THE AMERICAN Screenplay by Rowan Joffe Based on the novel A ...

FADE IN:
1 EXT. NOR<strong>THE</strong>RN SWEDEN - TWILIGHT
1
A lake.
A forest.
A dacha.
A Saab outside the winterhouse.
A light within.
2 INT. NOR<strong>THE</strong>RN SWEDEN - HOUSE - NIGHT
2
JACK (dark, fit, mid-forties) is staring at the embers of a
log fire. He sips from a thick cut-crystal glass of whiskey.
The impressive US Army Special Forces crest tattooed on the
shoulder of his bare torso is at odds with JACK’s quiet
manner and the distinguished silver that flecks his hair and
stubble. JACK is no longer young.
A creak behind him and his eyes flick over his left shoulder.
INGRID (34) is naked. With an intimate familiarity she kisses
JACK on the top of his head, sits close behind him and wraps
her arms around her lover, linking her slender hands across
his upper chest.
Her head resting on his shoulder, her face beside his, INGRID
and JACK watch the fire together in easy silence.
3 EXT. WOODS- MORNING
3
INGRID leads JACK through the trees. Her coat has a white fur
collar. They are fresh-faced and warm from bed.
They head towards a vast and frozen lake.
JACK senses something in the woods.
Beneath the Conifers: impenetrable darkness.
JACK looks around.
Thick snow blankets the world and muffles any sound. There is
not the slightest breeze.