EXT. NEBRASKA PLAINS - EARLY
MORNING
Sweeping aerial view of the landscape on a
fall morning. Misty meadows, leaves falling. A red van winds its way through the
scenery. The peace is shattered by the wailing of babies and the hubbub of a
busy medical clinic.
INT. WINNEBAGO RESERVATION CLINIC -
MORNING
A NURSE weaves through the throngs of young
pregnant Native Americans and older mothers, carrying a red clipboard. The
schedule is backed-up and an OLD MOTHER -in a full cotton skirt and hooded
sweatshirt- and her YOUNG DAUGHTER -her jeans unzipped and rolled to accommodate
her belly- are frustrated. The mother hoists herself up.
OLD MOTHER
(in Winnebago)
We are leaving. Next time they can wait on
us.
YOUNG DAUGHTER
(in English)
Sit down. They’ll be here
soon.
The nurse makes her way to an exam room and
opens the door on WENONA -16, beautiful, stoic- and they share a meaningful
look.
EXT. ROAD TO REZ -
MORNING
Red van still making its way to the clinic,
passing road signs that have been the target of many empty beer bottles. Scenery
increasingly run-down.
INT. VAN - MORNING
Team of DOCTORS from
DR. FERN
The staff is actually excellent, very
competent. Watch out for Sheila Bad Bull, though. She’s
touchy.
DR. MUNROE
She’s fine.
Lianne smiles.
DR. FERN
And don’t be put off if they don’t look you
in the eye. One of the nurses told me it’s actually a sign of
respect.
DR. MUNROE
Or maybe they just think you’re
ugly.
MARCUS
So do all the patients have Indian
names?
DR. FERN
Nah, some are just normal. But there are a
lot of strange ones. Martha Twelve Skunk. Big Lady Moon.
DR. MUNROE
April Crotched Tree.
DR. FERN
Moses Flying Paint.
LIANNE
And do they speak
English?
DR. FERN
Yes, of course. This isn’t like the old West.
It’s just a dumpy little town.
MARCUS
Are there businesses?
DR. MUNROE
A few. Gas station, convenience
store.
LIANNE
Churches?
DR. FERN
(distastefully)
Yes. Several.
DR. MUNROE
This is your first rotation away from school,
isn’t it, Lianne?
LIANNE
Yeah, and also my first time doing prenatal
care. And my first time with Native Americans, I guess.
MARCUS
Prenatal’s a breeze. I’ll help you
out.
DR. FERN
Almost there.
EXT. ROAD NEAR REZ -
MORNING
Van passes the sign for Winnebago
Reservation.
INT. VAN - MORNING
LIANNE
What are the women like,
generally?
DR. FERN
Depends. Some are talkative, most are
teenagers. Often times you’ll get a really agitated one. Hard to deal with,
never want to come to the appointments. Sometimes the reservation police have to
go out and round these kids up, make ‘em come to clinic.
LIANNE
Really?
DR. MUNROE
Yeah, once in a while they act tough, but you
just gotta give them a little T.L.C. Use humor. Get them to smile and they’ll
soften right up, like anyone else.
EXT. REZ - MORNING
Three Winnebago kids run around in a gravel
lot near the clinic, playing with a dog and a beat-up
volleyball.
INT. CLINIC - LATE
MORNING
Doctors and students enter the clinic and are
quickly engaged. Some of the Native American women watch them carefully as they
enter. Lianne takes in new sights. SHEILA BAD BULL, Head Nurse, delegates
positions.
SHEILA
(to Lianne)
You’ll take exam B. Just first-timers and
first-trimesters in that room. Dr. Fern will supervise.
You.
She looks down her glasses at
Marcus.
SHEILA(cont’d.)
You’re with me.
Marcus and Lianne exchange looks and head in
opposite directions.
MARCUS
(ignored by Sheila)
You know, I’ve actually worked prenatal
and OB/GYN before..so I could probably stick with the
doctors...
Dr. Fern leads Lianne to exam B and they go
in. Wenona is there, sitting on the table. Dr. Fern hands Lianne the chart and
gives her no assistance.
LIANNE
Hi...Wenona. Wenona Storm Crier. That’s
beautiful.
Wenona is unmoved.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I’m Lianne, and I’ll be taking care of you
today. So... it says here you are about five weeks along, right? How are you
feeling today?
WENONA
Okay.
LIANNE
No nausea or anything like morning
sickness?
WENONA
Maybe a little.
Lianne marks something on her chart and seems
at a loss.
DR. FERN
(prompting,
disinterested)
History?
LIANNE
Oh, yes. Wenona, I’m just going to ask a few
questions to set up a medical history for you, kay? Okay. How old are
you?
WENONA
Sixteen.
LIANNE
And this is your first
pregnancy?
Wenona nods.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
And the father, is he...in the
picture?
WENONA
Yes. Keith.
LIANNE
Keith. Okay. And let me ask about your
families. Are there any health problems in members of your and Keith’s immediate
family members?
WENONA
My mother has diabetes. And so do a few
people in Keith’s family, I think. And his dad has bad kidneys, has to get
dialysis. And my dad...he had eye problems before he died.
LIANNE
How did he die?
WENONA
Car crash.
Lianne sees Wenona is affected, maybe
nervous.
LIANNE
Sorry if I’m not very good at this. It’s kind
of like my first day.
Wenona smiles back.
WENONA
Mine, too.
LIANNE
Just a few more things to check off. Do you
have any other medical conditions?
Wenona shakes her head.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
And have you been sleeping okay lately,
Wenona?
WENONA
Yeah, I guess. Sometimes I get too hot and
have to walk around, but not too bad.
LIANNE
Okay, good. And have you had an ultrasound
yet?
WENONA
No.
LIANNE
(excited)
Oh, it’s sweet. You get to hear the baby’s
heart beating. And a sonogram lets you see what your baby looks like. You can
get a little image printed off to show your family and-
Dr. Fern, who has been forgotten, clears his
throat expectantly before Wenona can respond.
DR. FERN
Don’t break out the champagne until you
consider the situation. This is the patient’s first pregnancy, and she’s still
early. She’s probably considering terminating the pregnancy.
Lianne is taken aback and the atmosphere
becomes awkward.
LIANNE
Oh..I..
She glances at Wenona, who is looking at her
feet. Dr. Fern motions for Lianne to follow him to the hall.
DR. FERN
(while exiting)
You’re done here, ma’am. You can take your
chart to the front desk and they’ll help you out.
He leans over Lianne, maybe too closely.
Wenona is still within hearing range.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
Listen. You did pretty well with the history,
and establishing a rapport with the patient, but let’s not let our personal
interests interfere with our medical responsibility. This girl is 16 and her
chances of getting out of here are seriously smashed if she has a kid.
Lianne is angered and uncomfortable, but
wants to be respectful.
LIANNE
I know I didn’t present an..alternative
option, but I don’t think it’s our responsibility to-
Fern sees he’s flustered her and tries to
move on.
DR. FERN
Just be mindful that you’re dealing with
another culture, here, kay? I’m sure you’ll catch on quickly. I’ve heard good
things.
He heads down the hall and Lianne is left
against the wall. She stands there for a few moments and then Marcus, looking
harassed, marches impatiently down the hall while holding an Indian toddler
before him.
MARCUS
Bad Bull left me with this while she was
drawing the mom’s blood and now I can’t find her.
LIANNE
Here.
She takes the cute kid and smiles at him,
swinging him comfortably onto her hip.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Should we find mama?
EXT. OUTSIDE CLINIC -
AFTERNOON
Wenona waits for her mom to come pick her up.
She sits at a picnic table. She leans back and looks down, not showing at all
but still wondering. She places her hand on her abdomen beneath her light
jacket.
Lianne exits the clinic for a break, the din
fading behind her. She carries an apple and a bag of chips and heads for the
picnic table. School is just out and kids are walking home and messing around
with friends. Lianne rounds a corner to see Wenona is already sitting at the
table. She approaches after a moment’s hesitation.
LIANNE
Hi.
Wenona looks up,
startled.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
We met this morning. Wenona,
right?
Wenona nods and there is a full moment of
silence before Lianne sits down and rips open her chips, trying to be
nonchalant.
WENONA
(firmly)
I don’t want to have an
abortion.
LIANNE
(surprised)
Oh. That’s...
Her face softens and she looks at Wenona
meaningfully.
WENONA
That doctor...he acted like it was some huge
deal to do it, to have a baby. But lots of girls here have them. My mom had me
when she was only a little older. I just...what he said about me getting out of
here-
LIANNE
I’m sure he didn’t mean
to-
Wenona keeps talking nervously.
WENONA
I want to get out, yeah, but I’m not leaving
my family. Or Keith. It’s not like I’ve got somewhere to go, anyway. Maybe
college, but that doesn’t seem...real...right now.
