Legacy

"They build, we fight."

Attris Gordon

attris@gmail.com 510.306.5670
EXT. FEBRUARY 1942 - CHICAGO - STREETS - MORNING

A cold and cloudy day assaults the city as winter continues

in Chicago, with snow covering the town. Rundown wooden
buildings leaden with snow line the road, while African
American pedestrians trod along tire ruts on the sludgy
street headed to work and school, a small exodus from the
black neighborhood into downtown proper, where concrete
buildings loom in the distance.

A single city bus struggles down the road to the next stop,
finding every bump and hole along the way.

AFENI MILLER(25), a pragmatic and weary African American

woman, wrapped tight in a shawl over a patchy sweater and
dress with boots, strolls along with the others on her way to
work. A bit taller than average, she weaves through the
column of travelers, striding quickly around her journeymen
as she overtakes them, nodding to them as she passes.

The city bus rolls through the column, with the pedestrians
hopping into the snow drift on either side to dodge it. The
old transport is crammed full of people, with some using the
windows as handholds while standing on the back bumper. A
large crowd of potential passengers has gathered at a bus
stop just ahead of them, at the next intersection. The bus
continues its slow pace up the street, never slowing.

The potential passengers realize their bus is leaving them

and begin calling after it. Some, like ROBERT BROOKS (21),
naive and pompous, a very light skinned African American,
dressed in a ratty suit and bowtie, hair slicked straight
with pomade, give chase, running alongside the bus, yelling
for the driver to stop.

ROBERT BROOKS
Not again! Wait! Hey!

Robert sprints up the left side of the bus, scoops up some

snow, and heaves a snowball at the driver's window.

ROBERT BROOKS
You're gonna make me late again!

The driver looks down at him and shrugs before turning his
attention back to the road.

ROBERT BROOKS
No, please!

Robert drops his head, dejected, as Afeni and the column of

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travelers, now joined by the potential passengers, begin to

walk pass him. Shaking his head, he joins the slow march to
town.

Robert notices Afeni ahead of him and rushes to join her.

ROBERT BROOKS
______________________________________
Thank you, God, for sending your angel
down to comfort me in my hour of need!
______________________________________

Afeni hears this and shakes her head while quickening her
pace. The crowd near her chuckles at her unease.

ROBERT BROOKS
Afeni! Good morning, my African queen!

Afeni stares straight ahead.

Robert laughs to himself and jogs to her side. Afeni turns

her head away from him.

ROBERT BROOKS
Hey, woman, slow down!

Robert taps her shoulder.

Afeni turns to him.

AFENI MILLER
Boy, it is too early-

ROBERT BROOKS
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! You know I'm
foolin' with you!

AFENI MILLER
You are a fool!

Afeni turns around and starts walking again.

ROBERT BROOKS
You're right!

Robert runs in front of Afeni and raises his hands to stop

her, which she does. Robert bows his head.

ROBERT BROOKS
Good morning, Afeni.

Afeni rolls her eyes.

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AFENI MILLER
Good morning, Robert.

ROBERT BROOKS
Headed to work?

AFENI MILLER
Is it Wednesday?

ROBERT BROOKS
You're right, stupid question. Say,
did Mr. Neiblum mention me? I went
round and asked if they needed any
extra hands the other day. He said
he'd get back to me.

AFENI MILLER
Mmmhmm...

EXT. CHICAGO - STREETS - BUTCHER BACK ENTRANCE - DAY

The alley is cluttered with wooden crates and trash. The back
of the butcher shop has piles of animal parts arranged around
the back entrance. A large knife with a leather loop, hangs
from an extended hook attached to the back wall.

Afeni, in a bloody apron, pulls large pieces from crates,

cuts them down with the large knife, and places the portioned
sections with the correct pile.

MR. NEIBLUM, a burly white man in a messy apron wielding a

large, bloody knife, stands in the back doorway, watching her
work.

MR. NEIBLUM
A moment, Athena.

AFENI MILLER
Yes, sir, Afeni, sir.

MR. NEIBLUM
Yep.

Athena walks over and replaces the knife on its hook.

MR. NEIBLUM
Look, Atheni, I like you. I like your
work, I wish my boys worked as hard as
you. You know I don't mind if your
family comes by at the end of the day,
they're good people, but I can't have

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any of your nigger friends coming

around here, especially in the shop.

AFENI MILLER
Friends, sir?

MR. NEIBLUM
Some boy came by asking about work,
upset a couple of customers.

AFENI MILLER
I'm sorry, sir. I didn't tell anyone
to-

MR. NEIBLUM
You know I try to help you people any
way I can. Thing is, my rabbi is
charging extra to keep this place
kosher with you back here.

AFENI MILLER
Sir, I-

MR. NEIBLUM
Just don't let it happen again, Afena.

EXT. CHICAGO - STREETS - MORNING

AFENI MILLER
He said not right now, but he'll let
me know when there's work.

ROBERT BROOKS
Good, good. Hope I didn't get you in
trouble, he looked a little mad to see
me.

AFENI MILLER
No trouble.

The two awkwardly stand in the road as the caravan continues

on around them. Robert falls into a slight stupor staring
into Afeni's eyes.

AFENI MILLER
Ok.

Afeni starts walking again, stepping around Robert. Robert

shakes it off and gives chase again, jogging to catch up.

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ROBERT BROOKS
You're still going to come by tonight,
right?

Afeni cocks him an eyebrow.

ROBERT BROOKS
The townhall we're putting on?

AFENI MILLER
We?

ROBERT BROOKS
The CRE?

AFENI MILLER
Oh, they're the ones hosting that?

ROBERT BROOKS
Yes, we are! I believe it's even being
held in the lobby of your building.

AFENI MILLER
I think I remember hearing something
like that.

ROBERT BROOKS
Great, so I'll see you tonight?

AFENI MILLER
No.

Robert stops in his tracks and Afeni continues on.

ROBERT BROOKS
No?

Robert looks to where Afeni was standing, notices she hasn't

stopped with him and runs to catch up.

ROBERT BROOKS
No? Why no?

AFENI MILLER
I've heard the things some of your CRE
boys have been up to. Starting riots
in town?

ROBERT BROOKS
The Congress of Racial Equality is a
group of men and women fighting to

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secure our rights, your right, to live

on equal standing with our white
neighbors. We've only hosted non-
violent demonstrations.

AFENI MILLER
Are they still non-violent when they
bring police to our homes?

ROBERT BROOKS
That's what we're protesting! If we
don't speak up, who's to know its even
happening, let alone stop it?

AFENI MILLER
Then I hope they're being as safe as
possible.

Afeni kisses Robert's cheek, who stops to rub the spot. Afeni
continues on without him.

ROBERT BROOKS
So I'll see you tonight?

AFENI MILLER
No!

Robert drops his head.

AFENI MILLER
Meet me at Jotty's for lunch!

Robert can't hide his grin. The crowd around him laughs at
him.

Afeni turns a corner and walks down another street.

Robert turns to the onlookers.

ROBERT BROOKS
I'm going to see y'all tonight, right?

EXT. MAY 14, 1918 - ARGONNE FOREST - MIDNIGHT

Artillery and small arms fire ring through the air, cutting
through the dense woods. The moon sits above the treeline,
shining through the smokey haze of warfare clouding the sky.

A young EARL WALKER (18), a cocky but driven white man, lays
unconscious, face up, at the base of a tree, blood covering
his face and chest. A mortar shell goes off in the distance

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and Earl's eyes pop open, fixating on the moon shining

through the tree branches.

Multiple German voices can be heard calling out in the

distance. With a ragged breath, Earl rolls over on to his
knees. His wound's fresh scabs reopen and blood leaks onto
the ground. Earl raises up to a kneeling position and pulls
his uniform tight to slow down the bleeding. Checking his
sides for weapons and equipment, he finds his Bowie knife and
2 grenades.

Stumbling to his feet, Earl starts walking towards the German

voices.

A platoon of German soldiers slowly picks their way through

the forest. One German soldier walks behind a wounded
blindfolded American POW slowly limping along, pushing them
to go faster.

An explosion rocks the front of the group, sending several

German soldiers flying. Earl appears from behind a tree near
the POW's guard and slices the German soldier's throat open.
Throwing his other grenade into the scrambling Germans, he
grabs the POW and shoves him back towards the tree he sprang
from.

Re-brandishing his knife, he runs towards the nearest German

soldier.

EARL WALKER (V.O.)

Dad! What did I tell you?

NORM II (V.O.)
Aww, man!

INT. FEBRUARY 1942, TUSCALOOSA - FARMHOUSE - DAY

The lavish farm sits above a hillside, with several stables

and equipment spread out across the hills below.

In an upstairs bedroom, GRANDPA NORMAN (70), a loud and

affable white man, stands at the edge of a bed acting out the
story he's telling to NORM II (8), Earl's youngest and his
grandson, who lays in bed, recovering from the flu. EARNEST
WALKER (17), the anxious and ornery older son, sits on the
end of the bed, enraptured by the tale.

An older EARL WALKER (42), pained but still driven, stands in

the doorway.

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EARL WALKER
Dad! I asked you not to tell that
story!

EARNEST WALKER
Told you!

GRANDPA NORM
Oh, come on, Early! The boys should
know about their father's-

EARL WALKER
Exploits?

GRANDPA NORM
Heroism! Your sweat and blood helped
win the war!

EARL WALKER
There's no heroism in that war.

GRANDPA NORM
Tell that to the man's life you saved!

DORA WALKER, passionate and dutiful white woman, rushes into

the bedroom.

DORA WALKER
Norm! You promised!

GRANDPA NORM
Lil' Norm's going stir crazy laying
here, I was just telling them a story.

DORA WALKER
We've talked about this!

Dora stands in-between the two men.

EARL WALKER
The man wants to talk about honor when
he doesn't have-

DORA WALKER
Earl, cool it!

EARNEST WALKER
Come on, pa!

GRANDPA NORM
The boys need to know about their

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heritage!

EARL WALKER
Shut up!

Dora grabs Grandpa Norm by the arm and leads him to the door.

DORA WALKER
Alright, dad, let's go.

Grandpa Norm stops in front of Earl at the door.

GRANDPA NORM
You should be proud. We're proud of
you. I'm proud of you.

Grandpa Norm reaches out to Earl, who brushes it off and

walks down the hall.

DORA WALKER
Alright, Norman, time for a nap!

NORM II
Aww, why, mama? I wanna hear the rest!

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
Listen to your ma, Norman! Earnest, go
sort the bales for feeding time.

Earnest salutes the wall. Dora clears her throat.

DORA WALKER
Get to it, Earnest.

EARNEST WALKER
Pssh. I'm heading out for a bit. Luke
and I are gonna hit the ball around.

DORA WALKER
You heard your father.

EARNEST WALKER
Yeah, I'll be back before feeding
time.

Earnest walks out of the room, pushing past Dora and Grandpa
Norm.

DORA WALKER
Ooo! Take your coat!

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Dora squeezes Grandpa Norm's arm a little too tight.

GRANDPA NORM
Ok, Dora, my dear.

DORA WALKER
Oh, sorry!

Dora lets go and Grandpa Norm shakes the feeling back into
his arm.

GRANDPA NORM
Weren't nothing.

Norm II is still sitting up watching the proceedings.

Dora turns to Norm II.

DORA WALKER
Get some rest, Norman! I'll be back to
check on you once I get your Grandpa
settled.

Norm II rolls over and feigns sleep, snoring loudly.

Dora walks Grandpa Norm to his rocking chair in the living

room.

DORA WALKER
How about some iced tea, dad?

GRANDPA NORM
Sounds magnificent, my dear.

DORA WALKER
I'm gonna check on Early, and I'll be
right back with it.

Grandpa Norm grabs Dora's hand.

GRANDPA NORM
I don't know where he'd be with out
you.

Dora pats his hand and heads over to the master bedroom.

Earl is sitting on the edge of the bed, catatonic, gripping a

balled-up sock.

Dora sits next to him and closes her hand over the top of the
sock.

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DORA WALKER
He's right, we're all proud of you.

Earl stares into space.

DORA WALKER
Whenever you're ready.

Dora strokes his arm.

DORA WALKER
I'm gonna get dad's tea. I'll be back
in a moment.

Dora leans over and kisses Earl's cheek, then stands up and
heads for the door.

EARL WALKER
The boys minding you?

Dora turns around.

DORA WALKER
Mmhmm, Earnest's taking care of the
bales right now.

Earl still hasn't moved.

EARL WALKER
Good. I'll be out in a little bit.

Dora walks over, grabs his free hand and kisses the back of
it.

DORA WALKER
I love you.

Earl looks up into her eyes.

EARL WALKER
I love you.

Dora bends down and kisses Earl on the lips.

DORA WALKER
Take your time, there's plenty of tea.

Dora walks out of the room.

Earl looks down at the balled-up sock and squeezes it.

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EXT. CHICAGO - DOWNTOWN - DAY

Afeni is approaching downtown proper when she notices a

handful of police cars grouped at the end of the next
intersection.

A large apartment complex sits on the other side of the

police cars, yellow tape wrapped around the base of the
building. Black folks are filing out of the nearby entrance,
bags in hand, following armed guards to large trucks.

Afeni walks over to an older black woman, who's also looking

on.

WISENED ONLOOKER
You'd think they'd taken enough
already.

AFENI MILLER
What's happening?

WISENED ONLOOKER
Something about a reck- requisition?
Man's taking these folks home and
sending them to shelters.

AFENI MILLER
That's not right!

WISENED ONLOOKER
Has that ever stopped them before?

The two sit in silence watching.

AFENI MILLER
How do you keep your head up?

WISENED ONLOOKER
Potlucks and house calls for those who
need help holding up theirs. And lots
of prayer.

AFENI MILLER
What do you do when your prayers
aren't answered?

WISENED ONLOOKER
They're always answered, Lord just
doesn't always give the answer you
want.

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AFENI MILLER
So you think they'll be alright?

WISENED ONLOOKER
The Lord never gives more than we can
bear. He's got a plan for all of us.

AFENI MILLER
When does he plan on helping us?

Afeni walks away from the old woman and continues down the
road into downtown proper.

WISENED ONLOOKER
I'll pray for you!

The city is waking up as people head to work, the main

thoroughfare has several vehicles driving down it. The snow
has been removed completely where possible, resulting in neat
snow drifts lining the road and sidewalks.

Following from a distance, Robert watches Afeni walk down the

road until she turns a corner, out of sight. With a sigh,
Robert straightens his tie and heads into town himself.

The foot traffic is starting to pick up as businesses begin

to open for the day.

Robert walks down the sidewalk, picking his way through the
crowd.

Cutting across the next intersection, Robert skips around

white pedestrians, nodding to any who share eye contact.

EXT. CHICAGO - 2ND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - DAY

Continuing up the street, Robert approaches the 2nd

Presbyterian church. The church sits at the corner of an
intersection, the sound of a pipe organ playing in stilted
rhythms drifts from the windows.

Standing on the street corner across from the church is ZEUS

(30), a senior member of the CRE, holding a stack of
pamphlets and offering them to any passersby.

ZEUS
A word on racial equality.

Zeus spots Robert as he gets closer.

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ZEUS
Brother Robert!

ROBERT BROOKS
Brother Zeus!

The two men shake hands.

ZEUS
Good morning!

ROBERT BROOKS
Yes, it is! Whew! Someone is jammin'!

ZEUS
They've been at it all morning.
Getting some practice in before
evening service.

ROBERT BROOKS
Service? It's Wednesday!

ZEUS
Folks sin all week, what's another
service?

A white man walks past them and Zeus reaches around Robert to
offer the man a pamphlet.

ZEUS
A few thoughts on racial equality.

The man refuses and continues on his way.

ZEUS
Have a blessed day!

ROBERT BROOKS
This what I'm helping with?

ZEUS
Nah, this is a personal thing. This
race hatin' church wouldn't let my
momma join the congregation. This is
like my riff on Martin Luther's ninety-
five thesis.

Robert grabs a pamphlet and opens it up, revealing an

incredible amount of tiny lines of words, covering all three
folds.

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ROBERT BROOKS
Woah! Ok, you were for real about the
ninety-five.

ZEUS
I'd nail them on them on the door, but
then they'd get me for vandalism.

Robert hands him back the pamphlet with a nod.

ROBERT BROOKS
Love your neighbors if they look like
yourself.

ZEUS
You said it.

ROBERT BROOKS
Well, where am I setting up today?

ZEUS
The brothers are meeting over by the
Buckingham to promote tonight's
meeting.

ROBERT BROOKS
Cool, I'll head over now. I'll see you
tonight?

ZEUS
Tonight!

The two men shake hands and Robert sets off.

EXT. CHICAGO - RECRUITING STATION - DAY

Making his way uptown, Robert walks in the street next to the
sidewalk, staying clear of the mass of white pedestrians
dominating the walkway.

Turning a corner, Robert comes across the end of a queue,

African American men of all shades and ages in a line going
down the street and around the block.

Robert approaches a young man in line.

ROBERT BROOKS
Good morning, brother.

The young man nods back.

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ROBERT BROOKS
They giving out jobs?

The young man shrugs.

ROBERT BROOKS
Ok? Do you know what the job is?

The young man shrugs again.

ROBERT BROOKS
How much they paying?

Shrug.

ROBERT BROOKS
How long you been waiting?

Shrug.

ROBERT BROOKS
Cool, thanks for the help.

The young man nods.

Robert walks further up the line and tries again with a

couple men talking.

ROBERT BROOKS
Good morning, brothers!

RECRUIT 1
Morning.

RECRUIT 2
What's up?

ROBERT BROOKS
What they hiring for?

RECRUIT 1
Construction mainly.

ROBERT BROOKS
Shhhoooot. What's the pay?

RECRUIT 2
Pssh! Pay! You get some hot, a cot,
and a uniform.

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ROBERT BROOKS
No pay?

RECRUIT 1
Shhit, they let me get a gun, that's
pay enough.

ROBERT BROOKS
A gun? What the hell you need a gun
for construction?

RECRUIT 1
I ain't getting shot in the back
building roads.

ROBERT BROOKS
Shot in the back? Where's the job?

RECRUIT 2
The Philippines.

ROBERT BROOKS
The Philippines? The tropical islands?

RECRUIT 1
That's right. I was hoping for France,
I heard they like brothers there.

ROBERT BROOKS
France? What kind of job gonna let you
go to France?

RECRUIT 2
Army.

ROBERT BROOKS
Shhhhii- Damn. Army?

RECRUIT 1
You got a job already?

ROBERT BROOKS
I don't really see myself building
roads for the war.

RECRUIT 2
Uh oh, just too beneath ya, huh?

ROBERT BROOKS
No, that's not it. I'm working with
the CRE, that's the Congress of Racial

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Equality, to fight for our rights as

Americans.

RECRUIT 1
Well, congressman, how much fighting
have you done so far?

ROBERT BROOKS
I only just joined the CRE, but I've
got a long term plan to become-

RECRUIT 2
He's got a plan!

RECRUIT 1
Well, excuse us for impugning your
reputation for thinking you would ever
take such a lowly job.

ROBERT BROOKS
You got it wrong, I'm only saying I
can help in a different way.

RECRUIT 2
Right, right. We'll stay in the field,
while you get the house ready for
massa general.

ROBERT BROOKS
Brothers, please!

Recruit 1 gets in Robert's face.

RECRUIT 1
Save that brother mess!

Recruit 2 pulls him back.

RECRUIT 2
Leave it, man.

Recruit 1 shakes off Recruit 2 and calms down.

RECRUIT 1
You're right.

Spitting past Robert's feet, Recruit 1 turns back to the line

with Recruit 2.

Robert drops his head for a moment, before becoming aware of

everyone else watching the whole thing.

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Robert readdresses the recruits.

ROBERT BROOKS
I'm sorry if I offended you. Come by
the CRE meeting tonight down off 31st
and we can get some drinks after?

The two recruits ignore him.

ROBERT BROOKS
That goes for anyone here. Drinks on
me tonight.

The onlookers in the line laugh at the offer.

Robert heads down the street.

EXT. TUSCALOOSA - FIELD - DAY

Earnest cuts across a large field, baseball glove hand

outstretched towards a baseball sailing overhead. With a
dive, Earnest makes a neat catch, before quickly rolling to
his feet and firing the ball back across the field to LUKE,
Earnest's high school classmate and friend. Luke stands on
the other side of the field with a baseball bat in one hand
and a glove under the other arm.

Dropping the bat, Luke snags the ball out of the air and then
picks up the bat again.

LUKE
Another great catch! One more?

Earnest waves him off.

EARNEST WALKER
Yeah, one second.

Earnest walks over to Luke, who tosses the bat and ball on
the ground.

LUKE
Ain't gonna be no breaks in Kentucky!

EARNEST WALKER
If I go.

LUKE
I thought they offered you a full
ride.

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EARNEST WALKER
Yeah, but that doesn't matter to Pa.
"Who's gonna help me with the farm?"

LUKE
No way! They can't do that to you.

EARNEST WALKER
They won't let me sign.

LUKE
Whew, I'm sorry, man.

EARNEST WALKER
I'm never getting out of here.

LUKE
There's always Auburn.

EARNEST WALKER
Too close.

LUKE
What about the university of-

EARNEST WALKER
Ma would kill me.

Luke laughs.

LUKE
They really need you, huh?

EARNEST WALKER
Maybe, I don't know! I think they're
just scared with the war going on.

LUKE
Yeah-

Luke laughs to himself.

EARNEST WALKER
That's funny?

LUKE
No, no! I just had a really stupid
idea.

EARNEST WALKER
What?

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LUKE
I was gonna say we sign up for the
Army, but we're not old enough. And
our parents would kill us the second
we stood in line!

EARL WALKER
You're right, that is stupid. Pa would
have a fit. I'd have to hoe half the
county before he was done.

LUKE
How's that different from now?

Earnest glares at Luke.

Earnest walks over and grabs the baseball bat and ball laying
near Luke's feet in the dead grass.

Earnest tosses the ball to himself.

EARNEST WALKER
Go long.

EXT. CHICAGO - STREETS - BUTCHER BACK ENTRANCE - DAY

Arms full of animal parts, Afeni moves between her meat piles
at the back of the butcher shop, dropping the parts as she
goes.

Once her hands are empty, she heads back to a stack of wooden
crates and pulls out a large side of a cow. Laying it on a
bloody tarp splayed across a stack of wood, Afeni reaches for
her knife and goes to work.

Mr. Neiblum comes to the back door and watches her finish.
His voice startles her.

MR. NEIBLUM
Right on time, Fena. I'll see you back
here for the afternoon shipment.

AFENI MILLER
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

MR. NEIBLUM
Mmhmm.

Mr. Neiblum heads back inside.

Afeni takes off her apron and hangs it on the knife hook.

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Walking to the corner of the building, she uses a water

spigot attached to the wall, rinsing her hands and face.

Afeni heads back out of town and down the road to the black
neighborhood.

Turning a corner, she walks up to an old two story house,

that has its front door wide open. Smoke is pouring out of a
rusty stove pipe chimney, and piano music can be heard
playing inside.

INT. CHICAGO - JOTTY'S - DAY

Afeni walks into a smokey room, rays of sunshine visibly

cutting in through the windows.

The concrete floors have been swept clean and the interior
walls have been removed completely, allowing for a large open
space. The kitchen has several female cooks wearing white
aprons scooting around an old coal fed stove, a large table
next to them, serving as the expediting station.

The living room's fireplace has a roast pig on a spigot,

rotating over a low fire. A small piano sits in the corner,
where a young black man bangs away on the keys.

Small tables are scattered across the rest of the open space,
with the chairs stacked in the corner.

Afeni waves to the cooks.

AFENI MILLER
Hey, Jotty! I'll get-

One cook, an older black woman wearing a blue apron, JOTTY,

waves back.

JOTTY
Hey, girl! I know what you want! Go
find a seat!

Robert sits at a table, drinking water from a glass and

nodding along to the music.

He spots Afeni and waves her over. Standing up, he walks

across and grabs a chair from the stack and sits it next to
his own.

She takes the seat offered as he sits down.

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ROBERT BROOKS
I didn't know if you were actually
gonna make it.

AFENI MILLER
Have I ever wasted your time?

ROBERT BROOKS
No, of course not. Just me being a
fool again.

AFENI MILLER
Don't call yourself a fool. If you
wanna be a fool, I'll just go. You
know I don't suffer-

ROBERT BROOKS
But you- you called me-

Afeni cracks a smile.

ROBERT BROOKS
Ha, ha. Funny.

The piano player stops playing and gets up to take a break.

AFENI MILLER
I thought you liked fooling around?

The sentence hangs in the silence.

ROBERT BROOKS
Heh-

Afeni pushes him playfully.

AFENI MILLER
No! You know what I mean!

Robert raises his eyebrows.

ROBERT BROOKS
Do I!

AFENI MILLER
Shut up!

ROBERT BROOKS
I don't know why you're fighting it?
My momma says our names sound so good
together, it must be fate. Like Adam

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and Eve!

AFENI MILLER
Oh Lord, help me! Your momma said
that?

ROBERT BROOKS
Listen: Robert and Afeni. Afeni and
Robert- ooo! I got chills that time!
You feel that?

AFENI MILLER
You are too much!

ROBERT BROOKS
But really, what about us?

AFENI MILLER
What about us?

ROBERT BROOKS
Marriage?

AFENI MILLER
Marriage? Why?

ROBERT BROOKS
Well, usually when two people like
each other a whole lot, they get
married, buy a house, have kids-

AFENI MILLER
I don't want kids, at least not right
now with the war on, and I can't
afford a house.

ROBERT BROOKS
We'd figure it out!

AFENI MILLER
Really? Where did you work today?

ROBERT BROOKS
I didn't get hired on anywhere yet.

AFENI MILLER
But we're gonna buy a house. How we
gonna feed these kids you want? And
what if the war comes here?

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ROBERT BROOKS
Woah, woah! All that's so far from
now. Why worry about it now?

AFENI MILLER
You gotta start planning at some
point. Can't spend money you haven't
saved.

ROBERT BROOKS
I know that's important to you, but
all I care about is being with you.

AFENI MILLER
If you want a life with me, that stuff
needs to be important to you too. I'm
gonna head back.

ROBERT BROOKS
Your food hasn't even come yet.

Jotty walks over with a small tin pan covered with a cloth.

JOTTY
You needed this to go, girl?

Afeni looks at Robert.

AFENI MILLER
Thank you, Jotty.

ROBERT BROOKS
Yeah, thanks, Jotty.

JOTTY
Of course! You go on and run back to
Mr. Neiblum's, and keep an eye out for
anything you can spare.

AFENI MILLER
I'll set something aside!

JOTTY
I'd appreciate it.

AFENI MILLER
I'll talk to you later, Robert.

ROBERT BROOKS
Please, Afeni, just sit for a moment,
you just got here.

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AFENI MILLER
Afternoon shipment coming in, gonna
get back to it.

Afeni turns and heads out the door.

Jotty watches Afeni leave with a laugh and shake of her head.

JOTTY
Whew, you in trouble.

ROBERT BROOKS
And thanks for the help!

JOTTY
You're a big boy. But she's a woman.
You need to figure that out on your
own.

Robert waves her off.

ROBERT BROOKS
I've got it figured out!

JOTTY
Uh huh.

EXT. TUSCALOOSA - BARNYARD - AFTERNOON

Earnest walks over to a large tin carport housing a large

tarp covered object. Grabbing the edge of the tarp, he pulls
it back over the object revealing an expensive but well used
tractor.

Earnest drives the tractor across the yard with a two wheeled
metal cart attached to the rear.

Rolling up to a large metal shed sitting in gravel about a

hundred feet away from the house, Earnest backs the cart up
to the front of the shed.

Cutting the engine, Earnest hops down and stretches. A neat

stack of hay bales sits next to the shed, and Earnest slides
back the shed's door revealing dozens of matching bales
stacked neatly inside.

Reaching inside the cart, Earnest grabs a pair of work gloves

and a couple baling hooks. Putting on the gloves, he grips
the hooks, walks over to the right side of the shed and hauls
down the top most bale. With a heave, Earnest swings the bale
over into the cart. After another quick shoulder stretch,

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Earnest turns around and grabs the next bale.

Earnest approaches the now fully stacked cart of hay with an

armful of 2x4s from inside the shed, shoving one vertically
into each side of the cart, bracing the stack.

Walking back into the shed, Earnest hooks the next bale and
drags it over to the now vacant front right of the shed,
before heading back to the next bale and sliding it behind
the first one.

Having sorted the inside, Earnest walks out to the stack next
to the shed, grabs a bale, and starts filling in the now
empty space on the left side of the shed.

Earnest sticks the baling hooks on his belt loop before

locking up the shed and hopping back on the tractor.

Driving the tractor over to a large barn behind the house, he

backs the cart up to the doors.

Cutting the engine, he hops down and walks over to the cart.
Finding a small lever under the cart, he yanks it, which
tilts the cart back towards the barn door, sending the hay
bales spilling out on to the ground.

Opening the barn doors reveals several stalls to house

animals and a pitchfork leaning up against a small stack of
hay bales on the back wall. Hooking a bale from the wall,
Earnest drags it to the furthest stall. Grabbing the
pitchfork, he dismantles the hay bale with it, before forking
the hay into the feeding trough.

Clearing the back wall of hay bales, Earnest heads out to the
cart and hooks the nearest upturned bale and drags it into
the next stall.

After filling the trough, Earnest quickly steps backwards out

of the stall and launches the pitchfork at the rest of the
bales, the fork spearing one of them. Earnest walks over,
grabs the pitchfork handle and drags the bale into the barn.

EXT. TUSCALOOSA - BARNYARD - EVENING

Earl drives up to the barn in a truck hauling a large horse

trailer, with several horses peaking out of the trailer's
side windows. Maneuvering around the tractor still parked at
the door, he reverses the trailer up to the barn.

Hopping out of the truck, he walks back to the trailer and

unlocks the gate. Unhitching Adelaide the horse, he leads

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them out of the trailer and up to the barn. As he approaches

the doors, Earl notices a hay bale still sitting on the
ground next to the overturned cart.

EARL WALKER
This boy still ain't done yet?

Earl starts walking into the barn when the pitchfork comes
sailing out of the barn, barely missing Earl's leg. Earl
jumps back, startling Adelaide, who rears up in fright.

EARL WALKER
Damnit, Earnest! Woah, Adelaide!

As Earl wrestles with the horse's reins, Earnest comes

running out.

EARNEST WALKER
Hey, pa!

Earnest realizes what's happening and rushes to help calm the

horse, patting the horses flank.

EARNEST WALKER
Woah, Adie!

EARL WALKER
Settle down, Adelaide.

The horse calms under the ministrations of the father and

son.

Earnest laughs in relief.

EARNEST WALKER
Dang, pa! What happened?

Earl points at the pitchfork sticking sideways out of the hay

bale.

EARL WALKER
Some fool hucked that thing out the
barn door, almost took my leg with it.

Earnest shrinks.

EARNEST WALKER
Sorry, pa, I didn't see you.

EARL WALKER
Mhhmm. Too busy playing, when you're

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supposed to be working.

EARNEST WALKER
The works getting done.

EARL WALKER
Should've been done a couple hours
ago.

EARNEST WALKER
What's the difference? I'll be done
before you need them.

EARL WALKER
The difference is you didn't do it
when I told you to do it. If you can't
do what I tell you here, what coach is
gonna work with you?

EARNEST WALKER
But then I'll be doing something I
want to do.

EARL WALKER
You don't want to help the family?

Earnest rolls his eyes.

EARNEST WALKER
Here we go.

EARL WALKER
Tired of taking some stress off your
mom and I?

EARNEST WALKER
You know that's not true, pa!

EARL WALKER
You sure?

EARNEST WALKER
It's just not all I want to do. I want
to have my own life.

EARL WALKER
What do you think I'm doing? I'm
living my own life. But you have to
work to provide for that life.

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EARNEST WALKER
Maybe I want to do a different kind of
work.

EARL WALKER
You can't pine hopes on getting signed
to a team, you need to have a job you
can rely on. I hear baseball might not
even be on for this season.

EARNEST WALKER
You'd love that, huh?

Earnest walks over to the last hay bale and hooks it with one
hand and grabs the pitchfork in the other before dragging it
in to the closest stall. Earl follows behind him a few steps.

Earnest huffs while dismantling the bale of hay.

EARNEST WALKER
Love for me to have to stay here and
help.

EARL WALKER
I would love that, but that's not what-

Dora walks up to the barn from the house, but over hears the
two talking and doesn't announce herself.

EARNEST WALKER
It's not fair, you know? You got to
see France and be a hero and I get to
be farm boy.

EARL WALKER
That was war! I wasn't having fun.

EARNEST WALKER
You know what I mean! You got to live
your life. Now you won't let me live
mine.

EARL WALKER
You'll get your chance soon enough. A
couple more seasons like this one and
I can afford to hire on a couple more
hands.

EARNEST WALKER
But my offer is for now. The recruiter

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says if the war ends next year like

they're saying, all the boys coming
back will take my spot!

EARL WALKER
If they're gonna take your spot, what
difference does a year make?

DORA WALKER
Early!

The two men flinch.

EARNEST WALKER
You're probably right, pa.

Earnest walks out of the stall with the pitchfork and leans
it on the back wall and then heads out of the barn, ignoring
Dora's gaze.

Earl starts to follow Earnest out.

EARL WALKER
Ernie- Earnest! Wait, I didn't mean-

Dora steps in the doorway and stops him, grabbing him softly
by the shoulders.

Earnest re-levels the metal cart and snaps the lever at it's
base back, locking the cart upright. Hopping on the tractor,
he starts it back up and drives it back to the carport.

DORA WALKER
That was unhelpful, Early.

EARL WALKER
I know, dear, I let my tongue go too
long without a thought.

Dora sighs and puts her head on Earl's chest. Earl wraps his
arms around her waist. Dora leans into him.

EARL WALKER
After I finish up here, I'll go
explain-

Dora leans back in his arms and looks him in the eyes.

DORA WALKER
It's been a day full of talking, so
why don't we just have a quiet supper?

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EARL WALKER
You're right.

Dora puts her head back on his chest.

EARL WALKER
Maybe I'll take him out fishing this
weekend, haven't been out on the lake
with him since Norman was born.

DORA WALKER
That sounds like a great idea. I'm
sure Normie would love to go into town
with me. Do you need anything else,
since we're going past Townsend's?

EARL WALKER
No, just whatever's already on the
list.

Earl kisses Dora on the forehead and then Dora steps out of
his arms.

DORA WALKER
Well, supper's ready whenever you are.
Did you want some help out here?

EARL WALKER
Nah, nah, I'll be in in a little bit.

Dora turns to leave, but Earl grabs her by the hand and spins
her back to him. The two kiss and hug.

Earl reluctantly lets her go.

EARL WALKER
Thank you.

DORA WALKER
For?

EARL WALKER
Telling me when I'm wrong.

DORA WALKER
You know I take no pleasure in it.

The two laugh and kiss again.

DORA WALKER
I'll see you inside?

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EARL WALKER
Soon. I love you.

DORA WALKER
Love you too.

Dora heads out of the barn.

Earl follows her out and walks the ramp up into the trailer.

INT. CHICAGO - BLACK APARTMENT LOBBY - NIGHT

The apartment lobby is crammed pack with people, the dozens

of brown faces looking up at Zeus and two other men standing
on the stairs above them. Zeus is leaned over the stair
railing, while the other two lean back against the wall,
waiting their turn to speak.

ZEUS
They don't worship the Bible's God,
they worship hypocrisy. A loving god
wouldn't stand for the mess they do in
his name.

The packed house claps in agreement. Robert stands at the

back of the room with other CRE members, near the exit,
cheering along with them.

ZEUS
Maybe they have one of those new
versions going around. Matthew 22:39,
"Love your neighbors if they look like
you."

The house roars it's approval. Robert leans over to a CRE

member next to him.

ROBERT BROOKS
Hey, I said that! I told him that!

The CRE member nods along and laughs, before turning back to
Robert.

ROBERT BROOKS
No serious-

MARTELLUS, a senior CRE member, leans in the door from

outside.

MARTELLUS
Brother Robert! Your shifts starting!

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ROBERT BROOKS
Sure thing, Brother Martellus, coming
out now.

Robert shuffles through the crowd to the exit.

EXT. CHICAGO - BLACK APARTMENT BLOCK - NIGHT

Robert steps out in to the cold night and wraps a ragged

scarf around his face and neck. Martellus stands next to the
door, a silent sentry.

ROBERT BROOKS
Oh man, they really got it jumpin' in
there tonight! You hear that Matthew
22 line?!

Martellus raises an arm and points down the street.

MARTELLUS
Head down the block and relieve
Brother Larnell.

ROBERT BROOKS
Will do.

MARTELLUS
Remember, soon as you see them, you
come running.

ROBERT BROOKS
Right. Say, anyone come by asking for
me?

Martellus never stops pointing.

MARTELLUS
No.

ROBERT BROOKS
That's cool. Alright, guess I'll just
head over and relieve Brother Larnell.

Martellus nods.

Robert tightens his scarf wrap and heads up the snow blasted
sidewalk, bracing against the fierce wind as he turns the
corner.

LARNELL is leaning against a stop sign at a nearby

intersection, bundled in a large over coat, with a wool hat

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and mittens.

ROBERT BROOKS
Evening, my brother! I've come to
relieve-

LARNELL
What took you so long?

ROBERT BROOKS
Sorry, the wind is going straight
through me.

LARNELL
Wanna borrow my mittens?

Larnell wipes his forehead with his mitten covered hand and
then offers both hands out to Robert.

ROBERT BROOKS
Are you sweating?

LARNELL
The jacket's a little too warm.

ROBERT BROOKS
I'll make due.

LARNELL
Suit yourself.

Larnell stomps back towards the meeting leaving Robert alone.

Robert leans up against the stop sign and breathes into his
hands for warmth.

Robert is humming to himself when Recruit 1 and Recruit 2

approach him at his post. Recruit 1 is staggering down the
sidewalk with Recruit 2 bracing him upright from behind by
his shoulders.

ROBERT BROOKS
Evening, my brothers! You made it!

Recruit 2 realizes who it is and tries to steer Recruit 1 in

the opposite direction, but Recruit 1 wriggles out of his
grasp.

RECRUIT 1
That's right, we made it! Now where's
that drink at?

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ROBERT BROOKS
That's right, I owe you two a drink!

RECRUIT 2
Thanks, but we've had enough for the
night. Just gonna get him home!

RECRUIT 1
Bullshit, we have!

ROBERT BROOKS
Alright, if you'll just give me a
minute, my shifts almost up and then
we can hit up Jotty's!

RECRUIT 1
Jotty's!

RECRUIT 2
We don't have time for this! He's got
to straighten up before he ships out
tomorrow!

RECRUIT 1
I'm sober! Enough. One more round!

ROBERT BROOKS
I'm sorry, brother, but it sounds like
we're already done for the night.

RECRUIT 1
Come on! You promised! One more drink,
just a shot! Help send us off!

