WITNESS by Earl W. Wallace William Kelley Pamela - Screenplay.com

PREACHER
... husband of Rachel, father to Samuel,
son of Eli.
(and)
His chair is empty, his bed is empty, his
voice will be heard no more. He was needed
in our presence, but God needs such men,
too. That one should be taken so suddenly.
Treat sorrow. Still, we would not wish him
back. Rather we should prepare ourselves
to follow him.
TIGHTENING to the Lapps, and...
EXT. CEMETERY
The mourners have gathered about the grave, standing in silence as
four pallbearers are lowering the coffin into the pit. The many
buggies are aligned in the b.g.
As the pallbearers begin to shovel soil and gravel into the grave,
the Preacher begins to read a hymn in German... a slow atonal
litany which seems to hang forever on the frosty air.
RACHEL
TIGHTENING to her as the hymn continues...
INT. LAPP FARMHOUSE
CUT TO:
Where the Amish have gathered for the traditional post funeral,
midday meals.
Long tables are laden with customary Amishfare... crocks of soup,
hams, fowl, fried boiled eggs and pickled beets, preserves and an
infinite variety of pies and pastries.
RACHEL
Where she sits among women, accepting their condolences.
DANIEL HOCHSTETLER
A brawny-armed, ruggedly-handsome, raffish looking Amishman. There
issomething atypical about his facea slightly sardonic set of
mouth, a boldeye, a prominent set of jaw. Not exactly what old
Jacob Ammann had in mind, maybe,but a well set-up man nonetheless,
and at ease among men. He's among a group of men including old
STOLTZFUS, the local healer, FISHER, BIEILER and Bieiler's stout
young son, Tom.
STOLTZFUS
Lapp was a good farmer. None better.