Viewers contemplate "Surrender" by David Berry and collages by Janet Luck.

        THREE INTERESTED SOULS

     This interview, also conducted near the front door of the theater as two ladies and a man were finished taking a final look at the photo exhibit and were about to leave together, was so informal that I forget to ask their names. "Ellen" is the only name that was spoken in the course of the interview. "Teresa" and "Brad" are fictional names.

Question: And you folks? What is the saga of your journey here to see this film?

Ellen: I'd heard of Meher Baba about thirty years ago, and I got busy with my life, put it on the back burner, and just started reading about Him again recently.

Question: And did you all see the ads in the papers?

All three: Yeah!

Teresa: The funny thing is, I didn't know anything about Him, and I didn't know you knew anything about Him, Ellen. But I'd been reading the ads, because I get the Chronicle every day. I've just been reading everything in the ads, for as long as they've been in there. And thinking, "Oh, gosh, do I want to go up there by myself, do I want to drive up?"
            So then anyway, Ellen, who's my sweet friend, says, "Hey, we're goin' to go see this movie!" and I just couldn't believe it (all laugh)! I'd been reading these ads like every day!

Ellen: Yeah, that's great, that worked out well!

Question: (pointing to Brad) And how'd you manage to get here?

Brad: (pointing to Ellen) I'm with her.

Ellen: Yeah, I  forced him to come along (everyone laughs)!

Teresa: He's our driver--our protector.

Question: Did the film speak to you and did you feel Baba?

Teresa: Yeah, it was great! It was fascinating. Really interesting. I used to do a lot of spiritual studies when I was in college, and I just totally missed this one. I mean, one thing I was thinking about was "How did I miss this?" I was into everything, reading everything, about Yogananda and what was going on in the East and West, and I missed this whole thing. So I'm fascinated. I'll probably read the book when you're done with it, Ellen—maybe before you're done with it! (laughter)

Ellen: Yeah, maybe, I'll have to start it all over again, I think I pulled my bookmark out. I need to start this one over again.

Question: Which book?

Ellen: God Speaks. I got part way through and went out and bought Listen, Humanity.

 

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