A Prayer for the Dying Page #2

Problems?

You don't know what the word means.

I'll tell you about problems.

Only the poor have problems.

My father cleared off when I was 4.

My mother was reduced

to getting bits of cleaning when she could...

...and when she couldn't...

...she resorted to having sexual intercourse

with strangers...

...up against the back wall of public houses.

Five shillings a time.

Bonati, would you do the honors? Boys?

She fed us, Billy and me. Kept us clean.

She brought us up on her own.

She had pride!

In fact, she was very like that little old lady.

You tried to thieve from her.

No!

Please!

That old lady's earned a little respect.

Just as her old fellow's earned something

better than a State funeral.

I want him back at work tomorrow morning.

The police are going to call for me

after I've taken confession.

What more can you do?

The man was obviously a professional.

They want me to build up a picture of him.

- Do you think you'll be able to do that?

- Yes.

I was only a few feet away from him.

I saw him very clearly.

And he saw me, too.

And yet he let you go.

Yes.

Change your shirt, Michael.

Your flask's on the table.

They missed him.

He was too good for them.

Don't you worry. This town's a sewer.

Some rat'll always tell us where he is.

They didn't get him.

But I'll find him.

What now?

We just wait.

What's our cover? Married couple?

What about the conjugal rights?

No?

Come on, a drink at least.

"May the Lord be in your heart and on your

lips so you may humbly confess your sins."

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned."

How long is it since your last confession?

It's been a long time.

Don't worry.

Just do your best. Confess your sins.

Is there any circumstances under which

anything I say to you now...

...can be revealed to somebody else?

No.

The confessional is inviolate.

It's simply between me and you

and our Lord God.

Well, that's good.

Father, been a long time.

Jesus, I didn't think this would be so hard.

Take your time.

Just take your time.

This morning I killed a man.

You killed a man?

What do you mean?

How did you kill him?

You were there.

Out! Get out!

I take it my confession's over.

If you choose to murder people...

...you may no longer consider yourself

a member of the Catholic Church.

I am a Catholic.

Then you'll know I cannot possibly

grant absolution for murder!

I've already got it.

The seal of the confessional.

You can't tell anybody what you know.

You are profaning the Holy Church

to save your skin.

I could've closed your mouth with a bullet.

Why didn't you?

There's been enough killing.

Listen, I've got to talk to you.

I have nothing more to say.

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