EXT. ROCKWELL – THE NEXT MORNING
The sun has risen on a beautiful Maine morning. The camera starts HIGH in a tall tree, where a bird is repairing its storm-damaged nest, and pans down from this literal bird’s-eye view to the streets of Rockwell, where stoic New Englanders are doing repairs of their own.
Down the middle of the street comes Hogarth, on a bike. In the wire bike-basket in front of him is a shoebox with holes punched in the lid.
A couple of LOCALS are clearing a felled tree. We hear their conversation as they drift across the screen in Hogarth’s travelling POV.
FIRST LOCAL: Strangest storm I ever seen. Swept away my best iron wheelbarrow. But left the handles behind…
Now Hogarth passes a pair of WOMEN who gossip as they rake up leaves and branches.
FIRST WOMAN: My husband spoke to one of those fishermen this morning. Fellow wouldn’t talk about the shipwreck at all. Said we’d all think he was mad.
SECOND WOMAN: Now what do you think he meant by that?
FIRST WOMAN: Well, I’m sure I don’t know. (lowers her voice) But it wouldn’t surprise me if the communists are involved.
EXT. THE “CHAT `N CHEW” DINER – DAY
The “Chat `n Chew” diner sits near the docks and the town square: the centre of all social life in the village. Hogarth arrives, at last, and parks his bike. He takes the shoebox out of his bike basket, opens it a little and speaks to whatever is inside.
HOGARTH: Remember — be charming.
INT. DINER – DAY
The diner is packed. EVERYBODY is here–FARMERS, FISHERMEN — all swapping storm-stories. It’s LOUD. And there’s no empty table, no place to sit.
Hogarth enters and looks around. He spots Annie, now dressed as a waitress and serving coffee from behind the counter. Hogarth puts on a big smile and waves at her.
HOGARTH: Hey, Mom! You won’t believe our good luck! Look what I found…
He makes his way through the coffee shop to the counter. As he passes by, various local ladies — THE BUSYBODIES — look up from their breakfasts, mouths downcast and eyes half-lidded — ever ready to cast judgement, should the precious opportunity arise.
Hogarth arrives at the counter opens the shoebox for Annie. A baby squirrel pokes its head out. Annie rolls her eyes.
HOGARTH: His tree musta gotten knocked down in the storm! Can I keep him?
ANNIE: Hogarth, we’ve been through this. No pets…
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