Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Father Richard Clement

This is topic Father Richard Clement - The Little Man in forum Character Interviews at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Jaz (Member # 2880) on :

A man dressed in the grey flowing gown opens the door and steps in. With his light brown hair cut short, and his face clean shaven he looked to be about fifteen.

"I thought I heard a voice in here. Were you calling me? Has your faith been shaken?"

Posted by Ben Trovato (Member # 7804) on :

Well...good evening, Father. Are you called Father? I didn't know my voice would reach through these walls. What are they made of, paper?

I am not familiar with your religion. Do tell me why your first thought, hearing me, was speculating I had lost faith. Are you perhaps enduring a crisis of your own?

Posted by Jaz (Member # 2880) on :

"My dear child, in these times I see lost faith everywhere."

He takes a step towards the wall and places a hand on it.

"I am one of God's soldiers for his true Church. It is my charge to save souls. And with the blessing of God I am very good at it."

He takes his hand off the wall and clasps his hands together in front of him, his fingers entwined.

"Take the young girl, Mandy, for example. We have just finished her Re-education and are getting ready to send her back home with her parents. I believe that the past year has been a huge success and that we have rid her of her Cognitionist sympathies, but only time will tell. Tom Collins will be sent to ensure this. In times such as these, one can never be too careful."

Posted by DWD (Member # 8649) on :

Hello, Father. I have some questions for you, and would appreciate a few moments of your time. I noticed that you seem very confident in your abilities and in your ability to save souls, yet you mention that, in these times, it is important to take great care. What is it that threatens you? From what are you saving souls?

I gather from your mention of Mandy's re-education that this soul-saving can be a lengthy process, and that its success is not a certainty. I have to admit that I find it odd you would be so confident in your abilities, yet still feel the need to send someone to check on her. Could it be that you have some doubts?

[This message has been edited by DWD (edited July 16, 2009).]

Posted by Jaz (Member # 2880) on :

He look towards the other wall, where a new voice has emerged. Listening intently, he walks over and stands with his ear to the drywall, hoping to hear more than just what the words are telling him.

"I always have time for someone searching for answers. It was at a very early age that I was given my charge. My Mother was one of the Godspoken, hearing his voice guide her ways, and my Father was the Senator responsible for establishing the Church as the official church of the Government. So you see, I have the lineage to do great things in the name of God. I too have heard His voice. He is telling me to follow in their footsteps and carry their legacy further."

Taking a step back, he places a hand on the wall, his face going from nostalgic longing to serious.

"During these times the Church is being threatened by Godless souls. These are people who see technology as their God, and put too much faith in themselves and their machines. Mandy got caught up with one of those men, a man by the name of Andrew Keech. Surely you have heard of him, he was one of the men responsible for the A-I Scare. It took us nearly a year to break her of her longing for this monster and his ideals."

His talking had sped up as he talked about her, and so he caught himself and stopped to take a deep breath and calm himself.

"She has passed all of our tests. She has done the right things. It is normal for an Agent to be sent to look after a Re-educated person of such high importance. This is not due to our lack of confidence in our abilities, but more due to our lack of confidence in the imperfect creature that is man."