Note: This was originally conceived as a radio drama for a podcast that some friends and I toyed with for a while. It has never been properly recorded. I copied it here from a 12-year-old Google doc with no editing pass.
CAST
NARRATOR - Just a disembodied voice that clearly knows how this story is gonna end.
MARY - A woman who is breaking up with Danny. The reasons are not stated, but it’s clear that Danny fucked up somehow.
DANNY WORMWOOD - An intro biology instructor at a local community college. He’s had better jobs in the past, but this is currently the best he can get. He’s intelligent, eager, but out of shape and drinks far too much.
CLINT MANSFIELD - Retired professor of botany with a reputation that precedes him. The others in the group that know anything about biology are quite familiar with Mansfield’s work.
RUSS ROBINSON - A tourist with money. This outing is like any other safari to him. An excuse to mount a trophy on the wall and brag to his cigar-smoking friends.
LYNDA ROBINSON - A tourist’s wife. She’s sweet and game for any of her husband’s adventures.
DIANE VERA - A college sophomore. She’s here for the adventure and because the idea of a guided tour led by Clint Mansfield was hard to pass up.
INTRODUCTION
NARRATOR: You never know when the next phase of your life is going to begin. Sometimes, the moment feels enormous. A child being born, a beloved relative dying, moving into a new house, starting a new job. These have weight. They occupy space in the room and affect your sense of the passage of time. But other times, the next phase of your life begins with something a lot less obvious. Sometimes, it's just a woman breaking up with you over coffee.
SCENE ONE - INT. - COFFEE SHOP
MUSIC: SOMETHING ETHEREAL, FADE OUT
SOUND: ESPRESSO MACHINES, MURMURING OF OTHER CUSTOMERS
DANNY: ... so I was in Dean Haversmith’s office, and I was telling him that I just have far too many students in my first period organic chemistry class, that he just doesn’t realize how much individual time it takes to get these kids over the line. He just keeps telling me that that’s no excuse for turning in my grades late again...
MARY: (Sigh) Danny, I just don't think I can make this work anymore.
DANNY WORMWOOD: Hold on, what?
MARY: I'm sorry, Danny. There are just... things about us. We’re just... different. We just want different things.
DANNY: Mary. Are you breaking up with me?
MARY: I can’t be with someone... someone like you. Not right now.
DANNY: What’s wrong with me? What did I do? I can’t believe this.
MARY: Danny, I just. I wanted to do this face-to-face. My sister said I should just text you but...
DANNY: Jesus, thanks for insisting on a public humiliation.
MARY: See? I knew you would be like this. You never take anything seriously and you get so defensive about everything. I’ve been trying to have this conversation with you for weeks!
DANNY: So when you asked me last week what I wanted to do with my life, apparently I gave the wrong answer?
MARY: Just. Don’t. I’ve made up my mind. I need to be on my own for a while.
DANNY: That’s usually what people say when they’re already fucking someone else.
MARY: I have to go.
DANNY: Not even going to finish your coffee?
MARY: Fuck you, Danny. Don’t call me.
SOUND: CHAIR SCRAPING, ZIPPER BEING PULLED UP, PAUSE, AND THEN FOOTSTEPS WALKING AWAY. COFFEE SHOP SOUNDS CONTINUE.
DANNY: (Under breath) Dammit.
(Pause)
Why does this always happen to me? Everything was just starting to calm down.
SOUND: SCRAPING OF CHAIR, FOOTSTEPS
DANNY: (Sigh)
SOUND: JINGLE OF DOOR OPENING
DANNY: (Whispering to self) Wait, that flier on the bulletin board...
SOUND: DOOR CLOSING, STEPS, PAPER BEING GRABBED
DANNY: (Still whispering to self)
"Metasequoia grove discovered? Join retired forester... Clint Mansfield... multi-day hike to the only known grove of this living fossil."
(Pause)
A grove of dawn redwoods? Impossible. They’ve been extinct in Oregon for 5 million years...as far as we know. That would be... the find of a lifetime.
RANDO: Sure, man. Excuse me.
DANNY: Oh, right, sorry.
SOUND: TEARING OF PAPER, JINGLE OF DOOR
DANNY: (Under breath) Might be worth at least checking out.
MUSIC: FADE IN
SCENE TWO - EXT. - TRAILHEAD
MUSIC: FADE OUT
SOUND: BOOTS ON GRAVEL, STRAPS AND BUCKLES, SOFT VOICES
CLINT MANSFIELD: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Wing Ridge trailhead. Let’s just go around the group and introduce ourselves before we head out. Okay. I’m Clint Mansfield, and I’ll be your guide on this hike. I’m a retired professor of botany and paleobotany. I taught in Ann Arbor for 20 years and taught another 10 at Oregon State University. I like to host these “expeditions” for the general public mostly to avoid becoming a sad, lonely recluse. Let’s go around the circle, starting with...
DIANE VERA: Oh. Hi, I’m Diane. Vera. Diane Vera. I’m a junior at OSU. Studying biology. And Professor Mansfield is, well, kind of a legend in the department and, well, I’m here mostly because of him. I didn’t really know much about the metasequoia before joining this trip, but, I’m hoping to learn more and maybe incorporate this experience into my thesis. Yeah.
LYNDA ROBINSON: Hiiiii. I’m Lynda and I’m here with my husband Russ. I’m no tree expert but I do enjoy hiking and camping. And Russ said this would be a great opportunity to get a guided tour of a unique part of the forest.
RUSS ROBINSON: Yeah, name’s Russ.I’ve been all over this part of the Ochocos on my quad and I was, uh, fascinated by the idea that there might be a whole area I hadn’t seen before. I tried talking Clint into turning this into a motorized “expedition” but he insisted on walking out there.
CLINT: Ah, well, I am rather partial to the sounds of the undisturbed forest. Maybe you can bring your toys out next time, Russ.
RUSS: Hell yeah! I already told Jeff and Henry about this. They’re excited to check it out.
CLINT: Yes, well. Um, who’s next?
DANNY: Yeah. Hi. I’m Dr. Daniel Wormwood. You all can call me Danny. I teach biology at the community college over in Bend. I must say I was excited by Dr. Mansfield’s claim of having found a living metasequoia grove but, I’ll be honest, I’m a little skeptical. This species has only been found in Oregon as a 5-million-year-old fossil. At least on record. I mean, it’s possible. After all, there are living groves in China and there’s even a specimen growing in Corvallis. It would be quite something to find even a single native specimen in Oregon.
CLINT: Oh, it’s there, all right. It’s just in a place almost nobody ever goes. And since that’s everyone, let me just run down how I’d like this to go. This is planned as a three-day hike: A day and a half to get to the grove and a day and a half to get back. I gave you all a list of the items you’ll need, and I trust that you’ve all packed accordingly.
Now, I need you all to promise me that you'll follow my instructions. We're going out into some pretty rustic country. There are bears and cougars and all manner of things out there that could hurt you.
(Pause)
Yes, Russ?
RUSS: Um, I thought this was supposed to be an easy outing? My wife and I aren’t spring chickens anymore. Are we seriously going to have to run from a bear out there?
CLINT: That is highly unlikely, but I just need to know that you’ll follow my instructions while we’re out there. You all signed the release, but I’d prefer to bring you all back in one piece. (Laughs)
RUSS: Well let’s just avoid any areas popular with bears and cougars.
SOUND: GROUP LAUGHS
CLINT: I assure you, that is the plan. Now, if everyone’s ready, let’s get started. I’m going to set a pretty brisk pace at first, so try to keep up. I’ll stop every 30 minutes for a few minutes rest, and I’ll try to impart some of my boundless botanical wisdom along the way.
SOUND: GROUP LAUGHS, LESS ENTHUSIASTICALLY
MUSIC: FADE IN
SCENE THREE - EXT. - CAMP - EVENING OF DAY ONE
MUSIC: FADE OUT
SOUND: CRACKLING CAMPFIRE
CLINT: We're making camp tonight near a rather prominent grove of Western Junipers. These specimens have grown quite tall to compete with the surrounding Ponderosas. I’d wager that the tallest individual in this grouping is nearly 1,000 years old.
DANNY: These are really remarkable specimens, actually. Most people know junipers as shorter, shrubbier trees.
RUSS: Yes, I think we’ve all seen a juniper. Not exactly exotic in these parts.
LYNDA: Russ...
DIANE: Junipers ARE more common in Oregon than they were 100 years ago. They’re not technically an invasive species, but they are expanding their range and causing problems—.
CLINT: (Annoyed) Yes, from a standpoint of pure anthropic arrogance, the Western juniper could be considered a weed. However, that species has just as much right to expand and conquer as human beings do! If the planet were to push back against every species that “causes problems,” humans would be first on the list!
DIANE: I... guess that’s true, Dr. Mansfield. I was just remarking. I mean. I just meant that. Environments. They change. Some species thrive and others... diminish.
CLINT: Every species fights, manipulates and betrays in order to perpetuate its seed. Plants have no regard for the well-being of anything outside of the individual. Sometimes I wonder if man is any different.
DANNY: Yeah, I... this conversation got kind of heavy. I think I’m going to call it a night. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my tent.
LYNDA: Well, my feet are killing me. You ready to hit the sack, Russ?
RUSS: Yeah, right behind you.
DIANE: Well, I’m gonna enjoy the campfire a bit longer.
CLINT: Yes, I... don’t feel very tired just yet. That is, if you don’t mind the company, Diane? I’ll be nice, I promise.
DIANE: Of course, Dr. Mansfield. I’d be honored.
SCENE FOUR - EXT. - CAMP - MORNING OF DAY TWO
SOUND: TENT BEING UNZIPPED. HUSHED VOICES.
DANNY: Ooooah. God. I’ve gotta piss like mad.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS THROUGH BRUSH, UNZIPPING, PISSING
DANNY: (Under breath) Oh thank christ...
SOUND: DANNY, UM, FINISHES. FOOTSTEPS BACK THROUGH BRUSH
DANNY: Ah, good morning, sorry about that. Is everyone awake?
RUSS: Sun’s been up for almost an hour. You’re the last one up.
DANNY: Oh. Well. Sorry. You should have woken me.
RUSS: It’s okay. You’re just in time. We’re trying to figure out why Diane left.
DANNY: Left? Diane? What do you mean?
RUSS: Well, she’s gone. Her tent is gone. And there was this note pinned to that tree.
SOUND: RUFFLING OF PAPER
DANNY: “Sorry, decided this trip wasn’t for me. Headed back to trailhead.”
(Pause)
That’s it?
LYNDA: That’s all the note says.
DANNY: Clint, you and Diane were the last ones awake last night. Did she say anything about leaving?
CLINT: No, not at all. We... just talked for another hour or so. I ducked off for a piss and she was gone when I got back to the fire. I assumed she was in her tent.
DANNY: You didn’t check?
CLINT: Should I have walked up to her tent and unzipped the flap? I figured that she’d gone to bed..
RUSS: Clint, you were a little hard on her last night.
CLINT: I didn’t tell her to leave! We had a perfectly reasonable conversation after you all went to sleep. I don’t know what this leaving shit is all about.
LYNDA: Clint, now, nobody’s blaming you. She’s a young woman and seems pretty... liberal. She’s probably just very sensitive.
RUSS: Lynda’s right. Not everyone’s cut out for sleeping in the woods overnight. She probably just wasn’t prepared for the rigor of a multi-day hike away from Starbucks.
LYNDA: Russ, now, come on...
RUSS: Bah, I’m just joking. I’m sure she’s fine. She had her reasons. Shouldn’t stop us from carrying on.
CLINT: Indeed. I am sorry to lose Diane, but everything else is still in order. I am for continuing on to the grove. Who’s with me?
RUSS: Ay.
LYNDA: Ay.
DANNY: Oh, for certain.
CLINT: Ah, good. With any luck, we should make the grove by midday.
SCENE FIVE - EXT. - TRAIL - MIDDAY OF DAY TWO
SOUND: CRUNCHING OF BOOTS ON GRAVEL AND DUFF
CLINT: Okay, this seems like a good spot for a breather.
DANNY: Thank christ. My feet are killing me.
LYNDA: Oh, me too. I haven’t walked this much in ages.
RUSS: It’s nearly 3. Clint, are we anywhere near the grove?
CLINT: We haven’t made as good of time as I’d hoped. We should be there within a few hours, but... I hope everyone’s okay with an extra night in the woods.
RUSS: I... suppose. I took an extra day off.
LYNDA: Maybe we’ll make better time on the hike out?
DANNY: It’s fine, I know I haven’t been moving as fast as everyone else probably wants to. I probably need to spend less time in the office, more time in the field. I’ll try to pick up the pace.
CLINT: Alright then, follow me!
SOUND: CRUNCHING OF BOOTS AGAIN
MUSIC: A FEW SECONDS MORE OF THAT ETHEREAL SHIT
SCENE SIX - EXT. - CAMP - EVENING OF DAY TWO
SOUND: CAMPFIRE
CLINT: I’m as disappointed as the rest of you that we didn’t make the grove today, but we’ll make it early tomorrow morning. And our consolation prize is this marvelous grouping of quaking aspens. There must be an underground source of water near—
RUSS: Disappointed? Clint. We’re adults with many obligations. We were supposed to be back at the cars by tomorrow evening!
CLINT: We haven’t been going at the pace I’d hoped! We’re nearly to the grove, do you want to turn back now just because it’s taken a little longer than expected?!
