8:56 p.m. Passion Ministry

“We’re not ruined!” Phil announced, almost giddy with excitement. “I know Brendan’s death’s made things much, much worse, but I’ve been thinking this through and we’ve got a chance! Listen to me, John. It was all her idea. That snooping TV bimbo. We never proclaimed Jimmy as Jesus Christ. Did we, Sheila?”

“No... we were very careful,” replied Sheila.

“She did, the media did, right? With Andrew dead, there’s no proof, other than John inheriting a piece of the Shroud. No law ‘gainst that.” Phil leaned toward John. “It was her sketchy mental leap to say Jimmy was Christ’s clone. We can fight back, saying she conspired against us to get a sensational story. We can sue, right, Sheila?”

“Uh, I’m not—”

“Right. It’s easy, John. We can save the Ministry and all its good works. Given a little time, we can go on like before. All we have to do is issue a simple statement refuting Darrow’s outrageous claims about Jimmy’s identity. Sheila’ll think of something.” He put his hands on his hips. “Well? What do you think?”

Oscar shrugged. Maggie looked at John. Sheila bit her lip while scribbling down ideas.
“John?”

The Apostle stirred. “No.”

“No? Come on, John. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

The Apostle smiled. “The truth?”

Phil slapped the table. “Show him,” Phil commanded. Sheila hesitated. “Show him! He’s got a right to know.”

Sheila shot an apologetic glance at Maggie, then pulled the photo album off the floor. She flipped it open. Slid it across the table.

“Oh!” exclaimed Maggie.

John’s eyes flooded with tears.

Phil poked a finger on Jimmy’s photo. “Uh-huh, Jimmy, all right. But...” He pointed to the opposite page. “Who’s this?”

John stroked the aged photograph. Oscar stiffened.

“It’s Andrew,” Phil said softly. “Andrew, as a boy.”

Maggie stared. “What do you mean, Andrew? It’s Jimmy.”

“Afraid not,” Sheila replied. “It really is Andrew.”

Oscar cocked his head.

“It looks like Andrew couldn’t successfully regenerate the cells on the Shroud. But he didn’t want to disappoint you, John.” Phil hesitated. “So…he cloned himself.”

“Not from the Shroud...impossible!”John hugged himself. Began rocking.

Maggie whispered, “Andrew?”

“It’s right there in black and white,” said Phil. “Of course we don’t have to tell anybody. Andrew and Jimmy’s deaths are tragic but our work goes on. It’s you, John. You’re the Passion Ministry, the one people believe in. It’s no different now. This’ll all blow over and we’ll be back on track, you’ll see.”

John leaped to his feet. “Jimmy was my life. My destiny!”

“It’s all right, darling! Don’t. Please, you need rest.” Maggie turned to Phil. “Can’t you see he’s heartbroken, Phil? He needs time. Leave him alone!”

“The... the Ministry’s nothing,” John said, his tone flat. “Nothing without him.”

Maggie reached for him but he twisted away, stumbling inadvertently into Oscar’s arms.

“I’m... nothing without him,” he whispered. “Nothing.”