Bloodlines 02-26-04 - last 30 pages

BLOODLINES
(last 30 pages)
by
Chuck Loch
14314 Summertime Lane
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 559-2331
chuck9@sbcglobal.net
REGISTERED WGAw No. 849470

89.
INT. LYNN AND JEDA'S APARTMENT IN MISSOULA - LIVING ROOM --
DAY
Lynn and Jeda sit on opposite sides of the sofa sharing a
bucket of Pickens Chicken.
JEDA (V.O.)
I don't remember the drive back, or
the next week. All I knew was there
was a hole inside me I couldn't fill.
Jeda eats everything on his pieces, meat, gristle, small
bones, everything except for the largest bones. These he
tosses into an empty bucket across the room by the door,
then licks his fingers.
JEDA (V.O.)
I couldn't talk about it. I was
scared, but I knew I had to say
something to Lynn.
JEDA
Why didn't you tell me?
LYNN
I did the test the morning before we
drove up to your grandparents. You
had a lot on your mind. I was waiting
for the right time.
He turns away.
LYNN (CONT'D)
They didn't have to throw you out
because I'm pregnant. What kind of
crazy paranoids are they?
Jeda doesn't answer.
LYNN (CONT'D)
Jeda. Talk to me.
JEDA
There is nothing we can do.
Slim Pickens face appears on TV. A REPORTER questions him.
ON TV:
TV REPORTER (O.S.)
It looks like your star rookie, Jeda
Arakun, has lost his touch. Any truth
to the rumors you're going to drop
his sponsorship?

90.
SLIM PICKENS
I won't comment at this time. Ask me
again after the qualifiers for the
IFR are announced.
TV REPORTER (O.S.)
There you have it folks, straight
from the chicken man's mouth. If
Jeda doesn't qualify for the Indian
Finals Rodeo, he will be dumped.
Jeda clicks the TV off and throws the remote at the screen,
then the bucket of chicken. Pieces fly everywhere.
Lynn storms into the bedroom.
JEDA
Where are you going?
She slams the door.
INT. LYNN AND JEDA'S APARTMENT IN MISSOULA - BEDROOM --
MOMENTS LATER
It's as expensive and tasteful as the living room.
JEDA (V.O.)
I never thought she was scared too.
Lynn sobs into the phone.
LYNN
(into the phone)
Cammy, I know they're going to dump
him, and then he's going to dump me.
A SOFT KNOCK on her door interrupts the conversation.
LYNN (CONT'D)
(to the knock)
Go away.
(into the phone)
Cammy, what's wrong?
EXT. LYNN AND JEDA'S APARTMENT IN MISSOULA - LIVING ROOM --
LATER
Lynn picks car keys out of a bowl by the door. Jeda sits
across the room.
JEDA (V.O.)
I thought she just wanted to get
away from me.
JEDA
When will you be back?

91.
LYNN
A couple of days, I guess.
She picks up her travel bag.
JEDA
Sure you don't want to leave a number?
EXT. INTERCUT MISSOULA RODEO ARENA/HOSPITAL OBSTETRICS
OPERATING ROOM -- DAY
JEDA (V.O.)
With Lynn gone, I was alone again.
ON THE FIELD: A bull charges Jeda.
JEDA (V.O.)
I didn't know what she was going
through.
IN THE OPERATING ROOM: A very pregnant Cammy strains to have
her baby.
FIELD: Jeda performs a "pas de deux" with his umbrella.
OPERATING ROOM: A DOCTOR stationed between Cammy's legs shakes
his head sadly.
Cammy sobs, limp and exhausted.
CAMMY
Save my baby. Please?
FIELD: The bull side-swipes Jeda and knocks him down.
OPERATING ROOM: Blood spurts onto the doctor's gloved hands
and gown.
DOCTOR
Hemostat! She's hemorrhaging again.
FIELD: The bull charges Jeda while he's on the ground.
OPERATING ROOM: Eyes glazed, Cammy barely moves her lips.
CAMMY
(whispering)
Save my baby.
A bevy of DOCTORS and NURSES in surgical masks and gowns
work on her. A shrill TONE erupts signaling a heart monitor
flatline. A second TONE sounds.
INT. LYNN AND JEDA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
The SOUND of a key in the lock.

92.
The door opens and Lynn enters carrying her travel bag. It's
obvious she's been crying. She drops her keys in the bowl.
Jeda rises from the sofa and approaches her.
JEDA
Are you all right?
She disappears into their bedroom and closes the door.
LYNN (O.S.)
No.
As Jeda reaches the door, he hears the CLICK of the door
being locked from the inside.
JEDA (V.O.)
She never told me about Cammy.
EXT. MISSOULA RODEO ARENA -- DAY
ON THE FIELD: Jeda blows a somersault over a Bull and lands
flat on his back. Again, another Clown chases the Bull away.
Jeda gets up, trips over his umbrella and falls down again.
IN THE STANDS: On camera, Lynn calls the rodeo.
LYNN
There goes Jeda, down again.
She walks off camera.
LYNN (CONT'D)
Cut the feed, Charlie. I can't do it.
JEDA (V.O.)
It felt like the end of the world to
both of us.
MONTAGE:
A bull charges Jeda and won't stop. Jeda runs from him.
Jeda open and closes his umbrella at another bull charging a
thrown rider. No effect. The bull tosses the rider.
A different bull tramples Jeda's umbrella.
Side-by-side headlines on the front page of the sports section
of the Missoula Messenger: "Top Clown Pulled From Rodeo
Circuit" and "Local Sports Show Off The Air". Photos of Jeda
and Lynn accompany the articles.
END MONTAGE

93.
INT. LYNN AND JEDA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
JEDA (V.O.)
She tried to understand.
Lynn talks on the phone. Jeda's nowhere to be seen.
LYNN
(into the phone)
Matt, I'm trying to get my head
together. I can't live like this.
MATT (O.S.)
(phone filter)
I'm sorry about your sister, and the
problems you're having with Jeda.
LYNN
(into the phone)
I don't know what to do to help him.
His people are like some barbaric
tribe. They only care about something
if it's good for the clan.
MATT (O.S.)
(phone filter)
The Ku Klux Klan?
LYNN
(into the phone)
Just the opposite. They came from
Europe and see themselves as being
persecuted by round heads - that's
what they call us - for centuries.
MATT (O.S.)
(phone filter)
They could be Gypsies.
LYNN
(into the phone)
They treat their women like slaves.
The men don't let them have any say-
so in their lives.
MATT (O.S.)
(phone filter)
This is Montana. Half the men treat
their women like that.
LYNN
(into the phone)
They have these strange rituals and
habits, like he won't use a knife or
fork anymore. He eats like an animal.

94.
MATT (O.S.)
(phone filter)
Have you talked to him?
LYNN
(into the phone)
He won't listen! He's all twisted
up inside. What am I going to do? I
want to help him.
INT. ANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENT - THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA --
DAY
The sign on the open door reads; "University of Montana
Department of Anthropology, Matthew Gardner, Ph.D., Urban
Anthropology."
Matt sits at a messy desk in a room full of books and papers.
MATT
(into the phone)
I have some books on primitive
cultures.
He pulls a couple of books off a shelf.
MATT (CONT'D)
(into the phone)
Come by, pick them up and take a
look. Maybe there's something here
that'll help you understand what's
going on.
DAY
JEDA (V.O.)
One day it all came to an end.
Matt's books are spread over the coffee table. Lynn leafs
through one. With each page she turns, she takes a swig of
Cherry Vodka.
She hears A KEY FUMBLING in the door lock.
She hides the bottle under a sofa cushion.
The door opens. Jeda walks in, tipsy.
JEDA
Hi.
LYNN
Hi, yourself.
JEDA
What're you reading?

95.
LYNN
Trying to find out some more about
your weird clan.
JEDA
Why don't you ask me?
LYNN
You always change the subject or put
me off. How about all the weird
ceremonies? Or the rules that control
every part of your life. And what
about all the stuff you can do in
the arena that nobody else can do?
JEDA
We've done what we do for a long
time. It serves us well.
Jeda slams his keys down into the bowl, breaking it.
LYNN
Big, strong, man. All you can do is
break things.
She goes back to her books. Jeda picks up the remote and
turns on the TV.
ON TV: The Discovery Channel. A camera rotates around a
Neanderthal skull, showing it from all angles.
TV NARRATOR (V.O.)
Modern forensics technology allows
scientists to reconstruct appearances
of primal man. Let's take a look at
this early human's facial features.
TV PROGRAM MONTAGE:
Different lengths of colored-clay cylinders appear at various
points on the skull.
More clay fills in areas between the cylinders until the
skull looks as if it's wearing a layer of muscle.
Additional layers of muscle form facial features and ears.
A final layer provides the skin.
Hair appears to sprout forming bushy eyebrows, a dense shaggy
beard and mane.
Brown-black pupils on white sclera complete the
reconstruction.
END TV PROGRAM MONTAGE
The head rotates.

96.
TV NARRATOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You wouldn't want to meet up with
this chap in a dark alley. But suppose
he were groomed like a modern human.
The rotating head loses the beard. It's eyebrows and head
lose hair as they morph into a modern man's haircut.
TV NARRATOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)
This Neanderthal man could be your
neighbor, father or husband.
IN THE LIVING ROOM: Lynn looks at the TV and sees a likeness
to Jeda. She SCREAMS:
LYNN
My God, that's you. You're a---
JEDA
I'm a human being.
Lost in her own imagination, she paces.
LYNN
It explains so much. How could I
have been so stupid?
Jeda reaches out to her.
JEDA
Whatever people call me, I still
think and feel and hurt... as much
as any other human.
She recoils from him.
LYNN
You're not human. Your people aren't
human. No matter what you say, you're
not human enough for me or our child.
She rushes past him to the door. He can't see the tears in
her eyes.
INT. LYNN'S APARTMENT IN MISSOULA - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
SUPER: SEVEN MONTHS LATER
JEDA (V.O.)
I never believed she stopped loving me.
A sorry excuse for an apartment, only suitable for someone
down on her luck. Lynn sips a glass of Cherry Vodka. The
bottle sits next to the phone.
She shows the signs her pregnancy is full term. Matt's books
are open to pages depicting Neanderthals. She dials a number.

