An original script by: TEThornton
EXCERPT FROM: IN DESTINY’S EYES
1. EXT. DESTINY’S HOUSE - MORNING
An AERIAL VIEW of a picturesque landscape saturated with rolling hills adorned with pine trees and daffodils being kissed by the morning sun. The scenery embodies the pure essence of good country living, serene, placid, and uninhibited. One could lose themselves in this little piece of heaven on earth. In the midst of this entire splendor sits a modest two story farm house.
An 35 years old male, JOSEPH BURNS JR, affectionately known as Joe Jr, a strong yet gentle man, walks out into his yard carrying a cup of coffee. He picks up a newspaper.
We follow him inside his house.
2. INT. DESTINY’S HOUSE - STUDY - CONTINUOUS
He places the cup of coffee on his big OAK DESK then sits down. He begins to address an envelope.
INSERT: ENVELOPE
The return address reads: DESTINY GREENE BURNS, 674 BAKERSVILLE ROAD, HOMER, LA 71040.
BACK TO SCENE
He seals it then places it with the rest of the envelopes that are sitting next to a picture of him and a very pretty lady.
He sips his coffee.
He hears BRAKES SQUEAL.
He looks at his watch.
He hurries as he gathers the envelopes then heads for the door.
3. EXT. DESTINY’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
We see a mailman, CLIFF, 60 get into his PERSONAL TRUCK, which is used to deliver mail.
Joe Jr runs down the steps yelling after the mailman:
JOE JR
Hey Cliff hold up.
Joe approaches the mailman then gives him the envelopes.
CLIFF
You almost missed me Joe Jr.
JOE JR
I know, you a little early today huh?
CLIFF
Yelp, getting off early, got a
doctor’s appointment.
JOE JR
Everything’s okay?
CLIFF
This ol back of mine.
JOE JR
Oh, from when you fell on that
patch of ice last winter?
CLIFF
Yelp, I should’ve gone to the
doctor to see about myself then
maybe I wouldn’t be in so much pain.
He puts the mail in his mail bag then starts the truck:
CLIFF (CONT’D)
How have you been getting along
Joe Jr?
JOE JR
I am good.
CLIFF
You got me and the Misses number right?
Joe Jr nods.
CLIFF (CONT’D)
Call us if you need anything.
JOE JR
I will.
CLIFF
Take care.
He drives off.
Joe Jr walks back toward the house.
CREDITS INTRO:
4. INT. MAIL ROOM - NIGHT
Workers are sorting the mail and putting it in P O Boxes.
5. EXT. 1ST STREET
We see a mailman traveling down the road stops then puts the mail in several mail boxes. He gets back in his mail truck then drives off.
6. EXT. 2ND STREET
We see another TRUCK coming down the road.
A mailman gets out of the truck then attempts to deliver the mail a big DOG starts barking at him.
The dog is trying to free himself from his chain.
He jumps back in his truck and leaves without delivering the mail.
7. EXT. 3RD STREET
A mail woman is pushing a mail cart, delivering the mail.
She stops at one house an elderly lady is at the mailbox waiting on her. She gives the lady her mail.
8. EXT. JULES' HOUSE - MORNING
JULES, 25, handsome muscular built young man passes a mailman, STAN, as he is jogging. He is wearing a backpack.
STAN
Hey Jules, I got some mail for you.
He stops then turns around and jogs toward Stan.
Stan hands Jules the mail.
JULES
Thanks Stan.
He puts the mail in his backpack then starts back jogging.
9. INT. JULES’ HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER
He takes out the mail then places it on the counter.
Jules walks to the refrigerator then pours himself a glass of orange juice.
He empties the glass with one swallow.
INSERT: ENVELOPE
As Jules places the glass on the envelope. We see the name DESTINY GREENE BURNS.
BACK TO SCENE
He picks up the envelope then leaves then kitchen.
We follow him to the living room.
10. INT. JULES’ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
He sits on the couch.
He opens the envelope and reads the invite.
FLASHBACK:
11. INT. JANET’S HOUSE - 1991
INSERT: TWENTY YEARS EARLIER
YOUNG DESTINY, 12 and YOUNG JULES, 5 are sitting on the couch.
She is holding him and rocking back and forth as he cries:
YOUNG DESTINY
It’s gone be okay Jules. It’s
going to be okay.
We hear the phone RINGING.
PRESENT:
12. INT. JULES HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The phone RINGING.
Jules jumps then answers the phone.
JULES
Hello, oh hi mom.
13. INT. JANET’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
JANET
You forgot to call Pastor
Grigsby, you know that man is
doing all he can for you. If
you are not serious about preaching
you need to tell him.
JULES (V.O.)
Dang, I forgot momma. I am serious
about it. It’s just that
14. INT. JULES HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
JANET (V.O.)
It just that what Julius? You
graduated Southwestern Baptist 3
years ago. I know I didn’t spend
all my hard earned money for nothing.
Don’t you know what I could’ve done
with that money? You don’t use that
degree, you gone pay me back every
cent, you hear me boy?
JULES
I want to make sure, that’s all.
JANET (V.O.)
Umm hmm.
JULES
I can’t meet do it this weekend
anyway. I just got an invite from Destiny.
JANET (V.O.)
Destiny who?
JULES
Destiny, Destiny. Destiny Green
my old babysitter?
JANET (V.O.)
Lord, that’s a name I haven’t
heard in years.
JULES
Me either.
15. INT. JANET’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
JANET
Whatever happened to that child?
JULES (V.O.)
After she graduated grad school, we
lost contact.
JANET
Umm huh, okay if you can’t preach
this Sunday then you can’t do it.
16. INT. JULES’ HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
JULES
I’ll call Pastor Grigsby. Love you
too.
JANET (V.O.)
Umph.
He hangs up the phone.
He thumbs through a magazine.
We hear a knock at the door.
JULES (CONT’D)
(yelling)
Use your key Joslyn.
JOSLYN (O.C.)
How you know it’s me?
JULES
(laughing)
Use the key silly.
We hear a key JINGLING in the door.
Joslyn, Jules’ girlfriend, 23, a pretty caramel complexion female enters the house.
She dangles the key:
JOSLYN
I forgot I had it bae.
Jules approached Joslyn then kisses her.
JULES
Hey you, don’t you supposed to be
at work?
JOSLYN
I go at 11. I’m taking you to
breakfast.
JULES
Word?
JOSLYN
Yelp, word. Now come on with your musty
self.
Jules sniffs under his arms.
JULES
I just got back from running, let
me go jump in the shower right quick.
She tugs Jules’ shirt and leads him toward the door.
JOSLYN
Come on, I am use to your musty.
He laughs.
JULES
Oh you got jokes huh?
She turns around then plants a kiss on his lips.
JOSLYN
See, I didn’t frown or anything. I
love you musty and all.
He playfully grabs her then tries to put her in a head lock so his armpits can be at her nose.
She laughs as she fights with him in order to free herself:
JOSLYN (CONT'D)
Stop it Jules, stop it.
They fall on the floor laughing:
JOSLYN (CONT’D)
You wrong Jules.
She fakes a pout:
JOSLYN (CONT’D)
I am mad at you, hmm.
He grabs her then hugs her.
JULES
(baby talk)
I am sorry.
She laughs as she jerks away.
They stand up.
JULES (CONT'D)
Oh yeah baby, I am going to
Louisiana this we
She interrupts him.
JOSLYN
I know your mother already told me.
JULES
I just told her.
JOSLYN
Your momma’s fast baby. She
got the fastest lips in the south.
JULES
(laughing)
You gone lay off my momma okay.
She laughs.
They exit the house.
