COYOTE ON THE RUN
Written by
Matt Goldman
FADE IN:
EXT RESIDENTIAL STREET - EARLY MORNING, MINIMAL SUNLIGHT
Matt walks silently along a quiet street. It’s early enough that not many people are out. Matt stops, squints and focuses on a small animal crossing the street up ahead.
MATT (IN LOW TONES TO HIMSELF)
What the fuck is that. God damn it,
why do people let their dogs out
like that.
As he gets closer, the animal gets to Matt side of the street and spots Matt. They stare at each other.
MATT (CONT’D)
Oh shit, it’s a baby coyote.
What’re doing here?
The coyote is spooked by Matt and runs back across the street, just as a car comes roaring down the quiet residential street.
MATT (CONT’D)
Shit, careful pup!
Matt picks up the pace and watches the pup get safely to the other side of the street. The car continues on, none the wiser. Matt crosses the street to see where the coyote went. He reaches for his cell phone.
MATT (CONT’D)
Fuck! Where’d you go? I guess I can
call animal services and then what?
They put it to sleep.
Matt searches down walkways and various yards. He can’t see the coyote puppy. He stops and sits down on the curb. He leans forward and puts his head in his hands. Tears flow. Eventually he looks up and stares into the distance. The sun is almost up and he’s got a mile walk left to get home. He gets up and continues on, the unused cell phone in his hand.
MATT (CONT’D)
Well great, one more thing to feel
guilty about. So much damn loss.
Argh.
DISOLVE TO:
EXT MATT’S HOUSE - MORNING
A man on a recumbent bikes rides by Matt and waves hello. Matt gives a half hearted wave, followed by a subtle middle finger.
MATT
Fucking asshole.
Matt walks into his house. Leslie is in the kitchen, making coffee and cooking some eggs.
MATT (CONT’D)
What the heck? What are you doing
up?
LESLIE
Um..good morning to you. I’m making
breakfast. What’s up with you?
MATT
Fuck, that guy on the bike. I hate
him.
LESLIE
You know we should try and be nice
to our neighbors. You know, keep
the peace.
MATT
I know. I am. But fuck that guy. He
gave Gracie treats, and is always
up in my business, with no mask.
And then he sweeps the street
before the street cleaner comes.
He’s a fucking weirdo and needs to
stay out of my business.
LESLIE
So you had a good walk?
MATT
Sorry, everything has me on edge.
LESLIE
I know, it’s tough.
The coyote is still on Matt’s mind. While Leslie is talking, he starts thinking about loss and his ability to handle animal loss, which has become almost paralyzing.
LESLIE (CONT’D)
Um, hello?
MATT
Huh, what?
LESLIE
Wow, you really don’t listen to me.
MATT
Sorry, two pieces of toast.
LESLIE
That’s not what I asked. I asked if
you’re having coffee.
MATT
Oh...nah. I already did earlier, it
got everything moving. Anyhow, I’m
taking a shower. Real quick.
DISOLVE TO:
INT. DINING TABLE
Matt and Leslie sit and eat. The news is on the tv in the background.
LESLIE (FRUSTRATINGLY)
Can we change that?
MATT
Oh for sure. How about music
instead?
LESLIE
Yep
DISOLVE TO:
EXT. - LATE MORNING
Matt pulls up to a small medical facility. Leslie opens the passenger door and gets out.
MATT
Good luck. I’ll be here.
LESLIE
Thanks love. Shouldn’t take too
long.
Matt reaches for his Kindle in the car’s door pocket. He starts reading. Leslie knocks on the door. Matt jumps a bit and looks up. He unlocks the door.
LESLIE (CONT’D)
Damn dude, I was knocking for two
minutes.
MATT
Oh sorry, I’m into this.
Leslie gets in the car.
LESLIE
What is it?
MATT
Thoreau. An essay on walking. It’s
awesome.
LESLIE
Ok well, sounds great. But you
ought to be more aware of things
around you. Head on a swivel.
MATT
Sorry I seriously thought you just
went in.
LESLIE
Nope. It was 10 minutes ago, very
quick.
Matt starts the car.
MATT
Ok, where to. Fish sandwich?
LESLIE
I guess, but I’m not sure about 2nd
Street. But let’s check it out.
MATT
Cool.
