The Given Days (MASTER SCRIPT)

The Given Days
Written By
Joshua Gennari & Jonathan Gennari
Based on original Concept by: Joshua Gennari & Doron Clays
Area 51 Productions Joshua M. Gennari
Copyright 2010 Executive Producer
All Rights Reserved (360) 539-7829
deousepo@area51productionsllc.com

2
Opening Credits
The opening credits roll. As credits roll we see
Justin driving.
He glances at his rearview mirror and there are dog tags
hanging from it.
Split scene between senior year 2000 (Oregon maybe, there
are 2 large football colleges in Oregon) and Iraq fall 2002.
The senior year scene is a game where the football team is
pummeling a school at their home field.
The scene in Iraq is a dangerous battle with Justin and his
squad in which they are infiltrating an enemy bunker.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY1.
(SOUND) In the background the intercom is making
announcements, including the recent victory of the football
team.
Max Approaches Justin’s locker.
MAX
Hey man. Where’d you go after the
game?
JUSTIN
I just took off with Sierra.
MAX
Oh shit, getting that ass on the
regular
JUSTIN
(He laughs)
Fuck off man.
MAX
But... you are crushing it right?
JUSTIN
I’m...not talking about this with
you...I mean she’s the most fun
I’ve ever had
MAX
Yea but you see, women will sneak
in with fun, only to break your
heart. Where’d ya take off to?
2

3
JUSTIN
She took me to this amazing spot
with a view of some mountain or
lake or both
MAX
(as Loquisha)
...Oh dat’s so romantical!
(they laugh)
So are you two gonna get married at
like 19 and have a million
babies...or what?
JUSTIN
No
MAX
I mean don’t you even wanna go to
college?
JUSTIN
Oh I’m goin to mutha fuckin
college. You know this. We both
goin to college the way we’re
bulldozing through the playoffs.
MAX
True
JUSTIN
Plus you know there’s gonna be
scouts from the Ducks. And that’s
an in to at least a shot at the
league.
MAX
Yea but it’s never a sure thing.
What if you get hurt?
JUSTIN
This from the jackass who’ll piss
away 500 dollars on one bet at the
track
MAX
That was different. It was an
investment and you know it
(Justin laughs)
Laying 50-1 odds on that pony I’d
be an idiot not to take action on
it.
(they laugh)
(MORE)
3

4
So listen I made some money on a
MAX (CONT'D)
Bet and I wanted to give you a cut.
JUSTIN
What are you talking about?
MAX
I shaved points in the district
playoff. Just one score man, and
they gave me a grand. So here’s
five hundred
Max hands Justin the cash.
JUSTIN
Not fucking cool bro. I need this
money but everyone’s counting on us
ending this season with a blast.
You’re dad, the scouts... what if
you get caught?
MAX
Don’t WORRY bro I got it under
control.
INT. ARMY BARRACKS IRAQ - DAY2.
Iraq- Justin is alone drinking in his barracks writing a
letter to Max.
JUSTIN (V.O.)
I guess it probably seemed like I
just ran away. My motivation was
simple. Escape. I don’t know if
I’ll ever get over the
embarrassment or the hurt. What the
hell were you thinking? And I
can’t help thinking-if it wasn’t
for that defeat would I have ever
come to put my ass on the line for
something I don’t fully understand?
INT. MAX’S HOUSE - NIGHT3.
Back to the senior year. Max and Justin are in Max’s
bedroom.
It is the evening before the championship.
4

5
JUSTIN
So man, you ready for tomorrow?
MAX
All I do is drop perfectly threaded
passes through double coverage to
score touchdowns...all day
JUSTIN
And all I do is catch anything I
see and beat the secondary like a
naughty stepchild.
MAX
but without those perfectly
inspired tosses...
JUSTIN
Uh huh, you’re a god among men I
get it
MAX
So how are things with your “wife”?
JUSTIN
They are awesome. She just found
out that her SAT score was way
higher than she needed to get into
the U. So she'll be there with us
in the fall. As long as we play
well against Portland East I think
they’ll offer me enough scholarship
to be living easy and free of this
fucking town.
MAX
That’s good man. Real good, I don’t
think I’m gonna go to school
though.
JUSTIN
What?
MAX
Yea dude, college is great for you
but my dad’s got a spot for me as
soon as I get my diploma. That’s a
decent salary right there. Plus...
four more years of school??... no
thanks.
5

6
JUSTIN
What about us playing together on
the next level?
MAX
I don’t have that kinda talent and
you know it. I’m good enough to win
with great players around me.
You’re the true prodigy. My dad is
always getting on about how it was
to win a championship and how it’s
gonna be for me. Don’t you ever get
tired of being expected to win
every game of your life?
JUSTIN
No.
MAX
Of everyone expecting you to be
better than the competition...
(as If he’s just thinking
of it.)
What if we just threw it?
JUSTIN
You really are crazy, man.
MAX
I mean we just put down a gob of
money and use the one thing in our
lives we can control to actually
see a massive win. All there is to
really win...money.
JUSTIN
I will NEVER agree to that crazy
logic.
MAX
Of course not... but it really is
the real prize... a trophy will go
into our fucking hall of fame glass
wall, but money is ours to use how
we want. I mean we’ve worked our
asses off since we were fifteen,
for what? Our school to get all the
credit?
JUSTIN
Dude I know your joking...it’s not
funny though. This is my chance to
(MORE)
6

7
get scouted and take the next step
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
to going pro. We’ve talked about
this since we were kids. What about
the rest of the team and coach?
Honestly, fuck that. This is for my
future. And you’re joking about
fucking it all away for a couple
grand. You have the rest of
your life to fix gambling schemes.
MAX
Yea man I’m just fucking around
anyway.
JUSTIN
Ya, that’s something that we’d
regret...like forever bro.
MAX
(chuckle)I know. I’m just saying
that kinda cash wouldn’t be bad.
JUSTIN
Not worth it!
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT4.
There are two cars in a parking lot.
We see Max get out of one car and get into the other.
INT. CAR - NIGHT5.
Max is sitting in the car across from two men.
One is obviously a body guard.
We see an exchange of money.
EXT. MILITARY BASE - DAY6.
Iraq-Justin and a fellow soldier are on some down time.
Gunshots are still heard in the distance.
Chris and Justin are tossing a football.
CHRIS
I wish there was somewhere to get a
cold beer around here.
JUSTIN
Ha...haven’t had beers in at least
2 months
7

8
CHRIS
Me too... GOD has it been that
long? How long you been here J?
JUSTIN
Got in bout 9 months ago, you?
CHRIS
...a fucking lifetime ago. It’s
like everything that happened until
I arrived here was to a different
person. I thought about going to
school and studying business. I
couldn’t get a scholarship so I
figured I'd enlist. Only way I’ll
be able to pay for a worthwhile
education. Here though... you just
stay alive or you don’t.
JUSTIN
Right... rule number one: keep your
shit wired tight at all times.
CHRIS
Right...and that’s understood. But
fuck Justin, how many kids you seen
come through here and get blown to
pink mist? And some of these boys
didn’t have a shirt on their backs
at home. They figure they scrape
their way through life so why not
fight for a living? They don’t have
any other means. They have no
choice in life.
JUSTIN
I know.
CHRIS
Most of us just don’t get it...
without love there is no being.
Love of life, love of art, of
competition, or of a girl. Without
it we are robots going through
life...
getting married, raising kids,
paying our mortgage and
contributing no real substance to
the world. Do you think the heads
(meaning the enemy) appreciate art,
culture or anything?
8

9
JUSTIN
I don’t thinks so. I mean they have
families and all but don’t they
believe they own their women? Their
women are property.
CHRIS
GOD...THAT’S fucking barbaric. And
how many of our men have been
killed by these...Fuckers. I mean
they go about life thinking they’re
gonna die in combat and go to
heaven and reap their reward. They
are living for heaven? Life is the
motha fucking gift, nothing else is
granted. We try to survive so we
can go back to living, but they
live and fight to die, how do you
defeat an enemy like that?
JUSTIN
We can’t... as of yet
CHRIS
I mean these 19 year old boys they
don’t deserve to die by the hand of
some psychopath. And it feels like
the enemy’s are all exactly that...
No one deserves to go out like
that.
JUSTIN
No...
CHRIS
Shit no man... struck down in their
prime by “men” who cower in caves
and try to rule over their women
and their people as dictators. They
certainly don’t deserve that
JUSTIN
I know... but sometimes I feel like
I don’t deserve the days I’ve been
given. Like I’m wasting life, and
wasting myself. And that someone
else who’s died before me probably
deserves to be alive more.
CHRIS
No man you can’t think like that.
Its luck... and then Bam! it’s
(MORE)
9

10
gone. So just by getting out of
CHRIS (CONT'D)
here you will deserve all the days
you are given.
JUSTIN
Sometimes man, it feels like
every fucking day is just leading
to my demise. And it’s like I’ve
accepted that it will happen to me.
I see my buddies get hit by a road
side or an RPG or get there face
blown off by a sniper. It’s
eventually all of our fate. I mean
who gives a fuck bout us? The
brass? What are we to them?
CHRIS
Meat.
JUSTIN
(in agreement) Fucking meat, and
that’s all we’ll ever be. It’s
okay... but I can’t help but figure
why not get it over with I mean
it’s today...or tomorrow.
CHRIS
It’s a commitment brother. Here you
gotta decide to stay alive, commit
to not fucking up and maybe you
have a shot at getting out.(getting
them out of the dark direction the
conversation is going) You got a
lady stateside J?
JUSTIN
He thinks about it for a
moment)...Nah, I had nothing to
offer her.
CHRIS
She left you?
JUSTIN
Saved her the trouble.
CHRIS
You still think of her
JUSTIN
All the time.
(Starting to daydream a
10

11
little.)
She’s my.....uh we dated
in high school.
CHRIS
(Baffled)
Why would you give her up? You love
her. Clearly you still
do man. She’s your escape from all
this. She’s gonna get you home.
JUSTIN
What?
CHRIS
Dude you just thought of her and
you’re face lit up. So the next
time you’re in the thick of it...
ready to give up, ready to let a
bullet land square on your chest
and end it, you think of her and
you’ll find your way through it.
Things are clearly not finished
between you...and this girl.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT - NIGHT7.
This is a flashback of Justin and Sierra’s first kiss.
It takes place after a game when he is coming out of the
showers.
He and Max are leaving and she is in the parking lot on her
car dressed very hot.
It is night she spots him.
This scene should move very slow and fluid like a dream.
SIERRA
Hey there all-star... need a ride?
MAX
(Knowing that Justin will
be riding with Sierra
now. )
I’ll see you later
He goes to his car and drives off
JUSTIN
Ya I’d love one.
11

12
They get into her car.
INT. SIERRA’S CAR - NIGHT8.
SIERRA
(She is playfully teasing
and flirting throughout
the scene)
That was some show you put on
today.
JUSTIN
(A little embarrassed)
Thanks.
SIERRA
It’s funny you guys look like
you’re not even trying sometimes.
As though you know what everybody
else is gonna do and you can just
walk into the end zone.
JUSTIN
It’s just...Max and I know each
other so well we fall into rhythm
as second nature as breathing.
SIERRA
Aww so you’re boyfriends.
JUSTIN
(Jokingly)
Yeah we’re in love. But sometimes I
feel like he just doesn’t listen to
me.
SIERRA
(Laughs)
I made you something (Now
she is a little embarrassed
She fiddles in the backseat which makes Justin a little
uncomfortable as she is driving, she eventually fishes out a
picture that she has drawn or painted of him in his football
uniform helmet off.
JUSTIN
This is amazing.
SIERRA
Yea right... You’re sweet though.
12

13
JUSTIN
No I mean thanks for the picture,
it’s amazing... but you are
phenomenally talented. What...are
you going to do with it?
SIERRA
I don’t know I like to just, see
how things go.
They arrive at Justin’s house.
JUSTIN
(Somewhat oblivious about
to get out)
Well, thanks for the
picture... uh and the ride.
JUSTIN
I guess you’ll just have to repay
me.
Justin looks at her she smiles very big...he kisses her.
It is a kiss that has been so anticipated by both of them
that it’s explosive but a little slow to start.
They have both kissed other people and maybe even slept with
other people but this kiss is special because it’s both of
their first kiss with someone they have real feelings for.
JUSTIN
(sighs)
Where’ve you been all my life?
INT. HUMVEE IN IRAQ - DAY9.
They are on a secluded road headed to a village in the
distance.
In the back are Justin and Chris Taylor, and in the front
are staff sergeant Paul Leazak and specialist (sniper) Brad
Henderson.
LEAZAK
(To Chris and Justin very
motivational)
ALRIGHT boys you’re my cleanup
crew. This cell is 6 men that we
know of and we need it to be quick.
They’ve ambushed 2 units with no
survivors and they’ve killed 2
reporters that we know of. This is
(MORE)
13

14
a straight forward mission.
LEAZAK (CONT'D)
CHRIS
(jokingly)
So you want us to be
diplomatic.
LEAZAK
That’s a negative boys you are not
taking prisoners on this mission.
HENDERSON
In and out boys. You fucking know
the drill.
JUSTIN
In and...outnumbered three to one.
HENDERSON
Isn’t that yall’s specialty?
LEAZAK
Boys we all know the level of skill
you two possess that’s why you were
chosen for this mission. Now if
you’ll stop fucking about here’s
the village.
(hands them a map)
Now the leader (some Islamic name)
operates out of this hut with his
bodyguard. There’s a sniper on each
of the far corner buildings East
West North South. There’s usually
two infantry soldiers guarding the
leader's hut and there’s gonna be
at least one guard patrolling the
village.
CHRIS
So a guard, two soldiers and four
snipers...fucking cake Sarge’.
JUSTIN
Yea we got this.
HENDERSON
The East and West snipers we can
take care of.
LEAZAK
Yea that’s why we need you to
get in quiet and lay these fuckers
(MORE)
14

15
down cleanly. Because you still
LEAZAK (CONT'D)
have to get in the main hut.
Henderson and I will take out the
two snipers and provide cover for
you the entire time.
Henderson flashes his intervention sniper rifle
and I will be manning the 60
cal.
(referring to the Gun
mounted on the car)
You two get your shit together. We
arrive in 3 minutes.
During this dialogue the men are just getting there last
pieces of equipment ready such as: silencers, frags, stun
grenades etc.
CHRIS
You ready for this?
JUSTIN
Fuckin’ ’A’.
CHRIS
Just know I got you out there.
JUSTIN
I know.
CHRIS
Watch out for fucking traps and
small explosives. Keep your ears
peeled man we gotta hear any rags
comin our way and be ready to drop
'em.
JUSTIN
I know. Thanks...
(They both lock and load)
READY!
CHRIS
READY.
LEAZAK
Alright men... we’re here. Clean
this fucking shit hole out. We will
be watching over you so don’t
worry.
15

16
JUSTIN
Guardian angels huh?
LEAZAK
Is there any other kind...?
Soldiers... MOVE OUT.
Justin and Chris jump out of the Humvee.
Chris turns to Justin.
CHRIS
To living!
JUSTIN
Hoorah!
EXT. IRAQI VILLAGE - DAY10.
The two men stealthily approach the village each one
watching the others flank.
Even though they know the enemy is there on the approach it
should feel completely secluded.
The two men find cover and spot the patrol guard. He is
separated from the rest of the cell.
Chris pops up and triple taps (two in the chest one in the
head) he drops.
At the same time we see Henderson take out the first sniper.
They move up 12 meters to the next covered area.
They spot one of the soldiers, but do not see the other and
they do not see the snipers so they wait to proceed.
Justin spots one of the snipers on top of a north building.
He carefully lines up his shot and kills him.
While he’s taking out the sniper Chris kills the soldier.
They move up to the next guarded area.
They are on opposite sides of what was a building but is now
rubble.
During this time the second soldier has made his way up to
the second floor of one of the western buildings.
He is carrying a rocket launcher.
CHRIS
By my count, if they got the
(MORE)
16

17
snipers there’s just the last
CHRIS (CONT'D)
soldier, the bodyguard and El
Capitan right?
JUSTIN
Right... let’s finish this. Where’s
this rag at?
CHRIS
Scan the roofs I’ll...
They hear the launch of the rocket headed their way
CHRIS
GET THE FUCK DOWN!
As he finishes the rocket hits close to his feet.
Aside from blast shock Justin is fine he sees Chris get
thrown, and bleed out...
At the same time we see Sgt. Leazak kill the rocket shooter
with the 60 cal.
JUSTIN
FUUUUUCKKK!!
Justin sprints to the main hut.
Gets down.
Throws in a stun grenade and with reckless abandon runs in
and knifes the two last men.
As Justin is leaving the village he hears footsteps and
turns his weapon to see a small figure.
He keeps his weapon on it, as he approaches he realizes it’s
a child that has been hiding.
The child is holding a handgun probably a revolver given to
him by one of the men in the cell.
JUSTIN
Kid... Put the fucking gun down.
Put it down boy.
(He tries to remember any
Arab taught to them in
training such as “drop
your weapon” but can’t)
Kid... Please God put
the fucking weapon down.
17

18
The boy begins to fire and Justin kills him.
The boy gets his round off it gets Justin in the leg as that
is the highest he could hold the gun.
Justin falls to his knees
JUSTIN
SHIIITT!!!
Slow motion shot view from the Humvee, Justin is trying to
run out from the village to get to the vehicle he can’t move
very well and falls but tries to keep moving.
Henderson pulls his side arm and leaves the vehicle to help
him.
JUSTIN
Chris’ DEAD.
HENDERSON
Come on we gotta get you to the
HUMV.
He is able to finally get Justin in the back.
This whole time,Leazak is looking out but the entire cell is
dead
LEAZAK
Taylor?
HENDERSON
Didn’t make it.
LEAZAK
God Dammit... we gotta get him to
Triage right NOW!
INT JUSTIN’S CAR - DAY11.
Justin in his car driving.
His dog tags hang in the rearview.
He is listening to classic rock maybe singing a little.
He has been relieved of duty and is on his way home.
He is not distressed but not excited to be going home.
When he arrives it is to a modest house he parks gets out
but doesn’t get his bag.
18

19
He is limping but not severely impaired.
Can still get up and down on his own.
Mike Prophet steps out of the house.
He is middle-aged and a surrogate father to Justin.
MIKE
Well I’ll be damned. You’re home
kid
JUSTIN
Yea...I’m home.
MIKE
...How the hell are you? I’ve
missed you
JUSTIN
I’m good... you know...I’m good.
God it’s crazy to be here. When
things aren’t goin a million miles
an hour I just don’t know what I’m
doin.
MIKE
That’ll die down. You just gotta
give yourself time to find your
footing.
JUSTIN
Yea I don’t know how long that’s
gonna take.
MIKE
Well I got your room all set up.
It’s the first room on the left
JUSTIN
I remember.
MIKE
(Laughs)
Oh, that’s right.You
gonna go over and see your dad?
JUSTIN
I don’t know that I’ll ever be
ready for that. Has he even come up
for air?
19

20
MIKE
He actually stopped for about a
month. Said he’d been goin to
meetings and then a few days later,
I saw him drinking beers at
(He sees that Justin
doesn’t need to hear the
rest.)
...Well you should at least see
Sierra
JUSTIN
How...how is she? She move away?
She married?
MIKE
No Justin she’s not married. She’s
had a few boyfriends. Nothin
serious. I don’t think she ever got
over you champ...and she still
works at the diner.
JUSTIN
Yea?
MIKE
Every time I see her she asks if
I’ve heard from you. You should go
talk to her I think she’s working
right now.
JUSTIN
She wouldn’t want to see me.
MIKE
Justin... that’s exactly what she’s
wanted for what... goin on three
years now. God you just disappeared
and I hear from you every six
months. At least I knew you were
alive though.
HE GRABS HIS BAG AND STARTS INSIDE. TURNS TO MIKE11.01.
JUSTIN
Thanks... for letting me stay here.
MIKE
Of course kid.
EXT.DINER - EVENING12.
20

21
Justin pulls up to the diner.
He sees Sierra through the glass and is trying to get up the
courage to go in.
He is completely choked up and cannot do it so he leaves.
EXT.DINER - EVENING13.
The next day Justin is in front of the diner trying to get
up the courage again.
He is still unable to go in.
But this time she spots his car and starts for the front of
the store as she gets outside he drives away.
Then Sierra goes to the phone to call Mike.
She pulls out her cell phone.
She hits speed dial.
SIERRA
Hi Mike.
CUT TO:
INT. TOWN BAR - EVENING14.
Justin is in a bar sipping a drink. It is pretty busy but he
is sitting alone.
The crowd is rushing by him but he is almost in slow motion.
He leaves to go home.
INT. MIKES HOUSE - NIGHT15.
Justin gets home from the bar.
Mike sees him and nods to the living room.
He enters the living room and Sierra is sitting on the
couch.
This scene should move very slowly.
All their motions specifically Justin’s are somewhat timid.
She looks up at him.
JUSTIN
Hey.
21

22
SIERRA
Hey.
JUSTIN
Listen...I’m so....
SIERRA
...Don’t! I can’t hear it. Don’t
want to hear it.
JUSTIN
Then?
SIERRA
(She looks at him and begins to see
the real toll that combat has
taken.)You know every day I saw you
die some horrible way and there was
no way to know if it was true. All
that time I couldn’t talk to you
couldn’t touch you. You’re home
now. Home’s good enough! (He goes
to her they take each other’s
hands.
JUSTIN
All I thought about was being with
you and touching you too. It felt
like my entire life had slipped
away. But I had to...get away
SIERRA
I know why you left, but we all
knew you didn’t cheat. Max was in
dirty with some slimy dudes.
JUSTIN
Yea and I got screwed.
SIERRA
She is beginning to break down.
Well I got screwed too Justin. You
were gone without a word. The love
of my life vanished! A disappearing
act and I’m here...shattered. (she
starts to cry; he embraces her and
holds her) Why...leave me?
JUSTIN
I’m sorry. I’m here now.
22

23
SIERRA
(Sniffling)
Finally. But...
JUSTIN
Yea?
SIERRA
She is trying not to break down
again) Where’ve you been all my
life?
They laugh. They embrace again and kiss
INT. MIKE’S HOUSE KITCHEN - MORNING16.
The breakfast table.
Justin is drinking coffee and Mike pours a bowl of cereal.
Justin goes to the computer a few feet away to play poker
and eat.
MIKE
So?
JUSTIN
Yeah?
MIKE
...Is she here? Do I need to look
away?
JUSTIN
No, she didn’t spend the night.
MIKE
No judgment.
JUSTIN
It just needs to be right.
MIKE
Absolutely...You know she still
loves you as if you were never
gone.
JUSTIN
She’s amazing.
MIKE
There’s no rarer love, than one
(MORE)
23

24
still trusting after not having
MIKE (CONT'D)
connection in years.
JUSTIN
You know when I was over there it
felt like even if I made it out I
wouldn’t be able to get her back
into my life.
MIKE
Why would you think that?
JUSTIN
Because... I just left her....
without a word. It was inexcusable.
MIKE
Yet, she excused you. Justin, why
did you leave? Was it the game?
JUSTIN
Yea... it was the game.
HE TURNS TO Justin
MIKE
He had a lot of people fooled with
that game. That everybody gets out
of rhythm. I knew better though. I
saw you two together for your whole
high school careers boy...You two
were something to see the way you
would pick a defense apart... (They
are both reliving it a little.)
He’d throw you three or four slants
pick up a couple yards. Hand the
ball to Teddy Johnson, pick up the
first and on first down let you
burn the secondary and float you a
prayer that you caught every time.
You kids were not outmatched by
Portland East. That’s how I knew.
JUSTIN
I wish I could go back to that last
game. If I could have just made him
realize that nothing could be worth
giving up that shot.
MIKE
I know... I know, but no one ever
thought you were a part of it. You
know that right?
24

25
JUSTIN
He told me he was shaving points. I
pleaded with him not to do anything
stupid, and I thought he had
agreed. But after that I just knew
I couldn’t spend the rest of the
year pretending like that. Plus I
couldn’t live with Dad. He was
falling, inside and out. I couldn’t
watch so there was nowhere to go
but away. Forget everything I had
ever known and maybe it wouldn’t
feel like my dream derailed and
crashed into the station.
MIKE
But you could’ve gone to a
different school and worked your
way up to the athletic program. You
always had the talent to get you
in.
JUSTIN
Maybe... but the scouts that
mattered were at that game. Once
they see a team fall apart like
that they will never look at you
the same. You get labeled,
“unable to finish strong”.
And with everything falling apart I
thought the only thing in my life I
could control was where I was
going. I figured by the time I was
done I would at least have enough
money to marry Sierra...Then we
went to war.
MIKE
Everyone was so shocked.
Mike goes to the fridge gets a beer and one for Justin.
JUSTIN
Then I just had to roll with it.
MIKE
I couldn’t be happier to have you
home. Oh I talked to Terry Collins
at the Mill. He said “with
everything Justin has done for our
country he will always have a place
(MORE)
25

26
to work with me”.
MIKE (CONT'D)
JUSTIN
That’s good. I need something to
do. It’s crazy adjusting to life in
real time.
MIKE
Things look different when
everything isn’t life and death
huh?
JUSTIN
Exactly and it’s easy to get a
little stir crazy. You know?
MIKE
What are you doing today? We can
toss the ball around. I feel as
though I never get outside anymore.
JUSTIN
Well you’re old (Mike laughs) and I
have to go to the VA but maybe
later
MIKE
I’m not old. Am I?
JUSTIN
Well the rule is if you have to
ask...you’re old. So have you even
heard from Max
MIKE
I see him every once and awhile
here and there. He just nods and
doesn’t say anything. I think he
just doesn’t know where to begin.
From what I understand he was
really getting leaned on by the
guys that got him to throw the
game.
JUSTIN
Yea, I’m sure he got himself into
all kinds of trouble.
MIKE
What happens when you see him? It
will happen eventually.
26

27
JUSTIN
Nothin I guess. Just say hi,
there’s nothing else to say.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY17.
An Attendant serves Justin. At the same time we see Max from
behind go in to get cigarettes.
As Justin is taking the gas nozzle off and puts it into the
car and this triggers a flashback.
ATTENDANT
Sir
JUSTIN
Yea
ATTENDANT
Do you just want me to fill it
up?
JUSTIN
That’s fine.
From the rear view mirror Justin sees the Attendant take the
nozzle and begin pumping.
This triggers a flashback to Iraq.
EXT. CITY STREET IN IRAQ - DAY18.
Chris and Justin hear an explosion by a car.
They both get down behind another car.
There are bullets flying by and hitting the car they are
behind.
Chris tosses a grenade and Justin comes out and fires four
shots.
And gets back to cover as Chris gets up and does the same
JUSTIN
Fuck. That was close
CHRIS
Yea. Way too fucking close.
JUSTIN
You hit man. You good?
27

28
CHRIS
Yea good. I think we got them.
Check to be sure.
Justin Looks to the area where the attackers were and sees
them laying there.
Kneels back to Chris
JUSTIN
Yea clear.
EXT. THE GAS STATION - DAY19.
ATTENDANT
Sir...Sir...Sir
JUSTIN
Yes
ATTENDANT
It’s full. Here’s your card
Hands him the card.
JUSTIN
Thanks.
Gives him a tip.
ATTENDANT
Thanks. Have a good day.
Goes back into store.Justin is lost for a moment.
Then Max bangs on the trunk.
MAX
I don’t believe it...
JUSTIN
Max...
He comes to Justin’s window.
MAX
How the hell are you stranger?
JUSTIN
It’s been...
28

29
MAX
To long brother.
JUSTIN
How are you?
MAX
Great! I got a salary job with the
firm.
JUSTIN
That’s really great man. I guess
you always knew that was coming.
MAX
Yea but with my dad you never know.
JUSTIN
Sure...
(Trying to get away)
It’s good to see you man.
MAX
Wait you can’t go... we got to
catch up soon.
JUSTIN
(Thinks about it for a
moment as if he has a
choice)
Ok.
They exchange numbers and Justin drives away
See ya.
INT. THE VA HOSPITAL - DAY20.
Justin is waiting in the patient room.
The doctor enters.
DOCTOR
(reading from the
clipboard)
Justin Miller.
JUSTIN
Yea
(they shake hands )
Nice to meet you.
DOCTOR
You too. So how long have you been
(MORE)
29

30
back?
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
JUSTIN
About a month.
DOCTOR
You gonna start workin?
JUSTIN
That’s what I need the physical
for.
DOCTOR
It says here you were shot?
JUSTIN
That’s right.
Motions to his leg.
DOCTOR
When are the stitches supposed to
come out?
JUSTIN
2 weeks.
DOCTOR
Alright...How are you walking?
JUSTIN
I’m fine. It’s really just a
formality
He gets up and walks a little. He’s clearly in some pain but
is able to walk ok.
DOCTOR
Alright well that’s what I needed
to see
He signs Justin’s release.
How are you adjusting to being
back?
JUSTIN
It’s a little slow.
DOCTOR
(Laughs)
Yea it can be.
Justin leaves the room
30

31
JUSTIN
(As he leaves)
Thanks doc.
DOCTOR
Bye Justin. See you in two weeks.
INT. JUSTIN’S CAR - DAY21.
His cell phone rings, he picks it up.
JUSTIN
Hello. Yea. Oh you are? That sounds
great what time should I be over?
It is, I can’t wait to see you.
INT. SIERRA’S KITCHEN - EVENING22.
Justin and Sierra are in her kitchen cooking dinner. She is
boiling pasta and he is cutting vegetables.
SIERRA
..uh... do you know what you’re
doing?
JUSTIN
I’m an established slicer I will
have you know.
SIERRA
Is that right?
JUSTIN
Oh yea...So why’d you get off early
from work?
SIERRA
Because I asked to go home. I
needed to see you.
JUSTIN
Is that right?
She moves in closer to him.
SIERRA
Yes. I’ve been waiting nearly 3
years and I don’t think I should
have to wait through an entire
shift also.
31

32
JUSTIN
No argument for that.
She has moved on to stirring the sauce.
A little bit gets on her hand and then she will get a little
on her cheek.
JUSTIN
Uh...you got somethin...
Justin wipes it away then he kisses
her
flashes back to when they were in high school.
INT. SIERRA’S TEENAGE BEDROOM - DAY23.
Sierra and Justin stumble into the room tipsy and kissing.
He takes her shirt off she takes his shirt off they keep
kissing.
JUSTIN
Are your parents home?
SIERRA
They are not.
JUSTIN
Excellent.
SIERRA
Wait a second
JUSTIN
What?
She goes to her closet and takes out a body painting kit.
SIERRA
Alright... turn around.
JUSTIN
What?
SIERRA
You heard me. Hop to it.
He turns around. She begins painting his back.
SIERRA
I gotta start on your back and work
my way around. Get it all on nice
and smooth
32

