FADE IN:
INT. HOUSE- LATE MORNING
A man, SAMUEL, enthusiastically grabs a HOMBURG HAT from a wall rack and places it upon his head.
His house is petite, various children's toys and a few cloth items are scattered on the floor. WALLPAPER HAS BEGUN TO PEEL in some corners, and a few family photographs sit upon a small entry table. The walls feature various paintings, landscapes and still lifes that proudly show their creator's skill through shading and composition. A BOX OF MESSY PAINTS sit on the dining table, recently used.
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Samuel wears a white linen shirt with frayed suspenders and dress pants. HIS SHOES, once new and shiny, are now faded, and would fall apart save for the inconspicuous TAPE that blanket them. THE HEEL gets caught on an uneven plank of wood as he reaches for a light coat on the rack, and is PROMPTLY RIPPED OFF. Sam curses in his stumble and awkwardly hops as he re-tapes it.

He grins as two little kids, SARA and GEORGE, run up to him. They shout and tug on his pants. He pays them no mind, and instead heads for the living room, where he grabs a small suitcase off a chair.
                                                    SAMUEL
                                         Frida, I'm headin off now!
FRIDA emerges from a doorway, and wipes her dirty hands on a faded apron. She is in her early 20s, yet dark circles under her eyes age her, hair wild as tendrils escape from her bun.
                                                         FRIDA
                                        You ain't even gonna wait for me to
                                        finish making your sister a casserole?
                                        You think that poor girl wants to cook
                                        after jus comin back from the hospital?
                                        What's that gonna say 'bout us when you
                                        show up to her house without anything to
                                        help out?
She places her hands on her hips and frowns, clearly strained as the children rush around their knees, oblivious to the overhead tension. Samuel continues to head towards the door; his hand twists the knob as he looks back upon her.
                                                         SAMUEL
                                        Awh Frida, they been waitin for me to come
                                        down! And with the new house, and now the
                                        babe- I need to get going before the sun gets
                                        too hot and bakes me in alive in that piece of
                                        shit car-
                                                         FRIDA
                                      Watch your mouth around the children! You oughtta be ashamed,
                                      bein a bad influence, and their daddy an all... Besides,
                                      you know how you get so testy when you haven't eaten- and
                                      you're always getting lost- I bet you forgot the map, didn't
                                      you? Well serves you right, rushin out of here like a mad man...
She continues to mumble as Sam waves his hand in dismissive acknowledgement.
                                                        SAMUEL
                                     I'll go get the map at a station, stop yappin, woman!
                                     I'm sure they'll have somethin in the fridge when I get there.
                                                        FRIDA
                                     Where did the last map go?
                                                        SAMUEL
                                     I left it somewhere... I don't know... you jus feed the kids
                                     that casserole so it don't go to waste now.
Sam fetches his keys off a table and slips out the door. It bounces shut, dirtied and flaxen from age and neglect.
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The house is a chipping yellow. Small for a family of four, it sits uncomfortable close to the neighboring dwellings on either side. The lawn is mostly dirt, and A STRAY DOG digs into a nearby trash pile.
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Sam throws his suitcase in the trunk of a JANKY CAR and gets in. It SPUTTERS to life after the second try of the keys, and he pulls out of the driveway.
                                                                                                        CUT TO:
Sam drives, whistling as nothing but empty Nevada desert stretches out before him. He anxiously taps the wheel, but smiles as he spots a gas station in the near distance. He pulls in ; it is small, with only two pumps, and an OLD MAN emerges from the shop to meet him.
                                                      SAMUEL (CONT'D)
                                     Hullo, sir! How are you doin on this fine day?
                                                      OLD MAN
                                     I'm doin just fine, can I get you a tank?
                                                      SAMUEL
                                     Yes sir, much appreciated.
The man begins to fill the car as Sam leans against it and watches.
                                                      Samuel (CONT'D)
                                     I'm out to meet my sister in Indian Springs, she
                                     just popped a kid a couple weeks ago.
The old man pauses for a moment before he resumes his work, pointedly keeping his eyes down upon his hands.
                                                     OLD MAN
                                     ... What road you be takin to get down there, son?
                                                     SAMUEL
                                     By Yucca Flat- It's the straightest shot there is.
The old man grunts in acknowledgement, before he straightens up and holds out his hand.
                                                    OLD MAN
                                    That'll be $4.93.
Sam studies him before he pulls out a WALLET FILLED WITH CASH. He grips a $5 and holds it out. The man reaches for it, but Sam pulls the money back.
                                                    SAMUEL
                                     Is there anythin I should know, sir?
                                                    OLD MAN
                                     Jus' be careful in that desert- ain't no one around for miles,
                                     except them military folk, doin God knows what...
Samuel accepts this response and nods slowly with interest. He hands the old man the bill before he raises his hat and gets back into his car.
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