KENNY
an original screenplay by
Duane Kellogg, Jr. and Bob Stromberg
Duane Kellogg, Jr.
3 Rogers Rd.
Kittery, Maine 03904
207-494-3023 [email protected]
KENNY
FADE IN:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
An old Chevy pickup truck navigates a winding road. Trees
line both sides.
It's driven by ABLE FOWLER (70, Ojibwa, long dark hair, with
gray streaks, in a ponytail). He listens to the trucks sound
system blasting the beautiful last movement of Vaughn
Williams' "The Lark Ascending".
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
A Day at the Mann Overboard Wilderness Resort
EXT. MANN OVERBOARD WILDERNESS RESORT - DAY
A pristine log cabin resort nestles before a mountain ridge
covered with fir trees.
A large sign reading: MANN OVERBOARD WILDERNESS RESORT adorns
the front of the main lodge.
Two smaller, stand-alone cabins, line either sides of the
lodge.
In front, a wide river stretches past a dock jutting into
the water. On a nearby dock, a sauna shack squats over the
shoreline.
Two cars, with outdoor gear piled in the back, leave from a
small parking area.
GRIFF MANN (30, affable, outdoorsy) says good-bye to a middle-
aged couple who have just finished loading up their car.
GRIFF
Hope you'll come again!
WOMAN
You kidding? We wouldn't miss it.
It's the highlight of our year.
GRIFF
One of these days we'll catch one.
MAN
Yeah, well... you may wanna think
that through. Those sound like famous
last words.
Griff LAUGHS.
GRIFF
You may be right. Safe travels.
The couple wave and disappear down the drive.
Coming the other way, they pass the old Chevy truck. Able
BEEPS the horn, and waves.
He pulls in front of the lodge and parks. The music ends its
final notes, and he turns off the truck. He gets out, walks
to the back, and lowers the tailgate. A dozen twenty-five
pound bags of plaster of Paris fill the bed.
He lifts a box larger than a shoebox from the bed. It's
upholstered in black leather with a hinged top. He hands it
to Griff.
Griff opens it to see the inside lined with black velvet.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Wow. Good work. Thanks.
ABLE
Kinda gives the impression that there
might be something valuable inside.
GRIFF
Yeah. I'd believe it.
Able grabs a dolly standing by the porch, rolls it back to
the truck and piles the bags of plaster on it.
ABLE
I'll put these in the shop, and then
split some wood for the sauna. Oh...
He pulls from his pocket a four inch piece of pipe.
ABLE (CONT'D)
I got our new coupling.
GRIFF
Great. There's still food in the
kitchen.
Able waves him off.
ABLE
What time we spectin' our little
girl?
Griff checks his watch. Worry flashes across is face.
GRIFF
Should be... soon.
Able rolls the dolly toward the shop.
INT. GRIFF'S PROSTHETIC WORKSHOP - CONTINUOUS
Able moves the bags off the dolly and stacks them neatly
beneath a work table.
On the table sits a heavy, lever-operated device with a sturdy
metal frame. Beside it rest two enormous, silicone Bigfoot
feet.
Able screws the metal coupling on an aperture. He then lifts
one of the silicone feet into the coupling. With a sharp
CLICK, it hangs in place. He pulls the lever. The heavy foot
lowers smoothly. He turns a secondary handle. The foot bends
at a mid-foot joint. He turns the handle further and the
toes spread.
Able releases the lever. The foot rises smoothly back to its
starting position.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Reunion and Tension
EXT. LODGE - DAY
Griff walks up the steps onto the wrap-around porch. He
admires the lake and breathes in the beauty.
A late-model sedan barrels down the gravel driveway, kicking
up a long plume of dust that hangs in the still air like
smoke.
It skids to a stop inches from the porch steps. The passenger
door flies open.
TEAGAN (10, braces, bouncing ponytail) leaps out and runs
straight up onto the porch and into Griff's arms.
TEAGAN
Dad!
He lifts her off the ground in one motion, arms wrapped around
her small body.
GRIFF
(fighting emotion)
Hey, baby doll. Mmmm, I love you so
much.
He kisses her on the lips, then holds her out to look at
her.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Holy smokes! You’re like a foot
taller.
Teagan touches her lip in theatrical pose.
TEAGAN
Yeah, maybe. Probably.
She grins and points at her teeth.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
I got braces.
GRIFF
Wow! You sure did! And, before we
know it, your teeth are gonna be
Beeeeeutiful!
He glances past her to TILLIE (30, hair pulled back tight,
eyes shadowed, nervous movements). She steps out of the
driver’s side.
TILLIE
(flat)
You could’ve stayed in L.A. like a
normal person.
He forces a smile and a friendly voice.
GRIFF
I lived in L.A. for eight years.
Never met a normal person.
She walks to the trunk, and pops it open. She hauls out
suitcases and duffel bags, piling them on the gravel driveway.
His eyes widen.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Wow. That’s... a lot more than usual.
She stops.
TILLIE
We need to talk.
GRIFF
Sure.
She rolls her eyes glancing at Teagan then back to Griff.
TILLIE
In private.
He glances at Teagan, who watches wide-eyed.
GRIFF
Hey, kiddo. How 'bout you head back
by the shed. Able's splitting wood.
He's really excited to see you.
She brightens.
TILLIE
Oh, yay! Able!
She runs off the porch toward the shed.
INT. COOK’S CABIN – CONTINUOUS
Colorful north-woods curtains cover a small window. Through
a crack in the curtains, someone watches Teagan run.
Delicate fingers part the fabric a little wider to watch.
Griff walks down the porch steps to Tillie. He keeps a
distance between them as if skittish.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Breaking Point
EXT. LODGE – CONTINUOUS
GRIFF
Okay. Talk.
Tillie’s presses her hands against her thighs.
TILLIE
I can’t do this anymore.
GRIFF
Do what?
TILLIE
(suddenly screaming)
Her! This! Any of it!
She gestures at Teagan’s direction without looking.
TILLIE (CONT'D)
She talks back! And she’s... She’s
everywhere. I can’t breathe! She's
sassing all the time!
GRIFF
She’s ten! That's kinda normal.
TILLIE
(snarling)
Don’t tell me what’s normal!
She suddenly clamps her hands over her ears, eyes squeezing
shut. A guttural GROAN escapes.
Griff steps closer, alarmed. He leans toward her.
GRIFF
Tillie?
She drops her hands. Her voice suddenly too calm. She smiles.
TILLIE
I’m done. She stays here. Permanently.
Griff freezes.
GRIFF
Well... that would be great but you
can’t just--
TILLIE
I already did, Griff!
She shoves a rolled sleeping bag into his chest.
TILLIE (CONT'D)
I packed everything she’ll need.
Obviously, you'll need to handle the
winter clothes. My therapist says
this is best. For all of us.
GRIFF
You talked to a therapist about
abandoning your daughter?
TILLIE
I talked to a therapist about
surviving!
She turns toward the car.
GRIFF
Wait! Tillie, wait! You’re not even
saying goodbye?!
Tillie stops. Her shoulders rise and fall in a heavy sigh.
TILLIE
(controlled)
Goodbye, Griff.
GRIFF
I don't mean to me! I mean to her!
You're not even gonna--
TILLIE
You tell her!
She gets in, and closes the door.
GRIFF
Tillie! Are you off your meds?
She looks at him through the window, her expression blank,
eyes glassy.
TILLIE
Goodbye, Griff.
The engine roars. The car peels out, dust billows.
Griff stands motionless.
Teagan runs back from the shed. She sees her pile of luggage
and stops short. She turns to watch the dust cloud move away
through the trees.
TEAGAN
Where’s she goin'?
Griff swallows.
GRIFF
She... had to leave, Sweetheart.
Teagan looks at the pile of luggage. Then at him.
TEAGAN
Is she gonna come back?
Griff crouches.
GRIFF
No, baby. I don’t think so.
Teagan’s face crumples, tears flood her eyes.
TEAGAN
(whisper)
What did I... was it... I did
something wrong again, didn't I?
Griff pulls her close.
GRIFF
No, Teag. You didn't do anything.
Let's get your stuff inside, and
then we'll see if we can find a snack
and have a little talk, okay?
A loon CALLS from the lake.
EXT. COOKS CABIN - CONTINUOUS
Slender fingers close the curtains.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Baking Bonds
INT. LODGE KITCHEN - DAY
The kitchen stands professionally equipped to prepare meals
for large groups. Pans hang from hooks suspended from the
ceiling. A large 10-burner gas stove, stainless steel sink,
and butcher block prep areas occupy most of one wall.
Teagan and Griff sit at a stainless steel lined countertop.
They eat glazed donuts.
TEAGAN
I love your donuts dad.
GRIFF
Do you remember what we call 'em?
TEAGAN
Yep... Dad's Homemade Donuts!
GRIFF
And do you remember where we get
'em.
TEAGAN
Yep... at the bakery.
They LAUGH.
GRIFF
Okay, girl, I need to tell you
something.
She stops chewing and looks at him.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Your mom, ah, your mom thinks you'll
be better off staying here, with me,
permanently.
Teagan's eyes grow wide.
TEAGAN
Really?
GRIFF
I know you'll miss her and all your
friends back in LA. But... you think
that would be okay?
She grows quiet for a few moments.
TEAGAN
Yeah. I love it here with you and
Able... and Mom's been acting kinda
weird.
GRIFF
Weird?
TEAGAN
Sometimes she wanders around the
house and seems to be talking to
someone, but no one's there.
GRIFF
Is she talking on her phone?
TEAGAN
No. And she drives like, crazy fast.
I'm afraid to get in the car with
her, but she makes me.
Griff looks alarmed.
GRIFF
Honey, you need to understand that
your mom has some, ah, mental issues
she's dealing with. If she forgets
to take her medication--
TEAGAN
She dumps 'em in the toilet.
GRIFF
Wow, I had no idea this kinda stuff
was going on. If I did...
TEAGAN
It's okay, Dad.
GRIFF
But I have some good news.
She lifts her eyebrows expectantly.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I hired a chef.
Her eyes grow wide.
TEAGAN
A chef?!
GRIFF
Yep. Our guests need better food
around here.
TEAGAN
A chef or a cook? There's a difference
you know.
GRIFF
Really? What's the difference?
She thinks.
TEAGAN
Clothes, I guess.
(pause)
Mostly, the hat.
GRIFF
Well, you can ask her yourself. Her
name is Sanna.
TEAGAN
Sauna?
GRIFF
No. Sah Nah. She's from Sweden, way
up north where people raise reindeer.
They hear a TAP TAP on the door. It opens and SANNA (25,
very pretty, short blond hair, svelte) peeks in.
Griff holds out an arm to introduce her.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Tah! Dah! And there she is.
SANNA
(strong Swedish accent)
I hope not to be interrupting.
Griff stands.
GRIFF
No, no. We were just talking about
you. Meet my daughter, Teagan.
Sanna leans down and reaches out her hand.
SANNA
How nice to meet you, Teagan. My
name is Sanna.
TEAGAN
Are you a chef or a cook?
Sanna looks surprised.
SANNA
Do you know what is the difference?
TEAGAN
Do you have a hat?
She LAUGHS.
SANNA
No, but maybe if I do well here,
your father will buy me one. Until
then I think I am only a cook. So
then, do you like to cook, or perhaps
to bake?
TEAGAN
I'd like to. Someday.
SANNA
I'm thinking I will bake cookies in
a minute. Would you like to help me?
Teagan's eyes widen and she looks at her dad. He nods. She
jumps up and CLAPS her hands.
TEAGAN
What kind?
SANNA
Well, I have brought some very good
recipes from my home in Sweden. Do
you know where Sweden is?
TEAGAN
I know there are reindeer there.
Sanna CHUCKLES.
SANNA
Yes, that is right! In the north
part called Lapland. That is very
near my home. You know, Teagan, we
make there a delicious cookie called
a pepparkakor. It is very
scrumduous... scrum... how you say
this word?
Teagan LAUGHS.
TEAGAN
Scrumptuous!
SANNA
Yes, they are that. How about I go
now to my cabin and get my laptop
with the recipe and then you can
help me bake some?
She holds her hands together beneath her chin, and smiles at
Teagan.
GRIFF
(to Sanna)
Are you all settled in your cabin?
SANNA
Oh yes, thank you. It is so cozy.
She looks at Teagan.
SANNA (CONT'D)
I will come back...
She SNAPS her fingers one time.
SANNA (CONT'D)
...In one click. Is that how you
say?
Teagan GIGGLES.
TEAGAN
No. I'll be back in a snap.
Sanna LAUGHS.
SANNA
Yes. In a snap.
She SNAPS her fingers one time again, winks at Teagan and
exits through the back kitchen door.
GRIFF
So, what do you think?
TEAGAN
She's pretty. When did she come?
GRIFF
Able picked her up in Minneapolis
yesterday.
TEAGAN
She looks like some movie star. I
don't know her name.
GRIFF
Yeah, she sure does. Last summer you
told me you were gonna be an actress
when you grow up. Is that still true?
She nods.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Well then, I've got some acting you
can do around here.
Her eyes shoot wide open. She clutches her hands by her chin
and looks at him excitedly.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I'll bet we could ask Sanna if you
could act like a waitress and set
the tables before our meals. Maybe
even do some serving.
She frowns.
TEAGAN
This sounds like a trick, Dad.
GRIFF
No, no. Lots of actresses wait on
tables, and if you ever had to be in
a play or a movie and pretend you're
a server then you'd know exactly how
to do it. Know what I mean?
TEAGAN
Yeah, but I thought you meant I could
be in a play.
GRIFF
Well, you know what? I have an idea
about that too. I was thinkin'--
The back door opens and Sanna, holding her laptop, enters.
She looks at Teagan, smiles, and SNAPS her fingers.
SANNA
Ready to make some pepparkakor?
Teagan holds up her arms in victory.
TEAGAN
Yes!
She jumps off her stool, then turns back to Griff.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
Oh, what about the play, Dad?
GRIFF
I'll tell you later. Time to make
some cookies.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Evening Conversations at the Lodge
EXT. LODGE FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
The last rays of copper sunlight ripple across the lake and
slowly fade away. The CALL of a loon echoes across the waters.
Griff and Sanna sit in Adirondack chairs, a plate of
pepparkakors between them. A bald eagle flies directly across
their scenic view. Griff points it out and Sanna smiles.
He holds a cookie.
GRIFF
These are great.
SANNA
Well, perhaps I am training your
daughter to be my sous chef one day.
Griff LAUGHS softly.
GRIFF
Perhaps.
SANNA
You know, Griff, there are Michelin
star restaurants in Sweden with
kitchens not so good as yours, only
five or six tables for guests.
GRIFF
And they're able to stay open?
SANNA
Yes, with exceptional dishes made
from produce in the woods and fields
all for free. After culinary school
I have helped at one for one year.
GRIFF
And people paid money to eat it?
SANNA
People paid very much money. I know
that you have a business, and I
promise to make you very good food.
But... I only say. Your resort could
be more.
Griff CHUCKLES.
GRIFF
And in ten years you can hire Teagan.
SANNA
Yes, but she can help me as soon as
she and you would like. I will be
delighted to teach her.
Sanna looks across to the edge of the lake.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Is that a sauna you have there?
GRIFF
Sure is. Help yourself any time.
Wood's stacked up next to it. The
firebox is on the outside in the
back. Pop a few pieces in there.
Heats up real quick. Have you done
it before?
SANNA
I have done it always.
They sit a moment in silence and breathe in the tranquillity.
Griff strikes a match and lights a citronella candle.
SANNA (CONT'D)
May I ask, Griff, why you have chose
me to be your...
(finger quotes)
...Cook?
GRIFF
Well... I looked up your school, and
I was impressed.
SANNA
Yes, good.
GRIFF
And also, you were the only applicant.
Sanna GUFFAWS.
SANNA
Well, I know the reason that is. It
was your advertisement. How did you
say it... low pay, no benefits and
many mosquitoes.
GRIFF
And they're coming out now.
He removes a small squeeze bottle of repellent from his shirt
pocket and hands it to her.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Help yourself. Why'd you accept the
job?
She squirts some in her palm and rubs it on her arms and
legs.
SANNA
Well, you made this job sound like
an adventure. Preparing food in the
kitchen but also when we are camping.
I liked that thought. And... I am a
dual citizen of our countries but
have not been here since I was born.
I very much wished to see something
of America.
He holds out both arms to the lake as moonlight strikes the
trees on the other side.
GRIFF
And what do you think?
SANNA
It is beautiful. But you missed one
benefit you have given to me. You
are paying me so little for the work
I will do, so it will be very easy
to quit should things not be good.
GRIFF
I understand. If you prove to be as
capable as I think you are, I will
make certain things are good.
SANNA
Tusen tack.
GRIFF
I confess it was easy to hire someone
whose picture looked so much like
Sydney Sweeney.
SANNA
Ah, yes. I have heard so.
GRIFF
I made her a nose once.
SANNA
You made her a nose?!
GRIFF
I used to make latex body parts for
actors.
SANNA
And you made one for Sydney Sweeney?!
GRIFF
Yeah, she was very sweet.
SANNA
Wow.
(pause)
How did you come to be in this place?
GRIFF
My great grandfather, Burl Mann built
the lodge in 1928. He called it Burly
Man Resort. You pretty much had to
be to a burly man to even get here
back in those days. After World War
II, he passed the place down to my
grandfather, Burl Mann the second,
who needed a place to forget all
that happened in the war.
Sanna nods.
SANNA
I like the name, Mann Overboard
Wilderness Resort.
GRIFF
My grandfather was in the Navy. Had
a sense of humor. I may change the
name again. I'm not sure.
SANNA
It is very peaceful here.
GRIFF
Yeah, I was in LA for years. In the
movie business. I lost my job and
I'd already inherited this place
from my dad who passed away a few
years earlier so... it just seemed
like the right move.
SANNA
God works in mysterious ways.
He CHUCKLES under his breath.
GRIFF
You believe that?
SANNA
I do.
He thinks.
GRIFF
Huh, well... it's not that I'm against
the idea of God. I just haven't come
to any conclusions about him yet.
SANNA
I believe it was the same for me for
a long time. I was raised as a
Lutheran. Everyone was, but it never
really... well, we don't want to
get into that tonight.
She reaches for another cookie and takes a bite.
SANNA (CONT'D)
So, the tourist I saw departing today,
what do they like to do when here?
GRIFF
Well, we're just outside the Boundary
Lakes Canoe Area Wilderness which is
over a million acres, larger than
the state of Rhode Island.
SANNA
Oh, I would like to visit there.
GRIFF
No you wouldn't, but there's plenty
to do here, fishing, hiking, camping.
SANNA
I like to do all those things.
GRIFF
We take people out on excursions. I
call it Boundary Waters Wilderness
Encounter. You'll enjoy it. I'll
make sure you have a comfortable cot
in your tent.
He grabs another cookie and looks at her carefully.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Most of the people who come here,
are hoping to see Bigfoot.
SANNA
Bigfoot? You mean the Sasquatch?
GRIFF
That's the one.
SANNA
In Lapland we call him Stallu but he
is not really a creature. He is
mythical. I am not so sure that I am
believing in your Bigfoot.
(MORE)
SANNA (CONT'D)
With night vision goggles and drones,
and with everyone having such good
cameras on their mobiles phones, it
seems very unlikely that he has not
yet been proven.
GRIFF
You need proof to believe?
SANNA
Yes, I need proof to believe in
Bigfoot. You need proof to believe
in God. Which is the easier?
Another moment of silence.
SANNA (CONT'D)
I have enjoyed my trip here with
Able.
GRIFF
Wonderful. You'll like him. He's
worked on this place for years. Knew
my grandfather.
SANNA
So, he is like the one who... takes
care?
GRIFF
Yeah. Sort of. But mostly, just my
friend.
A loon CALLS.
Griff holds up his pointing finger. She looks at him. He
lifts his eyebrows. He points to his ear and then back to
the lake. Another loon answers. They smile.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Is there any one waiting for you at
home?
She looks at him.
SANNA
You mean a man?
He nods
SANNA (CONT'D)
No.
GRIFF
Wow. Swedish men really are stupid.
She exhales a SOFT LAUGH. They sit for a long moment listening
to a CHORUS of peepers.
SANNA
I am sorry to say that I saw, and I
also heard your argument with Teagan's
mother. Was she your wife?
GRIFF
She was, but we were divorced five
years ago. The good news... the very
good news is she's not coming back.
Teagan's staying with me.
SANNA
And you think that will be better
for her? Teagan I mean?
GRIFF
I think that will be better for both
of us.
SANNA
I hope so.
She YAWNS.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Excuse me, but I've had a long day.
She stands.
GRIFF
I'll have scrambled eggs on at 8:30.
Please join us.
SANNA
I thought that was my job.
GRIFF
Not yet. We'll work out a schedule
this week. Thanks for making those
cookies with Teagan.
SANNA
I enjoyed it. God natt, sov gott.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Morning Melodies
INT. LODGE KITCHEN - MORNING
Griff makes sausages, pancakes and scrambled eggs at the
range. Teagan sets three place setting at the counter.
They hear a STRANGE, HAUNTING MELODY coming from the
direction of Sanna's cabin. They look at each other. Teagan
runs and looks out the window.
TEAGAN
I think it's Sanna.
GRIFF
Go take a look and tell her we're
ready to eat.
She runs out the back screen door which SCREECHES then BANGS
shut behind her.
EXT. COOK'S CABIN - MORNING
A small log cabin only a few steps from kitchen door. MUSIC
from a stringed instrument emanates from the open windows.
Sanna sings a beautiful Swedish melody.
SANNA
Uti vår hage där växa blå bär,
Teagan walks up on the porch and looks through the window.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Kom hjärtans fröjd.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Warm Invitation
INT. COOKS CABIN - CONTINUOUS
Sanna sits in a front living area. On one wall an embroidered
hanging proclaims: "Have nothing to do with the fruitless
deeds of darkness, but rather expose them - Eph. 5:11".
Sanna sees Teagan's shadow on the wall and looks to see her
peering in the window.
SANNA
Good morning my new friend, Teagan.
Come inside.
Teagan opens the door and enters. She looks at the instrument
that Sanna cradles in her arms.
TEAGAN
What is that?!
SANNA
It's called a nyckelharpa. A little
like a violin with buttons.
Teagan carefully reaches, and gently strokes the strings
filling the room with a droning sound.
TEAGAN
It's beautiful.
SANNA
Do you play an instrument?
Outside, Griff yells from the kitchen window.
GRIFF (O.S.)
Time for breakfast ladies!
SANNA
Oh, we are late.
They jump up and head outside.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
A Musical Bond
EXT. COOK’S CABIN – CONTINUOUS
They cross to the kitchen door.
TEAGAN TEAGAN
I play a recorder. Do you know what
that is?
SANNA
Oh, yes. In Sweden it is called a
blockflöjt. Most children learn to
play one in school. Shall we learn
to play some music together?
TEAGAN
So you know, Shenandoah?
SANNA
Yes, it is a beautiful song.
TEAGAN
Do you think we could play it
together?
SANNA
I'm quite certain that we can. We
will try after breakfast.
They walk into the kitchen.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Music"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
A Harmonious Lesson
INT. COOK'S CABIN - DAY
Teagan stands straight. She lifts a small soprano recorder,
fingers poised.
Across from her, Sanna rests the nyckelharpa on her knee,
bow angled gently toward the strings.
SANNA
Okay, you play the melody very slowly
and I will join in.
Teagan begins to play very loudly. Sanna holds up her hand.
SANNA (CONT'D)
No, no. Let's play it very softly.
Teagan begins again. The tune is halting at first, then
steadier, warm.
The recorder carries the tune. The nyckelharpa wraps around
it. The two weave into something unexpectedly tender, the
bright woodwind over warm resonance.
Teagan's melody ends, and Sanna holds the final drone a
heartbeat longer, the sound settling in the cabin.
Sanna lifts her eyebrows and smiles excitedly.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Oh, Teagan that was very beautiful!
They hear APPLAUSE coming from outside. Teagan runs to the
screen door. Griff and Able stand just outside and CLAP.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Music"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Musical Moments and Future Plans
EXT. COOK'S CABIN - CONTINUOUS
GRIFF
That was... that was...
ABLE
Miikawaadad!
GRIFF
Yeah, that. You two sounded great.
Sanna steps out on the porch carrying her nyckelharpa.
SANNA
Teagan is a natural!
Teagan scooches up beside her.
TEAGAN
That's called Shenandoah. And Sanna
says she'll teach me some songs from
Sweden!
GRIFF
Have at it. Maybe by the end of the
summer you can give us a concert.
Sanna nods and smiles.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Our guests will be arriving next
weekend. That will give you time to
get settled in and comfortable with
the kitchen.
SANNA
Yes, and they will eat well if Able
is able...
She glances at him and smiles.
SANNA (CONT'D)
To bring the long list of supplies I
have requested.
GRIFF
He's already stocked the shelves and
filled the freezer.
SANNA
I have such good help I probably
should return some of the very poor
pay.
With twinkle her eye, she winks. Griff gives her a look of
warm appraisal.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Moonlit Connections
EXT. SAUNA - EVENING
Night consumes the last glimmer of daylight. A full bright
yellow moon, enormous, rises above the treeline.
Sanna puts split wood pieces into the sauna stove firebox
through a metal door in the back. She closes the door as
flames lick at her fingers.
EXT. LODGE FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
Griff walks from inside and sits in a rocker. He leans back
to enjoy the peace and quiet.
He notices smoke rising out of the sauna's smoke stack. His
eyes widen when Sauna, completely nude, exits the sauna,
walks to the end of the dock and plunges into the lake.
Griff stares at her swimming, and weaves his fingers through
his hair.
GRIFF
(murmuring to himself)
Oh... my, my, my...
MONTAGE - SANNA SETTLES IN
INT. LODGE KITCHEN - DAY
Griff gives Sanna a tour of the kitchen and shows her where
various items are stored.
EXT. LODGE - EVENING
Griff, Able, Sanna, and Teagan play horseshoes on a space
between the lodge and Sanna's cabin.
EXT. LAKE SHORELINE – DAY
Sanna and Griff, in bathing suits, sit on the dock with their
feet dangling in the water as they watch Teagan play in the
water. Griff reaches down for a handful of water and splashes
Sanna. She laughs and does the same to him. He pulls her
into the water with him and she screams and laughs.
INT. COOK'S CABIN - NIGHT
Sanna and Teagan play a duet as Griff sits in to listen.
EXT. DOCK - MORNING
Sanna sits cross legged at the end of the dock in the first
rays of morning sunlight. She reads her Bible.
INT. LODGE KITCHEN - DAY
Sanna prepare some a pastry. Teagan stands by to assist.
Griff walks in and flips some flour at Sanna. Sanna laughs
and playfully responds in kind.
EXT. LAKE - DAY
Griff and Sanna swim together in the lake. Teagan watches
from the dock approvingly.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Heat and Reflection
INT. SAUNA - NIGHT
Sanna sits on the lower of two benches on the right side.
She wears a conservative one-piece bathing suit. Her face is
bright red and dripping with sweat.
She reaches and draws a ladle of water from a wooden bucket.
She pours the water over rocks in a basket on top the wood
heater. HISSING steam fills the room.
Griff enters quickly closing the door. He wears swim trunks.
He sits on the left side lower bench and covers his ears
with his hands.
GRIFF
How do you do this? It's so hot.
SANNA
It is nothing.
GRIFF
(laughing)
Nothing! It's scorching the tops of
my ears!
She tosses him a towel.
SANNA
Put this over your head. That is
what we tell the children when they
complain so.
She stands and looks at the thermometer.
SANNA (CONT'D)
It is only 68.3 Centigrade or for
you 155. It is nothing. Is Teagan
sleeping?
GRIFF
She was sleeping an hour ago. I had
to carry her up to bed, dead to the
world.
SANNA
Well, let me say that my father would
not approve with my decision to be
in a sauna with a man who has told
me that he finds me to be very
attractive.
GRIFF
I'd imagine not.
SANNA
And when my only protection is a ten-
year-old child who sleeps in another
building.
She smiles.
SANNA (CONT'D)
But, I am confident that the man and
I have come to the agreement about
rules.
GRIFF
Yes, we have, though I confess to
not be happy about the dress code
one, but... I understand if we remove
that rule, all the rest would be
disregarded too.
She puts a towel over her head, looks at him and smiles.
SANNA
Thank you, Griff. I am pleased that
you are a good man.
Griff rolls his eyes and wipes off his face.
GRIFF
I'm not so sure that true.
SANNA
Do you know what my life verse is?
He looks at her questioning.
GRIFF
I don't understand what you mean.
SANNA
It's a verse that I have chosen from
the Bible to be a calling, a
direction, for my life.
She dips the ladle and pours more water on the rocks producing
a HISS of steam.
He covers his face and head with the towel.
GRIFF
Oh, boy. Here it comes again.
SANNA
I have chosen Ephesians 5:11. Have
nothing to do with the fruitless
deeds of darkness, but rather expose
them.
GRIFF
Okay.
SANNA
I want nothing to do with darkness,
so I need to know, Griff. Is your
business to trick people? To make
them think that the Bigfoot is real
and then take their money?
GRIFF
No, no. I take their money first.
He smiles. She doesn't. He hides beneath his towel for a
moment.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Sanna, my business is not selling an
encounter with Bigfoot. I'm selling
something far more valuable. I'm
selling an encounter with wonder...
with mystery. I promise them nothing
more, and that's what they receive.
SANNA
Do you think he is real?
GRIFF
I don't think he’s out there behind
every tree. No. But my guests want
him to be.
SANNA
Why should they want that?
GRIFF
Because their world feels so...
solved. Every mystery explained,
every question answered before you
even finish typing.
She considers that, quiet.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
But... if Bigfoot exists, it means
the forest still has secrets. That
we haven’t paved over every last
mystery.
He glances at her, checking if he’s losing her. He isn’t.
SANNA
You like that idea.
GRIFF
Yeah, I do. It means the world is
still bigger than... us.
She reaches for the ladle.
Griff holds up a hand.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Please. No more.
They CHUCKLE.
SANNA
I know there is something bigger out
there not because of mysteries in
the forest, but because God made the
forest. He is the greatest mystery
of all.
Griff doesn’t flinch. He listens.
SANNA (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
When my mother became sick, I prayed
for a miracle. When she died... I
had to decide whether God was still
good, still all powerful. Was He
even there?
He sits up and leans in.
GRIFF
When did this happen?
SANNA
Not quite two years ago.
GRIFF
Oh... Sanna, I'm so sorry.
SANNA
Yes... well... I didn't remain to
believe in God because he made things
easier. I believed because he was
even bigger in my pain. I believe I
have entered into the greatest of
all mysteries.
Griff nods.
GRIFF
Well... that's... good.
SANNA
Griff, please don't feel offended
but... I think you are perhaps playing
a game with yourself. Or with us
all.
He scrunches his face in question.
SANNA (CONT'D)
I don't think you yourself are
believing in the Bigfoot.
(MORE)
SANNA (CONT'D)
I think you are delighting to give
people the mystery they long to have
but... you are missing it yourself.
She meets his eyes, steady and unafraid.
SANNA (CONT'D)
I’m not asking you to believe as I
do. I'm just telling you that the
mystery I embrace is real.
They both slump against the higher benches behind them, towels
over the heads, red faces. They stare at one another and
then Griff closes his eyes. He speaks slowly, barely above a
whisper.
GRIFF
Sanna, I want you to know... I've
listened carefully and I've heard
every word you've spoken. There are
things I'd like to say... honestly I
would... but... if I don't leave
this room in the next ten seconds
you'll have to drag my unconscious
body out the door.
She LAUGHS.
SANNA
Then, careful now, don't fall over
but... I will race you into the water.
EXT. LAKE - CONTINUOUS
She bursts out of the door with Griff close behind her and
they fly off the dock, through the air and into the freezing
lake.
Genres:
["Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Morning Preparations at the Shoreline
INT. GRIFF'S PROSTHETIC WORKSHOP - MORNING
Griff grabs the feet and Able picks up the metal, levered
contraption used to stamp natural, articulated footprints.
EXT. RESORT SHORELINE - MORNING
Griff and Able pack the silicone feet and footprint machine
in a canoe. Able climbs in.
GRIFF
You comin' back tonight?
ABLE
Depends on how quick this goes.
(MORE)
ABLE (CONT'D)
Aki's workin' on a big case. Told
her I might camp out there tonight.
She doesn't need me snorin' in her
ear.
Griff looks at the blue sky.
GRIFF
Forecast looks clear for a few days.
ABLE
Even if it rains I'll get some good
prints in the pine grove.
Griff pushes the canoe out of the shallow water and Able
paddles out onto the river.
GRIFF
(shouting to be heard)
The guests arrive anytime after noon.
Dinner's at six. Love to have you
join us. No pressure. Aki's welcome
too.
ABLE
We'll see.
Able paddles away.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Arrivals at the Lodge
EXT. LODGE - DAY
SERIES OF SHOTS - GUESTS ARRIVE
Mid-afternoon
- Late model Mercedes-Benz E450 pulls up front. An Asian
couple, DAVID WEI CHAN and GRACE GANG WONG (late 50s), get
out. Griff comes down the porch steps to help take their
luggage inside.
- A BMW X5 luxury SUV pulls up and stops. Inside, a young
black couple, JAMAL DAVIS and TASHA DAVIS (late 30s) are in
a tense conversation.
Griff smiles big but watches them from the porch. He hesitates
to approach until they finish their discussion and exit their
car. When they do, he greets them both with big hugs. He
helps them carry their luggage inside.
- In the late afternoon, a sporty Toyota Corolla Hatchback
SXE barrels into the driveway and skids to a stop. PETER
RESNICK (25, round tortoise glasses, ponytail) hops out,
opens the back hatch and grabs sleeping bag, pillow, and
backpack. He looks around and sees no one.
He walks toward the lodge.
END SERIES OF SHOTS
To his right, Peter notices Teagan exit the kitchen door and
walk to a building where she bends down, retrieves a key
beneath a rock, unlocks the shop door, and walks in.
He heads that way.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Curiosity and Secrets
INT. GRIFF'S STUDIO - DAY
Teagan stands before a desk suite of video editing equipment,
computers, monitors, keyboards and speakers. She searches
through a drawer and retrieves a small key fob sized remote.
She then grabs two six-inch-long fabric straps connected by
magnets. She pulls hard on the straps to separate the magnets.
She hears a TAP TAP. She looks up to see Peter staring through
the screen door.
PETER
(playfully)
Anybody home?
He opens the door and walks in.
PETER (CONT'D)
Hi.
TEAGAN
Are you Peter?
He shakes his head in startled disbelief.
PETER
How'd you know that?
TEAGAN
My dad just said that he hoped Peter
didn't get lost. So...
He smiles.
PETER
Well, he didn't get lost and... yes...
I'm Peter. What's your name?
TEAGAN
Teagan.
PETER
That's a pretty name. Nice to meet
you, Teagan.
Teagan puts the remote and the straps on the table. The straps
SNAP back together.
He looks around.
PETER (CONT'D)
Wow. Look at all this stuff.
TEAGAN
My dad makes videos.
PETER
What kind?
TEAGAN
Lotsa kinds... nature things...
(excited)
And he makes commercials for TV too.
His jaw drops.
PETER
(playing along)
Really?!
TEAGAN
Yeah.
PETER
For TV?!
TEAGAN
Yeah. You know the farmer's song.
PETER
I don't think so.
TEAGAN
It goes...
(singing)
We are farmers, ba baba baba ba ba.
PETER
Oh, yeah. Of course I know that.
TEAGAN
My dad wrote that.
PETER
You're kidding me.
Her face lights up.
TEAGAN
Nope.
She hesitates, then adds.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
Well, he wrote the ba baba baba ba
ba part. But someone stole it.
PETER
He told you that?
TEAGAN
No, my mom did. She was FURE EEE US.
Peter pretends to believe her.
PETER
Oh, I'll bet.
TEAGAN
Yeah, cuz then we didn't get any
money. And she just got in the car
and took off.
He walks past her and tries the door marked PRIVATE at the
back of the room. It's locked.
PETER
What's in here?
She hesitates a bit too long.
He turns to her and waits.
TEAGAN
Do you know what private means?
He stares at her.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
I need to get back to the kitchen to
help make dinner.
She the remote, and the door key. He looks carefully at the
tiny remote.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
And I need to lock the door. Are you
comin' to eat?
He exits with her.
Outside the door, he picks up his sleeping bag, pillow and
backpack. He turns, smiles and waves.
PETER
Nice to meet you, Teagan.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
A Warm Welcome
INT. LODGE - DAY
Peter enters as Griff comes from another room and greets him
with a warm smile.
GRIFF
You made it! You must be Peter.
He reaches out and they shake hands.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I'm Griff.
PETER
Nice to meet you.
GRIFF
Hope you didn't have any trouble.
PETER
No. Just runnin' a little late.
GRIFF
Well, you haven't missed a thing.
We're gathering in the dining room
now for dinner. Why don't you store
your gear and then join us. Your
upstairs in room 8, down the hall on
the right.
PETER
Great. Thanks.
He takes the steps two at a time.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Welcome to the Lodge: Bigfoot Banter and Pranks
INT. LODGE DINING ROOM - EVENING
A large round table sits beneath a red-and-white checkered
tablecloth. Mood candles flicker in the center.
The newly arrived guests seated around the table chat
animatedly. They're joined by Able and his wife AKI (60,
grey hair, dark skin, stocky build).
Teagan collects used plates and silverware from the guests
and piles them neatly on a bus cart.
Griff enters from the kitchen and walks to a large 97" TV
monitor on a sleek industrial floor stand. The monitor
displays an eerie portrait of a Bigfoot and the graphic:
Boundary Waters Wonder Expedition.
He raises his voice to get their attention.
GRIFF
Hey, folks...
They quiet and turn to him.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Once again welcome to the beautiful
and often awe inspiring Boundary
Waters.
He points to people around the table.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
David Chan and Grace Wong from St.
Louis. Welcome. Jamal and Tasha Davis
from Chicago, guests from last year,
back for more punishment.
JAMAL
(a little too loudly)
Cuz we can't get enough!
LAUGHTER.
GRIFF
And I'm happy about that. And lastly
Peter Resnick from my old stompin'
grounds in LA. Welcome.
Peter nods an acknowledgment.
Griff points to Able.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I want to recognize Able our
caretaker. Practically grew up here.
Next to him is his better half Aki,
our lawyer, and one of the top defense
attorneys in the state of Minnesota.
So you need not wonder who pays their
mortgage.
Able points at Aki and the guests LAUGH.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Aki's handled some high profile cases,
including the one with the man who
claimed he didn't kill anyone, it
was a Bigfoot.
AKI
I lost that one.
They LAUGH.
Sanna enters from the kitchen. Rosie cheeks, white blouse,
flowered apron. She holds, with one hand raised to shoulder
level, a round tray. Desserts, coffee and mugs fill the tray.
She places the tray on a foldable stand.
GRIFF
Say, everyone. Please welcome our
new chef, Sanna.
The guests break into spontaneous APPLAUSE.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
She's comes to us from Sweden, and
it is she who is responsible for the
delicious meal we've just enjoyed.
Speaking of awe inspiring, have you
ever tasted a more exquisite meatball?
JAMAL
(shouting)
Never!
They LAUGH and applaud again.
Peter looks at her like a wolf eyeing a lamb. She catches
his gaze, then averts her eyes.
Griff notices the exchange, and frowns.
GRIFF
Sanna, what else do you have for us
there?
She smiles.
SANNA
Yes, thank you. I have made what is
called kladdkaka, a Swedish chocolate
cake I hope you will very much enjoy.
And it is served with homemade vanilla
ice cream.
She begins to place the desserts before the guests.
DAVID CHAN
Excuse me. I'm sorry but my wife is
allergic to chocolate.
JAMAL
I'll have her's then.
Tasha gives him an elbow in the ribs.
DAVID CHAN
Perhaps she could have just the ice
cream?
SANNA
Yes, of course, and can I slice some
fresh berries, or... does she like
maple syrup?
David leans over and whispers something in Chinese to Grace.
Ear.
DAVID CHAN
Yes, that would be very nice. Some
berries and maple syrup?
SANNA
Perfect.
Jamal gestures in a sweep around the table.
JAMAL
Let's make that for the whole table.
They LAUGH and Tasha rolls her eyes.
GRIFF
Please enjoy your dessert, while I
tell you about our weekend. While I
give you some preliminary information.
As he walks to the monitor, the lights in the room slowly
fade all by themselves. The Bigfoot portrait dissolves to a
drone video aerial image shot from high above the resort.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
This is where we are now.
As he speaks the video moves through the landscape.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Tomorrow we'll paddle down our river
outside these doors. Bring a sleeping
bag, pillow and one small bag. That's
it. If you'd like a swim, be sure to
throw in a swim suit.
David Chan raises his hand. As if responding to David's raised
hand, the drone stops on cue, but the river continues to
flow.
Peter looks at the screen with surprise.
DAVID CHAN
What about bugs?
GRIFF
You won't need to bring those.
There'll be plenty where we're going.
CHUCKLES from the table.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
We'll have plenty of mosquito
repellent. If you have a favorite
that you've brought along, just
squeeze it in your bag.
Jamal jumps to his feet.
JAMAL
No, no, Griff. I'd recommend you don't
squeeze it in yo bag. Better if you
squeeze it in yo hand.
GRIFF
Hah! I forgot, Jamal. You had a leak
last year didn't you?
JAMAL
No. I din have no leak. I had a
detonation! Even the mosquitos were
like... Bro, you good?
Tasha rolls her eyes and smiles. All the rest, except Peter,
LAUGH hard.
Griff turns back to the monitor and the drone once again
follows the planned route.
GRIFF
We'll paddle down the shore of
Mountain Lake for about ninety
minutes. Then we'll take this small
river feeding into Saganaga, and in
another four or five hours arrive at
our private campsite, and...
He turns to them, leans in and smiles.]
GRIFF (CONT'D)
We won't be roughin' it
The drone flies a couple feet above an oval shaped picnic
table covered with a white linen tablecloth, and place
settings for dinner. It does a three-sixty taking in the
river, platform tents with cushy cots, and a cooking area
with steaks smoking on a giant grill. Cast iron pots and
pans hang from hooks on the branch of a tree.
JAMAL
And the outhouses are nicer than at
home!
GRIFF
Hah! That's right. Only the best.
Griff stands, hands in his pockets.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Before we head out tomorrow, I want
to set expectations.
The Chans adjust their seats more comfortably toward Griff.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
This isn’t a tour. And it’s not a
hunt.
(pause)
Most of what we do out here is hurry
up and wait. People come up here
wanting to see something. I get that.
He gestures outside.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
But you can't walk into the wilderness
and demand... anything.
David very softly speaks something in Chinese to Grace. She
nods understanding.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
What we look for are patterns. Sounds
that repeat when they shouldn't.
Movement that doesn't match the
terrain.
Peter leans in listening intently.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Most of the time it's wind. Animals.
Your own imagination. But every once
in a while... something doesn’t fit.
And you don't want to name it too
quickly.
JAMAL
Aw, yeah. Come on. Preach it, Griff.
GRIFF
You want to see Bigfoot again, Jamal?
