Post by Chris Cooper on Aug 26, 2011 9:47:33 GMT -6
This scene starts in the middle of the night. Chris is in bed sleeping while Beth is away at her sisters. We see him get up and walk into the bathroom. Thirty seconds later we hear the sound of the toilet flush as Chris, half asleep stumbles back into bed. He slides in and we can see the comfort come back to his face. His eyes open wide as he is using his hand to feel under the covers. His hand comes up with an open condom wrapper. He sits up on the edge of the bed and turns the light on as the rage runs through his body like the storm runs across the plains. The rage is quickly met with sadness and frustration. He slams his hand on the bed and walks into the kitchen as his mind races.
“Is she cheating on me? I haven’t used a condom with her and haven’t been with anyone else. Maybe I should have, the opportunities have presented themselves. That is not what I want. What I wanted was a great committed relationship. I thought I had that, I guess I was wrong. What do I do now. I have to confront her and I won’t do that over the phone. I wait till she gets home. Then I have to spring hell on her and I won’t hold back. I refuse to live with this dishonesty and failure of commitment. She is out”.
Chris grabs his pillow and blanket and walks into the living room where he makes himself a bed on the couch. He can’t fathom sleeping in a bed where the unthinkable may have happened He lays down and quickly realizes he can’t just sleep on this news. He quickly stands and throws his jeans and a white tank top on, he pops a cigarette in his mouth and walks out the door. We hear a car peel away. The sun is just breaking the horizon.
A Few Minutes Later….
Chris’ truck pulls up in front of a church. He hops out of the car and walks up to the rectory door and knocks. He waits with his hands on his hips and a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth. He knocks again impatiently. A grey hair priest comes to the door.
Priest: I am Father Harry, How can I help you at this hour of the morning.
Chris: Father I am sorry to get you up at this hour. I need some guidance and this was the only place I could think to come.
Father Harry: Come on in.
The two walk past the main desk and to a small conference room. Father Harry sits and slides an ash tray across the table to Chris as he sits.
Father Harry: What can I help you with son?
Chris: I just found out that my Fiancé and mother of my children is cheating one me. I don’t want to be rash but my immediate reaction is to yell and scream. Besides the obvious flaw in my relationship, I love her. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to fly off the handle. I feel like I have no other option.
Father Harry: Forgiveness is part of the Christian way. Just like Jesus forgave the men that crucified him. You must do the same here. You must try to forgive her. I know it is not easy. You must try. Give it a chance.
Chris: Father, I don’t know if I can. You know what they say. Once a cheater always a cheater. I can’t live with that. I would love to forgive this but I don’t think I can and this will stick with me I will not forget this.
Father Harry: I am going to stop talking to you like a Priest and start talking to you like a friend. You love your children?
Chris: Of course I do. Those two little boys are my everything. That is why I am here. I could have just changed the locks on the door. That house is mine. Part of me wants her back. The other half wants to leave. The one thing I cannot stand for is cheating.
Father Harry: Then you have your answer. You must forgive her no matter how difficult. If you don’t you risk losing your children. Once your children get older they will side with their mother and you may lose them. Regardless of what really happened with you two.
Chris: This is where I am. I want to take her back. I want to be a family. Although I cannot stand for someone who is unfaithful. I want what I had before she went and broke her promise to me. I can’t have that. Having sex with another man while you are wearing my ring tells me you have no respect for me and for what that ring stands for. I don’t know how to forgive that. This pain will never fade. That I know Father.
Father Harry: Look Chris. Forgiveness, true forgiveness is never easy. To truly forgive someone when they have hurt you so deeply is not easy and the sting remains is one of the most difficult things there are. If you want things to go back to the way they were you have to try. Look give it a try and if it doesn’t work at least you gave it a try.
Chris: Thank you so much Father. I appreciate you taking the time to help me and give me guidance at this time. I’d like to give something to the church. I feel indebted to you and your congregation.
Father Harry: Chris you are more then welcome. Normally for me early mornings are really boring and long. You have changed that. You can put that donation in the poor box on the way out.
Chris: Okay, Thanks Father.
Chris walks out and blesses himself as he leaves. He comes to a large brass poor box. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two twenty dollar bills and shoves them in the slot. He steps outside into bright morning sunlight. He lights a cigarette. He sighs.
Chris: (Under Breathe) Forgiveness. I don’t know.
