Adventures in Odyssey

Buck Meltsner: Lexi and me. She started talking to me about this ministry thing.

Lexi: It's called Delivering Biblical Blessings. It's such a great organization, Buck. Mr. Bergum is always saying...

Buck Meltsner: Who?

Lexi: Mr. Bergum. He founded it.

Jason Whittaker: I looked into that nursing home charity you called me about. Looking through the organization's financial records, it's all pretty confusing. The money moves around from account to account, even overseas.

Katrina Meltsner: I got a call today from the state penitentiary in Philadelphia. That's where Mr. Skint is serving his time. He's dying, Buck.

Mr. Skint: Buck, my boy. I remember that you kept a storage unit for stuff you were going to use later. I was hoping you could tell me where it is. Harlonville storage. Dirk will help you.

Buck Meltsner: Dirk Beggs? Where is he now?

Mr. Skint: You work with him.

Buck Meltsner: What's going on?

Guest (Female): He's lost consciousness. Pulse is very weak. Someone page Doctor Philmont.

Buck Meltsner: He died?

Eugene Meltsner: Minutes later. Seems Mr. Skint wrote something on his whiteboard before he... here. Key other raves.

Buck Meltsner: It may not mean anything.

Eugene Meltsner: Actually, it might.

Jules Kendall: Key other raves? What kind of cryptic message was that?

Buck Meltsner: I had no idea, Jules.

Jules Kendall: And how are you doing since Mr. Skint's passing?

Buck Meltsner: To be honest, Jules, it was harder than I thought it would be. My parents went with me to the funeral. We were the only ones there. It was good closure, but I have to admit, I hoped Dirk would show up. Mr. Skint must have had a reason for mentioning him.

Buck Meltsner: I can't believe Dirk didn't even show.

Eugene Meltsner: I'm sorry, Buck.

Buck Meltsner: How will I find the key now? I'm more concerned about you. How are you doing? Okay, I guess. I've thought a lot more about my relationship with Mr. Skint. He always told me I was just like him, and when I was little, that's all I wanted to be. But by the time I realized I didn't want to be like him, I already was.

Katrina Meltsner: That's not true.

Buck Meltsner: Take one look at my criminal record and tell me that again.

Katrina Meltsner: You had the opportunity to pull a con to get the key, and you chose not to.

Buck Meltsner: One time. That's nothing compared to all the times I made the wrong choice.

Eugene Meltsner: Remember, that's what Mr. Skint taught you to do. Precisely. In fact, he reminds me of another father, the father of lies.

Buck Meltsner: That sounds ominous.

Eugene Meltsner: It's how the Bible refers to the devil. Satan communicates with very convincing lies. In this instance, lies about who you are.

Katrina Meltsner: Mr. Skint said being a con artist is in your blood, that you were made for that purpose. But the truth is that you acted that way because you were following the only father figure you'd ever known. Later, when you found a good father, like the one you have now...

Eugene Meltsner: Well...

Katrina Meltsner: You started following him. You began to desire and do the right thing.

Buck Meltsner: I don't know. I still mess up a lot.

Eugene Meltsner: As do I. As does everyone.

Katrina Meltsner: Right. But you've also developed a moral compass. You feel guilty about things that are wrong and good about things that are right. That's not insignificant.

Buck Meltsner: I should actually get going. I'm picking up Chase and Lexi for a game of miniature golf and some ice cream. Chase's birthday is coming up. I was thinking of going with him to an Orioles game.

Eugene Meltsner: That's an excellent idea. So?

Katrina Meltsner: Yes, we'll pay for it.

Buck Meltsner: See you later. And thanks.

Lexi: The key is to hit the ball hard enough that it gets over the slope. I didn't know my own strength. New balls are that way. Be right back.

Buck Meltsner: I'll take my turn. Show off. So, how's Mrs. Clementine doing?

Lexi: She's been missing you. Says you're her new project, whatever that means. And she keeps asking me what I think of your eyebrows.

Buck Meltsner: Of course she does. Did she decide what to do about the bracelet?

Lexi: She's still considering, and her daughter's still trying to convince her to keep it.

Buck Meltsner: I should get back to the nursing home sometime soon. This whole thing with Mr. Skint has me distracted.

Lexi: I'm sure. I can't get "key other raves" out of my head either. Any idea what it means?

Buck Meltsner: No. Dirk always raved about how smart Mr. Skint was. So maybe there's someone else who raved about him. I don't know. Doesn't make any sense.

Lexi: Any luck finding Dirk?

Buck Meltsner: He had so many aliases. He's a tough one to locate. It's strange, though. I keep thinking about how confused Mr. Skint looked when I said I hadn't seen Dirk lately.

Lexi: Well, since he knew he was dying, he probably wanted to make sure you two connected.

Buck Meltsner: I'm sure he wanted us to team up. He said, "You work with him."

Lexi: What's wrong?

Buck Meltsner: What if it wasn't a request but a statement, like he thought we already were working together?

Lexi: Would Dirk have told him that?

Buck Meltsner: I wouldn't put it past him. According to prison records, Dirk visited Mr. Skint a few times this past year. But what would Dirk have told him?

Chase: One new ball and a soda to help me feel better about losing the first one. Seriously, Buck? You're six inches from the hole.

Buck Meltsner: Two feet. But we'll work on measuring units later.

Lexi: Okay, my turn. We're just counting that first one as a practice shot, right?

Buck Meltsner: Oh sure. If you do me a favor.

Lexi: What's that?

Buck Meltsner: Is the director, what's his name, Mr. Bergum, still in town?

Lexi: Yeah, they set him up in an office at the nursing home. Easier to meet with residents that way.

Buck Meltsner: Any chance you can get me on his schedule tomorrow?

Dirk Beggs: Come in! Buck! A pleasure to meet... Buck!

Buck Meltsner: It's been a while, Dirk.

Dirk Beggs: Did Skint tell you where I was?

Buck Meltsner: You told me. The marketing material you use resembles stuff from his old charity scams. And then "Delivering Biblical Blessings"? Come on, Dirk. DBB. Any check made out to those initials could be switched to DB Beggs by just adding the end of your last name. Classic Skint.

Dirk Beggs: The old man taught me a thing or two. I have a sweet gig going on here, plenty of paperwork that proves we're legit. Look, I'm sure you're going to want a cut to keep quiet, but I have a better option for you.

Buck Meltsner: Oh, what's that?

Dirk Beggs: Join the team. No one can sell sob stories like you do. You were born for this kind of thing.

Buck Meltsner: That's what I've been told.

Dirk Beggs: Skint heard you were here in Baltimore and thought you and I should work together.

Buck Meltsner: I saw him in the hospital before he passed. He assumed we were connected already.

Dirk Beggs: Oh, I did look you up, but I wasn't sure about you. You look like a person who's trying to change, but I'm guessing you're up to something.

Buck Meltsner: Right now, I'm focused on getting your lyin' self out of this place.

Dirk Beggs: My lyin' self? The world's most convincing liar is in this room, but it's not me, buddy. Remember when you convinced that man with emphysema he could...

Buck Meltsner: I'm not that way anymore.

Dirk Beggs: I've used that line a time or two. Sometimes I can even convince myself.

Chase: Buck! Buck! I'm in here! Lexi said you were back here.

Buck Meltsner: Yes, I just need a few minutes, Chase.

Chase: And then you'll tell me my surprise?

Buck Meltsner: Sure, but...

Chase: Dad!

Dirk Beggs: Hey, Chase! I missed you, buddy.

Chase: I missed you too! This is the best surprise ever. My turn. Wait until you see this, Dad. Buck's been working with me on my swing.

Buck Meltsner: I didn't know you had a kid.

Dirk Beggs: There was no point in talking about it. I wasn't a part of his life, but now I want to be. Nice swing, son!

Buck Meltsner: But you knew I was volunteering as his mentor?

Dirk Beggs: I'm the reason you're his mentor.

Buck Meltsner: Come on.

Dirk Beggs: I had visitation with him, and I noticed a pile of applications for some "helping out a foster kid" program. Yours was in there. The social worker had put a sticky note on another application indicating her favorite, so I switched it. Thought it'd be a good way to keep eyes on you.

Buck Meltsner: So that's why they chose me. I thought it was something you were required to do for school or whatever, but you seem like you were pretty decent at it. That would have been a homer, Chase! Now maybe you can help me out.

Buck Meltsner: It's not like I have any say in your parental rights.

Dirk Beggs: It's what you can not say. That's it. All I want is your silence.

Buck Meltsner: About the scam you're pulling in all these nursing homes?

Dirk Beggs: Chase is the reason I'm doing it. Now that I have enough money for a good lawyer and I can show I have a safe home, I can get custody of him again. So he and I can be a family.

Buck Meltsner: But the way you acquired the money was illegal.

Dirk Beggs: For a good purpose. Think, Buck. These people want to do good with their money. What's better than bringing a father and son back together again?

Buck Meltsner: Because you're lying about it.

Dirk Beggs: It's what I have to do to get my son. You of all people know the significance of a father. Skint told me about the hoops you jumped through to find out about your own father. It was important to you, right?

Buck Meltsner: Yeah.

Dirk Beggs: And now you have a good dad. Hasn't that been life-changing? Those Meltsner people adopting you. Don't you want Chase to have a family of his own too?

Chase: Did you see that one, Dad?

Dirk Beggs: That was amazing! Just do the right thing, Buck. Do it for Chase.

Buck Meltsner: Oh, Jules.

Jules Kendall: Sounds familiar, right?

Buck Meltsner: It was just like when I heard Eugene reported his car stolen by my biological dad.

Jules Kendall: You were really angry at him.

Buck Meltsner: Furious. But this was worse. Eugene had no idea who my dad was. If I reported what Dirk was doing, I'd knowingly be blowing the whistle on Chase's father, a father he loves.

Dirk Beggs: Come in! Buck! We need to talk. Hey, I just got off the phone with my lawyer. He thinks I have a good shot of getting custody of Chase. You're not going to say anything, right?

Buck Meltsner: I need your help with something before I answer that.

Dirk Beggs: Name it.

Buck Meltsner: Do you know where Mr. Skint kept the key to his storage unit?

Dirk Beggs: All his scam stuff? I might. But before I divulge that information, I'll need some assurance that you... Oh man, they're early. Buck, you didn't.

Police Officer: Police! Open up!

Dirk Beggs: What were you thinking? Why would you do this?

Police Officer: Dirk Beggs, you're under arrest. Place your hands on your head.

Dirk Beggs: How could you do this to Chase? I thought you cared about him!

Buck Meltsner: Then the police detective explained to the residents that they'll try to get their money back. Everyone was pretty shaken up by it, but overall they seemed grateful the guy got caught. Jason said they have plenty of evidence against him. He'll be in prison for a while.

Jules Kendall: Good.

Buck Meltsner: Listen, I'm sorry for ruining the whole DBB thing. I know how much you enjoyed working at the nursing home. I feel really bad I wrecked it for you.

Jules Kendall: Why would it wreck that? I'm still going to volunteer there.

Buck Meltsner: You are?

Jules Kendall: Why wouldn't I? We've really connected with the residents, and the activity director says turnout has tripled. And I never would have struck up a friendship with Mrs. Clementine if I wasn't volunteering. Good came out of it. Good will continue.

Buck Meltsner: I just wondered if everyone would feel tricked and quit.

Jules Kendall: Buck, there will always be people that twist the good and take advantage of the kind-heartedness of others, but we can't give up on believing in the good in people. That would be like giving up on church because you ran into a few hypocrites.

Buck Meltsner: And there it is.