97.
LYNN
(into the phone)
Alex? Lynn here. Yes, the station's
maternity leave policy is fine.
INT. TV STUDIO OFFICE -- DAY
Alex is watching feeds from a variety of sports on several
monitors that have been added to his office.
ALEX
(into the phone)
Lynn, it's good to talk to you, but
we're on a tight schedule. How can I
help you?
INTERCUT INT. LIVING ROOM/OFFICE -- DAY
LIVING ROOM: Lynn slurs her words.
LYNN
(into the phone)
I've been sitting on something for
the last couple of months. It could
be the scoop of the century.
OFFICE:
ALEX
(into the phone)
Are you okay?
LIVING ROOM:
LYNN
(into the phone)
How does "Caveman Cowboy" sound to
you?
OFFICE:
ALEX
(into the phone)
You've been drinking? You're pregnant.
You could lose the baby.
LIVING ROOM:
LYNN
(into the phone)
Do you want to hear the story or
not?
OFFICE:

98.
ALEX
(into the phone)
Call me when you're sober.
He hangs up.
Lynn takes another sip. Then lays back on the sofa. Her
Incredible Hulk action figure watches from the coffee table.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HIGH PLAINS CABIN -- DAY (DREAM SEQUENCE)
Sunbeams stream in through the windows. Lynn, still pregnant,
and Jeda snuggle on the sofa. They laugh and kiss tenderly.
They rub Lynn's bulging tummy.
The sunbeams grow weaker as clouds roll in, and the sky
outside darkens.
Jeda's face morphs into the face of a bear. She struggles to
stand, but can't.
Transfixed, she watches Jeda's horrible transformation as it
continues, and he becomes a hairy APE-LIKE BEING which places
its hand on her stomach.
Through her clothes and skin she watches the BABY inside her
turn into the same kind of CREATURE.
END DREAM SEQUENCE
CUT TO:
Lynn sits up with a start. She cries, staggers over to an
end table, opens a drawer and pulls out a nailfile. She
presses it into her arm, then stops.
She slides an old photo album out of the drawer and opens
it. She turns to a page of photos of herself, Cammy, Jeda
and Thomas on that happy day in Great Bear when they went
shopping together.
She leafs backward through the album until she comes to a
photo of herself and Cammy as babies. Andrew bounces them on
his knees.
In the photo, two blurred figures are barely visible in a
portrait that hangs on the wall behind them. One of the
figures is her Grandmother sitting in a chair.

99.
The other faded figure standing behind the chair is her
GRANDFATHER. She can barely make out his muscular build and
prominent features.
INT. THE RED NECK SALOON -- DAY
JEDA (V.O.)
I was drinking too. In my sadness I
didn't notice the changes in Thomas.
AT THE BAR: Jeda and Thomas down shots of Wild Turkey and
chase them with beers. The BARTENDER fills their shot glasses.
JEDA
Here's to the American dream.
THOMAS
Here's to things and people that
will never be.
JEDA
Hey come on, big boy. I didn't mean
to get you depressed too.
THOMAS
You didn't.
JEDA
Want to talk about it? Remember,
we're supposed to take care of each
other. How's cammy?
Thomas pushes his empty shot glass away.
THOMAS
I've had enough for today.
JEDA (V.O.)
My brother walked away from me and I
didn't know why.
NIGHT
Jeda lolls on his bed stripped to his underwear, a five-
o'clock shadow and big, red eyes. His Rogue action figure
watches from the nightstand beside the bed.
JEDA
Why have you forsaken me?
LATER
Jeda tosses and turns, then gets up and walks into the
bathroom.

100.
IN THE BATHROOM: He opens the medicine cabinet and takes out
a prescription pill bottle.
INT. THE RED NECK SALOON -- DAY
The Bartender counts his opening cash and clicks a remote at
an overhead TV.
ON TV: A PR PHOTO of Jeda fades onto the screen.
MORNING NEWCASTER (V.O.)
This morning, fading rodeo star,
Jeda Arakun, was taken to Memorial
Hospital. His condition is grave.
EXT. VALLEY ROAD -- DAY
Laso walks toward Glorious Morning-Star, who leans against
her Ford Ranchero parked by the side of the road.
LASO
Good morning, Miss Morning-Star.
Nice morning for a walk.
GLORIUS MORNING-STAR
I've been waiting for you.
LASO
Is there news from your village?
There is news from the Big City about
your Grandson.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- DAY
Laso sits beside Jeda's bed where he lies intubated. He opens
his eyes. She looks up.
JEDA
Grandma? Are you dead too?
Laso hugs her grandson.
LASO
Not yet, and only if Ko'or catches
me.
He cries in her arms.
JEDA
There's no dream left.
JEDA (V.O.)
At that moment, I wished I was dead.

101.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -- LATER
Jeda sits propped up by pillows. His tubes are gone. His
eyes are closed. Laso sits on the bed with him, stroking his
hair. He opens his eyes.
JEDA
I feel like I've been sleeping
forever. Tell me it was all a dream.
LASO
It was. And you are almost ready to
dream a new dream. But first your
spirit needs healing, and from what
you tell me so does Lynn's. Do not
give up on her. She is stronger than
you think.
JEDA
Okay, Grandma.
Laso picks up a piece of paper beside her.
LASO
While you were asleep, I asked the
nurse to write this down for you.
She gives the paper to Jeda.
LASO (CONT'D)
It is a healing ceremony our people
use. It is part of our "Old Ways."
When you are feeling better, take
this to Lynn. Ask her to do it with
you. Tell her I still see something
special in her.
Jeda studies the paper.
Laso takes her bear-clan talisman from around her neck and
puts it around his.
LASO (CONT'D)
You'll need this for the ceremony.
INT. LYNN'S APARTMENT IN MISSOULA -- DAY
JEDA (V.O.)
A few days later, I tried again.
A KNOCK at the door. Lynn opens it. Jeda holds a bouquet of
wild flowers.
JEDA
I'd like to say I picked them myself---

102.
She grabs him and the flowers and pulls him inside where
they both speak at once.
LYNN (CONT'D)
(over Jeda)
I was worried. I heard about you on
the news.
JEDA
(over Lynn)
I should've called before I came
over...did you just say you were
worried?
LYNN
I was going to come and see you, but
my pride got in the way.
JEDA
I wouldn't have wanted you to see me
that way.
LYNN
I wouldn't have cared how you looked.
God. I missed you.
JEDA
I missed you.
They talk at the same time again.
LYNN
(over Jeda)
More than you'll ever know.
JEDA
(over Lynn)
More than you'll ever know.
Jeda takes her in his arms and they hug and kiss like the
old days.
JEDA (CONT'D)
Then, maybe we ought to get to know
each other better.
LYNN
How do we do that?
JEDA
It's a ceremony our Clan uses to
heal the broken spirits of those who
love each other. It is part of our
"Old Ways."
Lynn breaks the embrace and steps back from Jeda.

103.
LYNN
I don't think I want to have anything
more to do with your "Old Ways."
They've done enough to hurt us.
JEDA
Grandmother thought you might feel
that way, so she asked me to tell
you to remember that she still sees
something special in you.
Lynn hears Laso's words.
LASO (O.S.)
He sees something in you that is
worth it to him to risk Clan-death.
So do I. Please sit down. Welcome to
my home.
LYNN
I'll try it this once.
JEDA
We will need somebody to help us
with the ceremony. I called Thomas
because it's a lot like the ceremonies
of his tribe.
DAY
Lynn and Jeda sit on their living room carpet, face to face,
with their knees touching.
Thomas sits, holding the piece of paper.
THOMAS
I told you before, I don't know how
far into this I can go.
JEDA
You'll do fine.
Thomas begins to read.
THOMAS
Look into each other's eyes until
all you can see is the one you love.
They stare.
THOMAS'S VOICE
Say each other's name.
JEDA
(over Lynn)
Lynn.

104.
LYNN
(over Jeda)
Jeda.
THOMAS'S VOICE
Let your spirits become one...look
out through the eyes of the one you
love...and see yourself looking back.
POV JEDA: Lynn's face. SUPER: Jeda's face over.
POV LYNN: Jeda's face. SUPER: Lynn's face over.
THOMAS'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Breathe together...in...and out.
They synchronize their breathing.
Breathe the breath of the one you
love.
As one breathes in, the other breathes out.
Through the eyes of the one you love,
see yourself breathing in their
breath.
POV JEDA: Lynn breathing out. SUPER: Jeda breathing in.
POV LYNN: Jeda breathing out. SUPER: Lynn breathing in.
Both forms burst into sources of white light and the light
from each fills the other. The lights expand to fill the
room and the room dissolves into light.
Thomas's voice floats through the light.
See that which will heal your spirits.
A figure forms in the light. It's Lynn's Grandfather. His
build and features clearly belong to a member of Jeda's clan.
CONTINUOUS
Lynn and Jeda awaken with a start. Thomas stops reading. He
has tears in his eyes.
JEDA
Who was that?
LYNN
My grandfather.

105.
They talk over each other again.
JEDA
(over Lynn)
You have clan blood.
LYNN
(over Jeda)
I have clan blood.
JEDA (V.O.)
We had hope again.
INT. INDIAN RESERVATION COMMUNITY CENTER -- DAY
Jeda, Lynn, Thomas and Glorius Morning-Star stand together.
I will see your grandmother tomorrow
and tell her what you ask.
Glorius turns and walks away.
THOMAS
If anybody can do it, those two old
women can arrange an appeal before
your Council.
EXT. LOCAL RODEO ARENA -- DAY
MONTAGE:
Jeda flawlessly performs his old tricks on new bulls.
INTER CUT WITH:
Thomas jumping off the backs of new bulls as BUZZERS sound.
FRONT PAGES OF MISSOULA MESSENGER SPORTS SECTION:
Headlines read: "Clown on Comeback Trail to IFR." "Jeda and
Thomas to vie for Best All Around Cowboy."
END MONTAGE
INT. TV STUDIO OFFICE -- DAY
Lynn sits on Alex's desk.
ALEX
Are you sure you want to do this? In
your condition, I mean.

106.
LYNN
If I can only cover one rodeo, I
want the IFR.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
INT. IMMENSE CAVE -- DAY (PRESENT)
Jeda's expression changes from delight to sadness.
JEDA
We were following dreams again, but
the round head would not let us be.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TANNER'S SALOON - GREAT BEAR -- DAY (FLASHBACK CONT'D)
Andrew and Jingo nurse a couple of beers as the Missoula
Messenger Headlines are repeated in a crawl at the bottom of
the screen on the overhead TV.
Andrew raises his glass.
ANDREW
We got the jobs. We'll be prepping
the stock at IFR. Did you take care
of your part?
JINGO
I got hold of my friend at the
electronics store in Helena. It'll
be here in a couple of days.
They clink glasses and chug their beers.
EXT. IFR RODEO ARENA -- DAY
ON THE FIELD: Thomas rides his first bull to the BUZZER.
He jumps off, lands on his feet, and throws up his arms in a
triumphant salute. The CROWD explodes.
Jeda pops out of his barrel at mid-field and chases the bull
away from Thomas by flicking his umbrella open and closed.
The Crowd stays on its feet to cheer their favorite clown.
Thomas wobbles on the back of his second bull. The bull almost
bucks him off, but he lands on its back at the final BUZZER.
Jeda runs alongside the bull and helps Thomas dismount. Then,
Thomas races across the field to work the stands. Thomas
looks back to see Jeda doing a handstand on the Bull's back.
IN THE CHUTE: Thomas lowers himself onto T-REX, a huge Brahma
bull. His last ride. The animal snorts and prances. It won't

107.
stand still. Thomas strokes his neck and whispers to him.
Nothing helps.
Thomas sits still on T-Rex's back. The animal hops up and
down. Thomas leans over and throws up, as the door of the
chute slides back.
The animal erupts out of the chute in a state of tremendous
agitation. Thomas loses his balance, but hangs on.
IN THE STANDS: Andrew nods to Jingo who slides a small remote
control out of his pocket. He punches a button on it.
ON THE FIELD: T-Rex explodes into the air. All four feet are
off the ground at once, as the animal twists sideways and
lands on Thomas.
T-Rex is first on his feet. In lightning quick spurts, he
tramples and gores Thomas.
Jeda shoots out of his barrel and races toward his friend.
Along the way, he staggers. He falls down and grabs his
crotch. He's up again.
JEDA (V.O.)
I felt the searing pain.
T-Rex charges him. The bull is about to run him over when
Jeda grabs him by the horns and wrestles him to the ground.
The animal rolls over on his back. Jeda sees a wire sticking
out of T-Rex's bucking strap.
He grabs it, tears it off, and jerks his hand away. The strap
is laced with wires and crackles with an electrical charge.
T-Rex stands, snorts and shakes his head repeatedly.
TWO BACK-UP CLOWNS drive him away from Jeda and Thomas. Jeda
cradles Thomas in his arms.
Blood pours out of a massive wound in Thomas's chest. More
blood spills out of his mouth and nose. Thomas coughs and
sputters trying to catch his breath.
Now he has it. He reaches up and touches his thumb to Jeda's.
THOMAS
Brother, I'm scared. Help me.
He breathes out, but not back in. Jeda closes Thomas's eyes,
then ROARS at the sky like a wounded animal.
Lynn pushes through the crowd onto the arena floor.
LYNN
Jeda!
T-Rex turns toward Lynn's voice, sees her in motion and
charges. She stumbles and falls.

108.
Jeda runs between Lynn and the Beast, locks his gaze on the
bull, and throws up a hand, palm facing out.
T-Rex skids to a stop and freezes in mid-charge, paralyzed.
Behind Jeda, the wet stain of Lynn's water breaking blooms
between her legs. She writhes in labor.
Andrew and Jingo rush from the stands toward Lynn. Jeda sees
the remote control device in Jingo's hand. He snaps his
fingers at T-Rex. The bull charges the two of them.
Andrew scrambles back into the stands, but the bull runs
Jingo down, rams a horn through his body from the back, flips
him high into the air, and slices the body to ribbons with
his hooves seconds after it hits the ground.
A waiting EMT crew load Lynn into their ambulance and drive
off with sirens screaming and emergency lights flashing.
A huge crowd surges onto the field. Jeda scans the stands
and sees Andrew disappear into an exit.
JEDA (V.O.)
All I felt was hatred.
EXT. CLAN COMMUNITY CENTER -- DAY
JEDA
Before I would hunt this man down, I
had to take care of my brother.
A black limo pulls up, followed by a hearse, Lynn's SUV, and
Glorius Morning-star's Ford Ranchero.
Jeda, wearing jeans, a cowboy shirt and boots, swings his
legs out of the limo and, in defiance of his clan-dead status,
steps boldly up to Laso and Gabra who wait for him at the
Center's front door.
GABRA
Have you made the arrangements with
his tribe?
Jeda nods and points to Glorius walking toward them.
JEDA
They sent Glorius as their
representative.
GABRA
Good. We have only a little time
before the monthly gathering.
LASO
Those who would help are inside.

109.
EXT. CLAN CEMETERY NEXT TO GABRA'S PASTURE -- MORNING
As the sun rises, a half dozen CLAN MEMBERS scrape the last
dirt from a shallow pit three-feet deep.
Thomas's body wrapped in reed-cloth lies on a small wooden
platform beside the pit.
Lynn hands her Baby to Tenaro and helps Laso line the pit
with bird down
Gabra and Jeda gently lower Thomas's body into the pit.
Everyone present places pieces of Thomas's riding tack beside
his body.
Glorius Morning-star arranges Chief Vincent's hat with the
single feather beside Thomas's head.
Jeda slips in a photograph of Jeda, Lynn, Cammy and Thomas
clowning on the streets of Great Bear.
Lynn and Laso encircle the body with Thomas's trophies and
ribbons.
Jeda removes the IFR "All Around Cowboy" buckle from his
belt and places it across Thomas's chest.
ADDITIONAL CLAN MEMBERS carry baskets of wild flowers up to
the grave site.
MUSICIANS appear and, on primitive instruments, play a
mournful, yet harmonic DIRGE. A Flute Soloist floats a MELODY
above it.
The Clan Members voice syllables that amplify the harmony of
the instruments and help carry the mourning song to the skies.
All join hands and sway to the music while tossing handfuls
of blossoms into the pit.
Gabra and Laso hold Jeda, Lynn and the Baby in a tight
embrace.
Lynn weeps. At first softly, then uncontrollably.
Jeda whispers in her ear.
JEDA
This is what the clan can be. Do you
see now why I didn't want to leave
it?
Lynn chokes back her tears.

110.
LYNN
I've never felt so much love and so
part of a real family. Will they
take us?
LASO
What have you named the little one?
JEDA
When the clan accepts him, we will
announce it at his "Birth Ceremony."
Ko'or leads a GROUP OF CLAN MEMBERS through the Mourners.
With a gesture, he silences the Musicians. Once again, his
anger boils over.
KO'OR
Stop this sacrilege. I will not have
the dead burying the dead. Nor stand
to see the body of a round head
consecrated on our land by our rites.
JEDA
Stop, father. I will not have your
hate and anger here.
Ko'or steps in front of Jeda, eyeball-to-eyeball, then turns
his back on him.
KO'OR
This ghost cannot challenge me.
Gabra's voice breaks the tension.
GABRA
We claim the "Right of Majority" for
this ceremony.
KO'OR
You cannot do that. It is only for
beginning and ending meetings.
GABRA
(to the participants in
the ceremony)
Those who would have the ceremony
continue, please join me.
He voices a clear harmonious tone from the burial song. Others
join in. The Musicians fall in to complete the sound.
Laso gathers up another handful of blossoms and sprinkles
them into the grave. The ceremony continues.
Ko'or stalks off. After a few yards he stops and turns.
KO'OR
Who will go with me to the gathering?

111.
Most of his Group follow him, but several join the ceremony
for Thomas.
The pit fills with flowers. The music stops. The Mourners
drift away.
Jeda looks down at Thomas's grave.
JEDA
With all my strength, I will avenge
you, brother.
Tenaro pulls Jeda aside.
TENARO
I have heard from my mate that the
man you seek is in a cabin at the
foot of the forest.
He kisses her on the forehead.
JEDA
I know it well. Thank you. You know
I wish you great happiness.
She beams.
Jeda runs to Gabra's pasture, vaults onto a horse, jumps the
fence and gallops off into the forest.
Lynn drags Gabra and Laso toward her SUV.
LYNN
I know where he's going. Please come
with me. I'm afraid of what he'll do.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
Jeda balls his fists and pounds the arms of his chair.
JEDA
I could not stop myself.
(MORE)
JEDA (CONT'D)
The round head had to pay for his
deeds. I wanted to kill him.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HIGH PLAINS CABIN -- DAY (FLASHBACK CONT'D)
Jeda reigns to a halt at the rear of the cabin.
Lynn's SUV rolls to a stop at the front.

112.
INT. HIGH PLAINS CABIN -- CONTINUOUS
Jeda bursts through the back door.
A disheveled Andrew sits drinking and mumbling to himself.
Empty beer cans litter the table and floor.
ANDREW
Oh, shit.
He throws the table over onto Jeda and runs out the back
door. Jeda staggers after him.
EXT. MOUNTAIN FOREST -- MOMENTS LATER
Andrew runs through the woods, jumping over fallen trees and
rocks and sprinting up a hillside. Jeda follows close behind.
Andrew runs into a small clearing. He's up against a cliff
wall with small shallow caves. Cornered. Nowhere to go.
Jeda runs into the clearing and stops. Cautiously, he steps
closer to Andrew.
Andrew pulls out a pistol and levels it at Jeda. Jeda stops.
He reaches a hand toward Andrew.
JEDA
Why Andrew? Why?
ANDREW
You're more stupid than I thought.
JEDA
The bull could have killed your own
daughter and your grandson.
Andrew's gun hand shakes.
ANDREW
I wanted to kill them all, especially
the Injun. I got his parents good.
They deserved to die.
He calms down.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
They took my water. I couldn't keep
my cattle, my land, my...
He shouts.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
WIFE!
Lynn, Laso and Gabra approach.

