THE RUNNER STUMBLES 2 play in two acts & Night Rainbows an afterword by Milan Stitt 7 James T. White & Company Clifton, New Jerseyhep hee yse wile Ne don cay ables Iving ahs pis vuseke es 8 we eh is de lose otal incest radi ‘The Ronse Stor Caer 29 9975 by Man Si 1M Reino Copynehe © 29 by in Sit [GAUTION: Poesonts and anatase hey ware ht The Ras ne Stunts bet oa tpl few hy pte a We cy Sah ls ofthe Une Ste of Ss, sd fs ots cancel 9) the tneatone) Copii Unson (nag te Denon Cols ‘2 th to the Buti Comune) en fal oss coed ty the Pemamencan Cyrght Comat the Unicel Coopeot Cone at oft cont ih wh the Untied Ss hs eee ‘alert lato. AI ag clog geen sate ee et estan, Iago ning. in fondnsng eden ASS ot tei ne cng oe ty ne, ‘nb mt te sced seers ape en ge (cet fx amatns Hs) Sold e dd to Hen ens 337 Wat seed Stee, New Yak Wes. ‘The ame tng Hits to The Runner Sole conte xh Sr ye Depa si ne, grate Sn Nee You, Rao, No anata pec ef the gay may be soon Ss bing nasa teen pin oi Daa Pay vi Icy a pug et fc e son of Nii Rae ey be epi hate prog fy other pation wos pesmi he tte Manat i he Ue Ste of Aner Por TAL,fe nomen ernnis oped on Brady tthe Lite Thee om Sip iS gy Tres Gece y Aun Penden, he twas by Pos Wot ames we ty Jes Deron Hat nd ihing 8b Ghent Thader The prune Wayne Aa et Wile Mp ee Uh poy war petal sce argent i) The Haron ‘leans Gian: he pode sage ee ae Fey Peto De roenl maser Dey lim andthe te ant, Mt Lee (Eo, Te ea in reo pps es st [MORRUE PIERSOL ae Riad STEPHEN JOYCE Erm Pale ATINA COMINGS ‘Tay eae anes NOBLE Sta Bi ANCE DONOHUE ies Shai Stgane SHELTON Prostar (CRAIG RICHARD NELSON Menaznor Nealon ‘sEPH MATHEWSON Yon ‘MARILYN PFEIFFER soe oan seen wit dpe im woishop in the Boson Use SESS yesh Pst the Bie Tas Pel Nonson Lm ‘Seo doer ay, der te ewcon of Pe NacDonl Stn fer eed = Swe redeon he Marton The ec Chiy Lye Meow; eve densa, im Deeb 974, et {be dno of tn Peal nso ts word pry Be ‘tomer Thee Compr, Bl sed Mat Teme, eater, (1 Drenbes 5s sgyprandt he Stetin tN Peasecs noyen sont ae mgd yan acl tmt theca "onthe dre oun le Ags Tine: Apa 988 Seog: A nit et sal fried, cram ee, coutom, ond ‘een an ui in hs eto ne sore: Forth resi veon nny ines which ere et fr padi ps ave refed, Wh cm be made he oes of ie Ferme dre ne rh tot aed tonya gy pve 0 the rk th [Stow tama Phy Servint Fer eingcte Pater Rad (Sue! Ridin the posts ses he esd corto. Th ‘ten sey wien aor hr grater importance hi ind Tit be cot pvtediogs ale Pott sie, the plas i ‘ih kismet ne ed oo och ahr cand he et och, iritdiaed se Sogming ef the memati dng Toe ‘Shitty ten sd net be neds mre he ts ee Bi Sol pn co ten er tn Fede Catectey feet reser ge went ee [inciape on wick Fate Rv mide fond, The cml nce fc alvin nthe indo ate Rr Act I Ts the darkened theatre the mournful wail of @ distant train while heard, followed by the voice ofthe prosecu- tor atthe araignment: "Then may this matter of the Peo- ple of the State of Mickigon versus Brian Rivard be set ds for immediate tril.” “The lights come up om stage to reveal Father Rivard being led by the guad, Amos tothe cell. Father Rivard would still be considered « young prist be tome of his aetud age and boyish fec'res, but he walls Tike en old man who budges forward only because of the promize of death ahead. He doesnot wea a clerical clr. ‘Amos has no hopes, no dreams, Like most young men in Solon, his eyes brighton ony at the prospect of cruelty. His tye elsten now Because ofthe litle erultes he and his Prends have planned to lay on Father Rivard. [Rivard isin state tha, exaggerated, would be catatonic He jost wants to be left alone. He wears handeufs. Amos ges him forward, finally pushing Rivad in cell.THE CELL (Rivard looks up ot ex! window ax he hears children sing. {ng "The Lilae Song") AMOS: That's the chiézen singing at the school, Father, RIVARD: You hesrit too? AMOS: Ain't dest, Father, RIVARD: No. That's not what I~ See, for a moment 1 thought... Sister Rts taught that song, bat I eoulda’t possibly heai voices from upon the fil, could 1? AMOS: No. It's fom the public school down. here, "There aint been ne Catholie school up there since you nn of (Amos sees Ema Priile approaching the oe, She lump and high-strune from her unmaturel vulnerability. If she could cry upon seeing Father Rivard, it would be ttsier, but she doesn’t want to. Ske wnts to confess and then convince him of e maturity she has gained, If he be- Fievs i, maybe she can too. Ema is looking Back, making certain no ene has seen her ‘She caries a napkin which holds mins) AMOS: Ema. Whatare you doing back here? RIVARD: (Susprited to see her) Ema, AMOS: You ain't ever supposed to come back here. ERNA; I have to, Amos. T have to. You don't under: stand, Amos, Please. Leave me alone a minute, (Amos remains) be alight 1 wt (Amos exits, Ema tentatively approaches el) RIVARD; Helo, Ea, Thank you for coming. Phe: fete eterna haven bien confession forfour and ball yea RIVARD; Ema, Lean ERNA: Of couse you cn, Father RIVARD: (Taking Ems arm to. help her stand) ‘What's that, Ema? What do you ave there? ERNA: (Handing him napkin) For you. I made it up ‘special, Your favorite, Do you remember whet T always sade for your RIVARD: Ice cream. ERNA: Stop. You can se i's from the oven RIVARD: Pumpkin pie ERNA: Go on with you Youre jist the same RIVARD: Mince meat mofins. ERNA: Yes, yes, knew you'd remember 1 cook for the prisoner here We live just up she road. The yellow hhouse, Right in town now ‘cause I'm matied, Father. Maurice Prindle, He's thirty yeas older, but we have thiee children already. So it takes Tot, and T cook for them here OT ESS ATESthe the ys wl Nev uly nes i ing « wal f ‘lly ‘eepe inhat ve pri ve bm of m and ty po a 2 SRIVARD: That's 00d. ERNA: Massie n't Catholic. RIVARD: Iremenbe. ERNA: Bott's wong RIVARD: Martie, if you're happy, if it does that, Ema, how etn itbe wrong? ERNA: (Confused, trying to think of something ele) If ‘you look out you: window, Father, you can see Eoly Ro- Sry Chusch up onthe hill, I can see it fom my kitchen. If you're troubled or scared, you can just stand and look tlt W's a comfort, areal comfort. AMOS: (As he esters) You better get moving, Emma, His Tavyer just came and is taking with the shenf. Then hell becoming tack here RNA; (Franti that she is losing her only opportunity) But I aidot ask him. Everyone says you did, Father, but ‘hey don't Know you the ay di. you plead guilty to rmatder, its whit they call a techmicalty. That sill ‘wouldn't mean you did it, Youd jest have a better chance. RIVARD: What chance? AMOS: Come on, Ema. ERNA; (Explaining whet she har heard but does not fully understand ot approve of) TE you say you're guilty, ho matter what the jury thinks, they can only sentence syouto life, They can't hang you RIVARD: Do you think I'm gully, Erna? That I could il Sister Rita? ERNA: (Uncersinly) No, 5 (Toby Fetker appears, He once had dreams of being a im (portant lawyer, but his wife wanted to return to Solon ofter Toby graduated from the Univenity of Michigan, She svanted to live end be Buried in Solon. She did and was ‘Toby was lf lone, without his dream, without a reason) ERNA: Hes here. (Ema exts) TOBY: (Enters esl) Toby Feller. (Attempts to shake Thends ith handcuffed Rivard) Ch, come on, Amos. (Amos removes handeufs) Don't pay him any mind. Young men hereabouts don’t mount to much, and T doa't kzow why, T was burning ‘op with ambition when Iwas their age, (To Arsos) You ‘cin wait ouside now. AMOS: Have to protect you, Toby. ‘TOBY: You have to listen so you can tell that crowd out there whats happening, You @ on Heh now ot Im telling the shel AMOS: (To Rivard) If you tale him for your lawyer you beter be sure you'te pleading gulty ‘cause e ain’ Ever got nobody of everybody knows it, to, TOBY: (Calling) Sherif AMOS: (As he exit) Toby. T nas going to do a chore