"Lake Pensive" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
This is an excerpt (first 20 pages) of a completed screenplay.
"Lake Pensive" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - NIGHT
Looking out over calm waters. Above, the clear night sky
is ablaze with stars.
SUPER: New England, 1641.
Two Native Americans (let's call 'em BIG GUY and LITTLE
GUY) squat by their camp fire, wearing rawhide leggings
and fur cloaks. Little Guy cooks a rabbit on a stick.
They speak their own language, with subtitled English.
LITTLE GUY
You're telling me you killed a
bear?
BIG GUY
I didn't say I killed a bear. I
said killing a bear isn't hard.
LITTLE GUY
How can you say that when you
haven't killed a bear?
BIG GUY
Just because I haven't done
something, that doesn't mean I
don't know how hard it is.
Switch to plain English, no subtitles.
LITTLE GUY
What if a bear ran into our camp
right now? How would you kill it?
BIG GUY
I'd make sure it got hold of you
first. While it was busy eating
you, I'd find a big rock, and climb
the tallest tree.
LITTLE GUY
You'd kill it with the rock?
BIG GUY
How lucky do you think I am? I'd
stun it with the rock. Then I'd
place the point of my spear over
its throat, and lean upon my spear
with all my weight. Afterwards,
I'd praise our ancestors for giving
me such a gift. I'd skin the bear
and wash the skin in the lake.
(wistfully)
Such a skin would attract the eye
of every young woman in our village.
LITTLE GUY
Will you tell them I helped you
get the bear skin?
BIG GUY
If they ask, yes.
IN THE SKY ABOVE, a star suddenly shifts position. Becomes
brighter. Getting closer. It's not a star at all...
Little Guy notices the shifting light. He stares at it,
curious. Big Guy wonders what Little Guy is looking at,
and turns round just as--
The "star" comes hurtling down out of the sky and splashes
into the lake, sending up a tall water spout. The entire
lake ripples and a low RUMBLING noise fills the air.
Big Guy and Little Guy scramble for their spears. They
look at each other, look at the lake, look at each other.
They're seriously spooked but try not to show it. The
rumbling noise recedes, and the lake grows calm.
LITTLE GUY
The spirits are angry.
BIG GUY
It must be something you said.
LITTLE GUY
We should leave this place.
They gather their stuff and run into the trees, away from
the lake. The rabbit continues to cook over the fire,
forgotten...
A huge wave from the lake washes right up to the camp and
over the fire. The water recedes, leaving one damp rabbit.
EXT. MIDDLE OF LAKE - NIGHT
Somewhere in the depths of the lake a light glows briefly,
then goes out.
FADE OUT:
TITLE: New England, Present Day.
FADE IN:
EXT. JAKE'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - NIGHT
A rabbit on a stick cooks over his camp fire. Tended by
JAKE, 30s, has the "Rambo" look, prefers the woods to
civilization. Jake doesn't know it, but Big Guy and Little
Guy camped in exactly the same place centuries before.
Jake tenses as the unmistakable DOUBLE-CLICK of a revolver
being cocked reaches him. He slowly raises his hands above
his head, then turns around to see--
SHERIFF BOB LEECH, 60, steps out of the bushes, his gun
pointed at Jake.
JAKE
I ain't doing nobody no harm.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
I told you to move on.
JAKE
I'll be gone by morning. That
soon enough for you?
Leech doesn't like Jake's attitude one bit.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Stand up.
Jake stands up. Knows some unpleasantness might be coming.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Give me one good reason why I
shouldn't shoot you?
JAKE
I can't give you a reason why you
should shoot me. So I'm sleeping
out in the open, so what? Campers
do it all the time.
Leech thinks about it. He uncocks his gun, slips it back
into his holster.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Come morning, you're gone. You
understand what I'm saying? And
if you go anywhere near those
cabins...
Leech points across the lake, to where cabin lights shine.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
...I'll bury you myself, right
where you're standing. Count on
it.
Leech exits into the bushes, leaving Jake alone.
JAKE
Appreciate your hospitality, Sheriff
Bob Leech.
Jake squats down and tends to his cooking rabbit.
DISSOLVE TO:
The rabbit's been eaten, the fire's gone down a little.
Jake RIFTS with satisfaction and licks his fingers. He
pulls out a whisky bottle and takes a long drink. He
settles down for the night, throwing a couple more sticks
onto the fire.
EXT. MIDDLE OF LAKE - NIGHT
Looking toward shore. From a distance, we see Jake beside
his fire.
EXT. JAKE'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - NIGHT
Jake looks toward the lake. He's not worried or anything,
just curious, as if he's maybe heard something in the dark.
EXT. MIDDLE OF LAKE - NIGHT
We move in toward shore, gliding smoothly over the still
lake waters.
EXT. JAKE'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - NIGHT
Jake settles down by the fire, takes another swig of
whisky... And then looks toward the lake again. He's
definitely heard something this time.
He stands up, stares at the lake.
SPLASHING WATER outside Jake's range of vision. He picks
up a burning log and holds it up, hoping to cast light
over what's out there, but it's not enough.
Jake throws the log back into the fire, opens his backpack
and takes out a flashlight. He turns it on, shines the
beam toward the lake.
JAKE'S POV: the lake waters are tranquil, nothing else is
visible.
Jake shakes his head, switches off the flashlight and turns
back to his camp fire. SPLASHING WATER makes him stop.
Some instinct freezes him to the spot. Without looking
round, he knows someone's behind him.
Jake spins around! But no one's there. He frowns, puzzled.
FROM ABOVE: looking down at Jake as if from a high crane.
Jake slowly looks up. A ghostly silver radiance reflects
off his face. His puzzlement turns to terror. He opens
his mouth to scream but there just isn't time--
CRASH CUT TO BLACK:
FADE IN:
EXT. MARGO KITSON'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - DAY
A bright, clear morning.
MARGO KITSON, 50s, an attractive outdoorsy type, walks her
dog, Rusty. She stops and looks out over the lake. Not
just enjoying the view -- enjoying being here.
She looks round as an SUV approaches. Margo waves. The
SUV pulls over and stops.
Rusty barks. He's looking out over the lake as if
something's caught his attention. Margo tries to figure
out what but she can't see anything. Rusty keeps barking.
MARGO KITSON
Quiet, Rusty!
The dog growls softly. Margo picks up a stick, throws it
into nearby woods. Rusty runs after the stick.
Park Ranger ANDREW MACDOUGAL, 25, climbs out of the SUV
and joins Margo. An ex-Marine, MacDougal is formidable.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Hey Margo, how're you doing?
MARGO KITSON
Couldn't be better. Where are you
off to this bright morning?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Over to the Whitmans' cabin. John
says he heard noises last night.
Didn't see anything, but he heard
something moving around outside.
MARGO KITSON
What do you think it was?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Been a while since I saw a bear on
this side of the lake, but you
never know.
MARGO KITSON
Maybe you should tell Bob?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I left a message, he'll get back
to me if he wants to. Give me a
call if you come across anything?
MARGO KITSON
Sure. You'll probably hear Rusty
barking.
MacDougal turns to go.
MARGO KITSON
Andy, I wanted to talk to you.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
About what?
MARGO KITSON
Kyle's coming to visit. He's
bringing Jackie with him.
MacDougal considers this news.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You think I'm going to beat him up
or something?
MARGO KITSON
I think if you wanted to, he
wouldn't stand a chance.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
It's not me he has to worry about.
Bob Leech is going to want to talk
to him.
MARGO KITSON
Kyle had nothing to do with Annie's
disappearance.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Try telling that to Sheriff Bob
Leech. I think you'll find he has
a different opinion.
MacDougal returns to his SUV. A thoughtful Margo watches
him drive away. She looks around for Rusty.
MARGO KITSON
C'mon, Rusty!
Rusty doesn't respond, and Margo can't see him.
MARGO KITSON
Rusty? Here boy.
Margo walks to the treeline, looks for Rusty.
MARGO KITSON
Rusty, come on! Time to go!
No response. Margo has a worried moment.
Rusty bounds out of the trees. Margo crouches down and
rubs his ears, hugs him.
MARGO KITSON
Stupid dog.
EXT. MIDDLE OF LAKE - DAY
Looking toward shore. From a distance, we watch Margo and
Rusty turn and head inland.
EXT. ROAD NEAR LAKE - DAY
MacDougal leans against his SUV, looking out over the lake
while he drinks coffee from a flask and eats a sandwich
from his lunchbox.
Another SUV comes along the track road. MacDougal puts
his half-eaten sandwich back into his lunchbox and closes
his thermos flask. He walks to meet the SUV.
INT. KYLE NORTH'S SUV (MOVING) - DAY
KYLE NORTH NORTH, 25, drives. Beside him, his wife JACKIE
NORTH, 25. In the back seat, their children FIONA NORTH,
11, and LUKE NORTH, 9, city kids enjoying the unfamiliar
woodland scenery.
Kyle sees MacDougal up ahead. So does Jackie. She glances
at Kyle but he doesn't react.
EXT. ROAD NEAR LAKE - DAY
Kyle's SUV stops. Kyle rolls his window down.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Morning. You folks looking for
Margo's place?
KYLE NORTH
As a matter of fact, we are. How'd
you know?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You had that "lost city folks"
look about you.
MacDougal points along the road.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Keep going for another quarter-
mile. Look out for a turning on
the right, bushes on either side.
It's easy to shoot right on by.
KYLE NORTH
Thanks.
MacDougal looks at Jackie. Kyle wonders what's going on.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
How you doing, Jackie?
JACKIE NORTH
I'm fine, Andrew. You?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Couldn't be better.
Kyle offers his hand.
KYLE NORTH
Kyle North.
MacDougal takes the hand. The two men stare at each other.
Just for a moment there's the possibility they might have
a squeezing contest. But the moment passes.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Andy MacDougal.
KYLE NORTH
I guessed as much.
Kyle jerks a thumb over his shoulder.
KYLE NORTH
Luke and Fiona. Our kids.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Pleased to meet you, kids.
Luke and Fiona smile and wave hello.
KYLE NORTH
And of course you already know my
wife, Jackie North.
