Cut Above the Rite

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MAN 1:
Don't be afraid.

MAN 2:
Do you believe in sin?

WOMAN [WHISPERING]:

There's nothing to believe.

"The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task

of Saint Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today,

because the Devil is still alive and active in the world."

Pope John Paul II

What follows is inspired by true events.

THE RITE:

-You finished?

-Yep.

Then wash up and come eat.

I've washed up.

Well, then eat.

And when you're done,

I'll need a hand with the casket.

How'd she do it?

What?

Kill herself.

Michael, I've told you this many times.

We serve the dead,

but we don't talk about them.

It brings bad things.

We keep dead people in the house, Dad.

How much worse could it get?

-Are you kidding me?

-No, Eddie. I'm not kidding.

Wait, why?

So I can get out of here.

Why not tell him

you wanna go to college?

I mean,

you got the grades. You can do it.

-You think he'd pay for that?

-Shit, man. Seminary school?

Wait, wait, wait. Wait.

Seminary school, really?

Wait, is this your way of telling me

you're gay? I'm just joking. Okay? Joking.

Man, you don't get it. In my family, you're

either a mortician or a priest. That's it.

Well, then change your name.

It's too late. I took the entrance exam.

-You what?

MICHAEL:
I passed.

I'm leaving Monday.

EDDIE:
That's-- That's crazy.

MICHAEL:
Dude, I've looked into it.

It's a four-year degree

before you even take your first vows.

If it doesn't work out,

I can always leave.

Wow. Such faith.

MICHAEL:
You know what, Eddie?

You're such a dick.

EDDIE:
Cool. Awesome. Whatever, dude.

I will never confess to you.

You know that, right?

NINA:
These are on the house.

EDDIE:
Wow.

-Gonna get heat for giving away beers?

Not if they don't know.

How about for banging the customers?

Screw you, Eddie.

Drink up. I'm off in 10.

Lickety-split.

"Lickety-split"? Pbbb.

You better make the most of that

before they chop your wiener off.

Goodbye, wiener.

ISTVAN:
Don't worry.

The pain is gone.

God has taken it...

...away.

Michael. Come.

Don't be afraid.

Four years later

MAN:

This is always a special Mass for me...

...as I look upon our new deacons...

...as they prepare to go into the world

with Christ's message.

So in the next few months,

you will face your last assessments...

...and then be asked to take

your final vows to become priests.

So I leave you

with these words to consider...

...from the Gospel of Saint John:

You did not choose me...

...it was I who chose you...

...and I send you forth

to bear fruit that will last.

[CROWD APPLAUDING]

MATTHEW:
Michael.

Exam results.

You aced psychology.

-Art history too. Congratulations.

-Thank you.

So, what happened with theology?

It's like you blew it on purpose.

I've been distracted.

End of the year, that's all.

Drop by my office this week.

We'll discuss it.

Okay.

[GUNFIRE PLAYING ON VIDEO GAME]

MAN:
Yeah, jump. Take him out.

Dude, honestly?

MATTHEW:
Michael!

Michael, wait!

[GRUNTS]

[WOMAN SCREAMS]

MICHAEL:
Call an ambulance!

Bless me, Father.

Father.

Bless me.

Please, Father.

I don't wanna die like this.

Uh, through the power vested in me:

Let the fire of the Holy Spirit descend,

that this being may be awakened...

...in the world beyond

the life of this earth...

...and infused with the power

of the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ, I ask

that you receive this child--

What's your name?

Sandra.

I ask you to receive this child,

Sandra, into your loving arms...

...that she might pass in safety

from this crisis...

...as you have taught us

with infinite passion.

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