FADE IN:
EXT. HUNTING LODGE---BEFORE DAWN
The SUN slowly starts to rise on the horizon. Hundreds of HUNTERS stand huddled with their eyes fixated on a…
TIMER that is counting down from 2hrs 39 min and 39 sec. And above that is a sign that reads: DEER SEASON STARTS IN
EXT.FOREST---DAWN
HEAVY BREATHING and RUNNING can be heard behind the foliage.
BUCKY V.O.
I swear I didn’t mean any disrespect.
POV: It runs looking back often making sure what ever is chasing it stopped. It looks down and back up, but not in enough time to dodge a BAM! A big oak tree. He jumps up shaking it off.
Meet BUCKY, a young white tail deer with no sense of direction. See, Bucky doesn’t look like your “normal” white tail. Imagine a dog with the mange and you got Bucky. One antler grows up and the other one down. And to add insult to injury, his right front hoof is considerably larger than the other three.
BUCKY
Mom…. Dad….anybody?
Silence.
EXT. HUNTING LODGE---DAWN
TIMER: 0hrs 1min 10 sec
The HUNTERS take their starting position with their rifles in hand. A FINGER CLICKS the gun from SAFTEY to FIRE. DROOL falls from their mouths.
Two HUNTERS grab our attention. BILLY BOB, a man with shear determination on his face, and NED.
BILLY BOB
How many you gonna kill this year NED?
NED
One. How many are…
BILLY BOB
As many as I can.
(focusing)
As many as I want.
On TIMER: 0hrs 0min 10…9…8…5…4…3… HONK!
Just like a streak lightning their gone. Racing toward the woods in the horizon leaving nothing but a dust cloud and Ned in their wake.
NED
Wait up guys!
He speeds up only to trip and fall over is rifle sling causing his gun to discharge. A man SCREAMS off in the distance.
MAN #1 O.S.
I’m hit! Help me I’m bleeding.
Ned’s reaction: WHOOPS!
Seconds after the hunters enter the woods GUNFIRE erupts. BIRDS fly out of the tree tops heading for safety. Ned gets excited and falls again accidentally discharging his rife.
MAN #1 O.S.
Quit shooting me! I’m on your side.
Ned jumps up, unloads his gun, and continues on his journey.
EXT.FOREST---DAY
Bucky walks along the deer trail leading up to a SIGN that reads WARNING! DEER SEASON OPEN. He studies the sign.
BUCKY
If only I could read.
As he walks past, he comes up on another SIGN that reads: TRIGGER HAPPY HUNTERS AHEAD. He shrugs and continues on.
BUCKY
Hello… Can anybody hear me?
Fellow DEER bolt past him.
BUCKY
Excuse me… Have you… Oh, hey excuse
me. Can you help?
Nobody stops. Not discouraged Bucky starts whistling and walks onward.
EXT. FOREST/RIDGLINE---DAY
Fifty HUNTERS lay in the prone position waiting. MOSQUITOES are having a feast on the FACES of the determined. One HUNTER goes to smack.
BILLY BOB
Don’t you move. You’ll scare the deer.
The HUNTER lowers his hand but, his face exfoliates pain.
BILLY BOB
Suck it up.
Billy Bob spots something. He gives military signals to his fellow comrades. They raise their guns.
THRU A HUNTING SCOPE: A beautiful twelve point BUCK walks towards his own funeral.
BILLY BOB
Wait until you see the whites of his eyes.
THRU A HUNTING SCOPE: The buck is in the crosshairs.
BILLY BOB V.O.
The buck stops here.
(beat)
Ready… Aim…
NED O.S.
Hey guys. Seen anything?
The BUCK becomes alerted and bolts. Everybody’s attention is on Ned.
EXTFOREST---MOMENTS LATER
Bucky chews on a branch of leaves as the monster twelve point that had his life spared bolts by.
BUCKY
(mouthful)
Have you seen my…
BILLY BOB V.0.
FIRE! SHOOT TO KILL!
Ned screams. Moments later Ned comes barreling down the woods. Bucky hides behind a tree. Ned stops to catch his breath.
NED
Why is everyone always shooting at me?
Bucky steps out.
Bucky
I was about to ask you the…
Ned raises his gun. His GUN BARRELL blackens out the screen. BOOM!
FADE OUT: