Dear John (2 page)

14A      
OMIT

14B      
EXT. SAVANNAH’S BEACH HOUSE
-- BENCH -- NIGHT

They’re all by themselves now -- no one else is nearby.

SAVANNAH

When do you go back?

JOHN

Two weeks.

SAVANNAH

It must be scary, what you do.

JOHN

It’s boring, mostly. Long stretches of boring. Occasional flashes of scary.

Savannah looks out on the ocean. It’s getting dark, and the moon is rising on the horizon.

SAVANNAH

Full moon tonight.

She stands. From John’s view, the moon is as big as she is.

SAVANNAH

You ever notice how large the moon is when it’s rising, but how little it gets when it’s up in the sky?

JOHN

It’s all about perspective. C’mere, I’ll show you.

He stands behind her, very close now, and raises her arm.

JOHN

If you shut one of your eyes... and hold out your hand like this...

He holds his thumb up. She does the same -- and from their perspective, the moon disappears behind it.

JOHN

No matter where it is in the sky...

No matter where you are in the world... the moon is never bigger than your thumb.

Savannah opens her other eye. The moon is big again. Then she does John’s trick, and again, the moon becomes thumb-sized. She smiles up at him. His face is inches from hers.

SAVANNAH

Where’d you learn that?

John looks down at her. Shrugs.

JOHN

Somewhere along the way.

15        
EXT. BEACH HOUSE
- NIGHT

Randy watches John and Savannah look out at the ocean, so close together and backlit by the giant moon. He takes a heavy swig of his beer, unable to hide his bitterness.

16        
EXT. BEACH
-- NIGHT

The moon is way up in the night sky now, and the bonfire is long out. Savannah lies in the sand, watching John inspect a dangerous looking hot dog.

JOHN

How is it possible for a hot dog to be so burnt on the outside and so raw on the inside?

Savannah doesn’t answer, just smiles. So John grabs a few pieces of wood and gathers some kindling.

Then he produces a flint and magnesium block keychain from his pocket, shaves off some magnesium with a pocketknife, and strikes the flint. Instant sparks slowly reignite the fire. Savannah watches, amused, as John recooks his hot dog.

SAVANNAH

Wow. You can start your own fire.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a boy who can start his own fire.

(off his modest shrug)

No no, it’s very impressive. Very primal. What’re you gonna do next, make me a sundial?

John grins, shakes his head, looks up at the dark sky.

JOHN

Wouldn’t do much good now.

But that reminds him... he grabs Savannah’s arm, checks the time on her watch. Time has flown by.

JOHN

Shoot. I should go.

SAVANNAH

Sorry. I hope you won’t get in too much trouble.

John looks at her. Laying there in the sand, under the stars, she looks just about perfect. John chuckles to himself.

JOHN

Too late.

Savannah smiles at him. But John shyly turns away, grabs his surfboard, prepares to leave. Savannah watches him.

SAVANNAH

Well...thank you. For what you did.

JOHN

You’re welcome.

Takes a few steps... then turns around.

JOHN

Any chance you’d wanna do this again tomorrow night?

SAVANNAH

Tomorrow night is chicken. You’re not gonna want to try the chicken.

JOHN

Yeah, I was thinking we could let someone else cook this time.

She smiles at him, doesn’t have to think about it very long.

SAVANNAH

Okay.

JOHN

Okay? Okay. I could come by tomorrow, round six?

SAVANNAH

Okay.

John grins back at her. Tries to figure out a smooth exit.

JOHN

Okay. Then I’ll--

Then he steps right into the fire he just relit.

He quickly jumps out, tries his best to pretend like it doesn’t hurt like hell.

JOHN

Anyway. I’ll see you soon then?

She laughs as he limps away.

SAVANNAH

I’ll see you soon then.

John walks north, carrying his surfboard, still limping a bit on his burnt foot. Headlights from the occasional car illuminate him as they pass by.

A truck comes up from behind him. But this one slows down to a crawl as it passes John... and then the reverse lights come on, and the truck backs up until John sees that the driver --

-- is Tim. Next to him, Alan is in the passenger seat, totally focused on his GAME BOY.

TIM

Need a lift? We’re headed into town for some ice cream.

JOHN

Thanks. But I don’t mind walking.

TIM

How long’s the walk?

JOHN

Nothing too bad.

Tim just looks at him. Then, without a word, he gets out of the car, takes John’s board and puts it in the back of his truck. He calls to Alan in the cab.

TIM

Scoot over, son.

Alan does as he’s told. John opens the passenger door. Alan looks up from his game, makes eye contact.

ALAN

Hello, John.

John smiles at him, impressed he remembered. So is Tim.

JOHN

Hey, Alan.

18        
INT. TRUCK
-- NIGHT (MOVING)

But Alan just goes right back to his game as they drive off.

JOHN

So how long are you in town for?

TIM

Oh, we live here year round now.

Alan loves the water, and we were driving down every weekend anyway.

I finally convinced my wife this just made the most sense.

John looks over at Tim, who’s focused on the road ahead.

JOHN

She didn’t want any ice cream?

TIM

Who? Oh, my wife -- no. She’s on vacation herself, actually.

He smiles to himself, but doesn’t take his eyes off the road.

TIM

I guess I thought if we spent all year in our vacation house, we’ll have a year-round vacation. But it doesn’t really work like that. And it’s kind of tricky to take trips together, since...

He trails off, but it’s clear he’s talking about Alan -- although Alan is too wrapped up in his video game to notice.

TIM

But it’s fine. We make it work.

JOHN

I’m up here on the left.

18A      
EXT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE
-- NIGHT -- SAME

Tim turns into his driveway. John opens the door, gets out.

JOHN

Thanks for the lift. Bye, Alan.

TIM

Hey, John? Just -- for the record -- if you do anything to hurt Savannah, I’ll have to break... something.

Something in your leg. One of the bones in there somewhere.

(then, a bit embarrassed)

I know her father, he’d want me to say that. Although it would’ve sounded a lot more natural coming out of his mouth.

JOHN

It -- sounded fine.

TIM

No it didn’t. Thank you, though.

Tim smiles at John. He’s pretty hard not to like.

TIM

Goodnight, John.

Then he pulls away. John watches the tail lights slowly disappear down the road.

19        
INT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE
-- LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

John walks in. The whole house is dark and quiet, except for the light from one cracked hallway door.

20        
INT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE
-- DEN -- NIGHT

John peeks in to find his DAD hunched over at his desk, studying something.

MR. TYREE is balding. His shirt is a size too small and a decade too old. If he is at all aware of John’s presence behind him, he doesn’t let on.

John watches him for a few beats -- whatever he’s doing, it’s with complete focus. Finally John turns and walks away.

21        
INT/EXT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE
-- NEXT DAY (POSSIBLE EXT. SCENE)

It is bright outside now, and Mr. Tyree is making a large salad. His socks are mismatched.

John walks out in a nice shirt, sees his Dad at work on the salad.

JOHN

I’m not staying, Dad.

MR. TYREE

But... I made lasagna.

JOHN

Yeah, it’s Sunday. I know you made lasagna.

Mr. Tyree glances up at him. Then quickly turns back to his salad. John sighs, feels like he should explain.

JOHN

It’s just, I’ve got a date.

(off his silence)

I actually need to borrow the car.

Mr. Tyree digs in his pocket for his keys, holds them out to John without making eye contact.

John hesitates just long enough for us to know he wants to say something more... but then just snatches the keys from his father’s hand and --

John gets out of his dad’s old Lincoln Continental in the parking lot of the SHRIMP SHACK, which looks exactly like it sounds.

SAVANNAH

I know it doesn’t look like much, but it’s got the best seafood you’ve ever had.

JOHN

Yeah, I know, I used to come here all the time. It’s just -- don’t you want to eat somewhere nice?

Savannah grins at him.

SAVANNAH

I don’t want to eat somewhere nice, John, I want to eat somewhere good.

She heads towards the restaurant. John hesitates.

Savannah turns, motions to him -- you coming? John grimaces.

23        
INT. BOWEN’S ISLAND RESTAURANT
-- LATE DAY

Savannah and John walk in, the best dressed customers by far. John nods evenly at the OWNER BEHIND THE BAR.

JOHN

Steve.

Steve doesn’t respond, just gives John the death stare. John nervously excuses himself from Savannah, then heads over to the bar and quietly takes him aside.

JOHN

C’mon, man. It’s been three years.

STEVE THE OWNER

I don’t want any trouble.

JOHN

You won’t get any. Okay? I promise.

Steve pauses, weighing his options. Then, finally, he nods over to the HOSTESS, giving his okay.

She takes them to a table by a window overlooking the water. Savannah looks at John curiously.

SAVANNAH

What was that about?

JOHN

We’re old friends, that’s all.

The hostess takes their drink orders. Savannah gets a sweet tea.

John glances over at Steve behind the bar again. He’s watching John closely, listening to what he’s gonna order.

JOHN

Uh... sweet tea for me too, please.

The hostess heads off. But Savannah noticed the look John stole toward the bar and misreads it, thinking that she’s the reason he only ordered tea.

SAVANNAH

It’s okay. You can get a beer if you want, don’t let me stop you.

JOHN

Nah. I don’t drink.

Savannah cocks her head at him.

SAVANNAH

You were drinking right after I met you.

John doesn’t have to look over at the bar this time to know that Steve is watching him. He stumbles for an excuse.

JOHN

Um-- anymore. I don’t drink anymore.

SAVANNAH

I met you yesterday.

JOHN

Yeah, well things change. But don’t let me stop
you
-- you can get a beer if you want one.

SAVANNAH

Nah. I don’t drink anymore either.

JOHN

Oh yeah? Since when?

She looks him in the eye. Grins.

SAVANNAH

Since that Zima back in 8th grade.

He smiles back at her.

JOHN

Musta been one hell of a Zima.

SAVANNAH

Those things can knock you over, lemme tell ya.

23A      
INT. BOWEN’S ISLAND RESTAURANT
-- NIGHT (LATER)

The waitress drops a bucket of shrimp off at their table.

SAVANNAH

So. Did your Dad get mad at you for coming home late last night?

JOHN

Nah. My Dad... my Dad’s not the kinda guy who really gets mad.

SAVANNAH

Oh yeah? What kinda guy is he then?

JOHN

A quiet kinda one.

Savannah studies him, feeling him out.

SAVANNAH

Could be worse, I guess.

JOHN

I guess.

John waits for Savannah to take a shrimp, but she doesn’t. John SIGHS, realizing he’s going to have to give her more.

JOHN

It’s no big deal. Him and I... we just don’t talk very much.

SAVANNAH

Why not?

John shrugs. He breaks the standoff, starts to peel a shrimp.

JOHN

I have my theories.

Savannah snatches the shrimp out of his fingers and eats it herself. She grins at him.

SAVANNAH

Wow. Those are good. I want to meet him.

JOHN

Meet who? My father?

Savannah nods. John hesitates.

JOHN

Okay.

SAVANNAH

Tonight. I want to meet him tonight.

JOHN

That’s...not quite what I had planned.

SAVANNAH

(playfully)

And what did you have planned exactly, John?

JOHN

Nothing, no that’s not -- I didn’t have any specific plans -- but they definitely did not involve my Dad.

Savannah peels John a shrimp now. Her eyes twinkle.

SAVANNAH

Well... guess we’ve got a change of plans then, huh?

23B       
EXT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE
-- NIGHT

Establishing of them walking in. Only one light is on in the entire house.

24        
INT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE
-- NIGHT

John walks in the front door. Savannah follows.

JOHN

You’re not gonna get much out of him. Don’t take it personally.

Savannah nods. John lightly knocks on his father’s door.