sayy. TOBY: (To Rivard) You don't rember me, do you? RIVARD: No TOBY: 1 met you once, A Gringe meeting ia Leland6 You were shnp a a pin atthe Gang. Explaining why Catholis have Mast and cesihigg. Devt rast ‘member? I was Be one who tntodased you aed coe Acted the qetion and answer peta (Rivard elesrly dees not remember, which momentarily siscppoints Toby) ‘Now I got to tel you, you don't have to take me as your lawyes, You don’: But if you don't, you should how, for fone thing, Tm the only laayer out here on the penie, fala. Now there isnt much for a lawyer out here, you Inow. ‘Cept afte: the spring rains move the ercis hither ‘and thither. Atguing boundary disputes if you, ave ‘what I mean, But you don't have to take mé Maurice told me the smc ate running down at Boyne Cit aed wouldn't mind getting a bare of cm. You Sekt RIVARD: No, TOBY: You don’ expect tose 2 pret Shing, come to think of it, E fe na RIVARD: Do yor want my case? TOBY: Sue. Sure [want your case. Do you accept met ‘That's the point, i i 7 RIVARD: As tongas you believe I'm innocent, TOBY: Innovent? RIVARD: Yes, TOBY: Bot that means a tal. And 1 have to know, well alot, Yes, Alot. (He sits. Takes from pocket old envelope on which to: make notes) What did happen {hat lst day? The day ofthe fre. Four and a half eas ago. You both disppeared the same night. Evepon Figured. but you tell me, what did happen? 7 RIVARD: 1 don't know. I know aothing happened. Tt couldn't have, Tm nat a violent man. ‘TOBY: All ight. Allright, We cosld star at the begin ‘ing. Why dd you send for another nun? (Sister Rita appears behind Rivard) RIVARD: The other to sisters wee il TOBY: Did you ask for young one? RIVARD: Thete was so much she have to. . .Tean't live through it gun, TOBY: Exactly when did she arivet RIVARD: About this time of year There were lilacs, It seemed late, I mean, Thad expected her about an hour calict. I waiked out to the road to se if I ould see het ‘coming up from the valley. No. Tha’ all (Sister Rita steps closer. She ie very young for a mun, and pretty in her youth. She has not yet Teaned t0 foldback Fist, naturel responses. She caries « beh of lilacs end a jagen atone, Shee war, Having waked wp the esp Fallon which Holy Rosary and its adjacent buildings sleep. Now ef the tp the speed ook iekea sae toylike town. Rivard sees her. Toby does nat. He freezes cand i unaware of what happens when Rivard enters the ost) SISTER RITA; I did't think it would be beaotiful, All those tees, If’ almost a wildernes TOBY: How can Thelp you it? RIVARD: Some other time, Well lk some other— SISTER RITA: (Overlapping Riverd) 1 barely slept on the train for imagining what Solon would be likethe et the ys will #Ne Lon arly bles ving have cul fully say's he im sof spictio sand human tity pe EE 8 RIVARD: No, No, I don’t want to remember SISTER RITA: Every house down there has lilacs, ‘doesn’t it? T picked these down there along the road. ‘The Bishop ‘old me the Indian name for Solon was “Land of Rainbows” ‘THE HILL (Rivard eroses to Sister Rita with an abrupt change of ate titude. He is cpen, vigorous, truly pleased to see Sister Rita) PRIEST: (Aesepting lacs) Yes, they'se fond of the In- ‘ian names atthe chancery, bot it has been a Tong time since there’ been a rainbow at Solon, We're experienc: ing drought But they woulda't know that. SISTER RITA: ‘That's why there are no birds. 1's 50 pe cilia, all these trees and not a single bird. You can ak ‘mast smell the dryness. PRIEST: According to Indian superstition the birds Teave befor «forest ie SISTER RITA: Ob, hope not, Father. In Detroit, ‘where [grew up, thre were just scrappy tees along the ‘treet, Now thi forest PRIEST: You'll weary ofthe tes, Sister. SISTER RITA: Impossible Father. just fll in love. PRIEST: Anifatuation SISTER RITA: No infatuations before the convent, ‘Certainly not after, Father PRIEST: Rot eventually the trees can bother you. The ° winter is Tong up here, and the trees sometimes seem to Pe lasing inon you. [find the best thing todo is to just Deep busy, Then there's no time for homesickness or any rncknchaly over what you fencunced, You won't want thst i your mind up here, Not because of any cue, bot just because it might slow you down. SISTER RITA: ‘They used to say that at Guardian "Angel as if it would comfort me. But T don't believe it Father Tt was @ new life when T entered the convent, yes. Bot Twas alive before. I beleve everthing I've done Je part of me, [had to be a hid then to be a nua now. Toe kept a elary. Since I was old enough to write really, ‘When {look through it now, Tsee that most ofthe wor ies Thad at fifteen 1 have today. The present is lite more than a mito of the past (Happy to share one of Ther deepest convictions) Tam 2 person who is a nun, not ‘nun who used to bea person. PRIEST: (Not wanting to dssyree) Wel, Mrs. Shandig is my housekeeper, Neither Sister fmmactlata nar Sister ‘Mary Martha have been well lately, so Mis, Shandig can help you to SISTER RITA: I shouldn't have spoken so plainly. "ve gered yo. PRIEST: Notatatl. SISTER RITA: Would you wat then? PRIEST: Why? SISTER RITA: You're annoye with me PRIEST: I'm not annoyed SISTER RITA: But you seem so~ PRIEST: What do you went?SISTER RITA: The Church, Thete iss certain prayer— = Tpromised my saint t would be the fst PRIEST: You cetainly don’t need to apologize for pray: ng. SISTER RITA: Father, Please don't be angry before you now me, PRIEST: I am not ange. Except by the fact that you keep telling me that Tan, SISTER RITA: Tm sony. (Sitence) PRIEST: "The ale sites, they nee talk much, At It ot il bu hen hat ol ey Ba o enjoy exchanges T do: But the pope vp here Thay" respect es Chvichy bat Wey pest. sk ts "You now hit Tm ote prches, SISTER RITA: I chink conversation eas esential a at Tf people don’t talk with each ether, what good i any thing? PRIEST: You kncw, when I fst came to Solon I too made a completely texble start SISTER RITA: I dont feel T've made a completely tex ‘le start PRIEST; No. No you avn. dat mean tht But when I came to Son, Iwas the fist priest appointed to Holy Rosary in nire year. The bishop didn't even know if the church would still be here. But you know how se Bson intr i to expand, which why I think tye sent me here. And also T needed a quict parish to 's called. “Augustinian Order (colon) An Examination and Extension.” And surprs- ingly enough, what with stating the schoo, convincing {Ge dnento Bal the coment contig eof hem the proces, and. well the book coming slong. Not Stata Fd hoped because, Atany rate, wheh Ta ted ete no ae met me asked the Wack ford ‘estore, Mace Pind, the Blcconith, 8 tes a Practical joker and he sent me to tha ite Church down ficre And sien I saw the sign "Solon Brangeal Methods” Thought THE CELL TOBY: Rivard, listen to me RIVARD: (Crossing to Toby) 1 id not kil Sister Rit, "There's very lite to hold on to. 've doubted my sanity at moments | believe in God, the Father Almighty. There’ that. But T don't have the Church, all the helps ‘hat other (Intemupting himself, ne longer able to co coal his deepest fear) She haunted me TOBY: Rivard, Lets just say. Lets jat say, T don’t un derstand, Riva, RIVARD: She did. When Ileft here For along time it kept TOBY: Rivard, Get ahold of yoursl. RIVARD: It's tre, She newer left my side, No matter ‘what I did, T needed some Kind of order. In Detroit 1 ‘worked on the sssembly line, worked very hacd. There’ endless overtime, you see, and T took i all just so T ‘wouldn't think T moved ty hands back and forth and the shiny parts came and went on te two black belts Jost so Td be tired and could sleep. But it failed. The hnarder I worked, the more I saw herTORY: Sister Rta, RIVARD: Yes Td go to the room at night and T would fall asleep, but then my hands would jast start moving Working lke in the factory, back and forth From the 2 sembly line, you know. And then T'd be awake. The oom was "black, empty, bat there would be this lightness, a presence, Her I thought maybe it was the place, Maybe by some coincidence she had lived near hat place when he was a girl, thad those seragaly tees Which she had talked about. So T moved. T moved s0 Many times. Ani then, now, the let few months is abated. And 'm afraid to have it beck: Yean't TOBY: Father, co you hear yourself? You talk like a silty man, RIVARD: You dnt undestand. You se, the only tie 1 actully approcched happiness was dung these lat few months im Dsrot. Noone knew my nae No one pected anything of me: T went to ie like tat gure Working. Walking. Eating” Sleeping” No past: Nef ture Jn a vey smal presen TOBY: That's th Kind of thinking your theology gets ou into, Father. Se, undestand something abot Soe Catholics. And T don't mind Belew you se nnocen, 1 don't iow whys instinct, I gues What you pos ple calla leap of ath But Te got to have had lacs Father Now, 1 de't spose thete's any T could got ths jury to believe thenan cited sii RIVARD: No. TOBY: Now, she was dead when you lf, right? RIVARD:, They told me in Detroit when they azrested ‘me.I didn’t know she died, TOBY: She was alive when you left RIVARD: Yeu TOBY: Youve etsin, RIVARD: Ye. TOBY: ‘Then that’ it RIVARD: What? ‘TOBY: Your defense. 1 got hae got it.I doc't ‘hater why, bot when you Tele. And ho sa you ho Ga lem ale Th te ee Ho Nit do you suppose you ssbpoens non Remember that day Father Who? Who sa you leave that knows You let before Siter Rita was Milt That housekeeper Poors a ie Shonigr RIVARD: 1 don't remember, TOBY: Wel, you had to come through town, sight? ‘Who saw you? Mausce? He's always iting out front RIVARD: Yes. I talked to him. Maurice, 1 asked, 1 asked him todo. chote for me up at Holy Rosa. TOBY: Good. (Calling) Amos. RIVARD: Yes. 1 can remember. Youll help me, I am ‘strong enough. Til remember every detail, and then it willbe over ‘TOBY (Shaking Riords hand) Now that Tve got a andl Gn tit fnew f can do good Werk Ti goed Hcl, Tim aendy Yer than I thought ee. (Seng ‘Arman enter) Good ye for noe (Aros and Toby exit) Rod acid singing “Th Lie Song” He ume {eto and es te Stag en Sef urd ooday could have been the spitome ofthe wholesome midwestern mother if nat vidowed so canly. She has ¢ deep tense of her lowly posticn, which she enjoys) BACK PORCH (Pret iin study, enicying the opprtuny to overhear the pleasant exchange abou o ape Tie ekg ee jue the tound of caren aught Nie Se foe her chen toe what the lnghtg fa ieee So Fs exter and woes, nay rating wih cet pe Mn. Shand sta Sster Rta when he peal MRS. SHANDIG: Sister. What's wrong? SISTER RITA: Ms. Shandig, don’ elt Father. 1 forgot ‘hic compositions so Tran bak tothe convent while’ MRS.SHANDIC: But the noite, Sister, And laughing SISTER RITA: Yes. Its Louse dong her elebrated ime tation of me. She has no idea that | know. You could have watched them forme. Inver even thought of MRS. SHANDIG: Ono. never goto the schoo SISTER, RITA: (Showing er compotion) ‘This ie Lovie Lokat hat She wate soc MRS. SHANDIG: Oh yes. 1's very net SISTER RITA: just read ate of. Ihave to get back, You'l see how well she— MRS. SHANDIG: (Starting toward kitchen) No. I don’t have time, SISTER RITA: (Stopping her) Mrs, Shancigh 5 ‘MRS. SHANDIG: Yes, SISTER RITA: Oh, just... remember, if you ever ‘ant to tin the buck of last listen, to the staging ot whatever MRS. SHANDI wanted to ask you Sister, Sister, evr since you came, 1 SISTER RITA; What? MRS. SHANDIG: Father doesnt have to teach since you're here, but he works even harder on his book since you came. worry about him. SISTER RITA: Why? MRS. SHANDIG: He's in that study from Mass “tl Supper most days. And T thought fT could read some of the books for him, I could tell htm what's in them and then he wouldn't get so tied and initable. T want to help him, but T don't. . « Well, you se SISTER RITA: 1 coud tach you to ead, Mes. Shandig MRS,SHANDIG: Do you think can leam teading? SISTER RITA: Of couse MRS. SHANDIG: Tam older, you know, SISTER RITA: Anyone who knows the entire Mass by heart... saw you lis following the Mass ‘MRS, SHANDIG: I wasn’t alvays. «Ym only a com vet, Sister. Father Rivard, he broagit me into the Chhutch. (Suddenly remembering ker responsibilty) Ol Fim doing my bread, (ra, Shandig ersses to Ritchen table and begins to knead the dough)6 ‘THE KITCHEN (Sister Rita hesitates, then follows Mrs. Skandia) SISTER RITA: When did all that happen? ‘MRS. SHANDIG: Two and a half years ago. When T fame to Solon. 1 was maried before (Exhilaated. by the opportunity for a long hoped for convertion, Mn. ‘Shandig is becoming somewhat fustred) Oh, no, I fot bot about hiseganog, SISTER RITA: Here, do that foryou. (Sister Rita sts chair to make eggnog) MRS, SHANDIG: (Continuing kneading) ‘Thank you, Sister I never Inew very much, Cooking’ and cleaning ius that Talay worked 2a carp. Lamberng These men, You waalda't know how they a Sister. IT al yeu, you woulda’ like me. SISTER RITA: You know that it true MRS. SHANDIC: But the students ae wating or you SISTER RITA: 1 lft Louie in charge, Right now you'te ‘more importart, Mrs, Shandig. NSE ROWS MRS. SHANDIG: I am? Well, my husband, he did the hunting for them at the camp. He brought me thors leding animals: As Tong ssf can remersber T had te sin them and cook their bloody meat Every day T hhoped he wouldn't come back. I did Sister’ I exer prayed he woutd't come back. Finally, then he dicee ome back. I fhought it was my faut, but Father ae it wasn't, had teran away then, From these other mein the camp. Without him there they changed to. me ‘They statted grabbing after me. Poking st me with thir spoons. I cant tell you what happened, I told Father, (Realizing she is Becoming move intimate than she should) T never saw a town wnt T saw Solon. T did't. ‘They told me down there that Father needed 4 howse- Jeeeper. [never knew there was Catholics before that, T didn't. Just Gad. Tone everthing to Father, oT have to help a5 much as can be I ty toe the best Catholic I ‘can forhim, but it's harder. Me bing only a convert. SISTER RITA: They always tolé me that converts make the best Catholic. Did jou know thet? You ean be proud of it You made a choice. Inever had a choice. MRS, SHANDIG: Don't tell anyone I wam't bom (Catholic. No one else knows. The ater sisters even, But Try tal hard to be good. SISTER RITA: Sometime you look through Pathes’s Stints Book and count how many of the saints were con vers, Yu'l see MRS.SHANDIG: Teant read ye just want to, SISTER RITA: (Handing her a Sook) Well, soon, Mrs Shandig. Very soon. (Sister Rita exits, followed by Mre. Shandig, Toby enters And sts with Rivard, Prosecutor and Monsignor enter and (goto witness stand) ‘THE COURTROOM PROSECUTOR: At the time of the murder of Sister Rita, you wre chet administer of the Michigan do the Holy Roman Charch | [ i { {38 MONSICNOR. 