236. Communal Rites: The Hungry

• FADE IN:


• EXT. SUNSET STRIP - DAY


• PASTOR HANK, a kind-faced man with a crisp clerical collar and PASTOR DARREN, a man with a thin face and a well-pressed suit sit at one of the sidewalk tables of a nice cafe.


• A half-finished salad filled with strawberries and walnuts sits in front of Pastor Darren.


• A large bible is open in front of them.


• It is open to ISAIAH 58.


• They are engaged in a intense, though civil discussion of the chapter.


• Pastor Hank taps his finger on VERSE 6 which reads:


• "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"


• A waitress comes to their table with bowls of chili and plates stacked high with thick steak fries.


• They dig in, still consumed in conversation.


• Across the street, a YOUNG HOMELESS WOMAN several months pregnant sits surrounded by her few belongings.


• She hugs the wall behind her, trying to avoid being trampled by the packs of pedestrians browsing the chic shops on the strip.


• ELAINE walks briskly down the sidewalk, laden with Trader Joe bags, anxious to get home.


• She passes the young woman and sits down at the bus stop, taking a deep breath.


• She glances back at the woman and then at her watch.


• Across the street, the pastors are digging into their meals, Pastor Hank waves his hand, illustrating a point.


• Elaine makes up her mind, gathering her bags.


• She walks to the young woman and sits down beside her.


• Silently, she pulls containers a food from the bags, then tears the paper bags, creating an improvised picnic blanket.


• She spreads the food out, arranging the hummus and flat bread and juice.


• She pulls an apricot from the bag and hands it to the young woman.


• The woman takes it, hesitantly; she bites into the fruit and sighs, her body relaxing, pleasure reflected in her irises.


• Elaine smiles and reaches for the hummus.


• The two women sit on the sidewalk, eating quietly.


• FADE TO BLACK.