THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT - JOEL

JOEL: Then if it is not justice for you to

hang for that crime I am sure God will

see you get what you deserve in

Heaven.

CAITLIN: I am going to Hell. The sixth

commandment is clear. Doesn’t matter

the man I killed was a murdering son

of a bitch, thou shalt not kill

doesn’t leave a lot of room for

nuance. But human beings are capable

of nuance.

JOEL: I don’t know if that’s true.

CAITLIN: Those boys who fought and died in the

war. The ones who fought to end the

monstrous institution of slavery and

those that fought to keep it. Both

equally guilty of breaking the sixth

commandment. Do they deserve to burn

in the same pit?

JOEL: I suppose not.

CAITLIN: Then it seems you at least are capable

of nuance. And of having an opinion on

-1-

(CAITLIN/CONT’D OVER)

CAITLIN what is just. One that puts you at

odds with God himself.

JOEL: Now stop that, I’m a good christian.

CAITLIN: Of course you are.

JOEL: It is not my place, it is not anyone’s

place to argue with the judgment of

God.

CAITLIN: God decides what is just.

JOEL: Exactly. More than some court anyhow,

or either of us.

CAITLIN: So, is justice what God decides is

good?

JOEL: It is. And if that is for you to hang

and burn in Hell then that is justice.

Now, eat.

CAITLIN: Whatever God decides?

JOEL: I have no interest in this continuing

this conversation -

-2-

CAITLIN: But what if, one day, God decided to

change his mind? That now what was

good is evil and what was evil is

good?

JOEL: I told you, I have no desire -

CAITLIN: But what if?

JOEL: Would you shut the hell up!?