In Their Eyes

-35-

    The dusky sky silhouettes the cornfields of the Taggart Farm.

     Sounds of labor can be heard from the barn. Past the post puncher on its side. Parts of it laying on a tarp.

   Beyond that, Jacky is in safety goggles. He works in a shower of sparks. Hes welding in the bed of an old pick-up truck.

    Butch lays in the long shadows of the dying sun as the flickers and flashes and glow of welding ignite the doorway of the old barn as well.

    Inside, someone works diligently in another fountain of sparks.
   Thrown down on a workplate is a long, nasty-looking piece of metal. With a ferociously pointed tip. A spear? A harpoon?
    The welder's mask comes up for a moment and we can look into the eyes of Jack Taggart.

   He stares ahead with that same look of the dead, tainted only by the small welling in his eyes.

    A look full of purpose.

    The metal disc found in the cornfield has been nailed to the past at the center of the barn.

    The fiery sparks reflect in it as Jack returns to work.

    Back to the bus, it continues to chug down the endless highway as nearly full moon rises.
     Rhonda has managed a seat next to her brooding boyfriend.
   "You know you could talk about it. Might help a little bit.", Rhonda says.

    Scott shakes his head a silent 'no'. "Whats there to talk about? What'd i play today?! Twelve minutes?", Scott says.

"Well, it was a great twelve minutes.", Rhonda says. Scott shakes his head. "Hanna has it out for me.", Scott says.

Scott stares ahead at Coach Hanna talking to Coach Barnes. Coach Barnes looks back.

"Him and his little token white boy Barnes.", Scott says, continuing to stare at Hanna.

"I dont know. Maybe i got the wrong skin to get equal play on this team.", Scott says.

"I know you dont mean that. Maybe they just wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to play in the championship-", Rhonda tries to help Scott.

"Everyone is not the reason we got to the championship.", Scott says.

"Half the losers on this bus had nothing to do with us making it to state. I did.", Scott says.
Double D hears this and turns around. At the same time, so did Alex. Scotty sees Double D look at him.
"What the fuck are you looking at?", Scott snaps. Double D stares back. This could get ugly but Minxie sits up.

She sits up suddenly with a gasp. Loud enough to turn their heads.

"Bad dream?", Chelsea asks. She looks at everyone. "Or a good one?", She whispers.

Minxie shakes her head no. "I guess it was.", She says. "You guess it was what?", Chelsea asks.

"That truck.", Minxie says. "What?", Rhonda asks. "I saw that old truck.", Minxie says.

Alex listens in on their conversation. At the same time, Betty sees something ahead in the middle of the dark two-lanes.

"You what?", Rhonda asks. "Girl, that wasnt a dream. That was a nightmare-"

"Jesus Christ!", Betty yells, cutting Chelsea off. Betty slams on the brakes.

The wheels lock up and the big bus skids along the asphalt. Its ragged tire flaps wildly while the others smoke.

The kids are thrown forward as the big six-wheeler screeches to a halt.

Alex hadnt embraced himself. He is throw from his seat and lands in the seat in front of him, next to Minxie.
The bus swerves to a final stop some 20 yards before the rusty old truck.
Sitting in the center of the road, angled across the two lanes in the glare of the bus' headlights.

Playing the same song... Jeepers Creeper....

"What the hell?", Coach Hanna says. Minxie turns to Alex and then to Chelsea. Did her dream just come true?

Betty lays on her horn. The hearty blast echoes across the dark countryside.

Some of the kids are getting out of thier seats now, straining to see for themselves.

Alex is included in getting up from his seat. "Back down, everybody. Sit tight.", Coach Barnes says.

At the front of the bus, Coach Hanna and Betty scan the surrounding land. Just fields and fields.

"What do you think?", Coach Hanna asks.

"Dont know.", Betty says. "What do you mean you don't know? Just drive around it.", Beto says.

"Let someone plow into that thing doing 90?", Betty says and begins shift the gears.
"We'd of been scattered all over the road if we didnt have a flat keeping our speed down.", Betty adds.
The bus pulls onto the shoulder of the road. Angled to hit the truck with its hi-beams.

Coach Hanna looks to Coach Barnes. Whos gonna check it out now?

Now Betty looks to Coach Barnes too. He is obviously the low man on the totem pole.

"Alright.", Coach Barnes says. He turns to Betty. "You gotta flashlight or something?", he asks.

Betty pulls one out of the utility kit strapped to the side of her seat. Slaps the torch into the Assistant Coach's hand.

"Try that radio again, huh?", Coach Hanna says.

Betty opens the bus doors. Coach Barnes takes a look at Coach Hanna and steps out into the night.

"Wait!", Alex calls. Everyone turns to him. "Ill go with. Safety in numbers.", Alex says. He gets up and joins Coach Barnes.
Betty gets back onto the radio. "Hey, this is Betty out in 226. Anyone read me?", Betty says.

Both Alex and Barnes step down into the night air. Both stare ahead at the old truck.

With a loud clank, Betty closes the doors behind them. Barns throws her a look. Betty shrugs, a bit embarrassed.

    She then clicks the two-way in frustration.

    "Goddammit! Its like a dead zone out here.", Betty hisses. Alex and Coach Barnes are upon the truck now.

    "Hello?", Barnes calls out.

    They wrap the side of the old thing with the flashlight.

    Two loud bangs can be heard. They make their way up to the rusted driver-side door.
     Window is too dark and dirty to see through. Alex reaches out and grabs the handle.
     He tries it. Rusted and stuck. No suprise. Barnes throws a look back at the bus. It sits there on the shoulder.

    Lights flaring out at them.

    Both Coach and Alex at the truck. Alex really manhandles the door now.

    Hanna and the others watching with great interest.

     Dante, Jake, and some of the others from the rear seats have come forward slightly.

    They crouch in the aisle.

     With a loud creak, the truck's door finally opens. Alex looks at Barnes. Barnes levels the flashlight inside.

    Both peering inside. The beam hits the empty driver seat and then moves into the back of the nasty old thing.

    Barnes is unsure what hes looking at. Alex senses something. He backs away from the truck.

    Barnes switches places with Alex. He stands by the door.

   Then a slow, horrible dawning washes over him. His face pales and his eyes grow wide with horror...