The Colorado Run screenplay

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This a film script I put together for my film degree. It's based of the most ridiculous road trip I have ever taken and will probably ever take.

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FADE IN: INT. BEST BUY STORE – NIGHT TRAVIS, 21, checks his watch while running back and forth trying to organize the discount software aisle. RYAN, at least 60, too energetic, and has the biggest ego, approaches him and starts yelling. RYAN Travis! What the hell are you doing?! Just throw it wherever it will fit and get this cart out on the floor. TRAVIS Wait a minute, Ryan. April told me to get this aisle in order and I’m on the last handful of discs. RYAN That crap doesn’t matter. Get the stuff out that we actually make money off of. TRAVIS Come on, man. I’m almost done. RYAN Just forget that crap and get this other stuff movin’. TRAVIS I’m getting this done first.

No.

Ryan glares at Travis, offended, but doesn’t say anything else and storms off. Travis takes only a moment to put the last disk away and heads upstairs to clock out. INT. BEST BUY UPSTAIRS – NIGHT Ryan is waiting for Travis at the punch out computer.

RYAN Hey, look. I think you know that I’m the senior floor staff for this department and everyone else understands how to follow my instructions. If you have a problem with that it’s okay, but you do what you’re told to do and talk to the manager about the problem later. TRAVIS Ryan I’m really sorry for not listening to you, but I’ve been working on that stuff all afternoon, I didn’t want to leave it unfinished. RYAN (practically preaching) You should know that we are a team. And the team is supposed to do what the team leader tells them to do. If you have a problem, you can talk to the bigger guys about it. TRAVIS I said I’m sorry Ryan. I am off though, so I better clock out before I get in trouble for working over my eight hours. Ryan blocks the computer with his girth as Travis moves toward it again. RYAN I don’t think you understand how this team is meant to work. TRAVIS I do understand, and I didn’t mean to offend you. RYAN All I’m trying to say is that you need to be a team player.

TRAVIS (sarcastically) Yeah, sure Ryan, I got it. Good luck with the night shift. Remember to push those video game consoles! Ryan let’s him go, but doesn’t look any happier. EXT. FREEWAY – NIGHT

Travis sits in traffic looking furiously at his watch. The lane next to him opens up for a moment, but he hesitates. Another car pulls into the opening just as he musters the courage to take it and he is forced to swerve back into his original spot. The other driver honks at him and flips him off as they drive around him. Travis vainly yells “Sorry!” to the other car through the closed window. Travis looks back at the clock and mentally kicks himself.

EXT. ELLE’S HOUSE – NIGHT Travis pulls up, obviously late, and runs to the front door. A few moments after he rings the doorbell and MARTIN, 45 and just a big guy, opens the door cautiously.

TRAVIS (nervously) Good evening, sir. Did you and Mrs. Gravenstein have a nice Saturday? We had some nice weather today, huh? Um, is Elle still getting ready? MARTIN You’re late, kid. She’s been ready for fifteen minutes. And if you don’t learn how to be more punctual you’re going to lose your reservations. Before Travis has a chance to redeem himself, ELLE, 20 and beautiful, pushes past her father and pulls Travis towards the car.

ELLE Goodnight, Daddy! Martin glares at Travis through the doorway as TRAVIS stiffly walks ELLE to the car. INT. MARIA’S RESTAURANT – NIGHT Travis approaches the host, JIMMY, 25, with Elle at his arm. Jimmy has a scowl on his face. JIMMY Good evening. Welcome to Maria’s. There’s currently an hour wait for a table for two. TRAVIS Well I have a reservation for Wood at seven thirty. JIMMY That was half an hour ago, reservations are forfeited after twenty minutes. Elle rolls her eyes. TRAVIS (panicked) Are you kidding? That isn’t fair for anybody. JIMMY I’m sorry, sir, but that has been our policy for as long as I’ve worked here. TRAVIS (to Elle) Well, honey, would you mind waiting for a little while? Elle nods her head with disappointment.

EXT. TABLE AT MARIA’S – NIGHT “One Hour Later” is displayed onscreen. Travis and Elle sit at their table, in an awkward silence, and wait for their food. TRAVIS So… happy early birthday. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out very well. ELLE When has it? I know you try, Trav, but it never works out very well. TRAVIS What do you mean? We’ve had nice dates before. ELLE I don’t know Travis. There’s always one last thing to get done. I feel like I’m not the top priority. These other things you do aren’t important, but they are to you, and I take the back burner for them. TRAVIS Is this because I have that training thing next weekend? I thought we talked about that. I already tried to get out of it. The WAITER arrives with their plates and they’re both silent as he sets them down. ELLE How hard did you try? All those retail bosses have to say is no and you shut up. TRAVIS That isn’t fair. I do try. Let’s just enjoy the dinner, okay?

ELLE (mocking him) I’ll try. They eat in silence for a moment. Finally Elle drops her fork and looks TRAVIS in the eyes. ELLE You know, you’ve managed to miss every one of my birthdays for every one of the three years we’ve been dating and it’s always somehow been someone else’s fault. I’m sick of it! I’ve been meaning to tell you that my dad suggested we go out to Colorado Springs for the holidays and I decided to have my birthday party out there on New Year’s Eve. I want it out there and I want you to show me that you care enough to be there with me. If you can’t make it, then I guess I’ll understand. Elle gets up from the table and walks out. EXT. OUTSIDE MARIA’S RESTAURANT – NIGHT Elle is on her cell phone as TRAVIS catches up to her. ELLE Okay, Daddy, I’ll be waiting. ELLE hangs up the phone. TRAVIS Elle wait! ELLE Just go home, Travis. I have a ride coming to get me. I’ve said all I need to. There’s a beat where Travis looks pleadingly at Elle. She only glares back at him, then turns away. Travis leaves a moment later, dragging his feet back to his car.

INT.

TRAVIS AND JACK’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Travis walks in, his tie already undone and top button on his shirt unbuttoned. He sits down on the couch next to JACK (21 and just a little overweight), who plays video games with a beer balanced on his belly, but Travis’ attention is soon pulled towards how messy the room is. JACK You have a good night? TRAVIS No. I think Elle is going to break up with me if I don’t get out to Colorado on New Year’s for her birthday. JACK So I’ll work your shift and you can keep your girlfriend. TRAVIS Doesn’t Liz want you there, too? JACK Oh, yeah. Travis starts straightening up the mess JACK left all over the apartment. He then picks up a napkin off the floor and starts dusting the TV. Jack leans to play around him. TRAVIS Plus, it’s not the regular shift, it’s training. And you have to train, too. JACK No, I don’t. I got out of it. Travis drops the empty pizza box that he just picked up off the top of the TV on the floor in shock. TRAVIS How did you do that?

What!?

JACK I told you, April likes me. I just told her it was my girlfriend’s birthday and I was planning on proposing to her. TRAVIS Are you serious? JACK Would you move? TRAVIS You’ve only been dating for a few months. JACK It’s almost been a year, thank you very much. Plus, Martin really likes me. TRAVIS Then you have to get married, cause you’re the only guy on the planet dating one of his daughters that he actually likes. I can’t believe it. And I was the one who introduced you to Liz, too. You’d think that would’ve gotten me some credit, but they all hate me. Jack throws the controller he’s been playing with at Travis. JACK ‘Cause you’re too damn uptight. Will you leave this room alone for five minutes and figure out what you’re going to do this weekend? TRAVIS Maybe if you didn’t drop all of your shit everywhere I wouldn’t have to pick it up.

JACK Look. I was planning on driving Liz to Colorado when she told me about the trip, but you’re going to need a ride, so if you can figure out work, Liz can ride with Elle and I’ll stick around ‘til Thursday. We’ll just have to drive nonstop. You decide, but I need to know by tomorrow. Good night. Jack leaves and Travis collapses on the couch. EXT. JACK’S CAR – DAY

Travis gets in after Jack honks the horn several times. JACK What took you so long? Jack backs the car out of the driveway. TRAVIS My clean shirt was buried by your sea of dirties. JACK Great excuse. Tell that to April when we get to work late. TRAVIS Do you ever clean out your car? JACK It’s only clean after you borrow it. INT. BEST BUY UPSTAIRS – DAY

Travis has an obnoxiously bulky printer strapped onto his belt and is putting new stickers onto a stack of DVD’s that is taller than him. APRIL, 35 and pretty dim, approaches him.

TRAVIS Hey, boss, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. APRIL Likewise, I’ll go first. I was sitting in the office all morning and just realized you and Kalstein were late this morning. TRAVIS Oh, yeah, well I’m really sorry. I guess Jack had some trouble getting the car started. But I wanted to ask you if I could postpone this training I have this weekend and skip out of town for New Years. APRIL I don’t care even if your dad is dying of cancer and his final wish is to celebrate with his family, you should know retail people have to work holidays. Do you have a good reason? TRAVIS Well, actually, it’s my girlfriend’s birthday and I wanted to spend it with her. APRIL (overlapping on “and”) Bullshit! That was Kalstein’s excuse. The only thing you can do is talk to Ryan, because he is the only one not working, besides me, or isn’t already out of town. JACK But I thought it was training. Can’t you just take me off the schedule?

APRIL We just used that as a cover so you wouldn’t try to get out of it. Now get back to work. Sell those PRP’s! Johnson, I’m taking my lunch early! APRIL leaves and Travis has to nicely place the printer next to the pile of DVDs when he sees Ryan riding down the escalator. INT. BEST BUY DOWNSTAIRS – DAY

Ryan nearly knocks a customer, BILL, a middle-aged man who’s holding a handful of DVD’s and a Consumer Reports Issue with big TV’s all over the cover, off the escalator as he pushes past. BILL Excuse me! Travis waits for the Bill to step out of his way before running down to Ryan. BILL Excuse me kid, I have a question. Do you know where I can find the film “The Notebook?” TRAVIS Third aisle over there about halfway down, bottom shelf. Hey Ryan, I sold six of those Hitchcock box sets today. Can you believe this one customer thought Strangers On A Train was better than Vertigo? RYAN You know, I’m not really in the mood, pal. TRAVIS Well, one of my favorite directors is Terry Gilliam. Wait. You met him didn’t you? You were in Twelve Monkeys, right?

Ryan stops in his tracks at the foot of the escalator. RYAN How did you know? TRAVIS I think I recognized your face, because that airport security character was huge. It was a supporting role, wasn’t it? But I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about it before. RYAN Well, I try to be modest about it. I still get checks from the distributor, though. Especially when the DVD came out. Yeah, I was in a few soap operas, too. People recognize me all the time. Do you want an autograph? TRAVIS Uh, I don’t have anything to write on, but before I forget, I noticed you weren’t working this coming holiday. Ryan finally regains his composure and steps out of the way of the customers that have had to walk around him. RYAN Yeah, so? TRAVIS I was surprised because, um, I thought you’d want to be here for the signing. Travis starts straightening the bargain table nervously. RYAN What are you talking about? TRAVIS Um . . .

Travis sees the customer, Bill, looking down at a list and then looking around helplessly for what ever is on it, but Ryan is impatient. RYAN What signing?

Travis!

TRAVIS Didn’t you know that Gilliam’s daughter lives in the area and April talked her into doing a DVD signing on New Year’s Eve? RYAN Really? TRAVIS Yeah – sir! Um, sir! There are more DVD’s behind you if you don’t see something you’re looking for! Bill turns around, jumps at the sheer volume of movies he missed and crosses several things off his list. Ryan roughly taps Travis’ shoulder with frustration. RYAN Hey, focus man! TRAVIS Sorry. Well, if you want, I’d be happy to let you work my shift. I mean, I think it would be more important for you. I’m just looking out for my team leader. RYAN Thanks.

Wow, OK.

TRAVIS You deserve it. (Then to Bill) Can I help you find Travis moves to walk away, but Ryan suddenly grabs his shoulder and turns him back around. RYAN Wait. Terry Gilliam doesn’t have a daughter.

Travis slips and almost falls over. TRAVIS Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say daughter? I meant son. Ryan grabs the collar of Travis’ shirt. RYAN Yeah right. I may not have any family to celebrate with, but I’m not gonna give up a day off so you can screw around with your girl. TRAVIS All right, I’m sorry. that day.

But I need

RYAN Then you can forget it. You haven’t earned any help from me. Ryan drops Travis and heads past the checkout aisle towards the front door. Travis turns away and practically walks into the display TV that’s at least a 70-inch widescreen. He looks from the monster of a monitor to Bill, who’s juggling his many DVD’s while trying to look at his magazine. Travis then turns back to Ryan. TRAVIS Hey Ryan! Ryan surprisingly turns back around in the doorway. TRAVIS I bet that day off that I can sell this TV along with a home theater system before I get off at ten. Ryan thinks for a fraction of a second. RYAN Plus ten DVD’s and a Nintendo and its a deal. To one customer, no piecemeal stuff, but if I come back later and you haven’t, I choose what five days that you have to work for me.

Just then Bill steps off the escalator with his DVD’s cradled in his arms. CUSTOMER BILL I want the nice guy to help me with a TV purchase (motions to Travis, but holds up the article for Ryan to see). I just moved into a bigger house and my wife told me I can finally get the big TV, so I’m going all out. I also promised my kid I’d get him one of those nintenbox things if he got straight A's. Ryan’s jaw drops. TRAVIS Right this way, sir, you’re going to need a cart. And prepare to enter the realm of the 70-inchers. Have fun at the DVD signing, Ryan! EXT. ELLE’S FRONT YARD – Day

Travis stops Martin from getting into the loaded down car. TRAVIS Just a minute, Mr. Gravenstein. have something for you. MARTIN Make it snappy. We’re on a schedule. Travis reveals a box. TRAVIS Just a late Christmas gift, sir. It’s a GPS for your car. My general manager gave it to me for having the highest sales this month. You’ll never have to buy a map again!

I

MARTIN Too bad I’ve made this trip too many times to ever forget how to get there. Martin throws the box back at Travis and gets in the car. TRAVIS Well, Mrs. Gravenstein already gave me permission to install it. Have a good drive! Martin slams the door. Jack and LIZ, 21 and looks an awful lot like Elle, walk out of the house with MRS. GRAVENSTEIN, 42 and always smiling. JACK I’m sorry I have to work, baby, but I’ll be there real soon. LIZ I understand, love. real fast.

Just drive

MRS. GRAVENSTEIN We may want you there as soon as possible, Jack, but you better be safe. You be sure to watch after Travis, here, too. Jack smiles at Travis as he replies. JACK Of course, ma’am. You can count on me. Travis shakes his head and walks around the car to meet Elle as she walks out of the house. He takes her bag for her and even holds her door. Elle pretends he isn’t there. TRAVIS I got that shift off and Jack and I will be out there before you know it. ELLE I’ll believe that when I see it.

TRAVIS Hey. Elle stops ignoring him and looks him in the eyes. TRAVIS (cont’d) I’m gonna be there. Early. love you. Elle visibly relaxes a little. ELLE You better. MARTIN Alright, enough smoozing, let’s get on the road, Colorado isn’t getting any closer by itself! Elle gets in the car Jack and Liz kiss for a moment. Travis rolls his eyes. Liz gets in the car and the family drives away, leaving Travis and Jack on the curb, waving goodbye. INT. TRAVIS AND JACK’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

I

Jack is sitting on the couch eating a bag of chips. Travis can be seen through the window as he drives into the driveway and frantically runs into the house. Travis barrels into the room and freezes at the sight of Jack. TRAVIS What are you doing?! JACK Watchin’ cartoons. look like?

What does it

TRAVIS You know that if we don’t leave in the next fifteen minutes, we’ll have less than 30 hours ‘til the ball drops? JACK Yeah, so? It’s only a 22-hour drive.

TRAVIS You haven’t noticed the storm coming in? JACK Man, I don’t watch the news. TRAVIS You haven’t looked outside? JACK Why? Travis explodes. TRAVIS It’s fucking snowing!! close the pass! Jack jumps up. JACK Are you serious? TRAVIS (Sarcastically) No, I’ve paid someone to throw fake snow off the roof. JACK Then lets get packed. Jack heads down the hallway. TRAVIS You haven’t packed yet!? JACK (OS) I’m sorry, I thought you’d be late again cause you can never get that software organized on time. Travis actually heads to the closet, pulls out a vacuum and starts cleaning the couch with it. TRAVIS Well – At least it looks good!

They might

Jack returns with a duffle bag still dripping loose articles of clothing and pulls the plug for the vacuum out of the socket. JACK Let’s go! TRAVIS Hey! I hate leaving a mess and coming home later to an unclean place. It’s disgusting. Travis turns to plug the vacuum back in. JACK What would Elle want you to be doing? Travis stops and follows Jack out the door. TRAVIS OK. You’re right. Through the window again, Travis can be seen leaping into the driver’s seat as Jack throws his bag into the already full bed of the Toyota Tacoma and the two of them drive off. EXT. LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY – NIGHT It’s

Travis drives while Jack plays with the radio. raining/snowing heavily.

TRAVIS I really hope this weather doesn’t become a huge issue on this trip. JACK I should have brought my CD’s. TRAVIS I have mine. JACK I hate your music. and outdated.

It’s so whiny

Suddenly the traffic slows and Travis is forced to brake roughly to avoid rear-ending the car in front of him. TRAVIS Perfect! I bet they’re closing the pass! We’re screwed! JACK Relax, this is just a chain check station. It’s a good thing we have four wheel drive. They’ll wave us on and we’ll be through this in minutes. EXT. LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY – NIGHT “THREE HOURS LATER” flashes on screen. Jack is drumming on the dashboard. Travis looks like he could throw up. TRAVIS A few minutes, huh? JACK I didn’t think everyone and their mother would be driving up to Tahoe the day before New Year’s. TRAVIS Oh yeah, that’s right. No one travels for the holidays. There’s a moment without talking, but Jack is still drumming loudly. TRAVIS Stop that! It takes a moment for Jack to realize what Travis is talking about and then stops. JACK Sorry. There’s another pause. Jeez.

JACK You know what? I need to go to the bathroom. TRAVIS No, I’m not pulling over and loosing my place in line. There’s a rest stop at the summit. JACK Come on, I drank a lot of coffee. And it could be another three hours before we reach it. TRAVIS No. JACK Don’t pull over. I’ll just hop out, pee, and catch up to you afterwards. TRAVIS What if I get through the check station while you’re gone? I’d have to stop. JACK I can see a port-a-potty. just take a sec. TRAVIS You can wait, Jack. JACK Screw that, I’m goin’ for it. Jack gets out of the truck. TRAVIS Damn-it!

It’ll

Jack!

Jack runs up the road. Then the traffic starts to break up a little bit and Travis overcomes the port-a-potty too quickly. Jack takes forever and there is a bit of traffic juggling for Travis in order to let Jack back into the truck. Four or five other motorists end up honking at Travis simultaneously.

JACK What are you doing, those guys gave you Why didn’t you take cutting them off at second?

man? Two of an opening. it instead of the last

TRAVIS You couldn’t wait any longer? JACK That doesn’t matter. I go when I gotta go. And you need to learn to drive with the flow of traffic, my friend. Travis sighs with exasperation. EXT. LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY – NIGHT It’s snowing heavily and Travis is struggling to drive cleanly down the highway. A car in front of him brakes. He slams on his own and the truck slides a little sideways. JACK Easy! You have to be more gentle. Relax a little. TRAVIS OK. Sorry.

JACK Try to keep it in third gear. TRAVIS I know. JACK The trick with snow is to be fluid. TRAVIS I know. JACK Keep a consistent speed.

TRAVIS OK. JACK Keep your distance. TRAVIS Alright. JACK Don’t use your brights, the snow reflects it back at you. TRAVIS I got it. JACK And try to stay in the tracks of those in front of you. TRAVIS Thank you, Jack! I think I know how to drive. JACK Hey. What’s this But don’ t let me you need to be on anything in front EXT.

tension? Relax. distract you, your guard for of you.

LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY – NIGHT

Travis is still driving and Jack’s attention is held firmly by the ice building up on the windshield. TRAVIS Man, this is going to take longer than that last Lord of the Rings movie. JACK As long as it’s as good of a ride as that movie was, we should be fine. TRAVIS No way, it was terrible.

JACK I don’t know what movie you’re talking about, but we’ve already been on the road longer than the length of the film already. Travis swerves a little to avoid another motorist stuck in the snow bank. TRAVIS Whatever. JACK So you didn’t like it? TRAVIS I thought the whole trilogy was stupid. JACK You don’t have any imagination. If you can’t get lost in a fantasy as great as that one you’re hopeless. TRAVIS It’s dumb, though. Wizards, elves! Men swinging swords at each other and trying to burn some evil ring! JACK (Almost Misty) It’s an escape into a world that might have existed in another time before ours. It’s a story of heroes, big and small, finding greatness within them and helping others in the fight against the ultimate evil. TRAVIS I can’t relate to it. I like movies that deal with things that could actually happen.

JACK Then you’re boring. get some sleep.

I’m going to

Jack puts a pillow against the window and turns into it. It finally stops snowing. Travis waits a minute, then swerves a little on purpose. Jack jumps awake. JACK Whoa! Travis laughs, but then has a pained expression. TRAVIS Ha Ha - whoa. I have to pee. JACK Pull over. TRAVIS What? JACK I need to go, too. drive for a while.

Plus, I should

TRAVIS We passed the rest stop like half an hour ago. We can’t turn around, and I am not urinating outside. JACK Man, don’t be a pussy. Haven’t you ever gone hiking or camping or anything? TRAVIS No. My dad has a motor home. JACK Be a man.

Pull over.

EXT.

THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY – NIGHT The two of them get out and Jack starts Travis goes to the other side of the

Travis pulls over. peeing right away. car and hesitates.

JACK (Obnoxiously Relieved) Oh my God! I had to go! Come on, Trav, write your name in the snow! You’ve gotta have enough ammo to write your name twice. Travis finally gets up enough courage. JACK (Finishing) There we go. Jack the Great! Travis goes at least four times longer than Jack. JACK Geez, man! You must have been dying. How can you hold all that? TRAVIS Okay, I’m done. Let’s go. JACK Did you write your whole name twice, bro? (Looks over Travis’ shoulder) I didn’t know your middle name was Bartholomew. Travis allows a small grin of achievement, but doesn’t say anything as he jumps into the passenger’s seat. EXT. LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE ROAD – NIGHT

Jack is driving, Travis sits white-knuckled as he holds onto the dashboard, watching Jack’s every move. JACK So I take it you only like those movies that are funny or really serious.

TRAVIS I guess so. JACK Then what’s your favorite movie? TRAVIS I don’t know. JACK You don’t know? They come over a ridge and Jack pays no attention to his speed as they gather momentum coming down the mountain. Travis starts biting his nails. TRAVIS What time is it? JACK You’re the one with

I don’t know. a watch.

TRAVIS Oh yeah. Still distracted by the Jack’s driving, Travis looks at his watch. TRAVIS It’s one o’clock. We’re way behind schedule. JACK Well, the storm is only in the Sierras and should clear up as soon as we get into Nevada. We’ll catch up. TRAVIS We’re not in Nevada yet? JACK Just barely, we’re heading into Reno. We’ll be there in a few minutes. You have to have a favorite movie.

TRAVIS (Without thinking) I liked “The Rock.” JACK You mean that cheesy action movie with Sean Connery? TRAVIS Sure. JACK Man, you have no taste. Travis jumps at the sight of lights out the windshield. TRAVIS Look! JACK (Not surprised) Yeah, it’s Reno. TRAVIS Why is there still snow on the ground? JACK Uh, we’re not out of the hills just yet. There’s a moment of silence as they wait for the snow to disappear. It doesn’t. TRAVIS We’re doomed. JACK No we’re not. TRAVIS Turn on the radio. Jack reaches forward and quickly finds the AM highway info station.

RADIO LADY (VO) All roads are open, but caution is advised due to icy conditions statewide. Al roads are open, but caution is – Jack turns it off. TRAVIS This is ridiculous!

Statewide!

JACK Chill out, we’ll be fine. We’ll just be a little later than planned, that’s all. TRAVIS A little!? Trust me, with Elle, hours late is way more than a little. JACK I’ll promise we’ll be there, okay? Just get some sleep so you can take over in the morning. TRAVIS This is all your fault. JACK What? TRAVIS If you had been ready to go when I got home we could have gotten ahead of the storm, and all this would be behind us right now. JACK That’s not true. The traffic would still have slowed us down. TRAVIS Well, we’ll never know now will we? JACK Shut up and get some sleep.

TRAVIS (Cooling down) You better hope the roads in Utah aren’t a problem. Travis slowly falls asleep as the terrain gives way to snowed-over desert and Jack keeps driving off into the night. EXT. DAN’S GAS STATION – DAY

Travis wakes at the sound of the truck door slamming and jumps when Jack throws him a Red Bull and a Snickers bar. JACK Eat up, good buddy. It’s the breakfast of champions. Travis slowly sits up and groans at a pain in his neck. TRAVIS Where are we? Jack winces. JACK Nevada. Travis hits his head on the roof when he jumps at the word. TRAVIS We’re still in Nevada! is it?

What time

Looking outside, Travis sees that there are still several inches of snow on the ground. JACK It’s 7:15, but we’re only a few hours away from Utah. TRAVIS We’re supposed to be through Utah already! And you’re supposed to drive fast when I’m not paying attention!

JACK I went as fast as safety and traffic would let me. I’m sorry, but we’re not going to get there any faster by whining about it. Travis forces himself to calm down a little. TRAVIS All right. Just let me use the bathroom real quick. Travis gets out of the truck and walks toward the store. Jack gets comfortable in the passenger seat and is asleep in minutes. INT. DAN’S GAS STATION MARKET – DAY

Travis enters the store and is immediately barked at by a large pit bull. He leaps backward and then chooses an alternate route, which carries him through a crowded aisle strewn with boxes and mismatched shelves. One shelf actually falls down as Travis walks by, spilling its contents all over the floor. Travis spots Dan, probably 29 and wearing overalls, behind the counter lazily paging through a magazine, and heads his way. TRAVIS Yeah, Uh, hi. Just so you know, this place looks terrible. Are you going to straighten any of this? DAN Yeah, that shelf broke about a month ago. I was thinking about fixing it. Travis keeps the disgusted look on his face. TRAVIS Right. Well, do you have a restroom in this, uh, establishment? Dan smirks.

