Breakdown Page #16

Returning to the trap door, Jeff inserts the claw in the

padlock and tries to pry it open. The lock won’t give.

(CONTINUED)

91.

CONTINUED:

He strains, using all his strength. Suddenly the handle

snaps! Jeff flies backwards.

JEFF:

F***!

He gets up, goes to the tool bench. His hands feel over

and reject an assortment of small tools. He finds a

crowbar, returns to the trap door and inserts it into the

shackle, twisting with all his might. After several

failed attempts, he swears.

JEFF:

It’s not working. If I make any

more noise, they’ll hear.

Jeff mulls his options. He sets his jaw, exhales.

JEFF:

I’m going to get you out of there,

Amy.

He swallows, emotional, clearly torn.

JEFF:

I love you.

(under his breath)

Please, God, let her still be

alive.

INT. BARN -MOVING VAN CAB -NIGHT

Jeff opens the door. A weak dome light flickers on. He

climbs up into the cab and tries turning on the CB radio,

but no luck --the keys are gone.

He opens the glove compartment. There are maps, trip

logs, truck stop receipts. He rifles through them

quickly.

Jeff frowns, gets on the floor of the cab and gropes

under the driver’s seat. His eyes register a discovery.

He brings out a big black semi-automatic pistol.

Jeff studies the base of the grip, clearly unfamiliar

with guns. He fumbles with the clip, ejects it. The

clip is full of bullets.

He snaps the clip back in place.

(CONTINUED)

92.

CONTINUED:

JEFF:

(under his breath)

F*** you, a**hole.

CUT TO:

EXT. BARN -NIGHT

Jeff climbs out of the window onto the broad overhanging

eave. He steps to the edge of the roof and lowers

himself onto the Peterbilt cab, then drops to the ground.

He looks around. Red’s is the only house visible. A

light flickers in the trees a mile away. It could be

anything.

Jeff moves toward the house.

EXT. RED’S HOUSE -BACK PORCH -NIGHT

Jeff holds the gun ready as he eases open the screen

door. The DOOR CREAKS on its hinges. Jeff steps into...

INT. RED’S HOUSE -REAR ENTRYWAY -NIGHT

Jeff lets the door close silently. There are VOICES

coming from a distant room. He passes a washing machine,

a hamper full of dirty clothes, and moves silently

down...

HALLWAY:

toward the voices. VIDEO GAME sound effects emanate from

a room off the hall. Jeff flattens against the wall,

peers into the living room.

Seated on the floor with his back to Jeff, Deke is

playing Nintendo on a wide-screen television. Various

items are scattered about: stereo speakers, a jukebox, a

brand new Nordic Track. There is a rifle rack across the

room.

Stepping past the doorway, Jeff continues down the hall

toward...

INT. RED’S KITCHEN -NIGHT

Red is in the middle of telling a story. Arleen, Billy

and Al sit around the table.

(CONTINUED)

93.

CONTINUED:

The plates are cleared away. They are drinking beer.

RED:

... So there I am, it’s a howling

snow storm, I’ve got 2000 live

chickens that are supposed to be

in Denver days ago, and this cop

is busting my balls because I

haven’t got chains...

Arleen and the men laugh heartily.

RED:

So what happens but this big old

rooster, damn thing must’ve

weighed ten pounds, he reaches out

toward that highway patrolman...

Al glances toward the door, stops laughing. Billy and

Arleen follow his gaze, go silent.

RED:

... just reaches out with his

beak, see, and...

Red notices his audience is no longer paying attention.

He turns in his chair, sees -

REVERSE ANGLE -JEFF

Standing in the doorway. Aiming the pistol. His clothes

caked with blood and dirt. He sways slightly.

Nobody else moves.

JEFF:

Give me the key.

RED:

(placating)

Now hold on, mister. I don’t know

who you are or what you want -

JEFF:

Give me the f***ing key!

There is silence.

RED:

(a beat)

Mister -

(CONTINUED)

94.

CONTINUED:

JEFF:

Don’t mister me, you sonofabitch!

My wife is locked in a hole in

your f***ing barn! You don’t give

me the key, I’ll blow your f***ing

head off!

Arleen glances at Red, frightened.

ARLEEN:

(clueless)

Warren? What’s going on?

RED:

I don’t know, honey. Just stay

calm -

JEFF:

(to Arleen)

Your husband’s a kidnapper and a

murderer is what’s going on! Did

you know that about him? Huh?

(gestures)

Ever wonder where all this stuff

comes from?

Arleen looks up at Jeff, scared. She starts to open her

mouth, when -

DEKE (O.S.)

Stick ’em up.

Jeff turns. Nine-year-old Deke is aiming a rifle at Jeff

from the hallway. The rifle looks enormous in his hands.

The boy’s lip quivers.

The room is silent. No one moves. Jeff keeps the pistol

aimed at Red. He swallows, speaks slowly:

JEFF:

You don’t want to do that, kid.

Just put the gun down.

RED:

(firm)

Don’t listen to him, Deke. Keep

the gun on him.

JEFF:

Put the gun down.

(CONTINUED)

95.

CONTINUED:

DEKE:

(voice quavering)

My daddy keeps his rifle loaded

all the time. He showed me in

case I needed to protect Mommy

when he’s away.

JEFF:

I understand that, Deke. I’m not

gonna hurt Mommy. But if you pull

that trigger, there’s a chance

I’ll still kill your father.

RED:

He’s lying, Deke. He can’t get

me. Just pull the trigger.

JEFF:

No, Deke, don’t listen to him.

He’s wrong.

RED:

Plug him, boy! Do what I tell

you!

Deke looks at his father, fights back tears. His finger

tightens on the trigger.

RED:

That’s right, boy. Do it. Don’t

worry about me.

Deke whimpers, squeezes the trigger...

JEFF:

Deke, no --!

Suddenly, Billy bolts from the table. The RIFLE FIRES!

The recoil knocks Deke off his feet. The bullet rips

into Al’s shoulder!

AL:

Oww --goddammit, you little sh*t!

Red is out of his chair. Jeff dives first and seizes the

rifle. He whirls, aims the pistol at Red.

JEFF:

Don’t f***ing move!

Everyone freezes.

(CONTINUED)

96.

CONTINUED:

Jeff sidesteps to the window. Billy is running across

the yard. Is he headed for the barn? Jeff swears, turns

back.

JEFF:

Deke? Deke? Get on your feet!

Deke rises, tears streaming down his face.

JEFF:

It’s okay, kid. Go over there,

stand next to your mother. Hurry

up.

Deke obeys. Clutching his shoulder wound, Al glares at

the child as he passes.

Jeff deliberates. Where the hell was Billy going? He

gnaws his lip, decides.

JEFF:

Okay... on your feet. Now,

everybody!

Red, Arleen and Al get to their feet. Deke stays at his

mother’s side. Jeff aims the pistol at Red, holds the

rifle with his other hand.

JEFF:

Let’s go. Out.

He herds them to the door. Arleen looks to Red

nervously.

RED:

Do like he says, Arleen. He’s

crazy.

CUT TO:

EXT. BARN -NIGHT

Jeff trains the pistol as his captives stand at the

entrance to the barn. He glances around, keeping an eye

out for Billy.

JEFF:

(to Red)

Okay. Reach into your pocket and

hand the key to your wife.

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