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FADE IN EXT AUSTIN DAY PRESENT DAY Out past the distinctive Austin skyline of the Capitol and the famous UT clock tower, Austin is green with trees. In a ritzy west-side neighborhood, trees line the street leading to JOSEPH OF ARIMETHEA SCHOOL. As in a dream, all sounds are muted except the wind and an ominous creaking. On the street there is a car parked at a funny angle with its doors open. In the school yard there is a fallen tree. A rope tied in to the top of the fallen trunk leads back to GAVIN BARTON, who is unhooking it from a harness around his waist with the help of LANCE. Also in the yard are six-year-old TOMMY, ten-year-old ELIZABETH and their mother NELL BARTON. Everyone is looking to the top of the remaining trunk of a double-trunk red oak from which the fallen trunk had split. Following their gaze up the trunk, there is a cable swinging wildly about halfway up. Further up, there is a huge chunk ripped from the trunk, as if by monstrous jaws. Above the gap, the trunk begins to list with a creak, which poses a problem for GARY BARTON, standing in white high-top sneakers and a white tuxedo at the top of the trunk. GARY Shit. All dressed up and no place to go, Gary pushes back and away from the falling section of trunk out into the air some sixty feet above the grassy meadow below. FADE TO WHITE Across the white, a PECULIAR CERAMIC BOWL arcs down, spilling red wine. It smashes against a white tile floor, spraying shards and wine in a bright red fan. INT MADISON WI MOTEL ROOM DAY Gary wakes with a start. It's hard to say what it is about him--yeah, he's good looking, if the light's just right, and he's got that ironic smile. Looking at the clock, he knows he's probably late (again), but that won't stop him--and that's the thing of it. He clearly hasn't got it all together, but you can tell he's sincerely trying. He bolts out of bed and grabs up his white tuxedo. One-two-three, he's dressed and tying his white high-tops. A quick look in the mirror, and Gary can only smile in resignation at his unkempt hair and scruffy beard as he heads out the door. EXT RURAL CHURCH TOWER DAY Sneakers pounding the pavement, Gary dashes to the double doors of the church tower. An organ plays WEDDING MUSIC. GARY Shit! INSIDE THE CHURCH The guy holding the bell rope smiles and shakes his head at Gary's arrival. Gary's face asks if he's made it on time. The guy tilts his head toward the front of the church. Just in time and just too late, Gary watches as the happy couple, JOY and JAMES, are completing their vows. Gary's white tuxedo and purple vest are a striking contrast with the groom and his groomsmen, dressed in black. As the wedding processional starts toward him, Gary steels himself, putting on his brave face. James smiles with a glazed expression as he goes past, but Joy stutters her step in surprise. Although glad to see him, she is reserved. JOY Oh, Gareth. I wasn't sure you'd make it. She strokes his lapel tenderly and turns to face the barrage of birdseed. She doesn't see Gary slump devastated against the wall. The bell ringer pulls the rope and BELLS RING. EXT CHURCH YARD DAY Outside, the reception line forms, but Gary barely breaks stride as he cuts through. He looks down and away from the happy couple as he strides unsteadily away from the church. Parked along a side street, he comes to his paisley purple VW microbus. He stops at the door, drops his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. He collects himself and fumbles to open the door. The handle gives him trouble and he yanks at it with mounting frustration. The door opens suddenly, knocking him back. He slams the door but it bounces instead of latching. In rage he slams it over and over, until finally the window pops out and smashes on the street. He looks down at the broken glass. EXT HIGHWAY NEAR MADISON DAY The door to the microbus is held closed with a bungee cord through the window. It approaches a sign announcing I-90 North toward Madison WI and South toward St. Louis MO. INSIDE THE MICROBUS Gary tosses the jacket across to the passenger seat, where it lands half across a nicely wrapped WEDDING PRESENT. His face is lost, and his eyes unfocused until he spots the sign, North or South? On an impulse, he cuts the wheels South. EXT The microbus cuts over the bumpy divider and heads down the southbound ramp of I-90 toward St. Louis. EXT ST. LOUIS TRUCK STOP NIGHT The microbus is parked by the gas pumps. INSIDE THE MICROBUS The package of the wedding present is torn open on top of the tuxedo, and the box was just big enough to hold-- INSIDE THE TRUCK STOP --the PECULIAR BOWL, being filled with coffee by Gary. It is narrow and deep, somewhere between a bowl and a cup. Gary picks his way through the store, grabs a road map, a loaf of bread, and, as an afterthought, a toothbrush. He dumps them on the counter next to his bowl of coffee. The clerk looks askance but rings it up. Gary pays with a flip of the wrist and an almost menacingly pleasant smile. EXT I-44 TOLL BOOTH, TULSA DAY Gary is frustrated by traffic backed up at the toll booth. GARY What are you--writing a check? Come on! He shakes the steering wheel. EXT AUSTIN CITY LIMITS NIGHT Gary passes the city limits sign on I-35 South. EXT AUSTIN SUBURBS NIGHT The microbus pulls to a stop in front of a suburban one-story house. The name on the mailbox is BARTON. INSIDE THE MICROBUS the purple bow tie swings from the rear view mirror. Gary turns off the engine and stares ahead. Gripping the steering wheel, he stretches his shoulders back. He rubs his face and pushes back his hair. He grips the back of his neck and squeezes his head with his forearms. Finally, he looks over to the front door of the house. EXT FRONT DOOR NIGHT Gary rings the doorbell and steps back, affecting nonchalance, though he is nervous and uncertain. Hands in his pockets and shoulders hunched, Gary looks up with a tentative, sheepish smile when his brother opens the door. GAVIN BARTON has it together. He's a man who has faced hard choices and lived with compromise, but never once hesitated to do what had to be done. Some people like surprises--but that's just some people. GARY G.B. Gary searches his face for any reaction. Gavin is surprised but cool. He shakes his head and gives Gary the once-over. GAVIN Rented? Gary looks down at the tuxedo, caught off guard. GARY Uh, no. At this point I'd have to say it's stolen. |