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OVER BLACK:
SFX: A long subtle but ominous HUM fades up and holds.
FADE IN:
EXT. HUNTSVILLE UNIT - MORNING
In the far distance, standing still, is a red-brick fortress,
old and unforgiving. It lays just beyond a long lawn of green
grass and looms behind thick black iron gates.
Razor wire coils along the top perimeter like a snake, on
posts pointing inward.
FADE TO BLACK.
SUPER: TEXAS STATE PENITENTIARY, HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS - 1975
FADE IN:
EXT. HUNTSVILLE UNIT - CONTINUOUS
Still in the distance, a bus pulls up to the prison gate and
stops just shy of entering. Its windows are blacked out.
A moment passes.
The bus slowly moves forward, losing its view into the red
brick wall like a mouth, until the back end is completely
gone-- swallowed.
A moment passes.
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: The ominous HUM fades out.
SFX: An interior CELL DOOR clangs shut.
FADE IN:
INT. HUNTSVILLE UNIT - CELLBLOCK - CONTINUOUS
A long corridor, lined with stacked steel-barred cells,
stretches into the light coming through the upper vents near
the ceiling.
Muted voices, the clank of morning, the low groan of a prison
waking up.
A moment passes.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Intake
INT. CELL A-214 - CONTINUOUS
A six-by-nine-foot cage of concrete and iron. Faded gray
walls, scarred by time, bear the stains of past inmates—
initials scratched into the paint, faint tally marks lay
silent where hands once counted down days.
A thin metal cot juts from the wall, its thin mattress made
with a crisp finish, military-like.
DALE DALTON (34), 6’ 2”, tall and lanky, blue eyes, long
biblical hair and a beard to match, stands quietly near the
end of the bed.
He’s wearing a white prison-issue, short-sleeve shirt and
white prison-issue pants. The tattoos on his arms cover most
every inch of skin from his wrists up into the sleeves of his
shirt.
He has no expression. Silent.
Suddenly Dale runs his hand along the edge of the already
perfect made bed.
GUARD #1 (O.S.)
(loud)
Open on 214.
A shocking CLANK comes from the cell door opening.
GUARD #1 (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Dalton. Step forward. Hands to your
sides. Look straight ahead.
Dale complies.
INT. INTAKE CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Dale stands in a long, narrow hallway, painted in a dull,
lifeless, once white. A heavy white metal door is open.
Dale overhears.
GUARD #1 (O.S.)
(disgusted)
No, I'm telling you. He killed a
16-year-old girl...
A moment passes.
PROCESS OFFICER (O.S.)
Dalton..... Step forward.
Dale does. The white door SLAMS shut behind him.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Stepping into the Light
INT. INTAKE OFFICE - LATER
Dale stands just feet away from the counter, wearing donated
clothes, green pants, a sweatshirt, and lace-up shoes.
He’s handed a manila envelope and signs the clipboard.
PROCESS OFFICER (O.S.)
If you ask me, 14 years isn’t long
enough.
INT. EXIT HALLWAY - LATER
The darkness persists hard, even in this last 50 feet.
The final door buzzes—long and drawn-out.
It swings open, and suddenly—sky.
The sunlight hits Dale differently. He steps through the gate
onto dry Texas dirt.
And then, just like rejection, the door CLANGS shut.
A moment passes.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Solitude on Highway 75
EXT. HIGHWAY 75 – OUTSIDE HUNTSVILLE UNIT – MORNING
Dale walks alone along the edge of the highway, the sun
already pushing heat off the asphalt. No traffic. Just the
sound of his own lace-ups on gravel. As he walks, the fading
hum of the prison, wanes behind him in the distance.
A green road sign ahead: HUNTSVILLE 2 MI
Nothing but time. No one waiting. No agenda.
Dale walks away, down the open road.
A moment passes.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
EXT. STILL PINES MOBILE HOME PARK - MORNING
A dusty stretch of gravel and weeds, where the trailers sit
like forgotten relics, sun-faded and dented from years of
weather and hard living. The morning sun creeps over the
horizon and into the park, casting long shadows across the
rusted-out cars and scattered beer cans.
A clothesline sags between two trailers, laundry barely
moving in the dead air. A mangy dog lies under one of the
porches, flicking its tail against the dirt but too lazy to
do more.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Unrequited Ambitions
EXT. LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
The trailer sits on a cement pad, long and skinny, each pad
separated by 30 feet of a green grass-- a side yard between
each trailer.
In the back of Lot 207 is an aluminum shed, pea green,
dented, the sliding doors in front partially open.
SFX: Growing sound of fat HEAVY TIRES rolling on the
pavement, mixed with huffing.
The front wheel of a junky 1959 Harley-Davidson Sportster
rolls into frame.
MOLLY MIXON (16), 5’ 7”, brown hair, blue eyes, slender with
curves, pushes the bike into frame. She wears a white tube
top, a pair of Levi’s 501 blue jeans, and an old pair of
men’s leather work boots.
MOLLY
(desperate)
Almost there. Almost there.
Molly struggles to get the Harley up a small ramp onto a
makeshift platform.
Suddenly behind her is BRENT BLACKWELL (16), tall and
muscular.
BRENT
Molly!
MOLLY
Help!
Brent surges to the bike and grabs the back of the seat
pushing it up the ramp and onto the blocks. Success.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Phew! Thanks.
BRENT
No sweat. What's this?
MOLLY
Oh, just my dream bike.
1959 Harley-Davidson Sportster.
Brent does a once around.
BRENT
Wow. That's badass... but, Mol, it
looks a little ... uh...
MOLLY
Yeah, yeah, I know. But I'm gonna
fix it.
Brent chuckles at her.
BRENT
Well. Ok. Good luck with that.
Molly's not smiling.
MOLLY
Look, thanks for the help, but I
should really--
BRENT
No. No sweat. I was just wondering
if you wanted to get together some
night?
Molly thinks twice.
MOLLY
Hey, Brent, I don't think so. It's
not that way with me. Sorry. I hope
you understand.
He doesn't.
BRENT
Yeah?... Well, ok. I guess.
Brent turns and walks away.
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: Ringing of an OVERHEAD BELL on an opening shop door.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Threads of Memory
INT. THRIFT SHOP - DAY
White walls and rows of overstuffed clothing racks that sag
under the weight of worn-out denim, faded flannel, and
outdated polyester.
Behind the counter, LONNIE (70s), an old timer, wiry, leans
on the glass display case.
Dale stands there, wearing a black leather Buco J-24 Biker
Jack, faded Levi’s 501 button fly jeans, black leather belt,
and pair of faded Red Wing Engineer Boots.
LONNIE
(gruff, sizing him up)
That’s an old one. Thought I’d
never see it again.
Dale runs his fingers over the leather
DALE
(remembering)
Yeah. Me neither.
Dale pauses and looks at Lonnie before leaving.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
A Moment of Tension
EXT. THRIFT SHOP - LATER
Dale stands in the shade of the building in his secondhand
clothes.
A cop car pulls into the parking lot and slowly up to Dale.
COP (O.S.)
Everything alright?
DALE
Yes, sir.
A moment passes.
The cop car slowly pulls away.
Dale waits. And then leans against the front wall.
FADE TO BLACK.
CASSIE (O.S.)
What the Fuck!
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Wheels of Grief
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - DAY
The mobile home is a faded white with faded blue adornments--
the window covers and awnings.
Molly's junk Harley sits on cinderblocks in the yard.
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
A 12x40 shoebox, dark, stuffy, and worn down by years of hard
living. The wood-paneled walls, once a warm honey brown, have
darkened with cigarette smoke and time, the sheen long faded.
The living room and kitchen share the same cramped space.
CASSIE MIXON (36), medium build, brown hair, blue eyes,
stands at the kitchen counter and lights a cigarette.
MOLLY
I'll have it fixed and out of the
yard in---
CASSIE
NO!
MOLLY
A couple months.
CASSIE
NO! Have you LOST your mind?
MOLLY
Cass--
CASSIE
Don't Cassie me, you little
bitch...
They stare.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
How DARE you bring that fuckin'
piece of deathtrap home and put it
in my yard after what I went
through.
They stare.
MOLLY
I don't know. Cassie. It's a part
of me.
Cassie takes a long drag.
CASSIE
Yeah, well you didn't have to bury
your 16-year-old little sister.
MOLLY
No... Just my parents.
Molly looks sheepishly at her aunt.
CASSIE
(emotional now)
Molly... I told your mother every
day... to stay off that stupid
bike.
Molly is wide-eyed listening to Cassie open up.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
On the day she died, I screamed at
her... that she was reckless and
stupid.
They stare.
MOLLY
Cass---
CASSIE
I just don't want something like
that to happen... to you. I can't
believe you would even ask.
There's a KNOCK on the trailer door.
MOLLY
(to Cassie)
I'm not asking.
Calmly, Molly walks to the door and opens it.
Standing just outside on the steps waiting to come in is old
MRS. THERESA TINGLE (75).
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Come on in Mrs. Tingle.
Cassie rolls her eyes.
Molly let's Mrs. Tingle pass her on her way out.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Unsettled Conversations
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
Mrs. Tingle stands just inside the doorway, looking timidly
at Cassie.
MRS. TINGLE
I hate to be a bother, dear, but---
CASSIE
I know. I know. The rent. Yes. I'll
get it to you as soon as I can.
MRS. TINGLE
Yes. You mentioned that a few
times.
CASSIE
Look, I'm doin' the best I can.
MRS. TINGLE
Ok. Ok. Just... let me know.
Mrs. Tingle turns and leaves.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Echoes of Grief
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 – CASSIE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
The house is quiet.
Cassie sits at the edge of her bed, an empty glass of bourbon
beside her.
Her eyes are distant. Unfocused.
She stands up and reaches into her closet and pulls out a
cardboard box: "MANDY'S STUFF". She hasn’t opened it in
years.
