263. Migration - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. MAINE COAST - LATE AFTERNOON


• SANDRA and ROBERT sit on a simple bench overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.


• They look down the cliff on which the bench is perched.


• SANDRA
• You sure you're going to be ok? I'm not sure I should take you away from the hospital for so long.


• ROBERT
• I'll be fine; how many chances will I have to see this?


• Sandra smiles.


• Robert coughs.


• SANDRA
• Are you sure?


• ROBERT
• I'm fine.


• They wait, watching the water lap at the stones rocky beach far below them.


• The sun sinks lower on the horizon and Robert looks around nervously.


• SANDRA
• It's going to happen, you'll see; just wait.


• He coughs again and Sandra looks over at him.


• She shakes her head and as she looks to the north, a motion catches her eye.


• SANDRA
• They're coming!


• A dark fluttering cloud has appeared.


• It comes towards this faster and faster, thousands of monarch butterflies spread across land and see.


• Sandra looks in awe as the orange cloud surrounds them.


• She turns to Robert, who is smiling up at butterflies.


• His breathing is shallow.


• ROBERT
• Could you hold me?


• Sandra puts her arm around him as his breathing slows.


• SANDRA
• Rob? Rob? Robbie?


• He smiles at her, his breathing growing increasingly labored.


• SANDRA
• You're not ok.


• Robert smiles at her.


• SANDRA
• This is not funny. We need to find a local hospital. I should have never brought you here. Come on.


• Robert shakes his head, closing his eyes.


• A moment without breath passes, then he forces his lids open.


• He takes a large rattling breath, then is gone.


• SANDRA
• Robbie! You knew, you knew and you came anyway, you should have let me keep you in the hospital. Robbie!


• She cradles his body as Monarch butterflies drift overhead, burnishing the blue see with dark gold.


• FADE TO BLACK.