Pleasantville Times

FADE IN:

INT. MILLS KITCHEN NOON
CHLOE MILLS is standing near the wall phone in the kitchen, visibly shaking, her eye badly blackened. Her size zero jeans are sagging, and her white tee has blood on the shoulder. Slowly, she picks up the phone and begins to dial, but stops. She returns the phone to the cradle and begins pacing by the phone and biting her nails, which are in quite bad shape. Slowly, she looks again at the phone, picks it up, dials, and exhales anxiously while she waits.

The phone rings (filtered) once.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM NOON
LINDA BLACKWOOD is at the head of the table leading a meeting OF SIX COUNSELORS, including REGINA DAVENPORT and SARAH ALLEN and THOMAS JONES. The counselors do not appear to want to be there, but notebooks and coffee are in front of each of them. A plate of doughnuts is on the table and all but Regina and Sarah are having one.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
So, to get the government grant we have to increase production. That means getting new clients in here and holding on the ones you already have.

The six counselors look at each other uneasily.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
(anger growing) I don’t care how you do it, just get it done and make sure all the paperwork backs it up. This grand could mean the difference between whether the Center gets the new facilities to serve these clients or not. And, I know you all want more space. I hear about it all the time.

SARAH ALLEN
But, I have three rape victims ready for discharge. They’ve dealt with their issues. They’re stable. There’s no reason for them to be in therapy anymore. Besides, I’m already booked with back-to-back sessions.

THOMAS JONES
And all my clients are related to unemployment issues: Displaced workers, workers comp claims…. Once they’ve got a job and settled, they’re good to go, at least that’s what the insurance companies say.

Reggie’s phone begins to ring from inside her purse.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
There’s always some reason for someone to be in therapy. Find it! And make sure that the paperwork reflects a reason that the insurance companies will feel is legit.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(heavy sigh) Linda, this goes against everything we do. We’re counselors who help people deal with trauma not retailers bound and determined to do whatever it takes to keep customers coming back for more.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
(anger still growing, to Regina) I want to see you in my office now. The rest of you get back to work. And, someone answer that damn phone! (she leaves, slamming the door behind her)

Reggie reaches for her phone. The five remaining counselors gather their coffee and belongings, muttering. Regina sees CHLOE written on the phone ID.

SARAH ALLEN
(sighs heavily) More clients? How are we going to do that?

THOMAS JONES
(as the door closes) She’s from admin. She’s never done our job.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(eagerly) Chloe?

CHLOE MILLS
(filtered)
Reggie. I need your help.

INT. INSIDE REGGIE’S CAR SUNSET
Reggie is driving out of Nashville, north on I-24. An overnight bag is in the seat beside her.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(voice over)
Chloe, what’s wrong?

CHLOE MILLS
(voice over)
(begins to cry) I can’t get into it over the phone. Can you come here? I know we haven’t talked in three years, Reggie, but I’ve got no one else to turn to.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(voice over)
Chloe, you’ve been my best friend since third grade. Of course I’ll be there. Are you going to be all right until I get there? The drive alone will take me four hours.

CHLOE MILLS
(voice over)
Just hurry. Please hurry.

INT. DESERTED TWO-LANE HIGHWAY NIGHT
Regina’s car lights head along a rural two-land highway. She then passes a sign that reads: ENTERING PLEASANTVILLE, POP. 1200.

INT. OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT
Regina drives along a narrow road in an old, lower-class neighborhood.

INT. OUTSIDE CHLOE’S HOUSE NIGHT
Regina parks outside Chloe’s house and rushes towards the door. The porch light is on and Chloe opens the door to her as Regina nears the porch. They embrace on the porch as Chloe begins crying again.

REGINA DAVENPORT
It’s gonna be okay, kiddo.

INT. INSIDE CHLOE’S KITCHEN NIGHT
Regina is applying first aid to Chloe’s bruise with a swab near the counter. Chloe is sitting on a stool.

CHLOE MILLS
I probably shouldn’t have called you, Reggie, but I panicked. I didn’t know what else to do.

REGINA DAVENPORT
It doesn’t matter. I’m here now. Besides, what are old friends for anyway. (smiling) This looks pretty bad, Chloe. How did this happen?

CHLOE MILLS
Carlyle and I had gotten into a fight last night.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(surprised) Carlyle did this to you?

CHLOE MILLS
No, of course not. Carlyle would never hurt a fly. He’s never laid a hand on me in anger. But we did have words. He went home and I went down to the Palomino. And, after a few too many beers, Cowboy Hawkins—do you remember him, Reggie?

REGINA DAVENPORT
All too well. (she finishes the first aid, and closes the box)

CHLOE MILLS
Well, he started hitting on me. I kept telling him no, but that just started making him angry. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Good thing Carlyle wasn’t there. Carlyle might have killed Cowboy for treating me like that. (pauses, swallows hard in reflection)

REGINA DAVENPORT
(leans on the cabinet facing Chloe) What happened then?

CHLOE MILLS
(trying not to cry) He, uh, you know, Cowboy’s a strong guy, Reggie.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I know.

CHLOE MILLS
He, uh, I tried to leave, Reggie. I really did.

INT. OUTSIDE PALOMINO CLUB NIGHT
Chloe is walking to her car, somewhat unstable due to intoxication. COWBOY HAWKINS comes out the door and runs toward her. Loud country music is muffled from inside the bar. Chloe tries to get in her car, but drops the keys just before reaching the door. She bends over to pick them up when Cowboy grabs her from behind. The bar is at the edge of town, with no other businesses nearby.

COWBOY HAWKINS
C’mon, baby! Don’t you wanna play? (stands her up and pushes her against her car)

CHLOE MILLS
(voice over)
It all happened so fast after that, I’m not sure what really happened.

CHLOE MILLS
No! Stop.

Chloe and Cowboy struggle. Chloe breaks free, but Cowboy grabs her arm immediately, and then hits her.

CHLOE MILLS
Grunts from the force of the blow.

She falls against the car. Then, he pulls Chloe by the arm three vehicles away to his truck. Chloe is somewhat bent over, holding on her head. She then vomits as he’s pulling her.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Bitch. Can’t hold your liquor. You better not do that in my truck.

Cowboy pushes Chloe into his truck. She is unable to even sit up.

CHLOE MILLS
(voice over)
He forced me into his truck.

Cowboy goes around to the driver’s side, gets in, and pulls the car out of the gravel lot and onto the deserted two-land road.

CHLOE MILLS
(voice over)
I think he drove me out to some pasture, but I couldn’t tell you where. He took what he wanted. And, when he was through, he took me back to the bar and just kicked me out of his truck like some old football he was trying to get across the field.

Cowboy’s truck throws gravel as it stops by Chloe’s car. The parking lot is now empty save her car. Cowboy opens the passenger door from the inside, uses his boot, and pushes Chloe onto the gravel lot. He closes the door and drives off.

INT. CHLOE’S KITCHEN NIGHT
Chloe is sitting on the stool and Reggie is leaning against a counter facing Chloe.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(sympathetically) He raped you. Oh, Chloe. (steps to her and hugs her) I’m so sorry this happened to you.

CHLOE MILLS
(tearful control)I’m just glad you’re here. I knew I could count on you. Carlyle can’t find out about this. He’s not from around here. He’d never understand. I just don’t know what to do.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Did you call the police?

CHLOE MILLS
The police, Reggie? Have you been gone from Pleasantville that long? Cowboy’s uncle is one of the deputies and Cowboy is a former high school football star. Took the county to state two years in a row. Remember? And, me, well I’m nobody. And, I was drunk and probably flirting a little too much that night. Do you really think that anyone around here would say anything other than that I deserved it? And, that’s if they believed that anything happened at all.

REGINA DAVENPORT
If a woman says no, it means no. Nothing else. (pause) What about DNA? Have you been to the hospital for an examination?

CHLOE MILLS
No. Probably wouldn’t be any DNA anyway. I vaguely remember a condom. Besides I’ve already showered and bathed about eight times. (runs her hand nervously through her hair)

REGINA DAVENPORT
(mouthing) Oh, my God. (exhales slowly) (quietly) But, you’re not sure?

CHLOE MILLS
No, I’m not sure.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Have you told anyone? Did anyone see anything?

Chloe gets off the bench and walks to the sink, her back to Reggie. Chloe speaks over her shoulder.

CHLOE MILLS
No, no one saw anything. And, I don’t want anyone to know. This is best just kept as a secret. This is a small town. Small towns have long memories.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I know. They’re just seldom accurate.

INT. COWBOY’S KITCHEN MORNING
The Hawkins farmhouse kitchen is busy but quiet as THE THREE HAWKINS CHILDREN (TOMMY (AGE 8), TAYLOR (AGE 6), AND TROY (AGE 5) are eating breakfast cereal at the table. VICKY HAWKINS is washing dishes when Cowboy Hawkins walks in the door. Cowboy lays an old denim jacket on the counter by the door.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(quietly) Hey, kids.

Cowboy rubs the hair of Tommy as he passes by then goes to Vicky and gives her a kiss on the cheek and a hug from behind before looking through the cabinets.

VICKY HAWKINS
Long night again, Cowboy? I noticed your side of the bed was empty all night…again.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Not again this morning, Vic. You knew how I was when you married me. Can’t blame a hard working man for just wanting to have a little fun. You know I love you. Now just tell me where the aspirin is.

VICKY HAWKINS
Last cabinet in the corner, in the back.

TROY HAWKINS
Hey, dad, can we go fishing today?

Vicky fills a clean glass with water and hands it to Cowboy.

COWBOY HAWKINS
I don’t know about today, Troy. I’ve been out in the barn this morning with Gertrude. I think she may drop that calf here today. She’s gonna need some help. She’s not as young as she used to be. But, (swallowing aspirin)I tell you what (sits at the table)as soon as she’s stable, you and your brothers and me are packing up our gear and heading to the pond. I promise you that.

TROY HAWKINS
Yeah. We gotta try out my new birthday rod.

Vicky dries her hands and picks up Cowboy’s jacket. In the pocket she finds a matchbook for the Palomino Club. She smells of the jacket and anger crosses her face.

COWBOY HAWKINS
That’s right. And, that’s a pretty rod and reel too! Hey, honey….

Vicky walks out of the room in frustration and growing anger.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(continuing)
(calling out lightly) Vicky! (to the boys) What’s up with her this morning?

Troy raises his shoulders as if to say ‘I don’t know.’

INT. CHLOE’S KITCHEN MID-MORNING
Reggie walks into the kitchen, stunned by what she sees. Chloe is making breakfast. The counters are filled with dirty dishes, blueberry muffin tins (two) with muffins still in them, empty blueberry muffin mix boxes, a spilled bottle of vanilla, broken egg shells, and flour. Chloe is now stirring pancake batter and has a griddle heating up.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Chloe? (steps further into the kitchen, slowly)

CHLOE MILLS
(looks to Reggie, continuing to stir non-stop) Oh, Reggie, you’re up. I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d make some breakfast. (turns away from Reggie and faces the counter) I don’t really eat breakfast, but I know you do. I hope you like muffins or pancakes. I couldn’t chose, so I made both. I thought I remembered you liking them both. I couldn’t believe I had all this in the cabinets. I don’t really cook much I guess unless Carlyle comes over. But we small town girls learn to cook early and never forget, do we Reggie.

Reggie picks up the bottle of vanilla and looks around the room.

CHLOE MILLS
(continuing)
Carlyle loves breakfast. He’s a big eggs and sausage guy, you know. He’s a good guy, that Carlyle. I’m really lucky to have him, Reggie. He works (still stirring) over at that new factory in Springville. That’s how he got here. When the factory opened a couple of years ago, Carlyle came to be the foreman. He’s good at it too.

Reggie edges closer to Chloe.

CHLOE MILLS
(continuing)
I met him when I applied for a job there but I couldn’t pass the test they required. Anyway, I’m still… still down there at the Pleasantville factory stamping out sweatshirts by the hour. I guess…

Reggie reaches around Chloe and gently takes her hand, stopping the stirring.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(gently) Stop, Chloe.

CHLOE MILLS
(pauses, trying not to cry)….guess I really should be grateful…

REGINA DAVENPORT
(whispering) Just stop.

Chloe pauses, her fists go in front of her eyes protectively, and then she begins to sob as she slides down to the floor. Reggie follows her, turning off the stove in the process, and then trying to comfort Chloe by rubbing her back. Chloe is now in the fetal position.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(very quietly) I’m here Chloe.

CHLOE MILLS
(distraught) Why, Reggie? Why, why, why? Why did this happen to me? What did I do?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(trying not to cry herself, pulls Chloe’s hair back like a child)) You didn’t deserve this, Chloe. You didn’t ask for this. No one ever does. (long pause) But, now you have to deal with it. And, I’ll help you, Chloe. I will. But, you have to trust me. I understand why you don’t want anyone to know, believe me. But we need to go to the hospital. And, we need to go to the police.

CHLOE MILLS
No, no, no, no, no (begins crawling from the corner into the kitchen) no, no, no. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.

Chloe reaches another counter and slowly pulls herself up, breathless and still upset. Reggie stands, worried about Chloe. Chloe walks, unsteady, to the bathroom.

INT. CHLOE’S BATHROOM MID-MORNING
Chloe enters the bathroom, opening the medicine cabinet, knocking items out as she searches. Reggie soon is behind her in the doorway.

CHLOE MILLS
(to herself) Where are my sleeping pills? That’s all I really need. Where are they? (angrily) Where are they?

Chloe purposefully knocks things out and then finds the bottle. She takes one, gets water from the sink in her hand, and swallows. Reggie watches from the doorway.

INT. CHLOE’S BEDROOM MID-MORNING
Chloe climbs into bed, groggy and still somewhat crying. Reggie places a blanket over Chloe, exhales deeply, draws the curtains, and takes a seat in a rocking chair watching over Chloe with concern. Chloe is quickly asleep, crying in her sleep.

INT. CHLOE’S KITCHEN MID-MORNING
Reggie looks through drawers near the phone until finding an address book. She skims through the pages and then dials a number.

INT. FRONT PORCH OF CHLOE’S HOUSE NOON
CARLYLE THOMPSON and Reggie sit on the front porch of Chloe’s house. Carlyle is calm, but upset and runs his hands nervously over his face and through his hair. He then stands and leans against the porch railing.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
I just wish she could have told me herself.

REGINA DAVENPORT
There’s not a woman on this planet who wouldn’t dread having to have that conversation with the man in her life.

Carlyle clears his throat.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
She’s still sleeping?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Yeah. Carlyle, I’m a mandatory reporter. I have to go to the police with this. Chloe’s going to need you to be there for her, and to be strong, because I’m about to go to the top of her hit list.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(shakes his head yes, pauses) I’d do anything for her. She knows that. (pause) She knows who did this to her, doesn’t she? And, she told you.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(looks away) You’ll have to talk to Chloe about that. I’ve told you enough as it is.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
Then tell me who did this to her, Regina.

Regina stands and faces Carlyle.

REGINA DAVENPORT
No. Chloe was worried that you’d do something you shouldn’t. And, right now, she needs you here. With her. Not out seeking vengeance and certainly not sitting in a jail cell. Let law enforcement do their job, Carlyle. Just focus on Chloe. She needs you now more than ever.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
I won’t do anything stupid. I just want to know who did this.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(shakes her head no) I’m going to check on Chloe. (turns toward the door, pauses and turns to Carlyle) For what it’s worth, Carlyle, I’m glad Chloe has you. She’s needed something good in her life for a long time.

Regina turns and walks inside. Carlyle hits the back of his head gently against the railing and closes his eyes.

INT. OUTSIDE OF SHERIFF’S DEPT. AFTERNOON
Regina parks outside and walks inside.

INT. INSIDE OF SHERIFF’S DEPT. AFTERNOON
Regina walks into the Sheriff’s Dept. There are a few chairs in the center and around the walls of a small waiting area. A front desk is protected by a clear plastic shield. DEPUTY #1 is behind the desk. The room is otherwise empty. Regina goes to the desk.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Hi. My name is Regina Davenport. Could I speak to a detective please? I need to make a report.

DEPUTY #1
Just have a seat. It’ll be a minute.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Thank you.

Regina sits in a chair in the center of the room, looking at the bare walls and candy dispensers.

Cowboy Hawkins walks into the room through the door beside the front desk. His uncle, LEROY HAWKINS is with him.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Well, we’ll see you tonight, Uncle Leroy.

LEROY HAWKINS
Be sure to tell Vicky to save me a piece of that peach pie of hers if I get held up or something.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(laughs) Will do.

Leroy shuts the door to return to work as Cowboy enters the waiting room and sees Regina Davenport.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(uncertain) Hey, don’t I know you? Didn’t you go to school over here at Pleasantville High?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(startled) Uh (pauses) we may have met a time or two, a long time ago. Regina Davenport.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Reggie Davenport! (sits by her) Of course. You were that foster kid who was always hanging out with Chloe Mills. Man, ain’t it been it a long time! Cowboy Hawkins. We were just a year apart in school. Well you disappeared, girl. Where did you run off to?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(uneasy) Uh, Nashville. Went off to go to school and just stayed.

COWBOY HAKWINS
(sarcastically) Well, for what it’s worth, welcome back. Why are you back? It’s not like Pleasantville has a lot to offer. Sometimes I think the world ends at the city limit sign.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(uncomfortable) Just in for visit. That’s all. You must still live here.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Oh, yeah. Never really left after high school. I got married soon after graduation. Vicky Michaels, do you remember her? Yeah, we’ve been married for almost ten years now. Got three boys and that old ranch of my Poppy’s. Yeah. It’s life here in Pleasantville.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Sounds like you’ve had a lot of good fortune, Cowboy.

COWBOY HAWKINS
I have. I have. Regina Davenport. Of all the people I could have run in to today. Huh. We need to get together and catch up. You and me and a couple of beers over at the Palomino. Ain’t really anything else to do in this town. Huh. I remember you and me having a lot of fun a couple times back in high school.

Regina becomes visibly uncomfortable. Cowboy gently elbows her in her ribs.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(continuing)
Maybe we could relive a few of those moments. Think about it and give me a call. My number’s still the same as it ever was. (winks at her as he stands and leaves)

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS walks in the room through the side door and goes to Regina.

DET. TOBY BANKS
Ms. Davenport?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Yes.

DET. TOBY BANKS
Detective Toby Banks. I was told you’d like to make a report.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(clears throat) Yes. Yes, I would.

DET. TOBY BANKS
Come on back.

INT. DET. TOBY BANKS OFFICE AFTERNOON
Det. Banks and Regina sit on opposite sides of a messy desk in a very small office.

DET. TOBY BANKS
You do realize that this is all heresy. Ms. Mills will have to make a statement herself.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I understand but I seriously doubt she’ll talk to anybody. She’s closed up at this point. Physically, she’s got the black eye, but emotionally, well, she just wants it all to go away.

DET. TOBY BANKS
Do you think she might talk to a counselor? I mean, someone with more objectivity than a friend.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I’ll keep working on that. Will you at least talk to her?

DET. TOBY BANKS
I have to. We have the report. But, if she tells me nothing, then it’s over.

Regina shakes her head in understanding.

REGINA DAVENPORT
If you could, just… I know how this town works. I know Cowboy is well known. If you could just keep this as quiet as possible.

DET. TOBY BANKS
I’m sorry, Ms. Davenport. Probably not going to happen. By the time this report is retyped, filed, and makes its rounds until it reaches the Sheriff, everybody in this department will know that there’s been an accusation against Cowboy. And, rumors spread like wildfire around here. It’s quite possible the rumor will get to Ms. Mills before I do.

REGINA DAVENPORT
That’s what I was afraid of.

INT. OUTSIDE SHERIFF’S DEPT. AFTERNOON
Regina is walking out of the Sheriff’s Dept.

INT. DET. TOBY BANKS OFFICE AFTERNOON
Det. Toby Banks leans outside his office door.

INT. SHERIFF’S DEPT. HALLWAY AFTERNOON
Det. Toby Banks leans outside his office door into the hallway as Deputy #1 and Leroy Hawkins are walking by.

LEROY HAWKINS
(hands Deputy #1 a file) Study this one and it’ll give you an idea of how we want the reports written up around here.

DET. TOBY BANKS
Leroy. Can I talk to you for a minute?

LEROY HAWKINS
(to Toby) Sure. (to Deputy #1) I’ll go over that with you later today.

Deputy #1 nods in agreement and walks on.

LEROY HAWKINS
(to Toby) What’s up?

INT. CO-OP LOADING DOCK AFTERNOON
Cowboy Hawkins backs his truck up to the loading dock, gets out, and is greeted by WALTER PETTIT. RODNEY PETTIT is also present.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Hey, Walter. How you doing? Hey Rodney.

RODNEY PETTIT
(unenthusiastically) Hey, Cowboy.

WALTER PETTIT
Doing good, Cowboy. What can I do for you today?

COWBOY HAWKINS
Load me up with some feed.

WALTER PETTIT
Usual order?

COWBOY HAWKINS
Yep.

WALTER PETTIT
You heard the man, Rodney.

Rodney walks away to get the feed from a nearby stack. Cowboy and Walter follow and the three men begin loading the back of the pick-up with feed bags.

WALTER PETTIT
(continuing)
Heard old Gertrude finally bore that calf this morning.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Sure did. That’s a big worry off my mind, too. So, after I get this feed back to the ranch I’m taking those boys of mine fishing. Hope to catch enough for a celebration dinner we’re having tonight. Uncle Leroy and mama are coming out to see the calf.

WALTER PETTIT
How are Vicky and the boys?

COWBOY HAWKINS
Fine and dandy, Walter. Boys are growing like weeds and Vicky’s as pretty as ever.

WALTER PETTIT
Your uncle stops in here about everyday, says your mom’s doing well since your dad passed.

COWBOY HAWKINS
She has. Kind of surprised us all. She took care of him for so long, we were worried that she’d lose her reason to live once he was gone. But she’s a stronger woman than any of us ever gave her credit for. She’s really hanging in there. Maybe even better off without him.

WALTER PETTIT
Glad to hear she’s doing okay. Really am. She’s always been a real fine woman. Always had a kind word every time I’ve ever seen her.

Cowboy closes the tailgate of the truck.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Put it on my account, Walter?

WALTER PETTIT
Absolutely. Rodney. Will you write this up, son.

RODNEY PETTIT
Sure, Pop. (walks to the register)

WALTER PETTIT
Whew! (laughs) I tell you, Cowboy, I think I’m getting too old for all this stuff. About time to start thinking about retirement.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(laughs) Not you, Walter. You wouldn’t be any good at retirement. You’d just be itching for something to do.

WALTER PETTIT
You may be right about that. So, what’s been keeping you busy lately, Cowboy?

COWBOY HAKWINS
Poppy’s ranch. As always. I never realized how much work that old man put in to it when I was a kid. I got a couple of high school kids helping out there now. That helps a lot. But with Vicky working over at Rosie’s Café and the boys, she’s got her hands full.

WALTER PETTIT
I bet she does.

Rodney hands an invoice to Walter who looks over it and then hands it to Cowboy.

WALTER PETTIT
(continuing)
I wouldn’t be able to make it here without this boy of mine. Just look this over (hands it to Cowboy) and sign at the bottom.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(signing) There you go. See you next week, fellas.

Cowboy walks to his truck and drives away.

WALTER PETTIT
Rodney, boy what’s wrong with you? You and Cowboy usually talk up a storm about football or something. Why so quiet today?

RODNEY PETTIT
Guess I’m still pissed off about how Cowboy left the Palomino the other night…. With Mary Ann.

Rodney takes the invoice and returns to the register to write it down in the ledger. Walter looks out toward the dock, looking unsurprised, but then chuckles to himself.

WALTER PETTIT
Same old Cowboy.

INT. CHLOE MILLS HOME (LR) LATE EVENING
Chloe Mills, Regina Davenport, and Carlyle Thompson are in the living room. Chloe is pacing. Regina is standing near the front door. And Carlyle is standing near the bedroom door.

CHLOE MILLS
Everybody will know, Reggie! Everybody!

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(quietly restraining frustration) Reggie did the right thing, Chloe. If I had known I would have gone to the police myself. As much as I’d like to strangle the guy with my own hands, we have to do the right thing.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Chloe, what Cowboy did is a crime. Justice needs to take its course.

CHLOE MILLS
Justice? Really Regina? Justice! In Pleasantville? The only justice that man will ever have is if I take care of this myself!

Carlyle goes to Chloe to try to embrace her, shaking his head no, but Regina responds as Chloe refuses Carlyle’s embrace. Carlyle’s expression is at a loss of what to do.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Chloe, by not going to the police you’re not solving anything. You weren’t the first but if you’re strong enough you could be the last.

CHLOE MILLS
(stops moving, stunned) What do you mean I wasn’t the first?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(realizing what she’s said) (begins to pace slightly) I mean men who rape don’t usually just have one vic, and you’re probably not the first woman Cowboy has had his way with against their will. If a woman says no, it means no. Think of all the women Cowboy’s had in this town. Think they all went willingly?

CHLOE MILLS
(quietly) Well (confused) yes. They seemed to anyway. He’s always been popular with the girls, even back in high school. Especially in high school.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(continuing to pace) Well maybe not all of them thought he was a God. Maybe it was his popularity and his football stats that let him get away with everything. (pause, stops, looks to Chloe) I don’t know, Chloe. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe you were the first victim. But, either way, Chloe, I did what I thought was right.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(puts his hands on Chloe’s shoulders) I agree with Reggie on this one, Chloe.

CHLOE MILLS
(anxious, quietly) I’ve had enough. My sleeping pill is kicking in anyway. I’m going to bed. (begins to walk off)(quietly angry) Somebody should have killed the bastard years ago. (shuts bedroom door)

Carlyle raises his hands as if giving up.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(sits on the couch and exhales audibly) I can’t say I blame her for being mad. I’d be too. She’s right about justice here in Pleasantville, it’s who you are and who you know that determines guilt or innocence.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(leans against the wall, exhausted) you really think Chloe wasn’t the first?

Regina looks away with tears in her eyes.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(continuing)
She probably is right. Small town. He’s a local here. He’ll get off scott free.

Regina begins looking about the room nervously, then stands and begins physically searching the room.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(continuing)
What are you doing?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Find her guns, Carlyle, and any other weapons she has around here. We’ve got to get them out of here before she does something she can’t take back. She still has two handguns, doesn’t she? Where are they?

CARLYLE THOMPSON
Uh, she keeps on in the bedside table. I don’t know where she keeps the other. She bought a shotgun last year so we could go hunting together, but she keeps that in the top of the spare closet.

REGINA DAVENPORT
We’ve go to find them all.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(stands up straight again) You don’t really think she’d….

Regina stops long enough to give Carlyle a knowing look.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(surprised knowing, draws his hands across his face) Yeah. (begins searching the room)

INT. INSIDE PALOMINO CLUB NIGHT
Rodney Pettit is drinking at the bar. The club is somewhat busy with LOCAL PATRONS sitting at tables, TWO MEN are playing pool, and ONE COUPLE is dancing. The bartender, GLENN approaches Rodney while wiping a glass. Country music plays in the club.

BARTENDER GLENN
Rodney, where’s Mary Ann? Haven’t seen you two in here together lately.

RODNEY PETTIT
We’re not seeing each other anymore, Glenn. Mary Ann moved back to her mama’s house in Carterville last I heard.

BARTENDER GLENN
Well that’s a shame. She seemed like a real nice girl. She still working over there at the factory?

RODNEY PETTIT
Guess so.

There is a long pause as Glenn turns away from the bar and finishes wiping clean glasses. Rodney drinks his beer, and then looks around the bar.

RODNEY PETTIT
(continuing)
Glenn, you seen Cowboy in here tonight?

BARTENDER GLENN
(looks over his shoulder at Rodney) Not tonight, but I’m sure he’ll be in later. Always is. You’d think that wife of his would’ve tired of all his playing around by now. You got some pool bet to settle up with him?

RODNEY PETTIT
Something like that.

WAITRESS STACY walks up to the bar (beside Rodney) with a tray with three empty beer mugs. Glenn walks over to the counter.

WAITRESS STACY
Cowboy might not come in tonight, Glenn. Haven’t ya’ll heard. Everybody’s talking about it. Somebody accused Cowboy of rape. Word is that Regina Davenport came back to Pleasantville, got in to it with Cowboy, and then claimed it was rape.

RODNEY PETTIT
Regina Davenport? There’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. What’s she doing back here?

WAITRESS STACY
(shrugs) She’s been gone for years. Of course, everybody said the reason why she left so long ago was because she got herself knocked up.

BARTENDER GLENN
Oh, Stacy, they say that about every girl who leaves town.

RODNEY PETTIT
Rape, huh? Can’t say I’d put that past Cowboy.

WAITRESS STACY
Cowboy doesn’t have to resort to rape. All the girls around here fall all over him.

RODNEY PETTIT
(disagreeing) No, remember, there was another girl a few years back that said Cowboy had roughed her up pretty bad and raped her. Even got her pregnant. She was over from Carterville, actually.

BARTENDER GLENN
I remember that. God, I’d almost forgotten all about that.

WAITRESS STACY
Really? What happened?

BARTENDER GLENN
He married her. (pause) Tell me, Stacy, how come I never see you falling over Cowboy like all the other women around here.

WAITRESS STACY
(seriously) Because I have better taste then most women around here.

The men laugh.

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE LR NIGHT
Vicky is sitting in the living room watching the news. Cowboy walks through the room, picking his wallet up off a table.

VICKY HAWKINS
Cowboy, not again.

COWBOY HAWKINS
I’ll be back early.

VICKY HAWKINS
You always say that and you never are.

Vicky stands to confront Cowboy and Cowboy stops in front of her.

VICKY HAWKINS
(continuing)
Do you really think that I don’t know where you go and what you do? Everybody in this God-forsaken town knows you’re bedding anything that walks. And, you know what they’re saying about you now.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Everybody around here is always saying something.

VICKY HAWKINS
Now they’re saying you raped some girl.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Rape, really? (getting angry) Honey, I don’t have to rape any body. They give it to me.

VICKY HAWKINS
Yeah, that’s what you believe, isn’t it. The great Cowboy Hawkins. Loved by all the woman and adored by all the men. Can do no wrong, can you?

COWBOY HAWKINS
Oh, don’t start with that again, Vic. You got yourself knocked up and I let my Uncle Leroy convince me to do the right thing and marry you. You got what you want, babe, so drop it. I’ve had enough.

VICKY HAWKINS
(scoffs) You’re not the only one who’s had enough.

Cowboy slaps her. Then walks out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Vicky’s eyes tear as she holds her hand across her face were she was hit.

INT. INSIDE COWBOY’S TRUCK NIGHT
Cowboy is driving at night, whistling a tune.

INT. EMPTY FIELD NIGHT
Cowboy turns off the main road onto a small dirt path and heads down the path.

INT. OUTSIDE OLD BARN IN EMPTY FIELD NIGHT
Cowboy Hawkins pulls up at an old barn and parks. Leroy Hawkins is standing outside his truck near the barn. Cowboy gets out of his truck and greets Leroy. Leroy is in street clothes.

LEROY HAWKINS
Thanks for coming, Cowboy.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Anytime, Uncle Leroy. I didn’t know you were keeping stock at the old barn.

LEROY HAWKINS
Well, my old man taught me not to waste anything. (laughs) Even old barns. But it’s not animals I need you to help me with tonight.

COWBOY HAWKINS
No animals? What other kind of stock is there.

LEROY HAWKINS
(motions) Come on.

Leroy opens the barn door and Cowboy sees four old rusty stock cars for racing. Cowboy laughs.

INT. INSIDE OLD BARN NIGHT
Leroy stands at the barn door as Cowboy walks inside, laughing. Leroy then follows behind him.

COWBOY HAWKINS
What a beaut! (looks in one of the cars) These things must be twenty years old.

LEROY HAWKINS
At least. You might call this my private stash. No one else knows they’re out here. I’ve just been keeping them for all the old memories. This old barn isn’t good for much else anymore anyway.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Were these yours? You raced?

LEROY HAWKINS
In another lifetime. I was the local dirt track champion four years in a row.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Why did you give it up, man? You could have gone pro!

Leroy leans against one of the cars. Cowboy then leans against a car so that he faces Leroy.

LEROY HAWKINS
Same reason you’re still here in Pleasantville, Cowboy. Big fish in little ponds. I may have been good here locally, but I was never good enough to make it anywhere else. And, my dad, your Poppy, well, once in a while he was good for some good advice. He told me I’d be better off getting a respectable job, a wife, a family. He felt the Hawkins family had a reputation to uphold. And, he was right. I just didn’t realize then how right he really was. When I gave you half of this ranch, Cowboy, I really thought you and Vicky would make it all work.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Ranch is doing good, Uncle Leroy. Nothing to worry about there. But, this isn’t about the ranch, is it. I know that look in your eyes. You miss Aunt Sara.

LEROY HAWKINS
I guess I do. All we wanted to do was make this ranch the best it could be. Of course, she was doing most of the ranch work, along with some hands we’d hired. I was just getting started at the Sheriff’s Department. We were only married a year before the cancer took her. She was so young and she fought so hard. Real will to live, that one. I just never thought… (looks away and swallows hard)

COWBOY HAWKINS
I’m sorry, Uncle Leroy. I know that was real hard on you.

LEROY HAWKINS
Cowboy, we need to talk about this… situation we got here.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Ain’t nothing to talk about, Leroy. It’ll all pass over.

LEROY HAWKINS
It’ll all pass over. Hum. That’s not exactly the denial I was hoping for, Cowboy.

COWBOY HAWKINS
What do you want me to say?

LEROY HAWKINS
She has a black eye, Cowboy. And, it’s not the first one I’ve seen. You know that.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Things just got a little rough, Uncle Leroy. That’s all.

LEROY HAWKINS
A little rough? (calmly) Like it has with Vicky on a number of occasions.

Cowboy looks away.

COWBOY HAWKINS
You know what it can be like when you’re laying down the law.

LEROY HAWKINS
(calmly) Or that girl from Carterville I’ve been running interference for you on.

COWBOY HAWKINS
Now that was just a misunderstanding.

LEROY HAWKINS
You father expected more out of you Cowboy, and so did I. I’m ashamed of you, son. You’re hurting people, you’re disrespecting your family name. I thought after you and Vicky got married, you’d settle down and it’d all stop, but you haven’t.

COWBOY HAWKINS
What do you expect me to say?

LEROY HAWKINS
I don’t guess I expect you to say anything, Cowboy. I expect, that like everything else in your life, I’m going to have to take care of this for you. I’m sorry, Cowboy. I know your father must have failed you, and I must have too for you to turn out like this. So, now I have to clean up this mess we’ve made in the only way that will save our family name in these parts.

Cowboy fidgets, uncertain what to say.

COWBOY HAWKINS
You believe I did this.

LEROY HAWKINS
I know you did. And, I know you’ve done it before.

COWBOY HAWKINS
(laughs sarcastically) Well, I didn’t realize I was so much trouble to you, Uncle Leroy. (pause) Guess I’ll be going now.

Cowboy turns and begins to walk out of the barn. Leroy pulls a gun from his back waistband, aims at Leroy, and shoots him in the back of the head. Cowboy falls to the ground dead. Leroy goes to Cowboy, kneels beside him, drops the gun by Cowboy’s side, pats his back, and begins to cry.

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE KITCHEN MORNING
Vicky Hawkins, who now has a slightly black eye, is placing scrambled eggs on the plates of Tommy, Taylor, and Troy who sit at the table. Their plates already have one sausage and one biscuit on them and the boys have already begun eating.

VICKY HAWKINS
Eat up, guys. I don’t want you to be late for the bus. Tommy, did you remember to put your homework in your backpack?

TOMMY HAWKINS
Yes, ma’am.

VICKY HAWKINS
And, Taylor, I put your permission slip for your field trip in your binder. Okay. Just be sure to give it to the teacher this morning.

TAYLOR HAWKINS
I will. Mom, your eye looks sore. Did you run into the table again?

VICKY HAWKINS
Yeah, baby.

TAYLOR HAWKINS
Why are you so clumsy, mom?

VICKY HAWKINS
I don’t know, baby. Eat up now.

Tommy has a knowing expression.

TROY HAWKINS
What about me, mom?

VICKY HAWKINS
(smiles with love) I think you’ll be just fine today, Troy. (kisses him gently on the head)

Vicky returns the frying pan to the stove, dries her hands, and goes to the phone in the living room.

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM MORNING
Vicky Hawkins goes to the living room phone. She looks into the kitchen to make certain the boys can’t hear, and begins to dial. She stands as she talks quietly.

VICKY HAWKINS
Leroy? It’s Vicky. Cowboy went to the Palomino last night and he never came home. Could you just keep an eye out for him please?

INT. OLD BARN IN EMPTY FIELD MORNING
Leroy is standing near the old bar, closing the doors. Cowboy’s body and truck are gone.

LEROY HAWKINS
Vicky, he probably just partied too hard last night. You know how he can get. But, I’ll keep an eye out for him. Are you and the boys okay?

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM MORNING
Vicky looks again toward the kitchen to check on the boys.

VICKY HAWKINS
Yeah, Leroy. The boys are eating their breakfast, getting ready for school. My shift at Rosie’s starts in a couple hours. I thought I’d drive around and look for him after the boys get on the bus. (sighs) I’m just really tired, Leroy.

LEROY HAWKINS
(filtered)
Of everything.

INT. OLD BARN IN EMPTY FIELD MORNING
Leroy is now walking to his truck near the barn.

LEROY HAWKINS
He hit you again, didn’t he?

VICKY HAWKINS
(filtered)
(quietly) Yeah.

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM MORNING
Vicky is on the phone, touching the bruise.

VICKY HAWKINS
But, I don’t know what to do, Leroy. I know Cowboy’s never gonna change. But, he’s a good father. He really is. Lousy husband, but he loves those boys. I can’t take the boys away from him and I don’t want to lose the boys. They’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Besides, I’d never be able to make it on my own with three kids.

INT. INSIDE LEROY’S TRUCK MORNING
Leroy starts the truck and begins to back up and drive to a nearby pond.

LEROY HAWKINS
Sometimes I think you’d be better off if he went to the Palomino one night and never came back. (pauses, sighs) I’ve got to get to the station, Vicky. I’ll keep an eye out for him. You take care of yourself. Hear?

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM MORNING
Vicky is on the phone.

VICKY HAWKINS
Thanks, Leroy.

TOMMY HAWKINS
(from afar)
Mom, time for the bus.

Vicky looks to the kitchen with confusion as she slowly hangs up the phone.

INT. POND IN EMPTY FIELD MORNING
Leroy Hawkins stops his truck by a pond. The old barn is in the background distance. Leroy exits the truck and throws the gun into the middle of the pond. The gun sinks. Leroy gets back in his truck and drives away.

INT. CHLOE MILLS’ KITCHEN MORNING
Regina Davenport is cutting up fruit for breakfast when Chloe Mills walks in.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Hey, kiddo. Coffee’s almost ready. Want some fruit or something?

CHLOE MILLS
(sits on a stool) No.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Okay. How you doing this morning?

CHLOE MILLS
Better. I know you did what you thought was right, Reggie. What you thought was best for me. You’ve always known the right thing to do even when I didn’t. Thank you. Thanks for being such a good friend for all these years. I’ve always depended on you and you’ve always come through for me, even though I can be difficult some times. We’ll always be friends, right? No matter what?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(tearfully) Yeah, Chloe. (goes to Chloe and hugs her) No matter what.

CHLOE MILLS
(tearfully) I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.

They both chuckle.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(continuing)
You’re a tough cookie, kiddo. Always have been. You’ll get through this. I know it.

INT. INSIDE RODNEY’S TRUCK MORNING
Rodney Pettit is driving his truck along a rural road, talking on his cell phone.

RODNEY PETTIT
I should be there in about twenty minutes, Pop. Had trouble getting the truck started this morning. I think I need to go ahead and replace the plugs. (pause) No, she didn’t show up at the Palomino last night and I didn’t call her either. I’m just not ready to…

Rodney looks concerned as he sees Cowboy’s truck up ahead.

INT. RURAL ROAD MORNING
Rodney Pettit’s truck is driving along. Cowboy’s truck is up ahead, parked haphazardly off the side of the road, near a wooded area, and appearing to have no one in it.

INT. INSIDE RODNEY’S TRUCK MORNING
Rodney is on the cell phone as he slows and pulls off to the side of the road across from Cowboy’s truck.

RODNEY PETTIT
Yeah, Pop. Sorry, I’m here. Look I’ll see you at the Co-op in a few. I gotta check on something. (pause) I think Cowboy may be having some engine problems too.(closes cell and gets out of the truck)

INT. RURAL ROAD MORNING
Rodney Pettit exits his truck and walks across the rural road to Cowboy’s truck.

RODNEY PETTIT
(yelling) Cowboy? (pause) Hey, it’s Rodney Pettit. You out here?

Rodney appears confused and concerned as he walks along the truck from the back to the front as if looking for something.

RODNEY PETTIT
(continuing)
(to himself) This isn’t your usual hunting grounds.

Rodney then looks into the cab of the truck.

RODNE PETTIT
(continuing)
Oh my God! Cowboy!

Rodney opens the truck door. Cowboy is laying over at the waist from the driver’s seat. Rodney pulls him, seeing all the blood.

RODNEY PETTIT
(continuing)
Cowboy! Oh my God.

Rodney sees his hands covered in blood and realizes that Cowboy is dead. Stunned, he takes a moment, then fearfully runs to his truck, grabs his cell phone, and talks as he stands outside his truck, facing Cowboy.

RODNEY PETTIT
(continuing)
(breathless) Yeah. There’s been an accident out on Spring Hill Road. Cowboy’s dead.

INT. RURAL ROAD MORNING
Rodney Pettit and Cowboy’s truck are still parked across from each other. Two patrol cars block each end of the crime scene and one patrol SUV is parked behind Rodney’s truck. Rodney is sitting in his truck with his legs outside the cab talking to Deputy #1 who is taking notes. Det. Toby Banks walks from Cowboy’s truck to Leroy Hawkins who is putting the radio back in his car and walking toward Toby. An ambulance sits beside Leroy’s patrol car and TWO EMTs are rolling a gurney with Cowboy on it covered with a sheet.

LEROY HAWKINS
(restrained distraught) Sheriff is on his way. Medical examiner is going to look the body over at his office.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
You really shouldn’t be here, Leroy. Vicky’s getting the kids from school now. Why don’t you go be with them. They’re gonna need you.

LEROY HAWKINS
No. They need me here more. Gotta find out what happened to my brother’s boy.

Banks’ cell rings. He answers and speaks hesitantly in front of Leroy.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Banks. (pause) Sheriff, he was probably shot somewhere else and moved here. There’s a lot of blood, but not enough for this to be the crime scene. And the truck doesn’t have any bullet holes in it. No broken glass. Nothing like that. (pause) He was shot in the back of the head. Shooter couldn’t have been more than a few feet away. We haven’t found any other tire tracks, foot prints, nothing so far that might help us with this. We’re about to dust the truck. (pause) No, not yet. The only gun we’ve found is registered to Cowboy. Leroy said he always kept it under the seat, but it hasn’t been fired recently. (pause) The only witness is Rodney Pettit. He’s the one who called this in after he found the truck by the road. We’re getting his statement now. (pause) Yeah. He’s right in front of me. (pause) Um-hum. (long pause, hands the phone to Leroy) Sheriff wants to talk to you.

LEROY HAWKINS
Sheriff. (walks back to his car)

Det. Banks walks to Deputy #1 and Rodney.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
How you holding up, Rodney?

RODNEY PETTIT
Still a little shook up. Never seen anything like this ever before. Hope I never see anything like it ever again.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
(to Dep. #1) You about got this here?

DEPUTY #1
Sure do. Rodney will be down at the station later today to sign the typed copy of this.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Good. Why don’t you get started on dusting for prints.

DEPUTY #1
Yes, sir. (walks away)

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Didn’t see anything?

RODNEY PETTIT
Nothing. Weren’t any other cars out here. Didn’t see any body.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Gotta ask you for the record, Rodney. Do you own any guns?

RODNEY PETTIT
Seriously, Toby? Come on. You know I’ve got handguns and shotguns and about any other type of gun. Everybody around here does. And, you’ve known me long enough to know I wouldn’t do something like this. But, you’re welcome to come out to the house and test all the guns if you want. Just make sure I get them back soon. I’m going hunting next weekend.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
I know, I know. Just gotta ask.

RODNEY PETTIT
(sighs) Any idea who did this?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
I was about to ask you the same thing.

RODNEY PETTIT
I’m sure there’s any number of boyfriends and husbands and even a few women around here who would love to have it out with Cowboy, but cold-blooded murder? No. I can’t imagine anyone around here doing that.

Toby turns and looks at Leroy on phone.

RODNEY PETTIT
(continuing)
How’s he doing?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
A hell of a lot better than I’d be.

RODNEY PETTIT
How’d Vicky take it when ya’ll told her?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
(returning his gaze to Rodney) A hell of a lot better than I would have. She was at work at the time. Another black eye. We sent that therapist, Doc. Atkins, over there to break it to her. And then Doc was going with her to help tell the kids. She’s picking up the kids up from school and there all heading home.

RODNEY PETTIT
Did somebody really accuse Cowboy of rape? Maybe that’s your killer.

Leroy walks to Banks and Pettit.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
(pauses) Well, Cowboy’s dead, so it doesn’t really matter anymore if he’s accused of something or not.

LEROY HAWKINS
(hands phone to Banks)He said I can work the case as long as I can keep it together. He thinks I might have some inside information that might help the case since I knew Cowboy so well. (looks at Deputy #1 dusting for prints) Like that truck. I know you’re gonna find prints for Cowboy, Vicky. I’ve been in that truck, driven in, ridden it, hauled stuff in it, all three kids have held the steering wheel while they sat in Cowboy’s lap out there on the ranch. Not to mention those two kids Cowboy’s had working out there. They’ve driven his truck too. That dusting probably won’t be much help.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
It’s been too dry lately for any prints to be left, but we need to walk a ways in each direction and be sure. There’s enough blood in the passenger seat to think that someone drove Cowboy out here and dumped him. So they had to have some way of getting away from here.

LEROY HAWKINS
You think they walked.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Either they walked, they had another vehicle parked out here and waiting, or there was someone else who was in on this, someone who picked up the killer and drove away. Hard to say which just yet. But, if (to Rodney) you didn’t pass any vehicles heading to town, then whoever it was either headed off through those woods there on foot or they were headed towards town too. We need to find out what’s on the other side of those woods.

LEROY HAWKINS
I can tell you what’s on the other side of those woods. My property. It sits behind Cowboy’s half of Poppy’s land. And, somewhere around here my half backs up to old Doc Akins place.

RODNEY PETTIT
The other side of the road is my family’s land.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
I know neither of you would have done this. Guess that leaves one option, then. They must have brought Cowboy out here and then headed back towards town.

LEROY HAWKINS
Have the usual suspects called to the Sheriff’s Department?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Yep.

LEROY HAWKINS
I’ll make the call. (walks off)

RODNEY PETTIT
What you thinking, Toby?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
I’m glad the Sheriff’s not up for re-election this year.

INT. OUTSIDE CHLOE MILLS HOUSE MORNING
Detective Toby Banks and SHERIFF BILLY ARMSTRONG are knocking loudly four times on Chloe’s door. The Sheriff’s car and Banks’ SUV are in the drive. Deputy #1 is searching Regina’s car.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Sheriff’s Department. Open up.

INT. INSIDE CHLOE’S HOUSE LR MORNING
Carlyle Thompson comes out from the bedroom as Regina comes out from the kitchen.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
What the hell! (opens the door)

Sheriff Armstrong and Banks enter quickly.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Detective Banks.

Chloe Mills walks in from the bedroom.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
And, this is Sheriff Billy Armstrong. We need to talk to all of you. Can any of you confirm your whereabouts between ten pm last night and now?

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(looking through window) Reggie, they’re searching your car!

REGINA DAVENPORT
We were all here last night, Detective. What’s the problem? Why are you searching my car?

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
We have a warrant to search all vehicles on this property as well as the house and outbuildings, Ms. Davenport.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Fine. But, why?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Cowboy Hawkins was murdered last night. We know you recently had issues with him.

CHLOE MILLS
Issues! He raped me. I really wouldn’t call that an “issue,” Detective!

CARLYLE THOMPSON
Chloe.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
Well, if that was the case, Ms. Mills, then you should have come down and made a statement.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I reported it to Detective Banks. Why was there no follow-up?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
I told you it was all heresy. Ms. Mills needed to make a statement.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Or did you choose to do nothing because Cowboy is related to one of your own?

Deputy #1 comes in the door.

DEPUTY #1
(quietly, to Banks) Cars are cold, no signs they’ve been driven in the last few hours. No weapons.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(to Deputy) Start on the house.

Deputy #1 goes toward the bedroom.

CHLOE MILLS
If you’re looking for my guns, they’re legal. Got the registration and everything. One is in…

REGINA DAVENPORT
(interrupting) Not here. They’re not here.

CHLOE MILLS
Of course they are. I haven’t moved them.

Regina and Carlyle look to each other.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
No, but we did. (to Sheriff) You’ll find them in the top of the bedroom closet at my house. (to Chloe) We were worried about you after… everything…

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
Well if that’s true, we’ll find out soon enough. We’ve got a deputy there now.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
So can anyone vouch for the three of you last night?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(shakes her head no) Just us. Neighbors might be able to verify that the vehicles were here all night. We can tell you what was on the news.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
Do you have any weapons, Ms. Davenport?

REGINA DAVENPORT
I have a handgun registered to me that stays in a bedside table. It’s still at my home in Nashville.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
And, how did you feel about Cowboy Hawkins? After all you felt strongly enough to make a report of rape against him.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I believe Chloe. Cowboy raped my best friend. Did he deserve to be punished? Yes. But murder? No.

CHLOE MILLS
Well I for one am glad he’s dead!

CARLYLE THOMPSON
Chloe.

CHLOE MILLS
After what he did to me! I AM glad he’s dead. Now I know for sure he’ll never do that to anybody else.

Deputy #1 enters the LR again.

DEPUTY #1
Nothing, Sheriff.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
I told you they’re at my home.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
And do you have any weapons, Mr. Thompson?

CARLYLE THOMPSON
Of course I do. All of them legal.

Sheriff’s phone rings. He looks at it.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
Guess we’re about to find out.

Sheriff steps toward the door with his cell.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Our deputy here is going to get all of your information for the record. Then, later today, you’ll need to come down to the station and make official reports. As a warning, none of you should leave town until this investigation is over. For now, you’re all considered suspects in the murder of Cowboy Hawkins.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
What!

CHLOE MILLS
You can’t be serious!

Sheriff steps back towards the others, whispers to Banks.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
Found all the guns. All of them registered. None of them fired or cleaned recently. They found nothing.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
See!

DETECTIVE BANKS
We’ll still need to talk to you again, so don’t be making any vacation plans. (to Regina) I’d be calling your boss and asking for a little more vacation time, Ms. Davenport.

Sheriff and Banks leave through the front door. Deputy #1 takes a small notebook from his pocket.

DEPUTY #1
I just need to get some information from each of you.

CHLOE MILLS
You can shove your information up your ass.

Regina and Carlyle look to each other with frustration.

INT. OUTSIDE CHLOE MILLS HOME MORNING
Sheriff Armstrong and Detective Banks stand, talking by Banks SUV.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
We’ve got no weapon. No prints of any kind. No sign of blood or bloody clothes anywhere outside of Cowboy’s truck, Sheriff. We don’t have much to go on here.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
No, but Leroy has lost a nephew in the worst kind of way. We’ll keep searching until something shows up.

INT. INSIDE ROSIE’S CAFÉ AFTERNOON
Only three of the tables in the small café are seated with TOWNSPEOPLE, including WINSTON (mechanic) who sits alone at the counter drinking coffee and eating pie. ALICE WRIGHT (hair dresser) stands near the register opposite ROSIE as Alice pays her tab.

ROSIE
We just couldn’t believe it when Doc Akins told Vicky about Cowboy. Alice, you should have seen her. She went straight for those boys.

Winston finishes his pie and stands.

ALICE WRIGHT
I bet she did. Those boys are her life.

Winston walks up to Rosie and Alice.

WINSTON
You know Cowboy probably made some husband mad or tried to go too far with some old shotgun girl around here.

ALICE WRIGHT
Most of the girls around here would put up a good fight.

ROSIE
Well, y’all did hear about what happened, didn’t you? They’ve already got old Harry Truman down at the jail.

WINSTON
Heard they talked to old Troublemaker Russell too. It seems him and Cowboy got in to it over at the Palomino the other night. Something about a pool bet Cowboy never settled up on.

ALICE WRIGHT
That bar. I’ve always known it was going to be the death of somebody.

WINSTON
Oh, really. Didn’t I see you there last weekend?

ALICE WRIGHT
Nothing else to do in this town. (to Rosie) I’ve go to get over to the beauty shop. Caroline is coming in for her regular root touch-up this afternoon.

ROSIE
Now she’s sure to have the latest.

ALICE WRIGHT
It pays to be married to the Sheriff. I’ll let you know if she has anything new. Bye now.

Alice walks out, causing the bell on the door to ring. Winston hands some cash to Rosie.

WINSTON
Yeah, and I guess I better get back to work too. Sheriff sent a patrol car over this morning for new tires and some maintenance. Keep the change, Rosie. House special was real good today.

ROSIE
Thanks, Winston.

WINSTON
Shame about Cowboy anyhow.

ROSIE
Yeah, it is. Never thought he’d die like that. I always thought he’d get shot just below the belt by some young girl’s daddy.

Winston shakes his head yes.

ROSIE
(continuing)
This will probably be all anybody talks about for a while since nothing ever happens around here.

Winston shakes his head yes again and walks out.

INT. OUTSIDE ROSIE’S CAFÉ AFTERNOON
Regina Davenport is walking toward Rosie’s on the square as Alice Wright is walking toward the beauty parlor on the square.

ALICE WRIGHT
Regina? Girl is that you?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(confused) Yes. And you are?

ALICE WRIGHT
Alice Wright. Well I was a Cooper back when we were in school. How are you? What are you doing back in town?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Just visiting an old friend.

ALICE WRIGHT
Oh, that’s right. You and that Chloe Mills used to hang out together all the time. Well, Lord, it’s been ages. I own the Curl Up and Dye now. That’s where you’ll find me almost all the time. You come over and see me before you leave town, hear.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(unimpressed) Sure will. See you later.

Regina and Alice turn and walk in opposite directions. Alice goes to the front door of the Curl Up and Dye. CUSTOMER #1 comes out with foil in her hair and meets Alice just outside the door. They look toward Regina.

CUSTOMER #1
Alice, is that who I think it is?

ALICE WRIGHT
Yep. Now if that part of the rumor is true, makes me wonder about the rest of it. Maybe our little Reggie came back to Pleasantville with vengeance in mind.

CUSTOMER #1 shakes her head in agreement.

INT. INSIDE ROSIE’S CAFÉ AFTERNOON
Regina Davenport walks in to the café, causing the bell on the door to ring. Rosie is placing a freshly baked apple pie on a pie stand on the counter near the register.

ROSIE
Be with you in a minute. Just sit anywhere. It’s just me and the cook today so things are taking a little longer than usual.

REGINA DAVENPORT
That’s fine.

Regina sits in a booth near the window facing the street and across from a table where PARKER OWENS is sitting reading the paper and drinking coffee. Rosie comes to Regina’s table, handing her a menu. Walter Pettit sits eating a few tables away. CUSTOMER #2 (MALE) sits at another booth by the window facing the square.

ROSIE
So what’s it gonna be? We can cook you up just about anything you want. If you don’t see it on the menu, we’ll improvise.

REGINA DAVENPORT
How about a coffee, black, and a piece of that apple pie I’ve been hearing so much about.

ROSIE
Good timing, girl. I just pulled one out of the oven a few minutes ago. My own special recipe. Be back in a jiffy.

Rosie heads toward the counter. Parker Owens looks up from his paper.

PARKER OWENS
Don’t think I’ve seen you around here, Miss. Are you from around here?

REGINA DAVENPORT
I used to be. A long time ago. I’m just back for a visit.

PARKER OWENS
Parker Owens, local veterinarian.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Regina Davenport, just back for a visit.

PARKER OWENS
(remembering) Regina Davenport. Oh, yes. I remember you. I was a few years ahead of you in school. Didn’t you stay with the Perkins family for a while?

REGINA DAVENPORT
That was me. I moved off to school and, well, never moved back. I’m doing counseling now with a state facility in Nashville.

PARKER OWENS
Yeah, I was one of the few who came back after school. Most people round here either stay and never leave or they leave and never return. After I finished school, well, all the livestock around here people depend on for their livelihoods, I thought I could do some good back here at home. Of course, when I was younger, I used to think the world dropped off at the edge of town. So many people would leave and you’d never see them again.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Oh, in all honesty, Pleasantville really isn’t so bad. A small town where everyone knows everyone else certainly has its comfort zone. It just wasn’t what I needed back then. But, I do vaguely remember you. Weren’t you the one who was always mooning the cheerleaders at the football games?

PARKER OWENS
(embarrassed) Oh, Lord, how often do I get reminded of that! Let me assure you, counselor, that’s not how I am now. (pause) If we were all judged for our childhood actions, whew (shakes his head)…

REGINA DAVENPORT
(smiling) Yeah. None of us would ever care to live past the age of eighteen.

Parker nods in agreement.

PARKER OWENS
I remember the Perkins, though. Nice people. I was sorry to hear about their passing. Darn drunk drivers take too many lives.

REGINA DAVENPORT
He was young. Only got probation. One year.

PARKER OWENS
Mayor’s son, wasn’t it?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Yeah.

PARKER OWENS
He never really has done much with his life but cause trouble. Lot of lost potential in that boy.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Sometimes, when I think about it all, I just feel sorry for him. People usually have substance abuse problems for a reason. And, now he has to live with the deaths of two innocent people.

PARKER OWENS
You ever think about moving back? Pleasantville could use a good counselor.

Rosie brings the pie and coffee.

ROSIE
Sorry, coffee pot had to finish brewing. Did I hear Parker say you’re Regina Davenport?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Yes, ma’am.

ROSIE
So, I guess you’ve heard about Cowboy Hawkins. I know when he was younger he used to mow a lot of lawns around here. He did the Perkins place, too. He was murdered. Point blank bullet to the back of the head.

PARKER OWENS
Not to be cold, Rosie, but Cowboy had something like that coming for a long time.

CUSTOMER #2
(stands and walks toward Rosie) Well, I’m sorry the man’s dead and all, especially like that, but at least we don’t have to worry about our wives and daughters anymore. Rosie can I pay for this now? I need to get back to work.

WALTER PETTIT
(stands, goes toward the register) Me, too, Rosie. Rodney’s watching the Co-op but his mind is fried after finding Cowboy that way this morning.

Rosie, Walter, and customer #2 head for the register.

ROSIE
Right this way, fellas.

WALTER PETTIT
(to all) I always liked Cowboy. He’d always lend a hand when somebody needed it. Always a good neighbor. Yeah, he did some things I didn’t like but, hell, he was Cowboy.

CUSTOMER #2
Yeah. (nods his head as he hands Rosie the cash)

ROSIE
Cowboy was always a hard worker, always willing to help out. Anytime I was short staffed and truck a came in, he’d always help unload it. He never had to be asked. He’d just start in on it. Never expected anything in return. Never complained about it.

Parker slips from his table into Regina’s booth, sitting across from her.

PARKER OWENS
(to Regina) Everyone has mixed feelings about Cowboy, you know.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I’m sure they do. It’s like that with most people.

Customer #2 leaves, followed by Walter, as ANNIE BORDON, Rosie’s teenage waitress, comes in, distraught. Rosie is still behind the register.

ROSIE
Annie, honey, what the matter?

ANNIE BORDON
Cowboy’s dead.

ROSIE
Oh, we know, honey. Vicky left early to go get the kids.

Annie walks into the kitchen. Rosie walks to Regina and Parker, refilling their coffee.

PARKER OWENS
Strange she would be that upset about Cowboy.

ROSIE
Well, little Annie had something of a crush on the old boy. There were some days I worried about her and Vicky being in the same room together.

PARKER OWENS
I’ve never understood. What was it about Cowboy that the women seemed to like so dang much?

ROSIE
Well (smiling), he was Cowboy.

Annie comes back from the kitchen and begins to wipe the counter near the register.

ROSIE
(continuing)
Annie, honey, you gonna be able to work your shift?

ANNIE BORDON
(sniffling) Yes.

ROSIE
Okay. Well, will you get Regina and Parker’s tickets ready, please.

ANNIE BORDON
(confused, stronger) Who?

ROSIE
(beginning to clear nearby tables) Regina and Parker there. (points)

ANNIE BORDON
(stronger still) Regina? You wouldn’t happen to be the same Regina who used to live here and came back a few days ago just before Cowboy was murdered?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(confused) I guess I am.

Annie hurries to the table and slaps Regina. Rosie pulls Annie away. Regina holds her face in pain and surprise. Parker reaches over the table to check on Regina.

ROSIE
Annie! (to Regina) Oh, I’m so sorry.

ANNIE BORDON
(angry) I heard you’ve been saying Cowboy raped you.

REGINA DAVENPORT
What!

ANNIE BORDON
I know better! He’d never do that to anyone! Never! You’re a liar!

ROSIE
(still holding Annie back) Annie, now stop it!

ANNIE BORDON
I bet you’re the one who killed him! That’s it, isn’t it? Just because you couldn’t have him, you had to take him from me!

ROSIE
Annie, now come on.

Rosie leads Annie to the kitchen.

ANNIE BORDON
(yelling back to Regina) You’re nothing but trailer trash, you liar!

ROSIE
Annie!

PARKER OWENS
(looking at face) I think you’ll be okay. But, what was that about?

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE LR EVENING
GRANNY HAWKINS, Leroy Hawkins, Vicky Hawkins are sitting in the living room. Granny is on the couch with Taylor and Troy curled up to her on either side. Troy is crying quietly. Tommy is asleep curled up next to Vicky on a loveseat. Leroy sits in an armchair. Vicky gently lays Tommy down as she stands and heads towards the kitchen. Leroy watches.

LEROY HAWKINS
(quietly) Mama, can I get you anything?

GRANNY HAWKINS
No, son, I’m fine.

LEROY HAWKINS
I’ll be back in a minute.

Leroy stands and walks slowly to the kitchen.

GRANNY HAWKINS
(quietly to Troy while kissing his forehead) Hush now, child.

INT. HAWKINS FARMHOUSE KITCHEN EVENING
Vicky is getting a glass of water in a dimly lit kitchen. Leroy walks to her. They speak very quietly.

LEROY HAWKINS
How you holding up, Vicky?

VICKY HAWKINS
Um, hard to say. This morning when Doc told me that Cowboy was dead and how he’d died, I was upset. I just wanted to be with my boys. Then, when I saw those kids, I realized they were going to have to grow up without their father, and my heart started aching for them. They adored Cowboy, and he would have done anything for them. But, now, I’m just sort of calm.

LEROY HAWKINS
That’s to be expected, Vicky, with the shock and all.

VICKY HAWKINS
No, Leroy, it’s not the shock. I mean… Leroy, I mean… (hesitantly) I don’t miss him. My husband was murdered and I’m not upset about it. If anything, I think I feel…relieved. Shouldn’t I miss him? Shouldn’t I feel sorry he died such a horrible death? I almost wish they’d find who did this so I could say thank you. What kind of horrible person would think that way? No wonder Cowboy… (swallows hard and shakes her head) You should never speak ill of the dead.

LEROY HAWKINS
Vicky, we all know how Cowboy treated you. Hell, everybody in town knows. You’ll probably be better off now that he’s gone. No more bruises. No more running around on you. No more cheating.

VICKY HAWKINS
Don’t tell the boys. Please don’t tell the boys. I don’t want them to think badly of me. (begins to cry) It’s going to be hard enough just helping them remember their father in a good way because I know this town will always be reminding them of what kind of man Cowboy was when he wasn’t with them. All that running around he did. I don’t want my boys to grow up to be like him. Not in that way.

LEROY HAWKINS
(hugs Vicky) Don’t worry, Vicky. It’ll be all right. I’ve got some money saved and I’ve been thinking that it might be good for you and the boys to move off from here. Maybe take Mama with you. That way, those boys will only hear about the good in their father, not the bad.

INT. DETECTIVE BANKS OFFICE NIGHT
Detective Toby Banks reviews a report at his desk, then lays it down, leans back in his chair and looks out the window thoughtfully. Sheriff Billy Armstrong knocks that the open door, and then enters, sitting across the desk from Banks. They are both fatigued.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
I hear that autopsy report came in.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Yeah. It’s what we thought. 9 millimeter, shot from about five feet away to the back of the head. He died instantly. At least he didn’t have to suffer. It’s not much consolation to his family, but it’s something.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(pauses) What’s stirring in that mind of yours, Banks?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
(crosses his arms) Don’t you think it’s strange? It’s almost like whoever did this knew about crime scenes. No prints, no smudges, nothing wiped down. And, yet, no attempt to dispose of the body. They just left him out there like they wanted him to be found. We haven’t found anyone’s bloody clothes, no blood stains anywhere.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
We just haven’t found the evidence. But, we will. But, there’s something else on your mind, isn’t there?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
We talked to the boys working out at Cowboy’s place. We talked to Vicky, to anyone we thought might have a motive or just be capable of such a crime. We got nothing. Everyone is cleared. (pause) We pulled a list of 9 millimeter owners in the tri-county area. The one name on that list that keeps standing out to me, the one who would know about a crime scene and be able to get to Cowboy without Cowboy putting up a fight for any reason (pause) is Leroy. Now, I know Leroy had no motive and, well, shooting someone in the back of the head is just not something Leroy would do. I’d trust Leroy with the people I love the most.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
The Mills girl had the most motive, but I don’t think she’s strong enough to move the body (pause) unless she had help.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
But, we found no blood splatters, no signs that she’d been anywhere near a bloody body. And, nosy neighbors confirmed that the vehicles at the Mills house were there all night and they never saw anyone come or go. Plus, none of the prints in the truck matched the Mills girl. With that said, we did find a few more prints than Leroy expected. Could have been any number of women around here. Some prints were smudged, and they could have been hers. It does lend some doubt to the allegation that she was raped in that truck. But, none of the smudges were bloody smudges. And, the truck hadn’t been cleaned recently. (shakes his head in frustration)And, none of the prints that we haven’t identified yet were on the driver’s side.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
It’s the kill spot that we really need. When we find where he was shot, we’ll find our evidence. (pause) Did they find anyone else’s blood on Cowboy?

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
No, nothing. No signs of a fight or struggle. He was just walking along and, (makes his hand like a gun) pow, shot in the head. We’ve got no lead about the kill spot. Kind of makes me wonder if Cowboy wasn’t the intended victim.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
Now there’s an interesting thought. (stands) I’ve got to get home. Keep laying the groundwork. We’ll catch this guy sooner or later. But, uh, in the meantime, this conversation should stay between us.

DETECTIVE TOBY BANKS
Absolutely.

Sheriff goes to the door, turns back to Banks.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
I’ll, uh, see if Leroy wants to take in some target practice out at the gun range in a few days.

Banks nods in understanding. Sheriff leaves.

INT. CHLOE MILLS KITCHEN MORNING
Chloe Mills is drinking coffee. Regina Davenport is eating a muffin. Carlyle Thompson is drinking coffee and reading the paper. Everyone is sitting at the table.

CHLOE MILLS
I keep thinking that none of this would have happened if I just hadn’t gone to the Palomino that night.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(drops the paper) Don’t think like that. This wasn’t your fault.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Carlyle’s right, Chloe. And, “what if” are the two most dangerous and agonizing words in the world. You can’t change the past. No use in trying. And, this was not your fault.

Carlyle nods in agreement and returns to his paper.

CHLOE MILLS
I’m just so sorry, Reggie, that they think you had something to do with Cowboy’s death.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Maybe it’s better this way, kiddo. I’ll be back in Nashville soon. Let them think what they want. It can’t reach me there. And, besides, this way you’ll have your privacy.

CHLOE MILLS
Carlyle and I were talking last night about maybe getting away from here if he could get a transfer with his job. I’ve never been to Florida. Always wanted to go. Heard it was real nice. Maybe we could go there and get away from this crazy place. Anyway, I’ve got to get to work (stands). I’ve used up my sick days and this is my first day back and all. Carlyle, you’re leaving soon too aren’t you?

CARLYLE THOMPSON
(unnerved, lays paper down) Yeah. Chloe, you need to read this before you go. (hands her the paper)

CHLOE MILLS
(reading, becoming upset) “The Pleasantville News has confirmed that two days ago the Sheriff’s Department received an official complaint of rape. Though reported by a third party, Regina Davenport of Nashville, Tennessee, the report alleges that Chloe Mills of Pleasantville was raped and beaten by Cowboy Hawkins….” Oh, my God! (angry) Everyone’s going to read this this morning! They’ll all know!

REGINA DAVENPORT
Be strong, Chloe. Remember that you were the victim here. What Cowboy did was a crime. You’re not to blame and you didn’t ask for any of this.

CHLOE MILLS
No, but I have to live with it, don’t I? (getting more upset) I can’t face anyone now. I know what this town will think of me.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
Chloe, you can’t lock yourself away forever.

REGINA DAVENPORT
He’s right, Chloe. If you do, Cowboy wins.

CHLOE MILLS
(crying now) Damn Cowboy! I’m glad he’s dead! He’s the lucky one! He doesn’t have to face those people out there. He deserved an even worse death than he got. If he wasn’t dead already, I’d kill him! (storms from room)

REGINA DAVENPORT
Chloe is strong, Carlyle, but she really needs to talk to a professional. Someone with more objectivity than me.

CARLYLE THOMPSON
We’ll keep encouraging her. That’s all we can do. (rubs his hands through his hair in concern and frustration)

INT. INSIDE LEROY HAWKINS OLD BARN MORNING
Sheriff Armstrong opens the barn doors, steps inside, and pauses as he silently looks around. With a sigh, he begins to walk about the barn, knocking twice on the hood on the first old racecar.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(quietly, to himself) Some good old memories in here.

Sheriff walks around the first car and then up between the two cars near the barn doors. He looks into each car through the open windows, then looks ahead. He notices a spot on the barn floor that has been swept clean of hay. The dirt has rake prints in it. Sheriff squats by it, observing it. He then picks up one strand of hay and holds it up to his face, seeing that it is covered in dried blood. He sighs heavily.

INT. INSIDE ROSIE’S CAFÉ MORNING
Parker Owens sits in a booth near the window. His folded paper is beside him. Regina Davenport walks in and sits across from him in the booth. Rosie comes over. TWO TOWNSPEOPLE sit at the counter. All but two tables are filled with TOWNSPEOPLE.

ROSIE
Oh, I’m so glad you came back. I’m so sorry about what happened.

REGINA DAVENPORT
It wasn’t your fault, Rosie.

PARKER OWENS
(to Regina) Coffee?

Regina nods yes.

PARKER OWENS
(continuing)
One more coffee, Rosie. I’ll take a refill.

ROSIE
Right away.

PARKER OWENS
I’m glad you agreed to meet me. I would have chosen a better place, but the options around here are kind of slim.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Oh, this place is fine. (laughs slightly) It’s a story to tell twenty years from now, you know. Besides, I appreciate the distraction this morning. Chloe’s first day back at work is today and she was a bit upset after reading the paper. (nods toward the paper)

PARKER OWENS
I can see how she might be. Paper said there was never any follow-up by the police.

REGINA DAVENPORT
That’s right.

PARKER OWENS
You, know, my sister was raped when she was away at college. The whole experience just turned her world upside down. She came back here for a while, but eventually moved away again. I remember that she had to travel fifty miles, one-way, just to get to the therapist who was working with her. I tell you that to tell you this. Point one: Chloe will get through this. I remember her. She’s a tough one, that Chloe. And, two, I repeat an earlier statement: Pleasantville could really use a good counselor. And, I happen to know that the old pet grooming store on the square that closed up a few months ago is still available for rent.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(smiling) Pet grooming, huh?

PARKER OWENS
You think I’m joking? Of course, if you multi-task really well you could always counsel the people while putting little bows in their dogs’ hair. (smiles)

REGINA DAVENPORT
(laughs) Well, I’ll give that some thought.

Rosie brings their coffee.

ROSIE
Can I get you anything else? I made some fresh blueberry muffins this morning.

REGINA DAVENPORT
No thanks, this is all for me.

Rosie turns to a nearby table.

ROSIE
How ya’ll doing over here?

TOWNSPERSON AT TABLE
Doing fine, thank you.

Rosie walks to other customers to check on them.

PARKER OWENS
So, when are you returning home?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Tomorrow. Chloe and I had a really nice talk last night. (smiling) She told me I always have a home here. It’s good to have a friend like her, someone you’ve known your whole life, and they still talk to you anyway. And, Carlyle’s a good fella. He’ll take good care of Chloe.

PARKER OWENS
And, who takes care of you?

REGINA DAVENPORT
What do you mean?

PARKER OWENS
You’re always taking care of others. You’re either counseling your patients or coming here to check on Chloe. Who takes care of you?

Regina uneasily pauses and then takes a sip of her coffee.

INT. INSIDE LEROY HAWKINS OLD BARN MORNING
Sheriff Armstrong sits, leaning back, on the hood of the old racecar in the front of the barn. The barn doors are open when Leroy Hawkins drives up in his patrol car. Leroy exits his car and walks into the barn.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(joking) Took you long enough. I guess you don’t drive as well as you used to, slowpoke.

LEROY HAWKINS
Don’t you talk to me about slow driving, old man. You ate my dust back then, and you still would. (laughing)

Sheriff gets off the car and walks to the front of it as Leroy walks up to him.

LEROY HAWKINS
(continuing)
Now, tell me what are you doing way out there at this old place, Billy?

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(holds up bloody hay strand) Finding this.

Leroy is surprised.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(continuing)
It’s started to all add up, Leroy.

LEROY HAWKINS
(quietly, looking away) Don’t, Billy.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
There’s only a handful of people who even know this old barn is still standing, Leroy. Even fewer who know you still have these old cars. (very quietly) Why’d you do it?

LEROY HAWKINS
Now, Billy, you got no cause to accuse me…

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(interrupting) Leroy! Just tell me the truth, man. We’ll deal with it. What happened out here?

LEROY HAWKINS
(calmly, professionally) You can’t charge me with anything, Billy. You got no prints. You got no weapon. You’ve got no evidence.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
We’ve been friends for a long time, Billy. Been through a lot of tough times. Helped each other through a lot of scrapes. I’d hope that you’d tell me the truth about this. We’ll figure out how to deal with it later, man. Just, just tell me what happened.

LEROY HAWKINS
Can’t do that, man.

Leroy shakes his head and turns, looking out toward the pond in the distance. Sheriff notices this, and looks with concern toward the pond.

LEROY HAWKINS
(continuing)
Just can’t do that. (long pause) So, what do you intend to do, Sheriff.

SHERIFF ARMSTRONG
(pause, as he walks to Leroy and they both look toward the pond) It’s not the first time something like this has happened around here, Leroy. (pause, sadly)I guess sometimes, we just have to take care of our own. (walks toward his vehicle, stops and turns to Leroy) I’ll see you back at the station.

Leroy nods his head in understanding.

INT. REGINA’S CUBICAL MORNING
Regina Davenport stands by her desk sorting through the mail when Sarah Allen comes in and sits down.

SARAH ALLEN
I heard you were back. How’d it go? Your friend okay?

REGINA DAVENPORT
She will be. She’s been through a lot. Long story. I’ll fill you in after the meeting this morning. I heard one of the secretary’s is out. What happened?

SARAH ALLEN
Regina, while you were gone, we had a lot of drama around here. Thomas walked out one day after threatening to quit. We weren’t sure he was coming back, but he walked in a couple hours later after he calmed himself down.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(sits) What was wrong?

SARAH ALLEN
Linda. You know how it is. She wants more and more and more. Thomas just hit the ceiling one day when Linda was telling him that he was getting more new cases. We’re all swamped. Too much work; not enough time. It just got to be a little much.

REGINA DAVENPORT
I know.

SARAH ALLEN
Carrie and Bobby both put in their notices. Going over to that non-profit on 7th Street. Oh, and the secretary, Marjorie, she’s on leave. Had an emotional breakdown after she caught her husband cheating. And I mean caught him as in “in the act” and in their bedroom.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Oh, I’m sure Linda loved that. Potential new client.

SARAH ALLEN
(laughs) We all said the same thing. And, let’s see, oh Linda’s on another diet. So, watch out. Her mood is worse than ever.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(sarcastically) There’s good news.

SARAH ALLEN
Hey, you know Cheryl who works over in billing? Rumor has it she’s getting a divorce. Not confirmed yet, but everybody’s talking about it. It seems that she had a fling with one of the guys in accounting.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Well I can tell the rumor mill here has been busy in my absence.

SARAH ALLEN
(uneasily) Uh, yeah, and before you hear it from anyone else. Rumor has it you were away to get an abortion. Just letting you know. How was Pleasantville anyway? Isn’t that where you’re from?

REGINA DAVENPORT
(scoffs)An abor… In some ways, not that different from here.

Thomas Jones enters, standing at the cubical entrance.

THOMAS JONES
Linda wants us in there now!

REGINA DAVENPORT
Come on. (grabs a notebook)

Regina, Thomas, and Sarah leave the cubical.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM MORNING
The counselors file in one by one, taking a seat at a table with doughnuts in the middle.

THOMAS JONES
Why is it that the State is always talking about how unhealthy the population is, and yet the conference snack of choice is always doughnuts?

SARAH ALLEN
Want one, Thomas? (lifts the plate to him)

THOMAS JONES
Yep. (takes a doughnut and sits) This job is going to be the death of my health or I’m going to have to start spending all of my spare time at the gym.

SARAH ALLEN
I vote it will be the death of all of us. Just a matter of time.

Linda walks in, standing before the table, appearing angry with her fists plated on the table from a standing position.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
(clears her throat) I just got off the phone with the district supervisor. She reviewed some of the cases and they’re staying open too long. If you conduct an assessment and find no reason for counseling, why is it that you can’t get the paperwork to get that case closed and in the system (bangs her fist) that day? What is the problem? Our stats are horrible.

There’s a dramatic and long pause as the counselors look at each other. COUNSELOR #3 throws her pen on the table before her notebook and folds her arms.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(calmly) Linda, you came in here and told us all, as a team, to get those numbers up, get new clients in here, and to hang on to clients as long as possible so you could get your grant. You said (referring to her notes), let’s see, that there is always some reason for a person to be in counseling and we were to find it.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
(starting to yell) That is not what I’m talking about, Regina. And, you know it. I am talking about old cases that just need to be closed.

REGINA DAVENPORT
And, I’m telling you, you told us to keep them open. I think you should review the notes from the last meeting.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
I don’t care what you think! Now, look through your caseloads. All of you. And, any case you can close better be closed and in the system, notes and all, before five o’clock tomorrow. (begins to storm out, but stops) Regina, in my office now!

Linda slams the door behind her.

COUNSELOR #3
That’s it. I’m out of here as soon as I can find another job.

THOMAS JONES
(frustration) And, do you really think that she’s going to give you a good recommendation when someone calls her? (shakes his head) I’m filing an official complaint.

SARAH ALLEN
I understand why, Thomas, but having a really bad attitude isn’t reason for an official complaint. I wish it were.

The counselors begin to leave, one by one. Regina is the last to leave, following Sarah.

REGINA DAVENPORT
Wish me luck. I’m going in.

INT. LINDA BLACKWOOD’S OFFICE MORNING
Linda Blackwood is standing, looking out the window as Regina Davenport walks in and stands in the doorway.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
(harshly, not looking at Regina) Sit down. And, shut the door.

Regina closes the door gently, sits down, and appears uncomfortable.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
(continuing)
(still looking out the window) I’ve about had it with you Regina. You’re a good counselor, but your attitude is lousy and you seem to enjoy going head-to-head with me. I know it’s your first day back, but I’m writing you up. It will go on your permanent file. Maybe you need to see a therapist yourself.

Regina appears confused and then angry. Then, she begins laughing. Linda finally looks to Regina.

REGINA DAVNENPORT
I don’t believe this. This is rich. You’re going to write me up for my attitude? (continuing to laugh) Oh, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. (composes herself, speaks seriously) I’ve about had it with you, Linda. You’re a bully and you manipulate the truth to suit your purpose. (angry) I’m done. Write me up if you want. You’ll have my letter of resignation by the end of the day. And, I’ll be out of your hair by the end of the month.

LINDA BLACKWOOD
And what do you think you’re gonna do? Where are you gonna go?

REGINA DAVENPORT
Not that it’s any of your business, but I think I’m going home. I’ll give private practice a try. But, don’t worry. You’ll find someone to replace me. And, when you run them off, and you will, maybe admin will start to see the light.

Regina stands, begins to leave. Linda appears stunned.

REGINA DAVENPORT
(continuing)
And you know what. Maybe I won’t like it back there anymore than I did as a kid. Maybe I’ll make it and maybe I won’t. But, I intend to try. (slams the door behind her)

INT. NASHVILLE CITY STREET MORNING
Regina is walking down the city street, feeling a sense of freedom.

INT. RURAL ROAD AFTERNOON
Regina Davenport’s car is driving along a rural road, passing the Pleasantville city limit sign.

THE END

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