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Farmland - Script
Farmland - Script
Wheat fields. Etched in darkness and moonlight. For the moment it's
calm.
Perched on the house's front stair is HENRY MAST. He's 11 years old
and anxious as anything.
HENRY
Was it like this with me?
Then, silence.
Walter lowers his pipe. Faces the front door. Waiting. Standing in the
painful silence.
DOCTOR
I'm sorry, Walter.
Henry watches from the doorway. His eyes welling with tears.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
Under grey skies. Walter hacks at the earth with a shovel. Stone-faced.
Focused only on his task. Dig.
CUT TO:
LATER
Walter and Henry stand before a fresh grave bearing two wooden
crosses. There are no words.
FADE OUT:
HENRY (O.S.)
Pa!
Walter groans.
HENRY (O.S.)
Pa, we're going to be late.
Walter swings his legs out of bed. An empty whiskey bottle falls to the
floor. Not that he noticed.
The fields look fallow. Henry drives their farm wagon, and their one
horse, up to the front of the house.
HENRY
Come on!
Perched in the front pew and singing louder than anyone is LOUIS
SUTTER, early 40's. His opulent clothes hinting at arrogance. There's
no dirt under this man's nails.
To Louis's sides are his wife ELIZABETH, late 30's, and daughters ANNA,
9, and MARY, 11.
Mary takes her eyes off her hymnal just long enough to catch Henry
staring at her from another pew, a few rows back.
Henry doesn't look away. Just offers a soft smile that Mary returns.
Walter sings from the doorway with the same lack of enthusiasm he's
given the rest of the day.
GRIM FARMER
Heard he bought another one.
WOEFUL FARMER
Where?
GRIM FARMER
Sarpy county.
NEIGHBOR
Sarpy... He's out to own the whole
territory. Nebraska even.
WALTER
Man's got means. What can you do?
NEIGHBOR
Tell you what I'd like to do--
NEIGHBOR
Look at that peacock. Like he's president
or something.
NEIGHBOR
Be a cold day in hell before he gets my
farm.
Walter sits across the desk from a BANK OFFICIAL who can't stop
wringing his hands.
BANK OFFICIAL
I'd really like to help. I really would...
WALTER
I'm not asking for a hand-out, George. It's
been a tough season. I just need more
time.
BANK OFFICIAL
You've already exceeded the grace
period. Twice.
WALTER
I know--
BANK OFFICIAL
You've accrued penalties that frankly it
doesn't appear you're capable of
recompensing.
WALTER
I know--
BANK OFFICIAL
If you're unable to make payment by
month's end you're going to default on
your mortgage and the bank will be
forced to foreclose. Do you understand
what I'm saying? We'll take your farm,
Walter. I've added this sentence
expressly to make the speech long
enough to force Final Draft to add a more
at the bottom of the previous page, and a
continued at the top of this one.
He grabs a whiskey bottle and knocks it back. Takes a long hard look at
his farm.
WALTER
Henry!
No response.
WALTER
Boy!
Mary wrestles with the kite line. It's windy enough that the kite keeps
pulling at her hands.
She trades smiles with Henry.
Their weight too much, the kite line SNAPS and they fall to the ground
in a heap.
MARY
Well I guess that's that.
Henry watches her dance to music only she can hear. Gliding across
the prairie without a care in the world. Henry smiles.
WALTER
Where you been?
HENRY
Out.
Henry blasts past him. Letting the door slam after him.
WALTER
You missed your chores!
Walter's wagon enters the long dusty lane to his neighbor's farm.
As he nears the house he spots an unexpected sight: Neighbor packing
his wagon.
WALTER
What's going on here?
NEIGHBOR
I didn't have a choice.
Walter looks to the house where Louis is directing MEN. Walter realizes:
Neighbor sold his farm.
NEIGHBOR
I got a family to think about.
WALTER
What did he offer?
NEIGHBOR
Enough. He offered enough.
Neighbor lifts his WIFE and TWO DAUGHTERS into the wagon. Then
climbs in himself.
WALTER
I never thought you'd be the sort to cut
and run. Well go ahead. Scurry back to
Kansas, you gutless cur. See if you can't
get work making womens' dresses cuz
you sure as hell ain't no granger.
NEIGHBOR
There's nothing here for me. Nothing for
you either. Time to move on.
Walter can feel Louis's eyes on him. Staring at him with fixed interest.
Walter meets his gaze. Two titans of will in a silent stand-off.
EXT. MAST FARM - DAY
The sun blazes overhead. Walter is in the field, struggling to run a plow
behind his horse.
Louis climbs from his carriage just as Henry rounds the house and
freezes -- stunned to see him.
LOUIS
Afternoon, son. Is your father here?
LOUIS
I asked you a question. It's impolite not
to answer. That is unless you're dumb.
You're not dumb, are you, boy?
Louis approaches Henry. Each step further illustrating how small Henry
is to him.
WALTER (O.S.)
Go on inside, Henry.
WALTER
(to Henry)
Go on.
WALTER
LOUIS
Afternoon, Mr. Mast. My name is Louis--
WALTER
I know who you are. I'm not interested.
LOUIS
You haven't heard my offer.
WALTER
I ain't selling. Not now. Not ever.
LOUIS
Then I guess I made the trip out here for
nothing.
Louis is still wearing his salesman's smile. Walter's not buying, and
damn sure he ain't selling.
LOUIS
Well be that as it may, I'm already here. I
might as well unburden myself of my
proposal. Twelve cents an acre would be
more than a smart sprinkle but I can tell
you're a shaver and I don't aim to waste
your time. Thirteen cents.
Walter spits. Louis can't believe it. He's amused by a hard bargain.
LOUIS
Sakes you are a shaver. All right, Mr.
Mast. You win. Best offer. Eighteen cents
on the acre. That's a right smart deal. Far
more than it's worth. Especially
considering its current state. What say
you to that, sir?
WALTER
Appreciate your offer, Mr. Sutter. The
answer is no.
LOUIS
You turn your back on me?
Louis's demeanor has flipped. The salesman's smile has been replaced
by a venomous rage.
LOUIS
I offered you a fair deal. A fair deal.
WALTER
I meant no disrespect Mr. Sutter--
LOUIS
Money is respect! I offered you mine and
you turned your back to me. You're going
to regret this.
Walter looks uneasy. Sees Henry staring at him from the front door.
A satchel is dropped onto the Bank Official's desk. The size and weight
of which could hold a lot of money.
LOUIS
Good afternoon.
Walter exits his house to find the Bank Official on his front door step
with an apologetic nervousness.
WALTER
What are you doing here?
LOUIS
I've come for restitution.
WALTER
(to Bank Official)
What have you done?
BANK OFFICIAL
I'm sorry, Walter.
LOUIS
The bank was wise enough to sell me
your loan. You see, they know a smart
deal when they see one.
WALTER
You can't do that.
BANK OFFICIAL
We didn't have a choice. You're over head
and ears. Mr. Sutter paid in full.
LOUIS
Don't worry, Walter, I'm not a hard
hearted man. You have till the end of the
week to square even. Which by my
account is three months plus interest.
Then it's mine.
WALTER
(to Bank Official)
Please. My wife is buried in this land.
LOUIS
You mean my land.
Walter's torrid eyes peg Louis's smug, haughty face so hard it could
leave marks.
HENRY
What's school like?
MARY
I dunno. Fun I guess. My Daddy says
anyone worth their salt has an education.
You've never been?
HENRY
Pa won't let me.
MARY
How come?
HENRY
He needs my help on the farm.
MARY
You aren't there now.
HENRY
I hate that place. Besides, I'd rather be
with you.
MARY
Maybe you could come live with us.
Henry and Mary come to a small creek. Henry dashes across a fallen
log to cross it.
Mary attempts to traverse the log but it's unstable, wobbling under
her weight. She's nervous and looks as if she's going in the creek.
Suddenly Henry appears back on the log. He grabs her by the hand
and leads her to the other side.
Once off the log Henry notices Mary doesn't let go of his hand. He likes
it.
They head toward her house, hand in hand. Each one stealing little
glimpses and giggles at each other.
LOUIS (O.S.)
Let go of her!
LOUIS
Don't ever put hands on my daughter.
(to Mary)
You are never to see this boy again.
Never! Do you understand?
LOUIS
Because I said. Now get inside the house!
MARY
But Daddy--
LOUIS
I said get!
LOUIS
Your father put you up to this?
HENRY
(confused)
No, sir.
LOUIS
Yeah, sure. He is a salty mop isn't he?
HENRY
I'm not like him.
LOUIS
What do you possibly think you have to
offer my daughter? You come from
nothing. You are nothing. You are your
father's son. Don't ever go near my
daughter again.
A cast iron skillet drops to the floor with a CLANG as the steak Walter
was cooking in it falls out. Walter cries out, having burned himself by
the fire.
He wraps his hand in a towel, muffling curses. He takes a swig from his
whiskey bottle to help dull the pain.
