• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
DOG HUNTINGBY MATTHEW LAMBThe screen is black. We hear the heavy sound of dry leavesrustling under feet. A crow caws in the distance, and abreeze shakes the trees of the thick pine woods. The feetstop moving, the wind settles and there is stillness.NARRATOR (V.O.)As always, a single tear brims myeye just as I squeeze the trigger.EXT WOODS MORNINGOpen to WILL bundled in winter clothing trying to steady asmall rifle which is too big for his size. He squints to lineup his sights and we see a single tear welling in the cornerof his eye. GRANDPA stands behind the young boy and loads ashell into his breached shotgun and closes it quietly. Hepoints the shotgun up into the trees and speaks softly butfirmly to the young WILL.GRANDPAJust shoot up into the nest, andwhen he runs out, I'll pop him.WILL swallows hard and concentrates on his aim. The tearbreaks on his cheek and with a sharp snap the rifle fires.WILL quickly wipes away the tear with the back of his sleeveand to cover says,WILLI must've got somethin' in my eye.From the squirrels nest high in the trees there is onlystillness. Then a leaf breaks free from the nest and fallsslowly down through limbs and branches. WILL and GRANDPAwatch as the leaf falls and lands softly in its kind on theground. GRANDPA lowers his shotgun.GRANDPAWell fiddle. I guess he ran awaywhen we weren't looking.GRANDPA turns to leave as he breaches his shotgun and carriesit cradled over his arm. WILL follows his elder and checksthe safety on his smaller rifle.GRANDPADid you put yer safety on?WILLYessir.From a few yards away, FREDDIE approaches quickly through thewoods with his gun ready and a big grin.
 
FREDDIEDid ya git somethin, did ya gitsomethin?GRANDPANaw Freddie, that was a perty smartsquirrel.FREDDIE drops his rifle to the side in disappointment.FREDDIEI bet Will just missed it.WILL is defensive.WILLI did not. It sneaked off.GRANDPA does not have time for arguments.GRANDPACome on boys, let's see if we canfind those silly dogs.FREDDIEI heard'em go down along the creeka minute or two ago.GRANDPAWell come on then, let's go on downto the creek an get'em.The three hunters walk away down a hill to the creek. WILLwalks in the back as FREDDIE points the way to the creek.WILL stops and looks back over his shoulder to the nest,which is still not moving and then turns back to the otherswalking away with a big smile. They exit down a hill.The woods are still and in the distance a chain-saw can beheard faintly, and the sound of the dogs yelping and fading.From the squirrels nest there is a sudden jerking, then it isstill. Then drops of blood mount and drop from beneath thenest.FADE TO:INT BEDROOM DARKWILL and FREDDIE sleep soundly piled under heaps of blanketsin the dark room. The door opens easily and GRANDPA sneaksinside. He turns on the lamp beside the bed. The boys do notstir. Grandpa goes to the foot of the bed and turns backlayers of blankets to expose the boy's feet. The boys try tostifle giggles as they peak down at their feet acting likethey are still asleep.NARRATOR (V.O.)
 
Every few weeks, on a Friday night,me and my brother would get thechance to spend the night with ourGrandparents and go hunting onSaturday morning.GRANDPA grabs the toes of each of the boy's feet, playfullytwisting and bending them. The boys kick and giggle squirmingbeneath the heavy blankets.GRANDPAUp and Adam. Come on, now git up.Feet on the deck soldiers. Up andAdam, let's go. Move it, move it.GRANDMA appears at the door with rollers in her hair andscolds GRANDPA.GRANDMAOh, good Lord Ed, let,em alone.GRANDPA stops until GRANDMA passes then twists a few moretoes until WILL and FREDDIE slip out from the covers and racefor the bathroom. FREDDIE wins and shuts the door in WILL'Sface.CUT TO:INT KITCHEN DARKGRANDMA is cooking a large breakfast in her robe and hairrollers. Will and FREDDIE are dressed and join GRANDPA at thetable. GRANDMA crosses with a big steaming plate of biscuitsand puts them on the table and sits down.NARRATOR (V.O.)Grandma would also get up early andfix us a large country breakfastwith her famous "cat head"biscuits.FREDDIE reaches for a biscuit but GRANDMA slaps his hand awayas GRANDPA bows his head to pray. They all lower their headswith WILL giggling at FREDDIE who holds his spanked hand inhis other hand and sticks his tongue out at WILL.CUT TO:EXT PORCH DARKGRANDPA and FREDDIE are leaving the house with the rifles asGRANDMA zips WILL into a very thick parka which is stuffedwith other layers of clothes leaving WILL hardly able to bendhis arms. She raises his hood and faces the overly dressedboy out the door as he runs awkwardly to catch up withGRANDPA and FREDDIE.NARRATOR (V.O.)
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...