Dances with Wolves Page #26

Dunbar hears it too. As he looks toward the sound, a shadow

falls across the arbor's entrance.

KICKING BIRD:

We were waiting for you.

Stands With A Fist ducks through the arbor's entrance and

seats herself between Dunbar and Kicking Bird.

Stands With A Fist is wearing a band of bells around one

ankle. She has a pair of simple but pretty moccasins on her

feet. Her dress is old but well-cared for. Animal teeth are

sewn along her bodice. On her wrist is a solid brass bracelet.

Her hair is tied back loosely with a bret, accenting the

feminine in her face.

Her whiteness seems to show more than ever. But it is not

dominant. The Sioux is dominant.

KICKING BIRD:

(to Dunbar)

Welcome. It is good that you are

here.

Kicking Bird looks to Stands With A Fist. She takes her time

and the words are accented but they are close enough.

STANDS WITH A FIST

Hullo. You here... good.

The words are sweet music to the lieutenant. He replies with

a feeling of great relief.

DUNBAR:

Thank you... I feel good.

STANDS WITH A FIST

(to Kicking Bird)

He thanks you. It is good.

KICKING BIRD:

Ask him why he is at the soldier

fort.

STANDS WITH A FIST

(to Dunbar)

Uhh... you... come...

Dunbar jumps in. There are things he wants to know, has waited

a long time to know.

DUNBAR:

Wait... what is your name?

STANDS WITH A FIST

Our... names?

KICKING BIRD:

What does he say?

STANDS WITH A FIST

He wants to know how we are called.

KICKING BIRD:

Ahhh... He's right. I'm sorry.

The medicine man nods agreeably. He smiles at Dunbar, quite

right, introductions should come first.

STANDS WITH A FIST

He... he... Kick...

DUNBAR:

Kick?

STANDS WITH A FIST

More.

She kicks at the ground with the toe of her moccasin. Dunbar

doesn't get it. She kicks a little harder.

DUNBAR:

Kicking?

STANDS WITH A FIST

Kicking... yes... Kicking... Bird.

DUNBAR:

(to Kicking Bird)

Kicking Bird...

(to Stands With A

Fist)

What does he... is he a chief?

Stands With A Fist has the word but it takes a few seconds

to make it come out of her mouth.

STANDS WITH A FIST

Hul... hal... ho-lee... holy... holy

man.

DUNBAR:

Oh...

(glancing at Kicking

Bird)

A brief silence. Kicking Bird seems ready to speak but Dunbar

is too quick.

DUNBAR:

(to Stands With A

Fist)

Your name... you.

She thinks. It's hard. She smiles thinly.

STANDS WITH A FIST

I don't know.

An idea comes to her. She stands up quickly.

DUNBAR:

Up? Get up?

STANDS WITH A FIST

No.

She repeats the movement again.

DUNBAR:

Stand.

Her smile is a little wider this time.

STANDS WITH A FIST

Yes... Stands.

Dunbar starts to speak but she cuts him off.

STANDS WITH A FIST

More...

(thinking)

Wiff...

(quickly)

With.

She draw something in the dirt. It's an "A".

DUNBAR:

Stands With A...

Now she makes a fist and holds it close to Dunbar's face.

DUNBAR:

Fist?

She nods.

DUNBAR:

Stands With A Fist. I'm John... John

Dunbar.

STANDS WITH A FIST

John Dunbar.

DUNBAR:

Yes.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Kicking Bird and Dunbar are strolling through camp engaged

in a real conversation, Stands With A Fist is just behind

them.

DUNBAR (V.O.)

I try to answer all of Kicking Bird's

questions but I know he is frustrated

with me. He always wants to know how

many more white people are coming. I

tell him that it is impossible for

me to say. When he persists I tell

him that the white people will most

likely pass through this country and

nothing more.

Kicking Bird and Stands With A Fist are walking away from

Dunbar, who takes a few steps in the opposite direction before

pausing. Toward the end of the following speech he glances

back at them and Stands With A Fist glances back at him.

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