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Glory Revisited
by Hal Cohen (chokoboeater@aol.com)

Rated: R   Genre: War Movies   User Review: ***
Don't really have time to explain this, but all I can say is this is far more than just a "war movie." More of a Drama / War Movie / Tragedy. It is meant to be a short, 25-ish minute movie, but can easily be expanded at the artist's fancy.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



GLORY REVISITED

EXT. BRITISH TRENCHES AT FIRST BATTLE OF THE MARNE - DAY
                                                            
Trench warfare tears the landscape. Barbed wire and craters
from bomb explosions scatter the field. The sky is dark
with clouds and a mist of debris. Gunners FIRE MACHINEGUNS
as troops scramble through the trench. A GRENADE LANDS at
the feet of British forces.
                                                            
                       SOLDIER
      (yelling)
Grenade!
                                                            
The GRENADE EXPLODES
                                                            
 
INT. QUICK FIX AUTO SHOP - DAY
                                                            
TOM HARDING, a 28-yr-old ex-football captain sits at his
desk in the corner of the room staring blankly at a yellowed
newspaper clipping that reads "Oak Ridge High Wins
Championship" and features a picture of Tom being lifted up
by his team. His workspace is scattered with clippings and
photographs of his football team, with a picture or two of
his wife, Luanne and his four-yr-old son, Scott. Tom holds
a pencil loosely in his hand, but remains still. CODY
BROWN, a balding man in his mid-20's who appears worn down
by stress and fatigue, limps into the room. One of his feet
is in a metal brace and appears swollen.
                                                            
                       CODY
Tom!
                                                            
Tom, startled, drops the pencil on his desk and turns to
face Cody.
                                                            
                       CODY (cont'd)
Wake up man! Geez, have you been
day dreaming this whole time?
                                                            
Tom scowls, flicking his pencil away slightly with his
finger.
                                                            
                       CODY
Fred's in the coffee room with the
radio. Apparently those German
bastards are shootin' at our
civilian boats. Wanna listen in?
                                                            

2.

                       TOM
      (uninterested)
Well...Ok. Better than all this
damn paperwork. Hey, how come I
always gotta do the boring shit
around here, huh?
                                                            
                       CODY
      (ignores Tom)
Come on. You're gonna miss the
whole broadcast!
                                                            
 
INT. COFFEE ROOM - DAY
                                                            
FRED GOLDMAN, a scrawny, 30-yr-old man with a five-o'clock
shadow sits on the counter of the room, which is filled with
cabinets. Tom and Cody cram into the small room. A RADIO
PLAYS in the far end of the room.
                                                            
                       TOM
Hey Fred.
                                                            
                       FRED
      (interrupting)
Ssshhh!
                                                            
                       RADIO
...German U-Boats have attacked
another American ship today. The
merchant vessel was en route to
London, England when the submerged
vessel...
                                                            
The radio continues to play in the distance.
                                                            
                       TOM
Those bastards. Man I'd like to
see them pay.
                                                            
                       CODY
      (chuckling)
Oh yea? Why don't you go sign up
then?
                                                            
                       FRED
Yea Tom. I mean look at you,
ex-football captain, young,
tall... You're the perfect
soldier!
                                                            

3.

                       TOM
      (chuckling)
Oh really now? Well as fun as that
sounds, gentlemen, it's out of the
option. My wife would kill me!
                                                            
Tom, Cody and Fred LAUGH.
                                                            
                       CODY
Speaking of which, how is Luanne?
                                                            
                       TOM
She's fine. Lil' Scott just
turned four last week.
                                                            
                       FRED
      (agitated)
Guys, as heart-warming as this is,
I'm trying to listen here!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chuckling)
Fine, fine.
                                                            
                       RADIO
...There has been no comment made
by the Oak Ridge police department
as of yet. Our main story
tonight...
                                                            
                       FRED
Oh great guys now it's over!
                                                            
                       CODY
Well I guess that means you'll
have to work for once. Come on
you two. We have cars to fix.
                                                            
                       RADIO
...In response to the continued
blockade of U.S. vessels,
President Wilson has ordered a--
                                                            
Cody TURNS OFF THE RADIO.
                                                            
                       TOM
You mean YOU have cars to fix.
                                                            
                       CODY
Oh stop whining, Tom.
                                                            
Cody and Tom EXIT.
                                                            
 

4.

