Holy Rotten

By Mary Alice Mark

l . EXT. DAY A QUIET SUBURBAN STREET IN SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA

CBS Building Block Houses line the street on either side. The houses are painted different colors, but all are built following the same design. We see citrus trees and hibiscus bushes and cars from the mid-sixties parked in driveways and under carports. SOUND: the hum of a plane, birds singing and traffic at a distance. CREDITS role as we continue our walk. We are:

AL, THE CAMERA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BABY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BUSTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ANGRY SHOP OWNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DISGRUNTLED, A RESTAURANT WORKER . . .

CITY COP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OTHER CITY COP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COUNTY SHERRIF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STATE TROOPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HIGHWAY PATROL MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MISSES MIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GEORGE, THE ATTORNEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. EXT. DAY WE CONTINUE OUR WALK

To our right we come to a corner. The houses continue beyond, similar even in their landscaping. To our left we see a church. The parking lot is full of cars from the late fifties - early sixties. As we continue past the church to a vacant lot on our left and more CBS houses we hear the MINISTER.

MINISTER (VOS)

Consistent with our efforts to understand more of what is going on in the world outside of our congregation, our closing hymn today is not in our hymnal, but is found in popular culture. The lyrics are on the back cover of today’s bulletin.

3. EXT. DAY WE CONTINUE OUR WALK

On our right there is a small undeveloped lot of Florida Pine. To our right a CBS

building Block Building sports a new sign, “Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Heating.” Before us Is a busy through street: two lanes of traffic move along at a steady pace in each direction. We hear the closing hymn, “Bind us together,” softly, with piano accompaniment.

4. EXT. DAY A STRIP MALL ACROSS THE STREET

We study the strip mall across the four lane of traffic. Suddenly a young girl bursts out of one of the shops. Barefoot and wearing a cotton summer dress, she runs to our right along the row of shops.

5. EXT DAY THE SHOP

A BUSTER, also barefoot, wearing kaki shorts and a plaid “dress” shirt, runs out immediately behind the BABY.

6. EXT DAY CROSSING BETWEEN CARS

We hear brakes squealing and see the cars we are dodging. We follow the kids, BABY and BUSTER. WE don’t try to catch up, just to keep them in view. They don’t slow down until they turn on a side street, older, lined with wooden houses, (some raised on bricks), and more individualistic landscaping. The cars in the yards are also older, modals from the fifties. BABY and BUSTER stop to catch their breath.

7. EXT. DAY BABY and BUSTER REST FROM THEIR RUN

WE approach, stopping within earshot to traverse someone’s walk while eavesdropping. We see Passion Flowers growing on a bower, a fountain, the house and wood roses.

BABY

It’s okay, really, I can wait another day. Sometimes I just get whiney, you know that.

BUSTER

I have to take better care of you I have to be a good provider!

BABY

You’re a wonderful provider! You found us a beautiful place to stay!

8. EXT DAY THE KIDS START WALKING AGAIN

We follow, trying to stay with in hearing range. The walk is through residential areas. We see the occasional car and people doing home, weekend things.

9. EXT DAY WE APPROCH ANOTHER FOUR LANE HIGHWAY

we see more cars and traffic sounds increase.

BUSTER

Maybe, Bob is there.

BABY

I don’t like it when he’s there.

BUSTER

I know, but maybe he put out food and went away.

BABY

We could go see.

BUSTER

I can tell by your voice, you don’t really want to.

BABY

well . . . we could just go check. you’re hungry too, I know that, Buster.

10. EXT. DAY at the corner the kids Turn right at the intersection

We catch up to see that they are talking to an older woman near a dumpster. The dumpster is beside a restaurant in a residential area. The houses on the restaurant side of the street are smaller, the cars in the yards older. The far side has bigger, newer houses, better manicured lawns and bigger newer cars.

The kids abruptly dash through the traffic. We go to see if the woman has any information to offer about the kids. THE DISGRUNTLED RESTAURANT WORKER dumps kitchen waste into the dumpster, speaking before we reach her.

DISGRUNTLED

You should take better care of them!

AL, THE CAMERA

I beg your pardon?

DISGRUNTLED

I’ve done my best, trying to set out leftover from the kitchen. Can’t you feed them better? I see, you’re just a kid yourself! No self control at all! How many babies do you have?

AL, THE CAMERA

I am trying to look out for them, but they aren’t my biological kids. I don’t have any kids. Do you know anything about them?

