land, looking for work as hired swords or bandits. These
masterless warriors were no longer referred to as Samurai,
they were known by another name: Such men were called Ronin.
The words hang on the screen and we hold for a BEAT, and then
the DRUMS are cut off by - A SILENCED GUN SHOT: Thwpfft...
FADE IN ON:
INT. A MEDIEVAL CATHEDRAL - NIGHT
Its dark, and so it takes us a minute to realize were
M
lands. Soaring
old-growth elms arch over riverside maples along the
shores of the gently curving, deep-water Santee River.
SUPERIMPOSITION:
SOUTH CAROLINA
April, 1776
The post rider rides along a raised swamp road. On either
side of the road, gorgeous shafts of sunlight pierce the
canopy falling onto soft, swaying ferns that cover the
high grounds. Hundreds of BIRDS SING. The water is
clear, with
Land.
Why should I?
In New York, I was a celebrity.
From debutante, to starlet, to model.
There I was on their most-wanted list.
Was I enjoying it? You bet your ass I was.
One night, my brother and I took
a few femme fatales to El Morocco.
Me? I didnt feel like conversation,
so I hit the dance floor.
Well, that night someone had eyes
for me, and it wasnt her.
It was Darryl Zanuck, head
honcho of
landed... from another star.
We PULL BACK from a large television set to reveal...
??
INT. A CROWDED BAR - LOS ANGELES - NIGHT
The Hollowpoint Lounge -- a cop bar.
The off-duty uniformed and plainclothes cops are mostly
ignoring the TV, except for two detectives, FEDORCHUK and
ALTEREZ, who are waiting for the ball scores.
FEDORCHUK
I remember where I was -- pissing
off my balcony at the neighbors
riverside town; then proceeds.
PREACHER
You always send me money to go forth and preach
your Word. A widow with a little wad of bills
hidden away in the sugar-bowl.
LAP DISSOLVE TO
CLOSE SHOT -- PREACHER DRIVING
He shifts into second gear, climbing a steep little hill.
PREACHER
I am tired. Sometimes I wonder if you really
understand.
(pause)
Not that you mind the killins...
The stones of a co