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Monica encounters Tess on the side of a dirt road on the outskirts of
Aynesville, a small Southern Illinois town. Tess, holding a bloodied
noose and crying, directs Monica to the body of a dead black man.
Tess, in anguish, tells Monica that she has given up on earth, and is
returning to heaven. In downtown Aynesville, preparations are being
made for the upcoming Civil Rights Day and a visit from Rosa Parks.
Lavonda, the director of the celebration, wonders why Mooney, the set
builder, is no where to be found. Monica arrives and informs Tom, the
sheriff, about the murder. Monica takes Tom, Lavonda, Deputy James,
the Mayor and a few others to the murder site, and they identify the
body as Mooney's. The group suspects that the murder was committed to
ruin the celebration, and, with the exception of Tom and James,
decides to keep the murder quiet. To ensure the cover up, Tom
reluctantly locks Monica in a jail cell. As a black man, James
protests the cover up and the abuse of Monica's civil rights. That
night Monica prays for a way to help this town, despite being locked
up. Though angels don't need to sleep, Monica does, and has a violent
dream about Mooney's death. Monica wakes to find the cell door
unlocked, and her skin black. She leaves her cell, and walks down the
street, but no one seems to notice that the color of her skin has
changed. At the same time, Tom and James discover that Monica is
missing. The crowd gathers in the townsquare to meet the bus carrying
Rosa Parks, and Monica, still unrecognized, begins to ask the members
of the committee if they know where she can find Mooney, which, of
course, makes them nervous. Monica returns to the dirt road, hoping to
find Tess and some direction, but instead she encounters the Foleys,
the men suspected of killing Mooney. Upset that Mooney's murder isn't
causing a stir, they plan to kill Monica and leave the body in a more
prominent location. Monica flees and, when she stumbles and starts to
bleed, she realizes that she is human and becomes very afraid. With
the Foleys drawing near, Monica prays that God will make her white
again. When the Foleys find Monica, her skin has become white, and
they leave confused. Monica weeps, beginning to comprehend her
failure. Monica insists on speaking with Rosa Parks, who invites
Monica to sit on the bus with her. Monica tearfully recounts her
situation to an understanding Ms. Parks, and Tess appears, telling
Monica that she too made a mistake by giving up on God, and that He
has forgiven both of them. Tess tells Monica that she first had to
confront the racism in herself before she can help this town. With
newfound confidence, Monica reveals herself to Tom and James,
encouraging them to be honest with each other about their own
prejudices. After a heartfelt talk, the men announce the death of
Mooney to the town, and Monica lays flowers on Mooney's grave
resolving to thank him when she sees him for helping to open her eyes.
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