Institute History
Description
Victor and Thomas were childhood friends. But that was years ago, and the boys are now young men. Although they both live on the Spokane Indian Reservation where they were raised, they've gone their separate ways. Victor drinks too much and drifts through life. Thomas has evolved into an eccentric Indian storyteller, spinning his tales for anyone who will listen who will listen.
Word reaches the reservation that Victor's father, who left long ago, has died in his trailer in Phoenix, Arizona. With no money to make the trip to collect his father's remains, Victor hesitantly accepts Thomas' offer of a loan. And, to make things worse, Thomas insists on making the trip with his old friend.
Once on the road, the two young men begin to relive many of their childhood experiences. Through a series of flashbacks, it is revealed that there was a time when Victor and Thomas were very close. As they recall the bonds of childhood their friendship is renewed.
Victor and Thomas head back home with Victor's father's ashes and his old yellow truck. As they drive and talk through Navajo country, they collide head-on with two other cars. One holds a wealthy old couple and their pet poodle, the other a pair of intellectual Lesbians. This odd assortment of characters is forced to spend the night together, sitting among flipped cars as Thomas spins a hauntingly metaphoric story around a campfire. After ending the night in the hospital, the new friends part ways in the morning without another word.
Victor and Thomas resume their drive home and Thomas finally reveals the true reason he chose to make the trip with Victor. Once back on the reservation, Thomas makes a simple request of his friend—that one time, when Thomas is telling one of his stories, Victor will stop to listen. Victor agrees, and heads off in the truck. Thomas goes into his house and sits alone as a new story comes to him in the silence.