int. gallery - day

Marilyn (20) reads the latest headline: "Third murder-suicide in two weeks".  A hand slaps the paper down. Marilyn's mother Sylvia (45) stands above her.

sylvia

Go look at some art.

marilyn

(reading)

It's all religious shit.

Sylvia grabs the paper away.

SYLVIA

It's eighteen bucks, Marilyn. And don't call it shit.

Marilyn rolls her eyes. 

sylvia (cont'd)

(teasingly, smiling)

C'mon, go get my money's worth before I put you in time out.

Marilyn stares at her mother, who winks back.

MARILYN

(cracking a smile, disarmed)

Fine.

int. marilyn's bedroom - day

Sylvia enters, followed by Father O'Connell.  Marilyn is tucked in bed, her body frozen in a state of prayer.  At the sight of her incapacitated daughter, Sylvia looks empty, tired, defeated.

SYLVIA

(to Father O'Connell)

I'm at a loss, Father.  The doctors say for all intents and purposes, she's perfectly healthy.

(near tears)

She's been like this for two months.  She never moves....

Father o'connell

(comfortingly)

I'm sure there's an explanation for all of this. 

SYLVIA

(quietly, watching Marilyn)

She's my baby and I can't do anything for her.  (looking to Father O'Connell)  Do you think I'm being punished?

FATHER O'CONNELL

Punished for what?

Sylvia evades his eyes.

FATHER O'CONNELL

(knowingly)

Everyone sins, Sylvia.  The best we can do try...and pray.

SYLVIA

(looking to Marilyn again)

I don't think prayer is enough.