Épisode Le coeur et la raison S04E21 - Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman Saison 4

"Hearts And Minds"



Written by
Andrew Lipsitz



Directed by
Terrence O'Hara





DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN
"Hearts and Minds"
Cast List

MICHAELA QUINN
SULLY

MATTHEW
COLLEEN
BRIAN

LOREN
DOROTHY
REVEREND

JAKE
HANK
PRESTON

GRACE
ANTHONY

CLOUD DANCING
LOOKS FOR THE SUN

(FORMERLY PAWNEE BOY) CROW BOY*
(FORMERLY ARAPAHOE BOY) ARAPAHOE GIRL*
(FORMERLY CROW CHILD) PAWNEE BOY*

FEATURED EXTRAS: SMALL GROUP INDIAN BOYS OF DIF. TRIBES
(8-12 YEARS OLD, PAWNEE, CROW, ARAPAHOE, ETC.)
2 SOLDIERS
GRACE'S CUSTOMER (DISTRACTS HER)

MONTAGE SCENE: INDIAN GIRL GETS MUSLIN DRESS FROM LOREN
INDIAN BOY STEPS INTO PANTS CLUMSILY
DIFFERENT INDIAN GIRL PUTS ON BONNET;
LOREN DEMONSTRATES TO INDIAN GIRL'S
END MONTAGE SCENE: MOTHER HOW TO WEAR BONNET (HAIR INSIDE)

SCHOOBOYS PLAYING BASEBALL WITH BRIAN
BANK CUSTOMER PRESTON DOESN'T NOTICE
*ADULT PAWNEE/ADULT CROW WHO TAKE
SWINGS AT EACH OTHER

BACKGROUND: INDIANS: ADULTS/CHILDREN/PARENTS/
SOLDIERS
TOWNSFOLK
ANIMALS:
BUCK DEER & WOLF

MYRA DELETED




CBS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS Prod. #2244-0421
in association with PRODUCTION DRAFT
THE SULLIVAN COMPANY January 30, 1996
(C) MCMXCVI Rev. Blue, February 2, 1996
CBS Inc. Rev. Pink, February 7, 1996
All Rights Reserved Rev. Yellow, February 12, 1996
Rev. Green, February 14, 1996
Rev. Goldenrod, February 15, 1996
CBS INC. IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS PROGRAM
FOR THE PURPOSE OF COPYRIGHT AND OTHER LAWS

No portion of this material may be copied or distributed without the prior consent of CBS Inc.


TEASER


FADE IN:


EXT. WOODS - DAY ONE 1

SULLY, BRIAN, CLOUD DANCING and LOOKS FOR THE SUN (a ten-year old Lakota boy, who is at present quiet and depressed) walk along a trail. Cloud Dancing has a bow and arrows.

Sully stops suddenly, with a quieting finger to his lips, and points at something which is off-screen:

SULLY
(whispering)
A buck.

Cloud Dancing sees it, but Brian and Looks For The Sun don't.

Sully puts a hand on Brian's shoulder and guides his look in the right direction; Cloud Dancing leads Looks For The Sun a silent step or two forward and points out the deer to him.


+ANGLE - A BUCK (STOCK) 2

stands alone, disguised by the woods.


+CLOSE ON LOOKS FOR THE SUN 3

as he whispers, more to himself than for anybody else:

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
He has no family...


+SCENE 4

Cloud Dancing knows that Looks For The Sun is talking about himself, and puts his hand on the boy's shoulder.

Sully and Brian haven't heard this. They move next to Cloud Dancing and Looks For The Sun, as Sully whispers:

SULLY
You gonna take him?

CLOUD DANCING
(considers, then:)
No.
(Off Sully's surprise)
Looks for The Sun is Lakota, his father was an Elk Dreamer. They do not hunt deer or elk.

(CONTINUED)

2.


CONTINUED: 4

Looks For The Sun keeps looking at the deer.

CLOUD DANCING
Even though his parents have crossed over, he has that birth right.


+ANGLE - THE BUCK (STOCK) 5

takes off, running through the brush.


+SCENE 6

Brian smiles, watching the buck take off, then turns to Looks For The Sun:

BRIAN
Good tribe.

Looks For The Sun nods, then sadly watches the buck run away...


EXT. GENERAL STORE - DAY ONE 6A

A busy day in Colorado Springs. PRESTON briskly walks up to the store, a piece of paper in his hand --


INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY ONE 7

Preston approaches DOROTHY, who is working the press.

PRESTON
Dorothy -- I'd like to place this notice in your nice little paper.

DOROTHY
You're sellin' the telegraph office?

PRESTON
I'd appreciate it if you'd print that in the next issue of the Gazette, Dorothy.

JAKE, nearby with LOREN and HANK, takes this as another presumptuous act on Preston's part:

JAKE
But you don't own it.

(CONTINUED)

2A.


CONTINUED: 7

PRESTON
Very observant, Jake. Now let's see -- why might I be able to sell it if I don't own it?... Perhaps the telegraph company asked me to act as their broker. Ah yes, that must be it -- good thinking, Jake.

Jake, pissed off by the putdown, turns away.

(CONTINUED)

3.


CONTINUED: (2) 7

LOREN
It's a good location.

PRESTON
No no no, it's not good, it's the best location in town --

As Preston warms to his pitch, Dorothy listens and wanders to the doorway, looking down the street towards the telegraph office...

PRESTON
-- halfway between the store and the church, across from the saloon, on the way into Grace's and next door to the clinic. The foot traffic alone makes it worth its weight in gold.

HANK
Why the hard sell, Preston? You workin' on commission?

Preston just grins, which confirms Hank's suspicions.

LOREN
What kinda business they want to put in there?

PRESTON
That's irrelevant -- as long as the price is right.

He tips his hat to Dorothy on his way out. Dorothy acknowledges him, and continues to look at the telegraph office, thinking about how wonderful it would be...


EXT. RESERVATION - DAY ONE 8

A couple of INDIAN BOYS OF DIFFERENT TRIBES (Pawnee, Arapahoe, Crow, etc.; eight to twelve years old) are shoving each other.

Sully, Cloud Dancing, Brian and Looks For The Sun, on their way back to the reservation from their trek, see this. (Cloud Dancing no longer has his bow and arrow.) Sully rushes over to the Boys and breaks it up.

SULLY
That's enough...

The boys defend themselves, shouting:

CROW BOY
He started it!

(CONTINUED)

4.


CONTINUED: 8

PAWNEE BOY
Crow tripped me!

CROW BOY
Pawnee is a liar!

SULLY
How many times I gotta tell you -- fightin' gives the soldiers an excuse to rough you up.

The boys quiet, kick the ground, look away.


+ANGLE - MIKE AND THE REVEREND 9

arrive in a wagon, excited. They pull up near Cloud Dancing, Brian and Looks For The Sun:

REVEREND
Sully, Cloud Dancing, great news!

Sully comes over, helps Mike down from the wagon:

MIKE
The Reverend's been commissioned to open a school here on the reservation for the Indian children.

REVEREND
They're gonna pay for a school house and supplies --

CLOUD DANCING
Who is "they"?

REVEREND
The government, they've made an agreement with my missionary agency.

CLOUD DANCING
Who will teach?

REVEREND
I will...

They sense Cloud Dancing's wariness:

REVEREND
This will help bring them into the world --

(CONTINUED)

5.


CONTINUED: 9

MIKE
And learning together should give them something in common -- perhaps it'll even stop the fighting between tribes.

CLOUD DANCING
(considers this; then:)
What will you teach?

REVEREND
Everything -- reading, writing, science -- it's all here in this manual...

The Reverend holds up a book.

CLOUD DANCING
Your government sent that book?

The Reverend is growing disappointed that Cloud Dancing isn't as excited as he is:

REVEREND
This is good news, Cloud Dancing.

He looks to Sully for support. Cloud Dancing and Mike look at Sully, too, for his reaction. Sully is wary:

SULLY
'Least they're doin' somethin'.

But Cloud Dancing is troubled and unsure, as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER




6.


ACT ONE


FADE IN:


EXT. RESERVATION - SCHOOL AREA - DAY TWO 10

Sully and the Reverend unload a couple of boxes, a blackboard, stool and an old teacher's desk from a wagon. Some curious INDIAN CHILDREN and ADULTS look on, including Looks For The Sun.

REVEREND
That's the perfect spot for the schoolhouse... the government said they'll pay for the materials --

SULLY
'Til then, we'll put up an awning --


+MIKE AND CLOUD DANCING 11

unpack the boxes, taking out school supplies (slates, chalk, paper and pencils).

CLOUD DANCING
(pointed)
These are the first supplies your government has sent for many months.

MIKE
I know -- but perhaps this means they're going to start living up to their agreements with you...

The wagon unpacked, Sully and the Reverend join them.

REVEREND
You know, Dr. Mike, there's one vital supply that isn't in those boxes.

She looks at him, not knowing what he means.

REVEREND
Teachers. I'll come out here every afternoon, but with teaching in town, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle everything...

It's obvious he's asking for her help.

(CONTINUED)

7.


CONTINUED: 11

MIKE
I'd be happy to help out.

REVEREND
Oh would you, Dr. Mike? If it wouldn't be too much for you --

MIKE
I'm sure I could handle a couple of afternoons a week.

REVEREND
That would be wonderful -- if you could just take a couple of subjects -- science, maybe geography...

MIKE
I'd love to.

SULLY
What do you say we get started on that awning?

Sully and the Reverend start off, then look back at Cloud Dancing. Will he join in?

After a moment, with a nod to Mike, he does. They're all pleased, nobody more so than the Reverend, who claps Cloud Dancing on the shoulder as they move off.


EXT. BANK - DAY TWO 12

Preston shows a customer out, shaking her hand, and is about to go back in when Dorothy, with happy anticipation, approaches him. She hands the telegraph office notice to him.

DOROTHY
You don't need to print this notice in the Gazette...

PRESTON
(not following, a little put out:)
I'm sorry, I don't quite follow...

She takes a deep breath, then plunges in:

DOROTHY
I'd like to buy the telegraph office.

Preston is totally surprised.

(CONTINUED)

8.


CONTINUED: 12

DOROTHY
I've got some money saved, and I want to take out a loan for the rest.

PRESTON
(not a chance)
A loan.

DOROTHY
You know I'll pay it back.

PRESTON
(going along even though he knows it's fruitless)
Alright -- what sort of collateral will you be able to provide?

DOROTHY
There's my printing press, and... some other things.

PRESTON
You do understand that you have to provide collateral that's of equal value to the loan?

DOROTHY
The Gazette's my collateral -- I'm gonna expand it soon as I move in, it'll pay for itself.

PRESTON
Dorothy...

DOROTHY
It's the perfect place for it, and what better business to have in that location --

PRESTON
The men who have invested in this bank have strict collateral requirements -- future hopes aren't sufficient.

Impatient and upset, Dorothy looks away; she sees she's not going to succeed here.

PRESTON
I'm sorry... if it was for a smaller amount, I might be able to help. You understand, don't you?

(CONTINUED)

9.


CONTINUED: (2) 12

DOROTHY
If you won't give me a loan, I'll just have to apply to the banks in Denver.

PRESTON
(keeping a straight face)
That's a good idea.

Dorothy starts to leave --

PRESTON
Dorothy?

He holds up the notice that she brought back. Dorothy comes back, takes it, and looks him dead in the eye:

DOROTHY
I'm gonna get that loan.

PRESTON
Your tenacity is admirable.

She takes off. As soon as she's gone, Preston laughs under his breath:

PRESTON
Good luck.

-- and heads into the bank.


EXT. CAFE - DAY TWO 13

MATTHEW and COLLEEN bring some books from the direction of the library to the large table, where Mike, Sully and Brian are already seated, going through some other books.

ANTHONY is seated next to Brian, and when Brian puts down a book, he picks it up and starts trying to read it.

COLLEEN
I checked these out from the library --

BRIAN
We brought these from home.

Matthew picks up one of the books Colleen brought:

MATTHEW
"The Spencerian Key to Practical Penmanship"? Better teach 'em the alphabet 'fore you start worryin' 'bout their penmanship.

(CONTINUED)

10.


CONTINUED: 13

The Reverend approaches from the direction of the schoolhouse, also carrying a pile of books.

MIKE
It's best to learn both at the same time -- if they want to go into a profession, they'll have to write legibly --
(to the Reverend, happily)
And that's what we're going to be doing -- teaching the first generation of Indian doctors and lawyers and --

SULLY
If that's what they want to be.

MIKE
Exactly, we're giving them choices in life.


+ANGLE - BRIAN AND ANTHONY 14

Brian notices Anthony closing the book that he was trying to read, frustrated.

BRIAN
That's by Mark Twain -- he's got a lot of good stories.

ANTHONY
Too many big words.


+ANGLE - GRACE 15

watches from the stove, a protective eye on Anthony... until a CUSTOMER distracts her with a question.


+BACK TO BRIAN AND ANTHONY 16

BRIAN
Maybe you oughta come to school...

Anthony looks at him -- maybe that's a good idea.

BRIAN
It'd help you learn to read.

ANTHONY
(defensive)
I know how to read.

(CONTINUED)

11.


CONTINUED: 16

He picks up another book and opens it, pretending to read. Brian sees through it, and adds kindly:

BRIAN
Everybody needs help learnin' bigger words.

Anthony gives that some thought behind his book...


INT. CLINIC - DAY THREE 17

Dorothy, discouraged, paces, reading from one telegram after another, while Mike wraps bandages.

DOROTHY
"We regret that we're unable to..."
(next telegram)
"We're sorry to inform you..."
(next telegram)
"We wish that we could be of assistance, however..."
(exasperated)
Can they find one more way to turn me down?

MIKE
None of them even agreed to meet you?

DOROTHY
Obviously they think it'd be a waste of their time.

MIKE
I suppose they can't imagine that a woman could go into business and pay off a loan.

DOROTHY
Somebody must 'a thought enough of you to loan you the money for this clinic.

MIKE
(slightly embarrassed)
Actually... it was my mother.

DOROTHY
Oh... I'm afraid that ain't an option in my case.
(then, with a sigh)
I guess it was just a silly idea -- what was I thinkin'.

(CONTINUED)

12.


CONTINUED: 17

MIKE
Expanding the Gazette is a good idea, Dorothy -- there's got to be a way...

DOROTHY
Men find a way.

MIKE
I suppose if you were a man, other men would take your business proposal seriously.

DOROTHY
It's not fair, I'm just as capable...

MIKE
The problem is, they don't know that -- they never take the opportunity to find out.

DOROTHY
But why not?

MIKE
Well, they spend their time with each other, working, socializing...

That word makes Dorothy think:

DOROTHY
Socializin'...

As she begins to form an idea...


EXT. RESERVATION - DAY THREE 18

CLOSE ON the Reverend, as he reaches into a box and pulls out a pair of shiny, stiff new black shoes which he holds out to Looks For The Sun like they're the best treat in the world:

REVEREND
These are for you, Looks For The Sun.

Looks For The Sun takes his cue from the Reverend's manner:

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
They are mine?

REVEREND
All yours.

(CONTINUED)

13.


CONTINUED: 18

Looks For The Sun looks for permission to Cloud Dancing, who stands nearby. Cloud Dancing hesitates; he doesn't like this. In the b.g., other Indian children and adults start to gather around the box of shoes and the wagon nearby, from which Loren and Jake are unloading crates and boxes.

CLOUD DANCING
(to the Reverend)
Shoes?

REVEREND
They're just for school. The manual says it'll make them feel like they're part of the same class.

Looks For The Sun looks at Cloud Dancing pleadingly. Cloud Dancing is once again moved by him, and nods reluctantly.

Looks For The Sun breaks into a grin, takes the shoes, plops down on the ground to put them on. The Reverend starts handing shoes to the other children:

REVEREND
There's enough for everyone...

The Indian Adults look on, not at all sure about this...

DISSOLVE TO:

-EXT. RESERVATION MONTAGE - DAY THREE

(Note that the entire montage is in TIGHT SHOTS, illustrating the preparation of the Indian children for school one by one; we're saving the big picture for later.)


+LOOKS FOR THE SUN 19

ties his shoes, all concentration...


+AN INDIAN GIRL 20

looks at the square-cut, simple, one color muslin school dress that Loren hands her, not sure what to make of it...


+LOOKS FOR THE SUN 21

slips a military-style jacket over his new white shirt...


+AN INDIAN GIRL 22

slips her school dress on over her shoulders...


14.


+AN INDIAN BOY 23

steps clumsily into a pair of pants, his shoes getting caught in the pants legs...


+ANOTHER INDIAN GIRL 24

puts a bonnet on over her long dark hair. Loren demonstrates to HER MOTHER that the Girl's hair should be inside the bonnet...


+A PILE OF DARK HAIR 25

lies on the ground. We MOVE UP to discover Looks For The Sun, now in his complete school uniform, sitting in a chair, nervous, watching his hair drop to the ground as Jake cuts it...


+CLOUD DANCING 26

watches Looks For The Sun getting his hair cut. Cloud Dancing's unhappiness grows when he looks over and sees:


+THE REVEREND 27

hands Loren a wad of bills.


+CLOUD DANCING 28

sets his jaw. He doesn't like this.

DISSOLVE TO:


EXT. RESERVATION - DAY THREE 29

The Reverend comes to greet Mike and Sully, who are unloading the wagon (Sully's taking out some canvas, and Mike's got some rolled-out maps; there's also wood stacked in the back).

REVEREND
Ready for our first day of school?

MIKE
(enthusiastic)
Indeed I am.

SULLY
I brought some canvas for the awning.

(CONTINUED)

15.


CONTINUED: 29

The Reverend leads them around a bend (or a grove of trees, or whatever, just so that they are not able to see the school area when they arrive) toward the school area.

MIKE
And I found some maps that I was given as a child...

But her smile fades as they arrive at the school area. Both she and Sully stop in their tracks as they see:


+THE INDIAN CHILDREN 30

About two dozen of them, standing stiffly and uncomfortably in their full uniforms. The boys, their hair cut, wear pants, shirts and jackets; the girls are in dresses, with their hair pushed up into bonnets, and all of them wear stiff, brand new shiny black shoes. The effect is overwhelming in its uniformity.

Mike and Sully are taken aback; this isn't what they expected, and it's disturbing...

A few of the children look happy with anticipation (like Looks For The Sun, who's in the front row), but most of them look uncomfortable. They fidget in the binding clothes. A couple of girls pull at their hair. Some boys tug at their jacket sleeves. You can almost hear the shoes squeak.

Mike and Sully look at each other, disturbed. The Reverend, oblivious, beams:

REVEREND
They're going to do well -- look at them, they're ready to learn.

Indian Parents stand around the perimeter. Some are excited, pointing out their boys or girls, but most MUTTER amongst themselves unhappily.

