The TERRY D. HILMER Group
A Literary Cooperation
For aspiring writers, agents and managers.
THE FOLLOWING SCREENPLAY IS PROTECTED BY U.S. COPYRIGHT, PA, 2008, TERRY D. HILMER AND THE TERRY D. HILMER GROUP
AND WGAw REGISTERED #1269074. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR AND ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE, COPYING OR CLAIM IS
SUBJECT TO FEDERAL PENALTIES AND U.S. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT LAWS. THIS SCREENPLAY IS FURTHER SUBJECT TO A
REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT THE AUTHOR, TERRY D. HILMER OR HIS
AGENT, MARY BLUESTONE. This is an exact replica of this Script in its Formatted Sstate. Its positioning and
appearance on this Web Page is the result of Script format requirements. For students, this may offer you insight
into screenplay formatting. Some language and the nature of this story may not be appropriate to persons under the
age of maturity.
THOU SHALT NOT KILL
The Reverend John David Terry Story
Screenplay Written By:
TERRY D. HILMER
The Terry D. Hilmer Group
Revised/Edited: June 12, 2008
True Life Crime Drama
Copyright PA, 2008 Terry D. Hilmer
Terry D. Hilmer The Terry D. Hilmer Group
The Terry D. Hilmer Group 12917 West Alvarado Road
WGAw Register #1269074 Avondale, Arizona 85392-7143
623.594.3066 / 602.930.6995
TerryDeeAZ@aol.com
www.terrydhilmergroup.com
FADE IN:
INT. INTRODUCTION - CHURCH SERVICES - 1983 - 8 A.M.
The old Nashville, Tennessee Church has been well maintained
over the years with highly polished woodwork, massive
stained glass murals and huge pipe organ. The large staging
area accommodates the choir, the organist and the towering
pulpit. The chapel is filled to capacity with parishioners
who are clad in their Sunday best and held in mournful
prayer mesmerized by their charismatic preacher’s reveling.
The Reverend John David Terry is a dynamic preacher with a
crossover style Southern Baptist and Pentecostal Evangelist
relying heavily on adapting everyday life to his fire and
brimstone message.
DAVID TERRY (O.C.)
You shall repent or you will surely
go straight to hell for all of your
sins,...sinner! You were born in
sin, raised in sin, you live your
life in sin, and now, you must
repent or you will surely
spend eternity in the pit of hell.
In the eternal fires where there
will be, gnawing and gnashing of
teeth and painful screams as the
fire consumes all that you are and
all that you were, until you are no
more. You will be reduced to ash,
to never again, be. Your soul will
be tormented for all eternity. You
will pray for mercy, but it will be
too late. You will not be
heard. Your screams will fall on
deaf ears. The only hope you have,
is right now and that is to repent.
Be saved, and you will be saved
from eternal agony. Ask God to
forgive you of your sins and accept
Jesus Christ as your Lord and
Savior. Then, believing that it is
true, it shall be done. You cannot
afford to wait! You must do it
today. Tomorrow, may be too late.
David Terry (now 35) is the beloved preacher of the Emmanuel
Church of Christ Oneness Pentecostal in Nashville. He stands
5’10" tall with black hair he keeps styled reminiscent of a
Ted Koppel toupee. His thick bushy black eyebrows hide
behind a pair of thick black Roy Orbison styled glasses. His
face is accented by a bushy black mustache. On the pulpit he
wears a black suit, white shirt and black tie with a black
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
papal robe draped over his shoulders with a gold and purple
papal scarf around his neck. His preaching style is a cross
of Pentecostal Evangelist and Southern Baptist fire and
brimstone designed to instill fear into his congregation
aided by his antics and tyrannical performances.
DAVID TERRY
There is not one among us who is
not a sinner! Not you! Not me! Not
a single one of us! Oh sure, you
put on your Sunday attire and march
into the church each week and spend
time trying to convince yourself
that just because you attend
church, you have somehow secured
your place in Heaven and been
saved, but you are fooling
yourself. I say NO! That alone is
not enough.
(beat)
Did you hear me? I said that coming
to church alone is not enough. Can
I get an Amen?
CONGREGATION
Amen!
DAVID TERRY
So what does this mean to us? It’s
simple. You can’t just talk the
talk. You must also walk the walk!
(beat)
Just showing up for church is not
enough! First, you had better be
hearing what is being said, and
then put it into action! Something
inside of you has got to change.
You can’t sit there like an empty
vessel and let the words go in one
ear and out the other. If that is
you, just get up and leave right
now! Good-bye! You are wasting your
time, and mine and taking up space
for someone who does want to be
saved. If you don’t care, I cannot
save you! I’m only the messenger.
