return to kingdom come (rough)
DESCRIPTION
Rough first draft.TRANSCRIPT
RETURN TO KINGDOM COME"Original Pilot"
Written by
Anthony Crociata
FADE IN:
EXT. BACKWOODS OF SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY - EVENING
Three men silhouetted in the shade of the Appalachian forest.
Two stand, one kneels.
We move closer to reveal HARLEY WILLIAMS, 32, Heavy set and scruffy bearded, he does his best to hide his girth under baggy clothes and his younger brother, EARL WILLIAMS, 28, although the years of alcohol and prescription drug abuse make him appear older - not to mention his poor dental hygiene.
The KNEELING MAN has his back to us. His hands are bound behind his back. His hair is matted with blood as it drips down his temple and from his ear.
Harley gives Earl a nudge.
Earl pulls a pistol from his waist band. The “CLICK’ of the hammer as he presses it against the Kneeling Man’s head.
KNEELING MANWait, I’m not...
A sudden “CRACK” as Earl drops the hammer.
HARLEYWe know.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. PRISON CELL, KENTUCKY STATE PENITENTIARY - MORNING
The dim morning light shines through the small barred window.
It is eerily quiet save for the sound of heavy breathing.
STACKHOUSE (STACK) ARMSTRONG LEE, 30, shirtless and of medium and well cut build is on the floor doing pushups.
The sweat drenched ink on his sinewy back, expanding, contracting and contorting with each repetition.
He carries the scars of hard time.
We hear “FOOTSTEPS” approaching his cell.
PRISON GUARDOpen twelve!
Stack stands and removes himself to the back of his cell.
The cell door “CLANGS” open.
The Guard tosses a brown paper bundle onto the bunk.
PRISON GUARD (CONT’D)It’s time... Close twelve! You got ten minutes.
Stack bends over his stainless steel sink, turns the tap and slashes his face with water.
The Guard walks away.
CUT TO:
INT. RELEASE DESK, KENTUCKY STATE PENITENTIARY - LATER
Stack, now dressed in a black suit, white shirt and dress shoes, stands at the window.
The PRISON CLERK slides a clipboard, pen and large manila envelope across the counter.
CLERKSign here.
Stack signs and returns the clipboard and pen...
CLERK (CONT’D)Good luck.
...And retrieves his envelope.
CUT TO:
EXT. KENTUCKY STATE PENNITENTIARY - MOMENTS LATER
The large steel release door “SQUEAKS” open and Stack steps across the threshold to freedom.
He pulls a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his envelope, lights one up, takes a moment and walks toward a waiting bus.
CUT TO:
2.
EXT. DOWNTOWN, CUMBERLAND KENTUCKY - AFTERNOON
The bus pulls up to a small depot on the edge of the quaint downtown. Its streets lined with a variety of historic brick buildings.
Stack, alone, exits the bus. He lights a cigarette and gives the area a quick once over.
The bus pulls away. He turns his back to city’s center and walks away.
CUT TO:
EXT. STACKHOUSE LEE’S FAMILY HOMESTEAD - EVENING
Resting at the base of what some would call a mountain at the dead end of a dusty street is the two story, wooden and brick structure, with its boarded up windows and doors, that Stack Lee once called home.
At the back of the driveway sits a large brick three car garage.
A simple plot of land surrounded by an army of trees.
Stack walks across the unkempt lawn, through the forest of weeds and climbs the sun-baked and warped wooden steps leading up to the large front porch. Its paint peeling from obvious years of neglect.
He stares at a hand written note that reads “NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE by ORDER of DEWEY PARSONS JUNIOR” posted on the weathered plywood that now covers the house’s front entrance.
His hands discover its one weak spot, violently ripping it from its resting place.
He opens the unlocked door and steps inside.
CUT TO:
INT. STACKHOUSE LEE’S FAMILY HOMESTEAD - CONTINUOUS
Stack moves through the dimly lit rooms and one by one, opens each window and kicks the boards off and into the yard.
The evening light finally breaking through to reveal a home that looks as if it were still being lived in.
3.
Furniture, crowded bookshelves, family photos, dirty dishes in the sink and various other signs of life still fill its many spaces.
Stackhouse continues his exorcism of darkness to the second floor of the house.
As the last board flies from a bedroom window we hear a quick “WAIL” from a police siren followed by a voice from a loudspeaker.
VOICEAlright you kids, get yer asses outta there!
Stack peers out the top floor window at the police car parked at the end of the driveway.
CUT TO:
EXT. STACKHOUSE’S FRONT PORCH - MOMENTS LATER
Stack exits the front door to see BILLY JOE LYON, 30, his long hair and stubble laden cheeks almost mocking the uniform he wears.
BILLY JOEStackhouse Armstrong Lee, as I live and breathe.
STACKHOUSEBilly Joe.
BILLY JOEWhat’re ya doin’ here Stack?
STACKHOUSERenovating.
BILLY JOEThat’s not what I mean.
STACKHOUSEI know.
BILLY JOEDidn’t expect to see you for another two years... Actually, I figured you to never come back.
STACKHOUSEYep.
4.
BILLY JOEI’m real sorry but, I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.
STACKHOUSEGo ahead.
BILLY JOEJust to keep things civil, I’ll make you a deal.
STACKHOUSEI’m listenin’.
BILLY JOEThis being your first day back and all, I’ll give you till tomorrow morning... I suspect you’re gonna need a place to spend the night... Might as well be here.
Stack lights a cigarette.
Billy Joe gets in the car, rolls down his window and backs out of the driveway.
BILLY JOE (CONT’D)I’ll come see you off bright and early.
CUT TO:
EXT. STACKHOUSE’S FRONT PORCH - MORNING
It’s calm and quiet as the morning sun barely breaks the horizon.
The silence is shattered as Harley lumbers up the steps like an overgrown toddler and pounds on the front door.
No answer.
Harley looks over his shoulder at his younger brother and waves him over.
Earl peers back through the dirty windshield of his jacked up, rusty and dented piece of shit 4X4 pickup.
He grabs his shotgun before meeting Harley on the porch.
EARLI was hoping he was gonna do it the hard way.
5.
HARLEYMaybe he’s a heavy sleeper.
EARLKick it in lets go wake his ass up.
HARLEYJunior said...
EARLJunior said, Junior said... You always do what Junior tells you?
Harley snatches the shotgun from Earl’s weathered hand.
HARLEYYes, I do and it’d do you right if you did too.
EARLFuck Junior!
The “CLICK” of a rifle being cocked.
STACKHOUSEMorning boys.
The two turn to see Stack at the base of the steps taking aim with a Winchester rifle.
EARLShit. Hey Stack.
STACKHOUSEEarl... Harley, you mind putting that shotgun down?
HARLEYDidn’t mean nothin’ by it Stack.
STACKHOUSEButt first please.
Harley complies.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)leave it.
The brothers don’t move.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)Go on now.
Stack motions for them to leave.
6.
EARLI want that back.
HARLEYJunior ain’t gonna like this. We was just gonna bring ya to him.
STACKHOUSEYou tell Junior I’ll come see him soon enough.
Harley heads for the truck. Earl moves toward the shotgun.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)Bye Earl.
Earl thinks better of it and steps back.
HARLEYEarl! Get yer ass in the truck.
EARLAsshole.
Earl heads for the truck.
Stackhouse retrieves the shotgun as they speed off.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP, DOWNTOWN CUMBERLAND - LATER
DEWEY “JUNIOR” PARSONS JR., 35, wiry and just this side of clean cut, at first glance seems weak and breakable until you look into his eyes, sits at a small bistro table overlooking the small town square. He picks at the small feast laid out before him.
WARREN LYON, 52, he looks somehow right in his cheap, off the rack, suit - Like someone from the big city got lost in the country and decided to stay, stands over Juniors shoulder.
JUNIORYou should have told me last night.
WARRENIt was late. How did you...
JUNIORHow was he?
WARRENBilly Joe said he was...
7.
JUNIORWas what?
WARRENQuiet.
JUNIORSo, what do you think?
Junior stands as Earl’s truck crosses through the town square.
WARRENI’m not...
JUNIORNever mind, we’ll find out soon enough.
He watches as Earl parks the truck in front of the building.
Earl and Harley exit the truck.
JUNIOR (CONT’D)God Damnit.
CUT TO:
INT. STACKHOUSE LEE’S FAMILY HOMESTEAD, BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
It’s dimly lit, damp and cluttered.
Stack is in the back moving old furniture, rusty appliances, boxes full of memories and finally a musty rug to reveal a large floor safe.
He whips the dial right, left and right again before grabbing the handle and heaving the heavy door open.
Inside are several bundles of shrink wrapped cash, a 38 revolver, a military issue 45, a 9mm semi-auto pistol, extra clips and boxes of ammo for each.
He shoves the 9mm behind his back and into his waistband and an extra clip into his back pocket, tears a stack of cash from one of the bundles and pulls out a box of ammo before closing the safe.
He returns the rug and the clutter before grabbing a pair of bolt cutters.
CUT TO:
8.
EXT. STACKHOUSE LEE’S GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Stack cuts the lock from one of the overhead doors.
Lifts the door and steps...
INSIDE THE GARAGE
He lifts a large, dusty tarp to reveal a 1969 Camaro SS parked alongside an old-school custom chopper.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - LATER
We see Billy Joe’s Police Cruiser as it crests a hill in the distance.
Billy Joe drives, Harley rides shotgun and Earl sits in back.
EARLI’m tellin ya, he weren’t home.
BILLY JOEBullshit... He got the drop on you.
EARLNo, he...
HARLEYShut up Earl.
CUT TO:
INT. BILLY JOE POLICE CRUISER - CONTINUOUS
Earl leans back and kicks the dividing screen.
EARLFuck you.
Stack, sitting atop his custom chopper with Earl’s shotgun strapped across his back, rumbles past them in the opposite direction.
EARL (CONT’D)Son of bitch...
Billy Joe slams the cruiser into a screeching u-turn, hits the lights, fires up the siren and hammers the throttle, tossing Earl hard, against the door.
9.
EARL (CONT’D)That’s my shotgun.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - MOMENTS LATER
The cruiser speeds up and along side Stack, forcing him off the road and to a complete stop.
Billy Joe jumps from behind the wheel and draws down on Stack.
BILLY JOEShut it down.
Stack complies.
BILLY JOE (CONT’D)Harley!
Harley lumbers out of the passenger side. Earl is kicking furiously at his back door’s window.
BILLY JOE (CONT’D)(Back to Stack)
Keep your hands on the bars.
EARLC’mon goddamnit!
Harley opens the door.
Earl jumps out of the back, rushes Stack, yanks the shotgun from his back and raps Stack hard on the temple, knocking him off the bike and out cold.
Billy Joe shoves his pistol against the back of Earl’s head and cocks the hammer.
BILLY JOEWhat the hell is wrong with you?
He yanks the shotgun from Earl and hands it to Harley before holstering his weapon.
The two brothers stand motionless.
BILLY JOE (CONT’D)Well he ain’t puttin’ himself in now is he?
10.
Harley and Earl toss Stack into the back of the cruiser.
CUT TO:
INT. CUMBERLAND POLICE STATION - AFTERNOON
Stack sits in a holding cell wiping the blood from the side of his head.
Billy Joe stands just outside.
BILLY JOEHow’d you do it?
STACKHOUSEDo what?
BILLY JOELast I checked you were doin’ a minimum of twenty years, and yet, here you sit.
STACKHOUSEI died.
Stack lifts his shirt to reveal a large scar on his left side.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)Punctured my kidney. They thought they were smart and broke the handle off. The blade was wedged so deep it kept me from bleeding out.
BILLY JOESo after you died - what? You were a good boy and they cut you a break?
STACKHOUSESomething like that. What do you want?
BILLY JOEI want you to leave.
STACKHOUSEAnd.
BILLY JOENever come back.
11.
STACKHOUSEI can’t.
BILLY JOEAin’t nothing here for you.
STACKHOUSEThere is.
BILLY JOETen years Stack - shit’s changed. It ain’t like it was when we were kids.
STACKHOUSEYou know as well as I do - same game, different players.
BILLY JOEJunior ain’t gonna let you play.
STACKHOUSEMaybe.
BILLY JOEAin’t no maybe. Cuz of you, the man ain’t smiled in ten years.
STACKHOUSEYou let me worry about Junior Parsons.
“FOOTSTEPS”
BILLY JOEStart worrying.
Junior enters and whispers something to Billy Joe.
JUNIORGive us a minute.
Billy Joe exits.
JUNIOR (CONT’D)I heard the castle almost killed you last year.
STACKHOUSEDid you?
JUNIORThere were rumors.
12.
STACKHOUSEDisappointed?
JUNIORDon’t know yet.
STACKHOUSEMeaning.
JUNIORYou go kickin’ a hornet’s nest boy you’re bound to get stung.
STACKHOUSEDuly noted, now what?
Junior checks his watch.
JUNIORWe’ll talk later.
CUT TO:
INT. CUMBERLAND POLICE STATION, FRONT LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Junior meets Billy Joe near the front entrance.
JUNIORWell.
BILLY JOEHarley just found him.
JUNIORYou better get out there - make sure it don’t get ugly.
CUT TO:
EXT. RAMSHACKLE HOUSE - EVENING
Several Police cars cast their red and blue flashes on the front of the run-down and half boarded up house.
Billy Joe leans, arms folded, against the hood of his cruiser.
Harley approaches from behind.
HARLEY(quietly)
Hey.
13.
Billy Joe turns.
BILLY JOEWell?
HARLEYIt’s done.
BILLY JOEAnybody see you?
HARLEYDon’t think so.
BILLY JOEKeep it that way.
Harley leaves.
Billy Joe turns and smiles as two of his finest escort a handcuffed “BING” BINGHAM, 28, six foot something and built like a mountain, his sleeveless shirt proudly displaying the Aryan brotherhood tattoos that run the length of both arms, down the dilapidated front steps.
CUT TO:
INT. CUMBERLAND POLICE STATION, INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER
Bing sits at a metal table, his arms still shackled behind his back.
Billy Joe enters carrying a laptop enclosed in a large plastic evidence bag.
He lays the bag on the table.
BILLY JOEKnow what this is?
BINGLaptop?
BILLY JOECan you guess where we found it?
BINGIt ain’t stolen, someone left it at my house.
BILLY JOENo, it ain’t stolen.
14.
BINGWhat then?
BILLY JOETell me somethin’ Bing, how does the brotherhood feel about pedophiles?
BINGWhat?
BILLY JOEYou know - man boy love?
BINGI know what a pedophile is.
BILLY JOEAnd how does the Aryan nation treat these sick fucks?
BINGWhat are you talkin’ about?
BILLY JOEI can’t imagine what they would do - especially if they found it was one of their own.
BINGGod damnit Billy Joe, I told you it ain’t mine.
BILLY JOEGot your fingerprints all over it.
BINGFuck you!.. Why are you doin’ this to me?
CUT TO:
INT. CUMBERLAND POLICE STATION, STACK’S CELL - NIGHT
Stack wakes from his slumber on the concrete bench when the cell door “SLAMS”.
He looks up to see Bing standing over him.
STACKHOUSEBing?
15.
BINGSorry Stack.
STACKHOUSEWAIT!
Bing grabs Stack’s throat with his large left hand, holding him down.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)(choking)
Fuck. What...
BINGI ain’t got no choice, they made me...
The flash of a blade in his right as Bing swings hard and fast.
BING (CONT’D)...Do it!
Stack reacts quickly with a kick to Bing’s forearm, knocking the blade from his hand and out of the cell.
Bing’s right joins his left around Stack’s throat, lifting him from the concrete bench and pushing him firmly against the wall.
STACKHOUSELet’s talk about this.
Stack instinctively grabs Bing’s wrists. He’s too strong.
Stack throws a hard right to Bing’s jaw.
Nothing.
BINGStop strugglin’!
He throws another.
BING (CONT’D)I said, I ain’t got no choice!
Bing feels the second and loosens slightly, giving Stack just enough room to get his foot against Bing’s chest.
BING (CONT’D)Stop!
16.
The “JINGLING” of keys distracts Bing for a moment when he looks out to see OFFICER JASON LAWSON, 28, stocky, fit and clean cut - He wears the uniform with pride, trying to open the cell door.
JASONGod damnit Bing!
He drops the keys and draws his weapon on massive brawler.
JASON (CONT’D)BING!
He cocks the hammer.
Bing eases his grip for a moment. Stack seizes the moment.
He pushes hard, throwing Bing against the opposite wall.
BINGIt ain’t me, I’m sorry...
Bing rights himself as Stack drops to the floor and throws a furious uppercut to Bing’s groin with such force, that it knocks Bing unconscious.
Jason holsters his weapon, picks up his keys and goes to work on the lock.
Stack picks himself up and takes a seat on the bench, exhausted.
STACKHOUSEMe too pal... Me too.
Jason finally makes his way into the cell.
JASONHoly shit, you alright Stack?
STACKHOUSEI’ll survive, but Bing is gonna need a hospital.
Jason cuffs Bing’s arms behind his back.
JASONWhat’re you doing here?
STACKHOUSEJunior.
JASONShould have known. Go on, go home.
17.
Stack stays put.
JASON (CONT’D)Don’t worry about Junior.
STACKHOUSEI’m more worried about Bing. I’ll need a ride back to my bike.
CUT TO:
EXT. STACKHOUSE LEE’S FAMILY HOMESTEAD - LATER
Stack’s single headlight lights the street as he rides up and pulls into the driveway.
He climbs off of the chopper, lifts the seat, retrieves his handgun and heads for the...
FRONT PORCH
He walks up the weather beaten steps and reaches for the door.
A “CREAK” from his left.
He whips around and takes aim at ELIZABETH “LIZA” COLLINS, 25, petite and stunning, she carries herself with the strength of someone a bit battle worn but not beaten.
LIZAStack.
STACKHOUSEShit...Liza?
LIZAHey.
STACKHOUSEYou scared the shit out of me.
LIZAI didn’t think that was possible.
Stack opens the front door.
STACKHOUSEWell, it’s been a day.
LIZAI heard about Junior’s little welcome home party.
18.
STACKHOUSEJason?
LIZAHe’s a good friend.
They enter the...
LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Stack takes a seat on the sofa.
Liza joins him.
STACKHOUSEHis father used to run shine for mine.
LIZASo what was all that about?
STACKHOUSEThis.
LIZAThe house?
STACKHOUSEThe house, the property, all of it. I guess my coming back put a damper on his plans.
LIZAWhat about Jolene?
STACKHOUSEHaven’t heard from her in over a year.
LIZAShit, she doesn’t know.
STACKHOUSEI tried contacting her after I got out of the hospital, I figured she split town, went back up north.
LIZAShe thinks you’re dead.
STACKHOUSEI have to find her...She’s all I have left.
19.
Liza moves closer and wraps her arms around him.
LIZA(softly)
No - she isn’t.
She kisses him softly on the forehead then the eye, the cheek until finally - He responds firmly on her open lips.
His hands grasp her upper arms as he firmly yet gently lowers her onto the sofa.
She reacts by pulling off his shirt. Then hers. His mouth slides lower, starting at her neck and working his way down.
CUT TO:
INT. CUMBERLAND POLICE STATION - MORNING
Billy Joe stands outside of the empty cell.
BILLY JOEGod damnit. Jason!
CUT TO:
EXT. STACKHOUSE’S FRONT PORCH - MORNING
Stack and Liza sit, sipping coffee, on the steps.
STACKHOUSEWhen was the last time you heard from her?
LIZAYeah... It’s complicated.
STACKHOUSEWhat.
LIZAShe stopped talking to me when I started seeing Junior.
STACKHOUSEYou and...
LIZAIt’s over - we’re not together any more.
A police cruiser pulls into the driveway.
20.
STACKHOUSEI hope not.
Jason exits the cruiser and approaches.
JASONMorning.
STACKHOUSEJason.
JASONListen, I hate to interrupt, but I thought I should give you a heads up.
LIZAIf you boys will excuse me?
JASONMa'am.
Liza enters the house.
STACKHOUSEHow’s Bing?
JASONHe ain’t gonna be walking around anytime soon, but the doctors say he’ll be fine. Anyway, Billy Joe is pretty pissed.
STACKHOUSEWhat did you tell him?
JASONNothing, he thinks he forgot to lock the cell last night.
STACKHOUSEThanks.
