INT: HIGH SCHOOL GYM DANCE – NIGHT



AMERICAN HERO

A Screenplay

By

Gregory Walker

First Draft Gregory Walker

October 1, 2007 807 Bonnie View rd

Dallas, Texas 75203

832-528-9930

FADE IN:

EXT: HIGH SCHOOL – EVENING

A MASTER SERGEANT, gray mixed in with his black hair, which is low cut, in army green uniform, his shoes are shine, with 6 rows of ribbons on his chest, walks up the school door with a briefcase in his hand and opens it then enters.

INT: HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM – LATER

He STANDS in front of the high school seniors onstage with a microphone in his hand

SERGEANT

The Army has a lot of educational opportunities and

programs to enhance your future, and you get to travel

to places that most ordinary people will never get a

chance to see. If you choose to make it a career, you

retire after serving 20 years, you get 30 days of leave

or vacation, you don’t pay for housing or food, it’s all

free. You get insurance from 25,000 to 100,000 dollars

to your spouse or parents if an accident.

INT: HIGH SCHOOL GYM DANCE – NIGHT

High school seniors are DANCING to, “ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN,” dressed in 1950’s attire.

INT: CLASSROOM – NEXT DAY

QUIET fills the air as they take their final exams. The teacher monitors to make sure no one is cheating. The chalkboard reads, “CHEATING EQUAL AUTOMATIC FAILURE.”

The BELL RINGS

EXT: SCHOOL CAMPUS

Kids are CATCHING rides, some got their own cars as NANCY LONGBOW, 17 year old, beautiful, shapely blond with a quick smile, warm and pleasant demeanor walks home wearing a printed dress with her books in hand. MARK GREEN, 17 Year old, handsome white man, with a quiet, easygoing demeanor runs up to her wearing blue jeans and a short sleeve shirt.

MARK

Hey!

Nancy stops and smiles at him

MARK (cont-)

Why didn’t you wait for me?

They begin to walk together

NANCY

(smiles)

Women don’t wait on men…

MARK

Not even for your future husband?

NANCY

Well, maybe…sometimes

MARK

I hope I passed Mr. Scott’s final

(pause)

It was hard as hell

NANCY

Should have came over and studied with me

MARK

You know your mom don’t like me

NANCY

Well, we could have made other arrangements

They come upon a basketball courts where boys are shooting around

BOY #1

Hey, Mark!

He throws him the basketball and Mark shots from far out and makes it then SMILES

The boy jumps up and down

BOY #1

Damn!

NANCY

Lucky shot!

MARK

I was lucky when I got you

They hold hand then embrace and kiss

INT: NANCY’S MOTHER HOUSE – KITCHEN – LATER

Nancy’s MOTHER (JACKIE), A brazen, bitter lady in her early 30’s with a slender build, blond hair and sharp tongue is cooking dinner.

EXT: TRAILER PARK – SAME TIME

Nancy waves goodbye to Mark

MARK

See ya tomorrow!

Nancy waves and enters

INT: NANCY’S MOTHER HOUSE – LIVINGROOM

She closes the door and throws her books on the couch

MOTHER

Is that you, hone?

NANCY

What’s to eat?

MOTHER

Never you mind. (pause) Go wash up for supper!

Nancy walks towards the bathroom then stops

MOTHER (cont-)

That boy walk you home again?

NANCY

He’s nice, real nice!

MOTHER

A pretty girl like you can get any man she wants…

NANCY

(interrupts)

I like him…

MOTHER

But he’s poor. (pause) He couldn’t provide for a

family!

NANCY

He’s joining the Army after we graduate

MOTHER

Oh, my God

She pats her feet on the floor then sits at the table with her arms crossed

NANCY

Mother, it’ll be okay

MOTHER

I, I just want the best for ya, hone

INT: SCHOOL AUDITORIUM – 1 WEEK LATER

All the kids are in caps and gowns for the graduation ceremony

(V.O.)

Mark Green!

Mark stands up smiling walking up to the stage

EXT: STREET – DOWNTOWN – NIGHT

Mark and Nancy are walking down the sidewalk

MARK

I’m so glad we finished school

NANCY

So, when are you joining the Army?

MARK

In 2 or 3 months

NANCY

We’re still at war with Iraq

MARK

I’ll be OK (pause) I wanted to ask you something

NANCY

What?

They walk over to a water fountain and sit then Mark looks deep into her eyes

MARK

Will you marry me?

She hugs him and WHISPERS in his ear

NANCY

Yes

MARK

I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world

They kiss

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – LATER

They are sitting on the couch kissing and caressing each other. The scene intensifies then Nancy stands and starts unbuttoning her shirt

NANCY

(whispers, wantonly)

Help me take this off and… take me

Mark stands up and slowly takes her shirt off and begins to undo her bra kissing her neck

INT: BEDROOM – MINUTES LATER

They kiss and make love under the sheets caressing and fondling each other

Later, they lied next to one another with smiling

MARK

This your first time?

NANCY

Yes

MARK

Me, too

NANCY

(smiling)

I can’t tell

MARK

How can you?

NANCY

(laughs)

I don’t know

MARK

We don’t know if we were good or bad in bed or

whatever…

NANCY

(interrupts)

It was good, real good

MARK

(smiles)

Thanks (pause) Do you know Paul?

NANCY

Who?

MARK

Paul, the black guy I talk to sometimes?

NANCY

Oh, yea.

She LAUGHS

MARK

He says he gets laid all the time

Nancy looks up at the clock and it’s 3:45am. She jumps up.

NANCY

I got to get home! Mother going to kill me!

MARK

Oh, I forgot the time

EXT: TRAILER PARK – MINUTES LATER

Nancy walks up the steps and Mother is peeping out the window then opens the door. Nancy is buttoning her shirt as Mother stares at her in disgust.

MOTHER

(angry)

Where you been?

NANCY

With Mark

MOTHER

(screams)

It’s late! Did you get lost along the way?

NANCY

We are going to get married

MOTHER

From the way your clothes look (pause) Looks like

he already gave you a trial run!

Nancy run to her bedroom and SLAMS the door

MOTHER (cont-)

(yells)

Why didn’t you just stay over there? Goddamnit!

Mark is a loser! His daddy was a loser too, all the

Green’s are losers!

INT: NANCY’S BEDROOM

Nancy pulls out her cellphone as she lies on the bed

MARK (O.S.)

Hello!

NANCY

Mama’s giving me a hard time

MARK (O.S.)

I’m sorry about that

NANCY

She’s just rambling on and on…

MARK (O.S.)

What do she have against me anyway? I mean she

looks at me funny all the time.

NANCY

She hates you because you are poor. (pause) Money

doesn’t matter to me

MARK (O.S.)

Do you want to come over and stay?

NANCY

No, (pause) no, I think it will be OK. She’ll get over

it…eventually

MARK (O.S.)

Well, if you change your mind

NANCY

OK

MARK (O.S.)

Love you…

NANCY

I love you, too. No matter what.

MARK (O.S.)

Bye

Nancy puts her cellphone on the nightstand then looks up at the ceiling

Mother opens the door

MOTHER

(angry)

Get up and take a shower! I can smell his germs all

over you!

She throws a towel in Nancy face and SLAMS the door

EXT: PARK – TWO WEEKS LATER – DAY

Mark and Nancy sits on a park bench holding hands

NANCY

My mom hates you. What are we going to do?

MARK

We are going to get married. I’ll get stationed overseas somewheres and you can come with me.

NANCY

My mom would never approve

MARK

Let’s elope right now, and do it at the courthouse!

NANCY

(laughs)

Are you serious?

He stands and beckons

MARK

Come on, the courthouse is just down the street

He put his hand in his pocket and pulls out 2 hundred-dollar bills. Nancy hesitates for a second.

NANCY

OK, but my mother is gonna be real mad

MARK

It’s your life but if you don’t want to be with me,

I understand

NANCY

I love you

MARK

Come on…let’s get it done!

She stands and they walk down the street with his arm around her shoulder

Later, they walk up the courthouse steps

NANCY

I’m scared

MARK

It’s all right, don’t worry

Mark opens the door and they enter

INT: COURT HOUSE – LATER

The JUSTICE of the PEACE stands in front of them as the stand side by side handing hands looking into each other’s eyes

JUSTICE

Do you take this man to be your lawful wedded

husband?

NANCY

I do

JUSTICE

Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded

wife?

MARK

I do

JUSTICE

I now pronounce you, man and wife. (pause) You

may kiss the bride

They kiss

EXT: STREET – LATER

Nancy and Mark walk down the sidewalk

NANCY

Now what?

MARK

You move in with me

NANCY

Then what?

MARK

When I join the Army, I’ll send you money home

NANCY

OK

MARK

I’ll go with you to tell your mom

NANCY

She’s not going to like it at all

EXT: TRAILER PARK – LATER

Nancy and Mark walk up Mother’s steps then Mark KNOCKS on the door

Mother peeps out the window

MOTHER

It’s poor boy and my silly girl

She opens the door

MARK

Miss Longbow, me and Nancy (pause) well ah, we

just got married at the courthouse

MOTHER

(shouts)

What? You stupid girl! I told you over and over

again!

She pushes Mark to the side and grabs Nancy arm

NANCY

Mom…

MOTHER

You’re not going with him!

Nancy pushes her back gently, crossing her arms in a defensive posture

NANCY

Don’t you care about how I feel or what I think?

This is who I love!

MOTHER

(screams)

You’re too young to know anything about love

MARK

Miss…

Mother points at Mark

MOTHER

(interrupts)

You shut up! Girl, you get out of my house… just go!

Get, get, get outta my sight!

They walk away

EXT: ARMY BASE – DRILL FIELD – TWO MONTHS LATER

Mark is marching with his company with a rifle over his shoulder as the drill sergeant calls out cadence.

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – BATHROOM – SAME TIME

Nancy’s THROWING up in the toilet. Late, she walks out of the bathroom and calls her mother on the telephone.

