Earthbound Screenplay (ACT TWO)

Earthbound Screenplay (ACT TWO)

EARTHBOUND, ACT TWO

FADE IN

INT : ONETT HILL : NESS'S HOME : NESS'S BEDROOM : EARLY MORNING :

The world is dark. Nothing can be seen until a small, pale blue light appears in the distance, giving the illusion of a far-off black horizon.

A voice is heard--soft, young, and feminine. It is unfamiliar.

VOICE
(barely audible)
Hello?
(pause)
Hello, is someone there? I've been trying for
days now, but I still don't even know your
name. Please, say something.

The light source grows brighter slowly until it overwhelms the screen, and the once youthful female voice recedes, to be replaced with one much older and more womanly.

Adjusting focus, much of the brightness fades to reveal a close-up shot of NESS'S MOTHER. She is wearing a cheerful smile and the sunlight is turning her hair golden.

NESS'S MOTHER
There you are. I was wondering when you were
going to wake up. This isn't like you.

The camera switches to a wider view of the bedroom as NESS sits upright in bed, his mother standing beside him.

NESS'S MOTHER
It's almost lunchtime. Tracy's been up and gone
to work already, and here you are lying in bed.
You know you slept with your clothes on.

NESS looks over himself. His daytime attire from yesterday is still on, just as his mother has said, though it is wrinkled from a restless night. His baseball cap is lying on his pillow.

NESS'S MOTHER
(nudging NESS until he stands up)
I want you to go over to the Minchs' today and
apologize to Porky.

NESS
(stunned)
Apologize! For what?

NESS'S MOTHER
(straightening up the bed)
For fighting. And then, after you've finished that,
I'm going to send you into town to buy a new chair
to replace the one you two broke.

NESS
But he's the one who started it! You should have
heard what he was saying.

NESS'S MOTHER
And what was he saying, Ness?

NESS hesitates. It is obvious from the look on his face that he does not want to tell his mother what was said about her. He picks up his baseball cap, shame-faced.

NESS'S MOTHER
People do nasty things sometimes, but that doesn't
mean it's all right to do nasty things back.

NESS and NESS'S MOTHER
(in unison)
Two wrongs don't make a right.

NESS'S MOTHER
Correct. So why can't you remember that? Porky
is your friend, right?

NESS
(somewhat disgusted)
Right.

NESS'S MOTHER finishes making the bed and notices the Sound Stone on the nightstand. She picks it up as NESS watches, surprised, but the stone does not glow for her.

NESS'S MOTHER
Now what is this? What are you bringing rocks
into the house for?
(looking at NESS, exasperated)
I swear I'll never understand you boys. Take this
out into the garden where it belongs. And then
get going. I'll make you something to eat quick
before you head into town.

NESS approaches a dresser and mirror near the window beside his bed and smoothes out his hair with one hand.

NESS'S MOTHER (CONT.)
You know the money is coming out of your allowance,
right?

NESS
(sighing)
Yeah, yeah.

NESS hides the unruly tufts of his hair with his baseball cap and turns to leave.

NESS'S MOTHER
Aren't you going to clean yourself up a bit before
going next door?

NESS
What for? It's just the Minchs'.

CUT TO:

EXT : ONETT HILL : MINCH RESIDENCE : AFTERNOON :

The front door of the MINCH household opens up to reveal LARDNA. She is dressed in a loud pink muumuu with a vivid floral pattern. Her mascara has been reapplied, the powders and creams piled onto her face like icing on a cake.

LARDNA
(disappointed)
Oh. You. What do you want then?

NESS
(ashamed, unenthusiastic)
Is Porky home?

LARDNA
Of course he's home. He and Picky are not coming
out for a very long time, I'm afraid. Not after
the stunt they pulled last night. And they tell me
they were following after you, right?

NESS
Actually-

LARDNA
(interjecting)
I've told them time and time again they're smarter
than that. Chasing after some little ruffian…
(pause, glaring at NESS)
Well, go on! Get off my front step, you filthy
thing! And don't come knocking ‘round here again.

LARDNA turns and closes the door on NESS, who gladly exits the MINCH property.

NESS returns to his house, which is a short walk down a dirt path. The camera angle changes to catch him hopping the front gate and racing inside.

CUT TO:

INT : ONETT HILL : NESS'S HOUSE : AFTERNOON :

NESS'S MOTHER is in the kitchen and her voice can be heard calling from there when the front door opens.

NESS'S MOTHER
Back already?

NESS
(entering the kitchen)
Mrs. Minch says he's grounded and that I can't
see him.

NESS'S MOTHER
Grounded? What for?

NESS
(sitting at the table)
Sneaking out last night. His parents didn't know.
After we went-
(hesitation)
After we found the toy, they went home. Mr. and
Mrs. Minch weren't happy.

NESS'S MOTHER
(setting down a plate of food for NESS)
No, I can understand that. You'll have to apologize
later then.

NESS rolls his eyes.

NESS'S MOTHER takes a jar with the word "ALLOWANCE" written on it from off the top of the refrigerator. It is filled with money. She removes a good portion of it and then puts the jar away.

NESS'S MOTHER (CONT.)
There you are. That should cover it. Run down to
the furniture store after lunch and pick out a
chair--just a small one, something similar to these.
Bring it straight back here then. You'll have to use
the old wagon out in the shed.

NESS'S MOTHER pats NESS on the shoulder before exiting the scene.

NESS continues eating voraciously, dumps his plate in the sink, and then exits as well.

CUT TO:

EXT : ONETT HILL : NESS'S HOUSE : AFTERNOON :

A view of the eastern side of the house reveals a slightly overgrown garden and a tool shed. The door is open and NESS emerges. He has a clean set of clothes on as well as a patched brown knapsack that is bulging on one side.

NESS is pulling a wagon that is obviously too small for a boy his age. The expression on his face suggests that he is embarrassed to be doing so.

CUT TO:

EXT : ONETT HILL : AFTERNOON :

Trees line the sloping dirt road like two green rivers. NESS guides his wagon down the path between them, though he is having difficulty keeping it straight.

The camera changes angle to show that the front wheels of the wagon are rusted and loose. They fly off when they roll over an uneven spot on the road. A sharp crack is heard as the axle snaps in half.

NESS drops the handle and stares in angry silence at the wagon. He kicks it, and then continues on, leaving it behind. His pace is swift at first, but quickly slows as he approaches a bend in the road where several police barricades have been placed.

The barricades rest near an unusual gathering of leaves and a smaller path--worn down by frequent use--leading into the trees. NESS approaches this smaller path as the camera cuts to a frontal view of him.

The brush is dense and becomes thicker as NESS continues. After a few steps, he is forced onto his hands and knees to clear away the undergrowth at the base of a low cliff. This reveals a child-sized opening.

NESS
(to himself)
Wow, it's still here.

NESS attempts to squeeze his body into the hole, but with his backpack, he is much too large. He removes the backpack and notices it is trembling.

When NESS opens the backpack, the camera closes in. It is not the bag itself that is moving, but the Sound Stone, which NESS had put inside before leaving home. It glows when removed, this time much brighter than before. The stone almost seems alive.

NESS
(to himself and the stone)
So, I wasn't dreaming. That must mean I'm crazy.

NESS sits and ponders a moment while he stares at the Sound Stone. Then, with it still in hand, he squeezes himself into the hole.

The camera angle changes once more, but remains in front of NESS to show just how cramped the inside of the tunnel is.

A few field mice scurry out in front of NESS, squeaking furiously at him. They begin to speak through disembodied voices, suggesting that NESS can hear their thoughts.

MOUSE #1
Who is this? He isn't invited!

MOUSE #2
It's the little human boy! Only he's a big
human boy now.

MOUSE #1
He leaves and now he decides to come back?

MOUSE #3
What's he doing?

The mice move to one side and watch NESS crawl by. Up ahead in the short tunnel is a patch of sunlight streaming in--an opening.

Again the angle changes to catch NESS emerging from the hole. He is now in a small clearing surrounded on all sides by rock walls and tendrils of ivy ascending them.

NESS stuffs the Sound Stone into his pocket and clings to the vines, his expression one of joy and determination. The soft blue light from the stone has become so intense that it can be seen through his shorts.

