WINDS OF ENCHANTMENT

Written by Elizabeth S. Layton

PO Box 51342, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181 505-304-0263 -- layton@post.com

FADE IN: EXT. PLAINS GRASS FIELD - DAY Hooves of several horses quickly beat across the grassy plain. A red cloth drapes across a Sioux warriors lap as he rides into the territory of an Indian village. An older Sioux Indian man sits on the villages hill in prayer while he awaits the warriors arrival. INT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY Many women of many ages fill the tipi. They rush about to help a young woman in her late teens ready for her wedding. This is WICONI. She is sharply beautiful with long, thick, coal black hair that drapes down her back like velvet to her knees. Wiconis mother, ZYNTKALA, and her aunts braid her hair and weave feathers and beads into patterns within the braids. A ceremonial rug lies under Wiconis feet. She stands with her eyes shut and her mother is angry with all of her fidgets, winces, and growls. (PLEASE NOTE: ALL NATIVE AMERICAN DIALOGUE WILL BE IN THE NATIVE DIALECT OF THE LAKOTA SIOUX. SUBTITLES WILL BE USED.) ZYNTKALA The wind is calm, my daughter. Our people are happy this day. Why are you acting like a trapped raccoon? WICONI Mother... I cannot hold still. I am too nervous. What if Chief Otaktay sees me today and changes his mind? ZYNTKALA You have been promised to Chief Otaktay since your third year. Why would he change his mind now? You look as perfect as a butterflys wings. Wiconi opens her eyes and stares directly at her mother. She pulls up one of her mothers hands and holds it firm.

2. WICONI How can I be like a butterfly when you did not allow me to leave my cocoon? ZYNTKALA The great creator Wankan Tanka decides our path. The most favored must make the greatest sacrifices for their people. WICONI Today may be the favor I have dreamed of for many moons. Wiconi closes her eyes again and a few tears travel down her cheeks. Her mother looks at her for a moment and then goes back to her task. The sound of childrens SCREAMS from play carries into the tipi. EXT. ENTIRE VILLAGE - DAY Children run and LAUGH as they chase some tiny lambs. Women prepare a large meal. A long line of warriors sit on their horses on the far side of the village and watch all of the tribes activities. A tiny LYANKE, Wiconis youngest sister, runs through the village to her grandfather, WAHCHINTONKA, at full speed. He stands with the red decorative cloth out in front of him. LYANKE Thank you, grandfather. It is so beautiful. I will be careful. Wahchintonka smiles, leans down, kisses Lyanke on the cheek, and whispers something in her ear. Lyanke takes the red cloth with careful hands. She holds the cloth tightly to her chest, runs all the way through the busy village, and enters her familys tipi. LYANKE (CONTD) It is here. Move. Move. I carry a special gift for my sister. It is here, Wiconi!

3. INT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY Lyanke scurries in between the women to get to her mother and sister. LYANKE It is here. Here, here, here. ZYNTKALA Lyanke slow. Sit down. Youll ruin your sisters robe with all your wiggles. Lyanke pants and plops down near Wiconis feet, folds the red cloth gently on her lap, and looks up at her sister. She stands back up quickly, pulls Wiconis arm so she can reach her face, gives her cheek a kiss, and sits again. Zyntkala growls at them both and yanks back on Wiconis hair to let her know she is unhappy. LYANKE That was from grandfather. He said you would need it. Wiconi looks down at the girl without moving her head again. LYANKE (CONTD) You look like a princess. WICONI And you look as dirty as a dust rolling buffalo. Wiconi gives her sister a smile and closes her eyes again. FADE TO BLACK. INT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY (FLASHBACK) Wiconis brother and sisters learn tribal skills as Wiconi, age ten, sits on a stool and watches them while her aunt washes, combs, and adorns her hair. WICONI (V.O.) Being the girl with the velvet hair, caramel eyes, and golden skin does not allow me to be anything else. I am protect for my peoples future. I have no other choice.

4. Across the tipi Zyntkala HUMS and rocks. She rubs her full pregnant belly and Wiconi watches her intently. WICONI (V.O.) The man I am promised to, Chief Otaktay, will provide many gifts to my tribe to keep them well for many years. Any choices I have made for myself are only stolen ones. EXT. LARGE GRASSY FIELD - SUNRISE (FLASHBACK) The sound of BLOWING grass and a little girl GIGGLING begins. A girl child runs as a bright sun appears behind her and the grass sways in the wind toward her. A beautiful little Wiconi, at age five, appears in full view. She continues to run and then smiles broadly. All of her fingertips spread out as she touches every blade of grass that she can reach. Wiconi twirls and runs again. Her hair is like wings that flap behind her. WICONI (V.O.) There are very few times over the last seventeen years that I remember feeling peaceful and free. Sneaking out at dawn to meet the sun and run in the tall grasses is one of my few acts of rebellion. Unless you count my times in the Council tipi. EXT. COUNCIL TIPI - DUSK (FLASHBACK) An adolescent Wiconi anxiously waits for the right moment to sneak under the side of the Council tipi. A group of elders LAUGH and TALK loudly inside the Council tipi. Wiconi wriggles under the side of the tipi at the same moment a loud burst of LAUGHTER comes from the tipi. INT. COUNCIL TIPI - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) The elders and CHIEF SUNKWA, a strong and thick man in his 60s, pass a large Calumet pipe. Wiconis grandfather, Wahchintonka, is among the elders.

5. A small group of young warriors sit and listen behind some of the elders. A fire blazes and flickers in the middle of the group. Over to the side, under a pile of buffalo hides, Wiconi conceals herself and peers out at the group. WICONI (V.O.) I would be beat if caught in the Council tipi, but it was worth it to me. I crave the times when no one is looking at me and I can just listen to the elders speak of life and war. My grandfather is a great elder and all are quiet when he speaks. A young warrior, NAPAYSHNI, stands and waits. He looks over in Wiconis direction as she moves deeper under the buffalo hides. CHIEF SUNKWA Do you wish to speak young one? NAPAYSHNI Enough village talk. Wahchintonka tell us one of your stories. The young warrior bows his head in respect and sits down. The group of men roar with laughter and then as Wahchintonka exhales the smoke from the Calumet pipe all becomes quiet. WAHCHINTONKA One winters morning, after my father hit me for slapping my little sister. Some of the elders LAUGH. WAHCHINTONKA (CONTD) My mother told me a story... She said that there sits a grandmother on top of the biggest hill in the Black Hills, with her watchful dog, cooking a pot of soup and finishing a quilt. She sits and quills her quilt with her dog watching closely each time she moves her hands. Every time she gets up to stir her soup with her buffalo bone ladle the dog goes and unravels her quill work. It is said that if the grandmother ever finishes her quilt, the world will end.

6. NAPAYSHNI I do not think that women have that kind of power. WAHCHINTONKA Young warrior, the years will soon teach you the wisdom of this story... if you are blessed enough. The group of elders breaks into a unity of LAUGHTER and they shake their heads in agreement. END FLASHBACK. INT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY (BACK TO PRESENT) A decorative hide dress slides down over Wiconis shoulders. Final touches to the gown are taken care of by her aunts. Wiconi opens her eyes and looks down at her sister. Lyanke stands and hands the red cloth to Zyntkala and she stares at her sisters face. Zyntkala drapes the red cloth over Wiconis right shoulder and fastens it above her left hip. WICONI What are you staring at little one? LYANKE I want to remember you like this forever. When our people tell stories and sing songs about you I want to close my eyes and see you clearly. WICONI I do not think my wedding day will have songs, little sister. EXT. COUNCIL TIPI - DAY CHIEF SUNKWA points to the livestock, blankets, hides, and wooden boxes overflowing with pottery. A few warriors tether some large paint horses near the tipi. Village men sit with the Chief Sunkwa and discuss the trade items. A man in his 40s with broad shoulders sits alone near the group and grows impatient. This is CHIEF OTAKTAY. Many war wounds scar his face and his hair is in long thick braids.

7. CHIEF OTAKTAY My new bride must be worth all I have traded. CHIEF SUNKWA You will find the trade is in your favor. CHIEF OTAKTAY Hmm... I will send her back to you in shame if she does not satisfy me as a wife. CHIEF SUNKWA Sending Wiconi back will do you well. If you treat her as your other wives it is my tribe you will meet in the dark of winter. CHIEF OTAKTAY Do you dare to threaten me? CHIEF SUNKWA It is no threat. Chief Otaktay right hand pulls a knife from his belt. He stands quickly, lets out a loud WAR CRY, and looms over Chief Sunkwa. INT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY Napayshni clears his throat. Wiconi jumps and as she turns around he stands so close that it makes her jump a second time. WICONI What are doing in here? NAPAYSHNI I am here to say goodbye. Why? WICONI

NAPAYSHNI I have always felt sorrow in my heart for you. WICONI There is no reason to feel sad for me any more.

8. Wiconi slides back a little from Napayshni and pushes her hands down her red wedding wrap. WICONI (CONTD) My marriage to Chief Otaktay means that I will finally be happy... and free. Napayshni moves in close again and touches Wiconi gently on her cheek. NAPAYSHNI I hope this will be true. Your smile brings more warmth than a cloudless day. Napayshni leaves the tipi at the back. Wiconi GIGGLES as she watches him wiggle like a caterpillar out from under the side of the tipi. EXT. EDGE OF VILLAGE - DAY The village warriors are near the celebration fire with their drums. Chief Otaktay is atop a large horse and wears a tremendous warbonnet. On their own horses his warriors line up in precession behind him. The wedding DRUM song begins. EXT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY As Wiconi exits the tipi she sees a woman in her late 50s waiting for her. This is IYANKE. Deep lines etch her face and show the toll of her life. Yet, the gray color of her eyes give her a hint of beauty. As Wiconi walks past her Iyanke pulls her arm and looks deep into Wiconis wide eyes. IYANKE You must be strong. You must be. Wiconi looks into the old womans eyes and then, as if shes seen a ghost, Wiconi draws back from her. EXT. WICONIS VILLAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) Zyntkala lays in a puddle of mud, with streaks of blood in it, as the rain pours down.

9. Iyanke and a warrior stand next to Chief Sunkwa and look down at Zyntkala as she sobs and grabs at her dead husbands body. A toddler-age Wiconi runs with her brothers toward Zyntkala. Just as Wiconi reaches for her mother she looks directly into Iyankes gray eyes. Wind blows rain straight at Wiconi. Her hair whips around and covers her eyes. Wiconi cannot see her father now and Wahchintonka grabs her from behind and carries her off while she SCREAMS. END FLASHBACK. EXT. WICONIS FAMILY TIPI - DAY (BACK TO PRESENT) As a SCREAM slips from Wiconis lips Iyanke moves back from her. EXT. CENTER OF VILLAGE - DAY In a state of confusion Wiconi walks through her village and then stops near the edge of the village to catch her breath. Iyanke follows quietly a few feet behind her. EXT. EDGE OF VILLAGE - DAY The wedding DRUMS get louder. Wiconi shakes her head furiously and then turns to look at Iyanke with even more shock. WICONI I have... I have seen you before. IYANKE Yes, child. Now go. Wiconi walks toward the procession of people. Chief Sunkwa helps her up onto a horse that is held by Chief Otaktay. The winds begin to blow with force, Wiconi closes her eyes, and takes in a deep breath. A circle of Wiconis tribe is around the couple and the warriors. Wahchintonka comes to stand in front of the couple, reaches out his arms, and extends his hands up to the sky. The wedding ritual DRUMS stop. The winds begin to blow. The grasses move, the peoples clothing sways, and the adorning feathers shake.

10. WAHCHINTONKA Today our two villages are one. Wankan Tanka blesses all of our people. Wiconi looks down at her grandfather with great love. He gently smiles back at her. She looks out over the grasses as they bend to the winds force. Wahchintonka lowers his hands and the wedding DRUMS sound again softly. WAHCHINTONKA (CONTD) Wiconi... my granddaughter, my heart. I love you more than all of the fire lights in the sky. My heart will be with you always. You now belong to a great warrior. May his love bring you many children to run with the buffalo. Chief Otaktay takes the rope from Wiconis red wedding wrap and ties it to a belt at his waist. The village circle erupts with CRIES of celebration. Wiconi waves to her family and village with great happiness. Tears flood her face. Wiconi spots Napayshni. He jumps up and down behind Chief Sunkwa. A moccasin connects with Napayshnis feet, he falls to the ground, and the chief smiles. Chief Otaktay turns his horse and leads his young bride and warriors away from the village. EXT. TOP OF THE VILLAGE HILL - DAY Chief Otaktay brings his horse closer to Wiconis, looks over to his mother, grabs Wiconi by the hair, and slaps her hard enough to bleed her lip. He pulls her face to his. CHIEF OTAKTAY You are mine now and I will say when you cry. I will say when you can breath. Wiconi tries to pull away from Chief Otaktay and he yanks her back even closer. CHIEF OTAKTAY (CONTD) I will show you again girl. Go ahead and cry. It will bring me great pleasure to tame you.