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Hugheen
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 8th, 2008 03:01 am |
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YOU DON’T HAVE A PRAYER
By Hugh Giblin
CHARACTERS:
MARK – around 40 – a devout Christian desperate to make sure he gets into the right group in the prayer study.
PHIL – 35 – a laid back guy who has a very pragmatic attitude toward prayer.
JOHN – 50 - an atheist who joined the study to explore writing a story and to get better care.
REBECCA – 40– former free spirit who is now turning to religion.
DOCTOR AMES – 50 – torn between his desire to prove the power of prayer and his professional ethics.
CATHY – 30 – doctoral student acting as research assistant to Doctor Ames
TIME: PRESENT
PLACE: A Chicago hospital
SETTING:
Hospital ward – three beds with three men in them: Mark, Phil and John – a large TV - Rebecca is being wheeled in by Cathy from stage right. Doctor Ames is standing in front of everyone.
ACT I, SCENE ONE.
Ames
Okay, looks like we are all here now. I will try to make this as brief as possible. First, I’d like to introduce my research assistant in this study, Ms. Cathy Powers. Ms. Powers is a PHD candidate at the university and she will be available to talk with you about any questions you might have on the study. I’m sure you will find her most helpful. Secondly, I would like to express my appreciation for your willingness to participate in the prayer study and my hope that you will benefit from it. As you know our study is to research the benefit of prayer for patients having by-pass surgery for cardiovascular problems. I want to tell you today how the study is being conducted.
Each of you will be assigned randomly by our programmer to one of two groups, one which will be prayed for by members of the congregations of four churches in the community and the other group which we call the control group which will receive no prayers from them. Neither the researchers nor the patients know which group they are assigned to until the end of the study. We call this a double blind study.
Phil
Double blind, how about that, nobody knows nothing.
John
What’s new here Doctor Ames? Don’t congregations normally pray for members who are sick or in the hospital?
Ames
Of course, they do, however, we’ve asked that the prayers be performed by the specific persons in the congregations who are participating in the study. They receive the first names of the patients and the initial of their last names, that’s all.
John
How many people praying?
Ames
60 in each congregation, 240 in all.
.
Phil
(to John) I’d rather they use my nickname, nobody calls me by my right name.
John
You don’t think God will know your nickname Phil?
Phil
(half-serious) Who knows He might get confused.
John
What’s your nickname?
Phil
Lucky, everybody who knows me calls me Lucky. When I was a little boy I climbed out the window of our third floor walkup, fell onto a grocery store awning and simply bounced onto some grass. Ever since they’ve called me Lucky.
John
Okay Lucky.
Ames
Could I have your attention Mr. Ribone?
Phil
Oops, sorry Doctor Ames.
Ames
Okay to continue, since you are all scheduled for surgery in the next few days we hope to have the final results of the study before you leave the hospital. Our computer center will tabulate the results for the entire study as soon as we provide them with data on your group. Obviously this will only show the results for the period of your hospitalization during which the congregations do the praying.
Rebecca
Are we the only persons in the study?
Ames
No, no we have already involved 46 persons in our study. You are the last four volunteers and make 50 in all. You four represent the younger spectrum of the study’s subjects. While most of our study was comprised of 55 or older we included some younger patients also to make the study more representative demographically.
Phil
So how are the prayers doing so far Doctor Ames?
Mark
He said they haven’t tabulated the results yet.
Ames
Mark’s right Phil, as I said we won’t know until your data is submitted to the computer.
Phil
No, I meant haven’t you done these studies before, how did they go? Prayers do any good or not?
Ames
There have been a number of studies by others on the effectiveness of intercessory prayer. The results have been ambiguous and inconclusive to date; we’re hoping to do much better with the protocol and controls we have in place.
Rebecca
I hope so too.
Mark
What is the prayer, is there a prayer they all say or what?
Ames
In past studies we have used a stock prayer but we have decided that makes the prayer somewhat formal and impersonal...and perhaps even dull from repetition so we simply ask the person praying to pray for the patient’s successful treatment and full recovery and to do it in any manner they like.
Rebecca
I like that, it’s more creative.
Ames
If there aren’t any further questions at the moment we can stop here but remember either I or Ms. Powers will be glad to answer any other questions or issues you might have about the study. Thank you again for your participation and good luck with your surgical procedures.
John
I’ll take the luck and leave the prayers.
Ames
Ah yes, ...Mr. Lynch. You might be interested in knowing you’re the only atheist we’ve had in the study.
John
Think that might screw it up Doctor?
Ames
Don’t see how it would but I’m interested in why you wanted to be in our study, clearly you don’t believe in the efficacy of healing prayer.
John
Intellectual curiosity Doctor Ames, just wanted to get an inside view of how a prayer study works... or doesn’t work.
Ames
I see, well you might be surprised Mr. Lynch, you might be surprised.
John
I would be surprised if I were surprised Doctor.
Ames
Well, in any event, good luck to you Mr. Lynch.
John
Thank you Doctor.
(Ames leaves)
Mark
I want...I need those prayers.
Phil
Yeah, they can’t do any harm. Better prayers than curses I always say.
John
They call those imprecatory prayers.
Phil
Pardon me?
John
Imprecatory prayers, they’re like curses, you ask God to punish your enemies.
Phil
No shit, I could use those, do they work?
John
They’ve never worked for me.
Mark
Prayers can be the difference between life and death in certain situations.
Rebecca
Frankly, I’d like to get them too. I never thought I would go to religion but now...
Cathy
Many people react to crisis that way Rebecca.
Rebecca
I know but its not the highest motivation is it?
Cathy
It’s only human.
Rebecca
Human, I guess I still qualify as that.
Cathy
Besides you were motivated to help the research study, weren’t you?
Rebecca
Truth is I wanted to get something as well.
Cathy
That’s a fair exchange Rebecca. (turns to men) I’m interested in what motivated the rest of you, Mark, how about you?
Mark
I believe in prayer.(holds up bible) I feel I need all the support, the help, the prayers I can get to go through this surgery. I’d like to volunteer for the prayed for group Ms. Powers.
Cathy
I’m afraid that’s not possible Mark,that would violate the study protocol.
Mark
How about if I just switched with somebody, somebody who didn’t care what group they’re in, like John here if gets in a prayer group, wouldn’t that be okay? What difference would it make?
Cathy
No Mark, the computer decides who will be in what group. You heard it from Doctor Ames, I, no one, will know who is in what group until after the study. You do have a 50-50 chance you know.
Phil
50-50. Not bad odds.
Mark
I thought I could pick the prayer group when I came into this study.
Cathy
That’s not what we told the participants when they signed the consent forms for the study Mark.
Mark
I must have misunderstood.
Cathy
So what got you interested in the study Phil?
Phil
Me, I figured I had nothing to lose by going into the study. I’m not real religious but if prayer can help me, well that’s cool with me, if it doesn’t, well what have I lost?
Cathy
Very pragmatic. You’re the youngest by-pass patient we’ve had in the study Phil.
Phil
Yeah, thirty-five and my arteries are clogging up like a Chicago traffic jam already. My mother keeps telling me I eat too much junk food. I keep telling her it doesn’t matter what I eat, this is what is going to do me in sooner or later.
Cathy
You do have some control over it Phil, diet is important you know that.
Phil
Yeah, but so is enjoying the food you eat. I see it as a trade off, I can eat broccoli and beans for supper and oatmeal for breakfast all my life and live a few years longer or steak and fries or bacon and eggs and enjoy them in a shorter life.
Cathy
I guess it’s your call Phil.
Phil
That’s’ right, I’m throwing the dice.
Cathy
John, you told Doctor Ames you were here because of...”intellectual curiosity”?
John
I’m not expecting any personal benefit from prayer. I heard about the study and thought it would be interesting to participate.
Cathy
Interesting that’s all?
John
Good cocktail party talk you know. And I figured the care might be better in a study with a lot of oversight. I also heard the food was better over here but that was a false rumor.
Cathy
(laughs) Maybe the prayers will help with that also.
