Clark's Logs, Session 8

VWS of CLARK and BAILEY running along the edge of CLARK’s farm.  CLARK’s breath is visible in the pre-dawn gloom, and he is dressed in a simple workout uniform, with clothes of moisture-wicking smart fabric and sweatbands on his forehead and wrists decorated with cartoonish versions of baby animals.  The normally lazy BAILEY seems to be thoroughly enjoying running with his master, tongue lolling out as he easily paces his human companion.

CLARK

C’mon, boy!  *Puff, huff*  We’ve got another mile and a half

to go, yet!

BAILEY

Woof!

CLARK

Got to stay in shape - all those military types lying around can

make a guy self-conscious, y’know?

There is a pause as BAILEY simply continues running.  CLARK grins wryly.

CLARK

Ah, who am I kidding?  You’re a dog, you couldn’t be self-

conscious if I fixed a mirror in front of your face!  Really, though,

I’ve got my pride.  Or, more properly, my male ego.

CLARK and BAILEY jog on in companionable silence for a few moments more.  CLARK speaks up again.

CLARK

*Huff*  They’re...really starting to feel like fixtures around here, huh?

BAILEY sneezes.

CLARK

Well, yeah, Shin does smell a bit.  Still, they’ve been here

for months.  Oh, and it turns out there ARE others.  Of, uh...

*puff* some kind.  Maybe not the good kind.

BAILEY

Arf!

CLARK

Well, okay, the “killing a dozen people” kind, more like.

We don’t know who they are, but someone thinks they’re us!

At least we know the Resistance is still out there, still trying

to fight the good fight.

BAILEY, who had been trotting along at a measured pace, flicks his head to the right and goes haring off into the woods.  CLARK, looking briefly annoyed but obviously happy for the chance to stop running for a few seconds, pauses with his hands on his knees.

CLARK

BAILEY! *Huff, huff*  Baileeeeey!  Come back here, you old hound!

*Huff, puff* The squirrels will still be out there when we’re done.

CLARK whistles sharply.  After a few seconds, BAILEY comes out of the underbrush, tail wagging and panting happily.  Twigs, leaves, burrs, and mud are all clinging to his fur.

CLARK

Boy, looks like it’s gonna be *Huff* time for another bath

again when we’re done.  C’mon.

CLARK starts jogging again, somewhat reluctantly, and BAILEY quickly falls in step.

CLARK

Simon’s friend Alex is still out there somewhere, too. Oh,

and maybe a war criminal, based on what we got out

of that police station data.  Or...maybe it was his friend

that’s the war criminal.  Sure, they’re pretty much our only

ties to the Resistance, but...can we trust them?  And who

are the butchers that killed all those people?

BAILEY

*Pant, pant*

CLARK

I’m guessing you’re just happy, but I’m gonna choose to interpret that

as you being as tired as I am.  Let’s just walk the rest.

CLARK slows to a walk, with BAILEY only taking a second or two to notice.  CLARK runs a fond hand through the retriever’s fur as he talks.

CLARK

I wish people were more like other animals, boy. My life would be

a lot easier.  For one thing, I think there’d be a lot less waiting

for someone else to do something before we can figure out what to

do.  Ah well.  C’est la vie!

Two Shot of CLARK and BAILEY walking toward the rising sun.