Chris leans up against his black hummer and takes a moment to think.
Chris: I am have no clue what the frig to do with my Fiancé. One thing I do know is that this week I make my NCW debut. Nothing can spoil this. Not even a quiet opponent can scare me away. Savage, regardless of what you may think, your own silence will be your undoing. This week is mine!
Chris hops into his truck and pulls away.
“Is she cheating on me? I haven’t used a condom with her and haven’t been with anyone else. Maybe I should have, the opportunities have presented themselves. That is not what I want. What I wanted was a great committed relationship. I thought I had that, I guess I was wrong. What do I do now. I have to confront her and I won’t do that over the phone. I wait till she gets home. Then I have to spring hell on her and I won’t hold back. I refuse to live with this dishonesty and failure of commitment. She is out”.
Chris grabs his pillow and blanket and walks into the living room where he makes himself a bed on the couch. He can’t fathom sleeping in a bed where the unthinkable may have happened He lays down and quickly realizes he can’t just sleep on this news. He quickly stands and throws his jeans and a white tank top on, he pops a cigarette in his mouth and walks out the door. We hear a car peel away. The sun is just breaking the horizon.
A Few Minutes Later….
Chris’ truck pulls up in front of a church. He hops out of the car and walks up to the rectory door and knocks. He waits with his hands on his hips and a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth. He knocks again impatiently. A grey hair priest comes to the door.
Priest: I am Father Harry, How can I help you at this hour of the morning.
Chris: Father I am sorry to get you up at this hour. I need some guidance and this was the only place I could think to come.
Father Harry: Come on in.
The two walk past the main desk and to a small conference room. Father Harry sits and slides an ash tray across the table to Chris as he sits.
Father Harry: What can I help you with son?
Chris: I just found out that my Fiancé and mother of my children is cheating one me. I don’t want to be rash but my immediate reaction is to yell and scream. Besides the obvious flaw in my relationship, I love her. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to fly off the handle. I feel like I have no other option.
Father Harry: Forgiveness is part of the Christian way. Just like Jesus forgave the men that crucified him. You must do the same here. You must try to forgive her. I know it is not easy. You must try. Give it a chance.
Chris: Father, I don’t know if I can. You know what they say. Once a cheater always a cheater. I can’t live with that. I would love to forgive this but I don’t think I can and this will stick with me I will not forget this.
Father Harry: I am going to stop talking to you like a Priest and start talking to you like a friend. You love your children?
Chris: Of course I do. Those two little boys are my everything. That is why I am here. I could have just changed the locks on the door. That house is mine. Part of me wants her back. The other half wants to leave. The one thing I cannot stand for is cheating.
Father Harry: Then you have your answer. You must forgive her no matter how difficult. If you don’t you risk losing your children. Once your children get older they will side with their mother and you may lose them. Regardless of what really happened with you two.
Chris: This is where I am. I want to take her back. I want to be a family. Although I cannot stand for someone who is unfaithful. I want what I had before she went and broke her promise to me. I can’t have that. Having sex with another man while you are wearing my ring tells me you have no respect for me and for what that ring stands for. I don’t know how to forgive that. This pain will never fade. That I know Father.
Father Harry: Look Chris. Forgiveness, true forgiveness is never easy. To truly forgive someone when they have hurt you so deeply is not easy and the sting remains is one of the most difficult things there are. If you want things to go back to the way they were you have to try. Look give it a try and if it doesn’t work at least you gave it a try.
Chris: Thank you so much Father. I appreciate you taking the time to help me and give me guidance at this time. I’d like to give something to the church. I feel indebted to you and your congregation.
Father Harry: Chris you are more then welcome. Normally for me early mornings are really boring and long. You have changed that. You can put that donation in the poor box on the way out.
Chris: Okay, Thanks Father.
Chris walks out and blesses himself as he leaves. He comes to a large brass poor box. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two twenty dollar bills and shoves them in the slot. He steps outside into bright morning sunlight. He lights a cigarette. He sighs.
Chris: (Under Breathe) Forgiveness. I don’t know.
Chris leans up against his black hummer and takes a moment to think.
Chris: I am have no clue what the frig to do with my Fiancé. One thing I do know is that this week I make my NCW debut. Nothing can spoil this. Not even a quiet opponent can scare me away. Savage, regardless of what you may think, your own silence will be your undoing. This week is mine!
Chris hops into his truck and pulls away.