15x08 - Brand New Day

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Heartland". Aired: October 2007 to present.*
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A multi-generational saga set in Alberta, Canada and centered on a family getting through life together in both happy and trying times.
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15x08 - Brand New Day

Post by bunniefuu »

AMY: Previously on "Heartland"...

I mean, I make it a firm rule

not to date anyone I'm in business with.

Sorry, that was my clumsy
segue to asking you out.

- Lou, help!
- Fred!

- Help! Help, Lou!
- You got it!

You know you saved their lives.

Thank you, Sam,

for everything.

Yeah, no worries. When you're ready,

- you just let me know.
- Mm-hmm.

And I'll be with you in a heartbeat.

Okay.

GEORGIE: You can treat his arthritis.

AMY: I know, but he's
never gonna be like he was.


I think I've known
that for a while. I...


I just didn't wanna believe it.



Good boy, Spartan.

(HOOVES THUD, GRASS CRUNCHES)

(HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)



(SPARTAN GRUNTS)

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

Come on, Spartan. It's
okay. Come on, let's go.

- (SPARTAN GRUNTS)
- Hey, hey, it's okay.

- What's wrong?
- (SPARTAN GRUNTS)

You're hurting, aren't you?

- (SPARTAN GRUNTS)
- Yeah.

- (SPARTAN NICKERS)
- I know, it's okay.

We don't have to go up there.

- (SPARTAN GRUNTS)
- Let's walk home, okay?

Come on.

(BIRDS CHIRP, HOOVES THUD)

(AMY SIGHS)

JESSICA: Thanks, Ezra. Yeah,
I'll text you when I get to town.

Okay, all right. You're the best.

- (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
- Hey.

- Hey!
- Who was that?

Oh, that's my friend, Ezra.

He's helping me wrap up
a few things in New York

and make sure my condo sale
goes off without a hitch.

Well, good for Ezra.

Sounds like a great guy.

Mr. Fleming, do I detect
a little bit of jealousy?

Well, he's kinda going
out of his way to help ya.

Oh, trust me, you have
nothing to worry about.

We dated for a while years ago,

but we are better off as friends.

- And you dated.
- (JESSICA'S PHONE RINGS)

Hey, Ez.

Yeah, no, no, you don't need
to pick me up from the airport.

Okay, sure. Yeah, I mean,
it'll save me the Uber drive.

Okay, all right. I'll
see you in a few days.

- Okay, bye.
- (PHONE CLICKS OFF)



(ENGINE RUMBLES TO A STOP)

(ENGINE TURNS OFF, DOORS
CLICK OPEN AND SHUT)

AMY: Okay, come on, sweetheart!

Can you get out?

I thought you said we
were meeting them here.

Yeah, but you were late, so
they must've gone on ahead.

I'm sorry, but Spartan's
arthritis was acting up

and I had to walk him all the way home.

(CHAINSAW BUZZES NEARBY)

Oh. Sounds like they're that way.

- Let's go! I wanna see the giant horse!
- Okay.

That way. Oh.

- (BUTCH NICKERS)
- LYNDY: There he is!

Awww...

(HOOVES THUD HEAVILY, HARNESS JINGLES)

- Whoa...
- (BUTCH NICKERS)

Hey, uh, Al?

Oh, yeah, hi.

Uh, thanks for letting us
come and see you in action.

Well, not much to see, really.

Don't be modest. I've heard all about

your impressive winning streak
in the draft horse races.

It's gonna be the perfect halftime show

for the lumberjack competition.

I see ya already brought a crowd.

- (CHUCKLES)
- This is my sister, Amy,

and her daughter, Lyndy.

Ah. She's named after your grandma, huh?

- Yeah.
- Yeah, I knew her.

- And Jack.
- Huh.

Uh, this... this is my grandson, Finn.

- It's nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.

I think it's really
great that you're doing

- this heritage way of logging.
- Well...

And that you're keeping
it in the family.

I'm, I'm just helping out for the day.

Yeah, Finn's from Saskatchewan.

He's comin' to keep
an eye on the old man.

Well, you know, we do
need some more competitors

in the competition...

- since you grew up around this?
- I'm not...

- Yeah, he'll do it.
- Grandpa... (CHUCKLES)

Well, I'm too old to take
part in the other events.

Someone's gotta represent
the family name, right?

- (SNORTS) I guess I'm in.
- Great!

Well, can you show us a little
of what you'll do this weekend?

- (BUTCH GRUNTS)
- Sure.

I'll, uh, I'll wind him
through a few trees there

and take him between those two aspens.

He's gonna fit between there?

Oh yeah, while he's draggin' a log!

Come on, fella, show 'em what we can do.

(HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)

(CHAIN JINGLES, LOG RUMBLES)

(BUTCH NEIGHS)



- Get up!
- (BUTCH GRUNTS)

- Steady.
- (BUTCH WHINNIES WILDLY)

- Whoa, boy! Agh!
- (HEAVY THUMP)

- Oh! (GROANS)
- Grandpa!

Agh! I'm fine, I'm fine!

Whoa... steady, Butch. Whoa...

(AL GROANS AND PANTS)

What's wrong with the horse, Mommy?

(SIGHS) I'm not sure, honey.

Oh, you poor old thing.

Butch, come on! You
can do better than that.





♪ And at the break of day ♪

♪ You sank into your dream ♪

♪ You dreamer ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh... ♪

♪ You dreamer ♪

♪ You dreamer ♪

- You're sure you're all right?
- I told ya, I'm fine.

Hey, um...

maybe I could take a look at him.

I work with horses.

I'll have him ready for the race.

It's more your day-to-day
that I'm worried about.

You or Butch could be seriously injured.

Has this happened a lot before?

I know how to handle my horse!

- (BUTCH WHINNIES)
- Come on, Butch.

(HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)

(SIGHS)

You know, I think
you're right about Butch

and my grandpa knows it, too.

They've been together for years.

Maybe it's time to retire the horse.

Probably the end of my grandpa, too.

- But this isn't safe.
- Let me talk to him.

I can usually get through to him.

Thanks.

(PAPERS RUSTLE)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

- Hey, sorry I'm late!
- Ah, no problem!

I was just, uh, thinkin'
that there's probably room

for a corporate banner along
the bottom of the main stage.

Let me guess, Garland Foods.

(CHUCKLES) Well, we
are the lead sponsor.

Fair enough.

You know, we still need
an announcer for the event.

Oh, I was hoping you might do it.

- Me?
- Yeah. Who better than the mayor?

Um, okay. Yeah, if
you really want me to.

Great! You know, thanks, Lou.

You know, I, I really
appreciate you doing all this.

I mean, ever since my brother, Evan,

started doing these competitions,

I've-I've wanted to put one on.

I'm happy to help! It sounds like fun.

Yeah, well, I'd like
to take you to dinner.

As a... thank you.

Uh, plus, I do still owe you for
saving my life on the cattle drive.

You would've done the same for me
if you knew how to throw a rope.

BOTH: (CHUCKLE)

Uh, so, uh... well,
how about Friday night?

Um... maybe. Let me
just check my schedule.

'Kay!

LYNDY: I saw a giant horse today!

(LAUGHS) Yes, she did.
It was a Clydesdale.

- Oh!
- He's in that, uh, logging competition.

Right, right. Lou, you're...

really sinking your
teeth into this thing.

Well, with Katie away
visiting her dad, I have time.

Besides, it could be good for tourism.

That's one of the platforms I ran on,

so I want this to go well.

Fred and I have some
local celebrities lined up.

Okay, so why do you need celebrities

for a lumberjack competition?

Uh, just to draw people out

and to, uh, show how
hard this really is.

So, who've you got?

Sam Langston's coming, and Caleb.

(CHOKES AND COUGHS) (FORK CLATTERS)

Caleb? Why-why didn't you ask me?

Actually, I was hoping you and Grandpa

could be part of it as the officiants.

I'm happy to help.

'Kay, this sounds
really fun. When is it?

- Saturday.
- Oh good!

'Kay, I'm not leaving for
New York until Sunday night.

So, I'm gonna take my camera, of course,

show all my friends what I'm
trading in the Big Apple for.

So, tell me where this giant
horse fits into all of this.

Two old-time loggers go head-to-head

driving their draft horses
through an obstacle course.

Yeah, one of them's
actually a local guy.

His name is Al Cotter. He
said he knows you, Grandpa.

Yeah. From away back.

Well, you might have a
chance to get reacquainted.

I'm hoping he'll bring his
horse over so I can work with it.

Okay.

(CRICKETS CHIRP)

So, Fred and I were going over
some details for the event today

and he asked me out to dinner.

- Like a work dinner?
- No.

Ooh... like a date!

No!

At least I don't think so.

Come on, Lou. Two people out for dinner?

That sounds very much like a date.

Fred is a nice guy, but
we've tried this before

- and he bored me to tears.
- (LAUGHS)

I mean, all he wants to talk
about is the high stakes,

- fast-paced world of the grocery store industry.
- (SIGHS)

Okay. What're you gonna tell him?

I dunno. I'm in an awkward position.

We're running the event together.

- Why don't you come with me?
- (LAUGHS) No.

I'm not gonna be a
third wheel with Fred.

Why don't you just tell him the truth?

That I don't wanna go out with him?

That you're not exactly single.

- Amy.
- Come on.

I can see what you're doing.

You're throwing
everything into this event

to distract yourself from... something?

Like, maybe Peter?

What is going on with you guys?

(FORK SCRAPES AND CLANKS)

It's complicated.

(DISH CLANKS)

(SIGHS)

(THUNDER RUMBLES IN THE DISTANCE)

(THUDDING BLOW, WOOD CLATTERS)

(SIGHS)

- (HARD THUD, WOOD CLATTERS)
- Dad.

You don't need to do that. We
have enough firewood for months.

That lumberjack competition?

Thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.

Are you serious? Those
guys are like half your age.

If you're talking about Sam
and Caleb, I think I'll be fine.

- (WOOD CLATTERS)
- (SIGHS)

(TRUCK RUMBLES)



(HOOVES CLOP)

It took some work, but I convinced him.

How long's this gonna take?

It really depends.

Maybe you could leave Butch
here and come back later?

No, no, we got some forest
to clear this afternoon.

- It's a new contract.
- (FOOTSTEPS SQUISH)

Hey, Grandpa! You remember Al?

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

It's been a long time.

Sure has.

Maybe you guys could
catch up over coffee?

Maybe another time. You comin'?

No, I'm gonna stay and
see if she needs a hand.

(SIGHS)

(FOOTSTEPS SQUISH)



- (TIRE THUMPS ON THE GROUND)
- Thanks for stickin' around.

I'd love it if you could
just ground drive him

- around these barrels,
- (HARNESS CLICKS)

just like he does through the trees.

(SIGHS) Thank you.

- All right, Butch.
- (BUTCH NICKERS)

- Let's go!
- (HOOVES THUD)

- Good.
- (HARNESS JINGLES)

Attaboy. Yep.

That's it!

- Whoa, not too close.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

(BARREL CLUNKS)

(BUTCH NEIGHS)

- Ho, ho, ho, you're okay.
- There's somethin' off.

(SIGHS) I have a hunch.

Hey, buddy.

(BUTCH PANTS)

(BUTCH NICKERS)

It's what I thought. He's
blind in his left eye.



So, he's gone completely blind?

Just in his left eye.

I'm gonna have to retire you, Butch.

I guess that means I'm done, too.

Come on, Grandpa.

Well, I'm not gonna go
through all the growing pains

of training a new horse at my age.

I think that Butch can still log,

but he'll need to do
it without blinders on.

Ah, nah, nah, nah,
that's not gonna work.

Butch is a flighty horse;
he needs those blinders

to keep him calm and focused on the job.

I understand, but without blinders,

he'll have a greater range of vision

so he can navigate through the forest

or through an obstacle course.

He'll be able to turn his head

and see what's coming with his good eye.

Look, Grandpa,

give Amy a chance.

What's it gonna hurt, right?

- You know what I mean?
- Suit yourself.

But I don't mean to
make a fool of myself

in front of the whole
town, I'll tell ya that.

Gimme a second. (FOOTSTEPS CRUNCH)



(PESTLE GRINDS)

Ah, Spartan's arthritis acting up?

(SIGHS) I really don't
know what's going on.

I'm trying some new supplements.

How'd it go with that Clydesdale?

He's blind in one eye.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Grandpa, what was that about today?

- What?
- You and Al.

You didn't exactly seem
happy to see each other

after all these years.

- Yeah, it's complicated.
- What happened?

It was a long time ago.

How did you guys know each other?

Oh, he helped out here for a bit.

Yeah, way back when my dad was messed up

and I was struggling to
run this place on my own.

Well, it sounds like he was
there for you during a tough time.

Like I said, it was a long time ago.

There's nothin' left to say about it.

I'm sorry if I put you in a tough spot.

- I, I didn't know there was...
- That's fine.

Is, uh, he comin' back here tomorrow?

I don't know. He's having
a hard time with this.

I know that he has a
strong bond with his horse.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

Really? I know I have
a lot of stuff to store,

but that sounds expensive.

Okay, would you mind
getting me a second quote?

Ow! Ooh, leg cramp.

Okay. Sorry, Ezra, I have to go.

(WINCES)

All right, stretch it out.

That's what I'm doin'.

Is this because of that
lumberjack competition?

I don't know why you entered
that in the first place.

It's just a cramp. I'll be fine.

Would you like me to run
you an Epsom salt bath?

Epsom salt?

- What am I, ?
- Well, I don't know,

but this is what happens
when you act like you're .



(HORSES WHINNY)

This is gonna feel a bit different,

but I promise you'll be okay.

- (BUTCH GRUNTS NERVOUSLY)
- It's all right.

He's just hookin' you up.
You do this all the time.

(CHAIN RATTLES, BUTCH GRUNTS)

- Whoa! It's all right!
- (BUTCH GRUNTS NERVOUSLY)

Hey, you're okay.

- That's not good.
- Well... (SIGHS)

this is gonna take a few steps.

First, we take off the
blinders so he can turn his head

and have a bigger range of vision and

next, I have to work
on desensitizing him

so he doesn't spook every time
he sees something behind him.

Thank you for giving this a sh*t.

I know my grandpa's difficult,

and this horse means more
to him than he lets on.

I get it.

You know, I remember
when he first got him.

I used to come out here
every summer as a kid.

Still come out a couple
times a year, but...

it's hard to see him
slowing down like this.

(BUTCH GRUNTS)

And, you know, him being
out here on his own.

But...

What's next, Amy?

Well, I think I'd like to do some
work with him on my own for a bit,

and then maybe you could
come back this afternoon?

Yeah. Let's do that. (LIGHT PATS)

- Okay.
- Thanks.

(FOOTSTEPS CRUNCH SOFTLY)

(LIGHT KNOCK) FRED: Hey, you!

- Oh, hey Fred!
- You got some good news?

I do. I got Clancy's Pub
to put on a small event

for everyone involved in
the lumberjack contest.

Half off food and drinks tonight.

- Ah! That's fantastic!
- (PHONE RINGS NEARBY)

Um, but what about our dinner?

I was hoping I could
take you out tonight?

- Yeah, we could eat at Clancy's.
- At a pub?

Well, we are the team putting
this whole thing on anyway.

We should probably be there, right?

Yeah...

I guess you're right.

Plus, we do make a pretty
great team, don't we?

- Yeah. Yeah.
- All right, see ya tonight.

(SIGHS)

JACK: How's it goin' with
that Clydesdale today?

Oh, well, baby steps,

but we'll get back at it this afternoon.

Al's grandson, Finn,
he's giving me a hand.

Finn. He from around here?

No, he lives in Saskatchewan,

but, uh, he still
visits Al every summer.

- Oh yeah?
- Yeah. Seems like they're pretty close.

It must be nice for Al
to have someone around,

even if it is for a
short period of time.

Yeah, it must be.

You know, Finn's really all he has...

well, other than his horse,

which is kinda sad.

Yeah, well, there's
nothin' I can do about that

'cause sometimes, in
life, there are lines

- that can't be uncrossed.
- (NEWSPAPER RUSTLES)



(TRUCK RUMBLES, RAIN PUDDLES SPLASH)

(HOOVES CLOP)

Ho. It's okay.

(FEET SPLAT LIGHTLY)

- How's it goin'?
- Ah, it's okay.

Spartan here isn't really himself.

You know, he's aging
and he has arthritis,

but still, this sudden
change can't be good.

- You know, he's not sound.
- Yes, he is.

No, what I mean is, he, he seems sore.

Maybe he needs corrective shoeing.

My farrier's never mentioned it,

but I could ask him next time he's out.

I don't think you should wait.

(GENTLE PATS)

- I can do it for you.
- (SIGHS)

Look, I'm a...

I'm a farrier back home. I'm
not trying to poach any work,

and I'm here anyway.

Okay, if you don't mind.

Plus, you've been
helpin' out Butch so much,

it's the least I can do.

Well, that's still a
work in progress, but...

- I'll show you what we've accomplished.
- All right.



- AMY: Good boy. It's okay.
- Good boy.

- (BUTCH GRUNTS)
- Good boy.

(FLAG FLUTTERS) Good boy.

This morning when I started
doing this with the flag,

Butch totally freaked out.

He's so used to having blinders on

that anything in his peripheral vision

just kinda makes him
anxious and nervous.

Well, he's... he's lookin'
pretty calm right now.

I'm gonna put the flag right here,

so he can see it,

and I've added a new obstacle.

This will mimic what Butch
goes through in the forest.

Wanna give it a go?

- Let's do it.
- 'Kay.

All right. Walk on, boy!

(CLUCKS TONGUE)

(BUTCH GRUNTS, HARNESS JINGLES)

- (HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)
- Good boy.

Attaboy, Butch.

(HARNESS JINGLES, HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)

- Nice!
- (BUTCH SNORTS)

'Kay, do it!

(BUTCH WHINNIES NERVOUSLY)

Come on, Butch!

(HARNESS JINGLES, BUTCH SNORTS)

- Agghhh! So close!
- It's okay! I don't wanna push it.

And I think with your
Grandpa at the reins,

- he'll go right through.
- Huh?

I um... I just mean,
like, he is the pro, right?

- Fair enough, fair enough.
- (CHUCKLES)

So, is he gonna be
good to go this weekend?

Yeah. Yeah, he should be.

Wow.

You really are the miracle girl, huh?

- (CHUCKLES)
- Yeah, I, I googled you.

(HARNESS WOOD AND CHAIN RATTLE)

(FINN AND AMY CHUCKLE)

(TRAILER DOOR CLUNKS SHUT)

So, just remember, when you
come close to an obstacle,

you wanna pull on that
rein and turn his head,

- so he can see what's coming.
- Yeah, yeah, I get it.

You shoulda see him, Grandpa.

He was doing great without the blinders.

Yeah, but pressure of competition,

that's a whole other thing.

(FOOTSTEPS THUD)

I'm gonna stick around and uh...

take a look at Amy's horse.

Yeah. Um, I'll go get Spartan ready.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

(BIRDS CHIRP)

You come to throw me off the property?

Isn't that what you said you'd
do if I ever came back here?

I think I mighta used some
stronger language than that.

Yeah, and a couple of
haymakers if memory serves.

All these years, I can
see it in your eyes,

you still hold a grudge.

You and I, we were friends.

You and Lyndy were hardly even dating!

That's bull and you know it!

I already bought her a ring!

Yeah, but ya didn't put
it on her finger yet!

Ah... I asked her out, she said no.

- What's the big deal?
- You kept asking.

That's what the big deal is,

you kept asking 'til I had to step in

- and give you the answer.
- Yeah.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

I'm building him a bar shoe.

This should help with
his arthritis pain.

(TOOLS CLANG GENTLY)

(FLAME HISSES)

(METALLIC SCRAPE, FORGE DOOR CREAKS)

(TONGS CLINK, DOOR CREAKS SHUT)

(TOOLS RATTLE)

(HISSING)

(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

(CLAMP CLANGS, DOOR CREAKS SHUT)

(HAMMER CLANKS)



(HAMMER CLATTERS, WIRE BRUSH SCRAPES)

(SHOE HISSES, WATER SPLASHES)

(PRITCHEL CLANKS, HAMMER CLANGS)



No matter how many times I see it,
I just love watching this process.

- You're not the first one who's told me that.
- (CHUCKLES)

My husband used to say it
was almost meditative to him.

He was a vet.

Yeah, I see the sign on the barn.

You guys are partners, too?

Yeah, we were.

Ty passed away almost two years ago.

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

I'm sorry.

I can't even believe
it's been that long.

You know, time just sorta rolls by.

You know, you go through
your daily routine.

Put the blinders on?

(SIGHS) Exactly.

'Cause if you look at the bigger picture

you know you're probably
gonna get spooked.

And when you start moving forward,

allow yourself to

have fun and be happy,
you start feeling guilty.

Yeah.

But you can't stay in
that place too long, Amy.

You're not supposed to feel
guilty about being happy.

So, it's time to take the blinders off?

Yeah, maybe.

(SNORTS SOFTLY)



(SCREEN DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

(ITEMS THUNK, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

Oh, you're goin' out with Fred.

It's more of a business thing now,

but I still don't feel right about it.

Amy, please come with me. When
was the last time you went out?

- (SIGHS)
- You need to have some fun!

Hmm. Oh yeah, you, Fred, and me.

Sam and Caleb might be there.

Please?

- Okay, fine, I'll come.
- Really?

Yeah, you're right, it might be fun.

Yeah, exactly. Okay, great, let's go,

- 'cause I'm gonna be late.
- Uh, can I at least get cleaned up first?

Fine! Fine, but hurry up,
before you change your mind!

(SIGHS)

(COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS, CROWD CHATTERS)

- BARTENDER: Hey, Lou!
- Oh!

(PATRONS CHATTER, MUSIC PLAYS)

- Hey!
- Oh!

Uh, hey! I, uh, I got us
the best table in the house.

Great. Uh, look who
decided to tag along.

- Hi, Fred.
- Oh, hey, Amy!

Uh... this is a nice surprise.

- Uh, have a, have a seat.
- Great!

Uh, well you can have one of these.

Now, what're you doin'

hoggin' the two best looking
women in the bar, huh?

Look, a little respect, Evan.

This is the mayor of
Hudson, Lou Fleming.

Oh. Evan Garland. Pleased to meet you.

Oh, wait a second. You're not his...

Oh, yes. Yes, his younger,
more handsome brother.

(CHUCKLES)

And who might you be?

Uh, I'm the mayor's sister, Amy.

- Oh, nice to meet you.
- You too.

(SIGHS) Well, you don't mind if I join.

Uh, no, no! The more,
the merrier... apparently.

CALEB: Hey, g*ng!

- Hey!
- LOU: Hey!

Sam and I, we're here
to talk uh, strategy,

for your lumberjack thing.

Over pool and half-priced
beer, of course.

- Perfect.
- This is, uh, Caleb and Sam.

They're a couple local celebrities here.

This is my little brother, Evan.

Yeah, he competes in these
lumberjack competitions all the time.

Uh, logger sports.

They're called logger sports.

Oh. So, are you a logger?

No, no, no, I grew up watching
these events on TSN and

now I win them all the time.

CALEB: Oh, don't-don't
count your chickens just yet.

I've been on TSN myself
for rodeo, so, yeah.

But don't worry. If he swings an
axe the same way he swings a bat,

- you'll be fine.
- Ooh!

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

'Kay, now you're goin'
down at eight ball.

- Enjoy your dinner.
- Ha.



So, can I start you
off with some drinks?

Oh, yeah, yeah. I would love to get

a bottle of your finest
wine for the table.

Do you have anything from Italy?


You know this is a pub, right?

So, no, we don't.

Uh, do you have any suggestions?

Yeah. I'd go with a...

pitcher of our finest beer.

Hmm. (CHUCKLES) Okay!

Well, it's...

- when not in Rome...
- (CHUCKLES)



FRED: You should've seen
us. I mean, right, Lou?


I mean, we made such an
amazing team on this drive.

Yeah, we were somethin' all right.

I mean, yeah, she's just a natural.

- I mean, such an amazing leader.
- (CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)

You know, there is
something about a strong,

independent woman like Lou.

You know, I'd follow her anywhere.

Uh, (CLEARS THROAT) Evan,

do you do these lumberjack
competitions for a living?

Uh, logger sports, and uh, no.

No, it's more of a hobby.

My real passion is racing horses.

- No way! What kinda racing?
- Endurance.

It's a long distance kinda thing.

Uh, she knows what that is, Evan.

Uh, Amy's a horse trainer.

- She's kinda famous around here.
- Really.

That's cool.

You should see the papers on
this new colt I just picked up.

Now, cost a bundle, but
uh, he's totally worth it.

He's an amazing racer.

Does he love racing as much as you?

Took a little um... encouragement,

if you know what I mean.

Yeah, I think I do.
But I'm not sure that

fear is the best motivator for horses.

Well, at least he knows who's boss now.

He's good to go.

I'm gonna go get another water.

I think the waitress will be right back.

I'm gonna go to the bar and get one.

Would you like some more?

Sure.

(CUE STRIKES, BALL CLATTERS)

Woo-hoo-hoo! (LAUGHS TRIUMPHANTLY)

Hey, guys.

How's it goin' with the Garland boys?

Uh, well, Fred is
awkwardly fawning over Lou

and his fascinating brother has
quite the approach to horsemanship.

Well, other than that, it
sounds like a great double date.

Hey, it is not a date, believe me.

'Kay, well, then, uh,
grab a cue. Join us.

I would love to, but...

I think that Lou might
k*ll me if I left her alone.

(SIGHS)

Yeah, she is outnumbered over there.

All right, good luck.

I'll rack 'em up.

Hey, um, all kidding aside,

it makes me really happy to see
you getting back out there again.

Date or no date,

it's gotta be a good thing,
right, meeting new people?

- Mm-hmm.
- Even if it's a Garland.

- (LAUGHS) Yeah.
- (LAUGHS)

Thank you, Caleb.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, GLASSES CLANK)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Thank you.

Would you like some chili
flakes for your jambalaya?

Oh yes, the spicier, the better.

- Okay.
- Uh, yeah, you know, me too.

What? You've never been
able to handle spice.

Actually, I've developed a
taste for it over the years.

Just, you know, bring it on.

- Uh, okay.
- No, no, keep goin'.

Bring it on. Yeah, yeah.

- So, uh, tell me, Amy...
- Thank you.

What supplements should
I be looking at to, uh,

you know, boost my horse's stamina?

Well, what's your
training schedule like?

- Well, I work him pretty hard.
- Mmm, mmm.

I figure you gotta
practice like it's race day


if you want a horse to
perform on race day.


There is such a thing as overtraining.

(FRED COUGHS VIOLENTLY)

Are you okay?

(CHOKING)

- Is that better?
- (COUGHS) No, it's worse. No!

Oh my gosh. Here, eat,
eat some of this, Fred.

- Eat this.
- (COUGHING)

(WHEEZING COUGHS)

(HAND THUMPS, FRED CHOKES)

- Oh no, I think he's choking.
- Are you okay?

Oh my gosh. Everyone outta the way.

I got this, I got this.
Fred, stay calm, stay calm.

- Okay.
- (CHOKING)

(GRUNTS FORCEFULLY) Ha! (COUGHS ROUGHLY)

(CLAPPING, CHEERING, AND WHISTLING)

MAN: Nice save!

♪ I know that it might
be filled with whiskey ♪

♪ But at least it's me ♪

♪ Who's calling the sh*ts ♪



(SIGHS HEAVILY)

All right, where should we set up?

Wanna go right up here
so you can see, Lyndy?

Get right to the front, and then,

I can get some good pictures. Perfect!

Here, I'll set up the blanket. All set.

Welcome everyone to the
Hudson Lumberjack Games!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

Let's give a round of applause
to all our competitors today.

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

We have a lot of fun
events lined up for you

and we are gonna kick things off

with a good, old-fashioned
standing block chop.

And first up, we have Evan Garland

and Finn Cotter.

Give 'em a round of applause.

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

- MAN: Get ready!
- JACK: Lumberjacks...

On the whistle!