1 was and am Bisho AA position of greater responsibility = gets Pp Ginter’s secretary, than the tide sug PROSECUTOR: Did you visit the defendant in his cll this morning? MONSIGNOR: Iai PROSECUTOR: Wh. ing this morning? at was the purpose of your meek MONSIGNOR: {offered to hear confession, PROSECUTOR: Did he accept the serament? TOBY: (Rising, cosing toward Prosecutor) Object ‘The prosecution i attempting to sek--what do ou ca PROSECUTOR: Privileged communication, TOBY: Privileged communication between the cles ‘man and the, ah, penitent ° PROSECUTOR: 1 wouldn't seek privileged com: ssuncton, (Fo Moms) peat at Se ase ant confess? eee MONSIGNOR: No. He is no longer a practicing Catho- PROSECUTOR: Most reverend monsignot, how can it be that a priest of the Holy Roman Church could no longer be a practicing TOBY: object to any derogatory reference to the de- fendant’s religion. Which, incidentally was net the Holy Roman Chute, but imple, evenday Cathehcier JAB wee tobe lous inguition, would be ld in other chambers, (Prosecutor and Monsignor now fr {oes to half om them) in postion as light ‘THE CELL TOBY: I talked to Maurie about the lst night. He aid o the chore for you up at the church, but he didn’t sce Sister Rita, RIVARD: Bot he must have, TOBY: Hell swear under oath he did't, (Standing) im aking the theif tose i hesan loi our Ne Sand odo be dscouage i think of something (Toby exits, Mrs. handig enters with eggnog) THE sruby MRS. SHANDIG: Father, Are you all sight? (Placing ‘eggnog on desk, waiting for recognition) Tathes, if Tm disturbing you, fll me, and 11 just PRIEST: (Continuing desk work) No. I'm glad you're here. Tam, MRS. SHANDIG: (Pushing eggnog acros desk) Here Tes time for your eggnog, PRIEST: You'e determined to fetten me up, aren't yu? MRS. SHANDIG: Ob, Father, go on with you, (In Aieting he should drink, then crowing to open 4 wir dow) We all have to keep up our beth with the other non’ so sickly. Can Task You sometbing, Pather?PRIEST: (Indiating for her to sit) OF course you can, MRS. SHANDIG: Its pesonal, and I don't want to be Drying, Father. T don'ts Too thick don't may T always sy PRIEST: (Sitting, on edge of desk) Now come on, Mi. ‘Shandig (Again ndisting where se may ae) MRS SHANDIG. (Siting ten ere moment) Youve ‘seemed so both=red. : oa og things to worry about. (Rising, pacing) Wher do tiny of Protestants, md to get myst ver poor farm oe MBS. SHANDIG. (Ring taking las from is hand) You dontinvet deakit mony ewigtohete (Ste sat to eit) PRIEST: Trea that. 'm sony, (Fe hols out hand for drink) MRS.SHANDIG: Oniyiyou want it PRIEST: Io, (She hands it to him with pleasure Priest drinks it in one {Signe ph ries drinks it MRS. SHANDIG: Wall, guass its bet you say those things to me. Just so you doa’ have to talk outloud to youself inthe study, PRIES: ‘You can eat me? MRS, SHANDIG: Justa bit, Sometimes, I never under stand aboot your writing problems, but if you talked with someone. PRIEST: (Crossing fo window) Maybe if 1 could talk it ‘out... Then maybe i mould clay. You know who Teouid discuss my Book with? MRS, SHANDIG: (Following to wisdow) Sister. PRIEST: (Laughing) Yeu, She's woiked out well, hast j She? School was over half an hour ago, and Uhre’ stl 4 aa batch of them over these talking fo her. If might be nice fT invited her over for supper some night. MRS.SHANDIG: You'd bealone witha nun, Father. i PRIEST: Well, believe it or not, Mr. Shandig, am ca: able of remarkable propriety. i DMRS SHANDIC. Fae hoe ce wa Set i Ti an aa CAC a | oie Sean AS seh ay roc Sg ipa sou koe j Bee die teeg bones ee i iby ato Uh” Fates Seyensuns ae PRIEST: And well they should, shouldnt they? i MRS, SHANDIG: 1 thinks PRIEST: 1 care about other people, con't I?MRS. SHANDIG: Yes, you do, Father. PRIEST: Like Sister With the other suns il. Sister has no one to eat with, and therefore MRS. SHANDIG: Father, you know nas expect to be lonely. PRIEST: No. No one expects that, MRS. SHANDIG: Father, I don't like to see you lke this. You should te happy hese. What do do wrong? f follow all the rules PRIEST: And they make us lonely. Why should the ‘Church cause it? That's what T don't understand. Why owe cause it? Lenelines is not contagious, you know, yet people stand by and willingly watch others sulle af they were afraid they'l catch i by intervening. Tt makes ‘me wonder if we ate naturally cuel Something, her, in Side, makes vs, unlike God, revel in misery MRS. SHANDIG: ‘Those are beautiful words, Fathe ‘Ate they fom yourboak? PRIEST: Yes, They shouldn't be, You are certainly right this time, Mrs. Shandig, But I cant gute out how T can ‘be so wrong all the (Sistor Rta enters) SISTER RITA: 1 tope I'm not interrupting, The chil dren and I just had a wondesfal iden (Silence) What 's wron? PRIEST: Shovldn'tyou have sent a note, Sister? SISTER RITA: Wejust thought of t. PRIEST: The otherauns alway atk to see me fist B MRS. SHANDIG: Sitter, it's only for the students "They'll be thinking it ght to come running over here whenever they sant. SISTER RITA: Father. Pm sony. PRIEST: Actually, I don't mind. Ym like you and tend to be too proemati, forgetting thee may be excellent reasons for trations that are momentarily troublesome, fs Mx. Shandig was just reminding me. Now, what have you and the students thought up? SISTER RITA: Painting, MRS. SHANDIG: What would theypaint, Sister? PRIEST: ‘The cloakroom is covered with lite hand- prints, A darker SISTER RITA: No. Pictures, Flowers, trees. Their owes PRIEST; That's good, Sister. Tike it SISTER RITA: ‘Thank you, Father. PRIEST: The lives of the sents would make good sub joes, and at Christmas they could SISTER RITA: ° Weean even add itt the cursiculum, PRIEST: We don’t have todo that. 1" have to ask the Bishop. SISTER RITA: Tell him our Te never seen children with so litle sense of what i good in fe, So it tHe imagination PRIEST: Yes Ike the dea, Now wel need paper.Rona opt oee tas eon Wo PRIEST: Theresa butcher in Traverse City who's Cath MRS. SHANDIG: Berard Christiansen. PRIEST: When I tae the other nuns into the doctor, Tl pay that butcher a visit. a MRS. SHANDIG: What about paints? SISTER RITA: Maybe when you wate the Bishop, he could send— PRIEST: But 'drather not write the Bishop. MRS SHANDIG: Ihave the Sear and Roebuck catslog in my room, PRIEST: Good. Well ty that SISTER RITA: 1 could write the Bishop. He's very Droud of me Beeanse-- i PRIEST: No.1 don’t want you to, You might end up in ‘as much difficultyas Tam, ae a MRS. SHANDIG: What aificulty? SISTER RITA: What do you mean? PRIEST: Wall ncthing relly important, I suppose. s SISTER RITA: Well I would’t care what they did to me, Father. 1 wouldn't feel right having the childzen paint during school time unless it was part of the eumic: ‘lum. You know, Father, the very one: who most need such an experience wouldn't stay after. That's for ce. ‘ain. MRS, SHANDIG: What dificuly are you talking about? (Sister Rita and Mrs, Shondig remain fozon in lace) ‘THE COURTROOM PROSECUTOR: I understand that there had been no Dist assigned to Solon for neatly « decade prior to Fa: thee Rivar MONSIGNOR: Nine year PROSECUTOR: Why was such a change made? MONSIGNOR: Father Rivar’s particular talents seemed more useful up here. PROSECUTOR: Was he sent to this outoftheway ost because he was a troublemaker? MONSIGNOR: Father Rivard was incredibly energetic ‘and popula with parishioners and therefore a bit of an {aggravation to the senior priests wherever we put him, ‘The Bishop thought by bringing hin into the chancery Ihe might personally be able to guide the young priest But Father Rivard did not veadily sede fo such help. ‘The Bishop had to request me to stop Father Rivard fom entering his offce without an appointment. Te Would burst and no matter who nas present bring up sn obseure theological point, suggest his ideas for rating26 fonds through gems of chance as is done in cetain eat mn cites. . And thete was ultimately an inion at ~ fis wsurping a reponsiiity tht was distinc the pig lege of Bishop Ginter, THE CHANCERY (2 Grain chant oon be hard dant a Rivard as fo witness stand and then, as the young Priest, walls bea eros stage with Monsignor) cae ais eck FRIEST: You tléme took non Mother Vincent. MONSIGNOR: But not to give Last Rites, You kacw the Bishop would visit the mralags PRIEST: She ase meta Sh tld meta She vssa fe ‘verish that she was nearly mad, ‘ MONSIGNOR: Ste asked, did she? PRIEST: Yes, MONSIGNOR: Of course, you assume there would be ‘no way for me to enfirm that PRIEST: We were slone MONSIGNOR: Mether Vincent did no die, PRIPST: Ob, 'm s9 glad. No one told me. Will she MONSIGNOR: _An¢ she members nothin of equ ‘ing Last Rites. In fact— eae PRIEST: Well, she was devious and MONSIGNOR: Enough, You ate to be assigned imme- unt speak tothe Bishop MONSIGNOR: He is conscating 2 church in Saginaw He left you a letter. He wishes: you God's speed. ss (Monsignor makes sgn of cross and exits) THE STUDY SISTER RITA: On: reason. Just one reason I can under. stand why you wont wit the Bishop for person Painting, That's all [ ask, sina PRIEST: (Crossing to Sister Rita) Well, maybe Tve gotten a bit gunshy, Sister, What do you think? Hs SISTER RITA: We will ll sy 2 payer thatthe Bishop will fil your request, Father. (Casing) Remember, {rough page seventeen Saturday, Mis, Shandig. MRS, SHANDIG: Yes Sister Iaady read it twice, SISTER RITA: That's good. Then sce if you ean go as far a5 twenty-one. Thank you, Father. (Av she. evils) Children, Pater said yes. He hese fom the Bishop in justa few. . ‘THE CELL TOBY: (Crossing from courtroom) What aboct this busines Tve heard tell that Sitr Tuts lived with you? RIVARDs She did't live with me. It was an emergency ‘measure. That’ all, She stayed in the rectory. We sel dom even ate together, TOBY: Then why didn't you tell me before? Pve got ‘wo days. These circuit judges don’t smile on long tris, Father, Don't withhold information fom me RIVARD: ts not important, TOBY: "That prosecutor can build his whole ease on this High enough to hang noose. He's gd. He's young. At the rate es going, why with cases like this, hele wai ing las in Lansing before he's thiey-fve, With a motive like that, the jury won't hesitate to hang you, Crime of passion, This is eactly the kind of thng Protestants are Sure happens behind those heavy Tace curtains in ree tories. If there i one thing they hate move than Cath. lis out here, i's sex. People ate wha they don't wader stand. Why did you take her out of the convent and into the house with you? RIVARD: Thad to let herlive there. Thad to,x TOBY. Wiyt ~ RIVARD: The other sisters had. constinption, ‘They could not be moved, Co TOBY: (Standing right of Rear Cost you sex Sister Rita to another convent? eee? y (Sister Rite enter and remains left of Rverd) RIVARD: I wasafmid we'd have to dose th school SISTER RITA: Father, I can't believe you'd even think ‘of closing the sciool TOBY: Why wysld you have to date the 5 don’t undestane iabaneiiesteeresde RIVARD: tous teach al the ces, SISTER RITA: Mrs. Shandlig said T have to leave be TOBY: But you taught before the nuns came. SISTER RITA: Not all by yous We cold hee teaching and exp the shad open’ YS om sae TOBY: | Why did she have to live in the rectory of all; Places? Come on, Rivard. You suid you'e’ stoag | ‘enough, For God's sake, give me some help (Rivard turns en from Toby) RIVARD: The do:tor said she could live under the same rof with tve consumptive, (Toby exits SISTER RITA, blacksmith shop, There ate rooms to rent above Maurice's SISTER RITA: But this is my responsibility ‘THE CLASSROOM PRIEST: Tt would be too dangerous, Lait year they broke into Widow Webber's house and — SISTER RITA: Then up here. The recto, Your house. PRIEST: Your community wouldn't allow it. Sister, we have Holy Laws to guide ws SISTER RITA: I believe the Church stinds for people, not laws. Ifyou wrote Mother Vinoen; she'd realize PRIEST: (Sitting on edge of table) 1 wish I could Priests don’t deal with the Mother Homie. Only the Bishop, SISTER RITA: Ask him for a dapensation, ‘Then ‘Mother Vincent would have to PRIEST: Sister, this not easy, But & must be, Te must be SISTER RITA: Very litle must be, Father, Please, God now everything we do i for the Church. He knows we do it forthe sake of His children, (Stowing Priest ets dents’ dravvings) They are responding, leaming from me ‘They need me, Father, Tt could te months ‘before there'd be another teaching asigament for me again. (Calming down as Priest shows inteet in drawings) T don’t think they Believe Fm a very good teacher. They Aide really vant to send me up het, but T have been 00d. Haven't I? PRIEST: (Standing) This is not « pesonal question. 1 Dui the schoo. I want i open,3 PRIEST: Your spiritual guidance, your life in Chest, is my responsibilty omar SISTER RITA: And what about your responsibility to the children? ite Seas PRIEST: | You wat to Dresk the lows for yourself not ‘hechilen, Youtec wef That thesinc ples SISTER RITA; And you? Keeping the schoo! open al ‘by yourself. How good would that for the lds? PRIEST: Tam tying todo the best Ia, Site, cam not do more, * Tad SISTER RITA: What have done wongt Why do you ‘want me to leave? “ zee tale PRIEST: I didn't say 1 want you to leave, This is not petsonal question. Why do you always inst upon mak: Ing everything 2 pesonal question? ‘THE STUDY MRS, SHANDIG: ‘The letters exe. From the Bio Father. He won't let Sister move in here. aaa: (Rivard rceses to des, sts, opens letter) ‘Ym certain of tI don't know why you even asked him, PRIEST: | (Resing letter) Mrs, Shands, he gave per 'mision for you to lve heve MRS. SHANDIG: But Fim not 9 non 'm not. Tha ‘makes all the difference, ee Tat (Pres finishes reading ence, Mrs, Shandig sits) 3 ‘What di he tell you, Father PRIEST: He doesn't vant meto clase the schoel MRS, SHANDIG: But Sister. What docs h Sister? say about PRIEST: Nothing, He didn’t mention ver. MRS, SHANDIG: No, He had to, Hetold you she can’t live het, dida't he? PRIEST: “I am stunned to read thet you considered suspending classes st the very time our diocese is enjoy- ing the most rapid rate of expansion cf any in Amesica. ‘Your fine record cannot but seasture ne that you have already resolved your local administeaive problem with ft further need of advice from me. am certain you are ‘nding staying in the village uncomfatable, but i will surely aot be for Img” The Bishop dida’t answer me. Is Monsignor, that hypocrite (Prise rips lttr, throws pices on loer) ‘MRS. SHANDIG: (Kneeling to pick up letter) Father, whats wrong? You mustnt talk so PRIEST: (Knestng to talk with fer) Yow hear what he wants, He wants me to live in town. To leave four ‘women defenseless on this hil, MRS. SHANDIG: No, You can’t live down there. Those ‘men are vicious. Theyre vicious, Father I go down every day, Thnow. SISTER RITA: lewe? (Prom clasroom) Do you want me to PRIEST: Do you want Sister to live down there? MRS. SHANDIG: No, Father.4 SISTER RITA: Everything we dos for the Church, (Steer Rita ets) PRIEST: (Rise) Here then. My Bouse, Il go and tell MRS. SHANDIG: Father, no (Sending) The Church PRIEST: 1 now Church lay only too wel, certaity bet. tec than you, and T don't requie your services to ening MRS. SHANDIG: Ob Father Father, Why do you ke thst Tony want to ha. Tes wrong fo Soe movela he fake PRIEST: I elieve its the Will of God that we keep the ‘ghool open Pm soy if your interpretation cent 19s SIO fy ey ae PRIEST: No more now. No crying. Everything wil be | allright. GUARD'S VOICE: The Prosecution calls Miss Louise Donnelly for the People, nem (Louise, Prosector, nd Toby enter. Mrs. Shang exits) ‘THE COURTROOM (Louise, a college gir with all the liberation and preter sion of half an education, is ov the stand. Rivard se with Toby) 3 LOUISE: Yes. Asa matter of fact. twas she who fst ‘uggested I had the potentiality for college, No git fom Salon would eter have thought of sek thing T have jas completed one semester t Central Normal am, in 2 Sense indebted to Sister Rita, She had Haws, I sep, ting # na anal. PROSECUTOR: Did you know Father Rivard? LOUISE: Yes, PROSECUTOR: How would you éesribe him? LOUISE: We liked him. That is, until Sister moved into the rectory. PROSECUTOR: She moved into the priest's house. LOUISE: I remember the day. It ws like holiday. All Sister did was lead games and teach songs. That night she moved int his house, By the next moming everyone Jew she wat living inthe rectory wh him, ‘THE DINING ROOM (Mrs, Shandig is setting table as Siter Rita enters with owes) SISTER RITA: Rather a sad offeing I'm afraid, But this is my fist evening, my fist dinner. .