Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. We were getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and discovery. Care to join us? You never know what'll happen next when you have an adventure in Odyssey.

Van Scotty: This has been a World Series like no other. Good afternoon, everyone. If you joined us, I'm Van Scotty.

Bart Rossner: And I'm Bart Rossner. You're right, Van. It's been do-or-die for the Dodgers all the way down the line. That pattern is holding here in the last game, bottom of the ninth, two out.

Van Scotty: The boys in blue are down by three, but they're not out yet. The bases are loaded, and at bat is the world-famous slugger, Lawrence Hodges.

Bart Rossner: What a phenomenal game he's had, Van. Two home runs and a triple, plus that big double play in the sixth that kept the blue wrecking crew alive. How does he do it?

Van Scotty: Good question, Bart. Before the game, I talked with him, and here's what he had to say.

Lawrence: Well, Van, I think I'm going to do great today.

Van Scotty: Any special reason for this confidence?

Lawrence: My dad's going to be in the crowd today. Really. He's flying in to attend the game. I'd like to dedicate it to him, if that's all right.

Van Scotty: Go right ahead.

Lawrence: Dad, you've always been an inspiration to me. This one's for you.

Bart Rossner: He's quite a young man, Van.

Van Scotty: That he is, Bart. But I'm not sure even he can pull this one out.

Bart Rossner: We'll know soon enough. Looks like the conference out on the mound is over. I guess Corless has his pitch.

Van Scotty: The count is full, three balls and two strikes. Corless looks around as Hodges steps up to the plate. Here's the wind-up and the pitch.

Guest (Female): Lawrence! Can you get that, please?

Lawrence: Yeah, Mom, sure. Hello? Dad! Everything is set up for the game this afternoon. I'm saving you and Mom great spots right next to third base. You're not? Why? But you promised. Yeah, I understand. It's no big deal. Maybe next time. Okay. Bye.

Van Scotty: Here's the wind-up and the pitch. Hodges swings.

Guest (Male): Strike three! You're out!

Lawrence: This is Agent Lawrence Hodges, piloting the world's first experimental ultra-miniature microscopic mid-submarine. Calling command control. Command, command control.

Guest (Male): This is command control. We read you loud and clear, Hodges. The Hypo-jet stands by for blast-off.

Lawrence: All systems read go, command control. Starting countdown. Four, three, two, one, fire! Command control, this is Hodges. Launch successful.

Guest (Male): Excellent. Fire forward propellers.

Lawrence: Forward props fired. Proceeding at one-quarter impulse. Now would you mind telling me where I am?

Guest (Male): Affirmative. You're inside the left sinus of the President of the United States.

Lawrence: Great Scott! The President?

Guest (Male): That's right, Hodges. Terrorists have planted an atom-sized protein blaster in the Chief Executive. Your mission is to seek out and destroy this insidious weapon before it detonates and turns the innards of the leader of the free world into so much guava jelly.

We have you on the screen. You're passing out of the sinuses and into the throat. Your speed should be increasing.

Lawrence: It is! That was pretty rough, control, but the instruments show no damage.

Guest (Male): Good. You should be nearing the heart muscle.

Lawrence: Yes, I can hear it. Control, it's too loud! Too loud!

Guest (Male): Hodges, enable your exo-muffling system. Hodges, do you copy?

Lawrence: Exo-muffling system enabled! There. Muffling system enabled.

Guest (Male): Excellent, Hodges. Now navigate carefully through the heart muscle and out the aorta.

Lawrence: Proceeding at half impulse. Exiting the aorta.

Guest (Male): You're approaching the target. You should have a visual by now.

Lawrence: I don't see anything. Wait. Yes, there it is, floating on the tip of the President's lung.

Guest (Male): Destroy it!

Lawrence: Darrow guns have acquired target. Commencing fire in four seconds. Three, two, hey!

Guest (Male): What is it?

Lawrence: Complete systems failure! Sensors show a large mass surrounding your ship. I see it! It's slimy! What in the world is it?

Guest (Male): An anti-infection white cell. Use your electrical shock bumpers! Press the button, man! Press the button!

Lawrence: I'm pressing, I'm pressing! I'm coming, I'm coming! Good grief. Hi, Mr. Barkley.

George Barkley: Lawrence. Testing doorbells now?

Lawrence: No, sir. Is Jimmy around?

George Barkley: No, he isn't, but he should be back shortly. Is there something I can help you with?

Lawrence: You wouldn't want to play catch, would you?

George Barkley: Catch? I would, Lawrence, but I'm right in the middle of something.

Lawrence: I'll wait for Jimmy.

George Barkley: No, Lawrence. I know that sounded like a brush-off, but I really am in the middle of something. As a matter of fact, it's something you might be interested in. Come on in.

I teach the junior high class at my Sunday school. I was preparing my lesson for this Sunday, and I thought that maybe you'd want to help. It's about God and how He's our Heavenly Father. Do you know what that means?

Lawrence: It means that if God's anything like my dad, He's never around.

George Barkley: Listen, Lawrence, I think that maybe—

Jimmy Barkley: Dad! Dad!

George Barkley: In here, Jimmy.

Jimmy Barkley: There you are. Hi, Lawrence. Dad, they've finally set a date for the Father-Son Baseball Clinic!

George Barkley: That's great, Jimmy.

Jimmy Barkley: Can we still go?

George Barkley: When is it?

Jimmy Barkley: In two weeks.

George Barkley: Then you'd better get that application in right away.

Jimmy Barkley: Yeah. Wow!

Lawrence: Can I go?

Jimmy Barkley: Lawrence, this is a Father-Son clinic.

George Barkley: Yeah, Lawrence, you need to ask your dad.

Lawrence: Oh. Listen, Jimmy, do you want to play catch?

Jimmy Barkley: I would, Lawrence, but I kind of want to get this application filled out and turned in.

Lawrence: Okay. Sure. Later.

George Barkley: Did I miss something?

Lawrence: One more stitch, Igor, and the brain will be in place! Scissors!

Guest (Male): Yes, Master.

Lawrence: My creation is complete. Genius has made its mark. Behold, Dadden-stein!

Guest (Male): He's beautiful, Master. But are you sure the experiment will succeed?

Lawrence: It must succeed! Finally, I'll have someone to call my own, someone who will be there for me, who will go to the Father-Son Baseball Clinics and be interested in what I do. Check the electrometers.

Guest (Male): Ten zillion volts, Master!

Lawrence: It's time! Igor, throw the switch! Life! Do you hear me? Give my creation life! Is he—?

Guest (Male): Master! It's rising, coming toward us! And it doesn't look happy.

Lawrence: Nonsense. He's just a little distracted, that's all. Dadden-stein, it's me. Everything's going to be all right. Speak to me, my creation. Speak to me!

Rusty Malone: Hey, Lawrence, what gives?

Lawrence: Rusty! You scared me.

Rusty Malone: I scared you? Did you hear yourself? So this is Wonderworld, huh?

Lawrence: Yeah. What are you doing out here? I thought the Bones of Wrath didn't like Wonderworld.

Rusty Malone: We don't. But I heard some yelling, and I thought someone needed help. From what you were saying, I was right. That stuff about your dad being there for you. Fat chance, kiddo.

Lawrence: How would you know?

Rusty Malone: What keeps your dad away from you?

Lawrence: He's working.

Rusty Malone: Bingo. My dad's always working, too. You think he's got time for me? I know exactly how you feel.

Lawrence: You shouldn't listen to other people's conversations.

Rusty Malone: No skin off my nose. I just thought you might be interested in something that's better than a dad.

Lawrence: What?

Rusty Malone: Membership in the Bones of Wrath. It's the greatest. You've always got somebody by you, somebody who cares and who won't let you down.

Lawrence: Really?

Rusty Malone: Absolutely.

Lawrence: What would I have to do to join?

Rusty Malone: Why don't we go get a soda pop and talk about it?

Maureen Hodges: Lawrence, breakfast is almost ready.

Lawrence: Hiya, baby cakes.

Maureen Hodges: Lawrence, don't call me that.

Lawrence: Okay, tuts.

Maureen Hodges: Don't call me that either.

Lawrence: What should I call yous? How about Mom? Whatever. Hey, I thought you said breakfast was ready.

Maureen Hodges: I said it was almost ready. Give me a hand, and it will be.

Lawrence: A hand?

Maureen Hodges: You know, those things with fingers that hang down at the end of your arms? Put them to good use and set the table.

Lawrence: Set the table? All I do around here is work, work, work.

Maureen Hodges: What are you talking about?

Lawrence: I'm nothing but a slave! Do this, do that!

Maureen Hodges: Lawrence, sit. Now, I don't know what's come over you the past few days, but I want it to stop. Do you understand?

Lawrence: Come over me?

Maureen Hodges: Yes, and you know exactly what I mean. Your behavior has been terrible. You've been surly, ornery, and rude.

Lawrence: Four more and you'll have the seven dwarfs.

Maureen Hodges: That's what I'm talking about, that attitude! I want you to stop it, Lawrence, and I mean right now! No, I'll get it. You stay right there. I don't know what's gotten into him. George! Hello.

George Barkley: Hi, Maureen. I know it's early, but I wanted to stop by on the way to work.

Maureen Hodges: That's all right. Come on in. What can I do for you?

George Barkley: The other day Lawrence was over at the house, and—

Maureen Hodges: What did he do now?

George Barkley: Nothing! But Jimmy and I may have inadvertently done something to him. Jimmy and I have been planning to go to this Father-Son Baseball Clinic, and Lawrence heard us talking about it. He got pretty excited, and then Jimmy told him that he'd have to go ask his dad if he could go.

Maureen Hodges: No wonder he's been acting so strangely. My husband's work takes him away from home a lot, so Lawrence often doesn't have a man around. I know it bothers him, but I didn't realize how much until the past few days.

George Barkley: He talked to you about it?

Maureen Hodges: He hasn't said anything as such, but he's had a definite attitude change.

George Barkley: If it's all right with you, Jimmy and I would love to have Lawrence come with us.

Maureen Hodges: George, that's very kind, and it would mean so much to Lawrence.

George Barkley: Let's go tell him.

Maureen Hodges: Thanks. Lawrence! He's back here in the kitchen. Lawrence, Mr. Barkley has something he wants to tell you. Lawrence? Oh, Lawrence.

George Barkley: I take it he's not supposed to be gone?

Maureen Hodges: No. I think that attitude I told you about has finally gone too far.

Rusty Malone: Come on, Lawrence, the rest of the Bones are waiting. You hungry?

Lawrence: Yeah, a little.

Rusty Malone: No problem. Here you go, a nice apple. Come on.

Lawrence: Rusty, you picked this off that tree.

Rusty Malone: So?

Lawrence: The tree's in somebody's yard.

Rusty Malone: I know.

Lawrence: Don't you think you should have asked first?

Rusty Malone: Asked? Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence. The Bones of Wrath don't ask, we take. The world is our oyster, here for our enjoyment. You're part of an elite group now. You've got to act like it. That reminds me, I've got to come up with something special for your initiation.

Lawrence: Initiation?

Rusty Malone: Sure. Membership in the Bones of Wrath ain't free, or cheap. Our initiation has got to be equally special.

Jimmy Barkley: Lawrence! Hey, Lawrence!

Lawrence: Hi, Jimmy.

Rusty Malone: Well, well, well, if it isn't Jimmy Barkley.

Jimmy Barkley: Hi, Rusty.

Rusty Malone: What's the matter? Get lost from the goody-two-shoes brigade? What do you want?

Jimmy Barkley: I want to talk to Lawrence.

Rusty Malone: He's busy.

Jimmy Barkley: Why don't you let him tell me? Go ahead, Lawrence.

Lawrence: What do you want, Jimmy?

Jimmy Barkley: Well, I was wondering if you want to play catch.

Rusty Malone: Catch! Catch is for sissies!

Jimmy Barkley: Says who?

Rusty Malone: Says me!

Jimmy Barkley: I guess you'd know better than anyone, wouldn't you?

Rusty Malone: You calling me a sissy?

Jimmy Barkley: If the dress fits.

Rusty Malone: Come on, Barkley, right here, you and me!

Jimmy Barkley: All right, right now!

Lawrence: Wait, wait! Rusty, let me talk to him. It'll take a sec.

Rusty Malone: All right, but make it quick.

Jimmy Barkley: Lawrence, what are you doing hanging out with this guy?

Lawrence: I'm part of the Bones of Wrath now.

Jimmy Barkley: What? Lawrence, that's dumb.

Lawrence: Right. See ya.

Jimmy Barkley: No, wait. I didn't mean you're dumb. Lawrence, why are you doing this?

Lawrence: Because the Bones care about me, that's why.

Jimmy Barkley: No, they don't. All they care about is themselves.

Lawrence: Look, Jimmy, I don't have to explain anything to you. If all you want is to put down my friends, then—

Jimmy Barkley: No, I'm here to tell you that my dad and I want you to come to the baseball clinic with us.

Lawrence: Really?

Jimmy Barkley: If you want to go.

Lawrence: Jimmy, that'd be— Rusty, did you hear that? The Barkleys want to take me to the baseball clinic.

Rusty Malone: Ain't that nice. I'm sure you'll have a real good time. Only what's going to happen when you get back? You think the Bones of Wrath are going to wait around while you play with the Barkleys? You've got to choose, Lawrence. With me and the Bones, you've got a family. You think the Barkleys can give you that?

Jimmy Barkley: Rusty—

Rusty Malone: No, you tell him, Jimmy. Tell him how you're going to give him a room in your house and be his big brother and your dad's going to be his pop. Tell him!

Jimmy Barkley: What are you talking about? You know I can't make promises like that.

Lawrence: You can't?

Rusty Malone: No, he can't. So if you want a weekend, Lawrence, go with him. But if you want more, see you around, Jimmy.

Lawrence: Just leave me alone.

Rusty Malone: You heard him, punk. Offer still stands, Lawrence.

Jimmy Barkley: Bye, Jimmy.

Rusty Malone: You made the right choice. We're your family now. I think I know how you can show your devotion to us.

Guest (Male): All right, Captain Hodges, you understand the mission?

Lawrence: Yes, sir, Colonel Malone. Fly a strafing run over the enemy position and destroy their munitions factories.

Guest (Male): Right. Now intelligence shows that the factories have been disguised to look like flower pots.

Lawrence: Flower pots?

Guest (Male): Affirmative. Remember, Captain Hodges, this one is for the Bones of Wrath. Good luck.

Lawrence: Yes, sir! Heading on course. Approaching targets. Firing cannons! Yeah, got that one! Oh, yeah, that one's gone! Targets acquired and destroyed. Changing course to return to base. Running through anti-aircraft flak! Trying to clear it! I'm hit! Enemy aircraft approaching on collision course!

Jimmy Barkley: Lawrence! Lawrence!

Lawrence: Jimmy? Mr. Barkley? What are you doing here?

George Barkley: This is my front lawn, Lawrence. What are you doing here?

Lawrence: Huh?

George Barkley: You broke all of our flower pots, Lawrence. This little stunt has the Bones of Wrath written all over it.

Jimmy Barkley: Makes sense. Lawrence was with Rusty Malone this afternoon. What are you going to do, Dad?

George Barkley: I don't know. Listen, do me a favor and sweep off the front porch a little way.

Maureen Hodges: You destroyed somebody else's property, Lawrence! It's called vandalism! It's a crime! You could be arrested and put in jail for this if the Barkleys weren't such nice people! I'm horrified, Lawrence, simply horrified! Why would you do such a thing? Can you answer me that? Why?

Lawrence: I did it because Rusty told me to.

Maureen Hodges: That's it? No other reason?

Lawrence: No. I don't know why else I did it.

Maureen Hodges: Well, let me tell you something, young man. You are going to work to pay for each and every pot you broke. Maybe that will give you time to think about why you did it. George. I'm so sorry for all this.

George Barkley: It's all right. Listen, would you mind if I talked to Lawrence for a minute?

Maureen Hodges: Not at all. If you want to yell at him, go right ahead.

George Barkley: I'm not going to yell.

Lawrence: It's okay, really.

George Barkley: Thanks, Lawrence. Look, what you did today was wrong. But I think I know why you did it. When I was a kid, my dad wasn't around very much either. It's tough, isn't it? Your dad being away all the time.

