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Wrote my first screenplay earlier this summer. Ignore the formatting issues. I didn’t realize until it was too late that Google Docs isn’t as mobile friendly as I assumed.

Past Lives

By Daniel Coniff

TW: Child Abuse, Sexual Assault

EXT. OVERPASS — DAY — PRESENT

Standing on the side of a highway bridge overlooking a small dilapidated town in the middle of a desert are two boys — RAFAEL (13) and JOAQUIN (14). The boys wear worn, dirty casual summer clothes. An 80s Chevy El Camino with racing stripes and post-apocalyptic modifications sits on the road. It also has a logo of a red sword above a black and white banner that says “Peace Through Strength” on the sides. Metal crates are anchored to the car’s bed. Joaquin leans against the car with a cigarette in his mouth and quietly lights it.

Joaquin watches Rafael standing at the edge of the overpass as he aims a sniper rifle at the dilapitated town as an impromptu pair of binoculars. Joaquin quietly stows the lighter in his jeans pocket and takes a puff of the cigarette.

Joaquin

See anything, Rafie?

Rafael

(his sights are on a zombie struggling to get out of a Dairy Queen

drive-through window)

Whole place is crawling with zombies. Mark it infested.

Cigarette smoke wafts over to Rafael.

Rafael (cont’d)

(sniffing the air)

Is something burning?

Rafael lowers the rifle and looks around, using his naked eyes to look for smoke. Joaquin quickly flicks the cigarette behind him, and it lands on the other side of the overpass. However, Rafael isn’t an easily tricked kid. Quite the opposite, actually.

Joaquin

I don’t smell anything.

Rafael

(turns towards Joaquin)

Are you smoking again?

Joaquin

No. Why would I do that?

Rafael

(peers over the car and sees the cigarette. Rolls his eyes)

Dude, you said you were done smoking. You know how bad that

shit is, right? Dangerous, too. It could start a fire. Did you think

about that?

Joaquin

What are you accusing me for? I told you I was done with that

stuff. I am a new man with a purpose. Ain’t no way I

would take up smoking again.

Rafael

(walks around the car to the cigarette)

You know lying is a sin.

Joaquin

You know God isn’t real.

Rafael

(picks up the cigarette and walks back to Joaquin)

I heard that.

Rafael stands in front of the older boy and holds out the cigarette.

Joaquin

Ugghhh, fine, you caught me. What’s my punishment? BB to the

ass?

Rafael

(tosses the cigarette aside. facepalms after a short beat of

processing)

You’re so fucking stupid.

Joaquin

Oh? I thought name-calling was a sin.

Rafael

You know that shit is like gold, right? We buy food and water with

them. Did you forget? You have a serious problem. Should I take

you to the Rubytown Clinic?

Joaquin

Okay, man, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, I promise.

Rafael

Pinky swear?

Joaquin pinky swears with Rafael. He is crossing his fingers behind his back. Rafael then places the rifle in the crate.

Rafael

We still got the map, or d’ya roll a joint when I wasn’t looking?

Joaquin

Yeah, I found weed on the side of the road. It was soooo tempting.

Rafael shakes his head and walks around to the car’s passenger door.

Rafael

Why did God give me a brother like you?

Joaquin

(follows Rafael to the passenger’s side)

Hey, I love you too, Rafie.

Rafael opens the door and retrieves a map and a black sharpie from the car's glove box and sets the map on the hood. Joaquin tousles his brother’s hair. Rafael points to a town called Hunter’s Creek.

Rafael

That’s our next survey. If we go now, we might have time to scout

it out before nightfall. Wouldn’t it be something if we found that kid who ran from the Raiders? We’d be promoted for sure.

Joaquin

Keep dreaming, man. He wouldn’t surrender without a fight.

EXT. CAMP — DAY — FOUR YEARS AGO

The entire area is a makeshift settlement with cabins in a circular pattern. People in leather clothes with punk-styled haircuts walk around the area, mingling with each other and laughing.

INT. CABIN — DAY — FOUR YEARS AGO

A woman wearing a maid’s uniform — ROSA (52) — helps a little boy — YOUNG SIMON (10) — put a tattered tuxedo on. The boy looks into a standing mirror, staring at himself. Behind the boy is Rosa, bunk beds, and other simple furniture you might find in a child’s bedroom.

Young Simon

What’s there to celebrate? I killed someone.

Rosa

A boy’s first human kill is a momentous occasion, Private Simon.

INT. CAR — DUSK — BACK TO PRESENT

Joaquin is driving the El Camino, and Rafael looks out of the passenger-side window. The town is eerily quiet. The brothers can see no human, animal, or zombie activity. The car crawls along the road between antique houses.

The car’s RUMBLING ENGINE and DISTANT THUNDER are audible. A single INAUDIBLE raindrop falls on Rafael’s arm as he rests it on the door.

Joaquin

Looks clear. What do you think?

Rafael

(marks a green check mark on the map over a town named

Hunter’s Creek. Looks over to his brother when he’s done.)

Yup. Let’s wait till morning to scavenge, though. Too dark.

The car is now parked in the middle of the road. Joaquin looks at Rafael like he said something utterly absurd.

Rafael

(after a short beat)

Oh, fuck off. You never know what’s lingering around the corner.

Joquin

Wow, it’s just- I’m shocked! The little kid who begged mom to let

him stay up and watch horror movies is afraid of the dark?

Rafael

Shut up, this isn’t a movie. This is real life.

Joaquin

(turns the car off)

Come on! Where’s your sense of adventure? Remember when you

wanted to be an astronaut or a deep-sea diver? We have our flashlights. We’ll be fine if we stick together. Just pretend you’re exploring an ancient village. These houses can’t be a day over 100.

Rafael

Fine, we’ll check out one of these houses, but that’s it.

EXT. ABANDONED TOWN — NIGHT

Joaquin holds the door open for Rafael as they exit the house holding guns. It is now RAINING HEAVILY. The THUNDER from earlier is much louder and closer than earlier. Sporadic flashes of lightning illuminate the area around them. Rafael is visibly upset. The boys then stand under the house’s awning.

Rafael

I could have told you. Empty.

Joaquin

It’s all about mindset.

Rafael

My mindset says you were wrong and I was right.

Joaquin is about to respond when he looks past Rafael and his expression suddenly becomes one of astonishment.

Joaquin

Yo, check it out!

Rafael is expecting another half-patronizing question when he notices his brother’s strange reaction to something he sees. Rafael slowly turns in the direction of his brother’s gaze. He can see a faint flicker of light radiating through the window a ranch house a few hundred yards away.

Rafael

Humans!

Joaquin

Raiders?

Rafael

Nah, we’d see more lights if so. It has to be a

nomad, or maybe even scouts. But I wonder who they’re working with if they are. No, it has to be a nomad or something.

. Joaquin

We should investigate.

Rafael

We’ll get soaked. We can’t drive to the end of the block, that

would make too much noise. We’d have to walk.

Joaquin

Our hoodies are in the car. I’ll grab them and a couple of ARs. You

stay here, princess.

The older brother runs to the car. Rafael scoffs. He hates being called a princess. His anger is placed on the backburner, however, as Joaquin yells.

Joaquin

What the fuck?!

Joaquin is standing on the other side of the car.

Joaquin (cont’d)

The gas cap is open!

Joaquin hops in the driver’s seat and puts a key in the ignition, seeing if it’ll start. The vehicle won’t turn over. Instead of roaring to life, the car GROANS every time Joaquin turns the key.

Joaquin

Prick siphoned our gas!

Rafael runs to the gas cap and sees that it is open.

Rafael

Fuck!

Joaquin

Get in the car! We’ll decide what to do.

INT. CAR — NIGHT

The brothers are soaking wet and shivering. The car’s interior is shielding them from the elements. Joaquin holds out a hoodie to Rafael. He is already wearing one with a different design.

Joaquin

Here, take this.

Rafael

(takes the hoodie. Puts it on quickly.)

We gonna go after him?

Joaquin

Yup, I’m gonna make him regret it. You don’t mess with the Lobos

brothers. I’ll kill ‘em.

Rafael

Woah, easy bro. I get it. I’m pissed, too, but we’re Resistance, not Raiders. Let’s at least try to talk-

Joaquin

I’m done with this kindergarten bullshit.

Rafael

But, the Resistance protects us. If we defect, more stuff like this is gonna happen.

Joaquin

Oh, don’t be a pussy. When the rain clears up, we’re grabbing

those ARs and heading for his ass.

EXT. HOUSE — NIGHT

The rain is now light, and the thunder is gone. The brothers stealthily approach the house and peer into the living room window. A boy with blonde, buzzed hair about their age wearing a dark denim jacket — Simon (14) — sits on a rocking chair in front of a fire place. In his arms is a swaddled infant — PENNY (0), and he feeds it from a bottle. He is singing, his VOICE MUFFLED.

Simon

“For I can’t help falling in love with you….”

Joaquin

Holy shit, that’s-

Simon suddenly turns his head and looks out the window at the brothers.

Simon

(voice is still muffled and barely audible)

About time you guys show up! I’ve been waiting all night.

He stands up with the baby in his arms and walks towards the front door. The brothers start to run off.

Simon

Wait! Don’t go. I just want to chat.

The door opens, and the blonde boy emerges with the baby in his arms, standing on a raised patio. He and Rafael make eye contact.

Simon

Come on in, guys. Bet you’re freezing your balls off. Guns

at the doorstep, if ya wouldn’t mind. Y’all drink coffee?

INT. HOUSE — NIGHT

The brothers sit on a couch in the same living room they were looking into earlier. The room has rustic decor, wall hangings and things you might see in your grandparent’s house. They wear new, oversized pairs of clothes. The fireplace from earlier is CRACKLING.

Simon

(hands cups of coffee to the brothers, keeps one for

himself. He sits down in the adjacent recliner)

Coolbeans. Penelope is in bed, and now we can talk

like gentlemen! First, how are those clothes?

Rafael

They’re fine. Thank you.

Simon

Hope you don’t mind homemade creamer. Oh, and thanks for the

gas. Penny wouldn’t have had dinner if it weren’t for you guys. So tell me, what are your names?

Rafael and Joaquin exchange curious glances.

Rafael

I’m Rafael, and this is my brother Joaquin. What’s your name? Is

Penelope your sister?

Joaquin

What the fuck is this, Alcoholics Anonymous?

Simon

It’s all right, Joaquin. Introductions are hard for many of us.

Rafael snorts and laughs.

Joaquin

Wiseass, shut up. We’re doing you a favor by not killing

you, gas stealer. We’re Raiders.

Simon

(points to a handgun in a holster around his leg and wags

his finger mockingly)

Please. If you were Raiders, I’d be dead by now. Besides, if you

knew anything about Raiders, you’d know they wouldn’t be caught dead in anything that says Resistance. You guys must be their scouts. Look, I know your type. You have all of this crazy firepower to protect yourselves from zombies and yet you’re too chicken shit to use any of it. The Resistance doesn’t really need a bunch of kids to see what towns are infested. They want a devoted child army. Tell me, does the word nazi mean anything to y’all?

The brothers both shake their heads.

Simon (cont’d)

(nods)

I assume Resistance only teaches what they want. Sit down, now. Wouldn’t be very polite to kill your dinner host.

Joaquin sits back down.

Simon (cont’d)

Oh, where are my manners? My name is Simon. And, no, Penny is

not my sister. She’s my… she’s my daughter.

Rafael does a spit-take.

Joaquin

The fuck? How old are you?

Simon

(pretending to be angry, overdramatizes)

Joaquin, I won’t accept the profanity any longer. Go stand outside

and freeze to death!

Joaquin

Hey, hey, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I promise.

Simon

I’m joking! I don’t give a fuck. Look, I know you guys know who I am. Let’s cut the shit. I have something to show y’all.

Rafael sits up straight, looking expectantly at Simon.

Simon rolls up his shirt sleeve and shows the brothers his tattoo - a skull above the words PILLAGE OR DIE. This is insignia used to represent loyalty to the Raiders.

Rafael can’t help but show his disbelief.

Joaquin

(leans over to get a better look)

Yooo…

INT. PRISON — NIGHT — TWO WEEKS AGO

Flashback of nothingness alternating with all-neon red flashes of Simon running with Penny as guards chase and shoot at him indiscriminately. SIRENS blare.

Simon (O.S.)

Nothin’ to be proud of, Joaquin. Raiders made me… do things, horrible things. I’ve robbed, tortured, killed… worst was this one prisoner… they made me… do her because I wouldn’t kill an old couple… I fucking promised myself the day Penelope was born, I was taking her and running.

INT. HOUSE — NIGHT — BACK TO PRESENT

Back to the same living room as the scene before last.

Rafael

(after a short beat of processing.)

None of it was your fault. They made you do those things because they’re cowards.

Simon

Rafael, you don’t get it. Raiders kidnapped me when I was 6. I’m 14 now. I could have ran a lot sooner. I should have. I gave in. I’m the real coward.

Rafael looks to Joaquin for assistance.

Joaquin

You’re not. You were scared for your life. Sounds like they were rewarding you by allowing you to live. Nobody can blame you.

Simon

Maybe. I still think I could have done something. So, you guys gonna take me and Penny in or we just gonna sit here?

Rafael and Joaquin exchange glances. Somehow, they know exactly what each other is thinking.

Rafael

No.

Simon

What? What do you mean? I’m a Raider. You’re supposed to turn

Raiders in. That’s what the Resistance does.

Rafael

(fidgets)

To be honest, Joaquin was just talking about leaving the

Resistance. Maybe we should. And, maybe… maybe you and

Penny can come with us.

Joaquin

We can be your family.

Simon

Are you… are you guys serious? Wow, thank you. But, Mercs would never stop coming after us. They’re already looking for me. You shouldn’t have to run from them, too.

Rafael

(takes a moment to contemplate this. He then smiles.)

So what if we have Mercs after us? We’d take care of each other. We’d be smart. Everyone deserves a family.

EXT. ABANDONED TRAIN STATION — DAY — ONE WEEK LATER

Simon and Rafael walk side by side along a railroad track. Rafael looks at Simon and notices that he appears lost in thought.

Rafael

Hey, Penny is in good hands. Joaquin might be dumb, but he’s a

good protector. Trust me, I grew up with him.

Simon

Sure.

EXT. ABANDONED TRAIN STATION — DAY

Back to Simon and Rafael walking down the same railroad track as the scene before last.

Rafael

I promise. He’ll keep her safe.

Simon

Yeah.

There are a few moments where no words are said. Rafael looks again at Simon and sees that his dejected expression has not changed.

Rafael

Look, I know-

Simon

Do you believe in God?

Raffael

Yeah, why? Do you?

Simon

I think if there is a God, he’s an asshole.

Rafael

Yeah. I can see that. But, he loves you.

Simon stops and turns toward Rafael.

Simon

Don’t you say that, man. Don’t you dare fucking say that to me.

Rafael

Okay. I’m sorry. Let’s keep going.

Rafael continues walking. Simon stands still. Tears well as he faces Rafael.

Simon

Nobody should love me. I’m a monster. All my life, I’ve been-

Rafael

You’re a legend.

Simon

Bullshit.

Rafael

Bulltrue. You said enough is enough, and you left. Remember

the rumor? You runnin’ inspired others to do the same. That

doesn’t make you a monster, that makes you a legend.

Simon didn’t expect Rafael to say any of this, and his shock is apparent yet modest.

Rafael (cont’d)

Listen, your past means nothin’ to Joaquin and me. I like you for

who you’ve become, not for things you did. Like Joaquin said,

you’re making things right. It’s not your past that makes you who

you are, it’s what you’re doing now. Think about all of the

families, all the lives you just saved by runnin’. That takes the

courage of a hero. So, yeah, you deserve love.

Simon

(after a long, emotionally charged beat)

Can I hug you?

Rafael

Hell yeah, man.

The boys embrace, and a smile emerges through Simon’s emotional expression.

EXT. VACATION HOME — DAY — 16 MONTHS LATER

Simon and Joaquin stand in a clearing surrounded by tall trees outside a remote vacation home. Next to the boys is a garden. They are cheering Penelope on as she takes her first steps. Simon scoops Penelope up and spins with her.

Simon

That’s my girl!

INT. VACATION HOME — DAY

Simon and Joaquin are sitting at a table as they play with Penelope. Simon walks in carrying an automatic rifle and puts it on a high shelf. Can’t Help Falling in Love With You plays quietly on a record player.

Rafael

Good news. Sounds like Raiders aren’t after us anymore. Too

many defectors- Why are you all so happy?

Joaquin

Penny took her first steps!

Rafael

I missed it?!

Rafael runs over to Penelope.

Rafael

Did you walk? Did you walk? Who’s getting to be a big girl?

The boys all laugh.

CREDITS ROLL.

#screenplay #coming of age #post apocalyptic #dystopian #story

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