Watching People Burn

  INT. ST. LAWRENCE HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY – LATER

  Ellen Kehoe lies in a hospital bed, sweating and feverish. Andrew Kehoe at her side.

  ELLEN

  Don’t go, this time.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I have to. I have the board and planting to do.

  ELLEN

  I have a bad feeling, Andrew.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  It’ll be okay. I’ve called your family.

  ELLEN

  No, Andrew. It’s worse, this time.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’ve seen you this bad. It’s no worse.

  ELLEN

  I’ve lasted longer than most with TB. I’ve lasted years…

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Stop it, Nellie. It’s the fever talking, not you.

  ELLEN

  We’ve been married fourteen years, this year.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I have to go, Nellie. You’ll be fine.

  ELLEN

  I don’t regret anything, Andrew.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I have to go.

  Andrew exits, looking back before leaving.

  EXT. KEHOE FARM, OUTSIDE BATH – DAY – LATER

  Corn is high in the fields, and a summer sun beats down upon Andrew Kehoe, who sits, smoking a pipe, in his field.

  He is watching Monty Ellsworth packing tree stumps with dynamite, then blowing them up.

  He watches for some time.

  EXT. A SPORTING GOODS STORE IN LANSING, MICHIGAN – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe pulls up in his car and goes inside.

  INT. A SPORTING GOODS STORE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe goes up to the counter and gets the STORE CLERK’s attention.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Do you stock pyrotol?

  STORE CLERK

  Sure do. How much you need?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I don’t know. Lots of it. I got a lot of stumps to remove.

  EXT. A SPORTING GOODS STORE – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe opens his car’s trunk and loads bag after bag of pyrotol into it, until the car is visibly weighed down. He closes the trunk and drives off.

  EXT. ST. LAWRENCE HOSPITAL– DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe walks with Ellen to the car. We see that it is still weighed down. He opens the door for his wife. She gets in, and he goes around to get in on the driver’s side.

  INT. ANDREW KEHOE’S CAR – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe gets into the car. Ellen, sitting on the passenger’s side, senses that something is off.

  ELLEN

  The car feels different.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I had to make a stop to pick up some farming equipment.

  Andrew drives off.

  INT. KEHOE BARN – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe looks around the barn’s corners, kicking at various animals when they get too close. He looks like he’s scouting out a good location.

  He finds an isolated corner, shielded from sight by a farm equipment.

  He exits.

  He returns, carrying bags of pyrotol. He sets them in the corner and exits again.

  He returns with more bags of pyrotol, adding them to what’s becoming a small pile.

  INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN – DAY – LATER

  Andrew and Ellen Kehoe sit in silence.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I have to go down to Lansing, tomorrow.

  ELLEN

  Okay. You are going to harvest those crops, aren’t you?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  That’s why I have to go. Pick up equipment.

  Andrew and Ellen Kehoe sit again in silence.

  EXT. A DIFFERENT LANSING SPORTING GOODS STORE – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe opens his car’s trunk and loads bag after bag of pyrotol into it, until the car is visibly weighed down. He closes the trunk and drives off.

  INT. KEHOE BARN – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe enters, carrying bags of pyrotol. He adds them to the sizable pile in the isolated corner of the barn, then exits.

  He soon returns with more bags of pyrotol, adding them to the pile.

  EXT. A THIRD LANSING SPORTING GOODS STORE – DAY – LATER

  It is now winter, and there is snow on the ground, around Andrew Kehoe’s parked car.

  Andrew Kehoe exits the store with more bags of pyrotol, as well as two crates of dynamite.

  INT. KEHOE BARN – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe adds more bags of pyrotol and the crates of dynamite to what’s now a huge pile, consisting of literally over a ton of pyrotol. He adds more bags, then more…

  INT. ELLSWORTH FARMHOUSE – DAY – LATER

  Monty and Mrs. Ellsworth sit. The loud sound of an EXPLOSION fills the air.

  MRS. ELLSWORTH

  Another. This has been going on more than a week now.

  MONTY ELLSWORTH

  They do seem awfully loud.

  MRS. ELLSWORTH

  I think you should make an inquiry.

  EXT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE – DAY – LATER

  Monty Ellsworth walks towards the Kehoe farmhouse. It is still winter, and there is snow on the ground. As Monty Ellsworth approaches, he sees Andrew Kehoe heading inside.

  MONTY ELLSWORTH

  Andrew!

  Andrew Kehoe stops, and the two meet halfway.

  MONTY ELLSWORTH

  (continued)

  I couldn’t help but hear those explosions.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I finally took your advice about the pyrotol. I’ve been removing some old stumps. Work I’ve put off for some time, to be honest.

  MONTY ELLSWORTH

  They’ve been pretty big explosions.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’ll level with you: I’m still working out the formula. I’ve been making tests and experimenting. You know how I tinker.

  MONTY ELLSWORTH

  I do, Andrew. You need any help?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  No, I’ve got it well in hand, thanks. Say hello to the missus for me.

  Andrew Kehoe heads inside, and Monty Ellsworth heads home.

  EXT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe’s car is parked outside the school. Andrew Kehoe walks to the trunk and opens it, revealing a couple sacks of pyrotol.

  ON-SCREEN TITLES

  1927

  Kehoe picks up one of the sacks and closes the trunk, then heads into the school.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – HALLWAY – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe carries the sack, unobstructed through the hall. People smile at him, as he passes. He bumps into the school janitor, Frank Smith.

  FRANK SMITH

  How’re you doing, Mr. Kehoe?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’m merely carrying some supplies to the basement.

  FRANK SMITH

  Oh, let me get the door for you.

  Frank Smith walks ahead of Kehoe and opens the door to the basement.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Thank you, Frank.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BASEMENT – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe, carrying the sack, descends into the long basement. He heads to one side and finds an area, at the extreme end of the basement, where he can hide the sack amongst various crates and materials. He covers up the sack, nervously.

  EXT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – DAY

  Andrew Kehoe opens up his trunk again, retrieving the other sack of pyrotol. He closes the trunk and heads inside.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BASEMENT – DAY

  Andrew Kehoe, carrying the second sack, descends into the basement. He heads in the other one direction and finds an area, at the other extreme end, where he can hide this sack as he did the other. He again covers it up, making sure it can’t be seen.

  INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE BEDROOM – LATER

  Ellen Kehoe lies in bed with a fever, sweating terribly and coughing intermittently. Andrew
Kehoe attends to her.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  You’re on fire, Nellie. You need a doctor.

  ELLEN

  It’s not fair to you, Andrew. The expense…

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Forget the expense. We’ve got plenty saved for this sort of thing. This is what money’s for.

  INT. ST. LAWRENCE HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY – LATER

  Ellen Kehoe lies in a hospital bed, sweating and feverish. Andrew Kehoe stands at her side.

  ELLEN

  I know you have to go.

  EXT. A FOURTH LANSING SPORTING GOODS STORE – DAY – LATER

  It is still winter, and there is some snow on the ground. Andrew Kehoe approaches his parked car with more sacks of pyrotol.

  EXT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe takes a sack of pyrotol from his car and walks into the school. Time has passed, and there is no snow on the ground.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – HALLWAY – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe, carrying a sack of pyrotol, heads for the basement. He runs into the school board leader.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  Hello, Mr. Kehoe. We’ll be starting in a few minutes.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’m aware of that.

  Andrew Kehoe takes the sack down into the basement.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BASEMENT – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe, carrying the sack, heads to one direction and finds the explosives he’s hidden there. He uncovers them and adds the sack to what is a huge pile. He covers the pile up again, but without any nervousness – like this is routine to him.

  He goes back upstairs.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – HALLWAY – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe emerges and heads into the classroom where a school board meeting is scheduled to take place.

  INT. BATH CONSIDATED SCHOOLROOM – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  People are preparing for the meeting. The school board leader approaches Andrew Kehoe.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  I should warn you ahead of time. Huyck has proposed some more expenses.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Of course.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  I didn’t want you to be surprised.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’m surprised by nothing, when it comes to Huyck.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  You don’t seem very angry about it.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  No, I’m angry, I assure you. But I don’t see the point of articulating it anymore. Everyone knows my situation, with the farm, and still does nothing.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  I’m very sorry about that.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’m sure you are.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  I must say, you seem awfully resigned.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’ll make my usual objections, for the record. Someone should. But I’ve no more fire left for speeches.

  SCHOOL BOARD LEADER

  We’re about to start.

  EXT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – MORNING – LATER

  Children play on the lawn, before the start of school, being herded by the teachers. Warden Keyes sits in his bus, unloading children.

  Andrew Kehoe is walking around, handing out paychecks to the teachers.

  ON-SCREEN TITLES

  The Week Before

  He walks over to the bus and hands Warden Keyes a paycheck.

  WARDEN KEYES

  Thanks, Mr. Kehoe.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  My boy, you want to take good care of that paycheck. It is probably the last you will ever get.

  Andrew Kehoe walks off and heads towards the school. Warden Keyes looks confused, then shakes the comment off.

  INT. BATH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL – MORNING (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe sees Emory Huyck and hands him a paycheck.

  EMORY HUYCK

  Thank you, Mr. Kehoe.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’d like to clear the air, Mr. Huyck.

  EMORY HUYCK

  Yes?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  You know I’ve railed against you, but I’ve never regarded you as a bad person.

  EMORY HUYCK

  You’ve all but accused me of corruption for years.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Yes, but we’ve always been cordial. And I’m done railing. I’d rather I talked to you, about any objections, then the board.

  EMORY HUYCK

  I look forward to that, Andrew.

  INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe sits, opening mail on the kitchen table.

  ON-SCREEN TITLES

  16 May 1927

  Two Days Before

  The phone rings. He answers.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Kehoe residence.

  (pause)

  Thank you. I’ll be there shortly.

  Andrew Kehoe hangs up the phone, then prepares to leave. The phone rings again, and Andrew Kehoe picks it up.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Kehoe residence.

  INT. STERLING RESIDENCE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Bernice Sterling is talking on the phone.

  BERNICE STERLING

  Hello, Mr. Kehoe. It’s Bernice Sterling, from the school.

  (pause)

  Well, I was calling because I’d like to take my first-grade class on a picnic. And I thought, well, the grove on your farm sure is pleasant, this time of year.

  EXT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe is talking on the phone.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  You’re welcome to use my grove, Bernice. When were you thinking of having this picnic?

  INT. STERLING RESIDENCE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Bernice Sterling is talking on the phone.

  BERNICE STERLING

  Nothing certain. Perhaps next week. But of course I’d like to work around your own schedule.

  EXT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Andrew Kehoe is talking on the phone.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  If you want a picnic, you had better have it at once. I’m sorry, Bernice, but I have to go.

  Andrew Kehoe hands up the phone and exits.

  INT. STERLING RESIDENCE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)

  Bernice Sterling hangs up the phone and looks confused. Mr. Sterling enters the room.

  BERNICE STERLING

  I just had a strange conversation with Andrew Kehoe.

  EXT. A FIFTH LANSING SPORTING GOODS STORE – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe approaches his parked car with more sacks of pyrotol.

  EXT. ST. LAWRENCE HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY – LATER

  Andrew and Ellen Kehoe walk out of the hospital and head to his car. She looks well again.

  INT. ANDREW KEHOE’S CAR – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe drives, with Ellen Kehoe in the passenger’s seat. They pass endless fields.

  INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE – DAY – LATER

  Andrew and Ellen Kehoe enter. She heads to the table to sit down and rest. She spots the mail, lying on the table, and reads a letter.

  ELLEN

  This is a foreclosure notice. Andrew?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I’m afraid the bank has started foreclosure proceedings. It will take some time, in the courts.

  ELLEN

  You haven’t been paying the mortgage? Are things as bad as that? Why didn’t you tell me?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I didn’t want to upset you, in your state.

  ELLEN

  You seem awfully calm about this, Andrew.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I have a plan.

  ELLEN

  What is it, Andrew? Please, I have a right to know.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Come on outside, then.

  EXT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE – DAY – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe leads Ellen to some nearby structu
res, including the chicken coop and the horses’ stable. He points to a bag of pyrotol, rigged to blow up the buildings.

  ELLEN

  What is that?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Pyrotol. What I used to blow up the tree stumps.

  ELLEN

  Are you… you’re not going to burn down the farm?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I am.

  ELLEN

  Are things… are things this desperate?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I don’t take your meaning, Nellie.

  ELLEN

  We don’t need the insurance money as bad as this, do we? Won’t the insurance people will be able to tell? That it was arson?

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I stopped paying the insurance policy months ago.

  ELLEN

  Whatever do you mean?

  Andrew Kehoe picks up the pitchfork – the same one he used to beat the horse to death. He merely holds it and doesn’t menace her with it.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  It’s all over, Nellie. I’ve lost the farm.

  ELLEN

  They’ll listen to you on the school board.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  No, they won’t. And they don’t want me as town clerk.

  ELLEN

  Surely, there’s something left. We can start over. We can live with my family, in Lansing.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I won’t go back to them. I’m a man.

  ELLEN

  It’s because of my illness, isn’t it? The costs.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  No, Nellie.

  ELLEN

  I know it’s been hard on you, watching me.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I love you, Nellie. I don’t want to watch you die anymore.

  ELLEN

  I love you too, Andrew. I always have. But I don’t want to die.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  I think it would be a relief to me.

  ELLEN

  Oh, Andrew.

  Andrew Kehoe swings and hits her in the head with the wooden end of the pitchfork. She staggers, then falls, her head bloody.

  She tries to right herself, dazed and bloody, but Andrew brings the wooden end down on her head again, with a loud thunk.

  She begins to twitch, then to shake. He brings the wooden end down on her head again.

  She urinates and defecates. He hits her head again, rendering it a mess of blood and hair.

  ELLEN

  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

  Andrew Kehoe catches his breath. Ellen is still.

  ANDREW KEHOE

  Thank you, Nellie. It’ll all go easy, after this.

  Andrew Kehoe walks back to the house.

  INT. KEHOE FARMHOUSE BEDROOM – LATER

  Andrew Kehoe is fast asleep, alone in his bed.

  Chapter 6: The Day Before