LIANNE
Do you want to go to
college?
WENONA
Well, yeah..I don’t know. I’m, I want to do
something.
LIANNE
You don’t have to know yet. I have a sister
who’s in school now and still doesn’t know what she’s going
for.
Wenona considers her.
WENONA
How did you- What made you decide to be a
doctor?
LIANNE
Well, technically, I’m not a doctor
yet...But, my dad is, and my mom is a midwife...so, it was always kind of the
‘thing to do’ in my family, I guess.
WENONA
So your mom helps deliver
babies?
LIANNE
She does it all, yep.
They sit in a companionable silence. A rusted
pick-up roars by. Lianne picks some dandelions near her feet and tears them
apart while she speaks.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
What about your family? Are they...do you
live with them, I mean?
Wenona is bemused.
WENONA
That’s for sure. I have two little brothers
and my mom, but my aunt lives there, too. And my other aunt and her husband are
always there, because they live really close. And my grandma, she’s only a few
houses away. But we...I don’t see her very often.
LIANNE
Big family. I always wanted little
brothers.
WENONA
Yeah? I’ve got two for sale.
Lianne laughs a little.
LIANNE
I’m not sure I can handle any more men in my
life.
Wenona raises an eyebrow
suggestively.
WENONA
Boyfriends?
LIANNE
Ha! No, those doctors!
WENONA
I guess there aren’t a lot of women doctors.
LIANNE
No, there are, really. I mean, more than
there ever were. But...I guess I just- well, it feels like I’ve landed in some
kind of all-male society where women are relegated to the back
and-
She realizes she’s starting a tirade and
stops, smiling apologetically.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Anyway, you get what I mean. It’s
just...
WENONA
(overly-serious)
Hard to be...the
minority?
Lianne looks up.
LIANNE
Oh, but, I’m...I didn’t
mean-
Wenona smiles disarmingly. Lianne
laughs.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Hey, now...you can’t mess with me yet. I
don’t know you well enough.
Lianne offers her chips and Wenona accepts.
The side door of the clinic opens and Sheila Bad Bull steps out. She points at
Lianne and motions for her to ‘get back in here.’
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Break’s over, I guess. Hey, it was nice to
see you again, Wenona.
WENONA
Yeah.
Lianne pauses.
LIANNE
Do you...are you around here during the
day?
WENONA
I go to school.
LIANNE
Oh..of course.
WENONA
But we get lunch off.
LIANNE
Yeah? Do you- we could have lunch sometime,
if you want. Because, well, I’m here all week for clinic and...it would be cool
to get to know more about- this place. And, to learn more, so I can stop saying
stupid things, which I do, in case you hadn’t noticed.
WENONA
(sarcastically)
No...
LIANNE
(laughing)
Really, it would just be nice to hang out
with someone who isn’t a doctor.
Wenona considers for a
moment.
WENONA
Yeah, that’s okay.
Tomorrow?
LIANNE
Great, that sounds-
She sees Bad Bull looking non-plussed in the
doorway and speaks quietly to herself.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I’m coming, I’m coming.
Over her shoulder to
Wenona:
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Bye!
Wenona lifts a hand and quirks her lips as
Lianne hurries away. She touches the pile of torn dandelions on the table and
sighs, touching her abdomen again briefly.
EXT. RESERVATION - TWO WEEKS LATER -
Lots of kids are walking home from school.
TATE and BEN, two boys in black hoodies, lean against a fence and darkly watch
the other kids.
Down the street and over a bit sit Lianne and
Wenona. They are in jackets and their breath is visible in puffs as they laugh
together.
LIANNE
And so, Marcus comes into the ER almost a
half hour late - just covered in it, and Dr. Fern completely rips
him open. I felt so bad for him, but really- I was trying hard not to crack up.
WENONA
That’s awesome. He sounds like a jerk
anyway.
LIANNE
No, I...that’s probably what I make him sound
like, right? But really, he’s fine- just...too..I don’t know. I shouldn’t talk
about him. He’s okay.
They pause and Wenona flicks the silly
tassels that decorate Lianne’s knitted gloves.
WENONA
Let’s walk. It’s cold.
LIANNE
Kay.
EXT. RESERVATION - A LITTLE
LATER
Lianne and Wenona walk slowly away from the
clinic. Lianne wears a long, woolen coat. Wenona wears an old Huskers parka and
jeans.
LIANNE
So what did he do?
WENONA
My dad? Nothing. I mean, he was angry about
it, but he wasn’t- my dad was... He was a smart man. Really solid. He knew what
was important. It was just a dog, anyway.
LIANNE
Yeah, I guess. But you, I mean, if my dog had
been shot- I’d cry for a week!
WENONA
I believe you.
They laugh, and Wenona
remembers.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Actually, I pretended I didn’t care. I wanted
to be tough, like my dad or- I don’t know. I acted...hard. But, I was sad,
really.
Lianne looks at her warmly. Wenona chuckles
to herself.
WENONA(cont’d.)
My mom, she named me Nâtcgetcéxiwîga when I
did that.
LIANNE
Na-what?
WENONA
(smiling)
It means She..umm..Whose Heart is Difficult
to Get At, or something. She thought I didn’t, that...but my dad didn’t ever
call me that.
She stops smiling.
LIANNE
(gently)
Tell me about him,
Wenona.
Wenona looks off into the distance, somber,
before a small smile touches her lips.
EXT. RESERVATION 10 YEARS PRIOR -
MORNING
Le Storm Crier -tall, long hair, cowboy hat
with an eagle feather- walks down the road, little Wenona trailing behind him
playfully. He spots his destination across the street and holds out his hand
behind him, not looking back. Wenona hurries to grab it and they cross to a low,
green house. There is an old blazer in the drive and Le glances inside. The keys
are there.
LE
Go for a ride, Nona?
WENONA
But this isn’t-
LE(cont’d.)
He owes me a favor. Up we
go!
He opens the door and swings Wenona in the
air. She shrieks delightedly. He gets in next to her and they back out, Le
watching the house closely. They back out of the drive and a loud WOMAN with a
towel over her shoulder storms out angrily, the screen door flapping.
WOMAN
Leonard Storm Crier! I know
you!
LE
‘Morning, Cheri! Just goin’ for a spin. Tell
Bush I’ll fill ‘er up.
She responds in Winnebago, obviously
less-than appeased. Le laughs and peals out, Wenona holding his arm
tightly.
EXT. MEADOW NEAR REZ -
MID-MORNING
Le leans up against the blazer, peacefully
taking in the beautiful view. Wenona runs up to him, arms full of purple and
yellow wildflowers.
WENONA
(breathless)
Are these the ones?
LE
Good job, lady. Those are the
ones.
He takes them from her and lays the flowers
gently on the back seat through the open window. He looks at his daughter,
removing a piece of grass from her hair.
LE(cont’d.)
Are you Wenona Storm
Crier?
She nods earnestly, familiar with this
game.
LE(cont’d.)
Of the great Hochungara Storm
Criers?
WENONA
Yes!
LE
Of the famous Thunderbird
Clan?
Wenona starts yelling a Winnebago song
excitedly, running around her father’s legs. Le’s voice grows steadily more
animated.
LE(cont’d.)
Descendent of the brave prophet White Cloud?
And...ticklish daughter of the brave and respected Le Storm
Crier...
He scoops up Wenona and tickles her as she
laughs uncontrollably.
LE(cont’d.)
...who loves his little lady very
much!
He smothers her in noisy fake kisses and
lowers them to the ground, laughing. They sit there for a few moments,
happy.
LE(cont’d.)
Well. Should we bring your mom the magic
flowers for her tummy?
WENONA
Can we go to
Le helps her into the vehicle,
laughing.
LE
Okay. No telling Bush,
though.
They pull away and Wenona sticks her head out
the window, letting the air move her hair all around. She sings a high, pretty
note that is swallowed by the wind. A decorated cross where an accident has been
is unnoticed, lost in a cloud of dust from the car.
EXT. OUTSIDE CLINIC - PRESENT
DAY
Lianne and Wenona enter the clinic through
the front door after their walk.
INT. CLINIC - EARLY
AFTERNOON
Lianne unwinds her scarf and takes off her
coat, having to go back to work.
Wenona leaves hers on.
LIANNE
I hope you’re not too late. And if you are,
I’ll just write a doctor’s note!
Wenona doesn’t laugh, looking around at a few
other pregnant girls her age that are in the waiting room. They are looking back
at her and Lianne. Lianne touches her hand.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Hey.
WENONA
What? Sorry. What’d you
say?
LIANNE
Tomorrow? Want me to pick you up from school?
They said it might rain, or sleet.