(point to congregation)
In fact, she cannot save you. He
cannot save you. They cannot save
you. We all can’t save you! And God
won’t save you either. I said, God
Himself won’t save you! Not unless
you come to Him and ask Him to save
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
you. You have to ask; "God, save me
from my sins". But, don’t you dare
to come before God, the God of
gods, asking Him to save you if
you’re just talking the talk. He’ll
see right through you and He’s not
looking for lip service. You had
better have it in your mind, and
you had better have it in you
heart, that you will walk the walk.
That means accepting Jesus Christ
as your personal Lord and Savior,
and accepting the Holy Spirit as
your guide. The truth is, you can’t
keep doing what you have been doing
and expect to change. Something
inside has got to change. Being
saved starts with you, and only you
can make it happen. Only you can
save you! You have to take that
first step.
Martha Johnson (47)is a devout African American member of
the church. She’s a loving follower of Pastor David Terry’s
preaching. Martha is wearing a floral print dress that hangs
below the knee with her slip showing below the hemline. She
keeps her kerchief stuffed in her bosom. She does not
contain her excitement when moved by the spirit and jumps to
her feet shouting with praise.
MARTHA JOHNSON
Hallelujah preacher! Praise God.
Amen! Amen Preacher! Amen!
DAVID TERRY
You said it sister Johnson. Amen!
And all the people said...
CONGREGATION
Amen!
DAVID TERRY
Folks, you must repent. Only you
can save you from the pit of hell.
SHOT: SLOWLY FADING INTO A BLUR.
DAVID TERRY
Ask God to forgive you of your
sins. Don’t just talk the talk,
start walking the walk. Amen!
4.
O.C.: Organ Music Plays "He Walks With Me and He Talks With
Me" with the congregation singing. Fade to Narrator.
NARRATOR INTRODUCTION
NARRATOR (V.O.)
After too many years of feeling
that his life was a failure, the
Reverend John David Terry lusted
for an opportunity to start his
life anew. Blinded by greed and a
lust for worldly possessions, he
couldn’t see the good he was able
to accomplish with his life as the
beloved Preacher of the Emmanuel
Church of Christ Oneness
Pentecostal, in Nashville,
Tennessee.
(beat)
Depressed and disappointed by his
perceived failures, the Reverend
John David Terry found it within
himself to turn his back on his
Pentecostal beliefs. Driven by
wanton desires, feelings of failure
and total hopelessness he composed
an elaborate and evil scheme that
would include arson, embezzlement,
theft, murder, mutilation of a
corpse, and then escaped into the
night armed with a new identity.
(beat)
Starting in 1984 and orchestrated
on June 15, 1987, David Terry
planned and plotted every detail of
his elaborate scheme seemingly
leaving no stone unturned. However,
what Reverend Terry could not
predict was God’s intervention,
which would lead to the discovery
of the Minister’s transformation
from beloved preacher to a vicious
and premeditated murderer. He also
could not prepare himself for the
torment of conscience that would
haunt him and plague him in his
fall from grace.
(beat)
The best laid plans of mice and men
cannot withstand the wrath of God
when the wage of war is the battle
between of good and evil being
played out in one’s own mind. What
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
NARRATOR (V.O.) (cont’d)
took three years for the Reverend
to plan, God’s control over
conscience would take less than 48
hours for justice to prevail.
(beat)
Sadly, this story is true. The
significance of telling this story
is in the understanding we may gain
into the extreme evil that far too
often rears its ugly head and
shocks our civilized society. It
may also help offer insight into
the deep conflict between "good and
evil" that exists in the heart and
mind of some mortal men.
(beat)
May your life never be so empty as
to blind you from the good work you
can do in the world.
O.C: Music, "Come Together" Warren Hill - Jazz Version.
OPENING CREDITS:
THOU SHALT NOT KILL
The Reverend John David Terry Story
Screenplay Written By:
Terry D. Hilmer
The Terry D. Hilmer Group
Associate Producer:
Terry D. Hilmer
ROLL OVER:
This story is true, some of the names have been changed to
protect the innocent.
ROLL OPENING CREDITS:
INT: ATLANTA AIRPORT COFFEE SHOP - 1981 - 9:30 A.M.
David Terry (now 32) and friend, Robert Bernardo (32) have
not seen each other since high school. By chance, they have
run into each other at the Atlanta Airport and are in the
coffee shop reminiscing. Robert Bernardo is a businessman
who stays in shape with regular workouts at the gym. His
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
success is reflected in his attire and the way he carries
himself. In contrast, David Terry is wearing a Sears-Sucker
suit. Robert is en-route to close a business deal. David
Terry is en-route to Nashville to assume his position as the
head preacher at the church.
O.C.: Typical sounds of a busy airport terminal coffee shop
with occasional flight announcements and courtesy phone
pages via the Airport’s P.A. system.
ROBERT BERNARDO
John, this deal of mine today, is
huge.
DAVID TERRY
Bob, I don’t use that name much
anymore. Please don’t call me John.
I dropped that name a long time
ago, shortly after high school
while I was still in the Seminary.
