AIR DUEL!

INT. CROP DUSTER - DAY

Our POV (point of view) is from behind the controls of a CESSNA airplane, in the blue sky, high above the contrasting green vegetation and red-clay spotted earth of South Carolina.

The engine HUMS in a syncopated chorus, the PILOT'S HANDS pull slightly back and to to the left on the steering column.

A left hand comes up, sliding back the window, sending a rush of air into the cockpit.

EXT. CROP DUSTER - DAY

We are stationary in the air, as the white Cessna crop duster approaches at the same height, in a curving angle.

As it nears, the frame rate becomes slower, allowing us to see details, "OCEAN'S ELEVEN" style. We notice the prop, can make out a figure, then his goggles, and finally the frame freezes on--

BRIAN, head half out of the cockpit, red locks blowing from under his traditional cap and goggles, a long cigarette in his mouth.

TITLE OVER:

BRIAN BURKE: CRABGRASS ASSASSIN

The frame rate goes to real time, with the cigarette flying out of his mouth, sucked out by the turbulence.

BRIAN (O.S.)
Dammit!

REMOVE TITLE

Our POV is stationary, behind the plane, as it shrinks towards the horizon.

EXT. OLD BARN - DAY

We see the dilapidated structure, gaps between its weathered, wood planked doors. The doors WHINE as they slide open, revealing a--

BLACK BI-PLANE-- matte, dented, covered with silver duct-tape.

A shadowy figure--

COUNT UMKRAUT VON CRABGRASS-- climbs into the cockpit.

The engine FIRES as the Bi-plane lurches forward, spewing smoke.

INT. CROP DUSTER - DAY
View out the window at two-thousand feet, we can make out roads, rooftops, and other features. There seems to be no sign of activity. A hand slides the window shut.

BRIAN (O.S.)
(to himself)
Nothing today, might as well work on the screenwriting blog!

We see a green canvas bag between the seats, a hand reaches down, sliding out an aged Dell laptop.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CROP DUSTER - DAY

We are parallel to the plane, mere feet away, and have a view of Brian typing on the laptop, working on the blog. As we zoom out, it is apparent that the plane is fixed in a slight curve, widely circling the skies.

SUDDENLY--

EXT. 10,000 FEET ABOVE - DAY

From our view, we see the:

VILLAIN'S BI-PLANE, a small, black dot, tailing the white Cessna, like a predator waiting to snap an innocent white dove. The two specs go round in circle, Brian oblivious to the situation.

INT. CROP DUSTER - DAY

From the passenger seat we see Brian, typing. He lights a cigarette, slides back his window, which evacuates the smoke.

Unnoticed, we see the Bi-plane's prop, then wing, and finally cockpit, pulling slowly aside. Von Crabgrass is dressed in a black trench, cap and goggles, long yellow-green scarf flowing in the wind. He has a black handlebar moustache, looks like DANIEL DAY LEWIS.

VON CRABGRASS
(loudly, continuous)
Burke!!

Brian jumps back in his seat, startled, his head darts to the villain.

CLOSE ON:

VON CRABGRASS
I've come to settle our differences, how 'bout you and I handle this in a manly way?

INTERCUT, CONTINUOUS:

BRIAN
(cynically)
Consider yourself a man, Umkraut?

VON CRABGRASS
As much as you.

BRIAN
You're ruining everyone's grass, you thug.

VON CRABGRASS
That's what I do, it's how we roll.

BRIAN
Not much longer.

VON CRABGRASS
Then you'll take me up on a fair duel?

BRIAN
What do you call fair, VC?

VON CRABGRASS
A game of chicken, at two-thousand feet, first to pull out loses, and leaves South Carolina forever.

BRIAN
You're on!

INT. CROP DUSTER - DAY

We see Brian bank sharply to the right, as the black Bi-plane sinks out of view.

EXT. SKY - DAY

Level with both planes and fixed, we see them distancing in a straight line, like the curtains of a stage.

TITLE OVER:

TO BE CONTINUED