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FADE IN:
ACT ONE
EXT. HILLTOP - NORTHERN ONTARIO - SUNRISE - (SPRING 1969) 1
Birds can be heard singing. The faraway silhouetted figure
of MITCHELL, an aboriginal male with long flowing hair, looks
out over a spectacular panorama of rugged countryside. He
speaks in native patois.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
In the North Country, seasons play a
big part in the lives of people.
Winter holds this place tight.
We approach him from behind coming closer and closer.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
When it finally lets go you can hear
it crack. when that crack comes the
otter begins to play.
We see him gently fingering the budding leaves of a nearby
branch. Lake Superior twinkles icy-blue in the distance.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
For the beaver, the crack is like a
starting gun at a race. He builds
quickly for soon the next winter
will be upon him. For him there is
no time to play. Spring's a time
when things change fast. You have
to keep a sharp eye out for the
trickster.
EXT. SIDE OF HIGHWAY - SUNRISE 2
A raven feeds on a piece of roadkill. He's startled into
flight by the brand-new GTO convertible speeding by. "Haven
Speedway Pace Car" is emblazoned on the side.
INT. GTO CONVERTIBLE - SUNRISE 3
CHANCE WILSON, an overgrown adolescent of forty, races down
the highway, drumming at the dashboard of the car in time to
a tune blaring out of the car's eight track. It's "Sympathy
for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones. He sings along.
CHANCE
"Please allow me to introduce myself,
I'm a man of--wealth and taste."
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
EXT. HILLTOP - SUNRISE 4
The raven soars into view cawing raucously overhead. As
MITCHELL eyes the circling bird, the rising sun spills onto
his stubbled face erasing the noble profile and revealing
him to be a paunchy and balding middle-aged native.
MITCHELL takes a long pull on a joint and flicks it away.
As the roach arcs away and down we follow it drawing closer
to its glowing sparking tip of orange flame.
INT. STEEL MILL - MORNING 5
Bright orange molten ore slops into huge vats providing the
main source of light in the mill. The mill resembles a beast;
a dark and filthy, loud and banging, dangerous creature,
very much alive. ED, a man of medium height and build, around
forty, works with intense concentration at the controls of
a crane, levering a now-empty ore bucket over to one side.
Taped to the window of the cab is a photograph of a sultry
dark-haired woman in her thirties. It's a close-up shot of
her face and her pose is poutingly provocative.
ED talks to the photo and laughs.
ED
You're giving me the lip Ellie!
You're giving me the lip!
ED shuts the machine off and jumps down. He yells over the
din to one of his co-workers that its quitting time and
gestures to the punch clock.
He makes his way along aisles of growling machinery. Suddenly
An alarm horn starts blasting away. He changes direction,
running over to some scaffolding. A small cabin is perched
on top. He climbs quickly to it, throws open a door.
Along one wall are gauges, buttons and levers. One of the
gauges is dangerously in the red and a warning light flashes.
ED quickly throws a lever, pushes a button and in a loud
hiss of hydraulics and banging the gauge dips back into the
safe level.
ED climbs back down the scaffolding bumping into NORT at the
bottom.
NORT
Jesus, Eddie you saved my bacon.
What in hell happened.
ED
Number five just about blew! Where
in the fuck were you? We could'a
been down for three shifts for Christ
sake!
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
NORT
A guys gotta take a leak sometime
Eddie.
ED looks reproachfully at him and begins walking away.
NORT (CONT'D)
Thanks Eddie.
ED chuckles, waves without turning around, and makes his way
to the punch clock.
ANGLE ON: A HAND TAKES AN EMPLOYEE CARD WITH THE NAME ED
HEWSON PRINTED ON IT, SHOVES THE CARD INTO A TIME CLOCK AND
IT BANGS EXPLOSIVELY.
EXT. MOBILE HOME - MORNING 6
ED pulls his six-year-old compact Ford up to a small mobile
home, gets tiredly out of the car, and enters the trailer.
INT. MOBILE HOME - MORNING 7
ELLIE adjusts her waitress uniform in front of a small mirror.
She is ED's wife and the woman we've seen in the photograph
earlier. ED comes over to her and they exchange a brief
peck.
ELLIE
Hi Sweetie. Long night?
ED
Same old, same old. I'm gonna fall
down for a few hours. Wake me at 12?
ELLIE
Kay. gotta go.
ELLIE leaves the trailer. ED yells after her.
ED
Make sure Jody gets a start on those
rocks ok?
EXT. SIDE OF HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF SERVICE STATION -- DAY 8
In the foreground a can of open white paint perches
precariously on a partially painted rock.
Focusing on the background, a rusty battered 1957 Pontiac is
being pushed into the station. Steam belches from under the
hood.
Pushing the car are JAMES And MITCHELL, two native men in
their twenties. Also pushing is ROBBY, a slender,slightly
built lad of seventeen. At the wheel, covered in white paint,
sits JODY, an eight-year-old boy. He pretends he is driving.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
ROBBY
Where'd you guys get this anyway?
JAMES
Mitchell's uncle. Was gonna put it
in the dump. But Mitchell says
there's lots of miles in her yet.
ROBBY
Your uncle got any more cars?
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT -- DAY 9
A car trunk opens and a SALESMAN reaches in for a card of
jack-knives adorned with pictures of mounted R.C.M.P in full
dress. The salesman pitches his wares to ED, now wearing
the uniform of service station attendant. ED is visibly
impatient with the salesman's pitch.
In the background, the steaming Pontiac with JAMES, MITCHELL,
ROBBY and JODY slowly rolls up to the air pump.
SALESMAN
Yes sir, you gotta make hay while
the sun shines. Tourista's,
greenbacks, the Yankee dollar! Now
with these, you're gonna triple your
investment in a week. Now see, Yanks
like to advertise. They want somethin
that says; Look at me, I been to
Canada. And when Americans think
Canada, they think mounties! If you
want to sell to an American you gotta
think like an American...
He flicks a knife open and fingers the blade.
SALESMAN (CONT'D)
See, it doubles as a handy little
weapon for the young ones. Whaddaya
say?
INT. SERVICE STATION CAFE - DAY 10
An Alka-Seltzer tablet drops into a glass of water and bursts
to life. It's downed quickly by RED, a tall wiry man in his
sixties. He wears a cooks apron. RED'S name might come from
either his flaming orange hair, his quick temper or his
perpetually inflamed stomach. He balefully regards ED and
the SALESMAN out the window of the cafe.
RED
Cahrisssst! It's a helluva way to
make a livin.
Through the opening of the kitchen pass-thru we see ELLIE.
She scrubs away at a pot, up to her elbows in dishwater.
(CONTINUED)
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5.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY 11
ELLIE pauses for a moment and wipes her brow. She pulls the
plug on the sink, bangs the pot over onto the drainboard and
quickly dries her hands. Through the pass-through she follows
RED'S gaze out to ED and the SALESMAN.
ELLIE
This place is more his dream than
mine. Half his paycheck goes into
This "investment". God knows how I
let him talk me into it.
She reaches into a cupboard below the sink, withdraws a bottle
of 74 sherry and a shotglass and places it on the counter.
She checks to make sure RED hasn't seen her.
She pours herself a shot and drinks it quickly. Closing her
eyes, she lets the fire of it wash over her.
Pulling a cigarette package out of a drawer, she lights one
and inhales deeply.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Probably his wild Irish charm, the
bastard.
RED looks over at ELLIE, confused. She eyes him expectantly.
RED
I meant the salesman.
ELLIE
Oh--
There is a loud sucking sound as the last of the dishwater
goes down the drain. ELLIE puts the bottle and shotglass
away. She stubs out the cigarette and begins tidying up.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Well I hope the poor bastard isn't
working on commission.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - DAY 12
The SALESMAN is displaying a card of sunglasses. JODY ambles
over from the Pontiac to the SALESMAN'S car. He kicks at the
hubcap. The SALESMAN shoots him a wary glance then returns
to his pitch.
SALESMAN
Now here's a novelty. Sunglasses
with mirrors in em. See where you're
going and where you been.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
As the SALESMAN dons the sunglasses,JODY sneaks a jack-knife
from the trunk unnoticed. Except by ED. ED glares at JODY
who puts the knife back.
ED firmly redirects his son's attention to his job painting
the dozen unpainted rocks at the edge of the parking lot.
ED
Finish what you start, son.
JODY reluctantly heads back to his work painting rocks.
Part way, (unseen by his father) he spins around to make an *
incredibly grotesque and revolting face at the SALESMAN and
runs back to the steaming Pontiac.
ED (CONT'D)
Look, I'll take these two. That's
all I can afford right now.
The SALESMAN starts to protest, but ED cuts him off by writing
out a check. The SALESMAN packs up in disappointment. Ed
hauls out new tires and begins to arrange them in a display.
EXT. AIR PUMP - DAY 13
MITCHELL and JAMES have succeeded in clattering the car into
life. The hood is up. Steam belches from the engine.
JODY bounces on the front bumper looking in. MITCHELL, at
one side of the car fiddles with the carbuerator. ROBBY, at
the other side, surveys the action. JAMES is at the wheel
grinning.
MITCHELL moves to remove the radiator cap with a rag.
ROBBY
Lookout shes gonna blow!
MITCHELL grabs JODY around the waist and swings him out of
harms way as the cap blows off, issuing a three foot geyser
of scalding steam. JAMES leaps out of the car.
MITCHELL
How's that for smoke signals, brother?
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY 14
The SALESMAN pulls out of the lot and ED strides quickly
over to the Pontiac. He grabs JODY from MITCHELL'S arms and
pushes him in the direction of the rocks with a slap on the
bum for a head start. JODY goes reluctantly, rubbing his
posterior.
A CUSTOMER, holding the hand of a small CHILD, approaches
ED.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
CUSTOMER
Excuse me, my son has to use the
restroom, but the door's locked. You
storing something valuable in there?
CHILD (SMIRKING)
I told dad we should kick it in.
ED
The key's in the cafe. Robby, go
help this gentleman.
ROBBY heads for the cafe, followed by the CUSTOMER and CHILD.
ED (CONT'D)
Then get at those credit card slips.
ED turns his attention to MITCHELL, JAMES, and the smoking
Pontiac. James is putting air into one of the tires.
MITCHELL
Hi Ed! Tourist season comin up,
looks like. Did you see what's going
on up the road? Kenny Jears and his
boys are working on it. They're
puttin in a big donut. James says
its gonna be big. James knows. He
seen a sign.
JAMES
Yeah.. but lots of people see signs.
The trick is knowin how to read them.
MITCHELL
Me, I'm okay at signs. Not as good
as my brother James though.
JAMES
Hey Ed, this air hose got a crack in
it.
ED
So what was this sign boys? A crow
flying after sunset? A cloud
formation? A wolf running backwards?
MITCHELL (GLANCING AT JAMES)
No. T'was a billboard. There's a
racetrack opening up. Eh, James?
JAMES
Gonna be big.
JAMES and MITCHELL get back in the Pontiac and grind it into
gear.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
MITCHELL
You oughta get that air hose fixed
though, Ed. Take her easy now, huh?
The Pontiac lurches out of the parking lot. A backfire sounds
loudly as they accelerate onto the highway. ED shakes his
head in wonder as he watches them go. He begins hosing off
the service bay floor.
A pickup with Jears Construction Co. passes the clunker on
the way in and pulls up in front of the cafe. KENNY JEARS, a
bull of a man in his mid-thirties, and his crew of
construction workers pile out of the truck.
WORKER
Christ Kenny, I'm so hungry I could
eat the arse-hole out of a skunk.
KENNY
Well, Red's cookin, you just might
be in luck.
INT. CAFE - DAY 15
KENNY and his CREW clomp in and take up residence in a corner
booth. Their trail is marked by muddy footprints over a
floor RED has just finished mopping.
RED pops a Rolaids as he moves to take their order. KENNY
eyes the menu with mock interest.
KENNY
Look at all the choices. What to
have? What to have?
RED
c'mon You guys. I ain't got all day.
WORKER
Oh-oh. Reds got a bug up his ass.
KENNY
Let's hope it don't wind up in the
soup!
KENNY and the CREW roar at this. RED glares at them, fuming.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY 16
A large tanker truck from the oil company pulls up to one
side of the station and lurches to a halt in a hiss of
hydraulics. The DRIVER climbs down from the cab.
ED groans as he puts down the hose and hurries to greet the
driver.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
ED
Hi! Listen. My son's just finishing
the credit card slips. Are you in a
hurry?
DRIVER
Kinda. Look if you're short of cash
again, I'll catch you next trip.
ED
No. I keep things C.O.D. I sleep
better that way.
The driver looks at his watch. Ed hurries inside.
INT. SALESROOM - DAY 17
ROBBY is hard at work at a desk in the salesroom. He's
drawing comic strips of his favorite cartoon creation,
"Captain Superior". The drawings are incredibly well-detailed
and litter the tope of the desk, covering partially filled
out credit card slips. ROBBY plays each character as he draws,
using different voices.
ROBBY (AS CAPTAIN SUPERIOR)
I can take anything you can dish out
mister.
ROBBY (AS ENEMY #1) (CONT'D)
You will soon taste my steel,
Superior. Ha Ha! Why should I fear
you? You puny fool.
ROBBY (AS CAPTAIN SUPERIOR) (CONT'D)
No one dares underestimate the power
of Captain Superior!
ED enters, catching ROBBY at his game. ROBBY tries to hide
his drawings and go back to his assigned task of listing
slips, but he's too late.
ED uncrumples one of the drawings ROBBY has tried to discard.
The picture is of "Captain Superior" pointing his sword
outward. the caption reads "you will pay for your insolence!"
ED
What the hell is this?
ED crumples ROBBY'S drawing up and throws it at him in
disgust. He shoves the slips toward ROBBY.
ED (CONT'D)
Get these done. The drivers waiting!
Christ, why don't you draw me a
picture of a hard day's work? When
you find out what it looks like.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
A signal bell announces a car at the gas pumps. It can be
seen out the window of the salesroom, a late model Ford with
the media letters CKDY emblazoned on it.
ED (CONT'D)
There's one up. Don't forget to
wipe his windshield and check the
oil. Remember how to treat customers.
C'mon. Hurry it up!
ROBBY scrambles out to service the vehicle. ED quickly sorts
through the mail. There are a number of bills with past due
written on them and a manilla envelope.
ED (CONT'D)
Fucking bills. That's big news. Ok,
here we go, R.F.Carrier, architect.
He rips the manilla envelope open. Inside are blueprints.
ED (CONT'D)
bingo!
INT. SERVICE BAY - DAY 18
ED hurries into the service bay to pick up the glasses and
jack-knives and finds JODY modelling a pair and brandishing
a knife. ED looks heavenward for assistance.
ED
Take off the glasses. Gimme the knife.
ED kneels and talks to JODY, eye to eye.
ED (CONT'D)
Remember the deal? You paint the
rocks. I give you a dollar. Then you
can buy your own glasses.
JODY stares back sullen. ED looks at his watch.
ED (CONT'D)
Five to two. You have those rocks
done by the time I leave for work
ok? If you do I'll throw in a pair
of these glasses.
JODY scuffs his way back to the rocks. ED quickly hangs up
the sunglasses and knives beside a sign that reads "In God
we Trust. All others pay cash. He dashes out of the salesroom
toward the cafe.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - MOMENTS LATER 19
ROBBY approaches the media car. Getting out is WALTER, a
middle-aged man of ample girth and tremendous ego. He spies
JODY whitewashing the rocks and throws him a beneficent smile.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
JODY makes another grotesque face, completely different from
the first but equally as revolting. WALTER is startled.
ROBBY
Can I help you?
WALTER (RECOVERING HIS COMPOSURE)
Good afternoon, young man!
ROBBY
(confused)
Are you talking to me?
WALTER
An excellent question. And now that
I have your attention my boy, may I
inquire as to whether your employer
is in proximity of the premises?
ROBBY'S eye's wander over the media car with the call letters
emblazoned on it.
ROBBY
We gonna be on the news?
WALTER
Not just on the news, my boy. Making
news, through the power of
advertising!
ROBBY
Oh, you're selling something.
WALTER regards ROBBY with a mixture of surprise and distaste.
JODY who's been listening in pipes up.
JODY
Dad says when people are happy and
excited and talkin about how great
everything is, ask them what they're
selling.
WALTER
You are a most unpleasant little
urchin aren't you?
ROBBY
Look, did you wanna buy some gas?
or not?
INT. KITCHEN - DAY 20
ELLIES at the grill, frying bacon. ED comes in, gives her a
goose, chuckling when she jumps. He moves quickly to an
adjoining alcove where he begins taking off his pants to
change into his steel mill clothes.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
ELLIE
Is that your idea of foreplay?!
There's hot grease here.
ED (WINKS AT HER)
Did you pack my lunch?
ELLIE
In the cooler.
ELLIE crosses to the fridge, takes out a pitcher of ice-tea
with ice cubes, and begins pouring it into a couple of
glasses.
