Book Excerpt from "Inspiring Influence"

INT. - COLLEGE LIBRARY - A MONTH LATER, 3 P.M.

Ty watches as Gabriel walks over.

GABRIEL

Do you go to college?

TY

No.

GABRIEL

Why are you in a college library?

TY

I like reading.

GABRIEL

Would you like to come over for dinner?

TY

No.

GABRIEL

We won't hurt you.

GABRIEL

(beat)

My name is Gabriel.

TY

I know.

GABRIEL

My parents died when I was two. I don't remember them well. I lived in a Monastery until Michael adopted me and John James. I met John James at the Monastery. His parents died when he was two. His parents died in an accident. My parents got sick. Neither of us had other family. People at the Monastery took us in.

GABRIEL

(beat)

Do you have family?

Jye walks over.

GABRIEL

Please at least tell me your name.

JYE

Gabriel is the nicest person you will ever meet. You can trust him.

GABRIEL

This is Jye.

JYE

We are cousins.

GABRIEL

What's your name? Do you have family?

Michael walks over.

MICHAEL

I would like to know the answer to both those questions.

TY

I have to go.

GABRIEL

We won't hurt you.

Michael kneels facing Ty.

MICHAEL

None us of will hurt you.

Ty takes a step backwards.

MICHAEL

My name is Michael.

GABRIEL

He's the one that adopted me. He's really nice.

MICHAEL

What is your name?

Ty takes a step backwards.

GABRIEL

Don't be afraid. Please let us help you.

TY

You can’t.

MICHAEL

We can help you. I will take you.

Ty starts to cry.

TY

No! You will send me back to my father.

Ty runs off. Michael stands up. He runs in the direction Ty ran in. Gabriel and Jye run after them.

INT. – MICHAEL’S HOUSE – AN HOUR LATER

Gabriel and John James are standing facing each other.

GABRIEL

I don’t know his name but I am worried about him.

Michael walks over.

MICHAEL

I am worried about him too.

GABRIEL

I think he is abused.

MICHAEL

I am sure he is.

JOHN JAMES

e will continue to pray for him.

GABRIEL

Yes.

EXT. – ALLEY – A MONTH LATER, 9 A.M.

It is raining hard. Ty is sitting next to a garbage bin. He is soaking wet. Michael walks over. Ty looks at him.

MICHAEL

Let me help you.

Ty stands up.

MICHAEL

If you are being abused, I can help you. Please let me help you. I will not hurt you. If you are being abused, I will

not send you back to be abused.

Ty runs off.

MICHAEL

Please don’t run.

Michael runs after Ty.