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Written by
2025
A MATCH STRIKES once, twice, and IGNITES on the third try, illuminating a WOODCUT IMAGE of a guitarist.
ANNIE (V.O.)
There are legends of people born
with the gift of making music so
true, that it can pierce the veil
between life and death.
Faces cry out to the guitarist from the dark and light portions of the woodcut.
ANNIE (V.O.)
Conjuring spirits from the past
and the future.
Another woodcut. Anc ient Irishmen play music and dance around a fire. Faces look upon them from the blaze.
ANNIE (V.O.)
In ancient Ireland, they were
called fili.
In this woodcut, a Choctaw man captivates a family around a fire, as more faces listen from beyond the darkness.
ANNIE (V.O.)
In Choctaw land, they called them
firekeepers.
In another, a West African man plays a Kora for a group summoning a legion of faces i n the night sky.
ANNIE (V.O.)
And in West Africa they are called
griots.
In the final Woodcut, a Bluesman plays for a group of people in a JUKE JOINT.
ANNIE (V.O.)
This gift can bring healing to
their communities.
A FIGURE with RED EYES peers in the window.
ANNIE (V.O.)
But it also attracts evil.
PROLOGUE
CHYRON- CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI, 1932
The sun creeps halfway into the horizon.
An INJURED MAN, hobbles towards a modest cattle farmhouse, looking back towards an unseen pursuer.
JOAN (20s, White) places a bowl down in front of BERT (late 20s, White) who is seated at a table, picking at his guitar and humming a tune (PICK POOR ROBIN CLEAN).
Watching her suspiciously, Bert sniffs it, makes a face.
Joan notices, and raises her bowl to her mouth, slurps the liquid in and swallows-- its not great.
JOAN
Go on...
Bert stares at the bowl for a beat, then pushes it away.
BERT
I reckon I wont.
JOAN
Come on, Bert.
BERT
I can’t see how this is gonna
help.
JOAN
Its supposed to increase you
know... your count.
BERT
That’s hogwash...
JOAN
Aunt Comfort swears by it. Had
eight babies, all healthy.
BERT
Healthy?! Joan every last one of
her kids is as nutty as squirrel
shit.
Joan smiles offense at the slight.
JOAN
You know you got some nerve--
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! The front door rattles on its hinges. Joan and Bert exchange confused looks.
Bert holds his finger to his lips “Shh” and then moves to an unseen wall of the room where a RIFLE and a SHOTGUN sit propped next to a folded KU KLUX KLAN uni form. He hands the rifle to Joan and carries the shotgun with him to the door.
Bert opens it, revealing the INJURED MAN. Who is burned and bleeding. He looks like he’s been tortured.
BERT
Back up.
INJURED MAN
You gotta help. I thought I could
trust em, but they’re trying to
kill me.
BERT
Slow down.
Bert looks beyond the man at the horizon. The top third of the sun still visible, but shadows are grow ing long.
JOAN
Who’s trying to kill you?
INJURED MAN
Choctaw. They was brutal.
BERT
Injuns?
(beat)
Where you from?
INJURED MAN
North Carolina.
BERT
You sure it wasn’t just some fair
skinned niggers? Ain't no Injuns
round here for miles.
INJURED MAN
We was traveling looking for a
place of respite. And they, took
my wife. - oh God, Siobhan. I’m a
coward...
He begins to cry.
JOAN
Jesus Christ, Bert.
The Injured Man looks inside and notices the KKK regalia. He looks to Bert again.
INJURED MAN
I got gold. Them dirty Injuns
meant to rob me, but they ain’t
get all of it. Ya’ll can have it,
just don’t let them hurt me no
He reaches int o his pocket, revealing a gold coin.
Bert’s eyebrows raise at the sight of the money. He looks at Joan for a quick beat, before lowering his shotgun.
BERT
Come on...
The Injured Man’s eyes water with gratitude as he enters.
JOAN
Set him up in the nursery.
Bert nods and leads the Injured Man to the back of the house. Joan approaches the door and looks through the window.
WINDOW POV
In the distance we see a CHOCTAW SEARCH PARTY traveling via FORD MODEL T with two HORSES flanking, riders on their backs.
The members of the SEARCH PARTY stop outside the house. CHAYTON (Choctaw, 50s) the leader of the group exits the vehicle, looking up at the sky. A LOOKOUT dismounts and stares directly at the setting sun - only a small edge of it remains.
Chayton knocks on the door.
Joan readies her rifle.
JOAN
Bert, they’re here!
She opens the door, letting Chayton see her gun.
CHAYTON
Evenin’ ma’am. We don’t want any
trouble. We are in pursuit of
someone, very dangerous. He may
have come here on your property.
Have you seen anyone recently?
JOAN
No.
Chayton stares at her for a beat, sensing her dishonesty.
CHAYTON
Is he in there, ma’am?
Joan cocks her rifle.
JOAN
Bert..!
Beat.
J OAN (CONT’D)
I think ya’ll best be getting back
to where you came from.
Chayton looks at the rifle, then to Joan.
CHAYTON
He ain't what he seems. God forbid
you let him into your home. If so,
we need to act right now.
The Lookout watches as the last rim of light slides under the horizon. He whistles to Chayton, who turns and looks toward the horizon. He turns back to Joan with resolve.
CHAYTON (SUBTITLE) (CONT’D)
May God be with you.
Chayton heads back to his car, and the search party rides off.
Joan closes the door. Sighs out the tension.
JOAN
Bert... The injuns came and
went...
She walks towards the back of the house, and sits her rifle back down in the corner.
JOAN (CONT’D)
Bert?
She rounds the corner into the room.
There is no light. Joan strains her eyes to make out the shape of a man standing in the corner of the room.
JOAN
Bert?
No. It’s the Injured Man, and he’s smiling a toothy grin.
Fear grips Joan.
JOAN (CONT’D)
Where’s-
INJURED MAN
(finger raised to mouth)
Shhh. He’s resting.
The Injured Man points to the ground where Bert lies lifeless, in a pool of blood.
Joan’s fear gives way to abject terror. The Injured Man licks his palm. Joan begins to cry.
JOAN
What did you do?
The Injured Man feigns concern.
INJURED MAN
Oh don’t cry...
He grins wider and points down at Bert’s corpse as it starts to stir.
INJURED MAN (CONT’D)
... you woke him.
Bert stands, turns to Joan and flashes a smile matching that of the INJURED MAN.
INJURED MAN (CONT’D)
Look, he’s all better now.
Joan tries to scream, but her throat is frozen.
An abandoned two story lumber mill angles toward the morning sky. A tranquil stream and grass surround it.
We reveal two men, identical twins (Black, Mid 30s) waiting beside a PARKED CAR. SMOKE the older of the two watches the road ahead, while STACK rolls a cigarette, lights it, and takes a pull before passing it to his brother.
Smoke takes the cigarette, his hands shaking slightly, as he takes a pull, he sees what they’ve been waiting for-
A PACKARD, motoring towards them from a distance.
Smoke hands the cigarette back to his brother who pulls one last time and drops it, stamps it out before picking up a small bag.
The Ford parks in front of the mill and the driver, HOGWOOD, (White, 45s) exits, taking the twins in with a self satisfied sigh.
SMOKE
You Hogwoood?
He nods.
HOGWOOD
Hope I ain't kept ya’ll boys
waiting too long?
(takes a good look at them)
You boys twins?
STACK
(smiling)
Nah... we cousins...
Hogwood smiles. Spits a dip.
Smoke stare daggers at him. Unflinching.
Stack walks around examining the room beside Hogwood. Smoke eyes Hogwood from upstairs.
HOGWOOD
They moved a ton of timber a month
back in its heyday. Workers lived
upstairs.
Smoke sees something on the ground and bends down, running his fingers along the wood. Stack notices.
STACK
You washed these floors?
HOGWOOD
Yeah.
SMOKE
What was on them?
HOGWOOD
I thought ya’ll was dead set on
buying the place. Th e longer time
I spend with ya’ll, the less sure
I am you boys was serious about
it.
SMOKE
Ain’t no boys here.
STACK
Just grown men wit grown men
money.
SMOKE
And grown men bullets.
HOGWOOD
I ain’t mean nothin by it. Just
the way we talk down here.
A long beat.
SMOKE
We’ll take it.
Hogwood’s eyebrows raise.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
The Mill, the equipment, and the
land it stands on.
Stack hands Hogwood a bag. He thumbs through it for a beat then looks up, inquisitive.
HOGWOOD
Whats the extra for?
STACK
For your Klan buddies.
HOGWOOD
Klan don’t exist no more.
SMOKE
Then you take it to your clubhouse
then.
STACK
And if anybody from Chicago come
asking, make sure ya’ll tell em
ya’ll sold us this place years
ago.
Hogwood nods.
HOGWOOD
Secrets safe with me.
SMOKE
Understand if you take t hat money,
that’s the last dime you get from
us. If we see you or one of your
friends cross that property line,
we’ll kill em where they stand.
HOGWOOD
Pleasure doing business with you
both.
Hogwood heads towards the door. He stops.
HOGWOOD (CONT’D)
What do ya’ll fellas plan on doing
with the place?
SAMMIE (19, BLACK) A SHARECROPPER works barefoot in a cotton field, the morning sun is still low in the sky. He hums a tune to himself, (I LIED TO YOU).
He’s been at it for hours, evidenced by the full 9 ft sack beside him. Other SHARECROPPERS begin to show to start their day.
SHARECROPPER
You out early this fine Saturday
morning. I take it you strummin’
that guitar tonight?
Sammie smiles.
SHARECROPPER (CONT’D)
You gonna tell me where you
playin’ or am I gonna have to hear
it through the grapevine?
Sammie packs up the massive bag of cotton.
SAMMIE
You have a good one Beatrice. And
I’ll see you at service tomorrow
mornin’.
SHARECROPPER
I guess the grapevine it is.
Sammie walks with hi s cotton sack over his back towards a SHACK in the distance.
PLANTATION - DAY
RUTHIE (Late 40’s, Black) does laundry in a soapy bucket.
She smiles warmly as Sammie approaches.
SAMMIE
Mornin’ Ma.
RUTHIE
Mornin’ baby.
SAMMIE
Can I trade ya?
Sammie takes off his sweaty work shirt. Hands it to her, then cups some of the soapy water.
RUTHIE
Don’t put that on your body,
Samuel.
He does anyway. Then rinses the dirt off his feet.
SAMMIE
Soap is soap.
RUTHIE
It’ll dry ya out.
SAMMIE
Not if I put this on while its
still wet!
He grabs a still wet shirt from the drying rack.
RUTHIE
Boy you ain't got sense God gave a
goose.
He hugs his mom, wet shirt and all.
RUTHIE (CONT’D)
(laughing)
Don’t get that water all over me.
Sammie heads inside.
A one room shack with SAMMIE’S FIVE YOUNGER SIBLINGS still in various stages of sleep. Sammie grabs his shoes and feels around for something. Doesn’t find it.
Sammie exits with a pace, walking towards RUTHIE.
SAMMIE
Ma, my guitar and my slide ain’t
in there. Now I don’t suppose they
grew legs and walked out.
Ruthie gives Sammie a knowing glance. He knows what this means.
Sammie approaches the praise house, with an angered gait, but calms himself before entering.
He walks into-
It is a modest church. Seated in the front row, Sammie’s father, JEDIDIAH (Black, Late 40s) reads from the bible.
SAMMIE
Mornin’ Pop.
JEDIDIAH
Up awful early, son.
SAMMIE
Like you say... jump on the work,
don’t let the work jump on you.
Finished our quota for the day. I
was wondering if you seen my
guitar.
He walks closer to the pulpit, and he sees his GUITAR (Wood with a shiny grey metal resonator) leaned up against it, and his SLIDE next to his father’s Bible.
JEDIDIAH
I brought it here so we can
prepare for tomorrow. I figure we
can start with the young ones
singing a song. You can lead em.
SAMMIE
What song you thinking?
JEDIDIAH
This little light of mine?
Sammie walks over and picks up his guitar. Grabs his slide, and slips it onto his finger. Begins to play.
SAMMIE
(blues version)
This little light of mine, I’m
gonna let it shine, this little
light of mine, I’m gonna let it
shine, this little light o f mine,
I’m gonna let it shine, let it
shine, let it shine, let it shine-
JEDIDIAH
What was that?
SAMMIE
Just spiced it up a bit. Make it
fun for the congregation.
JEDIDIAH
It’s seasoned enough as is.
Sammie takes a breath.
SAMMIE
Pop I don’t need to practice none
of this. I know these old church
tunes like the back of my hand.
JEDIDIAH
Well never-mind the music. I want
you to help me give my sermon
tomorrow.
Sammie is confused. Jedidiah beckons his son over to him.
JEDIDIAH (CONT’D)
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
Sammie reluctantly takes his place at the podium.
SAMMIE
“No temptation has overtaken you
except what is common to mankind.
And God is faithful; he will not
let you be tempted beyond what you
can bear.”
Sammie closes the book.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
(from memory)
“But when you are tempted, he will
also provide a way out so that you
can endure it.” Pop if you don’t
mind, I’m gon' be late.
JEDIDIAH
Late to what, boy? Where you got
to go that’s more important than
being in this house of God?
(off Sammie’s silence)
To play music for drunkard s and
philanderers? Who shirk their
responsibility to they families to
sweat all over each other?
SAMMIE
I been working all week pop. I
just want to be free of all this
for a day. I’ll be back in time
for church in the morning.
Sammie heads towards the door, guitar in hand.
JEDIDIAH
Son.
Sammie stops.
JEDIDIAH (CONT’D)
You keep dancing with the devil...
one day he gon' follow you home.
Sammie wants to respond, but he hears the sound of a car pulling up and decides against it. He exits to-
We see Smoke, and Stack in their car waiting outside as Sammie walks towards them.
Jedidiah walks out and notices the twins.
JEDIDIAH
Samuel...
Sammie doesn’t turn around. He jumps into the car as Smoke’s eyes meet Jedidiah’s for a beat. Smoke turns away. Stack doesn’t.
STACK
Don’t worry Uncle Jed. We’ll bring
him back in one piece.
Jedidiah watches as the trio heads off in the distance, stoic hurt on his face.
OMITTED
Smoke drives while Stack rides shotgun and Sammie sits in the backseat with a wondrous grin on his face.
STACK
Look at you all grown up! You get
you a little girlfriend yet? Maybe
a few?
Smoke whacks Stack on his shoulder.
SMOKE
You been okay?
SAMMIE
I can’t complain. Work is what it
is.
SMOKE
Yo Daddy doing right by you?
Sammie nods but Smoke doesn’t see it.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
He not putting his hands on you is
he?
SAMMIE
Nah man. Nothing too much.
Smoke relaxes.
SMOKE
The little ones?
SAMMIE
Only when they deserve it. Ma
usually hands out the whoopings.
SMOKE
Good. Uncle Jed was always good.
SAMMIE
Tell me about Chicago. I heard
everybody up north wears a
pinstripe suit, that true?
STACK
Nah. But a lot of folks do.
Especially downtown.
SAMMIE
Heard it get cold too.
STACK
As a hooker’s heart.
Sammie smiles at this.
SAMMIE
Is it colder than New York?
STACK
Sure is.
SAMMIE
What about over in France when
ya’ll was giving them Huns what
for?
SMOKE
It was warm when we were there.
Sammie nods and thinks deeply on this.
SAMMIE
I heard it ain’t got Jim Crow up
there. A Black man can go where he
wants.
Stack laughs at this. Smoke doesn’t.
SMOKE
You can’t be believing everything
you hear. This town gonna fill
your head with all that make
believe but we gonna give it to
you straight. Chicago ain't shit
but Mississippi with tall
buildings instead a plantations.
STACK
And they got cr ackas that like to
split themselves up. Italians,
Jews, Polacks, Huns, Irishmen...
Down here its easier. Just cracka.
That’s it. Up there they got
different flavors. And them
crackas kill each other every day
believe it or not.
SMOKE
But the one thing they can agree
on, is HATING our black asses.
