BLOODLINES(first 25 pages)

by

Chuck Loch

14314 Summertime LaneCulver City, CA 90230(310) 559-2331chuck9@sbcglobal.net

REGISTERED WGAw No. 849470

FADE IN:

EXT. MOUNTAIN FOREST -- DAY

SUPER: GREAT BEAR MOUNTAIN, NORTHWEST MONTANA. TODAY.

Deep-throated SCREAMS echo down lush slopes that frame aglacial valley.

An agitated SOMETHING moves swiftly through the evergreens.

A dark blur slashes back and forth obscuring the view.

Each slash slices a chunk of flesh from a human face mutilated beyond recognition.

Blurred attacks on the body of a MAN tear open his chest andbelly. Pillows of blood and organs tumble out.

CRIES of anguish are replaced by the RHYTHMIC WHIRRING ofbull-roarers - pierced gourds and sticks swung through theair, the BEATING of native drums, and the SHAKING of rattles.

INT. IMMENSE CAVE -- DAY

Illuminated by smoky torches, grizzly bear skulls glowerfrom ledges and stare down from the tops of poles behind aline of aboriginal DRUMMERS half-hidden in a pocket ofdarkness.

A huge tapestry, woven with images of prehistoric humans andanimals arranged around a stylized symbol of the Great Bear,hangs from the ceiling.

A group of male DANCERS, clad in dark furs and grotesqueanimal masks, stomp and sway within a circle of fire pots,casting giant shadows across walls.

As a signal to the Dancers, an unseen CHORUS of MUSICIANSblasts a series of discordant SHRIEKS, like that of a soulbeing torn from its body, on primitive wind instruments.

At the signal, the Dancers freeze in place and tear off theirmasks to become "men" again.

And what men they are! All over six feet. Immense muscles.Prominent eyebrow ridges, protruding jaws, and huge nosesand teeth. Elegant in their ugliness, bear-shaped talismanshang around their necks.

KO'OR ARAKUN, bearded, late 50s, massive even among thesepeople, steps out of the pack and bellows in a GUTTURAL TONGUEthat's more animal than human (subtitled in English).

KO'ORGive us our memories.

2.

He signals the Drummers and a BEAT begins. All present closetheir eyes.

EXT. FORESTED PLAIN, A LONG TIME AGO -- DAY (FLASHBACK)

Autumn. The sun hangs low. Trees wear crowns of red and gold.Boars, bears and giant sloth lumber through underbrush. Deerand elk forage. A stag lifts its head.

Ko'or's voice melds into English.

KO'OR (V.O.)Animals filled the forests. Everyhunter made his kill. The men of ourclan brought back meat for twowinters. It was our day.

A hand-made spear sails through the air, burying its shaftdeep in the side of a gigantic woolly mammoth.

A SMALL ARMY OF MEN, like those in the cave, step from behindtrees and boulders. Weapons fill the air and find their marksin the beast. The mighty mammoth falls.

END MONTAGE

Shrill whistles BLAST from the unseen chorus of Musicians.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. IMMENSE CAVE -- CONTINUOUS (PRESENT)

Ko'or collapses to the floor then rises effortlessly like apuppet at the end of a string.

KO'ORThe Great Bear would speak.

CHANTING, Ko'or dons a transformation mask and claws of amighty North American grizzly.

He spins around the fire pots. Suddenly, he stands tall,rears back and GROWLS. With his claws, he rakes the air inchesfrom the faces of the dancers and others outside the fires.

Another whistle BLAST. All eyes close again.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ICE AGE FOREST -- DAY (FLASHBACK)

MONTAGE:

Ice and snow seal the surface of the earth. Ko'or speaks asthe Great Bear.

3.

KO'OR (V.O.)We slept together under the cold. Anew day dawned and you, my people,were still alive. But now the RoundHeads walked the earth and we wereamong their prey.

The sun rises. The snow melts.

A new group of hunters, ROUND HEADS, more modern men clad insilver and gray furs, bodies painted in bold designs, carryfire pots and slog toward a cave entrance.

The Round Heads pile brush, leaves, and logs at the cave'sentrance and dash their burning pots on the wood.

MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN, ancestors of the clan, plunge fromthe cave through the flames and smoke, only to be spearedand clubbed to death by those waiting outside.

KO'OR (V.O.) (CONT'D)We fought. There were too many.

ADDITIONAL ANCESTORS of the clan wind their way through asnowy mountain pass.

KO'OR (V.O.) (CONT'D)My spirit traveled the world withyou as we searched for a better place.

ANCESTORS trudge across the desert and wander through aforest.

ON A GRASSY HILLSIDE: overlooking an ancient European village,ROMAN SOLDIERS crucify PEASANT CLAN MEMBERS.

KO'OR (V.O.) (CONT'D)The only peace you found was withyour brothers. Whenever you revealedyourselves to the round heads theykilled you.

IN A WALL-TO-WALL TORTURE CHAMBER: typical of the Inquisition,HOODED PRIESTS vivisect and disembowel SPANISH CLAN MEMBERS.

BETWEEN ROWS OF BARBED-WIRE FENCING: SS GUARDS march linesof CONCENTRATION CAMP CLAN MEMBERS with badges of light-brownbears sewn to their chests, into death ovens.

More whistle BLASTS.

END MONTAGE

CUT BACK TO:

INT. IMMENSE CAVE -- CONTINUOUS (PRESENT)

Ko'or scrambles between the Dancers and leaps up on a ledge.

4.

KO'ORI gave you laws to save you fromyourselves. I said: You should notmix with round heads. You should notmate with their women. And, you shouldnot kill humans of any kind. If youkeep these laws, you will live.

ABRUPTLY THE MUSIC STOPS. The Crowd parts. Two rough, toughCLAN GUARDS in gray jumpsuits, one SHORT, the other TALL,drag JEDA ARAKUN, 21, into the center circle.

Jeda's clearly a man of the same brawny race, though hisfacial features are subdued. He wears blue jeans and a cowboyshirt drenched in blood. A bear-shaped talisman hangs fromhis neck.

The Guards look straight ahead and not at Jeda.

Behind them, a THIRD CLAN GUARD carries a body basket madeof tightly-woven reeds over his shoulder. He sets it downoutside the circle.

A FOURTH CLAN GUARD walks behind Clan Members LASO KOMASTA,a statuesque amazon beauty for her race, and GABRA KOMASTA,a pit bull of a man. Both are in their late 50s and wearbargain basement clothes.

KRANA SPORA, a hulking Clan Guard in his late-20s, escortsLYNN TURNER, 21, a fiery-haired round head beauty, to thebasket. Lynn carries a blanketed bundle and speaks withJeda in English.

LYNNJeda. What's happening?

JEDADon't say anything. You saw nothing.

Jeda's Guards force him to his knees at Ko'or's feet. Ko'orshakes off his possession by the Great Bear.

Lynn steps toward Jeda. Krana holds her back.

LYNNLet me go to him.

KRANAI can't.

TALL GUARDHe killed a round head.

The Tall Guard points to the basket. Ko'or walks over andopens the basket. It contains the mutilated body of anunrecognizable man. Lynn glimpses its contents and gags.

The Short Guard hands Ko'or a bloody hunting knife.

5.

KO'ORFrom the beginning, our people diedbecause we did not keep the laws.What will become of us this time?

Jeda leaps to his feet.

JEDAI did not kill this man.

Lynn screams at Ko'or.

LYNNHe couldn't have killed him.

JEDALet me speak and I'll explaineverything.

Ko'or turns his back on both of them.

KO'ORA ghost does not have a voice. Andit does not speak in the tongue ofthe round heads at our gathering.

JEDAI'm innocent. I will speak!

The Guards push Jeda to his knees.

SHORT GUARDThe round head deserved to die.

Ko'or reaches inside the reed basket and scoops up a handfulof bloody remains. He holds his hand out to the Guards.

KO'ORHis people will come for him andslaughter us.

JEDAListen to me. I'm your son.

FLASHCUT -- A newborn baby lies crying on a blood-stainedbed next to the body of a 30-year-old woman. A bullet EXPLODESinto the child silencing his cries.

END FLASHCUT

Ko'or glares at Jeda.

KO'ORMy sons are dead. The "innocent one"died years ago. And you are a ghost.

He notices the bear-shaped talisman hanging around Jeda'sneck. He rips it off and waves it to the crowd.

6.

KO'OR (CONT'D)Who gave this ghost the protectionof the Great Bear?

Laso pushes her way into the circle and up to Ko'or.