DISGRUNTLED

I’m so sorry! I just tried to give them some food, you know, this stuff, it’s not sellable, but it is eatable. I eats it. its what we’re given for breakfast lunch or dinner here.

Misses says, if she catches me leaving food out of the dumpster again, she’ll fire me.

She would too, the old biddy!

11. EXT. DAY WE SEE the kids turning a corner a block aWAY

And on the other side of the four lane highway. We dodge through the traffic after the kids.

DISGRUNTLED

Good luck! God be with you!

Al, the camera

(As we dodge cars.)

And with you!

12. EXT. DAY WE RUN TO THE CORNER, TURNING to see the kids

They are walking more slowly now. It is a more expensive neighborhood than we were in before. We easily catch up enough to hear their conversation. It is a beautiful South Florida Day. People are doing ordinary Sunday things. Sunning on their lawns, swimming in their pools. Playing croquet. The kids keep walking.

BABY

She just thinks we’re rotten kids. Everybody thinks we’re rotten kids!

BUSTER

They don’t understand!

AL, THE CAMERA

No, you don’t understand! We are rotten kids! Would you really rather be a grown up?

BABY

Who are you?

BUSTER

Where did you some from?

AL, THE CAMERA

To be wholly rotten kids, you’ll have to learn to be more careful about what’s going on around you.

BUSTER

Hey! I can tell you every street sign, every car make and model, and how many people live in every house we passed.

AL, THE CAMERA

And nothing at all about who, or what’s behind you!

I’ve been following you since you left the music store.

BUSTER

What music store?

AL, THE CAMERA

Uh uh! Don’t even try it-.

BABY

Do you work for the police?

AL, THE CAMERA

No. . . . So, where are we going?

BABY

You can’t come with us!

AL, THE CAMERA

Why?

BUSTER

You can’t touch us, either.

13. EXT DAY WE TURN A CORNER TO WALK TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY

Same expensive housing. Same wonderful whether. Same rotten kids.

AL, THE CAMERA

There, you are very, very wrong. A grown up, no matter how rotten, would have to be afraid to touch you! I am older then you, but still a kid. Old enough to know better, young enough to get away with it. So, where are we going?

14. EXT DAY WE TURN AGAIN ONTO THE BUSY FOUR LANE

We study the neighborhood, walking in silence. Until the BUSTER increases his pace. BABY and AL, THE CAMERA, hurry to catch up with him.

BUSTER

What are all of those cars doing in the yard!?

15. EXT DAY A SMALL SUBURBAN HOUSE BEHIND A LAWN FULL OF CARS

The cars are new-ish as of the early 1960s.

AL, THE CAMERA

Well, I’d take a wild guess that they’re parking. Is that, Bob’s house?

BUSTER

Hurry! Hurry! Cross at the next corner!

BABY

What do you know about, Bob?

16. EXT DAY BABY AND BUSTER DASH OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC

AL, THE CAMERA follows to accompanying sounds of brakes, squealing; horns blaring; and shouts from angry drivers. Once across they keep running, turn right, around another corner. Run about a block, during which we see blurry images, then stop short.

17. EXT DAY AN UNDEVELOPED LOT OVERGROWN WITH SAWGRASS

BUSTER

Here we are!

BABY

“Home, sweet home!”

BUSTER

Let’s go see if he put food out!

18. EXT DAY THE KIDS CHARGE INTO THE SAWGRASS, AL FOLLOWS

We see the tops of the saw grass moving, otherwise it’s just sawgrass, until a small, suburban house is within view. We see the house between blades of the sawgrass. Each side of the back yards is closed off from the neighboring yard by a very high, solid wooden fence. The house has a small porch with a table and a few chairs set under an overhang.

BUSTER

No. He didn’t put anything out for us. . . . With all of those cars out there, how can it be so quiet?

19. EXT DAY WE SEE BUSTER AS A BLUR THROUGH THE SAWGRASS

AL, THE CAMERA

He leaves food out for you, as though you were animals.

BUSTER

Sometimes, when he’s here, he invites us in.

BABY

I don’t like that part.

20. EXT DAY WE FIND BABY, A BLUR THROUGH THE SAWGRASS

We shift focus from one blur to the other, house and sawgrass in periphery.

BUSTER

It’s just until I can get a job, Belle!

BABY

I know. Then, I won’t ever have to do that again.

Oh! You told her my name!

[SOUND: A GUNSHOT.]

