Thursday, April 28, 2011

Suspended Belief

I'm kinda disappointed that Cardinal Francis George suspended Rev. Pfleger through a letter because the following conversation never had the chance to happen.

Al Pacino as the Cardinal
Matt Damon as Rev. Pfleger

Int. The Cardinal's office. Thick red carpet, dark wood furniture and desk, setting sun going shining through clear plate glass widows behind the desk. An extremely Catholic (lots of blood, anguish, etc) Christ on the Cross is placed over the heavy door. Pictures on the wall of the Cardinal with various Chicago and international figures, including Mayor Daley.

Rev. Pfleger walks into the office, he's wearing a standard Catholic priest outfit and a tan trenchcoat. (I'm not so sure what the Cardinal wears usually)
Rev. Pfelger: Cardinal. Mind if I sit?
The Cardinal: Yes, I mind, Father Plfeger. Look, we're both reasonable men, but you have pushed too many people too far, Plfger! (the Cardinal stands) We overlooked your radicalism, we overlooked your getting tossed in the slammer like a common hood, we overlooked your flagrant disregard for church policy and now you go and pull this stunt!?
Rev. Pfleger: And now you're overlooking what's right, Cardinal. You know as well as I do that I am not prepared to lead a highschool.
The Cardinal: Then you're not prepared to lead a parish!
Rev. Pfelger: Like hell. What have you done for my parish, my community? You sit here or you preach down at that tourist trap you call a church while ignoring the fact that kids are out there getting shot! That communities are getting ripped apart!
The Cardinal: It is not the role of the Church to police the city!
Rev. Pfelger: That's right, the Church is too busy trying to save itself. I've heard of rats leaving a sinking ship, but I've never heard of rats plugging holes.
The Cardinal: Damnit, Pfleger, you're a loose cannon! I'm suspending you as of now, turn in your collar and your bible!
Rev. Pfelger, shocked, then saddened, then angry: I think you should reconsider.
The Cardinal: I am not negotiating! I'm not some craven alderman afraid of a man in black, I am the man in black!
Rev. Pfelger takes of his collar and pulls out his bible from an inner pocket. He then leans down and unstraps a smaller bible from his ankle and slams them on to the desk: You'll need me, Cardinal. You'll need me sooner than you think.
The Cardinal: Not likely. Good day, Rever- ah, I mean, good day Pfelger, I have more important business to take attend to.
They stare at each other. A siren wails in the distance. Rev. Pfelger walks out and slams the door.

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