The Coffin

EXT. FARMHOUSE — PIG PEN — CORNFIELD — DAY

An IDYLLIC FARM. Isolated. In its own world.

On the far side of the farmhouse we see a MASSIVE oak tree. ARTHUR (20) sits under it — reading. He wears a white linen dress shirt and beige trousers.  A brown-spotted piglet sleeps in his lap.

In the cornfield, CASH (20), Arthur’s identical brother, drives a tractor with a corn picker and cart. He wears a once-white t-shirt and jean overalls. Sweat drips down his face.

Cash pulls out an unmarked bottle and takes a swig. He looks over at his brother. Scoffs.

Cc-thk-thk-thk-

The tractor catches resistance. Cash looks back and sees a bunch of crops jammed in the picker.

CASH
Shit.

Cash sets the brakes and turns off the engine. He gets off. Starts pulling the crops out from the picker.

SFX: RUMBLE OF THUNDER

Arthur looks up from his book and sees a clear blue sky.

Cash gets down on all fours to reach further into the picker. He sticks his arm all the way in...feels the blockage...grabs hold...
and YANKS it out.

SFX: BOOMING THUNDERCLAP

Cash falls back. A bloodied cob tumbles out.

Cash looks down at the hook-shaped gash at the base of his palm. Blood trickles out.

CASH
(wincing)
Fuck.

Cash stands up — applying pressure to his hand. Arthur sees this.

ARTHUR
You okay?

CASH
I’m fine!

ARTHUR
What happened?

CASH
I said I’m fine!

He turns — starts toward the farmhouse.

CASH
(to himself)
Just read your fuckin’ book...

Arthur watches Cash exit the field and head through the back door into the kitchen. He slams the door behind him.

Arthur looks down at his book. Tries to get back into it, but he can’t. He sets the book down - as well as the piglet - and stands up from the shade.

He takes a step toward the farmhouse — then stops. He looks up.


INT. RUSTIC KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS

Cash grabs a rag from under the sink. He goes to the pantry — grabs a jar of clear liquid — pops off the lid — takes a hefty gulp — then pours some on the wound.

CASH
(holding back whimper)
Ffffffff—

He ties the dish rag around his hand.

Suddenly — he hears it.

SFX: PLUMMETING WHISTLE

Cash looks out the window — at Arthur looking up (his back to us). Cash tries to see what Arthur sees, but the sun blocks his view.

The sound gets closer. LOUDER. Until —

Something lands in the cornfield.

A SWELL of dust upon impact. Windows crack. The farmhouse shakes. 

Arthur can no longer be seen.

CASH
Arthur! Arthur!! Jesus f—


EXT. FARMHOUSE — SURROUNDING AREA — CONTINUOUS

Cash rushes outside - into the dust cloud that has swallowed much of the field. The spotted piglet scurries back into the pig pen. 


EXT. CORN FIELD — CONTINUOUS

Cash traverses through the crops. He can’t see more than a few feet in any direction.

CASH
(squinting)
Arthur??

ARTHUR 
(O.S)
Over here!

CASH
Where are you, I can’t—

He feels a crunch under his feet. Looks down.

CASH
My crops...

The centre of the cornfield has been wiped away. In place of the crops — a CRATER has formed. Arthur stands at the ridge.

ARTHUR
Cash...

CASH
The fuck...

ARTHUR
You’re...you’re gonna wanna see this.

Cash looks up at his brother. Makes his way over to him.

CASH
What...what happened..?

ARTHUR
Look.

He points at the base of the crater. Upraised slightly — a COFFIN — BLACK — made of wood yet somehow still intact.

Cash struggles to believe his eyes.

CASH
...is that—?

ARTHUR
Uh-huh...

Cash looks up — down at the coffin — then up again.

CASH
How...

ARTHUR
Maybe a plane?

CASH
I didn’t hear one.

ARTHUR
...Me neither...

They both stare at it.

CASH
Should we open it?

ARTHUR
What?? That’s—we can’t do that—

CASH
Why not?

ARTHUR
It’s...disrespectful...

CASH
It’s not like I’m digging it up.

ARTHUR
Still.

CASH
Aren’tcha curious?

ARTHUR
Well, I mean yeah but—

CASH
Alright one sec.

Cash takes off for his shed next to the pig pen.

ARTHUR
Wait Cash—Cash!


SHED - CONTINUOUS

Cash opens the shed and grabs a crowbar. Hustles back.


