“CLOVIS SANGRIENTA”

FADE IN

EXT. DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER - DAWN

Open on an unkempt double wide, turquoise paint chipping from dust and sun damage. Sharp grass grows in wild patches, concealing abandoned relics; a kid's bike, a set of magenta pool chairs, plastic dinosaur toys. A makeshift porch of ply woods and two by fours butts up to the front door, its only ornamentation a spaghettios can full of bottle caps and used chew. THE HUMMING OF CICADAS can be heard in the distance.

A wiry figure darts along the side of the house. BO (13) is

scraggy and tan, a desert child with long hair and frantic

eyes. Fading bruises kiss her cheeks and shoulders, and the

knees of her jeans are ripped and bloody. Her left hand is

trapped in a clunky yellow cast, a chunk of plaster missing

from one side. In her other hand is a pair of worn cowboy

boots, embellished with bits of red thread.

Bo reaches the back of the trailer and makes her way to the

bathroom window. A milk crate stool waits for her at the

base of the house. Using a switchblade from her pocket, she

pries the window open and crawls through.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

CLOSE ON Bo's grass stained socks as they touch down on a

grimy toilet seat. The bathroom itself is small and lived

in. All of the porcelain is stained and cracked, and the

faucets are ringed with mineral deposits.

Bo crouches on the floor with her cowboy boots. She reaches

into one and pulls out a wad of twenty dollar bills, a

rolex, and an assortment of glittering jewelry, all perfect

diamonds and pearls. From the other boot comes a small

revolver. She stares at the array with reverence.

Beat.

Bo goes to the toilet and lifts the top of the tank quietly, her eyes darting towards the door with every sound. Taped to the inside of the tank is a zip lock bag, half full of money, jewelry, watches, brooches, cuff links. With calculated movements, she adds the latest haul to the bag and replaces the lid. The revolver is stashed at the bottom of a box of pads.

Before she can turn towards the door, Bo catches her

reflection in the mirror. Her hair is knotted and sweat has

caked dirt to her skin.

Bo takes a moment with herself before sighing and peeling

off her clothes.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER MAIN ROOM - LATER

The room is musty, sun beams catching the dust that floats

through the air. A low cloth couch sits against one wall

surrounded by cheap wood furniture from the 90's. A tube TV

stands across from it. The surfaces are cluttered with

magazines, mismatched dishes, colorful hair clips, empty

beer bottles.

The kitchen is similarly kept, dirty dishes and microwave

meals fighting with overgrown plants for counter space.

Beneath the layers of bachelordom is something that used to

be a family home.

A clean Bo tip toes from the bathroom, boots in hand. She

heads straight to the door. The floor beneath her CREAKS.

She winces.

Beat.

She takes another step, fingers grazing the knob.

LELAND

(quiet, booming)

Bo?

Panic. Bo freezes.

LELAND (cont'd)

You think I don't hear you creepin

round my house?

Bo makes a slow turn to face LELAND (mid 40's) who stands in the threshold of his bedroom. He is tall and grizzled, with broad hands and a face stuck in malicious amusement. He is an angry drunk.

BO

I wasn't tryin to creep around, I

just didn't wanna wake you, that's

all.

Leland begins to cross the distance between them.

LELAND

(patronizing)

Sure you were, Bo. And where might

you be goin so early?

BO

I've got a doctors appointment. They

need to give me a new cast.

Leland glances at the cast. CLOSE ON the soggy, chipping

plaster. Something dangerous flashes across his face. Leland

rushes Bo and grabs the cast, yanking her arm up. Bo drops

her boots with a THUD. Leland bears his teeth.

LELAND

Now what'd I tell you about taking

care of this thing, huh?!

BO

I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to. I

cracked it at work - I wasn't

thinkin.

LELAND

That's the problem with you, you

never fuckin think! That's how you

broke it in the first place, by not

fuckin listening to me!

With every word, he squeezes her wrist tighter, leaving

indentations on the damp cast. Bo flinches with pain and

tries to squirm out of his grip. The strap of her tank top

slips from her shoulder revealing half concealed bruises.

