Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MEAT by Logan Martin
MEAT by Logan Martin
by
Logan Martin
SUPER: Spring
We dip our snout down, nibble on some freshly sprouted grass.
Then continuing on our --
A BOOM! in the distance. We turn to the --
THWACK! Everything starts to blur. We take a few wobbly steps
before dropping to the ground...
CUT TO BLACK.
The sound of rough cutting.
SOMEWHERE
A buck knife cuts between the ribs of a fur-covered belly.
Blood pours out behind the blade.
MATCH CUT TO:
BEN (O.S.)
How is it?
A smile.
REIN
Perfect.
BEN (30s, long hair, beard) smiles back at REIN (30s, well
kept).
REIN (CONT'D)
Same as always.
2.
REIN
So, what's the plan for tomorrow?
BEN
Well.
(finishes chewing)
I figured I'd get started on the
list.
REIN
It's already time?
BEN
I mean, it's a little early. But,
don't want a repeat of February.
REIN
I guess. It really wasn't that bad.
BEN
You keep saying that, but no point
in chancing it. Deer've been
changing their routes lately.
Anyway, I'm sure we'll be fine.
He smiles. She returns it.
BEN
What about you?
REIN
I've got some stuff I'm finishing
up.
BEN
Are they Dr. Larson approved?
Rein laughs.
REIN
We'll see.
3.
Ben and Rein lie asleep in bed. Their dog, COWBOY (a huge
Rottweiler) at the foot.
LATER
He pours coffee through a strainer into two mugs. Rein
enters, still half asleep.
REIN
Morning.
They look out the window, the sunrise poking through the
trees.
LATER
Rein pulls weeds in a huge garden behind the cabin. The sound
of wood splitting in the distance.
MOMENTS LATER
Cartridges are pushed into the chamber.
Ben makes his way through the woods. Climbs over a fallen
tree, pushes through bushes, etc.
LATER
Ben stops, something catching his eye. He kneels down, looks
through his scope.
[Note: All action seen through a scope will be in RED.]
LATER
He again stops, gets ready.
The doe moves about in a clearing, unaware of Ben's well-
hidden presence in the treeline across the field.
Ben takes a deep breath.
6.
Ben sighs.
REIN
Why is that so crazy? I feel like
they're watching me, sometimes.
BEN
I was like a quarter-mile away in
the trees, there's no way it
could've. Something else must have
spooked it.
REIN
It's still spring, we've got lots
of time.
Ben nods. Rein puts a hand on his arm.
REIN
Hey.
He looks up.
REIN (CONT'D)
Don't worry. We've made it this
long. We'll be okay, Ben.
LATER
The truck flies down the road, electrical poles lining the
sides. The sun's already distanced itself from the horizon.
Inside, Ben listens to the radio.
MULTIPLE (O.S.)
...some boos in the audience before
Senator Rand Paul shouted out.
(and)
Hey, look. Look, he's already
hedging his bet on the Clintons,
okay? So if he doesn't run as a
Republican, maybe he supports
Clinton...
Something catches Ben's eye.
MULTIPLE (O.S.)
...say that he's already hedging
his bets because he's used to
buying politicians.
(and)
Well, I've given him plenty of
money.
8.
(and)
Trump calmly exp--
He turns it off, shakes his head.
Ben pulls onto the main road of a tiny, rural town. Only a
few businesses and cars line the street.
JERRY
Oh. Hey, Ben.
JERRY
How's it goin'?
BEN
Nope, not us.
JERRY
Anyhow. You need some help gettin'
everything packed up?
BEN
If you don't mind.
JERRY
Hey, no problem.
(motions to empty store)
Today's a slow day, anyhow.
He laughs at his own joke, moves to help.
LATER
Ben and Rein relax in their post-meal fullness. They share a
smile.
BEN (PRE-LAP)
Are you ready?
CUT TO BLACK.
BEN (V.O.)
Open your eyes.
OPEN TO:
REIN
Maybe now I'll actually make
something good.
BEN
Oh, please.
11.
REIN
What?
BEN
Your stuff's great. Don't be so
hard on yourself.
REIN
Well, it's not like I have anyone
to judge it.
BEN
I'm sorry.
REIN
I didn't mean it like that, Ben. I
just meant... you know. I just want
my stuff to be good.
She kisses him again. Forces him to smile with a silly face.
A hot pepper and some garlic are dropped into a mason jar,
soon followed by sliced lengths of cucumber.
Rein pours hot vinegar into the jar. Canning in the kitchen.
Lids float in a boiling pot on the stove. Rows and rows of
jars housing various vegetables line the counter next to
accompanying ingredients.
Ben and Rein sit in the living room, reading. The fireplace
ablaze. Ben snacks on some jerky.
The trees stand tall, stabbing up into the sky. Their tips
blow in the breeze, leaves rustling.
LATER
Still moving through the woods. Less brush here. Ben climbs
over a log.
BEN
Is something wrong?
Nothing.
BEN
Rein?
REIN
(coming to)
What?
14.
BEN
Is something wrong?
REIN
Huh? -- Oh. No... I'm just not
feeling well.
BEN
Okay.
(beat)
I saw a mountain lion today.
Rein's eyes come alive.
REIN
Really?
BEN
Mhmm. Got a buck right before me.
REIN
You always see the cool stuff.
BEN
You know you can come.
REIN
I know... you know I don't like it.
BEN
I know. I was just saying.
REIN
Yea.
(beat)
So, how far away was it?
BEN
Not that far.
REIN
I didn't think they came down here.
Ben shrugs.
BEN
They go where they please. Same
with all the others.
15.
REIN
I used to love watching those
videos of bears and mountain lions
in people's backyards. I always
wished it'd happen to me.
BEN
You probably would've needed a
yard, first.
REIN (CONT'D)
So stupid.
BEN
Yea... Let's not think about it,
Rein. We're here now.
She nods. Tries to force a smile.
A long beat.
BEN
Hey. So, I've been thinking... I
think we should cut out town.
16.
REIN
What about paint?
BEN
Yea... that's the one thing I
haven't figured out. We could maybe
pick up a bunch in the fall and
just wait until you run out. Then
get more. Make an exception.
REIN
What about flour and everything?
How'll we make bread?
BEN
I don't know, maybe next year we
grow some grain. It's not that
hard. I mean, why not? It's why we
came here.
REIN
I just don't know if we're ready.
BEN
Rein, come on. It's just a couple
things. We probably should've done
it last year.
Rein shakes her head.
REIN
I don't know.
Ben thinks.
BEN
Look, I'll make the normal fall
trip. Then, we'll skip the winter
one and see how it goes. If it
doesn't work out we'll start going
again. The garden's doing well,
right?
17.
REIN
Yea.
BEN
Well, there it is then. It's all
figured out.
(beat)
Okay? Agreed?
Rein thinks. Averts eye contact.
REIN
Fine.
Ben holds her hand.
BEN
Hey. Look at me.
(she does)
If you really don't want to, we
won't do it. Okay? So, what do you
think?
Rein thinks it over.
REIN
If it doesn't go well, we'll start
going again?
BEN
Yea.
She sighs.
REIN
Alright.
REIN
It's nothing...
BEN
Rein.
Ben catches her as she falls to her knees. She VOMITS onto
the floor...
BEN (O.S.)
Rein, what's wrong? What can I do?
BEN (O.S.)
Are you sure?
REIN
Aren't you going to town?
BEN
Well, I'm not gonna leave you like
this, Rein.
REIN
Ben, really. I'm --
BEN
I'll be downstairs.
He shuts the door on his way out.
REIN
I know, Ben. But, I think I'm okay.
I think it made me feel better.
REIN
I'm okay. Really.
Rein picks green beans in the garden. When she moves down the
line, she notices some hoof marks in the dirt. Her eyes
follow the tracks through the garden...
...all the way to the edge of the clearing, where a doe
stands with two fawns at the treeline. Staring at her.
A beat, just Rein and the doe.
She stands. Steps toward it...
BOOM!
ON THE HILL
Ben's gun recoils with the sound. He watches as the herd
dissipates into the trees.
IN THE WOODS
The doe takes another look before leading her kids away,
leaving Rein in awe...
ON THE HILL
Ben sighs. Gets up.
LATER
LATER
The truck flies down the road. The trees now fully filled
with their summer leaves.
Inside, Ben turns on the radio.
VOICE (O.S.)
...met today, and we wonder -- will
this be the next pres--
He changes the channel. A folk song comes on.
Ben stares after it. Pulls the truck back onto the road.
BEN
Hey, Jare.
BEN
You know. I'll live.
