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Dreaming November OVER A BLACK SCREEN: The SQUEAKS of a porch swing mingle with SWIRLS of a gentle breeze. FADE IN: EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY Orange oak leaves tussle in the breeze. A few leaves escape the old oak tree and float toward a farm house. A rustic place that needs a new coat of white paint and screws for the black shutters that dangle, spring cleaning can't come soon enough. A porch swing slowly rocks. A black and sagacious man, MACKY (70's), sits on the swing. His dress shoes are squeaky clean, his slacks and dress shirt are crisp. Wrinkles from about the neck, nappy gray hair, and rigid brown eyes captures the soul of the old man. MACKY I hope you weren't expecting Denzel Washington. (chuckles) Hello, my name is Macky. I guess you come today to hear the story of Jason Dehaven. Macky takes a sip of iced tea. MACKY (CONT'D) First time I met Jason, he was just a young whippersnapper. (smiling) He sure was a firecracker back then, had to be the best at everything. (shakes head) But Jason and I shared something in common, something that brought us together as one, and that was the love of football. Macky picks up a ragged football and smiles at the piece of leather. MACKY (CONT'D) It surely was a joy. Experiencing Jason and also his brother, Zack, on the football field together, them becoming All-Americans, and all. Football is something him and I talk about everyday. Macky sighs and lays the ragged football to his side. 2. MACKY (CONT'D) Jason and I don't always see things eye to eye, but we are honest with each other. We sure have our moments, but Jason sure is a blessing to me. Macky nods his head and gazes forward. MACKY (CONT'D) Anyway...Every time I'm around Jason, I realize that there is something else greater in life. (balls hand into fist) Something that we've lost sight of in this world today. Macky smiles, eyes are so rigid and dark with a slight twinkle. MACKY (CONT'D) Something we call dreams... EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT The sky is clear and full of stars. From afar, a scrappy, older model Ford truck moves down a curvy country highway. MACKY (V.O.) Hmm...Dreams. The glow from the moon cascades off the trees along the mountainside. The truck flows down the serene mountainside alone, the highway seems endless. MACKY (V.O.) (CONT'D) They are such wonderful things. It seems that people have lost all hope, putting dreams to the wayside. Yup, as soon as we learn to walk, we just take off running. Through the driver side window of the truck a young man drives, his name is JASON. Jason (19), a handsome dark haired catbird, your typical All-American poster boy. He casually talks. MACKY (V.O.) (CONT'D) Dreams are all around us. Yet, we are so blinded that they float right on by. But if you reach out and grab a hold of a dream it will take you on a wonderful journey to a place beyond imagination. Macky, the passenger, looks at Jason. 3. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT Macky and Jason talk, M.O.S. MACKY (V.O.) But what if you're on a journey, your dream in plain sight, and something rips you away from that dream. Is it lost forever? Jason turns the radio dial. MACKY (V.O.) (CONT'D) Look at Jason, he is on his journey. Something he thought was lost long ago. Jason shifts his head to Macky. Macky shrugs his shoulders. MACKY (V.O.) (CONT'D) Oh, by the way, (chuckles) They chuckle. MACKY (V.O.) (CONT'D) ...enjoy the journey. Jason takes his fingers off the radio dial. JASON Finally. Jason settles back into his seat. Jason stares out the windshield; occasionally glances at the radio. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) There are only eight minutes left in the third quarter. Both teams are playing a very physical game tonight, but turnovers by the Martinsburg offense is the difference in the game. That's why Morgantown holds a fourteen to seven lead. We'll be right back after these messages. You are listening to W.J.J.C. bringing you the West Virginia State Football Championship Game. JASON Come on, Zack! Don't give up now. Jason's body is rigid with nervous tension. Jason softly frowns. Macky, at ease, looks at Jason. 4. MACKY Don't worry Jason. They still have time left. I gotta good feeling about this game. Jason shakes his head and smirks. His body relaxes. JASON I hope you're right. Macky confidently smiles. MACKY Me too. INSERT ROAD SIGN, which reads: "WELCOME TO WILD WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA" BACK TO SCENE Jason and Macky see the road sign through the windshield. MACKY (CONT'D) Getting closer. Jason has a glow to his face. JASON Yup. Macky glares at Jason. JASON (CONT'D) (softly singing) Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Jason stares out the windshield and smiles. Jason drowns away sound and begins to daydream. SUPER: "Seven Years Ago" EXT. BERKELEY COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - DAY The SONG continues. A BLUE BALLOON gracefully floats over autumn colored mountains on a clear sunny afternoon. The balloon dips into the Shenandoah Valley on a gentle breeze and eventually makes its way onto a family dairy farm. As the balloon travels, the wheat gently sways in a vast field. Holstein cows roam through a green luscious pasture. The sunlight peeks through the trees that line up along both sides of the farm road. A white dairy barn and two tall silos fill the hillside, along with farm machinery and a shed, your a typical family dairy farm. 5. Faint voices of a television football announcer HANGS in the air. The balloon nears an orange oak tree and the rustic farm house. The balloon floats along the house and passes a bedroom window where the faint voices come from. INT. BROTHERS BEDROOM - DAY The bedroom is not much to brag about, everything looks as if it was purchased from the local Goodwill. The lone prize possession is a West Virginia University Mountaineer poster that hangs on the wall. JASON (12) and his younger brother ZACK (11), both with scruffy dark hair, sit on the edge of the bed. They watch the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Panthers game on a small television with amazement. They wear raggedy farm clothes and carefree smiles. On the TELEVISION, Mountaineer Field was a full stadium of cheerful and energetic fans. STADIUM (V.O.) Let's go! (beat) Mountaineers! The brothers eyes widen by the display. ZACK Wow! Jason, look at that crowd. There must be a million people there. I wish we were there. JASON That would be awesome. I bet everyone in the state is there, except us. Jason quickly frowns; Zack gawks at the television. The brothers heads move closer to the television. The boys eyes-widen as a play unfolds on the TELEVISION. TELEVISION SPORTS ANNOUNCER (V.O.) Here is White in trouble! He moves to his left with a Panther breathing down his back. He could be in trouble. He darts through a hole! He's off to the races! Here he goes! To the thirty, the twenty, to the five, touchdown West Virginia! What a move he made! Wow, what a play! This place is going crazy! The brothers yell nonsense as they jump off the bed in excitement, giving each other high fives. 6. JASON What a run! ZACK I know! The brothers romp around. JASON I wished we played football. ZACK Me too. JASON I want to be a quarterback. Jason pretends he is a big time quarterback and squats. JASON (CONT'D) Hut...Hut...Hike! Jason hikes an imaginary football and takes a couple of steps back. Zack tackles Jason onto the bed. ZACK I want to be a linebacker. The boys smile and laugh. BILL (40's), a broad and strong man, enters the room. Bill wipes sweat from his forehead. Bill holds a dirty sweat soaked ball cap. BILL Let's get going! I told you all an hour ago to start milking the cows. Get your butts to the barn now! JASON Aw, come on Dad. ZACK The game isn't over yet. JASON (begging) Just a couple more minutes, please. BILL No! Now, get out there and get to work! Bill puts on his ball cap and exits the room. The brothers frown and snarl. Jason turns off the television with a sigh of frustration. 7. EXT. YARD - DAY Zack tosses a ragged football to Jason. They walk across the grass, towards the barn. JASON Man, I wanted to see the rest of the game. Dad ticks me off. ZACK I know. Jason's eyes light up. JASON Go out for a pass. ZACK Okay. Zack takes off. Jason pretends to be a quarterback and scrambles around. JASON (sports announcer) Jason Dehaven scrambles around looking for a receiver, the Pitt Panthers are after him! He is running! He is looking! And he throws a bomb down the field to Zack Dehaven! Jason heaves the ball toward Zack. Zack runs and looks toward the sky. The football spins in the air. Zack catches the football and runs toward the barn. Zack slams the football into the ground. Zack raises his fist up into the air and shakes his legs. ZACK Touchdown! West Virginia! Jason runs over to Zack and jumps on him. Jason dangles on Zack's shoulder with his fist in the air. JASON The Dehaven brothers win the game! Jason slides off Zack and looks in his eyes. JASON (CONT'D) One day we will be football stars. ZACK What a dream that would be. They smile as if they found a glorious treasure. Jason picks up Zack and tosses him onto his shoulder. 8. SLOW MOTION Jason joyfully spins Zack around on his shoulder; it begins to rain. END SLOW MOTION EXT. CORNFIELD - DAY In the midst of a cornfield, all is calm. Corn RUSTLES, the RUSTLES intensify. A form darts by several corn rows over, another form quickly follows. Jason runs between rows of corn with a school backpack flopping on his back. Corn leaves swats Jason's face. ZACK (O.S.) I'm going getcha! JASON (chuckles) Whatever, slowpoke! Zack barrels behind with a smile. Zack nears closer and closer to Jason. Jason side steps into another cornrow. EXT. FARM ROAD - DAY Jason shoots out from the cornfield and slides his feet on the gravel. Zack pops out from the corn not far behind. An eighteen-wheeler WHIPS by the farm road; many vehicles cruise up and down the highway. Jason bends over to catch his breath. Zack pants; takes off his backpack and drags it on the road. ZACK I almost got ya today. JASON Whatever, I was just playing around with ya. Jason looks sideways toward the highway. A school bus moves down the highway. JASON (CONT'D) Here comes the bus. Jason straightens upright; they walk towards the highway. The school bus lights start to flash. INT. SCHOOL BUS - DAY Jason and Zack sit in a seat together. Kids glance at the boys. 9. TRAVIS (12), a blond hair momma's boy, whispers to his bus mate. The boys cackle. Travis points at Zack's ratty boots. Jason and Zack peek toward the boys and turn their heads away with frowns. TRAVIS (snickers) Where ya get those boots from, the trash can? Kids on the bus cackle. JASON Be quiet. TRAVIS Whatever, (to Jason) You wear that same shirt everyday. (kids cackling) You probably got that from a trash can too? JASON Leave us alone Travis or I'll tell my Dad. The brothers try to avoid Travis, looking away. TRAVIS (taunting) Daddy, Travis picks on me. (jerks head) Shucks, my Dad will kick your Dad's butt. Don't get mad at me because you're bums. The kids laugh. ZACK We are not bums, we're going to be football stars. Jason's face winces. Travis seizes the opportunity. TRAVIS (taunting) I'm a football player, duh uh. I play football in my boots. I'm a retard, duh uh. The kids laugh and snort. Travis turns toward the audience and soaks the attention. 10. TRAVIS (CONT'D) (taunting) I'm a poor, stupid farm boy and I smell like cow poop. I... BUS DRIVER (O.S.) Hush up, Travis! Jason abruptly tackles Travis. The boys begin to scuffle. Zack jumps on the pile after Travis. KIDS Fight! Fight! Fight! The kids hover around; the boys scuffle on the floor. EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT - DAY Kids unload from the bus. The brothers step down and walk toward the school. ZACK I hope Dad doesn't get mad. JASON (motions hands) When I say stop, you stop, okay? ZACK Sorry. Zack quietly snickers; Jason wiggles his head. INT. SCHOOL BUS - DAY The BUS DRIVER (50's), with a grungy engineer cap, looks up toward the rearview mirror. In the rearview mirror, his eyes scan the empty seats. BUS DRIVER Hurry up Travis. We don't have all day. Travis hides behind the bus seat and WHIMPERS. The top of Travis's head comes into view. Travis lumbers down the steps with his scruffy head down. EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT - DAY Travis steps onto the ground and raises his head. His eyes are teary and blackened. The Bus Driver taps Travis's shoulder. BUS DRIVER (O.S.) Come on boy. 11. Travis plods and sniffles. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT Jason smiles and chuckles. A car passes the truck. Jason notices a road mileage sign that reads, "WHEELING, W.V. 32 MILES". JASON About thirty more minutes. Macky looks at Jason. MACKY You're a lucky man to have such a close brother, like Zack. Jason ponders and nods his head in agreement. JASON Yea. I'd give my left arm up for him. Macky laughs and shakes his head. Jason's eyes bob back and forth at the radio and windshield. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) ...this is the second year in a row that the Martinsburg Bulldogs have made it to the championship game. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) Last years team was loaded along with the states best quarterback, Jason Dehaven. Jason's eyes are full of confidence. Jason raises his upper lip. JASON You got that right. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) He surely was a special player and... JASON (interrupts) I will never forget my last game, everything seem so right that night, yet... Macky stares at Jason. Jason stares out the windshield. MACKY (O.S.) Yet what? 12. JASON Everything was right in front of me, but. Macky studies Jason. Jason gazes out the windshield, drowns out the radio, and daydreams. SUPER: "One Year Ago" EXT. MARTINSBURG FOOTBALL COMPLEX - NIGHT PARKING LOT A parking lot is packed with vehicles. The vehicles overflow out along the sides of the street. The football field lights bounce a glow off the vehicles and trees. Drums POUND through the night sky. Fans ROAR in celebration, sense of victory is near. A teenager runs down the sidewalk, arms swing and eyes wide. INSERT SCOREBOARD, which reads: "HOME - 21 VISITORS - 10 4TH QUARTER 01:03" BACK TO SCENE STANDS Cheerleaders walk in front of the stands with their pompoms up in the air. The fans cheering ENHANCES the environment. Bill stands with a grin amongst the fans. Bill looks different out of farm clothes, cleans up nicely. FIELD The players on the Martinsburg sideline begin to celebrate. Players thump each others chest, others raise fists into the air. The Martinsburg coach, COACH BLAKE (50's), has a receding flattop and intense green eyes, yells to Jason out on the field. COACH BLAKE Jason! Jason! Victory Formation! Let's run it out! Jason listens to the call. He steps up into the huddle. Jason looks around, all eyes are on him. Jason winks. JASON Time to take the knee. The teammates are all smiles. Jason slaps his hands together. 13. JASON (CONT'D) Champions! HUDDLE Champions! The players clap their hands and break the huddle. The offensive line sets on the opponents thirty yard line. Jason walks up to the center and squats. JASON Hut...Hut...Hike! Jason slowly drops back and lowers his knee. A lineman barrels through the line and flattens Jason onto his back. FENCE Macky cringes his face from the collision. MACKY Ouch. STANDS Fans stand and gawk toward the field. Bill raises his chin, tilts his head, and look towards the field over the spectators heads. FIELD The lineman's fist jabs Jason's side. The lineman springs upward. Jason's upper body slowly erects. Jason's face cringes. Jason trudges and throws his hand up in frustration. JASON What is your problem! We already got the game, you big buffoon! The lineman ignores Jason. A referee walks toward the lineman to warn him. Jason walks to the huddle, rubs his side from pain. JASON (CONT'D) (mumbles) What a buffoon. Jason eyes the huddle for MARCUS, the wide receiver. Marcus (17), a tall lanky black athlete with cornrows that dangle past his helmet, cracks his neck. 14. JASON (CONT'D) Marcus! On the next set of downs go to the end zone and be ready. MARCUS Gotcha'. Jason looks over to DUSTIN. Dustin (16), a big burley white boy with a spare tire drooping over his belt, slopes over to catch his breath. JASON And Dustin, keep that big buffoon off me! DUSTIN (eye's drop) Sorry Jason. JASON Champions! HUDDLE Champions! The team clap their hands and break the huddle. Jason squats and shifts his head down the line of scrimmage. JASON Hut..Hut...Hike! Jason takes the snap and a knee to the ground. Jason tosses the ball to the referee. The referee BLOWS the whistle. Dustin, with frustration in his eyes, pushes the big buffoon lineman backwards. The referees run toward the conflict. Dustin knocks the lineman down, tumbling over the buffoon lineman. Dustin rolls on the ground; his pants slip below his knees. He struggles and hustles to pull up his pants, his ass is white as snow. The buffoon lineman gets up to go after Dustin. The crowd ROARS as the referees separate the two players. Dustin darts back to the huddle, ignores the very upset Coach Blake. COACH BLAKE Dustin! Get your ass over here boy! The coach, frustrated, looks for the closest player near him. ZACK (16), a broad specimen with a gentle face and dark eyes, scans the field. 15. The coach grabs Zack by the face mask. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) Listen here! ZACK Yea coach. COACH BLAKE Go out there and get that oversized twinkie, now! ZACK But coach I play defense? COACH BLAKE I don't care if you play tiddlywinks, get out there now! Zack does not question the coach and darts onto the field. In the huddle, Dustin is out of breath. JASON (sternly) You sure like making an ass out of yourself, don't you? Dustin can't do nothing right, drops his head. Jason bites his lip and slips a laugh, along with the other teammates. Dustin cracks a smile. Zack taps Dustin's shoulder. ZACK The coach wants you out. DUSTIN Shucks. Dustin takes one last deep breath. Dustin turns away. JASON Dustin! Thanks man. Dustin pivots his head back to Jason with a smile. DUSTIN Anytime. Dustin heads to the sideline. Coach Blake rips into Dustin. Jason looks at Zack. JASON On offense now are we? 16. ZACK I'll try not to get too comfortable. Jason glimpses around the huddle for Marcus. JASON Ready Marcus? MARCUS I'm ready. JASON Champions! HUDDLE Champions! The huddle breaks and the players go toward their positions. Zack eyes Jason on his way to the line. ZACK You better not do it, Jason. The coach is already pissed off. JASON He'll have to get over it. Jason smiles; Zack shakes his head. Zack walks to the line of scrimmage and sets. Jason squats and shifts his head down the line of scrimmage. JASON (CONT'D) Hut...Hut...Hike! Jason takes the ball, swiftly moves to his right, outside the pocket. Marcus slips down the visitor sideline. The opponent's coach, foul faced and eyes full of disbelief, motions his hand toward the uncovered sideline. OPPONENT COACH Watch out! Go! Go! Jason sets his feet and hurls the ball toward the end zone. FENCE Macky watches the ball spiral through the air. Macky shakes his head. MACKY Dummy. FIELD 17. Marcus catches the ball in stride and crosses the goal line. The referee throws his hands up to signal a touchdown. Jason gazes toward the endzone with a grin. Jason's eyes look downward. The buffoon lineman lifts his knee off the ground and lowers his head. Jason stares at the lineman. JASON Buffoon. Jason turns away. The players run onto the field. Coach Blake shakes his head in disappointment. Stands The fans celebrate in the stands with aspirations of a state championship. Two female students, next to Bill, jump up and down in celebration. The girls cling to one another with a hint of bubble gum flair. FEMALE STUDENTS We're going to state! We're going to state! We're going to state! Bill looks at the two flighty girls, shakes his head, and snickers. FIELD Zack walks over to Jason. ZACK (chuckles) The coach is going to be pissed. JASON I know, but he got me good. Jason rubs his side and grimaces. JASON (CONT'D) That touchdown will be worth the ten laps I get on Monday. ZACK You say that now. Jason puts his hand over Zack's shoulder. They walk towards the sideline. FENCE Jason and Zack stand on the sidelines. BILL (O.S.) Jason! Zack! 18. The brothers look toward the crowd that is leaving. Bill walks to the fence. Jason and Zack joins their Dad. JASON Hey Dad. ZACK What ya think of the game? BILL It was a good game besides Dustin's little side show. The boys laugh and even Bill cracks a smile. JASON That was something else. BILL (obedient eyes) But the most stupid thing was that touchdown pass you threw at the end. Jason drops his head. BILL (CONT'D) Don't do it again or I'll tear your hide. JASON I won't. Zack's eyes bounce from side to side. Zack bites his lip. BILL Make sure you all get home by midnight. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow. ZACK Okay. BILL (grins) Good game tonight boys. I'll see you boys later. Midnight okay. Bill hugs the boys. JASON We'll be there. Bill starts to walk away. ZACK See ya Dad. Bill moves into the crowd. 19. EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT Jason strolls out of the locker room with Zack and other teammates with victory on their faces. They walk toward the parking lot, full of happy carefree students and THUMPS from car stereos. STUDENT (O.S.) Good game guys! Jason and the gang wave at the students like celebrities. A few girls scream at the football players. Jason notices CHRISTI. Christi (17), a future playboy bunny, with long blond hair and a luscious body that's encased in a cheerleading outfit. She chats with her uppity friends by a group of sleek cars. Jason waves at Christi. Christi waves at Jason. Zack cleverly rolls his eyes. Jason's eyes are fixated on Christi. ZACK (O.S.) I guess we will see you later on. Jason turns to Zack. ZACK (CONT'D) I'll catch a ride with Marcus. (smirks) I don't want to be the third wheel tonight. MARCUS Don't be to long, we can't start the party without you. Zack and the teammates chuckle as they head towards a red junker. JASON Whatever. (shakes his head) I'll be there shortly. Jason zeroes in on Christi. Jason and Christi walk towards each other. Jason has a devilish grin, both flirt with each other with their eyes. CHARITY (16), a nerd from the band with telescope eyeglasses and braces, accidentally runs into Christi. Christi falls to the ground. CHARITY Sorry. Charity lays her hand out for Christi to help her up. 20. CHRISTI Are you blind! You stupid four eyed geek! Christi smacks her hand away. Charity backs away. CHRISTI (CONT'D) I don't need your help, freakin' loser. Christi rolls her eyes and throws her hands up. Little miss drama queen huffs and puffs. JASON Christi, she didn't mean it. Charity puts her head down and walks away. Christi ignores Jason and rolls her eyes. Jason grabs her hand to hoist her up. CHRISTI That white trash better keep her eyes open the next time. Christi nears Jason with a cocky persona. Jason backs away slightly. JASON Whatever. Jason glances over at Charity. Charity peeks back at Jason. Charity's lip slowly raises to a grin. Christi scowls at Charity. Charity blends within the crowd. Christi wraps her arms around Jason to distract him. Christi runs her hand down his arm. She looks up at Jason with sexy innocent eyes, like she needs him. CHRISTI Nothing is going to come in between me and my man. Christi winks at Jason as she chews on her bubble gum. Jason cracks a phony smile. CHRISTI (CONT'D) So, how does it feel to be going to the State Championship game. JASON Feels great. Christi surprises Jason with a kiss. 21. JASON (CONT'D) Almost as great as that kiss. They continue to kiss. A wrinkly hand taps Jason on the shoulder. JASON (CONT'D) Yea. MICKEY Jason, good game tonight. MICKEY (70's), fragile and slightly hunched, always hunts for a good story with his note pad, pen and a camera that dangles off his shoulder. JASON Hey Mickey, what can I do for ya? MICKEY I wanted to know if the rumor was true. Jason's eyebrows lift in suspicion. JASON What rumor? MICKEY That you're going to Notre Dame. Jason shakes his head in flattery by the news. JASON No way! Where did you hear that crap? MICKEY Well um, (rubs ear lobe) that's what's on the internet. The reporter notices he had no story or was fishing for one. JASON Mickey, can you just wait until the press conference, like all the others. CHRISTI Wooo. Notre Dame. MICKEY (chuckles) I better go. Nice game Jason. Mickey walks away. 22. JASON Thanks. See ya' Monday Mickey. MICKEY Take care. They walk towards the truck. Christi gets frisky with Jason. CHRISTI Why not Notre Dame? That's where I would go. Jason stops walking. JASON I'm a West Virginia boy. Don't you have any pride for your home, where you're from? Christi could care less as she chews on her gum. JASON (CONT'D) You know what I'm saying? Christi still obnoxiously chews her gum. CHRISTI Yea. I'm hungry, let's get a bite to eat. Christi and Jason walk to the truck. Christi grabs Jason's backside. Jason opens the truck door. Christi starts to nibble on Jason's ear as she climbs into the truck. CHRISTI (CONT'D) (seductively whispers) Are you hungry? I got something for you to nibble on. Jason lifts his eyebrow with a cheesy grin. JASON We better get out of here. Jason shuts the truck door as he rolls his eyes. EXT. BARN - DAY Several local television station vans flank the driveway. A cameraman takes a snap with his camera. The barn is crowded with onlookers, cameramen, and television reporters. An orange sign, with black lettering which reads, "MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL", hangs from the front of a table. 23. Bill, Jason, Zack, and Coach Blake sit at the table. They smile as they lean toward their microphones. MALE NEWS REPORTER So Jason, why announce the decision here? JASON Well, (glances around) This is the place where it all began for Zack and I with dreams of becoming college football players. Macky stands by himself, away from the media frenzy. Macky and Jason smile at one another. JASON (CONT'D) We talked about it and thought this was the best place to announce our decision. FEMALE NEWS REPORTER 1 Zack, can you tell us how it feels to be going to college, playing football with your brother? Zack smiles and glances at Jason. ZACK I'm excited. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time and soon it will become a reality. It's going to be awesome, Jason and I will win a National Championship together. Zack snickers; the media is in a frenzy by the comment. MICKEY That's a pretty bold statement Zack. Zack and Jason just smile, this is their moment to shine. Jason enjoys the spotlight. JASON I was thinking at least two, maybe three National Championships. A newspaper reporter jots down the juicy tidbits. MICKEY Mr. Dehaven, what do you think of these comments? BILL Well, I have always told my boys to dream big. (MORE) 24. BILL (CONT'D) Living on the farm can be a hard life, but these boys always roll up their sleeves and never give up. They always seem to amaze me. Jason and Zack proudly look at their dad. COACH BLAKE Also, these guys are great team players and are good role models for our up and coming players. It surely has been an honor coaching these young men. And... FEMALE NEWS REPORTER 2 (interrupting) So guys, where are you all going? The media crowd HUSHES. The coach turns his head to the brothers. The crowd waits for an answer. Jason and Zack smile at one another, they cherish the moment. The brothers reach onto their laps to grab their concealed blue ball caps. Jason nears the microphone. JASON The Dehaven brothers will be going to... Zack nears the microphone. The brothers put on their West Virginia University ball caps. ZACK West Virginia University. JASON/ZACK Home of the Mountaineers. The media spectators clap along with Bill and Coach Blake. Macky smiles and walks away. Zack and Jason begin to hug as cameras flash. INT. HIGHWAY- TRUCK - NIGHT Jason grins as he drives the truck. JASON That was a great day. MACKY (slightly frowns) Yes it was. 25. Jason stares out the window with a slight droop in his lip. MACKY (CONT'D) Funny how things don't always appear as they seem. JASON Yea, you got that right. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) What a sack! Their heads divert to the radio. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) (CONT'D) That sack by Morgantown forces Martinsburg into a fourth down situation. The score remains Morgantown fourteen, Martinsburg seven. This sure has been a defensive battle on both sides of the ball tonight... Jason slam his right hand into the steering wheel. JASON Better do something quick! You're going to lose the game! Macky sits like a bump on a log. MACKY It's going to be okay. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) ...It surely has been. Martinsburg needs some offense here soon with the third quarter running out. Too bad Martinsburg doesn't have their high powered offense from last year. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) Yea. Too bad what happened last year with Martinsburg quarterback Jason Dehaven. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) That was such a tragedy. Martinsburg was the favorite that year to win it all. That team wasn't right after that... Macky stares at Jason. MACKY It surely was a tragedy, wasn't it? Jason gazes at the road in front of him. 26. MACKY (CONT'D) (fishing) Or was it? The radio fades out. Jason raises his left arm to scratch the side of his head. His left hand appears, a METAL CLAMP. JASON Yea. Jason eyes penetrates through the windshield; the steering wheel barely moves. A flashing road sign blinks ahead that reads, "CAUTION AHEAD". EXT. CORNCRIB - DAY Dry corn pours from the opening of a rusty wagon onto a conveyor. Metal paddles drag the corn down the open shaft into a corn grinder. Blades spin rapidly within the grinder, shredding and chewing the corn into small pieces. Jason slides the wagon trap door up and down to avoid an overflow of corn onto the conveyor. Zack picks up stray corn ears from the ground and tosses them onto the conveyor. Bill drives a tractor by the corncrib. The tractor comes to a stop, the tractor RUMBLES. BILL (O.S.) Jason! Zack! The boys lift their heads toward their father. BILL (CONT'D) Hurry up! We got to fix the fence! ZACK Okay! Bill drives away on the tractor. Jason and Zack eyes are weary and their chins slightly drop. Jason lowers the trap door. JASON I'm tired. All we do is work around here. ZACK Yea, but before you know it, we will be at West Virginia playing football. JASON (smiles) Yup. 27. ZACK Are you excited about the game Saturday? JASON Yea, but I can't wait till the season is over. Football, school, and the farm. It's so much. ZACK Yea. Zack grabs and tosses corn ears from the ground onto the conveyor. ZACK (CONT'D) Wouldn't it be nice to be a city boy. Playing video games all day, eating McDonald's all the time, sleeping in till noon. Jason is on cue, as if they wish this many times. JASON Easy chores, sneaking down the street to your friends house, playing football all day. The boys spirit rises. ZACK Vacations, going to camps, the beach. JASON Maybe go to New York City, to Florida, or maybe Hawaii. Jason performs a hula dance. ZACK (chuckles) You suck. Jason pushes Zack in fun. JASON You suck. Zack pushes Jason in fun. Corn overflows onto the conveyor and onto the ground. The conveyor motor BOGS. JASON (CONT'D) Shucks. Jason hustles to shut the trap door. 28. Zack and Jason toss corn from the ground onto the conveyor. JASON (CONT'D) (shaking head) What a mess. Zack grabs a big handful of corn and dumps onto the conveyor. JASON (O.S.) (CONT'D) Zack! Jason eyes pierce with fear. Jason tugs and jerks to free himself from the conveyor chain. Jason's coat and arm drags down the shaft. Zack bolts over and pulls Jason. Jason's feet slides against the ground. JASON (CONT'D) Hurry! ZACK (pulling) I can't! JASON Shit! Hurry! Jason creeps toward the grinder. The blades spin; the corn is pulverized. ZACK I can't! JASON Get the knife! Zack darts away. Jason's feet drags and slides on the ground. Jason pulls and tugs, inching closer to the grinder. JASON (CONT'D) Hurry! Zack cuts into the coat with a machete; arm drags down the conveyor. ZACK Damn it Jason! It's tight! Jason drags closer to the grinder, eyes widen. JASON Hurry! 29. Zack cuts and trims. Zack peeks at the grinder, his eyes widen. ZACK (frantic) Jason! JASON Cut it off! Zack cuts and trims. JASON (CONT'D) My arm! Now! Cut it! Zack's eyes widen, shaking his head in disbelief. The blades spin. Jason glares at Zack with demanding eyes. JASON (CONT'D) Now! Zack face cringes as he lifts the machete. Zack's eyes weaken. The machete glides downward toward Jason's arm. Zack tilts his head away; Jason SCREAMS. Jason's eyes are helpless, blood splatters onto his face. Zack catches Jason as he passes out. The dead weight causes Zack to fall back onto the ground. Jason lands on top of Zack; the left stub dangles. Zack panics and screams for help. ZACK Dad! Dad! Zack cradles Jason in his arms on the ground. INT. TRUCK - DAY Zack sadly looks at Jason, hands nervously shake. Jason has white towels wrapped around his partial arm, blood seeps through the towels. Bill quickly gets in the truck and turns the key. Bill shifts the truck in reverse and steps on the gas. EXT. DRIVEWAY - DAY Gravels fly from the tires as the wheels spin wildly. The truck speeds down the dirt farm road with a cloud of dust behind. 30. INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT Zack sadly stares out the window. Bill paces around the room. Bill takes off his hat and rubs his forehead. DR. FIELDER (40's) with a clean tight afro, wire rimmed glasses, and mustache enters the room. BILL (puts on hat) How is he? DR. FIELDER He is going to be okay that's the good thing, but his arm... BILL What is it! DR. FIELDER There is nothing we can do, Mr. Dehaven. Jason will have an artificial limb the rest of his life. Bill lowers his head and fights away the tears. Zack walks toward Bill to comfort him. Zack hesitates. BILL It's all my fault! (throws hands up) If we weren't farmers, none of this would have happened! DR. FIELDER Mr. Dehaven, it's not your fault. It was an accident. Bill puts his hand over his eyes and slides his hand down his face. BILL Jason's dreams are gone, vanished! He could have gone anywhere he wanted to. DR. FIELDER But Mr. DeHaven... Bill wipes a tear away; Zack hangs his head and dashes out of the room. BILL Zack! The doctor puts his hand on Bills shoulder. 31. DR. FIELDER Mr. Dehaven, I know this is hard. But we will try our best for you and your family. (beat) Maybe you should go home and get some rest. Jason, with all the medication will be in a daze for several days. (beat) We'll give you a call if anything should happen, but he is going be okay. Bill exhales and looks up at the doctor. BILL Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, Dr. Fielder. DR. FIELDER Get some sleep, okay. Bill nods and leaves the waiting room. EXT. HOSPITAL - PARKING LOT - NIGHT Zack sits on the truck tailgate staring at the starry sky. Bill walks out of the hospital with a humble look. Bill sits next to Zack. BILL How ya doing? Zack shrugs his shoulders with teary eyes. ZACK I've been better. Zack gazes at Bill. ZACK (CONT'D) Why did this happen? First, He took Mom with the cancer and now this. BILL I don't know why some things happen the way they do son. Bill looks lost and searches around. Bill grins. BILL (CONT'D) But I do know one thing. 32. ZACK (looks to Bill) What's that? BILL You know that feeling you get when you accomplished something, you thought was impossible? Zack nods yes. BILL (CONT'D) Or that feeling you have when you daydream? Zack stares at Bill. BILL (CONT'D) Or when you get so happy that you begin to cry? You know those feelings? ZACK Yea. BILL God has a place like that waiting for us son. A place where the only tears shed are tears of happiness. (beat) One day, we will join your mother there, but for now we have to try our best, whatever God might have planned for us. Zack cracks a smile at his father and nods his head. BILL (CONT'D) You think it is rough on us, imagine what Jason will be going through. We need to be strong for him, okay? Bill pulls Zack in and hugs him. ZACK I will try my best, Dad. Bill lays his hand on top of Zack's head. BILL I know you will. I still think you should go to the game. Bill takes his hand off Zack's head. ZACK But Jason... 33. BILL He would want you to go. I am sure you would want the same. Zack looks around and contemplates. ZACK Yea, I guess you're right. Bill grins at Zack. INT. COACH BLAKE'S HOUSE - HOME OFFICE - DAY Coach Blake sits at his desk and talks on the phone. His head bows and lower lip drops. MRS. BLAKE (50's), silver streaks through her dark hair, stands at the doorway. Coach Blake looks up to his wife and slowly shakes his head. COACH BLAKE (into phone) Let me know if you need anything. (beat) Okay. Good bye. Coach Blake hangs up the phone and looks at the play book opened in front of him. MRS. BLAKE (O.S.) What's wrong dear? Coach Blake looks around lost. Coach Blake sadly looks at Mrs. Blake. COACH BLAKE I need a new quarterback. Jason just lost his arm. MRS. BLAKE Oh dear. Coach Blake closes the play book and stares at it. He picks up the play book and tosses it into the waste can. Coach spins around in his office chair to look out the window. Mrs. Blake comes from behind to comfort him. EXT. MARTINSBURG - MAIN STREET INTERSECTION - DAY All is calm, not a car moves on the street. Usually a congested street, it now has no life. A banner hangs over the intersection that reads, "GOOD LUCK BULLDOGS". It sways back and forth from the breeze. Banner strings break on one side. The banner floats toward the road. It lays unnoticed, all is peaceful. A preacher BREAKS the silence. 34. PREACHER (V.O.) Always remember, as you come to your crossroads, God will always be by your side. INT. FAMILY CHURCH - DAY A church is packed to the gills. All the members stand in the pews with heads down and eyes shut. PREACHER (O.S.) Your faith in him is what matters most. We always praise God through the good times. Zack and Bill stand in the pew with their heads down and eyes shut. PREACHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) But it takes an unwavering faith to praise him when we are in the darkest of times, when the pain is sometimes so overwhelming. The PREACHER stands at the podium, with discouragement in his eyes. PREACHER (CONT'D) Today, God we call upon you. (pauses with sadness) Oh dear Lord, please watch over Jason. Bill puts his arm around Zack. PREACHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) May you bless him strength and guide him through these rough times. Zack lays his hand on the back off the pew in front of him. PREACHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) May you reach down and lay your hand of compassion and love onto Jason... Zack's hand grips the wood of the pew. Zack eases off. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY A hand lays on Jason's shoulder. Zack looks at Jason with an absent glare. Jason lies with his eyes shut. BILL (O.S.) We got to go. Bill waits by the door. Zack slightly nods his head and takes a breath. Zack turns to walk away. 35. INT. MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL - PARKING LOT - DAY Bill and Zack sit in the truck. Zack glances around the truck and sucks on his lips. Bill rests his elbow on the drivers window and rubs his neck. Zack notices teammates stepping onto the bus. ZACK I guess I should go? BILL Yea, you better go. I love you son. Zack grabs an overnight luggage bag that lays on the floor. ZACK I love you too Dad. See ya Sunday. Zack opens the truck door and steps out. BILL Keep your head up. Go and have a good time. ZACK (nods head) I'll try. Bye. BILL Bye. Zack shuts the door. Bill watches Zack mope toward the bus, he carries the luggage bag. Several teammates hug Zack. MACKY (V.O.) Saying good bye can be tough, when you don't know where to go. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT The heart monitor BEEPS. Intravenous lines and cords protrude from Jason's body. Jason's eyelids crack open and flicker. His eyes slowly swivel around and he regains conscious. Jason drags his head over the pillow and sees his left stub bandaged up. Jason stares at what's left of his arm, eyes weakened. The partial arm twitches. Jason's eyes are intense. The partial arm twitches. Jason cringes his eyebrows. JASON Damn! A nurse walks into the room. Jason gives up on his arm and relaxes. 36. NURSE How are you feeling Jason? JASON What happened to my arm? Is this the best you all could do for me! The nurse bites her lip. NURSE You were very lucky Jason, but unfortunately we tried everything we could dear. Jason ignores her and gloomily stares out the window. NURSE (CONT'D) I will call Dr. Fielder and let him know you're awake. Your father said he was milking the cows. He'll be here soon. The nurse frowns and checks IV levels. She jots information on the medical chart with a pen. Jason looks out the window. NURSE (CONT'D) Jason, your father brought in your radio. The game is in the fourth quarter. The nurse turns on the radio and pushes the bed table closer towards Jason. NURSE (CONT'D) If you need anything just let me know, dear. The nurse exits the room. Jason stares out the window and ignores the radio. LATER Jason stares out the window. Jason skims his head toward the radio. RADIO ANNOUNCER 3 (V.O.) (on radio) That's it from Wheeling. The Parkersburg Big Red are your West Virginia State Champions defeating the Martinsburg Bulldogs. Your final score Parkersburg Twenty eight Martinburg Fourteen. Jason's eyelids twitch. Jason squirms around in the bed. The partial arm frustrates Jason. His eyes are intense. 37. JASON Why me...Look at me. I was All-State, All-American. Now, I am nothing more than All...crippled! Jason sits up with force, which pulls the IV lines and knocks the IV machine over. Jason snarls and grabs the radio. He hurls the radio across the room. The radio smashes against the wall. Pieces of the radio scatter onto the floor. JASON (CONT'D) Why me! Why me! Jason begins to cry. Nurses scurry into the room in panic. Jason falls back down in bed and gives up. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY Jason stares out the window in a daze, his body is stiff. Bill and Zack walk in the room. Zack looks Jason's arm over. Zack looks away. BILL Jason, how are you feeling? Jason stares out the window, eyes straight ahead. Bill looks to Zack. ZACK Jason. Jason stares out the window. Zack pulls up a chair and sits. Zack nears Jason's face. ZACK (CONT'D) Listen to the game? (chuckle) Poor Tim didn't know what to do as a quarterback. Jason stares out the window. Zack lower lip slightly drops. Bill places his hand on Jason's leg. BILL The doggone front tractor tire blew out this morning. ZACK Yea, that scared me to death. I thought I made a mess in my pants. Zack chuckles then stops. Jason stares out the window. Zack glimpses at Bill. 38. Bill pulls up a chair and sits down. Jason stares out the window. BILL Jason, I know this is rough, but we are here for you. You can talk to us. Whatever you need, just let us know. ZACK Yea man, talk to us, Jason. Jason blinks. Jason stares out the window. The clock on the wall behind Jason TICKS and reads, "4:44". LATER Zack puts down a magazine and peeks at the clock. The clock TICKS and reads, "5:30". Bill gets up from the chair. Bill lays his hand on Jason's forehead. Zack stands up from his chair. BILL We love you Jason. We have to go. ZACK Hey, hang in there. I love ya' Jason. Jason stares on. Zack frowns and scratches his cheek. Bill exists the room. Zack stops to stare at Jason for a quick moment. Jason still stares out the window. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT The room is dim. Zack snuggles up in a blanket on the chair next to the bed. Jason stares out the dark window. ZACK Jason, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. Zack waits for a response. Jason stares out the window. ZACK (CONT'D) Well, good night. Zack frowns, looking at Jason. Zack shifts in the uncomfortable chair and closes his eyes. Jason stares out the window. A tear runs down Jason's face. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - DAY Jason, in a hospital gown, wanders down the hallway with his IV machine. A bubbly nurse passes Jason. 39. NURSE 2 Good Morning Jason! Jason nods and walks ahead. Two nurses stand behind the nurses station and observe Jason. NURSE 3 About time he gets out of his room. It's been a while. NURSE 4 I heard he was one of the nicest boys you could have ever met, poor thing. I heard his girlfriend never even came by to see him. NURSE 3 That's probably why he's pushing everyone away. NURSE 4 Yea. The nurses watch Jason mope down the hallway. Jason mopes further down the hallway with no where to go. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - TABITHA'S ROOM - DAY Jason looks in a room. TABITHA (12), with no hair and pale skin, sits up in her bed. The sick girl notices Jason. Jason shies away from her appearance. The girl vibrantly smiles at Jason, a smile that is hard to resist. TABITHA Hey you. What's your name? Jason drops his head down. TABITHA (CONT'D) You have to be Jason, the nurses said there is a young handsome man on this floor. It has to be you. Jason blushes, a grin creeps through. TABITHA (CONT'D) My name is Tabitha, my friends call me Tabby. Tabitha giggles. Jason slips a grin. TABITHA (CONT'D) Guess you can tell I have cancer. I see you had an accident with your arm. 40. Jason nods. Tabitha bunches her lips, wishing he will speak. TABITHA (CONT'D) Well, if you need someone to talk to, you can come by anytime. I ain't going nowhere. Tabitha vibrantly smiles. Jason nods and starts to walk away. TABITHA (O.S.) (CONT'D) Hey! Jason looks back at Tabitha. TABITHA (CONT'D) Hang in there. It's going to get better. Tabitha smiles. Jason walks away with a slight smile. INT. DR. FIELDER'S OFFICE - DAY Bill sits down in a seat. Dr. Fielder walks behind the desk and lays charts on the table. The doctor walks over to the window and adjust the blinds. The doctor peeks through the blinds. DR. FIELDER It's really snowing outside, I was hoping spring would arrive. BILL Hopefully, this is the last snow fall. They say it could snow up to three inches today and tomorrow. DR. FIELDER I hope it's no more than three inches. BILL Me too. Dr. Fielder takes a seat. DR. FIELDER Jason can leave this Friday after he gets fitted for his new artificial limb. BILL Sure, I think he would love a change of scenery. Dr. Fielder takes off his glasses. 41. DR. FIELDER I can imagine. He has been stuck with us for a while. BILL I am still concerned about Jason. He hasn't talked to us or really anybody. DR. FIELDER I know. It concerns me too, Bill. I am hoping him going home will help things out. (beat) I'd give him two weeks, if he still doesn't communicate to anyone then you need to set him up with a psychiatrist. Dr. Fielder pulls out the desk drawer and takes out a business card. The doctor hands the card to Bill. DR. FIELDER (CONT'D) I recommend Doctor Morris. He is the best in the area and has worked similar cases like Jason's before. Bill looks at the card and back to the doctor. BILL What do you think doc? DR. FIELDER My personal opinion. I think he'll come around sooner than later. We got to remember that Jason was on top of the world and at a blink of an eye, he lost almost everything. Now, he has to start all over again with a new purpose in life. Wounds of this magnitude take time to heal both physically and mentally. BILL Yea, it just takes time. Bill exhales and shakes his head yes. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - TABITHA'S ROOM - DAY TABITHA'S MOTHER sobs. Jason looks into the room. She breaks down as her HUSBAND comforts her. The doctor drops his head and covers Tabitha's face with a blanket. Jason drags his head in sorrow. The mother trembles with tears. 42. MOTHER I wish I was here to say good bye. She was so full of life, I could talk to her for hours. (cries) I wished I had more time with her. Mother clings onto her husband. A nurse shuts the door to give the family privacy. Jason looks at the floor and ponders. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY Jason lays in the bed and stares out the window. The clock TICKS and TICKS. Jason stares outside at two young kids. Through the window, a young girl slaps the young boy across the face. The girl laughs and runs; the boy chases her. The clock TICKS and TICKS. The clock stops ticking. MACKY (O.S.) Jason. Jason. Jason eyebrow raises. Jason goes back and stares out the window. MACKY (O.S.) (CONT'D) Jason. Jason. Jason raises his eyebrow and moves his head slightly. MACKY (O.S.) (CONT'D) Jason. Jason. Jason. Jason growls and turns over. JASON What! Macky stands in front of the door. Macky looks at Jason and steps toward him. MACKY So, whatcha doing? Jason angrily stares at Macky. JASON What does it look like? MACKY (chuckles) Looks like, much of nothing if you ask me. 43. Jason wrinkles his nose at Macky. MACKY (CONT'D) Why haven't you talked to your father or Zack, yet? JASON I don't know, I have a lot of stuff going on in my mind. MACKY I bet you do. Macky walks over and takes a seat. Jason sits up in his bed. JASON Where have you been lately? I see you finally decided to show up. MACKY Well, I figured the way you have been treating everyone else, why bother. Jason's shoulder rocks back. Macky's eyebrows bend. JASON I lost my arm and everyone thinks it will be just fine. Macky slouches into the chair. MACKY It could have been worse you know. JASON Yea, but this is no walk in the park either, you know. MACKY Neither is putting up with you. Macky lifts his eyebrows with spewing arrogance. Jason's face crinkles up. JASON Get out! I am sick of talking to you already. Macky stands and strolls around the bed. MACKY Don't let Zack or your father down. Maybe it is time to talk to them. Jason points to the door. 44. JASON Get out! MACKY I'll be back around. JASON Whatever. Macky steps toward the door. Jason turns over to lay down. Jason stares back out the window. EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY Snow blows around the yard. Snow mounds on the porch swing. The truck pulls up in the driveway. Bill opens the truck and extends his hand. Jason refuses the offer and gets out himself. BILL Okay. Jason has his new metal clamp for an artificial hand. Zack opens the house door, walks over to Jason and gives him a hug. Jason hugs him back but not as tightly. They walk toward the house door. ZACK I am glad you're back home. JASON Most of me anyway. Zack and Bill look relieved as Jason speaks. BILL Mmm, (sniffs) What do I smell cooking? ZACK (excited) I made your favorites Jason. I got t-bone steaks and corn on the cob. JASON Sounds good. Zack canters up the porch steps. ZACK Guess what is for dessert? 45. JASON What? ZACK Pepperoni rolls. Zack and Bill laugh; Jason cracks a smile. Jason steps up onto the porch steps. Jason slips. Bill catches Jason and stands him back up. JASON Thanks. BILL (grins) No problem. INT. KITCHEN - DAY The family sits around the kitchen table. They bow their heads. Zack looks down at Jason's metal clamp as he grabs a hold of it. They close their eyes. TOGETHER Dear Jesus, Thank you for this food we are about to receive. Bless us all and keep us from harm. Zack peeks at the metal clamp. TOGETHER (CONT'D) Guide and direct us through all our days. Amen! Everyone raises their heads. Bill and Zack chew their food and peek towards Jason. Jason, head lowered, plays with his food with a fork. Jason looks up and Zack grins. Bill watches Jason's smirk. BILL So, Jason. You need to call Coach May at West Virginia? He has called wanting to talk with you. Jason struggles to cut his steak. JASON Nah, There is no use. BILL Well, you might want to and tell 'em thanks for the scholarship. Jason drops his knife on the plate; the knife CLATTERS. 46. JASON Hello, Quarterback, missing a hand. Jason taps the table with his metal clamp. BILL The coach knows you can't play football, but he said West Virginia made a promise to you and they stand by their word. JASON What am I supposed to do? What, be the water boy? ZACK Be a student, just go to classes. Jason grabs the knife and fork. The fork slips from his clamp. Jason close his eyes and lowers his chin. BILL You can do whatever you want. There is more than just football. Jason picks up the fork and his chin. JASON I don't know. I am like some (beat) freak show. BILL No you're not Jason. (shakes head) Anyways, I talked to the coach and we decided to start your scholarship next year. We figured you might want sometime to adjust and maybe some company. ZACK (smiles) We're going to start college together. Isn't that cool? Jason cracks a smile, but his demeanor didn't show it. JASON That's cool. Jason cuts off a piece of steak. ZACK Yea, we can help each other out up there. You know explore and get to know the place together. 47. Jason picks up the piece of steak and takes a bite. JASON Sounds good to me. (swallows) Steak is great. Jason sucks his teeth clean and looks around the table. JASON (CONT'D) Give me some of that butter. Jason smells the hot steamy cob of corn on his plate. Bill reaches for the butter. JASON (CONT'D) Mmm, that smells good. ZACK Picked this morning. All laugh with smiles. Through the window snow falls. EXT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT Snow carpets the yard. Snow mounds on the kitchen windowsill. The kitchen light illuminates the area. Snow WHISTLES and blows through the air. MACKY (V.O.) I believe we all have a warm inner heart, but we don't always show it on the outside. EXT. BARN - DAY The sun is bright and the landscape around looks fresh with the arrival of spring. A rooster CROWS near the barn. The rooster scurries off as Bill walks by. INT. BARN - DAY Jason lays his metal clamp on the cow's hip and goes to bend over to put on the milkers. The cow turns its head toward Jason scared of the metal clamp. The cow kicks Jason in the leg and forces Jason backwards. Jason bends over in pain and holds his leg. JASON Damn! Jason limps toward the cow. Bill frowns from the other end of the barn. 48. BILL You okay? Jason turns and looks at Bill. JASON Yea. Jason smirks and slightly limps. EXT. BARN - FEED ROOM - DAY The truck, loaded with feed bags, idles by the feed room door. Jason walks out of the feed room toward the truck. Jason sweats as he grabs a bag of feed. He struggles while lifting the bag up over his shoulder. Jason adjust the bag on his shoulder and walks into the feed room. Jason walks out and grabs another bag. He lifts the bag. His clamp snags into the bag, throwing him off balance. Jason lets go of the paper bag of feed. The bag rips free from the clamp. Cow feed pours over the ground. Jason kicks the pile of cow feed into the air in frustration. INT. BARN - DAY Zack watches Jason through the barn window. Jason hits the tailgate with his clamp. JASON Damn this! Zack frowns at Jason's reaction. Jason mumbles at the feed on the ground with disgust. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT Jason takes a pocketknife out of his pants pocket and places it on the dresser. He pulls his shirt up trying to remove it. The shirt snags the metal clamp as he struggles with it. JASON Come on! Shirt now removed, Jason's eyes are heavy and weary. He turns to the reflection in the mirror and somberly stares at the metal clamp. MACKY (V.O.) Sometimes we only see what we want to see. Even when the answer is right in front of us. 49. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT Jason SIPS on a bottle of soda. Jason bounces in his seat; soda dribbles down his chin. Jason wipes his chin clean with his shoulder. JASON I hate riding on this highway, potholes everywhere. MACKY (smirks) I think you hit every pothole along the way. COMMERCIAL (V.O.) ...Only twenty dollars a month to be a gold member. Being a gold member allows you the freedom and access to all members of Star Dating Service. Don't wait around join today and find your special star. Jason laughs and shakes his head. JASON Who pays money for that crap? MACKY Remember, your Aunt Judith hooked up with that one guy from there. Um, (snaps fingers) What was his name? JASON Ricky and he took her for everything she had. MACKY Some people are just like that. They are more in love with the material things in life than what's in here. (taps his heart) There is nothing more richer. JASON Yup. A heart is something special all right. Especially when someone breaks it. MACKY (nods head) Yea... Macky watches Jason stare out the truck windshield. 50. INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT Jason pushes a grocery cart. Jason stops and grabs can goods off the shelf. Jason turns and sees Christi dolled up. Christi carries a grocery basket as if she's a runway model. Christi stops and lowers her head. Christi ignores Jason's eyes. JASON Hey Christi. CHRISTI Hey Jason. JASON So, where have you been? It's been, what, about a eight months now? CHRISTI Well. I have been kind of busy with college coming and all. JASON Why didn't you ever come see me or return my calls? CHRISTI I don't know. I guess your accident. Christi struggles with her words; Jason waits for an answer. CHRISTI (CONT'D) I...I...guess it scared me. I don't know. Christi hangs her head down. Jason adjusts his hat with his metal clamp. JASON It's not like I was dead. Where were you? Jason waits for an answer. CHRISTI I...I...It was hard. I didn't know if I could love you the same. JASON Why wouldn't it be the same? I only lost my arm. CHRISTI Yea, but. JASON But what? 51. CHRISTI I don't know. (fidgets) Jason you lost your arm. I didn't know if I could deal with that. JASON I guess it was hard, huh. I mean your meal ticket just lost his arm! No more big time quarterback and you're not able to get what you want. So you just moved on! Maybe, the accident wasn't such a bad thing after all. CHRISTI Well. Jason pushes his cart away. Christi stands frozen. JASON Gold digger. Jason's eyes pierce with sadness. Jason trudges the cart down the aisle. Christi's mouth gapes open. MACKY (V.O.) Trophies are sure nice to look at, but when they hit you across the head... (Jason shakes head) they can really hurt. EXT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT Jason walks out of the grocery store carrying a few bags of groceries. Jason walks across the parking lot and slips. Cans roll on top of the asphalt. A muscle car pulls up with three underage drinkers. The engine REVS. One of the passengers hangs out the window. PASSENGER 1 Hey! Stupid-ass, where you learn to walk! They teenagers laugh. The other passenger sits on the car window edge and looks out over the top of the car. PASSENGER 2 Someone give him a hand, damn freak! Jason is lost for words. The teenagers begin to clap their hands. 52. Jason lowers his head in shame. PASSENGER 1 See you later, retard! They laugh and drive away; the car wheels SQUEAL. DRIVER (O.S.) Freak! Jason stands up as Macky walks up to him. MACKY You ok there boy. JASON Yea, I'm ok. Jason picks up the loose cans. Macky walks next to Jason. MACKY Don't listen to those boys. Seems to me they have been drinking a little too much. JASON Yea, seems that way. MACKY Why did you lower your head. Are you ashamed of something? Jason looks up at Macky and grabs the last can. JASON No, not really. MACKY Bull! JASON No I'm not. MACKY Yes you are! You can't fool me boy. I never seen you once back down from nobody. Now, you are some pushover wimp. Jason nears closer to Macky. JASON I am not a damn wimp! There were three of them and one of me! Plus I have this! Jason waves his clamp in front of Macky's face. 53. An older lady walks by. The lady gazes at Jason and her eyes begin to shutter. She scurries away. JASON (CONT'D) What was I suppose to do? Mr. I- know-everything! MACKY Excuses, excuses. The old Jason would have told them boys to mind their own business. JASON Yea, but that was then and this is now! MACKY And your point is? Jason gets up in Macky's face. JASON I have only one arm, stupid! Macky stares Jason into his eyes. MACKY You're the stupid one. What does your arm have to do with it? What matters most is what's on the inside. That's what counts. Can't you see that boy! Jason walks toward the truck. Jason throws the grocery bags on the truck seat. Jason turns back around. Macky walks down the parking lot. JASON (O.S.) Leaving so soon! Macky ignores Jason, keeps on walking. MACKY (childishly) Boo hoo. I'm a big baby! Jason glares at Macky walking away. Macky strolls through the parking lot. MACKY (CONT'D) (childishly) I only have one arm! Boo hoo. JASON Shut up! 54. Macky imitates a CRYING BABY. Jason squints his eyes and jumps up into the truck. The truck tires SQUEAL as the truck pulls away. EXT. HAYFIELD - TRUCK - NIGHT The truck bounces as it goes through a hayfield. The headlights are blinding; alfalfa beats up against the bumper of the truck. In the distance, the farm house lights glow in the surrounding darkness. The truck slows down as it nears a hillside. The truck stops and the headlights are cut off. Jason gets out of the truck and walks to the rear of the truck to open the tailgate. Jason sits on the tailgate and pulls a feed bag towards him to use as a pillow. Jason lays back looking at the sky and the full moon. Jason's eyes get heavy as he falls asleep. EXT. HAYFIELD - TRUCK - DAY Jason sleeps on the feed bag. FOOTSTEPS approach the truck. Bill shakes Jason to wake him. Jason's eyes creep open and he rubs his face. BILL What ya' doing? Jason stretches. BILL (CONT'D) Zack and I were worried about you. Bill, slightly disappointed, joins Jason on the tailgate. JASON (sour expression) Sorry. BILL What's on your mind? JASON Nothing. BILL Jason, you can talk to me. I will do anything I can to make things better for you. Jason looks out across the field and back at his father. 55. JASON Do you think I am a freak? BILL Why, because of your arm? You're the farthest thing from a freak. JASON Then what am I! Bill's head fidgets. BILL What do you mean? JASON Look at me Dad! Jason hops off the tailgate and points his metal clamp at Bill. JASON (CONT'D) I am nothing but a freak, a damn side show, a a mangled up... creature! Jason has rage in his eyes. Bill swallows and glares. BILL Jason, you're not a freak. I'm sure God has something special planned for you. JASON What! To join the circus! Yea, maybe I can set a tent up next to the fat lady or or maybe I can do an act with the midgets. Yea, I can see it now! (circus ringleader) Jason the one arm freak and the flying midgets! BILL Jason, stop it! I don't know why this happened! Jason eases off. BILL (CONT'D) Maybe, there is something bigger and better waiting for you! You just got to trust in God, his reward is worth it. Jason snickers impishly. 56. JASON Oh, Thank you God! Jason raises his hand towards Heaven in a sarcastic manner. JASON (CONT'D) Thanks, for my lovely reward! Jason looks at Bill and shakes his head in doubt. Bill hangs his head slightly. JASON (CONT'D) Whatever Dad. Jason runs away. BILL (O.S.) Jason! Bill grabs his neck and looks toward the sky. Jason runs with anger, face turns many shades of red. Jason PANTS and PANTS, running nowhere. EXT. FENCE LINE - DAY Macky shakes his head, walking away from Jason. Jason trots up to Macky, nose up into his face, and yells M.O.S. Jason dramatically throws his hands into the air. Jason snarls at Macky with saliva slinging from his lips. Macky's head tilts back to avoid the barrage of spit. Jason backs away from Macky and hits a tree with his fist. Macky wanders away; Jason bends over cradling his fist. EXT. FARM LANE - NIGHT Jason scampers toward the truck with furious red eyes. Jason turns around and yells M.O.S. On the porch, Bill shakes his head and Zack glances away with a frown. Jason waves his arm upward in frustration. Jason yanks the truck door open and hops into the truck. The truck door slams shut. INT. BARN - HAY MOUND - DAY A dreary spot with cobwebs hanging from the rafters and hay scattered down below. In front of a mound of hay, Jason pushes Zack with intense eyes. Zack head shudders with stunning eyes. Jason shoos Zack away with his clamp. Jason and Zack argue back an forth, M.O.S. Jason plunges at Zack, both falling to the floor. 57. Jason and Zack wrestle in the hay. Zack rolls over on top of Jason. Jason swings his clamp at Zack, cutting Zack's cheek. Zack punches Jason in the eye. Zack grabs Jason by his shirt collar, pulling his face up to his eyes. Jason's eyes regain strength, a speck of blood drips onto his face. ZACK What's wrong with you Jason! There's nothing we can do about it! Jason has confused anger in his eyes. Zack shakes Jason by the shirt collar. ZACK (CONT'D) Just let it go! There is no use being this way. Let it go! Zack's eyes widen; Jason's eyes weaken. Zack stares into dishearten eyes. ZACK (CONT'D) Where did you go! (cries) Jason, where are you? Zack pulls Jason in and hugs him. INT. FARM HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT A flickering light from the television illuminates the room. Zack's body extends along the couch. He glares at the television. A snore SURGES through the room. Bill snoozes on the recliner. Jason walks by the living room and hesitates. Zack eyeballs Jason. Jason turns his head toward Zack with a blackened eye. Jason lowers his head in shame and walks into the hallway. MACKY (V.O.) Sometimes it's best not to say nothing at all. Zack glares at the television. The light flickers from the television. On the TELEVISION, two men demonstrate a food processor in an info commercial. Zack's eyes become heavy and head bobs. The television light flickers. SPOKESMAN 1 (V.O.) This will make your life so much easier. (MORE) 58. SPOKESMAN 1 (V.O.) (CONT'D) (chuckles) I can't imagine how I lived life without it. SPOKESMAN 2 (V.O.) It sure is handy to have around the house... The television shuts off. EXT. MARTINSBURG - STREET - EVENING The sun slips behind the houses. The sidewalk and road are bare. A whistle BLOWS and masculine GRUNTS ripple along the roadside. EXT. MARTINSBURG PRACTICE FIELD - EVENING PRACTICE FIELD A player grunts as he tip toes through the tires. A player trips on a tire and falls to the side in the dirt; the other players continue the drill. Coach Blake BLOWS his whistle. The players form a line. Two assistant coaches hold large cushion pads for hitting practice about twenty feet from the beginning of the line. Coach Blake stands off to the side. COACH BLAKE I want to see some hitting, this is not flag football. If you want to prove you are a man, here is your chance. When I blow the whistle take off running and hit those pads. Ready! Coach Blake BLOWS his whistle. The first player in line runs and hits the cushions; the coaches barely budge. Zack looks from the middle of the line. The whistle BLOWS. An overweight lineman chugs toward the cushions. He hits the cushions and tumbles onto the ground into a mud puddle. Coach Blake runs over to the lineman. Coach Blake slams his hat onto the ground. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) Get the hell up! What was that? This is not patty cake, boy! We are not out here to make mud pies! The lineman slops in mud and struggles to get up. 59. COACH BLAKE (O.S.) (CONT'D) We don't have all day! The lineman hangs his head down as Coach Blake kicks the ground. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) Get back in line! Damn it! I want some hitting out here! Now, let's get serious! Coach Blake BLOWS his whistle. The next player runs and hits the cushions. The coaches slightly move. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) That's what I want to see! Let's keep it going ladies! STANDS Jason stands on the top row and looks out across the practice field. JASON You see Zack? MACKY (O.S.) He's the tenth one from the front of the line. JASON I see him. Macky leans against the railing. MACKY Are you excited about going to West Virginia? JASON Yea (frowns) I really miss playing football though. MACKY I know. But things change. JASON They sure do. MACKY It's time to let it go, Jason. Stop taking it out on your Dad and Zack. Don't shut them out, boy. Macky shakes his head. Jason drops his head. 60. MACKY (CONT'D) Zack is almost up. (beat) I better get going. JASON See ya later. Macky turns and steps away. Jason lifts his head and stares out across the practice field. Jason bites his lip. PRACTICE FIELD Zack watches the player take off in front of him. The player hits the cushions. Coach Blake BLOWS the whistle. Zack's eyes-widen and he takes off running. Zack lowers his shoulders into the cushion with might. The coach on the left falls directly down from the impact. The coach on the right stumbles back several steps. STANDS Jason smiles as the coach gets up off the ground. Zack turns around to go back towards the line. JASON Wow. PRACTICE FIELD Coach Blake shakes his head in amazement. COACH BLAKE Sweet Sassy Molassy. Coach Blake runs over to Zack and grabs him by the shoulder pads. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) Hold on, son. Nice hit. The coach looks at the other players. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) Did you all see that hit! Coach Blake taps Zack's shoulder pad. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) That's what I am talking about! Can you see what the problem is here, most of you boys just play video games! A fat white lineman looks at the coach. 61. COACH BLAKE (O.S.) (CONT'D) Lay in bed all day, or just play with Susie down the street! This boy works his ass off from sun up to sun down! A black wide receiver, a wannabe thug, looks at the coach. COACH BLAKE (O.S.) (CONT'D) You all think this is the roughest part of the day, you haven't seen nothing yet! A white linebacker looks at the coach and lowers his chin. COACH BLAKE (O.S.) (CONT'D) This boy will be playing on Sundays, while all you others drink your six- packs yelling at the television sets! Zack looks at Coach Blake as he preaches. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) You all have to understand, if you want it, you got to go get it! The coach taps Zack on the shoulders. COACH BLAKE (CONT'D) Nice hit. Zack hustles back to the end of the line. The coach BLOWS the whistle. Stands The whistle BLOWS. Jason looks on with a smile. COACH BLAKE (O.S.) (CONT'D) Is that all you got! Hit it! Don't be scared of it! The whistle BLOWS. Jason looks on. COACH BLAKE (O.S.) (CONT'D) Nice hit Randy! EXT. MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL - PARKING LOT - EVENING A woman hums a tune as her dress shoes CLANK across the asphalt. MRS. LOGAN (60's), a hefty woman with pearls dangling from her neck and ears, opens her car door. MRS. LOGAN Hello Jason. Jason sits on the tailgate of the truck. 62. JASON Hey Mrs. Logan. MRS. LOGAN Sure is a beautiful day. JASON Yup, sure is. MRS. LOGAN Days like this, (smiles) I just want to sit on my porch swing and daydream and forget about the past. JASON I know what you mean. MRS. LOGAN Well, you have a good day Jason. JASON You too Mrs. Logan. Mrs. Logan slides into her car. Jason sits on the tailgate and waits. Football players exit the field house, sweat and dirt covers their bodies and practice uniforms. Zack appears from the crowd as he carries a book bag. Jason grins at Zack, Zack shakes his head in relief. ZACK The coach really worked us over today. Jason gets up from the tailgate. JASON I saw that hit you laid on the coaches. (snickers) Seem to got Coach Blake all riled up. ZACK Yea, the guys are ragging me about it. Jason shuts the tailgate. Jason walks on the driver side bed of the truck. Zack walks on the opposite side. Jason stops and looks to Zack. JASON Zack, I want to say I'm sorry. (MORE) 63. JASON (CONT'D) I haven't been myself lately. It's hard for me sometimes to face the truth and realize who I am anymore. ZACK Just take your time, life isn't always a race. Anyways...If you ever need someone to talk to, I am always here, no matter what. (winks) Remember, brothers forever. JASON (nods head) Brothers forever. They stare at each other with smiles of hope. Jason and Zack shut the truck doors. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT Jason stares out the windshield. A police car with flashing lights and a sports car are parked along the side of the road. MACKY Probably was speeding. JASON Yea, that's what it looks like. A police officer walks toward the sports car as Jason drives by. MACKY People think they'll never get caught, but eventually they do. There is always someone watching us. JASON You got that right. Jason looks at the radio and rolls his eyes. COMMERCIAL (V.O.) We have over a thousand members in the local area. For only twenty dollars a month you can be a gold member. Being a gold member allows you the freedom and access to all members of Star Dating Service. Don't wait around join today and find your special star. Macky looks at Jason. 64. JASON I am getting tired of hearing this stupid commercial. Find your special star today, blah, blah, blah. Macky laughs. Macky shifts his head at Jason. MACKY (skeptical) You found your special star haven't you? Jason ponders and looks out the window. Macky raises his chin. JASON She surely is special. MACKY Yes indeed. JASON My special little star. EXT. BARN - SILO - DAY Jason grips his hand and clamp around the top outside silo door. Jason uses his force to slide open the door, the door catches. Jason grits his teeth, tugging the door. The door slides open. Jason tightens a bolt on the blower spout that leads into the silo with a wrench. Jason peeks his head inside the silo. Inside the silo, a dreary concrete cylinder that got darker and darker. Cobwebs scatter through out the inside of the silo. JASON Hey! (Echo) Boo! (Echo) A barn owl flies out of the opening; the wing brushes Jason's face. Jason pulls himself close to the rung to avoid slipping off the silo. Jason wheezes and watches the owl fly off toward the mountains. Jason climbs down the sixty foot silo. BILL (O.S.) You're running late! JASON I'm coming! 65. Bill and the farm look small from the silo. The valley and mountains reach for miles. Jason continues to climb down. Jason jumps off from the last rung. BILL You okay, looks like you saw a ghost. JASON An owl scared the crap out of me up there. BILL Well, (chuckles) they do say it is good luck if you see an owl in the daytime. JASON I guess I was lucky I didn't fall off the silo. BILL Yea. Bill and Jason walk together around the barn. JASON Silo is ready to go for tomorrow. BILL Good. We'll get on that first thing tomorrow morning. Jason and Bill walk, Bill reaches into his back pants pocket. BILL (CONT'D) On your way out can you drop this off in the mailbox? Bill hands Jason an envelope. Jason looks at the envelope. The envelope recipient reads, "BERKELEY COUNTY COURT HOUSE". JASON What's this for? BILL Oh, nothing really. What you want for dinner? Jason and Bill nears the truck. JASON Whatever you want. I'm in the mood for anything. 66. BILL What about some pork chops and mashed potatoes. JASON Sounds good to me. Jason opens the truck door, gets in and closes the door. Bill taps the hood BILL Be careful. Bill walks toward the house as Jason drives away. INT. MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL - TRUCK - DAY Jason sits in the truck with his legs propped up on the dashboard. Jason glances around the parking lot with the RADIO on. Several band members walk by the truck after band practice. Three girls from the band walk by laughing at each other, carrying their clarinets. Charity piques Jason's interest and he stares. The girls stand by a car and chat freely. Charity, takes her frilly band head gear off as her brunette hair falls past her shoulders. Charity has matured and is very attractive with no braces or eyeglasses. Jason eyes widen as he bites his lips. Jason stares at her every move. Charity laughs with the others girls, her eyes are so inviting. Jason stares on like a stalker. The truck door opens. Jason knocks papers off the dashboard with his feet. Jason gathers himself. ZACK (takes a seat) You okay? Zack looks away from Jason and at the girls. JASON (O.S.) Yea, ready to go. Zack shuts the door. ZACK Were you checking out Charity? JASON Nah, just daydreaming. 67. ZACK Whatever, you were so. Probably daydreaming about her. Jason turns on the truck ZACK (CONT'D) She's a nice looking girl. JASON Hmm. Jason looks away and slips in a grin. ZACK Why don't you go over and talk to her, she's a nice girl? JASON Nah, so, how was practice? ZACK Hold on, don't change the subject. You really like her, don't you? Jason slides his head back toward Zack and slips in a peek of Charity. JASON She's pretty cute. ZACK Go over and ask her out. JASON There's no use. Anyway she's still in high school. ZACK So, you just graduated last year. What type of an excuse is that? JASON I don't know. ZACK Come on Jason. JASON You think she goes for guys with only one hand? Jason drives out from the parking spot. ZACK I heard her ex boyfriend only had one hand too. 68. JASON Whatever. You're so full of it. ZACK Yea, I heard that she is so awesome that he couldn't HANDle her. Jason and Zack chuckle. Jason turns the steering wheel. Jason stares out the window at Charity. ZACK (O.S.) (CONT'D) Hey! Zack ducks down in his seat to hide. Jason fidgets in his seat, nowhere to hide. Charity looks over to Jason and smiles. CHARITY (waving) Hello Jason. Jason tenses up. JASON (stutters) Hello. Charity smiles at Jason. Jason blushes as he smiles back. Zack still hides in his seat and laughs. Jason drives off looking at Charity through the rearview mirror. Charity watches Jason drive away. Jason punches Zack in the arm as Zack laughs. JASON (CONT'D) Dude! Zack sits up and messes Jason's hair. ZACK Way to go Casanova. Hello. (stutters) Hello. (stutters) Jason laughs and hits Zack again. JASON Shut up. 69. EXT. TRUCK - ROAD - DAY The truck heads down the road with the tailgate open. Two female teenagers walk along the side of the road. The truck stops at the intersection. Zack hangs his head out the window and waves at the girls. ZACK (stutters) Hello! The girls look at Zack with a strange expression. GIRL 1 Dork. The truck pulls away, Zack hangs out the window laughing. Jason pushes Zack on the shoulder. The truck drives down the road. ZACK (O.S.) (stutters) Hello! INT. FARM GARAGE - DAY Bill is on his knees tightening up lug nuts on the tractor's left front tire. Bill's hands are greasy as he turns the lug wrench. Zack enters the side garage door and dashes around. ZACK Jason! Jason! Bill gets up from behind the tractor. BILL He's raking the hay. Zack jogs back to the door. BILL (CONT'D) Hey! How was school today? ZACK Good. Good. Zack runs out the door. Bill smiles and shakes his head. Bill goes back to work. EXT. HAYFIELD - DAY The field has rows of cut alfalfa. The hay rake wheels spin over the ground, forming a row of hay. Jason steers the tractor with a hay rake attached. 70. Zack runs across the field and jumps over the hay rows. Zack nears Jason. The tractor VIBRATES through the field. ZACK Jason! Jason! Jason eyes bunch together. Jason looks toward Zack. Jason slows the tractor down to a stop and shuts the tractor off. JASON What? ZACK Wanna go to a party? JASON What kind of party? ZACK A party over at Cameron's house. JASON Cameron. (rolling eyes) He's such a prick. ZACK Yea, I know. But someone else will be there. JASON Who? ZACK Charity. (raises eyebrow) Come on, Jason. Jason gently bobs his head up and down. JASON Yea. (beat) I guess it won't hurt to get out a little bit. Zack hops up in the air. ZACK Cool! We got four hours, so get moving Casanova. Jason smiles. Zack gallops through the field, jumping over the rows of hay. Zack gleefully kicks a row of hay. JASON Hey! 71. Jason shakes his head and smiles. Jason starts the tractor; the tractor CLANGS and BANGS. INT. CAMERON'S HOUSE - NIGHT LIVING ROOM Rock music BLARES as teenagers dance in the living room. A teenager bongs a beer near the dance floor with fellow buddies. GROUP Chug! Chug! Chug! The teen raises his hands after he accomplishes chugging down the beer. A couple kiss on the steps leading up to the second floor. Jason and Zack enter the house decked out in their best attire. A few people greet them as they talk, slap hands, and laugh. The brothers make their way through the dance floor. Friends within the dancing mob wave at the brothers as they near the kitchen. KITCHEN People go in and out of the kitchen with cups and beer bottles. Zack and Jason enter with a friend. Cameron sees Zack and Jason. CAMERON Hey Zack! Jason! Cameron slightly staggers towards them. CAMERON (CONT'D) How's it going man? (to Jason) I haven't seen you forever. Cameron peeks at Jason's artificial hand. JASON Don't worry it won't bite. What you got to drink? CAMERON We got beer, whiskey, vodka, wine coolers for the ladies. You name it, we got it. JASON You have any sweet tea? 72. CAMERON Sweet Tea! Did you also loose your balls in the accident? Jason bunch his eyebrows at Cameron. Zack walks toward the refrigerator. JASON Nah, just the arm. Zack digs through all the beer bottles in the refrigerator; bottles CLING. Zack pulls out a pitcher of sweet tea. ZACK I found it. CAMERON Sure you don't wanna beer? Cameron's eyes are glossy. CAMERON (CONT'D) I also got some jungle juice over there (points at a pot) If you want some of that. A large pot on the kitchen floor has a purplish color liquor concoction. A tipsy girl hangs on a boy; the boy pours the concoction by a ladle into his cup. Zack hands Jason a cup of sweat tea. Cameron pours moonshine from a canning jar into five shot glasses, some of the liquid spills onto the counter. Cameron's two friends stand by and wait for the shots. CAMERON (CONT'D) This is some of my Daddy's moonshine. They say this stuff will turn you into a man. JASON You're crazy, it looks like you had enough already. CAMERON Shit, the party is just getting started. Cameron hands shots to his friends. CAMERON (CONT'D) Come on guys, have a shot. Be a man! 73. ZACK We don't need any of that stuff to have a good time. Jason shakes his head no. CAMERON Okay. Cameron hands the other two shots to other people in the kitchen. Jason glares at Cameron. Cameron staggers as he raises his shot glass for a toast. CAMERON (CONT'D) This is to all my friends who are ready to party and even... Cameron eyes become blurry and whisked his glass toward Jason and Zack. CAMERON (CONT'D) And even to the party poopers. Everyone downs the shot. A boy starts to cough and gasps for a breath. Cameron and others laugh. Cameron staggers and his eyes crunch up, all is blurry. Cameron stumbles and falls onto the large pot of liquor. Jason looks at Zack and shakes his head. JASON Idiot. ZACK Come on Jason, let's see who else is here. JASON Yea. Jason and Zack walk to the doorway; people enter the kitchen to see Cameron's blunder. Cameron struggles to his elbows. Friends lift Cameron up from the floor. Cameron's clothes soak of purple. LIVING ROOM Couples slow dance to a love song. Jason and Zack walk from the kitchen. JASON I never did like that fool. ZACK Yea, he is... Jason bumps into Charity. 74. JASON I'm sorry. Charity's hair is silky, eyes glimmer, and lips plush. Charity smiles. They ogle at each other. CHARITY That's okay Jason, I was hoping I might bump into you tonight. Charity and Jason stare at one another. Zack smiles as he watches their reactions. ZACK I'm going to talk to Robert. Jason slightly nods; Zack walks away. Jason and Charity eyes remain fixated on each other. JASON You want to dance? CHARITY Sure, I would love to. Jason extends his metal clamp for Charity. Charity grabs a hold of the clamp. JASON Sorry. Jason pulls back the metal clamp; Charity pulls it back toward her. CHARITY It's okay, Jason. Jason smiles at Charity. They walk out to the dance floor and begin to slow dance. Zack talks with Robert near the front door. Zack turns to look at Jason and Charity dance. Zack smiles. Jason and Charity draw closer to each other while they slow dance. Charity smiles at Jason. Jason smiles at Charity. The wannabe DEEJAY shuffles through a crate of music cd's. Jason and Charity slowly pull apart and stare at each other. DEEJAY (O.S.) Are we ready to get a little funky in the house? Lets raise the heat up in here a little. Yea. You know what to do. A hip hop song BOOMS; the dance floor overcrowds. Jason and Charity stand still and grin at one another. 75. People dance and shuffle around Jason and Charity. JASON Wanna go for a walk! CHARITY Sure! Charity and Jason nears the front door to exit. Zack watches the two lovebirds. ZACK Better be back in a little bit, we have to get up early. Zack grins. JASON Yes, daddy. Jason winks at Zack and exits the house. EXT. SUBDIVISION SIDEWALK - NIGHT Charity and Jason hold hands down a serene sidewalk lined with trees and lampposts. The moons glow peeks through the trees as Jason looks at Charity. Charity eyes slightly flicker with attraction towards Jason. JASON You are so beautiful. Charity blushes and turns her head slowly toward the ground. Jason looks at Charity; Charity looks back with a smile. CHARITY Thank you. They walk as Charity nestles her head on Jason's shoulder. CHARITY (CONT'D) I was so overwhelmed when Zack told me that you liked me. I would never have thought that you would want anything to do with me. Charity slightly burrows her head into Jason. JASON Why not, look at you. Jason gazes at her deep brown eyes. JASON (CONT'D) To tell you the truth, I am surprised you want to go out with me. Jason lifts up his metal clamp to show Charity. 76. JASON (CONT'D) What do you want me for? I am sure you can find better. CHARITY I don't think so. (beat) There is something I always liked about you. JASON What's that? CHARITY You have this presence. It's hard to explain, (beat) But I like it. JASON Thanks. Charity and Jason stop their walk beneath a large oak tree. Charity raises her head off his shoulder and looks him in the eyes. JASON (CONT'D) I must be dreaming, I feel like a different person right now with you. Jason takes his hand and rubs it down her cheek. JASON (CONT'D) You are so beautiful, when I look in your eyes, I can see happiness...It calms me. Charity nears his face. CHARITY I want you to know. Charity kisses Jason on the cheek. Charity backs off slightly. CHARITY (CONT'D) My heart is yours for the takin', but we need to take our time. Jason stares at Charity. Jason kisses her softly on the lips with the moon glowing between them. Their lips peel apart slowly. Jason smiles. JASON We can take all the time we need. They stare at each other. A glow peeks through the tree. 77. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT Jason sits back driving with a grin. JASON Mmm. I love that girl. Jason turns to look at Macky. MACKY She came in at the right time in your life, like an angel. JASON Yea, she opened my eyes up. She made me see things in a different light... RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) Interception Martinsburg! Jason's attention diverts toward the radio. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) (CONT'D) What a play by Tommy Smith to snag that ball out of the air and bring it up to the Martinsburg Thirty Six Yard line! JASON Go Tommy! Yea! Jason bounces around with excitement and looks at Macky. Macky shakes his head. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) This could be what Martinsburg has been looking for. This could get them back into the game to tie it up. Jason looks at the radio. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) (on radio) There's nine minutes and forty eight seconds to go in the fourth. Martinsburg needs to mix up the offense a little bit and try to catch Morgantown off guard. Jason drives as he glances at Macky. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) Stay tuned for what seems to be turning into an exciting ball game. We will be right back after these messages. 78. JASON They might have a shot! They just need to tie this game up. Then it's a whole new ball game. MACKY Yup, anything can happen. Macky smiles as if he knows something. COMMERCIAL 2 (V.O.) ...At City Hospital, we have the best cardio center in the state of West Virginia. Call or come in for an appointment today, because we not only save lives, we put our heart into it. Jason stares out the windshield as he drives. Macky looks at Jason. MACKY Your Dad sure had a lot of heart, didn't he? Jason drops his head slightly; Macky notices the reaction. JASON You couldn't tell by looking at him. He was always there for Zack and I. (beat) Some people might call him a stubborn man, but he always believed that right was right and wrong was wrong. MACKY No gray area, always black and white, that's interesting. Jason looks at Macky with a peculiar look. JASON Yup, (constricts eyebrows) black and white. Jason looks at Macky and focuses deep into his brown eyes. EXT. MARTINSBURG FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT FIELD Brown eyes of the black Martinsburg running back pierce with determination as sweat drips down his face. The running back runs down the sideline untouched as he scores a touchdown. He turns and celebrates with his teammates on the field. 79. Stands The crowd stand to their feet and cheer. INSERT SCOREBOARD, which reads: "HOME - 32 VISITORS - 0 4TH QUARTER 02:11" BACK TO SCENE Jason hugs Charity, who wears a band uniform. Jason high-fives Bill's hand. The fans around them celebrate. The three of them look toward the field. A Hedgesville kick returner runs to the twenty five yard line as he is tackled. FIELD The Martinsburg defense enters onto the playing field. Zack trots to his linebacker position. Zack yells at his teammates and points at the quarterback. The Hedgesville quarterback takes the ball from the center and hands it off to the running back. Zack clobbers the running back for a loss of three yards. Zack trots back to his position; teammates slap Zack's shoulder pads. STANDS Everyone stands to their feet to cheer. JASON Nice hit Zack! BILL Go Zack! CHARITY Yea! The three sit back down. The fans quiet down. FIELD The Hedgesville quarterback gets behind center. The quarterback barks out the play. HEGESVILLE QUARTERBACK Eighty-eight roll! Eighty-eight roll! Hike! The Hedgesville center hikes the ball. The quarterback fakes the hand off to the running back and drops back to pass. 80. A Hedgesville receiver sprints down the field; a black Martinsburg defensive back hustles behind. The ball floats in the air and lands in the receivers hands. The receiver runs; the defensive back trips and rolls on the field. The receiver runs untouched for a touchdown. STANDS The fans HUSH and look at one another. A burly REDNECK man (40'S), in front of Jason, throws his hand into the air. REDNECK Damn! Stupid nigger! Jason confronts the Redneck. JASON What's your problem? That's my friend out there. The Redneck turns his head slightly. REDNECK Well, tell your friend that he sucks. He just cost us the shut out. The Redneck turns his back around. Jason lips twist from disappointment. JASON No, you suck! The Redneck glances at Jason's clamp. REDNECK (titters) Whatever, freak. Jason eyes widen. JASON Whatever, you fat ass redneck. The Redneck turns around and goes to grab Jason. Bill grabs the Rednecks arm with POWER. The man looks at Bill in fear. A young blond man, sitting next to the redneck, peeks at Bill. Bill has intense eyes. BILL You better not lay one finger on him! If you do, I promise you that you will forever regret it! 81. Jason and Charity are full of shock, they gawk at Bill. The Redneck's eyes are full of fear and nods his head yes. BILL (CONT'D) You understand me! The Redneck shakes his head up and down faster. Bill releases his death grip. REDNECK I'm sorry sir. The Redneck stands and taps the young blond man on his shoulder. REDNECK (CONT'D) Come on Travis. It's time to go. The Redneck walks away. Travis with head down glimpses at Jason. JASON Travis. Jason and Charity stare at the two men leaving. BILL (O.S.) Some people just don't get it. JASON (grinning) Yea, tell me about it. EXT. FARM GARAGE - EVENING Jason drives a tractor; Zack stands on the tractors hitch. Jason pulls up to the farm garage and parks the tractor. Zack steps off the hitch. Jason climbs down from the tractor. They walk toward the house. A black luxury sedan sets in the driveway behind the old scrappy truck. JASON Who's car is that? ZACK I don't know, but it sure looks nice. JASON Someone has money. EXT. DRIVEWAY - FARM HOUSE - DAY Zack and Jason move towards the car checking it out. BILL (O.S.) What am I supposed to do! 82. The boys yank their heads toward the house. BILL (O.S.) (CONT'D) Pull the money out from my behind! I told you I am working this farm on bare minimum and I got doctor bills coming from everywhere! Jason glances at Zack. Zack shrugs his shoulders. JASON I wonder what is going on? ZACK I don't know. MR. BARKER (50's), a balding man in a suit with a briefcase, opens the door. He walks down a step on the porch and looks back at Bill. MR. BARKER Bill I don't know what to tell you. I'm sorry. Bill stands at the doorway. Jason and Zack step away from the sedan. Mr. Barker looks at the boys with a dishearten look. BILL Mr. Barker, now there has to be something I can do. I got two boys, this is our lives. Mr. Barker frowns at Bill. MR. BARKER I am sorry Bill. You have a hundred and twenty days. Bill looks to the boys with sadness and stares out towards the fields. Mr. Barker turns and walks to his sedan. Mr. Barker opens the car door and looks at Jason and Zack. MR. BARKER (CONT'D) Sorry boys. Mr. Barker gets in his sedan. Jason and Zack watch the car pull away. Jason walks toward their father. JASON A hundred and twenty days for what? 83. Bill avoids the question and looks away. ZACK Dad what is wrong? Bill takes a deep breath and looks at the boys. BILL We're losing the farm. JASON But why? Is it because of my medical bills. BILL Not really, its a bunch of stuff. JASON Like what? BILL (lowers chin) Don't worry about that, what's done is done. ZACK We have to move? BILL Yea. JASON But, what are you going to do Dad? BILL I guess go get a job like everyone else. I really don't know son. Bill turns and walks inside the house with his head held down. Jason looks at Zack, both look lost for words. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT Bill slouches over the kitchen table. Bill gazes at his plate and places his hand on his head with uncertainty. Zack walks toward the door glancing at his father. EXT. PORCH - NIGHT Jason rocks back and forth on the porch swing. Crickets CHIRP in the field. Jason contemplates toward the stars. Zack walks out onto the porch, the screen door SQUEAKS. Zack joins Jason on the swing. 84. ZACK Dad, sure looks sad. JASON I wish there was a way we could keep this place. (look toward the stars) In a few more months, he will not only lose the farm, but us to in a way. ZACK Yea, but Dad always comes through. I am sure Dad will find someway to keep the farm. JASON I hope, but the look on that guy's face and Dad's face. I think it's over. ZACK Dad has put his whole life into this place, it just doesn't seem fair. The brothers look toward the stars. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT Bill stands at the kitchen screen door and eavesdrops on the conversation. JASON (O.S.) Hopefully there is something better waiting for him. ZACK (O.S.) I hope there is too. Bill turns away from the screen door. An old family portrait hangs on the wall; Bill stares at it. The PICTURE includes his once young wife with two toddlers, Jason and Zack. Bill tilts his head up slightly. BILL (whispers) Oh God, I hope you know what you're doing. Bill's frowns; the light flickers. Bill begins to grin. EXT. BARN - DAY Bill and Jason appear from the corner of the barn, sweat and dirt covers their bodies and clothes. They walk to the water hydrant. Bill lifts the hydrant handle. Bill takes the hose and washes his arms clean. 85. JASON Why are we fixing that broken pipe? It's not like we'll be here much longer. Jason takes the hose and wash his arm and face. BILL It's broken and it needs to be fixed. (shakes arms to dry) You just don't give up when you think it's all over. JASON Yea, but but it is. The man said so. BILL I know what he said. That's why I'm putting it in Gods hands. Jason tosses the hose to the side. JASON But... Jason rolls his eyes and shakes his head. BILL But what, seems you have doubt in him? Bill turns the water hydrant off. JASON But this is your life. BILL No, you boys and your Mom are my life. (bites lip) There are only two places I want to be and that is with my boys or in Heaven with your Mom. Don't get me wrong, I love this place, but there is nothing more important than you all. (lays hand on Jason) You understand? JASON I understand. BILL Well you better go get Zack from practice. 86. JASON Okay. (beat) You mind if Charity comes over tomorrow? BILL That's fine, as long as it's ok with her parents. I have to tell you Jason, (nods head) she's a good one. JASON (smiles) Yea, she is. EXT. BARN - DAY Zack walks toward the tractor. Jason stops in front of the barn door. JASON Wonder where Dad is? Zack climbs onto the tractor and sits. ZACK He's somewhere. You know him, always doing something. Zack smiles comforts Jason. JASON Yea. ZACK Well, I better get this done. JASON Okay, I better start milking. Zack starts the tractor. Zack drives away and Jason enters the barn. EXT. BARNYARD - DAY Jason herds cows towards the barn. Jason glances around the barnyard. INT. BARN - DAY Jason bends down to put milkers on the cows teats. Jason stands up and waits. Jason looks around the barn. LATER 87. Jason scoops feed with a hand held scoop, throwing it into a trough. The cows gulp the feed pellets. Jason looks out the barn window and searches. Jason feeds the next cow. LATER Jason herds the cows out of the barn. The cows enter the barnyard; Jason scans the barnyard. Jason shuts the doors. INT. BARN HAYLOFT - DAY Jason enters the dim hayloft and opens the hayloft door. The sunlight brightens portions of the hayloft. Jason grabs a bale of hay and carries it toward the hayloft door. Bill lies on a pile of hay with his eyes shut. Bill has an awkward smile on his face. Jason bounces with a step. JASON There you are. (snickers) Sleeping on the job, are we? Jason walks toward Bill, carrying the bale of hay. JASON (CONT'D) Come on get up. Get up. Jason eyes are weary as he drops the hay. Bill's eyes remain shut and peacefully smiles. JASON (CONT'D) Dad! Wake up. Jason nudges Bill's shoulder; Bill's smile is peaceful. JASON (O.S.) (CONT'D) Dad. Jason falls to his knees. Jason lays his head on Bill's knee and begins to cry. Jason lays a hand on Bill's hand. JASON (CONT'D) Why? Jason squeezes Bill's hand. JASON (CONT'D) Please don't go. Jason caresses Bill's hand. Jason weeps and peeks at Bill's smile. 88. JASON (CONT'D) I love you. (beat) Say hi to Mom for me. Macky stands frozen at the hay mound entrance. The old hard- ass stares at Bill; eyes glossy. Macky gazes and a large tear runs down his face. MACKY (sternly) Come on boy. (slightly quivers) What's done is done. Jason turns his head toward Macky and lowers his chin. MACKY (V.O.) (CONT'D) Sometimes I wonder... EXT. HAYFIELD - DAY A pleasant autumn afternoon, a gust flutters red maple leaves on a flimsy branch. A stream trickles below, colored leaves float atop the water. MACKY (V.O.) If he knew all along. I think some people know when its their time to go. A thick honeysuckle bush leads to a vast hayfield. Along the hillside is a large white tent and rows of occupied chairs. A casket lays above ground as a preacher performs the burial. PREACHER ...And let us not forget those precious things that Bill has left behind for us to enjoy. Jason, Zack, and Charity sit in the front row along with other family members. Jason and Zack remain strong, eyes dead ahead. Charity lays her arm over Jason's shoulder. PREACHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) Our memories of him will be everlasting. Let's Pray. Jason and Zack stand and move towards the casket. They look over the casket; they bow their heads with tears on their cheeks. 89. TOGETHER IN PRAYER (O.S.) The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul... Jason puts his arms around Zack and pulls him near with their heads held down. Long faces continue to recite the prayer, M.O.S. Macky stands by himself, behind the crowd, as he grimaces. Zack lays his hand on the casket. Jason brings Zack in tighter to his side. The preacher recites the prayer, M.O.S. The brothers stand over the casket. TOGETHER IN PRAYER (O.S.) (CONT'D) In Jesus name, Amen. JASON/ZACK (whisper) Amen. EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY A car pulls out of the driveway. People slowly walk to their vehicles. Charity stands by Jason's side as Jason and Zack hug their family members. The just hugged family members continue to their vehicles, heads hung low. There is inaudible mumbling. STEVE (40's) a savvy, gray haired man, approaches the brothers. Jason and Zack exchange handshakes with Steve. STEVE Hello, Jason. Hello Zack. My name is Steve Lowder and I am your father's attorney. First, I want to say your father was a great man and he was a blessing to be around. Steve pulls out a business card and gives it to Jason. STEVE (CONT'D) I need you boys to come by my office by the end of the week. JASON What is it about? 90. STEVE I will let you know when you come by the office, but I have to do some more research and calling around tonight to make sure I am not missing something. ZACK Is it something bad? STEVE No boys, no need to worry over this. It's something dealing with the farm. JASON Aw' the farm. Jason looks disappointed. ZACK We'll be there tomorrow. Might as well get this over and done with. JASON Yea. STEVE Okay, I'll see y'all tomorrow. Jason and Zack nod their heads wanting to get rid of the attorney. Steve walks toward his car. Jason and Zack watch Steve drive away in a BMW. Charity shakes her head. CHARITY I can't believe the audacity of that man. Talking business on this day. JASON Yea, now I see why lawyers have a bad rap. ZACK Tell me about it. Jason and Zack turn around to exchange hugs with family members. INT. FARM HOUSE - MORNING BROTHERS BEDROOM The alarm clock BUZZES, it reads, "5:00". Jason's clamp stumbles over the nightstand, knocking over a picture frame. The clamp flicks a button; the alarm shuts off. 91. Jason's head is buried under the covers. Jason removes the covers. He sits on the edge of the bed wiping his eyes with his good hand. JASON Get up Zack. Come on its five o'clock. Zack GRUMBLES as Jason gets out of bed. Jason staggers to the dresser. HALLWAY - LATER Jason staggers down the hallway. BILL'S BEDROOM The bedroom door opens. JASON Dad. Come on, it's time to get up. (eyes creeping open) Dad. Come on. Jason flicks the light on. The bed is empty. Jason holds his head down with a frown. Jason turns off the light and shuts the door. The bedroom is silent; dim sunlight pokes through the window. The sunrays spread over the wood floor. MACKY (V.O.) The sun always comes up the next day. Just not for everyone, I guess. KITCHEN - LATER Zack walks and yawns, putting on his old West Virginia University ball cap. Jason hands Zack a cup of coffee. Zack takes a sip. ZACK I needed something to get me going this morning. JASON I know what you mean. (sips coffee) Well, lets get the day started. Zack stretches his arm and carefully holds the cup of coffee in the other hand. ZACK (yawning) Yea. 92. They walk toward the door and exit; the morning still innocent and calm. EXT. BARN - MORNING The sun creeps up over the mountains. A reddish haze fills the sky. The fields seem so tranquil, the barn seems so minute. INT. BARN - DAY Jason herds the cows out of the barn. EXT. BANK BARN - DAY Cows gather around the fence to get hay. Zack cuts the strings off a hay bale, stuffs the strings in his back pocket. Zack picks up the bale and throws it over the fence to the cows. Zack leans against the fence and counts the cows. ZACK (bobs head) ...Eighteen, nineteen. (nods head) Must be time. Zack turns and trots away from the fence. EXT. COW LOT - DAY The scrappy truck moves along the plush fence line of the cow lot. The truck slightly bounces from the rough ground. Jason hangs out the window, searching through the trees. A branch slaps Jason across the face. Zack snickers while steering the truck; Jason's face cringes. Jason searches through the trees. JASON (pointing) There she is. Under a tree, lays a cow with all four feet sticking straight out and bloated. Jason and Zack get out of the truck. Jason lands on the other side of the fence. Zack catapults himself over the fence with ease. The cow BELLOWS. The cow kicks its legs around and struggles to move. Jason kneels down to see two calves feet poking out. Zack hovers behind Jason. 93. JASON (CONT'D) Give me some string. Zack hands Jason a string of bailer twine. They both tie up the hooves of the unborn calf. The cow BELLOWS. ZACK Easy there. JASON Okay. Ready. ZACK Yea. They crouch on the ground, string in hand, watching the cows stomach. The cow breathes in. The cow breathes out. JASON Now! Jason and Zack pull on the strings. The cow BELLOWS. JASON (CONT'D) Come on! Let her out. Zack and Jason wait. The cow breathes in. The cow breathes out. JASON (CONT'D) Now! The cow BELLOWS. Zack's face lights up. ZACK There we go, she's coming. JASON Next one should do it. Zack and Jason wait. The cow breathes in. The cow breathes out. JASON (CONT'D) Now! Jason and Zack pull on the strings. The cow BELLOWS. The calf slides out covered in placenta. ZACK Yea! The cow BELLOWS. 94. JASON There you go. Zack and Jason smile at each other. Jason lifts the hind legs up of the calf. JASON (CONT'D) We got a female. Jason smiles as he slaps Zack on his back. The cow approaches its newborn and sniffs the calf over. The cow licks the calf. Jason and Zack watch the cow and calf. ZACK It seems weird doesn't it. JASON Whatcha' mean? ZACK Well, yesterday we buried our Dad on this farm. (beat) And today we give birth to a new life. Zack ponders. Jason looks to Zack. ZACK (CONT'D) I think it's a sign. A sign of a new beginning for us. JASON (glances at the ground) Maybe. ZACK I Pray things get better. JASON Yea. Jason and Zack walk toward the fence. Jason puts his hand on top of the fence post to climb. ZACK (O.S.) I pray that Dad is with Mom in Heaven. Jason stops and turns to Zack. Jason lays his foot down. JASON I'm sure he is. Jason eyes look to the ground with sadness. 