Leland stares at the skin and grits his teeth. He drops Bo's hand and gives her a shove against the door.

LELAND (cont'd)

Get your boots and get out. Can't

have baby missing her appointment.

Bo snatches up her boots and opens the front door.

LELAND (cont'd)

Bo, do better with this.

(he waggles a finger

at her bruises)

Can't have em peekin through all the

goddamn time.

Bo nods once and scampers from the house.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAILER PARK - MORNING

CLOSE ON Bo's dusty boots as she tromps through the street,

her legs like twigs stemming from the dark leather. Outside, she holds an air of confidence and sharp stoicism. Growing up here has turned her into a stray dog.

MUSIC CUE: "I Don't Know When That Will Be" by Johnny

Paycheck (drawling country, melancholic)

BEGIN WALKING MONTAGE:

- A pregnant woman breast feeds a one year old on her porch, a burning cigarette hangs from her lips.

- A frayed rope swings from a tree. Its tire lays at the

trunk.

- A pair of barefoot kids run across Bo's path. They call

her name and she pretends to tip her hat.

- Bony muts bark at Bo from behind a chain link fence. She

barks back, then smiles with affection.

- Windchimes made from old knives and spoons CLINK together.

- A diapered toddler plays with a leaking garden hose. Bo

runs her fingers through his wispy hair as she passes.

- Bo walks under the "Welcome to Clovis Terrace" sign.

END MONTAGE AND MUSIC.

EXT. MAIN STREET - CONTINUOUS

The Clovis town main street is modest and quiet. There are

few pedestrians and fewer cars. The color from store fronts

and buildings is long faded, a testament to a town with lost promise.

As Bo walks, a beige police cruiser pulls up next to her,

slowing down to match her pace. NOEL (19), boyish and

sincere, leans from the window. He is something of a golden retriever: kind hearted and optimistic.

NOEL

Good mornin miss Bo.

BO

Morni' Noel.

NOEL

Where're you off to?

BO

Goin to get a new cast. I cracked

this one tryna open the shed at work.

NOEL

(playful)

Aren't you a little young to be

workin so much? You know, I could

bring you in for breaking child labor

laws.

BO

Yeah right, you're only a deputy in

training. And anyways, it's just yard

work and baby sittin'. Even you would

think it's easy.

NOEL

Jeez little cousin, you're turnin

into a real viper with those.

Bo hisses at him. He laughs.

NOEL (cont'd)

Who're you workin for again?

BO

The Dawsons, out past the creek.

NOEL

That's a pretty far walk for such a

little lady. If you ever need a ride,

all you gotta do is ask.

BO

I ain't that little Noel, I bet I

could take you on. Besides, can't

have the other kids thinkin I'm some

square now, can I?

NOEL

(laughing)

You're right. The day Bo Kriegel

chooses to step into a cruiser will

be ground breakin.

Bo stops as she reaches the entrance to the doctors office.

She looks between Noel and the door.

NOEL (cont'd)

Alrighty kiddo, I won't keep you.

Just know I'm only a phone call away.

BO

Whatever you say, officer sir.

She gives him an exaggerated salute and opens the door.

NOEL

Stay out of trouble!

BO

(over her shoulder)

No promises!

Noel chuckles as Bo disappears into the clinic.

INT./EXT. POLICE CRUISER - CONTINUOUS

Noel continues patrolling the neighborhood, tapping his

fingers on the steering wheel. The cruiser radio beeps and

Noel picks up the receiver.

NOEL

This is car zero two, over.

LINDA (O.S.)

Hey Noel, just got a call about a B

and E off 95 that the sheriff wants

you to check out. Over.

NOEL

Off 95? You mean on the other side of

the creek? Over.

LINDA (O.S.)

Yes sir, the Dawsons made the call.

Apparently there's been a string of

robberies in the neighborhood all

summer. Just little things missing,

old earrings, petty cash, stuff like

that. Their sheriff's got no leads so

they're asking our county for help.

Over.

Noel sighs and taps the receiver against his forehead.

NOEL

(to himself)

Damn it Bo.