NANCY

Mama

MOTHER (O.S.)

What?

NANCY

(whines)

I’m sick. I’m throwing up everything I eat

MOTHER (O.S.)

You’re pregnant, I told ya! You’re too young. When

that boy comes back crazy or missing a leg, you’ll see!

That’s if he comes back at all!

Mother SLAMS down the phone

Nancy WEEPS and goes into the bedroom

EXT: ARMY BASE – FIRING RANGE – LATER

Mark is shooting his rifle at a target while sitting, he shoots dead center of the target.

The DRILL SERGENT walks up to him

SERGEANT

Where you learn to shoot like that?

MARK

My daddy used to take me hunting

SERGEANT

My dad used to take me hunting for deer too

MARK

No sir, we hunted for squirrels and black birds

Sergeant nods his head then walks away

SERGEANT

Keep up the good work, son!

EXT: ARMY BASE – COMBAT TRAINING GROUND – LATER

Mark crawls under the barbed-wire, runs and climbs up a rope, runs then scales a wall then sprints and jumps over a pool of water.

INT: DEPARTMENT STORE – EVENING

Nancy is shopping, walking down the aisle where there is baby clothing and she stops.

She picks up a little pajama top

NANCY

(smiles)

These are so cute!

A STORE CLERK comes up to her

CLERK

May I help you?

NANCY

I’m just looking around

The clerk sees she’s pregnant

CLERK

How many months are you?

NANCY

(smiling)

Two

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

The mother is sitting on the couch flicking through the television channels with remote in hand.

MOTHER

I miss my baby girl. Why she have to go marry that Po’ boy

She picks up the phone and dials

NANCY (O.S.)

Hello!

MOTHER

This is your mother… (pause) let’s talk

NANCY

OK

MOTHER

Come on over…

She hangs up the phone

Later, there’s a KNOCK on the door, mother runs to the door, opens it and hugs Nancy

MOTHER

Oh hone, I’m so sorry

Nancy begins to CRY

NANCY

I miss you

They sit on the couch side by side

MOTHER

I see you’re coming along

She points to Nancy’s stomach

NANCY

(laughs, nervously)

Two months, we’re hoping for a boy

MOTHER

I may not agree with you for marrying him, but you’re

still my daughter. I’ll probably never like him (pause)

but I’ll try to get along…

NANCY

(interrupts)

He’s nice

MOTHER

(interrupts)

Nice don’t pay bills or buy diapers

NANCY

Mom, mom…

MOTHER

OK, OK

Mother begins to CRY and stands walking to the window looking out

MOTHER

I made a mistake once. Your dad, I said the he ran

off (pause) he’s still alive and he a heroin addict living

on the streets in San Francisco. I met him at a bar…

you know, I was trying to be a grown woman and after

a few beers, I found myself in bed with him the next

morning. I was nude and couldn’t remember what

happened. All I know is I had a headache and 9 months

MOTHER (cont-)

later, I had you.

NANCY

Dad is still alive?

MOTHER

(disgusted)

He don’t care about you! All I was to him was a

fresh piece of booty. You don’t understand men,

hone

NANCY

But, mom…

MOTHER

I can’t stop you if ya want to look him up. He’s in the

San Francis shelter.

NANCY

I might just do that!

MOTHER

Don’t be mad at me, hone. I did it for both our

own good

Mother walks over and hugs her

MOTHER (cont-)

Fighting is pretty bad in Iraq, I hope your husband

don’t get himself killed

NANCY

Mark is strong, he’ll make it, we got to make it!

MOTHER

Yea.

EXT: ARMY BASE – DRILL FIELD – TWO MONTHS LATER – MORNING

Mark’s company is marching in fatigues

DRILL SERGEANT

Column left, March!

The company turns with precision to left in perfect rhythm.

DRILL SERGEANT (cont-)

Eyes, Right!

DRILL SERGEANT (cont-)

Present, Arms! (pause) Ready, two! Mark time,

Mark! (pause 5 seconds) Forward, March!

INT: BARRACKS – NIGHT

Mark is sitting on his bunk shining his shoes. PETE JONES walks up to him, a young white guy, tall and slender with black hair. He supports him leaning on Mark’s bunk.

PETE

Man, Sarg marched the hell out of us today.

Mark looks up at him smiling

MARK

Oh, I don’t mind, I signed up to do my 20.

PETE

You ain’t gonna have no feet left in 20 years. My feet

are killing me!

MARK

You’ll make it!

PETE

I know because Sarg will kick my butt if I slow up

They LAUGH

MARK

I haven’t heard from my wife in a week

PETE

Yea, that’s not a good sign

MARK

She’s pregnant. I just hope she’s alright

Mark pulls his wallet out of his drawer and takes out Nancy’s picture and shows to Pete

PETE

She’s gorgeous! Oh, man! How did you get this girl?

MARK

We grew up in the same neighborhood

PETE

Must have been great!

MIKE ANDREWS walks over to them, a young, black guy with a deep, manly voice, muscle bound. He looks over Pete’s shoulder viewing the picture.

MIKE

She is pretty

Mike points at Mark

MIKE (cont-)

This your girl?

Mark nods his head

MARK

We’re married…

MIKE

(laughs)

No shit?

PETE

(smiles)

He’s a lucky dog

The Drill Sergeant walks in

(V.O.)

Attention on deck!

Everyone stands up at attention

DRILL SERGEANT

As you were, knuckleheads! You got one week left

before graduation. Some of you will no doubtedly be

going to Iraq…

EXT: GREYHOUND BUS – MOVING – STREET – 3 DAYS LATER

The bus pulls into the station and Nancy gets off wearing jeans with a maternity dress, she carrying a backpack on her back. She walks down the sidewalk.

NANCY

I’m gonna go see daddy. Mama said, he only thing

he was good for was sweat on his forehead when

they laid together to have me

People are looking strangely at her as they pass by her. She walks up closer to a building

that have a lot of men in dirty clothes standing in a line waiting to go inside

She walks up even closer and begins to see other dirty men drinking whiskey in the alley,

she sees shopping carts filled with some of their personal belongings, some of these men

are CURSING and pushing each other in their drunken state

She looks up at the sign and it reads, SAN FRANCIS shelter. She looks at the men for a

moment then tries to push her way through the dirty men. They look at her strangely,

smiling at each other

NANCY

Excuse me! Excuse me!

One of the men fondles her buttocks, she turns around and pushes him down

NANCY (cont-)

Nasty old man!

The other dirty men LAUGH, the CASEWORKER at the door steps outside to investigate

CASEWORKER

This shelter is for men only!

NANCY

I’m looking for my dad!

CASEWORKER

Who’s your dad?

DIRTY MAN #1

I’ll be your daddy, come sit on my lap!

The dirty men LAUGH and the Caseworker points at him

CASEWORKER

You’re out for the night!

NANCY

My dad is Don Haslett

They dirty men LAUGH

DIRTY MAN #2

Has been Haslett! Never was anything

CASEWORKER

I know him

He takes her inside

INT: SHELTER

Men are sitting around on old church benches watching TV. Some are sitting at tables playing cards or talking. One guy is standing alone talking to himself then bursts out with loud laughter.

CASEWORKER

You have nothing to worry about

NANCY

I just want to see my dad…

Caseworker points at DON HASLETT, a slender, tall, mid-40’s white man, clean shaven with long, blond hair, tattoos on his arms, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt sitting all alone

She walks over to him and he glances up in a drunken stupor.

NANCY

Dad!

DON

What?

NANCY

I’m your daughter, Nancy!

DON

My daughter?

(shouts)

Jackie! Yea, yea, I remember now.

He looks at her closely in the face for a moment then smiles, she smiles back at him

NANCY

Dad…

She bends down and hugs him

DON

Why you come here? I’m a nobody. A loser,

never was nothing

NANCY

You’re my dad!

DON

I’m lucky your mom’s people never called the law on

me, if they did, I’d be in jail. (pause) What’s all this

about anyway? You see me! I’m nothing (pause)

Why don’t you go and enjoy your life?… and who

you pregnant by anyhow?

NANCY

My husband, his name is Mark. He’s a real nice guy,

he’s in the army.

DON

Army! Army!

NANCY

What’s wrong with the Army?

DON

I’m a Navy man, 20 years and retired

NANCY

Why you living here?

She grabs his arm and helps him get up

DON

Hey, those bones are like they used to be

NANCY

Let’s get you outta here!

DON

Where can I go?

NANCY

With me, come on…

They walk towards the exit

INT: ARMY BASE – PAYPHONE – SAME TIME

Mark is dialing home but no one answers

MARK

Damn, where the hell is she at?

He SLAMS the phone down, and stands there for a moment, then paces back and forth and then sits. Pete comes over to him

PETE

Are you OK?

MARK

It’s my wife. Don’t know where she is.

MARK (cont-)

I’ve written her, called her, everthing!

PETE

She’s pregnant, right?

MARK

Well, yea

PETE

She’s probably got a good excuse

MARK

I don’t know… maybe

EXT: MARK’S HOUSE – 3 DAYS LATER – DAY

Nancy is at the door fumbling with her key to open the door as Don watches. He reaches for the key.

DON

Let me try, dear

He put the key in and opens the door. They enter

INT: LIVINGROOM

Don looks around

DON

Nice place

NANCY

I’ll go make some coffee

Don sits on the couch and picks up a magazine

NANCY

You need a shave and a bath

DON

OK, OK

Don stands and Nancy walks into the bathroom. He places the magazine down and picks up the remote to the television and turns it on. Nancy returns with a towel and a robe

NANCY

Here, daddy!

DON

(smiling)

Thank you, babygirl!

He takes it and heads towards the bathroom

DON (cont-)

Gonna smell sweet for my babygirl!

She LAUGHS and there’s a knocking at the door

NANCY

Oh, no. I hope that’s not mom

She peeps out the window and her mother is standing on the porch with her hands on her hips. Nancy cracks the door open

MOTHER

You hiding something?

