# Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit is a 1993 American film of Showgirl Deloris Van Cartier returning as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of Catholic students whose run-down school in San Francisco is slated for closure. It is the sequel to 1992 film Sister Act.
    Directed by Bill Duke and written by James Orr, Jim Cruickshank and Judi Ann Mason.

## Sister Mary Clarence

* Now listen, I know you've got to think about your image, cause image is important to you, because of course your friends are gonna dictate your actions through the rest of your lives, and I wouldn't want you to step away from them and become an individual, that would almost be too much!
* If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.
* If you wake up in the morning, and you can't think anything but singing, then you should be a singer, girl.
* [After Maria has said she doesn't know the words of a song and her classmates snicker] Hey, hey - excuse me! It is NOT Maria's fault, that she does not know that Mary had a lamb. It is not - and I say this to you - it is *not* Maria's fault. Because maybe, MAYBE where Maria came from, Mary had a dog! Or a lil kitty cat! Or a little bald headed brother named Bart! It is NOT her fault and we're not going to tell her it is, are we? No, we are not!
* Do you know what I hate most about this place? There is nothing to pick up and throw.
* You lied to me and you're gonna go to hell.
* And the first thing you're gonna do, gentlemen, is take off those hats. This is a brand... new... day. [Class laughs at boys' hair] I guess that means you're gonna be combing your hair before you come to my class. [To girl behind Rita] And, I know you're laughing over there 'cause you think this is very funny, Miss Thing, but there is no sun in this room, you will not get a tan. Take off those sunglasses. [Turns to "hat" boys] That goes for you, too. If they're not prescription, I don't wanna see 'em. I want to see YOU, I want to be able to look into YOUR eyes, I want you to be able to look into mine.
* So because you think they sang it better you all are ready to leave 'cause you got scared? Aw yea, nah, that's your MO. See that's how you operate: Ooo, something new, better run away! Forget about all the people who busted their butt to get you here 'cause they believed in you. Let me remind you of something, ok: if you wanna go somewhere and you wanna be somebody, you better wake up and pay attention. Because if every time something scary comes up you decide to run, y'all gonna be running for the rest of your lives.
* [To Rita Louise Watson during roll call] We'll just call you Rita, Diva with a 'Tude.
* [To Maria] You, chewing that gum, you look like Mr. Ed.
* [The students are standing at the top of a stairwell full of cobwebs] Hurry up, I wouldn't want any of those spiders to get in those weaves some of you are wearing, I can tell.
* [Entering the rap circle] I got the flow, you all gotta go, so pick up your bags so we can go, ho-ho! Uh-huh, ow, ow, NOW! Thank you, thank you.
* [To the music class] I'm gonna turn you guys into a choir.
* [Singing] Get up off of that thing!
* [Singing] Ain't no mountain high enough.
* [Singing] We are family / I got all my sisters with me / We are family / Get up everybody and sing!
* What the hell are you doing?
* I'm undercover again.

## Sister Mary Lazarus

* Congratulations, you're the new mayor of Sodom and Gommorah.

## Mother Superior

* Go with God, Crispy.
* God help us.

## Mr. Crisp

* Sister Mary Fake!
* [To Father Ignatius] Have you been drinking more of that sacramental wine, father?

## Father Thomas

* Father forgive us, we know EXACTLY what we do!

## Sister Mary Lazarus

* Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Show me a man that a woman can trust. Now where did it say that on the eighth day He dusteth?

## Tanya

* [To Rita] You take the top and I'll take the bottom. Just try it.

## Florence Watson

* [Reading a letter on Rita's desk] "Dear Mama, I went to the all-state music competition. I never meant to hurt you but I had to follow my heart. Please forgive me. I love you, Rita."

## Dialogue

    Ahmal James: Rumor has it that you're a Las Vegas showgirl?
    Sister Mary Clarence: Let's get one thing straight, my dear Ahmal. I am not, nor have I ever been, a Las Vegas showgirl. I am a headliner!
    Sister Mary Clarence: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats. Do it quickly and quietly. Welcome to the first day of your new scholastic lives. This is no longer a bird course. The bird has flown. If you want to pass this course, you gonna have to earn it, 'cause I have no problems, not one, failing each and every one of you.
    Sketch Pinshum: Yo. I never thought this was no bird course.
    Sister Mary Clarence: I'm glad for you. Very, very glad. Because this is a new day. Things are going to be a little different around here.
    Frankie: Oh, yeah?
    Sister Mary Clarence: Uh-huh.
    Frankie: Like how?
    Sister Mary Clarence: Like when I talk, Fran-KAY, you don't! [Some girls pass notes around and when it got to Maria, she giggled. Sister Mary Clarence walks to her and points to the note] Is this somethin' you wanna share with the rest of the class?
    Maria: No, I'm just kickin' it with my girl.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Well. I'll tell you what. You gonna kick it with me, or I'm gonna kick you out! What you think of THAT? Put 'em away. [Margaret is looking in her compact and putting blush on her face] And you. This is not Elizabeth Arden, Miss Thing. You wanna beat that mug of yours, you do it before you come to my class. You understand me? Put it away. [Sketch has his head down on his desk] And you. Sketch. I like you a lot. But I don't want you catchin' z's in my class no more.
    Sketch Pinshum: I be tired. I got a job l...
    Sister Mary Clarence: Baby, save it for Ǫprąh. This is a brand-new day, ladies and gentlemen. A BRAND-new day. We're gonna start with respect. You're gonna respect me and I'm gonna respect you.
    Sondra: You can't answer any questions about... sex.
    Sister Mary Patrick: Oh, don't be so sure. You don't have to bite the donut to know it's sweet.
    Father Ignatius: [Repeatedly] Oh... Remember. Nothing ever is bad as it seems at first. Fight the good fight.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Okay.
    Father Ignatius: Sursum corda.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Wait a minute, what was that?
    Father Ignatius: It's Latin. It means "lift up your heart".
    Sister Mary Clarence: Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you said "insert some quarters." I don't know if I'm cut out for this.
    Father Ignatius: You're jokin' me. The children are waiting.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Thanks. Yeah. Ain't they?
    Students: [Repeatedly chanting] Cold beans, hey and collard greens...
    Female student 1: [To male student] Hey, cold beans... Oh. No. See. That's why your mama deejays for the ice-cream truck. [Male student points at her with her supporters pointing back and excitedly burst out exclaiming in triumphant camaraderie]
    Female student 2: Your mama is so fat. She sat on a rainbow and Skittles popped out. That's why your mother's so fat. She's on both sides of the rainbow.
    Father Ignatius: Keep the faith. Sister. Just keep the faith. Remember. Our Lord said. "O be ye strong of will."
    Sister Mary Patrick: And ye better be tough as nails too.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Yeah. [To class] Good morning. I'd like to introduce myself. Would you all put your seats back in order. Please?
    Student: Watch my shoes. Watch my new shoes!
    Sister Mary Clarence: I have this funny problem with my ears. I don't like a lot of noise. So maybe you could do it quietly? Thank you so much. I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Sister Mary Clarence. And I am...
    Frankie: [Interrupting her] Yo mama?
    Sister Mary Clarence: No. Sir. Let's talk about your mama... who's so dumb she got hit by a parked car. Thank you. Let's try attendance.
    Tyler: I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Tyler Chase... and on behalf of the whole music class as we are...
    Wesley: Tyler. Tyler. You got a little something on your nose. [Gestures on nose]
    Rita: Yeah. Tyler. A big. Big brown thing right around here. "Hello. I'm Tyler Chase." [Gestures on nose]
    Sister Mary Clarence: Thank you. Mr. Chase. Richard Pincham.
    Frank: Wake up. Fool! [Throws writing utensil at him with head down on desk]
    Richard: [Wakes up] Paper or plastic?
    Sister Mary Clarence: I beg your pardon. Are you Richard?
    Richard: Yeah.
    Sister Mary Clarence: [Picking up paper off floor of graffiti sketches] Did you do these?
    Richard: Yeah. S-S-Sorry. Sorry.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Let me see.
    Richard: That's why they call me Sketch. I do sketches. Sorry.
    Sister Mary Clarence: These are real good.
    Richard: Thanks.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Try to stay awake in my class. Though. All right. All right. Wesley James. Wesley Glen James.
    Wesley: Respectfully. My sister... James is the slave name forced upon my ancestors. While Wesley. That's some name my assimilationist parents came up with. But today. In honour of all my brothers and sisters who died in the struggle, I wish to be called by my true name; Ahmal M'jomo Jamaael, which means; "He who is spirited."
    Sister Mary Clarence: And long-winded.
    Frank: Yeah. A simple "present" would've done it. Bro.
    Sister Mary Clarence: And who are you?
    Frank: Fran-kay. Hey, ho, hey, ho, check it out. Check it out. Hello there, miss, and let me kick an introduction, flute, violin, bass guitar and then percussion.
    Wesley: Man. That's white. Man.
    Frank: ..it seems you are a sister...
    Wesley: Man. Just stop. Can't you come up with your own thing? Or must you continually come behind my people and steal our expressions? First jazz. Then rock and roll. Now rap. What you gonna try to take next. Man?
    Frank: I'm gonna take your girl if you ain't careful.
    Wesley: Keep talkin' there. Boy.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Excuse me. Let's leave this display of manhood outside. Shall we? Thank you so much.
    Rita: Yo. Could we hurry this up. Some of us got things to do.
    Frank: Word up.
    Rita: You know what I'm sayin'? Goodness.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Are you Rita Watson?
    Rita: Yeah. That's me. And I'm sorry I don't have any cute stories or antidotes to tell you.
    Wesley: [Looking behind at her correcting her] Anecdote.
    Rita: Ahmal. Shut up. Mind your business. [Shoves him]
    Sister Mary Clarence: Well. How 'bout we just call you Rita Diva-with-a-'tude?
    Rita: Hey. Sister. Maybe I can help you out? Are we all here?
    All students: Yeah!
    Rita: We're here.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Thank you. All right. what have you been doin'?
    All students: [All looking down guiltily] Is she jokin'? Chillin'.
    Sister Mary Clarence: All right. Let me give you an easier question.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Where are the music books?
    Students: Up there. [All point to ceiling covered excessively in spitballs]
    Sister Mary Clarence: Oh.
    Rita: Maybe I should explain something to you. Sister. See. Um. This is what we call a bird course. Now. The reason we call it a bird course is because we. Uh... [All students make bird wing gestures] fly right through it. See. All you gotta do to pass in this class is show up.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Hmm. So you come to class... you do nothing and you pass?
    Rita: Oh. No. We don't exactly do nothing. We have a good time. Too. Yo. Frankie.
    Frankie: Dang, man! Dang!
    Sister Mary Patrick: What's the matter?
    Frankie: [Shows her his robe] This thing ripped! Now what am I supposed to do, huh?
    Sister Mary Patrick: Listen, don't fret. My mother used to say that nothing is impossible as long as you carry with you a little bit of faith and a big roll of electrical tape. [Suddenly pulls tape from her robes]
    Sister Mary Patrick: Hello!
    Mr. Crisp: Teach them how to play... soccer.
    Father Maurice: We haven't got the balls for that.
    [Mr. Crisp and the others are looking for the kids]
    Father Maurice: How will we ever find them?
    Mr. Crisp: That's easy, just look for the choir that looks like it just robbed a convenience store.
    Sister Mary Robert: The only thing the chef knows how to cook is German sausage.
    Sister Mary Lazarus: Day after day, liverwurst, bratwurst, beerwurst...
    Sister Mary Patrick: It's the "worst".
    Sister Mary Clarence: Hey Father Thomas, what's happenin'?
    Father Thomas: What's happening is I've been sent to deliver a message like I'm working for Western Union instead of the Roman Catholic Church.
    Ahmal James: Don't ya'll realize how much they took from us? Yo, Sketch. You know what I'm talking about, right man? Common, they stole our land, man. And our name. And our mother, man. Yo, Mr. Johnson. You know what I'm saying, right?
