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A Bite of Applesauce

Album: Gold Audio 05: Daring Deeds, Sinister Schemes

Episode: 73

Lesson/Theme: Obedience

Bible Verse: Genesis 3

Characters: Donna, Connie, Eugene, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: May 20, 1989

Last Air Date: April 15, 2008

Description:
Whit has been busy working on a new project at Whit's End, and his secretive attitude is nearly driving Connie crazy-especially when Whit lets Eugene in on the secret. Whit shows Eugene a special computer room behind the bookshelf in his office. The room contains a huge computer named Mabel and an unusual program called "Applesauce." Whit shows Eugene how to use Mabel but gives him strict instructions: (1) to keep the room a secret and (2) absolutely, positively, under no conditions is he or anyone else allowed to even look at "Applesauce." Eugene promises. Later that week, Whit is at a city council meeting when the electric train set starts acting funny. Eugene goes to take care of the problem. He starts off toward the office, telling Connie to wait where she is. But her curiosity and frustration at being left out get the best of her. She follows Eugene into the office . . . and the computer room. Eugene immediately orders her out, but Connie stubbornly refuses to go until Eugene shows her how Mabel works. So Eugene shows her, swearing Connie to secrecy. Unfortunately, she sees the "Applesauce" program on the main menu and wonders what it does. Eugene adamantly refuses to look at "Applesauce" and insists that they both leave. Connie agrees, and finally they go. But the next morning when Connie is running the shop all alone, the train set acts funny again. Connie tries to get Mabel to fix it, but she accidentally loads "Applesauce." The program causes Whit's End to go crazy! Eugene arrives and tries to stop the computer, with limited success. Finally, Mabel uses "Applesauce" to shut down the shop completely, causing the place to become as quiet as a tomb. Connie and Eugene are mortified. When they finally face Whit, he is anguished that his two most trusted employees-and his friends-would disregard his wishes and instructions. Eugene and Connie apologize profusely, and Whit forgives them, but the damage is done. They must face the consequences. Effective immediately, Connie and Eugene can no longer work at Whit's End. They're fired.

Questions:
When Connie first entered the computer room, what should Eugene have done? Describe a time when you realized the benefits of having rules. What would have happened if (or when) you broke these rules? Why has God sent rules for us? Why does he command obedience to them?