JERRY
Well, let's hope. Rein's doin'
alright?
Ben starts to pick out groceries, mostly ignoring Jerry yet
again.
BEN
Yup. Karen?
JERRY
Well, she went and got a broken hip
-- Oh, I think it was the 15th?
Fell down the patio stairs.
BEN
She okay?
JERRY
Yea, she's alright. Just gotta stay
in bed for a while. It's me you
gotta worry about.
BEN
Why's that?
JERRY
Well, she got it in her head that
it's my fault she fell. Says I
should've fixed the steps years
ago.
BEN
They broken?
25.
JERRY
Well... I wouldn't say broken. I
mean, they seen better days. But,
they're still solid. Ain't nothin'
you'd trip over or anything like
that.
And again, Rein has barely touched her food. Ben watches with
concern.
BEN
Rei--
REIN
I don't want to eat meat anymore.
BEN
But -- Rein, I mean... I love
cooking for you.
26.
REIN
I know, Ben...
BEN
How will you make it through the
winter?
REIN
The garden's doing really well. I
think I could do it.
BEN
Do you really think it's the best
idea? It's a pretty big change.
REIN
I think so.
REIN
I told you, I just don't want to
eat it anymore.
BEN
But, why? That's not a reason.
REIN
It just grosses me out. I think
that's why I got sick the other
day.
BEN
It grosses you out? You've been
eating meat your whole life.
REIN
People change!
Ben reels back, a little shocked. A moment, and Rein leaves.
MOMENTS LATER
Ben lets the foamy toothpaste flow down his chin. Rein
laughs.
BEN
(mouth full)
What?
Footsteps and deer tracks dried in the mud lead into the
woods...
Ben peers into the dark forest, then back at the cabin.
He follows the trail back toward the cabin, leading him to
and through the garden. The footsteps disappear as he reaches
the opposite edge, but the deer tracks continue all the way
to the back porch.
LATER
Ben looks in the corner.
REIN
They're right there.
BEN (O.S.)
You really need to clean in here.
REIN
Ben, please.
He stops. Gives her a look, like: What? Then heads toward the
shed.
He turns over, opens his eyes. The other side of the bed
empty.
Rein gets up and heads for the stairs. Ben silently creeps
away.
Ben lies "asleep" in bed. Rein crawls in, facing away from
him.
A beat.
-- he stops.
Inside, the pigs separate like they were in the middle of a
private conversation.
BEN (O.S.)
What're you guys doing out of your
pen?
Ben runs his hand along the cleaned, aged flesh of one of
them. Lost in the look and feel of it.
31.
MOMENTS LATER
CLAMP. Rein slams an open paint can over the spider, slides
it onto a lid.
BEN
What were you doing?
REIN
Nothing.
SUPER: Fall
Boots crunch a leaf-covered forest floor.
SHUFFLE SHUFFLE. Ben turns to the side. Just catches the rear
of a huge moose as it disappears into the brush.
LATER
Sliding along the creek, looking for the best choice... what
was that? He pulls back to a deer, standing up tall on its
hind legs, watching the others.
Ben looks away from the scope. Just watches as the standing
deer disappears into the woods.
LATER
Ben holds the deer's legs together and hoists it onto his
shoulders. Heads into the forest.
The heart pieces are dropped into a hot pan. A few tosses,
and they're slid onto a plate next to a salad.
Ben joins Rein at dinner. She's got her eyes on his plate.
BEN
What?
REIN
Nothing.
BEN
What is it, Rein?
REIN
Well... don't you think it's, like,
I don't know. Bad. To do that?
BEN
What? The heart?
Rein nods.
BEN
It's good meat, Rein. I'm not gonna
waste it.
Rein concedes, focuses on her salad. Ben does the same, but
takes some glances.
34.
BEN
You're making me worried, Rein.
(and)
I don't think it's good, not eating
meat. It can't be healthy.
REIN
People have been vegetarians for
thousands of years.
LATER
MOMENTS LATER
Ben walks up next to her. She doesn't even notice, lost in
her own world.
A beat.
BEN
Something out there?
REIN
(coming to)
Huh?
BEN
Is something out there?
REIN
Oh. No.
BEN
So... what're you doing?
REIN
I'm just looking.
Ben stares at her, still just staring into the woods.
BEN
Well, okay. I only got a couple
things left. Then I'll be in.
(beat)
Okay?
REIN
Okay.
Ben closes the doors on his way out of the barn. Notices
something above him.
BEN (O.S.)
Shit!
Ben sits in the kitchen, his bearded face red and swollen. It
looks really bad. Also ridiculous. Rein applies aloe as
gingerly as she can.
REIN
It's so weird. They usually don't
affect you at all.
BEN
Yea, I don't know.
(Rein leaves)
Actually I think I read that the
venom can stay in your system for
years. Maybe I'm allergic now.
BEN
What?
REIN
The venom thing.
BEN
Oh, yea. I think so.
37.
BEN
What?
REIN
I don't know. It's just
interesting. Like, you're exposed
to it so much that your body can't
take it anymore.
REIN
You okay?
BEN
Yea. It's just gonna suck going
into town, tomorrow.
REIN
You're not going anywhere like
this. You can't even see.
BEN
I'll be okay.
REIN
I'll go. You can stay here and
rest.
BEN
Really, Rein, it's o--
REIN
You're staying in bed. I'll do the
chores.
BEN
(beat)
Fine.
REIN
Good.
A beat.
38.
All the deer have been shot, their lifeless bodies litter the
entirety of the field.
Ben unloads the magazine. The moose just getting closer and
closer, calmly walking toward him. Ben getting more and more
frightened as it nears.
Ben drops the rifle, tries to run away. But, he can’t move.
Like his feet are nailed to the ground.
He frantically tries to pull them with his hands. Looks with
horror as the moose stops a few feet away.
Compete silence. Ben just stares at the moose.
Ben sits on the porch drinking some iced tea. He looks bored,
uneasy.
BEN
Shit!
BEN
Fuck...
He looks around.
BEN
Rein?
(and)
Rein!?
He leaves.
Ben enters.
BEN
Rein?
He starts to look in all the rooms.
BEN
Will?
WILL
Ben! How's it goin'?
They start to move stuff out of the truck.
BEN
Fine.
WILL
Yea, you look it. Rein was tellin'
me about that. Those little
bastards'll getcha.
BEN
Yea.
(to Rein)
What happened?
REIN
The truck wouldn't start. I didn't
want to wake you.
BEN
I got stung, I'm not dying. Didn't
have to bother Will, here.
WILL
It's no big deal. I got nothin'
today, anyway.
BEN
I mean, it's not nothing. It's like
an hour and a half each way.
WILL
Hey, we may be a couple miles down
the road, but we're still
neighbors.
BEN
Well, maybe. But, we still owe you.
WILL
Nah, I won't have it. Hannah'd have
my ass if she found out I took
somethin' from you two.
BEN
She doing okay?
42.
WILL
Yea, good as ever. Garden's doin'
pretty well. Can you believe this
weather? Best in a long time.
Anyway, it's been keepin' her busy.
(and)
Actually... I think there is
something' you can do for me.
BEN
Anything.
WILL
Well. You know Hannah's always
wanted to have ya'll over for
dinner.
BEN
I guess.
BEN
We don't have plans for any night.
WILL
Alright then.
(beat)
Well, I guess I'll go let Hannah
know. She's gonna be real excited.
WILL
Yea?
43.
BEN
I figured I should tell you.
(and)
Rein doesn't eat meat.
WILL
What do ya mean?
BEN
She's a vegetarian.
WILL
Well, alright. I mean, I don't know
what she's gonna eat, but I'm sure
Hannah'll figure somethin' out.
(and)
I never understood those vejans or
whatever they're called. If I'd've
tried to pull that my old man
woulda popped me a new one.
BEN
Yea, mine too.
(beat)
Anyway. See you later.
WILL
Yup, see ya.
Ben watches as Will backs the truck out and into the woods.
He looks to the cabin.
BEN
Why didn't you wake me up?
REIN
I told you. You needed some rest.
BEN
Yea, well, now we've got to have
dinner with them.
44.
REIN
You know I don't want to, either,
but it's already happening. So
we're just gonna have to deal with
it.
(beat)
Did you tell him about...
BEN
Yea.
REIN
What'd he say?
BEN
Nothing.
REIN
Mhmm.
BEN
What is it!? Are you okay?
REIN
Look!
Most of the garden is filled with disease. The plants covered
in brown spots. The vegetables shriveled up and split.
Bleeding their contents.
REIN
So?
BEN
It's not good.
REIN
What're we gonna do, Ben?
BEN
Well... I think if I pick up the
hunting we might be okay. But,
you'd have to...
Rein's confused. She gets it.
REIN
No.
BEN
Rein, if you ju--
REIN
I'm not doing that, Ben!
(beat)
We'll just have to get more from
Jerry.
BEN
Rein, this is our chance! We're
finally making some headway.
REIN
I can't believe this. What the fuck
even...
46.
REIN
You want me to eat meat so bad that
you poison our own food, Ben? How
could you?
HANNAH (O.S.)
...tried to get you some of that
tofu stuff, but Jerry didn't have
any.
Ben, Rein, Will, and HANNAH (40s) have just sat down to
dinner. The room looks like any other modern dining room,
albeit somewhat country. Rein and Ben look uncomfortable.
REIN
It's okay, Hannah. This is fine.
Will pours himself and Hannah some wine.
HANNAH
Well, potatoes and salad ain't no
diet.
REIN
It's fine, really.
WILL
Can I get your glasses?
Under the table, Ben tries to hold Rein's hand. She pulls
away.
BEN
What? -- Oh... I should've told
you. We don't drink.
WILL
What? Why?
Ben just shrugs.
48.
WILL
Well, you can not drink and still
have a glass.
(off their look)
Come on, it's a party. We've never
had you guys over.
LATER
WILL
Yea, maybe. But, twenty years of
anything'll do that to someone.
49.
WILL
What do you do?
HANNAH
We've been wonderin' since ya'll
got here. Never see you drive past
during the day.
BEN
We don't have jobs. Just try to do
everything ourselves.
REIN
I do the gardening and inside the
house, and Ben does all the hunting
and outside stuff. And cooking.
WILL
Well, we gathered that much. We
meant what're you guys about? Where
ya from? How'd ya end up here?
People don't just come up here for
no reason.
WILL
Okay... So, what're ya'll doin' out
here?
REIN
We don't have electricity in the
main floor.
HANNAH
Really?
REIN
Yea, plumbing either. We got rid of
it our second year.
HANNAH
If you don't have plumbing, how do
you...?
REIN
Outhouse.
BEN
Kind of.
KITCHEN
HANNAH
Well, I don't get it. Why would you
do that to yourselves?
REIN
We were just tired of it.
HANNAH
Of what?
LIVING ROOM
BEN
Just... everything. Everybody.
Everybody just being the same.
Saying all the same things. Doing
all the same things. My job was
just full of people lying.
KITCHEN
REIN
...you know? I was so tired of the
women at work just in each other's
business. No respect for privacy. I
mean, you don't know people's
situation.
LIVING ROOM
BEN
...family wasn't any better.
(beat)
I worked hard my whole life to get
a good job. No one I knew ever had
anything. The kind of people whose
parents don't care if they get to
seventh grade. The kind of people
who name their kid Bentley when
they'd never seen one. You know?
WILL
So, ya'll just left it all behind?
52.
KITCHEN
HANNAH
What about your family?
REIN
Well, my parents have passed, but I
miss the others sometimes. But,
this is the choice we made. You
know? To try to escape it. All of
it. Make our own little society.
LIVING ROOM
BEN
So we just left. No pictures. No
furniture. We left it all.
WILL
Everything?
BEN
Everything.
KITCHEN
HANNAH
So, what's next?
REIN
Well, I guess we're cutting out
town.
HANNAH
Oh. That's a big deal.
Rein nods.
LIVING ROOM
WILL
Huh.
(beat)
Well, I don't really understand.
But, if you guys ever get in any
trouble we'll be here.
BEN (O.S.)
Thanks.
LATER
Ben comes around the cabin and calls to Rein, working in the
garden.
BEN
You hungry yet!?
She doesn't even look at him. He moves inside.
LATER
Happy and full, he sets his dishes in the sink. Starts to
clean up.
BEN
Huh? Oh, yea.
(and)
I'm all meated out today.
It's only for a moment, but a grin sneaks onto Rein's face.
55.
BEN
I know I asked before, but... why
did you stop?
Rein takes a while.
REIN
I don't know, I guess. It just felt
kind of wrong, you know? We came
here, and kind of just... invaded.
We just take anything we want. We
don't ask anybody if it's okay.
BEN
Rein, there's nobody here.
REIN
...I know.
(and)
You asked.
BEN
I'm sorry.
(and)
So that's it then? That's
everything?
REIN
I mean, mostly.
(beat)
It also just... I don't know.
BEN
It's okay. We don't need to talk
about it anymore.
Her joy disappears as she notices Ben coming onto the back
porch with a rifle.
They lock eyes as Ben kneels down. Rein makes a "no" motion
with her hands, her eyes worried. But, it's too late. Ben's
already looking down the --
BOOM!
Rein watches in horror as the rabbit twitches and hops,
spontaneous movements taking over as its life ends.
BEN
It's getting colder.
Rein doesn't even hear him, just keeps reading. Ben
acknowledges her rejection.
57.
BEN
I just wanted to see.
REIN
It's not finished yet.
Ben looks down from the top of the stairs. Rein and Cowboy
are curled up on the floor in front of the fire.
A beat. He goes back upstairs.
58.
LATER
Still moving through the snow, getting tired.
BEN
Rein. Are you sure you don't want
more?
She shakes her head no. He sighs.
59.
BEN
What's going on, Rein? You won't
even talk to me anymore.
REIN
I'm just tired.
BEN
You're just tired? Tired. That's
what you are?
REIN
Yea.
BEN
And why are you tired, Rein? Huh?
Maybe its cuz you're not eating
anything. You're not doing
anything.
REIN
I'm fine.
BEN
You're fine? Really? How the fuck
are you fine? I mean, what're you
even doing anymore? Look at
yourself! You just sit inside all
day getting skinnier and skinnier.
You look like a corpse!
Rein just stares at the table. Ben looks from her to his
plate and back.
A fork stabs a piece of steak. Red liquid seeps out onto the
plate.
Ben walks over, puts it in her face.
BEN
Eat it.
(beat)
Eat it.
REIN
No.
BEN
Eat it!
Ben tries to shove the steak into her mouth, but she turns
her head.
60.
He grabs her face and tries again, but she pushes his arm and
jolts away.
Ben catches her and brings her to the floor, holds her with
his arm as he pushes the meat into her closed lips. She
screams through them and flails at him.
LATER
BEN
Hey.
Nothing.
BEN
Rein, I'm sorry. I don't know what
to say... I feel like an animal.
REIN
(still reading)
It's okay.
BEN
No, it isn't. It's not okay.
(beat)
I'll never do anything like that
again. I promise.
Rein nods, like: I'm sure. She turns a page.
A moment, and Ben leaves.
REIN
I was just checking the animals.
She sits by the fire.
BEN
Why?
REIN
They were whining so I went out to
see.
63.
BEN
And?
REIN
Bert and Ernie were out of their
pen, so I got them back in.
Ben doesn't know what to think. He watches his wife as she
warms her hands.
BEN
No. No!
He shakingly tries to wipe the worms off, but more and more
keep appearing.
BEN
FUCK!
He rips open the corpse. Maggots spill out like water onto
the floor.
Ben sits in the kitchen, his head in his hands. Rein comes
down the stairs.
BEN
(through his hands)
Did you go downstairs, yesterday?
REIN
No.
A beat.
REIN
What is it?
BEN
I must've forgot to close the door.
REIN
Oh.
BEN
I can't believe this winter.
(and)
I think I'm gonna have to slaughter
one of the pigs.
A blank stare from Rein.
BEN
Rein, we can't both live on pickles
and carrots. The meat's almost out.
(and)
Do you remember? Is Bert older than
Ernie?
BOOM!
Bert lets out horrified squeals as Ernie drops to the ground,
blood reddening the snow around him. Bert tries to ram
through the crack, desperate to come to his friend's aid.
LATER
He moves some hair out of his eyes. Pulls it down, sees how
long its gotten.
LATER
A straight razor runs over Ben's now hairless neck.
He wipes his face with a towel. Looks at his clean cut hair
and face.
A new man.
BEN
What do you think?
Rein stops, stares.
REIN
Why did you do that?
BEN
I just figured it was time. Don't
you like it?
REIN
(beat)
No, I don't.
She moves to leave, but Ben finally can't take it --
BEN
What the FUCK is your problem?
Rein jumps. Legitimately scared. She regains composure.
REIN
What the fuck is my problem? You
really think this is my fault?
After everything you've done?
BEN
What have I done, Rein? What have I
done? Besides that one night --
What have I really done?
REIN
What have you done? Are you kidding
me?
