WELCOME TO PROSPERITY  
                                                              
                             By

                         Joe Faust

                                                                                                                          

                 
 Copyright  Joe Faust

 WGA/west  #891147 

                                                         
                                                               
FADE  IN:                                                  

                                                                                                                  
EXT. PROSPERITY, ARIZONA - NIGHT.
                                                                                                                      
A gust of wind blows down the dark, deserted, main street of the old town. 

Carried on the breeze, a piece of newspaper slowly tumbles past the time worn buildings lining the narrow street. The  paper comes to rest against a steel post. 

At the top of the post, blinks a small neon sign that reads: PROSPERITY MOTEL,  VACANCY.
                                     
Behind the signpost, a line of small, shabby, cabins run into the darkness. The cabin drapes are all closed.

The drape of cabin eight parts slightly, then closes.                                                     

INT. CABIN 8 - NIGHT.

In the shadows of a dim nightlight a MALE FIGURE moves deftly about the room. 

Gloved hands grab a suitcase, throwing the contents to the floor. An old beaded handbag is emptied, and several dollars are taken from a small change purse. 

Faucets, doorknobs, glasses, a whiskey bottle, are all calmly wiped clean with a hand towel.

The male figure’s legs pause at the cabin door. 

The hand towel is thrown to the floor. 

The cabin door slowly opens. 

EXT. CABIN 8 - NIGHT.
            
The door of number 8 closes quietly. 

The first traces of dawn are visible on the horizon. 

The male figure’s legs move away from the cabin.

Into the darkness between the cabins, the figure disappears.

                                                           2
                                                                   
A car engine starting breaks the night’s silence. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
INT. CABIN 8 - NIGHT.                                                                                                       

In the dark shadows, from under the twisted bed sheets a long slender female leg protrudes.

BLACKOUT:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
EXT. INTERSTATE HIGHWAY - DAY.                                                                    

THE CREDITS ROLL over a panoramic view of a shiny red pickup climbing off the desert floor, up over the edge of the high country. A hawk makes lazy circles over the high grassland. The SCREECH of the hawk is heard. The truck passes a highway sign that reads, FLAGSTAFF 80 MILES   PROSPERITY 1 MILE.

END CREDITS
                               
INT. TRUCK - DAY.

Driving is SIMON HORN, Native American, tall, good-looking, late thirties, well dressed in western wear, new boots and Stetson hat. He glances down at the gas gauge that is reading on the empty mark. Ahead is a highway sign reading: PROSPERITY  NEXT EXIT.

INT. PROSPERITY AZ. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAY.                                                                                                                     

A wood railing separates a small entrance area from the main part of the office. To the rear of the old building is a glass-enclosed office. The view into the office is obscured by Venetian blinds. Faded lettering on the door to the enclosure reads, MARSHAL. Seated at a desk just outside the Marshal’s Office is a uniformed officer. Deputy RAY SILAS, thirties, over six foot, with a crew cut. He has the look of an ex-jock.  

Deputy Silas shuffles through paperwork. He drops the paperwork on his desk, stands up and stretches.

Silas looks at his watch and then around the empty office. He walks slowly up to the Marshal’s door, looks around the empty room again. Opens the door and enters the office.

INT. MARSHAL SAM FORD’S OFFICE - DAY.

Deputy Silas walks in the office. He closes the door.
                                                           3

He walks up to an old desk and picks up the nameplate on the desk. It reads, MARSHAL SAM FORD.

Ray Silas smiles and drops the nameplate on the desk. He walks around the desk and stands for a second looking down at the paperwork on the desk.

Suddenly he swings the desk chair around, sits down and throws his feet up on the desk.

Silas slowly leans back in the chair with a smile on his face. He picks up the phone and pretends to answer a call.

                         Ray
               Yeah, Marshal Silas here… The County 
               Sheriff’s been killed?… Hell, I was 
               just elected Marshal. I don’t want
               the Sheriff’s job… I don’t care
               how much it pays. Get somebody else.

Ray slams down the phone and laughs. He gets up and walks slowly toward the office door. Suddenly he whirls back toward the desk and draws his gun.

                         Ray 
               Bang, bang… Hey, catch that draw?

Ray laughs and drops the gun back in his holster with a flourish. He smiles and walks out of the office slamming the door behind him.   
                                                                 
INT. OLD ROOMING HOUSE. PROSPERITY, AZ. - DAY.

Marshal SAM FORD a tall, lean, suntanned man in western cloths, mid-fifties sits at a dining room table. MARTHA TATE, a small lady in her seventies, serves Sam coffee.

                         SAM  
               By God, that was a fine breakfast. 
               
                         MARTHA 
               Yeah, breakfast is the high point of 
               your day… What you need is a good 
               woman, an’ outa this roomin’ house. 
             
                         SAM       
               Can we talk about something else? 
               Like going fishing?               
                                                           4                                            

Martha laughs as she sits down and pours a cup of coffee.
                                                          
                         MARTHA
               You an’ your fishin’… You won’t find                            
               a good woman in this town. You of all
               people should know what’s happened  
               here since the Interstate bypassed us. 

                         SAM
               If it‘s so bad why haven‘t you left?
    
                         MARTHA
               I’m old an’ rottin’ like the town. 

Sam laughs, picks up a newspaper and glances through it.

                         MARTHA (con’t.)
               Now, you Sam are still in your prime. 
               When the election comes up next year, 
               you’re not gonna be runnin’. That’s 
               the time to escape an’ find a lady 
               before you start to dry up. 

                         SAM 
               Dry up? Humm… What a pleasant thought.

                         Martha
               An’ do you good to get away from those
               idiot deputies of yours.

Martha begins to clear the table of dishes.

                         SAM 
               Now Martha, they get the job done.              

                         Martha
               You always say that. The only one worth 
               anythin’ is the new deputy, that young                           
               Howie Billings. I’d like to have him
               come for dinner some evenin’.

Sam glances at his watch and smiles.

                         SAM 
               Well, we’ll discuss my deputies and dinner
               invitations some other time. Duty calls. 
               Another day of high crime in Prosperity. I 
               should take a good book to read.
                                                           5

EXT. TRUCK - DAY.
                                                                           Simon Horn turns off the interstate. He drives down a two-lane road that serves as the main street of Prosperity.

EXT. OLD ROOMING HOUSE. PROSPERITY, AZ. - DAY.

Sam Ford exits the dingy rooming house. With a cup of coffee in hand, he walks slowly down the street toward The Town Marshal’s Office. 

The red pickup truck passes by.
 
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY.

The red pickup truck pulls up and stops beside two antiquated gas pumps in front of an old station building.
 
Simon steps out of the truck. He looks at the price on the pumps and shakes his head. He stands waiting for service. 

At one end of the old station is a grease rack. On top of         
the raised lift, sits a mud splattered Jeep.
                            
LES SILAS, a tall, thin young man with a wild crop of hair, emerges from the office. He slowly approaches Simon, wiping his hands on a rag. The nametag on his work shirt reads Les. 

                         LES                               
                   (frowning)                                                                                                                                                                                      
          Well, who are ya? Whata ya               
          want?          

                         SIMON
              I need some gas. Ten dollars of             
              regular, please. Also I’d like
              to use your rest room.                
                     
Les has a smirk on his face as he continues to wipe his    hands on the rag, and look up and down the deserted street. 
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                         LES
              What’s the matter? Any guy drives              
              a sharp truck like this oughta                       
              have the money to fill the damn    
              tank… Right, big chief?

Simon smiles and maintains control.                              
                                                           6
                                             
                         SIMON                                                                                
              Ten dollars will be just fine.                      
                                                                                    
                         LES
              Oh, I don’t know, ain’t gonna                                 
              get ya back to that there        
              Reservation. 

The smile leaves Simon’s face, but he maintains control.
                                                                           
                         SIMON
              I’m stopping in Flagstaff, so ten                             
              dollars will be enough… I didn’t                                         
              catch where you said the rest                                                  
              room is.                                                                                                                                                                                
                                         
                         LES                                                                                          
              That’s cause I didn’t say. The damn                       
              toilet’s round back.
                                                                                                                                                       
Les smiles as he jams the pump nozzle into the gas tank. 

Simon watches this scene for a second. 

He turns and walks to the back of the building. 
                                                           SALLY PORTER, around sixteen, scanty dress, hard look, walks out of the station office door. 
   
EXT. REAR OF GAS STATION - DAY.

Simon at the rear of the station opens the rest room door. 

He reacts to the stench in the room. He closes the door. 

Shaking his head he reopens the door, enters the rest room. 

INT. PROSPERITY AZ. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAY.                                                                                                                     
                                                           
Seated at the desk just outside the Marshal’s Office is  Deputy Ray Silas 

Sam Ford’s voice calls out from the Marshal’s Office.
                                                                                     
                         SAM (O.S.)
               Ray, where’s the mail?

The deputy picks up several envelopes from his desk and 
                                                           7

walks to the Marshal’s door.

INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - DAY.

Seated behind the old desk is Marshal Sam Ford. He looks tired and bored. An old electric wall clock makes a humming noise.
       
Deputy Ray Silas struts into the office and drops the                                                            
mail on Sam’s desk.

                         SAM
               Why didn’t you bring it in here
               yesterday when it came?

                         RAY
               I was busy.

                         SAM
                   (disgusted) 
               Oh yeah, of course you were.
              
Ray with a smirk on his face exits the office.

Sam shuffles through the mail. Drops mail on his desk. 

Sam puts his feet up on the desk.  

He looks out of the office window. There’s a view of mountains in the distance. 

Sam takes a deep breath and lets it out.

Sam opens the top desk drawer and retrieves a small box of trout flies.

He removes one and holds the fly up in the light from the window.

A smile comes across his face as he slowly turns the fly in the light. 

EXT. FRONT OF GAS STATION - DAY. 
 
The front of the station is quiet, no one in sight. 

The red pickup truck is gone from the pumps. 

                                                           8
                                                        
Simon comes around the corner of the station. Stops dead in his tracks and stares at the gas pumps. 

Simon strides toward the station office.

INT. STATION OFFICE - DAY.
 
Simon stands looking around the empty office, and then looks back out at the gas pumps. 

Simon looks confused as he again looks around the office.
                                                                             
Suddenly there’s a noise in the grease rack area. 

EXT. GREASE RACK - DAY.

Simon quickly walks out to the grease rack.

A figure wearing mechanics COVERALLS stands under the raised Jeep. 

The oil in the jeep is being drained. 

The crop of wild hair in coveralls steps out from under the Jeep. He looks over at Simon, and then out at the gas pumps.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                         COVERALLS 
               What the hell do ya want?   
                                                          
                         SIMON
               I wanta know where my truck is.
                                                                                    
                         COVERALLS                                  
               What truck ya talkin’ bout?
               
  Simon points out to the gas pumps.                                                         
                                                                                                                                                  
                         SIMON                             
               I’m talking about the red truck
               that was parked by those pumps.              
                                                                        
                         COVERALLS
               Look mister… I ain’t seen no                                   
               red pickup truck round here. An’                          
               I ain’t ever laid eyes on ya. 
               
Simon steps closer and looks him in the eye.

                                                           9
                                                                           
                         SIMON                                                                 
               I don’t know what kinda joke you’re 
               playing, but I want my truck back out   
               by those pumps, right now.                             
                                                                               
The Coveralls figure throws the oily rag into the corner of the grease rack.

                         COVERALLS                        
               Don’t know what ya been smokin’,              
               an’ I don’t give a rat’s ass.                       
               I’m gonna tell ya for the last                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
               time, I don’t know nothin’ bout                                                                     
               any red pickup.

The Coveralls figure reaches out and pokes a finger in Simon‘s chest.
                      
                         COVERALLS (con’t.)
               Ya best be haulin’ yer butt. The                                       
               interstate is bout a mile back 
               up the road.   
                      
Simon slaps Coveralls hand away from poking him in the chest.                                                          
                                                                     
                         SIMON
               Oh no, the only place I’m heading 
               is the nearest police station.
                                                                       
                         COVERALLS         
               Well now, that’s a fine idea. They’ll                                                                                             
               give ya some directions to the damn                                 
               Interstate, real quick like.                                                                                                                   
               
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY.
                                                                                           Simon and Coveralls walk out to the street corner. 

Simon looks down the street, as they reach the corner. 

Down the street is an old building with a sign that reads, TOWN MARSHAL PROSPERITY AZ. 

Simon controls his anger.
                                                                          
                        SIMON
               I see the office from here. 
                                                          10

Coveralls laughs and walks back to the station.
                                    
Simon shakes his head and walks down the street toward the town Marshal’s Office.

INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAY.

Simon Horn enters the office. 

Deputy Ray Silas shuffles some paper work. Without looking up, he speaks.
                                                                     
                         RAY                                                                                         
               Have a seat in the waitin’ area. 

Simon sits down on one of the benches that line both sides of the waiting area. 

He waits a few seconds. 

                         SIMON
               Excuse me officer.
                                   
Ray drops the paper work on the desk, stares down at it for several seconds. 

Ray stands up and struts up to the railing.
 
                         RAY                                                              
               Whata you want?
                                                                   
                         SIMON
               I wanta report a stolen pickup 
               truck.

Ray leans up against the railing.
                                                                        
                         RAY                                                                                                                                            
                     (bored)
               Who owns the vehicle?
                                                                                                                                                        
                         SIMON
               Why… I‘m the owner. That’s why
               I’m here to report it. 

Ray fakes surprise.

                                                          11                      

                         RAY
               Well I’ll be damned. The truck 
               was stolen?

                         SIMON
               Yeah, that’s right. 
                                                          
Ray Silas frowns, rubs his chin in deep thought. He then turns and walks away unconcerned.                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                         RAY
               Nope, I ain’t seen it.                         
                                                                                                       Simon watches as the deputy returns to his paperwork.
                                                                                      
                         SIMON
               But… it was just stolen. How                             
               could you have seen it?

Ray slowly looks up from the paperwork, studies Simon.

Ray puts his feet up on the desk.                                                          
                                                                  
                         RAY                                                                                                                        
               Who the hell are you?                                       
                                                                  
                         SIMON
               The name is HORN… Look… I don’t 
               want any trouble. I came here to 
               report a stolen truck, that’s all. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                         RAY                                                                      
               All right Mister Horny, or 
               whatever your name is. You got  
               witnesses to this alleged crime? 

Ray picks up the paperwork from the desk and studies it.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                         SIMON
               (irritated - voice raised)                                         
               The name is HORN. Witnesses?… Okay, 
               let’s handle it this way. I’ll go to  
               the nearest pay phone and report the 
               theft to the Highway Patrol.                                                                                          
                             
The door to Sam Ford’s office swings open.  

Sam walks out and glances over at Simon, then back to Ray.
                                                          12
                                                                                                    
                         SAM  
               What’s all the ruckus?

Ray takes his feet off the desk. 
     
                         RAY
               No problem at all. Nothin’ old Ray   
               can’t handle.                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Sam turns back toward the office door.                                                       
                                                                 
                         SAM  
               Oh yeah… I bet. Jesus… another Monday. 
                                                                                                                                                           
                         SIMON
               Excuse me Marshal, there’s a problem.           
               I’m having trouble reporting a stolen                                          
               truck. 

Sam turns back to Ray and Simon.                                                                        
                                                                                                                        
                         SAM                            
               That right, Ray?
                                                       
                         RAY                                                             
               We got better things to do. You don’t                                        
               know if this Indian owns a truck.                                                            
                                                                                                            
                         SIMON 
                   (voiced raised)                                                                                                   
               What do you mean, you don’t know if I 
               own a truck?                           
                                                                                                                                                          
                         SAM  
               ALL RIGHT. Hold it down you two.              

Sam frowns and points to Simon. 

                         SAM (con’t.)                           
               Who are you?              

Simon shakes his head in disgust.
                                                                                                                                     
                         SIMON
               That’s the third time somebody in                                    
               this town has said that to me…             
               The name is SIMON HORN.  
                                                                    
                                                          13
                                                                                                                    
Sam stands for a second studying Simon.  
                                                                               
                         SAM 
               Come in my office, Mister Horn.                                                                                 

INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - DAY.

                         SIMON
                    (agitated)                                      
               I don’t see why there’s a problem. 
                                                                                                                  Marshal Ford settles down in his desk chair. 
                               
                         SAM                              
               Now just simmer down. Have a seat.                                                

Simon pulls up a chair facing the Marshal’s desk.
                                                                                
                         SIMON
               All right, whatever it takes. 
                                                                  
                         SAM  
               You Navajo?

Simon pauses and studies the Marshal for a second.                                                                    
                       
                         SIMON
               Yes, I’m Navajo… Why do you ask?
                                                               
                         SAM 
               No reason in particular. Going                                    
               back to the Reservation?
                                                                                  
                         SIMON
               Yeah, I’m moving there from Tucson.                                                                                                                     
                                                                 
                         SAM  
               How long were you in Tucson? 
                                                         
                         SIMON
           About sixteen years.

Sam leans back in his chair and studies Simon.                    
  
                     SAM
           What did you do there? 

                                                      14

                     SIMON
           I worked in computer graphics.
                                                      
                     SAM
                (laughs)
           You one of those computer nuts?       
                                      
                     SIMON
           Oh, I guess so… Why does it seem            
           strange a Navajo would work with                                
           computers?  
                    
                     SAM
               No, no. I didn’t mean anything                                 
               like that… How come you left 
               Tucson? Get in some kinda 
               trouble down there?

Simon looks around the room and takes a deep breath. 
                                                         
                         SIMON                     
               No… I left because my father is 
               old and his health is failing.                                         
               He wants me to come back to the 
               Reservation. 
               (beat)
               Why ask me a question like that? 
                                                                        
                         SAM  
               Oh, no offense meant, just checking.                              
               Sorry about your father’s health.
                                                                                                           
                         SIMON
               Marshal, I understand being who                            
               I am makes me an outsider in this                 
               town. That’s painfully obvious.                                                
               (beat)
               I don’t mean any disrespect… But                                               
               I don’t see why my life history is                            
               so important at this…                               
 
Sam leans forward in his chair and points at Simon. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                         SAM  
               Oh, but it is, Mister Horn. You see,  
               from time-to-time we get drifters who  
               wander into town and cause trouble. 
               We’re just kinda cautious around here.
                                                          15
                                                                                                                               
                         SIMON
               Do I look like a drifter? I’m just                               
               an unlucky guy who needed some gas.                       

