COREY If you want to be an architect, t...

COREY

If you want to be an architect, then why are you here?

C.J.

What do you mean?

COREY

If you want to build skyscrapers, you’ll need to go to college somewhere to study architecture. Why don’t you just do that?

C.J.

(turning back to his rope) That’s not how things are done—not out here.

COREY

But—

(JOE TAYLOR enters, limping with a cane, unnoticed by C.J.)

C.J.

(turns back, angrily) Just leave it alone, will you?

(sees JOE and sighs) Great. Here comes my dad.

JOE

(gruffly) What’s going on out here?

C.J.

Just talking to these folks for a minute.

JOE

You have chores to do.

C.J.

I know.

JOE

And after you’re done with those chores, you have even more chores.

C.J.

(annoyed) I know, Dad.

JOE

(steps close to C.J.) Don’t take that tone with me, boy.

C.J.

I’m not a boy, Dad.

JOE

(mockingly) Ohhh, so now that a couple of girls come strolling by, you’re some big, tough, man are you?

(to COREY and REESE) Did he tell you when he’s done with his work for the day he goes up in his room and colors pretty little pictures?

C.J.

(through gritted teeth) They’re not pictures, Dad, they’re designs, and I don’t color them. I use precises measurements and tools to design those buildings.

JOE

(laughs) Skyscrapers! Can you believe it? Out here in South Dakota, where the land stretches out for miles…untainted…untamed.

(puts his arm around C.J.) And this boy wants to put a skyscraper right smack dab in the middle of it.

C.J.

Oh, trust me, I don’t want to put a skyscraper anywhere near here.

(shrugs off JOE’S arm) In fact, if I had my way, I’d put a skyscraper as far away from here as possible!

JOE

Yeah, well, keep dreaming, boy, ‘cause you ain’t going nowhere. Nope, it’s a rancher’s life for you, whether you like it or not. The sooner you put away those pipe dreams, the better off you’ll be. Take my word for it.

(turns and starts to exit, calling over his shoulder) Now stop trying to impress those girls and get back to work. Those cow patties aren’t going to haul themselves.

(exits)

C.J.

(turning back to his rope) And that’s why I’m still here.

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