Murphy's Gulch

BLACK

...the radio squelches as the AM radio dial is changed...

RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT - None had greater psychological impact than that of the assault on the American Embassy in Saigon. 232 GI’s killed, and 900 wounded makes one of the heaviest weeks of the Vietnam war...

SUPERIMPOSE: Summer, 1966

INT. CHEVY CAPRICE - DAY

SARAH MURPHY, early ‘30s, blonde, lunges for the radio as his commentary continues...

RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT (continues) - ...military police and combat troops from the 101’st airborne division Alpha taking sniper fire inside the embassy compound and from surrounding buildings...

Sarah twists the dial -until “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys plays. Her lower lip quivers as she looks over and smiles, at...

JAMES MURPHY, 13, looking sharp in a second-hand Boy Scout uniform. It’s been taken in to fit James’s undersized frame leaving room to grow. A Tenderfoot rank is sewn onto the left breast pocket and the troop number 12 on the shoulder. James holds an EAGLE SCOUT Rank patch -admiring it.

SARAH - You sure you don’t want to leave that with me?

JAMES - You look really pretty in your dress.

SARAH - Thank you, but don’t change the subject. It seemed to bother the older boys that you have it.

JAMES - I know, and I know I have to earn Eagle on my own. But I like keeping it because it’s like dad’s with me. I’ll keep it hidden.

A tear rolls down from underneath Sarah’s sunglasses. She wipes it away fast and smiles.

SARAH - Your dad’s proud of you, Jamie. (corrects) James.

JAMES - Yeah?

SARAH - Oh, yeah. Prouder than he was at his own Court of Honor.

JAMES - You were there? When dad made Eagle Scout?

SARAH - Oh, yes. He was so handsome in his Scout uniform. Your daddy, met my daddy for the first time that very night.

JAMES - Did grandpa like him?

SARAH - Your daddy was the only boy my father ever approved of.

James smiles. Sarah laughs...

SARAH - My mother came downstairs in her nightgown with a head full of curlers and she spun right around in a panic when she saw your daddy standing there.

James’s laugh becomes a wheezing gasp to breathe -Sarah is quick to look...

JAMES - I’m-I’m fine.

...James pulls an inhaler from his pocket -takes in a deep hit -and the attack fades...

SARAH - You okay, sweetheart? We could still...

JAMES - No. I’ll be careful. I won’t get exerted.

Sarah smiles, as James looks out the window at the trees passing by...

EXT. GUERNEVILLE FOREST DIRT ROAD - DAY

TROOP 12 marches the dirt road through the majestic redwood forest. STEVE, MIKE, and DENNIS, 17, Troop 12’s Senior Scouts, bring up the rear. Ahead of them is BILLY, a heavyset, 13-year-old black boy, obscured by a large backpack. Huffing and puffing hard.

There is a healthy gap between Billy and the next boy ahead of him.

MIKE - We’re moving mighty, terribly, painfully, slowwww.

STEVE - Hey Rookie, how’s your orienteering skills? You think you could find the way to camp if we lose sight of the troop?

Billy’s hand shoots out from behind his backpack with a map in his hand for the older Scouts to see...

BILLY - This road takes-takes us right into Camp Royaneh. So, as long as we stay on it, we can’t miss it.

DENNIS - Somebody studied the map.

The sound of an engine coming up from behind catches Mike’s ear. He looks back to check...

MIKE - Car! Troop 12, move to the right side of the road!

The Scouts of Troop 12 skirt closer to the edge of the dirt road and hike on. Mike eyes the WW II era jeep pass by...

REVEAL -James, and his backpack, riding in the back of the jeep.

MIKE - General Asthma has arrived, troop salute!

In uniform precision, the Troop snaps a salute to James as he rides past. James looks down in shame.

Steve, Mike, Dennis, and Billy watch as the jeep slows at the front of the line -the driver chats with SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE, early ‘40s, along with two other fathers, JACK and KYLE...

STEVE (shouts out in song) - Take me out to the forest! Let me hike in the wild-

Mike and Dennis quickly join in -the hike song quickly travels up the Troop...

STEVE / MIKE / DENNIS - Show me a skunk and a few bear tracks-

At the front, Hollace and Kyle and Jack, the other fathers, all look back to the back of the troop...

James remains seated, eyes fall down to his feet.

STEVE / MIKE / DENNIS / BILLY - I won’t care if I never come back.

TROOP 12 (join in the song) -But it’s look, look, look at your compass- If it rains, then it pours- And it’s-ouch, slap, sting and your bit in the great outdoors!

JAMES - Mr. Hollace please, I can hike-

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - I know, and we’ll get you there.

Hollace pats the Jeep’s side panel and sends it on its way...

...James looks back on the Troop as his Troop fade into the distance. They repeat their off-key sing-a-long -echoing through the trees.

Hollace stands by as Troop 12 hikes on past -he grabs Mike’s pack, holding him back. Mike looks up into his father’s eyes and quickly looks down...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - You're better than this. What's going on?

MIKE - I-I got my ASVAB test results back. I did well, which means when I turn 18 in September, I'm going to be drafted.

Hollace hikes on in silence next to his son...

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - DAY

Troop 12 marches in to find James standing at attention by his backpack. Behind him are wooden cabins with open doorways. The Troop marches past James and forms up into patrols. James moves, dragging his pack, and falls in with his patrol. Hollace watches silently. He points toward each of the wooden cabins...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Alright, get your cabins cleaned up and make them livable.

INT. WILD CATS CABIN - DAY

...the boys rush in and push the rusty spring cots up against the walls and quickly take to SWEEPING the floor, kicking up dust.

Scout Master Hollace walks by and stops when he hears James wheezing and covers his face with his arm.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - James, why don’t you come out of there.

James looks back and forth between his patrol and Scout Master Hollace. He sinks, but obeys and exits the cabin. The rest of the Wild Cat patrol shake their heads in disgust and get back to cleaning...

GIL (exaggerates a wheeze) - Wish I had asthma.

...James watches through the doorway a dozen feet back as his Patrol sweeps...

INT. OLDER SCOUT'S CABIN - DAY

Mike, Dennis, and Steve clean their cabin -catching sight of...

...James, standing away from his patrol’s cabin...

EXT. ROYANEH AMPHITHEATER - DAY

The class huddles around Scoutmaster Hollace...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Who can name the seven priorities to wilderness survival?

James and Billy both raise their hands.

JAMES - Positive mental attitude.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Yes. A positive mental attitude is the most essential of them all.

BILLY - First aid- shelter- fire- signaling- water- and food-

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Yes. Good. These next 6, all build off of a positive attitude. If you’re in a panic, you’ll have a hard time with the rest. So, let’s team up and get working on our shelters.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

...Boys are scattered all around the forest floor building their survival shelters... Billy and James work together. Billy is doing the heavy lifting for the both of them. James clutches the Eagle Rank inside his pocket -his breathing slows...

BILLY - Jimmy, can you give me a hand?

JAMES - Yes. I’m sorry I keep having to stop.

REVEAL James’s Eagle Scout patch falls to the ground as he goes to help Billy...

BILLY - It’s cool. I know you’re not being lazy.

LATER

James and Billy step back from their shelter as Mike, Dennis, and Steve approach... The shelter looks structurally sound -covered with enough branches to protect from exposure.

DENNIS - Looks good, girls.

James’s hand goes into his pocket -he breaks into a panic...

JAMES - It’s gone.

BILLY - What?

JAMES - My dad’s Eagle Scout rank.

...Dennis looks and spots the Eagle Scout rank -he picks it up, extending his arm to give it back -Mike sees and swats his hand down...

James and Billy continue to search in and around their shelter -as Mike herds Dennis and Steve away...

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - DAY

The campsite is vacant -Mike, Steve, and Dennis march down into the gulch with shovels in hand...

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - NIGHT

The troop stands around the campfire roasting marshmallows, singing...

TROOP 12 - Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya. Kumbaya my lord, kumbaya oh lord, kumbaya Someone’s singing Lord, kumbaya . Someone’s laughing Lord, kumbaya Oh Lord, kumbaya. Someone’s crying, Lord, Kumbaya Oh Lord, kumbaya

Scout Master Hollace sings with passionate conviction.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - I bid you, goodnight. Hit your racks, boys. The troop heads off to their cabins.

GIL - Quick, before he sings it again.

Hollace smiles.

INT. WILD CATS CABIN - NIGHT

James’s wheezing snores are really loud as the other boys all lay awake...

KENNY - He snores worse than my mom.

BILLY - He has asthma.

GIL - Yeah, we know, which means he literally can’t do ANY-thing.

KENNY - I’m surprised he can walk.

BILLY - A scout is-

KENNY / GIL - Shut up!

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE (calls out) - Wild Cats, a little less talking and a little more snoring-

James snores right on cue, waking himself up.

KENNY - James’s got that covered, sir.

The boys bust up laughing.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Knock it off.

REVEAL -James is awake -He is steel though, not shedding a tear.

INT. OLDER SCOUT’S CABIN - NIGHT

Steve, Dennis, and Mike are in their bunks reading “Action” comic books by flashlight. Scout Master Hollace leans into the doorway...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Gentlemen, we’re heading off to meet with the camp director for a bit. You are in charge.

MIKE / DENNIS / STEVE - Yessir.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Good boys.

Hollace smiles and leaves. After a few moments, Mike, Dennis, and Steve turn off their flashlights, rise from their bunks and quietly look out over the top of the cabin’s half wall, at...

...The flashlights of the three adults disappearing over the small sloping hill...

INT. WILD CATS CABIN - NIGHT

James sleeps, wheezing softly -a HAND cups James’s mouth. He jerks awake -his eyes dart around, looking up at...

...Steve, Dennis, and Mike...

MIKE - You really want to be a part of 12? You really want to belong?

James nods.

STEVE - Okay. Come with us.

James gets out of bed, and follows the three older boys...

At the opposite corner of the cabin, Billy stirs and wakes...

...The sound of dragging footsteps grabs Billy’s attention -the waning firelight from outside makes four human shadows move across the cabin’s sloped ceiling -he rolls over to look through the open doorway at...

...James following after Mike, Steve, and Dennis down into the foggy gulch...

EXT. THE GULCH VALLEY - NIGHT

...Steve, Dennis, and Mike use flashlights -leading James away from the troop’s campsite -the ground fog glows luminously in the moonlight.

STEVE - Tenderfoot is easy, but you’ll never make Eagle.

JAMES - My dad did, and I will too.

DENNIS - What’s the Scout motto, Rookie?

JAMES - Be prepared.

STEVE - The Scout Oath?

JAMES - On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help-

STEVE - Scout law!

JAMES (without missing a beat) - A Scout is trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient-

MIKE - What’s the rest of the Scout Oath?

JAMES - Tah-to help, to help other people at all times...

STEVE - Do you think you could help an old lady across the street?

JAMES - Ye-yes.

MIKE - (taunts) I don’t know. Finish the law.

JAMES - To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and...

STEVE - Are you- physically strong?

JAMES (wheezes nervously) - No. But I will be. -to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

...Mike, Steve, and Dennis move out and search the ground with their flashlights...

DENNIS - Where is it?

...Dennis trips, falling into the fog layer making a loud CLANKING from tools being kicked together.

MIKE - Dennis found it.

James lets out a wheezed giggle as Dennis gets up...

STEVE - You think that’s funny, Rookie?

JAMES - Ye-yes.

STEVE - You’re right, it was.

The three boys shine their flashlights down on Mike as he pushes up from a veiled layer of ground fog...

REVEAL - a BLACK, SHALLOW GRAVE.

MIKE - Get in-

James’s wheezing increases as he shoots a surprised look.

MIKE - or don’t.

James steps closer to look into the hole...

JAMES - Have you done this before?

STEVE - I have.

James moves quick and gets into the grave as Mike squats down and holds out a hollow reed...

MIKE - We’re going to bury you for 15 minutes. You’ll breathe through this-

James nods, takes the reed, and puts it in his mouth taking a few wheezed breaths to test...

Dennis bends down and presents the Eagle Scout patch...

DENNIS - Here, I found this.

James grabs the rank, elated.

JAMES - Thank you!

STEVE - You ready?

James takes a hit from his inhaler -puts the reed in his mouth and nods. Dennis tosses Mike and Steve a shovel and the trio begin filling in the grave -burying James, completely. James’s wheezing can be heard through the hollow reed...

MIKE - When have you ever done this before?

STEVE - What, get buried? Never.

JAMES (muffled through the reed) - What?

MIKE - I’d do it.

STEVE - We got 15 minutes to kill, we could dig one for you real quick.

A FLICKER OF LIGHT off of Steve’s shoulder grabs Dennis’s attention -dread paints his face...

MIKE - What?

...Mike and Steve turn and look back...

REVEAL - FLASHLIGHTS cresting the ridge heading towards Troop 12’s campsite...

MIKE - Oh shit!

DENNIS - What do we do?

Dennis and Mike take off running back towards the cabins...

...Steve follows, but whirls back around and hits the ground near the hollow reed poking up out of the ground...

STEVE - Murph! We’ll be back!

...Steve sprints towards the cabins -the mound of dirt moves slightly as James’s panicked cries go unheard...

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - NIGHT

...Hollace, Jack, and Kyle approach...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - You’re turning a blind eye.

KYLE - I’m giving her room to become her own person in the marriage.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - You’re giving her your pants so she can dress up and be the man.

JACK - No, Hollace is right, you need to get control of your household-

KYLE - So what, they’re going to run us over because they can suddenly open a bank account? Why does one have to lose so the other can win?

Hollace notices Mike and Dennis at the campfire...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - What are you boys doing out of bed?

DENNIS - Couldn’t sleep.

JACK - Where’s Steven?

STEVE - Here-

The three adults turn to find -Steve walking up from the gulch, zipping up his pants...

JACK - Really? There’s a bathroom not 30 feet-

... Steve shrugs as he warms his hands at the campfire...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Okay-well, you can all stay awake in your racks. Snap to it.

STEVE / DENNIS / MIKE - Yes sir, goodnight.

The fathers congregate around the campfire as the three boys head back into their cabin...

INT. OLDER SCOUT’S CABIN - NIGHT

Dennis, Steve, and Mike lay in their sleeping bags. All eyes are fixed through the cabin’s open door, watching...

...The adults linger around the campfire...

DENNIS (whispers) - We need to-

STEVE (whispers) - Shut- up!

DENNIS (whispers) - But, he could-

Something SNAPS outside their cabin! The boys flinch. Their eyes fix on the cabin wall...

REVEAL...

EXT. BETWEEN CABINS - CONTINUOUS

...Billy hides in the dark space between the cabins. He holds his breath, trying to be as quiet as he can...

...The adult leaders by the campfire are looking right at him -but they can’t see him in the dark...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Eh, just a snipe.

Jack and Kyle, chuckle.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - And on that note, gentlemen, goodnight.

...they all head off to their cabin...

INT. OLDER SCOUT'S CABIN - NIGHT

Steve, Mike, and Dennis listen to heavy booted footsteps treading on the wooden floor in the next cabin over -springs stretch, bounce and settle in.

Then, silence...

EXT. BETWEEN CABINS - NIGHT

Billy hears whispers -he moves closer into the firelight, as the trio rush stealthily back down into the gulch...

EXT. THE GULCH - NIGHT

Steve, Mike, and Dennis run down into the foggy gulch! Dennis turns on his flashlight.

STEVE - No! No lights!

DENNIS - But I can’t see- Traipsing footfalls come up behind...

BILLY - Hey!

...the trio whirls -their flashlights strike...

...Billy -rushing up on them...

BILLY - Where’s Jimmy?

STEVE - Quiet! Get back to your cabin, Rookie!

BILLY - No! Where’s Jimmy? I saw him come down here with you, and-

Mike lunges and cups his hand over Billy’s mouth...

MIKE - Keep your voice down!

...Billy pushes back and shoves Mike off of him...

BILLY - Where is-

DENNIS - We buried him! Okay-

BILLY - What?

STEVE - It’s his initiation!

MIKE - But we kinda can’t find him, so-

BILLY - What?

MIKE - so if you’d all just shut up and listen!

They go silent and listen -they hear...

James’s WHEEZING BREATHS...

The four boys fall to the ground -scurrying blindly on all fours, following the “wheezing” sound, until...

...Dennis sees -the reed sticking up out of the ground -he lunges forward...

DENNIS - Here! Over here!

MIKE - Quiet!

...Billy, Mike, and Steve rush over and huddle around the reed -they listen and finally hear -James’s WHEEZING!

BILLY - Jimmy?

JAMES (muffled through the reed) - Hey, Billy-

BILLY - Oh my God, you guys really did bury him-

DENNIS - Murph- Jimmy! We’re here buddy.

JAMES (through the reed) - I think a worm crawled in my nose.

They all laugh and groan...

STEVE - We’re going to get you out of there right now!

DENNIS - Yeah-yeah-

...Dennis leaves -patting the ground in a frenzied search...

MIKE (talks to the reed) - You are so boss, man! You’ll make Eagle in no time-

...Dennis finds the shovel -grabs it and stumbles to his feet in a mad rush back to where the boys are huddled...

REALIZATION strikes Steve and Mike as they watch...

...Dennis -DRIVE the shovel into the ground by the reed...

MIKE - Stop-no!

UNDERGROUND -the SHOVEL BLADE stops an inch away from James’s face...

STEVE - Dennis, wait! Don’t-

...caught up in his blind panic, Dennis swiftly SLAMS his foot down onto the SHOVEL’S STEP...

UNDERGROUND -the shovel’s blade PUNCHES DOWN into James’s FACE -CRUNCH!

James’s AGONIZED YELP is brief.

...Mike, Steve, and Billy all jerk! Dennis stumbles backward, away from the SHOVEL sticking out of the ground...

...a long gurgled wheeze drags out -No one moves -then silence.

MIKE - Shit!

...Steve dives down by the shovel and reed sticking up out of the ground and starts digging with his hands...

STEVE - Jimmy?

Silence lingers, until the shovel JERKS with a WET CHOKING COUGH -BLOOD jets out of the hollow reed, spattering Steve’s face!

Billy, Dennis, and Mike flinch.

Steve stands frozen, terrified watching the black liquid drip down the sides of the reed. He breaks and starts to cry.

DENNIS - What do we do?

A long beat drags out...

MIKE - We- we leave him.

BILLY - What?

MIKE - We- have to. We all get back in our sleeping bags and-and no one says anything-

BILLY - No.

MIKE - We don’t have a choice-

DENNIS - What about when James, when he-he isn’t around in the morning?

MIKE - It’ll be a mystery. Everyone will search, but no one will find him.

BILLY - A scout is trustworthy-

MIKE - Look, rook!

DENNIS - Billy, please man, you can’t say anything!

BILLY - and loyal-

Mike advances, as...

...Billy grabs the SHOVEL -it makes a WET, SQUELCHING sound as he wrenches it from the ground -he holds the BLOODY SHOVEL out against -Mike, Steve and Dennis...

BILLY - A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. A scout isn’t a murderer!

Mike lunges despite the shovel...

MIKE - And we didn’t mean for this to happen, but it did!

BILLY - So be honorable, be loyal, be brave! Be responsible and tell-

...a WET and CURDLED WHEEZE escapes from the ground -they all look to the reed sticking up from the ground...

BILLY - Jimmy?

Billy turns back to Mike, Steve, and Dennis as Mike grabs the shovel from Billy and SWINGS FAST...

BLACK

Reveille echoes...

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - DAY

Troop 12 wakes and wanders out of their cabins.

INT. WILD CATS CABIN - DAY

The boys of Wild Cat Patrol wake -It takes a moment to notice James, and Billy’s beds are empty.

INT. OLDER SCOUT’S CABIN - DAY

Steve, Mike, and Dennis get out of bed. Try as they might to act normal, they are certain they are caught. None of them can help looking down into the Wild Cat’s cabin through the open walls...

Gil, the patrol leader heads outside...

GIL - Mr. Hollace- Jimmy and Billy aren’t here.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Are they on KP?

GIL - No, sir.

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - DAY

The Troop searches -Under cabins -Bathrooms -the surrounding tree-line- With their backs to the gulch, Mike, Steve, and Dennis stand nearby as Mr. Hollace directs the search...

EXT. ROYANEH MESS HALL - DAY

Scout Master Hollace approaches the pay phone. He fumbles with the clip board -his finger finds Murphy's name and phone number -he deposits a dime and dials...

EXT. THE GULCH CAMPSITE - DAY

Sarah strides up the hill. Her face is flush and wet with tears -she pauses and takes in Troop 12 standing at attention, in their patrols.

TROOP 12 (recites) - On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Master Hollace walks up and down, stopping at the Wild Cats Patrol and takes Kenny, the last boy in line, and herds him back two steps...

Sarah wipes the tears from her eyes and walks into camp...

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Do you know what these words mean?

Silence.

SCOUT MASTER HOLLACE - Silence is the problem.

...Hollace looks up as Sarah strides up and slaps him across the face...

SARAH - Where’s my son?

HARD CUT TO:

BLACK

JAMES (wheezing echo) - On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

THE END