Horse Thief Part Two

[libra_traveller]

Ext. Charles Beckings’ House – Day

 

Mariana stands on the porch against a pillar gazing out at her five year old daughter and three year old son.  The children are playing tag around a tree.

 

                                                Mariana

                        Come on you two, it’s time to eat.  Don’t forget

                        to take off your shoes, we wouldn’t want your

                        father to find dirt on his floor, you know what

                        he gets like.

 

The children run inside laughing, Mariana patting their heads as they pass her.

 

Int. Drawing Room – Night

Charles sits in his chair reading a book.  When Mariana comes into the room, he doesn’t glance up.

 

                                                Mariana

                        I put the children to bed.  Is there anything I

                        can do for you?

 

                                                Charles

                        I’m fine.  I think I shall stay up late tonight

                        with this book.  Don’t wait up for me, you’ve

                        been looking frazzled lately, please get some

     sleep.

 

                                                Mariana

                        Of course.  Good night.

 

Int. Bedroom

 

Mariana walks slowly into the room and then goes to the night stand.  She opens a drawer and removes paper, a hair brush, and the rest of the drawer’s contents, and then lifts off a paneling inside the drawer.  Underneath are wrapped letters.  She takes out the top one and sits down on the bed and reads it.

 

                                                Damian (v.o.)

                        My darling Mari, how I’ve missed you these

                        six years.  Your letters are the only thing

                        that has kept me sane each day, knowing

                        that you live out there in the real world

                        with children of your own to love and a

                        place to call home.  I only hope that you

                        will someday find contentment with your

                        husband, and one day be able to move on

                        with your love for me only a memory.

 

Ext. Prison

 

We see the building and fences and horses being cared for.

 

                                                Damian (v.o)

                        I’ve found a purpose here, helping care

                        for the horses the guards use to herd the

     prisoners.

 

Guards ride around the prison, laughing as the prisoners scatter so as to not be run over.

 

                                                Damian (v.o)

                        I’ve always loved horses, and these are no

                        different, not truly understanding what their

                        masters have them do.  Sadly, I could

                        not stand by while they killed a horse just

                        because she refused to trample a prisoner.

 

A horse bucks the guard off of her back after being told to run into a fallen prisoner.

 

                                                Damian (v.o)

                        I tried to save her to no avail. Though I stole her from

                        underneath their noses and let her out into the

                        wild –

 

Damian waves goodbye to the horse while others watch.  A guard spots the horse running away.

 

                                                Damian (v.o)

                        A guard with a good aim shot her dead.

 

The horse is shot.

 

                                                Damian (v.o)

                        And I’ve been sentenced to hang in two weeks

                        time.

 

Int. Bedroom

Mariana finishes reading the letter, looking out the window.

 

                                                Mariana

                                    (whispers)

                        I will miss you, baby.   Please be happy.

                        Your best friend, Damian.

 

Mariana puts the letter back in the drawer, hiding it again, and lays her head on the pillow and stares up at the ceiling.

 

Ext. Backyard of Charles Beckings’ House

The boy sits on a swing on the tree, and the girl pushes him.  Mariana comes outside dressed for travel.

 

                                                Mariana

                        Sweetie, come here a moment. 

 

She brings her daughter into her arms.

 

                                                Mariana                       

                        I need you to make me a promise that

                        you will watch out for your brother.

 

                                                Girl

                        Mommy, what’s going on?

 

                                                Mariana

                        Just going on a little trip, a friend of mine

                        is in need of me.  Now, please promise.

 

                                                Girl

                        Yes, I’ll watch over him.

 

                                                Mariana

                        Good girl.

 

Mariana picks the boy up in her arms.

 

                                                Mariana

                        You listen to your sister now, won’t you?

 

He nods.

 

                                                Mariana

                        I love you both, remember that.

 

Mariana puts her son down and with one last look goes back inside.

 

Ext. Stables

 

From out of the stables, Mariana gallops on a horse towards the road.

 

Ext. Road – Night

Mariana continues to ride as the sun goes down.