Dances with Wolves Page #6

EXT. SEDGEWICK BLUFF - DUSK

A solitary WOLF trots along the top of a bluff overlooking

the river. He has two white socks running up his front legs.

An old jagged scar cuts across his muzzle. He's watching the

ruins of Fort Sedgewick.

The little band of troops, all on foot, with their two lame

horses trailing behind are fading in the distance.

EXT. WAGON CAMP - DAWN

The wagon is parked in a shallow depression, its team

unhitched. Under the wagon the forms of two men lay curled

up in blankets.

Dunbar is sleeping peacefully, his nose pressed against a

jacket. Now his nostrils begin to twitch. His face turns

sour and he wakes to find that he's been sleeping against

the stink of Timmons. Flies buzz about the teamster's sleeping

body.

Dunbar quickly pulls away from the bad smell. He rolls out

from under the wagon and clambers to his feet.

Lieutenant Dunbar looks out over the prairie. It's going to

be a spectacular day.

In the far distance, a column of buzzards is circling. Dunbar

has paused to watch them. He ducks back under the wagon.

DUNBAR:

Timmons... Timmons.

No response from the deep-sleeping driver. Dunbar starts to

move closer to shake him awake but the odor under there makes

him think twice. He snatches up the arrow and probes under

the wagon.

DUNBAR:

Timmons.

The teamster comes awake with a squeal, he joins Dunbar

staring up at the circling birds.

DUNBAR:

Something's out there...

TIMMONS:

Somethin' dead.

DUNBAR:

Might have a look.

TIMMONS:

Might stay clear of whatever did the

killin'.

Timmons' mood is different now. He begins to hitch the team

with a new sense of urgency.

EXT. PRAIRIE - DAY

From a high point on the prairie we can see the wagon moving

west. And no more than half a mile away we can see Cargill's

column, moving east. Neither is aware of the other's presence.

Several buzzards are settling on a half-butchered horse.

It's one of the animals that was with Cargill's command. We

can hear men singing. The shaky little column from Fort

Sedgewick is marching east for Fort Hays.

EXT. PRAIRIE - DAY

Dunbar is walking through a little valley of tall, rich grass.

The wagon is nowhere in sight.

He looks back at Cisco who is also wandering by himself

searching for prime shoots.

Timmons' wagon comes into view now.

DUNBAR:

How come we haven't seen any buffalo?

TIMMONS:

Can't figger the stinkin' buffalo.

Sometimes you don't see 'em for days,

sometimes they're thick as curls on

a whore.

DUNBAR:

What about Indians?

TIMMONS:

Goddamn Indians you'd jus' as soon

not see, lessen the bastards're dead.

Nothing but thieves and beggars.

Timmons, as usual, laughs at his own imagined wit.

The wagon disappears over a ridge and again, Dunbar is alone.

In gentle awe, he runs his palm over the top of the grass

swirling about his waist.

A meadow lark's mournful call startles him. Dunbar brings

his head up at the sound and so does Cisco.

Now there's a sudden lifting of the breeze. It sweeps through

the valley, making the grass roll with a life of its own.

The lark's sad call and the sudden violent movement of the

wind sends a shudder through Lieutenant Dunbar. He scans the

horizon in all directions, aware all at once of his aloneness.

He flips the reins over Cisco's neck and sticks a foot in

the stirrup.

Dunbar heads for the ridge.

EXT. BLUFF - DAY

As Dunbar comes over the hill, he sees the wagon has ground

to a stop.

The wagon has paused at the edge of a bluff. Dunbar and

Timmons are peering into the little valley below

TIMMONS:

Not what you'd call a going concern.

The wagon lurches over the edge of the bluff and down. We

see the pathetic remains of Fort Sedgewick.

EXT. SEDGEWICK - DAY

A full view of the deserted fort. Timmons sits on the wagon

by himself.

TIMMONS:

Ain't nothin' here lieutenant.

Dunbar appears from Cargill's former quarters.

TIMMONS (O.S.)

Everybody's run off... or got kilt.

The lieutenant looks briefly at Timmons, and marches over to

the caved-in supply house. Again he ducks inside.

Dunbar emerges from the supply house and stares up at the

wagon driver.

DUNBAR:

Alright...lets unload the wagon.

TIMMONS:

What, and leave it all here?

DUNBAR:

I'm staying too... we don't know

what's happened.

Dunbar moves around to the back of the wagon.

TIMMONS:

There ain't nothin' here lieutenant.

DUNBAR:

Not at the moment, no.

TIMMONS:

So things bein' the way they are we

might as well turn around and get

started back.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote