HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

Written by

Randall Wallace

Based on the book by Todd Burpo

April 4, 2013

DRAFT 1ST BLUE REVISIONS

Scenes Added: A22

Caren Beck

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

FADE IN:

SUPERIMPOSE:

“In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would not have told you.” -- Jesus of Nazareth

BEFORE OPENING CREDITS--1 1

We see the majesty all around us:

Spectacular sunsets... cloud formations... moonlight on ocean waves... The delicacy of a flower’s pedals wet with dew... the amazing flight of a hummingbird, the breathtaking breach of a whale... The beauty of a newborn child... SUPERIMPOSE:

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

We see the whole Earth, a living jewel in the enormity of the universe; our perspective of it becomes drawn into a single point: an EYE... We pull back to see this eye being painted on a canvas...

CLOSE ON THE FACE of a girl... Her name is AKIANE KRAMARIK, and she is 12 years old. She has the eyes of an angel, an almost colorless blue, and is in some kind of trance...

She is painting. What she is painting is coming from the vision she is having, seeing what others don’t see...

HER BRUSH dips into the paints she has mixed--mostly cerulean blue--and touches masterfully onto her painting...

ULTRA CLOSE-- She is painting eyes... They are open and bright, seeing something divine, like hers are...

INT. SERIES OF CLOSE UPS - DAY2 2

The hands of a strong young man are working on a mechanical, skilled and thoroughly blue-collar task. We see:

--Those hands, swift and sure, never stopping, using a 2A 2Adrill to bore holes in a metal frame...

--Threading chain drives though geared sprockets...2B 2B

Caren Beck

--Wiring an electric motor into a building’s circuit box...2C 2C

--installing a wall switch complete with emergency 2D 2Dshutoffs and infrared safety circuits.

And then we see the worker: TODD BURPO, fit and energetic, moving up and down a tall ladder, nimble as a goat...

He’s in some kind of warehouse, surrounded by rolls of carpet.

He finishes the mechanical work and moves to the switch he’s just installed on the wall. He jabs the button and...

THE HUGE GARAGE DOOR OPENS, revealing MAJESTIC BEAUTY: rolling plains beneath an endless sky.

EXT. RURAL NEBRASKA - DAY3 3

The Nebraska heartland spreads out before Todd.

SUPERIMPOSE:

Imperial, Nebraska

The owner of the carpet company, SLIM FORREST, 45, steps up.

FORRESTMighty quick.

TODDI don’t get paid by the hour.

FORRESTI’m afraid you don’t get paid by cash either. You sure you’re okay with the carpet?

TODDTimes are tough for all of us. When your business improves mine will too.

EXT. NEBRASKA - DAY4 4

Three rolls of new carpet lie stacked in the back of Todd’s pickup; on its door is a magnetic sign: BURPO GARAGE DOORS. Todd drives away, waving to Forrest.

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Caren Beck

EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - BEAUTIFUL ROADS - DAY5 5

We see the vast beauty of the Great Plains as Todd drives his red pickup through his hometown. He passes a sign: Imperial Nebraska, Population 1,926.

EXT. VOLUNTEER FIRE HOUSE - DAY6 6

Todd pulls his truck to a stop outside a simple yet lively building: the Volunteer Fire Department.

Sitting in a circle of chairs in the open doorway of the volunteer fire station, in front of fire trucks polished to a dazzling shine, are a half dozen healthy young men enjoying bowls of chili and each other’s company. Most are blondish Cornhuskers; but one, RAY, is African-American, and one, MICHAEL, is Latino.

MICHAELWhat’s up, Todd? You rob another carpet store?!

Todd gets out and hollers back with the same good spirits.

TODDUnlike you boys I actually have a job!

One of the volunteers is JAY OLSON, Todd’s best friend.

JAYYeah, five of ‘em!

As Todd drops the tailgate of his pickup, Jay leaves his chili and moves out to help Todd.

JAYIf you keep letting people pay you with things instead of money, you’re going to run out of things and money.

TODDHey, I don’t come down where you work and tell you how to shovel.

They heave the big roll of carpet onto their shoulders and carry it into the firehouse; as they pass the others--

JAYWell don’t you ladies be troubling yourselves to help!

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Ray, a muscular 250, gulps another mouthful of chili.

RAYWe thought you wanted to work off some calories, you guys are starting to look kinda tubby.

INT. VOLUNTEER FIREHOUSE - BUNK ROOM - DAY7 7

Todd and Jay drop the carpet roll onto the concrete floor of the firehouse bunk room.

JAYThis’ll be great in here.

TODDThe rest will just about fill up the church basement.

JAYWant me to help you drop it off?

TODDNaw, I got it. I know better than to ride in a pickup with you after you been eating chili.

EXT. VOLUNTEER FIRE HOUSE - DAY8 8

Todd and Jay walk out together. As Todd heads to his truck--

JAYLet me know, and I’ll help you install it! I know you need help with skilled labor!

INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY9 9

Todd, strong as a mule, carries the last of the carpet rolls into the church basement. He checks his watch and winces...

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - DAY10 10

Todd hurries into the gym where the wrestling team is starting their workout.

TODDOkay, guys! One hundred burpees!

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WRESTLERGee, thanks, coach!

Todd starts doing the exercises with them. He notices one wrestler slumped at the edge of the mat and moves to him.

TODDWhat’s wrong, Heywood?

HEYWOODI hurt my shoulder.

TODD

Just warming up?

HEYWOODNaw, on the farm.

Todd presses his fingers into Heywood’s shoulder joint. The boy flinches. Todd’s day just got even more complicated.

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY11 11

As doctors are checking out Heywood’s shoulder, Todd notices a young man trying to comfort a sobbing woman. Todd moves gently up to them.

TODDIs there a way I can help?

Off their look, he remembers his clothes.

TODDI’m a pastor.

WOMANYou look like the janitor.

TODDI’m willing to be the janitor. And I’m willing to pray for you too.

The woman turns and storms off.

MANI’m sorry. She’s my sister; her husband just left her and now our father’s dying. She’s angry at the world.

TODDMe too, most of the time.

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MANDad’s like my sister, he doesn’t believe in anything.

TODDMy grandfather didn’t believe much either, but I sure loved him. Here’s my card. Call me if you change your mind.

EXT. IMPERIAL NEBRASKA - ROAD - SUNSET12 12

Todd drives Heywood home; the kid seems okay.

TODDI called your folks to let them know you’re okay. Your Dad was especially worried.

HEYWOODReally?

TODDSometimes Dads are so busy wanting to make their sons men that they forget to show much they care.

Todd stops in front of a farmhouse; Heywood gets out.

HEYWOODThanks, Coach.

INT./EXT. NEBRASKA HIGHWAY - TODD’S TRUCK - SUNSET13 13

Todd is exhausted, so tired he’s sagging as he drives his truck toward home.

The sun is going down and the sunset is beautiful. He looks up and tries to feel its beauty--and can’t. He checks his watch: there’s one more stop he wants to make.

EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - TOWN CEMETERY - SUNSET14 14

Todd walks alone through the headstones, and comes to one that’s whiter and fresher than most of the others.

Todd stops and stares down at the grave.

He places a few Nebraska wildflowers on it.

He tries to pray...and nothing comes.

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EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - BURPO HOUSE - EVENING15 15

The houses of Imperial, Nebraska, are sprinkled across the countryside. ONE HOUSE is bursting with life.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING16 16

Eight women, led by Todd’s pretty wife, SONJA (28), are singing.

LADIES’ CHOIR“Take my life and let it be Consecrated Lord to thee Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of thy love--”

Sonja, as she sings, is noticing not only the flow of the music but everything else--she has a genius for quiet awareness. One of the women, ROSA, has a newborn, and is holding her baby as she tries to follow along with the singing. Sonja sees the baby’s blanket is tattered.

LADIES CHOIRAt the impulse of thy love...”

SONJA(interrupting)

Hold on! That’s right on pitch and rhythm, but it feels a little--

NANCY PHELPS, 50’s, is a strong presence--a natural leader.

NANCY--pious?

SONJAYes. Let’s try again...

LADIES’ CHOIR“Take my life and let it be Consecrated Lord to thee--”

Suddenly Nancy jumps in with an imitation of Janis Joplin singing “Piece Of My Heart”--

NANCY“TAKE IT! TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF MY HEART now baby!...”

At first the other ladies are surprised, but then Sonja laughs and joins in too--

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Caren Beck

SONJA AND NANCY“You know you’ve got it!--”

ALL the ladies do the Janis Joplin throat-ripping scream--

LADIES’ CHOIRAWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAHHHHH!

They howl and laugh; Cassie (8) looks at little Colton (4).

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CASSIEI’ll never understand grown-ups.

Tiny Colton stands and moves quietly out to the front porch.

EXT. BURPO HOUSE - EVENING17 17

Todd pulls up in his truck, and is even more deflated when he sees his driveway and the nearby street cluttered with cars.

TODDEvery Monday. How could I forget?

He gets out and hears the tight harmonies of another hymn drifting from his living room. It’s a lovely sound, but not to Todd’s ears right now. He slumps toward the house when--

Colton stands from his seat on the front porch where he’s been waiting for Todd.

COLTONDaddy!

TODDColton!

Colton runs up and Todd scoops him into his arms.

TODDHow ya doin’?

COLTONMom gots a house full of women. And Cassie thinks she’s one too.

Through the windows Todd spots Cassie serving coffee like a lady to the women of the group. Then he sees Sonja coming back from the kitchen to join them. Todd knows his wife well; he feels a sense of something troubling her.

TODDTell ya what. Let’s have Men’s Night at the Pizza Palace.

COLTONSure you’re not too tired?

TODDNo more than usual. Do I act tired?

COLTONYour shoulders are saggy.

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Todd squares his shoulders and smiles at Colton’s innocent honesty and perception.

TODDBetter now?

Colton gives him a glance and a nod.

TODDNo more work, off to pizza!

Then his phone bings with a text message. Todd sags again.

COLTONWhat’s wrong?

TODDThere are some people at the hospital. Their father is sick and they want me to come.

COLTONOkay. I’ll go with you.

TODDIt might be sad. Or scary.

COLTONThat’s alright, Dad. If I’m with you, I won’t be afraid.

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT18 18

Todd enters the ward with Colton at his side. He spots the young man and woman he saw earlier. Seeing Todd, the woman rises and stalks in the opposite direction, but the man--LEE WATSON--rises and shakes Todd’s hand.

LEEReverend Burpo--

TODDTodd.

LEETodd-- I never told you my name, I’m Lee. My father surprised me and asked for some kind of priest. Would you mind talking with him?

Colton climbs easily into a chair and plays with Spiderman.

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INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT19 19

Todd enters alone and moves to the bedside. The old man seems asleep, but the heart monitor is registering a weak pulse. Todd curls his fingers into the old man’s palm.

The old man’s eyes open and drift to Todd’s face.

TODDI’m Todd--I’ve come to pray with you.

The old man’s eyes drift toward the ceiling; a tear slides down his face.

TODDAre you afraid?

The old man blinks.

TODDIs there anything you’re sorry for?

The old man’s lips tremble. Todd leans closer.

OLD MAN(soft whisper)

Everything.

TODDI believe God forgives. And if he forgives anything, he forgives everything.

The old man looks once toward Todd and once more toward the ceiling. Todd sees the old man’s son and daughter at the door of the hospital room. Todd steps back from the bed, and the dying man’s son and daughter move in to his bedside.

Then Todd sees Colton standing in the open doorway, staring calmly at the scene.

Todd moves to him, takes Colton’s hand and together they walk down the silent corridor.

INT. TODD’S TRUCK - ON THE HIGHWAY - NIGHT20 20

Todd is lost in his own thoughts. He glances toward Colton, who seems equally distant, staring up at the stars in the Nebraska night.

COLTONThat man was dying, wasn’t he?

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TODDYes.

COLTONDo people ever get better when you talk to them? Mom readed me a story about Jesus healing sick peoples.

TODDSometimes they get better.

COLTONThen how do you know he’s going to die?

TODDThere’s a look of death, and that old man had it.

COLTONI’ll pray for him.

Todd looks at Colton, loving his son--and perhaps envying his childlike faith.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - COLTON AND CASSIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT21 21

Todd stands in the doorway of the bedroom, watching as Sonja finishes reading a bedtime story to the children.

SONJA“And the bear glanced at the unicorn and then said to the lion, ‘Of all the deaths we could have died, this is the one we would have chosen.’”

She closes the book, kisses both children easily, and drifts to the door as Todd moves to the children. Sonja looks back, taking in the beauty of her healthy children and loving husband; it has a special resonance for her tonight.

Sonja makes a decision about something and moves away, as Todd kisses Cassie and then Colton.

Colton looks up into his father’s eyes and whispers--

COLTONI prayed for the sick man.

Todd looks at Colton, smiles, and switches off the light.

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Caren Beck

CLOSE - SONJA’ DRESSER DRAWERS - NIGHTA22 A22

Alone in her bedroom, Sonja opens a drawer--the bottom drawer of her dresser, where she keeps her personal treasures. She pulls out a beautiful baby’s dress, complete with a pink bonnet.

For a moment she stares at it, memories and dreams mingling in her eyes. She takes a breath, and forces herself forward; it’s time to let it go.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - TODD AND SONJA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT22 22

Todd and Sonja are in bed, the lights off, lying close.

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TODDHow tight are we on money this month?

SONJARemember, no money talk in bed.

TODDMr. Forrest couldn’t pay for his door, so he donated the church carpet instead.

SONJAHe said he had cash when he ordered the door.

TODDThings changed.

SONJAYou had a rough day didn’t you?

TODDNot so rough. We’ve got two mighty special children.

He pauses a moment, puts his hand in Sonja’s hair.

TODDAnd as long as I’m with you, I’m not afraid.

As Sonja rolls into his arms, a smile breaks onto Todd’s face.

The sound of children singing anticipates--

CHILDREN’S VOICES“Jesus loves the little children!...”

EXT. ESTABLISHING CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY23 23

It’s a medium-sized sanctuary, modest and lovely.

We see a sign: “Crossroads Wesleyan Church. All Welcome. Todd Burpo, Pastor.” And coming from the church we hear the high, sweet voices of children, singing the first hymn children are ever taught.

CHILDREN’S VOICES(singing)

“All the children of the world!

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Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in his sight! Jesus loves the little children of the world!”

INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY24 24

Arranged in front of the congregation, wearing angelic little robes topped off with enormous blue neck bows are twenty children below the age of six, singing their hearts out.

Colton is in the center of the group, watching Sonja, who is conducting them, perhaps without realizing how exaggerated her expressions and gestures are as she mouths the words and tries to will them into the right rhythm and pitch.

As we focus on Colton, we hear his voice more prominently, and realize that even at 4, he can really sing.

Todd sits in a front pew with Cassie. Todd is smiling. Cassie leans over close to him, to whisper--

CASSIEDo you think mom realizes how funny she looks when she does that?

TODD(whispering back)

No. And were not going to tell her. Are we.

Cassie looks up at him and shakes her head ominously. Todd goes back to watching and suppresses a smile.

Parents throughout the congregation are watching proudly as the children sing another verse, now adding broad gestures meant to be expressive and in unison, and are neither.

CHILDREN’S VOICES“Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world! Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in his sight! Jesus loves the little children of the world!”

The children finish, the congregation beams, and the children filter back to their special seating section, waving to their parents as they walk.

Todd jumps up onto the platform at the front of the congregation. There is a pulpit, but Todd likes to prowl.

13.

CHILDREN’S VOICES (CONT'D)

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TODDThank you! Wasn’t that beautiful!

As all the adults in the church applaud, Todd makes eye contact with Sonja; she smiles as she sits down with Colton and the other children.

TODDThis morning I want to talk about what of commitment makes a marriage, a relationship, a life.

Sonja is surprised; she didn’t know this was the topic of the sermon. Todd smiles.

TODDSonja is looking at me! I know what that look means--this better be good. The idea for this sermon didn’t start in my home, it started with a conversation with one of you, whom I won’t name.

Jay calls out and waves from the middle of the congregation.

JAYIt was me!

People laugh.

TODDJay’s right! We were hanging off the side of a fire engine when he looked around at the other volunteers all ready to give their lives to save their neighbors, and he said, “I love these guys.”

The way Todd shifts from smile to serious is masterful. He holds the attention of everyone there.

TODDThe next night I stood in the bedroom where our children sleep and listened to their mother read them a story. It was from C.S. Lewis, in his final saga of a wonderful land where animals talk with humans and a great lion leads them all toward love and faith and courage.

Todd seems to be making it up on the spot, the right words coming to him; he prowls the platform, like a lion himself.

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TODDBut in this final chapter of this story, written for children like you and me--

As he says this even the oldest in the sanctuary are staring at him through young eyes. Nancy, in the choir, ponders every word.

TODD--the Lion’s enemies have swept away all of his followers except two, a Bear and a Unicorn, who are trapped with the Lion in a cave.

The children in the congregation are riveted too; the adults can feel that this is no toothless bedtime story.

TODDBut because the cave is narrow, the wave after wave of soldiers that the evil king sends in to kill them can’t do it; the Lion, Bear and Unicorn fight them off. So the king sends in a messenger who says, “The one we really want is the Lion. If you give him up, we’ll let the others live. We’ll cut the horn off the Unicorn and make him pull a cart for the rest of his life; the Bear we’ll put in chains and make him dance in the circus. But you will both live. All you have to do... is give up the Lion.”

Todd’s voice has taken on the grandeur of his topic; now he pauses, his silence keeping everyone dramatically suspended.

NEAR THE FRONT ROW, Colton sits among the other children, listening to his father.

TODDSo the Lion looks at his friends with the question in his eyes: “What are you going to do?” And the Bear and the Unicorn...smile. And they say, “Of all the deaths we could have died, this is the one we would have chosen.”

Todd pauses again, his silence like thunder. The congregation sits in absolute stillness, their hearts held suspended by the story of love and faithfulness.

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Todd prowls the platform once more.

TODDThe Bear and the Unicorn and the Lion himself weren’t looking for the easy road. And neither was Jesus when he accepted the cross.

He stops, his eyes sweeping the congregation, pausing on the young men looking for courage, the older ladies looking for comfort, the whole church looking for inspiration and love.

TODDLet’s stand together and sing “Take My Life And Let It Be.”

The congregation rises, and led by the ladies who practiced the song with Sonja, they sing--

CONGREGATION(singing)

“Take my life and let it be, Consecrated Lord to Thee...”

EXT. CHURCH - AFTER THE SERMON - DAY25 25

People are leaving, energized and uplifted after Todd’s sermon, everyone wanting to shake his hand.

IN THE PARKING LOT, Sonja opens the tailgate of the Burpo’s Explorer and hands a bag of baby clothes to Rosa.

SONJAI think she’ll look great in these!

Rosa sees the gorgeous baby dress and pink bonnet; it’s unmistakable how special they are.

ROSAOh, Miss Sonja...no. This is too beautiful.

SONJANot for Lucia! I can’t wait to see her in it.

AT THE CHURCH DOOR, Jay slaps Todd’s shoulder.

JAYYou’re pretty good--as long as I’m there to inspire you.

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TODDYou want to inspire me, get a hit this afternoon in the softball championship, I’m tired of carrying you.

EXT. SOFTBALL FIELD - DAY26 26

Jay cracks a pitch for a double; when he makes second base he gives a gesture to Todd, and they laugh.

Todd is waiting in the on-deck circle; Sonja moves to the batter’s box. Jay yells to their team bench, whipping their teammates into even greater excitement.

JAYCome on! We can do it! Two more runs!

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Sonja swings and hits a sharp liner to right field!

Jay tears around the bases; he rounds third and heads for home. Just another moment in a coed softball game, but everyone’s playing like it’s the World Series.

TODDYou got it, Jay! You got it!

Jay slides into home. Ray, the catcher for the other team, tries to put the tag on him... SAFE! Todd’s teammates erupt! Sonja takes advantage of the chance to take second, surprising Ray, who takes his frustrations out on Jay.

RAYYou’re sliding too hard! You better watch it.

Ray is twice Jay’s size--and Todd is smaller than Jay. Still Todd jumps up in Ray’s face.

TODDWatch it, or what? What are you going to do about it?

RAYI’m gonna step on him like a roach, you little punk.

TODDWho you calling punk, meathead?!

JAYCome on, guys! It’s a church league!

Todd steps into the batter’s box, shoots Ray a look, and slams the pitch into the outfield.

As both teams go nuts and the ball rolls between the outfielders, Todd rounds first and sees the chance for extra bases.

Sonja heads for home, beating the throw. Todd rounds second and goes for third.

Ray pegs the ball to the third baseman.

TEAMMATESSlide!

SLOW MOTION...

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Caren Beck

Todd slides at full speed... the ball reaches the third baseman’s glove... Todd hits the dirt...

CRACK!

Todd’s leg breaks horribly. Even the spectators hear it snap. He lies in agony.

Everybody on both teams comes running to him. When Sonja sees the bone sticking out of his thigh she nearly faints.

JAYDon’t move! Don’t move!

No one is more upset than Ray. Tears stream down his face as he cradles Todd in his arms, lifts him, and half runs with him toward the volunteer fire department’s waiting ambulance.

As they place Todd into the ambulance, Michael, one of the volunteer medics, whispers to Jay--

MICHAELThat’s a spiral fracture, both ends of the bone look like drill bits.

JAYWill it heal okay?

MICHAELYeah, but he won’t be climbing any ladders for a long time.

The ambulance screams away.

INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY27 27

It’s another Sunday morning...

Todd hobbles out on crutches and settles into a chair on the platform, hoisting his broken leg to prop it on another chair. Even members of the congregation are wincing.

Sonja, sitting with the adult choir members today, looks on with concern as Todd begins his sermon.

TODDAs many of you already know, I was hurt sliding into third.

(beat)I was safe.

They laugh; surprised at Todd’s spunk, even now.

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TODDFor our lesson today I could speak about adversity. But this cast says everything I need to say about that. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about faith.

(glancing at his Bible)“The evidence of things hoped for, the substance of things unseen.” Faith...

Todd lifts his eyes, and waits, as if he’s lost his way for a moment--as if he’s listening but not hearing anything.

TODDFaith is... My faith is...

Another pause; Todd’s friends in the congregation--Jay, Nancy, Ray--have never seen him lose his flow.

TODDWe want to give faith to our loved ones. What if we have... nothing to give? Sometimes we lose our rhythm. We...lose our way.

And Todd seems to have lost his.

Then a sudden pain hits him in the gut, so fierce he folds. Sonja half stands, but Todd waves her off and tries to ignore it.

TODDFaith is--

This time the spasm doubles him over in the chair. Sonja, Jay, Nancy and others rush to him. COLTON, sitting with Cassie, watches in concern.

SONJAIs it the leg?

TODD(through blinding pain)

No, it’s in my back...

NANCYTodd’s had kidney stones, right?

(off Sonja’s nod)I’ve had them--and I’d rather give birth to a twenty pound baby wearing football cleats than have them again!

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TODDI’m so sorry... Can someone else...

SONJASing hymn number 29, “Amazing Grace.”

As the musicians start playing the tune and the concerned church members begin to sing, Sonja, Jay and Nancy half help, half carry Todd from the sanctuary.

EXT. IMPERIAL WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY28 28

Jay eases Todd to his car.

TODD(through gritted teeth)

It’s kidney stones!

JAYYou sure?

TODDI’ve had ‘em before! Nothing hurts like--

Another blinding pain stabs him.

TODDSon-of-a-

As Jay is loading Todd into the back seat of his car, Todd looks up and sees Colton getting in on the other side. Even through his pain, the sight of his son’s concern softens him.

TODDHow ya doin’, big guy?

COLTONHow are you, Daddy ?

TODDThe pain comes in waves...Kinda like cramps, only... worse. Don’t worry, Colton, I’ll-- I’ll be all right.

COLTONThat’s right. God’s got you.

TODDYes, he does. And right now he’s kicking the crap out of me.

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Colton stares at his father, through thoughtful blue eyes.

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT29 29

Todd lies on his back in a hospital bed, his family beside him. Todd is pale, his face a mask to hide the pain. Todd’s doctor stands on the other side of the bed.

DOCTORYou’re right Todd. It’s kidney stones again. All we can do is give you painkillers and lots of water and let you pass them.

The doctor smiles to the family and leaves the room. Sonja looks down at the children.

SONJACassie, you and Colton make sure the doctor is all right.

CASSIEM’am? ...Oh.

Cassie takes Colton’s hand and leads him from the room. Sonja moves closer to Todd’s bedside.

SONJAYou’re gonna be alright Todd. We’re all gonna to be alright.

Todd reaches out and squeezes her hand, but takes a long frustrated sigh.

EXT. BURPO HOME - DAY30 30

Jay knocks at the front door. Sonja opens it on her way out, carrying little Colton piggyback.

SONJAHi Jay. Come on in. He’s passing another stone, and Colton and I are going to the park.

JAYHey Colton.

(glancing into the house)Is he okay?

At that moment they hear an agonizing MOAN. Sonja nods toward the sound and heads toward the car, still carrying Colton piggyback.

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COLTONGiddyup, horsey!

SONJADid I ever tell you that horses bite?

We follow Jay as he moves into the house...

INT. BURPO HOUSE - DAY - CONTINUOUS31 31

Jay follows the sound of Todd’s moans.

TODD (O.S.)AAARRGGG...

Jay moves up to the bathroom door, shut tight. Behind it he hears Todd’s whimpering. We see and hear all of this from Jay’s point of view, and it’s almost more painful (and certainly more comical) to experience it this way.

JAYTodd...Buddy! It’s Jay! Are you... Okay?...

TODD (O.S.)I’m-- passing-- another... Ooooo...

Outside the door, Jay winces, imagining the pain.

JAYIs there anything I can do?

TODD (O.S.)(snapping)

What, you want to try to catch it?! Auuuugghhhh...

JAYHow many have you passed already?

TODD (O.S.)...Se-ven...

JAYSeven?!

TODD (O.S.)What do you want?

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JAYNothing, I just-- the church committee... We just-- We can talk about this later!

TODDI’m fine! I’ll-- ooooooo....

JAYI’ll come back some other--

TODD (O.S.)WHAT DO YOU WANT?!

JAY(stuck)

I... they wanted me to ask when you might be able to preach again.

TODD (O.S.)AAAAAUUUUNNNNNGGGGHHHH!

The bloodcurdling sound causes Jay to grab his own belly.

EXT. BURPO HOUSE - DAY32 32

The sound of Todd’s suffering rings through the neighborhood.

TODD (O.S.)OOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU......

EXT. BURPO BACKYARD - EVENING33 33

Todd’s body is healing, the cast off his leg, but he’s holding a cane and is still pale. He sits alone in his back yard, staring at a blank legal pad. Beyond him the hills and sky are a vista of majestic natural beauty, but Todd sees none of it.

He looks down at the cane, and hurls it away in fury, as if he wants to throw all his frustration away in the same way.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME34 34

INSIDE THE HOUSE, Sonja is standing at the kitchen window, cooking dinner, seeing Todd’s frustration.

23.

Caren Beck

EXT. BURPO BACKYARD - EVENING - LATER35 35

The family eats at their backyard picnic table; it’s a scene of peace and beauty, but Todd has barely touched his food. Sonja glances at his full plate.

SONJACassie, would you and Colton clear the table please?

CASSIEReally? Great!

Cassie loves the job. As the children disappear into the kitchen--

SONJAWhat is it, Todd?

He knows he can’t keep anything from her.

TODDI work four jobs--or I used to--and I tried in all of ‘em to help people have faith--and now all I am is bitter and angry! What’s wrong with me?

SONJAYou’re just exhausted. We need a trip as a family. A getaway to celebrate. Recharge. There’s a great place in Denver to take the children. How about we head up there for the weekend?

EXT. NEBRASKA HIGHWAY - DAY36 36

The Burpo family’s Expedition rolls along the interstate through spectacular countryside.

INSIDE THE VEHICLE, Sonja feels optimistic. Almost to herself she starts singing, a happy, rousing gospel hymn:

SONJA(singing)

I’ll fly away, O glory--I’ll fly away!

Beside her, Todd joins in--

24.

Caren Beck

TODD(singing)

...When all are looking down I will get up off the ground...

Cassie and Colton both sing, and sing well; they join in too, even as they play with their crayons and action figures--

COLTON/CASSIEAnd I’ll fly away!

BURPO FAMILYI’ll fly away, O glory! I’ll fly away!...

The Burpos are terrific singers; they all join in the music.

For Todd, surrounded by the music and his family’s love, this is a moment of grace. Sonja is staring across the rolling hills to the majestic sky.

BURPO FAMILY(singing)

...When all are looking down I will get up off the ground... And I’ll fly away!

Before the next verse can begin--

COLTONCan we sing “We Will Rock You”?

For a moment, silence in the car. Todd looks in the mirror at Colton, then looks at Sonja; both parents gasp in exaggerated horror; then--

TODD AND SONJA(singing)

We will, we will rock you!

BURPO FAMILYWe will, we will ROCK YOU!

EXT. COLORADO HIGHWAY - DAY37 37

The Expedition rolls on, the Burpos singing wildly as they pass a road sign: DENVER, 96 MILES.

BURPO FAMILY (O.S.)WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!

25.

Caren Beck

INT. BUTTERFLY PAVILION - DENVER - DAY38 38

The air is filled with butterflies in a symphony of color and graceful movement. ULTRA CLOSE: A butterfly’s wings. The Burpos watch the ballet of beauty all around them.

Cassie begins to dance among the flurry of flapping wings. Sonja joins her. Todd snaps a few pictures of them, then Colton moves to stand next to his father.

Todd kneels to watch from Colton’s level.

TODDBeautiful, aren’t they?

Colton nods. But Todd sees that he’s uncomfortable, finding all the insects a bit creepy. Cassie runs up.

CASSIELook! They’ve got a place where you can hold a TARANTULA!

She points to a sign that says “Hold Rosie!” Rosie is, in fact, a tarantula. Cassie is exited. Colton is terrified.

INT. CRAWL-A-SEE-UM - BUTTERFLY MUSEUM - DAY39 39

The Burpos are gathered as Cassie, with huge enjoyment, holds her hand perfectly still as a ZOOKEEPER gently places Rosie the Tarantula on her palm.

Rosie’s hairy legs feel the air and creep delicately across Cassie’s skin, back into the hands of the zookeeper.

CASSIEI did it! I did it!

ZOOKEEPERYou sure did!

He awards Cassie with a sticker that says, “I held Rosie!” Cassie slaps it proudly onto her shirt.

COLTONI want a sticker.

TODDThen you’ll have to hold Rosie.

Colton turns to the waiting Zookeeper, who extends the tarantula toward Colton...

And Colton SCREAMS BLOODY MURDER!

26.

Caren Beck

COLTONAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

EXT. BUTTERFLY MUSEUM - DAY40 40

The Burpos walk out together. Cassie is bouncing along with excitement; Colton is walking slowly, a hand to his belly.

COLTONI don’t feel so good.

SONJAMaybe it was all the excitement.

Colton turns and pukes in a planter. Sonja moves to him.

SONJAThat’s okay, honey.

CASSIEThis is gonna be a fun ride home.

INT. BURPO HOME - BATHROOM - NIGHT41 41

Sonja is patting Colton’s back as he throws up in the toilet. Cassie runs in wildly and, seeing the toilet occupied, throws up in the bathtub.

SONJATodd! We could use some help in here!

Todd appears, and hurries to hold Cassie.

SONJAHis temperature is 103.

TODDShe’s hot too.

INT. BURPO HOME - NIGHT42 42

Both kids are in bed, sweating. Sonja hangs up the phone.

SONJAThe doctor says the flu’s been going around, the fever should be gone in a day or so.

27.

Caren Beck

EXT. BURPO BACKYARD - TWO DAYS LATER - DAY43 43

Cassie plays in the sun: she’s totally back to normal. Sonja calls from the back door--

SONJACassie, don’t over-do it now!

CASSIEYes, ma’am!

Sonja turns from the back door and sees Colton lying on the couch, still sick. She moves to him and pats him.

Todd comes in the front door from a stint at the firehouse; he looks at Colton on the couch, Sonja looking worried.

SONJAIt’s been two days, and Cassie’s fine.

TODD(picking up Colton)

Come on, big guy. We’re going to the doctor.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - DAY44 44

Colton is lying still, deep inside a fever. Todd and Sonja are with him.

Todd is standing close to Colton, who seems oblivious to everything. Todd looks up at Sonja and realizes she needs some attention too. He moves to her.

SONJAI’ve never seen him so still.

She’s struggling with her deepest fears.

SONJAI need to call Heather to check on Cassie.

Sonja steps out, leaving Todd alone with Colton. Todd moves back to the bedside, engulfed in worry. The DOCTOR enters, calm, almost casual.

DOCTORThe blood work came back. He’s dehydrated, and the IV’s will help that. His fever’s holding steady.

28.

Caren Beck

TODDBut what is it?

DOCTORThe lab tests haven’t told us yet. We’ve still got more tests to run.

TODDCould it be appendicitis? I had it in college, and Sonja had it too. Maybe Colton’s got a really early case.

DOCTORWe tested for that, it’s not appendicitis.

TODDOkay, then-- what is it?

DOCTORWe don’t know.

INT. BURPO HOME - NIGHT45 45

Cassie is on the phone with Sonja, as she’s playing Monopoly with HEATHER, a babysitter.

CASSIEWe’re having fun, Mom--Heather’s letting me beat her in Monopoly.

INTERCUT: INT. HOSPITAL - IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - NIGHT46 46

Sonja, on her cell phone, tries not to show her worry.

SONJASorry I can’t be home to kiss you goodnight, Cassie, but I’ll come in when I get there and kiss you while you’re sleeping.

CASSIEIs Colton okay?

SONJA...He’s sleeping too.

CASSIEI’m saying my prayers for him.

Sonja can barely respond; she’s terrified.

29.

Caren Beck

SONJAThank you, Honey. Me too. Good night.

She heads back to Colton’s room.

INT. HOSPITAL - IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - COLTON’S ROOM - NIGHT47 47

Sonja finds Todd kneeling in silent prayer beside the sleeping boy. Todd finishes his prayer, looks up and moves to hug Sonja.

SONJA(whispering)

Todd, I’m so scared.

TODDMe too.

At that moment, in her deepest fear, Sonja’s deepest pain peeks out.

SONJAI already lost one--

TODDI know, I know, we’re not gonna lose Colton!

SONJAShould we take him to another hospital? Maybe at the Regional Medical Center...?

TODDThe guys here are doing everything they can.

EXT. HOSPITAL - IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - DAY48 48

The sky turns bright, then dark again, then to dawn.

INT. COLTON’S HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY49 49

Todd is in the room; he hasn’t shaved or showered or slept in a bed in days. Sonja dozes in a chair beside the bed; Todd is kneeling at the bedside, holding Colton’s limp hand.

Todd looks at Colton’s face; Colton looks even worse, dark circles under his eyes. The look of death.

30.

Caren Beck

Todd makes a decision, pulling out Colton’s IV’s and scooping him up in his arms. Sonja wakes, alarmed.

SONJAWhat are you doing--?!

TODDWhat I should’a done days ago!

EXT. HOSPITAL - IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - DAY50 50

Todd holds Colton swathed in a blanket, and carries him to the car. Sonja helps him get Colton into the car seat. Colton isn’t conscious.

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY51 51

Todd’s Expedition is flying along the Interstate toward North Platte, Nebraska.

INT. TODD’S TRUCK - DAY52 52

Sonja, in the back next to Colton’s car seat, strokes Colton’s head. He doesn’t respond.

Todd glances in the rearview mirror, then looks at the speedometer: 85...90... Sonja looks up at him.

SONJAFaster.

Todd speeds up.

INT. HOSPITAL - CT SCAN MACHINE - DAY53 53

In quick cuts, Colton gets scanned. SUPERIMPOSE:

REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, NORTH PLATTE

Todd and Sonja stand outside, exhausted physically, spiritually and mentally.

TECHNICIANOkay, you need to wait here while I get the doctor.

He hurries off. Todd has picked up the technician’s tone.

TODDHe’s seen something.

31.

Caren Beck

They move to Colton; he’s sunk into a listless state.

Todd can’t help but notice Colton’s eyes; he FLASHES BACK to the old man he saw die, and those EYES OF DEATH.

Todd is doing everything he can not to unravel. Sonja is falling apart, whispering--

SONJAThis is it. We’re losing him.

Dr. O’ HALLOREN hurries in, holding the films.

DR. O’HOLLERANHe has a ruptured appendix. We have to get to surgery right away.

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY - DAY54 54

We FOLLOW THE MOTION in FRANTIC CUTS as they rush Colton on his gurney down to the operating rooms. Todd and Sonja scramble along beside.

SONJAHow could that be?! The doctors in Imperial ruled that out!

DR. O’HOLLERAN Those blotches on the x-ray are infection, it’s exploded all through his abdominal cavity. We’ve got to get in there and clean him out.

TODDThen he’ll be fine... Right?

Dr. O’Holleran doesn’t answer. He tells a nurse--

DR. O’HOLLERAN Run ahead, get everybody ready!

The nurse races to the operating room.

TODDIt must have ruptured five days ago.

Todd and Sonja look at each other, consumed with guilt, both feeling they should have reacted sooner.

32.

Caren Beck

INT. SURGICAL PREP ROOM - DAY - CONTINUOUS55 55

The gurney bangs through the doors of the surgical prep room and the nurses rush to get Colton ready. Colton, stirred to alertness by all the activity, goes into full panic.

COLTONNo! Don’t let them take me!

Todd grabs Dr. O’Holleran and demands reassurance.

TODDWill-he-be-okay?!

DR. O’HOLLERAN We’ll know more in a little while.

He hurries in to scrub. Todd is devastated by the doctor’s inability to offer hope.

The nurses wheel Colton to the O.R., several of them pinning him down to the gurney as he screams--

COLTONDaddeeeee! Don’t let them take me!!! DAAADEEEE!!!

Colton screams are like a blow torch on Todd’s raw soul. Not only is Colton crying out to him; Sonja, in her way, is too.

INT. OPERATING ROOM - DAY56 56

POV COLTON: LOOKING UP AT THE DOCTORS. The anesthesia mask goes down upon his face. His vision blurs. The SOUNDS AROUND HIM become stranger, distorted.

COLTONDaddeeeee...

INT. SURGICAL WAITING ROOM - DAY57 57

Todd and Sonja are sitting on the waiting room’s generic chairs, collapsed in absolute exhaustion.

SONJAI’m going to call some friends and ask them to pray for us. I don’t know what else to do.

She walks out, trying to keep from falling apart.

33.

Caren Beck

Todd is left alone. We FOLLOW Todd as he moves down the hallway, lost, wandering.

He spots a sign that points to the hospital’s CHAPEL.

INT. HOSPITAL CHAPEL - DAY58 58

Todd enters the chapel. And he begins a kind of prayer.

TODD(praying)

I know-- I know I asked you to let me be a minister. I wanted my life to be about something good and sacred and eternal. I asked for the job.

Todd is pacing, just like when he’s preaching. He’s still limping a bit, and he stumbles over a folding chair. He kicks the chair aside.

TODDI haven’t been perfect! But I’ve been the best I knew how to be! You’ve made me suffer, and I took that. You’ve made my family suffer, and I took THAT! But now YOU’RE GONNA TAKE MY BOY?! DON’T TAKE MY SON! DON’T TAKE MY SON!

Todd drops to his knees, collapsing in tears.

TODDPlease, God...!

(whispering)Don’t take my son...

INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY59 59

Sonja is on a phone call with Nancy Phelps.

SONJA(into phone)

Nancy...we’re in trouble here.

(INTERCUT Nancy as necessary, at the flower nursery where she works.)

34.

Caren Beck

INTERCUT: INT. NANCY PHELPS’S FLOWER NURSERY - SAME60 60

NANCYColton’s not better?

SONJAHe’s worse, he’s--We don’t know if--

NANCYOh no, no...

SONJANancy, nobody understands this better than you. Would you... please.... call friends and ask them to pray for Colton?

The request has profound significance for Nancy as well as for Sonja.

NANCYI will honey. Right now. And I’ll pray for you too.

Todd walks in, and moves to Sonja.

SONJA(into phone)

Yes...I know.

She ends the call and she and Todd embrace.

MONTAGE: Nancy begins dialing numbers, and ALL AROUND THE LITTLE TOWN, people pause in their daily lives to say a silent prayer for Colton...

--Jay, at his desk in the bank, hangs up the phone and 60A 60Alowers his head in silent prayer...

--Michael’s wife Rosa kneels in her backyard garden...60B 60B

--A burly farmer pausing beside his pickup truck as he 60C 60Cfeeds his herd of cattle...

--The guys at the Volunteer Fire House sit in a circle, 60D 60Dand Ray leads them in prayer...

--a child, one of those who sang next to Colton in the 60E 60Echoir, now kneeling beside his bed next to his mother.

ANOTHER 4-YEAR OLD...and please make Colton well!...

35.

Caren Beck

INT. HOSPITAL - NORTH PLATTE - NIGHT61 61

The minutes creep by in agonizing slowness. Todd holds Sonja’s trembling hands. He looks at the clock. He paces. He looks at the clock.

Todd and Sonja look up in sudden alarm mode as the Nurse appears.

INT. COLTON’S RECOVERY ROOM - NIGHT62 62

Todd and Sonja rush in, and find Colton motionless. Sonja grabs Colton’s hand; Todd leans down to him and strokes Colton’s hair. Colton’s eyes drift open. Their relief is overwhelming.

TODD(whispering)

Hi there, big guy.

Colton’s fingers move slowly toward Todd’s, and Todd grabs his tiny hand. Now it’s all Todd can do to keep from crying. Sonja, weeping with joy, presses her face onto the side of Colton’s head.

COLTONDad... I want...

TODDYou want what?

COLTONI want...to hold that spider.

Todd is laughing and crying at the same time.

INT. IMPERIAL BANK - DAY63 63

Todd walks through the bank lobby, greeting everyone he sees: the customers in the lines, the tellers behind the windows--he has a handshake or a wave for everyone.

TODDHi Mr. Parker!... Ms. Rebecca!... Good morning, Mrs. Connor!

MR. PARKERHow you doing, Todd! We’re so glad to hear Colton’s well!

MS. REBECCAYes! And say hi to Sonja for us!

36.

Caren Beck

Todd walks into the bank’s cubicle section; Jay stands from his President’s desk.

JAYYou know more of our customers than we do, maybe this should be job number five!

Men don’t hug much in Nebraska--but Jay’s handshake and eye contact convey the same affection.

JAYWe’re so relieved about Colton.

TODDThanks, buddy.

Todd takes the chair in front of Jay’s desk.

TODDI need a little smart help. And I didn’t know anybody smart to go to, so I came to you instead.

JAYWell I’ll call a meeting of the three brain cells I have left! I’ve been wondering when you’d come in.

TODDWhat do you mean?

JAYI’m your banker, I know how long you’ve been out of work. And now all these medical bills--

TODDI didn’t come to ask for a loan.

JAY(quietly)

I’m happy to help you--not the bank’s money, mine.

Jay sees Todd’s expression harden.

JAYNobody would know.

TODD(sharply)

I’d know!

37.

(MORE)

Caren Beck

You know why I work so many jobs? I want to be with my friends in their regular lives, not just when they want somebody to help them say a prayer. And I never wanted to be the kind of guy who stood in a pulpit and told people to give to charity when all he did was take it.

JAYIt’s not charity, it’s a loan, and real people take those too.

TODDI don’t.

JAY(laughs)

You don’t take much advice either! Okay, look, the church board hasn’t raised your salary in line with the way you’ve brought in new membership. I could--

TODDI didn’t come here for a raise either.

JAYOkay then... what?

TODDThe church has been really patient with me, giving me time off. I just need a little more.

Todd sees Jay nearly wince.

TODDI know I’ve been out a while.

JAYYou should see what we’ve had filling in for you. One was a seminary student who tripped walking up to the pulpit and threw his notes in the air like an elephant blowing his nose--PHHHTTT!!! Then we had a seminary professor who did something she called “liturgical dance--Holy SPIRIT! Holy SPIRIT!!!”

38.

TODD (CONT'D)

Caren Beck

Jay is waving his hands in the air in an impression, and Todd is cracking up. Jay does too--but his smile fades.

JAYPeople are leaving in droves.There are two reasons I stay. My grandparents founded that congregation, they gave the land the sanctuary sits on, and my parents gave most of the money that built it.

TODDI wish I could have known them.

JAYMe too. Because the other reason is you. You’re a great leader, Todd. You care about all the members, and you treat everybody in this town as if they’re family; that would’ve meant a lot to my folks, and it means a lot to me.

Todd nods, knowing Jay is giving him an honest compliment.

JAYBut what I love most is when you’re preaching. I sit there in the pew and I watch you get rolling, sweeping us all up, pointing all of us toward faith and hope. This town needs that--I know I do.

Jay notices something in Todd.

JAYWhat’s wrong? I’m telling you how great you are and you look like you’ve got gas.

TODDI don’t know, I feel like-- I ought to be on fire, and I’m not even warm. Something’s missing in me.

JAYIs everything okay at home?

Todd is surprised by the question, and it makes him hesitate. Simultaneously, both Todd’s and Jay’s personal cell phones chime an alert. They jump up together.

39.

Caren Beck

JAYSpeaking of fire--

Jay grabs his car keys and they hurry for the door.

EXT. IMPERIAL BANK - DAY64 64

Jay runs from the bank, then turns to see Todd limping along after him.

JAYAw, man, I forgot about your leg!

TODDI’m okay but-- I promised Colton I’d take him on a little trip...

JAYDon’t worry, it’s Code Blue, probably somebody burning leaves. Go with Colton, we’ll finish this talk later!

Jay jumps into his car and guns toward the fire house; Todd stands there alone, watching his friend go.

INT. BUTTERFLY MUSEUM - DAY65 65

CLOSE - ROSIE THE TARANTULA, in the hands of the Zookeeper.

Colton holds out his tiny hand, palm up. The Zookeeper places the tarantula next to Colton’s hand, and it crawls across the boy’s tender skin.

Colton doesn’t flinch; he smiles with utter joy.

And Todd stands there wondering: what has happened to my son? How did Colton go from terrified to fearless?

EXT. RURAL NEBRASKA - DAY66 66

Todd is driving back home to Imperial, Colton in his car seat. Colton is toying with his action figures.

COLTONDaddy, are you worried?

TODDWorried? Why do you ask that?

40.

Caren Beck

COLTONYou seem worried.

TODDWhat do you think I’d be worried about?

COLTONMoney.

TODD(smiling)

Well, I-- Sure, I worry about money sometimes.

COLTONWhy are we taking the day off instead of working, if you’re worried about money?

Now Todd laughs. Out of the mouths of babes.

TODDYou said you wanted to hold the spider. And I thought it was important for us to do.

COLTONBecause I was so afraid last time?

TODDIsn’t that why you wanted to go?

COLTONNo. I wanted to go because I wasn’t afraid anymore.

Todd ponders this.

COLTONAre you afraid of something?

Todd glances at Colton, who is looking back with that open, honest stare of his.

TODDYes.

Todd takes a breath, wondering how much to say.

TODDWhen I got sick, it shook my faith. When you got sick, my faith broke. And now...

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(MORE)

Caren Beck

it’s hard for me to tell people that they should have it, when I know what it is to be so afraid that all your faith is gone. Does this make any sense?

COLTONNo.

Todd laughs; Colton always lightens his heavy moods.

TODDSo you’re not afraid anymore? Even the hospital doesn’t scare you?

Todd glances over--they’re driving past the hospital where Colton was.

COLTONNo! That’s where the angels sang to me.

Todd glances at Colton, whose demeanor has not changed at all. What in the world did Colton mean by that?

TODDThe angels sang to you?

COLTONYeah.

TODDWhen did this happen?

COLTONDuring my operation. When Mom was in one room talking on the phone and you were in another room hollering at God.

Now Todd is transfixed...and unsettled.

TODDHow did you know that? They had put you to sleep and I was nowhere near the operating room--

COLTONI saw you.

TODDHow did you see me?

42.

TODD (CONT'D)

Caren Beck

COLTON’S EYES see again HIS EXPERIENCE: Colton’s tiny body lies inert on the operating table, as HIS POV rises, ascending...

IN THE PRESENT, he speaks matter-of-factly--

COLTONI went up out of my body, and looked down and saw the doctor working on me, and saw you and mom.

Todd is stunned.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - NIGHT67 67

Colton and Todd come into the front door, back from their trip; Colton bounces to Cassie’s side as she’s playing a video dance game; Todd, inward and thoughtful, drifts into--

INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS68 68

Sonja is sitting at the table, sorting through a towering pile of bills. Todd kisses her cheek.

SONJAHey! How was the trip?

TODDIt was fine.

SONJAFine?

TODDAmazing, actually. He held the spider like it was no big deal. He got a sticker but he didn’t even brag about it to Cassie just now.

Sonja finds this intriguing--but she’s distracted by all the numbers tumbling through her head.

TODDThat’s a mighty big pile of bills.

She draws a line and finishes adding up the total.

SONJAAbout $23,000.

For Todd that’s a staggering sum.

43.

Caren Beck

SONJADo you have any receivables? Anything we can collect?

Todd just shakes his head. He moves to the table and fingers through the bills.

TODDElectricity... Phone... We can be a little late on those. But this one-- I don’t want to put off paying Mr. Martin for the truck tires. His wife’s been sick.

SONJAThe medical bills are starting to come in. One of them is for $34,000.

Todd is like a boxer who first got a gut shot, then takes a left hook.

TODDI thought...that was part of the twenty-three.

SONJAThe twenty-three is business expenses, plus mortgage and taxes.

TODDHow much will the medical insurance pay?

SONJAThe deductible is $3400.

TODDWe can’t even pay that right now.

Sonja looks up, surprised to see Colton in the doorway.

SONJAHi, Honey! I hear you held the spider!

Colton is staring--and adamant.

COLTONYou have to pay the doctor.

Todd and Sonja are surprised at Colton’s certainty.

44.

Caren Beck

TODDWell of course we’ll find some way to--

COLTON Jesus used him to help fix me! We’ve got to pay him.

Colton turns and walks out.

SONJAI guess he likes Dr. O’Hollaren now! In the hospital he screamed every time the doc came close.

TODDDid you ever hear Colton say he’d heard angels singing?

SONJANot unless you’re talking about you and me in the shower.

She goes back to doing her figures.

INT. COLTON AND CASSIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT69 69

Todd is on his knees between Colton and Cassie, saying their bedtime prayers.

THE CHILDREN TOGETHER--Please bless everyone everywhere, and help us know your love.

CASSIEAmen.

But Colton keeps praying.

COLTON...And Jesus, please say hello to your horse for me. Amen.

Todd’s head swivels toward Colton; so does Cassie’s. But Colton scrambles up into bed and slides between the sheets just as he has always done.

Todd tucks Cassie in first and kisses her softly on the head.

TODDGood night, honey.

45.

Caren Beck

CASSIEIs something wrong with Colton?

TODDWhy would you say that?

CASSIEBecause sometimes he sounds weird.

TODDSisters always think their brothers are weird.

He kisses her again, then moves across the room to Colton’s bed. He kisses him on the forehead just as he kissed Cassie.

TODDI didn’t know Jesus had a horse.

COLTONHe does!

TODDJesus has a horse?

COLTONYeah, it’s beautiful.

Todd decides to play along with Colton’s imagination.

TODDWhat color is it?

COLTONIt’s all colors. All the rainbow colors are in heaven, except they’re all... More.

TODDMore what?

COLTONJust more. And brighter.

Todd sits on the bed beside his son.

TODDHow do you know about the horse?

COLTONI saw him when I was in heaven.

TODDYou were in heaven?

46.

Caren Beck

COLTONSure, I thought you knew.

Colton is snuggling into bed, perfectly comfortable and casual. Across the room Cassie is staring at Todd; even she doesn’t know what to make of this.

COLTONDad, can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m really sleepy.

TODDSure buddy. Good night.

He kisses Colton tenderly once more upon the forehead.

CASSIEDaddy, can I sleep in your room tonight?

Surprised yet understanding, Todd smiles.

TODDJust go to sleep, honey.

He moves back to Cassie, tucks her again, moves to the door and shuts off the light. But as he closes the door he looks back at Colton once more, baffled and a bit disturbed.

INT. TODD AND SONJA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 70 70

Sonja has already crawled into bed. Todd slips in beside her. He lies there staring at the ceiling, tree branches blown by the wind making haunting sounds against the window panes. Sonja reaches over and takes his hand.

SONJAIs something wrong?

TODDColton just told me he went to heaven.

SONJAWhen?

TODDJust now.

SONJAI mean when did he go to heaven, smart aleck.

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TODDHe said that during the operation he left his body and looked back and saw himself on the operating table.

Sonja rolls toward Todd.

SONJAPeople in surgery can have out-of-body experiences. The anesthesia, the stress...

TODDHe said he saw you too, talking on the phone in one room, and me in another room yelling at God.

SONJAYou were yelling at God?

TODDI didn’t tell you about that. I didn’t tell anybody, I sure didn’t tell Colton.

Todd and Sonja can only stare at each other.

TODDSo how did he know?

INT. ARBY’S RESTAURANT - DAY71 71

Todd sits down with Colton at a small table. Colton’s legs are so short they don’t reach the floor. He opens the foil wrap and takes a bite of his sandwich, loving the flavor.

Todd is careful as he brings up the subject.

TODDSo! Colton! I want to ask you about when the Angels sang to you.

COLTON(through a big bite)

Sure.

TODDSo... What did they sing?

CLOSE on Colton’s blue eyes... We see HIS VISION OF HEAVEN:

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EXT. COLTON’S HEAVEN - DAY72 72

Colton--4-year-old Colton, wearing his normal street clothes--has ascended to an ethereal place. EVERYTHING BEHIND HIM his white mixed with blue, as if he is standing somehow in a place among clouds.

But IN FRONT OF HIM is a building that looks remarkably like Crossroads Wesleyan Church, back home.

The doors of the church are open, and from within comes beautiful music: the Hallelujah Chorus, sung with a vibrating Majesty.

Colton is alone and afraid; but the church looks familiar, and the music draws him toward the doors.

He enters...

INT. HEAVENLY CHURCH73 73

Inside, the church looks just like the church Colton is used to at home; it IS the church from home. And yet in the choir loft, it is Angels who are singing: humanlike, though twice the size of earthlings. Their voices ring like trumpets:

ANGELS(singing)

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah…

The music swirls around him; the Angels exude light. Colton sits down in awe, and listens. But he is still all alone.

Then he notices a man sitting in a pew off to the side. The man is noticing Colton, and smiling. He is dressed in clothes like someone might have worn a few centuries before. He stands and moves to Colton, sitting beside him.

STRANGERI always like to be here when someone hears the Angels sing this for the first time.

COLTONIt’s so beautiful!

STRANGER(smiling)

People always said that I composed it. But I didn’t. All I did was write down the voice of God.

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Colton looks at the man--George Friedrich Handel--and somehow understands. Colton nods.

COLTONDo you think they would sing something for me if I asked them?

Suddenly the Angels stop singing, so abruptly it’s shocking; they stare at Colton in silence.

STRANGER (HANDEL)What would you like them to sing?

COLTONWe Will Rock You.

The stranger stares at Colton much like Todd did when Colton asked the same thing. Then, like Todd, the stranger throws back his head, and laughs.

Suddenly the Angels are laughing too, their laughter bursting with joy. They FLY from the choir loft and surround Colton. He looks up at them, comforted, unafraid. Some are young; some more advanced in age; all are huge and powerful.

Suddenly they grow quiet again, sensing an approaching presence; they reach back between their wings and draw flaming swords. But instead of lifting them in menace, they bow in a gesture of salute and reverence.

Colton turns toward the back of the room, and sees--

Jesus.

He is tall and he is handsome. Majestic, yet humble--and utterly natural. He walks up, smiling at Colton. He stops.

JESUSColton! You know who I am?

Colton nods.

JESUSYou’re not afraid.

COLTONNobody here wants to hurt me.

Jesus, human and warm, lifts the boy into his arms.

JESUSThat’s right, Colton. And nobody here ever will. There are some people here who want to meet you.

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INT. ARBY’S RESTAURANT - DAY74 74

IN THE PRESENT, Colton has been lost in his memories of heaven, but now he looks across at his dad.

COLTONI asked them to sing We Will Rock You, but they wouldn’t.

Todd stares at Colton for a moment; then abruptly he laughs. Colton smiles, staring at Todd.

COLTONThey laughed just like that.

Colton takes a long loud slurp from his milk shake.

And Todd is absolutely gob smacked.

INT. HOSPITAL - RECORDS OFFICE - DAY75 75

Todd enters the office of Surgical Records at the Regional Hospital. A female clerk is there, backed by full shelves.

CLERKMay I help you?

TODDI’m Todd Burpo.

CLERKYes, Dr. O’Hollaren called.

She hands Todd a thick folder she has waiting.

CLOSE ON TODD as he sits at a table in the records office and goes through Colton’s surgical file. What he sees makes him mystified.

EXT. MAGNIFICENT WATERFALLS - DAY76 76

The unique beauty of the Sioux Falls flows before us. SUPERIMPOSE:

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Todd’s battered red pickup rolls past the entrance of Augustine College and turns at another sign: DEPARTMENT OF PSYCOLOGY.

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INT. DR. SLATER’S OFFICE - DAY77 77

DR. CALVIN SLATER, mid-40’s, is sitting at his desk editing a manuscript when he hears a knock at his office door.

DR. SLATERCome in!

(as Todd enters)Mr. Burpo? Please, have a seat.

Todd takes a chair and Slater settles down behind the desk. It’s a small academic office lined with scholarly books.

TODDThank you for seeing me on such short notice.

DR. SLATERBurpo... Are you a minister, over in Imperial?

TODDYes. How did you...?

DR. SLATERMy wife’s religious. She’s heard you’re a great speaker and keeps badgering me to come hear you.

TODDAnd you’re not.

DR. SLATERNot what?

TODDReligious.

DR. SLATERNo. Is that a problem?

TODDActually, you may offer me a harder opinion. And maybe that’s what I need. I have a son. He’s extremely smart. And sensitive.

DR. SLATERAnd...?

TODDHe went to heaven.

Slater waits, but for a moment that’s all Todd says.

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TODDAnd then he came back.

DR. SLATERYour son had a near-death experience--?

TODDHe didn’t die. How close he came, no one can say. But I just checked his surgical report. His heart never stopped, his brain activity never flatlined.

DR. SLATERSo why do you say he went to heaven?

TODDBecause he says so.

Todd stands and walks to the window. He stares out, struggling with his own inner turmoil.

TODDHe saw Jesus. He sat in Jesus’ lap.

Slater gives a smile that could only be called condescending.

DR. SLATERNear the point of death the body releases hormones that induce a kind of peace, even bliss. Our brains fill in the blanks. Christians see Jesus, Jews see Moses, Muslims see Mohammed.

TODDYes, I read your article. But my son saw things that I can’t explain. He saw me praying, and shouting at God. He saw his mother on the telephone asking friends to pray for us, while he was in surgery.

DR. SLATERReverend Burpo--

TODDTodd.

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DR. SLATERTodd. Is it at all unusual that your wife would call friends in a time of crisis?

TODDOf course not.

DR. SLATERIs it unusual that you would pray? Or become passionate when you do?

TODDOkay, sure. But I’ve gotta tell you, when he talks about heaven it doesn’t sound like something he’s making up. He’s four years old.

DR. SLATERBut he’s extremely smart.

TODDBoth my children are. Somebody should pay me to have them.

DR. SLATERReverend-- Todd. I don’t mean to discount whatever magic you derive from all of this. But there are many explanations, even for extrasensory knowledge.

TODDExtrasensory knowledge... Is it easier to believe in telepathy or clairvoyance than to believe in faith?

DR. SLATER“Believe in faith”? Isn’t that a bit circular?

TODDNo! Faith is like love. If we don’t have it, who are we?

DR. SLATERSo let me ask you. Did you come here because you’re wondering about my faith--or wondering about your own?

Todd has no answer for that.

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INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - SUNDAY MORNING78 78

Todd sits in the front pew with his family, as the church band plays a rousing gospel hymn. Todd leans down next to Sonja and says quietly, beneath the music--

TODDJay’s right, attendance is down.

The band finishes the hymn and Jay steps to the pulpit.

JAYIt seems like it’s been forever! We are so proud to welcome back Pastor Todd and his family!

Everyone stands and applauds the Burpos as Todd moves to the pulpit. Todd fidgits, no longer comfortable in the pulpit.

TODDThank you. Thank you all-- For your prayers...your concerns... for everything. Today... Well I’ve always had sermon ideas that I would take from life here in our community. But Colton’s... all he went through, and all we went through with him... It hasn’t made for a...topic.

Todd looks around at the congregation; their faces look as blank as his mind.

TODDSo many of you have asked about it that I thought instead of a sermon I could answer any questions, any that I could answer about...anything.

Michael, the E.M.T., stands up and motions to his wife Rosa and their children.

MICHAELWe prayed for you a lot.

TODDThank you, Michael.

MICHAELWe were wondering, how bad was it?

TODDHow bad? It was... awful.

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MICHAELI meant, a lot of us heard that Colton died during the operation, and prayers brought him back to life.

TODDNo, he didn’t die on the operating table. He came mighty close. I’d say...that God, and the doctors, and prayers...kept him alive.

Near the back of the church, a journalist is making notes. Nancy, near the front, raises her hand.

NANCYHow has this affected your faith?

Todd realizes he just isn’t ready for these questions. He looks at his family sitting together on the front row, Sonja, Cassie and Colton all watching him.

TODDMy faith? I realized how little faith I have sometimes. Because when I thought we were gonna lose Colton...

For a moment Todd can’t go on.

TODDBut just when you can’t find any faith, when you can’t see God at all, you feel so small and weak and helpless, and...

Todd realizes his message is more disturbing than inspiring.

ANOTHER WOMAN’S VOICE comes from the back.

WOMAN’S VOICESo how did you handle it?

Todd sees the speaker is the woman whose father died at the beginning of the story--who didn’t want Todd’s prayers.

TODDNot well.

Jay speaks up, trying to help Todd relax.

JAYTell us about Colton, and how he’s doing.

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TODDColton is doing great! He’s been telling us about Heaven.

Todd says this lightly--but he sees the surprise on everyone’s face.

TODDDuring his operation he...visited heaven.

MICHAELBut-- You said he didn’t die?

TODDHe didn’t. But he saw heaven. He saw Jesus, and angels...

WOMANBut how--?

TODDI don’t know how. But he saw them.

Two YOUNG EVANGELICALS in the front pews lift their hands--

YOUNG EVANGELICALSPRAISE GOD!

The demonstration makes Nancy wince.

NANCYDo you believe he was in heaven?

Todd wasn’t ready for this either. He looks at Colton, staring back at him.

TODDI-- I know he saw something. And...it sure sounds like heaven to me.

Silence in the church. Colton is staring at Todd.

EXT. SUNDAY PICNIC SPOT - DAY79 79

Todd and Sonja are unpacking lunch at a picnic table after church. Todd glances at Cassie and Colton, playing at a stream, far enough away that Todd and Sonja can talk privately.

TODDThat didn’t go so well, huh.

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Sonja suppresses a flinch.

TODDDid you see the way Nancy stared at those kids in the pew, like she wanted to shove them down a toilet?

TODDYeah, and she wasn’t the only one. We have an intellectual tradition.

TODDIt’s not like we’re all of sudden gonna start handling snakes.

SONJABut that’s what she thinks. Half of every church wants to stop feeling and start thinking; and the other half wants just the opposite.

Todd’s cell phone RINGS; he answers--

TODD(telephone)

This is Todd.

Sonja sees the discomfort on his face.

TODD(telephone)

Yes... Yes, that would be okay, but --could it be about the power of prayer? I’d like to leave heaven out of it. Okay, thank you.

He hangs up and looks at Sonja.

TODDThat was the newspaper; they want to run an article on Colton.

Todd looks up; Colton has moved up and is staring at him.

COLTONThey don’t believe me, do they?

TODDPeople are sometimes afraid to believe.

COLTONAfraid of what?

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TODDThat there isn’t a heaven. Or maybe they’re afraid that there is.

COLTONYou believe me, don’t you?

Todd hesitates; she scoops Colton up into his arms.

TODDI believe you’re here because God wants you to be. And maybe you should be the one to tell the newspaper that.

Sonja is staring at Todd over Colton’s shoulder; she mouths the words--

SONJAAre you sure?

EXT. BURPO BACKYARD - EVENING80 80

It’s a beautiful evening, a sunset glowing. Todd, Colton and the NEWSPAPER REPORTER are sitting in lawn chairs.

NEWSPAPER REPORTERSo Colton...tell me about heaven!

COLTONWhat do you want to know?

NEWSPAPER REPORTERWhat does it look like?

COLTONLike here...even more beautiful.

Todd sits quietly; through the kitchen window he see Sonja turning away, not liking what’s happening... DISSOLVE TO

LATER IN THE INTERVIEW, Colton is answering easily--

NEWSPAPER REPORTERAnd you saw Jesus?

COLTONHe’s really nice. I sat on his lap. He has markers.

NEWSPAPER REPORTERMarkers?

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Todd hasn’t heard this before; he glances toward the markers on the picnic table, where Colton colors and plays.

COLTONHere and here.

Colton points to his hands and feet; the reporter scribbles.

LATER IN THE INTERVIEW--

NEWSPAPER REPORTERJesus has a horse?

COLTONThere are lots of animals in heaven.

Colton smiles, his smile caught in the flash of a picture--

That PICTURE OF COLTON is in the local newspaper, gracing an article with the headline: POWER OF PRAYER, TRIP TO HEAVEN.

EXT. NANCY PHELPS’S HOME - DAY81 81

The paper is on Nancy’s table as she has breakfast in the garden of her house--the grandest home in town. She isn’t happy, punching numbers into her phone.

NANCY(telephone)

Jay! Have you seen this?

INTERCUT AS NECESSARY - JAY AT HIS DESK AT THE BANK

INTERCUT: INT. IMPERIAL BANK - DAY82 82

JAY(telephone)

Yeah, it’s quite an article.

NANCYI love Todd! But I love the church too, and can’t stand to see it turned into a circus!

INT. DINER - DAY83 83

Todd sits at the counter, reading the article. He looks up and sees people around the diner glancing at him and whispering. A few are laughing.

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Michael, the Volunteer E.M.T., is working behind the counter today; he moves over and refills Todd’s coffee cup.

TODDThanks, Michael. You work more jobs than I do!

Todd puts a couple of dollars on the counter; Michael slides them back.

MICHAELOn me.

TODDThank you, amigo. But no--

Todd slides the money over again; Michael slides it back.

MICHAELSonja gives Rosa clothes for Miguelito every time Colton grows out of anything. And she just gave Lucia a baby dress like an angel would wear.

TODDA baby dress? A pink dress?

MICHAELYes. So beautiful. Please, let me have the gift of giving back.

They meet eyes; Todd nods and starts to leave. On the way out he passes a table full of his fire fighter buddies. One of them, TURCE, thinks he macho--and funny.

TURCEHey Todd! Maybe the next fire, you could ask Jesus that instead of walking on water he could dump it on the fire!

Todd sees they’ve been reading the paper; he walks out. Turce calls after him--

TURCEHey, come on, ya gotta see the humor in it!

Todd keeps walking. Michael appears at the table with the coffee pot, and sits down.

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MICHAELYou know... it’s not a good idea to make fun of Todd and Jesus.

TURCEWhy? You saying I poke a little fun at the preacher and Jesus is gonna whip my ass?

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MICHAELNo. I will.

He means it. He stands and goes back to serving coffee.

EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - DAY84 84

Cassie is running after a bouncing kickball. One of the children yells to her--

KIDHey Cassie! Did your brother really sit in Jesus’ lap?!

KID NUMBER 2Did your brother ask for a new bicycle?

KIDOr for a pony?

A look comes on Cassie’s face. She begins to walk toward the boys. She moves with Sonja’s ladylike dignity.

But when she reaches the boys, she turns into Todd; her hand curls into a fist and she punches the first boy squarely in the nose.

He goes down onto the seat of his pants, beginning to wail. The second boy is looking on in shock--when Cassie hits him too.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT85 85

Cassie and Colton are sitting at the kitchen table, Cassie doing homework while Colton draws with his markers. Todd is helping set the table; he looks at Colton and the markers.

The telephone rings. Todd moves over and answers.

TODD(into telephone)

This is Todd.(long pause)

Really? I’m... surprised to hear that. I’ll call you back.

The tone in Todd’s voice has gotten Sonja’s attention.

TODDCassie... Did you punch a kid in the nose today?

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Cassie looks up from her homework; then just as quickly looks down again.

CASSIEUh huh.

TODDIn the nose. With your fist.

CASSIEYep.

Sonja has stopped cooking and turned around, just as flabbergasted as Todd.

CASSIEBut not one kid. Two.

TODDWas there a reason?

CASSIESure. Can we talk about this later?

COLTONShe hits good when she wants to.

TODDI think we should talk about this now. If you hit somebody, you must have felt you had a good reason.

CASSIEThey were making fun of Colton.

TODDOf Colton?

CASSIEThey made fun about him sitting in Jesus’ lap.

This brings the kitchen to silence. Then--

COLTONIs Cassie gonna get a spanking?

Todd looks down at Cassie’s skinned knuckles.

TODDNo. I’m just gonna teach her to hit without hurting her knuckles.

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He walks over and kisses Cassie on the top of her head. Todd moves ot the counter to help Sonja set the table for dinner.

SONJAAre you really gonna teach Cassie to box?

TODDOf course not. I’m a wrestling coach. I’m going to teach her a choke hold.

Sonja looks at Todd; he can’t be serious?

He looks back. He is.

INT. COLTON AND CASSIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT86 86

Cassie is already asleep...

But across the room, Colton is pondering something, looking at his sister. Then he sees his dad come into the room.

COLTONHi daddy.

TODDAre you having trouble sleeping?

COLTONNo. Are you?

TODDYeah.

Todd sits down at Colton’s bedside.

COLTONThat was pretty cool about Cassie, huh?

TODDYeah, pretty cool.

COLTONDo you want to talk?

TODDSure.

COLTON(sitting up)

Great! I like our talks.

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TODDDo you mind talking about heaven?

COLTONI love talking about it. What would you like to know?

TODDWhat did Jesus look like?

COLTONHe’s kinda hard to describe.

TODDI bet. Did he look like maybe some picture you’ve seen?

Colton shrugs.

Todd’s eyes shift to the bookcase beside the bed where a number of biblical children stories are stacked. He pulls out a large, well-worn volume and opens it to one of the illustrated stories of Jesus’ life.

TODDDid he look like this?

Todd is deflated as he asked this question; he feels sure he’s hit on how Colton came to his vision. But Colton surprises him with a quick, definite answer.

COLTONNo.

TODDNo? How about this one?

Todd thumbs to another drawing of Jesus, a depiction of a beautiful, ethereal man with eyes uplifted to heaven.

COLTONNope.

TODDIs it close to the Jesus you saw?

Colton shakes his head. Todd thinks, then hurries out.

TODDI’ll be right back!

Colton, left alone as Todd rummages outside in his desk, yawns slowly and hugely, as only a child can.

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In a moment Todd returns with a whole stack of books. He opens one by one, showing Colton various depictions of Jesus.

TODDThis one?

Colton shakes his head.

TODDThis one? No? How about this one?

COLTONNo. Jesus had light eyes.

TODDLight eyes? What color?

COLTONKinda blue...or green. Greenish blue.

Colton’s answer seems so much like a memory--yet an impossible one. This stops Todd. He closes his books.

TODDOkay big guy. Time for you to get some sleep.

Todd kisses Colton’s head and switches out the light.

EXT. BURPO HOUSE - DAY87 87

It’s morning and Todd sits on the couch, holding his legal pad. On it he has now added:

Only faith opens our eyes

He looks up as Sonja enters, handing him a cup of coffee.

SONJADid you sleep at all?

TODDNot much. He said Jesus had light eyes--greenish blue.

SONJASo...?

TODDColton has blue eyes. You have green eyes, I have blue eyes. Colton is seeing us.

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SONJAThat’s quite a compliment, if you think about it.

She sits down, to face him.

SONJAYou know, when I was in college I read some great thinker--Jung, or one of his buddies--who said that our personal concept of God comes from our feelings about our own father.

TODDI hope not, mine was manic depressive.

SONJATodd, if our children grow up believing they’ll always be loved the way you love them, they’re the luckiest kids alive.

Todd is ambushed by the depth of Sonja’s love--and what he knows is her own struggle and her faith in him; grateful for her every breath, he pulls her into his arms.

Then his cell phone emits its EMERGENCY BEEP.

TODDWe’ve got a fire.

SONJAWe sure have.

TODDI’ll put out that one--and come home and add to this one!

EXT. IMPERIAL - DAY88 88

Todd slaps the portable emergency flasher on the roof of his truck and hits the gas. Smoke rises in the distance as he pulls up to the Volunteer Fire Station where the other guys are arriving. Jay, Ray, Michael, Turce, Todd...together..

EXT. GARAGE FIRE - DAY89 89

Todd rides beside Jay and the other volunteers as their fire truck pulls up to the a burning garage. An OLD MAN is standing in the backyard, too close to the flames.

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He’s trying to wrestle a barbecue grill with a tank of propane away from the side of the garage.

JAYThat’s propane, it’ll explode!

Jay runs over and struggles to lift the tanks; Todd joins him and they fling them away from the flames. The Old Man comes up to try to help.

TODDGet back!

OLD MANIt’s gonna get my house!

TODDNo, we’ll; save it! Get back!

Todd steers the old man away from the fire and joins his fellow volunteers as they hook up their hoses and pour water onto the flames.

EXT. GARAGE FIRE - LATER90 90

The garage is a smoldering ruin, but the house is saved. Todd and Jay are standing in the middle of the burned-out garage, prodding through the cinders with rods to be sure they’ve doused every hot spot.

JAYStarted here. Half open paint cans and piles of old rags. We’re lucky this didn’t happen in a windstorm, the whole neighborhood would’ve gone up.

(beat)How are you doing?

Todd looks over at the dazed old man, who’s sitting under a tree with Michael, who is checking his vital signs.

TODDI feel kinda like he does.

JAYWhat does the Bible say... “Unless a seed falls to the earth it can’t bring forth fruit”?

TODD(surprised)

You’re reading the Bible now?

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JAYHell no! But I’ve heard you preach about it and now you’ve got me thinking.

TODDSo you’re saying I’m a seed?

JAYI’m saying I always thought of you as a kind of fruit.

Todd smiles; he notices the old man drooping, and moves over.

MICHAELHis blood pressure’s sky high. I’m gonna take him in.

TODDSir, you okay? Sir?

Todd touches his shoulder just barely, and the old man slumps over, clutching his chest. Michael touches the old man’s throat, feeling for a pulse. Todd already knows he’s dead.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY91 91

Todd is sitting at his makeshift desk in the basement, staring at a blank page of paper. From upstairs he hears the sound of Cassie and Colton arguing.

CASSIE(from upstairs)

Stop making that noise! I’m trying to do my homework!

COLTONPshew! Pshew! Pshew! I shot a web on you!

CASSIEDad-dy!!!

TODDColton! Come down here and play!

He hears Colton make the web shooting noise three more times before he retreats to the basement. Colton comes down the stairs holding his action figures and looking a bit sheepish.

TODDLet’s let Cassie concentrate.

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COLTONAren’t you trying to concentrate?

TODDYes. But I think better when I hear you playing.

Colton sits down on the basement rug and begins an action figure war, complete with bombs and explosion noises.

Todd stares at Colton, then at the top of his paper he writes: “Heaven.” Just then Colton asks without ever looking up from his battle--

COLTONWhat’s your sermon about?

Todd puts his pencil down and looks at Colton.

TODDHeaven.

COLTONReally? Hmm.

TODDYou make it sound like a place we shouldn’t be afraid to go.

COLTONWhy would anyone be afraid to go to heaven, daddy?

TODDWell... I guess because it means dying.

COLTONBut nobody really dies. And it’s wonderful there. It’s heaven.

He says this casually, as he always seems to do when he’s talking about his visit in heaven. Todd studies him, in conflict about what to think.

TODDTell me about sitting on Jesus’ lap.

COLTONHe was happy I was with him, so he held me in his lap.

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EXT. COLTON’S VISION OF HEAVEN - DAY92 92

Jesus, the same one Colton saw in the church, leads him by the hand in an area of beautiful mountains and woodlands. The colors are more vivid, and Angels soar over the treetops; but it is like Earth at its most beautiful--like Yosemite--rather than some disconnected, ethereal place.

They reach the place beside a stream where a carved wooden seat is nestled among boulders. Jesus sits, and lifts Colton into his lap.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY93 93

IN THE PRESENT: Todd stares at Colton. Colton seems unaware of his father’s reactions, more preoccupied with his own play.

COLTONI think he liked being close to everybody. I’m gonna go play in the back yard.

As Colton scrambles upstairs, happy and light, Todd looks down at the page where he is trying to write a new sermon. And still the only word there is:

Heaven.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY94 94

Sonja is staring into the open refrigerator as Todd enters.

TODDWhat are you up to?

SONJATrying to figure out dinner.

Todd looks out the window to the back yard, where

EXT. BURPO BACKYARD - DAY95 95

Colton sits alone on a swing, hanging easily, his tiny legs dangling above the ground. It’s a lovely summer afternoon, the sun low, bathing the earth, and Colton too.

He looks across the fields and sees a neighbor’s HORSE...and the horse triggers A MEMORY IN COLTON’S MIND, as his eyes close...

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A HEAVENLY HORSE--Jesus’s horse--is galloping toward him in 95A 95Aliquid power and grace, across a field that looks very much like the one behind the Burpo’s home. But the colors of the horse shimmer--brighter, vivid, more alive--the way we might see anything if we were in the grip of absolute love.

The memory brings a beautiful smile to Colton’s face.

IN THE KITCHEN, TODD sees that smile; but to him Colton is 95B 95Balone in the back yard. He turns to Sonja.

TODDTell you what. Let’s call a baby sitter and go out.

SONJAThat’s more luxury than we can afford.

TODDRemember last years at the Charity Auction, when we bought dinner for two at the Cabin Restaurant? We never used it.

EXT. LOG CABIN RESTAURANT - NIGHT96 96

Todd and Sonja stand on the outdoor balcony of the most romantic restaurant in Nebraska--firelit, candlelit, lovely. They are waiting for a table, sipping wine. Sonja looks up at the stars, vividly dancing overhead. Todd looks at her.

TODDI’m beginning to see all over again just how beautiful my wife is.

Sonja squeezes his hand. They look at the stars together.

TODDThis heaven thing with Colton has upset some people; but it’s making a lot of people think too.

SONJATodd... The Deacons’ Committee at the church asked me to speak with you. They want to sit down with them and talk about “where we are as a church.”

TODDThen why didn’t they call me?

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SONJAThey didn’t want you to feel that they were putting you on the spot. Because they’re putting you on the spot.

TODDYou think they want to replace me?

SONJAThey’re your friends, they want to to support you. But the church is losing members every Sunday you’re not preaching.

(beat)Any progress on the sermon?

TODDI’m in what they call the dark night of the soul. My son gets sick; I ask God not to take away my son and my son gets well. He starts talking about being in Heaven--what pastor wouldn’t want that? But...

Todd looks at Sonja, his face full of shame.

TODDI’ve become the worst of things: a preacher who doesn’t believe what he preaches.

Todd’s honesty cuts to Sonja’s heart.

SONJAI’ve been the worst of things too... A wife, and mother, who can’t let go of what she lost, enough to fully appreciate all she has.

This surprises Todd--a reference to something in their marriage that they never speak of.

TODDWhat you lost...? Still?

Sonja nods.

SONJAWe all have our dark nights of the soul. And we all wonder what’s out there, beyond the stars.

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Where babies come from, and where the dying go. That’s why the idea of heaven fascinates and troubles us.

TODDWith Colton it’s more than an idea; for him, it’s real.

Todd sees the shadow pass over her face.

TODDDo you believe him?

SONJAI’m a mother! All I want is for my children to be safe!

Their romantic moment under the stars has turned raw.

SONJALet me put it this way, Pastor Todd: what do you think Mary felt when she saw her son on the cross?

TODDWhat do you think she felt on Easter, when she got the message that life is eternal?

SONJAOur son isn’t Jesus! And I don’t want to see him crucified--or his father either!

They realize their voices have grown too loud. Sonja reaches over and rests her hand on his.

SONJATodd. My father was a minister. My grandfather too. And when I met you, you already knew that you’d be a minister someday too.

TODDAnd you married me anyway.

SONJAThere are a lot of other things I overlooked besides that!

Both of them laugh.

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SONJAI’ve seen it up close. The people who spend their lives trying to lead others to faith pay a secret price. Every doubt of their own feels magnified, into a terrible failure. Like their whole lives have become a lie.

These words ring true in Todd’s heart.

SONJAI want you to know that if you need to leave the ministry, for a little while or for the rest of your life, I’m with you. You will never be a failure in my eyes.

And now, for the first time since all his troubles began, Todd holds his wife and all the emotions that have built up over the past months break out of him.

INT. CHURCH BASEMENT - DAY97 97

The folding chairs are arranged in a semicircle, all facing a single chair: that’s where Todd sits, on the spot. In the chairs facing him are his friends and neighbors--the ones responsible for the governing of the church.

Jay is among them; so is Nancy Phelps; Mr. JACKSON, a mid-fifties farmer, and Mr. BAXTER, sixties, a retired attorney. Baxter takes the lead.

BAXTERThis feels a lot more formal than any of us wanted it to feel.

TODDIt’s okay. You’re the ones who offered me the job here; when it’s all said and done you’re the ones who really run this church.

As Todd says this, his eyes settle on Jay.

TODDIt’s your duty to be sure you have the right person in the job.

JACKSONNo one’s saying you’re the wrong man.

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BAXTERAnd it’s not just the church were supposed to look after and care for, it’s you too.

NANCYWe know how stressful your job is. And on top of that, you’ve had all kinds of personal strain.

Todd sits in a silence that’s uncomfortable for everybody.

BAXTERTodd... We’re prepared for you to have struggles. We’re here to support you. We gave you a leave of absence--then extended it.

TODDTwice.

BAXTERYes, twice. The church isn’t doing well in your absence, and now we need to know...what to plan for.

TODDI wish I could tell you. We talk about ministers having a calling, sharing the divine messages they hear. Maybe I’m being called to sit down and shut up.

Todd laughs--and nobody else does.

TODDI’ve always wanted to be honest--as a husband, a father, a friend or a pastor. And right now I’m lost. Hey, I could get up and say that! Come to think of it, it might be a great sermon.

JAYAt least it would be entertaining. I can’t take any more liturgical dance.

Nancy has been silent--but now she erupts.

NANCYFor me the question isn’t whether you’re preaching--it’s what.

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Everybody looks at her; the cat’s out of the bag.

TODDColton’s trip to heaven disturbs a lot of people. It disturbs me.

NANCYYou take it as an event?

TODDFor him it’s not imaginary. Not fiction, not a metaphor, not a feeling--it happened. And that I take seriously.

Todd realizes, suddenly, that he’s just spoken the truth.

TODDWhat is it that bothers you about it? Come on, we’re friends, let’s talk about it! I need to talk about it!

NANCYAll right! All right. It’s not so much the belief, it’s the response to the belief. The simple, easy explanation of it all!

TODD(considering)

And the way it appeals to simple people?

NANCYNo. ...Yes, okay? Yes! I don’t like the way it makes our church a magnet for everybody who wants to take the brain out of their head and beat it to death with a Bible! And then seem to want to show off how much they believe!

Todd looks at Nancy in sympathy, not in anger; he sees how much she wants to be understood.

NANCYI’m not against faith, I’m not against childlike stories. But faith is hard! It’s hard! It’s struggle and sacrifice and-- and agony sometimes! It’s not all--

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And she waves her hands in the air, the way some of the people did when he mentioned Colton’s story of heaven.

Everybody looks at Todd; even now, he’s their pastor, and they’re looking for him to lead them.

TODDI know. The people who like to wave their hands, and shout Amen and Hallelujah-- I wish I could be like them sometimes. I’m not, but I try to accept them.

NANCYWhy?

TODDBecause they seem to love the majesty of it all. Life is either a random accident, or it’s a gift. Those people waving their hands are acting like they just got a gift--and what Colton tells me says the same thing.

BAXTERSo what do you preach?

TODDI don’t know.

Now it’s the moment of truth.

BAXTERAll of us have times of doubt--that’s why we look to leaders, who sometimes don’t have that...luxury. If you’re going to lead this church, you’ve got to make a decision.

JAYI say we give Todd a little more time.

No one wants to argue.

BAXTERFair enough. One more week. Please let us know.

Everyone nods again. Todd and Jay exchange a glance.

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EXT. CHURCH PARKING LOT - DAY98 98

Todd’s and Jay’s trucks are parked next to each other. As the others are leaving, Todd waits for Jay to move up, and the two of them are left alone in the parking lot.

TODDThanks for stepping up for me.

JAYDon’t thank me. If a week from now you can’t to do the job, you’re gonna have to say that.

TODDWhat do you think will change in a week?

JAYI don’t know, you tell me! We’ve had this conversation--I won’t let this church die!

Jay is getting into Todd’s face--and Todd bristles back.

TODDBecause it’s your family’s church?

JAYExactly!

TODDYou’re my best friend. And your family’s done everything for this church, but it’s not theirs and it’s not mine. It’s God’s!

JAYAmen! Preach that! Say anything!Just preach--or get off the pot.

Jay gets into his truck, and drives away.

EXT. IMPERIAL NEBRASKA - FEDEX WAREHOUSE - DAY99 99

Colton sits in his car seat inside Todd’s pickup truck; his other-worldly blue eyes are gazing at the action figures in his tiny hands...then they shift to--

TODD, STANDING OUTSIDE THE TRUCK, talking on his cell phone; behind him is the Oversize Pick-Up station for the local FedEx office. Something is wrong, and Todd is trying to sort it out on the phone.

