The Playground

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1

- Once upon a time I

served a great king.

I served him like no other.

After many years

of service to him,

by his grace and generosity,

he allowed me in the company

of his highest court,

amongst his most devout.

You could say I

was favored by him.

But the lands of his

kingdom were not in peace.

It became filled

with insubordination.

They became too smart

for their own good

and tried to break free

of the king's covenant.

And because he knew

my love for him

and favored me above the others,

it was me he appointed

to fix things.

Cleanse the land.

He was the most benevolent king

and I was his majesty's knight,

his loyal servant,

his willing slave.

Nothing and no one

rivaled my love for him.

With all the power

he entrusted to me,

I fought war upon war upon war

to restore balance

to his kingdom.

- And what happened next?

- Everything was made right.

- Cleanse?

Did you have to hurt anyone?

- I'm afraid I had to.

- Was the king happy?

- Very.

He made me a guardian

of his kingdom.

Once upon a time ago.

- You don't look that old.

When did all of it happen?

- Well before you

stumbled into this world.

I'm older than I look.

- You seem sad.

I've never seen you before.

Are you from here?

- No, I live near the water.

I'm here to check up on someone.

Friends.

- And then you're going

back to where you live?

To the king?

- Soon enough.

I haven't seen him

for quite some time.

- Why?

- We had a disagreement.

- You got in a fight?

- No.

I could never fight him.

- Then why can't

you go back to him?

- Well, sometimes when

you're asked to do something

you can't do it.

Not out of disrespect,

but out of love.

- I don't understand.

- Have you ever lied

because you were afraid

to upset someone?

A lot like the story

of Jack and Jill.

Do you know that story?

- Everyone knows that story.

- Not the make-believe one.

I'm talking about

the real story.

Would you like to hear it?

- Jill, are you okay?

- Jack, you gotta phone call!

- This is Jack.

I know who it is!

Time's up Jack!

- Jill, your nose is bleeding.

- What?

- Take this.

- Oh my god.

- Put your head back.

- You knew

the terms. You signed it.

- I don't have the money.

- What about your new wife?

I hear she's doing

better than you are.

You thought we

fell asleep on you.

- But that was his past.

You said that he

treats you well.

I don't see what you're

so worried about.

- I don't know.

I can't place it.

There's something

he's not telling me.

- You could start by

going through his garbage,

seeing what he's

spending his money on.

Guys aren't very good at

keeping their receipts.

- And then?

- I don't know.

It could go in many

different ways.

- You mean you

don't know the rest?

- I can only hope.

- So it hasn't happened yet.

- You're very clever.

Karin.

That's your name isn't it?

- Yes.

- Do you love your

mom more or your dad?

Is it your mom?

Why do you love her more?

- Because she's in heaven.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

And where is your father?

- I only know what they told me.

- And what was that?

- That he was so

sad when mom died

that he got angry

and went to jail.

- Angry?

Angry at who?

God?

What if I told you

god is a fairy tale?

Just like Santa Claus.

Just like you learned

that Santa wasn't real,

you soon realize neither is...

God.

- Tell me your other story.

- Have you heard the

story of the king,

the beggar, and the priest?

- Melanie, can you

check on our accountant?

Let him know if he's not

here in the next two minutes,

he's going to have to

calculate his own pay cut.

- Mr. Vaugn, we're

losing money rapidly.

- That's not what you

told me in February.

- I gave you a prediction

based on the revenue

that we made that month,

and that's because you

rushed me to give it to you.

I had no idea we

were going to lose

two major clients

over a zoning issue

and neither did you.

- Look, I've promised

myself and my wife

that I'm going to have this

yacht for my birthday gift.

And I'm not holding

off again for some...

How much are we paying Melanie?

- Melanie?

Not nearly enough.

- Maybe we need

someone a little more

appetizing for our clients.

- I don't know

what's come over me.

- Trust in the lord my child.

- I love being with other men.

I get excited when my

husband doesn't know.

I constantly

fantasize about them

and I play scenarios in my head.

- With all due

respect Mr. Vaugn,

I don't know how you're

going to manage that.

Now there's no way around

this, it's clear math.

Or, it will hinder productivity

but we can cut

workers and salaries.

- How many?

- So you seek other men

because he ignores you?

- No.

Because I like it.

I even fantasize

about you, father,

every time I come here.

All the things that we

could do inside these rooms.

I'm sorry.

I have to go.

Please forgive me.

- God, the father of mercies,

through the death and

resurrection of his son

has reconciled the

world to himself...

And sent the holy spirit among

us to forgive us of our sins.

- That's it?

There has to be more.

- There will be.

- I'm not sure I should

be hearing these stories.

- Karen, I'm leaving now.

It was a pleasure meeting you.

Give our conversation

some thought.

You're a smart girl.

Perhaps too smart

for your own good.

Maybe even for fairy tales.

- Too smart for my own good?

- Yes.

Like the people who

broke the king's rules?

- Karin!

Do you realize I almost

called the police?!

Didn't you hear us

shouting your name?!

What are you doing out here?!

- I didn't want to stay inside.

Dasjia, please go tell Ms.

Jacobs that we found her.

Karin, just because

we are not your family

does not mean you can run off

whenever you feel like it.

This is your home.

Do you understand?

Let's go.

Who were you talking to?

Yourself, again.

- Hey.

Haven't seen you in some time.

Must have got a new

car or something.

You stopped visiting.

- Not really, just a long day.

Long walk over.

- Ouch.

Well, I guess I'll just

have to screw with your car

to get you to come

in more often.

- See you around.

- See ya.

- Saint Michael's is a

decommissioned monastery

that houses us in solitude

should these situations arise.

You want me to Grant

you a sabbatical.

- Yes.

- And what would a

leave of absence do

for someone as loved

here as you are?

- I don't know.

I don't have the answers.

Do you think it's that simple?!

I rushed into this!

I can't keep all

these thoughts inside!

I don't even want

to be here anymore!

I don't know.

I just need some time.

- This is normal.

No man of the clergy

is free from this test.

Clear your conscience my son.

It is not a sin unless

it is acted upon.

- That's what I cannot

guarantee, your excellency.

- How long will you need?

- Three months?

- When do you wish to leave?

- Immediately.

- It is best that you

stay out of the public eye

until you are ready to return.

Your reputation here is

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