Sanctuary

When NICK CAPALDI, 40, Oliva’s dour, small-time attorney, finds out from FATHER AGUILERA that the one attendee is most likely an unfortunate homeless, he offers, "2 million bucks has a way of changing people’s fortunes." Aguilera calls it a miracle, but Capaldi has long ago abandoned his religion and belief in miracles.

Monroe, oblivious to his good fortune, returns to his normal life and breakfast at the Soup Kitchen run by MARY, 35, who’s writing a book on the plight of the homeless. Monroe is different -- he rarely speaks, and when he does, it’s usually a raspy, one-word reply.

Capaldi must execute the will within thirty days, or the money goes to the state. Using a sketch artist, Aguilera and his altar boy, he comes up with a likeness of Monroe and sets off to find him, posting fliers all over town, only to have all of them torn down by big JERSEY, Monroe’s friend and protector. But it’s Father Aguilera who finds Monroe, sitting before the portrait of the church’s patron saint, young martyr Pelagius. Capaldi isn’t sure Monroe understands the impact of this news -- he’s now a millionaire. Mary becomes Monroe’s financial mentor and also becomes an attraction for Capaldi, who left a long-term relationship that “dried up and blew away.” In the one moment where Monroe speaks in a sentence, he admits to Aguilera that he has killed. The priest feels compelled to go to the police.

Monroe decides to buy the All American Motel, a dump near the freeway, and convert it into lodging for all the local homeless folks. The motel is quickly converted into more than adequate living space. The cops show up, asking questions. Oliva’s estranged daughter, tough businesswoman MARCELA, arrives, wanting to quash the will. She’s turned around after a night in Monroe's room at the new Pelagius House -- the same night Monroe disappears. The homeless, now more unified and dedicated than ever, join Mary, Capaldi and Aguilera in an all-out effort to find Monroe... to no avail. He's gone.

Monroe’s impact survives -- lives have changed, the old church has been revived, the rift between Marcela and her deceased father seems repaired, and Capaldi and Mary are now a team in every way. Months later, a woman visits Father Aguilera with some very strange news about Monroe Latamor and leads him to a marker in his own parish cemetery. As noted on the marker, her father Monroe Latamor... died some 50 years prior in a botched prison escape. Capaldi, a man who had lost his religion, now believes in miracles.