33
JUSTIN
All right...but no glitter.
SIERRA
(laughs)
Fair enough.
She kisses the back of his neck.
JUSTIN
Now that’s nice
SIERRA
The painting isn’t nice?
JUSTIN
It’s great babe...You know you’re
next
SIERRA
Uh huh.
JUSTIN
You almost done?
SIERRA
Almost.
She runs her hands through his hair turns his head and
kisses him.
JUSTIN
Alright Babe...you’re up.
He gets up and she gets in front of him. He begins to paint
her from the back to front.
She strokes his arm as he’s painting her body.
SIERRA
Oh. That is really good. I’ve never
even thought of doing this before.
JUSTIN
I can’t imagine myself being
comfortable enough to do this with
another girl.
SIERRA
Better not.
JUSTIN
You just bring out the adventurous
(MORE)
33

34
side of me.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
SIERRA
It’s a gift.
JUSTIN
Well it is for me.
SIERRA
(laughs)
Stop you’re gonna get me
(blushing)
JUSTIN
Doubtful.
(laughs)
When I’m with you it’s as if my dad
doesn’t fuck everything up and
blame it on me...you're the nicest
thing that’s ever happened to me.
She is smiling but a little misty at this point
JUSTIN
...I love you
SIERRA
Justin... I love you too.
They kiss.
As the scene fades we see them undress what’s left of their
clothing.
INT. THE SAWMILL - DAY24.
Justin is working.
He’s on a table saw.
Max enters and approaches Justin.
MAX
Hey Justin.
Justin looks up at him.
JUSTIN
(Suprised)
Max...what you doin here?
MAX
I just thought I’d pay you a little
visit. See how works goin.
34

35
JUSTIN
It’s fine. Bout the same as it ever
was I guess.
MAX
Yea. Some things don’t change.
JUSTIN
People too i guess.
MAX
You mean Terry? Man he’ll be
working here til we’re all resting
in our graves.
JUSTIN
...Yea i guess he will.
MAX
So how you liking being back. You
didn’t become an action junky over
there did ya?
JUSTIN
Nah man. It’s OK. I guess I’m a
little bored though.
MAX
Well let me take you to lunch.
JUSTIN
I gotta get this shit finished by
2:00.
MAX
Come on man it’s your first week
back they won’t get on your case
about bein a little slow.
JUSTIN
Just give me five minutes.
MAX
That I can do.
Justin walks over to the saw and begins finishing his work.
INT. MAX’ CAR - DAY25.
They are driving and chatting.
Max is telling Justin about his job.
35

36
MAX
...So basically I oversee payroll,
liaison between the companies that
are our major clients, and am the
team leader of the managers. Which
only means I call meetings to order
and sort of make sure all problems
get smoothly taken care of.
JUSTIN
Wow that sounds... well
challenging.
They pull up to a red light.
As Max is talking Justin sees a little kid playing on the
corner.
He notices a man walking toward the kid with something
behind his back.
MAX
No, your first reaction was right.
It’s boring as shit.
(they both laugh)
Justin notices the man start to get closer and it’s a toy
gun he’s got behind his back.
Justin flashes back to the war.
EXT. STREET IN IRAQ - DAY26.
There is an Iraqi soldier running away from Justin.
Justin catches him and tackles him.
They tussle and Justin comes out on top and begins to beat
the soldier.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY27.
Justin is on top of the father holding him down.
The boy is crying.
Max comes over and pulls Justin off. The man begins to get
up.
BOY'S FATHER
Just what the hell do you think
you’re doin buddy?
36

37
JUSTIN
I’m really....
MAX
I’m so sorry sir.
BOY'S FATHER
Well what’s keeping me from
pressing charges? You’re friend
just jumped me.
MAX
He really meant no harm.
JUSTIN
I thought you had a gun.
BOY'S FATHER
You mean my son’s birthday gift?
Well you got it. No inherent
danger... can I get the gun back?
Justin gives him the toy.
JUSTIN
There. I’m so sorry.
As he’s leaving with his son.
BOY'S FATHER
You can’t just attack people man.
What’s wrong with you?
JUSTIN
(sighs as he watches them
leave)
I don’t know.
MAX
What happened?
JUSTIN
I thought I spotted danger and I
snapped. Couldn’t stop myself. I
thought he was gonna hurt that boy
and I was out the car before I knew
anything happened.
MAX
I mean I’m talking to you one
minute the next you’re on top of
some guy restraining him.
37

38
JUSTIN
Don’t know what came over me.
MAX
Nonetheless that was fast man.
You’re still fast...Hey what about
lunch?
JUSTIN
No time now. Gotta get back to work
MAX
Alright well you gotta at least
come over for dinner tonight.
JUSTIN
No I gotta...
MAX
Look, I’m not taking no for an
answer. You have to come buddy.
JUSTIN
Alright.
MAX
You should bring Sierra.
JUSTIN
I’ll try, she might be workin.
MAX
How bout eight?
JUSTIN
Sounds fine.
INT. THE DINER - EVENING28.
Justin is drinking coffee chatting with Sierra.
SIERRA
You gonna eat Babe?
JUSTIN
No not right now. Actually Babe I
was wondering if you’re free for
dinner.
SIERRA
Sure, I’m off in an hour.
38

39
JUSTIN
Ok...good.
SIERRA
Where we eatin?
JUSTIN
Max’
SIERRA
What?
JUSTIN
Yea. I ran into him and he tried to
get me to have lunch with him, but
we didn’t have enough time so I
told him I’d come over tonight for
dinner.
SIERRA
Well okay...are you sure you’re
ready for that?
JUSTIN
I think it’ll be alright.
SIERRA
Alright yea that’ll be...nice.
EXT. MAX’ HOUSE - DAY29.
Big with a well kept garden, and nice decorations.
Justin is knocking on the door.
EXT. IRAQI HUT - DAY30.
Justin kicks down the door and tosses in a grenade. We hear
it explode as it comes back to regular time.
EXT. MAX’ HOUSE - EVENING31.
Justin is still knocking with force.
Sierra touches his arm. He is sweating a little.
SIERRA
You okay Hun?
JUSTIN
Yea I’m fine. Just a little hot is
all.
39

40
SIERRA
Ok.
Max answers opens the door is pleased to see both of them.
MAX
Hey! I’m glad you could both make
it come in, come in.
SIERRA
Thank you Max.
JUSTIN
Yea.
INT. MAX’ HOUSE - EVENING32.
Everything is fancy.
Very classy furniture, a flat screen in the living room.
All top shelf stuff. Jolene Turner, Max’ fiancee, is cooking
in the kitchen.
Max takes them upstairs to show them around.
MAX
Wait ’til you see the bedroom.
JUSTIN
Why?
MAX
Come on. You’ll love it
They follow Max upstairs to the bedroom.
INT. MAX’ BEDROOM - EVENING33.
They enter. It is a master bedroom that is the size of a
living room or family room.
There is a large flat screen mounted on the wall.
A lot of material things that Max holds sacred.
JUSTIN
It’s... everything you might
imagine for a room.
(they laugh)
MAX
I think where we stay is where to
keep our nicest things.
40

41
JUSTIN
Ya well when you have everything,
how do you choose?
MAX
It’s a tough screening process
(laughs, Justin chuckles)
When it comes to pleasure and
profit.
Motions to the TV, the king sized bed, etc.
SIERRA
Well you’ve certainly done well for
yourself since high school.
MAX
Well... high school was rough on
all of us.
JUSTIN
Some people just can’t handle the
pressure of athletic prowess.
SIERRA
(trying to break the
tension)
And...dinner smells great.
MAX
Ya let’s see how Jolene’s coming on
that...
They leave the bedroom
They follow Max downstairs to the dining room.
The dining room and kitchen are connected.
Jolene is a very sweet and loving girl.
She is very trusting of Max and very friendly to anyone she
meets.
She wears her emotions on her sleeve.
INT. MAX’ KITCHEN - EVENING34.
MAX
You almost done babe?
JOLENE
Yes, I am. Will you set the table?
41

42
MAX
Of course...
(to Justin and Sierra)
you both can just sit right
here at the table.
SIERRA
Can I help with anything?
JOLENE
No, sit down.
MAX
Ya, you work hard. We can bring it
to you. Really, Jolene will be
serving everyone.
JUSTIN
He’s right baby.
They sit.
As the conversation continues Max sets the table and Jolene
brings dinner and serves it.
MAX
So man... what you think of the
Digs?
JUSTIN
It’s pretty sweet man. You
did good...
MAX
Thanks, it’s been a long road.
JUSTIN
A long road of your dad giving you
a job.
(laughs)
MAX
You know I’ve had to prove myself
too...
JUSTIN
Is that right?
SIERRA
(trying to break tension)
So Jolene what do you do.
42

43
JOLENE
I’m a paralegal at Markowitz,
Daniels and Bloomberg.
JUSTIN
Are you in law school?
JOLENE
Sure am. Second year.
They should be all sitting and have begun eating at this
point.
MAX
She’s gonna be my hot little get
outta jail free card.
JUSTIN
So you’re going into Criminal law
then?
They laugh.
JOLENE
Why? Does someone need a lawyer?
JUSTIN
One never knows.
JOLENE
No no. I’m gonna go corporate. God
forgive me, I love money.
Everyone laughs
MAX
(with a mouthful)
Who doesn’t?...
right?
JUSTIN
I don’t know that money’s as
important to everyone.
MAX
Like who?
JUSTIN
Well for a shortlist: the few
families i met in Iraq were much
more concerned with clean running
water and food on the table.
43

44
MAX
Yea but... all that’s attained with
money.
JUSTIN
very true, but the essential things
can be attained without money.
MAX
ya but it’s a lot more work.
JUSTIN
Well some people are raised to
appreciate the value of hard work.
MAX
That’s fair. But what about working
smart?
JUSTIN
Not everybody has that option. Not
all of us are born wealthy.
SIERRA
That’s why I think it’s always
important to help those less
fortunate,
MAX
But so many that claim to be
homeless are just looking for
handouts.
JUSTIN
You’ve never had to sleep anywhere
that didn’t have memory foam.
MAX
Why be uncomfortable.
SIERRA
I think it’s a lovely house.
JUSTIN
I’m just saying, don’t try to make
it seem like you struggled to get
here. It’s been paved out in front
of you.
MAX
I can’t help that
44

45
SIERRA
(To Justin)
Are you alright?
Sierra stands up and goes to Justin.
She feels his forehead and needing to get them out of the
awkward situation Justin is building says that he is getting
sick.
SIERRA
Baby you’re burning up. We gotta
get you home to bed.
JUSTIN
No I think I’m... well yea I think
I need some rest.
JOLENE
Well I hope it wasn’t dinner.
(as they are leaving.)
JUSTIN
No... dinner was delicious. Thank
you.
SIERRA
Yes, thank you so much for having
us.
(at the door)
MAX
Well...we’ll have to do this again
soon.
(They are out the door and walking to their car.)
It’s great to see you Justin.
JOLENE
Good Night.
INT. DINER - DAY35.
Sierra is serving tables and as she comes back and forth is
having a conversation with her boss Delaney.
She is a very lovely women who owns and runs the diner.
SIERRA
It’s been busy in here this week.
DELANEY
Uh huh...Sure is so.
45

46
SIERRA
What?
DELANEY
Do not play coy with me, you know
exactly what. How are things with
soldier boy?
SIERRA
Good.
DELANEY
That is one beautiful boy you got
yourself girl.
SIERRA
Don’t I know it. It’s just so
amazing to have him home.
DELANEY
Sweety...you waited a long time
for him.
SIERRA
I know.
DELANEY
Well sometimes it’s not so easy to
open back up to someone.
SIERRA
It’s not for me. It seems like
sometimes he’s pulling away a
little.
DELANEY
Uh huh.
SIERRA
It’s not all the time.
Sometimes though he just disappears
right in front of me. He turns away
and I know he’s back there.
DELANEY
I think that’s natural.
SIERRA
He won’t talk to me about it.
DELANEY
That’s definitely natural.
46

47
SIERRA
Ya but it seems like he needs to
share it with someone and he can’t
get it out.
DELANEY
He will. When he’s ready dear. It’s
just when a soldier is getting home
at first, it’s as if life has
changed drastically. And it has.
Eventually he’ll find his rhythm.
SIERRA
I definitely know that I’m
committed to it.
DELANEY
Well anyone can see that to look at
you. Haven’t seen you this happy
in...you know I can’t remember a
time you were this happy.
SIERRA
That’s true
DELANEY
Plus Justin has always been so good
on his feet.And such a sweet boy,
I don’t think that will ever
change. He’s been sweet on you
since before he even knew what it
was to really like a girl.
SIERRA
I don’t know about that.
DELANEY
I do. Even when he was a kid I’d
overhear him telling his parents
about his friend Sierra and how
good she was at everything. He
loves you now and loved you
then. You both have somethin
special. Hold on to it baby
Sierra smiles.
INT. SAWMILL - DAY36.
Justin is driving a forklift loading wood from the belt and
unloading it on a panel that is on the opposite side.
47

48
As Justin is driving he changes gears and the the lift jerks
a little and this flashes him into a memory of the inside of
a humvee on his first patrol.
INT. HUMVEE - DAY37.
Justin is sitting in the back.
Next to him is Chris Taylor, and manning the .60 cal mounted
on the roof is a private first class.
This is his first patrol in Iraq.
They are driving on a side road.
A few scattered citizens.
Ahead of them is another humvee.
Justin is holding his weapon. He seems a little out of sorts
and lost.
CHRIS
First patrol?
JUSTIN
Yea. It’s so silent.
CHRIS
Now that’s exactly right. Just
remember when the shooting starts.
You gotta aim. Basic but everyone
forgets it in their first
firefight.
JUSTIN
(laughs)
Alright. I’ll try.
The Humvee in front of them suddenly hits a roadside bomb
and explodes onto it’s side.
This starts a firefight.
The PFC on the Machine Gun begins unloading to the south.
Bullets begin to come close and start whipping the outside
of their vehicle.
Justin has hit the deck and is basically on the floor and
Chris is up firing in short 3 round bursts to either side of
the car.
48

49
CHRIS
Come on man! get in the fucking
fight!
JUSTIN
I don’t know what the fuck I’m
doing!
CHRIS
Just get up and give me some cover
fire. Then... I will give you
cover. We just gotta watch each
other’s back until we can get out
of this area and back to base.
JUSTIN
Ok.
Justin gets up and starts to shoot in bursts out the left
window.
Then he gets down and Chris fires out the right.
Bullets are still hitting the car but because of them
creating a blanket of fire together they are able to slow
the enemy attack enough to get out.
JUSTIN
How did you know to do that.
CHRIS
It’s common sense. If you’re being
ambushed always fight as though
there’s more of you then there are.
Slow your enemy down. The PFC is
still pouring the fire from the
mounted gun.
JUSTIN
I see.
Fires out the window.
CHRIS
Remember to aim at those fuckers.
JUSTIN
Yea
CHRIS
I think we’re good for now. I can’t
believe they took out a whole
fucking armored car.
49

50
JUSTIN
Is that regular?
CHRIS
As regular as it gets man. Can’t
let up even for one second. They
are always looking to pop you so...
gotta get’em first. Remember that.
Justin has spilled a load of lumber.
As he was distracted he missed the panel and some of it has
split, most of the load is unusable.
Terry is calling to him as he comes out of his flashback.
Terry runs over to Justin’s forklift.
TERRY
Justin... Justin.
JUSTIN
Huh.
TERRY
Justin! Damn it!... you spilled the
whole load.
JUSTIN
I did?
TERRY
Did you fall asleep?
JUSTIN
No...I... don’t know what happened.
TERRY
Are you hurt?
JUSTIN
No I’m fine.
TERRY
Good. No one was hurt that’s the
important thing. Look Justin you
need to go home and get some rest
man. I can’t have you unable to run
these lifts son.
50

51
JUSTIN
I’m okay T.
TERRY
I know but for my sake just go
home and get some rest.
JUSTIN
Alright man. Sorry again.
TERRY
It’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow
okay.
JUSTIN
Yea...good night
INT. MAX’ OFFICE - DAY39.
The office is nice.
Big windows and tall ceilings.
Max is on the phone with his bookie.
MAX
Hey man. What? Yea of course I have
it. I know fucking March Madness.
It was supposed to be a gold mine
and I got completely owned. I don’t
remember a time I missed a spread
so bad. Well I’m calling for a
bet... How much I got for balance.
Alright give me 2 stacks on Dallas
by 10 on Saturday. Alright, later
man.
Max leaves his office and we see him walk toward the garage
he’s parked at.
INT. PARKING GARAGE - EVENING40.
He unlocks his car as he’s approaching it and two men appear
from his left side. They are both significantly larger than
him.
MAX
Hey what the fuck...
MAN 1
You’re late.
51

52
MAX
Oh come on man. I just need a few
days.
MAN 2
We’ll take whatever you got on you
for now.
MAX
I got nothing.
Man 1 grabs max and holds him.
Man 2 hits him in the gut.
He groans.
Man one reaches in his breast pocket and takes out his
wallet.
There is 200 dollars and change in it.
MAN 2
This ain't nothin... it’s not all
you need, but it ain't nothing.
Man 2 hits him again and Man 1 lets him go.
He falls to the ground.
MAN 1
Hey we warned you...2800 in three
days. Or I start breaking things.
MAX
Alright... I’ll have it.
MAN 2
You fucking better.
The two men exit.
Max leans up against his car.
INT. MAX’ HOUSE - EVENING41.
Max enters the house.
Just a little shaken up.
Jolene notices and runs to him.
JOLENE
Babe are you ok?
52

53
MAX
Fine.
JOLENE
What happened?
MAX
Nothing baby don’t worry about it.
JOLENE
Yeah, THAT looks like nothing.
MAX
It was just a crazy homeless man
outside work attacked me looking
for money. He got a little violent
but security escorted him out.
JOLENE
Oh that is so scary. They can’t let
just anybody on to private
property.
MAX
I know but you know how things are.
Can’t afford more than one guard
per shift.
JOLENE
Sure but I can’t have you working
in a place with crazy people
attacking you.
MAX
Sweetheart don’t worry about
it...look I’m fine...Just a little
incident.
JOLENE
Are you sure?
MAX
Absolutely.
She kisses him.
JOLENE
OK...Can’t have anything happening
to you.
MAX
I know.
53

54
He holds her close to him.
INT. BAR - EVENING42.
Terry and Mike are sitting next to each other at the bar.
Both drinking draft beer.
They’ve been friends for a long time and both care very much
for Justin.
Terry is smoking a cigarette.
TERRY
So.
MIKE
Yea.
TERRY
He’s not adjusting as quickly as...
MIKE
Yea. It takes time. How was it for
you?
TERRY
You know, I don’t even know that
you ever fully adjust. It took me
years to be able to get through
every day life.
MIKE
So...How did you do it?
TERRY
Truth is I’m not sure. It’s just
after awhile the days fly by. Then
ten years has gone by...then twenty
and sometimes you think was I ever
really there?
MIKE
Yea?
TERRY
I mean the memory of combat
stays...but there are days I
question whether I knew the men I
fought with. In a second they were
gone.
54

55
MIKE
Wow.
TERRY
I think that’s the hardest part
about coming back. Forming new
relationships when you’ve become so
used to life and death that a
normal relationship feels
impossible.
MIKE
But Justin has Sierra.
TERRY
Yes, but how long until he pushes
her away? He will believe he’s
protecting her...It’s pretty
standard to avoid intimacy.
MIKE
She’s the best person in the world
for him. How do we get him to...
TERRY
We can’t. It’s all on him.
MIKE
Can’t force therapy on someone I
suppose.
TERRY
And as soldiers we’re taught to be
self reliant, so Justin won’t even
recognize if he’s in trouble or
needs help.
MIKE
You don’t think he’ll listen to us?
TERRY
Eventually. At first he will fight
it though. No soldier wants to
believe he is damaged.
MIKE
He’s not damaged, he just needs
someone to help him to realize it’s
not his fault.
TERRY
Right, but to him it will feel as
(MORE)
55