Sam pulls a form from his desk and picks up a pen. 
                                                                                         
                         SAM       
               All right… Lets start from the top.                             
               Where was the truck stolen? 
                                                                       
                         SIMON                                                      
               At the first gas station as you come  
               in town… But the guy who works there 
               says he’s never seem me or my truck.                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Sam drops his pen on the desk and sits back in his chair.
                                                                           
                         SAM                                                                        
                    (frowning)
               Well, we seem to have a small problem                                                               
               here.                                

                         SIMON                                                              
               The guy put gas in the truck. 

Sam studies Simon for a second. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                         SAM  
               I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll                                       
               take the information for the report,                                  
               and then find out what’s going on.                              
               (beat)
               A stolen vehicle is something that 
               just doesn’t happen around here.                                                                 
                                            
                         SIMON                                                                                                                                                                                          
               I told you what happened. I’m not 
               lying. 
                                                                                                                  
Sam picks up his pen, takes a deep breath and lets it out.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                         SAM  
               I didn’t accuse you of lying.
                                                              
                         SIMON
                    (resigned)
               Please… just make out the report. 
               Anything to get my truck back.              
                                                          16
                                    
Sam smiles and begins to write.
                                                          
                         SAM 
               After you give me the information, 
               why don’t you go down the street
               and get a cup of coffee and a donut. 
               We’ve got a couple of nice cafés in 
               town. Come back in… about an hour.                                           
               
EXT. OLD GRAVEL PIT - DAY

The red pickup truck is parked at the bottom of an old gravel pit with both doors open. 

Stretched out on the seat is the body of SALLY PORTER, approx. sixteen, dress is very scanty. 

Parked at rear of the truck is a police patrol car. 

Seated in the car is Deputy HOWIE BILLINGS. Billings is young, good looking, clean cut. He’s on the car radio.

                         HOWIE
               (excited and shouting)
               This is Billings. I’ve got a 
               one-eighty-seven down at the old 
               gravel pit. There’s a red pickup 
               truck with a dead girl in it.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
INT. HALF DOLLAR CAFÉ - DAY.
                              
Has the look of a forties café. To the rear of the room are booths. Each is separated by a high wooden partition giving privacy to each booth. 

The room is empty except for a waitress behind the counter.

MONA WILLIS, early thirties, attractive face, trim figure, looks out of the front window and sees Simon approaching.

She smiles coyly and adjusts her snug fitting uniform.

Mona pours a glass of water and sets it on the counter as Simon enters. 
                                                                                             
                         MONA
               Saw you walk down the street… Don’t often       
               get good looking customers like you.  
                                                          17

Simon smiles shyly as he slides onto a stool.

                         SIMON
               A cup of coffee, black, please.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                         
                         MONA
               Coming right up. You want some 
               breakfast? Henry the owner and 
               cook went to Flagstaff for
               supplies, so I’m the cook AND                                               
               waitress this morning.

Mona pours the coffee and sets the cup in front of Simon. 

                         SIMON
               Just coffee will be fine, ma’am.
                                                                   
                         MONA
               You’re walking. Car trouble? 

She begins folding paper napkins around silverware. 
                                                                                                                     
                         SIMON                                                                   
               Yes ma’am, you might say that.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                         MONA
               Is your car at one of the gas stations? 
                                                                                                                                                                     
                         SIMON
               Yes ma’am, my truck was. But somebody 
               made off with it.

Mona stops folding napkins and walks back up the counter. 
                                                                                                         
                         MONA                                                   
               Did you report it to the Marshal’s                              
               office? 
                                                                                    
                         SIMON
               Yes ma‘am. But I don’t think they 
               believed me. 
                                                                    
                         MONA                                                                                             
               Did you try to make the report to a                      
               big Deputy, named Ray Silas?                               
                                                                                              
                         SIMON
               Unfortunately I did.
                                                          18
                                                                                                                        
                         MONA
               Well, we have a mutual enemy.
               Hi, I’m Mona Willis. And you are?

Mona smiles as she extends her hand.                                                                                 
                                                           
Simon smiles shyly and briefly takes her hand.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                         SIMON
               The name is Simon Horn, ma’am. 
               You said we have a mutual enemy.         
               Deputy Silas?                                               
                                                              
                         MONA                                                            
                  (laughing softly)
               Oh yes… Please excuse my language.                 
               He’s one big, dumb, son-of-a-bitch.                                    
     
                         SIMON
               How does he get away with his                           
               attitude? 

 Mona leans over the counter in front of Simon.          
                                                                                             
                         MONA
               Simon, people here ignore a lot                      
               of things. This isn’t a very
               civic-minded community. 

                         SIMON
               What’s the story on the Marshal?                  
               
                         MONA
               Oh, Sam’s a good honest man. Just               
               doesn’t like problems. I guess                         
               he’s been at the job too long.

Mona walks over to the coffee maker. 

                         MONA (con’t.)                                                              
               The one to watch is our friend,                           
               Ray Silas. More coffee?
                                                                                                                                                                       
                         SIMON
               Yes ma’am.

Mona returns with hot coffee. She fills Simon’s cup.

                                                          19
            
                         MONA                             
               Please drop the ma’am. Just plain Mona.                                 
               (beat)
               Your truck was stolen from which                                
               station? 

Simon smiles as he takes a drink of coffee.                                                 
                                                                                                               
                         SIMON
               The one at the edge of town. I know this
               sounds crazy… But, I went to use the rest                          
               room, when I came out the truck was gone. 
               This guy Les, says there was no truck.                 
                                                                                          
                         MONA
               That’s Les Silas, Deputy Silas’s cousin.               
               For some reason Les is lying. Don’t worry, 
               Sam will straighten it out.
                              
Mona walks back to the coffee maker. Then she returns to folding the napkins and silverware. 
                                                                                                          
                         MONA (con’t.)
               Which direction are you headed in?

                         SIMON
               I’m on the way back our Reservation. 
               (beat)
               My father is a Singer, or a Shaman as 
               he‘s called in your world. I’m his only                      
               son, so it’s the custom to follow in his  
               footsteps. He’ll teach me the blessing way.                                            

INT.- NAVAJO HOGAN - DAYLIGHT - FLASHBACK.

A NAVAJO BOY, seven or eight years old, lies on the dirt floor wrapped in a blanket.

Framed by the sunrise in the open Hogan doorway, stands a tall middle aged NAVAJO MAN. His arms are raised as he faces the sunrise.

His voice rises in a rhythmic chant.

The young boy yawns and rubs his eyes. He smiles and looks  at the man with admiration.

INT.- HALF DOLLAR CAFÉ - PRESENT DAY.
                                                          20
 
Mona smiles at Simon as she works on her napkin folding. She turns and looks out the café window.
                                       
                         MONA                                                            
               Oh no, don’t tell me he’s coming in.                           
               Simon, you better take your coffee 
               back to one of the booths. 
                                                          
Mona throws down her silverware. 
                                                          
                         SIMON                                                                 
               Why? Who’s coming? 

She grabs a glass of water and steps up to the counter. 
                                                                                                                                                                      
                         MONA                                                        
               Ray Silas. Considering your first                        
               meeting, you know he’s going to                                 
               give you some hell. So go.               
                                                                        
                         SIMON                            
               Maybe he‘s coming to tell me they                           
               found my truck.             
          
                         MONA                                                                                       
               I’ll find out why he’s here. Lets                                
               play it safe… Go, PLEASE. 
                                           
Simon grabs his coffee and walks to a back booth. High partitions separate the booths blocking his view up front. 
Ray struts into the Café. He glances around the room. 
                                                                          
                         RAY 
                   (sarcastic)                                                        
               Well, there’s moanin’ Mona.              
                                                                                                                                                              
Ray slides onto a counter stool and leers at Mona.
                                                                                                                                             
                         RAY (Cont.)                                                       
               Anybody make you moan last night?                                             
                                                  
Mona slams a glass of ice water down on the counter.
                                                                    
                         MONA                                                               
               Only moaning you’ll ever hear is when                     
               you’re in the bathroom by yourself.                       
               (beat)                                  
               Now, do you want some lunch? 
                                                          21

Ray pats his stomach. He looks back at the booths.
                                                                                                       
                         RAY                                                                          
               Sorry baby, this is business.                                
               You seem a Navajo, about six 
               foot, early thirties? 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Ray gets up and starts to walk toward the booths, but stops. 
He continues to look toward the rear of the café.
                                                                                                                   
                         MONA                                                                                       
               You know very well there isn’t an                            
               Indian walking around this town.           
               
Ray walks back and leans over the counter in front of Mona.

Mona backs away from the counter
                                                                           
                         RAY                                                                                     
               I ASKED if you had seen him.
                                                              
                         MONA
               NO, I haven’t seen him.                             
               
Ray steps back and throws out his chest with authority. 

                         RAY                                                          
               The son-of-a-bitch is wanted for rape and                               
               murder. The County Sheriff has been 
               notified. I’ll bring him in and just ask a 
               few questions before we turn him over.               
                                                    
                         MONA                                                             
               My God, murder and rape?               
                                                                    
                         RAY
               Yeah, the Porter girl.
                                                               
                         MONA
               Reece Porter's daughter? Damn, she’s                                                                      
               only a kid.

Ray takes a quick look around the room.                  
                                                          
                         RAY                              
               Just sixteen… The bastard took her 
               down to the old gravel pit, did 
               his thing, then killed her.                                                       
                                                          22             
                                                             
                         MONA                                                                                      
               How do you know it was the Indian?                                                        
                                                                
                         RAY
               Her body was in his truck.                                             
               
Ray continues to look around the room. He shows interest in the partitioned booths. 

Ray smiles and pats the gun in his holster.
 
                         RAY (con’t.)
               He’s in town, he’s a dead man. I’ll                  
               save the County the cost of a trial.              
                                                                         
                         MONA
               Wait a minute, you said you just                
               wanted to ask him a few questions. 
               You can’t up and shoot the man.             
                                                                                        
                         RAY 
                     (laughs)                                                                                                
               Why not? He attacked me. I had to                              
               defend myself. 
             
Mona steps forward and grabs the glass of ice water from the counter. 
                                                            
                         MONA                                                            
               Silas, did it ever dawn on you this                                            
               man may be innocent?                                                                                  

                         RAY                                                         
               Ah come on. You know Sally had a little  
               bit of a reputation for bein’ wild. Hell, 
               she was always wanderin’ the streets at                                              
               odd hours. The Indian probably saw her and 
               talked her into takin’ a ride.                                                              
                             
Ray leans over the counter as if to confide in Mona.

Mona is face to face with Ray.

                         Ray (con’t.)
               After he killed her, he panicked. He                                    
               figured if he reported the truck stolen                              
               he had an alibi.
 
                                                         23

Mona backs away and looks at Ray in disgust.

                         MONA
               My God, I can’t believe you’d use                                
               that crap you dreamed up as an
               excuse to shoot a man.                                        
                                         
                         RAY                                  
               Oh, believe it baby. And just wait                  
               till the truck is checked for prints                    
               and a DNA sample.

Ray turns and takes a step towards the booth area.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                         MONA
               Of course if he’s still around town,                              
               he’s a dead man. Right?                                                                          
                                                                                                               
                         RAY                                                       
               They don’t belong in this town.                                          
                                         
                         MONA
               Who are THEY? You mean anybody who                             
               doesn’t have white skin?

Ray turns back to Mona.                                        
                                                                            
                         RAY
               Oh, you know what I mean.                               
                                                            
                         MONA                                                            
               No, I don’t know what you mean.  
               What if he was Chinese?
                                                                 
                         RAY                                                                            
                    (laughing)
               I guess they could ship his dead                           
               ass back to China. 
   
Mona stands staring down at the counter top. Without looking 
up, she speaks in a low, angry, voice.
                                                                 
                         MONA                                                                                                                               
               Deputy Ray Silas, get your rotten                                
               mouth out of here.
                
Mona is still holding the glass of ice water. She draws            back ready to throw it on Ray.
                                                          24

Ray steps back and makes a move toward the booth area.
                                                                                                                                                                                   
                         RAY 
               Yeah… I gotta get goin’. Got to check 
               the other cafes. But first I better 
               check the booths and take a look out  
               the back door.
               
                         MONA               
               I told you I haven’t seen the Indian. 
               Now get out of here before I throw                
               this water on you.

Ray ignores Mona and starts for the rear door. He walks slowly up to the first booth. 

Mona rushes from behind the counter. Ray approaches the second booth. 

Mona catches up to Ray. She grabs Ray’s arm trying to stop him. He pulls free and starts toward the third booth. 

Mona screams as loud as she can. Ray stops dead.

                         RAY
               JESUS. What’s the hell was that for?
             
                         MONA  
               I told you to get out of here. If 
               you don’t leave, I swear I’ll  
               throw this ice water on you and I’ll
               keep screaming as loud as I can.

                         RAY
               Yeah, yeah. You’re bluffin’.

                         MONA
               The hell I am. Try me. Go head, TRY ME.
  
Ray turns and exits quickly. He calls back from the street.  
                                                       
                         RAY                                                                                  
               One of these nights I‘ll nail you.
               You’ll moan, you little bitch. 
                                                         
Mona stands staring out of the window for several seconds
after the patrol car drives away. Then she suddenly remembers Simon and walks quickly to the back booths.
                                                          25

Simon is sitting in the third booth, with his head bowed.

                         SIMON                                                                                                                                                                          
               My God… when you screamed I thought                   
               I was a dead man.
                                                                                          
                         MONA
               I didn‘t know what else to do. Hey, it  
               worked.

Simon is agitated and rubs the sides of his head.

                         SIMON
               I should never have gone to the Marshal.               
               I should’ve called the Highway Patrol.                       

Mona sits down in the booth.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                         MONA
               Simon, stop and think… That wouldn’t                                                                                                                  
               changed the fact the murdered girl                      
               was found in your truck.      

Mona looks over the booth to check the front of the café.

                         SIMON
               But… the deputy said something about                            
               fingerprints, and DNA. That’ll prove 
               I‘m innocent. 
                                                                            
                         MONA                              
               Those things take time. 
               (beat)
               Baby, our problem right now is                             
               keeping you ALIVE until they find 
               out who killed the girl.                                                                                         

Simon looks at Mona in disbelief.
                                                         
                         SIMON                          
               You mean that deputy would actually                           
               shoot me on sight? What about the 
               other deputies?
                               
                         MONA
               YES, he’d shoot you.
               (beat)
               So would the other deputies.                     
                                                          26

Mona again looks up to the front of the café.

                         MONA (con’t.)
               If you were locked up here, you’d never                                                    
               make it through the night. You’d go                              
               down as just one of those jail house
               suicides. 
               (beat)
               I know this all sounds bizarre, but                         
               you’re in my world now. TRUST ME.
                                                                                           
                         SIMON 
               I guess you’re the only person in this
               town I can trust. So, what do I do now?
                            
Simon checks the front of the café. 

Mona thinks for a few seconds and then smiles.                

                         MONA 
               Listen, go out the back door… You’ll                                          
               see my old blue station wagon… The                       
               back seat is folded down… Hide in                                                     
               the back… I’ll leave as soon as Rose
               my relief gets here.                
                            
Simon shakes his head and frowns. 
                                                                                                  
                         SIMON
               Thank you for everything you’ve done.                      
               But I can’t let you get that involved.                                 
                                  
Mona stands up. She glances toward the front of the cafe.                        
                                                         
                         MONA
               Simon, you CAN’T stay here. They’ll
               kill you.                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                         
                         SIMON                                                            
               You‘ve known me, what fifteen minutes?                                         
               Why are you helping me?

                         MONA                                                            
                  (smiling coyly)
               I can’t stand by and see you get shot by
               that dumb ass. Besides, being a waitress 
               makes me a good judge of character. Now                        
               get out the back door. PLEASE. 
                                                          27

Simon hesitates for a second, then smiles in agreement as he turns and walks toward the back door.

INT. STATION WAGON - DAY.

Crawling into the back of the wagon, Simon stretches out.
His body is tense.

Simon‘s eyes quickly scan the station wagon windows. 

INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAY.

Deputy Howie Billings is seated at a desk reading a newspaper when Deputy Ray Silas enters the building.

                         RAY
               Where’s the damn Marshal?

                         HOWIE
               He’s down at the gravel pit with the 
               Coroner. They’re waiting for the 
               County Lab people.

Ray kicks open the waiting area gate. He struts over to his desk.
               
                         RAY
               That damn Indian’s up and disappeared.               

                         HOWIE
               The Marshal is going to be pissed.

                         RAY 
               I don’t know where he is. But he’s  
               lucky, because if I’d found him 
               he’d be one dead bastard.
               
Ray sits down and throws his feet up on his desk.

                         HOWIE
               The Marshal will have your ass if 
               you blow the Indian away… You don’t
               really mean it anyway.

                         RAY 
               Ah, the hell with Sam. He’s just
               waitin’ for his retirement. AND YOU,
               what’s the matter? You a candy ass?
                                                          28

Howie throws the newspaper into a wastebasket.
                                    
                         HOWIE
               I gotta get out on patrol before
               the Marshal comes back and has my 
               CANDY ass for screwing off.

                         RAY 
               You may be the new guy, but you know  
               what to do if you see the Indian.  

Howie frowns as he gets up and walks toward the door.

                         HOWIE
               I doubt YOU got the guts to shoot him.

EXT.  OLD GRAVEL PIT. - DAY.

Marshal Sam Ford is standing by the red pickup truck. The CORONER, a small, middle aged man, is examining the body of Sally Porter. He turns to where Sam is standing.

                         CORONER
               Well Sam, looks like you got your
               work cut out for you. Any suspects?

                         SAM
               Oh, one I guess. Be able to tell
               more when the County boys finish
               with the prints. Think she was raped?
                   
                         CORONER
               Doesn’t look like it. I can tell more
               when the body is back at the lab.
               But she damn sure was strangled.

                         SAM
               Something IS NOT RIGHT. The guy who  
               owns this truck should be the one we’re 
               looking for, but my gut says he didn’t 
               do this… Knowing this damn town I better 
               find him before things get outa hand.  
                
INT. STATION WAGON. - DAY.

Simon is restless as he waits in the rear of the wagon. 

Suddenly there’s the sound of a car door slamming.
                                                          29
                                                            
                         MONA (O.S.)                                                       
                So far, so good, Simon. 

The engine of the station wagon roars to life. Mona drives down the alley. She swings the station wagon out of the alley behind the café and drives slowly down Main Street. 

Braking for a stoplight, Mona glances in the rear view mirror. Slowly pulling up behind her is a patrol car. The grinning face of Ray Silas is visible behind the wheel. 
                                                                                                                        
                        MONA                                                                         
                Stay down Simon. We’ve got company.                         
                                                               
                        SIMON
                What do you mean? 
                                                         
                        MONA
                Ray Silas is behind us.
                
Mona pulls away from stoplight, turns down a side street.                                              
                                                                                                                 
                         SIMON
                What’s he doing? Is he…
                                                                                 
                         MONA
                He’s right on my ass. Okay… I’ve 
                got to be quick about this. I’m going 
                to pull into my driveway and get back 
                to his car before he can get out.
                                               
Mona turns into her driveway. 

She stops, and quickly exits the station wagon.

EXT. PATROL CAR IN DRIVEWAY - DAY.

Mona rushes up to the patrol car. 

Ray rolls down the window, looks her up and down and grins.
                                               
                         RAY                            
                Hi there, sexy little thing. 
                                              
                         MONA                                                                                                                                            
                You following me? 
                                                                             
Ray laughs and reaches out as if to grab her.
                                                        30  
                         
                         RAY
                Bet your sweet ass I am.                          
                                                                                                                                                                           
                         MONA                                                                                       
                    (irritated)
                Why, Ray?
                                                               
                         RAY                                                                            
                Hey, we got a killer loose in town,                               
                and I sure don’t want him layin’
                his hands on you. You’re gonna 
                be all mine one of these days.
                                                                                                                                        
Ray starts to exit the patrol car. 

Mona struggles to keep the car door closed. 

Ray shoves the door open and steps out.
                                                                           
                         MONA                                                                             
                Stop right here. I want you to                                 
                quit harassing me.
        
                         RAY
                Harassin’ you? I was just gonna
                check out the house.                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                         
                         MONA
                There’s no one hiding in my house.                                       
                I’ve had a long day. My feet are         
                tired, I’m going to take a nap.                                     
                (beat)
                Now, get the hell out of here or          
                I’ll call the Marshal.
                                            
Ray steps around Mona and starts to walk up the driveway.
                                                                
                         RAY                                                       
                Oh come on, Mona… Why don’t I come                    
                in and take that nap with you. I’ll 
                make you forget those tired feet.
                              
Mona tries to grab Ray by the arm. He pulls away.

                         RAY (con’t.)  
                I’ll have that cute ass of yours                           
                bouncin’ all over the bed. 

                                                          31
                          
Mona attempts to slap Ray. He sidesteps her hand.
                                                                                             
                         MONA                                                                  
                You step one foot more toward the
                house, I’ll call the County Sheriff.                           
                
Mona positions herself between Ray and the house.

                         MONA (con’t.)
                I’ll have your butt in a sling so fast                      
                it’ll make your head swim. YOU GOT IT?                                                             
                                                                           
Ray walks back to the car, gets in and slams the door.
  
                         RAY                                                            
                Nobody threatens me… you fuckin’ 
                bitch. Just remember, I know your                                
                little secret. You owe me big time, 
                and I’m gonna collect.                                                                                                                   
                                
Ray puts the patrol car in gear and steps on the gas. The car careens down the street.  

Mona watches the car turn the corner. She turns, walks slowly toward the house, glancing back down the street. 

Mona reaches the side door to the house and unlocks it. 

She opens the rear door of the station wagon.

                         MONA     
                Quick, in the house.

Simon rolls out of the wagon. He steps through the doorway. 
                                                          
INT. MONA’S KITCHEN - DAY.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Simon stands in a small, neat kitchen. Mona closes and locks the door behind them.
                                                               
                         MONA
               Damn, that was a close call.
                                        
                         SIMON                          
               What happened out there?                
                                                                                                                                                     Mona motions toward a small kitchen table. 
                                          
                                                          32
                                                                                                                  
                         MONA                           
               Have a seat… Oh, the same old                        
               crap. Would you like some coffee?                       
               I think I could use some. 

Simon slumps down in one of the kitchen chairs. 
                                                              
                         SIMON
               I’ll take a cup since you’re making                           
               it. Why do you put up him?                                                                             
                              
Mona is busy with the coffee maker.               
                                                       
                         MONA         
               That’s a long story, Simon… It all                      
               started a little over a year ago, 
               shortly after I lost my husband.                             
                                                          
                         SIMON
               I’m sorry.

Mona leaves the coffee maker and stares out the window.
                                                               
                         MONA
               Oh baby, that’s life I guess. 
               (beat)
               Nick and I met in college. I was a          
               not too serious commercial art major.                      
               He was in business administration.                              
               Nick was born and raised here in                       
               Prosperity. In fact, right in this  
               house.
               (beat)
               He convinced me the West was the place 
               for an artist.                                                                                                                    

                         SIMON
               What happened to Nick? 
                                                             
                         MONA
               We were here… about two weeks.
               (beat) 
               The bank where Nick worked sent him
               to Flagstaff on business. That day                                        
               there was a blizzard.
               (beat)
               It was a seven-car pile up. Nick 
               was killed instantly… so they said.                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                          33    
                                                                           
                         SIMON
               Did he leave any family?

Mona goes back to the coffee maker and pours two cups. 
                                                              
                         MONA
               No, his parents are dead. 

She sits down at the table with the coffee. 

                         SIMON
               You should get outa this town.

Mona is silent for a second. She stares into her coffee cup.

                         MONA                                                                                                                                                                              
               Oh, since Nick died I’ve thought                              
               about selling the house and moving.                
               But, it’s hard to start over in a                                       
               strange place all by yourself. Who 
               knows, maybe someday I’ll get up                                                                                                    
               the courage to move.  
               (beat)
               I suppose if the right person came     
               along, that would make the move easier.                           
                         
Mona gets up and takes Simon by the hand. He appears  embarrassed by her touch, bewildered by the attention.                                  
                
                         MONA (con’t.)                          
               Come, I’ll show you my studio. 
                            
INT. MONA’S STUDIO - DAY.                                        
                         
Simon walks into a room cluttered with the tools of an artist. Two easels stand in the middle of the room.  

                         Simon
               I’m impressed, I see you’re 
               serious about your painting.

                         MONA 
               Oh, I hang in there. But back to 
               your problem.              

Mona points to an old rocking chair. Simon sits down. 

Mona pulls a paint stained stool up to his chair. 
                                                          34

                         MONA (con’t.)
               Is there anyone on the Reservation 
               you can call? Anyone who can get                          
               you out of town?           

                         SIMON
               No, my family doesn’t have a phone.
               (beat)
               But I have an old friend in Flagstaff.
               His name is Jim Eagle. He went to the
               Reservation school with me… I think I 
               still have his number in my wallet.

Mona stands up and turns toward the kitchen.
        
                         MONA
               There’s the phone on the table by 
               your chair. Give him a call. I’ll
               be out in the kitchen.

ENT. KITCHEN.- DAY.

Mona pours a cup of coffee and sits down at the kitchen table. 

She stares at the cup, her fingers tap on the table.

She gets up with a frown and walks back to the studio.

ENT. STUDIO.- DAY. 

Simon hangs up the phone and looks up with a smile.

                         SIMON 
               I reached Jim. He’ll be here tomorrow
               night around ten or eleven. He’ll call  
               when he gets in town. Jim says he 
               knows a good lawyer in Flagstaff.                      
               
                         MONA
               Great, now you can stay here and                         
               play it safe. Tomorrow night you’ll                                  
               be in Flagstaff.

                         SIMON                                                         
               You know… I‘ve been thinking, there                          
               are two people who know what really                                  
               happened, Les Silas and the murderer.                                   
                                                          35
                                                                                      
                         MONA                                                                                    
               You’ve always said Les Silas lied                          
               about the truck. How did you know                                                                                                          
               it was Les? You never met him                       
               before.                         
                                                                      
                         SIMON                           
               He had on a shirt with one of those                       
               nametags. 
                      
                         MONA
               There’s no way you could have known, 
               but Les has a twin, Lee.                          
                                                               
Simon sits bewildered. 

Suddenly he remembers something.
                                                         
                         SIMON
               When I came out of the rest room,  
               the guy had on a pair of mechanics                                
               coveralls. They covered up the nametag                                                  
               on the shirt. I just assumed he was…                                                            
                                                                                                                      
                         MONA
               So you can’t be sure whom you talked                         
               to, Les or his brother Lee.
               (beat)
               I wonder… is it possible one of them                             
               took the truck and the other is                 
               covering for his brother? 
                                                
                         SIMON                         
               Oh my God… You mean I’ve got the Silas                
               brothers trying to pin a murder on me, 
               and cousin Ray out to shoot me? 
                                                                                              
Mona walks over to an easel holding an unfinished oil of a man‘s profile. She drops a cover over the painting.
                                                                     
                         MONA                                                        
               I’m afraid so. Now another question 
               comes to mind. Does Deputy Ray Silas   
               know what his cousins are up to?

INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAY.
 
Deputy JOE ROLLINS, thirty, average build, quick tempered, 
                                                          36

surly, walks in the front door. Howie Billings looks up from his desk.

                         HOWIE
              Hey Joe, how you doing?

                         JOE
              What the hell you so happy bout?

                         HOWIE 
              I just asked how you were doing.

                         JOE 
              Well, don’t ask… Anybody shoot that 
              damn Indian yet?

                         HOWIE
              Of course not… You sound like Ray.
              No one is going to shoot anybody.

                         JOE
              Yeah, least of all you. You’re too much
              of a little kiss ass. Ain’t you?

                         HOWIE
              I guess you’re right. You and Ray. The 
              office is all yours, Joe.                                                           
                                                                                     
Howie gets up from his desk and walks out the front door.                         
                    
INT. MONA’S LIVING ROOM - DAY.

The living room is small with a large sofa, a coffee table, and chair. On the wall facing the sofa, is a small brick fireplace. Several oil landscapes hang on the walls. Mona places newspaper and kindling in the fireplace. She sets it ablaze. 

Simon is stretched out on the sofa.
                                                                                                                                                                                     
                         MONA                                                                                                                                   
               I usually bring something home from                                                   
               the cafe and reheat it for dinner.                 
               But today I forgot. I’ll have to go
               back and pick up something.                                                                     
 
                         SIMON                           
               I’m not really that hungry.                                                             
                                                          37
                         MONA 
                     (smiling)                                
               Simon, we have to eat.

Mona turns and walks into the kitchen. Relaxing on the sofa, Simon watches the flames dancing in the fireplace. His eyes slowly close.

INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE.- NIGHT.

Sam sits at his desk. He’s reading a file. 

Deputy Joe Rollins opens the office door without knocking.

                         JOE 
               I‘m goin’ out on patrol. As if it made
               any difference to anybody round here.
               Jake better not come in late tonight.

Joe slams the office door.

Sam sits and stares at the office door and then shakes his head. 

Sam closes the file marked Coroner’s Report. 

Sam swings his chair around and looks out the office window.
Through the darkness headlights can be seen moving up into the distant mountains.

                         SAM 
               Simon Horn, where in the hell are you?  
               (beat)
               If you made it up to the Reservation
               they’ll never find you in that country.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
INT. HALF DOLLAR KITCHEN - NIGHT.  
                                                                                                                                        
Mona pushes her way through the kitchen swinging door. 

The smiling face of HENRY TOMS greets her. Henry is about sixty, short and balding. He has a slight speech impediment.
                                                                  
                         HENRY
               Hellllo there lady. You’re earrrly.                          
                                                                                                                           
                         MONA
               Oh, I don’t think I’ll eat with you                      
               guys tonight. I’m tired.                                                                                                                                                     
                                                          38
                        
Henry begins loading a dishwasher. Mona starts getting plastic containers down from a shelf.

                         HENRY                                                                              
               Looooks like I’ll be dinin’ by myself.                      
               Rose has innnformed me she has a                                                                 
               hoooot one tonight. 
          
                         MONA                                                                                     
               Yeah, I saw her on the way in… Well,                
               I’ll just settle for the chicken and                   
               some biscuits.
                                                                       
                         HENRY
               Help yourself, darlin’.                                                                 
                   
Mona starts putting food in containers. She places the last
container in a large paper sack. 

Mona pours a cup of coffee and sits down at an old table. 
                                                                
                         MONA
               Henry, you heard anymore about                    
               the Sally Porter murder?
                                                                                                                           
                         HENRY                                  
               Old Reece Porter is all liquored up…                       
               drivin’ around town wiiiiith a gun.
               All we neeeed is him to shoooot some
               innocent towns folk. 
                                                                                                   
ROSE COLLINS, swings through the kitchen door with a grin.                                                          Rose is in her mid-twenties, a pretty girl, a little on the stout side.
                                                                                                                     
                         ROSE                                                                                                                                                      
               That was the last customer. I’ll start             
               cleanin’ up. God, I’m tinglin’ all over                            
               thinkin’ about my new cutie.                            
               
Rose notices the large sack of food sitting on the table.
                                                                
                         ROSE (Cont.)
               Whose the big takeout order for?
                                                            
                         HENRY                                
               That’s not a taaaaakeout order. 
               Belongs to Mona.
                                                          39

Rose tries to look in the sack. 
                                                                    
                         ROSE                                                           
                    (laughing)
               My God, that’s enough to feed an 
               army. You havin’ a party? 

                         MONA                                                                                                                                               
               No, no babe, no party tonight.
                                                
                         ROSE
               Oh, I bet you’ve got a man. I bet             
               you’re havin’ a party.
                                          
                         MONA
               No man, no party. Sorry. Just
               another quiet night at home.
              
                         ROSE
                    (giggling)
               We’re gonna swing by and check 
               on you. You’re hidin’ somethin’.

Rose exits through the swinging door. 

Henry looks at Mona and shakes his head.

INT. MONA’S HOUSE - NIGHT.

Mona enters and turns on the kitchen light. 

She puts the food on the kitchen table, and walks into the living room.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.
                            
Simon sits on the sofa rubbing his eyes. 
                                                                          
Simon stands up, yawns, and stretches. 
                                                          Mona moves in close to Simon. She smiles and places her hands on his shoulders.

                         MONA 
               Come in the kitchen and lets eat. 
               Then we can have our coffee by the 
               fireplace.

                                                          40

INT. ROOMING HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT.

Sam Ford is looking in an old refrigerator in the dimly lit kitchen. Suddenly Martha appears in the doorway to the kitchen. 

                         MARTHA
               Supper’s six every night. 

Sam is startled by her voice.

                         SAM
               Don’t sneak up on me like that… 
               Yeah, I know what time it’s
               served. 

                         MARTHA 
               Oh, I suppose you’ve had a long day
               an’ your stomach’s growlin’. Sit down.
               I’ll heat up somethin’… MEN.    

Sam slumps down in a kitchen chair.

                         SAM
               Martha, marry me and we can run off
               to the mountains and fish all day.

                         MARTHA
               Just what you need, an old woman in 
               your life to clean your damn fish.                       

Martha begins breaking some eggs in a iron skillet.

                         SAM
               I suppose you heard about Sally Porter?

                         MARTHA
               Course I did. The tongues were waggin’ 
               before the body was cold.

                         SAM
               That figures. I suppose you also heard
               about the Indian?

Martha starts a pot of coffee, then goes back to the eggs.                                                         

                         MARTHA
              Yep. Did he do it?
                                                          41

                         SAM
              I don‘t think so… I need to find
              that young man. 
              (beat)
              I don’t understand why he didn’t  
              come back to the office, or why
              the deputies can’t find him.

                         MARTHA
              My God, he’s an Indian in a strange 
              town. A white girl’s found dead in
              his truck. Did you expect to find him
              standin’ on the street corner? He’s 
              back on the Reservation by now.

                         SAM
              I got one question. How did he find 
              out about the murder?
                               
INT. MONA’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.

Simon puts a log on the fire, then relaxes on the sofa. 

He appears deep in thought when suddenly Mona settles into the sofa beside him with two mugs of coffee. 

She places the mugs on the coffee table.
                                                                                                                    
                         MONA                                                            
                     (purring)
               What are you thinking about? 
                                                                                                                                      
                         SIMON
               How well do you know Les Silas?              
                                 
                         MONA
               Oh, he’s always in some kind of 
               trouble. Spends a lot of time               
               at Jerry‘s Bar.               

 There’s a knock at the front door. Rose’s voice calls out. 

                         ROSE (O.S.)
               I’m gonna crash your little party.                                                                                                                
                                                                                             
                         MONA
               Into the studio, Simon. I’ll get 
               rid of her.
                                                          42
               
Simon grabs his mug from the coffee table and hurries into the dark studio. 

Mona walks to the front door, pulls back the door curtain.

                         MONA (con’t.)
               Hi Rose, I was just getting ready to 
               take a shower. Whata you doing here                                  
               at this hour? Why aren’t you home 
               making mad passionate love?
               
Mona closes the door curtain.                

                         ROSE (O.S.)
                      (giggling)
               Oh, I will be. But I decided to see
               what you’re up to. Gota meet this
               stud you’re shackin’ up with. 

Mona stands to one side of the door window.

                         MONA
               Come on, give me a break. There’s                                
               no guy, and I’m beat. I’ll see you 
               tomorrow. Okay?              
             
Rose giggling in the background.

                         ROSE (O.S.)
               Yeah, better get home before my man
               gets there. Don’t want him coolin’ off.

Increased giggling from Rose as she leaves.
 
Mona waits a few seconds, and looks out the door window.   

She turns and walks back to the sofa.
 
                         Mona
               She’s gone.

Simon walks out of the studio holding his coffee mug.

                         SIMON
               What is she doing here?
               
                         MONA 
               It’s a long story. Come sit down.
                                                          43

Simon sits on the sofa. He’s clearly agitated.

                         MONA (con’t,)
               The girl’s gone, baby. Settle down.

                         SIMON
               I’ve got to get out of this town.

Simon stands up and begins pacing in front of the fireplace.

                         MONA
               You will, take it easy. Now, 
               you asked about Les Silas.          

                         SIMON
               You said he’s usually at Jerry’s Bar. 
               What time does the place close?
               
                         MONA                                                                           
               Maybe around eleven o’clock. Why?

Simon sits down and takes a drink of coffee.
                                                                
                         SIMON                                                                       
               Les knows what happened today. 
                                               
                         MONA
               So? What are you thinking?                

                         SIMON
               Well… if he’s really drunk… I can                 
               probably handle him.
               (beat)                                                                         
               After I find out what I wanta 
               know, he’ll be so disoriented                                     
               it’ll take him time to find Ray. 

Simon gets up and walks to the front door window. He looks around the window curtain.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                         MONA                                                                                                                                              
               Jesus… you serious about finding Les?                            

                         SIMON
               Yeah, I am. What does Les drive?
                             
                         MONA                             
               An old Jeep. 
                                                          44

                         SIMON
               If I can grab him before he gets
               to his jeep, maybe I can get the  
               truth out of him. Then I’ll have 
               some information to give the 
               lawyer in Flagstaff.
               (beat)
               Well, forget that. There’s no way to 
               get to the bar and back here.             

Simon resumes pacing. 
                                  
                         MONA
               I have a pickup truck. 

Simon stops pacing. He’s surprised.

                         SIMON
               You… have… a pickup?                                         

                         MONA
               Yeah, it’s in the garage back on              
               the alley. Just an old truck with                        
               gray prime paint on it. Nick was                                
               restoring it before he was killed. 
               
 Simon is satisfied with the answer and looks at his watch. 
                                                         
                         MONA (con’t.)                                     
               I intended to tell you about the                                                
               truck because you could’ve taken it
               to the Reservation. But after you 
               called your friend in Flagstaff, 
               I didn’t see any need.                     

He sits down and stares into the fire. 

He looks at his watch again. He’s restless.

                         SIMON 
               That’s all right. 
               (beat)
               I’d never run the risk of dragging
               you into this by getting caught                       
               on the Interstate in your truck. 
                                                                                                                           
Mona thinks for a second.

                                                          45

                         MONA  
               I think you’ll be safe driving the 
               truck to the bar. But promise me 
               if anything goes wrong you‘ll 
               leave there and come back here                               
               right away.                           
                             
                         SIMON                                                 
               Oh, I will. I hope no one sees me in 
               your truck… I probably shouldn’t go.

Simon gets up and resumes pacing.

                         MONA
               No, GO. 
               (beat)
               I guess you could just go head and…                      
               take the truck to the Reservation.                                

                         SIMON
                     (smiles)  
               I told you there’s no way I’d take your
               truck. Forget it. Jim will be here. 
                
                         MONA 
               All right… The best way is down the
               alley to Main Street. Three blocks   
               passed the Café you’ll see Jerry’s Bar. 
               It’s the first bar on Main. 
               
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT.                                                          
               
The two walk slowly through the kitchen to the side door.
   
Simon stops by the door and looks into her eyes. He is hesitant but then gently touches her cheek.
               
                         SIMON                                                         
               How can I ever thank you?

He turns, steps through the side door. 

Mona closes the door, smiles and turns out the light.

INT. OLD TRUCK - NIGHT.                              

Simon drives pass the dark buildings on Main. A small neon sign glows red, JERRY‘S BAR. 
                                                          46

He sees an alley by the bar and turns into it. As he turns, he sees Les‘s Jeep parked on the corner of Main and the alley. 

Switching off the headlights, Simon pulls behind the bar and parks the old gray truck.  

Simon sits in the truck for a few seconds, thinking. 

He opens the truck door.                                         
                                                                 
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT.
                                                             Simon exits the truck and blends into the shadows. The alley way glistens as a light rain begins to fall. 

Slipping through the darkness to the end of the alley, Simon finds a small recessed doorway in the brick wall of the bar. The old door is bricked over. 

Stepping back into the alcove, he has a view of the sidewalk and the front of the Jeep.

Standing hidden in the shadows, Simon waits. 

Suddenly, from around the corner, comes the sound of the bar door opening and closing. Simon tenses his body as he waits.

There are the sounds of several voices. Car doors slam and the car drives away. 

Simon shivers from the chill of the night air. Main Street
is silent except for an occasional buzzing noise from the bar’s neon sign. A light rain continues to fall.

Out of the night comes the sound of a car. It parks behind the Jeep. Headlights go off.

Pressed up against the wall Simon waits. Again there is the sound of the bar door opening and closing.

In the entrance to the alley, appears a very drunk Les Silas. 

As Les stumbles toward the Jeep a figure appears on the other side of the alley entrance. 

The figure sweeps Les back into the shadow of the alley, and
                                                          47

up against the brick wall next to Simon’s alcove. 

They’re out of Simon’s sight, but so close he can hear them breathing and see the steam from their breath.

                         LES (O.S.)                                                          
                      (slurred)  
               Jesus, what the hell… did ya up…                         
               and do that for?

                         RAY (O.S.)
               You little piss ant, I oughta snap                         
               your skinny neck.                                                                                                                                         

Simon catches his breath when he hears Ray’s voice. 

He presses back against the brick wall.                                                         

                         Les (O.S.)
                      (slurred)
               Why, what… did I do… Ray?

                         RAY (O.S.)
               Cousin, or not. You lie to me,               
               I’ll beat your rotten ass half to                 
               death, right here, right now.

                         LES (O.S.)
                      (slurred)
               No, no, please… don’t hurt me.                                                                 
       
                         RAY  (O.S.)                                                                  
               You stupid son-of-a-bitch, did
               you kill that Porter girl?  
           
                         LES (O.S.)
                     (whimpering)
               No, why would I wanna… kill… her?               

A loud crack echoes down the alley, as Ray’s open hand slaps Les’s face. 

Simon winches at the sound. 

He tries to press farther back into the alcove.

                         RAY (O.S.)                                                       
               Don’t lie to me, you little shit.                  
                                                          48
           
                         LES (O.S.)
                     (sobbing)
               I’m ain’t lyin. All I done… was                  
               screw her… couple times.

                         RAY (O.S.)
               I don’t believe this, you stupid 
               ass. You mean you were ballin’ a                   
               sixteen-year-old kid?   
                                                                                                                         
                         LES (O.S.)
                     (very slurred)
               Oh, you know how she was… always                  
               skippin’ school… The little slut was                              
               always hangin’… round the station in                         
               the mornin’. She wanted it.              
                                                                                                 
                         RAY (O.S.)      
               You know who took that Indian‘s 
               pickup, don’t you? 

Simon leans forward to hear better.

                         LES (O.S.)                                                                             
               She took it.

Simon’s expression is one of shock. 

Simon moves back in the alcove. 

                         RAY (O.S.)
               She took the truck? Why?

                         LES (O.S.)
                    (drunken laugh) 
               Cause… I told her… to.
                              
Les coughs and gags several times. 

                         LES (con’t)
               We was foolin’ round in the station                
               office when he drives up. While I was 
               finishin’ puttin’ gas in the truck she
               comes waltzin’ out. I told her to take                             
               the thing for a ride.                                  
               (beat)                              
               The keys was right there… I told her 
               to dump it somewhere when she was done.
                                                          49

Simon in the alcove, drops his head down in disbelief.              
   
                         Ray (O.S.)
               You stupid ass, did you think the                   
               guy would just laugh about his truck                     
               bein’ taken?
               
                         LES (O.S.)
                     (defiant)  
               Nobody round this town is gonna 
               believe him… I sent him down to
               see ya… I knew ya’d figure out… 
               some way to handle him.        
               (beat)
               How was I suppose to know the bitch 
               were gonna get killed?

Ray slams Les up against the wall again, so hard it knocks
the wind out of him. Les is gasping for breath.

Ray, Les, and Simon in his hiding place, are now all in view in the alley.

                         RAY                                          
               So you figured your good old cousin                       
               would clean up the mess you made with                             
               your little joke. Like I said, I ought                
               to beat the shit out of you.                                      
               (beat)                    
               But you’re lucky. Cause I’m gonna make                                                         
               sure this Horn goes down for the murder.                                    

The rainfall begins to increase.              

                         LES 
               I wonder… who did up and kill her?

                         RAY  
               I don’t care who did it. I’ve got                 
               an election for Marshal comin’ up 
               next year. I want this whole mess 
               cleaned up. 
               
                         LES  
               Well… how are ya gonna make sure 
               the Indian takes the fall? Oh yeah,
               and what you gonna do bout that 
               married bitch? She’s trouble.
                                                          50

Simon inches forward to hear better as Les sounds weaker.

                         RAY  
               You’re goin’ to get on the stand,                                      
               and tell your little story. Remember?                 
               You’ve never laid eyes on that Indian,                  
               or his truck… Forget that bitch. I got                   
               plans for her… Where was Lee while                                   
               you were havin’ your fun?                                                                     
               
                         LES                                                            
               Oh, Lee don’t come to work… until                    
               round… eleven.                                

                         RAY 
               But he came in early this mornin’ to
               help you work on the Jeep. Right?                     
              
Les gags and moans.

                         LES  
               No, he didn’t come… in early.

                         RAY  
               YES HE DID, And when Lee gets on                                                                                                                
               the stand he’s gonna back you up.                  

                         Les  
                    (weak, slurred)
               Oh… I see… but what if he don’t                         
               want… to do it?

                         RAY  
               What did you say?                                                
 
The sound of Ray’s fist crashing against the side of Les’s 
head causes Simon to flinch. 

Ray holds Les up against the wall inches from Simon’s hiding place.
                                                                                                                                      
                         Les 
                    (weak and sobbing)
               Please… don’t hit me… no more.
               We’ll do it.

Ray is right in Les’s face as he holds him against the wall.

                                                          51

                         RAY                                                                               
               Not that I give a damn, but do                                                                                                                                         
               you think cousin Lee had anything                 
               to do with the killin’? You said                         
               he didn’t come to work until                     
               around noon.

                         LES 
                     (whining)
               Hell, I don’t know… He was screwin’
               round with her a while back. 

                         RAY 
               Oh well, it’s not important now.                      
               What’s done, is done. Just remember              
               cousin, we all stick together. I’m            
               always been there to hold things 
               together. Right?                 
                                                                        
Les begins to retch.

                         LES
               Yeah, yeah… right… All stick
               together. 

                         RAY  
               You’re a waste.

Simon stands frozen as Ray Silas leaves the alley. 

There’s the sound of a car driving away.

Simon listens as Les vomits. Finally there’s silence.  

He peers cautiously around the corner of the alcove.
                                                        
He sees Les stumbling toward the Jeep. 

Simon waits for the noise of an engine starting.  

There’s silence, only the buzzing from the bar’s neon sign.

Simon steps out into alley, and walks slowly to the corner. 

At a point where Simon can see the front seat of the Jeep, he stops. 

Les is slumped over the steering wheel, passed out.
                                                          52

Simon returns to the pickup.                                                         

INT. OLD TRUCK - NIGHT.

Simon starts the truck and drives back down the alley. 

As Simon turns onto Main Street, he sees Les, still passed out. 

He drives slowly down Main Street. 

A stoplight turns red as Simon reaches an intersection. He looks nervously in the rear view mirror. 

The street is deserted and the rainfall is heavy.              

                         SIMON                                 
                     (mumbling)                      
               Come on light change.

As the light turns green Simon drives forward. 

The windshield wipers whip back and forth. 

Driving toward Simon through the rain is a police patrol car.

Simon drives slowly up Main Street.  

In the rear view mirror he sees the patrol car turn around and drive in his direction.

                         SIMON
                     (muttering)
               Oh God, what do I do now?

In Simon’s rear view mirror the lights of the patrol car  
come on, casting an eerie red light in the rain. 

Simon pulls over to the side of the street. The rain is now blinding on the truck windows. 

Simon’s eyes search in the truck cab.

Simon reaches under the truck seat. His hand searches franticly. He comes up empty handed.

Simon opens the glove compartment. His hand pulls out a
                                                          53

small caliber pistol.

Simon checks the pistol. It’s loaded

Simon sits holding the pistol down at his side.

The patrol car pulls in behind the pickup truck. 

The car door opens and the deputy steps out into the rain. 

The deputy hesitates by the open car door. The deputy suddenly jumps into the car and closes the door. 

The patrol car pulls out and speeds away with red lights flashing. 

Simon slumps in the truck seat. 

He throws the pistol back into the glove compartment.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.

Mona is deep in thought on the sofa. She has a frown on her face. She glances at her watch. 

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT.

Mona walks into the kitchen and starts a pot of coffee. 

She sits down at the kitchen table, in the darkness, and waits. She appears agitated.

There’s the sound of a truck engine and then footsteps. 

The side door opens and Simon steps in, quickly closing the
door behind him. He sits down at the table. 
   
The only light in the room comes from a small red light on the coffee maker.                                                   
                                                                    
                         SIMON                                                                            
               Well, I FINALLY made it back.

                         MONA                                                                   
               I’d begin to wonder. Go in by
               the fire, we’ll have coffee.
               (beat)
               You can tell me what happened.
                                                          54
                                                                     
Simon gets up and walks toward the living room.                     
                                                                        
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.
                                                                 Simon settles down on the sofa. 

He holds his hands out to the warmth of the fireplace. 
  
Mona enters with the coffee and slides in next to him. 

                         MONA
               Okay, I’m listening. Did you find                
               Les Silas?                                                         

                         SIMON
               Oh yes, I found him. But I didn’t                                    
               talk to him.
                                                          
                         MONA
                    (frowning)
               I don’t understand. 
               
                         SIMON
               You’re not going to believe what                
               happened tonight… I don’t.
                                                                                                                                                                                EXT. MAIN STREET - LES’S JEEP - NIGHT.
                                   
LEE SILAS, Les’s twin, is shaking his brother, and shouting in Les’s ear.                                                                                                                  
                                                           
                         LEE                                                      
               Come on wake up.

                         LES
               Okay, okay, I’m awake. Jesus, stop  
               shakin’ me. 
      
                         LEE                                                            
               What happened to the side of yer                                 
               head? It‘s all swelled up. What did                                    
               ya do, fall down?

                         LES
               No, I didn’t FALL DOWN, dammit. Our                                                                                                                                                    
               son-of-a-bitchin’ cousin Ray beat    
               the crap outa me.
         
                                                          55
                     
                         LEE
               What for?

                         LES
               Ah, it’s all bout the Indian.                                 

Lee steadies his brother as Les struggles out of the Jeep.
Les leans against the Jeep. 

                         LEE
               I thought all he wanted was to shoot                            
               the bastard.
            
                         LES 
               I reckon he didn’t get a chance. So  
               now he wants us to be witnesses 
               against the Indian.                 
                         
Lee grabs his brother’s arm.

                         LEE 
               Come on, get in the car. Ya can                       
               pick up the Jeep later.                    
                                                                                                                                                 
INT. LEE’S CAR - NIGHT.                                                                                  
                                                                         
                         LES                                              
               Ya didn’t up an’ kill that little                             
               Porter slut, did ya?

                         LEE
               Why would I wanta kill her?
                     
                         LES
               I don’t know… Ya up an’ done 
               crazy shit before. Remember? 

                         LEE
               Leave it alone, brother.             
                           
Les holds his head as the car pulls away from the curb.

INT. MONA’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.

Simon is stretched out on the sofa. The fireplace embers light the room. Mona walks into the room with a pillow. She has changed from her street clothes into a loose fitting robe. 
                                                          56

She bends over to place the pillow under Simon’s head, the robe falls open. She is sans clothing under the robe. 

Mona quickly pulls the robe closed. She smiles playfully. 

Mona turns away and walks slowly out of the room.

Simon lies on the sofa with his eyes wide open, startled, and staring straight up at the ceiling.

BLACKOUT

INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAY.                 
                                                                                       
As Sam Ford steps through the door, DEPUTY JAKE WILSON looks up from his paperwork, then at his watch. Jake is tall, thin, about forty-five. He’s an easy going type. 

                         JAKE                                                 
               My God, Marshal… What are you                            
               doin’ in here so early?

                         SAM
               Oh, a dog up the street. The son-                                                                       
               of-a-bitch barked all night. Kept                                 
               me up, dammit… Quiet last night?                                                          

                         Jake
               Routine. I stopped a pickup with a
               burned out taillight, but before I 
               could give him a warnin’ I had a call 
               on a accident out on the Interstate. By             
               the time I got there the Highway Patrol               
               was coverin’ it.

                         SAM
               When Howie gets in, tell him I
               said to call the County Sheriff.                    
               Check to see if there’s any word                   
               on that Simon Horn. I think he’s 
               made it back to the Reservation.
               (beat)
               I’m gonna grab some breakfast.
                                                                          Sam opens the door to leave, the phone rings. Jake answers. 

                         JAKE  
               Marshal’s office.  
                                                          57
                                                          
Jake appears to grow slightly agitated. Finally he hangs up.

                         SAM
               What’s the matter?
                                 
                         JAKE
               Oh, that was old Billy Spears    
               at the Prosperity Motel. All I                        
               could make out was something                              
               about cabin number eight bein’                                                                                                                                          
               bad, bad, bad. 
            
                         SAM
               I’ll check it out. You finish                                 
               your paperwork.                                       

INT. MONA’S LIVING ROOM - DAY. 
 
Simon throws back the quilt and sits up on the sofa.  

He turns to see Mona standing in the studio doorway.

                         MONA
                   (Soft whisper)
               Good morning, what can I offer you?                                                   
               (beat)
               Would some fresh coffee help?
    
                         SIMON
               Oh yes. I could use some.
                                                               
Mona walks over to Simon with a coy smile. 

He slips on his shoes. 

Mona reaches out and brushes back his disheveled hair.

She stands close to him and rubs Simon’s shoulders. 

Her hair is still wet from the shower. The clean waitress uniform clings tightly to her body, leaving little to the imagination. 

                         MONA
                   (seductively)                                               
               How about some bacon and eggs                      
               to go with it? 

                                                          58

Simon tries to cover his body’s temptation with a quilt. He remains seated and appears embarrassed.

                         SIMON                                              
               Bacon and eggs would be fine,                        
               if you have the time.

She notices his attempt. She turns and walks slowly toward the kitchen with coy smile on her face.
                                                                                
INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

Mona sets a cup of coffee in front of Simon as he slumps in a chair.                                                              

                         MONA
               I’m gonna stop at the real estate
               office. I’m giving them a listing                               
               on the house. I decided last night.
 
Mona busies herself with the bacon and eggs.

                         MONA (con’t.)          
               I think the opportunity to get out 
               of this town has presented itself.
               (beat) 
               I believe I’ve found a place to go.                                      
                                                                           
INT. MARSHAL’S CAR - DAY.

Turning into the motel driveway Sam sees BILLY SPEARS in front of one of the cabins. Billy is small, very thin, balding, about sixty. He’s staggering around in a circle, waving his arms in the air. 

Sam parks by the office and exits car.

EXT. MOTEL - DAY.
                                                                    Sam walks toward the raving Billy. He reaches out slowly and grabs one of the man’s flailing arms. 

Billy staggers to a stop in Sam’s grasp.
                                                                                                                                                      
                         SAM                                                    
               Everything is okay now, Billy.                       
               Settle down. Tell me what’s wrong.
 
                                                          59

Billy’s eyes roll from side to side, as he points to the open door of cabin 8. Billy is very drunk.

                         BILLY 
                    (Whispering)                                                    
               Bad… Bad… Bad.

                         SAM
               Listen to me, Billy. I want you                      
               to go back to the office and wait                                    
               there. Do you understand? 

Billy’s baldhead nods and he stumbles off toward the office 
cabin, muttering incoherently. 

Sam walks slowly up to the open door of cabin 8. 

INT. CABIN 8 - DAY
                                                          
With gun drawn, Sam steps cautiously through the doorway.                                                           
His eyes quickly sweep the dark, shabby, room. 

He walks to the bathroom, which is small, dirty, and empty. 

Returning to the bed, Sam stands looking down at the body. The bed sheet is twisted around the lower half of her nude body. Sam pulls the sheet up to cover her.

Sam returns the gun to its holster. 

He surveys the clothing strewn about the room. On the floor is an empty suitcase, in one corner stands a battered guitar case. 

Sam looks around the room and then exits the cabin.                           
                                                                
INT. MOTEL OFFICE - DAY.

Sam steps into the small office.
 
Sitting in an old over stuffed chair is the small, thin, frame of Billy. He’s snoring. On a small table beside the chair is an empty whiskey bottle. Next to the bottle sits a glass half full of what appears to be whiskey. Immersed in the amber liquid is a set of false teeth.

Walking around the office counter, Sam checks a metal file hanging on the wall. He pulls a blank card out of the slot
                                                          60

marked number eight. He shakes his head and drops the card back in the slot. 

Sam picks up the phone and dials.
                                                           
                         SAM                            
               This is Marshal Ford. Let me talk              
               to the Coroner.                                                  

INT. CABIN 8 - DAY.
                                                                 Stepping back into the cabin, Sam pulls on latex gloves. 

Sam walks over to the bed and begins making mental notes. 

He hears a car drive up. 

He steps to the open door.
 
EXT. CABIN 8 - DAY.

As Jake Wilson walks toward the cabin, Sam calls out.

                         SAM
               You gotta camera in your car?                       

                         JAKE
               Yeah, sure do. Got lots of film.                                 
 
                         SAM
               Good, go back and get it. You’re                            
               officially working overtime.                                               
                   
Jake turns back to his car. 

Sam returns to his surveying of the crime scene. 
                                                          
INT. CABIN 8 - DAY.

Sam walks back into the bathroom.                            

Sam’s eyes scan the small, dingy room. 

He looks in the medicine cabinet. It’s empty except for a lone cockroach that scampers across one of the shelves.  He slams the cabinet door shut. 

                                                          61

Sam glances down at a small wastebasket sitting under the sink. 

Picking up the wastebasket, Sam pulls out two square pieces of brown paper. Each is slightly stained with oil.

He smells the paper and drops it back in the basket as he hears Jake’s voice. 

                         JAKE (O.S.)
               Oh… my God. What the hell happened 
               here?… Where’s old Billy?

Sam walks out of the bathroom.

                         SAM
               He’s passed out in the office.                      
     
                         JAKE
               Damn, looks like another one.

Jake loads film in camera.                                                                                                                 
  
                         SAM 
               Yeah. Appears the lady was strangled.                         
               There’s severe bruising around the neck.                        
               (beat)
               This looks a lot like the Porter girl
               killing. 

Jake starts to move about the room taking pictures

                         SAM (con’t.)
               This time we have a female in her                                       
               late twenties, average height and 
               build, red hair, fair skin, attractive.                                     

Sam thinks for a second as he walks around the bed.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               I’m no expert on time of death… 
               but I’d guess death occurred                                         
               about twenty-four hours ago.
               
Sam continues to scan the room. On the nightstand beside the bed, sits a half empty whiskey bottle and two clean glasses.

                                                          62

                         SAM (con’t)
               There’s a hand towel laying on                              
               the floor by the door. I’d bet                        
               the towel was used to wipe                              
               clean nearly everything. 
               (beat)
               We’ll be lucky to get any prints.                         
                                                          
                         JAKE                           
               Yeah, the same as the Porter case. 
               Nude or partially nude body, 
               death by strangulation. Now 
               the question is was she raped?                                                                                  
                                                                                  
Sam walks over to the old guitar case in the corner of the room and opens it.  

A hand tooled leather strap attached to the guitar has “Sweet Red” stamped in it. He closes the case.

Sam turns to look at the bed. Something catches his eye, just under the bed. 

Sam reaches down and picks it up. His hand holds a gold 
ballpoint pen. 

He pulls a small plastic evidence bag from his pocket. He drops the pen in the bag and places bag in his pocket.                                                        

                         SAM 
              Get some pictures of the bathroom.
              (beat)                  
              In the wastebasket are a couple 
              of sandwich wraps, shoot‘m,                          
              bag’m and hold’m for the 
              lab man coming down from County. 
              I want them checked for prints.                                  
              
                         JAKE       
              Do we know who she is? 
                                                                                    
                         SAM                                                        
              No identification on her. There’s
              the name Sweet Red on that guitar 
              over in the corner. 

Sam points to guitar case. 

                                                          63

Sam walks over to the bed and picks up the corpses hand.

                         SAM (con’t.)
              Her fingertips are very calloused.                               
              My guess is, she played professionally.                                                                     
              
Jake begins to walk around the room taking pictures.

                         JAKE
              What would she be doin’ here?

                         SAM 
              Good question. Did she know someone
              in town? Or was she here to work?

                         JAKE
              Who would hire a guitar player in 
              THIS town?

Sam walks to the open cabin door and looks outside.

                         SAM
              I have a hunch I know the answer
              to that question.                                            

                         JAKE
              Do we know what time she checked 
              into this dump? 

Sam turns back to Jake and shakes his head in disgust.
                
                         SAM                                                   
              Nothing… Thanks to friend Billy.
              A blank registration card. 

                         Jake 
              I didn’t see any car parked out                         
              there. I wonder how she got here?

Sam steps out of the open door as he speaks to Jake.

                         SAM 
              Maybe someone brought her here. Or she     
              came in on the bus.
              (beat)
              I’ve called Howie and he’s on his way to      
              check the bus stop at Deacon’s drug store.                              
                                (more)
                                                          64

                         SAM (con’t.)
              While I’m gone, no one comes in this 
              room. Only the coroner and the man        
              from County. Lets be quiet about 
              this one.                                                                                                                                      
              
                         JAKE                             
              You got it Marshal. 

INT. DEACON’S DRUG STORE - DAY.
                                                         Deputy Howie Billings spots PHIL DEACON behind the pharmacy counter. Deacon is middle-aged, short, and balding.

                         PHIL
               Mornin’ Deputy.

Howie walks up to the pharmacy counter. 

                         HOWIE   
               Morning Sir, I looking for some                       
               information. Maybe you can help.
                                                 
                         PHIL
               Oh, sounds serious.                                                                

Phil continues filling a prescription.
                                                         
                         HOWIE
               I just need a little information                 
               about the last bus that stopped 
               here… Sunday, right?                                    

                         PHIL
               That’s right Deputy. Sunday afternoon,                    
               four o’clock sharp.

                         HOWIE                                                                                     
               Well Sir, did you see anyone get off?

Phil stops his work.

                         PHIL
               Yeah, sure did. Lady got off the bus                          
               from Phoenix, in fact she was the only                           
               one that got off. Kind of a pretty lady. 

                                                          65                                                 

                         HOWIE
               Did you see anyone meet her?

                         PHIL
               No… she just stood out there. I went out                   
               and asked if she needed any help. She said                            
               no, asked where the closest motel was. I 
               mentioned the Manor House, but she just    
               wanted a motel. I sent her down the street.                     
                                                                              
                         HOWIE
               So, you’re sure no one met her?                

Phil resumes filling a prescription.
                                                           
                         PHIL
               No one. Oh by the way, welcome to 
               Prosperity. I think you’ll do just 
               fine here. 
    
Howie starts toward the door, and then he turns around.

                         HOWIE
                     (smiling)
               Thank you, Sir. And you’ve been more                           
               help than you‘ll ever know.
                                                                                                                                                                               
INT. SILAS MARKET - DAY.
                                                                         Sam pushes his way through the market door.

BEN SILAS, forties, average height and weight, is counting some change at the checkout stand. He looks up and frowns.                                                              
                                                                     
                         BEN                                                                                       
               What’s goin’ on over at the motel?                   
               What’s a County Sheriff’s car                 
               doin’ there?

                         SAM
               Oh, they’re just checking out a few                                                               
               things. That’s why I stopped by. I                              
               need some information.
                                                                                               
                         BEN
               Well, I’m not gettin’ involved.                                      
               What goes on over there is none of                                       
               my business. I’ve got work to do. 
                                                          66

Ben continues to count cash. He ignores Sam.                                        

Sam’s patience has grown short. His forbearance snaps. 
                                                                                                                        
                         SAM                                           
               Dammit Ben, we can get into a pissing                        
               match over this. Hell, we can make                                
               it real official.                                                 

Ben slams the cash register drawer shut.                                       
                                                          
                         BEN                                         
               Make it quick, I’m busy.                
               
                         SAM
               All I need to know… is did a woman with                                   
               long red hair come in Sunday afternoon?                             
               Since all the cafes in town are closed 
               Sunday afternoon, I thought she may have 
               come here and bought a sandwich.                                                                                      
               
Ben thinks for a second. Then a smile comes over his face.                        

                          BEN
               Yeah, good-lookin’ gal. 
               (beat)
               The wife and daughter were in Flagstaff
               for the day, so I was tempted to try                               
               that one on for size. Know what I mean?                                  

                         SAM 
                   (Disgusted)
               Let’s get back to the sandwich. 

Ben leans up against the cash register with a smirk on his face.                                 

                         BEN                           
               Wasn’t just one sandwich… She ordered
               two to go. Said she had a friend waitin’.          

                         SAM
               This is important. Did you see anyone 
               waiting for her?

                         BEN
               Nope.

                                                          67

                         SAM
               When she left did you see which 
               direction she headed?
               
                         BEN
                    (laughs)
               Yeah, she went across the street to           
               that fleabag motel …Probably gonna                        
               feed some old boy before she fucked him.               

Ben opens the cash drawer and starts counting change.
                                                                        
                         SAM
                    (Sarcastic)
               Thanks for your valuable help. Oh by
               way, you didn’t close early and go eat
               that other sandwich, did you?

                         BEN
               Screw you Marshal. That’ll give you
               somethin’ to think about.

                         SAM
               Not really. What would she have wanted
               with an over the hill arrogant Silas?

Sam turns toward the door as Ben makes an obscene gesture.
                                     
EXT. JERRY’S BAR - DAY.

Sam stops to read a sign by the front door of the bar. It reads: Guitar Music by Sweet Red. Evenings, 8 PM till 11 PM.

Sam pushes through the double swinging doors.

INT. JERRY’S BAR - DAY. 

The dimly lit small town barroom is deserted. 

Sam sits on a stool at the end of the bar. 

Suddenly out of the back room walks JERRY McCLURE carrying a case of beer. Jerry is fifty, average height, stocky build, with an outgoing personality. 

                         JERRY 
               By God, it’s Marshal Ford. Don’t
               see much of you lately.                                                       
                                                          68

Sam starts to speak but Jerry’s enthusiasm carries him on.             

                         JERRY (con’t)
               You oughta come in tomorrow night                             
               and listen to the live entertainment
               that I… 
                                                                     
Sam takes a deep breath and interrupts him.                                                          
                                                                              
                         SAM                                                   
               Well Jerry, I figured your bar would be                       
               the only one in town with enough class                                                                          
               to hire a guitar player.
               (beat)
               I’ve got some bad news.
               (beat)
               Your young lady and her guitar, won’t                
               be able to keep their date.                  

                         JERRY      
               Sure, she’ll be in on today’s bus.                                   

                         SAM
               She must have come on the Sunday bus…               
               Billy found her body this morning in                      
               one of the cabins, murdered.

Jerry leans against the bar. He wipes his hands on a towel.

                         JERRY 
               Oh, no. Not her.
               (beat)                     
               And I brought her here.                            
                                       
                         SAM
               This is important, Jerry. Did she 
               say if she knew anyone in town?

Jerry throws the bar towel across the bar.
                          
                         JERRY                           
               No, she never heard of Prosperity.                        

                         SAM                         
               Well, she obviously made an acquaintance                    
               shortly after arriving in town.                                     

Jerry walks around the bar, sits on a bar stool next to Sam.
                                                          69

                         JERRY
                  (visibly upset)
               I don’t understand.

                         SAM
               Your lady made a fatal mistake. She had
               a fling with the wrong guy.                                  

Sam pats Jerry on the back as he stands up.  

                         SAM (con’t.)   
               Sorry… Don’t be hard on yourself because
               you gave her a job. What happened in 
               that motel room isn’t your fault.           
                                         
Sam walks toward the front door. 
                                       
Jerry is sitting at the bar shaking his head. 

Suddenly he remembers something.

                         JERRY
               This may not be a good time to bring 
               this up… But I think you’d want to know… 
               You have a Deputy with a problem. 
               
                         SAM
               What deputy? What problem?

Jerry gets up and walks back around the bar.

                         JERRY
               Sunday afternoon, Joe Rollins was 
               in and wanted me to sell him a
               bottle of booze. I told him I 
               couldn’t sell him a bottle to carry 
               out, not with my license. He got 
               really upset. So I sold him one.
               (beat)                 
               I know I shouldn’t have. But…

                         SAM
               Joe Rollins? Well, that’s interesting. 
               Why did he want a bottle on Sunday?                                                   
               (beat)
               Hum, very interesting… Watch out,                         
               Jerry. You could lose your license. 

                                                          70             

Sam pushes open the bar door, and exits.

BLACKOUT 
                                                  
INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - DAY. 
                               
Sam settles down in his desk chair. 

He pulls the small plastic evidence bag from his pocket. He drops it in the top desk drawer. Pulling open a side drawer, he removes a small thin box. 

After checking the contents, Sam places the box in the top desk drawer.

There’s a knock at the office door. 

Deputy Howie Billings sticks his head in and smiles. 

                         HOWIE
               Excuse me Sir. The lady with the long 
               red hair who was strangled came here 
               on the Sunday bus. Phil was sure
               he didn’t see anyone meet her.
               
                         SAM
               Thanks, Howie… I want you back here
               at ten o’clock tonight for a meeting.             

                         HOWIE
                      (smiling)
               A meeting? But Sir, that’s going to cut   
               into my late night social life.

                         SAM
               Give the ladies a break. Oh, by the way.
               Do you like working here better than 
               up in Greenwood? 

Howie smiles and shuffles from one foot to the other. 

                         HOWIE
               I like it, Sir. I’m glad I came here.

                         SAM
               You’re a fine young man with a bright
               future. We’re glad to have you here in 
               this office.                                                             
                                                          71

                         HOWIE
               I’ll won’t let you down, Sir.

Howie turns to leave and starts to close the door. Deputy Jake Wilson opens the door and walks past Howie. 

Howie leaves the room, closing the office door.
                                                                                                 
                         JAKE                        
               The County has finished pullin’ 
               prints. The Coroner did his thing. 
               You were right on the time of death, 
               also it looks like she wasn’t raped.                                           
                      
                         SAM
               Thanks… Go some rest, but be back 
               here at ten o’clock. I’m having a 
               special meeting here in my office.                                                      
                          
                         JAKE
               Okay. Boy, the wife will love that.             
                                  
                         SAM    
               Sorry… I know it’s an inconvenience. 

                         JAKE
               No problem, goes with the job.

Jake turns and starts to walk toward the door.

                         SAM                                                                          
               Also I want you to contact Ray and 
               Joe. Then run down Les and Lee Silas. 
               The brothers have some questions to 
               answer about this vanishing truck.              
                                                                      
                         JAKE 
               You got it, Marshal. See you at ten.