Robert steps up to Recruit 1 and grips both his shoulders.

ROBERT BROOKS
I'm gonna help you get home, brother.

Recruit 1 punches Robert in the stomach.

RECRUIT 1
I told you to stop it with that
brother mess!

Recruit 1 winds up for a big uppercut, but Robert steps back

and Recruit 1 spins, trips on his own feet and falls into the
snow drift lining the sidewalk.

Two police cars and a firetruck roll up, lights and sirens
blaring, causing Robert and the recruits to raise their hands

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in surrender, Recruit 1 prostrate in the snow.

The police cars and firetruck continue down the street past
them.

RECRUIT 2
Where they headed?

ROBERT BROOKS
Oh no!

Robert sprints down the sidewalk after the government

vehicles, while Recruit 1 stumbles to his feet.

RECRUIT 1
You still owe me a drink!

Robert reaches the corner and the apartment building comes

back into view.

Martellus is being handcuffed, while a fire marshal leads

several more cops into the building.

The meetings attendees start fleeing the building, but are

met by a few cops with their batons out, taking swings at
those who get to close.

Robert backs up to the corner and peaks around it, as a

police paddywagon rolls by him and pulls up to the apartment.
A dozen more cops hop out and begin tackling runners.

Recruit 1 and Recruit 2 appear behind Robert, startling him.

RECRUIT 1
Who's party was that?

Robert turns around, pushes past the two recruits and runs up
the street.

INT. TUSCALOOSA - FARMHOUSE - DAY

Norm II sits at the dining room table, eating a bowl of

oatmeal. Luke comes running up to the window behind him and
knocks on it. Norm II finally notices him and meets him at
the side door.

Luke is out of breath.

LUKE
Hey, Normie! Where's your mom and dad?

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EXT. TUSCALOOSA - POLICE STATION - MORNING

The police station has been turned into an active recruiting

station for the Army, with a couple tanks stationed out front
and Uncle Sam posters plastering the neighboring electric
poles.

The parking lot is a stationing area for shipping off

recruits, with the parking lot itself full of several hundred
standing in formation, waiting. At the entrance of the
parking lot sits a perpetual line of buses, leaving full
every few minutes with new recruits.

Earnest is in line with several older white men, filling out

a form on the back of the man in front of him, while the man
behind him uses his.

After finishing his form, he taps his impromptu desk on the

shoulder, who turns and shakes his hand before walking away.

He sits bent over waiting for his cohort, WILT, to finish.

Wilt finally finishes and taps him on the shoulder.

WILT
Thanks, buddy. And good luck.

Earnest is frozen in place staring at his completed form.

WILT
You alright, pal?

Earnest nods.

EARNEST WALKER
Yeah, I was reading the guidelines. If
my parents find out I'm here, they
could discharge me.

WILT
What? Why would they do that?

EARNEST WALKER
They don't want me here. Pa's gonna be
real hot when he finds out.

WILT
You're lucky! My parents said I had
to, that I was lucky to get the chance
to serve my country.

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EARNEST WALKER
My pa hates that thinking. He was in
France in '18 and won't even talk
about it.

WILT
Phew, that was a different time. My
cousin's pa came back changed, doesn't
sleep much.

EARNEST WALKER
That may be, but this might be my only
chance to not be a dull farmer for the
rest of my life.

WILT
Now that I can understand.

Earnest starts walking back to the registration line.

EARNEST WALKER
Well, good luck.

WILT
Hold on a sec, kid.

EXT. TUSCALOOSA - BARN - DAY

Earl walks into a stall and hitches Adelaide the horse to a

line of rope.

EARL WALKER
Sorry about disturbing your dinner
yesterday, Adelaide. This old fool's
working on it, though.

Luke and Norm II run up to him.

NORM II
Papa! Mama wants you!

Earl stops in his tracks.

EARL WALKER
Norman? Luke?! What you doing out
here? Everything, ok?

LUKE
No, sir, it's not! We've got to hurry!

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EARL WALKER
What's going on?

LUKE
Earnest enlisted, sir!

INT. TUSCALOOSA - FARMHOUSE - DAY

Earl runs into the house and finds Dora in the living room
swiping angrily at the tears rolling down her face.

EARL WALKER
Dora!

Earl rushes over to her and hugs her.

EARL WALKER
I'm gonna bring him back.

DORA WALKER
Please, Early! Go! Hurry!

Earl rushes into the bedroom and rummages through the drawers
for the truck keys. Not finding them, he tosses the entire
contents on the bed, and starts swiping at the pile, sending
things flying onto the floor. Snatching up the uncovered
keys, he runs back out.

EARL WALKER
I just have to fill out some
processing papers, and we'll be home
for dinner.

DORA WALKER
Go!

EARNEST WALKER
Keep an ear out for the phone!

Earl rushes out the door, leaving it open behind him.

EXT. CHICAGO - RECRUITING STATION - MORNING

A light drizzle of snow falls on the recruiting station queue

of black men shivering in the cold in the early light of the
day. Robert stands among them, wrapped tight in his scarf,
hunched over, teeth chattering.

A white Army officer walks down the line checking out the
days' recruits. After passing Robert, he does a double take,
steps back and takes another look at him. Then he makes his

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way inside.

Two armed MPs march out and down the line before stopping in
front of Robert.

MP
We need you to come with us, sir.

Robert acts like he doesn't hear them.

MP
Sir, don't worry about your place in
line, just come with us.

Robert realizes they're talking to him.

ROBERT BROOKS
I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?

MP
Sir, please just step this way.

The two MPs turn and motion for him to stand in front of
them.

Robert slowly steps out of line and starts walking with the
two MPs close behind.

Robert tries to catch the eyes of any of the other would be

recruits, but everyone averts their gaze as he heads up the
line.

EXT. TUSCALOOSA - POLICE STATION - DAY

Earl walks small circles in the parking lot taking slow

breaths.

OFFICER FOUND, an ARMY recruiting officer, and Wilt approach

him from behind.

OFFICER FOUND
Found him, sir.

Earl looks Wilt up and down.

EARL WALKER
Where is he?

OFFICER FOUND
Sir?

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EARL WALKER
Where's my son?

WILT
Oh! You're the dad!

EARL WALKER
What's going on?

WILT
I traded enlistment forms with your
son, seemed like a good kid.

EARL WALKER
What?!

OFFICER FOUND
Excuse me! That's against regulations!

WILT
Hey, hey! I was just helping. The kid
said he just wanted a chance-

EARL WALKER
He's just a kid, you idiot! He's gonna
get killed out there!