    Mr. Johnson: Need to get your butt a job, boy.
    Sketch Pinshum: Eclectic...
    Margaret: What's that?
    Frankie: You plug your box in the wall and it gives you power, stupid.
    Ahmal James: Not electric, eclectic... stupid.
    Rita Watson: Sorry I don't have any cute stories or anidotes to tell.
    Ahmal James: ANEC... ANECdotes.
    Rita Watson: Shut up, Ahmal, mind your business.
    Mother Superior: You are the perfect example of a how a sow's ear can be turned into a silk purse.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Hmm. Well, I probably wouldn't put it quite like that.
    [Father Wolfgang offers Sister Mary Clarence some gross-looking food]
    Sister Mary Clarence: Oh no, no, no... Jenny Craig, I just couldn't, thank you so much.
    Father Maurice: [Lifts the sausage on his own plate, then replaces it] This, uh... needs a prayer.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Yes, Miss Watson?
    Rita Watson: We don't want no new way. The old way was fine for us. [Turns to class] Right? [Class agrees] So, if you're gonna fail us, you might as well just go ahead, 'cause we ain't doing nothing!
    Sister Mary Clarence: Fine. If that's the way you feel, there's the door. Don't let it hit you in the butts on the way out.
    Sketch Pinshum: Yo, yo, Sis... I can't afford to fail this class!
    Sister Mary Clarence: You better tell your friend you can't afford to fail this class!
    Tyler Chase: My parents wouldn't be pleased.
    Rita Watson: Come on, ya'll, we ain't gotta take this from her! Come on! Sketch, come on, man. [Sketch shakes head no] Fran-kay?
    Frankie: Yo, Rita, you know I'm usually down for stuff like this. But, I'm gonna take care of business this time.
    Sister Mary Clarence: A little lonely on that limb by yourself, Miss Watson?
    Rita Watson: [Despondent] So much for friendship! [Storms out door]
    Rita Watson: I've got a lot of reasons I can't explain, but I have to leave the choir.
    [Leaves, visibly upset, with a permission slip]
    Sister Mary Lazarus: Give us back our consent form.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Stop that!
    Frankie: [after Rita has just announced it was her business if she wanted to quit the choir] Sometimes I feel this whole choir gig is a big joke, yo?
    Ahmal James: I'm sure we'll have a plethora of other opportunities.
    Rita Watson: Mama, it was just this one time. I'm sorry, I'll never disobey you again. It was just really important to me...
    Florence Watson: Just stop! You're incredible and I'm proud of you. I'm very proud of you.
    Father Thomas: Father Thomas. Et Latine docere.
    Sister Mary Patrick: [aside, to Mary Clarence] Latin teacher.
    Mother Superior: We are desperate women.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Hmm mmm.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Good Morning, Ladies and Gentleman. Please take your seats, do it quickly and do it quietly. Welcome to the first day of your new scholastic lives. This is no longer a bird course, the bird has flown. If you want to pass this class, you're gon' have to earn it 'cause I have no problems, not one, failing each and every one of you.
    Sketch Pinshum: Yo, I never thought this was no bird class.
    Sister Mary Clarence: I'm glad for you, very, very glad because this is a new day. Things are going to be a little different around here.
    Frankie: Oh, yeah?
    Sister Mary Clarence: Uh-huh.
    Frankie: Like how?
    Sister Mary Clarence: Like when I talk, Fran-kay, you don't! Is this something you want to share with the rest of the class?
    Maria: No, I'm just kicking it with my girl.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Well, I tell you what, you gon' kick it with me or I'm gonna kick you out. What do you think of that? Put 'em away. And you, this is not Elizabeth Arden, Miss Thing. If you want to beat that mug of yours, you do it at home, before you come to my class, you understand me? Put it away. And you, Sketch, I like you a lot, but I don't you to be catching Z's in my class no more.
    Sketch Pinshum: I be tired, I got a job-...
    Sister Mary Clarence: Baby, save it for Oprah. This is a brand new day, ladies and gentlemen, a brand new day. We're gonna start with respect. You're gonna respect me and I'm gonna respect you. And the first thing you're gonna do, gentlemen, is take off those hats. This is a brand... new... day. I guess that means you're gonna start combing your hair before you come to class. And I know you're laughing over there 'cause you think this is funny, Miss Thing. There is no sun in this room, you will not get a tan, take off those sunglasses, that goes for you, too. If they're not prescription, I don't wanna see 'em. I want to see you, I want to be able to look into your eyes and I want you to be able to look into mine. Yes, Miss Watson?
    Rita Watson: We don't want no new way, the old way was fine with us. Right? So, if you gon' fail us, you might as well go ahead 'causee... I ain't doin' nothin'.
    Sister Mary Clarence: Fine, that's how you feel? There's the door. Don't let it hit you in the butts on the way out.
    Sketch Pinshum: Yo, yo, Sis, I can't afford to fail this class.
    Sister Mary Clarence: You better tell your friends you can't afford to fail this class.
    Tyler Chase: My parents wouldn't be pleased.
    Rita Watson: Come on, ya'll, we ain't gotta take this from her! Come on! Sketch, come on, man.
    Sketch Pinshum: *Shakes his head*
    Rita Watson: Fran-kay?
    Frankie: Yo, Rita, you know I'm usually down for stuff like this, but... I'm gonna take care of business this time.
    Sister Mary Clarence: A little lonely out on that limb by yourself, Miss Watson?
    Rita Watson: So much for friendship.
    Sister Mary Clarence: All right, let's get down to business. If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention 'cause there's a real world out there and they don't care how hip you think you are or who you kick it with. It don't matter. You ain't got an education, you ain't got nothing.
    Sister Mary Clarence: [after learning of the school's demise] We are going to fix this!
    Sister Mary Lazarus: You said we as in you're staying?
    Sister Mary Clarence: Yes we, as in yes I am staying!
    [Archdiocese officials trio walks up to Mother Superior and Father Maurice congratulating and shaking their hands]
    Archdiocese man 1: Simply outstanding.
    Mother Superior: Oh. Thank you. Thank you.
    Archdiocese woman: What a performance! My heart is still racing. Congratulations.
    Mother Superior: Your heart's still racing? Good! What a surprise to see you here. You're aware. Of course. That the school that has just won... is the school you are about to close.
    Archdiocese man 1: You must be kidding! With a choir like that? We've gotta get ready for next year's competition.
    Mother Superior: I'm so pleased you feel that way! Ha!
    Archdiocese woman: [Mr. Crisp is appearing] Oh. Mr. Crisp! Mr. Crisp! Just in time!
    Mr. Crisp: You're the people I wanna see! You have been deceived!
    Archdiocese man 2: What? What's he talking about?!
    Mr. Crisp: Yes. This Sister. Sister Mary Clarence.
    Mother Superior: He's quite right. You have been deceived. You see. actually. It was Mr. Crisp...
    Archdiocese man 1: It was Mr. Crisp's idea?
    Mother Superior: Yes. Yes. Indeed. Yeah. I suppose he did it to keep St Francis from closing. And it worked.
    Mr. Crisp: St Francis isn't closing?!
    Mother Superior: No. St Francis isn't closing.
    Archdiocese man 1: We knew you wanted to be considered for early retirement. We didn't know you were just being modest.
    Mr. Crisp: Oh. I di...
    Mother Superior: Oh. They can't let a prize bull like you be put out to pasture. No. There must be a real trouble spot somewhere in the Archdiocese... that could use Mr. Crisp's extraordinary talents.
    Mr. Crisp: That woman! That. That woman!
    Mother Superior: Go with God. Crispy.

## Cast

* Whoopi Goldberg – Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence
* Kathy Najimy – Sister Mary Patrick
* Barnard Hughes – Father Maurice
* Mary Wickes – Sister Mary Lazarus
* James Coburn – Mr. Crisp
* Michael Jeter – Father Ignatius
* Wendy Makkena – Sister Mary Robert
* Sheryl Lee Ralph – Florence Watson
* Robert Pastorelli – Joey Bustamente
* Thomas Gottschalk – Father Wolfgang
* Maggie Smith – Reverend Mother
* Lauryn Hill – Rita Louise Watson
* Brad Sullivan – Father Thomas
* Alanna Ubach – Maria
* Ryan Toby – Wesley Glen "Ahmal M'jomo Jamaael" James
* Ron Johnson – Richard "Sketch" Pincham
* Jennifer Love Hewitt – Margaret
* Tyse Saffuri – Choir Member
* Devin Kamin – Frankie
* Christian Fitzharris – Tyler Chase
* Tanya Blount – Tanya
* Mehran Marcos Sedghi – Marcos

## External links

* Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit quotes at the Internet Movie Database