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Monica, disappointed in
the human race, watches as Tess performs in a small Chicago bar. She
finishes and announces God has given the caseworker a miracle to give
someone in this bar. Initially hesitant to decide, Monica observes the
inhabitants: the owner, Noah, who is upbeat despite being wheelchair-
bound; Claude Bell, a craggy Irishman obsessed with beating a
mysterious stranger in a game of pool; Ernie and Marie Wachinski, a
hotel employee with wasted ambition and his co-dependent wife; Loafer,
an eccentric crossword- puzzle aficionado; Buddy Baker, a charming
salesman who drinks to drown inner pain; and Amethyst, a young woman
with a dubious plan for her future. After observing awhile, Monica
announces she is an angel with a miracle to give away. They respond
with raucous laughter. Humiliated, she hides underneath a pool table.
As the laughter continues, Andrew enters. He is the stranger whom
Claude is obsessed with beating. Having been the advance angel for the
assignment, the Angel of Death takes a cue from Tess to find out what
miracles these people need. Someone else soon enters the tavern--Mr.
Burns fresh out of prison. Following a pep talk from Tess, Monica
again reveals herself, this time in glowing splendor. Though the
people now take her seriously, she is frustrated when none of them
want the miracle. When Ernie's lottery numbers appear on television,
he and Marie mistake that for the miracle. But when he can't find his
wallet, he accuses Mr. Burns of stealing it. The ex-convict's response
prompts Noah to recognize Burns as the gunman who crippled him. Noah
orders him to leave, but Tess' dog soon appears with the missing
wallet. Marie is shocked to learn that Ernie played the wrong numbers
while drunk. Mr. Burns rebukes the others for squandering their lives,
yet saves his harshest criticism for himself. Wracked with guilt, he
asks for God to heal Noah. But Monica tells Burns the real miracle is
for Noah to forgive him, which will heal them both. The men reconcile,
and the others seize the opportunity to reevaluate their own lives.
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