She hesitates.
Then—she pulls one corner open and then another.
Inside—a wellspring of memories, a stack of old Polaroids.
She flips through them one by one.
MANDY, 16, grinning, holding up a helmet too big for her.
MANDY, standing beside a big bike, throwing up a peace sign.
MANDY, 9 months pregnant—laughing, flushed, happy.
Cassie stares at the last one. Her hands start to shake.
She pulls a newspaper out.
She doesn’t want to look. But she does.
INSERT – THE HEADLINE:
LOCAL TEEN GIRL DIES IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT. BABY SURVIVES.
Cassie’s breath shudders.
Her hand grips the newspaper so tight it crumples.
She whispers, low—half anger, half plea.
CASSIE
(shaking, barely audible)
Goddamn you, Mandy…
She covers her mouth with her hand. Swallows hard.
Her eyes flicker to the bottom drawer of her dresser.
Where Molly’s box is hidden.
She stares at it.
Then—she pulls the box flaps shut, shoves it back behind the
sweaters and walks out.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Desperate Wait
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E - DAY
Traffic is light on the highway.
Dale stands to the side along the shoulder, leather arm
extended, thumb out.
SFX: BRRRRRRAAAHHHH...
A truck passes by doing 80 MPH.
Dale, one foot in front of the other, step by step.
He lowers his arm. Stretches his fingers. Shakes them loose.
It’s been a while.
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E - NIGHT
A big 18-wheeler with "Piggly-Wiggly" on the side blows by
Dale.
SFX: BRRRRRRAAAHHHH...
Dale almost blown off the shoulder.
Another truck passes by doing 80 MPH.
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: Inside the cab of a big rig, gears grinding.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Unspoken Roads
INT. 18-WHEEL BIG RIG CAB - NIGHT
The dashboard glows dimly, casting a soft greenish hue over
the cluttered cab. The space is tight, lived-in, filled with
crumpled fast-food wrappers, a thermos, and a CB radio
hissing faint static.
A beaded seat cover creaks under the weight of MACK (58), the
driver, thick arms resting on the wheel, a half-smoked
cigarette clamped between his lips.
Dale sits in the passenger seat.
Mack takes a glance at Dale.
MACK
Have I picked you up before? You
look familiar.
Dale thinks twice.
DALE
No, sir. I haven't been around here
in... a long time.
Silence.
MACK
Huntsville?
Dale doesn't reply.
Mack can't help himself.
MACK (CONT'D)
I drive by it all the time.
Wouldn't surprise me.
Dale doesn't reply but looks up at Mac.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Journey to the Past
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E - CONTINUOUS
The 18-wheeler drives off down the road.
EXT. WATERTON BRIDGE - NEXT MORNING
Dale walks along the side of the right lane over the bridge
as a car blaring its horn drives by.
DRIVER (O.S.)
Asshole!
Dale continues on.
EXT. UNCLE'S FARM – DAY
The dirt road, leading down into the farm, is rutted, dry,
and lined with fence posts leaning with age. The fields
stretch wide, golden under the Texas sun.
The farmhouse sits back from the road, a single-story white
clapboard house with a sagging front porch and a screen door
that barely hangs on its hinges.
An old pickup truck, faded and dented, is parked haphazardly
under the shade of a pecan tree.
Dale walks on down the road toward the farmhouse.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Homecoming After Darkness
EXT. UNCLE’S FARM – DAY
Dale stands at the edge of the dusty driveway, looking up at
the familiar old farmhouse. It’s aged more than he remembers—
paint peeling, porch sagging, the screen door barely hanging
on.
He moves slowly up the steps, boots scuffing against warped
wooden planks. The house feels still, maybe too still.
Dale knocks once. Waits.
Nothing.
He knocks again—firmer.
A long beat. Then—movement inside. A shuffle.
The screen door creaks open just an inch, and MRS. DOTTIE
DALTON (78), frail but sharp-eyed, peers out.
She squints. Doesn’t recognize him.
DOTTIE
(raspy, cautious)
Can I help you?
DALE
(softly, but firm)
Dottie?
A beat. Her eyes narrow, studying him. Then—realization hits
like a punch to her chest.
She pulls the door open fully, stepping out into the
sunlight.
DOTTIE
(stunned)
Oh my God…
Her hand trembles, reaching up like she’s trying to touch a
ghost.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
(voice breaking)
Dale?
He nods, swallowing hard.
She lunges at him with both arms and squeezes.
She shakes her head, eyes wet but not crying.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
I never thought this day would
come.
DALE
(quietly)
I did my time, Dot.
She studies him, searching for something in his face.
DOTTIE
(softly)
Fourteen years.
A long, loaded beat.
She exhales, looks him up and down—his expression, the weight
of prison still on him.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
(firm)
You hungry?
Dale nods, just once.
She steps aside, holding the door open. He hesitates—just for
a second—then steps inside.
The screen door creaks shut behind them.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Memories Under the Tarp
EXT. FARM STORAGE SHED - DAY
Tarps galore. One over an old Vette. One over a truck.
Finally, Dale peels the standard blue one off of his
treasure.
What's revealed is nothing short of a miracle. It's barely
even dusty.
1950 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL PANHEAD, black gas tank, still shiny.
Dale pushes it out from underneath the aluminum awning and
onto the grass. He puts a 2X4 block under the kickstand and
leans it into rest.
Dale stands back, first five feet away, and then 10.
He crouches down as Dottie approaches with two lemonades.
DOTTIE
You know something, Dale. That man
came out here every weekend and
pulled your bike out. Washed it.
Even changed the oil twice a year.
Dale is noticeably choked up.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
He loved you, son. Like you were
his own child.
Dale can't get the words out. He just nods.
Dottie sees Dale's presence.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
And boy, he would have loved to see
you now. How big and grown up you
are.
Dale smiles.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
You gonna stick around for a while
or you got business.
DALE
I'll stay as long as you need me.
CLOSE ON DOTTIE as she thinks twice.
DOTTIE
Oh, no... I get it. 14 years. Ok.
You go sew whatever it is you have
to sew...
Dale just stares back.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
Then after you can come back and
see me before too long.
Dale nods.
DALE
Ok.
SFX: Ominous hum.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Dale's Bold Arrival at Still Pines
EXT. UNCLE'S FARM – MOMENTS LATER
Dale walks back to the farmhouse with Dottie under one arm.
DALE
(walking)
I think I'll run over to Still
Pines and look around... see what I
can find.
EXT. WATERTON BRIDGE - EVENING
Dale approaches the bridge on his Harley, the engine purrs
with muscle and a low-bass rumble. He crosses.
At the entrance to the highway, Dale roars off.
HOLD ON Highway 190 West sign. Back, in the direction he came
from.
A moment passes.
EXT. STILL PINES OFFRAMP - EVENING
Dale rolls up the off ramp and slows to the stop sign.
Across the street he sees a Sheriff's Police Vehicle with
Sheriff's hat behind the wheel.
They acknowledge each other and Dale makes a left and rolls
into town.
FADE TO BLACK.
MUSIC CUE: "Dance Little Sister" by The Rolling Stones
FADE IN:
EXT. STILL PINES TAVERN - NIGHT
The lot is only partly filled, as Dale rolls in slow and
boss-like. He stands the bike up in an empty space close to
the front door.
Genres:
["Drama","Action","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Silent Struggles
INT. STILL PINES TAVERN – NIGHT
A low-ceiling dive, thick with cigarette smoke and the scent
of spilled beer, old wood, and sweat. The walls are dark-
paneled, stained with time, lined with faded neon signs
advertising Lone Star and Schlitz.
A jukebox hums in the corner, cycling through whatever's been
paid up last—right now, it’s “Dance Little Sister” by The
Rolling Stones.
The bartop is worn smooth, but the barstools? Uneven, cracked
vinyl patched with duct tape.
The crowd is a few mixed—locals, truckers, rough men in oil-
stained denim, and a handful of young people, sneaking in
underage with the help of dim lighting and a disinterested
bartender.
In a booth along the back wall-- Molly Mixon is sitting with
three other teenage girls, all wearing cutoffs and halter
tops.
They blend in just enough—hair teased up, cutoffs riding
high, nursing bottles of Coke like they’re something
stronger. Just girls pretending to be grownups.
Molly is in her own world.
GIRLFRIEND #1
Hey. Mixon...
No response.
GIRLFRIEND #2
Molly, what's with you.
MOLLY
No. Nothing.
Genres:
["Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Unspoken Tension
INT. STILL PINES TAVERN - CONTINUOUS
The bell above the door rings and Dale comes in.
Molly sees him.
Dale finds the backside of the bar and slides in with a, now
required, unobstructed view of everything in front of him.
BARTENDER (late 50s) acknowledges Dale with a nod.
DALE
Just a bottle of beer.
BARTENDER
Which one? Hamm's, Schlitz, Bud.
DALE
I don't care.
The Bartender walks out of frame, revealing a direct line of
sight to the booth along the back with Molly and her friends.
Moments pass.
Molly catches the rough-looking stranger staring.
Dale looks away.
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: The music continues over black and suddenly stops.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Playful Pursuit
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MORNING
The neighborhood of trailers is distinctively quiet.
The sun shines on Cassie's front door.
Suddenly the door comes open and Molly emerges, with a pair
of scissors in her hand, Cassie just behind her, en pursuit.
Chasing and not chasing, like schoolgirls.
CASSIE
Molly no.
Molly holds the scissors back and above her head.
MOLLY
(smiling)
I just need them for a ---
They both end up in the side yard.
CASSIE
Don't Run, Molly! Stop Running!
Molly stops. They both stop.
SFX: That familiar low-bass rumble of Dale's Harley.
Molly and Cassie both hear it.
They turn and look at the street.
Cassie reaches for the hair on the back of her neck.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Tension on Two Wheels
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
Dale slowly rides by on his Harley. He notices the two women
standing in the side yard at 207. Both women staring back at
him.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
BACK IN THE YARD
Cassie is frozen, but Molly looks a bit energized.
MOLLY
Did you see that?
CASSIE
Who the Fuck...
MOLLY
That was an original 1950 PANHEAD!
Cassie does a double-take ay Molly. Squint.
CASSIE
What?
MOLLY
English, Cassie. The Bike! That was
an original 1950 Harley Davidson
Panhead. Right there.
Molly preps like she's gonna go and take another look.
CASSIE
HEY!
Cassie grabs Molly by the arm.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
You're not going anywhere.
Molly looks at Cassie's hand and the grip she has on her
forearm, like there's a backstory.
Suddenly Cassie notices it too and let's go.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
Sorry... I'm just saying. Don't be
stupid. Stay here.
Molly is unsympathetically non-responsive.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
(irritated)
Damn it! It tales everything I have
to stay on top of you. Just once.
I'd like to have more room in my
life to do my own things.
Cassie turns and goes back inside.
The wheels are turning in Molly's face.
Molly brushes the carb dust off her hands and thighs. She
straightens up and inches toward the road.
Step by step.
She emerges from the grass and onto the street.
Genres:
["Drama","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
A Moment on the Road
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
The street hums with the fading growl of Dale’s 1950 Panhead,
now settled into a low, steady idle.
Parked along the curb, just thirty feet from her, Dale sits
sidesaddle, legs stretched out, one boot planted on the
pavement, the other resting on the footpeg.
His hands rest on the gas tank.
Molly stops.
She looks at the bike. Then at him.
The bike.
Then him.
Dale watches her, saying nothing.
A moment passes.
DALE
Hi there.
Molly meets his eyes—blue, sharp, steady.
Her gaze flickers to the bike’s front end.
MOLLY
(almost to herself)
That front end... is it original?
Hydra-Glide?
Dale nods.
DALE
(quiet, but firm)
If you take care of something
right… it lasts.
Molly’s lips part slightly. Something about that answer hits
different.
For a second, she’s not thinking about the bike at all.
Dale watches her.
The air is too still.
Dale breaks it first.
DALE (CONT'D)
You wanna see it?
Molly looks to him with only a tinge of suspicion.
DALE (CONT'D)
Come closer... Take a look.
Molly hesitates. Go closer? But she does.
She steps into the street, wide enough to get a full look—at
the Panhead. At him.
She stops still out of his reach.
MOLLY
Fuck, man. That bike is 25 years
old, and it looks brand new…
She lifts her eyes to his.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
How the hell did you do that?
Dale holds the moment for a beat.
Then—
DALE
(soft, simple)
Magic.
The words hang between them.
Etched on the underbelly of the black gas tank are the
initials: "MM".
Molly smiles.
Dale watches her, watches that smile, and for a brief second—
A flash of something buried deep in his chest—
Something dangerous... he remembers the initials.
And then another disturbance—
CASSIE (O.S.)
MOLLY MIXON, get your butt in this
house, RIGHT NOW!
The spell shatters.
Molly blinks, snapping out of it. She steps back.
Dale lets her.
She squares up, meeting his gaze one last time.
MOLLY
(calmed, unreadable)
I gotta go.
DALE
(quiet, measured)
Maybe I’ll see you again sometime.
A pause.
Molly’s head tilts, like she’s considering something she
doesn’t fully understand.
MOLLY
Yeah… Nice bike.
Then—she turns away.
Dale watches her go. Doesn’t move.
Then—
Molly stops.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
A Moment of Connection
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
She stands still in the street, halfway between the bike and
the trailer.
Her fingers interlace, rubbing together.
She’s thinking.
Then—she turns back. Everything stops. She swallows.
MOLLY
I’m fixin’ up a ‘59 Sportster…
Dale looks up at her.
Waits.
A moment passes.
Then—she says it.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
(quieter, but sure now)
I could use a hand.
Dale takes a second. Thinks twice.
Then—a slow nod.
DALE
Sure… Anytime.
Molly absorbs that.
And then—
A beat.
A smirk twitches at the corner of her mouth.
MOLLY
(half serious)
You’re not gonna kill me. Right?
Dale lets out a low, amused exhale.
Then—
CASSIE (O.S.)
MOLLY!
Molly doesn’t flinch.
She glances back at Dale.
MOLLY
(soft, teasing)
Okay. See ya later.
Then—she turns and runs off.
Dale watches her disappear inside.
His expression drains.
Whatever that was—whatever just happened—
It hit him.
Hard.
CLOSE ON DALE as his expression drains out of his face.
Dale looks up to see Mrs. Tingle looking out her front door
at him, drenched in suspicion.
Dale stares at her. She recoils back inside her trailer and
the door is shut.
HOLD ON MRS. TINGLE'S FRONT DOOR.
SFX: The sound of a KICKSTART and the PANHEAD MOTOR starting,
followed by a fading sound of Dale riding off.
Genres:
["Drama","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Generational Clash
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOMENTS LATER
Cassie is holding a verbal standoff with Molly sitting at the
flimsy dining table, elbows on the table, her head resting in
her hands.
CASSIE
Now, Molly, I forbid you to talk to
that man ever again.
Molly is quiet.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
He wants nothing more than to climb
into your pants and ruin you. Can't
you see that?
No response. Molly rubs her eyes.
MOLLY
I don't know why you're giving this
guy such a hard time. He's done
nothing wrong.
Cassie thinks twice.
CASSIE
Stupid fuckin' teenage girls...
Molly slowly looks up at her aunt.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
If your mother was here, she would
tell you the exact the same thing.
A moment passes.
MOLLY
(calmly)
Cassie, what happened to you?
CASSIE
What?
MOLLY
What happened... that made you this
way?
A moment passes.
CASSIE
(reflective)
Life... just life.
MOLLY
Yeah. Well, I don't have a problem
with that guy. As a matter of fact,
I kinda like him.
There's a KNOCK KNOCK on the trailer door.
CASSIE
Oh, fuck. What now?
Molly peels off and heads for her room.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Confrontation and Concern
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
Cassie opens the front door to see old Mrs. Tingle on her own
quiet war path.
CASSIE
Hi Mrs. Tingle. No I don't have the
rent, Mrs. Tingle.
MRS. TINGLE
(calmly)
No, listen. I understand about the
rent. But when you start having
hooligans over as guests...
CASSIE
He's not a guest, Mrs. Tingle. Just
some strange man.
MRS. TINGLE
Well, if I see him again I'm going
to call the Sherriff.
CASSIE
Thank you Mrs. Tingle. Goodbye Mrs.
Tingle.
Cassie pulls the door closed before she can reply.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
(to herself)
Fuckin' hell.
EXT. STILL PINES MOBILE HOME PARK - MOMENTS LATER
Molly walks down the street toward the front of the park.
On the highway along the front of the park, a POLICE CAR
speed by doing 60, lights on. Molly notices.
Molly turns the corner and keeps walking.
EXT. STILL PINES TAVERN - LATER
Molly comes around the corner and approaches the parking lot.
She stops dead in her tracks and shuffles behind a bush and
crouches down.
A Police Car parked sideways right in front of the Tavern
front door, lights on.
Dale stands spread-eagle against the car, cooperating.
Molly's heart skips a beat.
She slowly stands up and steps out from behind the bush.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Confrontation at Still Pines
EXT. STILL PINES TAVERN - PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
A second Police Car pulls up, albeit slower than would be
expected.
SHERIFF JAMES JAMISON (52), 5' 10", overweight, balding, gets
out and slowly approaches Dale.
SHERIFF
Well, well. I was wondering when
we'd run into each other... Looks
like you beat me to the punch.
No response from Dale.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
You lookin' for trouble?
DALE
No, sir.
SHERIFF
No? That's funny... Man looks like
you--
Dale shifts his legs closer together.
The Sheriff takes a one step lead and KICKS the inside of
Dales boot, spreading his legs wider than they were.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
You KEEP those legs spread.
The dust settles.
DALE
(calm)
Yes, sir.
SHERIFF
I'll ask you again. Are you lookin'
for trouble?
Dale thinks twice.
DALE
No, sir.
The Sheriff's demeanor does a psychotic flip to content.
SHERIFF
(smiles)
Well, alright then... You can stand
up.
Dale slowly stands.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
Turn around. Hands to your sides.
Look straight ahead.
The look of continuous burden lays on Dale's face.
The Deputy hands the Sheriff Dale's wallet. The Sheriff takes
a look at it and surfaces with a puzzled look.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
Don't I know you?
Dale and the Sheriff stare at each other.
DALE
I don't think so.
The Sheriff smiles and shakes his finger at him.
SHERIFF
I swear I've see your face before.
DALE
I have been anywhere around here
for a long time.
SHERIFF
(still smiling)
Huh. I can't place it right now.
But there is one thing I know. I
will figure you out before long.
DALE
Yes, sir.
SHERIFF
Well, I'll tell you what. Let's
make a deal that you're gonna stay
out of trouble while you're here in
Still Pines.
DALE
Yes, sir.
The Sheriff hands Dale is wallet.
SHERIFF
Ok, then. Have a nice day.
The Sheriff and his crew back away.
Dale sees Molly. Molly looks back.
A moment passes.
Molly turns back and walks away.
Hope and shame clash on Dale's face.
FADE TO BLACK.
MUSIC CUE: "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Crime","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Caught in the Crossroads
INT. STILL PINES TAVERN – NIGHT
The crowd is thicker. There's a vibe.
On the jukebox is the continuation of Gimme Shelter.
Molly's three girlfriends sit in their regular booth along
the back. No Molly.
On the left, back wall, bellied up to the bar, sits a lonely
Dale, his beer half full.
AT THE BAR
The bartender is increasingly concerned with the biker.
BARTENDER
(cautious)
Hey there, you gonna drink that?
Dale, slow, just stares back.
