Clara

Guest (Male): Yes, sir, how can I help you?
Jack Allen: I have a reservation for flight 1053 to Chicago.
Guest (Male): And your name?
Jack Allen: Jack Allen.
Guest (Male): All right, Mr. Allen, can I see some identification, please? Has anyone given you anything to carry on board the plane?
Jack Allen: No.
Guest (Male): Are you checking any bags this morning?
Jack Allen: No.
Guest (Male): Okay, it will be just a moment, Mr. Allen. Thank you.
Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Allen!
Jack Allen: Oh, Eugene! What are you doing here?
Eugene Meltsner: I came to pick up my luggage. It was put on the wrong flight yesterday. It was supposed to be here this morning, but I see the schedule board says the flight has been delayed.
Guest (Male): I am afraid so, sir. Bad weather in Chicago. A storm front blew in last night and shut down the airport there.
Eugene Meltsner: I see. Well, what are you doing here, Mr. Allen?
Guest (Male): Here is your ticket, Mr. Allen. Flight 1053, one way to Chicago, Gate 3. Thank you.
Eugene Meltsner: One way? Goodbye, Eugene. Wait, where are you going?
Jack Allen: Chicago.
Eugene Meltsner: I know that, but why? Is something happening?
Jack Allen: No, not exactly.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, then what, pray tell, is going on?
Jack Allen: It is not something I can discuss. Now, please, I have to catch my flight.
Eugene Meltsner: But, Mr. Allen, I hope—
Jack Allen: I do not want to talk about it, Eugene. It is best if I just leave. Goodbye.
Eugene Meltsner: But even if you cannot talk to me about it, there must be someone you can discuss this with. Tom or Mr. Whittaker? You haven't even seen him yet, have you? Talk to Mr. Whittaker.
Jack Allen: No. Whit is the last person I can talk to.
Eugene Meltsner: Why?
Jack Allen: Because the last time Whit and I were together, he told me he never wanted to see me again.
Focus on the Family: Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, it is another Knocks On: The Tale of the Coin. "Hey, look what I got!" "Oh, that is a beautiful coin. Is it a stater?" "It is, I found it at the temple." "I am not one to get carried away by emotion, right?" "Yes, but we are being called on to take a leap of faith here." "We all rush in together, each one takes something, and then rush out together. Any questions?" "Just one: why are we doing this?" Listen now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.
Eugene Meltsner: I cannot believe my auricular cavities. Mr. Whittaker told you that he never wanted to see you again?
Jack Allen: You heard right.
Eugene Meltsner: Why would he say such a thing?
Jack Allen: I really cannot talk about it, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: It seems to me, Mr. Allen, that if it is driving you away from us, then it must be talked about. Otherwise, many of us will assume that we are the cause of your departure. Myself, Connie, the kids at Whit's End. You must understand how I, how we feel. You can understand that, can't you?
Jack Allen: Yes, I suppose I can. All right. It happened after Jenny died.
Eugene Meltsner: Jenny? You mean Mr. Whittaker's wife?
Jack Allen: Yes. Before Whit bought the building that became Whit's End, I came here and took him back home with me.
Eugene Meltsner: Back home to where?
Jack Allen: Nebraska. At the time, I was running a place called Emery Orphanage in a little town just outside Omaha.
Eugene Meltsner: You ran an orphanage? No wonder you handle the youngsters at Whit's End so well.
Jack Allen: I thought getting Whit away from Odyssey and around kids would do him some good, not to mention take his mind off Jenny. Oh, to have that much energy again, eh, Whit? So, what do you think of our facilities?
Mr. Whittaker: They are very nice, Jack.
Jack Allen: Feel free to wander around if you would like.
Mr. Whittaker: Thanks, but I think I would just like to sit.
Jack Allen: You were a teacher. I would love to hear your opinion on our curriculum.
Mr. Whittaker: Jack, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I just need a little time, okay?
Jack Allen: Okay, okay, Whit, okay. It looks like I have a tussle to break up. I will be right back. Kyle, Evan, there is room on those swings for both of you!
Mr. Whittaker: Why am I here? I ought to just go.
Clara: Hey, that is Mr. Chuckleford's place!
Mr. Whittaker: What?
Clara: You are sitting in Mr. Chuckleford's place.
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, I am so sorry. I did not know. I will just move.
Annabella Lee: You do not have to move.
Mr. Whittaker: What?
Annabella Lee: Do not pay attention to Crazy Clara, mister. She thinks her toy rabbit can talk.
Clara: Just because you cannot hear him does not mean he cannot, Annabella.
Annabella Lee: I cannot hear him because I am not crazy like you are.
Clara: I am not crazy!
Annabella Lee: Crazy Clara, crazy Clara!
Clara: Stop it, Annabella!
Annabella Lee: Go ahead, mister, tell her how crazy she is. Tell her!
Mr. Whittaker: What was that? Oh, I said I was sorry, Mr. Chuckleford. I did not know it was your seat until Clara told me. You know, you are very fortunate to have such a good friend as Clara, Mr. Chuckleford. She really looks out for you.
Clara: He said he knows!
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, I heard him. I will move now so you can sit properly, like a white rabbit should.
Annabella Lee: But it is just a stupid toy!
Mr. Whittaker: What is that, Mr. Chuckleford? Oh, I guess because no one has taught Annabella that it is very rude to call people stupid and crazy. Yes, you are right. If she keeps it up, she will not have many friends left. What do you think, Annabella?
Annabella Lee: I think you are both weird.
Clara: That was great! Thanks, mister.
Mr. Whittaker: You are welcome.
Clara: But Mr. Chuckleford really cannot talk, you know.
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, I know. But I do not think Annabella is too sure anymore.
Clara: Yeah. Come on, Mr. Chuckleford.
Jack Allen: Hi, Mr. Allen. Hello, Clara. You two have a good talk?
Mr. Whittaker: She is adorable, Jack. How did she end up here?
Jack Allen: Car accident, about a year ago. Lost both parents.
Mr. Whittaker: Poor thing.
Jack Allen: Up to now, she has kept mostly to herself and Mr. Chuckleford. You are the first adult she's opened up to. She must see something in you she trusts. Why don't you get to know her a little better?
Mr. Whittaker: Maybe I will.
Jack Allen: It was clear that Whit was very much taken with Clara, which I thought was wonderful. They were both grieving, and maybe they could help each other get over their loss.
Eugene Meltsner: And did they?
Jack Allen: Oh, yes. The two of them became virtually inseparable for the next several weeks. They were best buddies. Whit even took Clara to a local carnival and then sat up with her all night when she got a tummy ache after he let her eat too many ice cream cones. It was wonderful to see Whit smile and laugh and be happy again for the first time since Jenny died. My little plan was working. You see, I wanted them to get close to help each other out of their grief. So, I did not tell Whit an important bit of information about Clara, information that might have prevented what happened next.
Mr. Whittaker: The evil queen scowled at the woodsman. "Take her into the forest," she said. "And when you're certain you are alone, bid her to kneel and pray. And when she is deep in prayer, fall upon her with your sword. Tonight will be her last night to live." It is okay, Clara. It is all right. Nothing happens to Snow White.
Clara: It doesn't?
Mr. Whittaker: No. Maybe we should stop for the night?
Clara: No, please!
Mr. Whittaker: But you are looking a little scared. I do not want you to have bad dreams.
Clara: Bad dreams? Oh, I never worry about bad dreams.
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, you don't?
Clara: No, because I have the bestest cure for them ever.
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, really? What is it?
Clara: Whenever you are in the middle of a dream and you think it'll be bad, you just say really loud, "Go away bad dream, BOO!" and the bad dream will go away and you will wake up.
Mr. Whittaker: Go away, bad dream.
Clara: BOO! Don't forget the BOO.
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, yes. Go away, bad dream, BOO!
Clara: That is it. Now you do not have to worry about bad dreams anymore either.
Mr. Whittaker: Well, thank you. I will be sure and try it.
Clara: It has always worked for me ever since my mommy told me about it.
Mr. Whittaker: You miss her, don't you?
Clara: Yeah.
Mr. Whittaker: I know. It hurts.
Clara: It does not hurt when I am with you.
Mr. Whittaker: It does not hurt when I am with you either, sweetheart. Maybe that is the way we can both stop hurting completely. Clara, how would you like to come and live with me?
Clara: Really?
Mr. Whittaker: Really.
Clara: Forever and always?
Mr. Whittaker: Forever and always.
Clara: Oh, I would like that very, very much.
Mr. Whittaker: So would I. Okay, I will talk to Jack about it tomorrow morning. Well, hello Annabella Lee, what are you doing here?
Annabella Lee: I am helping Mr. Allen's secretary. I am going to be a secretary when I grow up.
Mr. Whittaker: A fine one you'll be, I have no doubt. Is Mr. Allen in his office?
Annabella Lee: Yes, but you cannot go in there.
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, it is all right. Secretaries are supposed to let people see their bosses.
Annabella Lee: That is not what Mr. Allen's secretary said. She said no one's supposed to go in unless it is really important.
Mr. Whittaker: This is real important, Annabella. Trust me. Jack!
Jack Allen: Whit!
Mr. Whittaker: Jack, my good friend, I want to adopt Clara.
Jack Allen: What? Clara? I am sorry, I did not know you had company. Whit, this is Peter and Peggy Portland.
Mr. Whittaker: How do you do? Are you here to adopt a child, too?
Peter Portland: Yes.
Jack Allen: Yes, they are, Whit. Clara. The Portlands are adopting Clara.
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Mr. Whittaker: What do you mean the Portlands are adopting Clara, Jack? I just said I wanted to adopt her.
Jack Allen: You cannot.
Mr. Whittaker: Why can't I? Is this some kind of joke?
Peggy Portland: Do we look like we are joking?
Jack Allen: Now please, folks.
Peggy Portland: Mr. Allen, we want to see Clara.
Jack Allen: You cannot see her. Now all of you, calm down, please. Peggy, Peter, Whit and I need to talk alone. You will find Clara in room E7 in the East Wing.
Mr. Whittaker: Jack!
Jack Allen: Whit, please.
Peter Portland: Room E7?
Jack Allen: Yes. I will have Annabella take you. Annabella? Where did she go? Just go down the stairs and across the lawn to the East Wing. There is a directory at the entrance that will show you where to go from there.
Peggy Portland: Thank you, Mr. Allen.
Mr. Whittaker: Jack, what is going on?
Jack Allen: Whit, you need to calm down.
Mr. Whittaker: I am calm. I just do not understand what's happening. You are going to let these people take Clara away from me?
Jack Allen: They are not just taking her away, Whit. They are giving her a home. They are adopting her.
Mr. Whittaker: They cannot adopt her. I am going to adopt her and she wants me to.
Jack Allen: You cannot. The adoption papers have already been signed. It has all been arranged.
Mr. Whittaker: Well, then unarrange it!
Jack Allen: You do not understand. The Portlands were in the process of adopting Clara long before you got here.
Mr. Whittaker: What?
Jack Allen: They signed the adoption papers for Clara six months ago, but Clara's parents left an estate that had to be settled. There was a lot of legal wrangling that prevented the Portlands from taking her home right away, so she stayed here. I knew how good you are with kids. I mean, you were a teacher after all, an award-winning teacher. I just thought the two of you could help each other. You were both grieving, and I did not realize you'd become so close so fast. I obviously misjudged the situation, and I am sorry.
Mr. Whittaker: You are sorry? That is all you can say? You are sorry? You used me! And if that wasn't bad enough, you also used a six-year-old girl! You let us get close, grow to love each other, and now you are just going to callously rip us apart?
Jack Allen: Whit, please.
Mr. Whittaker: I am not going to let you, Jack. I am not going to let you or the Portlands or anybody take Clara away from me, even if I have to go to court to stop it!
Eugene Meltsner: He said that? He actually said he would take it to court?
Jack Allen: Yeah.
Eugene Meltsner: That does not sound like Mr. Whittaker at all.
Jack Allen: That is how he was back then. But what made matters worse was that there was a joker in the deck: Annabella Lee. She overheard me introducing Whit to the Portlands and took it upon herself to tell Clara about it.
Clara: Okay, Mr. Chuckleford, I packed all your stuff. We'll like living with Mr. Whit.
Annabella Lee: I know a secret about Clara. I know a secret about Clara.
Clara: Who cares, Annabella?
Annabella Lee: You will care lots about this secret.
Clara: No, I won't, because I am going to a new home.
Annabella Lee: I know, but it is not the one you think it is.
Clara: What do you mean?
Annabella Lee: You think you are going home with Mr. Whit, but you're really going home with someone else.
Clara: Who?
Annabella Lee: You remember the man and woman who were here a long time ago and who were looking at you and talking to you?
Clara: Yeah, but they went away.
Annabella Lee: They are back.
Clara: No!
Annabella Lee: It is true. I was just at Mr. Allen's office and he told Mr. Whit that they were adopting you.
Clara: No! Mr. Whit is adopting me! You're lying, Annabella!
Annabella Lee: Oh, yeah? Well, look out the window. Go on, look! See? There is the man and woman right there, coming across the lawn to get you.
Clara: No! It cannot be! It cannot be!
Annabella Lee: Come on, Clara, you better finish packing. They are coming to take you away.
Clara: No! I won't go! I won't go!
Jack Allen: Meanwhile, Whit took off down the hall to see Clara himself, with me following close behind. Whit, wait! Be reasonable.
Mr. Whittaker: Reasonable?
Jack Allen: Think of the Portlands. How could you be so selfish to want to drag them back into court after all they have been through?
Mr. Whittaker: All they have been through? What about all I have been through?
Jack Allen: I know it's been rough for you. I know you miss Jenny. It is a tragic loss. But you and Jenny had three children together. The Portlands cannot have any, and now you are trying to take away the one they can have.
Mr. Whittaker: So, I am supposed to be the noble one, is that it? I lose the only woman I have ever loved, and now you want to take Clara from me, and I am supposed to just bear it in silence? Maybe I do not want to be noble. Maybe this time I want what I want.
Jack Allen: What you want? And what about Clara?
Mr. Whittaker: She wants it, too! I can give her a great life.
Jack Allen: I am sure you can, but can you give her the one that is best for her? Not you, Whit, not you. Her. You know she belongs in a two-parent home. She needs a daddy and a mommy, something you cannot give her.
Mr. Whittaker: I can give her the next best thing.
Jack Allen: Listen to yourself. You are going against every principle you ever taught. And why? Because it is something you want. Is that what is best for Clara, Whit? Are you really thinking about her or just about yourself?
Peggy Portland: Mr. Allen!
Jack Allen: Peter, Peggy, what is it? What is wrong?
Peter Portland: We cannot find Clara.
Jack Allen: What?
Peggy Portland: Clara wasn't in her room. Another little girl was there, Annabella. She said Clara had run off.
Peter Portland: We looked all over for her, but we cannot find her. She's run away.
Jack Allen: All right now, calm down. She cannot have gotten far. We'll organize a search.
Mr. Whittaker: You do not have to do that. I know where she is.
Clara: Go away, bad dream, BOO! Go away, bad dream, BOO! Go away, bad dream, BOO! Go away, bad dream, BOO!
Mr. Whittaker: Clara.
Clara: Oh, Mr. Whit, they want to take me!
Mr. Whittaker: Clara.
Clara: No! Go away, bad dream, BOO! Go away, bad dream, BOO! Go away, bad dream, BOO!
Mr. Whittaker: Can you give us a few minutes, please? Come on, folks, let's wait down here. Clara, I am sorry, honey, but this dream won't go away.
Clara: I want to stay with you! I do not want to go with them!
Mr. Whittaker: I know, honey, but you have to.
Clara: Why? Don't you love me anymore?
Mr. Whittaker: Oh, yes. But the truth is, I cannot give you what they can give you: a mommy and a daddy.
Clara: But I do not want a mommy and a daddy! I want you!
Mr. Whittaker: Clara, Clara. You have to be brave, sweetheart. You are going to have a wonderful life filled with loving people and great things. Okay?
Clara: Okay. I love you, Mr. Whit.
Mr. Whittaker: I love you, too, Clara.
Peggy Portland: Hi, Clara.
Clara: I am ready.
Peggy Portland: Let's go get your things, sweetheart.
Clara: Okay. Bye.
Mr. Whittaker: Bye.
Jack Allen: You did the right thing, Whit.
Mr. Whittaker: This right thing, as you call it, wouldn't have been necessary if you hadn't made it so, Jack.
Jack Allen: Whit—
Mr. Whittaker: Don't. Don't try to excuse what you have done. I do not know you anymore, Jack. And I do not think I ever want to see you again.
Jack Allen: That is it, Eugene. That is the story. And that is why I have to leave.
Eugene Meltsner: But you do not have to leave, Mr. Allen. Now, forgive me for contradicting your conclusions, but it seems you are forgetting some fundamentals. Mr. Whittaker was angry, yes, but with a lot of things. His wife's death, what happened with Clara. Perhaps in his own way, he was even angry with God. He just directed it all at you. And besides, that was long ago. The Mr. Whittaker I know would be the first to say so.
Jack Allen: Maybe, but he was right, Eugene. I did use him and Clara and caused them pain. When I arrived in town, I was hoping to find Whit to ask his forgiveness, clear the air once and for all. But he'd already left. So, I thought the next best thing I could do was stay and help out at Whit's End, sort of a penance for what I had done.
