Mary By Abby Bobo
FADE IN: EXT. CHURCH - AFTERNOON MARY, a pensive young woman in her early 20s wearing a nice black dress, stands in front of the church, staring up at the steeple, pointing tall and sharp toward the heavens. Mary twists a RING with a cross on her finger. She starts to pull it off, but stops herself and pushes it back down her finger. She takes a deep breath and straightens herself out. She walks up the stairs to the large front entrance. She raises a fist to the door as if she’s going to knock, like a stranger who needs permission to enter, then lowers it. She opens the door and steps inside. INT. CHURCH HALLWAY - AFTERNOON Mary walks through the hallways with confidence. She passes many photos, crosses, and Bible verses on the walls. One photo in particular catches her eye. She STOPS. It’s a photo from many years ago, when Mary was a child. A plaque beneath it reads: PASTOR DAVID AND HIS WIFE LISA WITH THEIR DAUGHTER MARY, 2008. They’re a happy family, and YOUNG MARY is standing in front of her mother and father with a big smile spread across her face. Mary reaches out to touch the photo, to trace the image of her former self. EXT. CHURCH - DAY - FLASHBACK Young Mary enters from the side, pulling DAD with her. YOUNG MARY Daddy, you stand right here. Dad does as his daughter says. Young Mary walks off and reenters, pulling MOM as she did Dad. She places Mom next to Dad. Young Mary steps back to admire her work. She makes an exaggerated thinking face.
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