“THE ELUSIVE HUMBOLDT MARTEN”
By
Jerrod Weston
EXT. NORTHERN CA, DEEP FOREST – DAY
A man in his mid-50s, JACK, stands still, listing to the forest. He’s holding a Nikon F and various camera bags are wrapped around his Woolrich plaid shirt. We recognize that Jack is a photographer of a past era.
Something stirs nearby. He slowly lowers himself to the ground and quietly pulls himself through a shrub.
Mere feet away is a wolverine. A moment of disappointment crosses Jack’s face, but he lightly smiles to himself and takes a photo without disturbing the animal. The wolverine looks at him, turns, and goes.
EXT. CABIN IN THE WOODS, DRIVEWAY – LATER, SAME DAY
Still wearing the same gear, Jack steps around a gate that closes off the driveway. A sign on the gate reads “No Trespassing”.
As he walks toward a humble cabin ahead, he passes another sign, “Trespassers Will Be Shot”.
A few steps later he hears a voice from behind-
MERVE (OFF)
Hey, Jack!
Behind Jack, MERVE the mailman is hustling to catch up. Jack looks over his shoulder but continues to the cabin- he’s clearly annoyed.
MERVE
I saw you hadn’t checked your mail in a while… got worried… thought I’d look in on you.
Without stopping, Jack grunts and waves him away.
SHASTINA, a local native American about 50 and Jack’s wife, exits the cabin to rescue her husband. Her clothes and appearance indicate she’s lived off the land a very long time.
SHASTINA
Hi Merve! What are you doing up here?
(to Jack)
I’ll remind him.
MERVE
You got a letter from your son Bob a while back…
Jack enters the cabin.
INT. CABIN – CONTINUOUS
The cabin is quite simple with only the most basic amenities. The only thing that seems like it was produced within 20 years are the countless photos of local animals displayed everywhere.
Jack takes off his packs and sets them next to a crate filled with film cartridges, each labeled with a sticker and number. He puts a couple stickers on a few rolls of film he unpacks, labels them, and starts writing in a log.
Shastina enters carrying the opened letter.
SHASTINA
Bob’s coming to pick up the film sooner than you thought. He says the publisher is moving the date up.
(checks calendar)
He’ll be here in four days. I’ll make us something special/
JACK
Four days. Damn… Damn! Still no sign of the Humboldt marten.
SHASTINA
That list was a mile long. They couldn’t expect you to get every single one. I’m sure it’s OK to be one short.
JACK
The whole issue will be dedicated to extinction. They were very specific about the few I needed to find… to bring them attention.
(beat)
It’s my chance to make a difference.
He sits to ruminate. She smiles at him-
SHASTINA
I’ll make you some soup.
INT. CABIN – NIGHT
We can hear the rain. Jack and Shastina are at a small table with empty bowls and plates. He sips a coffee, looking at nothing. She’s concerned.
JACK
Maybe, when was that… I saw one at the creek past the north ridge… or was…
(trails off)
Shastina gets up, touches his shoulder, goes to an old chair, wraps an old blanket around herself, and sits.
SHASTINA
There’s a belief that you can find what you’re looking for. No matter what it is. Anything. We call it magic now… but the world listens. The world provides when you need it.
It takes three days. Alone. On the fourth, the thing you need will appear. But most who have tried, have failed. They lacked conviction.
The rain is louder. She has his attention.
SHASTINA (CONT.)
On the first day, you can think only of your goal. You must imagine it clearly- and only that. No distractions. On the second day, you must imagine the feeling you will have when you find it. Attach every emotion you have to the object. And on the third day, you must believe that you already have it. There can be no doubt whatsoever. It’s scary to imagine we have such power.
(thunder in the distance)
And that’s why one must be careful. If your mind is clouded with doubt, or worse, anger- only corruption can be delivered. An endless corruption.
They watch each other in silence. More rain. He nods. Lightning flickers in the window.
EXT. CABIN – DAWN
Jack leaves the cabin and goes down the damp driveway. He’s carrying quite a bit more gear this time. Shastina watches from the window.
EXT. CREEK – DAY
Sweating, Jack comes through the brush and goes to the creek. He gets himself some water.
EXT. RIDGE – DAY
Jack stands on the edge of a ridge, staring at the landscape. Serious. He closes his eyes.
His gear rests by the creek a bit off.
EXT. CREEK – DUSK
Jack sits and stares at his fire. He has a few things nearby.
EXT. WOODS – DAY
Jack walks through the woods with a content smile.
EXT. CREEK – NIGHT
Laying under the stars, Jack stares up, fulfilled.
EXT. CREEK – DAY
Naked, Jack lowers himself into a cold pool. His eyes are wide. Certain. Convicted.
