a plane ticket out here... first class.
I came out here in style,
none of this Greyhound bus business.
I called my mom and dad every week
for the first couple of years.
They'd always ask how things are going.
I'd always lie and say I was close, really close.
But all I was really doing was working at this lame hotel in the lounge.
I could barely afford my part of the rent.
All my clothes were getting old, and-and I got fired.
You got fired?
There was this manager.
He was always putting his hands all over me.
And, finally, he touched me where he shouldn't.
And I pushed him. Hard.
And he fell down.
And he got up all mad, and he fired me.
What a jerk.
Yeah.
Then I was depressed because I didn't even have that job.
I didn't have any money.
I didn't even have enough money to get home.
And, um-one of my roommates,
did these movies sometimes.
Sex movies.
Porn movies.
And she seemed fine with it.
I mean, she always had money.
She was always wearing the most expensive clothes,
had a new car,
ate at all the restaurants, you know?
I don't know why I'm telling you all this.
I guess it's because you're like a minister or something.
I only did it a couple of times. I just...
I really needed the money, you know?
I mean, who was going to find out?
Pretty dumb, huh?
I won't let my boss put his hands all over me,
and then I go out and do a porn movie.
It just doesn't make any sense.
Then one day I called home and nobody answered,
which was weird,
because I always called at the same time
and they were always there.
Always.
And I called and called and nobody was ever there.
And then finally one day I called and my dad answered.
And when I said, "Hi,"
he hung up the phone...
just hung it up.
And I called back and my mom answered.
She said that she'd seen one of my movies,
my big starring role.
It had gotten on the Internet.
And there was this guy at my dad's work
who was telling everybody all about it,
showing everybody.
And, um... it's a pretty small town.
She asked me if I was proud of myself.
And I said, no, I wasn't.
And she told me not to call anymore.
My own mother. My own mother.
But I still do
every Sunday.
I call when I know they're at church
and leave them messages.
I tell them I'm all right
and that I love them.
I've told them I'm sorry about a million times,
but they never call back.
They haven't called back for about two years.
It's hardest around the holidays
because I should be going home, you know?
But I can't.
Everybody in town, they just...
they all think I'm a big whore.
It doesn't matter what people think.
Oh, yeah?
I mean, in the end, it only really matters what God thinks.
God probably thinks I'm a big whore too.
No, He doesn't.
No, Holly, He loves you.
Just as much as He did when you were a baby.
You can never do anything... not anything...
that would make Him stop loving you.
You think so?
I know so.
What is wrong with you?
They killed Abe, and all you want to do
is sit around and read the Bible.
You want to know what it says about revenge?
Man, I don't care what the Bible says.
What I want is for you to be a man!
- What you say? - You heard me.
Man, if your dad was here, he'd be ashamed of you.
Yo, man, get over here, man.
My dad never even got to be a man, you understand?
I don't even remembe- him at all!
Maybe what you think it is to be a man,
maybe you wrong.
You ever think about that?
Let go of me!
If you'd been the one killed, Abe would be doing something!
Carl? You coming in?
I'll be right in, Grandma.
Carl Monroe Griffin,
having been commissioned of Jesus Christ,
I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
Thanks.
My, my.
Can I help you?
ExcUse me, ma'am, l... -
Are you a preacher?
Yes ma'am, I am.
You interested in buying this place?
My husband, Ray, he passed away 1 0 months ago.
It was his church.
Thank you, ma'am.
I just can't keep up with it.
To tell you the truth,
he never had much of a congregation.
He just kept it open 24 hours a day
just in case somebody wanted to come in and pray.
I've come in a time or two myself, ma'am.
Your husband, he was a good man.
He was a good Baptist.
I had an offer on it. A good one too.
They wanted to turn it into a McDonald's.
Can you believe that? A McDonald's!
No, ma'am.
Ray, he wanted it to stay a church.
Ma'am, I won't lie to you.
I don't have any money... not a dime to my name.
But then again, neither did Jesus.
I guess you could look at it like that.
I reckon you could.
Ma'am, I could get this church up and running.
I could.
I'd fix it up and fill it with people,
and I'd preach the word like there was no tomorrow.
You could go on living here.
I could fix a bed in the back
and I'd make sure all those bills got paid
and I'd even beg in the street if I had to.
I would.
I've got a question for you, preacher.
Yes, ma'am.
What religion are you, anyway?
I'm Pentecostal.
You don't handle snakes, do you?
Because I can't abide snakes.
No, I never had the urge to pick up no snake.
Well, at least you're a Christian.
Yes, ma'am.
I'd like to propose a toast.
Hear, hear-
Today was a good day for all of us.