NANCY

(nervous smile)

Oh, no. Come in!

Mother enters then looks around

MOTHER

Mark called me last night and told me he

hasn’t heard from you.

NANCY

I just got back from California

MOTHER

Yea

NANCY

Just yea? Aren’t you gonna to ask about

dad?

MOTHER

Don’t care! Never did really, and it’s best you

leave him alone

Don walks into the living room in the robe still drying his hair. He and mother make eye contact

DON

Babe!

MOTHER

(yells)

Oh, my God!

She runs out of the door, CRYING

NANCY

Mom! Mom!

EXT: TRAILER PARK

Mother is running and Nancy is chasing behind her

MOTHER

(cries)

Get away from me!

NANCY

Everything will be all right! Mom! Mom!

Nancy stops as her mother enters her home then slams the door. Nancy turns around with her head down walking home.

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM

Don’s pacing back and forth CURSING under his breath

DON

Goddam! We have a kid together and she

won’t even talk to me!

Nancy enters and sits in a chair

DON (cont-)

Babygirl, don’t let this tear you up. Things

aren’t always perfect in life!

NANCY

I just want everything to be OK

INT: ARMY BASE – PHONE BOOTH – LATER – NIGHT

Mark is inside the phone booth dial the phone

NANCY (O.S.)

Hello!

MARK

Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick

about you. I don’t know what I would do if I lose

you, I’d be lost forever

NANCY (O.S.)

I went to California to get my dad

MARK

I never heard you mention anything up about

you dad. What’s going on?

MARK (cont-)

You know I graduate boot camp in three days,

are you coming?

NANCY (O.S.)

I’ll be there and I’m bringing dad

MARK

This really mean a lot to me… to see you in the

stands when I march by, then maybe afterwards

we can go get something to eat….how’s our baby?

NANCY (O.S.)

Coming along fine

MARK

I only have a few minutes to talk

NANCY (O.S.)

I love you

MARK

I love you, too. Goodbye, see ya soon

He hangs up the phone

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – LATER

Nancy is in the bedroom in pajamas, lying on her back with the lamp on

Don enters and stands looking at her

DON

So your husband graduates in 3 days?

NANCY

Yea, he wants to retire in the Army and make

it a career

DON

I know that line well, he must be a fine kid?

NANCY

He’s very nice, that’s why I married him

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

She sits alone in a chair in a dim light and a bottle of whiskey on the table which is half empty. She’s drunk.

MOTHER

(shouts)

Goddam poor boys, trash and losers! What

the hell is going on here?

She stands and walks over to a mirror looking at herself

MOTHER (cont-)

(whispers)

I was so pretty when I was young, too. (pause)

Just like Nancy

She runs her hand through her hair

MOTHER (cont-)

Why did she have to go and dig up that loser,

Don has been Haslett? Why? Why? Why? I

hate him forever!

EXT: ARMY BASE – DRILL FIELD – GRADUATION DAY – NOON

All the recruits are in dress uniform standing at parade rest.

The MUSIC STARTS PLAYING

(V.O.)

Graduating companies, attent hut!

(They come to attention), Right, Face! (They turn right)

(V.O.)

Forward, March!

They began to march and we see Mark as Nancy and Don watches from the stands

NANCY

(smiling)

Mark looks so cute in uniform

DON

I wasn’t so bad looking in my days, besides,

Anchors Away was a better song

He smiles

(V.O.)

Present, Arms!

The companies present arms with their rifles as the General stands

GENERAL

What a bunch of fine looking recruits?

(V.O.)

Eyes, Right!

The General salutes them

(V.O.)

Ready, Two!

EXT: ARMY BASE – DRILL FIELD – AFTER GRADUATION – LATER

Mark, Nancy and Don are standing as is other recruits, talking to family members, wives, and kids. Don shakes Mark’s hand

DON

I’m proud of you, son!

Nancy hugs Mark and kisses him (smiling)

NANCY

This is my dad!

MARK

Glad to meet ya!

DON

I did twenty years in the Navy!

He shows him tattoos on his forearms

MARK

Don’t think I’ll be getting any of those souvenirs

They LAUGH

NANCY

Let’s go get something to eat

MARK

Sounds like a good idea to me…

DON

Well, lets get out of here!

They start walking as Mark has his arm around Nancy’s shoulder. In the background Mother walks up watching them from a distance

MOTHER

(shouts)

Has been, Nancy! Wait!

They turn around and see her

NANCY

Mom!

INT: MEXICAN RESTAURANT – LATER – SAME DAY

They are all sitting at a table with eating and drinking. Nancy and Mark are sitting close to each other. Don is nervous and Mother is feeling uneasy

MOTHER (to Don)

How you been?

DON

Never felt better

MOTHER

This is not easy for me

MARK

(interrupts)

I have three days leave then I get my orders

DON

Where you going?

MARK

They said, I most likely will be going to Iraq

but for one tour

Nancy plays with the buttons on his uniform

NANCY

You will be home just in time to see our

baby

She kisses him on the cheek and they smile at each other

MOTHER

I can’t take anymore of this!

She stands up and walks away

NANCY

(shouts)

Mom! Mom! Where are you going?

MOTHER

(shouts)

Home! I need to get out of here!

DON

(laughs)

She always had a temper

MARK

(whispers)

She doesn’t like me either…

Nancy playfully hits Mark on the arm

NANCY

Mark, Mark?

MARK

What?

NANCY

(smiles, annoyed)

Don’t talk about my mother

MARK

OK, but you know I’m not lying

DON

I don’t know ‘bout you kids but I’m ready

to go!

He stands and Mark looks at his watch

MARK

It’s only 8 o’clock

DON

You’re in the Army now, that’s 2000 hours!

Nancy LAUGHS

MARK

(smiles)

Man, I’m with you guys right now…so it’s

8 o’clock

Nancy and Mark get up and they all head for the door

EXT: STREET – LATER

They are walking down the sidewalk then Don sees a bench

DON

I’m gonna sit here for a while (pause) I’ll

leave you two alone

He sits down

NANCY

Dad…

DON

(interrupts)

Scoot, scoot, scoot!

He motions with his hands for them to get out of his sight

DON (cont-)

I’ll be here when you get back

MARK

We’ll be back soon

They walk down the sidewalk arms around each other

NANCY

Now, since we’re finally alone

They stop and embrace and look each other in the eyes

MARK

I missed you so much

He gives her a deep soulful kiss. (a beat) He touches her big stomach

NANCY

Can you feel the baby moving?

MARK

No, but I’m so happy

They began to walk again holding hands

NANCY

What do you want, boy or girl?

MARK

We’ll see when I get back in six months

NANCY

That’s not an answer

MARK

Well, a boy would be nice but a girl is OK

too.

NANCY

(smiles)

I hope it’s a boy. And I hope he’s just like you

She kisses him on the cheek and he smiles

MARK

I love you

NANCY

I love you, too

Later, they return to the bench where Don is sitting and he’s sleep

NANCY

Dad!

He jumps up (startled)

DON

(groggy)

For a minute I thought you was the police

MARK

Let’s go to the hotel

DON

All I need is a beer…well, a couple of beers

would be nice

Mark LAUGHS and they all start walking

DON

Well, it was a good idea, right son?

MARK

I guess…

Don smiles and pats him on the back

DON

We need to sit down and talk sometimes,

get to know each other better

MARK

I would be enlightened and thrill

Nancy smiles then looks at Mark

NANCY

Leave my dad alone

MARK

I haven’t did nothing!

DON

I’ll get a room to myself so you two can, ah

He motions with his hands

DON (cont-)

Whatever you two, ah. You know what I’m

trying to say.

INT: HEADQUARTER – BAGHDAD, IRAQ – 3 DAYS LATER

Captain Nelson sits at his desk writing and there’s a knock on his door.

CAPTAIN

Enter!

Mark enters and walks up to the CAPTAIN and salutes

MARK

Private Green, reporting for duty, Sir!

CAPTAIN

At ease. (pause) I’ve been looking at you

record. Outstanding scores with an M16…an

expert.

MARK

Yes, Sir!

CAPTAIN

Married with a kid on the way. I got to get you

back home in one piece so your kid will have a

father.

He stands and walks to the window looking outside

CAPTAIN

Why did you join the Army?

MARK

I want to make it a career, Sir!

CAPTAIN

I’ll assign you to guard duty and from there

we’ll see.

MARK

Yes, Sir… but …

CAPTAIN

Yes?

MARK

I would like to see some of the action, Sir!

Captain gazes at him strangely

CAPTAIN

Well, how about 1st HumVee Division?

MARK

(smiling)

Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!

CAPTAIN

Dismiss and report to 1st Sergeant Davis for

assignment!

Mark salutes and does an About, Face and exits

CAPTAIN (cont-)

Didn’t know they made young men like him

anymore

EXT: MOTOR POOL – LATER

Sergeant Davis is standing outside watching the HumVees refueling to go on patrol from a distance when Mark walks up to him.

MARK

Private Green, reporting as ordered!

Sergeant Davis looks at him up and down then frowns

SERGEANT DAVIS

So, you’re the latest mode of a soldier? We’ll

have see what you’re made of… this is the real

thing out here not a drill, remember that your

life will depend on it… and your fellow soldiers

too.

MARK

Yes, sergeant

SERGEANT DAVIS

Go get your rifle and report back here in 15

minutes, and don’t forget to drink plenty of

water!

Mark runs to get his rifle as a HumVee pulls up. Pete and Mike are in the back. The Sergeant walk up to the driver.

SERGEANT DAVIS (cont-)

I have one more for you, a newbie fresh out

of boot camp!

Mark returns wearing his helmet with his rifle and the sergeant points towards the HumVee

SERGEANT DAVIS (cont-)

Get in, Green! They’ll indoctrinate ya!

He gets in and sees Pete and Mike then smiles

INT: HUMVEE

MARK

Hey!

PETE

Look what we have here?

MIKE

The man with the pretty wife!

MARK

What’s going on?

The HumVee drives off

PETE

It ain’t no joke out here, we’ve been here 2 days.

Got into a little action yesterday.

MARK

What?

MIKE

That’s right, we fought over 2 hours, bullets flying

everywhere, man! I’m lucky I still have my jewels,

I wanna have some kids some day….

Mike LAUGHS

MARK

Were you scared?

PETE

You don’t have time… just aim and start shooting.

If we didn’t get support from Black Hawk choppers,

ain’t no telling what would have happened.

EXT: HUMVEE – MOVING

The HumVee pulls into the gas station then stops

EXT: STATION

They all get out except the driver

MIKE

We’re going to Samarra on patrol today

MARK

Yea…

PETE

It gets so damn hot in the back of this can!

He opens his canteen and pours water on the top of his head. Mike gets his rifle out of the truck and checks it.

MIKE

We also have a TOW missile launcher HumVee

patrolling with us and another HumVee like our

with the .105 caliber mounted on top. That TOW

sure comes in handy.

PETE

You’ll get used to it!

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – NIGHT

Nancy is standing looking out the window as rain pour down. Don is sitting on the couch sipping coffee.

DON

Babygirl, you look worried

NANCY

I worry everyday that this war is going on

DON

Mark will be OK, a lot of things in combat is

just common sense – well, most times.

NANCY

I’m carrying his baby and I just want everything

to work out right

Don stands and hugs her

DON

(assuredly)

Everything will work out

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEES – MOVING – NOON – 2 MONTHS LATER

A TOW HumVee and two .105 caliber mounted HumVees moves down the dusty road

INT: HUMVEE – MOVING

PETE

We been lucky so far, haven’t had a fight since

our 2nd day here.

MIKE

I don’t care if we ever do, I want to get home

in one piece!

Mark silently reads a letter from Nancy, Pete nudges Mark with the butt of his rifle.

PETE

Any good news?

MARK

My wife is fine, it’s just my mother-in-law

who hates me and the whole world

MIKE

Let me guess… its money, with women it’s

always about money!

A BOMB goes off BOOM and BULLETS starts flying everywhere

PETE

It’s that time again!

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – SECONDS LATER

Mike is on the .105 caliber machine gun, Mark and Pete are firing their M16’s from behind the HumVee.

Behind some rocks are insurgents firing as bullets spray across the battlefield, Mark and Pete returning fire and Mike sprays rounds at the opposition as the other two HumVees on patrol also engage

The TOW HumVee launches a rocket but badly misses its target

Mark aims and shoots an enemy and he falls then another and another, he get one behind the rocks and he also falls.

The TOW HumVee launches another rocket that hits center of the insurgents and the men’s bodies flies up in the air.

The assault continues for a couple of minutes then a Black Hawk helicopter comes in and fires multiples rockets into the insurgents and then there is a silence.

Mike gazes at the opposition at the ready to fire more rounds from the .105 gun

PETE

(yells)

I think it’s over

Mark surveys the insurgents with rifle still ready, Pete pats him on the back

PETE (cont-)

Let’s get back in the truck

Bullets fire that barely misses him as a single, wounded insurgent fire, Mark spots him then shoots him and he rolls over dies.

MARK

Now, let’s go!

INT: HUMVEE – MOVING – LATER

They all are sitting and Mike is still trying to catch his breath. Pete wipes the sweat from his forehead and Mark sits staring straight ahead. Mark laughs

MARK

So, that’s what it’s like?

PETE

You got it!

MIKE

Oh, that was light! Man, you ain’t seen nothing

yet. We fought 2 hours our 2nd day here and

we lost 9 men.

PETE

Yea, we were kinda lucky today with only

one wounded.

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – MOVING

The other two HumVees behind them stops – then Mark’s HumVee stops.

MIKE

Hey, what’s going on?

A soldier run up and takes a first aid kit from the driver.

PETE

That’s for our hurt soldier. I thought he got

it in the hand?

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – NIGHT – A MONTH LATER

Mother is sitting on the couch pouring a glass of wine as she is already drunk

MOTHER

My girl goes to San Francisco and brings back

her no good dad, fine with me!

She waves her hand through the air

MOTHER (cont-)

As long as he stays over there with her

(hiccups)

I’m fine.

She drinks from the glass then stands and turns on the music and starts to dance

MOTHER (cont-)

(screams)

Forget all those losers!

She laughs madly then falls on her knees and cries out loud as tears trickle down her face

MOTHER (cont-)

My whole life is ruined!

INT: MARK’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME

Nancy is in bed staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. She picks up the telephone and dials her mother.

MOTHER (O.S.)

Hello!

NANCY

Mom, it’s me!

MOTHER (O.S.)

(crying)

Why did you have to bring you dad back here?

Why did you have to go and sneak behind my

back and marry a loser?

NANCY

What about me? Have you ever thought about

how I felt?

MOTHER (O.S.)

Why can’t you just trust me? Why? Why?

NANCY

Mother, I…

We hear a CLICK then a dial tone

NANCY

(shouts)

Mom, mom! It’s not fair…

She starts to CRY

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – MOVING – EVENING – WEEK LATER

INT: HUMVEE – MOVING

Pete, Mike and Mark are sitting

PETE

It’s been kinda quiet last couple of days

MIKE

Oh, they’re out there somewhere, they might

be watching us right now, just waiting for the

right time.

MARK

Ain’t that what you would do?

PETE

I don’t know, I’m not them. Hot as this place is,

I’d be somewhere drinking a beer with a fine lady

under my arm.

MIKE

The smell under your arm would kill ‘em!

They all LAUGH

PETE

Just wait ‘til I get back to the States, I’m going

to Las Vegas! Bunny Ranch, Showgirls, cold

beer and pina coladas.

MARK

I’m going home to my wife.

MIKE

Listen to the married man, here!

MARK

Why not? I got a baby on the way.

PETE

By the most beautiful girl I ever seen

Mark smiles then Mike gives him a friendly tap on the arm

EXT: AUTO DEALERSHIP – NOON – 2 MONTHS LATER

Don is walking around with a salesman looking at a used truck

DON

I think I’m gonna need a car instead

SALESMAN

This is a nice truck, only one owner, low miles

DON

You see, my daughter’s having a baby next

month

SALESMAN

Maybe a station wagon would be better or a van?

They walk over to the station wagons

DON

Perhaps

SALESMAN

Is she married?

DON

Yea, her husband is in Iraq fighting!

SALESMAN

I have a son over there, I wanted him to go

to college.

Don opens the door to a station wagon and cranks it up, he puts his feet on the gas

DON

It sounds good!

SALESMAN

I’ll write you up a 90 day guarantee

DON

I’ll take it!

EXT: STREET – STATION WAGON – MOVING – LATER

He drives into the trailer park

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – MOVING – 1PM – NEXT DAY

A MORTAR shell BLOWS UP in front of Mark’s HumVee and they hurry out and take cover.

Pete’s mans the .105 caliber and starts to shot as gunfire fills the air. Mark and Mike fire their rifles at the insurgents as they hide behind the rocks.

MIKE

Why do they always hide behind those damn

rocks?

EXT: BEHIND THE ROCKS

The insurgents are firing their rifles and launching mortar shells.

EXT: HUMVEE

Mike and Mark are firing their rifles when the TOW HumVee launches a missile. The insurgents launches another mortar shell that tears into the other HumVee with the .105 caliber mount and it explodes and burst into flames.

A soldier runs out into the open and is shot many times by the insurgents.

The TOW HumVee launches another rocket and it hits directly in the center of the insurgents and bodies dead flies in the air.

Pete continues to fire the .105 gun as Mark and Mike also return fire.

The TOW HumVee fires another rocket which lands as a near miss.

MIKE

(shouts)

Damn, where in the hell is Black Hawk support?

Mark reloads his rifle

MARK

We need Black Hawk here, fast!

Mark aims his rifle and starts shooting again. Two more truck loads of insurgents pull up behind the rocks firing rifles and take positions to fight.

MIKE

(shouts)

I can’t believe this!

MARK

(shouts)

Just keep shooting!

Mark shoots one insurgent and he falls, then another and another as they jump off the trucks.

The TOW HumVee launches a rocket at the trucks and it blow up and burst into flames just as the last insurgent jumps off.

Pete shoots the .105 gun at the insurgents trying to take cover and guns down 5 or 6. The driver reloads his pistol and a bullet enters his chest. Mark sees him as he exhale his last breath.

MARK

He never said a single word

Three Black Hawk helicopters arrive and starts firing missiles and machine gun fire on the insurgents.

INT: HUMVEE – MOVING – NIGHT – LATER

Mark is driving while Pete and Mike relax in the back

MIKE

That was one hell of a fight!

PETE

Where are we headed?

MARK

Tikrit!

MIKE

We drive this route every night

PETE

My mind ain’t straight after all that

MARK

Mine ain’t either

MIKE

Well, I’m alright, in the hood it’s rougher than

that!

PETE

What hood is that?

MIKE

My neighborhood back in Detroit

Pete looks at Mark through the mirror of the HumVee

PETE

Are you OK? I mean really OK?

MARK

I feel good enough, I guess. A good, hot meal

would be nice.

MIKE

I think we've going to get a medal for that one

PETE

(smiling)

I just go for a metal can of beer and a woman

EXT: TRAILER PARK – MARK’S HOUSE – 3 WEEK LATER

Don drives up and parks, he get out, walks up to the door and knocks. Nancy opens the door.

INT: MARK’S LIVINGROOM

Don walks in

DON

Fighting getting kinda rough in Samarra, I

heard on the news.

He sits in a chair, when Nancy grabs her stomach going into labor and falls. Don jumps up and helps her.

DON (cont-)

I think it’s time to pop, babygirl!

