Int prison auditorium - night

...while Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance up there on the

big screen, images flowing in magical black and silver tone.

FRED ASTAIRE

(singing)

Heaven, I'm in heaven...and my

heart beats so that I can hardly

speak...

Paul and the men are scattered about in the otherwise empty

auditorium, also watching.

PROJECTION BOOTH

Toot operates the projector, peering through the tiny window

into the theater. He yawns, glances at his watch. Late.

IN THE AUDITORIUM

Fred and Ginger are now in the most passionate and graceful

part of the dance. Irving Berlin's music swells.

COFFEY

can't believe what he's seeing. He's so excited his breath is

caught in his throat. Softly:

COFFEY

Why, they's angels. Angels. Just

like up in heaven...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. E BLOCK - NIGHT

FOUR PAIRS OF FEET come marching up the Green Mile.

ANGLE ON COFFEY

Paul appears at the bars with Brutal, Harry, and Dean.

Nothing is said. Coffey knows why they're here. He rises as

Brutal unlocks the cell, slides the door open. Coffey steps

out, looks around at their dazed and sad faces.

COFFEY

I be all right, fellas. This

here's the hard part. I be all

right in a little while.

Paul indicates St. Christopher medal around John's neck:

PAUL

John, I should have that just for

now. I'll give it back after.

John lets him take the necklace. Paul pockets it. They start

to walk the Mile as:

COFFEY

You know, I fell asleep this

afternoon and had me a dream. I

dreamed about Del's mouse.

PAUL

Did you, John?

COFFEY

I dreamed he got down to that

place Boss Howell talked about,

that Mouseville place. I dreamed

there was kids, and how they

laughed at his tricks! My!

He laughs at the memory of it, then grows more serious:

COFFEY

I dreamed those two little blonde-

headed girls were there. They 'us

laughing, too. I put my arms

around 'em and sat 'em on my

knees, and there 'us no blood

comin' outta their hair and they

'us fine. We all watch Mr. Jingles

roll that spool, and how we did

laugh. Fit to bus', we was.

Behind them, Dean stifles a sob.

PAUL'S INNER OFFICE

Coffey kneels. Paul joins him, self-conscious and uncertain.

PAUL

What should we pray for, John?

COFFEY

Strength?

Paul nods--strength it is. Dean surprises Brutal and Harry by

also kneeling. Brutal and Harry hesitate...then join them.

PAUL

God, please help us finish what

we've started, and please welcome

this man, John Coffey--like the

drink, but not spelled the same--

into heaven and give him peace.

Please help us to see him off the

best we can and let nothing go

wrong. Amen.

Paul starts to rise, but Coffey takes his hand.

COFFEY

I know a prayer I once heard. Can

I say it?

PAUL

You go right ahead, John. Take all

the time you need.

Coffey closes his eyes, frowning in deep concentration.

COFFEY

Baby Jesus, meek and mild, pray

for me...

And Paul sees:

Kathe and Cora Detterick kneeling together in the enclosed

porch that night, just before their bedtime: