Dances with Wolves Page #25

DUNBAR:

Go home.

Dunbar watches a moment to see if he's done any good, then

turns forward with a sour look.

DUNBAR:

Damn him.

Dunbar makes his way through a small, grassy valley borders

by rolling slopes. He looks across the prairie. Two Socks is

about fifty yards out, trotting parallel to Cisco and Dunbar.

Exasperated Dunbar pulls Cisco up and slides off. Two Socks

sits, waiting and watching.

EXT. BLUFF - DAY

Far down in the valley the figure of Lieutenant Dunbar is

striding through the grass. He looks angry. When he's within

a few feet of Two Socks, Dunbar waves his arms and stamps a

foot Two Socks scurries to one side but doesn't go far.

DUNBAR:

C'mon Two Socks... you can't go...

so go home.

Dunbar repeats his shooing motion and the wolf hops a few

feet.

DUNBAR:

Alright then, don't go home. But

stay... stay right here.

Dunbar turns away and as he does a long, low and mournful

howl swells behind him. He looks back. Two Socks muzzle is

high in the air and one eye is trained on Dunbar hoping for

a good reaction.

Like an angry father who's had too much, Dunbar charges Two

Sock with a roar.

DUNBAR:

You go home.

The wolf races away this time and Dunbar immediately runs

for Cisco, hoping to reach his horse and ditch Two Socks.

But he's running long before the wolf comes bouncing

alongside. Dunbar weaves out at him, startling Two Socks. He

sidles away but as he does the lieutenant reaches out and

gives the base of his tail a good hard squeeze.

It might as well be a firecracker. Tow Socks gives a yelp

and shoots off with his tail tucked. Dunbar laughs out loud.

He watches until the wolf has gone a fair distance without

sign of slowing down.

Then still chuckling to himself, he turns once again and

starts for Cisco at a trot. But moments later, something

grabs at one of his ankles, the lieutenant's legs tangle and

he goes down face first into the grass.

Dunbar's lying on his belly. Not knowing what hit him, he

rolls onto his side for a closer look. There's Two Socks,

sitting in the grass a few feet back. Dunbar sits up cross-

legged and smiles at his old friend.

Two Socks catches something suddenly, perhaps from a shift

in the wind, and starts to slink away. Dunbar peers over the

grass up at the bluff. It's Stone Calf, Kicking Bird and

Wind In His Hair.

EXT. PRAIRIE - DAY

The Indian entourage is riding slowly toward Lieutenant

Dunbar. Stone Calf is at Kicking Bird's side.

STONE CALF:

You were right about loo ten tant --

he is a special white man.

Kicking Bird watches Dunbar as he replies.

KICKING BIRD:

Yes, he is special... he should have

a real name.

EXT. INDIAN VILLAGE - DAY

Lieutenant Dunbar's arrival this day is different from the

ones which have gone before.

Young mounted warriors have ridden out to swarm around him,

but they're full of good cheer reserved for a special friend.

There's much backslapping and a few of them lean in to shake

hands as they have seen him do.

But some of the men have chosen to remain in front of their

lodges. Their expressionless faces anything but friendly.

None of this is lost on Wind In His Hair. He has the look of

a secret service man watching a president, as the parade

moves through the village.

EXT. KICKING BIRD'S LODGE - DAY

The escorts dismount and so does the lieutenant. Smiles A

Lot suddenly comes forward and grasps Cisco's reins. There's

a brief tug of war. But before it gets out of hand, Kicking

Bird is reassuring Dunbar with calm words and a smile, with

the lieutenant watching, the boy takes Cisco's muzzle between

his hands and blows breath into each nostril. He too gives

Dunbar a reassuring smile.

In the next moment, the lieutenant finds himself being gently

pushed into Kicking Bird's lodge.

As Kicking Bird is about to duck in behind him, a hand on

his arm stops him. It is Wind In His Hair and his tone is

strong with friendly advice.

WIND IN HIS HAIR

Not everyone thinks it is a good

idea that he is here.

KICKING BIRD:

I know.

Wind In His Hair turns to the people that have gathered about.

WIND IN HIS HAIR

Kicking Bird has business with the

white man. Let him do it.

INT. KICKING BIRD'S LODGE - DAY

Kicking Bird's pipe is a beautiful piece of work. It's being

smoked.

Kicking Bird puffs away a few times and hands the pipe to

Dunbar. The lieutenant, aware that the pipe is something

special, handles it with care.

He looks to Kicking Bird for guidance as he puts his mouth

to the tip. The medicine man reassures him with a wave of

the hand and Dunbar begins to puff.

Dunbar coughs lightly at the harsh tobacco but he smokes

well, watching the bowl pulse with life at each puff.

He stops now and lowers the pipe. He stares down. The pipe

seems almost alive as it lays in his hands.

Dunbar hands the pipe back, and as Kicking Bird takes it he

hears the light tinkling of bells.

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