John
Making hospital food taste good now that would be a real miracle.
Rebecca
Can you imagine 240 people praying us every day.
Cathy
Three times a day actually.
Rebecca
Really!
Cathy
And they start three days before surgery, the day of surgery and three days afterwards, pretty much covering your entire hospital stay.
Phil
Hey man, that’s a lot of prayers. I feel better already.
Rebecca
So they are praying for us right now.
Cathy
They are praying for you...
Rebecca
...I find that very comforting. Wouldn’t it be nice to meet those people after this is over.
Cathy
...but you have to be in the prayed for group.
Rebecca
Oh that’s right.
Mark
My church, the New Hope Church, is it in the study?
Cathy
I can’t tell you that Mark.
Mark
Why does this whole thing have to be so secretive?
Cathy
I’m sorry Mark but it’s the only way to do a credible study.
Phil
Relax man, things will work out okay, relax.
Mark
(aloud to himself) I have to keep faith. God will take care of me like He always has.
Rebecca
(to John) So it all comes down to a matter of faith?
John
Faith! Faith in your surgeon and the staff is what makes the most sense to me.
Rebecca
You really don’t believe prayer has any influence on things at all John?
John
It’s wishful thinking as far as I’m concerned, but you know, if you guys find it helpful feel free.
Mark
Then they’re just wasting their good prayers on you...
John
...If I’m in the prayed for group they are.
Rebecca
But if John’s prayed for it doesn’t mean they’re wasted, he doesn’t have to believe to be helped by God does he? Does he Cathy?
Cathy
I can’t help you on theology Rebecca, not my specialty.
Mark
I wonder what kind of prayers they say, if they’re Protestant or Catholic, Jewish they could be Jewish too.
Cathy
I can tell you that. We have one for each of those and a Muslim congregation as well.
Mark
Muslim?
Phil
Why not?
Mark
I don’t care who says them as long as they say them. What are you Protestant Phil?
Phil
I guess so. I mean I was baptized Lutheran. I don’t do too much church to be honest, but yeah, I’m a token Protestant. I go on the big holidays, Christmas, Easter you know and when someone gets married ...or dies.
Rebecca
I’m Jewish but we never practiced. We were secular Jews. Now I almost wish we had practiced. I would be better prepared for something like this. I wish I had somebody praying for me to tell the truth, I’d feel better just if I knew someone cared enough to pray for me.
John
Nobody does?
Rebecca
Parents are both deceased. I’ve got a brother in D.C. who doesn’t give a damn about me and some cousins there who never kept in touch...or whom I never kept in touch with. I broke up with my boyfriend a year and a half ago and just moved to Chicago seven weeks ago.
John
And you wind up in the hospital?
Rebecca
Yeah, not a very good start. I haven’t really made that many contacts here, besides my landlord, my doctor and the girl at the corner coffee shop, yeah, come to think of it, nobody really, how about yourself John?
John
I have an ex-wife in North Carolina and two children out-of-state. The girl will be here, the boy might not, you know how it goes, these things bring up a lot of stuff in families.
Phil
How about you Mark, got relatives here?
Mark
My mom is in Oregon but she’s recovering from a stroke. I haven’t told her I’m having by-pass, she thinks I’m in for testing. I don’t want to put her under any more pressure than she has already. And if I tell any of my relatives out there, well I don’t trust them not to tell her.
Rebecca
That has to be tough on you.
Mark
Better me than her I guess. But I’ve had visitors, a couple of people from the office and some people from my church have been to see me.
Rebecca
So we’re all like orphans?
Phil
Not me, I’ve got too much family, I’d be glad to give you a couple. I had visitors all day yesterday and they’ll probably be here later. They don’t come so much to see as to see each other. They barely paid any attention to me yesterday, talking all the time to each other like they hadn’t seen each other for a year when they each other day in and day out. My sister’s on the cell phone with her boyfriend or fighting with my other sister. My two brothers spent the whole hour watching the Bulls game on the hospital TV. I’m supposed to be the center of attention, I’m the damn patient. Go figure.
Rebecca
You may not know how fortunate you are Phil to have all that family, all that support.
Phil
Yeah, I guess so but they can be a pain in the ass too.
Rebecca
It’s always a mixed bag isn’t it? Are they going to pray for you Phil?
Phil
I didn’t think to ask.
Rebecca
Oh they’ll probably do it anyhow.
Phil
You don’t know my family. I don’t think they know any prayers or if they did they forgot them
Rebecca
People don’t forget their prayers do they?
John
This Doctor Ames is he a religious type?
Cathy
Doctor Ames is an Evangelical Christian.
John
I thought as much. So he must be hoping for a spiritual touchdown here. If he can prove the power of prayer to influence medical outcomes he’s made it bigtime. There are people who have been trying to prove prayer is an effective alternative medicine for decades if Ames could do it he would become very prominent very fast in medical and religious circles.
Cathy
I suppose he would like that but he is a professional first and foremost. He wants to do the study right. And it has to stand up to peer-review you know.
John
I don’t think He has a prayer of succeeding with this.
Cathy
There have been a lot of studies about the mind-body relationship in the last two decades and there is definitely a relationship.
John
I believe there is a relationship but a remote intercessory prayer relationship, to put it mildly that’s a stretch.
Cathy
We’ll find out won’t we?
John
Where do you stand on all this?
Cathy
I’m studying to be a scientist, I’m neutral.
John
Neutral, no bias one way or another?
Cathy
I’m exploring this phenomena, that’s all, I’ll stand on the facts, the results of the study.
John
Spoken like a true scientist.
Rebecca
So our fate is in the hands of some damn computer somewhere, isn’t that something?
Phil
Hey, all of our fates are in the hands of computers these days Rebecca: our cars, our bank accounts, our jobs, the stock market, everything, computer chips... We do what they want, not what we want, they run our lives
Rebecca
They sure do.
John
Faith in technology, that makes some sense.
Phil
Yeah, until the computer crashes.
Rebecca
Cathy how are you going to be able to tell that the prayer helps the patient or not?
Cathy
We measure a number of things like the amount of medication required, cauterizations, time in intensive care, overall recovery time, reported pain, the mood of the patient before and after surgery, diuretics, lab tests, complications and deaths.
Mark
Deaths!
Cathy
Not a frequent occurrence Mark.
rebecca
I tell you if I get through this I’m going to take better care of myself, no more trans fats, steaks, French fries, I’m going vegetarian. I’m going to exercise every day at the gym, walk...
Phil
Not me I’m not changing a thing. I figure this is a genetic thing. My grandfather died at 50 from a heart attack and my father has had two and he isn’t that old. So no matter what I do I figure I’ve got a limited future. I intend to enjoy life. You know eat, drink and be merry...
Mark
For tomorrow you die. (anxiously) You’re too young to die Phil...
Phil
I agree with that.
Mark
(anxiously) So am I.
Cathy
(moves to him to comfort him)
The success rate for by-pass surgery is extremely high Mark, it is, in fact, a very common procedure.
Mark
Yeah, it’s a common procedure until you’re the one going through it Cathy, you might feel differently if they were going to saw through your chest.
Cathy
That’s true I might.
Rebecca
Sawing through your chest, it seems so primitive, barbaric, you would think it could be done...a little more delicately these days. Why does it have to be so...invasive?
Phil
Must leave a hell of a scar.
John
A little souvenir, it looks liked they zipped you up.
Phil
The guys at the club will love it. I can hear the jokes now: so they finally caught you cheating at poker huh Lucky? Or what happened Lucky, your girlfriend get mad at you in bed? They’re going to have fun with this.
Cathy
I have to go. I’ll see you all tomorrow. Try and get a good night’s sleep and don’t worry...too much. You have a lot of people rooting for you, a lot of support. And we have a great medical staff here at the hospital. Bye now.
John
See you later Cathy.
Rebecca
Bye Cathy.
Phil
See you later Cathy. (kidding) Hey Cathy, would you hold my hand during my operation?
Cathy
(turning back) Sorry Phil not in the study protocol (exits stage right).
Phil
I was afraid of that.
John
Nice lady.
Rebecca
Isn’t she?
Phil
Good looking woman, made my screwed up heart beat faster and faster.
Rebecca
You don’t worry much about anything do you Phil?
Phil
You know what I’m really worried about?
Rebecca
What?
Phil
Is my insurance going to cover all this? I don’t want to walk out of here owing twenty grand or something. My credit card won’t take it that’s for damn sure it’s just about maxed out now.
John
What do you do Phil?
Phil
I’m a day trader.
Rebecca
What’s a day trader?
Phil
You don’t know what a day trader is?
Rebecca
That’s what I said.
Phil
We play the market; we’re speculators, you know, in and out, longs and shorts,
Rebecca
The stock market.
Phil
You got it. I like to gamble. I also play a lot of cards.
Rebecca
Do you win much?
Phil
Just enough to keep me doing it. It’s like golf you know you blow shots for six holes, then you make a good one and you keep going looking for the next good one.
Mark
I wonder how long it’s going to be before I can return to work.
John
It’s going to take a few weeks Mark. I had one of these seven years ago and it took me about six weeks before I could drive and get around comfortably. You got to do some rehab before you’re back in shape.
Phil
Exercise man I hate it. Boring as hell.
Mark
Six weeks! So you did okay with the operation?
John
Yeah. Had a triple header and did fine.
Mark
A triple by-pass. What was it like?
John
Not as impressive as it sounds.
Rebecca
Was there a lot of pain John?
John
Tell you what, the only real pain was from the soreness from the vein they take from your leg to use for one of the by-pass grafts, it was sore as hell for a couple of days.
Rebecca
How about your chest?
John
Discomfort more than pain.
Mark
Discomfort is pain.
Rebecca
My doctor told me they use a machine to take over for your heart during the operation. Can you believe that? A machine I’d like to see how that works.
Mark
A machine! They didn’t tell me that.
John
It’s called being “on pump”. They medicate the heart to paralyze it and the machine, an oxygenate takes over the heart and lung functions. Not every surgeon uses them, I guess it depends on their preference or the situation. They used it on me.
Phil
No shit! A machine. Hey wouldn’t it be cool if you could buy one and just switch it on when you were going to sleep so you could save your heart some work every night.
Rebecca
Like a dialysis machine. How come you have to come back for another operation?
Mark
The first one didn’t take?
John
Up to a 30% of people have to come back for seconds at some point.
Mark
That’s almost a third. I don’t want to go through this again.
Phil
Three to one, damn I’ll probably have to come back again too.
John
Maybe you’ll be lucky, Lucky.
Phil
Yeah, maybe. What kind of work do you do John?
John
I’m a writer, a free-lance writer
Phil
No shit, a writer. What books have you written? What’s your last name?
John
Lawrence, John Lawrence.
Phil
Never heard of you.
John
Didn’t figure you would, I write magazine articles not books.
Phil
So you going to write about this, us?
John
I’m thinking about it.
Phil
Spell my name right. Ribone. R-I-B-O-N-E.
John
I wouldn’t use your right name, privacy you know
Phil
Hey, I’m not worried about privacy
John
Other people might be.
Phil
You reading the bible, Mark?
Mark
Right, I read it daily.
Phil
Really. You’ve read the whole thing?
Mark
I’ve read a lot of it but usually I read passages, I just read certain passages.
Phil
That’s cool. Myself I never owned one.
Mark
You’re family didn’t have one?
Phil
No, we didn’t pray together but we did play together and somehow stayed together. The only bible I read was the one in the pews when I went to church or when I was in a motel and there was one in the room and nothing else to read. I tell you what though, sometimes when I’m playing the market getting a quote on a stock or in a card game looking for a card I say a little prayer, it just comes out of nowhere, you know what I mean?
Mark
You’re missing something very important if you’re not reading the bible.
Phil
Yeah, maybe. But, you know, I like contemporary writers. I just don’t identify with older writers. You read the bible John?
John
No, not anymore When I was young I read some, had to really, it was required.
Phil
They made you read it.
John
Yeah, but now I’ve come to believe it’s really mostly historical fiction.
Phil
Fiction?
John
The bible wouldn’t even pass muster in a court of law as evidence.
Phil
No shit!
Mark
The bible isn’t fiction.
John
We’re not going to agree on that Mark.
Mark
You’re forgetting that the bible is used in a court of law to swear people to tell the truth.
John
I meant the bible would be considered hearsay in a court of law.
Mark
What do you mean hearsay?
John
It’s not eyewitness testimony, none of the writer’s were there at the time of Christ, they all wrote a generation or more after his time, they contradict each other on basic facts.
Mark
(moving from discussion to argument)
But they heard from others about Christ’s life and recorded it what’s wrong with that? It’s oral history. That’s the way it was done back then. People didn’t write everything down, they relied on word of mouth.
John
That’s what makes it hearsay. They weren’t there; they got it from somebody else, things get changed, distorted by word of mouth over many years.
Mark
I don’t agree. Oral history can be just as factual as written history besides this was different, it was the actual word of God.
John
You don’t have to agree, I not trying to make you agree.
Mark
I don’t accept your atheistic interpretation of the bible.
John
Like I said you don’t have to...
Mark
Well I don’t.
John
And I don’t accept your superstitious supernaturalism either.
Rebecca
Okay guys time out, we’re all in this together you know.
(Mark goes back to reading the bible)
Phil
My mother used to say I had this uncanny ability to bring up provocative subjects that started arguments.
Rebecca
Seems like that’s true.
Phil
Yeah, I mean I used to start these fierce family battles by just opening my mouth at the dinner table. Like if my dad was playing cards at a bar down the street I’d ask him how much he made out and bang, my mother would get on him for gambling. My dad would really get upset with me after she got through getting upset with him.
Rebecca
Maybe it was your way of expressing hostility to him.
Phil
Well I used to do it to my mother too.
Rebecca
Did you do it just now?
Phil
No...I don’t think so. You a shrink or something Rebecca?
Rebecca
I’m a psychiatric social worker not a psychiatrist.
Phil
I figured, you people are always looking for deep motives aren’t you?
Rebecca
We just try to understand people that’s all.
Phil
I was told once by a shrink I had the characteristics of a compulsive gambler. I told him as long as I was having fun and had some money that was okay with me. He was a compulsive jerk as far as I’m concerned.
Rebecca
I see.
Mark
(Mark approaches Rebecca)
I don’t feel good about this Rebecca, I have this premonition.
John
Premonitions don’t always come true Mark.
Mark
I have this premonition Rebecca that this isn’t going to work out for me.
Rebecca
But you heard Cathy, it’s a common procedure, they do it all the time. I read where they do a half million of these things every year.
Mark
But some people do die don’t they?
Rebecca
Yes they do but...
Mark
...Excuse me, I have to make a phone call.
(Mark goes over to corner of ward with cell phone, dials talks in low voice)
Mark
New Hope Church?
End of SCENE ONE
act i, scene two
(Same evening, Mark is finishing working on a laptop, Phil in bed reading a paper, John sleeping)
Mark
I think I’ve finished.
Phil
All done.
Mark
Yes I am now, took awhile.
Phil
Setting up a blog is pretty easy isn’t is?
Mark
Not bad and free too. Thanks for the use of your laptop
(Mark reaches over and hands Phil the laptop)
Phil
No problem. Nice they have wireless here, surprised, a hospital too.
Mark
Yes it is.
Phil
So how did you wind up in here Mark, you have a heart attack or something?
Mark
No, I’m a runner, I run three miles every morning, well except Sunday when I’m in church early, so I run on the school track before classes. I started noticing how beat I was after a few laps around the track and then I felt a tightness in my chest.
Phil
No shit.
Mark
This went on for almost a week and I just decided I better check it out and went to the doctor, Phillips, he’s my doctor, on Monday morning and he immediately sent me over to the emergency room and they did some tests and well here I am.
Phil
Lucky you checked it out man no telling what might have happened.
