Lesson 15

[Connie Hood]

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD, MIDDAY JULY

Clifford and Clara walk. Clara in a dress for a date, strappy new shoes. Clifford in khakis, leather jacket. The Lincoln-Page sits on a side road to a stone farmhouse.

CLIFFORD

Well, here we are.

CLARA

Where?

CLIFFORD

Clara, meet Zelda. You two are going to be good friends.

(he pats to side of the airplane)

CLARA

Oh, no, no, no…

I’m never going near that.

CLIFFORD

You ever driven a tractor?

CLARA

I’ve been mowing hay since I was ten, and this has nothing to do with mowing things.

CLIFFORD

It’s exactly the same except this mower goes up and down.

CLARA

That’s the part that’s just plain wrong.

Clifford takes her hand, leads her to the side of the plane.

CRUNCH, CLANK, GRIND

Clifford at the side of the plane, begins to crank the propellor.

WHIRR, ROAR

Propellor starts to spin, blows dust everywhere.

CLIFFORD

Here, just jump in.

CLARA

I don’t jump.

CLIFFORD

Sure you do. And you’re gonna need these.

He hands her the goggles and a leather helmet. Clara stares at him, overwhelmed, far from any place where she can scream. Takes the goggles. He buckles her helmet.

CLIFFORD

There ya go!

He gives Clara a hand, and she climbs into the passenger seat.

WHOOSH, ROAR

Wind and dust blow everywhere. He jumps in and takes the throttle. She gasps, but the plane is moving slowly.

CLIFFORD

So, here’s the fuel gauge – we’ve got enough to fly all day.

Clara inspects the dial.

CLARA

What does this one measure?

CLIFFORD

How fast we are traveling. And this one is the altimeter, it tells us how high we are going. We can travel to the stars if we want.

Clifford taxis the plane to the main road, picks up speed and takes off. Clara gasps. They fly over the farms and fields, over the lake, and a stand of trees.

CLARA

My goodness, look at those trees down there. I can’t believe we are up here.

CLIFFORD

Oh, and here’s the compass, or we’ll never get back. Can you find North on it? We need to go South/Southeast, 15 degrees about 30 miles. You ever read a compass?

CLARA

No.

She begins to study the dial.

CLARA

But I guess I need to learn.

Clifford grins.

CLARA

Ohh, it’s so beautiful up here … look at the little trees!

CLIFFORD

Yep, a sky full of stars and clouds. Some days you can even fly above the clouds.

CLARA

I don’t think so.

CLIFFORD

…dreamy ideas happen up here. You’ll see.

He banks the plane and they head back to the country road.

BARNSTORMERS IIB

Clifford and Clara go out to the country road, holding hands. She is wearing a new pair of trousers and comfortable shoes. He carries the picnic basket.

They reach the plane, he grabs the goggles and helmets. Hands her a set.

CLIFFORD

Here, help me turn that crank – and don’t walk in front of the propellor! Pull it, fast, harder! There ya’ go.

CLARA

What are you doing?

CLIFFORD

Thought you’d like to fly Zelda this morning.

CLARA

I can’t do that!

CLIFFORD

Why not?

CLARA

Because I’ve never done it before.

CLIFFORD

How do you think the rest of us have learned? Like we were born midair or something? Mommy dropped us from the stork nest?

CLARA

I don’t even drive a car.

Clifford jumps into the passenger seat. Clara is shocked.

CLARA

So how are you going to fly Zelda?

CLIFFORD

I’m not. You are.

CLARA

You’re mad!

CLIFFORD

Here, pull that throttle out, very gently.

The plane starts to move forward.

CLIFFORD

And turn it, just like the wheel on your tractor, right out onto the road.

Plane heads onto road, Clifford looks out for vehicles, horses, and wagons.

CLIFFORD

And pull it as hard as you can!

Propellor roars and the plane moves quickly.

CLIFFORD

Now pull up on the yoke – like about 15-20 degrees. It doesn’t take much – keep the angle steady – unless of course you see a mountain in the way.

Terrain is completely flat. Clifford smiles at her. Clara’s knuckles are white, but she knows she must move forward. Clifford has the compass and suggests directions, degrees of a couple turns, then bring her back toward descent on the road.

Plane comes to a stop, and he jumps out, helps her down. She’s shaking, unsure whether she’s angry or thrilled. He kisses her.