CORNFIELD - CONTINUOUS

Arthur is now at the base of the crater — examining the coffin.

ARTHUR
It’s not even scratched...

Cash slides down into the crater. He pushes Arthur aside.

CASH
(panting)
Move.

Cash goes to the base of the coffin and jams the flat end of the crowbar under the lid. He pries up an edge — then goes to the other end of the coffin and does the same thing. 

Together Cash and Arthur lift the lid up and set it aside.

They look down into the coffin. Their eyes widen.

Submerged in crystal-clear water — a WOMAN (20s). Dark hair. Eyes closed. Naked.

ARTHUR
It’s...it's a woman...

Cash just stares. His mouth open.

The water over her is like a sheet of glass. But then — a bubble.

CASH
Wait what was that—

ARTHUR
What—

CASH
There was—there was a bubble.

ARTHUR
What are you talking about—

CASH
There was a bubble!

ARTHUR
I didn’t see a bubble.

CASH
I swear!

ARTHUR
Maybe it was gas.

CASH
What?

ARTHUR
Well, I-I read that corpses bloat and give off gases and stuff.

CASH
Does she look bloated to you?

Arthur peers down at her.

ARTHUR
I mean no, she-

Her eyes fling open. She sits up - gasping.

The brothers scream. Arthur falls down. Cash backs away.

CASH
This isn’t real...this can’t—

The woman — still gasping — wipes her face.
 
She looks at them. Arthur slowly sits up.

ARTHUR
...H-Hi...

A short delay.

WOMAN
...H-hi...

Cash’s eyes are like dinner plates. Words escape him.

ARTHUR
Wh-who are you?

The woman blinks. Looks around. Her head starts drifting. She passes out.

Cash and Arthur look at each other. Back at her.

                                           CUT TO: 

them (shirtless) carrying the woman (semi-covered) out of the field by her arms and legs.


INT. FARMHOUSE — DAY

They bring her through the back door and lay her down on the kitchen table.

They stand over her — ogling with a mix of lust and fear.

ARTHUR
You think she’s human?

CASH
Would’ve hadta scrape her out with a shovel if she were.

ARTHUR
...Maybe she’s an angel.

CASH
Where’s her wings?

Arthur thinks for a moment.

ARTHUR
Maybe she’s an alien.

CASH
Looks awfully human for an alien.

ARTHUR
But you just said—

CASH
I know what I said. I...I don’t know. I don’t know what to think.

Cash strokes her leg.

CASH
She is cute, tho…

ARTHUR
Don’t.

CASH
What?

ARTHUR
I know what you’re thinking.

CASH
Same thing you’re thinking?

ARTHUR
What? No!

CASH
Oh please.

ARTHUR
I’m not!

CASH
Arthur...

ARTHUR
She’s unconscious!

CASH
...So?

ARTHUR
You’re disgusting.

CASH
And you’re a hypocrite.

Arthur sighs, shaking his head.

ARTHUR
Let’s just get her some clothes.

CASH
What’s there to give her?

ARTHUR
I think mom left some dresses in the attic.

CASH
(grimacing)
You wanna give her one of mom’s?

ARTHUR
What’s wrong with that?

CASH
I don’t know. It’s weird.

ARTHUR
What else do you suggest?

CASH
I think she looks fine as is.

ARTHUR
For God’s sake, Cash—

CASH
Alright, fine — go get her a dress.

ARTHUR
I think you should go.

CASH
Why?

ARTHUR
Because I don’t trust you alone with her.

CASH
You her bodyguard now?

ARTHUR
Go get the dress.

CASH
Wow. Big boy.

Cash smirks. Arthur does not.

CASH
Alright. But only ‘cause I know you’re not gonna do anything while I’m gone.

Cash exits the kitchen.

Arthur looks back down at the woman. He gulps.


INT. SECOND FLOOR — CONTINUOUS

A long hallway. Two bedrooms at the far end. Bathroom halfway down. On the ceiling near their bedrooms we see a PANEL with a latch. Cash walks over and pulls on the latch, bringing down a ladder.

He climbs up, into —


ATTIC SPACE — CONTINUOUS

filled with boxes of pro-Christian pamphlets.
Underneath a circular window — illuminated by the sunlight — we see an old-style trunk with a small but poisonous SNAKE coiled on top.

Cash — in fear — approaches. He slowly reaches down and grabs two pamphlets, then carefully uses them to push the snake off the trunk. The snake slithers away.

Cash sets the pamphlets down and opens the trunk. He sifts through the dresses. Pulls out a white one.