EXT: TRAILER PARK

Don helps her into the car

NANCY

(moans)

Oh, daddy

He gets in and they drive off and Mother sees it peeping out the window

MOTHER

It must be time…

INT: HOSPITAL – HOURS LATER

Nancy is lying in bed (Smiling) cuddling a new born baby boy as Don sits beside her.

NANCY

Isn’t he beautiful?

DON

Yea, but he’s bold. All the Hasletts are born

with hair

NANCY

(laughs)

He’s still cute

Mother walks in with her arms crossed but when she sees the baby, she smiles and walks up to Nancy and reaches out to hold the new born.

When she cradle him in her arms, her smile widens as she plays with the baby making sounds

DON

First time we been in the same room and you

smiled, you still look pretty when you smile.

She ignores him

MOTHER

What are you going to name him?

NANCY

I don’t know yet

MOTHER

Name him after a winner not a loser!

Mother looks at Don then laughs

DON

Got a good sense of humor too, I like that

Nancy LAUGHS, looking at Don

NANCY

Mark is going to be so proud

MOTHER

I bet he is…

DON

What about me? I’m proud too, hell I’m a

grandfather!

NANCY

I guess this will bring us all together?

MOTHER

I’ll give it a shot

Mother stares at Don and he smiles

MOTHER (cont-)

But it’s gonna be hard. The last time I held a

baby, well, it was you and he looks so much

like you!

Mother smiles then kisses the baby

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – MOVING –TIKRIT – 2PM – 2 DAYS LATER

Pete, Mike and Mark are sitting around on a break. Mark opens a message in an envelope from headquarters then reads it.

He jumps up in the air laughing and filled with joy

MARK

I’m a daddy! It’s a boy!

PETE

(smiling)

Congratulations!

MIKE

Man, you’re lucky cause them girls are some-

thing else!

PETE

(jokes)

Especially where you come from!

MIKE

Don’t be talking about my hometown…

PETE

This is all nice but fellas, we got to get

moving in 15 minutes to pick up the new

driver!

They all stand knocking the dust from their fatigues

MIKE

Damn!

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – MOVING

The HumVee goes down the dusty desert road

INT: HUMVEE – MOVING

Mark is driving

MARK

I’m gonna ask the captain if I can call home

when we get to Baghdad. What do you think

he’ll say?

MIKE

(jokes)

Go back out and fight my war!

They LAUGH

PETE

He might say yea, if you shine his boots then

lick ‘em!

MIKE

He might tell you that he’s the baby’s daddy!

MARK

Come on you guys….this ain’t the Jerry

Springer show!

They LAUGH

PETE

Listen to daddy, Mike or he won’t give you

a quarter

MARK

Mike is from Detroit, so I make exception to

him… but for you, Pete…

MIKE

(interrupts)

Hey, what’s wrong with Detroit?

MARK

Just forget it, OK?

EXT: ROAD – HUMVEE – MOVING

The front tire hits a roadside BOMB, BOOM! BOOM!

And the men are thrown out from the vehicle but Mike is trapped inside as it burst into flames. Mark’s left arm is bloodied as he lies unconscious.

Pete stands up wobble legged watching the HumVee burning.

PETE

Oh, Mike… Damn! (pause) Damn!

He looks down at Mark and sees his arm and notices most of it has been blown off.

He tears off his shirt and makes a tourniquet and applies to Mark’s elbow.

PETE (cont-)

Need to get you to the hospital, fast!

He looks down the road and sees the TOW HumVee coming.

INT: ARMY HOSPITAL – NEXT DAY

Mark lies in bed with bandages around his head and his left arm that is now gone from the elbow to hand still unconscious.

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

Nancy is holding the baby as she sits on the couch beside mother.

NANCY

I’m going to name him, Joseph!

MOTHER

Why, Joseph?

NANCY

Joseph, in the bible. The one who was sold to

Egypt and then rose to power and saved the

land from famine.

MOTHER

I can go with that!

There is a KNOCKING at the door

MOTHER (cont-)

Wonder who this is?

She gets up walking towards the door, smiling back at the baby then opens it and Don is standing there with a bag in his hand. Her smile disappears.

MOTHER (cont-)

Come in…

Don enters

DON

I brought some baby food for baby boy!

NANCY

You didn’t have to…

MOTHER

Put it in the kitchen

She points and he goes and places it on the table and then quickly returns.

DON (to baby)

How you doing, champ?

MOTHER

She named him, Joseph!

DON

Joseph? What type of name is that?

He looks at them astounded

MOTHER

From the bible, something you wouldn’t…

NANCY

(interrupts)

You promised not to fight!

MOTHER

OK, dear. I’ll hold my peace.

She smiles gritting her teeth and sits beside Nancy

NANCY

Take a seat, Dad!

Don looks at Mother unsure, then sits in a chair as Mother eyes stares at him

MOTHER

You can sit down but don’t get too comfortable

INT: HOSPITAL – ONE WEEK LATER

Mark is still unconscious lying in bed. Pete enters then takes off his hat looking down at him.

PETE

Mark, old buddy (pause) you been asleep for

a while now.

Mark begins to move a little when his eyes opens, blinking at the lights in the room

MARK

(groggy)

Where am I?

PETE

We had an accident…

MARK

An accident?

Mark tries to reach out to him then realizes his arm is gone

MARK (cont-)

(cries out loud)

My arm!

Tears begin to trickle down his face as he cries uncontrollably

EXT: MARK’S HOUSE – SAME TIME

An Army Officer is on the porch knocking at the door when Don opens it

DON

May I help you?

ARMY OFFICER

Is Mrs. Green here?

DON

Yea…

ARMY OFFICER

I need to talk to her

Don opens the door wider

DON

Come on in!

He enters the living room

DON (cont-)

Have a seat!

ARMY OFFICER

No, thank you!

Nancy enters the living room

NANCY

(whispers)

The baby’s sleeping

ARMY OFFICER

Mrs. Green, I’m afraid I have some terrible

news for you

Nancy and Don stand waiting with full attention

NANCY

Yes?

ARMY OFFICER

Your husband, Mark has been in an accident

NANCY

(sad)

Is he?

ARMY OFFICER

He’s OK, he’s in the hospital at Bethesda and

he should be home soon!

DON

Well, that’s not too bad

NANCY

What happened?

ARMY OFFICER

When his HumVee unit patrol was returning

to Samarra, they hit a roadside bomb. He’s a

ARMY OFFICER (cont-)

very lucky man and a fine soldier.

INT: AIRPORT – MARYLAND – MONTH LATER

Mark is pacing back and forth waiting on his flight, dressed in Army uniform when Pete walks up to him

MARK

What are you doing here?

PETE

They gave me a couple days of leave while

I’m waiting for reassignment.

He put his arm around Mark’s shoulder

PETE (cont-)

(smiles)

Let’s go have a couple of beers!

INT: BAR – MINUTES LATER

Pete and Mark are sitting at a table sipping beer

MARK

I still don’t remember what happened that day

PETE

My ears are still ringing from that blast and poor

Mike couldn’t get out. I don’t know if he died on

impact or if he was trapped in the fire. I was out

of it for a while then I saw you lying next to me.

MARK

Mike was a nice guy

PETE

(smiles)

From Detroit, I’m going to miss him and I’ll never

forget that scene

MARK

That’s horrible

PETE

How’s your wife? Have you talked to her?

Mark shakes his head and shallows a long drink of beer

MARK

I’m going to surprise her

PETE

You think…ah, you think…

MARK

(interrupts)

She’ll have a problem with my left arm

gone?

PETE

Well, yea

MARK

I doubt it, we love each other

PETE

Oh

MARK

I should be getting full disability in a month

or two

PETE

I heard that’s 2 or 3 thousand dollars

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – 10AM – NEXT DAY

Mother and Nancy is watching the news on television

(V.O.)

Hometown boy, Mark Green arrived this

morning from Iraq, he the recipient of numerous

medals and the purple heart, credited with 23

confirmed kills.

NANCY

Mark is coming home!

MOTHER

Yea, yea.

NANCY

I better get home and get dad to get some pizza,

beer and wine! Oh, I’m so happy!

She stands smiling

NANCY (cont-)

Oh, Oh, Oh! What do I do now? Let me get the

baby! Are you coming over, Mom?

MOTHER

I guess, if you pull yourself together first

EXT: MARK’S HOUSE – LATER – SAME DAY

A taxi pulls up and Mark gets out with his sea bag. He walks up the porch then knocks on the door.

Nancy opens the door and he enters.

INT: LIVINGROOM

(COLLECTIVELY)

Surprise?

Mark walks in smiling as everyone notices his arm is missing and a silence fills the room

MOTHER

My goodness!

NANCY

Mark, what happened to your arm?

MARK

I lost it in an accident

He hugs her and kisses her on the cheek but she’s kind of cold and half-hearted

MARK

Where’s my son?

Mother points to the crib

MOTHER

He’s over there but I doubt if you can hold

him

DON

The boy’s fine, lots of vets lost limbs in the

military

Mark walks over to the crib and kneels down watching the baby

MOTHER

I’m going home, Nancy

She exits the front door without looking back

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – LATER

Mother lies in bed weeping, crying and moaning loud

MOTHER

Why does this always happen to me?

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

Don and Mark are drinking beer and eating pizza

DON

Where did babygirl go?

MARK

She said, she was tired so I guess she’s

sleep

Don leans close to Mark’s ear

DON

(smiling)

She went to sleep early to keep you up all

night long

Don laughs then pats Mark on the back

DON (cont-)

How long has it been?

MARK

For what?

DON

Since you, ah…

MARK

Last time I slept with Nancy?

DON

What? You didn’t get any Iraq stuff?

MARK

I’m not gonna cheat on her (pause) I love

your daughter with all my heart

DON

Well, that’s good…

Don nods his head then finishes his beer, stands and then opens the refrigerator.

DON (cont-)

You want another beer?

MARK

Yea

Mark turns his beer up and finishes it and Don pops a beer open the put it in front of Mark and pops one open for himself as he sits.

MARK

I wanted to stay in 20 years, travel and see

the world and let my kids and Nancy enjoy

living overseas and enjoy different cultures.

DON

It’s OK, you’ll be just fine

Don sips some beer and Mark does the same

MARK

I’ll be getting full disability in a month or two

and I can buy stuff from the PX.

DON

We’ll have to go to the club some time on base

MARK

Perhaps, but right now I just want to settle in

and enjoy my son

INT: BEDROOM – LATER

Nancy is sleeping as Mark enters and begins to unbutton his shirt, which looks kind of awkward. Nancy rolls over and watches him

NANCY

Need any help?

MARK

(smiles)

I need help but not pulling off my clothes

He throws the shirt down and unbuckles his pants

NANCY

How long has it been?

He pulls his pants off and lies beside her

MARK

What do you mean?

NANCY

Since you last had sex?

MARK

You sound like your dad. You were the last

woman I had sex with

He sit up on the bed and raises her with his one arm and he gives her a deep soulful kiss, she runs her hand down his left arm and a creepy feeling runs through her as she feel his deformity

NANCY

Are you OK?

MARK

I want you

NANCY

You sure?

MARK

(whispers)

Yes

He kisses her on the neck then goes down under the sheet and her faces is full of pleasure and ecstasy

Later, they are lying next to each other

MARK

You still love me?

NANCY

Yes, but it feels so different. It feels strange.

MARK

What do you mean? Oh, I get it, it’s because

I have one arm?

NANCY

I’m not trying to be mean, you know that…

MARK

(shouts)

I fought my tail off in Iraq for this country?

Now it’s strange and I’m weird!

He gets out of bed, Nancy sits up

NANCY

It’s just going to take time to get use too

MARK

(angry)

My arm? I’m getting 100 percent disability

and that’s more then enough money!

NANCY

It’s not about the money!

Mark picks up a vase and throws it at the mirror and glass flies everywhere. Don, shortly comes and opens the door

DON

What’s going on?

MARK

She has a problem with my arm!

Don grabs a hold of Mark

DON

(quietly)

Now, settle down and relax, son

Nancy gets out of bed then gets the baby and leaves in her pajamas

EXT: TRAILER PARK – MARK’S HOUSE

Nancy closes the door and walks down to Mother’s house crying with the baby in her arms

EXT: MOTHER’S HOUSE

Nancy knocks on the door then Mother opens the door

MOTHER

Come on in, I knew something was bound

to happen

Nancy enters to

INT: LIVINGROOM

Mother closes the door and locks it. The baby starts to cry

NANCY

Mark got angry at me!

MOTHER

What brought that on?

NANCY

We were talking about his arm

Mother reaches for the baby

MOTHER

Here, let me put him to sleep

She takes the baby to her bedroom and then returns

NANCY

It’s felt so funny and yucky when he touched

me, I know he’s getting prosthetics but what

good is a rubber arm?

MOTHER

I told you about poor boys and look what

happened!

NANCY

I love him but I’m confused. I just need

some time to think about it.

MOTHER

That’s your problem, I’m going to put the

baby to sleep and lay down. See ya in the

morning.

Mother exits to her bedroom as Nancy sits on the couch

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

Mark sits in a chair crying as Don stands over him

MARK

I’m still the same man I always was! I, I wish

had died!

DON

Then your son wouldn’t have a fine young man

like you for a father. Nancy will come around

sooner or later.

Later, Mark picks up the telephone and dials Nancy’s number

MOTHER (O.S.)

Hello!

MARK

(quietly)

May I speak to my wife?

MOTHER (O.S.)

Wait a minute

NANCY (O.S.)

Hello!

MARK

Baby, I’m so sorry

NANCY (O.S.)

(interrupts)

I need some space to think this out!

MARK

Don’t you want me anymore?

NANCY (O.S.)

I didn’t say that!

MARK

(shouts)

Then what!

He hears a dial tone cause she has hung up. He dials her again

MOTHER (O.S.)

Hello!

MARK

May I speak to Nancy?

MOTHER (O.S.)

She said, she needs some time to think, so

don’t call back here tonight! We’re all trying

to get some sleep over here!

MARK

OK

He hears the dial tone again

EXT: STREET – 8PM – A WEEK LATER

Nancy is dressed in a sexy, black mini skirt, high heels and a red top as she walks down the sidewalk. Men take a second look as she passes by them. She sees a bar, “THE GOLDEN PEARL” and enters.

INT: GOLDEN PEARL

She looks around and walks up to the bar then sits. Men are shooting pool, drinking beer and there’s a band playing 80’s R & B music as people dance on the dance floor. The bartender walks over then smiles.

BARTENDER

May I help you?

NANCY

Yea, give me a glass of red wine!

He gets the wine and a glass and returns then pours the wine in her glass

BARTENDER

(smiles)

I can do more than this, I can really lay it

down…

NANCY

What do you mean?

He puts the glass in front of her looking up and down her body

BARTENDER

What do you think?

NANCY

No thanks, I’m married

BARTENDER

Then, what you doing in here?

NANCY

I just need to get out once in a while

BARTENDER

I never saw you in here before, I’d remember!

A MAN comes up to her

MAN #A

You want to dance?

NANCY

Sure!

She takes a swallow of wine then follows the man to the dance floor

BARTENDER

Don’t take her too long, we were talking!

Shortly, after they start dancing on the dance floor

MAN #A

So, what’s your name?

NANCY

Nancy!

He looks at her up and down as they dance

MAN #A

You really look nice!

NANCY

Thank you!

MAN #A

Haven’t ever seen you in here before!

NANCY

Oh, I’ve been around

MAN #A

Good, good. I have a couple of movies over

my place and some gin, if you know what I

mean?

She stops dancing then frowns at him in disgust then returns to the bar

BARTENDER

Back so soon?

NANCY

Is that all men want in here is sex?

BARTENDER

This is a pick up bar, what do you expect and

why come here looking so sexy? Why your

man let you out the bag?

NANCY

We’re separated

BARTENDER

Oh, one of them, huh?

NANCY

I love him but he lost an arm in Iraq. I am not

used to him like that so I needed some time

away to think about it

BARTENDER

That’s easy, either go back to him or leave, it’s

your choice!

NANCY

It’s not that easy, we have a baby together

BARTENDER

There’s lots of single mothers out there doing

their thing

NANCY

I know, my mother was one and it ain’t as easy

as you think!

BARTENDER

I’m not a woman so I don’t really know…

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

Mark is standing looking out the window when Don enters

DON

It ain’t gonna make it any better to mope

around looking like somebody stole your lunch.

Mark turns around looking at him, Don motions with his hand heading towards the door

DON (cont-)

Let’s go take a ride around town and get out

for a minute. What do you say?

MARK

Yea, alright…

INT: BAR – LATER

Nancy has had a few drinks now and is tipsy as she sits at the bar eyes barely open

BARTENDER

This is number 7

He pours wine in her glass then gazes at her

BARTENDER (cont-)

You not driving are ya?

NANCY

No, if I was I’d be in Las Vegas by now!

INT: DON’S CAR – MOVING – SAME TIME

You see, Nancy’s mother and I met in a bar, we both had a few to drink. We, we woke up the next morning and she was lying next to me, naked. Well, I was naked too.

A couple of months pass by and I find out she’s pregnant and that didn’t go down too good with her folks.

MARK

Why didn’t you try to work it out?

DON

Well, she was only 14 at the time so I had to

skip town

MARK

I see

DON

Jackie’s been hating me ever since but I did

mail her money whenever I could, I’m retired

navy vet.

MARK

My mother and father died two years ago in a

car accident and I’ve been on my own ever since.

It was hard at first then I met Nancy and she’s

brought so much happiness in my life and a baby

son.

DON

Life is never perfect and plans never seem to work

out right…

MARK

Tell me about it…

Don passes by a liquor store

DON

Hey, want some beer?

MARK

Sure, I’ll drink my problems away and maybe

when I wake up my left arm will be back

DON

You seemed to be OK ‘til Nancy started acting

a bitch!

Don pulls into turns into a liquor store and they get out

EXT: PARKING LOT

They get out the car and walk up to the store

INT: BAR – LATER

Nancy is drunk but still sitting at the bar

BARTENDER

Look Miss, I get off in 10 minutes and I’ll drive

you home if you like?

NANCY

(slurs)

OK, I’m with you

INT: DON’S CAR – MOVING – SAME TIME

Mark pop’s open a beer and takes a swallow, Don looks at him

DON

Open me up a can, too!

Mark opens another can then hands it to him with his beer between in legs. Don takes a swallow.

DON (cont-)

Turn up the music!

Mark turns up the music as it blasts louder

MARK

I think we better find a place to drink this

before you get a DUI

DON

Yea, I guess you’re right but first let’s cruise

by The Golden Pearl, check out some of the

ladies

MARK

(laughs)

Why not?

Don giggles looking at him

DON

You know what?

MARK

What?

Mark takes a swallow of beer finishing it

DON

(laughs)

You’re not so bad after all!

Mark opens another can of beer

MARK

Right!

They come close to a street corner where there’s a lot of women dressed in revealing clothes, vinyl, latex and lace and one lady is wearing a leather outfit. Don points at them

DON

That’s where all the hookers hang out! You

can get whatever you’re look for.

Mark gazes at them as Don slows down and a woman approaches the car and he stops

EXT: CAR

MARK

You’re not going to pick her up?

DON

Shoot, no! Just teasing that’s all!

The lady in red lace comes up to the car and lean towards the window on Don’s side

DON

How much?

HOOKER

$80 or $200 for a girlfriend experience

DON

That’s too much!

He burns rubber taking off as the hooker steps back

INT: DON’S CAR – MOVING

They laugh

DON

(smiling)

We used to do this all the time in the Navy.

