conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me a plot for a book about Postman, Postman\'s, Bethlehem entitled The Postman.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The Postman (film): In an alternate history year of 1998, an unspecified apocalyptic event known only as "The Doomwar" erased almost all technology and caused societal collapse, sending the continents back to the Dark Ages.\nPockets of survivors in more rural areas have formed small villages to maintain some semblance of civilization while others have joined militias and warlords that prey on survivors.\nHorses are the standard for travel, and bartering has replaced currency.\nIn 2013, an unnamed nomad (Costner) enters the Oregon flatlands, trading Shakespearean performances for food and water.\nIn one of the towns, the nomad is impressed into the ranks of the predominant militia, known as the Holnists and run by General Bethlehem (Will Patton).\nWhen he escapes, the nomad takes refuge in a dead postman\'s mail vehicle.\nWearing the postman\'s uniform and carrying the mail bag, he arrives in Pineview claiming to be a postman from the newly restored US government.\nThe Postman inspires a teenager named Ford Lincoln Mercury (Larenz Tate) and swears him into the postal service.\nThe Postman also meets Abby (Olivia Williams).\nWhen the Postman leaves for the town of Benning, he carries a pile of mail left at the post office door by the townspeople.\nDuring a raid of Pineview, General Bethlehem learns of the Postman\'s tales of a restored government and becomes afraid of losing power if word spreads.\nHe burns the American flag and post office, kills Abby\'s husband, kidnaps Abby, and attacks the town of Benning.\nThe Postman surrenders, but Abby saves him from execution, and the two escape into the surrounding mountains.\nA pregnant Abby (fathered by the Postman) and a seriously-wounded Postman ride out the winter in an abandoned cabin.\nWhen spring arrives, they cross the range and run into a girl, who claims to be a postal carrier.\nShe reveals that Ford Lincoln Mercury organized a postal service based on the Postman\'s story.\nThey have established communications with other settlements, creating a quasi-society and inadvertently spreading hope.\nBethlehem is still fighting to suppress the postal carriers, who are mostly teenagers pitted against a better-equipped enemy.\nIn the face of mounting casualties, the Postman orders everyone to disband and writes a surrender letter to Bethlehem.\nHowever, Bethlehem learns to his dismay that the Postman\'s example has spread farther than he could have anticipated when his men capture a carrier from California, and redoubles his efforts to find the Postman.\nThe Postman, Abby, and a small group of postal carriers travel to Bridge City.\nWhen Bethlehem\'s scouts catch up, the enclave leader Tom Petty (played by himself) helps the Postman to escape on a cable car to find volunteers for another army.\nIn a recitation of King Henry V\'s speech prior to the Siege of Harfleur, the Postman rallies himself and his troops to war.\nBethlehem and his army meet the Postman\'s army across a field.\nKnowing the casualties will be great if the armies meet in battle, the Postman instead challenges Bethlehem for Holnist leadership, with their respective troops as witnesses.\nThe Postman wins the fight with inspiration from the "Neither snow nor rain" inscription, and offers Bethlehem a chance to build a new, peaceful world.\nBethlehem lunges to shoot the Postman but is shot by his former first officer.\nThe officer surrenders, and the rest of the militia follows.\nThirty years later, in 2043, the Postman\'s grown daughter (Mary Stuart Masterson) speaks at a ceremony unveiling a statue in tribute to her late father.\nThe modern clothing and technology show that the Postman\'s actions have rebuilt the United States and possibly the other nations of the world.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me a plot for a book about Postman, Holnists, Oregon entitled The Postman.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The Postman: Despite the post-apocalyptic scenario and several action sequences, the book is largely about civilization and symbols.\nEach of the three sections deals with a different symbol.\nThe first is the Postman himself, Gordon Krantz, who takes the uniform solely for warmth after he loses everything but his sleeping clothes.\nHe wanders without establishing himself anywhere and performs scenes from William Shakespeare plays for supplies.\nOriginally a student at the University of Minnesota, he has traveled west to Oregon in the aftermath of the worldwide chaos that resulted from several EMPs, the destruction of major cities, and the release of bioweapons.\nTaking shelter in a long-abandoned postal van, he finds a sack of mail and takes it to a nearby community to barter for food and shelter.\nHis initial assertions to be a real postman build not because of a deliberate fraud (at least initially) but because people are desperate to believe in him and the Restored United States.\nLater, in the second section, he encounters a community, Corvallis, Oregon, which is led by Cyclops, who is apparently a sentient artificial intelligence created at Oregon State University which miraculously survived the cataclysm.\nIn reality, however, the machine ceased functioning during a battle, and a group of scientists maintain the pretense of its working to try to keep hope, order, and knowledge alive.\nEventually, in the third section, as the Postman joins forces with Cyclops\'s scientists in a war against an influx of "hypersurvivalist militia", the Postman begins to find that the hypersurvivalists are being pressed from Oregon\'s Rogue River area to the south as well.\nThe hypersurvivalists are more commonly referred to as Holnists, after their founder, Nathan Holn (many times through the book, curses are uttered that damn Holn for his actions).\nNathan Holn was an author who championed a virulently violent, misogynistic, and hypersurvivalist society.\nHoln himself is said to have been executed sometime before the events in the novel, but in the time following what should have been a brief period of civil disorder, Holn\'s followers prevented the United States from recovering from the war and the plagues that followed.\nAs the story comes to a climax, the Postman allies with a tough tribal group made up of descendents of ranchers, loggers and Native Americans from Southwestern Oregon\'s Umpqua Valley region who are led by a Native American who is a special forces veteran.\nThe Umpqua people have developed a warrior culture very similar to Native Americans of the Old West and are bitter enemies of the Holnists; they have defeated the Holnists at every turn but until the Postman\'s arrival, they were not inclined to help the "weak" townsfolk of the Willamette Valley against the Holnists.\nAt the end of the novel the Postman discovers the Holnists have another organized enemy to the South.\nThe Holnists\' southern enemy is a bit of a mystery, and the Postman is able to identify this Holnist enemy only by the symbol they rally behind: the Bear Flag.\nThe final scenes of the novel give the impression that the groups (symbols) may come together in an effort to revive civilization.\nAnother message of the plot deals with the backstory of the post-apocalyptic world: specifically, that it was not the electronics-destroying EMPs, the destruction of major cities, or the release of various bio-engineered plagues that actually destroyed society, but rather it was the Holnists themselves, who preyed on humanitarian workers and other symbols of civilization.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first long scene for the screenplay.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The Postman
  
  EXT. DESERT LANDSCAPE (UTAH) - DAY
  Jagged mountains defy a dark, foreboding sky. We hear PLODDING HOOVES, CREAKING LEATHER. A lone wanderer appears. Wearing a long coat and a battered hat, he carries a bolt-action carbine. His name forgotten, history remembers him simply as.
  His laden pack mule, BILL, BRAYS, as they pass a battered sign: "The Great Salt Lake Marina." They start down a slope and begin to cross a...
  DRY LAKE BED
  A bizarre, wind-swept sight. Dozens of boats resting lee- to on the dry, cracked earth. It's like God pulled the plug. Rusty mooring chains snake their way around house boats, ski boats and a cabin cruiser or two.
  WOMAN (V.O.) The last of the great cities died when my father was a child. Another victim of yet another war. The plagues followed. And the terrors. The living hid themselves away in tiny hamlets in hopes of surviving whatever new madness conspired to rob them of the little that remained. The Earth itself had fallen prey to chaos. For three years a dirty snow fell that even summer could not erase. The ocean was barren. Poisoned. Near death.
  As continues to cross, the CAMERA PULLS BACK. He's soon lost in the massive vista.
  WOMAN (V.O.) Sixteen long years passed before the great lungs started working again. My father said it was as if the ocean breathed a great sigh of relief...
  A RUMBLE of THUNDER. 
  RAIN begins to fall. The earth just sucks it up at first, but it's coming hard. Rivulets run. Puddles form. We begin to get the feeling that soon these boats will be tugging at the mooring chains once again.
  TRACK a rivulet as it runs, filling up a depression in the sand. And then, running to fill another in a series of depressions. They make a pattern we recognize as --
  MAN'S FOOTPRINTS
  These tracks may already be days old as they fill with rain water. Then, the sound of light, padded FOOTFALLS. A LION ENTERS FRAME. Lean, hungry and dangerous, the big cat has been tracking this man. He lets out a low, disappointed GROWL. The rain has foiled his dinner plans -- for now.
  EXT. HIGHWAY ON-RAMP (UTAH) - DAY
  A bullet-ridden sign reads: "U.S. 84 North." leads Bill down a barren 4-lane. Weeds poke up through the asphalt. The rusting hulk of a car rests in the median, covered in a tangle of purple wisteria. plucks a flower. He sticks it into a buttonhole and continues.
  BILL BRAYS woefully. In answer:
  They near a sign: "Thank You For Visiting Utah." waves, shouts to the sign as he passes it.
  EXT. 4-LANE (IDAHO) - BILLBOARD - DAY
  Bill tugs up weeds as is climbing up a ladder on a highway that razor cuts the plains to the horizon.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me another long scene.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: And five RIDERS THUNDER past. Fooled. All but the SIXTH, who pulls up to listen.
  In the deep b.g., flames lick at the billowing black smoke. The town is burning.
  The HORSE WHINNIES: in its death throes. Abby panics, tries to quiet the horse.
  The Sixth Soldier has heard the suffering horse. He draws his rifle from the saddle boot and starts into the thicket.
  ON ABBY AND POSTMAN
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Swap the first and the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: ON ABBY AND POSTMAN. Fooled. All but the SIXTH, who pulls up to listen.
  In the deep b.g., flames lick at the billowing black smoke. The town is burning.
  The HORSE WHINNIES: in its death throes. Abby panics, tries to quiet the horse.
  The Sixth Soldier has heard the suffering horse. He draws his rifle from the saddle boot and starts into the thicket.And five RIDERS THUNDER past.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last long scene.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: There's an OLDER MAN in the audience who seems especially moved by the statue. There's a younger man beside him.
  OLDER MAN That was me.
  As St. Rose applauds...
  Postman, The Writers : Brian Helgeland Eric Roth Genres : Action Adventure Drama Sci-Fi User Comments
  Back to IMSDb
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Swap the first and the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Postman, The Writers : Brian Helgeland Eric Roth Genres : Action Adventure Drama Sci-Fi User Comments
  Back to IMSDb. There's a younger man beside him.
  OLDER MAN That was me.
  As St. Rose applauds...There's an OLDER MAN in the audience who seems especially moved by the statue.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first short for the screenplay.. Start with the sentence 'The Postman
  
  EXT'.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The Postman
  
  EXT. DESERT LANDSCAPE (UTAH) - DAY1Jagged mountains defy a dark, foreboding sky. We hearPLODDING HOOVES, CREAKING LEATHER. A lone wandererappears. Wearing a long coat and a battered hat, hecarries a bolt-action carbine. His name forgotten,history remembers him simply as.His laden pack mule, BILL, BRAYS, as they pass a batteredsign: "The Great Salt Lake Marina." They start down aslope and begin to cross a...DRY LAKE BEDA bizarre, wind-swept sight. Dozens of boats resting lee-to on the dry, cracked earth. It's like God pulled theplug. Rusty mooring chains snake their way around houseboats, ski boats and a cabin cruiser or two.WOMAN (V.O.)The last of the great cities diedwhen my father was a child.Another victim of yet another war.The plagues followed. And theterrors. The living hidthemselves away in tiny hamlets inhopes of surviving whatever newmadness conspired to rob them ofthe little that remained. TheEarth itself had fallen prey tochaos. For three years a dirtysnow fell that even summer couldnot erase. The ocean was barren.Poisoned. Near death.As continues to cross, the CAMERA PULLS BACK.He's soon lost in the massive vista.WOMAN (V.O.)Sixteen long years passed beforethe great lungs started workingagain. My father said it was asif the ocean breathed a great sighof relief...A RUMBLE of THUNDER. 
  RAIN begins to fall. The earth justsucks it up at first, but it's coming hard. Rivulets run.Puddles form. We begin to get the feeling that soon theseboats will be tugging at the mooring chains once again.(CONTINUED)3.1CONTINUED:1TRACK a rivulet as it runs, filling up a depression in thesand. And then, running to fill another in a series ofdepressions. They make a pattern we recognize as/nobreakspace--MAN'S FOOTPRINTSThese tracks may already be days old as they fill withrain water. Then, the sound of light, padded FOOTFALLS.A LION ENTERS FRAME. Lean, hungry and dangerous, the bigcat has been tracking this man. He lets out a low,disappointed GROWL. The rain has foiled his dinnerplans/nobreakspace-- for now.
  EXT. HIGHWAY ON-RAMP (UTAH) - DAY2A bullet-ridden sign reads: "U.S. 84 North." leads Bill down a barren 4-lane. Weeds poke up throughthe asphalt. The rusting hulk of a car rests in themedian, covered in a tangle of purple wisteria. ThePostman plucks a flower. He sticks it into a buttonholeand continues.BILL BRAYS woefully. In answer:I don't know. And if you ask meagain, I'm going to slug you.They near a sign: "Thank You For Visiting Utah." ThePostman waves, shouts to the sign as he passes it.It's been fun, hasn't it, kids?(to the sign)You're welcome!
  EXT. 4-LANE (IDAHO) - BILLBOARD - DAY3Bill tugs up weeds as is climbing up a ladderon a highway that razor cuts the plains to the horizon.Above, sands atop a billboard catwalk. Hereferences a tattered road atlas, scans the horizonthrough binoculars with one broken lens. He pauses at aUnion 76 ball just visible above the tree line.4.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me another long scene.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: INT. WINNEBAGO - DAY95An old manual crank printing press is working away. Fordproudly removes a sheet, shows it to. Acaricature of eight evil Holnists, forming a figure eight.Beneath: "Unite Against Holnist Tyrraney!"You spelled tyranny wrong.CHUBBY(low, to Red)Boy, he's smart.
  EXT. RV CAMP - GREEN LAWN - DAY96The seven young Recruits seen earlier stand in a line.They're joined by OLD GEORGE, every day of 75 years old.Ponytail holds up her hand, swears them in.PONYTAIL/RECRUITSNeither snow, nor rain, nor heat,nor gloom of night...As they finish, and Ford pass by. TheRecruits salute. Shaking his head, 's about tosalute back when he spots Old George. George has a fadedpurple "AIRBORNE" tattoo on his arm and a twinkle in hiseye. There's an old crow on his shoulder.How old are you?OLD GEORGESeventy-five, sir. looks over at Ford, who shrugs.Can you ride?OLD GEORGENope. Can't walk too good,either.Why are you here?OLD GEORGEI know stuff. looks at Ford again. Then:(CONTINUED)89.96CONTINUED:96(re: tattoo)When did you get that?OLD GEORGE1970. A girl with eyes as big assaucers did me in a little towncalled Saigon.
  EXT. RV CAMP - AIRSTREAM - SUNSET97Carriers move items out of the trailer. The camp isbuzzing as usual. looks on -- sees Abbypassing by.Abby --ABBYYes?He's got her attention, just doesn't know what to do withit.Ford wants me to have his trailer.Said it's the best one.ABBYI'm on the other side of town.I got plenty of room here.She shakes her head, and then walks away. watches her disappear into the bustle of the camp.So much for the uniform theory.
  EXT. HOLNIST WINTER CAMP (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA) - SUNSET98The same sun sets on the Holnist camp.
  INT. BETHLEHEM'S TENT - SUNSET99Bethlehem once again at his easel with palette in hand.He's trying another style -- Impressionism -- and it'sworse than the last. He looks over as Getty and Gibbsapproach with a PRISONER.(CONTINUED)90.99CONTINUED:99BETHLEHEMWhat do you think, Lieutenant?GIBBSCan't tell what it is if you standtoo close. The colors all kindarun together, don't they?BETHLEHEMYes...Bethlehem looks away from his painting to see Gibbs andGetty flanking a scared, blue-clad mail carrier. For aninstant, mistakes him for:BETHLEHEMWell, if it isn't our old friendthe U.P.S. man.GIBBSWe captured him on the Oregonborder.Realizing, Bethlehem turns the face from side-to-side.BETHLEHEMWho the hell are you?CARRIER (PRISONER)Carrier Twelve. United States,um, Postal Service.Getty sets some of the Carrier's anti-Holnist propagandaonto Bethlehem's field table. Bethlehem picks it up.It's hard to say what he's thinking. Finally:BETHLEHEMI want the camp struck at dawn.We're moving north.GIBBSYes, sir.Bethlehem looks back to Carrier Twelve.BETHLEHEM(chilling)You spelled tyranny wrong.91.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last scene.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: EXT. MEADOW - DAY165Bethlehem and riding toward each other. Theymeet when is almost three-quarters of the wayover to the Holnists' side.BETHLEHEM AND POSTMANAs they come face-to-face.BETHLEHEMMy little shipping clerk.We're both a couple of frauds.You know it; I know it.Bethlehem sneers.BETHLEHEMGreat men are made by other greatmen. Patton had Rommel. Granthad Lee. But I get you.You're no fucking general. You'rea copying machine salesman.You're not even a good painter.BETHLEHEMAre you trying to goad me into afight?Wouldn't it be great if wars couldbe fought just by the assholes whostarted them? We could settlethis thing right here. You andme.BETHLEHEMUnfortunately, it doesn't workthat way.It does in your army. kicks his horse up into a gallop, and rides upthe Holnist line. No one, least of all Bethlehem, is surewhat's going on.I invoke law seven of the Laws ofEight! Any man may challenge forleadership of the clan!