21. EXT DAY THE BACK PORCH OF THE HOUSE, STILL AND QUIET

22. EXT DAY BABY CRYING IN THE SAWGRASS

A VOICE OFF

Ow! My arm! My arm!

ANOTHER VOICE

You lousy son of a bitch!

[SOUND: ANOTHER GUNSHOT.]

AL, THE CAMERA

Get down!

23. EXT DAY EVERYTHING IN MOTION: KIDS, HOUSE AND SAWGRASS

24. EXT DAY MEN COME PILING OUT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR

The men are casually dressed, but each carries a gun in one hand rather randomly pointed, raised but not aimed. With the other hand they flip open their wallets and identify the agency of their authority.

CITY COP

City Police!

OTHER CITY COP

Other City Police!

YET ANOTHER CITY COP

Different City Police!

COUNTY SHERRIF

County Sheriff’s Office!

STATE TROOPER

State Troopers

HIGHWAY PATROL MAN

Highway Patrol!

25. EXT DAY WE TURN TO SEE MOTION IN THE SAWGRASS

Ripples in two straight lines indicate where two kids are running, unseen.

AL, THE CAMERA

Get down! They can tell where we are by watching the top of the sawgrass!

26. EXT DAY BABY AND BUSTER BLUR RUNNING BACK THE WAY WE CAME

Blurred sawgrass gives way to traffic and houses. SOUND: TRAFFIC.

AL, THE CAMERA

Take a left at the corner! Cross the street and quick as you can take another left!

27. EXT DAY BLUR KIDS TURN LEFT AND CROSS TO ANOTHER LEFT

Blurred images of houses and traffic give way to grass and trees. We slow down as we become comfortable among the trees and stop, surrounded by them. SOUND: of traffic give way to our trampling feet, then our own panting.

28. EXT DAY LUSH GRASS BENEATH OUR FEET

29. EXT DAY BUSTER AND BABY BENDING TO STARE AT THEIR FEET

BUSTER AND BABY, having caught their breath, study the park. There is a swing set and a slide, but everywhere, encircling them, are trees.

BABY

Those trees are really beautiful!

AL, THE CAMERA

You’re not from around here, are you?

BUSTER

(Pointedly.)

The tress are really beautiful!

30. EXT DAY WE TURN TO SEE THAT BUSTER IN ONE OF THE TREES

We watch BUSTER climb along to a place where he can stretch out, laying on a branch. BABY moves in to join him.

AL, THE CAMERA

The tree you’re in is a Banyan. They’re quite common here.

BABY

They’re wonderful! No matter how high they get, the branches send these runners down into the ground!

31. EXT DAY THE KIDS THE PARK THE SUN PLAYING THROUGH LEAVES

We see the beauty of the place and the beauty of the day and the beauty of the kids. Mocking birds sing and one builds a nest above where BABY climbs.

32. EXT DAY WE WATCH CLOUDS SKUDDING BETWEEN LEAVES

BABY

Why have you been following us?

BUSTER

Hay! Look! Three-o-clock, it looks just like an elephant!

33. WE FIND THE ELEPHANT IN THE CLOUDS

AL, THE CAMERA

Yeah! But the trunk of your elephant looks to me like a lamb.

BABY

And his tail is the wig on my clown . . ! Why were you following us?

AL, THE CAMERA

I’m a rotten.

BUSTER

Say, look, the elephant is breaking up. It looks more like an Army tank now!

34. EXT DAY THE CLOUDS ARE SEEN THROUGH SAW GRASS

We see the clouds shifting and the sun playing through the leafs. At the same time we see the back porch of the house, coming into view through the saw grass.

BABY

Would you be serious!?

AL, THE CAMERA

Yeah, Bud, it looks a lot more like a circus wagon.

BUSTER

I wonder how long we should wait-

BABY

-We can’t go back there!

BUSTER

Then, what are we going to do?

35. EXT DAY BABY IN THE TREE

BABY is exhausted, her face lined with emotion. She seems to notice our gaze. She starts to swing her feet and peer again at the clouds..

AL, THE CAMERA

We could go to my house.

36. EXT DAY BUSTER, LAYING ON A BRANCH

BUSTER

What’s so great about your house?

AL, THE CAMERA

It’s ours. It’s safe. There’s always some kind of food. And my parents have never turned anyone away.

