FADE IN
EXT. RUSTIC TEXAS COUNTRYSIDE – MORNING
The sun’s first rays greet the beautiful Texas
landscape. Serene. Rustic. Inviting -
- as a solitary WOMAN, whose face we can’t
see, begins scaling the hill of a lonely dirt road, walking determinedly and
optimistically, fully engrossed in a weathered book.
WOMAN (V.O.)
I write because I
have to. I
cannot not write. It's
not as
much what I do as
who I am. So
I write, sometimes
for pleasure,
sometimes to learn, sometimes
to remind myself
I'm alive. And
always with an eye
to the sublime.
MID-DAY
As the sun mercilessly beats down on its
scorched victims, the woman continues on, slower than before but still
invigorated, continuing up the dusty trail, writing furiously.
WOMAN (V.O.)
There is so much more I wish
to see, to feel, to dream but
there is no more time to
pretend.
Life is too precious.
EVENING
A haunting, orange sunset illuminates the
sky as the woman, spent by her day’s journey, book and papers in hand, reflects
on her life as she crests a hill and disappears out of sight.
WOMAN (V.O)
That is why I write you now,
to tell you who I really am.
I also write to say good-bye.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - MORNING
We
now see the face of fiery idealist and hopeless romantic OLIVIA RAMSEY, 35,
reading “Walden,” intensely inspired -
OLIVIA (V.O.)
“… to front only
the essential
facts of life, and
see if I could
not learn what it
had to teach,
and not, when I
came to die,
discover that I had
not lived.”
-as
she reverently shuts the book and her eyes, drinking in every word, bathing in the
power and richness of the moment.
OLIVIA
Someday
I’ll touch the world
like that
– with a wave of words.
We
now see her fully, sweaty and dirty, as she and RUTH, 17, her frustrated,
self-conscious daughter, struggle to push their stalled, time-worn Ford Model T
down the road. Her hyperactive son, ALEX, 6, barely visible, excitedly steers
from the front.
RUTH
Fords! Overpriced scrap metal!
Horses are more reliable. Why are
we always the cheapest, oddest…
OLIVIA
Just think of us as
being unique.
RUTH
“Unique”ly weird.
OLIVIA
“Weird” is
underrated. Besides,
you don't want to
miss all this
exercise and
attention, do you?
RUTH
I’d rather blend
in.
OLIVIA
Come on, everyone
wants to stick
out a little and be
noticed.
As
Alex playfully honks the horn, Ruth retaliates with a scowl, cursing under her breath.
Alex honks again and Ruth finally loses it, beating on the car and kicking a
tire in a furious frenzy then glances hopelessly at her soiled appearance.
RUTH
Look at me! I have
a date
tonight. I can’t go
like this!
OLIVIA
So you do
want to be noticed!
Ruth
lets out an exasperated, “get me out of here!” scream.
OLIVIA
Come on, Ruth,
can’t you see
beyond your fear
and myopia at
the limitless destiny
unveiling
itself right in
front of you?
Olivia
and Ruth suddenly freeze, sensing something foreboding up the road then quickly
run for cover as a pickup truck roars by, honking. Dirt clouds cover the sky -
and them. Dusted!
The Model T rolls off the road and Alex
yells “HELP!” As the dust settles, the lazy, quaint town of Belleville appears.
EXT. BELLEVILLE TOWN SQUARE – LATER THAT
MORNING
Olivia
and Alex, shopping bags in hand, playfully window shop past rows of stores. PASSERSBY
watch: some amused, most appalled. Lagging behind, Ruth distances herself, embarrassed.
OLIVIA
Which dress should I wear to the
Governor’s Inaugural Gala?
ALEX
I like the red, furry one with
the blue gloves and white hat…
(tauntingly)
Wonder what Ruth’s wearing?
Ruth
remains aloof, looking around to see who is watching then, unable to hold back
any longer, excitedly joins in.
RUTH
I'll take the
emerald gown,
matching parasol, satin purse…
A
frumpy CLERK taps on the window from inside, pointing to a "NO
GAWKING" sign while a gaggle of snooty WOMEN GOSSIPS leer on from rocking
chairs across the street at Beth’s Beauty Barn.