- Lvanted to bring you something. Are there any flowers up hete in ‘the summer? saw you planting yore girden, Mes. Shane ig, but you only planted vegetables (Mrs. Shandig i about to comment negatively) PRIEST: You're sight, That's whats missing ap here Flowers, I suppose T could transplant some Llses up from the valley. But they woulds't have much of &6 chance iT di. I don't ave the knack for making things on: They a wully geen for the sat eat of ke they take to de, if an SISTER RITA: Listen, if jul get the acs, I eould Stars guden down the hs of andthe eye the flowers when they look up st Holy Rosary I havent tad garden ence Tas fourten, when they Tooke Guardian Ang (Mrs. Shandig exits. Sitence) PRIEST: (Aviary) How ae Sot Matto en ‘Sister Immacukta tonight? 7 SISTER RITA: ‘They fel vel enough to envy me moe ing here. Epc Sister Mata Shes the Cone, you know. She nas foking (Silence) PRIEST: It wil be cool after dinner, so T thought we ‘might have dessert in my study laid the fre with backs SISTER RITA: That's very thoughtful, Fethee, Thank PRIEST: Sometime its god to plan sea, to lok for ‘ward a bit, : e sas took {Fle evkoardty indicates she may sit, pushes cai too hard down hse. Sones)” PERS ori tx rome ou kee he St pn sce Higa oat ah Ee Sn cre i ee a Ht Hees sites ” PRIEST: Everything SISTER RITA: Oh yes, evoything. When my sont ‘ame to visit me Tat she looked st my pest card. ‘And for once I could tll my aunt ths. PRIEST: Dida't yoursunt ike to talc with you? SISTER RITA: Wel hin communicating ey > ‘portant. For me conversation i as esentil ae breathing PRIES' Te noticed, SISTER RITA: Bot my aunt I foved her, Fates but 1 ‘wasnt her nee, Not sly. She ss pa to ep te care of te Hes htbend ad at acetate tem with the Hone He wasn bod onthout eer waking up for sere day before he dtd, Ny aunt, she Hamed 2. She uid the assent was my fae. Ts plying op [Be oft and ina way items Tad tls ne ted ten Twat sed, Tid’ ow what was be tome of reife id washed apatow in the ger den, and he made me laugh My au heard me lag Ing Temade herso mad tht se id tebe cruel tat Any loved me or woud exer ove ne. Shes no one oan tah th nent at 1 Stops {ofa back her teas) I dont know etal what aye pete The eds ven wal Mey sete Dist Faticr Walling: could fick? me when be came End made her unlock ee took am say, Guasdian ‘Angel Convent andthe grod stn watched orer me (Going somewhat controling’ eral) Thats sha you meant. The it day. Not ten ofthe pat (Silence) PRIEST: Maybe Ms, Shanig ha forgotten we're here (Standing and calling to kitchen) Mis. Shancig, wee ready to eat, (To Sister Rita as he paces) Tes a stew. 1 always sample what she's cooking in the afternoon, Te’ geod.3 SISTER RITA: Since Mrs. Shand has Thursdays for | her day of thought you might ike tif cooked for ut | PRIEST: That would be splendid But only & youl | (Mr. Shandig has entered) SISTER RITA: I'l have time. I'm going to live here, | want to do my share. And that should make it a bit ‘easier on you, Mrs. Shandig. (Silence) Is there alittle jug, Mes. Shandig? We could put some water in i and he lowers might be pretty on the MRS. SHANDIG: We don’t have anything the sight ‘size, Sister, eearea SISTER RITA: Even a glass would be— (Mre. Shandig moves to exit) PRIEST: Mn. Shand. Pete ring mea glass for them ran fa ete Po he so eg ‘one of your dailies under it, i | MRS,SHANDIG: Yes, Father, (rn, Shand ets SISTER RITA: think T matt have hurt Mrs, Shandig Someliow. Maybe inher reading lesson, PRIEST: | | | She kes fowers, think SISTER RITA: Well, have I offended her? T'd apolo- ie, (Prat euts of coneation by Bowing is headend rss ing himself) ” 8 SISTER RITA and PRIEST: (Praring) Bless us, oh ‘Lod, and these Thy gifts which we axe about to receive from Thy bounty tough Christ our Lord. Amen. PRIEST: No, It was me. I offended her. Mes. Shandig ‘thinks I should not eat with you. She thinks there would be. . ramifications, SISTER RITA: But there are none. Mrs. Shandig is in the house. I Inew she would be, so iis entzely permis: thle for me to ent with you, This is exactly what Sister ‘Martha was teasing me about, PRIEST: People always want to thisk the wort Tre ‘member when I wat & young man io my tons actualy, Tat tembly and nator in ove wih a merchants daughter who wore blonde sausage eats. 1s quite tre [Novlee gin our town had ever dared to wer sausage aus, but thi gl was fom a good fanly aud she did ft Sil would have come to naught exept she found my Sreases to bea “mace of the modern wold” Those Were her words fm afd Every now a again see my teats ina looking gs, and sil | dont understand Ke facnation, Buti wat real enoigh foc ey, and te tere inser, even thinking ft would be eoante if ‘we cold convince the pest let es make coneson topes. Brenone expected the wort wotld happen to 1 My uid, two coins, our pst and the barber al ie ininening ta a i ith ect ould expect of me, and bow mould rin my lie They would not relent. They fussed and toe at me ike dog: with a Knotted sock, Things T never Hnew the name af before then became everyday thre, holy horrors nally T couldn't think of anything bt what they ee pected. Then she was sent aay, Hemllated tn front of ESeyone and stan mp There Tm talking of my st (He stands)e SISTER ITA: Don't be nteaitic in what you expect of yourself, Father. Everyone thinks ofthe pase les mat wr PRIEST: I think isthe Baptists, thy standup and tell ‘what sis thy commited tore ing sed Tee any Mhought tha if aid that if people ince what Te how T thought before T entered the preted, pestis would ether ject me outright o they would ot oe sential the Church for deat ite The Chord the most beat! insittion of which I can conte, A wonder, lite the greatest work of at. Dateaiy gic ind dine, Making aslte exer fom soto Ee The Chasch makes my life any le posible Yet Senay the past win herewith these slow Cova people he fet both st seed as though wel Tee henes wondered ifthe Church were a pact Tlic hen you came wth. your vial, jour oy er hs ht and all ny enna etre. Bul Son pletalking abet you movingin here, (Priest takes her hand) 1s like a cloud settling on us, Sometimes, sometimes 1 nearly despair cere wil ever e justice in people, SISTER RITA: (Putting other hand on Press which Folds hers) We don't always see it, I know, but Gods jst, And we caudn’t know Gad if justice were ins (Priest withdraws hand ashe relizes what has happened) PRIEST: This Sister, this now, ie exactly why people ‘ink nuns and priests should not be alone together SISTER RITA: 1 don't Enow— PRIEST: | This kind of informal conversation encourages ‘what T feared would—encourages a lick of diseiplise, (Pause) We, we won't be able to take our meals to: ether, a SISTER RITA: But Father, when we talk, everything Seem allright PRIEST: What docs that mean? SISTER RITA: Like I'm a person. I am so weaty of Tearing Sister's rosary, Sister's book, Sister’ thi, Sister's that, Never just hes PRIEST: It is not for us to worry how we ate feting, ‘We must be separate from the work All hat chacs, SISTER RITA: God isn't separate. Not from the word Not from the things people do and feel. He came to cath as a baby. He worked as a carpenter, drank wine, loved the children. We are like Got. You can't make God into something ese than whet you aleady know. If you do, then you're making God into your image, And ‘God made wi PRIEST: (Angy) Siter. (Siting) Oh, Site, do you ow, ys sou ey mech ie tet ‘THE COURTROOM PROSECUTOR: Were there any other unusual changes iter Sister started living withthe price? LOUISE: Sophie. she was another student... . So- hie sna we had spe Reon