Dances with Wolves Page #16

EXT. SEDGEWICK - DAY

Dunbar is sitting cross-legged in the grass. His mouth is

occupied with chewing. In one hand is a knife, in the other

is a chunk of slab bacon. He saws off a slice and extends

it, waiting patiently.

The wolf is sitting only a few feet away. He wants the offered

meat but cannot bring himself to eat from a human hand.

Finally, Dunbar flips the bacon into the grass and Two Socks

pounces on it. He takes his prize toward the river and out

of view.

Dunbar starts for his quarters. He stops. The hair on the

back of his neck is standing straight up.

EXT. SEDGEWICK - DAY

Six Sioux warriors, THE ESCORT, are sitting atop their ponies

high on the ridge.

Dunbar buttons his tunic and casts a quick, backward glance

at the quarters. A rifle is standing near the door.

Dunbar decides not to go after it. He straightens his bearings

and he watches the approaching riders. It's only two -- Wind

In His Hair and Kicking Bird. The lieutenant bows at the

waist.

DUNBAR:

Welcome...

(gesturing at them)

Come... please... sit down.

The two men slide off their ponies. Dunbar throws an

unreturned wave to the escort warriors.

There is a moment or two of silence.

DUNBAR:

Would you like some coffee? Coffee?

There is no response.

DUNBAR:

I'll get some cups.

Dunbar disappears inside his quarters.

EXT. SEDGEWICK - DAY

Wind In His Hair and Kicking Bird are sitting comfortably

under the awning, each holding steaming army-issue cups.

They are staring straight ahead with a curious expression.

Dunbar is turning a handle on a machine. It is a coffee

grinder.

The last of the beans goes down and Dunbar pauses for dramatic

effect. Then he pulls out the drawer containing the fresh

grounds and passes it to the medicine man. Kicking Bird and

Wind In His Hair both sniff the contents.

Dunbar gestures at their still full mugs -- neither one of

them has taken a drink.

DUNBAR:

Is the coffee not good? Too strong

maybe? Here...

Dunbar reaches for a sack by the fire. Holding it in front

of him, Dunbar suggests that Wind In His Hair put some of

its contents into his mug.

Wind In His Hair finally does, but his blank expression

indicates that he doesn't know what difference this could

make.

Dunbar takes a lick at his fingers, suggesting that Wind In

His Hair should do the same. A smile creeps over his face as

the universal appeal of sugar is taking hold. Wind In His

Hair has licked every bit off each finger.

DUNBAR:

(to Kicking Bird)

Do you want some?

Wind In His Hair doesn't wait for Kicking Bird's answer. He

reaches over and dumps a good amount in Kicking Bird's cup,

adding some more to his own for good measure.

DUNBAR:

So what are you guys doing? Looking

for buffalo?

There is no response. Wind In His Hair's attention is now on

Cisco.

DUNBAR:

He's a good one... good horse. My

horse.

Wind In His Hair's interest borders on rude. Prompted by a

light tap on his leg from Kicking Bird, Wind In His Hair

turns his attention back to Dunbar.

DUNBAR:

Good horse.

No argument from Wind In His Hair.

DUNBAR:

My horse. You see any buffalo?

Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair are baffled.

The lieutenant is trying to jam a wadded blanket under the

back of his tunic.

DUNBAR:

Wait just a bit.

WIND IN HIS HAIR

(to Kicking Bird)

His mind is gone.

Kicking Bird doesn't respond. He's still intent on the

lieutenant. In wedging the blanket under his tunic, Dunbar

has become a hunchback. He bends over in a weird attitude,

and with a finger peeking over each side of his head, he

begins a bizarre display of dancing, punctuated with snorts

and bellows.

KICKING BIRD:

Buffalo.

DUNBAR:

(incorrectly in Sioux)

Buffalo?

KICKING BIRD:

(slowly)

Buffalo.

DUNBAR:

(getting it right)

Buffalo.

Kicking Bird nods his assent and Dunbar flashes a pleased

smile.

DUNBAR:

Buffalo.

EXT. SEDGEWICK - DAY

Dunbar is watching Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair walk

their horses up the ridge to meet the waiting escort. Each

horse has a gift of coffee and sugar slung over its withers.

Occasionally, Wind In His Hair dips a hand into one of the

bags and carefully licks each finger.

Dunbar waves up at them but there is no response.

DUNBAR (V.O.)

The sugar didn't figure to last at

that rate any way. I don't believe

I'd go too far in saying that a

foundation for good relations is

being laid.

DISSOLVE INTO:

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote