Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. I'm glad you could join us for Adventures in Odyssey, a place of discovery, imagination, and excitement. But don't take my word for it. Find out for yourself on today's Adventure in Odyssey.

Guest (Male): So, Holly, have you ever been to Bolivia?

Guest (Female): I will never leave you.

Guest (Female): You like me! You really like me!

Guest (Male): Lieutenant Mitchell is a fake!

Guest (Male): Do you know anything about this?

Guest (Female): Isn't that a soap opera?

Guest (Female): This is so cool!

Erica: Excuse me. You're the new Mr. Whittaker, aren't you?

Jason Whittaker: The new Mr. Whittaker? Well, I guess you could say that. I'm Whit's son, Jason.

Erica: I'm Erica. It's nice to meet you.

Jason Whittaker: My pleasure.

Erica: Could you tell me what time it is?

Jason Whittaker: It's 2:41.

Erica: Oh. How do you know? You didn't even look at your watch.

Jason Whittaker: Didn't need to. You asked Connie what time it was exactly two minutes ago, and you asked Eugene two minutes before that. Are you waiting for somebody?

Erica: Sort of. Holly and Derek are supposed to fall in love today.

Jason Whittaker: Holly and Derek? Have I met them?

Erica: I don't know. Do you ever watch Medical Center of Love? It starts at three. I never miss it.

Jason Whittaker: Isn't that a soap opera?

Erica: Uh-huh.

Jason Whittaker: And you actually watch it every day?

Erica: Every day I can. It's great.

Jason Whittaker: And your parents don't mind?

Erica: They don't come home from work until later.

Jason Whittaker: Oh, I get it. So they don't know you watch soap operas.

Erica: Well, the subject never came up. What's wrong? Don't you like them?

Jason Whittaker: Soap operas? No, not really.

Erica: Why not? They're fun! There's action and romance and mystery. And lots of cute boys. And then there's Holly. Holly is great. She's an actress who has this huge, gorgeous house, and every day she takes morning swims in her Olympic-sized pool. Adults get to do such neat things.

Jason Whittaker: You mean adults on soap operas. Erica, you realize, I hope, that nobody lives like that. It's not real.

Erica: It's a lot more realistic than you think. Like Holly and Derek. They've been in love for about three months now, but they would never admit it to each other. And they came so close so many times.

Like on the cruise to Jamaica when the wall collapsed and they ended up stuck in the galley together for four hours. It's almost exactly the way it happened with me and Joey Calloway.

Jason Whittaker: Huh?

Erica: Well, if you change Jamaica to the lunchroom.

Jason Whittaker: Look, Erica, that's not what I mean. Soap operas are morally bankrupt.

Erica: Bankrupt? Everybody's got lots of money.

Jason Whittaker: No, I don't mean that. They're just bad. The characters do bad things and maybe you should just talk to your parents about it.

Erica: What's the big deal? It's just a television show.

Jason Whittaker: Yeah, but it's a television show that fills your brain with all kinds of...

Erica: Oh no! What time is it?

Jason Whittaker: 2:46. Look, Erica, I think...

Erica: I'm sorry, Mr. Whittaker, I've got to go.

Jason Whittaker: Wait, Erica, hold on. Would you do something for me? Come by here tomorrow. I'd like to try a little experiment.

Erica: What?

Jason Whittaker: Just a little something I'd like to program in the Room of Consequence. You know what that is?

Erica: Yeah, I've been there before. Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.

Jason Whittaker: All right. Tomorrow. I guess I'd better get to work.

Guest (Male): Forever high, don't medicate. Check into the Medical Center of Love.

Erica: Kim! Hey, you got it on?

Kim: Yeah, I just made it. Ashley stopped me in the street and wanted to talk. Yeah, you know how Ashley is. Oh wait, it's on.

Holly: It's no use. I might as well leave and get away from all of this. Derek will never love me.

Kim: No! Not again! Derek loves you. He just doesn't communicate it very well.

Holly: Victoria, get me my travel agent. I want a one-way ticket to Alaska.

Kim: Alaska?

Derek: Hang up that phone, Holly.

Holly: Derek! What are you doing here? I thought you were in the hospital.

Derek: I ignored doctor's orders, ripped out my own IV, and jogged two miles to say this to you. Holly, I love you.

Kim: He loves you!

Holly: You love me?

Derek: I love you.

Holly: Oh, Derek! But what about Haley?

Derek: Haley? I never loved her.

Holly: Oh, Derek! Wait a minute. What about Alexandra?

