Witness Page #16

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BOOK:

Quaint? Can't imagine why.

She smiles.

BOOK (CONT.)

Where's the nearest telephone?

RACHEL:

Telephone? The Gunthers across

the valley. They're Mennonite.

They have cars and refrigerators

and telephones in the houses even.

BOOK:

No. I'd want a public phone.

Rachel's face clouds.

RACHEL:

Well...the store at Saltzburg....

(then briskly)

But you won't be going to

Saltzburg for a while.

BOOK:

I'm going this morning.

RACHEL:

But Stoltzfus said...

BOOK:

(cutting in)

I know what he said.

RACHEL:

You can go with Eli He's

taking Samuel to school. But

you'll have to hurry.

Rachel turns to leave when Book calls her back.

93C CONTINUED:
(3)

93C

BOOK:

Rachel.

She turns to look at him. It's the first time he's

used her name.

BOOK:

(continuing)

Thanks.

She smiles and leaves.

93D EXT. FARMHOUSE - DAY

93D

Eli calls impatiently from the buggy. Samuel sits

beside him.

ELI:

Hurry up now, John Book!

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Rachel washing dishes turns on hearing Book enter. She

laughs out loud at the sight of him in his Amish gear,

and rightly so - the pants are highwater, the hat low-

rise, the jacket ill-fitting. Book looks self-

conscious, even a little sheepish.

Outside another SHOUT from Eli.

RACHEL:

You'd better go.

Book looks embarrassed.

BOOK:

My... eh... gun?

The smile fades from Rachel's face as she reaches up

into a cupboard. She passes the gun in its holster to

Book. He fastens it about him. The contradiction of

an "Armed Amishman" increases the awkwardness between

them. Book turns his back to her and checks the

weapon. He turns back to her smiling in an odd way.

BOOK:

The... bullets?

RACHEL:

Oh. The bullets.

She takes them out of a disused coffee jar, passes them

to Book.

BOOK:

(attempting a joke)

Not much good without them.

93F INT. BUGGY - COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

93F

Samuel sits between Eli and Book. Both men stare

straight ahead. Eli looks particularly stern. It's

pretty clear he doesn't like this Englishman wearing

the clothes of his faith.

93G EXT. AMISH ONE-TEACHER-SCHOOL - DAY

93G

With a wave Samuel runs into the schoolyard to join

his friends. A teacher begins ringing a bell.

93H INT. STORE, - SALTZBURG

93H

Book on the telephone waiting for his call to be

answered. He looks about him - several Amish and

Dithers mingle in the shop. Book-has gotten a coke

from a machine, seems a bit self-conscious shout it

sips at it surreptitiously.... A voice comes on the

line; it's that of Book's partner.

CARTER:

Yeah?

A silence.

BOOK:

It's me.

CARTER:

Johnny! Where the hell have you been?

BOOK:

Never mind. I'm coming in to take

care of business. How hot am I?

CARTER:

(low, urgent)

Too hot. Don't do it. Don't come in.

BOOK:

I'm coming.

93H CONTINUED:

93H

CARTER:

Listen, Johnny, don't do anything

stupid. You couldn't get within a

mile of Schaeffer right now. So

stay put... Stay in touch - I'll

let you know when maybe it makes

sense.

A beat as Book considers that.

CARTER:

(continuing; edgily)

You hear me?

BOOK:

(finally)

I hear you. I'll stay in touch.

CARTER:

That's more like it.

(and)

Where are you at, anyway?

Book allows himself a small smile, regarding his Amish

image reflected in the window of the store.

BOOK:

Where I'm at is maybe 1890.

CARTER:

(uncomprehending)

Say again?

BOOK:

Make that 1790

He hangs up. A beat, then he stares toward the door Q

the store.

93-I INT. BARN - DAY

93-I

Book works on his car. The battery has gone flat and

he's trying to charge it up by running wires to a

battery mounted under the front seat of the Lapp buggy.

Eli stands at the barn door staring at him, again the

disapproving look.

ELI:

If you are well enough to do that

thing, you can do work for me.

93-I CONTINUED:

93-I

Book is genuinely apologetic.

BOOK:

Sure, I'm sorry. Hope you don't

mind me plugging in to your battery

Mine's

dead.... How can I help? What can

I do?

ELI:

Maybe milking.

BOOK:

(eyes Eli)

Milking?

ELI:

Cows. You know, cows?

BOOK:

I've seen pictures.

ELI:

Good, you start tomorrow.

93J INT. BOOK'S ROOM - LAPP FARM - NIGHT

93J

Where Book lies asleep. A beat, then Eli comes in

carrying a lamp. He pauses a moment to peer at the

sleeping figure with undisguised anticipation. Then he

gives him a jarring thump:

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