Two Winters Past

EXT. DEPOSIT. NIGHT.

The last rays of sun set on Deposit. A drizzle is in the air. Much of the town has been cleared to create a kill-zone. A few centennial houses remain beyond. Cross the kill-zone to the wall, stopping before it in a low-angle. 

Inside the wall, BARABAS are assembled in the yard.  VILLOFF, and TARTELL stand before them. Men of fighting strength have been divided into four groups. There are no more than 100 soldiers. 

Women and elderly watch from the back. There are no children. 

LOGAN enters from the school. The assemblage falls silent.  STOKES is with him. LOGAN carries a spear. 

LOGAN and STOKES cross the yard. 

As he passes, LOGAN stops to shake hands with the BARABAS. He butts heads with them, and some embrace. STOKES keeps them moving. 

INSERT: VILLOFF is disgruntled. 

LOGAN reaches VILLOFF and TARTELL. The soldiers are cheering. LOGAN faces them, waiting for silence. When the voices ebb, LOGAN raises the spear. 

BARABAS cheer. 

INSERT: Detail on the spear. It is heavy, the sharp head cut, pounded, and sharpened from an old shovel. 

LOGAN pauses for cheering to finish. 

LOGAN: By now you have heard I am chosen First Barabas. 

A few BARABAS cheer.

LOGAN: This is an unpopular decision, with me more than anyone!

Med shot: TARTELL snickers to STOKES. 

LOGAN: We believe in the word of the Preacher. We believe he guided us here, and we believe he saved us. Now that belief will be tested. I have much more grave news.  

LOGAN walks before the BARABAS, looking men in the eye as he speaks, but still loud enough for all to hear. 

LOGAN: Our enemy is upon us. Heretics from the south. Muslims. They hate our way of life, and they want our great fort wiped from the map. We will defy our enemy, and we will overcome him, for the Preacher has promised us so. We will forge a new Kingdom, just as he promised us. No one is more powerful than our God, and he smiles upon us. I feel it in my heart!

BARABAS put up their hands and cry to the heavens. 

LOGAN: Our enemy will show you a cruel and brutal death. Pullers were attacked on the road, and our troops were attacked in Hancock. The enemy has reached our border. War is their intent. They want our walls, and they want our food. They want our women most of all. 

BARABAS are raucous in the ranks. 

LOGAN: We will defy our enemy. Any among you that doubt your commitment will be offered a merciful death. You will not receive the same mercy from our enemies. We are sealing the gates in the morning. We have enough supplies to remain here until the threat has passed. 

LOGAN waits, giving his words time to resonate past the ears. He returns to VILLOFF, TARTELL, and STOKES. 

We built these walls, and we will not lose them. Are you with me?

BARABAS cheer.

LOGAN: Are you with me?

BARABAS cheer. 

LOGAN: Your commanders have orders. Every man is on the field in five minutes of the horn. Break!

BARABAS clear the field.