a short by

mac nixon
 The tranquil ambience of RAIN SPLATTER arises from the
nothingness. It builds. Getting louder and angrier. The
guttural growl of THUNDER stirring. Becoming hostile as we;

SMASH CUT TO:

1 EXT. RURAL HOMESTEAD - LATE AFTERNOON 1

The striking image of a mysterious hooded FIGURE stood facing

toward us as thunderous rainfall reigns hellfire down upon
him. Yet he does not move. He does not react. An eerie,
unsettling sight. A gothic-baroque painting conjured to life.

This heavily-bearded VAGABOND (forties) is extremely scrawny,

malnourished and haggard. Dressed in a filthy raincoat with a
large KNAPSACK adorning his back. His arresting, albeit sad
eyes, pierce straight through us - Looking toward something;

From BEHIND we see he is stood a distance away from a quaint

and welcoming RURAL HOMESTEAD. The warm glow of the lights
emitting from within tease safety and sanctuary from the
harsh elements. Though he does not approach. Battling with
something within. The rain cascading off his nose and beard.

A creeping mist begins to envelop from the woods behind as

sounds of innocent laughter and prattle emerge with it. He
turns slightly as the mysterious noise worms its way into his
ears. He takes it all in. Closing his eyes very slowly.

His mind escapes as the noise of rain and thunder ceases.

Replaced by this ethereal sound becoming clearer. Two people
are conversing; A GROWN MAN and YOUNG GIRL - Playing a game.

LITTLE GIRL (V.O.)

Mmm-Magpie.

MAN (V.O.)
Okay... Nightingale.

LITTLE GIRL (V.O.)

Osprey.

MAN (V.O.)
Parrot.

2 EXT. SUNNY WOODLANDS - DAY 2

Moving through this sunny and serene forest awash with

VIBRANT COLOURS. Still hearing the MAN and LITTLE GIRL play
their game. The back and forth getting quicker and quicker.

LITTLE GIRL (V.O.)

Quail.

MAN (V.O.)
Redstart.
 2.

LITTLE GIRL (V.O)

ssss-Sparrow!

Louder and louder. Racing each other. An extreme sense of joy

and vivaciousness in their voices. Beautiful and endearing.

MAN (V.O)
Twite!!!

LITTLE GIRL (V.O)

(Laughing)
Uuuhhh... Upland Pipit!!

MAN (V.O)
(Joyful shouting)
Verdin!!

GLIDING over the golden-green leaf laden ground. Yet slowly

we notice one or two BLACK LEAVES amongst the sea of
saturated colours. They begin to lead us somewhere...

GIRL (V.O)
(Even louder)
Woodpecker!!

MAN (V.O.)
(screaming)
Xantus Becard!!!

GIRL (V.O.)
Yellowbird!

GIRL (V.O.) MAN (V.O.)

ZEBRA DOVE!!! ZEBRA DOVE!!!

The two burst into infectious LAUGHTER. The BLACK LEAVES grow
in number. Poisoning the land around. Slowly starting to rise
up to reveal the tree they have fallen from, when suddenly;

SMASH TO BLACK.

GIRL (V.O.)
So... Did I win?

CUT TO:

3 EXT. FOREST HOME - MORNING 3

CLOSE ON: dozens of vibrant childlike drawings and doodles of

COLOURFUL BIRDS inside a PORTFOLIO. Flicking through pages.

THE VAGABOND sits by a morning campfire. Behind we see a

tyreless, rusting disused PICK-UP TRUCK parked in the middle
of the forest. The back has been converted into a makeshift
tent using an old rainproof tarp and bin bags. This is home.
 3.

He’s flicking through an old, worn collection of a CHILD’S

DRAWINGS. Suddenly a distant sound emerges; THUD. THUD. THUD.

4 EXT. FOREST - TREE - MORNING 4

An AXE is buried into the bottom of a tall thin PINE TREE.

Blows are taken in almost perfect rhythmic timing as the axe
finds its intended spot with every hit. Over and over again.

The Vagabond swings with absolute determination and focus.

Being towered over by the gigantic trees around him. Feeling
the impact of each grueling swing. In a lot of pain but he
strives on. Torturing himself until he PAUSES for a second.

The axe left in the trunk. Looking at his hands which are
covered in blisters. Dropping into pensive thought before
snapping out of this trance and continuing to CHOP away.

5 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY 5

Ascending above a snaking country road drenched in mist. The

man is just an ant below - hiking through. Hearing the
cowbell-like rattle of his CANTEEN smacking his KNAPSACK.
He’s been walking for some time - red, raw and out of breath.

From down the long road travels a faint, unnerving sound of

repetitive and distressing SCRATCHING. Stopping him in his
tracks - clearly recognising it. Turning sharply to NOTHING.
The noise having disappeared. Silence. A trick of the wind?

6 EXT. FOREST - TREE - MORNING 6

Pushing the tree over; It creaks as it nears the tipping

point before finally plummeting with a scream-like cry. He
then clears his fresh cut of all foliage and branches.

7 EXT. DECREPID HOUSE - DAY 7

The rattling of the man’s canteen ceases as he comes to a

halt. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small piece
of beige cloth with handwriting on it: “HERON HOUSE”.

Looking around he sees a wooden sign marked “HERON HOUSE”

leading to a DECREPID HOUSE on its last legs ahead. He builds
himself up to approach. Breathing in and exhaling deeply.

The sound of SCRATCHING returns faintly. It’s pursued him.

Growing and becoming clearer. He once again blocks it out.

8 EXT. FOREST - TREE 8

Approaching the stump - he runs his fingers over the circular

pattern of the tree rings. Counting how many there are.
 4.

9 EXT. DECREPID HOUSE - PORCH - DAY 9

The man climbs the steps of the house and knocks on the front
door. He waits respectfully before looking across to find an
ELDERLY LADY sat in a wooden rocking chair at the far end.
She’s been waiting for him. Her face never fully revealed.

An understanding look on his face. He wanders over slowly as

she rocks away. Crouching down and offering a warm smile.
Resting his hand upon hers gently, revealing she is connected
to an I.V BAG and an OXYGEN TUBE runs to her nose.

She turns her hand to affectionately grasp his. She shakes

it. The man takes this in and accepts what it means. He
slowly stands and searches inside his KNAPSACK. Taking out an
old POLAROID CAMERA and standing back. He frames up on her.

Despite her ailing condition she adjusts her cardigan and her
necklace. Using what little energy she has to pose. He TAKES
THE PHOTO and pauses. The camera prints as he stares at her.
He then methodically waves the picture to help it dry.

Placing it on the porch ledge, then crouching down to look at

her. She removes the tube from her nose. He nods in response
to this gesture. Placing his blistered hand upon her frail
old one. Stroking the coarse, wrinkled texture of her hand.

MATCH CUT TO:

10 EXT. FOREST - TREE 10

Running his hand across the jagged texture of the TREE STUMP.

11 EXT. DECREPID HOUSE - PORCH - DAY 11

The man rolls up the sleeve of the lady’s arm. Reaching into
his bag, taking out a small leather fold to reveal a SYRINGE
KIT inside. He fits it together and then takes out a small
glass vial of THICK BLACK LIQUID. All done with compassion.

Taking a therapeutic breath before filling the syringe with

the mysterious substance. Then, as if all routine, wipes her
forearm and aligns the needle to a vein against her skin.

Looking to her for confirmation. She gives a reassuring smile

and nod. There’s an air of confidence and calm to him now.
Closing her eyes in preparation as he INJECTS the black
liquid. He withdraws the needle, looking to her as she opens
her eyes. Still smiling. It’s an oddly beautiful moment.

Blinking more than usual, she becomes faint and her mouth
begins jawing. Her eyes rising to the sky. Her breathing
becomes erratic. The creak of the rocking chair intensifies.
 5.

12 EXT. DECREPID HOUSE - PORCH - MOMENTS LATER 12

The man sits against the porch ledge directly opposite the
ELDERLY LADY, who now sits motionless. Staring at her as an
eerie silence fills the air. She’s nothing but a CORPSE now.

Her hand dangles beside her. He gently takes it, placing it

neatly on her lap - when suddenly we;

FLASHCUT TO:

** A black PEN nib SCRATCHING angrily onto white paper **

CUT BACK TO:

The man startled by this distressing image jumping into his

brain. Dropping her hand. He stands back. Collecting himself.

13 I/E. FOREST/TRUCK - DAY 13

A carving KNIFE quickly and meticulously whittles down a

chunk of WOOD. Flakes float off to a heap on the ground. Been
at it some time. He’s sat in his truck facing out. Adamant to
finish, as if it’s the most important thing in the world.

He then hears what appears to be faint musical notes coming

from afar - very quiet. A familiar sound. Stopping his work.

14 EXT. EDGE OF FORSEST - DAY 14

A WINDCHIME sounds off. The man approaches the tree from

which it hangs and sees a NOTE has been pinned to the TRUNK.
He looks around. No one in sight. He knows what this means.

He unpins the note and reads it. Though something about him
tells us he already knows what it’s going to say. A look of
melancholy fills his face as he then looks to the windchimes.

15 EXT. VALLEY - DAY 15

Luscious views of the valley, the morning fog draping over

the trees like a blanket. It’s breathtaking. Otherworldly.

16 EXT. DESOLATE FARM - DAY 16

BEHIND the man as his blistered and grimy FIST knocks the
front door of a house situated on a bleak and lifeless farm.

A WOMAN (40s) opens the door to him. She’s exhausted, her

eyes red and swollen - she’s been crying. Wiping her tears
and offering a welcoming smile. She’s been expecting him.

CUT BACK TO:

 6.

17 I/E. FOREST/TRUCK - DAY 17

The whittled piece of WOOD is sanded down. Focusing only on

the mans hand as he takes great care in his craft. The object
more defined in shape now. He wipes the dust off delicately.

18 INT. FARM LIVING ROOM - DAY 18

Close on the Vagabond. He’s looking across at someone deeply.

Hearing the noise of difficult breathing. We then see a
GENTLEMAN sat across from him. His face drooped unusually and
a large COMPRESSION GARMENT wrapped around his head and chin.
He is suffering with crippling THROAT CANCER.

It’s very dimly lit so we don’t fully see the subjects face.
Yet the two men appear to have a silent inner dialogue with
one another. The Gentleman’s reaction says it all. The man
nods in agreement and once again accepts his difficult task.

FLASHCUT TO:

** The BLACK PEN scratches onto white paper. Holding longer

on this mysterious moment. We see aggressive shapes and marks
being scrawled. Something getting drawn. Unclear what. **

CUT BACK TO:

The Vagabond acting totally unphased. Normal. Professional.

The woman softly grasps the GENTLEMAN’s hand. Both wear

wedding rings. She squeezes tightly. Resting her head on his
shoulder. Becoming upset. We then reveal the Vagabond is
holding the POLAROID CAMERA. He stands slowly, FRAMING UP.

19 I/E. FOREST/TRUCK - DAY 19

He’s still SANDING but now far more AGGRESSIVELY. As if

exorcising his anger and demons. Becoming violent. We’re
still not seeing his face. Only his blistered raw hands.

20 INT. CAVE - DAY 20

BLACKNESS. An orange glow then appears in the distance.

The man enters a cave in the woods, which has been turned
into a SUPPLY STATION of sorts. A LANTERN guides him through.
Approaching a workbench surrounded by logging equipment. To
one side - an ADULT LOGGERS HELMET and smaller CHILDS HELMET.

He pulls out an old LOCK BOX from under the table. Unlocking
and opening it - we do not see the contents. He reaches into
his coat pocket and pulls out a POLAROID. REVEALING it to be
a picture of the GENTLEMAN from earlier.
 7.

A contented look on his face as he stares into the lens. His

wife beside, comforting him. The man takes a marker pen and
proceeds to write something at the bottom; “ALUN”.

He places the Polaroid into the LOCK BOX as he proceeds to

stare at what is inside. Touching it. Holding on his face.
The all-too familiar SCRATCHING sound then finds him and
infiltrates the cave - unsettling him greatly as we;

FLASH CUT TO:

** Revealing more of the BLACK DRAWINGS. Dark and oppressive

imagery. Uglily scrawled sketches of abstract shapes and
lines all across the page evoking PAIN and SUFFERING. **

CUT TO:

21 EXT. FOREST/TRUCK - DAY 21

Rubbing WAX onto the object. Smooth circular motions. It’s

nearly ready. Finishing touches. Final inspection of the
item. We slowly tilt up to his face. Extremely distressed and
covered in splashes of dried BLACK LIQUID. A haunting sight.

When suddenly we hear a familiar sound rising, RAIN SPLATTER.

22 EXT. RURAL HOME - LATE AFTERNOON 22

RAIN FALL. The Vagabond stood in the pouring, thunderous

weather. Back to where our story started. He stands in front
of this quaint homestead. He’s nervous. The inviting light
from within acting as a beacon for him to approach.

Stepping to the FRONT DOOR - which is under shelter. Removing

his hood and shaking off some of the wet. He knocks on the
glass panel of the door. Seeing himself in the reflection. A
wet, shaggy, homeless looking stranger staring back at him.

He attempts to smarten his appearance, finger combing his

hair and beard. The hallway light flicks on. A WOMAN (40s)
greets him with a blank and cold expression. Facing each
other in a tense stand off. Not overjoyed to see him.

23 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - EARLIER 23

Following the man through the forest dragging his AXE. Dead
leaves and crumpled branches are all around as well as BLACK
LEAVES. He seems broken as he walks. Defeated almost.

24 EXT. FOREST HOME - DRAWINGS 24

The PORTFOLIO of childlike drawings in his hands. Flicking

through the pages of the different vibrant COLOURFUL BIRDS.
 8.

25 INT. RURAL HOME - HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON 25

MUDDY FOOTPRINTS enter the house. Another MAN, the woman’s

PARTNER, stands by a doorway - unimpressed. They both leave
the vagabond to it and return back to the room. He proceeds
to walk up the stairs which are decorated with celebratory
ribbons. Placing his hand on the bannister as he does we;

MATCH CUT TO:

26 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - EARLIER 26

The man running his hand across the jagged trunk of a pine
tree as he slowly paces through the endless forest.

27 INT. CAVE - EVEN EARLIER 27

Looking at the contents of the box. Breathing heavily.

Becoming untethered and emotional. In his rage he turns and
hurls the LOCK BOX across the cave. Screaming. A hundred odd
Polaroids fly out and scatter like an explosion.

28 EXT. FOREST HOME - DRAWINGS 28

Continuing through the book as things begin to CHANGE. The

colour and happiness gradually fading from each one. The
birds becoming angrier, darker and more upsetting in spirit.

29 INT. RURAL HOME - CORRIDOOR - LATE AFTERNOON 29

The man climbs the stairs and continues toward a particular

room. A dim glow escaping from a half opened door ahead.

30 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - EARLIER 30

Gliding with the man’s shoes as he begins to walk over more

and more of the BLACK LEAVES. Following their path...

31 EXT. FOREST HOME - DRAWINGS 31

The latter end of the portfolio; Less and less birds feature
as the drawings grow stranger. Becoming oddly random and
bizarre. Sinister shapes and lines deeply scrawled in black.
Abstract illustrations of someone’s SUFFERING and PAIN.

32 INT. RURAL HOME - BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 32

The Vagabond opens the door to a bedroom. Hearing the sounds

of scratching as well as what appears to be a RESPIRATOR.
 9.

He steps forward as we reveal a TEENAGE GIRL (16) sat in a

NECK SUPPORTING WHEEL CHAIR facing away. She’s drawing
something on a large sheet of paper. Been at it some time.

Her room is covered in BIRTHDAY DECORATIONS - “SWEET

SIXTEEN”. The man slowly approaches and kneels down in front
of her. The girl has a breathing tube connected to her
throat. Obviously paralysed. Vacant yet clearly cognisant.

He looks at her. Smiling affectionately. Bursting with love

and pure happiness. Yet she chooses not to look at him,
focusing only on her drawing which intensifies with anger.

Seemingly her INDEX FINGER AND THUMB is all she can control.
Yet her sketching has become so aggressive she’s tearing into
the page - it’s unsettling. He grabs her hand to stop it.

33 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - EARLIER 33

Coming to a clearing in the woods to reveal the BLACK LEAVES

have led to a strange sight. A lone, mangled and surreal
looking TREE. The trunk and branches stark WHITE yet the
leaves jet BLACK. Both ugly and beautiful. A tree of death.

34 INT. RURAL HOME - BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 34

The man takes the paper the girl has been scrawling on.
Turning to view it. Taking the drawing in as he turns ghost
white. The striking content of the image shocking him to the
very core as we reveal she’s drawn the DEATH TREE itself.

Looking to her shamefully as he’s met with her pleading,

judgmental eyes screaming back at him. How does she know of
it!? He takes her hand, holding it desperately in his.

35 EXT. DECREPID HOUSE - PORCH - FLASHBACK 35

The man peacefully holding the ELDERLY WOMAN’S hand.

36 INT. FARM LIVING ROOM - FLASHBACK 36

Tenderly holding the GENTLEMAN’s hands from earlier.

37 INT. CAVE - EARLIER 37

On the man’s weary, forlorn and guilt-ridden face looking to;

An amass of POLAROIDS on the floor. Dozens and dozens of

people. A hundred-odd souls. Former clients: young, old,
female, male, white, black. A community of peaceful faces.

He stands completely surrounded in this polaroid graveyard.

 10.

38 INT. TEMPERATE FOREST - EARLIER 38

Rageful, he runs his hand down the bizarre WHITE bark of the
tree until he comes to a crack, from which a dried and
hardened tree sap has leaked. Yet this is no ordinary sap but
an ominous, pitch BLACK LIQUID sap.

He snaps and motions for his AXE. Lifting it and beginning to

hack at the scrawny white trunk. The black sap SPURTS OUT.
Unleashing his anger and turmoil. Unleashing everything.

39 INT. RURAL HOME - BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 39

The Vagabond looks to his daughter a broken man. Her face

telling him everything he already knows. Her eyes pleading
him to do what to needs to. A complex, tragic back and forth
happening without a single word being uttered. It’s moving.

