Scene 1: 19 August 1738 – Gerresheim, Germany.


Claire Funkstart lives a simple farmer’s life with her parents and her two younger siblings. She has a strong devotion to Christianity and loves the sermons of Father Bernhard. He is kind and gentle and his words bring light to her. Today, like most Sundays, Claire is playing guitar and singing songs for the younger children in her church. She tells the inquisitive children that the songs, “just come from my heart.”

“You have the voice of an angel, Claire,” says Father Bernhard passing by.
That morning Claire believed he had given the most incredibly beautiful sermon. She felt deeply moved by it and felt that something inside her had changed since.
Claire struggles to put words to this feeling as she replies, “Thank you Father Bernhard. Your sermon today was beautiful. It deeply touched my heart. Thank you for your words.”

Father Bernhard smiles, “I’m happy the message got through, but you know Claire, you already knew it. Look at all these playful, happy, goofy children around you singing their hearts out. Who do you think created this little moment of paradise on earth? Mhm? Right now, for them, no other world exists. They are fully in it!”

Claire quietly stammers, “ I, I, … thank you, Father.”

Father Bernhard continues, “My dear Claire, you will do even greater things in your lifetime. Things beyond your imagination.”

As Claire is walking home, she senses the world around her changing. It feels as if the shapes and forms of the world around her are fading into the background as their colorful energy is becoming more prominent. She sees ethereal beings, floating or walking by her without giving her much attention. Strangely, even though on any other day, she would be in terror of being crazy, she remains calm, and more than anything, is in awe of the beauty around her.

As she arrives home, she is taken aback by the contrast; so much darkness! She perceives her parents and siblings as heavy, gloomy shadows.

Her mother greets her, “Bonsoir mon Chérie.”

Clair thinks to herself: what beautiful words, but somehow, they feel empty. All she feels is sorrow, desperation and hopelessness. She pleads for truth, “Mother, be real. Please…I can feel your sadness. I can feel your weariness. Be real. I love you!”

Claire’s mother, Hilde, opens her heart slightly, but quickly shuts down, “Bon, mon Chérie. Bon.” Her emotionless reply hiding her cynicism and bitterness at the harsh realities she felt and that her naïve daughter could never understand.

In this moment, Claire feels a rush of energy; a familiar presence coming through her. Before her young mind could grasp what was happening, the spirit of her grandmother speaks through her, “My dear child, I’m sorry. I love you so much. I hope you will be able to see what an amazing family you have created and what perfect children you have raised. I’m so proud of you.”

Looking completely confused and a little worried, her mother asks, “My child, are you sick? Is everything ok with you?”

Unfazed, Claire continues, “What do you need in order to be happy? What is it in this very moment, that would bring a smile upon your face? Let’s make it happen!”

Hilde fearfully says, “You’re scaring me, my child!” Claire’s mother yells for her father’s support. She explains to him that their daughter was speaking illogically as if she was possessed.

Claire’s father looks into her eyes and questions her about what is happening. He begs her to explain what is happening, “Claire, tell me, what do you see?”

With an honesty that she never before dared to speak, Claire answers, “I see a frustrated old man that has given up his dreams a long time ago.” As her father reacts to her boldness, Claire continues with calm clarity, “And now, finally, I can see a spark of heart coming forth. You have so much pushed down pain and anger but it’s ready to be seen by the warrior that you are to become.”

“What are you talking about?” the father exclaims. “Hilde, we have to take her to the exorcist, to Bruder Valentin.”

Claire walks along hesitantly.

After some explanation of the urgency of the situation to Bruder Valentin, Claire is led into a rather dark room with just a few rays of light escaping the old heavy curtains.

Bruder Valentin confidently exclaims, “Whatever evil spirits are in you, we will get them out! Let’s begin in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!”

Claire is becoming even more clear. She sees and speaks truth without worry: “Bruder Valentin. I am doing just fine, but is everything ok with you? You seem unhappy. If God is so loving and kind and you are serving him with all your heart and devotion, why do you feel your life is empty? Why are you sad and lonely?
Tell me, Bruder Valentin.”

Bruder Valentin feels a sharp pain going through his heart and a rush of the most horrible feelings of failure, despair, loneliness, sadness, disappointment and many more. Overwhelmed by the feelings and their impetus, a darkness comes over him that he had never felt before. It is a heartless place, where living or dying, yourself or others, is not of importance. He must make these feelings stop and yells, “Bind her to the bed immediately, and send a messenger to the bishop. I’m afraid to tell you this, but it is much more serious than I had thought.”