DISOLVE TO:
INT. - MATT’S CAR
They’re driving slowly, his cell phone rings on the car’s bluetooth.
MATT
Can you get that? I think it’s
Cedars.
LESLIE
Hello?
VOICE ON OTHER END
Hi can I speak with Matthew
Goldman’s wife?
LESLIE
Hi this is Leslie.
VOICE ON OTHER END
Oh hi, it’s Susan at Cedars.
LESLIE
Yeah, hi Susan.
VOICE ON OTHER END
So, I know you guys are coming in
for some tests on Monday, but...and
I’m so sorry...I need to change one
things. Our one machine is down.
LESLIE
Ok, which one is it?
Leslie reaches to the back seat of the car and grabs a purple notebook and flips to a page with the heading Rheumatologist.
VOICE ON OTHER END
Well, I know we had three tests
scheduled, but the bone scan
machine is down and we need to
reschedule it. The other tests are
still fine.
LESLIE
Leslie looks at Matt as he drives. He rolls his eyes. She shrugs her shoulders.
LESLIE (CONT’D)
That’s fine. When can we do it?
VOICE ON OTHER END
Um, looks like the soonest is Oct.
10.
MATT
That’s fine.
LESLIE
The day after your birthday?
MATT
I don’t care, whenever. But now
we’ll have to change other
appointments.
LESLIE
Hi Susan. Sorry. Yeah that works.
VOICE ON OTHER END
Sorry about that. I know you guys
are coming a distance and wanted
them all on the same day
LESLIE
No that’s fine. Thanks for letting
us know. That’ll work.
Leslie ends the call and looks at Matt.
LESLIE (CONT’D)
So....how have you been feeling
lately?
MATT
Not bad. Good days and so so days,
but it can wait.
LESLIE
Alright, well let’s get something
to take home to eat and then I’ll
call and move things around.
MATT
Cool. Thanks. So listen here’s a
question.
Leslie’s eye brows raise a bit.
LESLIE
Yeah?
MATT
How can I go off the grid if I
always have these appointments and
medical stuff?
LESLIE
Oh no, don’t look.
Matt sees a dead raccoon lying on the side of the road. Tears well up in his eye.
MATT
Ugh. Poor thing. I can’t handle it.
LESLIE
I know. It sucks. We’ll say a
prayer for it. Ok focus on driving.
So what did you ask?
MATT
Well, this morning walking I saw
another sign for the idiot. What
the fuck. Can’t I just paint over
the sign?
LESLIE
Well, you know, you really need to
be incognito. Wear all black, go at
night and have an exit plan.
Everyone has cameras now.
MATT
Ok, well let’s figure it out.
LESLIE
You mean, you’ll figure it out.
MATT
So, what if I just stopped all my
treatment, let things go and become
a vigilante?
LESLIE
Why?
MATT
Well, this shit is tiring. I mean
I’m doing fine, but ten years of
all this is wearing me out. Plus
look at me...I’m a freaking old man
now. I can’t even wear short
sleeves, all this bruising and
crap.
LESLIE
I know baby, we’re all getting old.
Look at me, everything hurts.
MATT
I don’t know...I’m just talking.
LESLIE
I know.
DISOLVE TO:
INT. - LUNCH HOUR
Matt and Leslie stand at the counter of a small fish
restaurant. They all have masks on, except a couple of people outside the restaurant.
MATT
What’s with the huge guy blocking
the door.
LESLIE
I don’t know. What do you want?
MATT
Umm..give me the salmon sandwich
and can we get a beer while we
wait?
LESLIE
That works. Let me order. Why don’t
you wait outside. There’s a table
with no body around.
Matt walks outside and leans up against a table. He reaches in his pocket and checks his cell phone for messages.
There is one message that says: Missing bloody marys and video poker. Matt types back: 2021?
LESLIE (CONT’D)
Hey, here’s your beer.
MATT
Ah, thanks. Wow, it makes me
nervous here. We’ve both become so
jumpy.
LESLIE
Yep. Well, let’s drink this, get
our food and get home and watch
some tv.
MATT
Perfect.
LESLIE
Cheers baby.
MATT
Cheers love.
LESLIE
And here’s to Gracie.
They both hold their glasses towards the sky.
LESLIE (CONT’D)
Cheers girl, we miss you pup.
FADE OUT.
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