Henry storms in.
WALTER
Get that steak off the floor will ya?
HENRY
(re: the whiskey)
Looks like you've already had dinner.
WALTER
Watch the sass, boy. Where you been? I
can never find you. I need your help
around here. I'm trying to save the farm.
HENRY
You couldn't even save ma.
HENRY
I hate you.
Louis reads over documents by lantern light. His wife Elizabeth fills the
doorway.
ELIZABETH
She's stopped crying... if you're
interested.
ELIZABETH
This dialogue shouldn't be here.
Louis peeks in. Mary's on her bed, her back to the door. Louis crosses
the room, sits gingerly on her bed. Takes his time finding the right
words.
LOUIS
I'm only trying to do what's best by you.
Someday you'll understand.
Mary gets up, climbs into her father's arms and hugs him tight. He
hugs her back. Hard to say 'I love you' when you're upset but it doesn't
mean you can't show it.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
Abashed, Walter stands before his wife's grave, wringing his hands.
WALTER
(softly)
I don't know what to do. Sure could use
your advice.
As if an answer --
Mary combs through the hair of her doll. Suddenly there's a PLINK of
something against her window.
WALTER
Come on.
The horse breaks from the field, dragging the plow behind.
Walter can only watch as it jangles and digs, puncturing his land in a
Morse code of destruction.
WALTER
No!
The horse barrels right into his wife's grave. Destroying the cross.
Ripping soil like an open wound.
Walter clenches his jaw. Lets out a roar. He's had enough...
HENRY
There's a train tonight. Well have to go
on the fly and hide in the cow crate so
the bulls don't get us. When we get to
Lincoln we'll find a flop. I'll get work in a
factory. You'll have to work too.
MARY
I don't want to leave.
HENRY
It's okay. I'm scared too. We'll be fine.
MARY
That's easy for you to say you're not
leaving anything behind.
HENRY
It's the only way we can be together.
MARY
I don't want to go.
LOUIS
Mary?
HENRY
If I leave now you're never going to see
me again.
He waits for sign from Mary but she offers none. Can't even meet his
eyes.
MARY
Okay.
Her eyes are heavy with sadness but at least they look at Henry. It's
enough.
HENRY
Okay.
Henry rises just as a hand clamps down on him from behind -- throws
him across the lawn.
LOUIS
What did I tell you?
MARY
Daddy, no!
Henry tries to get up but Louis shoves him further across the lawn.
Advancing faster than he can react.
LOUIS
What were the words I spoke?
Another shove.
LOUIS
If you've forgotten than perhaps I need to
beat them into your memory.
LOUIS
Keep away from my--
Louis jolts as his shoulder dribbles blood, nipped by the bullet that just
whizzed by him. A flesh wound.
Walter stands thirty yards away. Staring down the smoking barrel of his
Winchester rifle.
WALTER
Step away from my boy.
LOUIS
You shot me. You fuddled dolt.
LOUIS
You'll be in the calaboose by dinner. I'll
see to that. You've dug your own grave.
LOUIS
Wait a minute now. Hold on...
Suddenly Elizabeth emerges from the house with Louis's rifle trained
on Walter. Mary just behind her.
HENRY
No!
ELIZABETH
I'm a God fearing woman, mister, but if
you don't get that rifle off my husband I'll
bury you.
Nobody moves. The air so thick with tension no one even breathes.
Then comes the noise: the strange, awful BUZZING. Growing louder
with each second. Getting closer.
MARY
Daddy...
Louis looks to the sky. The dread washing over his face too.
Finally Walter pries his focus from Louis. Gazes to the heavens.
WALTER
My God.
LOUIS
Inside! Everybody inside!
Elizabeth pushes Mary inside. Louis pulls the screen door tight behind.
ELIZABETH
What are you doing?
Henry and Walter scramble for the porch. Swatting locusts as they go.
Henry gets to the door first. He jerks at the handle but Louis holds it
fast.
HENRY
Let us in.
MARY
Let him in.
ELIZABETH
Louis, please.
The locusts are everywhere now. Engulfing the landscape. The ground
turning to a living carpet of hungry insects.
Louis lets go of the door -- grabs his rifle from Elizabeth -- raises it in
time to meet Walter's. Both men are face-to-face with each other's
guns.
Locusts crawl across Walter but he doesn't flinch. This could be his
chance to kill Louis.
HENRY
Mr. Sutter--
MARY
Daddy...
LOUIS
(to Walter)
You're not getting in here with that rifle.