JAMAL
Yes, sir. I do.
GRIFF
You know, I was with you last summer,
but I didn't see anything. You're
sure you did?
TASHA
(rolling her eyes big)
Oh, he's sure.
They CHUCKLE.
JAMAL
Baby, I know what I saw.
GRIFF
And you've been on other expeditions,
right?
JAMAL
Yeah, four with Bigfoot Field
Researchers. The difference is they
take us campin'. You take us right
to the hairy guy.
As if on cue, the monitor plays the iconic grainy
Patterson/Gimlin footage of Patty the Bigfoot. It shows the
large, hairy, human-like figure walking in slow motion along
a creek bed in Northern California.
All but Peter yell.
ALL
Patty!
GRIFF
Yes. And here it comes...
The creature turns and looks at the camera.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
... Her famous iconic look back.
Most people think this is the moment
that matters. But it's not.
He steps closer to the screen. Points—not at the face but at
the body. The video zooms in.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Watch the walk.
The creature moves across the frame.
The video slows more.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Look at the arms swing. That’s not
how a person walks when he thinks
he's being filmed.
Peter interrupts.
PETER
No, but that's exactly how a person
walks when he's pretending to be a
Bigfoot.
The room falls silent but a for CHORUS of peepers outside.
GRIFF
Peter, you're a graduate student?
PETER
I am.
GRIFF
And you're field of study?
PETER
Wilderness and wildlife management.
GRIFF
And have you been to this wilderness?
PETER
No.
GRIFF
Then I'd encourage you to try not to
decide too quickly.
PETER
(aggressively)
We have no bones. No hides. No
roadkill. No DNA. Nothing! And yet
here you are happily taking people's
hard earned money while feeding their
fantasies, encouraging them to see
monsters that don't exist, or that
you create for them.
Jamal leans across the table.
JAMAL
I know what I saw!
PETER
(to Jamal)
Or you saw what he created for you.
(MORE)
PETER (CONT'D)
We got a million trail cams out there,
people. They catch poachers, hikers,
birds, bugs crawling across the lens.
But never a verified Bigfoot. We've
been watching Patty take her...
what... five steps?... For sixty
years now and still no proof.
Griff puts his hands in his pockets and stands allowing the
silence to grow uncomfortable. He shrugs.
GRIFF
I don't promise proof, Peter... but
we have reports from early settlers
on this continent, and sightings and
testimony in the modern era from
credible witnesses; police officers,
park rangers.
JAMAL
And me!
GRIFF
And Jamal.
They CHUCKLE.
Griff reaches behind the monitor and removes, from the leather
covered box, a plaster-of-Paris foot cast. He holds it up.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
And we have this. This cast was taken
from the area where we'll be tomorrow.
He walks to close to allow Peter a close examination.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
This foot is articulated. It bends
right in the middle. Look at the
splayed toes. No promises, but
hopefully we'll see more.
Peter rolls his eyes.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Do you question your own eyes?
Peter doesn't answer.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Well, how about your ears then?
(MORE)
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Some believe these creatures actually
communicate by tapping on trees with
sticks. I recorded these sounds last
week.
From the ceiling speakers - TAP TAPTAP TAPTAP.
The room goes silent but for the peepers.
Again from the ceiling speakers - TAP TAPTAP TAPTAP
Then loudly from the window directly behind the table - TAP
TAPTAP TAPTAP.
Grace and Tasha SCREAM. They all startle, and all but Peter
jump from their seats, tipping over a chair. They turn to
see a young Bigfoot no more more than four feet tall. It
stares through the window, blinking.
Jamal and Tasha run from the table.
JAMAL
Holy shhhh--
GRIFF
Wait! Wait! Don't move!
They freeze then back away slowly. Peter observes, calm but
intrigued from his seat. The Bigfoot juvenile doesn't move.
Griff slowly reaches with one hand toward the table.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Able. Give me that piece of cake.
Able, his eyes on the window, picks up a plate with a piece
of cake and holds it out to Griff. Griff paws it off the
plate with one hand. He keeps his eye on the juvenile that
remains frozen in the window.
He quietly exits the screen door and the Bigfoot's head turns
quickly to its left.
The guests watch as the creature disappears from the window
frame.
Griff, still holding the cake, returns, backing into the
room through the screen door. The creature cautiously follows.
JAMAL
Hey, ah... I'm not real comfortable
about--
ABLE
Shhhh!
Griff speaks softly.
GRIFF
I've waited a lifetime for this.
He holds out his handful of cake. The creature bends slightly
forward and smells it.
It reaches out a hand and grabs it from Griff. Chocolate
icings oozes through it's fingers. It looks up at Griff then
back to its hand. It opens it's mouth and shoves the whole
cake in.
It chews, swallows then extends a long shining, chocolaty
tongue and licks off the palm of it's oversized hand. It
swallows again.
All but Peter have moved against the far wall. The creature
takes a step toward Griff and reaches up for more.
Griff reaches slowly, cautiously toward it, finally placing
a hand on its furry shoulder.
DAVID CHAN
(whispers)
Oh.
GRIFF
I think she likes cake.
JAMAL
And you know that's a she?
It jerks its head and sniffs.
Griff walks behind the creature, puts his other hand on the
creature's other shoulder, fingers into it's fur and with a
CLICK... removes it's head revealing a smiling, sweaty Teagan.
Teagan waves her creature hand.
TEAGAN
Hope I didn't scare you.
The guests exhale a giant breath and then LAUGH in nervous
relief.
JAMAL
Scared me!? No, no. You din scare
me, girl! You damn near killed me.
They all LAUGH.
GRIFF
For those of you who haven't met
her, this is my daughter, Teagan.
They all APPLAUD and smile.
PETER
That's an impressive costume.
GRIFF
Yes, it is. I worked on it for three
years.
He holds up his hands.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Have a seat everyone and we'll finish
up here.
As they replace their chairs and settle back down, CHATTING
and LAUGHING, he looks at Sanna who has sneaked in from the
kitchen. Then he looks at Teagan and speaks softly.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Why don't you head out to the kitchen
and Sanna will help you out of this,
okay?
She looks to the kitchen. Sanna gives her a little smiling
finger wave and Teagan crosses to her.
The lights again fade down by themselves.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
(to the guests)
I want you to know that if anyone
could con you into believing in the
reality of Bigfoot, it's me.
For years, I created creature costumes
for Hollywood legends.
The monitor displays a series of pictures depicting masks
and monsters from Hollywood films.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
But here's what I could not do. I
could never create a costume that
moves like this.
The monitor shows a daytime, trail cam video of a Bigfoot.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
That thing is moving on all fours,
and now watch...
The creature stands on two legs without a single break in
the motion. It displays a triangular bib of white fur under
its chin. Griff points at the monitor.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I could not create that! Look how
the shoulders roll like a primate’s.
That's not a man in a suit. The spine
flexes in places no human can.
He lets it sink in.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I could fake a Bigfoot walking past
a trail cam. I could probably even
invent a machine to fake it's
articulated footprints, but... I
could not fake something that moves
like that.
He looks up at the group, his expression deadly serious.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
That’s how I know it's real.
PETER
Or AI.
Griff smiles.
GRIFF
Yeah. Or AI... but it's not.
He looks at Peter.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Do the forensics yourself. You'll
see.
He looks at the others.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Okay, tomorrow we start our adventure.
Tonight the sauna's hot.
He looks at Able.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Am I right?
Able nods.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Brunch at nine. We paddle at ten.
It's gonna be a beautiful day. A
reminder... there's no wifi out there
but bring your phones for photos.
You never know. I'll have zip lock
bags for you just in case we capsize.
He looks around.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Any questions?
PETER
(demanding)
How'd you control the media, the
video, the lights?
Griff reaches into his pocket and removes the Audio Ape
remote.
GRIFF
With this little device made popular
by con men and magicians.
He pushes buttons with his thumbs and a very emotive bit of
Hollywood music plays. Peter points up to the speakers.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I could probably make you cry with
this one.
He holds his hands to his mouth as if he's about to burst
into tears. Everyone LAUGHS except Peter.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
It's all just a big memorized sequence
of buttons, Peter.
Peter scowls and shakes his head.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Okay, friends, please remember the
nondisclosure agreement that you all
signed about revealing what happened
here tonight. Aki has all of them at
her office.
He looks at Aki.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Right?
AKI
Yes, counselor. Thank you.
They CHUCKLE. Sanna, ready to clear the table.
GRIFF
We've got seven more groups coming
this summer and we'd love to have
them enjoy Teagan's performance like
you did. Let's not ruin the surprise.
Don't even tell anyone what we ate
tonight, because the word meatball
does not connote the exquisite flavor
we enjoyed..
JAMAL
No, sir, it does not. And I'm
wondering if I might get another
piece of that cake to go.
SANNA
Yes, sir. I have more cake for you.
They LAUGH.
GRIFF
(pause)
Okay, we'll see you bright and early.
Might want to put on a sweatshirt.
Enjoy your evening.
He points at the Bigfoot head.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I'm gonna go clean cake out of this
cub's cranium.
They CHUCKLE and stand to leave.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Morning Tensions and Canoe Adventures
EXT. RESORT SHORELINE - MORNING
Sunlight burns through the last of the heavy morning fog.
Griff exits the lodge. He carries a small pack and a sleeping
bag. He walks to the shoreline and dock where Jamal, AirPods
in his ears, grooves to music and casts with a rod and reel.
Griff approaches Peter who stands facing across the wide
river.
GRIFF
Mornin', Peter.
PETER
Mornin'.
Griff throws his stuff in a canoe then faces Peter.
GRIFF
We check out everyone who joins us
here, Peter. So, I know you're
studying wilderness and wildlife
management, but I also know you're
the up and comin' Bigfoot hoaxer
exposer guy. So... what you got for
me?
PETER
I don't want to come across as... I
don't want to cause a scene. Okay?
In fact I'm glad I caught you here...
alone.
He looks condescendingly at Jamal casting and grooving on
the dock.
PETER (CONT'D)
And Jamar's not gonna hear me so...
GRIFF
Jamal.
PETER
Yeah. Obviously, you can control
anything with that remote. You can
make Bigfoot bang on trees, or growl,
or... hell, you could push a button
and have him pop out the water.
The lodge door opens. David, Grace, and Sanna exit LAUGHING.
Teagan follows behind.
PETER (CONT'D)
I want you to know. I'll be watching
you very, very closely. If I catch
you deceiving everyone, with your
little fob, I will shut you down in
a heartbeat.
GRIFF
(calmly)
You won't have to try to catch me.
When I use the remote, I'll make
sure everyone knows. I'll say again
what I said last night... don't decide
to quickly, Peter.
Sanna calls as she approaches.
SANNA
Griff, I have the ziplocks.
Able walks around the building approaching the group.
GRIFF
Yes, please everyone! Put your phones
in a ziplock. You don't want the
potential hassle.
Jamal continues to groove and cast, unaware the others are
even there.
TASHA
Jamal! Hey!
(to the others)
Oh, he about drives me crazy.
She walks onto the dock and gently slaps his arms.
He turns and lifts out one AirPod.
TASHA (CONT'D)
You wanna go with the rest of us or
swim?
She nods toward the water as if ready to push him in.
JAMAL
No, I'll join you.
He reels in his line and feels a tug.
JAMAL (CONT'D)
Oh, man. I gotta big one! Look at
this! Look at this everyone!
He reels in the line to reveal a tiny blue gill.
TASHA
Oh, the mighty fisherman.
JAMAL
Hey, it's as hard to catch a little
one as it is a big one. No difference.
TASHA
Leave it to a man to say size doesn't
matter.
Still grooving, he puts the rod in a stand and follows Tasha
to the canoes.
Griff looks at Jamal, gets his attention and points to his
own ears.
Jamal pulls out one AirPod.
GRIFF
You're gonna wanna put those in a
zip lock or leave 'em here.
JAMAL
Okay, sure, but if I can just axe
you--
TASHA
(scolding)
If I can just axe you?
(pause)
Is that what you just said, if I can
just axe you?
JAMAL
I just want to ask him why--
TASHA
But you didn't say ask. You said
axe. What's the matter with you Jamal?
You teach English Lit at the
University of Chicago. You grew up
in the wealthiest suburban in the
whole state. We come to the wilderness
and you act you're from the hood.
She throws up her hands and walks to a canoe.
He turns to Griff.
JAMAL
Excuse me, let me try that again. I
enjoy having my music, and I'll turn
it way down so no one hears.
Griff shakes his head.
GRIFF
No. The problem is, we won't hear
it, but...
He points across the river.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I'm pretty sure they will. When people
sneak their AirPods in, the woods
get really quiet.
Jamal eyes grow wide.
JAMAL
Oh... oh yeah. Gotcha. Thanks.
He reaches to Sanna who hands him a bag.
Griff looks at everyone.
GRIFF
Okay, everybody. Hop in and we're
off like a dirty shirt.
They climb in the four canoes now full of people and gear.
Grace gets in last and loses her balance, almost falling in.
David catches her just in time.
DAVID CHAN
Biggest catch of the day!
Grace scowls at him.
MONTAGE - THE EXPEDITION - DAY
Genres:
["Drama","Adventure","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Wilderness Expedition: A Toast to Friendship
EXT. RIVER – DAWN
The river narrows, as the canoes slip beneath overhanging
branches. Leaves brush the gunwales. Droplets fall from the
canopy and tap against the hull.
EXT. RIVER SURFACE – CLOSE
A paddle blade cuts into dark, tannin-stained water. Ripples
distort the mirrored birch trunks along the bank.
EXT. RIVER MOUTH – CONTINUOUS
The river opens into into a large lake. Mist drifts low across
the water as the paddlers move in the early light.
EXT. LAKE SHORELINE – MOVING
Through a break in the brush, a weathered portage sign
appears, half-hidden. The canoes glide past, choosing a
river’s path instead of the trail.
EXT. NARROWING RIVER CORRIDOR – LATER
The banks tighten. Spruce and tamarack rise taller, darker.
Teagan turns to look behind her. She sees the other canoes
close behind. She points to the riverbank where the tents on
wooden platforms stand in a semi-circle around the oval picnic
table.
Griff smiles and nods.
The canoes glide to the bank and everyone climbs out. Again,
to everyone's entertainment... even her own... Grace loses
her balance and almost falls in.
EXT. PICNIC TABLE - EVENING
The group sits around the oval table covered with white linen.
Sanna serves them individually with plates of grilled steak,
boiled potatoes and green vegetables.
Griff pours wine and they raise their glasses in a toast.
GRIFF
To good friends and the wonder of
the wilderness.
They clink their glasses.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
["Drama","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Campfire Tales and Glowing Eyes
EXT. CAMPSITE CAMPFIRE - NIGHT
All sit on the logs surrounding the campfire that burns
brightly, crackling and popping in sprays of sparks shooting
into the smoke rising from the flames.
GRIFF
Okay, I'm guessin' we're all gonna
sleep real good tonight. Huh?
DAVID CHAN
This is where we need a sauna, Griff.
Griff looks at Able.
GRIFF
Can you build us one out here for
next week?
Able LAUGHS.
ABLE
Sure. Done.
Grace raises her hand.
GRIFF
Hey, everyone. We now have a very
special moment because Grace has
something to say.
JAMAL
Okay, Grace!
She smiles.
GRACE WONG
I would like to say to Sanna, the
meal you prepared for us was very,
very delicious.
Sanna beams.
SANNA
Thank you, Grace.
Teagan jumps up excitedly.
TEAGAN
And wait 'til you see what she has
for desert!
JAMAL
Ah hah, well I was wonderin' bout
that.
SANNA
Before bedtime, I will warm homemade
cinnamon rolls on the grill.
Jamal looks at Tasha.
JAMAL
Ahh... just like at home, huh babe?
For the first time, Tasha LAUGHS loud and leans into Jamal.
TASHA
Yeah, you bet. Every night.
She LAUGHS more, and Jamal, an arm around her, joins in.
JAMAL
(to Griff)
A'ight Griff. We gonna see the big
guy?
GRIFF
Not unless he joins us here around
the fire. It's night time, Jamal.
It's... dark. The only thing we might
see tonight are his glowing ember
eyes.
Peter shakes his head.
PETER
(sarcastically)
Oh, yeah, great. You tell him about
those eyes, Griff. I always enjoy
this one.
JAMAL
(to Peter, defensive)
I know about the eyes!
GRIFF
Well, I'll tell you anyway.
(to Able)
Unless you'd like to, Able.
Able holds out his hand in a "it's all yours" gesture.
Griff pauses, letting the fire POP. The loons CALL in the
distance.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
We all need to be discerning.
He lets the word hang for a moment.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
There are lots of stories about
glowing eyes in the trees. Eyes that
light up red or amber, even on the
darkest nights.
He leans in slightly, voice authoritative.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Unlike ourselves, some creatures
have a reflective layer right behind
the retina. It bounces light back
out, creating that famous eye shine
we see in deer, raccoons, even bears.
But some people swear they've seen
eyes that weren't reflecting light...
they were generating it.
He scans the circle, making eye contact with several guests.
PETER
(mocking tone)
You probably saw those glowing eyes
when you were camping with the BFRO
didn't you, Jamal?
Jamal bristles. He looks to Peter and sighs, frustrated.
JAMA
Do you have a problem with me, Peter?
Tasha pats his leg.
TASHA
No, no, no. Let's not--
JAMAL
(to Peter)
Have I offended you in some way?
TASHA
Griff, I believe you were talking.
GRIFF
Yes. I was.
He looks at Jamal.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
They probably did talk about the
eyes at BFRO, huh, Jamal?
JAMAL
Yeah... and that whole eye thing is
pretty damn interesting.
He looks at Peter.
JAMAL (CONT'D)
How can you not find that interesting?
PETER
Because I don't believe it! I think
you people paid a lot money to be
here, and you really want to see
something. So... you do.
ABLE
He's right.
They all look at Able. The fire CRACKLES. He looks at Jamal.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Sometimes people swear they see
things. And, I have to admit, Jamal,
I often suspect it's just the result
of their deep desire to see whatever
it was they saw.
PETER
(to Jamal)
So there you go.
(to Able)
Thank you, Able.
Able looks at Peter.
ABLE
And sometimes, Peter, people don't
want to see something, so they don't.
He looks at Jamal.
ABLE (CONT'D)
I never told you this but, I was so
excited for you last summer, when
you saw your Bigfoot, because at
that moment, Jamal... I saw it too.
Griff's head jerks toward Able in surprise.
Grace SCREAMS and points into the woods. She speaks
frantically in Chinese.
DAVID CHAN
(excitedly)
She saw the eyes. She says she saw
them.
All look where she points for a very long moment. David looks
distressed.
DAVID CHAN (CONT'D)
She's serious. She says it was right
there.
He points.
GRIFF
I believe her.
(to Grace)
I believe you, Grace. I believe
Bigfoot was right there. I believe
you really did see the eyes.
He turns to Peter.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
But Peter... I also agree with you.
We should never surrender our
skepticism at the tree line.
He reaches in his pocket and removes the remote. He reaches
in his other pocket and removes a glass eye. He looks at
Grace.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I believe you, Grace. But... How
easy it is for any of us...
He triggers the remote and the glass eye lights up in an
amber glow.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
...To be fooled.
Jamal shakes his head, ticked.
JAMAL
Ah, come awn, Griff! I wish you hadn't
done that. Now, I don't know what to
think.
GRIFF
We'll get some answers tomorrow,
Jamal. Now we know there are
footprints out there. Things will
become clearer in the light of day.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
The Mysterious Footprint
EXT. PORTAGE TRAIL – MORNING
Mist lifts off the river as the guests, including Griff and
Teagan, follow Able along a narrow portage path. Both Griff
carries a backpack with a large bag of plaster of Paris.
Able carries a backpack with a large water container.
DAVID CHAN
We barely slept.
GRIFF
Uncomfortable?
DAVID CHAN
No, the beds are great, thanks. We
were just wound up.
GRACE WONG
Hearing all night.
GRIFF
Really?
DAVID CHAN
She means listening.
GRACE WONG
Yes, listening.
GRIFF
Ah, yes. The woods don't stop movin'
just because we close our eyes. Able
and I came out here for a couple
days, at the end of May, to set up
the tents. We walked out in the
morning, there were Bigfoot tracks
all around us. We never heard a thing.
Able walks steadily, eyes scanning the ground, the brush,
the trees. He stops so abruptly that Jamal nearly bumps into
him.
JAMAL
What?
Able raises a hand for silence.
He crouches beside a patch of soft earth where the trail
widens.
Everyone gathers around him. There, in the mud, is a deep
impression. Not a boot. Not a bear. Long. Broad. Human-shaped.
But too large.
JAMAL (CONT'D)
Holy...
TASHA
(whispering)
Look at that!
Able studies the track with the calm of someone reading a
familiar sign.
ABLE
She just passed through here.
David kneels beside him, carefully measuring the print with
his hand. His fingers don’t even reach halfway. He turns,
wide-eyed, to Grace and says something in Chinese. She stares
with amazement at the track.
Able stands and looks to see a second large track six feet
ahead, half-hidden by ferns.
Then another, leading off the trail into thicker brush.
Jamal's voice trembles with excitement.
JAMAL
Should we follow them?
Able stands slowly, brushing dirt from his palms.
ABLE
Tracks aren’t an invitation.
They’re a reminder.
He looks into the dense woods where the prints disappear.
A distant woodpecker JACK HAMMERS a tree. Then the same sound,
further away.
TASHA
That’s him, isn’t it?
Able doesn’t confirm or deny. He just listens, eyes narrowed.
Peter, shakes his head, incredulous. He looks at Able.
PETER
Oh, Able, please! Just tell her what
we both know. That was wood pecker.
Probably a Peliated--
They hear a distinctive WICK WICK WICK call.
PETER (CONT'D)
No, sorry. That's a Northern Flicker.
(to Able)
Just tell them.
Able turns to the group.
ABLE
That's a Northern Flicker.
He then continuous with no less wonder.
ABLE (CONT'D)
The woods are alive this morning.
Griff shrugs his backpack of plaster of Paris from his
shoulder, lowering it to the ground. He grabs a trowel from
inside the pack.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Anyone who wants an incredible
keepsake, this is your opportunity.
JAMAL
Ah, yeah. We're goin' do that.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Riverside Rivalry
EXT. RIVERSIDE CAMPSITE - AFTERNOON
The sun is high above and bright.
Able piles logs in the fire pit preparing for the evening
campfire.
Griff starts wood burning in the grill for dinner.
Behind him, Sanna exits her tent in a stunning two piece
bathing suit. Griff's eyes open wide. She looks at him
alluringly and then LAUGHS. She runs to the giant rock on
the edge of the river and dives in.
Griff watches and scowls as Peter swims to her. They tread
water and talk.
EXT. IN THE RIVER - CONTINUOUS
PETER
Where have you been all my life?
SANNA
I have been in Lapland in the northern
part of Sweden.
Surprised, he looks at her and then smiles.
PETER
No, no. Do you understand? I really
wasn't interested in where you lived,
when I asked where you've been all
my life. That's a very old, obvious,
pick up line.
She LAUGHS.
PETER (CONT'D)
Oh, well. It did not work very well,
because I have taken a one minute
dip and now must make your evening
meal.
She turns and swims away.
He notices that Griff is looking. Peter smiles, lifts one
arm out of the water and points with two fingers at his own
eyes.
Griff looks down and stirs his coals.
MONTAGE - EVENING AT THE CAMPSITE
EXT. CAMPSITE - LATER
Grace and Tasha sit around the logs prepared for the evening
camp fire.
David and Jamal cast with rods and reels into the river.
Teagan places a new table cloth on the picnic table.
Sanna, wearing her apron, works at the smoking grill.
Griff sits on the edge of his bed. He leans down and fastens
a Velcro strap around each ankle. Each strap holds a small,
flat magnet.
He crosses his feet on the floor and discreetly draws his
ankles together until the magnets SNAP softly into place.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Whispers in the Woods
EXT. RIVERSIDE CAMPSITE - NIGHT
All but David and Grace gather on the log benches around the
campfire roasting marshmallows preparing to eat s'mores.
Teagan places her melted marshmallow on top of a Graham
Cracker with Hershey chocolate and, placing another Graham
Cracker on top, she squeezes the sandwich treat together.
Gooey Marshmallow oozing out the side. She stands excitedly
with fanfare.
TEAGAN
Okay, okay, okay everyone. Sanna is
now going to eat her very first
s'more.
She hands it to Sanna who examines it with interest.
SANNA
Oh, my. I think I will say that this
appears to be very dangerous.
The LAUGH.
JAMAL
Are you serious? You've never had a
s'more?
SANNA
No, I have not.
JAMAL
Hah! Well give that a try girl. I
think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
She takes a careful bite and LAUGHS softly, licking chocolate
off her lip.
TASHA
Come on... what's the verdict?
Sanna lifts her eyebrows with delight.
SANNA
Oh, yes. This is... very American.
It is very messy, and... oh, it is
very good.
They LAUGH and CLAP.
David and Grace take their seats. Tasha hands Grace a s'more
she's decided not to eat.
GRIFF
Okay, everyone. Let's get started.
David raises a hand.
DAVID CHAN
Griff, I'm sorry but we think we
lost our room key.
GRIFF
And I don't care.
They CHUCKLE.
Griff draws his heals close to the log he sits upon. He
crosses one foot over the other, ankles only an inch apart.
He splays his knees comfortably.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
We've got lots of extra guest room
keys. And for every other locked
door in the resort, we've got a bunch
of masters... and they're all the
same key. Might be stupid but...
makes life easier.
He reaches out his left arm and puts it on Able's shoulder.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
You've probably noticed our friend
Able here is a man of few words.
But, when he speaks, it's worth
hearin'.
He looks at Able, and nods.
Able pokes a log in the fire, sending sparks upward.
For a long moment, they listen to the wind, the trees, the
distant CALL OF A LOON.
ABLE
(soft, steady)
You all came out here lookin’ for
Bigfoot. We Ojibwa call him Sabe.
He glances at the dark tree line.
ABLE (CONT'D)
He’s been walkin’ these woods longer
than any of us. Longer than maps.
Longer than stories.
The group shifts, leaning in.
DAVID CHAN
You’ve seen him?
Able gives him a knowing smile.
ABLE
Some people see a shape. Some hear
footsteps where no man should be.
Some just feel him... like the forest
watchin’ back. He's not about proof.
He taps his chest.
ABLE (CONT'D)
He’s about truth.
A breeze moves through the pines. The fire POPS big sending
sparks on everyone. They YELP then LAUGH softly. They settle
back quiet again, mesmerized by the flames.
ABLE (CONT'D)
My grandfather told me... Sabe shows
himself to people who have forgotten
how to listen.
He looks at each of them in turn.
ABLE (CONT'D)
He’s not a thing to chase. He's one
to wait for with patience.
He turns his head.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Jamal.
Jamal looks up from the fire.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Last summer... were you chasin' Sabe?
JAMAL
No. I was just sittin' here. Expectin'
nothin'.
ABLE
But you saw him.
JAMAL
Yes, sir. I did. I saw him.
Able gestures to the forest around them.
ABLE
(almost a whisper)
He's out here now. He knows we're
here.
A long silence settles. The group absorbs his words.
Griff crosses his feet and the magnets on his ankles silently
connect.
A branch SNAPS loudly in the distance.
Peter’s eyes dart to Griff. Griff sits perfectly still, empty
hands resting flat on his knees.
TASHA
(whispering)
That... that was something out there.
Griff barely moves his right ankle.
Another sound. A SLOW, HEAVY STEP crushing underbrush.
All but Peter turn toward the dark woods. Peter’s gaze stays
locked on Griff.
ABLE
(softly)
We may be in luck. The forest is
wide awake tonight.
A deeper, heavier THUD echoes through the trees. Grace grips
the edge of her log.
Griff’s face registers genuine shock. His head jerks toward
Able. Able turns slowly and looks at Griff with a silent
question: Was that you?
Griff answers with a tiny, almost imperceptible shake of his
head.
GRACE WONG
Is that... bear?
ABLE
No.
The group exchanges nervous glances.
A long, low EXHALE drifts from the trees. Not quite human.
Not quite animal.
This time, Griff's face, slowly registers shock.
JAMAL
(whispering)
Should we... say something?
Able subtly shakes his head in very small staccato movements.
Another STEP. Much closer now. Heavy. Slow.
Everyone, including Griff, holds their breath.
Able slowly holds out an assuring hand.
ABLE
(soft, almost reverent)
He’s just passin’ through.
Peter flicks on a flashlight. A beam cuts through trunks,
brush, drifting mist.
ABLE (CONT'D)
(gently)
Turn it off, son.
Peter clicks it off. Darkness folds back in. The woods go
silent.
A moment later, from deeper in the forest, a single KNOCK
echoes, wood on wood. Then further away THREE KNOCKS.
Then, not ten feet away, a starling loud KNOCK and shuddering
leaves.
They all GASP, then freeze. Teagan WHIMPERS wrapped in Sanna's
arms. Peter stares wide-eyed at Griff. Griff stares back,
his face a mask of horror.
ABLE (CONT'D)
(whispering)
He's... right... here.
The forest remains still. The fire CRACKLES softly.
No one speaks or moves.
Then the sound of FOOTSTEPS moving away quickly.
ABLE (CONT'D)
That's all for tonight.
He looks at Griff and speaks softly.
ABLE (CONT'D)
There's bad weather movin' in. We
need to leave earlier in the morning.
Griff looks surprised.
GRIFF
I think the forecast is clear for a
couple days.
Able shakes his head.
ABLE
No one wants to be out there on the
lake when the wind kicks up.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Secrets in the Storm
EXT. RESORT SHORELINE - MORNING
A very dark, threatening storm fronts gathers above the
paddlers who struggle against a rising wind to reach the
shoreline. They climb out of the boats high fives and help
one another to remove gear from the canoes. They pull the
canoes up on the sand.
Peter, carrying his gear, walks quickly up to the lodge and
enters.
INT. LODGE - CONTINUOUS
Peter walks directly through the foyer and exits the opposite
side door to the parking lot.
EXT. GRIFF'S STUDIO - CONTINUOUS
Peter bends down and removes the key from beneath the rock.
He opens the studio door.
INT. GRIFF'S STUDIO - CONTINUOUS
He enters, quietly closes the door behind him, and walks
directly to the opposite side door. He inserts the key and
enters.
INT. GRIFF'S PROSTHETIC WORKSHOP - CONTINUOUS
He grabs his cell phone from his pocket, turns on the
flashlight. Fur tufts spill from drawers. Bigfoot heads perch
on shelves, their silicone brows frozen in curious
expressions. A furry Bigfoot costume with a triangular bib
of white fur hangs from a steel frame.
Paint guns dangle. Jars of yak hair, charcoal and chestnut,
line the back wall of the counter. A couple oversized silicone
feet rest on stands, toe curled. On giant silicon foot hangs
in the footprint machine.
Peter lifts his iPhone, points the camera, and snaps away.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Breakfast Banter and Unresolved Tensions
INT. LODGE DINING ROOM - LATER
A white table cloth, covered with former guest's autographs,
and short messages written in different colors, adorns the
table. David and Grace, Jamal and Tasha, and Able find their
places.
Sanna brings plates piled high with waffles, sausage, fried
eggs. She places fruit smoothies in front of each plate.
Jamal points to his and Tasha's autographs from the previous
year.
JAMAL
There I am. Man I was jacked that
mornin' because I'd seen the big guy
the night before. But it's about
half as high as I am today. Last
night was freakin' awesome!
DAVID CHAN
I'm not so sure we all feel the same.
He smiles at Grace and speaks softly in Chinese. She shakes
her head.
GRACE WONG
Very frightened. All night.
JAMAL
Yeah, no kiddin'. I was glad I had
an extra pair of boxers.
He LAUGHS.
TASHA
(disgusted)
Jamal! Please!
Griff walks in from the kitchen with a hand full of colorful
markers.
GRIFF
Here you go guys. Sign away.
He glances toward the hallway foyer to see Peter with his
pack, sleeping bag and pillow descending the stairs. Instead
of entering the dining room, he turns and heads out the door.
Griff looks at those around the table. He holds up a finger.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I'll be right back.
He runs out of the room.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Stormy Farewell
EXT. LODGE – CONTINUOUS - MORNING
The sky has grown even darker, now greenish, with stormy
cloud cover. Deep thunder RUMBLES. Griff walks quickly out
the door, as Peter throws his gear in the back of his car.
GRIFF
Peter!
Peter looks up. Griff walks to him.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Hey, you don't want brunch? It's
pretty great.
PETER
No. I gotta go.
GRIFF
The others would probably enjoy saying
goodbye.
Peter smiles and shakes his head. He opens the driver's side
door.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
You know, everything you experienced
this weekend was real. Everything.
Peter climbs in his seat.
PETER
I found a speaker in the woods.
Griff's face drops.
Peter starts the car.
PETER (CONT'D)
I didn't tell anyone. I wanted to. I
really did, but... poor Jamal, I
think it would have destroyed his
faith in humanity. So I kept it to
myself because... I'm a nice guy.
He looks at Griff.
PETER (CONT'D)
And I didn't want to hurt Sanna,
(groaning)
She is so beautiful... or your little
girl over there pushin' buttons. How
could you involve them in all this?
GRIFF
(desperate)
Listen to me! I'm telling the truth!
Everything out there... everything
was real.
Peter smiles.
PETER
I'll see you again.
He closes the door, and pulls away.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Farewell in the Rain
EXT. LODGE FRONT PORCH - DAY
Griff, Sanna and Tasha stand on the porch. Rain falls hard
now overflowing the roof gutters.
David and Grace wave goodbye as they pull away.
Jamal pulls his car up to the bottom of the porch steps.
Tasha gives hugs to Griff and Sanna.
TASHA
Thanks so much. I'm pretty sure we'll
be back. My husband enjoys being...
well... excitable.
GRIFF
Hah! We'll look forward to it. Get
your name in early.
TASHA
Will do.
He pops up an umbrella and covers Tasha as they step carefully
down the steps. She hops in the car.
GRIFF
Safe trip, guys.
JAMAL
See you next year!
Griff runs back up the steps. Jamal and Tasha pull away with
a friendly BEEP BEEP.
Griff stares straight ahead. Sanna rises onto her toes and
kisses him gently. He looks at her and returns the kiss.
They turn and walk inside hand in hand.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Suspense"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Storm of Accusations
INT. LODGE DINING ROOM - DAY
Griff, Sanna and Teagan put dirty plates on the bus cart.
Then Sanna folds the dirty, newly signed tablecloth.
Griff puts his fingers over his eyes as if in pain.
SANNA
Do you have a headache?
GRIFF
Peter's a headache.
She smiles.
SANNA
But Peter is gone.
GRIFF
I don't think so.
She looks at him.
SANNA
What do you mean?
GRIFF
I told you, he wants to destroy my
business.
SANNA
Even after last night? He still does
not believe? I should think that
would change everything.
A loud RUMBLE of thunder from directly above.
Ables shouts from the top of the stairs.
ABLE (O.S.)
Hey, Griff.
GRIFF
Yeah.
ABLE
Check your email. It's from Aki.
We've got trouble.
Griff pulls his phone from his pocket, swipes and looks at
the screen. He puts back his head and SCREAMS in rage, no
words, just pure fury.
GRIFF
AHHHHHHHHHH!
He SLAMS his fist down on the table and then recoils in pain.
Sanna SCREAMS.
SANNA
My goodness, Griff. What on earth?
GRIFF
Son of a... AHHHHHHH!
He cradles his limp hand in his elbow. Bent over, he walks,
in angry circles. Louder ROLLING BOOMS of thunder.
SANNA
What?! What is--
Teagan sticks her head in the door from the kitchen. Sanna
holds her hand out to her. Teagan shakes her head no.
A deafening, electrical CRACK of lightning splits a tree
nearby, Teagan SCREAMS and runs to her side.
Able enters waving his hands.
ABLE
Hey! Hey!, Griff! Aki's got it
covered. You're safe.
GRIFF
Tell me this isn't happening!
Wracked in pain, he holds his hand up unusable. He turns to
Able.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
He's SUING us?!
ABLE
Well, he's suin' you, but you're
okay. Aki's pretty sure she can--
GRIFF
Pretty sure?! She's pretty sure?!
How could... he hasn't been gone for
ninety minutes!
Sanna bends down to Teagan.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Come, we will go in the kitchen.
They leave.
ABLE
Aki says he obviously had this
document ready before he came. And
the pictures might be a problem.
GRIFF
He took pictures?!
He holds his phone and scrolls with his damaged hand.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
In the shop! How'd he get in there?!
His jaw drops with realization.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Teagan! Teagan!
The kitchen door opens and Teagan comes in nearly melted
into Sanna's side.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Did you unlock my shop this weekend?
TEAGAN
(whimpering)
No.
GRIFF
Look at me girl!
He leans over, grabs her by both shoulders and turn her to
look at him.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
You tell me the truth!
SANNA
(angrily)
Griff, she would not tell you that
if--
GRIFF
Woah!
He stands and points with a scolding finger at Sanna
GRIFF (CONT'D)
I am talking to my daughter!
SANNA
Yes, but--
GRIFF
(to Sanna)
No!
(to Teagan)
Teagan, go to your room!
Teagan runs. Frightened tears. Sheets of rain fall and wind
thrashes the trees outside the window.
ABLE
(loudly to be heard)
Griff you practically told him last
night all he needed was a master
key.
GRIFF
But I didn't tell him where to find
one! And the only ones who know are
you, me, Teag and...
His face drops, stunned. He turns to Sanna. He shakes his
head slowly. Tears fills his eyes.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Oh, no.
(pause)
How could you?
SANNA
(angrily)
How could I what!?
GRIFF
You're the only other one who has a
master.
Her face morphs from hurt to fury, as her breaths come in a
ragged rage. She fights to be able to speak.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Oh! I can't... even...
She turns and storms through the kitchen. Caught in the wind,
the back door SLAMS violently against the outside of the
building. And then, all hell breaks lose.
Hail hammers the house in a deafening roar.
With a CRASH, a large tree smashes down onto the roof.
Griff’s head snaps upward.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Oh, God! Teagan!
He bolts for the stairway.
Able’s attention jerks to the windows as a canoe from the
far side of the building tumbles wildly through the air and
slams into his truck with a metallic CRUNCH.
An instant later, all the dining room windows implode in a
violent spray of glass and wind.
Able throws his arms up as the ferocious gust slams into
him, hurling him backward. He crashes hard into the far wall,
tangled in flying chairs and debris.
Struggling against the roaring wind, blood flowing from his
eyebrow, he fights his way to his hands and knees, then
staggers upright. He pushes through the wreckage and shouts
up the stairs.
ABLE
Griff!
GRIFF (O.S.)
She's okay!
Able charges up the stairs.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
After the Storm
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
At the top of the stairs the ceiling partially caves in. A
tree branch punches through the roof and wall of a bedroom,
and fills the space with splintered wood and evergreens.
Teagan, sobbing, crawls through a narrow gap between the
thick branch and the floor.
Able kneels and helps her to her feet.
GRIFF
Are you, okay?
Sobbing, in shock, she nods repeatedly.
Griff follows right behind her, awkwardly dragging himself
forward using only his one good hand, his face tight with
pain. Wincing, he pushes himself awkwardly from his knees to
his feet.
And suddenly, in an instant... it’s quiet.
The deafening roar vanished. The violent shaking gone. Only
the soft patter of rain, and the creak of settling roof joists
remain. Griff, Able, and Teagan stand frozen, listening to
the unnatural silence.
ABLE
(quiet, stunned)
It’s finished.
GRIFF
(almost disbelieving)
Yeah... it passed right over us.
Griff looks up. A single drop of water falls on his forehead.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Sanna!
He bounds down the stairs. Able and Teagan follow.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
After the Storm: A Rescue and a Discovery
INT. LODGE - CONTINUOUS
He reaches the front door and yanks it open. A thick wall of
tangled branches and boughs blocks the way. He and Able shove
hard against the mass of limbs and needles, forcing their
way through.
They stop cold.
Many trees lining the parking lot and the long drive to the
road have been toppled. Massive mounds of earth and tangled
root balls rise from gaping holes where the trees were ripped
from the ground. A snarled battlefield of snapped trunks,
and splintered limbs now lies where the beautiful evergreen
forest stood.
GRIFF
Oh, no, no, no, no.
TEAGAN
Dad, look!
Teagan stands by the broken porch railing, pointing toward
Sanna’s cabin — now crushed beneath a massive fallen pine.
Griff’s face crumples.
GRIFF
Sanna!
He scrambles over and under the fallen trunks, clawing his
way through branches and limbs.
Able searches desperately for another path through the
wreckage.
Teagan runs along the porch past the blown-out dining room
windows. She finds a clearer way, and reaches the crushed
cabin first. She bends down and picks up Sanna’s shattered
nyckelharpa from the ground.
Able and Griff fight their way through the debris and arrive
a moment later.
Teagan holds the broken instrument, tears streaming down her
face. Unable to speak, she silently offers it to Griff. He
takes the instrument, staring at it in disbelief. He drops
to his knees and peers into the tiny remaining space beneath
the collapsed roof.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Sanna! Oh God, please... Sanna!
A small, muffled voice calls from somewhere distant.
SANNA (O.S.)
Here!
Griff shoots to his feet, eyes wild. They all look around
frantically.
GRIFF
Sanna, where are you?!
SANNA (O.S.)
Here! I’m in a hole!
GRIFF
Keep talking! We’ll find you!
SANNA (O.S.)
I think I’m by the kitchen!
They squeeze through the narrow gap between the kitchen wall
and a massive fallen trunk.
GRIFF
Keep talking!
SANNA (O.S.)
(panicked, crying now)
Here! I am down here. Please... help
me.
They crawl on hands and knees through a narrow tunnel formed
beneath several fallen trunks. Suddenly the space opens into
a small sunny clearing under a startlingly blue sky.
They scramble to their feet.
Sanna stands in a deep pit left by a massive root ball that
now rises ten feet in the air. Its roots claw at the sky. A
pile of large hailstones covers the bottom of the hole. Blood
streams down both sides of her face. She claws frantically
at the dirt wall then reaches upward to Griff.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Please! Please!
Griff drops to his knees at the edge, reaches down, and grabs
her hand. Tears burst from his eyes.
GRIFF
Oh God... Thank you. Thank you! Are
you okay?
SANNA
(panting)
I think so.
Able jumps down into the hole. He speaks gently, softly,
calm.
GRIFF
You’re okay. You're okay. Here.
He holds out his hands, fingers laced together in a step.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Put your foot here. Hold on to me.
He and Able lift her together. Griff pulls her up and out,
guiding her into a sitting position on the ground.
Teagan’s head pops out from beneath the branches. She
scrambles from her knees to her feet. She sees the blood on
Sanna’s face and her whole body goes rigid. Her voice breaks
in a high, wailing cry.
TEAGAN
She’s gonna die... oh, she’s gonna
die! Dad, she’s gonna die!
Griff on his knees next to Sanna, reaches out to Teagan.
GRIFF
No, baby doll! No, no. Come here.
She’s not gonna die. She’s just a
little beat up. Come here.
Teagan runs to him and presses herself against his side. She
stares at Sanna, waiting desperately for reassurance.
