"What are you stopping for?" "I'm getting a little nervous." "How come?" "I don't know." "He's in love dummy." "I am not Mark." "Come on, Iet's go." "Wait." "I need to know if she's there before we go in?" "You said she's helping during lunchtime all summer." "I mean I think she is." "She's been in there 3 days in a row so I'm just thinking she does." "Her Dad's the owner." "She's in there." "Let's go." "You go look first." "Just to see if she's there." "This is stupid." "I'd do it foryou albert." "alright." "alright." "She's in there." "Okay, now I'm really nervous." "Don't be nervous." "Maybe we should just come back another day." "We're on your side Dustin." "Okay, but you guys better not embarrass me." "Hey guys." "Hi Tanya." "Hey Tanya." "What can I get foryou?" "Um, I'II have a hot fudge sundae." "Okay, one hot fudge." "I'II have a banana split with two strawberries and one chocolate." "No pineapple syrup?" "No, I don't like pineapple." "Neither do I." "Dustin." "Oh, um, I'II get a hot fudge sundae too." "Okay." "Coming right up." "What are you doing talking so much with my girl?" "What do you mean?" "You know, talking to her about the pineapple and stuff." "You talked to her more than I did." "Someone had to." "I'm telling you Dustin, I think you're in love." "I am not." "I think you are." "I don't know what being in love is." "It's what you're feeling right now." "How do you know?" "Ijust do." "How?" "You've never been in love." "But my older sister is right now and she told me how it feels and she looks at her boyfriend the same way Dustin does when he sees Tanya." "Ooooo, Dustin's in love." "Dustin's in love." "Come on guys, cut it out." "You'd betterwatch yourself, I think Nick likes hertoo." "But she doesn't like Nick." "She talks to him when he talks to her." "So that doesn't mean she likes him." "Dustin's right." "Tanya talks to a Iot of people." "Nick." "I'd Iike to see someone knock his block off." "I hate him." "I think I'm going to ask Tanya out." "On a date?" "I'm thinking about it." "You ever ask a girl out before?" "No." "You?" "No." "You albert?" "No." "What are you going to ask her out to?" "I don't know." "walk her home from the diner or invite herto my house." "I'd wouldn't do it." "Not with Nick around." "I told you she doesn't like him." "Yeah but he likes her." "That'II be enough to keep me away." "Mom, I'm home." "Oh Hi Dustin, Ijust wrote you a note." "Mrs. FarIey called she'd Iike foryou to mow her lawn tomorrow and I told her you'd call her back." "Okay." "Okay." "Now I have a meeting tonight So I Ieft you some money." "Why don't you treat the boys to a pizza and" "I should be back around 7:30." "Thanks Mom." "Okay." "Don't forget call Mrs. arIey." "I won't." "Here we go boys." "Time to dig in." "Great." "I'm starving." "Me too." "I'II take this one." "Hey what are you doing?" "Oh hi Nick." "Come on Nick, this is our pizza." "You got a problem with something alberta?" "No." "Didn't think so." "I hate it when he calls me that." "Out of my way." "Hey, I was playing." "Oh Nick, I didn't know it was you." "I'd be careful if I was you." "Yep." "I hate him." "well, it looks like you've done a real good job here young man." "Mrs. FarIey will be very happy." "Oh, thank you." "I've seen you at our church many times haven't I?" "Ah, Yeah." "You're um you're Mr. Sperry, right?" "That's right." "Jonathan Sperry." "And your name is ah... um, Iet me think." "(struggIes to remember)" "Dustin." "Dustin Sharp." "Yes I know your Mother." "You know, I used to mow my own lawn there but ahh I'm not getting around like I used to." "So I think it wouId be a Iot easier if I hired a professional" "like yourself." "You think you can fit me into your schedule and mow my lawn?" "Yeah of course." "Um, I'II mow it as soon as I'm done with here." "well, That sounds just fine." "Okay." "I'II be over in a few minutes." "Just let me know if you need anything." "Ah, Okay, thank you." "No, thank you." "Mr. Sperry, I'm finished." "Okay Dustin." "Come in, come in." "You did a very fine job." "Here, come and sit down." "I was watching you from my window." "And it's very kind of you to rake the grass the way you do." "Thanks." "My Mom wants me to a good job so, you know, I try." "well you do.How about some freshly squeezed lemonade." "I make it myself." "Mmm." "It's good." "It's the best." "I've been drinking it that way foryears." "You have a real nice house Mr. Sperry." "Do you live alone?" "Yes, yes I do." "My wife passed away 4 years ago." "Oh, I'm sorry about that." "Finest Christian woman I ever knew." "The Lord allowed us to be together46 years." "That's sure is a Iong time." "Oh." "Yes." "Seems short now." "Anyway, how much do I owe you?" "Two dollars sound fair?" "Two dollars?" "well it did take me almost an hour and that's what I usually charge." "well I don't think that's s fair." "I was really thinking about three." "Thank you Mr. Sperry." "I'd Iike to have you come back again, Say in two weeks or so." "Sooner if we get some rain." "Okay?" "Yes sir." "alright then." "You have a good day and thanks for doing such a fine job." "Thanks forthe three dollars." "You earned it." "So long." "Oh, I almost forgot, I got a new customertoday." "Oh really." "Yeah, I was mowing Mrs. FarIey's Lawn and Mr. Sperry comes over and asked me to mow his." "Jonathan Sperry from church?" "Yep." "well good foryou." "He is such a nice man." "And, he paid me three dollars." "Wow." "Dear Tanya." "How are you?" "No." "(he crumbles it up to try again)" "Dear Tayna..." "Where's the note?" "I got it." "well, are you going to give it to her?" "I can't just go up there and give it to her." "Why not?" "Cause I can't." "I gotta get it to her in secret." "Just go up there and give it to her." "No." "I'II go then." "No you won't." "Hey Tanya, here's a love Ietterfrom Dustin." "Right over here." "Shhh, come on guys." "I thought you guys were suppose to be helping me." "Look, why don't you hand it to the otherwaitress and tell her to give it to Tanya." "No." "I think I'm going to just leave it on the table and when she comes overto clean it she'II find it." "Are you going to leave a tip?" "I was going to leave a quarter." "That guy left fifty cents." "AII I got is a quarter." "You got any money?" "Not me, I'm broke." "You albert?" "Don't look at me." "You guys are no help." "Don't worry about it." "A quarter is good." "Woe, big time tipper." "That's all I got." "A quarter is good." "It will get her attention." "Are you going to say goodbye?" "No, I think I'm just going to play it cool." "Here we go." "Let's go." "Bye Tanya." "What was that?" "What, I said goodbye." "I wanted to play it cool." "Now She'II think you left the money." "No she won't." "Yes she will." "Look, you signed the note right, so at Ieast she'II know that's from you." "Oh, albert." "Excuse me, Miss, may I please have a little more coffee?" "Sure." "Thank You." "I'II get yourtabIe foryou honey." "Okay, Thanks." "So come on, are you going to tell us what you said in the note or not?" "Why should I, it's private." "You can tell us, we won't tell anyone." "Yeah right." "I'm surprised you guys haven't called heryet and ruined the whole thing." "I tried to once but her phone was busy." "albert." "I'm just kidding." "Come on, what did the note say?" "Ijust asked her if she wanted to get togetherwith me and I'd be back tomorrow so she could let me know." "Wow, Dustin might be going out on his first date." "Hey, there's my newest customer." "What do you mean?" "Mr. Sperry, from church." "Yeah, I mowed his lawn yesterday." "Yeah I've seen him before, he taught my older brother in" "Sunday school class." "And he gave me the best lemonade after I was done." "He makes it himself." "Does he have any more?" "would you Iike some more albert?" "Oh, sure." "It's good, isn't it?" "Yes it's very good." "Mark?" "Yes sir." "I made it myself, you know." "Thank you." "And Dustin?" "No thank you." "No thank you." "You had three glasses yesterday." "No, this is enough." "He's too busy thinking about his new girlfriend." "girlfriend?" "She's not my girlfriend." "You wrote her a note." "So, that doesn't make her my girlfriend." "Her name is Tanya." "Tanya?" "albert." "She's a girl in our class that works at the diner." "Herfather owns it." "The problem is that Nick likes hertoo." "Quiet albert." "Nick's a bully." "Quiet." "I told him I thought it was a mistake." "albert, will you be quiet." "What am I doing?" "You talked." "I was just telling." "So, it's a delicate situation then." "Yeah, I guess so." "You know I rememberthe first girl I had feelings for." "I was just about your age too." "Her name was Martha." "A very pretty girl." "I liked her so much I couldn't even talk to her." "That's Dustin." "Oh then I know how he feels." "I tried to pass a note to Martha during class one day and it dropped to the floor." "The Teacher saw it, picked it up and read it out loud to everybody." "I was asking Martha if she liked me." "Boy was I embarrassed." "Oh wow, can you imagine." "If I only knew then what I know now." "What do you mean Mr. Sperry?" "well, I failed to ask the LORD about Martha." "Ask the Lord?" "Yes, to see if He wanted me to spend more time with her." "Turned out she wasn't interested in anything I thought was important." "could have saved me a Iot embarrassment." "The LORD is interested in the girls we like?" "absolutely." "The LORD is interested in everything in our lives." "Yeah, I know." "The bible is always saying don't do this, and don't do that." "Oh I never look at it that way." "What do you mean?" "Everything in the bible is there to make our lives better." "Now the bible says not to steal, do you want anyone stealing from you, Mark?" "No." "well, I guess that'ss a pretty good thing then, isn't it?" "Yeah, I guess it is." "And the bible says not to lie." "Do you want anyone lying to you, albert?" "No." "well I guess that's a pretty good thing too isn't it?" "I neverthought of it that way." "I hardly ever read my bible." "I'm not sure where my bible is." "Me neither." "I see." "I tell you what." "Ah, why don't you try to locate your bibles and if you do, come by my house say Friday afternoon two o'cIock." "I have something I want to show you." "And it has to do with chocolate cake." "chocolate cake?" "Yes." "chocolate cake." "You like chocolate cake, don't you?" "I Iove chocolate cake." "well then, can I expect the three of you?" "I'm not doing anything, I can make it." "Me too." "I Iove chocolate cake." "Good." "I will see you around two o'cIock." "But..(short beat) remember you must bring your bibles." "I'm getting a little nervous." "Why, it's just a girl." "You're too young to understand." "What do you mean, I'm just as old as you are." "Yeah but not in your brain." "What's that suppose to mean?" "Like I said, you're too young to understand." "Cut it out, guys." "I don't think I can do this." "Not again." "I mean what if she says no." "Look, you said in the note you were going to come back today for an answer right?" "Right." "So, you need to find out sooner or later." "Yeah, come on." "Think positive, maybe she'II say yes." "Okay." "Where is she?" "Huh?" "I don't see Tanya." "Maybe she's in back." "Ah, excuse me ma'am?" "I'II be with you boys in just a minute." "Where's Tanya?" "Oh, she had a dentist appointment this afternoon." "What about the note?" "Hey, Mom, can I ask you something?" "Hmm-hmm." "How old were you when you met Dad?" "How old was I?" "I met him in high school, I was fifteen." "So, you guys started dating then?" "We started to go out." "Where'd you go out to?" "We went to football games, basketball games." "He'd walk me home from school, things like that." "Why do you want to know?" "Oh, nothing, just wondering." "Now gentlemen, I have a brief lesson to share with you before we enjoy that chocolate cake that I promised." "(the boys react) First, I have hidden the cake." "I have written notes to the three of you to tell you where that cake can be found." "Mark, you must run across the street to the Boone's house." "Your note will be hanging from a tree." "That's the white one right?" "That's right." "And albert, you must go across the street to the Freeman's house They have a bush in the front yard." "Your note will be found there." "Okay, I know that house." "And Dustin, the note I wrote foryou is on this side of the street at the Rafino's house, it's taped to their porch, alright?" "Got it." "Now." "I told all these people what we were doing so there's no need foryou to worry about them thinking it's strange you're coming to their houses." "But what you do have to worry about is to meet me in the next five minutes in the secret place." "And that secret place is written on your note." "Okay?" "Okay." "alright gentlemen, your five minutes starts... now!" "Mr. Sperry." "We're back here." "Where were you Mr. Sperry?" "I went down to the end of t street," "like the note said but nobody was there." "I couldn't even find my note." "Even a couple of the neighbors tried helping me." "Must have got blown off the porch." "You guys missed out on the chocolate cake." "Hey, that's not fair." "What happened Mr. Sperry, I did what the note said?" "Yes I know you did Mark." "But apparantly you had the wrong directions." "Wrong directions?" "At least you found your note." "I couldn't even find mine." "That's because there was no note to find Dustin." "You mean I never had one?" "So we don't get any cake?" "I guess not." "You're so lucky, albert." "And it was great too." "So do any of you understand the lesson here today?" "Ah...no sir, not really." "well what if finding this cake here represented finding heaven?" "How come albert was the only who found it?" "Because he had the right directions?" "Yes, that's right." "So why'd you give me the wrong directions?" "Because, Mark, you represent all the people in the world who are misdirected." "What about me?" "I'm afraid Dustin that you represent all the people that never even heard the name Jesus or even have a bible." "Therefore, they have no direction." "With that being said, do you see how really important it is to read this book?" "If you follow its directions, I am sure there will be plenty of room in heaven" "(pulls out 2 pieces of cake and sets them in front of Mark and Dustin) for all of us." "Thanks Mr. Sperry." "Yeah, thanks." "Thanks again Mr. Sperry." "Yes, thank you." "would you enjoy another bible lesson?" "We could meet again next Monday afternoon at the same time?" "What do you say?" "Sure, I can be there." "Me too." "will there be more chocolate cake?" "albert." "well, I don't know albert, I've been leaning more towards chocolate ice cream" "alright" "alright." "I'II see you Monday Mr. Sperry." "Good bye boys" "talk to ya later Dust." "See you guys." "Dustin, have you got a moment?" "I really need you to do me a favor." "Okay." "Do you know Mr. Barnes that lives across the street there?" "I've seen him but I don't really know him." "well He's up in age like I am, but he's really having a hard time getting around." "I noticed his lawn really needs to be mowed, so I was hoping you might do it." "Oh I'II pay you for it." "Are you sure, I don't want to take your money." "Yes I'm sure." "Just do not tell him I am the one having you to do it, okay?" "Okay." "Ah, I couId do it right now." "I mean, it's not too hot." "I couId go over there and ask him." "That will be great." "I am sure Mr. Barnes will really appreciate it." "Okay." "Who's there?" "Mr. Barnes?" "Yes." "I would Iike to mow your lawn." "Mow my lawn?" "Yes sir." "I don't need my lawn mowed." "Mr., you don't understand." "I want to do it forfree." "Forfree?" "Yes sir." "Nothing's free." "well this is sir." "I really want to mow it." "I said I don't need my lawn mowed." "Why would he be so mean?" "I was real nice to him." "I am sure you were." "I don't understand." "Perhaps you should go see him in couple days, maybe he will allow you to do it then." "But, don't tell him who's putting you up to this." "Okay?" "Okay, I won't." "I wonderwhy Tanya hasn't said anything to you about the note?" "I don't know." "well, then go find out." "Now?" "Why not?" "I can't talk to her in front of all herfriends." "I'II go then." "albert, no." "I'm just kidding." "Quit fooling around." "Wait until you start liking a girl." "Dustin's right." "He can't talk to her now." "I got an idea." "Why don't you just walk over and pretend to do something nearby and we'II watch and see if she notices you." "I can't do that." "Why not?" "And if she notices you, then we know she's interested." "And if she doesn't then maybe that can save you the embarrassment of talking to her." "No, that's no good." "Look, this is gonna be a Iong summer if we have to go through this every day." "If it was me, I'd wanna know if a girl likes me or not." "And If not, then I'd start liking someone else." "albert, it's not something you can turn off and on" "like a waterfaucet." "If you Iike someone, you Iike someone." "Okay, then I'm going to go over there and you guys see if she notices me." "Then, when I get back, Dustin you walk over and we'II see if she notices you." "I'm not going overthere." "well I am." "albert." "well, anything?" "Nope." "She didn't even look." "well I guess that's good then." "alright Dustin, it's yourturn." "I'm not going to do this." "You have to." "This is a good idea." "If she looks up, it's a good sign." "I don't know." "Mark, tell him." "He might have something here." "We could watch her and see how she reacts." "Might give you a good idea if she likes you." "Okay, I'm going to do it." "Oh no..." "How you girls doing?" "Hey Nick." "Hey Nick." "Perfect plan down the drain." "Mark." "Yes." "telephone." "Be right there" "hello." "Hey Mark." "Hey Dust." "Hey, Iet me ask your opinion on something." "Think I should write Tanya another note?" "Another note?" "Yeah, she hasn't gotten back to me yet?" "I don't want to call her." "I couId ask her about the first one." "You really like her, don't ya?" "Yes, I really like her." "And I'm not afraid to say it." "So what do you think I should do." "I don't know." "Oh, Iet me see what albert thinks." "And that was the Big Tops on W.A.L.B. radio." "Next up we have a classic from 1953, but first we have the weather." "Sunny today with a few scattered clouds and only a ten percent chance of.." "albert." "Yeah." "telephone." "hello." "albert." "Dustin." "Hey Dustin." "Do you think I should write Tanya another note?" "What for?" "Because she hasn't answered my first one." "I wouldn't." "Why not?" "Because Nick likes her." "But she doesn't like him." "You don't know that." "Yes I do." "How do you know?" "You're love blind." "I am not love blind, I just like herthat's all." "Then you're like blind." "Like blind, there's no such thing." "You're not helping." "I am too." "Goodbye albert." "What did he say?" "He says he thinks it's a mistake cause of Nick." "What does albert know, he's so immature." "I think I should just write her another note." "Wait, a second let's think this through." "You said in the first note that you were going to come back and see her at the diner for an answer right?" "Yeah and I did." "But she doesn't know that because she was gone." "Yeah, but what about today?" "She had to notice us." "Yeah, but maybe there were too many people there and she didn't want to say anything." "Yeah, maybe you're right." "If I were you, I'd go back down to the dinertomorrow by myself and try to talk to her." "Okay, I will." "Excuse me, ma'am, where's Tanya?" "Oh, Tanya and herfamiIy just left today for a vacation." "Vacation?" "well, ahh..." "Do you know how long they're going to be gone?" "I think they'II be gone for at Ieast three weeks." "Three weeks?" "Can I help you with anything?" "Um, No, no thank you." "Okay." "Three weeks is a Iong time." "I wonderwhere they're going?" "I don't know." "Her Dad probably makes lots of money so he can afford the trip." "Yeah." "I think you should just forget the whole thing." "Why?" "Because of one word, Nick" "I already told you she doesn't like him." "Dustin's right, Tanya doesn't like Nick." "You don't know that." "And she might end up liking me." "Yeah, she might end up liking Dustin." "Okay, Why are you repeating everything he says." "Because it seems that you need to hear everything twice so that it sinks in that skull of yours." "I know I wouldn't want to be liking the same girl that Nick" "likes that's for sure." "Don't listen to him Dustin." "I'm not." "Fine, don't listen to me, it's yourfuneraI." "Dustin." "Dinner's ready." "Okay, coming down." "Where you going there Dustin?" "Hi Nick." "Roy." "I said: where you going?" "Going to visit a friend." "What's that ya got there?" "It's just a book." "What book?" "It's just a book." "What book?" "It's a bible." "A bible?" "Yeah, I'm going to bible study." "In the afternoon." "What's this guy going to do, become a priest?" "well, see you guys later." "Wait a minute." "I didn't say you could go yet." "Come on Nick, I gotta go." "Let me see that book first." "Come on, I'II be late." "Let me see the book." "Nick, come on." "I want to see this book" "I need the book back." "I gotta go." "Nice book." "Here..." "Oh..." "Oops..." "Sorry." "Okay." "Now you can go." "Sorry I'm late." "You know I always keep an extra copy of the bible in case of emergencies like this." "You know, many men have attacked this book in orderto keep people from reading it." "You see, I'm almost glad that this incident occurred today." "Because it will not be easy for you to follow the LORD and there will be many trying times ahead as you live your lives." "But remember, the Lord is always with you." "Here you go, your own new copy of the Word of God." "I can't take this bible from you." "It's yours." "No, my friend." "This is yours." "Just agree with me you'II put it to good use." "Thank you Mr. Sperry." "I will." "Yes." "Mr. Barnes?" "You again." "Sorry to botheryou, sir." "But I noticed your grass is a little higher now and I still want to mow it if you don't mind." "I don't need no one to help me mow my lawn." "But I said I would do it forfree." "What is your name?" "Dustin." "Dustin Sharp." "Who's having you do this?" "well..." "Who?" "I can't say." "Was it your mother?" "No sir." "Yourfather?" "No sir, I don't have a father." "What happened to yourfather?" "He died before I was born." "Oh." "Then who's having you do this?" "I brought my mower." "It's real good, take a look." "I'm not going to let you mow my lawn unless you tell me who put you up to this." "I'II do a good job, you'II see." "Now you listen to me." "Thanks Mr. Barnes." "Come on get it." "Woah..." "double ball." "Nice." "Come on get it." "Come on albert keep it going." "You're racking up all those points." "Oh get it Hit it hit it." "I'm trying." "I'm trying." "Come on albert." "Keep it going you may beat your high score." "I got a chance." "Get it, get it." "I got it." "Come on get in." "Okay, it's my turn to play." "One minute, I'm playing." "It's my turn to play." "Come on Nick, Iet him finish his game." "I said It's my turn to play." "hold on, I'm about to beat my high score." "I don't care what your score is, alberta." "You're done." "Just let me finish unless you want to make something of it." "No, I guess I'm done." "He bosses people around and picks on whoever he wants." "Yeah, and then you can be playing pin ball and he just come and move you right out of the way and starts playing on your money." "And he's always taking our pizza." "Ijust wish someone could knock him." "I can't stand him." "Nick ruins it for everybody Mr. perry, not just for us." "I see." "Excuse me." "If you boys will, please follow me." "I have something I'd Iike to show you." "Look around gentlemen take in this scene." "I come here often." "Yes, look around." "This is an important place to visit while you are still alive." "And to listen." "But I don't hear anything." "I don't either." "well, the bible says in the book of EccIesiastes it's betterto go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting." "And why?" "Because death is the end of every man and the living will take it to heart." "You see it makes us think about our own life, death and eternity." "That's why I come here." "alright, listen." "I don't hear anything." "alright stand closer to the tombstones." "And listen very carefully now." "But I'm still not hearing anything." "Put your earto the stone." "Why....why didn't you tell me about Jesus?" "Why, why didn't you tell me I needed the Lord in my Iife to go to heaven." "Keep Listening." "I am in agony in this place." "Think of everyone you love gentlemen, everyone you know." "Even people you may dislike." "And realize this." "One day, every person will die." "They'II either go to heaven or sadly...to hell." "There's no in between." "No second chance." "And no one can escape this fate." "Now as for Nick, the thought that comes to mind are the words of Jesus." "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you." "And in Matthew chapter 5 the Lord says, if a man strikes your right cheek, offer him the other side." "And if a man compels you to drive a mile, go with him two." "What's all that suppose to mean Mr. Sperry?" "If your enemy takes a piece of your pizza, offer him two." "Hi Mr. Barnes." "What do you want?" "Ijust wanted to stop by to see how you are doing." "How I'm doing?" "Yes sir." "You trying to make me feel guilty for not paying you?" "No sir." "Ijust wanted to stop by and say hi." "And who's the one having you mow my lawn." "I had fun mowing it." "I'm going to find out who it is." "Do you know who Jesus is Mr. Barnes?" "What kind of a question is that?" "Ijust want to make sure you go to heaven when you die." "You don't worry about me." "I started reading my bible Every day." "In the gospel of John that's where you can read about what" "Jesus says." "I'm going back inside." "well, okay, ahh it was good talking to you Mr. Barnes and see you again soon, when your lawn needs mowing." "You have to put some weight in the cup dummy." "Weight?" "Like a rock or something." "You gotta get it to go under." "It was a little scary in the cemetery yesterday." "Yeah, I know." "It Gave me the creeps." "Mr. Sperry sure does know a Iot about the bible." "And he's been real nice to us." "We should do something for him." "Like what?" "I don't know, something." "We could buy him a present." "Yeah, but I don't have very much money." "He's probably got everything." "It would be nice to do something for him though." "Yeah, I know, he's always giving us food." "Wait." "I got an idea." "I want to thank you gentlemen forthis nice treat." "It was a pleasant surprise." "YourweIcome, Mr. Sperry." "We figured we had to pay you back for all that chocolate cake and ice cream that you give us." "And don't forget the lemonade." "You do not have to pay me back." "It's been my pleasure." "But this pizza is a very nice gesture." "Thank you my friends." "We eat pizza here a Iot." "You know, When I was young, we never had a place like this." "We used to walk downtown and just stand on the corner." "Oh no, look who just walked in." "It's Nick." "Nick." "Better hide the pizza." "That's the bully we've been telling you about." "I see." "He looks famiIiarto me." "I wish he was on another planet." "tell me" "Hey Nick, look at that old man overthere." "well, who do we got here." "Hi Nick." "So Dustin, who's the old timer?" "This is our good friend, Mr. Sperry." "Mr. Sparrow, ah isn't that the name of a bird?" "(his buddy laughs) No, it's Mr. Sperry." "well, isn't it past your nap time gramps?" "'Cause I heard that all old people took afternoon naps." "Come on Nick, leave him alone." "He's ourfriend." "Hey, I am just looking after gramps' health, make sure he gets his rest." "Okay just leave him alone." "I'II talk to whoever I want to." "But he's a nice man and he's ourfriend." "I said I'II talk to whoever I want to." "Got it?" "Your Nick Meyers right?" "Yeah, what's it to you?" "Victor Meyer's son?" "Yeah, so what." "I want you to know you can be very proud of yourfather." "Proud?" "What makes you say that?" "well, we use to work together on a church committee." "And I got to know him very well." "He was a godly man did a Iot of good forthis community." "I know he passed away when you were quite young so if you would ever like to hear more about yourfather, feel free to drop by my home for a visit." "He was a wonderful man." "You can be proud of him son." "Very proud." "Come on Roy." "Wow, that was great Mr. Sperry." "Yeah, you shut Nick up without even to have to fight him." "No gentlemen, this is no time for rejoicing." "But Nick's a big jerk like that all the time." "I don't want to make an excuse for him, but Nick has had a very difficult upbringing and he's hurting inside." "So tonight, when you go home, pray for Nick and ask the Lord to help him." "Lord, Mr. Sperry asked us to pray for Nick." "I don't really think he wants to be mean like he is, but if you could help him..." "Thank you." "Amen." "A couple years afteryou were born, yourfather came to a revival service at a church I was attending." "And During that service, he came to realize that he was a sinner," "like all of us, and he needed forgiveness forthose sins." "So he prayed and he accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior." "He was born again." "You might not know what that means Nick, but it's a spiritual birth in the Christian faith." "A Iot of people thought it just a fad with yourfather, but it wasn't, it was real." "And His life changed dramatically." "You know what yourfather did?" "He went to all the people he wronged and asked for forgiveness and then he did everything he could to make things right." "It was marvelous to see." "But, sadly, your Mom couldn't accept his passion for God and she left a year Iaterwhen you were about 4 years old." "But He became a good man Nick, a really good man." "My mother didn't think he was." "well, That's because she didn't Accept his Christianity and it came between them." "Now I know it was tougher on you growing up than most young men." "But son, that's no excuse foryour behavior." "If you're father were still here," "I'm sure things would be a Iot different foryou right now." "Yeah, what makes you say that?" "Because you wouldn't have to go around and act like a bully to get attention." "You would have had yourfather here to give you the proper attention." "I'm sure of it." "And that's what I think is really bothering you." "Your motherworks all the time." "She's tired, I'm sure she's cross with you at times you live in the same house but she goes herway and you go yours." "So you think you got me all figured Out?" "I may be old Nick but my eyesight is still pretty good and I can see a hurting heart." "The Lord Jesus is here foryou, Nick, just like He was foryourfather." "Just call out to Him." "You know the path you're on is the wrong one." "I shouldn't have ever come here." "Nick, my door is always open to you." "always." "Can I talk to you for another minute?" "Sure." "What did you mean by "call out to him"?" "well, it's really, quite simple." "Just talk to him." "He's always there." "HAH!" "What did you do that for?" "I couId have got hurt." "What do you mean?" "You're suppose to ride on the other side of the road." "I am not." "You could have ruined my mower." "You do have a pretty nice mower." "What's this thing?" "It's my gas cap, I need that." "Yeah, you're going to have to come and take it from me." "Come on, give it back." "Come on guys." "Got it right here." "Give it back." "Come on Benny." "Come on, give it." "Ah, come on Roy." "Come on Roy." "Give it." "You're going to have to come and take it from me." "Come on give it to me." "You're not going to get it that way." "I don't want to fight you." "So, what are you going about it, huh?" "Give me the cap." "I said, what are you going to do about it, huh?" "Huh?" "Give it back." "Give him the cap." "Oh hey Nick, we've been waiting for You." "Dustin here has been giving us a hard time." "Give him the cap, Roy." "No way, it's my cap." "Give him the cap Roy." "What do you mean, Nick?" "You do this stuff all the time." "Like I said, you're going to have to come and take it from me." "Roy." "I said give him the cap." "Okay Nick, I was just playing around." "(to Dustin) Here's your stupid cap." "(to the other buddy) Come on, Benny, Iet's go." "You coming Nick?" "No." "I got something I gotta do." "Nick," "thanks." "Father in heaven, I come to you now on behalf of Nick." "God..." "Jesus...." "I don't know what to say...." "Draw Nick closer to you, Lord." "I Know you love him just the way you loved his father many years ago." "I'm sorry forthe way I am." "I'm sorry forthe way I treated Mr. Sperry and for picking on those kids at school..." "Ijust, Ijust wish I couId be normal." "Ijust wish I couId change." "He needs you Lord, Iike we all need you." "Keep your arms around him and guide him..." "Larry, come with me." "Me?" "Come with me." "Anything wrong Nick?" "Come with me." "Oh, you want someone to cheeryou on." "We can do that." "Come on tyler." "No." "You play." "Huh?" "You play." "Have fun." "Okay, honey." "I'm off to work." "Okay." "Do you have to lawns to mow today?" "Yeah one." "And then we go to Mr. Sperry's." "alright gentlemen, I want you to stand right here by that tree and I'm going take this five-doIIar bill and place it right over here on this table." "would you Iike to have this five dollar bill?" "I bet you could buy a pretty good pizza with it." "probably an extra large." "I knew you'd be the first to answer him." "But, you're going to have to work together in orderto get the money." "Now one of you must be touching that tree at all times and the three of you must be holding onto each other at all times and if you can touch this bill, then it's yours." "You can do with it as you wish." "But." "If you can't, then it remains mine." "Is that clear?" "clear." "alright." "So we can never let go of each other." "That's right, you must be connected to each other at all times." "So now, we ready to try?" "alright come on guys, we can do this." "Okay, strategy." "Mark, you hold onto the tree." "albert, you go next." "Okay come on." "Stretch!" "Come on, get it." "Okay, come on Dustin, stretch." "I'm stretching." "Got to get wider legs." "Come on Dustin, Stretch." "I can't reach it." "It's too far." "It's impossible." "No, it is possible." "It's impossible." "I can't do it." "Let me try then." "Come on albert." "I can't reach it." "It's too far." "Come on albert." "It's impossible." "Mr. Sperry, we need your help." "No, There is a way." "Come on, keep stretching he says there is a way." "I'm trying, it's too far." "Come on albert, stretch." "It's too far." "I can help." "Nick?" "What are you doing here?" "I asked him to stop by." "You, Mr. Sperry." "Yes, I did." "But why?" "I think Nick has something here to tell you." "albert, Dustin, Mark, I came here to see Mr. Sperry a couple of days ago and we talked." "He talked about how my father became a Christian." "Then, I went home and I thought about it and, I prayed." "I prayed to Jesus." "I'm sorry forthe way I treated you guys." "I know I've been a jerk." "But, if you will give me a chance," "I think that we could be friends." "If you would just give me a chance." "I know Nick has hurt the three of you in the past." "But, if he is truly come to Christ, then the Lord has forgiven him just like he has forgiven you and I." "The bible says if a man be in Christ, he is a new creation." "old things have passed away, all things have become new." "This is the new Nick" "We understand." "And if you are still interested in that five dollar bill, there's one more person here to help so perhaps now, there is a way." "alright guys, Iet's go for it again." "Nick, we need your help." "Mark, grab onto the tree." "Me, albert then Nick." "alright guys let's stretch." "Come on." "Let's go." "Come on guys." "A little more." "Come on Nick." "A little more." "Fingertips...fingertips." "Come on Nick, you can do it." "almost there." "Come on guys." "I can't stretch any further." "I'm trying." "A little more." "I got it!" "I got it." "Yeah Good job guys." "Now we can buy that extra large pizza." "It's going to be good." "It's gonna be tasty." "Now, You don't need to do that no more." "I can do my own lawn now." "Turn that off." "Hi Mr. Barnes." "What did you say sir?" "I said turn that thing off." "Oh don't worry, it won't take me long." "I'II do a good job." "And I want you to tell me once and for all who put you up to this." "I hope you started reading your bible Mr. Barnes." "If you give it a chance, I think you'II like it." "Now you listen to me." "Thanks for letting me mow your lawn Mr. Barnes." "hello?" "Tanya's back." "She is?" "Ijust saw her." "I went with my Mom to the grocery store and she was there." "She didn't see me though." "Okay." "Are you still going to try to ask her out?" "Yeah, I want to." "She'II probably be working the lunch time shift tomorrow." "Yeah, okay." "Thanks forteIIing me." "Hey Dustin." "Hi Tanya." "What can I get foryou?" "Get?" "Oh um." "How was your vacation?" "It was good, we just got back yesterday." "So it was fun?" "Yeah, we had a nice time." "That's good." "Vacations are normally good." "Did you want to order something?" "No, not really." "I had written you a note and I am here to get my answer." "Your answer?" "Yeah, to the question I had written you in the note." "What note?" "I had written you a note before you left on your vacation." "No, I never got a note from you." "Are you sure, yeah It was the day" "Me, Mark and albert...we ordered sundaes from you." "I Ieft it right over there on the table." "You didn't get it?" "I never saw it." "What did the note say?" "It said?" "I was gonna..." "Never mind." "Maybe I'IIjust write you another one." "Is there something you want to tell me?" "Ahh," "I'd rather put it in a note form." "Okay." "See ya." "See ya." "So, as I was saying." "The next day the guy I had met came back down to the beach but this time he brought his freshman friend, the one that was with him the day before that saw me, but I never saw him." "So she never got it?" "That's what she said." "well, that will explain some things." "Yep." "You should have just asked her right then." "You know I was going to but Cindy was there." "Was she nice?" "Yes, she was pretty nice." "That's a good sign." "Maybe she doesn't like Nick." "What are you going to do?" "I think I'm probably going to write her another note." "Why don't you just ask her." "I already told her." "She's probably going to be at the pizzeria tomorrow." "I'II drop it off to her after we're done with Mr. Sperry." "I don't want to bother her at the diner again." "You're going to give it to her in front of everyone." "Yep." "You got guts." "Dear Tanya." "I think you are a very nice girl..." "Dear Tanya..." "The Scripture says the tongue is a fire full of deadly poison." "It's one of the smallest parts of the body, but it can do the most good orthe most harm." "So be careful what you say." "Use yourwords to bless people, not to criticize or gossip about them." "It's easy to put people down, anyone can do that." "But, you, be different, stand up with your kindness, show the love of Jesus in everything you say, or, in some cases, what you don't say." "Okay my friends." "(the boys react) Let's close in a word of prayer." "Then he left his rainbow teddy-bear..." "Now remember gentlemen, our hot dog cookout is scheduled for" "Friday at five." "I've ordered 4 dogs for each of one you so please bring your appetites." "alright boys," "Bye-bye." "See you there." "I won't eat lunch on Friday." "Don't you dare do it..." "Dustin, are you going down there and give Tanya the note?" "Yeah, planning on it but first I going to go home and drop off my bible." "Okay we will too and then we'II meet you there." "Okay when you guys get to the pizza place save us a table." "I'II get there as soon as I can." "alright." "Hi Tanya." "Hi sally Hi." "Hey guys." "We're just here waiting for Dustin." "He's on his way to talk to you Tanya." "talk to me?" "Yeah, he's going to ask you out." "albert." "I didn't mean to tell you that part." "You got such a big mouth." "I'm sorry." "And Mr. Sperry was just saying to watch what you say." "I'm sorry." "How you going to turn