I prefer to go by David now. If you
want, you can call me Reverend or
Pastor.
ROBERT BERNARDO
Okay Rev., don’t get your feathers
all ruffled up. Man, I just don’t
buy into all this Religious mumbo
jumbo you’ve got going on now. Not
from you! I knew you too well in
high school. I remember just how
you were back then. They called you
John Terry the wild child from
hell. And they meant it. You say
call me Reverend. Yea, Okay! Why
don’t I just call you the Devil
David? Who are you trying to kid
with this any way? Is this for
real? Didn’t you once break into a
church to steal a stereo system?
Now you’re running one? That’s a
hard pill to swallow man!
DAVID TERRY
Well, Bob, people change. I haven’t
changed all that much. I’m still
John David Terry. The name thing
came about when my wife and I named
our oldest boy John. I dropped the
first name and started using my
middle name, David. I didn’t know
at the time that my kid would later
start going by the name Jack. As
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
for me going by David, it was an
easy change, after all, it kind of
has that religious tone to it
doesn’t it? David, you know like
King David. Yea, that’s me, King
David.
ROBERT BERNARDO
What, John the Baptist wasn’t good
enough for you? You’ve got to
be the King? What the?
DAVID TERRY
Bernardo, you know, you are right.
Some things just don’t change do
they? You’re still the same old
smart-ass fucking asshole you were
in high school, aren’t you?
ROBERT BERNARDO
Yea, man? Okay, but just remember,
I’m a rich asshole now. This trip
today will net me personally more
than one hundred thousand dollars
at the end of the day. How’s that
stack up against that vow of
poverty thing you’ve got going on
there King? Man, I know you, you
must be working some kind of an
angle in this gig. No way do I
believe you’ve changed that much.
DAVID TERRY
Holy shit Bob, a hundred grand?
That’s a lot of money man. I’m
lucky if I pull down 20 K a year,
then I’ve got a wife and 3 kids to
feed. Sure man. I’m working an
angle. I’m working hard and moving
up the ladder quickly. It ain’t no
vow of poverty either. It’s for
real, and I’m living it. I still
have my dream. You know, like we
did when we were kids, and one day
I’ll make it big too. Jim Baker
managed to pull it down big and I
will too. I’ll have it all, just
like we planned as kids, a fancy
sports car, the big house of the
hill, plenty of money and all
that, everything! I might be a
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
preacher, but one day I’ll have
everything I want, just you wait
and see. I’m working hard to get it
and besides, I figure I deserve it.
And you know what? If God won’t
give it to me, then I’ll just have
to find away to get it for myself.
I’ve got a plan for the future just
like you and everyone else.
ROBERT BERNARDO
I knew it man, you haven’t changed
have you? Isn’t that Baker guy the
guy they’ve been talking about on
the news? Isn’t he the one they say
embezzled money from his church?
Yea, you’ll make it alright. You’ll
be rich and famous with your name
splattered all over the newspapers
just like a common crook.
(hands highlight headlines)
I can see it now, the Reverend John
David Terry, indicted for
embezzlement, fraud, theft, and a
host of other crimes. Devil Dave
just might be a step up for you
Preacher man. I might not be a Holy
Roller, but I think I’ll keep my
meager existence. At least its
reality and not a pipe
dream. Besides, with the money I
makes, its not so meager.
(beat)
John, David, King whatever you’re
called. Isn’t it funny how over the
years everything changes, and yet
some things never change? Preacher
or not, you’ve still got the devil
running through those veins.
AIRPORT PAGING SYSTEM (O.S.)
(Female voice)
Attention Passengers. We are now
Boarding, American Flight 12-34
with connections in Nashville, St.
Louis, and Chicago on the Blue
Concourse, Gate 27. Attention,
Boarding Call. We are now Boarding
American Flight 12-34 with
connections to Nashville, St.
Louis, and Chicago on the Blue
Concourse, Gate 27. All passengers
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
AIRPORT PAGING SYSTEM (O.S.) (cont’d)
must check-in with the counter
attendant.
(pause)
Passenger Tamra Faye, pick-up the
white courtesy phone for a message.
Passenger Tamra Faye, pick-up a
white courtesy phone.
DAVID TERRY
Well Bob, its been nice to see you
again. It sure has been a long
time. Funny how we managed to bump
into each other like this after all
this time. Maybe we’ll run into
each other again. That’s my flight
they’re announcing. I’d better
spread my wings and fly, or I might
be walking to Nashville. Good luck
on your business trip today and
have a safe flight.
ROBERT BERNARDO
Yea man, it was nice seeing you
again too. At least it sure was
interesting. Hey, don’t worry about
the coffee, I’ll get it. We’ll call
it a seed donation to your new
church. Besides, after what you
just told me, I’m sure you can use
that money right now. Save it for
bail, you might need it.
DAVID TERRY
Well, can I at least get the tip?
ROBERT BERNARDO
No man, that’s Okay, I’ve got it
covered. Hey, I would have thought
a preacher man, like yourself,
would be more accepting of the
offerings we poor pathetic sinners
give you. Stop trying to give it
back! Like I said, consider it my
seed offering to your church.
DAVID TERRY
Okay, an offering to my church,
huh? I guess that makes you one of
my flock. I’ll just take this...
And put it right back in here.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
ROBERT BERNARDO
One of your flock you say. And just
what do you call that? The Fleecing
of the flock? You’ll never change.
You can put the man into a church,
but you obviously, you can’t take
the devil out of the man. Devil
Dave, man, you’ll never change.
DAVID TERRY
Yea? Well, like I said, You’re
still an asshole. Remember,the good
book says, "Seek and ye
shall find." Just got to keep the
eyes open for opportunity.
ROBERT BERNARDO
Hey, Dave, that’s a pretty nice
belt there, for a preacher.
DAVID TERRY
Thanks man. I got this when I
graduated Seminary School. Its my
signature belt. I wear it
everywhere. People have come to
recognize me by my belt, at times.
I don’t think there’s another one
like it anywhere. Thanks for
noticing. I cost me a fortune
but, you know, I’m worth it.
(pick up brief case)
Well, I’ll see you around man. I’m
running late. Good-bye!
John David Terry head out to catch his plane.
ROBERT BERNARDO (O.C.)
Yea, see you around buddy. Good
luck on that new job and stay out
of the headlines man. Have a safe
flight.
INT. AIRLINE FLIGHT - 1981 - 1:45 P.M.
David Terry sits at a window seat as the flight crew are
readying for the final approach into Nashville. David Terry
is staring out the window daydreaming.
AIRLINE PILOT (O.C.)
(on-board intercom)
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are
preparing for our landing in
Nashville. The skies are sunny and
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
AIRLINE PILOT (O.C.) (cont’d)
clear and the temperature is a
balmy 93 degrees today. We hope you
have enjoyed your flight from
Atlanta aboard American’s flight
12-34 and we invite you to fly with
us again soon. Please fasten your
seatbelt, place your tray in the
upright position and our crew will
make one more round to check on you
before we land. Once we are on the
ground, please remain seated until
we come to a complete stop at the
terminal. If this is your final
destination or you are connecting
to another flight, we remind you to
check around you and in the
overhead cabinets for your
belongings. If you are flying with
us to St. Louis and Chicago, please
remain on the plane as we expect to
be underway shortly after landing.
Thank you again for flying with
American Airlines.
Flight Stewardess Betty Lynn (27) is wearing her blue and
white flight uniform with a silver name tag. She is carrying
a trash bag collecting cups, cans, and other trash from the
passengers before landing in Nashville. Betty is thin with
auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail and stands 5’ 6"
tall.
BETTY LYNN
Excuse me, Sir.
DAVID TERRY
Who, What, Me? What can I do for
you?
BETTY LYNN
I’m sorry sir, we are preparing for
our landing in Nashville. Are you
finished with your coffee cup?
DAVID TERRY
Oh, sure, I’m sorry. I guess I was
in deep thought somewhere. Here you
go!
BETTY LYNN
Thank you sir. We’ll be on the
ground in a few minutes. Please be
sure to fasten your seatbelt.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
DAVID TERRY
Oh, Okay. This was sure a quick
flight wasn’t it?
O.C: The sound of airplane wheels touching the ground with
the roar of the engines being thrust into reverse and
taxiing to the terminal.
INT. KITCHEN - TERRY HOME - JUNE 1984 - 6 P.M.
David Terry’s wife and his three children are seated at the
table eating their supper. The Terry home is located
in Nashville’s east side. The area has begun a
transformation from the poor side of town to attracting
yuppie investors desiring housing closer to downtown. The
Terry house is a modest two-story home that has not been
updated. Owned and maintained by the church, it is in good
condition. It’s furnished with donations from church
parishioners. Terry (now 35) is slightly graying. Terry’s
wife (34) and three young children, John Jr. (called Jack is
12), Mark (9) and Matthew (6). They are wearing typical
clothing for the hot and humid summers of Tennessee’s
Cumberland Valley.
DAVID TERRY
Hey everybody, Daddy’s home and I
have some really good news.
WIFE
Good news? Oh boy, we could use
some good news around here. What is
it honey?
DAVID TERRY
Well, I got a new job today. I’ll
still be the Preacher at the
Church, but I’ve been promoted to
the Assistant Bishop Overseer for
all of the Emmanuel Church of
Christ Pentecostal churches in
Tennessee. Let’s celebrate. Look!
Who wants ice cream?
O.C.: Children Cheer with excitement each proclaiming their
desire for ice cream.
DAVID TERRY
And honey, these are for you.
David Terry’s wife gets up from the table going to her
husband giving him a kiss. She then takes the flowers and
puts them in a vase. She inquires about the new job. David
Terry begins dishing up ice cream for the family.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
WIFE
A promotion? That’s fantastic! Does
it also come with a descent
raise? Lord knows we can sure use
extra money coming into this
household. You sure have worked
hard enough to deserve a nice
raise.
DAVID TERRY
Well, perhaps a small raise.I might
make an extra two to three hundred
dollars a month is all.But its a
great opportunity. It means I’m
next in line for the Bishop’s job
and that one comes with a huge
raise. We’ll be on easy street
then. Bishop Johnson is getting up
there in age and I’m sure he’ll
retire in another year or so. That
job pays more than $75,000.00 a
year.
WIFE
(displaying unopened mail)
These people don’t want to hear
about opportunity, they’re
demanding money, real money.
They want it now. The phone
company told me that we’re about to
have our Jservice cut off if I
don’t pay them soon. The kids need
clothes and supplies for school and
there just doesn’t seem to be an
end to this mess. I’m sorry honey,
you’re right, things will get
better. I suppose if the phone does
get cut off, the bill collector’s
won’t be able to call anymore. I
don’t mean to sound so negative. I
really am happy for you and whether
it’s two or three hundred a month,
we’ll make do. It will be nice
having something extra and we can’t
expect everything over night. Kids,
let’s celebrate Daddy’s new job.
DAVID TERRY
So... who said they wanted ice
cream?
THE TERRY CHILDREN
(together cheering)
I do, I do, I want ice cream.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
JOHN (JACK)
I do daddy, I want some ice cream
please!
MARK
Me, Me, Me, I want a double scoop
please!
MATTHEW
I want some ice cream daddy! I want
some!
WIFE (O.C.)
Jack, will you please put some
spoons on the table for me, honey?
David Terry takes three bowls of ice cream to the table.
DAVID TERRY
I’ll figure something out honey,
you just watch. Soon we’ll be
living like the kings. I’ve been
working on some things for us. I
just know everything is going to be
alright. It won’t be long.
David Terry walks back to the counter and hands his wife a
dish of ice cream taking one for himself. He then takes a
big spoon full into his mouth and slowly pulls the spoon
from his mouth.
DAVID TERRY
Mm mm! Vanilla Bean, this is my
favorite.
INT. TERRY HOUSE - SUNDAY - JULY 1984 - 7 A.M.
David Terry is in the living room at the bottom of the
stairwell looking in a mirror at his appearance. He is
barking out orders to his children who are upstairs getting
ready for church. David Terry’s Sunday routine is filled
with anxiety as he hurries the children along in fear that
they’ll all be late.
DAVID TERRY
(looks in mirror-adjusts tie)
Come on everyone, we haven’t got
all day! We’ve got to get going.
You know it looks bad when we’re
the last one’s to show up for
church. We can’t expect the members
to sit there and wait for the
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
preacher to show up. Why do we have
to go through this every Sunday
morning? Come on its already 7-15.
(David looks upstairs)
MARK
I’m ready daddy. Don’t I look nice
today? Mommy got me a new suit for
church. Look Daddy, my tie is a
clip-on. I don’t have to tie it at
all. Isn’t this cool.
DAVID TERRY
It would be even cooler if you just
left it alone so your ready to go.
Come on, let’s go kids.
JOHN (JACK) (O.C.)
(from upstairs)
Dad, I can’t tie my tie. It looks
crappy. Will you help me?
DAVID TERRY
Hurry and get down here Junior, and
I’ll show you how to tie it again.
John (Jack) runs down the stairs wearing a brown sport coat,
brown slacks, white shirt and holding a brown tie. He hands
the tie to David Terry. Taking the tie, David Terry
demonstrates how to tie it.
DAVID TERRY
Now look, its simple. you put the
tie around your neck, adjust it so
the wide end is longer than the
skinny end. Then you take it
over, around, then under, go
around again, then pull it through.
Then just pull it tight and put the
little end through the tag on back.
Its not hard to do. Here, now hurry
up we’re running late.
(noticing John’s bare feet)
Boy, where are your shoes and
socks? Come on, why do we have to
be late? Get up there and get some
shoes and socks on and make it
snappy. Let’s go people.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
DAVID TERRY (O.C.)
Will everyone please hurry up?
WIFE (O.C.)
(from master bedroom)
Honey, go start the car. I’ll get
everyone down here and we’ll be out
in a minute.
DAVID TERRY
Wow, don’t we look nice this
morning? Very sexy, lady!
WIFE
Why Reverend, I declare. I believe
you’re flirting with me. You can
flirt with me anytime.
(beat)
Now you go get that car started and
I’ll get everyone out there in just
a minute. Honey, you really must
learn to relax. My goodness, we
still have more than half an hour
before we have to be there and a
good 45 minutes before services
even start.
DAVID TERRY
I know, but it just doesn’t look
good for the preacher to be late.
I’m supposed to be there first and
greet everyone when they come in.
WIFE
And just when has that not
happened? Reverend Terry, you
just stop your whining and get that
car started. Now get moving. We’ll
be right out there.
O.C.: The sound of a car door closing and an automobile
starting in the background.
WIFE
Matthew, Mark and John come on now
kids, you’d better hurry before
your daddy has a heart attack.
Let’s get in that car and go to
church.
(beat)
Last one down here has to kiss old
widow Jones on the lips this
morning. Whose it going to be?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
JOHN (JACK)
Mom, yuck, that’s gross. I ain’t
gonna kiss Widow Jones. Not even
with Matt’s lips.
MATTHEW
I’m not going to be last. I’d
rather kiss a dogs you know what
than kiss the Widow Jones. She’s so
wrinkly and crusty, and she smells
like poop too.
WIFE
Poop? Why Matthew Andrew Terry. You
just watch that filthy mouth of
yours. I’ve got a mind to wash your
mouth out with a bar of soap for
talking like that. And on a Sunday
morning too. Now you get out to
that car and we’ll deal with that
mouth of yours later. Don’t think
I’m going to forget that filth
you’re talking either.
MARK
Mommy, I don’t gotta kiss the Widow
Jones on the lips do I?
WIFE
No honey. I’ve got have half a
notion to make your brother Matthew
kiss her just for having such an
ugly mouth this morning. Where he
gets that filth he’s been talking
lately, I’ll never know, but I’m
going to find out.
MATTHEW
(in the doorway)
No way. I’m not kissing anyone.
(pretending to be sick)
Look, I’m sick and you wouldn’t
want to make the Widow Jones sick
too would you mom? I think I might
throw up.
WIFE
Matthew, you just straighten up
right now and get in that car. Here
it is, church day and you’re
talking all that crazy trash. Shame
on you!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
O.C.: The sound of high heels walking away on pavement, then
the sound of a car door opening - closed then the car drives
away.
WIFE (O.C.)
You know, David, if we had two
cars, you wouldn’t have to get
yourself all worked up like this
every Sunday mornings. But, I guess
we’ll have to wait, we don’t have
money for two cars. You know, my
mama always told me it was just as
easy to marry a rich man as it is
to marry a poor one. Oh well, I got
you babe, and I guess I could’ve
done worse.
INT. CHAPEL AT CHURCH - JULY 1984 - 7:35 A.M.
The rising sun lights up the chapel with a collage of color
in every shade of the rainbow as it shines through the
stained glass windows that the staging and pulpit
platform. David Terry’s family stand at the back of the
chapel taking in the breathtaking view while David Terry is
at the electrical panel turning on switches for the chapel
lights before parishioners arrive for services.
O.C.: We hear David Terry turn each switch on the control
panel.
With each turn of the switch, the lights to the chapel come
on one-by-one. After the lights are turned on, David Terry
enters the chapel area to join his family.
WIFE
See honey, first ones here and with
plenty of time to spare before
services start. You just need to
learn how to relax a little more.
My goodness, you get so worked up
about things you can’t control. No
one’s trying to make you late for
church. One day you’re going to
drop right on the floor with a
heart attack from all that fuss.
David Terry is talking to his family while putting on his
black robe and purple and gold papal scarf.
DAVID TERRY
If I didn’t get excited like that,
we’d probably still be at home
waiting for everyone to get ready
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
and then I would be late Now you
kids behave today. The Bishop could
come in at anytime and I just can’t
afford to loose all I’ve worked so
hard for. I’m hoping to move up in
the church, not out. If anybody
acts up, they’ll have hell to pay
later when we get home.
WIFE
So you’re the one Matthew’s getting
that filthy mouth from?. You should
be ashamed of yourself John David
Terry. You are standing in the
house of the Lord and setting an
awful example for these kids. You
apologize right now.
DAVID TERRY
Well, its true. I’ve been working
just too damned hard to have these
kids act up at church. I’m trying
to become the Bishop, not
unemployed because these kids get a
little restless.
O.C.: We hear the sound of a squeaking door opening.
DAVID TERRY
Look, my flock is coming in
already. I’d better go greet them.
We’ll talk abut this after church.
WIFE
Yes we will and don’t you believe
for a minute that I’ll forget about
that language you used here today.
I just might wash your mouth with
soap right along with Matthew’s.
David Terry goes to the main doors of the church to welcome
members of his congregation as the enter the large chapel
portion of the church.
DAVID TERRY
Good Morning my Brother’s and
Sister’s. It’s a glorious day to
come into the house of the Lord for
worship. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
This is the day the Lord has made
and let us rejoice and be glad in
it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
The Carson family is the first to come in. Marie Carson
(80), has crippling arthritis and uses a walker to help her
mobility. She is accompanies by her son Ralph (57) a plumber
by trade, and her grandson, Jimmy (25) a waiter.
DAVID TERRY
Marie Carson, as I live and breath.
