The Re-opening of Helen’s Heart

Helen J. Lake

*TV clicks on*

N: Hello and welcome once again to HJNews at 11. I’m Nosey Newscaster. *pause* Tonight’s top story focuses once again on Helen’s Heart. We spoke of this amazing structure nearly three months ago. At that time, an unwitting saboteur had caused extensive damage to the structure.

*short clip from previous story plays, showing building with crumbling walls and surrounded by workmen*

N: We are joined once again by our own Roving Reporter, on the scene. Roving?

R: Thank you, Nosey. It seems unlikely to many in this neighborhood, but the doors to Helen’s Heart are being opened once more. The Romance Wing has been rebuilt and reinforced to form what you see before us.

*camera slowly pans over building*

The once dilapidated building now gleams brightly in the sunlight. Stained-glass windows depict the earlier stages of this building, including the near-destruction at the end of April.

*clip of panning shot inside building plays*

Inside, plush extravagant carpets and furniture ensure that any guests will feel welcome and at ease. In fact, earlier this week, one guest was allowed to enter. He is—

OC: Excuse me! Excuse me, Newsman!

R: (attempts to ignore hollering bystander) As I was saying, this guest—

OC: Hey! Hey! I got news about that guest! He ain’t no good!

R: (grinds teeth a moment, then turns bright and fake smile on the interrupting man) Yes, sir. You say you know something of this new guest?

OC: (makes sound of derision) He’s a no good baddie, he is.

R: (eyes narrow) Could you tell us your name, sir?

OC: Outraged. Outraged Citizen, yup.

R: Of course. (obviously fights to cover his near eye-roll) And what information do you have on the…disreputable character of this guest?

OC: (scratches chin) The what-huh-what?

R: (clenched teeth) The bad guy. What do you know?

OC: Ooooooh. Shoooot. He’s not a new guest there, tha’s all!

R: (blank stare) I beg your pardon?

OC: (gives Roving strange look) Not too bright, eh? S’a’right. Look, the so-called new guest, he ain’t new. He’s been there before. I done checked into things and I found out he’s the guy who wrecked the place back in th’ day!

R: (blinks as what has been said sinks in) He…are you telling me, sir, that this guest is actually the man who caused such destruction to the wing?

OC: Tha’s what I done did said!

R: (brain spasms at this statement, attempts to recover) Thank you, Mr. Citizen. (walks away quickly, heading for the ribbon-cutting ceremony being set up in front of the Romance wing) As you can see, certain precautions have been taken. Security has been beefed up, as it were. These are the volunteers who have no qualms with physically protecting Helen’s Heart from any further damage.

*scenes of friends and family of Helen’s Heart, all wielding baseball bats shows*

Mr. God Almighty is standing by to cut the ribbon.

G: Welcome, friends! Welcome to the grand re-opening of Helen’s Heart! (pauses as crowd cheers) It’s taken three months to fully repair the damages done, but I think you will agree; it’s been well worth the wait! (more cheers) I would like to take a moment to thank those most instrumental in this great work: The Two Sisters and their tools of Love and Kindness; Faith, our foundation and cornerstone; and of course, Hope, the one who saw us through to the end. (big grin) Or should I say: the new beginning? (raises hands above head) And now, everyone… (claps hands with a clap of thunder, ribbon falls into pieces and vanishes) Let’s go inside and take a look around!

R: (to camera) I’m going to try for an exclusive with God. Quickly! (half-runs to God’s side, who merely glances down at him and continues to walk slowly) Mr. Almighty, may we have a word with you?

G: (smiles and pauses) I already know what you would like to ask, but for the sake of your audience, I will allow you to ask it.

R: (swallows) Mr. Almighty—

G: God, please. (another smile)

R: God, sir. We have heard that this first guest in the newly opened Romance Wing is, in fact, the very instigator of the initial damage. How do you explain his presence here at this time?

G: (sighs gently, gazing at Roving with an expression of divine patience) Roving, have you never visited any of the other wings in Helen’s Heart?

R: (hesitates) I…no, sir, I have not.

G: (nods sagely) Then you have not seen the wondrous abilities of the Forgiveness Wing. The facilities there are one of the finest, and the guest list is among the smaller. However, it is not an exclusive membership; it is one offered freely to those with the proper attitude and expression of remorse. This guest of which you speak, Roving, is a guest not only of the Romance Wing, but also of the Forgiveness. He is among the VIP, with some restrictions.

R: (eyes suddenly refocus from an amazed daze) Restrictions? On a VIP guest?

G: (head bows in an expression of sorrow) He is very aware of the damage and hurt he caused and so he is not surprised to find himself under constant scrutiny. Forgiveness has acted on his behalf, but that does not mean that he may come and go as he pleases. For now, he is an honored guest, and will remain one. (glances around) If you will excuse me, I must tend to my guests.

R: (stares after him for a moment, then turns to camera as if just remembering it) That was Mr. God Almighty, one of the key instruments behind Helen’s Heart. Back to you, Nosey.

N: (also appearing stunned) Thank you, Roving. A strange turn of events, to say the least. (shuffles papers and glances down, then up with a smile) Up next, Happiness and Hope reunite for old time’s sake! (blinks) The same Hope?

*TV goes dark*