Smoke pulls the car off the side of the road towards a large pile of foliage covering something. He parks and the three exit.
The Twins start pulling at the foliage exposing a LARGE TRUCK, it’s covered bed filled with supplies.
Sammie gazes at the truck, doing his best not to ask questions. He goes in to help remove foliage when something is revealed. A grating CH-CH-CH-CH-CH sound!
Sammie jumps bac k. It’s a TIMBER RATTLESNAKE coiled on the truck bed, its tail vibrating loudly.
SMOKE
Don’t move.
Sammie stands frozen within the snakes reach, in between Stack, who pulls a LARGE KNIFE and tosses it to Smoke, who catches it and brings the blade down on the snake’s head, killing it instantly.
Sammie stands there ashen. Smoke wipes the blade and hands it back to Stack.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Leave the truck to us.
The twins re- fold the tarp to cover the back of the truck to make it operable while hiding the supplies.
Smoke tosses Stack the keys. Checks his watch.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Cracka showing up late already got
us behind schedule. I’m thinking
we set up for the night... open
next weekend.
STACK
Nah fuck that. We gotta do it
tonight! Grand opening. Start wit
a bang.
SMOKE
Or we start wit a misfire. Come
stumbling out the gate with a half
cocked party. Still be setting up
when folks come in.
Stack makes a face .
STACK
How hard can it be? We got all
damn day. We done more wit less
lead time. Look at the sky. This a
mighty fine cotton picking day.
Think about all that money gettin’
spent tonight that should be spent
wit us.
Smoke looks at his watch again. He does the math out loud.
SMOKE
Only way for us to have a chance
is if we split up.
Stack smiles at this idea.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
But who gon' watch the car while I
talk to the Chows?
STACK
Let em see it’s you.
SMOKE
We been gone a long time.
STACK
Seven years ain’t long enough to
forget about us.
SMOKE
Alright.
(to Sammie)
Make sure this fool don’t get into
no trouble.
STACK
(to Sammie)
Shit you might be big enough now
to take me!
SAMMIE
I’ll do what I can.
SMOKE
You’ll do what you’re told. Keep
your eyes open for anybody stari ng
too long. This nigga ain't no good
at watching his own back.
Stack tosses Smoke his car key. Smoke returns the favor. Before leaving, Stack pulls an unmarked bottle out of the cargo car.
Sammie observes as the Twins do a parting ritual, One checks the others’ handgun and knife. And they hug.
The twins walk towards their respective vehicles. Sammie follows Stack, and they load into CAR 1.
Smoke loads into the truck and both cars pull off and go opposite ways down the road.
Stack drives down the Mississippi road...he drives much faster than his brother. He eyes his cousin.
STACK
You and Uncle Jed doing okay? You
can tell me the real...
SAMMIE
We fine. He just don’t like me
playing this blues is all.
Stack smiles at the sweet, trivial nature of this conflict.
STACK
Shit you lucky he care at all.
SAMMIE
You always said you’ll tell me
what happened with Uncle Adam when
I got older, and well I guess I’m
older. Did ya’ll really kill him?
Stack’s smile fades, mostly.
STACK
Nah. We ain't kill him...
(beat)
Smoke did.
(longer beat)
Our Daddy knocked me unconscious.
By the time I came to, Smoke was
halfway done burying him.
SAMMIE
He used to beat ya’ll?
STACK
Me mostly. But he ain’t mean it.
Sammie contemplates this.
STACK (CONT’D)
You been making your way out to
them juke joints... you seen
people drinkin’ corn liquor and
carrying on?
Sammie nods.
STACK (CONT’D)
Well then you seen decent peopl e
take to drinkin’ and get to
behavin' like somebody they
ain't..?
SAMMIE
Sure as I’m sittin’ here.
STACK
Well our Daddy, he was mostly
good. But when he would drink...
he’d turn into somebody else.
Sammie nods. Stack looks at the guitar.
STACK (CONT’D)
You been taking care of that
thing, huh?
SAMMIE
I can’t thank ya’ll enough for
this. It play so right. Where
ya’ll get this from, anyway? Ain’t
seen one like it.
STACK
That’s Charlie Patton’s guitar. Me
and my brother won it off him in a
card game.
Sammie’s eyes light up. He looks down at the guitar.
SAMMIE
I had Charlie Patton’s guitar this
whole time?
STACK
Honest to GOD.
(beat)
Let’s see if you play like him.
Sammie slips his slide over his finger and begins to play (TRAVELIN’).
He has a command over the instrument that can’t be taught. It’s God given. His eyes close, and he begins to hum a tune.
Smoke pulls up on a bustling street where black folks are standing outside shopping and fraternizing.
Smoke exits the truck and stares down a group of TEENAGERS. He calls one (a young woman) over.
SMOKE
Where you from?
TEENAGER
Shelby.
SMOKE
You know who I am?
Teenager shakes her head no. This hurts Smoke’s ego... but he gets over it quickly.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
You heard of the Smokestack Twins?
TEENAGER
Of course.
SMOKE
Good. I’m Smoke.
Fear sweeps across her face and she starts to back up.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
No it’s okay you not in trouble,
I’m about to put some money in
your pocket, now I need you to sit
in this truc k right here and if
somebody comes and looks at it too
long I want you to lean on this
horn alright? Can you do that?
The Teenager nods.
Smoke gives the Teenager his wrist watch.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Can you tell time?
The Teenager shakes her head.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Each one of these small lines is a
minute. And I’m gonna pay you ten
cents a minute, will that work for
you?
TEENAGER
Yes sir.
SMOKE
No. No ma’am! We talkin’ numb ers
now and numbers always gotta be in
conversation with each other.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
You gotta negotiate, ya
understand? Now ten cents ain't
gonna work for you. Talk another
number back to me.
TEENAGER
50 cents.
Smoke smiles.
SMOKE
20 cents the best I can do. We got
us a deal?
The teenager nods.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Good. Jump in.
Smoke lets the Teenager into the truck. He then walks towards a Grocery Store with a colorful sign that reads DELTA GROCERY. He admires the sign for a quick beat and the n enters.
Smoke enters to find several BLACK PATRONS inside the store shopping. He goes up to the register where a YOUNG KID is working, this is LISA CHOW (12, Chinese American).
SMOKE
Now you not Lisa, is you?
LISA CHOW
Guilty as charged.
SMOKE
Jesus time flies... your Daddy
here?
Lisa nods and walks into the back of the store for a beat, and comes out with BO CHOW (30s, Chinese American). He spots Smoke and s miles.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Bo Chow!
BO CHOW
Look what the damn cat dragged in!
They embrace.
BO CHOW (CONT’D)
Where’s your brother?
SMOKE
He on the other side of town.
(beat)
We throwing a big event tonight.
BO CHOW
Whatcha need?
Bo pulls out a pen and note pad.
SMOKE
I need catfish for a bout 50-100
people.
BO CHOW
Mmm hmm. Frying it? Cornmeal,
lard, salt, pepper and garlic?
SMOKE
Yessir. Collards for the same
amount. Prolly do cheese, ham, and
bread for sandwiches.
He jots down furiously.
BO CHOW
This go nna cost you. Tell me,
ya’ll do good up in Chicago? I
heard about some of them casinos
up there. Did ya’ll hit big?
SMOKE
We hit. Just not in the way you
thinking.
BO CHOW
What kind of way?
HOOOOOOONK. They are cut off by the sound of Smoke’s horn.
SMOKE
Shit!
Smoke quickly heads towards the exit.
Smoke trots over to his car where the TEENAGER is leaning on the horn as TWO THIEVES are digging around in the trunk attempting to make off with one of the crates.
Smoke produces a Colt 1911 Pistol from his waistband and BLAM, he shoots one of the Thieves in the ass cheek.
THIEF
Ahhh shit!
Smoke takes aim at the other thief who starts to run.
SMOKE
Hold on. Wherever you think you
going, I bet this b ullet beat you
there.
The running thief stops.
Ass Cheek Thief spins around towards Smoke.
THIEF
You shot me you mutha-- Smoke? Is
that you?
SMOKE
Terry? How you been boy?
THIEF
I was doin better before you shot
me in the ass!
SMOKE
Why the hell was you trying to
boost from my truck?
THIEF
I didn’t know it was yours.
The Teenager leans out of the car.
TEENAGER
Bullshit, I told you it was his!
THIEF
I thou ght she was lyin’! Ya’ll
supposed to be in Chicago workin’
for Capone.
SMOKE
Well we back now...
Smoke looks around and thinks. He looks at the second thief who is frozen in fear.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Who is he?
THIEF
Just some nigga I met last week.
SMOKE
Where’s he from?
THIEF
Maybell.
Smoke sucks his teeth and shoots the Second Thief in his kneecap.
SECOND THIEF
Ahh goddamn. What you do that for?
SMOKE
I can’t have some nigga from the
Maybell plantation talking about
how he almost robbed the Twins
without a limp to show for it.
THIEF
Goddamn it Smoke. Who gon' patch
me up? I ain't got no money. What
if I get sepsis?
SMOKE
Hol’on let me think for a second.
(beat)
Ya’ll scoot out the street and put
some pressure on it.
Smoke walks back into the store.
Smoke resumes his convo with Bo Chow.
BO CHOW
You okay?
SMOKE
Ya’ll got a doctor close by?
BO CHOW
Yeah.
Smoke hands Bo a $10 bill.
SMOKE
I just shot a couple niggas
outside. They’ll live but they
need patchin’ up.
BO CHOW
No problem.
(beat)
What else you need?
SMOKE
Imma need some ice. A lotta ice.
BO CHOW
Yeah we can take care of that.
Anything else?
SMOKE
Yeah. We need a sign. You think
Grace would be up to making one
for us?
BO CHOW
When would you need it done?
SMOKE
Tonight!
BO CHOW
Lisa!
Lisa walks over to him.
BO CHOW (CONT’D)
Go get your mom.
Lisa nods and walks towards the exit of the shop.
BO CHOW (O.S.) (CONT’D)
So ya’ll gon' have food, drank,
music... but is ya’ll gon' be
playing?
SMOKE (O.S.)
Hell yeah. Cards, dice, even got a
roulette.
We stay with Lisa as she exits out to-
Lisa walks across the street where we reveal another DELTA GROCERY STORE.
Lisa enters.
This store is full with WHITE PATRONS. The upkeep is slightly nicer, but the same items are for sale. Lisa approaches her mother, GRACE CHOW (30s, Chinese American), who stands behind the counter finishing up an order for a patron.
LISA
Daddy wants you.
Grace finishes up.
GRACE
Look after the register here now.
Lisa slides into her mother’s place as Grace hands off the bag with a smile. And heads f or the exit, her smile fading from her face.
Grace walks across the street and looks at Smoke’s truck, and the two thieves holding their wounds.
She walks into-
Grace walks right up to Smoke and Bo.
GRACE
You know it’s two men out there,
look like they been shot.
SMOKE
Yeah that was my doin. I done
already gave Bo some money for
them to get patched up.
GRACE
Why you have to come here bringing
trouble?
BO CHOW
Trouble ain't all he bringing.
Bo shows Grace the shopping list that Smoke has requested.
GRACE
Jesus. How you paying for...
She looks up just in time to see Smoke flash a wad of cash.
BO CHOW
And that ain't all. He needs you
to make some signs for him.
SMOKE
Two. One big one for the front,
one menu for the food.
GRACE
By when?
SMOKE
Tonight.
Grace doesn’t flinch. Smells the opportunity.
GRACE
R ush job. Gone cost ya.
SMOKE
I’m listening.
GRACE
$20. Fifteen for the front door
sign, five for the menu.
SMOKE
$10. Seven for the front door
sign, three for the menu.
GRACE
Sixteen.
SMOKE
Fifteen.
GRACE
Done.
BO CHOW
We only got one color by the way.
SMOKE
What color you got?
BO CHOW
Red.
Smoke thinks on this.
SMOKE
Thirteen.
GRACE
Fourteen fifty.
Smoke looks at some FLOWERS in a can of water on the desk. He eyes them for a beat.
SMOKE
Fourteen and throw in them flowers
right there and we got a deal.
Grace looks at the flowers and back to Smoke.
GRACE
Done.
Smoke hands off the wad of money to Bo. Grace realizes something. She turns to Smoke.
GRACE (CONT’D)
W here’s Stack?
Stack parks and he and Sammie exit the car.
The railroad station is BUSTLING with Delta locals. BLACK folks and WHITE folks keep their general distance.
Folks move around in various degrees of dress and every few feet, a BLACK MUSICIAN is stationed, hat turned upside down in front of them, playing the Blues in hopes that a passing stranger throws them a coin.
Sammie looks around with wonder. If he ’s been here before, we can’t tell.
We hear the sounds of someone playing an INCREDIBLE HARMONICA.
SAMMIE
Is that Delta Slim?
STACK
Sure as hell is.
We reveal DELTA SLIM (Black, 70s) hunched over, breathing magic into his harmonica. (HARMONICA SOLO).
Stack looks at him, smiling. He pulls out a wad of money and places a dollar in Slim’s hat.
As he stops playing it becomes clear that Slim is buzzed.
DELTA SLIM
I thank you for your generosity...
He pulls out a flask and sips from it, then looks up and spots Stack. He bright ens.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
I guess that Chicago wind blew yo
black asses back down here huh?
He realizes something. Looks around.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Where’s the other one?
STACK
Down the road.
DELTA SLIM
So you are, wait don’t tell me...
Smoke!
STACK
Stack.
DELTA SLIM
Stack! Like I said. You Stack
clear as day.
(beat)
Who’s the boy?
STACK
This here is my cousin Preacher-
boy Sammie, finest blues player in
the Delta.
Delta S lim stews his face at this.
DELTA SLIM
I got socks twice as old as this
boy here, what the hell he know
about the blues?
SAMMIE
I can show you better than I can
tell you.
Sammie gets ready to play. Delta pits his hand in his pocket.
DELTA SLIM
Now hold on just a minute now.
This here is my plot. If you
wasn’t his cousin I’d cut you too
thin to fry.
STACK
But he is. And you threaten him
again I’mma make yo drunk ass
swallow that harmonica.
Delta Slim holds his hands up in surrender.
STACK (CONT’D)
You still nice on the keys?
DEL TA SLIM
Depends on who you ask.
STACK
I’ll give you $20 to come play the
keys at our juke tonight. Wanna
have a battle of the blues. Having
everybody come down.
DELTA SLIM
I wish I could, but Imma be at
Messengers same as I am every
Saturday night. I already
committed.
STACK
What’s Messengers paying you?
DELTA SLIM
(whistling first)
For a gangster you sure ask a lot
of questions.
STACK
They ain't payin’ you $20 a night
I know.
DELTA SLIM
The thing is you ain't offering
$20 a night. You offering $20
TONIGHT.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
I ain’t never heard of your juke.
Maybe it’s here tonight but is it
here next week? The week after?
(beat)
I been at Messenger’s every
Saturday for ten years now.
Messengers gon' be there ten more
years at least. Shit that’s
probably longer than I’ll be on
this earth. I play, and I get as
much corn liquor as I can drink.
Ole sinner like me can’t ask for
more than that.
STACK
I guess I’ll drink to tha t.
Stack pulls out the glass bottle. Carbon dioxide escapes as he pops the cap. Delta Slim’s eyes chase the sound.
DELTA SLIM
What you got there?
STACK
Irish beer, straight from the
North Side of Chicago.
DELTA SLIM
That’s beer?
STACK
Wind ain’t blow us down here empty
handed.
Stack extends the bottle towards Delta Slim who accepts it and takes a swig- it’s cold and bittersweet.
DELTA SLIM
My goodnes s.
Stack’s smile fades. If he were a great white shark, here’s where his eyes would go white.
STACK
I got 500 more bottles just like
that. Ice cold. I pay you $40
tonight, and as much beer as you
can drink no strings after that.
Act now I’ll even let you finish
that bottle in your hand.
Delta Slim takes another sip, thinks.
