FINDING MEANING - THE HOLY WORD

A dinner invitation asked for a story from all guests; theme: finding meaning. Here it is.

IT’S A SUNNY AFTERNOON IN JULY RICHARD WELLS IS SITTING AT AN OUTDOOR CAFE ENJOYING A DRINK - A LAST DRINK - AS HIS FRIEND JOE BENNET APPROACHES AND SITS DOWN

Well, this is gonna be our last time together for a while, Joe. I’m going to take a lot memories with me.

You don’t have to go Richard. Have you thought it all through?

Joe, you know I have. I don’t want to live the rest of my life with regrets. It’s time for me to do something meaningful with my life. I’m bored. I’m tired of my job. My love life is worse than Will Smith.

That doesn’t mean you throw it all away.

Stop Joe. I made up my mind. I’m going to India tomorrow and I’m going to learn from the wisest man in the world, Mahareeshi Savanawatha. He will give meaning to my liife.

But there is meaning in your life Richard. There’s meaning here with your family and friends, your career. What about 24 hour fitness. You’re a walking Hercules since you’ve been going? And this Mahareeshi. I think he might be a fraud.

Stop Joe. I’m leaving. Let’s just say goodbye.

THEY CLINK GLASSES AND WE CUT TO ROD SERLING

Meet Richard Wells. Thirty two years old, a young, successful executive with a whole life ahead of him. But he’s not satisfied and wants more and has decided to go on an exotic and lonely journey. A journey that goes through... The Twilight Zone.

SCENE 2

A MONASTERY WITH SAFFRON SCENTED ORANGE ROBED DEVOTEES OF THE GREAT MAHAREESHI SADVANAWATHA. THE CONGREGATION FALLS SILENT AS THE MAHAREESHI, A MIDDLE-AGED BALDING, SOMEWHAT OVERWEIGHT INDIVIDUAL ENTERS THE ROOM

The entire flock bows as the Mahareeshi takes his seat on a throne-like chair. He opens the sacred book called Gavantara, The Holy Word. He closes the book and begins to speak.

Today we will talk about the beauty of flowers. We will discuss the need to replenish the soul with faith and study. We will think and act as one. Obey The Holy Word. Act as I command and be assured I will always take care of my children.

At the end of the sermon the Maharishi implores his devotees to go on what he calls the Quest. A visit to the outside world.

Go, children into the Land of Sin. Convert the weak and the needy. Bring them back to be my children.

Richard leaves with one or two members who encourage him to obey the Mahareeshi and explain that the Gavantara, which translates as Finding Meaning Through The Holy Word, is a sacred gift from God.

As the months pass, Richard finds that each day begins with a sermon from the book and ends with The Quest. One day Richard receives a message saying his old friend Joe is coming to visit.

When Joe arrives a special ceremony is taking place. Once a year, the congregation is allowed to ask questions of the Mahareeshi. After the questions the entire group will participate in the annual Harvest. Richard has never experienced Harvest and is overjoyed as he sits next to his old friend Joe.

The Mahareeshi enters and Joe suddenly declares:

Richard, I’ve seen that guy before.

Of course you’ve seen him, Joe. He’s the most famous Mahareeshi in the world.

No, Rich. I mean I’ve seen him somewhere.

Shhh, Joe. We’re starting.

As the Mahareeshi answers a question we see Joe vehemently whispering to Richard. Suddenly Joe raises his hand and the Mahareeshi nods.

Mahareeshi we have all come here to find meaning in life, but doesn’t the meaning of life come from within? Life isn’t about finding meaning, it’s about giving meaning. We give meaning to life through our behavior, our actions, our conduct. Some people: nurses, teachers, even Mother Teresa, give meaning to their lives by helping others, making the world a better place for everyone. Some people, like the great philosopher Epicurus, believe that giving oneself pleasure and others pleasure is the ultimate meaning of life. And so they drink and laugh and joke and sing. Some people believe in what Aristotle called entelechy; the pursuit of achievement, realizing your ultimate potential, be it physical, intellectual or spiritual. Mahareeshi we don’t have to search for meaning or go on a Quest. There is nothing to find. The answer is within ourselves.

The Mahareeshi raises his hand, putting a stop to Joe’s question. He appears grim and angry and abruptly signals that it is time for the Harvest. Everyone rises and begins filing outside. Richard and Joe remain.

Joe is excitedly shaking Richard. Richard, I told you I knew him. I remember him now. That’s Joey Castellano. He used to own the Italian deli right across the street from Aunt Rose. Remember those pepperoni pizzas they used to serve? Richard angrily declares that he will no longer speak with Joe and leaves the room as Joe remains, observing the frightened and sheeplike congregation exit the monastery.

SCENE 3

SUNSET ON THE CLIFFS OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN. THE THRONG IS DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS. THE WOMEN IN A CIRCLE SURROUNDING THE MAHAREESHI ON A WIDE GRASSY AREA AND THE MEN IN A LONG LINE FACING THE CLIFF. ONE BY ONE THE MEN WALK TO THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF AND JUMP TO THEIR DEATHS. AS RICHARD APPROACHES THE CLIFF WE SEE JOE IN THE BACKGROUND RUSHING TOWARD THE SCENE.

Richard! Richard! Stop! Stop! I saw the book! I saw the book! He tries to grab Richard but can’t stop him. Richard! The book! The book. The Holy Word! It’s a dictionary!

CUT TO ROD SERLING

Richard Wells tried to take the road less traveled. A shortcut. But the shortcut only exists... in The Twilight Zone.