DESERT SOMEWHERE IN THE US – SUNSET
AN EAGLE SOARS over the beautiful landscape, gazing down on majestic canyons, cliff walls, and mesas.
Drifts in over desert plateaus where an endless grid of dirt roads and bumps opens up. And yes, those are bumps. 100-foot-long structures that rise unnaturally from the surrounding terrain riddle the landscape. Those are bunkers. Lots and lots of bunkers, half-buried in the sand.
We glide along one of those roads and catch a trail of dust dancing in the rays of the evening sun. And in front of all that sand and dust...
A TOYOTA LAND CRUISER, rigged like an expedition vehicle, cutting through the landscape.
Behind the wheel is MARK (Caucasian, early 50s, former SEAL Team 6 operator), looking as rugged as the car.
Mark keeps a steady gaze at the terrain ahead, and the car keeps going under the setting sun...
DESERT IN AFGHANISTAN (FLASHBACK) – DAY
THE SUN IS BLAZING as a caravan of three Hummer vehicles, carrying American flags and soldiers, race across a desolate mountain plain.
On the horizon, their target. A settlement at the base of huge, black clouds of smoke.
THE HUMMER CARAVAN
screeches to a halt next to a blown-up Toyota Hilux.
Mark smacks the car door closed behind him. Blinks his eyes as a wall of heat strikes his face. The whole town is ablaze.
Swiftly follows the other commandos into one of the burning buildings.
THE ASSAULT TEAM
moves as fast as they can through the first floor.
Up a creaking staircase as flames lick the windows from the outside with a crackling roar.
They sweep through the rooms on the second floor.
Stop in the very last one.
MARK'S POV
Underneath an open window, A PAIR OF OPEN HANDCUFFS, attached to the wall by a chain, rustling in the breeze.
In the middle of the room, AN EMPTY BABY CRADLE.
MARK: FUCK!!!
US DESERT – BUNKER SITE (PRESENT DAY) – SUNSET/DUSK
Mark steps out of his Land Cruiser and smacks the door shut. He's in branded, army-like clothing that identifies him as "Site manager / Master instructor – Forevermoor Inc."
A wealthy couple in their 50s is waiting for him next to their fancy car and one of those big bunkers.
MALE CLIENT: Hey, man, I really appreciate you could do this off-schedule! (looks at Mark) You OK?
Mark rubs his eyes for a moment. Puts on sunglasses.
MARK: Yeah, sorry, just draining the battery today. (walks toward the bunker) So, you guys in a hurry?
MALE CLIENT: Well, you never know, do you? The current administration, solar flares, war in Europe –
The man glances at his wife. Shares concerned looks.
FEMALE CLIENT (WIFE): – we just felt it was time.
MARK: Then, let's not wait any longer, shall we?
He opens the big blast door and gestures for them to enter. They step inside, but he lingers for a second.
Savors the sun as it dips below the horizon. Their words hit something deep inside him, and it shows...
He regains his composure. Follows inside, closing the door behind him.
INT. DESERT HOME – KITCHEN – SIMULTANEOUS
An open refrigerator door swings closed to reveal MATEO (MATT) and CATHERINA (CATHY), Mark's half-Latino twins in their early 20s, cooking dinner.
Cathy would've given a young J.Lo stiff competition for the boys. Matt is a younger, more tan version of his dad. Both are wearing leisurewear, but even this looks good on them.
Cathy stands by the cabinets. Starts flinging the plates to Matt, who stands over by the table.
He catches them and sets them out like this is routine. (Because it is.)
Cathy walks over with a dish and puts it on the table on a wooden trivet.
MATT (O.S.): You ready?
She lifts a similar trivet in front of her.
Matt throws the steak knives at her, steel sinking into wood with a thunk! thunk! thunk! as she catches them, one by one.
She pulls them free and puts them down next to the plates.
Matt comes over with another dish and puts it in place. Grabs the trivet from Cathy.
She walks over to the cabinets. Starts hurling forks at him.
He catches the first – the second – then, the third hits the wood's edge. Ricochets off, grazing his ribs.
MATT: Aargh!
CATHY: Shit! You OK?!
She hurries over. Watches as Matt pulls up his shirt, revealing a small cut.
MATT: I'm good.
Sounds of someone entering the hallway.
It sounds like gear is hung against the wall.
And as if a handgun is emptied and put away.
Mark enters the kitchen.
MARK: How's my favorite squad?
MATT and CATHY: Hi!
Matt gives Mark a manly embrace.
Cathy hugs him, stiffening a bit as she does. PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
YOU ARE READING
Love/Survival
Roman d'amourOn paper, 20-year-old twins Cathy and Matt have everything going for them. Their mom is a Brazilian supermodel, and their dad is a decorated Navy SEAL. In reality, though, Mark, their dad, is retired with PTSD, and their mom, Sabrina, split long ago...
