Scene 59

people:
Lucia
Francisco
Jacinta
Our Lady
Manuel
Avelino
Jose
Mrs. DV
The Carreira family
Many pilgrims

(a shot at people walking through ankle-deep mud.)

(In the backdrop of many pilgrims, Jose and Avelino meet up, both laughing and smiling, shaking hands. Avelino is wearing press credentials, with a camera around his neck.)

Jose: Hey, Avelino!

Avelino: (laughing) I can’t wait for this to fail, Jose!

Jose: What will you write in the newspaper tomorrow, Avelino?

Avelino: Oh, it’s mostly written. I just need to add a few details. That’s why I’m here. I’ll be easy on the kids. These Catholics will probably eat them for lunch anyway when this great miracle fails.

Jose: I’ve never seen a hoax take off like this one.

Avelino: Ah! Stupid Catholics! They’ll believe anything. This is their last hurrah. And when this falls flat, that’s the end of the Church in Portugal. And finally, we can have the new order in place.

Jose: Yeah? Make sure you get my good side in O Seculo tomorrow.

Avelino: You don’t have a good side, Jose.

Jose: (mimicking Avelino) You don’t have a good side, Jose.

(The mob rushes the seers as they come to the Cova. The seers are unable to pass. Manuel picks up Jacinta.)

Manuel: Make way for the children! Make way for the children!

(Lucia, Francisco, follow Manuel to the tree, the families cannot get close to them.)

Lucia: (Above the din) Close your umbrellas! (silence, except for closing umbrellas. After a few seconds, a lightning flash)

Lucia: (excited) Jacinta! Get on your knees! I saw the lightning!

(all fall on their knees, except for Avlino and Jose. The rain stops, Our Lady stands on the tree)

(Silence for a few seconds)

Jacinta: (poking Lucia) Lucia. Lucia! Speak to her, she’s waiting for you!

Lucia: (catching her breath) What does Your Grace want of me?

Our Lady: I want a chapel built here in My honor. I am Our Lady of the Rosary. Continue to say the Rosary every day. The war will end soon and the soldiers will return to their homes.

Lucia: I have many things to ask you: to heal some sick people, to convert some sinners, to…

Our Lady: Some yes, others, no. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. (much sadder and more intensely, causing the seers to weep) They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too much offended.

(a pause)

Lucia: Do you want anything more?

Our Lady: Nothing more.

Lucia: Then neither will I ask anything more from you.

(Our Lady leaves)

Lucia: She’s going! She’s going!

Maria Rosa: Olimpia! There’s the same scent I smelled from the branch!