68.
BEN
Yea. What did I do? Oh my god, I
killed a few of your precious
little animals. Boo hoo. What did
you think would happen moving out
here?
REIN
Don't act like you just "killed a
few animals," Ben. After what you
did to Ernie?
BEN
What? I did it in the best way
possible.
REIN
The best way possible? Shooting him
in the fucking head! That's the
best way possible? How do you think
Bert feels?
BEN
He's a pig!
REIN
You're not who you say you are.
Rein breathes like a bull about to charge.
REIN (CONT'D)
I know what you are.
Ben's confused.
BEN
What do you mean?
REIN
I know what the fuck you've been
doing, Ben!
(condescending)
What happened out in the snow the
other day? There was a really big
stain.
Ben thinks. Figures it out, a little scared.
BEN
I don't -- How did you...?
69.
REIN
It doesn't matter! All that matters
is that I know. I know what kind
of... "person" you are. You really
think I'd want to be with a monster
like you!?
BEN
What is that supposed to mean?
REIN
You know exactly what it means.
BEN
Don't leave me like that...
(and)
We need to talk about this, Rein.
REIN
I don't want to talk, Ben.
BEN
What's going on? What's happened? I
know I've done some bad things,
but...
(beat)
Please, help me out here.
REIN
I'm done helping you.
Rein stands up, moves to leave.
BEN
Rein, please...
SUPER: Spring
ACROSS THE YARD
Ben chops a log.
Ben pushes through the woods, moving branches and brush out
of his way.
He notices something on the ground.
A pair of rusty glasses lies hidden amongst the dead leaves
and fresh grass. He picks them up.
Ben inspects them. Then continues on.
LATER
In the middle of the area, Ben moves some dirt aside with his
boot, uncovering some ashes. He looks around, confused.
Ben sits by the fire, holding the glasses. Rein enters from
outside. She heads --
BEN
Rein.
BEN
What were you doing out there?
REIN
I go for walks.
BEN
Yea? You go for walks? What about
sleeping downstairs every night?
What about going to the barn in the
middle of the night?
REIN
I told you, I --
BEN
What the fuck is going on, Rein?
What is happening?
(and)
Rein! Tell me what the fuck is
going on!
REIN
Are we gonna be okay, Ben?
BEN
Yea. Yea, Rein. Of course.
She hugs him tighter. He looks back out the window.
BEN
What're you doing?
She smiles when she sees him.
REIN
I know you hate that it's so messy
in here, so I thought I'd organize
it.
BEN
Thats nice. Don't you think that
it's a little late, though?
75.
REIN
Oh. Yea, I guess I lost track of
time.
BEN
Hey, buddy. You alright?
Ben scratches the rot's head, notices he's protecting his
hind legs.
BEN
It's okay boy, let me see.
He starts to lift his leg, but Cowboy bares his teeth and
growls ferociously.
He grabs a screwdriver.
Ben forces it under the lid and pries up, popping it off.
He looks down at a stash of mementos. A stack of pictures, an
Ipod Classic with headphones and a charger, and a gold
necklace.
Ben takes the ipod and sets it aside. Then pulls out the
pictures.
They're all of Ben and Rein from before they moved. All dated
between 2007-2011. There's one of them and some friends at a
bar, having a good time. Another of them in an empty
apartment on their move-in day. A smiling Ben doing
woodworking. Rein in an art gallery. More and more happy
memories flash in front of Ben's face as he looks through the
photos. Until finally, he reaches the last one. On it, Ben
stands with an obviously pregnant Rein, the Statue of Liberty
in the background. It's dated 4/25/2011.
He sets the photos aside and pulls out the necklace. Its gold
chain leads to a small pendent of a person with angel wings,
an emerald as its body.
REIN
Morning.
77.
LATER
It flies down the highway, the surrounding trees full of
spring.
LATER
Ben pulls onto the main road of the tiny town. It's just as
"busy" as last year.
Ben smiles, Martin's Grocery coming into view. His joy fades
to worry.
REIN (PRE-LAP)
I'm so sorry, Ben.
BEN
I don't know. I just... I just wish
I would've talked to him more.
Spent more time.
REIN
I know.
Ben splashes some water on his face. Dries off.
BEN
Anyway.
Ben looks to the side of the cabin, where Rein hangs wet
garments on a clothesline.
LATER
Ben walks through a sea of tall grass.