Jules Kendall: It's like judging the Grand Canyon on someone's trash they left on a picnic table. There will always be some ugly, even in the most beautiful stuff. And helping people in God's name is a really, really beautiful thing. You have to see the whole picture and not focus just on the bad.

Buck Meltsner: Yeah, the whole picture.

Jules Kendall: When you only see what's right in front of you, you miss what's all around you.

Buck Meltsner: Lexi, that's it!

Jules Kendall: What?

Buck Meltsner: That's where the key is!

Buck Meltsner: Hey Jason, are you at the sign?

Jason Whittaker: I got here a few minutes ago.

Buck Meltsner: And?

Jason Whittaker: You were right. I found the key. It was buried right next to your mom's headstone. But how'd you know?

Buck Meltsner: It had crossed my mind earlier that some of the letters in Mr. Skint's message had gotten wiped off in the chaos of him trying to escape. Then it struck me this morning that maybe letters on both sides had gotten erased.

Jason Whittaker: "Other raves" actually being "Mother's gravesite." The number of the storage unit is on the key itself. It's Harlonville Storage, unit 204.

Buck Meltsner: Would you mind?

Jason Whittaker: Already on my way. I'll video call you when I get there.

Buck Meltsner: Thanks, Jason. The ring I'm looking for should be in a blue jewelry box. It has a red stone.

Jason Whittaker: Let's hope it's still there.

Buck Meltsner: Hey Chase. I thought I'd come by and see...

Chase: I can't believe you did it. You talked to your dad? How could you, of all people, take my dad away from me? He said he's probably going to prison now. He said it was your fault.

Buck Meltsner: No, it wasn't my fault.

Chase: I don't care what you have to say! I never want to talk to you again! Ever!

Buck Meltsner: Hey Jason.

Jason Whittaker: Is this a good time?

Buck Meltsner: It's fine. I just pulled up to the batting cages.

Jason Whittaker: I video called you because I want you to see this.

Buck Meltsner: The storage unit. Wow. There's a lot more stuff in there than I remember.

Jason Whittaker: I found a box of costume jewelry. Is this the ring you're looking for?

Buck Meltsner: Yes, that's it! Thank you for looking for it.

Jason Whittaker: Well, I'll be honest, Buck. This ring doesn't appear to have much value.

Buck Meltsner: Sometimes Mr. Skint survived on wishful thinking.

Jason Whittaker: Ah, the futility of acquiring stuff here on earth.

Buck Meltsner: Did my parents put you up to saying that?

Jason Whittaker: Your parents? No. Why? What did I say?

Buck Meltsner: It just seems like everyone keeps bringing up God and Bible verses lately. It just feels intentional.

Jason Whittaker: Maybe it's not everyone around you being intentional. Maybe it's the Holy Spirit.

Buck Meltsner: Why would the Holy Spirit care about me?

Jason Whittaker: Don't ask me. Ask him. I'm going to hit some baseballs. Listen, Buck. I know these discussions about faith might feel uncomfortable for you, but people bring it up because they care about you.

Jason Whittaker: Watch out! Buck! Talk to me.

Buck Meltsner: I know who I am. I know who I am. I know who I am.

Jason Whittaker: A ball went right through a hole in the net. It hit your head really hard. Are you all right?

Buck Meltsner: Yes. I'm really good.

Buck Meltsner: Mom! Dad!

Eugene Meltsner: Buck, you're back already? Were the batting cages closed?

Buck Meltsner: No, I just needed to talk to you.

Katrina Meltsner: About what?

Buck Meltsner: I've been running.

Eugene Meltsner: For cardiovascular health?

Buck Meltsner: No, from God, I think.

Katrina Meltsner: So what made you realize that?

Buck Meltsner: A baseball. I need to become a Christian.

Eugene Meltsner: What? Can you say that again?

Buck Meltsner: I need to become a Christian. It just hit me. Literally. God's been showing me who I am and how he feels about me the whole time I've been in Odyssey. He loves me, he forgives me, and he wants to adopt me into his family, like you guys did.

Eugene Meltsner: Indeed. That's precisely what God wants to do.