Cash brings the dress to his face. Inhales deeply.


INT. FOYER — A FEW MINUTES LATER

Cash comes down the staircase with the dress in one hand, a towel in the other.

At the foot of the stairs, Cash slows. He hears the clatter of dishes and the sound of a frying pan. Confused, he re-enters the kitchen.


KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS

Arthur is at the stove — cooking grits. The woman — still on the kitchen table — now sits upright, covering her breasts with one of their shirts. Her face is expressionless. Eyes completely blank.

Cash steps into view. She turns. Eyes sharpen ever so slightly.

CASH
Uh...

Arthur turns, frying pan in hand.

ARTHUR
(nervous)
Look who’s up.

CASH
I see that.

ARTHUR
I’m just cooking her some food.

Cash does not respond. He stares at the woman. She stares back. The look in her eyes unnerves him to the point where he has to look away.

CASH
Here.

Cash hands her the towel, then the dress. She looks down at them, unsure what to do.

ARTHUR
The towel is for you to dry yourself off. The dress is for you to put on. If-if you want.

The woman takes the towel and pats herself dry. She swaps the towel with the dress and stands up, causing the shirt to slip off her.

Both boys turn red. Arthur looks at the ceiling.

ARTHUR
Oh, uh, you can...you can change in there.

Arthur points at the pantry.

The woman (holding the dress) walks into the pantry. She stands in place, facing away from them, leaving the door open.

Arthur closes the door.

CASH
(hushed)
So what’s the plan?

ARTHUR
I don’t know.

CASH
Did she say anything?

ARTHUR
No.

CASH
Nothing.

ARTHUR
She just sat up. Started looking around.

CASH
I don’t trust her.

ARTHUR
Imagine how she feels.

CASH
...I don't think we shoulda brought her here.

ARTHUR
She needed our help.

CASH
We don’t even know what she is.

ARTHUR
Well we can’t just kick her out now.

CASH
Why not??

ARTHUR
Because that’s rude!

CASH
Rude?? She left a CRATER in my field! 

ARTHUR
I don’t think she meant to do that.

CASH
How do you know??

THUD

They look at the pantry. Arthur approaches the door.

ARTHUR
Everything okay?

Silence.

Arthur slowly opens the door.

The woman (in dress) stands toward them - rubbing her forehead. She looks at Cash, then Arthur.

ARTHUR
You look...I mean do you like it? Does it fit okay?

She looks down at herself, then up with the faintest of smiles. She nods.

CASH
We have some questions.

He pulls out a chair at the dinner table.

CASH
Sit.

She looks at the chair. Arthur pulls out the adjacent chair and sits down, as if to show her how.

She steps out of the pantry. Approaches the table. Sits.

Cash takes the opposing chair.

CASH
So — what are you?

ARTHUR
Cash.

CASH
Are you some kinda witch?

WOMAN
..witch..

ARTHUR
Jesus Cash she’s not a witch. 

Arthur looks at the woman. 

Arthur
...Right?

WOMAN
I’m..human...

CASH
Then how the FUCK did you survive a fall like that?

ARTHUR
Okay can you just relax? 

He turns to the woman. 

ARTHUR
Let’s just start with your name.

The woman blinks.

ARTHUR
Is it...Janet? Carol?

CASH
Are you really just gonna—

ARTHUR
Susan? Laura?

The woman tilts her head.

ARTHUR
Laura? Wait is that actually your name?

The woman nods.

CASH
There's no fucking way it's actually Laura.

ARTHUR
She says it’s Laura. Right? It’s —

She nods again.

ARTHUR
Okay, Laura — do you remember how you got in that coffin?

She looks as if peering through fog. She shakes her head.

CASH
What do you remember?

LAURA
I..remember..fff..fff—

ARTHUR
Falling?

Laura nods.

ARTHUR
It’s incredible you were able to survive that...

CASH
It’s impossible.

ARTHUR
Do you...know where you’re from? Do you have a family?

Laura shakes her head. Her stare turns distant, then teary-eyed.

ARTHUR
If you needed to stay with us while you got…

CASH
What?

ARTHUR
Got back on your feet we’d be more than happy to...

CASH
Nope. No way.

ARTHUR
What’s your problem?

CASH
She’s not staying in the house.

ARTHUR
I mean there’s plenty of space in the living room, we could just —

CASH
Jesus, Arthur, just look at her eyes! Those ain’t human!

