"Small Town Boy" (screenplay)

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SMALL TOWN BOY
by
Edward George Garren

Copyright 2011, Edward George Garren

Writers Guild of America
Registration #668035

Prologue:
This is a historical story, set in the not too distant past.  During the time and place in which
this movie is set, it was common for some people to use certain language and terms which
are today considered offensive.  The use of this language is in keeping with the time and
place in which this story is set.
It is not offered as endorsement or approval of that language, which even at the time, was
acknowledged as “showing ignorance” by others in the same communities.

INT.  SCHOOL AUDITORIUM  DAY
The bottom of the screen states, “Pasco, Florida, Mid 1960s”

ADULT MALE VOICE (over)
I still remember that last year of high school.
Those memories live inside of me, every day.
That was the year that my world changed,
forever.
A high school assembly.  The auditorium is filled with students.
The band which is located immediately below the stage strikes up “Dixie”.
Immediately the STUDENTS rise to their feet, clapping, and waving confederate flags.
Down each of the two aisles, the CHEERLEADERS, dressed in red and black skirts with red
sweaters  run from the back of the room to the front and onto the STAGE from each side.
The CHEERLEADERS move to the song Dixie, waving red and black pom-poms.
Small Town Boy, by Edward Garren,  page 2
STUDENTS are waving confederate flags, blowing air horns, clapping to the rhythm,
stomping their feet, shouting and making noise.
TED MAXWELL is standing next to the aisle in the front row.  He is of slight build, wearing
a football jersey and glasses.  He is seated in the front row with the FOOTBALL PLAYERS.
He is the manager of the team.
JANET CRAWFORD is heavy and has a booming voice.  She is standing in the row of seats
opposite TED (across the aisle).
JANET winks at TED
The BAND finishes “Dixie”.   The CHEERLEADERS begin their first cheer.

We’re from Pasco, couldn’t be prouder
Can’t hear us now, we’ll yell a little louder.

The STUDENTS respond
We’re from Pasco, couldn’t be prouder,
GARY CALDWELL, captain of the football team, large and muscular, the epitome of the high
school jock, wearing a football jersey.

Can’t hear us now, we’ll yell a little louder.

KAREN YOUNG, captain of the cheerleader squad, she is thin, attractive and energetic.

Say it again, louder.

We’re from pasco, couldn’t be prouder,
can’t hear us now, we’ll yell a little louder.

INT AUDITORIUM DAY
The auditorium is filled with STUDENTS but quiet, the exuberance has calmed to reverence.
The STUDENTS are standing with hands clasped in front of them and heads bowed.
ALBERT PITTS is standing in the center of the stage in front of the cheerleaders.  He is
wearing a football jersey with a silver cross.  We see a close up of the CROSS which has
“Youth for Christ” on it.  We see ALBERT, head bowed, hands clasped in prayer.

Albert
------and protect us oh Lord as we travel to a distant game this
evening, guide us through the night, and bring us safely home,
and if it by thy will, favor us with victory in the game of tonight
and victory in the game of life that we may attain the prize of
heaven.

We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Assembly
AMEN!!!

The pep rally ends with a collection of whoops and yells, waving of confederate flags,
blowing of air horns, then the STUDENTS begin to leave the auditorium.
INT SCHOOL HALLWAY DAY
TED and JANET are having an argument

Janet
Do you have to ride in the bus with them?  If you took your car,
we could ride back together.
Ted
You know the rules, I have to be on the bus with them, besides
we always  run late, it’ll be one or two in the morning before we
get back.
Janet
Well, I just want to be with you.  Since you became manager of
the football team, I never see much of you.

TED looks at the floor for a moment, he is avoiding eye contact with Janet.

Ted
Look, I’ll make it up to you when the season is over.  There’s all
those basketball games that I can take you to.
Janet (laughs)
Promises, promises.

JANET gives him a long caring look and says

Janet
I’ll see you at the game.

Ted
We’re gonna win this one.
Janet
I’m not making any bets.

EXT STADIUM PLAYING FIELD  NIGHT
THE PASCO HIGH CHEERLEADERS and the PASCO SUPPORTERS who are in the visiting
team stands.
We’re from Pasco, couldn’t be prouder, can’t hear us now, we’ll
yell a little louder.
THE SCOREBOARD which shows “home”team 28, “visitor” 21.
THE PLAYING FIELD, a “time out” is called by the referee. One of the Pasco players comes
off the field.  He runs to the sidelines to where his team is standing.
A CIRCLE OF PLAYERS and COACH JOHNSON.  The player who has joined them from the
field removes his helmet, he is GARY CALDWELL.

Gary
Coach, I don’t know what to do, they’ve got three big niggers who
are all over the field.  Every time I think I’ve got a place to put
one of our guys, one of their niggers is right there on top of him.

Coach Johnson
Calm down Gary, use your head.

Other Player
He doesn’t have anything in it to use.

The other players laugh.
KAREN YOUNG, who is leading a cheer.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S., that’s the way you spell success

SCOREBOARD, which changes “home” to 34

Who shall have it, Can’t you guess?

JANET CRAWFORD
No one else but P.H.S.

Janet sits down, exhales in exhaustion, turns to JOYCE FULTON next to her.

Janet
Well, it looks like we’re going to have a perfect season.

Joyce
Yeah, 0-10.  Do you think we’ll ever win a football game again?

VINCENT JONES is seated in the row in front of them.  He is lanky, a basketball player.  He
is with SUZANNE SIMPSON and they are both drunk.  He turns around, interrupting the
girls and interjects.

Vince
Yeah, when we get some niggers on our team too!

Janet
Vince, you’ve had too much to drink.  Who asked your opinion
anyway?

Vince
Look, you should be looking forward to this January.  Maybe one
of them nigger boys will take a liking to you and you can get a
real man in your life instead of the fruit Maxwell.

THE PLAYING FIELD, GARY CALDWELL (the quarterback) is backing up to make a pass,
when he is tackled very hard by one of the opposing teams players.  He gets up, and begins
to walk, but has to limp.  He limps off the field to the sidelines and a new player goes in to
replace him.
KAREN YOUNG’s FACE as she watches Gary limp off the field
INT SCHOOL BUS  NIGHT
VARIOUS ANGLES
The PASCO FOOTBALL TEAM is returning home after the game, which was a disaster,
spirits are down.  Most of the players are trying to sleep.  The coach is asleep in the front
behind the driver.
GARY CALDWELL is lying across a seat at the back of the bus, rubbing his sore leg.

Gary
Hey Maxwell, you asleep?

Ted’s voice (from toward the front)
No, what you want?

Gary
Come on back here, let’s talk.

TED MAXWELL gets out of the seat near the front of the bus and walks sown the aisle
toward the camera.
TED MAXWELL walks down the aisle and arrives at the back of the bus.  The light from a
passing car shows GARY, laying across one of the bus seats, the seat opposite is vacant.
TED sits down on the seat opposite Gary,

Ted
What do you want to talk about?

Gary
That was a rough game man, they really creamed us.

Ted
Yeah, I know, you took it really bad that last play.
How’s your leg doin?

Gary
Well, it’s awfully sore.  Could you rub it down for me?

TED’S FACE shows his apprehension and reluctance, yet his desire.

Gary
Oh, come on man, I’m not queer or nothin, but it’d feel real good
just to get the tension out.

TED MAXWELL slowly moves toward Gary.  His HANDS reach out toward Gary’s LEG and
slowly begin to touch Gary.
GARY’S FACE shows first a jolt of pain, then relaxation.

Gary
Easy man, ------------yeah, that’s better.  Yeah-------------oh yeah,
that feels good.

A car’s lights pass through the bus, briefly illuminating the scene which is Ted rubbing
Gary’s leg, Gary is getting hard in his pants, he places his hand over his bulge, which Ted has
noticed but ignoring.

Gary
Yeah man, that feels real good.

INT   TED’S HOUSE DAY
The Maxwell’s are having breakfast.  the radio is on in the kitchen, which has a large table in
it where the family eats breakfast.  The table is set for breakfast. The surroundings are plain
and slightly worn.
A SERIES OF ANGLES
The stove top, which has bacon sizzling, a pot of grits with melting butter, coffee perking in a
percolator.
VERNA MAXWELL, a buxom woman in her mid fifties.  She is dressed for work (she is a
secretary) and has a full length apron on over her business clothes, also she is wearing heels.
She is humming to the radio which is playing Fat’s Domino singing “When the saints go
marching In”.  She calls out to the family.

Verna
Ya’ll better get in here, the biscuits will be ready in a minute.

THE STOVE TOP, VERNA’S HANDS scrambling eggs in a bowl.  She then pours in a little
milk and continues scrambling.  She pours the mixture into the skillet which had held the
bacon, which is now draining on a paper towel covered plate.
VERNA is at the stove, FRANK MAXWELL walks in.  he is a man in his mid-fifties.  He is
dressed in business attire, white shirt and tie, dark slacks and is holding the morning paper.

Frank
You’d think for once in his life, that paper boy could throw the paper so it
doesn’t land in the hedge.  It took me ten minutes to find it this morning.

FRANK pours coffee into his cup, then after thinking into his wife’s as well.  VERNA opens
the oven of the stove and pulls out a skillet of biscuits and places them on the table.  She
calls out.

Verna
Ted, the biscuits are done, bet on in here before they get cold.

VERNA mutters under her breath

Verna
That boy is late for everything.  (She shouts)  Did you use up all the hot water?

VERNA turns to Frank

Verna
He knows the water heater only holds 30 gallons and it takes all
day to heat up more.  I’ve got to wash these dishes before I leave
for work, otherwise the ants’ll carry the kitchen off into the swamp.

VERNA places the prepared food onto the table.
TED MAXWELL runs in, stops as his parents who are both seated look at him.  He is
dressed in jeans, Keds and a button down shirt, carrying a pile of books and a varsity jacket
(red & black).  he puts the books down on the counter and sits down at the table opposite his
father, his mother in the middle looking into the camera.  FRANK looks at his watch.

Frank
Ted,would you offer thanks?
Ted
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this food which has come from your bounty.  Bless
the hands which prepared it (VERNA smiles) and we who are about to receive it,
making us ever mindful of the needs of others.  Bless our loved ones who are far from
us, and give us peace in these times of change (FRANK looks up).  We ask these
things in Christ’s name, Amen.

The MAXWELLS seated around the table, each of them are serving themselves breakfast
items, passing bowls and serving plates to each other.

Frank
I’ll be late tonight H.L., I’ve got to go up to Trilacoochee tonight and sign a policy, just
leave dinner out for me.

Verna
Okay, I’ll put it in the oven.

THE RADIO

Announcer
In other news, the district Federal Court handed down a desegregation order to the
Brooke County School District yesterday. The County School Board voted yesterday to
appeal the decision and continue their long court battle in their fight to maintain
segregation in the county public schools.

Frank
I guess they have to save face.  They’re not going to win, so why waste the money.
The south as we know it is done for, those Yankees just love to come down here and
tell us how to live, you’d think they did enough during reconstruction, puttin colored
over us, now they have to do it again.  Well, they won’t like it when their kids have to
go to school with colored.  Course they set up with “neighborhood” schools up north,
so the “neighborhoods” just happen to be black & white, and they get away with it.

Verna
If there’s one thing Yankees just love, it’s looking down their noses at the south and
tellin us what to do, how backward we are, how racist we are supposed to be.  Just let
a colored person try to move into a white neighborhood in Chicago, they bomb em
out, but oh no, there’s no racism in Chicago, just here.

Ted
Well,it won’t be too bad, they’re going to have a “freedom of choice” plan, so only a
few of them will be coming to our school this January.  We’ll make them feel so
uncomfortable, they’ll go runnin back to Booker T. by March.

Verna
What do you mean by that?

Ted,
Well, Gary and some of the other guys say they have ways of making them feel very
unwanted, you know, little tricks, ways of saying “go home nigger.”

Verna
Ted you know I don’t allow that word in this house.  You apologize.

Ted
I’m sorry, it just slipped out.

Verna
Ted, you stay away from that Gary Caldwell and his kind.  The Caldwells have stolen
everything they could from ignorant folks in this county for years.  Any man who brags
about working poor people till they drop is nobody to keep up with.

Frank
Young man, the Klan is for ignorant white trash, are we ignorant?

Ted
No

Frank
Excuse me young man?

Ted
No Sir!

Frank
Are we white trash?

Ted
No Sir!

Verna
Look Ted, the only way anyone gets ahead is with an education.  Those
colored kids just want more than they can get at Booker T.  Where do you think
your old books go when your school gets through with them?

Ted
I don’t know, my science book is so old that Pluto isn’t in it, it hadn’t been discovered
when they printed it.

Verna
That’s my point, those colored kids want a shot in life.  The only one
I ever got was from working myself through high school on scholarship.  You think I
wanted to chop cotton the rest of my life like cousins Anne & Jimbo, working in the
thread mill back in Georgia?

Frank

You just leave those colored kids alone, and stay away from Gary Caldwell,
he & his family are nothing but trouble.

TED looks at the CLOCK

Ted
I’m late, I’ve gotta go.

TED jumps up, grabs his books and his jacket.  As he is leaving VERNA calls out.

Verna
Don’t forget to pick me up today at work, the Chrysler’s still in the paint
shop.

VERNA turns to FRANK

Verna
That boy would be late for the second coming of Christ.

INT    CLASSROOM DAY
MR. WILLIAMS is the history teacher, lecturing in front of the classroom.  He is a large man in his late fifties.

Mr. Williams
The Emancipation Proclamation only affected the slaves in the states of the
confederacy.  Congress passed the 13th amendment to the constitution and the
northern states ratified it in order to legally free all of the slaves in the nation.
Most of the Negroes in the slave states did not even understand what had happened.
Many chose to remain on the land and work as they had before because they did not
know what else to do.  Any questions?

Gary Caldwell
Why didn’t they just ship all of them back to Africa?  Then we wouldn’t have
these problems with them now.

Many STUDENTS in the class snicker.

Mr. Williams
Actually Gary, many of them did choose to go back to Africa, they founded
the country of Liberia.

Gary
Well that still left too many of them here.

Some of the CLASS including TED MAXWELL chuckle at his comment.

