Walking Tall

INTRO:

Inspired by a true story.

We home in on a boat coming in to shore. Off walks a man, he

is carrying a backpack and wearing shades.

EXT. TOWN

He walks through a town, passing various stores and the general

bustle of the people there. He notices a baby in a pram left

out on the sidewalk, then sees the mother is in an alleyway doing

what looks like a drug deal.

EXT. LUMBER YARD

Chris reads a closure notice on the door. A police car rolls

up.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

How ya doin'?

CHRIS:

Ok. When'd the mill close?

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Ahh 3 years this August. If ya lookin

for work you might wanna try Aberdeen,

that's the closest mill work you're

gonna find around here.

CHRIS:

That's too bad.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Nah just simple economics. Y'know we

have a really nice casino here, the

wild cherry. You wanna make some money

maybe you wanna go on down there and

try your luck at the blackjack tables.

CHRIS:

Nah I don't think so. Thanks.

Chris turns around and the sheriff notices his name on a bag.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

You're Chris Vaughn?

The sheriff chuckles and steps out of the car.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Well hell, I know all about you Chris.

I know your folks, I'm sheriff Stan

Watkins.

They shake hands.

CHRIS:

How ya doin.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Ralston get outta the car, you're lookin

at a real soldier here pay some respect.

RALSTON:

Welcome home soldier.

CHRIS:

Thanks.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Here Chris, (opens the back door) We'll

give ya a ride up to your folks.

CHRIS:

Nah I'm fine thank you.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

I insist.

CHRIS:

I'll walk.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Hey it's my pleasure.

CHRIS:

It's ok.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

I won't take no for an answer (jokingly

reaches for his gun). HEY! Get in the

car.

Chris raises his hands and the sheriff chuckles.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Did I scare ya with that one?

CHRIS:

Lil bit.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Ya. Let's go.

INT. POLICE CAR

SHERIFF WATKINS:

You were gone a while huh?

CHRIS:

8 years. Harstad was sheriff back then.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

Harstad, yeah. Sad story. About 5 months

back he fell asleep at the wheel and

uhhh... hit a tree. Good man, good man

and a good sheriff.

EXT. THE FAMILY HOME

CHRIS:

Thanks for the ride.

SHERIFF WATKINS:

No problem, and uh Chris (hands him

a piece of paper). It's election month...

I'm your man.

Chris takes the paper and smiles. He walks up the lane toward

the house, a simple white building clad in wood. A lady dressed

in a police uniform comes out.

MICHELLE:

Can I help you?

Chris laughs.

MICHELLE:

Lil' brother.. You come over here and

gimme a hug.

They laugh together.

MICHELLE:

You look great.

CHRIS:

What is this?

MICHELLE:

Hey, I couldn't let you be the only

one looking good in uniform. Hey ma!

Chris is here!

CHRIS:

What's with the tent? (points to a tent

set up on the lawn).

MICHELLE:

Oh, that's for Pete.

CONNIE:

Look at you!

CHRIS:

How ya doin!

Chris hugs his mother, Connie. A man slowly emerges from the

front door.

CONNIE:

How long do we have ya for?

CHRIS:

For good. I'm home.

CONNIE:

Really? You're not kiddin.

CHRIS:

No.

They hug again.

CHRIS:

Hey dad.

DAD:

Welcome back.

INT. KITCHEN

The family are eating takeaway.

CONNIE:

I wish you would have told me you were

coming I would've cooked.

CHRIS:

This is great.

MICHELLE:

So what are you gonna do now that you're

home?

CHRIS:

Well I was planning on working at the

mill, your letters never mentioned that

it was closed.

CONNIE:

We didn't wanna bother you with our

problems when your father got laid off.

DAD:

I got my business, you saw the furniture

outside.

CONNIE:

I substitute at the elementary school,

Michelle pitches in. We try to keep

things simple.

A kid walks in.

MICHELLE:

Pete! This is your Uncle Chris.

CHRIS:

Hey Pete.

MICHELLE:

Sit down, say hello. Last time he saw

you you were barely walking.

PETE:

And now I'm camping.

MICHELLE:

I said you could sleep on the couch.

It was Chris' room first.

CHRIS:

Your tent's gonna take on water. I could

show ya how to rig it.

PETE:

Doesn't look like it's gonna rain to

me Colonel.

MICHELLE:

Pete, cmon sit down, have somethin to

eat.

CHRIS:

First of all I was a sergeant. I worked

for a living.

PETE:

Did you ever smoke anybody?

CONNIE:

Pete!

MICHELLE:

Pete!

PETE:

Y'know, Papa's still got your gun locked

up in the garage. Think you could teach

me how to shoot?

CHRIS:

I figured that'd be scrap metal by now

dad.

DAD:

No, I'm still hoping that you'll melt

that thing down on your own.

CHRIS:

Sorry Pete.

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