revelation - part one Read online

custom work on your horse trailer there?

  BRANDT

  I just can't drive anymore. Got to look for my horse in the morning. He pounded his way out and ran away.

  Woolie nods, rocking slowly, listening and mentally maneuvering, he grins.

  WOOLIE

  So your horse ran away. Now that's not the worst I've ever heard.

  (his eyes twinkle)

  Beautiful wasn't she... Mikado you know, a two-eight-two.

  BRANDT

  What are you talking about.

  WOOLIE

  The train, boy. The train. She was the prettiest sight you ever did see.

  BRANDT

  What happened?

  WOOLIE

  Used to run up the valley. To Jerome. Till the mine petered out. Then the war came, they scraped the rails and built guns. Then the company moved into the valley. Heard they got old 666 running. But I don't see how. She crashed and killed forty nine people back in 39'.

  BRANDT

  I saw it. It was a ghost train. It almost killed us.

  WOOLIE

  Old number 666 had a graceful elegance. That's what's missing from machinery these days. She sure was pretty.

  BRANDT

  Pretty! That sucker was a demon from hell.

  WOOLIE

  Yep, You might just have a point my boy.

  (beat)

  Names Woolie -- Woolridge St. John, but folks here just call me Woolie.

  BRANDT

  All right, Woolie. You're only telling me half a story. What's going on.

  Woolie fiddles with a fly fishing rod.

  WOOLIE

  Trains' been an omen around these parts. Folks say they see the train when bad times are a brewing. I could tell by the look of your face.

  BRANDT

  Don't con me old-timer. I know shuck when I hear it.

  Woolie studies Brandt's nervousness.

  WOOLIE

  It's all, all right, it was just a dream, my boy. Just a dream. Ever read the good book?

  BRANDT

  I've read a few good books by Faulkner, Michner and Hemmingway?

  WOOLIE

  No. I mean the bible. Revelation says that at the end, young men will dream dreams and see visions. Maybe there's something to it.

  BRANDT

  I'm here to investigate animal mutilations, disappearances and the strange objects that have been seen in the sky near here. I also heard rumors about a collider. You know anything about that?

  WOOLIE

  End times could be near, young fellow. Mighty near...Maybe all this new technology stuff has helped old Satan figure the way.

  BRANDT

  Look Woolie. I don't have time for all that biblical stuff. Where's Ophir? I'm in a hurry.

  WOOLIE

  Ain't that a plumb shame... A Man that ain't got no time to give, that man ain't got no time to live. Nothing is that dog gone important boy. Except death - you look over your left shoulder and ask him if he's ready for you. If not then there's no worries.

  A SCORPION climbs up Woolie's rocking chair, locking Brandt's attention.

  BRANDT

  Got a deadline.

  WOOLIE

  Don't say. May be -

  (barely audible)

  somebody's got other plans for you.

  BRANDT

  What's that?

  THE SCORPION CRAWLS along Woolie's arm. Muck BARKS.

  BRANDT (CONT'D)

  Watch out Wool - e - e

  The Scorpion's tail strikes just as Woolie hits it with a shot of chewing tobacco and knocks it into a can with a loud KERPLUNK.

  WOOLIE

  (sheepish smile)

  Just a little game we play around here to kill the time.

  BRANDT

  Do you always win?

  WOOLIE

  Yep. If I lost I wouldn't be here would I.

  THE FULL MOON suddenly moves from behind the cloud cover and highlights the SOMBRA MOUNTAINS. They jut up like the black citadels of an unholy power.

  WOOLIE (CONT'D)

  Powerful ain't it. Mr. Hill.

  BRANDT

  How did you know my name?

  WOOLIE

  Tel'gent guess I guess. No boy, its on your license plate.

  INT. THE TRUCK - ON THE ROAD - NIGHT

  Hamp has the map on his lap.

  ext. THE MAIN STREET SLOPES UP AHEAD - NIGHT

  Typical southwestern buildings but pristine, as if they were facades on a sound stage. Ophir's a mining town, a company town, a temporary town.

  THE HEADLIGHTS - catch on an Indian slouched in the shadows. Brandt slides to a quick stop in front of JOE STARWIND, a young Indian whose naked from the waist up. His worn black hat with it's hammered silver band is buried between his legs.

  BRANDT

  Hey fellow, where's the hotel?

  Joe slowly lifts his head and groans. Blood drips from his brow. Brandt moves rapidly to Joe's side and pulls out a kerchief. He swabs his forehead as Muck licks his face.

  BRANDT (CONT'D)

  Let's get you to the doctor?

  Joe staggers to his feet then shakes his head.

  JOE

  No doctor.

  BRANDT

  What happened?

  JOE

  I was in the cantina and I must a' ah... asked the wrong girl to dance.

  BRANDT

  Aren't you a little young for bars?

  Brandt swaps some more blood. Joe groans.

