Flight Page #17

The light from the HEADLIGHTS of a car in the driveway wash

across the walls of the living room. We hear a car door open

and women exchange good byes.

SHEILA (O.S.)

Keep coming back, Nicole. One day

at a time.

91.

NICOLE (O.S.)

I know, one day at a time.

87A We hear them laugh as WHIP still stares in to space. 87A

INT. WHITAKER FARM -- DOOR -- NIGHT

The door pushes open and NICOLE comes in with the Big Book of

AA in her hand.

NICOLE:

Hey. Sorry I’m a little late, but

we went for coffee after the

meeting...

(Whip doesn’t look)

Whip?

NICOLE goes close to see WHIP look at her with a non-focused

stare. She sees the table and reads the situation.

NICOLE watches as WHIP stands up. In his oblivion he tries

to focus.

WHIP:

Don’t, don’t, don’t! I’ll get him.

Knuckles, junior. See him. Yeah.

I’m not calling again. F*** him.

He didn’t call. Not back. Not

calling back.

NICOLE backs away as she watches the blacked-out ballet play

itself out in slow, tragic fashion. WHIP motions to his lips

as if he is smoking. He freezes and then steps forward and

trips in to the coffee table. Whip falls to the ground.

NICOLE checks WHIP’s face to see his eyes partially opened

but passed out. NICOLE goes to the bedroom and returns with

a blanket that she covers WHIP with. She also places a

pillow under his head making sure that his head is titled to

the side so he doesn’t choke.

NICOLE looks around the room. She begins to collect the

bottles and straighten up.

INT. WHITAKER FARM -- BEDROOM -- MORNING

CLOSE ON WHIP’s FACE as he struggles with a thick hangover.

He rubs his face and smacks his lips, he’s dry as a bone.

WHIP shakes his head as he tries to focus his look through

the bedroom window. He looks out to see NICOLE sitting on a

chair enjoying the landscape. WHIP rubs his head before

walking to the kitchen.

92.

INT. WHITAKER FARM -- KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER

WHIP pulls open the door to the fridge and pulls out a gallon

of water in a plastic jug. WHIP stands and takes a long pull

of the cold water.

EXT. WHITAKER FARM -- PORCH -- MORNING

NICOLE sits with her camera staring at a candle on the table

in front of her. An AA Book rests on the table. She snaps a

picture of the flame and then focuses out to the grassy

landing strip and the rolling hills.

WHIP enters carrying the large plastic bottle of water from

the kitchen.

WHIP:

Morning.

WHIP coughs and rubs his eyes.

NICOLE:

Are you okay? You were in bad

shape when I got home.

WHIP:

Tired. Guess I drank a bit.

NICOLE:

A bit?

WHIP:

You wanna count the f***in’ beers?

They’re still in the garbage.

Vodka too, is that okay with you?

NICOLE:

It’s more than okay, Whip.

WHIP:

Good.

It’s quiet as they let the awkward exchange pass.

NICOLE:

I’ve been watching the sky change

as the sun rises. Beautiful.

(holds up the camera)

Perfect light, I went out and took

some great shots.

WHIP reaches for the camera. She hands it to him.

93.

WHIP:

Lemme see that camera.

NICOLE:

My mom got it for me. Towards the

end, when she knew she wasn’t gonna

recover. She maxed out her credit

card to buy me that camera and a

lighting kit.

NICOLE takes a moment to tamp down some emotions.

NICOLE (CONT'D)

It’s just so beautiful here. Did

you grow up here?

WHIP still holds the camera as he sits down.

WHIP:

It was my grandfather’s farm, my

dad grew up here. He was a pilot

in World War II, flew with the

332nd. See the landing strip out

there? He built that. He ran a

crop duster outta here until the

EPA put an end to that.

(she nods, listening)

He traded the crop duster for a

used Cessna. He flew that damn

thing all over. It’s still in the

barn. I was gonna sell this place

after my dad died.

divorced...

Then I got

NICOLE:

And your mom?

WHIP:

Dead...she’s dead. Your dad still

alive?

NICOLE:

I’m pretty sure my father lives in

Colorado.

WHIP:

You got no relationship with him.

NICOLE:

He drank. It was my mom that

raised me. She was incredible.

NICOLE lights a cigarette as the memories are tough.

94.

NICOLE (CONT’D)

She held it together for so long, I

couldn’t tell how sick she was.

Even through chemo she looked

beautiful.

NICOLE leans over and blows out the candle.

NICOLE (CONT’D)

They gave her very heavy meds for

pain. Dilauded, morphine,

oxycontin. I started taking them

with her. We would get all

medicated and sit in our back yard

and talk and talk and watch the sun

go down. We’d be so stoned that we

couldn’t get up to go inside when

it got dark.

(laughs, fights the pain)

I know it sounds crazy to get

hooked on dope with your mom, but

she was dying and we spent her last

seven months together like

teenagers, trading stories about

boys and whatever. She loved me.

WHIP lifts the camera and points it at NICOLE. She contorts

her face into a sly smile. WHIP snaps it...she laughs.

89A A CHURCH BELL SWINGS INSIDE A STONE BELFRY 89A

The blue sky is the perfect backdrop as we reveal...

INT. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH -- DAY

WHIP in a dark suit walks amidst mourners who file out of the

church. The center of attention is a large, distraught woman

in her 60’s being consoled by what appears to be her son and

his wife. The WOMAN wears a pin that holds a photo of TRINA.

WHIP stands at the bottom of the steps, watching folks,

looking for someone. Suddenly, a 9 year-old BOY stands in

front of him. The BOY locks eyes with him.

BOY:

I’m Trevor. You saved my mom.

WHIP looks up to see MARGARET THOMASON walking towards him.

She has her left arm in a sling underneath her jacket. We

can see a bandage along her hairline. WHIP smiles, obviously

uncomfortable. MARGARET hugs him.

95.

MARGARET:

It’s great to see you, Whip.

WHIP:

You too Margaret. Broken collar

bone?

MARGARET:

Yeah, and some stitches but I’m

fine. I really am.

(she goes quiet)

It was a nice service. I mean,

look at all these people that

wanted to say goodbye. She looked

beautiful in there.

(Whip is blank)

Didn’t you think so, Whip? Like

she was gonna wake up and smile.

WHIP:

I didn’t go in. I couldn’t.

MARGARET is sensing WHIP’s struggle.

MARGARET:

Trevor, find Dad. He’s by Mr.

Benton, there.

(Trevor leaves)

Are you okay? You should come to

the counseling group. The union

has great people for us to talk to.

WHIP:

No. I can’t, really. I will, but

just not now.

It’s quiet. MARGARET smiles and leans in and kisses WHIP on

the cheek.

MARGARET:

Take care Whip, okay?

She starts to leave...WHIP stops her with...

WHIP:

Yeah...y’know...I’m in the middle

of this investigation. The NTSB is

investigating the crash-

MARGARET:

I know. I’m going in to see them

next week.

96.

WHIP:

I’m nervous because I was out the

night before the crash at dinner-

MARGARET:

With Trina...

Rate this script:4.5 / 2 votes