Little Men

 

Episode 16: Dangerous Lessons

 

SCENE 1: EXT. PLUMFIELD (Daytime)

 

JO comes out front door and heads towards NAN.

 

JO:  Nan! It's lunchtime!

 

NAN:  Comin'!

 

JO:  Where's Nat?

 

NAN:  Where do you think?

 

JO looks over to corral, where NAT is playing his violin to the horse. JO smiles.

 

JO:  Should've known.

 

SCENE 2: EXT. PLUMFIELD - CORRAL

 

NAT is playing his violin. JO comes up to him.

 

JO:  [after Nat finishes his song] Lovely.

 

NAT:  Oh! [turns around, surprised and slightly embarrassed]

 

JO:  Hi. Ready for lunch?

 

NAT:  Oh, guess I must've lost track of time.

 

JO:  Again. [Nat nods] Are you practising for the contest?

 

NAT:  Oh no, I finished that a while ago. [shrugs] Just havin' fun now.

 

JO:  [looks at horse, laughs] I guess Penny likes it too. [to Nat] Come on,  let's eat.

 

JO and NAT go back to Plumfield.

 

Scene 3: EXT. TOWN

 

Violin music is heard. NAT is shown playing at the "Concord Young Musician's Competition". After he's done, EVERYBODY applauds.

 

DAN:  [yells up to him from audience] All right Nat!

 

NAT bows and seats himself beside two other competitors on the platform.

 

LADY:  Well, that concludes our contest, and while our distinguished judge, [nods to judge, he nods back] Mr. Joseph Arlatta is making his final decision, I would like to remind everyone that today's winner will represent Concord in the Boston competition to be held next month. To help our winner prepare for the contest, Mr. Arlatta has very graciously agreed to give one month's worth of lessons free of charge.

 

EVERYBODY applauds.

 

LADY:  It looks as though our judge has made his final decision.

 

MR. ARLATTA:Yes I have, and a difficult one it was too, as all the contestants gave  such wonderful performances! The winner is, Nathaniel Blake.

 

NAT is surprised. EVERYONE applauds, Plumfield gang is excited. NAT goes to accept a small violin trophy.

 

NAN:  [yells from audience] That's great Nat!

 

Scene 4: EXT. TOWN (after competition)

 

Plumfield kids are congratulating NAT, and admiring his small trophy.

 

DAN:  Way to go Nat!

 

NAN:  Way to go Nat!

 

DAN:  All right!

 

JO gives NAT a hug.

 

JO:  I'm so proud of you!

 

NAT:  Thanks Mrs. Jo.

 

JO goes to shake hands with MR. ARLATTA

 

JO:  Mr. Arlatta, it's a pleasure.

 

M.A.:  Mrs. Blake, quite a family you have here.

 

JO:  Actually I'm Jo Bhaer. I'm the owner of the Plumfield school and Nat's  one of  my students.

 

NAN:  We're all her students.

 

M.A.:  A passionate group. No wonder Nat plays from his heart. [to Nat] How  long have you been playing?

 

NAT:  Well... pretty much as long as I can remember.

 

M.A.:  Well it shows. You have developed a fine technique.

 

NAT:  I didn't even know I had a technique. I just like playin'.

 

M.A.:  Well, I promise you Nat, when we are finished working together, you  will be the talk of the common one.

 

JO seems impressed. Suddenly, a fast paced carriage stops at the competition. SHERIFF goes on platform, getting EVERYONE's attention.

 

SHERIFF: [between breaths] Folks, uh, I'm sorry to disturb you but, uh, I'm afraid  this can't wait. Earlier today, uh, a circus train stopped in Bedford on  the way to Boston. During the stop, one of their lions attacked a  trainer and uh, escaped. [Everyone looks at each other, worried] About  an hour ago, it killed a goat. Just up on the Craven farm just outside of  Concord, which means that it's heading this way. Now folks please,  don't panic. There's some men from the circus heading out to track it  down now. Buy they've asked for help from our town. Captain Hoffman  and I will be joining them in their search. Anyone else who'd like to help  out is certainly welcome. We could use all the men we can find. In the  meantime, I suggest we all head directly home. Make sure you travel in  groups and on the main roads only. And folks, it's important that we  remain calm.

 

CT.HOFFMAN:  Ladies and gentlemen, be assured that we will not rest till we have  found this animal. We will hunt it will untiring diligence. We will find him,  and when we do, we'll kill him.

 

OPENING CREDITS

 

SCENE 5:  EXT. PLUMFIELD (next day)

 

NICK is talking to JO and getting his horse ready for the hunt. DAN comes out with his bow and arrows.

 

NICK:  [to Jo] Stay inside as much as possible, if you have to go out, make  sure you, take a rifle.

 

DAN:  [to Nick] I wanna go with ya.

 

NICK:  I don't think so, Dan.

 

DAN:  But I can help. I know howta track animals--

 

NICK:  Dan, this ain't a deer. [he gets on the horse]

 

JO:  [to Dan] It's too dangerous.

 

DAN:  [to Jo] I know it's dangerous Mrs. Jo, but I'll be careful. I know how to  take care of myself. I know how to survi--

 

JO:  Dan, no. Just stay here.

 

SHERIFF, CAPTAIN HOFFMAN and few other men ride in to meet NICK.

 

SHERIFF:  Mr. Riley.

 

NICK:  Sheriff.

 

SHERIFF:  [tips hat at Jo] Mrs. Bhaer. [Jo nods, he motions toward the men  behind him] You know Captain Hoffman and Jerry Taylor. These other  two men are from the circus, Mr. Dagett and Mr. Jones. Mr. Dagett is  the lion's trainer.

 

NICK:  Where's everybody else?

 

SHERIFF:  I'm afraid this is it.

 

C.H.:  Let's get moving, shall we? We'll ride up to Craven's farm and pick up  the lion's trail from there.

 

The MEN start riding off.

 

JO:  [to Nick] Be careful.

 

NICK:  You too.

 

JO starts to go back to Plumfield and notices DAN still standing there, watching the men leave.

 

JO:  Dan.

 

DAN reluctantly follows JO back into Plumfield.

 

Scene 6: EXT. PLUMFIELD - GARDEN (same day)

 

JO, NAT and NAN are hoeing the garden.

 

NAN:  I still can't believe it. A lion right here in Concord.

 

NAT:  Yeah, Dan looked pretty upset that he couldn't go with the posse.

 

JO:  I know. But when he's a little older he'll able go out and do these kinds  of things. But right now it's just too dangerous.

 

NAN:  I thought that Indian friend of his taught him not to hunt unless it was  for food.

 

NAT:  And protection.

 

JO:  Well...I'm sure that Nick and the others will find the lion soon. [looks  around, worried]

 

NAN:  You know that Captain Hoffman's been on safaris in Africa? And he's  seen people carried off by lions being eaten while they scream for  mercy.

 

JO:  [stops raking] Very nice Nan. [Nan smiles]

 

They stop raking as MR. ARLATTA's carriage comes up to the house. They head towards him. He takes his things out from the carriage.

 

JO:  Mr. Arlatta!

 

NAN:  Did you see the lion?

 

M.A.:  Well no, I'm afraid I didn't have that pleasure.

 

NAN laughs

 

NAT:  Thought you weren't gonna come.

 

M.A.:  Nonsense! I fear no lion when a talented pupil awaits my instruction!  And when my driver is carrying a loaded rifle at his side. [They all  laugh]

 

JO:  Well we can't thank you enough for coming and giving Nat these  lessons.

 

M.A.:  No need for thanks, I'm more than fairly compensated by the contest  entry fees.

 

JO becomes embarrassed.

 

NAT:  [to Jo] I didn't know you had to pay for the competition.

 

JO:  Well it wasn't much Nat.

 

M.A.:  Well five dollars may not be much to you, Mrs. Bhaer, but it's a   substantial sum where I come from.

 

JO looks down, hoping to have kept that a secret from NAT.

 

NAT:  I'll pay you back.

 

JO:  Well, when you become a professional musician, Nat, you can pay me  back then. Agreed?

 

NAT:  Agreed.

 

JO:  [to M.A.] Shall we?

 

They all go into the house.

 

Scene 7: INT. PLUMFIELD - PARLOUR

 

MR. ARLATTA is already there. NAT enters with his violin.

 

NAT:  All set?

 

M.A.:  Not quite. [they sit down] May I see your violin? [Nat hands him the  violin]

 

NAT:  It was my father's. He gave it to me for my birthday before he died.

 

M.A.:  It means a lot to you then.

 

NAT:  Yeah. It may sound kinda stupid but, sometimes when I play, I feel like  he's there playing with me, you know? Like he's the one playing, not  me.

 

M.A.:  That doesn't sound strange at all. You're a very sensitive young man,  Nat. It shows when you play. But I'm afraid that you have outgrown  your father's violin. [Nat looks confused as M.A. takes another violin]  This, is what you should be playing Nat. It's a Schviser.

 

NAT:  A what?

 

M.A.:  [smiles] It's a very good violin. I've had it for a very long time.

 

NAT:  Looks new.

 

M.A.:  I take care of my violin. The slightest blemish could interfere with the  quality of the music. As a result of my care, this violin expresses itself  in a...a dark undertone that is unsurpassed. I have won several   competitions with it...and so shall you. [hands the violin to Nat, who  takes it, but is still doubtful] You deserve to play on a fine instrument.  (beat) Nat, don't you think your father would want you to have the  very best?

 

NAT:  [sighs] I guess.

 

M.A.:  Of course he would. Why don't you play something on it? Something  you know very well.

 

NAT:  Okay.

 

NAT starts playing a song. JO peeks in to watch Nat play.

 

M.A.:  [after Nat finishes playing] Ah. Do you hear how lovely it sounds?

 

NAT:  Yeah it sounds beautiful.

 

M.A.:   It's settled then, you'll play on this from now on. (beat) That was a  charming melody. What do you call it?

 

NAT:  Um, well it doesn't really have a name. I kinda made it up.

 

M.A.:  [a little surprised] You compose as well?