Mark
It wasn’t luck Phil, it was God telling me, guiding me to do the right thing, to take care of myself.
Phil
Okay.
Mark
How about yourself?
Phil
Wasn’t really having much in the way of problems. Tired more maybe, but trading can be hard work, eight, ten, twelve hours on the computer most days and lots of ups and downs emotionally, if you know what I mean.
Mark
I could see that.
Phil
I just went in for my annual checkup. I do that because of the family history with heart trouble. My mom makes me do it. I try to get out of it but she makes sure I go. So I went and sure enough, big trouble ahead if I don’t get the by-pass says the doctor. Who am I to argue with that?
Mark
At thirty-five too.
Phil
Right thirty-five. Too young to be dealing with this shit. How old are you Mark?
Mark
Forty and I feel like I’m too young to be dealing with this problem too.
Phil
We’re both too young. But you know I think it was mom not God who saved my life. She was the one who forced me to go.
Mark
God could have been acting through your mom Phil, that’s the way He works sometime.
Phil
Is that right? Yeah, well okay mom must have been paying attention to Him when I wasn’t.
Mark
You need to start paying attention to Him Mark.
Phil
Maybe Mark, maybe, we’ll see what happens.
(Phil is going online with his laptop)
Mark
You been working on your stocks while you’ve been in the hospital Phil?
Phil
I’ve got to keep up with my portfolio, no rest for day traders, you know.
Mark
So what are you doing now stock research?
Phil
What I’m doing right now is trying to get a fix on the operation. See how they do it. I always like to know what I’m getting into. I wanted to see that machine working. And I heard some of these guys use robotics.
Mark
Robots!
Phil
They run them, apparently they are more accurate. Wonder what happens if the chip or software doesn’t work right.
Mark
Could that happen?
Phil
Three to six hours for the operation, that’s a long time man, anything can happen.
MARK
(uncomfortable and trying to ignore him now) I’m sure.
Phil
Oh man, get this, two in every one hundred people who have bypass surgery die in the hospital, 2% so the odds are fifty to one, not bad. Oh, oh another 2% die from stroke during or after the surgery, now we’re down to twenty-five to one, not so great.
Mark
(turns away from him on bed)
Phil
And to make matters worse 4% have to come back in a year for another operation.
Mark
(disturbed) I’m not interested in the statistics on the surgery Mark.
Phil
(absorbed in website) They sew you up with steel sutures. That’s cool, nice and strong, wonder if they rust.
Mark
(annoyed) I said I’m not interested in the details.
Phil
Okay, okay, just thought you might be interested in what’s going to happen to you on the table. (closes computer)
Phil
You know if I were one of the 4% who didn’t make it I would want to be cremated. Can’t see doing a funeral, too expensive besides my relatives would come and stand around bullshitting with each other all the time and ignoring me in the casket. What’s your preference Mark?
Mark
Preference?
Phil
If you die from this what would you want cremation or a burial?
Mark
(explodes) Look, I really don’t want to continue this ridiculous conversation.
Phil
Okay man, okay. I don’t know why you’re so uptight about all this man, the odds are still good for you, if it doesn’t work out for you and you die, you believe you’re going to heaven, right? If you survive, you live your life, you can’t lose one way or another.
Mark
(sarcastically) Really!
Phil
Look Mark life is all about luck, chance. You miss a bus then get on the next one and meet your wife-to-be or maybe the bus has an accident and you wind up crippled for life. You shake hands with someone and get the flu or you make a good friend, you inherit good genes or bad ones, it’s the breaks man, you go with the flow, that’s all anybody can do. You play the hand you’re dealt.
Mark
I believe prayer can change that hand. (with finality) Goodnight.
(Mark snaps off his light and turns his body away from Phil)
Phil
(more to himself) Goodnight
END OF SCENE TWO
ACT i, SCENE THREE
(Ames and Cathy are in front of the group in the ward)
Ames
Good morning, nice to see you all again. I won’t take long, I just want to give you the surgical schedule.
Mark
The schedule!
Phil
The lineup.
Ames
Phil, you will have surgery tomorrow, Wednesday morning. Mark tomorrow afternoon. Rebecca and John are scheduled for Thursday, Rebecca in the morning, John in the afternoon.
Mark
Tomorrow already.
(Mark goes to his cell phone, dials, talks inaudibly)
Phil
I’m leading off, that’s okay with me, get it over with.
Ames
Your surgeons will be in to talk with you sometime before the operation. If you have any questions on the surgery or any aspect of your care you can ask them at that time. We will try to minimize the amount of time we take from you for the study and certainly won’t interfere with your treatment in any way.
I want to thank you all again for your cooperation Ms Powers did you want to talk about the interviews now?
Cathy
Yes I do. I will be briefly interviewing each of you before and after the procedure to just get a sense of how you’re mood is and what you are having in the way of thoughts and feelings about your hospitalization. We want to get the subjective sense of your pre-operative and post-operative experience.
Phil
Like to talk to me now Cathy, I’m first up.
Cathy
I guess we could do that now, it’s not too early is it Doctor Ames.
Ames
I don’t think so. Okay, I have an appointment to keep, see you all later. It’s all yours Ms. Powers.. (Ames leaves stage right)
Phil
So what would you like to know Cathy?
Cathy
Have you felt any change in your attitude toward the surgical procedure since your admission to the hospital?
Phil
Attitude? No, not really,
Cathy
Nothing.
Phil
I mean I’m not looking forward to it but there’s not much I can do about it is there?
Cathy
No higher anxiety or increased fear of the outcome.
Phil
Not really.
Cathy
Physical pain?
Phil
Don’t feel like eating much and I’m tired of being in this damn bed but no big problems, I’m going with the flow.
Cathy
Pretty much your style.
Phil
Style? Yeah, I guess so, I sort of live and let live and take life as it comes. It has always worked out for me ...so far anyhow
Cathy
So far, does that indicate that you might think it won’t work out this time, some anxiety sneaking in under that complacent cover.
Phil
Maybe a little.
Cathy
Do you believe that if prayers are said for you that they will effect the outcome of your surgery.
Phil
They can’t hurt can they?
Cathy
I was asking you.
Phil
It’s like I said before Cathy, what do I have to lose by believing they help, if they do they do, if they don’t they don’t. Maybe they’re good insurance, maybe they’re useless, whatever. I believing in hedging my bets.
Cathy
No room for sentimentality in Phil.
Phil
I could be very sentimental over you Cathy. Maybe when this is over...
Cathy
That’s sweet of you to say so Phil but I couldn’t consider that.
Phil
Boyfriend?
Cathy
No boyfriend, professional ethics, no involvement with subjects.
Phil
Professional. How did you get into this ...profession Cathy?
Cathy
It was a pretty much gradual thing, not planned, almost serendipity. I liked the social sciences, psychology, research, along the way I took an internship in a medical library as an undergraduate and then sort of put it all together to wind up here first as a graduate student and now a PHD candidate.
Phil
Not much time for dating huh?
Cathy
True.
Phil
Science over social life?
Cathy
So far.(getting up, shakes his hand) Good luck tomorrow Phil.
Phil
Yeah, thanks. Hey, I won’t always be a subject you know.
(Cathy moves on to Mark)
Cathy
Mark how are you doing?
Mark
Better, Cathy, better.
Cathy
Have you felt any change in your feelings toward the surgery since your admission.
Mark
I was very, very anxious about it until today actually. Right now I am feeling calmer, less frightened by it.
Cathy
Why do you think that is?
Mark
I’m putting my trust in God. He has always taken care of me and I believe He always will.
Cathy
I see.
Mark
I’m in His hands.
Cathy
That must be very reassuring to you
Mark
And I believe I’m receiving many prayers.
Cathy
You feel that although you don’t know that for sure.
Mark
I believe I am receiving prayers.
Cathy
So much less fear and anxiety about the outcome.
Mark
Right.
Cathy
Any physical changes, more or less discomfort, pain?
Mark
No, not really, the medication helped a lot with the chest pain. Not much appetite but I can afford to lose a few pounds
Cathy
(writes in her notes) Okay well I’m glad you are feeling less anxious about your surgery. I’ll check in with you tomorrow before your surgery.
Mark
(nods) Thanks.
(exit Cathy stage right)
Rebecca
I wish I had your faith Mark, I can’t seem to have that same strong belief in a God that you do.
Mark
If you pray it will come to you Rebecca.
Rebecca
You think God answers the prayers of people like me who don’t even know whether a God exists or not.
Mark
I think so.
Rebecca
I don’t know, if someone asked me for a favor and didn’t have much faith in my responding positively or doubted my ability to do it, I might be put off.
Mark
But you’re not God. God understands your struggle. God loves you.
Rebecca
You think so?
Mark
I know so.
Rebecca
It’s a nice warm thought but I have to ask, I mean I don’t want to sound difficult, but what bothers me...
Mark
What?
Rebecca
Well, if God loves me, why did he put me in here to begin with?
Mark
Don’t you see why?
Rebecca
No.
Mark
So that you could find Him again, so that you would find faith.
Rebecca
I see. So this is God’s way of having me find faith.
Mark
Exactly, if you hadn’t had a heart problem you would not have started thinking of God and religion, you would have gone on the same way you were going.
Rebecca
Well that’s true. Faith in God certainly wasn’t something I thought much about before this.
Mark
(looks at John) I don’t see how anyone can exist without faith.
John
Well, I agree Mark one has to have faith.
Rebecca
I’m surprised to hear you say that John.
John
But it depends on what you have faith in and why. For myself I have faith in lots of things: I have faith friends I have known for years and trust, I have faith in the workings of Nature like I have faith that the sun is coming up every day, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have faith in the abilities of the medical profession, my surgeon. I have some faith in myself, not as much as I would like at times...
Mark
...But no faith in a supreme being, no faith in God.
John
I have faith in those things I have evidence for Mark.
Mark
You mistake what faith is, faith is what you don’t have evidence for. There are things we don’t know, things we don’t have evidence for, that’s where faith come in.
John
On the contrary Mark, faith without a reason for it is simply blind faith, what gives faith real meaning is a reason to believe it.
Rebecca
That’s the way I always felt that way ... at least until
now...
PHIL
Think there is anything good on TV. Where’s the TV guide?(he finds guide and reads it)
Mark
Evidence, there’s abundant evidence for the existence of God, Nature you mentioned Nature didn’t you...
John
I did.
Mark
(with emotion) If you look closely you see unlimited evidence of design in Nature: the order in the Universe, the human body, I teach biology as part of the high school curricula, I’m not a bible banging six-day creationist. I accept certain aspects of evolution but no one can tell me that the workings of the human body aren’t intelligently designed: DNA sending messages to RNA then to the seven thousand, thousand trillion cells in the human body all doing their intricate work, forming organs each with a special purpose then maintaining them, cells more complex than any computer will ever be, only a God could create such a incredibly complex system
PHIL
Rebecca do me a favor put on channel five.
Rebecca
In a minute Phil, I want to hear this.
John
Look Mark I don’t want to get into this stuff again.
Mark
Meaning you don’t have a response to what I just said...
John
I’ve got a response it’s just I don’t see much point in arguing...most people don’t change their minds about these things...
Mark
I’d like to hear it.
Rebecca
I would too John.
John
Okay, okay, you talk about order in the universe. You must know there have been at least six mass extinctions in the past which have wiped out most of existing life, 95% by some estimates in the Permian period.
Mark
I know that, so what?
John
So what? Asteroids and comets bombarded the earth and the planets for eons, look at the craters on the moon, that’s what our earth looked like at one point before things calmed down. Science says that sooner or later, they say when not if, an asteroid will hit the earth with devastating if not final consequences. Is this what you call order? What sort of creator takes 15 billion years to create human life then lets six catastrophic cosmic accidents occur that destroys almost everything he created to begin with? It just doesn’t make sense Mark.
Mark
We don’t know God’s plan for the universe.
John
I’ve heard that one before. The human body: how about disease, how about the fact that one of out three conceptions naturally abort, how about the fact one out of thirty-three babies are born with a serious genetic defect, how about all our biological diseases, what kind of designer are we talking about here, an incompetent one? If He were an architect He would be sued for malpractice if not criminal negligence.
Mark
(angry) That’s insulting. God didn’t create a heaven on earth; there are imperfections, it’s an imperfect world, there are flaws in the universe and mankind, that’s all part of His design, His plan.
John
I told you this was useless.
Mark
We’re not the fundamentalists, it’s you people who are the fundamentalists, you summarily reject the idea of anything supernatural in life. You are not open to the idea of the existence of God.
John
Show me some evidence of the supernatural and I’ll accept it. I’d be damn glad to have an all-powerful God looking after me especially right now. By the way are you open to the idea of no God existing?
Mark
Life would have no meaning, no purpose without God.
John
You find your own purpose and meaning in life, nobody can give that to you not even a God.
Rebecca
How about some TV guys to take our minds off things?
John
Yeah, okay, why not?
Rebecca
What’s playing Phil?
Phil
ER.
End of Scene THREE
SCENE FOUR
(Wednesday afternoon, Mark reading his bible, John and Rebecca talking. Phil’s bed is empty.
REBECCA
I wonder how Phil is doing? He is pretty young to be going through this, poor guy and this super cool attitude he projects is nothing but denial in my book.
John
(looks at watch) Well, Phil has to be in intensive care by now
Mark
What time is it?
John
I have one-thirty, he went up there at seven, he has to be finished by now.
Mark
Half past one! It’s my time.
(Cathy enters)
Cathy
Hi folks, well Mark, your turn, ready?
Mark
Yes, I’m ready
Cathy
So we’ll have a little chat on the way over to surgery and then the nurses will take over.
John
Good luck Mark!
Rebecca
Keep the faith
Mark
I will. (Cathy and Mark exit)
Rebecca
Keep the faith, I wish I had some to keep. But how the hell does anyone know anything about God. Frankly for me it wasn’t really all that important. When the subject came up in my life I would say I didn’t know and it was true, who knows, who really knows. Even you Mr. Atheist you can’t prove there isn’t a God.
John
Yeah, right, you can’t prove a negative, if I told you I was immortal you couldn’t prove I wasn’t at least until I died.
Rebecca
I could shoot you to prove the point.
John
(laughs) I guess you could do that, okay bad example, but look it’s not up to me to prove anything because I’m not saying anything exists, it’s up to guys like Mark to prove it, they’re the ones that are saying something exists not me.
Rebecca
But you can’t be sure.
John
What’s for sure in life: your job, your finances, your marriage, the weather?
Rebecca
Not your health, I found that out.
John
That’s it, always some uncertainty but there is probability so you go by what’s probable, based on your experience, not certainty.
Rebecca
I’m not sure its right to be challenging people on their beliefs John, you should respect beliefs even if they don’t make sense to you.
John
Sorry about that, I just can’t seem to keep my mouth shut when the subject comes up. It’s not that I don’t respect the people, it’s the beliefs I don’t respect.
Rebecca
There’s a difference?
John
I think so.
Rebecca
Mark feels threatened about his beliefs especially at this time when he needs it so badly.
John
I didn’t want to get into it again.
Rebecca
I want to believe so much emotionally but my mind keeps blocking me. I’m really confused. Can you understand that John?
John
Absolutely, went through some of that myself as a young man.
Rebecca
You did?
John
Sure, like almost everybody I was raised religious, it took me a long time to leave it behind me, in so much as I have. I don’t think you ever escape it completely once you’ve been imprinted with it as a child.
Rebecca
Well, I wasn’t imprinted with anything, at times I’ve envied people who were, like now, other times I felt superior to them, I felt I had avoided a lot of mythology.
John
For me it was rising above it, escaping the mental trap, I felt liberated. My mind seemed to open up. When I went to college and all these new ideas came in, it was a real revelation and not a religious one.
