It's not high concept. It has no target audience. It's offensive
and probably unmakeable.
A place that should be Heaven but might be Hell.
Page 1
FADE IN
INT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD, PRESENT DAY - NIGHT
DEBORAH (29), eyes closed, hands upraised, is filled with the
spirit. Beside her, husband DAN (33) speaks in tongues.
DAN
Yakatwakastilleringquast...
Gospel music swells. Everyone is on their feet --
-- including daughter JULIE (4) who hugs Deborah's leg with
one arm and rubs it with the other. The little girl is
astonished, even scared by the jubilation in the aisles. She
flinches as PREACHER screams into his microphone.
PREACHER
SHOUT IT TO HEAVEN. SHOUT! LET THE
SPIRIT FILL YOU! DON'T DENY IT.
Julie grips Deborah's leg harder. rubbing higher on her
mother's leg, caressing her thigh under the material, ever
higher...
Suddenly Dan yanks Julie's arm away. He squeezes her hand
very hard.
The girl gasps.
EXT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD - NIGHT
Deborah and family emerge from the church. Julie raises her
arms, rises to her toes.
JULIE
I wanna be a ballerina, I wanna be a
ballerina...
Dan leans close to his wife.
DAN
How can you let her touch you like that?
Deborah, a bit confused, pats her daughter's hair.
A FELLOW CHURCH MEMBER approaches from another direction.
He's with his wife and BOY (6).
FELLOW CHURCH MEMBER
Dan. Let's talk.
The men walk away.
Page 2
DEBORAH
(to the wife)
Nice service tonight.
The woman ignores her.
Deborah watches Dan lay a comforting hand on the man's
shoulder. The man throws it off. Deborah turns away.
JULIE
I wanna be a ballerina.
BOY
Your dad is a crook!
Deborah grabs Julie's hand and scurries away.
INT. FAMILY CAR - NIGHT
Dan drives. Deborah gazes out the window. Julie's strapped
into her car seat, nodding off.
DEBORAH
I'm signing Julie up for ballet.
DAN
No!
Deborah winces.
DEBORAH
if it's the money --
DAN
It's not the money!
Up ahead a convenience store window reads: "Milk $2.29"
"Honey $1.99" Dan pulls into the lot.
DAN
I'm getting some milk.
DEBORAH
We don't need milk.
DAN
Forget ballet! Forget prancing around
on stage like a cheap whore! Yes, we
need milk. No more fruit juice.
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
Dan grabs a carton of milk. On his way to pay he notices
honey bottles. He grabs one, pops the lid, squirts some into
his mouth.
Page 3
INT. FAMILY CAR - NIGHT
Deborah leans her head back, eyes closed, tears streaming
down her cheeks.
The driver's door opens. The ignition keys clink. The
electric locks lock.
Deborah turns to see:
HARRY
Sit tight, Mama!
HARRY -- a raw ethnic mix, proud gun owner -- starts the car
and throws it into reverse. A pickup swerves to miss.
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE
Exiting the store, Dan witnesses his car...moving?
INT. FAMILY CAR
As Harry works the gear shift, Deborah knocks Harry's gun
into the seat.
EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE
Dropping his honey bottle, Dan runs to his lurching car.
INT/EXT. FAMILY CAR
Deborah fights to strip the gun away. She becomes entangled
in her shoulder harness.
Dan appears through the driver's side window.
DEBORAH
DAN!
Dan beats on the glass. He smashes the milk carton on the
windshield. White liquid splatters. Harry smirks as --
Dan's arm pierces the window and grabs Harry's throat.
Harry yanks the gun from Deborah's grip and fires blindly
through the window. The arm tenses and falls away.
DEBORAH
DAN!!!
She heaves towards her husband. Harry pistol whips her as he
speeds away --
HARRY
Mother... fucking... bitch!
Page 4
-- and all goes BLACK.
The sound of a car door opening.
JULIE
I want my Mommy.
INT. FAMILY CAR - NIGHT.
Deborah's slumped against her door, eyes shut.
Harry looks back at Julie as SCRATCH slips into the backseat.
JULIE
Mommy, wake up!
HARRY
Just be cool.
JULIE
(pointing at Scratch)
Who's that?
HARRY
Scratch. He's going to the party with
us. You still want to go to the party
don't you?
JULIE
(sniffling)
I wanna be a ballerina.
Scratch leans over the front seat. Harry slips the tip of his
gun under Deborah's dress, lifts it.
SCRATCH
Car's fucking equipped!
EXT. FAMILY CAR - CONTINUOUS
The car roars away.
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - NIGHT
Headlights approach a trash dumpster behind a dark, secluded
strip mall. Tires slide to a stop. Lights and engine die.
Doors open. Moaning. Shuffling feet.
DEBORAH -- MOMENTS LATER
pinned to the pavement, on her back. She's in a fog. She
GASPS as Harry penetrates her.
In the background Scratch grins in anticipation.
Julie cries in her car seat. She cries a lot.
Page 5
HARRY
Shut that little bitch up!
SCRATCH
How?
HARRY
I don't give a shit!
Scratch bends over the child, dumbfounded.
DEBORAH
My daughter!
HARRY
Shut up, bitch!
Scratch unties Julie's carseat. Deborah strains to see.
DEBORAH
Don't take her from her car seat!
Harry SLICES a knife across her throat.
INT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD - NIGHT
The choir sings:
CHOIR
Don't take her from her car seat!
Deborah unwraps from Julie and heads towards the stage.
Preacher wields the microphone.
PREACHER
When you feel the sin welling up inside,
sing "take me Jesus."
CHOIR
Take me Jesus!
Deborah climbs the stairs stage right, lifts her dress over
her head, casts it aside. She's nude.
PREACHER
(slyly)
When the flesh grips a hold of you,
SHOUT! 'Take me Jesus!'
He struts across the stage.
PREACHER
Take me Jesus, take me!
Page 6
He kneels at Deborah's feet, presses a palm against her leg.
She mumbles along, trance-like, touching her neck.
PREACHER/DEBORAH
Please --
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - NIGHT
-- as blood flows from her throat --
DEBORAH
-- take me Jesus.
Harry thrusts with disbelieving enthusiasm.
SCRATCH
Yeah, Jesus!
INT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD - NIGHT
Preacher runs his hand up Deborah's leg. She grabs his head,
tilts back, closes her eyes in ecstasy. He raises his arm.
PREACHER
If thy right arm offends thee --
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - NIGHT
Harry, Scratch, wild eyed, frenzied.
DEBORAH / PREACHER (O.S.)
-- cut it off!
SCRATCH
You believing this shit?
INT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD - NIGHT
Preacher, emphatically.
PREACHER
Whatever offends thee! Cut it off!
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - NIGHT
An ear dangles just inches away. She reaches up and BITES.
HARRY
Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!
Harry pounds on her. She hangs on.
PREACHER (O.S)
Pluck out thy eyes!
She pokes his eyes. She pulls his horn-sculpted hairdo.
Page 7
Scratch kicks her. WHOMP!, WHOMP! Harry grabs her head and
POUNDS it against the pavement (still attached to his).
HARRY
Shhhhiiiitttt!
WHOMP!!! Scratch kicks her once more as Harry twists free.
Harry scrambles to his feet clutching the bloody side of his
face. He looks at Deborah in disbelief.
Deborah, smeared with blood, spits out half an ear. It
bounces off Harry's shoe.
HARRY
Fuck!!!
Harry goes into a rampage, smashing car windows,
HARRY
Fucking...
...slamming his fist into the hood,
HARRY
Jesus!!!
...burying his knee into a fender.
HARRY
Freak!!!
INT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD - NIGHT
Deborah's head tilts back in anticipation...
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
Deborah crawls away, choking.
DEBORAH
Whore... Slut.... Jezebel.
Harry grabs his gun, FIRES.
Deborah's eyes widen.
Harry fires another shot.
Deborah crawls a few more inches, coughs blood, then slumps.
INT. CHURCH OF THE LIVING WORD - NIGHT
Deborah limply lying across the preacher's knee. He weeps.
Page 8
PREACHER
I shed my skin for you --
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - SECONDS LATER
Harry and Scratch lift limp Deborah to the edge of the trash
dumpster.
PREACHER (O.S.)
-- I shed everything for you. Please,
Jesus --
As she's dropped into the refuse,
PREACHER (O.S)
-- dispose of my body.
Her hand lingers on Harry, her eyes filled with the pity of
the infinite.
It gives Harry the creeps.
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - SECONDS LATER
The car peels away, then stops. A door opens.
Julie's empty car seat flies through the air, arcing towards
the trash dumpster.
INT. TRASH DUMPSTER
The car seat hits inside. Deborah flinches.
As the car speeds away her eyes find the stars. One in
particular grows brighter until there is an amazing,
BLAZING WHITEOUT.
A dim shape gradually gells into the form of Deborah's
daughter near the end of a --
INT. LONG, DARK TUNNEL.
Julie's wearing a tutu, giggling, weaving from side to side,
looking over her shoulder. She runs towards the light.
JULIE
Come on, Mommy, it's not far now!
Deborah chases after her.
JULIE
Hurry up!
Julie stops at the exit of the tunnel. She's on the edge of a
precipice. Blazing light illuminates her angelic smile. She
Page 9
poses like a diver...
DEBORAH
No!
Julie giggles, then leaps.
Deborah runs out of the tunnel. The bright void comes into
view.
She looks down. Pillowy clouds roll to the edge. They lap at
her feet.
A hand rises slowly out of the mist. It caresses her foot.
Another caresses her calf. Then dozens of hands try to touch
her, beckoning...
She steps back, out of reach. Hands motion her forward.
DEBORAH
No, no.
The hands grow frantic. Deborah bends down to comfort them.
DEBORAH
I can't...
Hands are all over her legs. She giggles as she peels them
off. But they latch back on.
DEBORAH
I just can't...
They pull at her. She wobbles, slips...
INTO THE CLOUDS
Twisting, turning, nowhere, everywhere, laughing...
DEBORAH
Julie? Julie?
She tries to locate something, anything... giggling.
A weak HUM, growing louder.
KA-PLUNK!
A bed. Soft pillow. White sheets. A florescent light
HUMMMSSS. Fuzzy surroundings become:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
A shadow to the right is Dan. Deborah lifts her body.
Page 10
DAN
Relax.
Her hand touches her bandaged forehead and neck.
DAN
Know who I am?
She nods. He hugs her.
DAN
I knew you'd make it through.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
DOCTOR peers into Deborah's eyes. He places a stethescope to
her chest.
DOCTOR
Breathe.
She does. He examines her bandages.
DOCTOR
How's your appetite?
DEBORAH
(grinning)
Here?
He looks at her oddly.
DOCTOR
We'll start with something light.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Deborah propped up, eats soft foods. Dan looks on.
DEBORAH
Julie hasn't arrived?
DAN
Arrived?
DEBORAH
Oh...I thought... Yeah, she jumped. I
think I did too. But... I can't really
remember. You say it's been how long?
DAN
Ten days.
She offers him a fork full.
Page 11
DEBORAH
Would you taste these carrots?
DAN
No thanks.
She gobbles them up.
DAN
The doctor said it might take time to
clear your head.
DEBORAH
I just never knew carrots could taste so
good! They're like candy. So orange!
You won't have any?
He shakes his head.
DEBORAH
I'm sure she's okay. I guess 'okay' is
the word. Isn't it odd how your whole
perspective changes?
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Deborah, restless in bed, opens her eyes. She's drawn to the
window. There is an orb glowing through the curtains.
Deborah is weak and wobbly as she shuffles to the window.
Her hand parts the curtains. Her face fills with awe.
She stares motionless towards the heavens, soaking in rays
that invigorate. She presses her palm against the glass.
Deborah looks at a huge full moon, except it's not exactly
the moon. It's a planetary smiley face, smiling just for her.
DEBORAH
Oh, my God!
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Dan wheels Deborah down the hall, towards the outside doors.
It triggers a flood of images.
The long hallway stretches into a tunnel.
DEBORAH
It was just like they say. I was in a
tunnel. There was a light. And Julie.
She's rolling down a steep grade towards the light. Coming
the other direction an old man on crutches struggles uphill.
Page 12
DEBORAH
I was falling towards her. Floating like
a feather. I remember being so
incredibly anxious! Thinking, I wonder
what heaven will feel like. Isn't that
funny. I wanted to FEEL heaven.
The door swings open and she's shocked by the view.
DEBORAH
Was it beautiful for you, too, Dan?
She looks up at him with hopeful eyes.
EXT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
She's dazzled by the sunshine as Dan wheels her out. She
climbs from the wheelchair into:
INT./EXT. CAR
Dan shuts her door and disappears with the wheelchair.
Deborah touches the dash. She feels its smoothness. She
touches other surfaces.
An ambulance arrives at the emergency entrance. Two
paramedics pull out a bloody accident victim. Deborah turns
away.
DEBORAH
(whispers)
Happy thoughts. Only happy thoughts.
Dan returns, gets in and starts driving.
She rolls down the window and sticks out her hand. Wind blows
through her fingers.
DEBORAH
Wow!
Dan gives her a worried look.
Deborah takes in sights: Churches with steeples. Cars with
fish symbols. A cross dangles from a rearview mirror. An
impressive "Jesus Savings and Loan." A group of nuns scurry
along the sidewalk. An evangelist on a street corner.
In the clouds, an outline of Jesus.
EXT. CONDO - DAY
Dan and Deborah drive up to the gate. Dan rolls down his
window and swipes a card across the control box. The gate
parts. They drive through.
Page 13
DAN
Look familiar?
DEBORAH
It's amazing.
EXT. CONDO BUILDING
Dan opens Deborah's car door. She gets out.
DAN
I want you to put your hand over
your heart.
She does. She smiles from ear to ear.
DEBORAH
It beats! That's a riot!
DAN
We're still among the living, Deborah.
We're alive.
DEBORAH
I've got to admit, it's not what I
expected at all.
INT. CONDO - CONTINUOUS
They enter their second story apartment. Deborah recognizes:
The couch, picture of Jesus, a cross on the wall, TV, Bible
on the coffee table, angel figurines everywhere.
INT. JULIE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Deborah goes over to the crib/bed. She grabs a stuffed animal
and hugs it. The animal wears a tutu.
DAN
A Detective is coming by tomorrow.
DEBORAH
That's nice.
She looks up into Dan's eyes.
DEBORAH
Don't look so worried. From now on it's
happy thoughts. Only happy thoughts.
Nothing is real anyway.
She smiles sweetly.
Page 14
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Nightstand light is on. Deborah and Dan are in bed; she's
reading an inspirational book, he's dozing, an open Bible on
his chest.
Deborah closes her book, grabs a TV remote control beside
her, aims, and turns on the TV, sound mute. She flips through
channels: typical sitcom, hospital drama, nature show,
evangelist. She flips back to the nature show.
Impulsively she gets up, puts on her robe, and walks to:
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
She looks at the window. Through the curtains she sees that
glow again.
EXT. PATIO - NIGHT
Deborah walks out onto the patio.
She peers at the moon -- still in its magnificent smiley face
phase.
She becomes aware of a noise. Metal clinks against metal.
She's drawn to the railing. She looks down.
The patio overlooks a parking area, a swimming pool, hot tub,
and an exercise room. This room has huge windows and mirrors.
The chrome exercise equipment glitters.
A man is on one of the massive machines. This is TOM.
Deborah watches Tom pump metal. Even though he's a hundred
feet away and sealed in a room, she hears his every breath,
his every grunt.
She watches the rhythm, the muscles flexing, the metal
pounding.
Overhead, a meteor streaks across the sky.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Dan, dressed for work, sits on the edge of the bed.
DAN
Deb.
Deborah's eyes open.
DAN
Detective Garvey will be by at ten.
He holds up a key chain, takes off a key.
Page 15
DAN
I don't want you driving anywhere. Not
yet. You're not well.
He kisses her on the forehead, rises, turns to leave...
DEBORAH
Dan.
He turns around.
DEBORAH
Angels on your body.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Deborah at the mirror. She pulls off bandages. The wounds are
bad but healing.
IN THE SHOWER
Deborah soaps her body. The bubbles catch her attention. She
smoothes soap over her skin as if it's the first time she's
ever done it.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Deborah opens the refrigerator and peers inside. Now dressed
nicely, freshly bandaged, she reads labels, opens drawers...
She pulls out a jar of olives. Only one olive remains. She
dumps that last olive in her mouth and savors it.
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
Deborah grabs a plump bunch of carrots with parsley-like
tops. She sneaks one bite.
A young MR. PRODUCE trims broccoli. He watches Deborah move
to the tomatoes.
Her eyes light up. She grabs an organic tomato, some grape-
sized tomatoes. She gives the Romas a squeeze. Her eyes rove
critically. She smells each.
Her basket is like an artist palette, all colors and
varieties of vegetables.
She moves to the fruit, passing Mr. Produce.
MR. PRODUCE
Good morning.
DEBORAH
Isn't it though! Do you take care of
all these lovely vegetables?
Page 16
MR. PRODUCE
Yes Ma'am.
DEBORAH
Great job!
He grins.
She rolls through CANNED GOODS, stops in front of olives,
grabs several jars of black and green ones.
She wheels to the SHAMPOOS, smells several bottles.
She rolls to CHECKOUT.
Her attention is drawn to the magazines. One screams "Put
Sizzle Back in Your Marriage Bed." She takes a peek.
INT. CALL CENTER, PIT - DAY
A room filled with identical cubicles. Rows of operators like
clones. They make the exact same phone call:
OPERATOR #1
Mr. Grey, I'm calling on behalf--
Next cubicle...
OPERATOR #2
-- of New Covenant Foundation. Have you
heard of New Covenant and the --
Next cubicle...
OPERATOR #3
-- good work we're doing spreading the
gospel through faith-friendly
investments?
Next cubicle... we come to Dan. He looks over the top of his
cubicle and notices all the other operators listening for the
same answer, just like him.
CONTACT#1 (filtered)
Fuck off!
CLICK. The contact hangs up.
Dan dials another number, as does everyone else.
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
Hello?
Page 17
DAN
Mr.... Um,
(there's no name in
the NAME field!)
I'm calling on behalf of--
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
I've been expecting your call, Dan.
DAN
Excuse me?
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
Sorry about your wife.
Dan, dumbfounded, checks the number.
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
God wants you to invest in MY church,
Dan.
DAN
What?
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
You heard me.
Dan hangs up. The phone rings back. Dan jumps. He grabs the
phone.
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
No hanging up, Dan.
Dan looks over at the other cubicles. All eyes are on him.
He ducks down.
DAN
How do you know my name?
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
Faith, Dan. Tests of faith. What if
every time you went to church you knew
it could kill you?
Dan hangs up, shaking. The phone rings. He grabs it.
DAN
HOW DID YOU GET THIS NUMBER?
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
Under your keyboard, Dan.
DAN
What?
Page 18
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
Look under your keyboard.
Dan lifts it to find a folded piece of paper. He unfolds it.
It's an advertisement for:
"Last Church of Signs and Wonders"
SPOOKY CONTACT (filtered)
I expect you tomorrow night.
The contact hangs up. Dan is shaken. He notices everyone
looking at him again. They turn back to business.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Deborah puts the food away except one olive jar. She opens it
delicately.
She devours the whole jar as she reads "Put Sizzle Back in
Your Marriage Bed." Yet she's distracted.
She drops the magazine and begins examining things, curious
as a child:
She pushes down the toaster, watches as the coils heat red.
She turns on the kitchen sink, sprays the sprayer.
The refrigerator motor comes on. She puts her ear against the
door. HUM. Her pressed hand -- her fingers vibration.
She walks into the bedroom, sits on the bed, bounces.
She puts her finger on the LED display of the alarm clock and
traces over the glow.
She opens the top drawer of the night stand. SURPRISE: A
gun. She picks it up like a dead mouse.
A knock at the door. She stows the gun.
INT. CONDO FRONT DOOR
Deborah opens the door. DETECTIVE GARVEY stands there.
DET. GARVEY
Deborah?
DEBORAH
Detective Garvey?
He hands her his business card.
DET. GARVEY
Just call me Garv. Everybody does.
Page 19
DEBORAH
Sure, Garv.
INT. CONDO LIVING ROOM
Deborah and Garvey seated on opposite ends of the couch.
DEBORAH
I wish I remembered more. But I was
barely conscious. Is this necessary? I
mean, it's ancient history now.
DET. GARVEY
Anything at all. Anything.
DEBORAH
Perhaps if I...
DET. GARVEY
Yes?
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
Deborah in the passenger seat. Garvey drives down an alley.
The crime scene comes into view.
DEBORAH
(pointing)
Pull over there, Garv.
Aiming to please, he steers that way.
DET. GARVEY
Here?
DEBORAH
Just a second.
She hops out.
EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
Deborah studies the car's position. She motions Garvey
forward and to the right until Garvey is parked in the same
position as Harry was.
Garvey stops the engine and gets out of the car.
DEBORAH
Yes, just like this. Julie was in her
carseat, and ....Scratch was with her.
DET. GARVEY
Scratch?
Page 20
DEBORAH
That's what he was called.
Deborah glances at the ground.
DEBORAH
And I was...
She kneels.
DEBORAH
...here...
She sits, lies on the asphalt, as if Harry was over her.
DET. GARVEY
That's not necessary...
DEBORAH
Right here. Like this.
She notices the trash dumpster. A rat nibbles a discarded
half-eaten burger. It looks at her. She shifts her gaze.
DEBORAH
(whispering)
Happy thoughts!
DET. GARVEY
Excuse me?
DEBORAH
The other one's name was Harry. I'm
remembering now.
She shuts her eyes.
DET. GARVEY
Any distinguishing marks.
DEBORAH
No.
DET. GARVEY
A tattoo, mole, scar.
DEBORAH
No.
Her eyes roll under her eyelids.
DEBORAH
His ear!
She opens her eyes and sits straight up, delighted.
Page 21
DEBORAH
I bit off his ear!
DET. GARVEY
You bit it off?
DEBORAH
Yes!
DET. GARVEY
How much of it?
DEBORAH
About half.
DET. GARVEY
Know how tough an ear is? It's damned
near impossible to bite through.
She offers her hand. He helps her up.
DEBORAH
Well I did it. I spat it right back at
him.
DET. GARVEY
Good going.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
Garvey driving through a rather seedy part of town.
DET. GARVEY
How long have you and your husband been
married, Deborah?
DEBORAH
Six years.
DET. GARVEY
Six. Been a good six?
DEBORAH
Yeah. Good.
DET. GARVEY
But not great...?
Deborah notices a sign up ahead: HEAVENLY GIRLS NUDE CABARET.
DEBORAH
What are you getting at, Garv?
DET. GARVEY
Did you know your husband has you both
heavily insured?
Page 22
Deborah gives him a disbelieving look.
DET. GARVEY
It's just routine.
DEBORAH
You've been around, haven't you, Garv?
I'll bet you know a thing or two about
this place.
DET. GARVEY
More than I like.
DEBORAH
Tell me the truth. How does one go about
getting in touch with the living?
DET. GARVEY
Excuse me?
DEBORAH
I don't mean to haunt anybody or
anything. I just want to drop in and say
hello.
Deborah practically jumps out of her seat!
DEBORAH
Pull in over there!
DET. GARVEY
What?
She points to an adult book store.
DEBORAH
Right there, Garv!
He obliges.
INT. ADULT BOOK STORE
Deborah enters, breezing by a sign that says:
IF NUDITY OFFENDS, TURN AROUND!
She glances around the store. A few men are looking through
magazines and videos.
Garvey enters, clearly apprehensive.
Deborah pick up a magazine, flips through pages, winces at
the spreads. She grabs another magazine. More of the same.
She grabs several, lugs them to the counter straight to the
unsuspecting cashier.
Page 23
DEBORAH
Even here?
He just stands there.
She opens a magazine and sticks it under his nose.
The CLERK is totally confused. So is Garvey.
Deborah sees their confusion. She runs out of the store with
the magazine.
CLERK
Hey! That's a nine dollar product, lady!
Garvey quickly pays the clerk.
INT. UNMARKED CAR - DAY
Garvey driving again, worried look. Deborah clutches the
porno magazine.
DET. GARVEY
I don't claim to be an expert, but I
don't think this is heaven. I kind-of
hope it's not.
DEBORAH
I don't know what's happening to me.
DET. GARVEY
It's probably the stress. Maybe you
should see somebody. Somebody who
understands these things.
She flips through the porno.
DEBORAH
Everything, so real! More real than
real. It can't be, yet it has to be.
Right?
Slowly Garvey breaks into an amused smirk.
DET. GARVEY
So all I need to do is find some poor
slob with half an ear!
DEBORAH
That's right!
INT. CALL CENTER - DAY
Dan gets water from a cooler. COWORKER does the same.
Page 24
DAN
Has a contact ever called you back?
COWORKER
I think that's impossible.
DAN
Ever heard of the Last Church of Signs
and Wonders?
COWORKER
No. Why?
INT. CONDO, BATHROOM - DAY
Windexing the mirror, cleaning supplies spread around her,
Deborah studies her right cheek's reflection.
There is a smudge on her skin. She wipes it off.
She lifts her hair, bunches it together, lays it on top of
her head, examines the look.
She quickly stows her cleaning supplies under the sink.
INT. CONDO WALK-IN CLOSET
Deborah yanks down a large clothing bag, hauls it into:
INT. CONDO BEDROOM
She unzips the bag, pulls out a sequined costume, holds it up
to herself, has a nostalgic moment, folds it back inside,
digs around some more, pulls out a ballet outfit.
INT. CONDO LIVING ROOM - DAY
Deborah, dressed in the ballet outfit, loads a CD.
Tchaikovsky fills the room.
INT. CONDO LIVING ROOM - DAY
A series of shots: Deborah stretches like she knows what
she's doing... Very graceful.
INT. CAR - DAY
Dan drives slowly along side a city park. A mother pushes her
young daughter in a swing. Dan parks. He watches mother and
daughter.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Deborah, dressed in a nightgown, brushes her hair.
She lays the brush down. Opens the dresser drawer. Stares at
Page 25
the gun. Closes the drawer.
She slips under the bed covers, lays her hands across her
stomach, waits like an angel.
Dan enters from the bathroom, climbs into bed. He turns the
light off.
A long silence.
DEBORAH
There's a gun in the dresser.
She touches him tenderly, almost with pity.
DAN
Today I realized I never pushed Julie on
a swing. I pray for God to deliver that
bastard to me. I can't get him out of my
mind. Violating...
He chokes up.
DEBORAH
It's okay. Maybe tomorrow night.
EXT. PATIO - NIGHT
The smiley-face moon is high overhead. Deborah, at the patio
edge, bathes her cheeks in its light.
Down below, Tom is alone in the weight room. Everything else
is quiet. They're the only two still awake in the whole
complex. Deborah watches him finish curls.
Tom grabs a towel, exits the weight room, goes to the outdoor
hot tub, turns it on, strips off his shirt, climbs in. He
slips off his shorts, lays them on the side.
Deborah sees he's completely nude. She moves to her right,
behind a pillar, shocked. But she keeps watching.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
Deborah waits at a corner stoplight. When it flashes WALK,
she hurries across.
A car honks as it turns, barely missing her. She and the
driver lock eyes for a second. He looks like Harry.
She shakes it off, continues through a parking lot passed a
busy sidewalk cafe. She sniffs the gourmet smells, lifts her
face to the sunshine.
Page 26
INT. DRY CLEANERS - DAY
The buzzer goes off. A graying, rotund woman, LUCILLE,
breezes up to the counter.
Deborah holds up the ticket. Lucille grabs it and hits a
button.
Deborah flinches at the grating noise of clothes moving in a
circle through the store. She notices bottles on the counter.
She reaches for one.
LUCILLE
Go on, smell it.
Deborah unscrews the lid, takes a tentative whiff.
DEBORAH
Chocolate covered cherry?
LUCILLE
And not a calorie in the bottle!
Deborah pours a sample in her hand. She dips her nose into
it, smells deeply.
Lucille takes Deborah's hand and rubs the lotion in. Deborah
flinches at the woman's touch. Lucille wipes a dab of lotion
off Deborah's nose.
LUCILLE
One lady buys ten bottles a month. She
says it's quite an aphrodisiac.
Lucille shrugs, eyes twinkling.
DEBORAH
How much?
EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY
Deborah, laundry in hand, passes several shops. She stops in
front of a crafter's mall. There's a bench out in front. On
it sits an elderly GENT.
GENT
Melinda.
DEBORAH
Excuse me?
He moves over to make room for her. Deborah hesitates, then
sits, hanging her laundry on the back of the bench.
GENT
My wife. You remind me of her.
Page 27
She notices a walking cane and thick glasses. This guy can
hardly see.
DEBORAH
Really?
Further down the sidewalk a boy skateboards by a sign which
states clearly: NO SKATE BOARDING PERMITED. Several
pedestrians dodge out of his way but he CRASHES into a woman,
lays her out.
GENT
We were married sixty-five years.
Everyday I walk down here and sit so I
don't miss her so much.
DEBORAH
Sixty-five years. What was your secret?
GENT
Chocolate.
Deborah laughs, but the man is serious. She covers her mouth.
The gent sniffs the air.
GENT
See, just the thought of her and I smell
it.
Deborah slips the lotion out of her pocket, takes the Gent's
hand, pours a dab into his wrinkled skin. She smooths it in
then raises his palm to his nose.
A grin spreads across his face.
GENT
Melinda!
He shuts his eyes.
The skateboarder skates passed them. His T-shirt reads: SCREW
MAN'S LAWS
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Deborah rubs the lotion on her body. Anticipation spreads.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Deborah faces Dan as he slips into bed. They both stare at
the walls for a beat.
He touches her. She melts with pleasure. She lies back,
submissive position.
Page 28
He climbs on top. They kiss. Her eyes widen in amazement.
This could be mistaken for her first kiss.
Suddenly Dan slips off. Deborah stiffens.
DAN
What's that smell?
DEBORAH
I bought some new lotion. Do you like
it?
DAN
Wash it off.
INT. BATHROOM SHOWER -- NIGHT
Tears well up as Deborah soaps her body.
She touches her breast. They're super sensitive. She glides
her hands around the contours, gasping.
Eyes red, face grimaced, breathing deeply and intense, she's
balanced on a threshold.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Dan, soundly asleep.
Deborah enters from the bathroom, robe and hair wet. She
eases passed the bed, out the bedroom door.
EXT. PATIO - NIGHT
She looks down at the weight room. Tom is pumping iron again.
She closes her eyes and listens. The rhythm tugs at her.
EXT. WEIGHT ROOM - NIGHT
Deborah, wearing her robe, watches Tom through the window.
While she paces, meteor dust streaks downward into a flower
bed. She doesn't notice.
INT. WEIGHT ROOM
Tom glances at Deborah as she enters. He continues his reps.
DEBORAH
I saw you the other night.
Tom ignores her.
DEBORAH
I... saw... you.
Page 29
He sits up, stares at her quizzically.
TOM
Saw me?
DEBORAH
Nude.
TOM
Are you telling me I was offensive?
DEBORAH
Yes.
TOM
I don't believe you.
He gets up and changes stations.
DEBORAH
And why not?
TOM
You're here aren't you?
DEBORAH
We're both here. I'm a bit puzzled by
it, though.
He starts more reps.
TOM
Same here.
DEBORAH
You know what I'm talking about, don't
you?
TOM
(straining a bit)
Of course I know. You don't feel like
you belong.
DEBORAH
Don't be ridiculous. It's you who
doesn't belong.
TOM
Okay.
So he tries to ignore this pretty intruder.
DEBORAH
You're new here, aren't you?
Page 30
TOM
Moved in last month.
DEBORAH
Alone?
TOM
At the moment.
DEBORAH
Have you managed to get in touch with
your loved ones?
He stops. Looks at her.
TOM
I have.
DEBORAH
How?
TOM
Telephone.
DEBORAH
And they believe it's you?
TOM
Would you mind telling me where this
conversation is headed?
He starts more reps.
DEBORAH
I'm trying to get in touch with my
daughter. I need some help.
TOM
Where is she?
DEBORAH
You're teasing me. Just like my husband.
Nobody admits this is heaven.
TOM
Heaven? Yes, this is heaven.
DEBORAH
Thank God! You're the first!
(approaching him)
Have you seen him?
He stops.
Page 31
TOM
Seen who?
DEBORAH
God. I have a few questions.
TOM
That's a misconception. God doesn't
answer questions. It's way beyond that.
DEBORAH
I'm sure you're wrong.
TOM
Okay.
He resumes his exercise.
DEBORAH
So where is He? I was expecting a hug or
something.
TOM
Got an electron microscope?
DEBORAH
I don't understand.
TOM
I can see that.
He stops and gives her full attention.
TOM
God isn't big enough to see. It's
way too small.
DEBORAH
It? God isn't an it.
TOM
You're right. It's not not even an it.
It's electromagnetic waves. It's sub
atomic attraction. It's cosmic super
glue. Everywhere you look, everything
you touch, is God through its works. And
that's all you're ever going to know of
it.
DEBORAH
You're nothing but a pantheist!
TOM
Atheist, if you don't mind.
Page 32
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - NIGHT
Deborah paces around the pool. Through the windows we see Tom
going about his workout, one eye on her.
DEBORAH
(mumbling, prayer-like)
Atheists who see God...
dysfunctional husbands...
clueless cops...
super glue...
missing babies!
(to heaven)
What does it all mean?
INT. CONDO - NIGHT
Deborah grabs the Bible off the coffee table, flips pages
quickly. She stops. Reads. She reads it again.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Morning.
Dan exits the bedroom, tying his tie. He goes to the kitchen.
Deborah is asleep on the couch, Bible opened beside her.
Dan pours himself a glass of milk. He goes over to Deborah,
picks up the Bible, glances at the page. He puts it back,
then runs his hand along her hair.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah rouses. She sits up, sees she's alone.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah eats cereal, open bible layed flat in front of her.
She nods at something, grabs a green pen and underlines the
verse. She eats an olive from the jar.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah, open bible in one hand, pen in the other, spreads
the curtains to look outside. The weight room glitters.
She steps back. She paces the darkened room.
She underlines a verse -- double underlines it. She grabs a
sheet of newspaper, rips a small piece, marks the page.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah pacing as she triple underlines a passage. Many
untidy bits of newspaper stick between the bible's pages.
Page 33
She rips this bible page straight out, grabs sissors on the
table beside the couch and snips out the part of interest.
A KNOCK ON THE DOOR
EXT. CONDO DOOR - DAY
The Preacher waits sheepishly. Deborah opens. She steps back
in horor. The Preacher enters.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah stops him, pushing him back.
PREACHER
I have to see you!
DEBORAH
I can't!
(steadfast)
I can't.
She shoves him through the door and nearly gets it shut
before he pokes his face through the crack
PREACHER
I had to make sure you were alright.
Because the big bad serpent is lost.
It needs to be slain by your mighty
grip.
DEBORAH
I won't be touching the serpent
anymore. Have a nice day.
She forces the door shut.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah at the wall, sandwich in hand, tacking a bible page
to the wall beside photos of Julie. It joins a dozen other
pages, each heavily marked in green ink.
She looks over her work as she takes a big bite out of the
sandwich, plops an olive in her mouth.
EXT. CONDO - DAY
Dan drives up, gets out of the car. He trudges up the stairs,
lugging his business notebook, enters:
INT. CONDO
Deborah barely notices Dan enter. She's studying the wall of
tacked up bible pages. Beside them she pins a picture of Julie.
Page 34
DAN
What are you doing there?
DEBORAH
Organizing my thoughts.
He looks over the demolished bible, the ripped pages, the
green ink.
DAN
Is it helping?
DEBORAH
I'm more confused than ever.
INT. CONDO - NIGHT
Dan eats a hamburger. Deborah spoons ice cream.
DEBORAH
...and nowhere does it say Jesus
laughed. He wept, but he never laughed.
She pulls a passage from its place on the wall.
DEBORAH
Then there's this. Jesus said, "Do not
think that I have come to bring peace on
earth; I have come to set man against
father, and daughter against mother... A
man's foes will be those of his own
household."
DAN
What are you getting at?
DEBORAH
Jesus doesn't actually say, "to set
husbands against wives," but it follows.
Pretty scary, huh?
DAN
I've got a surprise for you tonight.
Deborah lights up.
DEBORAH
A surprise!
DAN
Go on! Get dressed!
She squeals as she heads to the bedroom.
Page 35
INT. BEDROOM
Deborah dresses in a hurry. Bouncy and happy.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Dan and Deborah drive a solitary, dusty road to the middle of
nowhere. Dan turns onto a smaller dirt road. A dust cloud
follows.
DEBORAH
What's way out here?
DAN
You'll see.
EXT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - NIGHT
Dan parks in the dirt lot. He gets out, attention drawn to a
decrepit double-wide trailer converted to a makeshift church,
topped by a flimsy plywood steeple.
Deborah is crushed.
DEBORAH
This is my big surprise? I'm not going
in.
Dan is drawn to a weird mixture of rock gospel coming from
the church.
DAN
Okay. Suit yourself.
Dan leaves her.
INT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - SAME
Sweat rolls down the face of REVEREND RAY. He's slightly fat,
dressed in a cheap suit, a glittering pistol harnessed to his
waist. He's AKA Spooky Contact.
Dan is ignored as he enters, door squeaking shut behind him.
REVEREND RAY
We're wild tonight! Wild with the
spirit! Not like those cityfolks
shoulder harnessed to their pews.
INT. CAR
Deborah spots ghostly movement in the vast desert. She locks
the doors.
Page 36
INT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - SAME
Reverend Ray glances at a box by the pulpit: unfinished wood
with a hinged chicken-wire lid.
REVEREND RAY
But crash helmets don't help when the
spirit knocks you over! The Bible can't
be sanitized for our protection!
Reverend Ray runs his knuckles along the box. A rattlesnake
SNAPS, gets a mouthful of wire, shakes its tail angrily.
REVEREND RAY
The Holy Word is unsafe! Yea, Brothers
and Sisters, unsafe for human
consumption! That's the whole point!
Hosannas and Amens. Reverend finally zeros in on Dan.
REVEREND RAY
Is a half-true Gospel for you? Never!
It's either all true or none true! And
Jesus said, "They shall take up
serpents, and it shall not hurt them."
Reverend kneels down, prays silently over the box.
INT. CAR - SAME
A ghost, white and serpent-faced, swoops over the windshield.
It passes over the rear window then flies away.
At first shocked, Deborah breaks into giggles.
INT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - NIGHT
Reverend Ray feels the energy!
REVEREND RAY
Is Jesus in the building?
CROWD
Yea, Brother!
Reverend flips over the lid, lifts out the rattlesnake.
Hosannas and Amens.
Dan hardly believes what he's seeing.
The serpent's head darts crazily. The Reverend raises it over
his head. The snake stiffens in the brightness.
REVEREND RAY
I've been anointed by the holy ghost!
Page 37
The people whisper amens, stomping their feet, hands in the
air. Electric guitar whines.
The Reverend starts a dance, hopping on one foot, then the
other, moving the snake before his face, over his head.
INT. CAR - SAME
Several ghosts swoop out of the desert and over the car. One
SLAMS into her door, pulls on the outside handle.
Deborah SCREAMS a roller coaster scream, moves to the middle
of the seat.
INT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - SAME
Dan snakedances along with everyone.
Reverend lowers the reptile towards his knee, looks at it as if
it's transparent, chants nonsense to it.
All are hypnotized. A WOMAN starts a hymn.
WOMAN
"I found the way out of the wilderness."
Others join in. A few men approach the pulpit, Dan drawn with
them.
INT. CAR - SAME
More ghosts fly in from all directions and seem to be
coordinating something. Deborah sings to herself.
INT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - SAME
The snake is passed around the small circle of men. It's
layed in Dan's hands. The forked tongue tastes the air as Dan
passes it to the next guy.
People quiver with the spirit.
REVEREND RAY
Are any coming to the alter tonight?
OFFICER steps forward, formal-like.
OFFICER
Cartly, Joseph W.
REVEREND RAY
Well, let's have a looksee.
Immediately the music stops. The men leave through the back
door. The women stay and pray.
Page 38
EXT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS, BACK LOT
The men walk towards an even smaller trailer. It's beat up so
bad a strong gust could blow it flat.
INT. CAR - SAME
Ghosts swarm around the windows and punch the glass. One
obscenely humps the windshield. It looks strangely like
Harry.
Deborah can't stand it anymore. She jumps out of the car.
EXT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS
She runs towards the church, screaming, laughing, terrified,
amused, waving her arms to keep the ghosts out of her hair.
She leaps up the steps, finds the doorknob locked and POUNDS
on the door.
A WOMAN MEMBER opens. Deborah looks over her shoulder. The
ghosts are gone.
WOMAN MEMBER
The men are out back.
EXT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS, BACK LOT
Reverend Ray wraps an arm around Dan's shoulder.
REVEREND RAY
Dan, thanks for coming. Many are called
but few come. Now, you're going to see
some serious worship in here. Can you
handle it?
INT. OLD TRAILER
Reverend Ray and Dan step inside. JOSEPH W. CARTLY, dressed
in a ragged business suit, is hog tied to a pole. Male church
members gather around.
CARTLY, JOSEPH W.
What are you sons-of-bitches doing to
me?
Reverend Ray whips out his pistol and presses it to Cartly's
forehead.
REVEREND RAY
Joe, you got about ten minutes left on
this here planet. I suggest you do less
whining and more praying.
Page 39
CARTLY, JOSEPH W.
(crying with fear)
Dear God!
A man stuffs a ping-pong ball into Cartly's mouth and tapes
it in.
EXT. OLD TRAILER
Some of the women, including Deborah, tiptoe up to a cracked
window to get a peek at the goings-on.
INT. OLD TRAILER
Reverend Ray grabs Dan's shoulder.
REVEREND RAY
I want you all to meet Brother Dan.
CHORUS OF MEN
Hello, Dan!
REVEREND RAY
Dan, I want you to be a member of our
Holy crusade. But to be a member in good
standing, you need to take --
Reverend Ray slams his pistol into Dan's hand.
REVEREND RAY
-- this gun and shoot this poor sinner
through the brain.
DAN
What?
REVEREND RAY
This is a participitory church, Dan.
Blow his god damned head off.
(to Cartly)
You better start reconciling yourself to
your maker, sir.
DAN
But...why? What did he do?
REVEREND RAY
Does it matter? Bad stuff. Lots and
lots of bad stuff.
DAN
Murder? RAPE?
Cartly shakes his head, NO! NO!
Page 40
REVEREND RAY
Sure. Almost. You got to trust my
judgement on this, Dan.
DAN
Yeah, but --
REVEREND RAY
Would I lie to you? I'm a Christian!
Alright, I'll tell you the truth. It's
just a pellet gun. It'll sting a
little, that's all.
DAN
Really?
REVEREND RAY
Pull the trigger, brother! Pop that
son-o-bitch!
Dan does. Cartly's brains SPLATTER against the wall.
EXT. OLD TRAILER
One WOMAN OBSERVER turns from the window with a big smile,
clasps her hands.
WOMAN OBSERVER
Praise God!
Horrified, Deborah staggers away.
INT. OLD TRAILER
Dan is stunned.
REVEREND RAY
Great job Dan! Okay, I know what you're
thinking. Sure I lied, but Hell, that's
nothing compared to what you just did.
It's a good thing Jesus is in an
eternally forgiving mood!
Reverend Ray pulls a pocket knife out of his suit, digs out
the bullet lodged in the wall. He wipes off the blood with a
handkerchief, shows it to Dan. It glistens.
REVEREND RAY
That's a silver bullet.
He drops the bullet into his shirt pocket. Then he grabs a
wooden stake and a mallet and DRIVES the stake into the dead
man's heart.
Cartly's lifeless body expels a GASP.
Page 41
REVEREND RAY
You gotta be damned sure these days!
Dan stumbles outside. The Reverend follows.
EXT. OLD TRAILER
The women scatter.
Dan drops to the dirt. Reverend Ray squats with him.
DAN
I can't believe I did that.
REVEREND RAY
No biggy. God knows you've already
killed in your heart.
The Reverend wraps his arm around his shoulder.
REVEREND RAY
Do you know why you're here tonight?
DAN
No.
REVEREND RAY
Satan's culture has declared war on you,
Dan. You know I'm right. Either defend
yourself, or die. Do you want to learn
how to defend your family? Don't lie to
me.
DAN
This is war. I do believe that.
INT. CAR. - NIGHT
Dan drives home. Deborah sits as far away as she can.
DEBORAH
I don't like that church. I don't
understand it, and I don't want you to
go back.
DAN
Just think happy thoughts, Deborah.
I'll take care of everything else.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Dark. Dan sleeps like a baby. Deborah sits in bed, knees
curled up, crying.
Page 42
EXT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah sits on the steps, knees curled up.
EXT. BUS STOP - DAY
Deborah waits alone. A bus pulls up.
INT. BUS
Deborah takes a seat. The bus rolls away.
OUT THE WINDOW
Strip malls, tire stores, flower shops, colorful people.
The bus rolls to a stop. A homeless DRUNK climbs on board.
He's unsteady as he takes a seat right in front of Deborah.
She smiles at him. The bus continues.
OUT THE WINDOW
Good neighborhoods and bad ones. Sad, happy, busy, lonely
people.
On the street, a scary looking man accosting a TEENAGER. The
man turns and glares at Deborah. It's Harry!
Deborah jumps up, runs to the BUS DRIVER.
DEBORAH
STOP THE BUS!
BUS DRIVER
Sit down lady!
DEBORAH
Stop or I'll puke in your lap!
He stops quick.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Deborah emerges from the bus, rushing towards where she saw
Harry. The drunk follows Deborah out of the bus.
EXT. CATHEDRAL - DAY
Deborah looks around. Harry is gone. She helps the teen.
DEBORAH
You alright?
TEENAGER
Yeah, dude.
Page 43
DEBORAH
Did you see where he went?
The teenager glances towards the cathedral.
Towering magnificence. She climbs the steps in awe.
INT. CATHEDRAL
No sign of Harry, but plenty of Catholic icons. Candles,
saints, gold. It's overwhelming. It takes Deborah's breath
away.
She walks up the aisle, almost trance-like, awkwardly makes
the sign of the cross, sits in a pew, bows her head.
INT. CONFESSIONAL - LATER
Dark and mysterious. Deborah takes a deep breath.
DEBORAH
Forgive me Father... I'm a Protestant. I
don't know exactly what I'm doing
here...
PRIEST
Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable
talking outside.
DEBORAH
I would.
INT. CHAPEL, A PEW
Deborah sits next to the PRIEST, absorbing the surroundings.
DEBORAH
Your church seems so... solid, so
inspiring. Not like the churches I used
to go to.
PRIEST
Used to go to?
DEBORAH
Before I died.
PRIEST
Oh.
She indicates her bandaged head.
DEBORAH
I was raped and brutally murdered.
Page 44
PRIEST
I'm so sorry.
She grabs the Priest's hand.
DEBORAH
You have understanding eyes.
The Priest doesn't know what to say to this woman.
DEBORAH
My question is, when we're resurrected,
is it in a physical body? Or are we
resurrected as a kind of spirit?
PRIEST
Did Jesus rise on the third day in his
physical body or in his spirit? Is the
same promised to us? This is an old
question. I don't know that it's ever
been answered.
DEBORAH
I can't imagine an existence without
this body. Can you?
PRIEST
I think many questions that seem
impossible will be answered.
DEBORAH
Once we see God, or heaven, will we lose
our faith?
PRIEST
I see...
DEBORAH
I can't imagine a heaven without faith,
can you, Father?
PRIEST
No.
DEBORAH
Can Heaven be like life on Earth, only
you have to have faith it's heaven
because nobody else believes it? And
bad things happen all around you, like
everything is a horrible test? Is this
crazy?
PRIEST
I don't think surprises will end the
moment we die. Answers will come -- if
we keep our faith.
Page 45
DEBORAH
Thank you, Father.
She gets up, walks up the aisle.
Near the back of the church is a niche with a very life-like
statue of Jesus, thorns on his head, blood dribbling down,
mutilated palms upturned. She pauses to look at it.
Her eyes well up. Just as it looks like she's going to break
down the Jesus opens his eyes and smiles. She smiles back
through her tears.
She gets an idea. She grabs the hand of this Jesus, pulls it
forward, puts it to her bandaged head. He lets her do it.
They smile at each other, knowingly. She moves his hand to
other bandages and presses his palm against her. Then she
slips his hand onto her breast. Jesus pulls away.
A tap on her shoulder startles her.
DRUNK
He wants to meet you.
DEBORAH
Who?
DRUNK
The One who you're looking for!
He turns and leaves. Deborah follows, intrigued.
EXT. CATHEDRAL - DAY
Deborah follows the Drunk down the steps.
DEBORAH
Where?
He ignores her. They continue walking down the street.
EXT. RUNDOWN RETAIL AREA - DAY
A dying part of town. Old businesses. Abandoned store fronts.
Broken windows. Some boarded up.
Deborah takes in the ugliness with innocent wonder, noting
every sleazy detail.
DEBORAH
I demand to know where you're taking me!
I won't go otherwise!
But she follows him across the street, excitement growing.
Page 46
EXT. STREET, GHETTO - DAY
Really ugly. Bodies hang from streetposts. Stretched necks.
Signs on the executed say: "Adulterer, Fag, Murdererer,
Pervert." Two kids beat a body with sticks.
DEBORAH
What is this place?
The drunk motions her forward.
EXT. ABANDONED STORE - DAY
The drunk leads her to a shop, door busted out.
DEBORAH
I won't go in. You can't make me.
INT. ABANDONED STORE - DAY
Deborah follows the Drunk into the interior. They pass a
young man and woman drugged out of their minds.
Deborah touches the young woman's forehead. She runs her
fingers through the woman's hair.
The drunk looks back at her, impatient. She catches up.
Something CRUNCHES underneath Deborah's foot. She picks up a
broken syringe.
DRUNK
Hurry!
They go through a busted door frame into:
INT. CREATOR'S HAVEN - DAY
Dim lighting. Dirty walls. Trash, discarded needles, and
empty pharmaceutical bottles litter the floor.
The CREATOR of the Universe reclines on a dirty mattress in
the corner, watching a plastic portable TV: Jerry Springer
show. Two guests brawl. The Creator chuckles weakly.
As Deborah approaches she sees his blood shot eyes, his old
skin, his wrinkled, unshaven face. He's weary, used up,
drugged out.
The Drunk motions her forward. As she gets closer to the
Creator, the Drunk ducks out of the room. Deborah presses on,
careful of where she steps.
The Creator is absorbed in the Springer show. His eyes trace
the screen, almost hypnotized. Finally, he looks up, into
Deborah's eyes. She's towering over him, casting a shadow.
Page 47
Deborah hears his breathing. He's having difficulty. He might
be asthmatic.
The Creator reaches towards her, motioning her closer. She
hesitates, but leans down.
Behind her the Drunk has returned. In his hand is a freshly
filled hypo.
The Creator motions Deborah to stop, stay put. The Drunk
rushes forward, hands him the hypo. The Creator yanks a belt
from behind him, wraps it around his arm, looks for a vein.
Then, he remembers Deborah, reaches up, pulls her extremely
close, mumbles firmly in a hoarse voice:
CREATOR
I gave you flesh and blood and air to
breathe. I gave you a family. I created
the fucking Universe for you. But YOU
wanted transcendence!
They stare at each other a long beat.
CREATOR
You ungrateful little bitch!
He picks up the hypo and stabs it into his arm. His eyes roll
back. Momentary bliss.
Out of the corner of one eye he catches Deborah watching him.
There's horror in her eyes.
CREATOR
What are you looking at?
The Drunk grabs her arm and quickly escorts her outside.
EXT. ABANDONED STORE - DAY
Deborah twists out of the Drunk's grip, but not before he
stuffs a folded piece of paper into her hand. She looks back
at the store front, up to the sign.
MADAM BLAVSKY'S HOUSE OF FORTUNE
DRUNK
(slurred)
Watch your step.
DEBORAH
What?
The scene reverses in intensified color and slowed motion,
revealing what the drunk really said:
Page 48
DRUNK
Seek and ye shall find.
The drunk disappears into the building.
She unfolds the paper. It's a treasure map of some sort.
Where "x" marks the spot: "The Law."
Wind gusts.
Deborah stumbles over the feet of a HOMELESS PERSON. She
falls into his lap. He grabs the treasure map.
HOMELESS PERSON
He never gave me nothing. Did he give
this to you?
DEBORAH
Give it back!
HOMELESS PERSON
A map!
He laughs hysterically.
Deborah snatches the map, scrambles to her feet and runs.
HOMELESS PERSON
(hollering after her)
It's a trick! He's always pulling our
leg!
He looks down at his missing legs and laughs some more.
EXT. STREET, GHETTO - DAY
Deborah is lost. The sun is setting and it's almost dark.
She turns a corner and sees, in the midst of the neighboring
squalor, a building lighted up like a miniature Las Vegas
casino. But this is not a casino. The flashing sign says
"CHURCH OF THE BODY." Three lonely cars are parked in the
lot.
Deborah looks up and down the street. She approaches the door
of the bright building. The windows are painted over.
There's not a hint of what lies inside, except loud,
animalistic music. She checks the front door. It opens. She
slips inside.
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - FOYER
Nobody is in this small entry room, nor behind the cashier's
window. But another large door is slightly ajar. Deborah
peeks inside.
Page 49
She sees one young WOMAN IN GLASSES, almost nude, dancing
around a brass pole. Nobody but Deborah is there to watch.
CASHIER
We're not open yet!
Deborah jumps. The CASHIER is a huge, threatening man.
DEBORAH
I'm sorry!
CASHIER
Members only! You a member? Want to be
a member?
DEBORAH
Look. I'm just looking for a bus stop.
EXT. CHURCH OF THE BODY
Deborah pops out the front door, totally embarassed --
DEBORAH
Thank you! I'll find my own way.
-- and scurries away.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Deborah looks in the mirror. A long, probing look.
She peels away the bandage on her forehead. It's different.
She looks closely, touches her wound.
She grabs a washcloth, wets it, dabs her wound. The wound
washes away. Her skin is completely healed.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Deborah and Dan are sitting on the edge of the bed. Dan's
shirt is unbuttoned. He examines Deborah's skin.
DAN
I've never seen anything like it.
DEBORAH
It was Jesus. Jesus healed me.
He takes off his shirt, examines his own wound.
DEBORAH
And I found God.
DAN
You what?
Page 50
DEBORAH
I found God.
DAN
I was hoping you would.
DEBORAH
No, I met him. He spoke to me.
He studies her face. She's dead serious.
DAN
What did he say?
DEBORAH
He called me an ungrateful little bitch.
Dan ponders this for a beat.
DAN
But that's true isn't it?
DEBORAH
I want you to help me find something. A
kind of a treasure.
DAN
Treasure?
DEBORAH
We'll have to go hiking.
DAN
For a treasure?
DEBORAH
Sort of. I have a map.
Snickering, Dan buttons his shirt.
DAN
A treasure map?
DEBORAH
Never mind. It's silly.
EXT. LAST CHURCH OF SIGNS AND WONDERS - NIGHT
After the service.
Reverend Ray is with a SNAKECATCHER at the open trunk of his
car, a 1985 El Dorado. Dan looks on.
Reverend peeks inside a pillow case in the trunk and jumps
back just as a snake strikes, barely missing.
Page 51
REVEREND RAY
By golly, that's a live one! How much?
SNAKECATCHER
Fifty bucks.
REVEREND RAY
Fifty bucks!
(to Dan)
What do you think?
DAN
That's a lot of snake.
REVEREND RAY
Got no use for puny snakes.
Reverend counts out $50, slams his trunk with snake in it.
REVEREND RAY
It ain't quite legal to be driving
around with a rattler in your trunk but
when man's law bumps nose with God,
well, I ride with God!
He climbs in his car, rolls down his window.
REVEREND RAY
Hop in Danny Boy.
INT. REVEREND RAY'S EL DORADO
Dan is excited to be asked along.
DAN
Where are we headed?
REVEREND RAY
(patting the dash)
Wherever God points!
Reverend Ray punches the accelerator and the Cadillac spews
dust. Its power slams Dan backwards into his seat.
DAN
Some car!
REVEREND RAY
You ain't lyin!
EXT. DESERT ROAD - NIGHT
The El Dorado barrels towards the bright lights of Phoenix.
Page 52
INT. REVEREND RAY'S EL DORADO
They cruise Van Buren Blvd. This is a collecting point for
scum.
REVEREND RAY
Jesus said to his disciples, go out and
be wise as serpents. The serpent was a
good for nothing liar and cheat. Do you
have serpent knowledge, Dan?
DAN
I don't know.
Reverend Ray drives by a PROSTITUTE.
REVEREND RAY
Let's get you some!
Reverend Ray quickly parks, pulls out a sawed off shotgun
from beneath his seat, a bottle of lighter fluid and some
rope from the backseat.
EXT. VAN BUREN BLVD - CONTINUOUS
Reverend Ray and Dan exit the car and approach the hooker.
PROSTITUTE
You boys wanna party?
REVEREND RAY
We're here to save you, Sugar.
Reverend Ray quickly aims the shotgun and blows half of her
head off.
The prostitute stumbles backward. Half her brains slop to the
sidewalk. She calmly stands straight and holds in what
remains of her brains with her left hand. She approaches Dan
who is in shock.
PROSTITUTE
You want me don't you, brother? One
last fuck? On the house?
Dan stumbles back horrified.
Reverend Ray laughs and unloads another shot which takes the
prostitute's head straight off. She falls to the sidewalk.
But she's not dead. She grabs Dan's leg and pulls herself to
a kneeling position. She unzips his fly.
Dan tries to push her away but can't. Her hands mark up his
clothes with bloody handprints.
Page 53
Reverend Ray laughs hysterically.
REVEREND RAY
Holy shit she wants you!
He has a Polaroid camera and he's taking pictures of the
bloody struggle.
DAN
Do something!
Still laughing, Reverend Ray grabs the woman and shoves her
towards a STOP sign. He quickly ties her to it with the rope
then squirts lighter fluid all over her. She struggles as the
match flies through the air and lights her up.
The blaze looks like a witch burning. The STOP sign glows
red.
Reverend Ray snaps more pictures as she twists and screams in
pain. Who knows where the sound comes from.
INT. REVEREND RAY'S EL DORADO
Both men climb back in. Through the windshield the sight of
the prostitute's body breaking apart.
Reverend Ray shoves the polaroid pictures into Dan's hands.
REVEREND RAY
The end justifies the means. That's the
serpent way. You understand?
Dan nods.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Dan enters, exhausted. He cuts through the
INT. BEDROOM
where Deborah is asleep. He enters
INT. BATHROOM
He sits on the toilet, takes his shoes off. He pulls off his
pants, his bloody shirt. The polaroids in his shirt pocket
fall out. He picks them up.
Looking through the pictures one by one he gets a strange and
surprising look in his eyes. Heavy breathing. Sweat on his
brow. Shocking signs of arousal!
It's like Satan controls his body.
Page 54
DAN
Yakatwakastilleringquast!
INT. CONDO BATHROOM - DAY
Deborah picks up Dan's bloody clothes at arm's length and
stuffs them in a plastic bag.
She pulls down her shorts and sits on the toilet. She looks
at her panties.
INT. CONDO - FRONT ROOM
Deborah opens her checkbook, to the back. She counts days on
the calendar.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
Deborah crosses the street again, heading towards the dry
cleaners, carrying the plastic bag of dirty laundry.
INT. DRY CLEANERS - DAY
Deborah lays her laundry on the counter. Lucille takes it.
LUCILLE
Is the lotion working?
DEBORAH
Lotion? Oh, yes.
LUCILLE
Husbands appreciate these things.
DEBORAH
No. Not on my husband. On me!
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
Deborah goes down the aisles, looking for something.
IN THE DRUG DEPARTMENT
Deborah reaches for a pregnacy test kit.
EXT. SHOPPING CENTER - LATER
Deborah, carrying a small sack with her purchase, walks by
Petite Ballet Academy. A sign in the window reads:
TEACHER WANTED
INT. PETITE BALLET ACADEMY
Deborah enters. She looks at dance pictures on the wall.
OWNER enters from an adjoining room.
Page 55
OWNER
Yes?
DEBORAH
I saw your sign. About the teacher.
The owner studies her face.
OWNER
I need someone for my beginners classes.
Four to Ten.
DEBORAH
I've never taught before but some people
used to think I was pretty good. I
danced Odette in--
OWNER
Swan Lake. I remember you.
DEBORAH
You do?
OWNER
You were very good. Didn't you turn down
a scholarship to Joffrey or something?
DEBORAH
Stupid, huh?
OWNER
Classes start in two weeks. We're not
Joffrey but I'm sure we could use your
help.
DEBORAH
Great. But I need to okay it with my
husband.
EXT. SHOPPING CENTER - LATER
Deborah sniffs the air. She follows her nose to PAPA MURPHY'S
Restaurant. Tom walks up.
TOM
Like meatloaf?
INT. PAPA MURPHY'S - DAY
Deborah attacks her meal with gusto. Tom watches with an
amused grin.
DEBORAH
It's amazing how good food tastes when
weight is no longer the issue.
Page 56
Deborah pops a fork of meat into her mouth, pulls it out
slowly, chews. Her eyes never leave Tom's face.
He shifts uncomfortably.
She stabs another bite.
DEBORAH
Waste is the issue. And I've squandered
so much.
She shakes her head as if dismissing negative thoughts.
TOM
There is no such thing as waste.
DEBORAH
That doesn't seem possible.
TOM
It's basic physics. Nothing is created,
nothing is destroyed.
DEBORAH
You don't look like a physicist.
Anyway, you're wrong about one thing.
God isn't an it. You don't need a
microscope to see him. I saw him with my
naked eyes.
TOM
Oh, really?
DEBORAH
Really.
INT. TOM'S CAR
Tom drives, Deborah points the way. They pass by the Roman
Catholic church.
DEBORAH
Turn left here.
They appear to be taking the same route the drunk took.
DEBORAH
Yes, this is the way...
A series of turns. Deborah becomes more and more confused.
They pass by "Church of the Body." Deborah stares at it.
TOM
You're lost, aren't you?
Page 57
DEBORAH
We must have missed it, but I don't see
how...
TOM
Excursions into la la land always end
badly.
DEBORAH
I'm telling you, He's here! Somewhere!
I remember a sign. Some "House Of
Fortune."
TOM
"Madam Blavsky's House of Fortune?"
DEBORAH
You know it?
EXT. MADAM BLAVSKY'S HOUSE OF FORTUNE - DAY
Tom parks across the street. He and Deborah get out and
approach the entrance.
INT. MADAM BLAVSKY'S HOUSE OF FORTUNE - DAY
They enter. Everything looks as trashed out as before.
Groans come from the back room.
TOM
Sure about this?
Deborah nods and leds him to the CREATOR'S HAVEN door frame.
They peek inside.
The young drugged out couple from last time are groaning as
they have sex on the mattress.
Deborah gasps and runs away. Tom lingers for a second.
EXT. MADAM BLAVSKY'S HOUSE OF FORTUNE
Deborah runs to Tom's car. Tom follows.
DEBORAH
I'm so embarrassed.
They get into his car.
INT. TOM'S CAR
He drives away.
DEBORAH
Now you'll never believe anything I say.
Page 58
TOM
True, God gave us the slip, but I know a
place not far from here where the angels
pray.
DEBORAH
Yeah, where?
Just now they pass "Church of the Body." Tom points it out.
TOM
There. The Tree of Knowledge is a
delight to the eyes.
(off her laugh)
Don't believe me?
DEBORAH
No.
TOM
If you ever want to know the secret of
life, start here.
Deborah looks longingly at the dazzling lights.
DEBORAH
Don't be silly.
INT. CONDO KITCHEN - NIGHT
Deborah slides the pregnancy test across the table to Dan.
He's at a loss for words.
DEBORAH
Just say it doesn't matter that the
father is a rapist and murderer. Say
that every time you look into this
child's eyes you'll have happy thoughts.
DAN
Deborah, I...
DEBORAH
Say it! Or I'll dispose of...
DAN
STOP!
Then...RING...RING. They look at the phone.
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Det. Garvey leads Deborah down a hall, Dan following.
Page 59
DET. GARVEY
He was picked up on a disorderly
conduct.
Deborah nods in serious understanding. Dan's distracted.
DET. GARVEY
Remember, they can't see you. Don't be
afraid to look them in the eye. Study
their faces. Take your time.
Dan cuts between Garvey and his wife.
DAN
Detective, we need a moment.
Dan grabs Deborah's arm and leads her away. Once secluded, he
whispers:
DAN
Deny it.
DEBORAH
What?
DAN
If it's him, deny it. Whatever you do,
deny it totally.
DEBORAH
Why?
DAN
Just do it! This is a blessing. My
prayers have been answered. If you love
me, do this!
INT. LINEUP ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Deborah studies the faces, Dan and Garvey at her side. All in
the lineup have covered right ears. Harry is #3.
Deborah looks at Garvey uncertainly, then at Dan. Again she
studies Harry's face. She knows it's him. No doubt at all.
DEBORAH
He's not there.
DET. GARVEY
Excuse me?
DEBORAH
The man who attacked me is not there.
Page 60
DET. GARVEY
Take your time.
DEBORAH
I know what I see.
Garvey is in disbelief. He senses she's wavering. He rushes
out, appears in the lineup area, goes up to Harry, grabs him,
manhandles him, slams him against the glass.
Harry has a defiant smirk. Deborah is terrified.
Garvey rips off Harry's ear cover, showing half the ear gone.
He speaks loudly through the glass.
DET. GARVEY
Recognize this?
Deborah is shaking, crying...
DEBORAH
No!
DAN
Leave her alone!
Garvey grabs Harry's damaged ear.
DET. GARVEY
Recognize those teeth marks?
DEBORAH
No!
DAN
Leave her alone, I said!
Garvey shoves Harry away. He exits the lineup room and
appears in the doorway.
DET. GARVEY
Look. I don't know what's going on here,
but it's not going to work.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Dan drives Deborah home.
DEBORAH
What IS going on here, Dan?
DAN
The serpent's way.
Page 61
EXT. CONDO - NIGHT
Dan drives into the complex and parks.
DAN
Go on in. I've got things to do.
DEBORAH
I'll come with you.
DAN
No! Just go have happy thoughts,
Deborah. Please.
Dan drives away leaving her alone. She looks up at the smiley
face moon.
She notices Tom is in the weightroom.
INT. WEIGHT ROOM - NIGHT
Tom watches Deborah enter. She sits at the benchpress.
The machine is set at 60 pounds. She pulls out the pin and
puts it at 30, then 20. She lies back, stares at the grip.
Tom grins. She sits up, pulls out the pin and shoves it in at
100 pounds. She lies back, wraps her palms confidently around
the grip, pushes.
There is no movement. Just a gentle click.
She pushes harder -- not a budge.
She strains. She gives it her all. Still nothing.
But she doesn't give up. She reaches deep inside, focuses
every bit of energy. She pushes and strains.
TOM
Nature always laughs last.
She digs down, determined. Her arms vibrate under the
pressure. She GROANS. She's giving it her all.
But the machine doesn't move, not even a millimeter. She
collapses. She stares at him while catching her breath.
DEBORAH
Would you like to go hiking tomorrow?
TOM
Another wild goose chase?
She gets up, walks to the door, feels light headed, leans
against the wall, grabs her stomach.
Page 62
TOM
You alright?
DEBORAH
Nine-thirty.
She goes out the door.
INT/EXT. AN EMPTY LOT, REVEREND RAY'S EL DORADO - NIGHT
Reverend Ray's hands locked behind his head, door swung open,
foot propped on the armrest.
Dan's car pulls to a stop behind him. Dan gets out and climbs
into the El Dorado's passenger seat.
REVEREND RAY
Name, address, social security number,
grade school reports, I can get anything
you like. No problemo. My sources go
very high! You going to be ready? Right
of mind?
DAN
I'm ready.
REVEREND RAY
Well, let us see.
Reverend Ray shuts the door and starts the engine.
INT. CADILLAC, MOVING - NIGHT
They pass a small nightclub. A crowd mingles outside. The
marque advertises HEAVY METAL NIGHT. Reverend Ray locks eyes
with a ROADY carrying equipment.
REVEREND RAY
Looks like we're going "In Country."
EXT. CADILLAC
Reverend Ray pops the trunk. He pulls weapons from various
hiding places on his person and tosses them in the trunk.
REVEREND RAY
This is a whole new ballgame, Dan.
Tonight's fight with Satan is hand to
hand. Long, slow, and gruesome. None of
this guns crap. Bullets just bounce off
the mega-possessed anyway. Bounce clean
off. Even silver ones. When your time
comes, you got to be ready for anything.
Satan pulls no punches! So show no
mercy!
Page 63
Reverend Ray holds back a meat cleaver.
REVEREND RAY
God delegates everything but mercy!
He digs around in the trunk.
REVEREND RAY
Damn! I forgot your earplugs! And your
goggles! Well, I did remember the nose
plugs.
He hands him the plugs.
DAN
(snickering)
Nose plugs?
REVEREND RAY
Seriously, Dan! When the demon spirits
start swarming around you, slap on these
plugs, put your fingers in your ears,
shut your eyes tight, close your mouth,
and run like hell. Trust me on this.
He slams the trunk shut. He hangs his own goggles and
facemask around his neck.
REVEREND RAY
I'll watch your back.
INT. NIGHTCLUB
They enter. Nobody seems to notice Reverend Ray's weird
paraphenelia.
REVEREND RAY
One more thing I should mention.
There's this guy your wife has been
spending a bit too much time with
lately.
DAN
What?
REVEREND RAY
Yeah. I'll get particulars on that too.
Might want to rub him out while you're
at it.
INT. NIGHTCLUB - LATER
Band playing.
DAN
Who we looking for?
Page 64
REVEREND RAY
The ones that freak.
AT THE BAR
The Roady buys drinks for a GROUPIE. He sees Reverend Ray
again, and stiffens. The girl sees them too and has a look of
surprise she can't hide.
A chill goes up the reverend's spine.
REVEREND RAY
Uuuhaaa!
The roady grabs the girl. They move to a rear exit.
Reverend Ray goes to the bar where the Roady and girl left
their drinks. He raises one of the glasses to his nose,
sniffs, sips a little, swishing the liquid around his mouth
like a wine taster. He spits it out in disgust.
REVEREND RAY
Bingo.
Reverend Ray leads Dan towards the rear exit.
EXT. CLUB, REAR EXIT - NIGHT
Reverend Ray and Dan find themselves at the tour bus. This
whale of a bus sways back and forth to some serious sex
that's going on inside. No lights are on.
REVEREND RAY
Damn!
Reverend Ray puts his ear to the door and grins. He steps
back, pulls the meat cleaver out, kicks open the door, rushes
inside.
The bus stops swaying. A woman SCREAMS. Thuds. Slamming
noises. More screams. Another thud. Blood sprays the inside
of a window. A guitar SMASHES halfway through.
Dan peaks inside the darkness. More SCREAMS and CRIES. A
bloody, disconnected arm flies passed his face. He steps
back. The arm crawls away like a bony snake.
A leg flies out of the darkness, hitting Dan's chest. The
groupie's head rolls off the steps onto asphalt. It barks.
The Roady leaps from the bus, slips in the blood, falls flat,
next to the head. The head tries to kiss him on the mouth but
he scrambles away and runs for his life. He's nude except for
an unbuttoned shirt.
Page 65
Reverend Ray hops out of the bus like a cat, bloody meat
cleaver in his hand. He's got his goggles, mask, and nose
plugs on. He winks at Dan and runs after the Roady.
A WOMAN steps out of the club, sees the bloody limbs, the
head with tongue now twitching, Dan with blood on his chest.
WOMAN
Sorry.
She steps back inside.
Dan runs after Reverend Ray.
The head stops moving, eyes glazing. A spirit exits the nose
like snot. It chases Dan.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET
The Roady gasps for air. Reverend Ray chases but isn't
gaining. Dan is well behind, dodging spiritual head swipes.
Reverend Ray takes aim with his cleaver, and heaves it.
It strikes the Roady in the lower back, slicing the spinal
column. He collapses, tries to crawl away on his arms.
Reverend Ray jogs to him.
REVEREND RAY
Ain't that pitiful!
He pulls the meat cleaver out of his back. Roady SCREAMS in
pain. Reverend Ray kicks him over and sits on him.
The roady grabs hold of Reverend Ray's throat. Reverend Ray
calmly chops off one arm. Roady SCREAMS.
REVEREND RAY
Just pitiful!
He slices off Roady's other hand and stuffs the bony, blood
squirting wrist into Roady's screaming mouth. Blood pours out
of his mouth, seeps from his eyes and ears. He gags on blood.
Dan runs by, swiping at the ghost which grabs for his head.
REVEREND RAY
Nose plugs!
Dan remembers, fishes the plugs out of his pocket, slaps them
on, but continues to run in a big circle, fingers in his
ears, eyes mostly shut.
Reverend Ray puts his hand on the Roady's forehead and
assumes his most commanding voice:
Page 66
REVEREND RAY
By the power vested in me, exit this
body, Satan!
The body twitches violently.
REVEREND RAY
EXIT THIS BODY, SATAN!
The twitching stops. The spirit ghost pops the wrist out of
the Roady's mouth like a champagne bottle spewing blood,
looks at Reverend Ray's mask and goggles, then chases after
Dan. Reverend Ray unstraps his mask and get real preachy:
REVEREND RAY
(to dead Roady)
Quick! Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord
and Saviour or rot in Hell! It's mighty
late in the game to put this off,
brother!
The Roady's eyes are totally lifeless.
REVEREND RAY
Well, Hell. You're welcome anyway.
Reverend Ray stands, watches both ghosts chase Dan around in
circles. He has a good laugh.
REVEREND RAY
Boy howdy! What a mess!
EXT. CONDO - NIGHT
Deborah sits on the steps, knees curled up. She studies the
treasure map. She traces over the X that marks the "The Law."
Dan parks, gets out of his car, walks up the steps. Blood is
all over him.
DEBORAH
You killed him, didn't you?
DAN
No.
DEBORAH
You're going to, though.
DAN
No, dear. You are.
He walks right passed her, opens the door.
Page 67
DAN
You know, something is not quite right
here anymore.
He enters the apartment.
DEBORAH
(whispering)
Finally!
INT. CONDO, BEDROOM - DAY
Deborah dresses for hiking.
INT. CONDO, KITCHEN
Deborah grabs a water bottle out of the refrigerator.
EXT. TOM'S CAR - DAY
Deborah and Tom get in, ready for hiking.
INT. TOM'S CAR - LATER
City sites. Deborah glances at her map.
TOM
Where are we going?
DEBORAH
Pinnacle Peak.
EXT. PINNACLE PEAK, PARKING - LATER
Tom pulls to a stop. It's a desolate hiking trail.
They exit, Deborah looking at her map. She admires the desert
mountain peak towering above.
DEBORAH
This way.
EXT. PINNACLE PEAK TRAIL - LATER
Deborah and Tom walk up the trail.
TOM
I get the feeling your husband doesn't
know how to appreciate you.
DEBORAH
(laughing it off)
Oh, and you do?
TOM
Maybe.
Page 68
DEBORAH
I'm a married woman.
TOM
'Til death do you part?
DEBORAH
That's right.
TOM
But you died. You told me so.
EXT. PINNACLE PEAK TRAIL - LATER
They take a sip of water.
TOM
What's the map for?
DEBORAH
I don't know exactly.
TOM
You have a map to you don't know
exactly?
DEBORAH
Someone handed it to me.
TOM
Who?
DEBORAH
I don't know that either.
She spots a walking staff discarded along the trail.
EXT. PINNACLE PEAK TRAIL - LATER
Deborah uses the staff as they go higher. Tom points to a
thunderhead in the distance.
TOM
Maybe we ought to turn around.
Deborah pick up the pace.
DEBORAH
We'll be okay.
EXT. PINNACLE PEAK TRAIL - LATER
Tom hold out his hand to catch some rain. Black clouds hang
overhead.
Page 69
TOM
Maybe it won't be as bad as it looks.
Suddenly the skies open. Rain comes down in torrents.
Deborah keep pushing up on the muddy trail, visibility poor.
DEBORAH
We're almost there. No point in stopping
now.
TOM
Almost where?
DEBORAH
I don't know.
EXT. MOUNTAIN TOP - MOMENTS LATER
Nearing the top. It's night-like from the weather.
They're dirty with mud. Water streams into their eyes.
Her map blows from her hand, over a cliff, into the void.
Lightning strikes a boulder nearby. She jumps back.
Something is wedged under the boulder. She investigates. She
yanks out a college notebook.
The wind blows harder. She protects the notebook from the
elements.
The notebook cover says: "THE LAW"
DEBORAH
I found it!
Excited, she opens to page one. Page title says:
DEBORAH (CONT.)
"Commandment One"!
Page contents, centered midpage:
DEBORAH (CONT.)