MacDougal's about to speak, but Kyle rolls up his window
and drives on. MacDougal steps back and watches their SUV
disappear up the road. He smiles and shakes his head.
INT. KYLE NORTH'S SUV (MOVING) - DAY
MacDougal is a dwindling speck in the rear window.
JACKIE NORTH
That was downright rude.
KYLE NORTH
Oh I'm sorry, did you want to talk
to your ex-boyfriend some more?
JACKIE NORTH
So we went out a couple of times.
KYLE NORTH
Your folks thought it was a lot
more serious than that, as I recall.
JACKIE NORTH
They liked Andy.
KYLE NORTH
You mean they didn't like me.
JACKIE NORTH
That's not true and you know it.
KYLE NORTH
The kid from the wrong side of
town, always getting into trouble.
FIONA NORTH
Did you get into trouble, dad?
JACKIE NORTH
Only on Saturday nights.
LUKE NORTH
Did you ever get arrested?
JACKIE NORTH
Only on Saturday nights.
KYLE NORTH
Yo ho ho. Just try to remember
we're here to visit my aunt, not
rekindle old flames.
Jackie tries not to laugh.
JACKIE NORTH
I'll try to remember that. But
Andy sure looks handsome in a
uniform, don't he?
Kyle glares at her.
FIONA NORTH
Watch out for the turning.
JACKIE NORTH
Quiet, dear. Daddy's in a mood.
Luke and Fiona laugh. Kyle can't help but smile.
EXT. MARGO KITSON'S CABIN - DAY
Modern "frontier" cabin. Woods behind and around. The
view over the lake is breathtaking.
Margo's at work in her garden when Kyle's SUV arrives.
She takes off her gloves and goes to meet it. Everyone
gets out. Margo and Kyle embrace.
MARGO KITSON
Kyle, Kyle, how are you?
KYLE NORTH
Great, now I've seen you. I want
you to meet Jackie.
Margo takes Jackie's hand.
MARGO KITSON
My pleasure.
JACKIE NORTH
The pleasure's mine, Mrs. Kitson.
MARGO KITSON
Formality has its place, but this
isn't it. Call me Margo.
JACKIE NORTH
Margo.
MARGO KITSON
You must be Fiona and Luke. I'm
very pleased to meet you.
KYLE NORTH
Kids, say hello to your Aunt Margo.
LUKE NORTH
Are you our real aunt?
MARGO KITSON
No, I'm just a stand-in until
something better comes along.
Luke hesitates, but Fiona goes up on her toes and kisses
Margo on the cheek.
FIONA NORTH
Hi, Aunt Margo.
MARGO KITSON
Hi to you, too.
(to Luke)
You're excused the kiss this time.
Next time, watch out.
(to Kyle)
You haven't changed a bit. Well,
maybe you've put on a couple pounds,
but in all the right places. And
your hair's different.
JACKIE NORTH
You mean receding?
KYLE NORTH
Last time Margo saw me, I was a
hippie.
MARGO KITSON
That's true.
(to Jackie)
You're even more attractive than I
imagined you'd be.
JACKIE NORTH
Oh my. You can say things like
that any time you want.
Margo indicates their surroundings with a grand sweep of
her arm.
MARGO KITSON
Well, what do you think of my little
hideaway in the wilds?
KYLE NORTH
It's beautiful.
JACKIE NORTH
It's more than beautiful, but aren't
you a little isolated up here?
MARGO KITSON
I lived in New York City for
fourteen years. I felt more
isolated there than I do here.
Nature has this funny way of making
you feel you're not alone. And
it's not as if I don't have
neighbors. And a phone, and email.
Margo takes hold of Kyle's arm.
MARGO KITSON
My sister-in-law bumps into Kyle,
she gives him my email address...
next thing you know, you're here.
You've all brought walking boots,
I hope?
KYLE NORTH
We brought everything. We didn't
know if you'd have enough food, we
packed some stuff in the cool box.
MARGO KITSON
A blizzard could trap us inside
for six months and we'd still have
plenty to eat.
Margo looks at Luke and Fiona.
MARGO KITSON
'Course, we might have to gnaw on
the occasional foot.
Fiona grins. Luke frowns, not sure if she's serious.
LUKE NORTH
You have electricity up here?
MARGO KITSON
I'm on the county grid, and there's
a backup generator, too.
LUKE NORTH
I could have brought my Nintendo
after all.
KYLE NORTH
I guess you'll have to put up with
our boring conversation instead.
MARGO KITSON
I've got satellite TV.
Luke grins. Thank the Lord for small mercies.
MARGO KITSON
Come on inside.
Jackie notices Luke and Fiona inspecting their surroundings.
JACKIE NORTH
Is it okay if the kids explore?
MARGO KITSON
Sure it is. Rusty'll go with them.
(to Rusty)
Take 'em on the guided tour, Rusty.
Rusty heads off. Luke and Fiona happily follow the dog.
INT. MARGO KITSON'S CABIN - DAY
Comfortable, with couches, rugs, a big fireplace. Margo,
Kyle and Jackie enter.
KYLE NORTH
Something smells good.
MARGO KITSON
Dinner'll be ready soon. Take off
your coats and get comfortable.
(to Jackie)
Hey, smart thinking with the kids.
Drink?
KYLE NORTH
Scotch rocks.
MARGO KITSON
Wait your turn. Jackie?
JACKIE NORTH
I'd kill for a coffee.
MARGO KITSON
No need to go that far.
Kyle and Jackie shed their coats. Margo fetches a scotch
for Kyle, coffees for her and Jackie.
MARGO KITSON
How was the drive?
KYLE NORTH
Fine. Good weather all the way.
MARGO KITSON
You meet anyone on your way up?
KYLE NORTH
Just some nosy Park Ranger.
MARGO KITSON
You must mean Andy.
KYLE NORTH
Yeah, I mean Andy. Real friendly
guy. Are we likely to bump into
him often?
Jackie enjoys a little snigger of amusement. Kyle shoots
her a look.
MARGO KITSON
Andy wouldn't come up here unless
he was invited. Why Kyle, do I
detect a whiff of jealousy?
KYLE NORTH
Is he married, engaged, or what?
MARGO KITSON
Not as far as I know.
KYLE NORTH
(to Jackie)
I catch him anywhere near you,
I'll shoot him.
JACKIE NORTH
I think you should lock me up and
throw away the key. I catch another
glimpse of that Park Ranger uniform,
I'm liable to go crazy.
KYLE NORTH
(to Margo)
You see what I have to put up with?
MARGO KITSON
I'm pleased you've met your match,
dear.
EXT. JAKE'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - DAY
Leech kicks over Jake's camp fire ashes and looks around,
wondering where Jake is. He sees Jake's flashlight, picks
it up. He thumbs the switch but the batteries are dead.
Leech sees someone moving through trees further along the
lake shore. It's Luke and Fiona. For a moment Leech is
concerned, then he sees they're with Rusty.
Leech crouches down and watches them. They don't see him.
His attention is particularly focused on Fiona.
EXT. MIDDLE OF LAKE - DAY
Looking toward shore. From a distance, we watch Leech
watching the kids.
INT. MARGO KITSON'S CABIN - DAY
Everyone's at the dinner table, in mid-meal.
KYLE NORTH
I saw your latest book on sale.
Are you scheduled for any signings?
MARGO KITSON
Oh God no, never. The very thought
gives me the shivers. Besides,
the cover photograph conflicts
sharply with my present appearance.
It's the same one they used when
the first book came out, over ten
years ago.
KYLE NORTH
This one's, what, number eleven in
the series?
MARGO KITSON
Number thirteen, if you're counting.
JACKIE NORTH
It must be great to have such a
popular character.
MARGO KITSON
Go figure. I can't stand him.
It's all I can do to stop myself
from killing him off in the worst
way imaginable.
KYLE NORTH
Jackie's writing a novel.
JACKIE NORTH
Kyle!
KYLE NORTH
What did I say? It's true isn't
it?
MARGO KITSON
I hope you're going to let me see
it.
JACKIE NORTH
It isn't finished. The ending's
been giving me problems. I'm
waiting for inspiration to hit me.
MARGO KITSON
Plenty of that out here.
KYLE NORTH
I told her to bring her laptop,
but she wouldn't.
MARGO KITSON
You can borrow mine if you like.
JACKIE NORTH
I don't know if I'm in the mood
for writing. Besides which, I
didn't bring it with me.
MARGO KITSON
You remember where you stopped,
don't you? Can't you continue?
JACKIE NORTH
I haven't really looked at it for
a couple of months.
KYLE NORTH
I'll drive home and get your laptop,
it'll only take me a few hours,
I'll be back by morning.
JACKIE NORTH
Thank you, you're so helpful.
KYLE NORTH
Well, you know, I try to be.
FIONA NORTH
Luke stepped in dog poo.
JACKIE NORTH
Fiona, we're at the dinner table.
LUKE NORTH
I did not.
(to Jackie)
I wiped my shoes before I came
inside.
JACKIE NORTH
Just as well for you.
MARGO KITSON
Rusty usually buries his little
mistakes, I'll give him a firm
talking to right after dinner.
FIONA NORTH
Wasn't Rusty. He's too little.
This was a big one. I mean, big.
She holds her hands a couple of feet apart.
JACKIE NORTH
Then it can't be dog poo, sweetie.
FIONA NORTH
It smelled like dog poo.
KYLE NORTH
Enough, we're eating. Or trying
to.
Everyone eats in silence, trying not to think about it...
Fiona waves her hand in front of her nose. Luke elbows
her, telling her to stop.
JACKIE NORTH
Quit that, you two.
(to Margo)
They're not really our kids, we
just picked them up at the Mall
and brought them here.
MARGO KITSON
I understand perfectly. I told
people I found Kyle in the woods,
that he's been raised by wolves.
KYLE NORTH
Uh, hello, that would be the Kyle
who's sitting right here. So,
Aunt Margo, aside from the writing,
what have you been up to?
MARGO KITSON
Oh good, we're starting off with
the easy questions. Well, let me
see. I've been doing some painting,
and some wood sculpting, too.
Last year I put my work into an
exhibition and people actually
liked it. Not that they bought
anything, you understand. I've
travelled around a lot, and I'm
learning to fly.