LASOI gave my grandson MY protection.Punish me if you must.

Ko'or studies her, then hands her the talisman. He turns tothe Crowd and paces back and forth. Laso presses the talismaninto Jeda's hand.

Gabra strides forward to join his wife.

GABRAYou're lucky he doesn't call foryour punishment.

LASOWhen he does I'm ready.

KO'ORI ask the council to declare thisghost of Jeda Arakun dead forever.

The Crowd GASPS. Lynn looks around, trying to make sense ofwhat's happening. Ko'or motions for Krana to bring Lynn intothe circle. Krana pushes her toward Ko'or.

Jeda reaches out for her, but his Guards restrain him.

Ko'or circles Lynn. Without warning, he flicks open theblanket of her bundle. She's carrying a newborn baby withfeatures from both races.

LYNNDon't touch him.

The Crowd strains for a closer look.

KO'ORThe round head and their spawn deservethe same.

Laso spins Ko'or around and stares intently into his eyes.

LASOI know you too well, Ko'or Arakun.What you hate in Jeda is what youfear in yourself. I will not loseanother grandson and his son.

Gabra places his hand on Laso's shoulder.

7.

GABRAI ask the council to decide his fate.

(to Jeda)Will you submit to the council?

JEDAYou all know me. I'm innocent. Iwill tell everything.

A dozen of the oldest Clan Members, including Gabra and Ko'or,take seats carved into the stone walls of the cave.

They look to each other and nod. Then, except for Ko'or,they motion as one to Jeda to sit in a large ceremonial chair.

Laso and Krana lead Lynn and the baby from the circle. Lynnbreaks free and rushes back to sit at Jeda's feet.

Krana looks to the Council to see if he should intervene.Gabra waves him off.

LYNNI'm with you.

KO'ORGive us your memories of the round head.

JEDAI will begin with the first time thetwo of us met. My memory is open.

He closes his eyes. The Musicians respond with a series ofwhistle BLASTS. The Others close their eyes.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HIGH PLAINS -- NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

SUPER: EIGHT YEARS EARLIER

Stars fill the Big Sky as twilight fades. The headlights ofthree stake-bed trucks wind along a dirt road at the base ofa mountain range.

JEDA (V.O.)It was the night we arrived herefrom our homeland.

Exhausted CLAN MEMBERS, dressed in the bargain basementclothes typical of clan members, huddle together in thetrucks. A YOUNGER JEDA, 13, muscled even then, and Ko'or,eight years younger, share a blanket.

YOUNGER JEDAFather, will we be there soon?

8.

KO'ORWhat did I tell you before we left?

YOUNGER JEDAThat America was far away, and thatour people in America live on top ofa mountain.

KO'ORLook out there. Are we on top of amountain?

EXT. HIGH PLAINS -- LATER

The caravan pulls over for a pit stop. Men on the right side,women on the left.

Two HORSEMEN jump their mounts out of an adjoining gully andrace down each side of the trucks.

The riders, ANDREW TURNER and JINGO MARTIN, drunken redneckcowboys in their late 30s, WHOOP and HOLLER with as muchvolume as they can muster.

Clan Members jump back. Jeda pisses on his neighbors's shoes.Ko'or stands head bowed, submissive yet resolute.

Slowly, the cowboys ride back through the Clan, eye-ballingMembers as they go, and shouting back and forth.

JINGOJust what we don't need around here,cousin, some new Injuns.

Andrew deliberately steers his horse on a collision coursewith Jeda. Ko'or steps between the horse and Jeda.

ANDREWThey're fucking freaks of nature.

Jeda peeks from behind his father and smiles at the horse.At the last second, it veers away from them of its own accord.

Andrew reigns him in hard.

ANDREW(to his horse)

What's wrong with you?

Jingo laughs and digs his spurs into his own mount. Theyride off down the road.

EXT. GREAT BEAR GLACIAL VALLEY -- DAY

SUPER: GREAT BEAR GLACIER: THE HOME OF THE GREAT BEAR CLAN

9.

JEDA (V.O.)I soon forgot that night because ournew home was so beautiful.

Bountiful crops and grazing stock fill this fertile mountainvalley nestled in the shadow of the glacier.

Simple European-style log-and-stone cottages, marked withthe symbol of the Great Bear, sit back against the mountainand form the clan community.

Prefab long-houses and totem-poles of an Indian reservationshare the other end of the valley with a small dam, its lake,and a power generating plant.

JEDA (V.O.) (CONT'D)We were welcome. The community needednew blood, new leadership, and a newbutcher. Within weeks my father hadopened a shop, and he and mygrandparents were named to the council.

INT. BUTCHER SHOP BACK ROOM - DAY

Ko'or and Younger Jeda in white ceremonial robes stand beforea set of heavy wooden slaughter stocks.

Ko'or carefully unwraps the embroidered cloth covering of agleaming ceremonial knife and shows it to Jeda.

KO'ORThe knife is sharp. It will not hurt.

Ko'or leads in a BLEATING calf. Jeda lifts the calf intoposition so KO'OR can lock its head and feet in the stocks.

KO'OR (CONT'D)They give themselves so we may live.

Ko'or rests his head against the head of the calf.

KO'OR (CONT'D)Send him thoughts of love and respect.Then, ask for his gift.

Ko'or stares into the animal's eyes.

KO'OR (CONT'D)When he surrenders take his gift.

Ko'or's smiles serenely, at peace with his task. He draws theknife across the calf's throat. Blood spurts onto his robes.

JEDA (V.O.)My heart would not let me do this.

The animal stiffens and closes its eyes.

10.

INT. GABRA'S COTTAGE EATING ROOM -- NIGHT

The furniture looks primitive. The walls and corners of theroom don't completely match up. Childlike art containingwild, bizarre shapes adorns the walls.

A stocky box-like table sits in the middle of this visualcacophony. Four people sit around it on crude chairs. Thinwooden paddles are their only eating instruments.

Gabra and Laso, also eight years younger, eat stew from wooden bowls with Ko'or and Younger Jeda. The child pushes chunksof meat around in his bowl with his fingers and paddle.

YOUNGER JEDAFather killed a calf today. He saidit wouldn't hurt, but the calf wasafraid and it did hurt him.

KO'ORMaybe you did not send him enough ofyour love and respect.

YOUNGER JEDAFather, I do not wish to kill animals.

KO'ORThen how will we eat? Boys in theclan do what their fathers do. Whowill be our butcher when I am gone?

YOUNGER JEDAI would rather do what grandfatherdoes, raise the animals. Somebodyneeds to take over his work too.

GABRAI have asked Corna to help me withthe animals. Since his father died,he does not have anyone to teach himwork.

KO'ORYou see, you do not have to worryabout your grandfather's work.

GABRACorna does not like my work, but helikes what you do, Ko'or. Maybe youcan teach him, and I can teach Jeda. It is better for boys to learn whatinterests them.

KO'ORCorna's not my son.

YOUNGER JEDAI want to do what grandfather does.

11.

KO'ORYou will do as I say.

GABRAAfter what he has been through, isn'tit time he enjoys life again?

Jeda stares into his bowl. Ko'or lifts Jeda's head out ofit.

KO'ORWe have all suffered. Everyday Ifear the round heads will ride acrossthe valley and kill us. Do you everthink of this?

Jeda twists away and gazes down into his bowl again.

KO'OR (CONT'D)I did not think so. It is moreimportant to be vigilant than toenjoy life.

YOUNGER JEDAI'll be vigilant, father. I promise.

EXT. LIVESTOCK PEN BEHIND GABRA'S COTTAGE -- DAY

SUPER: A MONTH LATER

JEDA (V.O.)I was vigilant, and Gabra taught mewell.

Gabra and Jeda pour pails of milk into a feeder trough. Ahalf dozen bull calves, a hundred fifty pounds each, jockeyfor position in front of Jeda.

YOUNGER JEDAThey're cute.

GABRAThey sense you like them.

The calves stop eating and nuzzle Jeda.

Jeda picks up his favorite, LITTLE NITRO, and rocks him like a baby.

GABRA (CONT'D)Pick them up every day and you willgrow strong as they grow strong. Butdo not become attached.

YOUNGER JEDAThey know I love them.

12.

EXT. GABRA'S PASTURE GATE NEXT TO THE CLAN CEMETERY - DAY

Gabra and Jeda perch on a fence rail watching a scruffymustang gallop wildly along the perimeter of the fence lookingfor a way to escape.

