BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Screenplay

3 CONTINUED: !2)
ENNIS
No, sir. I just never heard a no place
called Brokeback.
The OLD MAN points to a long, barren mountain to the north,
its upper reaches miles away, reaching well above the tree
line.
OLD MAN
Don't you let that damn Joe Aguirre send
you up there with no twenty-two. Coyotes
don't mind a twenty-two. Make sure he
gives you a thirty-ought.
Too much talk for ENNIS, who nods his thanks.
Looks up at the mountain as he walks off
4 EXT: SIGNAL, WYOMING: TRAILER: DAY: 4
The sun is full up, though itis still early. A gentle
breeze whistles.
ENNIS sits on the steps of a dingy trailer house, a crooked
sign above the door says FARM AND RRNCH EMPLOYMENT AGENCY.
Smokes, waits. Sees an old green pickup with a bad muffler
approaching, and ENNIS becomes aware that the muffler is not
the pickup's only problem. It coughs, sputters, rattles from
several junctures as it pulls into the gravel parking lot of
the AGENCY and dies.
The driver sits a moment in the driver's seat, then gets out
and slams the door of the pickup in disgust, looks at it much
as the OLD MAN had looked at the tractor tire.
This is JACK TWIST: like ENNIS, a rough country boy with
little education, but somewhat different in appearance and
attitude, a little less stoic, a little more of a dreamer.
More welcoming, appealing, with a quick laugh. Nineteen, not
as tall as ENNIS, more compact and muscular, thick, dark
hair, worn jeans, bullrider's belt buckle, faded shirt,
stubbly beard, straw cowboy hat, boots worn to the quick.
Doesn't notice ENNIS--the steps of the trailer house are
still in shade. But when he does, he stiffens a little--
looks at him--looks away.
Then the two ignore one another completely.
5 EXT: SIGNPL, WYOEIING: TRAILER: DAY (LTER):
Eight a.m. The wind has picked up considerably.
( CONTINUED)
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