GPSYA Screenplay by Kent Smotherman A college senior searches for meaning following the death of his roommate. (If you liked "Garden State" you'll probably like this). Inspired by the death of my brother Keith in 1985. FADE IN INT. CLARK HOME - SUNRISE (Flashback scene) Two boys, aged 5 and 14, are very excited as the older boy is receiving a bright yellow Trek 7.1 FX for his birthday. WES (V.O.) They say that youth is wasted on the young. I don't get that - when you're young, that's the only time you can be truly, purely happy. Just look at this kid, getting his first real bike - and his little brother - hell, it's not even his birthday - that's the kind of joy you can only feel before life rips it from you with its disappointments, its let-downs, its soul-crushing ex-pec-ta-tions. You can just feel it squeezing you from all sides until you can barely breathe. But not these kids, not this day. EXT. CLARK RESIDENCE FRONT YARD - SUNRISE John is taking a lap around the front yard as Kent watches from the front steps. Kent is wearing a toy gun and holster. JOHN This is so cool! KENT My turn, my turn! John hops off the bike in front of Kent. JOHN Sorry Kent, you're just not big enough for a bike like this. KENT (Looks dejected, then brightens) Can I at least have it when you outgrow it, like clothes? JOHN (Laughs lightly) This is a man's bike - I won't ever outgrow it. KENT (Looks even more dejected) Can I ride it when when I'm big enough? JOHN (Looks thoughtful for a moment, glancing at Kent's gun and belt) Little brother, a man's bike is like a man's horse in the old west. And you just don't ride another man's horse. KENT (Stares intently at the bike) Someday I'll get one for my very own, just like this one. A man's bike. And I'm gonna ride it all over the whole United States. WES (V.O.) Hold onto those dreams tight, kids, and be happy while you can. Lucky b******s - they'll be dead before they know it. Title graphic: gpsy EXT. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA - DAY IN LATE JANUARY shot of u of iowa sign and campus EXT. U OF IOWA ADMIN BUILDING - DAY Kent rides his bike to the front of the building and chains it to the bike rack. It is the only bike there, and some students look at him. He walks into the building. INT. U OF IOWA ADMIN BUILDING - DAY Kent is seated across from Gray. GRAY Kent, I know you've enjoyed having your room to yourself for this last semester, but we have a last-minute transfer student arriving today. Yours is the last bed left. KENT OK. But you called me down here for that? An email would have done just fine. GRAY Oh, I just wanted to be able to answer any questions if you had any. Do you have any? KENT Not a one. GRAY I know it's very short notice, but, like I said, this was all very last minute. KENT Doesn't matter to me. It's my last semester, after all. GRAY Of course. (stands to shake hands) Well, good luck on your last semester. KENT Thanks, but I don't need any luck. INT. DORMITORY HALLWAY - DAY Wes, Alex and Dave round a corner talking, Wes in the middle, carrying all of Wes's stuff. DAVE Wes, dude, it's gonna be so awesome with you transferring here! ALEX Yeah, Dave, go Hawkeyes! What were you ever thinking at Harvard? What do they got, like a gay pilgrim for a mascot, something like that? Alex shoves Wes into Dave. DAVE Alex, he's just here because he couldn't hack it at Haaaaavaaaad, flunked out, didn't ya'? WES Haaaadly. (Heavy east coast, pretentious accent) Why I say, my good man, jealous much? THE TRIO REACHES WES'S NEW DORM ROOM DOOR AND SHOVE HIM INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - DAY Kent is laying on his bed facing the wall and reading something that cannot be seen. ALEX (To Wes) Welcome to the University of Iowa, f****t! Kent quickly puts what he was reading under his pillow, then turns around and sits up to look with disdain at the intruders. KENT What the hell did you just say? Alex turns and takes a step toward Kent, and leans over a bit to get in his face, grinning maniacally. ALEX I said, welcome to the f*****g University of Iowa, f****t. Alex slaps Kent on the arm. KENT (Deadpan and looking directly into Alex's eyes) Do you actually think he's a homosexual, or are you just trying to perhaps mask your own tendencies? Alex looks confused. Wes and Dave give a sly smile. WES Well, ain't that a fine howdy-do. I'm Wes. Wes brushes past Alex and sticks out his hand to Kent. Kent just looks at it, then gets up and leaves the room. KENT I've got class. Kent gets his bike and exits the room, grabbing his backpack on the way. WES Gentlemen, that was certainly ... fun, but I've got class as well. Shall we? DAVE (and Alex in unison) Let's shall! INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Wes is unpacking. He has nice clothes and nice things - iPod, iPad, docking stereo, MacBook Pro, tennis and racquetball equipment. Popular music is playing on his iPod. He stops to admire his work/stuff, then notices the stark contrast to Kent's side of the room. He goes over to look at Kent's things. He opens Kent's closet - nothing there but a few t-shirts and jeans. He then goes to Kent's nightstand, where there is a camcorder. He examines it to find it obviously broken. Next he picks up GPSY. WES (Scoffingly) This has to be at least three generations old. He then looks up at the poster, one with a large picture of the moon with the text "Tour of the Moon" at the top. WES "Tour of the Moon" Wes scans the poster, then centers his attention at the text at the bottom of the poster. WES "Grand Junction, Colorado". Hmmmm. "Tour of the Moon" ... what could that possibly mean? Kent walks in the door, but stops when he sees Wes by his bed looking at his poster. Wes turns around. KENT What are you doing? WES Just admiring your ... art. Kent notices that Wes is holding GPSY. He approaches Wes with his hand out. KENT Can I have that back, please? Wes hands GPSY to Kent with a smile. WES Certainly. It's a pretty old one, isn't it? KENT Yes, it was my older brother's. WES Cool. You want to grab something to eat? But not here, my treat somewhere. I feel we've gotten off on the wrong foot here, let's start again. KENT (Cautiously) Sure...what did you have in mind? WES Well, I grew up around here, and I know a great little out-of-the-way burger place - Purgatory. INT. WES'S CAR - NIGHT Wes and Kent are driving to Purgatory. WES So like I said before, I grew up here, Iowa City born and raised. How about you, where are your roots? KENT (looking out the side window) Africa, call me Kunta-kente. Wes laughs, genuinely. WES Whatever you say, Mr. Haley! KENT I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you to catch that reference. I came here from Lincoln, Nebraska. WES Ahhhh, Cornhuskers! KENT Yeah, but I'm not into that whole thing. WES Not a problem, but why didn't you go to school there, in-state tuition is a helluva lot cheaper? KENT (Looking out his side window) I just needed a change...And money isn't everything. WES (Hillbilly accent) Yer right, though it don't hurt none. A moment of silence passes. WES (Normal voice) I'm an only child - how about you, any siblings to miss beating you up, or vice-versa, in Lincoln? A loud noice can be heard from somewhere in front of the car. KENT I think an accident just happened up ahead. WES Oh that's just great, we're not moving at all now. Wes honks the horn briefly. KENT (Looks disgusted) Oh I'm sure they're very sorry that they've inconvenienced you. WES I didn't mean...I just want to eat. KENT What about them? Their whole night, or week, hell maybe their whole life, could be affected by this one random act of fate. Another moment of silence passes, with Wes and Kent looking at each other. KENT (opens car door) I'm going to see if I can help. WES What? Now? What can you do? KENT (Already out of the door, leans back in) Enjoy your burger. Thanks for the offer. Kent closes the door and is seen heading towards the accident scene. In the background can be seen a billboard for Purgatory: Home of the Limbo-burger. Wes sighs. INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY CLOSE UP: burger on kent's tray, then pan back. Kent is going through the cafeteria loading an unbelievable amount of food on his tray. Alex and Dave spot him and come over. ALEX Good god, I figured you were a little b***h, but are you pregnant, too? Dave puts his tray next to Alex's. DAVE Dude, he's got more food than you and me put together! Kent moves to another food station. ALEX (To server, motioning to Kent) Give this growing boy some fried chicken and mashed taters, kind sir! Server looks to Kent, who brings his tray up to receive the food. Alex and Dave laugh. ALEX Don't choke on that, now, I would hate to have to Heimlich ya! Alex slaps Kent hard on the back, causing Kent to spill some food from his tray. Alex and Dave leave the scene, laughing. KENT (Looking at spilled food) Sorry about that. (Looks at the server for a moment, then adds sheepishly) Could I have two more legs, please? SERVER (eyebrows raised) Sure thing, boss. EXT. CROSSING CAMPUS - DAY Wes is crossing campus, admiring girls along the way. He stops for one very smartly dressed girl in particular, who seems to be waiting for someone. WES (broad smile) Hi there, I'm Wes - were you just ... waiting here for me? SIMONE (laughs, then with a moderate French accent) Well, waiting, yes, but for my friend. We have class. WES Yes, I can see that you do. SIMONE (laughs) I have a feeling that you are one of the type of boys my mother warned me about. WES You mean... forthright...¬† trustworthy... charming? SIMONE Yes, those things. My name is Simone. What did you say your name was again? WES (takes her hand to kiss it) Wesley Addison Miles, at your service. SIMONE Well Wesley Addison Miles, don't let me keep you, you seemed like you were on your way somewhere. WES I do have an appointment to keep, but how about I make an appointment with you as well. Say, Friday night, 9:00, I'll meet you ... right here? SIMONE (pauses a moment to reflect) Why not?! I'll be waiting. For you, this time. Simone smiles broadly. WES And I'll be waiting until then. Au Revoir, Simone. Wes leaves as Simone's girlfriend arrives. JOAN Who was that? SIMONE I don't really know. But he is my date for Friday night. INT. WES'S ADVISOR'S OFFICE - DAY Wes knocks on Mr. Anderson's door. ANDERSON Come in. WES Mr. Anderson, I'm Wes Miles, you wanted to see me? ANDERSON Yes, Mr. Miles, please, sit. Anderson motions to a chair and Wes sits. WES Call me Wes, I'm no mister yet. Wes smiles. ANDERSON Mr. Miles, I've been reviewing your academic record, and I have to say there's not much academic about it. Anderson gives a dry smile. ANDERSON Seems you barely made it out of Harvard before you would have been thrown out, I suspect. WES Well, sir, that's why I'm here at the good 'ol University of Iowa - back in my hometown to focus on my classes and get my degree. ANDERSON Uh-huh. The only reason you were accepted for admission here, I suspect, is that you are a native Iowan. We do like to give our local students a chance - here, at least - to prove they're worthy of being a Hawkeye. WES (very seriously) And I appreciate that, sir. ANDERSON And it certainly didn't hurt that you paid your tuition in advance. Anderson smiles broadly. Wes shifts in his chair. Anderson rises and sticks out his hand. ANDERSON At any rate, I asked you here to suggest that you concentrate most earnestly on your studies, Mr. Miles. WES I can assure you that I intend to do exactly that. ANDERSON Then good luck to you - I've a feeling you'll need it. And remember - I will be checking up on your progress. Wes tentatively shakes Anderson's hand. WES Right. INT. FIELD HOUSE - NIGHT Alex and Wes are unpacking their tennis gear, getting ready to play a match. DAVE (Teasingly, and with a smile) Shouldn't you be studying, or something? WES Oh this is but another in a long line of diversions in my never-ending attempt at avoiding responsibility. But I don't want to even think about that right now. What I am going to think about, my good man, is kicking your ever-lovin' a*s. Wes turns to go onto the court, and sees someone running stairs. He pauses for a moment looking before checking his watch and then getting ready to serve to Dave. WES Shall we? DAVE (Enthusiastically) Let's shall! Wes serves an ace to Dave, who just shakes his head. DAVE OK, I'm ready this time! Wes serves and Dave returns. Cut shots of various points along the way. As they play, Wes notices that the person running steps is Kent. The last play is a smash from Wes. DAVE D****t! WES I believe that is game, set, match, and a*s-kicked. Wes and Dave come to the net to shake hands. DAVE You're just too good for me, dude. WES Rubber match? Dave starts to walk off the court. DAVE No, dude, I do have to get some time in with the books. Wes checks his watch - the match took about 40 minutes. Dave packs his stuff. WES Dude, we didn't even play a whole hour! DAVE (shrugs) Later! Dave leaves. Wes looks up at Kent running down the steps. He gathers his equipment quickly then jogs over to meet him at the bottom. WES Hey Kent! Do you play? Wes motions to the court. Kent gives a very small shake of the head, then turns back up the stairs. Wes sprints up and falls in stride beside him. WES Come here often? KENT Winter. WES Why yes, it is. Training for something? KENT (said very quickly) Tour of the Moon. WES What? KENT (grunts) Kent picks up the pace. Wes struggles to match. The two race up and down, up and down, again and again. Wes is panting heavily and finally stops, laying at the bottom of the steps. As Kent approaches on the next pass, Wes checks his watch, then gets up on his elbows to address Kent. WES I figure you've been running these steps for, what, at least a good hour and a half that I know of? Good god, is this "Tour of the Moon" thing that big a deal? Kent stops just momentarily to glare at Wes. KENT Yes...Look, you wouldn't understand. Kent turns to continue running the stairs. Wes gets up and watches him for a moment, then picks up his gear to leave. WES (to himself) I'm going to have to Google that. INT. DAVE'S DORM ROOM - LATER THAT SAME NIGHT A freshly showered Wes enters after a short knock. WES You ladies decent? Dave looks up from his books. DAVE 'Sup. Wes notices that Alex is not present. WES Where's Alex? DAVE (shrugs, still reading) Partying somewhere, I imagine, you know Alex. You find someone else to play? WES Naw, but I ran some stairs with Kent. Did you see him there when we were playing? DAVE Nope. WES He was there running stairs when we got to the courts, and was there still running them after I couldn't keep up with him, must have been going like 2 hours. DAVE (looks up from his book) You couldn't keep up with him? On stairs? Dude, no one could run stairs like you in high school. WES I know, but this guy... You seen that poster over his bed, with the moon? DAVE (reading again) Yeah, figured he was into science or space or something. WES "Tour of the Moon" is what it says. Told me he's training for it. Ever hear of it? DAVE Nope. Dude, you come over here for a reason? Studying? WES Yeah, got your laptop handy? DAVE 'Nets down. WES S**t. Then, nope - thanks. Wes goes to leave. DAVE Later. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - LATER THAT SAME NIGHT Wes enters his room. A sweaty Kent is putting on a fresh t-shirt, and his bike is upside-down with some tools out. WES I see training is over, as is your belief is showers. So what is this Tour of the Moon, anyway? KENT Gotta go. Kent grabs GPSY, puts some books into his backpack, gathers his tools into his backpack, grabs his bike and heads for the door. WES You know you're not supposed to have that in here. But I guess there ain't no rest for the wicked, huh? Kent leaves and Wes pulls his laptop from his backpack and opens it. WES S**t. Guess I'll just have to wait for another day for that. Wes pulls a couple of books from his backpack, sits them on his desk, and looks at them. WES S**t. Wes pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and dials. WES Alex, dude! Where you at? ... Be there in 15! INT. CAFETERIA - DAY Wes, Alex, and Dave are eating, generally carrying on and having a good time. WES (looking between Alex's and Dave's shoulders) S**t, it's my mom. What is she doing here? Alex and Dave turn around to see. DAVE Hello, Mrs. Miles. Alex gives Melody a once over. ALEX 'Sup. MELODY Hello boys. WES Hi mom. What are you doing here, isn't there ... (looks around) ...security or something? Wes stands up and Melody gives him a hug. She sits, followed by Wes. MELODY (dryly) Very funny, hon. I propositioned the cashier to get in. Alex sits up a bit straighter. MELODY Can't a mom come visit her son now that he's back in his home town, right boys? ALEX (Said a bit seductively) Whatever you say, Mrs. Miles. WES Well as you can see, I'm doing great, just great. MELODY That's wonderful. Your father says hello, but he couldn't come with me today. Working, you know. WES I know, mom, dad is always working. WES (To Alex and Dave) I can't count how many times he's missed anything I was doing, and I can't remember any times he was actually there to see ... anything. MELODY I know, honey, but he does mean well. He just wants to provide for us well. That's all it is, it's nothing personal, you know that. WES Oh believe me, I know that personal has nothing to do with dad. MELODY Anyway, how are classes, are you catching up? WES I was never behind, mom. It's all under control. Alex and Dave look at each other. ALEX What's up, Wes, you need some tutoring? I'm sure our brainiac here can give you a hand and I could, uh, keep your mom company for you. WES (glaring, with sarcasm) That's sweet, Alex, but I got it. MELODY Are you sure, honey, if your friend here can help you with any school work, you should consider taking him up on it. WES I will mom, I'll think about it. But seriously, it's all under control. I got it. MELODY OK, Wesley, I'll leave it be. Are you getting enough to eat? WES (rolling eyes slightly) Yes, mom, I've got the meal plan here, remember? By the time I graduate I'll be fat. I promise. DAVE Dude, if you need some study help, I've got your back. Any subject, any time, any where. Dave smiles proudly. WES I got it, alright? Jesus! Dave puts his hands up in appeasement. WES Fine. Mom, we were just finishing lunch, is there anything else you'd like to pester me about? MELODY Wesly! I don't mean to be a pest... WES I know, mom, I'm sorry. Just a lot of stress in this last semester, you know? MELODY I can imagine, honey. I don't want to add to it. You boys enjoy the rest of your weekend, I'll call you next week, dear. Wes and Melody get up, she gives him a kiss on the cheek, and leaves. Alex watches her leave. ALEX Dude, I don't remember your mom being such a MILF! Wes slugs Alex hard in the arm. WES Watch it, s**t-for-brains. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Wes is getting ready for his date, looking into a mirror. Kent is studying. WES So no big plans for you, this glorious Friday evening? KENT I can smell that you do. WES (grins) Pheromone enhancement can work miracles, I'm tellin' ya'. KENT You'll need one. WES Says the guy studying on a Friday night. And I bet you're one of those people that reads every single word on every single page, aren't you? KENT (pauses to think about this) How else would I know which words are important? WES (pauses a moment) Interesting point, but I'm going to go with the longer ones. Wes is ready to leave. WES Well. Don't wait up. Wes starts for the door. KENT I've got to go, anyway, too. WES Don't tell me you do have plans? Kent gets his bike and pushes it toward the door. KENT I know - it's a miracle. INT. DORM HALLWAY - NIGHT Kent is wheeling his bike down the hall, Wes is beside him. KENT Seriously - girls actually go for that stench? WES It's no Eau de Kunta Kente, but you should try it before you knock it. KENT Maybe, but don't hold your breath. WES (grinning) One more day with you, and I may have to. KENT (snickers) ok, ok, but I won't do it for you. I'll do it for the environment. Wes and Kent go down the stairs. EXT. DORMATORY - NIGHT Kent is getting on his bike. WES So where are you off to anyway, again, at night, on your bike, in winter? KENT Same as always. WES (playfully) So mysterious. It can't be a bar - trust me, I'd know. KENT (on his bike, just starting off) Don't wait up. WES (watching Kent ride off) Where are you off to, mystery man... EXT. CAMPUS - NIGHT Simone is waiting with Joan as Wes approaches. WES Bonjour, Mon Cheri! ... and friend?! I can handle threesies. Joan rolls her eyes. SIMONE (laughs) I don't think so. This is my friend, Joan. She was just waiting with me. WES Only kidding - remember: forthright, charming, and trustworthy. SIMONE You had better be. (to Joan) Thank you for waiting with me. (hugs Joan) JOAN You sure you're going to be ok, Simone? SIMONE Oh yes - just look at him, he's quite harmless. (laughs) WES (looks mock-offended) Joan nods and walks away. INT. PURGATORY - NIGHT Wes and Simone are seated and talking. SIMONE (looks around) So do you think it is a wise decision to bring a girl on a first date to a place called Purgatory? WES Well not if you put it that way! But I've been just dying for a limbo burger since I was on my way here with my roommate a couple of weeks ago and we got ... sidetracked. Long story. But enough about him, let's talk about you. How long have you been in America? SIMONE Only three years, but I was here for a year before, in high school. I was an exchange student. I decided then I wanted to go to university here. How about you? WES (shifts a little comfortably) Just arrived a couple of weeks ago, transferred in for my last semester. SIMONE (Looks a little puzzled) But if you only just arrived a couple of weeks ago, and you didn't make it here a couple of weeks ago, how do you know this place to be so dying for one of their burgers, hmmmm? WES (starts to fake hyperventilate) Why...I ... uh ... burger ... (back to normal, but a little overdramatic) I'm sorry, I didn't know there was going to be a test, and I don't handle pressure well. SIMONE No, I am sorry. You just seem so .... mysterious in some way. I can't quite put my finger on it. It makes me... curious. WES Mysterious, me? No, but now my roommate, there is one mysterious guy... (looks distracted for a moment) SIMONE I thought we were not talking about your roommate any more. (smiles) WES (Is taken aback a bit) You are so quick. I like that. And you're right, we're not. SIMONE And yet we don't seem to be talking about you, either, do we? WES Ok, ok, uncle already! Full disclosure - I grew up here. Well, not here, you know, in Purgatory, but ... here. You really have me off my game, how did you do that? SIMONE A girl has got to have her secrets. WES (slyly) Don't we all... EXT. CAMPUS CLASS BUILDING - DAY Wes is in a math class, which is just finishing. HU (light Chinese accent) ...so as you can see by reducing this equation like this...the solution is x equals plus or minus 4. That is all for today. Remember, on Friday we have pop-quiz, so be prepared. Mr. Miles, may I have a word, please. Wes comes to the front as the other students leave. WES Yes, Mr. Hu? HU Dr. if you please. WES Yes of course, Dr. HU You have already missed some of my classes, Mr. Miles, and semester is still young. WES I'm sorry, it's been a bit of a rough transition. HU Yes, I know you were a late transfer senior, very peculiar that, I must say. WES I'll be sure to prioritize your class from now on, Dr. HU See that you do, Mr. Miles, see that you do. WES I will, and thank you Dr...Hu. HU (nods) If you need some tutoring, I do have an aide that can provide assistance. Here he comes now. Kent walks in. HU Mr. Miles this is... WES Kent, I know, we're roommates, actually. HU Good, then you shall have no excuses not to get an A in my class, Mr. Miles. Kent and Wes look at each other. HU I will leave you gentlemen to work out the details. Hu leaves. KENT Do you need some tutoring for Dr. Hu's class? WES (snickers a little, but Kent ignores him) Dude, that's funny, but I get it. Boss. Sorry. Yes, I suppose I could use a little extra help. I put this class off until I had to take it, math is just not my thing. KENT Not a problem, we can get started tonight. WES Tonight? I sort of have plans. KENT Yes, you do, with me. You want to pass this class, get your degree and get out of here, right? WES (sighs, looks down) KENT Come on, it's not that bad, this stuff is easy. I'll prove it to you later. WES Alright, guess I have put it off long enough. Later... and thanks. KENT (nods) Wes leaves. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Alex and Dave are walking just off campus. DAVE So you hear Wes met this girl, Simone? ALEX No, I didn't. Took him long enough, now that has got to be a record. DAVE (laughs) Yeah, and she's French, too. ALEX Oo-la-la! You know I've got a hot date tonight, myself, brah. DAVE Really dude, anyone I know? ALEX Naw, met her at a bar last week. Alex is about to step out into road to cross when Kent comes zooming by on his bike at great speed, but Dave pulls Alex back at the last second. ALEX Hey, I'm walking here! DAVE Dude, he is flying! He must be doing 30! ALEX Whatever, he almost ran me over! DAVE But only almost - thanks to me. ALEX Well next time, I'll see him coming and I got half a mind to clothesline that b***h. Bam. (demonstrates) DAVE You got the half a mind part right. ALEX I swear to god, Dave, I'm not in the mood. DAVE (puts both hands up) Hey... ALEX C'mon, let's go. They cross the street. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Kent is helping Wes with Dr. Hu's class. KENT ...so when you are trying to simplify, you have to see what is in common, like this, then just eliminate them. Easy. WES Ahhh, I see what you mean. I think I really have a handle on this now, thanks. KENT You're welcome, and told ya it was easy. There is a quick knock on the door, and Alex enters. WES 'Sup, Alex. ALEX (glares at Kent) Nuttin' much. Hey can I borrow your car, I got a hot date across town. WES Sure. (reaches in pocket for keys) Here you go. Now don't you crazy kids be out to late, it is a school night, after all. And be sure to bring that back unscratched and gassed up, young man. ALEX (grinning) Oh, gassed up is right. WES (fake laughs, then seriously) Yeah, but seriously, dude, you drive drunk and anything happens to my car, and there will be hell to pay. And by hell I mean my insurance company. Go on, get out of here, can't you see we serious college students are studying? ALEX (glares at Kent again) Whatever, brah. Later. Alex leaves. KENT And that is my cue. Gotta go. Kent grabs GPSY, his backpack, and his bike to leave. WES And where is it again you go off to? And don't you know your way there by now? KENT (smiles, glances down at GPSY) C'mon, you're the smart one now, you figure it out. WES (smiles) Oh a challenge! I will figure it out - count on it, sir! Kent leaves, smiling. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - DAY Wes is sleeping, but is awoken by a knock at the door. He sits up on the edge of his bed scratching his head, but stops when he sees that Kent is not there, and looks puzzled. WES (sleepily) Coming! Wes goes to the door and opens it. ANDERSON Good morning, Wesley. WES (looks puzzled) Uh, good morning, Mr. Anderson. Man, you weren't kidding when you said you were going to check up on me. ANDERSON Son, I've got some bad news. Wes backs up so Anderson can come in. Then goes to get a refrigerated coffee from his mini-fridge. WES It's too early for any bad news. Wes takes a big drink. ANDERSON Your roommate, Kent, was killed last night in an accident. Hit and run driver. WES (freezes, gags a little on his drink) What? ANDERSON He died at the scene, and police are looking for the driver. I'm sorry, son. WES But... Wes sits on his bed hard, like his legs have given out. There is a long pause. WES What do I do? ANDERSON Nothing son, nothing. There will be a counselor stopping by later. You should take the day off from classes, I've already notified your professors that you would likely not be attending today. WES (nods shakily) Anderson puts a hand on Wes's shoulder, then takes GPSY from his pocket and sits in on Kent's nightstand. ANDERSON We recovered this, I'll just leave it here for now. Anderson leaves. Wes just sits on his bed, stunned. INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE WES'S DORM ROOM - DAY Farmer knocks on Wes's door. There is no answer. FARMER Wes, are you in there? Pause, but no answer. She knocks again. FARMER Wes? Another pause. Farmer pulls out a small notebook and pen and writes a note, then slips it under the door. The note reads: "Wes - come see me as soon as you can - Counselor Farmer" EXT. CAMPUS - DUSK Simone and Wes are sitting on a bench, his head on her shoulder, her stroking his hair. WES I really don't know why this has hit me so hard. I hardly knew the guy, and he was kinda ... weird. SIMONE Well, have you experienced death closely before? WES No, not that I can really remember. I suppose with my great-grandparents, but I was little. A silent moment passes. SIMONE Tell me about your roommate. Kent, right? WES Well...he was pretty quiet, although he did have a sharp wit. I wouldn't say he was mean, though - just very... honest. He didn't hold back. SIMONE mmm mmm ... forthright... Wes sits up straight, and his speech gets a little stronger. WES And he was skinny but in really good shape, ya know? I saw him run stairs at the field house for like two hours straight, it was insane. And he was always riding that bike of his, that bright yellow bike. Even at night - he was always off somewhere at night, but I never did figure out where... SIMONE Maybe he had a job? WES Maybe... but I never saw him at any place that was open late, not that I ever saw, anyway... You know, that was the last thing he said to me. He was sorta challenging me to figure out where he was going... SIMONE Interesting... any ideas? WES Not a clue...And then there's this poster - he has it over his bed - a big picture of the moon, with the title: Tour of the Moon. He told me once that it was something he was training for, why he was running all those stairs. No idea what that is all about, either. SIMONE Well I've never heard of it, but in France a "Tour" usually is a bike race. WES (stares off thinking) Oh, and he had this old GPS, he took it everywhere, even places he obviously knew how to get to. What was up with that? SIMONE A very mysterious guy, I agree. But you liked him, yes? WES (pauses) Yeah, he was ok. I've certainly had worse roommates. Simone snuggles with Wes a little closer. SIMONE What else can you tell me about this mystery man? WES hmmm...well, he didn't have much, no real clothes, not much of anything but his bike and his Macbook - and that old GPS. Oh yeah, and this broken camcorder he would, you know, mess with sometimes. I think he was always hoping to get it working somehow. Weird. SIMONE Sounds to me like it was sentimental to him. WES (pauses) Yeah, maybe. It looks like a digital camcorder, I wonder if there was something left on it, something he wanted to get off still... SIMONE You're probably right. Simone closes her eyes and puts her head on Wes's shoulder now, and he strokes her hair. WES Simone? SIMONE Yes, Wesly? WES What happens now? SIMONE (pauses) I don't know, Wes, I really don't know. INT. RACQUETBALL COURT - NIGHT Dave and Alex are in the middle of a game. Dave delivers a low corner shot that Alex can't get to. ALEX Damn! Alex walks back to the line as Dave prepares to serve. DAVE I feel a little weird playing after what's happened. 20-18 Dave serves. Alex returns with a wall hugger that Dave crashes into the wall trying to reach. Dave gets up and Alex readies to serve. ALEX Life goes on, dude. Besides, what can you do? Wes has Simone taking care of him, he's covered. 19-20 Alex serves a looping serve that lands just short of the back wall. Dave takes the ball low and sends it low and hard down the line. Alex quickly cuts it off and tries a corner shot, but is a little high. Dave dives forward and does a cross-court dink for the winner. DAVE Game. Yeah, I know. Still, dude, his roommate. That's fucked up. We still going to Purgatory? ALEX Sure, man, but you'll have to drive. DAVE I don't want to take my piece of s**t car - I thought you still had Wes's nice ride? ALEX Yeah I do, but I don't feel right taking it with, you know, everything. DAVE (looks skeptical for a moment) Whatever, dude. But you're pushing it the whole rest of the way there if the s****y thing gives out again. ALEX (Flexes muscles) No problem, brah. Let's go eat. INT. COOPER'S OFFICE, ADMIN BUILDING - DAY COOPER We've been trying to reach any next of kin, but so far no information we have in our records seems to be valid. We do have Mr. Clark's intentions for his body - he wanted to be cremated, though I'm not sure what we'll do with his ashes. WES (rubbing his eyes, as if with a headache) And is there something I can do to help, is that it? What about the police? COOPER The police are trying to identify the driver, but no leads yet is my understanding. Did Mr. Clark ever mention anything about his family, anything that could help us locate them? WES He never talked about his family to me. I know he worked as a tutor for the math department, did you check with them? COOPER Yes, but no information there, either. WES (sighs) I know he had no cell phone, at least not one I ever saw him use. He did have a Macbook - have you checked that? COOPER Yes, but it is password protected. Any ideas on what the password could be? WES No, I'm afraid not. I could take some guesses, I suppose. COOPER Could you? Would you take it... Cooper pulls the laptop from her desk. COOPER ...and see what you can do? Cooper stands as she slides the laptop to Wes. Wes rises as well. WES I guess. It might take me some time, but I'll see if I can figure it out. COOPER Thank you. And Mr. Miles, his ashes will be available tomorrow. I'll have them here, just so you know. WES Right. Wes turns to leave and exits Cooper's office, closing the door behind him. He starts down the hallway but then suddenly stops. WES Mr. Clark? Kent's last name was Clark? INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Wes has Kent's laptop out on his bed. WES What would Kent use as a password... Wes looks up and sees Kent's poster. WES (typing) Tour of the Moon... no. So much for getting it on the first try.... bike... no. hmmm... math...no. Nebraska...no. Lincoln...no. Cornhuskers...no. Wes's cell phone rings. Wes checks it, we see it is his mom calling. Wes looks at it for a moment trying to decide what to do. He answers it. WES Hi mom. I'm kinda busy, what do you need? MELODY Hi honey, sorry. Well I was just watching the news, and there was a story about a college student who was killed just off campus, did you hear about that? WES (pauses for a moment) Uh, yeah, mom. MELODY Did you know him, I mean did you have any classes together or anything? WES (another pause) He was my roommate. MELODY What?! Oh Wesley, honey! I don't know what to say! Are you ok? WES I'm fine, mom. I didn't really know him that well, it's only been a few weeks. MELODY I'm going to come down for you, Wes... WES (interruping) No, mom, please don't - I've got a lot to do. I'll call you in a couple of days, really, we can get together then. MELODY I don't know, honey - I can't bear to think of you being alone right now. WES Listen, mom - I have a lot to keep me busy. I'm helping the university locate Kent's family, seems like the records they have aren't accurate or something. So really, I'm fine. MELODY Well...ok, honey, if you say so. But call me anytime day or night if you feel you need to. I'll be here. WES I will, mom. MELODY And do call me in a couple of days, I can't help but be worried for you. There is a quick knock on Wes's door, then Alex enters. WES I will, mom, I promise. I gotta go. MELODY Alright then. I love you. WES I love you, too, mom. Bye. MELODY Bye. ALEX (tosses keys to Wes) Here you go, brah. I didn't want to bug you before, so I just held on to your car for you. Figured you'd let me know if you needed it in between. It's parked in your normal spot. WES That's cool. Thanks, man. ALEX You wanna do anything right now? WES I've got a class coming up I should go to, but my head just isn't in it. You got something in mind? ALEX Let's head to the field house and do some racquetball. Nothing clears your head like sweating your a*s off. WES Yeah, that sounds good. Well...shall we? ALEX Let's f*****g shall, brah. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Simone is crossing campus on her way to a class. DAVE (jogging to catch up) Hey Simone, wait up! SIMONE Hello Dave. What's up? DAVE Hi - I'm just worried about Wes. He's been cutting almost all his classes. He's going to be in deep s**t soon if he doesn't pull his head out. SIMONE I know, I'm worried, too. You're his good friend, since you were children, yes? Dave nods. SIMONE Watch over him, Dave. And I don't trust Alex, he is no good for Wes. Alex is such a ... connard .... a dumbass! WES (laughs) And I didn't think you knew him that well! He can be a ... connard... But I've known him forever, and lately he's been worse. I think this whole situation has him weirded out, he doesn't know how to be, especially around Wes. SIMONE That may be so, but I still worry. Anyway, I have to get to class. Thank you, Dave, you are a good, true friend for Wes. Simone gives Dave a light hug, then heads off to class, with Dave going in the opposite direction. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Wes is laying on his back on his bed and holding GPSY over him. There is a quick knock on the door and Dave enters. DAVE 'Sup, dude. WES Hey Dave...this thing is pretty interesting. It looks like it tracks and uploads routes to the web. Wild. DAVE Cool. Dude, I haven't seen you around campus lately, you know, like in classes? Wassup with that? WES I don't know, my head just isn't into it right now. You know I still haven't found out anything about Kent's family. DAVE Dude, how is that your problem? The school will figure all that out. WES And I talked with the police this morning, they still have no leads on who the driver was. DAVE Duuuuude, you gotta focus on you, ok? You know, school, graduating? WES (pauses, looking at GPSY, then sits up) Yeah, but I gotta figure this stuff out first. You know his ashes are in an office in the admin building? That's not right - he needs to be with his family. They don't seem able to find them, but he was my roommate - I can figure it out, I know it, I've just got to. And the police don't even seem that interested in finding the stupid driver, either, they were just trying to blow me off: "Oh, some dumb college kid gets himself killed riding his bike in the middle of winter at night, too f*****g bad". It pisses me off. DAVE (pauses, thinking) I get it, he was your roommate. But we have some big tests coming up. You gonna be ready? WES I don't know. But what does it really matter, it's not like it will kill me or anything. DAVE That's dangerous thinking, dude. That's the kind of thinking that will keep you from passing, from graduating. WES (lays back down, fiddling with GPSY again) I hear ya, dude. DAVE OK - let me know if you want any help with any classes, you know I got your back. WES Thanks, Dave. Dave shrugs, then leaves. Wes pauses for a few moments, then pulls out his cell phone and dials. WES Hi mom. INT. CAFETERIA - DAY Wes is eating alone, and fiddling with GPSY at the same time. Farmer is just leaving the cashier and spots him, coming over. Wes glances up when she stops at his table and begins to speak, but then goes back to GPSY. He is hurridly working it's interface as he has discovered something. FARMER Hello Wes, I'm Mrs. Farmer, one of the university's counselors. I left you a note over a week ago, but I know you've had a lot on your mind. May I join you? Wes suddenly stands up, GPSY in hand. WES I'm sorry, I have to go. I think I know where he was going, I can follow his route history. Wes hurries off. Farmer is left standing, holding her tray. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Wes is walking briskly, following GPSY's directions. He accosts a student riding by on a bicycle. WES Hey - I need to borrow your bike. JASON What...no! What are you psycho? WES No, seriously - here... (offers his smartphone) I'll call you when I get back. How about ... (reaches into his pocket) 40 bucks, too. I only need it an hour or two, I swear! JASON (takes the phone and money, looking skeptical) OK, OK - but I want your driver's license, too, just in case. WES (pulls out his wallet) Here, take it. Jason dismounts and Wes gets on the bike, GPSY in hand. WES Thanks, you're a life-saver! Wes tries his best to ride and follow GPSY's route. He nearly hits a number of students, misses a curve on a campus sidewalk and runs into some bushes, almost pulls out into traffic crossing a street, and goes the wrong way down a one way street. He finally reaches the destination shown on GPSY's screen - a homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Wes sits on the bike on front for a moment, looking around and double checking that this has to be the destination. He gets off the bike, but isn't sure what to do with it, so wheels it inside with him. INT. HAWKEYE SHELTER AND KITCHEN - DAY Lunch service is winding down and cleanup is underway. Wes approaches the only person who would seem to be the one in charge, based on her clothes. FREIDA (looks at the bike, then Wes) Are you lost, or maybe it's community service? WES (looks puzzled) Uh, neither. I think my roommate used to come here a lot. He was killed recently, Kent? FREIDA (looks very serious, saddened) Yes, we were all saddened to hear about his passing. Everyone here just loved him. I don't think I ever knew a more giving and selfless young man. WES (looks somewhat shocked, just briefly) I'm helping the university track down his family. Did he ever mention them at all? FREIDA (pauses to think) No, not that I can recall, but I usually saw him during the day when he would help out around here. But he did spend a lot of time with Agathe here at night. She was always a bit of a night owl, and he'd come to visit with her. She would be the one here that knew him best. WES Can I speak with her? FREIDA Sure, she's probably up by now. (smiles) Just wait here and I'll go check on her. Freida turns and disappears down a hallway. Wes looks around and gives an uncomfortable smile to some of the homeless as he makes eye contact. Freida returns with Agathe. FREIDA This is Agathe. WES Hello Agathe, I'm Wes - I was Kent's roommate. AGATHE Hello. WES Can we take a walk, or something? AGATHE Certainly, but I'll need my coat. (turns to Freida) FREIDA I'll fetch it, dear. Freida turns and leaves hurridly down the same hallway. AGATHE I'll need to lean on you a bit, too, I'm afraid. I'm not as spry as I used to be. (smiles) WES Of course. Freida returns with Agathe's worn coat, hat, and gloves, and helps Agathe put them on. Wes offers his arm, and Agathe takes it as they head out the door. EXT. TOWN - DAY AGATHE Freida tells me you're helping the University find Kent's parents? WES Yes, anyone in his family that we can locate would be great. The information the university has on file is, apparently, inaccurate. AGATHE I'm not sure I can be of much help. I know he grew up mostly in Nebraska, Lincoln as I recall, but Kent didn't speak of his family very often - except his brother, John. He told me many stories of their big bicycle trip together, but I don't recall anything about his parents. WES Then what can you tell me about John? AGATHE Well, he was an older brother, I think about five years. The summer before Kent's first year in high school, they went on a bicycle trip - a real adventure, from the sound of it. All over Nebraska and Iowa. They even went to see the bridges of Madison County - I love that movie. (looks at Wes and smiles, who smiles back) WES So does my mom, it's one of her favorites. AGATHE Kent would sometimes bring his computer with him and we'd watch the videos they made of that trip. Like I said, it was quite the adventure for them. WES Do you remember any details from the videos, anything that might show where their home was, anything? AGATHE (pauses to think) Well... I do remember them talking about wanting to take a bicycle trip sometime to where they lived when they were much younger. Somewhere in the Colorado mountains... WES Grand Junction? AGATHE Yes, that's it! I think Kent was too young to remember it well, but in the videos his brother John really seemed quite nostalgic for the place. He would talk about how beautiful it was to ride in the mountains - beautiful, but dangerous. But I don't think they ever made that trip... WES Why is that? AGATHE I asked Kent about it one time, but he would always avoid the topic - you know how he could do that? WES Oh yes. AGATHE Anyway, I don't think they ever had another big adventure like that again, at least Kent never talked about any, and all the videos he showed me were from the one trip. Wes and Agathe have arrived back at the shelter. WES Thank you so much for your time, Agathe. If only I could find his password so I could see those videos myself, look at his files -¬† all my questions could be answered. AGATHE Oh my dear boy, I can tell you his password, you should have just asked! (Agathe laughs as Wes is standing dumbfounded) It's gypsy, but without the first y! Wes looks puzzled until he realizes that the password is GPSY. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - DAY (MORNING) Wes enters his room with the bike, and puts it on it's kickstand. He pulls out Kent's laptop from his desk and opens it. At the login screen he enters the password GPSY. The initial deskop screen is littered with folders. Wes exhales as he scans the folders. He finds a folder labeled VIDEOS and opens it. All of the video files start with BIKE TRIP, and Wes opens the first video. Kent (14) and John (19) are standing in front of their bikes, both yellow Trek's. John has the bigger trailer attached to his bike, Kent's is smaller. They've got their helmets and gloves on, and are ready to go. They are smiling broadly. Their parents can be heard off camera. ROBERT You boys ready to go, double checked all your gear? JOHN Yes, dad - at least twice! BETSY John, you take good care of Kent. Now show me your cell phone and charger, please. JOHN Mom! John pulls out his phone and solar charger from his trailer, showing it to the camera. JOHN There - happy, mom? BETSY Now the debit card. Kent pulls out the debit card from his waist pouch and shows it, grinning. KENT Check! (to John) Now let's get this show on the road! The two boys mount their bikes, wave, then start off. The camera follows them as the boys shrink into the distance. BETSY Bob, do you really think they are going to be ok? ROBERT They're smart boys, and John is 19. It's going to be the adventure that defines their lives for the next few years, one they will never forget. We couldn't take that away from them if we wanted to. BETSY I suppose you're right, but Kent is so young, he's only 14. ROBERT You know how determined and independent Kent is, and he's been looking forward to something like this since he was a little boy - just his brother and him. He'll be just fine. BETSY (teasingly) I blame you, you know. All those "Tour of the Moon" stories - you infected them both with this biking-bug. ROBERT Yes, but remember, my dear, that is also how we met. The boys are now out of site as the clip ends. Wes opens the second video in the list. The soundtrack swells as we watch Wes watching video. He goes through a range of emotions watching: Serious, laughing, pointing to things in the video we can't see. He goes to his fridge to get drinks and snacks but his eyes remain on the video. Day turns to night in his room. Sometimes he is on the bed, sometimes at the desk. He falls asleep laying on his back in bed with the laptop on his stomach. He is woken by a knock on his door. WES (groggy) Just a sec. Wes puts the laptop aside on his bed, then gets up and opens the door. JASON Can I have my bike back? INT. COOPER'S OFFICE - DAY Farmer and Anderson are seated across from Cooper. COOPER So you haven't been able to corner Mr. Miles as yet, is that what you're saying? FARMER Correct. He's been very proficient at avoiding me. I just don't know that we can actually compel him to talk with me, even if it would be in his best interests. ANDERSON His academic performance is clearly suffering, there is no question. I've talked with his instructors, he hasn't been to any classes at all for a couple of weeks now. COOPER (checking some papers) Well he's not on financial aid, so I don't see any leverage we have to try to help this young man help himself. FARMER That may be true, but if we let him fail, it could seriously jeopardize more than just his professional future, I fear it could lead him down a very dark path for his psyche. COOPER What do you suggest that we can do? FARMER Can we offer him amnesty? Wipe out his record for this semester, basically give him a do-over? COOPER (pauses to consider) It's not unprecedented. There could be no financial recompense, however. That can't be helped. ANDERSON That shouldn't be an issue, I don't think. He's paid cash for his entire college career to date. COOPER OK then. I'll get approval and set it up, then pitch it to Mr. Miles. INT. PURGATORY - NIGHT Simone and Wes are having dinner. SIMONE Wes, I'm worried about you. You're obsessed with this whole Kent-thing. You're not even going to classes anymore, are you? WES I know, but it's important. If you died and there was no one in your family who knew, you'd want me to find them, right? SIMONE That's not the point. You said yourself that you hardly knew him. Why is this your responsibility? WES Because there's no one else to do it, that's why, Jesus! SIMONE (pauses to reflect) I'm sorry, Wes. I don't know how to help you. WES You don't need to, seriously. I'm fine. What's the worst that can happen - I get kicked out of school? I'm not even sure I care. My grandfather pays for it all, even picked my major, did you know that? I'm just here because I got nothing better to do, that's basically it in a nutshell. SIMONE (sarcastically) Thanks. WES Simone, I didn't mean... SIMONE That's ok, Wes. (stands up) Call me if you figure out what is important to you. Simone walks out of the restaurant, and Wes throws some money on the table and goes after her. EXT. PURGATORY - NIGHT WES Simone, wait! Wes catches up to Simone in front of his car, as she turns around. SIMONE Wesley Addison Miles, you let me be. WES But... SIMONE I understand - I do. You feel lost - you are lost. But I am not lost - I know what I want, and I know where I am going. You need to find that for you, and I cannot help you. But you should think about this: what happens after you find Kent's family, what then? Or what if you never find them? Simone looks with a mix of pity and love at Wes for a moment, then steps forward to give him a kiss. She then turns and walks off into the night. Wes watches her with a tear running down his cheek, but then notices in the neon lights reflecting off his car that the paint color on the front of his car doesn't look right. There seems to be large spot that has been repainted. Wes looks puzzled as he gets into the car. INT. WES'S DORM ROOM - DAY Wes is on Kent's laptop at his desk. He does a google search for tour of the moon and reads about the bike race held around the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado. He reads about riders like Charles Jean Baptiste who couldn't make the climb up insanely steep "Suicide Hill" and passed out, nearly going over the edge, and of Emilio Sandoz who died in a horrific crash on the way down it by blowing a tire on a curve. Wes's reading is interrupted by his cell phone ringing. Wes makes a puzzled face after checking the caller id. Only Wes's side of the conversation is heard. WES Dad? WES Yes, Dad, it's true. WES My withdrawing from classes has nothing to do with that. And the university had no right to tell you anything I'm doing anyway. WES I'll explain it to grandpa, but I don't owe you anything. WES I really don't care if you understand or not. That will be between grandpa and me. It's not like you ever gave a damn before. WES Apologize? To you? How about you apologize to me for missing my whole f*****g life! Wes hangs up, pauses, then throws his phone across the room where is smashes against the wall and the Tour of the Moon poster. He screams his frustration before leaving his room at a near run. INT. FIELD HOUSE - DAY Wes bursts through the doors of the field house and runs to the same steps he and Kent had run before, and begins running them. WES (somewhat softly) I'll f*****g quit school if I want to, old man! Faster, then after a few moments: WES (louder) Oh, I'm so sorry grandpa pissed away college tuition on me - I never asked him to do that! Faster, then after a few moments: WES (louder) Sorry, Simone, I'm just a little fucked up right now... just a lost little boy who doesn't know what he wants! Faster, then after a few moments: WES (screaming) Sorry that you had to die instead of me, you perfect b*****d! Wes collapses at the top of the stairs, sobbing. Other students stop and look at him from their distance. Alex and Dave had been playing tennis at a far court, and run to Wes. DAVE Dude, you ok? Wes looks up at Dave, then to Alex. His face flashes suddently with severe anger as he looks at Alex. WES It was you! Wes bounds up and lunges at Alex, grabbing his shirt. ALEX What the... WES You killed him, didn't you! Dave looks completely dumbfounded. ALEX Hold on there, brah, what the f**k are you talking about? WES You f*****g know what I'm talking about! The night you borrowed my car - and you had it for a few days afterward, didn't you, to get it fixed up. It was YOU! ALEX (defensively, looking at Dave) He's f*****g lost it, I don't know what he's talking about. Wes pushes Alex backward, into the wall, screaming. WES Ahhhhh! ALEX (pushes Wes's hands off him) Whatcha gonna do, brah? Whatcha gonna do? WES (pauses considering, looking wild-eyed at Alex) What am I going to do? What are you going to do, Alex? You gonna carry this around with you for the rest of your life, that your plan? Good luck with that,¬†brah, it just doesn't work out, I know. I just figured it out, I figured it all out - you, Simone, school, Kent, everything. I get it now. This isn't what I want, this isn't my life. You're not my friend, hell, I'm not my friend. Don't you see? That's why I always f**k s**t up in the end. And yet I managed to come to the right decision to do exactly what I need to do, totally by accident - how wonderfully ironic! I've got to go now, I've got to find Farmer. Wes looks at Alex then Dave, then turns and runs down the stairs. INT. FARMER'S OFFICE - DAY Wes is seated across from Farmer. FARMER I have to say, Wes, I was surprised but glad to hear that you wanted to speak with me. WES I just recently realized that it was important, to me. FARMER That's good. How about we start with you telling me why you're had this change of heart. WES Well Peg - may I call you Peg? (Farmer nods) I simply came to the conclusion that I've not been living my life - I've been living the life that I feel others want me to live. Parents, friends - everyone but me. FARMER How did you arrive at this conclusion? WES It was Kent's death, really - or rather, what I learned about him after he died. He was always so guarded with me, but I suppose that was just because he didn't know me. But the people that knew him, no matter who, loved him - loved the person he was. He was selfless, tireless - he knew who he was and lived life his way. I admire that - I want that. FARMER How do you think you can achieve it? WES Well, for starters, I have to drop out of school. FARMER Are you sure that is a good idea - you have more choices with a degree. WES Do you? Or if you have a degree you aren't interested in, have you actually taken choices away? FARMER (pauses) That is an interesting viewpoint. But then what will you do? WES (pauses) I'm going to read every word on every page, Peg. How else will I know which ones are important? EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Wes is crossing campus to meet Simone and Dave. He arrives to find them waiting at the same spot where he has always met Simone. WES There you are, two of my favorite people! Simone smiles a little uncomfortably, Dave looks a little puzzled. SIMONE Hello, Wes. How have you been? WES Never better, Simone, never better. I want to thank you for your words the other night, and for being smart enough to know what I needed, and strong enough to tell me even though I didn't realize it myself. (turns to Dave) As for you, Dave - I want you to know that everything I said before was directed at Alex, not you. He's, well, a total dumbass, but you've always been a good friend to me, and you've always meant well. Thank you for that, my friend. DAVE No problem, dude, I'm just glad you seem to be doing ok now. So you really think Alex was the driver who killed Kent? WES Absolutely, there has been work done on my car while Alex had it, it all fits. SIMONE What are you going to do? WES About Alex? Nothing. It can't help Kent, and it certainly won't do anything for me. That is something Alex will have to deal with for himself. But I can help Kent, or at least his family. That's what I've got to do now. I just wanted you both to know that, because I'm going to need to start training for this. DAVE Training? WES Yes - I found waypoints on Kent's GPS for both his mom and his dad. I'm going to go find them in a few weeks, as soon as it warms up. And I'm taking Kent with me, I think it's what he would have wanted. Simone and Dave look at each other. WES His ashes, I'm going to take his ashes with me on one last bike trip, take him home. GPSY says his mom lives somewhere in Des Moines, so I'll ride there first. SIMONE Gypsy? WES (laughs) Yes, that's what Kent called his GPS. he got the name from his older brother. And his dad lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, so I'll ride there next. DAVE Dude, that sounds like a wicked road trip! WES Doesn't it? INT. FIELD HOUSE - DAY Wes is running stairs. As he runs he has a series of flashbacks. Flashback #1: scene from video 1 where Kent and John are standing proudly in front of their bikes before their trip. More of Wes running. FLASHBACK TO: EXT. ROAD - DAY Kent is filming John who is riding in front of him as they are climbing a hill. John is standing on the pedals and his calf muscles are huge. KENT Hey John, I'm getting awesome shots of your ripped calves! JOHN (laughs) C'mon little bro, there has got be something more interesting than that to shoot! KENT (laughs) I want muscles like that, how did they get so big? JOHN Lots of hill climbing like this! And in the winter, what did you think I was doing all those afternoons at the gym? Stairs, thousands and thousands of stairs, little bro. You want to take on Tour of the Moon, you run thousands of stairs and ride hundreds of miles. Now c'mon, pick it up! John picks up his pace up the hill as he pulls out ahead of Kent and the camera view. BACK TO: INT. FIELD HOUSE - DAY More of Wes running, picking up his pace. FLASHBCK TO: EXT. ROADSIDE CAMPSITE - DUSK Flashback #3: John is filming Kent setting up his tent. JOHN Little bro, you best pick up your pace and get that tent up, it's nearly dark! KENT Yeah, yeah, You know, you could give me a hand... JOHN (laughs) I could, but I'm not going to. It is so much more fun filming you struggle! KENT (laughs) Whatever, big bro - but tonight, you're cooking! Maybe you should get that started since this is going to take me a while all by myself! JOHN OK little bro, I'll get dinner going. John sets the camera on a picnic table and leaves it recording as Kent finishing setting up his tent. A girl about Kent's age comes over to Kent. WENDY Hi, I'm Wendy - it's almost dark, need a hand with that? KENT Uh, yes actually, that would be great! I'm Kent. WENDY Nice to meet you, Kent. Here... Wendy helps guide the shock-corded tent pole through it's guides as Kent pushes the pole. WENDY We're on the way back home from vacation, where are you traveling to, Kent? KENT Just around. My brother and I are just biking around Nebraska and Iowa this summer. We're headed up to Des Moines eventually. We promised my mom we'd get some pictures of the bridges of Madison county, you know, from the movie? WENDY (laughs sweetly) Oh yes, I love that movie! The tent is now up. KENT Thanks a lot, Wendy! WENDY No problem at all. An awkward moment of silence passes KENT Say, would you like to have dinner with my brother and me? We have plenty of food. WENDY I'd love to, I just have to go check with my parents. I'll be right back! Wendy runs off and John comes back and picks up the camera, zooming in on Kent's face. JOHN Oooo, what do we have here, little bro? Do I sense a romance brewing? KENT (looking a little sheepish) Cut it out, and turn that thing off - and she's coming over to eat with us, is that ok? JOHN Who am I to stand in the way of romance! John stops the camera amid his laughter. BACK TO: INT. FIELD HOUSE - DAY Wes stops running suddenly, half-way down the stairs. WES Didn't I see a Wendy folder on Kent's laptop? Wes runs down the stairs and out of the field house. INT. WES'S ROOM - DAY Wes sits down, still sweaty, at his desk with Kent's laptop. He opens it, logs in, then locates the folder named Wendy. He opens the folder, sees a lot of files, then sorts them by kind. He opens some of the photos first, and sees Wendy first as a 14 year old, then getting older in subsequent photos. Photos of Wendy and Kent at campgrounds with family, at the Grand Canyon, watching riders at the Tour of the Moon. WES So there was a romance... The last photo Wes looks at is clearly the most recent, and is a photo of Wendy looking in the camera in a way that conveys confidence, intelligence, and a pure beauty. Wes stares at the photo for a long while - he is captivated by Wendy looking at him, it seems. Wes opens the first saved email file, an email from Kent to Wendy. The text starts with - "I promised you an email as soon as I could, and I'm sending this from a bridge in Madison county!". Wes smiles as he reads this. He reads some further emails as the camera watches him from over the laptop, similar to when he was watching videos: he laughs, he reads seriously, he shakes his head, he nods. Day turns into night. Suddenly Wes's expression turns very concerned as he reads an email from Wendy to Kent: "Sweet Kent, what happened was not your fault, you know that. And of course you can't continue to come see me, there will be other summers." Wes continues to read, but from his expression does not get an answer to the question in his mind: WES So what happened? INT. CAFETERIA - DAY Wes is sitting and eating with Simone and Dave. Simone and Dave are on one side, Wes is on the other facing the corner and watching a TV there. The weather is on, as Wes reads the closed caption: WEATHERMAN ...so it looks like Iowa is getting a jumpstart on summer weeks early this year as record high temps are forecast for the next several days, and a continued warm trend after that... WES Wow, looks like summer weather is starting tomorrow. SIMONE Uh-huh. (looks over her shoulder at the TV) DAVE (stops eating and looks at Wes) Dude, does that mean what I think it means? WES (slow nods, with a grin) SIMONE What does it mean? DAVE Our boy Wes is going to be leaving us tomorrow. SIMONE What? Is that true, Wes? WES Yup. I told myself I'd be leaving as soon as summer weather was here, and it seems that is tomorrow. SIMONE But you aren't ready! You don't even have a bike, or any gear... DAVE She's right, dude, how can you leave tomorrow? WES Well I've been thinking about that already. You know I've been training, I'm ready there. And riding a bike is, well, as easy as riding a bike. I've got some money in the bank still, and a few days ago I put my car up on Craig's list. I'm meeting a guy after lunch who's interested in buying. That just leaves heading to the Bike Rack and picking up my gear. SIMONE My god, Wes, you're really leaving tomorrow, aren't you? WES No time like the present, my dear. Plus, I know you guys are going to worry, so I found a way for you to keep track of me. Check out this website... (Wes pulls out his laptop and goes to a website, EndoMondo.com) You guys can sign up and I'll add you to my followers. You can track me via GPS right on the site, you'll always know where I am. (smiles broadly) See, no worries! Simone and Dave look at each other, then at Wes. INT. THE BIKE RACK - DAY The bike shop is just opening as arrives on foot and enters the shop. He wanders around looking at bikes. KARI May I help you with anything today? WES Sure. I'm going to be going on a long bike ride and need to get a good bike and some other stuff. KARI (Smiles wryly) Oh you want a good bike. I can help you with that - what sort of ride are you going on, road? WES Right, it's strictly a road trip ...as far as I know. KARI (Looks a little puzzled) OOOK, how long is this ... trip? WES Oh, a few hundred miles, I'm not really sure. KARI (Looks a little shocked, eyebrows raised) Have, have you done this sort of thing before? WES Nope - first time. KARI Alrighty then. Do you have a particular brand you like, do you know? WES Yes. A ... friend of mine had a Trek. Something like that. KARI Sure, let me show you some Trek's. Kari leads Wes to the Trek section. KARI For a first-time road trip like this, you're going to want something you can depend on. I have a nice... WES This one - I want this one. Wes stops in front of a bright yellow bike - a $1000 Trek 7.5 FX. KARI Suuure, that's a very nice bike. We can definitely do that one. How many people are going with you, do you have a road crew? WES (Head c***s a bit to the side, looks puzzled) Uhm, just me. KARI (Mouth drops open, then pursers her lips before speaking) Are you sure this is a good idea? WES Absolutely. And I need some more stuff, too. A trailer, gloves, riding shorts, shirts, lights, tubes, tire changing gear...uhmmm...water bottles. KARI (Incredulously) Have you ridden, I mean seriously ridden, at all before? WES Not really. But I hear it's just like riding a bike. KARI Riiight. When, uh, are you leaving on this ... journey? WES Today. KARI Uh-huh. Then we best get to shopping. After completing shopping with Kari's help, Wes wheels his new bike awkwardly from the store with all his gear packed into the trailer. KARI (Watching Wes through the glass) That boy is probably gonna die. EXT. EDGE OF CAMPUS - DAY Wes is ready to ride with his gloves, riding clothes, sun glasses, and helmet on as he checks over his bike and gear one final time, and is holding Kent's camcorder. Simone and Dave approach. DAVE Dude, that is awesome! WES Dave, Simone! Thanks for coming to see me off. SIMONE I can't quite tell if you are wearing that outfit, or if it is wearing you! (laughs) WES (laughs) I think it's a little of both! These riding short are...well... SIMONE Tight? DAVE Riding up your a*s? WES You both got that right! SIMONE Is that Kent's old camcorder? WES (starts recording) Mmmm hmmm. I had it fixed yesterday. Cost a bit to get it done same day, but I think it was worth it. DAVE And I see you have his old GPS mounted there. You're going to Des Moines first, right? What is that, like 100 miles? WES About that. I'll take it easy, should take maybe 2 days. SIMONE You be careful, Wes. You have plenty to drink? WES Yes, ma'am - plenty of water and gatoraide. And there are plenty of places to stop for supplies. I'm covered. SIMONE Alright then. Off you go, and I'll be watching you online. WES (reaches into trailer with his free hand and pulls out Kent's urn) Anyone want to say goodbye to Kent? DAVE Dude, that's gross, I don't want to see that! That things gonna stay closed, right? SIMONE Don't be such a baby, Dave - safe travels home, Kent. WES (puts the urn back in the trailer) Well, I guess I'm off. Thanks again, guys, I'll call you after I find Kent's mom and let you know how it all went. DAVE Later, dude! Kent secures the camcorder to a mount on the handlebars, brings up the MOM way point, and starts off as Simone and Dave watch. EXT. ROAD - DAY Wes is on highway 6 just west of Iowa City. It is a windy day, gusts over 40 mph, with the wind from the west. Wes is hardly moving (7 mph) as he fights the wind and pulling the nearly 80 pounds he is packing in his trailer. CUT-TO: WES Jesus! What is that smell? Wes passes rotting roadkill along the road. WES (covering his nose and mouth with one hand) Oh that is nasty! CUT-TO: Wes trudges on, with dirt blowing from a freshly plowed field pelting him as he struggles to breathe from both his exertion and the blowing dirt. WES Oh come on, seriously?! CUT-TO: Wes takes a long pull from his water bottle. An opossum darts from the roadside in front of him as he drops his bottle to reach for the handlebars and pulls the brakes hard, skidding the back wheel. He stops just in time as the