(Main Titles)
SCENE 2
(The scene opens with an outside shot of a house that is throwing a large party. There are many cars out front. Music can be heard from inside. A car pulls up to the house. Inside the car are MICHELE WATTERSON and ALESSIA GATELY.)
SCENE 3
(MICHELE and ALESSIA enter the house which is slightly overcrowded. Inside the house is a teenage party. A birthday party. Loud music, chips and party favors are everywhere. Everyone is either dancing or talking in the corner. Even the family cat is in the party mood.)
(MICHELE and ALESSIA work there way thru the crowd until they run in the host, HENRY BREAD. Shouts of greeting are exchanged between MICHELE, ALESSIA, and HENRY. HENRY takes their coats and offers them the party.)
(MICHELE and ALESSIA approach the snack table. While at the snack table MICHELE runs into the STRANGE MAN. He is off the side of the table handing out what it appears to be beer. ALESSIA is offered one but quickly declines. The STRANGE MAN approaches MICHELE.)
STRANGE MAN
"How about you. Would you like one?"
(MICHELE looks at what he has in his hand.)
ALESSIA
"<out-of-shot> Michael."
(MICHELE looks around for who just called her.)
ALESSIA
"Michele! Michele, come here! Susan wants to meet you!"
(MICHELE turns to see ALESSIA across the room waving to come over. MICHELE turns back to the STRANGE MAN who is now gone. MICHELE goes over to ALESSIA and begins talking with friends as the party goes on.)
SCENE 4
(The party is coming to a close. Outside MICHELE and ALESSIA are getting back into their car.)
HENRY
"<calling from the door> See you Monday."
ALESSIA
"<in a knightly way> Monday it is, then."
(MICHELE and ALESSIA get into the car and drive away. ALESSIA is driving.)
SCENE 5
(Inside a donut shop.)
(MICHELE and ALESSIA have decided to grab a bite to eat since they didn't fill themselves up at the party.)
(The two enter the donut shop and sit down at a table.)
(The WAITER/COOK comes over to the table.)
WAITER/COOK
"What d'ya want? <snorts>"
ALESSIA
"Two coffees and something to dunk."
(The WAITER/COOK returns behind the counter and begins pouring the coffee. He then wipes his nose with his hand and grabs for the donuts.)
(Putting the donuts on the cups he serves MICHELE and ALESSIA.)
WAITER/COOK
"Any thing else?"
MICHELE
"No. We're fine. Thanks."
(The WAITER/COOK walks back to the kitchen.)
(ALESSIA pushes his donut away.)
ALESSIA
"Don't touch it. It might bite."
MICHELE
"<with a sly look> I wonder if I could do it with this one?"
ALESSIA
"What? Ah, Michele, no!"
(MICHELE takes a straw and pushes it into the donut and begins to try to drink the jelly out of the middle.)
ALESSIA
"I'm telling you. That will never work."
MICHELE
"Ummm. Strawberry."
ALESSIA
"You're sick."
(The door opens with the sound of a bell and in walks PROSTITUTES. They walk in and start to have a conversation. After a while they exit the shop.)
(MICHELE watches the whole scene with a bit of wonderment.)
(ALESSIA left the table to the restroom before they came in leaving MICHELE alone.)
(MICHELE sits there for a moment and thinks. Just then FRANCES HILLER walks out of the back room. She also works at the donut shop.)
(MICHELE grabs her attention.)
MICHELE
"Excuse me. But, what was that all about. <taking about the people who just came in> "
FRANCES
"<always chewing gum> Oh, them. They always come in here about this time. Some prostitute club."
MICHELE
"What about that one girl. The one who was getting laughed at be the others."
FRANCES
"Oh, her. Her name is Julie. She's the oldest."
MICHELE
"What was she trying to say."
FRANCES
"It's going to be her birthday next week. She was gabbing how she never got a birthday party."
MICHELE
"It that why she was being laughed at?"
FRANCES
"That's about it."
WAITER/COOK
"<from the back room> Frances!! Get back here! There's work to be done!"
FRANCES
"Aright, aright! Whoa! Who set fire to his under pants."
(MICHELE sits as FRANCES runs to the back room making comments along the way. ALESSIA comes back and both leave the shop.)
SCENE 6
(It is Monday and high school had just let out. The sound of bells and it is chaos of running kids.)
SCENE 7
(MICHELE is walking out the doors alone. MICHELE is thinking about something.)
(ALESSIA comes into the shot and runs towards MICHELE shouting.)
ALESSIA
"Michele! Hey, Michele! Wait up!"
(ALESSIA catches up with MICHELE. They walk in silence for some time.)
ALESSIA
"Is there something wrong? You've been quiet since the party. Is there something a matter?"
MICHELE
"No. Nothing's a matter."
ALESSIA
"Nothing. <pause> You want to talk about it?"
(MICHELE gives ALESSIA a look looking that she can not fool ALESSIA.)
MICHELE
"Well. No. I don't think so. It's just that......<stops not knowing what to say> "
ALESSIA
"Aright. Whenever you feel like it, I'll be here. <patting MICHELE'S back> I gotta go, aright?"
(MICHELE nods her head and ALESSIA runs off.)
(MICHELE walks off camera.)
SCENE 8
(MICHELE turns and enters a park. She sits down on a bench and stares at the ground in thought. There is a pond near by.)
(MICHELE is thinking what a OLD MAN sits down beside her. The OLD MAN is not old for say. Just as if he retired.)
OLD MAN
"Hello there. You don't mind if an old man sits down beside you and feeds his birds?"
MICHELE
"No. Go ahead."
OLD MAN
"Oh, good. Sometimes people get offended if I sit with them. Sometimes they get up in disgust and walk away. <laughs> Can't see why. I'm just someone who likes to come out here everyday. Day in and day out. Just like clock work you might say."
(The OLD MAN laughs out loud to his joke that he finds that amusing. MICHELE laughs in spite of this.)
OLD MAN
"It's my job you might say. Making sure that all my birds are feed and well cared for. <points at one> Like that one. Charley is his name. The one that walks kind of funny. Oh, what happen to him? Some little boys were throwing stones at him. One hit Charley in the leg. Oh, he was in bad condition. I took him home and made him all better. Soon he'll be able to fly again."
MICHELE
"That was nice of you, but what did the park owners say about you doing that? These birds are not really yours."
OLD MAN
"Nor are they really theirs. They don't watch over them. I do. Like I said. It's what you might call my job."
MICHELE
"You come down here everyday. Guess you know a lot of people."
OLD MAN
"I know my birds. Whenever they hunger, I'll be there to feed them. Whenever they are hurt, I'll be here to mend them."
MICHELE
"That one appears to be taking more then his share."
OLD MAN
"What? Oh. Elizabeth. Save some for the others. Always eating more then you should. One of these days your going to eat so much that you won't be able to get off the ground. <looks back to MICHELE> Unlike you. It looks like your hungry for something. Something not of food."
MICHELE
"I just, just got a lot on my mind."
OLD MAN
"Your thinking about God and the likes of that. Am I right?"
MICHELE
"How did you..."
OLD MAN
"I was like that when I was your age. Started to sit down and think really hard about Him. Still think about him everyday."
MICHELE
"How do you know?"
OLD MAN
"Know what?"
MICHELE
"About what is right?"
OLD MAN
"Pick up a Bible. All the answers are there."
(MICHELE looks embarrassed.)
OLD MAN
"What's wrong? Are you embarrassed about it? You shouldn't. There's nothing wrong about it."
MICHELE
"I'm just worried about what my friends might say."
OLD MAN
"Have you talked to anyone about it? You don't have to come up to a silly old man. Talk with your friends, talk with your pastor, talk with your family. Go and talk with them. Then go and talk with yourself."
(MICHELE gets up and starts home.)
(She turns back to the OLD MAN.)
MICHELE
"See you."
(The OLD MAN gives MICHELE a wave of good-bye and goes on feeding and talking to his birds.)
SCENE 9
(The school gym.)
(MICHELE and ALESSIA are playing a little one-on-one in basketball. There are other people in the gym walking in and out of the shot.)
(MICHELE is on the defense as ALESSIA goes up and gets a shot.)
(MICHELE does the same thing but the roles are reversed. MICHELE stays in the shot as ALESSIA retrieves the ball.)
(As they continue to play they begin to talk.)
MICHELE
"Alessia, can I ask you a question?"
