www.MethowValley.org-2026

[tristanbgilb]

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time
I walked a troubled road —
drugs, mistakes,
and choices I now know.

A crime against myself,
a devil in disguise,
promising forever joy
through temporary highs.

Peace was whispered softly,
distraction pulled me near;
time will tell the story —
heaven’s hope or hell’s fear.

Time is now before us,
so much left to see.
Rest when you are weary,
set your spirit free.

Lay down the burdens,
face each test your way;
sometimes strength is standing,
sometimes walking away.

Peace and music guide me,
love and quiet magic too;
divisions are illusions
the wounded mind once knew.

Drained thoughts marching —
left, right, left in line,
yet healing comes in moments
where soul and grace align.

To be loved, to be known,
to let the heart unfold —
happiness grows gently
when compassion takes hold.

Blessed are the loving,
those who seek the Creator’s light;
the greatest love descending
to lift us through the night.

A spirit dwelling in us,
teaching what is good,
a path away from corruption
where mercy once stood.

Though flawed from the beginning,
we need not end that way;
take the chance on goodness —
choose love today.

Laugh along the journey,
let wisdom light the scope;
without it we drift blindly
on fragile threads of hope.

Even when despair comes,
staring down the flame,
let peace rise within us
in Jesus’ name.

So let us pray together:
for hearts made kind and strong,
for love to guide our footsteps,
and peace to lead us on.

[tristanbgilb]

once upon a time
I did drugs
and it was a crime
devil amongst the living
certain to deceive
everlasting happiness
not much left to need
be at peace
tickle the distraction
tensile strength reaction
time will tell
heaven or hell
time is here
so much left
in this world
take time to rest
laying down
taking the challenge
to run away
and fight another way
peace and music
love and magic
divisions illusioned
engrained in the brains
brains so drained
not much to think about
left right left
the cadence in formation
the sensation
relived and grown
loved and known
happiness of thought
upon the soul
of those who care
care enough to love god
cursed is without love of the creator
the greatest love
love from above
the holy spirit who dwelleth
dwelleth in them able to know goodness
a path against corruption
though corrupted from the beginning
less corrupted in the end
take a chance
this is the way
not this day without laughter
take it every other path
without wisdom
lost in hope
thoughts of despair
into the dragons mouth it stares
other wise ALL that Cares
let it be peace
in jesus name we say
let us all pray
pray for a great and loving way
to enter our hearts today

[tristanbgilb]

Here’s a polished, coherent version of your words — keeping your imagery and spirit intact while improving flow, clarity, and rhythm:

Morning on the Mountain

In the mist of morning air,
center stage where silence speaks.
Rain in winter, snow in spring —
seasons turning, uncertain things.

Limited by the unknown,
not knowing what we don’t know,
there lie the dangers of darkness
and the burdens carried by light.

Indecision flatters the mind,
yet life moves beyond permission —
a rainbow smiling after rain,
the wind whispering what remains.

A cold breeze down the mountain —
my mountain, Gilbert Mountain.
Here I stand, tall in its shadow,
realizing simply living here
is what truly matters.

The lift, the will, the doubt,
cowardice beside honor.
The wolf’s domain,
the pack among the sheep,
the dog that guards without a tale,
hidden strength within the fold.

Madness and rightness mingle,
yet I stand peacefully,
high upon the mountain,
living as fully as I can.

A fountain of air surrounds me.
Try the distant way —
unpaid, unrelenting,
still moving forward, feeling fine,
living free, longing to be.

Stay still…
Wanting always to know,
yet never knowing
what remains unknown.
Still I search,
sometimes lurching,
often tangled,
nights turning rotten with doubt.

Yet thought leans toward the light.
I wander in darkness
watching for its return.

Standing alone,
wanting to grow —
a life of wonder,
needing more, receiving less.

Still in this world
may we remain blessed.

[tristanbgilb]

in mist of morning air
center stage let us know
rain in winter
spring it snows
limited by unknown
not knowing don't know
dangers of the darkness
the burden of the light
flattery of indecision
living beyond the free
smiling of the rainbow
listening to the wind
cold breeze down the mountain
my mountain
gilbert mountain
here I am
standing so tall
not to know
living here
is all that really matters
the lift
the determination
the cowardness
the honored
the domain of the wolf
the pack upon the sheep
herder of the dog
sheep dog no tales
hidden in the pack
big mac
the true madness
rightness
peacefully standing
high on the mountain
living as can be
fountain through the air
try yonder way
unpaid
unrelentless
going on
feeling fine
living free
wanting be thee
stay still
wanting to always know
can't know what is unknown to me
always searching
lurching
frequent tied up
rotten through the night
living all thought of light
wandering in the darkness
watching for the light
never be
set them free
standing alone
wanting to grow
life of wonder
needing more
getting less
in this world
watch us be blessed.

[tristanbgilb]

peace.png

[tristanbgilb]

Here’s your words shaped into a clearer, heartfelt piece while keeping the spirit, imagery, and emotional flow you created:

Valley of Hope

There are places to be—
the wizards warn us:
emptiness waits
in hearts that yearn forever.

Yet there is a valley of hope.
Step there gently—
a little fear follows,
but peace walks beside it.