(through the receiver)

Alright Linda, tell them I'm on my

way. Over.

LINDA (O.S.)

Copy copy. Dispatch out.

Noel replaces the receiver and picks up speed.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCTORS OFFICE - DAY

Bo sits alone on the paper covered table of an examination

room, her arm freshly re-plastered, yellow substituted for

pink. She swings her legs off the edge of the table. The

room is decorated with posters of cartoon animals receiving

band aids and lollipops. An electric fan WHIRS in the

corner.

The DOCTOR, a middle aged woman with a round face and bright nails, enters looking at her clipboard. She sits in front of Bo and smiles.

DOCTOR

Okay Bo, I've got a few questions to

ask and then we can get you out of

here, how does that sound?

BO

Sounds peachy keen.

DOCTOR

How long did you have the last cast

for?

BO

I dunno, a few weeks maybe.

DOCTOR

Mhmm. And remind me, how'd you break

your wrist?

The rhythm of her swinging legs slows. Dread crosses her

face.

BO

(tense)

At work.

DOCTOR

Oh? How'd that happen?

BO

(shrugging)

Just bent it the wrong way I guess.

INSERT flash of Bo sitting on her kitchen counter, yelling

at Leland. He throws her to the floor and crushes her wrist

beneath his work boot.

DOCTOR

Quite the accident.

The Doctor eyes Bo. The discoloration on her neck peeks out

from behind her hair.

DOCTOR (cont'd)

And how are things at home?

Bo's face pales.

BEGIN FAST MONTAGE OF LELAND AND BO AT HOME:

- Bo spits at Leland and he throws a bottle in return. It

shatters on the wall behind her.

- Leland passes behind Bo as she washes dishes and smacks

the back of her head. She turns and bites at his hand.

- Leland chases Bo down the hall way. She slams the bathroom door before he can catch her. He shouts and punches the wall.

END MONTAGE.

Beat.

Bo puts on a brave face.

BO

Fine.

DOCTOR

It's just you and your daddy in that

trailer?

BO

(fierce)

Step dad.

DOCTOR

My mistake. Step dad.

Beat.

DOCTOR (cont'd)

How long's it been just the two of

you? Three years now?

BO

Four.

DOCTOR

Such a shame about your mama. But

women as good as her can't stay in

towns like this forever.

INSERT flash of a Bo clinging to her battered mother. They

share a brief embrace before her mother slips away.

Bo clenches her jaw and gives a short nod. The doctor

reaches out and puts her hand on Bo's knee. Their eyes meet.

DOCTOR (cont'd)

I'm not sayin anything is happening,

but if there was somethin wrong at

home you could tell me and I'd be

able to help. There's laws in place

for things like that.

Bo shakes her head and gives a toothy smile. She resumes

swinging her legs.

BO

No ma'am, nothin like that. Just me

bein clumsy is all.

INSERT flash of the tank of Bo's toilet, the lid left ajar.

BO (cont'd)

Don't you worry, though. I've got it

under control.

The doctor exhales, giving Bo's knee one more pat before standing up. Bo hops down from the table, her boots CLOPPING on the linoleum.

CUT TO:

INT./EXT. POLICE CRUISER - DUSK

Noel sits parked outside of Bo and Lelands trailer. The

oranges of sunset are being drowned out by blue glow. Again, the HUMMING OF CICADAS is heard.

Noel holds a POLICE EVIDENCE BAG. Inside is a chunk of

yellow plaster. He turns it over in his hands, his face

uncertain. He looks out the front window at the trailer,

then back at the bag.

He sucks a sharp breath between his teeth and pounds his

palm against his forehead.

He puts the bag on the passenger seat and opens the driver

side door. His brow tightens as he stares at the bag, one

leg already out of the car.

Beat.

He grabs the bag off the seat, shoves it in the pocket of his windbreaker, and steps fully from the cruiser. A MUFFLED SHOUT and a SLAMMING DOOR are heard inside. Noel’s reluctance is replaced by urgency as he approaches the trailer. He reaches the front door and knocks once. It opens and Noel is met by Leland, disheveled and dripping with sweat. His eyes are blood shot and the whiskey smell rolling off of him forces Noel to take a step back.

