EXT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH - DAY
Landon pulls up to the church parking lot. He turns off his car, bows his head, sighs, and closes his eyes.
LANDON PATTERSON
Alright, God. I know I asked to see demons, so I’m not- mad at You for this experience, but-... I know I’m about to see some demons in the church. I just feel like I’m bout to see something... I don’t know what Bishop Jones is up to, but You sent Your angel to point me in that direction, so I will follow Your lead. Just keep me poised, keep me at peace, and help me know what I am supposed to do. Apparently, everyone out here with demons. Even me. So help me not become pious or judgmental. Keep me humble. Yeah. Keep me humble and help me see what I need to see. In Jesus’ name.
Landon lifts his head and looks up. He sees a few people walking into the church. One person in particular has an enlarged gavel hanging from their back by the strength of their neck. There are also lust demons and fuzzy demons hanging on shoulders and feet. Landon breathes a deep breath and gets out of the car.
He walks towards the church behind everyone. Bishop Jones comes out of the church entry doors and waves at Landon. Landon waves back and is excited to not see any demons around Bishop Jones. He comes up to him.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
(Excited)
Ya made it! Alright!
LANDON PATTERSON
(Excited)
Yes, sir! Good to see you.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
You sleep well?
LANDON PATTERSON
Yes, sir. Bit of a struggling morning.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Still thinkin’ about it, huh?
LANDON PATTERSON
About what?
BISHOP HENRY JONES
You know, the job, the ex.
LANDON PATTERSON
Oh, oh, oh! No. I have much more- present issues.
Landon watches a beautiful young lady riddled with a family of fuzzy demons all over her body with snakes wrapped around both of her wrists. Landon stares in horror. Bishop Jones pats Landon on the back.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
(Smirking)
That’s the young one I was talking about.
LANDON PATTERSON
Oh hel-... uh... (chuckles) I’m not here for that.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Well, you never know. She’s here if you change your mind.
LANDON PATTERSON
(Mumbling)
I won’t.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
What’s that?
LANDON PATTERSON
Oh, nothing. Uh... Show me the way?
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Oh oh, yeah yeah. Let’s get to work. I like it. Spirited!
LANDON PATTERSON
Just trying to-.
Landon sees two fuzzy demons stabbing Bishop Jones in the back repeatedly.
LANDON PATTERSON (CONT’D)
Do the work of the- Lord.
Bishop Jones turns back to Landon.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Something wrong?
Landon snaps out of his trance.
LANDON PATTERSON
Ah... no nothing.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Alright then. Come on.
Bishop Jones waves Landon over and then leads him into the sanctuary.
INT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH - DAY
A small group of (mostly) elder people, no more than 15, sets up tables through the hallway just outside of the sanctuary. Some have paperware, some have pots, and others have pamphlets.
Bishop Jones leads Landon towards the group. Landon looks at the all the demons (mentioned earlier) tormenting their possessions.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Hey, everybody.
CONGREGANTS
Hi, Bishop Jones!
BISHOP HENRY JONES
I’m not sure if any of you know Landon here. He’s a regular attendee, just looking to do some work. Use his muscles to do the heavy lifting. All of us old men can use a break.
They all laugh.
LANDON PATTERSON
Hello, everyone.
CONGREGANTS
Good morning.
Bishop Jones pulls Landon over to CHELSEA SMITH.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Well hello there, pretty lady.
CHELSEA SMITH
(Pleasantly)
Hello, Bishop.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Have you met Landon before?
Bishop Jones pushes Landon in front of him.
LANDON PATTERSON
(Nervous)
Hi.
They shake hands.
CHELSEA SMITH
Hello!
Chelsea admires Landon but Landon struggles to keep his face from scrunching up at the sight of her demons.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Landon here is newly single, but single nonetheless.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
What!? Y’all the same age. Y’all both single. I don’t see what the problem is.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Oh, fine, fine. Do what you want (air quotations) naturally.
Chelsea laughs but Landon is visibly upset. Bishop Jones raises his hands in surrender.
BISHOP HENRY JONES (CONT’D)
Well anyway. (To Landon) Why don’t you go into the closet in the sanctuary and get some New Testament Bibles for us. The Book may be small, but boy is it heavy. Oh, I think I just preached a sermon.
CHELSEA SMITH
Alright nah, Bishop.
Bishop Jones hands keys to Landon.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Here. Take these. They’re to the closet over by the back of the sanctuary. (Points to the sanctuary doors) Just go right through there and turn left. The closet is right there, with all the greeter supplies. You should see the Bibles in the box somewhere in there.
LANDON PATTERSON
Alright.
CHELSEA SMITH
Thank you!
LANDON PATTERSON
No problem.
Landon turns from her and finally releases a shocked expression. He fixes his expression when he says hello to the others on his way into the sanctuary.
INT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH SANCTUARY - DAY
Landon walks into the sanctuary and breathes a sigh of relief. He laughs to himself and walks towards the closet. He then sees a gigantic drop of black mucus fall from the ceiling out of the corner of his eye down the main aisle to the altar. He stops in his tracks, but hesitates to look.
LANDON PATTERSON
(Panting)
Ooookay. Oooookay. Hoo. It was just something in my eye. That’s it. Something in my eye.
He heads into the closet and searches for the New Testament Bibles in a the box. (From the doorway, the audience can see multiple gigantic drops of black mucus dripping from the ceiling). Landon finds the box and picks it up.
LANDON PATTERSON (CONT’D)
Oop, this is heavy. Oh my goodness.
Landon struggles to walk out of the closet but stops when he sees another gigantic drop of black mucus fall from the ceiling.
LANDON PATTERSON (CONT’D)
Oh no...
Landon stands still with the box in his arms. He slowly looks up and sees the entire ceiling covered in a black, oily liquid. Drops of mucus fall from the demon whose eyes hang closed from two very far points in the ceiling.
(The demon is a pile of glob that sticks to the ceiling. It’s eyes do not have a stationary position, but move and often separate at the behest of the demon. It can shapeshift into whatever shape it wants to take, whether human, animal, monster, or whatever the graphic designer wants it to be).
LANDON PATTERSON (CONT’D)
Oh God...
At the mention of God, the eyes on the demon open and Landon drops the Bibles. He stares at the demon’s eyes as the demon stares at him. He alternates between the two eyes and begins to shake. He then lowers his head and picks up the Bibles, pretending he didn’t notice it. When he raises up, the demon has slid a portion of itself down to his head. The demon reaches for him, but he ducks down. He trips over the box and falls to the floor. The demon reaches for him again, but he takes Bibles that fell out of the box and waves them at it. The demon retreats its liquid and in that moment, Landon puts all the Bibles that fell into the box, grabs the box, and hurries out of the sanctuary.
CUT TO:
INT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
Landon quickly shuts the doors to the sanctuary and braces the door. He looks down and sees the liquid of the demon reaching for his shoes. He drops the box, takes a few Bibles out and starts hitting the demon. The demon groans and retreats. Landon frantically slams the Bibles at the ground as Bishop Jones walks up behind him.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
(Confused)
Son?
Landon turns around and aims the Bibles at Bishop Jones. Bishop Jones lifts his hands in surrender.
BISHOP HENRY JONES (CONT’D)
Whoa whoa, now! Hold up.
Landon quickly cleans himself up and rises to his feet.
BISHOP HENRY JONES (CONT’D)
Everything alright?
Landon brushes himself off.
LANDON PATTERSON
(Rattled)
Y-yeah. I-I was jus-. (Composes himself) I just dropped the Bibles, and you startled me. That's all.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Well I’m here to help you, not harm you, son. Let me get those.
LANDON PATTERSON
Oh. Yeah.
Bishop Jones helps Landon pick up the Bibles. Landon nervously picks up the box and smiles. Bishop Jones tries to read him, but can’t.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
You alright?
LANDON PATTERSON
Yeah. Just trying to do my part.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
I know that Chelsea is cute, but you’re not so bad yourself. Don’t be so tense.
LANDON PATTERSON
Huh!? Oh, uh. Sure.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
I know you’ve been out of the dating pool for a while, but you can find your way back. These women aren’t as bad as that social media’ll have you believe.
LANDON PATTERSON
(Chuckles)
Yeah. I know.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
(Confused)
Son... where’s my keys?
Landon stops in his tracks and looks back at the door.
BISHOP HENRY JONES (CONT’D)
What you do, leave em in the door? I’ll go get them.
Bishop Jones opens the door.
LANDON PATTERSON
No!
Bishop Jones stops. Landon steps back as he tries to look up at the ceiling. He breathes and smiles as Bishop Jones stares at him. The demon’s liquid drips from the ceiling.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
You’re acting strange, kid.
Landon laughs nervously. Bishop Jones goes to get the key. Landon waits.
LANDON PATTERSON
He can’t see it, he can’t see it, he can’t see it. If he doesn’t look, he’ll be alri-.
Bishop Jones returns from the sanctuary. He closes the door.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Oh! You didn’t have to wait for me.
LANDON PATTERSON
Just... making sure you found them.
BISHOP HENRY JONES
Easy enough. Right there in the door. Come on, nah. Let’s get these over to the tables.
LANDON PATTERSON
Yes, sir.
Bishop Jones leads Landon back to the others. Landon looks back at the door but sees nothing.