Torcano!

Lake of Fire

EXT. KANSAS COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

A peaceful country scene is interrupted.  The earth RUMBLES and shakes.  Crows take flight from the field.  A giant fissure rends the earth, revealing the a red swath of magma.
A white rabbit approaches the lake, sniffs it, and bursts into flames.

KANSAS COUNTRYSIDE - LATER

A news crew is gathered near the a lake of smoldering lava.  An NEWSWOMAN stands in front of the CAMERAMAN.  A white-coated SCIENTIST stands next to her.  Several bystanders are there to see the newly-formed volcanic lake.

The Newswoman addresses the camera.

NEWSWOMAN

Scientist are still puzzled, as volcanic activity was not previously thought to exist in this otherwise peaceful stretch of Kansas countryside.

She holds the microphone near the Scientist.

SCIENTIST

That’s correct, Julie.  This is a total surprise for all of us.

NEWSWOMAN

Is there any possible harm that could come from this lava lake?

SCIENTIST

The lake seems to have stabilized.  There’s no need to worry.  In fact, I could see Maynard County developing quite the tourism industry.

WACKO, a bearded old man, rushes the Newswoman and seizes the microphone.  He rants toward the camera.

WACKO

We’re all going to die!  This is the end!  Funnel of fire!  Funnel of fire!

He holds up the smoldering rabbit carcass and throws it toward the camera.  The Cameraman steps out of the way.

CROWD

The rabbit lands near the feet of HENRY West and his wife DEBORAH, a farm couple in their late thirties.  DOROTHY, their nine-year-old daughter SCREAMS and cowers behind her father. 
PETE, their twelve-year-old son stands his ground.

The crowd, tired of the spectacle, begins to disperse.

Pete picks up the carcass with a stick and holds it up for all to see.

PETE

There’s nothing to be afraid of, Dorothy.  It’s just a dead old rabbit.

DOROTHY

(frightened)

I don’t like it!  I don’t like it!  Daddy, make him stop!

HENRY

That’s enough now, son.

Pete drops the rabbit and stick.

PETE

Aw, jeez.

DOROTHY

Do you think what that old man said was true, Henry?

Henry mulls it over.

HENRY

He made some pretty good points, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.

A strong gust of wind blows, taking Henry’s hat from his head.  Pete retrieves it for him.

HENRY (CONT’D)

We’d better get home so your mom can start supper.

They begin to walk toward the family’s beat-up old pickup truck.

DOROTHY

Can I feed Graciela tonight, daddy?

DEBORAH

Don’t get too attached to her, now.

HENRY

It’s okay.  Feeding her once won’t hurt.

EXT. BARN - DUSK

It is a windy evening.  Dorothy walks toward the barn carrying a plate full of food.

INT. BARN

Graciela, a large holstein cow, waits in the pen.  Dorothy rushes up to her and begins to pet her.

DOROTHY

Graciela!  How are you, sweetheart?

She lifts a plate of pork roast, green beans, and mashed potatoes under the cow’s nose.

DOROTHY (CONT’D)

Look what I brought.

The cow begins to eat as Dorothy holds the plate.  Pete appears in the doorway.

DOROTHY (CONT’D)

Isn’t that good, girl?

PETE

(calling out)

Dad wants you inside, now.

DOROTHY

(protesting)

But why?

PETE

There’s a tornado warning on t.v.

DOROTHY

I’ll be in in a minute.

PETE

He said if you don’t come in right now he’s gonna tan your hide.

Pete runs off.

DOROTHY

Oh, all right.

She pets Graciela one last time.

DOROTHY (CONT’D)

I’ll see you tomorrow, girl.

She runs off toward the house.