DAN Yep. It’s out back, but ‘cha need the bathroom pass. Here you go. Dan hands Travis a huge coat hanger that holds a single tiny key. Travis rolls his eyes as he walks back to the door. INT. DAN’S BATHROOM – DAY

Travis walks into a bathroom that is more like an overcrowded storage closet. Everything is wet. TRAVIS (To himself) This is gross.

Ugh!

Travis walks to the toilet on tip toes and slips on the way there. Out of reflex, he grabs the toilet bowl rim to catch himself. He reels back in terror when he realizes what he has done. TRAVIS Oh God no! Standing back up, he notices that the knees and shins of his jeans are now soaking wet. TRAVIS Dammit! He pees using his clean hand to do everything. He flushes the toilet with his foot and turns to the sink. As he turns it on, it sprays all over his crotch. Once he recovers from the surprise, he finishes up and storms out the door. INT. DAN’S GAS STATION MARKET – DAY

Travis stumbles back into the store. Dan laughs when he notices Travis’ pants. Travis glares back at him as he hands him the coat hanger.

TRAVIS You should really look into getting that bathroom cleaned. It’ not only a health issue, it’s threatening safety code, too. Dan just looks at him with a smile and after a moment Travis gives up and leaves. The dog can still be heard barking even after Travis finds his way out the door. DAN Have a nice day! TRAVIS (Over his shoulder) Yeah! Thanks a lot! EXT. DAN’S GAS STATION – DAY Jack

Travis walks through the snow back to the truck. stirs when he turns the ignition. JACK What took you so long? TRAVIS Nothing, just the bathroom stop from hell. JACK (Trying to hide a laugh) What happened to your pants?

Travis hesitates to answer while he pulls out of the gas station parking lot, the snow-covered street holding his concentration. TRAVIS I’m fine.

Nothing. shower.

I just need a

Jack shrugs and goes back to sleep.

EXT.

LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE ROAD – DAY

Travis turns on the heater and tries to direct the vents toward his wet jeans. He takes a deep breath as the road straightens out, but his quiet is ruined when Jack starts snoring very loudly. TRAVIS turns on the radio and tries to find a good radio station to listen to, but he accidentally swerves as he leans over, so he immediately straightens to correct and doesn’t dare to turn back to the knobs. JACK snores louder. TRAVIS picks up JACK’s sweatshirt off the seat next to him and gently sets it on top of JACK’s open mouth. There’s a moment of muffled snoring and TRAVIS smiles. Then JACK coughs and knocks the sweatshirt off and onto the floor in his sleep. The snoring resumes. TRAVIS focuses on the road and tries to ignore it, but JACK starts to make louder and more prolonged noises. A moment later TRAVIS nudges JACK. TRAVIS (Very quietly) Jack. JACK, still asleep, re-adjusts his position and keeps snoring. TRAVIS (A little louder) Jack. JACK replies with a grunt. TRAVIS JACK!! JACK jumps up. JACK (Eyes still closed) What? What’s going on?

TRAVIS You’re snoring!! JACK rolls over.

Roll over!

EXT. LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE ROAD – DAY The road finally clears of snow and the sky opens up to reveal the sun as TRAVIS drives past a road sign stating “Welcome To Utah!.” TRAVIS finally leans back into the seat a little and loosens his grip on the steering wheel. And then there’s a flash of lights in the rear view mirror and a police siren “Whoops.” TRAVIS Oh shit. TRAVIS pulls over and JACK slowly wakes up again. JACK Do you have to go again already? TRAVIS (Scared) No. Look behind us. JACK looks out the rear window. JACK Uh oh. TRAVIS (panicked) What? JACK I haven’t put the new registration sticker on this thing yet. TRAVIS Why not? JACK It isn’t the New Year yet.

TRAVIS Well, it’s about to be! There’s a rap on the window and both boys snap to attention. TRAVIS rolls the window down and OFFICER FARVA, 25 and menacing in a quiet, lazy way, stares at them. JACK Good morning, officer. OFFICER FARVA Do you two know the speed limit here? TRAVIS I do, sir, it’s 65. OFFICER FARVA Actually, son, you just came out of a 55 zone and I clocked you there at 64. That’s pretty fast. TRAVIS (Shamed) I apologize, sir. I do like to drive just under the limit, but I must have missed the sign stating 55. I think I was distracted by, uh, the beautiful countryside. Sir. OFFICER FARVA Could I see your license, registration, and proof of insurance? JACK dives into the glove box. TRAVIS Well, uh, you see, this isn’t our vehicle, officer. It belongs to my girlfriend’s sister. OFFICER FARVA I see this car has California plates. That’s kinda far away. Was I driving too fast?

JACK finds one of the papers required and passes it to TRAVIS without pulling is face away from the glove box and accidentally smacks TRAVIS in the face with it. TRAVIS Well, my friend and I are driving to meet the family in Colorado for New Years. We’re running late. So I apologize if we were driving a little fast. JACK finally finds the other piece of paper and reaches past TRAVIS to hand it to OFFICER FARVA. The officer looks at JACK. OFFICER FARVA Uh huh. Sure. OFFICER FARVA takes the information back to his car and takes his time doing whatever cops do back there. TRAVIS sinks into his chair. TRAVIS We’re screwed. JACK Man, would you chill out? TRAVIS (In an angry whisper) Don’t tell me to chill!

JACK We’re fine. We weren’t driving too fast and the registration sticker on the car hasn’t expired yet. TRAVIS But can we prove this our car?

JACK Sure. Uh, all we gotta do is, uh. Well, maybe he’ll just believe us. Cops are pretty cool out here. TRAVIS (Still whispering) Then I’ll let you do the talking, hotshot. JACK Why are you whispering? OFFICER FARVA finally returns, his fancy clipboard in hand. OFFICER FARVA Well, I’ve come to a decision about you two. TRAVIS I swear to you sir that this vehicle belongs to my colleague’s girlfriend and we are merely driving it across the country for her. I didn’t mean to break the law! I’m just trying to reach my girlfriend before midnight! Don’t you believe in daring leaps of faith for true love? Giving your all for something or someone you truly believe in? OFFICER FARVA I was gonna give you a warning, kid. Jeez. Relax. You sure are wound tight. OFFICER FARVA turns to walk back to his car. OFFICER FARVA (cont’d) Hope this trip works out for you. Have a nice day. TRAVIS and JACK remain silent for a moment.

JACK (Leaning back into his pillow) Told you that registration thing was okay. TRAVIS, shaken, slowly puts the car back in drive and continues on toward their destination without a word.