Take me in,
hold my hand,
then set me free.
Hearts mingling,
love breathing quietly within.

Anger rises, divisions shout,
institutions draw their lines—
but heart to heart
remains the only victory.

Majesty, make me whole.
Let the feast be kindness,
beyond disguise,
beyond the fleece.

Set peace here.
Let it grow.
Ease the burden,
guide the wandering flock.

Dream of a world
where love is ordinary,
where flowers grow freely,
where we live gently together.

Left, right, left—
the cadence of hope.
Lessons from the fallen,
wings rising higher.

I am of the All.
Tender peace within,
creation alive among us,
hope rendered in simple being.

Light my life,
set fire to my heart—
let joy and tears both fly.

Peace is with you.
Time to release division:
sister to sister,
brother to brother,
one human family
learning again to love.

[tristanbgilb]

I will write some words and then you can organize them into a clear concise work of art from the heart.================ places to be. wizards do warn emptiness in the hearts of all that yearn for evermore. there is this place. the valley of hope. afterwards a little fear. take me in . let me be hold my hand then set me free. places to be things heartfelt within. the hidden joy of life ever more the simple flavour of peace from the more. taken in. let it out. our hearts mingle in love. angry tempers flare. the division. the intimidation. right here. taken down. heart to heart. the only way to win. take me majesty and make me so whole. pleasant is the feast. beyond the fleece. sheeps clothing alternate division of institution. place it here. never ending hight. take the ever peace. set it here. set it forth in the goodness. play it be. ready to ease the burden. herding the sheep. don't eat meat. how do the flowers grown. plentiful in dream. imagine all the people. living love this way. heart to heart. feeling peace from each other. tender is she let her heart fly. left right left. cadence always there. to the place of dreams. screams under the fallen taking lesson. reach new heights. spread the wings. It is I-I am of the ALL. Peace tender within. creation from this nation. rendering hope in the pleasant being. light up my life= set fire to my heart.peace and joy let it fly and laugh and cry;. peace is with you. time to let go and end divisions loving each other as sister to sister and the brothers together.

[tristanbgilb]

Word of Mouth — Painted in Light

I am here, then around I go,
where I land only spirit knows.
Once in shadow, now toward glad,
turning the happy from all the mad.

Goodness gracious — the sun on my shoulders,
warming the heart as the long road smolders.
Sometimes troubled, sometimes glad,
never all good, never all bad.

Shoes on my feet make me feel so rad,
walking the story this life has had.
Not the greatest, not the worst,
just quenching slowly that inner thirst.

Sometimes I tremble, shaking with fear,
wondering if the right path is near.
Wrong I knew, yet still I strayed,
learning the cost of choices made.

Whispers of gossip drift through my mind,
yet forgiveness is easier to find.
The sun shines bright — I breathe, I see,
and light makes better company.

I was here, and often gone,
like dusk fading into dawn.
High and low, the answers flow —
everything I long to know.

Stop, in the name of love, I say,
let the heart guide the way.
I’ll remain where love is strong,
in never-ending light I belong.

Peace be with you, dearest soul,
in this painted place made whole —
a happy little world of grace,
where love and light softly embrace.

[tristanbgilb]

Mourning Lana.png

[tristanbgilb]

Pleasant Thoughts

Pleasure feels like the dream —
not obscene, just human.
Always wondering how to decide
in a world of constant feeling.

Hope moves us forward;
knowing just enough
while still lacking full understanding
in this finite mind.

Still, better to live than not.
The world runs hot —
flaring, daring, working things out.
Time to sing,
time to shout.

Thoughts wander:
sometimes kind,
sometimes bruised.
Forget the great for a moment —
remember the humble.

The long shot not yet taken
is not truly forsaken.
Heaven remains,
and all that rains down:
kingdom come,
will be done.

More and less,
seasons shifting —
summer laughing,
summer sneezing.

Through it all,
the kindness of those we meet,
honor given,
love expressed in small renditions,
peace that longs to last.

A world of hope
where dreams are gentle,
simpler than the mind
that strains to hold everything —
the brain drain of all that is
and all that may be.

So we stand true
in this circle of love,
knowing peace in the future
begins with what we choose now.

[tristanbgilb]

pleasant thoughts
pleasure is the dream
not so obscene
always wondering how to decide
in a world of constant feeling
hope and go
enough to know
lacking full understanding
with this finite mind
rather than not
the world is hot
flaring daring working things out
time to sing
time to shout
random thoughts
sometimes kind
others beaten
forget the great
remember the humble
the long shot
still not taken
not really forsaken
only the heavens
and all that rains
kingdom come
as will is done
some more
less and less
summer acting
summer sneezing
all and all
kindness of those
encountered by honor
renditions of love
peace everlasting
and a world of hope
where dreams are kind
and more simple
more simple than brain
the brain drain
of all that is
and all that is to be
as we stand true
in this circle of love
and peace in the future
is to be taken now

[tristanbgilb]

Truth, Life, and the American Dream

Truth, life, and the American dream — sometimes life is exactly what it seems, and sometimes it is not.
Still, I choose hope. I choose laughter. I choose the sound of children giggling, people caring for one another, hearts unburdened and free.

A heart must be free.
Living a little, liking it a lot — that feels close to heaven’s gate, close to eternity, where the quiet chambers of peace might exist.

Yet the world interrupts.

“Hello… are you friendly?”
“What do you want?”

The temperature rises. Anxiety builds. The body reacts — fear, sickness, the sense of danger closing in. Streets feel crowded with people grasping for their piece of the pie, even when it seems there is nothing left to share. Hope shrinks, fear grows, and responsibility blurs.

Still, there are gentle moments:
a tender touch,
a maiden of hope,
a life shared with loved ones, family, children — the simple blessing of belonging.

And I remind myself:

I have a heart of my own.
Not lost. Not hopeless.
Sometimes shackled, yes — but never without the possibility of a key.

Pain, loss, confusion — they can turn into anger and resentment if left alone too long. I know this. I’ve felt the short fuse, the firecracker temper. I’ve prayed:

Deliver me from my past and I will do better. Help me be better.

Love me first, so I can let love flow outward. Tempt me not toward despair.

There are moments of strange stillness — staring at walls, thoughts flickering like holograms, wondering how far I’ve come and how far I have left to go. I carry love for those who love me and try to release anger toward those who don’t.

And then there is grief.

My father left this world.
I miss him deeply — his toughness, his kindness, the steady example he set. When he died, I cried while younger voices sang farewell. That memory stays with me: sorrow mixed with continuity, endings mixed with beginnings.

From that loss came a quiet realization:

There is peace in growing day by day.
There is a present moment worth living.
There is a past worth learning from.
And there is faith — even when the future is uncertain.

I recognize my limits. I did not create myself. Life itself is a gift from something greater, something I respect as Creator. That belief steadies me when chaos presses in.

The world can feel rebellious — restless people, discontent without clear cause, noise without direction. But one truth keeps resurfacing:

Love is for everyone.

Even someone who wrestles with inner darkness can rejoice in light. My own faith in Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit as I understand it, became a turning point — not perfection, but hope. Not escape, but endurance.

Faith softens hatred. It quiets fear. It opens space for laughter again, even for tears that heal instead of harm.

So I try to sit still sometimes.
To ask: Who am I? What spirit guides me?
To choose kindness over resentment, patience over rage.

Because a safe and compassionate society doesn’t appear by accident — it grows from ordinary acts of love. From people deciding, again and again, to care for each other.

Hope is not naïve.
Faith is not weakness.
Kindness is not surrender.

They are how we move forward.

And I hold onto this:

Act with love.
Stay steady.
Have hope.

That is how hearts stay free.
That is how the dream survives.
That is how we build a world where people can live, laugh, cry quietly when needed — and still believe tomorrow can be better.

[tristanbgilb]

truth life and the American dream. living life as much as it seems. send me hope leave no fear. the giggle laughter of children. people caring for each other. plain as can be a heart must be free. living a little liking it alot heavens gate to eternity is where the chambers at.hello are you friendly. what do you want. I am not hot. temperature up. heart attack. stop to puke. streets filled with mobs wanting their piece of the pie, wanting something when there is nothing. no hope so full of fear. taking aim, who is self responsible. tender touch. maiden of hope. part of the pie life with her and the ones she has born. let it be known, I have a heart of my own not lost not hopeless but a sense of merriment hopeful incident. shackled but not keyless. on the way the government approved rendition. situation critical. so the pain and lostness leads to anger and resentment. deliver me from my past and I will do better. I must be better better than a firecracker with a shortened fuse. help me let me be love me first and let the hearts go free. tempt me not. horrible sensation. last sensation. sit and stare. hologram an the wall how far . taken within filled without for the love of the ones who love and the hate of those that hate let us be still. my dad left this world and how lonesome I am for him. his toughness and his kindness things I will always hold true to my heart. dad died and then I cried as the generation younger than I sang a farewell song. there is peace and a willing ness of growing day by day. I say there is now and a past of learning and a faith in living. the future is difficult to predict as I must concede I am created and without any power of my own. simple care. who goes there. is it he the spirit of kindness with the wants and needs hopes of laughter and being safe at ease. so it is said it is left to come the future dangling right before our eyes and liberties and justices that must be seen. hold steady. the insane drive my brain to a place of hopeless determination to be a road block to bring a future of their liking. take it from him, him who has created everyting there is only he is not created he is creator and I owe him this life and any others that may incurre. it is quite. sensations and rebellions. rebels without a cause only discontentness. let it be known love is for everyone. even I, with a devil that dwelleth in my heart has rejoice in the christ jesus with the love of the holy spirit of god so available to all that wish to recieve faith into their hearts. faith of good and not so this hating and fear. they are not me and My thoughts. seek and destroy. come and see. to the many must recieve and go free. free to laught. quietly crie.teach me to be withing and never letting go as the earth itself falls into the pits of hell of the mourning and the wonder without hope of faith quietly satans dreams living out themselves. only I once with this devil in my heart accepted the faith and life of jesus christ with a hope born in me to carry on. sit still and let me wonder, who is this man and whoes spell is he under. under the holy spirit and the turmoil of the saint Lucifer in my way as sainted by saint theresa herself upon the spirit on her shoulders and the love and prayers of determination. sit sill and have hope. act and love is the only way to gain a society we are safe and content and allowed to be the kindness in our hearts.

[tristanbgilb]

nuclear power plant operator.png

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neutrino.png

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smile and clear cut.png

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babylon.png

[tristanbgilb]

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[tristanbgilb]

chatgpt as editor

Help on the Way

You have to fight
for your right
to party—
left and right,
then learn when
to lay the fight down.

People living life,
caring for each other,
learning that flight can be right
when guided by love, not fear.

Mastermind of time,
fragile ambitions need faith.
Stop here.
Go there.
Saint Lucifer, kindness first—
no vacant stare.

Reminding each other
to love one another.
The beauty of glory,
the story goes on,
singing a song
of tenderness—

a green lizard by the stream,
life moving quiet and clean.

Plenty and despair,
hopelessness and help,
the feeling of both
living side by side.

Anticipation of the great,
the might,
the right—
without plundering madness,
without being lost
or ungrateful for the dead.

The medical world searching,
cannabis solutions,
present moments rendered
while thinking of the past.

Wanting to know—
is ignorance happiness,
or is hope the answer?

Freedom’s laughter,
laughter and hope,
not so cynical,
not without prayer.

Truth or double dare,
wanting to grow,
finding new places,
leaving hatred behind.

Pray for life alive,
not death,
not alone—
but birth.

If birth has ever been,
joy can still be rendered.
Though I don’t know,
my soul must grow—
withering only toward the way,
not staying far away.

Pleasant.
Help on the way.

Jesus Christ,
Superstar,
bulletproof underwear—
faith with a grin.

Cops are chasing,
it’s mighty fine—
pull on over,
say you’re alright.

Ticket madness,
yes sir, no sir,
hoping for the best
in this world.

Let us be blessed.

[tristanbgilb]

you have to fight
for your right
to party
left and right
give up the fight
people living life
caring for each other
flight is right
mastermind
the time
fragile ambitions without faith
stop here
go there
st Lucifer kindness
without such a vacant glare
reminding each other
to love one another
the beautify of glory
the story is on
singing a song
tender ness
of the lizard
in green
the stream
plentiful despair
the feeling of hopelessness
and helpfulness
anticipation of the great
the might
the right
plundering in madness
the lost
without grateful dead
the medical world
cannabis solution
rendering the present
thinking of the past
wanting to know
happiness in ignorance
hopefulness
freedoms laughter
laughter and hope
not so cynical
not without prayer
truth or double dare
wanting to know
places to grow
the madness of hate
pray for death alive
not alone
but a birth
if birth has ever been
rendering joy
though I don't know
my soul must grow
wither to the way
staying far way
pleasant
help on the way
jesus christ
superstar
has the bulletproof
underwear
cops is chasing
its mighty fine
pull on over
plead you are fine
ticket madness
yes sir and no sir
hoping for best
in this world
let us be blessed

[tristanbgilb]

I will:

keep chapter order

preserve events, names, symbolism

keep the voice poetic and raw

expand visual detail without changing meaning

avoid “fixing” the story

This is a surreal road-opera, not realism.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Written by: Tristan B. Gilbert
Based on a true interior story
Genre: Surreal Road Movie / Musical / Spiritual Odyssey
Runtime: ~150 minutes
Tone: Mythic, intimate, funny, dangerous, tender

FADE IN:
CHAPTER 1
EXT. TWISP, WASHINGTON – DAY

A quiet mountain town.
Wind through trees.
A distant radio signal crackles.

KFAC-LP 105.5 FM
A sustained E MINOR CHORD hangs in the air.

INT. MODEST HOME – DAY

TRISTAN, reflective, praying quietly.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
In words I pray for time to give me another day.

Cut to—

EXT. SMALL HOUSE – DAY (MEMORY)

TERRY, older, wise, gentle.
A POODLE at his feet.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
Here I was—Terry’s poodle—gratefully serving my friend and elder.

Terry plays guitar.
Notes float like dust motes.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
There was a lifetime of wisdom in my dear friend.
The greatest guitar hero I ever knew.
So real.
Often quiet.
A place where chivalry never dies.

EXT. HUMBLE MUSIC CLUB – NIGHT (MEMORY)

Beer. Spirits. Small crowd.

Terry performs.
The room is awestruck.

EXT. TWISP STREET – DAY

A CLASSIC BMX BICYCLE rolls past.

EXT. DRIVEWAY – DAY

BRYCE, hood of a BLACK CORVETTE open, adjusting the carburetor.

Tristan rolls up on his bike.

TRISTAN
I need to get to George.
The Gorge.
Terry’s playing.
Eagle River Band.
Show of a lifetime.

BRYCE
No way.

Tristan pauses.

TRISTAN
Sell it to me.

BRYCE
Mr. President of the Black Panthers,
you don’t have the money.
This cannabis war wrecked you.

TRISTAN
True.

A long look.

BRYCE
Trade your GT Pro.

TRISTAN
No way.
That bike’s worth ten Corvettes.
Nathan the Great One built it.
Priceless.

BRYCE
Take it or leave it.

Silence.

Tristan hands over the bike.

Keys drop into his palm.

EXT. HIGHWAY 20 – DAY

The Corvette pulls onto the North Cascades Highway.

EXT. LARRY’S PLACE – DAY

Tires checked.

LARRY
You traded that bike?

TRISTAN
Brand new engine.

Larry shakes his head.

CHAPTER 2
EXT. TWISP COMMUNITY CENTER – DAY

A MOB OF PROTESTERS.

One man stands out:

PAUL — JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Holding a cardboard sign:

HOMELESS
HELPLESS
CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?

Tristan stops.

TRISTAN
What are you doing, Paul?

PAUL
Read the sign.

Tristan nods.

TRISTAN
I’m going to the greatest concert on earth.
Terry’s the headline.

PAUL
Opportunity of a lifetime.

EXT. TRAIN STATION – DAY

Fuel.
Cold beer.

TRISTAN
You got gas money?

PAUL
Only hundreds.

That will do.

EXT. HIGHWAY 153 – DAY

The Corvette crawls at 25 MPH in a 60 MPH ZONE.

Cars honk.
Snow. Ice. Deer.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
Breaking trail.
Being safe looked evil.

EXT. WRONG TURN – DAY

GPS glitches.

PAUL
This thing hasn’t been updated in twenty years.

They’re lost.

Cell bars flicker.

EXT. HILLTOP – DAY

Tristan calls RON.

RON (V.O.)
You’re almost here.

CHAPTER 3
EXT. RON’S DRIVEWAY – DAY

Hundreds of acres of CANNABIS.

TRISTAN
Give me flowers for Terry.

RON
CBD only.

Dogs wobble nearby.

RON
They ate my pot again.

Laughter.

Ron presses flowers—heat—CBD ROSIN.

RON
Legal.
2019 Farm Bill.

Ron hands Tristan a jar.

EXT. BACK ROADS – DAY

Potholes. Ruts.

PAUL
Let’s take this thing up Buttermilk Butte.

Tristan remembers—

A FORD TAURUS, flat tire, purple mountains, SOS call.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
I always had 911 Terry.

CHAPTER 4
EXT. SOUTHBOUND – DAY

Searching for I-90.

Traffic. Endless.

JOHN DENVER – “ANNIE’S SONG”

TRISTAN
Half the fun’s the tailgate.

They eat roadside.

EXT. HIGHWAY – DAY

DENNIS on a GOLDWING pulls alongside.

TRISTAN
Backstage yet?

DENNIS
After bratwurst.

He vanishes through traffic.

CHAPTER 5
EXT. CONCERT PARKING AREA – NIGHT

Music THUNDERS.

KENNY ROGERS echoes.

TRISTAN
Terry must’ve invited him.

Backstage security stops them.

SECURITY
Passes?

Stumbling explanation.

Then—

Recognition.

They’re waved through.

INT. GREEN ROOM – NIGHT

Dennis complains about tofu.

DEBBIE BOONE approaches.

DEBBIE BOONE
Did Nathan give you a GT Pro?

Tristan sings.

“You light up my life…”

She joins him.

CHAPTER 6
INT. BACKSTAGE – NIGHT

TV on mute.

NATHAN THE GREAT ONE on CNN.

Threats. Cannabis. Gilligan’s Island.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
President Tristan… most wanted.

EXT. STAGE – NIGHT

EAGLE RIVER BAND
MERLE HAGGARD
JOHNNY PAYCHECK

Chaos. Joy.

TERRY
You having a good time?

Guitar ROARS.

Final song: “WINDS OF CHANGE.”

Encore.

GLEN CAMPBELL enters.

Security grabs Tristan.

EXT. STAGE – NIGHT

“RHINESTONE COWBOY”

EXT. BACKSTAGE – NIGHT

TERRY
Get out.
There’s a bounty.

CHAPTER 7
EXT. I-90 – NIGHT

25 MPH again.

Sheriff pulls them over.

SHERIFF
We don’t like weed smokers.

Pause.

SHERIFF
Get out of here.

Salutes exchanged.

CHAPTER 8
EXT. HIGHWAY 97 – DAY

Multiple patrol cars.

Lights off.

Blocked road.

CHAPTER 9
EXT. OKANOGAN – DAY

SHERIFF BUDROW leads the way.

Bear hug.

BUDROW
Cannabis rescheduled today.
In your honor.

TRISTAN
Am I free?

BUDROW
Free—
but you’re going to Spokane VA.

CHAPTER 10
INT. PATROL CAR – NIGHT

Shackled.

PURTELL
Music?

TRISTAN
KFAC-LP 105.5 FM.

TERRY – “MAMA TRIED (LIVE)”

Spokane lights glow.

CHAPTER 11
INT. VA WARD – NIGHT

Locked door.

Private room.

Bolted bed.

TRISTAN
Luxury.

Coloring begins.

CHAPTER 12

Dronabinol.

Peace.

Stories of past restraint.

This place is different.

Kind.

CHAPTER 13

Dining room.

MARILYN MONROE
EINSTEIN
JERRY GARCIA

Art. Physics. Space travel.

Medication line.

NURSE
Hi Tristan.

Robin Williams appears.

Laughter.

CHAPTER 14

Drawing spirits.

War. Religion. Humanity.

Exercise yard incident.

Privileges revoked.

CHAPTER 15

Parents visit.

TRISTAN
Meet my dad—Crazy Horse.

Friends line up.

Later—

TRISTAN (V.O.)
My dad died.

Angel on the cliff.

Saved.

CHAPTER 16
EXT. VA EXIT – DAY

Doctor nods.

DOCTOR
Time to go home.

Outside—

A STAGE.

A CROWD.

TERRY
Greatest concert on earth—
for you.

Music erupts.

Sun breaks clouds.

REPORTER
Aren’t you the most wanted man alive?

TRISTAN
Found innocent by reason of insanity.

Dennis drives the Corvette.

Sirens escort them home.

FADE OUT.
THE END

[tristanbgilb]

make the script follow the original storyline. leave the story as intact as possible while creating the story into a hollywood movie script

Got it. I’ll keep the original storyline intact, preserve the voice, sequence, characters, and surreal logic, and translate it directly into a Hollywood screenplay format—not reinterpret, not sanitize, not reframe. Think of this as your story locked into script structure: slug lines, dialogue, action, pacing.

Below is a faithful screenplay adaptation, following your chapters in order, using your events and language as much as possible while making it filmable.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Written by: Tristan B. Gilbert
Genre: Surreal Road Movie / Musical / Psychological Drama
Format: Feature Film Screenplay

FADE IN:
EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY – DAY

A 1980 BLACK CORVETTE rumbles south.

Inside the car—

INT. CORVETTE – DAY

TRISTAN drives.
PAUL (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) rides shotgun.

The engine growls — powerful, newly rebuilt.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
So here we go. Jesus Christ Superstar and myself, headed south to find I-90. Expired GPS. No idea where we’re going.

Paul looks out the window, calm.

TRISTAN
My dad said George is where Martha’s Diner is.
At the time, my gramma hadn’t built it yet.

Traffic thickens ahead.

TRISTAN
Look, dude — we’re going to need a miracle to get through all this traffic.

In the distance—

JOHN DENVER’S VOICE drifts through the air.

TRISTAN
That’s the opening act for the greatest show on earth.

He sings softly along with “Annie’s Song.”

TRISTAN
It’d be faster to walk than drive to the gate.

EXT. ROADSIDE – DAY

The Corvette pulls over.

Tristan and Paul eat PLANTAINS AND RICE.

A GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE pulls up.

DENNIS removes his helmet.

TRISTAN
Hey Dennis — shouldn’t you be backstage warming up for Terry and the Eagle River Band?

DENNIS
Not before the bratwurst barbecue.

Dennis revs the engine.

TRISTAN
Get us backstage!

Dennis grins and weaves into traffic, disappearing.

EXT. CONCERT PARKING AREA – NIGHT

Music grows louder.

The Corvette finally stops.

INT./EXT. CORVETTE – NIGHT

Tristan steps out. His legs wobble.

TRISTAN
Shoot, Paul — I hear Kenny Rogers.

EXT. BACKSTAGE ENTRANCE – NIGHT

SECURITY blocks them.

SECURITY
Where are your passes?

Tristan stumbles through an explanation.

Behind him—

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
THE PRESIDENT

The guard freezes.

SECURITY
I… I can’t believe—

They walk past.

INT. GREEN ROOM – NIGHT

Dennis complains.

DENNIS
This tofu is terrible.

Across the room—

DEBBIE BOONE.

She approaches Tristan.

DEBBIE BOONE
Aren’t you the guy Nathan the Great One bestowed a GT Pro to?

TRISTAN
That was me.

Instead of explaining, Tristan belts—

“You light up my liiiiife…”

Debbie joins him.

Just them.

INT. BACKSTAGE – NIGHT – TV ON (MUTED)

CNN footage plays.

NATHAN THE GREAT ONE demands cannabis freedom.
Threatens to invade Gilligan’s Island.

TRISTAN (V.O.)
President Tristan… most wanted man on earth.

EXT. STAGE – NIGHT

EAGLE RIVER BAND, MERLE HAGGARD, JOHNNY PAYCHECK.

Crowd goes wild.

TERRY
You all having a good time?

CHEERS.

Final song—

“Winds of Change”

Encore demanded.

GLEN CAMPBELL walks out.

Security approaches Tristan.

SECURITY
Terry wants you onstage.

EXT. STAGE – NIGHT

“Rhinestone Cowboy”

Tristan sings with Glenn Campbell.

EXT. BACKSTAGE – NIGHT

Terry grabs Tristan.

TERRY
Get out of here. There’s a bounty. Dead or alive.

INT. CORVETTE – NIGHT

Paul rides shotgun.

They flee.

EXT. I-90 – DAY

The Corvette crawls at 25 MPH.

Snowy hills. Methow Valley.

A SHERIFF pulls them over.

SHERIFF
We don’t like weed smokers around here.

Tristan explains.

SHERIFF
You’re wanted dead or alive.
Get out of here before I lock you up.