Sammie and Delta Slim play a guitar and harmonica duet (JUKE). Stack watching a crowd that has formed around them closely. PEARLINE (Black, 30s) hums along to the words and watches Sammie with bedroom eyes. Sammie winks back.
The crowd erupts in applause as Stack does his spiel.
STACK
If ya’ll thought that was bad, you
ain’t seen nothin’ yet. These
two’ll be playing tonight down at
the old sawmill on the riverbank
outside Clarksdale.
On the platform A WELL DRESSED WOMAN preparing to board the train hears Stack’s voice and stops.
STACK (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Gone have us a battle of the
Blues.
Turns around and looks towards Stack, Delta Slim and Sammie inquisitively, as the folks around her board.
Back in the crowd Stack continues his sales pitch.
STACK (CONT’D)
Gon' be something to eat.
Something to drank, and we g on'
sweat till we stank.
Sammie takes his chance to chat up Pearline.
SAMMIE
I’m Preacherboy.
PEARLINE
Pearline.
SAMMIE
I seen you somewhere before?
PEARLINE
Maybe...
SAMMIE
You sing don’t you?
PEARLINE
Time to time.
Sammie looks her up and down, lustfully. Pearline smiles.
PEARLINE (CONT’D)
I’m married too.
SAMMIE
Happily?
Pearline laughs.
PEARLINE
Careful, boy. You gon bite off
more than you can chew.
Pearline heads off.
SAMMIE
Maybe I’ll see you tonight?
Pearline doesn’t answer. Sammie turns back around and sees something in the distance that concerns him- the Well Dressed Woman, staring Stack down.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
Stack...
St ack turns to him.
STACK
Yeah?
SAMMIE
Don’t look
(beat)
But it’s a White woman staring at
you.
STACK
Shit.
We see genuine fear on Stack’s face for the first time.
STACK (CONT’D)
(beat)
You sure she white?
SAMMIE
She walking over here, now.
(beat)
What should we do?
WOMAN (O.S.)
Excuse me boy...
Sammie looks up at MARY (late 20s, White?), who we get our first glance at. She’s wearing expensive clothes, an expensive wedding ring, and she’s standing too close to Stack for comfort.
WOMAN (CONT’D)
Is this here Smoke... or is this
Stack?
Sammie starts working on a lie that Mary can see coming from a mile away.
STACK
Leave the boy out of this Mary.
(to Sammie)
Don’t look at her. Start playing.
Sammie sta rts to play his guitar.
MARY
You know I waited for you.
STACK
Why the hell would you go and do
that?
MARY
Because you told me you loved me.
STACK
I told you to stay the fuck away
from me too, but I guess you
didn’t hear that part, huh?
MARY
I heard you. But then you stuck
your tongue in my cooze and fucked
me so hard I figured you changed
your mind.
Delta Slim chokes on his drink.
STACK
Keep ya voice do wn now Mary. Now
that’s not how I remember it.
MARY
You remember falling asleep with
your head on my chest? And leaving
in the middle of night without a
fucking word? Or a note?
STACK
It was for the best. I set you up
good out there in Little Rock.
What the hell brought you back
here?
MARY
Buried my momma yesterday...
Now Stack is cut too.
MARY (CONT’D)
Figured I might see you and Smoke
there as much she looked after you
both. But I guess ya’ll love
lasted as long as ya’ll could get
something out of her.
STACK
Yeah. That was all it was for us.
Food and a warm bed.
Stack is lying. May be she can tell.
MARY
Hmm.
(beat)
Rot in hell Stack.
STACK
I will. Maybe I’ll save yo
triflin’ ass a room.
Mary walks away with a mean switch. Sammie watches closely.
SAMMIE
(to himself)
Maybe she ain't White...
STACK
Let’s get to gettin.
Smoke pulls up in front of a lone shack. He exits the car and takes a deep breath.
Goes around back and looks at a tiny, makeshift grave, a stone painted white, a tiny handprint on it. He bends down, removing his hat, and rubs the stone.
He pulls the FLOWERS he bought from Grace and Bo Chow from his suit jacket, and places them down next to the stone.
We see the DOOR OPEN behind him and a woman exits the shack. This is ANNIE (30s, Black).
SMOKE
How you been?
ANNIE
I been okay. No miseries worth
complainin’ about.
(beat)
You come alone?
Smoke turns toward her, walks over.
SMOKE
Stack on the other side of town.
ANNIE
What ya come back for ?
Annie steps closer to Smoke, there is tension between them, old habits, familiar sadness, lust? Love?
SMOKE
We bought that old saw mill. You
know the one right outside of
Clarksdale?
ANNIE
That run down place?
SMOKE
Yeah we gon' fix it up. Make it
into a juke joint.
ANNIE
A juke joint? This one of Stack’s
ideas?
SMOKE
Yeah. He figure tonight can be the
grand opening.
ANNIE
I thought ya’ll was done wit the
Delta. Last I heard y'all was
northern men.
SMOKE
Nah we done wit Chicago.
ANNIE
Chicago done wit ya’ll?
SMOKE
What you mean?
ANNIE
Who you and Stack rob to get
enough money for them Crackas to
sell you a whole mill?
Smoke stares at Annie who stares back plainly for beat, then rolls her eyes and heads inside.
Smoke follows behind her.
It’s a store with a Tarot card reading table and lots of pickled items in mason jars. It’s an eclectic collection.
A couple YOUNG BLACK GIRLS look around at items. Smoke watches as the older of the two grabs a mason jar with PICKLED PIG FEET in it.
YOUNG BLACK GIRL
Just this Miss Annie...
The OTHER YOUNG BLACK GIRL whispers to the elder one.
YOUNG BLACK GIRL (CONT’D)
And a pinch of High John.
Annie smiles a nd goes to her collection of BAGGED DUSTS and grabs one. She hands it to the Girl, who hands Annie a piece of PLANTATION CURRENCY in return.
ANNIE
Don’t sell none of them on your
way home. Don’t need yo mama
coming at me crazy later.
The Girl smiles as she exits.
Smoke pulls the PLANTATION CURRENCY out of Annie’s hand.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Excuse me?
SMOKE
Can’t believe you taking this make
believe shit.
Smoke looks at the bill with contempt. Annie pulls a straight razor from nowhere.
ANNIE
Smoke give me my money before I
cut yo black ass.
SMOKE
Put that blade up, woman.
Smoke pulls a wad of money and tears her off a bill. She tucks her blade back.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Here, I’ll trade you.
He tries to hand it off to Annie but she reaches for her plantation bill.
ANNIE
I don’t want your money.
SMOKE
Don’t be stupid.
ANNIE
I ain't stupid. Yo money comes
with blood.
SMOKE
All money come with blood baby.
ANNIE
Not like yours.
SMOKE
This won’t even spend nowhere
else.
ANNIE
I ain't goin nowhere else.
Annie takes the plantation bill back.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
I don’t need that cursed money you
got.
SMOKE
You know woman I been all over
this world. Been in cars, on
ships, and trains. Seen men die in
ways I didn’t know was possible.
(MORE)(MORE)
SMOKE (CONT’D)
And with all the shit I seen, I
ain't ever saw no roots, no
ghosts, no demons and no magic. If
I’m cursed it was sho before I was
old enough to steal something.
ANNIE
You fool. How you know roots ain't
what kept you alive? All that war,
and whatever the hell else you was
doing in Chicago, and you back
here in front of me with two arms,
two legs, two eyes, and a brain
that work. How you know I ain't
pray and work every root my
grandmama taught me to keep you
and that crazy brother of yours
safe, every day since you been
gone?
Smoke hunches down. Maybe shame peeking through.
SMOKE
Why them roots ain’t work on our
baby then?
It’s a low blow, but Smoke’s confusion is genuine. It’s been years but it’s still fresh for him, and for her.
ANNIE
I don’t know. But they work for
you.
(beat)
You still got t hat mojo bag?
Smoke reaches down into his shirt and pulls up a leather necklace. It has his dog tag and a small leather bag.
Annie smiles with her eyes but not her mouth.
She takes the bag, opens it, and begins the process of “feeding” it. Emptying old contents and adding more.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Why you here Smoke? What you want
wit me?
SMOKE
We hoping to serve food at this
Juke. And I want you to cook.
Annie pauses for a beat.
ANNIE
Elijah. Why are you here?
SMOKE
You want me to say it?
Annie answers with a look.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
It still hurts coming back here.
But I love you. And I miss you.
She walks over to the entrance of her shop and shuts the door. She approaches Smoke, who leans his head on her chest. She kisses his neck. Smoke holds her close.
Annie grips his dick through his pants and slides her tongue into his ear. Smoke winces in pleasure.
ANNIE (SUBTITLE)
Your body ain’t forget me.
Annie moves her hand to Smoke’s throat and clutches it.
Smoke kisses her then spins her around and slowly kisses her neck while unbuttoning his pants. Annie leans into his kiss while Smoke pulls up her dress slowly, his hand moving slowly from he her hip to under her dress.
Smoke leans Annie on the counter and thrusts into her.
Stack drives with Delta Slim riding shotgun and Sammie in the backseat. They chat as they drive.
SAMMIE
So that lady back there... you
really put your mouth on her...
you know.
Stack hesitates to answer. Delta Slim cracks up.
DELTA SLIM
What’s going on over there Stack?
Never known you to be shy.
STACK
Nah it’s just. Last time I saw
this little nigga he was barefoot
and had a snotty nose... now he
as king me shit like this.
DELTA SLIM
You better educate the man. How he
supposed to be a bad blues
musician if he don’t know the
proper way to treat a woman?
STACK
Man... how bout ya’ll talk music.
SAMMIE
C’mon Stack we gon talk music all
night!
DELTA SLIM
Help the boy. His daddy a Preacher
and ain't no verses in the Bible
about eating kitty.
STACK
Add that to the list of reasons
why that book ain’t worth the
paper it’s printed on.
Stack sneaks a look at Sammie from the road. He sighs.
STACK (CONT’D)
Every cooze got a button on it.
Towards the top. Find it, lick
that. Not too hard. Not too soft.
You ever had a scoop of that ice
cream downtown?
Sammie nods.
STACK (CONT’D)
Bout the same pressure you put on
that. Like it taste good, but you
don’t want it gone too quick, you
understand?
Sammie nods, smiling.
STACK (CONT’D)
(beat)
But here’s the truth . Any woman
can wet her hand and do that
herself. You want to keep a woman,
remember to do these five things.
Tell her she beautiful. Tell her
she smart. Feed her good food.
Make her laugh. Make her feel
safe.
Sammie thinks deeply on this.
STACK (CONT’D)
That’s it. Anything more I gotta
charge you.
Stack slows down to see a CHAIN GANG, of African American men clearing grass in a field, supervised by WHITE OFFICERS.
They sing a FIELD HOLLER.
DELTA SLIM
Ya’ll hold ya heads now!
Delta Slim lifts his fist at them as some of the men hear this and look over at the passing car. Some look back.
CHAIN GANG
Aye Slim!
BANG! An Officer fires his shotgun.
T he Chain Gang falls back in line.
Delta Slim’s smile begins to fade.
SAMMIE
You knew some of them?
DELTA SLIM
All of em.
SAMMIE
You been on a chain gang before?
DELTA SLIM
Never. But I spent a month in a
jailhouse, that was enough for me.
STACK
(with a smirk)
I heard about that.
SAMMIE
What happened?
DELTA SLIM
Me and my buddy Rice was hustlin’
back and forth up the delta. Night
after night, Juke after Juke. We’d
find a new woman in a ne w town and
sleep for the night.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Next day we do it all over again.
One day I get the mind to leave
this here Delta. Go on out to hill
country.
SAMMIE
By Alabama?
STACK
Naw, up by Tennessee.
DELTA SLIM
Soon as we get there we get busted
for vagrancy. White sheriffs, they
take us down to the jailhouse, and
it’s empty.
(beat)
I figure they either kill us that
night or let us go. Night goes on
and they give us our instruments
and tell us to play. We playing so
good, music coming out the windows
and people on the street was
stopping to come in.
SAMMIE
In the jailhouse?
DELTA SLIM
Oh yeah!
(beat)
Next day these sheriffs get the
bright idea they gon' take us on
the road. They cuff us, throw us
in patty wagon and take us to a
big house, full of white folks.
Pass around they hat and have us
play.
SAMMIE
Ya’ll was playing them ole ragtime
songs?
DELTA SLIM
Sure was. But we played a fair
amount of blues too. You see white
folks like the blues just fine,
they just don’t like the people
who make it.
(beat)
We’d go out night after night, and
then back to jail. They fed us
good, food from a hotel down the
street.
(MORE)(MORE)
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
They’d even let us bring a girl or
two through there. But it was
awful. Against our will.
SAMMIE
How long was y'all there?
DELTA SLIM
21 days.
Sammie sighs deeply.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
I guess they had made enough money
they felt good about letting us
go. Gave us peanuts compared to
what they was getting. But these
white folks we was playing for had
real money. By the time they cut
us loose they gave us each about
$500.
Stack whistles at the sound of this.
SAMMIE
Gave ya’ll a thousand dollars?
DELTA SLIM
Turned us loose and said if they
catch us around again they kill
us.
SAMMIE
What did y'all do with the money?
DELTA SLIM
I drank it. Rice, he was
traumatized. Said he was done
Jukin’. Said he found religion in
that predicament. Says he was gon'
take that money and go up to
Little Rock, start a church.
SA MMIE
Did he?
Delta Slim grows dark.
DELTA SLIM
Dumb fool let the train conductor
see him pay cash for his ticket.
DELTA SLIMDELTA SLIM (CONT’D)(CONT’D)
Klan got a hold of him and checked
his pockets, found all that money
on him and made up a story about
him killing some white man for it.
They took his money and lynched
him right at the railroad station.
Sammie doesn’t love the end of this story.
Stack drives past a group of SHARECROPPERS. He notices a HUSBAND and WIFE. The husband, CORNBREAD (30s) is a mountain of a man.
STACK
Hey Cornbread!
CORNBREAD
Stack! Long time no see! This
here’s my wife, Therise.
STACK
Nice to meet you, Therise. Now I
need you give us a moment. Men got
business to discuss.
CORNBREAD
I ain't got time for your schemin'
Stack, I’m behind on my quota.
STACK
Man, fuck yo q uota.
CORNBREAD
Stack, my wife is right here man.
I need you to have some respect.
STACK
Fuck yo wife, too.
CORNBREAD
What?
STACK
She gon' let you really fuck her
when she see how much money you
about to get from this job I’m
offering you. None of that nice
and slow shit she probably giving
you now.
(beat)
(MORE)(MORE)
STACK (CONT’D)
Shit. She might even let you put
your pecker in her mouth.
Stack waves a wad of money.
CORNBREAD
Man I’m bout to beat the Black off
you.
Stack smiles, as Cornbread prepares to charge.
THERISE
How much you talkin’ bout payin'
him?
Stack smiles. Sammie smiles wider.
SLAM CUT TO
BEGIN MONTAGE
Stack drives while Delta Slim rides shotgun with Cornbread and Sammie in the backseat.
BEGIN MONTAGE
Bo and Grace Chow load up the groceries, paint supplies and wood, while Lisa and her GRANDMOTHER watch from the window.
Smoke and Stack pull up to the Lumber Mill and their cars unload with Black Folks who have shown up to work.
Stack watches as Smoke helps Annie down from the truck. Stack tips his hat to Annie and smiles, she gives a lukewarm look back. The twins hug then get to work.
Smoke’s car is unloaded. Liquor, beer, groceries, a load of two by fours, a piano, and a few rifles.
Smoke, Stack, Sammie, Cornbread, Annie and Slim load equipment into the mill.
Sammie siphons water from the river.
Sammie brings excess alcohol into the BACK ROOM.
Sammie takes it in with a wide eye’d expression. He walks over to the BAR, the GAMBLING AREA, THE DANCE FLOOR.
A LABOR PARTY pulls up to the mill via MULE AND WAGON. Smoke guides them on where to park. Annie watches as vultures circle overhead.
Sammie and Delta Slim, work to help the Twins nail together a small stage.
The Chows arrive in their car. Grace speaks with the twins on where to place the sign. Grace begins preparing the sign.
Annie and some black women unload the food and begin to cook.
Gaps in walls are quickly covered by Stack and the workers.
Fish is fried, sandwiches are made.
The sun retreats further towards the horizon.
The twins talk with Cornbread about how to work the door of the mill.
Smoke taps electricity from an electric pole.
Sammie places the washtub at the entrance.
The lights turn on, revealing the mill has been whipped into shape, food is cooking the musicians are doing the walk through.
The whiskey and beer is made to be ready to be sold behind the bar.
On what is now the dance floor Smoke stands stoic, looking around, doing math in his head. Stack walks up to him, beaming. Slaps him on his back.
END MONTAGE
Sammie watches as Slim inspects the piano. He calls Sammie over to help him tune it.
Slim points at Sammie’s guitar.
Sammie plays the E string while Slim tightens the piano string and plays a key. Sammie observes him closely. Slim clocks this.
SLIM
How many yo Daddy got in his
congregation? My Daddy wasn’t
around, but my uncle taught the
word. Had him a praise house.
Baptist. Used to say I was
sw imming’ in temptation. But it’s
the same spirit that flow through
us with this blues. Just flow a
different way. More honest way if
you ask me. Blues wasn’t put on us
like that religion. We brought
this with us from home.
SAMMIE
What home?
DELTA SLIM
Africa, Preacherboy. What we do
here a little different from what
they do. But it’s sacred.
(MORE)(MORE)
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Don’t let nobody tell you no
different. Not ya Daddy. Not
nobody else.
Sammie and the Twins walk around the empty Juke. Nervousness setting in. Annie organizes the bar materials anxiously, while Stack paces. Suddenly they hear Cornbread talking to someone at the door.
CORNBREAD (O.S.)
Right this way.
A male PATRON (Black, lifelong sharecropper, 60s) enters and sits down at the bar.
PATRON
I’m happy to stick round till
ya’ll get to playin’. Just need
somethin’ to wet m y whistle.
ANNIE
We got whisky, Irish beer, Italian
wine.
PATRON
Man ya’ll some classy niggas ain’t
ya. Too fancy for me. I don’t need
no Irish nothin’. Corn liquor’ll
do.
Annie looks to Smoke, who nods.
ANNIE
That’ll be 50 cents.
The Patron reaches into his pocket, pulls out FOUR DIMES.
PATRON
Damn. All I got is forty.
(beat)
But these are good at the Maybell
general store.
The Patron pulls out two W OODEN PLANTATION CURRENCY NICKELS. Sits them down.
A long pause as Annie, Smoke, and Stack share looks. Sammie tries to follow this with his eyes.
Stack jumps in before it gets even more awkward.
STACK
You like that cold right?
Annie eyes Smoke who seethes but doesn’t move to stop it.
Stack pulls out a dew covered mason jar of moonshine and hands it to the PATRON, and slides the coins to Annie.
PATRON
Thank ya kindly.
He smells the liquor, savors it.
SMOKE
Let me holler at ya’ll.
Smoke walks to the back room, Stack, Annie, and Sammie follow.
As the elders of the party enter Smoke turns to Samm ie and stops him.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Not you... keep an eye on him.
Sammie nods and turns, eying the Patron.
Smoke closes the door behind him. Sammie tries to listen through the door.
Smoke is giving the group an earful.
SMOKE
This ain't no house party. And it
damn sure ain't no charity. We
taking cash. US muthafuckin’
dollars.
ANNIE
This ain’t Chicago Smoke.
SMOKE
The fuck that mean?
Smoke looks at the two of them.
STACK
She got a point, man.
(beat)
(MORE)(MORE)
STACK (CONT’D)STACK (CONT’D)
These niggas been workin’ inda
field all day. When they show up
let’em enjoy themselves.
ANNIE
They gotta feel wanted if you want
this here to work.
SMOKE
Wanted?
STACK
Yeah man. It gotta feel like it’s
for them. That old nigga worked
his ass off for them wooden
nickels.
SMOKE
So now ya’ll on the same page?
Guess hell done froze over.
Smoke stares daggers at his brother.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Lemmie ask you somethin’. When you
was sellin’ ass in Little Rock,
you ever let a john pay with a
goddamn promissory note?
STACK
Hell nah.
(beat)
But I wasn’t sellin’ ass in the
Delta.
SMOKE
What’s the damn difference?
Sammie listens in to them talking.
SMOKE (O.S.)
I don’t know hoo doo and I can’t
talk slick, but I know business.
(beat)
And this is bad for business.
STACK
This opening night. Let these
niggas pay with what they have.
It’ll just be a few of em like
this.
Annie cuts Stack a look.
SMOKE
I need a goddamn cig.
Smoke storms out.
Stack smiles at Annie- that was a yes- she doesn’t return it. She exits. Stack starts working on that cigarette.
Smoke walks past Sammie.
SMOKE
You better play your ass off on
that stage tonight.
Sammie watches the Patron who takes another swig of corn liquor.
PATRON
Goddamn this good!
Almost on cue, more PATRONS start to trickle in. Sammie looks around amazed. Delta Slim taps him.
DELTA SLIM
I guess I better get started...
Folks from every part of town walk in, with Cornbread checking them in.
Delta Slim belts out a vocal from behind the keys of the piano. (MESS AROUND or EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES).
Sammie brings Cornbread a beer. Pearline enters following another guitarist.
SAMMIE
You made it.
PEARLINE
Yeah. When they turn this place
into a Juke?
SAMMIE
Today. My cousins own it. You know
the Twins?
PEARLINE
Heard of em of course. They your
cousins?
Sammie nods. Ready to soak up any trickle down respect.
PEARLINE (CONT’D)
Ya’ll must be play cousins.
SAMMIE
They daddy was my daddy’s big
brother.
Pearline p auses.
PEARLINE
So ya’ll cousins through blood?
You seem like such a nice young
man.
SAMMIE
I’m not always nice. And I ain’t
that young.
Cornbread lets a group of girls in their 20s in.
CORNBREAD
Ya’ll enjoy y'all selves.
He watches them walk in, while a WOMAN approaches the entrance, she clears her throat.
Cornbread turns to notice her, startled.
CORNBREAD (CONT’D)
Excuse me ma’am you sure you at
the right place?
Smiles.
MARY
That’s a damn good question,
Cornbread...
Cornbread is confused as to how this White Woman knows him... till he looks at her closer.
CORNBREAD
Little Mary?!
MARY
Not so little no more huh?
Cornbread smiles. They embrace.
CORNBREAD
Whats it been? Six, seven years?
MARY
At least.
CORNBREAD
If I didn’t know no better, I’da
thought you wa s-
MARY
White?
CORNBREAD
I was gon say rich.
(beat)
My condolences regarding your
mother. We would have made the
repass, but we had to work.
MARY
It’s alright. It was a beautiful
service.
(beat)
Let me get on in here and get a
drink before I start tearing up.
Cornbread steps aside as Mary enters-
Sammie and Pearline continue to chat.
PEARLINE
You gon' play?
SAMMIE
What you think?
(beat)
You gon' sang?
PEARLINE
We’ll see where the night take us.
SAMMIE
Ya husband coming?
PEARLINE
Nope. He’s older. Church type.
SAMMIE
Oh yeah?
Sammie thinks for a bit.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
You hungry?
Pearline thinks while Sammie notices something.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
Shit. Hol’on.
Sammie runs off towards what he saw- Mary. Pearline looks on, curious.
Sammie approaches Mary.
SAM MIE (CONT’D)
Excuse me ma’am, I don’t think you
should be here. You see, I’m with
the Twins... and I
MARY
With the twins? Boy if you don’t
get the fuck out my face.
SAMMIE
I am with them ma’am. We met
earlier at the train station. I’m
they little cousin. You really
upset Stack, I think you should
leave before they see you.
MARY
Little cousin? Wait, you not
little Sammie?
Sammie looks confused as hell.
MARY (CONT’D)
The guitar. That’s right! Little
Sammie. You old enough to drink
now? Come on, let me buy you a
drink.
Marry takes Sammie by the arm and walks him over to the now, crowded Bar.
SAMMIE
Have we met before? I mean before
today. Cause I don’t remember.
MARY
No. But Stack used to talk about
you all the time. You the only one
besides Smoke he seemed to care
about. So yo u play that guitar
they left you? That’s good. You
making any money with that thing?
SAMMIE
Not really. Not yet at least.
MARY
I would tell you it didn’t matter,
as long as you love it, but
that’ll be horse shit advice.
SAMMIE
What are you?
MARY
What am I? I’m a human being.
Sammie feels bad.
SAMMIE
That ain't what I meant.
MARY
I know what you meant. My mama’s
daddy was half black. And he
raised her to keep my grandma’s
white family from killing her. She
was a high yellow sharecropper.
She was beautiful. Had any man she
wanted. And by the look of my
siblings all of em was jet black
except for whoever my daddy was.
SAMMIE
You didn’t know who your daddy
was?
Mary shakes her head.
MARY
She told me he was white and she
hated white people. I just figure
he ain’t do right by her. Drunken
fling, probably worse. Been
meaning to ask her again the last
few years, but now she gone.
Mary takes a swig, fighting tears.
MARY (CONT’D)
You know my momma delivered the
twins? Saved Stack life after he
got stuck in they Momma. And after
s he died, my momma nursed them
like they was her own. And they
had money to buy this whole mill
and didn’t even send flowers to
her funeral.
SMOKE (O.S.)
We gave your mama flowers...
plenty of em. All while she was
alive to smell them.
Mary and Sammie are startled to find Smoke behind them.
MARY
Hey Smoke.
SMOKE
(beat)
Go check in with Slim and see if
he need backup.
Sammie obliges. Smoke walks off to find Stack while Mary enjoys more of her drink.
On stage, Delta Slim switches to a new song with Sammie watching. (MY PREACHIN’ PIANO VERSION)
DELTA SLIM
I think she like the way I’m
preachin’.
Most of the patrons we have seen before along the road, in the shops and fields that we have passed.
Smoke whispers in Stack’s ear, pointing at Mary.
Mary eyes Stack who approaches her. He tries to walk her out of the door and she pulls away.
MARY
I’m not here for you.
STACK
Oh yeah? Why you here then?
MARY
I come to hear the blues.
STACK
They play the Blues just fine in
Arkansas.
(long beat)
What’s it gone take? How much?
Stack starts thumbing through money.
STACK (CONT’D)
How much to get you to get the
fuck on?
Mary chuckles at this.
MARY
You can’t pay me off.
STACK
I’ll pay one of these field
bitches in here to drag you out
then.
Mary laughs at this healthily.
MARY
Shit, you taught me how to fight.
I’ll beat up every bitch in here.
STACK
Taught yo ass how to walk away
when the money is up too. Got you
a rich white husband. Got you a
farm. Go home to it.
MARY
I ain’t ask for none of that. All
that shit was your idea.
MARY (CONT’D)MARY (CONT’D)
I ain’t want no white man. I
didn’t want to be white, I wanted
to be wit you.
STACK
Woman you know I ain't shit. You
know I can’t do nothing for you.
MARY
Maybe I ain't shit neither.
STACK
You think you don’t deserve what
you got out there? Land? Freedom
to go where you want?
(smiles wide, incredulous)
We all deserve it, but you was
born wit a paint job to give you a
shot at beating the system. And
y ou want me to feel bad for
showing you how to get it?
(beat)
You buried yo mama, now go home.
All it take is the wrong person to
see you here, word get back and
them crackas’ll kill you.
MARY
What would it matter to you?
STACK
Cause if somebody hurt you out
there me and my brother gon come
kill em all.
MARY
So you’ll kill for me?
STACK
That’s right.
MARY
But you still won’t tell me the
truth. I was yo ung enough to
believe you were coming back.
(alt)
But I’m grown now, Stack. And I
know you never planned to stay.
And you still can’t say it.
STACK
Say what? That I think about you
every day?
(MORE)(MORE)
STACK (CONT’D)
(beat)
I just wanted you to be safe. And
that was never gonna be here. And
that was never gonna be with me.
Stack walks to the front door, leaving Mary on the dance floor.
Smoke observes from the catwalk.
Delta Slim winds down my preachin’ from the stage.
DELTA SLIM
Shit. Ya’ll starting to move out
there. I hope ya’ll getting a
chance to get some good drank in
ya. Now I been hearing about this
young man out here all day.
Supposed to be a bad blues man.
(beat)
Sammie, on the other side of the juke trying to bend Pearline’s ear, holding his guitar.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Preacherboy where ya at?
Sammie holds up his guitar high so Slim can see him.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Now we been hanging out and I seen
you noise with that thang. But I
wanna really see you cut loose.
All the patrons clap and look towards Sammie who holds his guitar with one hand high over his head, making his way to the middle of the dance floor.
He stops, surrounded by patrons and positions his guitar to play.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Tell him who you are and wher e ya
from.
SAMMIE
My name Sammie Moore, and I’m a
sharecropper from Sunflower
Plantation.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
They call me Preacherboy, on
account of my daddy being a
Pastor. I wrote this song for him.
Plays a guitar intro, bending the chords (I LIED TO YOU). The audience leans forward in anticipation. Hanging on every note.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
Somethin’ I been wantin’ to tell
you, for a very long time. It
might hurt, you might lose your
mind. See I was just a boy, about
8 years old. You threw me your
bible. On that M ississippi road.
See I love you papa, you did all
you could do. They say the truth
hurts. So I lied to you. Yes I
lied to you. I love the Blues.
Blown away by his voice, patrons start to smile. Smoke and Stack look on at their cousin playing, Smoke with surprise, Stack with pride. Annie watches from the kitchen. Mary too.
DELTA SLIM
Goddamn Preacherboy! Ya’ll don’t
just watch, move ya feet, now!
Sam mie plays hard. The crowd begins to dance. Mary dances alone.
SAMMIE
Somebody take me, in your arms
tonight.
Annie comes around from the kitchen. She finds Smoke who is leaned up against a wall. She pushes up on him and they dance.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
Somebody take me, in your arms
tonight.
Stack watches Mary through the crowd as she dances alone.
He approaches her she leans into him and they dance.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
Some body take me, in your arms
tonight.
Pearline joins Sammie on the dance floor and their energy is electric.
SURREAL MONTAGE STARTS- THE MUSIC SHIFTS
Sammie closes his eyes and enters into a trance playing wildly. We rotate around him to reveal a SENEGALESE XALAM PLAYER in traditional African dress who stares at Sammie while playing his instrument in unison. This is a spirit, an ancestor visible to us, the audience, but not to Sammie and the other patrons of the juke.
We rotate around to reveal a 1970s BLACK GUITARIST playing psychedelic rock.
We rotate past Pearline to show TWO SPIRITS surrounding her, one from the past, one from the present.
We push up to Delta Slim, to find him, eyes closed and playing, surrounded by two ancestors- GRIOTS one past, one future a disk jockey spinning from the 1980s.
We track back to the dance floor to find it populated with more ancestors, all of the current day patrons in a trance their eyes still closed.
We find Grace in the kitchen who takes us to the gambling room, where she pulls Bo away from the gambling tables and back onto the dance floor where A Past Ancestor, a Zaouli dancer in full dress, does a traditional dance, next to Future Ancestor who does Memphis Jooking.
A modern da ncer leads us back to Sammie, who kicks his singing up to another level, burning embers and debris fall down around him.
We tilt the camera up to reveal the source of the debris. The ceiling of the mill is ablaze, with growing gaps exposing the inky, star filled sky beyond.
We tilt back down and reveal the crowd, still dancing and the blaze has engulfed the walls.
We spin around and pull back, be yond the walls of the juke wide on the patrons as they party with their ancestors past and present, in what is now an open field with burning debris illuminating them.
The camera continues off to reveal three figures. We move towards them-
THREE WHITE DRIFTERS walk towards the Mill. One holds a lantern while the others hold instruments. It’s REMMICK (The Injured Man from the Prologue, all cleaned up and healed), flanked by Joan and Bert.
Remmick looks towards the party hungrily as if he can see it in all its surreal glory.
END SURREAL MONTAGE
Over Remmick’s shoulder, we see the structure of the mill as it is in reality.
Sammie and Pearline enter and make out heavy.
PEARLINE
Do this door lock?
SAMMIE
Only with a key...
PEARLINE
Keep ya foot on it at least.
Pearline sits on a table by the door and takes off her panties. Sammie takes a knee to help, then-
SAMMIE
Hold on, I want to try something.
Pearline looks at Sammie confused.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
Just trust me...
He lifts her legs on his shoulders and goes down on her.
PEARLINE
W ait, Preacher-boy... let me wash
up first, I walked here....
(pleasure hits)
Shiiiit.
(then ecstacy)
SHIIIIT!
Stack listens in through the door. Chuckling silently before Grace taps him.
GRACE
Hey. Smoke asking for you. He
upstairs.
Stack smiles and heads towards the back of the juke. Grace listens to the door and makes a face.
Stack walks upstairs to find Smoke leaning on the railing, observing the packed house from above. He holds two papers in his hand.
Stack approaches his brother.
STACK
What you think? Go on head and say
it.
SMOKE
It’s going alright.
STACK
Alright!? Man this shit jumpin’!
And this just the first night.
C’mon Smoke man we done done it!
Stack slaps Smoke on the shoulder.
SMOKE
I tallied the till.
STACK
Wha t’s the count?
Smoke hands the slip to Stack.
STACK (CONT’D)
Goddamn!
SMOKE
That top figure... that’s
plantation money.
(beat)
Bottom figure’s real dollars.
Stack sobers. Thinks.
STACK
So whats the projection?
SMOKE
Two more months like this and
we’ll be out of real cash. And
we’ll be right back in these
crackas pockets like the rest of
em.
Cornbread notices the drifters approaching from the distance. He taps a SMOKING PATRON.
CORNBREAD
Go get the twins.
The trio led by Remmick arrives at the front door. Cornbread blocks their passage.
REMMICK
Evenin’, sir.
CORNBREAD
Good evening. How can I help you
folks?
REMMICK
We heard tale of a party. Food,
blues music, drank and the like.
(beat)
We like to drank, we happen to be
musicians,
(beat)
And we walked here, so we hungry
as dogs.
Remmick smiles... maybe too wide.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
You wouldn’t mind us coming in,
now would you?
CORNBREAD
I think ya’ll at the wrong place.
Joan takes issue with this.
JOAN
What makes you say that?
Cornbread hesitates, just as the Twins arrive, Mary at Stack’s side, and Annie at Smoke’s. Pearline exits the back room, with Sammie in tow. They head towards the commotion at the front door.
REMMICK
You fellas must be the owners of
this establishment.
SMOKE
That’s right. And you are?
REMMICK
Name’s Remmick. And this here is
Joan and Bert.
Sammie approaches.
SAMMIE
Stack, ya’ll alright?
Remmick hears Sammie’s voice and catches eyes with him.
REMMICK
And you must be that voice I heard
from out here. It was beautiful.
JOAN
Goddamn beautiful voice.
BERT
Even through these walls.
Smoke steps in front of Sammie.
SMOKE
Where ya’ll from?
JOAN
Down the road.
STACK
How far?
REMMICK
North Carolina.
SMOKE
(beat)
Ya’ll Klan?
Remmick is genuinely offended by this.
Buff Rev. (06/03/24)
REMMICK
We believe in equality. And music.
We just came to play, spend some
money, and have a good time.
Smoke shakes his head. Stack thinks on this.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
Let me show ya.
The trio of drifters get their instruments into position and begin to play.
BERT JOAN
You better pick poor robin You better pick poor robin clean, pick poor robin clean, pick poor robin clean, I picked his head, clean, I picked his head, picked his feet, I picked picked his feet, I picked his body but it wasn’t fit his body but it wasn’t fit to eat... to eat...
Remmick joins in.
REMMICK
You’d better pick poor robin
clean,
pick poor Robin clean,
but I’ll be satisfied, having your
family.
CORNBREAD
(under his breath)
Man these pecks ain’t bad...
They are damn good.
PEARLINE
(under hers)
Not bad at all.
Stack, Mary, and Annie are caught up in the music too.
SMOKE
Hol'on just a minute now.
The Trio stops playing.
REMMICK
Aww, it was just about to get
good.
SMOKE
I believe ya. It’s just... this
here is a juke joint.
STACK
Blues music.
BERT
But we got money and we ready to
spend it with ya’ll.
REMMICK
And that music soundin’ goddamn
amazing. And yer sayin’ we ain't
welcome?
Smoke grows more impatient.
SMOKE
If you go down that road, you’ll
get back into town. Plenty white
barrelhouses down there.
REMMICK
So it’s about the color we was
born wit, huh? If that’s the case
how she get in?
Remmick points to Mary.
MARY
Tha t’s none of-
ANNIE
She here cause she family.
Remmick thinks on this, Stack steps in front of his view of Mary.
REMMICK
Well maybe we can all be family...
just for the night.
Remmick steps forward.
Smoke takes a step closer to the trio and puts his hand on his pistol. Stack steps forward after.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
(smiling)
No need for that! We’ll be on our
way.
They amble towards the parked cars and wagons.
RE MMICK (CONT’D)
Maybe we’ll walk real slow, in
case ya’ll change your minds.
The Twins and Cornbread huddle up. Annie and Mary listen in. Sammie and Pearline observe from a distance.
CORNBREAD
What ya’ll want to do?
STACK
You sure they came alone?
CORNBREAD
Three of thems all I saw.
SMOKE
Keep a eye on em till they leave.
ANNIE
They gave me the willies.
STACK
Yeah crackas at night time will do
that.
ANNIE
Wasn’t just that...
SMOKE
What if Hogwood set us up? I knew
I shoulda kil led that Klan
motherfucker when we had the
chance.
STACK
Slow down, Smoke. I don’t think
they got nothing to do with each
other.
SMOKE
You think they brought company?
STACK
Doubt it, but we got enough pepper
on is if they did.
SMOKE
Shit. We ain’t get the trunk.
STACK
Damn. Why you didn’t remind me?
SMOKE
Fool, I told you to remind me!
The twins look towards the door.
MARY
Ya’ll don’t need the trunk. It was
three of em.
The Twins turn to Mary. Maybe she’s right.
STACK
Maybe they just came to sing.
SMOKE
Somebody spill something on em,
step on they shoe, look at they
woman too long then we got a
bigger problem than just a fight
you understand?
Smoke turns to Cornbread.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Don’t let em in.
Smoke walks back into the Juke. Stack lo oks at Mary for a beat, then heads back in as well. Cornbread returns to his post.
Leaving Mary and Annie with each other.
ANNIE
You doin’ alright?
Mary nods.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Look like you need something to
eat. Food in Little Rock ain't no
good?
MARY
It’s fine. Just grieving. You
ain't got none of that gumbo here
do you?
Annie shakes her head empathetically.
ANNIE
Catfish sandwich?
MARY
Could you?
ANNIE
Of cou rse.
Mary reaches for her pocket book.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Stop it.
Annie and Mary head off into the Juke.
Mary follows Annie over to the kitchen area where Annie enters to make a new plate.
Mary looks around and notices Stack, visibly stressed, on the upstairs catwalk. She walks up the stairs to him.
MARY
What’s wrong?
STACK
We got a packed house, but we
under water.
MARY
How?
STACK
All the plantations paying is
credi ts.
MARY
All the plantations?
STACK
Seems that way.
MARY
What about them crackers?
STACK
What about em?
MARY
Let me go out there and feel em
out before they too far gone.
STACK
I can go feel em out.
MARY
They’ll tell me more than they’ll
tell you. I can find out what they
really have.
STACK
What if they from Little Rock?
MARY
They ain't.
(beat)
Let me try to get this money for
us. I know ya’ll need it.
STACK
What’s that supposed to mean.
MARY
Irish beer? Italian wine? You
robbed both sides. Let them blame
each other while you and Smoke
come down here and set up shop.
You need every dime you can get in
case they put two and two
together.
STACK
They won’t.
MARY
In case they do. Let me go talk to
them and see about putt ing
something real on the till.
Stack thinks for a long beat, then pulls his Luger. Mary snugs up close to him, and he slips it in her garter.
Mary grabs her scarf from the bar and covers her hip with it.
She looks at Annie- who is with Grace in the kitchen, busy making her a plate.
She looks into the window into the gambling room where she spots Smoke, busy talking with Bo.
She looks at the front door where Cornbread is on post.
She turns to the barn doors where patrons watch Slim.
She ambles across the dance floor, opens the barn door a nd slips out into the night.
Mary walks through the darkness towards Remmick, Bert and Joan.
They play a beautiful, sparse Mountain song (WILL YE GO LASSIE GO).
Remmick sees her approaching, but continues singing.
His eyes are two calm lakes at midnight- barely hinting at the depths below.
REMMICK
You lookin for some fresh air?
MARY
Just come to see if ya’ll was good
people.
REMMICK
Aww darlin’ that’s sweet of you.
JOAN
So sweet.
REMMICK
We most surely are.
MARY
And ya’ll got money to spend?
RE MMICK
Oh yeah. Plenty money.
Bert reaches into his pocket and produces several gold coins. He hands them to Mary.
MARY
What type of money is that?
REMMICK
It’s the solid gold kind, darlin’.
You want to see?
MARY
Where is this from?
REMMICK
From a different land, and a
different time. But it spends just
the same. You can have it.
(beat)
But you don’t need it, do you?
JOAN
No she don’t need it.
MARY
What makes you say that?
Remmick smiles.
REMMICK
Cause you in some deep pain that
money can’t fix. You need
fellowship and love. Am I right?
Mary looks up at and notices his eyes flicker for a bit while he turns to her. Like a feral cat’s or a timber- wolf’s when light is shined into them at night.
Mary thinks she catches it, but its gone in an instant.
MARY
My mother, she just passed...
REMMICK
T hat’s awful.
JOAN
Awful.
BERT
Just awful. Losing a mother’s a
hurtin’ feelin’.
REMMICK
I wish in my heart that we met
sooner. I would have liked to save
your mother from her fate. But I
can still save you from yours.
MARY
You must have me confused. I’m sad
is all. But I don’t need no
saving.
REMMICK
Yes. Yes you do. You all do.
She thinks to herself. Then looks to Remmick, repulsed at the drool on his chin.
Mary stands up. Remmick notices her shock and wipes his mouth. But his leering smile stays.
Mary pulls her pistol on Remmick.
MARY
I’m gonna head back now. And I
think ya’ll should too. Back to
wherever ya’ll came from.
Remmick looks at the pistol and smiles, he doesn’t move.
Mary backs away from them, then turns and walks towards the Juke.
In the distance, Remmick stands calmly, then flies into the air towards Mary.
OMITTED
Cornbread sits by the door tapping his feet to the music.
Mary approaches from the shadows.
MARY
Cornbread.
Cornbread jumps at the utterance.
CORNBREAD
What you doing out here?
MARY
I was convincing them white folks
to leave. They on they way now.
Cornbread looks back and the lantern they were holding is shrinking into the distance.
CORNBREAD
Thank you for that.
MARY
You gon' let me in or just stand
th ere blockin’ the door?
Cornbread steps aside.
CORNBREAD
Come on.
Mary steps inside.
Mary looks around at everyone partying and drinking. She moves through the crowd for a beat.
Across the room, Sammie watches as Pearline takes the stage with A GUITARIST. Delta Slim turns to Sammie.
DELTA SLIM
I’mma get some air.
Sammie nods at Delta Slim without breaking his gaze from Pearline, who slams the piano shut, and begins performing (Pale Moon Rising ~ 5 MINUTES PEARLINE + ~ SIX MINUTE JA M SESSION) (Musicians join in as it goes on, SECOND GUITARIST, PIANO, BANJO, BACKING VOCALS). Patrons dance along.
Cornbread shuffling turns and notices Delta Slim approaching.
CORNBREAD
Slim!
Delta Slim rambles over to the door.
CORNBREAD (CONT’D)
Watch the door for me. I gotta
piss!
DELTA SLIM
Gon' cost ya.
CORNBREAD
(already on the move)
Put it on my tab.
Delta Slim plops into the seat, nursing the beer.
Cornbread, holding a lantern, puts some space between him and the Mill in search of some much deserved privacy.
He finds a spot he likes, sets down his lantern, gets to the business of relieving himself.
Just as we hear a stream and the relaxation sets in, he hears a rustling.
He turns to his right, nothing. He turns to his left, his heartbeat in his throat... Nothing.
He hears something again. Checks to his right... still nothing.
To his left, JOAN now stands. Holding his lantern. She smiles at his hands and we hear the piss stop.
JOAN
Don’t quit on account of me.
She blows the light out, leaving Cornbread surrounded in darkness.
Stack finds Mary coming from around a corner, wiping her mouth.
STACK
How’d it go?
Mary shows off the gold coin. Stack smiles at this.
STACK (CONT’D)
Look at that!
He holds out his hand for the pistol. She hands it to him, and Stack notices it is light. Before he can check it Mary kisses him.
Stack withdraws, tucks his pistol and looks around anxiously.
MARY
You scared.
Mary pulls him close.
STACK
You somebod y else's.
MARY
So. You rob trains and banks. But
you can’t steal this pussy for a
night?
This lands on Stack hard. Mary walks into the BACK ROOM.
Stack waits for a beat, and follows. Shuts the door behind him.
Delta Slim watches from the front door and smiles.
Stack walks Mary down and they kiss passionately. She playfully pulls at his bottom lip with her teeth, then licks his lips. Then his neck.
Stack sits down on the floor and unbuckles his pants. Mary sits on top of him, lifting her dress slightly.
She looks at Stack passionately, Stack notices drool trailing from her mouth.
STACK
You droolin’ baby...
Mary looks down, touches her hand to her mouth.
M ARY
Oh. You don’t mind that do you?
Stack, aroused shakes his head. Mary smiles.
MARY (CONT’D)
You want some?
Stack opens his mouth. Mary spits into his, Stack swallows. Mary smiles devilishly, they kiss again.
Stack’s hand rubs her back, her dress shifts to reveal a bite mark on her shoulder.
Smoke sees Sammie watching Pearline’s performance and he pulls him to the side towards the barn door
SMOKE
I seen you performing up there. It
was beautiful. You wrote that
song?
SAMMIE
Yeah. I got a few of em. I can’t
thank you enough for this. I mean,
ya’ll the ones who put the guitar
in my hand, and now this?
SMOKE
You got the talent. That’s for
sure. But this ain't no life for
nobody. I know plenty musicians,
and I never met a happy one.
SMOKE (CONT’D)SMOKE (CONT’D)
You think its cute now, but it
gets old. That ramblin'. You got
somethin' else in you.
SAMMIE
Today settled it for me. I’m
headin’ off on my own.
SMOKE
You heard of Mound Bayou?
SAMMIE
No.
SMOKE
Town in Mississippi. Freed slaves
founded it. No crime, no crackas.
Everything Black owned.
SAMMIE
Sound like a crock.
SMOKE
I seen it. Stack was the one who
told us we should go. One day our
Daddy beat him rea l bad. We got it
in our minds to run away. I wanted
to go to the next plantation over,
but Stack figured we get to Mount
Bayou. So I got us a map, and put
a plan together. Stole a car and
got us there.
SAMMIE
For real? Why ya’ll ain't stay?
SMOKE
Mayor didn’t want us. Said we was
ner’do’wells. Didn’t want nobody
like us giving the town a bad
name. But see the thing is. They
knew our daddy. Knew he w as a evil
man. Figured it wasn’t no way he
didn’t give it to us.
(beat)
See your Daddy a preacher. You can
go do that. Something respectable.
You like making music? Make church
music. And if you want to leave,
you can go to Mound Bayou. Live
with the proper Black Folks. Leave
this improper shit here to us, you
understand?
SAMMIE
I can’t do that. Being wit ya’ll
today man, feel like I was flying.
