Dear John
Page 1
OVER BLACK:
JOHN’S VOICE
There's something I want to tell you.
1 INT. DINGY ROOM - DAY
STAFF SARGEANT JOHN TYREE is in his mid-20’s, has a shaved head, and is completely unaware that a bullet is seconds away from entering him.
John smiles, then turns and says something we cannot hear to someone we cannot see.
JOHN’S VOICE
After I got shot, you wanna know the very first thing that entered my mind, right before I blacked out?
Then despite the EERIE SILENCE, the BULLET slices into John’s neck. His eyes widen, but he’s too stunned to cry out.
JOHN’S VOICE
Coins.
He drops to his knees. His hand flies up to his neck. In no time at all his fingers are coated with blood. John falls onto his back. His eyes search the dingy ceiling above him. All is still SILENT.
Sunlight pours in from a large mortar hole, and as John stares at it, the light ENVELOPES THE SCREEN, AND --
EVERYTHING GOES WHITE.
2 INT. US MINT - DAY
John as a LITTLE BOY, standing in front of a sprawling metal contraption that seems to stretch on and on. From his POV it looks like a Rube Goldberg machine.
JOHN’S VOICE
I’m eight years old again, on a tour of the US Mint, listening to the guide explain how coins are made.
The other CHILDREN around John are bored out of their minds. But John is not. John is fascinated.
ON A BLANKING PRESS --
--as enormous metal coils are fed through a reel that cuts out individual round discs called blanks.
JOHN’S VOICE
How they are punched out of sheet metal.
3 ON AN UPSETTING MILL --
-- which squeezes the edges of the blanks, giving them a slightly raised surface.
JOHN’S VOICE
How they are rimmed and beveled.
4 ON A COINING PRESS --
-- which actually engraves the blanks.
JOHN’S VOICE
How they are stamped and cleaned.
5 FINALLY, ON A PRESS OPERATOR --
-- who uses a magnifying glass to spot-check the new coins.
JOHN’S VOICE
And then how each and every batch of coins are personally examined, just in case any have slipped through with the slightest imperfection.
The operator finds a bad coin, pulls a lever to STOP THE MACHINE. The entire batch CLATTERS down onto a belt below, while --
MATCH CUT:
6 INT. DINGY ROOM -- PRESENT DAY
-- where spent M-16 rounds CLATTER onto the ground, making the exact same noise. Now all SOUND can be heard, and it is LOUD.
Whoever shot John is paying for it dearly. Three other GREEN BERETS are unloading their ammo.
John is still flat on his back, still bleeding profusely, still staring up at the ceiling.
JOHN’S VOICE
That's what popped into my head.
One of the soldiers, Staff Sargeant TONY GALLO, stops firing and turns to John, kneels over him. A vein pops out of his forehead. John desperately tries to make eye contact.
JOHN’S VOICE
I am a coin in the United States Army. I was minted in the year 1980. I have been punched from sheet metal, I have been stamped and cleaned, my edges have been rimmed and beveled.
Tony cuts open John’s fatigues. Blood flows freely.
JOHN’S VOICE
But now I have one small hole in me, and I am no longer in perfect condition.
John looks at his bloody hands and draws a sharp breath.
JOHN’S VOICE
I am no longer in perfect condition.
He glances up at Tony, sees the panic in his face.
JOHN’S VOICE
I am no longer in perfect condition.
John GULPS for air. His PUPILS DILATE. He’s fading fast.
JOHN’S VOICE
So there’s something else I want to tell you before I go.
His eyelids flutter. The chaos around him slowly slips away.
JOHN’S VOICE
After I got shot, right before everything went black, you wanna know the very last thing that entered my mind?
And then as John’s eyes finally close --
FADE TO BLACK
JOHN’S VOICE
You.
FADE IN ON:
7 EXT. BEACH -- DAY
A wave crashes over John, submerging him completely.
He closes his eyes. Then his surfboard pops back above water, and because John is on top of it, he pops up too.
He is younger now, and he is back in South Carolina. But his head is still shaved.
SPRING 2001
Before he can even catch his breath, another wave is coming. John positions himself, paddles into the wave -- stands up --
ON THE SHORE -- he catches a brief glimpse of TWO GIRLS in bikinis as they wade into the water --
8 -- but there’s not time to focus on them -- he’s caught the wave and rides it towards shore, when suddenly another SURFER cuts him off -- John has to wipe out to avoid a collision --
9 UNDERWATER -- he gets lost in the power of the crashing wave, doesn’t try to fight it, lets himself get dragged to shore --
10 -- until he can finally find his footing. He stands up in waist high water, angrily yells out to the other surfer --
JOHN
Hey! What the hell--
-- then suddenly realizes he’s only a few yards from the girls he saw earlier. One’s BLONDE, the other is BRUNETTE, and they’re both knockouts. The Brunette smiles at him.
BRUNETTE GIRL
Nice wave.
John wipes the salt out of his mouth.
JOHN
Shoulda been.
The Brunette’s eyes twinkle, but the Blonde rolls hers, tugs at her friend. Although the Brunette allows herself to be pulled away, she smiles back at John before she goes.
