	Login \| Help

Screenwriter Community

by Matthew Blizzard (mbz490@hotmail.com)

Rated:

Genre: Miscellaneous User Review: NOT YET
RATED
A screenplay based on the short story, Hobnail by Crystal Arbogast. As the Poteets head home, Ellen and Fannie hear strange noises coming from the forest, but no one is there. Or is there?

FADE IN:

EXT. UNCLE JOHN'S FRONT PORCH - DAY

FANNIE POTEET sits cross-legged in a rocking chair. She has
her favorite ragdoll clutched under one arm. The late
afternoon suns shines through a giant oak tree, casting
light on the cabin. Fannie gazes upward toward the
glistening light.

INT. UNCLE JOHN'S CABIN - DAY

SALLY
Ellen, I'm sure happy that you
came to church with us today. Why
don't you spend the night? It's
getting awfully late, and it will
be dark before you make it home.

ELLEN
I'll be fine Sally. Anyhow, you
know how Lige is about his supper.
I left plenty for him and the
boys on the back of the stove, but
he'll want Fannie and me home.
Besides, he'll want to hear if Sam
Bosworth's wife managed to drag
him into church.

EXT. UNCLE JOHN'S FRONT PORCH - DAY

Hearing her mother's laughter, Fannie is jerked her from her
daydreaming, and stands up. She pulls her dress over her
protruding petticoat, and walks inside.

INT. UNCLE JOHN'S CABIN - DAY

ELLEN
Get your shawl, Fannie. When the
sun goes down, it'll get chilly.

Fannie goes toward the fireplace, where her shawl is hanging
from a chair. UNCLE JOHN comes in from the back, carrying a
lantern.

UNCLE JOHN
You'll need this, Ellen. The wick
is new and I've filled it up for
you.

ELLEN
I appreciate it Johnny. I'll have
Lige bring it back when he goes to
town next week.

Ellen kisses Johnny good-bye, and hugs Sally gently.

            ELLEN
      (patting Sally's
       swollen belly)
I'll be back at the end of the
month. Don't be lifting anything
heavy. If that queasy feeling
keeps bothering you, brew some of
that mint tea I left in the
kitchen. Lord knows I've never
seen a baby keep its mammy so sick
as much as this one has. It's a
boy for sure.

Fannie frowns. She tucks the doll under her left arm, and
collects the shawl with the same hand. She stands, waiting
patiently. Aunt Sally kisses Fannie lightly on the cheek,
and squeezes her gently.

            SALLY
      (whispering to
       Fannie)
If I have a girl, I hope that she
will be as sweet as you.

Uncle John pats Fannie on the head.

UNCLE JOHN
Bye Punkin. When that old momma
cat has her kittens, I'll give you
the pick of the litter.

Fannie smiles. Ellen secures her shawl over her shoulders,
and tosses one side around and over again. She picks up the
lit lantern and takes Fannie's right hand. They exit the
cabin.

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - NIGHT

The railroad tracks lie a half-mile above the dirt road. The
tracks wind through the mountains around the moutains and
valleys. A train carrying coal and lumber creeps along the
tracks.

INT/EXT. LOCATIONS - VARIOUS. DAY/NIGHT

[MONTAGE]

Ellie tells stories of the distant places she has visited.
Fannie smiles at the thought of herself visiting these
foreign places.

Various scenes of an older Fannie visit big cities, such as
New York, London, Paris, etc.

Uncle Jack is fighting for his country in Cuba.

[END MONTAGE]

The sun is setting, and the last rays are sinking behind the
tree-studded mountains. Shadows rise ominously from the
dense woods on both sides of the tracks. Something RUSTLES
in the brush. Fannie jumps.

ELLEN
(soothingly)
It's all right child. just foxes
and possums.

An owl HOOTS. Fannie tightens her grip on Ellen's hand.
Darkness engulfs the scene, except for the glow of the
lantern, and the shadows of Ellen and Fannie. A cloud
covers the moon, and a few stars fade in between the moving
clouds. Fannie trips over chunks of gravel scattered
between the ties.

ELLEN
We'll rest awhile child. My guess
is that we have less than a mile
to go.

Ellen sets the lantern down. Wearily, her and Fannie try to
get comfortable sitting on the tracks.

FANNIE
Mammy, it's so scary in the dark.
Will God watch over us and protect
us?

ELLEN
Yes, Fannie. Remember what that
new young preacher said in church
today. The Good Lord is always
with you, and when you need His
strength, call out His name.
Better still, do what I do.

FANNIE
What's that mammy?

            ELLEN
      (stroking Fannie's
       hair)
Well, I sing one of my favorite
hymns.

Something RUSTLES the brush. Fannie peers into the inky
darkness of the way that had just come.

FANNIE
Mammy, do you hear that?

ELLEN
Hear what child?

            FANNIE
      (moving closer to
       Ellen)
It's somebody else coming!

Ellen gives Fannie a comforting hug.

ELLEN
You're just imagining things
Fannie. We've rested enough. Let's
get on home. Your papa will be
worried.

Ellen picks up the lantern, takes Fannie hand and continues
walking. Something RUSTLES the brush again.

FANNIE
Mammy, I hear it again!

ELLEN
Hush child.

Ellen swings the lantern around.

ELLEN
See, there's nothing there.

Fannie secures her grip on Ellen's hand, and clutches her
doll tightly. The owl continues to HOOT, and the night wind
RUSTLES the leaves in the trees.

FANNIE
The air sure smells like rain. The
wind is picking up a mite too.
We'll be home soon, little girl.
Yonder is the last bend.

The RUSTLING gets louder.

FANNIE
Mammy, it's getting closer.

Ellen swings the lantern around again.

ELLEN
Child, there's nothing out there.
Tell you what; let's sing
"Precious Lord"

Ellen begins singing "Precious Lord." Fannie joins in, but
her voice quivers with fear. Ellen's singing grows louder.
The warm glow of light from their house glimmers down the
side of the mountain and through the trees. A dog BARKS in
the distance. Ellen and Fannie abruptly stop singing.

ELLEN
See child, we're almost home.
Tinker will be running up to meet
us. Big old Tinker. He's chased
mountain lions before. He'll see
us safely home.

FANNIE
Let's hurry then Mammy. Can't you
hear? It's closer and I'm scared.
Let's run!"

ELLEN
All right child, but see, I'm
telling you there's nothing there.

Ellen makes another sweep around with the lantern. When
Ellen turns around, she sees the silhouette of a headless
man wearing hobnail boots.

ELLEN
Here Tinker! Come on boy!

Tinker races up the path leading to the railroad tracks.
Ellen and Fannie almost collide with Tinker as they step
down on to the trail towards their home.

ELIJAH
Ellen, is that you?

ELLEN
Yes Lige. I'm sorry we're so late.
I'm afraid I walked a bit fast for
this child. She's worn out."

Elijah picks up Fannie and carries her the rest of the way
home.

INT. POTEET CABIN - NIGHT

Ellen helps Fannie undress, and tucks her into bed. The
sounds of her parents' voices diifts from the kitchen.
Fannie smiles at the SNORES of her brothers in the back.

ELLEN
Lige, I heard the steps. I didn't
want to frighten the child. I kept
singing and swinging the lantern
around and telling her there was
nothing to be afraid of. But Lige,
just before we got off the tracks,
I turned the lantern around one
last time. That's when I saw what
was following us. I saw the figure
of a man. A man without a head!

Fannie closes her eyes.

THE END

Feedback

There is currently no feedback for this screenplay.

Leave Feedback

You must be logged in to leave feedback.

Home My Account Products Screenwriter Community Screenwriter's Corner Help