1 A CRISIS OF FAITH Written by John Fleming John Fleming 1 Garrett Place Bronxville NY 10708 914-447-7330 johnfleming335@gmail.com "Copyright (c) 2015 This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author."
2 FADE IN: SUBTITLE: NEW YORK CITY. 1965. EXT. CHURCH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD DAY A beautiful white stone church with stain-glass windows and a wooden cross at the top of a pointed steeple; the gold trim that encircles the building gleams as the bright summer sun shines down on it. We hear the happy sounds of children playing. Then suddenly: BOY S VOICE (O.S) Aw c mon, Sister! Batter up already! INT. BEDROOM RECTORY - DAY It s a small room with only the bare essentials. A large crucifix hangs on a wall near where a young priest, FATHER MICHAEL BALDUCCI, tall and slim with dark hair, in his late 20 s, stands at a window. He pulls the curtain back and peers down at the street below where a game of stickball is taking place. CUT TO: We now see the object of his attention, an even younger nun -. She s slight, almost petite in her early 20 s. She stands over a sewer cap at the ready, an old broomstick on her shoulder. She has the kind of face that brightens everything around it, wears a blue tunic with a modified white habit that s less restrictive than those worn by the older nuns in the parish; the uniform of the Sisters of Mercy. The bottom of her robe is rolled up exposing a pair of dirty white Converse sneakers obviously not part of the uniform. As the pitch comes bouncing in, we hear a WHACK and the ball zooms off the bat and soars over the outfielders head. It hits a parked car and bounces back into the infield as the nun touches the handle of a parked car (third base) and barely makes it back to home plate (the sewer cap) before the throw arrives. As she s congratulated by her young teammates, she looks up at the Father Balducci s window as if she expected someone to be looking down. Their eyes meet; she smiles and gives a little wave before turning her attention back to the game.
3 CLOSE UP THE PRIEST He is still waving and smiling, as if in a trance; it s an unusual look for a priest. EXT. CONVENT (MULBERRY STREET) DAY An old, almost ancient, nun - SISTER CLEMENT - her unpleasant face barely squeezing out from inside of a much-too-tight black habit, a heavy thick silver cross hanging like a ball and chain from around her neck - watches them from a second floor window. INT. STAIRWAY RECTORY - MOMENTS LATER Father Balducci makes his way down the stairs to the front door. EXT. MULBERRY STREET - DAY As he steps outside, he spots Sister Clement hurrying by with her hands tucked under her black tunic. (friendly) Good afternoon Sister. She looks over at him, never breaking stride: it s a cold, expressionless look. She nods slightly as if just going through the necessary motions and continues on her way. The cold greeting doesn t seem to faze the priest as he makes his way over to where Sister Mary Rose is standing at home plate - she takes an imaginary swing when she sees him. (proudly) It just so happens that homer was the game winner. Father Balducci smiles. I guess that was your best Willie Mays impersonation? Her happy demeanor changes instantly; she raises an eyebrow and gives him a hard stare.
4 You meant Mickey Mantle, didn t you? The priest is flummoxed; he s afraid he s upset her. Sorry. (shrugging) There s silence now as he watches her for a beat, but her expression doesn t change. Suddenly, a wide smile as she holds a hand over her mouth and bursts out laughing. You should have seen your face! I gotcha! She playfully tickles his ribs. Now they re both laughing like giddy schoolchildren. (relieved) Yeah, you really got me. He bends over to help her gather up the stickball bats and pink spaldeen rubber balls. We see that he is somewhat shy, almost introverted. Conversely, she is extremely outgoing and bubbly her face full of life, her adorable smile infectious. As she kneels and slides the last bat into the bottom of a long green canvass bag, she looks up at him with a hopeful smile. Are you in the mood for another of our evening walks? We could take a stroll to The Battery? The priest s mood instantly changes he has a sad, almost distressed look now. I d love to but I have the evening mass tonight and after that confession duty with the Holy Rosary Society. Her initial reaction is one of disappointment, but she manages to force another hopeful smile. She slings the green canvass bag over her shoulder and heads off towards the Convent, Father
5 Balducci intently watching her; it s an almost enamored look, as if he s craving to be closer to her with each step that she moves away. When she reaches the Convent door, she turns back and waves. (calling back) Maybe tomorrow then? Suddenly he s alive again. (half-shouting) Yes. Tomorrow. The young priest s hand continues to wave even after she disappears behind the Convent s front doors. (to no one) Tomorrow... INT. CHURCH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD NIGHT Father Balducci stands behind a white marble Alter offering the closing prayers in Latin, the words echoing through the nearly empty church. On one side a gaggle of nuns kneel, among them Sister Mary Rose and Sister Clement. On the other side, two rows of kneeling elderly women, their heads down in solemn prayer - the Holy Rosary Society. INT. CONFESSIONAL NIGHT CUT TO: Father Balducci sits inside an undersized cramped box wearing a bored look as he takes another in a long list of very similar confessions. From the other side of the screen: WOMAN (O.S) Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last confession. These are my sins. (a beat) I raised my voice to my husband. These are all my sins.
