Calico (continued)

Jonathon

I'm hungry. (beat) And cold.

Mikolai glances up irritably, but then realizes who it is. He gives Jonathon a quick smile.

Mikolai

Soon. (mutters) I hope.

Jonathon
(looking down at the kindling)

Can I do it?

Mikolai appears about to refuse and then reconsiders it.

Mikolai reaches down. He brings two small rocks, each just slightly smaller than Jonathon's fists, into view. He holds them out to Jonathon.

Mikolai

Take these.

Jonathon looks at the two rocks in Mikolai's hand warily. Mikolai holds them out further. After a moment, Jonathon takes them, holding one in each hand.

Mikolai (cont'd)

Like this.

Mikolai strikes his own two rocks together.

Jonathon strikes his rocks together--with very tentative force.

Mikolai (cont'd)
(chuckles)

Like this.

Mikolai repeats the action of striking the rocks together. He exaggerates the movements and strikes them together harder than he normally would have.

To the surprise of both Mikolai and Jonathon, Mikolai actually manages to generate a spark.

Mikolai and Jonathon laugh.

Mikolai (cont'd)

You try.

Jonathon tries again. He hits his rocks together much harder this time. There is no spark, but there is a satisfying-sounding crack as they impact each other.

Mikolai (cont'd)
(nods, smiles)

Good. Good. (beat) We take turns. Okay?

Jonathon nods.

Mikolai strikes his rocks together again. There is no spark this time.

Jonathon hits his rocks together.

Dissolve To:

1. Int. Cave – Night

Establishing shot of the cave interior.

The interior is a little brighter now.

There is a small fire going in the center of the cave. It is not particularly impressive, but it is a fire.

Martha passes Mikolai a medium-sized metal pan.

Mikolai accepts it and looks inside. He makes a face of displeasure.

Martha

You can have nothing, then. (beat) More for the rest of us. No one will complain.

Mikolai

I will.

Martha

Cook. Stir it. Do not let it burn.

Mikolai
(laughs softly)

Yes, Mama.

Mikolai carefully places the pot onto the fire. He adjusts its position so that it is relatively level. He picks up a large spoon and begins to stir it slowly.

After several moments, he hands the spoon to Jonathon.

Mikolai (Cont'd)

Stir slowly. (nods toward Martha, grinning with mock malice) If it burns, you get to tell Mama.

Jonathon looks a little scared, but takes the spoon from Mikolai. He begins to slowly stir the soup with a focused intensity.

Mikolai stands and walks over to where Martha is tending to Josef.

He kneels so that he is closer to Martha than to Josef.

Mikolai (Cont'd)
(quietly)

How is he?

Martha
(looks worried)

The cough drains his strength. (looks toward the center of the cave) The fire will help. So will the soup.

Mikolai

So would a doctor.

Martha
(shakes head)

We have none. (looks toward cave opening) Is it far?

Mikolai turns his head to follow Martha's gaze.

Mikolai
(sighs)

I don't know. (beat) Maybe when the storm passes . . .

Martha looks grim.

Mikolai squeezes Martha gently on the shoulder. He rises and looks down at Josef. With a determined expression on his face, Mikolai heads back toward the fire.

Dissolve To:

2. int. Cave – Night

The family is gathered in a rough circle near the fire. Bowls are in their laps. They are holding hands. Martha holds Donat's hand while her other one grasps Josef's hand. If Josef is aware of the proceedings, he makes no sign of it.

Donat

. . . and we thank you for this food and the beasts and crops from whence it came. Bless it as we place it in our bodies for sustenance. In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit . . . Amen.

ALL
(in a loud murmur)

Amen.

One by one, each of the family members begin to eat their soup.

Jonathon starts first. He eats like a young child who has not seen a substantial meal in several hours--which he hasn't.

Mikolai eats more slowly. His thoughts appear to be elsewhere. Occasionally he glances in the direction where Martha tries to get Josef to drink some of the soup.

Martha helps Josef moves into a half-seated position. He looks weak, but less waxen than he had in the wagon. Martha holds the bowl of soup to his lips. Josef's sips from the bowl and then coughs hard. Some of the soup spills from his lips.

Josef looks both weary and disgusted. Martha looks determined.

Martha

More. Slowly this time.

Josef's eyes fix on Martha's.

Martha holds the bowl up to Josef's mouth again. Josef takes a small, hesitant sip of the soup. He coughs again this time, but less deeply, and keeps the soup down.