA on the set of a TV Christian talk show.
SARA
How can being trapped on an elevator with four strangers change
your life? Our next guests are here to tell their story.
JOSH
That’s right, Sara. Laura Samson and her son Brandon (camera
pans the guests; Brandon waves to the camera), Thomas White
and Nahla **** were trapped together in an elevator at the
Empire State building when an explosion occurred, six months ago.
SARA
I know we all look forward to hearing their story, but first this
report from Nate Snowden and his interview with Captain Phillip
James who was also with our guests that day.
NATE and PHILLIP appear on a TV monitor. They are standing in front of a recognizable Australia landmark.
36.
NATE
Nate Snowden here with Captain Phillip James of Qantas Airlines.
Welcome, Captain James.
PHILLIP
Glad to be here.
NATE
So, tell us why you were in New York six months ago. What made
you decide to visit the Empire State building?
PHILLIP
Well, Nate, I was on a layover, and I decided to take in some of the
sights.
NATE
Were you at all leery after what happened on September 11?
PHILLIP
To be honest, not really. You’ve got to remember I fly planes for a
living.
NATE
That’s true. Let me ask you … how did your faith help you? to
continue flying after 9/11 and when you were trapped on the
elevator?
PHILLIP
It all started on my first solo flight. (Phillip chuckles.) More years
ago now than I care to remember.
NATE
Tell our viewers what happened.
PHILLIP
To make a long story short, as they say, I lost control of my plane
not long after take-off.
NATE
Wow! Not the way anyone wants to start out.
PHILLIP
Definitely not. I tried to radio for help, but I’d didn’t get anything but
static.
37.
NATE
Sounds like the making of a disaster movie.
PHILLIP
If it hadn’t been for God’s grace, it could have been.
NATE
What happened next?
PHILLIP
I began to remember scripture verses my mum taught me in Sunday
School.
NATE
So you were raised in a Christian home?
PHILLIP
My mum was 100 percent committed to the Lord and His Word. My
pop went to church each week and did his best to live a good life.
NATE
So you believed in Jesus ever since you were a child?
PHILLIP
(shakes his head) No, I wasn’t that smart.
NATE
What made you change your mind?
PHILLIP
There’s something about facing a crash landing that brings things into
perspective.
NATE
I’d imagine, but you’re here with us today. Obviously, you didn’t
crash.
PHILLIP
I know it sounds like a clique, but as I struggled to regain control of my
plane, I asked God for His help. And here I am.
NATE
Tell us about being trapped in the elevator. What did you think was
going on?
38.
PHILLIP
Well, a lot of things were going through my mind, but I can’t say I was
particularly worried. I knew God had a purpose and a plan.
NATE
What did you do?
PHILLIP
I struck up a conversation with the others on the lift and did my best to
put their minds at ease.
NATE
The others will be in the studio when this is aired. Would you like to
say anything to them?
PHILLIP
Sure. Thomas, I hope you found your way back to the Lord. Nahla,
I’ve been praying for you every day, asking God to send good
Samaritans into your life. Laura, I trust the God of all comfort is
holding you close. And last but not least, Brandon, it was an honour
meeting you. I hope to see you someday on my plane. I would love to
show you around Australia. Keep on drawing those pictures. I have the
ones you sent to me in a special album. Thank you, Sport.
NATE
Thank you, Captain James. Now I’m off to do some sightseeing of my
own.
Back in the studio …
JOSH
Captain James said he felt God had a purpose for what happened that
day. Would you agree, Mr. White?
THOMAS
Call me Thomas. And I’m beginning to think God does have a plan after
all. (THOMAS briefly glances at LAURA.)
SARA
Laura, you lost your husband on September 11. Has that affected your
faith?
LAURA
(nods) My faith has grown since that day.
39.
SARA
How so?
LAURA
Well, before the attack, I was a believer, but I trusted in my husband and
his strength a lot more than I did in God.
JOSH
And that’s changed?
LAURA
When I didn’t have Brandon’s father to lean on, I learned God could
get me through even on the darkest days.
JOSH
Nahla, I understand you work at the Empire State building.
NAHLA nods shyly.
SARA
It has been very hard on you, hasn’t it?
NAHLA
Yes, it has.
BRANDON
Nahla’s from Egypt. She’s seen the pyramids.
ADULTS laugh.
NAHLA smiles at Brandon.
SARA
You were raised in a Muslim home. Are you still a practicing Muslim?
NAHLA
Thanks to Captain James and Laura, I began to see Christians
differently.
JOSH
How so?
40.
NAHLA
They didn’t just talk about love and forgiveness. That day, in the
elevator, they showed me what it was.
SARA
How did they do that?