The bartender walks away from him, revealing the three
teenage girls in the booth on the back wall.
SFX: DING of the bell above the front door.
Dale looks over to see Molly, just as the door closes behind
her.
GIRLFRIEND #1 (O.S.)
Molly!
INT. STILL PINES TAVERN - CONTINUOUS
Molly stands just inside the front door. She sees her
girlfriend waving to her.
GIRLFRIEND #1
Come over.
Molly nods back to her, but before taking a step, she looks
to the bar and sees him, that guy. And he sees her.
A moment passes.
MOLLY
(to herself)
Fuck.
She looks back to the booth and back at Dale.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
A Night at Still Pines
INT. STILL PINES TAVERN - NIGHT
The bar is alive but not loud. A haze of cigarette smoke
lingers.
The jukebox hums a Rolling Stones tune—“Gimme Shelter.”
Across the room, Molly slides into a booth with her friends.
A couple of bottles of Coke and a stolen flask between them.
GIRLFRIEND #1
(laughing)
What took you so long?
MOLLY
(long day)
Had to deal with Cassie.
GIRLFRIEND #2
Ugh. Say no more.
They clink bottles. Molly half-smiles. But—
Something is pulling her attention.
Across the room. Dale.
His shoulders are drawn tight. His eyes lost in the jukebox.
Not drinking. Not moving. Just... there.
Molly stares. Her friends notice.
GIRLFRIEND #1
Oh God.
GIRLFRIEND #2
No. No, no, no—Molly, don’t.
MOLLY
(defensive)
I’m not doing anything.
GIRLFRIEND #1
You’re doing that thing.
MOLLY
What thing?
GIRLFRIEND #1
That “I can fix him” thing.
Molly rolls her eyes.
GIRLFRIEND #2
Molly. He’s like—forty.
MOLLY
(annoyed)
Please. He’s thirty-four.
Beat. Her friends give her a look.
Molly fidgets. And then—she leans forward, voice lower now.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
I don’t know why I’m so interested
in that guy, but...
(beat)
I feel like I need to give him... I
don’t know. A hand. A pep talk. A
hug.... Something.
Her friends exchange a look.
GIRLFRIEND #1
Molly—
MOLLY
He just looks like someone who’s
just lost his dog... like he's
gonna disappear at any moment.
That one hits different.
The girls have nothing to say to that.
Molly glances at Dale one more time.
Her body language says it all: Decision made.
She slides out of the booth.
GIRLFRIEND #2
You’re actually doing this?
Molly shrugs.
MOLLY
I don’t know. Maybe he just needs
to know someone sees him.
And with that—she heads toward Dale.
The bartender notices.
Molly takes a step toward Dale.
BARTENDER
Step away from the bar, Molly.
She stops. Dale notices.
BARTENDER (CONT'D)
Don't come around this way. You've
got a group waiting for you in the
booth. I suggest you head that way.
MOLLY
But... I think I want to head this
way.
The bartender shakes his head.
BARTENDER
Not here.
Dale lays a $20 on the bar and gives a wry smile to the
bartender. He points to the twenty.
DALE
Keep the change.
The bartender stares.
Dale approaches Molly pulling his leather jacket on.
DALE (CONT'D)
Hey... Let's get outta here.
Molly looks back to the booth and shrugs.
The bartender notices as Molly and Dale leave.
He reaches for the phone and lifts the receiver to his ear.
BARTENDER
(into the phone)
Hi.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Late Night Confessions
EXT. STILL PINES TAVERN - MOMENTS LATER
Dale and Molly walk out of the door and into the parking lot.
MOLLY
What's up there, cowboy.
DALE
(smiling and talking)
I'm fine... I'm fine.
MOLLY
Let's go before someone shows up...
DALE
Who's gonna--
MOLLY
My Aunt Cassie. Which way are you
heading?
They stare.
Dale has a sobering answer.
DALE
I'm just next door at the motel.
A moment passes.
Molly nods.
MOLLY
Well. Ok. We gotta get you home
safe, mister.
Dale puts his arm around Molly's shoulder and they walk to
the motel.
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: Same long subtle but ominous HUM fades up and then CUTS.
OVER BLACK:
INT. MOTEL ROOM - LATER
DALE
(slurred)
There's something about me, I
should probably tell you.
MOLLY (O.S.)
What?
Silence.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Morning After Tension
INT. MOLLY'S BEDROOM – MORNING
A 12x10 box at the back of the trailer, crammed with equal
parts teenage girl and grease monkey. The wood-paneled walls
are warped from age, stained with nicotine and time. A single
small window above the bed lets in a sliver of morning light,
cutting across the dust in the air.
The top bunk is unmade, covers twisted up, pillows pushed to
one side. A few t-shirts and cutoffs are draped over a chair,
alongside a light blue halter top.
Laying in a heap on the bottom bunk is a sleeping Molly,
still dressed from last night, wearing Dale's leather jacket.
CLOSE ON MOLLY'S EYES as she comes to the surface.
She looks around establishing where she's at. There's a pair
of eyes staring at her through the partially opened door.
CASSIE
What happened last night?
MOLLY
(teenager)
Nothing.
Cassie eyes the leather jacket Molly's wearing.
CASSIE
Nice jacket... Did he give you a
promise ring to match.
MOLLY
(irritated)
What?
No response.
Molly looks up to see that Cassie is gone.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Breakfast Tensions
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Molly slowly walks in, having left the leather jacket in her
room.
Cassie is in her do-mode. She sets a plate of eggs and bacon
on the table.
CASSIE
Eat.
Molly perks up.
MOLLY
Ah, bacon. Love that.
CASSIE
What are your plans?
MOLLY
Work on my bike. I gotta thread
the---
CASSIE
Please.. don't tell me you're going
to see that old man again...
Molly is busy eating.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I was hoping... that jacket may
have been a farewell present.
A moment passes.
MOLLY
(mouth full of food)
No... It got chilly last night and
he insisted that I wear it home.
Cassie holds a still-hopeful expression, waiting for the
other boot to drop.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
He's coming by today to give me a
hand with my bike.
Cassie is deflated again.
CASSIE
Oh, fuck me... come on.
MOLLY
Come on, what?
CASSIE
Molly, you're gonna end up in a
ditch alongside the highway...
That's what.
Molly proudly shakes her head.
MOLLY
Nope. Nope. He's not.. I asked him.
And he said no... So.
CASSIE
You what?
MOLLY
I knew you were concerned about him
harming me, so I just---
CASSIE
You stupid fuckin' idiot... Of
course he said no.... Not even a
dimwitted psychopath is going to
say yes.
MOLLY
Well,... it made me feel better.
Cassie huffs, exasperated.
CASSIE
Oh, my God.
A moment passes.
A light comes on in Cassie's head.
MOLLY
What.
CASSIE
He's coming here?
Molly nods.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
Today?
MOLLY
Yes. Why?
Cassie shrugs her shoulder.
CASSIE
(resolute)
I guess I'll just have to talk to
him face to face.
MOLLY
(shrugs)
Fine.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Tensions at Lot 207
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - DAY
The sun is high. Molly sits on a 5-gallon pale, wrench in
hand, staring at the bike.
MOLLY
(to herself)
I can figure this out.
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: Another long subtle but ominous HUM fades up and CUTS.
FADE IN:
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOMENTS LATER
Dale rides by, circles around, and pulls up next to the curb.
He kills the engine. He's in jeans and a t-shirt.
He sees Molly in the back of the side yard near the shed.
Suddenly, Cassie steps into frame, foreboding, blocking his
path to Molly.
The look in Cassie's eyes can only be described as filled
with contempt.
They stare at each other.
CASSIE
You... cannot be here. Do you
understand me? ... What you're
doing is absurd.
DALE
(cooly)
Why's that?
CASSIE
(already irritated)
Because, 16-year-old girl who has
her whole life in front of her.
DALE
And?
CASSIE
Fuck you.
DALE
Look, all the bullshit aside. I
just want---
CASSIE
You just want. You just want. I'm
not stupid. I know exactly what you
want.
They let it simmer in silence for a moment.
DALE
I just want to help her out...
That's it.
Cassie slowly shakes her head...
CASSIE
You're an Asshole.
DALE
(spelling it out)
No. I genuinely just want to give
her a hand with the bike.
Dale just realized.
DALE (CONT'D)
It's the one thing I know... It's
the one thing I can do.
Cassie thinks twice.
CASSIE
Ok. Fucker. Here's the deal...
Go ahead. Help her with her bike
and ONLY her bike.
Dale nods.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
And when that's done, you go away
and never come back.
DALE
How 'bout we leave that part up to
Molly?
Cassie huffs and walks away in discouragement.
CASSIE
FUCK!
She climbs the stairs and slams the front door behind her.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Tension in the Sunshine
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOMENTS LATER
Dale approaches Molly, sitting in a lawn chair next to the
bike. She's in cutoffs and a tube top.
Dale stands there, looking at her bike. He scratches his
belly. Molly notices.
DALE
That.. right there. That's a hell
of a bike.
Molly kackles briefly.
MOLLY
(through a laugh)
It's a piece of shit, well, in its
current condition.
Dale smiles.
DALE
Aren't we all.
MOLLY
So, where do we start?
Dale gets closer. A little examine this, examine that.
DALE
Oh, you always wanna start with the
motor.
MOLLY
Always?
DALE
When I was your age, I rebuilt the
motor in the Panhead from skin up.
And look how long it's lasted.
MOLLY
Wow. Did you ride it a lot since
then?
Dale looks at Molly.
DALE
Not a lot.
MOLLY
Why---
DALE
First thing we gotta do is pull it.
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
Cassie stares through the lace curtains at the goings on
outside in the yard.
CASSIE
(disapproving)
Uh huh...
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Budding Camaraderie
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - EVENING
Dale and Molly stand, both greasy-handed, each just next to
the 59 Sportster with significant progress made.
