The End of "Doubt"

FROM THE FINAL PAGES OF JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY'S SCREENPLAY FOR "DOUBT":

[Full screenplay as .pdf here. Click link to download.]

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SISTER JAMES
So you did it. You got him out.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Yes.

SISTER JAMES
Donald Miller is heartbroken.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Can't be helped. It's just till
June.

SISTER JAMES
I don't think Father Flynn did
anything wrong.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
No? He convinced you?

SISTER JAMES
Yes, he did.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Hmmm.

SISTER JAMES
Did you ever prove it?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
To whom?

SISTER JAMES
Anyone but yourself?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Nope.

SISTER JAMES
But you were sure.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Yes.

SISTER JAMES
I wish I could be like you.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Why?

SISTER JAMES
Because I can't sleep anymore.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Maybe we're not supposed to sleep
so well. They made Father Flynn
Pastor of Saint Jerome.

SISTER JAMES
Who?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
The Bishop appointed Father Flynn
Pastor of Saint Jerome Church and
School. It's a promotion.

SISTER JAMES
You didn't tell them?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Oh, I told our good Monsignor. I
crossed the garden and I told him.
He did not believe it to be true.

SISTER JAMES
Then why did Father Flynn go? What
did you say to make him leave?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
That I had called a nun in his
previous parish. That I had found
out his prior history of
infringements.

SISTER JAMES
So you did prove it!

SISTER ALOYSIUS
I made no such call.

SISTER JAMES
You lied?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Yes. But if he'd had no such
history, the lie wouldn't have
worked. His resignation was his
confession. He was what I thought
he was. And he's gone.

SISTER JAMES
I can't believe you lied.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
In the pursuit of wrongdoing, one
steps away from God. Of course
there is a price.

INSERT - HER CRUCIFIX CRADLED IN HER HAND. SHE COVERS IT WITH
HER SHAWL.

SISTER JAMES
I see.

SISTER ALOYSIUS
Oh, Sister James!

SISTER JAMES
What is it, Sister?

SISTER ALOYSIUS
I have doubts! I have such doubts!

Sister Aloysius is bent with emotion. Sister James puts out a
hand of comfort. She kneels before Sister Aloysius.

THE END

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