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This screenplay has been copyrighted. Please be aware that the text contains some profanity.
Selected Scenes
Pete and Jennifer talk about the future
Pete robs a class in progress
Principal Fairleigh is told of the robbery
Pete and Jennifer at lunch
Pete meets with his guidance counselor
family argument
MAIN CHARACTERS
Pete Rutger
Jennifer Berkeley
Mr. Fairleigh----------------principal of Fairlawn High School
Mr. Dickinson---------------assistant principal
Mrs. Glassboro--------------main office secretary
Mr. Douglass----------------american literature teacher
Mr. Cook--------------------philosophy teacher
Mrs. Livingston-------------driver education teacher
Officer Jensen
Officer Brunswick
Ellen, Diane, and Karen-----Jennifer's friends
Mr. Garly---------------------Pete's ex-guidance counselor
Bobby Mercer---------------sophomore
Mr. Rutger
Mrs. Rutger
hall teacher
girl in lunchroom
girl in main office
angry parent
various students, teachers, and secretaries
FADE IN:
1. EXTERIOR / SUBURBAN COMMUNITY / MORNING
It is September of 1980. A medium-sized shopping mall is seen. Split-level houses can be seen off in the distance. The parking lots around the mall are almost completely empty. It is apparent that the mall has not opened yet. The big stores that occupy the far ends of the mall are J.C.Penny's and Macy's. Far in front of the mall, there is a sign for the twin cinemas that are inside. Eventually, the main sign, "FAIRLAWN MALL," can be noticed. The sound of light traffic is heard. Route 18, the main drag of the area, runs alongside the front of the whole mall. Many more stores and shops are on the opposite side of the highway. There are clothing stores, a deli, a furniture place, a Seven-Eleven, and much more. There is an obvious McDonald's. Traffic keeps coming, slowly getting heavier.
2. EXTERIOR / SUBURBAN SCENES / MORNING
A house. Split-level with a driveway and two garages. The grass is neatly cut, flowers arranged all around. Nicely painted house, clean windows. Two more houses, just as neatly kept as the first one. Three more houses. Six more houses. Visually, the houses keep multiplying. We are in suburbia. Suburban New Jersey.
3. EXTERIOR / WOODED AREA / MORNING
We see a car parked in a wooded area, away from traffic and houses. It is a '69 Plymouth Fury. As we move closer, we see PETE RUTGER sleeping in the back seat. There are all kinds of junk in the car. Fast food bags, magazines, and portions of newspapers and bottles are littered around. There are also a few paper bags and packages of cupcakes and donuts around. A school notebook is on the dashboard. An alarm clock placed on the front seat of the car goes off. PETE is startled a little, but lifts himself up to turn it off.
4. EXTERIOR / SUBURBAN STREETS / MORNING
PETE'S car has trouble starting. He gets it going and drives through various side streets. He drives past many houses. He soon turns off onto a wider street. He pulls into the small Seven-Eleven type store. He gets out of his car, looks around a little and walks into the store.
5. INTERIOR / STORE / MORNING
PETE walks in and sees one man behind the counter. He is just handing a customer back his money. The customer and his little girl walk out of the store. PETE sees that he is now the only customer in the store. He shoots a glance out the front windows of the store and sees that no one is pulling in. He approaches the cashier and pulls a small gun out of his jacket pocket.
PETE: Give me money. Make it fast.
The cashier hesitates a moment, caught off guard by the sight of the gun.
PETE: Let's go!
The cashier opens the register and hands PETE what looks to be a few tens and twenties. PETE looks the money over.
PETE: There must be more than this! Let's get it out!
The cashier hesitates again. Suddenly, PETE hops over the counter and pushes the man down onto the floor.
PETE: Just get down there!
CASHIER: That's all there is, I'm telling you!
PETE: Bullshit.
PETE sees that there are many fives and singles still in the register.
PETE: What do you call this?
CASHIER: .....just ones and fives.
PETE: It adds up.
Just as PETE begins to hop back over the counter, there is a jingling sound. It is another customer walking in. PETE aims his gun down at the cashier, signaling him to stay quiet.The customer looks up one of the aisles for a moment, and then walks right up to PETE.
CUSTOMER: Pack of Marlboros, please.
PETE: Oh yeah, sure.
PETE turns around and sees all the makes of cigarettes on the shelves. He has trouble finding the type that the man wants.
CUSTOMER: They're right over there--see? Two over from the Camels.
PETE: Right.
He grabs a pack and hands them to the man.
PETE: A dollar twenty-five.
The man hands him the money.
CUSTOMER: Thanks a lot.
The man walks out of the store. As the door closes, PETE begins to lift himself over the counter. Another customer walks in; this time it's an elderly woman. She looks toward PETE and then up the nearest aisle. She pauses, and then walks out of PETE'S view. PETE immediately jumps over the counter and tries to casually walk out of the store.
6. EXTERIOR / PARKING LOT / MORNING
Once PETE is outside, he quickly walks to his car. The engine has some trouble starting, but soon PETE is on his way. He drives down some main roads, past more stores, gas stations and houses. Along the way, he tries to count his money.
7. EXTERIOR / JENNIFER'S HOUSE / MORNING
There is a view of a single split-level house. The outside of the house looks very clean; the yard is very neat. Many flowers have been placed along the sides of the spotless driveway. A woman walks out of the house in her nightgown. She looks to be around forty and her arms are full of clothes, books, and various other things. She walks in front of the house and bitterly throws everything on the front lawn. Then she walks back inside the house. Before long, she is out again with another load. She walks to front and does the same thing all over again. She walks back inside.
8. EXTERIOR / McDONALD'S / MORNING
PETE drives to Route 18 and heads to a McDonald's. He goes to the drive-through. A pick-up truck is ahead of him. It has about three construction workers in it. Before long, PETE gets up to the window and orders some hash browns and a muffin. He has to repeat what he wants to have around three times, as the outside speaker is not working good. A muffled voice soon tells him the cost of his food, but the sound is unintelligible. He pays for his food and then drives to the side of the McDonald's. He takes a parking space that is away from other cars. PETE lays out a napkin on the seat next to him, and places his food on it He begins to eat. As he eats, he has nothing much to look at, apart from a gas station that is next door. Across the street, there is another fast food place. Looking lonely, PETE turns his radio on. One gets the impression that PETE has gone through this same routine numerous times before.
9. EXTERIOR / SUBURBAN STREETS / MORNING
PETE heads back onto the sidestreets. While driving, he brushes his hand against his face. He looks at himself in his rear view mirror. He slows down his car and reaches under his seat. A can of shaving cream rolls out, along with some pencils and some used napkins.
10. EXTERIOR / JENNIFER'S HOUSE / MORNING
PETE drives to JENNIFER BERKELEY'S house. She is just standing around ,waiting outside. There are two small carrying bags near her, along with a big pile of items, which include towels, crinkled posters, and even some bathroom things ,like make-up and shampoo. PETE turns his engine off.
JENNIFER: What are you doing?
PETE: You want me to put everything in the trunk, don't you?
JENNIFER: No. Just get it all in the back seat for now. Let's just get out of here.
JENNIFER'S MOTHER comes out of the house as they pull away. She watches the two drive off.
11. EXTERIOR / PETE'S CAR / MORNING
PETE and JENNIFER try to talk but can't figure out much to say.
PETE: So--how's it going?
JENNIFER: I feel like somebody took an ice cream scooper and just scooped all my guts out.
PETE sees JENNIFER'S bags in the rear view mirror.
PETE: This is it, right?
JENNIFER: Yeah. Yeah, this is it. I'm not going back. Not like the last time.
PETE: Good.
JENNIFER: I mean, when they're both at work, things are decent. But when they're not-- whenever they're around each other, they're either arguing or doing nothing.
12. EXTERIOR / RESIDENTIAL / AREAS MORNING
Many people are leaving their houses to get to work. Garage doors quickly open and close. Occasional cars go by. Kids and teenagers are walking on the sidewalks and crossing streets, getting to their bus stops or driving to school.
13. INTERIOR / CAR / MORNING
JENNIFER is combing her hair. She adjusts the rear view mirror in order to see better. No matter what, she always appears to be shrewd in a disheveled kind of way. She looks behind her. PETE and JENNIFER are both of medium height and are fairly attractive. However, they have a noticeably bored look to them. Somehow, it can be sensed that the boredom that they display can quickly turn into anger. Both look to be about eighteen years old.
14. EXTERIOR/INTERIOR / CAR / MORNING
PETE and JENNIFER are slowly making their way through the side streets. They watch all the houses going by, and the students, and the kids. They are silent for a while, but are desperately searching for words.
JENNIFER (calmly): Nice day out.
PETE: Yeah.
JENNIFER looks over at PETE and stares.
JENNIFER: You could have shaved better.
PETE: What?
JENNIFER brushes her hand across the side of PETE'S face.
JENNIFER: Look at this shit. Who taught you how to shave?
PETE feels his face.
PETE: It's not that bad.
JENNIFER: Not that bad?
PETE looks at his face in the rear view mirror.
PETE: Don't worry about it. It doesn't show that much.
JENNIFER: It shows enough! (pause) You'll never be organized.
PETE: What does it matter?
JENNIFER: You know what you're gonna look like by the end of the day?
They drive silently for a while. PETE angrily stares ahead.
JENNIFER: I'm hungry.
PETE: Didn't you eat yet?
JENNIFER: No.
JENNIFER rummages through some wrappers and things in the car.
JENNIFER: You got anything fresh in here?
PETE: No. I'm running kind of low.
JENNIFER: All right, so stop someplace, OK?
15. EXTERIOR / STORE / MORNING
PETE soon pulls up in front of a different Seven-Eleven type store.
JENNIFER: I thought we were gonna stop at a McDonald's--like someplace decent.
PETE: What do you want?
JENNIFER (taking her time): I don't know. I'm so sick of this shit. Some kind of cake--not cupcakes. One of those small coffee cakes is good. And some chocolate milk.
PETE: OK.
JENNIFER: I'll wait here.
PETE: OK.
PETE gets out of the car and walks into the store. In the meantime, JENNIFER sorts through different things in her purse. She also browses through a magazine for women. Through the store window, we can see PETE browsing through the aisles and eventually picking a few things off the shelves. He holds a few items in his hand. He approaches the cashier--a Chinese man. We see him motioning for the man to open the cash register. The man does what he is told and hands PETE a small wad of money. Then he gets down behind the counter as if to lie down. It seems that PETE did not have to say a word. JENNIFER does not notice any of this. On the way out, PETE picks a small paper bag up off the edge of one of the shelves. He puts the money in his pocket and the few food items into the bag. He then casually walks outside and gets back into the car. He pulls out onto the main road.
16. INTERIOR / PETE'S CAR / MORNING
Before long, he hands JENNIFER the bag.
JENNIFER: Thanks.
JENNIFER stares at PETE, as if examining him.
PETE: That's what you wanted right?
JENNIFER: Yeah.
PETE: I threw in some Yodels.
JENNIFER keeps staring at him.
PETE: What?
JENNIFER: Pete, you just robbed that store, didn't you?
PETE: What do you mean?
JENNIFER: You know what I mean.
PETE: No I don't.
JENNIFER: Yeah, right.
PETE: I didn't do anything.
JENNIFER: You got a receipt for this stuff?
PETE: No. I didn't ask for one.
JENNIFER: It's not like the Turnpike or the Parkway. You don't have to ask for one.
PETE: What difference does it make?
JENNIFER: It makes a big difference. Don't you remember what we talked about yesterday? About starting things fresh?
PETE (suddenly): Fuck. Now what?
A school bus has turned out of a sidestreet in front of PETE and JENNIFER. The driver puts his flashing lights on as he stops at a bus-stop which is loaded with junior high school students. PETE stops shortly behind the bus.
PETE: Just what we need.
PETE nervously waits a few moments and then starts to pull around the bus as it is loading. JENNIFER quickly puts her hand on the wheel.
JENNIFER: Hey, Pete--no!!
PETE: What are you doing?
JENNIFER: You're not supposed to do that! That's a schoolbus!
PETE: C'mon!
JENNIFER: No, really. You're supposed to stay something like twenty feet behind it.
PETE: Says who?
JENNIFER: I don't know. But it's a law. Just calm down, all right? We don't need a ticket today.
JENNIFER takes her hands off the wheel. PETE watches as the last of the kids is nearly on the bus. He looks back and forth between the bus and JENNIFER. Suddenly, he steps on the gas and starts to zip around the bus.
PETE: Fuck that.
As they go around the bus, the bus driver honks his horn loudly and can be seen cursing at them. The last of the students gets in.
17. EXTERIOR / SUBURBAN AREA--STREETS / MORNING
PETE and JENNIFER get up to a main road. They wait as cars go by. They cannot make the left hand turn quickly because of the traffic, and it is not long before the bus that they passed is right behind them. Eventually, they pull out onto the road at the first chance that they get, which happens to be right after another schoolbus goes by in the lane that they are getting into. The original bus pulls out right behind PETE'S car. The traffic continues down the main road, as in a long shot, we see PETE'S car sandwiched between the two buses, the first of which is going very slow. A traffic light stops the line of cars and buses a little further up the road.
18. INTERIOR / PETE'S CAR / MORNING
JENNIFER opens up the glove compartment and takes out a small pocket camera.
PETE: Always with the camera.
JENNIFER: Yeah. I can't help it. I like taking pictures. Do you mind?
PETE watches as the traffic light turns green. The line of cars and buses starts moving again. JENNIFER reaches over and puts the camera into her purse, which has many different buttons of rock stars on it. She sits still for a few moments, and then looks at PETE, who seems a bit dazed. She lightly takes his hand in hers. He pulls away.
JENNIFER (casually): You're tense.
PETE: A little.
JENNIFER gazes out the window and then looks back at PETE.
JENNIFER: Do you still like me?
PETE: What do you mean?
JENNIFER takes some Twinkies and Slim Jims out of their small boxes in the back seat. She opens a small container of milk.
JENNIFER: I don't know. It's just.....you don't seem as happy with me lately.
PETE: Happy?
JENNIFER: You know. It's like.....you're bored.
PETE (bitterly): I'm always bored.
JENNIFER: I mean.....more bored than usual. You don't talk much anymore--and you don't seem to like to hold me as much.....
PETE: I don't want to hear that. Give it up, ok, Jennifer. You know damn well that I care about you.....Over two years, and we're still together, aren't we? That says something, doesn't it?
JENNIFER (low): I guess.
PETE: Look, most of the others are lucky if they last two and a half months! They go three full months without a fight, or getting on each others nerves, and it's time to raise a flag.
JENNIFER: Yeah. It's just.......
PETE: As soon as you start analyzing things too much, it's all over. (He thinks a moment.) What is there to hanging out together?
PETE leans over and lightly kisses JENNIFER on the cheek. She isn't especially responsive.
PETE: You know, you're not always so full of surprises yourself. You don't hear me complaining about that.
JENNIFER: I'm just..... I'm just tired of watching you live this way. It can get to a person.
PETE: I know.
JENNIFER: It's ridiculous. Cupcakes, sodas, potato chips. Too much fast food. It's no way to eat all the time.
PETE: What can I do?
JENNIFER looks discouraged.
JENNIFER: I don't know.
A pause.
PETE: Think you're gonna miss your Mom's cooking?
JENNIFER: No....... Mom's cooking sucks.
PETE: Well, it's either we coast for a while and try to figure something out or.....
JENNIFER: No way. I'm not going back home.
PETE: Neither am I, so relax.
JENNIFER: I know. It's just....this relationship never seems to go anywhere.
JENNIFER watches the houses go by.
JENNIFER: Pete.....Why do we keep sticking around the same area? Why don't we just get far away from here? I get so damned tired of looking at all these sad little houses. It's like you're living in an overturned box.
PETE: I just don't know if I'm ready to just leave altogether.
19. EXTERIOR / FAIRLAWN MALL PARKING LOT / MORNING
PETE pulls over into the near empty mall parking lot.
20. INTERIOR / PETE'S CAR / MORNING
PETE reaches over and puts his hand on the back of JENNIFER'S neck. He caresses her hair.
JENNIFER: Here we are--back at the mall again. Maybe I should move my bed in there. It isn't even open yet. (A pause.) Let's go someplace. Let's go to Florida.
PETE: Florida?
JENNIFER: Yeah. It's supposed to be real nice down there. Warm all the time--and Disneyland is there and shit. It's only like three days to drive.
PETE: I don't know. We barely have enough money to get down there now.
JENNIFER: It isn't so bad. I might as well tell you. Before my mother told me to get out, she threw almost two hundred dollars at me. That's not including the forty I took from her purse last night.
PETE: What are we gonna do in Florida? How much different can it be from here?
JENNIFER: Well, it's supposed to be cleaner, for one thing. And less congested.
PETE looks distraught.
JENNIFER: You can't live in here the rest of your life.
PETE: I don't know. I haven't been doing so bad for myself these past few weeks.
JENNIFER: But this will wear thin.
21. EXTERIOR / HIGH SCHOOL AREA / MORNING
The local high school is a big structure when compared to the other buildings around it. There are many sections to the school, and two main roads which lead to it--one in the front and one in the back. A sign in front reads: FAIRLAWN HIGH SCHOOL. Beneath that: FAIRLAWN, NEW JERSEY. Then, in plastic letters: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6--FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. Numerous cars and buses are seen going up to the school. Many students drive themselves in. PETE and JENNIFER follow the bus in front of them to the school with the other bus still close behind them. Teachers and administrators are walking into the various entrances. Many students are walking in and standing around.
22. INTERIOR / PETE'S CAR / MORNING
PETE and JENNIFER appear to be a little nervous.
PETE: Crowded today. Real crowded.
JENNIFER: Yeah, I see.
PETE looks over to his left.
PETE: What do you say we park in the teachers' lot?
JENNIFER: No way, Pete. No way. I told you...
PETE: Why?
JENNIFER: Because they're gonna be checking. They're gonna be checking for decals.
JENNIFER points at a decal to the window near PETE.
JENNIFER: This thing is over two years old. Why the hell do you still keep it on your window?
PETE (sarcastically): Who knows?
JENNIFER: You want trouble today, don't you? You want trouble.
PETE: What trouble? I can't even park where I want to?
JENNIFER: Listen to me. Park it around the back in one of the student lots.
They are nearly past the teachers' lot in front of the school. There is a bus unloading in front of them, and PETE looks like he's going to go around it and into the teachers' lot regardless of what JENNIFER just said.
PETE: All right. It doesn't really matter. We'll go around.
They drive around the school, watching everyone walking in, parking, meeting friends. They find a parking spot fairly soon.
JENNIFER: Here's a spot.
PETE pulls into the empty parking space. There are many more of them at the back of the school. PETE parks, and the two watch the students walking by. They wait a few moments.
JENNIFER (slowly): I take it that you don't want to come in with me?
PETE: Yeah. Who do you have to say good-bye to?
JENNIFER: A few friends. I'll sit out a few classes, and then we'll be out of this town for good.
PETE: Al l right, we'll just be calm. We'll take it as it comes.
JENNIFER: I might be a little while.
PETE: That's all right.
JENNIFER: I might be a few hours.
PETE: Well, I'm just thinking that I might say good-bye to a few people too. So I might go to the mall in a little while, once it opens.
PETE and JENNIFER look at each other quite seriously.
JENNIFER: I'll meet you in the student park in the back at around eleven.
PETE: See you.
JENNIFER (low): OK.
She gently kisses PETE.
23. EXTERIOR/INTERIOR / VARIOUS SCHOOL SCENES / MORNING
JENNIFER gets out of the car and walks through the parking lot. Many other students are still arriving at the school. She mingles in with the crowds and makes her way into the school. All over, the school day is being prepared for. Custodians are sweeping up the gym. Many groups of students are by lockers and in the middle of the halls. Everyone is heading toward first period classes, or toward the outside "student park" areas of the school. Classrooms are about half filled and are quickly getting more and more crowded. Every so often, a couple of students will wave to a teacher that they recognize from a previous semester. Some of the teachers hang out in the faculty room; others toward the end of the halls. A number of teachers are on duty during class periods--on the lookout for "loiterers." In the main office area, secretaries are chatting and a few teachers are checking their mailboxes. The first period bell rings. The halls start getting cleared out faster. Some teachers break up students who are hanging around the halls.
24. EXTERIOR / PARKING LOT / MORNING
PETE slowly gets out of his car, knowing that JENNIFER is well out of view. He walks toward the school and soon blends in with the other students.
25. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / MORNING
Once things seem to calm down, a small, sixtyish secretary flicks a switch in a side room of the office. She then speaks into a microphone, and her words echo throughout the school--in the hallways, in the classrooms, and in the portable classrooms.
MRS. RAMAPO: Good morning, everyone. Please rise for the Pledge Of Allegiance.
She pauses, and we see various students rising in various classrooms--JENNIFER along with them.
MRS. RAMAPO: I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States Of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (She pauses.) Thank you.
We see the students and teachers automatically sitting down. As we are shown views of the near-empty halls, another voice takes over--the voice of MR. FAIRLEIGH, the principal.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Good morning. This is Mr. Fairleigh. For all the tenth graders who are here at Fairlawn High for their first day, I'm the principal of the school. I hope to meet many of you soon. Now that everyone has had a nice summer, I'd just like to wish everyone the best in this coming school year. (He pauses, looking for words.) So have a good day..... and a good year.
MR. FAIRLEIGH switches off the microphone and walks toward his office. He is a concerned, fidgety man of about forty-five. He chats briefly with secretaries and administrators.
26. INTERIOR / HALLWAYS / MORNING
Various voices begin to fill the halls. They are the voices of teachers; voices which interconnect only if one is standing in the halls in the middle of several ongoing classes. Most of the teachers that are seen are standing up. They are writing their names on blackboards, describing their courses--in general, being friendly to the new class groups.
27. INTERIOR / AMERICAN LITERATURE CLASS / MORNING
MR. DOUGLASS is in front of his class, which is quite filled with about thirty students. He is about forty years old; his manner of teaching is both straightforward and caring. His name is clearly written on the blackboard. PETE sits in the seat that is closest to the door. MR. DOUGLASS is just finishing calling out the names on his attendance sheet. Neither he or any of the students has noticed that PETE has never raised his hand.
MR. DOUGLASS: You'll all find out that if you get on my good side, I'm really not so bad. Probably the worst aspects of this class are the tests and quizzes and finals--no surprise there. I wouldn't worry, though. I know how you must feel--even seniors get afraid of things.
There is an apprehensive atmosphere in the class, but some of the students chuckle at MR. DOUGLASS' last comment. There are a number of posters and sayings all over the classroom. Many of these quotations come from popular books and movies. A sign saying "Life is a gift horse in my opinion, "and another saying "I want to love and be loved" are in front, not far from MR. DOUGLASS' desk.
MR. DOUGLASS: But in the long run, things should work out. The general format of the course is really very simple. We'll be reading about six books during the course of the semester. About halfway through each book, I give a small test--around twenty questions or so. Then I do the same thing when I finish each book. So figure about two tests a month, I would say.
A girl named CAROL raises her hand. She is sitting right next to PETE. MR. DOUGLASS doesn't notice her immediately. PETE scribbles gibberish on his notebook. After a few moments, MR. DOUGLASS points at CAROL.
MR. DOUGLASS: You figure the average.... (sees CAROL) Yes?
CAROL: Um, I was wondering..... like......
MR. DOUGLASS: What is your name?
CAROL: Carol Becker.
MR. DOUGLASS: Carol.
CAROL: With the tests and all that.....When we get the first test halfway through a book, that covers the first part of the book. Obviously. But, does the second test cover just the second half of the book, or the whole book--the combination?
MR. DOUGLASS: That's a very good question, Carol. The second test covers not only the second section of each book, but the first as well. The whole book. The second test might contain some questions that are very similar to those in the first one. Everyone should really keep track of all this and jot it down.....
MR. DOUGLASS gives the students a chance to write. Some of the students aren't paying much attention. Some are looking out the window at one of the portable classrooms. PETE and a number of the other students look a bit distracted.
MR. DOUGLASS: OK--everybody got that? Now there is one big footnote on all this. Halfway through the course, after we've read the first three books, I give a light mid-term. Thirty questions or so--ten on each book. However, at the very end of the course, the final exam covers not only the last three books. It covers absolutely everything that we've read.
MR. DOUGLASS sorts through some papers on his desk. He takes about thirty sheets of paper out of a folder and walks over to the side of the room, by the window. He walks right in front of PETE and scans the row that she is in, counting the students behind him. He counts out papers and hands then to PETE.
MR. DOUGLASS: Just pass them back.
MR. DOUGLASS then walks to the next row and counts and gives the first person papers. He does this for the first person in the front of each row.
MR. DOUGLASS: OK. As you can see, this is our list of reading material. You'll notice that there is an added surprise among the books that we'll be reading. Every month or so, we'll be watching a movie.
Several of the students' faces light up.
MR. DOUGLASS: We have "Citizen Kane" on videotape--but we'll be getting sixteen millimeter prints of "All Quiet On The Western Front," and later on, at the end of the semester, "A Christmas Carol." On your handouts, you'll notice that I've listed only the books that we'll be reading, and not the authors' names. That's because we're all going to fill in the authors' names right now. See the spaces that I've left by the books' titles? That's where I want you to write.
He pauses.
MR. DOUGLASS: All right--now about our first book? Who wrote "The Great Gatsby?"
A student by PETE raises his hand.
MR. DOUGLASS: Yes, what is your name?
STUDENT: Brad Hamilton.
MR. DOUGLASS: Go ahead, Brad.
STUDENT: Um, F. Scott Fitzgerald?
MR. DOUGLASS: That's right. Very good. Everyone fill that in. F. Scott Fitzgerald. How about "The Old Man And The Sea?"
PETE reaches into the inner lining of his thin jacket. A different student is called on.
STUDENT #2: Ernest Hemingway?
MR. DOUGLASS: Good--
The student states his name.
STUDENT #2: Joe.
MR. DOUGLASS: "Of Mice And Men?"
A gun is slightly concealed. PETE slowly rises. A student raises his hand.
STUDENT #3: John Steinbeck?
MR. DOUGLASS: Yes. Now how about someone in the back answering the next one? OK? Who wrote "The Catcher In--"
A girl sitting next to PETE lets out a shriek. Heads turn, and many of the students gasp as they see PETE out of the chair and by the door, which is closed. He is pointing a gun at MR. DOUGLASS. More commotion is heard at the other side of the room. Everyone is caught off- guard, in disbelief. Several of the students try to slink down a little in their seats. Many look very frightened. Everyone stares at PETE. MR. DOUGLASS stands still and raises his arms, as though to protect his chest. He keeps looking at PETE, who walks nearer to him.
MR. DOUGLASS: What is this? (low) Some kind of prank?
PETE: It's nothing. Absolutely nothing--as long as no one moves. Everyone just has to do what I say. OK? I don't want to hurt anyone. Understand? I don't want to blow anyone's fucking face off. Hopefully, we're gonna keep everything going smoothly. Right?
MR. DOUGLASS: What do you want?
PETE: What do you think I want? Asshole. I want money. I want money from you--(He points his gun at the students.) And I want money from them.
MR. DOUGLASS: Are you really in this class?
PETE: That's a hell of a question. Yeah, I'm gonna be attending this class every day.
PETE looks at MR. DOUGLASS and laughs.
PETE: And come the end of the semester, I'll expect a real good grade.
PETE: All right, this is no big deal. Everyone start getting out their wallets and shit and start passing money up to the front.
Students hesitantly begin to take out their money. Some move very slowly; a few have angry looks on their faces. It is as though they are passing up homework or test answer sheets.
PETE: C'mon people--let's not fuck around! This is a very simple procedure! Just take out your money and pass it up! (He spots someone moving too slow.) You! You in the fuckin' Star Wars shirt! Move it!
MR. DOUGLASS shakes his head.
MR. DOUGLASS: This is real nice.
Soon everyone has at least some of their money passed up. PETE motions to MR. DOUGLASS.
PETE: All right. You--teacher. Collect up the stuff. Go ahead.
MR. DOUGLASS stares at PETE and slowly walks over toward the other side of the room. He walks to the row closest to the window, and the first student in the row hands him a small pile of bills. MR. DOUGLASS continues, walking to the head of each row. PETE just watches. By the time MR. DOUGLASS collects from the eight rows, he has a stack of bills and a lot of change in his hands. He slowly walks to PETE.
PETE: Very good. That's it. Bring it all here.
PETE glances as the money as it is handed to him.
PETE: This is good. This is real good.
PETE: All right. You too.
The class gazes on. MR. DOUGLASS reaches for his wallet and slaps his money into PETE'S hands. He is obviously annoyed.
MR. DOUGLASS: Nice. Just great.
PETE: That wasn't so hard, was it?
PETE walks back to his seat by the door, all eyes trained on him. He keeps his gun out, and motions to the students near him to push their desks away from him.
PETE: Just give me some space.
PETE moves his chair to an angle so that nobody can sneak upon him. PETE puts the money in an inside pocket. He holds his gun near his waist. The students look back at MR. DOUGLASS, as though for advice. MR. DOUGLASS is equally as perplexed.
MR. DOUGLASS: What are you doing?
PETE: Sitting down.
MR. DOUGLASS looks back at the class, and then back at PETE.
MR. DOUGLASS: Why don't you leave? Why don't you just leave?
PETE gets back up out of his chair and walks to MR. DOUGLASS, his gun pointing at him.
PETE (yelling) : Leave? What do you take me for? (He motions to the hallways.) You know what's out there. I walk out in the halls during a class, and I'll have administrators up my ass in no time. Why the fuck do you think that there's teachers out there sitting at the end of every hall? You ever hear of such a thing as loiterers?
MR. DOUGLASS (after a pause): You can make believe you have to go to the bathroom. I can write out a pass for the two of you.
PETE (sarcastically): No thanks.
PETE turns and walks back to his chair. The class and MR. DOUGLASS are utterly perplexed. Everyone stares back and forth at PETE and MR. DOUGLASS for a long time. PETE just stares at MR. DOUGLASS.
MR. DOUGLASS: Well?
PETE (casually): Well what?
MR. DOUGLASS: What do you want me to do now?
PETE (calmly): Teach.
MR. DOUGLASS: What?
PETE (angry): Teach! Fuckin' teach! (pauses.) Go ahead. Pick up a book or something--finish what you were talking about before. Start another lecture. Pass out some--
MR. DOUGLASS (infuriated): You don't have to teach me how to teach! I already know how to!
PETE: Great.
MR. DOUGLASS walks over to his desk. PETE leans back in his chair. He sees that some of the students are glaring at him.
PETE: What are you fucking looking at?
The students look back at MR. DOUGLASS. There is a long pause as he sorts through some papers on his desk.
MR. DOUGLASS: Where did we leave off?
None of the students attempts to answer. MR. DOUGLASS slowly opens up a few folders, and then his top desk drawer. He takes out some white index cards.
MR. DOUGLASS: We all know what these are.
He reluctantly walks to each of the desks in the front row and passes out the cards, even handing some to PETE because he is at the front of the row. PETE doesn't keep any cards, but he does pass them back to the person behind them. MR. DOUGLASS addresses the class.
MR. DOUGLASS: I'll need your name, address, phone number, and a list of other English classes that you've taken since seventh grade.
PETE looks on.
28. EXTERIOR / CLASSROOMS-THROUGH THE WINDOWS / MORNING
From outside, we pan across the section of the school that PETE is in. We see various classes being conducted--teachers in front of classes. Out of about ten classrooms that can be seen through outside windows, only MR. DOUGLASS' class has the blinds closed.
DISSOLVE TO:
29. INTERIOR / AMERICAN LITERATURE / CLASS MORNING
From the front of the classroom, we see all the students looking ahead. They all look confused and worried. Once MR. DOUGLASS is among the students, PETE instructs everyone to move to one side of the classroom and begins moving the desks and chairs in position to block everyone in.
PETE: Everyone cram in near the corner.
PETE casually stands by the door and looks out. Casually, a girl toward the back of the classroom raises her hand. PETE thrown off guard by the gesture but points at her, like a teacher about to answer a question.
GIRL: Why are you doing this?
PETE looks at the girl.
PETE: What's it to you?
The girl is surprisingly unafraid.
GIRL: I was just curious.
MR. DOUGLASS cuts in.
MR. DOUGLASS: You could get a job.
PETE: Yeah, I guess I could get a job. Work in the fuckin' mall. That's the place to be.
MR. DOUGLASS: There are plenty of ways....
PETE ignores everyone and tells them to stay on the other side of the room.
PETE: Everyone get back in there. The period bell soon rings, and students start coming out into the hallways.
PETE: A little more. Almost.
The halls get a little more crowded.
PETE: Take care, everyone.
He walks out into the hall, shutting the door behind him.
30. INTERIOR / HALLS / MORNING
PETE immediately blends right into the flow of the other students. Soon, from out of the crowds, a girl casually walks into MR. DOUGLASS' room, obviously due to attend her next class. She walks in and stands still--shocked--as she sees the thirty or so people blocked in by the desks, and moving them around in order to get out. Meanwhile, PETE mingles in with the crowds.
31. INTERIOR / AMERICAN LITERATURE CLASS / MORNING
In MR. DOUGLASS' class, with the girl looking on, the students are quickly setting all the desks and chairs back into place. Some of the girls are crying; still shaken up. Several students reluctantly leave the room to go to their next class. Other students are filing in to attend the class that is due to start in the same room. There is a general mix-up. MR. DOUGLASS talks to the few remaining students before they leave.
MR. DOUGLASS: Does anybody know he was? Has anyone ever seen him before?
The few students shake their heads.
MR. DOUGLASS: If anyone feels that they want t see the nurse or go home, you may. I'll go to the main office and report all this.
32. INTERIOR / HALLS/CLASS / MORNING
In the halls, things are starting to clear up. Second period is soon to begin. MR. DOUGLASS, a bit dazed as he leaves the room, goes out into the halls. In the class, a guy asks one of the first period students what went on.
STUDENT: What the hell was that all about?
FIRST PERIOD STUDENT: We just got robbed.
STUDENT: You kidding?
FIRST PERIOD STUDENT: No. There was this guy in the class.....
We can see that word of the robbery will get around, by word of mouth among the students. MR. DOUGLASS walks through the halls, looking very confused. He walks for a while, and approaches the main office. He sees that all the pay phones around are being used by students. Then suddenly, he pauses. He looks as though he has forgotten something, and consults a small schedule of classes in his pocket. Changing his direction, MR. DOUGLASS walks to a different section of the school--to his second period class. It is about to begin. The halls are nearly empty.
33. INTERIOR / CLASSROOM / MORNING
Many students are already waiting for MR. DOUGLASS to arrive. He walks in just as the bell goes off. All eyes are on him as he rushes in and drops his books and folders on the front desk. A few other students trickle in. MR. DOUGLASS quickly writes his name up on the blackboard, and then turns to face the students. He looks very nervous.
MR. DOUGLASS: All right, I'm Mr. Douglass. This is Introduction To American Literature, Section Two. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to run down to the main office for a while. Hopefully, I won't be very long.
MR. DOUGLASS looks around and opens up a folder. He takes out a new pile of index cards.
MR. DOUGLASS: In the meantime...... We all know what these are.
He begins passing out cards to each person in the front row.
MR. DOUGLASS: Everyone can take their time with these. I need your name, address, phone number. Be sure to jot down the names of any other English classes that you've had since seventh grade.
He stands before the class a moment, as though searching for words, and hands a card to a student as he walks in late.
MR. DOUGLASS: OK, everybody? I'll take attendance when I get back.
The students watch him walk out, and everyone starts writing down their personal information. The room is quiet; none of the students say anything to each other.
34. INTERIOR / HALLS / MORNING
MR. DOUGLASS walks back down the halls, in the direction of the main office again. The halls are almost completely empty, with the exception of a few teachers who are sitting in chairs at the ends of certain halls. MR. DOUGLASS gives a friendly nod to MR. KEAN, one of the teachers who is sitting down toward the main office.
MR. DOUGLASS: How are you, Fred?
MR. KEAN: Fine, Tom. How's things?
MR. DOUGLASS: Pretty good.
MR. KEAN: Have a nice summer?
MR. DOUGLASS: Yeah, not bad.
MR. DOUGLASS doesn't ask MR. KEAN how his summer was, and MR. KEAN notices it. MR. DOUGLASS keeps walking, and finally reaches the main office.
35. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / MORNING
As MR. DOUGLASS walks in, he sees that there are many students who are trying to straighten out their schedule problems. A few secretaries are typing slowly. MR. DOUGLASS impatiently waits as the main secretary, MRS. GLASSBORO, finishes helping a sophomore girl. All phones are being used.
MRS. GLASSBORO (to GIRL): You're saying that there was no one in the classroom at all? No kids? No teachers?
GIRL: Nope. That's right. Nobody.
MRS. GLASSBORO: I don't see how that can be. Let me see your schedule again.
The girl takes out her schedule and hands it to her. MR. DOUGLASS nervously looks on, about to interrupt.
MRS. GLASSBORO: OK. Second Period. Basic Photography. Mr. Burlington. Room 63. (She pauses.) Hmmm. Did you look in room 62 or 64?
GIRL: I tried that. I didn't see anybody in those rooms either.
MRS. GLASSBORO: Hmmm.
MR. DOUGLASS finally interrupts them.
MR. DOUGLASS: Excuse me, Mrs. Glassboro.
MRS. GLASSBORO: Oh, how are you, Mr. Douglass?
MR. DOUGLASS: Fine, thank you.
MRS. GLASSBORO: Have a nice summer?
MR. DOUGLASS: Yes, I did. Could you tell me--is Mr. Fairleigh in?
MRS. GLASSBORO: Um, yes. Yes, he is. But he's in a conference right now.
MR. DOUGLASS (low): Shit.
MRS. GLASSBORO: What?
MR. DOUGLASS: It's very, very important that I speak to Mr. Fairleigh.
MRS. GLASSBORO: I'm sure that if you come back in just a little while--maybe a little before lunch--you'll definitely catch him. The girl who was interrupted is clearly annoyed.
MR. DOUGLASS: I can't do that. I'll have a class. I need to speak to him right now.
MRS. GLASSBORO: Well, I don't know if I can just barge in on him. Let me see what I can do.
MR. DOUGLASS: Thank you. (to GIRL) I'm sorry about this.
MRS. GLASSBORO calls across the main office to another secretary, who has overheard everything.
MRS. GLASSBORO (loudly): Maureen? Maureen, could you help Mr. Douglass? He needs to see Mr.Fairleigh.
A few of the students look a bit concerned. MAUREEN slowly gets up, adjusts a few papers, and walks past the "counter" and goes in a back hallway. She passes a door that has a sign on it that reads: RICHARD DICKINSON, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL. She walks up to another door: RONALD FAIRLEIGH, PRINCIPAL. MAUREEN knocks lightly, and listens. She knocks again. From behind the door, MR. FAIRLEIGH is heard.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Come in.
MR. FAIRLEIGH is seated with MR. DICKINSON. FAIRLEIGH is a concerned man, small of stature, and seems friendly. DICKINSON is --tall, gaunt, and utterly calm. Some papers are scattered around. The two aren't doing much.
MAUREEN: Sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Fairleigh, but Mr. Douglass needs to speak to you right away.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Did he say what the matter concerned?
MAUREEN: No, I don' think so.
MR. FAIRLEIGH looks at MR. DICKINSON and then looks back at MAUREEN.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Fine. OK. Send him in.
MAUREEN walks back out. MR. FAIRLEIGH looks confused. He looks at MR. DICKINSON.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Douglass?
MR. DICKINSON: American Literature, no?
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Oh, yeah. That's right.
MAUREEN walks out to the front. She walks over to MRS. GLASSBORO and gives a nod.
MRS. GLASSBORO: All right, Mr. Douglass. Go right back.
MR. DOUGLASS: Thanks so much.
36. INTERIOR / MR. FAIRLEIGH'S / OFFICE MORNING
MR. DOUGLASS walks back, passing by MR. DICKINSON, who is walking back into his own office. They say hello to each other. MR. DOUGLASS walks into MR. FAIRLEIGH'S office. MR. FAIRLEIGH'S personal secretary hears their entire conversation. Her desk is off to the side of MR. FAIRLEIGH'S door.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Mr. Douglass. I haven't seen you in a while.
MR. FAIRLEIGH extends his hand.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Tom, right?
MR. DOUGLASS (impatiently): Yes. Mr. Fairleigh--
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Sit down. You might as well.
MR. DOUGLASS: Thanks, but--
Mr. FAIRLEIGH: Can I offer you coffee or anything?
MR. DOUGLASS: No--no.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Are you sure? We have plenty. I'll have Marge make some right up.......
MR. DOUGLASS: No, I'm fine.
MR. FAIRLEIGH starts to pour himself a cup of coffee.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: The secretary out there--Maureen--said you needed......
MR. DOUGLASS (trying to loosen up): Yes. God. I don't know how to explain this. (He takes a breath.) My class and I just got robbed.
MR. FAIRLEIGH (shocked): What?! What class?
MR. DOUGLASS: American Literature. My first period class. This happened just now--just last period.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: What happened, exactly? How--
MR. DOUGLASS: I couldn't believe it. All my kids came in--they're almost all. I mean, I never taught anyone in this group before. And everything was fine. Introduced myself--wrote my name up on.......
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Did anyone get hurt?
MR. DOUGLASS: No. So I talked a few minutes--you know. All of a sudden, this guy in the class gets up and pulls out a gun.
MR. FAIRLEIGH (gasping): A gun?!
Sitting behind her desk, MR. FAIRLEIGH'S secretary looks alarmed.
MR. DOUGLASS: My heart almost flipped. I think everyone in the class was practically in shock. We all hoped it was some kind of a joke.
MR. FAIRLEIGH (low): Jesus Christ. We'll have to get the police here. This student--he's in your class? He's on your roster?
MR. DOUGLASS: No. I don't know. There are around thirty kids in the class. No, he actually be in the class--he can't be.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: What did he look like? Did he look older--
MR. DOUGLASS: Yes! He did look somewhat older than the other students, I guess. But not much older. It's hard to tell. (He pauses.) He looked like......a senior. Well, pretty much.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Did he threaten you or any of the kids in any way?
MR. DOUGLASS: Yeah, he threatened us. The guy did.
Mr. FAIRLEIGH: You think he still might be around?
MR. DOUGLASS: I doubt it.
MR. FAIRLEIGH'S secretary suddenly stands in the doorway.
SECRETARY: Excuse me, Mr. Fairleigh. Mr. Caldwell from the Board of Education is on line 6090.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Tell him that I'll get back to him in a little while. (He pauses and picks up his phone.) All right, I think we know what the best thing to do is.
MR. DOUGLASS stands up.
MR. DOUGLASS: Ron, do you think I could get going?
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Get going where?
MR. DOUGLASS: Well, I have a class. I just want to hand out a few things.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: We're going to have the police here. We're probably going to have to evacuate the school. I'll tell you what. Get going--do what you have to do. When we need to speak to you, I'll just call for you over the loudspeakers. I'll just say, "Mr. Douglass, please report to the main office." Nobody will know anything. Besides that, I doubt that this punk is crazy enough to hang around here.
37. INTERIOR / LIBRARY / LATE MORNING
PETE is casually sitting down behind a small desk in the school library. He quietly reads a book and peeks up now and then.
38. INTERIOR / HALLS / LATE MORNING
MR. DOUGLASS is making his way to his second class. He says hello to another of the teachers in the halls and walks into back into the classroom. The students are hardly happy; there is boredom in the air. Nobody is saying anything to anybody else. One of the students calls out--
STUDENT: About time!
MR. DOUGLASS: I'm really sorry about all this.
MR. DOUGLASS quickly scans the rows, looking paranoid over whether PETE might be there.
39. INTERIOR / GYM CLASS / LATE MORNING
JENNIFER and two of her girlfriends are talking in the class near some lockers. They glance at he others who are walking around.
DIANE (to ELLEN): So how's Gary doing?
ELLEN: He's fine. He just went to the drive-in over the weekend. We saw "Dawn Of The Dead."
JENNIFER: Is Gary getting out this year?
ELLEN: Yeah. I don't know. It's scary.
DIANE: What do you mean?
ELLEN: Well, I won't see him as much. He's gonna go to Middlesex County College--probably at night--and he says he plans to work at Waldenbooks during the day. He thinks that maybe in time he can become an assistant manager or something.
JENNIFER: Maybe you'll find some time on the weekends.....
DIANE: With me and Greg it won't be like that. His parents don't want him to work. They want him to put all his energy into his studies.
JENNIFER: What does he plan to study?
DIANE: Well, he wants to take a lot of different things, and he figures he'll pick a major during the next semester or the semester after.
The girls pause, having temporarily run out of things to say.
DIANE (to JENNIFER): How are things at home now?
JENNIFER: Lousy.
ELLEN: What's wrong?
JENNIFER: Just the usual arguments about money. Last night they had a big fight. Now that I'm a senior, they're worried that they're not gonna be able to help me if I decide to go to college.
DIANE: If you decide to go? What do you mean, if? How are you gonna bring in any kind of a salary years down the road?
JENNIFER: I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, I told them not to worry about it.
ELLEN: You did the right thing. You can work part time. That's common. Maybe you can get financial aid.
A pause.
DIANE: Financial aid sucks.
ELLEN: Shut up. (to JENNIFER) So how's Pete doing?
JENNIFER: He's doing all right, I guess.
ELLEN: You guess?
JENNIFER: He still doesn't know what he wants to do.
ELLEN: How long have you been seeing him now?
JENNIFER: I don't know. Two and a half years or so.
ELLEN: He graduated in June of 1978?
JENNIFER: Yeah.
DIANE: Are you happy with him, or what?
JENNIFER: Yeah...... I guess.
40. INTERIOR / HALLS / LATE MORNING
It is nearly the start of third period. PETE walks out of the library and into the halls and instantly blends in with the others. As always, many of the students are talking to their friends. Many are smiling; a few look concerned, as though they might have been in the first class and are relating the robbery story to others. One cannot tell exactly what anyone is actually talking about. Eventually, the halls are cleared, teachers take their places in the classrooms and at the end of halls. Classes begin to get underway.
41. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / LATE MORNING
In the main office, MR. FAIRLEIGH'S secretary is whispering to another secretary MAUREEN. MAUREEN looks shocked. Many students file in and out of the office, trying to figure out their schedule problems.
42. INTERIOR / VARIOUS CLASSROOMS / LATE MORNING
In a slow montage of classes in progress, we see different teachers and their students. Most of the classes are going on normally, with teachers passing out papers and students asking questions or just listening.
43. INTERIOR / PHILOSOPHY CLASS / LATE MORNING
As in MR. DOUGLASS' class, PETE is sitting by the door, which is closed. Occasionally, PETE shoots a glance out the door, to see if the motion in the halls has calmed down. The teacher is MR. COOK. He comes across as being confident of what he says. He is also noticeably soft spoken. We catch him in the middle of his opening day lecture. There is always a piece of chalk in his hands. (The capitalized words are what he actually writes up on the board for the students to see.) At first, PETE makes believe that he is interested in the class; he even take notes like the others. As the lecture reaches its fourth minute or so, he becomes more jittery.
MR. COOK: We'll be studying a lot of different things here. I kind of sprinkle around information about a variety of subjects which revolve around philosophy. There will be time devoted to aspects such as Man's learning process, which boils over into the topics of knowledge and wisdom. This part of the class really covers thinking and the brain itself. What makes us tick? What triggers off certain reactions to anything that affects us? We'll be asking ourselves questions like that throughout the semester. In fact, if you get right down to it, what this class is all about is ASKING QUESTIONS. We'll question everything that we can think of--as long as time permits. I'm taking it for granted that this is everyone's first philosophy class. One of the things you'll notice about me is that I'll squeeze philosophy into every part of life. Going on, we'll deal with Logic. That subject of the class covers Observation, Introspection, Deduction. In other words, METHOD in thought. Everyone follow? To me, a philosopher is first and foremost a good looker--a good observer.
PETE seems oddly interested in the lecture for the time being.
44. EXTERIOR / FRONT OF SCHOOL / LATE MORNING
From the front of the school, a police car slowly drives up. OFFICER JENSEN, a tall, sturdy looking policeman gets out of the car once he takes a parking space in the teachers' lot. He checks a few decals on some of the cars, making sure that none of them are student cars, and then starts to walk toward the school.
45. INTERIOR / PHILOSOPHY CLASS / LATE MORNING
MR. COOK: Don't ever be afraid to stare at things for a while. It's part of the whole learning process--sort of like what you're taught in science class, right? PURPOSE, OBSERVATIONS, CONCLUSIONS. Only in this class, we'll spend most of the time on the first of those. I'm sure that everyone, at one time or another has asked themselves the most serious questions about the purpose of things. Why am I here? What am I doing here? What does all of this mean? MEANING. To a philosopher, that's one of the most important words, OK? We all want to feel good about ourselves and feel that we mean something. And we do mean something. I don't want anyone leaving this class concluding that nothing matters. Plenty of things matter. But we have to make things matter, and then they do. There are plenty of things to learn about and look forward to. I don't want any cynics here. (He writes on the board.) GOD. RELIGION. We'll be touching on these subjects; it is unavoidable. And also: MORAL CHOICES.
PETE looks back and forth at the students and MR. COOK.
MR. COOK: It all comes down to the most important aspects of our existence. What is the right thing to do?
A student sitting next to PETE whispers to him.
STUDENT: Well, this is boring as shit.
PETE: Tell me about it.
46. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / LATE MORNING
OFFICER JENSEN walks into the main office. The students who are already in the office look very curious and uneasy as he stands around, trying to get one of the secretaries to notice him. Eventually, MRS. GLASSBORO sees him.
MRS. GLASSBORO: Yes, officer. Go right on back.
47. INTERIOR / MR. FAIRLEIGH'S OFFICE / LATE MORNING
OFFICER JENSEN walks into the back behind the counter He nods at MR. FAIRLEIGH'S secretary as he walks in. The secretary prepares to listen in again. MR. FAIRLEIGH is sitting with MR. DICKINSON.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Here's Officer Jensen. Can I offer you anything?
OFFICER JENSEN: Sure. Coffee's fine. Thanks.
There is a long pause. MR. FAIRLEIGH looks at MR. DICKINSON and then slowly begins to explain, half chuckling.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Well..... I don't know where to begin, exactly. This morning we had a little.....commotion. I don't know.....we don't think he attends this school.....
48. INTERIOR / HALLS / LATE MORNING
There is clearly no hint that anything unusual has happened. Suddenly, there is the sound of MR. FAIRLEIGH'S voice coming on loud and clear over the loudspeakers.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Mr. Douglass, please report to the main office.
MR. DOUGLASS is seen walking out of a classroom, rather flustered, and he starts to walk to the main office again .He doesn't say anything to the hall teachers this time.
49. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / LATE MORNING
Students are still coming in and out of the main office. Some are beginning to eat their lunches out of paperbags. MRS. GLASSBORO is still helping various students. MR. DOUGLASS walks directly into the back, as the students and the secretaries watch him.
50. INTERIOR / MR. FAIRLEIGH'S OFFICE / LATE MORNING
MR. FAIRLEIGH, MR. DICKINSON, and OFFICER JENSEN are waiting. MR. FAIRLEIGH refers to MR. DOUGLASS.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: This is the teacher who went through the incident.
MR. DOUGLASS: Has anything developed since I left?
MR. DICKINSON: No, not really.
OFFICER JENSEN: I'm going to put a call in for another officer. Before we evacuate the school, I'm going to make a quick walk through the halls--just to see if I see anyone who looks suspicious.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: That would be good.
OFFICER JENSEN: I'm not expecting to discover anything. So you might as well know that. This has to be a sort of hit and run. I doubt that this kid goes to this school--or to any school.
MR. DOUGLASS: The funny thing is--how much money could he have gotten away with? (to MR. DOUGLASS) How much money did you have on you?
MR. DOUGLASS: I must have had a good twenty-five, thirty dollars in my wallet.
OFFICER JENSEN: The students couldn't have had much.
MR. DOUGLASS: Well, there are about thirty kids in that class.
OFFICER JENSEN: He could have gotten maybe around two hundred dollars.....
MR. DICKINSON: I think this time he got away with it.
MR. DOUGLASS: I couldn't believe the nerve.....what a chance he took.
MR. DICKINSON: Ridiculous.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Do you think he might try this again--at another school?
OFFICER JENSEN: I think this is a one of a kind dumb joke thing.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: There's enough high schools in this county alone to keep him busy for a while.
OFFICER JENSEN: I don't think we should worry about that. These troublemakers--they feel like they......accomplished something....and they stop.
51. INTERIOR / HALLS IN FRONT OF MAIN OFFICE / LATE MORNING
Almost everyone in the office looks busy, with the exception of the students who are eating their lunches and waiting to see the secretaries. We see OFFICER JENSEN walking out from the back. He says hello to MRS. GLASSBORO and walks by the students. A few of the students look uneasy as he walks by. He walks out into the halls in front and stands around. As we watch the students rushing around, many getting to their fourth period class, we see OFFICER JENSEN standing by the front of the main office. He walks around a little. Students curiously watch him as they walk by. Suddenly, PETE walks by, but OFFICER JENSEN doesn't see him. PETE himself doesn't notice the officer. He walks on. We see rows of students walking toward PETE from the oncoming point of view. It is a paranoid effect, as it looks like someone who recognizes him could rush toward him at anytime. Students and teachers walk in all directions. Soon the halls empty out and fourth period begins.
52. INTERIOR / DRIVER EDUCATION CLASS / LATE MORNING
MRS. LIVINGSTON is in front of the class. She is an older teacher who has a lot of pep. She walks around the room a lot, and always stares at the students, rarely writing on the blackboard. JENNIFER watches her patiently as she sorts out papers on her desk.
MRS. LIVINGSTON: I can understand why everyone would be excited..... This semester.....we learn how to drive. Now, listen--I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. This class is not all fun and games. If you eventually want to get your driver's license, you're going to have to study. You're going to have to pass a few written tests. And between all that, you're gong to go through all kinds of things on the driving range. (She pauses.) Worst of all, you're all going to have to sit there and listen to me.
The class chuckles, including JENNIFER.
MRS. LIVINGSTON: To show you that I'm not your everyday, boring teacher, I've prepared a special treat for today. We're going to see a movie.
There is light applause and a general air of excitement. JENNIFER seems taken in by what MRS. LIVINGSTON is saying.
MRS. LIVINGSTON: Don't everyone get the wrong idea. I know--you've all seen a lot of movies in classes in your time. Movies instead of the teacher talking--it's like a temporary candy bar, isn't it? (She pauses.) I don't want any one to get their hopes up. The movie that we're going to see is not so sweet. You'll see what I mean once I put it on. Normally, at this time of the year, we'd be studying our basic driving laws and signs. I'd save this film for later in the semester. I'm changing all that because I've found that my students--which, by the way, are all of you--don't really take the learning and the driving that seriously. So when I would show something like "Highway Of Horror" at the very end of the semester--sort of to cap things off--I found that many of my students were too anxious about Christmas vacation, or summer vacation. Nearly everyone would cut the last few classes, and miss out on all the fun of the film. This semester, things are going to be a little different. I'm going to show "Highway Of Horror" twice! Once toward the end of the semester, and once today. Everybody's going to get the message. I might even schedule a few after school showings for those who add this course during this week. (She pauses.) I'm sure everyone has heard about this film. It isn't pretty, but it has to be seen. If any of you get upset by any of the scenes, just rest your head on the desk and LISTEN. I'll take attendance after the movie.
MRS. LIVINGSTON motions to JENNIFER, who is sitting nearest to the door.
MRS. LIVINGSTON: Honey, would you mind shutting off the lights?
JENNIFER gets up and shuts off the lights. MRS. LIVINGSTON walks to the back of the room and turns the projector on. The film begins, and almost immediately we see graphic car accidents. We see police and parents dragging bloodied teenagers out of wrecked cars, and other assorted horrors. Several of the students look upset very quickly. Quite a few of the girls rest their heads on their desks, not looking up at the screen. Many of the guys in the class look quite engaged in the film. One guy even comments to JENNIFER.
STUDENT: This is a good flick.
53. INTERIOR / HALLS / LATE MORNING
JENNIFER and a friend, KAREN, walk out of the room and into a ladies room not far away from the classroom.
54. INTERIOR / GIRL'S ROOM / LATE MORNING
KAREN: George and I get along great lately.
JENNIFER: You never have any arguments with him?
KAREN: Well, no. I wouldn't call them arguments. We discuss things. We just discuss things if we don't agree about something.
JENNIFER: Amazing. I argue with my parents more than anything. They were just arguing this morning.
KAREN: About what?
JENNIFER: Money.
KAREN: I would say that my parents argue about money about twice a week. Nine out often times it's about money.
JENNIFER: I would say it's around six out of ten with mine.
KAREN: What's the other ones?
JENNIFER: Usually stuff about the house needing work done. Or about relatives. Sometimes it's about me--coming in late or something. They try to argue when I'm out of sight or not at home. It's like they don't want me to know that they fight.
KAREN: My parents don't care where they are when they argue. They can be in a store--fighting about TV dinners or something. Or out in the yard--arguing about the lawn or the garden. They bicker. They don't care if they yell in front of me or not.
JENNIFER: I think I figured out why my parents try not to argue in front of me so much anymore.
KAREN: Yeah?
JENNIFER: It might sound kind of weird.
KAREN: What is it?
JENNIFER: Well, one day they were arguing about the air conditioning or the garbage pails or something. And you just know that's a cover-up. They yell about one thing but they're really yelling about another thing. They're really yelling about money. So a few hours after this stupid argument, at supper, I told them that I didn't think I ever wanted to get married. I told them that if all these fights and all this nonsense and yelling was all that marriage was about--if that was all that ever happened--then I never wanted to get married.
KAREN: What did they say?
JENNIFER: Well, they didn't say anything at first. At least not in front of me. But it seems that since then, they try not to yell where I can hear them.
55. INTERIOR / HALLWAY / LATE MORNING
JENNIFER begins to walk away from KAREN and down the hall.
KAREN: Hey, Jennifer--aren't you coming back to class? The movie should be over by now.
JENNIFER: No, I have to meet my boyfriend.
KAREN watches JENNIFER curiously as she walks out of sight.
56. EXTERIOR / HALLS NEAR STUDENT PARK / LATE MORNING
JENNIFER walks outside and looks at other students who are hanging out in the student park in the back near the cafeteria. Soon she sees PETE, who has been waiting for her. In the halls, a few tough looking students can be seen. PETE and JENNIFER don't look nearly as tough as these students appear to be; PETE and JENNIFER don't look tough at all. They fit right in, as they have from the beginning of the day. A handsome looking teacher in a suit is walking outside in the oncoming direction.
PETE: Hey, Jennifer. Isn't that Mr. Camden?
JENNIFER: Mr. Camden?
PETE: Yeah, that guy in the suit.
JENNIFER: See him right there?
The teacher walks by, going right between the two.
JENNIFER: Oh, yeah. That's right. Mr. Camden. You remember him. You had him for Algebra, didn't you? God, he got old.
PETE: Mr. Camden. (He pauses.) That fuck gave me a D!
57. EXTERIOR / FRONT OF SCHOOL / EARLY AFTERNOON
The halls begin to filter out again. It is the start of fifth period. OFFICER JENSEN gives a look in a few of the classrooms toward the front of the school.
58. INTERIOR / LUNCH AREA COURTYARD / EARLY AFTERNOON
PETE and JENNIFER find a bench in a corner of the courtyard. Nobody takes any real notice of them. A few students are even sitting near. JENNIFER takes a paper bag out of her purse.
PETE: I guess the food here hasn't changed much.
JENNIFER: No, it's always pretty much the same.
PETE notices a Bruce Springsteen pin on JENNIFER'S purse.
PETE: Where did you get that button from?
JENNIFER looks down at it.
JENNIFER: I stole it from K-Mart.
PETE: Springsteen, huh?
JENNIFER: Yeah, he's......the best.
PETE: I always thought he was...."The Boss."
JENNIFER: He's "The Boss," too. He has to be. (She pauses.) I mean, how many singers are there who bother to write songs about New Jersey?
They take bites out of their sandwiches.
JENNIFER: I like the way he writes about things that everyone can relate to..... (She thinks.)You know, like driving around......going to the shore.....wasting time...... He's great.
PETE: Yeah, I guess he is. He's the only singer I know who can take something like going to a Seven-Eleven and turn it into a religious experience.
There is a long pause as they eat and listen to students who are around them.
PETE: I wonder how many girls here are wearing a Blondie T-Shirt. I wonder how many girls here actually think they're Blondie.
JENNIFER: I don't know.
Suddenly, a girl who is sitting near PETE starts talking to him.
GIRL: Hey, did you hear about that class that got robbed this morning?
PETE glances at JENNIFER and tries to stay calm.
PETE: No--what class?
GIRL: An American literature class early this morning. First period. Some guy walked in with a gun and took everyone's money. He took the teacher's money, too.
PETE: That's weird. No, I never heard about it. Who told you about this?
GIRL: Cathy--a friend of mine. One of her friends--Susan--was actually in the class.
PETE: Wow.
A guy who is listening cuts in.
STUDENT: I heard that it was two guys and that they robbed a history class.
GIRL: I don't know. I just heard about American Literature class. That's all.
STUDENT: A friend of mine told me that he heard these two just walked into this history class in the middle of the period and pulled out submachineguns. He said they were almost going to kill the teacher.
GIRL: God.
PETE: That's brutal.
A different girl speaks up.
GIRL #2: If you people believe any of that shit, then you're crazy. I don't believe any of it. Every year it's the same thing. Every couple of months, it's something new. Around the last day of school this past year, the word was going around that Donna Summer was dead. That was bullshit, too .Now you tell me--what kind of losers would try to pull something off like robbing a class? During a schoolday?! It's too crazy. There's too much of a risk. They wouldn't even get that much out of the deal, would they? I don't know. To me, it's just another school day. Doesn't anybody remember last spring--when some seniors were gonna steal the portable classrooms? They're still here, aren't they?
JENNIFER stares at PETE.
59. EXTERIOR / FRONT OF SCHOOL / AFTERNOON
A police car is seen coming up the main road that leads to the school. OFFICER BRUNSWICK gets out of his car and walks into the school. BRUNSWICK is considerably older than OFFICER JENSEN and seems confident and stern.
60. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / AFTERNOON
The officer walks directly through the main office and into MR. FAIRLEIGH'S office.
61. INTERIOR / MR. FAIRLEIGH'S OFFICE / AFTERNOON
MR. FAIRLEIGH and MR. DICKINSON are sitting down and waiting. They watch the officer slowly walk in. OFFICER JENSEN, having finished walking around, also comes in.
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: You read our daily rag?
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Yes. Of course. Well, usually I do.
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: During the past month or so, we've been seeing more than our share of local stores getting burglarized. On a few instances, we got some decent descriptions.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: A guy?
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: It varies. There must have been about four stores in the mall that saw excessive shoplifting within about a month. A few liquor stores, a few gas stations. More than usual, that's sure. All this usually happened at night--nobody would be approached in most cases. Sometimes they'd try to get in through ventilation systems. Mostly they get a few bucks and some food. Most of these instances involved nineteen, twenty year olds.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: This one could be even younger.
OFFICER JENSEN: Who knows?
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: We've been getting reports of a car--possibly a Plymouth Fury--being parked around areas of town for excessively long periods of time. A lot of residents have called up. That suggests that houses are in jeopardy, too. There's a definite pattern that's been forming. I mean, this is a suburban neighborhood. This area just doesn't see one hell of a lot of crime.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Thank God.
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: Sure, we have plenty of vandals. Who knows if this guy comes from around here or not?
OFFICER JENSEN: What time does the last period let out?
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Two forty-five.
OFFICER JENSEN: We'll hang around and patrol the halls for a half hour. Then we'll evacuate. If he's still here, maybe he'll see us and panic. Then we'll finally get him.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Don't say that. (He pauses.) What if you actually see this guy?
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: We'll wait for him to get out in the open, somehow.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: He'll be in a situation where he can take hostages, you know.
62. EXTERIOR / STUDENT PARK AREA / AFTERNOON
We see a front view of the school. A few students are in the student park, making small talk and watching other guys and girls walking by. PETE and JENNIFER are among the others, standing around.
JENNIFER: I could have sworn you said you were gonna start things all over again. Put the past behind and all that.
PETE: Hey, Jennifer. Why are all these kids out here?
JENNIFER: They're on a free period.
PETE I wasn't sure if they got rid of all that stuff after I graduated. It's all right--I make my own free periods now.
PETE sits down on the bench.
JENNIFER: What are you doing?
PETE: Hanging out. What does it matter? We can stay a little while. Bring back some memories.
JENNIFER: I don't know. Somebody from that class might recognize you.
PETE: So what? Even if someone sees me, what are they gonna do? There's around three thousand other people here. We'll just disappear back into the crowds, or if worse comes to worst, we'll just make a run for the car and get out of here in no time. We won't be here that long as it is. I have it all worked out.
JENNIFER: I know that, ok? I trust you. It's just-- word of mouth.
A pause. Then PETE and JENNIFER continue talking.
JENNIFER: You know what I'm saying. I'm saying--we should get the fuck out of here right now. While we can.
PETE (flustered) : What?! What for? Don't piss me off now. Not now.
JENNIFER: Listen--
PETE looks disgusted.
JENNIFER: Just listen to me. I'm just saying that you might have forgotten about some things.
PETE: C'mon. Anybody who saw me will think that I've gone.
JENNIFER: Those kids in that class--the teacher. What do you think that teacher is gonna do? Make believe nothing happened? He's got to do something.
PETE: It's the first day of school. He's got other classes to straighten out. You know what it's like. He'll wait for later to say something. He's not gonna want any cops here now--make a scene on the first day, disrupt things.
JENNIFER: Fine. I kind of agree with you. But that still doesn't mean he's not going to mention it to other teachers or someone during the day.
PETE: So what?
JENNIFER: Jesus Christ! Word gets out! Can't you see it?
PETE: Any teachers who I had have forgotten me! They didn't know me when I was here--why should they know me now? Nobody fuckin' knows me!
JENNIFER: It's just not good.
PETE: Who cares? Wait in the car if you're so worried.
PETE looks down at his watch.
JENNIFER: You know, sometimes I think that you want to get caught.
PETE: Give it up.
JENNIFER: Less responsibility, right?
PETE: You act like we're married or something. Don't be such a fuckin' paranoid, OK?
JENNIFER: What about all those kids you robbed? They're gonna be telling everyone they come into contact with. They're gonna be talking about it for years to come. When it comes time for our ten year reunion, everyone'll still be talking about it.
PETE: I really don't plan on going.
Two girls walk by. One of them kind of smiles at PETE. JENNIFER glares at them. PETE looks rather disgusted. He tries to think.
JENNIFER: You should have thought this out better, Pete. You should have told me about what you wanted to do. We should leave now.
PETE: You know, Jennifer--sometimes you really fuck me up.
JENNIFER: Oh, sorry.
They watch the other students around them. A few of the students have lit up joints. The sixth period bell goes off and everyone starts moving on. The halls start crowding up again. PETE stands up.
JENNIFER: I wanted to visit. But I didn't want to visit this bad.
PETE: Do me a favor. Just don't think, all right?
63. INTERIOR / HALLS BY MAIN OFFICE / AFTERNOON
PETE peers around a corner and sees that no teachers are around. He and JENNIFER are in a short side hall. They are standing by a door which reads "Guidance Offices."
JENNIFER: All right. Listen. I'll meet you here in a few minutes.
PETE: Where are you going?
JENNIFER: I have to go to the bathroom. (She points.) It's over there.
PETE: All right. Just hang close.
JENNIFER: Don't worry. I will.
They split up. Just as JENNIFER walks up the hall a little; PETE starts to walk into a side entrance of the guidance area. JENNIFER walks across the hall and over to the women's room door. Just as she is about to walk in, a hand grabs her shoulder. A woman teacher, around forty, stares very seriously at her.
TEACHER: What are you doing?
JENNIFER (shocked and bewildered) : Um,--going to the ladies' room.
TEACHER: Can I see your pass?
JENNIFER: Um, no. No pass. (thinking) My teacher didn't write one out for me. He said I didn't need one. He told me to just run to the bathroom and come back.
TEACHER: That's not allowed here. He should have known that. After all the notices that were sent out......
JENNIFER: Well.....
TEACHER: No student is permitted to walk the halls during classtime without a hall pass--no matter where they're going.
JENNIFER: Well, it's the first day of school and everything. Maybe he has all the new students and stuff on his mind. He must have just overlooked the policy.
TEACHER: Well, I want you to go right back where you came from and explain the policy to him.
JENNIFER points to the bathroom.
JENNIFER: Sure. Can't I just--you know--first?
TEACHER (considering): Yeah. Yeah, go ahead.
JENNIFER: Thanks a lot.
TEACHER: What's this teacher's name? The one who allowed this?
JENNIFER (thinking): Uh, Mr..... Mr. Smith.
The woman jots the name down.
TEACHER: Thanks.
JENNIFER finally walks into the restroom.
64. INTERIOR / GUIDANCE AREA / AFTERNOON
PETE is in the middle of a waiting room; four or five students are hanging out, waiting to see their guidance counselors. PETE spots his former counselor, MR. GARLY, getting some sheets of paper from one of the secretaries in the office. MR. GARLY is a big, kindly but distracted man. As he walks toward his office, MR. GARLY walks up to him.
MR. GARLY: Hello, Pete.
MR. GARLY turns and looks at him, deep in thought.
PETE: You remember me?
MR. GARLY (confused): Yes, I remember you. Pete......
PETE: Pete Rutger.
MR. GARLY: I knew it started with an "R." C'mon inside--sit down for a minute.
65. INTERIOR / MR. GARLY'S OFFICE / AFTERNOON
They walk into MR. GARLY'S office. Papers and pamphlets are all over his desk.
MR. GARLY: You'll have to forgive me with this mess. I'm trying to get all my student records in order still.
PETE sits down.
PETE: I understand.
MR. GARLY moves some things around.
MR. GARLY: So--you're out in the real world now.....what have you been doing with yourself?
PETE (a bit nervous): Not too much. A lot of little things. Odds and ends.
MR. GARLY: You're working?
PETE: No, not right now I'm not, no. I worked in a movie theater for a while--ripping tickets-- that kind of thing. Then I worked for a moving company for about two months. That got to be a bit much for me. Heavy work. Then I got a job in a warehouse.....
MR. GARLY Great. What company?
PETE: Dunstamp.
MR. GARLY: What do they do?
PETE: They package and mail out toy parts. Things like that. Oh, yeah. And my mother knew some guy and he used me three days a week at the flea market--here on Route 18. We sold hubcaps and all. So I've been around.
MR. GARLY: That's not a bad record there. A lot of variety. Your parents seem to be behind you.
PETE: They have a lot of trouble together. They do a lot of bickering. I'm living with a friend now.
MR. GARLY (sympathetically): Oh--
PETE: My brother still lives with them. The last time I saw them, my father had walked out on my mother. That was about six months ago. He'll be back, though. He's probably back by now.
MR. GARLY: Where do you live now? In an apartment? With your friend?
PETE: Yeah. Yeah, in an apartment.
MR. GARLY: You'll need to find a job fast, I guess. Rents are ridiculous. (He shakes his head.) It's a tough situation all around. I hear problems from my students all the time. I hope this year isn't as bad as last.....You wouldn't believe some of the crazy things.
PETE: I know it.....
MR. GARLY changes the subject after a pause.
MR. GARLY: So how long as it been since you graduated from here? Four years?
PETE: No, two.
MR. GARLY: Two.
PETE: Sometimes it seems like just a couple of months. Sometimes it seems like ten years.
MR. GARLY: Yeah. (He pauses.) Time flies, I'll tell you. You miss this place?
PETE: Yeah. No--not really. I usually don't feel like I've been gone long enough to miss it.
MR. GARLY: It must be an altogether different feeling for you now..... You come in-- you probably don't know many of the kids here anymore, right?
PETE: Right.
MR. GARLY: Sure. The sophomores who were here when you were a senior-- well, they're all seniors now. If you recognized anyone, it would probably be from that group. A good number of the teachers you would still know. But even they leave--transfer--go to different schools. Or leave teaching altogether. But I guess most of the teachers you would have had are still here.
PETE: I know it.
MR. GARLY: What was it that you were interested in? A trade of some kind, wasn't it?
PETE: Yeah. I was into a lot of things. Woodworking, car maintenance-- all that. I should have kept up with that stuff.
MR. GARLY: Well, it's not that it's too late. Be persistent. Check around. Check the newspapers.
PETE: Yeah. I do.
MR. GARLY: You know, Pete, you might even want to take a look of some of these.
He picks up some papers and pamphlets.
MR. GARLY: There's a lot of good trade schools around-- they're not all expensive, either.
MR. GARLY hands a bunch of college material to PETE.
MR. GARLY: If you have difficulty finding a job doing what you want, you might want to get something part time and take a few classes on the side. They'll help you out in time.
PETE: I'll definitely have to consider it.
MR. GARLY: I wish you would.
PETE: Thanks. I will. Well, I have to get going.
MR. GARLY starts to stand up.
MR. GARLY: Yeah-- I have quite a bit or work to do, too.
PETE: Yeah.
MR. GARLY shakes PETE'S hand.
MR. GARLY: Well, listen. Just take care of yourself. Good luck and all that.
PETE: Thanks.
MR. GARLY: It was nice of you to stop in. When everybody graduates, they always say "I'll come back and see you," and very few ever do.
PETE: That's odd, isn't it?
MR. GARLY: I don't know. Maybe they don't feel settled yet and they say one thing during school and then end up doing something completely different afterwards.
PETE: Maybe they feel funny about whatever it is that they're doing, so they don't tell anyone for a while.
MR. GARLY: That might be it.
PETE: Well, take care.
MR. GARLY: You too. Stop in again some time when you get involved with something steady. PETE: I will. Bye.
MR. GARLY goes back to sorting his records.
66. EXTERIOR / FRONT OF SCHOOL / AFTERNOON
PETE walks out of one of the front doors, where other students are walking around. He sees JENNIFER motioning to him.
JENNIFER: How'd it go?
PETE: Good.
JENNIFER: Where were you?
PETE: In the men's room.
67. INTERIOR / HALLS BY GUIDANCE AREA / AFTERNOON
Across the hall from the guidance offices, OFFICER BRUNSWICK can be seen walking around, peeking in classrooms. Every room he sees looks fine. He check towards the gym and buys a soda. Not far from where PETE and JENNIFER are, we see the outside of the main office.
68. EXTERIOR / NEAR STUDENT PARK AREA / AFTERNOON
It is the start of sixth period. Crowds of students are moving around again. PETE and JENNIFER are standing around Suddenly, there is a loud voice calling out.
BOBBY: HEY--YOU!!
PETE quickly and anxiously turns around, startled. JENNIFER turns, tense.
BOBBY: Pete? Pete Rutger?
PETE takes a good look at the younger guy who is approaching him. The guy is wearing heavy metal t-shirt and jeans. Everything about him says "sophomore."
PETE: Yeah?
BOBBY just stands in front of PETE a few seconds while he waits to see if he will be recognized.
PETE: Oh-- wait, shit! Davy-- no, Bob. Bobby. Bobby Mercer!
BOBBY: Took you long enough.
PETE: Sorry.
BOBBY: God. I thought I saw you earlier.
JENNIFER: What?
PETE: Where? In what class?
BOBBY: In the halls.
PETE tries to change the subject.
PETE: Yeah. So-- It's been a while.
JENNIFER looks confused.
PETE: Remember Jack Mercer?
JENNIFER: No.
PETE: Jack Mercer-- That guy I used to hand out with? He used to wear that blue jacket with all the buttons on it?
JENNIFER?: You mean that guy who used to spray paint curses and stuff all over the senior walls in the back?
PETE looks embarrassed, and back at BOBBY.
JENNIFER: I remember him. He used to stick around here after school for no reason at all. We had him in Driver's Ed, didn't we?
PETE: I think so.
JENNIFER: He and some of his buddies wanted to steal the main office copy machine once. I don't know why. Didn't he once take an M-80 and blow up a toilet during SAT testing?
PETE: Yeah. That's right. That was Jack Mercer.
JENNIFER: So what about him?
PETE: This is his brother.
JENNIFER: Oh.
BOBBY looks much more like a bookworm than a troublemaker. He politely holds out his hand to JENNIFER.
BOBBY: Nice to meet you.
JENNIFER: Oh--um. You too.
PETE: She's my girlfriend.
BOBBY: I think I remember her.
PETE: So what brings you here?
BOBBY: I go here now. Today's my first day.
PETE: You're a sophomore now?
BOBBY: Yeah, the first day at the bottom.
PETE: That's cool. Jeez, I thought you would still be in junior high.
BOBBY: No way. I left that dump back in June.
PETE: Great.
BOBBY: Time flies, you know?
The three stand around a few seconds, not knowing what to say. BOBBY breaks the silence.
BOBBY: It's great to see you and Jane are still together.
JENNIFER: .Jennifer.
BOBBY: Jennifer-- sorry. So what are the two of you doing here today? You both got out a while ago, right?
PETE: I'm out. Jennifer's a senior. I'm visiting.
BOBBY: That's great. Most who graduate from here never bother to come back.
PETE: Yeah, I know.
A pause.
BOBBY: So what do you say we get together some time?
JENNIFER has a look on her face that says "lets get out of here." PETE plays along.
PETE: Sure-- we can do something some time..... But Jennifer and I are going to be busy for a while. We're both having problems at home.
BOBBY: Oh.
PETE tries to change the subject.
PETE: So how's your brother doing these days?
BOBBY: Jack's ok.
PETE: He didn't get locked up or anything, did he?
BOBBY: He almost did once, but he's all right.
PETE: Good.
BOBBY: He's in school.
PETE: You mean he's still here?
BOBBY: No--he's at Penn State.
PETE and JENNIFER look shocked.
PETE: How did he manage that?
BOBBY; He applied. Studied a lot. He really got down to business in his senior year.
PETE: The last time I saw him, he was a senior. That's when I was a senior. He never mentioned Penn State.
BOBBY: He just kept it quiet. I don't know. Maybe he didn't want to ruin his image.
PETE: God.
BOBBY: He'll be back around Christmas, you know. You should stop by then.....
JENNIFER: Pete, it's time to go.
PETE: Yeah, all right.
BOBBY: Look, like I said, maybe we could do something sometime. Like grab a bite at McDonald's.
PETE: Yeah..... Sounds great.
BOBBY rips a piece of paper out of his notebook.
BOBBY: Look, let me give you my number. Give me a call any time.
PETE: OK.
BOBBY: Where are you going now? Back home?
PETE: No.
JENNIFER: I need to pick up some Clearasil pads and stuff at the mall.
BOBBY (excited): Hey, that's where I'm going to be going with some friends. We're cutting out of eighth period. We could meet you there!
PETE: Well, we have to take care of a few errands first. We'll meet you there.
PETE and JENNIFER start walking away.
BOBBY: Hey- wait! Where will you be? What time?
PETE: I don't know. We'll be at the arcade. By the front big window.
BOBBY: The arcade. All right, what time? Three o'clock or so?
PETE: Yeah, OK. Three o'clock.
BOBBY: OK. I'll be waiting.
PETE and JENNIFER keep walking. JENNIFER is angry. PETE is agitated. BOBBY happily walks away.
69. EXTERIOR / STUDENT PARK / AFTERNOON
JENNIFER mutters to herself.
JENNIFER: I thought you said nobody would remember you.
PETE: Look, the kid pops up out of nowhere. What was I supposed to do? I was friend swith his brother for two weeks. So he's been trying to hang out with me and my friends since I was twelve.
JENNIFER sees a familiar bench.
JENNIFER: Look, Pete--
PETE: What is it?
JENNIFER: Remember this bench?
PETE: I guess.
JENNIFER (sitting down): We used to sit on this bench all the time.
PETE: Yeah.
JENNIFER: I even put our initials on it.
PETE: I never knew that.
JENNIFER: I doubt that they're on it anymore. I wrote them in magic marker. I used to write our names all over the place. I used to do all that crazy stuff. Not any more, though.
PETE: Why not?
JENNIFER: I don't know. I guess after a while, you outgrow things. Like, remember how we used to speed all over the place in your car?
PETE: Yeah. That was fun.
JENNIFER: Do they have drive-ins in Florida?
PETE: I guess so.
JENNIFER stands up for a moment and takes her camera out of her purse. She hands it to a girl who is walking nearby and asks her to take a picture of she and PETE sitting on the bench. JENNIFER sits down and puts her arm around PETE.
PETE: What are you doing?
JENNIFER: Quick picture.
The girl takes the picture and hands the camera back. A pause.
JENNIFER: Pete, what are we gonna do tomorrow?
PETE is not listening.
PETE: Hey, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Yeah?
PETE: Do you think what that kid said was true? You know, about his brother going to Penn State?
JENNIFER: I don't know. I guess so. What do you care?
PETE: I never even applied to a college.
JENNIFER: So what?
PETE: I never tried to.
JENNIFER laughs.
JENNIFER: Believe me, college wouldn't be for you.
PETE: Why not?
JENNIFER: Your attention span isn't long enough.
A pause.
PETE: I never accomplish anything. (He pauses.) I hate this place.
PETE'S five 'o clock shadow is really starting to show.
70. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / AFTERNOON
In the main office, MRS. GLASSBORO and another secretary are whispering to a teacher who has stopped in to check his mailbox. It is apparent that they are relating the robbery stories to him--in detail. Suddenly, MR. FAIRLEIGH walks by and notices what they are doing. He also notices that the other secretaries are equally as eager to talk about the situation, and that some ,in fact, are doing just that. MR. FAIRLEIGH'S temper flares up. All the secretaries notice this and try to go back to working. The teacher quickly grabs his things and leaves the office. MR. FAIRLEIGH summons all of the secretaries, including his own, into a small side office. MR. DICKINSON looks on as well.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: All right. Everyone just listen up. Apparently, word has gotten out about the unfortunate situations that took place today. (He pauses.) Yes--a class got kind of.....mugged today. We don't know if the teenager who perpetrated all the trouble have left the school grounds or not. (He raises his voice.) But that's no reason why everyone in the school has to know about this nonsense! I had some faith in all of you--I figured you would know better than to leak word out to any other students or teachers.
MRS. GLASSBORO: I'm sorry, Mr. Fairleigh.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Try to understand that we're not dealing with an ordinary person. These types are.....vandals. Certain ex-students of this school who just don't care anymore. This isn't the first time we've had crazy things like this happen. It's happened before. I don't have to tell you about the windows that are almost continually broken. Paint that's put on the back brick walls over and over again. Sometimes it's kids from this school, sometimes it's kids from nearby schools. Once in a while it's junior high kids who just can't wait to get here. Then there are the ones who get out of here and come back just for the fun of it. The troublemakers are so.....stupid. They probably don't know why they're doing these things either. I do know one thing. This school must not mean much to them anymore. They have lost what we have always tried to put into them--school spirit. So the last thing we need here is all this damned paranoia on the first day of a new school year. Let's all shut up and just let the day end. We can all read about this predicament once this kid is caught. Just buy a Suburban Times in a few days. Now let's be quiet and get back to work.
MR. FAIRLEIGH heads back into his office, and these secretaries go back into the main office. A few begin typing again. MRS. GLASSBORO continues assisting various students.
71. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / AFTERNOON
Suddenly, a disheveled man in his early forties angrily walks into the main office. He walks up to the front desk and starts yelling.
PARENT: Where's the principal of this place? I want to see the principal!
MR. FAIRLEIGH hears the man yelling and reluctantly walks out of his office and into the main office area.
MR. FAIRLEIGH: I'm the principal.
PARENT (yelling): I'd like to know what everybody's doing here! Why are people still here? My girl came home around three hours ago--shaking like a leaf! My wife called up here a while ago and was told that everything is under control. I'd like to know what that means! You have some kid pull some stunt with a gun in a classroom full of kids--and you haven't evacuated the school yet?
MR. FAIRLEIGH: Sir, the truth is that police officers have been here since this morning and there has been so sign of the thief. I'm sure that the overwhelming majority of people in this school right now don't even know what happened.
PARENT: And you actually think that what they don't know won't hurt them?
MR. FAIRLEIGH: You don't have to get sarcastic with me. I know what's going on here. (pauses) I want you to know that my son goes to this school.
72. INTERIOR / HALLS / AFTERNOON
In the halls, OFFICER JENSEN is seen walking through the near-empty corridors. Occasionally, he stops to say hello to one of the teachers who are stationed. He overhears the man yelling at the top of his lungs. Because the halls are empty, few students are able to take much notice.
73. INTERIOR / HALLS / AFTERNOON
OFFICER JENSEN passes by a few classes that are going on normally. Suddenly, he walks over to a fire alarm and pulls it. Piercing bells ring out in the hallways. In a series of shots, we see the effects of the alarm as it rings out through the school.
74. INTERIOR / MAIN OFFICE / AFTERNOON
MR. FAIRLEIGH, all the secretaries, and the students who are in the main office look up as the alarm rings.
75. INTERIOR / VARIOUS CLASSROOMS / AFTERNOON
We see a number of classes, each reacting in a different way. There is a general pause, as if the teachers and students are not sure of whether it is an actual alarm that is taking place. It is seen as being a nuisance. Then students begin to rise while looking at their teachers for permission to exit.
76. INTERIOR / HALLWAYS / AFTERNOON
Class doors across the school are opening and students and teachers are beginning to make their way out. At the end of the hall where the driver education class is, OFFICER JENSEN keeps his gun hidden so as not to frighten any of the students as they walk out. He slowly makes his way down the hall, but gets caught in the middle of much student traffic.
77. EXTERIOR / FRONT OF SCHOOL / AFTERNOON
In a long shot, we see everyone beginning to exit the school. Everyone keeps filing out. It is still a beautiful day out.
78. EXTERIOR / BACK OF SCHOOL / AFTERNOON
In a long shot, we see everyone filing out of the back of the school. Everyone just stands around. Teachers are seen trying to guide students. Nobody seems worried. Most everyone seems happy to get outside in the sun.
79. INTERIOR / HALL OUTSIDE DRIVER ED CLASS / AFTERNOON
A teacher is shouting at the end of the hall. Nobody is listening to what she is saying.
TEACHER: Single file! Single file!
We see PETE and JENNIFER walking out. Many students are still occupying the halls. Some have stopped to chat.
TEACHER: Move it! Move it! No talking!
The two almost casually walk out of the classroom and immediately blend in with the others. We can clearly see how PETE and JENNIFER look like the other students. The students who are walking out partially block the officers' views. It is not long before PETE and JENNIFER are ahead of the officers, who follow behind in the flow of the crowd.
80. EXTERIOR / BACK OF SCHOOL / AFTERNOON
Students are getting quite a distance from the school, as they are supposed to. PETE and JENNIFER have now saturated into still larger groups of students. JENNIFER looks particularly nervous. It seems like the two of them can be seen by anyone. It continually seems to them that someone is staring at them a bit too long. A few students even seem to be pointing at them, while talking to their friends. The officers are instantly noticeable as they step outside of the school. PETE and JENNIFER don't notice them, as they are walking further away from the school, toward the back student parking lot--where the car is.
81. EXTERIOR / STUDENT PARKING AREA / AFTERNOON
The two blend in with the crowds and head over to where their Plymouth Fury is parked. The officers are trying not to be noticed by the students who are now waiting to get back into the school. The alarm is still ringing. A number of the students are attempting to leave the school grounds. A guy and girl are kissing in one of the cars that the two pass by. PETE and JENNIFER stay a bit apart, and then, suddenly JENNIFER turns around after about thirty seconds of looking around. She calls to PETE in a low voice.
JENNIFER: Where's the car?
PETE: What?
JENNIFER: Where the fuck's the car?
PETE: Jesus Christ. I'm following you.
They continue to scan the lot.
JENNIFER: Where the hell did you park?
The officers are nowhere near PETE and JENNIFER. OFFICER BRUNSWICK motions to JENSEN.
OFFICER BRUNSWICK: Bring the car half way around.
OFFICER JENSEN starts to make his way around to the front of the school, trying not to be noticed.
82. EXTERIOR / BACK OF SCHOOL--GYM AREA / AFTERNOON
The students and teachers are hanging out, standing around and talking. Some guys are throwing a baseball around by the gym.
TEACHER: C'mon, guys. Get away from there. Get back with the rest of us. Keep a good distance.
A group of tough looking girls moves away. One girl speaks out.
GIRL: What, is this place gonna explode or something?
TEACHER: Just because it's the first day of school, that doesn't mean we don't follow the rules.
83. EXTERIOR / PARKING LOT / AFTERNOON
Back in the middle of the lot, PETE and JENNIFER are still trying to locate their car. OFFICER BRUNSWICK is trying not to cause any commotion and continues to scan the groups of students and teachers.
84. EXTERIOR / PARKING LOT / AFTERNOON
PETE finally spots the car. He motions over to JENNIFER.
PETE: Jennifer--Jennifer, here it is!
JENNIFER gets over to PETE as quick as she can.
PETE (unemotionally): You're a regular airhead.
JENNIFER (annoyed): What do you want from me? I didn't park it! You should have remembered where it was!
PETE: Just get in.
PETE gives JENNIFER a dirty look, and they get in. They just sit back without starting the car.
85. INTERIOR / PETE'S CAR / AFTERNOON
PETE and JENNIFER are sitting in the front seat, crouched down a little. It is clear that they have no idea that the officers are close by. As usual, JENNIFER breaks the silence.
JENNIFER: Why aren't they going back in?
PETE: I don't know.
JENNIFER: Everyone is leaving.
PETE: Yeah, I see.
JENNIFER: I wonder who pulled the fire alarm.
PETE: Don't worry about it. It was probably some crazy sophomore probably go bored--had nothing better to do--pulled the fuckin' thing.
PETE pulls out of the school with the rest of the cars. The officers continue to look for anyone suspicious, but have basically given up hope of finding the thief.
86. EXTERIOR / VARIOUS SUBURBAN IMAGES / AFTERNOON
PETE and JENNIFER drive through a series of side streets. They see some new video stores that are opening, as well as a multi-screen movie theater that is being built.
87. EXTERIOR / ON THE ROAD / AFTERNOON
It is a beautiful day out. PETE and JENNIFER are driving down the New Jersey Turnpike. The two talk.
PETE: The day goes by fast, doesn't it?
JENNIFER: Yeah, it does.
PETE: Why is it that you hardly ever say anything?
JENNIFER: I say some things, don't I?
PETE: Not really. You usually let me do all the talking. All the aggressive shit.
JENNIFER: I don't know. I never liked speaking in front of classes. I was always like that.
A pause.
PETE: You know something? I don't think there were as many good looking girls here when I went here.
JENNIFER: You think so?
PETE: Yeah. I must have graduated with around three hundred girls. Maybe forty of them were good to look at. Well, that's my opinion.
JENNIFER: I hope I was one of the forty.
PETE: What do you mean? You were two grades before me.
JENNIFER: Forget it.
They sit still for a few moments.
JENNIFER: Whenever we go anywhere, especially to the city, you're always looking at the other girls.
PETE: Not really. (thinking) But most of the city girls are better than New Jersey girls, that's for sure.
JENNIFER: You think so?
PETE: The city girls are tougher. I don't think they go shopping as much. The only thing is--they're smarter. They fuck with your head more.
JENNIFER: You really believe that?
PETE: Yeah. I can tell just by looking at them.
JENNIFER: I don't know. The city's a......the city is so crazy. I don't see what's so great about it. It's like this big, loud mall. Jersey is a lot quieter. Not as much trouble going on. Like last week I read in the Suburban Times that some kid stabbed a teacher with a screwdriver .He was carrying it with him from the wood shop or something, and a teacher asked him if he was in a class or anything. You know, you're not supposed to roam the halls or whatever. So he doesn't even answer her--he just stabbed her. When you live in the city, things like that happen all the time. You don't get that kind of stuff very often here in Jersey.
PETE: I guess so.
A pause.
JENNIFER: Pull over.
PETE: What for?
88. EXTERIOR / TURNPIKE / AFTERNOON
JENNIFER walks over to a pay phone on the turnpike.
JENNIFER: Hi, Mom? Yeah, it's me. Listen.....Don't start getting upset, OK? Listen..... I'm all right. I said I'm OK. I'm OK. Shut up, all right? Yeah, I'm with Pete. We've already been through this, you know? He's my boyfriend, OK? He's my boyfriend no matter what you say. Yeah, I do love him. I said I love him. Do you want me to say it again? I love him. He's not just a friend. How many times do I have to..... He's not just my friend.
PETE and JENNIFER look at each other while she talks.
JENNIFER: He's my boyfriend. There is a difference. Look, ma...... Ma, shut up. (raising her voice) I'm not going to go through my life without a boyfriend. No, you're wrong. You're wrong! I don't have time! I don't know what you're talking about. Look, do you want me to put Pete on the line? I'll do it. I swear to God. Then shut the fuck up. What? I'm on the Turnpike. The New Jersey Turnpike. I'm not going back to school. I don't care. Listen, we're just driving. Pete and I! I don't know. Now will you calm down? Calm down, all right? I really want to talk to you. I just wanted to tell you..... I'm really sorry about leaving the way I did this morning. It was very abrupt .I just wasn't in the mood to talk to you. Sometimes people aren't in the mood to talk to other people sometimes, right?
Like, I'm not in the mood to talk to you now. No..... No, I'm calling you for a reason. I'm calling to say good-bye.....because I didn't say it this morning. No, I'm not coming back. Because I want to start a life of my own. I don't want to live at home the rest of my life. I've been living at home for the past seventeen years, and I'm not going to live at home for the rest of my life. I told you, that doesn't mean anything to me. There is no time. I don't look at it that way. (pauses) There's nothing that you can do. You have to trust me. No....... No, mom.....I'm telling you, listen. Listen. You and Dad have very little to do with what I'm doing. I'm going because I want to. You never did anything wrong to me. I'm just going because I'm tired of a lot of things and.....A lot of things. (pauses) I don't know. I'm just.....I'm just sick of it around here. I'm sick of looking at walls and sidewalks. I want to do something. I don't know, yet. But I'll figure it out. I just have to do it on my own, with Pete. (pauses) I have to go. I'll call you, ok? Please don't worry! Be on my side. That will make me feel better. Say good-bye to Dad for me when you see him. I'll call later the next time so I can talk to him. Good-bye, Mom. I'm not spending an hour to say good-bye. Good-bye.
She hangs up. JENNIFER gets back into the car and she and PETE continue driving south on the Turnpike. Judging from the look on their faces, they have no idea as to where they will go or what they will do.
FLASHBACK TO:
89. INTERIOR / PETE'S HOUSE / LATE AFTERNOON
PETE, JENNIFER, and PETE'S parents are eating dinner about two and a half years earlier, around May of 1978.
MR. RUTGER: Can you pass me the rolls?
PETE: Here.
MRS. RUTGER: Watch these pans. They're hot.
MR. RUTGER: Jennifer, be careful.
MRS. RUTGER: We have a little of everything tonight.
MR. RUTGER: In other words, leftovers.
MRS. RUTGER: That's right.
PETE: Leftovers. Sounds like a good brand name. Leftover's sausage. Leftover's Eggs. Leftover's leftovers.
MR. RUTGER: A bunch of comedians, we're bringing up in this family.
MRS. RUTGER: Does somebody want to pass me the hamburgers, please? Everybody just forgets about Mom.
PETE: Who?
MR. RUTGER (to PETE): So how was school today?
PETE: Schoolish.
MR. RUTGER (to JENNIFER): How about you?
JENNIFER: It was OK. I want to get out already.
PETE: Yeah?
MRS. RUTGER: You'll finish up. Don't worry. What do you have left? One more year? You'll get out. It's not like a jail.
PETE: Mom's right. Maybe they'll let you out in four years with good behavior.
MR. RUTGER: You'll do good. Don't rush things. You'll do what you want.
JENNIFER: I never do what I want.
MR. RUTGER: What do you mean? You have everything that you want here in Fairlawn. A nice home, a nice room--friends. You can go practically anywhere you want around. There's the movies--lots of them--ten in one place now. (He thinks a little.) You have the mall.....
JENNIFER: I don't know.
PETE (mimicking his father): There's hardly any crime, loads of nice, pretty split-level houses all in rows.....Farms..... Bingo every Tuesday and Saturday night.
MR. RUTGER: What would you rather do, Jennifer--live in the city? You know what that's like?
JENNIFER: There's more people and things.
MR. RUTGER: Yes, but look at what goes with it! Muggers, rapes--you never know who's going to attack you next. Is that what you want? You don't like protection?
MRS. RUTGER: We have a lot to be thankful for. We should thank God for our blessings everyday, Right?
PETE and JENNIFER just continue eating.
MRS. RUTGER: Right?
MR. RUTGER: I guess it's not in style to believe in things like that anymore, huh?
PETE: We have beliefs.
MRS. RUTGER: You have to learn to appreciate whatever you have.
PETE: Yeah, I know.
JENNIFER: Please not a lecture.
MRS. RUTGER: Learn how to be grateful. Learn how to thank God.
PETE: All right, I'll thank God. I'll invite him to my graduation party. I'll thank him there.
MR. RUTGER: What kind of thing is that to say?
MRS. RUTGER: Pete, that's not the first remark you've made about the party. Almost everyday lately..... What do you want us to do--call everyone up and tell them not to come?
PETE: No, it's not that.
MRS. RUTGER: Well, what's wrong? You should tell us when there's something wrong.
PETE: I don't know. I just wish there were less people coming. There's too many.
MR. RUTGER: What?
MRS. RUTGER: Pete, this is the family. We have to invite certain people. If you invite a particular person and they find out that someone else in the family is invited, then they'll feel bad.
PETE: Give me a break.
MRS. RUTGER: Don't tell me! Pete, they'll al want to come.
MR. RUTGER: Pete, I don't see what the problem is. It's only one day.
PETE: I just don't like the idea.
MRS. RUTGER: Why?
PETE: I just don't like it!
MRS. RUTGER: I don't understand what you're so worried about.
MR. RUTGER: It'll be over one, two, three.
MRS. RUTGER: Besides, do you remember how many graduation parties your father and I have been to? Aunt Linda's daughter? All of Dad's cousins' children, Paul and Grace from my side of the family..... Do you realize how much money your father and I have put out during the years?
PETE: What's that got to do with it?
MRS. RUTGER: Now you're entitled to your share!
PETE: Oh, Jesus.
MR. RUTGER: Hey!
MRS. RUTGER: Don't you see? You have it coming to you! After all these years, you deserve to get something back!
PETE: But I don't have anything to do with this at all! It's just......obligation!
MRS. RUTGER: No, it's not!
MR. RUTGER: What's wrong with that?
MRS. RUTGER: What does your girlfriend think?
JENNIFER (to PETE): I think you're crazy. You could be so rich......
MRS. RUTGER: I don't understand him!
MR. RUTGER: Let's just calm down.
Everyone quiets down somewhat. They start eating again. MRS. RUTGER and PETE look like they want to say more.
MRS. RUTGER: I guess you just don't want to have a graduation party.
MR. RUTGER: Shhhh.
PETE: No, it's not really that. Ma, don't it personal.
MRS. RUTGER: How do you expect me to take it?
PETE: I don't know.
MRS. RUTGER: Then what's the problem?
PETE: What makes you think there's a problem?
A pause.
PETE: The problem is....... I'm not stubborn enough. I wanted a very small party--just a few friends, a few relatives.....
MR. RUTGER: There's nothing wrong with that.
PETE: Yes, but when it comes to the relatives ,it's either everybody or nobody. I don' know which is better.
JENNIFER: Maybe he's anti-social.
A pause.
PETE: All right, so we'll invite all these people to my party, right? It's no big deal for you. I'm the one who has to be the center of attention.
MRS. RUTGER: What do you expect? You're the one who's graduating.
PETE: So I hate being the center of attention! You don't understand. It's probably going to be a real nice day out, and all of these people--relatives and things--will start showing up at the house. They'll be all dressed up, and I'll be all dressed up. They'll all work their way into the house, acting so nice, like they know us so well, and see us so often that they hardly have to say anything. Soon they start lounging around the house, hanging around outside, getting ready to eat. That's all OK. I can accept it. But sooner or later, they're going to see my diploma on the TV, or on a snack table or something, and they'll stop munching out and remember what they're really there for. So somebody will eventually start saying something like "So where's the graduate?" Then somebody else will follow it up with "How is Pete doing?" and "Where is the young man?" And I'll get hunted down. And then comes the worst. The relatives are all smart enough to know not to talk to me all at the same time, so they'll each find me and talk to me one by one, or one family at a time. You wouldn't think there's anything so bad about that. They'll start off by saying "Pete, you got so big!" or "We're so happy for you!" as though I'm the only one in the world who's graduating from high school. Then the real fun starts. It's not good enough just to say a few cute things to me--they'll have to knaw into me. I can just hear them--one by one, non-stop. "So, what are your plans now, Pete?" "Well, Pete, now the good times are over and you'll have to star thinking about the rest of your life." "Are you going to college?" "No?" "Why haven't you applied to any?" "What are you going to be?"
PETE leans back on his chair and tries to catch his breath.
PETE: I don't know if I can handle it. I don't know if I'll make it through.
The family is quiet for a while. MRS. RUTGER breaks the silence.
MRS. RUTGER (comforting): It's too late to change anything now, so don't worry about it. You'll manage.
MR. RUTGER: It's only one day.
DISSOLVE TO:
90. PHOTOGRAPHS
We see a number of pictures. The first one is the recent one of PETE and JENNIFER sitting at their favorite bench. JENNIFER has her arm around PETE. They look tired and confused. The second shot comes from the school yearbook. We see JENNIFER as a senior. To the side of her picture are the words "Future Plans." The reply says "WORK." The third picture from the same yearbook, is PETE'S senior photograph. Under "Future Plans," the reply is left blank. The last photo that we see is an earlier shot of PETE and JENNIFER at their favorite bench, back when they were still in high school. JENNIFER has her arm around PETE. They look younger and distinctly less angry.
THE END