Arthur looks at Laura - really looks at her. Her eyes are wide and brimming with complex emotion. Her irises - he never noticed how green they are...

ARTHUR
We’ll talk about this later. For now, she stays. 

Arthur turns to Laura. 

ARTHUR
I mean, if you’re cool with that.

Laura nods.

CASH
Whatever, man. ‘s your funeral.

Cash gets up from the table. Heads to the back door.

ARTHUR
Where are you going?

CASH
To round up my fucking crops.

Door slams as he exits.

Arthur looks at Laura. Smiles awkwardly.

ARTHUR
Sorry about him. We just..don’t meet a lot of new people.

But we’re happy you’re here. At least, I’m happy.

LAURA
I’m..happy.

Arthur blushes.

ARTHUR
Well, I should probably go help him. But make yourself at home. There’s cornmeal on the stove and some old carrot cake in the fridge. Help yourself.

Arthur stands up. Walks to the back door. 

He stops. Turns and waves. Exits.

Now alone - Laura scratches her back.


EXT. CORN FIELD — COUPLE HOURS LATER

Cash - w/ an armful of shredded crops - goes over and throws them in the back of their mid-century pickup truck (COFFIN already tossed in). Arthur paces the crater’s perimeter, seeing what he can salvage.

As Cash gathers another armful, he glances over at the farmhouse. Laura can be seen in the 2nd floor far right window.

CASH
Why’s she in my room?

Arthur looks over at the farmhouse.

ARTHUR
Probably just exploring.

CASH
It’s an invasion of privacy.

ARTHUR
What have you got to hide?

CASH
It’s not about that, it’s — forget it. 

He throws the crops into the bed of the pickup. 

Laura turns around - as if sensing something. 

Just past the property we see a CHICKEN cross the dirt road.

Laura steps forward - out of view.


INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING

Arthur, Cash and Laura sit at the dinner table. On their plates - a fillet of trout, green beans and potatoes.

Cash eats with his head down. Laura pokes the trout with her fork.

ARTHUR
Not a fan?

LAURA
What..is it?

ARTHUR
Rainbow trout. There’s a whole bunch down in the lake. I can show you tomorrow if you’d like.

LAURA
And it’s..c-c-c...c-c-

ARTHUR
Cooked? 

Laura nods. 

Arthur
Of course.

Laura crinkles her nose.


EXT. FRONT PORCH // INT. LIVING ROOM — NIGHT

Cash sits out on the porch - a bottle in one hand, cigarette in the other. 

Inside, we see Laura as she watches Arthur convert the couch into a sofa bed.

ARTHUR
And...voilà.

He fluffs the pillows. Lays out a blanket. 

Cash takes a swig. 

ARTHUR
You're all set.


EXT. FRONT PORCH - NIGHT

Cash nods awake. He looks around. Takes a moment to remember where he is. 

He stands with a groan and finishes what's left in his bottle. He hucks the bottle into the pig pen, prompting a few squeals.

Cash chuckles. He enters the farmhouse.


INT. FOYER / LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 

The space is dark and eerily still. Laura is nowhere to be seen. 

SFX: WATER SPLASHING (UPSTAIRS)

Cash looks up the staircase. Slowly, he ascends. 


HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS

The bathroom door is slightly ajar. A sliver of light seeps out. Cash quietly approaches the door. 

SFX: RIPPING, CHEWING

Cash slowly pushes the door open.


BATHROOM — CONTINUOUS   

Laura (naked) sits in the bathtub holding a bloody, half-eaten chicken carcass.  

She looks at him. Blood drips from her mouth.

Cash screams. He falls back. 

The bathroom door SLAMS shut.


HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS

Arthur rushes out from his bedroom. 

ARTHUR
What? What is it??

CASH
(hysterical)
She was...she was...

ARTHUR
What?

CASH
She had a..a-a chicken, and-and...

ARTHUR
A chicken?

CASH
I don't-

SFX: BATHTUB DRAINING

CASH
Go in there. Go and see.

ARTHUR
Cash what are you talking about?

Cash stands up and tries the door. It's locked. 

ARTHUR
Cash, stop. 

Cash shoulder-checks the door. 

ARTHUR
Stop! What are you doing??

Cash steps back - as if to kick to the door down - but then it opens. 

Laura (in bathrobe) peers from behind the door - not a speck of blood on her.

LAURA
...What..?

Cash pushes her aside and enters the bathroom. 

ARTHUR
Dude.

Cash looks into the bathtub. No blood. No chicken. 

He looks back at her in disbelief.


INT. CASH’S BEDROOM — MORNING

Cash wakes up to the faint sound of laughter. He gets up from bed and goes to his window.

Arthur cheers Laura on as she shakily rides a bicycle.
 
ARTHUR
You're doing it! You're doing it! Now remember to brake. Brake! BRAKE!!

Laura skids to a halt - narrowly avoiding the pig pen. 

Arthur helps her off the bicycle. 

ARTHUR
We'll work on it. 

Cash leaves the window and goes to his dresser. He swaps his t-shirt and pulls on a pair of overalls.

He looks in the mirror. Runs a hand through his hair. 

He takes out a cigarette and lights it with a match. Exits. 


HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

As Cash walks past the bathroom, he can't help but glance inside. 


BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

Everything's normal. Nothing wrong with the bathtub.

Cash frowns. He starts to leave -- then sees it. Resting on the window sill --

A little white feather.


PANTRY - CONTINUOUS

Cash peers inside. A lone gallon jug of clear liquid remains. 


EXT. FARMHOUSE — SURROUNDING AREA — CONTINUOUS

Cash exits w/ the gallon jug just as Arthur and Laura approach. 

ARTHUR
Well hell-

CASH
Get over here.

Cash manhandles Arthur aside.

ARTHUR
Ow, stop-

Laura takes a step forward. Cash turns - points a finger at her. 

CASH
You stay.

Laura's pupils dilate. Cash looks away. He keeps pushing Arthur until they're out of earshot. 

ARTHUR 
(pushing away)
What the Hell's your problem?? 

CASH
I found a feather.

ARTHUR
Huh?

CASH
The fucking chicken! Last night, in the bathtub! She was eating it raw!

ARTHUR
(looking at jug)
...I think you need to cut back on that stuff. 

CASH
There's something wrong with her!! Why can't you see that?

ARTHUR
She's not the one I'm worried about. 

CASH
Oh fuck off. 

ARTHUR
Ever since they left you haven't stopped drinking.

CASH
Yeah, 'cause I have to deal with you every fucking day.
 
Arthur frowns. He glances back at Laura, who watches intently.

ARTHUR
We're gonna go down to the river. You're welcome to join. 

Arthur turns around and walks back to Laura. He grabs her hand and starts to lead her past the pig pen toward a thicket of trees. She pulls her hand away. Arthur keeps walking. 

Laura turns and looks at Cash, who is now heading toward the shed at the far side of the cornfield.

Laura looks at the pig pen. She scratches her back. 


EXT. BACK OF SHED - STILL FOR MOONSHINE - DAY 

SFX: CHOPPING WOOD

Camera pans from right to left - past a barrel - connected to another barrel - connected to a sealed copper pot over a wood furnace - to Cash as he hacks apart the COFFIN with an axe. 

He gathers some of the wood and stuffs it into the furnace. He picks up the gallon jug - takes a swig - then douses the wood. He strikes a match and tosses it into the furnace. 

The wood doesn't catch. 

Cash frowns. He tries another match. 

Nothing. 

Cash kicks the furnace. He takes another swig. Rubs his face. 

SFX: SOFT, APPROACHING OINKS

A PIG walks into frame. It approaches Cash, who at first is oblivious. Then he looks down. 

He turns and sees pigs all around the farm. 

He looks at the pig pen - at the wide-open gate. 

CASH
Fuck.


EXT. RIVERBANK - DAY

The water glitters in the sunlight. Branches of willow trees gently sway. 

Arthur (knee-deep in the river) wrestles with his fishing rod while Laura watches from the bank. 

He manages to reel in a sizable rainbow trout. 

ARTHUR
Hah! Laura, look!

Arthur plucks the wriggling trout off his hook and jokingly waves it at her. She tilts her head. He looks along the edge of the bank.

ARTHUR
We're gonna wanna find a rock or-

Without hesitation, Laura takes the trout and rips its head off. The trout goes limp in her grasp. 

ARTHUR
(wide-eyed)
Uh...I mean, that works…

Laura examines the trout. She runs her fingers over the iridescent scales. Arthur watches her as she does this.

ARTHUR
...I really like having you around. You make things so much more...interesting.

No response.

ARTHUR
What do you...think about me?

Laura looks at him.

ARTHUR
I mean - do you like me?

Her expression is flat. Suddenly - she chuckles.

She looks down and continues to examine the trout.

Arthur looks deflated. 