teceen Gat he Frist and Str were inlove, We eve lked= PROSECUTOR: Did Theat right? “In love TOBY: (Standing) Objection. "The testimony reads “Sophie and I had a great ction... PROSECUTOR: What gave rive to this fiction?e LOUISE: Wel, for example . .. when he went into town, Sister would watch him thiough the window td ing down, whileshe taught He was, sll isa very attae. tive ma TORY: Mr. Riar!s appeal to the witness has never een in question. PROSECUTOR: Did you ever confoont either the sister orthe priest with your opinions, Louse? LOUISE: Yes. Sophie dated me to ask Sister Rita why Dress and mins couldnt mary THE stupy PRIEST: (To Luise, sll on witness stand) Sister tells ‘me you are ful of questions these days, Lou LOUISE: Sos Sophie. PRIEST: I didn’task to see you so I could punish you, (Louise follows Priet to desk) LOUISE: Thea why? PRIEST: To see if I can't answer some of your ques tions. (Silence) I thought it might be nice for us to have conversation, LOUISE: Your heute i nce, Father PRIEST: Thank you (Silence) LOUISE: Sister Rit’s nice | | PRIEST: LOUISE: PRIEST: LOUISE: PRIEST: Lousse: PRIEST: LOUISE PRIEST: LOUISE PRIEST: LOUISE: PRIEST: Louise: PRIEST: Louise: PRIEST, LOUISE: PRuesr, Louise: PRIEST: 8 A good teacher Better then Sister Immaculats. She's cab. She's not well you know. Do ys thnk SiterRita i nie, Pater? Ye How much? What do you mean? Tike her ot You should Do your How much do you think abou: his? Waste Sister and I, Never Lies ate ven sins, Louie 1 thought yoked me. ‘That’ why I want to help you You don't ike me Louise. Hike you. All sight? 1 you did you's tell me things What thing?“ LOUISE: things, PRIEST: Iti very hard to cary on a conversation with you, Louise LOUISE: What i someone loved you? PRIEST: I, LOUISE: Piests love everyone, don't they? PRIEST: Yo. Ererjone. And thats not love to many ty. Love Between # man anda woman ist ceteoed ideal as ti when yo 3), you love People ee one. Understand? : ae ui LOUISE: Ne PRIEST: Love between a man and a woman is unor dered LOUISE: Families are ordered, PRIEST: Moured love i totally consuming. Tt takes time, frutaton, anda gat del of elt. Splice pi ve speci neds, Not genes neds at hen you love everyone. See, ou care so much that you wong to oi meet the other person's neds, make het happy, No trates what may be But you see shelves ey he doen't ate aster own needs She only ere sboet YUE. So she can't pasty tell you what the nesdr he use she only ned to pease you, Yet you have wo fe Something yot can do. hen, ail the tie, you wor it You are dong the ight thing Now that T hak of ht Wonder that anyone goes tothe trouble LOUISE: Ob, Tinow why. PRIEST: 1 dovbt you do LOUISE; 1 undentand hig owe when ou ela Gh ry tec PRIEST; ‘Thanos LOUISE: Sel me Fate PRIEST: Whit (Mr. Shei entes with wes) LOUISE: What would you do if someone sid they loved your PRIEST: Sister Rita and I have to be clearheaded to help people, Louise. How could we be maried, worded bout each other, bothered about ice bills and the chi Geen’ teeth? LOUISE: _Idida’t mean Sister Rita, Just anyone, Anyone atall, What would you say? (Silence) PRIEST: There are things, young lady, that are a sin ‘even to think about, let alone say. One has to discipline ‘one's mind a5 well as actions. And you remember that ‘To think something sas grat a sina to do i LOUISE: (To Mr. Shandig ar she takes the glass) "Thank you. There arent raw eps in thi, are these? ‘MRS, SHANDIG: LOUISE: (Aftering taking « sip) Ich. I hate raw eng. Can go? PRIEST: LOUISE: Bye Its good for you, Of cours. Sl6 (Louie exits to witness stand) (MRS. SHANDIC: Some ideas she has PRIEST; (As she exits with glasses) ‘Those are there, Father, ‘Yes aren't the: THE COURTROOM PROSECUTOR: Do you think you could have imag ined there wa a romance becauie being suc ‘an obte ously aware, intelligent child, you did obsere pregscly the telling tails which could Tead to the only possible logical condason? LOUISE: Thepriest was having carnal knowledge ofthe TOBY: (Laughing) That's not the only conchsion. Its cettainly nota posible conta on, Andis not algal ‘conclusion, I don't even think itis a conclusion. | PROSECUTOR: Tony: bed | withdraw the question. Your witnes, ‘Now, Louise, Did you ever imagine the priest in LOUISE: I don't know, Probably Idd. TOBY: Who wat in be ‘Who aid you imagine? LOUISE: 1 gues Sister Rita, TOBY: Now, Lease, them doing? LOUISE: Tony, withthe priest in your fantasies? what do you guess you imagined didn’t know then about... such things. You dient, LOUISE: jus, QL well, sounds. I imagined sounds. That's a ‘TOBY: Did you ever imagine someene other then Sister ‘Rita. Up there. In bed. With the prist. Making sounds? Anyone at ll? (Silence) Did you confess your fantasies to the pret? LOUISE; He was most crvel and extreme in his pen: TOBY: Extreme? LOUISE: Especially after the Monsignor visited. ‘TOBY: He was even stricter after the Monsignor visited? LOUISE: He forbade me having lunch with the other etuldzen and instead made me say endless Hail Marys and Our Fathers during veces, Yoo can't imagine the Fdicule to which I was subjected, I was a sensitive child. Thegged him to relent, but not him, Tony: Louise Tt would be nice to get even, wouldn't it, (Prosecutor is about to object but Toby # quicker) No further questions, (Toby, Prosecutor, and Louise exit) ‘THE STUDY MONSIGNOR: (As he enter) Father Rivard (Rivard tums to greet him) Attes your extrordinary request, «Sister of Mercy living in the retony, I thought it best I visi, Tm most curious ta dscover wy your question way eve asked@ PRIEST: But f come so far, and not even to let us < Prepare MONSIGNOR:_ Not fat. The Bishop will consecrate the parish hall in Tiaverse City tonight. {have but one hoes hese. Fist, the Bishop wishes T speak with Sister Rite ‘Willyou send yeur cook to the convent fox hee? (Mis Shang enters, hold hand up against sum, trying to see down the hill then kneole and begins to "weed hey ‘erden) PRIEST: But, Monsignor, you see— MONSIGNOR: Ah, Sister’ teaching. PRIEST: Yes, the school, She might be there. ‘Then someone will watch her clas (Sister Rita enters eft and Begins to help Mrs. Shandig in ‘erden) PRIEST: ‘There aw no clases on Saturday, MONSIGNOR: Do you want me not to see Sister, Fa ther Rivard? PRIEST: Oh no. iReaising Monsignor is stl standing ‘on font porch) Came in, Monsigno. Tl go msl, MONSIGNOR: Perhaps there is something I might be ‘eading in the meantime: For company PRIEST: I've nied thre chaptes MONSIGNOR: How many will there be, Father? PRIEST: Seven, MONSIGNOR: Ist, One for each ofthe deadly sins ” PRIEST: Yes. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday MONSIGNOR: (As Priest hands him manuscript) Am To take it that this parish is motto yeu liking? PRIEST: You'll see that the other four chapters ase ovtlned in detail (Pres exis tomar garden) ‘MRS. SHANDIG'S KITCHEN GARDEN (Sister Rita and Mrs. Shandig are both “weeding” the gar denon thes hande and knees} MRS. SHANDIG: Is someone visiting Father? SISTER RITA: Everyone was here for confession this ‘moming MRS. SHANDIG: Its that sun. All ut makes you see ings SISTER RITA: Imagine how it will be on the farms come hanest. They can't possibly ccmy water to the field, just our gardens are more then enough to do, MRS, SHANDIG: Sister. Those arent weeds. They'se new radishes, SISTER RITA: I'm sony, New ones, MRS. SHANDIG: Sister. 