The commenter was back, "All right I hope you're all enjoying yourselves, we won't keep you much longer."
We just got here was all Zora could think!
He went on, "Here's some exciting news taking place around the church and just to let you know we'll be having a guest speaker today, but don't worry I'm sure you'll still get out early enough to beat the Baptist's to the restaurants first!"
People laughed.
They actually laughed!
Was this what church had become on Sunday morning in America?
If this church was to judge by then apparently so.
The church news bulletins flashed by as they were projected onto the wall above the stage area.
Zora actually heard one man comment to his buddy that he'd like to just stay at church and watch the game projected onto the big screen instead of watching the football game at home on his smaller screen.
The news bulletins were over and there was a lull that stretched out a little longer than was usual and people started looking at each other half smiling and half alarmed. They weren't use to such an un-choreographed program when they came to church. Usually one segment flowed right into the next until it was over and it was time to go to lunch.
The silence got even more awkward as a few nervous laughs sounded out here and there and then Elon stood up. The silence became a suspenseful hush that brought everyone to attention.
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I walked up the steps to the stage sourly noting that this church didn't even have an altar for people to come to pray at or seek healing. Several men I took to be Security stood up here and there in the crowd, but looked unsure of what to do.
I faced the crowd of affronted people, as I stood to the side of the pulpit. I reached up and pulled my wig off to let it fall to the stage floor. Then I let the tattered coat slip off to join the heap along with the torn pants I wore, until gradually I revealed the suit that I wore beneath the get up I had been disguised in.
Pulling a rag from my pocket I started to wipe off the facial makeup I wore even as I cleaned my hands up some before I dropped the now dirty rag on top of the pile beside me on the stage. The place was quiet and already emotional.
My voice carried well throughout the room without the use of a microphone as I pointed at the pile beside me, "What does this pile consist of?"