NOEL

(hesitant)

Leland? Everythin alright in there?

Noel tries to peer around Leland, but the mountain remains

unmoved.

LELAND

(gruff)

Everything's fine... What're you here

for?

NOEL

I, uh... I was just comin over cause

I need to have a word with Bo -

nothin too serious, but-

Danger crosses Leland's face.

LELAND

You need to talk with Bo...?

NOEL

Yes, sir.

Leland grins and steps to the side, sweeping his arm into the house as a sloppy gesture of welcome. Noel steps through and Leland closes the door behind him. The room buzzes with unease. Magazines and shards of broken glass litter the floor.

Noel shifts his hand to the taser on his hip. Trainees don't get guns.

LELAND

(yelling to Bo)

You hear that, baby?! Cousin Noel is

here to pay us a visit!

Somewhere deeper in the house, Bo pounds at a door.

BO

(muffled)

Gimme back my stuff you creep!

NOEL

You sure things are alright in here,

sir?

LELAND

Everythin's fine, son, just got in a

little disagreement with Bo is all.

That girl has got NO manners.

NOEL

What were you disagreein about, if

you don't mind my askin.

Leland whips his head towards Noel, something wolfish tugs at his lips. Noel stands frozen, watching as Leland moves to the kitchen to grab a bag off the counter. He is trapped in a cage with a wild animal.

Leland returns and SLAMS Bo's bag of stolen goods on the

coffee table. A beer bottle rolls from the table and breaks

on the floor. Noel stays poised and tense. Leland points at

the bag, knuckles scabby.

LELAND

I found that hidden in the toilet.

Seems like Bo's been keepin secrets -

we've got a little thief on our

hands.

(louder, to Bo)

Hear that Bo?! I'm tellin deputy Noel

ALL about your nefarious activities!

Bo yells back something unintelligible. Noel scans the

hallway, trying to pin point her voice. Sweat beads on the

edges of his face, sticking to his ruffled hair.

LELAND (cont'd)

(laughing)

I tell ya, that girl has got some

sticky fuckin fingers! Racked up a

lotta money here, fixin to run away I

think.

Beat.

Then louder so Bo can hear.

LELAND (cont'd)

I'm actually glad you're here deputy.

I was gonna call and have you take

her away - teach her what happens

when you don't listen to the law!

NOEL

Where'd you say Bo was again?

LELAND

Locked her right up in the bathroom

since she was spendin so much time in

there.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

A flash of Bo standing at the bathroom door, pounding it

with her good hand. A small gash crosses her right temple,

blood dripping down her jaw. She is boiling with rage.

BO

PIECE OF SHIT! LET ME OUTTA HERE!

CUT BACK TO:

INT. TRAILER MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS

LELAND

I was beginnin to wonder what was so

goddamned interestin in there, so I

had a look for myself.

Beat.

Noel takes a small step forward as Leland looks to the

bathroom.

LELAND (cont'd)

Nailed the windows shut too, for her

safety and all.

He clasps his hands together like a child in prayer. Noel

takes another step.

LELAND (cont'd)

Figured that little bitch was sneakin

in and out through there. Who knows

what she-

Taser in hand, Noel rushes Leland and knocks him to the ground. He goes to shock Leland, but Leland bats the weapon from his hand and it skitters across the floor.

Using his legs, Leland throws Noel off of him. Noel stumbles back and falls into the TV, the impact creating a spider web across the screen. Leland straightens out into something feral, torn between drunken daze and manic violence.

The two circle each other like wild animals. Leland lunges

towards Noel-

INT. TRAILER BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

Bo listens to the FIGHT happening in the other room. Each THUD and CRASH strikes more panic into her. Her body shakes.

BO

LELAND! LEAVE HIM ALONE!

More NOISES come from the main room. Her panic can no longer be contained. Bo punches the door with her broken hand, the plaster chipping and flying through the air.

