EXT. COUNTRYSIDE DESERT - SUNSET

An orange sunset. A mirage from the heatwaves. And a silhouette of a black Stallion gallops across the wasteland. 

As we pull back, burning letters on the slope of the hill read:

BANDIT TERRITORY

EXT. TOWN - EVENING

The silhouette of the horse is more clear and reveals an UNIDENTIFIED PERSON, a European American woman in her late 20’s, wearing a long black dress. 

EXT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Unidentified Person stops before the Sheriff’s office. Her mascara spreading beneath her eyes with every drop of tear. She disembarks the horse with hesitation and reads the signage above the wooden door: SHERIFF

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE – CONTINUED

SHERIFF, a burly African American man in his 30s with a stern face, pushes WANTED CRIMINAL, an Chinese American woman in her late 50’s, into the jail cell. She stumbles, her straw hat askew, but quickly turns around to face the Sheriff with pleading eyes.

WANTED CRIMINAL

Sheriff, I beg ya! Don’t send me back. Who in 

tarnation rides trains these days when we’ve 

got planes flyin' overhead? And yet they still 

got me layin' down these blasted rail tracks!

SHERIFF

Law don’t care ‘bout your fancy ideas. You're 

smarter than you look, but that ain't sayin' much.

WANTED CRIMINAL

I can split the reward with ya! 

Half for you, half for me. Fair deal, huh?

Sheriff unrolls a WANTED poster as he chuckles. The poster has Wanted Criminal’s face on it with a bounty marked at $100,000.00.

SHERIFF

Lady, with today’s inflation, that wouldn’t 

even buy me half a loaf of bread. I’m handin’ 

you back to collect the full loaf, 

thank ya kindly. Now, hush up and get comfy.

The door SLAMS open. Unidentified Person bursts in, eyes wide, breath ragged. Her dramatic entrance startles both the Wanted Criminal and the Sheriff.  

SHERIFF

What can I do you for, Lady?

Unidentified Person stays silent, panting.

SHERIFF

You got a name or should I guess?

She breaks into sobs, tears streaking her face like a muddy creek.

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON

I… I don’t know. It’s gone! 

Sheriff, I’m a victim… of identity theft!

Sheriff raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. He walks over to his desk and sits down. He motions Unidentified Person to take a seat.

SHERIFF

Well, ain't that somethin’. Take a seat, ma’am.

We got ourselves a mystery. 

She collapses into a wooden chair. 

SHERIFF

Would you be so kind to pour me a drink?

Sheriff lights a cigarette, takes a deep drag and slides it to Unidentifed Person.

SHERIFF

Ma’ commercial bid got rejected, I ain’t 

got no drink, so all I’m offerin’ is smoke.

 Drink woulda been better, but this’ll do. 

Take it or leave it.

The Unidentified Person hesitates but takes the cigarette, shakily.

SHERIFF

Tell me from the top. What do you remember?

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON

I.. I travelled on a ship my father owned, 

transportin’ slaves across the ocean. 

He believed that America was the land of opportunity, 

and as opportunists we set sail from...

SHERIFF

Whoa, whoa, hold your horses. I ain’t here for 

no shameful family history or your online 

travel blogs, lady. Now quit your yappin' 

'bout where you came from. What I wanna know is: 

when was your identity stolen, and who the hell did it?

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON

It all started when I visited Bandit Territory

Productions’ website.

Sheriff's eyes narrow. His hand slowly reaches for his revolver.

CUT TO:

INT. BANDIT TERRITORY PRODUCTIONS HOMEPAGE - CONTINUED

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE – CONTINUED

Sheriff pulls the gun, aiming it right at Unidentified Person. Her world moves distant in a vertigo effect. She flinches, terrified.

SHERIFF

Now listen up and listen good. I ain't known as 

trigger happy for no reason, Maam. So be quick 

and be straight with me before my mistake turns into 

your coffin. What business did you have with the Bandits?

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON

I was exploring their work... and services too.

SHERIFF

Which one?

CUT TO:

INT. BANDIT TERRITORY PRODUCTIONS HOMEPAGE - CONTINUED

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON 

(V.O.)

I started on the homepage, where they 

listed all their services. They offer everything: 

film production, social media content, consultation…

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CONTINUED

SHERIFF

And what then?

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN

I clicked to learn more on the Production Services page.