40 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - DAY 40

Angrily hacking away at this otherworldly tree. Being covered

in splashes of this blood like black sap. When from the
nothingness emerges the sound of the MAN and GIRL playing the
game. Suddenly he notices something in the distance.

GIRL (O.S)
Daddy... I’m going to do it!

MAN (O.S)
You’re not. We’ve done this dozens
of times and you always get stuck
on “J”. I ain’t going easy on ya
just cause it’s your birthday!

Bringing him out of his rage. Turning pale white. He

collapses to his knees against the death tree looking to the
distance - seeing two people sat around a cute campsite.

A MAN (30s) and a GIRL (6). Upon closer inspection we see the
man is the VAGABOND - Albeit younger, clean shaven. And his
daughter a beautiful young child. We don’t see her face
clearly - simply her shinning curly hair from behind.

On the sap smeared, grizzled and bearded face of The Vagabond

watching this play out. A recollection or a hallucination?

Whatever it is, it emotionally cripples him. He’s a husk. A

mess. This nostalgic moment meaning everything to him.

41 INT. RURAL HOME - BEDROOM - AFTERNOON 41

Unable to meet his daughter’s gaze as she stares down at him.

The man slowly unslings his bag onto his lap and unzips it.
We still hear the innocent sound of the game being played.
 11.

GIRL (V.O.)
What do I win?

MAN (V.O.)
(Laughing)
“If” you win. I'll grant you ONE
wish. And whatever it is, in the
WHOLE WIDE WORLD! You’ll have it.

Sound of the girl giggling. The man searches through his bag
slowly. Coming across the SYRINGE KIT. Holding on it...

MAN (V.O.)
So... are you ready?

42 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - DAY 42

In that moment, the little girl, turns and looks directly at

us. Directly at the haggard man collapsed against the death
tree - in his mind. When BOOM, it hits us - her FACE. The
first time seeing her - her innocent and hopeful smile.

GIRL (V.O)
Ready.

43 INT. RURAL HOME - BEDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON 43

After some time, the man slowly takes out something from the
bag. NOT the SYRINGE KIT - but an OBJECT wrapped in a
handkerchief. Her birthday present. He places it on her lap
and unwraps it. Placing her hand on it gently to feel it.

We don’t know what it is but she’s clearly disappointed and

despondent as she glares at him. He becomes weak and timid
before her. Emotionally bowing his head in contrition.

44 EXT. TEMPERATE FOREST - DAY 44

CLOSE on his tired, weary and defeated face. Covered in black

sap. Catching his breath. Giving into his situation.

From behind - the powerful and dramatic view of the man knelt
down looking up at the tree. He bows his head. It owns him.

MAN (O.S.)
Okay... Albatross.

GIRL (O.S.)
Barn Owl.

45 EXT. RURAL HOMESTEAD - EVENING 45

The man EXITS the house out into the pouring rain. Clearly
unstable and emotional as he bursts out in a wreck.
 12.

Slinging his KNAPSACK over his shoulder. He continues at

pace. Retreating into the black. Disappearing into the night.

MAN (V.O.)
Crow. Easy.

GIRL (V.O.)
A Dove!

To the window we see the WOMAN inside - watching him go.

46 INT. RURAL HOME - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS 46

Back to the TEENAGE GIRL’s room - moving through - seeing

details of her life, the game continuing to be played;

MAN (V.O.)
E. Eagle!

GIRL (V.O.)
Falcon!!

MAN (V.O.)
G-gggg... Goldfinch!

We come to move alongside a shelf adorned with NEARLY a dozen

beautifully CARVED WOODEN BIRDS. All different species:
Albatross, Barn Owl, Crow, Dove, Eagle, Falcon, Goldfinch,
Hoopoe, Inca Wren. Continuing to move across and around;

We come to rest on the teenage girl on the other side.

Approaching her - staring warily at the present on her lap.

GIRL (V.O.)
Hoopoe!

MAN (V.O.)
Inca Wren! Okay here we go...

We come closer - moving in on the object. Hearing the girl

playing the game - struggling to think of a “J”. TRACKING
down to reveal yet another gorgeously carved WOODEN BIRD on
her lap. The stark and stoic look of a JACKDAW soaring.

GIRL (V.O.)
J...

Upset and angry - she’s now straining to force the object off
her lap with her one finger. Using what strength she has.

GIRL (V.O.)
Ju... Ji... Ja-

She thinks. The name on the tip of her tongue... The object
about to fall... When in that very fragile moment we;

SMASH TO BLACK.