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TODD(cell phone)

Yes, Hi, this is Todd Burpo, of Burpo Garage Doors in Imperial, Nebraska. Yes, I-- Burpo, B-U-R-P-O... Yeah, I ordered a couple of your standard doors and they were supposed to arrive today, but they’re not-- Burpo, B-U-R-P-O. Thank you...

Colton still looks at Todd. Todd, as he waits, glances over and sees Colton watching. Todd tries not to look concerned.

TODD(cell phone)

Yes, that’s right! ...Late? How late? I thought since we had sent a partial payment and would--

(beat)No, I understand...

He disconnects, and stands there struggling with the realization that financially now as well as emotionally he’s sinking beneath the waves.

Then he sees Colton again, still staring at him. Todd takes a breath, lifts his shoulders and walks back to the truck; no man wants to look afraid in front of his son.

EXT. IMPERIAL STREETS / HOSPITAL - DAY100 100

Todd drives away from the FedEx office with Colton, who is gazing out the window.

Todd glances at Colton; he isn’t looking at his Dad right now. The worry and pain come onto Todd’s face; he feels something in him is dying: his faith, his pride, something... but a death for sure.

Suddenly Colton erupts.

COLTONDad--Stop! Stop here!

TODDWhat? Why do you--

COLTONThey don’t know! STOP HERE!

Todd pulls the truck to a stop, and realizes they are outside the hospital. Colton is staring up at the hospital windows.

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COLTONI have to tell them.

TODDTell who?

COLTONThem. Take me in. Please.

He turns his blue-eyed stare to Todd. Todd is baffled--but Colton seems so sure, as if he’s just heard a divine instruction.

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY101 101

Todd holds Colton’s hand and they walk together into the hospital. Colton seems like any typical 4-year-old.

COLTONWhere are the children?

Todd, compelled to this mysterious journey by Colton’s innocence and his certainty, looks for the signs that point to: CHILDREN’S WARD.

TODDThey’re upstairs.

Colton leads Todd UPSTAIRS to...

INT. HOSPITAL - CHILDREN’S WARD - DAY 102 102

At first glance it is like any other hospital wing, but the rooms they pass are occupied by sick children and worried parents.

Colton walks along, drawn by some power Todd can’t see.

Colton spots, through the open door of a room, another child about his own age, body emaciated, bald from chemotherapy.

Colton lets go of Todd’s hand and walks straight into the room and up to the child’s bedside. Todd drifts in behind him.

This close, we realize the child is a girl. Her parents, exhausted and hopeless, are sitting near her. They watch in silent awe as Colton grips their daughter’s withered hand.

Colton looks into the girl’s huge eyes.

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COLTONIt’s all right. The first one you’ll see is Jesus.

And the dying girl, looking into Colton’s eyes...smiles.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - CHILDREN’S BEDROOM - NIGHT103 103

Todd looks in on Colton, sleeping peacefully.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT104 104

Todd, now in his pajamas, switches on the light at his desk.

We see the computer screen as he Googles: near-death experiences.

He begins to sort through the various articles that come up. In ULTRA CLOSE shots we see specific words: Hallucination. Drug reaction. Escape from pain.

Todd pauses, lost in thought.

He opens the drawer of his desk and fishes out an old picture: a faded photograph of a man in the wire rim glasses. We have no idea why Todd is drawn to look at this picture now, or why he seems haunted by it...

For some reason, all Todd’s thoughts about heaven, and even Todd’s whole sense of calling to be a minister, is wrapped up in this man. Todd stares at the picture for a long time.

Then he slides the picture back into the drawer.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY105 105

Sonja has served the family homemade pancakes. Colton is finishing his breakfast while Todd stands at the sink next to Sonja and forks a last big bite into his mouth.

TODDOkay, Colton, brush your teeth and let’s get going! Mommie’s got a music conference today.

As Colton scrambles out of the room, Todd puts his plate into the sink and wraps his arms around Sonja, kissing her on the back of the neck.

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SONJAYou haven’t told me how the church board went.

TODDThey extended my leave of absence. But I can’t take money from them for being a pastor when I’m not serving... And the garage door suppliers won’t ship us any more equipment until bring our accounts current.

She takes this in, pausing only briefly.

SONJAWe’ll make it. We’ll find a way.

Sonja keeps washing the dishes.

SONJAYou didn’t come back to bed till it was almost dawn.

TODDI was researching near-death experiences.

Sonja drops a glass in the sink; it shatters into jagged shards. As Todd moves quickly to help her, he notices her hands trembling. He tries to pull her into his arms.

SONJAWe’ve got to move on! You know how much I love our children! I just want them to be happy, and safe, and normal.

TODDMe too. Happy and safe. And as normal as we Burpo’s can be.

She turns back to the sink, and the broken glass.

SONJAWhat are you up to today?

TODDI’m going to drop by the memorial service for the old man who died after the fire in his garage. Jay said they couldn’t find any friends or next of kin.

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SONJABut you’ve got Colton.

TODDI figured I’d bring him. Colton’s never been freaked out in those situations. And he’s a lot of comfort.

SONJAFor the old guy? Or for you?

TODDTouché.

Sonja turns, startled-- Colton has appeared silently at the door. Without thinking she blurts--

SONJAColton! Where did you come from?!

INT. FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL - DAY106 106

The funeral service for the old man Todd saw is being held at the mortuary chapel, and it is sparsely attended. As Todd and Colton arrive, they see only a couple of others scattered in the chairs around the room.

Todd is surprised to see that one of them is Jay. They look at each other warily as Todd and Colton sit down next to him. Jay leans over and whispers--

JAY(whispering)

The lady was a neighbor. The other guy is the mortician. I knew you’d be here--so I came.

And just like that, their friendship is mended.

The NEIGHBOR LADY stands and moves to the front of the room.

NEIGHBOR LADYI didn’t know Mr. Benton very well. But I lived across the street from him for 20 years and I thought I should be here today.

She’s lost at leading the service. Todd nods to her, and tries to encourage her with his expression.

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NEIGHBOR LADYI don’t really know what to say about him. He never spoke to us or came to the neighborhood gatherings we invited him to, but he never yelled at the children. I thought maybe he was lonely. I-- read the article in the paper, about Heaven and I hope he’s not so lonely now.

She looks at Colton, and even sad and lost, she smiles.

EXT. TOWN CEMETERY - DAY107 107

The old man’s coffin is lowered into the grave, with only the Neighbor Lady, Jay, Todd and Colton looking on.

It’s lonely, bleak as death. Todd’s eyes shift toward another grave, THE ONE HE VISITED EARLY IN THE STORY...

Jay glances up and catches Todd’s distant look-- and suddenly a moment of revelation fills Jay’s face.

EXT. TOWN CEMETERY / TODD’S TRUCK - DAY - LATER108 108

They are walking away from the grave when Jay stops Todd.

JAYWhen we buried Nancy’s son... That’s when it started! That’s when you started doubting yourself!

He’s right. Todd realizes it too.

With new empathy, new understanding, Jay leaves Todd and Colton. Todd holds Colton by the hand and leads him through the graves, toward Todd’s truck.

COLTONDid that man know Jesus?

TODDI don’t know. He was scared, he was frail. I hope so. Why do you ask?

COLTONHe had to know Jesus to go to heaven.

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TODDDid I teach you that? Or did you hear it someplace else?

Colton shrugs.

COLTONJesus is in heaven.

TODDSure. And he wants everybody there with him. But--

COLTONWhat?

TODDI’ve known a lot of good people have wrestled with faith their whole lives and never felt settled.I’ve always believed that knowing Jesus is the way to heaven. But I never believed that I know all the ways of knowing Jesus. Does that make any sense?

COLTONSure, I guess so.

They reach the truck; as Todd lifts Colton to his car seat--

COLTONYou had a grandpa named Pop, right?

The very mention stabs Todd.

TODDYep, sure did.

Todd helps strap Colton into the seat.

COLTONWas he your daddy’s daddy or your mommy’s daddy?

TODDMy mommy’s daddy, grandma Ellen’s husband. He passed away when I was about your age.

Colton nods, as Todd finishes and starts to get in himself.

COLTONHe’s really nice.

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Todd freezes, and spins back to Colton.

TODDYou saw Pop. My grandfather. In heaven.

COLTONYes...?

Colton isn’t unsure of what he saw, just unsure of why his father is reacting the way he is.

TODDI’m sorry, Colton, I--

COLTONWhat’s wrong, dad?

TODDI loved my grandfather. He took time with me when my father couldn’t. He taught me to whittle. I still have the slingshot we made together.

COLTONI know. We’ve played with it.

TODDHe was a good man. But he wouldn’t go to church. Nobody in the family knew why, and Grandma Ellen wouldn’t talk about it. And when I heard people say the only way to heaven was to ask Jesus to let you go, I worried that Pop wouldn’t make it. When he died, I prayed for Jesus to let me serve him, so I could help others go to heaven. And maybe even help Pop somehow.

Colton is beaming.

COLTONYou don’t have to worry, dad! He’s there! He came up to me and told me he was your Grandpa and you called him Pop, and he held me in his lap just like Jesus did and told me everything was all right.

CLOSE on Todd’s face, and a sharp transition--

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INT. BURPO HOUSE BASEMENT - DAY109 109

CLOSE ON TODD’S DESK DRAWER

Todd snaps open the drawer and lifts up the picture of his grandfather, showing it to Colton.

TODDThis man? This is who you saw?

But now Colton is frowning. Slowly, he shakes his head.

COLTONNo. That’s not him.

TODDBut that’s Pop. That’s my grandfather.

COLTONThat’s not who I saw.

TODDAre you sure? Look closer.

Colton doesn’t need to look closer; he speaks as if Todd should have known something all along--

COLTONNobody wears glasses in heaven.

Todd sits there baffled.

COLTONCan I go play for a little? When mom gets home she makes me practice ABC’s and stuff.

TODDSure. Go play.

Colton happily skips upstairs. Todd sits pondering.

Then suddenly Todd jumps to his feet and runs upstairs.

INT. BURPO HOUSE GARAGE - DAY110 110

Inside the garage, Todd starts moving big boxes around, shoving them aside, finding a heavy foot locker. He opens it and digs deep until he finds an old picture.

He heads back into the house.

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INT. BURPO HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY111 111

Colton is using his action figures to smash another Lego structure. Todd approaches him, holding his breath.

TODDColton...

Colton looks up. Looks at this picture...

COLTONThat’s the one! That’s Pop!

Todd looks down at the picture: Todd’s grandfather--WHEN POP WAS 25 YEARS OLD.

COLTONIn heaven everybody’s young.

Colton goes back to playing.

Todd sags down onto the couch. He sits there for a long moment, unable to make sense of any of this.

COLTONAre you okay, dad?

TODDAn awful lot of things happened while you were in heaven.

COLTONOh yeah! It was amazing!

Todd just stares at his son. His playful, normal son.

EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - NIGHT112 112

A clear night sky, dazzling with the trillion stars and punctuated by a full moon, soars above the tiny town, and the normal little house where the Burpos live.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT113 113

Todd is sitting at his desk, once more staring at the page, blank but for the single word: Heaven.

He hears someone coming down the stairs; it’s Sonja.

SONJADinner’s ready in 5. Unless you need to keep-- What’s wrong?

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TODDColton saw Pop.

Sonja stands in awkward silence. Todd jerks open his desk drawer and snaps up the picture, waving it at her.

TODDPop. My Grandfather. In heaven.

Now Sonja is starting to worry that Todd is unravelling.

SONJAI don’t know what to make of this.

TODDI don’t have the luxury of not knowing!

He looks up and sees that she’s begun to cry. He stands and reaches to take her in his arms, but she backs away. Todd begins to pace, as he does when he’s passionate or agitated.

TODDEverything Colton says hits me right in the heart. And the thing is, I want to believe him! He’s my son--OUR son--and he’s so innocent, it’s not possible that he’s making it all up. But what he’s saying can’t be possible!

She’s staring at him in worry and fear; Todd grows more agitated as he tries to explain.

TODDWhat he’s describing is a whole massive adventure! Hearing a choir of angels singing... Meeting Jesus, meeting Jesus’ HORSE! Meeting Pop and having a conversation with him! It would take days, weeks to--

And suddenly it hits Todd. He steps back away from her, and whispers almost to himself--

TODD“With God a day is a thousand years--and a thousand years but a day.”

Sonja stares, wondering what’s going on in his inner storm.

SONJAWhat?

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TODDThat’s in Scripture! But I never read Colton those passages, did you?!

The word starts spilling from Todd in an obsessive, almost manic way, talking to himself more than to Sonja.

TODDI mean-- Einstein said the same thing in his theories, and I’m pretty sure Colton hasn’t read those either! Time isn’t relevant in the realm of God.

Todd squeezes his head as if to keep it from exploding. Sonja moves to him, pulls his hands down, comforts him.

SONJATodd, please! Stop obsessing about this, Colton isn’t talking theories or scriptures, he’s telling what he saw. But it has to be some kind of hallucination--what he imagined because of the ideas he’s been surrounded by since the day he was born.

SONJAThen what do I preach?

SONJAI don’t know.

Todd looks at Sonja. And then he looks back at his nearly blank sheet of paper where he’s been trying to write a sermon. And he’s only written one word:

Heaven

INT. BURPO HOUSE - CHILDREN’S BEDROOM - NIGHT114 114

Todd looks in on his children sleeping; they are peaceful...

The moment becomes a MONTAGE, as Todd wrestles with his spirit...

INT. CHURCH - EMPTY - NIGHT115 115

Empty...except for Todd...and God? Todd walks up to the pulpit in the midnight darkness, and tries to speak to him.

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TODDOkay! Here I am! You spoke to Colton, speak to me!

But the church is empty. Dark. And silent.

EXT. TOWN CEMETERY - DAWN116 116

The cemetery at dawn is as silent as the church, and seems as empty...until we find Todd there, standing at the grave of Jake Phelps--killed in Afghanistan. Todd is sitting on a marble bench, staring at the grave, bleak and cold.

Then Todd hears a car door shut, and looks up to see Nancy Phelps, walking across the grass toward him.

In FLASHES OF MEMORY, Todd remembers THE FUNERAL OF NANCY’S SON, JAKE:

--With other people from the church gathered at the 116A 116Agraveside, Todd looks on as a military honor guard hands her the flag that covered her son’s coffin.

--Todd kneels to Nancy... and he has nothing to say.116B 116B

IN THE PRESENT, Nancy reaches Todd at the graveside, and 116C 116Csits down quietly beside him.

NANCYYou. I always figured it was Jay leaving flags and flowers here on my son’s grave.