Jake closes the office door. The phone rings.                                                
                                                         
                         SAM
               Hello, Marshal Ford… Yes… A complaint
               about a deputy?… Please, just take it
               easy, be calm… Yes, I’m listening…                                      

INT. MONA’S KITCHEN - DAY.

                                                          72

Mona steps into the kitchen dressed in her waitress uniform.

Simon is at the kitchen table reading a magazine.
                                         
                         MONA                                                
               I brought home some roast beef for                                          
               dinner. You feel like eating?                                            

                         SIMON
               I will even if I don’t feel like it. 
               Tonight is gonna be a long night. 
               
                         MONA
               Go in and rest on the sofa. I’ll
               call you when dinner’s ready.
  
Mona watches him leave the room. 

After his back is turned she gets a cold look on her face.

INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE.- NIGHT.

Sam sits at his desk drinking a cup of coffee and reading a 
file folder by a desk light. 

The phone rings. Sam answers.
                                                        
                         SAM 
               Marshal Ford… Oh yeah, I’ve been
               waiting… Yes, the fingerprints on                             
               the wrappers… Oh, I see… Well, I
               guess you never know… Yeah… I’ll  
               handle it. Thanks.

Sam hangs up the phone. He spins his chair around toward the office window. 

He mutters to himself.

                         SAM
              Oh damn… Tonight is gonna be a 
              real party, with some unhappy 
              people. One in particular.             

INT. MONA’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.                                                           
                               
The fire is down to a few glowing embers, as Simon struggles                                                         
from a restless sleep to open his eyes. He hears voices.
                                                          73

Slowly pulling himself up on the sofa, he listens. The sounds come from the kitchen. Voices, then what sounds like the slamming of a door and the voices grow louder. Suddenly it’s quiet. 

Simon stands up and looks around the room. He walks to the doorway leading into the studio.
                                                    
INT. STUDIO - NIGHT.

Simon slips into the shadows of the studio. He stands frozen    
in the half-light, listening. There is a sound, like something being shoved across the kitchen floor. 

He moves across the dimly lit studio to the wall beside the kitchen doorway. 

Simon stands pressed against the wall, listening. He takes a deep breath. He moves up to the edge of the doorway. He hears someone gasping for air.                                                                                              

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT.

Simon steps into the bright light of the kitchen doorway.  His eyes blink trying to adjust to the bright light.
 
The kitchen chairs are either knocked over, or shoved up against the walls. The table is pushed against the cabinets under the sink. Stretched across the table is Mona, gasping. Her arms waving through the air, fists striking out. Her long, bare, legs stretching out, kicking the air. Standing between her flailing legs is Ray Silas. 

With a left hand on her neck he holds her down on the table. His right hand unbuckles the gun belt, which drops to the floor. Next the belt on his pants. The pants and underwear are shoved down to his knees. 
      
Ray leans forward over the gasping Mona.                                                        
                                                               
                         RAY                                                     
                  (Spits it out)                                         
               You gonna love it, bitch.                          
               
Simon vaults across the kitchen and lands on Ray’s back. 
Wrapping his arms around Ray’s neck and legs around Ray’s     
waist, Simon strains with every muscle in his body. He 
tightens the chokehold on Ray’s neck as Ray rears backwards.
                                                        74

Coughing and gagging, Ray reaches back with both hands and  
grabs Simon’s hair. Hobbled by the pants that are now down around his ankles, Ray careens around the room like 
a spinning top. 

Simon’s head and back are slammed into the walls, then into a china cabinet, sending broken glass flying through the air.
 
Mona screams.
                                                          
Ray’s hands rip at Simon’s hair and ears. Simon strains to 
tighten the chokehold on Ray’s neck. 

Suddenly Ray’s body stiffens, twitches, and then goes limp. 
Falling over backward, Ray crashes to the floor, knocking the wind out of Simon. Gasping for breath, Simon shoves the limp mass off of him. 

Pulling himself to his feet, Simon staggers about blindly. 

Simon rubs his eyes clearing his vision. Finally he sees Mona huddled in a corner behind an overturned chair. 

Mona holds her torn dress wrapped tightly around her body. Her head is bowed and her shoulders are trembling. 

Pushing the chair aside, Simon reaches down and picks Mona up in his arms. He carries her out of the kitchen.
  
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.
                                                                Mona is lying on the sofa. Suddenly her eyes pop open. She grabs Simon’s arm. She speaks in a weak, raspy voice.

                         MONA
               Where is he?

Simon rubs his head and eyes.
                                   
                         SIMON                 
               He’s dead… I couldn‘t see what was
               happening, but I must have choked                          
               him to death.
               (beat)
               Everything happened so fast… Oh my                
               God, what if he isn’t dead? Maybe he                 
               just passed out?                                                                                    
                                                          75                                                     
        
                         MONA
                    (Weak)
               Simon, you didn’t…
                        
                         SIMON
               Just lie still, I’ll be right back. 

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT. 
      
Stepping into the bright light of the kitchen Simon sees Ray stretched out on the floor. 

Simon walks slowly toward Ray. He reaches for the gun on the floor. 

Simon stops short.

On Ray’s khaki shirt, around the silver deputy badge, a dark red stain has formed. Next to the badge protruding up from the stain, is the handle of a knife. A pool of blood has formed next to Ray’s body.

Simon looks over the body carefully. He hesitates, then goes to the sink and draws a glass of water.                                     
                    
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.   
                                                                   Simon returns to the living room with the water. 

Mona is sitting on the sofa with a bathrobe held tightly around her. Her eyes stare into the fireplace. 

She takes a sip of water. 
                                                                                                                                   
                         MONA 
                     (Softly)                                         
               Another second and it would have                          
               been too late. I could feel him 
               pressing into me. 
               (beat)
               I stabbed him.                  
                                                                                                    
Mona is very calm. Simon sits down beside her. 
                                                                    
                         SIMON
               You did what you had to do. If he  
               got loose, you know both of us would                             
               be lying dead on that kitchen floor.                          
                                                          76

                         MONA                                                           
               When your friend Jim calls, tell him                              
               to pick you up here. 
               (beat)
               Go while you have the chance.         
               
                         SIMON                          
               I can’t leave now. I’m your witness                 
               to what happened here.
               (beat)
               No, I’ll take a chance on Ford.
                                                      
                         MONA
               Do you think I really need to explain                                
               what happened?               
                   
Mona pulls back the collar of the robe. Her thin neck is ringed with an angry looking bluish red bruise. 

                         MONA (Cont.)
               If you want to trust Sam, call him.                                              
               
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT.
                                                             
Sam Ford stands in the small kitchen, looking down at the body of Ray Silas. He shakes his head in disbelief.

                         SAM                               
               What a way to go. Lying on the                     
               floor of a lady’s kitchen, flat                                    
               on your back, with pants and                         
               shorts down around your ankles.            

Sam reaches over and grabs a dishtowel hanging by the sink. He drops it over the lower part of Ray’s body.
  
                         SAM (Cont.)                                                    
               No sense in taking embarrassing                         
               photos of the dead.
               (beat)
               Of course they might help dispel                    
               any rumors the deceased may have                                 
               spread around town about a certain                      
               part of his anatomy.                               

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT.

Sam stands looking at Mona and Simon sitting on the sofa.
                                                          77
                                                    
                         SAM
                    (frowning) 
               A call on that mess in the kitchen                
               was one thing, but now I find you,            
               Simon Horn. I want an explanation                           
               from both of you. It better be good. 
               (beat)
               But first things first. Mona, is it                     
               necessary to go to the clinic?

                         MONA
               No, no. He didn’t rape me.                                                    
                             
                         SAM
               Then I’ll use your phone to make 
               some arrangements for our friend                          
               in the kitchen.

Mona points toward the studio door

                         MONA 
               The phone is on a table in the studio.               
                                                                                         
                         SAM                                    
               When I get back I want some answers.

Sam leaves the room. 

Mona and Simon sit in silence. 

Mona suddenly whispers to Simon.  

                         MONA                                                               
               We’re on our way. Fuck this town.
               We have to talk before Sam comes back.
               There’s some things to clear up.

Simon is puzzled by her words. He studies her face.                                                 

                         SIMON 
               What are we going to do about Jim?  
               What if he calls here now?

                         MONA
               You won’t be needing Jim. You better 
               tell the Marshall about him.

                                                          78
             
                         SIMON
               I don’t know what’ll happen after
               tonight, but I want you to come up 
               to the Reservation. Maybe after you 
               sell your house.
               (beat)
               I want to see you again.

Mona looks toward the studio door. She takes Simon hand.

                         MONA 
               Simon, listen to me. I have plans. 
               We need to talk, NOW.                                                   
               
EXT. PROSPERITY’S MAIN STREET.- NIGHT.

An old pickup truck is pulled off to the side of the street by the town’s first stop sign. In the truck sits REESE PORTER, He’s in his fifties, and very drunk.

Reese rolls down the truck window. He throws an empty whiskey bottle out the window. The bottle breaks on the pavement.

Reese closes his eyes and slumps against the truck seat.
 
A new pickup truck rolls down Main Street from the direction of the Interstate highway. It comes to a stop at the town’s first stop sign.

The noise from the truck stopping awakens Reese Porter. 

Reese looks over at the truck. His head weaves back and forth. He begins to curse. Suddenly he raises a rifle and begins shooting at the new truck. 

The truck’s window is shattered by the bullets. 

The driver slumps over the steering wheel. 

ENT. LIVING ROOM.- NIGHT

Sam returns to the living room. Simon and Mona sit on sofa.                                                            
                                                           
                         SAM                                      
               Deputy Jake Wilson and the Coroner are
               on their way here. Okay Mona… relax, 
               tell me everything you can remember.                                               
                                                          79

Sam sits in a chair facing the sofa. He leans forward and listens.       
                         
                         MONA
               I was getting dinner ready. Simon was                             
               asleep on the sofa. 
                          
Sam points to Simon.      
                         SAM
               Then I’m to assume he’s been staying 
               here? 
                  
                         MONA
               Yes, he has been.

Sam sits back in his chair and shakes his head in disbelief.

                         SAM
                    (frowning)   
               Unbelievable… Well I’ll be damned… I 
               lose a deputy and find Horn. 
               (beat)                                  
               All right… let’s get back to Ray.                                     

                         MONA
               Someone knocked on the side door.    
               I thought it was old Mrs. Thomas 
               from next door. 
   
Mona pulls her robe tightly around her.

                         MONA (con’t.)
               I started to turn the knob and                                
               the door flew open.                       
             
Mona takes a deep breath.
         
                         MONA (con’t.)
               There he stood… smiling at me. I 
               knew if he found Simon here… Ray                      
               would shoot him. 

Sam sits forward in his chair. He’s clearly agitated.                                 

                         SAM
               Wait a minute… What’s this about Ray  
               shooting Horn? Where in the world                                                                                   
               did you get that nonsense?
                                                          80
              
                         MONA
               He said he would when he came into 
               the cafe looking for Simon.              

Mona takes a drink of water. A shudder goes through her body.

Sam reaches over and touches Mona’s hand.
                                                                                                                      
                         SAM                                    
               We’ll talk about that later. Right 
               now, tell me about the knife.               
               
Mona sits in silence for a few seconds.                                                                         
                                                                       
                         MONA                                                                            
               Everything was a blur… they were                             
               whirling around the room crashing                                              
               into everything.                        
               
Mona pauses as she pushes her hair back with one hand. 
                                                                   
                         MONA (Cont.)                                   
               I saw the kitchen knife… lying on                    
               the counter. 

There’s a knock at the front door.

                         SAM
               That’ll be Jake. Sit still I’ll get it.
               
Sam walks to the front door and opens it. 

Jake Wilson steps in and motions Sam to one side. He whispers to Sam. Sam shakes his head. Jake goes back out through the door.

Sam walks over to Mona and Simon.
                                                                                                           
                         SAM
               There’s a problem. I have a shooting
               to go to. Jake and the Coroner are 
               on their way there now.    
               (beat)
               Mona, I want you to stay with my 
               sister tonight. I don’t think you 
               should be alone. Give me the keys 
               to the house.
                                                          81

Mona walks to a table by the fireplace. 

She picks up the house key. She discreetly puts the key to the old pickup truck in her pocket.

Mona walks over to Sam and hands him the house key.
                 
                         SAM (con’t.)
               When we finish with this shooting,  
               I’ll send Wilson and the Coroner                 
               back here to take care of our friend 
               in the kitchen. 
               (Beat)                            
               All right Mona, gather up whatever 
               you need and I’ll drop you off at 
               my sister’s. It’s just around the
               corner.            

Mona gets up to leave the room. She gives Simon a coy smile and discreetly flashes the truck toward him. 

                         Sam (con’t.)
               Then Mister Horn and I’ll go to 
               this shooting. I swear I don’t 
               know what’s going on in this town.
               It’s coming apart at the seams.               

EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT.

Several patrol cars surround Reese Porter’s pickup truck and the one parked at the stop sign. Their flashing red lights illuminate the scene.

Marshal Sam Ford and Simon Horn are standing by one of the patrol cars. 

Deputy Jake Wilson approaches.

                         JAKE 
               Reese is passed out in the County 
               car. He’ll be booked in Flagstaff.               

                         SAM  
               Any identification on the victim?

Jake opens a wallet.

                                                          82

                         JAKE
               Yeah, accordin’ to his drivers 
               license his name is James Eagle.

Simon leans against one of the patrol cars.

                         SIMON
               Oh my god, not Jim… Jesus, no.               
                
                         SAM
               You know the victim?
                                                                  INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - NIGHT.                          
                                                          
Sam Ford stands by his desk. He looks through the Venetian blinds, into the outer office. 

Les Silas paces back and forth in front of the coffee maker, glancing at Sam’s office. 

Lee Silas sits at a desk with his arms folded and a sullen look on his face. 

Deputy Howie Billings is seated at his desk with a bored look. 

Deputy Joe Rollins, is slumped over his desk reading the newspaper.

Sam turns back toward his desk and sits down. He turns his attention to Simon.

                         SAM
               Sorry about your friend, Eagle.                 

Simon sits rubbing forehead. He’s clearly shaken
                                                  
                         SIMON                                                                                                                                                                     
               I… can’t believe… Jim is dead. It’s
               my fault. He came here because of me. 

Sam studies Simon.                        
 
                         SAM 
               Why didn’t you just come to me. I                                
               would’ve listened to you. 

Simon doesn’t answer. He sits with his head bowed.
                                                          83

                         SAM (con’t.)
               And this nonsense about Ray Silas                                      
               shooting you on sight, well he may
               have been stupid but not THAT stupid.

Simon sits back in his chair and points at Sam.                             
                                                         
                         SIMON                                
               Marshal… Last night I stood in a cold, 
               damp, dark alley next to Jerry’s Bar.          
               I heard Ray knocking around a very                 
               drunk Les. 

Sam leans forward in his chair as he listens intently.

                         SIMON (con’t.)
               Let me tell you everything that                             
               happened and everything that was                    
               said in that alley.
               (beat)
               I think you might be interested.   
               
INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - NIGHT. 

Simon walks over to a desk and sits down.

Joe Rollins seated at his desk gives Simon a sly smile. 

Joe gets up and walks toward the coffee maker.

He stops where Simon is seated.

                         JOE
               Hey buddy, looks like they got you 
               by the balls. Boy, they’re gonna                             
               put it to you but good. Coffee? 

                         SIMON
               No… No coffee… Go to hell.

INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - NIGHT. 

Joe Rollins stands by Sam’s desk with a cup of coffee.
                                                                                                                    
                         SAM                                                             
               Joe, I want you at the front desk.                  
               No one leaves. Okay? 

                                                          84 
                                                 
                         JOE
                    (bored)
               Yeah, if that‘s what ya want.
                
                         SAM 
               That‘s it. Now send Les Silas in. 
         
Sam gets up and watches Joe Rollins in the outer office. 

Joe speaks to Les. Les gets up slowly and keeps looking over at Lee. He struts into Sam’s office.                                                                                                  

                         LES                         
                    (Sarcastic)                                      
               Well, I see ya got the murderer.

                         SAM
               Close the door, Les.
               (beat)
               Excuse me, who you referring to? 

Les slams the office door.

                         LES  
               Why, I was referrin’ to that                       
               Indian sittin’ out there.                                                  
                              
                         SAM                                          
               What Horn is doing out there is                        
               none of your damn business… I’ve                    
               some bad news for you… Ray was 
               killed tonight.                                                                                  

Les has a look of disbelief. He drops down in a chair.
                                                                                                                                 
                         SAM (Cont.)
               He was killed in a physical altercation.                     
               
Les leans forward with a puzzled look.

                         LES
               What was those words ya used? Ya sayin’                        
               he was in a fight? No… ain’t no man                           
               could take Ray in a fair fight.                                                                             
          
                         SAM 
               I not gonna discuss it right now. I’m            
               looking for information about a murder.
                                                          85

Les becomes nervous and squirms in his chair.               
             
                         LES 
               Don’t know nothin’ bout any murder.                                
               
                         SAM
               Well, with the information I have, 
               you could be charged as an accessory 
               to murder.
                                                                                                                                                             
                         LES                                            
               Accessory… to a murder?

Les starts rubbing the side of his head.

                         SAM
               That’s right, a trip to State Prison.

                         LES
               But… I didn’t kill anybody.

                         SAM
                 (raised voice)
               Don’t fuck with me… If you withhold 
               information about a murder, or assist                 
               in a cover-up of the crime, then you                           
               become an accessory… Think about it.
               
Les continues to rub his head. 

He tries to look through the window blinds toward the outer office.                                                           
                                                                   
                         LES                                             
               Oh no, I know’d it… I just 
               know’d it. Holy shit, all                                         
               hell is gonna break loose                                                  
               with old Ray gone.

                         SAM
               What do you mean, all hell is                    
               gonna break loose?
 
Les doesn’t hear the question. He bangs the arm of his chair.                                                                       
                         LES
                     (Muttering)                                                
               I told them… wouldn’t work. 
                                                          86
                                                                                                                                                                           A knock at the door. Deputy Jake Wilson sticks his head in.

