An Unholy Redemption Chapter 21.1 continued

“Okay, this is Studio Two.” Mary and John looked around in the very darkened room. The black walls all around them were imposing as their eyes adjusted. “You can see from the red light above the door that they’re recording, so we can’t enter. Along down here on the right is Studio One where you’ll be. Come on, I’ll introduce you to a few people. Over there’s Mike, he’s the lead cameraman. Mike! Have you got a minute?”

A scruffy man wearing jeans and a black t-shirt walked up to them.

“Mike, this is John, who’s being interviewed tonight.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you. My aunt works near the hospital. She’s told me everything about you, the miracle man. I was supposed to be on holiday this week but when I heard you were coming here for an interview, I cancelled it so I could hear what you have to say.”

“I’m honoured you would give up your holiday for me, thank you.”

“Not at all and who is this beautiful flower you’ve brought along? Please tell me it isn’t your wife.”

“It’s my sister Mary and she’s not interested.”

“Really?” He ran his hands through his long black greasy hair to try and make himself more presentable.

“Anyway,” Andrew continued, “so that’s my cameraman. Moving swiftly on, over there is Janet the floor manager.” She had her head down looking at some papers and had a headset on which she was talking into. She briefly paused to acknowledge and wave at them and then carried on talking into the headset. Walking away from Mike, Mary started to feel a bit easier. “Janet makes sure everything runs smoothly on the ground here and if you look up there ...” they both looked up to where Andrew was pointing to, above them was an office with a massive glass window, “... that’s where Rebecca will be barking out orders to us all through our earpieces.”

“Not everyone,” Janet said. “I assume you must be John.”

“Yes, I’m John. This is my sister, Mary.”

“Nice to meet you. Yes, Rebecca might bark her orders, but I just switch my earpiece off. I’ve been here ten years longer than her and I certainly could run that office a damn sight better than she does.”

“I’m honoured Janet to be in your presence and in such capable hands,” John said with a smile.

“I’ll see you in a while. I just have to prepare a sound check. Andrew, why don’t you let him sit in the chair so we can do a camera angle and sound check at the same time?”

“Great idea, thank you Janet. Come on, it’s just around the corner.”

The three of them slowly walked around a black wall until they saw a platform with two black leather chairs facing each other. As they were walking towards the chairs, the studio lights started flashing on above them.

“Are you all right?” Mary could feel John’s arm getting tighter around her arm as they approached.

“Yes, I’m just getting a little nervous. It all seems so real and that chair is where I will be sitting in one hour’s time with millions listening to my every word.”

“Don’t worry, you have your questions already. If we don’t deviate from them and choose some good answers, there’ll be no problem.”

“Yes, I know, but is it still okay for me to have my speech at the end of the interview?”

“Yes, that’s fine, here take a seat, this one will be your one and I will be sat here,” said Andrew. John slowly sat in the chair and its cushioned surface gave way to his weight.

“How does it feel?”

“Very comfortable, although it’s a bit hot under those lights.”

“Yes unfortunately they are very strong, but we need it for the correct lighting levels.”

“Excuse me gorgeous,” Mary turned around to see Mike moving a camera into position. It glided towards her like a silent robot and rested facing towards where John was sitting.

“Hurry up Jack,” Mike said and looked behind him, calling to his assistant who brought another camera towards them.

“Andrew, can you sit down for a moment? So Jack and I can get the focus and angles right. Mary, you can come and stand next to me if you want.” Mary raised her eyebrow as Mike winked at her.

“I’m okay Mike, thank you. Perhaps it would be better if I went and stood on the other side.”

“Please yourself,” he said and put on his headphones and instructed Jack to do the same.

“So John, have you anymore thoughts about what you’ll say at the end of the interview?”

“No I have no idea. God will tell me in due time.”

“But what happens if nothing comes to you?”

“I doubt that’ll happen, but if it does I think we should work out some sort of signal that I can give you to tell you the interview is over.”

“Okay great idea, so after all the questions have been asked and you realise there’s nothing more to say, straighten your tie then I’ll know that I should wrap things up.”

“John, can you move your chair slightly to the left please?” Mike looked through his camera lens and adjusted the focus.

“Here comes Fiona, she’s our sound checker.”

“Hello there, may I?” She bent down in front of John and attached a microphone to his tie.

“Okay your turn now, Andrew.”

Andrew lifted his chin so Fiona could get a better view. “John, you know you’re the talk of the studio.” Fiona said. “Me and my mum are fascinated by your story. God must really love you.”

“I think God loves everyone Fiona. I’m just fortunate to be the one chosen to relate God’s message to the world.”

