Under the Cherry Tree

“UNDER THE CHERRY TREE”

By Aldonnius Carter

CONTACT:

Aldonnius Carter

1757 Monday Court

Tallahassee, Florida32301

(786) 759-2115

(850) 566-9749

WGA Registered: 1256397

EXT. WOODS – EVENING

Windy Fall evening, as CASTER (18)and JIMMIE (20)search for their lost hound dogs.

CASTER

Jimmie we don been calling fer them dogs

all day now…and we ain’t heard a bark. I’m

telling you Jimmie somin wrong!!

JIMMIE

You right, somin is wrong. My prize hounds

is lost and I’ma gonna find dem. I ain’t leavin

dem out here!

CASTER

Out her, where we at any how? We left the

old road a ways back. We lost too Jimmie.

JIMMIE

Caster McDowall, I would never in a million

years imagine you turning back from a hunt.

CASTER

Let’s be real, the dogs don run off and

something is wrong. The sun is about to

set and my feet are killing me. Maybe

the dogs don run back to the truck.

JIMMIE

Tell you what, you go back to the truck and if the dogs are there, you give off 3 shots. I’ma

keep looking a lil bit longer. Then I will meet ya

back at the truck.

CASTER

Easier said than done; and how am I gon

find the truck?

JIMMIE

Just follow the branches I been breaking off.

You should find ya way.

CASTER

Are you shoo bout this?

JIMMIE

Just as shoo, as the country blood

that flows in ma veins. Now get going fer

night catch you.

CASTER

Ok, I’ll see ya back at the truck.

Caster makes his way through the thicket of bushes back to the truck.

EXT. TRUCK - MOMENT’S LATER

CASTER

I should’na left him……

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Jimmie continues the search for his lost hound dogs.

JIMMIE

Leave ma dogs. I could neva leave ma

precious darlings out here. I’ma stays out

here til I find’um.

EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Jimmie finds bloody dog collar at base of tree. Jimmie picks up collar. Blood droplets bounce off the top of Jimmie’s hat. Jimmie looks up and blood drops in Jimmie’s mouth; and body of dead mutilated dogs fall on top of Jimmie. Jimmie’s screams are muffled by shock. Jimmie so terrified can’t even stand. Jimmie crawls away in shock. Jimmie is suddenly beheaded from behind.

INT. OFFICE - DAY

Caption on Screen reads 80 years later. Sunny day in Miami, as KAT BROOKS (40) multi-millionaire developer irons out last second details of big business venture.

KAT

I know, I know we think this is

the best investment we here at

Brooks has ever inked.

-Yes, so have I been told.

-I am going to fly up there tomorrow

morning for the cutting of the ribbon.

-Yes sir, I know I am going to love “Cherry Hills”

I even purchased a home in “Cherry Hills” for me

and my family. Yes the cherry tree sits directly

in front of our new home.

EXT.AIRPORT – DAY

Kat’s private airplane leavesMiami’s airport headed to CitrusCounty in central Florida.

EXT. ROAD - DAY

Kat, his wifeANNE (40), his secretary SUSAN (20’s), his son ADAM (17), his daughter CHRISTY (8), and HENRY ORTIZ (60) CEO of Ortiz Construction drivesto “Cherry Hills”.

EXT. CHERRY HILLS ESTATES – MOMENT’S LATER

The first 10 families stand at the front gate of the “Cherry Hills” estates for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

EXT. CHERRY HILLS ENTERANCE – MOMENT’S LATER

Henry Ortiz gives short speech prior to the cutting of the ribbon.

HENRY

I am so honored to be here today with all

you wonderful people, in the cutting of the

ribbon. Cherry Hills Estates is and will be

the new Beverly Hills of the south. Every family

here today and families of tomorrow, will witness

the growth of Cherry Hills; and the economic

success each family will bring here to Cherry

hills. Well I am not going to talk any longer

because I am quite sure the families here today

are eager to move into your new homes. I

shall now cut the ribbon.