37. EXT DAY WE’RE WALKING AGAIN, QUICKLY

Traffic, manicured houses, citrus, banyans, palm trees. People doing ordinary things. And a back porch seen through saw grass.

BABY

What kind of food?

AL, THE CAMERA

Well, there’s almost always cod fish.

BUSTER

Cod fish!

BABY

I love cod fish!

AL, THE CAMERA

Ans stewed tomatoes.

BABY

And your parents are going to let us eat all we want?

AL, THE CAMERA

My parents are at work-.

BUSTER

-What are they going to say, if they come in and find us scarfing down the groceries?

AL, THE CAMERA

“Hi! How are you? Would you like something to

drink with that?”

BUSTER

Oh, yeah! Likely story.

AL, THE CAMERA

The were rotten kids once too.

BABY

So, now are they rotten grown ups?

AL, THE CAMERA

Exactly.

BUSTER

I don’t want to talk to grown ups, no matter how rotten they are!

AL THE CAMERA

That’s just it! Truly rotten kids never grow up.

BABY

I’m always going to be this short?

BUSTER

No, Baby! Can’t you tell, she’s lying to us! There’s some grown up somewhere she wants us to see!

AL, THE CAMERA

We get taller. We don’t spend the rest of our lives staring up other people’s noses. . . . Huddle!

38. EXT DAY THREE PAIRS OF BARE FEET, GRASS MOVING BETWEEN THEM

39 EXT DAY HANDS FLY UP MEETING IN THE AIR

40. EST DAY BABY WALKS AWAY

BABY

Now that I know what you did-

(Continues, with BUSTER.)

-You’re a really rotten kid.

41. BUDDY FOLLOWS BABY

BUSTER

-you’re a really rotten kid!

42. EXT DAY AL MARCHES ALONG BEHIND BABY AND BUSTER

We see houses and traffic. People doing ordinary things.

AL, THE CAMERA

We are-

BABY AND BUSTER

-Rotten-!

AL, THE CAMERA

Really-!-

BABY AND BUSTER

-Rotten-!

42. EXT DAY WE MARCH

Sawgrass seems to rise up between the people, houses and traffic we march passed.

AL, THE CAMERA

Come on, grown ups, make your bids-!

BABY

-On us really rotten kids!

BUSTER

We are-

BABY AND BUSTER

-Rotten-!

AL, THE CAMERA

Really-!

BABY AND BUSTER

-Rotten-!

43. EXT DAY THE BACK PORCH MATERIALIZES BEYOND THE SAWGRASS

We are moving quickly. The traffic, houses and people on our path can be seen through the saw grass and the back porch.

ALL THREE

We are really rotten!

44. EXT DAY A HIBISCUS HEDGE MERGES INTO THE IMAGES

ALL THREE

Rotten!

45. EXT DAY HIBISCUS HEDGE TO OUR RIGHT, HOUSE LEFT

We turn through a gate into a driveway.

46. EXT DAY A SMALL, WOOD-FRAME HOUSE

We move towards the uneven concrete stairs which lead up to the doorway, left. The top half of the house is mostly screen.

BABY

Oh! It beautiful!

AL, THE CAMERA

Thank you. The people who live here think so. I do.

47. INT DAY WE SEE A FLASH OF BOOK CASE AND A SOFA

We move to our right, going through another soor into the main section of the house.

48. INT DAY WE SEE BABY AND BUSTER ENTER THE LIVING ROOM

A sofa rests under a window, right. Two black lounge chairs have their backs to us, facing a television set. The room is messy, beer cans, news papers and magazines are strewn about, ashtrays over flow with cigarettes. The conversation continues over the visual.

BUSTER

I do too!

49. INT DAY BABY HEADS THROUGH A LARGE ARCH INTO THE KITCHEN

We follow through the large rectangular arch, noticing dishes on the table and in the sink. The conversation continues.

BABY

Evidently some people disagree.

BUSTER

That’s only because it’s wooden. A lot of people say bad things about my house too.

50. INT DAY WE STARE INTO A CABINETTE UNDER THE SINK

Cans of cod fish, soup and vegetables are gently lifted out. BABY and BUSTER open cans

AL, THE CAMERA

The people who live here don’t spend a lot of time house keeping.

BABY

They have other things to do-.

BUSTER

-The people who keep our houses won’t keep us-.

BABY

-I can tell, the people who live here, are just really busy living, here-.

AL, THE CAMERA

The bathroom’s right behind you there.