“Still you are a very special person; you must be to have been chosen. Okay, that’s you two sorted.” She stood back and looked at both of them to make sure the microphones didn’t show too much. “Could you just say a few sentences for me so we can get the audio input and output set?” Mary watched her brother as he and Andrew talked into their microphones. She saw that John certainly looked special sitting there. In her heart she now felt that John was doing the right  thing and that he was the right person in the right place doing the right thing. John noticed Mary looking at him and smiled, reassuring her he understood. She smiled back and her heart started to feel a all-too-familiar sensation: it began racing at a great speed. Luther, she thought, must be close.

Outside in the car, David wound his window down to speak to the security guard and show him his driving licence. In the back, Lucifer’s heart beat the same rhythm as Mary’s. Its strong beat helped to calm him and his worries about tomorrow.

“You say you’ve come as guests of Andrew Clayton?” the security guard said, looking at all three of them through David’s open window.

“Yes, this is Ruth my wife and John’s sister, the man who’s being interviewed this evening.”

“John?” The security guard had a puzzled look on his face.

“You know, the miracle man?” Lucifer sat forward, joining in with the conversation.

“Oh right, yes of course. Wait here a moment, I’ll phone reception just to check if you are expected.” He handed back David’s driving licence and walked to his phone inside his wooden hut.

“Why do you have a big smile on your face? David looked at Lucifer in his rear-view mirror.

“I’m just excited to be here and I can feel Mary close by.” Ruth just lifted her eyebrows and looked out of her window unamused.

“What’s the matter dear?”

“Nothing. I’m just impatient. Where is that man?”

“Here he comes now.”

David watched as the security guard returned.

“Okay, so that’s fine. Andrew has confirmed that you’re expected. Can you just write down your car number plate here for me please?” The security guard handed David a clipboard through his window and David scribbled his name down and handed it back. “The studio you want is down their second on the left, there’s plenty of parking. Just follow the signs for reception. They’ll issue you with a visitor’s pass which you should keep on you at all times. One last thing, enjoy your visit.” Smiling, he pulled his head from the window and signalled to his colleague to lift the wooden barrier in front of David’s car. “Thank you.”  David closed his window and drove through the gate and headed for the car park.

John rejoined his sister after all the checks had been carried out. “You’re looking a bit flushed there Mary. Your cheeks are so red.”

“I’m fine, it must be the heat from those lights. It’s so hot in here.”

“Or is it the fact that Luther is close by? Come on Mary, you know I can read minds.”

“This Luther must mean a lot to you.” Andrew had now joined them.

“Yes you can say that we’re close and we have a connection, but can we please change the subject onto something other than me and Luther?” Mary could see the look of disappointment on Andrew’s face.

“At least he’ll be able to protect you from our resident Romeo, Mike. I’ll show you to the green room where you can help yourself to some drinks. Please stay there until you’re called. I suggest you use your time to go through the questions.”

“Thank you Andrew, where are you going?” Mary looked back as Andrew left them at the green room door.

“I’m just going to meet your guests. I won’t be long.” They both watched as he rushed off down the corridor.

“Do I look okay John?”

“Mary, you look a picture of beauty and grace. You’re blessed with a beauty not of this world.”

“Now I know you’re exaggerating. A simple yes would have sufficed.”

“Okay, yes, yes, yes. You are very beautiful. Anyway enough about you, how about me? Do I look respectable enough to be God’s messenger in front of those cameras?”

“Yes, very respectable. When I was watching you earlier talking with Andrew, I felt for the first time that you were completely doing the right thing. It’s as though your destiny will be fulfilled tonight.”

“It certainly will,” Ruth said. They hadn’t noticed the door behind them open.

“Ruth, come here,” John held out his arms for a loving embrace. Next through the door stepped David who walked over and gave Mary a hug. As she was held tight, she looked over his shoulder to see Lucifer slowly walking in. She felt her heart would burst as he looked at her with a smile. She stood back from David so Lucifer could see how she looked after her makeover, then she was in his arms holding him tightly.

“It’s good to see you again. You look amazing and beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.

“It’s good to see you too. I’ve missed you.”

“Right,” Andrew said as he returned. “We will be on air in about twenty minutes. John I will come and get you in fifteen. Don’t forget to straighten that tie, if needed.”

“What did he mean by that?” Ruth asked as he left the room.

“Nothing, he just wants me to look my best for the camera. Mary, is any chance of me greeting Luther now?”

“Sorry yes,” she stood back as John took hold of Lucifer’s hand. “It’s good to see you again, are you still happy with your new name?”

“Yes, thank you,”

“What new name?” Mary asked.

“I am sure Luther will tell you in his own time. Now tell me why do I feel a sense of apprehension about you? After all, I’m the one doing the interview.”

“It’s nothing,” Lucifer said. “I just have something to do tomorrow, something which is playing on my mind.”

