Death Mule
Au Hasard
EXT. EDGE OF FIELDS - SUNSET
Farmer Johnson returns with Balthazar walking exhaustedly behind. Alexis is waiting in the back yard with a tennis ball.
Alexis throws the ball.
ALEXIS
Fetch, Balthazar, fetch!
Balthazar looks indifferently in the direction of the ball, but does not go for it.
ALEXIS (CONT’D)
Go get it, boy!
Balthazar does not budge.
ALEXIS (CONT’D)
Why is he so tired, daddy?
FARMER JOHNSON
Because he’s been working all day, that’s why.
He hands the reins to Alexis.
FARMER JOHNSON (CONT’D)
Why don’t you give me a hand and put him in the barn?
EXT. BARN
Alexis leads Balthazar to the barn.
ALEXIS
I sure wish he didn’t work you so hard. You never want to play anymore.
She stops and strokes the top of his head.
ALEXIS (CONT’D)
Maybe this weekend we can take a day and do whatever you want.
She kisses him on the nose.
FARMER JOHNSON (O.S.)
Hold that mule!
He walks up.
FARMER JOHNSON (CONT’D)
Don’t put him to bed yet. There’s one more thing I forgot to do.
DRIVEWAY
Balthazar, wearing a harness, stands in front of Farmer Johnson’s pickup truck. Farmer Johnson attaches the harness straps to the truck’s fender. Mrs. Johnson and Alexis watch.
MRS. JOHNSON
Are you sure this is a good idea?
FARMER JOHNSON
With gas prices being what they are, I’m surprised more people aren’t doing this.
ALEXIS
You’re going to kill him!
FARMER JOHNSON
Nonsense. These animals were born to work. It’s in their blood.
He tests the straps.
FARMER JOHNSON (CONT’D)
There. That ought to hold.
He gets into the driver’s seat.
FARMER JOHNSON (CONT’D)
All right. I’m off.
He holds a whip outside the window. He raises it and CRACKS it.
FARMER JOHNSON (CONT’D)
Ha mule!
Balthazar walks, pulling the truck slowly behind him. Mrs. Johnson waves to her husband. Alexis stews.
MRS. JOHNSON
(calling after her husband)
And don’t forget my ink cartridges!
ROAD
The truck, pulled by Balthazar, creeps down the dusty road.