WENONA
Oh, yeah. Sure.
She takes off her gloves and tucks her hair
behind her ears.
WENONA(cont’d.)
But, aren’t- didn’t you say this was your
last week here?
LIANNE
Oh..I- Well, I talked to the hospital, where
I’m on rotation, you know. They said I could keep coming- that I could just
switch up my schedule.
WENONA
You asked to come back?
Lianne looks a little embarrassed, but
smiles.
LIANNE
Well, yeah. I’m- I think there’s a lot to do
here, to learn. I like it. And, come on...
She feigns
fabulousness.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
...you know you’d miss me.
Wenona grins and rolls her
eyes.
WENONA
You’re worse than my
brothers.
LIANNE
Shut up.
They smile and say goodbye for the day. Dr.
Fern watches from where he leans against the front desk, waiting for a patient.
Lianne catches his eyes and can’t read his expression.
INT. STORM CRIER HOME - LATE
AFTERNOON
TINA STORM CRIER -solid, protective,
traditional- cooking something on the stove, waiting for her kids to come home
from school. LANCE and GEORGE STORM CRIER burst through the door, slinging their
bags and coats aside and chattering.
LANCE
Loser, Georgie!
GEORGE
Shut up. You didn’t know it
either.
LANCE
Yeah, should’a laid on the
ground!
BOTH
(in high voices)
Tony LaPointe!
They laugh and dive onto the couch, switching
on the TV. Tina speaks to her boys, not turning around.
TINA
(in Winnebago)
Pick up your bags,
boys.
George gets up and kicks their things to a
corner. He sees Tina rolling dough into pieces.
GEORGE
Oh! I wanna roll.
TINA
(in English)
Wash your hands first. Lance.
Homework.
LANCE
C’mon!
TINA
TV off.
Lance rolls his eyes and makes a show of
hoisting his backpack onto the couch, not turning off the set. George helps to
roll dough. Tina bends down and kisses the top of his head quickly, saying
something under her breath in Winnebago.
The front door opens and Wenona and KEITH
-18, athletic, friendly- enter.
KEITH
(warmly)
Hey, Mrs. S.
TINA
Keith.
THE BOYS
Keith!
Keith walks over and lifts Lance from the
couch and turns him upside down.
LANCE
Keith, lemme wear your jersey on
Friday!
GEORGE
No, me! Keith!
LANCE
Called it!
KEITH
Hey, now, little brothers. I’m gonna need it
for the game, huh?
Lance pleads from over his
shoulder.
LANCE
Coooome oooon!
George leaves the kitchen and Keith wrestles
with the boys. Wenona takes off her coat and walks over to her mom, putting her
chin on her shoulder.
WENONA
Mmm, Mom.
TINA
Feeling better now?
WENONA
Mm hmm. Where’s Aunt
Jo?
TINA
Went to the movies with
Lisa.
WENONA
Heh.
Wenona stirs the dish on the
stove.
TINA
Sheila Bad Bull came in to the store
today.
WENONA
Yeah?
TINA
She told me about your white doctor
friend.
Wenona stops stirring and looks up at her
with mixed emotions. Tina is quietly angry.
WENONA
So?
TINA
You can’t tell me when you’re missing
school?
WENONA
I’m not-
TINA
I have to hear from everybody
else?
WENONA
Well, so what? What’s the big
deal?
Tina is silent and kneads
firmly.
WENONA(cont’d.)
So we’re friends. She’s white - oh,
no! So it’s a sin to have a white friend?
Tina faces her, stern.
TINA
(in Winnebago)
You will not speak to me like that,
First-Born Daughter.
Wenona lowers her eyes
immediately.
WENONA
Sorry. I’m- We’re just friends. We...just
talk. She’s nice.
TINA
I bet she is. She give you
money?
WENONA
What?
TINA
Tell you about Jesus?
WENONA
(angry)
That is not-
TINA
Enough!
She resumes her cooking. Wenona’s face is
stony.
TINA
We’ll talk about this later. You should
eat.
WENONA
Not hungry.
Keith!
Keith looks up at her sharp tone. Wenona
walks out of the kitchen and heads to her room, Keith gently dropping the boys
and following her.
INT. WENONA’S ROOM - JUST
AFTER
Wenona storms into her bedroom and lies down
on her bed. Keith sits next to her.
WENONA
I can’t believe- she’s
so-
She takes a few deep breaths and quiets,
closing her eyes. Keith stretches out next to her and rubs her
belly.
KEITH
Hey, don’t worry ‘bout it.
He places a kiss on her
stomach.
KEITH(cont’d.)
She just doesn’t get it, is all. I think it’s
great. You can make friends with whoever ya want, right?
WENONA
(flatly)
Right.
She moves his hand off her
stomach.
WENONA(cont’d.)
You should come with us tomorrow. I want you
to meet Lianne.
KEITH
Yeah, sure. That sounds good. Oh,
wait.
He sits up.
KEITH(cont’d.)
We’re goin’ out to Mickey’s tonight,
remember?
Wenona gives him a ‘so what?’ look. He
chuckles and nudges her.
KEITH
Nona, doubt I’m gonna be at school in the
morning, huh? Hey, you’re coming though?
WENONA
No, Keith.
He sits up fully.
KEITH
Serious? How come?
WENONA
I’m not gonna sit around with you guys,
drinking in Mickey’s shed.
KEITH
Never had a problem with it
before.
Wenona sits up too, standing up and moving
away angrily.
WENONA
Yeah, well, Keith, things are a little
different now.
Keith looks down
silently.
WENONA
Just...go.
KEITH
Nona-
He stands up, hesitates, and heads for the
door.
KEITH(cont’d.)
Sure you won’t come?
She closes her eyes and tries to control her
breathing. He leaves.
Lianne sits at a table in the doctors’
lounge, having been up all night on call. She looks exhausted. A female resident
named MARCI enters energetically.
MARCI
Evans, you off yet?
LIANNE
Lord, I hope so.
MARCI
Whatcha sticking around
for?
Marci pours some coffee into a styrofoam cup
and sets it in front of Lianne. She lifts her head in
thanks.
LIANNE
Fern wants me to go over some charts before
he’ll sign off. Just waiting for him to show.
MARCI
Ha. Typical Fern. Must like
you.
Lianne makes a face and drinks her coffee.
Marci sits down and tears into a granola bar.
MARCI(cont’d.)
So what’s the deal with the Indian
reservation?
LIANNE
Huh?
MARCI
Yeah, heard you’re spending your whole
rotation over there.
LIANNE
What? No, not really. I mean, I’m doing all
my weekends here.
MARCI
Sure. But what gives? You into
prenatal?
Lianne thinks for a
moment.
LIANNE
I don’t know. Maybe. I’ve met people there, I
guess.
MARCI
Huh. Well, watch out, you know. Don’t wanna
be pegged as just another lady doctor who wants to play
mommy.
LIANNE
What?
Marci waves her granola bar in the air while
she talks.
MARCI
You know, all the docs like to farm the
chicks off to OB/GYN or prenatal. We gotta stick together, man. Fight the
stereotypical ‘I have a uterus so I must want to work with babies’
thing.
LIANNE
My mother is a midwife.
Marci closes her mouth and crunches her food
loudly, awkwardly. Lianne sighs.
LIANNE
It’s fine, Marci, I’m
just-
Dr. Fern sticks his head in the door,
impatient, and motions with his head for her to follow
him.
FERN
Lianne. Look alive.
Lianne exchanges a look with the resident and
stands, chucking her coffee in the trash.
MARCI
Hang in there.
LIANNE
(tiredly)
Yeah...
INT. RESERVATION CLINIC -
AFTERNOON
Wenona is in for a check-up a week later. A
DOCTOR is just finishing up the exam. There is a knock on the door and Lianne
peaks her head in. The doctor smiles warmly. Wenona just
nods.
DOCTOR
Hi, Lianne. Get that baby to hold still for
her shots?
LIANNE
Finally. Sheila had me tape two of her fingers
together. Incredible. She just kept playing with the tape - I don’t even think
she noticed the stick!
DOCTOR
(chuckling)
Works every time.
He closes his chart and pats Wenona on the
knee. He hands her a slip of paper.
DOCTOR(cont’d.)
We’re all done here, then. Just have them
fill this and take one every day with breakfast, kay?
WENONA
Thanks.
He walks out and Lianne comes fully into the
room.
LIANNE
How’d it go?
WENONA
Good. Everything’s
fine.
LIANNE
No more morning
sickness?
WENONA
Nope, not too bad.
They are both silent for a
minute.
LIANNE
Why didn’t you come on Wednesday? I
waited.
WENONA
I had to work on a
project.
LIANNE
Oh.
WENONA
Yeah.
Another silent moment. Lianne is
irritated.
LIANNE
Still, that’s the second
time-
Wenona interrupts
angrily.
WENONA
Look. I’m not some kind of..of ‘Indian doll’ you
can-
LIANNE
(incredulous)
What?
WENONA
-just, train to be like you, and, ‘cause you
feel sorry for me...or that you can make me-
Lianne stands.
LIANNE
Wha- Wenona, what’s the
deal?
Wenona looks at her
defiantly.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Have I ever done or, or said anything to you
that-
She stops talking, her confusion becoming
emotional.
WENONA
Why are you even doing this, huh? You think
it’s not clear? That what- and that everyone...they can see, Lianne. I
can see.
Wenona sees she has hit a nerve and continues
to dig.
WENONA(cont’d.)
You seem to be the only one who can’t...like,
you don’t know you’re pretending- Always perfect, happy Lianne. Holier than
thou. Can’t let-
LIANNE
Stop it! What do you even- Where do you get
off, Wenona? Saying that to me?
WENONA
Am I wrong?
Lianne is hurt and flustered, growing
angry.
LIANNE
(taking her time)
That is
so...ungrateful.
WENONA
Oh, so I’m supposed to be
grateful.
LIANNE
That’s great, Wenona. That’s really smart.
She turns to the side so they aren’t facing
each other. Wenona starts speaking slowly, coolly.
WENONA
I’m just saying, that...if you thought I was
going to see - how you are, or what kind of life you have and...and just forget
who I am, or-
LIANNE
That is not-
WENONA
-or say I’ll be like you, go to college,
church, well...
Lianne takes a deep, shaky breath and turns
to her coldly.
LIANNE
If that’s what you think I’m trying to do,
then I am sorry for you. And sorry I even tried to-
She stops, biting her upper lip. Wenona
clenches her jaw, her eyes full of unshed tears. Lianne’s posture changes to
defeat.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I’m - I’ve got to go.
Wenona doesn’t respond, and Lianne leaves
without a look back.
EXT. NEBRASKA PLAINS - DECEMBER
DAY
The plains are iced over and glaring in the
sunlight. Tiny branches on trees are encased in ice and move in the biting
wind.
Wenona walks down the hall and stops at her
locker. Her pregnancy is now showing; she is wearing a t-shirt stretched tight,
a zip-up sweatshirt, and jogging pants.
She walks through the cafeteria and ignores
Keith at a table with a bunch of guys. He tries to ignore her back and
fails.
She sits in class and doesn’t really pay
attention.
INT. EVANS HOME -
EVENING
Lianne is home for Christmas. Her family is
in the background preparing dinner in a warmly-lit kitchen. She is sitting in
her favorite big chair near the front window, next to a colorful Christmas tree.
She gently touches some of the familiar ornaments, stopping on a beautiful glass
piece. It depicts the nativity scene, and her fingers trace an angel near Mary.
Her expression is unreadable.
INT. STORM CRIER HOME -
MORNING
Wenona’s mother comes downstairs on New
Year’s Day. Wenona is already up, looking tired, drawn. She has made tea. The
little brothers are asleep on the couch, one wearing a silly party hat. There
are food remnants on the low table in front of them. Tina looks at them and
picks up a noise-maker.
TINA
They should not have stayed up so
late.
WENONA
(whispering)
Shhh. They’re fine.
TINA
Look at this. Mess, and
no-
WENONA
Shh. Mom.
Wenona draws Tina into the kitchen and seats
her, pouring her a mug of tea.
TINA
Up early.
WENONA
Hmm.
TINA
You feel sick.
Wenona sighs and runs her hands through her
hair. She squeezes her hands, which feel puffy.
WENONA
No...I’m...
She stops for a moment.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Keith called?
TINA
You said you didn’t want to
talk.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I know, just- has he?
TINA
No.
They both sip their
tea.
WENONA
Mr. Line, he told me I could probably
graduate early.
TINA
Hmm. You think about school too much. Break
isn’t over ‘til Tuesday.
Wenona leans forward in her seat, palming the
span of her belly under the table. She stops whispering.
WENONA
I’m a good writer. There are programs that, I
could... or,-
Wenona is choked up.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Mom?
Tina looks at her. Wenona is clearly
distressed.
WENONA(cont’d.)
What...am I going to do?
Tina is surprised at Wenona’s tone. She
doesn’t understand her daughter’s anxiety.
TINA
About what?
Wenona just looks at her for a full moment,
then breaks into slightly hysterical laughter. George and Lance wake
up.
GEORGE
Awww..Lance, geddoffme!
LANCE
Shut up.
George sits up and rubs his eyes vigorously.
He sees Tina and Wenona in the kitchen, looking at him.
GEORGE
Nona, make pancakes!
LANCE
Yeah. Pancakes!
Wenona wipes her eyes and rises, exchanging a
look with her mother.
Lianne is walking out of the ER doors after
her shift, wrapping a scarf around her neck. Just as she clears the doors, an
alarm-like noise sounds from inside. She stops, closes her eyes in a silent
plea, wants to keep walking, but turns around and goes back
inside.
INT. MERCY HOSPITAL ER - JUST
AFTER
Lianne unwraps her scarf and heads to the ER
desk. Nurse RENAE, all business, is dialing a phone with one hand and motioning
to various people with the other.
LIANNE
Whatcha got?
Renae looks up for a
second.
RENAE
School shooting. Pretty
bad.
LIANNE
Lord...
She talks into the phone for a
moment.
RENAE(cont’d.)
Yeah, I need all available teams. That’s
right. Four? That’s it? Yeah, I get you, Mitch. I need
more.
She looks up.
RENAE(cont’d.)
You on tonight?
LIANNE
(nervously)
Call, yeah.
RENAE
You’re going. Get to the ambulance docks.
They’re pulling out in five.
LIANNE
Right.
Renae has already gone back to the phone.
Lianne starts walking away.
RENAE
Yeah. All units. To Winnebago. That’s right,
the reservation.
Lianne stops suddenly, paling. She runs back
to the desk.
LIANNE
The reservation? The
school?
Renae looks irritated and waves her
off.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Any casualties?
She is ignored.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Renae, any casualties?!
Renae slowly lowers the receiver from her ear
and stares her down.
RENAE
We. Don’t. Know. Yet.
She sees Lianne is truly concerned and
softens.
RENAE(cont’d.)
Get going. They need all
hands.
EXT. ROAD TO RESERVATION -
AFTERNOON
The sun is setting ablaze the snow-covered
plains. The serenity is shattered by the wailing of sirens as several ambulances
and police cars invade the landscape.
INT. AMBULANCE -
AFTERNOON
Lianne, Marcus, and team of EMTs bounce in
the back of an ambulance. The DRIVER interprets the garble from the C.B. scanner
and shouts it back.
DRIVER
Two..we got two shooters.
Males.
MARCUS
(nervously, to Lianne)
But, they got ‘em,
right?
DRIVER
Both dead.
MARCUS
(quietly)
Yep.
Lianne grimaces. Her hands are clasped
tightly together. She tries to control her breathing. Marcus places his hand on
top of hers briefly.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
Your knuckles are
white.
She relaxes her grip and brings one hand to
her throat, closing her eyes. She silently mouths words. An EMT across from them
notices.
EMT #1
She okay?
Lianne opens her eyes but doesn’t
respond.
MARCUS
Yeah, fine. It’s...they didn’t have enough
responders. She’s just a third-year.
The EMT raises his eyebrows. The EMT next to
him nods.
EMT #2
Hey, s’all right. Sure it’s the first
school-shooting we’ve had, too.
He motions with his head to include the whole
team. Lianne nods at him.
LIANNE
It’s...I know people
there.
The first EMT gives her some kind of
consternating look she doesn’t see. The reason for her concern dawns on Marcus
for the first time.
MARCUS
Oh, your friend? She’s still in
school?
LIANNE
(absently)
She’s sixteen, Marcus.
MARCUS
Oh-
EMT #2
(appeasing)
Then she’s fine. It wasn’t the high school.
Winnebago Elementary.
Lianne looks up, her mouth open to speak.
Something sounds over the C.B.
DRIVER
List is in. Five dead. The shooters, a female
teacher, and two more - boys.
The ambulance skids to a halt. They are at
the clinic.
EMT #1
(with finality)
This is it.
He glances at Lianne as they open the back
doors to disembark. Sirens and the noise of chaos fills the
space.
EMT #1
Better keep prayin’.
The other EMT puts one hand on her back and
with the other gives Marcus a gentle shove.
EMT #2
Come on.
INT. CLINIC - JUST
AFTER
The noise and chaos swell as the ambulance
crew bursts through the doors. They all stop in their tracks. The EMTs move away
with supplies.
