Church

INTERIOR: ABANDONED CHURCH
( The windows are loosely boarded, but there are gaps. Through them light shines on the slightly raised stage. Dust is everywhere. On the stage is a man at an old piano.  Near him a blue coated rain dog sits on a stool. She carries a guitar. In front of her is a music stand, but it is empty. She knows this song too well.

They both begin to play. )

HER OLD MASTER (singing as he plays; both sounds are soft. Shy, but not uncertain): My lover's got humor. She's the giggle at a funeral.
	Knows everybody's disapproval. Should've worshiped her sooner.
	If the heavens ever did speak, she's the last true mouthpiece.
	Every Sunday's getting more bleak, a fresh poison each week.
	We were born sick, you heard them say it.

	Her church offers no absolutes. She tells me

BOTH: 'Worship in the bedroom.'

MASTER: The only heaven I'll be sent to, is when I'm alone with you.
	I was born sick, but I love it
	Command me to be well.
	Amen. Amen, amen.

(They cannot perform in public. What they sing is illegal everywhere. Only here are the words welcome.)

RAINE (singing): Take me to church.

(She has the voice of an angel.)

	I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.

(She closes her eyes. She still feels the pain when she sings this.)

	I'll tell you my sins, and you can sharpen your knife.
	Offer me that deathless death, oh god.
	Let me give you my life.
	Take me to church.
	I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
	I'll tell you my sins, and you can sharpen your knife.
	Offer me that deathless death, oh god.
	Let me give you my life.

(She opens her eyes, and finally smiles at him.)

	If I'm a pagan of the good times, my lover's the sunlight.
	To keep the goddess on my side, she demands a sacrifice.
	To drain the whole sea, get something shiny.
	Something meaty for the main course.
	That's a fine looking high horse.
	What you got in the stable?
	We've a lot of starving faithful.
	That looks tasty, that looks plenty.
	This is hungry work.

MASTER: Take me to church!
	I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
	I'll tell you my sins, and you can sharpen your knife.
	Offer me that deathless death, oh god.
	Let me give you my life.

BOTH: Take me to church
	I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
	I'll tell you my sins, and you can sharpen your knife.
	Offer me that deathless death, oh god.
	Let me give you my life.

(She plays a melancholy solo on the guitar.)

RAINE: No masters or kings when the ritual begins.

HER BOY: There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin.

RAINE: In the madness and soil of that sad, earthly scene

BOTH: Only then I am human. Only then I am clean.

(The shy boy's voice rings, and the church shakes to its foundations.)

HER BOY: AMEN! AMEN! Amen, amen!
	Take me to church!

RAINE: I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
HER BOY: I'll tell you my sins, and you can sharpen your knife
RAINE: Offer me that deathless death
BOTH: Good god,
HER BOY: Let me give you my life
RAINE: Take me to church
HER BOY: I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
RAINE: I'll tell you my sins, and you can sharpen your knife
HER BOY: Offer me that deathless death, good god
	Let me give you my life.

(They let their instruments still, and look at each other. She takes his hand.)

FADE TO BLACK