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Blackthorne
Cinemagenic 152
Safe
“Kelly was a seaman, and he observed all the
safety rules that had been written in the blood
of less careful men.”--Tom Clancy.
1(sound cue) soft guitar strumming overridden
by loud gunfire.
2(close-up) Buck opened his bloodshot eyes.
3(sound cue) birdsong over river lapping.
4(set shot) bright sun streaming through
billowing curtains.
5(two-shot) Buck turned his head. Salina was
asleep in a wicker chair, covered with a red Indian
blanket. The sun and the breeze played in her
hair. It was early morning.
6(sound cue) a rooster crowed.
He could smell coffee, bacon and beans. Suddenly
he was very hungry. He could hear voices outside.
They were speaking in Spanish. Wood crackled in
an old pot-bellied stove at the back of the room. He
hurt everywhere. He could barely move. He glanced
back at Salina. She was awake, and smiling.
Salina: Good morning, my love.
Buck: God damn, you are a vision.
Salina: Oh, I’m sure.
Buck: I mean it, like an angel in a painting.
Salina: You sir, are delirious.
Buck: You are beautiful.
Salina: Right--I haven’t had a bath in days, my hair
is like a crow’s nest.
Buck: How long was I asleep?
Salina: Another full day.
7(sound cue) Banjo.
8(medium wide shot) The door opened, and a tall
Mexican stepped inside. His ornate black sombrero
was on his neck. He wore a wide red and black scarf.
He had gray sideburns, with thick curly coal-black
hair. His teeth were very white under a thick
moustache. He carried two steaming cups of coffee.
Jesus: Buenos dias, senorita. I could hear you two
talking, so I brought you some cafe.
Salina: Why, thank you, Jesus.
Buck: I think I know you, compadre.
Jesus: Yes, Senor Buck, there are six of us
here. We are all friends of Mateo. We rode
with the Senorita to rescue you, and now we
stay for a while to protect you, until you heal
up. We want eschar una mano.
Buck: I appreciate it, muchas gracias.
Jesus: Actually, we all thank you.
Buck: For what?
Jesus: For having the courage to take on the
Bronsons. You are the heroe to so many of us.
Buck was silent. His eyes became moist.
Jesus: Te veo luego.
Buck nodded as Jesus left the room.
Salina: The vaqueros are good men. You are
safe here.
Buck: Tell you what, I could eat the ears off a
bobcat. Any chance I can get some grub?
Salina: The boys cooked up a big breakfast. I’ll
go out and see if they have some chuck to spare.
She leaned over and kissed him. It hurt, but he
didn’t mind at all.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub OLN
