FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY: HOW FAR WILL ONE MAN GO?

Here lies a story of betrayal and deceit between 4 speleologists, 1 book and a lust for greed. Who will greed overtake? Will it be Aaron, Lenny, Daniel, or Michael? As we begin to explore the dynamics of their relationships; character, loyalty and friendship will be pushed to the ultimate test, soon discovering that there will be only one person left standing triumphantly in the end.

“Ok, so does everyone remember the plan? Now is the time to ask any last minute questions before we go in, because once we go inside the clock begins.” Aaron, Michael, and Daniel looked at Lenny in agreeance, while glancing at each other to make sure that they were all on one accord. Lenny continues, “Good. We have two hours to find the diamonds and the cash, and exit the caves safely. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT touch anything else. That was specifically directed towards you Michael. We all know how you love to wander, and we have no time for that today. We have to move quickly, thoroughly, and with precision. We can't afford to make any mistakes. Everything has to go according to plan because one minor mistake can cost us money, and more importantly it can cost us a life. Michael and Daniel, you two will meet me and Aaron at the center point of the cave. The goods are located somewhere in there. Check every hole, secret compartments, under every rock, everywhere. I want you to check anywhere that there can be even the smallest possibility that there is something hiding. After we find the money and diamonds we have exactly ten minutes to exit the tunnels before the rocks and debris start to fall, so keep that in mind when you are doing the search. Oh and one last thing, whatever you do, NEVER, I mean NEVER separate from your partner. The second scariest thing to going into a cave, is getting lost in a cave.” Laughter begins as they begin to put on their gear and equipment. “Hey, when we finish here, where should we get something to eat? I'm starving.” Daniel says. Michael not hesitating to respond says, “Idk, but wherever we go, dinners on me. Once we get these diamonds and the money, I can buy the whole restaurant for us and we can eat there forever.” “Okay, Okay” Lenny says in a somewhat serious, yet jokey tone. “Let's focus on one thing at a time, we have to complete the mission first before we start picking out which burger place we are going to buy.” Michael responds, “Can a man dream without Mr. Grinch over here trying to rain on my parade?” “No,” Daniel says as he starts to sing, “because he's a mean one, Mr. Grinch.” They both start to laugh hysterically as they walk towards the entry point to the cave. It's a small tunnel only big enough for two people at a time. This entry is not tall enough to stand, so while entering the cave they have to assume a flat position, allowing only for their forearms to move them when crawling.

“What's wrong Babe? You don't look so good.” “I don't know. Something feels off this time Lenny.” Aaron says, with an expression of skepticism and worry on her face. She continues, “I know I've said this a few times before, but this time is different. I think my intuition is really trying to warn me that we should turn around before there's no going back and it's too late.” Lenny says, “Well we’re here now, so it's kind of already too late. Look, just remember why we’re doing this. For the family, for our future, for us. I need you to be one hundred percent with me on this. I can't do it without you.” After a momentary pause of silence he continues to ask, “So, what do you say? Are you in?”, and with no hesitation Aaron follows those questions by saying, “I'm with you”. “WOOOOO! That's my girl. Trust me Aaron everything is going to be fine, and regardless if we find the chest or not, we still have each other. Right?” Aaron nods with a smile in an up-down motion. “Okay! Showtime Baby!”

During this intense discussion between Aaron and Lenny, emotions run high. Although Aaron still feels unsure, she pretends to be okay. She pushes past her inner voice and listens to Lenny when he tells her that everything will be fine because she loves him; but even though she chose to listen to him, deep down there lingers a feeling of uncertainty. In the meantime, while Lenny is reassuring Aaron, Michael and Daniel have entered the tunnel. Their voices of laughter slowly begin to fade into the dark, leaving nothing but echoes of silence to remain. Shortly after, we find Aaron and Lenny entering the tunnel as well, and from this moment on things will never be the same, leaving their lives forever changed.