JASONWhat’s all this about? Billy Joe made no mention of you being in the cell with Bing - and I checked the book, there’s no record of your arrest last night.
21.
STACKHOUSEHistory, Jason... Just a little history.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP, DOWNTOWN CUMBERLAND - LATER
Junior and Billy Joe are sitting at the table.
JUNIORWho else knows about this?
BILLY JOENo one. Maybe Jason.
JUNIORMaybe?
BILLY JOEHe said he found Bing on the floor unconscious.
JUNIORAnd Stackhouse?
BILLY JOEHe was already gone when Jason found him and since we didn’t put Stack’s arrest on the books he thinks it was an accident.
JUNIORAnd Bing?
BILLY JOEIt’s being handled.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
Earl’s pickup is parked near the entrance.
Harley and Earl wheel Bing from the entrance of the hospital and over to the pickup.
BINGSo I ain’t goin’ back to jail?
EARLHell, after what you been through.
22.
BINGI did what Billy Joe wanted - I mean...
HARLEYYou did.
They help Bing into the truck and drive off.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP, DOWNTOWN CUMBERLAND - CONTINUOUS
Junior and Billy Joe are now joined by Warren.
WARRENMaybe you need to slow it down a bit. I think you’re going at this thing all wrong.
JUNIORI’m listening.
WARRENLet him come to you. Find out what he’s after.
BILLY JOEI already know what he’s after. He’s lookin to get even for us testifying against him. And because this asshole...
(at Junior)Tried to have him...
JUNIORCareful.
Billy Joe stands and steps toward Junior.
BILLY JOEOr what?
WARRENSettle down!
BILLY JOEI’m just saying - The man is dangerous.
WARRENAnd it’s obvious you can’t scare him off.
23.
JUNIORI do get a strong feeling that he isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
WARRENSo...
JUNIORI let him come to me.
WARRENExactly.
BILLY JOEGood luck with that.
Billy Joe storms off.
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN, DINER - MOMENTS LATER
Billy Joe drives past in his cruiser.
Stack is helping Liza off the back of his chopper.
Billy Joe pulls a quick u-turn as Stack and Liza enter the diner.
CUT TO:
INT. DINER - CONTINUOUS
Stack takes a seat at the counter.
Liza prepares for work and takes her place behind the counter.
She hands Stack a menu, place a coffee cup in front of him and pours.
LIZAI recommend the steak and eggs.
Billy Joe bursts in.
Stack doesn’t flinch.
Liza steps back.
BILLY JOEWhy did you come back here?
24.
Stack quietly sips his coffee.
Billy Joe moves in.
BILLY JOE (CONT’D)Nobody wants you here.
STACKHOUSE(To Liza)
That sounds good.
Billy Joe almost presses his face against the side of Stack’s head.
BILLY JOEI said nobody wants you here.
LIZAThat’s not true.
Billy Joe points sternly at Liza.
STACKHOUSECareful.
Stack takes another sip.
LIZAI’ll just put your order in.
She steps away.
STACKHOUSEThank you.
BILLY JOEDon’t you ignore me.
He pulls his nightstick.
Several PATRONS exit.
Stack, reacting with catlike reflexes, grabs the stick, yanks hard, stands and pulls the stick back and up against Billy Joe’s throat, forcing him off balance.
Stack pulls Billy Joe over the counter stool, pulling the stick hard against his throat.
Billy Joe struggles in vain to remove the pressure. He starts to fade.
Stack pulls Billy Joe’s pistol from its holster before dropping him to his knees.
25.
Billy Joe, on all fours, chokes and gasps for air.
Stack, standing over him, pops the clip, pulls the slide to clear the chamber and places the pistol on the counter.
Billy Joe looks up at him.
STACKHOUSEI just want what’s mine and I want to be left alone.
Liza shoots him a smile from across the room.
Stack takes his seat at the counter.
Billy Joe collects himself and stands.
Stack retrieves the pistol from the counter.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)Are you done?
He hands Billy Joe the pistol.
EVERYONE stares.
Billy Joe takes the pistol, replaces the clip and holsters it.
BILLY JOEMy advice to you... Make your peace with Junior Parsons and leave.
STACKHOUSEWell?
