FADE IN:
EXT. HIGHWAY, REECE COUNTY, WEST TEXAS DESERT - NIGHT
In the moonlight, a dust devil spins bits of litter across a deserted I-20, rattles the NOW ENTERING REECE COUNTY sign and snakes into the cantaloupe fields.
EXT. CANTALOUPE FIELDS
We fly along with the swirling dust above the tops of the plant rows.
LYDIA (V.O.)
The day the big green dicks told me I was returning to active duty, I hid in the toilet stall and tasted the barrel of my 9-mil.
From under the vines, melons and sand, we hear the anguished voices of men, women and children crying and begging in English and Spanish.
The wind carries the voices toward SHERIFF'S PATROL CAR #14 as it slashes its way around potholes, headed toward...
A flood-lit complex at the edge of town: the Reece COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.
LYDIA (V.O.)
I couldn't get that taste out of my mouth for days.
EXT. REECE COUNTY SHERIFF'S CAR #14
The car turns south, brushes the EVERGREEN STREET sign post and roars forward in a trail of dust along the parallel rows of brightly lit fence and concertina wire.
It's lighter than day in the empty prison yard making the shadows ghostly dark...causing the voices to reach a fever pitch.
The sheriff's car skids to a halt. The voices stop.
INT. SHERIFF'S CAR #14
Deputy Sheriff LYDIA VELASQUEZ, 27, drives alone. She's pretty but doesn't flaunt it. Her eyes are bloodshot, her breathing rapid.
She checks her watch: 12:30 AM. She reaches for a thick scar behind her right ear and strokes it as if wishing it away.
She tries to calm a tremor in her hand long enough to straighten OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and M.P. pins on her uniform collar.
LYDIA (V.O.)
When you're young, adults tell you: don't cry, be tough, get up, brush yourself off, ignore the pain, keep going.
A scattered pile of cancer brochures and food wrappers cover the passenger seat. She rummages through the pile, grabs a hand-sized silver flask and takes a swig. This settles her a bit before she throws the flask back into the pile.
She lowers her window and strains to see through the rows of fence and razor wire for something or someone in the silence of the prison yard. There is a flash of movement in the shadows.
Lydia struggles with the release for her shotgun in it's console holder.
Her hands shake as she points the gun through the window into the yard.
LYDIA (V.O.)
Where are those fucking adults when the demons are in your head? When everything either scares the shit out of you or pisses you off so much you shoot a hole in some poor sap.
A mule deer doe springs out of a shadow and darts back and forth along the inside fence.
LYDIA
What the fuck?
The deer grows more frantic, looking for a way out.
LYDIA
Don't.
The deer, paces, leaps and darts.
LYDIA
I don't know how the shit you got in there, but don't try to jump. Don't do it.
The deer runs along the fence.
LYDIA
Don't!
The deer leaps.
Lydia bangs the steering wheel with her fist.
LYDIA
Fuck!
She bangs the wheel again and again.
LYDIA
Fuck, fuck, fucking son of a bitch...
INT. SHERIFF'S CAR #14
Lydia sleeps on her arm across the steering wheel. She twitches and whimpers.
EXT. ALLEY, BAGHDAD, IRAQ - NIGHT
Lydia, in MP uniform, with her hands bound behind her, and wearing no field equipment, is roughly lifted from her knees by someone unseen. He rips a bloody hood off her head. She is gagged.
The back of her head, neck and uniform are covered in blood from a wound behind her ear. She strains to see in the dark.
LYDIA
(through the gag) American?
Who are you?
There is one dead Iraqi body, in blood-soaked clothing, slumped on each side of her.
A helicopter buzzes above.
INT. SHERIFF'S CAR #14
Lydia sleeps on her arm across the steering wheel.
The radio barks with LOIS--the dispatcher's, voice and startles Lydia.
LOIS (V.O.)
14 check. 14 check, what's your location. Anywhere near old Mel's place. Hey! You copying this? Bless her little shriveled-up heart. It's probably nothin' but the old bat's called three times. Says Jasper's dog won't stop barkin'. I'm surprised she can hear anything at her age.
Lydia grabs the flask, quickly unscrews the top and drinks.
LOIS (V.O.)
You suppose that old bitty still thinks about sex? Oh now why the hell did I go and say that. Believe me, you do not want to see the picture I just painted. How'm I gonna get to sleep tonight with that hauntin' me? Lydia, you there darlin'?
Lydia slowly reaches for the microphone.
LYDIA
10-4.
EXT. REECE COUNTY SHERIFF'S CAR #14
The car eases east onto county road 402.
LOIS (V.O.)
Don't rush for cryin' out loud. Hate to spoil trailer trash.
INT. SHERIFF'S CAR #14
Lydia snatches the microphone from it's holder and clicks it on.
LYDIA
Lois, people, civilians listen to this radio frequency. It's not private. We need, you need to use the codes and keep it short. Use your service manual for Christ's sake. Did you say Standard Avenue?
Lydia waits, then clicks the mic.
LYDIA
Dispatch, copy?
LOIS (V.O.)
Affirmative 14. 10-91B reported at 715 Standard Avenue. Code 1. There, you happy now?
Lydia drops the mic.
LYDIA
Damn straight. Do your fucking job.
As she cruises past the REECE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER SIGN and parking lot she passes a car that has stopped in the exit.
The car is tiny, battered, lights on. The driver is a darkhaired female. She leans forward on her arm across the steering wheel as if crying. The tops of her three children's heads are just visible in the back seat.
LYDIA (in Spanish)
I know how you feel, sister. (in English) I know how you feel.
EXT. REECE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER
The mule deer doe twitches as she bleeds out on the concertina wire atop the inside fence.
EXT. SHERIFF'S CAR #14, STANDARD AVE
Lydia lets the car roll at idle speed as she scans trailer houses and outbuildings with her spotlight. The tires crackle in the gravel. A dog barks steadily from behind one of the homes.
LYDIA (O.S.)
Don't make me get out of this car.
INT. SHERIFF'S CAR #14
Lydia stops the car and leans forward to look for the dog.
LYDIA
Do not make me get out of this car.