ANDY

Take it easy. You'll be all right.

HEYWOOD

Him? What about me? Crazy old fool! Goddamn near slit my throat!

RED

You've had worse from shaving. What'd you do to set him off?

HEYWOOD

Nothin'! Just came in to say fare-thee-well.

(off their looks)

Ain't you heard? His parole came through!

Red and Andy exchange a surprised look. Andy wants to understand. Red just motions to let it be for now. He puts his arm around Brooks, who sobs inconsolably. Softly:

RED

Ain't that bad, old hoss. Won't be long till you're squiring pretty young girls on your arm and telling 'em lies.

EXT -- PRISON YARD BLEACHERS -- DUSK (1954)

ANDY

I just don't understand what happened in there, that's all.

HEYWOOD

Old man's crazy as a rat in a tin shithouse, is what.

RED

Heywood, enough. Ain't nothing wrong with Brooksie. He's just institutionalized, that's all.

HEYWOOD

Institutionalized, my ass.

RED

Man's been here fifty years. This place is all he knows. In here, he's an important man, an educated man. A librarian. Out there, he's nothing but a used-up old con with arthritis in both hands. Couldn't even get a library card if he applied. You see what I'm saying?

FLOYD

Red, I do believe you're talking out of your ass.

RED

Believe what you want. These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. After long enough, you get so you depend on 'em. That's "institutionalized."

JIGGER

Shit. I could never get that way.

ERNIE

(softly)

Say that when you been inside as long as Brooks has.

RED

Goddamn right. They send you here for life, and that's just what they take. Part that counts, anyway.

EXT -- SHAWSHANK PRISON -- DAWN (1954)

The sun rises over gray stone.

INT -- ANDY'S CELL -- DAWN (1954)

ANGLE ON RITA POSTER. Sexy as ever. The rising sun sends fingers of rosy light creeping across her face.

INT -- LIBRARY -- DAWN (1954)

Brooks stands on a chair, poised at the bars of a window, cradling Jake in his hands.

BROOKS

I can't take care of you no more. You go on now. You're free.

He tosses Jake through the bars. The crow flaps away.

EXT -- SHAWSHANK PRISON -- MAIN GATE -- DAY (1954)

TWO SHORT SIREN BLASTS herald the opening of the gate. It swings hugely open, revealing Brooks standing in his cheap suit, carrying a cheap bag, wearing a cheap hat.

Brooks walks out, tears streaming down his face. He looks back. Red, Andy, and others stand at the inner fence, seeing him off. The massive gate closes, wiping them from view.

INT -- BUS -- DAY (1954)

Brooks is riding the bus, clutching the seat before him, gripped by terror of speed and motion.

BROOKS (V.O.)

Dear Fellas. I can't believe how fast things move on the outside.

EXT -- STREET -- PORTLAND, MAINE -- DAY (1954)

Brooks looks like a kid trying to cross the street without his parents. People and traffic a blur.