(CONTINUED)132.165CONTINUED:165BETHLEHEMWhat? wheels his horse around.I challenge you.Bethlehem is caught completely by surprise, but recovers.BETHLEHEMYou're not a Holnist. You're nota member of the clan. You don'thave the right. rolls up his sleeve. He rides the Holnistlines displaying his brand for all to see. The Holnistsmurmur amongst themselves.I have every right. I invoke lawseven!Bethlehem can't believe his eyes.I challenge for leadership of theclan!The seed of doubt is planted. Is Bethlehem violating oneof the Laws of Eight? The men look at one another. Gibbslooks to Getty. Bethlehem looks from 's tattooto his face.BETHLEHEMWhere do I know you from?'Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogsof war.' Remember that?BETHLEHEMShakespeare. The one who didn'twant to fight.I should've found a way to killyou then. But you seemed sostrong.BETHLEHEMLaw seven it is.(to all)This war is settled here!(CONTINUED)133.165CONTINUED: (2)165As nods in agreement.They take their positions -- and without a word -- theykick their horses into a charge. Coming straight for eachother like medieval jousters.Bethlehem reaches for his sword. But before it clears thescabbard, lunges.The horses collide. Bethlehem and hit theground hard.Holnists and Carriers alike begin to move forward for abetter look.The fight is fierce. Bloody. and Bethlehemare at each other like coiled snakes.It's more of a fight than any of the Holnists --especially Getty -- expected. The spectators pull intighter.Both combatants have taken a beating -- and still, theyfight on -- trading bloody, raw-knuckled punches.One of Bethlehem's connects. loses hisfooting, hits the ground -- knocking his head on a rockwith a resounding CRACK. Dazed, he's slow to rise.It's just the moment Bethlehem needs, he straddles thefallen Postman, reaches for his knife with one hand --grabs 's throat with the other.BETHLEHEMI study people. I know yourproblem. Do you know why youcan't fight? can't answer.BETHLEHEMYou have nothing to fight for.You don't care about anything.You don't value anything. Youdon't believe in anything. That'swhat makes me better. grabs Bethlehem's knife-hand -- using all hisremaining strength to keep him at bay.(barely audible)I believe in the United StatesPostal Service.(CONTINUED)134.165CONTINUED: (3)165 lets go of Bethlehem's hands, grabs his beltand pulls him over. As they roll to their feet, ThePostman club-fists Bethlehem on the side of the head.Neither snow...(wham!)Nor rain...(wham!)Nor heat...(wham!)Nor gloom of night...(wham!)Will stay this courier from theswift completion of his appointedrounds...Bethlehem reels, stumbling back. pounces ontop of him, begins to strangle him. Bethlehem tries topry the fingers from his throat, but can't. He's going todie. is urged on. By both sides. Holnists.Carriers. Ford. Even Holnist Luke. He looks up at thefaces -- and finally lets Bethlehem go. The General gaspsfor breath.As Ponytail and Chubby move forward to untie Ford, ThePostman looks to both sides.It doesn't have to be this way.We don't have to kill each other.We can live together. We can --Ford takes Chubby's pistol, sets it against the side ofBethlehem's head.FORDLaw three. Mercy is for the weak.Ford, don't...Bethlehem shakes his head -- doesn't want him to, either.FORDLaw eight. There is only onepenalty and that penalty is death.Ford's going to shoot.(CONTINUED)135.165CONTINUED: (4)165He isn't worth it. I'm the headof the clan now! There are goingto be new laws!(to all)Law one! No more killing!There's going to be peace! looks at carriers and Holnists alike.Who else? Who else has a law?WOMANEveryone has to learn how to read.That's law two. Who else?!CARRIER #1Three. Liberty and justice forall!LUKEFour. No more tattoos.CARRIER #2Law five. Give peace a chance!HOLNIST SOLDIER #2Law six. Mercy is, it's okaysometimes!CARRIER #3Seven! Bring back vacations! nods solemnly, looks to Ford.How about it, Ford LincolnMercury? You give us law eight.Ford grits his teeth.(close -- for Ford)Be a leader, Ford.FORDLaw eight...Ford FIRES! Bethlehem flinches, then sags as he realizesFord has fired into the ground.(CONTINUED)136.165CONTINUED: (5)165FORD... Live and let live. smiles in relief as Ford lowers the revolverand starts to hand the weapon over.Forgotten for an instant, Bethlehem makes a last, wildlunge, grabs Ford's gun.As Bethlehem aims at , a SHOT rings out. Hitin the chest, Bethlehem blinks in amazement before hefalls to the ground, dying. Getty has shot him.BETHLEHEMWould I had bestowed that time inthe tongues that I have infencing, dancing and bear-baiting.Oh, had I but followed the arts...He dies.Grow like savages -- as soldierswill -- that nothing do butmediate on blood.Getty throws his rifle on the ground. Other weapons arelaid down. The war, at long last, is over.Somebody take a letter.CHUBBYHuh?A letter...DISSOLVE TO:
  INT. ABBY'S PLACE (BRIDGE CITY) - DAY166Abby, in bed, holding her new baby in her arms. She'sreading a letter. What she reads makes her smile. Sheputs the letter down and cuddles her baby.ABBYYour daddy wrote to tell you thathe'll be here as soon as he can.And that he loves you very much.Abby looks up to see standing at her door.She looks at him, smiling with tears in her eyes.(CONTINUED)137.166CONTINUED:166Mail's slow. I'll have to seeabout that.Abby smiles down at the child in her arms.ABBYYour daughter. Her name is Hope. takes the tiny child in his arms.WOMAN (V.O.)And so my father returned homeafter the Holnists weredefeated...
  EXT. ST. 
  ROSE - DAY167A beach town. No wall, no sentries, just cottages lininga dozen sand-swept streets. A crowd has gathered to hear's daughter, HOPE, mid-thirties, speak. Besideher, a bearded, 52-year-old Ford in his postmaster'suniform. They stand before a large, tarp-draped statue.HOPEBut he never did see St. Rose.There was too much to be done.He'd made a promise and in keepingit -- he traded one dream foranother. With no regrets. Andso, in honor of my father...She unveils the statue: we've seen this before. It's ThePostman on his horse, low-slung in the saddle, leaningdown to pluck the letter from the Little Boy's hand.There's an OLDER MAN in the audience who seems especiallymoved by the statue. There's a younger man beside him.OLDER MANThat was me.As St. Rose applauds...FADE OUT.THE END
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Reverse the sentences.
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conversations.value: THE END.FADE OUT... Rose applauds.As St.OLDER MANThat was me. There's a younger man beside him.There's an OLDER MAN in the audience who seems especiallymoved by the statue. It's ThePostman on his horse, low-slung in the saddle, leaningdown to pluck the letter from the Little Boy's hand.She unveils the statue: we've seen this before... Andso, in honor of my father. With no regrets.He'd made a promise and in keepingit -- he traded one dream foranother.There was too much to be done. Rose.HOPEBut he never did see St. They stand before a large, tarp-draped statue. Besideher, a bearded, 52-year-old Ford in his postmaster'suniform. A crowd has gathered to hear's daughter, HOPE, mid-thirties, speak. No wall, no sentries, just cottages lininga dozen sand-swept streets. 
  ROSE - DAY167A beach town. ST.
  EXT...)And so my father returned homeafter the Holnists weredefeated.O.WOMAN (V. takes the tiny child in his arms. Her name is Hope.ABBYYour daughter.Abby smiles down at the child in her arms. I'll have to seeabout that.166CONTINUED:166Mail's slow.(CONTINUED)137.She looks at him, smiling with tears in her eyes.Abby looks up to see standing at her door.And that he loves you very much.ABBYYour daddy wrote to tell you thathe'll be here as soon as he can. Sheputs the letter down and cuddles her baby. What she reads makes her smile. She'sreading a letter. ABBY'S PLACE (BRIDGE CITY) - DAY166Abby, in bed, holding her new baby in her arms.DISSOLVE TO:
  INT...CHUBBYHuh?A letter.Somebody take a letter. The war, at long last, is over. Other weapons arelaid down.Getty throws his rifle on the ground.Grow like savages -- as soldierswill -- that nothing do butmediate on blood.He dies...Oh, had I but followed the arts.BETHLEHEMWould I had bestowed that time inthe tongues that I have infencing, dancing and bear-baiting. Getty has shot him. Hitin the chest, Bethlehem blinks in amazement before hefalls to the ground, dying.As Bethlehem aims at , a SHOT rings out.Forgotten for an instant, Bethlehem makes a last, wildlunge, grabs Ford's gun. smiles in relief as Ford lowers the revolverand starts to hand the weapon over. Live and let live...165CONTINUED: (5)165FORD.(CONTINUED)136.Ford FIRES! Bethlehem flinches, then sags as he realizesFord has fired into the ground...FORDLaw eight.(close -- for Ford)Be a leader, Ford.Ford grits his teeth.How about it, Ford LincolnMercury? You give us law eight. Mercy is, it's okaysometimes!CARRIER #3Seven! Bring back vacations! nods solemnly, looks to Ford. Give peace a chance!HOLNIST SOLDIER #2Law six.CARRIER #2Law five. No more tattoos. Liberty and justice forall!LUKEFour. Who else?!CARRIER #1Three.That's law two.Who else? Who else has a law?WOMANEveryone has to learn how to read. I'm the headof the clan now! There are goingto be new laws!(to all)Law one! No more killing!There's going to be peace! looks at carriers and Holnists alike.165CONTINUED: (4)165He isn't worth it.