 

NAT:  No, I make things up. I can't really read music or anything.

 

M.A.:  [surprised and confused] What about the Vivaldi piece you played  yesterday?

 

NAT:  Well I heard my father play that a few times, so I guess I picked it up  from him.

 

M.A.:  [incredulously] By ear?

 

NAT:  Yeah, is that a bad thing?

 

M.A.:  No, no of course not Nat! Nat, there are very many talented people in  this world who work very hard to become very good. I am one of those  people, I am a very good musician. But there are precious few people  with true genius. You, are one of those people Nat. And if you work  very hard, you will be a great musician. Is that what you want Nat?

 

NAT:  Yeah!

 

M.A.:  All right then. Let's get to work.

 

NAT sees JO in the doorway, and they exchange smiles.

 

Scene 8: INT. PLUMFIELD - KITCHEN (same day)

 

ASIA and JO are talking in the kitchen. JO is cutting some strawberries, while ASIA cooks. NAT's violin playing is heard in the background.

 

ASIA: A genius?

 

JO:  That's what he said. It was amazing, you should have seen him with  Nat. He was wonderful! Charming, patient, planning everything so  clearly.

 

NAN walks in and grabs a strawberry.

 

NAN:  Well I wish he'd stop playing that song. He's been playin' it all mornin'.

 

ASIA:  Well I guess even geniuses have to start at the beginning sometime.

 

FRANZ comes in, holding a note, worried. ASIA, NAN and JO look at him.

 

FRANZ:  Jo, Dan's gone.

 

JO:  What?

 

FRANZ:  He left this note. [hands the note to Jo, who reads it]

 

JO:    He's gone after the posse. [gets up, starts to take off her apron] I  can't believe he would do this, after I specifically told him not to.

 

ASIA:  [to Jo] And where do you think you're going?

 

JO:  I'm going to find him.

 

FRANZ:  But h-he could've left hours ago.

 

ASIA:  Jo, you can't do this. That lion is still out there.

 

JO:  So is Dan. [she exits]

 

FRANZ:  I'll go with her. [he follows]

 

Scene 9: EXT. WOODS (later that day)

 

JO and a tired FRANZ are on horseback, searching for DAN

 

JO:  Dan! Dan! [to horse] Whoa.

 

A sound is heard in the brush. FRANZ gets his rifle ready. Then silence.

 

JO:  Well whatever it is, it's gone. Let's go.

 

FRANZ:  Look, we've been looking for hours, I'm sure he's caught up to the men  by now.

 

JO:  I don't understand this, Franz. I mean Dan had a problem with discipline  in the past but, I thought he was over that.

 

FRANZ:  I -I don't think this is a discipline problem.

 

JO:  How else do you explain it?

 

FRANZ:  Dan's at that age when he's no longer a boy, but not quite a man  yet...at least not until he proves himself.

 

JO:  He doesn't need to prove anything to us.

 

FRANZ:  Not to us...to himself.

 

JO:  Well we can't go back...not yet.

 

They continue to search for DAN

 

Scene 10: EXT. WOODS (same day)

 

The POSSE is searching for the lion. MR. DAGETT, the lion's trainer, grabs at his side and moans.

 

NICK:  [to Mr. Dagett] Y'alright?

 

MR. DAGETT:  Yeah.

 

C.H.:  Over here, more prints! [inspects the ground] Blood. It's fresh. It made  another kill. Best keep moving, we're drawing closer.

 

M.D.:  End of the line for us.

 

C.H.:  What?

 

M.D.:  Been tracking a whole day now. We gotta get back before the circus  moves  on.

 

SHERIFF:  What about the lion?

 

M.D.:  Go ahead and kill it. Do whatever you want. I got no use for it. [lift his  shirt up to reveal a wound on his stomach]

 

JERRY:  Lion do that?

 

M.D.:  Yeah. [pours alcohol on the wound] Ow...been nothin' but trouble to  me. [to other circus man] Come on.

 

Suddenly a rustling in the bushes is heard. All the men aim their rifles towards the movement. Dan comes out and is startled by the men with their loaded weapons pointing at him. Men put down their weapons. The two circus men leave.

 

NICK:  [relieved, but angry] Dan. What are you doin here?

 

SHERIFF:  You almost got yourself killed, son.

 

DAN:  I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean--

 

NICK:  Mrs. Jo know you're here?

 

DAN:  Well yeah...I-I mean I left her a note.

 

NICK:  A note?

 

DAN:  Nick I couldn't stay at home! Not with all you out here huntin' a lion--

 

NICK:  We don't need any help.

 

DAN:  Just gimme a chance. I promise I won't get in the way!

 

NICK:  No. You won't. Cause I'm takin' you home right now. [grabs Dan and  starts to leave]

 

SHERIFF:  Mr. Riley, wait. If you go that just leaves three of us. Fact is we're  shorthanded enough as it is. We can't afford to lose you.

 

JERRY:  Well we can't send the boy back alone.

 

SHERIFF:  No. We can't. It's too dangerous. Probably the safest place for him is  here with us--

 

C.H.:  Absolutely not! He'll just slow us down.