Derek: Alexandra means nothing to me.

Holly: Oh, Derek! Oh yeah, and Lillian. What about her?

Kim: Oh no, she mentioned Lillian!

Derek: We're just friends. Besides, she moved to San Francisco. Too long of a commute.

Holly: Oh, Derek! You're so practical.

Kim: Phew, that was a close one.

Holly: Victoria! Victoria, cancel those reservations. I'm staying right here. Oh, that was just perfect.

Erica: Now before I go in, Mr. Whittaker...

Jason Whittaker: Just call me Mr. Whittaker.

Erica: Okay, Mr. Whittaker. But I need to get home soon. I don't want to miss Medical Center of Love.

Jason Whittaker: Hey, Erica, let me ask you this. Would you rather go home and watch your soap opera, or stay here and live your soap opera?

Erica: What?

Jason Whittaker: Well, I figured out a way to program the Room of Consequence so you can actually be in your soap opera. You see, we hooked the computer up to the... well, never mind the explanation. Here, get in and you'll be a part of today's episode.

Erica: You're kidding me!

Jason Whittaker: No.

Erica: I can't believe this! I can actually be someone in Medical Center of Love.

Jason Whittaker: You can be anybody you want.

Erica: I want to be Holly.

Jason Whittaker: Okay, here we go. You are Holly.

Erica: This is incredible. Can I get in now?

Jason Whittaker: Sure. For the next hour, you are Holly the actress.

Erica: Wow, how do I start it?

Jason Whittaker: Just get in and you'll see.

Erica: It's dark in here. Mr. Whittaker, could you turn on some lights? Ow! Too bright. I think you turned on too many. Hey, this is Holly's house! Wow, it's just like TV. The weird paintings, the antique China, the Olympic-sized pool in the back. Wait a minute. If I'm Holly, I can take a swim! This is so cool!

Derek: Holly!

Erica: Where? I mean... Derek!

Derek: I need to ask you something.

Erica: You're real. You're right here in front of me.

Derek: I know. I said I would see you tonight, but I wanted to ask you if you would have dinner with me after the award ceremony. I want to celebrate.

Erica: Celebrate what?

Derek: I got the job.

Erica: Job?

Derek: The secret government job. I'm an undercover agent.

Erica: Wow, that's cool!

Derek: Yeah, except for one thing. I have to move to Bolivia for three years.

Erica: Three years?

Derek: Yeah, three, maybe three and a half. And I can't come back at all during that time for security reasons.

Erica: You can't come back at all?

Derek: Now, don't you worry. This won't split us apart. I won't let it. A little thing like five thousand miles can't separate us. Besides, we don't have to let this be the end. Bolivia sounds like a great place to start a family. Don't you agree?

Erica: You mean...

Derek: Look, I've got to go tell my parents the big news. I'll meet you at the Oscars, okay?

Erica: The Oscars?

Guest (Male): And the Academy Award for Best Actress in a motion picture goes to... The envelopes are made out of recycled paper, by the way. And the winner is... surprise, surprise, Holly Donahue!

Erica: Thank you! Thank you! I can't believe this! This is great. You like me! You really like me! I never would have dreamed that I would win six awards tonight, including Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Key Grip, and Best Costumes for a foreign documentary. I didn't even know I did all that stuff. I'm going to need a box for these. Does anybody have an extra...?

Victoria: Excuse me, I'm sorry, Holly. I've just received some news from backstage. Apparently, evidence has been discovered that someone has rigged these awards.

Erica: Somebody rigged the awards? Who would do something like that?

Victoria: You did it, darling.

Erica: What?

Victoria: You don't remember? You rigged it so you would win every award tonight.

Erica: I wouldn't do a thing like that!

Victoria: Holly, darling, I'm your best friend. I wouldn't lie to you. It was only a couple of weeks ago. I think you're going through one of your amnesia spells again.

Erica: I don't get it. Holly's wonderful. She could have won all those awards with her eyes closed and her hands tied behind her back. Why would she cheat? She... I mean, me. Why would I do that?

Victoria: It's called saving your career, darling. Everybody does it anyway.

Guest (Male): Yes!

Trevor: It's Trevor. It's your brother. You want to talk to him?

Erica: Yeah, let him in. Trevor! I can't believe this. Victoria tells me I'm the one who rigged the awards.

Trevor: What?

Erica: I don't remember doing it, but I guess I did.

Trevor: Who knows about this?

Victoria: Just the three of us.