EXT. FARM - DAY

BEGIN MONTAGE

One by one Cash rounds up the pigs and puts them back in the pen. As he does this, he smokes half a dozen cigarettes - littering the butts all over the property. 

He manages to get all the pigs back in the pen - save for Bambi.

END MONTAGE

Cash surveys the farm for movement. He sees her scurry to the side of the farmhouse. 


FARMHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Cash goes to the side of the house. Bambi scurries to the back. 

CASH
For fuck's sake...

Cash moves slow and quiet as he approaches the corner, waits, listens, then JUMPS out and dives for Bambi. 

Bambi squeals. She makes a dash for a hole in the siding along the foundation, but only manages to get half her body through. 

Cash grabs her lower half and pulls. She wriggles and squeals - fighting to get away. 

CASH
Get OUT--

He violently tugs her body. 

CRKK

Stillness. Cash (wide-eyed) slowly pulls Bambi out. 

Her head lolls to one side - lifeless. 

CASH
No...no, no, no, you're okay, you're--you're--

His hands start to tremble. Eyes well up. He cradles the dead piglet.

CASH
No, no, no, no, no, no...

Cash begins to sob. 


EXT. THICKET OF TREES - DIRT PATH - DAY

Arthur and Laura walk side-by-side. A canopy of leaves shelters the path.

Arthur carries several trout on a stringer while Laura continues to hold the headless one - examining it as she walks. 

ARTHUR
Do you..remember your parents? 

Laura stops walking. Looks up at him. Arthur looks back at her, also stopping.

ARTHUR
Do you know what parents are?

Laura shakes her head. 

ARTHUR
Your mom and dad. The people who made you.

Laura looks past Arthur - searching inward. 

LAURA
I don't know...

She looks back at him. 

LAURA
Do you...remember..your parents? 

Arthur looks down - continues walking. Laura follows behind. 

ARTHUR
They left when we were twelve. 

LAURA
Where...did they go?

Arthur chuckles bitterly.

ARTHUR
Good question.

They break through the treeline - now back on the farm.


FARM - EDGE OF CORNFIELD - CONTINUOUS

CASH
(O.S., distant)
..no, no, no, no..

Arthur and Laura look toward the farmhouse. Cash's weeping carries over to them.

ARTHUR
What's he doing?

Arthur squints. He sees Cash - far off, back to us - on his knees. 

ARTHUR
Wait here.

Arthur goes to Cash.

Laura - watching him at first - looks down and notices a cigarette butt on the ground, right next to the crops.

Laura fixates on the cigarette butt.

From the end - a wisp of smoke arises. 

The butt relights itself.


EXT. FARMHOUSE — SURROUNDING AREA — CONTINUOUS

Camera holds on Cash as he continues to weep. Arthur approaches.

ARTHUR
Cash..?

Cash looks up - tears streaming.

CASH
I didn’t mean to, I — they-they all got out, I just, I..

Arthur looks at the ground in front of Cash.

We see Bambi lying there - her neck twisted.

Arthur’s eyes widen. His lips form a thin, biting line.

Cash - wiping his nose - turns around and glances past Arthur - at the smoke rising up from his cornfield.

CASH
My field—

ARTHUR
Wh-what...what did you...

Cash stumbles up to his feet and sprints toward the spreading flames.

ARTHUR
Cash!!

CASH
MY FIELD!!

He reaches the nearest edge just as the fire reaches the crater. It travels along the edges - branching off in two directions.

CASH
Fuck! FUCK!!

He looks around - trying to think of something.

He starts pulling out crops. Stomping them down. Trying desperately to cut off the fire.

But it’s futile.

Vicious heat pushes him back. In seconds, the rest of the field goes up in flames.


EXT. FARMHOUSE — SURROUNDING AREA — CONTINUOUS

Arthur - teary-eyed - gently picks Bambi up

and carries her to the pig pen. The rest of the pigs let out mournful squeals.

Laura walks into the frame. She looks at Arthur, then at the burning field.

Laura brings two fingers to her lips. Pretends to take a drag.


EXT. PIG PEN - EVENING

A shoebox rests in a shallow grave.

Arthur sprinkles the shoebox with dirt. He says a prayer, then picks up the shovel and fills the grave.


EXT. FARMHOUSE - SURROUNDING AREA - CONTINUOUS

Laura rides the bicycle - circling the farmhouse.

In the B.G. we see the smouldering wasteland that once was a cornfield.


EXT. CORNFIELD — CRATER — CONTINUOUS

Cash — covered in ash and dirt — sits in the centre of the crater — curled-up, almost cozy-like — taking large swigs from the gallon jug.


EXT./INT. FARMHOUSE — KITCHEN — NIGHT

Through the kitchen window we watch as Arthur finishes setting all the food out on the dining room table.

Laura is already seated - knee bouncing. She scratches her shoulder blade.

Arthur sits down across from Laura. He prepares her plate of trout and potatoes, then a plate for himself. He smiles weakly.

SFX: SCREEN DOOR SWINGING OPEN

Cash — absolutely tanked — stumbles through the front door. Arthur tenses up.

Laura looks at Arthur, then watches as Cash - with heavy steps - approaches the dining room table.

Cash looks down at the table. Sees only two place settings.

CASH
Where’s my plate?

ARTHUR
I...wasn’t sure if you’d be joining us.

Cash chuckles. He pulls out a chair between them. Plops down.

Cash grabs the serving dishes and places them in front of him.

CASH
MMm. Trout and potatoes.

He stabs chunks of each with his fork.

CASH
Never gets old.

He turns to Laura.

CASH
What about you? Huh? Ya like it? Or should we go find you a bird to munch on?

ARTHUR
Cash...

CASH
(stabbing another forkful)
Yes brother.

ARTHUR
I think...

CASH
What do you think?

ARTHUR
We need to...talk about what happened...

Cash looks pointedly at Laura. Back at Arthur.

CASH
Which part?

ARTHUR
You..you killed—

CASH
I DIDN’T—

He stops himself. Eases up on the gas.

CASH
I told you. They all got out. I spent more than an hour roundin’ them all up, and she just — she got caught under the house, and I —

He shakes his head.

CASH
It’s not my fault.

ARTHUR
It’s...not your fault?

CASH
Can we just look at the bigger picture here?

ARTHUR
And what’s that?

CASH
You only lost the one. My whole FUCKING field is gone.

ARTHUR
That doesn’t justify what you did. Besides..the fire could've been your fault.

CASH
Excuse me?

ARTHUR
I mean it was probably just one of your cigarette butts. We saw a couple on the ground coming in.

CASH
Oh did we?

He looks at Laura - expressionless. 

Cash looks down - smiling in that way people do when they’re at their wit’s end.

CASH
Ever since this...thing arrived, nothing’s been right. She — it — whatever the fuck — has been messing with our heads. She’s infected us. And as we wither away, she just sits there...with that blank FUCKING stare...

Laura blinks.

Cash swipes Arthur’s knife. He points it at her.

CASH
KEEP FUCKING MESSING WITH ME. SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Laura tilts her head. Arthur - deciding not to engage - lets Cash come back down to earth. 

He lowers the knife. Sighs.

CASH
(to Arthur)

If you don’t wake up soon, it’s gonna cost you.

Cash steps away from the table - knife still in hand. 

ARTHUR
Sounds like a threat.

CASH
It does, doesn’t it?

As Cash turns to leave, he catches a glance at Laura's back, spotting a rash near her shoulder blades. 

He stumbles to the stairway.

Arthur shares a look with Laura.

Both look down and continue the meal in silence.


INT. CASH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Cash - SNORING - lies half out of bed - his face smushed into the floorboards. 

SFX: CREAKING FLOORBOARD - CLOSE TO DOOR

Cash snorts awake. He drunkenly flips around - now looking at the door upside down. 

At the bottom of the door - we see the shadow of two feet. Slowly they recede. 

CREAKS travel down the hallway - further and further - then closer and closer, until --

The shadow returns. Cash stares, eyes wide. 


INT. CASH'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Cash wakes up to the sound of Arthur SCREAMING.

He scrambles out of bed. Rushes out of his room without so much as glance in the mirror. 


EXT. FARMHOUSE — CONTINUOUS

Cash bursts through the screen door and steps off the porch. 

Directly ahead - in front of the QUIET pig pen - Arthur is on his knees. Laura stands over him. 

In dread - Cash approaches.


PIG PEN - CONTINUOUS

All the pigs are dead. Throats slit. Some gutted. 

Arthur shudders - his sobbing now quiet. Cash is speechless.

Cash looks at Laura. The rashes near her shoulder blades have gotten worse.

She turns. Her eyes light up. 

LAURA
Look.

Arthur turns around - his eyes puffy and red. He points at Cash.

ARTHUR
You..you murderer...

Cash is baffled.

CASH
What?? What are you -

He looks down at himself. His t-shirt is spattered with blood. His arms and hands are caked in red. 

