A storm is forming over the skies of Pickens County. SHERIFF MATT SINCLAIR and his deputy LAWSON HAWTHORNE are hastily leading a man through the streets of Carrollton.... “Pickens County - Carrollton, AL 1878” PICKENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER Come on, let's go get'em! we finally gone get some justice The mob arrives outside the courthouse with their pistols, shovels, picks, torches raised--looking up to the garret window. LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! Is He in there? He's in there... What the hell we waitin' on? Let's go in there and get him. Hold ya horses. (re: the mob) You see this? He ain't going nowhere. You steal from my family, and burn down our courthouse? Either way, Henry Wells dies tonight. Sheriff Matt and Deputy Hawthorne BURST through the front doors of the courthouse––confronting an unruly mob. Folks please, calm down. I know why you’re here. The man that we believed to have burned down this very courthouse two years ago will face justice. But not like this. Y’all git on home now, let us do our job. That ain’t gonna cut it, Sheriff!!! Now this n--ger burned down our courthouse—killed a man in the process. And y’all just gonna let them get away again? I say we take matters into our own hands.... What say you? Henry crosses the room to the window of the garret, and looks down at the rowdy mob. His eyes immediately fill up With fear as he breathes FOG on the glass. His hand TREMBLES on the amulet, as he presses the other hand and his face against the window. Below: TORCHES, ANGRY FACES, and RIFLES RAISED. Sheriff Matt unholsters his pistol, steady hands, eyes locked on WALTER. You can’t shoot us all. Maybe not. But I’ll shoot you first, Walter. And anyone else who steps through that door. I said we’re doing this my way. Now back off. don't make us do this, Jasper. JASPER tackles Sheriff Matt to the ground. Matt’s head hits the steps—he’s out cold. LET'S GET'EM! Sheriff! Sheriff! Come on, wake up! The mob with TORCHES BLAZING. Boots thunder on the courthouse steps. Fists slam against the doors--wood SPLINTERS, HINGES STRAIN. Wh-what’s the matter with y’all? I-I didn’t do this! I’m innocent! If you kill me, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your lives! The storm intensifies. The mob BURSTS through the garret door just as the lightning STRIKES the window. For a split second, Henry’s anguished face is illuminated, pressed against the glass.