EXT. TOWN - EARLY EVENING

As George guides the cart through the town center, PEOPLEturn their heads and look at him. George stops the cart, tiesit to a post, and helps Sadie down.

They walk into the town.

GEORGEI need to buy seed.

SADIEOkay.

GEORGE(hands her some money)

While I do that, go to Mrs.Cleaver’s, get some flour. I’ll meet you there before Serps.

SADIEWhy are people looking at us?

GEORGEIt’s nothing, I’m sure. Justimagination.

(George kisses her)Go get the flour now.

George heads for a small store. Sadie stands in the middle ofthe road, very aware that she is being watched. She walks meekly towards a store, looks back behind her, and thenenters.

INT. MRS. CLEAVER’S STORE - CONTINUOUS

MRS. CLEAVER talks to a PATRON. Mrs. Cleaver is in her mid-50’s but looks older. The store is small and filled withfoodstuffs.

MRS. CLEAVERGimme one reason I should trust‘em. You can’t. I like SheriffHowell. He do a good job here. Healways been friendly to me and mine.

PATRONI’m not saying he’s not friendly.I’m saying he’s not working. Lookaround you. Look at the town. We’rehurting. The crops are broken, and we are up and dying.

 

Mrs. Cleaver and the Patron realize that Sadie has entered.They both look at her and stop talking.

SADIEI’d like to buy some flour, please.

MRS. CLEAVERWho’s your husband votin’ for?

SADIEI don’t know.

PATRONMake sure he goes to the debate.Mansfield is ready for new blood.Rufus is-

MRS. CLEAVERHow you not know who he’s votingfor?

SADIEWe haven’t talked about it.

PATRONDoes he know this town is hurting?Does he know that Rufus, as mayor-

MRS. CLEAVERI guess you two have more importantthings to discuss.

PATRONHe’ll be able to change things. Gooutside and look at the hurt aroundyou and tell me we don’t needchange.

SADIEI’d just like a sack of flour,please.

MRS. CLEAVERLike what he’s gonna do with thatdead black girl he’s keeping.

SADIEPlease, I just want-

PATRONMake sure he knows what’s importantnow.

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MRS. CLEAVERLike why he ain’t bury her yet.

PATRONNow that you know, it’s your job to make sure he does.

MRS. CLEAVERSheriff Howell tell my husband thatthat girl still above ground. Thatain’t right. That’s not natural.

SADIEShe’s. I don’t-

MRS. CLEAVERSo it so? That ain’t right.

Sadie doesn’t reply.

MRS. CLEAVER (CONT’D)What kinda trouble he lookin’ for?

SADIE(quietly)

I don’t know.

MRS. CLEAVERHe gonna find it.

Sadie turns quickly and leaves the store.

PATRONI tell you, the town is dying.

EXT. MRS. CLEAVER’S STORE - CONTINUOUS

Sadie leaves the store on the verge of hyperventilating.George approaches carrying a bag of seed. Sadie bends overand dry heaves, vomiting a little.

3.