Smoke smiles at this.
SMOKE
Well enjoy the rest of the night.
Cause this is your last Juke. Come
tomorrow, I find about you playing
at one of these, I’ll kill you
myself.
SAMMIE
Never figured you was the type to
threaten blood. Guess I shoulda
known better.
SMOKE
What? You got somethin’ to say gon
head and say it lil pup.
SAMMIE
You ain't in no position to tell
me how to live my life. You killed
ya own Daddy. Just cause he was a
drunk.
SMOKE
Stack tell you that?
(beat)
Stack don’t know shit. Our Daddy
was a hateful son of bitch. Wanted
to kill my brother since the day
we was born, Just used alcohol as
a excuse. Was gon kill him that
night if I ain’t protect him.
SAMMIE
I can’t go to no Mound Bayou. My
daddy a reverend but I’ m ya’ll
little cousin too. And a lot more
people know the Smokestack Twins
than know my daddy. And I’m
leaving that plantation just like
ya’ll did. And if that’s a problem
for you, might as well kill me
now.
Bo Chow burst in on them, hurried.
BO CHOW
Smoke man you gotta get over here.
Smoke quickly puts out his cigarette and he and Sammie head over to-
TWO GAMBLERS are involved in an altercation. GAMBLER 1 is holding out a straight razor towards GAMBLER 2 who is holding his hand to the side of his face.
Smoke, Sammie and Bo Chow approach.
SMOKE
What’s going on?
GAMBLER 2
This son’ bitch had loaded dice.
Been wearing us out.
Smoke turns to Gambler 1 who has the blade extended.
SMOKE
Put the blade down.
Gambler 1 backs up and shakes his head.
GAMBLER 1
Can’t do that Twin.
(beat)
I told him not to put his hands on
me.
Smoke approaches. Gambler 1 backs up.
SMOKE
So what? You gon' cut me too?
GAMBLER 1
If I have to, I just want to be
allowed to leave.
Smoke goes for him, dodges the razor blade and whacks him with his revolver. He then wrenches the blade from his hand, while holing him down. He looks to Bo.
SMOKE
Check his pockets.
Bo reaches in and p ulls out two dice.
He and Smoke get up, and a few other GAMBLING PATRONS begin stomping him out.
BO CHOW
Ya’ll get him out of here.
Smoke turns to Gambler 2 and looks at his face. The cut is gnarly.
SMOKE
Shit. Gon need stitches.
Smoke turns to Sammie.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Go get my brother.
Sammie takes off through the maze of partygoers. He gets to the door where he sees Delta Slim.
SAMMIE
You seen Stack?
Delta Slim points.
DELTA SLIM
He in the back room.
Sammie goes towards the back room and opens it.
We see what Sammie sees... Stack and Mary on the ground, Mary on top and in passionate rhythm.
SAMMIE
Jesus.
Sammie quickly shuts the door back and smiles.
He looks at Delta Slim who laughs.
Sammie makes his way back to Smoke who stands alongside Annie who is helping him tend to Gambler 2 who now is drinking from a BOTTLE OF WINE for the pain.
SMOKE
You get him?
SAMMIE
Nah.
SMOKE
Why not?
SAMMIE
(whispers)
He was getting some nookie.
SMOKE
I don’t give a fuck what he was
doing I told you to bring him.
SAMMIE
I ain't doin’ that by myself.
SMOKE
Shit!
Smoke heads for the back room but notices Delta Slim watching the door.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Where the fuck is Cornbread?
DELTA SLIM
Building you a new outhouse, I
suppose? Nigga left to take a piss
two days ago.
SMOKE
And he left you to watch the door?
Del ta Slim lifts his beer towards Smoke.
Smoke spins off towards the back room, with Sammie on his heels.
Smoke walks up to the back room door and doesn’t break stride.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Ya’ll get decent I’m bout to open
up.
Smoke opens the door and steps in.
Smoke’s face contorts into confusion as we see his POV.
Mary, cradling Stack’s head as she slurps blood from his jugular vein.
SMOKE
What the fuck?
Mary looks up, her mouth and chin slick with blood.
MARY
Smoke... it’s not what it looks
like.
She stands up, with her hands up and BLAM BLAM BLAM, Smoke shoots her in the chest.
PEARLINE, the BAND and the DANCING PATRONS hear the gun shots and look around in confusion.
Annie hears the gunshot and turns towards the back room. She turns to Bo.
ANNIE
Wait here.
Annie rushes out of the gambling room.
Slim turns and looks towards the back room.
Mary drops. Smoke starts toward his injured brother when-
Mary laughs, almost unaffected by the bullet. She rises up, gunshot wounds and all.
MARY
We gon' kill every last one of
you.
Smoke fires again and she charges past him, avoiding shots and running out of the room.
Mary, her chest and face bloodied, sprints past Delta Slim who nearly sobers up at the sight of her sprinting off into the night air.
MARY
I’ll be right back, Slim. We gon
kill every last one of you.
(MORE)(MORE)
MARY (CONT’D)
We gon have some real fun tonight!
Delta Slim runs towards the back room.
Delta Slim enters to find Smoke cradling Stack, putting all the pressure he can muster on the wound, but the blood flows still.
SMOKE
Hold on.
STACK
She, bit me. She...
SMOKE
Shhh. It’s okay...
STACK
I lo... I l...
Stack’s body convulses.
Then- stillness... his eyes open but empty.
Shock takes root in Sammie.
Annie enters the room and is horrified for a beat before jumping into action.
Annie feels at Stack’s neck for a pulse. Nothing.
ANNIE
What happened?
(to Sammie)
What happened?
Sammie can’t answer. Annie turns to Delta Slim.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Keep everybody out!
Delta Slim turns exits to the-
Where all of the patrons, gamblers, and musicians are trying to get a look into the back room.
Delta Slim keeps them at bay.
DELTA SLIM
Ya’ll back up now.
BO CHOW
Who was shootin’? What’s goin’ on?
PARTYGOER #2
Music still going?
PEARLINE
Hell with the music. Is Sammie in
there?
DELTA SLIM
Party’s over.
PATRON #2
Damn! It was just getting good
too.
The partygoers mutter amongst themselves, confused, paranoid, and upset such an great party has now ended. They start to file out the front door, murmuring.
Annie stands over Smoke.
SAMMIE
I coulda stopped it. I thought
they was making love...
(beat)
Is Stack really... I was just with
him. I thought...
Sammie thinks
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
(beat)
What you think could be going on
with her..? Rabies? Some sorta
disease?
ANNIE
She say anything?
SMOKE
Said “we gonna kill all of you...”
ANNIE
“We?”... She said, “we”?
Annie speaks to Smoke with a renewed urgency.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Smoke.
(beat)
We have to move his body.
Smoke looks up at Annie.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
We gotta move him outside.
SMOKE
What the fuck are you talking
about woman?
ANNIE
She might have had something. Just
listen to me. We need to move his
body outside. Just for now.
Annie reaches for Stack’s body.
SMOKE
Don’t touch him! Nobody’s moving
him.
ANNIE
You shot her. And she kept running
like nothin’ happened.
Smoke sta res back at her with seething anger.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
This a haint we dealing with here,
or worse. We need to keep
everybody inside... and a dead
body out.
SMOKE
This ain't no dead body. This
Stack. He staying in here with me.
You talking all this magic... you
got any magic that can bring my
baby brother back, got a mojo bag
for him? Please?
ANNIE
I can’t... I’m sorry...
SMOKE
Look at him. He gone.
Smoke sta nds up.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
Best thing about me was him.
Smoke storms out. Annie and Sammie follow behind.
Smoke emerges covered in Stack’s blood. Annie and Sammie behind him. They lock the door from the outside.
BO CHOW
Smoke what’s going on?
SMOKE
Stack’s dead.
Smoke pushes past Bo towards the door, Delta Slim trails.
Annie turns to Sammie.
ANNIE
Don’t let nobody go in there.
She goes after Smoke, Bo Chow and Delta Slim.
Delta Slim looks at Smoke searching for answers, then hands him his flask. Smoke ta kes a swig, and hands it back.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Still no Cornbread?
Delta Slim shrugs.
DELTA SLIM
Been gone a good while.
Smoke looks out into the darkness through bloodshot eyes.
ANNIE
Ya’ll get him inside.
Delta Slim and Bo pull Smoke back inside of the juke.
CONTINUOUS
Pearline approaches Sammie who stands at the door.
PEARLINE
Preacherboy, I’m scared to go out
there.
Sammie gives her a look that mirrors her sentiment.
SAMMIE
You can stay here with us.
Annie speaks up in the hall.
ANNIE
I want everybody to listen up. We
had us a situation. Nobody should
be going outside.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
It ain't safe out there.
PATRON #1
I ain’t scared of no rabies, or
whatever Hoo Doo this hammer
talkin’ bout. I’m worried about
these cracka s.
As the group debates, the remaining patrons make their way out.
Grace approaches Bo and pulls him away from Smoke.
GRACE
Bo, we gotta go...
BO CHOW
I can’t leave em. He just lost his
brother.
GRACE
How the hell you plan on helping
him fix that? Cause if you know a
way, I got some folks I’ll love
for you to help me bring back too.
Bo looks at Grace with an answerless expression.
BO CHOW
Let me go g et the car.
Bo looks around and heads out the door and into the darkness.
AT THE ENTRY DOOR
Delta Slim and Smoke hear someone approaching from the darkness. It’s Cornbread.
CORNBREAD
Hey Slim, Smoke!
DELTA SLIM
Where the hell you been at, man?
CORNBREAD
Seeing a man about a dog, like I
told you. Turned out I needed more
relieving than I imagined.
(beat)
Ya’ll starin’ me down like I
missed somethin’.
Cornbread finally notices Smoke is covered in blood.
CORNBREAD (CONT’D)
Goddamn Smoke... what happened to
you?
SMOKE
What happened to me? Stack is
dead. What the fuck happened to
you? You was supposed to be
watching the place. Not taking a
hour long piss.
CORNBREAD
I’m sorry. Well let me come in and
help.
Annie clocks this.
ANNIE
Hol’on.
She extends her hands to Smoke to stop him.
Smoke looks back at Annie confused. Delta Slim as well.
They stare at Cornbread, who stares back at them with an almost c omically confused expression.
CORNBREAD
What ya’ll doing?
The three continue to stare without budging.
CORNBREAD (CONT’D)
Smoke. Just step aside and let me
on in.
ANNIE
Why you need him to do that? You
big and strong enough to push past
us.
CORNBREAD
Because that wouldn’t be very
polite of me now, would it? I
don’t know why I’m even talking to
you. Probably your fish sandwich
that made me so sick. Using that
old stale grease.
ANNIE
I ain't never used stale grease
and you know it.
CORNBREAD
Smoke, come- on.
ANNIE
Don’t talk to him you talking to
me right now. Why you can’t just
walk yo’ big ass on in here
without an invite, huh? Just go
ahead and admit to it.
CORNBREAD
Admit to what?
ANNIE
Admit that you dead. One of them
white folks out there killed you.
And you a haint now.
CORNBREAD
Smoke you hearing this shit? Woman
this man showed me kindness.
Employed me. Says his brother’s
been killed. He need comfort, not
you filling his mind up with that
Louisiana g arbage. We playing
games and telling ghost stories
instead of doing we ought to do.
DELTA SLIM
And whats that?
CORNBREAD
Be kind to one another. Be polite.
And not just go barging into folks
places uninvited.
SMOKE
I don’t believe half the shit that
come out of her mouth. But you
been in and out of here all day.
And all of a sudden you need an
invitation? It don’t add up.
CORNBREAD
So what I’m supposed to do Smoke?
Shit Stack was my ride here. I’m
supposed to walk home?
SMOKE
Ain't my business.
CORNBREAD
Can I at least get my money?
Cornbread holds his hand out, short, like a gator.
DELTA SLIM
Real bang up job you did.
Cornbread cuts a look at Delta Slim.
ANNIE
Careful.
Smoke pulls out a wad of cash and thumbs through it. Pulls a few bills off and reaches the money out to Cornbread who smiles as Smoke reaches.
Just as his hand crosses the threshold of the mill Cornbread snatches it with reptilian reflexes, extending his mouth towards Smoke’s forearm veins.
He tugs Smoke off his feet nearing a bite whe n Smoke draws his pistol and BLAM. Shoots Cornbread right in the FACE.
Annie shrieks.
Smoke drops from Cornbread’s grasp and scuttles back into the mill while Cornbread’s body drops to the dirt.
Annie slams the mill door just as Cornbread rises again. Then inspects Smoke’s arm for a bite.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
We gotta hole up in here till
sunrise.
DELTA SLIM
Ya’ll smell anything?
SMOKE
No.
DELTA SLIM
Good.
(long beat)
Was afraid I just shat myself.
Outside the Back Room door, Sammie stands next to Pearline.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Someone inside the Back Room knocks on the door gently.
Sammie shoots Pearline a look. Clearly rattled. She gives the same one back.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on the door again.
PEARLINE
(sotto voce)
Is somebody in there?
Sammie shakes his head.
He looks under door.
SAMMIE’S POV
He sees movement underneath, but tries to focus.
VO ICE (O.S.)
(sotto)
Hey...
Sammie stands up. Not sure he’s heard what he thought. Puts his ear to the door when-
SHUNK!
THE BLADE OF STACK’S KNIFE plunges through the wood, skimming Sammie’s eyelash. Pearline shrieks.
SAMMIE
Shit!
Sammie looks at the door in shock as the blade is yanked back through the other side of the door, and a familiar laugh is heard.
STACK
Sammie is that you there? Boy I
didn’t mean to scare you. I was
just trying to see through the
other side. Thought ya’ll had
forgot about me in there.
Sammie approaches the door tries looks through the hole. We see an obstructed glimpse of Stack’s toothy grin.
SAMMIE
Uhhh... SMOKE!
Smoke heads over. Sammie points at the door.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
You sure Stack was dead when you
left him?
Smoke looks back a t Sammie, and thinks on this. He approaches the door.
STACK (O.S.)
Smoke, gone head and open up this
door and let me outta here.
SMOKE
Stack is that really you?
STACK
Nah fool, it’s Jim Crow. Of course
it’s me.
SMOKE
How... how you feelin’ man? You
lost a lot of blood..?
STACK
Oh yeah. It was scary. But I’m
okay now. I swear. On mama’s
grave.
Grace looks at Smoke, wildly confused.
GRACE
I thought you sai d he was dead?
ANNIE
He was. I checked his pulse.
GRACE
Then what the fuck is he doing
talking to us?
PEARLINE
This is good right? Means he’s
okay?
ANNIE
That ain't Stack.
Annie turns to Smoke.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
You hear me? That ain't your
brother.
DELTA SLIM
Goddamn! If it ain’t Stack then
who the hell is it?
STACK
Smoke whats that witch out there
talkin bout? You gon' let her come
between us again? Huh? She don’t
know shit about us, what we been
through. German trenches and
Chicago gangways. You tell that
bitch to bite her tongue! Let me
out this room Smoke!
Annie and Smoke look at each other. Maybe it is, Stack?
BOOM! A massive kick to the door.
Annie gets an idea and runs towards the kitchen.
STACK (CONT’D)
Let me the fuck out or I swear fo’
God I’ll come out there and lay
all you sons of bitches down.
Close ya’ll eyes for good!
BOOM!
STACK (CONT’D)
Ya’ll know who the fuck I am?
BOOM! Stack BARRELS through the door sendin g it flying to the ground with Sammie underneath it.
Annie arrives holding a mason jar.
Stack, holding his knife, his eyes shimmering, he charges towards Annie who throws the liquid mason jar contents on him.
It sizzles on Stack’s face.
STACK (CONT’D)
Ahhh, shit!
She throws more.
SMOKE
Stop! You’re hurting him!
Smoke grabs Annie, giving Stack enough time to the front door, swing it open, and escape into the night.
SAMMIE
Jesus.
PEARLINE
What was in that jar?
ANNIE
Pickled garlic.
(beat)
These ain't Haints. They vampires.
