INT. BLIND LEONARD'S LIVING ROOM/TWO WEEKS LATER – DAY
EARLY EVENING HOURS
Blind Leonard slouches over the dark green leather couch.
His long arms and legs spread akimbo. He is a picture of
grief as images of his old friend Cal float thorough his
thoughts. The TV is on and he half listens to Jimmy Carter's latest speech.
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
(choking back a sob)
You been gone a week but I swear I
miss you a year's worth of lonely.
Blind Leonard could clearly see the feisty old black man
with crinkly gray hair wise in his old age and now gone from
this earth.
He picked up a photo of the BCB from the table and studied
it.
CLOSE UP-There they all were; Cal with his guitar and a big
smile creasing his face mischief dancing in his eyes. He
stood in back of Cal with his arm fondly around the old
Bluesman's shoulder.
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
Damn those were good times!
Blind Leonard sighed deeply and walked to his kitchen.
Through the window he watched D.O.G. in his back yard. He
feared the hound would pine away because he too missed Cal
so much. He opened the door and let the dog inside.
BLIND LEONARD
(to D.O.G.)
You miss him too don't you old
man?
D.O.G. looked up at blind Leonard with sad eyes and thumped
his tail half-heartedly. Cal's guitar now propped in the
corner of his living room caught Blind Leonard's attention.
He recalled The BluesWarp Legend.
BLIND LEONARD
Dammit! Why'd he have to leave me!
Blind Leonard found his Telecaster and stroked the shiny red
body drawing comfort from it. He plugged it in and began
playing every Blues song he knew trying to erase Cal's death
from his mind.
Soon he lost track of all time. Every nerve in his body felt
raw and exposed. His mind, heart, and soul melded with his
guitar...they became ONE.
Blind Leonard's skin tingled, the hair on the back of his
neck stood at attention. His fingers were on fire; red and
blue sparks flew from his fingernails.
An electric current started at the top of his head flashed
in his brain and jolted his chest. The smell of ozone
invaded his nostrils.
Lightening exploded in the pit of his stomach scorched his
groin and drained through his feet and toes.
D.O.G. howled to high heaven.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DUSTY DESERTED COUNTRY ROAD/EVENING - DUSK
Blind Leonard looked left then right. As far as the eye
could see were miles and miles of beautiful green cotton
fields. He breathed in the fresh country air.
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
My body feels so different.
Taking long strides arms pumping he felt the guitar strung
over his shoulder knocking against his back. Glancing down
at his hands he saw long dark fingers.
BLIND LEONARD
(excited)
Hah! I did it! I don't know how
but I actually did it!
He did a James Brown in the middle of the road kicking up
dust.
BLIND LEONARD
(singing)
I feel good! I feeel good! So
good! So good!
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
I don't where I am but it damn
sure ain't Fresno.
Hearing a rumbling Blind Leonard turns to see a battered old
Flatbed truck rolling up behind him leaving a cloud of dust
in its wake. His heart sped up and panic gripped him as he
recalled stories of Klan Lynchings.
PAN TO:
A man's friendly black face appears through the driver's
window of the truck.
A women sat next to him holding a fat baby. The couple
recognized Blind Leonard.
BLACK MAN IN TRUCK
(motions to the flatbed)
Hey Preacher Man! You wanna a
ride? Hop on in the back.
Blind Leonard took his strapped guitar off his shoulder and
gladly hopped onto the back of the truck. He leaned back
against the cab and stretched out his long legs.
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
This guy called me Preacher Man.
Cal told me his best friend's name
was Preacher Man.
The truck chugged along while Blind Leonard watched the
landscape of rundown shacks and ragged children both black
and white who played happily in the dirt. The children
waved to Blind Leonard but PREACHER MAN waved back.
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
I know I'm in The South but where
exactly?
The truck passed a black and white highway sign.
CLOSE UP: Sign-Greenwood 10 Miles
BLIND LEONARD (VO)
(sighs)
I'm finally going home.