The Long Journey: Track One - Conviction
Track One Overview
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In this first track, we establish the relationship between Flagg and Scarlet, as well as define their "ordinary world."
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It's 4 years after the end of AoA. Scarlet is traveling with Flagg, with Roland in pursuit. She's beginning to understand that staying here may kill her.
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We open with Scarlet's central problem: she no longer trusts her own judgement. Scarlet is shaken and looking for certainty. But Flagg refuses to give her that certainty. Instead, he pushes the questions back on her.
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Giving her the answers would defeat the lesson. An immortal who has spent centuries being hero/villain/monster/protector can't plausibly give her a tidy moral system. But he can cultivate her own conviction.
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Scarlet doesn't find conviction in the first Track, but she realizes she won't find it in anyone else but herself.
Scene 1: Long Desert Trek
Purpose
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Establish the ordinary world and the slow rhythm of the journey.
Beats and Dialogue
1. The Trek
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Flagg and Scarlet, tiny figures, crossing the dessert
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Footsteps represent travel. Long scrolling represents the passage of time.
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Scarlet looks deflated and frustrated. [Action: she's looking down.]
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Flagg is stoic. [Action: Flagg looks out into the distance/horizon.]
Scene 2: First Campfire
Purpose
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Establish Scarlet and Flagg's relationship. Scarlet struggles to accept Flagg's kindness and mentorship (represented in the gift of the jacket), but also expects him to provide answers.
Beats and Dialogue
1. The jacket
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They have made camp.
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Close up of Scarlet. She's got bags under her eyes. She doesn't look well. Scarlet has her arms crossed. She looks cold.
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Flagg offers his jean jacket. Scarlet looks at him, her expression blank. She doesn't move to take it.
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Flagg: "You're cold."
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Scarlet takes it reflexively.
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She sets the jacket down next to her.
2. Pause.
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Silence. Quiet around the fire. Insects chirp. Fireflies.
3. The elephant in the room.
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Scarlet: "I can't undo it. I'm stuck here. Did I ruin my life?"
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Flagg is quiet.
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We zoom out. Wide shot. Tiny campfire.
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Flagg: "What would you do differently if I said yes?"
4. Scarlet "Voice Over" as we transition into next scene.
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"These days, JD acted like the stale stereotype of a wise-man in a dime-store novel.... predictable, tiresome and lacking substance."
Scene 3: Next Day on the Road
Purpose
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Show the daily rhythm of the journey. Scarlet continues to look externally for answers.
Beats and Dialogue
1. Question 1
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Scarlet: "How do you know you've made the right choice?"
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Flagg: "Will my answer change what you'll do tomorrow?"
2. Question 2.
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Scarlet: Question
3. Question 3.
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Scarlet: "Why are you helping me?"
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Flagg: "What do you think?"
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We zoom out. Wide shot. Tiny campfire.
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Flagg: "What would you do differently if I said yes?"
4.Question 4.
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Scarlet: "Do you always answer questions with questions?"
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Flagg: "Not always."