95. ZACK Dad told me about Heaven. He said, you know that feeling you get when you accomplished something you thought was impossible...Or that feeling you have when you daydream...Or when you get so happy that you begin to cry. You know those feelings? Jason grins and nods his head yes. ZACK (CONT'D) God has a place. JASON/ZACK Like that waiting for us. A place where the only tears shed are tears of happiness. JASON I always loved it when he would tell me about Heaven. You almost had to believe him. ZACK When I am down, thinking of Heaven always picks me up. Jason and Zack look up. Charity is on the other side of the fence with a smile, maybe eavesdropping a bit. CHARITY Good morning. Is that a newborn calf! JASON Yup, we just delivered it a few moments ago. Charity looks in awe. Zack and Jason grin. CHARITY That is so awesome. It is so cute. The calf wobbles as it gets up. ZACK Want to pet it? CHARITY I don't know. JASON Come on, it won't bite. CHARITY Okay. 96. Jason helps Charity climb the fence. Charity smiles at Jason. Jason smiles back. Charity creeps over to the calf to pet it. The calf backs away and CRIES. CHARITY (CONT'D) It's so cute. Jason and Zack watch Charity creep back toward the calf. The mother cow moves toward her calf. Charity darts into Jason's arms. Jason and Zack laugh. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - EVENING Through the windshield, a vans brake lights glow. Jason turns the steering wheel to pass the van. The decal on the side of the van reads, "GORDON'S MEATS". Macky looks at Jason. MACKY That was something special that day. JASON Yea. Macky stares at Jason. MACKY Life's so precious. Some people just don't realize how precious it is. JASON Yea. You never know when it's your time to say good-bye. Macky analyzes Jason's behavior, his eyes move up and down. MACKY Are you scared to die? JASON (slight confusion) Why do you ask? Macky hesitates to answer and looks out the window. Macky turns back to Jason. MACKY Well, are you? JASON (fidgets) Of course I am afraid. 97. MACKY Hmm. JASON What? Macky bites his lip, reluctant to speak. Macky looks to Jason. MACKY The secret to life is, when you realize that Heaven awaits you and that you, and only you, welcome... The truck CLATTERS from a pothole; Jason bounces in his seat. INT. TRUCK - DAY Jason and Zack bounce in their seat. Ahead through the windshield, another speed bump sets in the road. Zack stares out the window. Many businesses line the strip mall. A sign over one unit reads, "STEPHEN O. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW". Jason turns the truck into a parking space. INT. STEVE'S OFFICE - DAY Jason and Zack are shown into the office by a secretary. The office had leather seats and a nice library of books, you can smell the money. SECRETARY Have a seat boys. Steve will be in shortly. The boys wander toward the seats. Zack notices a black and white picture on the wall, moves to get a closer look. The PICTURE has five football players with their arms over one another. Zack's mouth gapes open in surprise. ZACK Hey Jason, look, it's Dad. Jason walks toward Zack and the picture. ZACK (CONT'D) (pointing) And that looks like the, the lawyer. JASON Yea. (eyes widen) 98. STEVE (O.S.) That's me all right. Jason and Zack turn around surprised. STEVE (CONT'D) Your Dad and I played on the line together back in the day. We were known as the CLUBS. JASON The Clubs! That's a weird name. Steve huddles with Jason and Zack around the picture. Steve points to the players. STEVE There is Cliff, (points at Cliff) That boy would eat a cow if you let him. He passed away two years ago from a heart attack. Steve shakes his head. STEVE (CONT'D) Lonnie, (points at Lonnie) He was the pretty boy in the bunch, could get any girl he wanted, well almost any girl. He owns the movie theaters over there in Hagerstown. Zack and Jason eagerly look on. STEVE (CONT'D) Greg, (points at Greg) But we call him Ugly, The girls never cared for him so much. I guess being the class clown had its disadvantages. Last I heard he just retired from the Air Force and is living in Dayton, Ohio. Then of course your father. The brothers ears and eyes move closer. STEVE (CONT'D) He was the leader of the bunch. He was the one who kept the unit together through good and bad. No one could hit like he could. Well other than you boys. Jason and Zack smile with pride. 99. STEVE (CONT'D) And me, I guess I was the slick and savvy one in the bunch and that's probably why I'm a lawyer. Steve chuckles and looks at the boys. STEVE (CONT'D) Remember I said Lonnie could get any girl he wanted, except for one? JASON/ZACK Yea. STEVE Well, that woman he wanted was your mother, Debbie. She was every mans dream girl back in the day. There was only one man in her life and that was Bill. Those two were one together. Steve watches Zack and Jason stare at the picture. STEVE (CONT'D) There you go, the Clubs. It spelled out our names, Cliff, Lonnie, Ugly, Bill, Steve. When you played against us, you were going to get clobbered. Everyone chuckles. JASON That's cool. ZACK Yea. Steve goes to his seat. STEVE Go ahead and take a seat. They all sit in their seats. Steve rolls his expensive leather chair to the right to get a folder off another desk and rolls back. STEVE (CONT'D) I am sorry about yesterday, I wasn't clear why I wanted you here today, but I didn't want to get your hopes up. Steve opens the folder and smiles. Jason nods his head with newfound clarity. 100. STEVE (CONT'D) Of course you know that your Dad was about to loose the farm. He had one hundred twenty days from this notice. Steve holds up a document and scans it. STEVE (CONT'D) It says that if a hundred and sixty- four thousand is not paid within a hundred and twenty days of the date on this paper, the farm goes over to Berkeley County. JASON Yea, we know that. STEVE But what you don't know is. Steve grabs another folder and opens it up. STEVE (CONT'D) When your Dad first bought the farm, I helped him set up his farm mortgage, a will, and insurances. At the time they just started this new insurance. Bill didn't want nothing with it since money was tight. But I stayed on him everyday for about a month, until he finally agreed to take on the insurance policy. ZACK So what does it do? STEVE Well, this insurance says if you shall pass away, any debt accrued from farm expenditures will be paid in full and any children or spouse will receive benefits until once the spouse remarries or the children graduate high school or college. JASON So... STEVE Yup, (nods) The farm belongs to you two, paid in full. Also, while you all go to college. Steve grabs another paper and looks it over. 101. STEVE (CONT'D) You will receive monthly checks toward living expenses of about three hundred dollars. Jason and Zack look at each other amazed. Steve smiles from their reaction. JASON I never expected this. This sure is better than what I thought was going to happen. STEVE Yea, (smiles) If I know Bill, he will want me to tell you boys, make him proud and do the best you can. Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. JASON We will do our best, sir. ZACK Me too. Steve pulls out a few documents. STEVE I have a few papers to sign to make this official. Jason, are you over eighteen? JASON Yes. STEVE Good, (scans a paper) Then we don't have to worry about any greedy fingers messing around the pot then. Steve lays papers out for Jason to sign ZACK Well, how much do we owe you for this? STEVE (sharp) A lot! Zack and Jason glimpse at each other with worrisome eyes. 102. STEVE (CONT'D) What I want is (lingering eyes) For Martinsburg to win the state championship game and season tickets to West Virginia so I can come up and see you boys. Zack and Jason smile; Steve winks at the boys. ZACK I think we can manage that for you. JASON You sure do drive a hard bargain. STEVE Good then. Jason grabs the pen and signs the paperwork. EXT. HARPERS FERRY, WV - JEFFERSON ROCK - DAY Charity gazes and relishes the view in front of her. Her hair blows from the breeze. In front of her, the sun crests on the mountains. A bird flies from afar down to a tree near the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. The rivers sparkle like diamonds from the sunlight. Charity gazes as she sits on Jefferson Rock. CHARITY This is so beautiful. JASON (O.S.) Yes it is. CHARITY (smiles) I bet you are relieved about the farm? JASON Yea, something is finally going our way for once. Jason slightly shifts to get comfortable. CHARITY How is everything? Jason looks toward the scenery. JASON I am doing fine. (MORE) 103. JASON (CONT'D) (at Charity) Sometimes it seems so overwhelming at times, though. CHARITY I can't imagine, but I know you can do it. JASON (grins) Thanks. (beat) How are you? CHARITY Good, especially when I am around you. (smiles) Tell me more. Tell me, what you're thinking? Jason ponders for a moment. JASON Why do you think things happen the way they do? CHARITY Maybe, it's a test to find out who we really are. JASON Losing my Mom, my Dad, and with my arm. Is God trying to make me a stronger person? (looks away) I'm not sure what to think anymore. Charity looks at Jason; Jason's eyes weakened. CHARITY Maybe it's not that He is trying to make you stronger. (into his eyes) Maybe God thinks you're strong enough to handle it. Jason grins and ponders. JASON Why me, why my Mom and Dad, even Zack? Why did it have to be our family? Charity reaches for his hand. 104. CHARITY I really don't know. Perhaps He knows that your family has found what others are looking for. Jason looks into her eyes. JASON Looking for what? CHARITY God. Every time I am with you, I feel His presence. JASON (mumbles) Yea. Charity hugs Jason. Charity softly kisses Jason, their eyes open as their lips pull apart. A butterfly flaps around their faces. The butterfly toys with them. Charity giggles; Jason enjoys her smile. EXT. FARM ROAD - FENCE LINE - DAY The sun hangs above the mountains from afar. Cows graze on the grass in the cow lot. Trees run parallel with the fence. A hammer THUMPS repeatedly. Jason hammers a staple into a post. Jason bends over to grab another staple from a metal bucket. Jason hammers the staple into the post. The farm truck comes to a stop near Jason. Zack wears his football jersey and slightly hangs out the driver side window. ZACK Looks like you are almost finished. JASON Yea, just a little bit more to go. ZACK Well, we better go now. If we're picking up Charity. JASON Okay, I'll finish this later on. Jason tosses the hammer into the metal bucket. ZACK You want to drive? JASON Sure. 105. Zack slides over the seat; Jason gets into the truck. INT. HIGHWAY INTERSECTION - TRUCK - DAY Lanes of vehicles wait for a green light. Jason stares straight ahead with his clamp resting on the driver side window. Jason scans over to the vehicle alongside them. Two young boys point at Jason's clamp with murky faces. The boys look at Jason's face, caught by surprise. The boys duck below the side window. Jason leans his head back to the windshield and stares. Vehicles begin to move; Jason still stares. ZACK Jason. Jason blinks and refocuses ahead; a horn BLOWS. JASON Sorry. Jason drives off with a frown. EXT. MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL - DAY A mass of students and parents flock around buses lined up in the parking lot. Football players wear travel jerseys as they load football equipment unto the bus. Band members meddle about while carrying their instrument cases. The cheerleaders huddle in groups, gossiping about anything and everything. Several parents hug their kids before they release them into the commotion. Jason, Charity, and Zack walk away from the truck towards the chaos. Mickey hobbles toward the three. Mickey carries a note pad and pen with a camera that dangles from his shoulders. MICKEY Zack, can I talk to you for a second? ZACK Sure Mickey, give me a second. MICKEY Hey Jason. JASON Hey Mickey. 106. Zack turns back to face Jason. ZACK I guess I will see you at the game. JASON You better believe it. I won't miss it for the world. Zack smiles at Jason. ZACK Remember it starts at seven. JASON Don't worry, I got it all under control. I'll be there at kickoff. They boys smile and hug. Zack walks toward Mickey. Mickey smiles, places the tip of the pen on the note pad. Jason stares at Mickey and Zack chat, analyzes the moment with his eyes. Jason turns to Charity with a slight grin. JASON (CONT'D) Funny how much things have changed, yet some things always remain the same. Jason chuckles. Their eyes meet and flicker. TEACHER (O.S.) Let's get moving! The teacher organizes the commotion. TEACHER (CONT'D) Let's get moving! We need to be leaving here soon! The football players go on bus sixty-two and thirty- three. The Band members need to go to bus one hundred and eight and the cheerleaders will get on... Jason and Charity stare at each other. They hug and kiss. JASON You better go too. CHARITY I hope you have no problems. I'll be waiting for you. They ease apart. 107. JASON I love you. CHARITY I love you too. They smile. They hold hands, they grip tighter. TEACHER (O.S.) Everyone needs to hurry up, please. Charity and Jason separate. CHARITY Good-bye. JASON Good-bye. Charity turns and walks away. Jason watches Charity step up onto the bus. EXT. BARN - DAY Jason walks out from the barn door and scampers across the yard. JASON Shucks. Jason briskly moves toward the house. EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY Jason trots out from the door wearing a new outfit. INT. TRUCK - DAY Jason slides onto the driver seat. Jason puts the key into the ignition to start the truck. MACKY (O.S.) Hurry up or you'll be late. Jason glances at Macky on the passenger side. JASON I'm hurrying. I'm moving fast as I can. Jason backs the truck up. MACKY If you started a little earlier you wouldn't have this problem. 108. JASON Don't start on me tonight or I'll leave you behind. MACKY (chuckling) Yea, right. Jason shakes his head. The truck heads down the farm road. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - DAY Jason looks out the windshield as he drives. Jason looks at the clock. JASON I think I will only be a few minutes late, if that. MACKY Now, don't go speeding and get a ticket. JASON I won't. Gee, you are real pain in my rear today. Nag, nag, nag. MACKY Well, if... The truck rattles and loses power. Macky and Jason look at each other. Jason looks at the dashboard, the GAS GAUGE ARROW shows an empty tank of gas. JASON Not now. Damn! The truck drifts to the side of the road. MACKY Oh great. You didn't fill up before we left. JASON Be quiet! I was in a rush. Macky shakes his head and rolls his eyes. Jason ignores Macky. Jason turns off the truck. MACKY There was a gas station about four miles back. JASON Yea, I know. Thanks Mr. Obvious. 109. Jason opens the truck door. MACKY Obviously, you don't know when to put gas in the truck. Jason's cheeks bunch up. JASON I hope you're not here when I get back, old fart. Jason SLAMS the truck door shut. Macky watches Jason; Jason grabs a gas can from the truck bed and walks down the highway. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - SUNSET Jason flops on the seat and slams the door. JASON Don't even start. Jason's eyes avoid Macky. Jason starts the truck and drives onto the highway. MACKY You might make the fourth quarter. Macky smirks. JASON Please. Shhhh! Jason puts his index finger up to his mouth. MACKY Okay. Macky rolls his eyes and gets comfortable. INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT Jason stares out the windshield. The radio reception becomes STATIC. JASON I hope I can find another station that's carrying the game. MACKY Try an AM channel, you might have better luck. Jason turns the radio dial through the STATIC. Polka music BOUNCES through the cab. 110. MACKY (CONT'D) Keep it there, I love this stuff. JASON Whatever. Macky shrugs his shoulders. MACKY I like it. They chuckle. Jason takes his fingers off the radio dial. JASON Finally. Jason settles back into his seat. Jason stares out the windshield, occasionally looks at the radio. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) There are only eight minutes left in the third quarter. Both teams are playing a very physical game tonight, but turnovers by the Martinsburg offense is the difference in the game. That's why Morgantown holds a fourteen to seven lead. We'll be right back after these messages. You are listening to W.J.J.C. bringing you the West Virginia State Football Championship Game. JASON Come on, Zack! Don't give up now. Jason's body is stiff as he softly frowns. Macky, at ease, looks to Jason. MACKY Don't worry Jason. They still have time left. I got a good feeling about this game. Jason shakes his head and smirks. His body relaxes. JASON I hope you're right. Macky confidently smiles. MACKY Me too. Jason and Macky sees a road sign that reads, "WELCOME TO WILD WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA". 111. MACKY (CONT'D) Getting closer. Jason has a glow to his face. JASON Yup. Macky glares at Jason. JASON (CONT'D) (softly singing) Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Jason stares out the windshield and smiles. Jason drowns away sound and begins to daydream. ALL IS BLACK MACKY (O.S.) Jason. Jason! Jason!! INT. HIGHWAY - TRUCK - NIGHT - PRESENT ALL IS BLACK An eighteen-wheeler horn BLOWS. MACKY (O.S.) Jason!!! HEADLIGHTS are blinding. Jason's eyes open and quickly widen. Jason whips the wheel to the right to avoid a head on collision. The passenger's side mirror vibrates as the eighteen-wheeler soars by. Jason gets the truck under control and back onto the highway. Jason heavily breaths and his mouth gapes open. Macky is relaxed. MACKY (CONT'D) I was worried there for a second. Jason still gathers himself. JASON Yea, me too. Thanks. Macky looks out the window and notices a road sign. MACKY Looks like the stadium is a mile down the street. 