EXT. TOM'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Tom walks tiredly from his car to the front door, where
Luanne is waiting cheerfully.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Honey! You're home!
                                                            
Luanne swings her arms around Tom and kisses him.
                                                            
                       LUANNE (cont'd)
How was work?
                                                            
Tom groans.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
...Fred stuck you with the paper
work again didn't he?
                                                            
                       TOM
What else is new?
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Oh geez. One of these days I'm
going to walk right up to that man
and--
                                                            
                       TOM
It's fine, Luanne.
                                                            
Tom kisses her on the cheek and walks into the house.
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
As Tom HEADS TOWARDS his office, Luanne RETURNS TO THE
KITCHEN where she had been preparing dinner. Scott runs out
of his room.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Daddy!
                                                            
Tom smiles. He PICKS SCOTT UP and SPINS HIM AROUND. Scott
laughs cheerfully.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (smiling)
My big boy... How was school?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Oh it was great! Today Mrs.
Williams read us this story about
a spider that liked to wear
            (MORE)

5.

                       SCOTT (cont'd)
rollerskates and then we played
with fingerpaints and then Timmy
ate a whole worm!
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Alright you two, Tom, dinner's
gonna be ready soon. Better get
started on that paperwork.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chuckling)
That's great son, I've got some
adult stuff to do. Why don't you
go keep your mommy company? I
think she's making Spaghetti
tonight.
      (to Luanne)
Geez, honey, you're as bad as
Fred.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Mmmm! I love spaghetti. Bye daddy!
                                                            
Scott runs down the hall towards the kitchen. Tom walks to
his office.
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S HOUSE - TOM'S OFFICE - NIGHT
                                                            
Tom puts down his briefcase. His office is quite large. A
trophy cabinet filled with football trophies and ribbons
stands on the far wall. A picture of Tom's team, with Tom
in the middle, is centered in the cabinet. Tom stares
blankly at the cabinet. The front DOOR RINGS. Tom sighs.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
      (shouting from the
       other room)
Don't worry honey, I'll get it!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (shouting)
Ok.
                                                            
Tom SITS DOWN and begins to thumb through a list of shop
expenses. The front DOOR CREAKS then CLOSES.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (shouting)
Who was it, honey?
                                                            
A long pause.
                                                            

6.

                       TOM
      (shouting)
Honey?
                                                            
Concerned, Tom gets up and walks towards the front door.
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S HOUSE - FRONT DOOR - NIGHT
                                                            
Tom approaches the door, finding Luanne still facing the
door, collapsed on her knees. Tom runs to her side.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (concerned)
Luanne! What's wrong?
                                                            
Luanne remains still, her face hidden underneath her hair as
tears fall down her cheeks. She is holding a small grey
sheet of paper. Noticing this, Tom TAKES THE PAPER and
begins to read, his eyebrows lowering.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
      (shakily)
Please Tom, don't go...
                                                            
Luanne looks up, grabbing Tom's legs.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
      (screaming)
Please Tom!
                                                            
Tom KNEELS down beside her. Luanne falls into his arms,
pressing her face in his chest. Scott peeks his head
curiously around the corner.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
You can't go Tom, you can't...
                                                            
                       TOM
It'll be ok, Luanne. Everything
will be just fine.
                                                            
Tom rests his head on top of Luanne's, his eyes filled with
determination.
                                                            
 
EXT. NASHVILLE TENNESSEE - JACKSON MILITARY BASE - DAY
                                                            
Tom and Luanne walk slowly towards the base. Scott clings
tightly to Luanne's arm. A short line of recruits is
forming near the gates.
                                                            

7.

                       LUANNE
      (hesitating)
...You ready?
                                                            
                       TOM
Yea...
                                                            
Tom kisses Luanne, then kneels down next to Scott.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (to Scott)
You be a good boy now, ya hear?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
I'll try to be.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chuckles)
Good. Take care of your mom for
me, ok?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
      (giggles)
Ok. I love you daddy!
                                                            
                       TOM
I love you too Scott.
                                                            
Tom hugs Scott tightly then stands up. Tom hugs Luanne, not
letting go for quite some time. Tears begin to fall down
Luanne's face.
                                                            
                       TOM
I'll be back soon, ok?
                                                            
                       LUANNE
      (sniffling)
Ok.
                                                            
Luanne fakes a smile as tears continue to fall down her
cheeks. Tom kisses her on the cheek then walks towards the
gates. The MILITARY OFFICER, who is holding a list of names
and a stack of grey draft notices waits at the gate.
                                                            
                       MILITARY OFFICER
Next!
                                                            
Tom approaches the Military Officer.
                                                            
                       MILITARY OFFICER
Name?
                                                            

8.

                       TOM
Tom Harding.
                                                            
                       MILITARY OFFICER
Town of residence?
                                                            
                       TOM
Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
                                                            
                       MILITARY OFFICER
Got your draft notice?
                                                            
Tom HANDS the Military Officer the grey sheet of paper.
                                                            
                       MILITARY OFFICER
Welcome to Jackson Military Base,
soldier. Next!
                                                            
Tom walks through the gates. He looks back for Luanne and
Scott, but they have dissappeared into the crowd. Tom
continues walking through the base.
                                                            
 
EXT. JACKSON MILITARY BASE - BARRACKS - DAY
                                                            
A line of recruits stand bunched up between the two rows of
barracks, eagerly introducing themselves and swapping
stories. SGNT. BILL SWANSON, a 45-yr-old Officer whose
features are hardened by military training, marches towards
the men.
                                                            
                       SGNT. SWANSON
      (shouting sternly)
Attention.
                                                            
The recruits, engaged in conversation do not hear Sgnt.
Swanson. Sgnt. Swanson PULLS OUT A GUN and FIRES into the
air.
                                                            
                       SGNT. SWANSON
      (yelling)
ATTENTION!
                                                            
The recruits, startled, begin to form a line. They stand,
still in bad form, upright, facing forward.
                                                            
                       SGNT. SWANSON
That's better.
                                                            
Sgnt. Swanson begins to walk down the line, now and then
shoving a soldier into a better posture. The other soldiers
begin to straighten the line, afraid of being assaulted
themselves.
                                                            

9.

                       SGNT. SWANSON (cont'd)
Welcome to Jackson Military Base
training facility. Here you will
be trained and disciplined. I know
you all did not come here by
choice, but I assure you, if you
value your limbs you WILL
cooperate.
      (pauses)
Now, as I am sure you all know by
now, President Woodrow Wilson has
declared war on Germany. Thus you
are all here. Training begins
5:00am tommorrow so get a good
night's sleep. Troops, you are
dismissed.
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S SLEEPING QUARTERS - NIGHT
                                                            
Tom's tent is filled with two rows of 10 beds. The soldiers
there have already succeeded in trashing the place. Socks
and bedsheets scatter the ground. Tom is unpacking the sack
of uniforms he was assigned. CHARLIE HENSBURG, a young,
scruffy-looking boy of 18 approaches Tom.
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Hey, is this bed taken?
                                                            
                       TOM
Naw, help yourself.
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Thanks.
                                                            
Charlie DROPS HIS PACK.
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Just turned 18 couple months back
so I got a recruitment letter.
Lucky me, huh?
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chuckling)
Life can be like that some times,
Kiddo. Name's Tom, you?
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Oh sorry, my name's Charlie.
      (pauses)
So what's your story? You scared
to go to war? Sounds like they
gonna put us on the frontline!
                                                            

10.

                       TOM
Naw, war ain't scary. Used to be
the captain of the Oak Ridge High
football team. You shoulda SEEN
some of the ogres out there. Guys
bigger than HIM even.
                                                            
Tom points at GARTH STEVENSON, a gigantic man with an
over-extending forehead and a small beard.
                                                            
                       GARTH
Hey, fuck you!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chucking)
Easy there big fella'. Just a
joke.
                                                            
                       GARTH
Yea alright, just stay away from
my shit and you won't get your
arms torn off.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (turning back to
       Charlie)
Charming fellow. Anyways, how
about you, Kiddo? You play any
sports?
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Naw, wanted to join the football
team myself, but coach said to
come back when I grew a foot or
two.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (chuckles)
You don't say. Oh well. So, you
like football?
                                                            
WESLEY RICHARDS, a 20-year-old with a swimmer's body, throws
off his bedsheets and sits up.
                                                            
                       WESLEY
Hey shut the fuck up over there!
Some of us are trying to sleep!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (to Wesley)
Fine, fine.
      (turning back to
       Charlie)
            (MORE)

11.

                       TOM (cont'd)
He's probably right, we've got a
lot of big days ahead of us.
                                                            
 
EXT. TRAINING MONTAGE - DAY
                                                            
SHOTS: Sgnt. Swanson yelling at soldiers - crowded showers -
Tom climbing a wall and helping Charlie up - Tom climbing a
rope with Sgnt. Swanson yelling below - early morning run up
a hill - platoon lined up in rows doing push-ups while Sgnt.
Swanson yelled at them - artilliary range training -
laughing around in the mess hall - etc.
                                                            
 
EXT. JACKSON MILITARY BASE - BARRACKS - NIGHT
                                                            
The platoon, now in far better form, lines up in a row. Tom
is standing next to Charlie.
                                                            
                       SGNT. SWANSON
      (pacing the line)
Troops, these past few months I
have wittnessed a grand change in
you all. You were but schoolgirls
when we first met, but now you are
men. Tommorrow we shall leave for
Paris, France, where we shall
assist British and French forces
who have now become fatigued from
battle. Celebrate whilest you can
men, tommorrow we go to war!
                                                            
The soldiers all cheer then return to their tents.
                                                            
 
INT. TOM'S SLEEPING QUARTER'S - NIGHT
                                                            
The soldiers sit around on each other's beds in a circle.
They toss around a football while chatting. LUKE PHILLIPS, a
thin, glasses-wearing man of about 20 reads a book in the
corner of the tent on his own bed. Tom sits quietly on his
bed in the circle.
                                                            
                       GARTH
I can't wait to get to France and
rip those Germans a new one.
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Hey Tom what's wrong? 'Fraid to
die or something?
                                                            

12.

                       TOM
Naw its not that, just sorta miss
Luanne. Anyways war won't be that
bad.
                                                            
A small, awkward pause fills the portion of the tent.
                                                            
                       WESLEY
      (passing the ball
       to Tom)
Hey, atleast you HAVE some one to
go back to. Had some sweet thing
back at home. Said she wasn't
gonna wait for me tho, the bitch.
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
Yea, parents been dead since I was
ten so I don't really have anyone
to go home to either.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (to Charlie)
Don't worry, when we get back to
Tennessee you can come and visit
us as often as you like, k?
                                                            
                       LUKE
      (not looking up
       from his book)
That is of course assuming you
MAKE it home.
                                                            
                       GARTH
Oh shut it Bookworm. Those Germans
ain't got shit on us.
                                                            
                       WESLEY
Yea, and if things get rough we
can always just hide behind Garth.
                                                            
                       GARTH
      (standing up)
Maybe I should save the Germans
the trouble and crush your skull
right now!
                                                            
                       TOM
Calm yourself Garth. He was just
kidding.
                                                            
Garth sits back down angrily, muttering to himself.
                                                            

13.