The engine is completely out. There's a gaping wide section
in the frame where the engine used to be.
DALE
You... made a lot of progress
today.
MOLLY
We... made a lot of progress.
Dale looks her in the eyes.
DALE
I'm telling you... It'll be up and
running in no time.
A moment passes.
MOLLY
Thanks.
Dale deflects.
DALE
Oh, no. It's nothing.
MOLLY
It's not.... nothing.
They stare.
DALE
Alright, well. If you don't mind,
I'm gonna take the head with me,
and have it re-planed...
Molly looks timid.
MOLLY
Uh, huh. Is that a lot of money?
Again, Dale deflects.
DALE
Oh, no. It's nothing. Don't worry
about it.
MOLLY
(humble)
Thanks.
DALE
You got it, shorty.
They both smile.
A happy Dale walks off with the smaller of the two
components.
DALE (CONT'D)
Back tomorrow... with a pickup..
for the big piece.
MOLLY
Alright, then.
Dale looks at her. She smiles. Which makes him smile again.
Molly bounces off into the trailer.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Negotiating Under the Moonlight
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
Dale straddles his bike, the small component strapped to the
seat behind him, as a cautious Mrs. Tingle approaches in the
moonlight.
MRS. TINGLE
Excuse me, mister. But I need to
let you know we have a policy in
this park.
Dale grins.
DALE
Oh, yeah. What's that?
MRS. TINGLE
No non-functioning vehicles can sit
for more than 10 days. And it's
already been two days.
Dale thinks twice.
DALE
Well, how about this? We will have
that bike outta here in 8 days
instead of 10.
MRS. TINGLE
Well... alright, I guess.
DALE
You have a good night.
Dale kicks the bike. VROOM!
Mrs. Tingle covers her ears and slowly walks off.
Dale rides off slowly.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Motorcycle Parts and Friendly Deals
INT. MACHINE SHOP - MORNING
The machine shop is wide and open, filled with the steady hum
of equipment at work. Shafts of morning light filter through
high windows, catching dust and metal shavings in the air.
The walls are lined with pegboards holding wrenches,
calipers, and other precision tools, all well-used and within
easy reach.
A lathe spins in the corner, cutting into a cylinder head,
while a milling machine shaves down metal with slow, steady
precision.
Dale walks up to a customer service counter. Behind the
counter is GEORGE GARRISON (42), bulky man with a crewcut.
George sees the head in Dale's hands.
GEORGE
Wow. '62?
DALE
Close. '59.
GEORGE
Wow. That's great. What do you
need.
DALE
Resurfacing. We need to put it back
together pretty soon.
GEORGE
Best I can do is Friday around
noon. $20 bucks.
DALE
That works... and there's the
Cylinder Jug. Needs to be picked up
and same thing.
GEORGE
Ok. I've got my guy out this
morning. Where's it at?
DALE
It's over at the Trailer Park....
207.
George looks at Dale. Dale stops.
GEORGE
Cassie Mixon's place?
Dale thinks twice.
DALE
Yeah. Molly bought a Sportster...
I'm helping her with the rebuild.
GEORGE
That's a lot of bike for a little
girl.
DALE
She can handle it.
George nods.
GEORGE
Ok. Ok. I'll have my guy pick it up
today. We'll drop 'em both off on
Friday...
DALE
Thanks.
GEORGE
You can pay me now.
Dale and George look at each other. Dale hands him two $20s
and a $10.
DALE
Keep the change.
GEORGE
(nods)
Thanks... See ya Friday.
DALE
(nods)
Friday.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Unspoken Concerns
EXT. MACHINE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
Dale rides his Harley out of the parking lot and down the
road.
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - LATER
Cassie stands in the kitchen, washing dishes.
SFX: PHONE rings.
A flustered Cassie reaches for the hand towel and then the
phone.
CASSIE
Hello?
(beat)
Oh, hi. What a surprise.
(MORE)
CASSIE (CONT'D)
(smiles)
Yeah. That was fun. We should...
(her smile fades)
Yeah.
(beat)
Yeah, she's fixing it up.
(beat)
Yes. I know. He's helping her.
(beat)
Yeah. I know. Thanks for the call.
Molly walks in and sees the blank stare on Cassie's face.
MOLLY
Who was that?
Cassie still entranced.
CASSIE
No one.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Carburetors and Reflections
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - NIGHT
An emerging familiar sight, Dale and Molly laugh, huddled
over carburetor parts on top of a piece of plywood on two saw
horses in front of the shed. The 100 WATT bulb shines bright
in the shed in front of them.
Dale talks while he tinkers. Molly looks back and forth,
between his tinkering and his face.
DALE
You see, the carburetor is what
mixes air and fuel to keep the
engine running.
MOLLY
Huh.
DALE
Think of it... just like two
elements in life, Food and Water.
Or Oxygen and Safety.
Molly's focused on his face now. She let's go.
MOLLY
Love and Family.
Dale looks at her. Molly snaps out of it.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Ah, Woops. Don't understand that.
(clears her throat)
Anyway.
Molly turns back to her sanding busy work.
DALE
No... You're right... Those two fit
perfectly.
Molly's face slowly becomes covered by her dark thoughts of
the reality of her own life.
Dale shakes it up.
DALE (CONT'D)
Hey. How 'bout a beer.
Molly snaps out of it.
MOLLY
Huh? Yeah, sure.
DALE
You think you-know-who will mind?
MOLLY
Ah, my Aunt Cassie. ... Uh. Well,
what she doesn't know won't hurt
her.
DALE
(smiles)
Well, alright.
Dale stands up and walks away. Molly smiles.
MOLLY
(to herself)
Yeah. Won't hurt her.
MUSIC CUE: "Tush", by ZZ Top.
START MONTAGE:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
Rust and Revelry
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 – DAY
Molly grips a wrench, struggling to break a rusted bolt
loose. Dale watches, arms crossed, amused.
DALE
Don’t be shy. Show it who’s boss.
MOLLY
Hell yeah.
She grits her teeth, braces a boot against the frame, and
YANKS. The bolt gives.
INT. TRAILER – NIGHT
Molly sneaks a beer from the fridge, twists off the cap, and
hands it to Dale in the doorway.
MOLLY
You saw nothing.
DALE
Plausible deniability.
He raises the bottle in a toast.
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 – NIGHT
Molly sands the gas tank. Dale leans against the shed,
watching.
DALE
What color you thinking?
MOLLY
Don’t know yet.
She shrugs, still working.
Dale grins like he knows something she doesn’t.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Tension in the Trailer Park
EXT. STILL PINES TRAILER PARK – EVENING
MRS. TINGLE watches from her front porch, arms crossed, eyes
narrow.
Molly walks up beside Dale, sees Mrs. Tingle staring.
MOLLY
She’s real friendly.
DALE
She called the sheriff yet?
Without looking up.
MOLLY
Give it time.
END MONTAGE
MUSIC FADES
INT. MOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Dale sits on the edge of the too-soft bed, his hands resting
on his knees.
He doesn’t move. Doesn’t get comfortable.
The room is too quiet.
He glances toward the bathroom mirror—a flicker of movement.
His own reflection.
A knee-jerk reaction—he tenses, just slightly.
He exhales slow.
Then, without thinking, he moves toward the corner of the
room.
Sits. Back against the wall.
Only now does he close his eyes.
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - DAY
A pickup truck pulls up to Cassie's trailer and parks along
the curb.
NORMAN (29) jumps out of the cab and climbs the porch steps.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Cassie starts complaining even before the door is fully open.
CASSIE
What the hell?
NORMAN
Hi. Dropping off a head and uh...
something else. Where do you want
'em?
Cassie's world moves at a different pace than Norman's.
CASSIE
A head of what?
NORMAN
Ma'am. Someone named Dale Dalton.
Had---
CASSIE
SHHH! Would you shut up... Just put
the damn things on the plywood near
the shed. Damn!
She closes the door from the inside.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Ignition of Memories
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - NIGHT
Dale and Molly have made huge progress. They are down to the
nitty and the gritty.
MOLLY
(uber-excited)
Is it ... Are we...
DALE
Patience, grasshopper... There's
one more thing.
Dale reaches into his pocket.
DALE (CONT'D)
Remember, in the beginning, we
talked about two things, do you
remember?
Molly searches.
MOLLY
Uh... Air and Fuel.
Dale smiles and nods.
He pulls out two spark plugs, still in their crisp white
little boxes. He begins to unbox the first plug.
DALE
Well, even air and fuel are no good
on their own...
Molly is lost in his words.
DALE (CONT'D)
They need a spark to ignite them.
Just like how an artist needs his
muse to light the fire of his
creative passion.
MOLLY
(entranced)
Uh huh.
Dale hands her the first plug.
DALE
This one is for you.
Molly lifts it up like she's holding a lost secret to life.
Dale puts his arm around her and turns her to opening in the
engine.
With his hand outside hers, he gently guides her and the
spark plug into the exact precision hole.
DALE (CONT'D)
(almost a whisper)
Whatever you do in life, do it
straight, exact, right. Never
crooked, sloppy, or with bad
intent.
MOLLY
(cracking)
Ok.
DALE
Right here. Right now. This spark
plug. There's only one way. This is
the definition of what's real.
Molly is floating.
DALE (CONT'D)
There. There. Did you feel it go in
the groove.
Molly nods.
DALE (CONT'D)
Good job, shorty.
Dale stands up and goes around the bike, quickly installs his
plug, and snaps both wire-caps on the plugs.
MOLLY
Huh?
DALE
Ready?
Molly smiles and nods.
DALE (CONT'D)
Ladies and gentlemen, the moment of
truth... Ma'am, please mount your
stallion.
Molly swings her leg.
DALE (CONT'D)
Have you ever...
MOLLY
What?
DALE
Have you ever kick-started a Harley
before.
MOLLY
Kick-started... Ha. I've never even
been on a Harley before.
