Sounder Page #2

REBECCA MORGAN, an attractive brown-skin woman in her thirties, sits in a

rocker by the stove alone, picking kernels out of walnut shells with a bent

hairpin. She looks up to NATHAN as he stands just inside the door, and looks

down at her.

NATHAN LEE:

We cornered one, but he got away.

He does not wait for a response from her -- he, DAVID and SOUNDER keep moving

across the floor, and on out the back door. REBECCA's eyes slowly trail their

backs out the door. Her eyes just hang there after they have moved out of

sight.

INT. THE SHED - NIGHT

The shed is medium in size and old like the house. There is a long wide table

running along side the right wall. There are hanging nails on all of the

walls and alongside the table. The various pieces of archaic farm equipment

are all neatly put in organized places. NATHAN, DAVID and SOUNDER enter the

shed. NATHAN hangs the burlap sack on one of the wall nails, and places the

rifle down on the table -- DAVID does likewise with the lantern.

NATHAN LEE:

Bet you're a tired little fellow, David Lee.

NATHAN takes the lantern apart and begins to clean it -- and DAVID LEE picks

up a small can of oil and puts it on top of the table.

DAVID LEE:

Yes, sir...

NATHAN LEE:

You oughta be tired, too, Sounder. That possum

shore whipped the hell outta you tonight!

He laughs behind his own remark as he finishes the business with the lantern

and picks up his rifle.

DAVID LEE:

He beat you, too, Daddy, and you had a big ol'

shootin' rifle.

NATHAN LEE:

(serious)

Boy, you don't make funny with your daddy like

that.

His father has caught him off guard -- he was only joking -- he doesn't

understand the attitude -- he doesn't know what to say -- he turns and walks

away.

NATHAN LEE:

David Lee...

DAVID LEE:

(stops and turns)

Yes, sir...

NATHAN LEE:

You had a rough time out there tonight -- so

you stay home from that school tomorrow.

DAVID LEE:

I wanna go -- the trip don't bother me none.

NATHAN LEE:

You learnin' anything at that school?

DAVID LEE:

Yes, sir -- I learn to write a little bit, and

I can read a lot--

NATHAN LEE looks on him for a moment, and then softly nods his head--

NATHAN LEE:

Readin' must be somethin' powerful, huh, son?

DAVID LEE:

Yes, sir...

NATHAN LEE slams the rifle closed, moves towards the exit and steps hastily

out into the backyard -- DAVID LEE and SOUNDER follow him --

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