Sister Aloysius: Honestly, I'm worried that Father Flynn may have something wrong with your son. Mrs. Mueller: Possibly. Sister Aloysius: I'm not sure. Mrs. Mueller: No evidence? Sister Aloysius: No. Mrs. Mueller: Well, maybe nothing happened? Sister Aloysius: I think there are signs of that. Mrs. Mueller: Well, if you don't mind, I'd rather not look at it that way. Sister Aloysius: I understand, you don't like to hear about it. I think Father Flynn gave Donald the sacrificial wine. Mrs. Mueller: Why did he do that? Sister Aloysius: Did Donald behave erratically? Mrs. Mueller: No. Sister Aloysius: Nothing out of the ordinary? Mrs. Mueller: He's been normal. Sister Aloysius: All right. Mrs. Muller: Listen, Sister, I don't want to get in trouble, but I think you've got a purpose for some reason. Sister Aloysius: I don't think you fully understand this. Mrs. Mueller: I think I understand what you're saying, but I don't want to get involved. Sister Aloysius: Why? Mrs. Mueller: I'm not speaking against you, but if anything happens between this priest and my son, it's certainly not my son's fault. Sister Aloysius: I didn't say it was his fault. Mrs. Mueller: He's just a kid. Sister Aloysius: I know. Mrs. Mueller: He's only twelve years old. If anyone is to blame for this, it should be that man too, not my son. Sister Aloysius: I totally agree with you. Mrs. Mueller: You agree with me, but now I'm sitting in the principal's office talking to you about my son. Why isn't the priest sitting here? If you know what I'm talking about, you'll forgive me for bringing this up. Sister Aloysius: You are sitting here because I care about Donald's well-being. Mrs. Mueller: You think I don't care? Sister Aloysius: Surely you care. Mrs. Mueller: Let me ask you. Do you really think the priest gave Donald a drink? Sister Aloysius: Yes. Mrs. Muller: Then why was my son kicked out of the altar boy if the man gave him the drink? Sister Aloysius: The boy was found, but the man was not. Mrs. Mueller: Why wasn't that priest disqualified as a priest? Sister Aloysius: He's an educated adult, he knows the stakes, and it's not that easy to stop someone like that. Mrs. Mueller: So you put the blame entirely on my son. I It's okay for the son to be blamed and punished. It's easy, do you know why? Sister Aloysius: Maybe you should listen to me first. I think you are a little distracted. Mrs. Mueller: That's because that's how it is. You've only just found out, but that's what it is, and it has always been, Sister. You can't beat the man in the robe, nun. He occupies a higher position than you. Sister Aloysius: And he has your son. Mrs. Mueller: Then let him take it. Sister Aloysius: What did you say? Mrs. Mueller: Just make it through June. Sister Aloysius: Do you know what you're talking about? Mrs. Mueller: I know better than you. Sister Aloysius: I believe this man is attempting or has had an inappropriate relationship with your son. Mrs. Mueller: I don't know. Sister Aloysius: I know I'm right. Mrs. Mueller: Why are you being so decisive when you are not sure? Please, nun. You fought this priest for just reasons, but now you want to implicate my son as well. My son's situation is difficult enough. Let him graduate smoothly in June. He knew what to do. I taught him how to do it. Sister Aloysius: What kind of mother are you? Mrs. Muller: Excuse me, but you are not knowledgeable enough to say that, Sister. Sister Aloysius: I know enough. Mrs. Mueller: Maybe you know some rules, but this is not one of them. Sister Aloysius: I know what I cannot accept! Just cause, but now you want to implicate my son too. My son's situation is difficult enough. Let him graduate smoothly in June. He knew what to do. I taught him how to do it. Sister Aloysius: What kind of mother are you? Mrs. Muller: Excuse me, but you are not knowledgeable enough to say that, Sister. Sister Aloysius: I know enough. Mrs. Mueller: Maybe you know some rules, but this is not one of them. Sister Aloysius: I know what I cannot accept! Just cause, but now you want to implicate my son too. My son's situation is difficult enough. Let him graduate smoothly in June. He knew what to do. I taught him how to do it. Sister Aloysius: What kind of mother are you? Mrs. Muller: Excuse me, but you are not knowledgeable enough to say that, Sister. Sister Aloysius: I know enough. Mrs. Mueller: Maybe you know some rules, but this is not one of them. Sister Aloysius: I know what I cannot accept!
Mrs. Mueller: You'll take what you have to take, and you'll get used to it. This is the truth I know. I'm sorry I'm being sharp, but here you are, in this office... Sister Aloysius: That man is in my school. Mrs. Mueller: Well, he's always somewhere, and maybe he's done something good. Have you thought about this? Sister Aloysius: He followed the boys. Mrs. Mueller: Well, maybe some of the boys want to throw themselves into the net. Maybe you don't know, maybe my son... as well. That's why his father beat him. Not because of the drink, he beat Donald because he's what he is now. Sister Aloysius: What are you talking about? Mrs. Mueller: I am his mother. I'm talking about his nature now, not what he did. You can't blame this kid for what God made him that way. Sister Aloysius: Listen to me, Mrs. Mueller. I am only interested in action. There is no point in discussing a child's underlying tendencies. I think it's hard enough to deal with this man's behavior. It had nothing to do with what the boy might have been like, it had nothing to do with what the man did. It's all about that man. Mrs. Mueller: But that's the boy's nature. Sister Aloysius: Let's leave that alone. Mrs. Mueller: Then forget about that. You are the one forcing people to say it out loud. Things are supposed to be guesswork, and you can leave them alone. All I know is that my kid came to this school because he would be killed in public school. He came to school here last year, and he was lucky enough for us. Well, his father didn't like him. He came here, and the kids here didn't like him either. Only one person is good to him. It's that priest. He reached out to my son. Did he do it on purpose? there must be. Everyone has a purpose. You have your purpose. But I would ask why the man was so nice to my son? I won't, I don't care why. My son needs to be looked after and escorted to where he wants to go. Thank God this educated man has some kindness and that's all he wants to do. Sister Aloysius: This is not allowed. Mrs. Mueller: Just make it through June, sometimes things are not black and white. Sister Aloysius: Sometimes they are black and white. No doubt I will kick your son out of school. Mrs. Mueller: But why would you do that? Did he cause trouble? Sister Aloysius: Because I will stop this at all costs. Mrs. Mueller: You do what you want hurt my son? Sister Aloysius: Not just your son, but others, even if it hasn't happened yet. Mrs. Mueller: That's to get the priest out. Sister Aloysius: This is what I'm going to do. Mrs. Mueller: Well, what do you want me to do. Sister Aloysius: Do nothing. Wait until the truth comes out. I was hoping you might know something that would help me, but it looks like you don't. Mrs. Mueller: Please don't get my son involved in this. My husband will kill him for this. Sister Aloysius: I try my best. Mrs. Mueller: I don't know, Sister. You may feel like you are doing good deeds, but the world is cruel. I don't know if you and I are on the same side. But I will stand with my son and those who are kind to him. Hope you are there too. It was a pleasure talking to you, Sister. goodbye. ———————————————————————————
Flynn: Can I come in? Sister Aloysius: We need a third party to be present. Flynn: Was Donald's mother here just now? Sister Aloysius: We had a conversation. Flynn: Conversation about what? Sister Aloysius: We really need a third party present, Father. Flynn: No, nun, no need for a third party. You and I should talk. (He enters, the door slams behind him. They face each other.) You must stop these actions against me! Sister Aloysius: You can stop it at any time. Flynn: How to stop it? Sister Aloysius: Confess and resign. Flynn: You're trying to discredit me! But the result of all this is that you resign, not me! Sister Aloysius: What did you do in this school? Flynn: I try to do good things! Sister Aloysius: Or rather, what have you done as a priest? Flynn: You want to block the sky and stop this school and this parish from progressing! Sister Aloysius: What kind of progress? Flynn: A progressive education and an inclusive church. Sister Aloysius: You don't want to confuse, Father Flynn. It's not about my behavior, it's about your behavior.
Flynn: It's about your unfounded suspicion. Sister Aloysius: Yes, I have my doubts.
Flynn: You know what I don't understand? why do you doubt me? What the hell did I do? Sister Aloysius: You gave that boy a drink. Then you hold him to blame. Flynn: Nonsense! Have you spoken to Mr. McGinn? Sister Aloysius: Mr. McGinn only knew that the boy was drinking. He didn't know how he drank. Flynn: Did his mother say anything else? Sister Aloysius: No. Flynn: So it's pretty clear that nothing happened. Sister Aloysius: I am not satisfied. Flynn: Well, if you're not satisfied, go ask the boy! Sister Aloysius: No, he will defend you. He's defending you right now. Flynn: God, why is he defending me? Sister Aloysius: Because you seduced him. Flynn: You're crazy! You have all this in your head, I gave that kid a drink, I corrupted him. And I said nothing. Sister Aloysius: Exactly. Flynn: Correct me if I'm wrong. This has nothing to do with alcohol, or not much. Before this happened, you had a deep-seated mistrust of me! It's you who reminded Sister James to watch out for me, right? Sister Aloysius: Exactly. Flynn: So you admitted it!
Sister Aloysius: Of course.
Flynn: Why? Sister Aloysius: I understand human nature. Flynn: That's too far-fetched! Sister Aloysius: That's enough of a reason. Flynn: So what? Sister Aloysius: You will tell me what you did. Flynn: Oh will I? Sister Aloysius: Yes. Flynn: You gotta understand, I'm not one of your truant students. Sister James believed I was innocent. Sister Aloysius: You talked to Sister James? Well, of course you would do that. Flynn: Did you know that Donald's father beat him a lot? Sister Aloysius: Yes. Flynn: Doesn't that explain Sister James finding out about the boy's odd behavior? Sister Aloysius: Maybe. Flynn: So what is it? What? What did you hear and what made you so sure of your judgment? Sister Aloysius: Does it matter? Flynn: I want to know. Sister Aloysius: On the first day of the school year, I saw you touched William London's wrist and he flinched. Flynn: That's all? Sister Aloysius: That's all. Flynn: But that doesn't mean anything. Sister Aloysius: What are you writing about? Flynn: I have no choice, I am writing your words. I was too confused to remember every detail of this upsetting conversation that could have been important when I was talking to the Monsignor and explaining why you had to leave the principal. Sister Aloysius: Before I spoke to Mrs. Mueller this morning, I contacted the last parish you served, just in case. Flynn: What did he say? Sister Aloysius: Who? Flynn: Parish priest? Sister Aloysius: I didn't speak to the parish priest, I contacted one of the nuns. Flynn: You should talk to the parish priest. Sister Aloysius: I talked to a nun. Flynn: That's not the proper path, Sister! The system of the church is very clear. You should contact the parish priest. Sister Aloysius: Why? Is there an agreement between you, you and him? Father Flynn, you have a criminal record. Flynn: You are not qualified to investigate my past! Sister Aloysius: This is your third parish in five years. Flynn: Call the parish priest and ask him why I left! I am absolutely innocent! Sister Aloysius: I wouldn't call the parish priest. Flynn: I'm a good priest. There is nothing on my record that can be questioned. Sister Aloysius: You will follow child after child until until you are caught. Flynn: Which nun did you talk to? Sister Aloysius: I won't say it. Flynn: I haven't touched a child. Sister Aloysius: You did. Flynn: You don't even have any proof. Sister Aloysius: I'm sure of that, and on that alone, I'll track down your last parish, and another parish, if necessary. I'll find a parent, Father Flynn! Believe me I can find it. That parent probably doesn't know you're still with the kids! Once I find it, you have nowhere to hide. You may even be attacked, physical or otherwise. Flynn: You have no right to do your own thing! You are part of the hierarchy. Obedience is one of the things you swore! You are accountable to the church! You have no right to step outside the church! Sister Aloysius: If necessary, I will step out of the church door, even if it closes behind me! I'll do everything that needs to be done, Father, even if I'm going to hell! You should understand this, or you will misread me. Now, tell me, have you ever given Donald Mueller a drink?
Flynn: Have you ever made a mistake?
Sister Aloysius: I did. Flynn: Unforgivable mistakes? Sister Aloysius: Yes. Flynn: Then what? Sister Aloysius: Then I confessed! Have you ever given Donald Mueller a drink? Flynn: Whatever I do, I will find merciful relief from my confessor. Just like you! We are the same! Sister Aloysius: We are not the same! A dog that bites will bite! I'm not going to justify my mistakes and pretend nothing happened. I will admit my mistake, restrain myself, and accept the punishment. Did you give Donald Mueller a drink? Flynn: No. Sister Aloysius: Are you hiding something from me? Flynn: No. Sister Aloysius: You are lying. very good. If you don't leave my office, then I will. Once I step out of this door, I won't stop. Flynn: Wait! Sister Aloysius: You are asking to be transferred from this parish. Please take time off until your transfer application is approved. Flynn: Can you act in the love of God? Here is my whole life. Sister Aloysius: No. Flynn: Please! Are we not human? Am I not a man of flesh and blood like you? Are we only made up of ideas and beliefs? I can't say everything. Can you understand? There are some things I can't say. Even if you cannot accept this explanation, Sister, remember that some things are beyond your knowledge. Even if you are sure, this is just an emotion, not a fact. I appeal to you in a spirit of fraternity. For the cause of my life, you must be held accountable for your actions. I give all of myself to you. Sister Aloysius: I don't want to. Flynn: My reputation is at stake. Sister Aloysius: You can protect your reputation. Flynn: If you say that, I cannot continue to serve in this community. Sister Aloysius: You should not continue to serve in this community. Flynn: You took everything from me. Sister Aloysius: That's not right. Donald Mueller just got everything taken away, and you took full advantage of that. Flynn: I didn't miss anything. I care about that boy very much. Sister Aloysius: Just because you smiled at him, sympathized with him, and talked to him as if you felt the same way? Flynn: That kid needs a friend! Sister Aloysius: You are a liar. When that boy looks at you with trusting eyes, the warmth you feel is not touched by virtue at all. Even an alcoholic can feel this warmth from a rum glass. You are a disgrace to the church disgrace. The only reason you're not excommunicated is the decline of the priesthood itself. Flynn: I can beat you. Sister Aloysius: You can't win. Flynn: Not necessarily. Sister Aloysius: I know you can't win. Flynn: Where did your sympathy go? Sister Aloysius: You will never get my sympathy. Stay here and calm down. Feel free to call if you want. Goodbye, Father. I have no sympathy for you. I know you will never truly repent. Also, trim your nails. Flynn: Yes, I'm Father Brendan Flynn of St. Nicholas Parish. I need to see the bishop.
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