AN OVERTURNED BOAT

                              AN OVERTURNED BOAT – OCEAN PARK

I am writing this June 2^nd 2008 – it has been sitting in the back of my brain for twenty years or so, I guess I should let it out.

It was Boxing Day 1987; I was relaxing after a large lunch of Turkey sandwiches from the leftover Christmas meal. Sandra decided we (Cameron, her four year old and me) should go for a walk along the beach at Crescent Beach in Surrey.

It wasn’t really a good day for walking, the wind was blowing at about twenty knots it was about 6C and there was a light rain. However we drove out and parked at the end of Sullivan St. close to the walk along the sea front (there was very little traffic).

We started walking along with the wind at our backs, stopping often to throw rocks or look at dead things that had come in with the tide. Cameron (or maybe it was me) whined from time about the cold and rain. In any event we continued on toward Blacky’s Spit. As we approached the small dock at the end of Wickson Rd I was just about to announce I had had enough of this fresh air stuff when we heard a woman shouting. She was yelling frantically to us against the wind and at first I had no idea what the problem was, but the three of us started to run toward her.

As we got closer I noticed an overturned boat about a hundred yards off shore and then heard the anguished cries of a father.

“Help, help, my son is trapped under the boat, help, help.”

It was then I saw a mans head around the far side of the upturned boat. I ran down the dock toward a small cabin cruiser, it had a small skiff tied to the top of the cabin. I immediately untied the rope and dragged the skiff to the edge of the dock- there were no oars or paddles anywhere. Suddenly I notice a small one by four board about three feet long a few feet away.  I grabbed the board and dropped the skiff into the water and jumped in.   I noticed there seemed to be a bit of water in the bottom of the skiff but I never gave it a thought as I began furiously paddling (I guess it was more like thrashing at the water) toward the overturned boat.

It was only then I realized I had on a very heavy leather trench coat on. It restricted me more than somewhat, but I was getting close to the boat. I reckon I was about ten feet from the hull when I realized three things simultaneously, first my skiff was almost full of water and secondly there was a hole in the bottom of the skiff about eight inches square, yes I remember that clearly the hole was square! 

Lastly I was sinking.

It took all of about five seconds for the skiff to disappear from under me. Man was the water cold. Now I was s pretty good swimmer and a healthy fifty-year-old man, as such I was not too worried about getting into the water. In fact I had some sort of a fuzzy idea that I was going to dive under the overturned boat when I got there, and comfort/rescue the child.

All this changed as I began to sink beneath the water, I could hardly keep my head above the water and my winter clothes, particularly the leather coat and my heavy leather boots, seemed to be like an anchor. I was only a few feet from the upturned hull. I managed to reach it but there was nothing to hold onto. I kept slipping off and sinking under the water. Suddenly I realized this was getting very serious, and I was probably going to drown within a few minutes.

                                                I couldn’t hear the man anymore, but I thought I could still hear the Mother screaming.

Within a few moments a large fishing boat with several young men aboard appeared from out of nowhere about five feet away from me. They yelled and waved at me to swim over to there boat. I started to paddle the few feet to the side of there craft when I again went under. As I surfaced I was right against the side. A strong hand grabbed my leather collar and started to drag me up the side, but he couldn’t hold on and I slipped under the water again. He got hold of me again and another pair of hands got the other side of me, but they couldn’t get my over the side. Suddenly two very strong hands got me by the throat and the three of them heaved me onto the deck.

I lay there cold and in shock, a few guys dragged me into the small cabin, and they went back to help get the boy and his dad out of the water. It seemed only a few seconds when two ambulance drivers came in and threw a warm blanket over me and sort of dragged me along the dock to the waiting ambulance. I noticed the man and his son on the floor of the boat as they dragged me past them.

 As we passed the Mother she thanked me profusely, I couldn’t respond. They left me in the warm ambulance and said to wait there till they got back. I was still rather numb and confused. After a few minutes I felt much better, I opened the ambulance’s back door and got out. I noticed Sandra had moved the car to the end of the dock.  I went over got in and drove home to a hot shower – Sandra offered to drive but I was stubborn and insisted.  I had a hot shower when we got home.  It may seem strange, but we have hardly ever spoken about that day since.

When I went into work at Lakeview Realty a few days later Ron, a co-worker came over and in a rather to loud voice said.

“Just what the hell did you think you were doing in the water at Crescent Beach on Boxing Day?”

“Were you there?”

“Just got there to see you sink.”

“Oh.”

We left it at that.

To this day I do not know what happed to the Father and Son I vaguely recall that Beth mentioned she saw something in the paper about the incident, I’m sure if they were seriously injured she would have mentioned it. I am going to go to the Peace Arch News in a day or so and see if I can find the names of the family in the Archives. I feel a little nagging in my soul to finalize this incident.

I never really have never spoken about this misadventure to anyone since.
THERE SHOULD BE A FEW PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT THAT
WERE PRINTED IN THE PEACE ARCH - THEY DIDNT TRANSFER
FROM MY COMPUTER - MAY TRY GET THEM LATER

It is now Oct. 15^th 2008 – about twenty two years since the above took place. I have from time to time thought of going to the Peace Arch News to see if they had a mention of the little adventure in their paper. Unfortunately they did not have the editions on Microfiche. They did however have complete yearly editions of the paper bundled together with a big iron bar. They graciously let me spend some time with them until I found the account of my little story. Unfortunately they would not let me take the paper out of the steel bar – thus the rather poor reproduction.

It is too bad the article did not mention the name of the family that had the terrible misadventure that cold windy day.

Possibly one day I will go back and have a look at the next addition. 

Larry Bennett

SNOW - FULL MOON - YOUNG BOY -WONDER

                                  

                          AND NO ONE BELIEVES ME!

My memory of that beautiful cold evening some fifty-five years ago is as clear as if it happened yesterday.  We (Larry and me) had skied cross-country the three kilometers from our home in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, to the ‘Sand Hills’ that afternoon. The ‘Sand Hills’ were a small group of sand dunes we called hills. The rest of the day we spent skiing down the big (to us) 200-meter hill. We did not just ski down. After reaching the bottom of the hill, off came the skies, we would then walk up the hill, then down, walk up, all day long.

Larry had left early that day.

I was returning home that early January evening totally exhausted. I was following the ‘short cut’ along the western shore of the South Saskatchewan River. The full moon and the fresh white snow gave the world a soft beautiful glow that seemed to sparkle in the fine ice crystals.

By the time I reached a small clearing a block or so before the Arctic Ice plant, I just had to have a rest. I spotted a fresh snowdrift a few feet deep and struggled over, took off both skis, turned my back to it and just let myself fall gently into the snow. Oh what a beautiful feeling, lying there with my parka hood and toque on, so warm, so relaxed, the snow molded to every contour of my body. I took a deep breath and watched the clouds of steam drift past the gleaming white full moon as I exhaled. I have ever been more totally relaxed and contented in my entire life as I was that crystal-clear evening.

I was lying on my back, just looking up at the full moon, I closed my eyes for a moment and I felt myself drifting off to sleep.

So warm, so comfortable.

Now being an eleven-year-old Saskatoon boy I had heard many stories about how a person evidently would get warm and comfortable just before they froze to death. There were many tails of people being tired and lost, lying down for a few moments to rest.  The next thing one heard about them was a story in the ‘Star Phoenix’ referring to the details of the discovery of a frozen body. I knew all about this so I tried not to go to sleep, but despite my efforts, I must have dozed off.

The next thing I remembered was opening my eyes with a jolt. I did not move. For a second I could not get my bearings, then all became clear and I realized I was OK, still warm and comfortably propped on a slight angle in my snow-bank. It was then the most amazing sight a young boy could imagine played out before my eyes. Right in front of me was a game being played. This was a game I had never seen before. I was not sure if it was a game of tag or a race of some sort, or maybe some sort of a dance. The contestants, all fifteen or twenty of them, were running around in a circle about twenty feet in diameter. As if from a signal some of them would suddenly jump straight up in the air and another one would pass under, and keep going. They all seemed to have big smiles on their faces. Their ears were erect, and they made happy little sounds. At times two would run straight at each other then both would jump straight up into the air and attempt to touch each other’s feet, all the while having this big grin on their faces.

They were Rabbits. 

I didn’t make a move or sound. However, after about two minutes, they suddenly as one disappeared into the bush. All that remained were hundreds of little footprints in the snow, a full moon, and a young boy still not sure if he was dreaming.

It is several years since I wrote this little story. Most who have read it find it rather hard to believe.  The other day I decided to Google Rabbits – to my amazement I found the following poem.

Larry Bennett may 2008

Dancing Rabbits

We who play under the pines,
We who dance in the snow,
That shines blue in the light of the moon,
Sometimes halt as we go.
Stand with our ears erect,
Our noses testing the air,
To gaze at the golden world,
Behind the window there.

Suns they have in a cave,
And stars each on a tall white stem,
And the thought of fox or night owl,
Seems never to trouble them.
They laugh and they eat and are warm,
Their food seems ready at hand,
While hungry out in the cold
We little rabbits stand.

But they never dance as we dance,
They have not the speed nor grace,
We scorn both the cat and the dog,
Who lie by the fireplace,
We scorn them licking their paws,
Their eyes on an upraised spoon,
We who dance hungry and wild,
Under a winter's moon.

Elizabeth Coatsworth
Songs of the Rabbits Outside the Tavern

                               THE DELTA QUEEN

Larry was a prairie boy. Like many boys born in Saskatchewan during the dust filled 1930s, he had always had a longing for the ocean. More to the point he had a suppressed obsession with owning a grand ocean going boat.

larry and Beth married in the mid 50s and moved to B.C. all on the same day, a few years later they moved to Delta. As the reader may know, Delta is a Municipality located on the ocean at the furthest South Western tip of mainland Canada. It took a few years and a few children later, but finally larry made the plunge and bought what was to his eye, a jewel of a ship. To more knowledgeable seafaring blokes it may have appeared to be more of a lemon.

To be sure Larry did have a few problems at first. He now owned a beautiful 21ft Cabin cruiser with a 110-horse power Volvo inboard/outboard that positively gleamed. It was with great excitement and expectation he for the first time pressed the start button.

Nothing.

Well not quite nothing, there was a little click. Eventually after several ‘experts’ giving their opinions with no results, the motor was shipped to the Volvo repair shop where it was determined the pistons were rusted solid to the cylinder walls. Several hundred dollars later the engine was returned and put into the boat, but not until a foot of water was pumped out of the wooden hulled beauty. This craft looked like a fiberglass boat, but in fact it was plywood, covered with fiberglass, this made it (at least for prairie boy) most difficult to find any leaks.

In any event Larry spent many a happy hour tinkering and fooling around with his beauty.  It was on one of these tinkering days (tinkering at the dock was much safer than getting out on the big ocean) on a spring afternoon that Larry had what was to be remembered for many years by his fellow Air Traffic Controllers as the “Adventure of the Delta Queen”

Larry was on his way to work at the Vancouver Airport on the afternoon shift and as he often did, left early so he could work on his boat. He took his good clothes to change into after working on the boat; no dummy was our friend Larry. So after an hour or so of basically wasting time, a brilliant thought stuck Larry, why not go to work with his boat. It is important here to visualize the terrain in this part of the world. The municipality of Delta is south of Vancouver BC, the south arm of the Fraser river is the northern boundary between Richmond and delta.  The Fraser River as it flows into the Straight of Georgia divides into three arms, The North Arm (which separates Richmond from Vancouver) the Middle Arm (which has the seaplane dock for Vancouver International Airport and The Air Traffic Control Centre) and the South Arm.

He threw his good clothes into the boat, pushed the starter, put it into reverse looked behind him, gave it a bit of  throttle and immediately fell to the floor as the bow rope tightened to the dock.

                                 This is where it all started

As he slowly chugged past the men working on their nets (AT JUST THE PERFECT SPEED TO MAKE THE GREATEST BOW WAVE) he felt like the proud and brave seafarer he was rapidly becoming. He realized this was true as the men all waved to him in what he took to be a nautical one fingered salute as he passed.

It was so peaceful sitting on his high stool on the bridge looking at this new and wonderful world, starting out on his first little adventure with his ship going down to the sea. As he chugged along he only had one more friendly one finger wave from a very large fellow, who it seemed to Larry was maybe chocking, since his face was quite red.

        Chugging too close to these guys as they worked – not good idea

No time to worry about strangers health, must keep alert to find where this famous Ladner Reach met the large South Arm of the mighty Fraser.  He really need not worry as it ran straight (well it did after the bridge opener guy at the Westham Island bridge told him to turn around) into this large rather scary body of water, complete with large ocean going freighters and local fishing vessels.

Reaching the South Arm was quite a thrill. Larry as was his wont spoke to himself out loud. ‘Well Larry boy, you did it, all we do now is follow the river to the Strait of Georgia make a right, another right at the Middle Arm and there you are at the Air Traffic Control Centre, piece of  cake.’ Once again Larry marveled at the beautiful blue sky and the feel of the sun on his face, although he did notice that as he proceeded west toward the ocean there seemed to be a little mist forming. Now was the time to see what this baby would do, he opened the throttle almost full and the feeling of power and joy thrilled his little heart. However he was a bit reluctant to open it all the way up as there was quite a bit of chop around from all the boats around. So Larry just left it so the hull was not planning properly, just at that in between speed  (maybe 15 knots) to use the most fuel.

After about what seemed a very long time heading away from land he passed the lightship, and almost immediately lost sight of land. What a feeling, all alone, just water, sun and mist, or was that fog on the water? It really didn’t matter as the sun was shining through, and it was now smooth as glass. Larry being an Air traffic Controller knew he  wasn’t  out of the shallows yet, and depending on the tide you had to go further out. Unfortunately Larry had not checked the tide tables, but like he figured they wouldn’t mean much to him anyway since this was his first time on the ocean. So he just decided to go a good ways out to make sure. The feeling of the water thumping the hull, and the exhilarating cool fresh damp air against his face was beyond joy. Suddenly it dawned on Larry; he had been steaming away from land for quite some time.  So he made a ninety degree right turn, pushed the throttle to the firewall and almost instantly his beautiful craft leveled out on the step and he was literally flying at about 30 knots.

As he cruised along with no cares in the world, the sun shining weakly through the thin fog, he kept a sharp eye out for water traffic and was just a little nervously scanning to his right for any sight of land. He figured he was getting close to the Middle Arm as he could see aircraft climbing off runway 26 at Vancouver International. As he strained his eyes to find sight of land he glanced to the stern, to admire his Volvo humming away. To say the sight he saw was shocking is an understatement of enormous proportions.

Larry had heard the saying ‘Rooster Tail” when referring to those monster speed boats that raced down in Seattle. It never crossed his mind his cruiser could ever go fast enough to make a rooster tail. So one can imagine, or maybe not, the joy and fascination Larry felt as he saw this plume of water rising at least ten feet into the sky behind his speeding craft.  At virtually the same instant Larry noticed something else: the plume behind him was brown, sort of the color of sand. Now Larry was a very quick thinking individual, his thought process went something like this – brown – sand – expensive Volvo engine – sand going through engine – very bad – cut throttle. Larry instantly cut the power.

A very big mistake.

The craft went from 30 knots to zero in about two seconds. When Larry picked himself of the deck it was eerily quiet, no slapping hull sound, no wind sound, no motor sound, silence. He stood up (as best he could on the twenty degree angle of the deck) and looked around. All he could see in any direction was water and thin fog, it was as if he had been dropped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a life raft, granted a rather large life raft. His first thought when he chopped the power was he had hit a small submerged sand bar. As he took stock of the situation he noticed the water was about four inches deep. This really didn’t worry Larry that much, he could just get out of the boat and drag it off the little sand bar and away he would go. So with this in mind he took off his shoes and socks, and jumped over the side into the water. Larry was surprised to find the water rather warm, as he went around to the bow to unravel a bit of anchor rope and get this adventure back on track.

It turned out dragging a twenty foot boat grounded into sand was not going to be the piece of cake Larry thought.  As he pulled the ten foot length of rope from the bow (which was about five foot high) he sort of dug the hull deeper into the sand. In fact he couldn’t make it budge. As he stood in the warm water in the glorious sunshine he wasn’t really too worried since he still had a few hours to get to work, so he took off his shirt and pants, threw them into the boat, and in his underwear surveyed the situation from outside the boat. He decided to try and find out how large this sandbar really was, so he started walking away from the boat. After splashing merrily along for a few minutes two things struck him simultaneously, one, this was a very large sandbar, and two the boat was getting hard to see through the mist. The thought of losing sight of the boat made his heart sort of skip a beat and he hurriedly returned to the safety of his boat.

Larry now realized he was going to be here for bit of time, so he decided to lie on the deck and get some sunshine while he tried to figure out his next move. It occurred  to him that if the tide was coming in, he would be afloat before too long, if it was going out he would notice that for sure, but he wasn’t going to dwell on that possibility until it became a reality. As he lay there with his eyes closed Larry imagined the craft would move every now and then, but he would look over the side and everything appeared the same.  After enjoying the quiet and sunshine for about a half hour, a disturbing thought struck Larry. What if the tide was coming in, but just keeping the boat at the same level as it moved them closer to shore, wherever that was.

With this disturbing thought going through his mind Larry decided to use the whole hundred feet of rope do try and drag the boat out to deeper water. Being further out would lessen the angle from the bow to the water, and hopefully let him get out to deeper water. Before he again entered the water he decided to take off his shorts as he didn’t want them wet when he got to work. So now naked he began uncoiling the rope to its entire length. As he worked away he  noticed little waves pushing the craft to the east, he now figured he was definitely on the right track. As he  got to the end of the rope the boat look a long way back, as he strained with all his might to get it moving. For a few moments it looked hopeless, but then he felt the slightest ,movement he strained even harder and if he kept the pressure on the rope the ship was slowly following him, like a dog on a leash. 

 Larry realized this might be a rather long trek, so with head down and back straining  he staggered along,  but at least he was encouraged as he heard the departing aircraft going over head, meaning he was close to his destination. He went along for some time like this, head down, straining back, and  imperceptibly at first but then he realized the strain was getting noticeably less. At the same instant he noticed the water was above his knees. As the depth of the water increased the fog simply melted away, and Larry full of hope decided to look at where he was going.

As Larry looked up he was dumfounded to see a very large Japanese cargo ship not more than three hundred yards from him. It was probably a tossup as to who was shocked the most, Larry or the crewmembers leaning against the railings of their ship, looking at a naked  man, out of sight of land, walking on or in the water, pulling a boat behind? It was at this time he noticed the Pacific Western Airlines, Convair 540, banking rather steeply right overhead, he could almost make out the faces of the crew and

passengers as it flew by, so he waved. 

And he waved to the men on the Cargo Ship.

And they waved back

At the same time at the Vancouver ACC the following dialog was taking place.

“Departure, PW 323 is with you.”

“Pacific western 323 Departure, radar identified, climb runway heading to twenty-five hundred, then left direct the VOR, climb on course”

“Roger, twenty-five hundred, left on course, PW 323.”

“Roger”

About one minute goes by.

“Uh, Departure PW 323.”

“323 Go”

“Yeah, Departure we’re going to level off here for a moment, something strange on the water.”

“That’s approved 323, let me know the situation.”

“Will Do.”

About another minute goes by.

“Departure 323.”

“Go, 323.”

Laughing “You won’t believe it Departure, there is a real life African Queen scenario going on down there, some guy miles from shore is walking in shallow water pulling a cabin cruiser behind him. And you won’t believe this there is a very large freighter that looks like it is about to run him over. Oh, and now he is waving at us – he looks happy, and the crew on the freighter appear to be waving at him – oh and by the way he is starker’s. We are now continuing the climb on course.”

Dave the Departure controller turned to the Arrival controller Al, and told him the story.

They both laughed then Al said “Sounds like it might be that idiot Larry trying out his new lemon.” They both laughed and continued working.

Epilogue:

            The rest of Larry’s day went relatively smooth. He went over his head in the water as he was waving to his friends. He finally got back to the dock after making bigger waves on the way into his berth. The friendly fishermen did not wave. \no they did one better several of them met him and helped him tie up as he bumped into the dock.

            They actually were not very pleased with him as it turned out. With clenched fists these very healthy fellows explained in very plain language the trouble he had caused them. As Larry was apologizing and explaining his predicament one of the biggest fellows cut off his explanation.

            “Aren’t you number nine who plays for the North Delta hockey team?”

“Well yes, why do you ask?”

“I’m from North Delta and go to all the Games at the Army base in ladner, you are my favorite player.”

So things went swimmingly from there on.

Except for being an hour late for work.

And trying to explain it wasn’t him out there pulling the boat.

MOVIE SCRIPT (first half) THE REAL THING

Larry bennett                                                                                     CW1110  Genni Gunn     

The Real Thing

                    Movie script

                                                                                                 FADE IN.

MONTAGE:

Action shots man leaps off moving trains, sloshes through jungles, fly’s a fighter plane, bursts out of a landing barge onto an exploding beach, beats some unfortunate stunt man senseless, etc. These scenes are all from his previous movies.

                                                                                                CUT TO:

EXT. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - MORNING - SPRING

           

Distance shot of a beautiful mansion on a cliff overlooking the pacific.

 Slowly zoom in toward the house

CUT TO:

INT. – CONTINUING

Zoom into several expensive rooms until finally entering a small theatre. BILL WASHBURN, a paunchy man in his mid 50s, with obviously died hair and long sideburns is intently watching a monstrous TV screen showing the above scenes. There are about ten theatre style chairs lined up in front of the TV, Bill though is seated in an oversized recliner. He is unshaven, smoking a cigarette, and still in his pajamas. The SOUND of the action is deafening.

                                                                                                 CUT TO:

EXT. SUBURB VANCOUVER WEST COAST CANADA – MORNING - SPRING

Distance shot of a small suburb on the west coast of Canada. Slowly zoom in to a very modest two story home with tricycles, a wagon and toys scattered, a small wading pool in front yard with assorted plastic toys floating in it. An older mini van is parked in driveway.

INT. – CONTINUING

Zoom into large kitchen – HELEN WILLIAMS young very attractive mother in her early thirties, 5 children, three girls (LESLIE two years, ELIZABETH five years, and SUSAN eleven) and two boys, STEPHEN seven years, and SCOTT thirteen years. Father GARTH, thirty-four, is an Air Traffic Controller, volunteer Fireman, and minor building contractor. He reads the morning sports page. The family is cheerfully chattering away about school etc. and who will go to visit Grandma when school is out with Daddy in his small airplane.

           

SUSAN

Mom, how come it’s always Scott that gets to go in the plane with Dad?

HELEN

Now don’t you worry your pretty little head about who gets to go with Daddy. When it is closer to the date, we will all decide together.

                                                                        HELEN

                                                                      (To Garth)         

It’s too bad you don’t have a bigger plane Garth, only being able to take one passenger isnt terribly practical with a family of six.

                                                                        GARTH

                                                            (Does not lift eyes from paper)

                                    Great idea hon.

ELIZABETH

                                                            (Pulling at her dads shirt)

Daddy, if I graduate from Kindergarter with better marks than Scott can I go with you to see Grama?

  

STEPHEN

It’s not Kindergarter you dummy, its Kindergarten. And besides you’re afraid of flying.

HELEN

                                                 (sounding a little exasperated)

Stephen, don’t you dare call your sister a dummy. Now get ready for school.

                                                                        SCOTT

Mom, our game against the Eagles is today after school. Could you pick me up at the baseball field when we finish, about five.

                                    HELEN

OK Scott, but we might be a little late. I pick up Elizabeth from her dance class at five.

                                    GARTH

                        (still not looking up from paper)

Don’t forget your Glove.

  

                                                                                                CUT TO:

INT. – INSIDE BILL’S HOME - MORNING:  WIDE ANGLE OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT

Bill’s latest wife KAREN, an attractive middle aged woman in her early 40s stops at doorway of the entrance to small theatre. She is meticulously dressed in a fashionable summer dress, matching shoes, and makeup all in place.   Bill in background is still watching himself on the TV. Shot remains for about ten seconds – Karen with both hands on hips, is watching Bill.

ANGLE ON

KAREN

I realize you haven’t had a decent part offered for two years Bill, but you must get out of this funk. You look terrible. And another thing, it sure as hell isn’t doing you any good to sit here, day after day, swilling beer and watching that drivel.

              

KAREN’S POV:

                           BILL

What drivel, and I’m not swilling beer.

REVERSE ANGLE:

KAREN

No wonder you’re such a mixed up mess

WIDER ANGLE

                           BILL

I don’t know what you’re talking about Karen

                           KAREN

Don’t give my that wide-eyed shit –here you sit watching yourself or should I say your stunt man playing at being a real man. While here in the real world, your Son hasn’t spoken to you in two years and you won’t even return your daughter’s phone calls.

Bill makes a big show of fighting his way out of the recliner.

                                                       BILL

That’s the trouble with little people like you Karen. Your kind can never expect to understand a star like me. 

           

ANGLE ON:

                                       BILL

 (Pointing dramatically to the screen.)

                                    Up there, that.. he ..he is the real me.

WIDE ANGLE:

KAREN

That’s not the conclusion the ‘Five Wives Club’ has come too.

BILL

What are you talking about? What wives club?

      KAREN

Oh you know the wives, MARY, ELIZABETH, RACHEL, AND BRANDY and of course little me.

BILL

                                                            (looking amazed)

I didn’t know you knew those bitches.

KAREN

Know them, we’ve  been meeting for over a year. We were going to call it the five bitches club but decided better - thought you might enjoy that title. We always have a ball; of course, you are the brunt of most of the fun.

                                                                                                 

Larry bennett                                                                                  CW1110  Genni Gunn

 CUT TO:

EXT. – LATE AFTERNOON  - THREE MONTHS LATER

Shot of Air Canada Jet landing at Vancouver International airport. Shot shows a panorama view including blue water with snow topped mountains in background. We hear a conversation between Bill and DICK BROWNSTON as the aircraft lands and taxies to the ramp.

                       

                       

BILL – (VO)

Well DICKY old buddy of mine, I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to get me a starring role again. It’s just to bad it has to be way up here in this foreign country.

                         DICK BROWNSTON - (VO)

Look ashole, there is only so much an agent can do. Three months ago you looked eighty, smelt like yesterday’s dirty socks; snarled at everyone you knew and acted as if the world owed you a living. And lets get this straight, we’re in Hollywood North, they do hundreds of pictures a year up here, and they are just as professional as down south. You are very fortunate the director owed me, or you would still be mopping around your poor little mansion.

BILL – (VO)

OK, OK, I appreciate you. Let’s not overdo it. Do you realize just how hard I have been working out since we signed the contract last month? I’m in better shape than when I was thirty, and much better looking too.

DICK - (VO)

                                            (Sarcastically)

   Yeah Yeah

                            CUT TO

INT. – EXPENSIVE HOTEL HALLWAY, OVER THE SHOULDER  WIDE ANGLE  - DAY

Bill and Dick enter Bill’s hotel room on the 20^th floor of one of Vancouver’s best waterfront hotels. From the doorway entrance, the camera pans a gorgeous room with a stunningly beautiful vista of mountains and sea in the background. The camera moves slowly towards the balcony.

EXT. – CONTINUING – ON BALCONY

WE SEE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, BLUE OCEAN, SAILBOATS, AND A FLOATPLANE LANDING ON WATER

Camera pans the beautiful landscape using zoom and wide angle shots to best effect.

INT. – CONTINUING – INSIDE ROOM

Dick walks straight through room toward balcony. Bill drops into easy chair.

                                                            DICK

                                                (Standing on the balcony)

                       

Man oh man, isn’t this just breathtaking. Every time I come back to this city, I vow to move here permanently.

                       

                                                            BILL

It’s not bad.

                                                            DICK

Not bad! Not bad!  What’s wrong with you anyway?

                                                            BILL

It’s not LA.

                                                            DICK

Now that is definitely true. It’s just been declared one of the most livable cities in the world by the UN.

                                                                                                                         CUT TO:       

EXT. - EARLY MORNING – OPENS WITH A CLOSE UP SHOT OF A SMALL AIRCRAFT THAT HAS CRASHED IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE RUGGED COUNTRY. AS CAMERA ANGLE WIDENS WE SEE THIS IS ACTUALLY A MOVIE LOCATION

We remain for several seconds with a close-up of the crashed aircraft with what appears to be snow around the scene. There is no movement around the plane. We slowly zoom out to a wide angle distant shot of a very small airport with grass runways, on the edge of a beautiful ocean bay. We see an assortment of trailers, lighting equipment, and catering trucks. The lighting and sound crew are setting up their equipment. Several men and women are slowly milling about the entire area, stretching, yawning, and generally getting motivated to begin a long days work.

                      CUT TO:

INT. BILL’S TRAILER – EARLY MORNING

Bill’s trailer, it is rather spartan. Several very large pictures of Bill are situated in prominent locations. Bill is sitting before a large mirror brushing, and brushing, his very black hair as he talks to RANDY SCHUTE the movie director.

                         BILL

                                    I still don’t know how the hell I let Dickey boy talk

me into this.

                                    RANDY

                               (sarcastically)

Yeah, it’s pretty rough Bill. Speaking of hair, we’ve decided yours is going gray.

Bill suddenly leaps to his feet knocking over bottles and brushes. He puts his face close to the mirror with an expression of great alarm.

                        BILL

Where! Where! I knew those bastards at makeup were screw-ups.

                                    RANDY

No, no you moron, there’s more than enough black on your gorgeous locks. GEORGE PAXTON and I have decided a sixty-year-old pilot, should have a touch of gray in his hair. Think about it, here you are, sharing a wrecked aircraft in the wilderness with a twenty something, beautiful native woman. We have a close up of the two of you, and your coifed jet black wig makes her lovely black hair look brown.

                                    BILL

Paxton, Paxton, didn’t he drop out of producer school his first week? How much of a touch? It’s not a wig, that quack in LA  charged me a fortune to sow it into my head.

                                    RANDY

Well, we were thinking …. all gray.

                                    BILL

No way.

                                    RANDY

It’s not open for discussion. After makeup has

given you a bloody nose and a manly scar across your chin, stop off at hairdressing. They’ll fix your phony hair in no time.

                                                                                                                           CUT TO

EXT. TRAILER ENCLAVE – SAME TIME

WIDE ANGLE SHOT

Behind the scenes movie producing activity. A young, strikingly beautiful native woman, DEBORA YELLOWEYES exudes sexuality as she walks slowly among the trailers exchanging greetings with various members of the cast and crew. She is cheerful and laughs at little jokes as she makes her way to Bill’s trailer. She arrives at his trailer, stops and hesitates. She takes a deep breath. Her smile turns to more of a frown. As she raises her fist to knock on the door it suddenly bursts open and Bill Washburn stumbles out with Randy following.

                                                                        BILL

                                                       (face flushed obviously upset)

There you are you vain slut.

                                    RANDY

Bill, for once in you life try acting like a grown up.

                                    BILL

Oh piss off Randy, I know she got to you.

FAVORING DEBORA

          DEBORA

Well I’m glad to see you are in your normal good humor. Just what are you talking about may I ask?

                                                           

                       

                       

CUT TO:

EXT. – DRIVEWAY WILLIAM’S HOME, EARLY MORNING SAME TIME

WIDE ANGLE SHOT SLOWLY APPROACHING SCENE

The William’s home. The entire family is excitedly seeing Garth and Susan off on their big adventure flight to see Grandma. They are all milling around the old van. As we come closer we begin to hear the conversation.

                                                            STEPHEN

Mom, I still don’t see why Susan gets to go with Dad.

                                                            ELIZABETH

                                                    (Jumping up and down)

Me either Mummy, why? why? Why?

                                                            SUSAN

                                    Because I got the long straw, that’s why.

                                                            SCOTT

                                    You got the short straw.

                                                           

SUSAN

                                                (as she is climbing into the van)

                                    Whatever.

                                                            ELIZABETH

                                    Bye Bye Suzy.

                                                            HELEN

                                    Be good for daddy now.

Helen reaches over through the passenger side door and gives Susan a kiss.

Stephen and Leslie are both waving rather dejectedly, they both are close to tears.

                                                            SCOTT

                                                           (waving)

                                    Have a good flight.

                                   

                                                            GARTH

                                    Bye, bye, see you all in four days.

He jumps into the driver seat and without more ado starts the Van and  begins backing out of the driveway waving as he goes. As he puts into drive and begins down the street the entire family on the driveway wave until the van turns the corner and is out of site.

                                   

                                                                                                                       

CUT TO

EXT. –  ON WINDING ROAD LOWER MAINLAND B.C., - EARLY MORNING, MOVING WIDE ANGLE  - FROM ABOVE

We follow Garth’s van as it moves along a lovely winding road on this beautiful morning. Over this we hear.

                                                            SUSAN – (VO)

 Daddy, I’m so happy I picked the right straw

                        GARTH - (VO)

Sweetheart, I’m absolutely delighted you picked the right straw.

                        SUSAN – (VO)

Would you rather have Scott go with you Daddy

                                                                        CUT TO

INT. GARTHS VAN – CONTINUING

Susan is sitting in a car seat right beside her dad on the front bench seat.

FAVORING GARTH

                                                            GARTH

                                    No silly, you’re my favorite Co-pilot.

REVERSE ANGLE

                                                            SUSAN

                                                    (with a big smile)

Daddy, why do I have to sit in this car seat? Its for babies you know.

                        GARTH

                 (laughs out loud)

It’s not a baby seat dear, its called a juvenile seat, it makes the seat belt fit you better. Maybe soon when you grow a few more inches you won’t need it any longer.

                        SUSAN

OK Daddy…. How long will it take to get to Gramas?

                                                           

GARTH

Well dear, once we are off the ground it should take about four hours, then another hour to get to Grandmas house. We should be there in time for lunch.

CUT TO

EXT. VAN -  CONTINUING

WIDE ANGLE  - FOLLOWING

The Van turns off the highway comes to a stop on a small country road about a half-mile from the Airpark. An officious looking YOUNG MAN with a stop sign is standing in the middle of the road.

He comes up to the van. Garth rolls down his window. We observe the action from a about 100 yards.

FAVORING YOUNG MAN

                                                            YOUNG MAN

                                                   (in a very authoritative tone)

                                    Where do you think you’re going?

REVERSE ANGLE

                                                            GARTH

                                    Who’re you?

                                                           YOUNG MAN

I’m with  ‘Security’ for the movie company, this road is closed.

                                                            GARTH

So you think you actually have some authority over me do you.

                        YOUNG MAN

Sure do.

                        GARTH

Look, I’m on my way to ‘Bayview Airpark’. We’re  going to take off in our plane and go see Grandma. Have you got that straight? Now, I’m either going to drive over you or around you, which do you prefer?

WIDE ANGLE

At this Garth puts the van into gear and lurches forward, missing the young man by an inch or so and spraying gravel all over him. The young man stumbles onto the road.

                                   

                                                            YOUNG MAN -(VO)

                                                          (with astonished scream)

                                    Stop, stop, you’re in big trouble now.

The young man struggles to pick himself up as he frantically reaches for his walky talky with one hand, while he shakes his fist with the other and yells at the disappearing Van.

INT. VAN - FAVORING SUSAN

Garth has slowed down to a leisurely pace along the winding country road.

                                                            SUSAN

What was wrong with that man daddy, is he mad at

us?

                        GARTH

Oh nothing dear, no,no he isn’t mad at us, he and the movie company he works for just think they are a little more important than they are, don’t worry he’ll get over it.

CUT TO

EXT. FRONT OF BILL’S TRAILER – SAME TIME

Bill, Randy,  and Debora are seen in heated conversation surrounded by several crew including the senior security person TIM LONG dressed in an orange fluorescent jacket

emblazoned with ‘Tim’ “Chief of Security” in large black letters . He had heard all the fuss and rushed over. George Paxton a large (about six foot four and three hundred pounds) gruff looking man of about fifty walks up to the group.

FAVORING GEORGE

                                                            GEORGE

                                    Well, well, kiddies, what do we have here?

                                                            RANDY

You may find this hard to believe George, but Billy here has taken the news rather badly.

                        GEORGE

And what news is that?

                        RANDY

The gray hair bit.

                        GEORGE

I thought you would have it dyed by now Bill, it’s almost seven you know. Now get your ass moving  or I’ll move it for you. You’ve already caused enough delays in two days shooting to last a lifetime.

                        BILL

Just who…

Tim’s walkie-talkie blares over the voices of everyone.

                                                            YOUNG MAN – (VO)

                                                   (sounds like the world is ending)

Tim, Tim, this is ‘Security Two’ do you read, over.

                        TIM

Loud and clear go ahead.

                       YOUNG MAN  -(VO)

                              (screaming)

A maniac in a ugly blue Van just tried to run me down, he is headed to the Airpark, is planing to take off, told him couldn’t, .. careful .. dangerous.. over.

There is a stunned silence for an instant while every one looks at Tim and his walkie-talkie.

                                                            GEORGE

Well, well some real, live action. Think we can fit it into the script, Randy?

                        BILL

Looks like it’s time to kick ass around here. After all isn’t that what we pay security for?

                        RANDY

If he has a plane here he probably has some rights, after all this is a private Airpark, maybe we should try and reason with him.

                        TIM

       (speaking into the walkie-talkie)

Roger ‘Two’, we will take care of it from this end. Oh, Oh, here comes the prick now.

CUT TO

WIDE ANGLE SHOT OF GROUP -SLOWLY PAN TOWARD VAN – SLOWLY ZOOM TOWARD VAN

All eyes follow Tim’s outstretched arm. Garth’s Van slowly enters the airport proper and winds its way among several parked aircraft. It arrives at a well-maintained blue and white Cessna 150 about one city block from the astounded onlookers. The Van pulls up beside the aircraft; Garth and Susan exit the Van and immediately begin to undo the tie down ropes. They appear totally oblivious to the consternation they have caused so many “important” people. Tim begins to walk over to the Van, several spectators straggle slowly behind.

                                                            GARTH

That’s great honey; when you’re finished with the tail rope, you can get in your side and put on your seat belt. Good and tight now. I’ll just finish my walk around and check the oil and we’ll be off. I’m sure glad we filled up with gas last night. We’re all set to go.

Garth has just jumped down from checking the wing tanks, and is opening the cowl to check the oil, when Tim approaches.

                                                            SUSAN

                                                (standing about to enter)

Daddy another man has come to see us off.

                        TIM

         (very calm and controlled)

Hi there friend planning on a trip today?

                        GARTH

            (peering at the oil dipstick)

Mornin. Yep, should off and out of you hair within five minutes or so.

                        TIM

            (still very calm, low voice)

My name is Tim Long.

Tim extends his hand and Garth shakes it and continues to button down the cowl after checking the oil.

                                                            TIM

                                    I’m head of security on this airport.

                                                            GARTH

                                             (just a touch of sarcasm in voice)

That’s interesting, I’m chairman of the security committee for this airport, and I’ve never seen you before.

Susan meanwhile has gotten into the airplane and tightened her seat belt.

                                                            SUSAN – (VO)

                                    Daddy, I’ve got my seat belt on nice and tight.

                                                            GARTH

                                    That’s great honey, be right with you.

                                                            TIM

                                    (beginning to get red in the face – (voice rises)

What I meant to say was I’m head of security for ‘Worldwide Enterprises’. We’re shooting a movie on this airport.

                        GARTH

Oh yeah, I heard a movie was going to be shot again on our little place, but I thought it wasn’t to begin until next month.

A very interested group has assembled (including Bill, Randy, and Debora) a short distance from the plane obviously appraising Tim’s performance.

                        TIM

   (sounding just a little hysterical)

They moved it up a month because of the great weather. Anyway that’s none of your business, the point is you can’t take off.

Garth looks at Tim as if he has lost his mind, glances at the assembled group and starts to laugh loudly. He begins to walk around the wing to get into the airplane. As Garth speaks he gets into the airplane and finally speaks through the open door.

                                                            GARTH

                                                (trying to stifle his laughter)

Are you out of your mind, I’m a shareholder and executive of this airport. Suddenly some little snot with an orange vest actually thinks he will stop me from taking off with my own plane. You must be just slightly insane. Are you in the middle of a shot, if so I could delay take-off for a few minutes.

                       

TIM

                                                (yelling at the top of his (voice)

Look dipshit, it doesn’t matter if we are shooting or not, we have signed authority and control over this airport. Now I’m telling you, you can’t take off and that’s that.

As Tim finishes he reaches toward Garth’s arm but suddenly sees the look in his eye, thinks better of it, and steps back a few feet. Susan begins to cry.

                                                            SUSAN (VO)

                                                           (between sobs)

Daddy, Daddy, why is that man so mad at us? What are all those people doing? Are they going to hurt us?

INT.  – MORNING CONTINUING

FAVORING GARTH

                                                            GARTH

                                                (with a studied calmness)

Don’t worry sweetheart nobody is going to hurt anybody, this is just a little misunderstanding. We’re on our way.

He pats Susan gently on the head.

CUT TO

INT. CLOSEUP OF AIRCRAFT COCKPIT 

Garth closes the door and busies himself priming the carburetor and checking the instruments prior to engine start. Tim is still standing a few feet from the plane wondering what to do next. Suddenly Bill leaves the group of bystanders and rushes toward the plane. With no delay he opens Garths door, reaches in and violently pulls him half out of the plane.

                                                                                                                                                                        CUT TO.

EXT. FAVORING BILL

                                                            BILL

                                                (furiously)

OK little man you’ve had your fun, it’s now time to play with the big boys, out you come!

Bill is pulling. Susan is screaming. Garth eventually tumbles out of the plane onto the ground. As he is getting to his feet Bill speaks.

                                                            BILL

                                    Well little one, how does it feel to deal with a ‘real man’?

Garth doesn’t say a word but instantly throws a right cross directly to Bill’s nose. There is a crunching sound. Bill falls onto his back dazed. Blood immediately spurts from his nose covering most of his face. He is gasping and choking on his own blood. There is a smattering of applause from several of the onlookers. 

                                                            RANDY

                                                     (under his breath)

                                    Wow that was a great right cross.

FAVORING LIGHTING CREW

One of the LIGHTING CREW turns to his mate and makes a comment as he points to Bill lying on his back.

                                                            CREW MEMBER 1

Isn’t it amazing how our big strong hero isn’t jumping to his feet and pounding that ‘little man’ to a pulp.

                                                            CREW MEMBER 2

                                                                (with a snicker)

You must admit though he’s doing a wonderful job of playing a blubbering cry baby. This part must be particularly difficult for a ‘real man’!

           

                                                            RANDY

                                        (to Bill still lying semi conscious on his back)

Don’t worry Bill there is and upside to all this. At least now makeup won’t have to do your nose.

                        BILL

   (on his back mumbling through the blood)

He’s dead, he’s dead, I’ll sue him for everything he’s got. I’ll destroy him. He’s dead.

CUT TO

EXT. WIDE ANGLE – SAME TIME - FOLLOWING PLANE TAXIING

Garth hasn’t said a word, enters the plane, starts the engine and begins taxiing to the runway.

                                                           

                                                            GARTH –(VO)

                                    There, there, dear, its OK no one is going to hurt you.

                                               

                                                            SUSAN -(VO)

                                                            (still sobbing)

                                    Why did that bad man try to hurt you daddy?

We hear full power  applied to plane, it slowly starts to move, quickly gains momentum and lifts off the ground.

CUT TO

INT. GARTH’S PLANE

FAVORING GARTH

                                                           

                        GARTH

            (speaking into his headset mike)

Larry bennett                                                                                     CW1110  Genni Gunn

Bay tower this is Golf – Whiskey Charlie Lima, we are off the Airpark at 1504 Zulu. Would you open our VFR flight plan to Calgary please.

                        BAY TOWER – (VO)

Roger WCL your plan is open, have a good trip.

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

EXT. WIDE ANGLE – SAME TIME

We see the small plane begin a left turn and watch as it slowly disappears into the rising sun.

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

EXT. WIDE ANGLE

We see a shot of the Airpark, the group of crew and actors follow, as two large crew members half drag half carry Bill toward his trailer.

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

INT. BILL’S TRAILER – 2 HOURS LATER

There is a small crowd of people jammed inside Bill’s trailer. Bill has large bandage covering half his face. RCMP CONSTABLE MORTON is leaning close to Bill with a small notebook in hand.  Bill’s manager Dick is on the phone. Randy is sitting quietly at the far end of the room. George is talking on his cell phone in a secretive manner. Debora is seated next to Randy, obviously enjoying the scene.

FAVORING BILL

                                                                       

BILL

                                      (speaking with a pronounced nasal twang)

Did you get hold of ROBERTS in LA Dick?

REVERSE ANGLE

                                                            DICK

                                                (holding up his hand)

Just a sec, I’m just getting through now.  Hello, hello, is that DAVID.

                                                            DAVID ROBERTS –(VO)

Yes Dick it’s me. What’s the big panic, I thought you were up in Canada.

                                                            DICK

                                        (trying to speak softly into the phone.)

Well David, we have a minor incident up

here, and Bill wants you to handle it.

                                                            BILL – (VO)

                                                (in a loud muffled nasal whine)

Minor incident my ass, Major incident

                                                            DICK

                                                (continuing into phone)

Bill got himself punched in the nose by a pilot here on our location in Canada and….

That is a far as Dick gets before being cut off by Roberts.

                                   

                                                            DAVID ROBERTS –(VO)

Hold it Dick, that’s all I need to know, we have no authority up there. We do though have a working agreement with a fine law firm in Vancouver, it called Davis and Company, they are in the phone book. Give them a call. Real busy here Dick, must go.

                                                                        DICK

                                                Just a minute David .. he hung up.         

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

INT. CLOSE UP FAVORING CONASTABLE MORTON

                                                            MORTON

                                           (leaning from his chair toward Bill)

Now let me get this straight Mr. Washburn.
This wild man just attacked you with no warning.

                                                            BILL

                                    That’s right, no warning at all, he sucker punched me.

                                               

                                                           MORTON

                                    And where were you when this alleged attack occurred.

                                                            BILL

                                       (with as much authority considering)

                                    Alleged! Alleged!  Are you crazy man? Look at me!

                                                            MORTON

OK calm down Mr. Washburn, where were you when you were struck?

                                                            BILL

                                    What do you mean, where?

                                                            Morton

                                    Where were you, inside, outside?

Bill interupts

                                                            BILL

                                    Outside.

                                                            MORTON

                                    Where outside?

                                                            BILL

                                    Just outside.

                                                            MORTON

                                    And was the alleged assailant, also, ‘just outside’?        

                                                            BILL

What the hell are you playing at constable? I want that little bastard in jail, he tried to kill me.

                                                            MORTON

Now lets see how my report to headquarters will read. “ Mr. Washburn was outside. A strange man was outside. Strange man punched Mr. Washburn for no reason.” Were there any witnesses to this attack?

                                                            BILL

What do you need witnesses for? Do you know who I am? I’m telling you what happened, that’s all you need to know.

                                                            MORTON

I don’t go to many movies, but yes, I have heard of you. You sitting in the corner, did you see this incident?

Morton points to Randy. All eyes shift to Randy as he shuffles his chair and looks like a deer caught n the headlights.     

                                                            RANDY

                                    Me?

                                                            MORTON

Yes you. What is your name and what is your position with this outfit?

                                                            RANDY

Yes sir. My name is Randy Schute, I’m the director.

                                                            MORTON

                                    Were you present when the incident occurred?

                                                            RANDY

                                    Yes I was.

                                                            MORTON

                                    OK, now what did you observe?

                                                            RANDY

                                    Where do you want me to start?

                                                            MORTON

Could you tell me why this stranger would just up and hit another stranger in the nose?

                                                            RANDY

Well, let me see, I guess maybe he was upset after Bill pulled him out of his airplane and…. 

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

INT. WILLIAMS HOUSE – MID AFTERNOON SAME DAY

Helen Williams is in the kitchen busily making peanut butter cookies. Mixing bowls, pots, flower bag, empty peanut butter jar, on the counter. Helen is liberally covered with flower. She is humming a tune as she happily mixes the dough. The phone rings in the other room, she seems to mentally debate whether to answer it. The phone continues ringing, so she begins to wipe herself off as she gets to the phone.

                                                            HELEN

                                                (a little out of breath)

                                    Hello.

                                                            VOICE –(VO)

                                    Could I speak to Mrs. Williams please.

                                   

Helen for some reason she doesn’t understand feels apprehensive and hesitates

                                                            VOICE – (VO)

                                    Hello, are you there?

                                                            HELEN

                                                     (in a low voice)

                                    Yes I’m sorry. This is Mrs. Williams speaking.

                                                            VOICE – (VO)

This is The Area Control Centre in Vancouver. We are sorry to advise you that your husband’s aircraft has not arrived at Calgary. We don’t want to alarm you, he might have landed at some other airport along the way and hasn’t been able to contact the authorities as yet. We have finished a communications search with no results. We are calling out Search and Rescue at this time. We will keep you informed.

                        HELEN

                  (barely audible)

Thank you.

Helen slowly sinks to the floor and stares at the wall.

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

EXT.  SHOT FROM AIR – MOUNTAINS – VALLEYS – MID AFTERNOON

The camera slowly zooms closer to the mountains, closer to a large valley, closer to a stream, the wreckage of a small aircraft comes into view on the edge of the stream. As we get closer it becomes apparent this has been a serious accident – the scene is eerily

similar to the staged accident back at the Airpark.

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

INT. – MORNING NEXT DAY GEORGES HOTEL ROOM

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT

George is sitting in his chair and in the process of opening the morning paper.

                                                            GEORGE

                                    Well I’ll be damned!

CAMERA ZOOMS CLOSER TO THE PAPER.

A very large picture of Bill lying on his back, eyes glassy, blood running from nose seems to cover at least half the front page. Caption under picture reads – “Is this Bill Washburn?

                                                            GEORGE

                                    Looks like everyone has a digital camera these days!

CAMERA SCANS MORE OF PAPER

On the far right hand lower corner, a very small headline reads “Father and Daughter missing”