OLIVIA
We'd rather dream anyway. In
our minds we can go anywhere,
be anyone, do
anything we desire.
RUTH
Mother! People are
watching.
Olivia abruptly halts, casting a stern gaze
at the clerk then at the Gossips then at all other onlookers, defying them all
–
OLIVIA
Let 'em watch.
- then throws them a cold shoulder as she walks
off. Across the street a gang of obnoxious MALE HECKLERS lounge and BS.
HECKLER 1
How’s the writing, Shakespeare?
Anything in there about me?
HECKLER 2
We’ll give you something to
write about, honey
bunch! Or
maybe we ain’t good
enough…
OLIVIA
Aren’t good enough!
Olivia
sighs hopelessly as several of Ruth's GIRLFRIENDS rush over to them, embracing
Ruth and teasing Alex to his disgust.
GIRLFRIEND 1
Hi, Mrs. Ramsey! I
loved your
guest
editorial on free speech.
It was so inspiring
and…
GIRLFRIEND 2
C’mon, Ruthy, we're getting
sodas. We can take you home.
Olivia welcomes the girls who continue
pestering Alex and coaxing Ruth, who looks back pleadingly to Olivia.
RUTH
Please,
mother? I’m not a
little
girl anymore!
Olivia struggles a moment, knowing she’s
not a child but not an adult either, then reluctantly agrees, exhaling a stern
sigh -
OLIVIA
Get home at a
decent hour.
As
the girls leave and Alex waves them off, BUBBA POLANSKI, 55, Belleville’s
oafish yet kindly mailman excitedly sneaks up from behind, startling them, as
he carefully over-inspects a letter.
BUBBA
Hi, Livi. Looks like another
rejection. Too thin to be…
Olivia
quiets him with a growl and cold stare, grabs her mail, and eyes the letter
with suspicion then signs, knowing he’s probably right. Shrugging it off, she
heads down the street.
Having
to coax Alex along, they reach the Hope Christian Church charity drop-off site
and a pile of donated items - all junk. This is the main reason they came to
town in the first place. A sign reads, “GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.” Alex
frowns.
As
Olivia gives him an “It’s time” glance, Alex opens the bag he’s now clutching
and looks forlornly inside at his favorite caste-iron toys then glances pathetically
back at Olivia.
ALEX
Can I have a minute to myself?
Olivia
empathetically nods, proud of Alex, who takes out his prized tractor, caresses
it then returns it to his bag. He walks slowly to the pile and solemnly
relinquishes his stash.
Pastor
G. MATTHEW GATES, 52, overly friendly and staunchly Baptist, greets them,
offering Alex an encouraging smile.
GATES
With that kind of
faith, son,
You may be a pastor
some day!
ALEX
I'd rather be a gangster.
The
crowd gasps as Alex playfully shoots an imaginary Tommy gun into the air then becomes
soberly conscious of the crowd and remembers his pitiful plight. Pastor Gates commiserates
with his predicament a moment then leans in to him with a sly smile.
GATES
You know, we might not need
quite all that metal today.
A
smile radiates over Alex's face as he reclaims one of his bags and runs back to
Olivia, freezing as he meets her stare.
He
regrettably returns to the pile, painstakingly forfeits his sack, and sadly
faces Pastor Gates.
ALEX
Sacrificing your favorite stuff
is part of being… a “gentleman.”
Hating
that word, Alex slinks back to Olivia who gives him a big hug then resolutely pulls
out some notes from her purse.
Clearing
her throat loudly, she waves over to Pastor Gates, and marches toward him. Seeing
her coming, he reluctantly smiles.
GATES
More sermon criticism, Olivia?
I’m still absorbing
last week’s.
Maybe you
should preach Sunday.
OLIVIA
Maybe I
should.
The
crowd gasps again at her boldness as she pockets her pages, grabs Alex, and
hurries off, just in time to meet Belleville’s most feared and hated resident,
newspaper owner and self- appointed town boss, JOSIAH SMYTHE, 66. They exchange
frowns.
With
him is his son, dashing and confident HARRIS SMYTHE, 32, the county’s most
eligible bachelor, who introduces himself -
HARRIS
Hello, Miss Ramsey,
I’m Harris
Smythe, the new
editor of…
OLIVIA
I know all about
you Smythes.
I choose to read
the national
papers. More
variety and
class. Less bias
and gossip.
Olivia
takes Alex’s hand and turns to leave, they notice JOE ANDERSON, 45, the town's
eccentric vagrant, who shuffles by.
Though
dirty and ragged, his pricey suit, polished wingtips, and sophisticated air
suggest there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. Alex excitedly leads
Olivia over to him.
ALEX
Hey, Crazy Joe! Going
to the
show? It's a
gangster picture.
Joe
avoids eye contact as Olivia protectively holds Alex back.
OLIVIA
Shooting Star is a love story
about hope,
passion, destiny,
transcendence, and
the sublime.
Thoroughly
disappointed, Alex rolls his eyes and Joe smiles, looking away quickly as they
catch him eagerly listening.
ALEX
Maybe Crazy Joe
could go with us?
OLIVIA
Don’t call him crazy. I’m sure
he just wants to be left alone.
As
Olivia leads Alex away, Joe give him a friendly wink. He winks back then
notices a dour-looking woman, IOLA HAYES, 44, with her six-year-old boy
triplets, EARLE, MERLE, and VERLE.
ALEX
It’s Aunt Iola and the boys!
Alex
starts to join them but is held back by Olivia while Iola, seeing them,
abruptly grabs her boys and hurries off.
Olivia
sadly looks at them then glances around at the entire unenlightened town, shaking
her head in hopeless disgust -
OLIVIA
I hate this place.
EXT. COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS PAVILION – NIGHT
A
PACKED CROWD, engrossed in the newsreels, sits on hay bales in front of a
makeshift movie stage with a sheet for a screen.
The
rowdy, male Hecklers sit up front near the uppity, female Gossips, who
scrutinize the crowd, conducting town business.
GOSSIP 1
Olivia and
Bertrand? She's
only with him for a
raise, you
know. Look at that
gaudy…
GOSSIP 2
… outfit! How could
I miss it?
Poor country trash.
Good grief,
girls, look over
there! It's…
GOSSIP 3
… Harris Smythe! What
a catch!
Young. Single.
Wealthy. Back
from New York and
he’s with…
GOSSIP 4
… Twila Graves. She
gets way
too frisky on the
first date.
And he can have
anyone he wants.
And does from what
I hear!
They scowl at each other a moment then
break into laughter.
EXT. MIDDLE OF THE CROWD
Olivia
keenly scans the crowd as she sits with her token date, BERTRAND SYKES, 40, the
frail, prudish public school principal, who tries to appear nonchalant as he
slowly inches toward her.
BERTRAND
I sense a night of drama!
OLIVIA
There's something I
need to do.
She leaps up and races off, leaving him alone
and frustrated.
BERTRAND
Hurry up. I’m not filling you
in. You know how I am.
Olivia’s
sour glance back indicates she knows all too well.
EXT. BUSHES AWAY FROM THE CROWD
Olivia
frantically searches the bushes as she hears the heavy breathing and whispering
of teenagers engaged in the heat of passion: Ruth and All-American boy ROBERT
THOMPSON, 18.
ROBERT (O.S.)
Ouch, my arm! Could
you move
to the right? No,
the right!
Olivia discovers their hiding place,
surprising them both.
OLIVIA
Hi kids! You O.K.? You're
missing everything
over here.
Robert
and Ruth scurry to attention, embarrassed as Olivia extends to Robert a stern
glare and a hand out of the bushes.
OLIVIA
I'm Olivia Ramsey,
Ruth's
manic, unpredictable
mother.
She directs her gaze and strained smile
toward Ruth -
OLIVIA
I see you're blending in well!
- then plays innocent and naïve, though no
one buys her act.
OLIVIA
I went to get
popcorn and heard
noises. Sounded
like a struggle.
But you two adults
seem fine.
Robert
awkwardly tucks his shirt in while offering to shake.
ROBERT
I'm… Robert Thompson. Ruth and
I… were just… Nothing
happened.
OLIVIA
(shaking his hand fiercely)
Believe me, I’d know if it did.
I better get back. Nice to meet
you, Robert. We'll talk soon.
Olivia carefreely whistles as she saunters
off, satisfied. Ruth casts Robert a mean
stare, mumbling angrily to herself.
EXT. MIDDLE OF THE CROWD
As
a young, troubled ACTRESS on the screen melodramatically commiserates, Olivia
returns to her seat.
Grabbing
a handful of Bertrand’s popcorn and getting an annoyed look from him, she
ignores his pettiness, engrossing herself in the movie.
ACTRESS
I'm finished. My life is over.
It’s hopeless. All is lost.
OLIVIA
(pleading to the screen)
Don’t give up. Fight
back.
(to
Bertrand)
What’d I miss?
The
crowd shushes Olivia. She shushes them back and grabs for more popcorn. Bertrand
reluctantly obliges and fills her in -
BERTRAND
Sarah found out she can't
have children and is worried
that Jed won't marry her now.
Her sister's family lost their
farm so she can’t care for her
blind son, Tom, who was sent to
an asylum. Now, she feels the
whole town is judging her.
OLIVIA
Sniveling, cowardly
bastards!
The
audience shushes Olivia again. She shushes them back.
ACTRESS
What'll I do? What'll
I do?
Suddenly
the film burns through and the actress melts before their eyes. The screen goes
blank. So does the crowd. Eternity passes. Then a collective sign. The night’s
been ruined.
MAN IN CROWD
What’ll she
do? What’ll we do?
Restless,
agonizing moments pass, the audience dumbfounded, then Olivia takes a deep
breath, surveys the crowd, grabs a resistant Bertrand, and runs toward and
jumps onto the stage –
OLIVIA
I'll tell you what I'll do!
Olivia
glares at a petrified Bertrand whom she restrains from escaping then faces the
astonished crowd then throws him to the ground and dramatically incarnates the tormented
actress.
OLIVIA
It’s not hopeless. All is
not lost. I’m not giving up!
(angrier
and louder)
I’ll defy all you petty people.
I’ll rise above you all. You
naysayers don’t define me. My
quest is for the sublime.
I’m the hero of my own…
She
grabs Bertrand, pulls him up, and shakes him angrily.
OLIVIA
We need to talk, Jed! Now!
All
eyes are on Bertrand, who pitifully whimpers then sneezes then freaks out,
stumbling off the stage as the crowd, warming up, boos and whistles. Left
alone, Olivia waves a fist at him.
OLIVIA
Go - like everyone else!
The
crowd cheers as Alex jumps headlong onto the stage.
ALEX
Mommy! Mommy!
The crowd
laughs. Olivia tries not to. The Gossips shake their heads at each other in
disgust while eagerly watching.
OLIVIA
But I can’t have any children,
remember? You must be… Tom…
yea, Tom, my blind nephew!
Alex
closes his eyes, aimlessly grabbing the air as the crowd laughs again. Olivia
snickers then jumps back in character –
OLIVIA
We can't be
beat! We won't be
beat! HELL will
not defeat us!
Fully
engaged, the crowd gasps then grows deathly silent, hanging on every word, captivated
by Olivia’s performance. Suddenly Harris leaps from his hay bale, leaves his
YOUNG shapely DATE and heads for
the stage, yelling -
HARRIS
Don’t worry! I'll
rescue you!
The
crowd cheers as Olivia welcomes Harris on stage.
OLIVIA
We’re saved Tom! It’s… It’s…
It's… Who are you?
Everyone bursts into raucous laughter. Collecting
themselves, Harris and Olivia over-emote their roles with inspired passion.
HARRIS
I’m Paul, your long
lost lover,
back from the War. Once
worlds
apart, now together
forever.
OLIVIA
Oh, that
Paul! Dearest Paul!
Olivia
unabashedly hugs Harris. Surprised, Harris hugs her back. Alex hugs them both. While
some of the crowd are in shock and others are appalled at the theatrics, most
applaud wildly as we hear the stern, skeptical, sarcastic voice -
MAN'S VOICE (V.O.)
… about last night. We are
very disturbed about the shocking
events that took place.
