It's a New Day by Glen Marcus (epub e ink reader txt) 📕

I might. You boys ain't from around here, are you?

SLASH

Never mind where we're from. Where's the booze?

CUT TO

INT. BASTROP BARN ADJACENT TO CABIN - FEW MINUTES LATER

SLASH's GANG are scattered around the interior of the barn, swilling quart jars of clear liquid. JIMMY and SLASH are talking in the rear of the structure beside the still.

JIMMY

So how is it down in Atlanta?

SLASH

It's pretty chewed up.

JIMMY

You headed north?

SLASH

(taking a drink from a pint jar)

I think for now I like it right here. Me and my boys are looking to stay a while and we need some accomodations.

JIMMY

I ain't got much room here.

SLASH

Hell, I'm not talking about your place old man. I want some fancy place that I can be comfortable in. Who's got the best place in town?

JIMMY

Oh, I don't know. There's a lot of money down on the lakefront.

SLASH

If I was wanting to stay a while and make it a point that I was in charge, who would I have to take the power from?

(JIMMY scratches his faded red hair and a smile comes across the old man's face)

JIMMY

I reckon the most powerful man in town would be Skip Keilty.

(SLASH begins to look interested)

JIMMY (cont.)

And he's got a big place down on the lake.

SLASH

Sounds promising. Tell me some more...

JIMMY continues to fill SLASH in on SKIP'S specifics.


FADE OUT


CUT TO

INT. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - MORNING DAY NINE

Finely appointed building with large cathedral celings.

Before services start people are walking around conversing with one another. SKIP is talking to ADAM in the corner of the foyer.

SKIP

Oh my God...they did what?

ADAM

They beat Tommy and then the big tattoed-one raped Sarah right there on the highway.

SKIP

How's the girl doing?

ADAM

Well, pretty shaken up of course, but she's holding her own. Tommy and I took her home last night and he went over to be with her this morning.

SKIP

That's good. I figured we'd have trouble from outsiders but this is quicker than I expected.

ADAM

Tommy said that they had some trucks and a old car. I rode over to the sheriff's office before church and told Brogan about it. He said he'd look into it.

SKIP

(sarcastically)

Yeah, I bet he will...I told the mayor we needed to bottle the town up and fortify the roads but all he's interested in is gathering up everybody's supplies. His 'martial law' decree is nothing more than a power grab on all the town's people. I'll announce a special town meeting this afternoon and see what we can do about beefing up security.

ADAM

Always the Marine.

SKIP

Oorah.

The two make their way into the sanctuary as services are about to begin. The sunlight is beaming through the many stain-glass windows, providing ample light inside.

CUT TO

INT. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH SANCTUARY - HALF HOUR LATER

The minister is beginning his sermon when the large, double doors in the back of the sanctuary are swung open by GANG MEMBERS (2).

SLASH walks down the isle between the many pews and stops about the halfway point. Some of the parishoners appear worried by the suprise appearance and begin to stand.

SLASH

Keep your seats everyone. We just want to see what the inside of a fine church like yours looks like.

CUT TO

ADAM recognizes the leader from the description TOMMY shared with him last evening. As he starts to stand, SKIP sitting next to him, grabs his forearm.

SKIP

(in a hushed tone)

Not here...not now.

CUT TO

SLASH

(loudly)

I am in search of Mr. Skip Keilty. I hear if you want to be something in this podunk town, he's the man to see.

For a brief moment, nobody moves or says a word.

SLASH

Alright, that was my nice-asking voice.

(removing the handgun from his waistband)

SLASH (cont.)

Next time it won't be so nice.

CUT TO

With a stern look from ADAM as to say no, SKIP stands to his feet.

CUT TO

SLASH

Now we're getting somewhere.

SLASH makes a motion to GANG MEMBER 4 and the he moves to retreive SKIP.

CUT TO

SKIP

(whispers to ADAM)

Tell Jeanie not to worry.

ADAM stands up but remains in the pew.

ADAM

Where are you taking him?

SLASH

None of your godda....(sarcastically) oh wait, I'm in a church.

(points the handgun at ADAM)

SLASH (cont.)

Anywhere I damn well please...now sit your ass down.

With a look of disgust, ADAM obeys.

CUT TO

SLASH makes his way up on the platform to address the congregation.

SLASH

Now here's the way it's going to be. You are going to be my little messengers. Tell everyone around here that I'm in charge of this town now. I know you've got a sheriff and some deputies hiding around here somewhere but we have plenty of guns and ammo if they give us any trouble.

(SLASH waves his handgun around, using it as a pointer)

SLASH (cont.)

Now Mr. Keilty back there is coming with us. You see he's a valuable asset because if anybody tries anything...well, he's going to get dead.

An older CHURCH DEACON on the front row slowly stands to his feet.

CHURCH DEACON

(pointing his finger at SLASH)

You piece of scum. What gives you the right to bring your trash up here to our back yard. In my day, we'd run you out of town...guns or no guns.

CUT TO

CLOSE UP: SLASH'S Face

SLASH

Well this ain't "your day".

RETURN TO

SLASH points the pistol towards the front row and places a shot in the CHURCH DEACON'S chest. Crumpling to the floor, the old man is dead before he hit the carpet.

SLASH hops down from the platform and walks back up the isle to his awaiting men and SKIP.

SLASH

Now that goes to show what stupid will get you.

SLASH turns to address the crowd before exiting.

SLASH (cont.)

(Speaking in a mocking ministerial voice as he exits)

Now go and spread the word, my children. Your savior has come to gather his flock...and his name is SLASH.

CUT TO

(Shot of the congregation rushing out of the pews to the windows. They are trying to see the killers outside as they drive away and a few go to the aid of the older CHURCH DEACON)

ADAM takes SHELIA and DANNY's hands to lead them out the back door of the building where their horses are tied.

CUT TO

EXT. REAR OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - MOMENTS LATER

The ESTES(3) mount up.

ADAM

Take Danny and get home as quick as you can. They're probably heading to Skip and Jeanie's house. I'm going to cut through the Lake Trail and if I hurry I can beat them there.

SHELIA

Be careful honey!

ADAM

(turning his mount sharply)

I should be home soon.

CUT TO

ADAM kicks the horse to a full gallop and disappears into the trees adjacent to the CHURCH.

FADE TO BLACK

CUT TO

EXT. KEITY'S HOME - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

ADAM stops and ties his horse about four hundred yards away on a hill overlooking the lake. Easing down the incline, he spies the home and the vehicles already there. ADAM takes cover as he sees several of the GANG MEMBERS walking around outside posted as sentries. Seeing the situation, he covertly goes back up the hill to his horse and makes his way back towards town.

CUT TO

EXT. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - HALF HOUR LATER

A crowd has gathered around the outside of the CHURCH. SHERIFF BROGAN is attempting to question the congregation as ADAM rides up and dismounts.

ADAM approaches SHERIFF BROGAN and BOBBY standing nearby.

SHERIFF BROGAN

Where did you ride off to Estes?

BOBBY

I think he got scared and run off Sheriff.

ADAM

(ignoring BOBBY'S remark)

I rode out to Skip's place to see if I could get Jeanie out but they beat me there.

SHERIFF BROGAN

That's a job for law enforcement.

ADAM

Well, "law enforcement" wasn't here at the time. There's got to be at least twenty men out there.

SHERIFF BROGAN

Soon as I get these statements, I'm taking my men out there to see what I can do about this situation.

ADAM

If you do you'll get Skip and Jeanie killed. These men have nothing to lose. They've already killed one in the church and no telling how many others.

SHERIFF BROGAN

This is not your concern.

BOBBY

Why don't you just run on home and we'll take care of this.

ADAM

(frustrated)

Bobby, when are you going to grow a set? You've never stood up for anything and now because you talked them into giving you a badge, you're some kind of superman?

SHERIFF BROGAN

Bobby's right. We tried to bring you into the town and you refused. Now you go tend to your family and my men and I will take care of those locusts.

ADAM shakes his head and retreats to mount his horse.

ADAM

Skip is my friend and you're going to get him killed.

BOBBY watches as ADAM rides away. BOBBY reflects on what ADAM said and then turns back to aid the SHERIFF.

FADE OUT

CUT TO

EXT. ESTES RESIDENCE - ONE HOUR LATER

ADAM rides up in the yard to find TOMMY with his horse.

ADAM

(dismounting and walking to TOMMY)

How is Sarah doing?

TOMMY

She's still in a little bit of shock. Not saying too much either. Her mom is pretty shook up too.

ADAM

I would imagine.

SHELIA comes out of the house and trots over to ADAM, kissing him on the cheek.

SHELIA

Did you get to Jeanie in time?

ADAM

No, they were already there.

TOMMY

(puzzled look)

What are you two talking about?

SHELIA and ADAM explain the morning hapenings to their son.

TOMMY

(enraged)

So why don't we go get them if we know where they're at?

ADAM

Whoa, slow down son. The sheriff will do what he has to.

(in an unsure tone)

ADAM (cont.)

I just hope he knows what he doing.

TOMMY

Dad, we've got to do something. That big son of a bitch raped Sarah!

ADAM

(shocked by his son's unaccustomed language but understanding his demeanor)

Listen, I know you're upset but what can we do?

TOMMY looks disappointed at his father's answer. He takes the reins of his father's horse and begins to walk both animals towards the BARN.

CUT TO

SHELIA AND ADAM stand in the front yard alone.

SHELIA

He's right you know. We should do something.

ADAM

(turning to SHELIA and looking into her eyes)

I know...

SHELIA

If it wasn't for us, right?

With his arm around his wife, they head into the house.

CUT TO

EXT. KEILTY'S HOME - LATE AFTERNOON

SHERIFF BROGAN and BOBBY assemble ten men, a half-mile up the road from SKIP and JEANIE'S house.

(SOUNDTRACK - John Mellencamp's 'Troubled Land" begins playing in the background)

CUT TO

With rifles at the ready and sidearms on their hips, the men proceed down the road. As they get within two-hundred yards of the KEILTY HOME, the SHERIFF motions for five men to go