113.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Then the Injun killed my Cammy. She
died having his baby. You're next.
You mother-fucking ugly son-of-a-
bitch. I've hated you since I first
saw you.
Back to calm.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
You look like my father. People called
him a beast, a monster. I didn't have
any friends. Then my girls were born
and he left us and I didn't have a
father. I'm going to kill your baby and
Lynn too. None of you deserve to live.
He waves his pistol in a wide arc from Jeda to Lynn and back
again.
LYNN
Daddy, no.
Andrew swings his arm toward her and fires a shot at Lynn.
The bullet crashes into the brush next to her. Gabra pulls
Lynn and Laso into one of the small caves in the cliff wall.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
Jeda, enraged to the point of shaking, stops speaking. All
eyes open. Silent and resolute, he stands before the Council.
As Members speak, they do so in their guttural tongue which
melds into English. As before, Jeda speaks only in English.
GABRA
What he says feels true.
TROCKA
What happened next, Jeda?
JEDA
That's all I have to say. You know
it's true. Judge for yourself.
KO'OR
Your story fills us with sympathy,
but it shows you broke many of our
laws and were going to kill the round
head. What did you do to him?
Jeda looks at Lynn and their child and says nothing.

114.
KO'OR (CONT'D)
You've submitted to the council. You
know we can take your memories.
Jeda looks at Gabra and Laso. Still he makes no reply.
KO'OR (CONT'D)
Very well. We will take the memories. Are
there any who would speak against it?
LASO
Long ago, before my husband, we
pledged our love for each other. Do
you remember, Ko'or?
Gabra stares at her. Ko'or does not meet Laso's gaze.
KO'OR
It could not be. The council chose
Gabra for you.
LASO
If you have any feeling for me, you
will not do this to your son.
Ko'or looks a thousand miles away.
KO'OR
I must do this.
TROCKA
And we must know the whole truth to
judge Jeda fairly.
RADIN COMENICH, a squat bespectacled man in his 50s, ventures
his opinion.
RADIN
I agree.
The other Members of the Council share their agreement.
KO'OR
And you Gabra?
Head bowed, Gabra gets up and leaves the circle.
GABRA
I did not know this.
INT. IMMENSE CAVE -- LATER
Jeda is bound to his chair, allowing no voluntary movement
of his head, arms or legs.
The Tall Guard swings a fuming censer in front of Jeda.

115.
Ko'or struts in front of the Chair, swinging the talisman
Laso gave Jeda, mimicking the censer movements.
The Short Guard pinches Jeda's nose. When he opens his mouth,
the Third Guard crams a foul-looking paste into it.
Jeda tries to spit it out, but swallows some to breathe.
LYNN
Animals. You are animals.
Laso has left the circle and now stands beside Lynn holding
the Baby.
LASO
Sometimes we are worse than animals.
Jeda collapses into a stupor. His eyes roll back in his head.
The eyes of the others present close.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MOUNTAIN FOREST -- DAY (FLASHBACK)
MONTAGE:
Andrew shoots at Jeda who ducks out of the way. The shots
rouse an enormous blonde-white "ghost" grizzly, which rears
up out of the brush.
Andrew turns and runs into a thicket of evergreens, where
the bear appears in front of him. Andrew empties his gun
into the animal. The bullets have no effect.
Andrew pulls out a hunting knife and slashes at the bear.
The arm holding the knife bends inward of its own accord
toward Andrew's body.
His face contorts into the grimace of a madman. Deep-throated
SCREAMS echo down the lush slopes that frame the glacial
valley.
A dark blur slashes back and forth obscuring the view.
Each slash slices a chunk of flesh from Andrew's face, now
disfigured beyond recognition.
Blurred attacks on Andrew's body tear open his chest and
belly. Pillows of blood and guts tumble out.
The bear feeds on the entrails of Andrew's badly mutilated
corpse.
The bear notices Jeda, turns toward him and rears up onto
its hind legs. Jeda fingers the talisman Laso gave him and
talks to the bear.