                       CHARLIE
Yea, you'll have plenty of skulls
to crush once we reach Paris.
      (standing up on
       his bed)
Like Swanson said, "Rest up men,
for tommorow we go TO WAR!"
                                                            
                       ALL
      (cheering)
TO WAR!
                                                            
 
EXT. PARIS - FRENCH TRENCHES - DAY
                                                            
The soldiers series travel in a fleet of army-grade jeeps.
Gunfire and explosions grow lowder as the jeeps speed
towards the French Trenches. A black cloud of smoke grows on
the horizon as the troops advance. The jeeps stop roughly
1/3 of a mile from the trenchline. Tom stares forward, his
eyes filled with readiness. Charlie sits besides him,
gripping his rifle tightly. His helmet is slightly too large
for him and sways independantly from his body. The troops
unboard and gather around Sgnt. Swanson.
                                                            
                       SGNT. SWANSON
Listen men, this as far as I can
take you. You know the plan, now
get inside those trenches and kick
some ass!
                                                            
The troops scramble away towards the trenches, staying low
to the ground to avoid the machinegun waves. Charlie and
Tom hop into the trench together. The trench is crowded,
soldiers are yelling in both French and English and
scrambling in every direction. The rims are guarded with
barbed wire and sand bags. The sounds of artillary and bombs
all but drown out the moans of the wounded and the shouts of
the others.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (grabbing Charlie)
Charlie! This way!
                                                            
Charlie and Tom race through the trench, hopping over the
fallen as debris rains down on them from above. They reach a
British bunker, pull out their rifles and begin firing.
Wesley is also firing from this position. A small, black
cylinder falls into the bunker.
                                                            
                       SOLDIER
      (yelling)
GAS! Grab a mask! Hurry!
                                                            

14.

A wall is covered with gas masks. Charlie hesitates among
the chaos. Tom grabs a mask and shoves it over Charlie's
face then equips his own quickly. Green gas begins to ooze
from the black can. Wesley turns to grab a mask to find the
wall empty. He gasps for air, his eyes widening. Wesley
coughs up a little blood then collapses to the ground dead,
as blood begins to flow from his eyes, nose, and mouth. Tom
stares on in horror, turning Charlie away from the dead
comrade. Charlie and Tom exit the bunker and proceed up the
trench. They see Garth up ahead and catch up.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (shouting)
Garth! Wesley's gone.
                                                            
                       GARTH
No time for that! Quickly, come
this way! Hurry, or Wesley won't
be the only one pushin' up
daisies.
                                                            
Tom, Charlie, and Garth advance to a machine gun turret,
where French and British soldiers are preparing a charge.
                                                            
                       FRENCH OFFICER
      (shouting)
Sur mon signal. Un. Deux. Trois.
CHARGE!
                                                            
The soldiers hop out of the trench in a deperate rush
towards the German line. Tom, Charlie and Garth follow the
wave out into 'dead man's land.' As the soldiers advance,
German machineguns mow down the troops. Soldiers are falling
all around Tom. He has lost sight of Garth. Tom collapses,
overweighed by the horrors his eyes behold. Charlie rushes
up to him and pulls him up. He grabs Tom firmly by the
shoulders.
                                                            
                       CHARLIE
      (yelling)
Tom! What are you doing? Pull
yourself togeth--
                                                            
Charlie's eyes widen and glaze over.
                                                            
                       TOM
Charlie?
                                                            
Charlie's body falls limp against Tom. A bullet has passed
through his chest.
                                                            

15.

                       TOM (cont'd)
      (frantically)
No, Charlie, NO!
                                                            
Tom collapses back to the ground, clutching tightly to
Charlie.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
I won't leave you here Charlie, I
won't. I WON'T!
                                                            
Tom is kneeling down, holding tightly to Charlie's body.
Garth and a British soldier attempt to drag Tom away.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
      (screaming)
GET AWAY FROM ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!
I won't leave you Charlie, I
won't!
                                                            
The two manage to break Tom loose from Charlie. Charlie's
dogtag breaks off into Tom's hand as Tom grabs for his
corpse.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
NO! Not Charlie! NO!...
                                                            
 
EXT. JACKSON MILITARY BASE - FRONT GATE - DAY
                                                            
Tom silently walks out the front gates. Luanne and Scott,
now 7, are waiting for him.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Dad!
                                                            
Scott runs towards Tom, Luanne, her eyes watery and her face
filled with joy, follows him.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Oh Dad, I have so much to tell
you! I'm on the football team now!
We have a game next Sunday, oh
please tell me you can go!
                                                            
                       TOM
      (impassionately)
Of course, son.
                                                            
Luanne stops for a moment, then runs up to Tom, grabbing him
tightly.
                                                            

16.

                       LUANNE
      (crying)
I missed you so much! I wrote to
you every day, please tell me you
got the letters!
                                                            
                       TOM
I got them.
      (pauses)
Come on, let's go home.
                                                            
 
INT. QUICK FIX AUTO SHOP - DAY
                                                            
Tom quietly enters the shop.
                                                            
                       FRED
Hey! Look who's back from War! So
buddy how was it, you get ta' kill
any one?
                                                            
Tom does not reply. His eyes have become darkened and
impassionate. Tom sits down at his desk.
                                                            
                       CODY
...Of course he did, Fred. Now
leave the guy alone, and for God's
sake get some work done for once.
                                                            
A CUSTOMER enters the shop, his car hobbling with a flat
tire.
                                                            
                       CUSTOMER
Hey Mac, got a flat. Think ya can
help me out?
                                                            
Tom turns, realizing he's talking to him.
                                                            
                       TOM
Uh..yea! Sure!
                                                            
Tom begins to remove the tire. He looks under the car.
                                                            
                       TOM
Hmmm, looks like your exhaust may
be dented as well. Can ya turn the
car on for me?
                                                            
The Customer turns on the car, which begins to make a
bizzarre popping noise. The popping noise grows loudly
inside Tom's head, his eyes widening. We hear people
shouting and soldiers moaning in pain.
                                                            

17.

                       CUSTOMER
Oh, almost forgot to tell you! I
think my muffler may need some
tunin' as well. It's been doin'
this all week.
                                                            
Tom gets up from under the car, his face utterly blank.
                                                            
                       CUSTOMER
Sir?
                                                            
                       TOM
      (to Cody)
Hey Cody, take over for me ok?
                                                            
                       CODY
      (bewildered)
Uh, Sure thing.
                                                            
Tom steps out into the backalley. A few moments later he is
joined by Cody.
                                                            
                       CODY
Good to be back eh?
                                                            
Tom, leaning against the alley wall, tilts his head down
slightly, covering it in shadow. There is a pause.
                                                            
                       CODY
You ok, Tom?
                                                            
                       TOM
Just got a lot on my mind 'sall.
War changes people.
                                                            
                       CODY
Yea, war's a bitch. Want a smoke?
                                                            
Cody produces a BOX OF CIGARRETTES. Cody takes one for
himself and presses it between his lips then gestures the
box towards Tom who takes one as well.
                                                            
                       TOM
When you start smoking?
                                                            
                       CODY
Few months ago. How bout you,
didn't know you smoked either.
                                                            
                       TOM
I don't.
                                                            

18.

Tom takes a long, slow drag from the cigarrette. Cody stares
at him with an expression of bewilderment.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (noticing the
       funny look)
What?
                                                            
                       CODY
Nothing.
      (changing the
       subject)
So, how things at home.
                                                            
Tom shrugs.
                                                            
                       TOM
Ok I guess. Just trying to pick up
where I let off. Trying to forget.
                                                            
                       CODY
Forget what?
                                                            
                       TOM
...Nothing.
                                                            
A plane flies overhead. Tom flinches, dropping his
cigarrette. He embarrassingly smiles at Cody. The smile
slowly fades as Tom begins to look away.
                                                            
                       CODY
Nothing, huh?
                                                            
                       TOM
Yea...
                                                            
Tom's face descends back into the shadow. He puts out the
cigarrette with his shoe.
                                                            
                       TOM (cont'd)
Nothing.
                                                            
 
EXT. OAK RIDGE - DOWN TOWN - DAY
                                                            
Tom and Luanne walk along, Tom holding multiple shopping
bags.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
I went to Mrs. Levinson's house
yesterday.
                                                            

19.