GABRAHis name is Coyote. What can youtell me?

YOUNGER JEDAHe's frightened. Round Heads chasedhim, roped him and beat him. He thinkswe'll do the same.

GABRAChief Vincent asked me to make himinto a riding animal. I thought yourgift might work with him.

Jeda slides off the rail onto the grass. The horse runs tothe other side of the pasture. Jeda walks toward him sideways,keeping the front of his body turned away. The horse runsaway from him. They repeat the dance.

GABRA (CONT'D)Talk to him.

YOUNGER JEDA(to the horse)

Run, Coyote. Do what you want. I'llbe here waiting.

GABRANo. Talk with your mind.

Jeda stands still, looking away from the horse. The horseturns his head to stare at him. Jeda doesn't look back. Coyote lowers his head and eats grass.

Jeda turns toward him a little too quickly. Coyote boltstoward Jeda, who stands his ground and turns slowly away.

Coyote pulls up inches from Jeda, lowers his head and takesa mouthful of grass. Jeda turns slowly toward him, reachesout and rubs him between the eyes.

Jeda walks away. Like a puppy, Coyote follows him past Gabra.

GABRA (CONT'D)I am glad you want to work with me.

EXT. LIVESTOCK PEN BEHIND GABRA'S COTTAGE -- DAY

SUPER: SIX MONTHS LATER

13.

JEDA (V.O.)We grew together, the calves and I.

The bull calves, half grown, wait to be fed. Little Nitronow the largest, weighs between three and four hundred pounds.

Gabra and Jeda dump buckets of corn into the feeding trough.Little Nitro leads the charge to the feed.

Jeda jumps out of the way. His mind and mouth scream "NO!"But it's too late. The bulls slam Gabra against the fence.His ribs CRACK.

Jeda wades into the bulls and lifts a bewildered Little Nitroout of the way to get to Gabra.

INT. JEDA'S BEDROOM IN GABRA'S COTTAGE -- NIGHT

In bed, Jeda talks to his bear talisman.

YOUNGER JEDAThank you for Gabra and Laso. Theyhave taught me much. Smile on Gabraand heal him. And give me the strengthand wisdom to be the best human Ican be.

He turns to sleep. A shadow of a bear fades up on the wallbehind him.

YOUNGER JEDA (CONT'D)And, don't forget my father. Takehis fear away and heal his heart.He's lost so much.

His eyes remain open.

YOUNGER JEDA (CONT'D)(to himself)

I do remember her, Father...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. EUROPEAN COTTAGE -- DAY (FLASHBACK)

SUPER: PROKLETIJE MOUNTAINS, CRNA GORA. EIGHTEEN MONTHSEARLIER. A TIME OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

JEDA (V.O.)I dreamt of my last night in ourhomeland, a dream I never wish tohave again.

INKO KOMASTA, 30, Jeda's mother, lies on Gabra and Laso'sbloody bed. She's just given birth. Ko'or sits beside her,holding her hand. Gabro and Laso sit opposite.

14.

With Ko'or's help Inko sits up, holding the new baby boy outto her parents.

INKOMother, father, his name is Arkas.

She hands him to Jeda.

KO'ORIt means "little bear."

INKOYou can help raise him.

JEDA (V.O.)Then the round heads came.

A bullet SHATTERS the window striking Inko in the head. Shecollapses.

YOUNGER JEDAMother, no.

Ko'or SCREAMS.

KO'ORInko!

Jeda drops Arkas onto the bed beside his mother.

KO'OR (CONT'D)Hold him tight.

Jeda and Ko'or wrap their arms around Inko's body and weep.Gabra and Laso, sob and clutch each other.

Arkas cries.

A second bullet EXPLODES into the room silencing the baby.

KO'OR (CONT'D)Why didn't you hold him? What haveyou done?

A burning torch SMASHES another window and lands on the floorbeside them.

CUT BACK TO:

EXT. LIVESTOCK PEN BEHIND GABRA'S COTTAGE -- DAY

Gabra and Jeda stare at the bulls in the pen. Gabra's chestis taped from his neck to his belt.

YOUNGER JEDAWhat'll happen to them at the rodeo?

15.

GABRAYoung braves will try to ride them.

YOUNGER JEDABulls aren't for riding. Why wouldthey do that?

GABRAI don't know. But I promised ChiefVincent we'd get them to the schoolby five. Where are Krana and Brega?

YOUNGER JEDALet me take the bulls.

GABRABy yourself? You have never been tothe school.

YOUNGER JEDAI've seen it across the valley. Ican drive six bulls over there.

GABRAYou'll wait for Krana and Brega.

YOUNGER JEDAWe can't wait if the bulls have tobe there by five.

GABRAYour father doesn't like you mixingwith Indians.

YOUNGER JEDAI'll be back before anyone knows I'mgone, and I won't talk to the roundheads.

EXT. VALLEY -- DAY

Jeda rides Little Nitro bareback. The other five Bulls follow.

JEDA (V.O.)Grandfather let me take them.

They reach the foot of a grassy rise. Jeda jumps off.

YOUNGER JEDA(to Little Nitro)

Grandfather said I must walk you in.

They walk over the rise and look down on the school.

16.

EXT. INDIAN SCHOOL -- CONTINUOUS

FROM THE RISE: A huge Jr./Sr. High complex decorated with alarge "10th Annual Great Bear Indian School Rodeo" banner.

A parking lot, with a smattering of trucks, station wagons,and SUVs, sits to one side of the buildings, opposite a stockpen and rodeo arena with grandstand seating.

IN THE PARKING LOT: Jeda drives the bulls. Yet, he can'ttake his eyes off the variety of vehicles and round heads.

A motorcyclist pops his clutch and does a SCREAMING WHEELIE.

Jeda jumps. The bulls scatter. He whistles them back.

EXT. INDIAN SCHOOL RODEO GROUNDS - STOCK HOLDING PEN --LATER

Jeda drives the bulls into the pen. Little Nitro hesitates.He paws the ground and rubs up against Jeda.

JEDA (V.O.)Little Nitro was very afraid. I couldsense it.

YOUNGER JEDAIt's okay. There's plenty of kidshere to play with you.

Little Nitro snuggles closer.

YOUNGER JEDA (CONT'D)I know you'll miss me. I'm missingyou already.

CHIEF VINCENT STRONG-ARMS, 50, in jeans and jean jacket, asingle feather hanging from his hat, closes the gate.

THOMAS STRONG-ARMS, buffed and handsome at 14, and dressedlike his father minus the hat, sits on the fence studyingthe animals.

Chief Vincent claps Jeda on the back. Jeda squirms away. TheChief pretends not to notice.

CHIEF VINCENTWe've got a big day tomorrow. Youcoming to the rodeo?

YOUNGER JEDAI don't know what a rodeo is.

CHIEF VINCENTIt'll be a good chance for you to learn.Tell Gabra I said you should come.

17.

Jeda walks back toward the parking lot.

GLORIUS MORNING-STAR, an immense Indian woman in her early50s, waddles toward him. She wears a brightly-colored tentdress covered with an elaborate Indian design.

Two canvas bags of groceries tied together by a rope hangfrom her shoulder.

GLORIUS MORNING-STARYour Grandmother asked me to pickthese up for her.

She hands them to Jeda. He peeks inside one and pulls out abag of cherry licorice vines.

YOUNGER JEDAMy favorite.

GLORIUS MORNING-STARThat's what she said. She also askedme to tell you not to eat them untilyou get home.

He slings the bags over his shoulder and walks faster.

YOUNGER JEDAThen I better get home fast.

GLORIUS MORNING-STARYou're going to walk home? It'salmost dark. I was going to drivethem over. You can ride with me.

EXT. GABRA'S COTTAGE FRONT DOOR -- DAY

An old Ford Ranchero stops. Jeda gets out with the bags.

Gabra opens the door and hobbles out to meet him.

Glorius waves to Gabra as she drives off.

GABRAWeren't even going to talk to them,huh? How did it go?

YOUNGER JEDALittle Nitro kicked up a fuss.

GABRAI thought he would.

YOUNGER JEDAHe's scared. He doesn't understandwhat's going to happen to him.

18.

EXT. GABRA'S COTTAGE BACK DOOR -- NIGHT

The house is dark. A full moon illuminates the yard.

Jeda slips out, carefully closing the door behind him.

JEDA (V.O.)I couldn't let him spend the nightalone.

EXT. PASTURE GATE -- NIGHT

Jeda carries a rope halter. He WHISTLES.

EXT. SCHOOL RODEO GROUNDS - STOCK HOLDING PEN -- NIGHT

Jeda ties Coyote to a hitching post.

SNORTS, GROUND-PAWING, and BAWLING explode from a dark corner of the pen.

JEDA (V.O.)I thought somebody was hurting him.

Jeda vaults the fence and runs toward the sounds. A youngmale VOICE cries out.

VOICEI told you, hold him until I'm on. Ican't mount him when he's moving.Shit, somebody's coming.

The voice belongs to Thomas. He climbs the side of the pen.

YOUNGER JEDAWhat're you doing?

Another Indian boy sprints away.

Thomas stops when he sees Jeda.

THOMASIt's just the kid who brought them.

YOUNGER JEDAYou're hurting him.

THOMASI'm just trying him out.

YOUNGER JEDATrying him out?

THOMASI'm going to ride him tomorrow.

19.

He gestures at Little Nitro, who stands pawing the ground,ready to charge.

THOMAS (CONT'D)I want to find out what he's got.

Jeda notices Thomas's spurs.

YOUNGER JEDADid you use those?

Thomas jumps off the fence back into the pen to face Jeda.

THOMASYeah, so?

YOUNGER JEDASo I raised them. Get out of there.Leave them alone.

Thomas eyeballs Jeda.

THOMASDon't tell me what to do.

He pushes Jeda.

THOMAS (CONT'D)Come on and hurt me, Matonka.

Jeda leaps to his feet and head-butts Thomas, sending himcrashing into the fence.

Thomas lays on the ground against the fence.

YOUNGER JEDADon't ever push me.

THOMASI won't. I'm not stupid. What's yourname, Matonka. I'm Thomas.

JEDA (V.O.)We were friends from that day on.

Thomas reaches out his hand. Jeda pulls him up.

YOUNGER JEDAI'm Jeda. What's a Matonka?

THOMASYou don't know your own people? Wecall you the "old ones" 'cause you'velived here longer than us. How comeyou raise bulls, but you don't knownothing about riding them in rodeos?

20.

YOUNGER JEDAI came to talk to them, not you.

Jeda walks over to Little Nitro and begins to stroke him.The bull relaxes. Jeda kneels down beside him.

THOMASHey. That's a dangerous animal. Youcan't.... How'd you do that?

YOUNGER JEDAHe trusts me.

JEDA (V.O.)Then I saw her, the most beautifulgirl I had ever seen.

Two gorgeous sisters, one a redhead - LYNN TURNER (14), andthe other a blonde - CAMMY TURNER (13), watch the two boysthrough the rails of the pen. They wear jackets and carryknapsacks and blankets.

CAMMYHi, Thomas.

LYNNWho's your friend? He just kickedyour ass, didn't he? That doesn'tlook good for the son of a chief.

Thomas smiles sheepishly.

THOMASHi girls. This is Jeda. We just hada misunderstanding.

(to Jeda)And these two are Lynn and CammyTurner, a couple of your averagerunaways.

LYNNHi Jeda. We're friends of Thomas'sfrom school. And we're not runaways.

CAMMYYes we are. But just for tonight.Thomas said he was coming so wehitched a ride to keep him company.

LYNNDaddy will whip our asses when hefinds out.

CAMMYSo we might as well have fun tonight.

Cammy pulls two six-packs of beer out of her knapsack.

21.

CAMMY (CONT'D)He'll never miss it.

Lynn roots through hers. A bunch of her wallet-sized schoolphotos spill out.

LYNNShit.

Thomas glances at them.

THOMASAren't you the beauty queen?

She stuffs them back inside and pulls out a pint of cherryvodka.

THOMAS (CONT'D)Now, you're talking.

She passes it to Thomas who takes a drink.

YOUNGER JEDAWhat is that?

THOMASFire water. Tastes like coughmedicine. Try it.

Jeda smells it and takes a big drink.

YOUNGER JEDAIt is fire water. It's cool likewater, but hot like fire. It's good.

Jeda passes it to Thomas and pets Little Nitro. The bullsnorts appreciatively.

LYNNWhat're you doing here? You riding?

YOUNGER JEDAI came to be with my bulls. They'renervous about tomorrow.

THOMASMe too. So we've got something incommon.

He takes a big swig.

THOMAS (CONT'D)Tell me how you do that.

He points at what Jeda's doing.

YOUNGER JEDAYou want to pet him?

22.

THOMASIt might make things easier tomorrow.

YOUNGER JEDACome here.

Thomas walks over and tentatively pets Little Nitro. Theanimal snorts at him. Thomas jerks his hand back.

Cammy opens two beers and hands one to Lynn.

CAMMY & LYNN(together)

I want to pet him too.

YOUNGER JEDAYou can't just pet him. I'll tellyou what to do if you tell me whyyou want to ride bulls.

THOMASYou really don't know about rodeos?

YOUNGER JEDANo.

THOMASGirls, come on in and take a seat.We're all going to learn something.

CAMMYI thought you'd never ask.

She snuggles up to Thomas.

YOUNGER JEDAPass the fire water, please.

Lynn plucks the bottle out of Thomas's hand and plops downbeside Jeda.

LYNNI guess I get you, Matonka.

She takes a big swig and licks her lips.

Cammy and Thomas make out.

Jeda stares at them as Lynn runs her hand over his rippedchest.

YOUNGER JEDAHey. I thought we were---

Lynn cuts him off with a kiss. The sleeves of her jacketride up to reveal self-mutilation scars crisscrossing herforearms. Some are still red.

23.

JEDA (V.O.)I learned many things that night,and a lot more the next day.

EXT. SCHOOL RODEO GROUNDS - STOCK HOLDING PEN -- DAY

Morning twilight breaks. Empty beer cans overflow theknapsacks.

The girls lay asleep under their blankets. Cammy's next toThomas. Lynn's next to Jeda. He sits propped up against apost with the dead vodka bottle between his legs.

YOUNGER JEDASpurs really don't hurt, huh?

THOMASThey're for the fans. They just looklike they do.

YOUNGER JEDAMy father said something like thatonce.

THOMASAnd you think if I send a bull lovingthoughts, he'll let me ride him? That sounds like a crock, if it wasn'tso much like Indian Rodeo.

YOUNGER JEDAYou have your own rodeo?

THOMASWe respect animals. Our ancestorsthought they were Gods. So in ourrodeo, we try to work with them notbreak them like in your average CowboyRodeo.

YOUNGER JEDAAnd spurs make them want to workwith you?

Thomas slaps Cammy on her ass.

THOMASLet's go.

LYNNShut up.

Cammy MOANS and holds her head.

CAMMYMy head hurts.

24.

THOMASCan't hold your liquor.

(to Jeda)How do you feel?

YOUNGER JEDAI'm thirsty and have to pee.

Thomas walks toward the school.

THOMASC'mon.

They stagger past Coyote standing calmly at his post.

THOMAS (CONT'D)Coyote? How'd he get here?

YOUNGER JEDARode him over.

INT. INDIAN SCHOOL -- DAY

HALLWAY: Jeda gawks at the display of school rodeo awards inthe trophy case.

Thomas drinks from a nearby water fountain.

THOMASWater fountain's over here.

Jeda stares at it.

YOUNGER JEDAWhere is the water?

THOMASThey have different fountains atyour school?

YOUNGER JEDAI don't go to school.

A MAN IN A SUIT walking into the Boy's Bathroom does a double-take at Jeda's words.

THOMASYour people teach you at home?

YOUNGER JEDAYeah.

THOMASI wish I didn't have to go everyday.

25.

Thomas shows him how to use the fountain. Jeda splashes wateron his face then drinks.

YOUNGER JEDAI don't feel so good.

THOMASToo much "cough medicine."

Thomas steers him into the Boy's Bathroom.

BOY'S BATHROOM: The Man In A Suit washes his hands.

Jeda stares at the line-up at the urinals.

THOMAS (CONT'D)Do what I do.

Thomas demonstrates. Jeda steps up to the next urinal.

JEDA (V.O.)I had a lot to learn.

The Man In A Suit steps up to the urinal next to Jeda andshows him a Rodeo program.

MAN IN A SUITI left my glasses in the car. Canyou read this and tell me what timethe calf-roping starts.

YOUNGER JEDAI can't read.

MAN IN A SUITI'm sorry. You from around here?

YOUNGER JEDAAcross the valley.

MAN IN A SUITOh yeah? Who's in charge over there?

YOUNGER JEDAMy father. He was just chosen leaderof our council.