ED searches the cooler for his lunch. ELLIE takes an ice-
cube from the pitcher, sneaks up behind him and drops it
into his shorts. ED dances to dislodge it as RED barges into
the kitchen.
RED
Chrisss, that Jears is gonna push me
too far one of these days. Where's
those BLT's? I--
RED takes in the scene of ED, partially clad, looking for
the ice cube in his shorts. ELLIE calmly hands him two glasses
of ice-tea. She smiles innocently. RED takes the iced-tea
and eyes ED.
RED (CONT'D)
My Gawd, that's, that's, insanitary.
You people are running a restaurant.
He bolts out of the kitchen with the iced-teas. ED goes back
to dressing.
ED
I'll get you for that.
ELLIE (POUTS)
Promises. Promises.
ED
You're givin me the lip!
ED tucks in his shirt, gives ELLIE a quick peck, then barges
out of the kitchen.
INT. CAFE - DAY 21
ED bangs open the kitchen door hitting WALTER with the
swinging door.
ED
Sorry.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
WALTER (RUBBING HIS SHIN)
Not to worry. A mere flesh wound.
You are Mr. Hewson, I presume?
ED
Yeah.
WALTER
Walter Macauley. CKDY.
WALTER proffers his hand and ED shakes it briefly.
WALTER (CONT'D)
Now sir, I know you're a new business,
and what new business needs is
advertising. I'd like to discuss
inroads. Inroads which..
ED
Look, I'm kind of in a hurry.
WALTER
I guess you've heard there's a new
racetrack opening up the highway.
The owner, Chance Wilson, is one of
our new clients. I'm sure you'll be
meeting him soon.
ED looks around, trying to remember where he put his lunch.
He turns back toward the kitchen and its his turn to get hit
with the door as ELLIE emerges with his lunch. He gives a
howl of pain.
ELLIE
Want mommy to kiss it better?
She hands ED his lunch.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Better get going. You'll be late for
work.
WALTER
Mr. Hewson, I assure you this will
only take a moment, and
JODY rushes in to the cafe, navigates the maze of the
departing JEARS and his CREW, heads for the kitchen, and
runs into WALTER, getting white paint on his suit.
JODY
I'm hot! I want some freshee!
JODY continues on into the kitchen. ELLIE follows him.
(CONTINUED)
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14.
WALTER (GRIMACING)
They're funny at that age aren't
they?
ED
Listen--uh Walter, see that big sign
out there? It says gas station.
There's another one over the cafe
that says restaurant.
ED goes to the cooler, takes out a pop and puts it in his
lunch bag.
ED (CONT'D)
Most people can figure out what I
sell. Besides, I'm the only station
for twenty miles in either direction.
I don't have that much competition.
Now if you'll excuse me, I-
RED has been clearing away the dishes from JEARS table and
lets out a howl.
RED
Chrisss almighty!
RED picks up a coin from the table and crosses to ED and
WALTER holding it up in front of their faces.
RED (CONT'D)
A penny! A gawddam penny!! That's
what Jears leaves me for a tip!? I'm
gonna get that sonnofa--
RED angrily moves back to the table and begins clearing the
dishes.
WALTER (TO ED)
Yes. Well, perhaps I'll just leave
my card in case you-
JODY comes barreling out of the kitchen and WALTER is just
able to duck out of the way as JODY dashes out of the cafe.
WALTER starts to leave and is just about run over again by
RED, who is in a temper and carrying a load of dirty dishes
to the kitchen. RED glares at him and WALTER quickly moves
aside and darts out the door.
ED has moved behind the counter and is searching for
something.
ED (HOLLERING TO THE KITCHEN)
Goddamit El, where are my work boots?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
INT. SERVICE STATION SALESROOM -- DAY 22
ROBBY signs for the gas delivery and hands the DRIVER the
finished credit card slips.
DRIVER
There you go kid. You're all set. I
gotta haul ass.
The DRIVER quickly leaves the salesroom and bumps into WALTER
in the doorway. WALTER holds up his arms in surrender.
DRIVER (CONT'D)
Sorry buddy. Didn't see you there.
The DRIVER leaves and WALTER cautiously approaches the counter
where ROBBY has gone back to his Captain Superior drawings.
WALTER
Ahem, How much for the gas?
ROBBY
Shit! I forgot to fill you up. See I
had to do the slips--I'll get right
on it sir.
WALTER
Please! Don't bother. Perhaps another
time.
WALTER leaves the salesroom in a daze. Through the window
ROBBIE watches as Walter is nearly cut down by the departing
tanker truck.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - DAY 23
WALTER, having reached the safety of his car takes a last
look around. JODY, painting the rocks, looks over at him and
grins. WALTER shudders. He takes out a pocket flask and has
a belt.
He gets in his car and roars off. ROBBY comes out with a
pail and squeegee. He takes a look over at JODY.
ROBBY
Ya got more paint on yourself than
you on the rocks.
JODY
Ya want some?
JODY flicks his paint brush at ROBBY flecking him with paint.
ROBBY charges JODY and begins chasing him around the lot.
ROBBY
I'll get you for that, you little
peckerhead!!
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.
INT. CAFE - DAY 24
The lunch crowd has departed and ELLIE tiredly sits on a
stool and lights a cigarette. RED can be heard doing dishes
and muttering in the kitchen.
ED laces up his workboots and looks out the window to see
ROBBY chasing JODY.
ED
Goddamit it! Would you look at that!
I can't leave them alone for two
seconds. Wait'll I get my hands on
them!
ELLIE
C'mon honey, why don't you just let
them have a moment of fun.
ED (INCREDULOUS)
A moment of fun??? This is a fucking
business,not a playground! I'm not
two jobs so this whole thing can
turn into--Christ I'm trying to build
something here.
ELLIE (FLARING UP)
Don't start. In case you haven't
noticed, we're all working our asses
off.
ELLIE smashes out her cigarette and moves toward the kitchen.
ED
Is that so? Your son was in the
salesroom five minutes ago drawing
cartoons! Cartoons for Christ's sake.
She whirls on him.
ELLIE
They're kids! With zero family life,
bored about being stuck here in the
middle of nowhere!
ED
Nothing worthwhile happens
overnight. If we want the good
things, we have to pitch in now.
ELLIE
Save me the sermon. I'm sick to death
of it.
ED
Your trouble is you never-
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
ELLIE
Don't you tell me what my trouble is
you sonnofabitch! I have had it with
this whole goddam--
She's interrupted by the loud squeal of brakes and a sustained
horn blast from outide. ED and ELLIE's eyes both dart to the
window. RED comes running in to look.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Oh my God! Robby!!
EXT. SERVICE STATION LOT - DAY 25
Just as he was about to grab JODY, ROBBY has been nearly cut
down by the blue GTO convertible entering the lot.
The driver, is standing on the brakes and leaning on the
horn. ROBBY hugs the hood, happy to be alive. After taking
a couple of deep breaths he stands up.
Loud Rock music blares from the convertible's radio. CHANCE
WILSON leaps out of the car and approaches.
ROBBY's stares wide-eyed at CINDY WILSON, CHANCE'S 18-year
old daughter, sitting on the passenger side. She's a
knockout. CINDY regards ROBBY briefly as if he's pond scum
and looks away, bored.
ELLIE, ED and RED come running up, breathless.
ELLIE
Robby, honey are you okay?
ED sizes up CHANCE, who's clad in satin racing jacket and
jeans, looking like a aging refugee from "Grease." CHANCE
is chewing gum and snapping it.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
You almost ran over my son, You
goddamn maniac! Why don't you look
where you're going!
ELLIE hugs ROBBY and picks over him, looking for injuries.
ROBBY sees that CINDY is smirking at him from the car. He
brushes his mother away.
ROBBY
I'm all right ma. Geez!
CHANCE moves toward ED, who has begun re-stocking an oil
track.
CHANCE (GRINNING NONCHALANTLY)
Look, I um, don't want to get off on
the wrong foot here. I'm your new
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
CHANCE (GRINNING NONCHALANTLY) (CONT'D)
neighbor, so to speak, and thought
I'd drop in to say hi!
ELLIE (BEGINS TO CHARGE HIM)
Well you got a fine way of--
RED cuts her off with a tug on her sleeve and a nod toward
ED. He gives her a wink, and gestures toward the cafe. ELLIE
allows RED to lead her, glaring back at CHANCE as she goes.
CHANCE stands chastened for a moment until ELLIE'S back is
turned then addresses ED
CHANCE (GRINNING BROADLY)
I'm Chance. Chance Wilson.
CHANCE proffers his hand reading the name on ED's shirt.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
And you're Ed right!?
ED (UNCOMFORTABLE)
Yeah. Ed Hewson.
ED finishes with the re-stocking and carries a garbage barrel
over to a dumpster. CHANCE follows him.
CHANCE
Geez you really go at it! I get tired
just watching you. Ed, got a favor
to ask you. But hey, It's gonna be
good for both of us.
ED
Look, Chance, I'm late for work.
CHANCE
I promise you Ed, I'll only take two
minutes of your time. Whaddaya say?
ED glowers over at ROBBY, looks back to CHANCE and nods.
CHANCE yells over to ROBBY.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Hey, skip, Do you think you could
check the oil on this car? Its a
custom engine. 409. They said I
gotta keep an eye on it.
ROBBY
Uh, ok. Sure. Great. I mean if
that's ok.
CHANCE
Thanks buddy.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
CHANCE claps ED on the back and they walk briskly toward the
salesroom.
INT. SALESROOM - DAY 26
CHANCE strides in with a flourish. ED opts to stand behind
the counter putting some official space between them.
CHANCE (GRINNING BROADLY)
Hey, I gotta tell ya Ed, a good
looking guy like you must be the
manager. you got the managerial
look. Just the fellah I wanna talk
business to. And it could turn out
to be a whole lotta business.
CHANCES eyes dart everywhere in the salesroom sizing it up.
ED takes the opportunity to move the "In God we Trust. All
others Pay Cash" sign into more prominent view.
ED (COOL)
I don't manage this business, I own
it. And it's been my experience,
Mr. Wilson that nothing comes easy.
Now what, exactly, can we do for
you?
He beams broadly back at ED, undaunted.
INT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - DAY 27
Outside, CINDY has left the car and made her way over to a
phone booth on the corner. ROBBY watches her go
appreciatively. She's wearing a very tight and short mini-
skirt, spike heels, rose colored sunglasses and a low cut
blouse.
JODY has come over to join ROBBY as he turns to search for
the hood latch.
JODY (IMITATES HIS MOTHER)
Ohhhhhh Robbie honey are you okay?
ROBBY
Fuck off!
ROBBY gets the hood latch to work and unearths a treasure.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
Holy shit! Holyyyyyyyy shit! Look
at this friggin thing. Four-oh-nine!
Holly four barrel, dual exhaust.
Chrome every friggin place.
JODY points to the chrome air breather.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
JODY
What's that thing?
ROBBY slaps JODY'S hand away.
ROBBY
Get your goddamned hands away from
the car! You're fulla paint. You
get white paint on this brand new
beautiful blue car, and--
ROBBY senses a presence and looks across at a skin tight
mini-skirt He follows it up to find CINDY eyeing him holding
an American dollar bill.
CINDY
Got change? I need to use the phone.
JODY ignores them both and pokes at the motor. ROBBY scrambles
out from under the hood bumping his head. He begins searching
his pockets. He comes up with thirty-five cents.
CINDY slowly takes the change from ROBBY and stuffs the dollar
bill in his shirt pocket.
CINDY (CONT'D)
Maybe mom doesn't want you carrying
that kind of money around. Here you
go sweetie.
In a daze he watches her turn and saunter over to the phone
booth.
ROBBY
Jeezuz!
ROBBY suddenly comes to his senses and sees JODY poking at
the engine. He crosses over, and cuffs him one.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
Get lost you little pecker-head. I
got enough on my mind without you.
The dips, the shift report. Pa's
working at the steel plant and you
know what that makes me?
JODY
Big shit! Turdnose! Cocknocker!
JODY Flees Toward The sales office. ROBBY watches him go
then turns back to admire CINDY at the phone booth.
INT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY 28
CINDY talks on the phone.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
CINDY
That's an entire fucking month away
Grady--- Yeah, no problem, I can
score some money off my old man---
I'll get it the same way he gets it-
CINDY looks through the glass at ROBBY looking over at her.
CINDY (CONT'D)
Look Grady, I gotta go.
INT. SALESROOM - DAY 29
ED counts out the float for the next shift. His eyes travel
to a diamond pinky ring on Chance's finger.
CHANCE
Till I get the well dug, I could use
a little water maybe five, ten gallons
from time to time. But hey, I'm
tellin ya, all the gas and oil I buy
are gonna come from you. At least
three hundred gallons a week! That's
gotta be good for you right?.
CHANCE now seems to have all the time in the world and surveys
the map of the area ED has hung in the salesroom.
ED hurriedly finishes with the float and puts it in a safe
under the counter. When he rises he sees Chance has put five
American twenties on the counter.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Here's a down payment of a hundred
to get us started. You ask Jears--
I've done alright by him. One Fifty
an hour for him and his crew. He's
killing me and he knows it. Listen,
I can put your name out there. Gotta
show gratitude for guys helpin ya
out. I tell ya Were gonna put Haven
on the map.
CHANCE fingers Haven on the map to bring home his point. Ed
slowly takes the cash from the counter.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Local drivers at first. Spread a
couple of grand around in radio, tv,
the paper. I figure I build the
purses up to twenty grand by August...
Then, the state fairs down south.
Escanaba Millwakee. American Money.
You gotta say can-do pal, whadda ya
say?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
ED
Seems everybody and their dog is
talking American money---Chance is
it? With a little hard work I hope
to take home a little.
JODY comes bursting in to the salesroom.
JODY
Can I get my dollar now for painting
the rocks?
ED
You, my son, will be paid your dollar
when the jobs done. Finish what you
start.
CHANCE winks at JODY and goes over to him.
CHANCE
Hey listen skip, I'm just talking a
bit with your dad right now but I
could sure use a coffee Just Cream.
How bout it?
He takes a thick wad of American money out of his pocket,
peels off a five and hands it to JODY.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
And how about keeping the change?
JODY
I guess so! Thank-you sir. Holy
shit!!!
EXT. SALESROOM - DAY 30
Ed crosses to his car, a six year old compact Ford.
ED
You can help yourself to the water I
guess. As to fame and fortune, we'll
both have to see, won't we.
CHANCE
Listen, you mind if I put up a couple
of posters. For the track?
ED
Only in the station. If you want one
in the cafe you'll have to talk to
my wife.
ED yells over to ROBBY who is taking the dips and looking
hungrily over at CINDY who's still in the phone booth.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
ED (CONT'D)
Don't let your imagination get in
the way of a goddamn good days work.
And make sure your brother gets to
bed at a half decent hour. See you
tonight.
ED gets in the car and drives off as CHANCE takes two five-
gallon cans out of his trunk and begins filling them with
water, whistling.
INT. ED'S CAR - DAY 31
ED looks into his rear view mirror to see CHANCE talking to
his sons. ROBBY is admiring a poster. He's becomes so intent
on studying events in the mirror, he narrowly avoids an
oncoming car.
ED
That guy's got me jumpier than a
long-tailed cat in a room fulla
rocking chairs.
END OF ACT ONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
ACT TWO
INT. STEEL MILL - NIGHT 32
ED's again at his post on the crane, pouring the molten ore
into buckets.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
North Country people are creatures
of habit. They help their neighbors
and they are wary of strangers.
Finishing the pour ED shuts down the machine.He yells over
the din to one of his co-workers that its coffee time, and
gestures to the coffee room.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
This way of life serves them very
well.
ED makes his way along aisles of growling machinery to the
coffee room and opens the door.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
But when the neighbors turn out to
be strangers, what are they to do?
INT. COFFEE ROOM - NIGHT 33
ED pours himself a coffee, tastes it, grimaces. On the
counter is a can labeled coffee fund. Ed checks it;sees its
empty. He throws in a coin, pauses, and throws in a couple
more.
He takes the coffee over to a table where newspapers are
strewn about. Munching on a cookie he scans one of the
newspapers. There is an ad announcing the opening of the
racetrack. ED sees it and does a double take, spilling hot
coffee on himself.
ED
Shit!
EXT. SERVICE STATION/CAFE PARKING LOT - EARLY EVENING 34
The windows in the cafe look warm and inviting in the
twilight. Through them we see ELLIE and RED serving the
customers. JODY plays at a pinball machine.
At the gas pumps ROBBY fills a car.
A pick-up rolls in and parks in front of the cafe. CHANCE
gets out, followed by JEARS and four construction WORKERS.
CHANCE waves at ROBBY then slaps JEARS on the back. The two
men walk to the cafe.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
INT. CAFE - EVENING 35
CHANCE saunters in, hops over a spot of the floor where Red
is mopping up and installs himself in a booth.
CHANCE
Boy something sure smells good!
ELLIE looks up from where she's polishing the cutlery and
gives Chance an icy stare.
JEARS and his gang clomp in, again muddying RED'S mopped
floor. RED scowls over at JEARS who ignores him. The gang
install themselves in a booth.
KENNY
C'mon Red, how bout a little service
here. We're hungry. Get the lead
out!
Red unwraps a Rolaids, pops it and strides over with menus.
ELLIE brings two steaming plates out of the kitchen and sets
them down on the counter for the boys.
ELLIE
Its been a long day Kenny, go easy
huh?
ELLIE returns to her cutlery. RED warily approaches to take
their order. He stands poised and ready but Kenny wants to
play.
KENNY
This is the same crap as yesterday!
He turns to a fellow worker.
KENNY (CONT'D)
What are you gonna have?
WORKER
I dunno. Is there anything edible?
CHANCE gets up from his booth, comes over and takes the menus
from JEARS and his WORKERS and hands them to RED.
CHANCE
I'll have the special. Smells
delicious. They will too. I'm
buying. That ok with you fellahs?
KENNY and his gang exchange looks. They grumble reluctant
assent. RED goes off into the kitchen to prepare the meal
ELLIE regards Chance with curiosity as he returns to his
booth.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
ELLIE
So tell me Mr. careless driver, what
brings you to our neck of the woods?
CHANCE
Chance. Just Chance. Well, it sure
is pretty country. And the women are
gorgeous.
CHANCE winks over at the boys. ROBBY and JODY exchange
glances not sure how to take this, but fascinated nonetheless.
ELLIE
Uh-huh. And they're not stupid. Where
are you from anyway?
CHANCE
California. Land of the free.
RED bustles out with steaming plates setting the first in
front of CHANCE and then serving JEARS and the WORKERS.
JEARS grins malevolently at RED.
RED sniffingly ignores him and walks back to the kitchen
with his head held high.
Ellie looks after him with concern on her face. She turns
back to see CHANCE studying her with frank interest.
ELLIE (TO CHANCE)
Well, Haven's a pretty small town.
It's a long way from California.
I'd still like a straight answer on
why you came here.
KENNY and his WORKERS bolt their food.
KENNY
I thought the son-offa-bitch said he
was from Detroit?
CHANCE
Well, you know, the bigger a place
is the more rules they have. That
kinda thing can close in on you. I
like this country. Its all open.
Not so many rules. When I'm done,
they'll all come right up here, even
from California, to see some of the
best stock car racing in the whole
damn country.
ROBBY
Are you gonna race super stocks too?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
CHANCE
You bet skip. Stocks, super stocks,
well work our way right up to top
fuel.
JODY
What's top fuel?
CHANCE
Well, here's the thing about top
fuel....
ELLIE
Robby, you've had a licence for six
months. You've had a wonderful example
today of how not to drive. I think
we'll leave it at that.
JEARS gets up chewing the last of his meal, followed by his
gang. They make their way toward the door. RED presents
CHANCE with the bill.
JEARS
You ought to pay us to eat this slop.
C'mon Wilson. That tracks gotta be
wet down by ten or my guys are on
overtime.
CHANCE moves to JEARS,all smiles, clapping him on the back
with one hand and slipping him his bill with the other.
CHANCE
No sweat. Get this Kenny willya?
I'll get you back at the track.
KENNY gives CHANCE a withering look but pays the bill. CHANCE
pops a fresh stick of gum and shoots the boys a wink. He
turns to ELLIE.
CHANCE (TO ELLIE) (CONT'D)
Listen, I'm not a bad guy. Why don't
you and the boys.... come up and
look around. Be my guests for the
opening.
(a beat)
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Your husband too, of course.
ELLIE (COOLY)
Of course.
CHANCE
I just thought you could use a day
off. Have a little fun.
There are sounds of horns honking from outside.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
How about, until you tell me your
name, I just call you beautiful?
ELLIE (SMILING WRYLY)
There's a speed limit around here.
I'd try slowing down if I were you.
CHANCE grins acknowledgment, snaps his gum and heads out the
door.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - NIGHT 36
ROBBY is locking up the displays and closing down the station
for the night. The cafe is already dark; he's alone.
A pair of headlights swing onto the lot. ROBBY squints and
recognizes the GTO with CHANCE at the wheel. The car is
towing a trailer loaded with six forty five gallon barrels.
CHANCE maneuvers the trailer over close to the garage and
leaps out of the car.
CHANCE
Wow, skip, that was close. Another
five minutes, I'd of missed you.
Your dad said I could borrow some
water big guy. I'm just gonna run
the hose out here, shouldn't take
long.
ROBBY (UNCOMFORTABLY)
I don't know-
CHANCE sticks the hose into the first barrel.
CHANCE
Gotta slick down the track good, let
the sun at it and the clay bakes the
whole thing smooth as glass. That
way you get a real fast track. It'll
take ten seconds off the time trials.
Keeps the drivers happy.
CHANCE turns to ROBBY indicating the water tap.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Oh, Turn that on for me wouldya?
Thanks. You're a good guy.
ROBBY reluctantly turns on the tap and the water gushes into
the first barrel.
ROBBY
You should come back when--
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
CHANCE
You ever thought of driving? I had
my first stocker at seventeen.
ROBBY (EMBARRASSED)
I only got my licence six months
ago. My dad--
CHANCE
--Here. Tell ya what. Gimme a hand
with this hitch.
Together they unhook the trailer from the GTO, setting it on
the ground. CHANCE climbs in the passenger side of the car,
pushing a button on the dash.
A motor whirs and the top to the convertible folds open.
ROBBY watches, enthralled.
CHANCE keys the ignition and the car gurgles to life. He
pats the drivers seat.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Jump in!
ROBBY stares back wide-eyed.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Jump in!!
ROBBY decides to go for it. He attempts to open the door.
CHANCE stops him.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
No, what I said was, JUMP in.
ROBBY grabs the corner of the windshield for support and
vaults himself into the drivers seat. Despite his
embarrassment, he's all smiles. His eyes survey the gauges
and the sumptuous interior. CHANCE points at the parking
lot entrance to the left of them.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
That's turn number one. Go slow
into it. Take your time, keep to
the inside. Halfway in go to the
middle and give her some gas.
CHANCE points to the parking lot entrance to the right.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
That's turn number two. Same thing.
Keep to the inside until you're
halfway through, then move to the
middle and go for the straightaway.
Got it?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
ROBBY nods dumbly.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Take it easy until you're comfortable.
Then open it up. Well try five laps
for starters. Ready? Set? BANG!!!!!
The car lurches ahead in a series of hops then stops dead
brakelights ablaze. Slowly it moves ahead again around the
course Chance has laid out.
ANGLE ON:
Robby's face in the dash-light, reflecting pure excitement
as he drives. He is gaining confidence and pushes the car
faster.
INT. BEAVER HOTEL - NIGHT 37
A local country band is playing. Ed is at a table having a
beer with his friend NORT. The mood is jovial. A waitress,
takes their order.
ED
Just one more Shirl. Gotta get back.
NORT
Eddie, Eddie....Whyncha give yourself
a break. Kick back. You work too
hard.
NORT takes a swig from his beer.
ED (SMILES)
I'd like to. Shit, the beer tastes
good tonight.
NORT
That new foreman something ain't he?
ED
Hurtz? No kidding.
ED does his best Hurtz imitation
ED (CONT'D)
Vy are you fellahs alvays late.
Somvones gonna get ze can.
NORT and ED both share a good laugh. There's a beat.
NORT
How's El? The kids?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
ED
Ellie's got an art show comin up
first of the month. They're gonna
show her paintings in the library
downtown. Robby's-pissing me off.
Marks are down at school,always got
his head in the clouds--thinks manual
labor is a Mexican. Christ, tourist
seasons here. I need him.
NORT
Ahhh lighten up Eddie. What's the
kid? Sixteen? Seventeen? He oughta
be out gettin laid. Having some fun.
Speaking of which-
NORT opens up a newspaper to an ad for the racetrack and
places it front and center in front of ED.
NORT (CONT'D)
Look at this. Full page ad. Stock
Car Racing. Right here in Haven.
ED looks at the ad and then up at NORT, His good humor
vanishing.
ED
The guy was in today. Chance Wilson.
California Dreamer. The fucking guy
carries his money in a wad Nort,
what kind of shit is that?
NORT looks around at the band and is paying more attention
to the music than to ED.
NORT
I don't know. Full page ad. Gotta
be money there somewhere. I'm gonna
get me a piece of that action.
ED
What the fuck is that supposed to
mean?
NORT
I'm gonna build a car and race it.
Coupla guys at the plant are planning
the same thing. Make some money and
have fun doin it!
ED
You crazy? Is everybody around here
crazy? You're gonna take the money
you worked for, give it to this guy
and its gone in a month. There's
more to life than fun.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
NORT
You're a awful tightass sometimes,
Eddie. I'm buildin a car. For me.
Period. You want to work yourself
into a heart attack, go ahead. Me,
I'm gonna have some fun.
The waitress returns, ED shakes his head at her and puts
money on the table. He's pissed off and NORT knows it. NORT
nonchalantly lifts a finger to order another.
ED finishes his beer, gets up and begins putting on his coat.
As he does, some scrolled up parchment falls out of his inside
pocket. NORT watches as he picks it up.
NORT (CONT'D)
Whatcha got there?
ED
Surprise. For the wife.
NORT
Been my experience they like jewelry
more than paper.
ED smiles mysteriously.
ED
Well, friend, lets just say I been
making some plans of my own. I gotta
go--
ED makes his way through the laughing, drinking crowd holding
tightly onto the paper.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT -- NIGHT 38
ED pulls his Ford onto the lot, parks in front of the
salesroom and douses the lights.
He get out, looks around and begins checking to make sure
the station has been closed-up properly.
He puzzles as he investigates a puddle of water on the asphalt
and an unfurled hose lying on the ground outside near the
air pump. There are also lots of black tire marks etched
into the pavement.
ED
Damned Injuns!
He moves toward the salesroom.
INT. SALESROOM - NIGHT 39
Checking the salesroom, ED can’t help trying on a pair of
the mirrored sunglasses he bought earlier from the salesman.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
He puts up his collar and strikes a "cool" pose.
The spell is quickly broken however, and feeling somewhat
sheepish, he replaces the glasses and leaves the salesroom.
INTERIOR MOBILE HOME - LATER 40
ELLIE, dressed in housecoat, sits at an easel painting a
colorful landscape.
Her sherry bottle is at her side and half-empty. Big band
music plays on a portable stereo.
She hears a plink against the kitchen window, wipes off her
brush and looks out to investigate.
EXT. MOBILE HOME - NIGHT 41
ED throws pebbles at the kitchen window and gets the response
he wanted, ELLIE's attention. But as she looks out the window
at him she’s not smiling. She turns away from the window.
ED moves toward the door.
INT. MOBILE HOME - NIGHT 42
ED enters and ELLIE brushes past him back to the easel. He
reaches for her but she arches her body deftly out of reach
and resumes her painting.
ED
El, this afternoon....
ELLIE
Your friend Chance was in for dinner.
He's invited us all to his opening.
ED
For God's sake he's not my fr----he
what???
ELLIE pours herself a stiff sherry.
ELLIE
He thought we should have a day off.
ED
And just how the hell did you two
get so friendly all of a sudden?
ELLIE downs the sherry in one drink and hurriedly starts
cleaning up.
ED (CONT'D)
All right. Okay. You're right. A day
off. Let's do it. How about a picnic?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
Ed moves to her and enfolds her in his arms. She’s less
than impressed.
ED (CONT'D)
I mean like you and me, as long as
we please, bread and cheese, a bottle
of wine, feelin’ fine, a peek at--
ELLIE
-Stop it.
She breaks the embrace and angrily starts off for the bedroom.
ED
How about tomorrow? Ten a.m.? The
hill? I’ll pack lunch. I’ve got
something I’d like to show you.
ELLIE
Who’ll look after the place? Don't
trust anybody, isn't that your motto?
ED moves to the easel and examines her landscape.
ED
You've really captured the season
here. I like all the green. Look,
Red can handle the cafe. Robby can
sit with Jody. We'll hit our tried
and true spot on Eagle hill. What do
you say?
Ellie approaches and Ed embraces her. ELLIE looks back at
her painting.
ELLIE
You really like the colors? I'm
nervous about this show--
ED
You artists are all sensitive types.
ELLIE giggles, grabs a brush and starts flicking paint at
him.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - MORNING 43
ED and ELLIE pull up in front of the sales office and get
out. They are dressed for their picnic.
JAMES and MITCHELL are lying in wait for them and have parked
their heap right in front of the garage door. There’ve been
some alarming changes to it. All the windows have been taken
out and a large number eight clumsily drawn in house-paint
adorns the door. A makeshift roll cage has been fashioned
out of plumbing supplies.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
JAMES’S lower torso protrudes from underneath the car; he’s
is banging away at something. MITCHELL is nearby, squatting
beside a hubcap. ED gapes open-mouthed. ELLIE moves to ED
whispering in his ear.
ELLIE
I'm going to get our lunch. You've
got customers.
ELLIE turns and moves toward the cafe. MITCHELL gets up and
grins broadly as ED approaches.
MITCHELL
Hi Ed. What do you think? Pretty
nice huh?
ED
Words can’t begin to describe it.
JAMES crawls out from under the car.
JAMES
Ask him, Mitchell.
MITCHELL lowers his voice conspiratorially.
MITCHELL
Well, Ed, James and I been tinkin’.
We weren't gonna tell nobody. But...
you been good to us, give us water,
and we been good to you.
JAMES
We give you all our business.
MITCHELL
We figured t'was only fair, in view
of our close working relationship.
To give you first chance. To be our
sponsor.
ED struggles to take this in. JAMES claps ED on the back
grinning.
INTERIOR.CAFE - MORNING 44
ELLIE crosses over to talk to Robby catching a glimpse of
his artwork. Captain Superior now chases villains in his
new super car. ROBBY hides the paper quickly at her approach.
ELLIE
Make sure your brother stays out of
trouble?
ROBBY
Ma you said you’d think about--
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
ELLIE
You can go up to the race-track and
have a quick look around. Be back
before four.
ROBBY
Awwright!!!
ELLIE (TO RED)
Where's the goodies, old man?
He flips an egg he is holding into the air behind his back
and in an amazing show of dexterity whirls to catch it.
RED
C’mon, you ever see an old man do
that?
ELLIE picks up a picnic basket from the counter. She mutely
warns JODY to behave by shaking her fist in his direction.
RED moves with ELLIE to the front door, grinning.
RED (CONT'D)
Hard boiled eggs, ham and cheese
sandwiches, peaches, chocolate eclairs
and a bottle of my home-made white
wine. Chriss, I just about ate it
myself.
EXT. PARKING LOT - MORNING 45
A closed sign now hangs on the door of the gas station. ELLIE
gets in the Ford. ED, moves to do the same. He is followed
by JAMES and MITCHELL.
JAMES
Don’t forget. Keep this under your
hat, Ed. We don’t want word leaking
out.
MITCHELL
No. That's right. We don’t want no
leaking. People see what we're doing?
Everbody going to want in.
ED gets in the car puts in gear and takes a moment to arch
an eyebrow JAMES and MITCHELL. With a solemn face he nods
his head and shoots them a peace sign. ED and ELLIE drive
off.
JAMES and MITCHELL watch them go. They turn to each other
and give the thumbs up sign.
INT. FORD -- MORNING 46
ED smiles as he drives along with ELLIE snuggled up to him.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
ED
You hungry?
ELLIE bites his ear.
ELLIE
Ravenous!
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER 47
ROBBY trails JODY behind him as they leave the lot heading
up the highway to the track.
ROBBY
C'mon Peckerhead.
JODY
I'm coming. I'm coming. Jeezus!
EXT. RACETRACK - LATER 48
ROBBY and JODY take a walking tour of the race track with
CHANCE. Eyes, wide, JODY scans the white clapboard concession
stands aflutter with banners and flags.
ROBBY's eyes travel down an embankment through the white-
washed bleachers to where drivers are preparing their cars
in the middle of a quarter mile clay oval.
A grader is busy smoothing out the tracks surface.
Everything is bustling. WALTER is on hand, in his capacity
as reporter for CKDY. He's mugging to a remote television
camera that has been set up.
WALTER
I’m speaking to you from the grounds
of Haven Speedway, the emporium of
one Chance Wilson, a would-be
entrepreneurial impresario with an
evolving vision of velocity....
CHANCE is in high spirits and on the move. ROBBY and JODY
almost have to run to keep up with him.
He charms and cajoles various people who run about filling
the concession stands with pop, chips, etc. CHANCE’s patter
is well rehearsed.
CHANCE
God, you guys are good, Gary a little
more to the left buddy...I’d be lost
without you, you know that, sure you
do... Karen, put those cups up top
honey, yeah are they b cups or c
cups?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
I talked to Chad Everett last night.
He wants to know why you won’t take
his calls. C’maaawwwwn you guys
you’re spoilin’ me here.
CHANCE pulls up short at the rear of one of the booths and
opens the door.
