The Night of the Hunter Page #4

CLOSE SHOT -- BEN

BEN HARPER:

(sudden triumph)

Why sure! That's the place!

He moves forward and OUT and in his place we see two police

cars, small in distance, coming fast. We hear sirens.

INT. FRONT POLICE CAR -- THROUGH WINDSHIELD

...and OVER two STATE TROOPERS. They move at high speed,

with sirens. BEN and his CHILDREN, tiny in the distance,

dilate.

TROOPER:

(driving)

That's him.

2ND TROOPER

(over his shoulder,

as if to us)

He prob'ly still has that gun.

CLOSE GROUP SHOT -- BEN AND CHILDREN

...police cars approaching in BACKGROUND. PEARL hugs her

doll. JOHN is dazed. BEN stands, pistol in hand.

BEN HARPER:

Here they come.

JOHN HARPER:

Dad, you're bleeding...

He grabs JOHN'S shoulder and stoops as we TIGHTEN IN.

BEN HARPER:

Listen to me son. You got to swear.

Swear means promise. First swear

you'll take care of little Pearl.

Guard her with your life, boy. Then

swear you won't never tell where

that money's hid. Not even your Mom.

JOHN HARPER:

Yes, Dad.

BEN HARPER:

You understand?

JOHN HARPER:

Not even her?

In b.g. the TROOPERS get out of their cars and fan out

cautiously to surround BEN: guns in hand.

BEN HARPER:

You got common sense. She ain't.

When you grow up that money'll be

yours. Now swear. "I will guard Pearl

with my life..."

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