Katrina Meltsner: Am I dreaming?

Eugene Meltsner: Unlikely, as that would require me to be having a similar hallucinatory fantasy.

Buck Meltsner: No, everything's clear. Whatever everyone's been saying, the verses I've heard, it's all come together. Like father, like son. It's like everything you've been telling me about forgiveness and God being a good father and how he loves me despite all my mistakes. I understand it now. So, I'm ready. I'm ready to trust Jesus.

Katrina Meltsner: Oh, praise God!

Eugene Meltsner: Or in biblical vernacular, hallelujah!

Buck Meltsner: So, is there like an instruction manual I need to follow?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, the Bible. And it says that if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you'll be saved.

Katrina Meltsner: It starts with a prayer and continues the rest of your life.

Buck Meltsner: I'm not sure how I feel about me talking to God. I mean, he's God.

Katrina Meltsner: He's also your father. Talk to him like you would your father.

Eugene Meltsner: A father who loves you more than you could ever imagine and has been running after you even faster than you've been running from him.

Buck Meltsner: Okay. Yeah. Should I kneel or what?

Katrina Meltsner: If you'd like.

Eugene Meltsner: We all should. Indeed.

Buck Meltsner: All right, here goes. Hey God, it's Buck. I've messed up a lot and I just want to say I'm sorry for all of it and to ask you to forgive me.

Buck Meltsner: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I know, Jules, I know. We weren't falling for it.

Jules Kendall: No, you. You can't have become a Christian.

Buck Meltsner: When I heard about your accident, I knew I had to talk to you. God protected you, Jules. He's the reason you're here.

Jules Kendall: You don't have to tell me, Buck.

Buck Meltsner: But I do. Now that I know Jesus...

Jules Kendall: Stop, you don't have to tell me, because I already believe.

Buck Meltsner: What?

Jules Kendall: I became a Christian too!

Buck Meltsner: No way!

Jules Kendall: Yes, for real!

Buck Meltsner: When?

Jules Kendall: That night of the accident, huddled on the side of the cliff.

Buck Meltsner: You always were one for drama.

Jules Kendall: But I thought you'd be mad at me if you found out.

Buck Meltsner: I thought you'd try to talk me out of it.

Jules Kendall: I thought you'd never want to see me again.

Buck Meltsner: This is crazy. You're a Christian! Is this why you're back in town, to let everyone know?

Jules Kendall: It's one of the reasons. I also came back because I wanted Pastor Knox to baptize me this Sunday, actually.

Buck Meltsner: No way! I'm getting baptized on Sunday! Stop it!

Jules Kendall: Wait, I'm confused. Earlier today you didn't want to meet at that restaurant because the church crowd wasn't your thing.

Buck Meltsner: No, the crowd wasn't my thing. There were too many people in there.

Jules Kendall: Well, you could have been a little more clear on that. I mean, I am the person who prayed you into becoming a Christian. You're welcome, by the way.

Buck Meltsner: What? I prayed you into it. I became a believer first.

Jules Kendall: There is no way. I gave my life to Jesus two weeks ago.

Buck Meltsner: Yes, exactly.

Jules Kendall: Okay, two weeks and how many hours?

Chris: Sometimes the inspiration to accept Jesus comes slowly. Other times it just hits us like a fastball. Either way, the Bible says we should expect that decision to leave a mark on our hearts. Buck has had a hard time trusting others, but he has learned to trust some friends, his parents, and now his savior. I'm excited to see what his future brings, now that he'll have guidance from the Holy Spirit and the most trustworthy father we could ever ask for. Welcome to the family, Buck Meltsner.

Chris: Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Value of a Buck, Part 2, was written and directed by Kathy Buchanan, with sound design by Luke DeNooyer, and music by John Campbell. Our executive producer was Dave Arnold. Our cast included: Brenley Brown, Robbie Bruce, Zander Chinn, Lenny Citrano, Townsend Coleman, Shona Rodman, Will Ryan, and Audrey Wasilewski. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.