JACKIE NORTH
Wow, that's great.
MARGO KITSON
I'm not sure how folks hereabouts
will take to having a float plane
landing and taking off every day,
but it's a thought. So, I've been
keeping myself pretty busy.
KYLE NORTH
Are you seeing anyone?
JACKIE NORTH
Kyle, that's a little personal,
isn't it?
MARGO KITSON
He just wants to know if his old
aunt is lonely, living in a log
cabin miles from anywhere. Isn't
that so, Kyle?
KYLE NORTH
The thought crossed my mind.
MARGO KITSON
Everyone's always inviting everyone
else to their cabins for dinner
and drinks. If I accepted every
invite, I'd never get any work
done. If you must know, I've got
my pick of rich, retired men who
come out here to get in touch with
Nature. Rusty comes in useful
whenever they get a little frisky.
JACKIE NORTH
Sounds like you're having a great
time.
MARGO KITSON
Yep, that just about describes it.
What about you?
KYLE NORTH
What about me?
MARGO KITSON
How are you doing?
KYLE NORTH
We're doing okay.
MARGO KITSON
(to Jackie)
Getting information out of Kyle
was always like pulling teeth.
I'm afraid you'll have to do all
the talking. What can you tell
me?
JACKIE NORTH
Oh, we're doing okay.
Kyle and Jackie smile at each other.
MARGO KITSON
I see I'm dealing with two sets of
kids.
KYLE NORTH
What can I tell ya? Business is
good, family life is good. We've
settled in after the last big move.
Luke and Fiona are enjoying school.
Jackie's thinking about going back
to work... but that unfinished
novel's nagging at her.
MARGO KITSON
Jackie, if you finish your book,
I'll show it to my publisher.
JACKIE NORTH
That's assuming it's good enough.
MARGO KITSON
Is it?
KYLE NORTH
Yes.
JACKIE NORTH
How would you know, you've never
read it.
KYLE NORTH
You just think I haven't. Sometimes
I sneak onto the laptop when you're
not looking.
JACKIE NORTH
Ten bucks says you can't name my
main character.
KYLE NORTH
I disapprove of gambling, as you
know, but I think you mean Erin,
the rosy-cheeked colleen from County
Mayo?
Jackie pauses in horror with her fork halfway to her mouth.
Kyle chuckles.
EXT. ROAD NEAR LAKE - DAY
MacDougal's SUV meets another SUV on the road. They stop
alongside each other. MacDougal rolls his window down,
finds himself talking to NICOLA DAVENPORT, 20s, who dazzles
him with her smile.
The back of Nicola's SUV is filled with metal boxes with
"DELICATE INSTRUMENT - THIS WAY UP" type signs.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Hey there.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Hello, I hope this is Lake Pensive.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
The one and only.
He stretches his hand across the gap, Nicola takes it.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Andrew MacDougal.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Nicola Davenport.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
What brings you out here, Nicola?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Tremors.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Come again?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
I'm a seismologist. Minor tremors
shook this area three days ago.
Everything points to Lake Pensive
being the epicenter.
MacDougal looks toward the lake.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You sure?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Pretty much.
EXT. NICOLA DAVENPORT'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - DAY
MacDougal helps Nicola carry instrument boxes to the shore.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
How come I didn't feel anything?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Do you sleep on hard ground?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Not usually.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Then you wouldn't have felt
anything. Low level disturbance,
remarkable only by its unusual
persistence. Usually they're over
in a few seconds. Not this one.
She opens one of the boxes... takes out a camera-like
instrument with its own tripod. She sets this up and aims
it at the lake.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Just don't point that thing at me,
I hate having my picture taken.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
It's not a camera. I'm going to
bounce an infra-red beam off the
surface of the lake.
She unwraps a satellite dish and plants it in the ground,
pointing skyward. She opens a laptop, connects it to the
dish and types in a couple of commands. The laptop BEEPS
positively.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Can you get the football on that?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
I hope I'm not holding you back
from your work?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Seeing visitors have everything
they need is my work.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Uh-huh. So you're a tour guide as
well as a Park Ranger?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Sometimes the job demands a flexible
attitude.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
I bet that's what they call you.
Mr. Flexible.
She types something else. Another positive BEEP.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Who are you talking to?
He looks skyward.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Or maybe I should ask, what are
you talking to?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
I'm piggy-backing onto a NASA comms
satellite, linking to M.I.T.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You don't look like a geek.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
What does a geek look like?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You know. Thick glasses. Greasy
hair tied back. That goofy smile
'cause they're calculating the
orbital declination of comets or
something while you're trying to
make small talk.
Nicola smiles as she types.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You planning on being here long?
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Could be a day or two. Maybe
longer. Depends.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
That's great.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
It is?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I was thinking maybe we could have
dinner. If that's okay.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Is there a good restaurant around
here?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You're looking at it. Nothing
tastes better than food cooked
over a camp fire. How about I
drop by around seven? I'll bring
the food and the wine.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
What do I bring?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Just yourself. That's plenty.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
What about the risk of forest fire?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I'll bring a fire extinguisher
along.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Does everyone get this personal
treatment, or am I special?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I would have to say you're special.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Then I guess I'll see you at seven.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Great. Well. I'll leave you to
get on with... whatever you're
doing.
NICOLA DAVENPORT
Okay.
MacDougal heads back to his SUV. She calls after him--
NICOLA DAVENPORT
I'll remember to put on my glasses
and tie my hair back.
MacDougal shouts back over his shoulder--
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Suits me fine.
Nicola watches MacDougal get into his SUV and drive off.
He waves an arm out his window. Then he's gone.
Nicola fiddles with her instruments, taps on her laptop.
She stops, looks out over the lake. Slowly she walks to
the water's edge. Something has unsettled her. But she
can't see anything unusual out there.
INT. MARGO KITSON'S CABIN - KITCHEN - DAY
Kyle carries a stack of dinner plates in and puts them in
the sink. Margo smiles thanks. Jackie and the kids are
next door.
KYLE NORTH
I forgot how good your cooking is.
MARGO KITSON
I just threw a few things into the
pot. Not exactly a back-breaking
task. Fiona only picked at hers.
She's not anorexic, is she?
KYLE NORTH
Are you kidding, she eats like a
horse. It's just the excitement
of the trip, and meeting Rusty.
Our apartment building doesn't
allow pets. She's wanted a dog
for years.
MARGO KITSON
Poor thing.
KYLE NORTH
You see anything of Bob Leech these
days?
MARGO KITSON
Sure. He stops by sometimes. We
talk.
KYLE NORTH
I was kinda hoping he'd have retired
by now. Headed up into the
mountains and never come back.
MARGO KITSON
Not yet.
KYLE NORTH
You ever talk about me?
MARGO KITSON
No, not about you. I guess it's
by mutual agreement. We talk about
everything except you.
KYLE NORTH
About Annie?
MARGO KITSON
Sometimes her name comes up, yes.
You'd expect a father to speak of
his daughter occasionally.
Jackie appears in the doorway.
JACKIE NORTH
Anything I can do to help?
MARGO KITSON
Why don't you and Kyle go for a
walk? Some country air in your
lungs will do you both a world of
good.
JACKIE NORTH
We should help you clean up.
MARGO KITSON
I've got things under control.
When the kids get bored with me,
Rusty can take them for another
tour. He knows all the fun places.
JACKIE NORTH
Well... okay. I'll get the coats.
Jackie exits.
MARGO KITSON
You have a lovely wife and children.
I wish you'd found me sooner.
KYLE NORTH
Me too. Are you sure you don't
want us to hang around?
MARGO KITSON
You go and enjoy yourselves. I'll
be here when you get back.
EXT. MARGO KITSON'S STRETCH OF LAKE SHORE - DAY
Kyle and Jackie walk arm in arm along the water's edge.
JACKIE NORTH
She's nice.
KYLE NORTH
I thought you might like her.
JACKIE NORTH
You think she likes me?
KYLE NORTH
She asked me not to tell you, but
she hated you on sight. Your hair,
your clothes, the way you talk--
JACKIE NORTH
Why did you have to go and tell
her about my crappy novel?
KYLE NORTH
What's to hide? I want people to
know you can just about string a
sentence together when you put
your mind to it. I'm very proud
of you. You and your typing finger.
JACKIE NORTH
Hey, that's two fingers, mister.
And a thumb.
KYLE NORTH
I wondered why your left thumb was
twice the size of the other one.
I thought you were... you know.
JACKIE NORTH
What?
KYLE NORTH
Missing me a lot when I was at
work.
JACKIE NORTH
You think anyone can see us here?
KYLE NORTH
Probably not.
JACKIE NORTH
So it's okay if I rip your clothes
off and lick you all over?
KYLE NORTH
As long as that mutant thumb of
yours stays away from you-know-
where, sure. I'm all yours, baby.
Jackie swings Kyle round, kisses him hard. She pops his
coat buttons open.
KYLE NORTH
Whoa, hey, how about I keep my
clothes on, and you restrict your
tongue to certain areas?
JACKIE NORTH
You might have to direct me, I'm
kinda shy when it comes to men's
certain areas.
KYLE NORTH
Oh that's easy, you follow the big
signpost, you can't miss it, it's
sticking right up.
JACKIE NORTH
Okay here's the deal, we start off
with some kissing, French of course,
and then some inept fumbling while
you try to unfasten my bra...
But suddenly Kyle isn't listening. He stares at hundreds
of dead fish lying washed up along the lake shore.
JACKIE NORTH
My God. What's going on?
KYLE NORTH
I don't know.
He squats down to examine a fish. Its eyeballs are white.
EXT. ROAD NEAR WOODS - DAY
Andy MacDougal peers through binoculars. A stretch of
lake is visible through the trees.
Bob Leech pulls up in a Sheriff's car, and climbs out.
MacDougal lowers his binoculars, looking slightly puzzled
by whatever he was looking at.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Hey Andy.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Sheriff.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Find anything interesting over at
the Whitman place?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
His dog's missing. The missus is
upset because her flower garden
got all torn up.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Are we talking animal or human?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Can't tell. No tracks. Nothing.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
That dumb dog's probably chasing
raccoons again. Bullet in the
head would be a mercy killing.