Tears well in Grace’s eyes as she argues with the remaining group.
GRACE
Bo’s out there. We gotta go get
him.
The group doesn’t respond.
GRACE (CONT’D)
Then let me go. I’m the one that
sent him out there.
ANNIE
We can’t let you do that.
GRACE
He needs my help.
Annie looks to Smoke.
SMOKE
Bo know how to handle himself. He
wouldn’t want me to let you go out
there.
GRACE
Ya’ll ain't finna keep me from my
husband.
DELTA SLIM
They tryna to keep you alive.
Annie thinks for a bit.
ANNIE
We need wood, garlic, holy water.
(beat)
I only heard stories about them.
Never come across em in my time.
PEARLINE
What stories you heard?
ANNIE
I know how haints work, they
switch places wit the soul of a
man.
SAMMIE
But he moved like Stack, and
sounded like Stack.
ANNIE
That’s cause vampires is
different. Maybe the worst kind.
The s oul gets stuck in the body.
Can’t rejoin the ancestors. Cursed
to live here with all this hate.
Can’t even see the sun.
SMOKE
Can we get him back? Maybe if I
kill the one who made him like
this?
Annie shakes her head.
ANNIE
Ain't no way of bringing nobody
back once they gone, that don’t
involve evil. Best thang we can do
for em is free they spirit from
the curse.
SMOKE
I keep him safe all these years .
All over the world. Why tonight?
SAMMIE
It’s cuz of me. My daddy told me.
Said the Devil was coming on
account of my music.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)SAMMIE (CONT’D)
I been sinnin’ and God forsake me
it’s my fault.
DELTA SLIM
I had a girl who was a vampire.
Light skinned too. She bit me
everywhere but my neck.
It almost cuts the tension.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Don’t worry Preacherboy. Devil
came for me plenty of times. He
come knockin’ tonight he gotta go
through his old friend Delta Slim
first, you hear?
QUICK SUCCESSION OF SHOTS
Sammie, Smoke, and Delta Slim gather wood and begin to break it down into stakes.
In the kitchen area, Annie, Grace, and Pearline gather garlic.
Annie throws bones. Reads them.
ANNIE
(to herself)
No no no no.
She throws them again.
Smoke ties some to his rifles like bayonets. Annie pulls him to the side, holding one of the stakes.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
I want you to promise me
somethin’.
Sm oke looks at her.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
If I get bit by one of them, you
promise right now to free me
before I turn.
SMOKE
What you mean free you?
Annie takes Smoke’s hand in hers
ANNIE
Don’t let one of them things bite
me. I got somebody I waiting for
me on that other side. They
waitin’ for you too. That’s why
I’ll do the same for you. You
understand?
Annie places the stake near her heart. Smoke drops the stake to the ground, realizing what she’s insinuating.
Pearline walks into the gambling room where she sees GAMBLER 2 laying dead in a pool of blood.
Pearline screams.
PE ARLINE
Sammie, Smoke!
The group descends on Pearline. Smoke looks down at Gambler 2’s body.
SMOKE
He got cut in the face, but that
ain’t gon’ bleed like this.
Smoke reaches down to check his pulse.
DELTA SLIM
Don’t touch him, man.
GRACE
Who did this? Was it Stack? Or
Mary?
SAMMIE
Naw, they ran straight out. You
saw them.
GRACE
So who bit him then?
Annie thinks.
ANNIE
We gotta get him out before he
wake s up.
Sammie and Smoke drag Gambler #2’s body outside. They shift him and quickly place him on the ground. Sammie and Smoke look around, no one is around until Sammie sees-
SAMMIE’S POV
A JUKE PATRON walking off into the distance.
Sammie watches with curiosity as the Patron joins up with a MASSIVE GROUP made up of all the former Juke Patrons. Sammie hears something in the distance.
SAMMIE
They’re playing music..?
Smoke hears this too, and grabs Sammie, pulling him back into the Mill.
Remmick in the center of concentric circles of vampiric Juke patrons, belts out a solo while The Juke Patrons cheer him on, Stack, Mary, Cornbread, and the others dance passionately, while Bert, Joan, and the other musicians play furiously (THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN).
JUKE PATRONS
Well, in the merry month of May
now from me home I started Left
the girls of Tuam nearly broken
hearted Saluted father d ear,
kissed me darling mother Drank a
pint of beer, me grief and tears
to smother Then off to reap the
corn and leave where I was born
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish
ghosts and goblins.
We reveal Remmick in the center of the semicircle conducting them, passion in his eyes.
Then- the song crescendos and Remmick begins to do an increasingly elaborate Irish step.
He’s overcome with emotion, it’s an experience he hasn’t had in centuries, the Juke Patrons sense this, and Stack and Mary begin to sing with more fervor, cheering him on.
STACK MARY
Played some hearty jigs, Played some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling the water round me bubbling When off Holyhead I wished When off Holyhead I wished meself was dead... meself was dead.
Remmick moving passionately, breaks free of the rigid upper body stance and begins to dance in the lost style, the Gaelic style, the style of the druid priests of his human time. His tears flow, and his arms swing through the night air unencumbered by the stunting shackles of the colonial gaze.
The remaining folks stand in a circle around Annie. We REVEAL that she is shelling a clove of garlic.
ANNIE
We all gonna eat this clove of
garlic.
PEARLINE
I don’t much like the taste of it.
ANNIE
Ain't nobody sayin you got to like
it. We just gotta figure out if
any of us left is one of them.
Annie looks around at the people in the circle. GRACE, PEARLINE, SMOKE, SAMMIE, and DELTA SLIM.
Annie eats a clove right away. Hands one to Smoke, who eats his as well. He hands a clove to Sammie, who chomps down on it and makes a face any young person would.
Grace takes her clove and eats it whole.
GRACE
You ain't got none of the pickled
ones?
Annie shakes her head.
Pearline takes her clove and hesitates.
PEARLINE
This is ridiculous.
Smoke lifts his pistol. Sammie sees this and bucks up.
SAMMIE
Smoke. Put t he gun down!
SMOKE
(to Sammie)
Shut up.
SMOKE (CONT’D)
(to Pearline)
Eat or I shoot.
SAMMIE
Put the gun down Smoke. She ain't
no damn vampire.
Pearline stares daggers at Smoke.
SMOKE
How you know that?
GRACE
Just eat the damn garlic, girl.
SAMMIE
Put the gun down, Smoke!
Sammie walks towards Smoke when WHAM! Smoke strikes him across the face.
Pearline watches as the blood drips from Sammies mouth.
SMOKE
I’m trying to keep you alive, boy.
You ain't to questi on me.
PEARLINE
You a evil man. No wonder the
devil come for us.
Pearline puts the garlic in her mouth, swallows it. Smoke turns to Delta Slim.
DELTA SLIM
You ain't gotta point no gun at
me.
Delta Slim eats the garlic and swallows it. Then... he begins to choke. Deep gurgling sounds.
The others watch with paranoia.
SMOKE
Slim what’s going on man?
Delta Slim vomits. Then wipes his mouth.
DELTA SLIM
I j ust drank too much. Too much
beer. And my nerves is bad.
He turns back to Smoke.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
See?
Smoke and Sammie look at each other for beat.
They go back to the spot where they found Gambler #2 laying in a pool of blood.
Smoke places his hand in the blood.
SMOKE
It’s wine.
Gambler 2 knocks on the front door.
GAMBLER 2
Smoke! Let me in, man!
Gambler 2 beats on the door.
Smoke and Sammie run to the door, with Annie, Grace, Delta Slim, and Pearline behind them.
Smoke opens the door just in time to see-
Gambler 2 being tackled to the ground by Cornbread, who bites down on his neck.
ANNIE
Close the door!
GRACE
Wait!
Grace runs to the door and we see what she sees, Bo Chow approaching.
BO CHOW
Hey baby. I got the car started.
Come on outside lets go.
Grace looks at Bo, who is a few feet from man being devoured by another man, as it were a perfectly normal occurrence.
BO CHOW (CONT’D)
What is it, Grace?
GRACE
He’s killing him.
Bo turns to Cornbread, still drinking from Gambler 2’s neck, Gambler 2 still clinging to life.
BO CHOW
Oh you talking bout that? Oh don’t
worry bout Cornbread. He just a
lil hungry, that’s all...
(beat)
Come on, come on and go, I got the
car all warmed up.
Bo’s smile materializes.
BO CHOW (CONT’D)
Or you can let me come in there.
I’ll come in there and we c an grab
our things and head home.
Grace looks at Bo Chow with terror.
ANNIE
Don’t listen to him.
SMOKE
Grace we gon find a way out of
here.
Suddenly Remmick appears.
REMMICK
I am your way out. This world has
already left you for dead. Won’t
let you build. Won’t let you
fellowship. We will do just that,
together, forever.
BO CHOW
It’s better this way, baby. Go’on
ahead and invite us in.
Grace covers he r ears.
REMMICK
You should listen to him. Or
listen to me Grace. Cause I know
everything he knows now. And I
want you to let us in there.
(MORE)(MORE)
REMMICK (CONT’D)REMMICK (CONT’D)
Or we gon' go to the grocery store
and pay little Lisa a visit.
Grace is horrified as Stack and Mary appear from the shadows.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
Oh yes Grace. I know everything
now.
He smiles.
REMMICK (SUBTITLE) (CONT’D)
Even how you like to be licked. I
can promise I won’t bite too hard.
Grace is mortified. Remmick turns his attention to Sammie.
PEARLINE
This can’t be real...
SAMMIE
You the Devil ain’t you?
Remmick smi les and stares at Sammie.
REMMICK
Ya’ll give him to me. Just give me
little Sammie, and we’ll let you
all live.
DELTA SLIM
Haven’t you taken enough tonight?
You took them all from us. You
can’t have him too.
SMOKE
I ain’t gon let it happen.
Smoke steps in front of Sammie, blocking him from Remmick’s gaze. Pearline holds Sammie’s hand.
REMMICK
You can’t save him. No more than
you could save yo brothe r. He
ain’t safe here. No matter how
many guns or how much money. They
gone take it from you when they
want. You built something here
tonight. And it’s beautiful. But
it was built on a lie. Hogwood,
that’s his uncle.
Remmick points to Bert. Who nods.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
He only sold it to you cause we
promised to rob and kill you all
tonight.
BERT
And do it all over again.
STACK
He right Smoke. I see his
memories. This wasn’t no Juke
Joint, wasn’t no Club. It was a
slaughterhouse.
BERT
Goddamn killing floor.
JOAN
But he don’t know we building’ us
a new clan. Based on love.
REMMICK
That’s right. Now that we got the
numbers, we gon show that racist
piece of shit the light too.
This settles on Smoke. Stack notices.
ANNIE
Why can’t ya’ll just go?
MARY
Cause we not leaving without
ya’ll. We family. It sound crazy
but after we kill ya’ll, we gon
have heaven right here on earth.
STACK
We been running everywhere looking
for freedom. You know you’ll never
find it. Not in Mississippi, New
York. Not in France or Chicago.
REMMICK
Not in the arms of that witch
there.
Smoke takes aim at Remmick. Stack steps in front of him. Smoke puts the gun down.
SLIM
Stack this ain’t you man.
STACK
We wasn’t never gon be free. Until
this. This is the way. I can see
it, Smoke. This the only way we
live our dream out... together
forever. I’m not doing this
without you.
Stack steps forward to his brother.
STACK (CONT’D)
What’s it gon' be Smoke?
ANNIE
Sammie, close the door!
Smoke stares at his brother who approaches him smiling.
Sammie closes the door.
The remaining survivors gather up their tools. Grace is in shock.
GRACE
He said he was going to go to our
daughter.
ANNIE
You can’t believe him. He was just
tryin’ to get you to let him in.
GRACE
He ain’t threaten your children.
PEARLINE
We just gotta get through the
night.
GRACE
And what, let them kill my family?
Kill the whole town? Turn
everybody to monsters?
(beat)
That White Devil spoke Cantonese.
He got in Bo’s mind. We gotta stop
em, Smoke. We gotta try to get em
before they get away.
SMOKE
Grace slow down.
GRACE
What? Ain’t you a soldier. You
just shot two men for touching
your truck. They made Stack one of
them. My Bo. Said they was gonna
kill Lisa. If now ain't go time, I
don’t know what is.
Grace gathers materials for a Molotov Cocktail.
GRACE (CONT’D)
We supposed to wait out the night
while they take more of our loved
ones? Make em demons?
DELTA SLIM
Don’t seem like they leaving.
GRACE
Shut your drunk ass up Slim!
DELTA SLIM
I ain’t drunk!
ANNIE
GRACE!
Pearline hears something in the distance.
PEARLINE
Ya’ll hear that?
SAMMIE
It’s the song they was singin’.
Remmick leads the others, Joan, Bert, Bo Chow, Cornbread, Gambler 2, Stack, and Mary in singing Pick Poor Robin Clean, as they surround the mill.
The music is haunting, but Remmick’s voice is beautiful.
Bo Chow circles around to a window visible to Grace and sings to her while making eye contact.
Grace puts her hands to her ears. She picks up a makeshift STAKE and walks over to the window.
ANNIE
No!
Smoke and Sammie grab her, Smoke covering her mouth just as.
GRACE
Let go of me, goddamn it! We gotta
kill all of em.
She bites Smoke’s hand. Delta Slim runs over to try to help.
SMOKE
Ahh shit!
GRACE
Ya’ll co-
Annie and Pearline pile on top of her, blocking her mouth for a beat, but she breaks free.
GRACE (CONT’D)
Ya’ll come on in you
motherfuckers!
Remmick smiles.
The BARN DOORS open and the VAMPIRES enter shortly after.
SMOKE
Get upstairs!
Smoke opens fire at Remmick who dodges as Bert springs forward.
Smoke shoots Bert who goes down. Annie stabs him with the stake.
GRACE throws a MOLOTOV COCKTAIL at Remmick, who knocks it aside and causes it to ignite.
Bo Chow steps through the fire and charges Grace, biting her as she pushes him into the blaze. They both ignite.
Annie throws the holy water mixture at Remmick and it backs him up. Annie notices the other vampires back up in similar fashion. Mimicking Remmick’s recoil.
ANNIE
They feel his pain!
Stack steps in behind him. Remmick grabs Smoke and holds him down, while Stack bites Annie.
Smoke erupts in a rage. As Sammie shoots his rifle at Remmick, knocking him back off of Smoke. The other vampires recoil at Remmick’s gunshot and Remmick runs out of the barn doors.
Stack lets go of Annie who collapses at Smoke’s feet. Her neck bleeding profusely.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Now! Elijah y ou promised! Don’t
let this be the end!
She grabs the stake and takes aim.
ANNIE (CONT’D)
If you love me you’ll-
BOOM! Smoke drives the stake into the chest of the love of his life. Annie dies instantly, her eyes staring into Smoke’s who screams in rage.
Stack and Mary see this and scream in rage. Stack turns to Mary.
STACK
Run!
Mary sees this and runs out of the barn doors.
Slim grabs Smoke. Slim breaks a bo ttle and cuts his Wrist open with a broken shard.
DELTA SLIM
Ya’ll get the boy upstairs, and
sneak him out back! I’ll keep em
here.
(beat)
Remember what I say Preacherboy!
Sammie grabs his guitar as they push towards the stairs.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
I don’t need no holy water. I
rather sip on something else
instead.
Slim, holding up his bleeding wound, distracts the vampires but holds them at bay with his spe ar.
He goes to the stage and stomps his feet and sings, as the vampires pour into the room, they are distracted by this brazen display.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Come on ya’ll gather round. Last
call for Delta Slim.
Even Remmick looks at him. Smoke, Sammie, and Pearline look at Slim with gratitude and head up the stairs.
DELTA SLIM (CONT’D)
Plenty mo drank left in me. A
hundred proof.
(beat)
I don’t need I don’t need I don’t
need no holy water. I rather sip
on something else instead.
The Juke vampires descend on Delta Slim in this final act of sacrifice, he does a stage dive into them. Going out fighting.