Laying in the water, he submerges as much of himself as he can, almost floating with his face to the sky.
EXT. CREEK – NIGHT
Next to the fire, Jack carefully cleans his camera.
FADE OUT
EXT. FOREST – DAWN
Jack moves carefully through the woods, eyes open, looking everywhere. Senses fully aware.
He spots an eagle feeding chicks. Keeps going.
EXT. FOREST – LATER, DAY
Jack secretly watches a pack of wolves. They are hunting something. A hare tears out of a bush and a frenzy follows.
Jack moves on.
EXT. FOREST – LATER, DAY
Jack has his Nikon to his eye. Through it he’s focusing on… a fisher. Damn.
He decides not to take a photo and moves on.
EXT. FOREST – LATER, DUSK
Jack’s still searching, but he’s clearly tired now. His Nikon dangles, bouncing as he walks.
Then he sees something ahead. A critter, which could be…
He lifts the camera, focuses, and has the shot of the elusive Humboldt marten- but a LARGE MAN steps in front his view as he takes the photo.
LARGE MAN
Quiet. There’s a Humboldt/
JACK
Ya stupid ape!
The large man realizes he’s in the way of a picture, shyly apologizes with a wave, and tiptoes off.
But there’s now no sign of the marten.
EXT. CABIN, DRIVEWAY – LATER, NIGHT
Jack, with all his gear, walks past a truck in the driveway.
INT. CABIN – CONTINUOUS
BOB, mid-30s, is already greeting his father as he enters. They hug.
BOB
Mom says you’ve been out days looking for one last picture. Did you find it?
Shastina understands and moves to the stove.
SHASTINA
I’ll pour you some soup.
JACK
Maybe…
He holds up a cartridge- then drops it in the crate with the others. He doesn’t bother making a note.
JACK (CONT.)
I guess we’ll know if I see it in the next issue.
They go sit as Shastina brings over a bowl of soup.
FADE OUT
EXT. CABIN, DRIVEWAY – DAY
Bob’s truck pulls up. He’s with another man, ROGER, who carries an envelope and is grinning ear to ear.
As they go to the door, Jack comes out of the outhouse off to the side. Jack looks at Roger with disdain.
They go to him as Jack pumps some water and rinses his hands.
BOB
Hey dad. Sorry to barge in on you but we developed your pictures and… I can’t believe you didn’t say anything. It’s extraordinary.
Jack wipes his hands on his pants.
JACK
(suspicious)
Is that good?
BOB
This is Roger Patterson. He’s an expert on… oh it’s wild to say. He founded the Northwest Research Foundation and wrote the book Do Abominable Snowmen of America Really Exist?
Dad. Roger is the country’s foremost expert on Bigfoot.
Roger offers to shake hands. Jack doesn’t reciprocate.
JACK
Wet.
Roger instead takes a picture out from the envelope.
ROGER
Mr. Gimlin, I couldn’t believe it when Bob showed me your photo. I’ve been searching this region for eight years- and you got his picture! It’s absolutely marvelous. Where did you see him?
Roger shows Jack the photo. It’s a blurry Bigfoot.
JACK
That’s not the abominable snowman. It’s just an asshole who stepped in front of my-
(squints at photo)
Ah, you can just see the Humboldt marten’s tail behind him there. A moment later he was gone.
ROGER
How big was he? Looks like he could be six and a half, maybe over seven feet tall.
JACK
(to Bob)
Take the expert over there near Bluff Creek. Bring a camera in case you spot the marten.
Jack goes to the cabin. Roger turns to Bob, disappointed.
BOB
How about I round us up a few horses and we camp out there a few days?
ROGER
I should rent a video camera.
FADE OUT
EXT. CABIN – DAY
JOHN, about 50, walks up the driveway. Jack comes out straight at him.
GREEN
Jack Gimlin? I’m John Green, an investigative journalist/
JACK
What the hell is it with all you reporters!? Can’t you read? Get the hell off my property!
GREEN
I’ve spoken with your son and he said/
JACK
Shastina! Bring my rifle!
GREEN
That you really hate people. Good day sir.
John leaves in a hurry.
FADE OUT
EXT. CABIN – DAY
POV: Selfie from a phone camera.
A BLOGGER wearing a sasquatch t-shirt is talking while showing the area. The cabin is now covered in Bigfoot signage.
BLOGGER
Check it out! I’m at the childhood home of the legendary Bob Gimlin. His father was the first person to photograph a sasquatch, which he referred to as the ape man. Now it’s a museum and a must-see stop on the way to Bluff Creek. Let’s see what they’ve got inside.
THE END