112. Jason begins to calm down. JASON Good, we finally made it. (looks at Macky) I feel like I've been driving forever. MACKY In a way, (glares at Jason) this drive will be with you forever. EXT. WHEELING ISLAND STADIUM - PARKING LOT - NIGHT In the distant, there are bright stadium lights. The band BEATS and fans CHEERS fill the sky. Jason's truck pulls into an empty parking space. The truck headlights cast a blinding light. The headlights are shut off. Jason sits in the truck, the ONLY person in the truck. INT. TRUCK - NIGHT Jason takes the key out off the truck ignition. Jason turns to look at Macky. MACKY Big game out there. Macky looks away from the stadium, back towards Jason. JASON Yes it is. Jason cracks a smile. MACKY Remember, what ever happens, happens for a reason. God has it all laid out for us. It's up to you to take the right path. What happened to your arm was meant to be, God wanted it to be, okay. He wants to see if you still have faith in Him. (grins) Do you still believe? They stare at one another, Jason ponders. A ROAR from the stadium interrupts their conversation. Macky looks back at Jason. MACKY (CONT'D) You better go and see what awaits you. Jason stares at Macky and begins to smile. 113. JASON Macky, thanks. (beat) Thanks for talking to me. Macky nods his head yes. MACKY Anytime (grins) I guess it's time to throw me to the curb. JASON Yup. They stare at each other for one last look. JASON (CONT'D) Well, I better go. MACKY Jason, you know where to find me. JASON (nods) Good bye. Jason gets out of the truck. Jason looks back around. The passenger seat is empty. Jason smiles at the empty truck cab. Jason shakes his head and shuts the truck door. EXT. WHEELING ISLAND STADIUM - NIGHT STANDS Jason enters the stadium and walks toward the stands. Jason looks at the scoreboard. INSERT SCOREBOARD, which reads: "MORGANTOWN - 17 MARTINSBURG - 17 4TH QUARTER 00:27" BACK TO SCENE The band BEATS. Trumpets and trombones briskly swing back and forth. Jason and Charity wave at each other, they smile. Charity raises her clarinet to her mouth and winks. Jason walks along the stands. Cheerleaders perform a cheer routine with pompoms. Jason looks at the packed stands to find a seat. Jason sees an empty seat. 114. DUSTIN (O.S.) Jason! Jason turns around. Dustin at the water cooler, gulps down a cup of water, sweating like a hog. JASON Hey Dustin. Where's Zack? DUSTIN He is getting ready to go out on the field for the kickoff. JASON Let him know that I'm here. Dustin crumbles his cup and throws it in the trash can. DUSTIN Sure thing, Jason. JASON I'll be right up there. Jason points toward the empty seat. DUSTIN No problem. Chat with ya later. JASON Thanks Dustin. See ya. Jason walks toward the stands. FIELD The kickoff squads take the field; cheers BURST from the stands. STANDS Jason watches on. Two middle aged men, in front of Jason, chatter about the game. FAN 1 This game is going to overtime. Morgantown has the edge with the better offense. FAN 2 Martinsburg better hope Morgantown doesn't return this kick all the way. Still got thirty two seconds. FAN 1 I know. Jason leans his head toward the two gentlemen. 115. JASON (interrupts) Sounds like Martinsburg should just go on home then. The two fans nod their heads with doubt. Jason confidently smiles. The crowds ROAR enhances. Jason and the two gentlemen watch in awe. FIELD A Martinsburg player kicks the football. The ball sails in the air. A Morgantown Player fields the ball at the eight yard line and takes off running toward the left side. A wall forms from his tacklers. He moves fast and breaks open along the sideline. He is to the twenty, to the thirty, to the forty, and to the forty three yard line. Zack tackles the player to the ground. STANDS Jason looks at the scoreboard. A whistle BLOWS. INSERT SCOREBOARD, which reads: "00:19" BACK TO SCENE FIELD The coach for Morgantown motions for a timeout. The referee calls timeout, the whistle BLOWS. REFEREE Timeout Morgantown. The Morgantown coach yells at his offense unit and motions them toward the sideline. MORGANTOWN COACH Gather around! Gather around! The offensive unit huddles up around the coach. The coach slams his hand against his clipboard. MORGANTOWN COACH (CONT'D) We are going to get them! Who wants to win this game! The offensive unit gets fired up, shoving and slapping one another. 116. OFFENSIVE UNIT We do! The coach kneels down on one knee and rests his clipboard on his other knee. MORGANTOWN COACH We are going to catch them off guard! They are thinking we are going to run the ball and run out the clock! Here is a pass play that we haven't ran all year. The coach starts to draw up a play on his clipboard. The other sideline, Coach Blake vigorously points to his players in the huddle. COACH BLAKE Let's hold them and send this game into overtime! They will probably run the ball, but keep your eyes open defensive backs! The coach continues to jabber. Dustin stands next to Zack. DUSTIN (whispers) Zack, Jason's here. Zack's face lights up. ZACK (whispers) Where? DUSTIN (whispers) Hold on. COACH BLAKE Let's go men! Let's go get them! DEFENSIVE UNIT Champions! The players clap their hands. The huddle breaks. Dustin points to the section Jason sits. DUSTIN He's over there. Dustin walks toward the field. STANDS Jason waves at Zack. 117. FIELD Zack waves and runs onto the playing field. Zack strides to Dustin and grabs him by his face mask. ZACK Move that hog in front of you to your right! Okay! Dustin throws a punch into his hand and trots toward the line of scrimmage. PRESS BOX Two radio announcers talk into their microphones with anticipation. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 Here we go West Virginia. Just nineteen seconds to go. Morgantown has the ball on the forty three yard line. Both teams take the field for probably the last play of regulation. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 Woo wee! This game will certainly go into overtime. This will only be the second overtime game in West Virginia history for the state championship game. FIELD The players get set on the field. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) This is going to be a classic. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) People, you better hold onto something, because this is going to be a gut wrencher. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) You better believe it. Zack stands at his linebacker position and looks toward the crowd for Jason. STANDS The fans look on with anticipation. Jason's eyes are fixated on the field. It starts to sprinkle rain. FIELD 118. Zack looks to the stands and smiles. STANDS Jason smiles with confidence. FIELD The rain hits the grass of the playing field. The offensive line sets as the quarterback barks out the signals. Rain bounces off Dustin's hand which drawls into a fist. Dustin's fist anticipates the hike as the fingers wave back and forth. Dustin takes a deep gasp with piercing eyes. Zack bounces back and forth at his middle linebacker position, his shadow follows him. STANDS Jason closes his eyes, tilts his head to the sky, and his lips move. PRESS BOX The Radio Announcers yap into the microphones. Anticipation ooze from their faces, eyes a glare. FIELD The quarterback hikes the ball and steps backward. Zack with eyes wide-open runs toward the line. Dustin pushes the linemen to his right with grit in his eyes. The quarterback rolls to his left setting up to pass the football. Zack goes through the line untouched and barrels ahead. The quarterback sees Zack approaching. The quarterback eyes- widen. Zack's eyes-widen. FAST MOTION Zack runs toward the quarterback and tackles with such force. The ball comes free from the wet hands as the players fall to the ground. END FAST MOTION RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) Fumble! 119. The football bounces on the wet grass. The football bounces alone. Zack thrusts up to grab the football and starts to run. Zack stumbles on the wet grass, but keeps his balance. Zack chugs toward the end zone. A Morgantown player gets closer and closer. Zack nears the end zone. The Morgantown player reaches for Zack. Zack lunges through the air. Zack slides on the grass in the end zone. STANDS Jason's hair is wet. Jason dazes toward the field. All is quiet as Jason closes his eyes. MONTAGE - BROTHERS FOREVER ZACK (V.O.) (repeat through montage) Jason, where are you? -Jason swings Zack on his shoulders in the rain. -Zack yells, Jason cradles in his arms passed out from the accident. -Jason has his hand over Zack's shoulder as they walk on the football field. -Zack has Jason by his shirt collar in anger, then hugs him. -Zack puts his hand on Jason's shoulder and watch their father's coffin being lowered into the ground. -Jason in the bleachers and Zack on the playing field stare at each other with a smile. END MONTAGE STANDS Jason opens his eyes and begins to smile. NOTE: JASON'S FACE AND PREVIOUS MONTAGE SCENES INTERTWINE IN QUICK FLASHES. The fans ERUPT into celebration. Fans begin to jump over the fence onto the football field. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) I just witnessed a miracle! (MORE) 120. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) (CONT'D) I can't believe it! A miracle! A miracle in Wheeling! Oh my! FIELD Zack stands and holds the football into the air. Teammates run to Zack in celebration. A few teammates run wild across the field with helmets in the air. The fans pour out towards the field with over excitement. RADIO ANNOUNCER 2 (V.O.) The Martinsburg Bulldogs have just won the West Virginia State Football Championship! STANDS Jason squirms his way down the crowded stands. FIELD The playing field fills up with fans. Jason wiggles between people. Jason bounces off fans. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) It's total pandemonium here! I can't believe what I am seeing! Jason sees Zack, Jason still wiggles through the festive riot. RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 (V.O.) (CONT'D) Oh my gracious! Fans knock into Jason from the commotion. Jason falls to the ground. Jason pops back up and wiggles his way further. JASON Zack! Zack! Zack squeezes his way toward Jason with sharp eyes. Jason struggles to get closer. ZACK Jason! Jason and Zack battle to get closer. They wiggle, they squeeze, they battle, and finally they hug one another. JASON You did it! You did it Zack! 121. Zack begins to cry on Jason shoulder. JASON (CONT'D) What a play! ZACK I can't believe it. They hug tighter. Jason looks up to the sky. Fans blanket the field in celebration. From afar, Jason and Zack hug in the center of the celebration. ZACK (CONT'D) I love you. JASON I love you too. Sound of rain TRICKLES through sky; fans celebrate freely. MACKY (V.O.) They were crying tears of joy that day in Heaven, hmm. SUPER: "Four Years Later." EXT. FARM FIELD - DAY Fog blankets a field. Amidst the fog appears a picturesque hillside. A gazebo and rows of chairs fill the hillside. There are wedding decorations, flowers, and all the trimmings, a country ladies fantasy. Not a person around, except for a deer in the distant. INT. FARM HOUSE - DAY BROTHERS BEDROOM The West Virginia poster hangs on the wall. The room has a clean and crisp new look. Zack straightens Jason's bow tie. Both wear black tuxedos and look sharp. CHARITY'S MOTHER (O.S.) Charity! The brothers heads turn toward the closed bedroom door. CHARITY'S MOTHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) Where are the shoes! I can't find them! 122. CHARITY (O.S.) Mom! Calm down. They're right over here. The brothers chuckle. Jason slaps cologne onto his neck. ZACK You sure you want to do this? The brothers smile. BILL'S BEDROOM Silky brunette hair is done up nicely with baby's breath. A beautiful white dress forms the body of a young woman. On the dresser lays a picture, the lady's arm goes to pick it up for a look. In the mirror, Charity's gorgeous face lights up as she looks at the picture. The PICTURE is of Zack, Jason, Charity, and Bill together in front of the barn. Charity's smile widens. BAKER (O.S.) Ma'am. CHARITY'S MOTHER (O.S.) Oh the cake is here! Come on Charity! CHARITY Be right there mother! Charity turns back to admire the picture. BROTHERS BEDROOM Zack ties his shoe. Zack stands; Jason looks at himself in the mirror. CHARITY'S MOTHER (O.S.) Charity! CHARITY'S AUNT (O.S.) Lucy, lay off Charity! She's getting ready. ZACK Are you sure Jason? Jason and Zack laugh. Zack buttons his jacket. JASON Let's go for a walk. ZACK Okay. 123. EXT. FARM HOUSE DRIVEWAY - DAY Zack and Jason, in tuxedos, walk down the driveway toward the farm house. Jason carries the old ragged football in his right hand. Zack puts his arm on Jason's shoulder. ZACK Are you ready for this, Dr. Dehaven? JASON I'm ready, I got the best woman in the world. (smiles at Zack) Don't call me doctor yet, I still have a few years left. ZACK You really never told me why you wanted to become a doctor. JASON There was a girl that made me realize life is sometimes too short. Maybe one day, (beat) I will find the cure for cancer. ZACK If anyone can do it, you can. Zack pulls Jason closer in with his arm. ZACK (CONT'D) I guess we better get you married. They continue to walk. JASON Zack. Zack looks at Jason. JASON (CONT'D) Thank you. (satisfied smile) You have been a blessing to me and I thank God everyday for you. Zack smiles and shakes his head. Jason's eyes light up. JASON (CONT'D) Hey, go out for one. ZACK Okay. Zack takes off running. 124. Jason smiles as he steps back. Zack still runs. Jason throws a pass. The football spins in the air. Zack jumps up. SLOW MOTION Zack moves upward and extends his arm. The hand goes to grab the football. EXT. MORGANTOWN - MOUNTAINEER FIELD - DAY A sold-out stadium as the Mountaineers take on PITT. FIELD A hand grabs a football from the sky. Zack is a West Virginia Mountaineer Football Player. Zack secures the ball into his stomach as he falls down to the playing surface on the thirty eight yard line. END SLOW MOTION Zack pops up and holds the football up into the air. Cheers EXPLODE onto the field. Zack tosses the football to the referee. RADIO ANNOUNCER 4 (V.O.) Interception West Virginia! Zack Dehaven with the interception. Zack trots around with three fingers up in the air. Zack's teammates on the field come over to jump on him in celebration. The opponent players walk by with heads held down in disappointment. On the sideline, the head coach for West Virginia pumps his fist for the great play. On the sideline, the teammates hold their helmets up toward the sky, some players hug one another, and other teammates jump around with excitement. STANDS Jason and Charity jump up and down. They yell toward the field. Jason and Charity hug each other from the excitement. Fans celebrate and hold three fingers up into the air. FIELD The Mountaineer Mascot yells to the fans up in the stands. MOUNTAINEER MASCOT Let's Go! (beat) Mountaineers! 125. The mascot raises a rifle into the air with one hand and fires the gun. Gun powder smoke fills the air around the gun. PRESS BOX The stadium is a sea of gold and blue fans as two radio announcers sit. An Announcer hovers over a microphone; fans continuously ROAR. STADIUM (V.O.) Let's Go! (beat) Mountaineers! RADIO ANNOUNCER 4 Zack Dehaven's interception stops the comeback and secures the victory, ladies and gentlemen. The Mountaineers are undefeated, a perfect twelve and zero. The West Virginia University Mountaineers are going to their third straight National Championship! Hundreds of blue balloons float by the glass window of the press box. STANDS Jason, Charity, and fans around them celebrate this special moment. Jason looks toward the field for Zack. FIELD Zack sees Jason, both have the biggest smiles. Zack points to Jason. STANDS Jason pumps his fist back and forth. Zack waves good bye and heads off toward the players. Jason smiles with extreme happiness. GOD (V.O.) Jason. Jason bolts his head around, as if he heard a ghost. It became mysteriously silent in the stadium. Jason is in a daze or is he? SLOW MOTION (EXCEPT JASON) STANDS Jason moves his head. 126. The joyous fans jump up and down in celebration. Jason moves his head slightly. FIELD A mass of football players whimsically celebrate on the field, some with tears of happiness. STANDS Jason moves his head more. A drummer from the band smiles as he beats the drum with drumsticks. Jason moves his head more. Steve, at the stairway concourse, looks across the field and shakes his head in amazement. The word "WOW" moves across Steve's lips. Jason moves his head more. A young boy rants with amazement and points toward the football field. The young boys fragile grandfather bends over to listen and a tear rolls down his face. Jason gazes up toward Heaven. GOD (V.O.) (CONT'D) You like Heaven? Jason nods his head yes and a tear of happiness rolls down his cheek. Jason takes in the moment; he gazes out across the sea of joyful fans within the stadium. Jason looks toward Zack. FIELD Zack kneels in a huddle with fellow teammates to pray. STANDS Jason looks toward Charity. Charity cheers and jumps around, she's so beautiful. A BLUE BALLOON in the air catches his attention. It hangs in the air for some odd reason. Jason stares at the balloon. The balloon bobs in the air, it defies gravity as another balloon floats on by. Jason nods his head yes. The balloon waits. END SLOW MOTION 127. JASON (smiling) I believe. The balloon floats over the sold out stadium. STADIUM Let's Go! (beat) Mountaineers! The balloon floats toward the outer rim of the stadium. Macky stands at the upper tier, farthest corner of the stadium and watches the balloon float by. Macky chuckles at the sight and turns his head with a glimmer in his eyes. MACKY Dreams...are such wonderful things. Macky chuckles and turns to look at the balloon. The balloon floats toward the mountains. EXT. WEST VIRGINIA - DAY The balloon floats over the mountain and through a valley, all is peaceful. As the balloon floats, in the distant two young kids play football on a hillside. The balloon floats away. FADE OUT: THE END
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