EXT. ROAD — PASTURE — DAY
Some number of weeks have passed and Jonathan is currently behind the wheel of the Model T, driving out into town alongside a large pasture. Just as he rounds a curve, he spies Clark — returning from one of his jaunts with his friends — crawl under the fence enclosing the pasture and take off into a run through the long grass. Hitting the brakes, Jonathan leans over and puts his head out the passenger side window.
JONATHAN
Clark!
Running remarkably fast for a boy of his short stature, Clark is already out of earshot of Jonathan’s cries. Returning to the wheel, he hits the gas and makes a U-turn.
JONATHAN
Clark!
Hearing Jonathan for the first time, Clark halts in mid-stride and turns around.
JONATHAN
Clark, I’ve told you before — don’t cut across old man McCulloch’s pasture!
CLARK
But Pa —
JONATHAN
No “but pa’s” from you, boy. McCulloch’s prize bull is likely out and about this time of day. Now come here; I’ll drive you home.
Jonathan hits the breaks, waiting for Clark to obey him. Sighing loudly, Clark throws his arms up in resignation and begins making the trek over to the side of the road where Jonathan is waiting. Unfortunately, it is at that very moment McCulloch’s prize bull makes its appearance. Noticing the small intruder in its pasture, the ornery ungulate breaks out into a full charge towards Clark.
JONATHAN
(mortified) Clark!
Jumping out of the truck, Jonathan hops the fence in a mad dash to save his son, but he is too far away and too late. As the bull comes upon Clark, the boy can’t even so much as turn around as the animal brings its hooves down on his small back, driving him hard into the ground before finally trampling him underfoot.
JONATHAN
(screaming) No!
As the bull disappears into the distance, Jonathan runs up to Clark, tears streaming from his eyes. He is fully expecting to see Clark crushed and bloody, on his way to death’s door if he isn’t there already. Remarkably, Clark is alive, conscious, and completely unharmed. His hair is mussed, his skin dirty, his clothes torn, and an expression of absolute shock etched into the features of his face, but physically, there isn’t a single scratch on him.
CLARK
(terrified) P-pa‽
JONATHAN
Cl-Clark? (beat) You’re … you’re alright?
Dropping to his knees, Jonathan scoops Clark up into his arms. Hugging the boy close to him, he begins weeping with extreme joy.
JONATHAN
Oh God! Oh thank you, God!
INT. TRUCK/CAB — DAY
Jonathan and Clark are now in the truck, headed back home.
JONATHAN
Son, what happened in McCulloch’s pasture … we’re gonna keep that between us right now, alright?
CLARK
We’re not gonna tell Ma?
JONATHAN
I’ll tell her, son … but only when the time’s right. Right now … the time’s just not right. You understand?
CLARK
No….
Reaching over, Jonathan rests his hand on Clark’s shoulder and gives it a short rub.
JONATHAN
(half-smiles) It’s alright, son. It’s alright….
EXT. KENT FARM — KENT HOME — DAY
Pulling up beside the Kent home, Jonathan and Clark get out of the truck and head up the front steps. Martha, who has been sitting out on the front porch reading a novel, leaps up out of her seat when she sees the condition Clark’s in.
MARTHA
(shocked) Land’s sake, Clark! What happened to you‽
Crossing over to her young son, she begins feeling him over for injuries.
JONATHAN
He just got into a little rough housing with the other children.
MARTHA
(nonplussed) A little rough housing‽
JONATHAN
(shrugs) Boys will be boys.
MARTHA
(to Clark) I don’t see or feel any injuries. Do you hurt anywhere, Clark?
CLARK
I feel fine, Ma.
MARTHA
Alright. (beat) Head on inside. You need to get out of those clothes and into a bath right away.
Obeying, Clark heads on inside the house. Exchanging one, short, questioning glance with Jonathan, she follows in after him.
INT. BARN/STORAGE AREA — DAY
The next day, Clark enters the barn. Pulling one of the big wooden doors open as far his small frame will allow, he slips inside. Taking one quick glance outside to see if anyone noticed him, he then pulls the door closed. Stepping deeper inside the barn, past the tractor and a pile of wooden boxes, Clark comes to the ladder which leads to the loft above. Looking up, he nervously wipes his sweaty hands off on his pants and takes hold of the rungs. Cautiously ascending the wooden ladder, he looks down upon reaching the midway point — and immediately regrets it.
CLARK
(closes eyes) Don’t look down. Don’t look down….
Fighting his fear of heights, Clark resumes the climb and in short order reaches the top.
INT. BARN/LOFT — DAY
Stepping onto the loft, he looks down; the distance between him and the ground floor is great enough to make the boy swoon. Walking backward, Clark works his way to the back of the loft.
CLARK
I can do this. I can do this. I have to do this. I have to know.
Tensing his muscles, gritting his teeth, young Clark takes off in a sprint. Crossing the length of the loft in seconds, the boy launches himself off.
INT. BARN/STORAGE AREA — DAY
Thrown clear into the air, gravity takes hold and Clark plummets — plummets straight down, hits the tractor, caroms off, and crashes hard into the pile of boxes. Completely unharmed, Clark picks himself up. Dusting his clothes off, he looks himself over.
That’s when a fiendish grin comes to his face.