The parents in terror, but also believing that something deranged had entered their daughter, agree to the exorcism.

As Claire declares that she is going to leave, Bruder Valentin darkly states, “Claire my dear, I’m afraid you are not going anywhere.”

As Claire wakes up, she discovers are arms and legs are bound to the bed, “What is going on?!”

Bruder Valentin shouts, “Come out, evil spirit! The lord commands it!”

Claire questions, “Which lord? The I-do-not-know-how-to-think-for-myself-lord?”

Bruder Valentin is clearly angered by her insult of the Lord, but Claire continues with more love and gentleness in her voice, “My Dear Bruder Valentin. I love You! The Father I know does not get insulted. He is forever loving, no matter what you have made yourself believe as your failures, regrets and sins. He forgives you in every single moment of your life. What holds you prison is that you have not accepted his forgiveness.
I forgive you, Bruder Valentin, truly, I do! The beauty of Bruder Valentin’s soul brought tears to her eyes as she said, “I’ll be back…”

Her eyes close.

Her scared parents demand to know what is happening. Bruder Valentin explains to them that she is still alive but unconscious and that this possession is much more powerful than he originally thought. He continues, “We have to bring her body and soul back first. I will help this poor child. Bring me some hot water, some cloths and some lavender essence oil. Don’t worry Claire. We will help you. The Lord is with you!”

Scene 2: NOAH1

Claire wakes up disoriented and confused, “Where, where am I?”

The Captain welcomes her with a warm smile, “I’m glad you’re finally awake. I’m Christopher, Captain of BlueDragons spaceship NOAH1. We are here to help you. Please, excuse me a moment.” The Captain radios his crew, “Lieutenant Rhythm, Harmony, Claire is awake. Please report to the deck immediately.”

“Harmony? Rhythm? What odd names. Wait, are you God? I thought you had a beard! Am I dreaming?” Claire asked the Captain, clearly confused by the circumstances she finds herself in.

“No, Claire. You were dreaming before as many of your loved ones still are,” the Captain answers with a understanding smile. “Now you are very much awake.”

Just then Claire sees a giant, robotic man with a piano and a handsome man in a towel arrive on deck and she laughs, “Well, if I am dreaming, at least it is very entertaining!”

The Captain, a little surprised, follows Claire’s gaze, “Ah, swift as expected, Lieutenant Rhythm. You could have taken the time to dress. I assume you were in the shower?”

Rhythm nods affirmatively and the Captain explains, “So Claire, this is Lieutenant Rhythm, Second in Command of NOAH1.
Lieutenant Rhythm greets Claire with a brief but heartfelt: “Welcome, Claire!”

The Captain then introduces Harmony and Harmony greets Claire in his robotic voice, ”Hello Claire. I am Harmony. I am here to serve you.”

The Captain remains professional and continues to help bring clarity to the situation. “Claire, your people are lost in a non-existent world of imagined lack; lack of wealth, comfort, love... They feel empty and cold. A long time ago, the Elders of the BlueDragon have chosen you as a member of NOAH1. Your consent provided, you will become a Drake Cadet and learn more than you ever thought possible in basic academics, combat, space and time travel, universal truths and much more. Once your training is completed, you will have the opportunity to go back to your loved ones and talk to them.

Claire is still amused by the absurdity of the scene before her, “Join the handsome towel man, the talking, piano-robot thing and their wise leader to um,” (she hesitates a second), “um … save the world?” She giggles a little at her joke. A part of her was still thinking she must be asleep as she exclaims, “Count me in! Soo … what do I do now?”

Despite Claire’s silliness, the Captain remains completely composed, “First, you will be given your name.” Just as Claire was about to continue her playful banter, the Captain smirked slightly at his own cleverness and continued, “Since you like games so much my dear, you may puzzle out your name.”

He then slowly shares the following three clues:

The Rhythm of Life expresses itself through an individual __________.

These individual __________ have the ability to come together and create something greater than their individual __________, which is called Harmony.

In Harmony, the individual __________ creates an even more spectacular symphony.

Claire excitedly blurts out the answer, “Melody! Melody Claire Funkstart. I like it! Thanks Christopher!”

Captain replies, “You are very welcome, Melody.”