Rebecca
Freedom I’ve had plenty of freedom in my life, maybe too much. A free spirit my friends used to call me. I did pretty much what I wanted to when I wanted to. Marched in protests in college, lived in a Kibbutz for awhile, backpacked Europe and Asia, smoked my grass, had more than my share of love affairs and deliberately never married to keep that freedom.
John
Interesting life.
Rebecca
Yeah, but now I wonder whether all that freedom was worth it. I think I value security more than freedom right now.
John
Me, I’ll take the freedom.
Rebecca
Have you heard from your kids?
John
Heard from both of them, my son can’t come until two weeks but he’s coming and my daughter will be here next week.
Rebecca
But noone now.
John
Noone now. She’s taking finals and I told her not to come until they’re over. She’ll be here next week. And he just started a new job last week so I told him to wait a couple of weeks and come out then.
Rebecca
You didn’t think he would call.
John
Yeah, after all these years I still can’t figure out my kids.
Rebecca
No call from the ex?
John
No call, her I have figured out.
Rebecca
Did you tell Ames you plan on writing about this study? Didn’t sound like he knew it yesterday.
John
I wasn’t sure if I would, I’m still not sure but I’ll tell him if I decide to write about it. I would have to interview him anyhow for an article.
(Mark's cell phone rings.)
Rebecca
Mark’s cell phone. Should I answer it?
John
Could be his mom.
Rebecca
(Rebecca goes and picks it up)
Hello. No I’m afraid he’s not here at the moment. He’s in surgery actually. What? (beat) You are, I see, yes, of course, I’ll tell him that. You’re welcome, bye.
John
Who was it?
Rebecca
The minister at Mark’s church; he wants me to tell Mark that they are all praying for him and that they are putting their prayers on his prayer blog.
John
What, they’re praying for him and he has a...what?
Rebecca
A prayer blog.
John
Where people put their prayers for him?
Rebecca
I guess. That’s what he must have been doing on his cell phone all the time , calling people at his church, asking them to pray for him.
John
Oh, oh, he’s blowing the protocol, Ames will really be upset.
Rebecca
No wonder he got so calm all of a sudden, he knew he was getting all those prayers he wanted so badly.
John
Wonder what Ames would think if he knew this.
Rebecca
I don’t know, should we tell him?
John
Maybe it’s better to wait until we find out what group he was in.
Rebecca
He was desperate to make sure he received prayers.
(Cathy enters with her notebook)
Cathy
Okay I delivered Mark. Rebecca you spend more time in here than your own ward.
Rebecca
I don’t have much choice. The two ladies in my ward don’t speak English well enough to converse and my Spanish isn’t that good.
John
And I thought it was because you liked me.
Cathy
Just want to do my pre-opt interview with you two. It’s very brief just want to know if your feelings have changed since the time you were admitted. Rebecca? Do you mind John? (she pushes her away from him).
John
No problem.
Cathy
So how’s it going?
Rebecca
I found myself really wanting to find out what religion does for people, what it could do for me in this situation. I envy people who have this faith that gives them such serenity and strength during personal crisis. I wanted that and found myself moving into it but now...
Cathy
And now what?
Rebecca
I just can’t get my critical thinking out of the way and listening to John and Mark argue about it yesterday just confused me completely. I want to believe, I just can’t get there.
Cathy
That’s hard.
Rebecca
And then there’s this place, I just don’t get it, all this suffering, I look around this hospital, all this disease, illness, pain, what’s the point of it all. When I first came in I saw this young boy, he could have been more than thirteen with his legs amputated and a woman crying over her miscarriage. What is this all about?
Cathy
I could ask the Chaplin to stop by if you want.
Rebecca
Maybe the prayers if I’m getting them, maybe the prayers will help.
Cathy
So you think the prayers will help you to have more faith and that then your faith will help you through this.
Rebecca
Something like that. Really Cathy I don’t know what I want. On the one hand, I’d like to face this thing head-on too like John does, but I’d like to have Mark’s faith too to help me do it.
Cathy
It’s a tough call isn’t it. I wish I could help you with it but I can’t.
Rebecca
I know.
Cathy
Have you noticed any physical changes since you joined the study: more or less pain or discomfort, the need for medication, anything you can think of Rebecca?
Rebecca
I’m peeing more but I always do that when I’m anxious.
Cathy
Well it’s clear you are experiencing more anxiety.
Rebecca
Definitely more anxiety. I could use something for that.
Cathy
I’ll ask Doctor Ames to prescribe something that might help with the anxiety. Anything else
Rebecca
No, not really. I woke up with some pain last night but it was gone this morning.
Cathy
Okay well if anything else occurs to you let me know.
Rebecca
Will do
Cathy
(Cathy goes over to John)
Cathy
How about you John, any change in your feelings or thoughts since admission.
John
None, still as skeptical as ever. No mental or physical changes to speak of. I miss my daily shot of rum.
Cathy
Can’t get you a pharmacy order for that one.
John
Well, other that that and the food I have no complaints, insights or miracles to report.
Cathy
No pain? No more Angina?
John
Not really, the medication seemed to stop that. Maybe I should take the meds and go home
Cathy
Not a good idea John, you’d be back here again.
John
Yeah, I guess so. Anyhow no real problems.
Cathy
You make my job easy.
John
Glad to be of service.
Cathy
Good luck to both of you tomorrow.
Rebecca
Thanks Cathy.
John
See you later.
Cathy
I’m sure you will.
Rebecca
So we decided not to tell.
John
Apparently, look I don’t believe in prayer, I don’t think it makes any difference on way or another. If you think you should say something that’s up to you. He is breaking his word. He could be screwing up the study.
Rebecca
Yeah, but he was scared to death. He really believed in the power of pray and wanted to make sure he got it. I don’t know as I blame him too much. Who knows what prayer can do?
John
All you have to do is look at the record Rebecca. Millions of people get sick every day and lots of them wind up in the hospital. Many of them get prayed for but the statistics don’t change, so many get well, so many stay sick and so many die. Where is the benefit of prayer here? There’s nothing to prove, it doesn’t help.
Rebecca
I wonder about the same thing.
John
And don’t you think that genocide victims or famine sufferers don’t pray. What good does it do them? People think about the one time prayer works, like the one time a dream comes true and forget about all the times it doesn’t work or the dreams don’t come through.
Rebecca
Okay, okay I’ll grant you all that but you’re forgetting something important about prayer.
John
Comfort, relief...
Rebecca
Right, the psychological need to deal with a sense of hopelessness, to express oneself in a crisis. That has to count for something. I’ve seen my clients do that successfully at times.
John
Yeah, well no question that works psychologically for some people but to me it still winds up a kind of self-deluding thing, a kind of placebo effect. Depends on how much do you value truth.
Rebecca
I value it, I’m a therapist I have to seek it and value it in my work with clients but I also believe it has limitations.
John
Limitations
Rebecca
We’re human, we have all kinds of limitations to what we know, how we live our lives, we can’t be expected to know the absolute truth about ourselves or anything else for that matter.
John
I agree with all that but isn’t it something we should always strive for?
Rebecca
Sure but need, emotional needs have to count for something, it’s really about what we need to believe, not what is true. We’re all the result of our genes, our environment, our culture, the institutions we attend, our interactions with parents, peers, ...
John
Yeah, that’s true but what’s your point?
Rebecca
My point is that’s what shapes our beliefs and once we have them we just reinforce them with rationalizations but deep down it’s an emotional thing, a need calling the shots, not the belief itself.
John
Truth has to count for something too. If we recognize our needs and rationalizations we can still come to some kind of truth.
Rebecca
Maybe, but you know what, John, I’m sick and tired of sitting on the agnostic fence! I’m tired of this going back and forth on the issue, I just wish I had a nice tidy simple straightforward belief, that’s what I wish.
John
Somehow I don’t think you would be satisfied with that Rebecca.
Rebecca
You’re probably right, I’m cursed with a critical mind.
John
Consider it a blessing.
Rebecca
Very funny.
John
Look if we both get through this week alright maybe we could continue this conversation in the outside world.