Fat, ugly whores used to always try to trick

a sailor.

MARK

HA! HA!

Mark takes another swallow of beer and Don gazes at him

DON

Open me another can before you drink it all up

MARK

You just got to catch up!

DON

Hell, I’m a sailor!

Don takes a big swallow of beer

DON (cont-)

I was doing this before you were born!

Don burps and Mark chuckles

MARK

I’m catching up to ya, fast!

DON

I can drink you under the table!

MARK

I thought we were going to The Golden

Pearl?

DON

I’m headed there now! Just leave the driving

to me!

Don turns right at the red and flashing neon signs are on almost every building. There’s clubs, pools halls, restaurants, and music emanating out of some.

MARK

I’ve never been one to party much, I like to

stay at home and watch TV.

DON

You ain’t missing nothing!

Don drives down to the end of the street and neon signs flashes, “Golden Pearl”

EXT: BAR

Bartender and Nancy walk outside and he has his arm around her waist to help her walk.

INT: DON’S CAR – MOVING SLOW

As they come closer, Mark sees her walking out of the club

MARK

Hey, that’s Nancy!

DON

Where?

Bartender walks her to his car then opens the door

MARK

Stop the car! Stop the car!

Nancy gets in as the Bartender helps her

EXT: BAR

Mark hurries out of the car and runs up to Nancy and she’s in the car out of it

BARTENDER

What the hell are you doing?

MARK

(shouts)

Nancy! So, this is what’s going on?

BARTENDER

What the hell?

The Bartender runs up to him face to face

MARK

(screams)

That’s my wife!

BARTENDER

I don’t give a damn! She’s coming with me!

The Bartender gets in his car and drives off burning rubber

MARK

Nancy!

DON

Come on and let’s get outta here!

MARK

No, no, I need to take a long walk

EXT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LATER

The Bartender drives up and then he gets out and opens Nancy’s car door

BARTENDER

Hey! Hey! Time to wake up!

He gently touches her on the shoulder

BARTENDER (cont-)

Come on now, time to go to bed!

NANCY

(groggy)

What! What! What!

She wakes up and gets out of the car. Mother is peeping out the window

BARTENDER

You’re home!

NANCY

OK, thanks

Nancy staggers walking up to the porch, the Bartender gets in his car then drives away.

Mother opens the door and helps her in

INT: LIVINGROOM

Nancy falls down on the couch in a sitting position as Mother angrily looks at her with her arms crossed

MOTHER

Where the hell have you been?

NANCY

Out!

MOTHER

I saw the car you got out of, who was that

man? You got a baby here who needs you!

NANCY

I just got a lot of things on my mind

MOTHER

So, you’re going out drinking and sleeping

around? That’s not the answer!

NANCY

I’m just so confused…

She gets up and staggers to her bedroom

MOTHER

(yells)

I thought I’d never say it, but you’re better off

with Mark Green!

EXT: STREET – 3AM

Mark is sitting on a bench with a bottle of cheap wine

MARK

She don’t love me

He takes a drink from the bottle as a dirty wino walks up to him

WINO

I know that look, she left you, huh? Mine

left me 10 years ago

Mark ignores him and takes another drinking from the bottle

WINO (cont-)

Mind sharing a drink, I’m awful thirsty?

Mark takes a long drink and hands they Wino the bottle then he stands and staggers away

WINO (cont-)

Thank you, Sir!

MARK

(whispers)

I’m not going to end up like you

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – 10AM – NEXT DAY

Don, Nancy and Mother are sitting around

DON

Mark saw you last night with that guy, you

so drunk I doubt if you remember

MOTHER

I saw you too, he let you out right in front

of my door!

DON

He acted like he was going to kill Mark! Poor

kid didn’t do nothing! What wrong you anyhow?

NANCY

I’m sorry, I, I don’t know anything, anymore!

MOTHER

Mark is poor but everybody knows that, but at

lease he’s decent

DON

It’s embarrassing to me that you’re sleeping around,

you better get yourself together! Mark hasn’t came

home yet, I hope he hasn’t hurt himself

EXT: TRAILER PARK – SAME TIME

Mark is walking towards his house

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM

MOTHER

You need to call him and talk before you lose

him!

DON

Yea, your son needs a dad!

NANCY

I love him but I can’t get over his arm missing

and all knobby. It feels so creepy when I’m with

him

DON

That ain’t nother! He’s still the same man you

fell in love with! It don’t make him no less of a

man just because he’s missing an arm, a leg or

even a tooth!

NANCY

I know, daddy

The baby starts to cry

MOTHER

You need to take care of your son!

Nancy gets up and exits

DON

Damn woman! Makes it hard on a decent guy

now days!

Mother stares at Don

MOTHER

Like you said, hard on decent men…

DON

What does that mean?

MOTHER

If you can’t figure it out, think about it later or

ask somebody

EXT: TRAILER PARK – NOON – SAME DAY

Pete is in army uniform walking with a cane, there’s a cast on his right leg. He walks up to Mark’s porch then knocks on the door.

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM

Mark opens the door and see Pete

PETE

(smiling)

Don’t just stand there, let me in!

MARK

Of, course!

Pete enters and Mark closes the door

PETE

Why you looking so glum?

Mark looks down at his leg

PETE (cont-)

Oh, I got it in the leg, I should be OK in a

couple of weeks

Mark sits down

MARK

Have a sit down

Pete sits in a chair and puts his hands behind his head then leans back

PETE

Where’s the baby?

MARK

My wife and I are separated

PETE

What?

MARK

She couldn’t take it, me missing an arm

and all

PETE

That’s too bad, what you gonna do?

MARK

Divorce, I caught her coming out the bar with

another man and he drove off with her when I

was trying to talk to her. You should have seen

the way he reacted to me, it was if though it was

his wife instead of mine.

PETE

That’s women for ya

MARK

(chuckles)

I miss those patrols, the HumVees and I think

about Mike, sometimes

PETE

Yea (pause) let’s go shoot some pool later!

MARK

One arm makes that really hard…

PETE

I saw a karaoke bar up the street

Mark nods his head

MARK

OK, let’s go!

PETE

Have a few beers, women. You know me…

Mark laughs

MARK

(smiling)

Yea, I do!

EXT: PARK – 7PM

Nancy’s walking in the park and comes up to a pond with ducks swimming and she watches them.

NANCY

Your lives are easy, you just swim and enjoy

the sun, lay eggs and go south in the winter,

NANCY (cont-)

the life of a human is hard sometimes and we

never know from one day to the next.

Nancy looks up when she sees Mark and Pete walking and runs up to them frantically.

NANCY (cont-)

Mark! Mark!

Mark stops and sees her coming and he rolls his eyes. Pete stops as Nancy stands in front of them

MARK

What do you want?

NANCY

I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you!

PETE

You must be Nancy?

She nods her head

MARK

I see why last night when you got in the car

with that guy!

NANCY

I don’t even know him!

MARK

That’s even worse! Go ahead and do whatever

you want, I want a divorce!

NANCY

Please listen to me, please!

Mark walks away but Pete looks at her

MARK

(shouts)

Go to hell!

He clenches his fists in anger eyes full of rage

PETE

I was with him in Iraq and all he talked about

was you, day and night. He deserves better

than this! You oughtta be ashame of yourself!

Nancy watches Mark walking away then she looks at Pete

NANCY

I love him!

PETE

Then grow up and act like it and stop torturing

him because he lost his arm! You should be

proud he served his country!

NANCY

I am, oh, my God, What have I done?

PETE

Not what you supposed to have obviously!

Mark stops and she looks at him in dismay

NANCY

(shouts)

Mark, I love you!

PETE

Do you think he believes you after all he’s

been through? You hurt him deeper than you

could ever know!

Nancy falls down to her knees, sobbing and crying loud

MARK

Come on man, let’s go!

Pete looks at Mark, then at Nancy sobbing

PETE

You’re pathetic and shallow! I hope no man

ever pays attention to you again!

Pete walks up to Mark and they walk away. Nancy stands up, wiping away tears then returns to the park and sits on a bench crying.

MARK

What was you telling her?

PETE

I was just telling her about herself. Do you

want her back?

MARK

No way, after last night. I’m getting rid of her

soon as possible. I don’t like this, I can’t do it.

I got drunk with the winos last night thinking

bout her.

PETE

I don’t blame you, pretty as she is!

They LAUGH

Nancy walks home CRYING

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – LATER

There’s a knock on the door and Mother gets up to answer. She opens the door then sees Nancy crying.

MOTHER

Honey, what’s wrong?

Nancy enters and paces back and forth upset

NANCY

Mark wants a divorce! He wouldn’t even

talk to me!

MOTHER

You need to apologize to him and really mean

it! If you really do?

NANCY

I tried but he wouldn’t even listen then his friend

yelled at me.

MOTHER

You married him against my wishes, had a baby

and you should try to work this out!

NANCY

What do I do?

MOTHER

Make him listen!

NANCY

I don’t know how!

MOTHER

Yes, you do! Think!

The baby starts crying and Mother lifts the baby from the crib

MOTHER (cont-)

Your baby boy needs a father

She kisses the baby

MOTHER (cont-)

He’s so cute.

She looks at Nancy

MOTHER (cont-)

I’m done, work your problems out and get

your life right!

Nancy walks to the upright piano and sits. She lifts up the cover then presses a key. Mother gazes at her as she rocks the baby in her arms

MOTHER (cont-)

I remember when you was a little girl, you

used to play that piano and sing and you were

so happy. Why did you stop?

NANCY

I don’t know. I wrote songs and play.

She begins to play a song and starts smiling remembering

MOTHER

You still got it! Well, I’m taking myself and

the baby to bed!

NANCY

Good night, Mom!

Mother exits

NANCY

I’ll write him a song

Nancy pulls out her cellphone then dial the Golden Pearl club.

BARTENDER (O.S.)

Hello!

NANCY

This is Nancy, I need a couple of favors!

