Eden By Anthony DeFeo

9 West Lane East Moriches, NY 11940 (631)-655-2694 [email protected] FADE IN:

EXT. ALLEY BEHIND FACTORY, MIDDAY GEORGE, a weary and grease-stained factory worker of about twenty, emerges from the back door of his workplace. He wears a brown coat, vest, slacks, boots, and a newsboy cap, all of which are grimy from a day’s work. Wiping his brow, he sits on the ground and removes from his pocket a pouch containing several coins. He counts them in his hand. A factory whistle blows somewhere overhead, and George makes a decision. He returns the pouch to his pocket and removes a long, thin card that flutters from his hand. He walks determinedly down the alley and onto an adjoining street. Upon closer inspection, the piece of paper is revealed to be a time card; that morning’s shift has been punched in, but he has not clocked out.

CUT TO:

EXT. ABANDONED TRAIN STATION, MIDDAY

George paces past a desolate train station, his feet pounding into the sun-bleached ballast. In either direction there is little but squalor; he is the only sign of life. As he walks, NARRATION begins:

NARRATOR (V.O.): In speckled flecks of white, on freckled specks of gravel... CUT TO:

EXT. UNDER BRIDGE OVER HARBOR, MIDDAY George makes his way under an imposing, industrious bridge, it’s I-beams and rivets rising up about him. Alongside his path flows a river, dwarfed by the climbing lattice of steel. Out in the harbor, cranes jab at the underbelly of the sky. NARRATOR (V.O): ...The desk-bound jockeys rest, and let their thoughts unravel... 2.

CUT TO:

EXT. ABANDONED RAILROAD BRIDGE, EVENING George continues over a railroad bridge, long left to rust. The sun is behind him now, and his silhouette is stark against the blue of the evening sky. As he walks along, his path becomes flanked by two rows of buildings. They cast lengthy shadows across the rail line, causing George to shudder and pick up his pace. CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST PATH ENTRANCE, EVENING

Suddenly, the route opens up, the setting sun streaming onto the ground in front of him, which is no longer gravel, but earth. George slows his pace and stops, surprised. Ahead of him lies the entrance to a trail shaded by an archway of luscious green trees. He journeys on. CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST PATH, EVENING Along the trail, sunlight filters through layers of bountiful green, casting rays on fleeting snatches of life:

Birds flit from branch to branch, insects crawl over fallen logs, squirrels skip and jump along the forest floor, and birdsong fills the air. As George walks, his pace slackens.

NARRATOR (V.O.): ...Neath spindly, knotted limbs, yet more so limber fingers...

Before him appears another river, its waters flowing gently. The path continues along the bank, tree limbs reaching out as if to touch him. NARRATOR (V.O.): ...The street-worn lay their heads...

(CONTINUED) CONTINUED: 3.

Out of nowhere, a human foot strikes George in the head. The tranquility of the forest disturbed, he staggers backwards and rubs his temple. Gazing up, he finds the origin of the appendage to be ADAM, dressed in a pale blue cardigan and slacks, no shoes, and a big straw hat, sitting on a fallen tree just above George’s head. A selection of dirty, drab-colored clothes is draped over the log next to him.

NARRATOR (V.O.): ...And therein choose to linger... Adam jumps out of the tree and smiles.

For a moment, George stands bewildered. Adam walks up and places his arm around George’s shoulder, leading him along. His shoulders relax, and he goes along beside Adam.

George stumbles, having tripped over another limb. This one belongs to EVE, who is reclining beneath a tree, eating an apple. She has flowers in her long hair and is wearing a pale yellow summer dress that flows about her figure. Beside her also is a pile of dirty, stained clothes.

Eve rises and offers Adam an apple, shiny and clean. He hesitates, so she takes a bite of it herself before offering it back to him.

George takes the apple gratefully and bites into it, juice streaming down his neck. The three walk together down the path, continuing alongside the river.

Upon looking about, George sees a whole host of FOREST FOLK emerging from behind the dense foliage and up in the trees. They are all dressed in pastel hues and sandals. Near all of them lie small heaps of old discarded clothes. Eve reaches up and removes George’s hat from his head.

While George continues to eat the apple, the forest folk move towards and slowly surround him. NARRATOR (V.O.): They gather, they, the monks, who know not what they are...

(CONTINUED) CONTINUED: 4.

A hand reaches over and loosens George’s tie, pulling it off gently, while another two remove his coat. His clothes are quickly replaced with a pale green knit shawl and a necklace of leaves. Then his pocket watch is taken from his vest, only to be replaced with a selection of wild flowers.

George’s sleeves are rolled up and the apple is removed from his hand, the forest dweller responsible taking a hefty bite from it. He is handed a lit pipe. He is about to take a puff, but is halted by the presence of a damp cloth patting down his face and neck.

Once he is wiped clean, George is led to a bed of moss beneath a tree. Upon sitting down, his shoes and socks are removed, and final touches are made to his face and garb. Mandolin music floats listlessly through the air, and the flowing of the water grows louder. The many hands surrounding George pull away. NARRATOR (V.O.): To sit in silent worship and prayer towards one bright star:...

George looks out over the river and watches as more forest folk, on the opposite side, take up their respective posts amongst the undergrowth and trees. The riverbank unfolds to reveal countless people on both sides resting by the water, eating, laughing, and laying lazily in languor.

GEORGE: It’s magnificent. His face warm in a spot of sunlight, George closes his eyes.

NARRATOR (V.O.): Oh thanks be to the refuge we find beyond the glass! If we had but one moment left...

CUT TO BLACK. NARRATOR (V.O., CONT’D): We’d wish this be our last. THE END.