"This page intentionally left blank"
Confused, she flips to page two. Page title says:
DEBORAH (CONT.)
"Commandment Two"
Page contents, centered midpage:
DEBORAH (CONT.)
"This page intentionally left blank"
Page 70
Irritated, the flips to the last page.
DEBORAH (CONT.)
Commandment Ten, the same. What kind of
joke is this?
A strong gust rips the notebook from her fingers and flattens
her to the ground. The notebook tumbles into the void.
INT. TOM'S CAR - DAY
Deborah and Tom, wet, dirty, and tired climb into the car.
TOM
We look like we've been through hell
together.
DEBORAH
I refuse to believe that!
TOM
Well, it's been... interesting.
DEBORAH
I want to go one more place. That
church. Where you say the angels pray.
TOM
Some secrets you may not want to know.
DEBORAH
Not knowing is killing me.
INT. VICTORIA'S SECRET - DAY
Deborah peruses the lingerie. A SALESLADY approaches.
DEBORAH
I... I've always dressed...
The Saleslady sizes her up.
SALESLADY
Conservatively.
DEBORAH
Yes. But tonight's occasion calls for as
much skin as I can bare.
INT. MALL - DAY
Deborah carries a shopping bag passed a carousel. Children's
heads bob. Tiny hands clutch plastic horses.
Page 71
INT. CONDO, JULIE'S ROOM - DAY
Deborah, in tears, hugs a stuffed animal. Dan towers.
DAN
How do you expect me to react? You're
asking a lot from a husband to let his
wife go out with another man!
DEBORAH
Don't you think I know that? You go out
without me. I don't ask where.
DAN
What do you want, Deborah? Just tell me
what you want!
DEBORAH
Tonight I want to go out without you.
That's all for the time being.
EXT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - NIGHT
Deborah steps out of Tom's car dressed in her new look. Tom
guides her passed two flaming torches at the entrance.
INT. CONDO, BEDROOM - NIGHT
Dan slided open the drawer. He stares at the handgun.
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY
Tom and Deborah enter. He leads her to a table.
The DJ booth sits in one corner next to a small platform
stage. A glittering chrome pole rises to the ceiling. A full
length mirror lines the back wall. Various TV screens play
porno movies. Deborah turns away.
A song with a heavy beat has the dance floor going. Four
women in a circle chat as they move to the music.
The young Woman In Glasses does this pelvic thing. She grinds
her way to a squat then grinds her way up. She's wearing no
panties.
Deborah tries to hide her shock.
A woman on the floor discards her dress. The woman's friend
takes off her top and the two rub bare breasts.
DEBORAH
Oh my God!
Nobody else in the club seems affected.
Page 72
DEBORAH
What is this place?
TOM
A Swingers club.
DEBORAH
Swingers?
TOM
Yeah, partners swaping partners.
Threesomes, exhibitionists, voyeurs,
groping, sex in the back rooms.
She's hyperventilating. He takes her hand.
TOM
Don't worry. Sex is optional.
DEBORAH
But they're lesbians.
TOM
Probably bisexual.
DEBORAH
Oh.
TOM
But not necessarily. This is a place
for experimenting. Dreams come true,
like it or not. Just be yourself, or
anybody else that makes you happy.
INT/EXT. CAR MOVING THROUGH URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT
Lower middle class. Dan drives while he glances at a city
map. His handgun is in the passenger seat.
He slowly passes by an older wood frame house.
Shirtless Harry sits on the porch with GIRLFRIEND and their
four year old daughter who looks a little like Julie.
Girlfriend makes momentary eye contact with Dan. He turns his
face and speeds away.
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - NIGHT
Deborah and Tom sit at their table with paper plates of food.
TOM
Their eats are usually good.
The DJ puts on a crowd favorite. The dance floor fills.
Page 73
Couples grind against each other. It's as close to an orgy as
you can get without penetration.
Though she tries not to, Deborah can't help but look.
DEBORAH
My God!
TOM
Do you dance?
DEBORAH
Not like that.
TOM
How then?
She hides her embarrasment. He hops up and takes her hand.
TOM
Show me.
She reluctantly follows him to the floor.
She starts dancing. She watches the other women and imitates,
though underplaying the erotic.
The Woman In Glasses moves closer, taps her arm.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
Like this, sweetie.
She grinds her way to the floor, then all the way up.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
Melt.
She starts down again. Deborah follows, but reserved.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
Loosen up, girl. You're among friends.
Deborah tries again, but she can't loosen up. She looks
pleadingly at Tom.
TOM
Okay.
He guides her off the dance floor through:
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - HALLWAY
They walk slowly. A big window gives a view of a bedroom.
Several couples watch the happenings inside.
Page 74
An obscured view, but through the window Deborah sees a
woman, a man on top. Another sits, holding her hand. Deborah
draws her breath in.
Tom swings her left, slips her under curtains into:
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - TV ROOM
Several long black vinyl couches arranged around two big
screen televisions. Porno movies provide the light.
Seven couples are sprawled on the couches, most performing
sexual acts for anyone who cares to watch.
Onlookers stand behind the couches, most fondling each other.
One couple against the wall, having sex.
Deborah can hardly believe what she's seeing.
Tom stands behind her. He puts his hands on her waist, runs
them up her sides, up to her neck. He whispers.
TOM
There are five, not ten, Commandments:
Touch, Taste, Hear, See, and Smell.
He nearly tastes her ear. She backs away.
DEBORAH
I'm going to be sick.
She twists away, and exits.
EXT. CHURCH OF THE BODY
Deborah strides to their car, Tom chasing.
DEBORAH
Take me home!
She braces herself against the car, eyes watering up.
DEBORAH
That place is disgusting. People having
sex, right in public, making a spectacle
of themselves. Angels don't worship
there! Secret of life? There are no
secrets in there! It's sick. It's
making me sick.
TOM
That's right. It's a sick spectacle if
that's all you want to see. Just like
the cruxificion is a sick disgusting
spectacle if that's all I want to see.
Page 75
DEBORAH
Don't dare compare that to the cross.
TOM
Oh, I do dare. All worship is sick if
it's worth a damn.
INT. TOM'S CAR - LATER
Tom drives.
DEBORAH
It's just, I never expected to feel
anything. Not like that.
TOM
Feeling is good. Commandment One.
INT. CONDO - NIGHT
Deborah quietly enters. Lights are out. She keeps it that
way, walking on egg shells.
DAN
Did you have a good time, slut?
Dan speaks from the the couch.
She moves to a position between his knees. Defiantly, she
drops to a squat, wiggles her hips and grinds her way up.
Dan pulls her closer. He touches her bare thigh, runs his
hand under her skirt. They stare at each other a long beat.
DEBORAH
Are you imagining him on top of me?
Touching me? Violating me?
He throws her violently to the couch. He lords over her,
looking as if he's about to strike.
DEBORAH
Yes! Hit me! Prove Jesus was right! "A
man's foes will be those of his
household." Or --
(pulling her skirt up)
-- is this what you prefer?
He SLAPS her!
DAN
Get a grip, Deborah! Cope!
She can't believe he hit her. She slaps him back!
Page 76
DEBORAH
Are we coping now?
She grabs his hand and stuffs it between her legs.
DEBORAH
Is this real enough?
He pins her arms back and crawls on top.
DAN
Stop!
He shakes her by the neck.
With her free arm she grabs the scissors off the table behind
her and SLASHES across his throat.
He jumps back, hand to throat.
DAN
Jesus!
He looks at a smudge of blood on his fingers and realizes
it's just a flesh wound.
Still wielding the scissors, she straddles his lap.
DEBORAH
You be careful how you touch me from now
on.
She presses the scissors point to his adam's apple. He grabs
her hand.
DAN
You're crazy, Deborah. Crazy.
DEBORAH
I used to see angels. Remember? You
never called me crazy then. You see
demons. You aren't crazy either. We're
coping. Little coping secrets.
Invisible beings who slit our throats.
Feels good, right? I had an orgasm when
he was raping me. Honestly.
DAN
Jesus!
DEBORAH
I was so ashamed. I'm tired of shame.
DAN
Shame is good.
Page 77
DEBORAH
Liar! Liar like me. Faking with you. I
should push this blade right through.
I'm tired of pretending to like what I
don't want and hating what feels good.
I'm tired of waiting for things to make
sense. I'm tired of God mumbling and me
nodding as if I understand. I'm tired of
faking.
She presses the scissors hard against his throat, spreads her
legs.
DEBORAH
Now cope like you mean it!
INT. CONDO BEDROOM - DAY
Deborah wakes, Dan beside her. He's still asleep. Three
swollen slashes are visible across his neck.
Deborah gets up. She stops when she sees herself in front of
the full length mirror. She drops down to a squat, wiggles
her hips, and grinds her way up.
INT. EXERCISE ROOM - NIGHT
Deborah enters. Tom is on the bicycle machine.
DEBORAH
Take me back.
TOM
Will we be going home early?
DEBORAH
No.
EXT. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
Dan drives by Harry's house. There's no sign of activity.
EXT. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT
Dan drives by Harry's house the other direction. There's a
light on.
He parks. He touches his gun uncertainly.
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - NIGHT
Busy dance floor. Deborah and Tom find a table while
Page 78
AT THE POLE
a woman does a strip tease for her man who sits on the stage.
She throws her foot against the wall and bends her crotch to
his lips.
Deborah gives Tom a look.
EXT. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT
Dan grabs his gun, gets out of his car. He boldly strides to
the front door.
EXT. HARRY'S PLACE
Dan knocks on the door. Girlfriend answers the door. The
safety chain is latched.
DAN
I need to see Harry.
GIRLFRIEND
I don't know a Harry.
He wedges his foot inside.
DAN
It's urgent!
GIRLFRIEND
Get the fuck out!
She stomps on his foot, sprays mace through the crack, shoves
the door shut.
Dan SMASHES the door open.
INT. HARRY'S HOUSE
Girlfriend backs up terrified. Dan notices a Catholic cross
on the wall.
GIRLFRIEND
Get out!
DAN
I'm not going to hurt you. I don't want
to hurt you. I just want Harry.
GIRLFRIEND
I don't know a Harry!
She runs into
Page 79
THE KITCHEN
She grabs a knife, threatening Dan as he enters.
He notices a cross around her neck.
GIRLFRIEND
You want drugs? I got drugs. Just don't
hurt me. I'll show you drugs.
DAN
No drugs.
GIRLFRIEND
Sex! You like me? You want me?
She rips her shirt open. A serpent tongue darts out of her
mouth.
GIRLFRIEND
Just do it and leave!
He's shocked. The tongue darts out again. Stunned, his eyes
move down to her snake-like neck.
He notes the knife in her hand, the cross around her neck.
Her whole body seems to bend and elongate. But he can't keep
his eyes off that cross.
DAN
You know how to use that thing?
Girlfriend follows his eyes to the cross.
GIRLFRIEND
Huh?
Dan is confused too. He fingers the trigger.
A MUZZLE FLASH
Her body hits the floor wiggling like a snake, steam rising
like the floor is a skillet.
Dan FIRES FIRES FIRES FIRES to get the thing to stop. It does
stop. Blood oozes towards him. He hops out of there.
INT. HARRY'S HOUSE
Dan goes on a rampage, turning over chairs, the couch, a
table, the TV.
INT. HARRY'S HOUSE, BEDROOM
Dan opens a bedroom door. Harry's daughter hides behind a
dresser.
Page 80
She reveals a gun she can barely lift. She aims and fires.
The kickback knocks her over. The bullet grazes Dan.
He stands above her. In tears, shaking violently, he points
his gun at her head.
DAN
An eye for an eye. I'm so sorry, honey.
It's not my law.
He tries with everything he has to pull the trigger. She just
lies there with her big sad eyes.
The whole room EXPLODES in a white hot FLASH --
EXT. HARRY'S HOUSE
Dan pokes his head out the door, makes sure the neighborhood
is quiet, then quickly exits with the girl in his arms.
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY, TV ROOM - NIGHT
Tom leads Deborah under the curtains.
A large crowd surrounds a woman bent over the back of the
couch, bare butt exposed.
A BLONDE MAN rubs the butt, slaps it, then plunges his
fingers between her legs. The woman moans.
He repeats this, motioning Deborah closer.
BLONDE MAN
Help us.
Deborah shakes 'no.' He gently takes hold of her hand and
places it on the woman's skin. They rub her together.
BLONDE MAN
Slap her.
She pulls away.
BLONDE MAN
Okay, caress.
She lays her hand on her flesh again. The man slaps the other
cheek. Deborah flinches but keeps her hand on the butt. The
man alternately slaps and caresses.
The woman moans, gasps, tenses.
Deborah lifts her hand, looks at Tom, bewildered. Tom guides
her to:
Page 81
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY, DANCE FLOOR
They start dancing, Deborah a little looser than last time,
but not much. The Woman in Glasses spots her.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
Glad you came back.
She starts her slow grind down to the floor. Deborah follows,
trying to mimic.
Deborah and the Woman in Glasses repeat their moves a few
times. Deborah improves.
Tom runs his hands along Deborah's plunging silhouette.
He, Deborah and the Woman in Glasses move together, Deborah
sandwiched between them, space imploding. The two woman touch
foreheads, eyes searching eyes.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
(whispering)
You're so hot. Everybody is watching.
She might kiss her any second, and Deborah might let her.
Lips get so close, so deliciously close...
Deborah breaks away from the lips. She rushes into:
THE HALL
She leans her head against the wall. Tom comes up.
TOM
It's okay. Nobody is going to force you.
You've got to go to the alter yourself.
DEBORAH
I want meaning. Is that asking too much?
TOM
Don't ask. Make.
DEBORAH
I just don't know anymore.
TOM
Not knowing is the first step.
The DJ puts on Nine Inch Nails CLOSER.
TOM
Let's not miss this.
He leaves her.
Page 82
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY, DANCE FLOOR
Tom enters as the Woman in Glasses heads to the pole, steps
up, moves around it.
Other patrons gravitate towards her. Some sit on the edge of
the stage, just two feet away. Others press 5 to 10 people
deep. Many dance in place, groping their partners, as she
peels off her clothes in an erotic dance.
Deborah enters the room, drawn like a moth.
A second woman hops onto the stage and strips away her
clothes. The two women rub legs, hips, chests, tongues, all
the while watching Deborah. Their eyes beckon.
Hands from the crowd reach out and touch.
The Woman in Glasses steps down to Deborah.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
(whispering)
This way.
She tugs her hand. Deborah follows, all eyes on her.
Deborah steps up to the pole. She moves slowly, not quite
sure. She follows the other women. All three, hands on the
pole, rotate passed onlookers.
Deborah notices her blouse is loose.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
(whispering)
Take it off.
DEBORAH
I can't.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
Everybody wants it. Look.
Deborah looks. She's right.
WOMAN IN GLASSES
But YOU have to do it.
Hands touch her clothing. Slowly she lets her blouse slip to
her arms, then drop off.
Now she's alone at the pole. The other two women are on the
floor, running their tongues all over each other.
But most eyes are glued to Deborah.
Page 83
She unfastens her skirt, lets it hang. It slips lower as the
music builds.
Hands touch the fabric. She lets it drop over her hips.
Hands touch her skin. Fingers cross her belly.
The skirt drops completely, effortlessly. Someone helps pull
it away.
The other two women are fully engaged in sex. Deborah closes
her eyes, abandons herself to the music.
She grinds down the pole a few times, dressed only in bra and
panties. She's a pure body.
Onlookers are mesmerized.
She unstraps her bra and casts it aside, a sudden whimsy.
She hooks a thumb under her panties. She tugs one side over
her hips. The world doesn't come to an end. She tugs the
other side, playfully. And they're off.
The whole world transforms. The music changes. She's now in
motion to her personal sound, something slow, heavy, and odd.
Like Donavan's Hurdy Gurdy Man.
No longer in the club, she's in a surreal land. Her and the
music, her and the vastness of the world.
The sun sets over a glorious mountain meadow, Deborah knee
deep in wildflowers.
Arms from the void reach out and touch. It's as much skin as
she can stand, and it's everything.
INT. CONDO, JULIES ROOM - NIGHT
Dan tucks the girl into Julie's bed. She stares at him like
he's a Martian.
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY
Deborah puts her clothes back on, steps down from the stage.
The crowd disperses.
Tom touches her. She rushes passed him into:
THE HALL
She leans her head against the wall as before, slides down
into a confused lump, sobs uncontrollably. These are sobs of
relief, joy, and fear of the unknown. Tom approaches.
TOM
What are you doing? Get up! You were
wonderful!
Page 84
DEBORAH
I'm a slut! An out-of-control slut, and
I love it!
INT. CONDO - LATER
Lights out, Dan stands at the window, fingers spread a peep
hole in the blinds. He sees Deborah leave Tom at the foot of
the stairs.
He lets go of the blinds, strides to Julie's room, checks on
the girl. She's asleep.
He sits on the couch, hands covering his head, rocking,
trying to control his emotions.
Deborah enters. She hears Dan crying. She walks over. She
hugs his head to her stomach.
DEBORAH
I'm so sorry.
He hugs her back, hands spreading under her skirt.
DAN
Where are your panties?
She won't answer.
DAN
Is nothing sacred anymore?
DEBORAH
Oh, god, yes!
DAN
Tomorrow everthing will be back to
normal. You'll see.
EXT. HARRY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Police cars. Flashing lights. Ambulance.
Harry wails as a covered body is carried to the ambulance.
INT. CONDO BEDROOM - DAY
Deborah wakes to find the girl standing bedside.
DEBORAH
My God!
INT. CONDO KITCHEN - DAY
Dan at the table. Deborah enters with the girl.
Page 85
DEBORAH
Dan? Who is this?
DAN
She kind of looks like Julie, right?
DEBORAH
No.
DAN
Get her something to eat. Find her some
clean clothes. Do some of those motherly
things that used to make you happy. Use
your imagination.
DEBORAH
What is this, Dan?
DAN
Just keep this between the two of us for
a while. It's a miracle, that's all.
He kisses Deborah on the forehead and leaves.
DAN
I'm going to work, now.
INT. CONDO, BATHROOM - DAY
Deborah gives the girl a bath.
INT. CONDO, JULIES ROOM - DAY
Deborah finds clothes for the girl who stands by patiently
wrapped in a towel.
Deborah helps her dress.
INT. CONDO, FRONT ROOM - LATER
Deborah stretches on the floor. She shows the girl how.
INT. CONDO, JULIE'S ROOM - LATER
Deborah puts on a Disney movie. The girl lies down on the
floor and watches the TV.
INT. CONDO, JULIE'S ROOM - LATER
Deborah and the girl are asleep, Disney movie still playing.
Deborah startles awake to a knock.
EXT. CONDO, FRONT DOOR - DAY
Still sleepy eyed, Deborah opens the door finding Garvey.
Page 86
DEBORAH
Garv?
DET. GARVEY
Is your husband home?
DEBORAH
Why so glum?
DET. GARVEY
There's been a murder.
INT. CONDO, COUCH
Deborah and Garvey sit across from each other for a long
expressionless moment.
DEBORAH
Well, that's curious.
EXT. CONDO, FRONT DOOR
Deborah watches Garvey descend the stairs.
INT. CONDO, JULIE'S ROOM
Deborah cracks open the door. The girl is still asleep.
Deborah covers her with a blanket, caresses her hair.
DEBORAH
My poor, sweet little girl.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah confronts Dan.
DEBORAH
Talk to me Dan.
DAN
There's nothing to say.
DEBORAH
Garvey thinks you had something to do
with it. He showed me her picture.
Thank God she was asleep. It's murder,
Dan. Murder and kidnapping.
DAN
Does the thought bother you?
DEBORAH
You should call Garvey. It seems to
bother him.
Page 87
INT. MORGUE - DAY
Dan watches Detective Garvey slide out a body. It's Harry's
girlfriend.
DET. GARVEY
Recognize her?
Dan can't bare it. He turns away.
DET. GARVEY
Where were you last night?
DAN
Ask my wife.
DET. GARVEY
I did. I know she wasn't with you.
DAN
Does she have any witnesses?
DET. GARVEY
Plenty.
INT. CONDO, FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
Deborah reads to the girl who listens politely.
INT. CONDO, FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
Deborah tucks the girl into bed. Dan sneaks a peek. He
smiles. Deborah turns toward him.
DAN
I have to do something tonight.
DEBORAH
No, you don't.
DAN
Bye.
EXT. CHURCH OF THE BODY - NIGHT
Dan waits by his car. Loud music comes from the club.
Reverend Ray drives up. He gets out of his Cadillac.
REVEREND RAY
Deborah home with the girl?
Dan nods.
Page 88
REVEREND RAY
Okay! Now let's see what we can do to
nip this thing in the bud!
Reverend Ray jumps on his Cadillac's hood. He raises a heavy
Bible, utters this solemn prayer:
REVEREND RAY
Lord, we humbly beseech you to strike
down these heathen sinners! Show them
the error of their ways! Send your fire
and brimstone!
(to Dan)
Do I have a second on that?
DAN
(surprised)
Second!
REVEREND RAY
AMEN! Okay, that should do it.
Reverend Ray scans the sky.
REVEREND RAY
See anything yet?
DAN
See what?
Reverend Ray points.
REVEREND RAY
There!
Dan notices a few shooting stars. Then BIG ones.
REVEREND RAY
Brace yourself! She's coming!
A HUGE meteor streaks from the horizon directly towards them.
Reverend Ray uses body English to steer the meteor towards
the Church of the Body. But KABAM! It misses by about 2
miles. A HUGE EXPLOSION.
The earth SHAKES. The reverend almost falls off the hood.
The shockwave blows out car windows.
But he laughs joyously! He celebrates like he just won an
Olympic medal.
Dan isn't so happy.
DAN
But it missed!
Page 89
REVEREND RAY
Missed? Missed! Open your eyes, Dan! We
just commandeered a heavenly body on its
billion mile journey through godless
infinity and WHAM, hit SOMETHING! Hell,
we even got it in the right vicinity!
What more proof do you need that prayer
WORKS!
They notice strange movement coming from the fireball area.
It's a fleet of ghosts, and they look pretty upset.
REVEREND RAY
Damn! I wonder what we DID hit?
He hops off the hood and quickly opens the trunk. He searches
frantically. He grabs goggles. He locates his mask and starts
putting it on...
Just as the ghosts arive!
They SLAM into him. They squeeze into his mouth, ears, and
nose. Hundreds of them! He bloats up like a pig.
His skin undulates as his body accommodates the intruders.
His shocked and weird expression turns to excitement. He
stands erect. He raises his arms in victory!
REVEREND RAY
I AM POWER! I AM INVINCIBLE! I AM GOD!!!
SUDDENLY a rattlesnake springs out of the open trunk and
bites him on the neck. Reverend Ray pops like a balloon.
Dan can't believe his eyes! He jumps in his car and leaves
ASAP!
INT. CONDO - NIGHT
Dan enters, haggard. He looks in on the girl. She's sleeping.
He looks in on Deborah. She's sleeping. He plops onto the
couch and stares into the darkness.
INT. CONDO, BREAKFAST TABLE - DAY
The girl eats cereal. Deborah watches. She has a bottle of
the Chocolate Cherry lotion in hand. Dan enters, sluggish,
but ready for work.
DAN
You girls have plans for today?
DEBORAH
Maybe some shopping. Maybe some
wrestling with our souls.
Page 90
INT. CALL CENTER, PIT - DAY
Dan can barely keep his eyes open. He's totally worn out and
disinterested.
DAN
(into phone)
Yeah, yeah. Yes sir. Bingo.
SUPERVISOR interrupts him.
SUPERVISOR
Dan, we need to talk.
INT. CALL CENTER, OFFICE - DAY
Dan enters. Superviser looks serious.
SUPERVISOR
Dan, what's happening? You haven't made
a sale in a week and frankly, you don't
seem too motivated.
DAN
I'm a little confused lately.
SUPERVISOR
Confused?
DAN
Yeah, like exactly what is faith
friendly investing? I have clients
losing thousands of dollars. Aren't we
just the blind leading the blind? What
does God get out of this? How are we
ever going to redeem ourselves? Are we
all going to Hell or just going? That
sort of thing.
SUPERVISOR
Dan, your plunge into confusion breaks
my heart. You're fired.
INT. CALL CENTER, PIT - DAY
Dan collects his personal belongings.
EXT. CALL CENTER - DAY
Dan exits the building with his box of personal items.
INT. CONDO, LIVING ROOM - DAY
The girl, dressed real nice, passively lets Deborah spread
Chocolate Covered Cherry lotion on her hands and face.
Page 91
EXT. STRIP MALL, SIDEWALK - DAY
Deborah spots the Gent sitting on his bench. She walks to him
with the girl. He gets a whiff of the lotion.
GENT
Melinda!
DEBORAH
Mind if we sit?
GENT
I insist.
Deborah seats the girl beside him.
DEBORAH
My little girl is tired of walking.
Would you mind watching her for five
minutes?
GENT
I'd be glad to!
DEBORAH
She's no trouble. She doesn't say a lot.
GENT
Talk or no talk. It's all the same to
me.
DEBORAH
Five, maybe ten minutes. Sure it's okay?
GENT
No trouble at all.
Deborah pats the girls hand.
DEBORAH
Take care, sweetie. Be good.
Just as she turns away, eyes tearing up,
GENT
What's her name?
DEBORAH
What?
GENT
What should I call her?
Deborah is stumped. Then it hits her.
Page 92
DEBORAH
Hope. Her name is Hope.
GENT
Beautiful name. We'll be fine.
Deborah leaves.
EXT - STRIP MALL, SIDEWALK - DAY
Deborah on a pay phone.
DEBORAH
That's Fifty-first Avenue and
Thunderbird. She's with an old guy on a
bench. Hurry.
She hangs up and quickly walks away.
INT. PETITE BALLET ACADEMY - DAY
Deborah enters. Owner recognizes her.
OWNER
Well, hello!
DEBORAH
Is that job still available?
OWNER
For you it is.
INT. CONDO, JULIES'S ROOM - DAY
Deborah steps into the room and looks sadly at its emptiness.
Strong sunlight streams through the window. It bakes down.
She grabs the TV remote, aims it at the sun, dims it. It's a
boiling red caldren of lava. Pretty and mesmerizing.
She daydreams:
INT. CHURCH OF THE BODY, TV ROOM
Deborah bent over the couch, everyone watching. Harry slaps
her bare butt.
Deborah writhes. Pleasure or pain, it's hard to tell. She has
a silver pistol in her hands. It glistens.
Harry slaps her, very hard.
Deborah moans, twists to look back at him. She calmly swings
the gun to his forehead.
Harry freezes.
Page 93
DEBORAH
Guess who they worship in Heaven?
DAN (O.S.)
Deborah!
INT. CONDO, JULIE'S BEDROOM WINDOW
Deborah startles. Dan drops his personal belongings.
DAN
(confused)
Where is she?
DEBORAH
I didn't even know her name.
He shakes her!
DAN
WHERE IS SHE?
DEBORAH
I gave her up.
DAN
Do you know what happens if someone
links her to us?
DEBORAH
Don't worry. I did good.
DAN
I went to a lot of trouble for you! But
I guess you wanted to be free! Free to
party, party!
DEBORAH
I'm empty, Dan. Empty. Everything seems
so empty in here.
DAN
Let Jesus fill you up!
DEBORAH
STOP BUGGING ME!
DAN
You've lost it Deborah! You're lost!
DEBORAH
Where is my vengence? Just where is
that? I thought you were handling it
but...
Dan exits.
Page 94
INT. CONDO BATHROOM - DAY
Dan steps into the shower fully clothed, turns on the water.
He strips off his shirt. He gasps under scalding water.
INT. WEIGHT ROOM - NIGHT
Dan, in wet pants, rushes towards Tom.
DAN
What are you doing to my wife?
He swings at Tom like a maniac. Tom tackles him. They wrestle
on the floor.
Deborah enters.
DEBORAH
Stop!
She tries to break them up. Dan pushes her away.
DAN
Get out!
Deborah wedges between them.
DEBORAH
Stop it!
Tom shoves Dan away.
TOM
I don't want to hurt you, man!
DAN
Stay away from my wife! Stay away or
I'll kill you!
Deborah tugs him to the door.
DEBORAH
Let's go home!
DAN
Just stay away from her, hear?
Tom raises his hands.
TOM
She came to me, brother.
EXT. WEIGHT ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Deborah leads Dan home, hugging him.
Page 95
DEBORAH
You're going to get us evicted.
DAN
Evicted? From what? Hell?
DEBORAH
No, silly. See that moon? It's smiling
down on us.
DAN
What are you talking about?
DEBORAH
Look!
DAN
That's not a smile. That's a smirk.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
Dan, wearing sunglasses and baseball cap, walks up to Harry's
house. He knocks.
Harry opens the door, squinting, sleepy-eyed. The two look at
each other a long beat. Then it registers.
Harry pulls Dan inside...
INT. HOUSE
...and SLAMS him against the wall.
HARRY
What the fuck?
Harry SHASHES his face in...
DAN
Deborah's going to Hell!
...and PUNCHES his gut...
DAN
She's going to Hell!
... and pummels him without mercy.
DAN
Going to Hell! God I deserve this! I
deserve it! I deserve it!
Harry stiffens.
Page 96
HARRY
Fuck, man, you're taking the fun out of
this!
DAN
I'm so sorry. It was me. I killed her.
HARRY
What?
DAN
I can't take the guilt. Forgive me.
Harry knocks him to the floor.
HARRY
Are you saying you killed my woman?
DAN
She confused me. I've never been so
confused. But I'm better now. I know
what we have to do.
Harry prepares to waste him.
HARRY
You come into my home and tell me this
shit?
DAN
You dom't understand. Deborah's going to
kill the baby. She'll go to hell. I'll
lose her forever. I don't want to lose
her. You started this. You can stop it.
I'll pay. You do this, everything I have
is yours.
Harry performs some twisted inner calculation.
HARRY
Define, "everything."
EXT. CONDO - DAY
Dan bounds up the stairs.
INT. CONDO - DAY
Deborah watches as Dan hurriedly enters, races into the
bedroom, grabs the gun out of the dresser, returns.
DAN
You're driving.
Page 97
DEBORAH
(eyeing the gun)
I am not.
DAN
Don't argue!
She touches his bruised face.
DEBORAH
What happened to you?
DAN
It's nothing. Soul wrestling. You're
going to have to trust me, Deborah.
Please.
He kisses her on the forehead. She looks into his eyes. She
wants to trust him.
INT. CAR - DAY
Deborah behind the wheel, parks near Harry's place.
Dan puts his cellular phone into the glovebox. He hides the
gun in his thick black sales notebook.
DAN
Wish us luck.
He climbs out, shuts the door, crosses the street.
Deborah watches as he knocks on Harry's door.
A car drives by. The driver gives Deborah a long look.
The house door opens. Dan enters.
Deborah starts breathing deeply, hyperventilating.
The sun, low on the horizon, is a caldren of lava.
INT. CAR - LATER
The house door opens. Harry comes out, followed by Dan. Dan
tries to hide it, but he has the gun to Harry's back.
Deborah breathes heavily again.
The two men approach the car, get into the back seat.
HARRY
Well, isn't this cozy.
DAN
Let's get out of here, honey.
Page 98
HARRY
That's right, Honey-pie.
Dan shoves the gun into Harry's side. The two men give each
other a better-watch-it look.
Deborah starts the car and drives, heavily breathing.
HARRY
What's wrong with your woman?
DEBORAH
What did you do to my daughter?
HARRY
Your daughter? Shit, I thought that was
your sister.
DEBORAH
What happened to her?
HARRY
And if I tell you, you'll do what
exactly?
DEBORAH
It will clear your conscience. Before
God.
HARRY
Well what a pleasure! Mama God and Papa
God!
EXT. A DESERT WILDERNESS - NIGHT
Car headlights illuminate barrel cacti, prickly monsters that
rise 20 feet into a clear sky.
It's a parched dry forest stretched over crushed rock, and it
swallows everything.
INT. CAR
Deborah turns off the engine, kills the lights.
DAN
Get out.
EXT. A DESERT WILDERNESS, BY THE CAR
They exit the car.
DAN
(to Harry)
Hands over your head.
Page 99
HARRY
No.
DAN
No?
HARRY
That's right. No.
He directs Harry away from the car.
DAN
This way, then.
Rocks crunch as they walk, Dan's gun to Harry's back. Deborah
follows.
EXT. A DESERT WILDERNESS, 100 FEET FROM THE CAR
Dan searchs.
DEBORAH
We don't have to do this, Dan.
Harry chuckles.
Dan stops. He hands Deborah the gun, wrestles Harry the other
way, then splits away from Harry.
DAN
Shoot him, Deborah!
Harry laughs. He calmly approaches Deborah.
DAN
SHOOT HIM!
Harry keeps approaching. She raises aim.
DEBORAH
Stop!
Harry lunges, rips the gun away, shoves her to the dirt.
Dan's an emotional wreck.
DAN
Say you love Jesus, Deborah!
Harry twists Deborah's head, showing her the gun.
HARRY
(greatly amused)
It wasn't even loaded! I checked it
myself!
Page 100
He pulls the trigger and BLAM! Dirt kicks up in their face.
Harry stops grinning.
HARRY
Your husband has a credibility problem.
DAN
I'm sorry, Deborah. I'm so sorry.
Please say you love Jesus.
Deborah looks at Dan in shock. She struggles to get free.
Then it hits her. She covers her stomach.
DEBORAH
You'd kill our child?
HARRY
What?
DAN
She was going to kill it anyway!
Harry finally gets it.
HARRY
That is so...HOT!
He hops on her and rips her blouse off.
DAN
What are you doing?
Harry rips clothing, touches her glittering skin.
Dan pulls a gun from his pants.
DAN
Stop it!
He FIRES! FIRES! FIRES. But the bullets bounce off Harry's
back! Bug-eyed, Dan FIRES again. The bullet bounces!
Dan runs to the car, yanks the keys from the ignition, runs
to the trunk, pops it, pulls out gas mask, nose plugs, ear
plugs, puts them on, grabs a meat cleaver, runs back to--
Deborah struggles as Harry ravishes her. She sees Dan raise
the meat cleaver. Harry instinctively turns.
What a sight!
HARRY
YOU SICK FUCK!
Dan swings and misses. Harry grabs him. Dan falls. The two
men wrestle for control of the gun.
Page 101
Deborah breaks free and sprints towards the car just as the
gun goes off.
Dan's expression stiffens.
EXT. DESERT WILDERNESS, BY THE CAR
Deborah sees the keys in the trunk, grabs them, hops in the
driver's seat, starts the car, charges away.
EXT. DESERT WILDERNESS
She drives far away, turns around, cuts the engine, kills the
lights, thinks.
Everything is dead quiet. The smiley moon still looks
favorably down on her.
A lizard scampers, then is grabbed by an owl.
In the distance she sees a wolf. The wolf sees her. They
stare at each other a long beat.
Emboldened, she starts the car and heads back.
INT./EXT. CAR/DESERT - NEAR HARRY
She switches the lights off, slows some.
She hits rough ground. To the right she sees a ghostly image.
She maneuvers, car bouncing, ghost weaving away.
A muzzle FLASH. The windshield EXPLODES.
She ducks, steers on instinct. Another muzzle FLASH. A bullet
goes into the seat cushion.
THUMPS, CRASHES...
INTO A CACTUS
The air bag inflates. All goes quiet.
She rolls down the window. Harry is pinned under the car.
She climbs out, careful not to step on him. Only his upper
body is visible. He GROANS.
Deborah squats behind him, grabs onto his head, twists it
forcefully back and forth, up and down.
DEBORAH
(sing-song)
Wake up, wake up, wake up!
She bangs his head against the rocky desert floor.
Page 102
He MOANS again. Opens his eyes. Looks at the car, at his
position, at Deborah.
HARRY
Get the fuck away from me!
They both spot the gun within reach. They lurch for it. He
grabs it first.
She moves behind him, where he can't see her. He sure can't
aim at her. She picks up a rock, a good ten pounder.
DEBORAH
What happened to my daughter?
HARRY
I can't concentrate with this GOD DAMNED
automobile! I think my legs are
swelling!
She raises the rock high, prepared to crack him open. She
SCREAMS.
DEBORAH
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER?
He looks at her a beat. Then calmly,
HARRY
Go to Hell.
She throws the rock down with all her might. It bounces off
his head.
HARRY
Oh SHIT!
She kicks him in the back of the head, grabs his hand, pulls
it behind him in the most painful position.
DEBORAH
Drop the gun!
HARRY
No!
She nearly twists his arm off.
DEBORAH
Drop it!
He drops it.
She picks it up, points it at him, tries to pull the trigger,
can't. Instead she pummels him with it and breaks down.
Page 103
DEBORAH
All I want is answers! Just answers!
She clutches her stomach, falls to the earth, and cries. Then:
DEBORAH
Dan!
She storms into the wilderness.
EXT. WILDERNESS
Deborah searches. She spots Dan on the ground.
He's near death, choking on blood. But he recognizes her
stooped over him. She cries at the sight.
DAN
It can't be heaven without you. Say you
love Jesus. Say it. And be with me
forever.
Deborah fights back bittersweet tears.
DEBORAH
I love YOU, Dan.
Wrong answer, but warmth spreads over him. He reaches up.
DAN
The moon. It's... smiling.
And he dies. Deborah weeps. She hugs him. Through tears she
notices that wolf again. It approches her cautiously.
Deborah holds out her bloody hands.
The wolf slowly advances until it stretches out its neck and
tastes the blood with one quick lick.
Deborah reaches out further.
The wolf licks her hands clean, then walks away.
EXT. A DESERT WILDERNESS, NEAR THE CAR
Deborah wipes away tears as she comes back. She hears the
cell phone's muffled ring.
She goes to the passenger door, opens it, opens the glovebox,
pulls out the cell phone.
DEBORAH
Hello?
Page 104
INT. CREATOR'S HAVEN - NIGHT
The Creator of the Universe, plastic TV tuned to Deborah's
face, speaks into a phone.
CREATOR
You know I'll forgive you.
DEBORAH (filtered)
Who is this?
CREATOR
You have a gun. It will save me the
trouble.
Deborah understands.
DEBORAH (filtered)
You'll forgive me if I kill him?
CREATOR
Of course I will.
DEBORAH (filtered)
Will you forgive me if I don't?
The Creator laughs.
EXT. A DESERT WILDERNESS, NEAR THE CAR
Deborah shakes her phone.
DEBORAH
Hello? Hello? You good for nothing
SLACKER!
She punches in a number, waits for an answer, her face
growing tighter by the second.
TOM (filtered)
Hello?
She loses it, sobbing into the phone.
DEBORAH
Tom! I need you!
EXT. A DESERT WILDERNESS - LATER
Tom's car rolls up to Deborah. He stops, climbs out.
Deborah's face is dirty, streaked with dried tears. She's
totally drained.
DEBORAH
Over there.
Page 105
She leads him through the cacti. They come upon the wreck.
Harry hears them. He's not as lively as before.
HARRY
Help me out here, man.
Tom squats beside him. Deborah hands the gun to Tom.
DEBORAH
Finish it.
Both men look at her. She guides Tom's aim to Harry's head.
DEBORAH
He raped me, killed my husband, and did
horrible things to my Julie!
HARRY
She's fucking crazy.
TOM
(to Deborah)
Why me?
DEBORAH
I can't and he refuses to shoot himself.
TOM
But why me?
DEBORAH
Because it doesn't matter to you.
You're godless and free.
HARRY
Bullshit.
TOM
Yeah, bullshit.
Tom slides his aim away. Deborah pushes it back.
DEBORAH
Why not?
Tom walks away. Deborah follows.
TOM
You're really something.
He drops the gun on the ground.
DEBORAH
I'm something?
She picks up the gun.
Page 106
DEBORAH
He murdered my family!
He grabs the gun from her.
TOM
Will this make you feel better?
He walks her back to Harry.
TOM
Here. We'll do it together.
He wraps her hand around his, aims the gun at Harry's head.
HARRY
Don't do this, man!
TOM
(to Deborah)
If this is what you want, pull the
trigger.
DEBORAH
You do it. Do it for me.
TOM
Your finger is on the trigger.
DEBORAH
I can't.
TOM
Why?
HARRY
Because it's wrong!
TOM
"An eye for an eye." Remember?
She caresses the trigger. Courage builds.
DEBORAH
"An eye for an eye."
Harry squirms.
HARRY
Fucking words!
Deborah looks at Tom, hesitates.
DEBORAH
"Do unto others..."
Page 107
HARRY
Yeah! "Thou shalt not kill!" "Turn the
other cheek," and shit!
Deborah looks at Harry in disbelief.
TOM
You think he's sincere? What did God
tell Moses to do?
DEBORAH
Not to kill. Definitely, not.
TOM
And...
DEBORAH
(getting it)
Kill the worshippers of the golden calf!
TOM
Now, pull the trigger if it makes you
happy.
DEBORAH
If it makes me happy...
HARRY
Christ no!
She wants to blow him away. She wants so many things.
TOM
Listen to your body. It knows.
She SCREAMS and FIRES into the ground. Then furiously she
beats Tom's cheat.
DEBORAH
How dare you! How dare you make this
about me!
He hugs her and she hugs back, sobbing.
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Detective Garvey watches Deborah sign her statement. She
hands it to him. He glances it over.
DET. GARVEY
You'll testify to this?
DEBORAH
I will.
He peruses the statement, obviously bothered.
Page 108
DET. GARVEY
Deborah, I like you...
DEBORAH
I like you too, Garv.
DET. GARVEY
I've been thinking... What I'm getting
at is...
He slides the statement back to her.
DET. GARVEY
I know this won't make you feel any
better, but you can be fiscally sound if
you play your cards right. It's clear
to everyone else what really happened.
DEBORAH
He was trying to scare me, that's all.
DET. GARVEY
What I'm getting at is, no insurance
company is going to pay off if the
policy holder died in the commission of
a crime. So if I were you, I'd change my
story to make your husband look pretty
damned good.
DEBORAH
The truth will come out.
DET. GARVEY
The truth? The truth is, everyone will
believe you.
DEBORAH
No thanks. There is one thing you can do
for me, though.
INT. HOSPITAL HALL - DAY
Garvey escorts Deborah passed a police guard into:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM
HARRY is in bed, patched up, both legs in a cast.
DEBORAH
Leave us alone.
DET. GARVEY
You sure?
She nods. He leaves.
Page 109
HARRY
What you doing here?
DEBORAH
I'm so sorry about your girlfriend.
HARRY
I'm not sorry about your man. Not sorry
at all. It gave me pleasure.
DEBORAH
That's okay.
HARRY
That's all I have to say. Don't forget
to sign the guestbook on your way out.
She approaches him meekly.
DEBORAH
What I want to know is, I was
thinking... I really liked your little
girl. Does she have any place to go?
HARRY
To go?
DEBORAH
Family. How is she?
HARRY
What's it to you, lady?
DEBORAH
I like her.
HARRY
What's up your coniving little sleeve?
DEBORAH
I'd like to take her in.
HARRY
WHAT?
DEBORAH
I think she likes me too.
HARRY
Are you crazy? No way in Hell I'd let
you get near my little girl! Ain't no
way in Hell! What kind of fool you take
me for? You're never touching her if I
have anything to say! Get out! Get out
of here!
Page 110
She turns to leave, crying.
HARRY
Hey! Wait a second!
She turns back.
HARRY
Tell me why?
Deborah puts her arm across her belly.
DEBORAH
For her half-sister?
HARRY
I thought you would...get rid of it.
Would you bring them to visit me? You
know, in prison.
DEBORAH
If you want.
HARRY
You're crazy. Ain't no way in Hell I can
see you hauling them to prison to see
me. Craziest thing I ever heard.
DEBORAH
But you'll think about it?
HARRY
What if I told you the truth -- That I
sold your kid to a sex pervert for 200
dollars? What then?
DEBORAH
Did you?
HARRY
It's possible.
DEBORAH
Then there's hope.
HARRY
Shit happens.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Deborah walks down the hall, Tom's arm wrapped around her.
They exit to:
EXT. HOSPITAL
Deborah looks up at the glorious mid-morning sun.
Page 111
DEBORAH
I feel like a million dollars. Isn't
that horrible?
TOM
You're entitled.
INT. TOM'S CAR
Tom drives. Deborah gazes out the window.
DEBORAH
Why am I entitled? If there is no
meaning in this heartless Universe, why
am I entitled to anything?
TOM
You still want a personal relationship
with Jesus?
He points at the sun.
TOM
There's proud mama to every atom in you.
Is that personal enough?
She smiles at the thought.
TOM
And at night, if you look real hard and
kind of squint, sometimes you'll see the
moon smiling down on you.
DEBORAH
(giggling)
Oh, really?
TOM
You know I'm right. Our eyes are on you,
Deborah. You want a personal
relationship, just look around. You've
already got one. You want meaning, make
something up. Anything you want. The
truth is, everyone will believe you.
Up ahead is a city park. A few children play on the swings.
DEBORAH
Stop!
Tom pulls to the curb. She watches the children for a beat.
DEBORAH
Tom?
Page 112
TOM
Yes?
DEBORAH
I'm going to do something radical. I'm
going to try to find my own way,
She opens the door and takes a long, contemplative look at him.
DEBORAH (CONT.)
Angels on your body.
And she exits the car, walking towards the children.
EXT. PARK - DAY
She passes by a flowering bush, picks a bright red flower and
stops short at a water fountain.
She SEES the kids play.
She HEARS their little voices.
She SMELLS the flower.
She bends down to the fountain and TASTES the water.
She TOUCHES her fingers to the liquid.
She looks up at the sun.
A LITTLE GIRL runs to the monkey bars. She bends her body
around the bars. Deborah walks over there.
LITTLE GIRL
Hello.
DEBORAH
Hello.
The girl crawls around the bars, stretching and pulling.
Deborah watches. She unconsciously puts both hands around a
tall pole that rises on one end of the equipment. She circles
slowly.
The little girl jumps off the monkey bars and joins Deborah.
They watch each other as they pull their bodies around metal.
LITTLE GIRL
I wanna be a ballerina.
Deborah stops short. The words pierce straight through her
soul. She fights to keep her emotions.
Page 113
DEBORAH
Well, I teach ballet.
The girl smiles big. They pull around the pole together.
FADE OUT
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