But my, don’t you look nice today.
And who is with you this morning?
Is this your husband and son?
MARIE CARSON
Why, lands sake Reverend. You know
this is my son and my grandson. My
husband passed on more than 25
years ago. I’m 80 years old and I
don’t go around chasing no young
men. No sir, not me. And no
young man is chasing me around
either. No sir I won’t stand for
that.
DAVID TERRY
Marie Carson, you keep telling me
you’re 80 years old, but you don’t
look a day over 21. I’m not sure
I’m going to believe that you’re
80. If I wasn’t married, I just
might ask you out for a date.
MARIE CARSON
I believe you need to get your eyes
checked Preacher. Lord, 21 years
old. I surely wish I was 21 again.
Oh my, yes I do, but, for me 21 is
just a fading memory. Lands sake
preacher, you must have been
getting into the communion wine a
little early this morning.
DAVID TERRY
You enjoy the sermon this morning
Marie. You know its always so good
to see you come into the house of
the Lord. I’ll talk to you again
after services. You think about
that date now.
MARIE CARSON
(to her son)
The Reverend Terry must be blind as
a bat in those thick glasses of his
or dumb as a rock thinking I’m 21.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
MARIE CARSON (cont’d)
I living in a retirement home. I
declare that just makes no sense,
no sense at all.
EXT. STEPS OF THE CHURCH - JULY 1984 - 7:55 A.M.
David Terry has stepped outside to welcome parishioner’s to
church. He is positioned at the top of the steps leading
into the Chapel. He shakes hands and offers salutations to
his parishioner’s as they arrive. He greets Martha Matheney
(28) a big boned southern girl and regular attendee.
DAVID TERRY
(shaking hands)
Martha Matheney. So good to see you
this morning. Just like clock work,
you never miss a Sunday morning
call to worship, do you?
MARTHA MATHENEY
No sir Pastor Terry. Church is
mighty important to me and I just
love to hear you preach. You really
stir up the spirit in me. As long
as I’m able, I’ll be here.
DAVID TERRY
I see you’re alone again this
morning. Where is that husband of
yours? He hasn’t come to church in
weeks now. Is he working on Sunday
or doesn’t he share your love and
convictions to the church and to
the Lord?
MARTHA MATHENEY
Well, Reverend, James has been
unemployed for a long while now and
he’s just become so depressed. No
matter what I do, I just can’t keep
that devil from calling him inside
that bottle anymore. He drinks
until he just can’t feel the pain
no more. Then, on Sunday he’s just
to sick to get out of bed. Pastor
He doesn’t even go fishing anymore
and he used to just love fishing.
I’m worried, he’s all but given
up and if he doesn’t find work
soon, I’m afraid he’ll just drink
himself to death.
(grabs David’s hand)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
MARTHA MATHENEY (cont’d)
Reverend, will you pray for James?
DAVID TERRY
Of course I’ll pray for him.
Perhaps we should make a time for
me to talk to him personally.
Sometimes people just need to know
someone else will take an interest
in their troubles. Why don’t I call
you this week when I can come by
for a chat. I enjoy fishing too,
maybe I can start by talking about
some good fishing spots.
MARTHA MATHENEY
Oh, Praise the Lord. Thank you
Reverend. I’m sure he’ll listen to
you. I’m just sure of it. This is
exactly what James needs. Thank You
and God bless you Pastor Terry.
DAVID TERRY
Martha, your husband, if I remember
correctly, he and I are about the
same size and body build aren’t we?
I bet he’d fit into some of my old
clothes.
MARTHA MATHENEY
Why yes Pastor, I do believe you
are about the same.
DAVID TERRY
Hum mm. Interesting. Maybe I can
help out much more that we thought.
I’ll call you this week. I may know
of a job to help him out. I’ll call
you this week.
MARTHA MATHENEY
Pastor Terry, I believe you are the
nicest and most generous man in the
whole world. You just care about us
so much. Thank you! I’m sure James
will listen to you. He just has to.
INT. CHURCH SERVICES - JULY 1984 - 8 A.M.
The Congregation is ending its singing of "Onward Christian
Soldiers" as David Terry steps up to the pulpit to deliver
his powerful fire and brimstone sermon.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
DAVID TERRY
That is a beautiful song. Its one
of my favorite songs in the entire
hymnal. It is appropriate for today
and ties right into my sermon.
Onward Christian Soldiers. Marching
onto War. War. Marching on to war.
Christian Soldiers. Onward
Christian Soldiers.
Look around at this beautiful
creation God gave to us. Mother
earth is full of marvels that amaze
us in wonderment and awe. There is
nothing wrong with it. In and of
itself, the world is a perfect
place. We are not in this war
against Mother nature or against
Gods creation. The wage’s of war in
this world is sin. We are being
consumed by the temptation Satan
sets before us and we are fighting
against ourselves and our own
salvation every time we give into
sin.