ALESSIA
"You just did. <goes and shots the basket>"
MICHELE
"No really. I need to ask you something. <pause> Do you believe in God?"
ALESSIA
"I guess, I, I mean, I try."
(They stop playing.)
MICHELE
"I don't know if I do. I don't even know if I'm allow."
ALESSIA
"What do you mean? Who's going to stop you?"
MICHELE
"I mean. Who's allow in church?"
ALESSIA
"Anybody."
MICHELE
"How could that be. How could people like, like prostitutes, be allow to be in a church. I thought you had to be a non-evil person. Someone like a do-gooder."
ALESSIA
"<confused> When was the last time you went to church."
MICHELE
"My parents have been moving around with their new jobs so much that we just never had time to go to church together. I think my sister hasn't been in a church since her baptism."
ALESSIA
"Well. What are you doing Sunday? If you want, you can come to my church. Afterwards, I can see if I can get a meeting with our pastor. He should have the answers your looking for."
MICHELE
"I guess."
ALESSIA
"Aright then."
(Runs and takes a shot. We hear the ball go thru and bounce off the floor.)
SCENE 10
(Outside of a church as the church bells ring.)
(People begin to leave the church as morning services are over.)
REVEREND
(Voice over)
"So. Alessia tells me that you have some questions you would like to ask me."
MICHELE
"A couple."
SCENE 11
(The REVEREND'S office. MICHELE asked her question and now awaits for the answer. The REVEREND thinks.) *
SCENE 12
(This scene or sequence is comprised of many shots. There will be shots of MICHELE talking with OLD MAN in the park, talking with ALESSIA over a Bible, MICHELLE reading the Bible in her bed and outside. Shots of MICHELLE in the donut shop as she watches JULIE and the other PROSTITUTES. Thinking. There will be a final shot of MICHELLE and ALESSIA attending a church service.)
(The scene will be underscored by music.)
SCENE 13
(It is breakfast at the WATTERSON'S house.)
MRS. WATTERSON
"<shouting upstairs> Michele! Come on down! Breakfast is ready!"
(The breakfast table is set. MRS. WATTERSON is sitting to the left. MR. WATTERSON is sitting to the right. MICHELE'S little brother TIMOTHY is sitting straight across the table.)
MRS. WATTERSON
"<to MR. WATTERSON> Dear, have you been noticing that Michele has been acting differently lately. She seems happier."
MR. WATTERSON
"<reading a newspaper and probably doesn't even notice that there is breakfast> She's a teenager. They tend to act a little weird."
(MICHELE enters.)
MICHELE
"Morning, mom. Morning, dad."
(MR. WATTERSON grunts a hello.)
(MICHELE sits down and begins to say grace.)
TIMOTHY
"Really weird!"
MR. WATTERSON
"What are you doing?"
MICHELE
"Saying grace."
MR. WATTERSON
"Oh. <popping up realizing what is going on> Oh! O.K.., but I thought you just said that at dinner and other important meals."
MICHELE
"No. Your suppose to give thanks to all meals."
TIMOTHY
"Even Cherrios?"
(The PARENTS give each other a quick look of concern.)
(MR. WATTERSON figures out what is going on.)
MR. WATTERSON
"Michelle. Let's go have a talk."
MICHELE
"Sure, dad."
(MICHELE and MR. WATTERSON exit.)
TIMOTHY
"<thinking as a little kid would> Mommy? What is daddy going to talk to Michele about?"
MRS. WATTERSON
"Oh, Timothy. I think we better have a talk too."
SCENE 14
(The front room.)
(MR. WATTERSON sits down.)
MR. WATTERSON
"Is there something you want to talk about?"
MICHELE
"Dad. Look. I just had...."
MR. WATTERSON
"No, no. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing. In fact I should of done this a long time ago. It's just that,.... Why didn't you tell us about it."
MICHELE
"I didn't know how to say it."
MR. WATTERSON
"That was a pretty good way."
(MICHELE sits down.)
MR. WATTERSON
"Listen. I'm proud of what you have done, and I'm sorry that we weren't there for you. It's just that, me and your mother haven't had time to sit down and have some time for God and church. All in all with our new jobs."
