CHRISTOPHER SULLEN- Main character
JOSIE SULLEN- Christopher's brother
HENRY SULLEN- Christopher's father
SKYLAR SULLEN- Christopher's sister
CATHERINE MARTIN- The head of Martin's household which the sullens work for
DIANE MARTIN- Daughter of Catherine
MICHAEL HOWARD- Friend of the Martins
LEONA HOWARD- Wife of Michael
CARISSA HOWARD- Daughter of Michael and potential love interest of Christopher
EDWARDS DEBRUE- Carissa's longtime fiance
PROLOGUE: A FIGHT I CANNOT WIN
(Behind the huge castle where the Martins lived, Henry and Josie were up hewing wood. The day was only dawning but they didn't let it stop them. The lamps was placed at a safe distance and they worked, humming through the dimness and cold)
HENRY: What up with your brother? he not up yet?
JOSIE: You know Christopher doesn't come out at this time. He carefully sleeps through dawn, like he doesn't want to see us when we work.
HENRY: I thought you said he helped late last night. The horses that were sick, he treated yeah?
JOSIE: only because who else would do it?
HENRY:I'm gonna have another conversation with him today. I did the last time and thought he heard me, but who am I kidding? He thinks hard work is not for him? He should have been born in a palace then.
JOSIE: (chuckled) poor bloke got life all messed up.
HENRY: (stopped) why's Skylar here?
JOSIE: (looked, frowned) That doesn't seem anything like Skylar.
CHRISTOPHER: (came into view) Sorry I'm late Dad. (nodded to his brother) Josie. (to Henry) can I ask why you just don't listen to me?
HENRY: (surprised) what are you talking about?
CHRISTOPHER: I keep telling you to not work at this time. Tis dark, and you have poor vision. Not to mention, you've become overworked to the point of losing strength. I don't know what would happen if you had an accident and no one was around for you.
HENRY: That's why you're here. isn't it? And what makes you think I'm weak? I grew up hewing wood, it cannot suddenly be too heavy for me to lift.
CHRISTOPHER: You should get more rest if you are to live longer, Dad.
JOSIE: That's right. But who would he leave it for? you who never wakes on time? or me who's got enough on his plate?
HENRY: I think I get it, I'll stop for now. you'll take over?
CHRISTOPHER: Happily.(pulls off his shirt)
HENRY: The temperature is really low. you don't wanna catch a cold..
JOSIE: (to Henry) if you leave, we'll take all day!
HENRY: A moments rest for me, that's all. I know how it gets tiring for young folks. I'll be back before you know it. (walked away)
CHRISTOPHER: Take your time.
JOSIE: (stopped) you don't know what you're doing. If you can't do manual labour easily, you shouldn't send away someone who can. I'm neither cut out for it, I just work to give the man moral support.
CHRISTOPHER: I don't see the problem here.
JOSIE: You are the problem. Always butting in for no reason. Trying to make an impression of what you're not. you want to relieve him of stress? why don't you go ahead and do it then? (dropped the machete) if his son is not stressed out, I'm sure that will triple the recovery for him.
CHRISTOPHER: what point does that make? I'm his son too.
JOSIE: Tell me about it. that you are qualified to call yourself his son.
CHRISTOPHER: (indifferent) you know, you don't need say things like that before you leave. heck, you need not say anything because I wasn't even gonna stop you.
JOSIE: Glad you understand. (struted off)
CHRISTOPHER: (worked for hours. Eventually started dabbing sweat under the rising sun. Was walking when he heard some strunch sound. He thought before speaking) you want something Skylar?
CARRIE: (shrugged) Skylar, who is that?
CHRISTOPHER: (whipped around, surprised) Who are you?
CARRIE: Me? Just someone.... (stared)who has never seen you before? (narrowed her looks) are you stealing those?
CHRISTOPHER: the logs? (chuckled) you mean am I stealing the logs?
CARRIE: I've never seen you before. what else can I assume but that you're a thief?
CHRISTOPHER: well, that's some way to think. Then you must've seen many diligent thieves.
CARRIE: You are new then?
CHRISTOPHER: (ignored) I should be asking the questions. who are you and what are you doing here?
CARRIE: Do I have to give an answer?
CHRISTOPHER: Then you wouldn't mind me reporting you as a thief?
CARRIE: (smirked) do I look like one?
CHRISTOPHER: I've seen better looking thieves.
CARRIE: Are you crazy? is there a way for any thief to just waltz inside this heavily guarded fortress-looking house?
CHRISTOPHER: so you know that? you must have known that when you assume I'm one too. is there a reason I shouldn't be offended?
CARRIE: I'm a friend of Diane's, sure you know who that is. I came around because I need some peace.
CHRISTOPHER: which you couldn't find with your friend. what kind of friendship is that?
CARRIE: (angry) you're not going to judge my friendship when I don't even know you.
CHRISTOPHER: Fair point. (started stacking up woods to move)
CARRIE: Can you do that by yourself? it looks heavy.
CHRISTOPHER: oh thanks, I'm good.
CARRIE: I wasn't offering to help.
CHRISTOPHER: (stared at her) Thanks, I guess.
CARRIE: (her phone rang, she answered and spoke for a while then hung up) hey, don't tell anyone I was here.
CHRISTOPHER: I don't even know your name.
CARRIE: Great. let's keep it that way. (walked out with him gazing at her)