1883

14.

SHEA Thomas, stay by the door. Don’t let any of that bullshit spill in here.

Shea looks to the crowd.

SHEA (CONT’D) That should answer any questions about how dangerous this journey will be. It will be that and worse, all the way to Oregon.

All eyes now shift to Shea as he leans against a table. He studies the faces staring at him. Studies their clothes ... None are dressed for the West. The men wear ill-fitting suits, the women heavy, wool dresses. The men are clean-shaven. The women have the heavy features of Eastern Europe. Everyone stares at Shea as if he is speaking a foreign language, because to them, he is ... SHEA (CONT’D) Does anyone speak English? One man leans forward. Dark hair and features. Broad shoulders of a laborer. His name is JOSEF(38). JOSEF I speak English. SHEA Does this group have a leader? Josef points to a man in his sixties. NIKOLAI(63). Grey hair. Hollow cheeks. SHEA (CONT’D) But he doesn’t speak English. JOSEF No English for him. Shea exhales. SHEA You have wagons? Josef nods. JOSEF And ox to pull them. SHEA Ox ...

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