CASH
No, no, this - I didn't - Arthur I swear - 

Arthur charges at Cash. He tackles him into the grass. Starts wailing on him. 

ARTHUR
You MONSTER *THWACK* You FUCKING MONST-

Cash lands a right hook. Knocks Arthur off him.

CASH
Arthur STOP — get the FUCK —

Arthur gets back up; tries charging him again.

Cash - close to the porch - looks down and spots a softball-sized rock in the flowerbed.

He picks up the rock and throws it at Arthur. Narrowly misses his head.

Arthur - somewhat stunned - pauses for a moment. Cash tackles him.

Laura watches from the sidelines - wholly invested. 

The boys wrestle in the dirt. Cash elbows Arthur in the eye, splitting open his brow.

Arthur digs his nails into Cash’s bandaged palm. He howls in pain, falling off him.

Arthur gets on top of him. Punches him with everything he’s got.

Cash splutters - his face turning bloody.

The rock is within reach. Arthur picks it up. He raises it above his head. Holds it there. Wavers.

Arthur drops the rock. He gets off of Cash.

ARTHUR
(breathing heavily)
I want you gone.

CASH
(coughing)
What...

ARTHUR
You ever come back I’ll finish the job.

Cash stumbles up to his feet. Looks at Laura standing behind Arthur. He scoffs, backtracking.

CASH
You’re lost...

ARTHUR
Get out of here! Get the FUCK out of here!!

Cash turns - shaking his head. He limps his way to the dirt road leading off the property.


EXT. RURAL ROAD - DAY

Cash - wheezing - slows to a halt. He wipes his mouth, his eyes — checks his hands as he stumbles over to a nearby hill.


INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Arthur lies on the couch - ruminating - while Laura sits in a chair next to him. She dabs his split eyebrow with a wet towel.

She sets the towel down.

LAURA
Water?

ARTHUR
Sure.

Laura gets up and goes to the kitchen.

Arthur looks down at his bloody hands. He scratches away the spots of dried blood.

ARTHUR
Ya know...I've seen that fight play out over a hundred times. In my dreams. Not every night. Maybe once every couple months? 


KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Laura - heading toward the sink - suddenly stops. Her back twitches.


LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

ARTHUR
Location varies, but it's always us fighting, and it always ends with one of us beating the other to death. The thing is...I can never tell who’s who. When I see Cash’s face, I don’t..I don’t know if it’s his, or if it’s mine. And, well - I never thought I would —

SFX: TEAPOT SHATTERS

Arthur sits up.

ARTHUR
Everything okay?

No reply.

Arthur gets up from the couch. He enters the kitchen.

POV SHOT - Laura stands with her back to us - hunched over - two protuberances emerging - one at each shoulder blade.

We hear something akin to wet trees breaking through soil.

FRAME RATE gradually slows as BLACK, SPARK-FILLED SMOKE curls up and around her head.

Laura turns around - smoke spilling out from her mouth.


EXT. HILL - DAY

Cash drops. Half-mad. Arguing in his head, mumbling snippets.

He shakes his head.

Beat.

Silence overtakes him. His eyes lose focus.


INT. CASH’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

A knock at the door.

Cash - hanging upside down off bed - flips upright. He clears his throat.

CASH
What do you want?

Silence.

Cash gets up and stumbles to the door. He opens it to see Laura - pupils dilated, cheeks rosy.

Cash’s throat immediately goes dry. He takes a step back.

She enters.

Door closes behind her.


EXT. HILL - NIGHT

Suddenly it’s nighttime. Cash looks around - disoriented.


RURAL ROAD - CONTINUOUS

Standing in the middle of the road — staring at him - we see a mangy WOLF. In its mouth is Bambi’s dug-up carcass.

Cash stares in fear.

The wolf turns - carries down the road.

Cash looks the opposite way. A glint of firelight emanates through the trees.

He takes off running.


EXT. FARM - NIGHT

SFX: WOOD CRACKLING

Cash races down the dirt road. He turns onto the property. Slows his pace as he approaches the (O.S) farm. 

Cash - horrified, illuminated by firelight - comes to a halt.

POV SHOT - Laura, w/ a pair of BLOODY WHITE WINGS - stands facing the BURNING farmhouse. The massive oak tree burns with it. 

Laura - sensing Cash's presence - slowly turns, revealing an extremely swollen belly.

She smiles at him - eyes red.

Cash drops to his knees.

We watch as he slowly embraces the madness. 


END