by bob chartain
custom work on your horse trailer there?
BRANDT
I just can't drive anymore. Got to look for my horse in the morning. He pounded his way out and ran away.
Woolie nods, rocking slowly, listening and mentally maneuvering, he grins.
WOOLIE
So your horse ran away. Now that's not the worst I've ever heard.
(his eyes twinkle)
Beautiful wasn't she... Mikado you know, a two-eight-two.
BRANDT
What are you talking about.
WOOLIE
The train, boy. The train. She was the prettiest sight you ever did see.
BRANDT
What happened?
WOOLIE
Used to run up the valley. To Jerome. Till the mine petered out. Then the war came, they scraped the rails and built guns. Then the company moved into the valley. Heard they got old 666 running. But I don't see how. She crashed and killed forty nine people back in 39'.
BRANDT
I saw it. It was a ghost train. It almost killed us.
WOOLIE
Old number 666 had a graceful elegance. That's what's missing from machinery these days. She sure was pretty.
BRANDT
Pretty! That sucker was a demon from hell.
WOOLIE
Yep, You might just have a point my boy.
(beat)
Names Woolie -- Woolridge St. John, but folks here just call me Woolie.
BRANDT
All right, Woolie. You're only telling me half a story. What's going on.
Woolie fiddles with a fly fishing rod.
WOOLIE
Trains' been an omen around these parts. Folks say they see the train when bad times are a brewing. I could tell by the look of your face.
BRANDT
Don't con me old-timer. I know shuck when I hear it.
Woolie studies Brandt's nervousness.
WOOLIE
It's all, all right, it was just a dream, my boy. Just a dream. Ever read the good book?
BRANDT
I've read a few good books by Faulkner, Michner and Hemmingway?
WOOLIE
No. I mean the bible. Revelation says that at the end, young men will dream dreams and see visions. Maybe there's something to it.
BRANDT
I'm here to investigate animal mutilations, disappearances and the strange objects that have been seen in the sky near here. I also heard rumors about a collider. You know anything about that?
WOOLIE
End times could be near, young fellow. Mighty near...Maybe all this new technology stuff has helped old Satan figure the way.
BRANDT
Look Woolie. I don't have time for all that biblical stuff. Where's Ophir? I'm in a hurry.
WOOLIE
Ain't that a plumb shame... A Man that ain't got no time to give, that man ain't got no time to live. Nothing is that dog gone important boy. Except death - you look over your left shoulder and ask him if he's ready for you. If not then there's no worries.
A SCORPION climbs up Woolie's rocking chair, locking Brandt's attention.
BRANDT
Got a deadline.
WOOLIE
Don't say. May be -
(barely audible)
somebody's got other plans for you.
BRANDT
What's that?
THE SCORPION CRAWLS along Woolie's arm. Muck BARKS.
BRANDT (CONT'D)
Watch out Wool - e - e
The Scorpion's tail strikes just as Woolie hits it with a shot of chewing tobacco and knocks it into a can with a loud KERPLUNK.
WOOLIE
(sheepish smile)
Just a little game we play around here to kill the time.
BRANDT
Do you always win?
WOOLIE
Yep. If I lost I wouldn't be here would I.
THE FULL MOON suddenly moves from behind the cloud cover and highlights the SOMBRA MOUNTAINS. They jut up like the black citadels of an unholy power.
WOOLIE (CONT'D)
Powerful ain't it. Mr. Hill.
BRANDT
How did you know my name?
WOOLIE
Tel'gent guess I guess. No boy, its on your license plate.
INT. THE TRUCK - ON THE ROAD - NIGHT
Hamp has the map on his lap.
ext. THE MAIN STREET SLOPES UP AHEAD - NIGHT
Typical southwestern buildings but pristine, as if they were facades on a sound stage. Ophir's a mining town, a company town, a temporary town.
THE HEADLIGHTS - catch on an Indian slouched in the shadows. Brandt slides to a quick stop in front of JOE STARWIND, a young Indian whose naked from the waist up. His worn black hat with it's hammered silver band is buried between his legs.
BRANDT
Hey fellow, where's the hotel?
Joe slowly lifts his head and groans. Blood drips from his brow. Brandt moves rapidly to Joe's side and pulls out a kerchief. He swabs his forehead as Muck licks his face.
BRANDT (CONT'D)
Let's get you to the doctor?
Joe staggers to his feet then shakes his head.
JOE
No doctor.
BRANDT
What happened?
JOE
I was in the cantina and I must a' ah... asked the wrong girl to dance.
BRANDT
Aren't you a little young for bars?
Brandt swaps some more blood. Joe groans.
