B-D
120 INT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE -- DAY
The house is quiet and dark... until Mr. Tyree walks back in.
He looks around the empty house. Goes into the kitchen, sets down his picnic basket, pulls out the meatloaf.
Then, in his old, wrinkled suit, he starts making himself his dinner, all alone again.
121 INT. SAVANNAH’S CAR (MOVING) -- DAY
Savannah drives. John stares quietly out the window.
SAVANNAH
He tried, John. At least he tried.
But John doesn’t respond, just keeps watching the scenery blurs past outside.
122 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LATE DAY
Savannah and John pull up to find cars parked all over the yard. Above the front door hangs an American flag.
123 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LATE DAY
Mrs. Curtis hurries out to greet them as they walk up the front steps.
MRS. CURTIS
My girl!
She throws her arms around Savannah. Then she surprises John by hugging him, too.
MRS. CURTIS
And John, I feel like I know you already. Where’s your father, did he come too?
John doesn’t answer. Mrs. Curtis immediately understands and gracefully glosses right over it.
MRS. CURTIS
Oh, it doesn’t matter, I’m just glad you’re home safe. I’m just glad you’re here safe!
She nods back at the house behind her, full of people.
MRS. CURTIS
We almost canceled this whole thing after what happened, of course, but we throw this party every year and I dunno... I think people are just looking for something to celebrate right now, you know?
Then she hugs John again, warm and inviting.
MRS. CURTIS
But I can’t say I envy you -- there’s a lot of people to meet tonight. Things could get ugly.
SAVANNAH
Don’t worry, I’ve been briefing him in the car. Background on family members, history of feuds, that sorta thing.
JOHN
Good intel. Solid tactical training.
I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Mrs. Curtis grins at Savannah, mouths “I love him already” to her. Then she links arms and leads them both into the fray.
MRS. CURTIS
Let’s get this show on the road then.
124 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LATE DAY
Mrs. Curtis plays a great hostess, introducing John to PARTY GUESTS with Savannah by his side, beaming.
When word spreads what John does for a living, GUESTS begin to come up and shake his hand, thanking him for his service.
John greets stranger after stranger after stranger... until he finally reaches a familiar face.
RANDY
Hey. Welcome back.
Randy is much worse than a stranger, though. He just stands there, holding his hand out for John to shake... but John doesn’t take it. Things get uncomfortable.
RANDY
Uh...hey, you want a drink? You look like you could use a drink.
He slinks off to the nearby bar. John pulls Savannah aside.
JOHN
What’s he doing here?
SAVANNAH
(with a shrug)
I invited him. Turns out his family actually lives really close by.
JOHN
So, what, you two hang out now?
SAVANNAH
Ah, he’s not so bad once you get to know him.
Randy returns, bringing them each a drink. But John doesn’t take it, just eyes him coldly. Randy looks around nervously.
RANDY
C’mon, man, I’m making an effort.
Meet me halfway here.
Savannah gives John a polite but firm nudge, then turns to greet somebody. John reluctantly takes the drink, cornered.
RANDY
Listen, I should really apologize.
For the way I treated you before.
(before John can respond)
No no. If I had any idea she was actually gonna stay with you, I’d never have acted like that.
Randy downs his entire bourbon as John tries to figure out whether he’s just been paid a compliment or an insult.
Before John even takes a sip of his drink, though, he’s pulled aside by a treetrunk of a MAN. The people nearby (including TIM) fall silent. The Man glares at Savannah.
MR. CURTIS
So this is him?
SAVANNAH
Daddy, please. Not the tough guy routine this time, okay?
MR. CURTIS
Routine? I benchpress refrigerators, honey. I shoot large animals for
120 INT. MR. TYREE’S HOUSE -- DAY
The house is quiet and dark... until Mr. Tyree walks back in.
He looks around the empty house. Goes into the kitchen, sets down his picnic basket, pulls out the meatloaf.
Then, in his old, wrinkled suit, he starts making himself his dinner, all alone again.
121 INT. SAVANNAH’S CAR (MOVING) -- DAY
Savannah drives. John stares quietly out the window.
SAVANNAH
He tried, John. At least he tried.
But John doesn’t respond, just keeps watching the scenery blurs past outside.
122 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LATE DAY
Savannah and John pull up to find cars parked all over the yard. Above the front door hangs an American flag.
123 EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LATE DAY
Mrs. Curtis hurries out to greet them as they walk up the front steps.
MRS. CURTIS
My girl!
She throws her arms around Savannah. Then she surprises John by hugging him, too.
MRS. CURTIS
And John, I feel like I know you already. Where’s your father, did he come too?
John doesn’t answer. Mrs. Curtis immediately understands and gracefully glosses right over it.
MRS. CURTIS
Oh, it doesn’t matter, I’m just glad you’re home safe. I’m just glad you’re here safe!
She nods back at the house behind her, full of people.
MRS. CURTIS
We almost canceled this whole thing after what happened, of course, but we throw this party every year and I dunno... I think people are just looking for something to celebrate right now, you know?
Then she hugs John again, warm and inviting.
MRS. CURTIS
But I can’t say I envy you -- there’s a lot of people to meet tonight. Things could get ugly.
SAVANNAH
Don’t worry, I’ve been briefing him in the car. Background on family members, history of feuds, that sorta thing.
JOHN
Good intel. Solid tactical training.
I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Mrs. Curtis grins at Savannah, mouths “I love him already” to her. Then she links arms and leads them both into the fray.
MRS. CURTIS
Let’s get this show on the road then.
124 INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- LATE DAY
Mrs. Curtis plays a great hostess, introducing John to PARTY GUESTS with Savannah by his side, beaming.
When word spreads what John does for a living, GUESTS begin to come up and shake his hand, thanking him for his service.
John greets stranger after stranger after stranger... until he finally reaches a familiar face.
RANDY
Hey. Welcome back.
Randy is much worse than a stranger, though. He just stands there, holding his hand out for John to shake... but John doesn’t take it. Things get uncomfortable.
RANDY
Uh...hey, you want a drink? You look like you could use a drink.
He slinks off to the nearby bar. John pulls Savannah aside.
JOHN
What’s he doing here?
SAVANNAH
(with a shrug)
I invited him. Turns out his family actually lives really close by.
JOHN
So, what, you two hang out now?
SAVANNAH
Ah, he’s not so bad once you get to know him.
Randy returns, bringing them each a drink. But John doesn’t take it, just eyes him coldly. Randy looks around nervously.
RANDY
C’mon, man, I’m making an effort.
Meet me halfway here.
Savannah gives John a polite but firm nudge, then turns to greet somebody. John reluctantly takes the drink, cornered.
RANDY
Listen, I should really apologize.
For the way I treated you before.
(before John can respond)
No no. If I had any idea she was actually gonna stay with you, I’d never have acted like that.
Randy downs his entire bourbon as John tries to figure out whether he’s just been paid a compliment or an insult.
Before John even takes a sip of his drink, though, he’s pulled aside by a treetrunk of a MAN. The people nearby (including TIM) fall silent. The Man glares at Savannah.
MR. CURTIS
So this is him?
SAVANNAH
Daddy, please. Not the tough guy routine this time, okay?
MR. CURTIS
Routine? I benchpress refrigerators, honey. I shoot large animals for
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