She squeezes her eyes shut, YELLS, and punches the door

again.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. TRAILER MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Leland punches Noel in the face, breaking his nose. Noel

wobbles back, then regains his balance and charges Leland,

ramming him into a bookshelf. The shelves splinter under his weight spending books and picture frames across the room. He SMACKS his head against the wall, leaving a bloody indentation in the drywall.

Bo's POUNDING and SHOUTING from the bathroom is deafening.

Noel's eyes dart between Leland and the bathroom. He takes a step in Bo's direction, but Leland pushes himself from the

wall and runs at Noel.

Noel sidesteps, but Leland grabs his collar and the two

tumble into the coffee table and onto the floor. They

grapple with each other, both struggling to get the upper

hand.

INT. TRAILER BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

The bathroom door is mangled, a giant crack running length

wise down its center. Bo's cast lays in chunks on the

ground. Her knuckles are bloody and broken, bits of white

poking through shredded skin.

She clutches the revolver in her good hand. Still SCREAMING, she backs up and throws herself against the door, tearing through the wood and slamming into the wall of the hallway.

INT. TRAILER MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Bo emerges from the hallway, to see Leland on top of Noel,

struggling to wrap his hands around the boys neck. Both are

still full of ferocity.

Urgent frenzy overtakes Bo and she points the gun at Leland.

Noel sees her and puts his hand out.

NOEL

BO! DON'T SHOOT!

Bo shuts her eyes, YELLS, and pulls the trigger anyway. The bullet cuts through the air, grazing Leland's back. He rears back in pain, a GUTTERAL sound erupting from his chest. Noel kicks him off, grabs a bottle from the floor, and smashes it against his head.

Bo watches in shock, revolver dangling from her hand, as

Noel tackles Leland down, fists flying.

HOLD ON Bo as the onslaught continues.

Noel pants as Leland writhes beneath him, Noel barely able

to keep him down. His head swings to Bo.

NOEL (cont'd)

The gun, Bo! NOW!

Bo obeys, dropping the gun to the ground and kicking it

across the room with her boot.

Leland reaches for it, but Noel is faster on the uptake. Hesnatches it from the floor and SMACKS Leland across the face with the butt. Leland's writhing stops. His head rolls back and forth on the stained rug.

Noel hovers over him, face tight with anger, dread, disgust.

He looks over his shoulder at the bag of loot.

Beat.

His face softens. He shuts his eyes and hangs his head.

Beat.

NOEL (cont'd)

Take the bag and get out.

BO

What?

NOEL

(louder)

Take it and get out of here! Run as

fast as you can and don't look back.

Beat.

Noel looks at Bo, pleading in silence. She nods once and

runs to the door, scooping the bag from the floor on her

way. She turns the knob.

NOEL (cont'd)

Bo?

Bo stops and looks at him.

NOEL (cont'd)

I'm sorry.

He exhales all the air in his lungs.

NOEL (cont'd)

I'll take care of it.

They share a moment. Again, Bo nods and bolts from the

trailer.

EXT. TRAILER PARK - CONTINUOUS

CLOSE ON Bos boots, dusted in plaster and spats of blood, as she runs through the dark. Her only light spills from the windows of neighboring trailers. She clutches the bag to her chest with both hands, her RAGGED BREATHS cutting the silence.

A single SHOT is fired. A dog BARKS. Bo doesn't look back.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAILER - DAYBREAK

Noel leans against the hood of the police cruiser as light

begins to streak across the sky. The wind rakes across his

hair, stirring CICADAS and WIND CHIMES. The door to the

trailer is left open, revealing bits of the gory aftermath:

glittering shards of glass, splintered wood, dark stains.

Noel is bloody, tired, lost. In his hands is the chunk of

yellow plaster. He looks into the house, then tilts his head up towards the sky.

He inhales.

He crushes the plaster in his hands, grinding it down to a

fine powder. He opens his hands and lets the breeze carry

the remnants away.

WIDE as Noel walks around the hood of the car to the driver’s side and gets in.

HOLD ON the trailer. Everything is still, quiet, calm. Noel

drives away.

CUT TO BLACK.