A few days ago I watched an episode of the television soap opera, "All My Children." I must admit that it was neither the first time nor the last. One of the segments for this particular day took place at the wedding of two of the central characters. The setting was a large living room filled with supportive guests. The clergyman seemed to be a Roman Catholic priest. He was dressed in a black suit and clerical collar and he had a white stole around his neck. He appeared to be very much in control of things, in the manner of a sure and confident host. He was clearly at home with the marriage rite and he gave undistracted attention to the bride and to the groom.

In the middle of the marriage vows, the matron of honor quietly pulled a revolver from her bouquet and aimed it at the bride's bac…