LIANNE
Oh, God...
MARCUS
Oh. Oh.
Tables, beds, and gurneys have been pulled
out into the main lobby. There are wounded children everywhere, some crying,
some screaming, some silent. The medical staff and first responders are already
there, but need help. Scared parents hold their children, trying to get
attention.
This all comes in an overwhelming, sped-up
wave to Lianne and Marcus, who hesitate. The noise crescendos and Lianne makes
eye contact with nurse Sheila, gently lifting a girl whose back is soaked in
blood. Lianne takes a breath and moves to help. The noise breaks and things slow
to a manageable pace.
SHEILA
Got here fast.
LIANNE
What should I do?
Sheila motions with her head to a father
holding a silent boy mostly inside his coat. Lianne goes to them. She and the
father have a silent conversation, and he opens his arms. The boy’s arm is
wounded. She brushes the hair from his eyes and tries to reassure him with a
small smile. He just looks back with a clear, hard gaze.
EXT. CLINIC - EVENING
The sun has gone down. An aerial view of the
clinic shows some red and blue lights still flashing, and several cars parked at
random around the building. News vans have now joined the fray. Cameras and
lights and somber-voiced reports stand at various locations by the clinic, some
waiting to catch exiting Indians for comment. The rez police clearly do not like
them.
INT. CLINIC - EVENING
Things are much quieter. The badly-wounded
have all been rushed to
Dr. Munroe walks out from the exam rooms to
the lobby. He is on a cell phone with someone important, clearly frustrated and
tired.
MUNROE
Yeah, yeah, thanks, Jerry. Yeah.
He listens for a
moment.
MUNROE(cont’d.)
Yeah, I guess if it’s the best we can do.
We’ll have to figure out some kind of shuttle-system. No. No,
no.
He sees a kid trying to pull the tape of his
stitches and snaps his fingers to get the attention of a nearby
doctor.
MUNROE(cont’d.)
Well, they’ll just have to. We can’t
not admit them, Jer. Insurance isn’t-
He sees Lianne doing a poor job of
butterflying a small, deep cut on a girl’s neck.
MUNROE(cont’d.)
Look, I’ve got to go. Just, handle it, okay?
Yeah. Thanks.
He closes the phone and gently moves Lianne’s
hands away.
LIANNE
Thanks. I think half the kids here are going
to have wonky scars thanks to me.
MUNROE
No, you had the right idea. Just a different
angle, see? ‘Cause of the location.
Lianne considers him for a
moment.
LIANNE
How do you...you know, stay so together? I
mean, I didn’t see, you didn’t even blink. Just jumped in.
He shrugs and delicately tapes the
laceration.
MUNROE
Everyone’s nervous. Just, thank the Lord my
knees shake, instead of my hands.
Lianne laughs and Munroe ruffles the boy’s
hair, receiving a glare which he pretends to return. The boy almost
smiles.
MUNROE(cont’d.)
It’s the bureaucracy I can’t
handle.
LIANNE
What’s wrong?
MUNROE
The system, all of it. It’s...so political.
Medicine, it shouldn’t be political. Healing people.
LIANNE
I know..it’s...and now, those reporters. It’s
like - there will be so much to get through. And for the families. Those boys,
the ones that-
She stops as a middle-aged WINNEBAGO WOMAN
exits the back exam hall, an oversized coat draped over her shoulders. She is
clearly the mother of one of the dead boys. Her face is wet from crying, but set
as she walks through the room, following a Winnebago police officer and another,
older man with long gray hair. Everyone stops to see the somber
procession.
MUNROE
(watching them)
Why don’t you get some coffee, or take a
breather. There’s not much else, just these few.
LIANNE
(also watching)
Yeah. Yeah, some air would be good.
Thanks...
EXT. CLINIC - NIGHT
Lianne steps out the back door. It is frigid,
and she pulls on her coat. She glances over towards the picnic table where she
used to sit and stops. There is someone sitting there. Her face is hopeful, but
then she frowns. It’s a man, and she knows him.
LIANNE
Marcus?
She walks to him and sees he is rocking back
and forth slightly, head bent.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
What are you doing out here? It’s
freezing...Marc?
He doesn’t look at her, speaking quietly in
short puffs of air.
MARCUS
I couldn’t...it...I
just...
LIANNE
Hey. What’s wrong?
She sits next to him and leans in close. He
finally looks at her.
MARCUS
I freaked, Lianne. I...lost it. I
really...left them hanging.
LIANNE
What? When?
MARCUS
The boy, they had me helping. I...it
was...
Lianne takes his hands, balled into cold
fists.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
He died, Lianne. He died. I’ve never seen,
that- just a kid, shot and-
He takes a few shaky
breaths.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
And this woman, his mother, or- or the
grandmother. She started wailing. Just...it was, she just started singing this
thing. God, it- ...and she held him.
His shoulders shake as he cries silently.
Lianne pulls him in close. She rocks him for a few moments until he calms. She
tells him a few comforting things softly, and he nods.
A light signals the clinic door opening.
Sheila Bad Bull once again stands in the doorway. She looks at Marcus. She calls
to Lianne.
SHEILA
Lianne. Someone here for
you.
Lianne gets up and tugs on Marcus’s
hands.
LIANNE
Up. You need to get
warm.
INT. CLINIC - JUST
AFTER
Lianne rounds the corner, again hopeful, and
stops when she sees Sheila point her out to Keith, standing awkwardly with his
cowboy hat in hand. She walks forward slowly.
KEITH
You’re Lianne?
LIANNE
Yeah?
KEITH
Wenona wants- I’m Keith. Wenona Storm Crier
is- she wanted to know if you were here.
Lianne’s expression changes and she looks
behind him into the room.
LIANNE
Oh. Is she-?
KEITH
No, but, I can- She asked me to come get
you?
LIANNE
Oh.
Lianne glances at Sheila and nods to
Keith.
LIANNE
Yeah, yes. You drove?
KEITH
Yeah, this way.
He leads Lianne out through the
front.
INT. STORM CRIER HOME -
NIGHT
There is a knock on the door, and Tina opens
it. Keith stands behind Lianne, holding the door open, but Lianne
pauses.
LIANNE
Hi. Mrs. Storm Crier?
Tina looks at her, but doesn’t respond. Her
expression is not unkind, but she looks affected. She motions with her head for
them to enter.
KEITH
(gently)
Go on.
Tina walks away and they come fully into the
house. Wenona comes downstairs when she hears the door shut. Lianne sees her
appear in the doorway. There is a long moment where Keith, Lianne, and Wenona
stand there in silence. Then, Wenona starts crying, and she covers her face with
her hands. Lianne moves to her and they embrace. Keith stands there for a
moment, then looks down and turns, leaving silently.
LIANNE
Oh, hey, shhhh....
WENONA
(blubbering)
Sorry, sorry. I’m just- it’s
so....
LIANNE
I know, I know. It’s awful.
WENONA
No, it’s-
She takes a few deep breaths and wipes her
eyes with the back of her hand.
WENONA(cont’d.)
...my brothers, they
weren’t-
LIANNE
I know. I was...I asked Sheila if she’d seen
them, if they were...hurt, and she-
WENONA
No,-
She shakes her head, finally composed. She
lowers herself to the couch, and Lianne sits too.
WENONA(cont’d.)
This morning. I - I didn’t feel
good.
Lianne looks as if she wants to comment, but
Wenona raises a hand, not finished.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I mean, not sick, or- but I felt...there was
something wrong. I was scared, I mean, it was...
She is frustrated at her inarticulacy. She
uses her hands to emphasize her words. She speaks more
slowly.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I told my brothers, Lianne, I made them - I
kept them home today from school.
Lianne’s mouth drops open a bit and Wenona
nods. George and Lance have come downstairs and are peeking in through the
doorway. They stand close together and have wide, dark eyes.
LIANNE
(hushed)
Wenona...
She can’t find words to say.
WENONA
And I, when I heard what happened. When
everybody found out...
She takes a deep
breath.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I felt like I was...I had to tell you.
She laughs wryly.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I called Keith, to...I didn’t think, I just-
I knew you were here. He said he’d find you.
She stops, sighing as if she’s said her
peace. Lianne is still silent, something like awe in her eyes, her mouth. She
realizes she’s still wearing her bulky coat and takes it off, sinking down into
the couch with Wenona. They both stare at the blank TV and sit in companionable
silence for a long while. Lianne finally looks over at
Wenona.
LIANNE
You’re huge.
Wenona smiles and
agrees.
WENONA
Yeah.
Tina walks into the living room, wearing a
long cotton skirt and a big winter coat. She calls to the
boys.
TINA
(in Winnebago)
Sons, we are going.
Wenona becomes angry.
WENONA
Mom, don’t make them
go.
Tina just looks at her and Lianne on the
couch.
TINA
Lance! George!
WENONA
Mom. Really, don’t. They don’t need to be
there.
Lance and George come downstairs again.
Wenona gets to her feet, using the couch for leverage.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Boys...
She takes a moment to reconsider, then speaks
calmly to her mother.
WENONA(cont’d.)
(in Winnebago)
Mother, please do not make them go tonight.
They are still afraid and will not like to be around so many
people.
Tina stops, not looking at her daughter.
After a moment she responds.
TINA
(in English)
I will be back later. Make sure they eat
before bed.
The boys stand on either side of Wenona and
watch as their mother leaves. Wenona looks over to Lianne. She puts her hands on
George and Lance’s heads, speaking quietly to them.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Head upstairs, kay, guys? We’ll stay in my
room. I’ll bring up food.
They both look at Lianne before they head
out. Lianne feels out of place. Wenona tries to explain.
WENONA(cont’d.)
It’s better they just stay in tonight, you
know?
LIANNE
Your mother - where was she
going?
WENONA
(sighing)
For the kids, the ones....they, we have this
tradition. Four nights’ wake, before the funeral. They’ll..there will be many
people there.
LIANNE
I’m sure. It’s...sad doesn’t even
start to get at it.
There is silence for a moment. Lianne picks
up her coat.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I should, I’d probably better get
going?
WENONA
Oh, I- yeah, guess so.
She and Wenona start speaking at the same
time.
LIANNE
It was-
WENONA
I’m-
They stop and smile a
little.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I’m glad you were here. That, that it was you
who could help.
LIANNE
I...I’m just thankful, that more
weren’t hurt...Wenona.
She looks at Wenona
fully.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I’m glad you kept them home, that you
listened.
Wenona nods.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Well,-
WENONA
You haven’t been at the clinic...in a
while.
Lianne pauses.
LIANNE
No, I...
WENONA
Not that- it’s...I guess I mean I’m
sorry.
LIANNE
Don’t, there’s
nothing...
She smiles and looks down, shaking her
head.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Me, too.
Wenona nods and pulls her robe around
her.
WENONA
Let me call Keith. To drive
you.
LIANNE
Oh, is that okay?
WENONA
Yeah. I should probably...we should talk,
anyway.
Lianne smiles understandingly and touches a
framed photo on the wall near the door.
LIANNE
This is your father.
WENONA
Yeah.
Lianne looks away from the
picture.
LIANNE
You’re like him.
Wenona nods.
WENONA
Yes. I know.
Lianne, out of her scrubs for once, goes to
administrative offices in the hospital. She checks in at the RECEPTIONIST’s
desk.
LIANNE
Hi. Lianne Evans, I’m supposed to meet with
Dr. Hughes.
The receptionist nods and marks her off.
Lianne looks around and sees Dr. Fern standing down the hall, talking to someone
else over a clipboard. He is looking at her. She is unnerved but brushes it off
as the receptionist motions for her to enter the office of DR. HUGHES -50’s,
portly, head administrator.
DR. HUGHES
Come in, come in. Hello,
Lianne.
LIANNE
Hi. How are you?
DR. HUGHES
Oh, fine. Just fine.
Lianne doesn’t know what to say, unsure of
why she’s even there.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
So, your rotation is up in a week or
two?
LIANNE
Yep.
DR. HUGHES
And, how have things gone, in your
opinion?
LIANNE
Great. I mean, well, very well - I’ve liked it
here.
DR. HUGHES
I understand you’ve spent a lot of time at
Macy and Winnebago.
Lianne gets a bad feeling about where this is
headed.
LIANNE
Yes...
DR. HUGHES
Don’t worry, heh, this isn’t some kind of rap
on the knuckles.
He makes himself laugh, Lianne is
disarmed.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
I heard you did good work on the shooting
response. Lots of good reports. Hard thing, that.
LIANNE
Yes, it
was.
DR. HUGHES
And, after next year, what are you thinking
about?
LIANNE
Oh, well...I mean, I haven’t decided for sure
yet, but, ped’s seems-
DR. HUGHES
Pediatrics. I guessed so, always like to
guess.
Lianne doesn’t respond fast enough so he
keeps talking.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
Well, I’m glad that you got in some good
prenatal at the reservation, then. That’s good.
He leans back in his chair, hands clasped
over his stomach.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
So now I imagine you’ll want to spend the
rest of your time here or in the ER.
LIANNE
Well, not- I’d actually still like to be on
the reservation rounds. I think there’s-
DR. HUGHES
Lianne.
He sighs.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
I know that sometimes one can get a-
sentimental weakness for certain types of patients...but, frankly, we’re
concerned.
LIANNE
Really? What-
DR. HUGHES
A few docs have mentioned it. Marcus Finch
says you’ve gotten awfully attached-
LIANNE
(hurt)
Marcus?
DR. HUGHES
Look - you’re bright. You have a lot of
potential. Reading your information...
He flips through a file on his
desk.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
...it says Johns-Hopkins for
residency?
LIANNE
Well, that was just a potential-
DR. HUGHES
There’s a lot of potential, yes, exactly. You
don’t want to get stuck, right? Right. There’s so much to be done - we need
brilliant researchers, good surgeons. There’s a lot of opportunity for ped’s,
too-
Dr.
She looks at him levelly. She speaks
slowly.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Are you telling me...that working with Native
Americans, is a dead-end?
He
returns her look evenly.
DR.
HUGHES
I’m
telling you...that, there are people who want to see you do well. There are
people that...don’t think the rez is the right - fit - for
you.
She takes a deep breath, her cheeks
coloring.
LIANNE
And...if I keep at it-
DR. HUGHES
Look, your rotation’s already been
compromised by-
LIANNE
Compromised?
DR. HUGHES
-your excessive
involvement...
He sees Lianne’s expression and trails
off.
DR. HUGHES(cont’d.)
You understand, of course? This is in your
best interest.
LIANNE
Right.
Her face conveys anything but
agreement.
EXT. RESERVATION -
MORNING
There is a quiet main street with a
convenience store on the corner. Two old women are walking down the sidewalk
away from the store. Suddenly, little Lance Storm Crier bursts into view,
running as fast as he can to the store. He isn’t wearing a coat. He rounds the
corner and skids on the ice, stopping himself with his hands before getting up
quickly. The bell on the door jangles loudly as he runs
in.
LANCE
Mom! Mom!
He looks around frantically. Tina emerges
from a back room with another woman, FLO. Tina is holding a newspaper and looks
confused.
TINA
Lance?
He runs up to her and grasps her arms,
shouting, out of breath.
LANCE
Mom! Nona! She fell
down!
TINA
What?
FLO
Slow down, boy.
TINA
What happened?
LANCE
Nona-
INT. STORM CRIER HOME - JUST
BEFORE
Time is shown in short instances: Lance and
George are watching TV and eating pop tarts before school, laughing at a
cartoon. Wenona is in the kitchen making tea. She looks unwell, squeezing her
swollen hands and touching her head like it aches. She is suddenly stricken,
crying out softly. She falls to her knees and knocks over a mug, breaking it.
Lance glances up. Wenona is now on the floor of the kitchen, seizing. George is
standing next to her crying while Lance yells at him to stay with her. The door
swings as he runs out.
The long wail of a siren signals Wenona’s
move to the hospital. The sound and picture fade out
slowly.
Lianne is sitting with Tina Storm Crier in a
quiet, nicely furnished waiting room. Lianne is in scrubs, looking like she’s
been up all night on call. Tina is still wearing her work clothes. She is
clutching a wad of kleenex. Lianne is talking to Tina without looking at her,
leaning forward on her elbows. She sounds tired.
LIANNE
So, she’s still out, but they aren't- it’s
not a coma, yet. And it might not be.
TINA
She will wake up.
Lianne looks at her sideways to see if she is
asking or stating.
LIANNE
Yeah, yeah we hope so. It’s- preeclampsia’s
tricky, Mrs. Storm Crier. You’ve- well, there’s treatment if someone...if it’s
caught early enough. But...I mean, with Wenona’s maternal seizures and-
She closes her eyes and exhales, trying to
find words.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
The only cure for this problem is
delivery, so-
TINA
She’s early, though?
LIANNE
Yeah, a little bit. Not too bad. I’m...I
guess I’m more worried - those seizures, they’re...
She sighs.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I’m just praying that, that they’ll both be
fine.
She looks over and sees Tina is already
looking at her. Lianne looks away.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Are George and, and
Lance-
TINA
With their aunt.
LIANNE
Right. Good.
A NURSE stops by the
door.
NURSE
Lianne?
LIANNE
Yes.
NURSE
Dr. Fern for you outside
LIANNE
Oh. Thanks.
