Two Winters Past

EXT. DEPOSIT. MORNING.

WIDE: We can see all of the Deposit wall, from where it breaks the treeline up the hill to where it wraps around the back of the school. From here, the wall is a solid earthen mound, packed in tight and covered with rocks at the base. The only break in the wall is closed by wood, and we can see from here that crushed cars have been stacked in the gap to seal it. Beyond the wall, we can still see the top of the school building.

Crane up, over the wall to reveal the catwalks lined with crouching Barabas and piles of rocks.  Catwalks are of poor construction, lashed together from metal scaffolding and planks. No more than a few men can stand in one place, and riflemen are spaced out along the length of the walland do not appear they can hold more than a few men at a time.

Ranks are formed in the yard. The Barabas force is pathetically small, but still they hold the demeanor of a full army. VILLOFF, TARTELL, and RICHARDS stand at the heads of

LOGAN stands at the head of the assembled soldiers. In the faces behind him, for a moment only, we see the face of HOLT.  We hear first the low vibration, rising slowly beneath the ambient music. “Pumpumpumpumpum,” getting louder and louder until it is clearly the sound of marching feet, and the “CLOPclopCLOPclop” of the horse hooves, and jingling buckles and braces.

Slow pan up, over the wall. Bathed in the rays of the rising sun, we see the approaching force. Rank upon rank of foot soldiers emerging from the trees, and before them a loose wedge of riders. Camera continues to rise until all of the Damascan force can be seen, with MEHEMET and AHMET at the lead.

BARABAS on the wall signals.

LOGAN climbs a ladder beside the sealed gate.

Med shot: Looking up on LOGAN as he sees the Damascan army for the first time. He cannot contain his shock.

LOGAN shouts when MEHEMET is in earshot.

LOGAN: Advance any further and we open fire.

MEHEMET signals for his men to hold.

AHMET continues.

LOGAN: You will not have our castle! Take your army and go back!

AHMET: (smiles) We will take your walls by your leave or no. Allah wills our victory.

LOGAN: If he tries, your blood will stain our walls for the next invaders to fear.

AHMET: My Lord Mehemet of Damascus, Mehemet the Great, counted more than 100 bodies in the ashes of Hancock. Many more floated in the river. We knew the people that lived there. They were but a handful. How many guns can you have left?

A shot rings out.

AHMET falls from his horse.

MEHEMET is shocked only a moment.

MEHEMET: Open fire!

CLOSEUP: Rifle barrel as it fires. A gout of flame shoots out with the smoke. Pan right to reveal the Damascan holding the weapons. He wears a blue breast coat with a gold crescent sown upon it.

MED SHOT: LOGAN, crouched on the catwalk.

LOGAN: FIRE!

Damascan infantry armed with spears and bucklers made from stop signs have taken the field and are running to provide cover.

Barabas bullets are finding targets, but only a handful of riflemen are able to shoot.

Damascan Infantry get to the front and create a shield wall with their bucklers. All but a few of the cavalry have withdrawn. Those that remain are off their horses with MEHEMET, kneeling beside AHMET.

LOGAN: Arrows!

BARABAS behind the walls noch arrows and fire.

WIDE: Looking up, treetops at the edge of the frame. A clutch of black arrow shafts rise and plunge.

Arrows land around the battlefield, but the Barabas are firing blind. Most arrows plant in the dirt.

AHMET lays on the ground with MEHEMET and HAZRED crouched beside him. Two Damascans stand behind them obscuring most of the background. Still we hear shouts and gunfire.

AHMET has been shot through the guts, but still he lives. With MEHEMET’s aid, AHMET sits and then tries to stand.

MEHEMET: (To HAZRED) Withdraw from the field.

HAZRED: Fall back! Cover the Sultan!

MEHEMET covers AHMET with his own body and raised shield. HAZRED follows, sword raised.  

Med shot: LOGAN pointing into the fray.

LOGAN: Arrows!

Barabas archers notch and release.

An arrow pierces MEHEMET’s shoulder.

CLOSEUP: MEHEMET grits his teeth, but does not falter.

BARABAS continue shooting until the men of Damascus are in full retreat.

Continued tomorrow