Need to ask you about a drifter,
camped down by the lake last night,
near McIntyre's Point.
As he says this, Leech watches MacDougal closely. But
much of MacDougal's attention is on the woods.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Popular place with the tourists.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
His kind of tourist we can do
without. Saw him yesterday, late
afternoon, nosing around. I told
him, don't stop, just keep right
on going. Son of a bitch made
camp anyway. I dropped in after
dark, gave him a scare. Made sure
he got the message.
MacDougal gives Leech a sidelong look.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
No sign of him this morning except
he left some stuff behind. Maybe
he'll come back for it.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
If I see him, you want me to give
you a call?
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
I'd appreciate that. Margo got
people visiting?
MacDougal peers through his binoculars for a moment.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Yeah. Some city folks and their
kids.
Leech gives MacDougal an enquiring look.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I met them on the road yesterday.
Pointed them at Margo's place.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Saw the kids. Fine looking girl
and boy. Rusty was with them.
What are you looking at anyway?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Nothing. You hear it?
Leech listens, then shakes his head, unsure.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Never heard things so quiet before.
Not even a bird call.
SHERIFF BOB LEECH
Maybe you scared them away. You're
a scary guy, Andy.
Leech climbs back into his Sheriff's car, drives away.
MacDougal watches him go. Then stares at the woods.
EXT. MARGO KITSON'S CABIN - DAY
Margo waves goodbye to Fiona and Luke who follow Rusty
toward the woods.
They see Kyle and Jackie returning from another direction,
and wave before they vanish into the woods.
Margo waits at the door for Kyle and Jackie.
MARGO KITSON
Sorry, I had to let them go, they
were climbing the walls.
KYLE NORTH
Dammit, we've only just got here
and you've spoiled them already.
It's no good, we're going to have
to leave them here with you when
we go.
JACKIE NORTH
Kyle! Do you really hate Margo
that much? I wouldn't wish those
kids on my worst enemy, if I had
one. Why don't I have an enemy?
KYLE NORTH
Because you're sweet and people
love you.
MARGO KITSON
I'll tell you what, why don't we
send the kids back to the city and
you two stay here? I'll whup some
common sense into you in no time.
KYLE NORTH
Well, it didn't take long for you
to show your true colors, did it?
JACKIE NORTH
Now I'm confused. Stay here with
Margo, go home with the kids.
Stay here, go home. Can I stay
here please?
MARGO KITSON
Only if you promise to behave.
What happened to the long romantic
walk? Did you get lost and have
to turn back?
JACKIE NORTH
There's something really weird
going on.
EXT. ROAD THROUGH WOODS - DAY
MacDougal pulls up in his SUV, and climbs out.
He takes a long look around. It's uncannily quiet.
He walks away from his SUV, makes his way through the trees.
EXT. DEEP IN THE WOODS - DAY
MacDougal stops and looks around. He also looks up,
checking the canopy above.
He continues through the woods, moving like an Indian
tracker, absolutely silent.
Birdsong and other woodland noises suddenly erupt, startling
the shit out of him.
MacDougal leans back against a tree and lets out a long
sigh.
He looks directly up.
Above him, nestled in tree branches, is something he can't
make out... could be a big bird's nest, with some thick
twigs sticking out.
EXT. ROAD THROUGH WOODS - DAY
MacDougal takes a coiled rope from his SUV.
EXT. DEEP IN THE WOODS - DAY
MacDougal has made a noose out of one end of the rope. He
throws this up, trying to snag whatever's up there.
First time misses. He catches the rope, tries again.
Second time misses. Third time lucky, the loop catches a
branch.
MacDougal jerks the rope, the "bird's nest" plunges down,
he jumps out the way, it hits the ground with a dull thump.
MacDougal squats down and examines the thing.
It's the skull and skeleton of a dog, with what's left of
the carcass hanging off.
INT. MARGO KITSON'S CABIN - DAY
Margo puts the phone down. She turns to Kyle and Jackie
who sit with their feet up, sipping coffees.
MARGO KITSON
We had a storm back in oh-three,
knocked out the phone lines for a
couple of days. Nary a problem
since...
KYLE NORTH
Must be my magnetic personality.
Kyle offers his cellphone to Margo.
KYLE NORTH
Try my cellphone.
MARGO KITSON
There's a reason I don't have one
of those.
JACKIE NORTH
If there was dangerous radiation
off cellphones, Fiona's head would
be glowing in the dark.
KYLE NORTH
What's the number? I'll key it in
for you.
Margo gives Kyle her phone address book.
KYLE NORTH
Andy MacDougal.
MARGO KITSON
Well who else would you report
something like that to except a
Park Ranger?
Jackie clasps her hands together as if she's praying.
JACKIE NORTH
Oh God, thank you, thank you.
KYLE NORTH
You know, I could bury a body out
here, no one would ever find it.
Two bodies, in fact.
Kyle thumbs the number. He listens, then passes his
cellphone to Margo. She listens.
MARGO KITSON
It's a message service.
KYLE NORTH
Tell 'em it's a Code Six Six Six.
