The Brave
Raphael Do you remember? Come on, what do you remember?
Rita That it was like this. It was around this time. The air felt this way. The wind felt like this.
Raphael What else?
Rita My heart was pounding. I was scared of you. (Talks native language)
Raphael Father Stratton?
Fr. Stratton Raphael.
Raphael Can I talk to you about something?
Fr. Stratton Sure.
Raphael But if I tell you something… does that mean you can’t tell anybody?
Fr. Stratton Well, if you’re talking about a confession… then yes. That’s between you and God. Is that what you want? You wanna make a confession?
Raphael Yeah, I think so.
Fr. Stratton Come on.
Raphael Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.
Fr. Stratton How long has it been since your last confession?
Raphael Well now, I really haven’t thought about religion much over the years.
Fr. Stratton Then why are you here?
Raphael For Rita, and my kids.
Fr. Stratton Go on.
Raphael Tomorrow morning, Father… I’m gonna walk into a room… and some men are going to kill me. They’re gonna torture me… and then they’re gonna kill me. And, and for this service I’ll be paid… My family will be paid fifty-thousand dollars. Which isn’t enough, really, but… it might be just enough to get everybody out of here for ever.
Fr. Stratton Do you wish to repent these thoughts?
Raphael No.
Fr. Stratton Then what is it you want from the church?
Raphael Nothing. I need you to make sure… that my family gets the money after I’m gone. You’re the only person that can do that. You’re the only one. Please. I need your help.
Fr. Stratton Do you understand what you’re asking of me? You’re asking a priest to help you commit suicide. You’re asking a priest… to commit a cardinal sin.
Raphael In a couple of days, Father, they’re gonna destroy Morgan Town, the entire village. What happens then? Where do Rita and the kids go? Is God gonna let ’em live here? You and the church gonna buy my house? Maybe the government, maybe they’ll do something? What do you think? Please. Please help me.
Fr. Stratton I can’t. Raphael! You’ve sold your soul.
Raphael Oh, no, Father. I sold my body, like a whore. The church forgives whores every day.
Fr. Stratton Don’t do this. Don’t do this.
Raphael What’s wrong? Come on, what’s wrong? What’s wrong? Who did this? Who did this? Luis? What happened?
Rita He looked so crazy. He was high on something, I don’t know. I tried to stop him. But he, he hit me. He hit me.
Raphael Did he rape you?
Rita Frankie jumped on him and started hitting him.
Raphael Where’s Frankie?
Rita He’s outside.
Raphael Look here. Come here. Come here. Okay. Okay. Okay. You stay here. I’ll be back. I’ll be back. Frankie? Let me see.
Frankie Sorry, Papa.
Raphael What do you mean, you’re sorry?
Frankie You were gone and I was the man of the house. And I couldn’t make him go away.
Raphael You listen to me. You did a brave thing. A brave thing, and… I’m proud of you. Come here.
Frankie I beat the hell out of him, Poppa.
Raphael Good. Why don’t you go see about your mom, huh?
Frankie But what if he comes back?
Raphael He’s not going to come back. He’s too afraid of you. All right.
Frankie Yeah.
Raphael Believe me. Go on, go see about your momma. Hey. You’re a man now.
Frankie I love you, Poppa.
Raphael I love you too. Go on. Go see about momma.
Luis Yeah, come on. Okay, that’s it, that’s it, that’s it. That’s it, that’s it, you get too fucked up, baby, then you good for nothing. Come on. I love that shit. That feels so good. Come here. Hey, Lida, hey, Lida. Get the fuck outta here, man, you’re in the way. Oh, man. What the fuck? Come on! Come on! Get off my ear! No! No!
Papa I’ve always tried to live with the spirits. I’ve always tried to show you that world. It seemed like you didn’t care. Now… I think you do care. So I think you should sit along with the spirits. I’m gonna put you out there. Just like there are good and bad spirits, there are good and bad tour leaders. Just remember, son… whatever you do, think of the children first. (Chants native language)
Raphael Sweet dreams, angel. I love you.