(PAUSE)
Sorry. I’m sorry, Russ, I didn’t mean to raise my voice.
RUSS: Umm, it’s alright, Clint. I just... I’m kind of a stickler for schedules.
LYNDA: You can say that again. This man puts his morning constitutional on his damn calendar!
RUSS: Oh, Lynda, that’s bullshit and you know it. I simply have a daily reminder set in my phone.
SOUND: Group chuckles.
DANNY: I wonder if that’s why Diane bailed, maybe she knew we were too damn slow.
CLINT: She clearly... just wasn’t up to the task. Now, about these aspens. They can really only be here due to an abundance of water near the surface. There must be a natural spring around here somewhere.
LYNDA: We used to have aspens in our backyard in town, but they ended up contracting some sort of disease and died.
DANNY: That’s common. Aspens get stressed if they’re not near a natural source of water.
CLINT: Indeed. And a stressed tree is more prone to diseases that it otherwise might survive. Not entirely unlike humans, if you ask me. Stress can dig deep down into your soul and allow your body to waste away. Wouldn’t you agree, Daniel?
DANNY: Ha, yeah, I guess so. Especially when you realize that most tree diseases are a result of insect or fungal infestation.
CLINT: An outside force comes in, creates chaos, and the tree withers. But sometimes you can cut out the source of the chaos and the tree will recover.
DANNY: I... I’ve never thought about it that way.
CLINT: You’re young. Your soul hasn’t been tested, perhaps.
DANNY: Ha, well, maybe...
LYNDA: Anyway, our aspens died. They were quite pretty. I was sad to see them go.
RUSS: Yeah. Alright, I think I’m going to get some sleep. I want to get to this mystery grove as early as possible tomorrow.
DANNY: Yeah, good idea.
CLINT: I’ll stay up for a bit. Put out the fire.
LYNDA: We’ll see you in the morning, then.
CLINT: Won’t that be nice.
DANNY: Heh, you certainly get a little morose before bed, don’t you Dr. Mansfield?
CLINT: Mmmm.
DANNY: Anyway...
SOUND: BOOTS ON DIRT, ZIPPERS, THE FIRE CONTINUES
MUSIC: A FEW SECONDS OF THAT GOOD STUFF
SCENE SIX - EXT. - CAMP - AFTERNOON OF DAY THREE
SOUND: BOOTS ON GRAVEL, HEAVY BREATHING
RUSS: Now, Clint! It’s after 1 in the afternoon. You said we’d make the grove by mid morning. How far are we now?
CLINT: Trust me, it’s not far now. Just try to keep up.
RUSS: We are way off the map here! We haven’t passed a marked trail or forest road since yesterday afternoon.
LYNDA: Russ, just keep walking...
RUSS: No! Based on my fitbit alone, we should have walked past the boundary of the national forest by now! I can’t figure out where we are on the map. Even my GPS isn’t working right!
CLINT: Mister Robinson! I assure you, we are nearly there!
RUSS: But the GPS? Why wouldn’t it work here. Danny, is your phone getting a signal?
DANNY: My battery died yesterday.
CLINT: Confounded things. I’ve never trusted a blasted GPS. People die following those damn things!
RUSS: Don’t lecture me! I know how these—
LYNDA: Russ, please. Let’s just get there.
RUSS: Dammit, Lynda! I’m not joking around here. I think we’re seriously lost, and this madman is leading us to our deaths!
DANNY: He’s probably just misremembering the route. Or he never knew it in the first place.
CLINT: I assure you, Mister Wormwood, you WILL see the dawn redwood grove! Now, if you’re all done complaining, let’s get on with it!
RUSS: Fine. Fine! It’s not like I could find my way out of here anyway. These trails are unmarked and not on my damn map anyway.
SOUND: ANGRY HIKING
MUSIC
SCENE SEVEN - EXT. - CAMP - EVENING OF DAY THREE
SOUND: CAMPFIRE
RUSS: This is ridiculous. This sonofabitch doesn’t know where he’s going.
LYNDA: Russ, just eat your dinner. We’re lucky we packed extra.
DANNY: Yeah, this is the last of my freeze-dried chicken cacciatore. Just clif bars from here on out.
LYNDA: Don’t worry, Danny. We brought enough to share. Russ always overpacks.
RUSS: It’s almost like I knew we were gonna be out here for twice as long as promised.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING
RUSS: Speak of the devil.
CLINT: Now, Mister Robinson. I understand you’re upset. I usually make this hike by myself! I must set a faster pace than I realize.
DANNY: Yeah, it’s probably my fault. I’m just fucking out of shape.
CLINT: It’s fine, Mister Wormwood.
DANNY: What’s with the “Mister Robinson, Mister Wormwood” stuff? I thought we were all on a first name basis?
CLINT: Yes... Danny... you’re right. I’m sorry. I suppose I’m feeling the pressure a little. Slipping into professor mode.
RUSS: Good!
LYNDA: Russ, please.
RUSS: No. You know what I think? I think we’re lost and this... asshole... just doesn’t want to admit it.
CLINT: I’m telling you... Russ. The grove is right where I said it would be, and we are right on the trail to it. We’ll be there soon.
RUSS: Soon? Not even going to start with “mid-morning tomorrow”. I’ve had enough. Lynda, here, finish mine. I’m somehow not hungry. I’ll see you all in the morning for day four of our three-day hike.
LYNDA: Russ, oh, come on...
CLINT: Let him go. I understand his frustration. I apologize for my poor estimates. But I am confident that we’ll make the grove tomorrow.
DANNY: Well, I was gonna save this until we found your grove, but... seems like we could probably use it now.
LYNDA: Is that whiskey?
DANNY: Yeah. It’s just Jim Beam but it was in a nice light plastic bottle. Want a drink?
LYNDA: I’m not much of a whiskey person. But...
SOUND: UNSCREWING OF A BOTTLE, LYNDA TAKING A DRINK
LYNDA: Ohhhh. Good lord! I haven’t had straight whiskey since... I don’t even remember.
DANNY: That’s the barrel strength, too. I don’t usually go for it either...
CLINT: But it’s an efficient way to get drunk on the trail.
DANNY: Exactly. Most alcohol for the least weight. Things you learn working as a forester in college. Here, have a drink, Clint.
CLINT: Sure.
SOUND: CLINT DRINKS
DANNY: So, Clint. How did you find this grove? How is it that I’ve never heard about it before?
CLINT: Well. It’s not a particularly interesting story.
LYNDA: Come on, I’d like to know too.
CLINT: Ah, well. I’m not proud to say I was at a rather low point in my life when I discovered the dawn redwood grove.
DANNY: How so?
CLINT: Well, uh, Danny. My wife, June, had just died.
LYNDA: Oh, Clint, I’m sorry to hear that.
CLINT: We were starting to talk about what to do when we retired. We had no children, and we’d been extremely active in academia since we were 18. We were looking forward to some time off! We had both traveled for work but we almost never got to travel together. So we planned to take the first summer after she retired to tour Europe by car. We had everything planned out. Anyway. June, about three weeks before the end of her final semester, was driving home from the university and was in a terrible car crash. She was side-swiped by a car attempting to pass her and was forced off the road and into a tree on the side of the road.
LYNDA: Oh, Clint...
CLINT: She died instantly.
LYNDA: I’m so sorry. That’s terrible.
CLINT: It was a drunk, probably, the cops said. There were tire tracks all over the road for miles behind the scene of the crash.
DANNY: Why do you say... probably?
CLINT: Well, Danny, they never caught the other driver. It was a hit and run. The police tried to match the paint from the other car that was on June’s BMW, but they never found the person.
DANNY: I. Um. I’m really sorry to hear that.
CLINT: I’m sure you are Danny. Anyway, after that, I didn’t even finish the semester. I started spending a lot more time outdoors. I would hike all day and sleep on the trail. That was nearly 8 years ago now, and I’ve probably spent more nights sleeping outside than inside since then. I found the grove, about 2 years ago, and it was the first thing that I’d been able to get excited about since June was ki— died.
DANNY: Well, I, uh. Am really sorry to hear that, Clint. I... think I’m going to go to get some sleep now.
CLINT: Are you sure? I was just about to wax poetic about this beautiful Douglas fir stand we’re camping under tonight...
DANNY: No, I’m... really tired all of the sudden.
LYNDA: Yes, I think I’ll get some sleep, too.
CLINT: Yes, you both should. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.
MUSIC
SCENE EIGHT - EXT. - CAMP - AFTER MIDNIGHT
SOUND: SCREAMING
SOUND: SHOUTING, TENTS UNZIPPING, A STRUGGLE
DANNY: What’s going on!
LYNDA: It’s Russ! Something’s wrong!
DANNY: Russ! What’s going on!
RUSS: (Distant) Jesus Christ, somebody help me!
DANNY: Oh, shit! Where’s Clint?
LYNDA: I don’t know I don’t know! It’s so dark, I can’t see anything!
DANNY: My flashlight! I’ll grab it!
SOUND: FRANTICALLY SEARCH THROUGH A TENT, CLICK OF A FLASHLIGHT
DANNY: Russ! Where are you!
SOUND: STRUGGLE IN THE DISTANCE
DANNY: Russ! Is that you!
LYNDA: What is it? Did something attack him?
DANNY: I’m not sure. I’m going after him, I just need to get my boots on.
LYNDA: Oh god oh god oh god oh god.
DANNY: You stay here. Find Clint, for fuck’s sake.
LYNDA: Oh god oh god oh god.
DANNY: Lynda!
LYNDA: Oohh. Clint. Yes. Clint.
DANNY: Just stay here.
SOUND: CRUNCHING OF BOOTS ON DIRT AND STICKS
DANNY: Russ! Russ, say something if you can hear me!
SOUND: MORE CRUNCHING. STOPS.
DANNY: (Under breath) Come on, Russ, where’d you go?
DANNY: (Shouts) Russ! Russ Robinson! Where are you?
SOUND: JUST DANNY’S HEAVY BREATHING, WIND THROUGH TREES. SUDDENLY, COYOTE HOWLS
DANNY: (Under breath) Shit.
SOUND: DANNY BREATHING, RUNNING THROUGH THE WOODS FOR A FEW SECONDS
DANNY: Lynda? Clint! God, where have you been?
CLINT: I was... in the woods. I was... answering the call of nature. Where’s Russ? What’s wrong with Lynda?
DANNY: Russ is gone. I think something took him.
CLINT: Something? Like what?
DANNY: I don’t know! A bear? A wolf? I ran into the woods after him. I heard coyotes.
CLINT: Coyotes don’t carry people off.
LYNDA: We have to find him. We have to find him!
CLINT: Danny, you said you ran into the woods? Did you see anything? A trail?
DANNY: I didn’t see anything. I don’t really know how to look for trails or whatever.
CLINT: If there was a struggle, it would be pretty obvious.
DANNY: I. I’m not sure. I can’t remember anything. Where were you Clint?
CLINT: I was taking a shit! I ran back as soon as I heard all the shouting.
DANNY: That’s just great. Russ was probably doing the same thing. Lynda, did you hear Russ get out of the tent?
LYNDA: N-n-n-n-no. I don’t remember. I was asleep. I only woke up when Russ. When he started screaming.
DANNY: Clint, are you sure you didn’t see him?
CLINT: I didn’t. It’s pitch black. We would have had to have left our tents at the exact same moment to notice one another.
DANNY: Well, grab your flashlight. Lynda’s right, we’ve got to find him.
CLINT: It’s black as midnight right now, it’s too dangerous.
DANNY: What if he’s hurt? We can’t wait until morning to go and find him!
CLINT: Yes, yes, you’re right. I’ll grab my flashlight.
DANNY: Lynda, again, you stay here. Get a fire going, in case something is still wandering around out there. Make it a big one.
LYNDA: O-o-o-o-k, Danny. A fire. I can get a fire going.
DANNY: Clint, let’s go.
SOUND: BOOTS ON THE FOREST FLOOR MOVING AWAY, LYNDA SNIFFLING, SOUND OF WOOD BEING STACKED TOGETHER
MUSIC
SOUND: BOOTS RETURNING, A FIRE ROARING
LYNDA: Did you find him? Where is he?
CLINT: We searched as far as we dared in this dark. There is definitely something still in the woods out there. It wasn’t safe to keep searching.
LYNDA: You’re just... giving up? What if he’s hurt!
DANNY: Lynda, we searched for an hour. It’s pitch black and the forest is thick. We might have walked past him a dozen times and not seen him. I called out, and I didn’t hear anything in reply. I’m sorry. We have to wait until daylight to do a proper search.
LYNDA: Oh god oh god Russ oh god.
SOUND: A ROUND CHAMBERED IN A HANDGUN
DANNY: Clint, what is that?
CLINT: I never go this deep into the forest without a sidearm.
DANNY: When were you gonna tell us?
CLINT: When you needed to know. It often... unsettles people unnecessarily.
DANNY: Yes, well luckily I’m already fucking unsettled.
SOUND: UNZIPPING OF TENT, SHUFFLING OF SLEEPING BAG
DANNY: I’m bringing my sleeping bag out by the fire. Lynda, you should do the same. At first light, we’re going to search for Russ. And then we’re getting the hell out of here. Damn your grove, Clint. This expedition is over.
CLINT: Yes, well... given the circumstances... you’re probably right. We’ll search for Russ and then pack up and head out.
LYNDA: What if we don’t find him? What if he’s dead?
CLINT: Now, Misses Mansfield, I’m sure he’s alive. At worst he’s injured and just can’t get back to camp. We’ll find him and get him out of here somehow.
DANNY: Clint, do you know how to build a stretcher or a litter or something?
CLINT: Yes, we’ll figure something out. Now, I have to suggest that we all try to get a little more sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
LYNDA: How am I supposed to be able to sleep? My husband is missing! Maybe dead!
DANNY: Lynda, I know you’re worried. And we’ll do everything we can... as soon as the sun comes up.
LYNDA: Jesus christ I can’t believe this is happening...
MUSIC
SCENE NINE - EXT. - CAMP - A FEW HOURS BEFORE DAWN ON DAY FOUR
SOUND: BAGS BEING LOADED, PEOPLE WALKING AROUND
LYNDA: Alright, it’s light enough now goddammit. Let’s start looking.
DANNY: I’m ready. Clint, what’re you doing? .
CLINT: Actually, I think we should continue on our way to the grove.
LYNDA: What?
DANNY: Are you serious?
CLINT: Hear me out. Russ was last heard to the west of camp. That’s the direction of the grove. I say we continue on toward the grove and search for Russ along the trail.
DANNY: That’s... that’s insane. He could be anywhere around here. Honestly he’s probably within a few hundred yards of camp. We have to do some kind of systematic search of the area...
LYNDA: We have to find my husband!
CLINT: I understand your points of view. But I am the only one who knows this terrain and knows how to get you out of here, and I must insist that you stick with me.
LYNDA: No! I’m staying to look for Russ!
CLINT: Russ is dead!
DANNY: You don’t know that.
LYNDA: What?
CLINT: We all know the facts here. If he was dragged off by an animal, it wouldn’t have been that far. If he was injured, we’ll find blood. If he’s still alive, he’ll call out to us. We can’t afford to search endlessly for Russ. If he’s still alive, we’ll probably find him easily. If he’s not, we have to carry on.
DANNY: Carry... on? What do you mean? Clint, a man could be seriously injured. We have to take responsibility and get him to a hospital. We have to find him.
CLINT: Take responsibility?! Ha!
LYNDA: Please, we have to find Russ and get out.
CLINT: If you want to find the way out, you’ll follow my instructions! We are going to the dawn redwood grove, and we’re going there right now!
LYNDA: Jesus Christ, this is insane.
DANNY: Clint, now, listen to reason.
SOUND: A SINGLE GUNSHOT
DANNY: Jesus!
CLINT: You. Are. Coming. With. Me. Now get your shit together!
LYNDA: (Cries)
DANNY: Clint, I don’t know what this is about, but you need to just let us go. We’ll look for Russ, we’ll find our way out. But please just... don’t do this.
CLINT: Shut up. Just shut up and do what I say.
DANNY: Okay, okay. I’m just... going to help Lynda get her gear together. Just, calm down. We’ll do whatever you say.
CLINT: I know you will. Now hurry up.
MUSIC
SCENE TEN - EXT. - NEAR DAWN ON DAY FOUR
SOUND: HIKING SOUNDS
LYNDA: (Murmuring and crying) Oh, god, why are you doing this. Why won’t you help us find Russ? What is wrong with you?
CLINT: This will go so much easier if you just shut up and do what I say. Now get going!
DANNY: Just... let her go. Please. I... I know that it’s just me that you want.
SOUND: HIKING STOPS
CLINT: You think you know, do you? Tell me.
DANNY: It was me. I was driving the car that killed your wife. I don’t know how you found me. How you arranged all of this. But it doesn’t matter. Lynda has nothing to do with this.
CLINT: You think it’s that simple? I can’t just let her go now— AGGHH!!
SOUND: SICKENING SKULL CRACKING SOUND
DANNY: Lynda! Hit him, hit him with that rock again!
LYNDA: Go to hell, you monster!
DANNY: Lynda, grab the gun!
CLINT: OOohhorrghhhh.
SOUND: STRUGGLE, SHOUTING, A GUNSHOT
LYNDA: Ahhhh—
DANNY: No! She had nothing to do with this. None of them did! This was just about me. You probably killed Russ, too. Why did you have to kill them?
CLINT: Oh, they were all perfectly happy to tag along. I needed a few people to make it seem plausible. I had a plan. It was just going to be you and I at the end, one way or another. I had hoped to ditch everyone else, but, well, it didn’t work out that way.
DANNY: So the whole dawn redwood story. That was just a ploy to get me out here. Why don’t you just shoot me now.
CLINT: Shoot you? Again, you think I brought you all the way out here to just shoot you?