“God hasn’t told me what that is, so I expect we’ll find out when we need to. Please everyone, sit down and try and help me forget my nerves.”

Andrew was getting his final orders from Rebecca as he sat in the make-up room. “So we’re quite clear,” she said, “that once all the relevant questions have been asked and answered, we will not under any circumstances prolong the interview for John to do his speech.”

“Yes we’ve decided that if he finds that he has nothing to say, he will signal me by straightening his tie.”

“All right, that’s decided. Even though you should have discussed that arrangement with me first.” The make-up artist pulled a face behind her back which Andrew caught sight of in the mirror. “Are we nearly done here? Time is getting close.”

“He will be done in about five minutes Rebecca. I will have him looking like a prince.” She winked at Andrew from behind him in the mirror.

“Just get it done and make him look more presentable. I’m on my way upstairs for some final checks.” She put her head phones on and spoke into the microphone. “Janet, Janet where are you?

Dammit, I swear she switches that thing off whenever I want to speak to her. Janet!”

They both laughed as she walked off, calling her floor manager’s name. In the green room, the minutes were ticking by and John heard more voices outside as the studio filled up with the production crew.

“I am so proud of you, John.” Ruth took hold of John’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

“Thank you Ruth, and thank you all for you all your support. I must say I’m really nervous but also excited at the same time.”

“Have you got your answers ready in your mind?” Mary had noticed that John had laid the envelope on the floor. “Vaguely, I think. I hate structured questions because they don’t allow you freedom of free thought and inspired talk. I’m not going to bother with the structured questions, I’ll just go with the flow.”

“Is that wise?” Ruth had a concerned look on her face.

“Very wise, Ruth. I am sure God will make sure everything goes right tonight.” They all stopped talking as the door behind them opened.

“Are you ready, John?” Janet said. “Your audience awaits. Andrew is already miked up and waiting for the cameras to roll.”

“Yes, I’m ready Janet, lead the way. I have a message the whole world needs to hear.”

Before leaving the room, he looked back at Lucifer who was looking down at the ground morosely.

“Hey Luther, everything will be okay. God did not save me just so I could live. There was a reason and you are part of that reason. Don’t lose faith in the Most High. I’m sure you’ll make the right choice.”

“Please can we go John? We’re cutting it very fine,” Janet interrupted.

“Sorry Janet, see you all later.” Lucifer looked at John and whispered, “Thank you”.

“Luther, will you join me here?” Mary patted the chair next to her with her hand.

“Of course,” he stood up and joined her on the sofa. Ruth pushed her husband from his chair.

“Come on David, turn the television on. We want to see our brother in action.”

David flicked the switch on. As the picture cleared, they saw the final part of the news being read out.

“How much longer to go?” Mary asked and David looked at his watch.

“About three minutes and then the news will end and John will be on live.” All four of them sat in front of the television nervously watching the time tick by. On the studio floor, Fiona made sure that John’s microphone was correctly fitted. The whole studio had now fallen into complete silence. In the office, Rebecca flicked the switch and turned on the red light to indicate they were going on air, and then she counted down.

“On my mark, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and cue Andrew, you are on.”

“Good evening and welcome to Inspired TV with me, Andrew Clayton. On tonight’s show, we have the extraordinary story of a man who claims to have been miraculously cured of cancer by the hand of God. No doubt you have read about it in the papers. He’s being hailed as the miracle man. Tonight we get an in-depth exclusive story of this so-called miracle man and the events leading to his miraculous recovery.”

“Good evening, John.”

“Good evening, Andrew.”

“First of all I would like to say how happy I am that you have beaten a dreadful illness. Please could you tell me and the people at home how long you had been suffering.”

“I was diagnosed about three years ago. The doctors told me that it was terminal and I would only have about five years to live.”

“So obviously you were suffering for a while. I’m sure some of the audience who are watching at home in similar circumstances can sympathise with the pain you endured.”

“Yes I suffered tremendously. It was a very painful illness, although not all the time. It was a bit like a rollercoaster ride. One minute I felt I was going to die, the next I felt like I could live another year.”

“It must have been difficult, how did you cope?”

“With lots of painkillers and the healing hands of my lovely sister Mary.” In the green room, they all looked at Mary. Ruth rubbed her sister’s back in appreciation.

“Tell us a bit about your feelings aduring your illness.”

“Like I said it was a bit like our rollercoaster ride, but it seemed when I was at my lowest ebb God would talk to me in my dreams.”

“What did God talk about?”

“Are you seeing this?” One of the producers sitting next to Rebecca in the office pointed to a computerised number on the panel in front of them.

“What?” she snapped.

“Our viewing figures. The highest it has ever been and people in other countries are now switching on to us.”