Sanna reaches up, touches the gash on her head. She looks at
the blood on her fingers. She takes a shaky breath, fighting
through her own shock, then forces a gentle smile for Teagan.
SANNA
Wow! I didn’t even know that was
there.
She winces slightly.
SANNA (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Ouch.
Griff pulls off his outer shirt and folds it into a compress,
pressing it gently against the gash on her head.
GRIFF
Can you hold that there?
SANNA
Yeah... yeah, I think so. Everything
just... Was it like an earthquake?
GRIFF
It was a tornado. Went right over
us.
SANNA
You should have mentioned that in
your want ad.
Able peers over the fallen trees toward the kitchen.
ABLE
I don’t think we can get through the
kitchen door. Crawling under here
and back to the front porch again is
probably our best bet.
Griff looks at Sanna.
GRIFF
Can you crawl with us?
Sanna nods, still dazed.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Teag... Sanna doesn’t know the way.
Think you can lead her to the front
door? I’ll be right behind you guys.
Teagan nods confidently and leans into Sanna’s line of sight.
TEAGAN
You need to follow me now. Okay?
Sanna manages a small smile.
SANNA
I will try to. Lead the way.
Teagan and Sanna begin crawling beneath the logs. Able starts
to follow when he suddenly stops.
A strange, soft sound drifts from deeper in the fallen trees.
It's almost a cross between a bird call and a crying animal.
KEHHH NEEE.
Griff doesn't seem to notice. He bends down to follow Sanna
and Teagan.
Able stands still, listening. The sound comes again, slightly
louder. KEHHHH NEEEE
He turns toward Griff, who is now disappears into the tunnel
of debris.
ABLE
You guys head in. I’ll be right there.
He turns and carefully picks his way around the massive root
ball, moving deeper into the chaotic maze of fallen pines.
The strange sound grows louder, clearer. KEHHHH NEEEE
It comes from directly ahead. Able pushes forward and stops
at the edge of another uprooted tree and hole. He peers down.
The giant fallen pine has torn away a roof of roots and
vegetation, exposing a fissure in the ancient bedrock. Before
Able lies an open chasm five or six feet wide with sheer
vertical rock walls rising seven or eight feet high. The
floor of the chasm looks well-trodden, but along both rock
walls, like a soft fringe border, grow hundreds, perhaps
thousands of morel mushrooms.
At the far end, beneath the tree’s tangled roots, the chasm
continues into the dark mouth of a tunnel.
At Able’s feet, massive boulder-sized chunks of broken bedrock
have sheared off the top of the rift, completely blocking
access to the tunnel entrance.
There, on hands and knees atop one of the boulders, an infant
Bigfoot slaps desperately at the immovable rocks, trying to
force his way through. The infant looks up at Able. Unafraid,
it lifts one arm in the air, slaps the boulder again, then
lays its face against the stone. It seems to whimper... KEHHHH
NEEEE.
Able, being very careful, makes his way down the fallen
boulders.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Unexpected Arrival
INT. LODGE LOUNGE - DAY
Vintage matching leather sofa, loveseat, and two oversized
chairs surround a hefty coffee table. A wall of windows lead
to a stone fireplace at the far end of the room.
Sanna lies on the leather sofa, holding Griff’s folded shirt
against the gash on her head. Her eyes are closed. Teagan
sits on the coffee table beside her. She gently rests a hand
on Sanna’s shoulder.
Griff enters carrying a kettle of soapy water and a stack of
clean dishrags. He sets the kettle on the coffee table and
sits on the edge of the couch next to Sanna.
GRIFF
Okay, let’s take a look at that.
He dips a dishrag in the soapy water and carefully cleans
around the wound in her hair. Sanna WINCES.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
The cut’s small, but you’ve got a
pretty good lump. Did you black out?
SANNA
I am not sure.
GRIFF
Don’t get too comfortable. I think
you better try not to fall asleep.
SANNA
I can do that.
They hear Able’s HEAVY FOOTSTEPS on the front porch, followed
by the CREAK of the door opening and closing.
ABLE (O.S.)
Griff!
GRIFF
In here!
Able rounds the corner carrying something small and furry in
his arms. Griff and Teagan GASPS. Sanna lifts her head, her
eyes grow wide and she quickly sits up.
Able holds a baby Bigfoot, toddler-sized, covered in soft
dark fur. Its long arms wrap tightly around Able’s neck. Its
face buries into his shoulder. It slowly lifts its head,
turns and looks at them with wide, curious, amber eyes.
Teagan’s face melts with pure joy and wonder.
TEAGAN
Oh... oh my gosh. She’s so cute.
ABLE
She's a he, but yeah... pretty cute.
Teagan steps closer. The baby Bigfoot watches her, then
reaches out with both arms.
TEAGAN
Oh!
GRIFF
No! Don't touch it!
ABLE
(to Griff)
It's okay! Really. He's a little
muddy, but he's safe. I promise.
Griff remains frozen, staring in disbelief.
Teagan takes the baby Bigfoot in her harms, and carries the
him to a leather chair. She sits down with him on her lap,
and turns him around as she would a small child.
Able retrieves his phone from his pants pocket and punches
in some numbers. He puts the phone to his ear.
GRIFF
Where'd you find him?
Able holds up a finger then speaks into the phone.
ABLE
Aki! Oh, thank God. Are you okay?
(listening for a long
moment)
Yeah, here too. Lot of trees down.
One on top of the lodge.
(listening)
Sanna got a little beat up.
He looks at Sanna who gives a thumbs up.
ABLE (CONT'D)
But she's okay.
(listens)
Nah, listen, they won't get the road
open tonight, and even if they do my
truck's under a tree, but... hey...
I need to stay here anyway. We've
got a little Kenny sleepin' over.
He smiles and listens.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Yeah, Teagan's got a new furry friend.
Really cute.
He looks at Teagan who smiles.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Okay, we'll talk in the morning.
Love you. Bye.
He slides the phone in his pocket and the baby Bigfoot whines
KEHHH NEEEE.
Teagan eyes grow wide with delight.
TEAGAN
He said Kenny!
ABLE
That's the sound these little ones
make. So we call 'em Kenny's. Bears
have cubs. Birds have chicks. Bigfeet
have Kennys.
TEAGAN
Really?
ABLE
Well, that's what Aki and I call
'em.
Griff has not moved since Able walked in the room.
GRIFF
(urgent)
Able... what the hell is happening?
Able looks at him calmly.
ABLE
Griff... this is Kenny. He needs our
help until his mother comes to get
him.
GRIFF
His mother's comin' to get him?
ABLE
If she still's alive.
(pause)
That's the way it's always worked in
the past. In the meantime...
He looks at Sanna.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Do you have rubber gloves under the
sink?
SANNA
Yes.
ABLE
Griff, how 'bout you I throw together
a bottle and heat up some milk. If
he fills up his stomach, he'll
probably sleep until she gets here.
He gestures with his head to Griff,
Griff gives Sanna's shoulder a squeeze and follows Able out
of the room.
Genres:
["Drama","Adventure","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Tension in the Lodge
INT. LODGE KITCHEN - EVENING
A large fallen tree blocks the outside door from closing,
its branches pressing against the screen. An orange sunset
bathes the room in warm, fading light.
Griff and Able work in a heavy silence, neither looking at
the other.
Griff heats milk in a pot on the gas stove.
Able opens a new package of rubber gloves. He ties the four
fingers together in a tight knot. He stretches the glove
over a half-gallon green ginger ale bottle. He secures it
with a rubber band around wrist of the glove. The thumb now
protrudes like a nipple. Using the small blade on his
jackknife, he slices a tiny hole in the end of the thumb.
GRIFF
You knew the storm was comin'.
ABLE
I knew something was comin'. If you
pay attention you notice when your
dog gets real restless. Or you see
cattle lyin' down in the fields.
Bees, and sometimes even mosquitoes,
disappear completely.
(pause)
But I'd never experienced what
happened last night around the
campfire. There were so many Sabe
there with us. They were agitated.
And they were so close. It was just...
weird.
Griff spins to Able, incredulous.
GRIFF
You're tellin' me they were real!
ABLE
Of course they were real! What else
could they be?
Griff shakes his head.
GRIFF
I... I don't know. I guess I'd just
convinced myself they couldn't... be.
I was blinded.
(pause)
I can't believe you never told me.
ABLE
You never asked.
GRIFF
(bristling)
I never asked?! Come on, Able. You
didn't think I'd want to know?
ABLE
(calmly, no judgement)
No. I never thought you cared at
all.
Able points at the milk.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Stir that.
Griff grabs a wooden spoon and stirs the now simmering milk.
GRIFF
We got some kind of irony happening
here don't we, Able? I thought you
were helping me run the biggest
hoax in the north woods... and you've
been conning me the whole time.
ABLE
I don't see it that way. You came to
me with a plan. You wanted to sell
wonder to a satiated world. I thought
it was a truly great idea. I remember
thinking how proud your grandfather
would be.
He looks at the simmering milk.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Stick your finger in that.
Griff sticks his finger in the pot. He nods.
Able removes the glove from the bottle. He puts a funnel in
the top.
Griff carefully pours the milk from the pot into the bottle.
Able reattaches the glove. He then grabs a big pile of table
clothes from a cupboard, and heads for the dining room door.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Incidentally, it was your grandpa
Burl who first called the little
ones kennys.
Griff's jaw drops, he stands frozen for a second, then follows
Able.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
A Cozy Evening with Kenny
INT. LODGE HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Able walks into the hallway from the dining room. Griff
follows. Teagan bounds down the stairs, waving a hairbrush
excitedly.
TEAGAN
Oh, this is gonna be so much fun.
She skips into the lounge. The men follow.
INT. LODGE LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS
Sanna sits on the couch and holds Kenny on her lap. Teagan
runs over and plops down beside them, beaming. She turns to
the men.
TEAGAN
I'm gonna work on his hairdo.
She gently draws the brush through the fur on top of his
head.
He ducks and swats the brush with hand.
ABLE
That may not work so well, but I bet
if you looked through his hair with
your fingers.
She puts the hair brush on the coffee table.
TEAGAN
Oh, yeah. You mean like this.
She begins to preen through his fur.
ABLE
Yeah, they love that.
Griff notices the hairbrush on the coffee table. A clump of
dark fur sticks from the brush. Able notices too.
Able holds up the green jug of milk.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Sanna, since he's in your lap, would
you like to do the honors?
She smiles.
SANNA
Oh, yes. I think I am perhaps making
history for the entire country of
Sweden since our Bigfoot Stallu is
only mythical.
He hands her a couple table cloths and lifts Kenny from her
lap.
ABLE
Better cover yourself up a bit. Just
in case.
She spreads the table cloths over her lap and reaches back
up for Kenny. She rolls him on his back and nestles him in
her elbow. She reaches up for the bottle.
She takes the bottle, presses the rubber nipple to his lips,
and squeezes. Warm milk flows. Kenny latches on immediately,
HUMMING softly as he nurses. His eyes slowly close in
contentment.
Sanna smiles down at him. Teagan brings both hands to her
mouth in pure delight.
TEAGAN
Oh, my gosh. Look at him! He is so
cute!
ABLE
These little guys love to eat, and
then they love to sleep so... we
should probably try to be quiet.
Griff, moves to the fireplace and begins to build a fire.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
A Night of Reconciliation and Wonder
INT. LODGE LOUNGE - NIGHT
The fire crackles softly. Sanna sleeps on the couch. Teagan
and Kenny sleep curled together on top of table cloths
covering the leather love seat. Griff and Able each lounge
in a chair.
Griff walks to the couch and kneels quietly next to Sanna.
He puts his hand gently on her shoulder. He speaks very softly
barely above a whisper.
GRIFF
Sanna.
She doesn't stir.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Sanna... hey.
She opens her eyes.
SANNA
Mmm.
GRIFF
How are you feelin'?
SANNA
I think I am fine.
She sits up.
GRIFF
I don't want to keep wakin' you. I'm
just concerned if you have a
concussion--
SANNA
Honestly, I don't believe that I do.
He leans in close to her forehead. He speaks almost in a
whisper.
GRIFF
Sanna... I'm so sorry about my... my
really poor behavior this afternoon.
Please, can you forgive me? Please?
She nods and touches the wound on her head.
SANNA
Yes, I can do that.
He waits.
GRIFF
Yes, you can, or yes you will?
She smiles and lays her head on his shoulder.
SANNA
Yes, I do. What are you guys doing?
GRIFF
Nothing. Just trying to stay awake
in case Kennys mother comes by.
ABLE
Oh, we will know if she comes by.
Trust me.
Griff sits down next to her. He looks at Teagan snuggled
next to Kenny. He shakes his head, his eyes filling with
tears, overcome with the wonder of it all. He wipes his eyes.
The fire burns softly. They converse in quiet whispers.
GRIFF
Able told me that my grandpa Burl
was the one who first called these
babies Kennys.
She looks at Able, surprised.
SANNA
He knew about them way back then?
ABLE
My dad worked here when he was kid.
(to Griff)
He and your grandpa were good friends.
They had a big wind that blew down a
patch of forest right out there where
I found this little guy. They heard
one whinin'. It sounded like Kenny.
GRIFF
Unbelievable. What are the chances
of them finding one in the same place?
ABLE
Pretty good, actually. They've always
lived underground in the rifts in
the bedrock.
GRIFF
You're kidding me!
Able shakes his head.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
How many?
ABLE
I don't know... enough to sustain a
population.
He looks at Sanna.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Oh, Sanna, you know those expensive
Morel mushrooms?
SANNA
Yes, of course. They are a delicacy.
ABLE
Well, there's probably a couple
thousand right out there in that
(MORE)
ABLE (CONT'D)
blowdown. Bigfoot scat must be the
perfect fertilizer.
His eyes widen.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Come to think of it, Griff. Your
grandma served Morels for years. I
never put it together 'til just now.
SANNA
And Mr. Burl named the babies Kenny?
ABLE
Yeah. They put him in one of the
cabins. The mother walked right up,
opened the door like she'd done it a
hundred times, picked him up, and
walked back into the woods.
GRIFF
And they never told a soul?
Able shakes his head.
ABLE
Your grandparents were wise people.
Kenny rolls over and whines... dreaming.
They look at him and smile, filled with wonder.
GRIFF
Why'd you ever agree to help me with
my business?
Able shrugs.
ABLE
I liked you. You were always honest
with me. In fact you were almost
always honest with everyone.
Griff looks at him, confused.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Think about it. Yesterday you told
David Chan that when we went out
there to set up the tents, we woke
up surrounded by Bigfoot tracks...
