God Dont Like Ugly

By
Darius Buckley
1 INT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH SANCTUARY - DAY 1
MINISTER CECIL, 55, an older African American man, dressed
in the nicest suit he owns, sits sternly in front of the
churchs organ. He stares angrily at a sheet of paper laying
on the organs keys.
The paper reads: "Mount Zion Revival Set List". He glances
down at the first song on the list: "I Luh God".

MINISTER PARKER, 39, a well dressed, handsome African

American man walks in from the pews toward the pulpit, he
doesnt see Minister Cecil.
MINISTER CECIL
Hello Minister Parker.
Minister Parker jolts, and almost falls to the floor.
MINISTER PARKER
Lord Jesus Minister Cecil, you
almost made me lose my balance!
Scared me half to death.
Minister Parker laughs and walks over toward the organ.
MINISTER CECIL
Death should be the last thing
scaring you right now.
Minister Cecil looks up from the paper.

MINISTER PARKER
I beg your pardon.
MINISTER CECIL
What in the name of God is this?

MINISTER PARKER
What are you talking about Cecil?
MINISTER CECIL
You call me Minister Cecil round
here boy!

MINISTER PARKER
Minister Cecil, can you tell me
whats got you all up in arms?
Whats goin on!

MINISTER CECIL
This right here.
Minister Cecil flings the set list at Minister Parker.
 2.

MINISTER CECIL
Minister, would you mind telling
what in Gods name is this?
MINISTER PARKER
Minister, this is the set list for
the revival, I dont understand
what-
MINISTER CECIL
You know exactly what Im talking
about. Dont play dumb with me.
MINISTER PARKER
Minister, I dont know whats got
you in such a fuss.

Minister Cecil stares grudgingly at Minister Parker.

MINISTER CECIL
I Luh God, Minister Parker, I Luh
God. I Luh God! We can sing this
mess but we cant sing Anthem of
Praise?
Minister Parker closes his eyes, sighs deeply, and lays his
hand on the organs side.
MINISTER PARKER
Minister, you know why we cant
sing that song.
MINISTER CECIL
No, actually I dont know, please
enlighten me.
MINISTER PARKER
The choir needs a new sound, weve
been singing these overly rounded,
cathedral choir songs for too long,
we need something new.
MINISTER CECIL
Something new?!
MINISTER PARKER
Yes Minister Cecil, something new,
something for the kids.
MINISTER CECIL
Thats what youth day is for
Parker! Not the annual revival!
 3.

Minister Cecil slams shut the organ keys cover, gets up, and
rushes out of the sanctuary.

MINISTER PARKER
Minister Cecil! Oh Lord!
Minister Parker follows after him quickly.
2 INT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH HALLWAY - DAY 2

Minister Parker catches up with him in the hallway.

Minister Cecil walks quickly while Minister Parker follows
after him.

MINISTER PARKER
Minister Cecil you are quite the
walker.
MINISTER CECIL
Comes in handy when the devils
behind you.
MINISTER PARKER
Minister, come on, hear me out.
Minister Cecil stops and turns toward him.

MINISTER CECIL
What do you want boy?
MINISTER PARKER
As much I want to have them sing
the good ole classics, you know we
have to appeal to everyone.
Minister Cecil leans toward him and squints his eyes.

MINISTER CECIL
What do you mean?
MINISTER PARKER
We have to sing songs that everyone
can worship to, even the young
ones.
Minister Cecil pulls back and rolls his eyes.
MINISTER CECIL
So the young congregation cant
sing Richard Smallwood? They cant
be cultured?!
Minister Parker takes a moment to gathers his thoughts.
 4.

MINISTER PARKER
These kids are listening to new
things these days, things like
Erica Campbell.

MINISTER CECIL
That heffa.
MINISTER PARKER
Minister Cecil! Thats not-

MINISTER CECIL
When I was the Minister of Music
this choir had people shouting up
and down the aisles.
Minister Cecil inches closer to him, wagging his finger.

MINISTER CECIL
Ten people got saved the first
night I directed that choir. Those
singers used to have the spirit
raging in that sanctuary.

MINISTER PARKER
Well thats great Minister, I happ-
Minister Cecil interrupts him with exaggerated hand
movement.

MINISTER CECIL
We sang good wholesome anthems for
God. Not this hood club hoochie
dance gospel youve been teaching
them.
MINISTER PARKER
Now wait one minute, Ive worked
hard to build this choir up.

MINISTER CECIL
There was nothing to build!
Minister Parkers face grows impatient.
MINISTER PARKER
Minister, when I became Minister of
Music these poor people could
barely sing well after you had them
screaming!
 5.

MINISTER CECIL
Screaming? Really?!
MINISTER PARKER
Yes! At least Im trying to give
them some light songs to rest their
voices. When you stepped down the
whole Soprano section had nodules.
MINISTER CECIL
I challenged them! I gave them real
music to sing! Not this nigga
gospel! Dont you dare insult my
vocal choices!
Minister Parker makes a fist, and glares sharply at Minister
Cecil.

MINISTER PARKER
Were singing modern songs. Get
over it Minister Cecil. Were
changing things around here!

Minister Parker walks toward the choir room, leaving

Minister Cecil in awe.
Minister Cecil follows quickly.
3 INT. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR ROOM - DAY 3

Minister Parker walks to the center of the room, looks down,

closes his eyes.
Minister Cecil walks toward him but stops halfway.

MINISTER CECIL
I just want this choir to be great
again Parker. I just want them to
sound like they used to.

Minister Cecil glances at a chair, moves a piece of sheet

music and sits. Minister Parker turns his head, and glances
out the side of his eye.
MINISTER PARKER
Were singing the songs I chose
Minister Cecil.
MINISTER CECIL
Are you trying to embarrass us?
 6.

MINISTER PARKER
No Im doing something new,
something fresh, something hip.
MINISTER CECIL
Hip?! Hip?! This isnt 106 and Park
boy. We aint singing them hoodlum
songs.
Minister Parker turns swiftly toward Minister Cecil.

MINISTER PARKER
We sing what I say we sing Cecil!
MINISTER CECIL
Its Minister Cecil!

MINISTER PARKER
Cecil, Cecil, Cecil! Its my choir
now. Were singing I Luh God, were
singing some Ty Tribett, and well
close with Stomp just to piss you
off!

Minister Parker charges toward Minister Cecil.

MINISTER CECIL
You know you aint right. Bringin
yo Donald Lawrence lookin ass in
my church and stealing my choir.
Minister Cecil violently jumps from his chair and charges
toward Minister Parker.

MINISTER CECIL
I worked my ass off to make this
choir great and Ill be damned if I
let some tight suit, prissy church
boy come in here and mess it up!

Minister Parker looks Minister Cecil straight in the eyes.

MINISTER PARKER
You have no power over this choir.
Cecil, its mine now. We all know
youre just mad Pastor Ellis liked
my style of directing better.
MINISTER CECIL
Lies!
 7.

MINISTER PARKER
Truth! He told me himself, you were
and still is gettin old. We needed
some fresh bones round here.

Minister Cecils eyes grow wide in surprise.

MINISTER CECIL
Fresh? I know you aint acting all
young, you bout ready to hit the
change of life.

Minister Parker points his finger sharply in Minister

Cecils face
MINISTER PARKER
You take that back you old coon.

MINISTER PARKER
Soon as you do sissy!
MINISTER PARKER
Were singing my songs, I aint
dancin with you anymore. Weve
tangoed enough. Get over it or get
out!
MINISTER CECIL
You will regret this decision. The
choir will never have the same
respect.
MINISTER PARKER
Youre right, it wont be the same,
itll be greater.
The door of the choir room swings open and a young BOY
enters.
BOY
Minister Parker, Pastor Ellis wants
to have a word with you. About the
set list.
MINISTER PARKER
Do you happen to know whats it
about? Weve already finalized it.
The Boy looks around the corner to see if anyone is
listening. Then turns back.
 8.

BOY
I didt say this ok, I think hes
not so pleased sir.
The boy leaves and Minister Cecil looks at Minister Parker.
Minister Cecil smiles.
MINISTER CECIL
Something new and hip.
MINISTER PARKER
Shut up.
MINISTER CECIL
He gon tear you a new one boy and I
cant wait to watch. Guess I won
this match, ding ding.

Minister Parker rushes out the door with a stern pace.

Minister Cecil looks down at the set list on the chair near
him, picks it up, rips it, and laughs

MINISTER CECIL
God dont like ugly.
Minister Cecil looks over at the door still open.
MINISTER CECIL
And he aint too fond of pretty
either.
Minister Cecil chuckles and walks toward door in a joyous
bounce.

FADE OUT.