It didn't look that far on the map.
MAHALIA
I died the day I was born. Something went wrong along the way, and I've been unsure about my purpose on this earth ever since. If I was hit by a car, if I fell off a cliff, would anyone care? I remember the heaven I lived in before my birth, safe in the cradle of mankind, and I only want to return to it.
But a man came down from the mountains. I'm captivated by Gideon Fortunati, his name expressing all that he is—keeper of my fate, master of reality, teacher of my future. Now I finally have a future, and he's enlightening me about my capabilities. I don't have to let The Prophet take my daughter and marry her off to that old man. Gideon was sent to me for a reason. I was guilty of dirt and sin, but I can take my life back now. I can submit to his purifying power.
GIDEON
I was exiled to this godforsaken wasteland by our MC Prez, pissed off beyond all reason at my punishment. My entire existence has been a struggle, a futile tirade against my maker. I ranted against my fate, and in answer I was sent Mahalia. A naive waif, a victim of that twisted false preacher of Good Fortune, Allred Lee Chiles. He's tried to mangle her like a spineless puppet, like he has all the other girls. I can't allow that to happen.
Before I met her, I was a child. I thought and spoke like a child. Now I've given up childish ways, and I can see everything in a mirror, face to face. Faith, hope, and love were all handed to me, and the greatest of these is love. I've come too far. There's no surrender now.