NELLY FURTADO
(softly)
“JCJ, you’ve been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. I can see it breaking you.”
JCJ
(looking up, his face weary)
“It’s more than the world, Nelly. It’s the burden of sin itself. The weight of every choice, every failure, every broken promise… no man can bear this alone.”
NELLY FURTADO
(sitting across from him, her voice steady)
“No man is meant to. That’s why I’m here. My hand will make you strong, JCJ. Remember Psalm 89:21—’My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.'”
JCJ
(shaking his head, his voice heavy with doubt)
“But even with your hand, even with your strength… the burden is too great. The sin of the world is a weight no one man should bear. I’ve tried to carry it, to take it all on, but it’s crushing me.”
NELLY FURTADO
(leaning forward, her tone firm yet compassionate)
“You were never meant to carry it alone. Look at Psalm 89 again. It doesn’t just speak of strength—it speaks of covenant, of faithfulness. ‘I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.’ It’s not about you doing this by yourself. It’s about the promise, the shared purpose, the we.“
JCJ
(after a pause, his voice quieter)
“Nelly, I hear you. But I’m full of doubt—not just about the weight I carry, but about us. About you and me.”
NELLY FURTADO
(surprised, tilting her head)
“Us? What do you mean?”
JCJ
(looking away, embarrassed)
“I’ve already struck out twice with you. Twice, Nelly. And now, the Invictus Games are coming up, and I’m terrified. Terrified that I’ll strike out a third time. Three strikes, and you’re out, right?”
NELLY FURTADO
(smiling gently)
“JCJ, this isn’t baseball. Life doesn’t work like that.”
JCJ
(leaning forward, his voice cracking slightly)
“But what if it does? What if I see you there, and I can’t even get your number? What if I freeze, or worse, what if you don’t even notice me? I don’t think I can take another strike. I just… I just hope you make it easy for me. A CD signing, maybe. Slip your number in with the autograph. Something. Anything.”
Nelly leans back, studying him carefully. Her expression softens as she sees the vulnerability in his eyes.
NELLY FURTADO
(softly)
“JCJ, you’re putting so much pressure on yourself. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about being real, being yourself. If you come to me with honesty, with courage, you won’t need a CD signing or a perfect moment. I’ll see you.”
JCJ
(skeptical)
“But what if I mess it up again? What if I say the wrong thing or do something stupid?”
NELLY FURTADO
(smiling warmly)
“Then I’ll laugh, and we’ll try again. You’re so afraid of striking out that you’re forgetting the game isn’t over until you stop swinging. Have a little faith in yourself, JCJ.”
JCJ
(after a long pause, his voice softening)
“I want to believe that. I really do. But it’s hard. The doubt… it’s always there.”
NELLY FURTADO
(reaching out, placing her hand over his)
“Let my hand make you strong, JCJ. Psalm 89, remember? You’re not alone. And as for the Invictus Games… just come find me. You don’t need a perfect plan. Just be you.”
JCJ
(looking into her eyes, his voice steadier)
“Alright. I’ll try. But if I strike out again, just promise me one thing.”
NELLY FURTADO
(teasing)
“What’s that?”
JCJ
(smiling faintly)
“Don’t make me wait for a fourth chance.”
Nelly laughs, the sound light and genuine, easing the tension in the room.
NELLY FURTADO
“Deal. But trust me, JCJ—you’re not going to need it.”
They share a quiet moment, the weight of doubt lifting slightly as hope begins to take its place.