"BRANCHES"
FADE IN:
EXT. A country road (1906) — EVENING
A SHADOWY FIGURE emerges slowly from the vanishing point riding atop a roan stallion… It gets closer and we see it is a man… It gets even closer and we see the man is a tall, slender, good looking African-American about age 25. From his P.O.V. we see the vanishing point to the horizon…
INT. A Country Church (1907) — DAY
We see a wedding ceremony of the man getting married to a tall, slender, pretty, African-American woman about age 20 who looks strangely subdued. From her P.O.V. we see the vanishing point to the horizon…
EXT. HIGHWAY 65 — AFTERNOON
It’s raining less as Neely speeds down the 2-lane highway that connects Des Moines, Iowa to Sedalia, Missouri.
INSERT — HIGHWAY SIGN
which reads U.S. 65.
INT./EXT. Neely’s automobile/HIGHWAY 65 — late afternoon
The rain has stopped and the VW is sailing smoothly down the highway.
ANGLE ON Neely deep in thought.
FLASHBACK
Roland slapping her and looking at her with rage.
END FLASHBACK
Neely grimaces as if she can still feel his hand connect with her flesh. Her foot presses on the accelerator and the speedometer needle inches well past speed limit. Tears are brimming her eyes and spill over her cheeks.
FLASHBACK
Gilliam smiling at her when they first met.
END FLASHBACK
INSERT — HIGHWAY SIGN "CHILLICOTHE – 28 miles"
EXT. outskirts of sedalia, mo — EARLY EVENING
INSERT — CITY LIMITS SIGN
which reads SEDALIA, POPULATION 20,927
BACK TO SCENE
SERIES OF SHOTS —
A) SEDALIA, MO — Neely drives through the streets of Sedalia, stopping at traffic lights, making turns easily, comfortable with the navigation.
B) DES MOINES, IA — after work, Gilliam stops by Dinado’s looking for Neely. When he doesn’t see her, he sits at the bar and motions to the BARTENDER to pour him a drink.
GILLIAM
Seen my lady friend?
bartender
Haven’t seen her yet tonight, man.
C) SEDALIA, MO — Neely drives up to a small cottage on an asphalt paved street. She pulls the VW into the driveway, then gets out of the car and approaches the house. She steps onto the porch and knocks on the door.
D) DES MOINES, IA — Gilliam throws a tip on the bar and heads for the exit.
END OF SERIES
EXT. GANZIE’S HOUSE (august, 1975) — EARLY EVENING
A tall, slender, rather fragile looking African-American woman comes to the door. This is GANZIE SIMS, Neely’s grandmother. She is very old with snow white hair and a slightly stooped posture but her face is bright with pleasure at the recognition of her visitor.
GANZIE
Neely, baby, it’s so good to see you.
They embrace warmly and as Neely pats her grandmother’s bony shoulders, a look of concern spreads across her brow.
NEELY
Oh, Ganzie, I’ve missed you so much.
INT. GANZIE’S HOUSE — MOMENTS LATER
Ganzie’s living room is small with very old but comfortable looking furniture. There is a small TV in the corner and it is turned on to SANFORD AND SON.
GANZIE
I don’t have much food in the house, Neely.
NEELY
Don’t worry, Ganzie, I don’t need much.
GANZIE
We can put your suitcase on the sleeping porch.
Ganzie starts to lift the bag but it is immediately apparent that she cannot.
NEELY
You know I could never pack light. You’d think I was moving in instead of just staying for a few days.
Ganzie smiles as if remembering something humorous.
Neely picks up the suitcase and moves through the house to the sleeping porch. She smiles with the pleasure of being in familiar surroundings.
She sits on the bed and runs her right hand across the quilt.
ANGLE ON Neely’s face.
INT. ganzie’s sleeping porch (1950) — day
Ganzie and Neely (about 10 years old) are sitting on the same bed covered with the same quilt. Neely clings to her doll with fierce determination while Ganzie tries to console her granddaughter.
GANZIE
Your Mama does not hate you. She’s not always easy to understand but I can tell you she doesn’t hate you.
