Screenwriting by 

tara perry & Jordan wayne long

Excerpt from Ghosts of the Ozarks

           GHOSTS OF THE OZARKS PROLOGUE

Doc holds a note in his hand. It’s close up and out of focus. Annie is at the kitchen table cutting vegetables. 

 ANNIE
Bare down on the hatches, death sits at the door my friends.
I have seen it and only I have a means to an end.

The others spin false truths to try and divide you through.
Do not worry yourselves with knowing the enemy, for I know them true. 

Without me the enemy will break down the ideals that you hold.
BUT I. AM. HERE. I will be bold! 

Go about your lives, I’ll take it from here. 
I’m your savior and I will squeeze
Tight…
Tight…
Tight…
To what you hold dear. 

BUT PLEASE KEEP BREATHING, we need your meat and bones.
A demagogue can only live with a democracy to own.

DOC
You remember it, word for word? 

ANNIE
I’ve read it a hundred times. You can’t just shut them out, act like they aren’t here again. 
DOC
Wouldn’t it be easier if that worked.
ANNIE
Easy doesn’t exist. 
DOC
That’s one thing we know. 
ANNIE
That and if it’s not them, it’ll be someone else.
DOC
The root of all evil.
ANNIE
Thought that was money.
DOC
The search for power. And doing anything for it. 
ANNIE
Why won’t they just leave us alone?
DOC
They always call themselves revolutionaries. Here to liberate the people, but all they’re looking out for is themselves. 
ANNIE
They ain’t nothin more than soapbox orators. 
DOC
It all boils down to fear. A man fears what he doesn’t know. Ends up shutting himself off from the world to live his own. But he ends up being ruled by every thing on the outside he was scared of. *Those who instill fear, understand it. Those who don’t understand it, feel it. That’s how they control the masses, they’re smart. It’s cruel what they’re doing. Just doesn’t make sense.
ANNIE
It actually makes all the sense in the world. And that’s why they do it. 
DOC
Keeps them from turning on each other. A wolf in the woods keeps the sheep from scattering. 
ANNIE
Well I ain’t never been a sheep. Little red riding hood always suited me better. 
DOC
(surprised)
Little?
ANNIE
(smirking)
Shut up. 
She puts down her knife and looks at James. 
ANNIE (CONT’D)
Do we just do it all again? 
DOC
God, that’s a terrible thought. 
ANNIE
But isn’t it worth it. 
DOC
I’d fight that fight every day for you. 
ANNIE
Would you fight that fight for others?
DOC
Every day. If we don’t, who will? 
ANNIE
Our children. Can you imagine how hard they’ll have to fight.
DOC
With you as their momma, the others won’t stand a chance.
ANNIE
Now what gave you that idea?