Fabula
S1E3 · WAKE UP DEAD MAN

Jud discovers Cy’s distorted sermons

Jud sits in his office, reviewing Cy Draven’s ARMORY OF GOD YouTube channel—a platform where Cy repurposes Monsignor Wicks’ sermons into inflammatory political propaganda. The episode titles alone reveal the distortion: Non-Binary Non-Godly, There’s G-O-D in DOGE, and Racism Doesn’t Exist in God’s Kingdom (USA). Jud’s initial curiosity turns to dismay as he realizes Cy is weaponizing Wicks’ words, twisting their original intent into extremist talking points. This moment forces Jud to confront the betrayal of Wicks’ legacy—not just as a theological misrepresentation, but as a deliberate exploitation of the church’s influence for ideological gain. The discovery escalates Jud’s moral conflict: his loyalty to Wicks clashes with his growing awareness of Cy’s manipulative agenda, setting the stage for a direct confrontation that will test the limits of their fractured relationship.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

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Jud discovers Monsignor Wicks's sermons being used in Cy's YouTube channel, "ARMORY OF GOD," for political rants with titles that Jud finds misrepresentative and dangerous, using clips from what Wicks said in mass.

encouraged to frown

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2

Unseen but implied to be betrayed—Wicks’ legacy is being hijacked, and his original intent is being perverted for ideological gain.

Monsignor Wicks is referenced indirectly through the distorted sermons on Cy’s channel. His original teachings, intended to guide and comfort his flock, are being twisted into tools of division and extremism. Jud’s reaction to these distortions highlights the betrayal of Wicks’ legacy, framing him as a victim of Cy’s manipulation rather than a willing participant in the corruption.

Goals in this moment
  • To preserve the integrity of his sermons and the church’s teachings (unbeknownst to him, this is being undermined)
  • To maintain control over his flock and his message (a goal Cy is actively subverting)
Active beliefs
  • His sermons should be taken at face value and used to guide, not manipulate, his congregation
  • The church’s authority is sacred and should not be exploited for personal or political gain
Character traits
Authoritative yet vulnerable (his words are being weaponized) Symbolic of the church’s declining moral authority Unknowingly complicit in Cy’s scheme (his sermons are the raw material for distortion)
Follow Jefferson Wicks …'s journey
Cy Draven
primary

Absent but implied to be smug and self-satisfied—Cy’s actions suggest a belief in his own righteousness and a disregard for the consequences of his distortions.

Cy Draven is not physically present in the scene but is the central figure whose actions are being scrutinized. His influence is palpable through the ARMORY OF GOD YouTube channel, where his distorted versions of Wicks’ sermons are on full display. The episode titles—Non-Binary Non-Godly, There’s G-O-D in DOGE, and Racism Doesn’t Exist in God’s Kingdom (USA)—serve as evidence of his manipulative agenda, weaponizing faith for political and ideological purposes.

Goals in this moment
  • To exploit Wicks’ sermons for political and ideological gain, amplifying his own influence
  • To undermine the church’s original teachings and replace them with his extremist rhetoric
Active beliefs
  • The ends justify the means, especially when it comes to advancing his political and personal agenda
  • The church’s influence can and should be repurposed to serve his vision of ideological purity
Character traits
Manipulative and opportunistic Narcissistic (prioritizing personal gain over moral integrity) Strategic in distorting messages for maximum impact Contemptuous of the church’s original mission
Follow Cy Draven's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

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Jud's Laptop

Jud’s laptop serves as the medium through which he discovers Cy Draven’s ARMORY OF GOD YouTube channel. The screen displays the distorted episode titles—Non-Binary Non-Godly, There’s G-O-D in DOGE, and Racism Doesn’t Exist in God’s Kingdom (USA)—which act as visual and textual evidence of Cy’s manipulation. The laptop is both a tool for investigation and a catalyst for Jud’s moral reckoning, as it forces him to confront the reality of Cy’s actions.

Before: Idle on Jud’s desk, likely used for administrative …
After: Remains on Jud’s desk, now a silent witness …
Before: Idle on Jud’s desk, likely used for administrative or clerical tasks before being repurposed for this discovery.
After: Remains on Jud’s desk, now a silent witness to his growing disillusionment and the evidence of Cy’s betrayal.
Cy Draven's *ARMORY OF GOD* YouTube Channel

Cy Draven’s ARMORY OF GOD YouTube channel is the central object of this event, serving as the digital platform where Wicks’ sermons are repurposed into inflammatory political propaganda. The channel’s existence and the specific episode titles—Non-Binary Non-Godly, There’s G-O-D in DOGE, and Racism Doesn’t Exist in God’s Kingdom (USA)—are the smoking gun that exposes Cy’s agenda. The channel is not just a tool but a weapon, distorting faith for ideological gain and forcing Jud to question his loyalty to Wicks and the church’s mission.

Before: Active and publicly accessible, with Cy regularly uploading …
After: Unchanged in its digital form but now a …
Before: Active and publicly accessible, with Cy regularly uploading distorted sermons to amplify his influence.
After: Unchanged in its digital form but now a source of moral conflict for Jud, who is left grappling with its implications.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

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Rectory - Jud's Office

Jud’s rectory office serves as a private sanctuary where he can grapple with the moral implications of his discovery. The space is filled with the quiet hum of the laptop and the weight of his solitude, amplifying the significance of what he uncovers. The office, typically a place of administrative work and reflection, becomes a stage for his internal conflict as he confronts the betrayal of Wicks’ legacy and the corruption of the church’s mission. The isolation of the rectory underscores the personal nature of Jud’s crisis, as he is forced to reckon with these revelations alone.

Atmosphere Tense and introspective—the quiet of the office contrasts sharply with the inflammatory content on the …
Function A private space for reflection and moral reckoning, where Jud can process the implications of …
Symbolism Represents the moral isolation Jud feels as he grapples with the corruption within the church, …
Access Restricted to clergy and trusted individuals; Jud’s solitude in the office suggests it is a …
The glow of the laptop screen casting stark light on Jud’s face, highlighting his dismay. Stacks of papers and bookshelves lining the walls, symbolizing the institutional weight of the church’s history and teachings.

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

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Congregation of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude (Chimney Rock)

The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude is the institutional backdrop against which this event unfolds. Cy Draven’s ARMORY OF GOD channel is a direct assault on the church’s teachings, repurposing Wicks’ sermons into tools of division and extremism. Jud’s discovery of the channel forces him to confront the erosion of the church’s moral authority and the co-optation of its message for ideological gain. The organization’s involvement is implicit but critical, as the distortion of its sermons threatens to undermine its very foundation.

Representation Through the distorted sermons on Cy’s channel, which misrepresent the church’s original teachings and exploit …
Power Dynamics Being challenged by external forces (Cy’s manipulation) and internal divisions (Jud’s moral conflict), the church’s …
Impact The church’s reputation and moral authority are at risk, as Cy’s distortions threaten to alienate …
Internal Dynamics Factional tensions are emerging, with Jud’s discovery of Cy’s channel highlighting the divide between those …
To preserve the integrity of its teachings and maintain its moral authority over the congregation. To uncover and address the corruption within its ranks, particularly the exploitation of its sermons by Cy Draven. Through the sermons and teachings of its leaders (Wicks, Jud, etc.), which shape the beliefs and behaviors of the congregation. Via institutional protocols and hierarchies, which govern how the church responds to internal and external threats (e.g., Cy’s manipulation).

Narrative Connections

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Key Dialogue

"JUD: Every week now he takes clips from what you say in mass and plugs them into his political rants, he's co-opting and honestly I think misrepresenting the church in a dangerous way."