A screenplay adapted from the short story by Conrad Richter
Opening music. Tracking shot across a field, eventually cutting
across a road, where camera stops. Off in the distance, a car
approaches. Cut between credits and car approaching towards the
camera. After credits cease, camera pulls back to reveal COMMON
MAN, standing by the roadside in front of a guardhouse, against
a chainlink fence, dressed casually. A metal sign on the fence
says "RESTRICTED AREA". Close in on COMMON MAN.
COMMON MAN
See that car approaching? The driver of that car carries a burden.
Though it is true that we all carry a burden of some sort, but
his is much, much heavier. You see, the driver is none other
than Dr. Peter Hanray... perhaps you have read of his work? I'm
sure that you have... he developed the atomic bomb. This place
is in fact where he grew up, the lovely town of Hope, Nebraska.
Or it was, until this military complex was built in his honour.
Yes, the Hanray Advanced Weapons Research Facility, a sprawling
four acre complex nestled within the river valley. Quite an impressive
monument to the man.
Camera turns, revealing the barren landscape. It continues to
rotate, until it returns to the road. The car has now come to
a stop in front of COMMON MAN, who is now dressed in a soldier's
uniform, a rifle slung over his shoulder. He is smoking. HANRAY
turns off the engine and steps out of the car. COMMON MAN rests
his hand on his rifle. HANRAY stops.
HANRAY
Hello.
COMMON MAN
This is a restricted area, sir. You'll have to move along.
HANRAY
I would like to visit the valley.
COMMON MAN
As I said, this is the property of the United States Government and visitors are strictly forbidden. So please move along.
HANRAY
Is Stone Church still around? I remember it being not too far from the highway on the way into town.
COMMON MAN
I don't think so... but as I said, you can't go in there.
HANRAY
I just want to look around... after all, I was born here.
COMMON MAN
Sir, we get a lot of people who come by here who went to high school here or worked on their uncle's farm or whatever, and we tell them all the same thing. No civilians are allowed in here... so you'll have to reminisce somewhere else.
HANRAY
I know that... I just want to visit my parents' graves... that's
all. Can't you make an exception? I promise I won't cause trouble.
An expression of sympathy is seen on COMMON MAN's face and he
thinks momentarily.
COMMON MAN
Maybe I can get you to fill out some forms... the top brass might
be able to fit you in next week sometime.
COMMON MAN exits as HANRAY steps towards the fence and gazes through
silently at the area beyond. Intercut footage of Hiroshima bombing.
HANRAY winces slightly after each intercut. COMMON MAN returns
with yellowed forms.
COMMON MAN
Could I have your name?
HANRAY
Hanray. Peter Hanray. My father and my mother are Dr. John and
Isabelle Hanray. They're buried in the Stone Church cemetery.
I have some ID if you need it...
HANRAY reaches into his jacket pocket for his wallet.
COMMON MAN
(astonishment on his face) Peter Hanray!? I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, sir. You had a beard in your picture on "Time" magazine. I'll just call the colonel and he'll be right over in no time...
HANRAY
I didn't come here to see Colonel Eisenbeck... I just want to look around, by myself.
COMMON MAN
Yes sir, but it's regulations. Just let me speak to the colonel...
I'll be right back.
HANRAY continues gazing through the fence. Camera pivots, following
COMMON MAN to guardhouse (HANRAY is in foreground, COMMON MAN
in background). Focus in on COMMON MAN. COMMON MAN picks up
phone.
COMMON MAN
Yes sir... it's him... the guy who made the A-bomb... but he doesn't want to come up... no, he's alone. (focus on HANRAY) Yes, I'll tell him that.
COMMON MAN hangs up and returns to HANRAY.
COMMON MAN
Mr. Hanray, Colonel Eisenbeck's gonna be here in a couple of minutes, Mr. Hanray. He'll take you around.
HANRAY
This is not really necessary. I don't really want to be of trouble.
COMMON MAN
Well Colonel Eisenbeck doesn't think it's any trouble. He's actually
honoured for you to visit our little instillation. It's not very
often that we get visitors of your calibre.
Close in on HANRAY. HANRAY nods silently and smiles, and turns
away from COMMON MAN, then the smile disappears. Close in on
COMMON MAN, who turns to face the camera.
COMMON MAN
It looks like our friend Dr. Hanray will finally get to visit
the valley. It's a shame though that everything's gone now.
Camera pans across landscape, returning to COMMON MAN, who has
now changed into the uniform of a colonel. COMMON MAN approaches
HANRAY, his hand outstretched, which HANRAY shakes.
COMMON MAN
Doctor Hanray! What a pleasant surprise! Sorry to keep you waiting... if we had known that you were coming, we would have made preparations. We definitely wouldn't have kept you waiting like this. So what brings you here to our humble facility?
HANRAY
I'm not here for an official visit... just a personal one.
COMMON MAN
So where are you headed? I'll personally escort you there.
HANRAY
If you don't mind, I'd prefer to go by myself.
COMMON MAN
I understand, Dr. Hanray, but regs are regs... you know that. You have to have a guide. You might get lost or something might blow up... you never know. But if you are really insistent, I could give Washington a call...
HANRAY
No... that's alright. Escort me if you must. Just stay back... and you'll have to be patient. I may be here awhile.
COMMON MAN
I've cleared my calendar, Dr. Hanray. Take as much time as you want. Now follow me to my jeep and we'll head in.
HANRAY
Is it alright we take my car?
COMMON MAN
(pause) Sure... I don't see why not. (turns to guardhouse) Private!
Keep an eye on my jeep!
Acknowledgment from off-screen. COMMON MAN and HANRAY approach
HANRAY's car and get inside. Cut to shot of rear left wheel.
Rising shot of car pulling off and driving through entrance to
facility. Interior shot of car with HANRAY in foreground.
HANRAY
I'm a little bit disoriented. Where's the road that used to come down over Penny Hill? I could swear it being around here.
COMMON MAN
Oh, there's no road up here anymore. We had some security concerns with a road so close to one of our test sites. You know, with amateur photographers and that sort of thing. So we bulldozed it all. But if you keep going straight, you'll be able to reach Stone Church with the service road that we put in.
HANRAY
(resumes driving) That's a shame about the road. I used to ride my bike down there. Were you here when this all happened?
COMMON MAN
I was here when they were in the planning phase. Just when we started buying up the private properties in the area.
HANRAY
Whose houses used to be over there (pointing)?
COMMON MAN
Honestly... I can't remember. It's been awhile. But I do remember them putting up a real fuss about leaving.
HANRAY
What did they complain about?
COMMON MAN
Oh... about anything and everything. They had three days to get their money and move out. Was that too much to ask for? (HANRAY looks forward silently) You know, it reminds me... there was this old lady just over the ridge (pointing) who also refused to leave and gave us all this crap about how her folks had farmed here since before the Revolution. So the guy that we sent with the eviction notice told her: 'So now you know how the Indians felt when you ran them off their land!' (laughs)
HANRAY
I don't think her family ran off any Indians...
COMMON MAN
Well hell, maybe not. But she had to get a move on. The contractors had already come in, the equipment was ready, and we had deadlines to meet. You know... getting things out to the men at the front lines to fight with. They made plenty of things for the war effort right here. But of course... you knew that.
HANRAY
Yes, I do.
COMMON MAN
But I think our crowning achievement was the bomb that you invented.
It's pretty amazing to be able to wipe out a whole city with
one bomb. And I heard that you can even do better than that now.
Isn't science wonderful?
External shot of car coming to a stop.
HANRAY
I suppose. I'd like to visit the cemetery now. Could you wait here till I get back.
COMMON MAN
You know, I'm not supposed to let visitors wander around on their own... but I guess I could make an exception for you. I'll be here if you need anything... just give me a shot.
HANRAY
Thanks... I appreciate it.
HANRAY exits car and walks towards a church in the distance.
Tracking shot of HANRAY walking through the grass towards the
church. HANRAY looks back, and notices that the car and COMMON
MAN are gone. He stops momentarily before resuming towards the
church. He opens a gate at the entrance to the cemetery, and
walks towards a pair of tombstones under a large tree. HANRAY
reads the epitaph.
HANRAY
John Hanray... faithful physician. He went about doing good...
unlike his son.
Long shot of HANRAY standing before the tombstone. He turns and
walks away slowly. Close-in on Hanray, his face showing the contemplation
in his head.
BOY
(Heard off-screen) Hey, mister.
HANRAY stops and turns. Focus in on BOY sitting on the grass.
HANRAY
You shouldn't be here. If the soldiers catch you, you'll be in trouble.
BOY
You look kinda lost, mister.
HANRAY
Where are your parents? Are they here with you? (BOY points
off into the distance) They're over there? Come with me... this
is no place for a youngster like you to be wandering around.
HANRAY holds out his hand. BOY gets up off grass and grabs hold.
Tracking shot of them both walk through the cemetery.
HANRAY
So what's your name?
BOY
Peter. Peter Hanray.
HANRAY stops and looks down at the BOY. BOY lets go of HANRAY's
hand and runs off.
BOY
My parents' house is over there! Come'on!
HANRAY
(Running after BOY) Wait!
Panoramic shot of HANRAY running after boy across a field. Close
in on HANRAY as he stops and is awestruck. Close in on house,
well-kept. BOY opens front door and runs in. Camera follows
and HANRAY approaches house. The door opens for him and he steps
inside.
Interior of house. FATHER is sitting on a sofa reading a newspaper.
MOTHER is knitting on another chair. BOY is jumping up and down
excitedly.
BOY
(Pointing at HANRAY) There he is! That's him!
FATHER and MOTHER look up and smile at HANRAY. Close-up on HANRAY.
He mouths 'mom' and 'dad'. FATHER puts down the newspaper and
gets up. He steps forward and offers his hand.
FATHER
Good day, sir. Peter says that you were at Stone Church looking a bit lost.
HANRAY
(Shakes FATHER's hand) Ummm... yes... I-I hadn't been here in awhile. I was visiting and I got lost.
MOTHER
You certainly are not lost anymore. Peter can find anybody. He's a very bright boy. Could we offer you something to drink? Maybe lemonade?
HANRAY
Sure... that would be nice.
MOTHER
Peter... go to the kitchen and bring the pitcher of lemonade in
the fridge. And bring some glasses too.
BOY runs off. FATHER motions HANRAY to sit in the remaining unoccupied
chair. HANRAY sits down.
FATHER
So tell me. How long have you been away from Hope?
HANRAY
A very long time.
FATHER
Did you travel far?
HANRAY
Farther than I can tell you.
MOTHER
I'm sorry.. but you look so familiar... I just can't put a finger on your name...
HANRAY
I'm... Philip Sanders.
FATHER
Oh yes... I remember your family... they sold the farm a few years back and moved to the city, am I right?
HANRAY
That is correct, sir.
MOTHER
So how do you like life in the big city, Mr. Sanders?
HANRAY
It's not as peaceful as it is here. It feels good to be in Hope
again.
BOY returns with a tray with lemonade and four glasses. He sets
them down on the coffee table and carefully pours four servings.
FATHER
So what do you do, Mr. Sanders, out there in the big city?
HANRAY
I'm... a scientist.
MOTHER
How exciting! That's what Peter wants to be when he grows up.
BOY nods as he passes the glasses of lemonade around.
BOY
Can I go upstairs and play now?
MOTHER nods and BOY runs up a flight of stairs.
HANRAY
I don't think Peter should be a scientist.
FATHER
(Stunned) But why?
HANRAY
(Stands up and begins to pace. Camera rotates around him as he speaks.) Peter won't be happy as a scientist, and I speak from experience. The research that he works on won't be of his own choosing, and he'll have to make trade-offs on his way to making his big breakthrough. And by the end, he will wonder if it was worth all the sacrifices that he made to get there.
FATHER
But Peter's more interested in science. All he talks about is the great opportunity for public service in being a scientist. And all the good it could bring.
HANRAY
Why don't you encourage him to be a doctor... just like you. Make him see the good in medicine.
MOTHER
We tried to encourage him to take over John's practice, but Peter says that he doesn't want to deal with death and dying. His mind is set to be a scientist.
HANRAY
Mr. and Mrs. Hanray, I'm afraid for Peter's future. I don't want him to do something that he will regret.
FATHER
Even if it turns out to be the wrong decision, there's always time to change things. Sure, this may turn out to be the wrong decision, but Peter will learn from what he's done. He'll see what he's done right, and what he's done wrong. I don't know if you call it becoming mature, change, or just living life. But this happens to everyone and it's just a natural process. Don't worry about Peter, Mr. Sanders. I think he'll be fine.
MOTHER
Regardless of what Peter does, we'll always be proud of him.
Knock at the door. HANRAY turns his head to the door. No one else seems to notice.
FATHER
Is something wrong, Mr. Sanders?
Another knock.
COMMON MAN
(From behind door) Mr. Hanray! Mr. Hanray! Are you alright?
HANRAY
(Turns back to face FATHER and MOTHER) I'm sorry, but I have to go now.
MOTHER
So soon? Won't you at least stay for dinner?
HANRAY
No... I can't stay here. This is not where I belong. But thank you for the lemonade. And my best wishes to Peter.
FATHER
Well, it was a pleasure chatting with you. As I said, don't worry about Peter. He'll be fine. (Shakes HANRAY's hand)
MOTHER
We'll say a prayer for you.
HANRAY
Thank you. I love you both.
The door swings open and HANRAY exits. Cut to exterior. HANRAY and COMMON MAN are standing in a field. The house is gone.
COMMON MAN
Where did you go, Dr. Hanray? You had me worried. I thought you got lost or something.
HANRAY
I was lost, but I think I'll be alright now. I had to sort a few things out.
COMMON MAN
Did you see everything that you had to?
HANRAY
Yes... yes, I did. I think it's time for me to go.
Cut to HANRAY's car pulling away from the camera. COMMON MAN waves good-bye, who then turns to face the camera.
COMMON MAN
So there goes Dr. Hanray. You know, not many people get an opportunity
to start over. Dr. Hanray is a very luck individual indeed.
He's off in a new direction now, and he certainly won't be looking
in the rearview mirror.
Fade out.