Billy Joe exits.
Liza returns.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)I’m going to have to skip that breakfast.
Stack exits.
Liza watches.
CUT TO:
26.
EXT. WOODED AREA ON STACK’S PROPERTY - LATER
Stack carries the Winchester rifle as he hikes up the densely wooded mountain.
He stops dead in his tracks when he reaches a large marijuana crop hidden amongst the trees.
STACKHOUSEOh Junior, you stupid son of...
He hears “VOICES” in the distance and immediately takes a knee.
The “VOICES” get louder as he stealthily follows in their direction.
He takes a low position behind a downed tree and peeks over to reveal a mulleted GUS PORTER, 22, his scrawny and lanky frame makes him seem taller, talking to a somewhat stockier STEWEY GOODEY, 23, as he flexes his sleeveless biceps.
GUSShit. Them ain’t no guns.
He pulls a DESSERT EAGLE 45 from his waistband.
GUS (CONT’D)This here’s a gun.
Stewey snatches it from Gus’ hand.
STEWEYWhere’d you steal this from? Damn, it’s a bit to heavy for ya ain’t it?
GUSIt ain’t.
Stewey takes aim at the downed tree and pulls the trigger.
“CRACK” as splinters fly.
Stack crouches further.
STEWEYThis thing’ll knock you on your scrawny ass.
Gus grabs at it and a small tug of war ensues.
GUSC’mon god damnit!
27.
Stewey releases his grip. Gus stumbles a step.
GUS (CONT’D)Just watch.
Gus turns to take aim at the same target only to see Stack aiming back with his Winchester already locked and loaded.
GUS (CONT’D)Shit.
STACKHOUSEDrop it.
Gus lifts the pistol.
“CRACK” as Stack puts a round in front of Gus’ foot.
Dirt flies. Gus jumps and drops the pistol.
GUSJesus!
STACKHOUSEBack up.
The two stand frozen.
A loud “CLICK” as Stack chambers another round.
STACKHOUSE (CONT’D)Now!
They back away from the dropped pistol.
Stack approaches, retrieves it and places it in his waistband.
STEWEYWho the fuck are you?
Stack smiles.
Gus smacks Stewey across the back of his skull.
STEWEY (CONT’D)What?
GUSHey Stack.
STACKHOUSEGus.
28.
STEWEYWho?
STACKHOUSEHow’s Marvin?
GUSDead some three years now. O.D.’d
STACKHOUSESorry to hear it.
GUSMa ain’t got over it yet.
STACKHOUSEAnd how are you doing?
GUSHe was an asshole. Always beatin’ on me an shit. Can’t say as I really miss that.
STACKHOUSEOlder brothers.
GUSYeah.
STEWEYWho the fuck is this guy?
Gus gives Stewey another smack across his head.
GUSThis here is Stackhouse Lee you moron!
Stack smiles.
STEWEYAin’t.
GUSIs.
STEWEYI say, ain’t.
GUSHe’s standin’ right there.
29.
STEWEYI heard he died in the castle last year. Can’t be him.
GUSTrust me, it’s him.
STEWEYShit. What’s Junior gonna’ say?
STACKHOUSEDon’t worry about it.
“Voices” approaching from...
DOWN THE HILL.
Bing is walking just ahead of Harley and Earl.
BINGBilly Joe’s meetin’ us up here?
HARLEYHe’s real sorry bout settin’ you up like that.
EARLYeah, he’s real sorry.
Earl lifts his shotgun to the back of Bing’s head.
BINGI did what he told me, it weren’t my fault.
HARLEYOf course it weren’t.
EARLYou done real good.
Earl chambers a round, “CHA-CHING”.
Bing turns in fear then smiles.
Earl and Harley look back over their shoulders.
“Thump, Thwack”
Blackness.
BINGStack?
30.
STACKHOUSEIt’s alright Bing.
BINGHey boys.
STEWEY/GUSHey.
BINGI’m real sorry bout what happened.
STACKHOUSEWe need to get you out of here.
BINGWhat about Junior and Billy Joe?
STACKHOUSEThat’s my problem.
(to Gus and Stewey)I can trust you two.
They smile. Earl is happy to have his Dessert Eagle back.
CUT TO:
31.