Dales face is frozen.
DALE
What?
MOLLY
Oh, yeah. This is all a first for
me. Somehow, somewhere...
Molly puts her fist the the center of her chest.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
A part of me... is connected to
this kinda thing. My parent's
story... I don't know.
Dale is silent.
DALE
Ok. Well... first thing you gotta
do is ...
Dale holds up a brand new shiny key, dangling from a
beautiful strip of dark leather.
Molly covers her mouth.
On the back is beautifully carved: MOLLY
MOLLY
(her voice cracking)
Oh my God.
She gently takes the key. Gently runs her finger over the
carving of her name.
Then, she lunges at Dale and embraces him fully.
Her body twitches as she crumbles and cries.
Dale takes her gently in his arms and comforts her.
DALE
(softly)
I am so proud...
Suddenly, Molly peels back. Big smile.
MOLLY
Me Too!
She jumps on her bike, key in hand, trying to find where to
put it.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Where? Where?
Dale talks her down.
DALE
Easy. Easy.
Again he guides her hand to the keyhole.
DALE (CONT'D)
Now, one click forward.
She CLICKS! And the headlight comes on.
Dale steps back in awe.
DALE (CONT'D)
Houston, we have ignition.
Molly burst out laughing with joy.
A disturbance comes from the kitchen window.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
CASSIE
(behind the glass)
You two, keep it down. It's after
midnight!
Molly and Dale both cringe and recoil.
DALE
(softer)
Maybe we should save this for the
daylight.
MOLLY
(pleading)
Oh, no. Please. Let's just start it
one time.
Dale looks around.
DALE
Ok. But no riding tonight.
MOLLY
Ok.
Dale pulls the kick-starter out.
DALE
Gimme your boot.
Dale locks it in and holds the now wobbly bike steady and
still.
MOLLY
Wait.
DALE
I got ya.
Slowly, they both lean in and look at each other in the eyes.
DALE (CONT'D)
Ok. For all the marbles. Give it
everything you've got.
Molly nods.
Her torso goes in the air and all her weight comes down on
that kickstart.
VROOM!!!!
Smiles and ...
FADE TO BLACK.
Silence.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Riding into the Unknown
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MORNING
Dale slowly walks into the side yard at lot 207 and heads
straight for the '59 Sportster.
Cassie sees him through the kitchen window and stares.
Dale stops. He stands there, looking at the beautiful bike.
All the work they completed together.
Cassie nods a few times to herself.
Dale dries his eyes, turns back, and walks to the curb.
FRONT DOOR SLAM!
CASSIE
Huh?
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CONTINUOUS
Molly comes bouncing out to the curb. Jeans and a t-shirt.
And those scuffed up work boots.
DALE
Whoa, whoa, whoa... No one rides
without a tough jacket.
Dale hands her something to cover her shoulders. Her own Buco
J-24, that's just like his.
MOLLY
For me?
Molly puts it on.
DALE
Yes, ma'am. It's a rule.
MOLLY
You're the boss.
DALE
We'll do your first lesson on my
bike in the empty lot over on
Fairhaven. But...
MOLLY
But what?
DALE
I gotta get you there.
Molly swings her leg over the seat, slides in behind Dale,
and wraps her arms around his waist.
Dale thinks twice.
DALE (CONT'D)
Don't let go.
MOLLY
Yes, sir.
Dale pulls away from the curb just as Cassie sees them from
the kitchen window. She screams, but no one can hear her.
CASSIE
NO! NO!
Dale and Molly pull to the end of the street and then off
into the distance.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Lessons in the Lot
EXT. ABANDONED PARKING LOT ON FAIRHAVEN - DAY
A vast, cracked expanse of pavement, long forgotten by time.
Faded parking lines barely visible beneath layers of dust and
weeds that have forced their way through the asphalt.
Faded oil stains mark the ground where cars once sat, but
now? Nothing but emptiness. Silence. A ghost of what once
was.
Dale sits on the Harley with Molly at the controls in front
of him.
DALE
Exactly. Front brake stops the
front tire.
MOLLY
I got it.
DALE
You wanna see what else you can do?
MOLLY
Yeah, man.
Dale takes control but Molly stays in front.
DALE
Front Brake.
Suddenly Dale revs the motor, sends power to the rear tire,
and smoke rolls off of a loud screech.
MOLLY
Oh, my---
The Sheriff has his car stopped behind them, lights on. He
gets out and slowly approaches, multiple pages of white paper
in hand.
SHERIFF
Well now. What do we have here?
MOLLY
We were just---
SHERIFF
No. No... I am speaking to the
adult, Miss Mixon.
DALE
I was giving her---
SHERIFF
I thought we had a deal.
Dale looks straight forward.
DALE
Yes, sir.
SHERIFF
Are you telling me that this young
girl is here with you, of her own
volition?
DALE
Yes, sir.
The Sheriff moves around to get a look at Molly.
SHERIFF
Now, it's your turn, child. Who is
this man to you?
MOLLY
(squinting)
What?
SHERIFF
This older man behind you, who's
got his legs wrapped around you.
Who is he to you.
MOLLY
He's ... just a friend.
SHERIFF
A friend.... Uh huh. Just a friend.
MOLLY
Yes, sir.
The Sheriff positions himself back in front of Dale, this
time a little closer.
SHERIFF
Need I remind you, Mr. Dalton, that
this is a minor child sittin' in
your lap?
DALE
No, sir.
A moment passes.
SHERIFF
You know what these are, Mr.
Dalton?
DALE
Sir.
SHERIFF
Three here are written complaints.
Same handwriting. You made quite
the impression on Mrs. Tingle.
DALE
Yes. Sir.
Psycho flip.
SHERIFF
(smiles)
Well then. Ok. You two be careful.
Have a nice day.
Dale scoots back on the seat as the Sheriff gets back to his
car and pulls away.
EXT. ABANDONED PARKING LOT ON FAIRHAVEN - MOMENTS LATER
Molly can't hold it in any longer. She doubles over and
blurts out laughing.
MOLLY
Holy Fuck!
Dale smiles.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
He even made me FEEL guilty.
DALE
Yeah, guys like that have a knack
for it.
They both laugh.
DALE (CONT'D)
Ok. You ready for your first solo?
Molly is suddenly giddy. She tightens both fists and raises
them to her face.
MOLLY
Yes!
FADE TO BLACK.
SFX: ICE CUBES rattling in a glass of Bourbon.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
Reflections on the Porch
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - EARLY EVENING
Cassie sits on the front porch steps, drinking.
Around the corner pulls George Garrison in his delivery
pickup. He gets out and slowly walks up to 207.
GEORGE
Well, look who's gettin' a little
outside evening air.
CLINK. Sip.
CASSIE
Yeah... Well... I need it.
A moment passes.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
You spend the bulk of your whole
adult life taking care of someone
else... Eh...
Awkward silence.
GEORGE
Somepin' you wanna tell me, Cassie.
You know. Get it off your chest?
Cassie stares at him as the blood drains from her face.
George sees Molly's Harley in the yard.
GEORGE (CONT'D)
You know, Cass. Molly may look at
that contraption one way, but I
look at that thing... and I see
Danger.
CASSIE
Yes. Finally. Thank you.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Stolen Wheels
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - LATER
George has his pickup backed up to the side yard.
Cassie is on the front porch, on her fourth Bourbon.
In the distance, Dale and Molly approach on Dale's bike, just
in time to witness George riding Molly's up the ramp into the
truck bed.
Dale pulls to the curb.
Molly jumps off Dale's Harley.
MOLLY
(amped)
What is going on? George.
GEORGE
(patronizing)
Molly. Listen. It's just not safe--
MOLLY
WHAT?... That's MY bike. Who the
FUCK are you to take---
CASSIE
(almost under her breath)
I told him to.
Dale looks on.
MOLLY
Wait. You What!
Silence.
CASSIE
I told him to take it. I don't want
it here.... It's what I should have
done 16 years ago.
MOLLY
You can't...
Cassie and Molly stare.
CASSIE
My house. My rules.
George closes the truck bed.
Molly looks at Dale sitting on his bike.
She approaches him.
MOLLY
Do something.... Say something.
DALE
Listen to your aunt.
MOLLY
What?
DALE
Listen to your aunt. She knows
what's best for you.
Cassie looks into Dale's eyes with appreciation.
Molly looks him square in the eyes.
MOLLY
You fuckin' coward.
Molly turns toward the trailer and marches by Cassie.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
I want my mom.
Dale stares at Cassie. Cassie avoids Dale.
George approaches Dale.
GEORGE
Sorry Chief.
George turns and leaves in the truck.
Dale watches as Molly's bike rolls down the road in the truck
bed.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Secrets and Confrontations
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOMENTS LATER
Molly stands just in front of Cassie's bedroom door.
Off limits.
She looks up into Cassie's closet. A stack of sweaters block
her view.
She looks back for Cassie and back to the closet. Fuck it.
Molly steps into Cassie's room.
She slowly pulls the sweaters back and away, revealing a
cardboard box. On the side: "MANDY'S STUFF"
She stands up and on tip-toes and pulls the box down.
Molly retreats back into the solitude of her bedroom and
locks the door.
IN MOLLY'S ROOM
Molly sets the box in the middle of the floor.
She pauses with her hands on top of the box.
MOLLY
(to herself)
I need you now.
BACK OUTSIDE
Cassie talks to Dale from across the street.
CASSIE
(slurring)
You fucking idiot...
Dale absorbs it once again.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
I told you... You don't belong
here.
She stands up and goes inside.
Dale's expression is lifeless.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Unveiling the Past
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOLLY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Molly has half the contents of the box, strewn out like a
yard sale.
thAnd then the folded box corners come open.
Next up is a newspaper. Molly pulls it out.
MOLLY
Boring...
She throws it to the side.
Next up, her mom's earrings.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Oh.... mom. There you are.