Henry he cuts ribbon; and the crowd gives off a round of applauses.

EXT.CHERRY HILLS ENTERANCE GATE.CONTINUOUS

KAT

I know Cherry Hills will be a big success.

ANNE

I simply can not wait to get settled into

our new home.

KAT (hugs Anne)

The kids will love it here.

SUSAN

I think I’m going to cry.

KAT

Sue it isn’t that dramatic is it?

SUSAN

No, but to see all the happy faces of these

new home owners just brings tears to my eyes.

ANNE

Stop, you are about to make me cry as well.

KAT

Well just hold back those crocodile tears ladies,

we have a lot of moving and unpacking to do.

HENRY

Well while you are holding back your tears,

I am going to try some of these delicious

looking Cherry’s.

KAT

Take enough for the wife.

HENRY

Carmen is on another one of her diets. She

probably won’t even eat anything. I will take

only enough for myself.

EXT. CHERRY HILLS – MOMENT’S LATER

All the families unpack vehicles; and start moving their belongings into their new homes.

EXT. KAT’S DRIVEWAY – MOMENT’S LATER

Mover’s drive into Kat’s driveway, as Kat greets them.

TOMMY MOVER # 1(20) and MOVER # 2 (20’s)

MOVER #1

Hi, are you Mr. Brooks?

KAT

Mr. Brooks at your service and you must be

the movers?

MOVER #2

Yes sir we are and all we need is the good

ahead to get things rolling.

KAT

I am giving you the ok, but you have to check

with my wife to where and how she wants

things to be arranged inside.

MOVER #2

Ok……

EXT. DRIVEWAY – MOMENT’S LATER

Anne directs movers on what to move first.

INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER

Anne shows the movers where to put their furniture and belongings.

ANNE

This is going to be pretty fun. You can start

with unloading all the things in the van first,

then you can unload the trucks after.

MOVER # 1

Yes maam….

KAT

Well honey is seems like you have everything

here under control. So by saying that, I think

I will venture out among our new neighbors

and to see the outside of Cherry Hills.

ANNE

Ok honey, just don’t be to long and be careful.

EXT. CHERRY HILLS - CONTINUOUS

Kat walks through Cherry Hills Estates greeting all the new homeowners.

Kat ventures outside the gates of Cherry Hills.

INT. KAT’S HOME – CONTINUOUS

Movers unpack the furniture in Kat’s new home.

EXT.FOREST – MOMENT’S LATER

Kat ventures into nearby forest surrounding Cherry Hills. Kat stumbles on an old trail; and Kat follows trail which run into an old shack.

EXT. SHACK (DOOR) – EARLY EVENING

Kat knocks on the front door. No answer. Kat turns doorknob and door opens.

KAT

Hello, anyone home.

INT. SHACK - CONTINUOUS

Kat opens door and calls out to see if anyone is home. Kat slowly creeps into shack. Kat walks in front door and falls through trap in floor.

INT. KITCKEN (KAT’S HOME) – MOMENT’S LATER

Anne and Susan put away dishes.

SUSAN

Mrs. Brooks, I really do admire you.

ANNE

Thank you Susan, and where did that

come from?

SUSAN

Just look. You have a wonderful husband,

two of the loveliest kids, the dream home

in one of Florida’s new upscale

communities. What else could any

woman ask for?

ANNE

It wasn’t just this easy. Kat has worked

hard to get us here where we are today.

If it wasn’t for Kat, we wouldn’t be here

now.

SUSAN

Yeah right and I wouldn’t be here with

a job talking to you.

(They both laugh)

ANNE

I remember the day when Kat told me

he was going to make it as a developer.

That day has come Susan; and one day

The same will happen with you.

SUSAN

And I am waiting.

(They both laugh)

SUSAN

By the way, what’s for dinner?

ANNE

Good question. I know Kat and the

kids will be starved.

SUSAN

Starved I to Mateie. (Acts like a pirate)

(Laugh)

ANNE

I wonder if Mr. Ortiz made it to the

airport safely?

EXT. ROAD – EVENING

Henry Ortiz drives to the Airport. Henry stops along side the road to relieve himself.

EXT. SHOULDER OF ROAD - CONTINUOUS

HENRY

Ah, ah, ah this feels like I’m worth

50 million bucks, oh I am worth 50

million bucks.

(Laughs)

Eerie winds blows, Henry looks over his shoulder. Henry turns back his eyes widen. Henry is suddenly snatched into bushes by his penis.

INT. KITCHEN - EVENING

Christy runs into kitchen where Anne and Susan sit talking.

CHRISTY

Mom, can I please go outside?

ANNE

Have you finished helping your

brother unpack things?

CHRISTY

He told me to get out, cause I

was only in his way.

ANNE

Ok, then yes you can go outside.

Just don’t wonder off anywhere;

and you better be back before your

father comes home.

CHRISTY

Ok mommie…….

Christy runs off.

ANNE

Kids.

SUSAN

You just have to love them.

INT. BASEMENT – MOMENT’S LATER

Adam and mover # 1 smoke pot in the basement.

ADAM

Had to get my sister outta the house.

She’s nosey. She would have busted

us for sure.

TOMMY

Well you know where you can get

the good bud from.

ADAM

That I do know. What I do want to know is,

where are the chicks?

TOMMY

They don’t call me Tommy the tiger for

nothing you know. Matter of fact I got

a cute cousin you will just like.

ADAM (Smile on face)

I think I am going to like it here after

all.

INT. SHACK - NIGHT

Kat yells out from the trap in the floor. Old man CASTER points double barrel shotgun down at Kat.

CASTER

Who are you; and what ya doin

here?

KAT

My name is KAT Brooks and I am the

developer for Cherry Hills Estates, on the

other side of here.

CASTER (Eyes widen)

So what’cha wants round here? Ain’t

no land fer sale here!

KAT

I am not here to purchase land. I was

just exploring the surroundings; and

I happened upon your home. I did not

intend on coming in, but when I knocked

on the door it just opened.

CASTER

So does that mean just walk into a man’s

home?

KAT

No sir it didn’t, but I did call out for

someone prior to me entering your home.

CASTER

Yeah I heard’ya, but that didn’t mean fer

you to come in. You will never know what

you may walk in on or into. All you

city folk alike; you just invade where

you see fit.

KAT

It isn’t like that at all sir. I was just

exploring that is all. I saw your home,

I knocked, the door opened, I came in

and here we are. I just want a little

KAT (cont’d)

history on this area; and what better

way to get it from someone who has

been here all their life, I suppose.

CASTER

Ain’t nothing to tell but horror.

KAT

What?

CASTER

No mind, let me help you outta that hole.

EXT. CHERRY TREE - NIGHT

Christy is about to pluck cherry from tree, when Anne calls out to Christy. Christy jumps down from platform and runs home.

EXT. CASTER’S PORCH – MOMENT’S LATER

The stars are plentiful as Caster and Kat sit on Caster’s front porch.

KAT

98 years old. You sure have lived a long

time.

CASTER

Not long enough to find peace on this

God forsaken planet. I ain’t ever

left the county.

KAT

If you don’t mind me saying, you are pretty

fit for a man at your age.

CASTER

Eattin right, livin right, which most

city folk like yourself can’t do.

KAT

Wife or kids?

CASTER (with sad frown)

Are you askin me a question?

KAT

Yes sir, I am asking you a question.

CASTER

I was married once and I had two little

ones. Sarah Jane and Henry Elisha.

KAT

Can I ask where they are?

CASTER (Getting up from chair)

No you may not and I think it is time

for you to go city boy.

KAT

I am truly sorry if I offended you in any

way.

CASTER

The only way you need to go, is that’a

way, before the night catches you.

Caster walks into the shack.

KAT

Nice neighbor.

EXT.FOREST – CONTINUOUS

Kat makes his way through the darkness of the forest back to Cherry Hills.

INT. DINING ROOM – MOMENT’S LATER

Kat, Anne, Susan, Adam, and Christy sit at dinner table getting ready to eat dinner.

KAT

Dear Father, I pray to thee to bless

this nourishing meal that you have

placed before us; and to our new

found community “Cherry Hills”.

Amen……

Everybody say Amen

ANNE

So where did you go today?

KAT

I just took a little trek through the brush.

ADAM

Through the brush?

KAT

Yes I ventured out into the forest.

ANNE

Find anything interesting?

KAT

I Ran across this old guy who lives nearby.

ANNE

An old man?

KAT

Old man Mr. Caster. He has been living

in this area for almost 100 years.

CHRISTY

How old is he dad?

KAT

Mr. Caster told me he is 98.

ADAM

Now that’s old.

ANNE

Why didn’t you invite him to dinner?

KAT

Mr. Caster had other engagements.

ANNE

Susan you haven’t uttered a word.

SUSAN

Oh, this food is deliciouso………….

INT. BED ROOM - NIGHT

Kat tucks Christy in for bed.

KAT

Good night peaches.

CHRISTY

Daddy what is that tree outside

good for?

KAT

Nothing, it’s just there for decorations.

CHRISTY

Decorations?

KAT

Just for decorations, to give the

community a delicious feel. Doesn’t

it look good out there?

CHRISTY

Is sure does dad. Can I eat some of the

cherries?

KAT

Why sure peaches, you can eat some of the

cherries; but I do not want to catch you

climbing up there to get any of the cherries!

Get me, your mother, Susan, or your brother

to get the cherries for you, understand?

CHRISTY

Yes daddy, I understand. I love you daddy!

KAT

I love you too peaches…..

Kat kisses Christy on her forehead.

Kat turns out light and exit’s bedroom.

INT. ADAM’S ROOM (DOORWAY) - CONTINUOUS

Kat walks into Adams room. Kat gestures with his finger for Adam to come to him.

ADAM

What’s up dad?

KAT

Follow me.

EXT. COURTYARD – MOMENT’S LATER

Adam and Kat sit in courtyard near Cherry tree.

KAT

Son all my life I have worked so diligently to

develop a community. My dream has come true

KAT (cont’d)

with Cherry Hills. This is the first community

of many that will be developed by me over time.

This son is your future, our future. That cherry

tree will be our symbol of longevity.

ADAM

What’s so significant about that old tree?

KAT

Exactly, It is old. That tree is rumored to be

over 500 years old; and you see how pretty

and fruitful it is today. That is how I want

Cherry Hills to grow and over time, Cherry

Hills will age with beauty…just like this

tree here.

ADAM

If it’s so old, why isn’t it stretching high

into the sky.

KAT

That I do not have the answer for, but when

you go to school Monday, you can ask your

science teacher.

ADAM

Aw dad.

KAT

No aw dad, school Monday.

ADAM

Just one more week out dad!

KAT

School Monday; and one other thing!

ADAM

What?

KAT

No more smoking ever in my house!

ADAM

How’d you know?

KAT

I have had the feeling for a while now

that you were smoking pot. So I paid the

mover to smoke with you; and now my feelings

are proven true.

ADAM

Damn!

KAT

Now you curse in front of me.

ADAM

I am sorry dad. Am I in trouble?

KAT

You would have be, had I never smoked

pot before.

ADAM

Dad you smoked pot?

KAT

I was a kid who rebelled once upon a

time; but I never did let my pot

smoking habit control my life in

any negative way. I did it to relax

my mind.

ADAM

Same here dad.

KAT

No not the same. Not when you are

doing it in my home. I never smoked

in grandpa and granny’s house. I would

go out back. Adam I am not condoning

you smoking pot, but if you ever smoke

in my house, let it affect school and either

you mental and or social life, I will kill you!

Understood?