SERIES OF SHOTS:
EXT. PRIVATE CAMPSITE - MORNING
Griff and Able walk around the tent pointing at many Bigfoot
footprints.
ABLE (V.O.)
That probably felt like a lie to
you, but... I never told you that
about half of them actually were
Bigfoot tracks. And you told Grace
you believed she really saw the amber
eyes out in the woods.
EXT. CAMPSITE - NIGHT
Grace points into the woods, excited. Everyone looks wide-
eyed into the woods.
ABLE (V.O.)
I'd bet about a years pay she did.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
A Choice of Integrity
INT. LODGE DINING ROOM - EVENING
Griff holds up his cast of an enormous foot and speaks to a
group of guests.
ABLE (V.O.)
You told people you could probably
build a machine that makes articulated
footprints. Not exactly a lie, because
you already had.
END SERIES OF SHOTS
ABLE (CONT'D)
You were skilled in misdirection,
Griff... but almost never flat-out
lied. Except for one. You told them
you could never create a costume
that moved the way the Bigfoot moved
in your trail cam video.
Griff sighs, almost laughing.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Hey, it’s okay. I lied too.
Griff waits.
ABLE (CONT'D)
I told you that your machine made
the footprint that made the plaster
cast in the leather box.
Griff raises his eyebrows in surprise. Able nods.
SANNA
So then you are both liars.
Griff and Able hold back a LAUGH.
He meets Griff's eyes.
ABLE (CONT’D)
Every fake footprint we made, every
staged trail-cam video, every tour
you led... I made sure you never got
close to where the real ones live
and raise their young. I kept the
guests on safe routes. I made sure
the loud ones stayed loud, and the
curious ones stayed satisfied with
your tricks.
He pauses then adds quietly.
ABLE (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
I loved our collaboration, Griff.
You were selling wonder. I was making
sure some of that wonder stayed alive.
Griff looks down, the weight of it all sinking in.
GRIFF
I thought I was the one in control.
ABLE
None of us are. Not really.
Kenny suddenly sits up and stares at them. Everyone freezes.
The baby whines loudly.
KEHHHH… NEEEE.
Teagan jerks awake and looks at Kenny then at the others.
TEAGAN
(nervous)
What’s wrong?
Heavy THUDS shake the wall by the fireplace. Kenny scrambles
up, standing on the loveseat, staring toward the windows.
A massive shape moves outside. The first window fills with
dark fur. Then the mother Bigfoot slowly bends down, her
enormous face appearing in the glass. Her eyes glow bright
amber.
Teagan’s breath catches. She starts to tremble.
ABLE
(firm, calm)
No one move. Stay calm.
Teagan fights back a scream.
ABLE (CONT'D)
Look at me, Teagan.
She does.
ABLE (CONT'D)
We stay calm. For Kenny. Okay?
TEAGAN
(a tiny chirp)
Kay.
Kenny becomes frantic, reaching and whining louder.
KEHHHHNEEEE! KEHHHHNEEEE! KEHHHHNEEEE! KEHHHHNEEEE!
THUD. THUD. The mother’s heavy footsteps circle the lodge.
Able stands slowly.
ABLE
Nobody move.
He walks into the hallway. Through Kenny’s loud whining, the
shoreline door OPENS. The screen door CREAKS.
Able’s voice drifts in, reverent, in Ojibwe:
ABLE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Gichi-manidoo, wiinawaa bi-izhaan...
Bi-izhaan miinawaa, bi-wiindaan...
The screen door SLAMS.
The mother Bigfoot ducks through the doorway. She's nine
feet tall, powerfully built, covered in thick dark fur with
wet milk stains down her front. Her amber eyes sweep the
room with calm, almost human intelligence.
Griff and Sanna remain perfectly still, barely breathing.
Kenny whines desperately and reaches for his mother. She
steps forward, her gaze locking onto Teagan for a long,
intense moment. Teagan trembles but doesn’t look away.
The mother gently places a massive hand on Kenny’s shoulder.
He instantly becomes quiet.
With one hand still on his mother’s arm, Kenny reaches out
and tenderly pats Teagan’s shoulder. He looks at his mother,
then back at Teagan, and pats her again.
The mother slowly reaches up and strokes her long fingers
through Teagan’s hair, all the way down to her shoulder,
gentle, almost tender.
Teagan finally breathes. She looks up into the mother’s face.
Their eyes meet. After a long moment, the mother wraps one
enormous hand around Kenny and lifts him to her chest. She
turns toward the door. Kenny scrambles up onto her shoulder,
and looks back.
Kenny’s bright amber eyes lock onto Teagan.
Teagan raises a shaky hand and waves. Tears stream down her
face.
The mother turns and silently carries her baby out. The screen
door SLAMS, and they're gone.Here's the revised version with
heightened protective tenderness from Griff. I made his care
for Teagan warmer, more physical, and emotionally deeper
while keeping it natural:
The room is perfectly still except for Teagan’s quiet, shaky
sobbing.
No one speaks. No one moves. The fire burns softly.
Griff looks over at Teagan, his face softening with concern.
When she meets his eyes, he opens his arms. Teagan climbs
off the loveseat and crawls straight into his lap. He wraps
both arms around her tightly, one hand gently cradling the
back of her head.
GRIFF
(softly, full of love)
You are one brave little girl. You
know that? I'm so proud of you.
Teagan wipes her face with both hands, still trembling.
TEAGAN
I was so scared. She put her fingers
on my head.
GRIFF
(gently stroking her
hair)
She wasn’t hurting you, sweetheart.
She was just... curious. I think she
wanted to feel your hair. The way I
do.
He kisses the top of her head and holds her even closer.
SANNA
I think she liked it. She seemed to
be very gentle with you.
Griff snuggles her tightly.
SANNA (CONT'D)
(to Able)
What did you say to her outside.
ABLE
Gichi-manidoo, wiinawaa bi-izhaan...
Bi-izhaan miinawaa, bi-wiindaan.
From Psalm 70. "Great Spirit, hurry
and help me. Come quickly, Lord, and
rescue me."
She looks surprised.
SANNA
You were afraid?
ABLE
Of course I was afraid. They’re
magnificent... But they’re still
wild. My heart’s still pounding.
Teagan grabs her brush from the table and starts picking out
Kenny’s fur.
Griff calmly reaches over and takes the brush and the fur
from her hand. He studies it a long moment. He appears
anxious.
Able watches him carefully.
ABLE (CONT'D)
That’s a heavy thing you’re holding,
Griff. I know. It feels like big bar
of gold.
A long, heavy silence fills the room.
ABLE (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
My dad had to make the same choice
once. So did your grandfather.
Sanna looks between them, confused.
SANNA
Excuse me... but I am not
understanding what you are saying.
ABLE
(to Sanna)
That fur... it’s the discovery of
the century, the only real Bigfoot
DNA known to exist. Worth more money
than any of us will ever see.
Teagan jaw drops. Her eyes grow wide.
Griff's grip tightens on the brush.
ABLE (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
You don’t have to decide right now.
Took me a month the first time. Worst
month of my life. If Aki hadn’t
threatened to leave me... I might’ve
kept it.
Able SIGHS heavily.
ABLE (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
I’m sorry it’s you who has to make
this choice, Griff. Because whatever
you decide... you’ll live with it.
Griff stands. His shoulders rigid. The struggle visible.
GRIFF
I didn’t even know there was such a
thing as Bigfoot DNA until today.
He paces back and forth. He SIGHS frustration.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
My dream here... and this whole
operation was just a joke.
He turns around slowly. His face is pale.
GRIFF (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
It's dead. And now everything’s gone.
ABLE
No. Not everything. The Sa’be are
still out there. My fifty years of
work. Your grandpa Burly and Grandma
Mae’s legacy. Our friendship.
Able pauses, then adds quietly:
ABLE (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
Maybe even your dream. It's still
all there. But... what becomes of it
is in your hands. I mean... it's all
in your hand.
Sanna sits up straighter, clarity dawning.
SANNA
I think... I am now understanding.
She looks at Griff. He meets her eyes. She glances at his
hand.
Sanna’s voice is soft but steady.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Do you remember when I told you I
thought you were a good man?
They look at each other. He waits.
SANNA (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
You said you weren’t sure that was
true?
Griff nods, eyes wet.
SANNA (CONT’D) (CONT'D)
I still believe you are. And now...
You have the chance to prove it.
She looks at him, a tear runs down her cheek.
SANNA (CONT'D)
And your dream? Oh, Griff, please
understand me. I think that dream
should die. We can find a much, much
better one.
Griff walks to the fire and stares at the brush and the fur
in his hand. An agonizing struggle distorts his features.
Greed, fear, shame all fight for control. His breathing
becomes shallow. For a long, excruciating moment, he seems
unable to move.
Then, with a deep, guttural HALF GROAN/HALF SOB, he moves
his hand forward and drops the brush and fur into the fire.
It flares bright white for an instant, then vanishes in a
thin wisp of smoke.
He stares at black smoke pouring off the melting plastic as
if he can’t quite believe what he's done.
TITLE CARD: 3 YEARS LATER
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
A Serene Evening Arrival
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - EVENING
A new Chevy pickup truck navigates a country road.
INT. CHEVY TRUCK - CONTINUOUS.
Able drives as he an Aki marvel at the last fading orange
light of sunset. They're dressed for a fancy night out, he
in sports coat and button down dress shirt, she in a woman's
business suit. They listen to the truck's sound system playing
the last evocative moments of Vaughn Williams' "The Lark
Ascending".
They approach a right turn indicated by a large well lit
sign reading: "Kenny's Rift Wilderness Lodge". The truck
slows and makes a right turn.
EXT. CHEZ STALLU SA'BE - EVENING
The truck enters a long, beautifully landscaped driveway
lined on both sides by tall, River Birch trees, nearly twenty
feet high. Soft uplighting glows from the base of each tree.
Beneath the birches, flowering bushes flourish in carefully
tended beds.
Only seven or eight of the original massive pines remain
standing, scattered like monuments to what had been.
At the far end of the drive sits the transformed lodge. A
sleek new entryway with large glass doors welcomes guests.
Floor-to-ceiling windows display the intimate dining room.
On the log wall between the entry and the dining room shines
a professionally designed, hand painted sign reading: "Chez
Stallu Sa'be". Beneath this in cursive, "Mythically Delicious
Swedish Cuisine".
Able parks in the lot.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
A Warm Welcome at Chez Stallu Sa'be
INT. CHEZ STALLU SA'BE ENTRYWAY - EVENING
The new entryway is warm and elegant, with preserved, shiny
log walls, and soft lighting. Just inside the door, on the
wall, hangs an official Michelin Star plaque. It reads: One
Star, Chez Stallu Sa'be.
Thirteen-year-old Teagan stands at the reservations stand in
a simple black dress. She looks poised, professional, and
beautiful. The lovely strains of a recorded nyckelharpa fill
the room.
The door opens. Able and Aki enter.
Teagan looks at them and beams.
TEAGAN
Welcome back!
AKI
Well, thank you very much. You look
so nice tonight.
ABLE
And every night.
Aki reaches up and gently lifts one of Teagan's ear rings.
AKI
Oh, those are so pretty.
TEAGAN
Thank you.
She reaches and pick ups two menus.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
You're table's all set.
She smiles.
TEAGAN (CONT'D)
Would you like to follow me?
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
A Warm Reunion at the Restaurant
INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Through the wide doorway, the intimate dining room glows.
Six tables for four, and two cozy tables for two are dressed
in white linens with candle lanterns.
Griff moves from table to table, greeting guests. He wears a
tailored charcoal suit with a pressed white shirt. The top
button opens casually to reveal, reflecting in the candle
light, a small silver cross necklace.
Teagan leads able and Aki to the two remaining seats in the
room.
With a big smile, Griff spots Aki and Able, and greets them
as they're being seated.
GRIFF
Hey, my friends. So great to see
you! God bless you guys.
He gives them both a quick hug.
AKI
How was church?
GRIFF
Great. Missed you guys.
AKI
Honestly Griff, every time I walk in
here, I can hardly believe what you've
done. This is just so beautiful.
GRIFF
And none of it would have happened
without your help.
ABLE
Yep. You're right.
They LAUGH.
GRIFF
Your waiter'll be right over.
He give Able's shoulder a squeeze.
GRIFF (CONT'D)
Oh... I know you enjoy the stuffed
morel appetizer. We're down to our
last pan of the season but, if you'd
like, I can ask Sanna to save some
for you.
Able smiles with a thumbs up.
ABLE
You guys ever gonna get away for
your honeymoon?
GRIFF
If things ever slow down.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
A Mysterious Tapping
INT. CHEZ STALLU SA'BE - KITCHEN - EVENING
An enlarged, remodeled kitchen. At the center stands a large
custom stainless steel island with refrigerated drawers.
Multiple cooktops, are in use. Copper pots and ceramic plates
line open shelving.
Sanna moves with calm. She wears a crisp white chef’s jacket,
and a tall, chef’s toque. Her hair is neatly pulled back.
She looks completely in her element.
Working around her a small, elite team of six moves with
quiet coordination, no shouting, only an occasional soft
spoken word.
As Griff enters the kitchen, Sanna grabs some pot holders
and lifts a full cookie sheet of stuffed morel mushrooms
from an oven. She places the sheet on the island and looks
at Griff.
SANNA
If you want one, grab it now before
they're gone.
He carefully picks one up with his thumb and finger, cools
it with a few quick blows and bites off half.
GRIFF
Mmm. That is so good.
Outside the kitchen door, the sound of wood on wood. TAP TAP
TAPTAPTAP.
Griff's head jerks up alert. He looks around the kitchen. No
one else, including Sauna, seems to have noticed the sound.
He walks to the door and walks outside.
EXT. CHEZ STALLU SA'BE KITCHEN - NIGHT
He looks about and sees nothing unusual. He looks above and
admires a stunning starry sky. Then he looks down at the
ground directly in front of him. His eyes grow wide.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
A Night of Morels and Mystery
INT. CHEZ STALLU SA'BE KITCHEN - NIGHT
Griff walks in the kitchen door. He carries a wide strip of
poplar bark, bent into a deep, half-tube like trough nearly
three feet long. The ends have been clumsily folded closed.
Shaped by something strong.
It’s packed, piled high with hundreds of morel mushrooms.
Sanna turns and her face breaks into a big smile.
SANNA
Oh, how wonderful!
She gives Griff a big hug.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Always right on time.
She whispers in his ear.
SANNA (CONT'D)
Do you really think it's him?
Griff raises his eyebrows, shrugs and smiles.
FADE OUT.