Simone dismisses Lee’s miracle claim
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Lee calls Simone in a state of excitement, claiming a miracle has occurred and that Martha reported the tomb is empty and he's telling everyone. Simone immediately dismisses Lee's claim and hangs up on him,grabbing her keys, suggesting she will investigate.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Excited and defensive—his enthusiasm for the miracle is genuine, but Simone’s dismissal stings, revealing his investment in Wicks’ legacy and his need for others to share his faith. There’s an undercurrent of desperation, as if this miracle is his last chance to reclaim relevance.
Lee’s voice crackles through the phone, his excitement palpable as he delivers the news of the empty tomb. His tone is urgent, almost pleading, as he tries to convince Simone of the miracle, framing it as undeniable proof. The call is one-sided—Simone’s rejection cuts him off mid-sentence, leaving his enthusiasm unanswered. His role here is that of a true believer, eager to share the 'good news' and rally others to Wicks’ cause, but his influence is undermined by Simone’s refusal to engage.
- • To convince Simone (and by extension, others) of the miracle’s validity, reinforcing Wicks’ divine authority
- • To solidify his place within Wicks’ inner circle by being the messenger of this 'good news'
- • Miracles are real and Wicks is their conduit
- • The flock’s faith is fragile and must be protected from doubt
Defiantly skeptical with a simmering undercurrent of desperation—her dismissal of the miracle is a shield against further disappointment, but her immediate action reveals a fragile hope that empirical proof might finally validate her suffering.
Simone is mid-conversation on the phone when Lee’s excited announcement of the 'miracle' triggers a visceral reaction. She slams the phone down with a sharp 'Bullshit,' her skepticism cutting through Lee’s enthusiasm. The rejection is immediate and physical—she grabs her keys with a jangle, her knuckles whitening as she prepares to leave, her wheelchair-bound body tensing with determination. The action is defiant, a rejection of spiritual narrative in favor of tangible proof.
- • To disprove the miracle claim through direct investigation (driving to the tomb site)
- • To reclaim agency over her own belief system, refusing to be manipulated by Wicks’ narrative
- • Faith healers and spiritual claims are exploitative and unreliable
- • Only empirical evidence can be trusted, especially when it comes to her chronic pain and potential healing
Not directly observable, but her discovery is framed as neutral fact—her role here is institutional, not personal. Her absence from the call suggests she may be focused on managing the aftermath of the 'miracle,' unaware of the dissent it’s already sparking.
Martha is indirectly referenced as the source of the empty tomb discovery, her authority lending credibility to Lee’s claim. Though not physically present, her role as the administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude is implied—her discovery is treated as factual, a cornerstone of the miracle narrative. Her influence extends through Lee’s reporting, shaping the event’s stakes and Simone’s reaction.
- • To uphold the church’s narrative and authority (implied by her discovery being treated as evidence)
- • To maintain order and control over the flock’s reactions to the miracle
- • The church’s hierarchy and rituals must be preserved at all costs
- • Miracles (or their perception) are tools for maintaining faith and control
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Jud’s phone is repurposed in this moment as a conduit for conflict. It rings with Lee’s call, delivering the miracle claim that ignites Simone’s rejection. The device is passive but pivotal—its buzz and Simone’s abrupt hang-up symbolize the breakdown in communication between faith and skepticism. The phone’s role here is functional (transmitting information) and narrative (amplifying the tension between belief systems). Its presence is fleeting but loaded, as Simone’s dismissal of the call mirrors her dismissal of the miracle itself.
Simone’s keys become a symbol of defiance and action. The jangle of metal as she snatches them from a surface or her pocket is sharp and deliberate, cutting through the tension of Lee’s call. The keys are not just a practical tool for her wheelchair-accessible car—they represent her refusal to passively accept spiritual claims. Their grip in her hand signals her transition from skeptic to investigator, a physical manifestation of her need to seek empirical truth. The keys propel the story forward, shifting the focus from debate to direct confrontation with the miracle’s reality.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Simone’s cluttered living room serves as the claustrophobic stage for her rejection of the miracle. The space, already crowded with books and personal effects, amplifies the tension of the phone call—Lee’s excited voice feels intrusive amid the intimate chaos of Simone’s life. The room’s disarray mirrors her emotional state: a mix of desperation and defiance. The wheelchair’s presence is implicit, grounding the action in her physical reality, while the jangle of keys and the slam of the phone create a sharp, rhythmic counterpoint to Lee’s pleading tone. The location is both a refuge and a launching pad—Simone’s reaction here is personal, but its ripple effects will extend far beyond these walls.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"LEE: It's a miracle"
"SIMONE: Bullshit."
"LEE: No it happened, Martha says the tomb is empty, I'm calling everyone and I'm on my way now -"