Dear John
Page 9
John opens his mouth to respond --
--when the back door flies open and Alan jumps in.
ALAN
Time to go! Dinner in 45 minutes!
Savannah turns back to him. Instantly finds a smile for him, going from morose to upbeat in two seconds flat.
SAVANNAH
Well... I guess we should get going then, huh?
182 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- INSIDE THE CAR -- DAY
Savannah turns her car back onto the dirt driveway. John sits in the front seat next to her, and Alan’s in the back, his nose in his videogame as usual.
As soon as she pulls up to the house, though, Alan bolts out, heads straight for the stables. Savannah calls after him.
SAVANNAH
Dinner in 24 minutes now!
Alan waves as he disappears inside the stable. Savannah stares after him for a beat, then turns to John.
SAVANNAH
You hungry?
183 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- KITCHEN -- NIGHT
John, Savannah, and Alan finish off plates of beef stroganoff and potatoes au gratin. John’s impressed.
JOHN
I didn’t know you were such a good cook.
SAVANNAH
I’m not. My mom is. She made it, wrapped it up, left it in the freezer. All I do is heat it up.
Alan finishes first, slams his fork down like it’s a race.
ALAN
Can I be excused?
Before Savannah can even finish nodding, Alan’s out the door, back to the stables. John watches him through the window.
JOHN
He still loves those horses, huh?
SAVANNAH
Oh, he’ll be out there till bedtime, same as every other night.
John turns around to find Savannah opening a bottle of red wine, pouring a glass for each of them.
JOHN
You drink now?
SAVANNAH
Just a glass of wine or two after dinner. Tim got me started a few years ago.
She hands him his glass. John watches her take a long sip.
JOHN
When did you two get started?
Savannah looks away. Then she stands up, goes over to the window.
JOHN
Was it before he got sick? Or was it because he got sick?
Savannah still doesn’t look back at John, just keeps staring out the window. When she finally speaks, her face is blank.
SAVANNAH
Does it matter?
John stands silently behind her in the kitchen.
SAVANNAH
I kept writing you letters, though.
I felt terrible about it, but I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t stop writing to you. I couldn’t stop trying to tell you.
She turns away from him. John doesn’t move.
JOHN
I tried to write back, you know.
While I was holed up in the hospital after I got shot, I started to write you a bunch of times. Never sent any of them, though. Never even finished them.
Savannah turns back around. Finally looks at him.
SAVANNAH
You were shot?
John nods. Savannah’s face is pained.
SAVANNAH
Where?
John pauses. Then he stands up, slowly removes his coat and tie. Unbuttons his shirt.
Maintains eye contact with her the whole time. Underneath his shirt is an army issue wife beater.
His neck wound is visible, round and only a quarter of an inch wide. Hard to believe it’s so small. Savannah touches it lightly -- the tip of her thumb completely covers it up.
She steps around him, looks for the exit wound. She GASPS when she sees it -- it’s larger, covered with scar tissue. She brushes it with her hand.
When she finally looks up at him, tears are streaming down her face. She touches his left eyebrow, just like she did back at that half-built house in Charleston seven years ago.
SAVANNAH
So many scars...
She starts to cry harder now. John lets her.
SAVANNAH
I’m sorry, John.
John looks away, still doesn’t respond.
SAVANNAH
Why do these things happen to us?
Huh? What’d we do to deserve all this?
She pauses, trying to regain her composure.
SAVANNAH
It’s like those two weeks we spent together were too perfect, you know, and so now we have to pay someone back for it. I think we’ve been paying someone back for it ever since.
John looks away. Savannah wipes her eyes, pours them each a new glass of wine, tosses away the bottle.
SAVANNAH
C’mon. There’s something I want to show you.
184 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
John sits on the couch with his glass of wine. Savannah comes into the room with a thick folder, sits next to him.
SAVANNAH
I saved every single one of them.
John opens the folder. Flips through all the letters he ever wrote her. The memories flood back.
The very last letter is on the back of an old phone bill. He flips it over-- it’s just four words: I LOVE YOU. JOHN.
SAVANNAH
Even your first.
John looks over at her. They are suddenly very close, their faces just inches apart. They are having a moment.
Then Savannah accidentally knocks her wine glass over. She rescues the folder of letters, but her blouse and John’s undershirt are doused.
SAVANNAH
Shoot. I’m sorry.
JOHN
Don’t worry about it, it’s a two dollar undershirt.
She looks down at her own blouse, which is much worse off.
SAVANNAH
I...I should get this soaking, though.
She heads down the hall. John stands too, walks --
185 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- UPSTAIRS BATHROOM --
-- and turns on the faucet, starts spot rinsing his shirt.
BUT IN THE MIRROR’S REFLECTION -- he can see Savannah through the cracked door of the bedroom across the hall. She’s topless, with her back to him.
Although he tries, he cannot turn away. Savannah senses him staring, looks over her shoulder. Caught, John waits for her to cover herself and close the door. But she does neither.
Instead, she holds his eye contact, willing him to continue watching her. And then, slowly, she turns around.
They stand there facing each other through the reflection, with only the narrow hallway separating them. Neither one of them moves. Neither one of their gazes waver.
Suddenly the front door CRASHES OPEN and shatters the quiet.
ALAN
Bedtime!
Savannah turns, grabs a shirt to pull on. John walks out of the bathroom just in time to see Alan hurry up the stairs.
JOHN
Goodnight, Alan.
Savannah comes into the hall, dressed now. Calls after him.
SAVANNAH
Take a bath and brush your teeth, okay? I’ll be up in fifteen minutes to tuck you in.
ALAN’S VOICE
Twelve minutes! Gotta be in bed in twelve minutes!
SAVANNAH
So I’ll be up in twelve minutes then.
Savannah grins over at John. Looks at him hopefully.
SAVANNAH
Only twelve minutes. If you wanna stay I could... make coffee, or...
John sighs. Knows what’s left unsaid when she trails off. He looks back at her... and then he makes his mind up.
186 INT. DINING ROOM -- SAME
John walks back in. Savannah follows him, watches him grab his shirt and coat. She’s stunned.
SAVANNAH
You’re leaving?
John nods. Savannah’s eyes start to well up, but she fights the tears back. He finishes getting dressed, walks to her.
SAVANNAH
John, I... I’m so --
JOHN
(interrupting)
It's okay. You've said I'm sorry enough. It's my turn now.
She reaches out, wraps her arms around him, holds on tightly.
SAVANNAH
We’ll see each other again, though.
Right? I’ll see you soon then?
John doesn’t answer. He pulls himself away, heads to the door.
JOHN
Goodbye, Savannah.
SAVANNAH
No. No, you’re supposed to say “I’ll see you soon then”. Remember?
When I ask “I’ll see you soon then?” You’re supposed to...
She trails off. John turns to her. She’s crying softly now, desperate and indignant and pleading --
SAVANNAH
John. You’re supposed to say it.
You’re supposed to say “I’ll see you soon then.”
John looks back at her. Takes her in one final time. Then, without another word, he walks out.
186A EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
John walks to his car, his face finally betraying his emotions.
187 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
Savannah watches from the window as John gets into his car, turns it on, and heads up the driveway. Only when he disappears from view does she finally start to sob.
188 EXT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE -- DAY
John sits outside in his father’s car, staring at his father’s house. Debating what he’s about to do.
189 INT. FRIENDLY COIN SHOP -- THE FOLLOWING DAY
The front door CHIMES, and the DEALER looks up (his is a face we’ve seen before). John nods hello.
JOHN
Hi. You probably don’t remember me, but you know my father-- Bill Tyree?
COIN DEALER
Course I do. Haven’t seen him in a while, how is he?
John doesn’t answer at first, just takes in the store, remembers the first time he stepped foot in here almost twenty years ago now.
JOHN
You offered to buy his whole collection once. Didn’t you?
COIN DEALER
Sure did. More than once.
John eyeballs the rows of coins laid out under the glass.
JOHN
Just out of curiosity... how much do you think it’s worth? All his stuff?
COIN DEALER
A collection big as your Dad’s?
He WHISTLES, lets him know -- serious money. John nods, finally looks the Dealer in the eye.
JOHN
Think you could lend me a hand?
190 EXT. FRIENDLY COIN SHOP -- DAY
John POPS his trunk.
JOHN
There’s only one condition-- the mules stay together. Offer them as a set. Keep them yourself. But they stay together, okay?
The Dealer eyes the boxes jammed into the trunk. Even more are stacked in the backseat. He turns to John in disbelief.
COIN DEALER
You’re really gonna sell me all your Daddy’s coins?
John looks over at him.
JOHN
All but one.
191 EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- MONTHS LATER
John stands in the middle of the desert. Takes in the view as he flips a COIN through his fingers. A very familiar coin.
Around him, Berg and the rest of his TEAM (all new faces) argue where base camp should be set up. John SHUSHES them.
JOHN
Guys. This comes up nickel side, we set up here, where we’ve got shade.
Comes up penny side, we set up on the ridge, where we have visibility.
John FLIPS the coin high up in the air, lets it fall into the sand. Berg goes to check out the result.
BERG
It’s tails.
(beat)
So what does that mean?
John takes the coin back. Carefully wipes a smudge off it, then tucks it safely into his pocket.