56
though if he needs therapy he can’t
TERRY (CONT'D)
cope with life himself and he’s
therefore damaged.
The waitress brings them another round.
TERRY
Thank you.
MIKE
Thanks. So you think for now the
best thing to do is nothing?
TERRY
Just be there for him if he needs.
Don’t force the issue though. It’s
gotta come naturally or he’ll fight
it.
MIKE
OK. I just don’t want him to get
hurt.
TERRY
I understand. Trust me. I could see
it in him today. The way his eyes
glazed over and he was gone. It
gave me chills to see him go back
like that. I’ve seen it in vets
before, but he’s so young.
MIKE
Exactly. I believe he will bounce
back. I believe he will take charge
of his life and let the past stay
behind him.
TERRY
Me too buddy. Me too... To Justin,
cheers.
INT. SIERRA’S HOUSE - EVENING43.
The TV is on.
Justin is sitting on the couch.
He is facing the TV but is not watching it.
Sierra enters.
SIERRA
Hey babe.
56

57
JUSTIN
Hey. How was work?
SIERRA
It was OK. What have you been
doing.
JUSTIN
Not much just...sitting here.
SIERRA
Oh...well can I sit with you.?
JUSTIN
Of course.
She kisses him before she lays on his lap.
At this point time starts going very fast around him.
He’s not moving.
Sierra gets up and begins cleaning.
She finishes a lot of different tasks without him moving.
Then she comes over and lays back on his lap.
An entire evening goes by until it is morning and she kisses
him.
This snaps him out of it.
SIERRA
Morning...How’d you sleep?
JUSTIN
OK.
SIERRA
Doesn’t look like you slept at all.
JUSTIN
No...I dozed off a little.
SIERRA
Uh huh...still not sleeping well?
JUSTIN
You know I never did.
SIERRA
It was never this bad. It’s gonna
start affecting your job. You won’t
(MORE)
57

58
be able to get through the day.
SIERRA (CONT'D)
JUSTIN
I’m OK.
SIERRA
You’re OK now. Just try to get some
rest while I’m at work. Have a good
day.
She kisses him good bye.
JUSTIN
By babe.
She leaves.
Justin is sitting at the bar.
It’s mostly empty. There are a few older men sitting
throughout the bar drinking beer.
Reading the paper.
Justin is drinking a full glass of whiskey.
INT. JUSTIN’S HOUSE - DAY45.
Justin’s father Gerry is sitting on a recliner drinking a
full glass of whiskey.
He is drunk.
This is about a day after the state championship Max threw.
Justin enters.
GERRY
Hey.
JUSTIN
Hey.
GERRY
Where the hell have you been?
JUSTIN
I was with Sierra.
GERRY
She didn’t drop you after that
(MORE)
58

59
fucking...fiasco?
GERRY (CONT'D)
JUSTIN
No she didn’t...shocking?
GERRY
Yea. Most intelligent girls won't
stay with a loser...what does that
say about her?
JUSTIN
Don’t you say a fucking word about
her. You can talk about me...
GERRY
Son in my house I will talk about
whoever the fuck i want.
JUSTIN
Fine whatever. Jesus. Can you even
walk right now?
GERRY
Are you sassing me boy?! Don’t you
sass me. Don’t you got no fucking
respect? What a goddamn shame it
was to watch you in that game.
JUSTIN
Don’t you get it Dad? Max threw
that game!
GERRY
Just like you to put the blame on
someone else.
JUSTIN
That’s what happened. Maybe if you
were sober you could’ve seen that.
Gerry makes a move toward Justin but Justin is too fast and
backs up.
GERRY
I have to drink.
JUSTIN
Clearly.
GERRY
Have to drink to hide my shame. A
slutty ex wife and a loser for a
son. That’s what I got.
59

60
JUSTIN
Shame huh? What do you know about
it?! Have you ever had to drag your
father out of Chili’s for heckling
a waitress??... No, that was me!
GERRY
You’ll never be a real man.
JUSTIN
Well guess what Dad? You won’t get
a chance to find out cause I’m
leaving in two days.
GERRY
Leaving...yea right...where YOU
gonna go?
JUSTIN
I enlisted.
GERRY
Well...that’s good hopefully you’ll
stop acting like such a fucking
pussy all the time.
JUSTIN
God you’re such an ass hole.
Justin goes into his room, and his dad sits back at the
chair and begins drinking again.
Justin is intoxicated.
In another blur again with time moving fast around him.
The bar is beginning to fill up.
BARTENDER
Hey man. You want a refill?
JUSTIN
Yea. Thanks.
He fills it with whiskey.
The bartender walks away and goes to call Mike.
He tells him Justin can’t drive. More time passes.
By the time Mike gets there Justin is very drunk.
60

61
He enters.
JUSTIN
Mike! I’m glad you’re here man.
Take a...seat. Lets have a shot.
Bartender two...
MIKE
No that’s OK. Come on Justin lets
get you out of here.
JUSTIN
nah... come on I begun just begun.
MIKE
What? Justin come on.
Mike puts Justin’s arm on his shoulder and begins to try to
lift him.
JUSTIN
You’re heavy.
MIKE
That’s you kiddo.
JUSTIN
Right. OK I think we can make it.
MIKE
Me too come on.
(To the bartender)
Thanks for letting me know. Have a
good one.
BARTENDER
You too Mike.
They exit.
We see Mike and Justin struggling a little to get Justin
into the car but he finally gets in.
INT. MIKE’S CAR - EVENING47.
They are driving a little while before Mike says anything.
Justin is just watching out the window without acknowledging
that he needed Mike to pick him up.
MIKE
You alright?
61

62
JUSTIN
Yea. I’m glad you came though. I
couldn’t have drove.
MIKE
I see that. How many you have?
JUSTIN
I don’t know...I was there the
better part of the day.
MIKE
Alright well just be careful is
all.
JUSTIN
Thanks Mike.
Justin is watching the back of the car in the passenger side
mirror.
This triggers a flashback of him riding in a vehicle on the
passenger side.
INT. VEHICLE - DAY48.
Chris is driving and Justin is looking out the window with
his weapon next to him.
JUSTIN
Where we going?
CHRIS
Nowhere important man. Just away
from everyone.
JUSTIN
OK. So this isn’t work.
CHRIS
Right. I’m not trying to work right
now. I just know a place that’s
pretty secluded.
JUSTIN
That’s rare
CHRIS
I know.
JUSTIN
So how’d you find a quiet place?
62

63
CHRIS
It was shown to me by a fallen
brother. So I’m showing it to you.
They arrive.
Chris parks.
It’s a completely desolate landscape.
They are in the middle of an empty desert.
They get out of the car.
EXT. ROOF OF THE CAR - DAY49.
Chris pulls out a joint.
He shows it to Justin.
Justin nods in approval and Chris lights it.
CHRIS
I got this from a guy who told me
he’s a farmer. I believe him too.
JUSTIN
You met a farmer?
Chris passes it to Justin.
They pass it back and forth as scene progresses.
CHRIS
Shit yea. All kinds of people over
here man.
JUSTIN
I’ve seen that. It’s
unbelievable the things I see
people here doing...just to get by.
CHRIS
I know.
JUSTIN
Every thing they have they earned.
Nothing is inherent here. If you
don’t grow it or have anything to
trade, then you don’t eat or have
clean water.
CHRIS
Scary to think of life without
(MORE)
63

64
clean water.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
JUSTIN
Shit, I know. I’m already there
man. You said this is from a
farmer. It doesn’t matter
where you got it from.
CHRIS
Why’s that
JUSTIN
It’s been so long I would’ve got
stoned just talking to you.
CHRIS
Oh you’re fresh again.
JUSTIN
Basically...This is great.
CHRIS
Yea. Bring something here from
home.
JUSTIN
Do you miss home?
CHRIS
Oh all the time. Not a day that I
don’t miss home. You just can’t
dwell on it.
JUSTIN
But...fuck how do you not dwell on
it?
CHRIS
Yea I guess...lucky bastards
fighting on the other side. At
least they’re close to home.
JUSTIN
Yea how fortunate for them to have
their homes and schools bombed.
(They laugh)
CHRIS
I know...but after the battles we
are still stuck here. Policing and
all kinds of bullshit. I didn’t
join the army to get blown up
trying to keep civilians in line.
64

65
JUSTIN
They don’t want us here.
CHRIS
I think in some way they do.
JUSTIN
Half the attacks lately have been
individuals. Not terrorist cells.
CHRIS
I know. It’s fucking impossible to
predict or prevent.
They both lay back on the hood
JUSTIN
I just don’t get it. Why they’re
keeping us here.
CHRIS
Does it come down to something as
simple as saving face? They rushed
into something and therefore can’t
rush out?
JUSTIN
Right...Right...I mean they go
looking for all these terrorists.
They don’t find them. They keep
looking and they don’t realize the
only reason the terrorists have
come here is for us.
CHRIS
Yep
JUSTIN
They want to kill us and the
civilians bear the brunt of it
CHRIS
Damn right man. And no one gets
that the terrorists wouldn’t be
here if it wasn’t for us.
JUSTIN
I don’t think we’re necessarily to
blame either.
CHRIS
But we aren’t helping matters. We
are taking a delicate situation and
(MORE)
65

66
raising the stakes...just by being
CHRIS (CONT'D)
here.
JUSTIN
How does no one fucking get this.
(they both laugh)
Well I am just...Ripped. I think we
should go drink.
CHRIS
Best idea I’ve heard all day.
Enough with the talking right? How
you feeling?
JUSTIN
Pretty good...Really good actually.
CHRIS
Well... Lets go feel better. Saddle
up.
Justin gets back in.
Then Chris gets on driver side and they take off.
SCENE.51.INT MIKE’S HOUSE
We see Mike dragging Justin in over his shoulders.
He brings Justin upstairs.
Drags him into his room and puts him into bed.
JUSTIN
Hey...This isn’t my room.
MIKE
Yea you can sleep in here tonight.
The beds bigger, just don’t puke on
it.
JUSTIN
I’ll try. I think I’m sobering up a
little.
MIKE
Oh really.
JUSTIN
I said a little.
(they Laugh)
Hey...thanks for coming Mike.
66