Cloud Dancing comes over to Mike and Sully:

CLOUD DANCING
Tell me -- how does cutting their hair and dressing them in white man's clothes help them learn?

Mike and Sully don't have an answer for that; they feel the same way.

The Reverend hears that, and wants to nip it in the bud with a more enthusiastic approach. He rubs his hands together:

REVEREND
Let's begin, shall we?

(CONTINUED)

16.


CONTINUED: 30

And he heads toward the children. Mike and Sully look at each other, disturbed and unsure what to make of this, as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE




17.


ACT TWO


FADE IN:


EXT. RESERVATION - SCHOOL AREA - DAY THREE 31

With the alphabet written behind him on the blackboard, the Reverend finishes singing the alphabet song:

REVEREND
"-- W, X, Y and Z. Now I know my A-B-C's, tell me what you think of me..."

He looks out at the class of Indian children, who look back at him silently.

REVEREND
That last phrase was just part of the song, you don't really have to tell me what you think of...

He trails off as he realizes that he hasn't reached them. He looks over at Mike, who is sitting off to the side, sorting books.

A couple of Soldiers who have been watching LAUGH and smirk as they walk away. That fuels Mike to smile back to the Reverend encouragingly.

The Reverend tries another tack:

REVEREND
Let's try it together, shall we?
(singing, trying to lead them)
"A, B, C, D, E, F, G..."

Looks for the Sun is the only one to join in with him, and fades out shyly by the time he gets to E.

REVEREND
Maybe we've had enough for the first day. Class is dismissed.

The children don't move.

REVEREND
That means you can go.

The children take off, some at a run. They take off their shoes, and shed their bonnets and jackets as they leave (taking their clothes with them). One or two, including Looks For The Sun, hang back, taking off shoes more carefully, or looking at books and the blackboard.

(CONTINUED)

18.


CONTINUED: 31

The Reverend goes to Mike; he's frustrated and she knows it. Sully and Cloud Dancing approach, carrying some lumber for the awning, which they begin to build.

MIKE
Don't be discouraged. After all, they have no written language of their own -- this is all so new to them.

Looks For The Sun comes to them, picks up a primer book, tries to try to read it during the following:

REVEREND
I s'pose you're right -- for the first day, I guess it's an accomplishment that they were all listening and interested.

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
(from his book)
D.

REVEREND
(looking at the book)
That's right, that's a D. And that's an O, and a G, and together that spells dog.

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
Dog!

He lights up. The Reverend grins, sits beside him and starts to help him spell out words in the book.

Mike smiles, gets up to give them some privacy, and walks over to Sully and Cloud Dancing.

CLOUD DANCING
Is reading and writing the first thing they must learn?

MIKE
Well, there's a lot of valuable information in books -- information they won't be able to get elsewhere.

CLOUD DANCING
When you read a story you cannot know who tells it, you do not see him or hear his voice. If you do not know his spirit, the story has no meaning.

(CONTINUED)

19.


CONTINUED: (2) 31

They look at Looks For The Sun, who is soaking up the book with the Reverend.

MIKE
All we want to do is give them a new way of learning, so they can have both ways.

SULLY
Just so long as the new way don't wipe out the old.


INT. BANK - DAY FOUR 32

Preston works at his desk, which is covered with prospectuses and other papers. Dorothy sails in, sporting a cheerful, outgoing bravado; she plops a picnic basket down on his desk:

DOROTHY
Good afternoon Preston.

PRESTON
Dorothy... What have we here?

DOROTHY
Lunch -- I didn't make it myself, I didn't have time to with gettin' the Gazette out... but it's Grace's best.

He knows what she's up to, and he's entertained by it:

PRESTON
That's very considerate of you. To what do I owe this pleasure?

DOROTHY
I was just thinkin' that we haven't really had the opportunity to get to know each other.

She opens the basket. He stands, leans in to whiff the food, and looks at her up close, flirtingly:

PRESTON
An omission which has caused me great unhappiness.

Dorothy laughs pleasantly, then tries to shut down his flirting as she clears a place on his desk:

(CONTINUED)

20.


CONTINUED: 32

DOROTHY
Well, we've both been so occupied with our own businesses. Don't want to get food on these prospectuses... do you mind?

PRESTON
Not at all.

She starts stacking papers.

PRESTON
It's just a shame that your valiant efforts are spent on a business which will never bring you great profit.

DOROTHY
Now Preston, I'm not here to talk about the newspaper.

PRESTON
(right, sure)
Of course not.

Dorothy catches a glimpse of one of the prospectuses:

DOROTHY
Oh... you're not thinkin' of investin' in this, are you?

PRESTON
I've invested in railroad securities with Jay Cooke and Company for years, they're very reliable.

She shrugs knowingly, as she starts to unpack the picnic basket:

DOROTHY
If you say so.

PRESTON
(what's that mean?)
And you say differently?

DOROTHY
It's just that I read that the only way they can offer that rate of return is by waterin' down the value of their stocks.

PRESTON
(stops him cold)
Where'd you read that?

(CONTINUED)

21.


CONTINUED: (2) 32

DOROTHY
The Gazette ain't the only paper I read.

She flips a napkin out and places it in front of him. They're both enjoying themselves, each thinking they've got the upper hand...


EXT. SCHOOL - DAY FOUR 33

Brian plays baseball with some SCHOOLBOYS. Anthony approaches (from the direction of town) as Brian's team moves up to bat.

BRIAN
Hey Anthony.

ANTHONY
Hey Brian.

BRIAN
Wanna play?

Anthony shrugs. He'd like to but...

BRIAN
Ever play baseball?

Anthony shakes his head 'no.'

BRIAN
We could teach you.

Anthony shrugs, looks down at the ground.

BRIAN
You all right? You been hurtin' again?

ANTHONY
No, I feel all right.
(then)
What'd you do in school today?

BRIAN
Lots of stuff... We read about animals in the sea -- whales and sharks and big turtles...

Anthony looks longingly at the schoolhouse; Brian picks up on it:

BRIAN
When you gonna come to school?

(CONTINUED)

22.


CONTINUED: 33

ANTHONY
Miss Grace don't want me to.

Anthony turns and walks back toward town. Brian is surprised by this...


INT. BANK - DAY FOUR 34

Preston leans back in his chair, across the desk from Dorothy. Empty plates cover the desk.

DOROTHY
It's called the Standard Oil Company -- started this year by a man named Rockefeller.

PRESTON
Never heard of him.

DOROTHY
He's got a refinery in Ohio.

Preston lights up a cigar. He jokingly offers one to Dorothy. She goes along withe gag, takes the cigar:

DOROTHY
May I keep this for later?

She puts the cigar in the picnic basket. He laughs, entertained by all this, and pretends to be very impressed by her knowledge:

PRESTON
And so... you'd advise me to invest in this -- what was his name again?

DOROTHY
Rockefeller.

PRESTON
Sounds risky.

DOROTHY
Where there's risk, there's opportunity... isn't that right?

PRESTON
True, but you mustn't mistake gambling for opportunity.

Dorothy rises, starts to put the plates back in the basket.

(CONTINUED)

23.


CONTINUED: 34

DOROTHY
Well, all I can say is if it was my money, I wouldn't depend entirely on railroads.

PRESTON
Oh the railroads are here to stay.

DOROTHY
From what I've read, it's important to invest in lots of different things --

PRESTON
Absolutely -- but you know Dorothy, you can't always trust what you read.

DOROTHY
All the papers I subscribe to are reputable.

PRESTON
Naturally, but they all have editors with their own agendas.

DOROTHY
They report the facts --

PRESTON
As they see fit. And they use them to support their own positions: invest in this business, vote for that politician...

The penny drops; an idea begins to form in his head. He's so taken with it that he doesn't notice a CUSTOMER come in and wait at the counter.

DOROTHY
But still, that doesn't mean --

PRESTON
In fact, any reasonably intelligent publisher can wield enormous influence...

DOROTHY
(doesn't see where he's going)
Publisher...?

(CONTINUED)

24.


CONTINUED: (2) 34

PRESTON
Take the Gazette, for instance -- everyone in town reads it...

DOROTHY
That's true, and with the town gettin' bigger, the paper's gonna grow too...

PRESTON
Exactly!

The Customer clears his throat, trying to get Preston's attention. Preston looks up, notices him, holds up in his hand in a "just a moment" gesture.

By now Dorothy has packed up the picnic basket. Preston rises, takes Dorothy's arm and escorts her out:

PRESTON
Supper.

DOROTHY
Supper?

PRESTON
We must continue this over supper.

DOROTHY
That'd be lovely --

PRESTON
Always a pleasure, Dorothy, always a pleasure.

He leaves her at the door to attend to his Customer. She's slightly confused by this whirlwind, but feeling optimistic.


EXT. RESERVATION - NEAR THE SCHOOL AREA - DAY FIVE 35

Sully and Cloud Dancing separate an adult PAWNEE and CROW, who are taking swings at each other (much like the Pawnee and Crow boys did earlier). A couple of Soldiers watch from nearby, amused by it, doing nothing.

SULLY
Stop it -- C'mon, stop now.

As Cloud Dancing helps the Pawnee inspect an injury, Sully leads the Crow to a couple of other CROW ADULTS:

SULLY
Get him outta here.

(CONTINUED)

25.


CONTINUED: 35

They do so, as Sully angrily strides to the Soldiers:

SULLY
You're s'posed to keep the Crow on the other side of the ridge -- you know they don't get 'long with the Pawnees.

Cloud Dancing calls over, making sure the Soldiers hear:

CLOUD DANCING
Maybe it is because they know it that they do nothing.

