Tribal – Installment 1, By Doug McKenzie – 2020
FADE IN:
P.O.V. FLASHBACK 1: BIRD FLYING THROUGH CLOUDS -- DAY
SUPERIMPOSE: Cordillera de la Costa – Venezuela, 1965
White clouds, WIND BLOWING, then colors, blue sky and green mountains burst through. We soar past other birds, waterfalls, circling very high over a small group of people hiking up a narrow path. Closer now, it’s clear from the foliage we’re in the tropics and that the hikers are mostly young boys and girls, scouts, all wearing the same t-shirts, with one man leading the way and another bringing up the rear.
EXT. FLASHBACK 1: MOUNTAIN FOREST PATH -- DAY
The SCOUT LEADER looks back over his shoulder, addressing the kids. They all speak in Spanish.
SCOUT LEADER
Come along kids, we’ll be there soon.
One of the boys, GUILLERMO RAMIREZ DE SAN FERMIN (Bill), 9, is lagging behind his more energetic younger brother ROBERTO, 8.
ROBERTO
Hurry up Guillermo. You move like a snail!
GUILLERMO
I’m tired.
(huffs)
I’m hungry too.
ROBERTO
I think we’re almost there, don’t worry.
ELENA, a pretty girl who is Guillermo’s age, is catching up with Guillermo. She is having trouble getting over a rock so he extends his hand to help her.
ELENA
I’m alright.
But she’s still struggling.
GUILLERMO
Come on.
Elena reluctantly takes his hand, he pulls her up and then she bounds ahead.
GUILLERMO
You’re welcome.
Elena looks back and smiles coyly.
GUILLERMO
Yeah, OK.
The group reaches a clearing with a view of the distant valley below. There are some logs and the remnants of a prior campfire. The Scout Leader drops his backpack.
SCOUT LEADER
OK troops, this is what you’ve all been waiting for. Lunch!
The kids all fall to the ground moaning. Some take off their shoes, all look worn out. The Scout Leader shakes his head, smiling.
LEADER 2
Come on now, we barely walked five kilometers.
GUILLERMO
Yeah but it was all uphill!
The rest of the boys all agree.
LEADER 2
What a bunch of sissies.
SCOUT LEADER
I’ll say. This, my young friends, is how you build character. Let’s eat our lunch, rest a while and then we’ll be on our way. It’s not much further and we’ll be at the top.
EXT. FLASHBACK 1: MOUNTAIN FOREST CLEARING -- LATER
Some boys are still eating, others doze, the Scout Leader smokes a pipe while the other Leader reads a paperback. Guillermo has his hat over his eyes. Roberto shakes him.
ROBERTO
Hey, man. I have to pee.
GUILLERMO
So go, what do you want me to do, hold it for you?
ROBERTO
Where do I go? There are no bathrooms around here.
GUILLERMO
How should I know? Ask Mr. Palacio.
ROBERTO
Hey Mr. Palacio.
SCOUT LEADER
Yes, Roberto?
ROBERTO
I need to pee. What do I do?
SCOUT LEADER
Just go a little ways down that path over there.
ROBERTO
You mean pee in the woods?
SCOUT LEADER
Yes, in the woods. You don’t think there’s any plumbing out here in the wilderness, do you?
Everyone within earshot laughs. Roberto sheepishly turns towards the path.
SCOUT LEADER
Hey Guillermo, why don’t you go with him?
GUILLERMO
Why do I have to go?
SCOUT LEADER
Because in the wild it is always good to have a buddy nearby to look out for you. And besides, he’s your twin brother.
Guillermo grudgingly gets up and trudges after Roberto.
GUILLERMO
Alright, but we’re not twins. He’s a year younger than me.
SCOUT LEADER
Really? I thought you were twins.
EXT. FLASHBACK 1: MOUNTAIN FOREST PATH -- DAY
The two boys are standing peeing into the bushes.
ROBERTO
Watch me nail that bug over there. Die insect...hey, I got him!
GUILLERMO
Idiot.
As the boys are zipping up, Roberto tilts his head, listening, Guillermo looking at him quizzically.
GUILLERMO
What is it?
ROBERTO
Do you hear that? It sounds like a stream.
GUILLERMO
Yeah, I guess I hear it. So what?
ROBERTO
Come on, let’s go check it out.
GUILLERMO
I don’t think that’s a good idea. Let’s head back.
ROBERTO
Let’s just take a quick look. Maybe there’s fish in it.
GUILLERMO
Hey, we don’t know what’s down there. What if we run into a snake or something? It’s too risky.
ROBERTO
Come on, don’t be a baby.
Guillermo reluctantly tags along.
The sound of a rushing stream gets louder and finally they see it, clear water gliding over stone polished smooth by the centuries.
EXT. FLASHBACK 1: MOUNTAIN FOREST THICKET -- DAY
As the two boys push their way through thick brush the SOUND OF A RUSHING STREAM gets louder and finally they see it, clear water gliding over stone polished smooth by the centuries. There is a small pool where a few small fish drift.
ROBERTO
Wow, what did I tell you? Fish! Come on, let’s make a spear and catch one.
Robert breaks off a long stick and begins sharpening the tip with his pocket knife.
GUILLERMO
Roberto, we need to be getting back. Mr. Palacio will be worried about us.
ROBERTO
This will only take a minute. We’ll be heroes if we come back with a fish.
Roberto stalks a fish, balancing precariously on a stone in the stream, slowly drawing his arm back for the kill. He thrusts the spear forward and, losing his balance, falls into the stream. Guillermo lunges and grabs Roberto’s shirt but then he slips and falls into the stream too, the current quickly pulling the two of them along.
ROBERTO
Guillermo, try to grab something!
GUILLERMO
I can’t, it’s too slippery!
The two boys are swept away, helplessly clinging to one another. As they pass some brush Guillermo grabs a branch with one hand while grabbing Roberto’s collar with the other. He slowly starts pulling them up on to the shore when the branch suddenly starts coming loose. It snaps and they are almost swept away when suddenly a pair of hands grabs him and Roberto, pulling them up on to dry land. It’s the Scout Leader.
SCOUT LEADER
It’s alright, I have you.
They lay on their backs catching their breath for a few seconds. When they stand and look around they realize they were only a few feet from going over a high cliff. The SOUND OF THE WATERFALL dominates.