NAHLA
Captain James told Brandon about the Good Samaritan. I always
thought it was just a nice story, but Captain James said that’s the
way Jesus wants us to live. We’re supposed to love and care for
everyone. (more quietly) Even our enemies.
SARA
You also mentioned that Laura demonstrated God’s love to you.
LAURA
(looks at Nahla) May I? (NAHLA nods.) When I got on the elevator
that day, I saw Nahla as a threat. I know that’s not what God wants,
but I couldn’t help it. My husband was taken from me, and I was
lonely and afraid.
JOSH
You told us earlier that your faith has grown since 9/11.
LAURA
It has … by leaps and bounds. But I couldn’t help the way I felt.
God was still working on me; He still is.
SARA
He’s working on all of us.
JOSH
Tell us what changed your mind about Nahla.
LAURA
At first, she kept to herself. She just watched the rest of us and
listened to our conversation. But after a while, she started to enter in?
She asked questions. And I guess, as a mother, the biggest thing was
how she treated Brandon.
BRANDON
Nahla’s nice. She gave me candy and a light stick, and I drew her a
picture …
41.
LAURA puts her hand on BRANDON’S knee and gives I a gentle squeeze.
SARA
Was Nahla’s kindness to Brandon what changed your mind about
her?
LAURA looks at NAHLA then back at SARA.
LAURA
Not completely, but it was a beginning.
JOSH
God is all about new beginnings.
BRANDON looks up at his mum.
BRANDON
Like you and Thomas, right Mummy?
LAURA blushes and THOMAS jumps into the conversation.
THOMAS
I’m glad God gave me a chance to reconsider my decision to walk
away from Him. That day was really a new beginning for me. But I
don’t think Nahla is done with her story yet.
SARA
Nahla, is there anything else you would like to share with the viewers?
NAHLA
Well, I do have exciting news.
BRANDON bounces up and down on his seat and claps his hands.
BRANDON
Is she here? Can I meet her?
LAURA raises her finger to her lips to shush her son.
NAHLA smiles at BRANDON and nods.
JOSH
Can you tell us who’s here, Nahla?
42.
NAHLA
(tears welling up in her eyes) My … my daughter.
SARA
Can you tell us where she was before?
NAHLA
She was with my family in Egypt. (quietly) They wouldn’t let
me bring her when I came to America.
JOSH
What made them change their minds?
NAHLA
Aleesa was living with my aunt and uncle, but my uncle recently
passed away. My aunt always wanted to give my little girl back
to me, but she couldn’t.
JOSH
What changed?
NAHLA
After my uncle died, my aunt moved to America. She lives with me
now, and my daughter is getting to know me.
BRANDON
I’ve gotta meet her; I’ve just gotta.
SARA
Brandon, can you tell us why you want to meet Nahla’s little girl so
badly?
BRANDON squares his shoulders and sits up taller.
BRANDON
’Cuz I drew a picture of her.
JOSH
When did you do that, Brandon?
BRANDON
When we were stuck on that stup … (looks up at LAURA) on that
silly elevator.
43.
SARA
Why did you draw the picture, Brandon?
BRANDON
’Cuz Nahla was sad. She missed her little girl lots and lots. I
thought it would make her feel better if she had a picture.
NAHLA
And it did, Brandon. I have it on my refrigerator at home.
JOSH
And now, Thomas, we’d like to hear more of your story.
SARA
I understand you lost your family some time ago.
THOMAS nods his head.
SARA
That must have been difficult.
THOMAS
It was. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me. Well …
maybe the second worst.
JOSH
Do you mean being trapped on the elevator?
THOMAS
No, that was actually a good thing – though I didn’t know it at
the time.
SARA
What could be worse than losing your family?
THOMAS
Losing my faith.
JOSH
Thomas, tell the viewers what you did before the accident that
claimed the lives of your wife and two young children.
44.
THOMAS
I was a pastor.
JOSH
And you lost your faith?
THOMAS
At least I misplaced it for a while. That day in the elevator helped
me find my way again.
SARA
Who or what specifically?
THOMAS
Well, there was Captain James. I had actually flown on his plane with
my family.
SARA
Did he remember you?
THOMAS nods.
JOSH
What did you think of his efforts to make others feel better?
THOMAS
(shaking his head) If I’d been a violent man, I think I would have
beaten him silly.
BRANDON gasps.
THOMAS tossles his hair.
THOMAS
Don’t worry, Buddy, I wouldn’t really hurt Captain James. I just
felt like it is all. (turning his attention back to JOSH and SARA)
God was speaking to my heart through the captain’s words, and
at that point, I didn’t want to listen. You know the old saying,
“When God is trying to reach you, it makes you sad or mad or
glad.” Well, I was definitely in the mad category.
JOSH
What made you change your mind?
45.
THOMAS
Captain James.
SARA
How so?
