THE VERDICT

Written by Brodie Marchant

'The Verdict' by Ennio Morricone

EXT. EDGE OF AMERICAN WESTERN TOWN - DAY The sun is high, the day is hot. A crowd has gathered at the edge of town. They peer out into the distance. A mother cries and holds her young daughter close. The Father, standing next to her, begins to walk forward. She reaches for him, clutching onto his coat. He brushes her hand away. He takes a few steps forward. He is hopeful, she is hopeless. A small figure appears on the horizon. A man on horseback. The Father begins running into the expansive desert. Stumbling, getting back on his feet, still running. The man on horseback draws ever closer and more details are revealed. He wears a cowboy hat. His guns are holstered. Most notably the horse is walking at a slow pace. The Father collapses to his knees. The Mother turns, pulling her daughter away, about to run off until someone grabs her. She is turned around. A young boy steps down from the horse and is embraced by his Father. The Mother breaks into tears, smiling.