(CONTINUED)135.Ford's going to shoot. There is only onepenalty and that penalty is death.FORDLaw eight.Bethlehem shakes his head -- doesn't want him to, either...Ford, don't. Mercy is for the weak.FORDLaw three. We can --Ford takes Chubby's pistol, sets it against the side ofBethlehem's head.We can live together.We don't have to kill each other.It doesn't have to be this way.As Ponytail and Chubby move forward to untie Ford, ThePostman looks to both sides. The General gaspsfor breath. He looks up at thefaces -- and finally lets Bethlehem go. Even Holnist Luke. Ford.Carriers. Holnists. By both sides. is urged on. He's going todie. Bethlehem tries topry the fingers from his throat, but can't. pounces ontop of him, begins to strangle him.Bethlehem reels, stumbling back...(wham!)Will stay this courier from theswift completion of his appointedrounds...(wham!)Nor gloom of night...(wham!)Nor heat...(wham!)Nor rain...Neither snow. As they roll to their feet, ThePostman club-fists Bethlehem on the side of the head.165CONTINUED: (3)165 lets go of Bethlehem's hands, grabs his beltand pulls him over.(CONTINUED)134.(barely audible)I believe in the United StatesPostal Service. grabs Bethlehem's knife-hand -- using all hisremaining strength to keep him at bay. That'swhat makes me better. Youdon't believe in anything.You don't value anything.You don't care about anything.BETHLEHEMYou have nothing to fight for. Do you know why youcan't fight? can't answer. I know yourproblem.BETHLEHEMI study people.It's just the moment Bethlehem needs, he straddles thefallen Postman, reaches for his knife with one hand --grabs 's throat with the other. Dazed, he's slow to rise. loses hisfooting, hits the ground -- knocking his head on a rockwith a resounding CRACK.One of Bethlehem's connects.Both combatants have taken a beating -- and still, theyfight on -- trading bloody, raw-knuckled punches. The spectators pull intighter.It's more of a fight than any of the Holnists --especially Getty -- expected. and Bethlehemare at each other like coiled snakes. Bloody.The fight is fierce.Holnists and Carriers alike begin to move forward for abetter look. Bethlehem and hit theground hard.The horses collide. But before it clears thescabbard, lunges.Bethlehem reaches for his sword. Coming straight for eachother like medieval jousters.They take their positions -- and without a word -- theykick their horses into a charge.165CONTINUED: (2)165As nods in agreement.(to all)This war is settled here!(CONTINUED)133.BETHLEHEMLaw seven it is. But you seemed sostrong.I should've found a way to killyou then. The one who didn'twant to fight.' Remember that?BETHLEHEMShakespeare.BETHLEHEMWhere do I know you from?'Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogsof war. Bethlehem looks from 's tattooto his face. Gibbslooks to Getty. Is Bethlehem violating oneof the Laws of Eight? The men look at one another.I challenge for leadership of theclan!The seed of doubt is planted. I invoke lawseven!Bethlehem can't believe his eyes.I have every right. The Holnistsmurmur amongst themselves. He rides the Holnistlines displaying his brand for all to see. rolls up his sleeve. You don'thave the right. You're nota member of the clan.BETHLEHEMYou're not a Holnist.Bethlehem is caught completely by surprise, but recovers.I challenge you.165CONTINUED:165BETHLEHEMWhat? wheels his horse around.I invoke law seven of the Laws ofEight! Any man may challenge forleadership of the clan!(CONTINUED)132. No one, least of all Bethlehem, is surewhat's going on. kicks his horse up into a gallop, and rides upthe Holnist line.It does in your army.BETHLEHEMUnfortunately, it doesn't workthat way. You andme.BETHLEHEMAre you trying to goad me into afight?Wouldn't it be great if wars couldbe fought just by the assholes whostarted them? We could settlethis thing right here.You're not even a good painter. You'rea copying machine salesman.You're no fucking general. But I get you. Granthad Lee. Patton had Rommel.BETHLEHEMGreat men are made by other greatmen.Bethlehem sneers.You know it; I know it.We're both a couple of frauds.BETHLEHEMMy little shipping clerk.BETHLEHEM AND POSTMANAs they come face-to-face. Theymeet when is almost three-quarters of the wayover to the Holnists' side. MEADOW - DAY165Bethlehem and riding toward each other.EXT
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first two paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The Postman
  It was still light enough to read after the evening meal, and the sun was out for the first time in days. Nevertheless, a crawling chill ran up and down his back as the mad dialectic echoed within his head.