He comes to the edge of a hill and scans the area below.
Spots the group of deer near a treeline, down at the bottom.
Ben kneels down. Looks through the scope.
The deer nibble on fresh buds, completely unaware.
Ben runs along the side of the hill, heading for the tree
line as another BOOM! echoes through the area.
LATER
REIN
Oh my god, Ben. You scared me.
Ben cautiously enters as Rein returns to the kitchen.
REIN
Didn't get anything?
Ben just shakes his head.
REIN
(regarding the steak)
Can you flip that? I think it's
gonna burn.
A beat.
He leans the rifle against a wall and does as she said. Never
taking his eyes off her.
REIN
Is it done?
83.
BEN
What?
REIN
The steak? We can eat if it's
ready.
Ben watches her put food on the table, and for the first time
since he came home, he notices that while it's set for two,
there's a third chair at the table.
REIN
Is something wrong? You're acting
weird.
He just stares at the chair as she gets the steak and sits
down.
REIN
Ben?
REIN
Yea?
BEN
Why did you make dinner? You hate
cooking.
She stops chewing.
REIN
Um... I don't know. I guess I just
felt like it.
BEN
You just felt like it?
REIN
Yea.
She returns to her food. Ben just sits for a while.
REIN
It's gonna get cold.
84.
A beat.
Ben cuts a piece off the end of his steak. Red liquid comes
out of the pink center.
He brings it to his mouth and chews, his eyes on the chair.
His curiosity eventually gets the best of him.
BEN
Rein, why is that there?
She stops chewing again. Looks at the chair.
REIN
Um...
BEN
And why are you cooking? Don't say
you just felt like it, cuz you
never just feel like it.
BEN
You're not supposed to tell? What
the fuck does that mean? There's no
one else here.
REIN
...Not anymore.
BEN
Rein. Please, stop talking in
riddles. Just tell me what's going
on.
She takes a moment, but finally -- she smiles.
REIN
He told me not to, but I'm too
excited. He's gonna forgive you,
Ben! Bert's gonna forgive you.
85.
BEN
...Bert? Bert's gonna forgive me?
REIN
Yea. He said that today was the big
day. Today was the day you'd
finally meet again. He said he was
finally ready to forgive you for
what you did to Ernie, so he came
and made dinner.
(and)
Right before you got here he said
that he was too nervous.. I tried
to get him to stay, but he left.
BEN
Bert? The pig, Bert? He made the
dinner?
REIN
I know it sounds crazy, but he's
totally changed since he left. They
all have.
REIN
I knew you wouldn't believe me.
BEN
Fine. Okay. Let's just say that the
pig was here. And he cooked this
steak. Don't you think that's
weird? Why would he do that if he
was so upset about...
Ben stares down at the piece of meat.
REIN
I don't know. He probably wanted it
to go well. I told him how you --
BEN
Rein. Where did this come from?
REIN
Um, downstairs? He said he got it
from downstairs.
86.
VOMITS violently on the floor. Rein calls from the top of the
stairs.
REIN (O.S.)
Ben? Are you okay?
87.
REIN
What?
BEN
That's why I was in so late. I was
hiding. Something -- Someone tried
to kill me.
REIN
Well, there must be some other
answer. Maybe Will was out hunting
and --
BEN
Rein. It wasn't Will.
He heads for the office.
88.
REIN
But... Bert wouldn't do that, Ben.
He wouldn't.
REIN
Ben, where did you get that?
He starts to puts the phone together.
BEN
We have to get out of here.
REIN
You hid a cell phone? This was your
idea, Bentley. I can't believe you.
BEN
Rein! It doesn't matter right now!
(and)
I'm sorry. Look. I don't understand
what's going on right now, but --
we just have to leave. Rein, we
have to leave!
Ben watches as the cell phone turns on.
REIN (O.S.) BEN
I just don't believe he'd do (seeing no bars)
that. There has to be some Shit!
other explanation.
He starts to think out a plan, talking to himself. Not
listening to Rein.
89.
BEN
Rein?
The sound of a door closing. Ben moves to a window. Sees Rein
running across the yard toward the woods.
BEN
Rein!
MOMENTS LATER
Ben reaches the spot where he found Rein's glasses. A subtle
glow warms the area.
He creeps up to the mangled plants and branches that surround
the clearing and tries to peer through. But, it's too thick
to get a good look.