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by Corinne (crystalstr8@aol.com)

Rated:

Genre: Family User Review: NOT YET
RATED

FADE IN:

INT. ALASKAN HOME - DAY

EMILY BRIARD, a 16 year old girl, walks into the kitchen.
She has a hiking backpack on her back. MS. HANNAH, a 40
year old Alaskan housekeeper, is cleaning the stove.

EMILY
Good morning Ms. Hannah.

MS. HANNAH
Hello Emily.

Ms. Hannah looks at Emily.

MS. HANNAH
You're going hiking again, I see.

EMILY
Yup.

MS. HANNAH
Well, be back before dinner. I
don't want you out when the sun
sets.

EMILY
Sure... Have you heard from my dad
yet?

MS. HANNAH
As a matter of fact, it just came.

Ms. Hannah gives Emily an envelope containing a letter.

EMILY
Yes!

Emily opens the envelope and reads the letter.

DAD (VO)
Hey there Emily. It's Dad. I'm
sorry I couldn't send you back to
the States to stay with a
relative. I now regret even
leaving you there with our
housekeeper. I hope Ms. Hannah is
treating you well. I'm doing
fine. No wounds yet. Well, not
big ones anyway. Don't you worry
about me. I'll be fine. I
promise. How's the village doing?
(MORE)

DAD (cont'd)
Is there still a wolf problem?
Well, there wasn't one to begin
with. I mean, the villagers only
wanted less wolves so they could
sleep at night with no nightmares
haunting them. I hope they are
done murdering those poor
beautiful creatures. They never
did anything to us. Are you still
doing those all-day nature hikes
in the woods? I'm gonna have to
tell Ms. Hannah to cut your curfew
by a few hours cause it will be
getting darker and darker by the
day. Don't listen to me. I'm a
million miles away in the middle
east and I haven't been home in
about a month. Well I have to go.
The country calls. If Ms. Hannah
makes casserole, remember, just
say you're tired and go to bed.
It's not worth the cramps. I send
all my love to both of you. Thank
you Hannah for watching my
daughter in the country's, and my,
time of need. I love you and I
promise I will buy you that cute
Alaskan Husky dog when I get back.
I love you so much. Love Dad.

Emily folds up the letter. She looks at Ms. Hannah.

EMILY
I'm gonna get going.

MS. HANNAH
Do you have your phone?

Emily holds up her cell phone.

MS. HANNAH
Your pistol that your father gave
you?

Emily lifts up her shirt a little to show a pistol connected
to her waist.

EMILY
I'll be fine.

MS. HANNAH
I know. Be back before dinner.

EMILY
I will.

Emily walks out of the house.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily walks on the snow covered road. She passes a
telephone pole with a flier stapled on it. She stops and
looks at the flier. It reads:"HUNTERS WANTED FOR THE WAR
BETWEEN MAN AND WOLF. CONTACT DETCH REDMOND FOR MORE INFO."

Emily tears the flier off the telephone pole and crumples it
up.

INT. ALASKAN DINER - DAY

Emily sits at the bar. A WAITRESS goes to her.

WAITRESS
Hello Emily. What can I get you?

EMILY
Ham and cheese omelet please. With
sausage on the side.

WAITRESS
And to drink?

EMILY
Large O-J.

Waitress walks away then comes back and puts a large cup of
orange juice in front of Emily.

EMILY
(to waitress)
Thanks.

Emily looks down the bar to see DETCH REDMOND, a 40 year old
man dressed in hunter clothing.

EMILY
(to Detch)
Goin' hunting today Detch?

DETCH
(to Emily)
Yes I am young lady. Why do you
ask? You wanna join my team?

EMILY
Me? You think I would want to
murder poor innocent wild puppy
dogs? Think again.

DETCH
Watch your mouth little girl.

EMILY
You're going dressed like that?

DETCH
What?

EMILY
Cause it looks like you're gonna
have tea and finger sandwiches
with them. Maybe you should wear
a dress instead so they can really
see who you are. Oh wait, you
don't want blood stains all over
your blouse. Maybe you should
just go bare bottom so you don't
ruin your clothes with blood and
the stench of dead rotting wild
dogs.

The Waitress goes to Emily and gives Emily her omelet.

WAITRESS
(to Emily)
You should really shut your pie
hole dear.

DETCH
(to Emily)
And start shoving food in it.

Detch gets up and walks out of the diner.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Emily walks to a frozen lake and sits down on her hiking
backpack. She looks around at the scenery. She takes out
her father's letter and looks at it. She puts it away after
reading it again.

Rustling of leaves are heard. Emily turns around to see
bushes and trees. She hears it again and takes out her
pistol. She aims it at the bush.

JOSH
Don't shoot!

JOSH PARKER, a 17 year old boy, comes out from the forest.
He looks at Emily who still has her gun drawn.

JOSH
Are you gonna shoot me or point
that thing to the ground cause
it's just a little frightening
having a gun pointed at me.

Emily puts the pistol back on her waist and looks at him.

EMILY
Are you freakin' crazy? Sneaking
up on someone like that? I could
have killed you. Who are you?

JOSH
Josh Parker. I just moved from
Maine. Who are you?

EMILY
You moved from the States? Why
would you do that?

JOSH
I wouldn't. My Mom and Dad did.

EMILY
What are you doing walking in
these woods? There are hunters
all over.

JOSH
I wanted to see what my parents
were so excited about.

EMILY
What? Are they hunters too?

JOSH
No. They work for National
Geographic. They take pictures of
wildlife, film them, do
documentaries, all that jazz.

Josh sits down next to Emily.

JOSH
You still didn't tell me your
name.

EMILY
Emily Briard. I'm also from the
States. From Pennsylvania.
Haven't been there in a while.

JOSH
How long have you lived here?

EMILY
Only two years. We move alot. My
dad loves to travel. I've lived
in London, France, Austral-

JOSH
Shh.

Josh covers Emily's mouth with his hand. Emily takes his
hand off her mouth.

EMILY
What?

Josh points at the other end of the frozen lake. A mother
wolf and her cub are lying by the lake.

Emily pulls his hand down.

EMILY
Don't point. Are you crazy?

Josh gets up.

EMILY
Where are you going?

JOSH
Uh hello? A ginormous wolf is at
the end of the lake. I'm going
before....I'm just going.

EMILY
Ginormous?

JOSH
Yeah. Cross between gigantic and
humoungous. Ginormous.

EMILY
You are a scwimp.

JOSH
Scwimp?

EMILY
A cross between scared and wimp.

JOSH
Anyone human is afraid of those
things. I am not a scwimp.

EMILY
They won't bother us Josh.

JOSH
Well, I don't care about them
bothering us Emily. I care about
them having a three course meal.
With us as their appetizer and
entree.

EMILY
That's only two courses.

JOSH
I have a candy bar in my pocket,
okay?

Josh takes the candy bar out of his pocket and shows Emily.

JOSH
Here's number three.

EMILY
They don't eat candy.

JOSH
Oh yeah? How do you know? Did
you have tea and finger sandwiches
with them? Did they give you a
list of what they like and don't
like? They're wolves. I don't
think they care about what goes in
their rumbly tummy. They just
care if it's edible.

EMILY
Josh.

JOSH
And we are edible. We are the
most edible creatures to them. We
taste to them like how chicken
tastes to us. We are their
chicken nuggets. And this...

Josh holds up his candy bar.

JOSH
This is their milkshake.

EMILY
Josh.

JOSH
What?

EMILY
Look.

Emily looks at the spot where the wolves were. They are not
there anymore. Emily looks at Josh.

EMILY
I think you scared them.

JOSH
I did not. You think a scwimp
like me could scare a ginormous
wolf? Yeah right. Think twice
about that one cause I can't even
scare a sea monkey.

EMILY
Sea monkies don't even have
emotions.

JOSH
Oh yes they do. Who were the ones
laughing when I drank...oh jeez. I
know why they left.

Emily gets up and puts on her hiking backpack. She goes to
Josh.

JOSH
They're coming for us Emily.
They're watching our every move.
Wait!

Josh puts his hand on Emily's shoulder to stop her.

JOSH
If we don't move, maybe they won't
see us.

EMILY
They're wolves Josh. Not raptors.

Emily takes Josh's hand off her shoulder and starts walking.

JOSH
Don't leave without me!

Josh goes to Emily and walks beside her.

JOSH
Where are we going?

EMILY
Back to the village.

JOSH
To warn them about what lurks in
these haunted hallows? To tell
them about the Big Bad Wolf?

EMILY
No. To get some lunch.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Detch comes out of the bush holding a shotgun.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily and Josh walk through the village.

JOSH
So you don't think wolves are bad?

EMILY
Exactly. They are just as afraid
of us as we are to them.

JOSH
You don't think they are bad?

EMILY
Yeah.

JOSH
Listen to yourself. You're
talking about wolves. Have you
ever heard of The Three Little
Pigs? Little Red Riding Hood?

EMILY
Yeah. But have you ever heard the
story of Romulus and Remus?

10.

JOSH
One of them is a dude from Harry
Potter, right?

EMILY
No. Romulus and Remus were two
orphan babies raised by a
she-wolf.

JOSH
That's just a myth.

EMILY
It's better than fairy tales.

They both walk up the steps to Emily's house. Emily stops
Josh on the steps.

EMILY
No talking about what happened in
the woods. Ms. Hannah will never
let me go hiking again. You hear?

JOSH
Yeah sure.

EMILY
Cause if you do, next time you
sneak up on me in the forest, I
will not lower my gun. Do you
hear?

JOSH
Are you threatening me?

EMILY
Yes I am.

Emily goes into her house followed by Josh.

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - DAY

Emily enters and takes off her backpack and lays it on the
floor. Ms. Hannah is making soup on the stove and turns
around to see Emily and Josh.

MS. HANNAH
Hey Emily.

Ms. Hannah looks at Josh.

11.

MS. HANNAH
And who is this?

EMILY
This is Josh. He just moved here.
(to Josh)
This is Ms. Hannah, my
housekeeper.

Josh and Ms. Hannah shake hands.

MS. HANNAH
Very nice to meet you Josh.

JOSH
Nice to meet you too.

EMILY
(to Ms. Hannah)
I invited him for lunch.

MS. HANNAH
Very well. Make yourself at home.
It will be ready soon.

Emily sits at the table. Josh sits also.

MS. HANNAH
(to Josh)
So what brought you here to
Alaska?

JOSH
My parents are nature
photographers.

MS. HANNAH
How wonderful.

EMILY
Josh comes from the States too.

JOSH
Maine.

MS. HANNAH
How do you like it here?

JOSH
I can adjust Ms. Hannah.

12.

MS. HANNAH
I hope our little wolf hunt hasn't
scared you Josh.

EMILY
Those murderers.

JOSH
Is there any reason why they are
killing them? Like are the wolves
coming into town?

EMILY
Are you kidding? Those wolves
haven't hurt anybody.

MS. HANNAH
Everybody is just afraid of what
hasn't happened yet.

EMILY
Those scwimps.

Ms. Hannah puts bowls of soup in front of Emily and Josh.
She puts one for herself on the table and sits down.

MS. HANNAH
You're home awful early Emily.

JOSH
That's because...

EMILY
Because I met Josh up in the
forest and I wanted to show him
the village.

Josh takes a sip of soup with his spoon.

MS. HANNAH
That's nice of you. Exactly what
your father would have done. That
reminds me of when he donated his
day to help an elderly woman with
her house chores. Cleaning,
shopping, stuff like that. He is
so kindhearted, her dad.

JOSH
What does he do? I mean, for a
living?

13.

EMILY
He's a entrepreneur.

JOSH
That explains why you move a lot.

MS. HANNAH
Yes. Emily and her father have
been all over the globe. Italy,
France, Australia, Germany...

EMILY
He knows where I've lived Ms.
Hannah.

MS. HANNAH
Oh! And even Norway.

JOSH
Norway?
(to Emily)
Are you multilingual or something?

MS. HANNAH
Her and her father help teach
themselves some of every language.

JOSH
(to Emily)
Say something.

EMILY
Hi.

MS. HANNAH
I think he means in another
language Emily.

EMILY
Caio.

MS. HANNAH
Everyone knows that one Em. Say
another word.

EMILY
Posso andare il bagno?

JOSH
Is that Spanish?

14.

MS. HANNAH
(to Emily)
Is that your best? Can I go to
the bathroom?

EMILY
Non dire stupidaggini.

JOSH
What's that mean?

EMILY
Don't act stupid.

JOSH
Are you calling me stupid?

EMILY
No. I'm telling you not to act
stupid.

JOSH
That's the same thing.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY

Josh and Emily walk down the steps of her house.

JOSH
You're housekeeper is nice.

EMILY
Thanks...I guess.

They walk through town.

JOSH
Your dad sounds cool. I wanna
meet him.

EMILY
You can't.

JOSH
Why not? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't
know.

EMILY
No. He's not dead. He's fighting
in the war.

15.

JOSH
How long has he been fighting?

EMILY
A month so far. He's still okay
though. I got a letter from him
today.

Emily hands Josh the letter.

EMILY
That's the closest you'll ever get
to meeting him in a while.

JOSH
I don't need to read it.

EMILY
Why?

JOSH
That's personal stuff Emily. I
know if my dad was in the war I
wouldn't let anybody read it.

EMILY
You're right.

Emily puts the letter back in her pocket.

JOSH
I'd rather you told me all about
him.

EMILY
Someday Josh.

Emily runs to a telephone pole. Josh follows her. The
flier from earlier in the day is stapled onto it.

JOSH
What is it?

EMILY
Detch Redmond and his death
hounds.

JOSH
Who?

16.

EMILY
Those are the guys killing the
wolves. I just wish I could help
them.

JOSH
I thought you hated hunters?

EMILY
The wolves Josh. I wish I could
help the wolves!

JOSH
Oh.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Emily opens her locker. PAUL GERALD, a 16 year old boy,
goes to her.

PAUL
Hey Emily. Just the girl I was
looking for.

EMILY
You can't copy my homework Paul.

PAUL
You jusr ruined the moment.

EMILY
I didn't ruin it. I just said the
truth.

PAUL
But you are an angel sent from
above Emily.

EMILY
You call me an angel because I
help you cheat.

PAUL
You say that like it's a bad
thing.

EMILY
That's because it is Paul.

Paul takes Emily's hand.

17.

PAUL
But I can't trust a more beautiful
girl.

EMILY
It's homework Paul. It's only 10
percent of your grade.

PAUL
How about I pick you up at 7?

EMILY
For what?

PAUL
I wanna take you out.

Emily smiles.

Josh walk up to Emily's locker.

JOSH
Hey Emily. This school is really
big. And I mean, ginormous. I
got lost even looking for the
bathroom. When I got back to the
classroom, the teacher yelled at
me for taking so long. Do they
always do that? I was going to
the bathroom. And then he told me
that he would give me 2 more
strikes then I would get
detention. Then I told him I got
lost and he laughed in my face and
told me to sit down. You'd think
the school would be small
considered that the village is
small. So...

Josh takes a big breath.

JOSH
How are you?

Paul looks at Josh.

JOSH
(to Paul)
Hey. I'm Josh.

EMILY
(to Paul)
I met him yesterday. He's new.

18.

JOSH
Yeah. She almost shot me. Then I
was like "Don't shoot!" and then
she was like "Are you crazy?"

            PAUL
      (to Josh)
Okay.
      (to Emily)
I'll see you at 7.

EMILY
Okay.

Paul walks away.

JOSH
Who was that? Cause he looked at
me like I had three heads. And
last time I checked I only have
one. Unless I just grew them.
Which I don't think I did.

EMILY
His name is Paul.

JOSH
Is he your boyfriend or something?

EMILY
I don't know.

JOSH
Well, he said I'll see you at 7.
So that means you two will meet at
7. You're probably going out to
dinner at a restaurant. So that
makes it a date.

EMILY
I have to get to class.

Emily walks away. Josh follows her.

JOSH
Cool. Me too. What class are you
going to? I'm going to Physics.
You're probably going somewhere
else cause I'm a senior and your a
junior and juniors and seniors
don't have class together. Do you
know where 1214 is?

19.

EMILY
Yeah. I have Physics too.

JOSH
Wow. You do? That's really
weird. You're probably really
smart to be in Physics. When do
you have the class?

EMILY
I'm in your class.

Emily walks into a classroom. Josh follows her.

EXT. JOSH'S HOUSE - DAY

Josh and Emily walk up the steps to Josh's house.

JOSH
I thought you were meeting that
guy for dinner?

EMILY
Paul has been saying that for a
long time. He's never actually
taken me out.

JOSH
So you'd rather have dinner at my
house then go out with some guy?

EMILY
Is that so hard to believe?

Josh enters the house followed by Emily.

INT. JOSH'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Josh's mom, SARAH PARKER, and Josh's dad, JEFF PARKER, are
taking things out of boxes and arranging them. Josh and
Emily walk into the room.

JOSH
Hey Mom and Dad.

MRS. PARKER
Hello honey.

MR. PARKER
Hey.

20.

MRS. PARKER
How was town? Did you find your
way around?

JOSH
Mom, Dad, it would help if you
looked at me.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker stop what they are doing and both look
at their son. They see Emily.

MRS. PARKER
(surprised)
A girl.

JOSH
This is Emily Briard.

MR. PARKER
Only here for how long and my son
brings home a girl.

Mr. Parker shakes Emily's hand.

            MR. PARKER
      (whispers to Mrs.
       Parker)
Definately my gene.

JOSH
Dad.

MRS. PARKER
It is so nice to meet you Emily.

Mrs. Parker shakes Emily's hand.

EMILY
Likewise.

MRS. PARKER
Would you like something to eat?
I've got frozen crab cakes in the
freezer and oh! I've made some
Jello, but Josh here doesn't like
it. He hates eating things that
move. But I keep telling him it's
not alive, but he still refrains
from eating it. Do you like
Jello?

JOSH
Mom.

21.

EMILY
I love Jello.

Mrs. Parker goes into the kitchen.

JOSH
(to Emily)
Why do you encourage her?

EMILY
She's nice. And I see where you
get it from.

JOSH
Get what?

Emily goes into the kitchen. Mr. Parker goes up to Josh.

MR. PARKER
She's a good one Josh. Where'd
you find her?

JOSH
We met in the woods.

MR. PARKER
What was your pick up line? The
first thing you said to her.

JOSH
Don't shoot.

MR. PARKER
I didn't teach you that one, did
I?

JOSH
Dad.

MR. PARKER
Remember what I told you son. If
you don't wait till the exact most
rightly precise moment for that
first kiss, no sparks will fly.
You need to time it and make sure
everything is right before you...

JOSH
Dad.

MR. PARKER
What?

22.

JOSH
I will never be old enough to have
this conversation with you.

MRS. PARKER (OS)
Boys! Jello is ready!

INT. JOSH'S KITCHEN - DAY

Josh, Emily, Mr. and Mrs. Parker are sitting at the kitchen
table. Jello, cookies and crab cakes are on the table.

MRS. PARKER
So how long have you lived here
Emily?

EMILY
Two years.

Emily takes a bite of Jello.

MRS. PARKER
See Josh? She's been here for
years and she loves it.

JOSH
I never said I didn't like it Mom.

Mr. Parker looks at Emily. He takes a bite of a cookie.

MR. PARKER
(to Josh)
You're sure gonna love it now
kiddo.

JOSH
Dad, what did I tell you?

MRS. PARKER
Where do you live honey? I would
love to meet your parents.

JOSH
Mom.

EMILY
My mother passed away when I was a
baby.

MRS. PARKER
I'm sorry. You live with your
dad?

23.

MR. PARKER
Daddy's little girl, huh?

EMILY
My dad is fighting in the war. I
live with my housekeeper, Ms.
Hannah.

MRS. PARKER
Oh, well, then I guess you're
going to have to introduce us
sometime.

EMILY
That'll be great.

MRS. PARKER
I know! Why don't you and your
housekeeper stop by for some
brunch one afternoon.

JOSH
She doesn't do brunch.

EMILY
(to Josh)
Brunch?

JOSH
A cross between breakfast and
lunch.

EMILY
Oh, but I do dunch.

MRS. PARKER
I'm sorry, dunch?

MR. PARKER
Is that one of those "who-da"
teenage slang names like hook up?

JOSH
No Dad.

EMILY
It's lunch and dinner.

MRS. PARKER
Oh. I'm sure we can work that out
sometime.

24.

EXT. JOSH'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Josh is standing outside his house with Emily.

JOSH
That was a total disaster.

EMILY
No it wasn't. I like your
parents. They're nice.

JOSH
Yeah. And embarrassing.

EMILY
Everyone's parents are like that.

JOSH
But mine are a little over the
top.

EMILY
Like you?

JOSH
What?

EMILY
You sound like your mom and look
like your dad.

JOSH
I talk like a girl?

EMILY
No. You just sound like her.

JOSH
Isn't that the same thing?

EMILY
(smiles)
I'll see you Friday.

JOSH
What are we doing Friday?

EMILY
Hiking.

JOSH
Oh yeah. Cause it was so much fun
the first time.

25.

EMILY
Bye.

JOSH
See ya.

Emily walks away.

INT. EMILY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Emily enters the living room. Ms. Hannah is sitting on the
couch watching T.V.

EMILY
Hi. Sorry I'm home so late. I
met Josh's parents and they
invited me for dinner. I tried
calling, but there was no answer.

MS. HANNAH
That's fine Emily.

EMILY
That's all you're going to say.
I've been gone for the whole
afternoon and you say that's fine?

MS. HANNAH
What do you want me to say? You're
gone for the whole day hiking
almost everyday. I know you can
take care of yourself.

EMILY
You could have at least called me.
I tried calling you. Where were
you?

MS. HANNAH
I decided to see a matinee at the
theater. Then I went shopping.

EMILY
You weren't worried about me?

MS. HANNAH
There was no need to.

EMILY
No need to? L'oh mio dio lo aiuta
prego.

26.

MS. HANNAH
Emily, I knew you were safe.

EMILY
Yeah I know, but I like to feel
like someone cares sometimes, you
know?

MS. HANNAH
I care about you honey.

EMILY
No you don't. You only care
because of that fat paycheck you
get at the end of the week.

Emily walks out of the room.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Emily opens her locker. Paul goes up to her.

PAUL
Is that how's it going to be?

EMILY
What?

PAUL
You stood me up last night. You
weren't even home.

EMILY
I'm sorry Paul. You always say
you'll take me out and never do.

PAUL
So where'd you go?

Josh walks up to Emily.

JOSH
(to Emily)
Hey.

Emily looks at Josh and smiles.

PAUL
Oh. Is that it? You were with
him?

27.

EMILY
(to Paul)
It wasn't like that Paul.

JOSH
She just came over for dinner.

Emily kicks Josh in the shin.

PAUL
(to Emily)
Then what is it like then?

EMILY
We're just friends.

PAUL
Really? You're just friends.
Well, friends don't look at each
other like that.

Paul walks away.

EMILY
(to Josh)
Is something wrong with you? What
were you thinking?

JOSH
What? You were at my house last
night. What was I supposed to
say?

EMILY
Nothing!

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - DAY

Emily enters with her hiking backpack on. Ms. Hannah is
making breakfast.

MS. HANNAH
Out hiking again?

Emily doesn't answer.

MS. HANNAH
Bringing Josh with you?

EMILY
Uh huh.

28.

MS. HANNAH
Breakfast will be ready soon.

EMILY
I'm eating at Josh's. I'll see
ya.

Emily walks out of the house.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily and Josh are walking through town. They both have
hiking backpacks.

JOSH
I surprised you're still not mad.

EMILY
About what? Me and Paul? We were
just a train wreck waiting to
happen. I'm glad it happened.

JOSH
Really?

EMILY
Yeah. Now Paul won't cheat off me
in Algebra.

Emily walks to a telephone pole and tear off the flier for
the wolf hunt.

EMILY
I hate this.

Detch walks out of the diner. Emily goes up to him. Josh
follows.

EMILY
How'd you do yesterday Detch?

DETCH
I actually did pretty good missy.
Killed a big mamma wolf. I missed
the pup though.

EMILY
Good. Why don't you go burn in-

JOSH
Emily.

29.

EMILY
I hope you're real proud of
killing that pup's mom.

DETCH
That's actually the best I've ever
done. I only killed one, but the
pup can't survive without it's
mamma. Killed two birds with one
stone.

EMILY
You mean killed two wolves with
one bullet, you jerk.

JOSH
Emily, I think we should go.

DETCH
I think you should listen to your
friend there. He has common
sense.

EMILY
I bet you wish you had some, huh?

Josh puts his hands on Emily's shoulders and steers her
away.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Emily and Josh are sitting by the frozen lake. They are
sitting on their backpacks.

EMILY
That guy is such an idiot. I
don't understand how he can kill
just for fun. That's a crime. And
the wolves have to deal with being
victims of doing absolutely
nothing to us? I hate anyone that
can commit such a crime to nature.
They were here first. Why can't
anyone understand that?

JOSH
I understand.

EMILY
Oh God no.

30.

JOSH
What?

EMILY
Look.

Emily and Josh look across the frozen lake to see a young
wolf pup staggering out of the forest.

EMILY
Where's his mother?

The wolf pup begins to whimper and cry.

JOSH
Looks like he's lost.

EMILY
No. His mother is always at his
side.

JOSH
How do you know?

EMILY
I've been tracking them for almost
a year. And everyday they are at
this spot at this time.

JOSH
Looks like the pup is keeping to
his routine.

EMILY
Or...

Helicopters fly overhead. Emily and Josh look up.

EMILY
Those are hunting copters.

JOSH
Hunting?

EMILY
Yeah. Hunters use them to spot
wolves. They shoot them from
above.

Emily looks at the wolf pup.

EMILY
Come on.

31.

Emily runs toward the wolf pup. Josh follows.

JOSH
What are you doing?

Emily slows to a walk and stops feet away from the wolf pup.
Josh catches up and stands behind her.

EMILY
Do you still have that candy bar?

JOSH
No. I ate it yesterday.

Josh puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out a jerky
stick.

JOSH
But I have jerky.

EMILY
Jerky?

JOSH
It's like meat.

Emily takes the jerky from Josh and unwraps it. She holds
it out to the wolf pup.

EMILY
(soothingly)
Hey buddy...Look what I've
got...Some jerky...

JOSH
(whispering)
You think he's just going to come
to you?

EMILY
Come on buddy...Don't be scared...

The wolf pup walks cautiously toward the jerky stick.

EMILY
Yeah...That's good...You want some
jerky?

The wolf pup takes a bite of the jerky.

EMILY
(to Josh)
Get me something long.

32.

JOSH
What?

EMILY
Something long.

Josh hands her a stick. Emily doesn't take it.

EMILY
Go pet him with it.

JOSH
What if he bites me?

EMILY
That's why your petting him with a
stick Josh.

Josh gently strokes the wolf pup with the stick. The wolf
pup looks at the stick.

EMILY
(to wolf pup)
It's okay buddy...We're here to
help...You want some more jerky?

Emily waves the jerky and the wolf pup takes another bite.

EMILY
Keep on stroking him Josh.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Emily is still feeding the wolf pup jerky and Josh is now
stroking him with his hand. A pile of jerky stick wrappings
are on the forest floor next to Emily.

EMILY
(to wolf pup)
Good boy...You like the beef jerky
don't you?

JOSH
Can we switch jobs? I'm getting
tired of petting him.

EMILY
There's no need to.

Emily pets the wolf pup.

33.

EMILY
We already gained his trust.

JOSH
And it only took...

Josh looks at his watch.

JOSH
5 hours and 46 minutes.

EMILY
And a couple jerky sticks.

Emily pets the wolf pup again.

JOSH
A couple hundred.

EMILY
(to Josh)
Not that much. This guy took his
time eating every one. Didn't
you?

JOSH
We should get going.

EMILY
Okay.

Emily picks up the wolf pup and walks toward her backpack at
the other end of the lake.

JOSH
What are you doing?

EMILY
We can't just leave him here. He
starve to death or be killed.

JOSH
So you're going to take him home
with you?

EMILY
Yes. I'm going to take this
Alaskan Malamute home with me.

JOSH
Why not a husky?

34.

EMILY
He's too big to be passed as a
husky. Malamutes are bigger.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily and Josh are walking through town. Emily carries the
wolf pup while Josh carries her and his hiking backpacks.

JOSH
Ms. Hannah would really let you
keep him?

EMILY
Of course she would. I've wanted
a dog for the longest time.

JOSH
What are you going to say when she
asks where you got him?

EMILY
I'll say that he was for sale in
the village. And I bought him.

JOSH
Is it really that easy to lie
about buying a dog?

EMILY
Of course.

JOSH
They don't have records or stuff
like that?

EMILY
No. They just sell puppies on the
street. Nobody here cares if it
is purebred.

They walk up Emily's steps.

JOSH
So what are you going to name him?

EMILY
I don't know.

JOSH
Well, you called him Buddy the
first time you spoke to him.

35.

Josh opens the door for Emily. They walk in.

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - DAY

Emily and Josh enter the kitchen.

JOSH
Where could I put your bag?

EMILY
Anywhere.

Josh puts Emily's hiking backpack on the floor. He takes
the beef jerky wrappers out of his pocket and throws them
into the garbage.

EMILY
Thanks Josh.

JOSH
No prob. I gotta get home Emily.
My mom probably has dinner ready.
I'll come by tomorrow.

EMILY
Okay.

JOSH
See ya.

Josh walks out of the house with his hiking backpack.

Emily looks at the wolf pup in her arms.

EMILY
Hey Bud. This is your new home. I
think.

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Ms. Hannah walks into the kitchen. She puts her purse on
the counter and takes off her coat.

MS. HANNAH
Hey Emily! Sorry I'm late! How
did hiking go?

Ms. Hannah walks down the hallway.

MS. HANNAH
Emily? Are you home?

36.

EMILY'S BEDROOM

EMILY
Hey Ms. Hannah.

Ms. Hannah opens Emily's bedroom door. Emily is on the
floor playing with the wolf pup. Emily stops playing and
looks at Ms. Hannah. She hold the wolf pup.

            MS. HANNAH
      (looking at wolf
       pup)
What's this? You bought a puppy?

EMILY
Yeah. He's an Alaskan Malamute.
His name's Bud.

MS. HANNAH
I thought we agreed to wait until
your father got home to get a
puppy?

EMILY
How long will that be?

Ms. Hannah doesn't answer.

EMILY
That's right. We don't know.

Emily pets the wolf pup.

EMILY
I bought him with my own money.

MS. HANNAH
How much was he? Not expensive I
hope.

EMILY
50 dollars. I already fed him.
I'm using a pot for his water dish
until I buy one tomorrow.

MS. HANNAH
It is your responsibility Emily. I
am not going to walk him or feed
him.

EMILY
His name is Bud. And I know. I'll
do everything.

37.

MS. HANNAH
And you're going to train this
pup, you hear? I don't want an
untrained dog in this house.

EMILY
Yes Ms. Hannah.

MS. HANNAH
Okay. Now how was hiking today?

EMILY
Not the same with those hunting
copters flying overhead.

MS. HANNAH
Sorry I'm home so late Emily. The
girl whose working the night shift
showed up late.

EMILY
That's okay.

MS. HANNAH
Dinner is in a hour.

Ms. Hannah looks at Bud.

MS. HANNAH
You can play with him in the
living room. If he messes on the
carpet, you're cleaning it.

INT. EMILY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Emily is playing with Bud in the living room. Bud is
howling and jumping on the couch. He takes a pillow in his
mouth.

MS. HANNAH (OS)
You've got to teach that pup some
manners. Looks like he hasn't
seen a couch before.

EMILY
Yeah.

38.

INT. PET STORE - DAY

Emily and Josh are walking through an isle in a pet store.
Emily is holding Bud. Josh has a water dish and a leash in
his hands. Emily looks at the collars.

JOSH
You're picking a collar Emily.
You're acting like it's life or
death.

EMILY
I don't like them.

JOSH
You don't like any of them?
There's like hundreds here.

EMILY
I don't think Bud should wear one.

JOSH
I agree with that. You know what
else I agree with?

EMILY
What?

JOSH
(whispering)
With not taking a wolf into town
and acting like it's a husky.

EMILY
Alaskan Malamute.

JOSH
I don't care what you say he is.

Josh and Emily are silent. Josh picks a blue collar off the
shelf.

JOSH
I'm taking one just in case. How
are we going to pull this off?

Emily pets Bud.

EMILY
I don't know Josh. But we are.

Emily and Josh walk to another isle containing dog food.
Josh and Emily stare at the dog food.

39.

JOSH
What kind do we get?

EMILY
I think we should just get him
meat from the butcher.

JOSH
I think that this wasn't such a
good idea.

EMILY
Will you stop?

JOSH
I think we're done.

Josh and Emily walk to the cash register. A CASHIER starts
to ring up the dog items. Bud starts squirming around in
Emily's arms.

EMILY
I'll meet you outside Josh. Bud
is getting antsy.

JOSH
Kay.

Emily exits the pet store.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily comes out of the pet store. Bud is still squirming.

EMILY
Calm down Bud.

Bud jumps out of Emily's arms and runs. Emily follows him.

EMILY
Bud!

Detch picks up Bud and looks at Emily.

DETCH
Is this your dog?

EMILY
Yeah. He's a malamute.

40.

DETCH
He's a big fella. What's his
name?

Detch pets Bud on the head. Bud whimpers and nips him.

EMILY
Bud.

Emily takes Bud from Detch.

Josh comes out of the pet store. He goes to Emily.

JOSH
(to Emily)
I'm ready.

Josh looks at Detch.

JOSH
(to Detch)
What are you doing here?

DETCH
Just cashing in my earnings.

EMILY
You mean the wolves that you
killed.

JOSH
(to Detch)
You're the one whose hunting those
wolves.

DETCH
I'm the one. Why? You wanna join
the team?

EMILY
No. He just wishes the wolves get
you before you get them.

            DETCH
      (to Emily)
He does, huh?
      (to Josh)
What's your name sonny?

JOSH
Josh.

Detch holds out his hand to shake.

41.

DETCH
I'm Detch. It's very nice to meet
you Josh.

JOSH
I wish I could say the same.

Josh and Emily walk away.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Emily opens her locker. Josh goes to her.

JOSH
How's Bud doing?

EMILY
He's doing fine. Ms. Hannah hates
him being in the house. He chews
everything.

Paul walks by holding a girl's hand. Emily and Josh looks
at him.

EMILY
Look at him. He thinks he is
so...

JOSH
Don't give in to jelousy Emily.

Emily shuts her locker and takes Josh by the hand. She and
Josh hold hands and pass Paul and the girl.

JOSH
What are you doing?

EMILY
Getting him back.

They walk into a classroom.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Emily lets go of Josh's hand.

EMILY
Do you think he saw?

42.

JOSH
(smiles)
I think everyone saw.

INT. EMILY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Josh and Emily are playing with Bud in the living room.

JOSH
He's gotten big.

EMILY
It has been a few months Josh.

JOSH
What happened to your arm?

Emily looks at her arm. There are cuts and scratches on it.

EMILY
Bud just plays a little rough.

Josh looks at the couch. It is chewed and torn.

JOSH
Looks like that's not the only
thing Bud played rough with.

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Emily and Ms. Hannah are sitting at the kitchen table eating
dinner. Emily pushes some scraps of meat on the floor. Bud
eats them.

MS. HANNAH
Be sure to eat your veggies Emily.

Emily pushes some broccoli on the floor. Bud sniffs it and
snorts.

INT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY

Emily puts her breakfast plate on the counter. Ms. Hannah
is cleaning the dishes.

EMILY
Thanks Ms. Hannah.

MS. HANNAH
Don't forget to feed Bud.

43.

EMILY
I'm about to do it now. I'm going
to hang out with Josh too.

MS. HANNAH
Where are you going?

EMILY
I don't know. Around.

MS. HANNAH
Hiking?

EMILY
No. We gave that up when I found
Bud. At the pet shop.

MS. HANNAH
Okay. Be home for dinner.

Emily walks out of the house.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY

Bud, now almost full grown, is tied to a tree. Emily unties
him.

EMILY
Hey Bud. How was it out here?
Better than in there, I hope,
cause Ms. Hannah can't take your
bad manners anymore. You're
driving her crazy. You probably
do like it better outside. Reminds
you of home.

Emily takes the rope off of Bud. She starts to walk towards
the town. Emily looks back at Bud.

EMILY
Let's go get some food. I bet
you're hungry.

Bud follows her into town. Everyone in town stares at Bud.

EMILY
(to Bud)
Don't mind them Bud. They've
never seen a Malamute before.

Emily walks into the butcher shop. Bud waits outside.

44.

INT. BUTCHER SHOP - DAY

Emily goes to the counter. The BUTCHER goes behind the
counter.

BUTCHER
What would Bud like today Emily?

EMILY
How about just a pound of the
juiciest meat you have.

BUTCHER
Sure.

The Butcher puts the meat in a plastic bag.

EMILY
Oh. I don't need a bag. It's
To-Go.

BUTCHER
Okay.

Butcher hands Emily the meat and Emily hands the Butcher
money.

EMILY
Thanks a lot Sam. See you later.

BUTCHER
No problem.

Emily walks out of the butcher shop.

EXT. BUTCHER SHOP - DAY

Emily throws the meat on the ground to Bud. Bud eats it.
Bud and Emily start walking through town.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily and Bud walk through town. Two little boys go up to
Emily.

LITTLE BOYS
Can we pet your dog?

EMILY
I'm sorry guys. He doesn't really
like to be touched.

45.

The little boys walk away.

Emily looks back at Bud who is following her.

EMILY
Pick up the pace Bud. Come on.

Emily walks into the post office. Bud waits outside.

INT. POST OFFICE - DAY

Emily goes to a Post Office Box and opens it with a key. She
takes out the letter inside and leaves the post office.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily sits on the curb. Bud lays next to her. She opens up
the letter and reads it.

DAD (VO)
Hey Em. It's Dad again. Ms.
Hannah told me you got a Malamute?
I thought we were clear on
waiting until I got back to get
one. She tells me he's a tough
one. Is it true he doesn't like
to be pet? Are you sure that's a
dog? Well, by the way that you
described him to me in your letter
he sounds like a decent one. When
you write me back, I want a
picture of him. Or is he camera
shy too? I can't find an answer
to that question of yours. The
war could last as long as Vietnam
or longer. And I'm sorry to say
when I'll be back in Alaska with
you, Ms. Hannah and Bud. No
matter how long I am gone, just
promise me that you will still
send your letters. They are the
one thing that gives me the hope
that this war will end and I will
be able to see you again. Love
always, Dad.

EMILY
I promise.

Emily puts the letter in her pocket.

46.

Detch walks out of the diner. Emily walks to him. Bud
follows.

EMILY
I heard you reached the big 2-0
Detch.

DETCH
Yup. Not too long until the big
3-0 comes.

Bud growls. Detch looks at him.

DETCH
That dog of yours has the most
distinct growl. It reminds me of
a wolf.

EMILY
Bud is a Malamute.

DETCH
You know what's funny?

EMILY
Your face?

DETCH
When I shot that Mama wolf, I
never again saw her pup.

EMILY
Maybe you killed it.

DETCH
I never shot it.

EMILY
It probably starved. You killed
it's mom, the one that feeds it.

Emily walks away. Bud follows her.

INT. ALGEBRA CLASSROOM - DAY

Emily is sitting at her desk taking notes. Paul's
girlfriend, NANCY WRIGHT, is sitting in front of Emily.
Nancy turns around in her chair.

NANCY
(to Emily)
Hi.

47.

EMILY
(to Nancy)
Hi.

NANCY
I'm Nancy, Paul's new girlfriend.

MR. WINDWARD, the 60 year old math teacher looks at them.

MR. WINDWARD
Nancy and Emily.

EMILY
(to Mr. Windward)
Sorry mr. Windward.

Nancy turns around in her seat.

MR. WINDWARD
So, as I was saying, asymptotes
are...

Nancy turns around in her seat to face Emily.

EMILY
Why are you telling me this?

NANCY
To warn you.

EMILY
Of what? You?

NANCY
Stay away from Paul.

EMILY
You don't have to tell me twice.

NANCY
That's why I'm telling you once.
Stay away from him.

EMILY
That's twice.

MR. WINDWARD, the 60 year old math teach, looks at Emily and
Nancy.

MR. WINDWARD
Girls, pay attention.

48.

NANCY
Sorry Mr. Windward.

Mr. Windward starts writing "ASYMPTOTES" on the board. Nancy
turns around in her seat to face the board.

EMILY
(whispers to Nancy)
Has that jerk even taken you out
yet?

Nancy turns around in her seat.

NANCY
Yeah. Why?

Emily looks at Paul. Paul looks at Emily and winks.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Emily is at her locker with Josh.

EMILY
He took her out!

JOSH
What?

EMILY
He took her out on an actual date!

JOSH
Are you still caught up with this
guy? I told you not to get
jealous.

Paul and Nancy walk down the hallway toward them.

EMILY
He's coming.

Emily takes Josh's hand and they start walking.

EMILY
Is he looking?

JOSH
(smiles)
I'm sure he is.

49.

EXT. JOSH'S HOUSE - DAY

Emily walks up the steps to Josh's house. Bud walks up the
steps. Emily knocks at the door. Mrs. Parker opens it.

MRS. PARKER
Hello Emily. It is so nice to see
you. Come on in honey.

EMILY
I'm sorry Mrs. Parker. I can't
leave Bud out here.

MRS. PARKER
Oh yeah. He doesn't like houses.
Well, I'll go get Josh. Hold on.

EMILY
Okay.

Mrs. Parker turns her head inside the house.

MRS. PARKER
Josh! Emily's here!

The sound of someone going down the stairs is heard and Josh
comes to the door.

JOSH
Hey Em.

EMILY
Hey.

JOSH
(to Mrs. Parker)
I'll be back Mom.

MRS. PARKER
Okay. Be home before dinner.

Josh and Emily walk down the steps. They start to walk. Bud
follows.

EXT. DIRT ROAD - DAY

Emily and Josh are walking. Bud is following them.

EMILY
I got a letter from my dad today.

50.

JOSH
What'd it say?

EMILY
That he doesn't know when he'll be
home.

JOSH
Did you tell him about Bud?

EMILY
Yeah.

JOSH
You told him your dog is a wolf?

EMILY
No. Not that part. I just told
him I got a Malamute.

JOSH
Oh. So how's Bud doing?

EMILY
He's doing good.

JOSH
He doesn't look it.

EMILY
What do you mean?

Josh and Emily look back at Bud.

JOSH
Look at him Emily. He's
depressed.

EMILY
That's how he always is. It's
normal for him.

JOSH
Normal for him is in the forest
where we took him.

EMILY
What are you saying?

JOSH
You can take the wolf out of the
wild, but you can't take the wild
out of the wolf.

51.

EMILY
We saved his life!

JOSH
I know, but now we have to save it
again.

EMILY
We are not bringing him back there
Josh.

JOSH
Why not? It's Bud's life.

EMILY
He'll get killed. Detch will kill
him just like he did to his mom.

JOSH
I think that's a risk that Bud is
willing to take.

EMILY
How should you know?

Emily walks away. Bud follows her. Josh runs after her.

JOSH
Emily stop. Will you just listen
to me?

Emily stops and looks at Josh.

JOSH
You know how my parents are nature
photographers?

Emily doesn't answer. She crosses her arms.

JOSH
They haven't had a single shot of
a wolf since we got here because
they are being hunted.

EMILY
Are you going to make a point here
or what?

JOSH
If we release Bud back into the
woods, my parents could get their
shot.

52.

EMILY
That's it. You just want to
release him so your parents could
make a few extra bucks?

JOSH
No. No. No. I didn't mean it
like that Emily. I just...

EMILY
You just what? You just want to
release him and what? Watch Detch
bring back another dead wolf? Bud?
Do you want that to happen?

JOSH
No Emily.

EMILY
I don't even think you know what
you are saying Josh. You don't
know what to think.

JOSH
No. I do. I do. I just have to
get it organized.

Emily starts to walk away. Josh runs up to her.

JOSH
No. It was all clear to me
before. Just give me some time
okay? You never give me time to
explain myself. Remember when we
first met? You pointed the gun at
me even before you saw who it was.
Just calm down, okay. I know
what I think. I just have to see
if it is a good idea. And I think
it is. I think releasing Bud is a
fantastic idea. Where's a better
place for a wolf to live than a
forest? It's a great idea, but
it's clashing with the wolf
hunting and Detch. Just let me
think, okay?

EMILY
I am letting you think Josh. And
when we met in the woods, I was
protecting myself. Do you think I
knew it was you in the bushes? It
could have been a bear.

53.

JOSH
Stop yelling at me, okay? I get
nervous when people yell. And I
start talking and I can't stop.
Like right now.

EMILY
I know how you get. You get
scared and talk really fast.

JOSH
I do not get scared.

EMILY
You were acting like a scwimp the
first time we saw the wolves.

JOSH
Doesn't everybody? I mean, who
doesn't think of turning the other
way when they see a wolf. I know
you don't. Cause you're the one
who decided, "Hey, why don't we
take him home? Why don't we take
a wild wolf pup home with us and
care for it and feed it. Nobody
will know. How could anybody know
it's a wolf when I tell them it's
a malamute?"

Emily runs away. Bud follows her.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Emily and Bud are sitting on the front steps. Emily is
crying. Bud nudges her with his muzzle.

EMILY
Is he right Bud? Do you really
want to go? There's not that many
wolves anymore out there. And I
don't think you would make it out
there anyway.

Bud groans.

EMILY
No offense. You're different from
the others Bud. They haven't
lived with a human for almost 5
months. You wouldn't fit in.
That's why it's safer for you to
(MORE)

54.

EMILY (cont'd)
stay here with me.

Emily pets Bud on the head.

EMILY
Josh thinks we have to tell them
about you. But I don't think so.
I know how they're going to take
it. They're going to do terrible
things Bud. And I don't want that
to happen. Not to my...friend.

Emily sees someone walking towards the house. It is NEIL
BRIARD, Emily's dad. Emily stands up and looks at him.

EMILY
Dad?

Her father walks closer. He is dressed in army clothes.
Emily runs to him.

EMILY
Dad!

Emily's father disappears when she runs to him.

MS. HANNAH (OS)
Emily? Are you alright?

Ms. Hannah goes to Emily. Ms. Hannah hugs Emily. Emily
shrugs her off and runs into the house.

INT. EMILY'S ROOM - NIGHT

Emily is on her bed crying. She is holding a picture of her
father.

There is a knock on her bedroom door.

MS. HANNAH (OS)
Emily, please come out. I'm sure
your father is okay.

EMILY
He's not okay. He's in the war.
Leave me alone.

55.

MS. HANNAH (OS)
You don't have to be ashamed
Emily. Many people with loved
ones in the war think they see
them.

EMILY
You don't understand.

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - DAY

Josh walks into the kitchen and goes to Ms. Hannah.

JOSH
What's wrong?

MS. HANNAH
Emily. She saw a ghost of her dad
and has locked herself in her
room.

INT. OUTSIDE EMILY'S ROOM - DAY

Josh knocks on Emily's door.

EMILY (OS)
Go away!

JOSH
It's me Em.

EMILY (OS)
Just leave me alone.

JOSH
I just want to talk. Can I come
in?

EMILY (OS)
No.

JOSH
Listen. I'm not that good talking
about this kind of stuff.

EMILY (OS)
Then why are you here?

JOSH
Because your my friend and I want
to help.

56.

EMILY (OS)
I don't need help Josh. I am
fine.

JOSH
You locked yourself in your room
to cry.

EMILY (OS)
You don't understand.

JOSH
Then help me to.

The door is heard unlocking and Emily opens her door. They
look at each other.

JOSH
Hey.

Emily hugs Josh. Josh hugs her back.

EMILY
(crying)
I don't understand. This is such
a load of crap. Why can't he come
home? He's been there long
enough.

JOSH
I know.

EMILY
(crying)
I miss him so much Josh. I miss
him so much. What if he got hurt?
What if something happened? I
can't lose him too Josh. I can't
lose him. He told me he'd always
be here. He told me he wouldn't
leave me alone.

JOSH
You aren't alone Emily. You have
everyone around you.

INT. JOSH'S KITCHEN - DAY

Emily and Josh are sitting at the table with Josh's parents.

57.

            EMILY
      (to Mr. and Mrs.
       Parker)
Josh says that you two haven't
seen a wolf yet?

JOSH
(to Emily)
What? You think I was lying?

MRS. PARKER
Sadly, it's true.

MR. PARKER
We've been there almost everyday
trying to get a photo.

MRS. PARKER
Is it true about the wolf
shootings?

EMILY
Yeah.

MR. PARKER
That's terrible.

EMILY
Tell me about it.

JOSH
Me and Emily saw one in the woods.

Emily kicks Josh under the table.

MRS. PARKER
Really?

MR. PARKER
When?

EMILY
Josh.

JOSH
It was when we first moved here.
When I met Emily in the woods.

Emily gets up and walks out the door.

MR. PARKER
Was it something I said?

58.

JOSH
No. It was something I said.

Josh walks out of the house.

EXT. JOSH'S HOUSE - DAY

Emily is sitting on the front steps. Josh sits next to her.

EMILY
You said you wouldn't tell anybody
about the wolves.

JOSH
I said I wouldn't tell Ms. Hannah.
That doesn't mean I can't tell my
parents.

EMILY
You don't get it Josh.

JOSH
I think I do Emily. It's not that
difficult.

Emily and Josh pause.

JOSH
They were thinking of moving Em.

Emily looks at Josh.

JOSH
And that little spec of
information may keep us here.

EMILY
Why do they want to move?

JOSH
Well, I haven't actually heard it
come out of their mouths, but I
know they are thinking about it.
They came here for the wildlife
and that's mostly gone now because
of the hunting.

EMILY
I don't want you to go.

59.

JOSH
It's not my decision to move. It's
theirs.

EMILY
Can't you just tell them not to
move?

JOSH
It's not that simple. They need
to do their jobs.

Josh looks around.

JOSH
Where's Bud? Doesn't he wait for
you?

EMILY
I left him at home today.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Emily is at her locker. Josh is next to her. Paul goes up
to Emily.

PAUL
Hey Em.

EMILY
Hi. What do you want?

Paul looks at Josh.

PAUL
(to Josh)
Could I speak to her alone?

JOSH
You're in a high school, dude. How
private can it get?

PAUL
(to Emily)
I want to take you out.

EMILY
How may times have I heard that?

PAUL
No Em. I mean it this time.

60.

JOSH
What happened to Nancy?

PAUL
She was just to get you jealous.
Please. I mean it this time.

JOSH
She's already taken.

PAUL
(to Emily)
You don't really like this guy, do
you?

Emily looks at Josh.

PAUL
It that it then? You're saying no
just like that?

Emily shuts her locker.

EMILY
Yeah.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - DAY

Emily is walking through town without Bud. Detch calls out
to her from the other end of the street.

DETCH
No wolf today Emily?

EMILY
He is not a wolf!

DETCH
Yeah. Okay.

EMILY
He's a Malamute.

DETCH
Last time I checked Malamutes were
dogs.

Emily walks into the Post Office.

61.

INT. POST OFFICE - DAY

Emily opens her Post Office Box with a key. A letter is
inside. She takes it out and reads it.

DAD (VO)
Hey Emily. It's Dad again. The
picture you sent me of Bud was
almost as I pictured him in my
head. He got big since you last
showed me a picture. Are you sure
he's a malamute? Cause he looks a
little taller to be one. Well,
almost every dog in that Alaskan
town isn't a purebred. Ms. Hannah
told me about the couch. That
little dog's got a powerful jaw.
She told me you tie him up at
night. I would too if he did that
to my couch. Wait, it is my
couch. By the tone in your
letter, I say that the wolf hunt
is still going on. Am I right?
That Detch Redson is a character.
I sure would like to give him a
piece of my mind right about now.
I miss you more and more everyday.
I'm even beginning to miss Ms.
Hannah's casserole, as bad as that
is. I surprise myself sometimes.
Tell Bud I said hi and pat him on
the head for me. It seems my
letters get shorter and shorter
every time I write. Maybe it's
because I've been gone for so
long. It seems like years, but it
is only months. I love you Emily.
Love, Dad.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY

Emily walks to her house. Bud isn't tied up to the tree.
Emily goes to the tree and sees a chewed up rope tied to the
tree. Emily looks around.

EMILY
Bud!

EXT. JOSH'S HOUSE - DAY

Emily knocks on Josh's door. Josh opens it.

62.

EMILY
Bud is missing.

JOSH
He's what?

EMILY
Missing. I came home from the
Post Office and his rope was
chewed.

Josh looks back in his house.

JOSH
I'm going out! Be back soon!

Josh closes the door and walks down the steps with Emily.

EMILY
Where could he be? Do you think
someone took him?

JOSH
I doubt it. Bud won't let anybody
near him but you.

EMILY
So you think he ran away?

JOSH
Yeah.

EMILY
You think he would go back?

JOSH
Definately.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Josh and Emily are walking through the woods looking around.

JOSH
I don't think we should be looking
for him.

A gun shot is heard from the distance. Josh gets startled.

EMILY
Why?

63.

JOSH
He's a wolf Emily. They need the
wild to survive. That's their
natural habitat.

EMILY
But he'll get killed if we don't
find him.

JOSH
I don't think Bud cares. He just
wants to go back home. And we're
going to get killed just being
here.

EMILY
They won't shoot you.

JOSH
They will if they think I'm a
wolf. And I'm not ready to be
shot. I'm only 17. I mean, when
I'm like 40, maybe I'll be ready
to be shot. But I'm definitely
not ready now Emily.

EMILY
Shh.

Emily walks to the lake where they first saw the mother wolf
and her pup. The lake isn't frozen anymore.

JOSH
Hey. Isn't this where...?

EMILY
Yeah.

Bud is on the other end of the lake drinking from it.

EMILY
There he is.

JOSH
Wow. He looks beautiful.

A shot is heard and Bud falls down on his side.

EMILY
No!

64.

Emily runs to Bud. She looks at his bullet wound. He got
shot in the stomach. Detch comes out of the forest. Josh
goes to Emily.

JOSH
We gotta bring him to the animal
hospital.

Emily looks at Detch.

EMILY
(to Detch)
You're such a jerk!

JOSH
Did you hear me? If we don't
bring him now, he'll die!

Josh and Emily pick up Bud.

EXT. ALASKAN VILLAGE - NIGHT

Josh and Emily walk through town carrying Bud. Everyone
stops and looks at them.

JOSH
(to the people)
Don't act like you've never seen a
wounded wolf before.

EMILY
Josh.

JOSH
They have to know sometime Emily.
He can't pass as a malamute
forever.

Josh tries to open the vet's door, but his arms are full. A
MAN opens it for them.

JOSH
(to Man)
Thanks.

Josh and Emily carry Bud inside.

INT. VET - NIGHT

Josh and Emily enter the vet. A NURSE goes to them.

65.

NURSE
What happened?

JOSH
This wolf was shot.

NURSE
I'm sorry. We don't treat wild
animals.

EMILY
You have to help him.

JOSH
You're just going to watch him
die?

Josh and Emily carry Bud to an examination room.

EXAMINATION ROOM

They lay Bud on the table. The Nurse goes to them.

NURSE
I'm sorry. You have to leave.

EMILY
I'm not leaving Bud.

JOSH
(to nurse)
He was shot in the stomach. We
need a doctor to extract the
bullet and stop the bleeding.

NURSE
I already said sir. We don't
treat wild animals. This is a
clinic for pets.

JOSH
Doctor!

NURSE
Sir, I'm going to have to ask you
to leave.

JOSH
(to Nurse)
This is an animal clinic, right?

The Nurse nods her head.

66.

JOSH
(to Nurse)
Is says it out there on the sign,
right?

The Nurse nods her head.

JOSH
It doesn't say "Pet Clinic" on
that sign. So you're going to go
send for the doctor to save this
animal from dying.

The DOCTOR walks into the room.

DOCTOR
What is all this noise?

The Doctor sees the wounded Bud on the examination table.

DOCTOR
What happened?

NURSE
Doctor, I told them to leave.

The Doctor goes to Bud. He puts on gloves.

DOCTOR
We need to work fast on this one.
It looks like he's leaving us.

EMILY
Thank you Doctor.

INT. VET WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

Emily and Josh are sitting on chairs. Emily is on her
phone.

EMILY
Yeah. I'm fine Ms. Hannah...Josh
is with me...Where am I? I'm at
the animal clinic...It's kind of a
long story...Bud got shot...No,
Ms. Hannah, he was in the woods.
Detch shot him because he thought
he was a wolf...Because Bud is a
wolf.

67.

INT. VET WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

Ms. Hannah is in the waiting room with Emily and Josh.

MS. HANNAH
What were you thinking Emily? You
brought home a wolf pup? Do you
know how dangerous that is?

EMILY
Detch was on a wolf killing
rampage. I couldn't leave him
there alone.

MS. HANNAH
And you lie to me about it? You
say it's an Alaskan Malamute. Do
you know how different Malamutes
look from wolves? At first, he
could have passed as a dog. But
when he started to get bigger, he
looked more like a wolf. I didn't
want to say anything because he
could just be half wolf. But I
never thought he would be a wild
wolf. I'd never think that you
would be so clueless as to bring
home a wolf.

JOSH
We're going to release him Ms.
Hannah.

MS. HANNAH
If you think that will get you off
the hook...

EMILY
(to Josh)
We are?

JOSH
Didn't you see how happy he was to
be back home?

EMILY
But he won't be safe out there
Josh.

JOSH
He can take care of himself Emily.
He's a wolf.

68.

MS. HANNAH
I think you should release him too
Emily. Wolves need the forest.
It's in their blood to be wild.
It's not a wolf if it isn't free.

Detch comes into the waiting room.

DETCH
Did that wolf die yet?

Ms. Hannah goes up to Detch.

MS. HANNAH
(to Detch)
How dare you shoot those poor
animals. They've done nothing to
harm us.

DETCH
(to Ms. Hannah)
Do you know who I am?

EMILY
I think you've killed enough
wolves Detch.

DETCH
I don't care what you think.

MS. HANNAH
(to Detch)
Don't talk to Emily like that. She
is just trying to help those poor
creatures.

JOSH
How many more are you planning to
kill Detch?

DETCH
Is that a joke?

EMILY
(to Detch)
You can't kill all of them.

DETCH
(to Emily)
Oh, I can and I will.

JOSH
You can't do that.

69.

EMILY
Those wolves are part of Alaska.
You can't just get rid of them.

DETCH
Why not?

JOSH
Cause those wolves are what nature
lovers come here for.

DETCH
Good try boy, but I'm not
stopping.

JOSH
What are you going to kill? They
are all in hiding from you and
your shotgun.

DETCH
I'll get them to come out.

EMILY
(to Detch)
There are millions Detch.

DETCH
How do you know?

EMILY
Do you know how big that forest
is? It's acres long and acres
wide. Nobody could kill all of
the wolves.

DETCH
I beg to differ.

JOSH
The only thing you'll be begging
to do is...

MS. HANNAH
Josh. Please. Let's all just
take a breather.

EMILY
(to Detch)
Aren't you late for an animal
hater club or something?

70.

MS. HANNAH
Emily, stop it.

The Doctor comes into the room.

DOCTOR
He'll be sore for a few weeks, but
he'll be fine.

EMILY
Can we go see him?

DOCTOR
I'm sorry, miss. He needs his
rest now more than ever.

JOSH
Emily won't wake him.

EMILY
I just want to see him.

RECOVERY ROOM

Emily goes to the sleeping Bud on a bed. The doctor is next
to her.

DOCTOR
He's too big for the cage. Is he
really a wolf?

EMILY
Yeah.

DOCTOR
They are beautiful animals. They
are one of the reasons I moved
here 15 years ago.

EMILY
Really?

DOCTOR
Yes. And this is the first time I
saw one. Never thought I would be
saving the first one I saw.

EMILY
I call him Bud.

71.

INT. ALASKAN DINER - DAY

Emily and Josh are sitting at a booth eating their
sandwiches.

JOSH
You know Emily?

EMILY
What?

JOSH
Why don't we get another?

EMILY
What do you mean?

JOSH
You know. When Bud is gone.

EMILY
Another wolf?

JOSH
No. A dog.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

RED FORRESTER, a 35 year old man, and SKY FORRESTER, a 40
year old man, walk through the woods. They suddenly stop
and look a head of them.

RED
Detch!

SKY
Oh sweet mother of God.

INT. ALASKAN DINER - DAY

EMILY
I don't know if Ms. Hannah will
let me take another one in.

JOSH
Who ever said it was gonna be
yours? I want the dog.

EMILY
Then why are you asking me if I
want one?

72.

JOSH
Because I helped you raise Bud
even though he was yours.

EMILY
So you want a dog of your own, but
I gotta help you raise it?

JOSH
Yes. Just like I did. You're
gonna help me train him, walk him,
feed him, and shop for him.

EMILY
Why do I have to help you shop?
He's your dog.

JOSH
Nuh uh. Who was the one who
helped you at the pet store and
bought all the supplies?

EMILY
I paid you back Josh.

JOSH
I know. But you still owe me 25
jerky sticks.

Red and Sky enter the diner. They are both out of breath.

SKY
Somebody help!

WAITRESS
What's wrong Sky?

RED
Detch is dead. That's what's
wrong.

SKY
Some bear or wolf got him in the
woods.

Red looks at Emily.

RED
(to Emily)
Where's your wolf?

EMILY
Excuse me?

73.

RED
You heard me girl. This whole
town knows about your beast. Where
is he?

JOSH
Bud didn't do anything.

RED
(to Josh)
I'm not talking to you boy. I'm
asking the lady.

EMILY
I'm sorry Red. Bud's wounded. He
can't even stand up, let alone
kill someone.

WAITRESS
Calm down Red. I'm sure it just
was a wild bear or something.
Emily's wolf had nothing to do
with it.

RED
That wolf always has something to
do with it.

Emily stands up in the middle of the diner.

EMILY
Look. I'm sorry about what
happened, but I hate that everyone
thinks of Bud differently just
because he's a wolf. The only
difference between him and a dog
is the wild. I found Bud a year
ago in the woods. That's right! I
confess. I took Bud from the
wild, but only because Detch
killed his mother. Now tell me
that none of you would feel
sympathy, or anything for that
matter, towards a pup who is lost.
Who had just had its mother
killed. Who's fate was to die of
hunger. Well, I felt sorry for
Bud. I didn't want him to die. No
pup deserves to die because of one
selfish person. So I rescued him.
I brought him home. He was
happy, or so I thought, until he
ran away. Guess where he went?
The woods. I found him at that
(MORE)

74.

EMILY (cont'd)
same spot where I first saw him
with his mother. I saw the
happiness gleaming in his eyes. I
saw the wolf I never had seen
before. He was truly happy. Until
somebody, who I will not name,
shot him. That person shot a
harmless wolf. And let me tell
you something, it's one thing to
kill, but another thing when
someone kills for the sport of it.
This person got what was coming
to him. I'm very sorry if you
feel differently, but I don't
agree with hunting purely for the
fun of it.

INT. EMILY'S KITCHEN - DAY

Bud is lying on a dog bed. His stomach is wrapped up. Emily
goes to him.

EMILY
Hey Bud.

Emily takes out a jerky stick and unwraps it. Bud looks at
it.

EMILY
Look what I've got.

Bud takes a bite. Emily pets Bud on the head while he takes
a bite.

EMILY
When you get better, we'll bring
you back. I promise.

INT. JOSH'S KITCHEN - DAY

Emily is sitting at the table with Josh and his parents.

MRS. PARKER
How is the wolf doing Emily?

JOSH
His name is Bud Mom.

EMILY
He's doing fine Mrs. Parker.

75.

MR. PARKER
When do you think he'll be ready
to be released?

EMILY
Soon. He's healing well.

MRS. PARKER
You have to invite us to take some
photos for the magazine. It'll be
wonderful.

MR. PARKER
Of course, you'll get the pick of
the album Emily.

EMILY
Thanks.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY

Josh walks up to Emily and Bud. Bud is fully healed.

JOSH
You ready?

EMILY
Yeah.

They walk away with Bud following them.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Josh, Emily, and Bud walk to the lake. Mr. and Mrs. Parker
are waiting there with a camera and tripod. Emily kneels
down to Bud.

EMILY
(to Bud)
It was fun while it lasted Bud.
Have fun out here. You better be
safe. No fooling around like when
you chewed up the couch. This is
the wild. Live it and love it.

JOSH
(to Bud)
We're gonna miss you buddy. Be
safe out there.

Emily pets Bud on the head.

76.

EMILY
(to Bud)
Go.

Mr. Parker takes pictures. Emily stands up and points.

EMILY
Go.

Bud runs to the other side of the lake. Mr. Parker takes
pictures. Bud stops and looks back at them.

MRS. PARKER
He's beautiful.

MR. PARKER
Magnificent.

EMILY
(smiles)
See you around.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY

Emily walks down the steps and sits at the bottom step. NEIL
BRIARD, a 50 year old man, is walking towards the house.

EMILY
Dad?

Neil, Emily's father, smiles.

EMILY
Dad!

Emily runs to him and hugs him.

DAD
I missed you so much Emily.

EMILY
I love you Dad.

Ms. Hannah comes out of the house. She sees Emily's father
and smiles at him.

INT. JOSH'S KITCHEN - DAY

Emily, Neil, Ms. Hannah, Josh, and his parents are sitting
at the kitchen table. They are eating sandwiches.

77.

MRS. PARKER
It is so nice to finally meet you.

MR. PARKER
Your daughter is just like you.

DAD
Thank you.
(to Emily and Josh)
So tell me more about Bud.

JOSH
There isn't anymore to say. He's
a wolf.

EMILY
We've told you everything Dad.

MR. PARKER
We have those pictures we took
when we released him. Do you want
to see?

DAD
No thanks. I'd rather see him
myself.

JOSH
(to Emily's father)
What are you saying?

EMILY
You want us to take you to the
forest?

DAD
Yes. I would love to meet him.

EXT. ALASKAN WOODS - DAY

Emily, Josh and Emily's father walk to the lake. They sit
on the ground.

EMILY
I wonder if he still comes here?

JOSH
He will Emily.

DAD
How would you know it's him?

78.

Bud comes out of the woods followed by another wolf. Bud
looks at them.

EMILY
There he is.

DAD
He is beautiful.

JOSH
It looks like he's made a friend.
At least we know he fits in.

EMILY
And he's happy.

Emily's dad pats her on the back. She looks at him.

DAD
You did the right thing Em.
Letting him go.

EMILY
I know.

Emily looks at Bud.

EMILY
But I miss him.

JOSH
It's for the best though.

Bud throws his head back and howls.

FADE OUT.

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