Eugene Meltsner: But now you can follow through with your original plan! You can clear the air once and for all!
Jack Allen: I fully intended to. But in all the hubbub and excitement, I guess I've lost my nerve. It is just better if I leave. Maybe wait for some other time.
Guest (Male): Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We would like to begin pre-boarding of Omega Air flight 1053, non-stop to Chicago.
Jack Allen: That is my flight. I better go.
Eugene Meltsner: No, Mr. Allen, you cannot!
Jack Allen: Eugene, please let me leave.
Mr. Whittaker: Jack!
Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Whittaker!
Mr. Whittaker: I have been looking all over for you. Jason said you were acting strange last night, and when I tried to find you at the hotel, they said you took a cab here.
Jack Allen: Whit, I have to go.
Mr. Whittaker: No. It is all right, Eugene. If he wants to go, we cannot stop him.
Eugene Meltsner: But Mr. Whittaker!
Mr. Whittaker: Before you leave, though, Jack, I have something to say to you. Something I've been wanting to tell you ever since the last time we were together. Now, don't worry, you'll still make your plane.
Jack Allen: I guess I owe you that. What is it?
Mr. Whittaker: It is just that I am sorry. I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
Jack Allen: You do? You are apologizing to me?
Mr. Whittaker: Jack, I know you were only trying to help both me and Clara. And I should have talked to you before I got my wild ideas about adopting her. I wasn't thinking very clearly at the time.
Jack Allen: I thank you for that, but—
Mr. Whittaker: There is more. I received this a few years back. I've been carrying it around in my Bible in the hope that we would see each other again. It is a letter, Jack, from Clara. There is a picture of her. She's grown into a beautiful young woman.
Jack Allen: Yes, she has.
Mr. Whittaker: I know you do not have time for the whole thing, but I marked a paragraph I think you need to see. The one that starts here, "Thank you for returning my coins."
Jack Allen: "Thank you for returning my coins. I'm sorry I cannot return your ring. I wore it so much it finally broke. It turned my finger green, too. I'm glad you're still being brave and remembering me even as I remember you. You and Mr. Allen were right for giving me up to the Portlands. They've been everything you said they'd be: a loving and kind mommy and daddy. I couldn't be happier. So, if you ever see Mr. Allen again and he still feels bad, you know what to tell him."
Mr. Whittaker: "Go away, bad dream, BOO!"
Jack Allen: God bless you both for giving me a great start in life.
Guest (Male): Attention, ladies and gentlemen. We are now boarding Omega Air flight 1053, non-stop to Chicago. All passengers on Omega Air flight 1053 are now boarding at Gate 3.
Jack Allen: That is my flight.
Mr. Whittaker: Jack, we both made mistakes back then, but that is in the past. Let's not make another one now. The bad dream is gone. You do not have to go, too. Please stay.
Jack Allen: Not until you tell me where you buried my shoes.
Mr. Whittaker: Your shoes?
Jack Allen: Do not pretend you do not know what I mean. Our fifth-grade picnic. We went to the beach, and you buried my shoes somewhere in the sand.
Mr. Whittaker: Why, I keep telling you that wasn't me! That was Laszlo Farnsworth!
Jack Allen: You and Laszlo were in cahoots!
Mr. Whittaker: Never!
Eugene Meltsner: Excuse me, excuse me!
Mr. Whittaker: What is it, Eugene?
Eugene Meltsner: Does this mean you are staying, Mr. Allen?
Jack Allen: Yes, Eugene. This means I am staying.
Mr. Whittaker: Don't just stand there. Give me a hug!
Eugene Meltsner: Excuse me, Mr. Meltsner? Yes? Oh, have my bags arrived?
Guest (Male): Well, you're joking. Where are they now? Somehow they were retagged and misdirected, and now they are en route to Hong Kong.
Eugene Meltsner: Hong Kong!
Focus on the Family: I am glad Whit and Jack are back together again and that they have forgiven each other for the mistakes they made all those years ago. It is awful to carry around that kind of heartache. That is one of the reasons why forgiveness is so important and why Jesus commanded us in Luke chapter 6, verses 36 and 37, to be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. And that is all for this time. If you ever want to write to me, I'd love to hear from you. The address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It is called "Clara." Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Clara was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold. Music by John Campbell. And I am Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.