Written by Maureen Troy

Setting: NEW YORK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

A night security man, JACK, 40s, good-natured and bumbling, carrying a lunch sac, turns down the display lights and sets the alarms. He shares with the audience his stories of an overprotective mother that passed her love of American History on to him.

Jack pauses in front of an Indian burial scaffold with bones resting on top. He sneezes loudly, digs out a tissue and blows his nose. He sits down on a museum bench in front of a lit display case featuring ancient Indian artifacts.

He opens his lunch sac and is surprised to find it filled with vitamin bottles. He remarks to himself, "Gee thanks, Mom. Where's my pastrami on rye?" He reads the label on each bottle as he dumps a few pills into his hand, "Echinacea, Blackberry, American Ginseng, Hawthorne Root."

Taking a swig of soda, Jack accidentally spills the bottles of vitamins, which go flying in every direction. As he bends over to gather them up, he knocks over his soda. The soda runs into the lit display. SPARKS FLY. SMOKE RISES. ELECTRICAL CURENTS SURGE. The lights FLICKER and GO OUT. An eerie glow fills the museum. A distant unexplained drum beat increases in intensity.

A spotlight finds the DRUM CIRCLE on stage and the light grows in intensity. The life of a young Native American boy flashes on the video screens. The images continue as he grows into manhood.   Jack remains frozen in time as the images flash and the drum circle continues it's original song.

On the final beat, an arm thrusts up from the bones resting on the burial scaffold. A spirit rises up from the bones. As the spirit stands, walks across the scaffold and down to the museum floor, it becomes more solid and takes human form. The newly risen Native American, KUTA, late 30s, wears a loincloth, a small belt of net for tools and nothing else.

Jack, under the burial scaffold gathering pills, remains unaware of Kuta, who clenches and unclenches his fists, studying his forearms. Kuta suddenly lets rip a howl of anguish! The security guard, startled out of his mind, jumps up and bangs his head on the scaffold.

Kuta rushes over to help him up. Jack yells at Kuta for being in the museum after closing. Kuta counters with his own barge of angry questions, "Who moved me from my resting place? Who moved my bones?"  

Jack yells, "How did you get in here?   You street people are ruining his beautiful museum. No, you're ruining my life. People are afraid to walk the streets. That's what wrong with this whole area!"

Kuta remarks that if Jack doesn't like this place or his tribe, maybe he should join another tribe. He further explains that all he wants is to get his bones back to their final resting place.

Jack goes crazy defending America as a great country. He shows Kuta the museum exhibits (on the screens) featuring a successful C.E.O.'s and a great artist's testimonial for the greatness of America.

Kuta remains stoic and unmoved which infuriates Jack who wishes, "People like you would go back to where they came from." Kuta finally speaks, explaining he'd like nothing better than to get back to where he came from, the spirit world.  

Kuta leaps on the burial mound, leans over his bones and begins chanting. Jack tries to climb up after him but can't pull himself up.  

A SPIRIT GUIDE appears only to Kuta. He's accompanied by Indian flute music. Jack can't see or hear the Sprit Guide but Kuta can. The Spirit Guide tells Kuta that he can't get back to the spirit world with just a chant. Kuta gets increasingly angry with the Spirit Guide and Jack who both keep interrupting his chants. Kuta finally understands that what the Spirit Guide is explaining is true. To get back to the spirit world Kuta must do three things. 1. Bury his bones back in their original resting place. 2. Say the scared chant over the bones. 3. Do both before the next full moon. (Bob will check with contacts to find facts on actual ceremonies.)

Jack stops trying to climb on the burial mound and insists he's calling the police. Kuta rolls his bones up in a bearskin. He hesitates next to a pile of beads and shells and finally grabs those, too. Jack acts as if he's going to stop him but Kuta, but is met by a fierce look. Jack runs away.

Setting: MANHATTAN STREET, IN FRONT OF A RECORD STORE

Kuta, wearing his bearskin rolled backpack style with the bones inside, stands riveted on the street as PEOPLE jostle past and loud noises assault his senses. Kuta studies a BUSINESSMAN talking rapid fire into a dangling cell phone microphone while trying to hail passing caps (flying past on the video screens). Occasionally, the Businessman lets out a sharp whistle that startles Kuta. An Accapella group harmonizes on the on street corner.

The Businessman continues trying to hail a cab as Kuta approaches him.   Kuta inches toward the Businessman (who never stops talking into his cell phone). The businessman digs in his pocket and holds a handful of change out to Kuta. "Could you please move away? I'll never get a cab to stop if they see you next to me. Here's some money."

Kuta digs in his loincloth and holds out beads and shells to the businessman. "I've got plenty of money. Do you need some?"

The businessman starts to answer but his words are drowned out as a couple, hugging and kissing, push out of a RECORD STORE, an original LOVE SONG blares out of the now open RECORD STORE door.

Instantly the Businessman's face transforms from haggard to wistfully romantic. He tells Kuta they played this song at his wedding. Gripped by nostalgia, the businessman tells Kuta about his wife. His friends told him she would never date him (a poor immigrant), but he knew she was the one he would marry.

Kuta understands about love and feels what the businessman is saying. He expresses his feelings speaking of birds, water and animals that have inspired his tribes music.  

The businessman takes Kuta to the record store counter that sits under an awning. The businessman plans to buy his wife a present but also wants to show Kuta different types of music.

Behind the counter a CLERK plays records on a turntable. The businessman asks the clerk to sample some different types of music for his friend, Kuta.

When they reach a Motown sample of music, images of Motown fill the screens. The customers join in and dance from the store out onto the street. The band joins in. The Clerk grabs a sax and plays and dances with the crowd.

The businessman joins in the fun dragging Kuta along. He gets him to try a little "Temptation" walk. The businessman gets so worked up he breaks into a love song, My Girl . Couples dance by in the street. Teens pick up the lyrics and sing in their own hip-hop fashion. Kuta watches his own tapping foot in disbelief.  

A sharp CELLPHONE RING breaks the mood. Kuta, the businessman and the audience express their annoyance. The businessman pulls out the phone and checks the display.

He breaks into a huge smile; smoothes down his hair and asks Kuta if he looks all right. He answers the phone with a big, "Hi, Honey. Can you hold a sec?" He covers the phone and addresses Kuta, "It's her. My wife. I've got get going. Good to meet you." The businessman hustles away.

As the crowd thins out, the Clerk stares at Kuta's bare feet. He goes back behind the counter and finds a shoebox and gives it to Kuta. "Here. I was going to return these. Don't fit right, but I think you need them." Kuta tries on the running shoes and marvels at their comfort.

The record clerk asks Kuta to, "Tell me about where you're from."   Kuta tells him near the big water where it's always warm. The Clerk thinks it sounds like Florida and offers him a ride with his band.

Setting: INTERIOR OF RUN DOWN TOUR BUS

Musicians, dancers and instruments fill the bus. Kuta sits at the back of the bus. He holds on tightly to the armrests and watches out the window as the landscape flies by (on the video screens).

The jerk and motion of the bus reminds Kuta of riding on a horse.  

In a FANTASY SEQUENCE the bus and musicians fade back (with lighting). Kuta pictures a horse galloping through the open range (on screen). A Flamenco musician takes the stage and plays along with the galloping horse images.

An argument wakes Kuta from his fantasy. Musicians who want to rehearse argue with a group that wants to sleep. Kuta asks the musician next to him who the chief is, because it's up to the chief to decide. Kuta's surprised to learn there's no chief. He's further confused when he asks the name of the tribe and learns everyone is from different tribes such as Detroit, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Boston, etc.

One musician pipes up he's part Cherokee. This is a tribe Kuta has heard about. Kuta asks about the "Cherokee" tribe. The musician tells him the tribe is spread across the country. His family has become doctors. (Images of the musician's successful Native American family on screen.)

Setting: BURBON ST.

Kuta walks by taking in the sites and sounds. Tap dancers. Blues music. People hanging from balconies. Bouncers enticing patrons to come in. Kuta tries to peek into a bar. The musicians grab him and pull him along.

Setting: JAZZ CLUB, NEW ORLEANS

Kuta impatiently watches the band set up. The leader has arranged another ride for Kuta but he must wait for the driver.

The traveling band begins playing a jazz number. Kuta is amazed that the "warring tribes" are now making beautiful music. He taps his foot and drums his fingers.

FANTASY SEQUENCE - Kuta leaves his seat in the Jazz club and joins the Drum Circle singing and dancing. The beat of the Drum circle takes over from the Jazz music and builds into something new.  

As the Fantasy ends, Kuta sits back down in his seat at the Jazz club. A guy taps him on the shoulder, "Hey, you're ride to Florida's here."

Setting: FLORIDA BACKYARD OF AN OCEAN ESTATE

Kuta stares with relief at the night time ocean with stars and an almost full moon (on screen). He strides across a waterfront yard filled with WEDDING GUESTS. Cuban music plays in the background. Kuta nods to the people who stare at him gape-mouthed and start whispering to each other. The FATHER OF THE BRIDE (FOB) suddenly steps in front of him.

The FOB explains to Kuta a ceremony is about to start. Kuta apologizes for intruding and explains he just needs to get near the water. The FOB asks if he can wait until after the ceremony and invites him to stay for the wedding. Kuta accepts.

FANTASY SEQUENCE - During the ceremony Kuta remembers a tribal ceremony wedding. (not his own).

A big Cuban Wedding. Salsa Band.

After the ceremony, Kuta makes his way to the edge of the water. Kuta sleeps on the beach under the almost full moon. As the sun rises from the water, Kuta looks from the ocean to the land to the ocean.

The FOB comes out with two mugs of coffee and asks Kuta what's wrong. Kuta tells him the sun is going the wrong way. The FOB laughs and tells Kuta maybe he's looking for the other ocean. Out west. That Kuta needs to go west. Go West.

The FOB hands Kuta some money. Kuta asks what it is. The FOB tells him it's money to help him go west. Kuta shows him his shells and beads and tells him he has lots of money. The FOB suggests they could trade money so Kuta could have some from his "tribe." They trade.

Setting: TRUCK STOP (on screen images of inside/outside a truck stop)

Weary bus travelers and a driver enter the diner. Kuta follows them wearing his backpack, loincloth and running shoes. The waitress just shakes her head and calls through the order window, "JP. You gotta get a load of this."

JP comes out and strides over to Kuta. "Didn't you read the sign? No shirt. No shoes. No service. Clearly you ain't got no shirt on." Kuta stares unblinking at JP, which just ignites his anger. JP spouts off about having rules for a reason and everyone has to follow the rules.

At a nearby booth, two women sit across from each other. WENDY, late 20s, fiddles with a table jukebox. Bruce Springstein's,   "Born in the USA") pours out of it. She leans back in the booth and smiles. Her sister, BEV, ignores the music and consults her palm pilot.

JP yelling at Kuta to get lost drowns out the music from the jukebox.

Wendy stands up and pulls off her sweatshirt. She throws it at Kuta and instructs him to put it on. She tells JP to get back in the kitchen and make her food. Kuta pulls on the shirt. JP leaves in a huff.

Kuta comes to Wendy's booth and tries to thank her. She shushes him and turns up the music telling him it's her favorite part. She offers him a seat in the booth.

He sits silently watching her enjoy the song. As it ends, Wendy turns to Kuta and introduces herself and her sister.

Kuta tells Wendy he's returning to his homeland, that his people are Chumash. Wendy tells him that she grew up in southern California where the Chumash use to live. Bev chimes in with a sarcastic, "Small world."   Wendy tells him she and Bev are traveling to see the country but she misses her home in California.

Kuta and Wendy's conversation is quickly drowned out by rising music. Modern dancers reflect the romantic mood. (Images of family and California fill the screens.)

As Wendy stands to leave, she scribbles her cell number on Kuta's arm. He tries to puzzle out this drawing for a while. He asks her if it's a symbol for good luck or maybe a successful fishing trip. She tells him it's so he can talk to her and leaves.

Setting: BUS TICKET WINDOW

Kuta asks for a ticket to "go west." The agent tells him the next bus is going to Nashville. Kuta holds up his arm and talks to the numbers Wendy scrawled on his arm, "Wendy, is Nashville near California?" He listens to his arm. Nothing. The impatient ticket clerk answers, "It's not near California but its heading west."

Setting: GREYHOUND BUS

Kuta sits in a chair next to the window. Landscapes fly past (on screens). On his other side sits TRINA, late teens, holding a guitar case. She tells Kuta she's going to Nashville to be a star.

Kuta tentatively shows her the numbers on his arm and asks her what they are. She tells him, "A phone number silly. Looks like a woman wrote them. Somebody must like you." Kuta looks away embarrassed.

Trina invites Kuta to hear her play in a bar in Nashville. He tells her he's in a hurry to get to California. She points out that there are no more buses leaving that night. He might as well have some fun. Kuta wonders about fun?

Setting: COUNTRY AND WESTERN BAR, NASHVILLE

Trina plays on stage at a Country And Western bar. Kuta watches the line dancers and decides to join in. He gets very frustrated and keeps colliding with people. He thinks everyone else is doing it wrong. He tries to get them going in circles instead of lines. No one pays him much attention.

A REDNECK accidentally knocks over Kuta (who was going the wrong way.) Kuta springs to his feet angry beyond reason, looking for a fight.

The Redneck's buddies come to his aid and ask if they should, " teach this clueless Indian a lesson." The Redneck agrees the Indian needs to be taught a lesson--and they begin to teach Kuta how to line dance. The rednecks are glad to see Kuta has rhythm and list all the famous Indian entertainers they can think of including Cher, Wayne Newton, etc." (Pictures of each Star flashes on the screen.)

Kuta starts to enjoy himself. When his Spirit Guide shows up and chides him for wasting time Kuta points out there's something to be said for moving in passing lines, you get to see all the pretty girls' faces.

Setting: BUS TICKET WINDOW

Kuta asks for the next bus out. The clerk tells him it's going to Kansas. Kuta asks if it's west. The clerk tells him yes.

Setting: COUNTY FAIR & POLITCAL RALLY

Kuta visits booth after booth offering food samples and blaring all types of music from around the world. It all overwhelms him.

Kuta sits near a stage while the governor who stands at a podium making a speech. Kuta nods in understanding to what the governor is saying.

FANTASY SEQUENCE- Kuta wanders from the stage to join a tribal council of elders. He expresses his ideas for improving the fishing. They all nod and agree with him. The words are drowned out when a band striking up a patriotic song which snaps Kuta out of his fantasy.

Kuta is clearly moved by the patriotic music. He watches the drum section mesmerized.

Kuta approaches a high school drummer in the band, fascinated by the drum. The teenager lets him bang it. Kuta approves of it's sound.  

Setting: BUS TICKET WINDOW

Kuta asks for the next bus west and passes over some money. The clerk tells him he only has enough money to buy a ticket to Arizona.

Setting: BEAUTIFUL HIGH DESERT MESA

Kuta thinks he is hallucinating giant brightly colored birds. Once he realizes they aren't birds, he watches in awe at the flying machines in the sky. (On screen - hangliders and paragliders soar in the sky.)

FANTASY SEQUENCE- Kuta fantasizes about flying himself. Dancers join him in flowing costumes with fans blowing across the stage. Ethereal music plays.

A hanglider pilot makes a gentle landing next him. Kuta is stunned. "I thought you were a great bird." The pilot replies he's just an ordinary man with a love of flying. Kuta replies he has flown in his own tribal way.

FANTASY SEQUENCE- Kuta with other Native American's in a sweat lodge. (On screen) Images of fast moving clouds and a bird's perspective of soaring.

Sounds of a truck approaching. The hanglider pilot tells Kuta his ride is coming and they are heading back to California. Their weekend of playing is over and they have to work tomorrow. He offers Kuta a ride. He gratefully accepts.

Setting : BEACH AT THE BASE OF A CLIFF WITH A CAVE

Kuta runs up to the burial site. He builds a bonfire and buries the bones. Then he just sits there.

The Spirit Guide arrives and urges him to chant. Kuta must finish the ceremony so he can leave this place and return to the perfect spirit world.

Kuta tells him he's not done yet with this world. The Spirit Guide tells Kuta he won't wait for him and disappears.

Kuta starts to chant but it turns into a song he heard on his journey. He starts to line dance. Kuta continues singing and dancing. The bonfire attracts more and more people. They add their own musical influences. Blending together. Kuta celebrates with joy and friendship.  

He tells the people he meets that this world is wonderful and he's glad all the tribes on this great land live in peace and share their gifts and talent.

After celebration, Kuta is left alone at his burial place. He stands where he buried his bones. He gives his chant and returns to the Spirit World. He's happy to go back to his rightful place knowing that this world has turned out so well.

THE END