John watches her disappear down the beach while the surfer that cut John off wades over to him.
OTHER SURFER
Sorry, bro. Didn’t see you there.
John turns towards him fast -- the other guy flinches slightly. But John is smiling now, too.
JOHN
What? Oh -- no problem.
Then he climbs on his board and paddles back into the ocean.
11 EXT. PIER -- DAY
John leans against the rail, staring down at the water.
Nearby, he hears GIGGLING -- and when he turns, he sees the same two girls from before walking up the pier. They stop 20 feet away or so, but they don’t see him.
John peeks over at them... but before he can make a move, TWO GUYS in polo shirts walk up behind the girls. They’re good-looking and loud, each with a beer in hand.
The one in the YELLOW SHIRT wraps his arms around the Blonde Girl. They’re clearly a couple. But John’s focused on the Brunette Girl, and he watches as the guy in the BABY BLUE SHIRT hops up easily on the rail next to her-- and knocks her tote bag off the edge. It hits the water with a SPLASH.
BLUE SHIRT
Whoops. Son of a--
BRUNETTE GIRL
There’s no way you just did that.
BLUE SHIRT
Shit. I’m really sorry.
(off her look)
Oh. Should I, um. . .
BRUNETTE GIRL
My whole life is in that bag!
YELLOW SHIRT
You knocked it in, dumbass. Be a man, go save the day.
Blue Shirt SIGHS. Then he sits down, ponderously takes off his shoes, carefully stuffs his socks into them.
He hesitates... takes a deep breath... looks down at the ocean swirling twenty feet below him... hesitates some more...
BRUNETTE GIRL
Oh, f
or crying out loud.
John watches the Brunette Girl kick off her own shoes, start to climb up the rail. He grins.
Then, without hardly even thinking about it, he hops the rail and jumps down into the ocean himself.
12 He dives under -- John is clearly comfortable in water -- and finds the bag on the ocean floor quickly.
13 He reemerges to find the group on the pier staring down at him in astonishment. John just paddles back to shore. The Brunette meets him at the end of the pier, all smiles.
BRUNETTE GIRL
Thank you so much!
Blue Shirt trails close behind her.
BLUE SHIRT
You really didn’t have to do that, bro. I was just about to jump in...
JOHN
I’m sure you were. Figured I’d just save you the trouble.
He hands the bag to the Brunette. Their fingers brush briefly.
BRUNETTE GIRL
My name’s Savannah.
JOHN
John.
Blue Shirt notices the way she smiles at him, rolls his eyes.
BLUE SHIRT
Yeah, he’s a real hero, isn’t he?
Maybe you should give him a reward.
Savannah glares at Blue Shirt. John registers the insult.
JOHN
I don’t want a reward.
He nods goodbye to Savannah, turns to leave.
JOHN
You all have a good night.
SAVANNAH
Wait.
She hurries over to him. Blue and Yellow Shirt trade a look.
SAVANNAH
I’m staying right over there.
We’ve got food, and -- I mean, do you want something to eat?
JOHN
Thanks, but I should really be getting home.
SAVANNAH
C’mon. One good deed deserves another, right?
John looks at her. Grins.
JOHN
You gotta understand. My Dad’s expecting me back for dinner -- I don’t want to ruin my appetite.
Savannah grins too.
SAVANNAH
Oh, you won’t. Our food is terrible.
Then she reaches her hand out. Looks him in the eye.
SAVANNAH
Come on, John. Don’t make me beg.
John pauses... then he holds out his hand, too, and their fingers touch again.
14 EXT. BEACH BONFIRE -- DAY
COLLEGE KIDS wander around near the house, setting up the bonfire for later that night. While Blonde Girl and Yellow Shirt take a walk down the beach--
--John sits in awkward silence across from Blue Shirt.
Then Savannah returns with two drinks, to both their relief. Blue Shirt scoots over, making room for her. But she takes a seat beside John instead, hands him a beer (she’s drinking diet coke).
Blue Shirt just eyeballs John.
BLUE SHIRT
You in the military or something?
(off John’s nod)
What branch?
John flashes him his sapphire ring (which he never takes off).
JOHN
Army. Special Forces.
BLUE SHIRT
Yeah? Nice ring -- where’s your beret, did you leave it at home?
Blue Shirt grins -- he’s egging John on. John just ignores the comment, but Savannah levels her gaze at Blue Shirt.
SAVANNAH
Hey, Randy? I thought Susan told me you were smart.
BLUE SHIRT
(RANDY) Huh? I--
SAVANNAH
Then why are you making fun of a guy who could kill you with his bare hands?
His smile wipes away. Slowly realizes three’s a crowd.
RANDY
I’m... gonna go get another beer.
He leaves. John and Savannah are alone now. John grins.
JOHN
I’m not so sure I could kill him with my bare hands, actually. He has a thick neck.
SAVANNAH
Sorry about him -- he thinks he likes me.
JOHN
I think he likes you, too.
SAVANNAH
Nah. I’m not his type, he just doesn’t know it yet.
(off John’s grin)
What? What are you smiling about?
JOHN
I just think you’re probably everybody’s type.