As Lenny and Aaron crawl through the tunnel; bugs, lizards, rocks and mud begin to surround them. Puddles of water splashes their helmets, as the built in lights start to flicker- presenting the essence of a dark and mysterious tunnel. At this point they have been crawling for 10 minutes and the feeling of anxiety starts to kick in for Aaron, but just as they both start to feel like the tunnel is closing in on them, they reach the center of the cave. Now we have 4 speleologists on the hunt for a hidden treasure chest filled with cash and diamonds; but they are in for a little surprise as Michael discovers a little black book placed inside the chest as well. As Michael starts to go through the items, he picks up the book. Lenny spots him from across the cave and notices that he has found the treasures, so he decides to come over. When he approaches Michael, Lenny notices the book too, and as they start becoming mesmerized from the sparkle of the diamonds, Michael sees that there are directions in the book. Michael begins to read. “Whosoever shall open this book and find the fortunes will be faced with an undoable sacrifice. For these fortunes shall cause you great pain and only the evil and the wicked will survive the terror of the cave after the book is closed. If you have read this page in its entirety, beware.” As Michael finishes reading, a breeze travels through the cave causing a sense of fear to rush from the top of Lenny's head to the sole of his feet. He shivers. It couldn't be more clear that Michael and Lenny knew what they should do after reading the book, but they both ignored their instinct and continued with stealing the treasure chest. They never realize until it was too late that the breeze which caused Lenny to shiver, also causes the book to close; and at that exact moment the cave starts to tremble. Aaron and Daniel run over quickly to Lenny and Michael to see what is happening. In a panic, Lenny tells Aaron and Daniel to head towards the exit tunnel. Aaron listens, but Daniel doesn't. The ground beneath where Lenny and Michael are standing begins to split, causing Michael and the chest to fall. Lenny grabs hold of the chest, and unaware that Daniel is watching; Lenny pulls the chest up and kicks Michaels' grip from the chest, causing Michael to be crushed by the falling rocks. Daniel runs ahead of Lenny to avoid being spotted, and Lenny runs towards the exit with the chest, convinced that no one will ever know what he has done. He was sadly mistaken.

In this portion of the story, you will begin to witness an important conversation between 3 people after they make it out of the cave one person short. Undertake the unfolding of Lenny’s actions, which will leave Daniel and Aaron in disbelief.

Aaron- “Is everybody okay? Where’s Mike?”

Daniel- “Mikes dead, he's gone because of Lenny”

Lenny- “Don't be so dramatic, he is not dead because of me. We all knew the risk.”

Daniel- “We knew the risk but you had a choice Lenny, and you chose to save the diamonds and the money and a stupid book instead of Mike.”

Aaron- “Lenny is this true?.... Is it true what Dan is saying?”

Daniel- “Go on, tell her. Tell her what you did. Let her know who you really are.”

Lenny- “SHUT UP!..... I had to, I had no other choice.”

Daniel- “Of Course you had a choice, everyone has a choice. How about, I don't know, save Mike instead!

Lenny- “I tried okay. I tried to save them both. The chest and Mike, but I couldn't. It was too heavy… and at that moment I had to make a choice and I did. If you were in my shoes you would have done the same thing Dan. I made sure that you and Aaron were safe, my family. Doesn't that count for something?”

Daniel- Claps hands repeatedly then stops. “What do you want from me? Pity? No, It doesn't.”

Lenny- “He would have wanted this for us Dan and you know it. We worked so hard for so long, we finally have a way out.”

Daniel- “Do you hear yourself right now? All I know is that more than anything he would have wanted his life, and as for me that's where you’re wrong. If I was in your shoes, I would have chosen him; without a doubt.”

Lenny- “Well you weren't, now were you? It's easier said than done, my brother, and I'm not going to let anything or anyone get in the way of my future.”

Daniel- “Your future?”

Lenny- “Yes, that's right, my future.

Daniel- “I guess that applies to me, huh?”

Lenny- “If the shoe fits.”

Daniel- “Wooowwwwwww. I don't even know who you are right now. Let's be clear, if it wasn't for Mike, you wouldn't have a future…. You can keep the stupid diamonds and the money. We all know that's the only thing you truly care about, besides yourself. There is nothing good that can come from it now, but you know, that book was right about one thing. You are an evil man, with a wicked heart and I honestly feel sorry for you. You better pray that GOD can forgive what you did because I will never forgive you. I'm done.” As Daniel walks away from the cliff, he glances at Aaron one last time with tears streaming down his face and says, “He's your problem now.” and he disappeared into the forest, causing Aaron and Lenny to fall to their knees and weep, holding nothing but the book and each other. Now, the million dollar question arises for you, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can a man give in exchange of his soul?” Mark 8:36-37