She holds one up to her ear and squints into the mirror, her
facing moving closer to the headline of the newspaper.
Then... she sees something. She lifts the newspaper.
Her eyes widen.
INSERT – NEWSPAPER
THE REDWATER GAZETTE, AUGUST 15, 1960
MOLLY (CONT'D)
(to herself)
Hey... that's my birthday.
BOLD HEADLINE:
LOCAL TEEN GIRL DIES IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT, BABY SAVED.
The fold falls open.
Below is a grainy mugshot of a 16-year-old DALE DALTON
staring back at Molly.
Molly Screams!
MOLLY (CONT'D)
WHAT THE FUCK!
SFX: Echo on Molly's last syllable.
FADE TO BLACK.
A moment passes.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
Confrontation at Still Pines Tavern
INT. STILL PINES TAVERN – NIGHT
A medium crowd. The Usual Suspects. But tonight—the air is
different.
Something heavy sits in the room. A weight no one can name.
At a table near the bar, George from the Machine Shop nurses
a beer, watching.
At the bar, Dale sits alone. His stool—until now—was becoming
something regular.
SFX: DING.
The overhead bell chimes as the door swings open.
Sheriff Jamison steps inside -A mischievous twinkle in his
eye. Moving slowly. Deliberately. One step. Two steps.
And then—he turns to Dale.
A moment of silence.
Then—CRASH.
Molly bursts through the door, gripping a crumpled newspaper.
She sees Dale. Sees the Sheriff.
Her breath is tight, her fingers shaking against the paper.
She stands beside the Sheriff.
The entire room watches.
SHERIFF
(mock sympathy)
Well, now. Seems we got ourselves a
little mix-up.
Molly stares daggers at Dale.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
(to the crowd)
This here young woman believes that
the man sittin’ at your bar
(he takes a moment)
—killed her mother.
Murmurs. A shift in energy.
A trucker in the back stops drinking.
A woman at a table whispers something to her friend.
All eyes on Dale.
Dale thinks twice. Then, quietly:
DALE
(calm, direct)
Yes, sir.
SHERIFF
(mocking confusion)
Yes, sir, you did? Or yes, sir, you
didn’t?
A beat.
Dale lets the room breathe.
Then—
DALE
(recounting his worst day)
I didn't mean to do it.
BOOM.
The words detonate. The room absorbs them.
The crowd is no longer murmuring. They're watching. Waiting.
Then—Molly explodes.
MOLLY
(raging, screaming at him)
ASSHOLE!
The Sheriff makes a feeble one-arm motion to calm her, but
he’s enjoying this.
Dale keeps speaking—not to her, not to the room, just…
speaking.
DALE
(flat, hollow)
She was sixteen. It was a long time
ago. And I spent fourteen years in
prison, thinking about it every
day.
The room falls silent.
Then—
GEORGE STANDS.
GEORGE
(steady, dangerous)
That true, Dalton?
Dale doesn’t answer.
A trucker near the back pushes back his chair.
TRUCKER
(to the bartender)
And you’ve been servin’ this animal
drinks?
The bartender says nothing.
Then—a peanut shell hits Dale’s shoulder. Then another. Then
something heavier.
Molly doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t break.
There's a lull in the noise.
Molly looks direct to Dale as she speaks to George.
MOLLY
(sharp)
Hey George... That Harley you
picked up outta my yard?
A pause. The whole bar listens.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
(devastating)
Sell it.
Dale’s stomach drops. Like a knife wound. He barely moves.
Barely breathes.
Molly turns for the door.
DALE
(weak, desperate)
Molly—
Molly freezes in her tracks and the noise goes quiet.
MOLLY
(without turning)
Don’t ever use my name again.
And then—she’s gone.
The Sheriff lets the silence settle. He lets Dale sit in it.
Then, like he just remembered something funny—he chuckles.
SHERIFF
(grinning, to the room)
So let me get this straight—
(beat)
You came back here thinkin’ you
could make it up to her?
He shakes his head, chuckles to himself. The crowd sounds a
supportive laugh.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
(leans toward Dale’s ear)
You might wanna revise your travel
plans.
BOOM. That’s it.
The room has heard the final word.
The Sheriff turns to the crowd, spreading his arms.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
(to everyone)
Still Pines takes care of its own.
And you? You ain’t one of us,
Dalton.
Dale lets it sit. He knows it’s true.
He nods, just once. Then—he stands.
He doesn’t look at anyone. He grabs his jacket.
As he passes a table, a man slides his beer away—like Dale is
diseased.
As he reaches the door, the bartender doesn’t look up.
The Sheriff leans against the bar, watching. Satisfied.
Dale steps outside. The door swings shut.
Silence.
Then, from the back—a soft, cruel chuckle.
FADE TO BLACK.
OVER BLACK:
MANDY
(being teased)
What? I know. I'm fat. No. Stop it.
A moment passes.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
Echoes of Judgment
EXT. PARK - 15 YEARS EARLIER - DAY
VERY brief black and white or sepia tone of MANDY MIXON (16),
a veritable clone of Molly, but nine-months-pregnant,
flowery-pattern dress, in a park, looking straight to an 8mm
camera.
MANDY
(smiles)
You fuckin' pervert.
CUT TO:
EXT. STILL PINES TAVERN – NIGHT
The door swings open. Dale steps out into the night.
The muffled noise from inside the bar fades behind him.
A few people linger near their trucks. Watching.
He doesn’t look at them. He knows what they see.
The air is thick. Humid. The kind of night where sweat sticks
to your skin.
Dale rolls his shoulders, exhales through his nose.
Like he’s releasing something. But nothing releases.
He reaches his bike.
A piece of paper flutters in the dirt.
He looks down—one of the Sheriff’s complaints against him.
Crumpled, discarded. Like him.
He doesn’t pick it up.
Just swings his leg over the Harley.
Kicks the starter.
VROOM.
EXT. STILL PINES – NIGHT
Dale rides slow through town.
The neon buzz of a liquor store sign flickers.
A woman crosses the street—sees him, hurries her pace.
A pickup parked outside the gas station—two men in the cab,
watching.
Their expressions unreadable. But Dale knows.
He keeps riding.
The town that never wanted him now feels like it’s shrinking
behind him.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
Crossing Shadows
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E – NIGHT
The open road. Black asphalt stretching into darkness.
The trees blur past.
The hum of the tavern, the voices, the Sheriff’s sneer—all
fading.
But inside him? Nothing fades.
MOLLY (V.O.)
Don’t ever use my name again.
The rumble of the bike can’t drown it out.
Dale’s jaw tightens. He twists the throttle.
The wind howls. The Panhead roars.
But the weight stays. Just like it always has.
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E - MORNING
Dale rides down the highway at the speed limit. Careful.
EXT. WATERTON BRIDGE - DAY
Dale crosses the bridge.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
A Safe Haven
INT. DOTTIE'S FARMHOUSE - LATER
Dale closes the door behind him.
Dottie walks up to him with a smile.
DOTTIE
Back so soon?
Dale's expression doesn't budge.
DALE
Is it ok if I stay with you for a
while?
DOTTIE
Hey now, honey.
Dottie takes a step toward Dale.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
This place is your home... You stay
as long as you'd like. As far as
I'm concerned, you live here.
Dale's lip quivers a moment. He nods.
DALE
Thanks.
DOTTIE
What's a matter, son?
Dale shakes his head.
DALE
Didn't go like I planned.
DOTTIE
No?
DALE
No... I just...
DOTTIE
Honey, you go lay down. You need to
rest.
Dottie pats Dale on his back and he heads down the hallway.
Dottie comes back to the kitchen and looks out the window.
She stands for a moment and an introspective look falls on
her face.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
A Letter to Molly
INT. DOTTIE'S FARMHOUSE - LATER
Dottie sits at her desk. She's writing something. A letter.
CLOSE ON the letter as she writes.
DOTTIE
(V.O.)
Dear Molly, You don't know me, but
I know you. I've been following
your accomplishments for the last
14 years...
Dottie pauses to think.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
No. I am not a stalker and I'm not
somebody's accomplice.
Dolly smiles.
DOTTIE (CONT'D)
Just simply a loving aunt who wants
the best for her nephew, no matter
what.
Dottie looks to the framed photographs on the bookshelf.
PUSH ON a fine silver frame, dead center.
A fine silver frame holds a black and white photograph of a
beautiful teenage couple--
Dale Dalton (18) and Mandy Mixon (16).
DOTTIE (V.O.)
Let me tell you a story about a
beautiful girl named Mandy.
FADE TO BLACK.
Silence.
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
Hidden Worries
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MORNING
Cassie comes out of the trailer and walks to the mailbox.
She rifles through bills, bills, and more bills.
CASSIE
(to herself)
Fuck me.
She sees Mrs. Tingle across the street.
MRS. TINGLE
Cassie, thank you, again, for
getting caught up with your rent.
Cassie smiles.
CASSIE
Sure thing. Thanks for your
patience.
The next envelope is troubling. And not just because it's
pink.
CLOSE ON the pink envelope.
Mrs. Dottie Dalton
Mile Post 12
Redwater, TX
The trailer door comes open behind Cassie.
Cassie scrambles to hide the pink envelope.
GEORGE
Well, good morning, sunshine.
A freshly-showered George Garrison comes down the porch steps
at Lot 207.
CASSIE
Yeah, good morning.
George gives Cassie a quick smooch and then looks at the
handful of envelopes in Cassie's hands.
GEORGE
Anything good?
CASSIE
No. Just bills.
George wraps his free hand around Cassie's backside.
GEORGE
See you tonight.
Cassie gives a less-than-enthusiastic reply.
CASSIE
Sure thing.
George eventually leaves.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
Hidden Secrets
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOMENTS LATER
Cassie comes inside, agitated. She goes straight to her
bedroom.