EXT.

ELLE’S GRANDMA’S BACKYARD – DAY

ELLE is standing on top of a makeshift stage with LIZ, MARTIN, and MELINDA. LIZ shivers and grimaces. LIZ Well, it’s going to get cold out here. And this stage feels really wobbly. ELLE jumps up and down and shakes back and forth. stage only creaks a little. ELLE I don’t think so and the weather – MARTIN (Interrupting on “think so”) Yeah, these trees are shedding a lot of stuff. ELLE No they’re not, they – MELINDA (Overlapping on “they’re not”) Yeah, honey, and it is just the right season for purple and silver. I went ahead and bought some placemats and streamers! The

ELLE Mom, I don’t think that – MELINDA I knew you’d like them!

ELLE But Mom, I don’t like them. LIZ (Overlapping on “don’t like”) We should totally bring this inside. We could put the big screen TV up on the stage for karaoke and for watching the ball drop. After all, that is the focus of the party. But blue and gold is much more appropriate than purple and silver. MARTIN Yeah, Liz! That’s a great idea. Don’t you think so Elle? ELLE throws her clipboard down on a table. ELLE Everybody stop! The three of them go silent in surprise. ELLE I asked for your help, not your opinions. We’re putting the sound system outside on the stage cause it’s too loud for inside, the colors are pink and black, and I already called for some outdoor heaters. They’re getting dropped off in half an hour. And the big screen is too heavy for the table, too. I already checked. LIZ, MARTIN, and MELINDA (Surprised) Okay.

EXT. LIZ’S TRUCK IN UTAH – DAY

TRAVIS is enjoying the quiet, straight, and snow-free road. JACK is still asleep. TRAVIS finds a CD he likes and puts it into the player in the dash. The song “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult starts and TRAVIS starts to mouth the words to it. After a moment, the CD skips when there’s a gust of wind. TRAVIS doesn’t notice. The CD skips again. And again. The wind gets louder. TRAVIS finally notices and looks at the CD player like it’s being rude. TRAVIS (To the player) Hey! Cut it out. Then a gust of wind pushes the car enough to make TRAVIS swerve to stay in his lane. TRAVIS What the? Another gust of similar force knocks the truck again. The tarp that was covered with snow and tied down to protect the stuff in the bed of the truck snaps loose and starts smacking the rear window. JACK wakes up. JACK What!

What do you want?!

TRAVIS Jack, wake up, the tarp came loose. JACK Dammit.

Pull over!

TRAVIS pulls over and the two boys get out of the truck.

EXT.

THE SIDE OF THE ROAD – DAY

TRAVIS is knocked to the ground by the wind as he gets out of the truck. Jack laughs at him. TRAVIS Shut up Jack!

JACK You didn’t know it was windy out here? TRAVIS I said shut up. They have to shout just to be heard over the gusts. TRAVIS Did it rip? JACK In a few places. down. TRAVIS Then fix it and lets’ keep going. JACK ties the tarp back and they both get back in the truck. I think I can tie it back

INT.

LIZ’S TRUCK – DAY

TRAVIS takes a good fives minutes to get back on the road because he’s so scared. JACK sits quietly. TRAVIS That wind was the worst of it, right? JACK turns to TRAVIS. JACK You’ve never been through Utah before? TRAVIS can’t peel his eyes off the road. TRAVIS I’ve never been past Carson City. Why? JACK

Have you noticed how flat it is out here? TRAVIS Yeah, what’s your point? JACK We just got into Utah. So no. We have not gone through the worst of it, you big baby. TRAVIS How was I supposed to know? I’m not a baby!

And

JACK Oh yeah? What about that time you woke me up in the middle of the night, screaming, frozen with fear because there was a spider on the wall? I had to pick it off for you! TRAVIS That was a long time ago! And I told you I was having a bad nightmare. And I was yelling. JACK You were screaming. TRAVIS I was not! JACK Yes.

You were.

They ride in silence for a moment. TRAVIS (mumbling) It was a big spider. JACK It was daddy-long-legs!

Another gust of wind knocks the truck. JACK jumps. JACK Whoa! TRAVIS Ha! Now who’s the baby?

This time

The wind rips the tarp loose again, but this time it whips around and spreads across the windshield. Both men panic. TRAVIS and JACK YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! TRAVIS slams on the breaks and the truck screeches to a halt on the side of the road. The two of them are frozen for several moments. Finally, TRAVIS takes a deep breath and leaps out of the car.

EXT. THE SIDE OF THE ROAD – DAY TRAVIS That’s it! No more tarp! Fucking. Tarp! No. More.

TRAVIS starts ripping the tarp off the back of the truck. Oddly, JACK remains sitting and starts laughing.

TRAVIS I can’t believe this! First it’s Jack being too lazy to be ready on time. Then we’re stuck in traffic. Then we’re stuck in snow! All fucking night! (more) TRAVIS staggers into the road and raises his fists toward the still-angry sky. TRAVIS (cont’d) And then it’s dirty bathrooms and leaky faucets, a smart-ass cop, and a fucking tarp that wants to play peak-a-boo on the windy

freeway! What else is there?! What else have you got?!! A truck horn blares and TRAVIS is knocked to the side of the road by another push of wind as the truck screams by. JACK finally stops laughing.

JACK Wow, that was lucky! TRAVIS remains shivering on the side of the road. JACK Hey, we’re doing all right. Yeah, we didn’t exactly start on the right foot, but we’re getting there right? We’re making time, that’s what matters. Come on. Get up. JACK helps TRAVIS up and grabs the tarp before it blows away. He then tries to help TRAVIS into the passenger seat. JACK Come on, Trav.

You’re doing fine.

TRAVIS snaps to attention. TRAVIS No. I still want to drive. do it. JACK OK, man, it’s all yours. Just help me fix up this stuff in the back. TRAVIS Wait, we have to put the tarp back on. I can

JACK

Why? It’s just going to blow off again. JACK starts stuffing the tarp behind the seat in the cab. TRAVIS But Liz’s stuff won’t be safe.

JACK Why not? It’s not snowing or raining or anything. TRAVIS The wind could hurt it. JACK stops stuffing for a second and looks at TRAVIS. JACK How? TRAVIS I don’t know, but I bet it could. JACK Well, I think that would be less of a problem when compared to the tarp blinding us again. JACK finishes tucking the tarp away. TRAVIS OK, I guess you’re right, but we need to at least secure everything back there. JACK I agree with you on that, good buddy. The two of them walk to the back and proceed to tie all the straps together.

JACK Okey dokey, that looks good to me. Let’s shove off captain! JACK hops back into the cab. TRAVIS gives Liz’s belongings one last worried look and then climbs back into the drivers seat courageously.