Jake points to Sam.

                         JAKE
               Can I speak to you Marshal?

                         SAM                          
               Les, we’re going to take a break.                       
               You better go tell Lee about Ray.
                                             
Les Silas jumps up, pushes past Jake, and rushes across the room toward Lee. 

Jake Wilson walks into Sam’s office                                                                  
                                                                    
                         JAKE                                                  
               What did ya say to him?               

                         SAM                         
               Come in and close the door. I told       
               him about Ray, but that’s not what                
               sent him flying outa here.                                     
               (beat)
               I was just trying to bluff him into
               admitting what he knew about Horn’s             
               truck and Sally Porter. 
   
                         Jake
               Hum… wonder what got to him? 

                         SAM
               I don’t know, but I’m sure gonna                       
               find out.
               (beat)
               Things wrapped up at the shooting 
               and Mona Willis’s house?             

                         JAKE
               Yeah, the bodies are at the Coroners.
               The County Sheriff is handlin’ the 
               shootin’ scene. I got a lot of pictures.

Jake lays several rolls of film on Sam desk.

                         SAM
               Jake you’re good man. I think you’d make
               a fine Marshal. Why don‘t you run for it?
                                                          87

                         Jake
               Gosh, never thought much bout the job…
               I’d have to talk it over with the wife. 

                         SAM 
               Do that, Jake. It’ll be good to leave    
               of this town knowing no one from that     
               damn Silas family will get the job.
               
Sam gets up from his desk and walks to the office window.

Sam and Jake look through the blinds into the outer office.
                                                                  
Lee is jabbing his finger in Les’s chest, making a point.                       

                         SAM
               Go break’m up. Send Lee in.                                                       

                         JAKE                         
               With pleasure. 
     
Sam watches through the window, then returns to his chair. 

Lee Silas walks in the office, sits down with a sullen look. 

                         SAM
               Sorry about your cousin. 
                                                                
Lee speaks in a low voice, filled with anger.                       
                                                                       
                         LEE                                            
               What the hell ya got us in here                    
               for? You old bastard, are we                               
               bein’ charged with anythin’? 

Sam leans over the desk and points his finger at Lee.
He raises his voice.                 
               
                         SAM
               Watch your mouth, Lee. No… you’re  
               not being charged… Not yet. You’re
               here to answer some questions.

                         LEE
                     (angry)                         
               Ya ain’t got no right bringin’ us                       
               in here an’ makin’ us sit with                          
               the likes of a murderer.
                                                          88
                 
                         SAM
               Which murderer?

Lee stands up and walks over to the office widow.
                        
                         LEE
               That damn Indian… He’s the only
               murderer in the room.
               
                         SAM
               Oh really, are you sure?

                         LEE                                                          
               What do ya mean by that?

                         SAM                               
               You never know what skeletons some                  
               people have in their closets.                                                         

Lee is still angry, but now he appears nervous. 

                         LEE
               What does THAT mean?

                         SAM
               Sit down. Cool off.

Lee slumps down in a chair.

                         SAM (con’t.)                          
               I was just speaking in generalities. 
               Why, is something bothering you?
               
                         LEE
               I got nothin’ botherin’ me, except                     
               the killin’ of my cousin. 
   
                         SAM
               Right now I’m gonna bring all my                   
               Deputies in to clear up another matter.                
               (beat)  
               But after that I have unfinished business                                      
               with you and your brother.             

                         LEE
                   (grudgingly)                
               Looks like we ain‘t got no choice but
               to put up with all your shit.
                                                          89
 
Lee gets up from the chair and walks out of the office.

Sam walks to the office window and watches as Lee joins Les in their corner of the room. 

Their argument resumes.

INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - NIGHT.

Simon is seated at a desk watching the Silas brothers.

Lee and Les are in the far corner of the office.

                         LEE 
               Brother, ya best keep yer’ mouth
               shut in that damn Marshal’s office. 
               Ain’t got Ray no more.

                         LES
               Ya just watch what yer sayin’.

Simon gets up from the desk. He walks to the far corner of 
the room where the brothers are standing.

Les sees Simon coming.

                         LES
               What’s that Indian comin’ this way 
               for?

                         LEE
               How should I know? Maybe he just 
               likes ya. 

Simon stops and stares at Les.

                         LES
               What the shit are you lookin’ at? 

Simon smiles and sits on the edge of a desk.

                         SIMON
               I’m looking at a troubled man. A man 
               who’s been lying. 

Les points his finger at Simon and shakes it in the air.

                                                          90

                         LES
               Listen you fuckin’ Indian, don’t come
               over here callin’ nobody a liar.              
                    
                         SIMON
               Oh, but you’re a liar. You lied about
               my truck. I know you gave it to the 
               murdered girl. I also know you were
               gonna lie in court and try to frame
               me for her murder.               

Les is shaken by Simon’s statement. 

He looks at Lee then back to Simon.

Les is now very nervous.

                         LES
                That’s bullshit. Ain’t that right
                Lee? Tell’m Lee.

Lee is speechless.

Les turns his back to Simon. He speaks low to Lee.
                      
                         LES 
               Oh damn, it’s them hants.

                         LEE 
               Hants? What are ya talkin’ bout? 

                         LES
               Hants, ya know ghosts. I heared them 
               people paint their faces an’ dance                
               round fires at night an’ talk to
               them hants.

                         LEE
               Yer all screwed up in head cause of 
               Ray hittin’ ya.

Les starts pacing back and forth in front of Lee. He points at Simon and raises his voice.

                         LES
               How the hell else he’d know all 
               that. It’s them hants.

                                                          91

Simon smiles and walks back to the desk where he was seated.
                
INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - NIGHT.
 
Sam gets up and walks over to a filing cabinet. 

Sam thumbs through one of the drawers and removes a folder.

He walks slowly back to his desk. 

Sam drops the folder on the desk and walks to the door. 

He opens the door and motions to Jake, who is at his desk. 

Jake walks up to Sam standing in the open doorway.

                         JAKE
               What’s up?

                         SAM
               Get Joe and Howie.                       

                         JAKE
               What about the Silas brothers?                                 

                         SAM
               They’ll be all right. 
               (beat)
               Let’m have at each other for a  
               while.

Sam turns back into his office and lines up three chairs facing the desk. 

Sam sits down in his chair and waits.

The three deputies walk through the door.

                         SAM
               Last one in close the door, 
               please. Everybody have a seat.

Joe Rollins sits on one end, Howie Billings with a cocky    
grin, in the middle, and Jake Wilson on the other end. 

Sam sits looking at each deputy, one at a time.

The office is quiet, except for the clock on the wall. It
                                                          92

makes a HUMMING noise that some electric clocks make.
     
                         SAM (cont.)
               I guess you gentlemen have                          
               been wondering where Ray is. 
               (beat)
               He was killed early this                     
               evening during an attempted 
               rape… He was fatally stabbed.    
               
Joe sits forward in his chair and looks at the Marshal.
                                                    
                         JOE 
               Holy shit, you ain’t serious.

                         SAM
               I’m afraid I am.

Joe gets up and walks to the office window.
                                                         
                         HOWIE
               Who did he try to rape?              
  
                         SAM
               Mona Willis. 
               
                         HOWIE
                  (cold and calm)                                                
               Doesn’t surprise me. He’s been                    
               after her for a long time. He                                                                
               probably thought she would roll                          
               over for him. 
               (beat)
               Some women are like that… Guess                               
               old Ray got fooled.                       
               
Joe is standing by the office window. 
                            
                         JOE
               Are you sure bout this? 

                         SAM 
               Yeah, we’re sure. All the evidence                      
               is there… including a witness.

                         JOE
               Who’s the witness? 

                                                          93                
               
                         SAM     
               Our friend, Mister Simon Horn.

Joe points to the outer office. 

                         JOE 
               What was he doin’ at Mona Willis’s                     
               house?
           
                         SAM 
               What he was doing at her house                           
               is another story. Sit down.

Joe walks back to Sam’s desk.

Joe leans over Sam desk and raises his voice.

                         JOE
               But he’s in custody, right?

Sam slams his fist on the desk.

                         SAM
               Dammit, I said SIT DOWN. 
               (beat)
               Lets just say… he’s cooperating.                              
                                                                                                      Joe is shaking his head as he sits down.                                

                         SAM (cont.)                                                                   
               Joe, I want you to sit there and
               keep your mouth shut. Understood?
                                                  
Joe doesn’t answer. He stares at Simon in the outer office.                 

Simon is at a desk, reading a newspaper. 

Sam looks at the three deputies in front of his desk. 

In the background can be heard the HUMMING of the clock. 

                         JAKE
               Marshal, I get the feelin’ you’ve  
               figured out who did all this killin’.

                         SAM
               That’s right Jake. Which I’m sure is
               gonna come as a surprise to some people.
                                                          94
               
The room is silent except for the clock. 

                         SAM (con’t.)           
               I guess you might say after all these
               years I finally got off my ass and did
               my job. Kinda like my last who-rah.
                             
The deputies are uneasy in their chairs.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               Remember when I went to that Police                 
               Chief’s convention?  The hotel in              
               San Diego where they held this shindig,                                                  
               gave each participant a little gift.        
               
Sam pulls open the top drawer of his desk. He removes a 
small, flat, box from the drawer and places it beside the 
folder he had laid there earlier. 

Then he removes from the drawer the small evidence bag he filled that morning at the motel. Sam places the bag next to the folder.

Sam removes a pen from his pocket and places it on the desk.

The deputies watch Sam. The clock HUMS.

                         SAM 
               In the evidence bag is a gold pen. 
               Stamped on the side of the pen is, 
               Western Police Chief’s Convention, 
               and the date.
               (beat)
               I found it this morning on the                   
               floor of the motel. 

Sam picks up the small thin box and removes the lid.

                         SAM (con’t.)                            
               This little box contains a pen just  
               like the one in the bag. When I came                   
               back to town the box had six pens.                                                                                                    

Sam removes the pen from the box and lays it on the desk.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               I gave each Deputy a gold pen. That’s a                                
               total of four. Here‘s mine.                                                                            
                                                          95

Sam picks up his pen from the desk. 

                         SAM (con’t)     
               Now we have five pens, and the one                       
               from the box on the desk. That’s six pens.                       
               (beat)
               Now the question is who belongs to                          
               the gold pen in the evidence bag? 

Sam lays his pen down and picks up the evidence bag.                        
               
The room falls silent. 

Jake reaches up to his shirt pocket.  

                         JAKE                                                                          
               Here’s mine, Marshal. 
               
                         JOE
               Oh shit. Where’s that pen? 

Joe searches his shirt pockets.

                         SAM
               No pen, Joe?

                         JOE
               Damn, I must’ve lost it.

                         SAM   
               Why did you push Jerry McClure into 
               selling you a bottle of whiskey 
               on Sunday? 

Joe sits up in his chair.

                         JOE
                   (defensive)
               I just wanted some booze for Sunday
               night. I had a date.

                         SAM 
               There was an empty bottle at the motel
               murder… An empty whiskey bottle. 

Joe now becomes rattled.

                                                          96
               
                         JOE
               By God, it wasn’t mine… Where’s that
               pen?

Joe checks his pockets again.

                         SAM
               You know Jerry’s license doesn’t allow
               him to sell by the bottle.           

                         JOE 
               What the hell, it was just some booze. Oh, 
               I left the pen on my desk. I’ll get it.                            
               
Joe gets up to leave the room.

                         SAM
               Sit down… I don’t need to see your pen.                                          

Sam slowly swings the evidence bag in front of the Deputies.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               County called earlier this evening… They                                 
               identified the fingerprints on the oily 
               sandwich wraps found at the Motel. Howie 
               forgot about them when he was wiping 
               everything clean at the crime scene.

Howie Billings sits with a blank stare in his eyes,
completely oblivious of his surroundings. 

The other two Deputies sit staring in disbelief at Howie.
                                          
                         SAM                                                
               Howie… give me your gun and badge.              

Howie sits motionless with blank eyes and a slight smile.
                                                               
Sam holds out his hand. 
                                                                                 
                         SAM                                     
               Give me your gun. Give it up. 
               
Howie’s hand drops down toward the holstered gun.

Jake reaches over quickly to remove the gun from Howie’s holster, but not quick enough. 

                                                          97

Howie draws his weapon and points it at Sam. He stands up and staggers over his chair as it tips and falls backward. 

He falls back against the office door.

Jake and Joe are frozen. 

Howie wildly waves the gun back and forth between the two deputies. 

Sam calmly stands up and holds out his hand. He speaks to Howie in a soft voice. 

                         SAM
               You’re not going anywhere, son.
               The County people know you’re the
               killer. 
               (beat)
               Go out that door and you’re a dead man.
               
Suddenly Jake hits Howie across the face sending him to his knees. 

The gun flies out of Howie’s hand and slides across the floor.

Joe quickly grabs the weapon. He hands it to Sam.

Sam opens a side desk drawer, places the gun in it.
                                                                                                                                                      
                         SAM                                                                                           
               Jake, Joe, help the deputy back 
               to his chair. I don‘t know where 
               he thought he was going. 

Jake and Joe lift Howie up and drag him back to his chair. 

Howie is bleeding from his mouth. He begins muttering.

                         HOWIE 
               I… fooled them all. The bitches…                            
               thought they were going to get it…                        
               I showed the bitches.

EXT. GRAVEL PIT - DAY - FLASHBACK.

A red pickup truck is parked at the bottom of an old gravel pit.
                                                          98 

Sally Porter is sitting in the truck smoking a cigarette. 

A police patrol car pulls up behind the red truck. Deputy Howie Billings steps out and walks slowly up to the truck.

Sally watches in the rear view mirror as he approaches.                                                          

                         HOWIE
               What are you doing parked down 
               here? Why aren’t you in school?

                         SALLY
                    (coy smile)
               Don’t like school. Like to come 
               down here. Wanta cigarette?
               
                         HOWIE
               I don’t smoke.

                         SALLY
               Don’t remember seein’ you before. 
               How long you been in town?              

Howie leans against the truck door
                                               
                         HOWIE
               Couple of weeks. Long enough to know 
               all about you, Sally Porter.

                         SALLY
               Oh, he knows my name. What else
               do you know bout me?                                                  

Howie opens the truck door.

                         HOWIE
               I know you like it.

Howie grabs Sally by the hair, kisses her hard on the lips.

Sally wraps her arms around Howie’s neck and pulls him down on her as she lies back on the truck seat.

Howie begins to rip open her thin blouse.
 
                         Sally                
               Oh God, where you been all this  
               time? Jesus, let’s get it on.             
                                                          99

Sally’s hips rise and fall under Howie. She begins to moan.

She works on Howie’s belt.

Sally wraps her legs around Howie.
 
Howie hunches forward.

                         Sally
                  (heavy breath)
               Oh God, yes, yes, right there.                    
              
Howie rears up and grabs her by the throat. He begins to laugh as he tightens his grip on her thin neck.

Sally fights, but slowly loses the battle.

Howie steps back from her body and adjusts his uniform. 

He walks calmly back to the patrol car, slides into the car and gets on the radio.

                         HOWIE
               (excited and shouting)
               This is Billings. I’ve got a 
               one-eighty-seven down at the old 
               gravel pit. There’s a red pickup 
               truck with a dead girl in it.                                                                 
                                                                                                            
ENT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - PRESENT DAY.

Howie sits in silence, his eyes blank. His mouth begins to move, but no sound comes out.

                         JOE
               Holy shit, he’s gone over the hill.                                          

                         SAM
               Shut up. Let him talk.

The silence in the room is broken only by the wall clock and by a dripping sound.

                         JOE
               Oh no, the bastard pissed on         
               himself.

                                                         100

                         JAKE      
               Sam, you’re not gonna get a                  
               straight answer. He’s gone.                                    

Sam turns off the tape recorder. He picks up the file lying on his desk. He opens it and flips through the pages.

                         SAM                                                                                      
               I don’t understand this. There’s not a                                                 
               hint of any problem in his file. The   
               Chief in Greenwood gave him high marks.
               Then I find out we came close to having                                                                                    
               a third murder.                         

Sam slams the file on desk. It slides off hitting the floor. 

                         SAM (con’t.) 
               Rose, from the Half Dollar Cafe                                                                   
               called the office this afternoon.                        
               She said she wanted to turn in a                          
               complaint about Billings. 

INT. ROSE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK.

Rose is stripped down to her panties. She and Howie are engaged in foreplay on her bed. 

The room is shadowy. 

Rose begins breathing heavy and moaning. 

Howie is sweating and breathing heavy. 

The foreplay brings Rose to an orgasm.

Suddenly Howie grabs Rose by throat and begins choking her.

Rose fights back with her fists striking Howie. She kicks Howie repeatedly. One foot catches him in the groin.
 
Howie doubles up in pain. He grabs his clothes and limps out 
of the bedroom. He runs down a hallway toward Rose’s front door. 

Rose is in pursuit, screaming obscenities.

INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - PRESENT DAY.

                                                         101
 
Howie’s eyes are staring off into space. 
 
                         SAM 
               Jake, cuff him. Joe, put him in                      
               one of the holding cells. Use the  
               side door into the hallway.                                                                                                                                                                       

INT. MARSHAL’S OUTER OFFICE - NIGHT.

Simon drops the newspaper he’s been reading and yawns. 

Lee Silas has his head resting on a desk. Les still paces. 

Les Silas nervously eyes Simon.

Deputy Rollins appears from a hallway next to Sam Ford’s 
office. He walks over and sits down at the front desk. 

The door to Ford’s office opens, and Deputy Jake Wilson steps out. He walks across the office to the pacing Les.

Les and Jake speak for a few seconds, and then walk toward Ford’s office.
  
Simon smiles at Les as he walks by. Les is upset.
                                                        
INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - NIGHT.

Jake closes the door. He points to the chairs in front of Sam’s desk. Sam is standing looking out of the dark window.

The obviously highly agitated Les Silas takes the middle chair, as Jake sits down next to him. 