1 never wanted you to move in because of the rule, but I ike having you atthe sector T és SISTER RITA: Ido, too, Mes. Shang,MRS. SHANDIG: Remember + midishes when they're sweet? SISTER RITA: Yes, how you seid you like ‘MRS. SHANDIG: Wel, I decided that T@ plant seeds ‘very week, and you'd have the sweet baby ones right up “ul frost, Sister. (Priest walks up te garden) PRIEST: Sis, Ihave looked everywhere for-Mons gnor Nicholson is here. os SISTER RITA: (Starting to ext) Oh no. Not when it looks sont haven't dated since Tuessy, Well hae snake es, fat wont ake PRIEST: (Stopping Mrz. Sheng Listen to me MRS. SHANDIG: What, Father PRIEST: (Hesttng) Td mtber. SISTER RITA: Waatr PRIEST: Well, fd rather he not know that Sister lives in he rectory, SISTER RITA: Doesn't he know aad? MRS. SHANDIG: Do you mein I shoul ie? PRIEST: No. Not that But everthing short of He this Monsgror Nicholion, he, he always loki for some mistake, some infringement, some Tere ee pretation tat would prove that Iam nat cana to MRS. SHANDIG: (Exiting) Fates, FH hp PRIEST: Come on then ‘THE STUDY | (Priest and Sistor Rita enter) MONSIGNOR: (Closing manuserpt) Pithy. Pithy, Fac the. Farmove than T expected, PRIEST: Why? MONSIGNOR: Sister Rita. The Bishop sends you greet ings. SISTER RITA: Thank you, Monsignor, MONSIGNOR: He is concemed fr your wellbeing, Sister. SISTER RITA: When the doctor somes to tee the sisters, he tall with all of us, MONSIGNOR: He wondes if we shouldn't consider losing the schoo, fit sn" SISTER RITA: Bot Father worked so hard to build it and MONSIGNOR: Yes, Yes. But until any danger of con- sumption— (Mrs. Shandig entre with tea ty) SISTER RITA: There's none, 'm notexposed to them, MONSIGNOR: You're not? ‘MRS, SHANDIG: Sister does't sleepin the same soon ‘with them,—————— 3 You'e the cook ~ PRIEST: “Mrs. Shandig, Monsignor. MONSIGNOR; MONSIGNOR: Yes. Where do you sleep, Sister? MRS. SHANDIG: (Pouring tea) Sugas, Monsignot? MONSIGNOR: ‘Sister, I asked where you sleep since the other ssters— SISTER RITA: Of couse 1 see them for pages, but we are careful, ae PRIEST: No sugar for me MONSIGNOR: Sister. SISTER RITA. (Sterting simultaneously with Priest) 1 {go to:mass in thechurch. They take the sectament= PRIEST: Have you any thoughts on my progress with ‘the book? Tar (Mrs. Shandig hanes Monsignor tea cup) MONSIGNOR: No. And I don't have time for tea, ‘Sister. asked you a question. PRIEST: At least tell me, does the book look to be ac- ceptable? MONSIGNOR: Are you all hiding something from me? 1 sleepin the convent of course. (Look fg to Priest for approval, then standing) Will you come and see the schoal before you lave? MONSIGNOR: Certainly. Thank you, Site 33 | with what the children have accomplished. | (Sister Rite ana ‘Monsignor exit) | } | } PRIEST: Tdone? (Throwing manuscript across room) What have ‘THE KITCHEN ‘MRS. SHANDIG: I'm stopping reading lessons. SISTER RITA: (Cleaning vegetables) Why? MRS, SHANDIG: son, P'm not taking Thursdays {he cooking. SISTER RITA: But that’s the one day I cook, It gives you litle time for youre 1 ead gpd enough now for an alder pony of for awhile Tl do MRS, SHANDIG:_ I just stay in my room, anyway, You ‘cook too much, Site, SISTER RITA: Jost Thursdays MRS, SHANDIG: (Taking over cleaning vegetables) No, ‘Too much meat. can't do anything with leftover meat on Fidey. SISTER RITA: Well, why didn't you tell me, Mr. ‘Shandig? MRS.SHANDIG: I told Father, SISTER RITA: He did't tell me, He has not said a ‘word to me the last week about anything MRS. SHANDIG: (Trying not to em) He broke my bowl.3 SISTER RITA: What do you mean? ~ MRS, SHANDIG. bow. On purpose. SISTER RITA: ‘My good one. The Blue glass fruit Dy, Mix. Shandgr MRS. SHANDIG: (Crying) 1 don't nog, Site srs wo ad at ie Ita enacted by bn es SISTER RITA: What id hes about met (Pret enters, ignore Ste Rit) PRIEST. Ms. Stung Ihave go oe to Len wl not be bck time for dna, © 10 Elen SISTER RITA: Futhet, I could wait up and cook you PRIEST: (To Ma Sheng) 1 am speaking a the tang. ele they wile sper bas ** SISTER RITA: Why are you pretending that Tm not PRIEST: Because foras Tam concemed you are not MRS. SHANDIG: (Ring, moving to et) Fay ‘would you excuse mz? I have to feed the— y PRIEST: No. You ay. 1k as yng of me to ive er move in here You wer aight is Sa Bee Gast Str to Deano tht se a eae Bice They pune a SISTER RITA: But you were there. You coutd have cote tected me, Father, | | | 55 PRIEST: From now on, if you see me on the stairs, in ‘the hall anywhere, you wal ignore it As fat a6 1 am con. cemed jou ate buck inthe convent, and you wall tink the same. Ifit sever neoesary for me to speak to you, L vill come to the school (Pris lees the kitchen) SISTER RITA: (Calling after Priest) Father, I only lied to Monsignor so that you wouldn't. . (Ms. Shang exit le) THE PARLOR (Pret tates hares and sts Sir Rita ents, wets iol fr a moran ht hs ood bos ‘rapping paper, She wasn hopes Pit wil speck The ind utd and thing lack nthe hal con Be esd) SISTER RITA: (Crossing toward Priest) Father? A ‘month, It's been 2 month since Monsignor visited. Four weeks, Father, and— (Silence as Priest continues polishing Famese with vigor ‘She sits and watches. Mrs. Shandig enters with bow! of apples. Mrs, Shandig offers Priest apple, which he refuse. ‘Mrs, Shandig sits and begins paring cppls, Sister Rita seems frightened by silence, lots out window to valley, Fights back tear of frustration, She begirs noisily cutting design in the brown wrapping paper. Eventually, the Priest throws down harness with enoyaice. Hl takes mis sal from pocket and begins to read. Str Rita etching look from the Priet, ties fo. cut more quell, thereby ‘making even more noise) ‘MRS, SHANDIG: (Unable to bear tesion in the room) What are you making?36 SISTER RITA: Oh, for the sehool, Flowers. (She holds 4p design) 1 tboust the younger clen could paint them bright colors, and Louise eould put them up" vith the compasitions, MRS. SHANDIG: (Worried about Priest ing to stop conversation) Tce." eid SISTER RITA: There are so few flowers in the drought, ‘The few in my garden will be gone by the weckend. Fak dys Tet them take litle booguets home. Everything 50 brown, hese il be «(Resting no one i iden ing). nice. Nice, (She ties to continue her work quit, but aware Priest és ore annoyed she take pepe dnd acisors end puts them uayend then is uncle tind anything fo ak her ater Would vou te to resume the reading lesen after Al Saints’? ‘| ; PRIEST: I didnt know you had stopped, Mrs. Shandig MRS. SHANDIG: What's the use? There's no time. No time, Father SISTER RITA: Well be all cooped up in hete when it {snows Some days children can’t even getup te hil they told me. By sprisg you could be a wonderful ceader, (Sitence) Wy do you bum sour an so ate at night Mis, Shan- dig? Tt makes a square light on the ound ‘MRS. SHANDIG: I hear you walking Sistes, so T work ‘on the mending SISTER RITA: did't know you could est me 1p ‘Do you ever pray standing up? aa 7 MRS. SHANDIG: You must wall when you pray, to0, ‘Sister. SISTER RITA: I'm sony. I dida't know you could hear ‘me, (She wits for somone to sbeuk, then Tooks out window) [lke to look at the few lights down inthe vl ey, try to imagine why those Bee or four windows have Warm glow so late at aight. Someone sick, a pasty, a Student preparing for an exam, a baby being bom, Do you ever do that? (Sitenee) ‘Then T Took at those tees behind the convent, Trees ‘They entch the stars, darken the ground. I like you said, Father, I pray agsinet the dare (Silence) Do you ing? ‘MRS, SHANDIG: I don't know, Sites. You are a mon. 1 never know what to say about such things, I don't stand when I pray. didn’t think you ae apposed to. Are you, Father? I'm sory. You want to read don't you? ow what I mesn, Mis, Shandig? About pray SISTER RITA: It is not disrespetful if you want to pray, Mrs. Shandig. God gave us a brain after all, and T think He expects us to wet MRS, SHANDIG: (Rising, crossing to Priest) Father, 1 ‘with Sister would’t talk personal ike this f don't un desstand things the way you do, Sister. (Silence) SISTER RITA: Well, you talk peronal with the other sisters. [hear you, Mis. Shand MRS.SHANDIG: Not blasphemy, Sister.