JOHN
It means we’re gonna need sunscreen.
Some of the soldiers GROAN -- but they all get to work. A YOUNG BERET walks up, hands John a delivery.
YOUNG BERET
Master Sargeant?
JOHN
Thanks. But no ranks in the field, okay?
He looks down at the delivery in his hands -- it’s a LETTER. The handwriting is familiar. So is the clean, white envelope. He instantly knows what it is.
John takes the letter, finds himself a secluded spot, carefully opens it up.
And then he begins to read.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
Dear John...
Drift away from John, alone in this sea of sand.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
It’s been almost five years since I wrote a letter with an actual pen, on an actual sheet of notebook paper. I don’t think I realized until today how much I’ve missed it.
192 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- DOCK -- DAY
Savannah watches Alan carefully pencil in words on a banner.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
Though I suppose it’s not really writing letters that I miss. It’s writing letters to you.
She hands Alan a magic marker. Watches as he starts back at the beginning, tracing his pencil lines with the marker. Watches the ink seep into the paper.
SAVANNAH
So I thought maybe I could write to you, now, and let you know all that’s happened since I saw you last.
193 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- DAY
Savannah is underneath the oak tree. She puts her own pen to paper again.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
A few weeks after you showed up in Lenoir, an anonymous donation was made to Tim’s foundation, a donation big enough to cover what the insurance companies wouldn’t.
194 INT. TEXAS HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -- DAY
Tim sits in a wheelchair, much of the color back in his face. He smiles warmly at the nurse checking his blood pressure.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
He’s back in Houston right now for his final treatment, but he’s been in remission for two months. We’re not sure if it will last...
195 EXT. TEXAS HOSPITAL -- DAY
Automatic doors WHISK open. Tim steps out in street clothes.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
...but it might, and that’s good enough for us.
196 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
DRIFT TOWARDS THE HOUSE, where cars are parked all over the yard, and above the front door hangs Alan’s banner, very impressively lettered, which reads: WELCOME HOME, DAD.
197 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
Drift through the doors to find the party already in swing.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
As for the donation, I cannot even begin to imagine who out there would do such a selfless thing as that in such a selfish world as this.
Savannah shows a healthy looking Tim through the crowd. They greet their guests: here are Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, who happily hug their son-in-law...
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
And I realize, of course, that all this person has asked, in return for saving my husband’s life, is to remain anonymous.
...here is Alan, dressed up in a suit, shyly trying to engage a GAWKY GIRL in actual conversation...
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
So although it’s difficult, I know I have to respect his wishes. Which means all I can do is wake up every morning and say thank you. To the sky. To no one. To everyone.
Savannah looks at Alan, her parents, her healthy husband.
She looks around at all of these people, here to support him.
Her eyes water with gratitude.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
It’s a small gesture, but it’s all that I have. I hope that it is enough.
Then she excuses herself from the group.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
And that’s the gift this person has given me. That’s what has been missing from my life, and that’s what’s been returned to me now.
Savannah walks over to a window and
stares out it, lost in thought.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
Hope.
198 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- A DIFFERENT ROOM
Tim looks around the crowd, surrounded by all these people who love him. He knows how lucky he is.
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
I hope this letter finds you well, John.
Then Tim suddenly realizes that something is missing. He looks around the party, trying to find his wife...
...but she’s nowhere to be found now.
199 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
Although the party is in full swing indoors, things are much quieter out here. As the wind rustles through the trees --
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
Actually, I just hope this letter finds you, period.
200 INT. LENOIR STABLES -- NIGHT
Alan shows off his favorite horse to the Gawky Girl. While they stand there, petting her in silence, drift past them...
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
I hope that you’re safe, and that you’re happy. I have no idea where you are out there in the world, but I understand that I lost the right to know these things long ago.
201 DRIFT TOWARDS THE MAIN HOUSE --
-- where Savannah stands on the porch, alone. Then she looks up, into the night sky --
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
I want you to know, though, that no matter how much time passes, no matter how far away you are...
-- where she finds the full moon above her... and as she raises her thumb to cover it up --
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
...on nights like these, you’ll always be here with me.
202 DRIFT AWAY FROM HER --
-- pulling back from the house, heading down the driveway, up the hill, towards the woods by the main road...
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
And more than anything else, I hope that part of me is out there with you, too...
...landing by one tree in particular...
SAVANNAH’S VOICE
...wherever you may be.
...to find John standing in the shadows behind it. He watches Savannah stare up at their moon, and it makes him smile.
Then, after a long moment, John turns... and as he starts to head back to his car, to his house, to wherever he came from--
-- he disappears back into the shadows underneath the moon, which looms large above everything.
FADE TO BLACK