8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

1/97

GHOST DANCE

Story byStark Howell

Screenplay byStark Howell

andChris Iverson

Stark Howell23201 Sherwood PlaceValencia, CA 91354661-877-2819

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

2/97

FADE IN:

EXT. EUCALYPTUS GROVE - PRE-DAWN

Title: August 5th, 1967.

A shadowy figure emerges from within the thick foliage andcarefully makes his way through the trees.

Soon joined by two others, the three move quietly andgracefully through the brush. They blend in with theirsurroundings.

Close on AJ (18) listening, his eyes scanning the woods. Hewears camouflaged six pocket army pants and an olive drab teeshirt. He motions for the others to follow and heads downinto a cluster of eucalyptus trees.

He stops next to a tree, lowers to his knees and begins topush the ground cover away as STEVE HANLEY (18), and RICKYMILLER (19) join him. They also wear camouflage.

They soon unearth what they had come for. Three camouflagedsurfboards.

The three take their surfboards and head down a trail and outof sight.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAIL - MOMENTS LATER

The three boys, now wearing swim trunks, quietly emerge fromthe trail and onto the beach where they stop and gaze out atthe flawless waves of The Point. They share smiles and runfor the water. Not a word was said between them.

As the light of a new day makes its way above the distanthills to the east, the three surfers ride one perfect waveafter another, drawing clean lines with grace and ease.

FADE OUT.

EXT. COAST HIGHWAY - DAY

A 64 VW bus has pulled over to the shoulder that overlooksthe ocean. The three boys sit inside.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

3/97

AJ (V.O.)Can we go now?

CUT TO:

INT. VW BUS - CONTINUOUS

STEVEHold on. Here comes a set.

Steve hangs out of the passenger side window as he checks outthe surf.

AJWe just surfed the best waves onthe coast and youre not satisfied?

STEVE

Oh, look at that!

AJ shakes his head. A semi appears in the distance throughthe back window.

RICKYLook.

Ricky points to two surfers entering the water.

STEVE(pointing toward threemore)

Check it out.

RICKYAJs right. We have our ownprivate surf spot. What more couldwe ask for?

The semi in the back window rumbles closer, crossing thecenter line as it drifts from side to side.

Ricky pops open a can of Brew 102 and holds it up for atoast.

RICKY (CONTD)Heres to the One-O-Two Brigade onanother successful mission.

STEVEUnderground.

RICKYUnseen.

2.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

4/97

AJ/STEVE/RICKYUncaught.

Ricky raises the can to his mouth as the semi fills the backwindow. Just before impact we...

CUT TO BLACK:

The horrific sound of the truck colliding with the Volkswagenis heard over a black screen. The sound slowly fades away.

FADE IN:

EXT. CEMETERY - GRAVESIDE - MORNING

AJs casket rests over an open grave atop a burial vault.The crowd of family and friends gather around the seatedfamily as they prepare to lay AJ to rest. A spray of red

roses sits centered on the hardwood casket.

Young Chris sits between his mother and father as theclergyman prays at the graveside. Sitting next to Chrisfather is his new (and younger) wife. All heads are bowedexcept Chris. Camera pushes in as he stares straight ahead,tears running down his cheeks.

The prayer ends and Chris mom and dad stand and step towardsthe casket. Chris remains seated, silent in his grief.

His mother makes a small bouquet from the roses in the spray.

His father kisses the head of the casket. Mom cant hold ittogether any longer and breaks down sobbing into the awkwardarms of her ex-husband.

Chris watches his parents and the others slowly leave thegraveside. His dad is joined by his new wife, leaving hismom to be comforted by a friend.

Chris rises and slowly approaches his brothers casket. Hereaches into the pocket of his jacket and pulls out a usedbar of surf wax and sets it on top of the casket. Tears rolldown his cheeks.

FADE OUT.

Title: Two years later.

FADE IN:

3.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

5/97

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - PRE DAWN

Title: Cardiff, California. 1969.

A 1964 Ford Falcon station wagon sits parked at the curb. Asurfboard sticks out of the back window and a teenage boy

sits in the drivers seat.

Another teenage boy emerges from the house across the street,carrying a surfboard and towel.

He crosses the street and slides his surfboard into the backof the wagon and gets in the car.

CUT TO:

EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER

Empty parking lot. We see approaching headlights as the FordWagon enters the parking lot and pulls into a space.

The engine and headlights are turned off and the two boysexit the car and walk over to a fence that overlooks theocean.

Chris (now 15) and his best friend TERRY HARRISON (16) standup against the fence, checking out the surf. The waves aresmall and not very good.

TERRYNot much of a swell.

A mediocre wave at best, breaks and then mushes out.

TERRY (CONTD)It just hasnt been the same aroundhere without you.

CHRIS(reflective)

Seems like forever. What I missedmost was the ocean.

TERRY(kidding around)

What about me?

They share a look that reflects their friendship.

CHRISYou didtell Matt six oclockdidnt you?

4.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

6/97

TERRYYou know Matt.

They continue to look at the marginal surf. Terry isunenthusiastic but Chris seems anxious to get in the water.

TERRY (CONTD)Yesterday was better.

Another mediocre wave breaks.

Chris looks for Matt again but hes a no show. He turns hisattention back to the waves.

CHRISTerry, its been six months! Imgoing surfing!

Chris hustles back to the car. A beat, then Terry runs past

Chris, smiling.

TERRYThen...what are we waiting for?

They both run to the back of the wagon for their surfboards.

Begin music. Grand Funk Railroads, Into The Sun.

CUT TO:

EXT. OCEAN SURF - MORNING

Music continues. Various shots of the boys riding waves.

The waves arent great but the boys are making the most of itand having a great time.

After riding one last wave together, Chris and Terry exit thewater and make their way across the smooth sand toward theparking lot.

CUT TO:

BEACH PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS

Terry shakes his head to the left and right, doing his bestto drain the water from his ears.

They reach Terrys wagon and Terry reaches under the wheelwell, producing a key that was hidden there.

5.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

7/97

TERRYI cant believe youve been gonesix months.

Terry and Chris slide their boards into the back of theFalcon.

CHRISI cant believe your dad gave youthe wagon.

TERRYHe said hed rather me drive itthan let the salesman low-ball himon a trade-in.

Terry turns to Chris.

TERRY (CONTD)

(sincere)You doin okay?

CHRIS(unconvincing)

Yeah, Im alright.

Its clear that he isnt.

Terry grabs his towel and moves to the empty parking spacenext to his car to change out of his wet swimsuit.

TERRY

Hey, you wanna go to the moviestonight? Easy Riders playin atthe Vista.

CHRISThat movies rated R. We cantget in.

Terry does the slip & drop, changing into dry pants fromunderneath a towel wrapped around his waist.

TERRYIts called the back door.Stankavitch works there now. Helllet us in.

CHRIS(disinterested)

Nah, I dont feel like going to themovies.

6.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

8/97

TERRYCome on, Chris. Ill even pick youup.

CHRISTerry, you live across the street.

At that moment, a 67 Mustang with two surfboards pulls intothe parking space where Terry is standing. Without honkingor any warning, the car swerves into the space, causing Terryto jump out of the way, almost losing his towel in theprocess. The Whos, My Generation blasts from the radio.

The music stops when the car is turned off and TWO OLDERSURFERS in their mid 20s exit the car without acknowledgingChris and Terry, or the near miss. They walk over to thefence to check out the surf.

TERRY

I wonder what happened to Matt? Iknow I told him six oclock.

CHRISSix months hasnt changed Matt any.

The two older surfers return to their car and take theirboards off of the surf racks attached to the roof.

Terry sees MATT PORTER pedaling up to them on his SchwinnVarsity 10 speed with Sting-Ray handlebars. His bike hasbeen rigged with a surfboard rack that sticks out to the sideand cradles his surfboard.

MATTChris! Welcome back! How wasChicago?

CHRISIt was alright.

MATTHow was it living with your dad?

CHRISYou were supposed to meet us hereat six.

MATT(looking at the surf)

It doesnt look like I missed much.(to Chris)

7.

(MORE)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

9/97

Hey, even surf like that probablylooks good after six months inChicago, huh? That must have beenmurder.

CHRIS

(confrontational)You could have at least-

TERRY(interrupting)

Hey, this thing is cool!

Matt dismounts his bike and stands next to it, still holdingon to the handlebars.

MATTTheyre calling it the shortboardrevolution, right? Boards are

getting shorter and shorter so Ifigure everybodys gonna want one.Ill make millions!

As Matt finishes his statement, he lets go of the handlebarsand the weight of his surfboard in the rack causes the boardand bike to fall over, hitting the Mustang next to Terryswagon.

The cars owner, EDDIE hears the crash and comes over toinspect the damage. His buddy follows.

EDDIE

Hey, you little squid! Look whatyou did to my car!

MATTOh, man, Im sorry about that.

EDDIEYoure sorry? Thats it? Look atthat! Thats a deep scratch!

Terry, ever the peace maker steps in.

TERRYLook, he said he was sorry.

EDDIEShut up!

Terry stands down and Matt approaches the damage.

MATTMaybe I can buff it out.

8.

MATT (CONT'D)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

10/97

EDDIEDont touch it!

Matt backs up.

EDDIE (CONTD)

Youre gonna pay for this.

MATTSure, sure.

Eddie looks at Matts bike and picks it up.

EDDIEIll take this.

MATTWhat?

EDDIEHey, look. It comes with asurfboard!

OLDER SURFER #2I get the surfboard.

MATTHey, wait a second!

EDDIE(admiring the customhandlebars)

Dig these handlebars!

Chris steps up to Eddie.

CHRISYou cant take his bike.

Eddie stops, lowers the bike and turns to Chris.

EDDIE(menacing)

You gonna stop me?

Chris doesnt answer. Eddie is much bigger and stronger thanChris and it would be foolish for Chris to tangle with him.

EDDIE (CONTD)Come on.

(deadly serious)Stop me.

9.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

11/97

Chris is scared and not sure how to respond. Matt and Terrystand frozen.

Eddie fakes a punch, causing Chris to flinch.

OLDER SURFER #2

Leave him alone, Eddie. ThatsAJs little brother.

EDDIE(to his buddy)

Oh yeah?(to Chris)

Well, theres not much your brothercan do to me now, is there?

Chris fear turns to rage and he swings and lands a wildright hook, squarely on the jaw of Eddie. Chris then jumpson him, which is a mistake, and quickly finds himself pinned

down. Chris continues to throw wild punches, none of whichfind their target.

Eddie turns Chris over and is now on top of him. Eddiebegins to pummel Chris but is quickly pulled off by hisbuddy.

OLDER SURFER #2Eddie! Be cool, man! Be cool!

Eddies buddy restrains him.

EDDIE

(struggling to freehimself)

You messed with the wrong guy!

OLDER SURFER #2Hey, Eddie. Let it go, man. Comeon. Lets just go surfing.

Eddie is lead away from the situation and the two oldersurfers pick up their boards and head toward the beach.

Chris, still on the ground, slowly gets to his feet. Bloodruns from his nose and his cut lip. Terry and Matt attemptto help him up.

CHRISLeave me alone!

A frustrated Chris pulls away from his friends and stormsoff.

10.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

12/97

TERRYChris, wait!

CHRIS(walking away)

Just leave me alone!

MATT(calling after him)

Hey, Chris! Come back!

Chris keeps walking away.

MATT (CONTD)(calling out louder)

Look. Im sorry I was late.

TERRYJust let him go.

Terry painfully watches his best friend as Chris turns thecorner and disappears from view.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHRIS STREET - LATER

Terrys Wagon is parked in front of his house, across thestreet from Chris house. Terrys surfboard is stillsticking out of the back of his car.

Chris is walking down the sidewalk, approaching his house.As he cuts across his lawn, he sees his surfboard and rolledup towel laying there near the porch. He picks up the boardand towel and goes inside.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Chris passes AJs door on the way to his room and sees hismom sitting on the bed.

CUT TO:

INT. AJS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Chris MOM is sitting on the edge of the bed. She has beencrying. At her feet is a partially packed box and she holdsseveral photographs in her hand.

11.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

13/97

Chris enters the room.

CHRISMom?

Chris mom is startled and composes herself.

MOM(startled)

Oh, Chris.

CHRIS(upset)

what are you doing? This is AJsstuff!

MOMI didnt want to do this while youwere gone but now that youre back,

I thought-

CHRISYou cant get rid of his stuff!

She notices his cut lip and ripped clothes.

MOMChris! Have you been fighting?

Chris mom stands up to examine her sons wounds. He turnshis face away from her.

CHRISYou have no right to get rid ofAJs stuff!

MOMIts been two years, Chris.

CHRISI dont care! Its AJs!

She looks at Chris and she knows that hes hurting and thathe misses his brother.

MOMHoney, sometimes things happen inlife that we cant explain. I knowit doesnt seem fair.

Chris starts to tear up but holds it in.

12.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

14/97

MOM (CONTD)I never understood why they had todrive all the way up there to gosurfing anyway. We have a beachright here.

CHRISIt wasnt AJs fault.

MOMWell, maybe if they went surfingcloser to home, three boys wouldstill be alive.

The room goes silent. Chris mom looks at her watch.

MOM (CONTD)(resigned)

I have to go to work.

She gives Chris a hug. Chris barely responds.

MOM (CONTD)Ill be home by dinner.

She exits, leaving Chris alone in AJs room.

He eyes scan the room and land on the box that his mom wassitting over when he entered.

Chris kneels down at the box and examines its contents. Itsfilled with photos, maps, magazines and other keepsakes of

AJs.

Chris lifts out a 1964 Surfer Magazine and looks at thecover. He sets it aside and then picks up a stack of blackand white photographs. They are photos of AJ and his friendsat various locations, all centered around the ocean andsurfing.

Chris puts the photos back in the box and notices a reel ofSuper 8 film. He picks it up and reads the label. It reads:64-65.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRIS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Close on a sombrero hanging on the wall with the wordMexico stitched across the brim. Chris takes down thesombrero, leaving the wall bare.

Close on a Super 8 movie projector as it is turned on.

13.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

15/97

Close on the wall as the movie footage is projected on it.We see uncut images of AJ and his friends goofing around atthe beach.

Another section shows AJ and two others spray painting asurfboard with a camouflage pattern.

The last piece of footage shows AJ mugging to the camera. Itends in a close-up of AJ acting goofy just before the filmabruptly runs out, leaving the wall white again.

Close on Chris with tears streaming down his cheeks. Theprojector continues to shine white light on the wall as Chrissits motionless in the dark room. He then curls up in afetal position on the floor, the sound of celluloidrhythmically slapping against the projector.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT - NEXT DAY

Chris, Terry and Matt stand at the fence, checking out thesurf. The waves are lousy and small. Chris face showssigns of the beating he took the day before.

MATTI wish Id surfed yesterday.

The guys continue to watch the dismal surf.

TERRY(to Chris)

About yesterday. I was gonna...

CHRISIt wasnt your fight.

TERRY(feeling bad)

Yeah, but I should have...

CHRISForget it. That guy was a jerk.

They stand in silence, watching the dismal surf.

MATT(referring to the surf)

This is sad.

14.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

16/97

TERRYYou guys wanna walk down to thecreek?

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Music begins. Stoned Cold Picnic by the Fifth Dimension.The guys cross the railroad tracks as they walk away from thebeach parking lot. A car with surfboards crosses in theforeground. A hippy couple sit at the freeway on-ramp,hitchhiking.

CUT TO:

EXT. SIDE STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Music continues. The guys walk past modest post World War IIhouses that populate their quiet coastal town. Matt cansTerrys shoe, flattening the heel. Terry turns and chasesMatt but his canned shoe falls off. Terry hops a few feet onone foot and then gives up.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRASS FIELD - MOMENTS LATER

The guys cut across the field and disappear into the weeds.

CUT TO:

EXT. CREEK - MOMENTS LATER

They sit at the edge of the shallow creek. Matt picks up arock and tries to hit an exposed rock in the middle of thecreek.

MATT(pointing to a rock)

Third rock in.

He throws, missing the rock.

MATT (CONTD)Oh, so close!

Chris picks up a rock.

15.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

17/97

CHRISWatch and learn.

Chris throws his rock and also misses.

Matt and Chris throw more rocks but they all miss their

target.

MATTHey, now that Terrys got wheels,we should try surfing some otherspots.

Terry picks up a rock and throws it. Its a direct hit.

TERRYYes! Pure skill!

CHRIS

Pure luck, you mean.

MATTI heard these guys the other day,talking about a surf spot. Theycalled it the Point.

TERRYThe Point?. Oh, man. The bestwave on the coast and no crowds.

MATTBitchin. Lets go!

TERRYForget about it. Its on privateproperty. Some kind of ranch, withno public access.

Terry cautiously looks over to Chris, knowing that what he isabout to say could be difficult for him.

TERRY (CONTD)Guys have been sneaking in therefor years but they all eventuallyget caught by Floyd.

MATTFloyd?

TERRY(serious tone)

Hes the Ranch guard. Theresother guards but its Floyd yougotta worry about.

16.

(MORE)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

18/97

Hes a mean sucker. They say hecarries a shotgun full of rock saltand shoots surfers with it. Helltake your surfboard too. Legendhas it hes got an old barn wherehe puts all the surfboards that he

confiscates. They say theres ahundred surfboards sittin up therein that barn.

MATTWhoa.

TERRYYep, everybody eventuallyexperiences the wrath of Floyd.

Chris finally breaks his silence and without looking ateither Terry or Matt.

CHRISNot everybody.

Terry and Matt look over at Chris, Terry then turns back toMatt.

TERRYThe One-O-Two Brigade. There werethree of them; Chriss brother AJ,Steve Hanley, and Ricky Miller.

MATT

(hesitantly)Werent they-

TERRYThey were coming back from ThePoint the day they were killed.

MATTWhy were they called the One-O-TwoBrigade?

TERRYYou know the beer, Brew 102?

MATTYeah?

TERRYEvery time they snuck in, theydleave a full can of Brew 102behind. A little gift for Floyd.

17.

TERRY (CONT'D)

(MORE)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

19/97

They hid their surfboards upthere. Theyd ride bikes in beforedawn. Once they reached the Point,theyd hide the bikes, grab theirboards and surf the Point beforeFloyd even finished his breakfast.

MATTAnd they never got caught?

TERRYNever. They had a motto too;Underground, Unseen, Uncaught.

Terry finishes his story and we see Chris with a thousandyard stare as he struggles with the loneliness of losing hisbrother whom he idolized.

Terry notices Chris mood and changes the subject by pushing

Matt into the shallow creek and running off.

A soaking wet Matt springs out of the water and chases afterTerry, splashing Chris in the process. Chris shields himselffrom the water, smiles and shakes his head at the crazyantics of his two best friends. His mouth forms a smile buthis eyes cant hide the emptiness thats in his heart.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRIS DEN - NIGHT

Close on a black and white TV screen. A commercial ends,followed by another one.

Its a 1969 Ford Mustang commercial complete with groovysingers dressed in mini-skirts and blazers, performing a Fordjingle.

The commercial continues as Chris as Chris gets up and leavesthe room.

Close on the TV as the commercial continues.

Chris returns with a bag of cookies as the commercial endsand Rowan & Martins Laugh-in begins. Chris mom calls outto him from the other room.

MOM (O.S.)Chris, honey? Have you finishedyour chores?

Focused on the TV, Chris doesnt answer.

18.

TERRY (CONT'D)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

20/97

MOM (O.S.) (CONTD)Chris!

CHRIS(calling back but stilllooking at the TV)

Yeah, Mom. Theyre finished.

MOM (O.S.)How bout the waste baskets?

Chris drops his head. He forgot the waste baskets.

MOM (O.S.) (CONTD)Chris!

CHRISOkay! Okay! Im doin it!

Chris grabs a handful of cookies then exits in the directionof AJs room.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Chris plods down the hallway with a waste basket in his handand a cookie hanging from his mouth. He stops at AJs door,looks inside, then enters the room.

INT. AJS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Chris sets down the waste basket and walks over to a corkbulletin board that hangs on the wall.

In the middle of the bulletin board is a hand drawn logoresembling a military division patch. Its a shield shapeand inside the shield are two crossed surfboards. On top ofthe surfboards is a hand drawn 102. Underneath thesurfboards are the letters, U. U. U.

Surrounding the logo, fixed with thumb tacks are severalblack & white photographs. Several of the photos depict theperfect waves of the Ranch. The others are personalsnapshots taken by the 102 Brigade.

Chris pulls off one picture and looks closely at it. Its aphoto of a camouflaged surfboard and bike leaning up againsta tree, somewhere deep in the ranch interior. There is a102 logo, about eight inches in size, carved into the sideof the tree.

19.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

21/97

He pulls off another photo. This photo shows AJ posing nextto the 102 carving on the tree.

Chris notices another photo and takes it off of the bulletinboard for a closer look. It shows AJ pulling his surfboardout from under the leaves and brush. A bolt of lightning

goes off in Chris head and his eyes widen. He quicklyscoops up the other photos and races out of the room.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHRIS STREET

Chris runs across the street to Terrys house where Terry andMatt are working on Terrys Ford. Matt turns a wrench andTerry holds a flashlight.

MATT

Hold the light still, will ya?

TERRYIm trying!

MATTWell, try harder.

CHRISHey, guys!

TERRYHey, Squid.

CHRIS(catching his breath)

Its still there!

TERRYWhat are you talking about?

CHRISAJs surfboard! Those boards arestill hidden up there at The Point!

They still dont get it.

CHRIS (CONTD)The 102 Brigade! After AJ died, Inever thought about those boardsstill being up there!

TERRYChris, its been two years. How doyou know theyre still there?

20.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

22/97

CHRIS(decisive)

Im getting AJs board back.

TERRYWhat?!

CHRISIm gonna go get it!

MATTAre you crazy?! I think six monthsin Chicago has frozen your brain!What about Floyd?

CHRIS(determined)

What about him? Im not leavingAJs board up there.

TERRYHow do you know Floyd hasnt foundit already?

CHRISIts still there. I know it.

TERRYLook, even if it is there, we haveno idea where its hidden.

Chris holds up the photo showing the 102 logo carved on the

tree.

CHRISWe do now.

Hold on Chris and the photo as Crosby, Stills & NashsSuite: Judy Blue Eyes begins.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRIS ROOM - NIGHT

Music continues. Close on a 1969 Mad Magazine coverfeaturing The Odd Squad. Matt lays on Chris bed, reading.Terry is thumbing through record albums as Chris looks at amap of California.

CHRISAJ told me that they would ridetheir bikes down a horse trailuntil it crossed a road.

21.

(MORE)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

23/97

And that road leads down to thePoint. The tree has to besomewhere around there.

TERRYI dont know. This whole idea

sounds crazy.

CHRIS(pointing to the map)

The Point is right here. I figureif we leave our house by eleven, weshould get up there by three orthree-thirty.

MATT(lowering the magazine)

Three or three-thirty? Why soearly?

CHRISIt gets light by six. I justworked it backwards. Id rather beearly than late.

MATT(skeptical)

And you think we can really find itfrom those photos?

Terry picks up one of the photographs and Matt goes back toreading his Mad Magazine.

TERRYHey, if the place has waves likethis, then Im in.

(turning to Chris)On one condition; we take oursurfboards. Im not risking myneck for nothing.

CHRIS(defensive)

Its not nothing.

TERRYSorry. Thats not what I meant.Im in.

Matt holds the Mad Magazine out for the guys to see.

22.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

24/97

MATT(chuckling)

Hey guys, check it out! The OddSquad!

CHRIS

Will you put that down!

Chris grabs the magazine out of Matts hand.

CHRIS (CONTD)Are you in or not?

MATTHey, dont rip that. I haventread Spy vs. Spy yet.

Matt can see that Chris is not joking.

MATT (CONTD)(resigned)

All right. Im in too.

CHRISWell do it just like the 102Brigade. Well use bikes andcamouflage.

Terry looks at the photo of the board and bike leaningagainst the tree.

TERRY

(referring to the photo)But we dont have bikes like this.

MATTLemme see that picture.

Terry hands the photograph to Matt, who examines it.

MATT (CONTD)(inspired)

I got an idea! Ill take care ofthe bikes.

CHRISOkay, listen, if were gonna surfthe Point, then we have got to beout of the water by eight oclock.According to AJ, thats when Floydgoes on patrol. Well, at leastthat was his schedule two yearsago.

23.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

25/97

TERRYBoy, I hope Floyd hasnt become aworkaholic since then.

Chris and Terry share a look.

MATTSo, when do we go?

CHRISWhen can you have the bikes ready?

MATTGimme a week. Theyll be ready.

The guys look at each other and nod. Matt breaks thesilence.

MATT (CONTD)

Now can I have my Mad Magazineback, please?

CUT TO:

EXT. ARMY SURPLUS STORE - DAY

Establishing shot as Steppenwolfs, Magic Carpet Ridebegins.

CUT TO:

INT. ARMY SURPLUS STORE - CONTINUOUS

The guys are looking around the store for something inparticular.

Chris is searching the shelves. Matt comes around the cornerof an aisle wearing a gas mask and an Australian Army hat.(Just like Christopher George in The Rat Patrol.) He tapsChris on the shoulder. Chris turns around and Matt isstaring at him with the mask and hat on. Chris is notamused. He takes the hat off of Matts head and sets it onthe shelf next to him.

Terry looks down the end of the aisles and then spots whathes looking for and calls the others over. As they joinhim, he holds up two cans of spray paint. Olive-drab in onehand and dark olive-drab in the other.

They all smile, then empty the shelf of all its cans.

CUT TO:

24.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

26/97

EXT. ARMY SURPLUS STORE - CONTINUOUS

The trio exit the store carrying paper bags full of spraypaint. Matt is wearing the Australian army hat.

As they bop down the sidewalk, Terry swipes Matts new hat

off of his head and puts it on his own. Matt grabs his hatback as Terry laughs. They turn the corner with a bounce intheir step.

CUT TO:

EXT. MATTS BACKYARD - DAY

Close on a 1953 Schwinn Black Phantom. The guys stand aroundthis goofy looking bicycle.

MATT

Here it is! The 1953 Schwinn BlackPhantom. Its a classic! Checkout these tires!

TERRYThere is no way Im riding thatdorky thing!

CHRISIm with Terry on this one.

MATTDont worry, Im gonna make some

modifications to it.

TERRYYou better make a lot ofmodifications.

CHRISWait. We need three bikes.

Without answering, Matt steps over to his garage and raisesthe garage door revealing a big pile of dirty, greasy bikeparts.

MATT(confidently)

Give me a few days. Theyll beready. And Ill equip each bikewith a surfboard rack to carry ourboards.

CHRISIm not taking mine.

25.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

27/97

TERRYWhy not?

CHRISIm riding AJs.

TERRYBut what if its not there?

CHRISIts there. I know it.

TERRYYou still have to bring it back.You cant carry it riding yourbike.

MATTDont worry, I got an idea for that

too.(confidently)

Gimme three days.

Matt picks up a bike part and it falls apart in his hands.

MATT (CONTD)(reconsidering)

Four days.

CUT TO:

EXT. TERRYS BACKYARD - DAY

Several shots of the boys painting their surfboards.

Terry sprays the last coat of green paint on a surfboard,completing its camouflage make over.

Close on a hand putting the finishing touches on a hand drawn102 logo, just like AJs. Just underneath the logo is thename, Terry.

We pull back to reveal two very stealth looking, fullycamouflaged surfboards.

CUT TO:

26.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

28/97

EXT. MATTS GARAGE - NIGHT

With a transistor radio for company, Matt works diligently onthe bikes with the assistance of a hanging shop light. Hewipes the sweat and grease off of his forehead.

CUT TO:

INT. CHRIS ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Having finished their part of the preparations, Chris andTerry both read Mad Magazines.

CUT TO:

EXT. MATTS BACKYARD - DAY

The guys stand over their newly designed camouflaged mountainbikes, complete with canteens and Army issue back packs.

Chris then takes one of the camoed surfboards and places itin the custom board rack mounted to the side of the bike.These bikes are state-of-the-art for 1969.

CUT TO:

EXT. TERRYS DRIVEWAY - LATE AFTERNOON

Chris and Terry pack the last of their gear into the Falcon.

TERRYWell, I think we got it all.

MATTEverything but the food.

TERRYWere packing our own food, right?

CHRISYeah. And well all meet back hereat eleven, sharp.

Matt climbs on his ten-speed.

MATTEleven. Got it.

27.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

29/97

Terry heads for his front door, Chris walks across the streetto his house, and Matt pedals down the street into thesetting sun.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. TERRYS DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

Camera hasnt moved as it is now night and the street lightsilluminate the scene. Chris and Terry sit in the front seatof the wagon.

Chris looks at his watch.

CHRISI knewwe shouldve picked him upat his house!

They sit quietly waiting for Matt. Terry turns to Chris.

TERRYAre you sure you dont wanna takeyour surfboard?

CHRISIm not real sure of anything rightnow.

TERRYWhat do you mean? We got it allfigured out.

CHRIS(uneasy)

Yeah. I know.

Terry can see that Chris is troubled.

TERRYAre you afraid of Floyd?

CHRISI know this sounds crazy but Imkind of afraid of finding it.

TERRYAJs board?

CHRIS(ponderous)

Its like his spirit is still upthere with that surfboard. Thethree of them...like ghosts.

28.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

30/97

Terry is a little spooked now as they look at each other.

TERRYUnderground? Unseen? To Floyd,they were ghosts.

Chris and Terry sit in silence. A beat, then...THUD, Mattslams his hands up against the door of the car, causing Chrisand Terry to jump. They turn to see Matt with his mouthpressed against the window and blowing, causing his cheeks topuff out and all of his teeth to show. He wears hisAustralian army hat. Matt ignores the fact that hes late.Typical.

Chris gets out of the car.

CHRISJeez, Matt.

MATT

CHRISCant you show up on time justonce.

MATT(still laughing)

Oh man! You screamed like a coupleof girls.

CHRIS

I swear, Matt, if you mess thisup...

Terry rises up from the other side of the car.

TERRY(interrupting)

All right, all right. Just get inthe car and lets get going.

Matt, still giggling, tosses his back pack into the back seatand climbs in. An irritated Chris returns to the front.

MATT(rubbing his cheek)

I think I hurt myself.

CHRISGood.

Terrys back at the wheel as Matt playfully grabs Chris bythe back of his neck. His way of reconnecting with Chris.

29.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

31/97

Chris calms down and just shakes his head. This satisfiesMatt. Terry starts the engine, then looks over at Chris andMatt.

TERRYRock and Roll.

Begin music. The Rolling Stones, Honky Tonk Woman. TheFord wagon slowly backs out of the driveway and rolls downthe quiet neighborhood street and around the corner.

CUT TO:

EXT. PCH - NIGHT

Music continues. The Ford wagon, loaded down with surfboardsand bikes, turns onto PCH.

Another angle. Camera holds on the Vista Theatre. EasyRider is displayed on the marquee. The Ford wagon isapproaching in the distance. It rolls past the theatre andout of frame. The marquee lights go dark for the night.

CUT TO:

INT. FORD - CONTINUOUS

The song is now heard coming from Terrys 8 track as the guysgroove to the music.

CHRISStop!

Terry slams on the breaks and the wagon screeches to a stopin front of a liquor store.

TERRYWhat?

CHRISBeer!

MATTNow youre talkin!

CHRISNo, we need a can of Brew One-O-Two. For Floyd. Were gonna leaveit behind, just like AJ did.

30.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

32/97

TERRYWhat, were just gonna walk inthere and buy beer?

The guys look at each other. Theyve never looked so youngas they do now.

CHRISWe gotta try.

CUT TO:

INT. LIQUOR STORE - NIGHT

The guys enter the small store. They meander throughout thestore, picking up a few items.

The CLERK looks up from his magazine, then continues reading.

Close on the counter as several items are set before theclerk. The clerk rings up the items. A stick of gum, a bagof Pork Rinds, a bottled six-pack of Squirt soft drink, andone can of Brew 102.

When the clerk gets to the beer can, he stops ringing up andlooks straight at the guys.

Terry steps up and speaks in a ridiculously low voice.

TERRYThe brews for me.

TWO SURFERS in their late 20s enter the liquor store. Theynotice the Ford packed up with surfboards as they enter.

CLERKYou got some ID there, Skippy?

TERRYOh, uh, I just got back from Nam.I must have left it in my dufflebag.

Even Chris and Matt are shocked by Terrys story.

Of course the clerks not buying it but he plays along.

CLERKOh yeah? Whered you see action?

The two older surfers overhear and are amused by the guysbrazen attempt.

31.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

33/97

TERRYOh, I was...up in...Ho Chi Minh.

The older surfers struggle to keep from laughing.

The clerk lifts the can of beer off of the counter and

separates it from the rest of the items.

CLERKSorry boys. Thatll be $1.73.

Chris pays the clerk and they exit the liquor store.

The two older surfers set down a six pack of Hamms on thecounter as they watch the guys leave the store.

CLERK (CONTD)Will that be all?

The one surfer looks back at the guys standing outside of theliquor store. They are discussing what they are going to donext. The surfer turns back to the clerk.

SURFERNo.

(smiling)Id like one can of Brew 102please.

The clerk sets the can of 102 back on the counter and shootsthe older surfers a look.

CUT TO:

INT. FORD - MOMENTS LATER

Honky Tonk Woman continues on the 8 track.

MATTWow. Those guys were cool!

Chris holds the beer in his hand, smiling.

CHRIS(turning to Terry)

Ho Chi Minh?

The Ford rolls down the coast highway to the sounds of theRolling Stones.

CUT TO:

32.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

34/97

INT. FORD - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Terry and Matt do their best Mick Jagger impressions as theybelt out the chorus. Chris can only shake his head and winceat their lack of singing talent.

TERRY/MATT(singing)Shes a hooooon-ky tonk woman!Gimme, gimme, gimme, the honky tonkblues!

INT. FORD - NIGHT - LATER

The initial adrenaline rush has worn off. The guys sitsilently. The car radio plays another song at low volume.Chris breaks the silence.

CHRISOh, man!

MATTWhoa!

Terry smiles. Chris and Matt quickly roll down their windowsas they gasp for air.

MATT (CONTD)Oh, man! That stinks!

TERRY

(laughing)I couldnt help it. It must havebeen that third burrito I had fordinner.

Chris and Matt hang their heads out of the windows, gaspingfor fresh air.

TERRY (CONTD)Come on. It wasnt that bad.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGHWAY 1 - CONTINUOUS

The Ford continues up the coast with Chris and Matts headsstill hanging out the windows.

CUT TO:

33.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

35/97

INT. FORD - LATER

Matt, still in the back seat is enjoying a midnight snack.He offers the bag across the front seat.

MATT

(matter of fact)Pork Rinds?

TERRYAre you kidding me?!

CHRISThat-is-gross!

MATTWhat? Theyre good. Try one!

Matt pulls a pork rind out of the bag and waves it in front

of Terrys face. Terry swats it out of Matts hand, sendingit flying.

TERRYGet that stinky thing outta here!

MATTHey!

Matt immediately reaches into the bag and continues munching.With a bottle opener, he then opens up a bottle of Squirt andoffers one to the guys.

MATT (CONTD)You guys wanna Squirt?

CHRIS/TERRYSure./Pop it open!

Matt opens two more bottles and hands one to each of them andthey drink.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGHWAY SHOULDER - MOMENTS LATER

The Ford has pulled over to the side of the Highway and theguys are standing on the shoulder with their backs to us asthey take a leak. The only sound heard is the three steadystreams of urine.

34.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

36/97

TERRY (V.O.)Now I know why they call it Squirt.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGHWAY 1 - LATER

The Ford continues up the coast. The farther they drive, themore remote their surroundings, until there is nothing butrolling hills and highway.

TERRYDid you guys hear about DannyBardell?

MATTWhat about him?

TERRYMy mom told me he was killed lastweek in Vietnam. Hed only beenover there for a month.

Chris stares out the window.

MATTI heard that Cindy Bishops brotherjust got drafted.

TERRYThat could be us in two years.

Sobering silence.

MATTHey, Chris. What was it like inChicago?

CHRIS(reflecting for a moment)

Lonely.

Terry looks over at Chris who stares sadly out the window.Feeling for his friend.

CUT TO:

INT. FORD - CONTINUOUS

Its about midnight and all is quiet except the AM radioplaying softly from Terrys dashboard.

35.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

37/97

Matt is asleep in the back seat as Chris looks out thewindow, quiet in his thoughts.

The song on the radio ends as the over enthusiastic DJ givesthe weather.

RADIO DJ(super hyper DJ speak)Heeey, its currently sixty-fivedegrees outside. Tomorrow werelooking at a high of eighty-twofabulous degrees here on theFabulous five-forty! And nowcontinuing our music marathonweekend for all you late nightersout there! Heres one from a fewyears back! Oh, baby!

The Associations Along Comes Mary begins. Terry responds

and turns it up as he looks over to Chris. Chris smilesback.

TERRYYeah!

Push in on Chris as he listens to the music, remembering.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AJS VW BUS - NIGHT

Flashback. 1966. Along Comes Mary is playing on the AMradio inside AJs 1964 Volkswagen bus. A 12 year old Chrisrides shotgun. AJ responds to the music.

AJYeah!

AJ moves to the rhythm of the music as he taps on thesteering wheel in time with the beat.

AJ (CONTD)Todays the day, Chris. No more ofthe same old beach break at home.This is Rincon! The Queen of theCoast!

Chris smiles at AJ but its obvious that he is unsure ofhimself. AJ notices this.

AJ (CONTD)Hey, dont sweat it. Youll dogreat.

36.

(MORE)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

38/97

Do you think Id bring you up hereif I didnt think you were ready?

The song continues and so does AJs steering wheelpercussion.

CHRISHey, AJ?

AJYeah?

CHRISThanks for taking me.

Chris and AJ share a smile.

CUT TO:

EXT. RINCON PARKING LOT - DAWN

The sky begins to lighten as AJs bus pulls into the parkinglot. There are a few cars already there and a few surfersare pulling their surfboards off of their cars and headingdown to the beach.

CUT TO:

EXT. RINCON TRAIL - MOMENTS LATER

AJ and Chris walk down the trail together. They carry theirsurfboards under their arms. Its 1966 and their surfboardsare big and heavy. AJ strides smoothly and effortlessly asChris struggles.

Chris looks up to his big brother for reassurance. AJ roughsup Chris hair as if to say, Youre gonna do great!.

AJ sees his little brother struggling to carry the heavysurfboard and reaches over and takes it and carries it forhim. Chris rubs his bicep as AJ smiles.

CUT TO:

EXT. RINCON - CONTINUOUS

They reach the water and begin to paddle out together. Chrissuddenly finds himself in a different world than what he isused to at home.

37.

AJ (CONTD)

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

39/97

All of the surfers are older and intimidating looking to thistwelve year old. Chris falls slightly behind AJ who strokestoward the approaching waves.

AJ(calling back to Chris)

Just keep paddling and follow me!

Chris continues to follow. AJ turns and catches anapproaching wave. He rides right past Chris.

AJ (CONTD) Yeah! Rincon, baby!

Chris watches from behind as his older brother skillfully andgracefully, rides a shoulder high wave all the way into thecove.

Chris is all by himself now as he sits on his board, trying

to act casual. Hes not sure where he needs to be to catchthese waves.

He looks around at the different surfers, their musclesflexing as they paddle by. This is in sharp contrast toChris skinny, prepubescent body.

He has to paddle out of the way of another surfer headed hisway on a wave. Hes out of his element and he knows it.

AJ paddles back from his wave and sits up next to Chris.

AJ (CONTD)

So, what do you think?

CHRIS(unconvincing)

Neat!

AJ understands. He lays back down on his board and begins topaddle.

AJFollow me.

Chris follows AJ as they paddle over to a different spot. AJstops and sits on his board. Chris does the same.

AJ (CONTD)See, what I do once I find a goodspot is I line myself up with twoobjects on the beach. As long astheyre lined up, Im right where Ineed to be.

38.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

40/97

AJ sees a wave coming.

AJ (CONTD)Okay, Chris. This is yours! Startpaddling!

Chris eyes fill with excitement and panic at the same time.He turns his board and starts to paddle for shore as the waveapproaches.

AJ (CONTD)(calling after him)

Keep paddling!

AJ watches as Chris catches the wave and struggles to hisfeet. He makes the turn and is now gliding down the line ona clean shoulder high, Rincon beauty.

AJ watches and raises his hands to the heavens.

AJ (CONTD)

Chris paddles back out and sits on his board next to AJ. Nobig deal. They sit looking at each other for a couple ofseconds, then AJ lets out another hoot and dives on Chris,pulling the both of them off of their surfboards and into thewater.

AJ (CONTD)

AJs hoot fades as we...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FORD - PRESENT

End flashback. Chris smiles as he remembers his brother. Asthe Association song ends, so does Chris smile.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGHWAY 1 - CONTINUOUS

The Ford wagon continues up Highway 1.

CUT TO:

39.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

41/97

INT. FORD - LATER

Chris has joined Matt in dreamland and the only one awake isTerry behind the wheel. Music still plays on the radio.

Noticing something up ahead, Terry reaches over and turns the

music down.

TERRYHey. Chris, Matt. Wake up.

Terry points to a road sign approaching in the distance.

TERRY (V.O.) (CONTD)Were here.

They have arrived at the turn-off to The Point.

CUT TO:

EXT. TURN-OFF - CONTINUOUS

Terrys Ford turns off of the highway and onto a narrow,unlit winding road.

CUT TO:

INT. FORD - CONTINUOUS

The car continues down the dark road as the three boys sit in

silence. Chris points out the window at something ahead.

CHRISThere it is.

CUT TO:

EXT. - ROAD - CONTINUOUS

Terry turns off of the road and onto a patch of dirt.

CHRISThats the road that leads up tothe trail.

The guys look at each other.

MATTWhat time is it, anyway?

Chris looks at his watch.

40.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

42/97

CHRISTwo fifty-seven. Lets get going.

They start unloading the car. As Terry unties the bikes fromthe roof rack, Chris and Matt unload their gear.

Chris is looking for something but not finding it. Terrynotices.

TERRYWhats wrong?

CHRISThe bag with all of our army stuff,I cant find it.

Terry joins the search.

TERRY

Its gotta be here.

MATTWas is a green bag?

Terry and Matt continue searching the car.

TERRYYeah?

MATTI saw a bag like that on your frontporch.

TERRY

On the porch?

CHRIS

Why didnt you say something?

MATTI dont know, I figured you didntneed it.

TERRYThats great! Thanks, Matt!

MATTHey, what did I do? How was Isupposed to know you needed it?

41.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

43/97

TERRYWell, you could have asked! Nowwhat are we suppose to do?

CHRISGet the bikes! Were going anyway!

TERRY(referring to his clothes)

Like this?

CHRISWere not going home.

They share a look.

CUT TO:

EXT. SIDE ROAD - NIGHT

The three boys, still dressed in their regular clothes, pedaltheir bikes down the paved road. Matt and Terry have theirsurfboards strapped to their bike racks. Matt is wearing hisAustralia hat. Chris pulls an empty surfboard rack reservedfor AJs board.

Matt veers off of the road and tests his bike in the dirt.

MATTCheck this out! It goes anywhere!Id love to go down a mountain on

this!

CHRISWill you quit goofing around!

Matt rejoins them and they continue down the road in thedark.

They stop as they reach the fork in the road.

CHRIS (CONTD)(pointing to the road onthe right)

This way.

This road is an uphill climb and the guys must dismount theirbikes and walk them up.

As they reach the top of the hill, they can see the oceanglistening in the moonlight and the coastal hills receding inthe distance. This is a majestic sight but also has aforeboding feel to it.

42.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

44/97

The guys stand in awe.

TERRY(captivated)

Wow.

CHRISCmon.

The boys mount their bikes and coast down the road toward thetrail.

The road takes them under a tall train trestle. About ahundred feet past the trestle, Chris stops looks around.

CHRIS (CONTD)Hold up. This is where the trailstarts.

They look around but dont see any trail. The sides of theroad are lined with barbed wire fencing. Everything isovergrown with thick bushes and trees. A no trespassing signis attached to the fence.

TERRYI dont see any trail. I dontthink this is the spot.

CHRISThis is it. A hundred feet thisside of the trestle.

Chris gets off of his bike and looks around. One thing isfor sure. There is no trail.

TERRYHow can you remember something AJtold you two years ago?

Chris turns to Terry and looks him squarely in the eye.

CHRISI remember it like it wasyesterday. Everything.

Terry looks to the left and the right, then back at Chris.

TERRYThat trail may have been here acouple of years ago, but its nothere now.

43.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

45/97

MATTWell, thats that. You know, Iknewthis was a crazy idea. Why Ilet you talk me into-

CHRIS

(cutting him off)Shut up, Matt! Were not quitting!

TERRYWell then what are we supposed todo?

CHRISWe stick to the plan.

TERRYThe plan? There is no plan withoutthat trail. How are we supposed to

get there?

Chris slowly turns his head and looks over his shoulder atthe train trestle that looms ominously in the background.

Music begins. The Sweets, The Juicer.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - MOMENTS LATER

Music continues.

The guys are now walking along the railroad tracks in the pre-dawn night. The tracks run along the cliffs that line theocean. They wear their back packs and canteens, strippedfrom their bikes which they had to leave behind. Terry andMatt carry their surfboards.

MATTWhat if someone finds the bikes?Those bikes are one of a kind!

CHRISNo ones gonna find them.

TERRYI dont know if this is a goodidea, Chris. We dont exactlyblend in. And besides, if were notfollowing the trail, how are wegonna know where were going?

44.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

46/97

CHRISThe tracks run along the coastlinewhich means they run right by thePoint. The boards cant be farfrom there.

MATTThats your plan?

Chris stops. So do the others.

CHRISLook, if you guys wanna go back,then go!

Chris turns on his heels and continues down the tracks.

TERRY(calling after him)

Chris!

Chris keeps walking.

Terry and Matt look at each other and then reluctantly followafter Chris.

They catch up with Chris and the three of them head down thetracks and into the night.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - LATER

As they walk the tracks, they begin to relax a bit. Matt iswalking in uneven steps, trying to find a rhythm to his gate.

MATTWho decided how far apart railroadties should be anyway?

CHRISJust keep walking.

(looking at his watch)Itll be light in two hours

TERRYI thought you said Floyd doesntstart patrolling until eight.

CHRISDo you want to take that chance?

45.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

47/97

They suddenly stop. They look ahead down the tracks and seea shaft of light shining across the rails and onto the edgeof the cliff.

CHRIS (CONTD)That must be the guard shack.

MATTThe guard shack?

CHRISThe main gate must be on the otherside of that berm.

They share a look.

CHRIS (CONTD)Lets just keep walking.

MATTOh, man.

They continue toward the light as Chris thinks about what todo.

Chris stops and turns to the others. They all take a knee.

CHRISOkay, heres what were gonna do.That light will only hit us forthirty yards or so. Well go oneat a time and stay low...and quiet.

MATTWhat if someone sees us. Iftheyre looking out at the tracks,theyll see us for sure.

CHRISLets just hope nobodys looking.

Chris turns and heads down the tracks. He stops just beforethe light shaft, crouches down then quickly runs through theshaft of light to the other side.

Terry and Matt nervously watch.

Chris, on the other side if the light shaft, listens forsigns that he has been spotted. When he feels comfortablethat he wasnt, he motions for the next person.

Terry goes, followed by Matt.

46.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

48/97

All three of them have made it without incident and breathe asigh of relief.

TERRYWe are now officially trespassing.

CHRIS(focused)Lets go.

They continue down the rails.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - LATER

The guys plod along in the moonlight.

MATTHey, do you guys remember when wewent camping with Terrys familyand loosened the tent poles onTerrys sister and her friendstent?

TERRYRemember it. I got grounded fortwo weeks after that!

CHRIS(laughing)

Your sister thought it was a bear.

MATT(laughing)

It woke up the whole campground.

They all laugh.

Terry looks out toward the ocean and sees the running lightsof a boat about a mile off shore.

MATT (CONTD)Look. Theres a boat out there.

The others look.

MATT (CONTD)Remember in sixth grade, when youguys said you were going to save upand buy a sailboat and sail aroundthe world?

47.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

49/97

CHRISIt was a stupid sixth grade idea.

TERRYNo it wasnt. It was a good idea.

(to Matt)

We spent hours down at the marina,watching the big sailboats come andgo. We were going to sail toPuerto Vallarta, surfing everybreak along the way. We bought aSpanish dictionary and everything.

Chris stares ahead as he listens to Terry, remembering...

TERRY (O.S.) (CONTD)It wasnt a stupid idea.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. - CHRIS LIVING ROOM - DAY

Flashback. Close on the same sombrero we saw earlier inChriss room. The one with the word, Mexico stitched onit.

We reveal a young Chris as he holds the sombrero just givento him by AJ. Chris is flanked by mom and dad. A very tanAJ has just returned from a surf trip down in Mexico.

YOUNG CHRIS

Thanks, AJ!

AJ takes the sombrero from Chris and puts it on Chriss head.Its way too big but Chris doesnt care. He loves it.

MOMWell, Im just glad youre backsafely. We have beaches righthere. Why do you have to go allthe way down there? I was worriedsick the whole time.

AJAw, Mom.

MOMI cant help it. Poor people are adesperate people. You couldvebeen robbed.

48.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

50/97

AJMom, its not like that. TheMexican people are the most gentleand giving people Ive ever met.They have almost nothing, but whatthey do have, they freely give.

DADHell, when I was AJs age I wasparachuting into France.

Chris takes off the sombrero and looks at it, smiling.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - PRESENT

End flashback. The guys continue walking in a broken single

line with Chris leading the way.

Chris freezes. Terry and Matt stop next to him. In the hazydarkness, the boys see a figure slowly walking toward them onthe tracks. They speak in low tones.

MATTWhat is that?

They stand motionless as the figure slowly draws nearer.

TERRYI think its a person.

MATTFloyd?

TERRYWhat do we do?

MATTLets run for it.

CHRISNo. Wait.

A man emerges out of the shadow of the cut-away along thetracks and they are relieved to see that it is not Floyd withhis shotgun, but rather a hobo walking with a slow,deliberate gate.

He wears a large worn out jacket, a wool cap that he haspulled down to cover his ears, and carries a small back packslung over his shoulder.

49.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

51/97

As he passes the three boys, he catches each boys eyes withhis own tired eyes. No words are exchanged. No smile isshared.

The three boys stand silently as they watch the lonely mandisappear into the next bank of shadows that hide the tracks

behind them.

They all look at each other in a moment of shared disbelief.Terry breaks the silence.

TERRYWell, thats something you dontsee every day.

CHRISLets keep moving.

They continue their walk along the train tracks in the pre-

dawn light, headed toward the fabled Point.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - LATER

The guys continue on. To give his right arm a rest, Mattswitches arms and carries his surfboard on his left side.

Terry stops, noticing a pointed light beam in the distance.The light is shielded by the hills that line the coast butthe beam can be seen making its way around them.

TERRYDo you see that?

CHRISI think its a train.

They watch as the eerie light snakes its way southward.

MATTShouldnt we get off of the tracks?

TERRYIts gotta be a couple of milesaway. I think we should keepwalking.

MATTWhat if its not a couple of milesaway?

50.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

52/97

TERRYDont be such a baby. Wed hear itif it were closer.

MATTWho you callin a baby!?

CHRIS(interrupting)

I agree with Terry. Lets keepwalking.

The guys forge ahead.

MATTOh man, Im too young to die.

They walk in silence, not taking their eyes off of the lightbeam. It doesnt seem to be getting any closer but it does

appear to be moving.

MATT (CONTD)Its kinda spooky.

They continue walking in silence.

CHRISIs it getting any closer?

They walk.

MATT

Maybe its a lighthouse.

TERRYNo. Its definitely a-

Just then, the train rumbles its way around a curve, headingstraight for them.

CHRIS/TERRY/MATTTraaaain!

They all jump off of the tracks and crouch down against theside of a small berm next to the tracks.

The train rumbles past them and the noise is deafening.

After twenty seconds, the last car passes and continuesaround the next bend.

The guys rise up. Matts Australian army hat is no longer onhis head.

51.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

53/97

MATTMy hat!

Matt looks around and then looks over the cliff.

MATT (CONTD)

Oh, man! Thats it! No morerailroad tracks! Im walking downhere!

Matt stays off of the tracks and begins walking over therocks and weeds that flank both sides of the rails.

Chris and Terry climb back up and onto the tracks and resumenorthward.

TERRYDo you think the engineer saw us?If he did see us, he could call the

guard shack.

CHRISLets just keep moving.

As they continue on their journey, Matt is falling behind thepace as he struggles to make his way through the brush androcks next to the tracks.

Matt soon realizes that hes working twice as hard andrejoins Chris and Terry on the tracks.

MATT

How did I get talked into this?

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - LATER

The guys reach a split in the tracks and now there are twosets of tracks running side by side.

Chris walks by himself, a little ahead of Terry and Matt.Waves can be heard breaking below the cliffs but it is stilltoo dark to see them.

MATTHey, Terry. How come you and Chrisdont talk about buying a sailboatanymore?

52.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

54/97

TERRY(not wanting to talk aboutit)

Oh, I dont know.

MATT

But I thought you guys-

TERRYLook, things change.

(disappointment in his voice)Plans change.

They walk in silence as Terry reflects on Matts question.

They look forward and notice that Chris has stopped walking.They catch up with him and the three of them stare ahead,trying to make out something in the dark.

Up ahead, barely visible is a large dark object. They startwalking slowly towards it.

MATTWhat do you think it is?

They continue to approach. As they get closer, the ominouslooking object becomes clear and they can see that its astring of four or five boxcars on the tracks that runparallel to theirs.

TERRYIts a train.

MATTIs it moving?

TERRYI dont think so.

Its a creepy sight, sitting there in the dark like some kindof dinosaur.

As they approach the cars, they can hear some kind of noise.It sounds like its coming from one of the boxcars.

TERRY (CONTD)Stop. Do you guys hear that?

They stand frozen, listening. They hear the sound again.

MATTYou think its another hobo?

Again, the sound comes from the boxcars.

53.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

55/97

TERRYMaybe its a cow.

Terry then shoves Matt toward the boxcars, startling him.

TERRY (CONTD)

Go check it out!

Matt reacts.

MATTHey, you go check it out!

Terry laughs.

CHRISShhh!

They listen again. The sound continues.

CHRIS (CONTD)We have to keep moving.

TERRYWell be right behind you.

They slowly and cautiously walk toward the boxcars, Chrisleading the way. As they approach the shadowy boxcars, Mattcrosses the tracks and continues his walk on the other side.One by one, they pass the boxcars. The sound continues.

As they nervously pass the last car, Chris and Terry breathe

a sigh of relief to see that the noise was just a hangingchain swinging in the wind and banging the side of the car.

Before they can continue on their way, Terry holds up hishand.

TERRY (CONTD)(hushed tone)

Wait! Be quiet! I hear somethingelse!

MATTWhat is it?

They stand frozen, listening.

CHRISWill you stop kidding around?

MATTYeah lets go. Its not funny.

54.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

56/97

TERRYQuiet!

Matt has rejoined Terry and Chris and the three of them standthere in silence.

TERRY (CONTD)(hushed tone)There! Did you hear that?

MATT(whispering)

I heard it.

All is quiet. Then suddenly, a wild boar emerges from behindthe boxcar and charges straight for them.

CHRIS/TERRY/MATTAaaaahhhhh!

They take off running in the opposite direction, pursued bythe boar. Matt drops his surfboard in the process. They runin the darkness until the boar loses interest and stops.

Chris and Terry finally stop running and drop to the ground,exhausted and laughing wildly.

Matt keeps running into the distance and this causes Chrisand Terry to laugh even harder. They look at each other witha look that reflects that they havent laughed together likethis in a long time.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - LATER

The boys continue to walk. They are now showing signs offatigue. There is more space between them and they are notas unified as when they started.

MATT(examining his surfboard)

I cant believe this. Thanks tothat...creature, I got a big dingin my board!

TERRYI think it was a jackal!

CHRISA jackal? Do you even know what ajackal looks like?

55.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

57/97

MATTDid anybody bring duct tape?

TERRYWell, if youre so smart, what doyou think it was?

CHRISIm pretty sure it was a wild boar.AJ told me there were wild boar uphere.

TERRYOh, really? You couldve sharedthat with us before now! I dontknow whats worse; getting caughtby Floyd or getting eaten by wildanimals.

The boys continue down the tracks.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - LATER

They are really dragging now. Their pace has slowed andtheir heads are down. Chris is in the lead, followed byTerry, and Matt brings up the rear.

MATTIm starting to get blisters. How

much farther do you think it is?

TERRYIt cant be too much farther.Weve been walking for hours.

MATTSeems like days.

Close on Chris as we...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. AJS ROOM - DAY

Flashback. Ten year old Chris stands next to AJs camouflagedsurfboard. He runs his hand over the surface to where a handdrawn 102 logo has been inked on the deck. Drawnunderneath the numbers are the initials; A.J.

56.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

58/97

Chris is startled when AJ enters his room after taking ashower. He towels off his hair as he enters and sees Chris.Chris backs away from the board.

AJIts okay. You can look at it.

Chris turns back to the board and runs his hand over thesurface.

YOUNG CHRISWhy is it painted like this?

AJIm taking it to a place up north.Its called The Point. Me, Steve,and Ricky are gonna surf there. Wefigured out a way to do itwithout...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - PRESENT DAY

End flashback. Chris stops as he sees something ahead.Terry joins him.

They both stare ahead as Matt catches up to them. Matt islooking down at the railroad tracks and is unaware that theyhave stopped. He bumps into them.

MATTHey, what did you stop for?

Matt looks up and finds the answer to his question. Theystand at the entrance to a steep train trestle spanning acanyon about a quarter mile wide.

Matt takes a hesitant peek into the dark abyss.

MATT (CONTD)Man, thats a long way down.

CHRISOf course its a long way down,Matt. Thats why they built thetrestle here and not back there.

MATTWell Im not crossing it.

57.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

59/97

TERRYWe cant go around it. The cliffstoo steep.

MATTForget it! I know whats gonna

happen. In every movie, its thesame thing. As soon as we get tothe middle of the trestle, a trainis gonna come out of nowhere!

TERRYOh, stop being a wuss!

MATTWhos a wuss?!

TERRYYoure a wuss!

MATTNo, youre a wuss!

CHRISShut up! Both of you!

MATTHey, Im not getting killed forsome old surfboard. If you ask me,I think this plan isnt working outtoo well. The best thing about theplan was the bikes and were not

even using them.

CHRISDo you ever stop whining? Youvecomplained about everything! Whyare you even here anyway? I dontneed your help! I dont needanybodys help.

TERRY(interrupting)

Hey, hey, guys! Cool it! We gottastick together!

(to Matt)Matt. Your cool with the plan,right?

MATTIm not a wuss.

58.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

60/97

TERRYAll right, youre not a wuss.

(beat)You are kind of a whiner though.

MATT

Whos a whiner?!

TERRYYoure a-

CHRIS(interrupting)

Look, the longer we stand here, thegreater the chance of another traincoming. Now lets go!

Chris starts out onto the trestle. Terry looks at Matt andthen follows Chris. Matt reluctantly brings up the rear.

They are walking faster than usual as they make their wayacross the trestle.

They make it safely to the other side and stop in ananticlimactic moment.

Matt breaks the silence.

MATTSo much for movies.

Chris and Terry shake their heads and continue on. Matt

follows and they leave the trestle behind.

Terry walks over to the edge of the cliff and points.

TERRYLook!

About a half mile ahead is the Point, in all its fabledglory. Chris and Matt join Terry.

They watch the shadows of waves wrap around the outside ofthe Point, breaking perfectly across the inside of the bay.

TERRY (CONTD)Unbelievable!

MATTWow.

They stand captivated. Chris looks at his watch and then thesky.

59.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

61/97

CHRISUp ahead somewhere is the road thatleads down to the Point. Theboards cant be too far from there.

They continue on.

TERRY(to Matt)

Did you see those waves?!

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD CROSSING - LATER

The boys reach the road that crosses the tracks.

TERRY

Hey, we made it!

CHRIS(looking around)

They wouldve hidden their boardssomewhere around here.

TERRYI gotta check out the waves.

Terry runs down the road that leads to the beach. Mattfollows.

MATTWait for me!

Chris studies the area around him. He takes off in the otherdirection, down the road a bit, looking for anything thatresembles AJs photographs.

Terry comes running back up the road, stopping short ofChris. He motions for Chris.

TERRY(quietly hollering)

Chris, you gotta see this!

CHRIS(quietly hollering back)

Will you guys get back here andstick to the plan!

Matt runs back, rejoining Terry.

60.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

62/97

MATTDid you see those waves?!

CHRIS(quietly hollering)

Come on. Lets go!

Terry and Matt return. They are like two little kids onChristmas morning.

CHRIS (CONTD)Guys, guys, focus!

Chris looks around.

CHRIS (CONTD)Quick, hide your boards in thosebushes and well look up this way.

Terry and Matt hide their surfboards. Their camouflage makesthem undetectable. They rejoin Chris and the three of themhead down the road.

They carefully jog down the road, very aware that they aredeep in the ranch interior. Chris studies the landscape. Hefocuses on a grouping of trees.

CHRIS (CONTD)Look at those trees over there.

Chris points to a cluster of trees in the distance.

CHRIS (CONTD)Thats gotta be the spot.

The guys share a look. Theyre close and they know it.

The three boys make their way down the road until they reachthe trees, then they enter the brush.

The growth is thick and they have a hard time making theirway through it. They reach a small area well hidden by thesurrounding brush and trees. Damp leaves litter the ground.

Chris looks at the trees surrounding them.

CHRIS (CONTD)This has to be the place. Startlooking around for the carving onone of the trees.

The guys disperse in three different directions, looking forthe 102 carved on a tree.

61.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

63/97

MATTOw!

Matt scratches himself on a branch.

They keep looking. One tree after another, but with no luck.

Terry looks up at the sky to the east.

TERRYIts starting to get light.

MATTIf we dont find these boards soon,then I say we go surf the Point andget out of here before Floyd startswork and catches us.

CHRIS

Its gotta be here somewhere. Keeplooking.

They continue looking but they are not finding anything.

Terry turns to Chris, frustrated.

TERRYLook, Chris. Maybe this isnt thespot.

CHRISThis is the spot! I know it!

TERRYEven if the boards were here, Floydprobably found them already.Theyre probably sitting in hisbarn right now with a hundred otherboards.

Matt continues to look for the carving but not with muchenthusiasm.

MATTIm not so sure there even is aFloyd. He sounds made up. Maybeyour brother made him up to keepother surfers from coming up here.

TERRYIt shouldve kept us from coming uphere!

62.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

64/97

MATTThose boards could be anywhere.

CHRISShut up! Both of you! Just shutup and look!

TERRYChris! Im sorry about yourbrother and everything but this,this is crazy! Weve stayed up allnight, walked four miles onrailroad tracks, almost got eatenby a wild boar, and now weresitting in some bushes in themiddle of nowhere!

CHRIS(yelling under his breath)

Weve got to stick to the plan!

TERRYThe plan?! You mean like buying asailboat? What happened to thatplan? You dont even talk about itanymore!

Chris doesnt respond.

TERRY (CONTD)Its just a surfboard!

Chris continues looking frantically for the board but Terryand Matt have stopped.

CHRISIts not just a surfboard!

They watch as Chris desperately and hopelessly looks aroundfor the carving.

Its no use. The carving is not there and Chris begins tosob uncontrollably.

Matt moves over and puts his arm around Chris as he continuescrying. This is a key bonding moment for Chris and Matt.

TERRY(remorseful)

Im sorry, Chris. Im sorry forwhat I said. Im sorry about yourbrother.

63.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

65/97

Chris stops crying and wipes his tears. Matt gives him anunderstanding look.

MATTIm sorry too.

The three boys sit in silence. This is a sad situation.

TERRY(softly)

I know its not the same but youcan ride my board. You can stillsurf the Point like AJ did.

Chris sniffs and wipes his runny nose as he stares down atthe ground, totally defeated.

Matt sits down on a nearby fallen tree.

MATTMe and Terry will share my board.

Chris looks up at Matt and something catches his eye. Heslowly tilts his head sideways as he stares at the objectnext to Matt.

CHRISGuys.

There before them on the trunk of the fallen tree, is thecarved out logo of the 102 Brigade. Chris approaches it andslowly runs his fingers over the carving. They have found

the spot.

The three boys share a look, then quickly, dropping to theirhands and knees, begin searching the ground for the hiddensurfboards.

Chris suddenly stops as his hand feels something beneath theground cover.

CHRIS (CONTD)I found something!

Matt and Terry turn toward Chris as he slowly pulls out fromthe undergrowth, a dirty but fully camouflaged surfboard.

He wipes two years of dirt and leaves off of it, turning itover to reveal a hand written 102 logo. Underneath thelogo is the name, Steve-O.

CHRIS (CONTD)Its not his.

64.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

66/97

Chris pushes the board to the side and frantically digsaround, looking for another board.

His hand finds another board and pulls it out of the brush.Again, he turns it over and wipes off the logo. This onesays Rick.

With more determination than ever, Chris digs around untilhis hand hits something. He freezes. Terry and Matt freeze.This time Chris knows what he has. He carefully pulls theboard out as if unearthing a priceless artifact. He turnsthe board over and wipes it off.

There underneath the dirt and grime is the logo. Andunderneath it is the name AJ, just as he remembered it. Atear runs down his cheek as he looks at the name. Terry andMatt kneel alongside Chris. Matt puts his hand on Chrisshoulder as they look at the board, no one saying a word.

Terry notices something else hidden in the brush.

TERRYTheres something else.

Terry reaches down and lifts out a small canvas bag, opensit, and examines its contents. He pulls out the first item.

TERRY (CONTD)Its a snake bite kit.

The guys look at each other.

MATTSnakes?!

They look around, nervously. They hadn't thought aboutsnakes until now.

Terry takes out the next item. Its a government issue, twocolor camouflage face paint stick. He reads the writing onthe side of the stick.

TERRY(reading the label)

Face camouflage. Light green andloam. Loam?!

Terry takes the caps off of the ends and looks at the colors.

MATTIt looks like light green andlightergreen.

(matter of fact)Loam.

65.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

67/97

Terry then pulls out a flashlight and turns it on to find itdead. He puts it back and sees something else.

TERRYCheck this out.

Terry holds up a canister with a grenade type pull ringsticking out of the top.

MATTIts a smoke grenade! The Armyuses them to signal helicopters forlandings.

TERRYHow did they get a smoke grenade?

MATTWhy would they want one?

CHRISI dont know but we found AJsboard. Now lets do what we camehere to do.

TERRYWhat about the other surfboards?

CHRISWe bury them back up.

They take the other two boards and begin to burry them back

up.

TERRYWait a second.

Terry takes the face paint stick out of the canvas bag andwrites on the surfboard, R.I.P. just below the logo.

He turns to Chris.

TERRY (CONTD)What was the date?

CHRISAugust 5th, 1967.

Terry writes 8-5-67 just below the R.I.P. He does it for thesecond board as well.

They take the boards and the canvas bag and bury them backfrom where they came.

66.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

68/97

As they cover the ground with the last handfuls of dampleaves, they pause, thinking about the accident.

TERRYI wonder if they died right away.

They sit in silence, reflecting for a moment. Chris looks atAJs board, then turns to the guys.

CHRISLets go surfing.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE POINT - MOMENTS LATER

The three boys run for the water as the first glimpse of dawnbreaks through the night sky. Chris with AJs board and

Terry and Matt with their own.

They hit the water and paddle out toward the waves at thePoint.

The guys catch one perfect wave after another.

After riding another flawless wave, Chris paddles hisbrothers board back out to the line-up. He sits on it,looking down at his brothers name written on the deck.

Chris looks at his watch.

CHRISWe better get out of the waterbefore Floyd shows up.

TERRYGet out? How can we possibly leavethis?

CHRISTerry, we have to stick to theplan.

TERRYWhat if there is no Floyd? What ifAJ didmake him up to keep peoplefrom coming up here?

CHRISWe cant take that chance.

MATTIm with Chris on this one.

67.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

69/97

Terry turns and watches another perfect, empty wave breakacross the top of the point. He turns back to Chris, shakinghis head.

TERRY(sarcastic)

The sacrifices I make for ourfriendship.

The three turn and all paddle for the same wave. They catchit and share the last wave together.

CUT TO:

EXT. BUSHES - MOMENTS LATER

Well hidden within the trees that line the beach, the guystowel off and put their clothes back on.

Terry looks out at the Point as he eats a sandwich.

TERRYLook at that! All those wavesgoing unridden.

Chris pulls his shirt over his head and Matt is scarfing downa sandwich.

MATT(mouth full of food)

Oh, man! I never thought peanut

butter and jelly could taste sogood!

Terry takes a bite out of his sandwich and makes a face.

TERRYIll trade you for my baloney.

Chris finishes closing up his backpack.

CHRISCome on guys, we gotta hurry.Well stay as close to the tracksas we can. Theyll lead usstraight out of here. If we hearanybody coming, well take cover.

They guys head up the trail that leads to the road.

CUT TO:

68.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

70/97

EXT. TRAIL - MOMENTS LATER

The guys walk down the trail. Terry and Matt carry theirboards and Chris carries AJs.

CHRIS

Oh, man! Wait a second!

Chris sets AJs board down and takes off his backpack. Hesearches for something inside.

TERRYWhat is it?

Chris pulls out the Brew 102 beer can that he had packed inhis bag.

CHRIS(with a smile)

I almost forgot our present forFloyd.

Terry and Matt smile as Chris runs back down to the beachwith the beer can.

TERRYUnderground, unseen, uncaught.

Chris returns and the three continue down the trail a shortway until they come to the road. They stop before reachingit.

CHRISWell go up the road until we getto the other side of the tracks.Ready?

TERRY/MATTReady.

All three exit the bushes and run onto the road butimmediately stop in their tracks.

Parked sideways, in the middle of the road is a Ford pick up.

Standing in front of the pick-up is a weather-worn man in hislate fifties. He has a shotgun pointed straight at the boys.There is no doubt that this is FLOYD.

FLOYDWhat are you boys doin on my land?

They are frozen with fear.

69.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

71/97

Floyd spits his chewing tobacco on the ground.

FLOYD (CONTD)Put the surfboards in the truck.

Terry and Matt comply but Chris hasnt moved. Terry senses a

problem.

TERRY(calmly and softly)

Chris? Put the board in the manstruck.

Chris says nothing. He just stares at Floyd.

MATTChris! Do it!

This is bad. Floyd has probably never had a surfer challenge

him before and he is surprised by Chris nerve.

FLOYD(firm)

I said...put the board in thetruck.

Chris looks Floyd squarely in the eye.

CHRIS(defiantly)

Youre not taking this board.

Floyd stares back at Chris for a second and then slowly walksup to him as Terry and Matt back away slightly.

Floyd backhands Chris across the cheek, sending him to thepavement. Then Floyd plants his big boot on Chris chest,pinning him to the ground.

FLOYD(to Matt)

You! Get this board and put it inthe truck.

In shock, Matt doesnt move.

FLOYD (CONTD)Now!

Matt snaps out of it and does what hes told.

70.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

72/97

FLOYD (CONTD)Now you boys are gonna do whatevery other surfer before you hasdone. Start walkin the same wayyou came in. And dont come backhere...EVER!

Floyd releases his boot from Chris chest and returns to histruck.

Chris is still on the ground, stunned.

Suddenly Chris jumps up to retrieve AJs board from the backof the truck, only to be stopped by Matt and Terry. Floyddoesnt even turn around.

CHRISNoooo!

MATTForget it, Chris! Its not worthgetting shot over!

Chris tries to break free. Tears well up in his eyes.

Floyd starts up his truck and points the shotgun barrelacross the cab directly at the boys and shakes it forward, asif to say, Get moving.

Floyd drives away with the boys surfboards in the back ofhis truck.

The three boys are left standing in the road.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAILROAD TRACKS - MOMENTS LATER

The three boys walk slowly down the railroad tracks, totallydefeated. No one says a word.

Finally, Matt breaks the silence.

MATT(sadly)

Well, we did get to surf perfectwaves all by ourselves.

Chris continues looking down at the tracks.

TERRYAt least we know that Floyd isreal.

71.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

73/97

Still nothing from Chris. Matt looks around.

MATTThis place looks a lot different inthe day time.

Just then, Chris stops.

CHRISThe barn!

TERRYWhat?

CHRISHes taking the boards to the barn!

TERRYWait a second.

CHRISIm going back!

TERRYNo youre not! That Floyd guy isnuts!

CHRISIm not leaving here without AJsboard.

TERRY

What if Floyd catches us?!

Matt steps up next to Chris with a look of determination onhis face.

MATTWhat if he doesnt?

Surprised, Chris looks at Matt.

MATT (CONTD)Floyds a dick.

Chris and Matt share a smile, then both look at Terry.

Terry hesitates, then...

TERRYWell, what are we waiting for?

72.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

74/97

The three turn and head back down the tracks toward thePoint.

CUT TO:

EXT. RANCH ROAD - LATER

The morning sun is hot now as the boys, now off of therailroad tracks, search for Floyds barn. They cautiouslywalk on the road, constantly looking around for signs ofFloyd or anyone else.

Matt drinks from his canteen and Terry swipes a bug thatbuzzes around his head.

TERRYIm beginning to think there is nobarn.

CHRISLook, everything so far has beenjust the way AJ said it was.Theres a barn. We just gotta findit.

MATTStop!

They all freeze. Hearing a car, they hurry off of the roadand into the bushes.

They huddle under the cover of a bush, waiting.

MATT (CONTD)Floyd?

They wait as the sounds of an approaching vehicle get louder.

The vehicle emerges from around the bend but it is not Floyd.Its another pick-up, with its truck bed full of hay bales.

The guys crouch low as the truck passes them and disappearsaround another corner. They listen for any other sounds,then climb back onto the road and continue walking.

MATT (CONTD)I wish we had the bikes right now.

TERRY(to Chris)

Hows your eye?

73.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

75/97

CHRISIts fine.

They continue walking down the winding road.

CUT TO:

EXT. RANCH ROAD - LATER

The guys continue to walk the road. They are showing signsof fatigue.

MATTI wish I had a big bag of PorkRinds right now.

TERRYMaybe thats why that wild boar

chased us. He probably new youwere eating his relatives.

Worried, Matt looks around for any wild boar that might be inthe area. They continue on.

TERRY (CONTD)How far down this road do we gobefore we turn back?

CHRISWere not turning back.

TERRYI just dont think were gonna-

CHRISStop!

They stop. Up ahead is a dirt side road.

They approach the road and see tire tracks.

CHRIS (CONTD)Cmon.

They come to the end of the road and it opens up into aclearing. In this clearing sits a one story, ranch stylehouse.

There are no vehicles and it appears that no one is home.Still within the cover of the bushes, the boys circle aroundto the back of the house, looking for anything that mighttell them who lives there.

74.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

76/97

There is no sign of Floyd or his truck. Maybe this is nothis house. As they come around to the other side of thehouse, they stop in their tracks.

About thirty yards away is a barn. The doors to the barn areclosed and an old tractor sits alone in the mid-day sun.

The boys take off their backpacks.

MATTDo you think its Floyds?

CHRISTheres only one way to find out.

Chris starts toward the barn. Terry stops him.

TERRYWhat are you gonna do?

CHRISIm gonna see if I can find a wayinside.

Chris darts off toward the barn. He circles the barn,looking for a window to peak through. He finds no window butcomes across a side door with a small window.

The window is covered with dirt and Chris wipes it off,trying to see inside. He peers through the window but itstoo dark inside the barn to see anything.

The door has a padlock hanging from it. Chris grabs the lockand sees that it has been left open. He smiles and slowlyopens the door and enters the barn.

Back at the house, Terry and Matt wait.

MATTWhat do you think hes doin?

TERRYI dont know, but this whole thingis crazy.

MATTDo you have any food left?

TERRYI sill have a-

MATT(cutting him off)

Look!

75.

8/9/2019 Ghost Dance 8-10-10

77/97

Chris emerges from the side of the barn and runs back to th