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BURNING WORDS
by Tony Edmonds

A study. Desk and 2 chairs. JERRY is sitting at the desk on the telephone, listening intently and nodding occasionally. It is obviously nearing the end of the conversation and JERRY is about to hang up.

JERRY: ... yes ... yes ... that's quite clear ... no problem ... thanks for calling. (hangs up the receiver, pauses for a moment, thinking, then calls out) Barry! Barry! Where are you? Come here!

BARRY: (enters, carrying a sheaf of papers) I'm here, Jerry. Do you need me?

JERRY: Yes, Barry. I have just received an important call from the boss. This time he wants me to write down a compilation of all of his messages I have given to the people of Judah over the last 21 years.

BARRY: What? All of them?

JERRY: Yes. Apparently, he thinks that if the wicked people of this land once again hear all of the disasters he's got planned for for them then they'll turn back to him and ask for forgiveness.

BARRY: That's a bit of a long shot, isn't it? I mean, you've been preaching doom and destruction across the country for so long now that the name 'Jeremiah' has become a euphemism for 'misery-guts'. Most people have given up listening to you because you've never got anything positive to say.

JERRY: That's as may be ... and I've never really been keen on being the boss's messenger, but I'm not about to disobey him after all this time.

BARRY: Well, if you're serious about this venture, you might need these. (hands over pile of papers)

JERRY: What's this?

BARRY: I've been making notes from your speeches over the years we've been together - just in case they might come in handy.

JERRY: (amazed and impressed) Wow! That's brilliant! I was starting to wonder how on earth I was going to remember everything I've ever said. Barry ... you're a God-send!

BARRY: (modestly) I know.

JERRY: You have to be the best secretary money can buy.

BARRY: Sure, except you don't pay me. You're my best friend and I do the job for the boss.

JERRY: (sheepish) Oh yes. (pause) Right then, I need to get this out to the people A.S.A.P. But there's just one problem ...

BARRY: (knowing) Yes.

JERRY: Since that incident with the clay jar the other week, I'm persona non-grata with the temple authorities.

BARRY: What was it you called the priest when he released you from the stocks?

. . . (continued) . . .

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