51. INT DAY WE ENTER THE BATHROOM

Another door opens onto a bedroom. We move through the bedroom back into the kitchen.

BABY

Oooh! Can we shower?

AL, THE CAMERA

I don’t see why not. There are towels in there. Back here is the only other room.

52. INT DAY WE MOVE THROUGH THE KITCHEN ONTO THE BACK PORCH

The room is a rectangle built of bricks and painted bright red. A large picture window looks about onto the mid section of a huge, old Poinciana tree. To our right there is a door. There is a refrigerator to our left near a window with wooden jalousies. There is a bed in the room and a table

BUSTER

Who lives here!? Whose room is this!?

AL, THE CAMERA

My bother and I take turns with it, because-

BABY

-it’s the most perfect room in the world.

53 INT DAY . AL, THE CAMERA OPENS THE DOOR.

BUSTER

I’m going to climb that tree!

AL, THE CAMERA

You can get onto the roof from there.

54. EXT DAY WE MOVE OUT INTO THE LOVINGLY LANDSCAPED YARD

Citrus trees, pineapple plants and a lush lawn greet us. The hibiscus hedge is broken here and there along the fence. We move around the house towards the Poinciana tree.

BABY

Ooooo! Who are they!?

AL, THE CAMERA

My neighbors! I love my neighbors.

55. EXT DAY WE SEE AN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUPLE

They are large people, heavy set. They could easily be on one of the yoghurt commercials of the time.

BUSTER

I read s someplace that we’re supposed to do that-.

BABY

-Buster-!

AL, THE CAMERA

I read that book, too! Look. I know thay will want to help if they can. I want to go and talk to them. You go on and climb if you want.

56. EXT DAY BABY AND BUSTER WAVE TO THE NEIGHBORS AND RUN OFF

57. EXT DAY WE APPROACH THE NEIGHBORS, THEY SMILE

58. EXT DAY FOUR LARGE HANDS REACH OUT TO TAKE TWO SMALL ONES

59. INT DAY AL, THE CAMERA PUTS A FRYING PAN ON THE STOVE

60. INT DAY AL, THE CAMERA LIFTS A POT FROM A SINK FULL OF SOAP

BUSTER

Hey, you were supposed to be talking to your neighbors!

BABY

We can take care of the dishes.

61. INT DAY BUSTER FRIES COD FISH CAKES. BABY WASHES DISHES.

BUSTER

You said they would want to help?

AL, THE CAMERA

Yeah, and we came up with a plan. They’re out there working in their yard. And if they see anyone approach this place, they’re going to start singing.

BABY

What language are they going to sing in?

BUSTER

That won’t matter, if we recognize the song-?

AL, THE CAMERA

I’ll Fly Away-?

BABY

Oh! I love that song!

62. INT DAY BUSTER TURNS TO US, TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND SINGS

BABY joins him as he returns to his cod fish cakes. An alto voice chimes in, in Polish and they are soon joined by a Russian bass.

63. EXT DAY WE SEE A CBS BUILDING BLOCK HOUSE

We are walking again on a suburban street. Passing houses which seem to be behind saw grass.

64. EXT DAY WE SEE A FIELD OF SAW GRASS

65. EXT DAY THE BACK PORCH OF THE HOUSE, STILL AND QUIET

Sound: a gun shot.

66. EXT DAY MEN COME PILING OUT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR

67. INT DAY WE ARE STARING AT A LARGE MAN SEATED AT A DESK

It’s a tidy office, except for the window behind the desk, all of the walls are lines with shelves and books. MINISTER is passed middle age. Large with a full head of wavy gray hair.

MRS. MIN

You didn’t hear a siren?

AL, THE CAMERA

No. I was listening for one, that’s why we stayed so long at the park.

68. INT DAY MRS. MIN IS SEATED TO OUR RIGHT

A tiny woman of wiry build and fierce strength, she is not pleased with this information.

MIN

George is on his way-. -You know he’s an attorney?

69. MIN STANDS, COMING AROUND FROM BEHIND HIS DESK

We follow him out to his front yard. We see the church to our left, the hosue across the street and the faces of MIN and MRS. MIN.

MIN

-He has a few things to finish up. Give him thirty minutes or so. And he gave specific instructions. If they are willing to come, and that is your part in this, AL. They have to come under their own steam and of their own free will. I can not go to your place and offer them a ride.