They exchange salutes.

EXT. HIGHWAY 97 – DAY

Multiple sheriff cars block the road.

Lights off.

SHERIFF BUDROW steps forward.

He hugs Tristan.

BUDROW
Mr. President. Trump rescheduled cannabis today.
You’re free — but you’re going to Spokane VA.

INT. PATROL CAR – NIGHT

Handcuffed. Shackled.

DEPUTY PURTELL drives.

PURTELL
You want music?

TRISTAN
KFAC-LP 105.5 FM, Twisp.

They stream it.

TERRY – “Mama Tried” (Live)

Spokane lights appear.

INT. VA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WARD – NIGHT

Locked doors.

A private room.

Bed bolted down.

TRISTAN
Back into the lap of luxury.

MONTAGE:

— Coloring self-portraits
— Singing
— Dronabinol pills
— Calm nights

INT. DINING ROOM – DAY

MARILYN MONROE
EINSTEIN

Einstein nods and leaves.

JERRY GARCIA laughs nearby.

They talk art, music, space propulsion.

INT. MEDICATION LINE – DAY

A NURSE smiles.

NURSE
Hi Tristan.

He swallows pills.

She laughs.

EXT. COURTYARD – DAY

Tristan jokingly announces—

TRISTAN
I’m an escaped mental patient.

The woman panics.

He apologizes.

Privileges revoked.

INT. VISITING ROOM – DAY

Tristan’s MOTHER AND FATHER arrive.

TRISTAN
Everyone — meet my dad. Crazy Horse.

Jerry Garcia. Robin Williams. Others greet him.

Later—

TRISTAN (V.O.)
Later my dad died.

INT. VA EXIT – DAY

Doctor shakes his hand.

DOCTOR
You’re ready to go home.

EXT. VA PARKING LOT – DAY

A STAGE.
A CROWD.
TERRY, DENNIS, LEAH.

Music explodes.

The sky opens.

Sunlight pours through clouds.

EXT. CROWD – DAY

A REPORTER finds Tristan.

REPORTER
Aren’t you the most wanted man on earth?

TRISTAN
I was found innocent by reason of insanity.

EXT. CORVETTE – DUSK

Dennis drives.

Sirens escort them home.

Methow Valley ahead.

FADE OUT.
THE END

[tristanbgilb]

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

A Surreal Road Movie

Genre: Musical Drama / Psychological Fantasy
Tone: Mythic, humorous, tender, unhinged, ultimately grounded
Rating: R (language, thematic intensity)
Runtime: ~120 minutes

FADE IN:
EXT. HIGHWAY – NIGHT

A CHERRY-RED CORVETTE crawls along at 25 MPH on a 70 MPH interstate.

Headlights whip past like judgment.

Inside the car—

INT. CORVETTE – NIGHT

TRISTAN B. GILBERT (50s) — sharp-eyed, worn, electric — grips the wheel.
His legs tremble slightly.

Beside him, calm and radiant:

PAUL
(quiet smile)
You hear that?

Faint music drifts through the night air.

TRISTAN
That’s Kenny Rogers.

Paul nods. Like it’s obvious.

ACT I — THE CONCERT
EXT. CONCERT PARKING LOT – NIGHT

Music ROARS louder now. Floodlights. Dust. Chaos.

Tristan steps out of the Corvette. His knees wobble.

TRISTAN
(shouting)
Shoot, Paul — I hear Kenny Rogers!

They move toward—

EXT. BACKSTAGE ENTRANCE – NIGHT

A SECURITY GUARD blocks them.

SECURITY
Passes.

Tristan stumbles through an explanation.

Before it falls apart—

The guard freezes.

Standing behind Tristan:

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
and
MR. PRESIDENT
(identities blurred, symbolic)

The guard swallows.

SECURITY
I— I just can’t believe—

They move past him.

INT. GREEN ROOM – NIGHT

Chaos. Legends everywhere.

DENNIS, grumbling.

DENNIS
Who ordered tofu?

Across the room—

DEBBIE BOONE.

Tristan pretends not to notice.

She walks right up.

DEBBIE BOONE
Aren’t you the guy who traded a GT Pro to Nathan the Great One?

Tristan nods.

Instead of explaining—

He BELTS:

“You light up my liiiiife…”

Debbie freezes… then smiles.

She joins in.

A private duet backstage.

EXT. STAGE – NIGHT

JOHN DENVER and KENNY ROGERS play.

WILLIE NELSON begs from the wings.

PRODUCER
Sit back, Willie. This show’s for heaven’s angels.

Willie laughs. Accepts it.

INT. BACKSTAGE – NIGHT – TV MONITOR

Muted CNN footage plays.

NATHAN THE GREAT ONE appears onscreen, ranting about cannabis freedom and Gilligan’s Island.

Tristan watches, unsettled.

Reality begins to bend.

ACT II — THE FALL
EXT. CONCERT – LATER

EAGLE RIVER BAND takes the stage.

Crowd ERUPTS. Punk kids mosh. Surfers ride hands.

TERRY
You all havin’ a good time?

The crowd ROARS.

Terry slams into a guitar riff.

Final song:

“Winds of Change”

Encore demanded.

GLEN CAMPBELL walks out.

Security grabs Tristan.

SECURITY
Terry wants you onstage.

EXT. STAGE – NIGHT

Tristan sings “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

For a moment—he belongs.

Then—

TERRY
(urgent)
Get him out of here. There’s a bounty.

EXT. HIGHWAY – NIGHT

Back in the Corvette.

Sirens flash distantly.

ACT III — CAPTURE
EXT. METHOW VALLEY – DAY

Snow. Pines. Stillness.

The Corvette crawls again.

A SHERIFF pulls Tristan over.

SHERIFF
We don’t like weed smokers around here.

Pause.

Then softer—

SHERIFF (CONT’D)
Get out of here before someone kills you.

They exchange salutes.

EXT. OKANOGAN COUNTY – DAY

Multiple patrol cars block the road.

No lights. Calm.

SHERIFF BUDROW steps forward.

BUDROW
Welcome home, Mr. President.

He hugs Tristan.

BUDROW (CONT’D)
You’re free. But you need help.

ACT IV — LOONY TUNE LAND
INT. VA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WARD – DAY

Locked doors CLANK.

Bright colors. Calm staff.

Tristan wears shackles—grinning.

TRISTAN
I wanted to make an impression.

MONTAGE:

— Coloring self-portraits
— Singing loudly
— Dronabinol pills
— Night sweats fading
— Laughter

INT. DINING ROOM – DAY

MARILYN MONROE and EINSTEIN sit quietly.

Einstein nods to Tristan and leaves.

JERRY GARCIA laughs nearby.

They talk art. Space travel. Neutrinos.

Jerry listens. Seriously.

INT. MED LINE – DAY

A NURSE smiles.

NURSE
Hi, Tristan.

He swallows his meds.

Sticks out his tongue.

She laughs.

NURSE
You don’t have to do that here.

EXT. HOSPITAL COURTYARD – DAY

Tristan jokingly tells a woman—

TRISTAN
I’m an escaped mental patient.

Her fear hits him instantly.

TRISTAN (CONT’D)
I’m sorry— I’m joking—

Privilege revoked. Lesson learned.

ACT V — RELEASE
INT. VA EXIT – DAY

Doctor shakes Tristan’s hand.

DOCTOR
You’re ready.

Outside—

A CROWD.

A STAGE.

TERRY waits.

TERRY
We brought you a concert.

Music explodes.

EXT. PARKING LOT STAGE – DAY

The sky breaks open.

Sunlight pours through clouds.

Tristan stands among veterans.

A reporter approaches.

REPORTER
Aren’t you the most wanted man on Earth?

TRISTAN
I was found innocent by reason of insanity.

The crowd CHEERS.

EXT. CORVETTE – DUSK

Dennis drives.

Sirens escort them home.

Tristan looks out the window—peaceful.

FINAL SHOT
EXT. METHOW VALLEY – NIGHT

The Corvette disappears into darkness.

Music echoes faintly.

Not applause.

Breathing.

FADE OUT.

[tristanbgilb]

Chapter 16 — Going Home

The loony-tune world had been kind to me.
Safe.
Predictable.

But even good places aren’t meant to last forever.

The doctor told me it was time to go home.
I agreed.

Leaving was harder than I expected.
I mourned my new friends—
people who understood pain without needing explanations.
Outside these walls, emotions aren’t managed or scheduled.
They come all at once:
joy, grief, anger, love, regret.

Freedom, I realized,
is a kind of suffering too.

I packed what little I had and headed for the exit,
saluting the familiar security desk as I passed—
a small gesture of gratitude.

And then the doors opened.

Terry was standing there.

Just Terry.
A friend.
A familiar face in the real world.

He smiled and hugged me like nothing strange had happened,
like I hadn’t just walked out of a locked ward
back into the noise and uncertainty of life.

“There’s music today,” he said.
“For you. For everyone.”

And suddenly the parking lot didn’t feel empty anymore.
People were there—
veterans, friends, passersby—
drawn together by sound and shared presence.

A fiddle sang.
A guitar followed.
The crowd responded the way people do when something good reminds them they’re alive.

For a moment,
I didn’t know how to name what I felt.

Am I living?
Or just surviving?

Terry leaned close and said something simple,
something human:
“We’re here. That’s what matters.”

The clouds thinned and sunlight broke through—not as a miracle,
but as weather doing what weather does.
Still, it felt meaningful.

I thought about who I had been.
The harm I carried.
The anger I once fed.
The ways I had learned—slowly, painfully—to turn toward kindness instead.

Change doesn’t come as thunder.
It comes as choice.
Again and again.

The music picked up—
familiar rhythms, steady bass, voices that knew when to hold back and when to rise.
It wasn’t the greatest show on earth.

It was something better.

It was real.

Later, we left.
No sirens for drama—
just the road stretching out ahead,
the lights fading behind us,
home waiting quietly.

The Methow Valley doesn’t promise perfection.
It promises space.
Community.
Responsibility.

I wasn’t returning as a hero or a villain.
Just a person—
still learning how to live well
outside the safety of locked doors.

And that,
I understood,
was enough