I am in the process of converting my screenplay The Firefly Catcher into a novel. It is requiring more effort than I had expected. For those friends who haven't seen a screenplay I have included the first page.

FADE IN:

AERIAL SHOT - ARDENNES FOREST – DECEMBER, 1944

The Ardennes Forest on the Belgium - German border is blanketed with deep snow.  Heavy dark clouds hang low over the forest.  This is the coldest, snowiest winter in living memory.

The thunder of giant cannons dueling in deadly battle rolls across the forest.  Long lines of American war machines and soldiers on foot move toward the fighting along a narrow, snow covered road. Other soldiers wounded but able to walk are limping away from the fighting. Ambulances loaded with the seriously wounded are hurrying toward the rear.

The German Army is driving west to break the Allies push into Germany. The Americans have had thousands killed and wounded fighting to hold their battle line against the onslaught.  The greatest battle of World War II, The Battle Of The Bulge, is in its full paroxysm of slaughter.

                                                                                                                 CUT TO:

EXT. ON MOVING JEEP

The open, canvas topped jeep races along the snow covered road.  The vehicle slews from side to side on the slippery snow and ice as it whips around other vehicles.  It dodges the trudging foot soldiers, but just barely.

The jeep sideswipes a tree.  Snow falls in an avalanche on the canvas top of the jeep.   The driver over-corrects and hits a snow bank on the other side of the road.  The jeep slides sideways for several yards with the driver fighting the wildly careening jeep and barely missing crashing into other loaded and speeding vehicles.  Foot soldiers jump off the road to keep from being struck.

The driver gets the vehicle under control and powers it ahead.

INT. JEEP DRIVER

A young PRIVATE, with jaws clenched in a strained, haggard face, hunches over the steering wheel and grips it fiercely.  His face, hands, and heavy winter uniform are filthy from days of battle in snow and mud and gun smoke.

He holds the gas pedal jammed down to the metal.  Drives like its life or death.  IT IS.

IN THE REAR SEAT

Another young and equally battle stained soldier, a CORPORAL, has both feet wedged and braced against the sides of the jeep to keep from being flung from the vehicle.

He holds a SERGEANT, half lying on the seat and half in his arms.

The sergeant is unconscious, face bloodless beneath the grime of dirt and burnt gunpowder.  The uniform covering his chest is soaked with blood.  Much too much blood.