116.
JEDA
I am sorry I have not kept your laws.
I would have killed this man, but
you have done it for me. If you wish
to take my life, I am ready.
GABRA (O.S.)
No. Talk with your mind.
Still on its hind legs the bear walks toward Jeda. Jeda closes
his eyes and stretches out his arms toward him. The bear's
shadow falls over Jeda; then it moves off.
Jeda opens his eyes. There's no bear. He goes to the corpse.
A patrol of five Clan Guards, including Krana, burst into
the thicket.
TALL GUARD
We heard shots---
SHORT GUARD
---And screams.
Lynn, Gabra and Laso emerge from hiding.
KRANA
Is everyone all right?
Jeda stands over what's left of the body. He's soaked with
Andrew's blood and holds his hunting knife.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. IMMENSE CAVE -- DAY (PRESENT) -- AFTERNOON
All eyes blink open.
TROCKA
Untie him.
RADIN
Get the antidote.
Krana unties Jeda. The Third Guard squirts a liquid from an
animal skin pouch into Jeda's mouth. Jeda sputters, coughs
it out and comes around.
TROCKA
Why didn't you show us these memories?
Jeda shakes the cobwebs out as he answers.
JEDA
Our people believe the Great Bear is
dead, just as the round heads believe
we're dead.

117.
He points at Corna and Rapa.
JEDA (CONT'D)
If our hunters knew he lived, they
would track him and kill him to gain
his strength. The Great Bear saved
me. I couldn't do less for him.
KO'OR
This is sacrilege. It could not have
been the Great Bear. The Great Bear
does not kill.
JEDA
What does a bear do? A bear kills,
that's what it does. In the old days,
bears killed bears. It was the way
of the world. It's how one bear
became the Great Bear.
TROCKA
The Great Bear appeared to Jeda and
did not harm him. He might punish us
if we punish him.
KO'OR
Nonsense. His memories are lies.
There was no bear. I tell you we
will suffer if we don't punish him.
RADIN
If a Round Head deserves to die
because he is evil and we kill him,
we are not evil.
KO'OR
You speak against the law, Radin.
Jeda must be punished.
(MORE)
KO'OR (CONT'D)
If we do not keep our law, the round
heads will destroy us. Let us ask
the Great Bear. You know he speaks
the truth.
Ko'or puts on his bear mask and claws.
As before, he collapses to the floor then rises CHANTING and
spinning. He rakes the air inches from Jeda's face.
KO'OR (CONT'D)
(as the Great Bear)
I did not show myself to Jeda. There
can be only one fate for such a lie.
(to Jeda)
Go. Take your family and never return.
(MORE)

118.
KO'OR (CONT'D)
(to Laso)
Let no one in the clan speak to,
look upon, or think of this ghost,
or they too shall suffer.
(to Lynn)
If this round head tells others about
us, track down the man and his spawn
and kill them again with your knives,
spears and clubs.
(to all those present)
Who would defy me?
No Clan Member answers.
JEDA
You're no Great Bear; and you're no
one to tell me who my family and my
clan can be.
Lynn holds the baby up to Ko'or and SCREAMS.
LYNN
This is your grandson, Arkas. We
named him after the son you lost.
Look at him. He's alive and you'd
kill him instead of loving him. You're
as evil as my father.
(to the rest)
If you follow this madman, you're
sick like him.
LASO
Look at your grandson, Ko'or, and
remember his namesake and how he
died. You blame Jeda, but you were
the head of your family, not an eleven-
year-old boy who had just seen his
mother murdered. In your grief, you
were not vigilant. You did not protect
your newborn son.
Ko'or WAILS like a man torn open, then sinks into his stone
chair.
Jeda collapses onto the floor. The Guards move quickly to
pull him up. He waves them off and struggles to his feet.
On the cave walls, Jeda's shadow morphs into the shadow of
the Great Bear, and he speaks in a BEAR VOICE different from
his own.
JEDA (CONT'D)
(as the Great Bear, to the
Council)
Jeda spoke the truth.
The shadow of the Great Bear tears off Ko'or's mask.

119.
JEDA (CONT'D)
(as the Great Bear, to
Ko'or)
You do not speak for me. Your lies
and your threats to kill the woman
and child are against all law. Your
fear and anger will destroy the clan.
(to all present)
It is time for new law. Jeda has
been the first in centuries to succeed
in the world outside the clan. If
you want to live, follow him.
The shadow morphs back into Jeda's shadow.
Jeda walks out of the circle. He holds his arms out to Lynn
who, with Arkas, joins him.
Ko'or throws down the claws and picks up Andrew's bloody
knife.
Gabra returns just in time to see him rushing toward Jeda.
GABRA
Ko'or!
Jeda wheels around and for an instant his face morphs into
the face of the Great Bear.
Ko'or stops inches from Jeda. The knife starts to turn inward
on Ko'or. He struggles, but can't stop it.
When the knife reaches Ko'or's chest, Jeda, wearing his own
face once again, looks at his father with sadness.
The knife drops from Ko'or's hand. He's utterly defeated.
Jeda turns and continues to walk toward the cave entrance.
GABRA (CONT'D)
(to Laso)
I cannot be without you.
Gabra puts his arm around Laso and they fall in step behind
Jeda.
KO'OR
(to Gabra and Laso)
Wait. The round heads!
JEDA
You are the greater threat.
One-by-one, the other Clan and Council Members file out after
Jeda, leaving Ko'or standing by himself, all alone.
FADE OUT

Bloodlines 02-26-04 - last 30 pages

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