Rebecca
Maybe we could do that John, maybe we could.
(Cathy enters)
Cathy
I’m afraid I have very bad news. (beat) Mark didn’t get through the operation. He ran into trouble almost as soon as it started.
Rebecca
Oh my God!
John
He’s dead?
Cathy
Yes, his heart wasn’t strong enough to survive the operation, I’m afraid his condition was much worse than anyone realized.
John
Seems he was the only one who might have sensed it.
Rebecca
And all those hundreds of prayers he was receiving did him no good.
Cathy
What prayers?
Rebecca
Nothing.
Cathy
How would you know he was receiving prayers, it’s important for me to know that Rebecca?
Rebecca
Alright, he was getting prayers from his church, New Hope Church, he arranged it, even set up a prayer blog for himself. They called to his cell phone when he was in surgery that’s how we found out.
Cathy
A prayer blog? I’ll have to talk with Doctor Ames about this, thanks for letting me know.
Rebecca
Poor Mark. You’ve scared the hell out of me now Cathy. Now I’m not sure I want to go through with this.
Cathy
It’s has a very high percentage of success Rebecca.
Rebecca
Yeah, that’s what you told Mark.
Cathy
I’m sorry if I upset you but you would have found out anyway and I thought it would be best to tell you upfront.
John
You did the right thing Cathy.
Cathy
I’ll talk to Dr. Ames about the prayers. (exit Cathy)
Rebecca
I don’t think she should have told us about Mark right now.
John
It’s the truth isn’t it?
Rebecca
The truth. You and your damn truth. What are you some kind of human lie detector always trying to detect the truth. Some lies, no some self-deluding is necessary in life, you have to do it just to protect yourself, just to survive.
John
Maybe you’re right but what does that say about having the courage to face up to reality, the way things are, doesn’t that give some meaning to life?
Rebecca
You know something John, you’re the deluder, anyone who thinks he doesn’t delude himself is self-deluding. You’re the deluder with all this BS about the truth like you’re some half-ass philosopher and repository of the truth. You’re deluding yourself. (she wheels herself quickly from the room)
END OF SCENE FOUR
SCENE FIVE
(Doctor Ames alone in the ward writing on a chart, Cathy enters)
Cathy
Hi Doctor Ames.
Ames
Cathy.
Cathy
Everyone downstairs for pre-op?
Ames
Right, I was just bringing their charts up to date.
Cathy
I heard something upsetting about Mark that I thought you should know.
Ames
About Mark?
Cathy
(hesitates) It might effect the outcome of the study.
Ames
What is it?
Cathy
He was being prayed for by his church. He arranged to have daily prayers by the congregation and believe or not he has set up a blog to receive prayers.
Ames
How do you know this?
Cathy
Rebecca told me. She answered a call from the church for Mark. A blog could mean he could get thousands and thousands of prayers if he emailed other churches or something. What will this do to the protocol controls?
Ames
If he is in the control group it will invalidate him as a subject and we will not have our 50 subjects.
Cathy
We have to have 50?
Ames
That’s the number we committed to in our proposal. Our funding ends in four days so we will not meet the criteria we set up. We don’t have another subject in the pipeline. This could be a real setback to the study. It will cast doubt on our controls.
Cathy
I’m sorry. Perhaps I should have waited until the data results were in and we knew what group he was in.
Ames
No you did the right thing. The question now is what can we do about it?
Cathy
This test means a great deal to you doesn’t it Doctor
Ames.
Ames
Probably too much. I strongly believe in the power of prayer, I want to bring its healing power into the medical mainstream and establishing that it really works is essential to accomplishing that Cathy.
Cathy
What troubles me Doctor Ames is how difficult this is to prove. The more I think about the possible complications of measuring prayer, the more complex it seems.
Ames
I grant you it’s not easy.
Cathy
Is it possible? I mean how much prayer are the friends and relatives giving to patients, I mean that’s exactly what people do all the time when a loved one is sick. They’re praying for both groups, we know that. And the patients they pray for themselves. How do you control for the volume, the intensity, the number of prayers patients in the control group are getting from other people. What about the sincerity of the persons praying for the prayer group? What about their relationship with God? There are all these questions that I have on this study? How do we control these variables?
Ames
We can’t control everything Cathy, for example, it wouldn’t be ethical to try stop relatives from praying for their loved ones just for the sake of the study’s controls.
Cathy
So how do we measure outcome?
Ames
I admit it’s not a perfect scenario but what we are proposing here is that all things being equal, the number of prayers said by a large number of people on a regular basis will have the greatest impact on the patients prayed for even more than friends and relatives. And you have to consider that the prayed for group also receives more prayers from friends and relatives also which might even things out somewhat with the same kind of prayers the control group receives. It might be a wash.
Cathy
(unconvinced) All things being equal but they’re not are they? Wouldn’t the emotional content of the loved ones count more than the more impersonal prayers. Are all prayers equal?
Ames
There is no way we can know that Cathy. There are some things we can’t measure but there are others we can. I understand your doubts and concerns, I have mine also but I believe the power of prayer exists and can be proved scientifically. This study might have done that. If only we knew what group Mark was in, if we could find out...
Cathy
But that would undermine the double blind wouldn’t it?
Ames
This is two year’s work Cathy, I may not get a chance to do this ever again if this study is flawed, they simply won’t fund me again ever.
Cathy
But there’s nothing we can do.
Ames
(to himself) Maybe. (beat) Well I guess we’ll find out sooner or later won’t we Cathy, thanks again for bringing this to me attention, it’s very important.
Cathy
(somewhat puzzled by his comments) Sure Doctor Ames, sure. I’ll see you later.
(Cathy exits, Ames sits for a long moment and then takes out his cell phone – sits again for a long moment and then
dials)
Ames
Programming?
END OF SCENE FIVE
SCENE SIX
(Cathy rolls Rebecca's bed into ward where John is)
Cathy
I know its early John but Rebecca wanted to stop by for a minute on her way to surgery, (she drifts to the rear)
John
No problem I usually wake up early when I’m in the hospital.
Rebecca
Well, this is it. Since you won’t pray for me, maybe you’ll wish me luck
John
I wish you all the luck in the world.
Rebecca
You writers can never rid yourself of clichés can you?
John
How about all the luck in the universe?
Rebecca
I like that better.
John
How are you feeling Rebecca?
Rebecca
That’s what Cathy’s been asking me.
John
And?
Rebecca
Last night I was scared shitless, literally I might add but right now I’m okay, almost detached, go figure. Maybe the prayers are kicking in.
John
More likely the medication.
Rebecca
Well I hope they give me some of whatever it is to take home.
John
We still have a date?
Rebecca
Sure, I’m sorry I blew up at you, I was upset when I heard about Mark.
John
And my pomposity got to you.
Rebecca
Right and your pompous philosophical posturing.
John
Alliteration will get you nowhere.
Rebecca
I guess I better not keep my surgeon waiting, I wouldn’t want him to get nervous.
John
(takes her hand) You’ll be fine Rebecca.
Rebecca
Thanks John, I’m ready Cathy.
Cathy
Okay let’s go.
Rebecca
See you later John
John
For sure Rebecca, for sure
(John is alone in ward now as Ames enters)
Ames
Mr. Lynch may I have a moment with you?
John
Sure, I’m a captive audience.
Ames
Something has come to my attention that I think we should discuss.
John
What is it?
Ames
I understand you are planning to write about your experience in the prayer study, is that correct?
John
Not exactly, I’m thinking about writing an article on the study.
Ames
Isn’t it a little disingenuous to conceal this from us under the cover of “intellectual curiosity”.
John
I don’t think so. I am curious about this study.
Ames
Wouldn’t it have been more candid to simply acknowledge that you wanted to write about the study and that was your main reason in joining it?
John
I put writer down as my occupation on the admission record. No matter where I go or what I’m doing I’m thinking about writing about it. If I decide to write something on the study I would tell you that, in fact, I would have to since I would want to interview you for it.