6 The priest shakes his head at the absurdity. For your penance say one Our Father and Three Hail Mary s. He smiles to himself it s the standard punishment as we hear the door of the confessional open and then close again. He waits and when he doesn t hear anything, peeks his head out of the confessional and looks both ways there s no one else left in line. He steps back inside, closes the door and begins to put his vestments into a small black bag. As he closes the bag, we suddenly hear the confessional door open again and see a shadow on the other side of the screen. After a beat: VOICE (O.S) In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. His eyes widen as he recognizes the voice: it s Sister Mary Rose. He s listening intently now. There s a long pause before soft sobs come from behind the confessional screen. (nervously) Take your time. (between sobs) Father, I ve had impure thoughts about a man, someone I care for very much. (a beat) I know it s wrong, but... There s another pause as she tries to compose herself....is it a sin to be in love? It s an uncomfortable moment; he wants to say something but can t see to find the words. After a long beat, he manages to stammer something. Well, um...
7 He looks down at his hands; they re shaking. He leans forward towards the screen, puts his lips to it and speaks in a low, soft voice: (con t) This man who you are in love with. Is he aware of your feelings? He puts his ear to the screen, expecting an answer, but none comes. He pulls his head back and examines the screen. (con t) Are you still there? There s no answer. He steps out of the confessional and looks around, observes Sister Mary Rose hurrying out through the rear doors of the church. Suddenly a sound in the empty church alerts him - an echo from the Alter. He looks back but sees nothing. He turns his attention back to the confessional box and reaches inside and retrieves his black vestment bag. POV FROM THE ALTER Someone is watching Father Balducci as he walks down a side aisle and out of the church. INT. BEDROOM RECTORY - DAY Father Balducci sits at his desk writing a letter. He strikes a final period with his pen on the paper before he puts the pen down and sits back. CLOSEUP THE LETTER Most Reverend Bishop Geary, It is after much reflection and soul searching that I have come to this difficult decision. I am hereby submitting my resignation from the Community of Jesus Crucified. Although they were few, I will always fondly remember my years in the priesthood and keep Jesus alive in my heart. Fr. Michael J. Balducci, CJC. BACK TO SCENE
8 He folds the letter, places it inside an addressed envelope. He takes a stamp from a small drawer under the desk, licks it and pastes it in the right hand corner then licks the top of the envelope and seals it. He gets up from the chair and slips on his black jacket - shoves the letter inside his jacket pocket. EXT. CONVENT (MULBERRY STREET) - DAY Father Balducci stands on the bottom step knocking on a large oak door. After a beat the door opens a crack and a young nun appears. Good afternoon Sister. The nun smiles nervously and nods, but says nothing. (con t) Can I speak with Sister Mary Rose? As the young nun stands silently in the doorway, a voice comes from behind it. SISTER CLEMENT (O.S.) She is no longer here. Sister Clement pulls the door open and the young nun quickly scurries back inside. She stares down from the top step at the priest, her hands as always hidden inside of her black tunic: it s an intimidating look, the look of someone in control. The priest looks up at her, confused by the statement: his face appears to ask the question that his voice cannot. SISTER CLEMENT (con t) (on his look) Sister Mary Rose has apparently had a crisis of faith. She left the Convent early this morning. Father Balducci shakes his head as if he s having a bad dream. Did she say where she was going?
9 SISTER CLEMENT She was collected by a young man in a beat up car. They seemed to be quite smitten. (a beat, reflecting) Said something about California, I believe. The priest appears to be in shock; the look isn t lost on the old nun. SISTER CLEMENT (con t) (lecturing) Sometimes people make choices for the wrong reasons with the best of intentions. I ve seen a number of young nuns leave the order during my years of faithful service to God. You see, while some of us choose to fulfill our sacred vows, others cannot seem to make the commitment to God our Savior that the Holy Church requires. She waits for his reply but he s still speechless. She seizes the opportunity, zeroes in on him now with her beady eyes. SISTER CLEMENT (con t) Maybe you know of someone who is facing a similar crisis, Father? The question seems to momentarily wake him from his daze. No... no, I don t. It s said in a way that sounds like someone defending himself against a charge they know they are guilty of. Sister Clement stands in the doorway with a coy, victorious smile. SISTER CLEMENT Good day, Father. She closes the Convent door and Father Balducci is left standing alone on the steps. After a beat, he turns and begins to walk slowly down Mulberry Street, his sad eyes searching for
10 something. He suddenly spots a waste basket on the corner and makes his way to it. He takes the letter out of his jacket pocket, rips it up and drops it inside. Just then a small pink rubber ball rolls up and stops at his feet. He looks down at it as a young boy approaches. Tears begin in the young priest s eyes as he leans over, picks up the ball and tosses it to the boy. Thanks Father. YOUNG BOY Father Balducci smiles at first, but then suddenly breaks down, crying uncontrollably. The young boy, ball in hand, is confused; he just stares at the priest, unsure of what to do. INT. JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - TERMINAL DAY A nun stands inside a busy airport terminal facing a board that reads DEPARTURES. We can t see her face but can see that she is wearing a blue tunic, a white habit and a pair of dirty white Converse sneakers below her rolled up robe. She holds a black travel bag in one hand with a long green canvass bag slung over her shoulder. She s reading something on the board, but we can t see what it is because her body is blocking it. We hear an announcement from over the terminal loudspeaker: ANNOUNCER (O.S.) American Airlines Flight 2403 now boarding at Gate C8. She slowly turns and walks to the right and out of the frame. We now see what she has been reading: there are three flights listed on the board, one of them American Airlines Flight 2403. Beside it reads: Lagos, Nigeria. On time. FADE TO BLACK. THE END