INT. CONCESSION BOOTH - DAY 49
CHANCE’S DAUGHTER, CINDY, is at work registering drivers who
are lined up in front of the booth. She doesn’t look up or
turn around as CHANCE enters behind her and reaches for the
phone.
ROBBY and JODY follow CHANCE into the booth. ROBBY reddens
at the sight of CINDY, who's dressed in skin tight jeans and
low cut halter top.
CINDY hands a sheet to the man in front of her.
CINDY
Check in time is 4:30 at the pit
area. The vehicle has to pass
inspection. This sheet lists specs
and NRA standards. That’ll be forty
dollars registration. Non refundable.
CHANCE has the phone to his ear and waits for the connection.
He puts his hand over the mouthpiece.
CHANCE (TO THE BOYS)
You guys remember Cindy? Honey, this
is Robby and Jody. Robby and Jody,
this is my daughter Cindy.
ROBBY (NERVOUS)
Hi!
CINDY
Yeah, right.
(a beat)
CINDY (CONT'D)
Ok, who’s next?
CHANCE
(into phone)
Hey, Kenny, my man on the move, what’s
up?
CHANCE winks at ROBBY and ruffles JODY’s hair while he talks
into the phone.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - DAY 50
KENNY talks into a makeshift phone at the center of the track.
KENNY
(into phone)
I’ll tell you what’s up. We need at
least another 300 gallons of water
down here and I’m not sittin’ around
with my finger up my ass waitin’ fer
it. We’re on coffee break. No,no---
you get your own goddam water! Hey,
another thing, you promised me a
check by today. I got five guys and
four pieces of equipment on this
job. And They don’t run on promises!
KENNY slams down the phone.
INT. CONCESSION BOOTH - DAY 51
CHANCE sets down the phone, looks over at ROBBY and grins.
CHANCE
Cindy honey, I need you to do me a
favor.
CINDY looks at her father who directs her gaze over to ROBBY
and JODY. She gives them a withering look, and looks back
at her father in annoyance.
EXT. RACETRACK ENTRANCE - MOMENTS LATER 52
The GTO with the top down turns onto the highway towing the
water barrels. It gradually picks up speed. JODY perches in
the back seat, enjoying the wind in his hair.
INT.GTO - DAY 53
CINDY's sprawls on the passenger side. ROBBY driving, sneaks
a sidelong glance at her ample cleavage and the short leather
skirt. CINDY catches him looking and smiles wickedly.
CINDY sparks up a joint from the car lighter,throws her hair
back and inhales deeply. Her mood is visibly improving.
ROBBY
Your dad's really cool.
CINDY
My old man is a crook and an asshole.
So mother says. Space cadet she is,
she's probably right.
ROBBY
Okay.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
She gives ROBBY the joint, he takes a hit, and coughing,
passes it back. JODY follows the joint wide-eyed.
CINDY reaches into the console produces an eight-track tape,
put it in the player and cranks up the volume. "Somebody to
Love" blares out.
CINDY
You like the Airplane?
JODY (FROM THE BACKSEAT)
Well, can I at least have a puff?
ROBBY (DISTRACTED)
It’s called a toke, not a puff and
no you can’t. Now shut the fuck up
and sit down!!
CINDY hands JODY the joint. He takes it gleefully. CINDY
begins unwrapping a small foil packet.
CINDY (TO ROBBY)
You've got to learn to relax Roger.
Take a pill.
She holds a tab of acid in her hand.
ROBBY
The name's Robby.
CINDY splits the tab in half ingests half and puts the other
on her tongue. She moves to ROBBY and french kisses him so
that he gets it.
The car begins veering wildly. Fortunately the highway is
deserted. ROBBY regains control, barely. Visibly shaken and
excited, he eyes her nervously.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
Was that what I think it was?
CINDY
The acid test of any road trip! Drive!
We'll be there and back before the
shit kicks in. Try and relax.
CINDY cranks the volume still higher and grabs the windshield
hoists herself into the wind and begins swaying sensuously
to the music. ROBBY gives JODY a panicky look in the rear
view. JODY is in his own world, laughing uproariously.
ROBBY looks over at Cindy and is sexually excited all over
again.
ROBBY
Oh, fuck!
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
INT. GTO - AFTERNOON
The car speedometer seen in close up, climbs to eighty and
over.
EXT. HIGHWAY -AFTERNOON
White lines fly by in a blur on the pavement. The music is
heard pulsating.
EXT. HILLTOP - DAY 54
A crumpled napkin wavers delicately in the wind for a moment,
then wafts across the remnants of a picnic lunch, past an
empty wine bottle, strewn clothing, and up into the air.
ELLIE, clad in a blanket sits blissfully on a rock overlooking
the rugged countryside.
She takes the air deep into her lungs and closes her eyes,
slightly tipsy.
ELLIE
I'm going to paint this. This whole
wonderful day.
ED appears behind her with a roll of parchment. He carefully
unrolls it in front of her.
ED
Well, what do you think?
ELLIE
What is this?
ED (TRIUMPHANTLY)
Plans, gorgeous, For the house.
we’re gonna build it right here on
this hill.
She looks at each drawing carefully then looks up at ED as
if she's seeing him for the first time.
ED, excited, begins mapping it out for her.
ED (CONT'D)
This'll be your kitchen with a view
of the garden which'll be--well, you
pick it. The money’s there. It’s
all coming together. God El, now we
can make things happen!
ELLIE stares at him, dumbfounded.
ELLIE
When did I get left out of all this?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
ED
Eh?
ELLIE throws down the plans, moves furiously over to the
picnic site and starts dressing quickly.
ELLIE
I know it wasn't three years ago
when you wanted to move out here.
You needed me then. When my father
said it was a dumb idea, I was there
for you.
ED
Look El, I-
ELLIE
It couldn't have been when you were
building the cafe. I seem to remember
re-designing the kitchen so the
furnace wouldn't wind up in the middle
of the dining area!
ED
I wanted this to be a surprise.
ELLIE
Don't patronize me you bastard! For
sixteen years we've been dreaming
about this! The house of our dreams,
right on Eagle hill. And now you've
got the whole thing planned out
without even talking to me about
what goes where!
ELLIE finishes dressing and grabs the wine bottle. She finds
it empty and throws it against a rock smashing it. She glares
at ED defiantly.
ED
Maybe it's time we got back.
ED surveys her for a beat, turns and makes his way over to
perch on a rock.
He takes a lighter out of his pocket and lights the corner
of the parchment.
ELLIE stares, then runs over, and grabbing it, puts out the
fire.
ELLIE
Stop it! What are you trying to
prove?! Honest to God, you act just
like a child.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
Ed surveys her seriously. She meets his eyes for a moment
then breaks contact to look out over the view.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
I want the kitchen on the other side.
And the living room faces east. Toward
the sun. Got it?
EXT. SIDE OF HIGHWAY - DAY 55
The GTO goes roaring by at a high rate of speed "Airplane"
music blaring.
INT. GTO - DAY 56
ROBBY is drumming on the dash in time to the music while
CINDY stands on the seat yelling into the breeze. Out the
windshield the gas station can be seen coming into view.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT -- DAY 57
The GTO, towing the trailer, slows and pulls into the lot,
arcs in a wide circle and comes to a stop. ROBBY begins
backing up. "White Rabbit" begins playing on the stereo.
ROBBY'S eye's begin to lose focus and his view of the air
pump goes kaleidoscopic.
EXT. AIR PUMP - DAY 58
The trailer, loaded with forty-five gallon drums backs into
the air pump knocking it askew. It begins hissing slowly.
The collision also dislodges a drum which slowly topples and
begins rolling.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY 59
The barrel rolls across the parking lot toward the gas pumps.
It’s picking up speed and Robbie leaps out of the GTO in
pursuit.
ROBBY
Shit, Shit, Shit, Shit, Shit.
KENNY JEARS and his CREW roll onto the lot in a pick-up,
swerve to avoid the barrel, nearly hitting ROBBY. JODY
perches on the trunk of the GTO, rocking back and forth with
laughter. CINDY smiles cooly and adjusts her make-up in the
rear view mirror. ROBBY finally catches up with the runaway
barrel and begins rolling it back to the trailer.
JEAR's pickup pulls up in front of the cafe. He and the
crew disembark laughing. JEARS turns to one of them and
calls out loud enough for ROBBY to hear. ROBBY shakes his
head trying to clear his vision. He grins strangely as the
acid takes effect.
JEARS voice comes through to ROBBY as if down a well.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
JEARS
Poor kid. Looks like they got him
over a barrel!
They all have a good laugh, turn and head into the cafe.
ROBBY hoists the barrel onto the trailer, unhitches it from
the car and surveys the damage to the air pump. He tries to
fix it by jamming a piece of wood in it. This only succeeds
in slowing down the hiss of air leaking out. JODY is still
roaring with laughter.
CINDY
Want some help?
ROBBY
I think that's a wonderful idea.
ROBBY gets out a set of keys and opens up the garage. He
enters followed by CINDY and JODY.
INT. SERVICE BAY - DAY 60
ROBBY pulls the trailer in through the open door and tries
to negotiate filling the barrels at the tap. He grins over
at CINDY. CINDY closes her eyes, licking her lips. She enjoys
feeling the effects of the acid and looks over at ROBBY,
intrigued.
CINDY (HANDS JODY SOME MONEY)
Why don't you get us some cokes from
the machine would ya? And some
burgers. Take your time.
JODY looks down at the money in his hand and sizes up the
situation.
JODY
Make it five!
She gives him a withering look, grabs the one back and
substitutes a five. He scampers off toward the salesroom.
She turns and smiles at ROBBY. He rocks back and forth and
smiles at nothing.
CINDY
You're kinda cute, you know that?
INT.CAFE - DAY 61
JEARS and his crew sit in a booth drinking coffee. RED is
darting about in the kitchen fixing their orders.
JEARS
Hey Red, this coffee tastes like
shit! YYknow that. Hey Red? You
hear me??
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY 62
RED grits his teeth and begins assembling a sandwich.
RED
Yeah, yeah, I heard you for
Chrissakes. You don’t like the
coffee. So don’t drink it.
INT. CAFE - DAY 63
JEARS winks to his crew.
JEARS
Yeah, Christ, the coffees bad, the
food stinks, but the service is the
worst.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY 64
RED pauses in the middle of making a sandwich, stung by the
remark. He grabs a large butcher knife, hacking the sandwich
in two.
EXT. AIR PUMP - DAY
The tail end of the GTO passes the broken air pump and
disappearing behind the garage. The hissing begins to grow
louder and the air hose begins to swell.
INT. SERVICE BAY - DAY
Water pours into one of the barrels in a now-empty garage.
INT. SALESROOM - DAY
JODY approachES the pop machine. He searches his pockets
for coins but all he comes up with is a jackknife, a broken
cigarette and a candy. He looks around checking to see if
the coast is clear.
INT. CAFE - DAY
JEARS continues with his baiting of RED. He is picking his
teeth with a toothpick.
JEARS
Ahhyuhhh...Well what the fuck do you
expect. He's an old, old man.
RED whirls in from the kitchen, smashes the sandwich down in
front of JEARS defiantly, and barges back through the swinging
doors.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - DAY
Seen from above the GTO pulls around the back of the garage
and stops.
INT.GTO - DAY
CINDY is at the wheel, ROBBY on the passenger side. CINDY
shuts off the ignition, emits a low moan and throws herself
on ROBBY. The feelings mutual and the two are soon in the
throes of passion. Clothes start to come off and they manage
to fall into the back seat. "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite"
plays during the rest of the following shots and scene.
INT. SALESROOM - DAY
JODY scrunching down in front of the pop machine, lifting
the flap on the bottle dispenser and sticking his arm in up
to the elbow.
INT. CAFE - DAY
JEARS takes a bite of his sandwich and makes a face. He
gags loudly for effect.
JEARS (CONT'D)
Oh. Oh Shit, that's bad. I wouldn't
feed slop like that to pigs!
RED bursts forth from the kitchen brandishing the butcher
knife. JEARS eyes go twice their size as we
EXT. AIR PUMP - DAY
The air hose bursts and the hose snakes about wildly. The
bell starts dinging as if summoning boxers into the next
round.
INT SERVICE BAY - DAY
The water overflows in the barrels and runs in streams out
over the garage floor.
INT. SALESROOM - DAY
JODY reacting to the dinging air pump by trying to pull his
arm quickly out of the pop machine. He gets it stuck and
begins screaming.
INT. CAFE - DAY
JEARS is backing toward the cafe door. He picks up a chair
and tries to subdue RED, lion-tamer style.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
JEARS (CONT'D)
Now, take it easy Red, I was only
jokin. The sandwich is good Red.
C'mon it is. It's good. It really
is. It's good.
INT. GTO - DAY
CINDY and ROBBY going at it, hot and heavy.
CINDY
Easy country boy, easy!
ROBBY
Do you hear bells? Oh, jeeesuz!
ROBBY quickly disentangles himself from CINDY, finds his
pants and stumbles out of the car. He begins pulling them
on as he runs.
INT. ED’S CAR - DAY 65
ELLIE snuggles tightly against Ed as they drive home.
ELLIE
No more surprises-?
Ed gapes through the windshield stunned.
EXT. SERVICE STATION/CAFE PARKING LOT - DAY 66
ED pulls into the parking lot and they take in the scene out
the windshield.
RED menaces JEARS and three of his CREW with a butcher knife.
JEARS pals are gathered behind him and JEARS keeps the chair
he's picked up as a shield between them and RED.
ED looks around and takes in the carnage; The air pump is
snaking wildly and dinging like a firebell, Water runs in
small rivers across the parking lot.
Through the salesroom window he sees JODY with his arm still
embedded in the pop machine red in the face and yelling for
help.
A partially-dressed ROBBY appears at the side of the garage.
As ED gapes unbelieving, ROBBY nervously jumps in front of
the air pump and tries to hide it from ED's view. "For the
Benefit of Mr. Kite" reaches its crescendo.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.
EXT. SALESROOM -- AFTERNOON 67
ED pulls up and parks the Ford outside the salesroom. He
gets out and opens the trunk, taking out a new pick and
shovel. He slams the trunk loudly and walks toward the
salesroom.
INT. SALESROOM - AFTERNOON 68
ROBBY looks up from his work listing credit card slips as ED
enters. ED is visibly angry and trying to keep a lid on it.
ED
Come with me--NOW!
Ed gives the pick and shovel to Robby and he takes them
plainly frightened.
EXT. HILLTOP - DAY 69
ED drives a wooden stake into the ground with a hammer and
paces off fifty paces as ROBBY silently watches him. ED
drives in a second wooden stake. He looks up at Robby coldly,
the sledge in his hand.
ED
Start diggin. Straight line between
those two stakes. Frost line is
four feet so that's how deep I want
it. And not one goddamned inch shy
of four feet. Is that clear to you?
Supper will be ready at eight. I
don't expect you home before then.
ED turns on his heel and starts walking away. ROBBY watches
him go and then turns resignedly to his task. One hundred
and fifty feet of Canadian Shield lie stretched before him.
He stabs the shovel into the earth. There is a loud clang of
metal against rock.
INT. CAFE - NIGHT 70
CHANCE is at the counter paying for a tray of take-out coffee.
RED serves him.
ELLIE looks out from the kitchen.
JAMES and MITCHELL are in a booth having pie and milk. They
look out the window to see ED's Ford pulling up in front of
the cafe. ED comes into the cafe, slamming the door behind
him.
ED (TO CHANCE)
I want you to leave and I don't want
to see you in here again.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49.
ED (TO CHANCE) (CONT'D)
That goes for daughter, your buddy
Jears and the rest of your three-
ring-fucking circus.
CHANCE
Whoa. Whoa. Slow down here buddy.
I know things got a bit outta hand.
ED
Get out! Now!
CHANCE sees there is no room for discussion. CHANCE regards
ED for a beat and leaves. The bells on the door jingle
merrily. ED turns to find all eyes on him. There is a beat.
MITCHELL
That's a bad spirit Ed. Don't let it
stay with you. Have some pie. It's
good.
JAMES
Car's ready Ed. Tomorrow everbody at
the track is gonna see your name
painted on the side.
MITCHELL
Oh, that milk's cold. Makes my teeth
tingle.
ED
Look, get the fuck out ok? Milk and
Pie are on the house, Ok? Just go.
JAMES and MITCHELL reluctantly get up and move to the door.
MITCHELL (TO JAMES)
I didn't know our sponsor was gonna
supply milk and pie. I'd of had ice-
cream with it.
JAMES
Never mind about the ice-cream.
He's grouchy enough about giving
away the milk an pie.
They leave. RED makes himself scarce in the kitchen while
ELLIE sits down in a booth with a cup of coffee. She lights
a cigarette and regards him levelly through the smoke.
ELLIE
Where's Robby?
ED
Remember when we first talked about
a place in the country? We thought
it would be good for the kids.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
ELLIE
You thought it would be good for
them.
ED
That's right! A little fresh air and
hard work never killed anybody. Christ
when I was that age-
ELLIE (WRYLY)
You had to work to support your
mother. You didn't have a choice.
