Saturday Night Live Transcripts
Season 3: Episode 1
77a: Steve Martin / Jackson Browne
Computerized Confession
Woman…..Rosie Shuster
Priest…..Dan Aykroyd
Man…..Garrett Morris
Woman…..Rosie Shuster
Man: Forgive me, Father. It has been six years since my last confession. In that time, I’ve received absolution and I’ve performed my penance. These are my sins.
Priest: Well, it’s been a while since you last came to confession. [ he smiles ] There’s been a lot of changes in six years. Go ahead with my, uh — your confession, my son.
Man: Well, where should I start? My life’s a mess, Father! I have so many sins…
Priest: Well… which one troubles you the most?
Man: Well, you see — I’m married, and I have BEEN with another woman.
Priest: Mmm-hmm. Is she, too, beholden to another man?
Man: Yes! She’s married.
Priest: I see. So you’ve broken the sixth and the ninth commandments?
Man: Mmm-hmm.
Man: Hey… hey… Hey, Father, wh-wh-what’s that noise…?
Priest: I told you, my son — the church has undergone quite a few changes. Contrary to what you might have been reading, the Church IS progressive, and, uh, has modernized. [ he acknowledges a computer system before him ] This is the Trinity-300 Central Processing Unit, with an address capacity of 70 bits of information.
Man: [ curious ] Uh, well, what’s it for?
Priest: Well, basically, it’s a modern priest’s companion. This terminal, here, has a direct link-up to the arch-darabank in Rome. It assists the priests in, uh, analyzing transgressions in the assignment of appropriate penance. Now, you said this other woman was married, didn’t you?
Man: Yeah.
[ the Priest types the information into the CPU ] [ screen reads: “Sin Series #10148” ] [ screen reads: “Commandment #6: Adultery” ] [ screen reads: “Commandment #9: Covet: wife” ] [ screen reads: “Transgressions to date: Anno Domini 1977 – 2,600,808” ] [ next screen reads: “RECOMMENDED PENANCE (flashing) 10 Hail Marys” ]Priest: Alright, ten Hail Marys. Okay, anything else?
Man: Yeah, well, I got rid of her husband.
Priest: How did you do that?
Man: Well, I’m the Personnel Director for a large chemical company. We have offices all over the world.
Priest: All right.
Man: Her husband worked for me, and it got to be a hassle, Father, so I transferred him to Beirut. I put him up in the Holiday Inn, and his room got shelled. Now, did I kill him, or not?
Priest: Beats me. Let’s check. [ he types the information into the CPU ] [ screen reads: “ACTED TO REMOVE HUSBAND” ] [ screen reads: “INDIRECTLY CAUSED DEATH” ] [ next screen reads: “see : David and Bathsheba” ] [ next screen reads: “SIN OF PASSION — Not directly responsible” ] [ screen reads: (flashing) “NO PENALTY” ]
Priest: Nooo, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You didn’t commit murder.
Man: [ aghast ] Well, I wish you would tell his son that! He’s after me — for breaking up his family!
Priest: Well, what do you mean he’s “after you”?
Man: Well, he hired two guys to follow me, man. They’re out there NOW — Father. Excuse me for calling you “man”. They’re out there NOW! That’s why I ducked in here in the first place!
Priest: I see… hmm… hmm…
Man: I’ve got to get OUT of here, get away, think things over…
Priest: [ thinking ] Well, where do you think it would be safe for you to go?
Man: Well, I’ve got relatives in Chicago… maybe I could get a flight out tonight…
Priest: [ typing ] Will that be First Class or Coach?
Man: That would be First Class.
Priest: Smoking or Non-smoking?
Man: Smoking.
Priest: Okay. Would you like a rental car waiting for you when you get into Chicago?
Man: Yeah, whatcha got?
Priest: Let’s see… [ typing ] We’ve got a mid-sized sedan, or a little hatchback.
Man: Hatchback!
Priest: Good choice. It’s a gas saver. [ types the final few keystrokes ] Okay, are you sorry for your sins?
Man: Yeahhhh, sure!
Priest: Say those ten Hail Marys now?
Man: Uh, I certainly will, Father!
Priest: [ hands his tickets over ] Alright, bless you, my son. Have a nice flight.
[ the man smiles and makes his exit ] [ fade ]