The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Page #5

JEANNE:

Why did she have to die?

PRIEST:

Only God knows the answer to that.

JEANNE:

I know Jesus says to love our

enemies but I can't -- I just want

the English to burn in hell for ever

and ever!

PRIEST:

I realize your anger, Jeanne, but we

must learn to forgive. It's hard,

but revenge will never bring about

peace.

JEANNE:

Then what will? And what will bring

her back? And why did she have to

die in the first place instead of

me? Why didn't he take my life

instead of hers? It was my fault --

I was late -- she gave me her hiding

place...!!

PRIEST:

Jeanne... calm down...! Calm down,

Jeanne!

Jeanne breaks off, trembling, tears pouring down her

cheeks.

PRIEST:

I don't pretend to know God's will,

but I am sure of one thing -- the

Lord always has a good reason.

Perhaps he saved you because he

needs you... for some higher

calling. So... as long as you

answer that call, your sister will

not have died in vain.

Jeanne clams down. She stares at the Priest for a long

moment, and her look becomes very deep and intense.

JEANNE:

I don't want to wait for his call.

PRIEST:

Jeanne, be patient.

JEANNE:

I want to be with him always...

PRIEST:

Soon you'll be able to take the Holy

Mass, and as you eat of his flesh

and drink of his blood, you will be

at one with him.

JEANNE:

I want to be at one with Him now.

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

On the open road, with Jeanne sitting on the back of

Daxart's wagon. It's a grey, lowering, dismal sort of

day. The Daxarts are up front, talking in low voices.

DAXART:

What did he say?

AUNT:

He says we must bring her to church

whenever she wants.

DAXART:

Hmmm... easy for him -- he's not the

one that has to do the bringing.

Behind them, the wagon is empty. Jeanne is long gone.

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

The rain pours down in torrents -- Jeanne runs...

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

... down the deserted road -- into the church...

INT. VILLAGE CHURCH - DAY

... and up the aisle to the altar. She grabs a jug of

wine, pours some into the chalice -- holds it up high as

the Priest did, then gulps it down. The wine cascades

from her mouth like blood as she gazes up at the stained

glass image --

JEANNE:

I want to be with you now!

INT. DAXART HOUSE - DAWN

Daxart sits bolt upright, awaking from a nightmare. It's

early morning, his wife still asleep beyond him.

INT./ EXT. DAXART ATTIC/POV OF FIELD - DAWN

Daxart opens the door to Jeanne's room. Empty, the bed

unslept in. He walks in -- hears something. Looking out

of the window he sees --

Jeanne in the distance, playing be herself. Daxart

smiles.

EXT. HOUSE & FIELD - DAWN

Jeanne pauses, her stick poised in mid-air --

SUBLIMINAL FLASH --

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