opossum just walks in front of him. The two look at each other for a moment, then the water bottle rolls up to the opossum, who sniffs it. WES Hey, leave that alone! CUT-TO: Wes is climbing a hill, standing on his pedals, moving very slowly (2 mph). He is panting heavily. His calf muscles are knotted tight with the strain. WES Jeeeeeesssuuuuuuusssss! INT. SIMONE'S DORM ROOM - DAY Simone is sitting on her bed with her laptop, checking in on Wes's progress on EndoMondo.com. She looks a little concerned when she sees the statistic of his average speed, 7 mph, and his distance traveled - 29 miles. SIMONE Oh no, I hope Wes is alright. EXT. ROAD - NEARING DUSK Wes is approaching a roadside campsite. He rides up near the office and stops his bike, then dismounts and can hardly walk. His leg motions are very unnatural as he tries to adjust to not pedaling. WES What the... There are a couple of steps up to the office, which Wes can almost not climb. WES Jesus! OFFICE ATTENDANT (smiling) You alright, son? WES Yeah, just haven't ridden in a while. Still getting used to it, I guess. OFFICE ATTENDANT Need a campsite? WES (tiredly) Oh yeah. EXT. ROADSIDE CAMPSITE - DUSK Wes is setting up his tent, a self-erecting wireframe. As he watches it do nearly all the work himself, he smiles. FLASHBACK TO: EXT. ROADSIDE CAMPSITE - DUSK Kent struggling to set up his tent. BACK TO: EXT. ROADSIDE CAMPSITE - DUSK Wes lies down on his sleeping bag, exhaling with exhaustion. WES (grabs his calves as they cramp severely, rolling to his side) What the fuuuuuuuuck! Wes massages his calves furiously, trying to work the cramps out. He eventually throws himself backward and covers his face with a pillow and screams. A little boy is walking by and stops, watching for a moment. LITTLE BOY You ok, mister? WES (peeking from behind his pillow) Uh, yeah - just got a bad leg cramp. I'm ok. LITTLE BOY I like your bike. It's yellow. WES Yes it is, thanks. Run along now. The little boy shrugs and walks off. Wes lays back down for a few moments. Then holds up GPSY and turns it on, reading his mileage for the day. WES 36 miles, is that all?! He tosses GPSY beside him, putting his arm over his eyes, sighing loudly. WES God I hope there's no wind tomorrow. Wes drifts off to sleep, and his last vision is the picture of Wendy in his mind. EXT. ROADSIDE CAMPSITE - MORNING Wes awakens and stretches with a big yawn. he sits up, grabs a couple of bananas and begins eating one, and unzips his tent to get out. Standing outside his tent and looking at his bike is the same little boy from the day before. WES I guess you really like my bike, huh? LITTLE BOY (nods) What's this for? (points to the bike trailer) WES That holds all my stuff, clothes, camping stuff, everything. LITTLE BOY Doesn't that make it really heavy? How do you pedal? WES (laughs) Same way as always - round and round. (smiles) It does make going up hills kinda slow, but I need all my gear because I'm going a very long way on my bike. LITTLE BOY Uh-huh. How far you going? WES Well, I don't know for sure, but hundreds of miles. LITTLE BOY How far is that? WES (pauses a moment to think) It's more than across this whole state. LITTLE BOY (looks shocked, the first time this little boy has really shown emotion) Wow, that is a long way! Why you going? WES Oh, that's really hard to explain. And I've really got to get ready to go, so bye! LITTLE BOY (smiles and waves) Bye! Wes watches the little boy walk off, then looks around and checks the wind, closing his eyes. WES Oh thank god - not much wind today! EXT. ROAD - DAY Wes is riding just outside a small town and approaches a detour sign. WES Great. The detour goes up a very steep hill. Wes gets as much speed as he can before he gets to the hill, and then stands on the pedals as he climbs the hill. He slows down to barely moving at about the halfway point, then comes to a complete stop briefly and hops off the bike before the weight of the trailer starts to drag the bike and Wes back down the hill. Wes struggles to get the bike to stop as it drags him a few feet down the hill before finally stopping. Wes pauses for a moment straining to keep the bike from slipping more, to consider what he can do from this awkward position. WES S**t. Wes struggles with small steps to force his way up the hill. After reaching the top he leans over his seat, and as the bike begins to slowly roll backward he reaches up with one hand to pull the brake without looking up. EXT. ROAD - NEARING DUSK Wes pulls into another roadside campsite near a sign that indicates Des Moines is 7 miles away. EXT. ROAD - MORNING Wes is pulling out of the roadside campsite. EXT. ROAD IN DES MOINES - DAY Wes is riding through traffic and checking directions with GPSY. He makes a few turns and GPSY indicates he is getting close to the waypoint marked MOM. His face looks confused as he brings his bike to a stop, looking off into the distance. EXT. CEMETARY - DAY The camera pans back to show that his is stopped just outside a cemetery. He gets off the bike and locks it, then takes GPSY from the handlebar mount and gets Kent's urn from the trailer then walks among the tombstones until GPSY indicates he is right at the marker. He starts to read the tombstones in the area until he comes across BETSY CLARK, b. March 3, 1951 d. August 23, 2010. Wes sets the urn down next to the tombstone and stands back to just stare at them. After a moment he begins to tear up and cry softly. EXT. OUTSIDE CEMETERY - DAY Wes puts Kent's urn back in the trailer, puts GPSY back on the handlebar mount, gets on the bike, switches GPSY's waypoint to DAD, and starts down the road. EXT. ROAD - DAY Wes is riding across the prairies. He passes fields being planted, migrating birds, and gets caught behind farm equipment on the road. He passes a sign for a turn to the bridges of Madison County and pulls off in front of the sign to consider. The sign indicates it's 15 miles to the bridges. After a few moments, Wes starts down the road toward the bridges. EXT. ROAD AROUND THE ROSEMAN BRIDGE - DAY Wes rounds a corner and sees the bridge, realizing it is the same bridge in the picture Kent sent to Wendy. He parks his bike outside the bridge and admires the structure. A young couple is walking across the bridge, and Wes approaches them. WES Excuse me, but could you take a picture for me? PAUL Of course! Where would you like to be? WES (looks around to find the same spot that Kent was in at the bridge entrance) Right here is perfect. Oh wait! Wes gets his bike and trailer and pulls it into the right spot for the photo, gets the urn from his trailer, and then poses. WES OK, ready. Paul looks at Sarah quizically. SARAH Say cheese! Paul snaps a picture with Wes's camcorder. WES Thank you so much! PAUL (looking at the urn Wes is holding) You're very welcome. Paul hands the camcorder back to Wes as he and Sarah continue their walk. Wes puts the camcorder back on the handlebar mount and starts recording as he rides across the bridge. INT. SIMONE'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT Simone is sitting on her bed and reading a textbook. Her phone rings and she checks the caller id before picking it up with a smile. SIMONE Wes, how are you?! WES Simone! I'm great - exhausted, but great! SIMONE I saw on the web site that you've already been through Des Moines, did you find Kent's mother? WES Well, sort of - I found her grave, Simone. SIMONE Oh no ... so you're on the way to find his dad, then? WES That's the plan. I'll send you some photos tonight - I rode the bridges of Madison county. SIMONE That's so thoughtful, I love that movie! WES I know - and Simone, it is amazing being out on the road - so hard and yet so peaceful, it's just ... humbling. SIMONE Sounds like you're finding your way, Wes. WES Well I'd say I'm finding the way to find my way. SIMONE (smiles) EXT. ROAD - DAY The day is very dark with ominous storm clouds overhead as Wes rides in the middle of nowhere on a deserted road. Wes looks up at the sky with a worried expression. It begins to sprinkle. WES Oh s**t, here it comes. Wes picks up the pace as he sees an old abandoned barn about half a mile ahead alongside the road. The rain turns suddenly very hard and the wind starts to blow very fast at his back, propelling him even faster. The rain is so thick Wes can hardly see. WES Jesus! Small hail begins to fall, pinging off the pavement. WES F**k me! Wes begins to ride hard 100 yards from the barn. He rides inside right as heavy hail starts to fall. He gets off his bike and grabs his camcorder and beings recording as he watches the hail from the entrance, scanning the sky with worry on his face as the barn creaks around him. WES Please please please, no tornadoes... After a couple of minutes the hail and rain stop as suddenly as they came, and the sun peeks out momentarily from the dark clouds and a rainbow appears brilliantly against the dark backdrop of clouds. WES God that's beautiful. The sun disappears behind the clouds as the rain, not as heavy now, returns. Wes pulls his sleeping bag out of his trailer, lays it out, and lays down on it on his side, watching the rain fall. In his mind he sees the picture of Wendy again. He closes his eyes and sleeps. INT. BARN - NIGHT Wes wakes and jumps up suddenly. WES What the hell was that? Wes back pedals out of the barn, then looks up to see the stars and the bright full moon. WES At least the storm has passed. Wes looks around but sees no lights except for the stars. He puts his hands up to feel the wind - there is none. WES I can't let this go to waste. Wes goes back into the barn and pulls a small LED flashlight from this trailer, then uses it to find his LED headlight and slides it onto its bracket on the handlebars. He pulls on some sweats and then pulls the bike out of the garage and gets on it, checking the beam. WES That'll do. He turns on GPSY and starts down the dark road. He is passed by the occassional car, but is mostly alone. EXT. ROAD - DAWN The sun begins to rise behind Wes as he catches a glimpse of it in his side mirror. WES Oh wow. He stops his bike and turns around in his seat, watching the sunrise. The road is quiet as the sun creeps higher in the sky and casts it's long shadows of daybreak. Wes pulls his sunglasses from his pouch and puts them on, turns back around, and starts off again. He passes a sign of Welcome To Nebraska. EXT. OLD MARKET OMAHA - DAY Wes rides through the Old Market of Omaha, Nebraska. He passes a horse drawn carriage, whose driver tips her hat to Wes as he rides by. He pulls up next to the rider of a bike taxi stopped at a stop sign. They look at each other and Wes gives the rider the "'Sup" nod before going through the intersection as the bike taxi turns. He hits a stretch of brick road and the vibrations skew his sunglasses. EXT. ROAD - NEARING DUSK Wes pulls into a roadside campground. He springs his tent open, unrolls his sleeping bag, and collapses in exhaustion onto the bag with a slight smile. He falls instantly asleep as the picture of Wendy is in his mind. EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE LINCOLN - DAY Wes passes a sign for Lincoln 10 miles. EXT. LINCOLN - DAY Wes checks GPSY as he rides through Lincoln. GPSY shows the DAD marker as on the outskirts of south Lincoln. He rides past Memorial Stadium. He rides past the capitol building. He checks GPSY and is getting very close to the marker. As he looks up he sees a man of about 60 sitting on his porch in a rocker and rocking. The marker indicates this is the house. Wes rides up to the porch and gets off his bike as the man watches. Wes dismounts and takes off his helmet, setting it on his seat, then walks up to the porch. WES Hello, Mr. Clark? ROBERT (stops rocking but does not get up) Yeah? WES (Goes up the steps to Robert) Mr. Clark, my name is Wes Miles, I was your son's roommate in Iowa. ROBERT (stands up suddently and grabs Wes by both arms, smiling) John! You've come to visit! WES (looks very confused) Mr. Clark... ROBERT (hugs Wes) John, it's so good to see you! A younger woman comes out the front door to the porch. Wes looks at her with pleading eyes as she comes over to them, putting her hand on Robert's shoulder. GENEVIEVE Come on, Mr. Clark, sit back down. Do you want some lemonaide, I'll get you some nice lemonaide. She guides Robert back down into his seat and motions with her head for Wes to follow her inside, which he does. INT.¬† CLARK HOUSE - DAY Genevieve and Wes are walking toward the kitchen. GENEVIEVE I'm Genevieve, Mr. Clark's nurse. How do you know Mr. Clark? WES I don't, I was his son's roommate at the Univeristy of Iowa. I came to bring Mr. Clark some bad news. GENEVIEVE (getting lemonaide out of the fridge) I see, may I ask what bad news? WES His son, Kent, was killed a few weeks ago. GENEVIEVE (getting a glass) Oh my lord, that is bad news. But I'm afraid it's not much use trying to tell him about it - he has advanced alzheimer's. (pouring lemonaide) WES (recognition dawns on his face) I see, that's why he was calling me John, his older son's name. (lets out a breath) That does leave me in a spot. I have his son's ashes with me, I'm helping the University find his family. His mother is dead, I found that out, and I was hoping to leave his ashes with his dad... GENEVIEVE You could do that, but it won't mean anything to him, I'm afraid. I haven't been caring for Mr. Clark very long, so I don't know much about his family. Do you know if there are any other family members you could try? WES I was going to ask you the same thing. The only other family I know of is the oldest son, John, but I haven't found out where he lives yet. GENEVIEVE hmmmm... I know Mr. Clark talks about John all the time, Kent, too. (thinks for a moment) With Mr. Clark's condition it's hard to know how current this information is, but he talks about John and Grand Junction, Colorado frequently. You could try there. WES (whistles) That's quite a ride from here. But I was thinking of going there anyway... Do you mind if I take that to him? I'd like to talk with him a bit, as best as we can. I've come such a long way. GENEVIEVE Oh that's fine. I'll be right here if you need me. (hands Wes the glass of lemonaide) EXT. CLARK RESIDENCE PORCH - DAY Genevieve atarts sweeping the porch as Wes goes up to Robert. WES Here you go, Mr. Clark. (Hands Robert the glass) ROBERT Thank you, John. How's the bike holding up, you taking good care of her? WES Yes sir - she's riding smooth as butter. ROBERT Is that a new trailer? It looks big. WES Yes it is, lots of room for all my gear...and stuff. ROBERT Are you headed to Grand Junction for the Tour of the Moon? WES I've been thinking about it. Do I do that every year? ROBERT (laughs) Heavens no, you know this is your first try, though you always talk about doing the Tour every year! I remember my first go at the Tour - how I met your mother, you know. She was watching the start, and right as the gun went off our eyes met. I couldn't even pedal for a bit, looked like a fool with everyone sprinting off the line but me! (laughs) She was so beautiful, mesmorizing... (pauses and stares off longingly. WES When I get there, to Grand Junction, where should I go? ROBERT (looks puzzled) What's in your head, boy - you go to your grandpa Charle's house of course, you practically grew up there! WES Oh right, of course, grandpa Charles Clark. Is he expecting me? ROBERT Oh yes, he's very excited - Kent, too. You are still riding to your mother's to pick him up, aren't you? WES Uh, no, something came up, he can't go. But I should get on the road, a lot of miles to cover still. ROBERT (looks surprised) Today? Why are you leaving today, you have weeks yet. You should stay here for a couple of weeks. Wes looks over to Genevieve, who looks back and shrugs. WES Sure, dad, I can stay for a while. INT. AND EXT. CLARK HOME - VARIOUS Montage of scenes of Wes at the Clark home: Sitting on the porch talking with Robert, helping prepare dinner with Genevieve, playing cards with Robert and Genevieve, doing laundry, looking through photo albums, listening to music with Robert and dancing with Genevieve, tuning up his bike as Robert gives pointers. INT. CLARK HOME - NIGHT Robert and Wes are sitting on the porch rockers. ROBERT So are you still working at the homeless shelter, John? WES (Looks a little puzzled briefly) Uh, yeah, I like it there very much. I'm there as often as I can. (pauses for a second) There is this one woman there I visit often, Agathe. You'd like her, dad. ROBERT (nods and smiles) You're a fine young man, John. I know we've not seen eye-to-eye these past couple of years, but I'm proud of you, son. You live your life on your own terms, can't ask for much more than that. WES (With eyes watering) Thanks, dad, that means a lot. ROBERT And be sure to knock loudly on grandpa Charlie's door when you get there, you know he's hard of hearing and has no phone. (scans the clear night sky) You should leave in the morning. Weather is good, and you've got a long way to go yet. (Looks suddenly like he almost remembered something, then looks worried) And you be sure to drink a lot, John, it can get mighty hot out on the road. WES I will, dad. EXT. CLARK RESIDENCE - MORNING Wes sneaks out the front door and leaves a note on Robert's rocker that reads: "Getting an early start. Thanks for everything - I love you, dad. John". He walks to his bike, mounts, brings up the GPSY marker for GRANDPA CHARLIE and starts down the road. EXT. ROAD - DAY Montage of picturesque scenes as Wes rides through the plains of Nebraska and Kansas over the period of several days. EXT. CAMPSITE - DUSK Wes has set up his camp at the edge of a grove of trees a couple hundred yards off the road and is finishing cooking a couple of burgers over a small propane camp stove. He puts the first one on a bun and eats it in a few big bites very quickly. He takes the second one with him as he walks to the edge of the grove to watch the road. The sun is setting over the ribbon of empty road and the scene is very picturesque. Wes is taking it all in, in the orange glow of the setting sun. He takes a big breath in, pulls out his cell phone and dials. WES Hi Dad... We need to talk. I'm so sorry for the things I said before leaving school. I know you only want what's best for me, but I have to decide that for myself, and that's what I'm trying to do, while I'm still young and while I can...I know, but right now the sun is setting, dad, and it's so beautiful...I know it doesn't make any sense, but just go with it, ok, dad? I'm sorry for the way I've been the last few years, and Dad? ... I love you. EXT. ROAD - DAY The sun is blazing as Wes rides across western Kansas. He is sweating profusely in the heat and drinks the last of the water in his bottle as he rides through a ghosttown. He pulls off the carless road in the empty lot of an abandoned grocery store and checks his trailer for more water, but finds none left. WES Great, that's great. Stupid ghostdown where I need to get supplies. (checks GPSY, then looks up at the sun, then down the road) 20 miles, I hope the next town is there... EXT. ROAD - DAY Wes is riding slowly with his mouth open, panting heavily. The heat shimmers off the road and Wes sees the vision of someone walking down the road toward him. As they get nearer each other, he can see it is Wendy. She reaches out for him, and Wes reaches with one hand for her as he rides slowly. The vision of Wendy blurs right before their touch fingers. WES Wendy... BEN Here, drink this. Ben is holding Wes's head in his lap and giving him water from a bottle. WES Wha... BEN Don't try to speak, just sip this water. You passed out alongside the road, not sure how long you've been laying here. Your helmet probably saved you, not sure you could have taken this heat and banging your head on the pavement. WES Where am I? BEN You're outside Clifton, Colorado - foothills of the Rockies. Can you get up, let's get you in the AC in the truck. Ben helps Wes up and into the cab of his running pickup truck. He leaves him in the truck with the water and puts Wes's bike and trailer in the bed, then gets in the cab behind the wheel. BEN Town's just a few miles down the road, I'll get you to doc Brown's and he can look you over. Wes is sitting back with his eyes closed, taking drinks from the water bottle. WES What day is this? BEN Thursday - June 14th. I hope that's close to what you thought. Ben dials on his cell phone. WES (smiles weakly, eyes still closed) Close enough. EXT. DOC BROWN'S OFFICE - DAY Ben helps Wes into the office. INT. DOC BROWN'S OFFICE - DAY Ben is waiting with Wes as Dr. Brown comes out to greet them. BEN Here he is, doc - he seems better, but I don't know how long he was out there. DOC BROWN You're a lucky young man, Mr...? WES Miles - Wes Miles. DOC BROWN Not much traffic on that road during the week. Good thing Ben here came across you. Let's get you back and I'll take a look at you. Mace, can you bring out a wheelchair, please? WES I can walk, I'm ok. DOC BROWN Sorry Mr. Miles, You're not taking any chances. Mace helps Wes into the wheelchair, then he wheels him into an exam room with Dr. Brown. INT. DOC BROWN'S EXAM ROOM - DAY Dr. Brown is checking Wes over. DOC BROWN Where are you from, and where are you headed, Mr. Miles? WES I started in Iowa City, at the university, and I'm headed to Grand Junction. DOC BROWN (Whistles) That's got to be over a thousand miles. You certainly seem to be in good physical condition, what happened out on the road? WES Ran out of water. I had planned to get supplies in Keeble, but that turned out to be only on the map. I hoped to make it here to Clifton without any, it was only 20 miles, but that didn't work out so well. DOC BROWN Well I suspect that after such a long journey, you were already just shy of dehydrated as it was. Doesn't take much more in this heat to push you over the edge. (starts an IV) This will get you hydrated again in no time. You know you're not the first rider to come through here in distress. Few years back a rider died on these damn isolated roads. You ever ridden the mountains before? WES No - first time. DOC BROWN Well I suggest you rest up here in town for a while before you continue, a full week at least. You need to get in plenty of fluids for a few days, get your body ready for the mountains. They can be quite ... trying. If you don't mind, I'll call Anne over at the Mountain Shade Bed and Breakfast - she'll give you a good price, and I'll feel better if someone can watch over you instead of at some motel. Wes gets up to shake the doctors hand, but is unsteady on his legs. WES Thank you, doctor. EXT. CLIFTON - DAY Ben is driving Wes to the Mountain Shade B&B. On the way they pass a the local municipal airport. Wes looks out his window with longing in his eyes, and Ben notices this. BEN You thinking of flying instead of riding? Can't say as I blame you. WES Maybe...I don't know. It is tempting... BEN Well I never saw the point in riding a bike so far myself, not with cars and planes available. Faster and easier. WES That they are... BEN Listen, I'm not telling you what to do, but you do realize that you could have died back there on that road, right? WES The doctor did not mention that about me... BEN (Interrupting) Doc didn't want to scare you since it all turned out alright, but that's just his way. But it's not my way - you absolutely could have died. A few years ago... WES (interrupts) I know, another rider died. BEN It's up to you, but no way I'd be riding out of this town after this, not if I had another choice, that's all I'm saying. Is this trip worth your life? WES You know it's kind of funny you put it that way - the loss of another life is why I'm on this trip at all. A few moments pass in silence. WES But you're right, it's not worth my life, not to do what I need to do on this trip. Ben nods. EXT. MOUNTAIN SHADE B&B - DAY Ben pulls away leaving Wes with his bike and trailer at the front steps to the Mountain Shade B&B. Anne comes out to greet him. ANNE Mr. Miles, hello! I'm Anne - You can just bring your bike right up here next to the house - no one will bother it here, they know better than to get on my bad side! (laughs heartily) Wes walks his bike to the spot Anne indicated. WES Thanks. I'll lock it anyway, all the same. Habit. (smiles) ANNE Oh that's fine, dear, you just suit yourself while you're here at the Shade. We've got the place to ourselves for a week or so. (smiles and winks, Wes looks puzzled) Oh heavens, dear, I'm just joking! Besides, Doc Brown says you've got to rest! WES (laughs) You're very kind, ma'am. ANNE (laughs) That's the spirit! We're going to get along just fine! Wes is locking up his bike and getting his gear out of the trailer as Anne watches over him. ANNE Headed up to the Tour of the Moon I take it? WES Sort of. I'm thinking of just flying there... ANNE I see, a possible change of heart given your present circumstances, perhaps? Understandable, although I don't think I've ever had a rider here before, would be nice - plenty of parents and grandparents of riders for the Tour, but no actual riders. Riders tend to camp, mostly. WES (smiles) Oh, I've done a lot of that along the way. It's going to be good to have a room and a shower - thank you so very much. Wes has finished with his bike and gear and starts to walk up the steps to the front door with Anne. ANNE (smiles) Oh heavens, it's my pleasure - so exciting to have an actual possible rider at the Shade! Anne opens the door and they enter the Shade. INT. MOUNTAIN SHADE B&B - DAY Anne leads Wes up a winding staircase to his room. ANNE I'll let you get settled in, then I'll show you the house and grounds. WES Thank you. What are your rates? Anne sizes Wes up with a look up and down. ANNE Honey, you don't look like a rider with sponsors, especially if you're thinking of chucking it all in, am I right? WES (looking a little sheepish) Yes ma'am, but I can still pay. ANNE (shaking her head) I'll tell you what - keep me company this week, maybe help out a bit with some light chores, and we'll call it even. How's that? WES (hesitates, looks startled) You're far too kind. ANNE Sugar, you don't know me yet! (laughs hardily) ¬† Wes and Anne have arrived at his room. WES Thank you again. ANNE Anne - call me Anne. WES Thank you, Anne. ANNE (Nods) You're welcome, dear. Now you get some rest and come down whenever you feel up to it. WES I will. Anne turns and leaves as Wes closes the door. He dumps his gear in one lump on a chaise and collapses face first onto his bed and into its large pillows. fade into four-way split-screen. Face-down wes in the first, betsy in one corner, dave in another, and simone in the third. INT. MILES RESIDENCE LIVING ROOM - DAY Melody is sitting on her couch with her laptop. She is tracking Wes via GPS. She sees the unmoving marker in the town of Clifton, Colorado. She takes her cell phone from the end table and dials Wes, but the phone goes directly to voice mail. INT. DAVE'S DORM ROOM - DAY Dave is at his desk with his laptop. He is tracking Wes via GPS and sees the unmoving marker in the town of Clifton, Colorado. He dials Wes on his cell phone, but gets voice mail. INT. SIMONE'S DORM ROOM - DAY Simone is sitting on her bed with her laptop. She is tracking Wes via GPS and sees the unmoving marker in the town of Clifton, Colorado. She dials Wes on his cell phone, but gets voice mail. MELODY Oh Wes... DAVE Dude... SIMONE Wesley... WES (snores) INT. MOUNTAIN SHADE B&B - NIGHT Wes is coming down the stairs and finds Anne working in the kitchen preparing dinner for them. WES Hello, Anne. ANNE (looks over her shoulder from the stove) Wes, glad to see you up! I heard you talking earlier on the phone so I started on dinner. WES Great, thanks. I had to return some missed calls from friends and my mom, they were worried about me. ANNE How did they know to be worried, may I ask? WES They track me through the GPS in my phone. ANNE Ahhhh - smart. I knew you were a smart young man. (smiles) ¬† WES That smells wonderful, what are you making? ANNE Just a little baked chicken with my special blend of spices, homemade mac and cheese, and a lightly sauteed fresh vegetable blend. WES Homemade mac and cheese? I thought it only came in a box! ANNE Oh heavens no, child! Just you wait and taste it, you won't be able to go back to that boxed junk food again. WES I've no doubt. Can I help with anything? ANNE Sure sugar, how about setting the table there for us. You can find everything you need in that cabinet. (motions with her head to a cabinet behind Wes with glass doors with all the dinnerware visible) ¬† Wes sets the table as Anne finished the veggies. Wes then helps her put the food on the table as they sit down to eat. ANNE Dig in, don't be shy now. Riders need lots of calories, you know. (winks) ¬† WES And water! (lifts his water glass and drinks it all down) ¬† ANNE My! Here... (refills his glass from her pitcher) ¬† WES Thank you. ANNE So tell me about your road trip, where's home? WES Iowa City. ANNE Good lord, that must be hundreds of miles from here! You are quite the rider, then! WES (laughs) You might think that, but this is actually my first real ride. ANNE (looks shocked) Honey, I guess you don't do anything small then, huh? Why the Tour then, why now? WES It's...complicated. ANNE Something to do with that urn I saw you carry in? Yes, I saw that. WES Actually, yes - it has everything to do with that. Well, sort of. It's complicated. ANNE (puts her silverware on her plate and her hands in her lap) I have the time if you have the notion. WES Well, he was my roommate at the university. He was killed in an accident by a hit-and-run driver, who as it turns out was one of my best friends. Well, sort of... ANNE (gasps) Oh my word... WES His name was Kent, and he rode his bike everywhere, that's how he died, riding at night and hit by my friend, who was driving my car at the time. ANNE (shakes her head) ¬† WES The university couldn't seem to locate any of his family, so I decided to try. The GPS unit on my bike is - was -¬† Kent's. It had entries for his mom and his dad, so I decided to try to find them. The marker for his mom was in Des Moines, so I tried that first - but it only led to her grave. ANNE (gasps again) ¬† WES The marker for his dad was in Lincoln, Nebraska, so I rode there next, but he has alzheimer's and thought I was his oldest son, John, on his way to the Tour of the Moon. That sounded like as good an idea as any to look for John or other family, so I kept riding. ANNE And that brought you to my door, how extraordinary... So John and Kent were brothers, correct? WES Yes. ANNE (closes her eyes) And was their last name Clark, by any chance? WES (Looks surprised, and concerned) Yes, yes it was - how could you know that? ANNE (A tear begins to run down Anne's cheek as she opens her eyes) A few years ago another rider came through this town, in bad shape. He died here, Wes, and his name was John Clark. Wes's mouth drops open as the scene ends. EXT. CLIFTON CEMETARY - DAY Wes approaches a gravestone carrying Kent's urn. The gravestone reads "John A. Clark/b. October 11, 1986/d. July 1, 2008./Rider, champion/son, brother/Always a good day to ride". Wes reads the gravestone, then sits the urn down at its base as he stares at the gravestone for a few moments. He turns his face toward the sky. WES Not a breath of wind today, warm but not hot, not a cloud in the sky. (He looks back down to the gravestone, pauses a moment, takes in and lets out a deep breath, gives a small nod of his head) A good day to ride. Wes takes a photo of the gravestone and urn with his cell phone, then sends it to his mom, dad, Dave, and Simone, with the text: "Today is a good day to ride. Onward through the mountains and to the Tour of the Moon. For John, for Kent, and for me". He picks up the urn, pauses to look at the gravestone one last moment, then turns and walks away. EXT. MOUNTAIN SHADE B&B - DAY Anne is standing on the steps watching Wes prepare to ride. ANNE You're sure you're ready for this dear, it's only been two days. WES (I am. Wes stops what he is doing and looks directly at Anne) And I'm sorry I can't keep you company the whole week, as I agreed, Anne. You've been so kind, and I can't help but feel ungrateful. ANNE I won't hear of that, young man! You've been wonderful, and the circumstances being what they are...your roommate...his brother...it's been a lot for you. WES (gives a weak but genuine smile) All the same, I owe you a week, Anne, so I will return. ANNE (speaks as she approaches Wes) I shall look forward to that, Wes. Now off with you - and Wes... (takes his head in her hands) You be safe. WES Oh I think you've seen to that - I noticed the case of water you snuck into my trailer. It's a lot of extra weight, but...thank you. Wes and Anne hug, then Wes rides off. EXT. COLORADO MOUNTAINS HIGHWAY - DAY Wes is riding up a steep section of mountain road. He is straining with the extra weight of the case of water. WES Oh that water, that's got to be 25 extra pounds! Montage of scenes of Wes riding through the mountains over the period of a few days. He passes various wildlife and breathtaking scenes as we winds through the mountains. Wes is riding steadily approaching a curve when a butterfly appears next to him flying the same speed. Wes looks at it for a moment, then it comes and lands on his handlebars to his astonishment. As he watches it land, a truck can be seen rounding the corner up ahead cutting across both lanes. The truck honks its horn as Wes looks up at the last moment and veers sharply to the right out of the way, nearly crashing into the rock bluff. WES Jesus! The truck passes and Wes watches it disappear then checks his bike over and realizes he has a flat rear tire. WES S**t. Wes gets off his bike and removes the rear tire. He gets a spare tube, pump, and tire lever from his trailer and pops off the tire rubber and pulls out the old tube. He then puts the new tube on followed by the tire rubber and inflates the tire. He packs up the trailer again and starts off up the road again, but within a few moments realizes his rear tire is soft again. WES What the... Wes pulls off the road and repeats the tire changing process. He drapes over the seat for a few moments to inspect the tire, then hears a hissing as the tire grows soft again. WES Oh come on! Wes starts to change the tire again, then has a flashback to when he was at Robert's house. FLASHBACK TO: EXT. ROBERT CLARK RESIDENCE FRONT YARD - DAY Wes is working on some adjustments to his bike as Robert watches. ROBERT Now John, if you have to change a flat on the road, be sure to put a little air in the tube before you put the rubber back on, otherwise you can cause a pinch flat. WES mmm hmmmm. BACK TO: EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - DAY Wes throws his head back and sighs. He changes his tire again, this time putting some air in before putting the rubber back on. He inspects after and his tire is holding air, and heads back up the road. WES Thanks, Mr. Clark... EXT. GRAND JUNCTION - LATE AFTERNOON Wes approaches the city limits of Grand Junction. Wes checks GPSY and navigates toward the GRANDPA CHARLIE marker on GPSY's screen. Along the way he passes signs for the Tour of the Moon along with other riders, both casual and the professionals. He finds the house indicated by GPSY and dismounts his bike, removing his helmet. He walks up the steps and knocks on the door. A black woman about 40 answers the door. SYBIL Yes, may I help you? WES Probably not - my grandfather used to live here, well, not my grandfather, but, nevermind. His name is Charles Clark, I don't suppose he still lives here, does he? SYBIL (gives a sympathetic smile) No, I'm afraid not, sorry. WES I didn't think so, it was a longshot anyway. Thank you. Wes turns to leave when Sybil notices his bike. SYBIL Are you here for the Tour? WES (Turns back around, and pauses a moment) I'm not really sure. Maybe. SYBIL (looks puzzled, but still smiling) I see. Do you have a place to stay? I ask because the town is booked up with the Tour starting in two days, and if you didn't plan ahead... WES Uh, no, I haven't actually looked into that yet. SYBIL I thought that might be the case. If you head out just west of town you'll find an area that's been opened up for camping for the overflow. You just have to get a permit, should be someone there that can help you with that. WES Thank you, I'll check it out. SYBIL Good luck - and welcome to Grand Junction. Sybil closes the door and Wes turns and starts to walk back to his bike. Out of the corner of his eye, rounding a corner out of site he catches a glimpse of what looks like Wendy. He hesistates for a second, then runs down the sidewalk to catch up to her. WES Wendy?! The girl turns around as Wes catches up to her, but it is not Wendy. OLIVIA Excuse me? WES Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else. Olivia smiles, then turns and walks away. Wes turns and walks back to his bike. He rides to the camp. INT. WES'S TENT - NIGHT Wes is inside his tent with Kent's urn in front of him, and his laptop in his lap. He is looking at photos of Wendy, then looks up at the urn. He then watches the old video of when Kent and Wendy met. He looks up again at the urn. He closes the laptop and sets it aside, then picks up GPSY and turns it on. He reviews his journey from GPSYs stored history route, then looks back up at the urn. WES You're right, it would be a shame to come all this way and not ride. EXT. GRAND JUNCTION - MORNING Wes is riding around downtown Grand Junction and taking in the sites and shops. The sidewalks and streets are busy with Tour visitors. Wes finds his way to an information booth labeled Tour of the Moon check-in. TOUR REP Good morning! Checking in? WES Actually I was interested in finding out how to sign up for riding in the Tour. TOUR REP (looks puzzled) You mean you're not registered? WES No, I'm not. TOUR REP I'm sorry, you have to be pre-registered to ride in the Tour. WES No exceptions? I've come a very long way, by bike. TOUR REP I'm sorry, no. Wes turns and goes to his trailer, pulling Kent's urn out, and walks back to the booth. WES This is Kent. He was my roommate back at the University of Iowa... TOUR REP There aren't any... WES ...he was killed by a hit-and-run driver while he was on his bike. He loved his bike, he loved to ride, and everyone loved him. He inspired me to ride all this way here to take him on this Tour, this year, something he always wanted to do. A small crowd has gathered, drawn by the rise in Wes's voice. TOUR REP There isn't anything I can do, I am sorry. WES His older brother rode in the Tour, and his father before him. His older brother died on the way here a few years ago, and now he (holds up the turn) is dead without ever riding the Tour of the Moon. VOICE FROM THE CROWD You're talking about Clark, John Clark?! WES (to the crowd) Yes, this is his brother Kent. (holds up the urn) TOUR REP I was here the year that happened, but I didn't know who it was... A general murmer can be heard from the crowd about John, then about Lance. A man works his way through the crowd and up to Wes. LANCE ARMSTRONG This is John Clark's brother? WES (holds up the urn) This is. LANCE ARMSTRONG I never met John, but I did hear about his tragic death. That's why you don't ride distance without support, son. WES Yes sir, Mr...? LANCE ARMSTRONG (laughs) Armstrong, Lance Armstrong. (Holds out his hand to shake Wes's) WES (shakes hands) Wes Miles. LANCE ARMSTRONG (turns to the Tour Rep) Bill, Wes here is with me. Let him ride in the back of the pack at the start, ok? TOUR REP Yes, Mr. Armstrong, of course. LANCE ARMSTRONG (to Wes) Good luck, Wes. WES Thank you - this meant everything to him. Lance works his way back through the crowd amid cheers, back-slapping, and handshakes. EXT. TOUR OF THE MOON STARTING LINE - MORNING Wes is positioned at the very rear of the starting pack, complete with his bike trailer. He double checks that Kent's urn is securely in place as a tour official approaches him. TOUR OFFICIAL #1 What are you doing? You can't ride the Tour with a trailer! Another tour official hurries over. TOUR OFFICIAL #2 It's ok, he's here at the request of Lance Armstrong. The first official gives the second a glare, but then walks away. TOUR OFFICIAL #2 (to Wes) Sorry about that, but this is a very, uh, unusual circumstance. WES (laughs) No problem at all, I've already got plenty of stares and comments. TOUR OFFICIAL #2 You all set then? Just let everyone else get off first so you don't cause any issues, OK? WES You bet - not like I'm planning on winning. TOUR OFFICIAL #2 (laughs) Good riding, then! The tour official walks off as the tour announcer calls a 5 minute start warning over the loudspeaker. Wes checks his trailer, his gloves, his helmet, and his water bottle, then lets out a big breath. The other riders around and in front of him are all jostling and awaiting the gun. The crowd of spectators line the streets and are cheering. The starting gun goes off and the riders are away. Wes hesitates a moment, then as he prepares to start he sees a girl in the crowd - Wendy. Their eyes meet and lock, and Wes is left at the start as all the other riders leave. All heads in the crowd follow the riders except for Wendy, who is staring at Wes staring back at her. They smile at each other. FADE TO BLACK © 2012 Kent SmothermanAuthor's Note
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Kent SmothermanOmaha, NEAboutWeb systems architect by profession, chess player by passion, writer when inspired. more..Writing
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