MICHELE
"It's aright. This makes up for it. I know how busy both of you are since your promotion to this new town and moms business growing. It's hard to find time."
MR. WATTERSON
"That's no excuse. It's high time that we did. What do you say we sit down tomorrow and talk about this together as a family."
MICHELE
"I would love to, but, I have something planned for tomorrow. Can we plan it for another day?"
MR. WATTERSON
"Sure, now hurry up and get your brother. You'll be late for school."
MICHELE
"Thanks. By the way. I'll be late coming home from school today."
MR. WATTERSON
"An after school club?"
MICHELE
"You might call it that."
(MICHELE exits and MRS. WATTERSON enters.)
MRS. WATTERSON
"Did you have a talk with Michele?"
MR. WATTERSON
"<nods> You and Timothy?"
(MRS. WATTERSON nods also.)
MR. WATTERSON
"You know my dear, we need to have a talk."
SCENE 15
(Same as Scene 6.)
SCENE 16
(MICHELE enters the donut shop and approaches FRANCES.)
(The WAITER/COOK, by the way is JOE, leans in.)
MICHELE
"Frances. Can I ask you a question?"
FRANCES
"Shot away."
(Time has past.)
(MICHELE exits the donut shop.)
MICHELE
"See you then."
FRANCES
"See ya, honey. <pauses and turns back into the shop and with a stern voice> Joe, put down that knife! I'm doing the cake."
SCENE 17
(A tennis court where ALESSIA and ANOTHER are playing a match.)
(MICHELE runs up to ALESSIA.)
MICHELE
"Alessia!"
(ALESSIA turns to see who is calling and gets hit in the head with a tennis ball.)
(ALESSIA walks over to MICHELE, holding her head, giving MICHELE a stern look.)
(MICHELE gives back a sorrowful look.)
(Time passes.)
MICHELE
"Will you be there?"
ALESSIA
"Will there be any tennis balls coming at me?"
MICHELE
"<with a laugh> See you then."
ALESSIA
"<in her knightly way> Till we meet again."
(ALESSIA runs back to her game as MICHELE picks up her pace and moves out of the shot.)
SCENE 18
(MICHELE is walking down the road when she passes up the STRANGE MAN who was at the birthday party. The STRANGE MAN leaves his little group to catch up with MICHELE.)
STRANGE MAN
"Hey, Michele. Heard you been doing some strange things."
MICHELE
"<sarcastically> I heard that you were kicked out of Henry Bread's party."
STRANGE MAN
"Now that wasn't nice. Slow down. Let's talk. You and me have something in common."
MICHELE
"I don't think so."
STRANGE MAN
"Yes we do. We both have a problem. Or you have the problem. You see, it's this new stuff you been getting into."
MICHELE
"What stuff."
STRANGE MAN
"God. You don't really believe in that stuff. All that stuff is just a party pooper. It's just a bunch of old rules to make your life miserable. What has this God done for you?"
MICHELE
"It's not a bunch of old rules. It's the way we should live. God does give me a lot. All He asks of us is to live up to his standards. Not only will He like it, you will like it too."
STRANGE MAN
"But looks at what it has done to your life. You can't do all the fun stuff. All your friends are making fun of you and your family thinks you have gone crazy."
MICHELE
"That's a lie!"
STRANGE MAN
"Is it? Do you think they would tell you?"
(MICHELE looks around and sees the OLD MAN. She walks away but the STRANGE MAN grabs her.)
STRANGE MAN
"<his voice changed> Forget him! Forget everything! Come with me!"
(MICHELE forces herself away and runs for the OLD MAN.)
STRANGE MAN
"Another time then."
SCENE 19
(MICHELE approaches the OLD MAN.)
OLD MAN
"Michele. Is there something a matter?"
(MICHELE looks back to the STRANGE MAN. He is gone.)
MICHELE
"Nothing."
(The OLD MAN gives MICHELE a queer look and goes on feeding his birds.)
SCENE 20
(Inside the donut shop.)
(There is a group of people decorating the place up in a birthday fashion.)
(Everyone is having fun with music playing.)
(ALESSIA standing by the door looks to outside.)
ALESSIA
"They're coming!"
(Everyone runs into their positions.)
SCENE 21
(We see JULIE and the PROSTITUTES enter the shop with JULIE up front.)
(They enter and see that the whole shop has been decorated for a birthday party.)(A banner reads, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE")
(JULIE stares out in total flabbergastation.)
MICHELE
"We heard that it was going to be your birthday today, so all of us pitched in and made you one."
(The group inside is started by JOE and MICHELE singing Happy Birthday.)
(All but JULIE sits down at a table, for she is standing at the door. It looks as though she is about to cry.)
FRANCES
"<bring out a cake> Hey girl. What would be a birthday party be without a birthday cake! So, here! Just for you. Cherry with chocolate frosting."
(JULIE just stares at the cake as if was A Holy Grail.)
JOE
"Well, come on, Julie. Blow out the candles. If you don't, I will."
(There is a pause as JOE waits for JULIE who still doesn't move. JOE blows out the candles.)
JOE
"Hey, Frances. Bring a knife. It's time we cut this thing and get this party started."
(Shouts of approval are heard from the crowd.)
JULIE
"<pushing away hands trying to get at the frosting> Look, Joe, is it aright with you if I ... I mean is it O.K. if I kind of ... what I want to ask you is ... is it O.K. if I keep the cake a little while? I mean is it aright if we didn't eat it right away?"
JOE
"If that's what you want."
(JULIE has already started to walk out the door before JOE is finished talking.)
JULIE
"I'll just take it home and be right back. Aright?"
FRANCES
"What ever you want, Julie. What ever you want."
(JULIE exits.)
(The room is left in silence.)
(Everyone looks around wondering what to do.)
(MICHELE breaks the silence.)
MICHELE
"What do you say we pray?"
(Everyone bows their heads in prayer.)
MICHELE
"Dear God. We ask you for Julie tonight. It's her special night. It's her birthday. We know that when you created her she was very special to you. And she still is. Lord, we ask you, to give her renewed life that she might be freed from this empty and aimless lifestyle. Since we know that you love everyone, we ask you simply be good to her. Amen." *
(Sounds of people taking afterwards as JOE leans over to MICHELE.)
JOE
"Hey. You never told me you were a preacher. What kind of church do you belong to?"
MICHELE
"<putting her hand around ALESSIA> We belong to a church that throws birthday parties to whores at any time of the day."
ALESSIA
"Just ask our pastor for more details."
JOE
"No you don't. There is no church like that. If there was, I would join it. I would join a church like that."
SCENE 22
(Voicing over from last shot of last scene.)
MICHELE
"After that I said a prayer for Julie and the party went on when Julie came back. People said they never saw Julie so happy."
(Now at the park bench with MICHELE and the OLD MAN.)
MICHELE
"But there is one thing that puzzles me. Joe said that he would join a church that threw parties for whores. Is there such a place?"
OLD MAN
"Wouldn't we all like to be from a church that throws parties for whores at anytime of the day."
(Voice over as we see ducks and birds being feed.)
OLD MAN
"Well, when you think about it, that's the kind of church that Jesus came to create."
MICHELE
"Where did we get these prom and proper ones?"
OLD MAN
"I don't know. When you read the New Testament, you will discover that Jesus loved to party with the whores and all kinds of left-out people."
MICHELE
"Is that why the publicans and 'sinners' loved Him? Because He parties with them."
OLD MAN
"The lepers of the society found in Him someone who would eat and drink with them. And while the solemnly pious could not relate to what He was about, those lonely people who usually didn't get invited to parties took to Him with excitement."
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
MICHELE
"It seems that there is so much to learn about..."
OLD MAN
"Quick! Look at Charley, look at Charley!"
SCENE 24
(We watch as Charley takes a couple bounce steps along the ground. He then takes off over the water and into the air."
OLD MAN
"Ha, ha! I knew that you could do it Charley! I knew it."
(MICHELE laughs and cheers along with the OLD MAN to CHARLEY. CHARLEY swings around and flies into the sky.)
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SCENE 25
(The post card.)
SUPER IMPOSED I
"Jesus answered, "I died for people like Julie."
SUPER IMPOSED II
"Since you are a member of a church, ask yourself. Is there room in your church for a Julie?"
(Post card faded away.)
SUPER IMPOSED III
"The end <pause> or a new beginning?"
SCENE 26
(End Credits.)
The End