Rooster

ACT ONE

AERIAL SHOT - EXT. WESTERN KENTUCKY GRASSLANDS - LATE AFTERNOON

A vast sea of golden-yellow prairie stretches to the horizon, bathed in amber light. The camera soars over rolling hills that create gentle waves in the landscape.

TRACKING SHOT

Two POINTING DOGS course through the tall grass. The first, an ENGLISH SETTER with a white coat speckled with black, moves with fluid grace. The second, a BLACK AND WHITE POINTER, follows at a respectful distance.

Behind them, a GALLERY of HORSEBACK RIDERS follows, their silhouettes dramatic against the late afternoon sun. The lead rider wears a wide-brimmed hat and sits tall atop a chestnut Tennessee Walker.

SINGER (V.O.)

(softly)

Get along little doggie, get along little doggie It's a long, long trail and we ride to the end...

The English Setter suddenly freezes in a classic pointing stance - one front leg raised, body stretched forward, tail extended straight as an arrow. The Pointer halts in honor, acknowledging the other dog's find.

A HANDLER dismounts from a palomino horse and approaches carefully. As he nears the Setter, a covey of QUAIL bursts skyward from the grass in a flurry of golden wings. The dogs remain perfectly still as the handler fires a shot from a blank pistol.

SINGER (V.O.)

Get along little doggie, when the trail is over We’ll be riding again...

NORMAL SPEED

The dogs resume their hunt, disappearing into the tall grass. As the last trailing rider vanishes off screen, aBLUE BUTTERFLY flits up from the field. Not an ordinary butterfly, but a woodland sprite, a tomboyish blue faery with a gleam of something ancient and knowing

Its outsized wings are a twilight sapphire that seems to glow against the golden landscape. Beneath its cocked cap its eyes hold a spark of tomboyish mischief. It hovers for a moment, impishly smiles at the camera, then streaks away.

EXT. CAMPFIRE – NIGHT

A group of Children at an overnight summer camp sit around a crackling fire, their faces illuminated by the dancing flames. Before them sits EDWARD STOREY (50s) with a guitar. In the dark we see only the shadow of his face and the twinkling of his storyteller eyes in the campfire light.

EDWARD

(singing)

Get along little doggie, the trail we’re riding

Is made of hopes and dreams.

He sets the guitar aside. He pauses, listening to the crickets. Then he leans forward, and his eyes brighten to reflect the firelight.

EDWARD

That is a cowboy song. Our story is not about cowboys, children. It is about an unusual dog that wanted to compete among the best of the best in the sport of horseback field trials, a kind of cowboy game.

An old, orange coated dog with floppy ears comes and sits by the EDWARD’s side.

EDWARD

Hello, Roo.

He pats the dog’s head and beckons the children to come closer.

EDWARD

(eyes smiling leaning closer) Let me tell you about that unusual dog named Rooster, and about a magical blue butterfly that brought our story to life. If there is fancy in our story, well that is what hopes and dreams are made of.

In the flickering light of the fire, a BLUE BUTTERFLY flits shimmering into the evening sky.

DISSOLVE TO: INT. STOREY HOME - KITCHEN – EVENING – EARLY 2000s

Suburban colonial home. EDWARD STOREY (40s), thoughtful and steady, looks out the kitchen window, where he sees the ghostly image of a black and white dog running across the backyard in the shadows of the trees.

ED

I think it may be time to get another dog.

His wife JAN (40s), practical but warm-hearted, and teenage son MIKE (15), enthusiastic and earnest, sit at the dinner table. SPARKY, a small black and white Havanese with shaggy fur, perks up his ears at the mention of a dog.

JAN

What's wrong with Sparky?

CLOSE ON SPARKY

She reaches down to pet Sparky, who preens under her attention.

MIKE

I'd like to get a hunting dog, Dad. I was looking through this book and saw the neatest dog. They call it a versatile dog because it does a variety of things, like point game, and retrieve, and even swim. Wanna see it?

Mike gets up from the table. He walks with a slight limp.

ED

Whoa, Mike. Hunting dogs are a lot of work. You have to exercise them a lot. You'll be turning sixteen, getting your license and will be
going to college soon. Who's going to take care of it?

Ed glances at Jan who shakes her head disapprovingly.

JAN

I don’t think that we need another dog, Mike.

ED

(ignoring Jan)

Besides, such dogs are meant for the woods and fields and for doing the things nature meant for them to do. It wouldn't be right to get such a dog and then keep it cooped up in the house and yard.

Mike returns with a large book.

JAN

How’s the leg, Mike?

MIKE

Alright. I’m bummed that I can’t play sports anymore. It sucks. (Beat)

Here, look at this dog. Ain't he neat looking? Orange with yellow eyes and floppy ears.

He shows a picture of an unusual looking dog with orange, wiry fur, floppy ears, yellow eyes and a bearded face.

JAN

(taking the book)

There will be other activities, Mike. Here, let me see. I still don’t see what’s wrong with Sparky.

MIKE

He doesn't hunt. And, besides, he's your dog.

JAN

No, he's not, he's the family dog.

MIKE

(teasing)

If you can call him a dog.

Sparky puts his front paws up on Jan's lap, looking up with soulful eyes. She pets his head while examining the book.

JAN

It is adorable looking, but big. Is it really orange?

MIKE

Orange with yellow eyes.

JAN

I don't know... another dog is a big commitment.

ED

(putting a hand on Mike’s shoulder) We’ll find someone who has a litter and go see one before we decide.

Mike's face lights up with hope.

EXT. BREEDER'S HOUSE - DAY

A modest country home with a fenced yard. Ed and Mike approach the front door. MRS. MANN (50s), friendly and talkative, greets them, followed by LUCY, a large, friendly orange and cream dog.

MRS. MANN

Come on in, I'll be right with you. Lucy will show you to her pup.

(beat, smiling)

She's a good dog.

Lucy leads them through the house, but the puppy isn't in the nursery area.

EXT. BREEDER'S BACKYARD – DAY

Lucy leads them outside to the back yard and stops, as if pointing. In the flower garden, a PUPPY with orange, wiry fur lies on its back, pawing at a hovering BLUE BUTTERFLY. The butterfly's wings are an impossible, vibrant blue that seems to glow with an inner light. The BLUE BUTTERFLY hovers just out of reach as the puppy playfully swats at it.

MIKE

(down on one knee)

Here pup... here pup. Come on, boy. (to his father)

If this dog could do more than look funny...maybe he could be something special...whadda you think, dad?

The BLUE BUTTERFLY flutters away. The puppy sits up, goes to Mike. He tilts his head in seeming acquaintance. He sniffs at Mike's offered hand. Finding no treat, he lazily returns to the flower bed and the waiting butterfly.

MR. MANN (50s) emerges from the house wearing carpenter's coveralls.

MR. MANN

Hello... hello.

Lucy goes to his side. Ed and Mike introduce themselves.

MR. MANN (CONT’D)

So, I see that you've met Lucy and seen the pup. What do you think?

Cute little fella, isn't he? He's the last one. We call him 'Squirt, but you can call him whatever you want, of course.

(calling)

Here, Squirt. Come on boy. Here, Squirt.

Mr. Mann squeaks a whistle. The pup just sits among the daisies and rolls on his back. The Blue Butterfly returns and hovers over the puppy's head.

CLOSE ON PUPPY AND BLUE BUTTERFLY

BLUE BUTTERFLY

Who are they?

CAMPER (V.O.)

Wait, butterflies and dogs can talk to each other?

EDWARD (V.O..)

Oh, certainly they do. All living things talk to each other. Dogs are especially talkative. With your imagination you can hear them right at the moment when you imagine that they may have something to say. Listen now.

SQUIRT

I don't know.

BLUE BUTTERFLY

They gonna take you?

SQUIRT

Nobody wants a runt of the litter.

BLUE BUTTERFLY

I'll go listen.

The Blue Butterfly flies over to and flutters around the humans. Mr. Mann scruffs Lucy's neck.

MR. MANN

(looking to Lucy) What's wrong with that pup of yours, girl?

(beat)

Well, you know, Ed, right? Squirt there was the runt of the litter, the last one, so he's a bit shy.

MIKE

Look at that butterfly, Dad. It's blue and larger than any I’ve ever seen before.

ED

Well, you know, Mr. Mann, we want to make sure we get a sound dog. He does seem to be a bit timid. It would be good if we were to see some energy out of him, some spirit.

The blue butterfly flutters away back toward the pup lighting on its nose.

BLUE BUTTERFLY

(to puppy)

“Tag, you're it.”

Then the Blue Butterfly flies across the yard to a daisy bed. The pup suddenly springs to life, rolling up off the ground and darting across the yard. Reaching the daisy, the dog stops, cranes its neck, crooks its right paw, extends its stubby tail, and holds a perfect puppy point for a moment before pouncing. Then spreading and shredding daisies, the pup chases the Blue Butterfly around the yard with evident excitement and zest.

Mike and Ed exchange surprised looks.

ED

I guess he'll be all right. We'll take 'im...right, Mike?

MIKE

(smiling)

Sure

EXT. BREEDER'S DRIVEWAY – DAY

Ed and Mike are going to their car, the puppy on a leash tailing behind hesitantly. Unobserved, the Blue Butterfly flutters around the puppy.

BLUE BUTTERFLY

(to puppy) You goin' with them?

SQUIRT

I guess so.

BLUE BUTTERFLY

I'm coming.

Ed enters the driver’s seat. Mike picks up the puppy and gets into the passenger seat. The blue butterfly flies into the car before Mike pulls the door closed.

MIKE

Hey Dad, look, that blue butterfly flew into the car.

ED

Roll down the window, and it'll fly out again.

MIKE

I've never seen such a blue butterfly before, dad. You?

The blue butterfly remains unseen in the back of the car as it slowly drives away.

INT. CAR – DAY

The puppy licks Mike affectionately, then puts his head on Mike's lap, falling asleep. Ed glances at his son, seeing his excitement. He reaches over and squeezes Mike's shoulder. Mike looks down at the sleeping puppy, suddenly aware of the connection he's beginning to feel.

EXT. STOREY HOME – DRIVEWAY - DAY

Mike and Ed exit the car with the puppy. the Blue Butterfly flits away out of the still open window.

INT. STOREY HOME – DAY

In the house, Jan and Sparky wait at the door. Jan immediately takes the puppy from Mike's arms and cuddles it. She puts the puppy on the floor. Sparky jealously erupts into frantic barking and jumping.

JAN

(to the puppy) It's okay, little one.

Jan brings the puppy into the kitchen and gives him water. The puppy explores his surroundings, finding one of Sparky's toys and pouncing on it. Sparky immediately reclaims it with a growl.

The puppy suddenly lets out a peculiar sound: "Wroooo, wrrroooo, wroooo." Everyone laughs.

MIKE

(excited) Wroo...wroo...Rooster! That’ll be his name! Rooster.

ED

Good name for a bird dog, heh.

Jan kneels down to pet Rooster, who immediately rolls over for a belly rub. Jan obliges, already falling for the puppy.

JAN

(to Ed)

I suppose we can manage two dogs.

Ed and Mike exchange victorious glances.

MONTAGE - ROOSTER GROWING UP