The Light of Faith

[abridged from "The Light in the Dark"]

1   
On a Saturday morning
in Pellman Alley -

2
"- an' it's an elegant 
room if I do say so
meself as shouldn't."

3
The Other Roomer can
spot a "lady" every time.

4
"Purty, ain't she, Tony.
Looks like me when I
was young - only skinnier."

5
Across the ocean - in
southern England -
Warburton Ashe is trying
to forget that he is an
unhappy man.

6
"The dog uncovered it down
in the abbey."

7
"-- puts me in mind o' tales
o' the Holy Grail."

8
"Peters - one never knows -
but this may be a great
discovery. We'll take
the next boat home."

9
For many days the girl in 
the second floor back has
sought employment.

10
Tony knows the symptoms 
of hunger.

11
"Try this on your pianner,
Miss, an' ye'll be all right 
in no time."

12
But when the doctor came -

13
"Break-down - - heart
trouble. She's been
working too hard - -
or worrying about 
something."

14
Followed days when an
overwrought mind
drifted into delirium.

15
"Warburton! Warburton!"

16
Through the long weeks 
that follow Tony does
his best to cheer the
beautiful stranger.

17
"Say - what is this 
Holy Grail anyway?"

18
"Why Tony, don't you 
know? It's the most
beautiful story in the
world."

19
Pain and sorrow faded
and were forgotten as
she recounted the legend 
of the search for the 
Holy Grail.

20
"Tradition says that the
cup from which the Master
drank at the Last Supper
was carried to Britain where
it disappeared, and none
could find it. At last,
in the reign of King
Arthur ---"

21
Galahad, purest Knight
of the Round Table,
loved a beautiful maiden -

22
To her Knight then she
told a wondrous thing.

23
"Last night as I slept --"

24
"Thou art the Knight,
dear Galahad, to find
the Holy Grail and all
the world be healed."

25
So the maiden renounced 
the world till her Knight
should gain his quest.

26
-- and braided him a 
girdle for his sword.

27
"This vow I swear -- I
seek not thy sweet face
again till I have found
the Holy Grail."

28
Then through a hundred 
lands the White Knight
fought his way -- and
found the Grail. And on
a snowy Christmas Eve -

29
To her of steadfast
faith he gave it then.

30
And to the Holy Grail
came all the crippled
and diseased - and were
healed.

31
The tale told, her frail
strength was spent.

32
"An' all y'had to do was
touch this cup an' you
was cured?"

33
"There's a rough-looking
gentleman downstairs
to see you -- about a
young lady, sir ---
maybe it's Her, sir."

34
"I'd like to get my 
hands on your throat
--- but that ain't
what I came for."

35
"Elaine! -- did she send
you to me?"

36
"No! -- an' what's more
you'd better not try to 
find her!"

37
"You'll take me to her --
or I'll take you to the 
police station!"

38
"You stand where you are!"

39
"What is it?"

40
"The Holy Grail!"

41
"I only borrowed it 
from Mr. Ashe so you 
could touch it and 
get well."

42
"You must!"

43
"Please - please - touch
it -- an' pray -- please!"

44
And so - doubting, yet
lifted on the wings of 
another's faith ---

45
The next morning.

46
"I'm all well again and
I'm going out to look
for work."

47
But the miracle of 
recovery does not ease
a heart that is heavy 
with memories.

48
Tony, hiding from the law,
returns for the cup.

49
The night court.

50
"-- versus Tony Pantelli
for assault and theft."

51
Face to face with the 
man she loves, the
misunderstanding that
caused her to flee
melts away like mist
in the sun.

52
"Mr. Ashe - is this the
cup that was stolen 
from your home?"

53
"Mr. Ashe - look upon the
prisoner! Is he the
man who entered your
home, assaulted you and
stole this cup?"

54
"They say it glows in 
the dark, your Honor
- and works miracles."

55
"Mr. Ashe, I repeat is this
your man?"

56
Suddenly aware of 
Elaine's presence ---

57
"Come, Mr. Ashe! Answer
my question!"

58
"I wasn't certain at
first but now I am
sure --"

59
"-- he is not the man."

60
"Case is dismissed."

61
"I guess I had you all 
wrong, boss."