TODDI failed you, Nancy. The worst moment of your life, a loss beyond comprehension, and I had nothing to give you--no comfort, no hope, no peace.

NANCYI never felt you failed me.

She looks down at the grave, then up at the dawning sky.

NANCYJake and I got ten minutes on the phone, every two weeks. We were five minutes into a call when I heard explosions and he said, “Mama, I gotta go,” and hung up. That was the last time we spoke.

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TODDI--

NANCYNo! You didn’t let me down. You couldn’t take the pain away! And I didn’t want it gone. For awhile pain was all I had of him.

Nancy takes his hand.

NANCYYou don’t have to save the world, Todd. I believe that’s already been done.

(beat)Ever since that church meeting, where I was the bitter, bitchy woman I swore I’d never be, I’ve been thinking. It’s not other people in church that I’m mad at, and it’s not you, or your son--it’s God... Why God would give you back your son, and take mine away.

TODDNancy... I understand. And I want you to know why I understand. When Colton was in the hospital I saw he was dying. And something in me broke, something that still hasn’t mended. I always looked at you and wondered how you could go on, having lost your son. You don’t ever have to apologize to me for the broken part you carry.

Nancy Phelps feels a moment of true grace. She turns her eyes toward the rolling hills and the endless sky beyond.

Then she looks back at Todd.

NANCYDo you-- I have to ask... Do you think my son went to heaven?

Todd sits in a long silence. And from his own journey, an answer comes--

TODDDo you love your son? Still?

NANCYOf course.

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TODDDo you think I love mine?

NANCYI know you do.

TODDDo you think I love my son more than you love yours?

NANCYNo.

TODDDo you think God loves my son more than yours?

Todd has found exactly the right answer. Nancy smiles.

NANCYThank you.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY117 117

Todd stands motionless in his living room, holding the pad he’s trying to write a sermon on. His meeting with Nancy at the grave has brought him to stillness and quiet.

Sonja is folding laundry on the table of the dining room, open to the living room where Todd stands. Colton is there with her, looking quietly out the window.

COLTONMommy?

SONJAWhat, Colton?

COLTONDid you know I have a sister?

For Sonja, this is some of the playful childhood nonsense that mothers hear all day. She glances into the kitchen, where Cassie is listening to music through the earbuds of her iPod as she does the last of her homework before school.

SONJAYes, Colton, I know you have a sister.

COLTONI didn’t know.

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SONJAWhat do you mean, you didn’t know? You didn’t know Cassie is your sister?

COLTONNo, I mean I have two sisters.

Sonja has been rolling through her routine; now she freezes. And Todd’s hearing perks up.

COLTONYou had a baby die in your tummy, didn’t you?

Todd stops cold, then drifts OVER to listen, unseen.

SONJAWho told you I had a baby die in my tummy?

COLTONShe did, mommy. She said she died in your tummy.

Colton starts out of the room.

SONJAColton Burpo, you get back here right now!

COLTONIt’s okay, mommy. She’s okay. God adopted her.

Sonja kneels down in front of Colton, and holds his shoulders, trying to stay calm.

SONJADon’t you mean Jesus adopted her?

COLTONNo, mommy. His dad did.

Now Todd feels he’s hearing a voice from heaven--not only hearing Colton’s account, but seeing his wife come alive again, with a spirit he had no power to give her.

SONJASo what did she look like?

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COLTONShe looked a lot like Cassie. She’s just a little bit smaller, and she has dark hair. In heaven, this little girl ran up to me and she wouldn’t stop hugging me.

SONJAWhat was the little girl’s name?

COLTONShe doesn’t have a name. You guys didn’t name her.

It takes every fiber of Sonja’s being to answer.

SONJAYou’re right, Colton. We didn’t even know she was a she.

COLTONYeah, she said she just can’t wait for you and daddy to get to heaven.

Sonja backs up...staggers...and falls to her knees.

For the first time, Colton seems to realize the effects his reports of heaven are having.

COLTONMommy, are you okay?

Sonja gathers Colton into her trembling embrace. Todd kneels down beside them and holds them both in his arms. She tries telling Colton what Todd already knows...

SONJAWe lost a baby...a few months before she took her first breath...

She looks at Todd, whispering...

SONJAShe’s in heaven.

IN THE KITCHEN, the phone starts to RING, and keeps ringing. Cassie pulls the iPod buds from her ears, grabs her books and leans into the dining room, where she finds her parents embracing. She calls out over music blaring in her ears--

CASSIEI don’t want to be late for school! And the phone’s ringing!!

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Sonja tries to go into mom mode--

SONJAI’m okay, I’ll--

As the phone keeps ringing like an alarm, Todd answers it.

TODD(into phone)

This is Todd.

PHONE VOICEPastor Todd Burpo?

TODDYes.

PHONE VOICEThis is the Dave Weathers Morning Show from KBHB Radio, 1240 on your dial! Can we put you on the air right now?

TODDOn the air?

Cassie, unaware of anything else that’s gone on, comes into the kitchen, shouting above the music in her ear buds--

CASSIEDad, are you gonna drive me to school?!

TODDSure!

The guy on the phone takes that as an answer.

PHONE VOICEGreat! We’re on live with Pastor Todd Burpo, and we’re calling to find out if it’s true that his son went to heaven!

TODD(into phone)

No, I didn’t mean--

PHONE VOICEEverybody here in Imperial followed the story of your sons sickness and people all over town were praying for his recovery.

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Now we’re starting to hear rumors of an amazing trip he took to heaven! Can you tell us anything about that?

TODDI--

PHONE VOICEPastor Burpo? Did we lose you?

TODDNo, I’m here.

PHONE VOICECan you tell us anything about your son’s adventure in heaven?

Todd looks up and sees that Colton has wandered downstairs. Colton’s arms are full of action figures and airplanes. Just a loving boy, waiting to go wherever his dad goes.

Todd knows the time has come for him to make a decision.

TODDCome to Crossroads Wesleyan Church this Sunday morning. And I’ll tell you what I think.

Todd hangs up the phone.

Todd picks up his legal pad, and writes one more entry:

God is love

MONTAGE - TODD’S LONG DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL:

EXT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY118 118

A long line of cars is streaming into the parking lot.

INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY119 119

The church is packed.

Todd walks into the pulpit and looks out over everyone.

He pulls a single sheet of paper from his pocket.

Todd looks at the three entries on his paper:

Heaven

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Only faith opens our eyes

God is love

Todd looks around at the faces in the congregation: his family, his friends, his neighbors. His buddies from the fire station, his acquaintances from the bank, the early morning crowd from the diner. All attentive.

TODDI’m standing here today with wounds that are still healing, fears that are still echoing. In that way, maybe, you’re sitting here this morning exactly like me.

He finds Nancy with his eyes. In the pews behind her he sees several journalists, taking notes as he speaks.

TODDI can say truthfully that the pain I suffered myself was nothing compared to the pain of seeing my son close to death.

For a moment Todd struggles, then pushes on...

TODDAll of this gives me a fuller understanding of how God so loved the world.

Todd looks at his family, all of them, on the front row. And then he sees Dr. Slater, from the college, sitting with a woman who must be his wife.

TODDAnd now we have a question. Was Colton in heaven?

Todd pauses and looks around, truly looking around from his position in the pulpit as if for the first time. His eyes rest on the stained glass window at the rear of the sanctuary; the Bible open on the pulpit before him; the faces of the congregation staring at him, openly, expectantly.

TODDYes. He was in the heaven God showed him.

Jay smiles. Michael, with his family in the pews, sits up straighter, feeling Todd’s courage.

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Rosa, sitting beside him, is holding her baby daughter, now wearing the dress and bonnet Sonja gave her--the ones Sonja had dreamed of giving the baby she miscarried.

Sonja looks at Rosa--and at the baby...and the dress.

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TODDDoes Colton’s experience mean you don’t need faith? No. You need it, Colton needs it, I need it.

COLTON, SITTING IN THE PEW, watches his father finding his old rhythm, his passion, his fire.

TODDIs heaven real? Because if we knew for sure that heaven is real, we’d live different lives!

Todd steps out of the pulpit and begins to move around on the same level as the congregation.

TODDBut would we? Would we? Haven’t we already seen heaven--in the first cry of a baby, in courage of a friend, in the hands of a nurse or a doctor, in a mother’s or father’s love? Haven’t we already had a glimpse of heaven? And haven’t we so often chosen instead the hell of hate and fear?

The congregation is feeling the same power Todd is feeling.

TODDSo is heaven real? God has made each of us so that we must come to our own answer. What we believe changes what we perceive. And what I believe is that God...is...love.

Todd steps back up into the pulpit, remade and reborn.

TODDColton saw Jesus in heaven. Jesus. The very name fills some of you with hope, and some of you with distrust. I know this: Jesus did not come to keep any of us out of heaven, but to point the way for all of us to get there.

Todd sees Katherine Watson, and Lee, her brother--the ones whose dying father Todd prayed for in the hospital.

TODDI believe God called me to be a pastor.

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But did he call me to insist that your vision of heaven be the same as mine?

Todd’s eyes sweep the congregation. A couple of the journalists stop writing and begin to reflect.

TODDOf course not. Did he call me to be a hero like that brave lion or bear or unicorn I preached about? That’s what I wanted. But God had a different plan.

Todd pauses. For a moment it seems he is standing all alone, unaware that he stands before a congregation.

TODDGod crushed my pride. But he didn’t crush me. He broke my heart, and opened it...

Todd looks at his family, his eyes finding Sonja.

TODD...to love.

And for that moment, she feels he is speaking only to her.

TODDTo believe that God is love is easy for me; God has given me so much of it: Sonja, Cassie, Colton... and all of you.

Todd lifts his eyes--to everyone. Now he’s struggling...

TODDAnd all I have to do, the one thing this love requires, is that I love others so that they too may know that God is...

Todd chokes up; he can’t find any more words. Everyone in the church sits there...

And then Colton begins to sing--

COLTON(singing)

“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me...”

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The whole congregation joins in--even the journalists, even Dr. Slater. Sonja stands and moves to Todd on the platform, embracing him, as Colton and Cassie come hug them too.

CONGREGATION(singing with Colton)

“I once was lost but now I’m found was blind but now I see!”

EXT. BURPO HOME - DAY120 120

It seems like a normal day; Sonja walks out to the mailbox to collect the mail. But when she opens the box she’s surprised; it’s FULL of envelopes.

INT. TODD’S GARAGE - DAY121 121

Todd is wearing his work clothes and has a lot large pieces of metal laid out on sawhorses. Colton walks out of the house with a popsycle.

TODDColton! I think I’ve found enough spare parts to build a new door! Come help me! Burpo Garage Doors is back in bid-ness!

Colton moves eagerly to help his father.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY122 122

Sonja has opened the envelopes, many without return addresses. She’s awed, stunned...

INT. TODD’S GARAGE - DAY123 123

Todd is helping Colton learn to use a power screwdriver--

TODDJust hold it firm, you can do it!

He looks up to see Sonja, holding a stack of checks; the look on her face makes him stop.

SONJAFirst it was a check from your Grandma Ellen. Now this...

She holds up the huge stack of checks.

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SONJAI added them up. Almost exactly to the dollar what we owe.

It’s impossible for them not to feel that they are being carried along by a force beyond their understanding.

INT. BURPO HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT124 124

Everything seems strangely back to normal. Cassie sits doing her homework, mirroring Sonja working on the accounting books for the garage door business. Colton sits on the floor, a normal 4-year-old playing with his action figures.

Todd sits with his laptop computer, checking emails.

TODDI’m getting requests to speak, to tell Colton’s story. Colton, do you want to go around and tell people what happened?

COLTONNot if I have to leave home.

TODD(laughs)

Me too.

COLTONMom, can I have some lemonade?

SONJASure.

Colton heads off to the kitchen. Then Todd notices an email. It’s from Jay. He opens it and begins to read.

JAY’S VOICETodd, I just saw this on the news. Intriguing to hear this, after knowing Colton’s experience...

Todd clicks on a link; he begins glancing through pictures he finds there.

TODDHey. This is kind of cool...

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SONJATodd, if you don’t quit interrupting, I’ll never balance the books, Cassie will never finish her homework, and I’ll break your other leg and you will never install another garage door.

TODDBut--it’s really... Jay saw a story about this girl, 8 years old, who is an incredible artist.

(scanning)She’s from Lithuania, now lives in Idaho...she paints pictures from what she calls her visions of heaven.

We see the images on the screen--an angelic girl--THE ONE WE SAW AT THE OPENING OF THE STORY. Painting amazing artworks.

TODD(reading)

”At the age of four she began to describe to her mother he visits to heaven!”

Todd is scrolling through the pictures when he comes upon one with the caption: the Prince of Peace. Colton strolls back into the living room. And suddenly freezes.

Colton stares at the screen, his eyes riveted on the image.

TODDColton...? Colton...?

Sonja and Cassie stand and move so that they too can see.

COLTONThat’s him.

THE IMAGE is a painting of Jesus.

And it is exactly the face that Colton saw in heaven.

COLTON (O.S.)Daddy?

Todd turns from staring at the drawing to find Colton looking up at him.

COLTONDid you ever wonder why Jesus let me come back here?

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Todd nods. Colton smiles.

COLTONIt wasn’t to save me. It was to save you.

As Todd stands and gathers Colton into his arms, we DISSOLVE TO images of the earth--heavenly images like we began with.

As we hear Colton singing Amazing Grace, we SUPERIMPOSE:

AUGUST, 2010: HEAVEN IS FOR REAL IS PUBLISHED

INSERT/STILL: COVER OF HEAVEN IS FOR REAL BOOK125 125

We see the book, with 4-year-old Colton on the cover.

FOUR WEEKS LATER, IT BECOMES A #1 BESTSELLER

EXT. CAFE - DAY126 126

We see shots of the Burpos meeting crowds.

IT REMAINS #1 FOR 85 WEEKS

IT SELLS MORE THAN 8 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE

INT. NY - TODAY SHOW - INSERT/STILL127 127

We see shots of the real Burpos on the Today Show.

COLTON IS A NORMAL TEENAGER

We see Colton in his school life, in hallways, wrestling.128 128

HIS SISTER SAYS HE IS NO ANGEL

INT. CHURCH - DAY129 129

We see all the Burpos as a family, happy.

TODD BURPO IS STILL A PASTOR

We see a shot of the Crossroads Wesleyan Church.

AND HE STILL INSTALLS GARAGE DOORS

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EXT. CHURCH - DAY130 130

We see Todd taking a ladder from his pickup, and we

FADE OUT.

THE END

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