THOMAS
No matter how I treated him or what I said, he just kept at it. He
wasn’t pushy or arrogant, just sincere. He made me face the truth,
and he encouraged me to reconnect with God.
SARA
Did everything change right away?
THOMAS
Oh no. I’m stubborn by nature. Once I’ve made up my mind about
something, it takes a long time to change it. You have to be very
persistent. And God is nothing, if He isn’t persistent.
BRANDON starts to doze off. He slumps over and lands on THOMAS’S knee. LAURA
goes to shake BRANDON’S shoulder, but THOMAS shakes his head.
JOSH
Brandon seems quite attached.
THOMAS nods his head.
SARA
Do you see much of the others?
LAURA blushes slightly.
LAURA
Well … Thomas has kind of taken Thomas under his wing. Brandon
needs a father figure …
THOMAS
And I’m sure Jayden and Brandon would have been friends if they’d
had the chance to know one another.
JOSH
Jayden was your son?
46.
THOMAS nods.
SARA
Have you kept in touch with Nahla?.
THOMAS
I have been back to visit her at work a couple of times, but I must
admit, I’m still uncomfortable riding in the elevators … any
elevators actually.
JOSH
That’s understandable.
The scene changes. PHILLIP is shaving. We see the reflection of the TV in his bathroom mirror.
NAHLA
And I’ve visited Thomas’s church a couple of times.
PHILLIP stops shaving and turns toward the TV.
THOMAS looks at NAHLA and raises his eyebrow.
THOMAS
You have?
NAHLA nods.
LAURA
I didn’t know that. That’s great. When did you come?
NAHLA
I came the first two Sundays this month. I came to the second
service so I could slip in and out without being noticed.
SARA
You really are investigating what it means to be a believer, aren’t
you?
NAHLA smiles widely and nods again.
THOMAS
(deep in thought) That means … let’s see … that means you heard me
preach.
47.
NAHLA
I was happy to see the change in you. When we were on the elevator,
you seemed so lost, so angry.
THOMAS
I was. It’s taking time to heal, but God is faithful.
LAURA
He sure is. Next time you want to come to church, let me know, and
you can come back to my house afterward for lunch.
Tears begin to roll down NAHLA’S face.
SARA
What is it? Why are you crying?
NAHLA
When we were on the elevator … Well, at first Laura didn’t even
want to borrow my cell phone. The more I think about it, the more I
realize you all have something that’s missing in my life.
JOSH
It sounds like God has given you the gift of faith. You just have to
accept it. (turning toward the camera) And all you at home have to do
is ask God for that same gift of faith. The Bible says, “For God so
loved the world that He gave His only son – Jesus – that whosoever
believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
SARA
That’s right, Josh. And we pray that there are many “whosoevers”
watching today. Those like Nahla who are beginning to see that even
though being a Christian doesn’t mean life is always easy, it is the
only way to find the peace and love that we all want.
JOSH
Feel free to call our phone lines. They are open 24/7. I want to thank
our guests: Nahla ****, Thomas White, Laura Samson and her tired
little boy, Brandon.
PHILLIP hits the remote and goes back to shaving. Blank TV screen visible in the mirror.
48.
PHILLIP
Well, God, You sure are full of surprises.
He makes a few more strokes, then rinses the razor in the sink full of water.
PHILLIP
Thomas and Laura, huh? I didn’t see that coming.
He smiles and finishes shaving. He sets his razor aside and lets the soapy water out of the sink. He runs warm water over a facecloth.
PHILLIP
That will be so good for Brandon. And Thomas is back in the pulpit.
Thank You, God.
He wipes the remaining shaving cream off his face.
PHILLIP
God, You are so good. I’m sure Nahla gave her life to Jesus as soon as
that broadcast was over. I’ll have to get in touch with her. I’ll have to
get in touch with all of them.
Camera shows PHILLIP’S uniform laid across the bed with the TV in the background.
PHILLIP
(offscreen) It’s a good thing my next flight is to New York.
1.
THOMAS is sitting at his dining room table, drinking coffee and reading an Australian newspaper. He comes to an article about a plane crash and does a double-take.
THOMAS
Oh, dear God, I can’t believe it!
THOMAS picks up the cordless phone beside him and calls LAURA.
LAURA
Hello?
THOMAS
(softly) Hi, it’s me.
LAURA
What’s wrong? Can’t you come for lunch? I know Brandon will understand
if something has come up.
THOMAS
No, it’s not that. I have something to tell you.
LAURA
If you think things are moving too quickly, I’ll understand. It will be hard to explain to Brandon though …
THOMAS
(getting frustrated) Laura, it’s nothing like that.
LAURA
Well, what is it? Couldn’t we discuss it when you come over?
THOMAS
(more gently) Laura, getting to know you and Brandon better is about the
best thing that has happened to me in … in years. This has nothing to do
with that. You know that newspaper I subscribed to, the one from Australia?
LAURA
Yeah, I know the one you’re talking about. You’ve given Brandon lots of
pictures for his scrapbook. Now he’s even more anxious to visit. I wonder if Phillip will be flying from New York to Sydney this summer. Maybe we
could go then.
THOMAS
That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.
2.
LAURA
Before you say anything else, I just want to say that I really like you,
Thomas. Brandon thinks you’re the greatest. He loves having you around.
I just think it’s too soon to travel together.
THOMAS
(chuckles uncomfortably) You are one infuriating woman. You know that?
LAURA
(sighs) My husband used to say that all the time.
THOMAS
Hey, I didn’t mean to make you sad. Well, not about that anyway …
LAURA
What’s that supposed to mean?
THOMAS
There was an article in the paper this morning. There was a plane crash.
LAURA
That’s awful, but what does that have to do with us?
THOMAS
It was a private plane, Laura. It was Phillip’s plane.
LAURA
(gasps) Is he … is he all right?
THOMAS
Laura, he … he died in the crash.
LAURA
(starting to cry) No, Thomas … They must have it wrong. Are they sure it
was him?
THOMAS
I’m afraid so.
LAURA
Can you come over early? I think we should tell Brandon together. He’s
been sending drawings to Phillip every week or so since that day on the
elevator.
3.
THOMAS
I have to stop by the church, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.
LAURA
You’re preaching your first sermon this coming Sunday, aren’t you?
THOMAS
I called it “Faith in the Furnace”. It seems more appropriate than ever now.
THOMAS, LAURA and BRANDON are sitting around Laura’s dining room table.
BRANDON
Look at all pictures I drew this week, Mr. T.
THOMAS and LAURA smile.
LAURA
(quietly to THOMAS) It always makes me laugh when he calls you that.
THOMAS nods.
LAURA
Brandon, could you put your drawings under your chair until after lunch,
please?
BRANDON
Could I show Mr. T just one … pleeeeeeeease?
LAURA
Just one. Then it’s your turn to pray. Remember you have to eat every bite
before we can go out for ice cream.
BRANDON immediately bows his head and folds his hands.
BRANDON
Dear God, thank you for lunch … even if it is yucky tuna fish.
LAURA clears her throat and THOMAS snickers quietly.
BRANDON
Sorry. God, please bless Mummy and Mr. T. Bless Nahla and her little girl.
And, oh God, don’t forget to bless Mr. James. I wanna fly in his plane real
soon. I ’specially want to thank You for the ice cream we’re getting after
the yuc… I mean yummy tuna. Amen.
4.
LAURA has tears running down her cheeks, and THOMAS looks very sombre.
BRANDON holds up a picture of a pilot standing beside a plane.
BRANDON
This is Cap’n James. And that’s the plane (pointing at the picture)
Mommy and me are going to fly to ’stralia on. We’re goin’ real soon,
right Mummy?
BRANDON notices their faces for the first time.
BRANDON
Hey, what’s wrong with you guys? Don’t you like tuna either?
THOMAS reaches over and squeezes BRANDON’S arm.
LAURA
(wiping the tears away) No, honey, it’s not that. We have something to tell
you about Captain James.
THOMAS
Something bad has happened.
BRANDON crosses his arms and huffs.
BRANDON
I don’t want nothin’ bad to happen. There’s been too much bad stuff.
THOMAS
I agree with you, Big Guy.
LAURA
There’s been an accident, Brandon.
BRANDON
So?
THOMAS pushes his chair back from the table and pats his lap.
THOMAS
Come sit with me.
BRANDON shakes his head defiantly.
5.
BRANDON
I’m a big boy. Just tell me.
LAURA
Brandon, there was a plane crash … in Australia.
BRANDON’S eyes get big.
THOMAS
(gently) It was Captain James’s plane.
BRANDON
(horrified) Did lots of people get hurt … or … or die?
LAURA
No, Honey, it was Captain James’s private plane. You know … the little one.
BRANDON
Is he … is he in heaven with Daddy now?
LAURA gets up and goes around the table. She crouches beside BRANDON and pulls him into her arms.
LAURA
(whispering) Yes, Sweetie, he’s with Daddy.
THOMAS is saying good-bye to LAURA at the door.
THOMAS
Do you think Brandon’s going to be OK?
LAURA
He’s had to deal with so much in the last year. I hope he can get through
this.
THOMAS
He’ll be OK. He has you … and he has God. I don’t know why this
happened, but I’m learning to trust even when I have more questions than answers. I’m thinking of flying over to visit family and attend the funeral.
I know you said it was too soon to vacation together … but this wouldn’t
really be a vacation. What’da you think?
6.
LAURA
(shaking her head) I don’t want Brandon’s first trip to Australia to have
such sad memories.
THOMAS gives LAURA a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek and leaves.
THOMAS enters a travel agency.
AGENT
Good afternoon. May I help you, Sir?
THOMAS
I’d like to book a flight to Sydney, Australia, please.
AGENT
Certainly. When will you be travelling?
AGENT pulls up a screen on her computer.
THOMAS
Tomorrow or the next day, if there are any flights available.
AGENT
There are several flights. There are morning and afternoon flights. Which
would you prefer?
THOMAS
As soon as possible, actually.
AGENT
There is a Qantas flight leaving tomorrow morning at 9:00. Would you like
me to book a seat for you?
THOMAS
(nodding) That would be great. Thanks.
AGENT
Will you be flying business class or economy?
THOMAS
Economy is fine.
AGENT
Do you have an up-to-date passport?
7.
THOMAS nods.
AGENT
And how will you be paying for that?
THOMAS pulls out his Visa and hands it to the agent.
AGENT
I’m sorry, Sir, but we don’t take credit cards any longer.
THOMAS
I’m afraid I don’t have enough cash for the flight.
AGENT
That won’t be a problem. We have connections with a very unique
credit company, as do most of the travel agencies in the city. If you
qualify for credit, which you obviously do, you’re guaranteed to be
accepted.
THOMAS
(sceptically) And their interest rate?
AGENT
That’s what makes them unique. They don’t charge interest.
THOMAS begins to fidget in his seat. He is getting very uncomfortable.
AGENT
I understand your reluctance. All the arrangements can be made over the
phone. The representative will explain it all to you.
THOMAS
I guess I can look into it.
AGENT shows THOMAS to a small office.
AGENT
If you’ll be seated at the desk, I will connect you from my office. When
the phone rings, just answer it and the credit representative will fill you
in on all the details.
THOMAS sits down. AGENT leaves the room and closes the door. There is a faint red light visible in room.
8.
THOMAS
(looking around) Lord, I’m not comfortable with this, but I have to
get to Australia before the funeral, and the agent said it’s the same all
over the city. There’s nothing to worry about, right?
The phone rings.
THOMAS
(picking it up) Hello?
CREDIT REPRESENTATIVE’S voice is pleasant enough but has an odd quality to it.
REP
Mr. White? I understand you are interested in flying to Sydney in the
morning.
THOMAS
That’s right. May I ask who I’m speaking to?
REP
By all means. My name is Smith, Jonathon Smith.
THOMAS raises his eyebrow.
THOMAS
OK, Mr. … Smith. Yes, I would like to fly out in the morning. A friend
of mine died recently, and I need to get there in time for the funeral. I
understand this travel agency doesn’t accept Visa any longer.
REP
Actually, very few of them do.
THOMAS
And why is that?
REP
Wouldn’t you agree that a 0 percent interest rate is much more appealing?
THOMAS
Call me a sceptic, but how can you offer credit with no interest?
REP
I … that is my company wants to make it as easy on travellers as possible.
9.
THOMAS
I certainly don’t mean to be rude, but there must be a catch.
REP
The borrower, of course, agrees to certain obligations.
THOMAS
Mm, hmm. And just what are those obligations.
REP
We forward the money directly to the travel agency. So you never
actually handle the funds.
THOMAS
That’s reasonable. And what else?
REP
You are an insightful man, Mr. White.
THOMAS
Very few people offer something for nothing. I’m just waiting for the
proverbial other shoe to drop.
REPRESENTATIVE laughs a mildly sinister laugh.
THOMAS
(quietly whispers) Lord, help me.
REP
(gruffly) What was that? What did you say?
THOMAS
Oh, excuse me. I wasn’t talking to you.
REP
(sarcastically) I gathered that.
THOMAS
Now, about those obligations …
REP
What line of work are you in, Mr. White?
10.
THOMAS
I’m a pastor, actually. Well, I’m on the road to becoming one again
anyway.
REP
I see. Well, Mr. White … or is that Reverend White?
THOMAS
Thomas will be fine.
REP
Well, Thomas, my supervisor just asks that you agree to do us a
favour at some point in the future.
THOMAS
What sort of a favour?
REP
(chuckling) Don’t worry, Thomas. It’s nothing illegal. We wouldn’t
stay in business long if it was.
THOMAS
I have to tell you, this whole arrangement makes me very uncomfortable,
but I do need to get to Australia, and I don’t have time to traipse all over
the city to make other arrangements …
REP
Well, it’s settled then. I’ll set things up, and we’ll be in touch. Have a good
trip.
Before THOMAS can object, REPRESENTATIVE hangs up.
THOMAS is on the plane to Sydney. He is seated by the window. No-one is in the seat next to him.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Can I get you anything, Sir?