DANNY: Why else?
CLINT: (Groaning, standing up) Ha, I have other plans. Now, let’s get going. Walk. We’re nearly there.
DANNY: Walk? To where? Are you saying the grove is real?
CLINT: Just walk.
MUSIC
SCENE ELEVEN - EXT. - DAWN REDWOOD GROVE - DAWN
SOUND: HIKING
CLINT: Just over this rise, we’re nearly there.
DANNY: You’re insane. This is insane. You’re not well. Let me help you. I can help you. We can work this out.
CLINT: Just shut up and climb.
DANNY: You’re bleeding. You’re going to need medical attention.
CLINT: I’ll be fine. There. We’re here.
DANNY: (Silent for a moment) Holy shit. You weren’t lying. This is... incredible. It’s impossible.
CLINT: It really is something.
SOUND: QUICK STEPS, SHORT STRUGGLE
DANNY: ACK! What... what did you just do? Did you just fucking inject me with something? What the fuck??
CLINT: Mister Wormwood. Plants outmass us on this planet a thousand to one. A thousand to one, Danny! The plant kingdom rules this planet. This particular species—the dawn redwood—was thriving millions of years before man even stood upright. This grove itself is older than God. But there’s more than just trees here; there’s power. I made a bargain, you see. The dawn redwoods would tell me how to find you, and in return I would bring you to them.
DANNY: What’s wrong with me? What’s... my legs...
SOUND: DANNY COLLAPSES
DANNY: (Murmurs) Oh, god, what have you done to me? I can't move!
CLINT: Well it would be very difficult to bury you alive if you could. I’m happy I managed to keep that needle unbroken all the way here.
DANNY: You are insane. These are just trees! They’re just plants!
CLINT: These trees need soil rich in more than just nitrogen and water. These trees need pain. They sensed my own pain, and they drew me to them. Now your pain will nourish them.
DANNY: No, no!
CLINT: Don't worry, I’ll set you up with water and air. You could survive about 40 days like that if you’re lucky. But I’d wager the dawns will try to find a way to keep your nutritious agony around longer than that.
DANNY: Diane! Jesus, Diane! She'll have made it back! She'll send someone to find us!
CLINT: Oh, she’s buried in a shallow grave not 100 yards back from where I left the note. She won’t be telling anyone anything.
DANNY: You fucking coward. Why didn’t you just tell the police? I did it! I’m sorry, I killed your wife! I’m a drunk! I made a mistake!
CLINT: I wanted justice. At first. I tried to find you, I tried to get the police to find you. You covered your tracks pretty well.
DANNY: It was an accident!
CLINT: It wasn’t until I made the bargain with the trees. Then, I met a man who knew how to find things. Things that even the police couldn’t find. He found you. And I found him because I promised the trees that they could have you.
DANNY: Clint. Dr. Mansfield. I know that what I’ve done to you is terrible. I know that I’m guilty. But this. This isn’t right. This is insane. The trees didn’t tell you anything! This is just you!
CLINT: Well, that’s certainly possible. But this grove exists, doesn’t it? You thought I imagined it. But it’s real. And it wants you. Now, it looks like the hole I dug on my last visit is still ready. And here are my other supplies.
SOUND: A SHOVEL ON DIRT.
DANNY: Wait. Please, wait!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, SOMETHING BEING DRAGGED
CLINT: (Sounds of effort) You’re right, you are in terrible shape. Heavier than I would have thought.
SOUND: DRAGGING
DANNY: Oh, oh god.
SOUND: BODY BEING DUMPED IN A HOLE
DANNY: Oh, ow!
CLINT: Good, you can still feel it all. Now. I’ve prepared this oxygen mask just for this purpose.
DANNY: Pllee-e-e-eheease. (Halfway through, voice muffled by an oxygen mask)
CLINT: There. That should keep you breathing just fine. I’ll make sure the other end doesn’t get covered up. I am sorry that you’ll miss this beautiful sunrise.
SOUND: DIRT BEING SHOVELED
DANNY: (Muffled screaming)
SOUND: DIRT BEING SHOVELED
SOUND: DIRT BEING PATTED DOWN
DANNY: (Distant, muffled screaming through a tube)
SOUND: WIND THROUGH THE BRANCHES, CREAKING OF LIMBS
CLINT: Ahhhhh. (Pause) No. Thank you.
MUSIC
NARRATOR: The trees themselves said nothing. Maybe they had nothing to say. Maybe it was all in Dr. Mansfield’s head. But in the end, Danny discovered that not only did the dawn redwood grove exist, but that justice did as well.
MUSIC OUT