Homegrown Page #14

Charlie nods, picks up his copy of the Manifesto, exits.

EXT. CAHILL HOME - NIGHT

Mrs. Cahill and Renee chat on the porch. They try to mask

their anxiety as Will arrives. Will is dour.

MRS. CAHILL

There’s a plate in the fridge, hon.

Will nods. With a forced grin, Mrs. Cahill leaves them alone.

81.

RENEE:

How about a ride?

INT. RENEE’S CAR - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

They sit in the parked car outside the Cahill’s house. Will

gazes into the night, confused.

RENEE:

This isn’t a great time to bring

this up, but Ben got beat up... Did

you encourage my brother to fight?

Will’s demeanor is barely recognizable.

WILL:

There are so few strong men left in

this world.

RENEE:

I know you’re under a lot of

pressure with the trip... and your

dad getting out.

Will’s mind races, conflicted, no idea how to react.

RENEE:

Do you feel okay about everything?

(no response)

Come on. It’s me.

Vulnerability - uncertainty - stress. Fifteen years of

indoctrination wins... He jumps on the defensive:

WILL:

What do you mean ‘it’s me?’

Renee is stung.

RENEE:

What about school?

WILL:

I learn more in a day with my

father than my entire time at that

pathetic factory of mediocrity.

RENEE:

How can you even consider going

back to that lifestyle?

82.

WILL:

He’s my father. That is my

lifestyle.

RENEE:

What about this? What about us?

WILL:

What about us?

Renee turns away, tearing up. Will turns to look at her, a

hint of emotion returning. He tries to apologize.

WILL:

I...

Renee pivots to face Will, a single tear creeps from her eye.

RENEE:

You’re nothing like him. You know

that.

She crossed a line. Will raises his voice, abrasive.

WILL:

You don’t know him! You don’t even

know the real me! You think you can

use that body of yours to manipulate

me! That makes you a whore!

Will looks at her with unfeeling eyes. Tears start to stream

down her face:
a combination of anger and heartbreak wells.

RENEE:

Get out! Get out of my car, you

f***ing monster!

Will exits --slams the door. Renee leans on the steering

wheel, sobbing.

EXT. CAHILL HOME - PORCH - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

Mr. Cahill slowly rocks in his chair, staring into the night.

Will storms to the door -- grabs the knob. Still gazing off,

Mr. Cahill speaks for the first time:

MR. CAHILL

Take a seat here a minute, boy.

Will spins, shocked to hear him speak. Mr. Cahill speaks

slowly:

83.

MR. CAHILL

Heard you’re heading home... How do

you feel about that?

(no response)

Returning home after a long absence

is daunting. Likely to shake you.

WILL:

What’s with you people? I lived

there 15 years. Less than a year

here - you think I’ve changed? And

think you know what’s best for me?

MR. CAHILL

That’s not what I’m saying. Only

you should know what’s best for

you. As for changing... I know

you’ve changed immensely.

WILL:

I’ve never even heard you speak.

Now you think you know me?

MR. CAHILL

I may not speak often - but I

observe.

(off Will’s scoff)

The more words, the less meaning,

and how does that profit anyone?

WILL:

You and my father would get along

famously... Is that in the silent

hermit handbook?

MR. CAHILL

The bible.

WILL:

Now you’re going to lecture me on

religion? Save your breath. It’s a

trick used to control the lives of

simple-minded creatures.

MR. CAHILL

That book has some serious wisdom

in it. I’m an atheist, but I’d

never say a word to discourage a

devout believer.

WILL:

They live a lie. They live their

lives in vain.

84.

MR. CAHILL

But they have something to live

for. They believe enough to devote

their lives to a cause.

WILL:

Their cause is bogus.

MR. CAHILL

Who are you to judge the validity

of someone else’s cause?

WILL:

Thanks, but I don’t need a gloomy

old man telling me how to live.

MR. CAHILL

Fair - but I have a reason to be

gloomy. Not you. I’d hate to see

you waste your chance to find your

reason to live and possibly find

happiness.

(off Will’s scowl)

I see how you and that girl look at

each other. Right now, being young

and in love can be your reason. I’m

not saying that it won’t change. It

probably will and should-

WILL:

This is not about her.

MR. CAHILL

What’s it about then - for you?

WILL:

Nothing. That’s the point. We live

on this earth for a fraction of a

second. What’s the point in forming

relationships and setting yourself

up for pain. Emotional attachment

is for the weak. We are going to

open people’s eyes. We are going to

change the world.

MR. CAHILL

Before Mrs. Cahill and I got

married, I was the best drag racer

in the state. It was my passion.

Then we got hitched, Luke came

along, and my family became my

reason to live. I lost my son to a

war we had no business fighting.

For years I’ve been miserable.

(MORE)

85.

MR. CAHILL (CONT'D)

And I’ll continue to be. I have

issues with our society - sure -

but I’ll be damned if I condemn the

society that allowed me to

experience the ultimate happiness

and love at one point.

Will eyes Mr. Cahill, who continues to gaze into the night:

MR. CAHILL

Emotional attachment could be all

we have. Some people try to change

this world - and a few may actually

make a dent - but that’s not what

it’s about for me. Bottom line: I

choose what I live for, and the

same should apply for you.

WILL:

So you’ll continue to be miserable

yet refuse to try and change the

system that made you miserable? How

can you sit back and accept that

other fathers will lose their sons

the same way you did? How can you

be so willing to watch history

repeat itself?

MR. CAHILL

Because I still have love, boy.

(off Will’s scoff)

My angel of a wife has not stopped

loving me for a second.

WILL:

How can you be sure?

MR. CAHILL

Know that feeling when the winter’s

ending? Sun’s out but it’s still

cold. You get in your car and your

whole body turns warm and numb.

WILL:

I haven’t been in too many cars.

MR. CAHILL

One day you’ll feel that sensation,

I promise you that. That’s the

feeling I get every time that woman

looks at me. And she knows that I

love her too, even if I may not

come out and say it.

86.

WILL:

So you’re content to live in an

unjust world just because you’ve

found a woman.

MR. CAHILL

That’s exactly what I’m telling

you, son.

Will shakes his head, but his eyes betray some emotion.

MR. CAHILL

If you feel like you can change

this world, go for it. Nobody’s

stopping you.

WILL:

That’s exactly what I intend to do.

MR. CAHILL

I wish you luck. Just be sure you

choose for yourself.

Will stands, moves toward the house.

MR. CAHILL

And ask yourself a few questions...

Were you happier before? Would you

trade this experience and go back,

not knowing the things you’ve

learned and the people you’ve met?

Will digests the question then enters the house.

EFFECT TO:

EXT. PRISON ENTRANCE - DAY

Will sits in the driver’s seat of the parked truck. Charlie

marches out, escorted by two guards. He notices Will, nods.

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