This is different. These kids have
both parents- or do they?
ED
Robby knows what he has to do! He's
got to learn that the world is not
an easy place-
ELLIE
For you! It's not an easy place for
you. But ROBBY isn't you. You both
need to understand that.
ED
I'll tell you one thing. I'm gonna
be on top of every goddamn little
thing that goes on around here from
now on.
ED's face is a straight hard line as he stares out the window.
ELLIE quietly picks her cup and saucer off the table and
takes it toward the kitchen.
EXT. HILLTOP - DAY 71
We are high above ROBBY, looking down on him as he toils
away at his ditch-digging.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
Summer is a time for growth.
The sound of cicadas can be heard, droning sleepily. As we
near ROBBY he looks up sweating, and surveys the hundred
feet he has yet to dig to reach the other stake.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
All the seeds begin to unwrap
themselves so that in time you can
see their true colors.
ROBBY grits his teeth and he goes back to his work. The sound
of shovel hitting rock is heard. He strikes harder and harder
at the rock.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51.
ROBBY
I am Captain Superior. You will
bend to my will--
ROBBY attempts to lever a big boulder up and out of the
ditch. He struggles, hissing through clenched teeth but the
boulder falls back in, narrowly missing him. He breaks and
begins to sob.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
In this country pine trees can get
to be over one hundred feet tall
growing out of solid rock.
ROBBY crawls out of the ditch, turns to see ED watching him.
He raises the pick as makes as if to charge then buries it
deep in the ground that lies between them.
He turns and staggers away. ED watches him go. ROBBY turns
to glare at him.
ROBBY
Fuck you. No more.
ROBBY turns again and walks away into the late afternoon
sun. ED closes his eyes and rubs them with his hand. When
he opens them, ROBBY is gone.
EXT. JAMES AND MITCHELL'S CABIN - MORNING 72
The yard is littered with junk. The battered hulk of the old
Pontiac they've converted to a stock car serves as a
centerpiece.
paint cans are strewn about, and the roof of the car bears
the slogan "RED SLEPT HERE." All kinds of stickers adorn the
car, one of them for a local brand of peanut butter. A
crudely drawn marijuana leaf adorns the trunk lid.
Wood-smoke curls up through a crooked chimney and a raccoon
scampers up bright eyed, rises on his haunches and sniffs at
the front door.
INT. JAMES AND MITCHELL'S CABIN - DAY 73
The static-filled image of man taking his first step on the
moon can be seen on a television screen.
T.V. ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
That's one small step for man---
A hand bashes the side of the TV. As we pull away we see
MITCHELL, joint in hand, trying to get a better picture. The
sound goes out on the TV. He surveys the screen, annoyed.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.
MITCHELL
Fucking guys. Excuse my language.
Why don't they just be happy to look
at the moon. Like we do.
We pull back further to a cluttered interior. Junk is
everywhere, piled deep and high. JAMES stokes up a wood-
stove in the corner. MITCHELL moves to a rickety old table
in the center of the room. The table is littered with butts
and a partially filled wine bottle. MITCHELL looks over at
ROBBY who lies sprawled on a sagging bunk bed in the corner.
ROBBY opens one eye, takes in his surroundings then groans.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
Hey, James he's alive. You're missing
things Robby. Some guys just walked
on the moon!
JAMES comes over and joins MITCHELL at the table.
JAMES
Yeah, wine can make you do that.
There's still some left. Want a
cup?
ROBBY rises to a sitting position shakes his head weakly,
trying to orient himself. JAMES and MITCHELL pour themselves
a cup, toasting each other.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Me and Mitchell been fishin' already.
Caught breakfast. You like Bass?
ROBBY
Ohhhhhh God. I'm sore.
MITCHELL
I'd be too. Your father shouldn't
of done that. James says just for
that he's not our sponsor no more.
ROBBY rises tenderly and holds his head.
ROBBY
I should be going home.
(A beat.)
ROBBY (CONT'D)
What's that smell?
JAMES
Sweetgrass.
JAMES calmly regards Robby for a moment. Robby looks back
quizzically. JAMES smiles back at him.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
JAMES (CONT'D)
You'll get what you need Robby.
Remember that. A boy becomes a man
when he starts looking for some things
away from his home.
MITCHELL
Me and James are goin' up to the
track to register Redman's revenge.
Want to come?
ROBBY
Redman's revenge?
MITCHELL
(beaming)
Our race car. It's opening day.
INT. CAFE - DAY 74
ELLIE angrily clears away breakfast dishes from in front of
ED. She moves to the kitchen and can be heard banging the
dishes into the sink.
ED
I'm telling you he'll be back. Where's
he gonna go for God's sake? El?
Where's he gonna go?
There is silence from the kitchen.
ED notices a car pulling up to the pumps out the cafe window.
He takes a last gulp of coffee and starts out the door.
ED (CONT'D)
There's another one. American Plates!
What did I tell ya? It's starting.
He exits out toward the gas pumps. ELLIE comes through the
kitchen door and looks after him.
ELLIE
On top of every little thing isn't
he?
she turns to RED who's mopping the floor.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Makes you feel sorry for the little
things.
Some American TOURISTS flood in, chattering. One couple
move to a booth and begin looking at menus. Others stop to
look over postcards at the counter.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54.
#1ST AMERICAN TOURIST
Damn! Sure is pretty country. Uh-
huh, it surely is.
2ND AMERICAN TOURIST
Except for the flies. They got so
many flies--what do they need so
many goddam flies for, that's what I
wanna know. We don't got flies like
this in Ohio!
A third woman tourist picks a post card off the rack showing
an Indian chief in full ceremonial dress. She hands it to
her friend.
Outside the window, more cars can be seen lining up at the
pumps. Ed is working furiously but he appears to be losing
ground.
3RD TOURIST
My, lookkit all them feathers. Isn't
he something?
EXT. RACETRACK PIT AREA - DAY 75
MITCHELL and ROBBY push "Redman's revenge" over to the pit
area. JAMES is wheel-man. They come to a halt outside the
gate and take a moment to look around.
The track is open and attendance is to capacity. On the
oval CINDY is at the wheel of the GTO leading a growling
pack of stockers around on their parade lap. She waves to
the crowd who roar their appreciation.
WALTER is in the announcers booth employing his own inimitable
style.
WALTER (V.O.)
What a wondrous summers day we have
here today, ladies and gentlemen, as
we gather in avid anticipation of
our very own acrobats of acceleration,
our demons of dash, our mercurial
matadors...
ROBBY sags visibly when he sees CINDY.
ROBBY
Put a sock in it WALTER.
He continues to watch the oval gloomily. A PIT MAN has come
over to the gate and hastily beckons JAMES and MITCHELL over.
PIT MAN
What the fuck is going on here?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
PIT MAN (CONT'D)
What is this piece of shit doing in
front of the gate? We got traffic
coming through here! You gotta move!
MITCHELL
We come to race.
PIT MAN (CONTEMPTUOUS)
Okay Tonto I don't know how to break
it to you but- this car no good for
race-it dead many moons now. You
take it happy hunting ground. Now
get it the fuck outta here before I
call security.
MITCHELL (GROWING ANGRY)
We can make it run. Just needs a
boost.
PIT MAN
It don't meet specs. Now willya get
outta here asshole?
MITCHELL loses it and charges the PIT MAN. They hit the ground
and begin to wrestle.
ROBBY
Jeezuz!
JAMES starts to rush to his brothers defense. ROBBY grabs
JJAMES by the arm.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
I'm gonna leave you guys to sort
this out yourselves. I gotta see
Chance. Maybe--well I'll see ya
later.
JAMES has the PIT MAN in a headlock.
PIT MAN
Ok. Injun. Let's smoke a peace pipe
ok?
ROBBY runs off and JAMES helps MITCHELL get up and dust
himself off. The PIT MAN rubs his sore neck.
PIT MAN (CONT'D)
I can't let you enter. I'm sorry ok?
MITCHELL starts to protest but JAMES waves him off. They
struggle to push "Redman's revenge" away.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - DAY 76
The cars finish their pace lap and explode into a roar under
the green flag.
WALTER (V.O.)
And they're off! Now here's a
reminder. Next week is Master mayhem
week here at Haven Speedway--
On the backstretch, NORT'S car, number seventeen, can be
seen moving up through the pack.
INT ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - DAY
WALTER calling out the announcement.
WALTER (CONT'D)
All manner of cars and crates will
be admitted next Saturday only, for
a chance at a cash purse worth over
two hundred dollars.
As the pack thunders out of the corner number six and number
twelve vie for first place.
WALTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
That's right ladies and gentlemen,
its our head to head, back to the
bone-yard, Demolition Derby.
EXT. PIT AREA - DAY
James and Mitchell exchanging looks,taking in the implications
of a demolition derby. They grin at each other.
EXT.CLAY OVAL - DAY
Number six bumps number twelve sending the stocker crashing
into the wall in front of the grandstand. Parts fly
everywhere. The crowd leap to their feet cheering and a yellow
flag drops down.
NORT floors it through the smoke, narrowly missing the crashed
stocker. He spots the yellow flag and is forced to slow.
INT. NORT'S CAR - DAY
NORT, inside his car with muddy face.
NORT
Shit! This was just starting to get
fun!
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - DAY
One of the stockers begins belching black smoke on the
backstretch.
WALTER (V.O.)
Roger Powley is out of it Ladies and
Gentlemen and oh, whats this? Freddie
Lund has smoke coming from under his
car. He's lost his um- muffler
bearing.
A group of race fans eye the announcers booth and begin
laughing.
EXT. BLEACHERS - DAY 77
FIRST FAN
muffler bearing?
SECOND FAN
What do you expect! He usually covers
hockey!
In the background, the afflicted cars are cleared from the
track. The green flag is dropped again and the race resumes
with a howl.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - DAY 78
As the cars thunder into the corner, NORT takes the inside
and pulls into the lead. Clods of clay fly everywhere as the
cars accelerate into the stretch.
INT. CONCESSION STAND - DAY 79
WALTER looks out over the track and talks into the microphone,
excitedly.
WALTER
Norton Abrams has taken the lead
ladies and gentlemen going into this
last lap.
(reads from a page)
Next week will also feature the
exemplary excellence of the inimitable
Death defying Hell Drivers of
California U.S.A.for one appearance
only.
WALTER takes a large drink of scotch from a flask he has
hidden in his suit pocket.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - DAY 80
The stockers roar toward the grandstand. NORT takes the
checkered flag by a whisker, ahead of the howling pack.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58.
WALTER (V.O.)
That's Norton Abrams as your champion
wunderkind on wheels. Sterling
steering Nort.
NORT circles, approaches the flagstand and picks up the
checkered flag for a victory lap.
EXT. FLAGSTAND - DAY 81
an OFFICIAL hands NORT the flag.
OFFICIAL
Congratulations!
He grabs the flag proudly and begins his victory lap. The
crowd's is on its feet cheering.
INT. NORT'S STOCKER - DAY 82
NORT's enjoying himself, doing an Elvis impersonation at the
top of his lungs.
NORT
"Wise men sayyyy, only fooools rush
in--"
INT. CONCESSION STAND - DAY 83
ROBBY comes in, sees that CHANCE is on the phone. CHANCE
sees him, holds up an "I'll be with you in a minute" finger.
CHANCE
Are you kidding Ronnie? We've already
announced it. The Hell Drivers for
next week.
CINDY walks in, checks on the mail, surprised to see ROBBY.
He tries a weak smile and CINDY gives him a wink and continues
with her work.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
You can't...I know how far it is
Ronny! But listen buddy,...
He gestures urgently to CINDY who hands him a nearby tape
player. CHANCE hits it and the sound of wild audience
cheering fills the booth. CINDY begins sorting cash receipts.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Sorry Ronny-- hard to hear, the folks
are having a good time. That's a
lot of dough up front buddy...Ok,Ok,
look you got it. I'll send the check
ahead. Course it's good.
CINDY hands CHANCE a huge stack of currency.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Look I'm not gonna keep that kinda
cash layin around.
ROBBY eyes the photographs of various drivers on the wall
carrying the checkered flag. CHANCE pockets the huge wad of
cash.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Ok we're set. Look I want some
drivers up here within two weeks
from Millwaukee. Yeah, I got guys
here, but people want American---
Ronnie lets face it, the guys here
are yokels.
ROBBY'S stares over, visibly startled at hearing CHANCE talk
this way. CINDY looks over at him, smiles at his naivety and
brushes past him out the door.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Ok Ronnie I love ya. We're gonna
make a million. See ya.....
CHANCE bangs down the phone and gives ROBBY a wink and a
smile.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Hey, it's El Robbo. How ya doin
kiddo?
ROBBY
You're not mad?
CHANCE picks up the phone and begins dialing.
CHANCE
What for??
ROBBY
Well,what happened-
CHANCE
It's a big old world Robbo. Shit
happens. What's on your mind skip?
ROBBY
Well I know it's a lot to ask but-
CHANCE has made his connection, starts speaking, but motions
ROBBY to continue.
CHANCE
Laura sweetie, it's Chance. Your
daddy in? --Kenny! You have any
luck with the Racing Association?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60.
ROBBY
I was thinking. You said you started
driving at my age and --
CHANCE
--You guys are perfect! Are you
kidding? There's nothing up here
but Canucks with ten year old beaters.
ROBBY (DEFLATING)
I thought maybe you could use an
extra--
CHANCE
You guys are the best. Now get your
butts up here!
ROBBY (MISERABLY)
-driver.
CHANCE hangs up the phone, sizes up ROBBY for a beat.
CHANCE
Look kid, no offence but you need to
learn a few things. I think you
should be talking to your dad.
ROBBY
I'm livin with James and Mitchell.
I'm no kid anymore.
CHANCE
James and Mitchell huh? The two
half-breeds?
ROBBY
Eh?
CHANCE puts an arm around ROBBY, leading him out of the booth.
EXT. CONCESSION STANDS - DAY 84
ROBBY AND CHANCE walk through the crowds lined up at the
concessions buying chips, pop, and racing memorabilia.
CHANCE
Look, I got one opening. I want
someone to entertain the folks during
intermission. You know, put on an
act, funny stuff, folks like that --
down on the track at half-time.
Whadda ya say?
ROBBY
You mean like a stunt man or
something?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61.
CHANCE
Like a clown! What I want is a clown.
You can do that, huh? Be a clown?
ROBBY comes to a halt. CHANCE keeps on walking.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Want it or not? Twenty-five bucks a
show.
The GTO barrels off in a cloud of dust that slowly envelopes
ROBBY as he watches it disappear.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - EVENING 85
Crickets can be heard singing. ED watches a long string of
cars wend their way home from the racetrack as he tops up a
tourists car.
He wipes the windshield, takes the cash, and slowly heads
into the salesroom.
He can be seen through the window putting the cash in the
register and closing it. He looks up at nothing for a beat.
He emerges, shoulders drooping,and crosses next door to the
cafe. Business has slowed and the lot is empty. ED takes
one last murderous look at the stream of traffic from the
track and enters the cafe.
INT. CAFE - EVENING 86
ED sits on a stool and watches RED and ELLIE go about their
cleaning chores prior to closing. ELLIE wipes tables in a
cold silent fury.
He tries rattling his spoon in his cup to indicate a refill.
He is ignored so gets up and gets his own. ED returns to
the stool and sips in silence. He begins to grow
uncomfortable.
ED
What a day! Tourist season's here
for sure.
Silence.
ED (CONT'D)
Did you see that lineup at noon?
That couple from Ohio?
Silence.
ED (CONT'D)
Well, they sure liked your butter
tarts, Red.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62.
Red stops mopping for a moment, sneaks ED a grin. ELLIE
catches it, and the grin disappears quickly from RED's face.
ELLIE crosses to the juke box, depositing a quarter and
punches buttons, seething.
She returns to her work filling sugar containers. A cheatin'
hurtin' country love song comes on and Ellie bangs down the
sugar container, strides over and unplugs the jukebox.
The song gutters and stops. Silence resumes.
ED (CONT'D)
Jesus, the atmosphere in here is
awe-inspiring. Maybe to pick it up
a bit, we ought to restage that knife
fight Red. Dress you up like an
Indian. Jears and the boys as cowboys.
The tourists'd love it. How about
it?
RED glares at ED and returns to his mopping.
ELLIE briskly crosses into the kitchen and returns with ED's
lunchpail. She begins straightening his tie.
ELLIE (SOFTLY)
Let me see if I've got this right.
My son is out there somewhere, scared
and alone, and this is somehow funny
to you. I guess he's learning his
lesson, hmmm? Well here's your lesson
for today.
She tightens the tie choking him.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
If anything happens our son, if he's
not back here and soon, you'll be
living in that big dream house alone.
You got that?
ED
Honey Rob's--
ELLIE pushes the lunch pail into ED's hands, and opens the
door.
ELLIE
Oh my, look at the time! Late for
work. I know how important that is
to you.
ED studies her for a beat, then angrily stalks out the door,
slamming it behind him. The bells tinkle.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63.
Ed's car can be heard squealing out of the lot as ELLIE gazes
out the window into the darkening sky.
EXT. JAMES AND MITCHELL'S CABIN - AFTERNOON 87
MITCHELL and JAMES tinker under the hood of "Redman's Revenge"
hooking up the carburetor. ROBBY examines the junk in the
yard. He picks one item up, can't figure out what it is and
throws it down again impatiently.
ROBBY
I don't know nothing about being a
clown.
JAMES
You mean you dun't know anything.
If you don't know nothing then you
must know something. That's what
they call two wrongs make it right.
MITCHELL
(Proudly)
James got grade 9.
ROBBY
C'mon you guys. I'm seriously fucked
if I can't be funny.
JAMES
Do you do any tricks? Like blowing
smoke out your ears? Or biting heads
off smelts? Mitchell can bite their
heads off. It's pretty gross though.
ROBBY
I can juggle.
JAMES
Pretty good start.
ROBBY
Juggling's not funny. A clown's
gotta be funny.
JAMES
Who said anything about being a clown?
That's what they want. You do what's
inside of you. Else it's a lie.
What you got inside of you?
ROBBY
Nothing! I got nothing inside me!
I just dream stuff that's all. I
don't do nothing....I mean anyting..I
mean any..thing.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64.
MITCHELL
How about those paintings? those
are pretty good. Whose that guy?
ROBBY
They're not paintings. They're
cartoons. Captain Superior. And
he's imaginary. Im-a-gin-ar-y? Got
it?
JAMES
Why don't you make him real? That
would turn your inside out. Fix
your problem too. Make twenty-five
bucks doing it.
ROBBY
You guys drive me fuckin' nuts.
ROBBY stomps off back to the cabin. On the way he slips on
the grass and falls flat. JAMES and MITCHELL roar with
laughter as ROBBY tries to get up but slips again.JAMES goes
back to working under the hood as MITCHELL sparks up a joint.
JAMES
Now that's funny.
ROBBY glares at them and enters the cabin, slamming the door.
A hubcap falls off the wall.
MITCHELL
Think he'll do it?
JAMES
Pretty hard to turn your insides
out. Hand me that wrench. But, Robby
there? His world's upside down anyway.
What's he got to lose?
We begin to move away from JAMES and MITCHELL as they tinker
with one piece of junk in the middle of a whole yardful of
it.
INT. CAFE - AFTERNOON 88
It's quiet in the cafe with only four customers gathered in
one booth.
JODY helps out behind the counter filling filters for the
coffee machine.
RED comes out of the kitchen carrying four steaming-hot
dinners at once. He successfully navigates over to a table
of customers and sets them down. A customer begins to sprinkle
salt on his meal. RED indignantly takes it away from him.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65.
RED
It don't need any.
The customer tries it, judges it, seems pleased and nods to
RED. RED nods back, satisfied. Another customer, about to
put pepper on his meal, now looks up to Red for approval.
RED (CONT'D)
What am I? Your mother...
Chrisss......you want pepper? Use
the pepper. You don't want pepper?
Leave it alone.
The customer looks to his seat-mates for help. They shrug
and go on with their meal. With a self-satisfied smile, RED
returns to the kitchen carrying the salt shaker.
Through the pass-through window he spies JODY stealing a
chocolate bar from an under-counter display. RED tiptoes up
behind Jody as he's pocketing it and smacks him on the back
of the head.
RED (CONT'D)
Hey, whadda think you're doin!
JODY jumps at RED's voice and so does the customer who's
finally decided the meal needed some pepper.
RED (CONT'D)
Help me get this counter cleared off
here.
JODY starts to protest but Red's already clearing the counter.
He stuffs all the dirty cutlery into four glasses, and scoops
them up with one hand after first balancing four plates on
his head.
With his free hand he scoops up the dirty napkins and three
coffee cups. He makes for the kitchen.
Awe-struck by this display, JODY follows him into the kitchen
area carrying the one remaining cup. RED re-emerges being
tailed by a wide-eyed JODY.
JODY
Where'd you learn to do that?
RED
Navy.
JODY
Get outta here. You were never in
the navy.
RED sits on a stool and begins adding up a check for the
customers.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66.
RED
Yeah? How do you know?
JODY
Cause before, you said you were in
the army.
RED
Ok. Army then.
JODY
I don't think you were in anything.
RED
You ever get hit in the head with a
plate?
JODY looks at RED uncomprehending. RED finishes adding up
the tab and rips it from the pad.
RED (CONT'D)
Keep it up.
RED takes the tab over to the customers and returns to the
kitchen. JODY follows him in.
INT.KITCHEN - AFTERNOON 89
JODY
Where'd you learn it really?
RED opens a refrigerator and leans into it.
RED
Learn what?
JODY
To carry stuff on your head and stuff.
RED emerges from the refrigerator with an egg in each hand.
RED
Circus.
JODY
Really?
RED
Uh-huh. Used to do it on a tightrope.
When I was your age.
JODY
You never...
RED
Watch this...
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67.
RED holds the eggs, one in each hand behind his back. He
begins to toss them in the air, over his shoulder and catch
them one handed. First one then two at a time. His face
becomes flushed with the effort and the speed and intensity
of his trick increases.
JODY
Wow!
INT.CAFE - AFTERNOON
Ellie coming into the cafe with a couple of bags of supplies.
She begins making her way past the customers who are rising
to pay their bill.
ELLIE sets the bags down behind the counter, moves to the
cash and settles up with the customers. They file out.
INT. KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
JODY is awe-struck at the display but RED is breathing
raggedly and is suddenly seized with a heart attack.
One arm reflexively goes to into his chest and he crashes
into the egg crates behind him. There are broken eggs
everywhere and the spillage seeps out in a widening pool
around Red.
JODY (CONT'D)
Ma......Maaaaaaaa!
ELLIE comes running into the kitchen, takes in what's happened
and shoves Jody out of the way bending down to help Red.
ELLIE
Go get your father... Jody go.Go
now.
JODY flies out of the kitchen, through the cafe, out the
door.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - AFTERNOON 90
ED finishes with a customer and returns the pump hose to its
holder. He hears screaming, turns to see JODY yelling from
the cafe door.
ED takes in the boys terror, and bolts for the cafe. He's
nearly run down by a departing customer who screeches to a
halt. Sidestepping the car, ED dashes into the cafe.
INT. CAFE - AFTERNOON
ED desperately scanning the deserted cafe then heading for
the kitchen.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68.
INT. KITCHEN - AFTERNOON 91
ED appears in the kitchen. He's stunned at the scene of ELLIE
cradling a semiconscious RED, who's breath is coming in rasps.
His color has gone to gray.
ED
I'll get the car. I'll be right
back. I'm getting the car. Try and
stay calm. I'm getting the car!
He bolts from the kitchen and ELLIE looks down at RED trying
mightily to hold back her tears.
ELLIE
What some people won't do for some
time off...you hang on old man. Do
you hear me...you just have to ...
EXT. SALESROOM - AFTERNOON 92
ED jumps in the Ford and frantically keys it. It won't start.
Cursing, ED jumps out, runs to the garage, grabs a new battery
from a display and some jumper cables. Moving quickly and
efficiently, he jumps the car.
It roars to life and he squeals it over in front of the cafe
still trailing the jumper cables.
EXT. SERVICE STATION PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON
The brake lights of the Ford glow bright red as ED screeches
to a halt.
INT. E.R. WAITING ROOM - LATER 93
ED fiddles with a vending machine but can't get it to work.
He gives it a several smacks.
ELLIE looks up from a bench nearby where she's been sitting
with head in hands.
ELLIE
You can skip the charm. Did you try
money?
A doctor enters, reading a chart.
DOCTOR
Mr and Mrs--Hewson?
ELLIE bolts out of her seat and over to the doctor. ED joins
her.
In the background, ROBBY comes rushing in, stopping in his
tracks when he sees them talking to the doctor.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
69.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
He's stable. Remarkable, considering.
As you probably guessed he's suffered
heart failure. I'll need to notify
his next of--
ELLIE
We're his family.
DOCTOR
--Of course. Has Mr. Flory been
under any undue stress lately?
ELLIE glares over at ED. There is a beat. The doctor pats
ELLIE's shoulder.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
You can see him Tuesday. We'll talk
more then.
The DOCTOR leaves. ELLIE turns, sees ROBBY. He stands rigid,
staring at a gurney. Tears stream down his cheeks.
ELLIE runs to him and hugs him. He remains stiff, and looks
over at ED.
ELLIE
My God, I've been worried. Where
the hell have you been?
ED remains frozen to the spot. He and ROBBY eye each other.
ELLIE feels the unremitting stiffness in ROBBY and takes in
the two men staring coldly at each other.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Stupidity. That's what this is.
Men and stupidity.
ED breaks eye contact and looks at his watch.
ED
I've got to get to work.
He starts toward the door and turns back to ROBBY.
ED (CONT'D)
You want a ride?
Silence. ED looks to ELLIE.
ED (CONT'D)
Are you coming?
It's a standoff. ED shrugs, turns on his heel and walks out
the door.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70.
INT. REDMAN'S REVENGE - EVENING 94
ROBBY pilots the heap. As they lurch along he tries to find
third gear. He occupies the only seat. The rest of the car
has been stripped to bare metal.
ELLIE sits on the floor of the passenger side with only
ROBBY's coat for padding. She clings to the makeshift roll
bar for support, smiling nervously; very nervously.
They've stopped somewhere previously for burgers and ROBBY
munches away happily.
ELLIE is more concerned on hanging on for dear life. ROBBY
offers her french-fries. She shakes her head, pointing to a
glowing red light on the dash. She has to yell to be heard
over the roar.
ELLIE
What's that light?
ROBBY
(yelling back)
Temperatures running a little hot.
It's okay, we're here.
Robby pulls the heap to a stop. Out the metal screen where
the windshield once was, the family's mobile home can be
seen. ELLIE tries to get out of the car but the doors welded
shut.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
It's ok, I'll take care of it.
He leaps out of the clunker and crosses to the passenger
side. He lifts his mother out of the car and sets her down.
ELLIE
Well I'm impressed. You've grown.
There is an embarrassed silence. ELLIE begins to babble.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
C'mon. I've changed the sheets on
your bed. There's clean clothes in
your drawer. You've got to do
something about that room though,its--
ROBBY
Ma, I'm not staying.
ELLIE looks at him, hurt.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
I'm ok. Really. I've got a job up at
the race-track. Listen-- could you
come? It starts tomorrow afternoon.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
71.
ELLIE sizes him up. He looks determined.
ELLIE (FIRMLY)
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
ROBBY circles around again and jumps in the car. It roars
to life and he begins backing out the drive.
INT. STEEL MILL OFFICE- NIGHT 95
ED selects his punchcard from the rack and finds a note
attached to see the foreman.
ED
Shit!
He rips the note off, punches in, and makes his way through
the maze of the mill, waving to his co-workers en route.
He reaches his crane, begins to climb the ladder and is
startled to see another operator in his place. The noise of
the mill makes conversation impossible.
ED gestures with his hands to inquire "what's up?
The crane operator points to the foremans shed. ED starts
off, but the operator call to him. ED returns and the operator
hands ED the picture of ELLIE, that was pasted to the inside
of the crane.
ED looks at the picture and back up to the operator. The
operator shrugs.
ED dashes down the ladder and over to the foreman's shed.
He barges in.
INT. FOREMAN'S SHED -- NIGHT 96
ED sees NORT seated at a rickety table, scissoring a picture
of himself out of the newspaper.
NORT looks up at ED and grins. He crosses over to a locker
and takes out a cheque. He sets the newspaper clipping in
front of it.
NORT
Whaddaya think Eddie? Six hundred
bucks and first place!
NORT passes cheque under his own nose, smelling it.
NORT (CONT'D)
God, what a souvenir! It's gonna be
hard to cash this.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72.
ED
--Fuck that! Guzzo's on the crane.
What the hell is goin' on?
NORT's face clouds and his mood changes.
NORT
(noncommittal)
Foreman want's to see ya. He's in
there.
NORT indicates a door leading to another room. ED crosses
over to it, knocks, and enters.
Nort plants a kiss on the cheque and puts it back in his
locker, closing it. As the locker bangs us into blackness
the sound of reving engines are heard.
EXT. RACETRACK PIT AREA - DAY 97
It's raceday once again. The cars speed around the oval
throwing up clods of clay and scattering them everywhere.
ROBBY dodges one of the clods as he nervously readies himself
for his debut as a clown. MITCHELL inspects Robby's Captain
Superior outfit.
Robby's has fashioned a uniform of sorts; His cape is a
piece of blue plastic tarpaulin and his hooded mask is a
motorcycle helmet and shield. His insignia is a chrome car
ornament with a huge letter S. He wears black sweat pants
and tee-shirt. He dons a pair of hockey gloves and turns to
MITCHELL for inspection.
MITCHELL calls over to JAMES who changing a tire on Redman's
revenge, in preparation for the demolition derby.
MITCHELL
Hey James, look at our superhero.
All ready to fly.
ROBBY
Do I look Ok?
EXT. BLEACHERS - DAY
ELLIE's in the bleachers with JODY. She waves to ROBBY.
JODY makes a face.
EXT. RACETRACK PIT AREA - DAY
The intercom crackles to life as the checkered flag is dropped
and the crowd cheers. The cars file growling into the pit
area. ROBBY watches them, visibly nervous.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73.
WALTER (V.O.)
Friends, Fans and Aficionados.
Tonight promises to be an
uncompromising evening of sustained
delight. For your intermission
entertainment we feature the comedic
derring-do of our only known all-
Canadian super Hero. None other
than Captain Superior.
The crowd cheers lustily. ROBBY strikes a heroes pose,
runs to the middle of the clay track, purposely slips and
falls in front of the grandstand. He looks around to see
who's tripped him, attempts to get up and trips and falls
again. The crowd roar appreciatively with laughter.
ROBBY displays a wonderful Chaplinesque clarity in his
clowning and the audience begins eating it up.
ROBBY attempts to clean his cape of mud, and winds up straight-
jacketed in it. He mimes detecting a crisis unfolding and
shows the audience he will solve it by drinking a strength
potion. He withdraws a huge vial from his costume and winds
up spilling it again and again. The audience roars with
laughter, applauding.
EXT. SERVICE STATION LOT - AFTERNOON 98
The cafe is dark with a closed sign on the door. Tourists
are lined up at the gas pumps four cars deep. ED's all alone
frantically trying to keep up.
A large car-hauler displaying the logo of the Death Defying
Hell Drivers, U.S.A. pulls into the lot. It's loaded with
brand-new sleek looking camaros.
The truck jumps to a halt in a hiss of air brakes in front
of the cafe.
INT. CAB OF THE TRUCK - AFTERNOON 99
SHERM, the driver, an ugly looking burly man, cracks his
knuckles at the steering wheel and stares wide-eyed and darkly
at the closed sign on the cafe. He is twitchy from the pills
hes been taking and breathes rapidly.
His toady, REG, pops a bennie and washes it down with an
open can of beer. He offers a pill to SHERM.
SHERM (TESTILY)
Do I look like I need to stay excited
for another twelve-fucking-hours!?
Where the fuck is this Haven-fucking-
Speedway anyway?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74.
REG
Map says right here. Maybe we should
ask the guy.
SHERM
I'll ask the guy. Oh, I'll ask the
guy.
SHERM clenches his fists and eyes REG menacingly. He kicks
the cab door open and climbs down. REG follows.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - AFTERNOON 100
A car with Pennsylvania plates and a bumper sticker reading
"Make love not war" is next in line for gas. The cars owner,
DADDY, keeps jerking his head toward a PROBLEM CHILD in the
back seat. He leaps out as soon as he has stopped the car.
ED
Yes sir. Can I fill her up for you?
DADDY (TO HIS CHILD)
--You want to shut up?? Just shut
up!!
DADDY suddenly notices ED and smiles.
HARRIED LOOKING MAN
Oh hi. Yeah. Fill her up. Sure
that'd be--
PROBLEM CHILD
Daddeeee!
DADDY sticks his head in the window of the car and growls
savagely.
DADDY
Just put a sock in it or daddy'll
tape your mouth shut!
ED begins to fill the car. He's approached by SHERM and
REG.
SHERM (SURLY)
Y'all know a man named Wilson?
Supposed to have a race-track around
here.
ED eyes the two men nervously.
ED
Quarter-mile, straight up the road.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75.
SHERM
Uh-huh. Now, how come the cafe's
closed? I'd like to get something to
eat.
ED
Look, I'm sorry but--
SHERM
--I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Is that all
you Canfucks ever say? I'm Hungry!
SHERM belligerently awaits an answer as the PROBLEM CHILD
sticks her head out the car window.
PROBLEM CHILD
I'm hungry too.
DADDY turns on his child.
DADDY
Shut the fuck up!
SHERM looks sharply over at DADDY. He takes in the "Make
Love Not War" bumper sticker on the car.
SHERM
What'd you say?
REG
Man told you to shut the fuck up
Sherm. I heard him.
DADDY eyes SHERM and REG with a pleading look.
SHERM
That a fact? You were talkin' to me
were you? You prissy little
Pennsylvania motherfucker?
Ed jerks the hose out of DADDY'S car and slams the pump off.
ED (INTERJECTING)
That's it! We're closed. I'm now on
holidays.
Sherm pulls out a 45 from his overalls and cocks it.
ED (CONT'D)
Whoa! Now, lets just--
SHERM (TO DADDY)
How'd y'all like to feel some Alabama
lead up yer draft-dodgin' Yankee
ass?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76.
ED
Look, there's gasoline here. Im pretty
sure this isn't a good idea...
A car horn blows behind them. An IRATE TOURIST hollers at
them.
IRATE TOURIST
Can I get some gas here? Huh? Is
that too much to ask?
Sherm turns and fires on the IRATE TOURIST's car. A plume
of hissing blue smoke billows out from the rad. Other cars
start honking, turning into a chorus. ED begins talking to
himself.
ED
No,no,--not a good day. It really
isn't. Today is not-a-good-day.
SHERM turns to ED.
SHERM
Listen up, Canfuck. That track better
be where you said it is.
INT. IRATE TOURIST'S CAR - AFTERNOON 101
The Irate tourist fumes in the shelter of his car interior.
His wife cowers in the passenger seat. Cars continue honking.
IRATE TOURIST
Damn! Did you see that?! That
sonnofabitch fired at me!
He points to the glove compartment.
IRATE TOURIST (CONT'D)
Open it up Margie. Give it here!
MARGIE
Are you out of yer mind? Whuddayou
think you're playin at Harlan. That
man's armed. You cant--
Harlan reaches across, punches the glove compartment open
grabbing a pistol.
EXT. GAS PUMPS - AFTERNOON
ED talks himself in the midst of the melee.
ED
Nope. Not the best of days, really.
I lose my job--my wife and kids hate
me--
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
77.
DADDY tries frantically to get in his car but his child has
rolled up the window and locked the door.
He looks nervously over and now sees HARLAN, who's pointing
a pistol in his direction, locked in police firing pose, and
framed by the smoke of his hissing rad.
Frantically DADDY pounds on his car window pleading to be
let in.
DADDY
Please Jenny honey, let me in...that
man's got a gun.
ED
(philosophically)
And here I am in the middle of the
ok corral. It kind of makes you
wonder.
SHERM now eyes HARLAN. HARLAN points the gun in their
direction but he's wincing and holding his face away from
the weapon, afraid it might actually go off.
Deciding HARLAN presents no danger, SHERM pockets his piece.
SHERM
Let's go Reg.
SHERM and REG leg it back to the truck. DADDY continues to
pound on the window amid the honking horns.
HARRIED LOOKING MAN
Jenny, sweetie please open up...I'll
buy you an ice-cream!
The Hell drivers semi leaves the lot in a cacophony of engine
noise, grinding gears, and black smoke.
HARLAN, exasperated at his own lack of courage, finally works
up the nerve to try and prevent their escape. He pulls the
trigger, sending a bullet whining into the patched up air
pump which starts up the a now-familiar dinging.
ED
Awwwwwwww shit!
INT. CONCESSION BOOTH - EVENING 102
ROBBY, still in costume refreshes himself with a soda between
acts. He spots CINDY hurrying to the office. He runs to catch
up and falls into step with her. He's visibly exhilarated
from performing.
ROBBY
Well? Did you see me? Was that fucking
wild or what?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
78.
CINDY concentrates on maintaining her pace.
CINDY
Yeah. You're a funny guy.
ROBBY
What is with you? All of a sudden
I've got a disease or something?
CINDY reaches the office, unlocks the door and barges in.
Robby hesitates in the doorway.
INT. TICKET OFFICE - EVENING 103
CINDY reaches in her coat for a joint and sparks it.
CINDY
look either come in and shut the
door or split.
ROBBY comes into the office and closes the door behind him.
CINDY begins searching the booth, finds a strongbox and opens
it. She squats on the floor and starts counting out some
cash.
ROBBY
holy shit. what's with you?
CINDY
Vacations over. My old man is about
to run the string out. And man, I
have another gig to get to.
ROBBY
You just got here.
CINDY pockets some bills in her jacket pocket. She counts
out some more.
CINDY
What did my old man promise you?
Twenty? Twenty-five?
She holds out some bills to ROBBY. He hesitates.
CINDY (CONT'D)
Look, I'd grab it if I were you. Or
you'll never see it.
ROBBY
You're going to split. Just like
that?!
CINDY
Suit yourself.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
79.
She throws the money back in the box, closes it and gets to
her feet.
She quickly kisses him, making a decision.
CINDY (CONT'D)
Look,I got some friends waiting.
We're on our way to New York. I
could see if there's room. But we
have to leave now. C'mon.
EXT. CONCESSION BOOTH - EVENING 104
CINDY hurries past him, bolting out of the booth. ROBBY moves
after her. WALTER can be heard over the P.A. in the
background.
WALTER (V.O.)
And your winner once again is Nort
Abrams. That bring us to intermission
ladies and gentlemen--
CINDY advances toward a flower-painted V.W. mini-bus packed
with hippies. ROBBY stops.
ROBBY
Shit! I can't do this. Your dad hired
me. There's people waiting--
CINDY
I'll send you a postcard from the
farm.
CINDY climbs into the bus. She flashes him a peace sign as
the bus gets under way.
ROBBY (YELLS AFTER HER)
You're going to a farm. You?!!
CINDY (YELLING BACK)
Yasgar's farm. Ever heard of it?
Woodstock?
INT. MOBILE HOME - EVENING 105
The fridge door opens, and ED takes out a beer.
He pops the top on it and takes a long hard drink. He sits
at the kitchen table. There are several empties on it.
He leans back in the kitchen chair and surveys his
surroundings. The sink is full of dishes. The place is a
mess.
He closes his eyes, drunkenly leans back in his chair and
begins to sing softly to himself.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80.
He tips his chair back a little too far and crashes backwards
to the floor. He slowly picks himself up.
ED
Forty hours. Ha. That's a good
one. Come away to the country Ellie
my luv--mmmmmm---we'll open a little
roadside cafe---and let all the
nutbars start rolling through.
There is the sound of a car arriving.
ED (CONT'D)
An I'll build you a--- I'm gonna
build it too, you watch--nice house--
little garden--Shit!
ED hurls his beer at the door. It smashes into the wall
just in front of ELLIE as she comes in. She manages to duck.
ELLIE
Charming!
ED
Where in the hell have you been?
ELLIE
I've been watching your son perform
at the new racetrack. It's quite
something. And so was he.
She takes out a cigarette and lights it. She surveys ED
coolly for a beat.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
He was good. Natural. Funny. Made
me laugh, honey. The way you used
to.
ED tries to roust himself out of his fog.
ED
Robby was funny? At the--where???
ELLIE takes a newspaper ad taped to the fridge and places it
in front of him
ELLIE
The paper boy is envious as hell.
ED studies the full page ad. Robby's picture's there under
the caption "Introducing Captain Superior." The ad touts a
12 hour extravaganza featuring a demolition derby and the
Death Defying Hell Drivers from the U.S.A.
ED's eyes blaze when he sees the ad for the Hell Drivers.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81.
ED
Jeezus. These guys,-This guy!--he
was in today. El, the guy's a nut-
case. Robby shouldn't be--
ELLIE
Well don't tell me! If you're that
worried you know where he is. If you
hurry you can catch his second act.
ELLIE starts for the bedroom.
ED is shocked into sobriety and action. He stares at the ad
for a moment longer then starts for the door, bolts out and
slams it.
ELLIE (CONT'D)
Just what kind of nut case is this
guy?
EXT. CLAY OVAL - EVENING 106
Preparations are under way for the demolition derby. About
a dozen beaters head out onto the track and begin warming
up. JAMES and MITCHELL are busy in the pit area trying to
get "Redman's Revenge" started. JAMES is at the wheel.
MITCHELL hooks up some booster cables.
ROBBY, still in uniform, watches anxiously from the flagstand.
CHANCE pulls up quickly in the GTO. He leaps out and comes
up to ROBBY clapping him on the back.
CHANCE
You're dynamite kid. They love ya!
ROBBY
Thanks! Man! It's more than I ever
thought--
CHANCE
The beginning. Just the beginning.
Skip, you wanted to drive, well here's
your chance. I need a pacecar driver.
Pays fifty a week. Interested?
ROBBY
Are you serious!!??
CHANCE
Stick with me kid. Start by bringing
on the Hell Drivers. Oh, shit--
CHANCE has spied NORT, charging up toward him in a fury.
CHANCE holds up a hand and winks to ROBBY, indicating he'll
take care of this.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
82.
NORT
Wilson, you owe me money! And I
don't want no more rubber cheques!
CHANCE
Hey, let's not get excited. It's an
honest mistake.
NORT
Bullshit! And why am I off the roster
for next week? What's this shit about
cars from Millwaukee?
CHANCE
Look, c'mon up to the office, bud,
we can--
NORT
We'll settle it here and now! I
invest three grand in a car, win
races, and you pay me in rubber
cheques. Now the Pit guy tells me my
services are no longer required.
What the fuck is with you?
CHANCE smiles apologetically at ROBBY. ROBBY regards CHANCE
and NORT gravely
CHANCE
Listen buddy, its not me. It's what
the crowd wants. You got three
thousand in your car. These guys
from Millwaukee are spending twenty
They're faster, plain and simple.
Now look Nort, I'll cut you another
cheque and--
NORT
Fuck you!
NORT storms off. CHANCE turns to ROBBY and chuckles.
CHANCE
Ah, well, fuck him! We're going
places! We're gonna be big!
CHANCE proffers the keys to the GTO to ROBBY.
ROBBY looks longingly over at the convertible glinting under
the lights. He eyes the keys jingling from CHANCE's fingers.
ROBBY
I don't think so.
CHANCE studies ROBBY for a beat.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
83.
CHANCE
It's what you wanted kid.
ROBBY
Not this badly. I've got a show to
get ready for.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING 107
Under blazing mercury vapor lights a menacing-looking,
battered black Ford, painted with lurid blood-covered sharks
teeth on its grill slams violently into the side of a equally
battered Chevy with the number fifteen crudely drawn on the
side.
The driver of the Chevy pounds his hands on the wheel in
frustration. His frustration turns to panic as he sees the
Ford back up and prepare to come at him again.
He undoes his seat belt and bails out in the nick of time.
The Ford hits the Chevy again tipping it on its side.
The demolition derby is in full swing. The oval is covered
in auto carnage with steaming rads, dented and broken bodies
and growling engines everywhere. Through the P.A. WALTER'S
voice delivers the play by play.
WALTER (V.O.)
Ouch! That's gotta hurt! And I
don't think number fifteen's too......
INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - EVENING
WALTER in the booth pausing for a nip of scotch and grabbing
the microphone anew.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING
CARL (V.O.)
Hap---happy about that one! So now---
Ladeeeez and Gennemen---its down to
just two contenders. Two valiant
gladiators in this duel to the death---
this tussle of titans. Number twenty
six, the black death, vs. Redman's
Reveeeeeennnnge!
Emerging in slow motion from the hissing vapor of the broken
bodies on the track comes a coughing, wheezing, lurching
Redman's revenge.
Wheels wobbling and banged almost beyond recognition it
resembles an out of tune accordion more than an automobile.
Still, miraculously, it moves under it's own power staggering
forward.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.
INT. REDMAN'S REVENGE - EVENING
JAMES looking stunned and anxious trying to see what's in
front of him as he creeps through the smoke.
INT. BLACK DEATH CAR - EVENING
Black Death Driver grinning and preparing for the kill. His
body leans into it as he stomps on the accelerator.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING
The Ford roars into action and begins its headlong charge.
Picking up speed, it seems destined to obliterate whatever
it comes across.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING
JAMES' eyes going wide as he sees his assailant charge.
EXT. PIT AREA - EVENING
MITCHELL and ROBBY wincing and preparing for the crash.
Mitchell covers his eyes.
EXT.RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING
JAMES throws the car into reverse and Redman's revenge finds
new life. It roars backward at a speed faster than it ever
attained going forward.
The chase is on and Black Death pursues Redman's revenge
around the entire clay oval. The crowd roars with laughter.
Suddenly on the corner, nearest the grandstand, Redman's
revenge stalls dead in its tracks.
Black Death slows for a moment, then accelerates for the
kill.
At the last second, JAMES is able to fire the car up and
launches into reverse once more.
With his target suddenly disappearing from the path of impact,
Black Death is unable to change course quickly enough, and
charges in a straight line right off the track and into a
muddy slew.
JAMES leaps out of the car straightaway and begins a war
dance. He's soon joined by Mitchell and the crowd go wild.
WALTER's voice is slurred through the P.A.
WALTER (V.O.)
Alas poor Yorick... And so good people
I give you your pow, pow, pow-wow
performer... Your Atlas of the
apocalypse, Jamesssss--uh--
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
85.
INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - EVENING
WALTER, looking over his sheets with the bottle half empty
at his side.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING
ROBBY is donning his Captain Superior costume as WALTER drones
on.
WALTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Uh I don't see a last name here--
anyway, um--well, Now ladeeez and
gennemen, coming up in a moment is
the moment you've all been waiting
for. The Death Defying Demons of
Chance... All the way from the U.S.
of A...
EXT. CONCESSION STAND - EVENING 108
ED hurriedly purchases a ticket and pushes through a throng
of people toward the bleachers.
WALTER (V.O.)
--Those daredevils of doom, The
Helldrivers.They'll be with us
momentarily. But first ...a true
comedic talent making his debut here
at Haven Speedway. Our very own
Captain Superiorrrrrrrr--
EXT. RACETRACK PIT AREA - EVENING 109
The Hell Drivers are setting up for their show. They are
all clad in sequins and rhinestone, resembling circus
performers more than race-car drivers.
The sleek camaros are all unloaded, revved up, and raring to
go. The air is blue with exhaust and the noise is deafening.
Ramps and hoops are being pulled onto the middle of the track
where the event will take place. SHERM is supervising when
an anxious REG approaches.
REG
We got trouble, boss.
SHERM is surveying the crowd on the bleachers and the sorry
state of the track with its smoking auto hulks strewn
everywhere. His eyes fix on ROBBY, clowning it up in front
of the grandstand. He shakes his head in disgust.
SHERM
Whut kinda bullshit backwater we got
ourselves into here Reg?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
86.
SHERM (CONT'D)
These people up here are nothing but
yokels. How'd people this small
ever git hold of a country s'big?
Lookit them.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL - EVENING
Captain Superior shows his arm muscles to the crowd. The
impressive looking lumps slip from the top of his arms to
underneath. The crowd roar with laughter.
SHERM (CONT'D)
No wonder they're always apologizing.
Well lets get it done so we can saddle
up and get the fuck outta here.
REG
(nervously)
It's about the money Sherm. I been
on the phone with Rita now. The check
bounced.
SHERM
Reg, your breath'd knock a buzzard
off a shit wagon. No offence boy,
but you--What did you say?
REG shakes his head. SHERM tries valiantly to contain himself
but he's about to blow.
SHERM (CONT'D)
That no good pissant just rained on
my parade. He rained on my fuckin
parade! Where is he? Where in the
fuck is he???!!!!
REG
Well for my money I'd say he was--
SHERM
Shut the fuck up! Just shut the
fuck up!! Now where is he?
REG doesn't quite know how to deal with this one. He opens
his mouth but doesn't dare speak. Sherm doesn't wait for an
answer. He draws the 45 in mid-stride cocks it, and starts
waving his crew in.
REG is in lock step as Sherm reaches DELL, one of the lead
drivers.
SHERM (CONT'D)
Dell, Tell Rudy to pack it up. I
want to roll in ten minutes.
DELL and REG scramble to keep pace with SHERM's huge strides.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
87.
DELL
OK, but--
SHERM
Do it! Then get your ass up to the
gate and make sure you get whatever
cash they have on hand. Reg you're
with me. Stay close and don't breathe
on me.
SHERM makes his way out of the pit gate and starts heading
toward the concessions.
EXT. BLEACHERS - NIGHT 110
Ed watches ROBBY clowning and stands entranced at the
spectacle. He's laughing in spite of himself. His sense of
urgency can be seen melting away.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - NIGHT
ROBBY, for his finale, has hooked himself to a cherry picker
MITHCELL has piloted onto the track
MITCHELL works the controls and hoists Robby into the air.
ROBBY's flying! The crowd roar appreciatively.
High in the air, ROBBY soars to and fro eyeing the crowd. He
spots his father looking up at him and grinning.
ROBBY
Ohhhhhhhhh shit!
INT. CONCESSION STAND - NIGHT 111
An employee hoists a basket of French fries out of bubbling
hot grease and onto a draining rack. Another dispenses pop
to a few customers lined up outside.