Mr. Williams
Gary, you have your opinion, but the law protects all citizens and gives them
certain rights.  One of those rights is the opportunity to  public education.
Whether you like it or not, the law says that they have the right to attend the
school of their choice.

Vincent Jones
Yeah Mr. Williams, but why do they have to be so uppity and think they’re as
good as white people?

Mr. Williams
Because they are as good as white people Vince and you’d better get used to it.

EXT STREET SCENE DAY
TED MAXWELL parks his RAMBLER AMERICAN in front of the County Courthouse.  he
goes up the walk and into the Courthouse where his mother works.
INT HALLWAY DAY
TED MAXWELL  walks thought the doors into the hallway.
DOROTHY JOHNS, a woman in her mid-fifties, who also works in the courthouse passes by.

Dorothy
Good afternoon Ted, how are you?

Ted
Fine, thank you.

TED walks up to a water fountain
TED leans over to take a drink from the water fountain and on the wall over it we see a sign
which reads “WHITE” we also see another water fountain with a sign over it which reads
“COLORED”.
TED walks up to the elevator and pushes the call button.  The elevator arrives, he walks in.
INT  ELEVATOR FLUORESCENT
TED reaches out and pushes the #3 button.  As the door starts to close
KEN WALKER walks into the elevator.  Ken is black, tall and large, Ted’s age.  he is very
articulate and self assured, dressed neatly.
TED MAXWELL bristles when KEN walks into the elevator.

Ken
Good afternoon, my name is Ken Walker.

KEN extends his HAND
TED obviously caught off guard, extends his hand, somewhat sheepishly.  TED looks up and
down to take in KENs large stature.

Ted
Oh,  hi,  my name is Ted Maxwell

Ken
Are you a student at Pasco?

Ted
Yes

Ken
Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I will be transferring to Pasco in January

TED is obviously nervous, but forces words.

Ted
That’s nice

Ken
Do you know if any students from Pasco plan to transfer to Booker T.?

Ted
None that I know of

THE ELEVATOR DOOR OPENS, KEN AND TED walk out and TED puts himself at more
distance from KEN to gain comfort.   KEN extends his hand again.

Ken
Well, I’ll look forward to seeing you in January.

They shake HANDS

Ken
It was a pleasure meeting you.

Ted
It was nice meeting you too.

INT   OFFICE FLUORESCENT
VERNA MAXWELL on the telephone, sitting behind a large IBM typewriter, she hangs up
the phone as TED walks in.

Verna
Hi son, how are you?

TED is still somewhat distracted

Ted
Fine, Mama, are you about ready to go?

Verna
Sure, just let me unplug the coffee pot and cover the typewriter.

EXT COURTHOUSE DAY
TED and VERNA walk out of the courthouse towards TEDS RAMBLER

Verna
I’ll sure be glad when football season is over, then maybe you can get a job after
school.

Ted
Well,it’s been a long season, we didn’t win any games, but after next
month, it’ll be over.

Verna
I think Fred Hudson wants to hire you to workin his drugstore.  Fred’s a
real good man.  I’m sure you would enjoy working for him.

They reach the CAR.  TED walks to the passenger’s side and opens the door for Verna who
gets in.
INT   RAMBLER DAY
Ted turns the KEY and starts the car.  The CAR backs out, then drives forward, away

Ted
The problem with working at the drugstore is that it doesn’t pay very
much.  The good paying jobs are at the grocery stores.

Verna
Speaking of, lets go by the Dixie Pantry on the way home.

INT SUPERMARKET DAY
TED is pushing the shopping cart while VERNA picks items off of the shelf.

Verna
Now, lets see, I need coffee

GARY CALDWELL is stocking the shelves about 20 feet in front of them.  TED straightens
up and becomes very self conscious.  Gary who has not yet noticed them turns and makes
eye contact, first with Ted, then Verna.  TED looks up and down at him, then smiles
nervously.

Gary
Well hello Mrs. Maxwell, Ted, how are you today?

Verna
Well I’m fine Gary, but I can’t find any New Orleans coffee, you know,
with the chicory in it?

Gary
I’m sure we’ve got some in the back, let me look.

GARY swaggers away, down the aisle, he turns and winks at TED, TED smiles slightly.
TED turns to VERNA

Ted
You see Mama, the best paying jobs are in the grocery stores. They get minimum
wage which is a dollar sixty five an hour, plus tips.  Fred would only pay me about a
dollar an hour.

GARY saunters back with a can of coffee, tossing it up and down.

Gary
Here Mrs. Maxwell, fresh out of the box.

Verna
Thank you Gary.
Gary, do you think you could help Ted get a job here?

TED is embarrassed

Gary
Well, I don’t know, I could put in a good work for him.
Of course they are real particular about who they hire, the people who work
here really have to put out.

GARY winks at TED

Verna
Well thanks Gary, whatever you could do to help.

TED and GARY look at each other

Ted
Yeah, whatever you could do, I’d really appreciate it.

Gary
No problem

EXT PARKING LOT  DAY
TED is loading groceries into the RAMBLER

Ted
Mama, why did you put me on the spot like that?

Verna
Oh honey, I was just trying to help, it can’t hurt.

Ted
The last thing I need is Maxwell and his crowd callin me a Mama’s boy.  I get enough
of that stuff as it is.

Verna
I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that.

Ted
From now on, let me do my own asking

TED slams the trunk
EXT  HIGHWAY  DAY
MOVING SHOT
We see a 1965 Mustang Convertible with two teenage boys in it, the top down.  On the back
is a bumper sticker “NEVER, U.K.A.” (United Klans America).    The camera moves back to
view the front of the car, then up and toward the windshield so that we see the two
occupants.  VINCENT JONES is driving GARY CALDWELL is passenger.  They are passing a
beer back and forth, slapping each other on the THIGHS and laughing.
The MUSTANG passes a sign which reads, PASCO, POP. 3,500
GARY and VINCE

Gary
It’s too bad we didn’t see anything worth shooting at this morning, I guess all
the possums and coons are hiding out somewhere.

Vince
Is that shot gun still loaded?

Gary
Yeah

Vince

 Well I know where we can find ourselves plenty of coons

VINCE gulps on the BEER then passes it to GARY
EXT  MAIN STREET  DAY
MAIN STREET is the business district of “colored town”.  It is a Saturday afternoon, black
people are on the sidewalk, going in and out of stores, a barbecue restaurant has customers
sitting at tables in the window, older people are sitting on chairs outside of some of the
stores watching people go by and exchanging greetings, a young mother is carrying her baby
and stops to show the child to an elderly man.
We look down MAIN STREET and in the distance we see the approach of Vince’s
MUSTANG
The YOUNG MOTHER and BABY are still visiting with the ELDERLY MAN
The MUSTANG stops at the STOP SIGN of the intersection in front of the stores.
GARY reaches into the back seat of the car and takes out a DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN
he aims it into the air

Vincent
Now!!

GARY fires the gun into the air, first one barrel, then the second.  The REAR TIRE of the
MUSTANG spins and squeals, the MUSTANG speeds away.
MAIN STREET is chaos, restaurant patrons dive for the floor, the people in the chairs run
inside, the ELDERLY MAN clutches the baby to his chest, the YOUNG MOTHER throws
herself into the ELDERLY MAN, the BABY crys.
MAIN STREET is ghostly quiet and still except for the sound of falling buckshot hitting the
pavement, slowly people come back out, get up, return to normal.

Elderly Man
I sho wish them white boys would find uh-tha things to do.  I’m gettin too
ole to be duckin buckshot.

EXT  GARY CALDWELL’S HOUSE  DAY
The MUSTANG comes to a stop in front of a comfortable looking wooden house on a dirt
street, the dust blows up around them.

Vince
Boy, that sure was fun, did you see the way they all scattered?  Like
rabbits

Gary
Yeah, so much for civil rights, a gun still tells somebody who’s really
runnin things.  Nothin I like better than scaring niggers, makes me feel like a real
man.

Vince
And as long as my uncle is the sheriff, we’ll keep em in their place

INT  SCHOOL LOCKER ROOM AND OFFICES   DAY
VARIOUS ANGLES
FOOTBALL TEAM MEMBERS  as they come into the building off of the playing field from
practice.  GARY CALDWELL  is butt slapping the guy who is next to him.  The TEAM
MEMBERS begin to undress in the locker room.  TED MAXWELL and COACH JOHNSON
come in at the end of the line of players.

Coach
Ted, I have to go to a meeting in Zephyrhills this afternoon, so you’ll have to
lock up.
Ted
Okay Coach

COACH JOHNSON leaves, TED goes into the office.
INT  LOCKER ROOM  NIGHT
TED comes out of the office and looks around.  The building appears empty, but then in the
distance he hears someone whistling in the far end of the locker room, around a bank of
lockers.
TED walks toward the sound of the whistling

Ted
Who’s still here? I gotta lock up and go home.

TED rounds the corner of the lockers
TED walks around the corner of the lockers into view

Ted
Gary, what are you still doing here?

GARY is rubbing his leg, we see his erection pushing up his SHORTS

Gary
This leg of mine is real sore, I just need to relieve the tension.

TED gets nervous

Gary
How about a little rub down for your buddy?

Ted
Come on man, you gotta go, it’s late

Gary
Mama’s boy gotta be home in time for dinner?

TED gets more nervous

Gary
If Mama’s boy want any favors, he better put out

GARYS HAND is over the bulge in his pants
TEDS FACE, very nervous, filled with confusion and fear.

Gary
You know you want it.

GARYS HAND over his crotch
EXT  P.E. BUILDING  NIGHT
The scene is lit by one lone street light in the driveway.  TED lone and thin walks out of the
door, turns and locks it.  He walks the walk to his RAMBLER, kicking the dirt in front of
him.  He opens the car door and gets in, the car starts, the headlights come on and it drives
away.

INT  THE MAXWELL KITCHEN  DAY
VERNA MAXWELL who is standing at the stove, cooking breakfast. The RADIO is turned

on and the music is Harry Belafonte singing “Midnight Special” (opening line “When you get
up in the morning -------” opens the scene).  VERNA is humming along, moving her hips to
the rhythm.  She sings the chorus

Verna
Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me,
Let the Midnight Special shine it’s ever lovin light on me.

VERNA puts down the spoon she has been stirring the grits with, she turns and faces the
hallway.

Verna (yelling)
Ted, just because it’s thirty five degrees outside, you don’t have to use all the hot
water.  Leave some for me to do the dishes.

VERNA opens the kitchen cabinet over the sink and removes three plates and begins to set
the table.
FRANK MAXWELL enters the kitchen.  He opens the paper and reads the headline to
Verna.

Frank
School desegregation begins today in Pasco.
Administrators braced for possible unrest.

VERNA turns to Frank, placing one hand on her hip, showing annoyance.

Verna
So what else is new?  Why is everyone making such a fuss about this?  Eighteen
colored kids are enrolled in a school of nine hundred at Pasco High.
I hardly think they will take over the school.

FRANK sits down at the table

Frank
Well, it’s the idea of the thing.  People are scared, they don’t know what to
expect.

VERNA is still standing with one hand on her hip, but the other is now waving the spoon,
grits flying off of it, obviously fervent.

Verna
They can expect the same colored people that they have lived around all of their lives.
None of them are from Mars, or even New York for that matter, just plain ole Pasco colored
folk, the kind you run  into on the street every day.  I’ve never seen grown people make such
a big fuss over nothin.

Frank
But

Verna
No buts on this one.  We’ve lived around colored people for four hundred
years, ate with em, played with em, nursed each others sick, delivered each
others babies, and you and I know lots of white men who brag about all the half
white children they’ve sired in colored town.

FRANK winces

Verna
Up in Georgia where I grew up we were all too poor to care about color that
much.  After my father died, we’d’ve all starved if it wasn’t for the people who
helped my mother n us out.   Hunger is hunger.  And if someone offers you a little
something to carry you over, you don’t care much about the color of the hand
that’s offering it.
All these church folks carryin on about Jesus and the love of God seem to
forget that God made colored folks too.

Frank
Well yes but, ---

Verna
It’s the same ones, burnin crosses and carrying on about this school
integration that make all these half colored half white children, like that John
Earle who has the jewelry store.

Frank
Now don’t go draggin John into this.

Verna
What’s he afraid that some of his half colored children from colored
town are going to tell his own kids who their daddy is and what he does on those
“nights out with the boys”?

TED comes into the kitchen, drops his books and jacket on the counter, looks at his parents,
notices the SPOON with grits dripping on the floor.  VERNA  and FRANK look at the spoon,
VERNA lowers the spoon and goes to the sink to get a rag to cleanup the floor.

Frank
Well, good morning, Are you ready for today?

TED sits down

Ted
As ready as I’ll ever be.

The RADIO begins to play “Georgia on my mind” by Ray Charles
VERNA’S HANDS placing food onto the table
THREE PAIRS OF PRAYING HANDS AT THE TABLE, SLOWLY CIRCLING THE TABLE
FADE OUT  /  FADE IN
INT KEN WALKER’S KITCHEN  DAY
SLOWLY CIRCLING THE TABLE, FIVE PAIRS OF BLACK HANDS PRAYING, MOVE
BACK TO THE WALKER FAMILY
FATHER, dressed in mechanic’s clothes, MOTHER in domestics uniform, KEN dressed in
neat school clothes, younger BROTHER, younger SISTER,  BREAKFAST FOODS same as at
Ted’s house.  THE WALKER KITCHEN very clean, neat colorful, sparse
FADE OUT / FADE IN
INT MAXWELLS HOUSE  DAY
MAXWELLS finishing breakfast, TED  gets up, kisses VERNA good bye, shakes FRANK’S
HAND it is an adult to adult handshake, they eye each other, this is a minor passage into
adulthood.
EXT  THE MAXWELLS HOUSE  DAY
Situated on a corner lot, MAXWELLS CARS, CHRYSLER, RAMBLER AND DODGE
STATION WAGON are parked on the side street.
TED comes out the back door of the house, putting on his jacket, walks briskly to his
RAMBLER and gets in.
THE RAMBLER STARTS,  and drives away up the street.
INT MAXWELLS KITCHEN  DAY
VERNA is at the sink washing dishes.
FRANK comes through the kitchen, kisses Verna and walks out.
VERNAS HANDS in the dishwater, she lifts a DISH from the suds and puts it into a stack to
be rinsed later.  She stops for a moment,  VERNAS FACE looking into a distant memory, a
small tear coming from one eye.
“Georgia on my mind”  finishes.
INT  SCHOOL CLASSROOM  DAY

It is the home room period.  Most students have sat down.  The desks are arranged in a U
shape in the room so that each of the rows of desks is only three long, providing a large
center space in the room.  There are name signs on each of the desks, as seating is in
alphabetical order so as to simplify roll taking.  TED MAXWELL walks in and finds his seat,
which is at the end of one of the rows in the corner of the room.
TED notices the two seats in front of him remain empty.
NAME SIGNS on the desks in front of TED,  which read PHOEBE LUCIUS and DIANE
LUCIUS.  PHOEBE  is closest to TED.
CLOCK above the chalkboard on the wall reads 8:14
TED’S EYES move around the room, wondering who these two girls might be.
PHOEBE and DIANE walk in the door looking somewhat bewildered and nervous.
PHOEBE is tall, very dark, DIANE is shorter, heavier and lighter.  They are fraternal twin
sisters.  They find their seats and sit down.
The BELL rings and the other students bristle and look in TEDs direction.  TED is in a
corner, with the two girls between him and the rest of the class.
INT  SCHOOL HALLWAY  DAY
The hallway is empty.  The BELL rings and students emerge into the hallway from the
classroom doors.
VINCENT JONES and GARY CALDWELL are talking to each other while they open their
lockers to put in their jackets, get books etc.

Vincent
Did you know that nigger WALKER won the State Conference trophy this year in
football while he was at Booker T.?

Gary
Naw man, I don’t give a shit about any damn spear chucker.

Vincent
Well their team had a ten - 0 season this year.  it’s too bad we didn’t have him on our
team, we could have used him.

Gary
Listen, I don’t play football with niggers, I only use em for target practice.
You sayin you’d rather have him than me?  it’s bad enough they’re
taking over the school.

Vincent
Hey, cool off man.

Gary
Why should I?  Besides, lets see how much you enjoy showering with em
on the basketball team, or maybe you want some of that big nigger
dick out where you can see it.

VINCENT  is dumbfounded
KAREN YOUNG walks out of the crowd and up next to GARY

Vincent
Well I gotta go, see you two at lunch.

VINCENT walks away

Karen
I had a really good time Saturday night.  You were a perfect gentleman, as
always.

Karen reaches up and pinches GARY on the chin.  GARY is still eying the crowd somewhat
angrily
Three BLACK STUDENTS (male) walk by
GARY bristles,

Karen
What are you so uptight about?
Gary
I’m sorry, I was just thinking about something.
Karen
I thought I was the only thing you think about?
Gary
I just got distracted, I’m sorry.

KAREN  and GARY walk away, holding hands
INT  HALLWAY  DAY
KEN WALKER and PHOEBE LUCIUS are standing in front of a locker.

Ken
How you doin so far?
Phoebe
I’m fine, these crackers are on their best behavior.
Ken
They’d better be, if they mess with you, --
Phoebe
Save it, I don’t want a dead hero, besides I can take care of myself
Ken
I guess I’ll never be your knight in shining armor
Phoebe
You look just fine in a football jersey

They both laugh (nervously), then walk off in different directions
INT  VERNA MAXWELLS OFFICE FLUORESCENT
VERNA is sitting at her typewriter, typing.  DOROTHY JOHNS marches into the office
waving a piece of paper.

Dorothy
Look at this, they’re gonna bury James Rawls out in the city cemetery.

She hands the paper to VERNA  It states DEATH CERTIFICATE  on the top.  VERNA
glances at it and hands it back to DOROTHY.

Verna
So what’s the big deal?

Dorothy
They’re gonna bury James in the city cemetery, they're no colored
people buried out there, it’s always been whites only.

Verna
Well, I guess it won’t be any more

Dorothy
Verna, I don’t believe you, are you some kind of nigger lover or
something?

Verna
Well I guess I am.
Let me ask you, how many years did James’ dry cleaning business
do your clothes?

Dorothy
Oh, about twenty

Verna
Any problems?

Dorothy
No

Verna
If James’s family can afford a plot in the city cemetery, then what’s the big deal,
besides, I don’t think James will bother anybody out there.

The two women stare at each other for a moment, then DOROTHY cracks, realizing how
absurd her protest has been, she starts to laugh, then VERNA joins her.

Verna
Let me get you a cup of coffee, how do you want it?

Dorothy
Like my men, Hot and Black

They both look at each other again and laugh some more.
From out of the hallway, HENRY the janitor pokes his head in the door.  He grins, white
teeth shining in his very black face, which has snow white hair on top of it.

Henry
What you two ladies laughing so hard about, this yo laughing place?

Dorothy
It sho nuf is Henry, want a cup of coffee?

INT  SCHOOL CAFETERIA  DAY
It is lunch time, students are seated at the bench/tables eating lunch.  Others are standing in
line, waiting to go thought the serving line which is in the kitchen.  A group of black students
are gathered in a far corner of the room.  They are having a good time.  The tone is relaxed
and fun.
JANET CRAWFORD exits the kitchen door with her lunch tray.  She pauses for a moment,
she is looking for TED
She sees him and walks to where he is seated.
JANET walks up and sits down across the table from him.

Janet
Well hello stranger, how have you been?

TED is not amused, he feels slightly intruded upon

Ted
Oh okay

Janet
Well, I hear you’ve started working at the drugstore.  I thought Gary was
going to help you get a job at the Dixie Pantry?  What happened?

Ted
I don’t want to talk about it.

JANET shifts in her seat

Janet
Will I ever see you again?

Ted
What’s that supposed to mean? you see me every day.

Janet
Oh cut the BS,  you know what I mean.  You’ve been avoiding me like the plague, and
everyone else for that matter.  You act like you’re scared of people or something.  It’s
like you’ve broken some law and are afraid you’ll get caught.

TED bristles
JANET glares at him
TED glares back for a moment, then relaxes

Ted
Look,I’ve got a lot on my mind right now, I’m real confused about
something, and I can’t talk to anybody about it.  I just want to be left alone right
now.

Janet
Alone, now?

JANET starts to get up to leave, TED motions her to sit back down

Ted
Look, it’s not you.  You’re a good friend, I just don’t know what to say, I’ve
never been in this kind of situation before.

Janet
I care a lot about you, and you’ve been like a stranger to me.  Lets go out sometime,
just to talk.

JANET reaches across the table and takes TED’S HAND
GARY CALDWELL, KAREN YOUNG, VINCENT JONES seated at a table
Gary
Look at that queer Maxwell, with that fat Janet Crawford over there
TED and JANET holding hands

Karen
Gary, what are you talking about?

Vincent
He’s talking about Ted Maxwell.

Gary
Look at him over there, holding hands with his girlfriend.  They deserve
each other.  The queer and fat girl.

Karen
Why is Ted such a big deal to you?

Vincent
I guess you haven’t heard Karen, Ted tried to put the move on Gary in the
locker room last fall?

Karen
What????

Gary
Maxwell made a pass me one night after everyone else had left.  It was real sick shit,
he’s a queer pervert.

Karen
Oh, what a disgusting thing, people like that just, ---
Oh, I don’t want to think about it.

GARY smiles to himself
INT  HOMEROOM  DAY
AMERICAN FLAG,  LOUDSPEAKER  The STUDENTS are standing with hands over hearts,

Students
I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States Of America, and to the Republic
for which it stands,

Ted
one nation under God,indivisible,

Phoebe & Diane
with liberty and justice for all.

The STUDENTS sit down.  Mrs Samuels (the school secretary) voice comes over the
LOUDSPEAKER.

Mrs Samuels (voice)
Auditions for the spring Limelight talent show will be held Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday night from six until nine.  Students who are interested in
performing or assisting in the production should come by the office to schedule
the time for their audition.

DIANE turns to PHOEBE

Diane
Spring!  Already? Could fool me, It sure was cold this morning.  Brother
used up all the hot water this morning, didn’t leave a drop for me.
Nothing worse than a cold bath on a cold morning.

Ted
You know the same thing happens at my house, we’re always running out of hot
water.

PHOEBE who has been closest to Ted’s coolness for some time, turns in surprise, she turns
around and looks at Ted.

Phoebe
Is that so?  You must look real strange in blue

TED is startled, then laughs

Ted
Yeah, I do, especially with my teeth chattering.

EXT  SCHOOL PARKING LOT  DAY
PHOEBEs CAR a blue PONTIAC,  TWO FEET walk up, one pair of legs crouches down, a
pair of HANDS remove the VALVE STEM CAP and insert WOODEN MATCH PIECE into
the stem so the AIR hisses out of the stem

Gary (voice)
Well lets see if those nigger gals carry two spare tires.

Vincent (voice)
Well, they can always swing home in the trees.

INT  SCHOOL HALLWAY DAY
TED MAXWELL walks toward a door which has OFFICE on a sign over it
INT  SCHOOL OFFICE DAY
TED walks into the office and up to the counter
PHOEBE LUCIUS and MRS. SAMUELS are behind the counter.  PHOEBE is using the
telephone,  MRS. SAMUELS comes to the counter.

Mrs. Samuels
Hello Ted, what can I help you with?
Ted
I would like to sign up to help with the Limelight.
Mrs. Samuels
Okay, here’s the list.

She points to a clipboard on the counter.  TED pulls it over and adds his name.
PHOEBE hangs up the TELEPHONE and turns to Mrs. Samuels

Phoebe
Thank you, I can’t seem to get an answer,  I guess no one is home.

Ted
What’s the problem?

Phoebe
I’ve got two flat tires on my car.  I called my house to get my father to come help, but
no one answers.  I don’t know how Diane and I can fix them.

Ted
I may be able to help, lets have a look.

EXT  SCHOOL PARKING LOT  DAY
TED is crouching next to one of the flat tires on PHOEBE’S PONTIAC.  He examines the
valve stem.

Ted
Look at this, someone loosened up the core in the valve stem, that’s why your tire is
flat.

TED stands up

Diane
So now what?

Ted
Watch

TED opens the TRUNK LID of the RAMBLER, he rummages around in the back and pulls
out tools, and a greasy box.
TEDs RAMBLER parked next to PHOEBEs PONTIAC, the Rambler hood is open, the engine
is running, a hose is out of it and leads to the FLAT TIRE which is being inflated via the
hose.

Ted
We used to have this old tractor at an orange grove out in Richland.  The tires would
go flat every week, so my father bought this thing to pump up the tires.  It works
pretty good, you take out a spark plug and put it in, it uses the car engine as an air
pump.

GARY CALDWELL and VINCENT JONES are playing with a basketball on an open court
about 100 yards away.  The stop and look at the scene with TED,PHOEBE AND DIANE in
the parking lot.

Vincent
Look at that, the queer’s turned to nigger lovin.

Gary
Figures

EXT BUSINESS STREET DAY
We look along a ROW OF STORES, an auto parts store, a clothing store, a restaurant, and a
store that says “insurance”.
Moving up an alley between the stores, we see a row of SHOTGUN SHACKS with a few
black people seated on the porches and walking around.
BUSINESS STREET, EARLES JEWELRY STORE A man dressed in a business shirt & tie
walks out of the jewelry store.  He is JOHN EARLE in his mid fifties.  He walks into the
INSURANCE store.
The DOOR CLOSES we see “FRANK MAXWELL, LICENSED INSURANCE BROKER”. THE
DOOR OPENS AND TWO PAIRS OF MEN’S LEGS WALK OUT.
JOHN EARLS AND FRANK MAXWELL walk down the street toward and into the
RESTAURANT.
INT  RESTAURANT  DAY
FRANK and JOHN walk up to the counter which runs along one side wall of the restaurant
and sit down.  FRANK closest to the window.
The WAITRESS walks up and puts two glasses of water down in front of the two men.

Waitress
What’ll you two have today.

John
Coffee,and a piece of custard pie.

Frank
Just coffee for me.

The WAITRESS walks away toward the coffee machine near the back.

John
You know Frank, I’m gittin scared.  These niggers all around here, my store so close
to these nigger shacks.

Frank
What do you mean John?

John
Well, you know that riot up north, they really cleaned out the stores,
especially the jewelry stores.

Frank
So you think they'res going to be a riot here?

The WAITRESS arrives with the coffees and pie.  John attacks the PIE with his fork.

John
I just don’t like it anymore, every time I lookout my store window, I see some nigger
lookin at my stuff in the window and I think he’s casing the joint for when the
riot starts here.

John takes a drink of his COFFEE

Frank
Well maybe they just want to buy something, they buy jewelry too you know.

John
Don’t get cute Frank, they also torched business in those riots, you could
loose all your records, up in smoke.

JACK the owner of the restaurant comes out of the kitchen, stained apron on, wiping sweat
from his brow.  He walks up to where the two men are and leans over the counter.

Jack
So how’s the pie, I baked it this morning

John
Just fine Jack

We look out of the window of the restaurant at the activity on the sidewalk.  An old black
man walks past.

John
I was just tellin Frank here, I’m gonna move my store to the other end of town as
soon as I can find a good location.

Jack
Yeah, I know what you mean, these damn niggers gettin so uppity round
here, now that they got their civil rights.

Frank
You guys are serious aren’t you?

Jack
You better believe it.  You see that nigger church across the street?

Looking over the chairs in the restaurant, out of the window, across the street to the wooden
church building across the street.

Jack (voice)
The day that damn civil rights bill was signed, I went over to the preacher
and I told him

Jack
that the first Sunday that any black face walked in the front door of my restaurant I
was gonna put a shot gun into it and pull both triggers

JACKs FIST pounds the counter for emphasis

Jack
See if they enjoy buckshot for Sunday dinner
Frank
You guys still going to those Klan rallys?

Jack points to the mirror behind the counter, on it is a bumper sticker, the same one that was on VINCENT JONES MUSTANG  It reads "NEVER U..K.A."

Jack
United Klans of America, you should join Frank

The KITCHEN DOOR swings open and a round black sweaty face, with a bandana wrapped
around the head is seen.  FANNIE LOU the cook in the restaurant is very excited and yells

Fannie Lou
Lawd  Mista Jack, come quick, the grease is on fire back here and I cain’t put it out, gonna catch the kitchen on fire.  I need help.

