Doubt

(PLAYS LIVELY TUNE)

Jimmy?

Come on. You're serving today.

Christine? Where's my pants?

On the bed. If they had teeth, they would've bit ya.

Jimmy! Go to the store, buy me the newspaper and cigarettes.

Can't. Serving Mass. I'm an altar boy.

-Hey, Kevin!

-Hey, Jimmy!

-There you are.

-Overslept.

Well, you made it. I'll do the cruets if you light the charcoal.

You think I'm fat?

-You're all right. What, clothes don't fit?

-No, they fit.

-You're gonna go to the bakery after Mass.

-I am? Why don't you go?

-I'm gonna be making breakfast.

-I can make breakfast.

When have you ever?! Funny man.

(CHOIR) # Holy God...

Good morning, Father.

# Lord of all we bow before Thee

# All on Earth thy sceptre claim

# All in Heaven above adore Thee

# Infinite Thy vast domain

# Everlasting is Thy reign

# Infinite Thy vast domain

# Everlasting is Thy reign

-(PRIEST)

-Be seated.

What do you do when you're not sure?

That's the topic of my sermon today.

Last year when President Kennedy was assassinated,

who among us did not experience the most profound disorientation?

Despair.

Which way?

What now?

What do I say to my kids? What do I tell myself?

It was a time of people sitting together, bound together

by a common feeling of hopelessness.

But think of that.

Your bond with your fellow being was your despair.

It was a public experience.

It was awful...

but we were in it together.

How much worse is it, then,

for the lone man...

the lone woman...

stricken by a private calamity?

"No-one knows I'm sick."

"No-one knows I've lost my last real friend."

"No-one knows I've done something wrong."

Imagine the isolation.

Now you see the world, as through a window.

On one side of the glass, happy, untroubled people,

and on the other side, you.

-(SNEEZES)

-(God bless you, Sister.)

-(Thank you.)

I want to tell you a story.

A cargo ship sank one night.

It caught fire and went down.

And only this one sailor survived.

He found a lifeboat, rigged a sail,

and, being of a nautical discipline,

turned his eyes to the heavens and read the stars.

He set a course for his home and, exhausted, fell asleep.

-(DISTANT WHISPERS)

-Clouds rolled in,

and for the next 20 nights, he could no longer see the stars.

He thought he was on course, but there was no way to be certain.

And as the days rolled on and the sailor wasted away,

he began to have doubts.

-Had he set his course right?

-(He just keeps going on...)

Was he still going on towards his home?

Or was he horribly lost and doomed to a terrible death?

No way to know.

The message of the constellations,

had he imagined it because of his desperate circumstance?

Or had he seen truth once...

(HISSES) Straighten up!

..and now had to hold on to it, without further reassurance?

There are those of you in church today

who know exactly the crisis of faith I describe.

And I want to say to you...

..doubt...can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.

When you are lost, you are not alone.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(ORGAN MUSIC)

Please rise.

# Praise God

# From whom all blessings come

# Praise Him

# All creatures here be... #

Hey, Father.

Hey, champ.

That was some sermon.

Did it mean something to you?

I wanna do that.

I wanna be a priest.

You'd be a good one, I'm sure.

Here...

Take a look.

See?

# Do-do-do-do... # She's dancin'.

-Kinda neat?

-Yeah.

Here, you try.

-It's for you. Take it.

-Thank you, Father.

Welcome.

(BELL RINGS)

Like Noah's Ark, girls - two by two.

Morning, Sister James.

-Good morning, Father Flynn. Beautiful day.

-Not too bad.

-How are the criminals doing today?

-(BOYS) Not bad, Father.

-Morning, champ.

-Morning, Father Flynn.

-Wash those hands today, Mr London?

-I washed them, Father.

-I dunno, they're a different colour than your neck.

-(LAUGHTER)

-Sister, are we having the test today?

-Tomorrow, William.

-Is it long division?

-Among other things.

-< Sister.

-Good morning, Sister.

How much of it will be long division? < BOY!

(ALL SILENT)

William London.

Come up here.

Come smartly, now!

Don't make me wait...!

-(GIRL)

-What'd he do?

-(GIRL)

-He touched Sister James.

The dragon is hungry.

(BELL RINGS)

(CHILDREN CHATTER)

Take out your history books, please. Turn to page 683.

Yes, Ralph?

-I forgot my history book.

-You can look on with Raymond.

Mr London. Do you have your history book?

-Er, no, Sister.

-Share with Mr Malloy, please.

Do I have to? His breath stinks! (CHILDREN LAUGH)

-I'm sure Mr Malloy's breath is just fine.

-(DOOR SLAMS)

Be seated.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States.

-That barrette out of your hair, Miss Horan.

-Yes, Sister.

Good morning, Sister James. Continue.

Franklin D Roosevelt, along with Abraham Lincoln

and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was perhaps our greatest president.

When he assumed office, 13 million Americans were unemployed.

They'd lost hope. And President Roosevelt said to these people,

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

What did he mean by that?

James?

I think he was trying to say there's nothing really wrong,

so don't get so emotional.

Maybe. Maybe he was saying that the world is good

and we need only work together to overcome our problems.

What's this, Mr Conroy?

-(SPORTS RADIO)

-I don't know, Sister.

You don't know? You have a wire coming out of your ear?

Huh?

Huh?

No, Sister. I didn't.

You come with me, boy.

Go.

(DOOR SLAMS)

Who knows what the New Deal was?

(CHOIR) # The first Noel

# The angels did say

# Was to certain poor shepherds

# In fields as they lay

(I love this song.)

# In fields where they

# Lay keeping their sheep

# On a cold winter's night

# That was so deep... #

(BELL RINGS)

This past Sunday, what do you think that sermon was about?

-Sister James?

-Huh?

What was Father Flynn's sermon about?

Well... Doubt.

He was talking about doubt.

Why?

Excuse me, Sister?

Well, sermons come from somewhere, don't they?

Is Father Flynn in doubt?

Is he concerned that someone else is in doubt?

-I suppose you'd have to ask him.

-No, that would not be appropriate.

He is my superior and if he were troubled,

he should confess it to a fellow priest.

Or to the Monsignor.

We do not share intimate information with priests.

-No.

-That's true.

What are we saying?

I want you all to be alert.

I am...concerned, perhaps needlessly,

about, well, matters in St Nicholas School.

Academically?

I was not inviting a guessing game, Sister Raymond.

(LIVELY CHATTER)

Macey! Get away from her. And sit down.

May I join you, Sister Aloysius?

Yes.

-Chicken chow mein.

-Sister Veronica's favourite.

It's very good.

I like the noodles. I like the crunch.

What happened to William London?

I sent him home.

Oh, dear. So he's still bleeding?

Yes.

His nose just let loose and started gushing

during the Pledge of Allegiance.

-Was it spontaneous?

-What?

-His nosebleed?

-What else would it be?

-Self-induced.

You mean he might have intentionally given himself a nosebleed?

Exactly.

No!

You are a very innocent person, Sister James.

William London is a fidgety boy.

Keep right on him or he'll escape his chair.

He'd set his foot on fire for half a day outta school.

Here, Sister, allow me to help you. Your sleeve...!

Oh-ho...!

Oh, thank you, Sister.

-Sister Veronica is going blind.

-Oh, how horrible.

If they find out in the rectory, she'll be gone.

So if she looks unsteady, take her hand.

Ordinarily, I assign my most experienced teachers to eighth grade,

but I am working within constraints.

-Are you in control of your class?

-I think so.

Usually more students are sent down to me.

-I try to take care of things myself.

-That can be an error.

You are answerable to me, I to the Monsignor,

he to the bishop and so on, up to the Holy Father.

There is a chain. Make use of it.

-Candy?

-Cough drops.

Candy...by another name.

-How is Donald Miller doing?

-Steady.

Good.

That girl... Noreen Horan.

I have seated her as far away from the boys as possible.

-Doesn't do much good.

-Hmm...

Just get her through...

intact.

(WIND HOWLS) What's this?

The wind is so...

..peripatetic this year.

Is that the word I want?

Is something the matter?

-(VAGUELY) What?

-Is something the matter?

-No.

Why? Is something the matter?

-I don't think so.

-Well, then, nothing's the matter, then.

-Yes.

What's this?

-A pen.

-A ballpoint pen.

-The students are not using them for assignments, I hope.

-No.

-Of course not.

-I am sorry I allowed even cartridge pens into this school.

Always the easy way out, these days.

Every easy choice today will have its consequence tomorrow.

-Mark my words.

-Yes, Sister.

-Ballpoints make them press down.

Makes them write like monkeys.

-I don't allow them ballpoint pens.

-And yet here one is.

Penmanship is dying all across this country.

I hope not.

You should frame something.

Put it up, uh, on the blackboard. Put the pope up.

That's the wrong pope. He's deceased.

I don't care what pope it is, use the glass to see behind you.

The children should think you have eyes in the back of your head.

Wouldn't that be a little frightening?

Only to the ones up to no good.

(BELL RINGS)

Relax. Put it up there.

All right, now...

The thing about shooting from the foul line, is it's psychological

Come up with a routine.

All right, you shift your weight, move your hips...

-(LAUGHTER)

-Think that's funny, Ralph?

Funny is your never getting a foul shot.

Concentrate on the routine... and you'll forget to get tensed up.

All right, go ahead, Jimmy.

Good man! You listen. That's good.

All right, now sit down. Everyone.

Good.

On another matter...

I've noticed several of you guys have got dirty nails.

I don't wanna see that.

It's not about the length of your nails, it's about cleanliness.

See, look at my nails.

-Alright, they're long.

-(Whoa.)

I like 'em a little long.

But look at how clean they are.

That makes it OK.

The climpity-clomp... clomp-clomp-clomp!

A herd... A herd of elephants.

(LAUGHS)

You are wicked!

I told her, "You're her mother, you raised her, you fed her,

-"you tell her she's fat."

-But wait, how fat is she?

-What, the mother or the daughter?

-The daughter.

-I never met the daughter.

-What about the mother?

-Fat!

(HEARTY GUFFAWING)

(BELLS RING)

(PRAYERFUL MURMUR)

Father, are we having practice after school?

If you guys want it, you can have it. Let me know.

The fascist governments of Germany and Italy

were already working together.

They formed the Pact of Steel.

The Pact of Steel was a military alliance

between Benito Mussolini... and Adolf Hitler. Mr London!

Get back in your seat and stop bothering Miss Horan, please.

-Now, who can tell me...

-(INTERCOM BUZZES)

-Yes?

-"Send me Donald."

-Yes.

-"To the rectory."

-Of course, Father.

Donald, you should go to the rectory.

Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven!

# I was at a dance

# When he caught my eye

# Standing all alone

# Looking sad and shy

# We began to dance

# Swaying to and fro

# And soon I knew I'd never let him go... #

-Raymond, what are you doing?

-The mashed potato.

You're supposed to be doing the bossa nova.

-But I know the mashed potato.

-# Blame it on the bossa nova

# That he did so well

# Oh, it all began with just one little dance

# And soon it ended up a big romance

-# Blame it on the bossa nova... #

-Kick, back, side, front...

# The dance of love

-# Now, was it the moon?

-# No, no, the bossa nova

# Or the stars above? # No, no, the bossa nova

# Now, was it the tune? # Yeah, yeah, the bossa nova...

# Now I'm glad to say

# I'm his bride-to-be

# And we're gonna raise

# A family...# (FADES)

-Donald, are you feeling ill?

-No.

Are you sure?

Are you all right?

I just wanna go home.

Good afternoon, Sister.

Good afternoon, Sister James.

Sister, can I speak with you about Donald Miller?

Is he being accepted?

He has no friends.

That would be a lot to expect after only two months.

Has anyone hit him?

No.

Someone will.

And when that happens...

..send them right down to me.

I'm not so sure anyone will.

This parish serves Irish and Italian families.

Someone will hit Donald Miller.

He has a protector.

Who?

Father Flynn.

What?

He's taken an interest.

I told you to come to me but I hoped you never would.

Maybe I shouldn't have.

So...it's happened.

What?

-Oh, no, not that. I'm not even certain what you mean.

-(DOOR)

-Oh, excuse me there, Sisters.

-No bother. We're done here.

Come, Sister.

What have you seen?

It is unsettling to feel suspicion. I feel less close to God.

When you take a step to address wrongdoing,

it is a step away from God, but in His service.

What have you seen?

-Afternoon, Sisters.

-Good afternoon, Mrs Carson. Why the cat?

Cos there's a mouse. Want some tea?

If you don't wanna dance with her, don't dance with her.

-Well, is it wrong?

-No.

-But what if the girl turns you down?

-(LAUGHTER)

You have the right to ask a girl to dance.

And she has the right to turn you down.

The trick is, don't take it to heart.

-What if they all turn you down?

-Well, then you become a priest.

(BOYS LAUGH)

All right, next question.

What have you seen?

He called Donald Miller to the rectory.

-What for?

-A talk.

-Alone?

-Yes.

-When?

-A week ago during class.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-I didn't think anything was wrong with it.

Of all the children, Donald Miller.

I suppose it makes sense.

How does it make sense?

He's isolated.

-I don't know that anything is wrong.

-Our first Negro student.

I thought there would be fighting... (TAPS ON WINDOW)

a parent or two to deal with...

I should've foreseen the possibility.

How could you imagine it?

Well, it's my job to outshine the fox in cleverness.

That is my job.

But maybe it's nothing.

(SISTER ALOYSIUS SIGHS)

Then, why do you look like you've seen the Devil?

It's the way the boy acted when he came back to class.

-He said something?

-No, he just looked frightened.

And he... put his head on the desk in the most peculiar way and...

And one other thing, there...

I think there was alcohol on his breath.

There WAS...

..alcohol on his breath.

(SNIFFLES) >

(PATS SISTER JAMES)

Years ago at St Boniface, there was a priest...

But... I had Father Scully then.

Here, there's no man I can go to, men run everything.

We are going to have to stop him ourselves.

There we go. She got it.

It takes a cat.

Yes, it does.

Yes, it does.

(RAIN AND WIND BATTER WINDOW)

(WIND HOWLS)

-This towel will never be dead white again.

-Yes, it will.

-Mrs Carson!

-What happened?

-There's a branch down.

-Are you all right, Sister?

-She didn't see it.

Fine(!) Just bush-whacked. No need for a fuss.

You go lie down. I'll bring you some tea.

-'Hello?'

-Mr McGuinn.

Could you look in on the courtyard? A branch has fallen.

-'What's that?'

-A BRANCH has...!

Watch your step here, Sister.

I'll cut it up.

The world is crashing, Michael.

I haven't heard a wind like that since I left Mullingar.

I've never known a wind like it. The wind has changed.

What are you doing out here, Conroy?

I talked in class, Father.

Waiting for Sister Aloysius.

-Does she know you're here?

-She knows.

Good morning, Father Flynn. Good of you to come by.

-Good morning, Sister. How are you?

-Very well, thank you. Mr Conroy.

-Yes, Sister.

-Mr Transistor Radio.

Multiplication table, ten times, in its totality, to me tomorrow morning.

Legible, boy.

Return to class.

Go. Go. Go.

I'd invite you in but... we're... short of Sister James.

-You hear that wind last night?

-I certainly did.

Did I hear Sister Veronica had an accident?

Yes. Sister Veronica fell, practically killed herself.

-She all right?

-Oh, she's fine.

-Her sight isn't good, is it?

-Her sight is fine.

Nuns fall, you know.

-I didn't know that.

-It's the habit.

It, uh, catches us up more often than not. (CHUCKLES)

We go down like dominoes.

-Am I past the ten?

-Not at all.

Good morning, Father, Sister. I'm sorry I was delayed.

-I ran into Sister Veronica.

-How is she?

I'm afraid she has a bloody nose.

I'm beginning to think you're punching people.

Sister?

First, er, William London and now...

Never mind.

Well, come in, please.

Sister.

Please. Sit. Have a seat.

I actually have a hot pot of tea.

And close this, but not quite, for form's sake.

Er, Father, would you care for a...?

-Would you have a cup of tea, Father?

-I'd love a cup of tea.

-Sister, perhaps you could serve him.

-I'd be glad.

-And yourself, of course

-Would you like one, Sister?

-No, I've had mine.

-Is there sugar?

Sugar?

Uh, yes.

Yes...

Somewhere here.

I put it in the drawer for Lent last year, didn't remember to take it out.

-Mustn't have been much to give up, then.

-(CHUCKLES)

I'm sure you're right. Here it is.

I'll serve you, although for, want of, uh, practice, I'm...

I'm a little cl...clumsy.

I see your fingernails.

Ah... I wear them a little long.

-The sugar...?

-Yes. One?

Three.

-Three?

-Sweet tooth.

-Two...

-(DIGS NOISILY) ..three. Sister, you care for sugar?

-Never.

Not that there's anything wrong with sugar.

Well, thank you, Father, for making time for us.

We are at our wits' end.

I think it's an excellent idea to rethink the Christmas pageant.

Last year's effort was a little woebegone.

Oh, I loved it. But I love all pageants. The hymns.

-O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel...

-All right.

Thank you, Sister James. So what do you think, Father?

-Is there something new we could do?

-We all love the Christmas hymns,

-but, uh, it might be jolly to include a secular song.

-Secular?

Yes. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, something like that

-What would be the point of a, uh... secular song?

-Just fun.

-Or Frosty The Snowman.

-That's a good one!

One of the boys could dress up as a snowman, dance around.

Which boy?

We'd do try-outs.

Frosty The Snowman espouses a pagan belief in magic.

The snowman comes to life when... an enchanted hat is put on his head.

If the music were more sombre, people would realise

the images are disturbing and the song heretical.

I never thought of Frosty The Snowman like that.

-Should be banned from the airwaves.

-So...not Frosty The Snowman.

Oh... It's Beginning To Look Like... A Lot Like Christmas

would be fine, I suppose. Parents would like it.

May I ask what you're writing down with that ballpoint pen?

Oh, nothing. It's... an idea for a sermon.

-Oh. You had one right now?

-I get them all the time.

-How fortunate.

-I forget them, so I have to write them down.

Oh... What is the idea?

Intolerance.

-Would you like more tea, Father?

-Not yet.

It's a new time, Sister.

What's new about it?

-Something inside of people is new.

-There is nothing new under the sun.

The Church needs to change.

We should sing a song from the radio now and then.

-Take the kids out for ice cream.

-Sweet tooth.

-And maybe take the boys camping.

-The point being...?

We should be friendlier?

The children and the parents, should see us as members of their family.

But we are not members of their family.

We're different.

Why? Because of our vows?

Precisely.

I don't think we're so different. Sister, I would take some more tea.

And they think we are different.

The working-cla... The working-class people of this parish TRUST us...

-to be different.

-We're getting off the subject.

-You're right.

You're right. Back to it. (INTERCOM BUZZES) Uh...

Yes? Sister Raymond? Hmm.

You tell her to wash her face and her neck and report to me at three.

Excuse me.

The Christmas pageant. (CLEARS THROAT)

-We must be careful how Donald Miller is used in the pag-

-Easy there...

-Oh!

-What about Donald Miller?

-We must be careful in the pageant

that we neither hide Donald Miller nor put him forward.

Because of the colour of his skin?

That's right.

Why?

-Oh, come, Father..!

-He should be treated like every other boy.

You yourself...singled the boy out for special attention.

You held a private meeting with him at the rectory. A week ago?

Yes.

What are we talking about?

Donald Miller.

The boy acted strangely when he returned to class.

-He did?

-When he returned from the rectory, a little odd, yes.

Can you tell us why?

How did he act strangely?

He...

I'm not sure how to explain it. He.. He laid his head on the desk and...

..was, um...

-You mean, you had some impression?

-Yes.

-And he'd come from the rectory, so you're asking me?

-Hm.

-That's it.

-Hmm...

-Hm.

Hmm... (Ahem!)

Did you wanna discuss the pageant or is this what you wanted to discuss?

This.

Well, I'm a little uncomfortable.

-Why?

-Why do you think?

The boy's wellbeing is my responsibility. (PHONE RINGS)

-His wellbeing is not at issue.

-I'm not satisfied that that is true.

He was upset when he returned to class. (RINGING)

-Did he say something?

-No.

What happened in the rectory? (RINGING CONTINUES)

-Happened?

-Hmm.

-Nothing happened.

-I had a talk with the boy.

-What about?

-Private matter.

He's 12 years old. What could be private? (PHONE RINGS ON)

-Should I get the ph-

-No!

I object to your tone.

This is not about my tone...

..or your tone, Father Flynn.

-It's about arriving at the truth.

-Of what?

You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

Hm?

You're controlling the expression on your face right now, aren't you?

My face...?

What exactly are you accusing me of?

I'm not accusing you of anything, Father Flynn. I am asking you.

To tell me.

What happened in the rectory?

I don't wish to continue this.

And if you're dissatisfied with that speak to Monsignor Benedict.

I can only imagine this unfortunate behaviour is a result of overwork.

Have a good morning, Sister.

Sister.

There was alcohol...

..on his breath...

..when he returned from his meeting with you.

Alcohol?

I did smell it on his breath.

Well?

-Let this alone.

-No. (BELL RINGS)

(CHILDREN CHATTER IN CORRIDOR)

Take your time, Father. Would you like some more tea?

You should've let it alone.

Not possible.

Mr McGuinn caught Donald drinking altar wine.

When I found out, I sent for him.

There were tears.

And he begged not to be removed from the altar boys.

I took pity on him.

I told him if no one else found out, I'd let him stay on.

What a relief! That explains everything! Thanks be to God.

Look, Sister, it was all a mistake.

-And if I talk to Mr McGuinn?

-Talk to him, by all means.

But now his secret's out, he'll have to leave altar boys.

What I was trying to avoid.

-You were trying to protect him?

-That's right.

I might have done the same thing.

Is there a way Donald could stay on the altar boys?

If the boy drank altar wine, he can't continue as an altar boy.

Of course.

-Are you satisfied?

-Yes.

Hm. Well, I'll be going. I have some writing to do.

-Intolerance...

-That's right.

I'm not pleased with how you handled this.

Sister. Sister.

Well...

What a relief. He cleared it all up.

You believe him?

Of course.

Isn't it that it's easier to believe him?

But we can corroborate his story with Mr McGuinn.

Yes...

These types of people are clever.

Well, I'm convinced.

You're not.

You just want things to be resolved so you can have simplicity back.

I want no further part of this.

I'll bring him down.

How can you be so sure that he is lying?

Experience.

You just don't like him.

You don't like it that he uses a ballpoint pen.

You don't like it that he takes three lumps of sugar in his tea.

You don't like it that he likes Frosty The Snowman,

and you're letting that convince you of something terrible, just terrible

Well, I like Frosty The Snowman!

And it'd be nice if this school weren't run like a jail

and it's good that I love history

and hope to inspire my students to love it,

and if you judge that to mean I'm not a fit teacher, so be it!

Sit down.

Look at that. You blew out my light.

In ancient Sparta, important matters were decided by who shouted loudest.

Fortunately, we are not in ancient Sparta.

You honestly find the students in this school

to be treated like inmates in a prison?

No.

Actually, they all seem fairly happy

but they're all uniformly terrified of you.

Yes.

That's how it works.

Sit there. (CLEARS THROAT)

(DIALS NUMBER ON PHONE)

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

Hello, I'm Sister Aloysius Beauvier, principal at St Nicholas School.

Is this Mrs Miller?

I'm calling about your son, Donald.

(SLUICING RAIN)

A woman was gossiping with a friend about a man she hardly knew.

-I know none of you have ever done this.

-(CONGREGATION CHUCKLES)

That night, she had a dream.

A great hand appeared over her and pointed down at her.

She was immediately seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

The next day, she went to confession.

She got the old parish priest, Father O'Rourke.

She told him the whole thing.

"Is gossiping a sin?" she asked the old man.

"Was that the hand of God Almighty pointing a finger at me?"

"Should I be asking your absolution father?

"Tell me - have I done something wrong?"

-(IRISH ACCENT)

-"Yes!" Father O'Rourke answered her.

"Yes, you ignorant, badly brought-up female."

"You've borne false witness against your neighbour.

"You've played fast and loose with his reputation

"and you should be heartily ashamed."

So, the woman said she was sorry and asked for forgiveness.

"Not so fast," says O'Rourke.

"I want you to go home, take a pillow up on your roof,

"cut it open with a knife and return here to me."

So the woman went home, took a pillow off her bed,

a knife from the drawer, went up the fire escape to her roof

and stabbed the pillow.

Then she went back to the old parish priest as instructed.

"Did you gut the pillow with a knife?" he says.

"Yes, Father."

"And what was the result?"

"Feathers," she said.

"Feathers," he repeated.

"Feathers everywhere, Father."

"Now, I want you to go back

"and gather up every last feather that flew out on the wind."

"Well," she said. "It can't be done."

"I dunno where they went. The wind took them all over."

"And that," said Father O'Rourke, "is gossip!"

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Please rise.

(CROW CAWS)

(CROW CONTINUES TO CAW)

What's that bird complaining about?

What kind of bird is that?

That a starling?

A grackle?

-A crow.

-Of course it is.

Are you praying? I didn't mean to interrupt.

I'm not praying, no.

You seem subdued.

Oh, I... I can't sleep.

Why not?

Bad dreams.

Yeah, I can't sleep on occasion.

-Why? Do you see that big hand pointing a finger at you?

-Yes.

Sometimes.

Was your sermon directed at anyone in particular?

What do you think?

I received a letter from my brother in Maryland.

-He's very sick.

-Maybe you should go and see him.

I can't leave my class.

Is it true?

What?

You know what I'm asking.

No.

I saw you put an undershirt in Donald Miller's locker.

-He left it in the sacristy.

-Why didn't you hand it to him?

I'm trying to spare him further embarrassment.

It's me that cares about that child, not her.

Has she ever reached out a hand?

That black boy needs help or he's not gonna make it.

She would have him left to his own undoing.

Why d'you think he drank the wine?

He's in trouble.

And she sees me talk in a human way to these kids

and immediately assumes there must be something wrong with it.

I'm not gonna let her keep this parish in the Dark Ages.

Or let her destroy my spirit of compassion.

-I'm sure that's not her intent.

-I care about this congregation.

-I know you do.

-Like you care about your class.

You love them, don't you?

-Yes.

-And that's natural.

How else would you relate to children?

I can look at your face and know your philosophy.

It's kindness.

I don't know...

I mean, of course.

There are people who go after your humanity, Sister.

That tell you that the light in your heart is a weakness.

Don't believe it.

An old tactic of cruel people is to kill kindness in the name of virtue.

There's nothing wrong with love.

Love?

Have you forgotten the message of our Saviour?

It's love.

Of people.

I just feel as if everything is upside down.

-(FLYNN SIGHS)

-There it is. There are times in life when we feel lost.

It happens.

And it's a bond.

Flowers.

Hmm. To remind me of spring.

I should be going.

I'm sorry your brother's ill.

Thank you, Father.

I don't believe it.

You don't?

No.

Thank you, Sister. Thank you very much.

(BELL RINGS / CHILDREN CHATTER)

Father, I think I've just got to tell somebody.

-Hello, Noreen.

-I'm in love.

That's wonderful. Who's the lucky boy?

-Jimmy Hurley.

-Have you told him?

-Maybe you should.

-Maybe I will, Father.

Jimmy!

Father Sherman...

-You dropped something!

-(SOME LAUGHTER)

It's all right.

-(RAUCOUS LAUGHTER)

-'OK. Be quiet.'

(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)

I SAID BE QUIET!

The next one of you that speaks out of turn gets sent to the principal.

Now the question was, what was Patrick Henry's famous remark?

-Donald.

-Sister?

What was the question?

-(WHISPERING)

-Nobody help him. Jimmy, put your hand down.

Donald Miller, stand up.

-What was the question, Donald?

-I don't know, Sister.

It means you weren't listening.

Yes, Sister.

The question was, what was Patrick Henry's famous remark?

-I don't know.

-"Give me liberty or give me death!"

James Hurley, down to the principal's office. Now!

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

(knocks again more firmly)

-Mrs Miller?

-Yes.

Come in.

Please, have a seat.

I was changing a bulb.

-Thought I might've had the wrong day. You didn't answer.

-Huh?

Oh. Well, just between us, I was listening to a transistor radio.

With an earpiece. Look how tiny they're makin' 'em.

I confiscated it from a student, now I can't stop listening to it.

You like music?

No.

News reports. Years ago, I used to listen to all the news reports.

Because my husband was in Italy. In the war.

-You were a married woman?

-Yes. But then he was killed.

Is your husband coming?

-Couldn't get off work. And I only have half an hour.

-I see. Of course.

It was a lot to ask.

How's Donald doin'?

Uh... He's passing his subjects.

He has average grades.

Hm. Good. He was upset about getting taken off the altar boys.

Hmm... Did he explain why?

-He said he was caught drinking altar wine?

-That is the reason.

Well, that seems fair.

But he's a good boy, Sister.

He fell down there, but he's a good boy, pretty much down the line.

How is he at home?

-His father beat the hell outta him over the wine.

-Oh, he shouldn't..!

You don't tell my husband what to do, you just stand back.

-My husband didn't want Donald to come here.

-Why?

Thought he'd have trouble with the other boys, but it hasn't happened.

-Good.

-That priest, Father Flynn, been watching out for him.

Yes. (KNOCK ON DOOR)

Excuse me.

James Hurley, what are you doing outta class?

-Sister James sent me down.

-What for?

-Talking.

-Well, go back and shut up!

Go! Go!

What's going on?

None of your business. Go on. Go back to class.

-(Bullshit.)

-What'd you say?

-Nothing!

-You have, uh,.. 20 minutes, you say?

-I just have to walk to work.

-Where is work?

-Parkchester.

If I don't start cleaning by noon, I'm not home to let Donald in.

May I walk with you?

I don't mind.

Eight sixty-fourths.

Who can tell me what the common denominator is?

Nobody?

Back already, Mr Hurley?

-I said, back already, Mr Hurley?

-Leave me alone!

Who do you think you're talking to? This is my classroom, boy!

Don't you forget that!

I'm sorry.

(SNIFFS)

I'm...sorry, Jimmy.

-Have you met Father Flynn?

-Just seen him, not met face to face.

-Just heard from Donald.

-And what does he say?

Oh, you know, "Father Flynn, Father Flynn..." He looks up to him.

Man gives him his time, which is what the boy needs.

Mrs Miller, we may have a problem.

Must've been some reason to wanna see me. Principal's a big job.

-I just wanna say, though, it's just till June.

-Excuse me?

Whatever the problem is, Donald just has to make it till June.

-Then he's off into high school.

-Right.

If Donald can graduate from St Nicholas,

he has a better chance of a good high school.

That would mean an opportunity at college.

I don't see anything standing in the way of his graduating with his class.

-Well, that's all I care about.

-I doubt that.

-Try me.

I'm concerned about the relationship between Father Flynn and your son.

You don't say. What do you mean "concerned"?

That it may not be right.

Well, there's something wrong with everybody. Soul's gotta be forgiven.

I work right there.

I am concerned, to be frank...

..that Father Flynn may have made advances on your son.

May have made?

-I can't be certain.

-No evidence?

-No.

-Then maybe there's nothing to it.

I think there is something to it.

I think Father Flynn gave Donald that altar wine.

Why would he do that?

Has Donald been acting...strange?

-No.

-Nothing out of the ordinary?

-He's been himself.

-All right.

-Look, Sister, I don't want any trouble.

I'm not sure you completely understand.

I think I know what you talkin' about, but I don't wanna get into it

What's that?

Look, I've only a few minutes. Not to be disagreein', but...

we're talking about something between this priest and my son,

it ain't my son's fault.

-Oh, I'm not suggesting...

-He's just a boy.

-I know.

-12 years old.

-The man should be taking blame.

-I agree with you completely.

You're agreeing, but I'm who got called to the principal.

I'm concerned about Donald's welfare.

-You honestly think that priest gave Donald that wine?

-Yes, I do.

Then how come my son got kicked off? If a man gave it to him?

The boy got caught, the man didn't.

So you're giving my son the blame. No problem my son getting blamed.

-Let me talk, I...

-No goin' against no man in a robe with a position!

-And he's got your son.

-Let him have him then!

What?

It's just till June.

Do you know what you're saying?

Know more about it than you.

I believe this man is creating, or may have already brought about,

-an improper relationship with your son.

-I don't know.

I know. I am right.

You gotta know something like that for sure, and you don't.

What kind of mother are you?

Excuse me, but you don't know enough about life to say a thing like that.

-I know enough.

-The rules, maybe, but that don't cover it.

I know what I won't accept.

-You accept what you gotta and work with it.

-This man is in my school!

-Gotta be somewhere. And maybe he's doin' good too.

-He's after the boys!

Maybe some wanna get caught!

That's why his father beat him.

Not the wine.

What are you telling me?

I'm talking about the boy's nature now.

Not anything he's done.

You can't hold a child responsible for what God gave him to be.

I'm only interested in actions, Mrs Miller.

-But then there's the boy's nature.

-Leave that aside.

-Forget it then!

You're the one forcing people to say things.

My boy came to your school

cos they were gonna kill him in the public school.

His father don't like him.

He come to your school, kids don't like him.

One man is good to him, this priest.

Then does a man have his reasons? Yes. Everybody does.

You have your reasons, but...

do I ask the man why he's good to my son?

No.

I don't care why.

My son needs some man to care about him,

and to see him through to where he wants to go.

And thank God this educated man,

with some kindness in him, wants to do just that.

-This will not do.

-It's just till June.

I'll throw your son out of this school.

-Why, if it didn't start with him?

-Because I will stop this.

-You'd hurt my son to get your way?

-It won't end with your son.

-Throw the priest out then!

-I am trying to do just that.

Then what do you want from me?

Nothing.

As it turns out.

Please leave my son out of this...!

My husband will kill that child over a thing like this.

I will try.

I'm late.

Sister...

I dunno if you and me are on the same side.

I'll be standing with my son and those who are good with my son.

It'd be nice to see you there. Good morning.

(THUNDER)

May I come in?

A third party would be required.

What was Donald's mother doing here?

-We were having a chat.

-About what?

-A third party would be required.

No, Sister. No third party! Me and you are due for a talk!

-You must stop this campaign against me.

-You can stop it anytime.

-How?

-Confess and resign.

-You are attempting to destroy my reputation!

Who keeps opening my window?

What are you doing in this school?

-I'm trying to do good.

-Even more to the point..

what are you doing in the priesthood?

You are single-handedly holding this school and this parish back.

-From what?

-Progressive education and a welcoming church.

You can't distract me, Father. This is not about my behaviour.

-It's about yours.

-Your unfounded suspicions!

-That's right - I have suspicions.

-Leave that. It's not important.

I will decide...

..what's important.

Why do you suspect me? What have I done?

You gave that boy wine and you let him take the blame.

That's completely untrue. Did you talk to Mr McGuinn?

McGuinn just knows the boy drank wine, not how he came to.

-Did his mother have something to add that?

-No.

So, that's it.

-I am not satisfied.

-Ask the boy then.

Oh, he'd protect you.

-Why would he do that?

-Because you have seduced him.

You're insane. You think that I corrupted this child

-after giving him wine and nothing I say will change that.

-That's right

This has nothing to do with wine.

You've had a fundamental mistrust of me before this incident.

-It was you that warned Sister James to be on the lookout!

-That's true.

-So you admit it!

-Certainly. (THUNDER)

-Why?

I know people.

That's not good enough.

-It won't have to be.

-How's that?

-You will tell me what you have done.

Oh, I will.

Out again.

Sister James is convinced I'm innocent.

Oh, so you talked to Sister James.

Well, of course you talked to Sister James.

-Did you know Donald's father beats him?

-Yes.

And might that not account for the odd behaviour

Sister James noticed in the boy?

It might.

Then what is it? What?

W-W-Wh-What did you hear?

What did you see... that convinced you so thoroughly?

What does it matter?

It matters! What does it matter?!

I want to know!

Out this window...

I saw you grab William London's wrist and I saw him...

..pull away.

Are you serious?

I am.

That's all?

Yeah... That was all.

That's nothing.

-What are you doing now?

-I'm writing down what you say.

It might be important when I have to explain

why you have to be removed.

Uh, this morning, before I spoke with Mrs Miller,

I took the precaution of calling your last parish.

What did he say?

-Who?

-The pastor?

I did not speak to the pastor. I spoke to a nun.

You should have spoken to the pastor.

-I spoke to a nun.

-That's not the proper route for you to have taken.

-The Church is clear, you're supposed to go through the pastor.

-Why?

You have an understanding, you and he?

You have no right to go rummaging through my past!

You have a history. This is your third parish in five years. Why?

Call the pastor. Ask him why I left. It's perfectly innocent.

-I'm not calling the pastor.

-I'm a good priest.

Go after another child, and another child, until you are stopped.

-Which nun did you speak to?

-I won't say.

-I've not touched a child!

-YOU HAVE!

-You've not the slightest proof!

But I have my certainty.

And armed with that, I'll go to your last parish. And the one before that.

I'll find a parent. Trust me, Father Flynn, I will.

You have no right to act on your own!

You have taken vows. Obedience, being one!

You answer to us!

You have no right to step outside the Church!

I will step outside the Church if that's what needs to be done,

though the door should shut behind me!

I will do what needs to be done... though I'm damned to hell!

You should understand that, or you will mistake me.

Now, did you give Donald Miller wine to drink?

Have you never done anything wrong?

-I have.

-No mortal sin?

Yes.

And?

I co... I confessed it, Father.

Then whatever I have done,

I have left in the healing hands of my confessor.

As have you.

We are the same.

Hmm...

No, we are not... We are not the same.

A dog that bites is a dog that bites.

Did you give Donald Miller wine to drink?

No.

Mental reservations?

No.

You lie.

Very well, then.

If you will not leave my office, I will.

And once I go, I will not stop.

Wait.

I can't say everything, you understand?

There's things I can't say.

Even if you can't imagine the explanation, Sister.

Remember, there are things beyond your knowledge.

Even if you feel certainty, it is an emotion, not a fact.

You will request a transfer.

And take a leave of absence until it's granted.

You'd leave me nothing.

It's Donald Miller who has nothing and you took full advantage of that.

I've done nothing wrong. I care about that boy.

Why?

Because you smile at him?

And you sympathise with him?

And you talk to him as if you were the same?

You are a cheat.

And that warm feeling you experienced

when that boy looked at you with trust

was NOT the sensation of virtue.

That could be got by any drunkard with his tot of rum.

I can fight you.

You will lose.

Where's your compassion?

Nowhere you can get at it.

Stay here, compose yourself.

You can use the phone if you like.

Good day, Father.

I have no sympathy for you.

I know you are invulnerable to true regret.

And cut your nails.

(ORGAN PLAYS INTRO)

(SCHOOL CHOIR) # Praise God

# From Whom all blessings flow

# Praise Him all creatures here below

# Praise Him above, ye heavenly host

# Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

# Amen. #

I never like to say goodbye.

But there is a wind behind every one of us

that takes us through our lives.

We never see it.

We can't command it.

We don't even know its purpose.

Because I would have stayed among you longer,

but that wind is taking me away.

I will miss it here.

And I will miss you.

But I'm content that the power that propels me

does so with superior knowledge as to what is for the best...

..and that is my faith.

I would like to come down now among you

and say goodbye.

And wish you peaceful hearts.

And loving hearts.

(CHOIR SINGS)

Goodbye, Senator.

(FAREWELL MURMURS / CHOIR SINGS)

Sister James. Welcome back.

-Thank you, Sister.

-You were missed. How is your brother?

-Better. Much better.

-I'm very glad. I prayed for him.

It was good to get away. I needed to see my family.

Then I'm glad you did it.

And Father Flynn is gone?

Yes.

So you did it. You got him out.

Yes.

Donald Miller is heartbroken.

Can't be helped.

It's just till June.

I don't think Father Flynn did anything wrong.

No? He convinced you?

-Yes, he did.

-Hm.

Did you ever prove it?

To whom?

Anyone but yourself?

Nope.

-But you were sure?

-Yes.

I wish I could be like you.

Why?

Because I can't sleep any more.

Maybe we're not supposed to sleep so well.

They've made Father Flynn pastor of Saint Jerome.

Who?

The bishop.

Appointed Father Flynn pastor of Saint Jerome Church and School.

It's a promotion.

You didn't tell them?

Oh, I told our good Monsignor.

I crossed the garden, and I told him.

He did not believe it to be true.

Then why did Father Flynn go? What did you say to make him leave?

That I had called a nun in his previous parish.

That I had found out his prior history of, uh, infringements.

So you did prove it?

I made no such call.

You lied?

Yes.

But if he'd had no such history, the lie wouldn't have worked.

His resignation was his confession.

He was what I thought he was.

And he's gone.

I can't believe you lied.

In the pursuit of wrongdoing...

one steps away from God.

Of course, there is a price.

I see.

("THE FIRST NOEL" PLAYED ON ORGAN)

Oh, Sister James.

What is it, Sister?

I have doubts!

(SIGHS)

I have...such doubts!

(SOBS)

("THE FIRST NOEL" CONTINUES)

(ORGAN PLAYING "THE FIRST NOEL" INTENSIFIES)

# Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth

# And manifest Thy virgin birth

# Let every age adoring fall

# Such birth befits the Lord of all

# Begotten of no human will

# But of Thy spirit Thou art still

# The word of God in flesh arrayed

# The promised fruit to man displayed

# Amen. #