INSIDE HER BEDROOM
She crouches down and opens the bottom drawer of her chest of
drawers. The top layer of undies comes up, pink envelope goes
in, the undies go back. The drawer is closed.
Cassie stands up, turns off the light, and leaves.
HOLD ON the closed drawer.
FADE TO BLACK.
A moment passes.
OVER BLACK:
SUPER: 3 Weeks Later
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
Unveiling the Past
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - CASSIE'S BEDROOM - MORNING
CLOSE ON the bottom drawer.
MOLLY (O.S.)
No, I need new ones. The other ones
you bought me are too grandma.
Molly walks in, crouches down, and digs through the drawer,
searching for underwear.
Her hand brushes something stiff.
A pink envelope.
She pulls it out and reads the address.
MOLLY MIXON
207 TRAIL WAY
STILL PINES, TX
Beat.
Her brow creases.
She rips it open.
Inside, a letter on soft pink stationery—edges slightly
crumpled, handled more than once.
MOLLY (reading)
“It was the summer of 1960 in Redwater. Things were
peaceful...”
Beat.
INTERCUT STILL PHOTOS.
MANDY (V.O.)
Mandy Mixon, your mother, was just
sixteen, and believe it or not, a
happy sixteen.
Molly swallows.
MANDY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
She was in love...
Molly's emotions burst.
MOLLY
(through tears)
She was in love.
MANDY (V.O)
She was in love with an energetic,
handsome, loving, and caring young
man—your dad, Dale Peter Dalton.
BOOM.
Molly’s breath catches.
Her knees go weak. She falls back onto the floor.
She reads it again—like her eyes are lying.
Her hands shake.
Then—Molly’s head snaps up.
MOLLY
(exploding)
WHAT THE FUCK!
She storms out of the room, letter in hand.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
Unveiling Truths
INT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Cassie stands in the kitchen, nursing some lukewarm coffee.
Molly bursts in.
CASSIE
Jesus, Molly, what the—
Molly throws the letter onto the table.
Cassie's face goes still. She sees the pink paper. Her
stomach drops.
MOLLY
When were you gonna tell me?
Cassie opens her mouth.
(beat)
Closes it.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
All this time. All these years. You
let me believe my dad was some dead
stranger.
CASSIE
(softly)
I was trying to protect you.
MOLLY
(laughs, bitter)
Protect me? From what? From knowing
where I came from? From knowing—
(her voice breaks)
—knowing that my dad was right
there? Right down the road this
whole time?
Cassie struggles for words.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
(quieter, but cutting)
You stole him from me.
Cassie’s eyes well.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
(fury rising again)
And you—you let me go to him. You
let me sit with him, work with him,
trust him—
(realizing)
You let me love him. And you never
said a fucking thing.
Cassie inhales sharply.
A long, loaded silence.
Molly’s hands tremble. Her body tenses like a bowstring,
ready to snap.
And then—
The snap doesn’t come.
Molly exhales.
The anger melts into something worse—something deeper.
Hurt.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
(soft, shattered)
I deserved to know.
Cassie wipes at her nose.
Silence.
CASSIE
(voice cracking)
Molly, I’m so sorry. To be honest,
I was mad. Mad at her. Mad at the
world. But mostly, I was mad at...
your dad, for...
(she cracks)
For taking the only light ...
Molly takes her hand and nods. Once.
Then—without warning— she settles down in tight with Cassie.
MOLLY
(whisper)
You know what this means.
CASSIE
(whisper)
What?
Molly thinks twice.
MOLLY
(still a whisper)
I have a dad.
Cassie freezes. Stunned.
Then—her body crumples into the hug, like a building giving
way.
She holds onto Molly like she might disappear.
CASSIE
(breaking apart)
I am so sorry.
Molly nods again, whispering into Cassie’s shoulder.
MOLLY
I have a dad.
Cassie closes her eyes.
(beat)
Molly suddenly yanks away. Eyes burning with a different fire
now.
CASSIE
Molly—
MOLLY
I have a dad.
A grin spreads across her face.
And then she’s gone.
Cassie watches her sprint out the door—
A 16-year-old girl, running toward the only thing that’s ever
made sense.
Cassie's face begins to fill with a new hope.
Her lip quivers. A single breathless laugh.
A small, broken smile.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
A Joyful Reunion
EXT. MOBILE HOME LOT 207 - MOMENTS LATER
Molly comes running out of the trailer in her biker gear and
leaps down the steps. Cassie in the doorway.
CASSIE
Where are you going?
Molly can barely get the words out over her big smile,
holding the pink letter up.
MOLLY
I'M GOING TO SEE MY DAD.
CASSIE
HOW?
MOLLY
I HAVE A MOTORCYCLE!
The thin faint layer of concern in Cassie's eyes is quickly
flooded by overwhelming comfort and joy. Cassie lets go.
Cassie smiles.
EXT. STILL PINES TAVERN - PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
Cassie comes running through the parking lot, past the
bartender.
BARTENDER
What the? What's going on!
MOLLY
(all smiles)
I have a dad!
The bartender scratches his head.
EXT. GROCERY STORE - MOMENTS LATER
Next to the family station wagon is FRIEND #1.
MOLLY
I HAVE A DAD!
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Revving to Freedom
EXT. MACHINE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
Molly slows down and holds back, just around the corner from
where she can see the counter. She hears George on the phone.
GEORGE
(into the phone)
Well, no. Cass, I don't think
that's a good idea. It's so
dangerous.
Molly sees her Harley beyond the counter in the back. The new
shiny key is in the ignition, and the leather strap hangs
below it.
GEORGE (CONT'D)
Listen. Listen. If I'm going to be
a bigger part of---
Molly slinks into the warehouse without being scene.
She quietly gets on. Turns the ignition. Headlamp comes on.
AT THE COUNTER
George notices the light shining on the wall across from him.
GEORGE (CONT'D)
Huh?...
BACK ON CASSIE
GEORGE (CONT'D)
No. I mean I should have some...
you know... practice at---
BACK AT THE BIKE
Molly pulls the kickstart out.
She gets in position.
MOLLY
(to herself)
Here we go.
Flubbbb a lub lub.
AT THE COUNTER
George knows that sound.
GEORGE
Wait, hon. Can you...
(he blows up)
What do you mean you don't know
about us...
BACK AT THE BIKE
MOLLY
(to herself)
Come on Molly..
Again... Flubabbbbbb.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Shit!
She stops. She closes her eyes. She listens.
And then she hears her dad's voice.
DALE (V.O.)
Ok. For all the marbles... Give it
everything you've got.
Molly's eyes come open and her torso, once again, comes up
high in the air, and all of her weight goes into the one
VROOOM!!!
She sits down.
George, phone in hand, comes around the corner.
MOLLY
(to herself)
Front brake. Yeah. That's what it's
for.
GEORGE
Molly!
Molly holds the front brake tight. Gasses it, and lights 'em
up... smoke rolls off the back tire then she slowly let's go
of the front brake and the bike rolls, screaming forward.
George flips back over to the counter to "protect" himself.
And Molly blows by him... and out the rollup door.
GEORGE (CONT'D)
(into the phone)
Hello? Hello?
Genres:
["Drama","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
A Bittersweet Departure
EXT. MACHINE SHOP - CONTINUOUS
Molly comes raging out from under the roll up door.
She's elated!
MOLLY
YES!
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E - MOMENTS LATER
Molly rides smooth and long into the Texas horizon toward.
EXT. DOTTIE’S FARM – EARLY MORNING
Dale stands in the driveway. His bike is packed. Saddle bags
full.
He pulls on his gloves. Adjusts them. One, then the other.
Dottie steps out onto the porch. Coffee in hand.
She watches him for a moment. Doesn’t say anything at first.
Then—
DOTTIE
(low, steady)
So, where’d you decide? Which way
you headed?
Dale tightens his second glove. Exhales through his nose.
DALE
I don’t know.
A beat.
DALE (CONT'D)
I don’t know what’s out there.
Dottie nods. Takes a sip of her coffee.
DOTTIE
Well, whatever you decide... take
care, son.
Dale nods.
Then—he swings onto the bike.
Starts it up.
The rumble fills the air.
Dottie watches as he rolls down the drive.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
A New Beginning
EXT. HIGHWAY 190 E – MOMENTS LATER
The morning sun is low. The air is still.
Dale rides. Headlights cutting through the haze.
The road is open. Empty.
Then—up ahead.
A second headlight.
A motorcycle.
Moving fast.
Dale narrows his eyes. Adjusts his grip.
The other bike keeps coming.
Then—the bridge.
The one way out of town.
Dale slows. The other bike slows.
Both bikes come to a stop, side by side.
EXT. WATERTON BRIDGE – EARLY MORNING
Engines idle. Two bikes, facing each other.
Molly pulls off her helmet. Breath shaky.
Dale watches. Waits.
She wipes her face, breathes in.
MOLLY
I know you.
Dale thinks twice and then looks down.
DALE
I don’t think you do.
MOLLY
Yeah, I do... Aunt Dottie told me.
Dale exhales. Looks away.
DALE
Oh…
Molly wipes at her face again. Tears still coming.
MOLLY
This doesn’t mean I forgive you
yet.
Dale nods. Takes that in.
Then—he smiles.
DALE
Sounds like there’s hope.
Molly’s chin quivers. She nods—frantic, overwhelmed, unable
to speak.
Dale watches her. Eyes soft.
Then—he reaches for his throttle.
DALE (CONT'D)
What do you say we go for a ride?
Molly lets out a short, shaky laugh.
Her eyes are still wet, but something breaks free inside her.
She nods.
MOLLY
I’d like that…
She swallows. Looks at him.
MOLLY (CONT'D)
Dad.
It hits him.
He takes a breath.
And let's it fill him.
For the first time ever, he hears that word and believes it.
Dale smiles.
He kicks up the kickstand. Twists the throttle.
Molly does the same.
The two bikes roll forward.
Side by side.
FADE OUT.