GodlyWays Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[bottom] Godly Ways
by
Lanardo Myrick
Kinnette Myrick
Revisions by
Lanardo Myrick
Current Revisions by
Lanardo Myrick 10/8/2007
Lanardo Myrick
Kinnette Myrick
2209 Pendleton Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64124
816 861 6367 hm/ 816 291 2986 cell
Lm@klmenter.com/ Kinnette@yahoo.com
WGA Number available
IN DARKNESS
MUSIC – HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HAND
VIEW OF DAWN
IMAGES OF TRAGIC EVENTS: NATURAL DISASTERS, ACCIDENTS, AND
BOMBINGS
MUSIC – AMAZING GRACE
IMAGES OF HURRICANE KATRINA
IMAGES OF SPECIAL EVENTS: INVENTIONS, SPACE, HUMAN
ACHIEVEMENTS, AND MEDICINE
JESUS ON CROSS
EXT – LARGE PARK – DAY
Huge tent with sign Church revival posted.
A PREACHER is heard preaching. Several MEMBERS are shouting.
A young woman places a pitcher of water and a glass on table
near preacher.
PREACHER
Just because they arrested Jesus,
don't mean He's arrested! And just
because they whipped him, don't
mean He's whipped!
MEMBERS shout for joy
PREACHER
Just because he was abandoned by
his disciples don't mean he was
abandoned! Now, when they nailed
him to the cross, they thought he
was confined! Beaten! Overwhelmed!
And Defeated! I'm telling you the
truth! When they saw him on that
cross, they thought he was whipped!
MEMBERS
Whipped!
PREACHER
Abandoned!
MEMBERS
Abandoned!
PREACHER
Defeated!
MEMBERS
Defeated!
PREACHER
But they couldn't see what his
spirit saw and so they had no faith
in the unseen or things that God
made to appear out of nothing!
They weren't ready to accept that
Jesus was more than a man! More
than a prophet! And Jesus wants us
all to be like him! More than a
conqueror! When they think you are
whipped! Abandoned! Defeated! Pray!
Be strong! Put on the Armor of God!
Members are standing up clapping. Ushers are tending to
some. Deacons behind Pastor are on knees praying.
PREACHER
Because no man can understand the
plan God has for those that love
him!
(Pause)
Now, touch, ya neighbor and tell
him ya love him!
MEMBERS
I love ya!
PREACHER
Cause there was a time when we saw
destruction, suffering, and death
all around us. New Orleans was
flooded, Baton Rouge was torn, and
up to Gulfport you could hear the
cries of the children that we lost.
DEACON MILES
I seen it, pastor, preach on!
PREACHER
But those that don't understand
purging, cleaning, awakening won't
understand God's Way. Cause I can
scream to ya to turn from your
wicked ways. Find the most
magnificent way which is God! But
it'll go unnoticed.
DEACON MILES
Preach on Preacher!
PREACHER
Until your world is shaken, stirred
up, cast in chaos and only then
will your eyes open. Let me take a
moment to thank God for shaking me!
Hallelujah!
Members are standing up. Ushers are tending to some in the
audience.
PREACHER
I tell you one thang... God is
good. And you don't have to worry.
Cause God does for those that he
love. When they look at Louisiana
they see some broken hearts, broken
spirits and some broken homes. But
with God on ya side, it's never
over! Never!
MEMBERS
Never!
PREACHER
We came from Baton Rouge looking
like we had broken hearts, broken
spirits and broken homes. Now,
touch ya Kansas City neighbor and
tell him, you ain't whipped!
MEMBERS
We ain't whipped!
PREACHER
You ain't abandoned!
MEMBERS
We ain't abandoned!
PREACHER
And you ain't defeated!
MEMBERS
We ain't defeated!
PREACHER
You're more than what the eye can
see; Cause some way, somehow God's
will shall prevail in those that
believe. Godly ways is what we
know. Godly ways is what we live by
and have faith in! Isaiah 41:10
states, Fear thou not; for I am
with thee: be not dismayed' for I
am thy God: I will strengthen thee;
I will help thee, yea!
Pastor turns in a circle. Musician starts playing.
PREACHER
I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness! Church
did you hear that! God said fear no
man, fear no bills, and fear
nothing because He has your back!
Psalms 23 says what? Can I get a
witness?
Members recite Psalms 23 with pastor.
MEMBERS
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want. He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures: he leadeth me
beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in
the paths of righteousness for his
name's sake.
FADE OUT
EXT – EXCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD – LATE MORNING – ESTABLISHING
Children playing. Beautiful homes. Some residents doing yard
work.
HOME WITH CHEVY MALIBU AND CADILLAC ESCALADE IN DRIVEWAY.
INT – KITCHEN
Small TV on counter shows TD Jakes preaching. LASHEA SMITH
walks through kitchen carrying luggage.
LENARD SMITH SR. can be heard in another room talking on
phone.
LaShea stops in kitchen and checks a to-do list. LJ come into
kitchen holding a Barney doll and a MJ basketball.
LENARD
OK, Ma, Yes Ma.
(Pause)
Thanks…I will pray… Sure… But, we
gotta leave to do that Ma.
LASHEA
LJ, you can only take one. Besides,
you have video games and movies in
the truck.
LJ looking at LaShea with puppy eyes
LASHEA
One and that's it. Take one back
before your daddy gets off the
phone.
LJ
Yes, Ma'am.
Lenard enters room with phone and luggage
LENARD
LJ your granny wants to speak to
you.
LJ
Oh, granny! Yes! Yes! Yes!
LJ grabs the phone, dropping his toys.
LJ
Hello, granny. I love you!
(Pause)
Guess, what granny? We about to go
to Baton Rouge! All of us but you
can't come this time because…
Lenard and LaShea leave LJ talking on phone and heads out to
load the truck.
EXT. – DRIVEWAY
LASHEA
What your mama say?
LENARD
You know the same old stuff: I'm
praying for you, I know the Lord
gone take care of you… Blah, Blah,
Blah
LASHEA
You know you ain't right! That's
your mama, boy.
LENARD
I know but all this Jesus stuff is
a little too much. Every
conversation is Jesus this and
Jesus that!
LASHEA
And what's wrong with that?
LENARD
Baby, let's not get into this
because you know I believe there's
a God, But he don't do nothing for
you. You have to do everything
yourself. Look at me. God didn't
do anything for me. I had to get
mine the best way I could.
LASHEA
But Lenard.
LENARD
Now, Shea, when you ask me to go to
church, I go. All that other stuff
is your thing. But like this job
offer, I DID IT! I've busted my
tail off at the bank for 5 years! I
came on as a mailroom assistant and
I worked my way up! You know it was
hard. Now, look at us. We doing
good and now we gone be doing even
better. Now that's us working. God
ain't doing it we are!
LaShea shakes her head.
LENARD
(Sarcastically)
Well, is God gone drive us to Baton
Rouge?
(Pause)
Alright then, let's go!
LaShea turns and walks into house. Lenard gets in Escalade
and checks map and then looks through CD cases.
LaShea and LJ come out. LaShea puts LJ in car seat and hands
Lenard his wallet.
LENARD
(Sheepishly)
Thanks,
LASHEA
Yeah.
Lenard reaches for LJ and LaShea's hands, bowing in prayer.
LENARD
Let's say a prayer before we leave.
Bow your heads. Dear Father…
LJ starts mimicking Lenard.
LENARD
We thank you for all that you have
done for us. As we head out on
this trip, I pray that you protect
us and deliver us safely to Baton
Rouge. In Jesus name, we pray Amen.
LASHEA
Amen!
LJ
Amen!
EXT – DRIVEWAY
The Escalade pulls out and down the street.
INT – ESCALADE
Lenard drinks a beverage as LJ sleeps. LaShea looks through
CD cases.
LASHEA
So, did you ever find out who or
how you got the job there?
LENARD
No – Not really.
(Pause)
But I think it was HR.