Tom continues to look silently forward. Luanne tilts her
head at him slightly.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
She's such a sweet old lady. She
even offered to pay Scott 10 cents
an hour to keep her company, bless
her soul. Of course Scott couldn't
take the money. He's going over
next Sunday to visit her. Pity
she's all alone in the world.
                                                            
Luanne stops and grabs Tom's hands.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
We're fortunate to have each
other. I love you Tom.
                                                            
Tom says nothing. He just stares blankly in the general
direction of Luanne, not making eye contact.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Honey?
                                                            
Luanne stares hopefully at Tom, but her face soon becomes
filled with worry.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Honey what's wrong? Why won't you
speak to me?
                                                            
Tom remains motionless.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
I got a call from Cody Brown the
other day, said you havn't been
yourself lately. I've noticed it
too. Please Tom, tell me what's
wrong.
                                                            
It begins to rain heavily all at once. The rain hits the
ground hard like bullets from a machine gun. Tom's eyes
shake, but he remains still.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
...Is it me? What have I done
wrong? Whatever it is I promise
I'll fix it Tom, I promise! Do you
even love me anymore? Why won't
you look at me?
                                                            
The crash of rain roars louder. Somewhere in the distance a

20.

siren howls. A POLICE MAN walks over to Tom, who has now
grabbed his head in an effort to muffle the noise, the
shopping bags and their contents spilled accross the
sidewalk.
                                                            
                       POLICE MAN
Sir? Are you alright Sir?
                                                            
Luanne grabs Tom by the shoulders in the same, violent
fashion that Charlie had.
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Tom! What are you doing? Pull
yourself together!
                                                            
The words echo in Tom's ears, causing him to wince slightly.
Tom turns upwards to face the Police Man, his eyes bulged
and his teeth snarled with a maddenning rage. Tom tackles
the Police Man and grasps his throat tightly.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (shouting)
You can't have him! He's staying
with me! I won't leave him! Ya
hear me? I won't!
                                                            
Luanne breaks down against a wall, covering her mouth with
her hands as tears begin to pour down her face. THREE OTHER
MEN closeby rush to tear Tom away from the Police Man as Tom
continues to scream and thrash about.
                                                            
 
INT. OAK RIDGE MENTAL INSTITUTION - DAY
                                                            
Luanne, her eyes hidden in shadow and her facial expression
as cold as ice, walks into the blindedly white lobby of the
institution, Scott clinging tightly to her arm.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
When is Daddy coming back?
                                                            
Luanne says nothing, walking calmly towards the counter. The
HOSPITAL SECRETARY looks up from her paperwork.
                                                            
                       HOSPITAL SECRETARY
How may I help you?
                                                            
                       LUANNE
      (coldly)
Harding, T.
                                                            
                       HOSPITAL SECRETARY
Oh yes, fifth door on your left.
                                                            

21.

Luanne walks slowly down the hall, Scott clinging ever
tighter to her arm. Her eyes are still hidden in shadow and
her face remains emotionless. They reach the fifth door on
the left. Through the glass door they can see a hardly
recognizeable Tom sitting in the corner muttering to
himself. Tom stares transfixed at Charlie's dogtag.
                                                            
                       TOM
      (muttering)
It's ok. You're here with me. I'll
bring you home. I won't leave you
Charlie. You're here with me.
                                                            
After some time, Luanne and Charlie begin back towards the
exit down the hallway.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Was that Daddy?
                                                            
                       LUANNE
No, that was not Daddy.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Is he gonna come back?
                                                            
                       LUANNE
Maybe some day, Scott. Maybe some
day.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From bob Date 5/16/2006 **1/2
I liked it. It was a little short but from what you have its a very good project in the making. I agree with Mark, put your self in the characters shoes and make them say lines just like you would, or you could base characters off of your friends and put what they would say so all the characters don't sound alike. Over all 2.5 but i think it is good.

From mark crellin Date 5/16/2006 ****
I have only had the chance to read a few pages, but from what I have read, this screenplay should be finished. If you manage to get this script sold, and when its made, I would pay ( from what I have read) the admission fee to see it in the cinema. But be warned, if it gets boring to read, then no one will buy it. I liked the character discriptions and the dialogue is good, but if it is worked on, you might be able to get it better, put yourself in the characters shoes, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES? And remember when a bloke is having bullets flying past his head, the swearing gets loud and strong. KEEP UP THE GOOD WRITING FELLA.


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