  JOE

  Naw, me wantum firewater. Do anything for firewater.

  (laughs)

  Honestly, I was at the company party.

  BRANDT

  Where can I get a room?

  JOE

  At the hotel, but it's full up. Whole town belongs to the company and there's just one hotel. Hit a new vein and all the big shots are here from LA. Come on. I'll walk you to the cantina. It'll clear my head.

  DOWN THE STREET AND AROUND THE CORNER -

  Shafts of light illuminate, large building that protrude from the surrounding hills. A sign reads: OPHIR MINING AND POWER.

  BRANDT

  That the company?

  JOE

  (disgustedly)

  Yep, that's the company. They get your body... then they want your soul.

  (beat)

  Listen! Don't talk to anyone, they're crazies man... Find the hotel clerk. He's probably in the Cantina - tell him your stranded.

  THE BRIGHTLY LIT CANTINA is surrounded by new expensive cars.

  BRANDT

  Company pay pretty well?

  JOE

  It's an illusion. Hey...

  BRANDT

  Brandt.

  JOE

  Brandt, you can stay with me.

  BRANDT

  You live on the reservation?

  JOE

  Nope, up there.

  Joe points to a cave above Ophir while Muck sniffs cars.

  BRANDT

  Come with a shower and kitchen?

  JOE

  Nope...

  BRANDT

  Thanks anyway.

  (beat)

  Hey...

  JOE

  Joe.

  Good time SOUNDS emanate from the open doors of the cantina.

  BRANDT

  You coming in?

  JOE

  (shakes his head, no)

  No, I'll wait outside.

  Brandt hesitates on the steps of the cantina.

  BRANDT

  Do you know anything about a supposed ghost train?

  JOE

  (sad awe)

  You saw the Train?

  BRANDT

  Yeah, but I can't seem to get any straight answers.

  JOE

  It's an omen... It enters reality more and more every day.

  BRANDT

  You sound like the old man.

  JOE

  You must have met Woolie... Don't pay any attention to him.
.. He likes to tease. If you need to talk, I'll be around at sunrise. Now, Go! Get your room.

  BRANDT

  Stay with Joe, Muck.

  CUT TO:

  IN THE LARGE CANTINA - NIGHT

  packed to the brim with Sunday cowboys. Mexican curios protrude from every crevice. Above the dance floor a Mexican band struggles to play the "country" requests of the "gringo" crowd.

  AT THE BAR, -

  Brandt's handsome good looks don't go unnoticed as he inches his way between a couple of rowdies toward the BARTENDER who is filling glasses and egos at the far side of the bar. Suddenly he is trapped between JAKE, a giant toothy, pock marked man and his crony MICK, Jake's antithesis in size and in looks. They AD LIB a heated discussion for the amusement of their friends. In the b.g. several women "out-do" the guys on the mechanical bronco.

  JAKE

  I say it's going to change the world. Isn't that right, Mick?

  Brandt staggers as an elbow slams into his rib cage.

  JAKE (CONT'D)

  I said isn't that right Mick?

  THE ELBOW slams once again into Brandt's rib cage.

  MICK

  You're caca seca, Jake.

  BRANDT in a delayed reaction doubles over in pain and falls against the bar as Jake looks to see who he pounded. He picks Brandt up by the ears, -

  JAKE

  Well...looky, looky, a topsider. How the hell did you get in here, buddy? This is a closed party.

  and then by the seat of his pants runs him toward the door. SARAH LIVINGSTON moves quickly across their path.

  SARAH

  Wait, stop, don't do that.

  But Jake doesn't stop.

  SARAH (cont'd)

  Jake -- That’s my date. He's with me.

  Jake, red faced, stops short almost knocking her over. Sarah, hesitates, moves forward to steady the staggering Brandt. She whispers in his ear - he puts his arm around her.

  JAKE

  I'm sorry Doc. I didn't know. I thought he was an outsider.

  Sarah steadies Brandt and moves him toward the dance floor.

  SARAH

  (half - mutter)

  God, how I hate bullies. Did you get my drink babe?.. Never mind, let's get back to the dance floor.

  BRANDT

  What are you doing, lady?

  Brandt staggers forward in Sarah's arms.

  SARAH

  Don't ask.

  BRANDT

  (stopping and righting)

  No. I want to know.

  SARAH

  It's a doctor's prerogative.

  Brandt gives her a "look". She blushes.

  SARAH(cont'd)

  Let me take a look at your side.

  (another look)

  Oh, all right. You asked for it.

  BRANDT

  I'm ready.

  Brandt steadies then looks through her welfare glasses to her bright eyes. A little makeup, let the hair down, add contacts and she'd be a stone fox.

  SARAH

  I guess I always wanted to rescue a handsome stranger in distress...

  BRANDT

  What's going on around here?

  She moves Brandt to the middle of the dance floor.

  SARAH

  Stanley wants to thank the crew for the