OFFICER FOUND
Many people will lose their sons, sir,
you should consider it an honor that
he gets to fight for-

EARL WALKER
No, I mean literally a kid. The damned
fool just turned 17.

OFFICER FOUND
Oh! Well, we can track him down and
wash him out. What's your real name
recruit!

WILT
Wilt. Wilton Adle.

EARL WALKER
Alright lead the way, son, let's go
get him.

Officer Found is shocked.

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OFFICER FOUND
Sir, I'm sorry.

INT. CHICAGO - SPAREROOM

Robert sits alone in the room sweating through his shirt. The
table in front of him has faint blood stains on it, Robert
traces them with his fingers.

A Lieutenant steps into the room in full dress, with a stack

of papers.

LIEUTENANT
Sorry about that wait, sir.

Robert is confused.

ROBERT BROOKS
No problem, sir.

LIEUTENANT
Good, good. We just need you to fill
out these forms and then we can get
you to the airport.

ROBERT BROOKS
Airport, sir?

LIEUTENANT
Yes, sir! You'll link up with the
transports coming from the South, and
head to basic!

ROBERT BROOKS
Basic, sir!

LIEUTENANT
Oh, yes! Soldiers have to be fit and
ready before we send you to the front
lines.

ROBERT BROOKS
Front lines, sir? I thought I'd be on
construction? Build some roads?

LIEUTENANT
Is that why you were with the niggers,
excuse me, in the colored line? Oh,
no, they build, we fight.

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ROBERT BROOKS
Sir?

The Lieutenant slides the stack of papers over to Robert.

LIEUTENANT
Don't worry about it, son, you'll be a
trained killing machine in no time.

INT. TUSCALOOSA - POLICE STATION - DAY

Earl sits in a chair outside the police chief's office, which

has been commandeered by the recruiting heads. Officer Found
leans out of the office.

OFFICER FOUND
Ready for you, sir.

Earl gets up and follows him inside. An Army Captain sits in

the chair, holding a phone up for offer.

CAPTAIN PHONE
For you.

Earl takes the offered phone and puts it to his ear. The
captain and Officer Found step out of the office.

EARL WALKER
Earl Walker, here.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Sgt. Walker?

Earl's grip on the phone tightens.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Sgt. Walker you there?

EARL WALKER
Lt. Stanley.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

It's General Stanley now.

EARL WALKER
General Stanley, congratulations.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Thank you, son. You know, I heard
someone was calling around with your
name and I had to see if it was you.

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EARL WALKER
I'm just looking for my son.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Ah, yes. Young Earnest has enlisted!
Aren't you proud?

Earl doesn't answer and Gen. Stanley chuckles.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Well, I'd love to help you, but I need
a little help from you too.

EARL WALKER
What's help mean this time?

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Oh, come on, Early, don't pretend you
didn't enjoy it! Now you've got Dora
and that spread-

EARL WALKER
Howard, what do you need?

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Just the usual, little publicity tour
for the troops. Get their morale up.
I'll have you in and out in a week.

EARL WALKER
What about my boy?

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

After the week, I'll fly you to him
myself.

EARL WALKER
What's the catch?

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

No, catch, just put on the uniform,
tell the war stories, make them happy.
And it's in the Philippines.

EARL WALKER
Howard!

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

It's nothing. The place is beautiful,
I'm offering you a vacation. All you
have to do is be the "Black Death" for

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a week-

EARL WALKER
I hate that name.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Hey, hey! The Black Death is a legend!

EARL WALKER
Lemme talk to Dora.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

That's fair.

INT. TUSCALOOSA - FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Dora is cleaning up the room, clearing the bed and floor of

the dumped drawer contents. Dora comes across Earl's balled
up sock and unfurls it, revealing a couple purple hearts and
a Medal of Honor.

The phone rings and she drops the medals on the bed and runs
into the kitchen, pulling the phone off the hook.

DORA WALKER
Early?!

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
Dear, I just got off the phone with
the general and everything is being
taken care of.

DORA WALKER
You boys headed back now?

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
No, honey, Earnest is already on a
plane to basic.

Dora drops the phone in shock.

EARL WALKER
Dora?

Dora stares at the phone eyes welling with tears again.

She finally picks up the phone.

DORA WALKER
I thought you said it was taken care
of!

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EARL WALKER(O.S.)
It is, Dora! The general is flying me
out to bring him home. They're
offering to fly me out right now to
meet him.

DORA WALKER
Really?

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
Yup! We'll be home safe in a few days!

DORA WALKER
Earnie's coming home?

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
Yes, dear.

DORA WALKER
Soon, please!

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
I'll try to call when I land, ok?

DORA WALKER
Ok.

EARL WALKER(O.S.)
I love you.

DORA WALKER
I love you.

INT. TUSCALOOSA - POLICE STATION - DAY

Earl hangs up the phone.

Picking the phone back up, he dials a few numbers.

General Stanley picks up.

GEN. STANLEY (O.S.)

Walker?

EXT. CHICAGO - STREETS - BUTCHER BACK ENTRANCE - DAY

Afeni is hard at work when Jotty comes sneaking up the alley.

JOTTY
Psst! Afeni!

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AFENI MILLER
Hey!

Afeni looks back at the butcher doorway, and finding it

clear, rushes over to Jotty.

AFENI MILLER
I'm sorry, Jotty, I can't have you
around here, Mr. Neiblum would-

Jotty waves her off.

JOTTY
No, no. It's Robert!

AFENI MILLER
What that fool do now?

JOTTY
I'll let him tell you.

Jotty hands her an envelope. Afeni rehooks the knife and

grabs the envelope using the back of her hands.

JOTTY
I'll get out of your hair.

AFENI MILLER
Sorry, Jotty!

Jotty waves her off again on her way out.

Afeni slides the envelope into her armpit. After rinsing her
hands in the water spigot, she dries them off on her dress,
then reaches for the envelope and rips it open.

EXT. CHICAGO AIRPORT TARMAC - DAY

Robert is sweating nervously as he stands at attention on the

tarmac with several MPs and new recruits, all white men. A
large plane taxis up to the group and stops.

Robert and the others file on to the plane, with Robert

finding a seat next to Earnest, who's already on the plane.
Robert slinks down into his seat and keeps his pack in his
lap to block his face.

Earnest also has his pack in his lap, watching the window and
MPs closely, ready to bolt.

Earnest and Robert glance at each other and Robert averts his

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gaze.

EARNEST WALKER
You heard anyone say anything about
sending someone back to where they
came from?

Robert side eyes Earnest for a second before shaking his

head.

ROBERT BROOKS
Nuh uh.

EARNEST WALKER
Hmmph. They probably don't even know
yet.

Earnest goes back to spying out the window.

Robert grips his pack tighter and closes his eyes.

END

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