Trevor: All right. Let's keep it to ourselves.

Guest (Male): Yes!

Lieutenant Mitchell: Lieutenant Mitchell, LAPD. I'd like a word with Miss Donahue.

Trevor: It's the police! Everybody act natural and let me do the talking. Come on in!

Lieutenant Mitchell: I'd like to speak to Miss Donahue, please.

Trevor: Miss Donahue? Who's that? There's nobody here by that name. And how dare you accuse her of rigging the awards?

Lieutenant Mitchell: I just need to ask some questions. Miss Donahue, do you know a Miss Elena Mayfield?

Erica: The name sounds familiar.

Lieutenant Mitchell: She's an actress, just like yourself. On January 4th of this year, she was struck with an illness that prevented her from auditioning for a role in a big-budget blockbuster movie. We now have evidence that would imply she was poisoned by someone. Do you know anything about this?

Erica: Poisoned? I can't believe it. Who would do such a thing?

Victoria: You did it, darling.

Erica: I did it?

Victoria: Yes, you poisoned Elena Mayfield.

Erica: But why?

Victoria: We were afraid she'd get the part in that blockbuster movie. You want some coffee?

Erica: I shouldn't have gotten up this morning.

Victoria: You may want to go back to bed.

Erica: Why?

Victoria: Somehow, it got out that you rigged the Oscars. It was in the paper today.

Erica: Oh no, how did they find out?

Victoria: Obviously a leak of some sort. Here's your coffee.

Erica: But only the three of us knew.

Victoria: As a result, your new movie had a terrible first weekend. From all indications, it looks like it'll lose upwards of $75 million.

Erica: $75 million?

Victoria: Oh, darling, it's going to be hard for you to get any work from now on. You'll be lucky if we can book you for birthday parties.

Erica: I can't believe this. Just what kind of a person is Holly? Or am I? I rigged the awards, poisoned somebody... I'm supposed to be successful and rich and popular and have friends. I'm supposed to be nice. And it's all going haywire. At least I have Derek.

Victoria: Yes, Derek.

Erica: I've decided to go to Bolivia with him. I don't have anything left here. Everybody hates me in America.

Victoria: You're going to Bolivia?

Erica: Yeah, I just know Derek's going to ask me to marry him at dinner tonight.

Victoria: He told you that?

Erica: Well, no. But he said he had a very important question to ask me. I can't wait to go to Bolivia. I hear it has some great beaches.

Lieutenant Mitchell: I'll get it. Wait! Don't open it. Ask who it is.

Erica: Yes? Who is it?

Lieutenant Mitchell: This is Lieutenant Mitchell, LAPD. May I come in, please?

Victoria: It's that same policeman.

Trevor: What do we do?

Victoria: We'd better let him in so he doesn't get suspicious.

Lieutenant Mitchell: Yes? Miss Donahue, I'm afraid you're under arrest.

Erica: Why?

Trevor: You can't take her! She did nothing wrong.

Lieutenant Mitchell: I'm sorry, but we found otherwise, and I'm ready to charge her.

Trevor: For what?

Lieutenant Mitchell: Tampering with the Oscar awards, poisoning Elena Mayfield, and embezzling a total of $3 million from your uncle's business.

Erica: Oh, did I really do that?

Victoria: You did it, darling.

Erica: I was afraid of that.

Lieutenant Mitchell: Would you come with me, please?

Erica: If I have to.

Lieutenant Mitchell: You have the right to remain silent.

Trevor: Holly! I'll come for you! Don't worry!

Victoria: Poor darling. I guess I should call her a lawyer.

Guest (Male): Come in!

Trevor: Trevor! I got here as fast as I could. Where's Holly?

Victoria: She just got arrested.

Trevor: Why? What's the matter?

Victoria: Arrested? By who?

Trevor: Lieutenant Mitchell from the Oscars.

Victoria: Oh no, oh no!

Erica: What's wrong?

Trevor: Lieutenant Mitchell is a fake! He isn't really a policeman.

Victoria: What?

Trevor: I'm going after her. She may be in danger!

Erica: This is the police station? It looks like an empty warehouse.

Lieutenant Mitchell: We're remodeling.

Erica: Why are you tying me to a chair?

Lieutenant Mitchell: You ask too many questions.

Erica: I was just wondering because I didn't think the police normally did this. I mean, I watch that one show, Precinct 12, and the police never really tie...

Lieutenant Mitchell: Look, I'm not a policeman, okay? Haven't you figured that out yet?

