137. Nomadism - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. KITCHEN - MORNING


• 5-YEAR OLD JACK MARSHALL runs into the kitchen and shows his mother an acorn he's found.


• She holds it up to the window as morning light and dust motes caress it.


• She reaches under the sink and pulls out a small plastic pot and hands it to Jack.


• Jack races out and his mother watches him through the window as he collects dirt for the pot.


• He returns inside with the pot and he and his mother carefully plant the seed and place it in the window.


• INT. KITCHEN - MORNING


• 10-YEAR OLD JACK carefully tends to a large pot in which a young oak tree is growing.


• EXT. KITCHEN WINDOW - DAY


• 15-YEAR OLD JACK works on trimming what has now developed into a small bonsai.


• He carefully pats the dirt around the base of the tree and stands up, satisfied.


• He walks to the driveway and places the tree in a small holder on the side of a motorcycle above saddlebags packed tight.


• He pulls on a leather jacket and waves to his mother before hopping on the bike, roaring out of the driveway, and down the road.


• EXT. GALLEY WINDOW - EVENING


• 25-YEAR OLD JACK sits on the deck of a sailboat, leaning against the galley window.


• Helen sits next to him holding his hand and the bonsai tree sits between them, behind the window, it's delicate leaves still as the boat rocks.


• He points out Venus to her and she pulls in a little closer.


• EXT. GALLEY WINDOW - DAY


• The tree has grown little, but it has thickened, it's tiny branches still reaching out and tasting the sky as it sits outside above the galley window. 40-YEAR OLD JACK sits beneath it watching his two DAUGHTERS race around the dock.


• EXT. GALLEY WINDOW - DAY


• 50-YEAR OLD JACK prunes the tree as his daughters watch.


• He begins to teach them how he takes care of his friend.


• EXT. GALLEY WINDOW - EVENING


• 70-YEAR OLD JACK sits on the deck winding rope by the tree watching his daughters tend the boat. He carefully picks up the tiny oak and works on trimming its roots. HELEN sits next to him and watches.


• EXT. SAILBOAT - DUSK


• HELEN and JACK's children stand by the boat's railing. One holds the tree as the other lowers two urns into the ocean. They turn, placing the tree in its spot of honor on the deck then sail away into the night.