Red Planet Page #5

He smiles at them and they smile back--it is a look of

understanding and real liking, in spite of the age difference

between the CREEDS and JUD.

EXT. THE CREED HOUSE NIGHT

SOUND:
Crickets. Ree--ree--ree-ree...

There's one light upstairs, one downstairs. Perhaps we see the

path, glimmering away into the field? Either by virtue of it being

mown, or by virtue of some gentle optical trick? Maybe.

INT. THE LIVING ROOM NIGHT

There's a light on in the kitchen, but it just casts a dim glow in

here. The room has a fireplace and a lovely wooden floor. It's

going to be nice, but now it's just a big bare box with movers'

cartons stacked all over the place.

LOUIS is drinking a can of Pepsi, and he looks pretty damned

tired--anyone who's ever moved house and can remember the first

night in the new place will understand.

He finishes the last of the Pepsi and surveys the living room. He

sits on one of the bigger boxes, takes cigarettes from his pocket,

and lights one. He drops the spent match in the empty can, and

taps into the can during the scene.

SOUND:
Feet coming down the stairs. The door on the far side of

the room opens and RACHEL comes in, wearing a nightgown.

RACHEL (crossing to LOUIS)

Kids are asleep, doc.

LOUIS:

Great.

He hugs her. She hugs him back warmly--for a moment they are just

two good people in all the big darkness of their new house.

RACHEL:

You're not really going over to have a

beer with that old guy, are you?

LOUIS:

Well, I've got a million questions about

the area, and---

RACHEL:

---and you'll end up doing a free

consultation on his arthritis or urinary

problems and---

LOUIS:

Did you see his shirt?

RACHEL (giggles)

Sure. Bruce Springsteen.

LOUIS:

I really do have a million questions

about the area...but the thing I'm

really curious about is how come this

octogenarian Yankee is decorating the

slumped remains of his pecs with the

Boss.

She laughs.

EXT. THE PATH OF THE CRANDALL HOUSE NIGHT

Pervasive SOUND of the crickets as LOUIS comes rather hesitantly

up the crazy-paved path from the road's edge.

JUD (voice)

That you, doc?

EXT. THE SCREENED-IN PORCH OF THE CRANDALL HOUSE

We hear the SQUEAK of a rocker; we see the dim red fitful glow of

JUD'S Pall Mall. We see by its glow that he is wearing Walkman

earphones.

EXT. LOUIS

LOUIS:

It's me.

INT. THE PORCH, WITH JUD

The Walkman is in his lap. He switches it off and puts the

headphones casually around his neck, like a kid.

JUD:

Well, come on up and have a beer.

INT. THE PORCH, A SLIGHTLY WIDER SHOT

LOUIS comes on up. JUD has got a pail of ice beside his chair with

some cans of beer in it. He opens one and hands it to LOUIS.

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