8/25/23 (And originally 12/4/20)
Hi Beautiful/Handsome Person!
Is there something in your mind and/or heart you’ve wanted to create, invent or improve upon? If so, what have you done to give life to it?
Back in 2020 I took an online class in playwriting. I could imagine so much of a stage production and wanted to learn how to birth it out of my mind and heart and make something of it.
Unfortunately, even though the class was offered through a legitimate university, the teacher apparently wasn’t vested in completing the course.
I did get the intro finished, thankfully, and kinda still like it! Who knows, maybe in the (near?) future I’ll be able to finish it. Lord knows, I’ve done some imagining over the years of how it could go and the songs that would be a part of it.
I still believe there’s potential here.
Ah well. Here’s the introduction to the play “Pearl, Unchained”:
Stage: This scene takes place on the center of three stages. J.C., Pearl’s electric guitar, is seemingly suspended four feet off the ground. It is in the spotlight of an otherwise darkened stage. The house goes completely dark when a colored light emits from J.C.. The light pulsates when he talks. J.C. speaks with ‘strong confidence’:
Greetings Good People!
I would say this is all new for me, having a voice and all. But really me, my ancestors and relatives have been communicating for centuries now; it’s just a question of whether or not others understand our language.
I am excited to finally be able to speak English, though. Maybe now others will be able to hear just how versatile, and dare I say, heroic I can be. I have the ability to be a friend (sometimes best bud!), therapist, expression, uniting force. I can express every emotion and even bring joy, if you’ll let me . . . my potential is endless.
My person, Pearl, calls me J.C. for two reasons. First, she loves her Savior Jesus Christ and she knows I am a gift from Him, and the music me and my relatives produce are one way she can connect with Him and others.
The second reason is because I was made as a tribute to Jerry Cantrell, one of her favorite musicians and founding father of the band Alice In Chains (AIC).
You may think being a Jesus freak and loving AIC as much as Pearl does is a dichotomy, but she’s astute enough to look past the band’s stupid name. She, like so many others who are receptive to my kind of therapy, knows the healing power of their (and most) music. She’s a uniquely special lady.
Music and Pearl are about the only two things I know much about, to be honest. I’m an expert about the former no matter how I’m stroked or plucked. When I was sold to Pearl from my manufacturer I was concerned I’d just be languishing as some sort of dusty decoration or warping in a basement and never used for my real purpose.
Fortunately, she’s taking lessons and I’m so happy to be used.
Unfortunately, Pearl is making herself struggle to learn how to play me well, so I’ve had little opportunity to show off my prowess. Her guitar teacher (whom, between you and me, causes her heart to get all atwitter and brain to forget it’s purpose) played me once and I was in all my glory then.
(Sigh) I can only hope I’ll be able to reach my full potential and shine like that again, preferably on a consistent basis. I know it’s possible, even if Pearl’s my only partner. I look forward to the day she sets her heart free and allows herself to shine with me.
I do have an even greater purpose though; Pearl needs me.
I’m not just some good looking and amazing sounding piece of electrified wood with strings and frets for her. I’m blessed to be one aspect of her finding her own way, her own voice, and it’s time for me to help her speak her truth.
I have to warn you, much of her brave journey is horrendous and painful to hear about. Just remember though, like you, she’s always been smart, strong, worthy of love, precious and valuable no matter what’s been done to her and no matter what she (or anybody else) has believed.
This story is one of faith, hope and victory, and a reminder that just because you survive hell it doesn’t mean you have to stay there.
So let’s get started!
Stage direction: Pearl grabs the guitar and joins a band on the stage to the right. Mash up of songs “Hell Is For Children” by Pat Benatar & “Man In the Box” by A.I.C. starts playing live.
Thank you Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo for having the heart and guts to write this song . . .