Lawrence: Maybe.

George Barkley: I don't know your dad, Lawrence, but I'm sure he only wants the best for you. That's why he works so hard.

Lawrence: I know.

George Barkley: No, I don't think you do. If you ever need someone, for anything, I want you to know that you can always come over here to us, okay? We'll be here for you as much as we can.

Lawrence: Really?

George Barkley: Absolutely.

Lawrence: Does this mean you want to still take me to the baseball clinic?

George Barkley: Sure. I mean, if it's okay with your mom.

Maureen Hodges: Well, we'll see, okay.

Lawrence: Do I still have to pay for the broken flower pots?

Maureen Hodges: Definitely!

Lawrence: Just asking.

Van Scotty: This has been a World Series like no other. Bottom of the ninth, two outs. The Dodgers are down by three, the bases are loaded, the count is full, and at bat is Lawrence Hodges. He's had a phenomenal game, one that he's dedicated to his good friend, George Barkley. Here's the wind-up and the pitch. It's a long fly ball, way back to the wall! It's gone! Home run! The Dodgers win the pennant, folks! The Dodgers win the pennant!

Chris: One day, maybe Lawrence's dad will be able to spend more time at home with him. But until that happens, it's nice that George and Jimmy and the other Barkleys will be there for him to help him when he gets into trouble and to show him what the love of God, the perfect Father, is all about.

That's all for today, except to say that if you want to write to me for any reason, the address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. In Canada, the address is Odyssey, Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3.

And don't forget to ask about how you can get a copy of today's program called Our Father. The address once again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Our Father was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.

Hi, this is Chris.

Guest (Male): And this is Harlow.

Chris: We always love hearing what you think of our show.

Guest (Male): Yep. In fact, sometimes we might walk up to you and ask, "So, what do you think of the show?"

Guest (Female): We have really enjoyed Odyssey for many years. Oftentimes we will spend family nights sitting around listening to Odysseys and working a puzzle or whatever.

Guest (Male): It's part of our ritual Saturday mornings. We make pancakes and we listen to Odyssey and we laugh about the stories.

Guest (Female): I started to listen to Odyssey when I was four.

Guest (Male): I've been listening to Odyssey for seven years. I started listening when I was eight, and I've continued listening until I am now 15.

Guest (Female): My 19-year-old loves Odyssey.

Guest (Female): I grew up on Odyssey, and my family took a lot of trips and we would listen to the tapes all the way. That was probably one of the highlights of the trip.

Guest (Female): We have five boys. Ever since the oldest, who is now 19 and in college, has been little, we've traveled with Odyssey. It's always been instead of "how many more miles, Mom," it's "how many more Odyssey tapes, Mom or Dad, until we get there?"

Guest (Male): Love to have two or three Odysseys in the car all the time.

Guest (Female): As a parent, it makes me feel that I could use any moment in the car as a time to teach my children.

Guest (Male): Sometimes I've actually referred back to an Odyssey episode and said, "Well, what did Whit say about that?" or "How was the situation handled? And do you think it was a good way to handle it?" So it has promoted some discussion along those lines.

Guest (Female): Underground Railroad. Many interesting discussions out of that one and what was the whole Civil War about? Was it really slavery? Was it states' rights? How did this affect the individual families? How would we react if we were in their shoes at that time? So many of those types of discussions have been generated.

Guest (Female): I listen to Odyssey every night when I go to sleep.

Guest (Female): We listen to Adventures in Odyssey because my daughter has trouble going to sleep at night, and she enjoys listening to the stories. It helps settle her down and gives her something to concentrate on.

Guest (Female): There was this one tape, and I used to be afraid and I'd wake up in the middle of the night and go into my mom and dad's room. Then it taught me about not being afraid, and that's why I like it.

Guest (Male): My family's used Odyssey tapes and CDs so much the kids can quote them back to me.

Guest (Female): I really like Odyssey, and I've memorized lots of the shows.

Guest (Male): They're learning, even though they may not realize they're learning, great moral lessons and things that they can apply in their everyday lives.

Guest (Male): Best radio drama ever made.

Chris: We appreciate your comments. Keep those cards and letters coming in.