BARTENDER (O.S.)

Within reason…

NANCY

I’d like to perform at the Pearl tomorrow night!

BARTENDER (O.S.)

(chuckles)

What can you do? Or should I say, what all do

you do (pause) sexually?

NANCY

My husband saw me with you the other night

and my mom and dad. You didn’t do anything,

did you?

BARTENDER (O.S.)

I don’t do drunk women…

NANCY

I want to sing and play the piano

BARTENDER (O.S.)

I’ll give you an hour, if you’re good…

NANCY

(excited)

Oh, thank you, thank you! I want you to clear

up things with my husband

BARTENDER (O.S.)

OK, but I was hoping for a chance

NANCY

No!

BARTENDER (O.S.)

Alright…

She closes her cellphone then stands and lifts up the piano seat and gets a pencil and music paper out. She sits and begins to hum while writing occasionally pressing keys on the piano.

EXT: STREET – SAME TIME

Mark and Pete are walking then sees a liquor store ahead. Mark looks at Pete.

MARK

Man, I’d rather just get something to drink

from the liquor store

PETE

We’ll be missing all those beautiful women

MARK

I ain’t thinking about no woman!

PETE

OK, we can get some beer…

MARK

We’ll go to Wino’s corner where I was last

night

PETE

Is it healthy to be around those guys? They

have anti-social behavior.

MARK

I’m just going through some things emotionally,

in other words… right now my head is screwed up.

They enter the liquor store

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – 12AM

Mother walks through the living room to see Nancy’s still awake

MOTHER

You ain’t been to sleep? What you writing?

Nancy looks at her then starts back writing

NANCY

I’m performing at the Golden Pearl tomorrow

night and I want you, daddy and Mark to come.

MOTHER

Oh dear, what do you expect to accomplish?

NANCY

The truth, the plain and simple truth!

EXT: PARK – 1AM

Mark and Pete is sitting on a bench drinking a case of beer

PETE

You sure it’s cool to drink beer here?

MARK

Police never ever comes around here!

He points at the other people drinking in the park

MARK (cont-)

They would need a bus to pick us all up!

Pete laughs

PETE

I guess you’re right! All we need is some

music and a couple of girls.

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

Nancy plays the piano and sings, Mother enters grumpy

MOTHER

Girl, you’re going to wake up the baby!

Nancy looks up at her with sleepy eyes the Mother sits beside her

NANCY

Sorry

MOTHER

That song was beautiful, dear

Mother stands as Nancy thinks

MOTHER (cont-)

Go on! Just don’t wake up the baby.

Mother smiles at her then exits

EXT: TRAILER PARK – 6AM – NEXT DAY

Mark and Pete are walking home

MARK

We’ll wait ‘til the liquor store opens and do it

all again!

PETE

Hey, man! I need a woman bad, real bad! I need

to get laid like last week!

Mark laughs

MARK

OK, OK, I know where to get you a girl if you

got $80 dollars

PETE

(smiling)

Where?

MARK

I’ll show you later tonight!

They walk up on the porch and Mark looks in the mailbox and pulls out a letter

MARK (cont-)

Hey, it’s my check!

INT: MOTHER’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – SAME TIME

Nancy is asleep on the couch with music paper scattered on the carpet

INT: MARK’S HOUSE – LIVINGROOM – LATER

Mark and Pete are sitting, Mark is waving his hand holding his check

MARK

I’ve been waiting to get my first check!

PETE

How much is it for?

MARK

$1700 dollars

PETE

Can you loan me $80 dollars?

They laugh as Don enters

DON

Hey, Mark! I see you been out with a buddy?

Don shakes Pete’s hand

PETE

I’m Pete, we were in the same Unit in Iraq!

DON

Good, good…

The phone rings and Don look at it

DON (cont-)

I’ll get it!

He walks over and answers

DON (cont-)

Hello! Yea, (pause) yea, Ok, I’ll be there…

that’s at the Golden Pearl? Alright, bye!

He puts the phone down and walks over to Mark

MARK

What?

DON

Nancy’s performing tonight at the Golden

Pearl

MARK

Performing what?

DON

My baby can sing, boy and she wants to talk

to you and straighten everything out!

Mark is thinking

PETE

You should give her a chance, at lease listen

MARK

Yea, I guess you’re right! What time?

DON

Around 8 or 9 o’clock, can’t wait to hear my

babygirl sing.

INT: BEAUTY SHOP – 2PM – SAME DAY

Nancy is getting her hair done as she looks through the mirror

INT: NANCY’S BEDROOM – LATER

She searches through the closet and lays out the clothes she’s going to wear – a black velvet dress. Then she gathers her music off the desk and looks at it flipping through the pages.

INT: DON’S CAR – MOVING – 8:45PM

Pete and Mother are in the back seat, Don’s driving and Mark is on the passenger side.

MOTHER (to Don)

I’ve been thinking a lot here lately…

DON

You think all the time

MOTHER

I’m sorry Don for the way I’ve behaved towards

you, you’ve been so responsible since you came

back.. I hope you will forgive me.

DON

I hold no grudges, Jackie!

MOTHER

Mark, I also want to say, I feel so ashamed of the

way I’ve treated you, I’m sorry

MARK

I forgive you…

DON

Are you OK, Jackie?

MOTHER

I’m fine, Don and I promise not to call you has

been Haslett in the San Francisco shelter.

They all laugh except Don whose face turns red

DON

That’s fair

PETE (to Don)

How did you end up in a shelter?

DON

It’s a long, long story…

INT: GOLDEN PEARL – 8:55PM

Don, Mother, Mark and Pete enters and looks around, it’s almost full as Nancy walks up to them and greets them

NANCY

Hello, everybody!

They all say hello, as she leads them to a table in the front of the stage. They all sit as she takes Mark’s hand and lead him up to the bar. The Bartender comes over and Nancy looks at him

NANCY

Tell him the truth about the other night!

BARTENDER

OK, but you’re on in 15 minutes!

NANCY

Just start explaining to my husband!

She walks away onto the stage

BARTENDER

Look, I didn’t do anything with your wife, she

had a little too many glasses of wine

MARK

Why did you act so crazy when I told you she

was my wife?

BARTENDER

Anybody could have said that, then took her off

somewhere and had their way with her…besides

people saw me leave out with her and I would

have had a problem explaining that one to the boys

in blue.

Mark looks at the Bartender without blinking

MARK

Are you sure, positive?

BARTENDER

Look kid, messing around with a drunk woman

is like fondling a stiff.

Mark walks away looking back at him

BARTENDER (cont-)

Two minutes, Nancy!

Mother, Don and Pete looks at Mark as he sits down

PETE

What happened?

MARK

He said, he didn’t touch her

The lights come on and the stage is lit as Nancy grabs the microphone.

NANCY

Hello, everybody! How is everybody doing?

The crowd cheers as Marks eyes are fixed on her

NANCY

I would like to dedicate tonight to my husband,

Mark Green who recently returned home from

Iraq. A young girl can make mistakes sometimes

and hurt those they really love.

She walks over to the piano and sits and PLAYS intro and SINGS

Things ain’t been the same

Since you went to war boy

And you came home a warrior man

You’re an American hero

Don’t care what the world thinks

Still have you in my heart

Won’t turn my back on you

You’re an American hero

You are a hero

Because you have the heart of a lion

And the walk of a king

Fought in the heat of the battle

To keep your country free

And that’s all that really matters to me,

To me

Tasted the grit of the sand

In a hot and dirty desert

In a foreign land

Everyone is talking but they don’t

Understand

You’re an American hero

An American hero, a war boy

And came home a warrior man__.

Some lost limb and life

In the heat of the battle

But never lost the will to fight

You shine in the light

Tasted the grit of the sand

In a hot and dirty desert

In a foreign land

You’re an America hero

American hero, American hero

The crowd CLAPS

NANCY

I love you, Mark

Mark wipes a tear from his eye and she starts singing again

NANCY (sings)

In the interest of the American way,

The U.S. Army makes this country what it is today

That’s the Army, Navy and Marines, sharply dressed

to impress, shoes shines and clean

Let them hold the honors of the flag,

let the stars and stripes fly free

For the bold men who fight for country

who love this land of liberty

Oh, when they sing, when they sing,

let the chatter of their marching boots ring

Freedom rings in the chattering of their boots,

airmen, private, seaman recruit

They are the brave men who love the home of the free

The crowd roars with cheer and clapping

NANCY

Bring all the troops home!

She starts to play again and sings

NANCY (sings)

Is it really necessary

That we went to war

It it really necessary

That we went this far

What would it mean

If we had our reservations

Who knows the outcome

Of two fighting nations

With brave men dying

At their battle stations

Let tomorrow’s war die

And peace on the way

A smile on the world’s face

To enjoy a happy day

Let tomorrow’s dreams live

In the heart of men

Stray away from evil deeds

And moral sin

Let all fighting in the world

Come to an end

Come to an end

Is it really necessary

That we went to war

To take the lives of many

In a self-serving war

If we had reservation

To never start the fight

So many people dying

Is it right?

Let tomorrow be peaceful

And a better day

We can all come together

Because Jesus on the way

Because Jesus is on the way

The crowd gives her a standing ovation as she gets off stage and walks towards Mark’s table.

DON

(smiling)

Babygirl tore it up!

PETE

Yea, she’s real, real good!

MOTHER

That’s my Nancy!

Nancy gets on her knees in front of Mark as tears trickle down his face and she looks him deep in his eyes

NANCY

I love you

MARK

I love you, too

He stands and she gets up, they embrace and kiss

DON

I think they’re back together again

Mother smiles at Don and holds his hand

MOTHER

They don’t have to be the only ones

Don looks at Mother then smiles

DON

Yea!

PETE

I’m always left out!

Mark and Nancy walks out the door

EXT: STREET – SIDEWALK

They walk down the sidewalk arms around each other in a black silhouette, they kiss

The End

Fade Out

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