Dogma Page #5

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Dollying down the rows while the Priest rattles on. we pass the

parishoners. Some listen intently, others are nodding off. One

surreptitiously listens to a Walk-man; a man and a woman quietly argue

while their kid colors in a coloring book, going off the page and marking

the pew; two kids play cards; one guy leafs through a copy of Hustler

hidden by his hymnal book.

OC PRIEST:

Today's second collection will be donated to the John Doe Jersey Life Fund.

For those of you who haven't been following the news, an unidentified

homeless man who was accosted and severely beaten at the New Jersey shore

last Tuesday lies in critical but stable condition in one of that area's

hospitals. He lacks identification and police have had no luck in tracking

down any possible family. While he shows no signs of recovery, the

Arch-Bishop of the Trenton Diocese has disputed the state's decision to

remove the indigent man from life support systems, asking that Catholics

all over the country join in this protest against Euthanasia. And finally -

will whoever keeps parking in my spot, stop doing that. Thank you. Now,

please rise for the recession of faith. We believe in one God, the

father...

As the congregation flatly joins in the prayer, we stop on BETHANY - a

beautiful twenty-something woman who struggles to stay awake. She checks

her watch and exhales softly.

OC VOICE:

I don't really want to be here.

ENT PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC - DAY

A small gaggle of signcarrying RIght-to-Lifer's march in front of the

sterile looking building.

OC VOICE:

But then again, I guess nobody ever does... except maybe you.

INT BETHANY'S OFFICE - DAY

The source of the voice - a GIRL - sits beside Bethany's desk, stretching

out her gum. Bethany offers her an understanding smile.

GIRL:

You know, I've done this three times now; and each time the counselor tells

me I should be more careful in the future, I should show' some

responsibility. Gotta tell you, though - this is the first time the

counselor wasn't some ugly as hell old b*tch. It's kind of hard to take

abortion advice from a woman who's too gross to get laid in the first

place.

BETHANY:

I'm not here to lecture you - I'm here to make sure you really want to go

through with this.

GIRL:

I'd rather go back to that night when my idiot bovfriend swore up and down

he was sterile. Short of that, there aren't many choices left, now are

there?

BETHANY:

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