W Winkie
[Approaches Tyler at work cleaning a fish]
Tyler. Hey, Tyler.
Tyler
Yo.
W Winkie
Duncan and Ratboy are looking for you. And they're gonna beat your ass. They're gonna kill you if you keep shitting with their crab pot.
Tyler
All right.
W Winkie
[Ṙeḟerrịṇg to boomboẋ]
Turn that damn box off and listen to what I'm telling you, boy. You been stealing their damn crab pots. You know what that's gonna cost me?! It's going to cost me my damn license for this building here! What seems to be your problem?! Best thing for you is to just quit with them damn fish and leave. Go home. Go, just go. You done pissed me off now.
Tyler
Let me finish the fish.
W Winkie
Go. Get. Yeah, I know what I said. Go. Just go.
Tyler
Let me fix that hoist monitor and I'll leave.
W Winkie
The hoist monitor's been fixed.
Tyler
I need a job, Winkie.
W Winkie
[Tyler is sitting at dock with Winkie coming over and sits next to me] [Pats Tyler on back]
Hey, man. You can't be bringing me illegal stuff no more. Duncan's fishing on Mark's license.
Tyler
What am I supposed to do? I would have brought it if...
W Winkie
[Puts hand on Tyler's shoulder]
Hey, hey, hey. Mark wouldn't want you to do this. He's your brother and he's looking down from above, thinking about you. Thinking about the wrong you're doing. Get your life together. Get it in order. Mark would be proud of you if you did that. [Gets up] He'd be very proud of you if you did. [Walks away]
Tyler
[Hitch hiking in a pick up truck with an oversized dog]
Is she a good dog?
D Driver
Good enough. She don't run away. So I guess that makes her mine. My wife's long gone. My kids are grown. We look out for each other.
Tyler
That's all right.
D Driver
Crazy, ain't it?
Tyler
What's that?
D Driver
The fire down at the docks.
Tyler
There was a fire at the docks?
Tyler
No shit. I didn't hear nothing about that.
D Driver
Yeah. It started out small, but got out of hand pretty fast.
Tyler
Did it?
D Driver
Some of them boys are out right now trying to catch the guy that lit it. They set up a roadblock down 158.
Tyler
158 huh?
D Driver
Yeah. [A freight train crosses their road]
Tyler
Shit, you know what? I left something back there. I got to go back. [Gets out of truck]
D Driver
You sure you don't want a ride all the way back into town?
Tyler
No, I forgot something back there.
D Driver
I'm going right there.
Tyler
Oh, I appreciate it thanks. [Walks away]
Zak
[He and Tyler are walking through corn field]
Hey Tyler, my feet hurt. Do you have a car? Tyler? Can we walk on the road? Uh, excuse me? Will you please answer me?
Tyler
[Turns around and heads to Zak aggressively]
Let me tell you something. Imma tell you a story. I'm gonna tell you a story. When I was younger, my brother and I were camping at this place called Caffey's Inlet, and there was a big ass hornet's nest down by the water. So I walked over to them all excited. I'm young, I'm into baseball. And I hit that son of a bitch like a **** home run. And it exploded on me, and I got stung up real bad. My face swelled up, my eyes got real tight, and I couldn't see shit. Walked back into camp and my brother Mark said to me; "You keep stirring shit up, you're gonna get yourself killed boy". You understand what I'm saying? You ever kick a hornet's nest?
Zak
Last night.
Tyler
You hit a hornet's nest last night?
Zak
Last night.
Tyler
So you understand why we can't go up on that road again? Stop with this "Tyler" shit. We're gonna be quiet the rest of the way. [Turns around and begins to walk]
Zak
Tyler.
Tyler
Oh, my, [Turns around and walks to Zak] finish what you got to say. Finish what you have to say and then we'll walk on silent. We're not gonna do this no more. "Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler," what?!
Zak
I want you to know about me. I am a Down syndrome person.
Tyler
I don't really give a shit. Do you got supplies on you? That's what we need, don't we? [Turns and starts walking] You got supplies?!
Zak
No.
Tyler
No, you don't! No, you don't! No more; "Tyler, Tyler"! No more!
Tyler
[He and Zak are lying in wait in cornstalks observing the gas station convenience store]
You got any money?
Zak
No. No, I have no money and I got no pockets.
Tyler
I'm gonna give you pockets. [Throws cargo shorts to Zak] There's your pockets. I'm going in there to get essentials.
Zak
Can I come?
Tyler
No.
...
CC Convenience cashier
[Tyler gathers food items, immediately realising he is very short on cash and is told by cashier how the items add up]
Pardon me if I seem alarmed, but I don't normally negotiate with fellas if they got shotguns all over their backs.
Tyler
Oh, shit. [Puts down hiking pack] I understand.
CC Convenience cashier
Ooh, thank you.
Tyler
Yeah, your welcome. Hey, you got any of the, uh- you got any of them two-dollar airplane whiskeys back there?
CC Convenience cashier
No, but uh, I got this. [Produces a moonshine jug]
Tyler
Oh, I can't afford that.
CC Convenience cashier
It's on me, son. It looks like you might need it more than I do. I'm just gonna get a little swig to calm my nerves.
Tyler
Sure, yeah. You made it?
CC Convenience cashier
I did, sir.
Tyler
[Takes a sip]
Ooh. Yeah, you did.
CC Convenience cashier
[Eleanor enters store]
Ma'am.
Eleanor
Gentlemen.
CC Convenience cashier
Ma'am, you'll have to forgive me for staring at you, but you're one of the prettiest women I've seen in ages.
Tyler
Where did you blow in here from?
Eleanor
Richmond. Hmm-mm.
Tyler
Richmond? That's nice. So you, uh, you graduated JMU, or GW?
Eleanor
GW.
Tyler
Yeah. Yeah, you got that look about you.
Eleanor
Oh, yeah? What look is that?
Tyler
You know, just uh, "excited to be alive" kind of look. What you doing up here?
Eleanor
Your nosy aren't you?
Tyler
Yeah, nosy. That's the word for you it. Nosy. Or interested.
Eleanor
Interested?
Tyler
Yeah. Interested. Are you interested?
Eleanor
No, I'm working.
Tyler
Working. What, you working crab boats?
Eleanor
No.
Tyler
I know, that's funny.
Eleanor
I know why you think that's funny.
Tyler
Oh, your trouble I see. Okay, you don't like jokes.
Eleanor
[Holds up Zak's picture]
I'm looking for a missing person. Have either of you gentlemen- I'm assuming I can use the word; "gentlemen".
Tyler
Have you seen him?
CC Convenience cashier
No. I aint- I ain't seen him.
Eleanor
[To Tyler]
Have you seen him?
Tyler
Why? What'd he do?
Eleanor
He ran away from the nursing home I work at. Why? Have you seen him?
Tyler
So you got some kind of reward?
Eleanor
No.
Tyler
What are you? Are you a bounty hunter?
Eleanor
Would I be a bounty hunter if I just said there's no bounty?
Tyler
No. What are you, his sister? Minder or something?
Eleanor
Not that it's any of your business, but I care about him and he's alone, and I want to find him.
Tyler
Maybe.
Eleanor
Maybe? Maybe what?
Tyler
Yeah, yeah. Well, maybe he's alone. Maybe he ain't alone. You know, you don't know. What if he's living the American dream and, you know, he just, uh, ran into a bunch of hitchhikers? You know, like the Mark Twain story or something?
Eleanor
Hmm-mm. [She begins to walk away]
Tyler
You like Mark Twain?
Eleanor
Thank you.
Tyler
You like Louie L'Amour? You got a good phone number?
Eleanor
Yeah, I got a phone number.
Tyler
Yeah? You gonna give it to me? So I find him, what you want me to do? Just holler for you?
Eleanor
Yeah, just do that.
Tyler
Yeah? You got a name?
Eleanor
Yeah, I got a name.
Tyler
What is it?
Eleanor
Eleanor.
Tyler
Eleanor. [She gives him the finger and walks out the door] All right partner.
CC Convenience cashier
Come back.
...
Tyler
[Laughing and pointing at Zak]
You're a goddamn criminal. You're a goddamn criminal ain't you? Fugitive. Little man on the lam. Met your girlfriend back there, Eleanor. Cute on from the old folks home. She likes you quite a bit. Got a picture of you and everything, showing everybody. That's not a bad thing. As far as I'm concerned, it's a good thing. See, we're going 70 miles upriver. We need a tie that binds. And this right here, you being a wanted man, this is it, just the kind of tie we needed. Hell, yeah. Two bandits on the run. [Shakes Zak's hand upwards] Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah, partner! Come on! Hell, yeah! Listen, we got new rules now, all right? We can't keep doing this way. New rule is, you can't slow me down. you understand? Put these on. [Hands Zak boots] So, what I says go. I say jump, you say; "how high"?
Zak
How high?
Tyler
There it is. Rule number one, don't slow me down. Rule number two, I'm in charge, and you're going to carry your own weight.
Zak
You are in charge.
Tyler
That's right.
Zak
Uh, maybe we should... maybe we should have our own secret handshake.
Tyler
What kind of secret handshake? For what?
Zak
Buds, dudes, friends.
Tyler
Buds-dudes-friends-handshake? All right, come here. Let's go, hurry up. [Zak starts slapping Tyler's hands] All right, three of those, four of those. Four of those. Now what? [They bump fists and mimic explosions] Like that.
Zak
Yeah.
Tyler
Only when special shit happens though, alright?
Zak
Yeah, special things.
Tyler
Special things, you don't curse.
Zak
No.
Tyler
Why don't you curse?
Zak
Because I don't.
Tyler
Okay, come on. [Starts to walk away but Zak stands still]
Zak
You are in charge.
Tyler
Exactly. Come on. [Zak starts walking] Hey, what's rule number one? What's rule number one?
Zak
Party.
Tyler
No, not party. No, it's not party. Don't slow me down. That's rule number one. Let's go, come on. Come on, pick it up. There you go. You got boots on now.
Zak
Rule number one is not "party". What is rule number one?
Tyler
"Don't slow me down". Rule number one?
Zak
You are in charge.
Tyler
All right. We'll figure it out.
Zak
[Tyler and Zak are standing at river banks]
It is too... too from the other side.
