Witness Page #13

---

81 OMITTED 81

82 INT. SCHAEFFER'S OFFICE - DAY82

He's on the phone:

SCHAEFFER:

Looks like we're going to need

some help from you folks down

there.

83 INT. LANCASTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY83

Where an UNDERSHERIFF is on the phone:

UNDERSHERIFF:

... want to help any way we can,

Chief, but you got to understand

we've got upwards of seven

thousand Amish over here. And

that's just Lancaster County.

84 INTERCUT SCHAEFFER

who is trying to control his impatience:

SCHAEFFER:

I've got the woman's name, Sheriff.

Lapp. Rachel Lapp. That should

simplify your work.

The Undersheriff frowns. He doesn't like being talked

down to.

UNDERSHERIFF:

How about an address?

SCHAEFFER:

Ah... no.

UNDERSHERIFF:

(frowns)

Maybe a road or route number?

SCHAEFFER:

Sorry.

The Undersheriff is not impressed.

UNDERSHERIFF:

Problem is, Chief, 'bout every

third Amishman around here is

named Lapp. That or Yoder. Or

Hochstetler.

84 CONTINUED:
(2)84

UNDERSHERIFF (CONT'D)

(and)

Chief, if the Amish have taken

your man in, I wouldn't want to

hang from a rope until you find

him.

ANGLE:

Schaeffer is tight-lipped with contained fury:

SCHAEFFER:

Thank you, Sheriff. It's been an

education.

He hangs up. A beat; the man is a study in

frustration. Then he glances up.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

Standing in his doorway are the two plainclothesmen who

spotted Carter in Book's office in the earlier scene.

And...

CUT TO:

85 EXT. LAPP FARM - DAY85

A bright, sunny afternoon.

SAMUEL:

Where he's leading a team of horses to the barn. In

the b.g. three buggies are parked in the barnyard,

traces empty. Visitors.

86 ANGLE IN SICKROOM 86

Where Book lies in the bed. His fever seems to have

subsided. He's coming awake, tries to focus on the

room.

BOOK'S POV - CLERGY

PANNING the four men in Amish black who are standing

around the bed looking down at Book, muttering among

themselves in German.

86 CONTINUED:
86

These include TSCHANTZ, the district bishop, a hawk-

nosed, stern-eyed old fellow; Stoltzfus, a deacon as

well as a healer; and two preachers, ERB and

HERSHBERGER. Eli stands somewhat apart.

ANGLE:

Another moment of silence, then Book opens his eyes.

Tschantz rumbles in German. (SUBTITLES OVER)

TSCHANTZ:

Well, Stoltzfus, another Lazarus

to your credit.

STOLTZFUS:

He was touched by God's hand.

Tschantz grunts, motions, for the other clergy aside

with him.

Rachel enters briskly with a steaming pot of tea and a

cup, smiles.

RACHEL:

Hello.

Book stares at her, then at the old bearded gentlemen.

BOOK:

(closing his eyes)

Who are they?

RACHEL:

The leadership of our district...

the diener. Bishop Tschantz is

the one with no hair on top. They

decided to come and see you for

themselves. Except Stoltzfus, of

course. He came the first day. I

think he saved your life.

BOOK:

Can I have something to drink?

Rachel brings him tea.

BOOK:

(continuing)

Does anybody know I'm here?

86 CONTINUED (2) 86

RACHEL:

Only the elders.

BOOK:

How long?

RACHEL:

What?

BOOK:

How long have I been here?

RACHEL:

Two days.

BOOK:

(a beat)

Listen, thank you. Thanks for

everything. But I've got to go.

RACHEL:

(frowns)

But you can't.

He tries to rise, falls back faint. Rachel rearranges

the sheet.

RACHEL:

(continuing)

See. Anyway, you don't have any

clothes on. And besides that,

Bishop Tschantz wants to talk to

you when you feel better.

The elders appear to have concluded their conference,

and are filing out. Stoltzfus pauses at bedside.

STOLTZFUS:

Rest, Mr. Book. That's the

ticket. And drink my

of my tea.

He goes. Book is still fending off the dizziness.

Rachel puts the teacup to his lips.

BOOK:

Tell him his tea stinks.

RACHEL:

(smiles)

You tell him. When you're able.

He looks like he's about to drop off again. Rachel

rises.

RACHEL:

(from the door)

We're all very happy that you're

going to live, John Book. We

didn't quite know what we were

going to do with you if you died.

That penetrates for a moment just before Book slips

into sleep again.

87 INT. LAPP LIVING ROOM - DAY

87

as the rather worrisome Hershberger frowns:

HERSHBERGER:

...but a gunshot wound. Very

serious.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote