Shows A

themselves. Brother Boxer tells the women that David's father is back in New York - working in a jazz club downtown. They all suspect that David knows his father is in New York. Poor Sister Margaret! The father she has tried to keep out of her son's life is back in town. Brother Boxer, Sister Boxer and Sister Moore all then discuss their current state of affairs. It appears that Brother Boxer has had the opportunity to drive a liquor truck; however, Margaret sees it as sinful. Brother Boxer needs that job! They have to find a way to make Margaret understand that religion doesn't always put food on the table. They have to eat - don't they? When Margaret and Odessa come out the bedroom with suitcases, Sister Moore is just about to talk with Margaret about the "work ethic "situation when David rushes into the room and asks to see his mother. Margaret asks her son to wait, and when she hears Sister Moore's case for Brother Boxer's Liquor Truck job, Margaret shoots her down saying that a pastor shouldn't be questioned by anyone. They need to listen to what she has to say. No questions! With that Luke, David's father, enters the room and greets everyone. A startled Maggie is angry at her son for obviously knowing this all along. Though Luke just tells her that he has come only to say "hello," Margaret wants nothing to do with her ex-husband. He has only brought her trouble in the past, and she figures that he is going to do the same again. Yes, Luke admits life with him wasn't always the easiest, but he reminds Margaret that she is the one who got tired of his constant touring with jazz groups and up and left him. Luke assures his son that he never would have left the family on his own. Luke invites David to visit him at the jazz club where he is working. In fact, David went down the night before. Margaret orders David to get his coat and leave with her. After assuring Margaret that he has no intentions of staying, Luke gets up, sways, and falls into a chair. It is obvious that he is not well - probably needing to go to the hospital. Margaret, however, has no intention of helping Luke. On the other hand, David tells his mother that he is going to stay in New York and care for his father. The others try to convince Margaret not to go to Philadelphia, but she says "no." As far as Margaret is concerned, the Lord comes first, and Luke is not a member of the Lord's group. She leaves. Late afternoon that following Saturday, Odessa, Sister Boxer and Sister Moore enter Margaret's apartment. They all are discussing their pastor. In actual fact, the woman that always came off so "holy" to them is nothing more than flesh and bones like the rest of them. Luke is the living proof of that. Sister Boxer reminds them all that they need love, affection, and sex in their lives. They are human after all. Is Sister Margaret trying to serve the Lord? Or is she just trying to put herself up above everyone else? In reality, her husband is dying in his own sins, and her son, David, has been lying to his mother. He's been going to bars at night - Brother Boxer has seen him. Also, with all the rumblings, people of the congregation are suddenly questioning just how much money Margaret can take for herself while the rest of them have a hard time paying their bills. With that having been said, they all go into the church and pray. David then enters the house, tired and nervous. He sits in a chair as Luke enters form the bedroom. David confronts his father asking why he never came to look for them in the past and why he is here today. Luke confesses that he was selfish in the past; however, he realises now, more than ever, that music isn't enough for a person to have - everyone needs love. David remembers how Luke used to play for him on his trombone when he was trying to fall asleep as a child, and how he dreamed of the day when the two of them could play together. Luke tells him that they can still play together though David feels it is too late. Luke presses the matter with his son and David softens. Inside the church, Sister Moore, Sister Boxer, Brother Boxer are all talking about Sister Margaret while Odessa keeps her distance. They appear to be upset by the fact that Margaret took a train to Philadelphia - which cost more than a bus. Also, she bought herself a new refrigerator which the congregation had to pay for. Odessa finally steps in and tells everyone that she paid for the refrigerator herself. Nevertheless, it is quite evident that Margaret is going to have her hands full once she returns from Philadelphia. Also, she has Luke living in her house, and David has gone the route of sin. The congregation further continues to discuss the issue at hand, and when Odessa tries to object, Sister Boxer simply reminds her that they are simply preparing themselves to take over the congregation just in case the Lord wants Sister Margaret to step down. Sister Margaret then returns and is happy to see what she thinks is her congregation praising the Lord. Her trip to Philadelphia was a huge success, and the congregation from there is making a trip to New York tomorrow for the evening service. They are bringing drums and trumpets with them for the service, and

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