The Journey of Eternity

The alarm rang five a.m.

Lita sighed as she reached her arm over to silence the ring and then ran her hand over her face. As her fingers reached her hairline, she gently pulled loose strands of hair off of her cheeks. Her eyes darted back and forth across the room and a smile enveloped her face as she remembered the event for the day.
With a deep breath and a wonderful sense of anticipation, she rose, stretched her arms high toward the ceiling and released a long, luxurious sigh of happiness. In a flash, she got out of bed and found her slippers, nearly skipping throughout the room before she quickly made the bed with hospital corners and decorative pillows. Lita stood in the center of the room. “This,” she whispered to herself, “is the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Lita savored every moment that passed. She felt the hot water as it flowed across her shoulders, she danced in place as she rinsed her teeth with mouthwash, and she felt the relaxing tingle of her scalp as she brushed her hair. She dressed in her favorite clothes, closely observed the colors of the fabrics and noticed how the clothes felt against her skin. “This,” she whispered to herself as she inhaled deeply, “is the best day of my life.”

The kitchen was already clean, if not vacant of the usual signs of life. The sink was empty of dirty dishes and the countertops free of clutter except for one aged cookie jar that sat faded but regal in a corner. Eagerly, Lita went to work on breakfast, and soon feasted on bites of biscuits and gravy, sausage and eggs, and pancakes with strawberry syrup before cleaning the room so that it appeared as it had before.

With her stomach full and her mind at ease, Lita went to work on the simple daily chores that needed completing. Trashcans were emptied, laundry was washed and dried, and foods at risk of spoiling were placed in sealed containers in the refrigerator or the freezer.

When she felt the time was right, Lita sat on her bed and placed two glasses of milk, one small, one large, on the table beside her bed. Carefully she opened five small boxes meticulously, placed the plastic and the foil in a neat pile beside the recyclable cardboard, and placed the pills in a circle.

Retrieving the trashcan from the bathroom, Lita began her process of opening capsules and pouring the grainy contents into the small glass of milk until the liquid was a sandy glob. With difficulty, she drank the thick milk, and then used the milk that remained to swallow more capsules.

Lita soon felt sleepy and dizzy, her head spinning around the room while her body became increasingly unable to move. She laid down on the bed, stretched her feet out before her, closed her eyes, and sighed a final sigh.

As the pain intensified, Lita felt herself beginning to sink in a spiral of darkness. From within her soul, she heard her own screams and cries endlessly echoing from the past as if they were being shouted directly beside her ear while a chorus of distant laughter, sadistic and sarcastic, grew closer. Lita continued to spiral downward, falling uncontrollably and alone, unable to see anything about her in the darkness. As the volume of the screams, cries, and laughter strengthened, they wove together a tapestry of torment. Then, there was silence.

Lita found herself lying on a floor of air, nothing below her resembling structure, nothing above her except clouds that melted from one color into another, and nothing around her but endless horizons of white. Her clothes were those that she had worn at her death, and she carried with her the body that she had known in life.

Near where Lita had fallen, a young black man dressed in a crisp black suit played a bluesy rhythm on a wooden guitar, a sound that faded into being as his image came into view. He sat in a straight-backed chair that leaned against air as strongly and as surely as if it were leaning against a wall.

“Howdy,” he cheerfully said with a smile as he noticed Lita there. He continued playing.

Lita pressed about the air with her hands and wondered if she could stand. Momentarily, with assurance found in the smile of the blues man, she rose and eased closer. “Hi,” she said quietly. “Is this Heaven?”

The man laughed politely. “No, ma’am, not exactly. Heaven’s down the road a ways, I guess. I haven’t been there. No, ma’am, this is where people come to be judged, just over there, you see,” he nodded.

Lita looked in the direction of the man’s nod, noticing the blue shadow of an old man standing some distance away. “Who is he?”

“It’s not who he is that you need to be concerned with, but he’s not God, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he continued to strum as he spoke. “No, that there be the man who judges, the one who allows people entrance into Heaven or sends them down below.”

Lita studied the man as he sat there playing his guitar, a sense of enjoyment upon his face with each chord and, at times, humming a little tune. “So, who are you,” she asked curiously.

“Oh, I’m just another soul, ma’am. I reckon I’ve been playing this guitar right here in this chair for, well, must be over a hundred years now.”

“Why,” Lita asked as she stepped closer to him.

The man laughed politely. “Well, ma’am, it seems the good Lord likes my playing, so He lets me stay right here and strum. Besides, as long as I’m playing right here, ain’t no Hell Hounds that can get to me and, well, I’ll stay right here in this chair and play for all eternity if it’ll keep me from being judged that long.”

“Why don’t you want to be judged? Is it painful?”

“Um, probably only if you don’t make it past the gatekeeper, there. And, well, I figure once they find out how I learned to play this beautiful old piece of wood, they might not let me in. But, I’m thinking maybe, just maybe mind you, if I keep right on sitting here and playing this old guitar and making beautiful sounds for them to listen to, well, maybe when it’s my time to be judged they’ll keep that in mind and let me in anyway.” He paused as he strummed, looked at his finger placement momentarily and began again to hum along. “What about you, ma’am? You got a bargaining chip?”

“Bargaining chip,” Lita wondered aloud.

“You know, you play guitar or something?”

“No, sir,” Lita said slowly as she lowered her head, “no bargaining chip. I guess I just have to take what’s coming to me.”

“Well,” the young man said sorrowfully, “I wish you best of luck ‘cause your eyes say you got a tired and troubled soul.”

Lita shook her head in agreement as she turned to walk toward the old man in the distance. After a walk that seemed to take both forever and only a single moment, she stood before him.

The man was dressed in long white robes with ancient symbols etched in gold along the front and with a golden rope hung loosely about the waist. His hair was white and long, his hair and beard nearly reaching the airy floor below. His eyes were crystal blue. His sandals were of diamonds and he carried an emerald staff wrapped in a golden serpent, its body etched with the same ancient symbols as the robe.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” the man quietly said with a smile, his voice echoed.

“Yes,” Lita answered as she stood before him. “If I’m here, does it mean I’m going to Heaven?”

The man gently laughed. “No, child. Everyone comes here first to be judged, whether they are accepted into the kingdom of Heaven or not.”

“And, you are the judge?”

“Yes, child,” he quietly said, “I am the judge.”

Lita looked toward the airy floor, continuing to wonder how they were standing upon air, upon nothing, and looked about wondering how they could be standing within such nothingness and yet within everything.

“That is not for you to know, child,” the man said. “I know what you’re thinking. I know when you speak the truth. But, the questions that you ask are questions requiring great knowledge, and that knowledge is reserved for God and for God alone. The most ancient questions of the world, child, the most ancient knowledge, is in God, but God sees no reason to weight humans with such tremendous responsibility.”

Lita paused. She wondered what questions would be appropriate, but realized the old man would know her thoughts just the same. “Why didn’t God ever help me? I asked Him for help.”

“Yes, child, but some things you must discover for yourself. God gives you obstacles to make you stronger, not just to spite you. But, you didn’t become stronger; you grew weaker. God gives you unconditional love as long as you obey, as long as you remain faithful.”

“But, can’t God stop bad things from happening, stop pain?”

“Yes, child,” the man said quite calmly, “but if He simply stopped all bad things from happening, humans wouldn’t learn, wouldn’t grow. If all things are given easily, what’s the point of faith? God is everywhere. He has seen each moment of each day of your life. He knows what you have suffered, but he wanted you to grow. You failed.”

Lita lowered her head, saddened and unfulfilled by the answers. “Will I go to Heaven?”

The old man paused, brushing his hand over his beard as his blue eyes twinkled. “No, child, you will not,” he said, trying to hide a smile.

“The cardinal sin,” Lita asked.

“The most precious gift God bestows upon mankind is life. That life belongs to God. Only He can decide when it begins and when it ends. But, you took your own life, and took that right away from God. There is no entry into Heaven for those who feel they have more power than God.”

Lita looked into the old man’s blue eyes. “But,” she quietly asked, “doesn’t he know what my life was like, that I asked for help and never received it. Doesn’t he know what I went through every day?”

“Yes,” the man quipped.

“Doesn’t that matter?”

“No,” the man quickly responded.

“So,” Lita began, but knew not what to say or ask.

Lita felt her eyes again drawn to the old man’s eyes.

“You’re not welcome here,” he said sternly. “We have no use for you here.”

“You have no use for me,” Lita asked, uncertain what it was to mean.

“It means that God wants people on his team who will serve Him well and uphold His name. Only those people shall be allowed to pass through the gates and enter the kingdom of Heaven. But, you,” he snarled, “you would not serve His name well.”

“But,” Lita asked quickly, “other than deciding when my own life shall end, did I do anything wrong, anything that was so terrible that I couldn’t pass through the gates?”

“Not that I remember,” he said quickly with a sarcastic smile before returning to an expression of power and anger. “But you are worthless here! Be gone!”

And, quickly, the old man waved the emerald staff in the air and Lita began to fall through a sense of nothingness, an empty source of darkness without signs of life above or below or within. Frightened and alone, Lita continued to fall, unaware where or if she would land. But, then, Lita began to hear the most beautiful music.

He sat there on his thrown, a peaceful smile across his face as he played the violin, strumming it tenderly with his eyes closed so as to relish every note.

Lita studied him quietly from her position on the ground, his face reddened, chiseled and large like that a goat with two large horns emanating from the sides of his head. His torso appeared larger than human, strong and muscular, though it was the form of a man. And though, at first glance, one would consider the being ugly and frightening, when he played the violin Lita saw something beautiful within him, quiet, peaceful, and full of light.

As she began to sit upright, she felt the warmness of the soil beneath her and looked about where she had fallen. This was no room with walls or ceilings, no prison, no pit, no fire; rather, it seemed to be comfortably small but endless, warm but not hot, with clouds hovering above that would change colors and burnt soil for a floor that held inscriptions in ancient languages that Lita did not understand and could not translate.

Lita stood where she had fallen, watching him play effortlessly, his head leaned a bit over the violin as if nearing his ear to the birthplace of the beautiful sounds. He sat regally on a thrown made of elm and alder, tied together with the branches of willows. Then, his head began to rise upward as the music began to slowly end, and as he opened his eyes he sniffed the air repeatedly with a vulgar, disapproving expression of offense.

“Hum,” he quickly said. A bit of smoke exited his nostrils in anger as he fully opened his eyes and glared at Lita. He continued to sniff the air, leaning forward slightly to receive the news of her arrival.

In anger he stood, balancing on one leg that was that of a goat and one leg that was human but burnt red like the soil. He violently raised his fist and, looking upward, began to rage, his voice echoing throughout the universe.

“You dare to send me your table scraps!” He exhaled a plume of white smoke. “Take this one back!”

A rush of fear raced through Lita as she stepped backward.

Turning to Lita, he yelled less forcibly from his thrown as he began to pace. “Go away! You are no use to me!”

Quietly, Lita spoke. “But, where do I go? I don’t really know how I got here. Is this Hell?”

He ceased his pacing to look at her, his eyes changing colors until they rotated through each blaze of the rainbow. Silently, he bowed his head, contemplating the question before raising his head and calmly speaking. “Not exactly. It’s sort of the foyer, you might say. It is here where people come to be judged.”

“People are judged before entering Hell,” Lita asked. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ask such a question.”

He quietly smiled at her, a knowledgeable kindness in his eyes as he took his seat, his voice calm but deep and riveting. “Yes, child. People are judged before entering Heaven,” he snarled as he looked upward and pointed, but regained his kindness as he resumed speaking, “so why wouldn’t they be judged before entering Hell?”

“I guess I just never thought about it. I’m sorry if I was out of line.”

“Not out of line, child, just,” he exhaled as he leaned back on his thrown, “just, well, a bit one-sided. You’ve heard all the stories of how to live your life to get into Heaven when you die and, as the stories say, if you don’t get into Heaven, you automatically get into Hell. Why should God be the only one with any say-so over who gets in to his kingdom? Don’t all kings wish to control who enters their gates?”

“I guess so,” Lita responded, her voice becoming a bit stronger, her body more at ease as it stood before the thrown.

“At least I do my own judging. That’s more than I can say for God. He just sends out representatives to do his bidding. Hum,” he grunted, “hope none of them turn against him. He might not like who gets in up there.”

“So, you’re the devil?”

“I go by many names, that is but one of them. I don’t like that particular one, though. God has convinced you humans that the devil is bad, completely and utterly evil. Like humans, God and I are much more complicated than that.”

Lita paused, thinking before speaking. “But, doesn’t a person have to go to one or the other, Heaven or Hell? Where else could there be to go?”

“I guess you’re going to find out first-hand, child, because you do not belong here and I shall not grant you access.”

“Why, if I may be so bold as to ask?”

He sat in silence for a moment, and raised his hand to his chin in contemplation. Long pointed claws gently scratched his cheek and a finger brushed up against an upper tooth resembling a wolf’s fang. Finally, he leaned forward, compassion in his colorful eyes as he searched Lita’s soul for the truth he already knew.

“Child, dear, child, if there were an easy answer to that question I would give it to you. Look about you at these words engraved into the Earth beneath you. Old, old words, they are. They’ve been here since the beginning of time. Within those words are all of the secrets of the universe, every question in the world answered. It’s all there. There’s nothing missing. Some of those that enter into my kingdom can interpret those words, some cannot. But, some, like yourself, wouldn’t know what to do with that knowledge if you had access to it and more probably would do nothing at all.”
Tears began to swell. “I was sent here because I wasn’t worthy to enter the gates of Heaven. Now you’re telling me I’m not worthy to enter the gates of Hell either?”

“God and I have a few things in common, child. One of which is that we seek out soldiers who will fight for us. I’m a bit more active about the seeking, you might say.” With a long exhale, he leaned back against his thrown. “But you, well, I never sought you out. While alive, your sadness prevailed, it surrounded you like a thick blanket of mud and muck. I didn’t fight for you because I have no use for you. You would not be a good soldier. People would not follow your lead. You would not do well to enrich my name.”

Tears began to fall as Lita stood before the thrown.

“Now, now, child,” he said as he reached for his violin and began to play. “I know how much you’ve been hurt. Listen and this shall soothe you. There is not a more beautiful sound in the universe.”

And, as he played, music enveloped Lita in measures of quiet comfort.

“What did I do,” Lita asked, “to deserve the life I had, to deserve this now?”

He withdrew his bow, gently placing the violin in his lap. “Life is but a game, child, a game played by the kings of the universe. Winner takes all.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You see, God plays games, creating difficulties in people’s lives, to see if you’ll rise above, specifically to see if you’ll rise above in His name, in His faith.” He lifted the violin back to his chin, but set it back down in his lap and looked again towards Lita. “You humans call me the trickster, but you forget I learned from the master. He wants, He expects His people to suffer. Now, what kind of God is that? What kind of God allows such horrible things to occur when he has the power to stop them, to prevent them from ever occurring?”

“But, didn’t you serve him once?”

“Serve is a term to be used loosely in this instance. I became tired of and enraged by His games. Foolishness, they are, and the cause of useless suffering. When all of the Deities work together, there is no suffering because there is give and take, honor and respect in all directions.”

“So, do you play games,” Lita asked inquisitively.

He laughed. “Well, I have been known to play a game or two in my time, but only in response to God’s games or,” he frowned, “when I am not paid the appropriate respect for my assistance.”
Lita’s heart sank. “I meant no offense.”

“I know,” he simply stated as he began to play, “I know when you speak the truth.” The music traveled about the area as if it had a life of its own, flying to and greeting each part of the area with its presence. “But,” he said as he played, “back to your question.”

“Can’t I stay,” Lita interrupted. “I can learn. I have no place else to go.”

The music ceased again as he gently placed the violin beside his thrown. “No, child. I could never trust you.”

“But, I can change.”

“No child. I don’t think I could stand the weight that you carry upon your shoulders. It’s a pain I can’t bear to see and one I do not wish to carry myself.”

“So, what will happen to me? If this is a game, and there has been a draw, and neither God nor you will take me in, where will I go?”

Graciously, he stood, walked to Lita, put his claws upon her shoulders and gently brushed her hair with his hand. In nearly a whisper, he spoke. “That is not for me to decide, child. But, it is now your time to continue on.”

Slowly, again, Lita began to fall, drifting through a space of dark nothingness without heat or cold, without time, without sound or silence, without the ability to move or to stop.

Her body landed hard against the stone slab, its jagged edges piercing into her body painfully but drawing no blood. Toward one direction was nothing but a series of stones that reached out into eternity and, in the opposite direction, nothing but water of the purest blue that reached out equally as far. Above her, a dark night with a sparkling full moon spread out over half of the water and stones, the other half immersed in bright sunlight with a full and glorious sun.

Alone once more, Lita sat upon the slab and looked out over the water. “What a strange but beautiful place,” she thought to herself.

A large snake with eyes as black as coal and luminous skin made its way out of the water onto the rocks to bask in the sun. Slowly, it raised its head towards Lita. “Yes, dear, this is a beautiful place. This is the edge of the universe.”

“Will I stay here forever,” Lita asked.

The snake looked towards the water. “People do not come here to stay,” it said, and returned its gaze to Lita, “people come here for a single moment to gain direction or instruction. No humans can stay here. This place is much too powerful.”

Lita thought she dare not ask about the type of power existed in this magnificent location, and instead carefully she chose her words. “If I can’t stay,” she began, “where do I go and how do I get there.”
The snake nodded its head up and down and smiled at Lita as it continued. “Yes, you are wise, child, not to ask about certain things. You were sent here by a powerful being, and I know you are here for assistance.”

“You already know?”

“Yes, child,” the snake lowered its head to the ground, rotating it in the relaxing warmth of the sun. “I know all, all that has happened, all that is, and all that will become one day. I know of the journey you have made thus far and of the journey you must take. However, the future holds possibilities, and your choices shall determine your destination.”
Lita looked across the water, contemplating birth and death and all that comes between, reward and consequence and penance. “Is there really such a thing as purgatory,” she asked the snake as she looked over the water, wondering if forgiveness would ever come.

“Yes,” the snake began, turning its head to look out over the water, “but beware, child. Purgatory holds no guarantees. Who shall decide what is and is not deserving of punishment and how much that punishment shall be? Who will guarantee a change in sentence when purgatory is over? No, purgatory is not a place but a riddle, and the riddle maker can change the answer once you think you’ve solved the question. Do not count on it to meet your wishes for purgatory may be best described as life. The answers to the questions you seek are already within. Look there to proceed. That, my child, is the best advice I can give you.”

“But,” Lita began, “how do I do that?”

“Go to sleep, child,” the snake spoke quietly, “and I will see that you wake up in the forest, a purgatory of your own. You will recognize your lesson as it approaches, but be wise enough to know the questions. Should you serve well, you will be rewarded with answers. Should you not learn well, well, your punishment shall be likewise.”

Lita’s body tired as she leaned against the stone slab and closed her eyes. Lita awoke on the forest floor.

From where Lita lay, she saw a small cottage, simple and plain, sitting alone in a small clearing. The house, tiny and unpainted with small windows was surrounded by forest on all sides. A large pile of wooden logs as tall as the trees sat just outside the wooden fence. Lita was alone, and though no voice spoke to her, Lita knew that she was to move the pile of logs in silence to a location just inside the fence. And, so Lita went to work, silently lowering one pile and creating another one small log at a time.

When finished, Lita looked towards the gate and saw a fox holding up its paw. Though no voice spoke, Lita knew that she was to silently aid the little fox. Lita poured some water into a small vessel for the fox and gathered fallen leaves from the forest floor for the animal’s pallet. She gently lifted up its paw to examine the problem and removed a thorn. Lita petted the kind little animal until it fell asleep and then, as it slept, she watched the fox simply disappear.

Lita felt herself drawn to the cottage. Entering slowly through the door, she found the home deserted and with little furnishings other than a small table without chairs, a small locked cabinet in the corner with no key to be found, and cast iron fireplace at its center. A few iron kettles with long handles sat beside the fireplace, lined up neatly against the wall. The tiny cottage had only three walls, its rear wall missing and a ceiling that never existed at all.

The toils continued endlessly, and Lita silently, peacefully, followed the voiceless instruction. She made a broom from forest branches and went directly to work, sweeping and cleaning and brightening the little cottage, all in silence. From a nearby creek, she gathered water one glass at a time and scrubbed the planks and the windows and the floors. She moved the pile of logs back again, mended fences, planted, and harvested. Lita worked hard and continuously, but always in silence. When Lita was in need of food or drink, food or drink was provided, suddenly appearing as if by magic. When Lita was in need of rest, a hammock made of rope would suddenly appear beneath the shade of a forest tree.

One day, as many previous days, Lita was voicelessly instructed to dust the small table in the little kitchen. Grabbing her trusty rag and vat of water, Lita went to work on the table, but found that the dust would not be moved. Lita scrubbed harder, and yet the dust would not release itself from the table. She tried the broom, yet still found no success. She scrubbed at the table with all her strength and began to worry. Still, the dust would not move. Lita looked about the small cottage for how to accomplish this task that now proved more difficult than it had in the past.

Dust began to rise from the small table sitting in the kitchen as if called to attention, winding its way about Lita as she tried to wave away the dusty cloud that reached out for her. Lita tried to move, to step away from the dust, to leave the little cottage, but her feet felt as though they were held down to the floor. Lita sneezed, a sound that vibrated through the tiny cottage and echoed throughout the forest.

Lita lifted her head in a sense of surprise, of fear, and quickly began to feel herself falling again, this time at a lightning fast speed, branches, stones, and soil scratching and piercing the skin relentlessly as she fell, and in her ears was the cold, harsh screaming laughter of sadistic glee.

Suddenly, Lita’s body was still. The falling had stopped and the screaming laughter had ceased. Once again in complete silence, Lita slowly opened her eyes, finding herself in the grave in which she had been buried, awake, alert, and unable to move.



This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to situations or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.

The Lakeland Development

THE LAKELAND DEVELOPMENT


FADE IN:

INT. RURAL ROAD MID-MORNING/AUTUMN

A silver 4-door truck (Coop’s truck) is traveling down a rural road. The truck passes a barn on the left that is old and falling in on itself. The truck then turns left just after passing the barn.

A muffled cell phone is heard ringing.

INT. INSIDE COOP’S TRUCK MID-MORNING

RICHARD “COOP” COOPER and DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG are in the truck as it moves along the rural road. Coop is driving. Douglas pulls his cell phone from his coat pocket.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Hello. (pause) Yeah, Lisa, those are ready to go. If you can get them filed with the court by tomorrow, that would be great. But, if you can get them filed today, that would be even better. I really want to get this thing to trial as soon as possible. Oh, and go ahead and call Lane Barsky, will you. I’ve already talked to him about it, but let’s just show him the courtesy of letting him know that the Williams family decided to contest the will.

RICHARD COOPER
(quietly) What’s the rush? The old man’s still dead.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(frowns at Coop) Okay, Lisa, thanks for calling. (pause) No, I’ll still be available by phone; I just won’t be in the office for a couple of days. At least I hope I’ll be available by phone. (looking around) I’m getting pretty far out in the boonies. (pause) Okay. Talk to you then. (closes phone, returns it to his pocket)

RICHARD COOPER
I wouldn’t want your job, Douglas. All those people wanting more then they inherited, having to defend guilty criminals or go after innocent ones. It’d drive me crazy. I don’t see how you do it.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Well, Coop, it’s not always easy. But, once in a while, the system works, and you know it, and you feel proud to be part of it.

RICHARD COOPER
And, the rest of the time?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
The rest of the time you wait for those moments when you know the system works (smiling), and you know it, and you feel proud to be part of it…

RICHARD COOPER
(chuckling) Okay, okay, I get it. But, I think I’ll stick to designing buildings. Worst thing that can happen to me is that someone doesn’t like where I put their closet.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
This Lakeland Development is a big break for you.

RICHARD COOPER
UM-HUM. This is the first time they’ve ever hired an outside party to design and build homes there. Usually, they just handle the lots and the buyer has to deal with building the place within certain guidelines. (excited) And, we, Mr. Armstrong, may be living there soon ourselves.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(excited) Well, let’s see the place first.

INT. LAKELAND DEVELOPMENT ENTRANCE MID-MORNING

Coop’s truck pulls up to the guard house. The arm is down over the exit side, but is open on the entry side. The truck slows and travels through.

RICHARD COOPER
(voice over)
Looks like we’re here.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(voice over)
No guard. Interesting. Looks like you can get in but you can’t get out.

RICHARD COOPER
(voice over)
(laughing) Kind of like a roach motel.

INT. OUTSIDE THE VISITOR CENTER AT LAKELAND
MID-MORNING

The truck parks in front of the visitor center. Coop and Douglas get out of the truck and go inside. The visitor center is built like a cabin.

INT. INSIDE THE VISITOR CENTER MID-MORNING
Coop and Douglas enter the visitor center and are greeted by the secretary, SALLY GOODMAN. Sally closes a book on diabetic cooking as Coop and Douglas enter.

SALLY GOODMAN
(energetically) Good morning. Can I help you? (goes to the counter)

RICHARD COOPER
Yes, ma’am. I’m Richard Cooper. I have an eleven o’clock appointment with Mr. Forest Caldwell.

SALLY GOODMAN
Coop! It’s so nice to meet you in person. I’m Sally. We’ve spoken on the phone several times.

RICHARD COOPER
I thought that was you, Sally, when we came in, but I didn’t want to step into hot water my first time out here.

Coop and Sally laugh. Douglas smiles and nods his head in disbelief.

RICHARD COOPER
(continuing)
Sally, (gestures to Douglas) this is…

FOREST CALDWELL enters through a side office door.

FOREST CALDWELL
Coop! I’ve been waiting for you. (goes to Coop, shakes his hand) And, (shakes Douglas’s hand) you must be the attorney, Douglas Armstrong.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Nice to meet you, Mr. Caldwell.

FOREST CALDWELL
Forest, Douglas, just Forest. We’re a bit laid-back out here at Lakeland.

SALLY GOODMAN
Everyone’s so excited about the new development project. It’s what everyone was talking about last weekend at the community supper. Wasn’t it Forest?

FOREST CALDWELL
It was, and the board is excited about it too. A new area of houses that are move-in ready? Each one unique; not those cookie- cutter houses you find in subdivisions. Each one with enough trees to have privacy. That could really help the community attract some new members and some new revenues.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Well, Coop is ready for the challenge.

RICHARD COOPER
I think you’re really going to like the ideas I have for you, Forest.

FOREST CALDWELL
And I’m looking forward to hearing them, as is the board. But, right now, I really want to show you the house I was thinking you might be interested in living in until the new development is ready.

INT. OUTSIDE THE VISITOR CENTER NOON

Coop, Douglas, and Forest walk outside.

FOREST CALDWELL
Well, as far as the architect position, Coop, you’ve got that. You’re hired, and it’s just a matter of paperwork. As far as living in Lakeland, even while the design and building is going on, well, we’ll still need to have that approved by the board just like everyone else. We’ve got a good little community out here at Lakeland. We’d like to keep it that way.

RICHARD COOPER
I understand, Forest.

FOREST CALDWELL
Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page, Coop. Now, if you’ll just follow me. The house is just a couple of miles further in.

Forest, Coop, and Douglas get into their respective vehicles and the vehicles begin to back out. Forest drives a green 4-door sedan.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(voice over)
Are you sure about this, Coop?

RICHARD COOPER
(voice over)
You’re too suspicious, Counselor. (laughing) I object! Everything will be fine.

INT. LAKELAND NOON
A green family sedan is followed by Coop’s truck. Across from the visitor center is a small grocery store called Buck’s General Store, a café called The Scoop with a sign advertising homemade ice cream, and a small US Post office. The buildings are built like cabins. There are very few vehicles in their parking lots.

The vehicles drive briefly over pavement before it becomes gravel roads. Alongside both sides of the road are gravel entrances to homes, but only some of the homes can be seen from the road. The area looks neat and tended to. Each drive is marked with a white mailbox with black lettering, each one the same except for the road name and house number.

INT. OUTSIDE THE JACKSON HOUSE NOON

The vehicles pull into the circular drive of a large house sitting across a gravel road from the lake. Only a few other houses sit around the lake, facing it, and they are spaced far between one another.

Forest, Coop, and Douglas get out of their vehicles.

FOREST CALDWELL
Well, what do you think, gentlemen? Isn’t it something?

RICHARD COOPER
When you said it was a big house, Forest, I underestimated you.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
That’s for sure.

FOREST CALDWELL
This is the third largest house in Lakeland. We call it the Jackson House because Jackson Miller was the first owner of the house, he built part of it himself, actually. And, he was one of the founders of the Lakeland community. Between you and me, he had more money than God, but he was really down-to-earth. Good man. Everyone around here just called him Mr. Jackson. Hence, we tend to call this the Jackson House. Yeah, this is good old house, but it has a few quirks about it. Probably why it’s still empty.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Quirks?

FOREST CALDWELL
Yeah, well, that’s what I call them. For starters, there’s three floors to the house. Not everyone wants to climb up and down all those stairs in a 3000 square foot house. Mr. Jackson sort of built the house in pieces as he needed it. Jackson built the first floor just for himself, as a weekend getaway from his work in Champagne. But, a bachelor really has no eye for design or any need for convenience.

Douglas and Coop smile at each other with laughter.
Forest motions to the porch and for Forest and Coop to follow.

Forest, Coop, and Douglas walk onto the wooden porch and begin looking into the house through the windows.

INT. INSIDE THE JACKSON HOUSE NOON
From the windows, the rooms of a dusty, old, still- furnished house are seen.

FOREST CALDWELL
(voice over)
So, the first floor just has a kitchen, a bath, and what were originally a work room and a garage. There’s some other space as well, but what he used it for I have no idea. Then, old Jackson fell in love. She promised to marry him if he built her a better house. So, he built the second floor, where you’ll find a second kitchen, a couple of bedrooms and another living room. She left him anyway, long before he made it to the altar.

INT. OUTSIDE THE JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Forest, Coop, and Douglas are on the porch.

RICHARD COOPER
And, the third floor?

FOREST CALDWELL
(shrugs) Just a couple of bedrooms up there. Nothing else. One of them doesn’t even have any windows. Never made any sense to me since the man spent most of his time alone. He never did marry. Oh, he was social and all, don’t get me wrong. Never missed a community supper and he could always be counted on to help out if the snow got deep or someone’s car broke down. But, he lived here by himself, alone.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
How sad.

FOREST CALDWELL
Let’s go in and have a look around.

Forest, Coop, and Douglas go inside the front door.

INT. THIRD FLOOR WINDOW NOON
The view of the lake is seen through the dusty third floor window. The sound of labored breathing is heard.

INT. FRONT FOYER OF THE JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Forest, Coop, and Douglas walk into the house. Coop begins exploring, studying the house.

FOREST CALDWELL
I know it doesn’t look like much with all this dust and cobwebs, but it really is a nice house. Poor house was a victim of the slow-moving wheels of probate court. Jackson’s will left the house and the property he lived on to Lakeland, but there was a daughter he’d had as a teenager who thought it should be hers.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I assume all legal proceedings have been settled?

Cooper lifts up a sheet from a couch and appreciates the fabric and design.

FOREST CALDWELL
Hand-made in Italy, that couch. And, all the wood you see--from these woods right here in Lakeland. All hardwood. All real. But, yes, Douglas, the matter was settled. Not the way I would have preferred, but it was settled.

Douglas is concerned.

FOREST CALDWELL
What I mean to say is that the case never made it to court. The daughter wasn’t much younger than Jackson, and her health was not good. She died, had a massive stroke, not long after the paperwork was filed. Her kids didn’t care about the house, so the case was dismissed. Jackson’s will was airtight, but I would have preferred that it had ended differently.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I understand.

RICHARD COOPER
The layout may not have been the best use of the space, but it is an interesting house. Look at the crown molding. Jackson had an eye for detail.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE KITCHEN NOON
Forest, Coop, and Douglas walk into the kitchen.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
You mentioned that Jackson started Lakeland?

FOREST CALDWELL
That’s right. Jackson owned all of this land. Over two thousand acres, and that’s not including the lake out there. He worked in Champagne. Owned a bunch of the banks over there, bought all this farmland with investment money, then worked it as a sod farm. I guess he wanted to control the future of all those acres since he had no heirs. He didn’t know about the daughter. Neither did anyone else until after he died. He created Lakeland so that he could choose who his neighbors would be.

INT. LIVING ROOM OF JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Forest, Coop, and Douglas walk into the living room. Coop continues to study the house while Forest and Douglas talk.

FOREST CALDWELL
But, truth is, he did us all a favor. Lakeland’s a wonderful community, and we continue to choose our neighbors. We all like our privacy, and we’ve got it here, but at the same time we’re a close community. We pull together to keep Lakeland safe, clean, and somewhat self- sufficient as far as maintaining the roads and things like that.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
So, Lakeland is something of a commune?

FOREST CALDWELL
No, we’re not a commune, just a community. I suppose technically we’re a restricted community, but I don’t really like that phrase either. Lakeland is pretty open minded, very accepting of people with different viewpoints, different lifestyles. What we judge people on is what kind of people they are. Are they good, kind people who want to be part of a community?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
So, Forest, is the board looking at criteria such as income? There are, after all, houses being bought in these exchanges.

Forest Caldwell
Of course we do look at all of the information that would be considered if someone were just buying a house, but we’re not all wealthy here at Lakeland. Of course, no one here would be considered poor either. Everyone here is, uh, shall we say, stable.

RICHARD COOPER
I think what Douglas is asking, Forest, is what kind of neighbors do you not want?

FOREST CALDWELL
Bad ones.

Douglas and Forest look at each other cautiously. Forest sees the exchange.

FOREST CALDWELL
(continuing)
Oh, I forgot I was speaking with a lawyer, Douglas. Don’t worry. At Lakeland, we don’t discriminate on any basis of race, religion, gender, or anything else. Although we are a private, gated community and could legally, refuse to sell to someone based on any number of factors, we truly are an open-minded community.

RICHARD COOPER
Well, Forest, how do you feel…

Douglas clears his throat.

RICHARD COOPER
(continuing)
…about gay couples here at Lakeland.

FOREST CALDWELL
(smiles) Not a problem, fellas. Really. You’ll be accepted freely here. You probably have doubts about that. I’m certain Professor Hadley who is on the board here at Lakeland would be glad to tell you that himself, as would his partner, Carl Logan.

INT. STAIRCASE AT JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Forest, Coop, and Douglas go up the stairs from the first to second floor.

FOREST CALDWELL
What we don’t like here, gentlemen, are criminals, trouble-makers, people who would rather destroy what’s been built here as opposed to help us keep it up. We’re looking for good-hearted people. Other than that, we don’t pay much heed.

Forest, Coop, and Douglas reach the top of the first set of stairs.

FOREST CALDWELL
(continuing)
But, we’re not going to live forever. We have to make sure we have people here who’ll take Lakeland into the future.

Forest, Coop, and Douglas turn around and are shocked to see KIRK LOGAN standing on the stairs.

FOREST CALDWELL
(turning around, screams) Oh, God, Kirk, what are you doing here?

KIRK LOGAN
Sorry, Mr. Caldwell. (takes a drag off his inhaler) Ms. Goodman asked me to come clean up the house before y’all got here. But, when I came in, I realized there was no way to clean it up before you got here. I was upstairs when you pulled in the drive.

FOREST CALDWELL
And, you didn’t announce yourself! You could have given me a heart attack!

KIRK LOGAN
(takes another drag from the inhaler)I didn’t think I should interrupt. Thought I could just hang up upstairs until y’all were gone, but then I realized you would come see what’s up there. Besides, this dust is getting to my asthma.

RICHARD COOPER
I bet it is. It’s just a simple mistake. No harm done. But, we need to get Kirk into some fresh air before the attack gets worse.

INT. FRONT PORCH OF JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Kirk, Coop, Douglas, and Forest walk from the house onto the front porch. Kirk leans over the railing and breathes in deeply the clean air. Coop watches over Kirk.

RICHARD COOPER
Just stay calm and concentrate on your breathing.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(quietly, to Forest) Coop’s younger brother has a severe case of asthma.

Forest nods with better understanding.

KIRK LOGAN
It’s easier now. It’s passing.

Coop and Kirk walk toward the cars. Forest and Douglas remain on the porch.

FOREST CALDWELL
(quietly, to Douglas) Kirk’s had this problem since he was a little boy. Couple years ago, he had an attack so bad that it landed him in the hospital for a couple days. Allergies. Pollen was really bad that year. Carl and the Professor keep a close eye on him trying to keep him healthy.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
So, Kirk lives out here with Carl, his father I assume.

FOREST CALDWELL
Yeah.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Where’s his mother?

FOREST CALDWELL
Strange story, that one. Melissa was her name. She and Carl lived here in Lakeland till Kirk was about thirteen or so. After the divorce, Carl and Kirk stayed here so Kirk could stay in the same school district. Melissa moved in to an apartment over in Champagne. Kept up regular visits with Kirk for a couple of years. Then, one day, they just stopped. No one’s heard from her since.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Huh. No correspondence?

FOREST CALDWELL
Not even a Christmas card. Small communities being what they are, rumors started pretty quickly. The most popular being that Melissa hadn’t adjusted as well as we’d all thought to Carl’s affair, the divorce, or, frankly, to losing her husband to a man.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I can see where that would be difficult.

FOREST CALDWELL
So unexpected, though. She was a good mom, adored Kirk. Oh, I need to make sure this door is locked. (turns to the door)

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(looking at the manicured lawn) How long as this house sat empty?

FOREST CALDWELL
Let’s see. Jackson died about five years ago, now. (notices Douglas looking at the lawn) Oh, the community has kept up the outside of the house. Appearances, you know. It effects property values.

Douglas smiles.

INT. BOARD ROOM AT VISITOR CENTER MORNING
Coop and Forest Caldwell enter the board room at the visitor center. Coop is about to make his presentation to the board. There are five board members: Forest Caldwell, PROFESSOR CHARLES HADLEY, ASIA BLACKMORE, SARAH SADLER, and LEE OSAKU. Coop’s sketches are already on easels at the front of the small room. A folder sits in front of each board member.

FOREST CALDWELL
Right in here, Coop. I think we’ve got everything ready for you. Everyone, this is Richard Cooper.

RICHARD COOPER
(to the board members) Just Coop, please.

FOREST CALDWELL
Coop, this is Professor Charles Hadley, he teaches Psychology over at the university and has lived here at Lakeland since it’s beginnings about twenty years ago.

The Professor and Coop nod to each other.

FOREST CALDWELL
(continuing)
Next is Asia Blackmore. If you like to read local writers, Asia is undoubtedly the most popular romance novelist.

ASIA BLACKMORE
(laughs as she quietly sings the phrase Paperback Writer from the Beatles song)
I wanna be a paperback writer, paperback writer. Hi, fellas.

FOREST CALDWELL
Next to Asia, Coop, is Sarah Sadler. She teaches English over at the high school, and believe me she will tell you about any grammatical errors in your presentation. She’s tough.

SARAH SADLER
(laughs) I’m looking forward to your presentation, Coop. It’s about time Lakeland expand…reasonably expand.

FOREST CALDWELL
Sarah is our newest board member, Coop. She joined us about two years ago, now. Board members are elected once a year except for the Director. That’s a 4-year position.

RICHARD COOPER
And, that’s you.

FOREST CALDWELL
That’s me. At the moment, anyway.

LEE OSAKU
Don‘t worry, Forest, the community shows no signs of tiring of you. After all, it‘s only your first term. (extends his hand; Lee and Coop shake) Hello, Coop. I’m Lee Osaku. Thirteen year Lakeland resident and tenth year board member.

FOREST CALDWELL
Lee is an engineer with the government, and in his spare time he keeps an eye on the bridges here in Lakeland to make sure they’re safe.

LEE OSAKU
(smiling) An ounce of prevention…

Everyone chuckles.
Forest sits beside the Professor. Coop stands amidst his sketches.
The Professor opens the folder in front of him.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
We’ve been reviewing the sketches and the presentation you’ve prepared. I must say that I was not in favor of expanding Lakeland. I voted for the land to remain in its natural state without any new construction, but I think your ideas may allow Lakeland to expand while respecting the environment.

RICHARD COOPER
(sits at the top of the table) My father and grandfather taught me to care for the environment. If you’ll review my work history, you’ll find that I have a history of building environmentally friendly buildings as much as possible. The houses I have in mind for Lakeland, well, not only would they each be unique but they would be built with local materials to support the local markets, each would be powered primarily by solar energy to lessen the need for electrical power, and the structures themselves would be built to retain heat or coolness without much use of any type of power.

LEE OSAKU
Earth homes.

RICHARD COOPER
Yes, exactly. But, because the cost of materials that have not been chemically treated are so much more expensive than what’s typically used these days, we’ll use both, using as much chemical free materials as possible while still keeping the end price of the house at a reasonable level. That way, the cost of the houses will target a greater number of people who may be attracted to Lakeland.

FOREST CALDWELL
Uh-huh. See, I knew I chose the right man for the job.

SARAH SADLER
But, we’re still only talking about ten homes, right?

The Professor looks suspiciously at Forest.

RICHARD COOPER
Yes, Sarah. Absolutely. In the time I’ve been able to explore Lakeland, I’ve seen that the best part of Lakeland is that it is a small community. Expansion is one thing, but you don’t want to lose that small-town atmosphere. Ten homes, ten families, perhaps about fifty new people, tops, including both adults and children. Lakeland’s population now sits at about a hundred, so you are talking about a possible 50% population boost, but I think you’ll still be able to maintain the sense of community you have now.

ASIA BLACKMORE
And, since we’re able to choose the residents, we’ll have some control over all that.

Sarah nods in agreement.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Yes, Asia, but I reiterate my earlier argument. Will this expansion cause additional expansions?

Sarah has an expression of concern.

FOREST CALDWELL
Jackson left us thousands of acres, Charles.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
(suspiciously, to Forest) Yes, I know.

FOREST CALDWELL
(smiling) And, if we could convince our architect here to buy the Jackson house, every home we currently have in Lakeland would be occupied.

LEE OSAKU
Ah, are you a new potential resident, Coop?

RICHARD COOPER
We’re considering it, Lee. We like what we’ve seen so far.

SARAH SADLER
Do we have the application yet?

FOREST CALDWELL
Got it this morning, Sarah. I’ll have copies in your boxes by this afternoon.

LEE OSAKU
Wonderful! I look forward to reviewing it.

FOREST CALDWELL
Of course, we have the official process to conduct, but I predict no problems with it, Coop. No problems at all. And, as far as the expansion goes, we’ll consider the presentation and have an answer for you by the end of the week about whether this is how we’ll proceed or if you need to go back to the drawing board for some new ideas.

RICHARD COOPER
Sounds like a plan.

INT. OUTSIDE OF VISITOR CENTER MORNING
Coop, Forest Caldwell, and Lee Osaku exit the center and go into the parking lot. Asia Blackmore and Professor Hadley stand in the doorway. Sally Goodman gets out of her car and goes into the center.

SALLY GOODMAN
Morning, Coop, Forest, Lee.

RICHARD COOPER, FOREST CALDWELL, LEE OSAKU
(to Sally)
Good morning.

LEE OSAKU
(distanced)
The end of the week, then.

FOREST CALDWELL
Thanks, Coop.

RICHARD COOPER
No problem.

Coop gets in his car. Lee and Forest watch him drive away.

ASIA BLACKMORE
Charles, the expansion doesn’t sound too bad.


PROFESSOR HADLEY
(quietly, to Asia) No, but whatever it is Forest has up his sleeve, I don’t think Coop knows a thing about it.

ASIA BLACKMORE
You still think he’s going try to develop all that unused land?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
I don’t know, Asia. But, I’ve known Forest too long. He’s up to something.

INT. OUTSIDE COOP/DOUGLAS’ HOME EVENING
Douglas drives his 4-door sedan into the short paved drive and gets out of his car, heading to the house but stopped by a neighbor’s (LEROY) voice. The home is a small cottage-like home in a middle-class neighborhood. Leroy sits on the porch of his run-down home.

A dog barks in the distance.

LEROY
Douglas, Douglas!

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Yes, sir, Leroy!

LEROY
The war is over, Douglas! You hear me? Spread the news! The war is over!


DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Is it now, Leroy. Well that is good news. See you tomorrow. (waves and walks inside)

INT. KITCHEN AT COOP/DOULAS HOME EVENING
Douglas walks into the kitchen where Coop is chopping vegetables for salads.

RICHARD COOPER
Sounds like Leroy missed his meds again.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I swear that man has been fighting that war for fifty years now.

RICHARD COOPER
(laughing) At least he thinks it’s over. That’s a lot better than him thinking he’s still in it, or worse yet that we’re in it!

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Yeah. So, how’d it go today?

RICHARD COOPER
Good. Really good. They liked the plans. I’ll think they’ll either agree to them or just want some slight variations. I don’t expect any major changes.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Great.

RICHARD COOPER
Oh, and if you can make it out there Saturday morning, Douglas, that’s the tentative appointment where we’ll meet with the board about the application and the Jackson house. That’s when they’ll decide if they like us enough to let us play in their sandbox. (chuckles)

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Are you sure about this, Coop? A restricted community? And, then there’s the longer drives to work, the upkeep of a bigger house.

RICHARD COOPER
Great house. Great price.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
The property values out there do tend to hold steady or increase. And, I checked with the probate court. Forest was accurate when he told us the legal matters were resolved.

RICHARD COOPER
And, we’re talking about a community where we’ll have plenty of privacy but we can be open about who we are.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(takes a bit of tomato) Okay, so we’re officially in negotiations to move to the boonies? (beings to set the table)

RICHARD COOPER
Yes. Although I suspect that you, city boy, may have some adjustments to make. (smiling)Have you ever seen a snake? You know, outside of a zoo or a courtroom?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(concerned) Snakes. There are snakes? Nobody mentioned anything about snakes being out there. Ugh. Well, you’re right about the house. We’d be getting it for a lot less than what it’s worth. Quite the bargain, actually.

RICHARD COOPER
And, it’s not like we weren’t already looking for another place anyway.

LEROY
(voice over/muffled)
The war is over, Ms. Honeycutt! The war is over. Spread the news!

Richard and Douglas stop and look to each other.

RICHARD COOPER
I’ll teach you how to hoe a snake.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Yeah.

RICHARD COOPER
Yeah.

INT. OUTSIDE JACKSON HOUSE MORNING
Coop is taking a box of cleaning supplies and a broom from his truck into the house. Douglas is coming out of the house, then he hangs one rug over the porch railing while shaking the dust from another. A large dust cloud appears, and Douglas coughs. Coop and Douglas meet on the porch when Sally drives up to the house and exits her vehicle. Sally carries a covered casserole dish. Kirk Logan is taking items from a shed and bringing them outside and cleaning them.

RICHARD COOPER
Whew. Getting this place cleaned up is going to be a job.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
All this dust. This house is gonna kill me! (to Kirk)Keep up the good work, Kirk. It’s looking better.

SALLY GOODMAN
Morning, fellas. How’s it coming?

RICHARD COOPER
Sally, I think every time we clear out a layer of dust, we find another one. (laughing) But, it’s really gonna be something when it’s done. And, Kirk Logan, there, is working for us, helping us get the shed cleaned out and cleaned up. (quietly) He can’t handle it in the house. It’s too dusty. It has a terrible effect on his asthma.

SALLY GOODMAN
Kirk is a good worker. He’s the one who has kept up this lawn. He can be a handful sometimes, but basically a good kid.
Well, I’ve got to work today and tomorrow, but come the weekend I’ll be glad to help. And, here’s a pasta casserole. (hands it to Coop)It’s my mother’s recipe. Always goes over well at reunions. And, I know that cooking isn’t easy when you’re trying to move.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Well, thank you. That was very thoughtful. The casserole and the offer to help.

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, it’s no bother. Just being a good neighbor. Besides, I haven’t seen the Jackson House in good condition in years. It’d be nice to know I was a part of its rebirth. When old Jackson Miller was alive, this place was really a showcase. He always kept the lawn tended and the house as neat as a pin. He kind of kept to himself, so he didn’t have many dinner parties, but when he did they were always the talk of the community. He’d just go all out making it a nice party for everyone.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Well we may not be able to throw as good a party as Jackson, but we do plan to throw a housewarming party as soon as things are cleaned up.

A roaring motorcycle comes along the gravel road. BOBBY REYNOLDS rides by. His leather jacket says RUBICON on the back. He gives Coop, Douglas, and Sally a rough, angry expression as he passes.
Douglas and Coop appear concerned.

SALLY GOODMAN
There goes Bobby. That bike is loud, but he’s harmless. He’s lived here for years, never hurt a fly.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Is his place near here?