him down?" "Stop you're making me all pressured and stuff." "Ha Ha Ha." "Stop." "Hey guys, sorry I'm late." "Hey Dust." "well, she's here." "This is my chance." "Ahhh, Dustin." "Here goes nothing." "Dustin." "Wait." "Hi Tanya." "Hi." "can I talk to you for a minute?" "Umm?" "Sure." "Tanya, I want you to know I think you're a very nice girl and I've been thinking a Iot about you." "Look, Dustin." "So, I wrote you this note it expresses my feelings better 'cause I've never really done anything like this." "I hope you at Ieast read it." "Thanks." "Come on guys." "Let's go." "Let me see what he wrote." "Hey give me that." "It's my note." "But I want to see it." "He wrote it to me." "Let me see what it says." "I'm going to read it first." "Ahh, come on." "Oh alright." "I'II read it to you." "Dear Tanya." "I think you're a very nice girl (we hear herfriend laughing)" "I also think you are cool." "I want you to know that something great has happened in my Iife." "I started reading my bible everyday and praying to the Lord." "I've come to realize that I need Jesus in my Iife especially if I want to go to heaven." "So Ijust wanted to encourage you to start reading your bible, in the gospel of John." "I think it will help you too." "well, that's all for now." "Yourfriend, Dustin." "PS, I am mowing lawns this summer so if you don't have a" "bible, I'II be glad to buy you one." "Okay Mrs. FarIey." "Yeah I'II be right over." "Bye." "Mom." "That was Mrs. FarIey on the phone." "I'm going to go over right now and help her clean out her attic." "She's going to pay me." "Okay, honey." "Then I'm going to go overAIbert's." "Have fun." "Jonathan Sperry was a God-fearing man, who loved life, who loved his family, who loved people." "But most of all, we know that Jonathan loved the Lord and touched all of us in some way with the love that he had for" "Jesus." "Jonathan would tell us not to weep for him today but to rejoice, because he is now in the presence of his heavenly" "Father." "I know it's hard for us because we miss our dearfriend." "But if Jonathan were still here, I am sure that he would tell us to live on for Christ and most of all, to tell others what Jesus did forthem on the cross at" "CaIvary." "(beat) And now dearJonathan, as we lay your body to rest, we believe that Jesus has ushered you into heaven by His saving grace, and may your memory continue to speak to our hearts as we continue on our earthly journey." "The Lord be with us all." "We need to go honey." "Dustin, please try to eat something, you'II feel better." "No, I won't." "I know this has been hard for you the past few days but you have to start moving forward again with your life." "I'm not hungry, may I please be excused." "Dustin, there's someone here to see you." "I don't want to see anybody." "It's Mr. Barnes." "Mr. Barnes." "I'm sorry to bother the both of you." "It's no bother Mr. Barnes, please come in, sit down." "Let me get you something to drink." "No, this will be fine, It'IIjust take a minute." "Dustin, I want to ask if you will still mow my lawn," "I will pay you from now on." "You don't have to pay me Mr. Barnes." "I enjoy mowing your lawn and talking to you." "I know it was Mr. Sperry who put you up to this." "And I can't let you mow my lawn anymore unless you let me pay you, are we in agreement?" "You don't have to Mr. Barnes." "Are we in agreement?" "Yes sir." "Fine, that's settled." "Now, I know you are feeling sad about Mr. perry and all." "we all are." "(beat) If there was ever a Christian man in this town," "it was Jonathan Sperry." "(beat) So, you come mow my lawn next week if you feeling ready." "Yes sir, I'II be there." "Oh, I thought you might like to know." "I been reading my bible." "Just like you said, gospel of John." "Reading all about Jesus." "That's great Mr. Barnes." "You got a nice boy there ma'am." "nice boy." "Now you keep talking about Jesus you hear Dustin." "(beat) Some folks out there just might be listening." "I will." "Thank you all." "Good evening." "Can you believe that Mom?" "Mr. Barnes started reading his bible." "Yes, isn't that wonderful." "In the gospel of John." "And it's because of you." "I can't believe it." "Mr. Barnes." "Yes, that is surprising." "What's wrong?" "Oh nothing." "No, what's wrong." "Aren't you happy Mr. Barnes is starting to read his bible?" "Yes, honey, that's wonderful like I said." "Then, what is it?" "Dustin, did Mr. Sperry ever tell you how his wife died." "Yeah, she died in a car accident." "But did he everteII you how it happened?" "No he just said that it happened fouryears ago." "Dustin," "that accident was caused by Mr. Barnes." "He had been drinking and he was the one driving the other vehicle." "Mr. Barnes caused that accident." "Yes." "And Mr. Sperry paid me to mow his lawn." "Yes." "Dustin." "always remember, the bible is yourfriend." "And so am I." "Keep living forJesus." "Jonathan Sperry." "hello." "Mark." "Dustin." "We need to have a bible study." "A bible study?" "Yeah." "Like the ones we had with Mr. Sperry." "When?" "As soon as possible." "You call albert, I'II call Nick." "We'II get them to call the rest of the guys." "We'II meet at my house tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 o'cIock." "But who's going to lead it?" "Guys, I'd Iike to thank you for coming." "If you would please follow me, there's something" "I'd to show you." "Look around guys and don't be afraid." "This is an important place to visit while you're still alive." "And listen." "I don't hear anything." "Neither do I." "The bible says it is betterto go to a funeral than a feast." "You know why?" "'Cause everybody dies one day and when you go to a funeral you think about it more." "Lean cIoserto the tombstones." "closer." "And listen." "really listen."