They try to hire within before they
offer any position to the public.
I am sure that's what it was.
LASHEA
OH.
LENARD
I am excited that I could be over a
whole department. Me …
(Pause)
Lenard Smith, Loan Manager!
LASHEA
Thank God, Right?
LENARD
Here we go again, Shea.
LaShea looks at him, puts a CD in and leans back smiling.
LENARD
What?
LASHEA
What?
LENARD
You smiling, what you feeling the
spirit or something?
LASHEA
Just thinking… you know, I'll be
able to help a lot more people
there. You know how I love to give
back to the community.
LENARD
We make, you give…
LASHEA
You better keep that to yourself!
It's good to give. The Lord loves a
cheerful giver!
LENARD
So, do bums and con men.
LASHEA
You know, I keep praying for you,
honey. I keep praying that you
become a man that God can use. I
know you treat me well, but what
about God.
How you treating God is what I
worry about. All we have is
because of His Grace. Each time I
thought you'd lose your job, I
prayed and then you'd get a
promotion. We've been doing well,
you know, Because of God.
LENARD
I hear you but…I just see something
a little different but…
LASHEA
Do you love me?
LENARD
You know I do!
LASHEA
Then we'll be all right.
Lenard frowns as LaShea leans and kisses him on the cheek.
EXT – MCSTOP – ESTABLISHING
McStop is busy with customers. A charter bus is filling up
in the distance. The Escalade pulls next to gas pump. Lenard
gets out
INT – ESCALADE
LJ wakes; Lenard can be seen pumping gas.
LJ
McDonald's! McDonald's! Can I have
a happy meal? Please, Mama? Please?
LASHEA
(Opening passenger door)
Lenard, let me get his boy a happy
meal before he goes crazy.
LJ gets out, closes door and stops looking confused.
LJ
Mama, is Ronald here? How come I
never see him at McDonald's? All I
see is statues and pictures.
(Pause)
Is Ronald a real person, Mama?
Where does he live?
Does he have a little boy like me?
Where is his house?
LASHEA
(Laughs)
LJ, Come on.
LENARD
You prayed for a smart child,
didn't you?
LaShea and LJ head to McStop. In b.g. Passengers stand
outside a bus. Lenard finishes pumping gas and takes receipt
from pump. Lenard heads to McStop. Halfway to McStop, he
turns and turns car alarm on. Several charter bus passengers
coming from store pass him.
INT – MCSTOP
Lenard sees a travel center by restroom. He goes to Internet
machine and reads instructions. Lenard opens wallet and
inserts some bills into the machine. He sits down and begins
to use Internet.
INT – MCDONALD'S – COUNTER
LJ sees a man with his head down sitting at a table. LJ
walks away from LaShea and goes to table where the man is.
LaShea talks to CASHIER.
LASHEA
Can you add another piece of meat
to that double and super size it,
please?
CASHIER
Sure, can. The patty will be
another dollar OK?
LASHEA
OK.
CASHIER
Your total is.
INT – TABLE
LJ is watching Reverend Craft, black, male, early 50's,
black, casual dress. Reverend Craft is praying quietly.
CLOSE ON REVEREND CRAFT'S FACE
LJ bows his head mimicking Rev. Craft in prayer
REV. CRAFT
Yes, Father. We thank you for your
grace and for your mercy. We have
faith in you through your son Jesus
Christ. As we go in faith back to
our city, we ask that you open a
door ahead of us. I ask for…
Rev. Craft pauses because he hears a voice
REV. CRAFT
Safety, peace and blessings in
Jesus…
He opens an eye and looks at LJ.
REV. CRAFT
Name, Amen!
LJ
Amen!
INT – TRAVEL CENTER
The computer Lenard is using begins messing up. The computer
screen goes blank.
LENARD
Oh, Great! Almost finished!
The computer self reboots. When it comes up, it has started
all the way over and he has to reinsert money. He puts in
some bills then starts to type but the computer crashes
again. But it reboots itself, and then goes to the site he
wanted.
GAB, a large biker type is using phone near Lenard, Gab is
talking loud.
LENARD
(Under breath)
What's next? Can't a brother get
some quiet?
GAB
I'm going to be on time! I'm doing
all I can – - I am riding alone, ya
know!
Lenard looks at him frustrated.
GAB
Hey, believe me. I'm doing the best
I can. Gab is never late! Trust me,
OK!
The computer screen goes blank. Lenard throws hands up.
LENARD
Ugh! I give up!
Lenard leaves looking for Lashea and LJ
INT – MCDONALD'S –COUNTER
LaShea has the food and begins looking around for LJ.
INT – MCDONALD'S – TABLE
LJ
So, Rev. Craft, it's good to pray
all the time?
REV. CRAFT
Yes, LJ. God loves to hear from
us. And many times we think we can
do everything but when we realize
that we can't we can get frustrated
and give up. That's when we should
pray to God.
LJ
Just like Jesus did?
REV. CRAFT
(Smiles)
That's right, LJ. Just like Jesus!
LJ
(Confused)
Rev. Craft, my daddy doesn't pray
unless there's food on the table or
if we go on a trip.
REV. CRAFT
Well, that's OK. Some people pray
out loud, some quietly… Your father
may be praying silent sometimes,
that's all.
(Pause)
That doesn't stop you from praying,
OK?
LJ
I like praying and so does my Mama!
REV. CRAFT
That's good LJ. Prayer is good all
the time.
INT – MCDONALD'S – COUNTER AREA
Lenard approaches LaShea.
LENARD
Where's LJ?
LaShea looks up with a mouthful of salad.
LASHEA
He's around - - here, somewhere.
(Pause)
Probably looking for Ronald.
(Chewing)
Check back there.
LaShea points toward the back of the McDonald's. There are
several churchgoers around them. Some are smiling at them.
Lenard takes the happy meal and his food; then heads toward
the back to look for LJ. LaShea follows. As they turn the
corner the see LJ with Rev. Craft and MRS. CRAFT black,
female, late 40's, petite and conservative woman standing at
the table.
LENARD
LJ!
LJ faces his parents.
LJ
Happy Meal!
LJ takes the happy meal and Lashea gives him the drink. LJ
puts the bag down at the nearest table.
LJ
Where's the toy?
(Looking through bag)
OOH Wee! Look Ma!
Lashea smiles. Rev. Craft smile as LJ shows them his toy.
MRS. CRAFT
That's a mighty fine young man you
have. I'm Mrs. Craft and this is
Rev. Craft.
LASHEA
Nice to meet you, we're Lashea and
Lenard Smith SR..
LENARD
Hello!
Lenard turns to Lashea.
LENARD
We should be leaving now, OK?
LASHEA
Well, we have to be going, nice
talking to you.
REV. CRAFT
OK, God bless you.
LJ
Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Rev. Craft
Lenard, LaShea and LJ turn to leave.
EXT – ESCALADE
Lenard gets in on the passenger side. Puts his bag on the
floor then open the door and helps LJ into the car.
LJ
Thank you, Daddy.
LENARD
All Set?
LJ
Yep!
LaShea settles in driver seat. She presses the button that
adjusts her seat.
LENARD
(Singing)
Go Shorty, you need a car seat!
LASHEA
Whatever!
Lenard closes his door then looks out and sees Gab. Gab is
pumping gas into his motorcycle.
LENARD
(Murmur)
Bum!
Gab looks at Lenard and smiles. Lenard turns away in disgust
and reaches for CD cases. Lenard looks in Gab's direction but
Gab is gone.
LASHEA
Bow your heads. Let's pray. Lord,
be with us as we continue our trip.
Amen
LENARD
Amen.
LJ
Amen.
LaShea puts the Escalade in gear and pulls into traffic.
Lenard looks around strangely for Gab. LaShea looks at
Lenard.
LASHEA
Babe, you alright?
LENARD
Yeah, Sure let's ride baby.
Lenard leans back. LJ plays with his toy and eats his fries.
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