At that moment, a SIX YEAR-OLD BOY comes out of nowhere and bear hugs Savannah, almost knocking her over.
JOHN
See what I mean?
The boy’s name is ALAN, and although it may or may not be apparent right away, he’s autistic. But Savannah’s delighted to see him.
SAVANNAH
Alan, this is John. Say hello.
Alan hides his head instead.
SAVANNAH
He’s shy. Alan, where’s your Dad at?
VOICE
Two steps behind, as usual.
They turn to find TIM, a friendly looking guy in his early 30’s. He rubs Savannah’s head as a greeting and it’s obvious they’ve known each other for years.
TIM
Sorry. He’s like a heat-seeking missile when he sees you.
(then, noticing John)
Oh, hey. I’m Tim.
They shake hands. Tim notices his sapphire ring right away.
TIM
Special Forces, huh? Where you stationed out of, Fort Bragg?
JOHN
Germany, actually.
TIM
You’re on leave.
(off his nod)
Good for you. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.
John glances over at Savannah. She smiles.
JOHN
Yeah. Yeah, I think I am.
Tim sees the smile and realizes what he’s walked into.
TIM
Well, sorry to interrupt. Nice to meet you, though -- c’mon, son.
Alan gives Savannah one last hug. Then, as he goes, Alan calls back to John, almost as an afterthought --
ALAN
Hello, John.
JOHN
(waving goodbye)
Hello, Alan.
Tim and Savannah trade a quick look, impressed. Then Tim heads Alan back inside the BEACH HOUSE next door.
SAVANNAH
Wow. That was a pretty big deal.
JOHN
Yeah?
SAVANNAH
Alan doesn’t talk to just anybody.
He doesn’t talk to anybody at all, actually, other than his family.
JOHN
He talked to you.
Savannah stands. Nods at the beach houses behind them.
SAVANNAH
Well we’re practically family.
We’ve all been coming here forever -- I’ve known him since he was born.
She motions for John to follow her up.
14A OMIT
14B EXT. SAVANNAH’S BEACH HOUSE -- BENCH -- NIGHT
They’re all by themselves now -- no one else is nearby.
SAVANNAH
When do you go back?
JOHN
Two weeks.
SAVANNAH
It must be scary, what you do.
JOHN
It’s boring, mostly. Long stretches of boring. Occasional flashes of scary.
Savannah looks out on the ocean. It’s getting dark, and the moon is rising on the horizon.
SAVANNAH
Full moon tonight.
She stands. From John’s view, the moon is as big as she is.
SAVANNAH
You ever notice how large the moon is when it’s rising, but how little it gets when it’s up in the sky?
JOHN
It’s all about perspective. C’mere, I’ll show you.
He stands behind her, very close now, and raises her arm.
JOHN
If you shut one of your eyes... and hold out your hand like this...
He holds his thumb up. She does the same -- and from their perspective, the moon disappears behind it.
JOHN
No matter where it is in the sky...
No matter where you are in the world... the moon is never bigger than your thumb.
Savannah opens her other eye. The moon is big again. Then she does John’s trick, and again, the moon becomes thumb-sized. She smiles up at him. His face is inches from hers.
SAVANNAH
Where’d you learn that?
John looks down at her. Shrugs.
JOHN
Somewhere along the way.
15 EXT. BEACH HOUSE - NIGHT
Randy watches John and Savannah look out at the ocean, so close together and backlit by the giant moon. He takes a heavy swig of his beer, unable to hide his bitterness.
16 EXT. BEACH -- NIGHT
The moon is way up in the night sky now, and the bonfire is long out. Savannah lies in the sand, watching John inspect a dangerous looking hot dog.
JOHN
How is it possible for a hot dog to be so burnt on the outside and so raw on the inside?
Savannah doesn’t answer, just smiles. So John grabs a few pieces of wood and gathers some kindling.
Then he produces a flint and magnesium block keychain from his pocket, shaves off some magnesium with a pocketknife, and strikes the flint. Instant sparks slowly reignite the fire. Savannah watches, amused, as John recooks his hot dog.
SAVANNAH
Wow. You can start your own fire.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a boy who can start his own fire.
(off his modest shrug)
No no, it’s very impressive. Very primal. What’re you gonna do next, make me a sundial?
John grins, shakes his head, looks up at the dark sky.
JOHN
Wouldn’t do much good now.
But that reminds him... he grabs Savannah’s arm, checks the time on her watch. Time has flown by.
JOHN
Shoot. I should go.
SAVANNAH
Sorry. I hope you won’t get in too much trouble.
John looks at her. Laying there in the sand, under the stars, she looks just about perfect. John chuckles to himself.
JOHN
Too late.
Savannah smiles at him. But John shyly turns away, grabs his surfboard, prepares to leave. Savannah watches him.
SAVANNAH
Well...thank you. For what you did.
JOHN
You’re welcome.
Takes a few steps... then turns around.
JOHN
Any chance you’d wanna do this again tomorrow night?
SAVANNAH
Tomorrow night is chicken. You’re not gonna want to try the chicken.
JOHN
Yeah, I was thinking we could let someone else cook this time.
She smiles at him, doesn’t have to think about it very long.
SAVANNAH