INT.

LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY – DAY

TRAVIS, a little calmer than before, drives through the winds as JACK changes the CD. JACK See, the wind is not so bad when you’re prepared for it. TRAVIS Yeah, but it’s still scary. JACK Well, then you need to get your mind away from those persistent worries of yours. TRAVIS How? JACK Ask me a question. TRAVIS What? JACK You know, just ask me anything you’d like to ask me about. TRAVIS Like what? JACK Like anything. What’s my favorite movie, or favorite video game. Or what I think of the latest

president or sex on TV. Do you know if I’m pro-choice or not? TRAVIS That’s none of my business. JACK We’re best friends, we’re roommates, and we’ve known each other forever. TRAVIS (Joking) Wait, are you trying to tell me you’re gay! JACK (Disappointed) No, come on man. I’m going through all of this to get to my girlfriend, too. TRAVIS Wait, were you serious about that whole proposal excuse you pitched to April to get out of work? JACK Yeah. up?

What, you thought I made it

TRAVIS Come on, Jack, you can’t commit to what superhero you like more, Batman or Superman. JACK Hey, that’s tough, cause they’re both so cool and yet so different. And you have to factor in the villains they go up against, too. TRAVIS laughs. JACK I’m serious!

TRAVIS So you have the ring picked out? JACK pulls a small jewelry box out of his jacket pocket. JACK What do you think this is? TRAVIS is stunned. TRAVIS No way! So you’re going to move out to Kansas with her so she can finish school? JACK If she says yes. But she will. Her parents think so. TRAVIS You already asked her dad!? JACK I told you. I’ve been planning for a while. TRAVIS He said yes? JACK Of course! I’ve got it all figured out. New Year’s day, I’m going to take her to – TRAVIS (overlapping on “New Year’s Day”) I don’t believe it! Martin would never give me permission to marry Elle. JACK Yeah, he would. If you would just start treating him like another guy instead of your girlfriend’s

dad. And not to mention being on time once in a while. TRAVIS I can’t help it if I want everything to be perfect. a crime?

Is that

JACK The only thing you need to make perfect is your timing. Let everything else fall into place and it will.

TRAVIS Yeah, right. That’s why you never fix your hair and don’t tie your shoes until you pull into Liz’s driveway. JACK That’s right. TRAVIS shakes his head. Then he jumps and his eyes get huge. He points out the windshield. TRAVIS What are those things flying across the road? JACK What? Oh, they’re just tumbleweeds. TRAVIS Tumble-whats? JACK You know, those things that blow across the street in every western.

Hundreds upon hundreds of tumbleweeds begin blowing across the road. TRAVIS They’re all coming right at us! JACK Relax, just drive over them. They’re harmless. They keep growing in numbers and start blowing head-on into the truck. TRAVIS Are you sure? JACK Yes.

They’re just dead bushes.

TRAVIS But there’s so many of them! JACK You’re fine, just keep going. Two tumbleweeds bounce off the windshield and blow over the truck. TRAVIS Ah! JACK Wow. TRAVIS What!? JACK Relax, we’re driving behind a little ridge. Look. We’ll be safe. TRAVIS remains white-knuckled as they drive behind the hill. But the moment they come out from behind it another huge gust of wind hits the truck. Hard.

Haven’t seen that before.

TRAVIS Oh my god. JACK Relax.

It’s just wind.

TRAVIS looks over his shoulder. TRAVIS No, Jack! I just saw a few of Liz’s bags fly off the back! JACK WHAT!? For the first time, JACK freaks out. JACK Pull over!

TRAVIS I am! JACK I said pull over! They’re already stopped. TRAVIS I see them. Let’s go.

EXT. THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY - DAY The two of them scramble out of the car, but stop as soon as they see one bag stuck in the middle of the road and another floating in a marshy pond on the other side of the road. The wind is pushing it away from them through a foot of water at least twenty yards across. JACK and TRAVIS Oh shit!

JACK takes off down the hundred yards of road back to where the bags flew off the truck and turns for the bag in the street, but leaps back to the side of the road as two trucks blow by on either side of the bag. He turns to TRAVIS. JACK You go get it! TRAVIS I do not! You go, they belong to your girlfriend! JACK But they broke off because of your driving! You get it! TRAVIS You took the tarp off! JACK But – Defeated, JACK stops arguing and sighs. JACK Fine. He then musters his courage and dashes across the street, snatching the bag on the way. TRAVIS gets back in the truck, puts it in reverse and drives it, backwards, back down the shoulder to JACK. The other traffic continues to scream past them and the wind keeps knocking JACK down. JACK goes for the other bag and immediately sinks into the mud. JACK Ah! He turns to go back, but looks over his shoulder at the suitcase floating in the murky water. He steps back up on the asphalt, takes a deep breath, and runs for the suitcase. He slips several times, but makes it across to the bag, picks it up, and hotfoots it back across to the truck.

You run faster!

After dodging more traffic, he tosses the bags into the bed and stares helplessly through the window at TRAVIS, who remains frozen with disbelief at JACK’s new muddy appearance. JACK shivers, soaking wet and covered in mud. TRAVIS rolls down the window.

TRAVIS We can’t leave those bags in the back, you know. INT. LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE ROAD – DAY

TRAVIS is still driving, while JACK is pinned in his seat by the two muddy bags. He can’t even sit up straight. TRAVIS So, we’re almost to Salt Lake. JACK remains silent, stewing in his now dry mud. TRAVIS Are you hungry? JACK rolls his head to look away out the window. TRAVIS I know I am. I bet you need a bathroom to clean up a little. JACK No shit, Sherlock. TRAVIS You still want me to ask you a question? JACK No! TRAVIS turns on the radio, but can’t find the tuning knob. JACK turns back to TRAVIS and snaps the radio back off.

TRAVIS Jeez! Why are you so upset now? You got the bags, nothing is broken or ruined, except your clothes, and we’re getting close to the halfway point. JACK I don’t know. It’s just that you need – oh never mind. TRAVIS What? I need what? JACK Why do you worry so much? pussy. TRAVIS Excuse me? I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I wasn’t the one screaming, “I don’t want to go!” back there. JACK You didn’t exactly jump to the task, either! (more) You’re such a

JACK (cont’d) And maybe if you would just chill out during that windy area and maybe try to drive like you know what you’re doing, then it wouldn’t have happened at all! TRAVIS How was I supposed to know how to drive through something like that!? If you’re so all knowing, maybe you should have asked to drive before we had to go through it? JACK

Maybe I was trying to show a little faith in you! TRAVIS I don’t need you charity, Jack. just need your help. There’s a moment of silence between them. TRAVIS I’m sorry you had to run through all that mud to that bag, but you can’t blame that on me. And I can’t blame it on you. We just haven’t had the best of luck on this trip, we’re low on sleep, we’re going a little stir crazy from being in this little truck for so long and I know all we want is to get to the girls we love. JACK takes a deep breath. JACK You’re right. I’m sorry, man. We need to work to together to make up all that lost time. We’re still only halfway and we should have been there by now. TRAVIS I can’t wait to get there. JACK All I know is that I’m going to play video games when I get back. TRAVIS laughs.

I

INT.

ELLE’S GRANDMA’S LIVING ROOM

ELLE is sitting on the couch, going through a stack of CD’s and writing down song names when the doorbell rings. She gets up and opens the door to reveal JASON, 21 and really good-looking.

ELLE Jason! She leaps up and gives him a surprisingly long hug. ELLE Wow, it’s been a while. What are you doing here? JASON Well, I heard through the grape vine you were out here for the holidays and having a birthday party. JASON reveals a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. JASON Happy birthday. ELLE Wow. JASON practically lets himself in and pulls ELLE back over to the couch. She doesn’t appear to mind. JASON You don’t mind if I came uninvited, do you? ELLE (admiring the roses) What? Oh, no, not at all. JASON I think I’m a little early, but that’s OK, right? That gives us time to catch up before everyone else gets here. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. ELLE Yeah.

How long has it been? JASON

Four years and ten days. Remember? It was junior year of high school, four days before Christmas and your dad decided to take that job in California. Why don’t you write or get on myspace or something? ELLE I don’t know.

Too busy I guess.

EXT.

SHELL GAS STATION – DAY

TRAVIS finishes paying for the gas and starts cleaning the windshield. He then starts to wash the car with the squeegee. JACK walks out of the bathroom looking a little cleaner. JACK Hey Trav, let me drive for a while, you should get some sleep. TRAVIS dips the squeegee in the soapy water again and continues to scrub the side of the truck. JACK doesn’t notice. TRAVIS Are you sure, I still feel wideawake. JACK You’ve been driving all day. me have a turn. Let

TRAVIS Okay, it’s just that red bull I had this morning is still working its magic on me. Shouldn’t I keep driving if I’m still in the zone? TRAVIS dips the squeegee again and tries to scrub the wheels. JACK

You’ll fall asleep as soon as you try to. TRAVIS OK. Go for it, dude. The OWNER of the gas station, who’s a really big guy, finally notices what TRAVIS doing. OWNER Hey! Cut that out! TRAVIS finally looks at what he’s doing and jumps. OWNER Hey! Quit wreckin’ that squeegee! This is a gas station, not a frickin’ car wash! TRAVIS throws the squeegee back into its holder and runs back into the truck along with JACK. JACK pulls out of the gas station and has to stop at a red light for the on ramp to the freeway. JACK (Under his breath) Finally. TRAVIS What? The light turns green and JACK peels out and catapults the truck toward the freeway.

INT.

LIZ’S TRUCK ON THE ROAD – DAY

TRAVIS is crammed in the passenger seat with the suitcase and JACK, still driving, is having trouble keeping his eyes open. “TWO HOURS LATER” flashes on the screen. JACK Hey Trav, what time is it?

There’s no answer. JACK Travis?

Oh yeah.

JACK flips on the radio and quickly switches through all the stations, but can’t find anything he likes. He then switches over to TRAVIS’s CD and grimaces at the sound of Blue Oyster Cult, but he turns it up when he starts nodding off and catches himself. A moment later he has to swerve back into his lane when he wakes up again. JACK I should have gotten a Red Bull. He reaches into his pocket a pulls out a stick of gum. pops it into his mouth. He passes a sign that reads: “Cheyenne 120 miles.” JACK looks at his watch. It reads: “7:30.” Then he looks at the speedometer. That reads: “85 mph.” He pushes the accelerator down a little more, looks back at the speedometer. “92 mph.” He looks back at his watch. “7:31.” JACK smiles and starts smacking and popping his gum. TRAVIS wakes up a little. TRAVIS (eyes still closed) Jack, quit it with the gum. JACK Sorry. He

A moment later everything goes dark a second or two, but goes really bright again at the sound of a truck horn and screeching brakes. JACK wakes up at the wheel, driving straight at a semi.

JACK YAAH! JACK swerves and avoids the truck, but over-corrects and the truck goes into a spin. JACK slams on the brakes and the truck flies off the road and into an embankment off to the side. As the dust settles, TRAVIS realizes he wasn’t dreaming. TRAVIS What the hell was that!? JACK pauses for a moment. TRAVIS Jack? What’s going on? JACK This guy ran me off the road! TRAVIS What? Are you serious? JACK Yeah! He came up behind me and I guess I wasn’t going fast enough, cause he wouldn’t get off my tail! TRAVIS Really? JACK Yes! He was so close I couldn’t slow down and couldn’t take anymore as we got up to 90 miles per hour. TRAVIS Oh my gosh! Going that fast is a federal offense. JACK No it’s not! TRAVIS

Yes it is! JACK No it’s not! The speed limit is 75 and a federal speeding violation is only when you 35 miles an hour over the limit! TRAVIS Well, we could still get a ticket for going that fast! JACK But we wouldn’t get arrested for it! TRAVIS Whatever! Let’s just check the truck and make sure everything is OK before continuing. JACK OK. I’ll do it. JACK gets out of the car and walks around it, looking for any damage. TRAVIS gets out, too. TRAVIS Ooh! This looks like a dent here! JACK runs around to him and gets a good look. JACK That’s always been there, dummy, there’s another one on the other side of the truck. TRAVIS Sorry, it looked like a dent. JACK It’s fine.

Let’s keep going.

TRAVIS All right, Captain!

JACK Don’t mock me. Both JACK and TRAVIS head for the passenger side and then stop. TRAVIS You don’t want to drive any more, it’s only been a few hours. JACK I kinda strained my neck back there and I think more driving would just aggravate it. You don’t mind do you? TRAVIS No, I guess that’s fine. They both get back in the truck and TRAVIS four-wheels it back to the road and continues on.

INT.

ELLE’S GRANDMA’S HOUSE – NIGHT

The party is underway. There’s lots of music and dancing. There’s a big crowd of guests. Elle is standing with LIZ when JASON approaches.. LIZ (To Elle) I sure know how to put on a great party for you, huh? ELLE apparently doesn’t feel like arguing. ELLE Yeah, thanks Sis. JASON hands a drink to ELLE as he puts his arms around her from behind. JASON Hey, Elly.

Wanna dance?

ELLE looks at the clock on the wall. ELLE Um. Yeah.

She sighs.

Sure.

ELLE follows JASON out onto the dance floor.

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