THOMAS
No, thank you. I’m just going to close my eyes and get some rest. It has
been a hectic few days.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Certainly, Sir. Can I offer you a pillow?
11.
THOMAS
That would be wonderful. Thanks.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT hands him a pillow and leaves to check on the other passengers.
THOMAS dreams he has returned from Australia and goes to see LAURA.
LAURA opens the door to her home.
LAURA
Thomas, you’re back early. How did it go?
THOMAS
Oh, you know. One funeral’s the same as the next.
LAURA
How can you say that? Phillip was our friend.
THOMAS
Friend? We hardly knew him. He was just some crazy pilot. I don’t
know why I even bothered flying all that way. The only person I could
think about while I was gone was (pushing the door closed and taking a
step closer) you.
LAURA
(stepping back and laughing) I think you’re suffering from jetlag. You’re
definitely not yourself.
THOMAS
Sure I am. (looking around) So where’s the kid?
LAURA’S jaw drops, and she shakes her head.
LAURA
I think you better head home and get some sleep. Brandon is with a
friend for the day.
THOMAS
(with an unpleasant grin on his face) Good.
LAURA
Just what do you mean by that?
12.
THOMAS
It’s just that we never get any time together – alone, I mean.
LAURA
You knew that when we started seeing each other. Brandon is my
number one priority.
THOMAS
Sure … I know that. (voice softening) It’s just … well, you know
(hanging his head and stepping close) It’s not that I don’t love the
little guy … (reaching out his hand for LAURA) …
LAURA takes a step closer and takes THOMAS’S hand in her own.
LAURA
I know you do. He loves you, too, Thomas. I don’t want to see him
get hurt.
THOMAS
(quietly) I promise I won’t hurt him … or you.
THOMAS pulls her into an embrace. LAURA comes willingly. When THOMAS first kisses her gently, she responds willingly. When the kiss becomes more passionate, she begins to pull away. THOMAS scoops her up and heads for the bedroom despite the look of shock and horror on her face.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
(shaking THOMAS’S shoulder) Sir, Sir, wake up. You were having a
bad dream.
THOMAS
(sweat glistening on his face) What? … I, uh … Where am I?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Sir, you’re on a flight to Australia. You were having a bad dream
and saying something about a woman named Laura.
THOMAS
(turning red) I remember now … Oh, I’m sorry … Did I disturb
anyone?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Um, well … you did get a little loud.
13.
THOMAS
(resting his head against the back of the seat and sighing) I’m sorry …
so sorry.
Camera pans a chapel full of people attending PHILLIP’S funeral. The coffin is closed with a framed 11 x 17 headshot of PHILLIP in his uniform either sitting on the coffin or on an easel behind it. There are several flower arrangements surrounding the coffin.
PASTOR
Welcome, family and friends. It’s obvious that Phillip touched many lives.
He would be thrilled that you’re all here today. Before we get any further into
the service, I would like to introduce Mr. Thomas White from New York. He
has definitely come the farthest to be here today. Mr. White …
THOMAS walks to the front of the chapel and takes his place behind the podium.
THOMAS
Thank you, Pastor Stevens. I appreciate the opportunity to share with
all of you. It is a sad occasion. We’ve lost a very special family member,
co-worker, friend …
THOMAS nods toward or sweeps his hand across each group as he mentions them.
THOMAS
We may be sad today, but I know for sure that Phillip would want us to
rejoice. I’ve never met anyone more certain about his eternal destination.
While he may be looking down on us right now, I think he’s probably far
too busy worshiping the God he loved so very much. And he would want
us to do the same. We’ll miss him; there’s no doubt about that. But he
would want us to rejoice in the good God accomplished through his life.
He wouldn’t want us to praise Captain Phillip James. He would want us
to spend this time praising the Lord Jesus.
Verbal affirmations from the congregation.
THOMAS
You may have noticed a child’s drawing when you entered the chapel.
That picture was drawn by a very special little boy. His name is
Brandon. Brandon and his mom, Laura, were trapped on the elevator
with Phillip, Nahla and myself. Brandon took to Phillip right away.
You see, he desperately wants to travel. When he found out Phillip
was a pilot, he wanted to book a flight right then and there to “’stralia.”
Chuckles from the congregation.
14.
THOMAS
Brandon loves to draw. He used them to make other people feel better.
No wonder Jesus taught us that we had to become like children.
Brandon asked me to bring the picture you can see outside the chapel
as his way of saying good-bye to Phillip. If you’ve already seen it, you’ll
notice two men standing on a cloud. One man is Phillip. The other is
Brandon’s father. He died in the Towers on September 11.
THOMAS sighs deeply.
THOMAS
That little boy has been through a lot. (slight pause) You will notice a
number of people standing below the cloud. There is a lady with a little
girl. Nahla was recently reunited with her daughter. Just an aside …
Nahla was raised Muslim, but because of Phillip, she has begun to
seriously consider the claims of Christ.
Camera shows family members, many of whom are smiling through their tears.
THOMAS
Laura is holding Brandon’s hand in the picture. The other man is a picture
of me. Phillip definitely made an impact on my life, but so did Brandon.
Some of you may know that I used to be in ministry. I walked away from
the Lord, however, when my family died in a car crash. I used to fly with
my family to Australia. Amazingly, Phillip remembered me. He was the
pilot on at least one of those flights. God really is remarkable. Who would
have thought I’d end up stuck on an elevator in New York with the same
man?
PASTOR STEVENS
God loves doing things like that.
THOMAS nods.
THOMAS
That day, in that elevator, Phillip just wouldn’t let up. From what I’ve
heard that characteristic marked his life from way back.
Nods of ascent and amens from the congregation.
15.
THOMAS
(chuckling) If I had been a violent man, I think I would have popped him
one. He didn’t direct all of his comments to me, of course. But it was hard
to tune him out since he was standing less than two feet from me. As I
said earlier, Phillip wouldn’t want me to stand up here and praise him. I
guess the Holy Spirit really does know what He’s doing. God was working
in my heart despite the fact that I didn’t want to acknowledge it. To wrap
things up, I just want to thank you again for letting me share with you.
Because of Phillip’s persistence and insight, instead of running away from
God, I’ve turned around. I have a long way to go. But because of Phillip and
other caring Christians, brothers and sisters in Christ who are willing to give
me a chance I certainly don’t deserve, I’m back on the Narrow Road. Phillip would want me to challenge each of you … If you don’t know Christ as your
saviour, don’t let another day go by without seriously considering it. Pastor Stevens …
THOMAS takes his seat, and PASTOR STEVENS returns to the podium.
PASTOR STEVENS
Thank you, Thomas. (directing his attention to the congregation) Phillip
has impacted people like Thomas all over the world. I have a stack of
letters that will be read at the reception. Others of you who want to share
what Phillip meant to them will be invited to do so after the letters are
read. But now, instead of giving a devotional, I want to show you
something Phillip prepared in the event of his death.
PASTOR switches on the DVD player and asks for the front lights to be dimmed. PHILLIP appears on the screen seated on a picnic table in a local park.
PHILLIP
If you’re watching this, it probably means two things: 1) You may be
missing me or wondering who will take your flight so you can be home
for your daughter’s birthday. Right, Colin? …
A pilot in the congregation clears his throat. Other individuals chuckle.
PHILLIP
And 2) I’m having the time of my life. (smiling) I’ve been to enough
funerals to know that it would be wrong of me to say, “Don’t be sad.” We
are sad when we lose someone we love. We may even be sad when we’ve
lost someone who has pestered the heck out of us …
THOMAS squirms somewhat uncomfortably in his seat.
16.
Laughing children run behind PHILLIP.
PHILLIP
(nodding toward the children) And that’s why I chose to make this
recording here in the park. Funerals are usually quiet times. There isn’t
a lot of laughter at the average funeral, but I do have one request … I
don’t want an average funeral. I hope there are plenty of reasons for you
to laugh. At least be happy for me; I’m with Jesus. Obviously, my job on
earth was done. At least I hope I accomplished all He wanted me to do. I
made kind of a late start … I guess I should tell you about that. Some of
you might not know the story. My parents raised me to be a believer, but
I didn’t clue in until later. I can’t count how many times I found my mum
down on her knees. I just know she was praying for my salvation. It was
her voice I heard that day on the plane, the day I took my first solo flight.
My Cessna went into a dive. To this day, I don’t know what happened. But
I did know that it would be the end of my flying career, the end of my life,
if I couldn’t pull out of it. I was struggling with the controls and trying to
reach the tower on my radio. And that’s when I heard my mum. At first, I
thought I was losing it. But I soon realized she was quoting Scripture. As a
boy, she was my Sunday School teacher. I heard her read many passages.
She would try to get us to commit at least one verse each week to memory.
Until that day in the plane, I didn’t know I’d actually been listening …
More chuckles from the congregation.
PHILLIP
It’s funny how we don’t want to let our mothers down. Even as an adult, I
felt bad that I couldn’t believe the way she wanted me to. That all changed
that day. I didn’t make any elaborate promises, but I did pray – probably for
the first time ever. I told God if He got me out of my predicament, I would
check it out: this faith thing. I wasn’t very spiritual. I don’t think the phrase
“faith thing” appears anywhere in the Bible, but it was the best I could do.
A ball lands at PHILLIP’S feet.
YOUNG GIRL
Could you toss that back, Mister?
PHILLIP lobs the ball back to her.
