Brothers

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FADE IN:

EXT. FRONT PORCH - NIGHT

Captain Sam Cahill, a 14-year-old boy with severe autism, is loading the final boxes into his car as his Middle School girlfriend Grace and their two 9-year-old sisters, Isabelle and Maggie, watch. Sam’s little brother Tommy, age 9, watches from a distance.

SAM:

(smiling)

I can't wait to dig into that turkey, Mom.

HANK:

(chuckles)

Save some for us, Sam.

ELISE:

(to Grace)

How's school? You ready for the break?

Grace, Sam's middle school sweetheart, nods.

GRACE:

(smiling)

I am. And...I'm ready for the girls. They're going to be so excited to see you again.

Maggie and Isabelle, Sam's younger twin sisters, run up to the porch and hug Sam.

ISABELLE:

(excitedly)

Did you bring us presents?

MAGGIE:

(grinning)

Yeah, where's my Barbie?

Sam laughs and hugs them.

SAM:

I did bring you presents. But first, let's eat. I'm starving.

They all go inside the house.

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The family sits around the dinner table, passing around plates of food and laughing.

TOMMY:

(sarcastically)

Oh, look at you, Sam. Four tours. Captain. You're making us all look bad.

Hank laughs, and Elsie tries to intervene.

ELSIE:

(to Tommy)

Don't be like that, Tommy.

Maggie leans over to Tommy and whispers something in his ear. Tommy's demeanor changes.

TOMMY:

(to Maggie)

What did you say?

MAGGIE:

(whispers)

Grace doesn't like you.

Tommy suddenly stands up from his chair, knocking it over.

TOMMY:

(defensively)

What? Why?

GRACE:

(bashfully)

It's not like that, Tommy. I just...I don't know you well enough.

HANK:

(to Tommy)

That's what I'm talking about. Sam's out there risking his life for his country, and you can't even get a girl to like you.

Tommy looks hurt and angry.

TOMMY:

(defeatedly)

Yeah, maybe you're right.

The rest of the dinner passes awkwardly.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. HELMAND PROVINCE - DAY

Sam and Private Joe Willis are in a Blackhawk helicopter. Gunfire erupts around them.

SAM:

(into radio)

I need a medic! We're hit!

The helicopter crashes to the ground.

INT. TALIBAN PRISON CAMP - DAY

Sam and Joe are chained up and beaten by Taliban fighters.

SAM:

(to Joe, coughing up blood)

I'm sorry, Joe. I shouldn't have brought you into this.

JOE:

(weakly)

Don't worry about it, sir. We'll get through this.

The Taliban fighters come in and force Sam to beat Joe to death.

INT. FUNERAL HOME - DAY

Sam's funeral. Hank is drunk and tries to drive Elsie and the girls home.

HANK:

(slurring)

I can't believe he's really gone. I loved that kid. We had so much in common, you know?

TOMMY:

(angrily)

Stop it, Hank. This isn't about you.

Tommy pulls Hank out of the driver's seat.

HANK:

(defeatedly)

Sorry, Tommy.

Tommy and Hank argue, and Tommy blames Hank for influencing Sam to join the Marines.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. GRACE'S KITCHEN - DAY

Tommy is installing a new kitchen for Grace.

GRACE:

(impressed)

Wow, Tommy. You're really good at this.

TOMMY:

(smiling)

Thanks. I'm trying to make up for some things.

Grace and Tommy bond over the kitchen remodel, and Grace grows closer to Isabelle and Maggie.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Sam returns home, and his sisters are fearful and resentful towards him.

ISABELLE:

(tearfully)

You're not the same. You can't even read, Sam.

Sam struggles to read the newspaper, showing signs of severe autism.

SAM:

(attempting to read)

B-b-bomb...explodes...in...Afghanistan.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. JONATHAN WILLIS' HOUSE - DAY

Sam lies to Joe's widow about her husband's death.

JONATHAN'S WIDOW:

(tearfully)

What happened to him? Did he suffer?

SAM:

(lying)

No, he didn't suffer at all. He died bravely, fighting for his country.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Sam is watching Tommy and Grace interact with Isabelle and Maggie. He believes they fell in love while he was gone.

SAM:

(dejectedly)

Did you miss me, Grace?

GRACE:

(surprised)

What do you mean?

SAM:

(whispering)

I know you and Tommy fell in love when I was gone.

Grace looks confused and hurt, and Tommy looks outraged.

TOMMY:

(angrily)

How could you even say that, Sam? I am your brother I would never do that to you

Grace tries to comfort Sam, but he continues to struggle with his autism and mental trauma.

FADE OUT.

INT. SAM’S HOUSE - NIGHT

The family is gathered around the table, eating dinner.

MAGGIE:
(happily)I love my birthday cake! Thank you, Gracie and Sammy

ISABELLE:
(sulkily)I wish I had a cake too.

SAM:
(angrily)Isabelle, we can celebrate your birthday in December

ISABELLE:
(jealously)Why do Maggie and I have to share a birthday party? It’s not fair!

MAGGIE:
(Sarcastically)I’m sorry, Isabelle.

SAM:
(sharply)Enough, Isabelle. Stop playing with that balloon. Or I will kick your ass.

ISABELLE:
(defiantly)I don’t care! I’m bored!

SAM:
(angrily)That’s it! I’ve had enough of your Bullshit!

Sam pops the balloon in rage.

ISABELLE:
(crying)You’re mean, Sam! I wish you had died in stupid Afghanistan and plus grace and Tommy have sex all the time!

The family is shocked at Isabelle’s outburst.

GRACE:
(calmingly)Isabelle, that was a terrible thing to say. Say you’re sorry to your older brother

ISABELLE:
(angry) no no no.

EXT. SAM’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Sam is seen destroying the kitchen with a crowbar, while Grace and Sam’s sisters hide upstairs.

GRACE:
(frightened)Girls, stay in Your rooms and lock the door. I’ll call the police.

ISABELLE:
(scared)What’s happening, Grace?

MAGGIE:
(whimpering)I don’t know. I’m scared.

INT. SAM’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Tommy enters the house and tries to calm down Sam’s violent Autism meltdown.

TOMMY:
(concerned)Sam, please. You’re scaring the girls. Let me help you.

SAM:
(furiously)Stay the f*** away from me, Tommy! It’s all your fault!

Tommy calls the police and attempts to embrace Sam, but Sam starts beating him up.

TOMMY:
(crying)Stop it, Sam! You’re hurting me!

SAM:
tough sh*t

FADE OUT.

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