As the vampires swarm, Pearline pushes Smoke and Sammie towards the staircase up into the-
PEARLINE
Come on!
Smoke, Sammie, and Pearline file up into the dark rafters. Smoke points his rifle towards the stairs.
Smoke opens the balcony door for Sammie.
SMOKE
Ya’ll jump down.
Remmick lands on the balcony, blocking their way. He quickly attacks Sammie, knocking Pearline to the ground.
Stack charges up the stairs and tackles Smoke to the ground.
Sammie holds his guitar, blocking Remmick from his neck. Pearline stabs her stake into Remmick’s back. He winces in pain but turns before it can reach his heart.
He turns to Pearline and bites down on her neck.
PEARLINE
SAMMIE, RUN!
Sammie shoots, the muzzle flare lighting the room. Revealing Remmick, holding Pearline, slurping her blood.
SAMMIE
NO!
REMMICK
Come here Sammie. Save her!
Sammie charges but Stack jumps out, tackling him. Smoke goes for Stack, talking him off of Sammie.
SMOKE
Go!
Sammie jumps out of the window.
Sammie lands hard in the grassy dirt. Limps up, and hobbles towards the river.
Smoke and Stack go at each other. Stack gripping the makeshift stake, his life hanging in the balance.
Pearline awakens and attacks Smoke as well.
STACK
Come on!
The two exchange blows, Stack is stronger, faster, he lands a punch on Smoke that knocks him to the exposed earth of the catwalk beam. Pearline pounces and Smoke throws her off the balcony.
Stack then mounts Smoke.
STACK (CONT’D)
Just listen too me fool! This
ain't like my other plans. I got
proof. I can see it! This gone
take your pain away.
Stack prepares to bite Smoke but his fangs stop as they get to his Mojo bag. Annie’s spell protected him!
SMOKE
Only reason I’m still here was for
you and her.
Smoke turns the tables lowering the stake tip towards Stack’s chest.
Stack’s expression changes to one we haven’t seen before. Like a kid who just lost a fight to his older brother.
STACK
Big brother. You killed our own
daddy, just to save me. And now
you gon’ kill me too?
Smoke looks into his eyes with a shameful expression, he cradles his face.
Sammie runs like a storm wind. Hurdling through the blackness, his steps chewing up dirt, then mud, then water. His stake in one hand and his guitar in his other.
Behind him in silhouette against the sky, we see Remmick float into the air in pursuit.
CRASH! Remmick lands in front of Sammie.
REMMICK
This has taken long enough.
Sammie jabs his stake at Remmick, who rips it out of his hands.
And stri kes him across his face with his claws.
Sammie falls into the water. His blood blooms into the river waters. He stays under, mouthing words.
Remmick licks the blood from his nails- sweet nectar then grabs Sammie by his throat, pulling him out of the water with inhuman strength.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
(beat)
Oh you little vessel...
Sammie spits up water.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
I want your stories. I want your
songs. And you will have mine.
SAMMIE
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in Heaven. Give
us this day...
Remmick listens to this, as if remembering something and decides to join in.
SAMMIE (CONT’D) REMMICK
Our daily bread. And Our daily bread. And forgive us out trespasses, forgive us out trespasses, as we forgive those who as we forgive those who trespass against us. And trespass against us. And lead us not into lead us not into temptation, but deliver us temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. from evil. Amen.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
Long ago, the men who stole my
fathers’ land forced these words
upon us. I hated those men. But
the words still brought me
comfort.
The other vampires, former patrons from the mill start to creep down the riverbank. They watch as a parish might observe a riverside baptism.
Remmick strokes Sammie ’s face.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
Lies can be warm. Lies can be
comforting.
Remmick suddenly slams Sammie into the water, baptizing him.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
The truth can be like cold water
to the face. Those men lied to
themselves. Then lied to us. Told
stories of a God above and a devil
below.
He dunks Sammie again. The Patrons surround the two, watching closely, rapt by Remmick’s words.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
And lies of a dominion of man over
beast and earth. Hierarchy of man,
woman, and groups of kin.
Slams him again into the water. Sammie gasps for air. Remmick pulls him close.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
You will taste the sweet pain of
death. And you will awaken to the
truth. We are earth, and beast,
and God. We are woman and man. We
are connected, you and I, to
everything. Not me above and you
below but one. And we will make
beautiful music together.
Remmick bares his teeth to bite Sammie when BLAM, Sammie swings his guitar into Remmick’s face, the wood shattering around him, but the met al face cutting into Remmick’s face! It’s silver, not white gold. And it surprises Remmick with the damage it causes him. He pulls the resonator out, and smoke and blood flows from the gash.
The other vampires on the riverbank grab their heads and moan in agony.
Remmick tosses the resonator into the river, and moves towards Sammie.
REMMICK (CONT’D)
Sammie...
He grabs him by his face and prepares to bite h im when...
SCHOOCT- A STAKE TIP bursts through Remmick’s chest. He gasps... then falls to his knees revealing a battle ravaged Smoke behind him.
The other Vampires react and wail in pain, as if they have been stabbed. Clutching their chests and writhing in pain.
Smoke sloshes over and checks Sammie’s neck frantically.
SMOKE
Did they get you? You okay? I’m
gon get you home.
The sun breaks further and crests the horizon and the other vampires begin to howl in agony and crawl their way towards the juke. Their bodies sizzling. They fall to the ground and burst into flames.
Remmick’s body begins to sizzle and smoke. As he burns he transforms into an older more decayed version of himself. He then turns to the sun, smiles and EXPLODES into a PILLAR OF FIRE.
The pillar swirls into a vortex, and then dissipates... silence.
Smoke limps over to the truck. Sammie follows behind him holding the tattered guitar neck. Smoke removes a large box from the trunk and tosses Sammie the car key.
SMOKE
Go home. And bury that somewhere.
SAMMIE
I can’t. It’s Charlie Patton’s.
SMOKE
What? Who told you that?
SAMMIE
Stack. Said ya’ll won it off him
in a bet.
Smoke shakes his head.
SMOKE
That lyin’ son of a bitch. That’s
our daddy’s guitar.
Sammie thinks on this and looks down at it.
SAMMIE
Ya’ll daddy was a musician?
Smoke looks back at the mill for a beat. Then back to Sammie.
SMOKE
Go home.
Sammie stares at Smoke for beat, then climbs into the car and pulls off.
Smoke watches him ride off into the distance.
MOMENTS LATER
Smoke lumbers to the entrance of the mill, carrying the tool box.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out Stack’ s dog tag and his tobacco and papers. He tries to roll himself a cigarette, but his hands shake too much and he drops it.
His eyes well, but he pushes it down before they spill- a final deposit to a well he thought he shut many years ago.
Smoke pulls his knife and with one hand, and pulls the leather necklace holding his mojo bag with his other, cuts the necklace and allows the bag to fall to the ground.
He opens the tool box, revealing a war chest. Parts for a BROWNING and a THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN, as well as two HA ND GRENADES.
Smoke assembles the weapons.
Three cars drive down the road towards the mill, in formation. They park and 15 passengers exit, HOGWOOD first among them.
Some are armed, but most hold cleaning supplies.
HOGWOOD
Club Juke, huh? Grand opening,
grand closing. Alright boys, open
it up-
BOOM! PFFT! Hogwood falls to the ground, hit by bullet fired by an unseen assailant.
One of HOGWOOD’S HENCHMEN turns to open fire but is cut down as well.
We reveal the source of the volley - Smoke, dick in the dirt behind the Browning, firing it until empty.
SIX OF HOGWOOD’S HENCHMEN try to load into the TRUCK.
Smoke moves to the Thompson, picks it up, and walks them down firing.
The Driver tries to start the truck up while another Henchman shoots at Smoke.
Smoke takes a SHOT to the belly. Falls to a knee. He watches as the truck starts up, c old fire in his eyes. He stands, grabs a GRENADE from his pocket. Pulls the pin. Hurls it sidearm towards the truck, and takes cover...
BOOM!
The truck EXPLODES.
Smoke turns back towards Hogwood, who is still breathing, holding his wound.
Smoke limps over to him and looks down.
SMOKE
You got a cigarette?
HOGWOOD
Go to hell Nigger!
Smoke stares at him for a long, unblinking beat.
HOGWOOD (CONT’D)
Left pocket.
Smoke bends down and pulls a pack of cigarettes from Hogwood’s left pocket.
SMOKE
Matches?
Hogwood motions to his chest pocket with his chin. Smoke lights a cigar ette, takes a drag and shakes the match out. He drops to his ass out of exhaustion. Sits the Tommy Gun down.
He takes a deep breath, maybe the first time he’s relaxed since we’ve seen him. He hears something... a baby cooing? He turns to his left and next to him is ANNIE, wearing white, nursing an INFANT.
Smoke smiles as the baby finishes.
ANNIE
You put out that cig and you can
hold her. I don’t wa nt that smoke
on her.
Smoke nods and puts it out when.
HOGWOOD (O.S.)
Hey...
Smoke turns to Hogwood.
HOGWOOD (CONT’D)
I have money...
Smoke, exasperated at his audacity. He reaches for the Thompson, aims it, and pulls the trigger with the last of his strength.
Then reaches for his daughter.
Sammie parks the car and exits, still in a daze. The blood on his clothes dried to a maroon crust.
He walks to the church door, opens it, and-
Sammie enters to find everyone in their Sunday Best, mostly cotton, bleached white fabrics. His father Jedidiah wearing black.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
This little light of mine, I’m
gonna let it shine, this little
light of mine, I’m gonna let it
shine...
Jedidiah makes eye contact with Sammie: his look holding shock, shame, and pride in equal parts.
The children keep singing, but murmurs of confusion from the congregation poke through the spiritual.
JEDIDIAH
Come son.
He extends his arm from beyond the pulpit. Sammie sees this gesture and begins to cry.
JEDIDIAH (CONT’D)
My son has felt the call of sin.
You see what it gets you? But the
Lord calls upon us to be fishers
of men who sin and show them the
way.
Sammie walks into the open arms of his father and begins to break down, clinging to his father.
JEDID IAH (CONT’D)
I want you to swear to me, and
swear before this congregation, to
leave those sinning ways where
they lie.
Samuel nods.
JEDIDIAH (CONT’D)
I want you make the promise right
now.
Jedidiah turns Sammie to the crowd.
JEDIDIAH (CONT’D)
Sing Samuel, but sing not for the
Devil. Sing for the Lord.
Jedidiah turns Samuel to the congregation.
SAMUEL
Steal away... steal away
steal away to Jesus.
JEDIDIAH
My prodigal son has returned.
SAMUEL
Steal away... steal away
steal away to Jesus.
We go tight on Sammie’s eyes still swollen with tears as he belts out his tune-
Jedidiah turns to Sammie, seein g the guitar neck still in his hand.
JEDIDIAH
Drop the guitar Samuel. In the
name of God!
Sammie hears his father, but struggles. Tears well in his eyes.
JEDIDIAH (CONT’D)
Swear to never again answer the
devils call. I know some of ya’ll
out there hear him talking, the
call of whisky, the call of slick
talking mens, and loose womens,
you can let them call and not
answer! YOU CAN TELL THEM MY EARS,
MY HEART, MY BODY, MY SOUL, MY
VOICE, BELONGETH TO THE LORD.
Sammie winces, and we cut to-
Sammie drives Stack’s car down the road. The weight of all of the loss hits him. He presses the guitar neck to his heart as he steers.
HARD CUT TO:
EPILOGUE
CHYRON- CHICAGO, IL, 1992
SAMMIE (now 80 y.o) shreds a Blues riff on an electric guitar. His face still scared from Remmick’s claws, but his suit and custom guitar signal a long journey from that plantation.
The CROWD, diverse, but mostly white, soaks up every second of it. Sammie has the same electricity from his youth, but with the added knowledge that this could be his last rodeo, the crowd savors every note.
MOMENTS L ATER
The Bar is closing up, and the last patrons exit, still buzzing from the show.
Sammie sits his guitar case next to a seat and sits down at the end of the bar.
BARTENDER
Usual?
SAMMIE
Make it a double.
Bartender obliges.
Sammie sips slow, and winces. Just within earshot we can hear the BOUNCER speaking with someone outside.
BOUNCER (O.S.)
We just closed up but I’ll see
what I can do. Wait here.
T he Bouncer enters.
BOUNCER (CONT’D)
Hey Boss I got two out here. I
told em we’re closed but they
offered a couple hundred bucks.
SAMMIE
Don’t bother me none.
The Bouncer nods to Sammie and exits.
BOUNCER (O.S.)
You guys are all good.
FAMILIAR VOICE
Thank ya.
Sammie’s cup stops mid journey to his lips. He waits, listens, and we see the late night patrons enter. It’s STACK, and MARY dressed in early 90s style. Cartier sunglasses on Stack’s eyes, door knocker earnings on Mary, a cherry tootsie pop in her mouth.
She takes a seat across from the Bartender.
Stack sits next to Sammie.
STACK
I’ll have whatever the old man is
having.
BA RTENDER
Careful. I don’t want to have to
be carrying you out of here.
Stack chuckles at this while the bartender pours.
The Bartender then shoots Mary a thirsty look and pours her a drink she didn’t ask for.
BARTENDER (CONT’D)
(whispers)
Ya’ll together?
Mary looks at Stack and back to the Bartender.
MARY
All depends...
The Bartender smiles.
MARY (CONT’D)
What’s your blood type?
The Bartender recoils at the question. Ba cks up and starts cleaning glasses. Mary stares him down and flings spit from her tootsie pop onto the bar before returning it to her mouth.
Sammie looks at Stack.
SAMMIE
How?
STACK
I guess I was the one person he
couldn’t kill.
(MORE)(MORE)
STACK (CONT’D)
He made me promise to stay away
from you... let you live out your
life.
Sammie almost smiles at this.
STACK (CONT’D)
And I see you didn’t listen to him
or yo Daddy either huh?
SAMMIE
I tried. Blues just in me I guess.
Stack removes his sunglasses. He leans towards Sammie. Sniffs the air like a bloodhound... or a grey wolf.
We see in the mirror behind the bar, Stack has no reflection.
STACK
Won’t be long for you, huh?
SAMMIE
Sorosis. Few more months. Figure
I’ll spend em tourin’.
STACK
And drinking? Fighting fire with
fire.
Sammie nods at this. Laughs.
STACK (CONT’D)
I can make it so you can stick
around. Would you like that? Keep
tourin', keep livin’. No pain?
Sammie looks at Stack for a long beat.
SAMMIE
Nah, I reckon I seen enough of
this place. I’d like to know what
comes next.
STACK
What if it’s just a whol e lot of
nuthin.
SAMMIE
Fine by me. It’ll be a nice change
of pace.
STACK
I got every one of them records
you made.
Sammie smiles at this.
STACK (CONT’D)
But I don’t like this electric
shit as much as the real. I miss
the real. The recordings from back
then is dog shit. You still got
the real in you?
Sammie gets up and opens his guitar case. It’s an old Steel Acoustic in there. He slips on his slide. And he plays (TRAVELIN’) in the old way, the Delta way.
Stack closes his e yes and sways to it, Mary nestles in under his arm swaying the same way.
Sammie finishes.
Stack opens his eyes. Pulls out his money and drops two $100 on the bar, revealing a GOLD FOUR FINGER RING that spells out “SMOKE”. Stack stands up, puts his glasses back on and heads towards the door. Mary stands and takes a beat.
MARY
Take care little Sammie.
She turns and catches up with Stack.
SAMMIE
You know something?
Stack and Mary stop and turn back.
SAMMIE (CONT’D)
I have nightmares about that
night, maybe once a week I wake
paralyzed. Re- living it.
(beat)
But before the sun went down, I
think it was the best day of my
life. Was it like that for you?
Stack smiles takes his glasses off again.
STACK
No doubt about it. Last time I
seen my brother... last time I
seen the sun. And for a few hours,
we was fre e.
Stack slips his glasses back on and he and Mary head out. Sammie watches as they go, and smiles at the thought.
FADE OUT.
THE END