At the top of the cliff, NESS finds himself on an uneven, isolated hill covered with soft grass and overshadowed by trees--except at the center, where the ground is bare and large holes have been cut into the Earth. A higher camera angle reveals that these holes form the shape of an enormous footprint.

NESS slides into the bowl of the largest hole.

NESS
(to himself)
Giant Step. I remember now. We used to come up
here and play all the time, and have splash fights
when the rain would fill up the holes.

The mice from the tunnel scamper up to NESS and watch him silently. They appear put-off by the blinding blue light coming from his pocket. NESS takes notice and removes the Sound Stone.

Humming and vibrating, the Sound Stone is alive and restless. NESS holds it close to his chest first, then presses it to his forehead, shutting his eyes.

There is a sudden flash as the scene cuts away from NESS. The next segment is colored in sepia tone, suggesting a memory or flashback...

A wooly white puppy playfully toddles across a wooden floor,
its tongue out and a doggish smile on its face. It stops when
it reaches a pair of feet that look like they belong to a very
small child. Music is playing, but it lasts for only a few
short notes.

Another flash and the dream sequence ends.

NESS gasps and pulls the Sound Stone away. It lies still in his hand, no longer aglow. Contemplative, NESS stares at it for several seconds. The camera focuses in.

CUT TO:

EXT : ONETT HILL : AFTERNOON :

From the small hole at the bottom of the cliff, NESS emerges and gathers up the backpack he left behind. The Sound Stone is put inside and he continues on with it down the road.

ONETT is an expansive but low-key town with clean streets and plenty of grassy areas. The dirt path running from ONETT HILL becomes a paved street as it winds its way into the suburbs. This marks the city limits. Just before the town begins is a large stone building--Onett Library--and beyond that, the commercial district. A small neighborhood lies just to the east, which can be seen from further up on the hill.

NESS stands on a small slope overlooking the town, backpack slung over one shoulder. He sighs, but is looking much more pleased than when he awoke that morning. He continues walking.

CUT TO:

EXT : ONETT TOWN : AFTERNOON :

The streets are busy and filled with people and noise. NESS passes through unnoticed. He is making his way toward the southern edge of town and, the further he goes, the more apparent it becomes that the atmosphere is less peaceful and clean than at the north end.

Overturned trash cans, garbage, and police barricades litter the street and the crowds begin to thin out. NESS takes note of everything, but appears undaunted.

Up ahead, at the end of the block, a group of older teenagers huddles together. They are dressed in dark, baggy attire with a deep blue insignia on their shirts. Some of them are wearing silver chains, brandishing metal pipes and other trash objects found in the street, or flipping skateboards. A teen at the edge of the group puffs on the tail end of a cigarette. He is watching NESS closely.

The camera cuts away from NESS to focus in on the shady young THUGS. A few more notice his approach and whisper to each other.

NESS passes by without acknowledging any of them. They begin to follow.

THUG #1
(shouting to NESS)
Hey punk!
(pause)
What the hell you doing here? Don't walk away from me!

THUG #2
(shouting to NESS)
Hey where you goin', short-stuff!

NESS ignores the taunting and turns right at the corner.

The first group of THUGS follows and is joined by a second group as the camera closes in on the thickening crowd. Within seconds, NESS is surrounded.

An expression of fearless frustration crosses his face. NESS tries to push past some of the older boys to break out of the group encompassing him, but is met only with laughter and rougher physical responses.

THUG #2
Don't get cocky now, little man. We just wanted
to have a chat.

THUG #3
You hear that earthquake last night? They say
somethin' crashed up on the hill. The Pigs've been
out in swarms tryin' to keep people away. We're
feelin' good, though. Why not take chances while you
still got chances to take, right?

NESS does not respond. He attempts to slip out between a small gap in the crowd.

THUG #4
(grabbing NESS from behind)
What's you got in the bag?

Another THUG opens the backpack and removes the Sound Stone and a wallet. The contents of the wallet are dumped onto the sidewalk, revealing a considerable amount of money.

THUG #5
(laughing)
God-damn! So much for mommy sending you to the
store for milk and bread, eh?

Many of the THUGS pocket the fallen money.

NESS does not respond until one THUG takes the Sound Stone. Intense rage overwhelms him, his face becoming red. His dark eyes are sharp and glassy.

THUG #6
The hell you carryin' rocks for, man?

NESS
(enraged)
Give it back.

The THUGS laugh in unison and each member of the group takes turns passing the Sound Stone around. NESS reaches for it, but is not tall enough. One THUG shoves him to the ground. Several more kick him as he attempts to stand, and he shields his body with his legs and arms.

NESS shuts his eyes as the camera cuts to an extreme close-up view of his face. Tears have welled up under his eyes and are falling down his cheeks. Each time he is struck, he shivers.

The camera switches again to a view just outside the group of THUGS. A sudden burst of light erupts from the center and sends them all flying through the air. They land several feet away. The Sound Stone rockets upward from the blast.

NESS opens his eyes and stands, still shaking. Deep purple contusions have formed on his arms and face, but he appears unbothered. Without a word, he glances up at the falling stone and catches it in one hand.

THUG #5
(standing, bewildered and stunned)
Shit!!

THUG #2
(standing, equally stunned)
God-damn! What the hell?

The THUGS pick themselves up off the ground and street, some more quickly than others. All eyes are on NESS, who is silent.

THUG #3
They've landed, man. Just like I fuckin' told you!
They walk among us!

THUG #2
Cut that shit out. This kid ain't no alien. Just
because some fuckin' rock lands on the hill-

THUG #4
(interjecting)
I think he's right, man. Ain't nobody that can
pull somethin' like that--not no kid! It ain't
right.

The camera changes view to the opposite side of the gathering as the THUGS continue their debate. On the far left of the screen is an abandoned apartment complex, from which a man emerges.

This is FRANK FLY: overdressed and cocksure. He wears a bright red suit with a matching charm on a gold chair around his neck. His hair is dirty blonde, slicked back with gel to further expose his receding hairline. There is a constant show of stubble around his chin and a pair of sunglasses to hide his wise-but-cold-as-steel eyes.

FRANK descends the crumbling stairs in front of the building and approaches the group as many of its members begin to disperse. The camera closes in on his dirty face, showing that he looks upon the scene with equal amounts of curiosity and disdain.

FRANK
(annoyed)
What the hell is this? You rats muggin' kids for
candy again?

FRANK approaches NESS and notices some of the money left on the ground.

FRANK
Where'd you get all that dough, kid? Tell me.
What's a little guy like you need with all that?

NESS steps away and walks back to the corner with the Sound Stone in hand.

FRANK (CONT.)
(violently angry)
Hey! Why you smartass little son of a bitch-!

FRANK draws a pair of fighting knives from the inside pockets of his jacket and whips one at NESS with deadly accuracy.

NESS turns again and watches the knife fly toward him. It collides with an invisible barrier, sending up another flash of light just before it spins back toward FRANK.

The knife misses by mere inches and, in his still-boiling rage, FRANK lets loose the second blade.

NESS waves one hand in front of himself, arm out to the side, and the knife follows the path. It turns sharply and sails across the street where it harmlessly collides with a building.

FRANK and the remaining THUGS are dumbfounded.

FRANK
(in shock)
So that's it. You're the one they been talkin'
about. You must be from Twoson.

NESS
(stern but quizzical)
Twoson?

FRANK
Yeah, the city just south of here.

NESS
I know it. But I'm not from there.

FRANK
(grinning)
Oh no? Don't lie to me, boy. They say there's
a kid from Twoson who's some kinda special.
This kid makes stuff happen without explanation,
makes stuff move without liftin' a finger.
What's that sound like to you?

NESS remains silent and stone-faced.

THUG #5
Yeah, I heard of that. But this can't be the kid,
Boss. The kid from Twoson's a girl.

FRANK
Is that right? Well...
(pause)
I suppose Everdred would know.
(speaking to NESS)
Come with me, kid.

NESS refuses to move.

FRANK
(chuckling)
Don't tell me you're scared now. Not after
what you did. I just want to talk. And look-
(revealing the inside flaps of his jacket)
Out of ammo. So c'mon, you and me. A real
man-to-man talk.

NESS hesitates, and then follows FRANK into the dilapidated apartment complex. The THUGS outside sneer at him as he walks by.

CUT TO:

INT : ONETT : ABANDONED APARTMENT COMPLEX : LOBBY : AFTERNOON :

Inside, the old building is even shabbier than it appears on the outside. The walls are scorched black from where they have been touched by flames. Ceiling tiles and floorboards are missing in places. Furnishings are sparse.

FRANK pulls an old chair up to a table and sits before gesturing for NESS to do the same.

NESS sets the Sound Stone on the table.

FRANK
(surprised)
That's a mighty fine rock you got there. Not
nearly as fine as all that cash you were carryin'.
You know you left it all out in the street.
Ain't you gonna go and get it?

NESS does not respond.

FRANK
I expect that's the reason my boys jumped you.
Not that you needed any help defending yourself,
but what's a kid like you carryin' around all
that money for? You're special, and you're strong,
but you ain't no superhero. And comin' over to
this side of town? You're just askin' to get
your throat slit.

NESS
(angry, on the verge of tears)
It's for my mother.

FRANK
(halfway between shock and laughter)
Oh, I'm sorry. Is it mommy's birthday or somethin'?

NESS
(shaking his head)
No, it's my fault. I got angry and-
(hesitation)
I broke a kitchen chair. So she sent me to
buy another.

A pause, and then FRANK bursts into laughter.

FRANK
No shit! For real?
(laughing)
Boy, you coulda told me anything. You coulda told
me you killed a man, took the cash and ran, and I
would've believed it! But a kitchen chair? What
a pistol. You're a good kid. How old are you?
Thirteen, fourteen?
(leaning across the table)
If I were half the man you are, I wouldn't be
sittin' in this shithole, lookin' for a fight
just to earn a couple bucks.

NESS looks ready to respond, but FRANK resumes speaking before he has the chance.

FRANK
(interjecting)
Listen, don't worry ‘bout your momma's chair.
I'll buy one for ya. There's a place just down
the street--I figure that's where you were goin'.
What I'm interested in, kid, is you--the both
of you, whoever this little girl from Twoson
might be. Do you know anybody there?

NESS shakes his head.

FRANK
No? No family, nothin'?
(pause)
Then I guess all the hype's been misplaced.
I'm hearin' talk about a kid in Twoson with all
these special powers, and there's one livin'
right under my nose here in Onett. You live in
Onett, right?

NESS
Up on the hill.

FRANK
Right. So here's what I'm thinkin'-
(pause, shifting position in his chair)
I take rumors seriously. It's always worth
lookin' into, I say. If there is a kid in
Twoson like you, don't you think you oughta
know about it?

NESS does not respond.

FRANK
Look, kid-
(hesitation)
Sorry. I never asked your name.

NESS
Ness. It's Ness.

FRANK
Funny name. But you're a funny kid. Anyhow,
Ness, I'm just doin' what I can. I feel like
I owe it to ya, after what happened. You're
the first person who ever made me stop and
think about what I was doin'.
(reaching across the table to grab NESS)
I coulda killed you! I ain't never gone after
no kid before. And you didn't even flinch.
(sitting back in his seat, shame-faced)
Like I said, if I was half the man you are...

NESS looks around the room at the rotting food, trash piled up in corners, the weapons lying about haphazardly, and then glances out a nearby window.

NESS
I should be getting home.

FRANK
All right, but just hear me out. I can't do
much more then tell ya I'm sorry, and give you
this bit of advice: go down to Twoson sometime--
whenever you get the chance--and ask around for a
guy named Everdred. He's got the inside info on
the town. He'd be the one to ask about that girl,
if she's real or not.
(pause, smiling)
People like you ought to stick together. And I
don't mean nothin' by that, so don't take it the
wrong way. I just think it'd be good for ya.
Who knows what you might find. Oh! And
when ya find Everdred, tell 'em Frank
sent ya.

FRANK winks and grins. NESS fidgets in his chair a moment before putting the Sound Stone into his backpack. FRANK stands.

FRANK
Well Ness, let's go get your momma that chair.

CUT TO:

EXT : ONETT HILL : NESS'S HOUSE : EVENING :

The sun sets below a line of trees in the distance, casting a fiery glow throughout the sky. Both NESS'S HOUSE and the MINCH RESIDENCE are ablaze with warm colors.

NESS'S MOTHER stands on the front step, watching with a mix of skepticism and pride as NESS leads FRANK up the hill toward their home. FRANK is carrying a simple wooden chair with one arm.

NESS'S MOTHER
Well there you are! I was getting worried.
I didn't think it would take you all day
just to go and buy me a chair. And look,
you've made this poor man carry it all the
way back home for you. What happened to your
wagon, Ness?

NESS
(smiling and shrugging his shoulders)
I dunno. Crapped out on me before I even got
into town.

FRANK laughs as NESS'S MOTHER gives NESS a light but firm swat on the head.

NESS'S MOTHER
Watch your mouth, young man. And help him with
the chair now.
(speaking to FRANK)
That's all right. We can take it from here.

FRANK
No trouble, ma'am.

As they converse, the camera changes angle to catch a bright blue car pulling up the hill and winding around the path toward the MINCH RESIDENCE. The doors open as LARDNA steps out onto her porch. From the car, ALOYSIUS and another, much older man emerge. They speak for a moment, glance over at NESS'S MOTHER and FRANK with disdainful expressions, and then retreat inside.

The camera switches back to focus on NESS'S MOTHER again. She is looking at FRANK.

NESS'S MOTHER
I didn't know you guys delivered.

FRANK
(playing along)
Ah, nah. Not usually. But this young man here
drives a hard bargain. I couldn't say no. He's
a good kid. I'd hold onto him, if I were you.

NESS'S MOTHER
(smiling)
That he is. Thank you.

FRANK
(waving, one hand in his pocket)
See you around, Ness.

FRANK exits.

NESS returns the gesture and carries the chair inside.

TRACY and KING are sitting on the couch in the living area. Both jump up to greet NESS.

TRACY
(excited)
Hey, big bro! We were waitin' on you. It's
about time you showed up. I'm starving.

KING
You couldn't have brought me something?

NESS
Sorry. Things just work out that way sometimes.
I didn't expect my old wagon to break down on me.

NESS'S MOTHER
(taking the chair into the kitchen)
Well that's all right. This new chair is
beautiful, although it doesn't exactly match
the others. As long as it doesn't get broken
and you promise not to bring any more badly-
dressed salesmen to our house.

NESS'S MOTHER looks sternly at NESS, who smiles. TRACY laughs. All enter the kitchen as the scene ends.

FADE TO:

INT : ONETT HILL : NESS'S HOUSE : NESS'S BEDROOM : NIGHT :

The soft sound of crickets drifts in through the open window. NESS is lying on his bed with pajamas on and the Sound Stone in hand. It no longer glows, but when he presses it to his forehead, a few musical notes play inside his mind.

NESS pulls the stone away when the bedroom door opens. TRACY enters.

TRACY
(speaking softly)
Hey, Ness. You doing all right?

NESS
Yeah, why?

TRACY
Oh, nothin'. Mom was just worried about how
long you took is all. She thought you might
have still been mad about yesterday.

NESS
Nah, not really. I'm over it.

TRACY
(sitting on the edge of the bed)
Yeah? That's good. You and Porky will be up to
your old tricks again soon.
(pause, grinning)
Remember when we used to call him the hippo? He
would get so mad. Then he'd chase us and start
crying when he couldn't get us.

NESS
(laughing)
And the time he got stuck in that tire swing and
his dad had to cut it off of him?

NESS and TRACY laugh in unison as their mother enters, wearing her white robe and slippers.

NESS'S MOTHER
Hey, giggle monsters. Get to bed. There'll be
plenty of time for you to be silly tomorrow.

TRACY
(still laughing)
All right. Goodnight, big bro.

NESS
(still laughing)
Goodnight.
(to his mother)
Night, mom!

TRACY and NESS'S MOTHER exits.

NESS tames his laughter and lies in silence for a moment. Then, he reaches over his nightstand, shuts off the lamp, and turns over in the darkness with the Sound Stone resting beside his heart.

FADE OUT
END ACT TWO.