SHERM bursts in a side door, sending a candy bar rack flying.
REG follows him in.
SHERM
Ok, where in the fuck is he? Well
now--- is he behind here?
SHERM throws over a cotton candy machine. The employees
cower against the wall.
REG knocks the prop out that holds up the sales window cover.
Plywood bangs down, shutting out the customers, plunging the
booth into semi-darkness.
SHERM (CONT'D)
Perhaps our Mr. Wilson's under here.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
88.
He gives a violent kick to the French fry machine. It tips
over and flaming hot grease spills out on the floor heading
for the employees. Flames start licking up one wall.
SHERM (CONT'D)
Well damn, Reg. He ain't here.
Whaddya say we try the one on the
other side?
The two make their way out of the booth, framed in a flaming
background.
EXT. BESIDE BLEACHERS - MOMENTS LATER 112
ED watches in rapt attention as ROBBY is gently placed on
the ground and takes his bows.
WALTER (V.O.)
Ladies and Gentlemen how about a big
hand for Captain Superior!
The crowd applauds wildly and ED takes in the crowds fervor.
He claps his hands together; tentatively at first and then
with all the pent up energy he can muster.
CHANCE walks up behind him.
CHANCE
He's good, isn't he?
ED wheels around startled.
ED
Yes he is.
CHANCE
It's his last night.
ED
Look, I didn't come here to-his last
night? What do you mean?
CHANCE
Nothing to do with you. It's his
decision. I guess he doesn't like
the way I do business. Go figure. A
great guy like me.
A hand clamps on CHANCE's shoulder spinning him around.
CHANCE comes face to face with SHERM. REG smirks in the
background.
SHERM
Oh yeah. You're a real fucking ace.
Where's my money asshole?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89.
ED
Fine. Well I see you gentlemen have
business to discuss. I've just come
for my son, so if you'll excuse me--
REG lashes out kicking ED square in the groin. ED doubles
over in pain. SHERM gives an exasperated sigh.
SHERM
Reg you really are a total idiot.
We got no argument with Canfuck here.
Try and stay focused will ya.
SHERM slugs CHANCE hard in the stomach. CHANCE buckles to
his knees. SHERM is about to continue the beating but
suddenly is distracted again by a growing rukus. He hears a
WOMAN scream.
SHERM looks up to see spreading panic and vacating bleachers.
The concession booth is totally engulfed now and the flames
are spreading, reaching high into the sky.
SHERM (CONT'D)
Guess its time ta go. Reg get Dell,
tell him we're moving. I'll meet
you at the gate. G'on!
REG runs off into the night. A growing number of panicking
fans start running by, en route to the parking lot. One
bumps into SHERM, spinning him around.
CHANCE has recovered sufficiently to charge SHERM from behind
leaping on to the burly man's back and digging fingers into
his eyes.
SHERM (CONT'D)
Agghhhhh my fucking eyes!
SHERM blindly turns like merry-go-round and gropes for the
gun tucked in his pants. He succeeds in getting it out only
to have ED plant a well placed kick to SHERM's groin sending
the gun flying.
SHERM buckles over in such a fury that he hurls CHANCE off
his back and headlong into ED, knocking them both over. The
fight is on. SHERM recovers and charges both men like an
enraged bull. They part quickly and SHERM hits empty ground
wheezing.
EXT. BLEACHERS - NIGHT 113
Fans are fleeing in all directions. Pandemonium reigns.
The fire has spread to other buildings and propane tanks can
be seen exploding.
Over it all, WALTER can be heard droning drunkenly on the
P.A.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90.
WALTER
Ladies and gennemen--There have been
reports of a small grease fire at
one of the con--concessions. Please
stay in your seats and remain calm.
There is no immediate danger. I
repeat, there is no immediate--
INT. ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - NIGHT
WALTER finishing up the scotch turns to notice his door is
smoldering.
WALTER (CONT'D)
Oh dear!
Stirred into action he grabs the fire extinguisher and kicks
open the door.
He stumbles clear, turns back to the burning door and triggers
the extinguisher. He has it pointed in the wrong direction
and covers himself completely in white foam.
WALTER (CONT'D)
It's enough to make a mother bite
her baby.
EXT. RACETRACK OVAL -- MOMENTS LATER 114
ROBBY sits atop the roof of Redman's Revenge between JAMES
and MITCHELL.
Silent and stunned, the trio watch the scene unfold. Flames
begin to engulf the now empty bleachers. ROBBY is the first
to find his voice.
ROBBY
I could have gone to Woodstock with
Cindy. I coulda had my own
convertible, but nooooo.
A beat.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
Shouldn't we be getting water or
something?
MITCHELL
I dunno. Hauling water up here was
what got you into this in the first
place.
JAMES
It's funny though, hey? All that
water and now that its really needed
there's none.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
91.
MITCHELL
That was a lot of water. Coulda put
this fire out five times with that
much water.
JAMES shrugs. There is another brief silence as they watch
the flames. ROBBY'S eyes travel over the wreckage of "Red
Man's revenge". On the side is a sign that reads "sponsored
by Ed Hewson's place." Another reads "Red Flory slept here."
ROBBY
Listen you guys, I want to say thanks
for all your help and everything--
but It's time for me to go home now.
MITCHELL
Hey?
ROBBY
Well, you helped me do something
great, and I won't forget it. But--
ROBBY jumps down from the wreck and takes a long look around
him.
The flames are beginning to die down and almost everything
on the track looks consumed; eaten. All the mercury vapor
lights have blown out except one. Robby begins walking toward
it.
ROBBY (CONT'D)
I'm going home. I'll--see you guys
around. Oh hey, congratulations on
your big win.
As he gets farther away, MITCHELL and JAMES have to yell out
to him to be heard.
MITCHELL
Hey superman don't forget to fly
once in a while huh?
JAMES
Hey look Mitchell. He turned himself
inside out and he don't even look
any different.
ROBBY pauses at this last remark, smiles and starts walking
again toward the light.
END OF ACT TWO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
92.
ACT THREE
INT. CAFE - LATER 115
ED sits alone in the closed cafe in a corner booth with an
open bottle of scotch in front of him. The cafe is dark
except for a single light in the kitchen and the reflected
light from the tableside jukeboxes.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
Autumn provides the opportunity to
reap what has been sown. Nature shows
herself in the brightest colors.
ED sips his drink slowly and we see that he didn't come
through the fight without some mementos. He has a huge shiner
developing and dabs at a cut on his cheek with a napkin.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
The young geese try out their strong
new wings. They are ready to fly
now.
ROBBY enters tentatively, peering through the gloom.
ED gets up gingerly and brings over another glass. He pours
a scotch for ROBBY and sits down again. ROBBY comes closer
and sees ED's face.
ROBBY
You ok?
ED
Never better. C'mon. Sit and have
a drink with your father. I think
you earned it. We both did.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
Autumn is a time for thanksgiving.
ROBBY is suspicious but sits down in front of the drink. ED
raises his glass in a toast.
ED motions for ROBBY to pick up his glass. ROBBY does,
reluctantly. ED clinks glasses with him.
ED
Here's to your health and talent
son. You've made your old man proud.
ROBBY hesitates, then takes a small sip of the scotch. He
grimaces mightily. ED smiles, gets up and crosses behind
the counter to the pop cooler.
ED (CONT'D)
What can I get you? We got pop, or
there's a couple of cans of beer.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
93.
ROBBY (HOPEFULLY)
A beer would be good.
ED chuckles, takes out a can of beer from the cooler and
pops the top.
ED
I saw your--performance tonight.
ED grabs a glass down and starts to pour Robby's beer.
ED (CONT'D)
You were good.
ED overfills the glass and it foams over. He tries to grab
a tea towel to catch the spillover and upsets the cutlery
holder.
It falls to the floor with a crash and cutlery scatters
everywhere. He crosses to ROBBY stepping around the spilled
knives and forks.
ROBBY
You were up at the track?
ED sits down. He pours himself a scotch and begins nervously
rubbing his forehead. He hits his sore eye.
ED
Owwwwww......!
ROBBY
How did you get those cuts on your
face?
ED takes a hasty drink of scotch and gets up from the booth.
He starts to pace without realizing it.
ED
I thought maybe if you were to-- if
you were to come back home, I think
we could get along better, I mean
have a--better relationship you know--
ED bends under the saloon door leading to the kitchen to
pick up the spilled cutlery. He attempts to rise and hits
his head on the door.
ROBBY goes over and helps him to his feet.
ROBBY
Dad, I'm sorry.
ED
Never apologise. Never Explain. You
don't want to do that.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
94.
ROBBY
Dad I want to come home. I was gonna
ask-
ED
-- good then. It's your mother you
know. She worries.
ED takes ROBBY into his arms and hugs him. ROBBY crushes
his bruised ribs and ED emits a hoarse groan.
INT. BUILDING SUPPLY STORE - MORNING 116
INSERT TITLE; "Two month's later"
ROBBY and ED are at the counter, purchasing building material
for the new house. As the clerk adds up their purchases
ROBBY notices CHANCE out of the corner of his eye and quickly
looks away. CHANCE approaches. He has filled a cart with a
curious assortment of items.
CHANCE
Long time no see. What a day out
there, huh? You gotta love it!
ED glances at CHANCE briefly, nods and turns back to the
counter. ROBBY does the same.
ED
My son and I have the forms in
already. You'll have the concrete
there by noon?
The clerk nods, tears off a receipt and hands it to ED.
The clerk turns to CHANCE. CHANCE shrugs.
CHANCE
Howya doin there guy! I've need
twenty dozen tent pegs, three balls
of string and a sledge. I gotta
have twenty-two eight foot lengths
of sewer pipe. You got that haven't
ya? Course ya do.
The clerk begins processing CHANCE's order. ED and ROBBY
turn to leave. CHANCE begins to whistle. ED's curiosity
gets the best of him and he nudges ROBBY.
ED
(quietly)
Meet me in the car.
ROBBY reluctantly leaves. ED approaches CHANCE. CHANCE
continues whistling.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95.
ED (CONT'D)
What in the hell are you gonna do
with sewer pipes? You haven't got
any water.
CHANCE (TO ED)
Eddie, Eddie. I got big plans Eddie.
You don't think I'm gonna let a little
setback--
ED
Little setback! Your entire business
is destroyed--half the locals around
here wanna have you lynched. There
were guys after you, with guns! Not
to mention You owe money all over
town--
CHANCE
You're on the ball Eddie. You're a
business man. You know what's
happening. Thank God I owe the money
huh? The first step in bein a
millionaire isn't having a million
dollars. It's owing a million!
Hey, I'm almost there!
ED
I guess with that kind of thinking
you're gonna need all the sewer pipe
you can get.
ED turns and walks out of the store as CHANCE digests this
last remark.
EXT. HILLTOP - LATER 117
We descend on the hilltop from above. The surrounding
countryside is ablaze with Autumn. The hilltop itself hums
with activity.
A cement truck finishes pouring the concrete foundation for
the new house.
The driver of a lumber truck unloads building material, and
ED and ROBBY check to ensure the forms are solid.
Over to one side, RED is making sandwiches on a picnic table
laden for a proper feast. ELLIE uncorks a bottle of wine.
ELLIE
Red, Will you sit down! You're
supposed to be resting!
RED
Cahrrissst! I'm tired of resting!
Are them guys gonna eat or what?
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
96.
ELLIE hands a can of tuna to RED. She sticks her finger into
the salad for a taste of what RED is whipping up. He slaps
her hand away.
ELLIE
They'll be along. It hasn't been
the same without you.
RED
--You're not kiddin.
Chrisss...Nuthins where it should
be. I gotta bake for a week just to
catch up. I can't even find the
goddamn pie pans. You tell your
husband to stay the hell out of my
kitchen.
ELLIE looks around happily drinking in the autumn sunshine.
ELLIE
It's a nice spot though don't you
think?
RED takes a minute to look up and around at the view.
RED
Well sure. Yeah. You guys should've
been building this two years ago.
ED and ROBBY approach the picnic table. JODY comes running
up from a different direction, soaking wet and filthy.
ROBBY
I'm starved.
JODY attempts to sneak one but RED spots him and JODY gets a
smack on the back of the head.
RED
You wait until we're all sitting.
Chrisss....
They all arrange themselves at the table. ED pours the wine
pouring just a little in ELLIE's glass, teasing her. She
looks at him, then strikes the same seductive pouting pose
we have seen in an earlier photograph.
ED
She's givin me the lip Red. Givin'
me the lip...
He grins,winks and fills her glass. The family is seen from
above and we begin to move up and slowly away.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
97.
JODY
Ma, Robby says he gets the big bedroom
cause of his art stuff. That ain't
fair!
ROBBY
Shut up, pecker-head!
ELLIE
Robby!
We continue to move up and away as brilliant-coloured leaves
come away from their branches and spiral downward in a gentle
circular motion, growing in number. The wind can be heard
picking up.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - MORNING 118
We descend slowly from above on the oval. The debris and
wreckage have been cleared away leaving only the clay track.
A fine dusting of snow blankets the ground.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
In the north country, The seasons
play a big part in peoples lives.
Winter holds this place tight.
As we descend a figure can be seen in the center of the oval
unloading a backhoe from a tractor trailer. Another figure
watches him, stamping his feet in the cold air. We draw
closer.
MITCHELL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Its a time for the beaver and the
bear to take shelter and live on
their fat. Some aren't so lucky.
They have to keep their wits about
them because in winter pickings are
slim.
JEARS completes the unloading of the backhoe and approaches
CHANCE who's blowing into his hands to warm them.
CHANCE
Hey Kenny! Thanks a lot buddy, What
a guy.
JEARS
Save it Wilson. That's one hundred
up front.
CHANCE hands him the money shivering. JEARS sizes him up
for a beat.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98.
JEARS (CONT'D)
I don't get it Wilson. A hundred
just to park the damn thing here for
a day? What's your angle?
Suddenly JEARS is stopped in his tracks by what he sees just
beyond CHANCE.
His eyes examine the oval more closely.
There are sixty separate spaces roped off around the oval
with tent pegs and string. The spaces are roughly sixty
feet long and twelve feet wide. A small length of black
sewer pipe protrudes from the ground within each roped off
area.
A black Lincoln rolls onto the oval and rolls toward the two
men.
JEARS (CONT'D)
You can't be serious! You've got
more nerve than a toothache.
CHANCE
Mr. Phillips! How are you today
sir?
An expensively dressed man, MR.PHILLIPS, sizes up his
surroundings then approaches. He nods briefly to JEARS then
turns to CHANCE.
MR. PHILLIPS
Morning Wilson. Look I'm running a
little late so I'll get right to the
point. The size looks right, but We
need to see equity. Two Hundred and
fifty thousand is a lot of money.
CHANCE
I'm well aware of that Mr. Phillips
but as you can see we're already
well under way. The equipment's
here and the sewers are all in.
JEARS looks over at CHANCE dumbfounded.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
Mr. Phillips this is Kenny Jears.
He's my construction foreman. On a
contract this size I need the best.
He'll be with us every step of the
way--- won't you Ken?
JEARS
Uh--sure.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99.
MR. PHILLIPS takes another long look around. He comes to a
decision.
MR. PHILLIPS
All right Wilson, You've got a good
start on this so I'm gonna go with
my gut on this one. Lets' do some
business.
The two men shake hands firmly. CHANCE looks over at JEARS
and winks.
EXT. CLAY OVAL - MOMENTS LATER 119
CHANCE and JEARS watch the Lincoln disappear from sight.
JEARS
But the sewers...
CHANCE walks over to one of the roped off areas and looks
down at the protruding sewer pipe.
CHANCE
Good point. We're gonna have to put
those in first.
He tugs on the sewer pipe and it comes away in his hand.
The whole thing is no more than eighteen inches long. He
moves it to one side.
CHANCE (CONT'D)
You think they should go here? Or
here?
He moves it to the other side and grins up at JEARS.
INT. REDMAN'S REVENGE - AFTERNOON 120
Snow flurries keep the wipers on the car moving, but at
different times and speeds from each other.
JAMES drives along squinting out the windshield into the
falling snow. MITCHELL sparks up a joint by resting it on
the exhaust pipe, accessed through a gaping hole in the floor.
JAMES spots something and yells to MITCHELL over the roar of
the engine.
JAMES
Hey Mitchell, look.
MITCHELL takes a huge hit and peers out. His eyes go wide.
MITCHELL
Holy Shit, look at that.
(CONTINUED)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.
EXT. SIDE OF ROAD - AFTERNOON
JAMES and MITCHELL's car pulls over in the softly falling
snow, next to a billboard.
The billboard features a picture of a shiny new mobile home.
The sign reads as follows: A Brand New Way To a Better
Tomorrow. Haven Acres Mobile Home Park. Luxury Living at
its Finest. Affordable Florida-built Mobile homes. Call
CHANCE WILSON today.
INT. REDMAN'S REVENGE - AFTERNOON
JAMES and MITCHELL look from the billboard to each other
JAMES AND MITCHELL (IN UNISON)
Gonna be big!
FADE OUT:
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