But this one's for Louis.
He left without a dime in his pocket
and came back with a church.
A whole church!
So, let's raise our glasses and drink. To Louis.
- To Louis. - To Louis.
I didn't do nothing today.
I just walked into a church house.
I can't be taking no credit for it.
It was a gift... a gift from Jesus.
Well then, to Jesus.
- To Jesus. - To Jesus.
To Jesus.
I got bubbles up my nose.
Come on.
All right, all right- Coming, Grandma-
Grandma, where Todd at?
He knows where it is. He can come if he wants to.
Come on-
All right, I'm coming.
We'd like to welcome a new member into oUr ward,
Brother Carl Griffin, who was baptized yesterday.
Carl, if you'll come up,
we'll confirm you a member of the church.
Carl Monroe Griffin,
in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority
of the Holy Melchizedek priesthood we hold,
we place our hands upon your head
and we confirm you a membe-
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
And we say to you, receive the Holy Ghost.
Hold on.
That's him. I know it.
At this time we bless you that
as you listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost
that you will be guided and protected.
You have chosen to ente- the waters of baptism.
There you took upon yoursel1 the name of Jesus Christ
and made a covenant with Him to keep all of His commandments.
Remember this covenant you have made with Him.
Help me! Help! Somebody, help!
You have received the gift of the Holy Spirit,
which will help you in selecting right from wrong...
Lost, little brother?
...and knowing truth from error.
Get back!
iVen aqUi!
You will be guided in all the major decisions of your life.
You will be a blessing to your family.
YOu SHOT MY BROTHER!
I think your gun jammed, homeboy.
If you're going to come into my barrio,
you better bring more than just one gun.
LET ME GO!
These blessing we seal upon you...
We don't like guns around here. Guns disturb the peace.
along with all other blessings
our Father in Heaven desires for you to have.
This, little brother, is a peaceful neighborhood.
Aaaaa!
We do it in the name of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ...
Aaaaa!
amen.
- Amen. - Amen.
What's going on?
I don't know.
Are you Mae O'Neal?
Yes, I am.
What's going on?
Do you have a son named Todd Griffin?
He's my grandson. His momma's gone.
Did he do something wrong?
Where he at, man?
Where he at?
CARL! CARL!
WHERE ARE YOu GOING?
CARL!
Carl!
Hi, Mom. It's me.
I was making some cookies
and I thought about you the other day,
so I just wanted to call and say hi.
I sent you and Dad stuff.
I hope it gets there before Christmas.
I wasn't sure what sizes, so I just kind of guessed.
I'm going to make a sandwich, yoU want something?
Sure. Just... whatever.
I miss you.
Hey man, it's late.
Just keep driving.
They're probably all hiding in Mexico or something.
We not stopping until we find them, you got it?
I know, I was just saying.
I was just saying.
You think he's with her?
I don't know.
You calling the boss?
He's a good kid.
Have faith in him.
- Hey. - Hey.
Good morning, Elder.
Morning.
Stupid, stupid kid.
Hey, Elder.
Hi.
Is Scott here?
He can't see you.
Oh. Okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm next door.
Have him yell when he can talk.
He can't talk. He's going home.
Is he in trouble?
I brought him something.
I can give it to him if you want.
I did this, didn't I?
Tell him I want to see him.
Tell him I'm sorry.
She got me a cross.
My dad, just before I got on the plane, he-he hugged me.
I can't remember him ever hugging me before.
And he said to me,
"I would rather you come home in a casket
than have you come back dishonored."
That's what he said.
Then your dad's a jerk.
No, he's a good man. My dad's a good man.
[horn honking]
The van's here.
Pardon me, Reverend.
It's all right, ma'am. I'm just praying for a friend.
I thought I'd pray myself. Do you mind?
No, ma'am.
Your friend, is he sick?
No ma'am, but he's hurting real bad.
I'll say a prayer for him.
What's his name?
Elder Farrell, ma'am.
Elder Farrell.
Hey, Lozano. How are you?
This is Collins.
He's going to be your companion.
- Hi. - Hey.
Is that it?
No, I've got one more.
Is that her?
Yeah.
Wow! I don't know whethe- to feel sorry for him
or admire him.
That's not funny.
It wasn't a joke.
Yo, that's him. That's him!
That's him. That's him!
Where?
Don't stop, man! Keep going!
Go around the corner!
That's him, man. That's him.
Farrell?
Farrell, come on. Mangum's here.
Amazing, huh?
It's beautiful.
Farrell, you ready?
Farrell?
Farrell, come on. We've got to go, buddy.
Lozano, what's sister's name who owns this place?
Farrell, come on. Open the door.
Farrell, open the door!
FARRELL!
No!
Come on, talk to me!
Mangum!
Get an ambulance! Get an ambulance!
Get him in the van.
Talk to me!
Open your eyes! Don't do this, please!
Come on!
Scott!
Let's go!
What's his name?
Scott Farrell.
- What's his middle name? - I don't know.
Come on- Come on.
Elder Scott Farrell, by the authority of the...
holy Melchizedek priesthood which I hold,
I anoint you with this consecrated oil...
Where is he?
I don't know. He was right here.
Where did he go?
We lost him.
He saw us!
Right there! There!
All right. Turn around.
All right. Let's get him.
Let's go. Go, go, go, go!
What's that fool doing all by his self?
Looking to get a bullet in his head.
All right. Speed up.
Run him over! Run him over!
Go!
Get him!
I got him, I got him.
I'm gonna get him!
Got him! Got him!
Help me! Somebody help me!
I'll help you. I'll help you.
I'll put you out of your misery, how about that?
Don't kill me, dawg, please!
You killed my little brother, homey.
His name was Todd.
He was 1 3 years old, my man.
You killed him with a knife!
Don't kill me, dawg.
You killed my brother, you killed my best friend,
and then you shot me!
You shot me!
My name is Manuel.
Shut up! Kill him!
My name is Manuel Rodriguez Cienfuegos...
Shut up!
I have a sister. She's eight years old.
Didn't I?
Aaaaa!
Do it! Just kill him!
Do it!
He's praying.
Pull the trigger, man!
JUst do it, Carl!
PUII the trigger, boy.
JUst do it!
I don't want to die.
Carl! Just do it!
Carl, pull the trigger!
Forget him.
What?
He ain't even worth it.
Let's go.
What?
Thank you.
Give me it. I'll kill him!
Let's go!
You better not walk away from this.
Give me the gun!
Carl!
He didn't let Todd go.
He didn't let Abe go.
Hey, you better not walk away from this.
Help me. Please.
What?
I need an ambulance. Please.
At least yoU broke his leg-
Shut up! Shut up!
Help me!
I got your help.
[gUnshot]
Let's go.
Let's go!
Hey, come on, Carl. Let's go, man.
Carl, let's go!
Hey, get in the car!
Hey, just go. Come on.
Don't get up.
I'm sorry.
I should have been watching him.
It's not your fault.
I've called his parents.
They're getting on a Plane.
She's been with him ever since he woke up.
Should? I could ask her to leave.
What's she like?
She's a good person.
It's going to be okay.
It is.
You don't understand what I've done.
YoU don't Understand.
It's been a long time since I've been inside a church.
I guess I don't know very much.
Not as mUch as yoU-
But I do know one thing.
Jesus...
He forgives.
There's nothing so terrible that he won't forgive yoU-
He loves you just as much as He did when you were a baby.
He jUst wants yoU back-
So, I don't know much.
But I know that's true.
YoU left this-
Scott, you don't have to die for your sins.
I think somebody already did that.
NO!
Look at that smile-
That was a haPPy day-
Oh! Oh, dear God!
Carl!
Oh, Carl! Oh! Oh!
Ssh. Ssh.
Grandma-
It's okay.
Ssh. Oh, baby. Oh-oh, you're freezing, baby.
Come on. Come on. Come sit down.
I'll get yoUr blanket, okay?
We were worried about you. Are you okay?
Carl?
Hey, what happened?
Everything... is so messed up, man.
It's all right. You hear me?
Listen to me.
Everything's going to be all right, okay?
Don't go, man.
Hey, it's all right.
I'm not going anywhere.
I don't want you to go home.
I'm not going anywhere, I promise.
I am home.
Could I call you?
I'd like that.
Every Sunday.
I'll just go wait outside.
Thank you.
It's good to see you. It's been a long time.
Where's Dad?
Well, he wanted to come. It's just...
I'm so sorry.
It's going to be okay.
It's going to be all right.
How?
Honey, I'll get this.
I've got it.
Thanks for taking me in. I'll never forget that.
Let us hear from you.
I will.
Who would've thought I'm going home
and you're staying here?
Take care of him.
I will.
["Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" Playing]
He's a good man-
I know that.
Could I just...
Brothers and sisters, the devil is not your friend.
The devil does not want you to smile.
The devil does not want you to laugh.
The devil does not want you to dance.
Yes sir, can I get an amen now?
- Can I get an amen? - Amen!
Amen! Hallelujah!
Brothers and sisters, the devil is not your friend.
When you're crying, he's laughing.
When you're dying, he's dancing.
You've got to fight the devil. YOU'VE GOT TO FIGHT!