(stepping behind the pulpit)
Have you heard the line in that
country song? It says take "Two
Steps Forward and Three Steps
Back". Well people, that is how he
is doing it to us.
(stepping-demonstrating)
We take two steps forward and turn
right around and take three steps
back. We have taken two steps
forward this morning by coming to
church. We have brought ourselves
closer to God by doing that. But,
as soon as church is over, many of
you are going to walk right through
the doors
(demonstrating)
and start taking our three steps
back. We step backward every time
Satan offers us a temptation and we
reach out and take it.
(demonstrating each example)
I lie to my wife, step backward. I
vent my frustration on the mailman,
step backward. I give into lust,
step backward. We step backward
every time Satan whispers in our
ear and we answer back, OH yea
baby, give it to me. Folks, if I
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
could do that with my age, I’ll be
one day younger than I am right
now, two days from now.
CONGREGATION (O.C.)
Laughter.
DAVID TERRY
(standing pose)
I wonder if I’d be any better
looking too?
CONGREGATION (O.C.)
Laughter.
DAVID TERRY
Folks, we just sang out in song
proclaiming to be in God’s Army.
The Onward Christian Soldiers who
go marching off to war doing battle
against the enemy. We claim it, but
are we doing our part? Are we each
paying our way and carrying our
load? Are we doing all that we can
both individually and collectively
to succeed in this war? Are we
talking the talk just giving lip
service, or are we also walking the
walk giving action? Are we weekend
warriors or are we truly Onward
Christian Soldier marching onto
war? Do we continually take those
two steps forward and no steps back
or do we take two steps forward
followed by three steps backward.
(pause)
Boy, that would be a mess wouldn’t
it? Can you imagine an army out
marching into battle continually
taking two steps forward and then
taking three steps backward? I
guess given enough time, both sides
would end up backing into each
other in battle. That’s a heck of a
way to do battle.
CONGREGATION LAUGHTER (O.C.)
Laughter.
DAVID TERRY
People, we have got to repent, and
we’d better do it now! We know not
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
the day or the hour in which He
will come. God is coming. If we
wait too long, we might find out
what too late really is. I know I
told you to look around, now I’m
telling you to stop. The answer
isn’t in somebody else. Look into
yourself. Ask yourself how you can
better help fight the battles of
this war. Ask yourself if you have
been pulling your own weight. Are
you truly the Christian Soldier you
claim to be? Or, are you a weekend
warrior thinking an hour a week is
good enough? Ask yourself honestly,
do you give only lip service or are
you walking the walk while talking
the talk?
(wiping sweat)
We’ve got to do better or we will
burn in hell. There’s no question
about it. Satan and sin will win
and triumph over us. But, we can
fix this. God wants us to fix it.
We can enter into an agreement
right here and right now, one to
the other and one to ourselves, to
start fixing this right now today.
Look to your left and ask the
person sitting next to you if
they’ll agree to start fixing this
army today.
CONGREGATION (O.C.)
Congregation rumbles asking those
next to them.
DAVID TERRY
Now look to you right and ask that
person the same thing then ask
yourself. Are you willing to enter
into agreement, right now, to start
fixing this problem? We can’t wait
any more, the bus is here and we
want to know if you’ll be getting
on-board with us?
Look, if you’re not going to join
us, why don’t you get up and leave
right now. We need the seat you’re
taking for those who want to climb
on-board and take the path of
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
DAVID TERRY (cont’d)
salvation. If that isn’t for you,
boy did you come into the wrong
place this morning.
(beat)
Folks, we are an under funded army.
Each week when I count the offering
plate, I begin to see why we are
losing this war. We stand and sing
proclaiming ourselves to be
soldiers, Christian Soldiers
marching in to the War on Sin.
But many of us. No, most of us
just aren’t doing our part. We show
up for church on Sunday morning and
then return to our life of sin,
lust, greed and wanting desire. We
put a pittance in the offering
plate when it gets passed, we spend
an hour or sometimes two when I
really get cranked up by the
Spirit. You listen to the words the
preacher has to say. Then, walk
right out that door and you don’t
look back until the next Sunday.
And for some of you, maybe we’ll
see you next Sunday, maybe we
won’t. I guess it depends on how
badly the Devil beat you up on
Saturday night. We have got to do
better. We have got to fix this and
we have got to fix this now. You
don’t want a part-time God do you?
Well, what makes you think He wants
a part-time believer.
Oh, God save us. Wake up people!
Being in God’s army and being a
Christian Soldier is something you
become. Its a 7 day a week 365 day
a year job. We can’t win this war
on just 1 day a week. And we can’t
properly arm this army without
funding to keep this army going and
alive.
We must give onto God everything he
deserves. He has given to you. He
has given you life. He’s made the
ultimate sacrifice in giving us
Jesus Christ who died for us on the
Cross at Calvary. And like the
poster of Uncle Sam says; "He wants
you!" He wants you in His
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.