by Jamie Linden
JOHN
So now you wanna talk, huh?
John leans over the gurney, lets the familiar silence hang.
Then John pulls out an envelope from his back pocket, hands it to his Dad. Mr. Tyree looks back at John -- very clearly asks “what’s this?” with his eyes.
JOHN
It’s nothing. Just a letter I wrote.
Mr. Tyree tries to open it. His hands are shaking heavily.
JOHN
No, don’t read it now. I didn’t think you’d even... just-- just read it when I’m not around, okay?
Mr. Tyree stops. His hands still shake, but he follows John’s instructions, tries to put the letter down beside him.
John watches him. Sees how hard even that is.
JOHN
You know what? To hell with it -- here...
He takes the letter back, opens it himself. But he doesn’t start reading yet -- there’s something he wants to say first.
JOHN
Listen, I know that... I know I haven’t been around very much the last couple of years, and...
He stops. This speaking from the heart thing isn’t working. So he looks down at the letter, unfolds the sheet of paper.
JOHN
Okay. Dear Dad. There's something I’ve been wanting to tell you.
He glances up -- Mr. Tyree is listening carefully.
JOHN
Remember a few years ago, back when I got shot? Well you wanna know the very first thing that entered my mind at that moment, right before I blacked out? Coins.
John looks up again, sees Mr. Tyree’s eyes GLINT with pride.
JOHN
Suddenly I was eight years old again, on a tour of the US Mint, listening to the guide explain how coins are made. How they are punched out of sheet metal. How they are rimmed and beveled. How they are stamped and cleaned. And then how each and every batch of coins are personally examined, just in case any have slipped through with the slightest imperfection.
(off Mr. Tyree’s look)
Remember that, Dad? You remember that trip to Philadelphia we took?
Mr. Tyree nods. John has to turn away or else he’s gonna start crying. He focuses back on the letter.
JOHN
Well that's what popped into my head. I am a coin in the United States Army. I was minted in the year 1980. I have been punched from sheet metal, I have been stamped and cleaned, my edges have been rimmed and beveled.
Now John can’t help it. Tears drip out of his eyes, even though he fights hard against them.
JOHN
But now I have one small hole in me, so I am no longer in perfect condition.
He reflexively rubs his neck, right where he was shot, and looks down at his invalid father trapped in a hospital bed.
JOHN
How about it, Dad? We’re just a couple of culls here, huh?
He starts crying harder. Focuses on the letter.
JOHN
But there’s one more thing I want to tell you, too.
Now he’s all starts and stops -- he’s too emotional to read any more, although he tries to push through as best as he can.
JOHN
After I got shot... right before I blacked out... you wanna know the very last thing that... I’m sorry, just.... the very last thing that... that entered my mind?
But he’s sobbing now, unable to get it under control. And he just can’t get the last word out. No matter how hard he tries. He sits in his chair, unable to speak, unable to finish.
Then Mr. Tyree reaches his hand out. Puts it on top of John’s. It is remarkably steady.
They look each other in the eye. And through the tears, John can see -- his Dad understands.
173 EXT. BEACH -- DUSK
It’s getting dark, and a storm is coming. A few adventurous SURFERS still remain, but most everybody else heads in.
Except for John. John is heading out. The waves are huge, but he’s not interested in catching any. Instead, he barrels straight into them, takes the brunt of their force.
A big wave hits him, nearly knocks him off his board. John forces his way through it. Then another wave appears-- an enormous one, the kind you brag about for weeks afterwards.
The other few surfers turn, paddle furiously to catch it. But John... John paddles straight into it.
The wave SMASHES into him so hard his surfboard is ripped right off his leg strap. John goes under, lost in the current and a sea of whitewater.
Finally, John’s surfboard pops back up. But John does not.
174 THEN DRIFT BENEATH THE SURFACE -- to find John, holding his breath down here in the water.
DRIFT CLOSER -- to find his body shaking, his tears getting lost in the ocean around him.
CUT TO:
175 EVEN CLOSER ON JOHN --
-- Dry now, in his dress uniform. It’s not quite clear where he is yet, but he sits rigid and straight. His jaw is set, his eyes focused in front of him. PULL BACK to reveal we’re--
INT. CHURCH -- DAY
Other than John, the church is completely empty. And in the front of a church is a casket.
A PASTOR walks in from behind the pulpit. Checks his watch.
PASTOR
I’m sorry to interrupt -- you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like, it’s just that they were hoping to lock the outside doors, and...
(then, delicately)
You’re not... still expecting anyone else, are you?
John doesn’t respond. It’s clear he was at least hoping for someone else. Anyone else. Or maybe someone else specifically. And then, just like that, he makes up his mind, stands up.
PASTOR
Where are you going?
John doesn’t say a word as he walks out through the door.
176 EXT. HIGHWAY -- DAY
John drives his father’s old Lincoln Continental, pushing 80 mph, focused only on the road.
177 INT. LENOIR STABLE -- DAY
Clean and neat. In the very far stable, a HAND taps the kneecap of a horse, causing the leg to rise.
A SCALPEL like instrument is stuck into the cracks of the horseshoe, cleaning out the caked dirt and finally, a particularly painful looking acorn.
SAVANNAH
There we go. Feel better now?
The horse WHINNIES her approval. Savannah smiles up at her.
She stands, finishes cleaning out the feeding trough. She wears work boots and her hair is different. She’s still pretty, but she’s aged four years, and it shows.
She pets the horse goodbye, then walks out, checking on the other horses as she passes by. Then as she exits the stable, she finally looks up -- and what she sees makes her GASP.
There, standing next to a tree up on the hill where the end of the driveway meets the road -- is John, still in uniform. He walks towards her. Savannah tries her best to recover.
SAVANNAH
Wow. Just like that, huh?
John doesn’t respond. Savannah stares at him, there in front of her, four years older than she last saw him.
SAVANNAH
So why today then? After all these years... why today?
John thinks... then shrugs.
JOHN
I guess my Dad kinda sent me today.
SAVANNAH
Yeah? How’s he doing?
John just shakes his head. It’s quick, almost imperceptible, but Savannah immediately realizes what it means.
SAVANNAH
No -- oh, John. I’m so sorry. I...
I wish I’d known.
JOHN
Wouldn’t have changed anything.
SAVANNAH
No. I don’t suppose it would’ve.
They’re only a few feet apart now, but Savannah doesn’t move.
SAVANNAH
How’d he die?
JOHN
(beat)
Alone.
Savannah can see the pain creep onto his face.
JOHN
He never had a bad word to say about anybody. He t
reated everybody with respect, everybody with decency. And none of that mattered one goddamn bit, because you wanna know how many people came to his funeral?
He doesn’t need to answer. Her face creases with sympathy.
SAVANNAH
He wasn’t alone, John. He had you.
John doesn’t respond. Instead he glances at the stable behind her, remembers the last time they were in there together. Above the barn door is a sign that reads CAMP HORSE SENSE. John smiles. Remembers her letter.
JOHN
So. You finally did it.
SAVANNAH
No. I didn’t. But... I tried.
(off his look)
It only lasted one summer, after we took this place over from my parents. We raised a lot of money, but it was just so expensive.
Savannah turns, stares sadly back at the stable.
SAVANNAH
Life is expensive. Isn’t it? You just don’t think about that stuff when you’re in college. You have all these dreams -- every sentence starts with ‘when’, you know?
‘When I graduate...’ When I get out of here...’ ‘When I grow up...’ But that’s not real life, is it?
JOHN
Sentences in real life start with ‘why’.
Savannah looks at him again. Sees the pain there.
SAVANNAH
I am sorry, John. It might not be worth much, but I am sorry. He was a good man.
JOHN
I know.
They eye each other. She nods to the main house.
SAVANNAH
You wanna come inside?
John pauses. Savannah knows what that means, too.
SAVANNAH
It’s okay. No one else is home.
178 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- DINING ROOM -- DAY
Savannah sets two cups of coffee down, takes a seat.
SAVANNAH
How long you back for?
JOHN
Just till I get his things squared away.
Savannah nods, too -- that’s what she was expecting. She takes a sip of coffee, and John notices her WEDDING RING gleams in the sun.
JOHN
How’s married life?
SAVANNAH
Can’t complain. How about you?
Settled down yet?
John just shakes his head. She forces out a smile.
SAVANNAH
Must be dating lots of girls, huh?
John looks back at her evenly, holding eye contact.
JOHN
I wouldn’t say ‘dating’, exactly.
Savannah looks away, but before she can respond, the phone RINGS, bailing her out. She excuses herself to answer it.
SAVANNAH
Hello? Hi, honey. No, I’m fine, why?
She looks over at John. Bites her lip.
SAVANNAH
Well...I’m sitting across the table from John, actually. Yes. John Tyree. Um... I’m not sure he’ll...
Savannah pauses, listens to the voice on the other end.
SAVANNAH
Okay, I’ll tell him. No no, I’m still coming, I’m just about to leave. I’ll be there soon.
(off his response)
I love you, too.
She hangs up the phone. Turns back to John.
SAVANNAH
He wants to see you.
JOHN
Are you serious?
(off Savannah’s nod)
What’s he expecting, a hug? Has he forgotten what I did to him at the beach?
SAVANNAH
No. He hasn’t forgotten.
John finishes his coffee. Then he abruptly stands.
JOHN
Thank you. For the coffee.
He turns to leave. Stops.
JOHN
Sorry. But I didn’t come out here...
(he trails off)
Well I’m not sure why I came out here. But it wasn’t to shake Randy’s hand and tell him it’s all water under the bridge, okay?
Savannah stares at him oddly. Then she glances at something past him.
John follows her gaze to a picture, perched on the mantle over the fireplace.
John walks over. Picks the picture up. Stares at it.
It’s a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH OF SAVANNAH AND TIM.
John can hardly believe his eyes. Savannah stands over his shoulder, watches him look at this picture of her in a flowing white wedding gown.
SAVANNAH
He really does want to see you.
John puts the picture back on the mantle. He looks over at her, genuinely torn.
JOHN
Well... where is he?
179 EXT. CHARLESTON CITY STREET -- DAY
Savannah and John walk down the street. None of it is audible, but Savannah is doing the talking, and John’s doing the listening.
Finally they reach their destination. John looks up.
They are at the GASTONIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
180 INT. HOSPITAL ATRIUM -- DAY
Savannah walks through the hospital doors out to a small solarium. She still doesn’t look back at John.
SAVANNAH
He hates being trapped inside, so he comes out here as much as possible.
They come up on a 14 YEAR OLD BOY sitting on a bench nearby.
14 YEAR OLD BOY
Hello, John.
John does a double take.
JOHN
Alan?
But Alan’s already focused back on the NINTENDO DS in his hands. John can hardly believe it’s him.
JOHN
Wow. You’ve gotten big.
TIM
Yeah, they grow up fast, don’t they?
John turns to find TIM sitting in a wheelchair. He looks much older -- his skin is pale, almost translucent, his hair is gone, and he’s lost a lot of weight.
Savannah kisses him hello, hands him a thermos of coffee. They make some small talk, then she turns to Alan.
SAVANNAH
Alan? Let’s go get a soda, okay?
Alan follows her inside. She glances back at them before she goes, but doesn’t say a word. John and Tim are all alone.
TIM
You must wanna kick my ass, huh?
John just stares at Tim... at how different he looks there in his wheelchair.
JOHN
Not really much I can do about that right now, is there?
TIM
(with a grin)
All part of my master plan.
JOHN
Yeah?
(as he surveys the hospital)
Helluva plan.
TIM
Thanks. You want some jello? It’s lime today. The menu said cherry but that’s what they do, they keep you on your toes here.
JOHN
I’ll pass.
TIM
I love her. Just so you know.
John glances at him, surprised by the sudden shift in topics.
TIM
I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember. Whatever my life was like before I fell in love with her, it’s gone now, wiped away. I want you to know that. It probably doesn’t matter to you, but it matters to me.
John has no idea how to respond.
TIM
I am sorry, though. For how it happened, with you so far away. I am sorry for what I did--
JOHN
Tim...
TIM
No. Let me finish. I’m sorry for what I did. But I wouldn’t undo it. Because now...
(he trails off)
...well, now I know Alan will always have somebody to take care of him, no matter what. Now I know he’ll always be in good hands. And as much as I like you, John... I’m his father, so he’s the most important thing in the world to me.
(then, directly to John)
And I think that’s something you, especially, can understand.
Just then a NURSE interrupts, bringing Tim his afternoon cocktail of drugs. It’s an obscene amount of pills.
TIM
Oh, look. Hors d’ouvr
es.
The nurse smiles -- obviously she likes him. She hands over the pills, lets him start on them while she preps his arm for a shot, pulls out a large 10 gauge needle.
NURSE
You sure you wanna do this out here?
TIM
You know I do. I’m from Charleston -- we do all kinds of shit in courtyards.
(then, to John)
She still loves you, you know.
Once again, John’s taken by surprise.
TIM
Trust me, it’s plain as day. She’s never quite looked at me the way she used to look at you. I wish that wasn’t the case, but I’ve had plenty of time to make my peace with it, believe me.
He grins at John as the nurse uncaps the needle.
TIM
Now you have plenty more time to make yours.
John stares at him, confused, unsure what he means by that, exactly. Then the giant needle enters Tim’s arm and his jaw clenches. John backs away, trying to give him some privacy.
JOHN
Well... I should probably go, Tim.
But... good luck.
TIM
Thanks, John. Good luck to you, too.
181 OMIT
181A EXT. SAVANNAH’S CAR -- PARK OUTSIDE HOSPITAL
Savannah and John walk back to the car, but Alan hurries over to a WOMAN IN THE PARK who has a dog that Alan wants to pet.
WOMAN IN THE PARK
Go ahead, he’s friendly. His name is Bosco.
Savannah just watches him, a far away look in her eyes.
SAVANNAH
He needs to get out of there. Out of this hospital.
She watches people come and go through the front doors.
SAVANNAH
There’s a company in Texas that’s gonna start testing a new vaccine in June, but of course the health care company won’t pay for it, those--
She stops herself. Takes a deep, calming breath.
SAVANNAH
It’s an experimental treatment, the vaccine. No health care company in the world pays for experimental treatments.
John watches her carefully. She just sits there, perfectly still.
SAVANNAH
My parents sold the beach house a year ago to help with the medical costs and we’ve already gone through most all of it. We opened up a charitable foundation for donations, we’ll do some fundraisers, but...
She looks back at him for the first time. Smiles humorlessly.
SAVANNAH
Told you life was expensive.
But the smiles slowly fades away. She stares right at John now, looking for answers.
SAVANNAH
What am I gonna do, John? If he doesn’t make it... what am I gonna do?