Sister Act Page #8

Christy is standing before a full-length mirror, staring

at herself, in complete shock. She now wears a habit and

wimple. Mother Superior is doing final adjustments on the

wimple.

CHRISTY:

(almost unable to

speak)

No! No! I can't do this!

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Normally dressed, you are a sore thumb,

and you endanger us all. While you are

here, you will conduct yourself as a nun.

Only I shall know who, and what, you

truly are. You will not disrupt the

convent. You will not influence the

Sisters with your colorful street talk.

You will draw no attention to yourself in

any way.

CHRISTY:

(furious, in

disbelief)

But look at rites Look at this! I'm a

nun! I'm invisible! I'm a penguin!

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

As of now, and until you leave, you are

Sister Mary Clarence.

CHRISTY:

(outraged)

Mary Clarence? Like a guy? Like a dumb

guy?

INT. CONVENT HALLWAY - A MINUTE LATER

Mother Superior is striding down the hall. Christy is

beside her, trying to get the hang of her new outfit.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

The Mary is in deference to the Holy

Mother, the Clarence in honor of Saint

Clarence Loyola. There are three vows

that every nun must accept. The vow of

poverty...

CHRISTY:

(pulling out her

pockets)

No problem.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

The vow of obedience.

CHRISTY:

Like to who?

Page 27.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

And the vow of chastity.

CHRISTY:

I'm outta here.

Christy starts to leave; Mother Superior grabs her by the

wimple

INT. CONVENT DINING HALL

A large, whitewashed gothic room, with oak beams and a

crude iron chandelier. There is a long, central wooden

table, with rough wooden benches.

The convent's population is standing around the table in

silence. There are about thirty nuns in all.

Mother Superior moves to the head of the table, with

Christy following her. She motions for Christy to stand at

her right.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Good afternoon, Sisters. I apologize

for my tardiness. I would like you to

welcome a new member of our order, Sister

Mary Clarence.

ANGLE on SISTER MARY ROBERT, the nun standing beside

Christy. Sister Mary Robert is naive and mouse- like, but

very sweet. She has only been at the convent a few years;

she wears the simpler habit of a novice. She sneaks a look

at Christy. Her eyes widen, and then she resumes staring

at her hands.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Mary Clarence comes to us from a

somewhat more progressive convent. She

is eager for a more disciplined life, and

will make every effort to conform to our

ways.

Everyone sits, including Christy. SISTER MARY PATRICK, a

nun seated at the middle of the table, waves her hand. Mary

Patrick is extremely cheerful, a truly upbeat person.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Yes, Mary Patrick?

MARY PATRICK:

Reverend Mother, on behalf of the

sisters, I'd like to welcome Mary

Clarence to St. Katherine's.

ANGLE on Christy, looking thoroughly disgusted.

Page 28.

MARY PATRICK:

As part of our welcome, I've had a

little thought, just for fun. Could we

have our new friend offer today's

blessing?

ANGLE on the nuns, watching Christy.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

(reluctantly)

Very well. Mary Clarence, rise please.

Christy stands up slowly, aghast.

CHRISTY:

A blessing? Like, for lunch?

ANGLE on Mary Patrick, beaming. She and the other nuns

bow their heads.

CHRISTY:

(trying to recall a

blessing)

For what we are about to receive...

So far, so good. Mother Superior has one eye open.

CHRISTY:

may the Lord... prepare us and... watch

us and... walk through the valley and be

our shepherd and... to the republic for

which it stands... God bless us every

one, hallowed be thy name. Hallelujah.

Ave Maria. Boyardee. Amen.

ANGLE on the nuns, staring at Christy. Mother Superior

rises, very quickly.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Sisters, for the rest of the day we

shall declare a Vow of Silence.

CHRISTY:

A what?

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Surely you are familiar with this

practice, Mary Clarence. Only when our

lips are silent, can our prayers truly be

heard.

CHRISTY:

Silence? No talking? All day?

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

Until sundown.

Page 29.

CHRISTY:

(mouthing the words.

without speaking aloud)

Oh my God.

Christy reaches for a piece of bread.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

And Mary Clarence?

Christy looks up.

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

As a new member of our order, I think

you might also enjoy a ritual fast.

CHRISTY:

(mouthing the words)

A what?

MOTHER SUPERIOR:

A fast. To remind us of the poor, of

those who must endure without enough to

eat.

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