Ames
I see.
John
Why are you so concerned about publicity Doctor Ames? Is it the fact that Mark died and may have screwed up your study protocol by arranging to have all those prayers said for him by his church?
Ames
He may have been in the prayed for group, we don’t know he wasn’t.
John
And we don’t know he was, what will you do if he is in the wrong group? Won’t that compromise the study somewhat?
Ames
I’m not in a position to discuss that yet Mr. Lynch. Save that for your interview.
John
You’ve got a lot at stake here Doctor.
Ames
I’m well aware of that Mr. Lynch, (gets up) Good luck with your surgery.
John
Thanks. You know Doctor, I hope for your sake and the sake of the study he was in the prayer group.
Ames
Really?
John
That way we will have unequivocal evidence that intercessory prayer doesn’t work.
Ames
And you’ll have an article to write.
John
And I’ll have an article to write.
END OF SCENE SIX
SCENE SEVEN
(Ames and Cathy in the empty ward. They are collecting medical charts)
Cathy
Okay I’ve got all the charts Doctor Ames.
Ames
We can take them back to the computer room and enter the data.
Cathy
Have you given any more...thought to what we’re going to do about Mark’s deviation from the study?
Ames
I’ve given it a great deal of thought Cathy. I thought about how much time and effort not to mention money we’ve put into this study, all the research, the planning, all the unpaid hours night after night entering data into the database. I thought of what the study results could mean towards alleviating suffering in patients and how it could change the way the profession functioned. I thought about how angry I was that one man could be so self-centered so as to undermine the study. And I thought about how easy it would be to change his group if it came down to that.
Cathy
And what are you going to do Doctor Ames?
Ames
It’s what I did not what I’m going to do Cathy.
Cathy
And what was that?
Ames
I called programming...
Cathy
(shocked) You called programming?
Ames
...I called programming and told them that under no circumstances were they to change any assignments even if that request came from me.
Cathy
(relieved) You told them that!
Ames
I thought about the ethical implications of my doing that, how I would feel after I did it and what God would think of me for doing it. I also thought that if He wanted the study to show the power of prayer then Mark would be in the right group and the study would prove the point
Cathy
But why call programming then?
Ames
I wanted to be sure I wouldn’t weaken.
Cathy
I don’t think you would have weakened Doctor Ames.
Ames
Sometimes a little ethical insurance doesn’t hurt.
Cathy
So the study stands as is.
Ames
Win, lose or draw it stands as is.
Cathy
You just taught me the most important thing I have learned and may ever learn about medical research Doctor Ames. Thank you.
Ames
You’re quite welcome Cathy. (beat) Well shall we go downstairs and check out the charts?
Cathy
Let’s go.
END OF SCENE SEVEN
SCENE EIGHT
(Phil and John in ward)
John
Wonder how Rebecca is doing, she should be in Intensive right now?
Phil
You kind of like that woman huh John?
John
Yeah I do.
(enter Cathy)
Cathy
Hi guys, ready to go John?
John
Yeah, how’s Rebecca doing?
Cathy
They’re still working on her.
John
Still working on her, what’s wrong, she having a problem?
Cathy
I don’t know John, I just know she is still in the operating room.
John
It’s your job to know isn’t it?
Cathy
I’ve been busy John but I’ll check on it as soon as I can.
John
Can you find out before my surgery? Can you let me know before my surgery.
Cathy
I don’t think we’ll have time but I’ll let you know afterwards.
John
Look we’ve got ten minutes before I’m due for surgery. Couldn’t you check it out now?
Cathy
You’re really upset about this aren’t you John?
John
Yes.
Cathy
Okay I’ll do it but be ready to go as soon as I get back.
John
Okay, thanks very much Cathy.
(long moment of silence Phil watches John)
Phil
You can always say a prayer man.
John
I wish I could.
SCENE NINE
(four days later, John, Rebecca and Phil are all dressed in street clothes
JOHN
So where is the good doctor with his data?
Rebecca
He said nine o’clock...sharp.
Phil
That was ten minutes ago. I’m anxious to get the hell out of here, ten days is enough, more than enough. I’m dying for a good card game.
(Ames comes in with Cathy)
Ames
Good morning.
Rebecca
Good morning Doctor Ames.
Phil
Morning.
Cathy
Hi.
Ames
Well its discharge day for all of you so I won’t keep you long. I promised you the results of the study to date and I wanted to give that to you, you’ve earned it. We keep records of a number of variables such as the amount of medication used by all participants to pain to time on operating table to recovery time...
Phil
What I want to know is if I was prayed for.
Ames
Ms. Powers.
Cathy
You were in the prayed for group Phil.
Phil
No shit!
Rebecca
How about me
Cathy
You were not Rebecca, John was.
Rebecca
Go figure.
John
But what about Mark, was he prayed for?
Ames
Yes Mark was in the prayed for group.
Rebecca
So his additional prayers didn’t create a problem for the study.
Ames
Fortunately it did not.
John
So what were the results of the entire study Doctor?
Ames
There were some differences on a few of the variables but nothing statistically significant.
John
So the study failed to prove that prayer influences outcome in any statistical meaningful way
Ames
The study has failed to prove that prayer influences the surgery itself or the amount or kind of treatment in the hospital stays however it still is possible that prayer influences the long term outcome of those surgeries.
John
But you can’t prove that because you are not monitoring it, isn’t that right Doctor?
Ames
Unfortunately that’s true we couldn’t get enough funding to do the monitoring of long term outcomes.
John
I doubt if it would have shown anything significant.
Ames
Well, you skeptics are doubters aren’t you?
John
That’s what makes us realists Doctor.
Ames
We all have our own reality Mr. Lynch.
John
I guess that’s so Doctor but there is an objective reality out there whether we choose to recognize it or not.
Ames
I happen to believe there is something larger out there also that others also may choose to ignore. There will be other studies, this one isn’t conclusive.
John
It will never be conclusive for believers Doctor.
Ames
Or for the skeptics.
REBECCA
Hey, we made it that’s all that counts.
Cathy
So does the fact that you were in a prayer group have any impact on you Phil?
Phil
Not really, I mean I’m grateful for the prayers and all that but all in all I feel pretty much the same about things as I did when I came into the hospital
Cathy
Rebecca?
Rebecca
I think I would have liked the idea of being in the prayed for group but then again it probably would only been helpful if I had known I was being prayed for before I went into the operating room. Obviously I didn’t need them. I don’t know what to think I guess I’m a hopeless agnostic.
Cathy
And Mr. Skeptic?
John
Well I appreciate the effort the congregations put out, I mean it was well-intentioned, but I’m much more grateful to the surgeon and my resilient heart.
Phil
Well Cathy it’s been great knowing you, thanks for the support (shakes her hand lowers voice) now that I’m no longer a patient maybe we could...
Cathy
Thanks Phil but professional ethics you know, it’s been really interesting knowing you.
Phil
Interesting. I like that. I think. Hear that Rebecca she thinks I’m interesting.
Rebecca
You are Phil you are.
John
(offering hand to Doctor Ames) Good knowing you Doctor Ames, you’re a good man, thanks for your interest.
Ames
You’re very welcome Mr. Lynch, I’m available for an interview if you decide to write your article
John
Appreciate it.
Ames
Good luck everybody, if you experience any problems call your physician right away. (exit Ames)
Cathy
If anyone wants a copy of the study results please let me know and I will get you a copy.
John
I’d like one.
Cathy
I’ll email you it. Bye everybody.
Rebecca
Bye Cathy.
Phil
So long Cathy. Interesting she calls me, don’t know what to make out of that.
Rebecca
I’m sure she meant it positively Phil.
Phil
(shakes hands with John) Nice knowing you guys, hope to see you again, on the outside of course
John
Of course, take care Phil. (exit Phil)
Rebecca
Well Mr. Skeptic ready?
John
I am Ms. Agnostic, let’s go get something decent to eat.
Rebecca
Soul food?
John
As long as I can taste it and swallow it.
(exit John and Rebecca laughing.)
END
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