YOUNG GIRL
Thanks!
PHILLIP smiles and nods.
17.
PHILLIP
As I was saying, I asked God for help. And He came through. He does
that, you know? He meets us in the most unexpected places. Hopefully,
my funeral is one of those places. I hope each of you senses God’s
Spirit right there with you. I don’t want to bore you to tears. (shaking
his head) Sorry for my choice of words. Many, maybe all of you, knew
me well. But if there’s even one person who hasn’t heard my story, I want
you to know it has nothing to do with me and the life I lived. It may
sound clique, but it really is all about Jesus. That day, in a Cessna on a
collision course with the ground, I realized maybe I couldn’t deal with
everything that came along without some help. You probably all know I
was very independent and just a touch stubborn …
MALE VOICE (in the congregation)
No? … Sorry about that.
PHILLIP
Needless to say, I didn’t crash. My plane came out of the dive, and I flew
it back to the airport. The mechanics checked it over, and there didn’t seem
to be a thing wrong with it. As soon as I got home, I found the Bible my mum
had given me, blew the dust of the cover and started my search. I started in Matthew. I knew the stories, but for the first time, I actually believed them. I asked God to forgive me for being so bull-headed, and, from that moment on,
I knew for sure that Jesus died for me. I knew that if I was ever in another
plane that was out of control, I’d be safe – even if the plane crashed …
There is a catch in a female family member’s voice, and she blows her nose and sniffs.
PHILLIP
As a commercial pilot, my daily prayer has been that I would go down in a
private plane, it that’s the way my life was going to end. I hope I am never
responsible for taking anyone’s life. (shaking his head) Enough of that. I
met many wonderful people throughout my life. My family. Friends.
Co-workers. And my passengers. I hope you’ll all forgive me if I centre out
some people who are on my heart today. (holding up a child’s drawing and
laughing) Brandon drew this picture. I’m sure you’ve heard that I was trapped
in a lift at the Empire State Building. Brandon was there, too. He sends me pictures almost every week. He wants to come to Australia so much.
Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to fly the plane when he does. His dad was
killed on 9/11. He used to read to Brandon about a little boy who rode in a
roo’s pouch. Brandon’s mum, Laura, told him it was just a story, but I don’t
think he believed her … (holding up the drawing again) as you can see.
Brandon, if you ever get to see this video, I want to thank you for all the
18.
pictures. You are a very smart little boy. Keep letting God’s love shine
through. Laura, you’re doing a remarkable job. Keep looking up. God will
get you through, even the toughest of times. Nahla … Nahla was the young Muslim woman who worked at the Empire State Building. She was on the
lift as well. Nahla, I hope you found your daughter. But even more
importantly, I hope you found the Lord. And Thomas …
THOMAS leans forward in his seat.
PHILLIP
… I hope you’re back in the pulpit before you see this. I know your family
is safe and sound in heaven. By now, I probably will have met them. I’m
sure they would want you to go on with your life. Theirs has only begun,
and I know they look forward to the day when you’ll all be together again.
To the rest of you, I hope you forgive me for that little aside. I got
Brandon’s drawing today, and I don’t believe anything is a coincidence.
For some reason, God wanted me to acknowledge these four special
people. My family should know by now that I’ve left them personal letters
in my safe deposit box. To my fellow pilots, I pray that you’ll come to know
Jesus before your next flight. You’re all highly qualified, but there are times
when things are beyond your control. To all of you … if you know Jesus, keep walking with Him. Never blame him when something unpleasant happens.
Look for the bright side. God can bring good out of any situation. If you haven’t committed your life to Christ, please pick up a Bible. I’ve given Pastor
Stevens enough for each of you. I would like to leave you with my favourite Psalm. Psalm 91 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover
thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walked in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and
ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast
made the LORD which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For
he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt
tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me,
19.
and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
God has saved me from many things, but the most amazing thing He ever
did was save my soul. I’m with Him now, and I pray that each one of you
will one day experience the joy that is mine today and for all eternity.
PASTOR STEVENS stops the DVD.
PASTOR STEVENS
The family would like to invite you to the reception to be held downstairs.
I look forward to hearing how Phillip has impacted your lives. Shall we
pray? Dear God, thank You for this faithful man and his words of challenge
to each of us. May we look to You, knowing You can, indeed, bring
something wonderful even out of our sorrow.
The congregation files out of the chapel.
THOMAS remains in his seat. He pulls the airline ticket out of his pocket.
THOMAS
(quietly) God, I know I messed up on this one big time. Please forgive me.
Thank You for Phillip’s friendship and words of challenge. Thank You that
You are well able to keep me safe from any terror that might come my way.
I can’t always go around it, but together we’ll make it through.
Lights fade, but the sun streaming through the stained glass window envelops THOMAS.
