Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21
EXT. MR. KIDDERMAN’S HOUSE — NOON
Mr. Kidderman sits on the front porch of his house, which, being one of the older houses from the more prominent days in Mitchell, rises elegantly just around the corner of 8th and Lehigh. He doesn’t have the best view of the parade, but he is surrounded by family — kids and grandkids, each shoveling pudding and watching the parade in a similar craning pose as they try to see what will drive past the corner.
When Rich, still tumbling the broken phone in his hand, walks up to the porch, Mr. Kidderman knows immediately that something is wrong.
MR. KIDDERMAN
Is something the matter, son?
RICH (holding up his strangely shattered phone)
It’s fine — but I think
that something might be wrong with Hereafter.
There is an awkward pause. Mr. Kidderman’s family seem to realize that their idyllic parade party has been interrupted, and they turn to their patriarch for clues.
RICH (CONT’D)
And I don’t know who else to ask.
MR. KIDDERMAN
Well, son,
let’s see what we can do.
Mr. Kidderman gets out of the swing, and his family parts to allow Rich up the steps of the porch. Rich meets Mr. Kidderman at the threshold of his home, and they step inside together.
MR. KIDDERMAN (CONT’D) (turning back at the door)
We’ll only be
a minute.
Mr. Kidderman swivels back to Rich, who hands him the broken phone.
RICH
I’m sorry. I don’t know what went wrong…
I was just talking to R.J. when it
exploded in my hand. I didn’t drop it,
or anything.
MR. KIDDERMAN
And you’re sure it was Hereafter…?
Rich is silent, but the way he looks at Mr. Kidderman is enough. Mr. Kidderman heads towards a door in the foyer, which leads down to the basement. He opens it, and Rich follows him down to a small, unfinished room.
There is a plywood table along one wall that is covered in tools both electronic and mechanical. Mr. Kidderman heads towards the table.
MR. KIDDERMAN
Alright…I used to teach shop class before
I became the principal…
Mr. Kidderman sits in a chair next to a soldering iron and an overhanging magnifying glass. Rich stands behind Mr. Kidderman, who begins to take the phone apart with a set of small screwdrivers and other such devices.
MR. KIDDERMAN (CONT’D)
I think that we
can get it going…we’ll try our best, at least.
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