Mended by a Mountain

Detailed Synopsis:

When Cash Boone, a former sheltered honors graduate, steps foot into college in 1963, he is greeted by an unexpected, unknown world. Poker chips and the smell of perfume captivate him. Surrounded by attractive women with laughter and excitement, Cash finds himself drawn into a vortex of temptation. The taste of alcohol burns his throat as he joins in the reckless nights of partying and skipping classes.

As his academic performance plummets to all failing grades, he breaks a student’s jaw and writes a bad check for over $900. Cash escapes the consequences of his actions. Boarding a Greyhound bus in Florida, he embarks on a two-thousand-mile journey to Wyoming. The long hours on the road are accompanied by noisy engines and chatter of fellow passengers. Scents of stale air and worn upholstery linger in the bus but don’t rival his burning insides and guilt.

Arriving in the Wild West, Cash quickly learns that reality differs from the romanticized 1960s TV westerns. Chaos engulfs him as he faces grueling ranch work and the endless scolding of a despising foreman. The boss’s wife, a woman filled with desire, relentlessly pursues him, leaving a trail of tension and forbidden temptation in her wake.

Tragedy strikes when a grizzly bear takes the life of the boss’s wife, and Cash becomes the scapegoat. Panic grips him as he seeks refuge in darkness, his heart pounding nonstop. The sharp scent of pine trees fills the area as he navigates through the dense forest, hiding from the law with the aid of an Indian as he faces starvation. Desperate for survival, Cash takes a treacherous job climbing mountains where others have met harm. The biting icy wind on his face and jagged rocks beneath his trembling hands serve as constant reminders of the danger that surrounds him.

When overwhelming guilt and relentless lack of sleep consume him, he sits in the dimly lit room, his trembling hands grasping the pen. With a heavy heart, he pours his emotions onto the paper, recounting his whereabouts and the nature of his job to his concerned parents. Weeks pass, marked by harrowing encounters with savage beasts that leave him breathless with fear. He endures the agonizing pain inflicted by wicked men, their blows leaving him bruised and battered. Amidst this turmoil, a letter arrives from his father, casting a dark shadow over his already burdened soul.

Drowning in despair, he resolves to put an end to his misery. Determined to seek solace in death, he embarks on a treacherous journey, ascending an insurmountable mountain nestled within the breathtaking Grand Teton National Park. Exhaustion drains his weary body, each step becoming a battle against his physical limitations. Yet, as he struggles halfway up the daunting peak, a profound connection is forged between him and the majestic landscape. The mountain and nature speak to him, whispering words of wisdom, offering strange weather, and altering his perspective on life.

Embracing newfound hope after reaching and descending from the peak, he finds love in a compassionate girl who ignites a fire within him. With her support, he discovers a newfound confidence that propels him forward.

At last, he emerges as an overnight hero, conquering the summit and rendering a great service to the park. His valiant act resonates with others, inspiring them to follow in his footsteps. The guitar, once part of his collegiate failures, now redeems him and brings offers of fame and fortune through his music.

 But he must make the toughest decision of his life. Hurt friends to become famous and wealthy or remain true to his promise to never hurt others again.