Mary

By Abby Bobo

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.

YOUNG MARY (CONT’D) (gesturing with her hand) Momma, move a little to the right.

Mom moves slightly to the right. Mary resumes her thoughtful expression.

YOUNG MARY (CONT’D) (clasping her hands together) Perfect.

Young Mary stands in the middle in front of her parents.

YOUNG MARY (CONT’D) (to someone off-screen) We’re ready. You can take the picture now.

YOUNG MARY (CONT’D) (to her parents) Smile!

Everybody smiles. The camera CLICKS. There’s a FLASH of white.

INT. CHURCH HALLWAY - AFTERNOON

Mary pulls back from the photo, and her fingers leave a slight smudge on the glass over her younger face. She resumes her confident walk.

INT. CHURCH ROOM - AFTERNOON

Mary stands outside the doors to the nave. She reaches for the handle, slowly, unsure of herself. She opens the door a crack to peek inside. She sees no one, so she opens it more and walks in.

INT. NAVE - AFTERNOON

All the pews are empty. The room is bathed in golden light from the afternoon sun shining in through the stained glass windows.

Mary walks down the rows of pews toward the front, running her hand along the polished wood as she does.

Mary steps up onto the platform where the pastor preaches and the choir sings. There is also an organ.

Mary sits down at the organ and pushes a few keys. It doesn’t sound pretty; she has no idea how to play.

She stands and walks over to the podium. She places her hands on it and looks out into the room. It changes.

INT. NAVE - DAY - FLASHBACK

The nave is full of churchgoers. Young Mary and her father are behind the podium. Her father holds her up so she can reach the mic and see over the podium.

Young Mary recites Isaiah 43:18-19.

YOUNG MARY (excited and giggling)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”

Young Mary looks back at her father. He nods at her to continue. She turns back to the Bible before her.

YOUNG MARY (CONT’D)

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Young Mary looks up at the crowd. They are gone.

INT. NAVE - AFTERNOON

Mary, still standing behind the podium, looks out at the empty room. She GRIPS the podium tighter and takes in a deep breath.

She steps down from the platform and walks over to the second row of pews. She takes a seat. There is a neutral look on her face.

She looks around the room at the empty pews, at the various stained glass designs on the windows, at the tall ceiling.

She looks back at the front. She’s not looking at anything particular, but rather looking inward at a memory.

INT. NAVE - DAY - FLASHBACK

Young Mary, sitting in the same spot as present Mary, BOUNCES up and down in her seat, a big smile on her face.

Mom PATS Young Mary on the leg a few times.

MOM

(gently and quietly) Calm down, baby. Daddy’s about to start.

Young Mary STOPS bouncing, but the smile on her face stays the same.

Dad stands at the front with PASTOR MARK.

DAD

Let us welcome Pastor Mark, who God has brought to us as another leader in our spiritual lives.

Dad and Pastor Mark shake hands.

DAD (CONT’D)

(to Pastor Mark)

Welcome to the church, Mark. We’re excited to have you. (to the congregation)

Let’s bow our heads and thank God for bringing Pastor Mark into our lives.

Young Mary bows her head and mouths “thank you.”

INT. NAVE - AFTERNOON

Mary sits still. She places a hand over her heart and breathes in deeply.

She lets out a breath, stands up, and dusts herself off. She stands up and walks toward the exit, but just as she’s about to leave...

Pastor Mark enters the nave from a back door. He sees Mary.

PASTOR MARK

Mary? What are you doing here?

Mary turns around.

MARY Just...visiting.

PASTOR MARK

Do you need something? Can I help you with anything?

MARY No. I’m okay. Thank you.

PASTOR MARK

I’ll see you Sunday then?

Mary looks at the pastor. She gives him a small smile and shakes her head no. She turns toward the door and looks up toward the ceiling.

MARY (speaking inaudibly) Goodbye.

The pastor opens his mouth to say something, but Mary leaves the nave before he can.

INT. CHURCH HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Mary walks back the way she came. She reaches the door of the church, gets ready to open it, notices the ring on her hand, and abruptly STOPS.

EXT. CHURCH - FLASHBACK

The service has recently ended. There are a few people milling about. Dad, Mom, and Mary are standing together. Mary is a few years younger. Dad is holding a RING BOX.

DAD

Mary, your mom and I have something for you.

He gives the ring box to Mary. She opens the box and looks at the ring. She smiles, but it’s not as bright as it was when she was a child.

MARY

(looking at the ring) It’s beautiful.

MOM

We wanted you to have something to commemorate all of the service you’ve done for the Church, and to remind you of God’s presence with you when you’re at school.

Mary smiles with love and appreciation at her parents. She puts on the ring. They all embrace in a hug.

MARY

Thank you. So much.

INT. CHURCH HALLWAY - AFTERNOON

Mary stares at the ring a moment longer. She twists the ring a few times, the way she did earlier, but this time slides it off her finger.

She looks around the space, and sees a small table near the door. She moves toward it, stares at the ring for a moment, then looks up.

Mary searches for a silent answer, looks back at the ring, nods softly, and sets it down on the table. She goes back to the door, pushes it open, and walks out.

EXT. CHURCH - CONTINUOUS

The sun is setting, it’s almost dark.

Mary exits the church. She doesn’t look back.