Dead fish found on shore. Spooky
message from the other side.
MARGO KITSON
Stop that. Oh I hate talking to
these machines--
(into phone)
This is Margo Kitman calling for
Andy MacDougal. Andy, we want to
report an unusual find. This may
sound a little silly but my nephew
Kyle and his wife found a whole
lot of dead fish down by the lake,
not far from my cabin. As if they'd
been washed ashore.
KYLE NORTH
Tell him they looked as if they'd
been boiled.
MARGO KITSON
I will not.
(into phone)
My phone is out, I'm calling on
Kyle's cellphone. If you can't
get through then you can call me
back on this number...?
Margo looks at Kyle for confirmation, he shrugs yes, OK.
MARGO KITSON
(into phone)
...or you can drop in if you happen
to be passing.
JACKIE NORTH
Feeling faint. Catch me someone.
Kyle wags a good-natured warning finger.
MARGO KITSON
(into phone)
Good bye.
Margo tries to figure how to hang up. She passes the
cellphone to Kyle. He thumbs a button.
KYLE NORTH
I predict our friendly neighborhood
Park Ranger will appear at the
door in ten... nine... eight...
MARGO KITSON
It's more likely to be tomorrow,
he has a big area to cover.
KYLE NORTH
Not big enough.
JACKIE NORTH
When's it get dark out?
They look out the window, at the darkening sky.
MARGO KITSON
Another hour or so. Don't worry.
Rusty has an inbuilt clock.
INT. VETERINARY SURGERY - DAY
DR. ELLEN KRANTZ, weary cynicism in a white coat, opens
the door to let MacDougal in. He carries a bundle wrapped
in a blanket.
ELLEN KRANTZ
Jesus Christ, what is that smell?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You might want to open a window.
ELLEN KRANTZ
I'm thinking about knocking down a
wall. Bring it through the back.
Jesus.
INT. VETERINARY EXAMINATION ROOM - DAY
Ellen bends over an examination table, scowling behind her
eye protectors. MacDougal leans against a wall with his
arms folded, watching.
ELLEN KRANTZ
I never met the Whitmans, I don't
know what their dog looks like.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Check the collar.
ELLEN KRANTZ
Gee, I never would'a thought'a
that. You should'a been a cop.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I failed the test.
ELLEN KRANTZ
How'd you manage that?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I told them guns scare me.
Ellen adjusts a big magnifying glass on a flexible arm and
peers through the lens.
ELLEN KRANTZ
All right. The disc, just like
the skull, teeth, and skeleton,
shows signs of being immersed in
acid or similar corrosive. Kinda
hard to read, but it says L-O-B-O,
Lobo? And, W-H-I-T... Whitman.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
What do you reckon killed him?
ELLEN KRANTZ
I dread to think.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Another animal?
ELLEN KRANTZ
All four legs are broken. Several
vertebrae are fractured. Ribs,
caved in. Skull has been crushed.
These injuries are consistent with
immense pressure, but what I'm not
seeing are bite marks.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I thought it might be a grizzly.
ELLEN KRANTZ
Some cranky, toothless old grizzly
gummed the poor mutt to death?
Doesn't wash. Nor does that explain
the corrosion. How well do you
know the Whitmans?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Retired, sixties. They seem like
a nice couple.
ELLEN KRANTZ
This is just wild conjecture. I'm
not accusing anyone of anything.
But is it likely, do you think,
that the Whitmans might have beaten
their dog to death with baseball
bats, then immersed the body in a
tub of acid?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
I'd have to say "hell no" to that.
ELLEN KRANTZ
When did they report the dog
missing?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
This morning when I went over there.
There was a commotion in the night,
some trashcans got knocked over,
the garden's all messed up--
ELLEN KRANTZ
Well I can tell you, this animal
was not alive this morning. Any
acid powerful enough to strip the
enamel from teeth in a matter of
hours, would still be active.
None of the litmus tests showed
such activity.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
He was up a tree.
ELLEN KRANTZ
I beg your pardon?
ANDY MACDOUGAL
What's left of Lobo was caught up
in branches, twenty, thirty feet
high. If they killed their dog,
why would they put the remains up
in a tree?
ELLEN KRANTZ
People have always puzzled me.
That's why I prefer working with
animals.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
You think I should tell the
Whitmans?
ELLEN KRANTZ
I wouldn't. Look, I can't have
this thing stinking up the place.
I'm going to take some pictures,
then I'm going to fire up the
furnace and give old Lobo here a
Viking funeral.
MacDougal pushes himself off the wall, opens the door.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
Thanks Ellen.
ELLEN KRANTZ
I'd say any time, but you ever
bring me another one like this,
you're off my Christmas card list.
I mean it.
MacDougal exits.
INT. MACDOUGAL'S SUV - DAY
MacDougal climbs in as his radio chatters.
FEMALE DISPATCH (V.O.)
If you're there, Andy, pick up.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
(into radio mike)
Hey you got me, go ahead.
FEMALE DISPATCH (V.O.)
You got a message from Margo Kitson
up at Lake Pensive.
ANDY MACDOUGAL
(into radio mike)
What does she want?
01/07
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