67
Mike is putting him into bed at this point.
MIKE
I’m just worried about you son. I
don’t know what I can do for you.
JUSTIN
Nothing don’t worry about me. I
gotta tell you...I don’t think I
really deserve to...be alive.
MIKE
Who does Justin? We never know what
kind of time we’re gonna be given.
Can’t just sit around and waste it.
Can’t watch it go by.
JUSTIN
Good night.
(begins fading quickly.)
MIKE
Good night kid. Always take
advantage of whatever you’re given.
You’ve been given this time. Savor
it.
Justin is asleep.
INT. MIKE’S BREAKFAST TABLE - MORNING50.
It’s about 10:00 AM.
It’s Justin by himself.
Mike’s already left for work.
Justin is eating an apple and drinking coffee.
He’s reading the paper.
After a little bit the door bell rings.
Justin walks to the door opens it and Max is there.
MAX
Morning.
JUSTIN
Yea. How are you.
MAX
Good.
67

68
JUSTIN
You wanna come in?
MAX
Nah. I just wanted to see if you’d
come to lunch with me.
JUSTIN
Where?
MAX
The diner’s fine.
JUSTIN
Sure. Give me a couple hours.
MAX
How bout 12:30.
JUSTIN
That’s fine. I’ll meet you there.
MAX
See you then.
JUSTIN
See ya.
Max leaves.
Justin closes door and goes back to sitting at the table.
INT. DINER - DAY51.
It’s a pretty busy afternoon.
Sierra is serving a table.
Max is already sitting down.
Justin enters.
MAX
Hey J. Over here.
Justin walks over and sits down.
JUSTIN
Hey.
MAX
Have a seat man... So how are you?
68

69
JUSTIN
Fine...
MAX
Hungry?
JUSTIN
Sure yea I could eat something.
SIERRA
Hey guys. You ready?
MAX
Yea I’ll have the roast beef with
curly fries.
SIERRA
What about you baby?
JUSTIN
I’ll just get the club.
SIERRA
Alright. Sounds good. I’ll go put
it in.
JUSTIN
Thanks.
She walks away
So what’s up man?
MAX
Well...I just wanted to catch up is
all. How are you? How’s work?
JUSTIN
It’s good.
MAX
Are you making enough?
JUSTIN
What’s enough?
They laugh.
MAX
Uh...I have some off book work that
will pay cash. You’re the first
person I thought of. I’d much
rather have you do it than some
idiot I don’t know.
69

70
JUSTIN
What is it?
MAX
Nothing really...just some regular
labor work.
JUSTIN
Sounds fine.
MAX
I can pay you well and gives us a
chance to hang out.
JUSTIN
Will I have to leave the mill?
MAX
No it’s just one or two nights a
week.
JUSTIN
Wow. Gotta tell you that sounds
pretty good. And I could certainly
use some cash right now I’m
uh...
(looks to see if Sierra
is around )
shopping for a ring.
MAX
Ah no way. Awesome man. She’s a
great girl, and you two certainly
deserve to be happy.
JUSTIN
I want her to be surprised though.
MAX
Of course, of course. I won’t tell
anyone, not even Jo.
JUSTIN
Thanks.
MAX
When you think you’re gonna do it?
JUSTIN
Don’t know. I was really trying to
go slow with her...but something
feels so right there.
70

71
MAX
That’s real good
Sierra comes with the food.
SIERRA
Here it is boys.
MAX
Smells good.
JUSTIN
Yea thanks.
SIERRA
Of course.
She leaves to another table.
They begin eating.
MAX
I’m so excited for you two.
JUSTIN
Thanks.
MAX
It’s almost like you never...
left...
JUSTIN
Almost.
INT. SIERRA’S HOUSE - EVENING52.
Justin enters.
There is a lamp on but Sierra is not in.
There is a letter by the lamp that is on.
It says Justin.
He opens it.
SIERRA (V.O.)
Justin, I had to work late tonight.
When you get this I want you to
meet me where we first kissed.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT - EVENING53.
Justin pulls up and parks.
71

72
The lot is basically empty.
He parks close to the field and gets out.
He doesn’t see her.
JUSTIN
Baby?
SIERRA
Over here.
He goes to her. Can’t find her right away.
JUSTIN
Where?
SIERRA
Right here.
Finally finds her voice.
JUSTIN
Oh... So what’s going on?
SIERRA
Come on, it’s a surprise.
They walk toward the football field.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - EVENING54.
On the fifty yard line Sierra has set up a candle lit picnic
dinner.
She takes his hand walks him to it and they sit down.
JUSTIN
This is amazing
SIERRA
Thank you.
JUSTIN
How?...
SIERRA
I have very high powered friends.
JUSTIN
Well you must’ve called in a few
favors for this one.
72

73
SIERRA
Well it was worth it.
JUSTIN
Yea.
SIERRA
I’m so happy you’re home Justin.
JUSTIN
It’s...
SIERRA
So I figured this would be the best
place for a celebration dinner.
She begins serving a plate for him
and herself.
It’s all very delicious bread and cheeses and wine.
JUSTIN
It’s amazing how well you know me.
Cheese and bread and I’m satisfied.
SIERRA
Yea, with your taste you should
maybe guest judge a cooking show.
JUSTIN
(laughs)
Couldn’t you just see it...
(Pretending to be a
judge)
this is uh...Good? Although some of
the judges on those shows have no
idea what the hell they’re talking
about. You can just tell they are
bullshitting.
SIERRA
And you could be one of those
people.
JUSTIN
...What a dream come true...no
thanks, I don’t think I’d feel
comfortable judging anything.
SIERRA
Me either I guess.
JUSTIN
You know...this is the nicest time
(MORE)
73

74
I’ve had in...
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
SIERRA
Me too Sweety.
They kiss
I missed kissing you so much...you
don’t know what it is you’ll really
miss about someone until they are
gone. So...
JUSTIN
Yea?
SIERRA
I’ve been meaning to talk to you
about something.
JUSTIN
What’s up?
SIERRA
Well, you’re working. And if you’re
not planning on going anywhere I
thought maybe you’d want to start
living with me.
JUSTIN
Really?
SIERRA
Uh huh...it’s time you stopped
living at Mike’s.
(They laugh)
Of course, if you think it’s too
soon...
JUSTIN
No not at all... I’d love to.
SIERRA
Really?
(They kiss)
You don’t think it’s too soon?
JUSTIN
Definitely not.
SIERRA
It’s settled then...we’re moving in
together!
74

75
JUSTIN
I’ll start packing my stuff
tomorrow.
SIERRA
OK but for now...
She kisses him suggestively
You want to go home?
JUSTIN
Absolutely.
INT. SIERRA’S KITCHEN - MORNING55.
Justin is still in shorts and a T-shirt.
Sierra is fully dressed and gives him a cup of coffee.
Justin definitely spent the night and it went very well.
SIERRA
Morning.
JUSTIN
Morning...last night was amazing.
SIERRA
Exactly.
They kiss.
So I’m working a double. I won’t be
home until 11:30 so you’ll have to
figure out dinner.
JUSTIN
I’ll be fine thanks...A double
huh?..Ouch.
SIERRA
I’ll be fine thanks...
JUSTIN
Well have fun at work.
SIERRA
You too lover.
They kiss good-bye she leaves and he heads back for the
bedroom.
EXT. PARKING GARAGE - EVENING56.
Max parks his car and gets out.
75

76
The same two men from before come out again.
This time they go right in for the physical.
Man 1. Man 1 is smoking. He hits him and Man 2 holds him in
place.
MAN 1
Time’s up Max.
MAN 2
We can give you until 11:00 tonight
than meet us with the $2800.
MAX
Where?
MAN 2
The warehouse on Harrison and
19th...Have it all Max...
MAN 1
...Or we’re gonna be forced to do
things to you that...come on we
don’t want to do. If everyone could
just pay up and not welsh on their
bets things would be so much less
messy for us.
MAN 2
Yea.
MAN 1
I mean I like making the mess, buts
it’s such a pain in the ass
cleaning it up.
Man 2 stands Max up and shoves him on his way.
MAX
I’ll be there.
MAN 1
You fuckin better be.
Max leaves
Justin is driving the lift. He unloads a batch and stops to
go get water.
As he’s drinking his phone rings.
76

77
JUSTIN
Hey man...Yea I’m at work...Yea
I’ll be off...OK I’ll be there...No
problem man...you said 11:00
right?...see you then.
Justin hangs up and goes back to
work.
EXT. THE WAREHOUSE - EVENING58.
Justin is wearing work gloves walking toward the warehouse.
Max is smoking a cigarette and it’s beginning to rain.
JUSTIN
Hey... well here I am. So what’s
the job.
MAX
You're not gonna need those, man.
Referring to gloves
Justin takes them off
JUSTIN
Oh, well I just figured...
MAX
Nothing that hard man.
JUSTIN
Alright. Well...
MAX
Come with me.
Tosses cigarette toward the street.
They enter the warehouse.
INT. WAREHOUSE - EVENING59.
They enter and three men are on the far side.
The two men that we’ve seen lean on Max and their boss.
No one says anything right away.
Max walks toward the men.
Justin follows a little behind him
77

78
JUSTIN
What’s going on man
MAX
Just follow me. I just need you
with me man.
JUSTIN
...alright...
(They get closer)
BOSS
Alright that’s good. You got my
money right Max?
MAX
Of course.
BOSS
Well, where is it?
MAX
It’s safe.
BOSS
What do you mean safe? It better
fucking be here.
Man 1 grabs Max. Boss hits him
The fuck is it?
The rain should be picking up in volume at this point.
MAX
I just need a little more time.
BOSS
We’ve given you PLENTY of time.
Boss looks to Man 2 and he really lays into Max' face.
Max goes limp for a second.
Then he looks to Justin.
Justin finally realizes why Max brought him and is pissed
and begins to leave.
MAN 2
God you’re so pathetic you’re own
friends won’t back you up.
BOSS
So you brought this guy as your
(MORE)
78

79
defense and he won’t even help?(All
BOSS (CONT'D)
three men chuckle at him).
Justin is leaving, Max gasps a little.
MAX
...Come on man.
This triggers Justin to flash quickly to Iraq
EXT. IRAQ OUTSIDE OF VILLAGE - DAY60.
Justin is leaning against a hill.
Their are bullets flying everywhere and he is trapped.
Unable to stand.
We then hear someone firing from his side.
Chris comes running up and falls next to him.
They both begin firing toward the enemy.
There is an opening.
CHRIS
COME ON MAN!
Chris pulls a grenade throws it, waits, then runs and
Justin follows.
They escape.
INT. WAREHOUSE - EVENING61.
The rain is really hard by now.
Justin turns around.
Comes running in takes out Man 1 with one hit to the throat.
Then quickly takes out the boss.
MAX
Wow! Shit!
Justin then goes to Man 2 and they tussle for a minute, but
Justin elbows his nose and he becomes blinded and falls to
his knees.
Justin then punches him again and he falls to his back.
Justin gets on top of him and begins pulverizing him far
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beyond what’s necessary.
This is all building and Justin grabs a loose pipe and
raises it to bring down on the man but stops himself
realizing what he’s about to do.
He drops the weapon.
JUSTIN
Oh God.
MAX
Come on... we gotta get the fuck
outta here.
Max begins running for the door.
The three men are groaning, but none are dead.
Justin follows Max out the door slowly.
EXT. WAREHOUSE - EVENING62.
Justin and Max exit.
Max is very excited and Justin is pulsing with adrenaline
but livid with Max.
It’s pouring rain.
MAX
Oh my God I owe you man! That was
incredible!
JUSTIN
What?
MAX
The way you just came...
JUSTIN
Max. WAKE UP! That was not
incredible!
MAX
No it...
JUSTIN
It wasn’t. It was scary. It was
pathetic. I almost killed that man.
We both could’ve been killed there.
Don’t you ever think about that?
Why’d you bring me here?...you say
you’re happy for me but you’d be
(MORE)
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willing to take me away from Sierra
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
for what?..A couple a grand you
could get from your dad? No man.
You’re still doing it.
MAX
Huh?
JUSTIN
It’s you. It’s always been about
you. It will always be about you.
You remember the championship Max?
I begged you not to take that
money. You fucking knew that was my
shot...it didn’t even matter, you
were so ready to leave us all
fucked in the wind for short end
money...couldn’t been more than ten
grand. You’re best friend? You
couldn’t look out just a little
bit? God we were like fucking
brothers man, and you’re doing it
again.
MAX
I just thought...
JUSTIN
You just thought oh... well my
friends back and he’ll come to my
aid just like fucking always. I’m
an idiot. I should’ve avoided you
from the moment I came home. You’re
poison Max. The better part of me
knew that you couldn’t have
changed. The sad thing is you don’t
see it...
MAX
Oh God man I’m...
JUSTIN
No Max I made my own choices. But
Max that game, it ruined our
chances. Chances for a bright
future, for our friendship and
Max...you don’t ever get that back.
Justin walks to his car and drives away leaving Max in the
rain.
INT. SHOWER - EVENING63.
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Justin is getting in the shower.
He is washing off what just happened.
He washes a little blood off.
When he’s done he gets out.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING64.
Once Justin is dressed in his shorts he lays down.
He can’t fall asleep and we see him start to drink.
He has to drink himself to sleep but he finally falls
asleep.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING65.
Justin is having a nightmare. Sierra tries to wake him up.
SIERRA
Hey...Justin...Wake up sweety
you’re having a nightmare...
She shakes him
JUSTIN
NOOOOOOOO!
Justin wakes up with a violent startle, shoves Sierra
against a wall and begins to lunge.
He stops and realizes what he’s done. She’s terrified.
JUSTIN
Oh...God...
He runs out completely distressed about what he’s done.
He gets in his car and flies off.
Sierra is left crying against the wall.
She eventually makes her way to the phone to call Mike.
INT. JUSTIN’S CAR - EVENING66.
Justin is driving very fast down a residential street toward
Mike’s house.
He is so ashamed of himself that he is going there to pack
and leave for good.
At the same time we see Mike get off the phone with Sierra
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and begin to go and see her.
Justin is turning corners fast and finally he looks in the
rearview and it triggers back to the memory of him and Chris
on their final mission.
EXT. IRAQI VILLAGE - DAY67.
They move through the village and finally we see them go
into the the hut.
INT. IRAQI HUT - DAY68.
The explosion goes off and Justin goes to Chris who lay
dying.
In the car Justin is going faster and faster as he
approaches Mike’s house.
Mike is getting into his car.
CHRIS
Fuck man...did not see that coming.
JUSTIN
I know...you’re fine though.
CHRIS
I am not. Why lie Justin? There’s
little time...
JUSTIN
Don’t talk like that...you can’t
let them get the better of you.
CHRIS
Justin...you gotta keep your head
up man. Look out for the sneak
attack...All your life man...It’s
waiting...Go home...You go back to
her. Forget about this useless
fight.
Chris dies. Justin is there holding him up.
He’s approaching Mike’s house.
Mike is backing up.
In the memory an explosion goes off and this causes Justin
to jerk his car.
It violently T-bones Mike’s car on the driver's side.
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EXT. CAR CRASH - NIGHT69.
Justin gets out of his car.
He’s very dizzy and stumbles towards Mike’s ruined car.
He’s trying to run but can’t keep balance.
JUSTIN
Mike...MIKE! Oh shit Mike...
He gets closer and sees that Mike is trapped.
He tries to get the door open but can’t.
The sound of sirens approaches.
This scene will be spliced with Justin holding Chris’ dead
body and then killing the kid in the final mission.
EXT. CEMETARY - DAY70.
It is Mike’s funeral. Everyone is there mourning.
Sierra is crying but not next to Justin.
Justin is wearing his military uniform.
Justin is just sitting there and everything is going fast
around him and Sierra.
Finally it all clears out and she’s looking at him from far
away.
She wants to say something but walks away.
Finally the men lower the casket and Justin walks away.
Justin is sitting at the bar drinking
BARTENDER
I think that's it for you.
JUSTIN
Just fill it up.
From the entrance of the bar we see Terry walking in.
Terry walks over to Justin and sits down next to him.
TERRY
Hey bud. I was driving by and
noticed your car in the parking lot
(MORE)
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and thought I would stop in.
TERRY (CONT'D)
Bartender comes over
Terry orders a beer.
TERRY
Look Justin. Mike was my best
friend. And I know he loved you.
You know he wouldn't want you
sitting here drinking your life
away.
JUSTIN
What's your point?
TERRY
Look kid, your suffering from
what's commonly called
post-traumatic stress disorder. It
happens to a lot of soldiers who've
seen combat.
JUSTIN
How the hell would you know? You're
a mill foreman. What would you now
about WAR? So leave me the Fuck
alone.
TERRY
Look Justin...
JUSTIN
(Screams)
I said leave me alone!
Justin reaches over and shoves Terry.
Terry goes flying backwards into a table and falls to the
ground.
Justin turns back to the bar and takes another drink.
Terry gets up. And stares at Justin.
Terry reaches and grabs something from around his neck.
He walks over to Justin and stands behind him.
He reaches over and lays the dog tags on the counter.
TERRY
I wasn't always a foreman. I was a
(MORE)
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staff sergeant.
TERRY (CONT'D)
Terry turns and walks out of a bar.
INT. MIKE’S HOUSE - EVENING72.
Justin walks in the door and stumbles to the couch.
Before sitting he drops Terry's dog tags on the
coffee-table.
Justin is still in his uniform.
He sits on the couch.
Emotionally, Justin has broken.
He has given up.
He unholsters his pistol and puts it under his chin.
Justin drops the gun
Justin raises the pistol to his mouth
Justin drops again
Justin raises the gun to his head
Justin drops again
He is just working up the courage to pull the trigger.
From Justin’s POV we see Sierra open the door.
We hear a gun shot.
PAUSE
She comes running to him.
SIERRA
Oh sweety...no...no
She runs to him.
Stops kneels in front of him.
She is crying.
She is committing to him.
She is understanding just how much of a toll battle’s left.
He is crying too.
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Justin's shot missed.
JUSTIN
I thought...
SIERRA
Never.
JUSTIN
Really?
SIERRA
Of course .
JUSTIN
I don’t deserve you. I don't
deserve any of this...don't deserve
to live.
SIERRA
You do. More than anyone you do. I
love you...It’s alright.
He breaks down and she brings him into her shoulder and
strokes his hair as he cries.
JUSTIN
How can you forgive me?
SIERRA
It’s not your fault Justin. You
would never hurt me. I know
that...I trust you.
JUSTIN
What’s wrong with me?
SIERRA
Nothing.
JUSTIN
I don’t know what to do.
SIERRA
You just need some help...
Sierra pickups up cell phone and calls Terry
She hands Justin a letter
SIERRA
Mike gave this to me right after
you got back and asked me to give
(MORE)
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it to you when I thought you needed
SIERRA (CONT'D)
it.
Justin takes it and opens the letter
MONTAGE INT. JUSTIN & SEARRA'S HOUSE - EVENING73.
During Mike’s Voice Over we see
Terry sitting next to Justin on the couch.
Justin nods and they get up and walk toward the front door
MIKE V.O.
Son, I want you to know I have
always loved you as my own son.
You gotta stay true to yourself.
You’ve always been a fine boy. You
need to remember that you have a
lot to offer.
MONTAGE INT. COUNSELOR'S OFFICE74.
Terry, Justin and Sierra walk into a counselor's office
We are all so proud of you. What
you did for our country is
something that may never truly be
repaid...
Justin stands and shakes the hand of a counselor
but boy I hold you in such high
esteem. You need to hold yourself
there too.
MONTAGE EXT. MIKE'S GRAVE - DAY75.
Justin is standing at Mike's grave with a shovel in hand.
On the ground there is a little hole dug.
Justin reaches down and places the gun in the hole and
begins to bury it.
Putting your life on the line kid,
there’s nothing more you can give.
INT. SUPPORT GROUP - DAY76.
Justin is standing in front of a podium and leading a
support group for veterans. It is small.
We see a new member being wheeled in.
One of his legs is missing.
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Justin is sharing.
We notice that the wheelchair veterans dog tag says Anthony
Taylor.
So when you doubt if you deserve to
be alive. Remember you were there.
You put yourself up against it and
came through. You know what it is
that’s truly worth fighting for.
The given days we get to be near
the one’s we love. Always Remember
that. I love you boy. Mike.
The veteran in the wheelchair approaches Justin.
JUSTIN
What’s your name soldier
(Justin smiles at him)
ANTHONY
Taylor...Anthony Taylor.
They shake hands.
Justin looks at him.
Anthony hands Justin a picture of Justin and Chris in Iraq
smiling with their arms around each other.
ANTHONY
Chris was my brother
FADE TO BLACK.
END CREDITS.
89

The Given Days (MASTER SCRIPT)

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The Given Days (MASTER SCRIPT)