She gets up slowly and starts to walk out.
She turns back to Tina.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Do you need anything, Mrs. Storm Crier?
Coffee? or, to call anyone?
Tina looks at her for a moment, her
expression clearly affected but her posture firm.
TINA
No. Just - will they tell me? When she’s
awake?
Lianne’s face softens.
LIANNE
Of course. Oh, of course, and I’ll be back in
just a bit. I won’t... It will be fine, Tina.
She looks at Tina
confidently.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Don’t worry.
INT. MERCY
Dr. Fern is leaning up against the front desk
of
LIANNE
Dr. Fern?
He looks up and stands tall, tapping his
fingers on the chart, looking at her pointedly.
DR. FERN
Walk with me?
LIANNE
Okay?
He heads down a hall and stops outside a
patient room. It’s Wenona’s, and Lianne sees her through the window, moving
automatically to open the door. Fern stops her by placing his hand on top of
hers.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
But it’s-
DR. FERN
Lianne. Hold on a second.
She moves her hand away from his and looks up
at him.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
I want you to look in that window and tell me
what you see.
Lianne is starting to grow angry at his
patronization. She answers firmly.
LIANNE
I see a very sick woman who could use the support of her
friends and family.
DR. FERN
Is that all?
LIANNE
I see...
She looks at Wenona through the glass and is
overwhelmed, choking up.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
A friend. A dear,
sweet-
DR. FERN
(gently, hushed)
Hold on...hold on.
He watches as she looks down and composes
herself.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
You know what I see?
Lianne shakes her head. Dr. Fern continues to
speak softly.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
A patient. Just a patient, Lianne. I see a
pregnant Indian girl - a girl - on the edge of a coma.
Lianne inhales shakily. He puts his hand
warmly on her shoulder.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
But that’s just what’s obvious, Lianne.
There’s more there, if you look.
Lianne looks up at him, confusion in her
teary eyes. Dr. Fern looks through the window at Wenona, removing his hand. His
face sets and his tone loses its gentleness.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
I see poverty.
Lianne’s shoulders
straighten.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
I see the bottom of the socio-economic
ladder. I see a product of genetic alcoholism and high unemployment.
The-
Lianne interrupts
hotly.
LIANNE
That is not-
He turns on her.
DR. FERN
I see the denial of heritage. I see a white
religion trying to-
LIANNE
What?
DR. FERN
I see the irony - that this girl, guilted into
continuing her pregnancy, is now suffering-
Lianne cuts him off, her voice low and
serious.
LIANNE
Stop it. You are- Don’t you dare reduce her
to-
He laughs caustically,
interrupting.
DR. FERN
You’ve done it yourself! Think,
Lianne. Your meddling-
LIANNE
My-
Something dawns on her.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Dr. Fern, what-
She takes a moment and continues
carefully.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Did you ask Dr. Hughes to change my
rotation?
Dr. Fern looks at her,
unashamed.
DR. FERN
It should have been done sooner.
Her mouth opens, but there aren’t
words.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
You may think I’m wrong, Lianne. But, this,
speaks for itself.
He taps against the glass. Lianne looks down
and tries not to respond in anger. She is clenching and unclenching her fists.
Dr. Fern’s pager sounds. He tugs at his waistband to see the number and makes a
face.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
They need me in triage. Just-
He looks at her, gentle again. He squeezes
her upper-arm.
DR. FERN(cont’d.)
Look, I’m trying to help, Lianne. As a
friend.
Lianne bites her lip, closing her eyes. Dr.
Fern sighs and walks down the hall, unclipping his pager. Lianne exhales and
opens her eyes. She looks in on Wenona, still unconscious. Lianne’s expression
is devastated, angry, betrayed, guilty, scared - all these things as she watches
her friend near death.
Marcus is walking quickly down a hall. He is
speeding past the open doors of the small chapel room and stops short, grabbing
the door frame to slow himself. He sees Lianne inside, sitting in a chair on the
far end, leaning forward with head hung low.
MARCUS
I should have guessed you’d be in
here.
She looks up. Her eyes are dry. She looks
back down.
LIANNE
(wearily)
Hey, Marcus.
Marcus approaches slowly and sits next to
her. He looks around the room.
MARCUS
This is nice. Warm. The ambient light, see-
it-
He stops.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
I heard about what happened. Lianne, Fern is
a dick. Everyone knows that.
She looks over at him.
LIANNE
You agree with him.
MARCUS
No.
LIANNE
Don’t- I’m tired of-
She is frustrated but gives into
apathy.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
If you’ve got something to say, just say it. I know
you talked to Hughes, and, every time you look at me, you’re biting your tongue.
So just...get it over with.
Marcus looks ahead. There is a lonely pulpit
back-lit in a warm glow. There are Bibles tucked into sleeves on the back of the
chairs. Marcus runs his fingers along the gold edges on the book in front of
him.
MARCUS
I talked to Hughes after the shooting, yeah.
I told him- let him know how you, how well you handled everything. And how I
didn’t.
He isn’t upset.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
What I want- I’ve been trying to tell you, Lianne...I
just wanted to say thanks.
She looks at him, but he continues to look
straight ahead.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
I- On that night...you were
really...decent, to me. I know that doesn’t sound-
She stops him by placing her hand lightly on
his arm, shaking her head.
LIANNE
That’s-
She smiles wryly, straightening
up.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
You’re fine, Marcus. Sorry,
for-
MARCUS
It’s fine. I just..wanted to say
thanks.
She nods, closing her eyes for a
moment.
LIANNE
Marcus.
Marcus looks over at
her.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
What Fern said...do
you-
MARCUS
No.
He gives her a moment, then
considers.
MARCUS(cont’d.)
Why?
LIANNE
I guess, I’m just...
She blows out a stream of air. Her voice is
flat, her eyes distant.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
What if he’s right? I mean, not about- but,
about me?
MARCUS
What do you mean?
LIANNE
Maybe I did think she needed -help.
Maybe...maybe I felt like I could- I don’t know. But, she’s just like me,
Marcus.
She looks at him
earnestly.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
There’s not- Just because....
Her voice dies down
again.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
She’s just like me...And
now...
MARCUS
But you don’t believe that. You don’t, what
he said-
LIANNE
I don’t...know what to believe
anymore.
Marcus looks at her with compassion. He
awkwardly pulls her into a half-embrace as they sit side by side. Marcus speaks
gently, smiling.
MARCUS
Your friend, she woke up over an hour ago.
That’s why I was looking for you.
INT. MERCY/WENONA’S ROOM -
MORNING
Lianne, tucking her hair behind her ears,
approaches Wenona’s room. AUNT JO is walking out with Lance and George. They see
Lianne. She smiles at them and tries to be energetic.
LIANNE
Hey, guys!
They are still a bit shy, but they smile at
her. George tugs at her shirt and she bends low so he can tell her something
quietly. She smiles and nods, extending her hand to their
aunt.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
Aunt Jo?
The older woman looks at her for a moment
then smiles. She has lots of wrinkles and a pleasant, deep voice.
AUNT JO
Yep. Hi.
She looks at the boys.
AUNT JO(cont’d.)
Ready to go?
GEORGE
McDonald's!
Lianne laughs and watches them walk down the
hall. She sees a nurse look up from her work and watch them curiously. Lianne
turns to the door and takes a deep breath. She touches the handle and it moves,
startling her a little. Tina comes out and glances at Lianne’s
appearance.
TINA
You look like someone took a stick to
you.
Lianne smirks.
LIANNE
I was just going to-
TINA
Come with me. Show me the
coffee.
Lianne is about to object, but thinks better
of it, following Tina who obviously knows where she’s
going.
INT. MERCY/LOUNGE - JUST
AFTER
Lianne and Tina sit at a small white table,
two styrofoam cups of coffee in front of them. Tina loads hers with sugar and
cream. Lianne just warms her hands silently. She looks around, wondering why
Tina wanted her company.
TINA
When I was ten, we had to go to
LIANNE
Oh...
Tina gives her a look that says, ‘Shut up
till I’m finished.’
TINA
The sisters, they were not good people. One
day, I said to a young friend who was sad, I told her in Hotcâk that it was all
right. And they hit me.
Lianne grimaces, but remains
silent.
TINA(cont’d.)
We were not allowed to speak our language.
Not even a word. They would hit and yell. They slapped my face and made me to
say, over and over, “I am ashamed, I am ashamed.”
Tina’s voice is not emotional, but her eyes
aren’t as hard as her face.
TINA(cont’d.)
They cut our hair off. And we were supposed
to pray to God, to their God.
Lianne’s eyes are full.
TINA(cont’d.)
I...am not a friend, to those people. The
church sisters, at the school, they were not good people.
Lianne turns her head and wipes her eyes
discreetly. She says nothing.
TINA(cont’d.)
I never wanted for my First-Born Daughter to-
be made ashamed.
Lianne speaks, her voice low and
rough.
LIANNE
I never meant-
TINA
(not unkindly)
You need to learn to
listen.
Lianne smiles a little bit and nods silently.
Tina takes a slow sip of her off-white coffee and thinks for a
moment.
TINA(cont’d.)
My daughter was born with a difficult heart.
She was -apart from us. I think- My hard feelings, gave me a daughter with a
hard heart.
She pauses, nodding at her own
words.
TINA(cont’d.)
I have seen my daughter change. Her heart- I
was afraid you were the one. I thought you had made her
ashamed.
Lianne’s face falls. Tina leans in closer, as
if she has a secret. She whispers meaningfully.
TINA(cont’d.)
But she is not ashamed, and she is not
hard.
Lianne looks up. Tina nods at her with a
softness Lianne had never seen in her before.
INT. MERCY/WENONA’S ROOM - SOON
AFTER
Wenona looks up when Lianne enters and shuts
the door gently. Wenona looks tired, but she smiles
broadly.
LIANNE
Look at you. Any excuse to skip
school.
WENONA
You know me.
Lianne pulls up a chair and sits next to the
bed.
LIANNE
Feeling okay?
WENONA
Oh, yeah. You should try these
drugs.
Lianne laughs.
LIANNE
I had coffee with your
mom.
Wenona raises her
eyebrows.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
It was good. She’s...
WENONA
She’s not so tough.
Lianne smiles, agreeing. She sees a beautiful
vase of flowers.
LIANNE
Keith?
WENONA
No, my Grandma. Keith
isn’t...
LIANNE
Sorry.
WENONA
No, it’s okay. I just don’t think, he’s
strong enough?
Lianne looks at her and nods a
little.
LIANNE
You are, though.
WENONA
(shaking her head)
Not me.
Wenona smiles. Lianne frowns, still
troubled.
LIANNE
Wenona...I’m- I just want to say to you,
that-
She struggles, collecting her words
deliberately.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
If I have ever seemed like...If you ever
felt-
She is quickly becoming overwhelmed. She
speaks on the verge of tears, voice breaking.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
I’m sorry?
Wenona furrows her brow and shakes her head
raising her hand to touch Lianne’s face.
WENONA
Shh, Shhh...none of
that.
Lianne closes her eyes and bows her
head.
WENONA(cont’d.)
C’mere. I’m not that
fat.
She scoots over on the bed and Lianne, breath
hitching, climbs up and stretches out beside her, curling onto her side. Wenona
speaks softly.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I feel good, Lianne. It’s good. I
think- I know, the purpose, of all the- of what’s...There’s a
reason.
Lianne cries harder. Wenona smiles
understandingly, touching her hands.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Shhh...cut it out. You’ll wake the
baby.
Lianne laughs while crying, straightening out
and wiping her eyes, leaving her hand over her eyes for a minute. They look
strangely complimentary, lying next to each other on the cool blue
sheets.
LIANNE
Tell me another story.
WENONA
Yeah?
LIANNE
About your father.
WENONA
Okay. ...Okay.
Wenona places one hand low on her belly,
thinking of what to tell. Lianne closes her eyes.
INT. SMALL SUV - FOUR YEARS
LATER
Lianne and her husband PAUL are driving to
the reservation. Lianne is behind the wheel, and Paul is looking at an
awkwardly-large map.
PAUL
But I don’t even know where this road
is.
He turns the map upside down noisily,
confused. Lianne smiles.
LIANNE
I know where we’re going. Have a little
faith.
He unsuccessfully tries to fold the map into
its original shape. He gives up and leans back to put it in the backseat, next
to a brightly wrapped present. He plays with the air conditioning, then the
mirrors. Lianne looks at him out of the corner of her eye,
bemused.
LIANNE(cont’d.)
What’s your deal?
PAUL
Nothing. I’m just- Well, I’ve never been on a
reservation.
LIANNE
(smiling)
You don’t have to be
nervous.
PAUL
I’m not nervous-
LIANNE
It’s going to be fine. You’ll like it.
He nods and looks out the window, slapping a
light rhythm on his thighs. Lianne looks at him and he stops.
PAUL
Well, what do I- I mean, they...speak
English, right?
LIANNE
Yes, Paul.
He seems sheepish.
PAUL
Just, kick me, kay? If I say anything
stupid.
LIANNE
(warmly, teasing)
Okay, honey.
EXT. STORM CRIER HOME -
DAY
There is still some snow in the front yard.
Lance and George, now fully teenagers, are on opposite sides of the yards, each
concealed behind a precarious snow barrier. Next to Lance kneels his 4 year old
niece, RACHEL. He scoops up the wet snow with his hands, forming a dripping
ball. There is a small pile of ammo next to them. He speaks
conspiratorially.
LANCE
Kay, Rachel. You ready to rock and roll?
RACHEL
(whispering)
Yes!
LANCE
Let him have it.
He rises and bellows, hurling the
snowball.
LANCE(cont’d.)
EAT IT, GEORGIE!
RACHEL
Yeah, eat it, George!
George stands, getting pelted, and fires
back.
GEORGE
AHHHHH!
INT. STORM CRIER HOME - SAME
TIME
Wenona is standing at the kitchen window,
watching them play. Tina is next to her, rolling dough. Wenona sips her
tea.
WENONA
She loves those guys.
TINA
Hmm.
WENONA
You really need to come out, Mom. Bring the
boys for summer.
TINA
WENONA
I know.
Wenona continues to watch
them.
WENONA(cont’d.)
School is good, by the
way.
Her tone implies Tina should have
asked.
WENONA(cont’d.)
My professor, the one I’m working with on
that project, he says it’s going to be published. That’s big,
Mom.
TINA
That’s good.
WENONA
I’ve only got a few more years, for my
degree. Mom.
Tina looks up from her kneading. Wenona
smiles.
WENONA(cont’d.)
I miss you. So does
Rachel.
Tina makes a noncommittal noise, but there is
a little smile on her lips. Wenona sees it. Rachel and the boys come in through
the back door, talking loudly and pulling off their shoes and
coats.
GEORGE
Yeah, but we said no shots above the
neck!
LANCE
Not my fault you have a big
head.
GEORGE
I’ll show you-
WENONA
Boys.
She looks at Rachel and they follow her gaze,
changing their tones immediately. Their voices are
silly-sweet.
GEORGE
...what I meant, dearest older brother, is
that you should not have hit me in the face.
LANCE
All my apologies, Georgie. I hope you are not
permanently damaged.
Wenona rolls her eyes.
LANCE(cont’d.)
What should we do, Rach, to rectify this
horrible crime?
RACHEL
Make him eat it!
The boys roll with
laughter.
WENONA
Nice, guys.
Wenona scoops up her
daughter.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Let’s get you out of those wet socks,
huh?
She moves into a narrow room that has the
washer and dryer. Wenona sets Rachel on the dryer and peels off her
socks.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Your toes are froze!
RACHEL
George an’ Lance said I could go camping with
them.
WENONA
Oh, yeah?
Rachel pounds her feet lightly on the dryer.
Wenona feels her cuffs.
WENONA(cont’d.)
Oh, your jeans are all wet, too.
RACHEL
When’s the people
coming?
WENONA
Lianne and Paul?
RACHEL
Yeah, Gran’ma says they’re
funny.
Wenona removes Rachel’s jeans and leans her
hip against the dryer.
WENONA
Grandma’s funny. You’ve actually met them
before. But you were so little, you don’t remember. Hold still for a
sec.
She piles clothes into the dryer. She leaves
the room for a minute. Rachel swings her legs and looks around. Wenona comes
back with new pants.
RACHEL
Mommy?
WENONA
Yeah, baby?
RACHEL
Did Grandpa live here?
Wenona looks at her daughter and holds onto
one of her feet. She helps her into the pants while they
talk.
WENONA
Yes.
RACHEL
Okay.
Wenona smoothes Rachel’s dark hair and looks
at her daughter closely. Her voice becomes dramatic.
WENONA
Are you Rachel May Storm
Crier?
Rachel smiles and pounds her feet again on
the metal of the dryer.
RACHEL
Yes!
They proceed with the game and don’t hear the
knock at the front door. Lance calls to Wenona.
LANCE(O.S.)
Hey, Nona! They’re
here!
Wenona smiles at Rachel, done tickling
her.
WENONA
Ready to party?
RACHEL
Ready.
Wenona hoists her off the dryer and sets her
down softly.
WENONA
Come on, Little Lady.
Wenona reaches her hand back without looking.
Rachel grabs it and they exit.
End credits.