Tyler
Yeah, well, we ain't got many options. I'm not walking through two days of brier bushes, and we can't go back the way we came. So, we're going swimming. You got a better idea?
Zak
We... we could get a plane.
Tyler
Take your pants off.
Zak
I can't swim.
Tyler
Yeah, I know you can't swim. But you can float. [Wading in river] Zak, I need you to listen to me. That bag and them pants can hold air. They're going to float you. Do not let them go. You hold on with everything you got, because I sure as shit don't want to have to go swimming over there thinking about you sinking us. I don't want to dredge the bottom for your body. You understand?
Zak
Tyler, am I gonna die?
Tyler
Yeah, you're gonna die, it's a matter of time. That ain't the question. The question's, whether they're gonna have a good story to tell about you when you're gone. Now, don't be a bitch. Let's go. Don't cry Zak. [A fishing trawler heads towards them]
Zak
[After narrowly avoiding the trawler]
That is the greatest story to tell. Uh, come on.
Tyler
[Tyler and Zak are on a beach in late evening with Zak doing deranged laughter impressions lying down]
I ain't the slightest bit scared of you.
Zak
I... I want to be... a professional... wrestler. And I am a bad guy.
Tyler
Why do you wanna be a bad guy?
Zak
Because my family left me.
Tyler
That don't make you a bad guy. Good guys get left too, Zak. Ain't no silly laugh, or wearing black, or eyed shadow and shit. Ain't nothing to do with that. It has to do with what's in here, in your heart. You got a good-guy heart. You can't do shit about it, that's just who you are. You're a hero.
Zak
I can't be a hero because I am a Down's syndrome.
Tyler
What's that got to do with your heart? Who told you that?
Zak
Coach. Teachers.
Tyler
Your coach? What'd your coach say?
Zak
I am ****.
Tyler
Your coach said that? [Zak nods] What a shitty coach. Your team ever win anything? [Zak body language confirms negative status] No? Some shit you ain't never going to do. That's all right. You can't be everything. You ain't gonna be no professional basketball player. You ain't gonna dunk no basketball, or be an Olympic swimmer. You sink like a stone, because your all muscle. Muscle sinks. Today, you pulled me up out that water, you almost pulled my whole arm out the socket. Most grown folk I know ain't got that kind of strength. You're strong, Zak. **** your coach.
Zak
Tyler.
Tyler
Yeah?
Zak
Who those people on the boat?
Tyler
On the boat? That's Duncan and Ratboy.
Zak
They are a good guy or a bad guy?
Tyler
Bad guy.
Zak
Tyler.
Tyler
Hmm?
Zak
Are you the good guy or a bad guy?
Tyler
I don't know. What you think?
Zak
You are a good guy.
Tyler
[Tyler has flashbacks to bonding with brother Mark and it is revealed that Tyler fell asleep while driving with Mark possibly to leading his death] [Wakes up to see Zak]
What?
Zak
Will you please train me?
Tyler
Yeah, I don't know shit about wrestling.
Zak
I want to learn. I want to be a hero.
Tyler
You know how to do pushups. Yeah? Let's go.
Zak
Oh, what do you want to do?
Tyler
We're gonna train.
Zak
Yeah.
Tyler
[Zak walking on diverging train tracks]
It's balance. [Hands shotgun to Zak] This kicks back, you understand? [Teaching Zak to aim] Always keep your hand like that so you can steady.
...
Tyler
Hey, so, what's the deal with Eleanor? She's your friend?
Zak
Yeah.
Tyler
She's a nice woman?
Zak
Hmm-mm.
Tyler
What's she like?
Zak
She is my friend. And she has been looking out for me.
Tyler
She's your friend?
Zak
Yeah.
Tyler
[Hands Zak a drink]
Cheers.
Tyler
[He and Zak come across a metal rowboat]
This can work.
Jasper
[Walks out of house pointing a pistol]
Freeze, you son of a bitches! You son of a bitches think you can come over here and rob Japser just 'cause he's blind?! Well, you better think again, goddamn it! Y'all boys black or white?! Okay! [Fires shot narrowly missing Tyler]
Zak
White!
Tyler
White!
Jasper
I knowed you was white! I could smell you a mile off! Is you God-fearing?!
Tyler
Yup.
Jasper
Well, good.
Tyler
...
Jasper
[Jasper is in fishing overalls waist-high wading in a river]
There's sheep in this world and there is wolves in this world. I may not have my eyes, but I know the difference. And I know that you two boys, fleece-wearing weary travellers who lost their way. Neither of you are wolves. You're just sheep who strayed from his flock. I'm donating the supplies from my junkyard for your pilgrimmage. Anything but that tin boat, y'all can have it because I figure it's my duty to get you back to your shepherd. Now, I can't have you boys running off of here with your hands all dirty and everything, because a wolf might hunt you down just by the smell of your past sins. And I wouldn't want no wolf to get ahold of you, because that'd be a frightful bloody mess. So, we gonna clean you up right... with a baptism.
Zak
What's a baptism?
Tyler
It's like swimming.
Jasper
Y'all boys come on down here and bathe in the warm waters of forgiveness.
Tyler
I'm more of "baptism by fire" type.
Jasper
Well, unfortunately, I don't perform those kinds of baptism.
...
Jasper
[Tyler and Zak push off a home made floating platform]
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Nothing can touch you now, by the grace of the Lord.
Zak
Bye Jasper. Stay cool. Take care.
VO Voice over Jasper
Accept his blessing. Let all the wolves of your past be laid to rest.
Zak
[Puts his hand on Tyler's back]
Tyler, I am going to give you all my wishes for my birthday.
Tyler
Thank you.
Zak
Your welcome.
Tyler
[Tyler is guiding the floating platform towards the beach]
When you get off, go towards the shore. There's drag marks. What happened?
Zak
My ankle hurts.
Tyler
Your ankle hurts?
Zak
Yeah.
Tyler
All right, we'll fix you right now. [Hands Zak the moonshine jug] Drink that. Make you feel better. [Zak drinks it effortlessly] All right, rule number one is what?
Zak
Party!
Tyler
Party! All right! Ha!
Zak
Yeah! Yeah!
...
Zak
[Zak is counting his jumping jacks at the beachfire with Tyler]
I cannot feel my... my hands. I cannot feel my hands and I cannot feel my ankle.
Tyler
[In an immature tone]
You can't feel shit! [In a redneck drawl tone] You can't feel shit! [Zak walks to Tyler] Don't step on me now! Don't step on me!
Zak
Oh, excuse me, Tyler, you can't feel shit.
Tyler
What?!
Zak
I gotta get my log. [Attempts lift up beachfire log but relents]
Tyler
Hey.
Zak
I'm not strong enough.
Tyler
Who's strong enough? Who's strong enough? Hey, you know what you need? You need to change your- you need to change your name. You need to get a... an alter ego. You know what I'm saying. Like in the Wrestling Federation. Wrestlers go their alter egos. What's your favorite wrestler's name?
Zak
The Salt Water Redneck.
Tyler
The Salt Water Redneck ain't born with that name. You need a name. What's your name?
Zak
Falcon!
Tyler
Falcon. Falcon. Ooh, falcon. Falcon. That's a good name. Hold on. Ooh, I got an idea. Hold on right there, wait right there. You got to make a uniform. Falcon uniform! Hell, yeah!
Zak
Falcon!
Tyler
Hey! Did I tell you could have some of that peanut butter?! It ain't snack time! It's jack time! [Starts strapping branches to Zak's back] Here we go. Whoo-hoo! [Starts smearing peanut butter on Zak's face] We need war paint! Yeah. I need peanut butter. You want to be slick.
Zak
The Peanut Butter Falcon!
Tyler
[Zak starts pushing up a log to the beachfire]
Get it up! Pick that sucker up! Push it! Push it! Push it! [Zak pushes the log into the beachfire with Tyler cheering] You got it! You got it!
Zak
[Roars to the sky]
Peanut Butter Falcon!
Tyler
You got it!
Zak
[Roars to the sky]
I'm the Peanut Butter Falcon! [Passes out after drinking]
Eleanor
[Drives to the beach and runs to Zak]
Zak. Zak. Zak. Oh my god. Zak, are you okay? Oh my god.
Tyler
[Urinating off shore]
Hello! Hey!
Eleanor
Come on, sit up.
Tyler
You found us. Them pheromones. Like a bear.
Eleanor
What is this? What's on your face?
Tyler
Yeah!
Eleanor
I thought you said you hadn't seen him! He's right there.
Tyler
There he is.
Eleanor
Come on buddy. Let's go. Come on. Thank you.
Tyler
No, we're good. You're good right there. Sit right there. He's all right.
Eleanor
Okay, I don't know what's going on, but, uh...
Tyler
Put that on, Zak. Here brother. I've got it.
Eleanor
Thank you.
Tyler
He could do it. He could put his own shirt on. He's 22 years old.
Eleanor
Thank you. I've got it. We're good now.
Tyler
Huh.
Eleanor
Here you go bud. You ready? You good to go? you okay?
Zak
Ah, my ankle.
Eleanor
What? What...
Tyler
He's fine
Eleanor
What happened to his ankle? What's wrong with his ankle?
Tyler
Nothing's wrong.
Eleanor
What are you doing?
Tyler
[Mocking]
What are you doing?
Eleanor
Who are you even?
Tyler
[Mocking]
Who are you even?
Eleanor
You have a young boy with Down syndrome in the middle of nowhere.
Tyler
I'm the one who's been taking care of him because you can't do it unless you put him in a cage.
Eleanor
Okay, um. Look, he needs to be properly take care of, and that's my job. I'm sorry to break up your primitive little gang, or whatever's going on, but this is not Lord of the Flies. Okay, you can't. There's rules, regulations. Medication. Paperwork.
Tyler
. Yeah. All right. Well, while you've been doing paperwork, we've been something called living, ain't that right, brother?
Zak
Yeah.
Eleanor
Okay. Cool. [Tyler chuckles] But we're gonna go, so, thank you.
Tyler
No, we're not. He's fine where he is.
Eleanor
May I please speak to you in private?
Tyler
Oh. Oh, like, a private party? Yeah, all right.
Eleanor
One second, Zak.
Tyler
I got water. You want water?
Eleanor
Right now.
Tyler
[To Zak]
"Primitive gang". Hell yeah. [To Eleanor] I like when you put your hair up like that. It's nice. Water?
Eleanor
Look, I could have you arrested for kidnapping, okay?
Tyler
Oh, you're going to have me arrested? How- how do you figure? You can't have me arrested. He's a runaway. Can't kidnap a runaway. Come on, genius. You said GW, didn't you?
Eleanor
I'm sure I could find some reason to arrest you.
Tyler
Hey, let me ask you, what do you want for him?
Eleanor
I'm not going to sell him to you.
Tyler
No, I mean what do you want for his life? His future?
Eleanor
Why are you- you don't know anything about him.
Tyler
You know about the wrestling?
Eleanor
Yes, of course I know about the wrestling.
Tyler
All right, so I know something about him, don't I? So, uh, you're a little late to the party. This is what's going on. I made a promise to him, to get him to that wrestling school in Ayden.
Eleanor
Oh.
Tyler
You understand? I gave him my word, and I ain't gonna back down on my word. [Zak sees Eleanor's van keys and takes it] Now, you seem like a nice person. You care for him and all. You came all the way out here. Maybe it's because you like me. I don't know. Yeah? And, uh, Imma offer you a favor. You can get on the raft with us and you can ride down there if you want.
Eleanor
No. No, we're not going to hop on your little raft and cruise around the river.
Tyler
It's hot. You're confused. I'm not asking you.
Zak
Hey, Eleanor! [Throws van keys into water]
Eleanor
Oh! Ooh! Oh! Oh.
Zak
I want to see Salt Water Redneck. And I don't want to go home.
Eleanor
Ahem. So how far is it, um... on the raft?
Tyler
[Makes a measurement gesture with index finger and thumb]
About that far on the map.
Eleanor
Are your fingers to scale?
Tyler
Yeah.
Eleanor
[Makes a far wider measurement gesture with index finger and thumb]
So how much time is that much?
Tyler
That's different than what I put up.
Eleanor
All right.
Tyler
What I did is about a day. Maybe two days.
Eleanor
Days? Like..
Tyler
Yeah.
Eleanor
Okay. [Checks phone] Are you kidding? What in the Christ... Hey, Zak, why don't you sit down, bud. You're kind of close to the edge. I don't want you to fall in. Hey, are you hungry? Have you eaten anything?
Zak
I am not really hungry.
Eleanor
Well, maybe you just have a bite of something for your blood sugar.
Tyler
He don't want nothing to eat.
Eleanor
You know how you get, buddy. I have an apple.
Tyler
Hey.
Eleanor
I have some M&M's. What?
Tyler
Don't do that.
Eleanor
Don't do what?
Tyler
Hey, I got an idea. Why don't we keep your training going? Just because we're on a raft doesn't mean we can't stop training, does it? All right, so we're going to do some breathing exercises. She's worried about your blood sugar. We're gonna breathe. Take a deep breath in. Out. Cool. Now, come over here and put your head underwater. I'm gonna time you.
Eleanor
What? No, no, no, don't do that. Zak.
Tyler
No. He can do that. He can do that. He can... there you go. [To Eleanor] You better stop calling him a ****.
Eleanor
I have never called anyone a... that word.
Tyler
Okay. Hold on, listen. When people are saying he's a ****, really what they're saying is he can't do some shit they can do. See, you might not be saying the word "****", all right, I'll give you that, but you damn sure is making him feel ****. That ain't gonna help his life. [Zak resurfaces] Hey, there we go.
Zak
Time. How long is that?
Tyler
Long.
Eleanor
Not long enough, Zak. Do it again.
Zak
Okay. [Puts head underwater]
Eleanor
You have got some real nerve talking to me like that. Do you even know what I do? I've spent the last two years of my life volunteering to hold people's hands as they pass away. I talk to them, I feed them, I wipe their asses, I change their clothes, I put them to bed. And I'm the last person they see. Don't act like you know jack shit about me.
Tyler
[Throws up both hands]
All right.
Eleanor
Yeah, maybe he should not be in a retirement home, but I didn't choose that for him. But, that's what's happened and now I am doing the best I can.
Tyler
[Zak resurfaces with a fish in hand with Tyler grabbing it]
Oh! Oh! Hey! Oh, shit! Oh! God! Zak! [Starts pounding fish's head on the platform] Okay! Yeah! Lunch!
Eleanor
Zak, did you just catch that with your hands?! How'd you do that?! You're a wild man! Oh my god!
Tyler
[Frying the fish]
We got three options for lunch today. We can boil water from the sound, make a little chowder, huh?
Zak
Hmm-mm.
Tyler
Plain fish?
Zak
Hmm-mm.
Tyler
Fish with peanut butter?
Zak
Fish with peanut butter!
Tyler
Hey! You got to give him what he wants then. Here, go ahead. Load up.
Eleanor
Oh, just right on there.
Tyler
There you go. Right on there. You want a big piece or small piece?
Eleanor
That's good. That's great.
Tyler
If you fold it, you can make a little taco.
Eleanor
Okay, that's nice.
Tyler
Yeah. That's a good bite. That's good, huh?
Eleanor
Five stars.
Tyler
You hear that? [Does handshake motions with Zak] Bang. Boom.
Eleanor
What is that?
Zak
That is our special handshake. Yeah. That. Is our special thing.
Tyler
Yeah.
Eleanor
I want to have a special handshake.
Tyler
It's only for special shit.
Eleanor
Like what kind of special shit?
Zak
I don't know. Go ahead.
Tyler
No, you tell her. You brought it up.
Zak
Um...
Tyler
Talk about the boat.
Zak
Oh, uh. We did... hit by a boat. Almost.
Eleanor
You... you got hit by a boat?
Tyler
Almost.
Eleanor
What happened?
Tyler
We almost got run over by a shrimp boat.
Eleanor
What?
Tyler
Yeah.
Zak
And we did... the shotgun.
Tyler
Shotgun. Buckshot. He fired a shotgun. And we got shot at, remember?
Zak
Oh yeah. I did remember.
D Duncan
[Tyler is woken up in a shed to fire flames and runs out to see the floating platform ablaze] [Appears with Ratboy holding a hun at Tyler]
Hold up Tyler.
Tyler
Hey, hey! Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait!
D Duncan
Get on your knees! Get on your knees! Over there! Right here!
Tyler
Okay.
D Duncan
That's $12,000 worth of gear you burnt up. That's my season. What's to stop other people from messing with us now that you have?
Tyler
I won't ever mention it, no harm done.
D Duncan
Even so, I gotta make it right. Not just for me, but for all of us. For our livelihood.
Tyler
You ain't gonna shoot me, Duncan. I'm gonna get you your money! I promise you! I promise you!
R Ratboy
Shut the hell up! Shut up!
D Duncan
Right hand or left hand, Tyler?
Tyler
I'm gonna make it right, I'm gonna get you your money.
D Duncan
No, Tyler. Right hand or left hand? I'm giving you a choice. You better hurry up.
R Ratboy
Screw this! Right hand!
Tyler
Wait, wait, wait, wait! Whoa! Zak! Stay there! [Zak appears from shed brandishing the shotgun]
R Ratboy
You could pull the trigger. Can you aim that thing?
Zak
It's a buckshot!
Tyler
Get back in your boat, and your gonna leave. We ain't never gonna see each other again. Or he's gonna shoot ya.
D Duncan
You're not the only one that's hard up around here. We need that money.
Eleanor
Tyler, what was that?
Tyler
Trouble. Problems.
Eleanor
[Reading paper]
Maybe, it's...
Tyler
Let me see.
Eleanor
Maybe it's not the right place.
Tyler
This is the right place, 5-3-0. Yeah, this is it. [Camera reveals a semi-rundown trailer with Tyler going up to the door]
C Clint
[Appears at door]
Jesus Christ. Who are you?!
Tyler
You're Salt Water Redneck?
Tyler
I'm sorry, is this the wrestling school?
Tyler
My name's Tyler. I ain't selling nothing to you. You see that boy back there?
Tyler
Yeah, so, we done, uh... we done some hard trailing to get to you. It's a big deal seeing you here. You mind waving to him? He's got a lot riding on him. You mind just waving to him?
Zak
Hey.
Tyler
You don't teach no wrestling school here no more?
C Clint
I closed that ten years ago.
Tyler
Did you? So I promised him he would do this one thing. You know, this wrestling thing. And he told me about this school here in Ayden. And we... we had a big journey to get here. And, uh... now I gotta break his heart, you know? And I don't really know what to say to him. But that ain't your shit, you know? I don't mean to bring shit to your doorstep or nothing like that. What's your name?
C Clint
Clint. It's Clint.
Tyler
It's nice to meet you.
C Clint
So... he used to be a fan?
Tyler
Oh, man, shit, you're his hero. He believes in you. That's a hard thing to do, believe in something, you know? Hey Zak!
Zak
Yeah.
Tyler
This is Clint! Hey, come up here. You mind if he comes up and says hi?
Zak
Hey Clinton.
C Clint
That'd be alright.
Tyler
Hey pal, Salt Water don't live here no more. But, uh, Clint's a regular guy, just like me or you. He wanted to shake your hand.
Zak
Hey. How are you doing?
C Clint
Good. Nice to meet you.
Zak
Thanks.
Tyler
[Starts herding Zak away]
All right, thanks, partner. Come on, bub. Nice to meet you, Clint.
Zak
Hey Tyler.
Tyler
What?
Zak
I bet, we could find him by... by the raft. Maybe he is hiding in the swamp.
Tyler
He's not real, bud. Salt Water don't exist.
Zak
I saw the videotape, and he is real.
Tyler
He's not real.
Zak
I just saw, like, a thousand movies of him.
Eleanor
Zak, I don't think we're gonna find him. I think it's time for us to go back now.
Zak
I don't wanna go back. Tyler told me this, and he lied to me, and he promised me. And I don't wanna go back. I wanna stay here.
Eleanor
We can't, Zak. We have lives to go back to.
Zak
Eleanor, I am strong enough. And I could catch a fish for you. And I'm gonna be a hero. And I could take care of you. We could be a family. [Clint comes swerving around billowing up dust in a muscle car] Holy shit. Salt Water Redneck. It's you. Hey. [They shake hands]
Zak
How you doing buddy?
Zak
I'm so happy to see you.
C Clint
I'm happy to see you.
Zak
I saw so many videos about you.
C Clint
Yeah? You want to learn some wrestling?
Zak
Oh, hell, yeah. And I feel great. Um, can I, uh... uh, join you for the ride?
C Clint
Of course. Get in.
Zak
And.. and... and can I bring my family?
Zak
I told you. I told you. I told you. He's real. Come on. Join us. Have some fun. [Tyler and Eleanor get in Clint's vehicle]
C Clint
[Clint is mentoring Zak in an impromptu wrestling ring set up in his front lawn]
First thing you do is, you're gonna kind of just, like, you're gonna feel out, you know, just how big the ring is. you just go, you know, kind of check out, you know, what your space is, where you're gonna be moving around. All right, one of the fundamentals now is when you go to hit a guy with an elbow. You got to hit a guy with an elbow, but you also gotta do a foot stomp. [Zak mimics] Yeah, but kind of pop your head too. Just gives it more energy. Yea. Okay, that's good. Um, was there anything special in the video that you want me to teach you?
Zak
Uh, will you please show me the Atomic Throw? [Sam chuckles derisively]
C Clint
Ah. Yeah, the Atomic Throw. Honestly, Zak, we just made that up. You know, it was smoke and mirrors. It was just a camera on my face. And then it looked like I was holding the guy up over my head, and then we'd cut to a guy getting thrown out of the ring. It's not possible to do. But I can show you a lot of other cool stuff. What do you think, Sam?
Sam
Might try to do a collar and elbow lockup. There you go, lockup. All right, now, what you do, you come in and boom, right there, boom. You know, boom, boom. But when you come in to do it, you got really, really, really slam... yeah. Yeah. Growl all you want, see? Then we kind of... now we move around a little bit, like this. You don't know what I'm going to do...
Eleanor
What are you going to do?
Tyler
What do you mean?
Eleanor
I mean, what are you going to do after all this is over?
Tyler
Well, I'm going to settle my debts with Duncan. Imma go up to Jupiter, Florida. Town called Jupiter up there is a small fishing town. It's on the Indian River and it opens up to this big estuary. It's the biggest estuary in America. I'm gonna get a boat and I'm gonna just live a good life. Run charters and take people sport fishing.
Eleanor
Hmm.
Tyler
You ever been to Florida?
Eleanor
Hmm-mm.
Tyler
No? You want to go?
Eleanor
to Florida?
Tyler
Yeah.
C Clint
[To Zak]
You know, certain things, it take years to learn. Like how to fall without hurting yourself. But then that stuff just comes with time. As you don't do the same move-
Sam
[Walking past]
It takes time.
C Clint
Yeah, it takes time, but as long as you don't do the same move in the same bout, you're good to go. You look real.
Zak
Oh, yeah, and I'm totally ready to do this.
C Clint
You want to fight for real?
Zak
Yeah. For real-match.
Zak
Yeah.
C Clint
You want to do a match?
Zak
Oh. Oh, yeah, seriously. Yeah. I love it.
Sam
I don't think he's ready.
C Clint
Oh, lookit, he can't be out here practicing all the time. He did great today. We can set that up. I mean, there's a card in Jacob's backyard tomorrow. I mean, you're fighting on that card.
Sam
Yeah.
C Clint
Okay. Y'all two can fight.
Tyler
Hey! That's outstanding! A real match! [Pats Zak's shoulders] You want to fight Samson?
Zak
Hell, yeah.
Sam
Good.
Zak
Yes, I do. Tomorrow.
Tyler
Oh, man! Yeah, take on Sam.
Zak
Yo, um, please, don't mess with the Peanut Butter Falcon.
C Clint
Peanut Butter Falcon in the house.
Eleanor
I see a problem here. Seems a bit soon.
Sam
He's great! Really!
C Clint
Yeah! I'm going to be there! He's going to take care of him. It'll be like dancing.
Sam
Oh, yeah.
Sam
Yeah.
C Clint
Oh, come on, man. He's in, he's in. He's grumpy. He's in. Just let him lead, huh? All right, yeah.
C Clint
[Cline takes Zak, Tyler and Eleanor to a live wrestling match]
I need you to put somebody else on the card to fight Samson. Yeah, look over there.
R Referee
Looks kind of lean, wiry, like a swimmer's physique.
C Clint
No, no, not him. The little guy. [Walks to Zak] Had to grease your wheels a little bit, but, Zak, you're good buddy. You're fighting. [Points to Eleanor] You want to fight? They'll take girls. [Eleanor looks on disapprovingly] Okay. All right. Yeah.
OB Obese black man
[On phone]
Yeah, Tyler's here. At this wrestling thing in Ayden.
...
C Clint
[To Zak in a warehouse]
Zak! One thing you got to remember, buddy. Huge part of the game is smack talk. As soon as you set foot in that ring, I want you to say the meanest, evilest thing that comes into your head, Zak, okay? You got to go in aggressive. He is gonna hit you. He's gonna hit you, but you come back harder! Harder, Zak, all right? Oh, one last thing, okay? It may not even happen. If you start bleeding, though, take it to your advantage. All right? Rub it on your face a little bit. Get it on your hands. He hates that. He believes in vampires and shit. All right, I think that's it. It's Zak attack time. How are you feeling? you ready? Rah! Oh, you're up, yeah! [Walks out of warehouse and slams door]
Tyler
I wish I was in there with you.