Les throws a nervous glance in Jake’s direction as he pulls a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket.

                         SAM
               No smoking in the office.

Sam walks back to his desk and stands looking at Les.

                         LES
               Ah Marshal, I just need one to help                     
               me settle down. All that there coffee 
               I been drinkin’ has really got me 
               screwed up.

                                                         102
                   
                         SAM
               Is that the only thing that’s got                                   
               you screwed up?

Lee squirms in his chair.
                   
                         LES                                                                         
               What do ya mean by that? 
                                                
                         SAM
               I think I explained to you the                       
               consequences of being an accessory                                          
               to murder. 

                         LES
               Don’t remember… talkin’ bout that.
               
Sam slowly sits down and points his finger at Les.

                         SAM   
               WELL, let me refresh your memory.                       
               When I said something about being          
               an accessory, you said with Ray                     
               gone all hell would break loose.
 
Les is very upset and keeps rubbing the side of his head. 
                                                                                                                                                           
                         LES                                                        
               Don’t think… I remember… that.

Sam sits up in his chair. His voice rises.            
                                                                
                         SAM                                                     
               Les Silas, you better get your head                    
               out of your ass and start remembering.               
                                     
Les shows signs of sweating. He fidgets with a cigarette.                       
He tries to look out the window into the outer office.

Sam and Jake sit silently staring at Les. The electric wall clock’s HUM is the only sound.

Finally Sam speaks.

                         SAM
               I know what Ray told you to do. You 
               were gonna set up Horn for the murder
               of Sally Porter.
                                                         103

Suddenly Les stands up and begins shouting at Sam.

                         LES
               Jesus, ya been talkin’ to that fuckin’
               Indian. Him and his hants.               

Jake grabs Les and forces him back down into the chair
               
A shutter runs through Les. 

Sam leans forward in his chair and smiles.

                         SAM
               I think you better get hold of yourself. 
               Stop lying and start remembering.
               
Les takes a deep breath and lets it out.

                         LES
               Oh God… I don’t know… I just told                  
               them they couldn’t get away with 
               it. I don’t mind playin’ a joke on 
               somebody, but this were different.

Sam is very calm and speaks softly.
                                    
                         SAM
               What was different this time?

Les keeps rubbing the side of his head. 

He continues to try to look out into the outer office.
                                                                                              
                         Les
                    (Muttering)                                                             
               I didn’t know… what was goin’ on.                        
               Ray… brought me the jack.                                      

Sam shoots a questioning look at Jake, who shrugs his shoulders. 

Sam looks back at Les.
                      
                         SAM 
                    (pushing)                                                            
               What jack? And speak up.

Les squirms in his chair.
                                                         104

                         LES
               Oh, shit.

Suddenly Sam’s fist hits the desk. Les flinches.

                         SAM
               DAMMIT, What jack?

                         LES
                     (shaken)
               A hydraulic jack. Ray wanted me to                  
               fuck up the jack so the thing would 
               look like it failed. 

Sam’s voice rises as he pushes the questions.              
  
                         SAM
               WHY did Ray ask you to do that?
               Weren’t you a little curious?

                         LES
                    (nervous)
               I don’t know. I don’t… remember.

Les starts to rub the side of his head.

                         SAM
               OH COME ON. You don’t remember? 
               Why do you keep rubbing the side  
               of your head? 
                                                                                                                                                                                        
                         LES                                                                                          
               I don’t know… what do ya mean?

Sam gets up and walks behind Les. He leans over and speaks into Les’s ear.

                         SAM
               Remember last night in the alley 
               next to Jerry’s Bar?                          
               
Les finches. He tries to look around at Sam.                
               
Sam leans in close to Les. 

                         SAM
               I told you I have a lot of                
               information.
                                                         105

Les strains to see where Sam is standing.

                         LES
               Well, if it ain’t that Indian
               then must’ve been Lee. What                                           
               did he up and tell ya?                               
                                                                
                         SAM
                     (laughs)
               Oh, we had a nice little talk. 
  
Les quickly looks out the window at the now pacing Lee.

Les jumps up and shakes his fist at the office window.

                         LES                                                                                               
               Jesus… that damn Lee and his big  
               mouth. Yeah, Ray told me to be 
               a witness against the Indian. 

Sam grabs Les by the shoulders and forces him down in the chair.               

                         SAM
               SIT DOWN… Now Ray wanted something                             
               done to a jack, right? 

Les slumps in his chair.             
                 
                         LES
               Well… he just wanted me to screw up                                       
               the jack seal so it would look 
               like the jack failed with weight on 
               it. He told me not to ask why. 
                                     
Les sits with his head bowed. All anger is gone.                                                           
                                                                     
                         LES (con’t.)
                   (Almost inaudible)                                                                           
               Just did what Ray asked me to do.                        
               But the next day… 
               (beat)
               I heard bout this guy a gettin’                                     
               killed. I went to Lee and asked him                          
               what was goin’ on? He told me to keep                          
               my mouth shut.                       

The room is silent, except for the HUM of the wall clock.
                                                         106

Sam returns to his chair.

                         SAM
                    (very calm)
               Les… it looks to me like you’ve got                     
               yourself between a rock and a hard spot.                      
               Apparently you had knowledge of a murder.                          
               
Les covers his face with his hands.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               You obviously feared for your safety.                                                                      
               Knowing Ray, you had good reason to                  
               keep quiet. 
               (beat)
               Of course now you’re free to testify                        
               about your knowledge of the crime.                         
               And I see no reason why you can’t come 
               out of this clean.                                                                                                                                                            
               
The room is quiet as Les struggles with his conscience.

Finally Les takes a deep breath and exhales.                   
                                                                               
                         LES                                                      
               What about Lee?… He IS my brother,                  
               my looka like brother.

                         SAM 
               Is Lee involved in this?   
                            
                         LES
               YES… but he weren’t alone.
               
Sam glances at Jake, and then back to Les. 
                                 
                         SAM
               You mean he and Ray did it? 
                                                                                                                                                                
                         LES
               No, no, Ray was just helpin’ Lee an’                          
               the other one cover up what they done.                              
                              
Sam studies Les. Finally he speaks.
                           
                         SAM                                                            
               It looks like it’s your call. 
                           (more)
                                                         107

                         SAM (con’t.)       
               You can keep your mouth shut and                  
               become an accessory to murder. Or                        
               like I said… testify and walk away.               
               (beat)
               Now if you want an attorney present                                                                                 
               when you make your statement, that’s                                                        
               your right.                                                        
                 
                         LES
               I ain’t got no lawyer… I don’t                       
               need one to tell the damn truth.        
                    
Sam opens the desk drawer and pulls out a tape recorder.     

                         LES (Cont.)
               Ya better make sure ya got lots                      
               a tape in that gadget, cause 
               it’s a long story.
                    
Sam leans back in his chair. 
                                                                                    
                         SAM                                                
               It’s just fine. Okay, let’s start 
               at the beginning. 
                                                    
                         Les
               Well, I guess the thing all started 
               with Lee an’ that married slut…
  
INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - NIGHT.                               

Marshal Ford is working on the coffee maker. 

The clock on the wall reads four o’clock. 

The room is empty except for the Marshal and Simon. 

Simon stands up and works the kinks out of his back. 
                                                          
                         SAM                    
               Want some coffee? It’s pretty bad,                 
               but it’ll wake you up.
                  
                         SIMON
               Thank you… I guess I dozed off.                                    
               Where is everybody?

                                                         108

                         SAM
               Probably heading home to get some                                 
               sleep. So it’s just us, and my                                       
               guests back in the holding cells.
                                               
Simon walks to the coffee maker and pours a cup.
                                                                                                                                                  
                         SIMON
               Guests? I don’t understand.                           

                         SAM                                     
               Bring your coffee. We’ll go in the                                                                             
               office and sit down. I’m beat.  
               (beat)
               You got to sleep through all 
               of the excitement. I guess only
               an innocent man could do that.
               
INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - NIGHT.
      
Sam sits down in his chair. 

He opens the top desk drawer.                                                 
                                                                     
                         SAM 
               Have a seat. 

Sam drops a set of keys on the desk.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               Here’s your keys. The truck’s 
               in the impound lot behind the 
               building.
               (beat)
               Mister Simon Horn, you’re free                  
               to leave.                                                                                           

Simon sits for a second letting that sink in. 

                         SIMON                                                    
               Well… that’s a surprise. I fell                       
               asleep a murderer and woke up an                                  
               innocent man. I think you owe 
               me some sort of explanation.  
               
Silence falls over the room broken only by the HUM of the wall clock. Sam takes a sip of coffee.

                                                         109
                                                                                                             
                         SAM
               Yeah, I do owe you an explanation…                                                  
               My Deputy Howie Billings sat out in 
               the office with you. Kind of ironic                                        
               isn’t it? The murderer Howie, was                   
               looking for you, an innocent man.                       
                                                                                         
                         SIMON
               Your deputy killed Sally Porter? My 
               God, why?                                     
                                                                                           
                         SAM
               Well, why he did it will be up to
               some shrink. Obviously he’s got a                       
               problem. 
               (beat)                      
               Who knows, maybe his mother abused him 
               as a child… We’ll probably never know.

Sam picks up and opens the file laying on his desk. He leafs through the pages.

                         SAM (con’t.)
               The fact I hired him is my problem. Maybe 
               I missed something somewhere. Maybe I                                    
               could have prevented two murders… I’ve   
               made more than one mistake in this job.
               (beat) 
               But I’ll have to live with this one. 
        
Sam gets up and walks over to the filing cabinet. 

He drops the file in a drawer, and returns to his desk.
                                                                                
                         SIMON 
               What about my friend, Les? Did you 
               finally get the truth out of him?                

                         SAM
               Yeah, finally. Just what did you say
               to him?

Simon smiles and takes a drink of coffee.

                         SIMON
               I only planted a seed in a troubled
               mind. His lies made it grow.

                                                         110
                 
                         SAM
               Well, you shock the hell out of him.                              
               Then a strange thing happened when I                       
               started questioning Les. I’m trying
               to get the truth out of him about                       
               your truck, and he thinks I’m 
               questioning him about a murder.                                           
            
                         SIMON
               Another murder? How many murders                 
               do you have? No, forget it. I don’t 
               think I wanta know. 
                                                                        
Simon finishes his coffee and sits the cup on Sam’s desk.                                                          

Simon reaches over and picks up his truck keys. 

As he stands up, he looks at the noisy clock on the wall.
                                             
                         SIMON (con’t.)                                                 
               It sounds to me like you could                        
               use a new clock, Marshal.  
               (beat)                                                   
               Well, I have Jim’s burial ceremony  
               to attend on the Reservation. 

Simon extends his hand across the desk to Sam Ford.

                         SIMON (con’t.)              
               So, I guess this is goodbye, Marshal.               

Sam ignores the gesture and looks up at Simon.

                         SAM
               You may wanta sit down again. 
                          
                         SIMON  
               Why? You gave me my keys. You said                                                  
               I was free to go.

Sam leans back in his chair and studies Simon for a second.                    
                                                                    
                         SAM
               I know you feel indebted to Mona for
               helping you. But there’s something you 
               should know.
               (beat)
               Mona ever mention how her husband died?                                                                                                                
                                                         111            
  
                         SIMON
               Yes, he was killed in a car wreck.

                         SAM
               I’m sorry… but Nick Willis died in his 
               garage while working on an old pickup                                
               truck. He was crushed by the truck when 
               the jack holding it up failed.
               (beat)
               Or so the accident report states.  
               
Simon sits down stunned. He’s speechless for a second
                                                                                                                                                                      
                         SIMON                                           
               I don’t believe that. It can’t               
               be true. Mona isn’t a liar. 

Sam gets up and walks to the dark office window. 

He stares out into the darkness as he speaks.                              

                         SAM
               Oh, I understand how you feel. But,                
               all I can do is tell you what I 
               know and what happened here tonight.             

                         SIMON
               I’m listening. I wanta hear this.

Sam turns back toward Simon.

                         SAM
               A little over a year ago, I took             
               a vacation.                                                            
               (beat)
               Ray Silas handled the investigation                                 
               of Nick’s death. 

INT. NICK WILLIS’S GARAGE - FLASHBACK.

NICK WILLIS is under an old gray pickup truck. The truck is held up by two jack stands. Only Nick’s head is visible. He’s in his early thirties and good looking. 

Suddenly from around the side of the truck a man’s legs 
appear. A piece of pipe is held in his hand. The pipe is raised and brought down on Nick’s head. 

                                                         112

Blood splatters on the walls of the garage. 

A woman’s legs appear from the other side of the truck. 

                         WOMAN
               Is he dead, sweetheart?

                         MAN
               Yeah. Now get yer ass in the house                          
               and start callin’ round for some                                              
               help. I gotta jack this damn truck 
               up and get rid of them jack stands, 
               then let the truck down on him.   
               (beat)                                                                  
               Oh yeah, when yer on the phone cry a 
               little bit.                                                                                             
     
INT. SAM FORD’S OFFICE - PRESENT DAY.

                         SAM                                                         
               Ray turned the report over to 
               the County Sheriff‘s Office. 
               No investigation. Case closed.

Sam walks back and sits on the edge of the desk.
                                                                                                                                     
Simon sits silent for a few seconds as he looks down at the
floor. 

Simon passes the truck keys from one hand to the other. Then he looks up at the Marshal.                           
                                                  
                         SAM (con’t.)
               Simon, this is all according to the
               statements of the Silas brothers. 
               (beat)                                                                    
               It began six months before Nick’s death, 
               Mona started the affair with Lee Silas. 
               Apparently Mona decided Nick had to go.
               Probably for his house and insurance.
               Of cause shortly after the murder she     
               dumped Lee. Ever since then it’s been
               like a Mexican stand-off between them.

Simon holds his head in his hands, looks down at the floor.
               
                         SIMON
               What’ll happen to Mona?
                                                         113
 
                         SAM
               Mona will be picked up in a few hours 
               at my sister’s house and taken to 
               Flagstaff. 
               (beat)
               She and Lee will be charged with murder.
                                                                                                                       Sam looks at Simon’s bowed head. The room is quiet for several second, except for the HUM of the clock.
                     
                         SIMON
               I don’t believe she’s capable of
               murder. Those brothers are liars.

Sam walks around the desk, sits in his chair, speaks softly. 
             
                         SAM 
               Oh, she’s very capable. I can’t                            
               prove anything, but I have some 
               nagging suspicions about this rape 
               and the killing of Ray Silas.

Simon looks up at Sam, puzzled.
               
                         SIMON
               What do you mean?  I saw what 
               happened.

Sam leans forward over the desk. He looks Simon in the eye.
       
                         SAM
               Just what did you see? What she
               wanted you to see? You’d been 
               asleep. How do you know what
               happened before you woke up?

Simon stands up. He’s clearly agitated.

                         SIMON
               No, no, I know what I saw. I know
               what happened. 

                         SAM
               As I said, I have no proof. But it was 
               certainly a convenient killing. Old Ray 
               knew too much. Think back. You said last 
               night in the alley Ray mentioned he had
               plans for the married bitch. Right?
                                                         114

                         SIMON
               Ray was a braggart when it came to                                                         
               the ladies… Why would she go out of 
               her way to help me if she was guilty?
               Why risk calling attention to herself?
               
Simon waits in silence as Sam takes a drink of coffee.

                         SAM 
               As far as helping you, well, you were 
               certainly handy to have around when 
               the attempted rape occurred. Right?
               
Simon doesn’t answer. He looks down at the floor.
               
                         SAM (con’t.)
               Also I suspect she was looking for
               some place to disappear to. You know,
               leave her past. Reservation country  
               is just that kinda place. 
               
Simon puts the truck keys in his pocket.                      

                         SIMON 
                     (angry)             
               I’ve heard enough. If that‘s how her              
               husband died, then it was an accident. 

                         SAM
               Simon, if it was an accident then why 
               did she give you this cock and bull 
               story about him dying in a car wreck? 

                         SIMON
               No more talk. I’m out of this
               damn town. I thought I understood
               your world. I going back to mine.

Simon turns to go, but stops and hesitates for a second.                                                                                                
                                                                
                         SIMON (Cont.)                   
                     (Whispers)
               My God, all of this just because I  
               needed some gas… Welcome to Prosperity.

                         SAM
               What did you say?

                                                         115

                         SIMON
               Oh… nothing.

                         SAM
               Well, I’ve told you what happened,             
               that’s all I can do… Just be glad she 
               didn’t work her way into your life. 
               Who knows what might’ve happened to you. 
               (beat)
               Oh by way, your truck has a full tank.                                                                                                              
                              
Simon forces a smile, and turns away.

Sam gets up and walks to the outer office window. 

He watches as Simon walks across the outer office, opens the door and steps into the early morning light. Sam walks back to his desk. 

He opens a drawer and takes out a bottle. Pours the amber liquid into a shot glass. Lifts the glass toward the empty
office, holds it for a second and then downs the shot. 

Sam returns the bottle to the drawer. He takes a small box of trout flies out of the drawer and slips them in his pocket.

He walks out of his office.

INT. MARSHAL’S OFFICE - DAWN

Sam walks slowly across the office looking around with the trace of a smile on his face. The phone rings in his office.

He grins as he shakes his head in the negative. Sam opens the door and looks out at the dawn light.

He turns back and listens to the ringing phone.

Sam frowns, walks back to his office and picks up the phone.                                                        
 
EXT. RED PICKUP - SUNRISE.
                                                         
Where the old road out of town meets the on ramp of the   
interstate, Simon pulls to the side of the road.
                                                                                                                                                         He looks to the east and the rising sun. Simon waits in silence for a few seconds, and then pulls back on the road.                                                          
                                                         116

The red pickup is now followed by the old gray pickup truck.

The two trucks drive past a faded sign, slightly obscured by tall weeds. It reads: LEAVING PROSPERITY. COME BACK AND STAY AWHILE.

The two trucks merge into and are lost in the busy traffic on the Interstate.

In the distance the sound of a siren breaks the morning calm.

FADE OUT