Cast Away Page #26

BETTINA:

You look familiar.

Her eyes start to register recognition. She glances at the

magazine with Chuck's picture on it. She picks it up.

BETTINA:

I can't believe this. I -- I -- They

are... You're a gifted artist. You're

into something very powerful. Primal.

Truly.

CHUCK:

Well, not really, I --

BETTINA:

You are. Yes you are.

(so many things she wants to

say)

What gave you the idea to paint on that

cave?

Chuck thinks about that. After a moment, he grins.

CHUCK:

To tell you the truth -- you did.

BETTINA:

Do you...have any more packages to

deliver?

CHUCK:

No. that was the last one.

BETTINA:

Just sit here, I'll get us some lunch.

Chuck sits back on the couch, taking in the sight of the

ocean in the light rain. He looks over at all the canvases,

the easel, the palettes. The wind rustles the palm trees

around the house. The surf crashes and rustles. Familiar

sounds. Island sounds.

He relaxes a little. Maybe the package with the wings was a

sign, he kept it all these years precisely for this. Then

there's a sound of a truck in the driveway.

The engine cuts off. There are steps on the porch. The door

opens. A tanned muscular MAN in neatly kept work clothes

comes in, hangs a tool belt on a hook by the door.

He looks at Chuck with a relaxed, even stare, as if seeing a

man in a FedEx uniform sitting on his couch is not an unusual

occurrence.

MAN:

Hey.

CHUCK:

Hey.

BETTINA (O.S.)

In here!

The Man nods at Chuck, goes into the kitchen. We are on

Chuck's face. Who's this? We hear muffled laughter from

inside.

EXT. BEACH HOUSE - HOUR LATER

Arms around each other, the Man and the Woman say goodbye to

Chuck. In the front yard is a panel truck painted with two

angel wings. The Man grins at Chuck, an easy, friendly grin.

MAN:

Come back anytime. Coffee's always on.

Don't even have to bring us a package.

CHUCK:

That was my last one.

Bettina hands Chuck a sheet of paper.

BETTINA:

The list of paints and brushes I did for

you.

He takes it, not exactly sure he wants it.

BETTINA:

Keep painting. Promise me.

CHUCK:

Sure.

EXT. BEACH HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

Chuck rides his bicycle away, along the shore.

EXT. BEACH - MINUTES LATER

Chuck rides along the beach. Up ahead we see a FedEx truck.

EXT. BEACH - MOMENTS LATER

Chuck gets off his bike as a female FEDEX DRIVER puts chocks

under the wheels, which have stuck in the sand.

CHUCK:

Need some help?

DRIVER:

You bet I do. High tide comes right up

to this road.

EXT. BEACH - MOMENTS LATER

Chuck pushes on the truck as the driver gives it gas. The

truck slowly pulls back onto the pavement.

EXT. BEACH - MOMENTS LATER

The Driver gets out of the truck with a grin. She has an

open, friendly face. There's an instant connection between

them.

DRIVER:

Hey, thanks. I'd never have got that out

by myself.

Looks at his uniform. At the bike.

DRIVER:

You're not out of Pascagoula, are you?

CHUCK:

No.

Where is he from, anyway?

CHUCK:

I used to drive one of those. A long

time ago.

DRIVER:

Hey, once a driver, always a driver. You

want a lift? I've just got one more

pickup.

CHUCK:

Sure.

He picks up his bike.

INT. FEDEX TRUCK - MOMENTS LATER

The FedEx truck makes its way down the beach, Chuck in his

uniform, the Driver in hers. Two FedEx people in a truck.

The Driver looks over at Chuck.

DRIVER:

You're Chuck Noland.

CHUCK:

Yeah.

DRIVER/ERICA

I knew it! You're a legend! Mr.

Robinson Crusoe.

CHUCK:

Well --

ERICA:

I knew I recognized you. My name's

Erica.

They smile at each other. Then she smiles a little more.

ERICA:

Did you really steal a crippled kid's

bicycle to make your deliveries, or is

that just some bullshit story?

CHUCK:

I didn't steal it, and he wasn't

crippled.

Erica laughs.

ERICA:

Otherwise it's completely true.

And that makes Chuck laugh, really laugh, for the first time.

CHUCK:

Yeah, completely.

She looks over at him with a grin.

ERICA:

What brings you out to the sticks?

CHUCK:

Had a package to deliver.

ERICA:

You? Personally?

CHUCK:

I had it on the island with me.

ERICA:

Must be a story there.

There's a connection building here, effortlessly.

EXT. BEACH - MOMENTS LATER

We are wide on the beach, watching the truck move along the

water, kicking up wisps of sand.

CHUCK (V.O.)

Yeah, a long one.

ERICA (V.O.)

I've got lots of time.

CHUCK (V.O.)

So do I.

The truck goes down the beach and then turns inland, away

from the ocean. Away from all that.

CHUCK (V.O.)

So do I.

And we pull back, taking in the sweep of the beach, the

estuaries, and the green forest stretching back into America.

The end is the beginning.

FADE OUT.

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