GodlyWays Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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EXT – HIGHWAY – ESTABLISHING
Light traffic on highway – late morning
INT – ESCALADE
LJ is watching a movie. Lenard is finishing up his food and
leaning to put his trash in the bag.
LJ
Mama, did you know that it's good
to pray in secret?
LASHEA
(Curious)
OK… Yes it is.
(Pause)
Did the Reverend tell you that?
LaShea looks at Lenard, then at LJ.
LJ
Yep. And that you can pray anytime
and anywhere. Just like Jesus!
LaShea smiles at Lenard
LJ
Reverend told me a para bee, too
LENARD
A para bee?
LASHEA
You mean a parable, LJ
LJ
Yep! A parable!
(Pause)
About the mean ten-ants… Daddy do
you know that one?
LENARD
(Dozing off)
Well, I – Uh - you know…
LASHEA
That's in Matthew LJ. What did he
tell you?
Lenard is dozing off as LJ starts to talk.
LJ
There was a man that owned some
land. He built a winepress. Then,
he let some people use it and told
them to give him some of the wine
as rent.
EXT – VINEYARD – DAY
Beautiful winepress – Several workers are taking a break out
front. When AGED LJ approaches. He's older approximately 18
years old. Workers are talking amongst themselves.
AGED LJ
Excuse me, excuse me. Is the
manager around?
Workers look in LJ's direction. They motion toward a well
dressed man. Who is the MANAGER?
AGED LJ
Oh, hi Sir. I'm LJ and my father,
the owner, sent me to collect his
portion. There appears to be some
problems. All of his other workers
have been killed or ran off. Those
that have returned, returned empty
handed, my father has sent me, his
only son to speak his wishes to you
and ask that you honor your
agreement with him.
MANAGER
So, you're his only son, huh?
AGED LJ
True.
MANAGER
(Cunningly)
Could you wait a moment while I
speak with my workers to gather
what is owed your father? Just a
moment, OK?
AGED LJ
OK.
The manager steps inside with his workers.
MANAGER
(Angrily)
Why should I give him anything? So
what, he's the owners son! He can't
do anything to me! If I get rid of
him then I can own it all.
Manager looks back at Aged LJ and smiles deceitfully.
MANAGER
(Devilishly)
Yes, let's take his inheritance.
Why should we give up our way of
life because he sends his son? Yes…
Let's go!
Manager and his men approach Aged LJ who comes to meet them.
AGED LJ
Sir, shall your men bring it out or
shall I come in?
MANAGER
(Loud)
No. You can get it right here! Get
him men!
They attack aged LJ with HEAVY BLOWS. One of the men hit Aged
LJ across the head.
INT – ESCALADE
Lenard abruptly wakes up just as the ENGINE MAKES A LOUD
NOISE and cuts out.
LASHEA
Lord, now what!
Lenard and LJ both rise up.
LENARD
What was that?
LJ
What's wrong daddy?
LENARD
I don't know. Shea pull over OK?
EXT – HIGHWAY
Lashea pulls the truck over. Smoke is coming from the hood.
Passenger door opens.
FRONT OF TRUCK
Lenard opens hood as smoke goes up in air. Lenard steps back
coughing and waving at smoke.
LASHEA
What do you think it is, babe?
LENARD
I don't know - - I can't see
anything - - - It's going to have
to cool down first!
Lenard looks around.
LENARD
(Talking to himself)
And we are too far from anything,
Man!
Lenard touches a few things under the hood. He sees something
then gets back in truck leaving the door open.
INT – ESCALADE
LASHEA
What is wrong?
LENARD
(Dejected)
Looks like the radiator.
(Pause)
I think it's busted. Guess we
better call somebody to…
LASHEA
Babe - - - There's - - - No.
LENARD
No what?
LASHEA
No, Signal
Lenard grabs his phone.
LENARD
I can't believe this… no signal!
An 18 wheeler pulls over in front of them.
LENARD
Cool, help. Let me go see what this
dude can do. Be, right back.
EXT – HIGHWAY
Lenard approaches passenger side of diesel. He steps up and
opens the door. He sees a TRUCKER, WHITE, HEAVY SET, and
MALE WITH A LONG BEARD. Lenard looks in cab and sees a doll,
duct tape and a box of condoms scattered around on cab floor.
TRUCKER
You any having problems?
LENARD
Yeah - - I think it's the radiator.
TRUCKER
Well, I suppose I could give you a
ride to the nearest service
station. You can get a tow truck
there, hop in.
LENARD
Oh, thanks but I got my wife and
son with me. I thought I'd call
from here but I can't get a signal.
Lenard looks at his cell trying to raise it high in air
hoping for a signal.
TRUCKER
Well, I'd be glad to ride your wife
and kid to the station for you.
Lenard frowns and then steps down from the truck.
LENARD
No, thanks we'll pass.
TRUCKER
(Convincing)
Well, I don't mind besides it'll be
getting dark and you don't want to
be out here with your wife and kid -
- alone - - Anything can happen out
here.
Lenard heads back to Escalade and gets in
INT – ESCALADE
LJ has head down, appears sleep. LaShea holds her cell phone
out trying to get a signal. She looks up at Lenard.
LASHEA
Well? - - What did he say?
LENARD
You don't wanna know - - guess we
gone have to wait for somebody else
to stop. I hope a highway patrol
comes by. That trucker was weird,
baby.
LASHEA
For real? Well what you think we
should do? Because anything can
happen out here.
Lenard looks out passenger window and leans back.
LJ is mumbling.
Lenard and LaShea look at LJ who is praying. They look at
each other. LaShea smiles, Lenard turns and looks out window.
LJ
Thanks God, in Jesus' name, Amen.
LJ leans forward and touches Lenard.
LJ
Daddy? Don't worry, help is on the
way.
LaShea looks out rear window and sees a charter bus coming
down highway.
LASHEA
Lenard, see if that bus will stop.
LENARD
Might as well, it's worth a try.
Lenard exits Escalade.
EXT – HIGHWAY
Lenard waves at bus. It looks like it's slowing down but it
passes him. Several vehicles do the same.
CLOSE UP – LENARD'S FACE
INT – ESCALADE
Lenard enters and leans back.
LENARD
Oh well, nice try huh?
LASHEA
Yeah, but we'll be alright. Maybe a
highway patrol will be …
A HONK sounds behind them. They look back and see a charter
bus. The bus door opens.
Lenard, LaShea and LJ exit Escalade.
EXT – FRONT OF BUS
As they reach the rear of their vehicle, Rev. Craft steps off
the bus. LJ takes off running to him.
LJ
Rev. Craft!
Rev. Craft hugs LJ. Mrs. Craft comes off bus.
REV. CRAFT
Why howdy little man! Didn't think
we'd meet again.
LJ
Our truck broke down. So, I prayed
for help. You our help, Rev.
Craft. See, daddy I told you not
to worry.
LASHEA
Well, we are glad you stopped.
Didn't think we'd see you all
again. We think it's the radiator
either way we are going to need a
ride. Where are you all headed?
A few teens get off bus.
MRS. CRAFT
Baton rouge, Louisiana. We just
left a revival in Kansas City, plus
the Rev. has family there so, where
are you all headed?
LASHEA
Baton Rouge, too, what a
coincidence.
(Pause)
My husband has a job offer there.
He is the assistant teller
supervisor for a small bank that's
being taken over. The new bank
offered him the loan manager
position for the new Baton Rouge
branch.
MRS. CRAFT
Lord that is a blessing.
REV. CRAFT
Let's get you all on board and
let's get moving.
LENARD
Sounds good to me
LJ
Me, too.
REV. CRAFT
I know you all aren't getting any
signal around here. Maybe, a few
miles down, you should get
something. Then, call a tow for
your truck.
Mrs. Craft motions to teens.
MRS. CRAFT
Alright, let's help them with they
stuff. Lead the way, Mrs. Smith
LASHEA
Follow me.
REV. CRAFT
Let's take a quick look under the
hood, Mr. Smith.
LENARD
Sure. Let's go. It might be
something simple.
CLOSE – SIDE OF BUS
LaShea and LJ get on bus. The teens put luggage in storage.
DEACON MILES closes storage and goes on bus. Rev. Craft and
Lenard get on bus.
The bus door closes. Bus starts moving.
INT – BUS
Lenard heads to seat besides LaShea. As he sits down besides
window, he see Gab riding besides the bus. Lenard looks away
and sits down.
LENARD
(To self)
Is that the same dude?
Lenard looks out window and Gab is gone.
DEACON MILES
Hi, I'm Deacon Miles
LENARD
Hi, I'm Lenard Smith and this is my
wife LaShea. How you doing?
DEACON MILES
Fine. Welcome aboard.
Deacon Miles shakes Lenard's hand and sits down.
LJ is sitting in back watching a movie with other kids.
LaShea looks at him. Mrs. Craft sits down across from her.
MRS. CRAFT
Don't worry about that truck. It'll
be all right.
LASHEA
Oh, I know, because it's fully
insured.
MRS. CRAFT
Good… so how long ya'll been
married?
LASHEA
About five years
MRS. CRAFT
That's good, you know marriages
don't' last long nowadays. Folks
believe in shacking and everything
else. Rev and I been together 30
years come December.
(Exhales)
Been some good times and bad but as
long as we stayed faithful to God
and ourselves, we made it through.
LASHEA
Amen, Lenard and Me… We have been
doing fine. God has helped us a
lot. I'm always praying. I
volunteer at the community center
and at the YMCA during my off days.
I'm a nail tech. Its good money
but I want to own my own. Do you
work?
MRS. CRAFT
No, not now, I do run the day-care
but I don't consider that work.
I've been doing it so long it's no
big deal. We've been blessed, I
tell you. We have three boys and
two girls and all of them doing
fine.
LASHEA
That's good!
Rev. Craft stands up.
REV. CRAFT
Everybody, I forgot to introduce –
I'll let them do that.
LaShea bumps Lenard. Lenard stands up partially.
LENARD
We're Lenard and LaShea Smith and
our son LJ. I thank you all for
helping us.
Members saying words of praise and acceptance.
REV. CRAFT
Amen, Amen! Ya'll hear that Lenard
and LaShea Smith! - - Husband - -
and wife! Not Adam and Steve!
MEMBERS
Amen, Hallelujah!
REV. CRAFT
I love to hear the young marrying
and following God's word. God will
love us and protect us as long as
we obey and show love to one
another. God will direct us. All
we have to do is follow and let him
show us the way. I told ya'll
before we left we was gone make
this trip!
DEACON MILES
Sure did, Hallelujah!
REV. CRAFT
And the day before, we got a $2,500
dollar blessing and this bus. And
God's help didn't stop there!
DEACON MILES
Yes, Rev. Craft! Amen!
Some members are waving hands in the air, others are clapping
hands.
REV. CRAFT
I can feel the Holy Spirit working!
MRS. CRAFT
Yes, Lord! I can too!
LASHEA
(Leans toward Lenard)
God is good! Amen!
Lenard is feeling uncomfortable. He starts looking through
his bag to get something.
MRS. CRAFT
(Directing conversation to
LaShea and Lenard)
We are non denominational. Just a
Church of Christ…
Some members shout "Amen" "hallelujah" and "Yes Lord"
MRS. CRAFT
Why don't you all come by when you
all get established?
We'd love to have you? - - Can you
sing? We have a wonderful choir,
too.
LASHEA
Sure, we'd love, too.
REV. CRAFT
And we'd love to have you all! Lord
knows we need strong families in
the church. That's what trips like
this does. It unites us together.
The Lord is directing us to be
strong…
Lenard raises his hand to get the attention of Rev. Craft.
LENARD
I don't mean to interrupt but - -
do you really believe that God is
directing your steps? - -I'm mean
don't we direct our steps?
Lenard looks around at others.
LENARD (CONT'D)
I don't see no angels and the hand
of God touching nobody. I mean, man
has to do things for himself –Well,
that's what I believe then, I
guess.
MRS. CRAFT
So, you think that you…
REV. CRAFT
(Interrupting quickly)
Young man, I know what you think
but I'm here to say that God does
direct your steps. Let me be the
first to testify about what he's
done in my life! When I ran, he
guided me back to him, he forgave
my sins, he punished me, I endured,
and then I was saved!
The members shout "hallelujah", "that's right Rev", "yes
Lord" and other praise as the Rev speaks.
REV. CRAFT
Now if I need to sit down, somebody
just tell me! If not I'm gone
testify what Jesus has done for me
in my life!
A hush comes over the bus as the Rev. Craft speaks. He shakes
his head.
EXT – CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD – LATE AFTERNOON – ESTABLISHING
SOUNDS OF AN ICE CREAM TRUCK coming close. Kids run out their
apartments and down the street toward the truck, which is
coming into view.
CLOSE – ICE CREAM TRUCK
Several kids are buying ice cream. The ice cream man 50'S,
WHITE, THICK GLASSES AND A BIG SMILE takes the orders then
goes to the back of the truck to get them. Then a young Rev.
Craft walks through the crowd. He's holding some bills.
There are two others with him but as he reaches the front,
the other goes towards the back of the truck.
YOUNG CRAFT
(Pushing through crowd)
Look out, coming through - - Got a
big order!
REV. CRAFT (V.O.)
I was always into something with my
crew. I had the gift to gab. As
some of the young folks say – I
could spit!
ICE CREAM MAN
Who's next?
YOUNG CRAFT
I am! - - I need a bomb pop, four
cherry bomb pops, two banana bombs,
and - - six strawberry shortcakes,
a bug's bunny and four chocolate
sundaes… uh
ICE CREAM MAN
Hey wait! What is that order again?
Young Craft glances toward back, one of the friends give him
a thumb up sign.
YOUNG CRAFT
(Slowly)
A bomb pop, four cherry bomb pops,
two banana bombs, six strawberry
shortcakes, a bug's bunny, four
chocolate sundaes and two pickles.
EXT – BACK OF TRUCK
The two friends are reaching through the window and getting
chips, pickles, ice cream and putting them in a bag. The Ice
cream man is unaware of what's going on.
YOUNG CRAFT
Never mind, I'm confused, now!
ICE CREAM MAN
What - - well, whose next?
The children scream! "Me" "I'm next". Young craft goes to
back of truck. He looks around and sees his friends sitting
down at a nearby apartment.
IN THE DISTANCE, GRANDMA CRAFT, SLIM, STRONG WILLED, LATE
50'S WATCHES THEM.
REV. CRAFT (V.O.)
I did a lot of silly things that
looked like I was slick but little
did I know, God was watching.
INT – GRANDMA CRAFT'S HOUSE – EVENING
Young Craft enters door.
Grandma Craft meets him at door.
GRANDMA CRAFT
Hi, James. What you been doing
today?
YOUNG CRAFT
Nothing. Just went to.
GRANDMA CRAFT
(Cutting him off)
Just my butt, you just turned 15
and now you gone start lying and
stealing?
YOUNG CRAFT
What you talking about granny? I
ain't done.
GRANDMA CRAFT
Shh. - - I watched the whole thing!
You want to be a ringleader so bad!
Your mama wouldn't believe what
you're doing! She always thought
you'd be a preacher or senator
cause you've been speaking since
you could walk! But all I can do
now is pray for you. I paid nine
dollars to the ice cream man for
the stuff ya'll stole. And I expect
you to pay me back by working more
around the house. Plus, you're
grounded! Now, go to your room.
I'll call you for dinner.
YOUNG CRAFT
Yes Ma'am.
REV. CRAFT (V.O.)
I never knew how she knew but that
did not stop or slow me. I was too
much for myself. Too much for
anybody else.
EXT – NIGHT CLUB – MIDNIGHT – ESTABLISHING
Partygoers standing in line outside as cars drop others off.
Bouncers at entrance.
CLOSE – LINE
Young Craft, 17 years old standing with TONEA 16, black, cute
girlfriend of JASON.
Four males approach line in front of Young Craft. JASON a
tall muscular Latino, 20's is leading the others. A heavyset
white male and two heavyset black males, all in their 20's
follow Jason.
JASON
(Angry)
Why hello, pretty boy, James! AKA
The Deceiver! The Con Artist! The
Liar!
Young Craft looks away from Jason. Tonea looks surprised at
Jason.
JASON (CONT'D)
So, what you can't hear me, James?
YOUNG CRAFT
What you huffing about? I don't
want any problems, Jason.
JASON
Oh, now you don't want any
problems! After you lie and steal
my girl. You told me to stop
hounding her and give her time
alone. You acted like you were
helping me.
(Looks at others)
And you suckered them too! You
think you can talk your way out of
anything, huh?
REV. CRAFT (V.O.)
You never know how many enemies you
have until the war starts.
YOUNG CRAFT
(Smooth)
Yo man, take your girl; I wasn't
interested in Tonea anyway. She's
nothing to me!
Tonea takes a step back and look at young craft.
TONEA
What! You said I didn't know how to
keep Jason and you were helping me
by showing me how to kiss and make
out! This was your idea! You used
me. Oh, my God!
She turns and runs away with her hands on her face.
JASON
Let's get him!
The young men attack Young Craft. Sounds of the BLOWS are
heard.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.