  But beyond that, Gordon was impressed mostly with the magnitude of Nathan Holn's madness. Bezoar and Macklin had to be completely crazy if they thought these ravings would convert him to their plans!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me four more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The smugness on that face was too much to bear. Gordon reached for anything at all to try to wipe it off. "You'll never win, Macklin. Even if you burn Corvallis, if you crush every village and smash Cyclops to bits, people will never stop fighting you!"
  The smile remained, unperturbed. The General tsked and shook his head. "You thought I didn't know about your mission? Oh, Mr. Krantz, why do you imagine I arranged to have your party ambushed, and to have you brought to me? I know all about the Squire's refusal to help anyone outside the line from Roseburg to the sea.
  There was no way to answer that except by silence. Macklin tapped Gordon with his stick, just hard enough to set him rotating again. As a result, Gordon found it hard to focus when the front door opened and a pair of heavy moccasins padded into view.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Add another sentence about Normans, Saxons, Romans, laughed.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The smugness on that face was too much to bear. Gordon reached for anything at all to try to wipe it off. "You'll never win, Macklin. Even if you burn Corvallis, if you crush every village and smash Cyclops to bits, people will never stop fighting you!"
  The smile remained, unperturbed. The General tsked and shook his head. "Do you think us inexperienced? My dear fellow, how did the Normans domesticate the proud, numerous Saxons? What secret did the Romans use to tame the Gauls?
  Macklin laughed at the expression on Gordon's face. "You thought I didn't know about your mission? Oh, Mr. Krantz, why do you imagine I arranged to have your party ambushed, and to have you brought to me? I know all about the Squire's refusal to help anyone outside the line from Roseburg to the sea. 
  There was no way to answer that except by silence. Macklin tapped Gordon with his stick, just hard enough to set him rotating again. As a result, Gordon found it hard to focus when the front door opened and a pair of heavy moccasins padded into view.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last five paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Gordon rode past an open window blaring recorded music. Someone was being lavish with electricity today. Who knew? Maybe the raucous extravagance was even in his honor.
  His head lifted, and even the horse's ears flicked up. It was an old Beach Boys tune, he recognized at last, one he hadn't heard in twenty years... a melody of innocence, unflaggingly optimistic.
  Dean Ing, Diane and John Brizzolara, Astrid Anderson, Greg Bear, Mark Grygier, Douglas Bolger, Kathleen Retz, Conrad Halling, Pattie Harper, Don Coleman, Sarah Barter, and Dr. James Arnold all contributed helpful comments.
  Appreciation to Lou Aronica and Bantam Books, for excellent support and understanding, and to Shawna McCarthy of Davis Publications, for more of the same.
  And finally, my thanks to those women I've known who have never ceased to startle me, just when I've grown complacent and need most to be startled, and who make me stop and think.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Gordon rode past an open window blaring recorded music. Someone was being lavish with electricity today. Who knew? Maybe the raucous extravagance was even in his honor.
  His head lifted, and even the horse's ears flicked up. It was an old Beach Boys tune, he recognized at last, one he hadn't heard in twenty years... a melody of innocence, unflaggingly optimistic.
  Dean Ing, Diane and John Brizzolara, Astrid Anderson, Greg Bear, Mark Grygier, Douglas Bolger, Kathleen Retz, Conrad Halling, Pattie Harper, Don Coleman, Sarah Barter, and Dr. James Arnold all contributed helpful comments.
  Appreciation to Lou Aronica and Bantam Books, for excellent support and understanding, and to Shawna McCarthy of Davis Publications, for more of the same.