SALLY GOODMAN
About a mile up the road. Except for that bike, he’s no trouble. Keeps to himself mostly. Drinks a lot from time to time. Signs of pot now and then. But, he’s never bothered anybody.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Really?

SALLY GOODMAN
Yeah. Bobby is something of a retired hippie. He was in the last part of the Vietnam War, but, to hear him tell it, he never agreed with the war but didn’t want run off to Canada either. He was a real popular musician around these parts for a long time. Folk music. Sang a lot about the war, politics, stuff like that. I don’t really know what he does now other than hang out with that Rubicon group.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I’ve heard of them from over in Champagne. It’s a gang, allegedly. All the members are vets.

SALLY GOODMAN
Bobby just calls it a club. He says they just sit around smoke pot, drink beer, and talk about the old days. But, as long as he doesn’t bother anybody I guess that’s the important part. Anyway, I’ve got to get to the office. Somebody’s got to be there to answer the phone. (going down the porch steps) I’ll see you this weekend. Y’all stop by the office and see me sometime. (begins getting in her car)

RICHARD COOPER
We will. Bye, Sally.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
And thanks again for the casserole.

Sally pulls out of the drive. Coop and Douglas return to their cleaning.

INT. INSIDE COURTHOUSE HALLWAY MORNING
Douglas is walking down the courthouse hallway talking on his cell phone. LANE BARSKY walks up.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
If Snoop calls with the information before nine, call me, Lisa. I think we’re first up on the docket this morning. After that, send me a text. Maybe I can get a quick recess or something. It’s just the preliminary, so this should go quickly this morning. (pause) Okay, thanks, Lisa.

Lane walks up to Douglas. They stop walking.

LANE BARSKY
Snoop, huh?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Lane! How are you?

LANE BARSKY
Couldn’t help but overhear. You gotta stop hogging the best investigator in town and let the rest of us have him sometimes.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
He’s freelance, Lane. You know that. He follows the money.

LANE BARSKY
(teasing) Are you saying I can’t afford him?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Well if you’d win a few more of your cases.

LANE BARSKY
Ooh, bite! Bye the way, I heard you’re moving out to Lakeland. Is that true?

They begin walking again.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Uh, yeah, it is. Bought a place out there just a few weeks ago. Still trying to get it cleaned up.

LANE BARSKY
Whew! I’m familiar with the place. Helped some people with a property dispute a few years ago. Wow.
Douglas Armstrong moving way out into the middle of nowhere? A gated community? No, I still think my original theory was right. The bachelor lifestyle is just an image. You’ve got a wife and kids hidden out there somewhere you just don’t want anybody to know about. A secret life. I bet Snoop knows. That’s why you keep paying him his going rate. He’s good, but he’s too expensive.

They stop in front of a courtroom door.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(chuckles)Lane, you’re just trying to distract me from the Williams case. Now, the family is still going to contest the will. Is the estate prepared to negotiate?

Douglas takes hold of the courtroom door handle.

LANE BARSKY
(sighs) Good grief, Douglas. Do you ever think of anything but work? There is life outside of the courtroom, you know.

Douglas opens the door. Lane walks in first. Douglas’ cell phone rings. He opens it as he walks into the courtroom.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Lisa? What you’d find out?

The courtroom door closes.

INT. OUTSIDE JACKSON HOUSE NIGHT
Bobby Reynolds rides up to the Jackson house on his motorcycle, parking between two cars in the drive. He stops and views the yard and house which is decorated beautifully for fall and lit with decorative candles and lanterns. The guests’ cars are parked alongside the road and around the circular drive.

Muffled chatter of the guests is heard from within.
Muffled laughter of the guests is heard from afar.
Muffled New Age music is heard playing.

Bobby has an expression of displeasure/concern.
Bobby dismounts his bike and walks up to the house.

INT. INSIDE THE JACKSON HOUSE LR NIGHT
NUMEROUS PARTY GUESTS are inside the house, looking at and pointing to the artwork and furniture, indiscriminately chatting, laughing. Many have wine glasses or drinking glasses in their hands.

Bobby Reynolds walks in and immediately sees Forest Caldwell, who seems worried to see Bobby there. Forest is talking to Professor Hadley and Carl Logan, but after seeing Bobby Forest immediately returns his attention to the Professor and Carl.

FOREST CALDWELL
(clears his throat nervously) So, after I saw his work over in Champagne, Carl, I knew he was the right architect for Lakeland. I mean, look how they’ve restored the Jackson house, here. Just brought it back to life.

CARL LOGAN
They did.

PROFESSOR CHARLES HADLEY
Yes.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE KITCHEN NIGHT
Bobby Reynolds smiles graciously and nods his head to Sally Goodman as he walks toward the buffet table. Sally has two small plates of food.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
Sally.

SALLY GOODMAN
(happily) Hey, Bobby.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE LR NIGHT
Sally walks over to Lee Osaku and his wife, SAKI, who are admiring a hand-painted portrait of the lake and surrounding area.

SALLY GOODMAN
(continuing)
Here you go, Lee, Saki. (hands them the plates) You just have to try these little delicacies. I made them myself, just to help Douglas and Coop out with the party buffet. They’re an old family recipe for spinach puffs. Sort off a spin off of cheese puffs.

SAKI OSAKU
This painting, Sally. The lights, the shadows. It looks so real. Very well done.

LEE OSAKU
Yes, I had no idea Jackson Miller was an artist.

Douglas walks up to the conversation.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Actually, Lee, Coop and I have found several paintings in the house that have Jackson’s signature on them. All of them are scenic images, no portraits or anything like that.

RICHARD COOPER
(from afar)
Douglas.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Excuse me. Have a look around the place. It looks so much different now that it’s been cleaned up.

Douglas walks away, passing FEMALE GUEST 1 AND FEMALE GUEST 2, who are standing near a window overlooking the lake. They nod to Douglas as he passes.

FEMALE GUEST 1
They did a great job with the house. I’d never seen the inside before. Didn’t even realize it was for sale.

FEMALE GUEST 2
Oh, you just haven’t lived here long enough. There’s all sorts of stories about this house, as many as there are about Jackson Miller. Come on, I’ll fill you in on some of the local gossip.

Female Guests 1 and 2 walk off, passing Douglas, Coop, Professor Hadley, and Carl Logan who are talking in a corner near the stairs.

INT. THIRD FLOOR JACKSON HOUSE NIGHT
The sounds of the party are heard in the distance. Kirk Logan walks onto the third floor and into one of the bedrooms.

INT. THIRD FLOOR BR NIGHT
Kirk goes to the window overlooking the lake and the drive. He then turns and views a trunk in the dimly lit room. He focuses on the trunk which has the initials ML on the lock.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE LR NIGHT
Douglas and Coop stand talking to Professor Hadley and Carl Logan.

RICHARD COOPER
And, Kirk helped out a lot, too.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
He really did, Carl. He works as hard as his asthma will let him.

CARL LOGAN
He’s a good kid at heart. He’s got a few problems, but…

PROFESSOR CHARLES HADLEY
…nothing to be concerned about. The kid’s got a good head on his shoulders. His health caused him to take some time off these past two years but he’ll start the university in January.

RICHARD COOPER
I knew his asthma was bad, but I didn’t realize it was that bad. Maybe he shouldn’t have helped us with the house, even the outside. Now I kind of feel like we were endangering him.

CARL LOGAN
(sadly) No, uh, it wasn’t his asthma. Kirk, uh… (pauses and looks to Charles)

PROFESSOR CHARLES HADLEY
I feel like we can trust them, Carl. (very quietly) Kirk has been in therapy for the last couple of years. A wonderful colleague at the university has been working with him. Kirk (pauses), Kirk attempted suicide shortly before his eighteenth birthday. We think it was years of difficulty and turmoil that had just built up over time.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Oh, my.

RICHARD COOPER
I had no idea. He’s always so polite, a real good kid.

CARL LOGAN
It was so unexpected. We never saw it coming. He seemed so level-headed, well- adjusted. Then, one day (pauses) I found him at the edge of the woods near our house, passed out. He had ingested ground up Diphenhydramine, enough to kill a horse. It was horrible. He still has some uncontrolled tics, jerks, after-effects of all that drug in his system.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
You must feel the therapy is working.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
That’s the strange thing. The therapist doesn’t feel he as any issues that need to be worked through. He seems level-headed, reasonable, rational, just like we’ve always known him to be. Kirk has denied any memory of attempting suicide, denied any suicidal thoughts or tendencies. The therapist doesn’t think that he’s hiding anything. She says that the drug hadn’t been found in Kirk’s system, she wouldn’t think he had any need for therapy. But, she can’t get past that one obstacle.

INT. TOP OF THE STAIRS, JACKSON HOUSE NIGHT
Kirk is at the top of the stairs, a contemplative expression on his face as he overhears the conversation.

CARL LOGAN
(voice over, muffled)
But, now, perhaps, he can start to get his life back on track. He’s got so much potential.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE LR NIGHT
Professor Hadley, Carl Logan, Coop, and Douglas are talking. Carl looks to Forest Caldwell who catches the stare and then turns and walks into the kitchen.

CARL LOGAN
Maybe it’s for the best that he can’t remember.

INT. KITCHEN AT JACKSON HOUSE NIGHT
Bobby Reynolds is leaning against the counter facing away from the window. Forest Caldwell walks up the counter and faces the opposite direction.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(quietly) This house. I can’t believe you moved them into this house.

INT. LAKELAND MID-DAY
It’s a clear but chilly winter day. Three CONSTRUCTION WORKERS are operating heavy equipment, leveling a large lot. Coop stands at the edge of the lot talking to and examining blueprints with FOREMAN JOHN KING.

INT. INSIDE LAKELAND VISITOR CENTER MID-DAY
The office is decorated for Christmas. Sally is at her desk, finishing up a phone call, when Forest Caldwell walks in.

SALLY GOODMAN
(into phone) Okay, I’ll fax that information over to you shortly, Tim. Thanks. (hangs up phone)Hey, Forest, Tim over at the tax office needs the new surveys so he can determine the property taxes for the year.

FOREST CALDWELL
(irritated) Oh, it is that time again, isn’t it. They’re on my desk. Just fax over whatever he needs.

SALLY GOODMAN
How’s the construction going?

FOREST CALDWELL
Right on schedule. They’re out there prepping the lots now. (opens his office door) Oh, and Sally, get the reports and the plot locations for the new development right now. I think they’re digging in the wrong place. (going into his office) They can’t dig there. (slams his door behind him)

Sally appears confused, but immediately goes to the file cabinet.

Asia Blackmore walks in to the office.

ASIA BLACKMORE
Hey, Sally. Thought I’d drop by instead of calling today. Writer’s block. (takes her sunglasses off, puts them in her purse) And, people think writing paperbacks is easy. Have you gotten the bids yet on the new roof for the pavilion by the roof? Or, are we just going to have Coop take care of that? And, has the attorney checked the covenants yet? I still don’t think the Smiths should be allowed to dock their yacht in the lake--it’s a community lake-- and that yacht is supposed to arrive any day now. But, the bids (pauses)… Sally?

Sally, facing away from Asia, rolls her eyes and then slowly exhales.

ASIA BLACKMORE
(continuing)
You do realize this is about the fifth time I’ve asked.

With the reports in her hand, Sally closes the file cabinet a bit roughly. Then, turns and smiles to Asia, going to the front counter.

SALLY GOODMAN
(smiling politely) Yes, Asia, I know. And, I keep telling you, Forest isn’t concerned with the Pavilion right now. He wants to wait until spring. He says the roof it has now will do fine until spring.

ASIA BLACKMORE
Fine. I’ll take it up with him at next week’s board meeting. Right now I’ve got to go deal with Frank.

SALLY GOODMAN
And how is our local chef?

ASIA BLACKMORE
Single. And, if I don’t get a ring by Christmas I’ll see that he stays that way. (goes to the door) Sally, did you have trouble getting Henry to marry you?

SALLY GOODMAN
Well, no, Asia, but some men just need bit of a shove. My Henry, may he rest in peace, didn’t need much of a shove to get married. And, he worked hard every day, always provided for me and the kids. But, marriage changed him. Made him, well, dull. Every day was just like the next. Marriage isn’t always what you think it’ll be, Asia. People change. Don’t be so anxious to get that ring. Besides, you got plenty going on. Between your work and the board.

ASIA BLACKMORE
(sighs, then rethinks) No, (reassured) I want a ring or he can find another cow to milk. (begins to leave, but returns) And, Sally don‘t forget that I‘ll leave for New York right after the board meeting. I‘ve got a meeting with a publisher there. I‘ll need you to hold my mail for a week. Maybe I’ll just stay there. (walks out of the office)

Sally rolls her eyes and grimaces.

SALLY GOODMAN
I swear that girl….(pause) thinks I’m her personal assistant. (takes the reports to Forest’s office, shaking her head in frustration)

INT. COURTROOM HALLWAY MID-MORNING
Douglas and Lane Barsky walk out of the courtroom doors into the hallway. FOUR OTHER PARTIES walk out of the courtroom and disperse into the hallway.

LANE BARSKY
Just one more witness after lunch, and then we can wrap this up.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Sounds good.

LANE BARSKY
Oh, and when are you going to have a housewarming party, invite all your colleagues over to see this Jackson house? After all, I do have connections to that house, you know.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Soon, Lane. Soon. (looks at his watch)

LANE BARSKY
Oh, and here (gives Douglas a folded newspaper). I thought you might find this old article interesting. Maybe old Jackson Miller is haunting your house! See you after lunch. (walks away)

Douglas unfolds the paper and sees the headline.

BANK OWNER JACKSON MILLER DIES IN FALL

Curious, Douglas sits on a bench and reads the article.

“Jackson Miller, the founder and owner of Hometown Bank, was found dead in his Lakeland Community home yesterday.”

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(whispering to himself/reading)
The body of Miller, who was eighty-six years old and lived alone, was discovered at the bottom of the stairs by a neighbor who was concerned after not seeing Miller for a couple of days. An autopsy has been ordered but preliminary reports state Miller died from injuries sustained in the fall. Funeral arrangements are being made by the family. (looks up from the paper) He died in the house? He had family?

INT. INSIDE JACKSON HOUSE KITCHEN NIGHT
Coop and Douglas are eating dinner.

RICHARD COOPER
In the house? Forest never mentioned that. It seems like a little detail that wouldn’t be overlooked.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Yes. And, he also forgot to mention that Jackson Miller had a brother who was actually his business partner when the bank started. I did a little research at lunch. According to the local papers, Andrew Miller was bought out by his brother when the bank wasn’t doing very well, back in the beginning. Apparently there were no hard feelings because years later, Peter Miller, Andrew’s son, actually worked his way up to President of the banks.

RICHARD COOPER
A man that age, I guess to die from a fall is to be expected.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Coroner’s report says he was dead for a couple of days before he was found. The fall didn’t kill him immediately, though. The fall broke a rib that punctured his lung. He hemorrhaged, bled to death. The photographs were grusome. He was buried over in a family plot in Champagne. He died about five years ago.

RICHARD COOPER
How can you talk about this while you’re eating like you’re talking about the weather. (puts down his fork) Who found him?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Bobby Reynolds.

RICHARD COOPER
Oh, the local Leroy.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
And, he is Jackson’s cousin on his mother’s side. According to my source, Bobby went into the family business after the war but didn’t do so well as a banker. Jackson fired him.

Coop is surprised and intrigued.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(continuing)
And, there’s more. Although the long lost daughter contested the will after Jackson’s death…

RICHARD COOPER
Oh, the one who died before it made it to court.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
That’s the one. At the time of old Jackson’s death, there was another lawsuit pending.

RICHARD COOPER
Another one?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Um-hum. One filed by Forest Caldwell on behalf of Lakeland. Forest wasn’t the director back then, but it looks like he led a group of people who wanted to expand Lakeland even then. Jackson, of course, was against it, and at that time Jackson was the man in charge. Jackson kept threatening to change his will, so Forest dropped the case. And, that was just before Jackson died.

RICHARD COOPER
(jokingly) The plot thickens. A motive for murder! (laughs)

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND NOON
Professor Hadley, Forest Caldwell, and Lee Osaku are looking at the Smith yacht on the lake. The yacht is docked near a lake house partially secluded by trees.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
It is a beautiful boat. I heard he had it delivered by truck a few days ago. Boat was so big, they had difficulty getting it past the trees.

LEE OSAKU
What do the by-laws say about it?

FOREST CALDWELL
It’s vague enough that we could force him to move it if we wanted to, but it doesn’t say anything about yachts on a lake. It says no houses can be built upon the water. No houseboats.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
I suppose the yacht might qualify.

FOREST CALDWELL
No speedboats over a certain horsepower.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Won’t qualify for that.

FOREST CALDWELL
And, I quote, “No vessels which may obstruct the view, the passage of other water vehicles, or in any way offend a community member.” Unquote.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Offend a community member? That’s really written in there?

Forest Caldwell shakes his head yes.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
(continuing)
Talk about a catch-all phrase that could cause a lot of trouble.

LEE OSAKU
Gentlemen, aren’t we exaggerating the problem here? The yacht poses no threat to the environment or to anyone. Are we considering forcing a community member to move this boat based on nothing more than mere jealously by other community members who simply don’t have one?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Very good point, Lee.

LEE OSAKU
And, besides, Smith only intends to keep the yacht here throughout the winter months, until he can have it transported to the Virgin Islands.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Another good point, Lee. Forest, this really is a waste of time. By spring, the yacht will be gone for good. Smith intends on keeping it down in the islands where his vacation home is. We can chalk this up to a simple courtesy for a neighbor. We have much more important matters that deserve our attention. This is nothing more than a distraction.

FOREST CADLWELL
I agree, but residents have made complaints; we have to look into it.

LEE OSAKU
By residents, you mean Asia and her environmentalist club. I want to protect the environment, too, but they’re far too extreme. There are better ways.


PROFESSOR HADLEY
Well, I consider it looked into. There’s not a problem here. Asking Smith to move it when it’ll only be here a few months is pointless.

LEE OSAKU
And, if he takes offense to the request, it could create more problems. Smith is, as I’m sure you know, Forest, the wealthiest member of the community.

FOREST CALDWELL
Yes, yes I know. Let’s focus on the new development project. If anyone asks about the yacht, we’ll tell them that we’ve allowed Smith a waiver since it’ll only be here a brief time. Asia and the others will just have to deal with it. How much environmental damage could one yacht do in only three or four months? I’ve about had enough of Asia’s nagging about this and that anyway. She won’t be on the board next year. I’ll see to it.

INT. EMPTY LAKELAND LOT NOON/WINTER
The lot to be developed is covered in snow. Douglas and Coop are walking about the lot. Coop’s truck is parked at the edge of the road, also covered in snow but with tire tracks on it.

RICHARD COOPER
(excited) …and the actual construction starts in April. Just a couple more months.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I can’t wait to see it. I always love to watch your ideas come to life.

Coop smiles at Douglas. There is a pause in the conversation.

RICHARD COOPER
(quietly) Douglas, were you able to find out anything? About, (pause) you know.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(quietly, seriously) Snoop dug around for me. This state just isn’t… (pause) He found another place that might work with us.

RICHARD COOPER
But, we’d have a chance. That’s better than what we’ve found so far. (pause) We could give a child a good home. We just want to be parents, like most of the civilized world. Why is this still so difficult? I thought society had come further than this.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
The world hasn’t changed as much as you usually like to believe, Coop. Snoop is the only person I work with who knows I’m gay. In an area like Champagne, being gay is still a problem, it’d still get your house set on fire or your car vandalized or get you killed walking down the street.

RICHARD COOPER
I know. I know.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
But, we’ll figure it out. Somehow. We deserve to be parents, too. And, I think we’d make good parents… most of the time. (smiles)

Coop gently laughs.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(continuing)
I didn’t want to tell you until the paperwork arrived, but I requested the initial application for adoption from the Center. We can fill it out and send it in. It’s just the very beginning, mind you. There are references and interviews and home inspections and all sorts of things that have to occur. It’s taken a step at a time, and the entire process can take up to two years. Sometimes less, sometimes more. But, it’s a start.

RICHARD COOPER
(smiling, tearfully) A start. That’s enough for me. (pause, laughs through teary eyes) Yeah.

INT. OUTSIDE LAKELAND MORNING/SPRING
The flowers are bloomed and the grass is green. The sun is shining.
Two dogs runs through an open field, stopping to scratch their backs on the ground.
A bird flies, landing on a fencepost.
The lake is seen.
TOM SMITH is aboard the yacht, walking towards the anchor.

TOM SMITH
(afar)
Okay, raise the anchor.

INT. OUTSIDE LAKELAND POST OFFICE MORNING
The flag is being raised by the POSTMASTER. Sarah Sadler walks by in exercise clothes.

POSTMASTER
Morning, Sarah.

SARAH SADLER
Good morning.

INT. LAKELAND LOT MORNING
Heavy equipment starts up. A bulldozer begins digging into the earth. To the side of the lot, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS 1 and 2, Coop, and the Foreman are unloading boards and bricks from a truck onto the ground.

INT. OUTSIDE VISITOR CENTER MORNING
Forest Caldwell steps out of his car, then admires the sun and straightens his tie. He then walks into the center.

INT. POST BOX OUTSIDE COURTHOUSE MORNING
Douglas pulls a thick group of paperwork marked “Application for Adoption” at the top out of a large envelope. Then, he returns them to the envelope, seals it, and smiles as he puts them into the mail box. He then enters the courthouse.

INT. LAKELAND HOME MORNING
A GRANDFATHER and a YOUNG GRANDSON are in the front yard of a home by a push-mower.

GRANDFATHER
Step back, now.

The young grandson steps back and the grandfather starts the mower.

Grandfather and young grandson cheer.

INT. FIELD IN LAKELAND MORNING
Horses run wild in the field.

INT. LOT IN LAKELAND MORNING
The heavy equipment has been digging a level area for a basement. Coop and Foreman John King finish unloading a truck and walk toward the area being dug, smiling. Foreman King pats Coop on the back.

FOREMAN JOHN KING
(from afar)
Good job, Coop.

RICHARD COOPER
(from afar)
This is gonna be a great project.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1 runs from a nearby truck to the heavy equipment, waving his arms.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1
Stop. Stop. Hey, wait.

The DRIVER stops the equipment. CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1 waves for the driver to turn off the engine. The driver does so.

THE DRIVER
What?

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1
There’s something in there. Hey, Coop.

Construction Worker 1 motions for Coop to come over. Coop and Foreman King come to the equipment while Construction Worker 1 gets closer and inspects the area that has been dug up.

INT. COURTROOM HALLWAY MORNING
Douglas Armstrong is coming out of the courtroom.

BAILIFF
(muffled, afar, voice over)
The judge has called a thirty minute recess.

Douglas’ phone vibrates and he checks his text message. It reads:

“More info on Lakeland--Snoop”

Douglas doesn’t stop walking as he looks up, concerned.

INT. LAKELAND LAKE MORNING
Forest Caldwell and Carl Logan are mouthing an argument at the tree-line by the lake. Tom Smith is leaning over the yacht, watching the anchor be brought up.

TOM SMITH
(from afar)
Okay, stop. I’ll go in and check.

Tom pulls off his shirt, steps down a side ladder, and then swims beneath the water. MISTY SMITH comes down from the captain’s overlook, leans over the rails, and watches for Tom.

Carl Logan waves his arms as if he has just said something final. Carl then begins to walk towards his car.

INT. LOT AT LAKELAND MORNING
Construction Worker 1, Coop, Foreman King, and the Driver are all digging with their hands in the dirt.

FOREMAN JOHN KING
What is it?

The corner of an old trunk begins to be revealed.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1
Looks like an old trunk or something.

RICHARD COOPER
Wow. No telling how old it is. Let’s see if we can get it out of there without damaging it. (laughing) Maybe we found treasure!

INT. COURTROOM HALLWAY MORNING
Douglas Armstrong is standing in the hallway of the courthouse talking on his cell phone.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
And, you’ve verified this information, Snoop? (pause) No, I had no idea. (pause) Okay, keep me updated, Snoop. (closes phone)

INT. LOT AT LAKELAND MID-MORNING
Construction Worker 1, Foreman King, Coop are sitting in the earth around an old trunk. Coop is trying to open the trunk. The Driver rushes up with a screwdriver. King takes the screwdriver.

FOREMAN JOHN KING
Here, Coop, try this.

Coop takes the screwdriver and tries it. He opens the lock.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1
Careful now.

THE DRIVER
Yeah, this is how people find dead bodies.

Coop opens the trunk and finds it filled with old, bug-eaten quilts. Coop rummages through the trunk and finds more of the same.

FOREMAN JOHN KING
Not much there.

RICHARD COOPER
I’m curious about it. Someone probably threw it out or left it behind and time just buried it here. These were probably hand-made.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND MID-MORNING
Misty Smith continues to look over the railing of the yacht. Tom Smith comes out of the water screaming for Misty. Forest Caldwell and Carl Logan hear and go to the yacht quickly.

TOM SMITH
(with panic) Misty, raise the anchor! Now!

Misty runs to the anchor.

TOM SMITH
(continuing)
Now! Hurry!

Carl stops near his car and turns his attention to Tom.
Forest looks toward the yacht with great concern.

Tom rushes out of the water and onto the boat.

TOM SMITH
(continuing)
Hurry!

MISTY SMITH
What’s the matter?

TOM SMITH
There’s a body down there, stuck on the anchor.

MISTY SMITH
What?

Carl Logan and Forest Caldwell run for the yacht.

The anchor continues to rise.

Carl Logan looks toward the water.

CARL LOGAN
Oh, my God.

The anchor on the yacht is raised just above the water. Asia Blackmore’s partially decomposed body hangs from a prong of the anchor. Reeds from the lake cross her body.

CARL LOGAN
(continuing)
Asia? (turns his head away)

FOREST CALDWELL
(whispering to himself) This can’t be happening.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND NOON
Sirens are flashing on three patrol cars parked near the lake. TWO OFFICERS (OFFICERS 1 AND 2)are in the water taking pictures, but not touching the body. TWO ADDITIONAL OFFICERS (OFFICERS 3 AND 4) are on the bank of the lake mouthing a conversation with Misty and Tom Smith. A SMALL CROWD OF RESIDENTS is gathered, including Coop, Forest Caldwell, Carl Logan, and Professor Hadley.

CARL LOGAN
Can’t they take her down off that thing?

RICHARD COOPER
They have to wait until the detective gets here.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Any evidence that remains needs to be preserved.

CARL LOGAN
I thought she was staying in New York for a while?

RICHARD COOPER
Looks like she never made it out of Lakeland. When was the last time anyone heard from her?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Months ago. Just before she was supposed to leave for New York to meet with a publisher up there about some possible book deal. Carl and I have left her messages but never heard back. I just assumed she got up there and decided to stay. I talked to Frank a while back and he said that she’d not returned his phone calls either. He said they broke up before she left. Something about her wanting to get married and he didn’t, I’m not sure. After a while, I just started to think she was trying to put some distance between her and anyone who reminded her of Lakeland.

RICHARD COOPER
What about her position on the board? Didn’t she have to come back for that?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Asia gave me her proxy before she left.

The two officers that are in the water walk out toward the other officers on the bank.

OFFICER 1
(muffled, quietly)
We’ve got as many pics as we can get until the body’s completely out of the water. She’s been down there a while.

OFFICER 3
(muffled, quietly)
We have an unofficial identification of the body.

The Coroner’s Van drives up beside the squad cars and parks.
The detective drives up in an SUV, parks beside the Coroner’s Van.

THE CORONER (MARIA ANDERSON) and DETECTIVE WILSON PERRY get out of their vehicles and walk to the other officers. The law enforcement officers begin mouthing a conversation. Tom and Misty Smith are directed to walk back to their lake home.

CARL LOGAN
What do you think they’re doing?

RICHARD COOPER
I don’t know.

Detective Perry walks away from the other officers and walks toward the crowd. Officer 3 walks toward the squad car, to the trunk, and gets tape to tape off the area.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Folks, I’m Detective Wilson Perry. I know you’re all concerned about what happened to your friend, here, but I’m gonna have to ask you to step back. This entire area is officially a crime scene. Now, please step back.

Officers 1 and 2 are back in the water removing Asia from the anchor. Officers 3 and 4 are taping off the lake. The small crowd continues to watch. The Coroner and Detective Perry wait by the bank.

INT. VISITOR CENTER BOARDROOM AFTERNOON
FRANK is being interviewed by Detective Wilson Perry. Frank is visibly upset. They sit across from each other.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Frank, I understand that you own the local café here at Lakeland.

FRANK
Uh, yeah.

DETECTIVE PERRY
How long have you lived here at Lakeland?

FRANK
Uh, five years or so now. What’s this got to do with Asia? Shouldn’t you be out there trying to find out what happened to her?

DETECTIVE PERRY
I can see you’re upset, Frank. But, these things have to be done carefully. Talking to you and a few others is just one of many steps. Now, I know you want to help us find out what happened to Asia.

FRANK
I’ll do whatever I can to help. What do you need.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Let’s start with time, Frank. When was the last time you actually saw Asia?

FRANK
Last fall, just before she left for New York. Around the first of November.

DETECTIVE PERRY
What about phone calls, letters, even a Christmas card?

FRANK
No, nothing. I kept calling her, I left a lot of messages in the beginning. But, she never called back, so I just stopped.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Was it like Asia not to return phone calls?

FRANK
No. I tried calling her family to see if they knew anything, but they wouldn’t even take my calls.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Any idea why?

FRANK
Asia planned on spending more time in New York because we, well we separated or broke up or something. She wanted to get married. I didn’t. But, I left her messages saying I’d be willing to talk about it, maybe even move back to New York. It’s where I got my training as a chef. I’d consider going back. Maybe. But, she never called back. Look, what does this have to do with finding out who murdered Asia?

DETECTIVE PERRY
So, you think she was murdered?

FRANK
She was found in the God-damned lake! How else do you explain it?

DETECTIVE PERRY
How would you explain it, Frank?

Frank is flabbergasted.

FRANK
(quietly) What?

INT. VISITOR CENTER BOARDROOM LATER IN AFTERNOON
Detective Perry sits across from Professor Hadley.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
I’m sure Carl will be more than happy to speak with you, Detective Perry, as soon as he can get over the shock. He and Asia were friends, and I’m sure he can tell you much more than I.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Mr. Logan was quite upset after the two of you and the Director of Lakeland identified the body as Ms. Blackmore.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
It’s certainly an experience I’ve never had before and hope to never have again.

DETECTIVE PERRY
What can you tell me about Asia Blackmore, Professor Hadley?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Well, she’s been on the board for about a year. She’s lived in Lakeland, I don’t know, maybe somewhere between five and ten years? She lived alone, wrote romance novels that were quite popular here in the local area. Last fall, she was scheduled to have a meeting in New York with a much larger publisher. It could have been an incredible career break for her. She was beautiful, always willing to help out a neighbor, and except for a tendency to be a bit condescending from time to time, she was well liked. She dated Frank, the gentleman who owns the café here at Lakeland for the past few years. They seemed committed to each other, pretty serious, but there were strains on their relationship last year. But, I didn’t feel, at the time, that it was anything they couldn’t overcome.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Anyone mad at her to your knowledge?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Not mad enough to put her in that lake, if that’s what you’re asking. Frank’s a good man. I’d never suspect him of anything like that. I didn’t know of anyone else who would have been any threat to Asia.

DETECTIVE PERRY
And, you’ve been Asia Blackmore’s neighbor for how long?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Since she moved to Lakeland. All the neighbors here pretty well know each other. Asia lives, lived, to our left. And, to our right is the Jackson House, but it’s stood empty until recently. Frank lived across the road from Asia. We all lived further away from the lake, though. Only the Jackson House faces the lake out of our four houses. Of course, with the properties the way they are, there’s quite a bit of privacy, and you can’t see one house from another. Up until now, that’s always been a positive trait of Lakeland. I used to think of all those little nooks around the lake where there was complete privacy as romantic, even quaint. Now, the thought of them engages a reaction of fear. I don’t know that Lakeland will ever be quite the same after this.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Any suspicions, Professor?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
None that make any sense, Detective Perry. Asia could have only ended up in that lake in one of three ways. Either she had an accident, she committed suicide, which makes no sense since Asia was an avid swimmer, or someone put her in that lake, either before or after taking her life. I’m praying it’s the first one. For her sake. (pause) When do you expect the Coroner’s report?

DETECTIVE PERRY
Preliminaries usually come in within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The official report will take a couple weeks.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
(sighs) I suppose, then, we’ll have to wait to know the cause of death.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Now, you and Mr. Logan are partners? Is that correct?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
Yes.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Any possibility that Mr. Logan and Ms. Blackmore were more than just friends?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
(smiles) No, Detective.

INT. VISITOR CENTER BOARDROOM LATE AFTERNOON
Detective Perry walks in, closing his cell phone after finishing a call. Forest Caldwell stands facing away from Perry, looking at a map of Lakeland on the wall.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Well, Director Caldwell, it’s been confirmed. The lake will be dragged and divers will be scavenging the bottom of the lake at first sunrise.

Forest closes his eyes in distress.
Perry sits at the table.

DETECTIVE PERRY
We can either do this with your permission or with a court order that I can have within the hour. I’ll leave the decision to you.

Forest swallows hard, but opens his eyes.

FOREST CALDWELL
(quietly) Yes, do what you must.

Perry seems confused.

DETECTIVE PERRY
I’m sorry, Director. Are you giving me your permission or saying that I need the court order.

Forest turns around, feigns a brief smile, and looks to the floor.

INT. OUTSIDE JACKSON HOUSE NIGHT
Douglas Armstrong and Richard Cooper sit around a campfire outside the Jackson House, facing the lake.

RICHARD COOPER
I know it’s a big lake, but I keep wondering why didn’t we see something. (pause) You’re awful deep in thought over there, Counselor.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
A while back, I asked Snoop to see what he could find out about Lakeland. I don’t know. There was just something that wasn’t sitting right. It didn’t feel right.

RICHARD COOPER
Attorney’s instincts kicking in?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I guess so. It started when I asked Snoop to find out more about Jackson Miller, the house, his death.

RICHARD COOPER
Yeah. I still think of that old man lying at the bottom of the stairs every time I go near the steps.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Um, be grateful you didn’t see the Coroner’s photographs of the scene or those images would be even more vivid. I mean, I see crime photos at work every day, but it’s different when you live where the incident occurred.

RICHARD COOPER
So, did Snoop find anything?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Just enough to make me wonder what’s going on around here, but nothing definitive. We know about Jackson Miller falling down the stairs here. But, according to the Coroner’s report, there were two suspicious marks said to be possible bruises on his chest that may have been evidence of being pushed. They weren’t enough to be conclusive, though. In the end, it was ruled an accident. Lack of evidence. Then there was Melissa Logan who mysteriously disappeared a few years back. Then, there’s Kirk Logan’s suicide attempt that he can’t remember. Now, there’s Asia.

RICHARD COOPER
It does seem eerie when you list them all like that.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
But, they’re not all. Snoop found some cross references in the court files. About three years ago, there was a young mother of three who lived in the community. There was a petition in court filed by the grandparents to get custody of the three kids, alleging that the mom was on drugs. But, the case never made it to court. The mother disappeared, the court gave custody to the grandparents, and the case was essentially dismissed without the court actually hearing any testimony or receiving any evidence. Sound familiar?

RICHARD COOPER
Just like the case for the house filed by Jackson’s long lost daughter…. who died just before the case was heard.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Exactly. The defendant in that case, on behalf of Lakeland, was Forest Caldwell. And, the mother who lost custody of her children because she disappeared at such a convenient time, Maddy Caldwell, Forest’s daughter.

RICHARD COOPER
I know you too well, Douglas. You know that it sounds like you’re saying Forest did this, that he killed all these people.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
I’m not implying anything. Simply stating facts. The conclusion is all yours, Coop. But, I’ll admit, I have been thinking along those lines.

RICHARD COOPER
Okay, let me play devil’s advocate here. If Forest had lost the court battle with the long lost daughter, it could have changed Lakeland in a lot of ways. Forest might not have been in charge anymore. The community may have folded altogether. So, that may be a motive. Maybe he killed Jackson just to get the house, to be in charge, to not have to battle Jackson’s way of running Lakeland anymore. But, his own daughter? Asia? Why?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Asia battled Forest on environmental issues. If she gained enough power, she could have stopped further expansion of Lakeland, stopped some of the growth Forest wants for financial reasons. I haven’t developed a theory for the daughter. Maybe she really was on drugs and just ran off.

RICHARD COOPER
Oh, none of this is sitting well with me. If Forest… ugh

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Guilty of murder or not, Forest must be having a conniption fit right about now. They start dragging the lake in the morning. News will spread across the state quickly. Forest will have to fight hard to help Lakeland recover from a scandal like this. And, think about this, Coop: If these were murders and if Forest did commit them, in a small community like this, how many people already know?

Coop is concerned with the possibility and has a lengthy pause before speaking.

RICHARD COOPER
I wish we’d never moved here. (pause) Now, I’m really starting to wonder why Forest seemed like he wanted us in this house so badly.

The sound of a motorcycle approaches. Bobby Reynolds pulls into the drive. He dismounts and walks to Douglas and Coop.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(quietly) Hey, Bobby.

RICHARD COOPER
Have a seat. We’ve all had a hard day.

Bobby sits.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
Ain’t that the truth. That detective, Perry is his name. He was over at my house about an hour ago. Trying to dig up all sorts of stuff where there ain’t nothing to dig. By the time it was over, I started thinking I might need a lawyer. Thought about calling you, Douglas, but then thought ‘Why, I haven’t done anything wrong.’

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
He came here and talked separately to me and Coop. He’ll probably talk to almost everyone in Lakeland before it’s over.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
They don’t even know how she died yet, and they’re looking for someone to pin a murder wrap on.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
If they come around again, Bobby, feel free to call me. It’s your right. But, I’ve found it best just to answer their questions and cooperate as much as possible.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
Okay. (lengthy pause) So, what happens to the construction, Coop?

RICHARD COOPER
I’ve already been arguing with Forest that construction should stop for the time being. It doesn’t feel right to keep building when we don’t know what happened to Asia. I don’t want anything construed as destruction of evidence or tampering of evidence or anything else.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Out here, it’s just better to be safe than sorry.

RICHARD COOPER
Forest sure doesn’t like the delay.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
Forest doesn’t like anything that comes between him and something he wants, usually money.

RICHARD COOPER
Bobby, what’s the deal with this house? Why did Forest want us to buy it so badly?

BOBBY REYNOLDS
You buying it wasn’t the first option. Even before he died, Forest had been trying to buy the house and the lot from Jackson. It’s the one prime location on the lake. Forest wanted to tear down the house and build a resort, something like a rural hotel to bring in more money. But, Jackson and Forest were always butting heads. Jackson wasn’t so much about the money as the view, nature. I kept telling Forest to back off, but he never gave up. Then, Jackson died. Then, old lady Thekla showed up and filed a lawsuit against the will and Lakeland. Forest was going to fight that, but Thekla died. The only reason the house wasn’t torn down was because so many people in the community were against it. Forest made sure, though, that nobody bought it. He was just waiting for it to wear out so he could tear it down without opposition. But, you, you were perfect. He told me he was sure that as soon as the new developments were built he’d be able to buy you out of the house and have you build the resort.

RICHARD COOPER
Huh. Quite a risk, though, wasn’t it? Thinking we wouldn’t want to stay?

BOBBY REYNOLDS
Forest is greedy, but he’s patient.

INT. SALLY GOODMAN’S HOUSE MORNING
Sally is outside gardening, wearing heavy plastic house-cleaning gloves as she weeds some beautiful red flowers (Belladonna) mixed in amongst some other rare flowers. The garden is in spring bloom. Detective Wilson Perry pulls into her drive, parks, and walks towards her. There is an almond tree in the yard and a pottery seat/machine on the porch.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Good morning, Ms. Goodman. How are you?

Sally stops weeding, pulls off her gloves, lays them by the garden, and walks to Perry.

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, Detective Perry, I guess I’m doing about as well as the rest of the community. Have you found out anything?

DETECTIVE PERRY
We’re still waiting on some information to come in, Ms. Goodman.

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, Sally, please. Everyone here calls me Sally. We’re just all so upset about all this… well, it usually helps me feel better to come out here and garden a bit, you know. I just don’t know what else to do.

DETECTIVE PERRY
You’ve got some beautiful spring blooms. What’s your secret?

SALLY GOODMAN
Just tender loving care, I guess. Are you a gardener, Detective?

DETECTIVE PERRY
I know a little bit, but my garden doesn’t look like yours. I don’t even recognize some of the flowers you got here.

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, well there’s a reason for that, Detective. Most of these plants aren’t even grown in this country. Ain’t that something? My grandmother immigrated from Europe, and she’d have family members who stayed behind send her little bulbs, and she plant them and have the most beautiful garden every year. It was really something. I guess that’s where I get my green thumb.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Yes, ma’am. Ms. Goodman, uh, Sally, I was hoping that you might be able to help us out. We’re just trying to piece together Asia Blackmore’s life and the time frame for when she was last seen. I was told that you were holding her mail for her?

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, yeah. I do that for a lot of the residents. The mail boxes out here are so small that if you’re gone for a couple of days nothing will fit in there. So, the postal clerk just brings it over and I keep it locked up in the office in a box. They just pick it up when they get back home. (pause) Oh, that’s not illegal or anything is it? I mean, it’s just the way we’ve always done it here at Lakeland because we didn’t always have a post office here. We never meant to break any federal mail laws or anything.

DETECTIVE PERRY
I’m sure you didn’t, Sally.

SALLY GOODMAN
Detective, you ever had chocolate rhubarb pie? I made some last night because I couldn’t sleep. It’s an old family recipe. Would you like a piece?

DETECTIVE PERRY
No, thank you, I’m still digesting breakfast. But, back to Ms. Blackmore. What can you tell me about her? And, well, Sally, I know that people here at Lakeland tend to be protective of each other. This is a tight-knit community. But, I really need to know the truth about Ms. Blackmore. (pause) To help us find out what happened to her.

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, (pauses, walks to the porch, sits on a step) well, she was, you know, uh…

Perry stands beside the porch step pedestal.

SALLY GOODMAN
(continuing)
What do you want to know?

DETECTIVE PERRY
(sighs) Tell me about her relationship with Frank.

SALLY GOODMAN
They had a good relationship there for a while. Frank’s a good man, hard worker, he would have done anything for that girl. But, Asia, oh, Frank was too good for her really. She never realized what she had. Always wanted more. (pauses) Oh, no, Detective, if you’re thinking Frank would ever lay a hurtful finger on anybody, you’re wrong. Nobody, ever, especially Asia Blackmore.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Did Asia ever, well, did see ever cheat on Frank?

SALLY GOODMAN
Not that I know of. But, if anyone does know, it’d be that Carl Logan. He and Asia were real close friends.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Real close, huh? How close?

SALLY GOODMAN
(understanding the implication) Not that close, Detective. Not that Asia probably didn’t try to get closer. She could be something of a hussy. I mean, look at that trash she would write. Nothing but sex from page 1 to page 200. No wonder it sold well. Nothing but porn, I tell you. But, Carl, no, he’d never hurt Charles like that. Carl and Charles are committed to one another, always have been, always will be. They’ve been together forever. And, if you’re thinking Carl had something to do with this, you’re wrong again. Carl doesn’t have a harmful bone in his body. I’d be surprised if he’s ever hoed a snake. He just doesn’t have it in him.

DETECTIVE PERRY
So, you don’t think Carl Logan would ever fall for a woman?

SALLY GOODMAN
Never.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Wasn’t he married once before? Even had a son?

SALLY GOODMAN
Uh, what’s your point?

INT. INSIDE JACKSON HOUSE KITCHEN MORNING
Coop is scrambling eggs. The table is set. Douglas is finishing up a phone call. Coop is waiting anxiously for the results.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(jots down a note) (into phone) Thanks, Snoop. See what you can find out about Jackson‘s daughter, will you? (pause) Okay. (closes phone)

RICHARD COOPER
Well?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Murder. Preliminary results say murder. Worse yet, whoever started the job, didn’t finish it before Asia went into the water. What technically killed her was drowning.

RICHARD COOPER
I’m not an attorney, Douglas! How did she get to the water? Why didn’t she swim out?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
We’ll have to wait until the blood tests come back. It may take a week or two. Snoop says that the Coroner is saying that there are signs that her muscles were paralyzed to the point that she couldn’t have swam out even if she conscious enough to realize that she was in the water. What she was doing out there, I have no idea. (grabs his jacket) Thanks for breakfast, Coop, but I think I’m gonna skip it this morning. I want to get to the office. I want to find out more about Jackson’s daughter and what can actually bring on a stroke. (rushes out)

RICHARD COOPER
Oh, my God.

Coop turns off the stove and looks around.

RICHARD COOPER
(continuing)
That’s it. I’m packing now.

Coop leaves the kitchen quickly.

INT. OUTSIDE VISITOR CENTER MORNING
A small crowd of residents, including Carl Logan, Sarah Sadler, Frank, and the construction workers, has gathered outside the visitor center. There is upset amongst the crowd, and Forest Caldwell stands in front of the visitor center door.

The crowd is indiscriminately chattering about Asia’s death.

Sally Goodman gets out of her vehicle and walks toward Forest.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1
(yelling from the middle of the crowd) Come on, Caldwell, we deserve to know!

The crowd agrees.

FOREST CALDWELL
Now, let’s all calm down, people. We don’t know how she died. We shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions.

Detective Perry steps out of his car that is parked in the post office parking area and watches the crowd.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER 2
What conclusions would those be, Forest? She was murdered. Plain and simple. And, she was found in our lake.

Sarah appears concerned at the crowd.

FOREST CALDWELL
Well it’s possible she simply drowned.

FRANK
Come on, Forest, you know better than that. Asia taught most of the kids in this community how to swim. She competed in college. She didn’t just drown.

Perry walks up through the crowd.
Forest is displeased that Perry appears.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Now, please folks, let’s calm down. I’ve talked to some of you already, so you know that we’re working on the case, trying to find out what happened to Ms. Blackmore. Now, there’s no reason in starting any unfounded rumors. Just let us do our job, and we’ll do it as quickly as possible. And, when we know, you’ll know. You have my word on that. Now, please, the best thing you can do for Ms. Blackmore right now is to go on home, be with your families.

The crowd unhappily disperses.

SALLY GOODMAN
You did all you could, Forest.

Sally pats Forest on the back and goes inside the visitor center.

SARAH SADLER
Lee is on his way. The Professor will be available by phone. We need to have a meeting about this immediately.

Sarah goes inside the center.

Perry turns to Forest.

FOREST CALDWELL
You’ve already started searching the lake.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Yes, sir. We got that court order you wanted.

Forest walks into the center, leaving Perry outside alone.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND MORNING
Ten SHERIFF DEPUTIES are scouring the bank surrounding the lake. Detective Perry pulls up, gets out, and walks to Maria Anderson (Coroner) who is taking samples of the soil, water, and writing notes. There is ONE DIVER who mouths something to Maria and then prepares to get back in the water.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Anything yet, Maria?

MARIA ANDERSON
Hey, Wilson. No. Scott (nods to the ONE DIVER) just told me that the bottom of the lake is difficult to search. A lot of reeds, tires, odd stuff down there. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack. But, these guys are good. They’ll do all they can do.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Good.

MARIA ANDERSON
I’m trying to get some samples and measurements. It helps with the autopsy. If there’s soil or something under a nail, I can compare it to this. Soil content may be different at different parts of the bank.

DETECTIVE PERRY
It’s a big lake. Lot of private places where a murder could happen.

MARIA ANDERSON
I know. (sighs) The autopsy is still pending, but between you and me, someone gave that girl a heavy dose of some muscle relaxer or anesthetic. Tests will take a couple of weeks to tell us for sure. She knew she was drowning and couldn’t do a thing about it.

DETECTIVE PERRY
What a horrible way to die. (pause) Any signs of struggle on the body?

MARIA ANDERSON
A blow to the back of the head, but it wasn‘t hard enough to kill her. There was bruising. She was probably taken by surprise, knocked down, but it wasn’t enough to knock her out completely. She‘s got something beneath her nails. We took samples. Could be skin, could just be soil. Hence the samples. I’ve got my assistant continuing to work on it, looking for other evidence, possible injection sites. Some other means of getting the drug into the body. It wasn’t in her stomach, so if she did it to herself it had to be some other way. No preliminary signs of any illegal drugs. She seemed healthy. Took care of herself. I’m still waiting on her medical records to make it to the office but they should be there by this afternoon.

INT. BACK PORCH OF JACKSON HOUSE MORNING
Richard Cooper steps outside and puts a bag of trash into one can and a torn up cardboard box into a container marked recycling.

RICHARD COOPER
Where did I put the other boxes?

Coop goes back inside.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND NOON
Maria Anderson is making notes on a pad laying on her van hood while talking on the phone.

MARIA ANDERSON
And you have this information verified, Mr. Armstrong?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(filtered)
I do, Doctor Anderson.

INT. INSIDE COURTHOUSE HALLWAY NOON
Douglas Armstrong is on the phone while quickly walking down the hallway while looking into an open file.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Some of this was just handed to me a few moments ago. But my private investigator has been gathering information on Lakeland for me for some time now. But, now, with the death of Asia Blackmore, it’s time to let law enforcement have all the information.

MARIA ANDERSON
(filtered)
I agree.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND NOON
Maria Anderson is talking on the phone by her van, writing notes on the pad on the hood of her van.

MARIA ANDERSON
Can you get that information to my office today?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(filtered)
I’m on my way there now.

MARIA ANDERSON
Great.

Maria closes the phone and turns to Detective Perry who stands by the water, assisting ONE DIVER out of the water.

MARIA ANDERSON
(continuing)
(calling out) Detective! New info just in!

One diver stands in front of Perry.

ONE DIVER
(quietly, to Perry) There’s another body down there.

INT. THIRD FLOOR OF JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Richard Cooper enters the third floor from the stairs.

RICHARD COOPER
(quietly, to himself) I know I saved those boxes. Now, where?

Coop begins looking about the room, behind items and in the closet for boxes. He finds two boxes in the closet. He then notices the old trunk. He stops and looks at it. He then sees the initials ML on the trunk, nears it, sits by it, and draws his fingers over the initials. He then opens the trunk slowly, needing to force open the rusty trunk lid. One by one, he picks up, views the item, and puts each gently, respectfully on the floor. Inside is an old hand-made quilt; a hand-made lace doily; a shoebox of photographs, including two of Carl and Kirk Logan that Coop turns over and sees written on the back the picture ’Kirk’s first fish’ and ’Kirk’s 8th birthday‘; there is also a leather bound journal with the name Melissa Logan engraved on the front and a ribbon marking a page; There is a box containing Melissa’s wedding dress, which is now yellowed somewhat; a tress of Kirk’s hair tied with a small blue ribbon; an old rag doll kept in good condition; and a baby book with Kirk Logan engraved on the front, which Coop opens and finds entries that say
’Kirk got his first tooth today, I can’t believe how fast he’s growing,’
’Kirk took his first step today, I’m so proud!’
Coop sets down the baby book, pondering it for a moment. He then sees the journal on the floor and picks it up. He opens it where the ribbon is located and then flips back a few pages. He reads aloud the hand-written entry:

RICHARD COOPER
(quietly, to himself) “May 28th--Now that I’ve gotten to know Jackson better, he’s not at all the distant man I once thought him to be. He is kind and giving and quite intellectual about things I know so little about. He has asked me to move in with him, saying that he’ll marry me if I want, but I’ve declined him for the time being. I think it would better if I stay where I am for now. Kirk is still young, and I’m not sure he’s old enough to really understand about relationships and love and such. He has adjusted well to the divorce, thanks to Carl and I remaining civil, maybe even friends. But, I don’t want another distraction from my time with him. Kirk is growing up so fast, I don’t want to lose any time that I have with him before he goes off to college, a career, and makes a life of his own.

Coop closes the journal and rests his hand respectfully atop it.

RICHARD COOPER
(quietly) This isn’t for me to read.

Coop takes the journal and walks from the third floor.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND LATE AFTERNOON
Detective Perry and Coroner Maria Anderson stand looking at four bodies covered in corpse bags laid out on the bank of the lake.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND LATE AFTERNOON
Deputies continue to search the bank for clues.
ONE DEPUTY is searching through wildflowers with a flashlight. He then stops, leans over, and picks up a broken shard of pottery and examines it.

INT. PORCH OF LOGAN/HADLEY HOUSE LATE AFTERNOON
Richard Cooper is respectfully and slowly handing the journal to Carl Logan who takes it and holds it to his chest preciously as Coop walks off the porch.

INT. FRONT DOOR OF LAKELAND CAFÉ LATE AFTERNOON
There is a sign on the door that says “Closed until further notice.”

INT. FRONT PORCH OF FRANK’S HOUSE LATE AFTERNOON
Frank is distraught, drinking a beer.

INT. OUTSIDE VISITOR CENTER LATE AFTERNOON
Forest Caldwell comes out the door, looks sadly around at Lakeland, goes to his car, gets in, and sits, worrying.

INT. OUTSIDE COURTHOUSE MORNING
Lane Barsky is waiting by the postal box for Douglas Armstrong who walks up the sidewalk.

LANE BARSKY
Morning, Douglas. I’ve been waiting for you.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Lane.

LANE BARSKY
I’ve been reading the papers for the last couple weeks. They’re making it sound pretty bad out there at Lakeland. Murderers running around on the loose. The stress of it all getting to you?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
It’s not been easy. It’s one thing to try such a case; it’s another to live in the middle of it. They’re still trying to decide if it’s one murderer or multiple. Everyone is starting to look at each other suspiciously. It’s not the same place it used to be.

LANE BARSKY
No, I guess not. The attorney for Lakeland called me yesterday. He doesn’t want the job anymore. Heart problem. Can’t handle the stress. I’m taking over for him. Not that there’s much I can do. When this case is over, if it’s ever over, they’re gonna need a PR agent a lot more than an attorney. I can’t imagine anyone ever again buying a house out there. Can you?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
No. There’s a lot people putting their houses up for sale now, trying to sell before property values plummet altogether. It’s like a mass exodus is beginning. Actually, even I’m trying to get out of there before I lose too much money. Lane, let me give you a little piece of friendly advice, never move into a restricted community. (his cell rings, he opens it) Hello. (pause) Yes, uh, hold on just a moment) Lane, can you cover me in court this morning. Just tell them I had an emergency and reschedule for next week?

Lane nods his head.

LANE BARSKY
Sure.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(into phone) I’m on my way.

INT. POLICE BOARD ROOM MORNING
Detective Wilson Perry, Coroner Maria Anderson, and Douglas Armstrong are in the boardroom, walking about the room examining and connecting evidence. There are photographs of the deceased on the table, a map of Lakeland laid out on the table, and medical reports push-pinned to the walls and laying on the table. Papers are distributed between the three parties as test results and other evidence is discussed.

DETECTIVE PERRY
We’ve still got two bodies yet unidentified. No ID. Badly decomposed. We’re waiting on dental records.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(looking at a report) Okay. And, the remaining three are Asia Blackmore, Maddy Caldwell, and Melissa Logan. Cause of death?

MARIA ANDERSON
Official cause of death in every case is drowning. Without the element of water, they possibly would have lived if they’d received medical attention. I know (looking at Douglas who is frustrated), it’s a technicality. However, Blackmore also had a blow to the back of the head with a blunt object. Not enough evidence to determine it to be any more than that unless we can find something out there with her blood on it. Most importantly, her system was loaded with, get this, belladonna. I had to have the lab check it three times just to find out what it was. Substance was administered by injection.

Douglas views the death photo.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
So you found the location?

DETECTIVE PERRY
The back. With a hypodermic needle angled downward as if (he demonstrates) stabbed from behind with the perpetrator raising his hand in the air and lowering it into the victim.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
That rules out self-infliction. Can we get a guestimate on the height of the perp?

MARIA ANDERSON
That’s a trouble spot. If the victim was hit in the head first, she could have been bent over or in the process of falling. Any guess we made would be skewed and, odds are, off the mark. We also can’t be certain of the time of death. The best we can do is narrow it down to what we already know, and that that the victim was murdered in the autumn. She had pollen from some wildflowers in her hair. She also fought against her attacker. She had a tiny amount of skin under her three of her nails. We’ve double-checked, it’s not her own skin. But, we’ll have to get enough evidence before the judge will give us a court order to get a possible perp’s DNA.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(sighs) Okay. What about Melissa Logan?

Perry hands Douglas a report and a sketch of the pottery piece inside the skull.

DETECTIVE PERRY
The Logan death was more violent. She had a piece of pottery still lodged in her skull. We found one shard on the banks, but can’t connect it to her. We also found a bunch of broken pottery pieces in the water, but they forensic team is still trying to piece those together and find any connections to the Logan girl. They’re also checking for fingerprints. Probably because she was hit so hard, there’s no signs that she fought off her attacker.

Perry points to a location the bank of the lake.

DETECTIVE PERRY
(continuing)
Here is where we found the pottery shard. Here is your house (he points up stream), here is the Smith house (he points across the lake). Where we found the shard is well hidden by trees. It’s its own little cove. Well hidden. Quiet. Nothing nearby.

MARIA ANDERSON
No illegal drugs found in her system, but her blood sugar levels were severe.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Meaning?

MARIA ANDERSON
Meaning that a woman with no history whatsoever of hypoglycemia or diabetes was swimming in insulin. She probably went into a coma, then was put into the water. We can conclude that she either administered a large dose of insulin to herself or it was administered for her. But, the body was in the water so long that we weren’t able to find an injection site of any kind. Decomposition had already progressed too far.

DETECTIVE PERRY
That brings us to Maddy Caldwell.

MARIA ANDERSON
The daughter of the Lakeland director. (hands Douglas a report)

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Cannibus, cocaine, meth, diphenhydramine?

DETECTIVE PERRY
The same substance Kirk Logan allegedly tried to kill himself with.

MARIA ANDERSON
And, that’s before we talk about the blow to the back of her head. Between all of those substances and the high levels of diphenhydramine, her body went into shock, caused a heart attack, but she was still alive when she hit the water. Body’s been there too long to find any injection site. And, as an illegal drug user, we’d never be able to prove it wasn’t something she did to herself or asked someone to do to her for a high.

Douglas puts down the report in frustration and turns around 360 degrees, upset.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
So, sum this up for me. What have we got?

DETECTIVE PERRY
Not enough. Five dead bodies. The only similarities being that they all had some toxin in their system that knocked them out, that they were hit in the back of the head, and then dumped in the same lake to drown. Only one had any DNA, and even with all the information you’ve brought to us we don’t have enough to go after any potential perpetrators. They weren’t even found in the same part of the lake, but the water could have carried them away from the place of death. We also never found any needles around the lake, but they could be wrapped up in silt and weeds on the lake bottom. No similar physical characteristics between the victims. Nobody saw anything. Nothing.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
What about, uh, uh, that daughter, Thekla, Jackson’s daughter?

MARIA ANDERSON
I’ve spoken to the family. They refuse to exhume the body. The family agreed to exhume Jackson Miller, but I don’t expect to find much more than the original coroner found.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
So, what now?

INT. OUTSIDE OF VISITOR CENTER MORNING
Sally Goodman walks from her car to the door, smiling at the sun, sees a sign that says “Closed,” is concerned, and uses her key to go inside.

INT. INSIDE VISITOR CENTER MORNING
The center is too quiet. Sally looks toward Forest’s office. She opens the door, looks around, but then closes the door. She then opens the door to the boardroom. She sees a noose hanging from the ceiling and a distraught Forest climbing on a chair. Sally screams and then kicks the chair away, grabs Forest, and they both fall to the floor against the wall.

SALLY GOODMAN
Forest, what are you doing! (kicks chair)

FOREST CALDWELL
(as they’re falling) No, Sally.

SALLY GOODMAN
What are you doing, Forest? (cradling him)

FOREST CALDWELL
(crying, distraught) It’s over, Sally. It’s all over.

SALLY GOODMAN
What?

FOREST CALDWELL
Everything I’ve worked for. Everything I’ve sacrificed for. It’s all over.

SALLY GOODMAN
You’re not making any sense, Forest. No sense at all. Just calm down. It’ll all be alright. I’ll take care of it. I always take care of things, don’t I? You just calm down now.

FOREST CALDWELL
Oh, Sally, you can’t fix this with a chocolate cake and bouquet of fresh flowers. Lakeland is over, finished.

SALLY GOODMAN
Lakeland is not over, Forest. We’ll get through this. We’ve gotten through other problems in the past. You’ll see. Lakeland will bounce back. We just have to see it through. You’re our leader, Forest. You’re gonna lead us through this and Lakeland will be better than ever before. (lengthy pause)

FOREST CALDWELL
(smiles slightly, but still distraught) I told you not to come in today, Sally. Don’t you ever listen?

Sally chuckles quietly and nervously.

SALLY GOODMAN
Well, Forest if I ever did that, the shock would kill you.

INT. LOGAN/HADLEY HOUSE NOON
Douglas Armstrong and Detective Perry walk into the porch and knock on the door. Carl Logan answers.

CARL LOGAN
Douglas, Detective. What can I help you with?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(seriously) We need to talk to Kirk.

INT. OUTSIDE JACKSON HOUSE NOON
Coop comes out of the house, closing his cell on the way, gets in his truck, and drives away.

INT. CORNORER’S BOARDROOM AFTERNOON
Maria Anderson is still examining the evidence laying on the table and about the room. An ASSISTANT enters the room with a report and hands it to Maria.

ASSISTANT
Preliminary toxicology on Jackson Miller.

The assistant waits as Maria looks it over.

ASSISTANT
(continuing)
Family says Miller was an insulin dependent diabetic. We’re waiting on his medical record.

MARIA ANDERSON
(studying report) Insulin dependent, maybe, but not at these levels. Have them check for injection sites… in locations where Jackson couldn’t have injected himself. Start with the back. Let me know as soon as the exam is done.

The assistant nods her head and leaves. Maria opens her cell phone.

INT. BACK YARD OF LOGAN/HADLEY HOUSE AFTERNOON
Douglas Armstrong, Detective Perry, and Kirk Logan sit at a picnic table in the back yard of the home. Kirk sits facing away from the house. Douglas and Perry sit across from Kirk.

KIRK LOGAN
I don’t remember that much. I wasn’t feeling well. I was walking home through the woods and I felt this pain in my back. Everything went blurry after that. I must have kept walking somehow though. I don’t really remember. The next thing I do remember was waking up in the hospital.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Kirk, if there’s something you’re not telling us, something you don’t want to tell us, remember that I’m an attorney. I’ll do whatever I can to keep you out of trouble. But, we need to know everything you know.

KIRK LOGAN
(frustrated)But I have told you everything. I’ve told everybody everything. I don’t remember anything else.

DETECTIVE PERRY
It’s alright, son. I believe you. (pause) Let’s try going at this a different way, Kirk. You said you were feeling ill and so you were going to walk home. Where were you coming from?

KIRK LOGAN
The Jackson House.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
But, it was empty then.

KIRK LOGAN
I know. My mom and Jackson Miller, well, I think they were dating. I’m not really sure. She stored some of her stuff over there. After she disappeared, I’d go over there alone and just sit with her things, look at her old pictures. It made me feel better. No one knew I was there, and I guess I was trespassing, but I didn’t hurt anything. Sally Goodman and Bobby Reynolds caught me sneaking in one day, though. They were really mad, said I was trespassing and could get into a lot of trouble. I think they understood, though, when I told them what I was doing there and showed them the trunk. I haven’t snuck in there, Douglas, since y’all moved in. I swear.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
It’s okay, Kirk. If there’s something that belonged to your mother in there, we’ll get it to you.

DETECTIVE PERRY
So, all this happened just before you felt ill and went home?

KIRK LOGAN
No, sir. That was a few months before. I think Sally felt sorry for me or something. I don’t know. ‘Cause she invited me to meet her over there about once a week for snacks. It became a regular thing. I’d meet her over there on Mondays at 3pm and she’d make some snack for the two of us. I think she felt like she was doing some good deed or something because she’d always make something special. (Kirk turns up his nose in distaste) She meant well.

Douglas smiles and a hint of a laugh.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Am I missing something here?

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
(clears his throat gently) Sally can’t cook. At all. And, it’s always some…

DOUGLAS AND KIRK TOGETHER
…old family recipe.

KIRK LOGAN
It tasted horrible. I loved the days when she’d just bring ice cream. Except that last time, even the ice cream tasted bad. Yuk. I couldn’t get enough sprinkles and chocolate syrup to drown the taste. I think she made it herself. I think she accidentally put in salt instead of sugar.

DETECTIVE PERRY
And, your father was okay with these snacks?

SALLY GOODMAN
He never knew. No one ever did. I never told anybody. Sally said not to ‘cause I might get in trouble for breaking in to the Jackson house so many times.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
And, you’d always meet Sally at the Jackson House?

KIRK LOGAN
Yeah. But, after I ended up in the hospital, I’d go over there and Sally was never there anymore. I’d see her sometimes around Lakeland, but she didn’t really seem to want to talk to me. I guess she was scared about all that suicide stuff. But, it wasn’t true.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Kirk, think back now. When Sally brought snacks for the two of you, did she separate what was yours and what was hers? Did she even eat at all?

KIRK LOGAN
I guess so. I don’t know. I guess I never really paid attention. Sometimes, she wouldn’t eat because she was on a diet. When she did eat, she usually ate from the same container I guess. I don’t really remember.

DETECTIVE PERRY
You’ve done well, Kirk. Thank you.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE LATE AFTERNOON
Bobby Reynolds drives up on his motorcycle, gets off, and walks up to the front door. When no one comes to the door, he looks at the vacant driveway. Then, he peaks in the window. Then, he walks around the house looking for someone/anyone home.

INT. BACK PORCH OF JACKSON HOUSE LATE AFTERNOON
Bobby gets to the back porch and knocks again on the back door. Again, no one answers, and again he looks into the window. An expression of confusion comes over his face. He rubs his chin, thinking. He walks back around the house.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE LATE AFTERNOON
Bobby Reynolds walks toward his bike. When only a few feet away from the bike, he wrenches (stabbed in the back with a hypodermic needle) in pain. He puts his hand to his heart as his face first shows shock and then passes out.
Kirk Logan steps out from behind the shed carrying a bucket. Kirk screams and runs into the woods.

INT. CORONER’S BOARD ROOM LATE AFTERNOON
The assistant hands a report to Maria Anderson and then leaves.

MARIA ANDERSON
Needle mark to the middle of the back. No wonder you fell down the stairs. Those were bruises. You were pushed. Probably after you tried to turn around and see who did this to you.

INT. LOT AT LAKELAND LATE AFTERNOON
Foreman John King is at the lot when Richard Cooper arrives, parks, and walks to him. John is looking with concern over the hole where the antique trunk was found. There is a shovel laying beside the hole and a backhoe nearby.

RICHARD COOPER
(while walking quickly) Hey, John, I thought we agreed to halt the construction?

FOREMAN JOHN KING
We did. But, I kept thinking about this hole where we found the antique trunk. They’re forecasting a lot of rain. I thought it’d be better if the hole was leveled off for the time being. That way, if construction gets started again we won’t have to worry about it holding any water. So, I started moving some dirt. And, look what I found in some of the loose dirt that had been dug up already. (points into the hole)

Coop kneels by the hole and looks.

RICHARD COOPER
What is that?

John kneels by Coop.

FOREMAN JOHN KING
I think they’re bones.

In the loose dirt, a couple planks of wood are laying, and a piece of old tree trunk and two partial leg bones are sticking out of the dirt.

INT. LAKE AT LAKELAND LATE AFTERNOON
Douglas Armstrong and Detective Perry are in the front yard, near their cars. Perry closes his phone.

DETECTIVE PERRY
We’ve got a single fingerprint off a shard of that pottery that was found. And, a DNA sequence on the substance beneath Asia Blackmore’s nails. Now, Douglas, all we need is enough evidence to get a court order to test for some possible matches.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
Which judge do you have to go through for that?

DETECTIVE PERRY
Ol’ Hardcase Harry.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
He’s one of the best judges out there, Detective. Tough, but good. You have to prove your case to get anything out of him, but he’s never had a single order overturned in appeals, nothing ever discarded on technicalities. You have to have all your ducks in a row, but his rulings are solid. You can have faith in them.

Perry nods and smiles in agreement, but with a bit of worry.

INT. JACKSON HOUSE LATE AFTERNOON
Richard Cooper drives into the drive, he quickens his pace after seeing Bobby laying by the edge of the lake on his stomach, struggling to get up. Coop goes to him. Bobby can breathe, but is out of breath. His eyes are dilated and wild looking.

RICHARD COOPER
Bobby? Bobby! What’s wrong man? (helps him to turn over) Just lie still for a few minutes. (takes out his phone)

Bobby tries to motion for him to stop but has difficult with hand-eye coordination.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(quietly) No, no.

RICHARD COOPER
What happened? How did you get here?

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(inhales deeply) I came to talk to Douglas. (inhales deeply)

Coop helps Bobby sit up.

RICHARD COOPER
I need to get you to the hospital.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(inhales) No, no doctors.

RICHARD COOPER
What are you on, Bobby?

BOBBY REYNOLDS
Nothing.

Bobby tries to stand but has difficulty. Coop helps him stand.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(swallows with difficulty) Kirk. Coop. Get to Kirk.

RICHARD COOPER
What? No, let’s get you inside.

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(inhales) No time. (inhales) Get to Kirk.

With Coop’s help, gets to a tree and leans against it.

RICHARD COOPER
Did Kirk do this?

BOBBY REYNOLDS
(inhales) Now. You have to go now, Coop! (inhales)Get Kirk. (points towards the woods before falling to the ground and passing out)

Coop struggles with the decision momentarily, but then rushes into the woods towards the Logan/Hadley house.

INT. WOODED ATEA AT LAKELAND LATE AFTERNOON
Richard Cooper runs into the woods towards the Logan/Hadley house from Jackson House.

INT. WOODED AREA AT LAKELAND LATE AFTERNOON
Richard Cooper is running through the wooded area. He then sees Kirk Logan and Sally Goodman struggling. Kirk is bleeding from his temple as he stands and tries to pick up his rifle. Sally then stands up behind Kirk (they’re facing same direction) and hits him with a large piece of wood, grunting as she does so. Kirk starts to go down, but first is able to turn and hit Sally in the head with the rifle. He then falls to the ground himself. Coop arrives. Coop first checks Sally who is out cold.

RICHARD COOPER
Sally? Sally? (he checks her pulse and nods his head yes) Okay.

Coop then throws the rifle to the side and checks Kirk.

RICHARD COOPER
Kirk?

Kirk opens is eyes.

KIRK LOGAN
(quietly, struggling) I had to. (closes his eyes and dies)

Kirk’s hand falls to his side. When Coop sees this, he glances a couple feet away and sees a hypodermic needle.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Sally Goodman is in a hospital bed. The bed is raised and Sally is sitting at an angle. Her head is bandaged. An empty/eaten food tray is pushed slightly to the side. Sally is using a napkin to delicately clean her mouth. Sarah Sadler and Forest Caldwell walk in to the room.

SARAH SADLER
Ready to go home today, Sally?

SALLY GOODMAN
(chipper) Sarah! Forest! What a sight for sore eyes.

FOREST CALDWELL
After being in here for three days. Anyone would be! Hospital food gotten any better, Sally?

SALLY GOODMAN
No. The sooner you can get me out of here the better.

SARAH SADLER
Well, I’ve spoken to the doctor, Sally, and they’re going to have some home health nurses check on you…

Sally expression is one of rejection.

SARAH SADLER
(continuing)
--just for a few days. They’ll just stop and make sure you’re okay, and then they’ll leave.

FOREST CALDWELL
And, of course, all of us will be checking in on you, too.

SARAH SADLER
That’s right.

FOREST CALDWELL
A concussion is no matter to take lightly. And, you know, Sally, at Lakeland, we all look out for each other.

Sarah suddenly looks sad and distant.

SALLY GOODMAN
(sadly) I just can’t believe it. You know. I thought he was a good kid. I never would have suspected… (shakes her head)

SARAH SADLER
His funeral is today.

INT. PUBLIC CITY CEMETERY DAY
A SMALL FUNERAL CROWD is gathered around a closed casket sitting atop a grave. Also present are Detective Perry, Richard Cooper, Douglas Armstrong, Carl Logan (in shock, staring ahead blankly, his eyes quite red and swollen from crying), Professor Charles Hadley, Lee and Saki, Osaku. A PRIEST is motioning the sign of the cross. Hadley is trying to comfort Carl.

INT. PUBLIC CITY CEMETERY DAY
The funeral crowd is disbanding except for Carl who continues to stare blankly, and Charles, Coop, and Douglas. The body is being lowered into the grave.

INT. EDGE OF PUBLIC CITY CEMETERY DAY
Detective Perry watches from the edge of the drive. Richard Cooper and Douglas Armstrong walk to him. Professor Hadley helps Carl into a car, and walks to Perry, Coop, and Douglas.

DETECTIVE PERRY
A public cemetery?

RICHARD COOPER
The board wouldn’t allow him to be buried in the Lakeland Cemetery. Can you believe that?

DETECTIVE PERRY
Hum. I guess I can understand it.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
We won’t be there much longer, thank goodness. We’re moving.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Change of scenery?

RICHARD COOPER
Yeah, but no place will be far enough away from Lakeland.

DETECTIVE PERRY
What about the construction?

RICHARD COOPER
I’ll get another project.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
We’ll take a loss on the house, too. But, it’s worth it to get out of there.

Professor Hadley walks up.

RICHARD COOPER
How is he?

PROFESSOR HADLEY
(tearfully) He’s not taking this well at all. But, then, maybe that’s to be expected.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
It’s a lot of deal with it.

PROFESSOR HADLEY
I just wanted to say thank you for coming. I need to get him home.

DOUGLAS ARMSTRONG
We’re just a phone call away if you need us, Charles. And, we’ll check in on you both later today.

Professor Hadley shakes his head in understanding and appreciation and walks back to the car.

RICHARD COOPER
Oh, Detective Perry, what did you find out about the bones found out there on the empty lot?

DETECTIVE PERRY
Just old animal bones. And, we were able to identify the two anonymous bodies pulled from the lake. Both were people reported missing from Lakeland. Rebecca Thompson who lived there alone for about a year was in the early stages of running for the Board, and Louisa Rivera was just a sixteen year old kid. Autopsy showed she was pregnant, too. (pause) Is Bobby Reynolds still hold up at the Jackson House?

RICHARD COOPER
Yeah.

DETECTIVE PERRY
I just thought I’d check in on him today. See how he was doing. It made me really nervous when he wouldn’t stay in the hospital like the doctor recommended after we finally got him examined.

RICHARD COOPER
He’s been getting stronger. A little day by day. He’s not a hundred percent yet, but he should be with some more time. He’ll probably go home in a day or two now that things, are, well…

DETECTIVE PERRY
I understand.

INT. FRONT OF GOODMAN HOUSE DAY
Sally Goodman sits on the front porch of her house drinking some tea. The flower garden is quite different now. All of the flowers have been dug up and replaced with short indigenous flowers that have been freshly planted. The pottery wheel is gone. Detective Perry pulls into the drive. He casually gets out of his car and goes to the porch.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Ms. Goodman. How are you today?

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, I’m much better now that I’m home, Detective, where I can have some good home-cooked meals.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Yes, indeed. (climbs the porch steps, looking at the yard) You’ve changed your garden, Ms. Sally.

SALLY GOODMAN
Oh, well, yes, it was time. Some flowers just don’t look pretty all year ‘round.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Yes, indeed.

Two other patrol cars pull up slowly and park alongside the drive. In one of patrol cars passenger seats is Bobby Reynolds but Sally doesn’t see him. Perry looks toward the cars.

SALLY GOODMAN
Flowers are temporary, Detective Perry. You just enjoy them while they’re here. Too bad you don’t live out here at Lakeland, Detective. I always share bouquets of fresh flowers with my neighbors.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Well, Ms. Sally, I must confess that I did snip off one of your beautiful ladies. I just couldn’t resist. Hope you don’t mind.

SALLY GOODMAN
(looks suspiciously at the patrol cars) Did you now? Well, no harm done. I suppose.

DETECTIVE PERRY
All those European flowers. Hm. Hm. Hm. Seems like it’s such a waste for them to have been pulled up.

SALLY GOODMAN
(confused) Did you come here to discuss flowers, Detective?

DETECTIVE PERRY
No, no ma’am. There’s been a lot going on out here at Lakeland lately. I thought there was someone you might want to see.

Bobby gets out of the car and stands beside it. Sally sees him, is visibly shocked. The two patrol officers walk up to the porch.

DETECTIVE PERRY
(continuing)
Oh, but you thought he was dead, didn’t you? Truth is, we’ve just been hiding him. Letting everything think he was dead. It bought us some time to get some court orders for that belladonna you pulled up out of your garden, and the pottery wheel that’s been moved to your back shed.

Sally looks to the side of the porch.

DETECTIVE PERRY
(continuing)
Have you not been back home long enough to miss it? And, that belladonna? Oh, yes, the beautiful ladies. So deadly, they can kill you if you merely touch them. Probably why you were wearing those heavy kitchen gloves to garden with when I first arrived here. We have the gloves too.


INT. FRONT OF SALLY GOODMAN’S HOUSE MORNING
Detective Perry remembers Sally Goodman taking off her gloves worn while weeding the red flowers before greeting him.

DETECTIVE PERRY
(voice over)
because those traces of flowers and poisons stay on things like that.

INT. FRONT OF SALLY GOODMAN’S HOUSE DAY
Detective Perry continues to confront Sally Goodman. Bobby Reynolds is still by the patrol car and two officers are on the porch.

SALLY GOODMAN
I, I, uh…

DETECTIVE PERRY
It also gave us the right to search your house when you were in the hospital. We found your stash of hypodermic needles…

INT. INSIDE VISITOR CENTER MORNING
Sally remembers closing a diabetic cookbook as Richard Cooper and Douglas Armstrong walk in.

DETECTIVE PERRY
(voice over)
…the insulin, and the insulin you stole from Jackson Miller when you killed him.

INT. FRONT PORCH OF SALLY GOODMAN DAY
Perry continues to confront Sally Goodman.

DETECTIVE PERRY
…His prescription label was still on the box of vials. Making sure to keep them separate from your own, were you?

Sally begins to utter sounds of distress, but then gains composure.

SALLY GOODMAN
Circumstantial evidence. That Logan boy must have stolen it, planted it!

DETECTIVE PERRY
We also found your supply of diphenhyramine. It looks like you buy it and keep it stocked up in case of emergencies. Nobody is that sick, Ms. Goodman.

SALLY GOODMAN
I just keep it on hand because it helps me sleep. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Oh, I have no doubt about that.

SALLY GOODMAN
It’s that Kirk Logan. I knew he was trouble all along.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Well, Ms. Sally. That court order I told you about. It also gave us the right to exhume your late husband’s body. And, you know what we found.

SALLY GOODMAN
A corpse?

DETECTIVE PERRY
Filled with arsenic. Poorly made, homemade arsenic. That man died a horrible, painful, slow death. Poisoned just a little at a time.

SALLY GOODMAN
He was on a lot of medications. It was probably just a reaction. You can’t prove anything with that.

DETECTIVE PERRY
Maybe not. (walks closer to Sally and leans over her, growing more angry) But, you add all that to your fingerprints being found on the syringe beside Kirk Logan’s body that was filled with belladonna, add that to your fingerprints being found on the shard of pottery found lodged in the head of Melissa Logan when we pulled her out of the lake, add that to your DNA matching the DNA we found beneath the fingernails of Asia Blackmore when we pulled her out of the lake, add that to Bobby Reynold’s statement that it was you who stabbed him in the back with a hypo full of insulin… You went after Kirk Logan because you saw him at the Jackson House.

SALLY GOODMAN
No.

DETECTIVE PERRY
You knew Kirk saw you attack Bobby Reynolds. So, you killed him!

SALLY GOODMAN
No!

DETECTIVE PERRY
We’ll have to wait to see what the judge thinks when he hears your case. Stand up, Sally Goodman. You’re arrested for murder.

Perry nods to Officer 1 who stands Sally, up, cuffs Sally, and then leads her off the porch.

SALLY GOODMAN
(yelling) You can’t do this! I want my lawyer. Call Lane Barsky. He works for Lakeland.

OFFICER 1
(becoming more distant as they walk)
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…

SALLY GOODMAN
(yelling) I didn’t do anything wrong! You’ll see. (as she’s put into the squad car) My neighbors will tell you I didn‘t do anything. They’ll help me. All of us here at Lakeland look out for each other.

Perry looks to the new flower garden and to the empty side of the porch where the pottery wheel once was, and has a growing expression of concern.

DETECTIVE PERRY
(quietly, to himself, frustrated and worried) I know.

THE END

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to situations or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.