Zak
Tyler.
Tyler
What?
Zak
I'm scared.
Tyler
No, don't do that right now. Hey. Hey! Don't do that right now. I know you got this Zak. You got this. I know you can do this. Say; "I got this". You've been out here. You got this. Say; "I got this".
Zak
I got this.
Tyler
No, not... like you're asking a question! Like you mean it! Mean it! Mean it! I mean, in your heart! You know it! Say; "I got this".
Zak
I got this.
Tyler
I got this.
Zak
I got this.
Tyler
Mean it. Make me believe it.
Zak
I got this. [ Stands up and yells] I got this!
Tyler
Do it again!
Zak
I got this!
Tyler
Say it!
Zak
I got this!
Tyler
Say it!
Zak
I got this!
Tyler
It's you. There he is. [They start doing handshakes] Peanut Butter Falcon. Really? You're gonna win. You're just gotta show up. Take your shirt off. We got to find some cardboard. Wait. Wait. Come here come here. Get this box, get this box
Tyler
[Tyler and Eleanor are sitting in Clint's vehicle]
I understand why you took me out of here, but there ain't no reason to be scared. We're talking about two different matches. You're talking about a hardcore match which was what you just sat through, and then Zak's gonna be doing, which ain't gonna be the same match.
Eleanor
No.
Tyler
He's going to do a couple moves, he's going to lay down, it's going to be simple, and that's going to be that. Zak's gonna win and we go home.
Eleanor
Tyler, they don't care about him.
Tyler
I care about him.
Eleanor
I know. We care about him. They don't.
Referee: Well, that was going to be the case but then, at the very last moment, an old friend stopped by.
S Spectators
Who?! Who was it?!
Referee: The Salt Water Redneck. The Salt Water Redneck stopped by and brought with him tonight a protégé.
Tyler
Okay.
Eleanor
Okay?
Tyler
Yeah. [Leans in and passionately kisses Eleanor] You want popcorn?
Eleanor
Tyler, oh my god. Tyler, what the... [Realises that Tyler tricked her in handcuffing her to the steering wheel]
Tyler
I'll get you popcorn.
Eleanor
Are you kidding me?!
Tyler
You're good.
Eleanor
Oh, my god!
Tyler
Nobody's gonna die today. I'll be right back.
Referee: May I present to you... the Peanut Butter Falcon! [Tyler bangs on door] Let's go! Let's go! [Zak comes out dressed as a falcon]
Tyler
Hey! Whoo! [All spectators silently stare unimpressed]
C Clint
He's wearing a freaking cardboard box.
Tyler
Falcon time! Here we go, here we go. Fly around baby! Fly around baby! Whoo! [Zak starts slapping hands of front row spectators] The Falcon! Falcon! [Spectators start cheering] Whoo!
S Spectators
[Chanting]
Peanut Butter Falcon!
Referee: Who's ready for some wrestling?!
Tyler
Come on Zak! [Zak faces Sam who puts hands on top of Zak who immediately falls over into a corner]
C Clint
Zak, say something!
Sam
What do you think about that, huh?! I've been doing this for 38 years, and guess what?! This isn't Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Tyler
Kick out, Zak! Kick out that leg! Legs! Kick out! There you go, there you go. Get up, get up! Recover!
Sam
Oh, son! You messed up! [Zak wraps arms around Sam's waist] You want to play some more?! [Sam pounds Zak's back sending falling down]
Tyler
Get up, Zak, get up!
Sam
The Peanut Butter Falcon?! Are you ser- How bout Tweety Bird? That's more like it! Tweety Bird!
Tyler
Get up. Get up bud. Fight!
Sam
You want to play some more? You know, I've never had enough of you. [Knocks down Zak with a running finisher]
C Clint
Samson! We had an agreement!
Sam
Don't come to me and expect favors! [Picks up Zak and throws him down]
Tyler
Get up. Get up, Zak.
Sam
What else you want? You stupid little punk. You're going down. ****, get up, man. Get your stinking ass out of the ring, man. [Zak rolls around in pain]
Eleanor
[Sees Duncan and Ratboy arriving]
Oh, my god.
Tyler
Hey, hey, hey. Look at me. Look at me. Look at me. Hey, hey, look at me. Let me know, do you want to do this anymore? [Does double thumbs up with Zak doing a thumbs up] Then get up now!
Referee: Listen up, Sam. You're a piece of shit.
C Clint
Say something, Zak.
Tyler
Come on, Zak! Come on, Zak! Come on! [Samson gives referee the finger in the style of a Jack-in-the-box]
Zak
Excuse me Samson!
Sam
What?!
Zak
You are not invited to my birthday!
Tyler
Go, Zak! Go, Zak! Run! Run! [Zak wraps arms around Sam's waist] Yeah! Go underneath! Up! Up! [Zak picks up Samson entirely starts walking to the ring edge with Duncan and Ratboy arriving with Eleanor in pursuit, Ratboy stares in awe when Zak throws Sam out of the ring, Duncan strikes Tyler's head with a tire iron]
