TIME TO PUT YOUR PACK DOWN
Written by: Leonard Casiple
US Copyright Office Registration Number: Pau 3-905-542
Effective Date of Registration: January 20, 2018
INT. VETERANS MUSEUM FRONT DOOR. DAYLIGHT.
David and Aaron stand side-by-side. David is wearing an Army rucksack that is full of equipment. Aaron is carrying a folded sign. Both walk towards the stage. David hesitates. David looks afraid.
DAVID
Slow down, buddy. Alice is as heavy as she was during Special Forces Selection….25 years ago.
AARON
Why do you call her Alice, Dad?
DAVID
ALICE stands for All-Purpose Lightweight Carrying Equipment.
AARON
Why are you doing this now?
DAVID
I’ve been a menace to the family. said: “Master Sergeant, to put your pack down.”
AARON
We have been walking on eggshells around you. Afraid of you. Disappointed of you.
DAVID
Sorry. I’ve been torn between going back to war & staying home. I focused only on the “scared, little me”…not on the blessings coming to me.
AARON
Why didn’t you sell Alice?
DAVID
Cash is not worthy of her sacrifice. She never failed a mission.
AARON
What missions?
DAVID
I’ve walked almost 1,000 miles with Alice on my back. Jumped Alice out of airplanes. Known her longer than I’ve known your Mom.
AARON
(Aaron shows extreme sadness.)
Yeah, but Mom has been sad for a long time. She still cries….still confused…doubtful.
David Aaron reach the stage. David opens the rucksack out some equipment. Aaron unfolds the sign and read:
“THIS IS ALICE. SHE WAS MY HERO.”
DAVID
Put this over there, son.
Aaron grabs the equipment from David but continues to read:
“PLEASE TREAT HER WITH DIGNITY.”
DAVID
Do you remember when you were 8 and you asked me to never work overseas?
AARON
(Hint of disappointment on Aaron’s face.)
I knew that I had a Dad but you only came home to do laundry. You missed a lot of birthdays.
DAVID
Now that Alice is resting, I can be a father…a husband. I’m finally home.
David heads for the front door. Aaron slaps his Dad on the back and turns towards Alice.
Aaron salutes Alice.
“Ballad of the Green Berets” begin to play.
AARON
Rest well, Alice. Thanks for taking care of my Dad.
FADE OUT
Copyright Leonard Casiple 2021. All rights reserved.