Erica: You're not a policeman?

Lieutenant Mitchell: No.

Erica: Then who are you?

Lieutenant Mitchell: Someone who's going to love to watch you finally get what you deserve for all the things you've done.

Erica: What have I done now? I'm losing track. Just read this. Wait, is that my diary?

Lieutenant Mitchell: Yes.

Erica: Big deal, so you have my diary.

Lieutenant Mitchell: Allow me to read an excerpt from this diary. July 24th: "Dear diary, today I took my clothes to the cleaners, bought a new toothbrush, and rigged the Oscars." July 25th: "Busy day. Poisoned Elena Mayfield, embezzled $3 million."

Erica: Oh yeah, I guess that is a big deal.

Lieutenant Mitchell: And now, my little friend, I'm going to do what so many people have wanted to do for so long. I'm going to get you back. Prepare to squirm, Holly Donahue.

Trevor: Not so fast!

Lieutenant Mitchell: What?

Erica: Trevor!

Trevor: Untie her, Lieutenant. Or should I say Mr. Elena Mayfield?

Lieutenant Mitchell: What are you talking about? I don't know any Mr. Elena Mayfield.

Trevor: Ha! Then explain this!

Lieutenant Mitchell: My diary! Where did you get that?

Trevor: Maybe Miss Donahue would be interested in hearing an excerpt. "Dear diary, today I was lying in a meadow and I saw a small fawn prancing along a babbling brook, and lo, I am that fawn."

Lieutenant Mitchell: Could you maybe skip over that part?

Trevor: Yeah, sure. All of this made me realize how very lucky I am to be Mr. Elena Mayfield. P.S. Tomorrow I think I'm going to pose as a policeman and kidnap Holly Donahue.

Erica: So you are a fake!

Trevor: That's right, Holly. And if this fake would be so kind as to untie you, I think we'll be moving on.

Derek: Not so fast!

Erica: Derek!

Derek: I'm here to rescue you, Holly.

Trevor: You're too late. I've already rescued her.

Derek: I don't think so, Trevor.

Erica: Derek, what are you talking about? Trevor's my brother.

Derek: That's what he'd like you to think. But have you ever wondered how this whole scandal got out to the press in the first place?

Erica: Well, no.

Derek: It's because your so-called brother sold your story to the press. As a matter of fact, he's been selling all your secrets for the past 11 years.

Erica: What?

Trevor: That's preposterous! You have no proof.

Derek: Oh, I don't, huh? Then what is this?

Trevor: My diary!

Derek: Why don't we read an excerpt? "Dear diary, I wish I could make a living leaking stories to the press. I really..."

Trevor: Okay, okay, we don't have to go through this! Fine, I did it! And I would have gotten away with it if you hadn't been so nosy.

Derek: Just looking after the ones I love, Trevor. Now if you would untie Holly...

Erica: Oh, Derek, you're so cool! We're still having dinner tonight, aren't we?

Derek: Pick you up at seven sharp. Ciao, baby.

Erica: Oh, Derek! Oh, this is such a cool restaurant, Derek.

Derek: A perfect restaurant for a perfect night. Would you like another glass of milk?

Erica: Yes, please.

Derek: Waiter, another glass of milk for the lady, please.

Guest (Male): Yes, sir.

Derek: And what's the expiration date on that milk?

Guest (Male): A week from Thursday, sir.

Derek: Ah, excellent. So, Holly, have you ever been to Bolivia?

Erica: No.

Derek: Do you ever think you would want to?

Erica: I would love to!

Derek: Are you doing anything for the next three years?

Erica: No.

Derek: What are your feelings about marriage?

Erica: I love marriage! Of course, I'd have to convince my parents to let me skip middle school.

Derek: If hypothetically speaking, someone leaving for Bolivia on a top-secret mission were to ask you to marry him, would you say yes?

Erica: In a second!

Derek: Holly, I have something to ask you.

Erica: Yes, Derek! Ask!

Derek: Holly, I wanted to ask you something but I'm not sure I'm ready.

Erica: Of course you're ready!

Derek: I'm afraid.

Erica: Of what?

Derek: Of secrets. Do you have any secrets, Holly? Because I can't stand it when people have secrets against me. I need to be in a relationship of trust.

Erica: I don't have any secrets. I'm in the seventh grade. What kind of secrets would I have?

Derek: Are you sure? No terrible things in your past?

Erica: No.

Derek: No criminal record?

Erica: No.

Derek: No hidden safes in your house containing an expensive diamond necklace?

Erica: What?

Derek: You do, don't you? You have a secret safe. Oh boy, this isn't going to work.

Erica: Wait! I don't care about the safe! We can't let that get in the way. You can have the combination.

Derek: Really? You would do that for me?

Erica: Sure.

Derek: This is incredible. This is one of the happiest moments of my life. Go ahead, let's get it out of the way. What's the combination?

Erica: It's 29 right, 14 left...

Derek: Hold on, hold on. 29 right, 14 left...

Erica: 22 right.

Derek: 22 right. Now this is the combination for the safe in your upstairs bedroom, right?

Erica: Right. Boy, I'm glad we got that out of the way. I feel much better. Boy, look at the time. I need to take off.

Erica: Take off?

Derek: Yeah, I've got to get up early for my flight tomorrow.

Erica: You're leaving?

Derek: Oh, sorry, almost forgot. Here's ten bucks. That should cover the meal. I'll let you get the tip. Hey, can you get a cab? I'm kind of in a rush.

Erica: Sure. But wait!

Derek: Yeah?

Erica: What was the important question you wanted to ask me?

Derek: Oh right, almost forgot. Would you take care of my dog while I'm in Bolivia?

Erica: Your dog?

Derek: Yeah. You're the best. See ya.

Erica: See ya. I can't believe this. First Trevor, now Derek. Everybody's betraying me. Did I tell you my necklace is gone? My diamond necklace? That's all he ever wanted me for!

Victoria: Darling, please.

Erica: I just want out of here! This whole thing is so ridiculous!

Victoria: Holly!

Erica: What?

Victoria: I want you to know something. I'm your friend, and I plan on sticking right here beside you no matter what happens. Through the good times and the bad, I will never, ever leave you.

Guest (Male): Open up! Police!

Victoria: I'm out of here!

Guest (Male): Miss Donahue, open up in the name of the law! See you on Hollywood, ta-ta!

Erica: Wait, Victoria! Don't go!

Guest (Male): Miss Donahue, you are under arrest for rigging the Oscars, poisoning Elena Mayfield, and embezzling $3 million.

Erica: No wait, that's it. That does it. I'm sick of this. I didn't do any of these things. I don't want to be Holly anymore. Do you hear me? I'm not Holly!

Guest (Male): What did you say? You're not Holly?

Erica: No, I'm Erica!

Guest (Male): Erica who?

Erica: Erica Clark!

Guest (Male): Erica Clark? Do we have an Erica Clark on this show? This is getting silly. What are you, a new character or something? Why don't the writers ever tell us about these things?

Okay, fine. All right, Erica Clark, you're under arrest for impersonating Holly! You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney...

Erica: I can't believe it! I want out of here! Mr. Whittaker... I mean, Mr. Whittaker! Mr. Whittaker, get me out of here!

Jason Whittaker: Welcome back, Erica. So, how'd you like it?

Erica: I didn't.

Jason Whittaker: Oh, really? The soap opera life didn't suit you, huh?

Erica: No, it was horrible. You couldn't trust anybody. Everybody just cared about themselves, and they were all so, so bad.

Jason Whittaker: Well, that's the way those shows are. They dress up a lot of beautiful people and make their lives look fun and exciting, but they're really just miserable folks lost in the consequences of sin.

No one's life is like that, Erica. So, about these soap operas...

Erica: Don't worry, I won't be watching them anymore.

Jason Whittaker: Good.

Erica: Oh, would you mind if I sent my friend Kim over here tomorrow? I think she needs to try this program out too.

Jason Whittaker: Sounds like a good idea to me. I'll be here.

Erica: Don't let her marry Derek, though, no matter how much she begs you. You can't trust that guy worth anything.

Jason Whittaker: I'll see that she doesn't.

Chris: Proverbs 17:24 says, "A person with understanding looks for wisdom, but a foolish person lets his mind wander everywhere." It's important to God that we don't fill our minds with bad thoughts.

What we watch on television or the movies or read in magazines can influence how we live. We shouldn't let our minds wander to things that might cause us to sin. Instead, we should let our minds focus on the things of God.

Well, that's all for today. If you ever want to write to us here at Odyssey, we'd love to hear from you. Our address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3.

And don't forget to ask how you can get a copy of today's episode. It's called "Soaplessly Devoted". Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "Soaplessly Devoted" was written by Marshall Younger and directed by Phil Lollar.

Our production engineer was Dave Arnold, and our executive producer was Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.