JOE
Naw, me wantum firewater. Do anything for firewater.
(laughs)
Honestly, I was at the company party.
BRANDT
Where can I get a room?
JOE
At the hotel, but it's full up. Whole town belongs to the company and there's just one hotel. Hit a new vein and all the big shots are here from LA. Come on. I'll walk you to the cantina. It'll clear my head.
DOWN THE STREET AND AROUND THE CORNER -
Shafts of light illuminate, large building that protrude from the surrounding hills. A sign reads: OPHIR MINING AND POWER.
BRANDT
That the company?
JOE
(disgustedly)
Yep, that's the company. They get your body... then they want your soul.
(beat)
Listen! Don't talk to anyone, they're crazies man... Find the hotel clerk. He's probably in the Cantina - tell him your stranded.
THE BRIGHTLY LIT CANTINA is surrounded by new expensive cars.
BRANDT
Company pay pretty well?
JOE
It's an illusion. Hey...
BRANDT
Brandt.
JOE
Brandt, you can stay with me.
BRANDT
You live on the reservation?
JOE
Nope, up there.
Joe points to a cave above Ophir while Muck sniffs cars.
BRANDT
Come with a shower and kitchen?
JOE
Nope...
BRANDT
Thanks anyway.
(beat)
Hey...
JOE
Joe.
Good time SOUNDS emanate from the open doors of the cantina.
BRANDT
You coming in?
JOE
(shakes his head, no)
No, I'll wait outside.
Brandt hesitates on the steps of the cantina.
BRANDT
Do you know anything about a supposed ghost train?
JOE
(sad awe)
You saw the Train?
BRANDT
Yeah, but I can't seem to get any straight answers.
JOE
It's an omen... It enters reality more and more every day.
BRANDT
You sound like the old man.
JOE
You must have met Woolie... Don't pay any attention to him.
.. He likes to tease. If you need to talk, I'll be around at sunrise. Now, Go! Get your room.
BRANDT
Stay with Joe, Muck.
CUT TO:
IN THE LARGE CANTINA - NIGHT
packed to the brim with Sunday cowboys. Mexican curios protrude from every crevice. Above the dance floor a Mexican band struggles to play the "country" requests of the "gringo" crowd.
AT THE BAR, -
Brandt's handsome good looks don't go unnoticed as he inches his way between a couple of rowdies toward the BARTENDER who is filling glasses and egos at the far side of the bar. Suddenly he is trapped between JAKE, a giant toothy, pock marked man and his crony MICK, Jake's antithesis in size and in looks. They AD LIB a heated discussion for the amusement of their friends. In the b.g. several women "out-do" the guys on the mechanical bronco.
JAKE
I say it's going to change the world. Isn't that right, Mick?
Brandt staggers as an elbow slams into his rib cage.
JAKE (CONT'D)
I said isn't that right Mick?
THE ELBOW slams once again into Brandt's rib cage.
MICK
You're caca seca, Jake.
BRANDT in a delayed reaction doubles over in pain and falls against the bar as Jake looks to see who he pounded. He picks Brandt up by the ears, -
JAKE
Well...looky, looky, a topsider. How the hell did you get in here, buddy? This is a closed party.
and then by the seat of his pants runs him toward the door. SARAH LIVINGSTON moves quickly across their path.
SARAH
Wait, stop, don't do that.
But Jake doesn't stop.
SARAH (cont'd)
Jake -- That’s my date. He's with me.
Jake, red faced, stops short almost knocking her over. Sarah, hesitates, moves forward to steady the staggering Brandt. She whispers in his ear - he puts his arm around her.
JAKE
I'm sorry Doc. I didn't know. I thought he was an outsider.
Sarah steadies Brandt and moves him toward the dance floor.
SARAH
(half - mutter)
God, how I hate bullies. Did you get my drink babe?.. Never mind, let's get back to the dance floor.
BRANDT
What are you doing, lady?
Brandt staggers forward in Sarah's arms.
SARAH
Don't ask.
BRANDT
(stopping and righting)
No. I want to know.
SARAH
It's a doctor's prerogative.
Brandt gives her a "look". She blushes.
SARAH(cont'd)
Let me take a look at your side.
(another look)
Oh, all right. You asked for it.
BRANDT
I'm ready.
Brandt steadies then looks through her welfare glasses to her bright eyes. A little makeup, let the hair down, add contacts and she'd be a stone fox.
SARAH
I guess I always wanted to rescue a handsome stranger in distress...
BRANDT
What's going on around here?
She moves Brandt to the middle of the dance floor.
SARAH
Stanley wants to thank the crew for the