70. EXT DAY WE SEE A FIELD OF SAW GRASS

MIN

That could too easily be construed as kidnapping, and we just don’t know what they’ve gotten into-.

71. EXT DAY THE BACK PORCH OF THE HOUSE, STILL AND QUIET

Sound: a gun shot.

MRS. MIN

Al, are you all right?

72. EXT DAY MEN COME PILING OUT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR

AL, THE CAMERA

I’ll be all right.

73. EXT DAY WE WALK PASSED THE CHURCH TO THE LOT

MIN

My wife will be with us at all times, so that should be all right. We’ll come out in about thirty minutes and look for the kids here. And, Al, this is very important, you can walk them this far, to the tree house.

74. EXT DAY WE SEE THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE TREE HOUSE

The tree house rests on multiple knarled branches of a large, old banyan.

MIN

They have to come the rest of the way on their own.

AL, THE CAMERA

Okay.

MIN

After that, you have to stay out of it.

75. EXT DAY WE SEE A FIELD OF SAW GRASS

AL, THE CAMERA

Okay.

MIN

Go get ‘em.

MRS. MIN

God’s speed, Al!

76. EXT DAY THE SAW GRASS GIVE WAY TO A HIBISCUS HEDGE

77. EXT DAY A SMALL WOOD-FRAME HOUSE, UNEVEN CONCRETE STAIRS

78. INT DAY THE LIVING ROOM, IT IS TIDY

We walk through to the kitchen where BUSTER and BABY dry and put away a few remaining dishes.

BABY

(To us.)

Thank you.

79. EXT DAY THE TREE HOUSE, THE CHURCH AND THE MIN’S HOUSE

80. EXT DAY BABY AND BUSTER RUN TOWARDS THE MIN’S

The MIN’s wave to AL, THE CAMERA.

81. EXT DAY A 1962 OLDS CUTLAS SCHREECHES IN BEHIND THE MINS

GEORGE gets out of the OLDS and comes around to wave at AL. THE CAMERA.

82. EXT DAY THE MINS, THE KIDS AND GEORGE GO INTO THE MINS’ HOUSE

83. EXT DAY WE SEE A FIELD OF SAW GRASS

84. EXT DAY A HIBISCUS HEDGE

SOUND: A GUN SHOT.

85. INT DAY THE POINSIANNA TREE THROUGH THE PICTURE WINDOW

86. INT DAY BEHIND THE POINSIANNA WE SEE A BACK PORCH, VERY STILL

87. EXT DAY WE WALK TOWARDS THE CHURCH IT IS ON OUR LEFT

We see the CBS building block houses. A car or two. Then, we watch out tennis shoes moving through the grass.

89. EXT DAY A FIELD OF SAW GRASS APPEARS BETWEEN US AND SHOES

90. EXT DAY OURR SHOES AND THE BACK PORCH STILL AND QUIET

91. EXT DAY MEN COME PILING OUT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR

SOUND: “PSSSST!”

92. EXT DAY GEORGE SLOUCHES NEAR THE CHURCH ENTRANCE

GEORGE

Pssst! You there, rotten kid!

93. EXT DAY WE MOVE TOWARDS GEORGE, GEORGE MOVES TOWARDS US

GEORGE

The rotten Pastor asked me to tell you that two other rotten kids are going to be all right.

AL, THE CAMERA

Thank you.

GEORGE

You look bushed. Do you want to come in and sit down?

AL, THE CAMERA

No thanks.

GEORGE

You know, you can join us any time you want-.

AL, THE CAMERA

-Thank you-.

GEORGE

-But-?

AL, THE CAMERA

-There are too many of us out here. I guess I’ll just keep walking.

GEORGE

Well, I just came over to open this baby up for the choir rehearsal. Their inside now and don’t need me. Maybe we can walk together a ways.

CREDITS start to roll.

94. EXT DAY WE APPROACH THE LOT OF FLORIDA PINE

GEORGE

If you’re a rotten kid and they’re rotten kids, and he’s a rotten minister, does that make me a rotten attorney?

(GEORGE reaches out for our hand, we shake.)

AL, THE CAMERA

Absolutely the rottenest! The most rotten! The very worst!

SOUND: CHOIR; “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.“

95. EXT DAY FROM THE PINE LOT WE SEE THE BUILDING WITH THE SIGN

“Plumbing, air conditioning and heating.”

96. EXT DAY WE SEE THE STRIP MALL BEYOND THE STREAM OF TRAFFIC

THE END