The Angels Are Bowling

Scene 1:
(opening scene: 1940s.  A man, Cary Heaven is on the veranda of his house. A big sign is on the house.  It reads: "Heaven House". Cary is reading a book. He hears thunder.)

Cary: The angels must be bowling.

(Cary closes his book and picks up his bowling ball on the veranda.)

Cary: Alright, angels. Show me what you've got!

(Cary runs out to the field and he starts yelling at the sky.)

Cary: Angels, I will beat you! I'll be a better bowler than any of you will ever be!

(Cary starts bowling in the field. He uses corn stalks as pins. Cary knocks down cornstalks.)

Cary: Ha, ha, ha! Strike! Look at that, angels! I'm beating you!

(Thunder again)

Cary: I'll get you! You'll see! You think you can bowl against me and win? You can try, but you never will! I'm the best bowler in town. You'll see! You'll see!

(Thunder stops. Cary picks up bowling ball and goes back into house.)



Scene 2:
(Mitchell , friend of Cary Heaven outside general store holding box of apples. Cary runs to Mitchell.)

Cary: Mitchell! Mitchell!

(Cary runs into Mitchell as he turns to Cary and apples go flying onto the ground.)

Cary: Oh, Mitchell I'm sorry. You know, sometimes my feet run too fast.

Mitchell: That's quite alright, Cary.

Cary: Ever since I was a kid. Just running into things. You know, once I knocked down my grandmother running to her too fast. After that, whenever she saw me coming towards her she would back away with this terrified look in her eyes.

Mitchell: Oh. Well, you know how grandmothers are.

Cary: Yes, yes.

Mitchell: Say, what are you doing tonight?

Cary: Well, bowling mostly. It's a new hobby I've taken up.

Mitchell: Bowling? Cary, you haven't bowled since high school. As a matter of fact I remember you telling me you hated bowling.

Cary: Well, I've grown to love it. Last night was so spectacular! I was out in the field bowling using corn stalks as pins.

Mitchell: Well, that's a mighty fine hobby. What made you take up bowling again?

Cary: The angels. Yes, as soon as I heard the thunder, I was out there bowling against them.

Mitchell: Angels?

Cary: Yes, Mitchell. Angels. Mind you, I couldn't see them, but I could tell they were excellent bowlers.

Mitchell: Listen, Cary. I think I better give you a card of a friend of mine. Mr. Jack Bedford. He's a psychologist.

(Mitchell gives Cary card. Cary takes card. Puts it in pocket.)

Cary: Say Mitchell, would you like to come over to my house and bowl?

Mitchell: No thank you, Cary. I better get home before this milk gets sour.

Cary: Oh. Well, some other time, then.

(Mitchell nods. Walks away. Cary walks away.)



Scene 3:
(Cary in office. Jack Bedford the psychologist is sitting behind desk facing Cary.)

Jack: So, Cary. (looks at file) It says here you like to bowl.

Cary: Yes, Jack. I love bowling.  My favorite sport in the world.

Jack: Would you tell me of your bowling activities?

Cary: Well, I bowl with the angels.

Jack: Oh, is that a new team in town?

Cary: No, Jack. I mean, I bowl with the angels in the sky.

Jack: You bowl in the sky?

Cary: No. When I hear thunder, because the angels are bowling in the sky, I take my bowling ball and bowl in my field.

Jack: Oh. I see. (takes notes) And why do you think the angels are bowling in the sky?

Cary: Well, why else would I hear thunder? You know, the angels are very poor losers. They cry when they lose a game of bowling.

Jack: Okay, Cary. (takes notes) Cary, have you ever thought of getting a girlfriend?

Cary: Girlfriend? Why?

Jack: Well, so you'll have someone else to do something with. Bowling, for instance.

Cary: Well, I'll try, Jack. Though not many women seem to like me in this town. One woman Holly said she thought my bowling hobby sounded freakish. Can you imagine a woman saying such a thing? I don't know what was with her!

Jack: Well, I'm sure you'll find somebody.

Cary: Is that all? I've got some bank business I need to take care of.

Jack: Yes, that's all. Come in later if you have any progress to report.

Cary: Okay. Thanks, Jack.

(Cary walks out of doctor's office.)


Scene 4:
(Cary sitting in living room at night, reading book. Thunder storm starts. Cary stares at bowling ball on floor. Cary looks away from bowling ball, puts book down and walks over to bowling ball. He places bowling ball in box and puts box in the closet. Cary hears thunder and rain starts to come down. Cary looks towards window.)

Cary: Sorry, angels. Not tonight.

(Cary walks over to bed. He goes to sleep.)



Scene 5:
(Cary runs downtown. Searches for Mitchell. He sees him come out of the library.)

Cary: Mitchell! Mitchell! I have wonderful news!

Mitchell: Oh hi, Cary. What's your wonderful news? Have you beat the angels again?

Cary: No.  Mitchell, I didn't bowl last night.

Mitchell: Holy mackerel, Cary. I'm shocked! Well, congratulations, Cary. This is swell news.

Cary: Well thanks, Mitchell. Now, I just have to go to Jack and tell him the news.

Mitchell: Great! Good luck! (shakes Cary's hand)

Cary: Thanks.


Scene 6:
(Cary sitting in office with Jack.)

Cary: Jack, I have wonderful news.

Jack: Yes, Cary?

Cary: I didn't bowl last night.

Jack: Well, that is just marvelous, Cary. Just marvelous. Now, all you need to do is get a girlfriend, like I suggested the other day.

Cary: Right, Jack. Well, I'll get to that right away.

Jack: Good luck, Cary.

Cary: Thanks, Jack.

(Cary walks out of office.)


Scene 7:
(Cary walks into park and sits down on bench. He sees a blonde-haired woman sitting across from him eating lunch. Cary walks over to her.)

Cary: Excuse me, Miss. May I sit down?

Nancy June: Yes.

(Cary sits down.)

Cary: Marvelous day, isn't it? My name is Cary, by the way.

Nancy June: Yes, it is a marvelous day. My name is Nancy June.

Cary: Pleased to meet your acquaintance. (looks around)
I love the fresh air. All the trees around here.

Nancy June: Yes. Unfortunately, the cars suck up all the oxygen.

Cary: But, at least the trees give us more oxygen.

Nancy June: You really like trees don't you, Cary?

Cary: I love trees. Someday I think I would even like to be a dendrologist.

Nancy June: Well, good luck to you in that.

Cary: Thanks. How about yourself? Do you like trees, Nancy June?

Nancy June: I've never thought about it before, but yes, I guess I do like trees, Cary.

Cary: My aren't trees grand?!? Look at their green leaves and wonderful bark. Aren't they swell?

Nancy June: Oh, they're swell, alright.

(Nancy June nods head in agreement.)

Cary: Say, Nancy June, would you like to go for dinner this evening?

Nancy June: But, you hardly know me.

Cary: Well, to hardly know you is to know you well in this town. Trust me, Nancy June. If you were me, you would wish this town was larger so you could be anonymous.

Nancy June: Well, I guess so. I wouldn't want anyone knowing my hobbies in this town. My neighbors think I'm mighty strange.

Cary: Really? My friend and my psychologist think the same way about me. Seems like we may have something in common.

Nancy June: Well Cary, you seem normal.

Cary: I hope I am. But, lately I've been beginning to wonder about my sanity.

Nancy June: Cary, why don't you join me for dinner this evening? There's a new restaurant in town. The Juju Wawa. It just opened yesterday.

Cary: That sounds like a marvelous idea, Nancy June.

(Cary and Nancy June get up from bench and walk out of park.)
Scene 8:
(Cary and Nancy June are in restaurant eating.)

Cary: So Nancy June, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Nancy June: Well, my favorite sport is bowling.

Cary: Bowling?!? (stops eating)

Nancy June: Yes, bowling. I love to bowl. Cary, would you like to bowl with me some time?

Cary: Well Nancy June,  someday I might go bowling, but I better swear off the sport altogether now. Doctor's orders. I am kind of a bowling addict.

Nancy June: Oh. Okay. Well, maybe some other time, then.

(Nancy June continues eating.)

Scene 9:
(Cary and Nancy June walking downtown. They pass by Sparkle Bowling Alley. Cary becomes agitated.)

Nancy June: Cary, what's wrong?

Cary: Oh, nothing, Nancy June.  Nothing.

(They pass by Memory Bowling Alley Lane. Cary starts walking briskly.)

Nancy June: Cary, please tell me what's wrong?

Cary: It's bowling alleys, Nancy June!  Bowling alleys!  I can't get away from them!

Nancy June: Cary!

Cary: I'm sorry, Nancy June  I have to go.

(Cary runs away.)


Scene 10:
(Cary runs to church. He goes inside confession pew. Mitchell Collins is the priest.)

Mitchell: Make your confession. And hurry, will you? It's nine o'clock and I am getting tired.

Cary: Mitchell, I'm going crazy. Bowling alleys everywhere I go. I'm going crazy, I tell ya. Crazy! The angels want me to bowl. But, I can't!  Please Mitchell, have God grant me strength. I feel without bowling I can't go on.

Mitchell: Well, have you got any other interests in life besides bowling?

Cary: Well, there's this girl I met today.  Nancy June.  I think I'm going to marry her, Mitchell.

Mitchell: Holy mackerel! Cary, you just met the girl. It's too soon.

Cary: But, I love her, Mitchell.

Mitchell: Yes, but Cary you're insane! You can't marry Nancy June.

Cary: Mitchell, I'm going to. But, first I have to tell Jack Bedford my news.

(Mitchell flips through newspaper.)

Cary: You picked up a newspaper today?

Mitchell: Yes, I did. I like to keep an eye on the weather.

Cary: The weather? (stops and thinks) The weather.

Mitchell: Yes, a thunderstorm is coming. Cary, what's wrong?

Cary: No, I mustn't. I mustn't.

(Cary clenches his hands into fists at his side.)

Mitchell: You mustn't what, Cary?

Cary: Bowl, Mitchell. I mustn't bowl with the angels!

Mitchell: But, you aren't bowling with the angels, Cary.

(Cary looks at newspaper.)

Cary: Wait a minute. Thunder isn't caused by angels?

Mitchell: Well no, Cary. It's the clouds and the weather that causes thunder.

Cary: Well, that's the darndest thing!

(Cary looks at his watch.)

Cary: I think I'll go find Nancy June.

Mitchell: Now? Cary, why? It's late.

Cary: I have to find her!

(Cary runs out door of church. Mitchell grabs his coat and hat and follows Cary.)


Scene 11:
(Cary and Mitchell run to downtown. They look around.)

Cary: Nancy June!  Nancy June!  Where are you? Oh, where could she be?

Mitchell: Cary, how well do you think you know this girl?

Cary: Well enough, I think.

Mitchell: Then, where do you think she might be?

(Cary thinks.  A thunderstorm starts. He sees lightening in the sky. His eyes suddenly light up.)

Cary: That's it! That's it! Thank you, Mitchell! I know where the love of my life is!

(Cary runs away from Mitchell.)

Cary: Nancy June! Nancy June! (running)


Scene 12:
(Cary runs to field. Nancy June is bowling in the field with her bowling ball and using cornstalks
as pins.)

Cary: Nancy June! Nancy June!

(Nancy June turns around.)

Nancy June: Cary?

(Nancy June runs to Cary.)

Nancy June: Cary! Cary!

Cary: Nancy June!  I thought this was where you would be!

Nancy June: Oh, Cary.

(Nancy June and Cary run to each other and fall into each other's arms.)

Cary: I should have known. Any girl in this town who falls for me would have to bowl with
the angels, too.

Nancy June: Oh Cary, you fool. Why couldn't you see it sooner?

Cary: I just thought you would think I was crazy like everyone else thinks of me in this town.

Nancy June: No, Cary. Why didn't you see it sooner?

Cary: Oh, you mean when you said that you love bowling?

Nancy June: Yes, Cary. Yes. Why, I bowl with the angels, too.

Cary: We could be a team, Nancy June.  You and me, Cary Heaven and Nancy June against the angels in the sky.

(Lightening strikes in the sky. Cary and Nancy June kiss.)

THE END