Written By Phil Kane
EXT. DAY MOUNTAINSIDE
A man, THE SEEKER, exhausted and unshaven in worn out clothes is stumbling up a mountain trail.
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EXT. DAY MOUNTAINSIDE CONTINUOUS
An old man, THE WISE-MAN sitting with his legs crossed looking calm and content, exuding wisdom next to a stunted-wind-weathered-beaten old tree.
The seeker falls to his knees, looking up he sees the wise-man, forcing a smile across his face. He gets up and stumbles forward up the trail.
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EXT. DAY MOUNTAINSIDE CONTINUOUS
The seeker is face to face with the wise-man, he falls to his knees (kowtow), breathing hard, looking tattered and torn.
THE SEEKER
Illustrious one, I am a seeker from afar seeking the meaning of life. I’ve been told you’ve spent half your life meditating under this tree. Can you tell me? What is the meaning of life?
The wise-man turns his head to the stunted-wind-weathered-beaten old tree next to him and with clarity and exuding radiance, enlightenment and truthfulness he spoke.
THE WISE-MAN
It is this tree, my son.
The seeker stands up slowly, in bewilderment and disbelief.
THE SEEKER
(yelling)
This tree. This tree. You’re telling me the meaning of life, is this tree?
THE SEEKER
After I’ve traveled across half the world, no, no, across the whole world, spending my family’s fortune, seeking out the meaning of life. After following such Holy-men as the Tibetan Monks, the Brahmin’s of India, the Buddhist’s of Japan, the Taoist’s and Confucianist’s of China, after studying the Kabbala, the Torah, and the Talmud under the tutelage of Rabbi Kook, after studying the words of love from Jesus of Nazareth, after learning Arabic so I could read the words of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Mohammed in the Koran, after studying the teachings of Don Juan, the Pagan religions of the Druids, Mithras and other Sun Worshipers, after delving into Native American religions and the crazy new age beliefs in the Northwest you’re going to sit there and tell me that the meaning of life is this stunted-wind-weathered-beaten old tree.
THE WISE-MAN
(with a look of shock and bewilderment )
You mean it’s not?