The Soldiers take off in the opposite direction. Sully, exasperated, shouts after them:

SULLY
When're you gonna start doin' your job?


+AT THE SCHOOL AREA 36

(Note that the awning is now in place.)

The Reverend stands in front of the class, but the children aren't paying attention -- they're looking off at the fight.

REVEREND
Children -- let's continue... We use "A" in a word like "Adam"...

He adds to the "A" he has already printed on the blackboard so it reads "ADAM."

REVEREND
And we use the word in a sentence like this: "In Adam's fall, we sinned all."

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
Who is Adam?

REVEREND
Adam was the first man God created.

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
Who is God?

REVEREND
Well, God is... God created the world.

That gets the interest of some of the other children.

(CONTINUED)

26.


CONTINUED: 36

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
(confused)
Did not Inyan create the world?

PAWNEE CHILD
No, Tirawa came first.

The Pawnee Boy and Looks For The Sun argue, shouting out the first being from each of their people...


+SULLY AND CLOUD DANCING 37

hear the children shouting as they finish helping the wounded Pawnee bind his injury. They head toward the school.


+AT THE SCHOOL AREA 38

The children's shouting gets louder. The Reverend shouts over them, trying to stop the argument:

REVEREND
Children... children!
(getting their attention)
God came before anything or anyone.

The children fall silent as they take this in.

LOOKS FOR THE SUN
(struggling with this thought)
Who told you this?

The Reverend picks up his Bible.

REVEREND
It says so right here. This is the holiest of all books... this book tells us how the world began.

This interests the children; they start to listen, as Sully and Cloud Dancing arrive. The Reverend tells the story that he loves as he holds the Bible:

REVEREND
At first there was nothing -- the world didn't exist. Can you imagine? It was dark and cold -- no people, no animals, no trees, no land, no water, nothing. And then God created the earth...

(CONTINUED)

27.


CONTINUED: 38

The children shift forward on the benches, getting involved in the story.

REVEREND
And then God said, "Let there be light," and do you know what?

The children are captivated.

REVEREND
The sun shone down on the earth.

Cloud Dancing is getting more angry by the moment; he looks at Sully, who is also growing disturbed.

REVEREND
And then he created the oceans and rivers and streams and lakes...

Cloud Dancing steps forward and takes the Bible from the Reverend's hand:

REVEREND
Cloud Dancing, what're you --

Sully steps in between them:

SULLY
We gotta talk.

REVEREND
We're in the middle of class.

SULLY
Maybe you oughta have recess.

REVEREND
We'll take recess a little early today, children.

The children take off as Mike arrives, carrying a couple of rolled-up posters; she is at first unaware of the tension:

MIKE
I brought some anatomy charts, I thought we'd get started on science today...

CLOUD DANCING
There is no teaching here -- only white man's haircuts, white man's clothes, white man's holy book -- you said you would teach them, not preach to them.

(CONTINUED)

28.


CONTINUED: (2) 38

Disgusted, he hands the Bible to Mike. This is all news to her; she turns to the Reverend, surprised:

MIKE
You've been preaching to them from the Bible?

REVEREND
(defensively)
The manual says that religious training is part of their education...

Mike and Sully exchange a look; this isn't going the way they want it to. Then she turns to Cloud Dancing:

MIKE
Cloud Dancing, we're just starting, nothing's cast in stone, we can make this work -- together. It'll take time --
(to the Reverend)
and compromise --
(to Cloud Dancing)
but it's better than nothing.

CLOUD DANCING
Are you saying they have nothing without your school?

MIKE
Of course not...

REVEREND
Unfortunately, the white man's world is the world in which they're going to have to live. We're just trying to help them survive.

CLOUD DANCING
What of their true nature will survive if they live as white people?

He strides off. Mike turns to Sully:

MIKE
All we want to do is prepare them for the future.

SULLY
They won't have a future if they don't have a past.

(CONTINUED)

29.


CONTINUED: (3) 38

Sully takes off, going after Cloud Dancing. OFF Mike's distress...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO




30.


ACT THREE


FADE IN:


INT. MIKE AND SULLY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT FIVE 39

A tense silence as Mike and Sully prepare for bed. Sully takes his shirt off. Mike struggles to reach behind her back to unbutton her dress --

SULLY
Let me help you.

MIKE
I can manage.

But it's impossible to do at this stage of her pregnancy.

SULLY
(gently)
No you can't.

She responds to his tone, takes his hand, and says quietly:

MIKE
I could have used your help earlier at the reservation.

Sully squeezes her hand. After a moment, he looks away:

SULLY
I wanted to believe this'd work, the school. I wanted to believe that the government was finally gonna do somethin' for 'em. I shoulda known.

MIKE
(sees that this runs deep)
It isn't just the school, is it?

SULLY
The fightin's gettin' worse... the soldiers don't do nothin' 'bout it, they won't listen to me... Just gettin' to seem like there's nothin' I can do to make their lives better.

Mike knows there's no easy answer for this. After a moment:

(CONTINUED)

31.


CONTINUED: 39

MIKE
I can see why it must be frustrating -- especially after sharing their lives for so long. It must seem like an uphill battle.

Sully considers that for a moment, then:

SULLY
Still, that ain't no reason not to try.

They look at each other and kiss softly. Then she turns her back to him, so he can unbutton her dress...


OMITTED (40) 40


EXT. RESERVATION - DAY SIX 40A

Sully and Cloud Dancing ride on their horses.

SULLY
I sent a telegram to Hazen this mornin' requestin' he let us change the way the school's bein' run... He said we gotta run it like it says in the manual.

CLOUD DANCING
Did you tell him the Reverend is preaching to the children?

SULLY
He said the Reverend's in charge.

CLOUD DANCING
(takes that in; then:)
I have been talking to some of the others... We can file a petition of grievance -- then you can stop the Reverend from --

SULLY
I ain't got the authority.
(and he hates it)

CLOUD DANCING
You are the Indian Agent, you are our representative --

SULLY
And Hazen's the Superintendent of Indian Affairs.

(CONTINUED)

32.


CONTINUED: 40A

They're both very frustrated. They continue riding in silence...


EXT. CAFE - NIGHT SIX 41

Loren, Jake and Hank are in the middle of supper when Dorothy, wearing the dress Jake gave her last year for Valentine's Day, sweeps into the cafe, looking like a million bucks. (Grace is there, too.) They all react:

HANK
Well well -- what's the occasion, Dorothy?

DOROTHY
Nothin'. Just havin' a business supper with Preston.

JAKE
Not wearing that, you ain't.

DOROTHY
(surprised)
Why not?

JAKE
'Cause it's mine, that's why.
(Off Loren and Hank's look)
Well, I'm the one who gave it to her.

GRACE
(as she passes by)
You gettin' a lot of use out of it?

DOROTHY
You gave it to me, Jake... and it's a beautiful gift that I appreciate bein' able to use when I want to.

Jake can't argue with that. He resumes eating his supper as Dorothy sits down at the next table.


+LOREN 42

gets up, follows Dorothy and sits across from her. He's got something he wants to say, isn't sure how to say it:

LOREN
Dorothy...

(CONTINUED)

33.


CONTINUED: 42

DOROTHY
Yes, Loren?

LOREN
This supper with Preston -- this about the telegraph office?

DOROTHY
In a way.

LOREN
Oh.

He still isn't able to say what's on his mind. He looks around for Grace:

LOREN
I'd sure like some cider -- awful dry air tonight...

DOROTHY
Loren... you got somethin' on your mind?

LOREN
No no... it's just that -- I know I told you it was time for you to move out, but you don't gotta rush, you can take your time...

Dorothy reaches across, takes his hand.

DOROTHY
No, you were right Loren. It's time for me to find my own place.

Preston descends upon them. Dorothy releases Loren's hand.

PRESTON
Dorothy, you look ravishing.

JAKE
(from the next table)
Thanks.

Preston looks at Jake -- what the heck does that mean? -- then returns his attention to Dorothy:

PRESTON
But I think it's a bit too chilly out here... don't you?

He offers her his arm. Dorothy isn't sure what to make of this:

(CONTINUED)

34.


CONTINUED: (2) 42

DOROTHY
I thought we were gonna have supper.

PRESTON
We are.

Dorothy, uncertain but hopeful, rises and takes his arm. They take off, leaving the others to wonder what's up -- except for Grace, who exchanges a conspiratorial smile with Preston...


INT. OLD TELEGRAPH OFFICE - NIGHT SIX 43

Preston holds the door open for Dorothy, who walks in to discover supper waiting on the table in the middle of the empty office, complete with champagne, candles and flowers.

PRESTON
What do you think?

DOROTHY
(surprised)
It's beautiful...

Can this mean what she hopes it does? She looks at Preston:

DOROTHY
Does this mean...?

PRESTON
I'm giving you that loan.

Dorothy breaks into a grin almost as wide as his. Then she adjusts to a business-like demeanor:

DOROTHY
I won't let you down, Preston.

PRESTON
I know you won't.
(then)
This calls for a celebration. I didn't have time to make dinner myself -- but it's Grace's best.

She laughs. He grins and opens the champagne and pours them a couple of glasses as Dorothy moves around the office, happy and excited:

DOROTHY
This is the perfect spot and just the right amount of space -- and that door's always gonna be open to everybody in this town...

(CONTINUED)

35.


CONTINUED: 43

Preston hands her a glass of champagne, and tries to slip past the news he knows she's not going to like:

PRESTON
And the best part is, you're gonna be half-owner of the best newspaper in the territory.

Dorot