 

DAN:  No, I won't.

 

C.H.:  He's just a boy.

 

DAN:  I can take care of myself. Mr. Owens taught me how to survive in the  wilderness.

 

SHERIFF:  Mr. Owens?

 

DAN:  An Indian friend of mine. He also taught me how to track animals.

 

C.H.:  [unimpressed] An Indian of course, well known experts in tracking  African lions.

 

SHERIFF:  Look we're losing precious time arguing here. It's not safe for the boy  to go back alone, I say he stays here with us. Mr. Riley? [after Nick  thinks about it, he nods]

 

C.H.:  [irritated] Alright. But just be certain he does as he's told and stays  out of the way.

 

DAN:  I will. I'll promise.

 

Scene 11: INT. PLUMFIELD

 

NAT is still having his lesson from MR. ARLATTA while OTHERS are making lots of noise, setting the table for lunch. NAN and ASIA are chasing MAX. NAT is playing off tempo and M.A. tries to get him to follow the baton.

 

M.A.:  ...two, three, four, one, two, three, four. Tempo, watch the tempo.

 

NAN:  [in the background] Max!

 

ASIA:  Max bring back the bone, it's for the soup!! [NAT stops playing, to NAT  and M.A.] I'm sorry.

 

M.A.:  Quite alright. Continue Nat.

 

NAT starts playing again and a loud crash is heard. NAT and MR. ARLATTA turn to see TOMMY picking up broken dishes.

 

TOMMY:  Sorry.

 

M.A.:  [turns back to Nat] Quite an active household, isn't it?

 

NAT:  Yes, it gets hectic around here.

 

M.A.:  Perhaps there is somewhere else for our lessons? Somewhere quieter?

 

NAT:  Oh, yeah we could go to the schoolroom. No one goes around there  when they don't have to.

 

M.A.:  Perfect. Shall we?

 

MAX enters with a bone in his mouth, ASIA is right behind him.

 

ASIA:  [to Max] Just wait till I get my hands on you--

 

Horse neighing is heard in the background. ASIA looks out the window.

 

ASIA:  Mrs. Jo's  back.

 

SCENE 12: EXT. PLUMFIELD

 

ASIA, NAT, and TOMMY come out the front door to meet up with JO and FRANZ as they are tying up their horses.

 

ASIA:  Any sign of Dan?

 

JO:  We didn't see him. But we ran into two men from the circus and they  said that saw him with the posse.

 

ASIA:  Thank goodness.

 

FRANZ:  We weren't exactly sure in which direction the posse was headed, so  we had little chance of finding him.

 

ASIA:  Well at least we know he's safe.

 

JO:  I hope so.

 

Thunder in the distance is heard.

 

SCENE 13: EXT. WOODS

 

It's raining outside and the POSSE is still looking for the lion.

 

DAN:  The wind's shifted, the storm's come out from the north now. The lion  won't even know we're followin it. (beat) Come on Nick, you're gonna  stay mad at me the whole time we're out here? (beat) I was hopin'  you'd understand. I mean you were doin' these things when you were  my age--

 

NICK:  Because I didn't have a choice. I didn't have any family worryin' about  me. Mrs. Jo's probably out here searchin' for you right now.

 

DAN:  She wouldn't do that. I told ya', I left her a note.

 

NICK:  You think a note's gonna keep Mrs. Jo from comin'  out here lookin' for  you?

 

DAN:  (beat) I dunno. I didn't think about it.

 

NICK:  That's right. You don't think. You don't consider the consequences. All  you care about is whatever you wanna do.

 

DAN:  Sh-she shouldn't be out here, not with a lion on the loose.

 

NICK:  [grabs Dan and turns him around] Exactly. Now you know how Mrs. Jo  must be feelin'.

 

SCENE 14: INT. SCHOOLROOM

 

NAT is still practising with MR. ARLATTA. NAT is desperately trying to keep in tempo, clearly he is frustrated.

 

M.A.:  [waving his baton keeping time] Tempo Nat...Keep going, it's   alright...come on Nat, listen, listen to my baton, listen!

 

NAT:  I'm trying!

 

M.A.:  Try harder! (beat) [sighs] Stop.

 

NAT:  I'm sorry.

 

M.A.:  It's alright Nat, you'll get it. But your mind is wandering. The Bach's  Sonata requires your complete attention in order to master it. I know  it's a difficult piece, but the others in the Boston competition will be  performing equally complicated pieces. Now, in order to fully explore the  passion of this piece, you must first learn the proper tempo. You must  not allow the rhythm to falter.

 

NAT:  Yeah, I'm tryin' not to. I mean, maybe I'm still tryin' to get used to the  new violin, it's a little bigger than mine--

 

M.A.:  Nat! Don't ever, ever, blame an instrument for your own lack of focus!  If you intend to be a professional musician, you must learn to take  responsibility, hm? Never let up on yourself. Always push that much  harder, in order to become that much better. Do you understand? [Nat  nods] Alright. Go inside, we'll resume after lunch.

 

SCENE 15: EXT. WOODS

 

POSSE is still hunting for the lion, CAPTAIN HOFFMAN tells them tales of his adventures with lion hunting.

 

C.H.:  ...the lion had been stalking us, waiting for the right time to strike.  Shortly after we fell asleep, it slashed it's way into our tent. Tore the  man to shreds, dragging him out into the brush. We never did find the  body.

 

JERRY:  Did you kill the lion?

 

C.H.:  No, we hunted it tirelessly for two weeks but it alluded us. They're  clever  animals, very cunning...

 

DAN:  You've been to Africa, right Nick? Ever see a lion?

 

NICK:  Once. It was sleepin' under a tree, wouldn't budge to swat a fly.  Stared at 'im a while 'till we got bored. Then we moved on.

 

POSSE stops. CAPTAIN HOFFMANN crouches down to inspect the ground. DAN is in the background, he also crouches down to look at something on the ground.

 

C.H.:  Footprints.

 

SHERIFF:  Can you tell how far ahead they are?

 

C.H.:  Hard to say. We're definitely on the right track.

 

DAN:  [gets up, holding a leaf he found] I'd say at least five hours. [the posse  looks at him] See? There's sand stuck to the bottom of these leaves,  which means the grass was wet with dew when the lion stepped on it.  Figure it must've come through here earlier this mornin'.

 

C.H.:  [obviously jealous] Then we best increase our pace.

 

DAN smiles at NICK, who gives him a "I'm-still-disappointed-in-you" look, but after DAN walks ahead, NICK has an impressed smile on his face.

 

SCENE 16: INT. PLUMFIELD - PARLOUR

 

NAT and EMIL are arm wrestling. The other kids are cheering them on. MR. ARLATTA enters.

 

M.A.:  Nat!

 

NAT is surprised and looks at M.A. EMIL pushes NAT's arm down while he's distracted.

 

EMIL:  I win.

 

M.A.:  We have a lesson to resume, remember?

 

NAT:  Sorry.

 

The other kids leave the room.

 

M.A.:  What were you thinking?

 

NAT:  We were just playin'.

 

M.A.:  You could've broken your arm! And then where would that have left  you? You can't engage in these sort of activities, Nat. You must  protect your hands, your fingers, your entire body and mind! Every  waking moment must utterly be devoted to perfecting your craft. Do  you understand?

 

NAT:  Yeah.

 

M.A.:  Listen to me Nat. Your music must always come first. Before   schoolwork, before chores, before friends. The violin must be your life.  Or you shouldn't play at all. (beat) Now come along. We've wasted  enough time, and there is much to do.

 

SCENE 17: EXT. WOODS

 

The POSSE has been sleeping, it's early in the morning, and as DAN and the others wake up, NICK is already up, aiming his rifle at something in the woods.

 

DAN:  [whispers loudly] What is it?

 

NICK:  Shh!!

 

SHERIFF:  Lion?

 

NICK:  [whispering] No, deer passed by. We could use some meat, we're  runnin low.

 

C.H.:  [whispers] Which way did it go?

 

NICK points ahead.

 

SCENE 18: EXT. WOODS

 

DAN spots the deer before the others, and aims his bow and arrow at the deer, but hesitates to shoot. CAPTAIN HOFFMANN finds DAN and the deer, takes his rifle and shoots the deer before DAN does. DAN glares at him and walks away.

 

SCENE 19: EXT. WOODS

 

SHERIFF is preparing a fire to cook the meat, NICK is cleaning his rifle. C.H. boasts about how he found the deer. DAN is still angry.

 

SHERIFF:  Excellent shot, Captain.

 

JERRY: All I wanna know is how you found that deer so fast.

 

C.H.:  Ah, years of hunting my friend. No game is safe when I'm on his trail.

 

DAN:  I saw it first.

 

C.H.:  Did you now? If such was the case, why then, did you not shoot?

 

JERRY:  Well, probably cause all he had was that little bow and arrow. Can't see  how he'd hit so much with that.

 

They laugh.

 

DAN:  I can hit plenty with it.

 

JERRY:  Oh is that so? How bout that tree over there?

 

DAN gets up and he shoots the tree. The men are impressed, but not C.H.

 

SHERIFF:  Not bad, Dan.

 

C.H.:  Yes, it's quite an accomplishment, hitting a stationary tree no more  than 20 feet away.

 

JERRY:  Alright, how bout one of those birds up there?

 

DAN gets his bow and arrow ready, aims up at the birds.

 

C.H.:  That's ridiculous. They're too far away. No arrow can reach that far.

 

NICK:  Dan what are you doin'?

 

DAN:  It's just a bird, Nick.

 

NICK:  Dan, don't--

 

DAN shoots his arrow, and he hits a bird.

 

JERRY:  [incredulously] He hit one! Did you just see that? He actually hit one!  [laughs and pats Dan on the back]

 

SHERIFF:  Good shooting, Dan!

 

C.H.:  Yes, but will his aim be as steady when faced with a charging lion?

 

JERRY:  Well I guess we'll find out soon enough, won't we? [pats Dan on the  back again]

 

DAN flashes NICK a smile, but NICK is disappointed in him.

 

SCENE 20: INT. PLUMFIELD PARLOUR

 

NAT is performing his song for the Plumfield gang. Everybody is enjoying his performance. They applaud when he's finished.

 

BESS:  That was beautiful!

 

TOMMY:  Is that the song you're gonna play in the competition?

 

NAT:  Yeah.

 

ASIA:  Well if you play it like that you're gonna win easy.

 

NAT:  You think so?

 

NAN:  Yeah, it was perfect!

 

JO:  Next stop, the Boston Philharmonic!

 

EVERYONE applauds.

 

ASIA:  Well, let's go celebrate! I've got some cookies in the kitchen.

 

EVERYONE leave the room, as they leave they give NAT words of encouragement.

 

NAN:  Good job, Nat!

 

TOMMY:  You did really good.

 

NAT:  [after everyone leaves, turns to M.A.] How was it?

 

M.A.:  [unimpressed] Well...the tempo is better, but still faltering. And the coda leaves much to be desired. We still have a lot of work to do.

 

SCENE 21: EXT. WOODS

 

The POSSE is still looking for the lion when all of the sudden, a lion's purring is heard. The men ready their rifles.

 

JERRY:  Where is it?

 

SHERIFF:  Did you see him?

 

NICK:  [he spots the lion] There.

 

SHERIFF:  Dan. [hands Dan a rifle]

 

C.H.:  See him?

 

JERRY:  There! [shoots at lion, which runs away]

 

C.H.:  [chases after lion] We've got it now.

 

NICK:  [to sheriff] Sheriff, I don't think ready to handle a rifle.

 

SHERIFF:  No, you let him keep it. He's a good shot and I think every man on this  posse should be properly armed.

 

DAN loads the rifle, smiles at NICK and follows the men.

 

SCENE 22: EXT. PLUMFIELD

 

JO, FRANZ, TOMMY and EMIL just return from town. ASIA comes out from the house.

 

JO:  [to horse] Whoa.

 

ASIA:  Any word yet?

 

FRANZ:  Nothing.

 

JO:  We spoke with the Sheriff's deputies. Even they're worried. It's been  five days. They should've been back.

 

NAT exits the house and is headed towards the Schoolroom with his father's violin.

 

JO:  [to Nat] Nat? Another lesson?

 

NAT:  [walks by, in a flat tone] Yup.

 

JO:  [to Asia] Didn't he just have a lesson this morning?

 

ASIA:  [nods] And most of the day yesterday. [sarcastically] I guess practice  makes perfect.

 

SCENE 23: INT. SCHOOLROOM

 

NAT arrives carrying his own violin, MR. ARLATTA is already there, waiting for him.

 

M.A.:  You're late.

 

NAT:  I'm sorry, I--

 

M.A.:  What, do you have there?

 

NAT:  Well you know how I'm having trouble with the song? I was wondering if  I could try playing it on my violin.

 

M.A.:  [disgusted] Nat, I told you--

 

NAT:  I know, and I'm not blaming your violin. It's all my fault--

 

M.A.:  Nat! Your fears are understandable. You are being pushed hard to  perform in a level to which you are unaccustomed. But to turn back  now is out of the question! You might as well admit defeat right now.  The others in the competition will be playing on instruments as fine as  this! [holds his violin up] The judges expect nothing less! [motions  towards Nat's violin] Look at this. [he takes Nat's violin, disgusted]  Ugh, look. The wood is all faded, chipped even, in several places. The  sound is hollow, it's empty--it's without life! If you show up trying to  play something like this, you will be immediately judged a failure. And  you will have to play that much harder in order to impress them. (beat)  Is that what you want, Nat? To be a failure? [sighs] Well I won't let  you. You are far too talented to accept anything less than perfection!  So, pick up the instrument, and let us begin.

 

NAT is still staring at him, trying to take in all that had been said. He then looks at ARLATTA's violin, unsure whether to play it or not.

 

M.A.:  Nat?

 

NAT:  Please sir, just--

 

M.A.:  Pick up the violin!

 

NAT:  I will, if I could just--

 

M.A.:  NO! [slams NAT's violin on the desk, breaking it]

 

NAT stares at his violin, horrified.

 

M.A.:  You have been given a gift from God! And I will not allow you to ignore  it! You owe it not only to yourself, but to Mrs. Bhaer, who wants  nothing more than to see you become a professional musician and...to  your father, who would certainly be disappointed to see you squander  the incredible talent that he has passed down, to you.

 

ARLATTA hands NAT the good violin, and NAT, unwillingly, takes it.

 

SCENE 24: EXT. WOODS

 

The men are tired, CAPTAIN HOFFMAN is still leading them.

 

JERRY:  We've lost the trail, haven't we?

 

DAN:  We lost it this mornin', back--

 

C.H.:  We have not, lost the trail!

 

SHERIFF:  Then which way do we go?

 

DAN:  South. We go 8 miles back through the--

 

C.H.:  We stay on the course, north-east!

 

NICK:  No. Take a look around ya. We chased the thing out into the middle of  nowhere. There ain't a around town for days. It ain't a harm to anyone  out here. I say we start headin' back.

 

C.H.:  What?

 

JERRY:  We've been tracking this thing for five days. Now you want us to turn  around and just give up?

 

NICK:  We're not givin' up. We've done what we had to do, kept it from hurtin'  anybody.

 

JERRY:  It might make its way back to town.

 

NICK:  Then we'll deal with it then. I don't think that's gonna happen. Got  plenty of food out here, it don't need to go back to town.

 

SHERIFF:  He's got a point.

 

C.H.:  We can't turn back now! So long as that lion is alive, it represents a  danger! We'll have it by nightfall.

 

DAN:  Not if you keep goin' north-east.

 

C.H.: [to Dan, angrily] I've had enough of your insolence!

 

DAN:  [angrily] Why can't you just admit that you lost the trail? You know it,  and we know it.

 

NICK:  Easy, Dan.

 

DAN:  Nick, you know I'm right. He's just leading us away from the lion!

 

C.H.:  Boy, I was tracking lions before you were even born.

 

DAN:  Yeah, but you ain't ever caught one.

 

NICK:  Dan, knock it off!

 

C.H.:  I've had enough of this! I came here to kill a lion, and that's what I  intend to do.

 

NICK:  Then you'll do it without my help.

 

C.H.:  Fine!

 

SHERIFF:  [to Nick] I'll give him till nightfall.

 

SHERIFF, C.H. and JERRY continue north-east to find the lion. DAN and NICK stay behind.

 

DAN:  Nick, I know where we lost the trail. It was just pass the stream over  by the ridge. Now if we hurry, I know we can--

 

NICK:  Only place we're goin' is home. Now come on.

 

DAN:  Nick, we can't go back empty-handed! We've come so far, I know I can  get that lion!

 

NICK:  You're not gettin' anything!

 

DAN:  But it's close, I can feel it.

 

NICK:  I said, no.

 

DAN:  Nick, you can't make me turn back now.

 

NICK:  Yes I can. (beat) Now move.

 

SCENE 25: EXT. WOODS

 

DAN: This is it, where we lost the trail. Now if we follow the ridge--

 

NICK: No.

 

DAN: Turnin' back now is a mistake. As long as that lion's on the loose.

 

NICK: What's happened to you?

 

DAN: What?

 

NICK: You run off from Plumfield when you're told not to, so dead set on  killin' that lion!

 

DAN: I'm just tryin' to protect the town.

 

NICK: From what? You know that lion's no danger to anyone out here!

 

DAN: Yeah well, I just wanna be sure!

 

NICK: No, you just want to make sure you kill it before Captain Hoffman does, and get the trophy. (beat) You do that, and you'll be just like  him.

 

SCENE 26: INT. PLUMFIELD - NAT'S ROOM

 

JO is watching from the doorway as NAT practices his violin. NAT finishes his song, frustrated.

 

NAT: [throws the violin on his bed] Idiot!

 

JO: Nat. Are you having trouble?

 

NAT: [nods] Yeah. A little.

 

JO: Still getting used to the new violin? [Nat nods] Maybe you should tell  Mr. Arlatta that you want to use your own violin.

 

NAT: No, it's alright. I'll get it. Don't worry.

 

JO: It doesn't have to be perfect, you know. [Nat doesn't answer] Nat,  honey what's wrong?

 

NAT:  Nothin'.

 

JO:  Maybe this is too much pressure for you right now.

 

NAT: No, Mrs. Jo, it's not. I'm just...a little nervous.

 

JO: I remembered when I entered my first writing contest. I must have  rewritten that story a thousand times, but it still didn't feel right.

 

NAT: But you won?

 

JO:  No. I didn't, and I  was devastated. And I remember thinking, Well if I  can't win, then what's the point of writing at all? I even thought about  quitting, never writing again, until my mother reminded me of something  very important.

 

NAT: What's that?

 

JO: I loved to write. Still do. But you see, I got so caught up in that  competition, I lost sight of that. It stopped being fun. [gets up and  starts to leave Nat with that thought]

 

NAT:  He broke it...my violin...Mr. Arlatta broke it. [Jo comes back to Nat]

 

JO:  [surprised] What? He broke it? On purpose?

 

NAT: [nods] He doesn't want me to play it. He says I'd...be a failure.

 

JO: [still amazed] What?

 

NAT: Mrs. Jo, I'm really tryin' hard. I really am.

 

JO: I know.

 

NAT: I just can't get it right. [starts crying]

 

SCENE 27: EXT. WOODS

 

DAN and NICK are heading back when NICK hears some sounds. They stop and NICK loads his rifle.

 

DAN: What is it?

 

NICK puts a finger to his lips, motioning to DAN to be quiet.

 

DAN: I don't believe it. It's come from over there. [He loads his rifle and goes  to see  the lion]

 

NICK:  [whispers] Dan, slow-- [tries to stop Dan]

 

SCENE 28: EXT. WOODS

 

DAN and NICK see the lion, and it is seriously wounded. DAN aims his rifle at the lion, but is hesitant to shoot.

 

NICK:  Go on, Dan. This is what you wanted.

 

DAN: It's hurt. What's that around his neck?

 

NICK: Collar. The circus uses it to keep him chained up.

 

DAN: He's bleedin' bad.

 

NICK: Must've been the blood we've seen in his tracks.

 

DAN: Guess another animal got to it 'fore we did.

 

NICK: An animal didn't do that. They're marks from a bullwhip. Probably that  trainer's.

 

DAN: No wonder the lion attacked him.

 

NICK: Seems so.

 

DAN: Mr. Owens taught me that there's 3 reasons to kill an animal. For food,  for protection, and compassion.

 

DAN aims his rifle at the lion, and shoots.

 

SCENE 29: INT. PLUMFIELD - KITCHEN

 

JO walks in with NAT's broken violin.

 

JO: How could he do that to Nat?

 

ASIA: I don't know. But give me five minutes alone with that man and I'll  make sure he never does it again.

 

JO: And here I thought he was such a wonderful teacher.

 

ASIA: Now what are you gonna do?

 

JO: I'm going to get this violin fixed. And then I'm going to have a little  chat with Mr. Arlatta. Asia I can't believe that Nat had to endure this  abuse. Why didn't he come to me sooner?

 

ASIA: He's growin' up. And they all wanna take care of themselves, and they  all think they know how to. But we know that they just can't   sometimes.

 

NAN hastily enters.

 

NAN: Dan and Nick are back!

 

JO: [sigh of relief] Thank God!

 

SCENE 30: INT. PLUMFIELD - FRONT HALL

 

DAN and NICK just entered. JO, ASIA and NAN go to meet them.

 

JO: Are you alright?

 

ASIA: Did anyone get hurt?

 

NICK: Everybody's fine.

 

NAN: Did you kill the lion?

 

NICK: (beat) Yeah. We buried it out in the woods.

 

JO: [upset] Dan how could you do this to me?

 

DAN: I'm sorry Mrs. Jo

 

JO: Sorry isn't good enough. I've been worried sick about you for nearly a  week!

 

DAN: I know, and I have no excuse. I'm willing to take any punishment you  give me.

 

JO: [on the verge of tears] We'll talk about this tomorrow.

 

DAN starts to go up to his room.

 

JO: Dan. [Dan stops] I'm glad you're home.

 

DAN: Me too.

 

SCENE 31: INT. PLUMFIELD - PARLOUR (Next day)

 

NAT is playing with the lion's collar while he waits for his violin lesson. JO knocks at the door.

 

NAT: Is Mr. Arlatta here yet?

 

JO: No, no he's isn't. [sits down beside Nat. Touches the lion's collar] It's  heavy, isn't it.

 

NAT: Yeah. Dan was telling me how awful the lion looked when they found  him.

 

JO: It had a sad life.

 

NAT: Didn't deserve to be treated like that.

 

JO: No it didn't. (beat) No living thing does. It's just that animals don't  have a choice.

 

JO exits.

 

SCENE 32: EXT. PLUMFIELD.

 

MR.ARLATTA's carriage arrives. NAT has been waiting on the porch steps with MR.ARLATTA's violin.

 

M.A.:  Good morning, Nat. I see you're ready for your lesson.

 

NAT: Yes I am, but I wanted to let you know something before we get  started.

 

M.A.:  I'm listening.

 

NAT: I've made my decision. Mrs. Jo is getting my father's violin fixed, and I'll  be playing that in Boston

 

M.A.: Nat, I explained to you why you can't--

 

NAT: I know you have. (beat) But I'm gonna do it anyway. It's more   comfortable for me.

 

M.A.: If comfort is what you want, you shouldn't play the violin. The violin is  about hard work!

 

NAT: I'm used to hard work! [gives M.A. back the violin] And I'm also used to  being treated better. I'm not gonna let you treat me like that anymore.

 

M.A.: Then I will not be taking you to Boston next month!

 

JO comes out from the house.

 

JO: It's alright, because I would love to take Nat to Boston.

 

M.A.:  Mrs. Bhaer, surely you can see I am only trying to do what is best for  Nat.

 

JO: Well, I think that Nat can decide what is best for him, isn't that right?

 

NAT nods.

 

M.A.:  Well then apparently I have no further business here. [starts to get on  carriage, but turns around to Nat] It's a shame. You are quite talented,  but you will never be a great musician.

 

NAT: Maybe not, but I'll be having fun.

 

MR.ARLATTA leaves.

 

JO:  [to Nat] Let's go.

 

They walk back into the house.

 

SCENE 33: EXT. PLUMFIELD

 

JO comes out of the house. NAN is hanging up the laundry.

 

JO: Nan, time for lunch!

 

NAN: Alright, comin'.

 

JO: Where's Nat?

 

NAN: Where do you think?

 

JO looks toward the corral to see NAT playing his violin to the horse.

 

JO: I think we'll just let him play for a while.

 

SCENE 34: EXT. PLUMFIELD - CORRAL

 

NAT is sitting on the fence, happily playing his violin.

 

THE END