THE DOGMATIST By Martin Douglas Lauretta has been in an abusive relationship with her husband. She comes into church consistently with bruises from the beatings she's received. Welsh is a priest at the church who has had a crush on her. He invites her into his chambers to talk to her about her situation. INT. BACK ROOM OF THE CHURCH -- DAY Welsh escorts Lauretta into the back room of the church. She glances around the small room with a single window. The room is dim and the cloud cover from outside lets in very little light through the window making the room appear even more menacing than it is. For as dim as the room is Lauretta refuses to remove her sunglasses. Welsh motions towards a couch next to his desk. WELSH Go ahead Lauretta. Take a seat. LAURETTA Thank you. Welsh walks over to the cabinet and opens it up. He pulls out a glass of Southern Comfort and starts to pour himself a glass. WELSH Drink? LAURETTA No....what a fine room this is? WELSH I'm been paying close attention to you lately Lauretta. I'm not sure what it is for sure but it seems like something's bothering you. LAURETTA Bothering me? Why for heaven sakes no. WELSH Those bruises on your arm? LAURETTA Bruises? I don't know what you're talking about. WELSH Please take off your glasses. LAURETTA They're prescription and I mustn't... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. WELSH Lauretta. She lowers her head and slowly removes the sunglasses. WELSH (CONT'D) And I suppose that's not a black eye you've been trying to hide from everyone. LAURETTA I....It's really nothing. Just bumped into something. You know clumsy me. Lauretta walks over and grabs the bottle of Southern Comfort an pours herself a drink which she quickly downs. WELSH Your husband did it didn't he. LAURETTA No he would never... WELSH Stop protecting him. Lauretta you don't deserve to be treated that way. LAURETTA I'm not protecting anyone father. And the fact that you would say such things... WELSH The fact that I would tell the truth. That your husband should be taken out and beaten. LAURETTA Stop that talk right now!.....I'm sorry father. I didn't mean to raise my voice. WELSH Lauretta all I'm saying is that you deserve a better man than him. LAURETTA I have to go now. She quickly starts to head for the door. WELSH Lauretta please. Sit down. I'm just trying to help. Just listen to me for a few more minutes. If you're not happy with what I have to say you can leave. Fair enough? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. LAURETTA Okay. Just a few more minutes. WELSH Thank you. She returns to the couch and sits down. And takes a seat beside her. WELSH (CONT'D) Lauretta what I want you to think about is finding someone else. Someone who'll be there for you, protect you. LAURETTA But I don't really deserve... WELSH Yes you do. You deserve a lot better than what you have. There are so many men out there who would treat you a hundred times better. Take me for instance. LAURETTA You father? WELSH Yes me. I know I don't look like much but I'd be there for you. Protect you from all the evil in this world. What better place to find a man than church. And what better man than a man of god. He reaches over and touches her gently on the leg. She sits uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. LAURETTA Father I really don't think I'm your type. WELSH Of course you are. You need someone who'll treat you right. He starts moving his hand farther up her leg. LAURETTA Father please stop. I don't want this. She pushes his hand away. WELSH How dare you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. LAURETTA I didn't mean it that... WELSH I get it. You like being beaten. Is that it? You like your men to act like barbarians? LAURETTA No. Just let me leave.... Lauretta starts to head for the door but Welsh blocks her way. WELSH You're not going anywhere. I'm gonna give you exactly what you want. LAURETTA Please...... Lauretta backs away cowering as Welsh advances on her.