NEELY
Yes she does. She slapped me with a fly swatter!
GANZIE
And what did you do?
NEELY
Nothing.
GANZIE
Nothing?
NEELY
Well…I kinda sassed her.
GANZIE
Shame on you! You must never show disrespect to your mother.
NEELY
I’m sorry.
pause
I wanna come live with you, Ganzie. Do I have to go back?
GANZIE
Yes, you have to go back, Sweetheart. But I’ll tell you what–you can stay for a few days and we’ll make a new dress for Jessie.
Ganzie takes the doll from Neely’s arms and gives her a once over.
GANZIE
Now let’s go have a little snack. Things will seem much better with some apple pie in your tummy, don’t you think?
INT. GANZIE’S LIVING ROOM (1950) — LATER
Ganzie holds the phone slightly away from her ear as ALMA KINGSTON (attractive African-American woman, mid-40’s, large frame) Neely’s mother, yells from her end of the line.
INTERCUT
ALMA
bursting with anger
I can’t handle that child, Mama. She is headstrong and willful.
GANZIE
I’d say headstrong and willful runs in her blood.
ALMA
But she told me to mind my own business. I will not let her talk to me that way.
GANZIE
Calm down, Alma. You’ve lost control of yourself.
Alma is furious and doesn’t respond.
GANZIE
Look, let her stay for a few days and then I’ll put her on the bus back to Des Moines. Some time and distance may help the situation. But let me tell you one thing–you have no business hitting that child with a fly swatter to make your point. You were raised better than that…
ALMA
Mama, you don’t understand…
GANZIE
I understand all I need to understand and if something like this ever happens again…Neely won’t have to come runnin’ to me…I’ll come up there and get her myself.
INT. ganzie’s dining room (august, 1976) — NIGHT
Neely has shopped for dinner and she and Ganzie are at the dining room table sharing a supper of Kentucky Fried Chicken, salad and biscuits. Neely is almost finished and looks concerned that Ganzie is just picking at her plate.
NEELY
trying to be cheerful
Do you remember that time I was mad at Mama and wanted to come live with you?
GANZIE
Indeed I do. You were such an intense child.
NEELY
But you wouldn’t let me stay.
GANZIE
You’re my favorite grandchild but you were only 10 years old. I couldn’t let you leave your mother that way.
NEELY
I’m your only grandchild so I’m certainly glad I’m your favorite.
GANZIE
pursing her lips in amusement
Indeed, indeed.
NEELY
After I got back home, things weren’t much better, but because of you, I was able to make the best of it.
GANZIE
That’s what we all do. Make the best of things and keep going. Your mother was wrong but so were you. We all make mistakes.
NEELY
My life is one big mistake.
It’s falling apart and I don’t know how to stop it.
GANZIE
And you’re worried about me?
NEELY
Don’t tease me, this is serious.
GANZIE
So when are you going to tell me what is so serious?
NEELY
hesitates
Roland and I…are having problems.
GANZIE
Problems can be fixed.
NEELY
Not these… He hit me last night.
Neely instinctively moves her hand to her cheek as if to cover it up but the swelling is barely noticeable. She lowers her head as if afraid to make eye contact with Ganzie.
GANZIE
Oh my.
NEELY
…and he threatened to kill me.
GANZIE
My, oh my.
NEELY
I left because I was afraid of what would happen if I stayed.
GANZIE
This is serious. I had no idea things were so bad.
NEELY
They have been for a long time but this is the worst.
GANZIE
I don’t want you to think I’m not on your side but it takes two to break up a marriage. Are you telling me everything?
NEELY
Yes… Well, no…
hesitates
I’m in love with another man, Ganzie.
GANZIE
So is this why Roland hit you?
NEELY
He doesn’t know.
GANZIE
Don’t fool yourself, Neely. He knows. You can’t have someone else in your heart and keep it a secret.
Neely raises her head and looks at Ganzie with eyes full of sadness and surprise.
GANZIE
He may not be sure it’s another man but he knows something has come between you and he’s smart enough to guess that it might be a man.
pause
What’s this young man’s name?
NEELY
Gilliam.
