EXT. WOODS, RIVER LOCATION -MORNING
Kevin sits on a log taking a break from his work. His lumberjacket is filthy and his jeans are torn and there are circles under his eyes. At his feet rests a well worn Builder's Manual. Kevin is exhausted but the building at the rock has progressed considerably. All three posts are in the ground and joined at the top with roughly hewn 6x8 boards. The foundation wall is finished- a rock and mortar face circling the base of the structure. The floor has been framed with a few planks nailed over, and there is piping leading through the floor down and out the side of the foundation towards the reeds.
Kevin blows steam from his cup and gazes out over the water. It is a clear fall morning with little breeze; the trees are just starting to turn and a light frost lays over those areas still in shadow.
Theresa approaches from over the rise.
Kevin turns and smiles when he sees her.
Theresa flops down onto the log next to Kevin, wincing slightly because she sat down too hard. She leans her head into his shoulder and looks up at him.
I figured it out Theresa. These
Theresa wraps her arms around Kevin’s neck.
She motions her chin to indicate the construction site.
For a moment a shadow passes over Kevin’s face. Then he looks at Theresa with a smile that seems like a grimace.
EXT. LAROCHE HOME -DAY
The front walk. Andrea is at the door, talking to Theresa who is in the doorway.
Theresa shrugs her shoulders and leans against the door frame. Andrea regards her for a moment.
Theresa just shakes her head slowly, eyes challenging, lips pressed tight. Andrea nods patiently. She reaches into her purse and pulls out some cigarettes.
She offers a cigarette to Theresa, who accepts the smoke warily.
She accepts Andrea’s offer of a light.
The two young women smoke in silence. Andrea looks up at the house.
Andrea takes a pull from her cigarette and then stubs it out in a tin can provided on the porch.
Theresa regards Andrea and waits.
Andrea looks down at her feet.
Andrea turns and walks away. Theresa watches her and smokes her cigarette.
INT. WOODS, RIVER LOCATION -DAY
Theresa is helping Kevin install a window into the now roughly completed wall.
She steps back and looks at the installed window.
So where'd you get this from?
Theresa looks around surveying the interior. The frame of the house is completed, with the outer walls finished. The house hugs around the rock like a grasping hand. Steps lead up from the main room to a smaller room nestled in the bough of the tree. Theresa shakes her head.
...So Andrea says everyone's
Theresa looks at Kevin with surprise.
Prac- You're still with the band?
I don't manage the band, I just play in it.
Walk. Yeah and speaking of which-
Theresa looks away.
Kevin stares at Theresa.
...You? YOU rode your BIKEY here?
Kevin walks over to Theresa and puts his hands on her hips. He kisses her on the nose.
Let's go take a look at the old chariot.
EXT. TRAIL IN WOODS
Kevin and Theresa make their way along the trail, close to reaching the road.
Don't talk shit about my Gran-
Theresa stops in her tracks.
There is a MENNONITE FAMILY waiting in the clearing where the trail meets the road. Two men, Father and Son, and a Horse and Buggy with the Mother and two Younger Children within. The men appear to have been inspecting Theresa’s bike as well as the tire tracks in the dirt. They turn and look at Kevin as he approaches. Theresa hesitates and then follows.
The Father gestures towards the bike.
The Father briefly regards Theresa, then turns his attention back to Kevin. The Son looks on impassively.
The Father looks to his Son and the two share the hint of a smile.
Kevin takes the initiative, moving forward and extending his hand.
Kevin motions towards Theresa with his free hand.
The Father looks at Kevin’s hand for a moment. Then he takes Kevin’s hand in his own and leans forward, locking eyes with Kevin.
The Father's grip tightens around Kevin's hand.
Kevin evenly returns the Father's stare.
The Father releases Kevin’s hand and steps back.
The Father turns and walks over to the Buggy, stepping up into the Driver's seat. His Son follows and climbs into the the back seat. Without another word the Father lifts the reins and the Buggy pulls out onto the road, clopping slowly away. In the backseat the Son continues to fix them with his steady gaze, until the Buggy is well off into the distance.
Kevin turns and smiles at Theresa.
Continues...
Chapter Four of an ongoing serialized screenplay.
Writing and image by Greg McCann, the author of this post and owner of this Steemit Channel. Originally posted in May 2012 as a submission to the [Amazon Studios site under the working title of "Freedom"](https://studios.amazon.com/projects/10747#contributions/17778).