Antler to Antler - Part 2
#2 of Antler to Antler
EXT. FOREST CLEARING - NIGHT
Bracken rubs his antlers against a tree, trying to work out a soreness in them. Stag steps up with a grin.
STAG: You're going to have to be prepared to fight more than one buck for any single doe you know.
BRACKEN: Yeah? And what about you? I haven't seen you doing any of the fighting today.
Stag CHUCKLES.
STAG: You think any of these babes here are my type? No. Only a doe of true beauty is worth my time.
Bracken shifts awkwardly.
BRACKEN: And you're confident you won't loose her?
Stag's eyes darken.
STAG: No buck would dare challenge me, I can assure you. Anybody who did would live to regret it.
EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DAY
A new day Sun rises above the clearing.
Bracken faces off against another Buck, looking one another in the eye.
They charge, antlers locking, driving each other back, hoofs turning dirt.
Bracken fights hard, chasing the Buck away, only to be charged by another a moment later. This time he's ready. He fights back, but it drives him down.
The second Buck walks away from the Rut with a doe.
Bracken picks himself up, ready for another fight.
He challenges another Buck, easily sending him off, but then there's another, and another, the third one overcoming him.
Buck after Buck Bracken fights. Most he overcomes, but there is always another who manages to walk away with the doe.
But finally, CHEST HEAVING, no more bucks stand against him.
Bracken turns, "his" Doe, ELM, standing behind him. Slowly his face falls with weariness. The doe looks at him and turns toward the trees.
ELM: You coming?
Bracken looks at her, then the clearing, then back to her.
BRACKEN: Yeah.
As they begin to walk from the clearing, Bracken notices Elm glancing at the buck he had just now defeated. The buck looks deflated.
Shaking his head, Bracken turns to continue after Elm--
And stops.
From the trees, opposite the clearing, emerges the most beautiful doe, FERN, soft fur, features perfect, but most of all, her soft eyes filled with sincerity.
ELM: Bracken?
Bracken looks back at Elm. She follows his his gaze to Fern, then SIGHS.
ELM: Seriously?
Bracken looks at her. Elm inspects him, frowning. Bracken looks back at the other buck that he'd just won against.
BRACKEN: Listen. See that buck over there? I think you'd be much happier with him. You should go.
Bracken gently nudges Elm away. Elm hesitates, but then turns to leave. Then Bracken heads off in his own direction.
As Bracken makes his way across the clearing toward Fern. He glances back to see Elm talking with his last opponent. The Buck looks up at him, and Bracken nods. With that, the Buck and Elm walk together from the clearing.
Bracken reaches Fern, and stands before her. He bows his head.
BRACKEN: Hello. If you will allow me to introduce myself, I'm Bracken.
Fern looks at him, up and down. Finally--
FERN: I'm Fern. Nice to meet you.
Another doe, MAPLE, steps form the trees, serious and skeptical, and stands behind Fern. She notices Bracken.
MAPLE: Oh, hello. What's this?
Fern looks at Maple.
FERN: It looks as if bucks are already taking an interest in me. (to Bracken) Don't worry, this is my sister Maple. (glances around the clearing) Have you been here awhile?
BRACKEN: Just since yesterday. Want me to show you around?
Fern opens her mouth to answer, but before she can say anything, Stag butts in from nowhere and steps before Fern.
STAG: Hello there lady. I'm Stag. With beauty such as yours, I couldn't help but feel your presence calling upon my heart.
Fern looks at him, strong muscles, confident demeanor. Fern bows her head shyly.
FERN: I'm charmed.
STAG: Allow me to show you around. I know all about these sort of gatherings.
Bracken takes a step forward, but Stag steps in front of him, staring him down, giving him a warning glance.
Fern looks at Bracken and shrugs apologetically, and Stag leads her away.
Maple turns to Bracken, noticing the expression on his face.
MAPLE: You know, this Stag wouldn't be a bad partner for Fern. He's strong and would be sure to ward off any danger. I think Fern deserves the best.
With that, Maple trots away leaving Stag's earlier words ECHOING in the air.
STAG (V.O.): No buck would dare challenge me... Anybody who did would live to regret it.
Meanwhile, another Buck, PINE, watches Bracken, quietly from the sidelines, eyes filled with jealousy.