And... (WHISTLE BLASTS)

(FINN AND EVAN GRUNT, WOOD CRACKS)

(HARSH, ECHOING CHOP)

(HARSH, ECHOING CHOP)

(EVAN GRUNTS, WOOD CRACKS)



(FINN GRUNTS, HARSH, ECHOING CHOP)

JACK: Winner, Finn Cotter!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(ANNOYED SIGH)

AMY: Way to go, Finn! Woo! (CLAPPING)

- Not bad!
- Nice!


LOU: And Finn Cotter takes that one.

Now, from our celebrity category,

former professional
baseball player, Sam Langston

versus former champion
all-round cowboy and my dad,

- Tim Fleming!
- (CAMERA SHUTTER SNAPS)

- Give it up, folks!
- (CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

JACK: On the whistle.

And... (WHISTLE BLASTS)

(SAM AND TIM GRUNT, HARSH, ECHOING CHOP)



- JESSICA: Come on, Tim!
- Ungh!

(WOOD CRACKS LOUDLY, LOG CRASHES)

Winner, Tim Fleming!

Oh, yeah! Nice!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

- How'd he b*at me?
- Technique, Boys. Technique.

- (CAMERA SHUTTER SNAPS)
- Way to go, Tim!

(AXE CLATTERS, CROWD LAUGHS)

JACK: On the whistle. (WHISTLE BLASTS)

(SAWS RASP, CROWD CHEERS)



- (WOOD COOKIE THUNKS)
- JACK: Winner!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

Boom. (LAUGHS)

JACK: On the whistle! And...

(WHISTLE BLASTS, TREE
CLIMBING SPIKES TAP)

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(COWBELL CLANGS)

(CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

Whoa!

CROWD: Oh!

(CHUCKLES)

- (BREATHING HARD)
- EVAN: Woo!

You need someone to
come and get you, Caleb?

(BLOWS OUT A SHAKY BREATH)

Ah!

- Winner, Evan Garland!
- Woo!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(CLAPPING)

(FEET THUNK SLOWLY)



- What's Grandpa doing?
- What was he doing?

(AXE WHOOSHES AND THUDS,
CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(AXE WHOOSHES AND THUDS,
CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(AXE WHOOSHES AND THUDS,
CROWD CHEERS WILDLY AND CLAPS)

Whoa!

Yeah, Dad! Woo-hoo!

(WHISTLE BLASTS SHARPLY)

- You are disqualified.
- What?

- You stepped over the line.
- CROWD: Boo!

I did not! Look it,
there's my footprint,

there's the line.

(CROWD GROANS, THEN CLAPS)

- JESSICA: Nice try, nice try.
- (CHUCKLES)

LOU: Okay, next up, we have
Evan Garland and Finn Cotter!

Give 'em a round of applause.

JACK: Gentlemen, get on that log.

(WHISTLE BLASTS)

(WATER SPLASHES, CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(WATER SPLASHES LOUDLY)

JACK: (LAUGHS)

(WATER SPLATS SHARPLY)

Winner: Finn Cotter.

- (CLAPPING)
- LOU: Finn Cotter for the win!

(HAT THWAPS ON THE GROUND)

And now, for a couple of rodeo cowboys

giving this a try for the first time,

Tim Fleming and Caleb Odell.

(CROWD CLAPPING)

(SHARP EXHALE) Good luck.

Do you want a lifejacket?

Gentlemen, step onto that log.

(WHISTLE BLASTS)

(WATER SPLASHES, CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(WATER SPLASHING)

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

I've gotta give this one to Tim Fleming.

- Yeah, Dad!
- (LAUGHS)

Tim Fleming is the winner!

- (CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)
- Hey! There we go!

- Yay, Grandpa!
- (LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS) Nice one!

- (HANDS CLAP)
- (CHUCKLES)

Now, they're gonna take a short break,

which means it is time
for our heavy horse race

at the obstacle course.
I will see you all there.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

LYNDY: Okay, where's the big horses?

JESSICA: That was so fun!
Your grandpa was so good.

Finn!

How's your grandpa
feeling about all this?

Uh, he's a little nervous.

These races mean so much to him.

Well, way to go out there.

(LAUGHS) You may have
found your calling.

Ah, nice try, Grandpa.
This is a one-time thing.

Yeah, well, then uh...

I guess it's up to me, huh,
to uphold the family name?

That's if uh...

Butch doesn't give
me any problems today.

He'll be just fine, I promise.

- Yeah.
- Okay? Just remember that...

Yeah, I know. Yeah.

- I'll take it from here.
- Okay. Good luck!

Thank you.

JACK: Drivers ready? And go!

(CHAINS RATTLE, HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)

(BUTCH WHINNIES)



(BUTCH GRUNTS, HOOVES THUD HEAVILY)

(CROWD CHEERS, BUTCH GRUNTS)

Yes! That's my boy.



(LOG RASPS AND CLATTERS)

Nice!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

(CHAINS JINGLE)

- CROWD: Oh!
- Okay,

- this is the real test. Come on.
- No, Butch, not now!

(BUTCH SNORTS)

Attaboy! Attaboy!

(LEAVES RUSTLE, CROWD CHEERS)

That's my champ!

(CHAINS JINGLE, LOG CLATTERS)

Yes!

Nice one, Al!

(CHAINS JINGLE)



(CROWD CHEERS)

(GASPS) Oh my gosh.

(BUTCH WHINNIES, HOOVES THUD QUICKLY)

LOU: Oh, and Al Cotter!

Oh, and he's done it!

Hudson's Al Cotter and
Butch have won again,

keeping their impressive
winning streak alive and well.

(CROWD CLAPS AND CHEERS, AL CHUCKLES)

Attaboy, Butch. Hey? That's my boy.

(CLAPPING)

He did it.

(BUTCH GRUNTS)

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

Attaboy, Butch. You're the champ!

I still can't believe

- he got on the log.
- (LAUGHS)

Oh, hey Al!

Hey! Great job today.

- Yeah.
- Thanks again for coming out.

Yeah.

If you're expecting an apology from me,

you're not gonna get one.

I don't expect anything from you.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

Grandpa, what?

I'll see ya at home.

FRED: All right, just gimme a minute.

- MAN: You got it.
- (SIGHS)

- Uh, hey.
- Hey! Uh, great event today.

Oh yeah. No, I'm really
glad we did this together.

- Yeah, me too.
- I mean, to be honest,

working with you is what made
me really want to do this.

- Oh, I see.
- Um, listen, uh,

- you know, about last night...
- It's no big deal.

Aw, come on, Lou, it was a debacle.

- Maybe a little bit.
- Yeah, thanks for saving my life, again.

You know, I'm thinkin' the, uh,
the next Fleming-Garland outing

should probably be
a duo. Like... a date.

(SIGHS) Look, Fred, I...

I think you're a
really nice guy, I do...

- Uh-oh.
- But...

- I see where this is going.
- (SIGHS)

My status is just a bit
complicated at the moment.

- That's the truth.
- Okay, what does that mean?

(SIGHS)

It means that despite my
attempts to distract myself

from that very complicated situation,

there is someone else in my life.

Well...

whoever's in the picture,

he's one lucky guy.

(SIGHS)

(BIRDS CHIRP, FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

(SIGHS)



- Oh!
- Oh...

- Tsk.
- Oh!

- Ooh.
- Oh, you don't know how it feels.

- Agh!
- Do you want me to run you that Epsom salt bath?

- Bring it on!
- Yeah.

Yeah. Right there. Thanks.

You were incredible out there today...

- for an old guy.
- (SIGHS)

I'm sure that Caleb and
Sam are feeling way worse

- than you are.
- I hope so.

- You did kick their butts.
- I actually did, didn't I?

- Mm-hmm.
- (LAUGHS)

So, are you gonna tell
me what this is all about?

- What do ya mean?
- This whole lumberjack thing?

- Ungh.
- Wouldn't have anything to do

with my friend Ezra, would it?

No! No, not really.

No, I just wanted you to
get some good action sh*ts

- of the guy you left New York for.
- Ah, I knew it.

I mean, I thought it
was pretty cute but,

come on, by now you've gotta know that

when it comes to you
there's no competition.

(LIPS SMACK GENTLY)

- (ICE PACK THUMPS)
- Forget the bath.

I'm getting my strength back.

(PAINED LAUGH)

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

- Does that hurt?
- When you...

- Yeah. (LAUGHS)
- Right there? Ow. Oh, oh...

(HOOVES THUD CONFIDENTLY)

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

(HOOVES THUD)

His shoes seem to be agreeing with him.

That's an understatement.
He feels like my horse again.

That's why I love my job.

New pair of shoes can
make all the difference

- in the world sometimes.
- (SPARTAN NICKERS)

(SIGHS) Well, thank you.

(CHUCKLES)

If you have anymore
work, just let me know.

I think that might be a
bit of a long house call

- from Saskatchewan.
- (SPARTAN GRUNTS)

(CHUCKLES) Actually...

I'm thinking about sticking
around for a little bit,

keep an eye on my grandpa.

Well, in that case, I'll
definitely throw some work your way.

Thanks.

I'm gonna need more
than just one client.

- I'll spread the word.
- (CHUCKLES)

And, uh, I just have to say thank you

for what you said the other night,

about taking the blinders off.

- I needed to hear that.
- Yeah, anytime.

♪ There is a place to land ♪

♪ I understand ♪

(SIGHS)

What do you think, boy?

Should we go for a real ride?

(CHUCKLES)



♪ Use the heartbeat inside you ♪

♪ Let the blood run ♪

- Good boy.
- ♪ Through your veins ♪

♪ And if you can just hold on ♪

♪ We will find a way ♪

(HOOVES THUD AWAY GENTLY)
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