INT SCHOOL AUDITORIUM  NIGHT
A rehearsal for the school Limelight  TED MAXWELL is in the back of the auditorium on a
platform working the spotlight.  JANET CRAWFORD is sitting in the back row of seats so
that she is in front of him.  MRS. ANDREWS the faculty advisor is on the stage with various
students directing their movements and the movement of props.  Next to her stands KAREN
YOUNG in dancing leotards.

Mrs. Andrews
Ted, I think we want just the spotlight when Karen does her dance

TED does the OKAY sign with his right hand
KAREN look at Ted with curiosity and disgust
JANET CRAWFORD

Janet
Are you having a good time?

Ted
Yes

Janet
I’m sure glad you’re not so uptight these days,you’re much more your usual
fun loving self.

TED smiles
EXT  SCHOOL PARKING LOT NIGHT
The GRILLE OF TEDs RAMBLER  a torso walks up to the front of the car and opens the
hood very slowly.  We hear Gary Caldwell

Gary (voice)
This should slow down the queer nigger lover

THE CARS ENGINE with a flashlight light moving around  a HAND pulls off the “OIL” CAP.
ANOTHER HAND pours in the contents of a large paper cup, then the first HAND replaces
the oil cap.

Vincent Jones (voice)
I’ll bet his car won’t run so good with all that sand in the oil, it’ll be smoking
oil in no time.

The HOOD  is closed
INT  MAXWELLS KITCHEN  DAY
VERNA MAXWELL is mixing cookie dough.  She is in old clothes, flat shoes, the RADIO is
playing Al Hirt trumpet music.  VERNA moves her hips slightly to the rhythm.
EXT  BACK OF MAXWELLS HOUSE  DAY
A large MERCURY SEDAN pulls up.   It is somewhat dirty, it has just returned from a long
dusty trip.   The driver parks the car and gets.  CLARA BELLE MARSHALL a black woman
her mid thirties.  She is dressed in worn clothes, clean, but plain.  She reaches in the car and
pulls out a BABY which is about 12 months old.
INT MAXWELLS HOUSE DAY
VERNA has just taken a sheet of cookies out of the oven, she hears a knock at the outside
kitchen door
EXT  OUTSIDE MAXWELLS HOUSE, KITCHEN DOOR   DAY
VERNA MAXWELL opens the door of the house.

Verna
Clara belle, what brings you by here on a Saturday morning?  Look at
you, is this the new baby?  Well don’t just stand there, come on in.

CLARA BELLE walks into the house, holding the baby
INT MAXWELLS KITCHEN  DAY
CLARA BELLE is sitting in a chair, VERNA in the other chair at the KITCHEN TABLE on
the table is a plate of the fresh baked COOKIES.  VERNA is holding the BABY who is eating
the COOKIE.  Both women have coffee.

Clara belle
Yez Miz Maxwell, William and me jess got back las nite.  We was down in
Moe Havin wukin da shuga cain.

Verna

That’s hard work Clara belle.  Mr. Maxwell is gone fishin with Ted t’day, but
I’ll give him the payment when he gets home.  Let me find his receipt book.

VERNA hands the baby back to CLARA BELLE and gets up.  She opens a drawer and pulls out a receipt book, returns to the table and sits down.

VERNA opens the book and writes the receipt.  She tears it out and hands it to CLARA
BELLE

Verna
Did you and William have a good trip back last night?

Clara belle
Well, da caa wuz loaded down, whut wit da kids n all, we wuz doin fine til we got close
to Zefahills.

(FLASHBACK SCENES)
EXT  TWO LANE ROAD  NIGHT
We see the MARSHALLS MERCURY driving along the road, It is loaded down, the rear end
is low.
INT  MERCURY  NIGHT
WILLIAM MARSHALL is driving.  He is a large man with a full beard, he has a look of
strength.  Next to him is CLARA BELLE in the passengers seat holding the baby in her arms,
rocking it as it sleeps.  In tha back seat are five other children, ages 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, all
asleep on each other.
WILLIAM looks up into the REAR VIEW MIRROR, FOUR HEADLIGHTS are coming up
fast weaving from side to side.

Clara belle (voice over)
We wuz drivin long, doin bout fifty five, when dis pickup truck jus come up
behine us real fas.  I reckon he musta ben doin sebenty o eighty.  He jus drivin
like he crazy o somthin.

EXT  HIGHWAY  NIGHT
The PICKUP TRUCK passes the MERCURY then slows down in front of it so that the
MERCURY must slow down, the MERCURY tries to pass, but the PICKUP TRUCK speeds
up and cuts into the middle of the road.
The PICKUP pulls off onto the shoulder

INT  MERCURY  NIGHT
The interior of the car is dark for a moment, then the ominous flash of headlights low to
high to low and on and off illuminates the interior.

Clara belle(voice over)
Well, dis fool trys to run us off da road.  Fust he pass us, then he slow down
real slow, then he pulls over, we figu thas the las of em. Then he come back again, git rite nex
ta us, laughing, wavin a bottle of wiskey, he stot weavin from side to side, like he gonna slam
into us.

The CHILDREN in the back seat are now
awake and scared, the baby is crying, we see HEADLIGHTS in tha back window, weaving ,
the TRUCK pulls up next to the MERCURY we see a WHITE MAN (later we will realize it is
HENRY CRAWFORD, JANETs father) in his forties, obviously drunk, waving a bottle of
wiskey in his hand, laughing.  The TRUCK starts to swerve toward the MERCURY

Verna (voice over)
What did yall do?

Clara belle(voice over)
Well,William, he’s a good driva, you know he always buys Mercrees
cause dey got a big mota. he push de gas down all the way n we wuz outta dere in no
time.

WILLIAM MARSHALLS WORK BOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OF THE MERCURY

William Marshall(voice)

Hold on everybody, we gonna git outta here NOW!

pushes it to the floor, we hear a large engine downshift to passing gear.
SPEEDOMETER ON MERCURY rapidly climbs from 55 to 100
THE PICKUP TRUCK quickly fades into the distance behind the MERCURY.

INT MAXWELLS KITCHEN  DAY
VERNA is eating a cookie

Verna
Well, now you know why I drive a Chrysler.

Clara belle
What you mean Ms. Maxwell?

Verna
Oh, I never told anybody, but I was comin back from Tampa one night when Frank
was havin his gall bladder out, years ago.  I was on 301, down in the swamp below
Zephyrhills n some drunk did the same thing, tried to run me off the road.  I had a big
Buick Roadmaster then.  I looked at him n thought “It’s him or me”, I hit the gas, shot
up to one twenty.  I’d never driven that fast in my life.

Clara belle
Was you scared?

Verna
I didn’t have time to be scared, but I was wide awake all night.

Clara belle
You call the law?

Verna
What good would it do?  He was gone, I was safe, that’s why I carry a gun now when I
drive at night alone.

Clara belle
A gun?

Verna
Sure, you know a little squirrel gun

Clara belle
You hunt squirrel?  They’s good fried.

Verna
No Clara belle, I had all the squirrel I ever want to eat when we were half
starvin in Georgia when I was a kid.  No Clara belle, a squirrel gun is for people who
act squirreley.

Clara belle
Ooooooh.
Well, we gotta get goin, we leavin for New Jersey tomorrow.
I guess it’ll be anotha summa in tha asparagus patch.

Verna
Well you have a safe trip n watch out for squirrels, if one trys to mess with
ya, shoot him fu me, okay?

They both laugh,  VERNA kisses the BABY, who giggles, mouth full of cookie crumbs.
EXT  FISHING ROW BOAT, MIDDLE OF A LAKE   DAY
FRANK  and TED are sitting in the boat, holding poles with lines into the water.
TED’S FISHING LINE MOVES THE SURFACE OF THE WATER

Frank
Look-look-look, hook em good.

TED jerks the pole then pulls it smoothly, a fish, about 16 inches is hooked on the end of the
line.   TED swings the pole over the boat, towards his father
FRANK grabs the fish and unhooks it.  He lifts the seat in front of him and drops the fish in the tank in the seat.

Frank
Nice catch Ted, that’l be good for supper tonight.

TED IS QUIET

Frank
You okay,son?

Ted
I’ve just got a lot on my mind

FRANK opens the lid of the ICE CHEST, it is full of beer, he takes one, finds an opener, opens
the BEER then closes the lid.

Frank
So what’s the matter son?

Ted
I’m just confused about something that won’t go away, I can’t really talk about  it
much.

FRANK tosses the BEER can into the BOTTOM OF THE BOAT.  He gives Ted a “jock” slap
on the back.

Frank
You just need to get yourself a little romance, are you and Janet having problems,
she’s not exactly the best looking girl in the school you know, maybe you need to date
someone who is a little more interesting.

TED’S FACE
GARY CALDWELL’s face, smiling (daydream)

Ted
Just leave it alone daddy, okay?

Frank
Don’t worry about it son, it’ll pass
Sun’s getting low, we’d better head in now.

FRANK pulls the STARTER ROPE on the OUTBOARD MOTOR, the motor starts and the
boat motors away.
INT  SCHOOL CAFETERIA  DAY
SERIES OF ANGLES
Students are having lunch, groups are clustered at various tables, in one corner, the black
students are eating.
CAFETERIA LINE,  pans to TED  walks up to the end of the line
PAN THROUGH ROOM we see various clusters of students.  GARY CALDWELL and
VINCENT JONES are at their usual table, with KAREN YOUNG and SUZANNE SIMPSON.
JANET CRAWFORD is at another table with a group of students.
KEN WALKER, PHOEBE LUCIUS, DIANE LUCIUS walk up behind TED

Ken
Well, speaking of Sir Galahad, here’s the man himself

KEN rests his HAND on TEDs shoulder
TED turns around to KEN

Ted
Oh, Hi Ken, Phoebe, Diane, how are you?
Ken
We’re fine, I owe you a thank you, you helped Phoebe with that flat tire last week.
Ted
Oh, that’s okay, I was glad to do it.
Ken
Well, it’s not much, but we want to buy you lunch today.

TED hesitates for a moment, dining is not yet integrated at the PHS cafeteria

Ted
Oh, thats all right, you don’t have to.

Ken
We insist.

The LINE is now at the doorway, TED is at the doorway to the kitchen.
THE KITCHEN EXIT  a student walks out, followed by TED, KEN, PHOEBE and DIANE
KEN directs TED past all of the tables to the corner of the cafeteria where the other black
students are sitting.  Many of the WHITE STUDENTS stop and look at TED and KEN as
they pass.
GARY CALDWELL and VINCE JONES  their heads follow KEN and TED.

Vince
Well, look at that, now he’s eating with em.

TED, KEN, PHOEBE, DIANE, arrive at the table with other black students.  They sit down,
TED sits last, he is still very nervous.

Ken
Everybody, this is Ted Maxwell.  He fixed Phoebe’s flat tires last week.

PAN AROUND TABLE AS INTRODUCTIONS ARE MADE

Ken
This is Gwen Johnson, David Hampton, Rita Jackson, Patricia White,
Josephine  Turner, Dale Harris and Marguerite Adams.

TED is beginning to relax

Gwen
Ted, that was real nice of you to help Phoebe like that.  It’s very
comforting to know that there are still some people who live like God wants
us too, trying to get along with each other.

Josephine
I never could understand why folks who call them self God fearing could be
in the Klan.

Dale
They gonna be in a lotta trouble when they get to the pearly gates and find out God is
colored.

THE FRIENDS LAUGH
GARY CALDWELL, VINCE JONES, KAREN YOUNG

Gary
Well, I guess Maxwell’s made some new friends

Vince
It figures,nobody else wants to be seen with him.

Karen
Will you two ever let up, all you ever do is talk about Ted Maxwell, I’m sick of hearing
his name.  Why do you want to think about a guy who is a pervert anyway, you want
to be like him?

Gary
We just like to have fun with him.  He doesn’t know how to fight, so he’s an easy
target.

Vincent
When we get finished with his reputation, he’ll never show his face in this town again.

INT  FRED HUDSON’S DRUGSTORE  DAY
TED is working behind the lunch counter, cleaning. FRED HUDSON is the druggist behind
the counter, he calls out to TED.

Fred
Hey Ted, come back here, I need you to run an errand.

FRED hands some MONEY to TED

Fred
Now go down to Al’s drugstore and get this for me, we’re out of this medication.

EXT  HUDSON’S DRUGSTORE  DAY
TED walks out of the door and down the sidewalk.  He walks past various store fronts, greets
people on the sidewalk, crosses a street and goes into ALs PHARMACY.
TED comes out of ALS PHARMACY and starts back to FRED’S
We see two YOUNGER BOYS, about age 14, coming toward TED.  When they get about five
feet from him, the first one says to the other.

First Boy
See that guy, watch out, he’s queer

TED stops for a second, then slowly begins walking.  The BOYS continue, laughing to each
other, then

Second Boy
I hear he’s a nigger lover too.

The two BOYS continue walking, occasionally looking back at TED who they have now
passed.  TED is angry and bewildered.  TED stands on the sidewalk unable to move.
INT MAXWELLS KITCHEN  DAY
VERNA is fixing Sunday Dinner.  TED and FRANK come into the kitchen.  TED opens the
cupboard and removes plates,  FRANK opens a drawer to remove flatware.
Frank
Well, I just can’t understand it,  that car never burned a drop of oil until last
month,now it’s using a quart every hundred miles, and it makes enough smoke to kill
every mosquito in five miles.  I told you not to push it so hard, you’ve been driving it
too hard, you know Mamma never drove that car over fifty.

Ted
How do you now how I drive it.  I change the oil every two thousand
miles, use good oil, I never ran it hot, so don’t say I did it.

(FLASHBACK, TWO HANDS REMOVING OIL CAP AND POURING THE SAND IN)
TED and FRANK walk out into the dining room.  VERNA opens the OVEN and takes a
ROAST CHICKEN out, she carries it into the DINING ROOM and places it on the TABLE.

Frank
Well, we’ll have to figure out what to do. I don’t  where we’ll get themoney to pay to
have it fixed.  Anyway, we’ve got to your grandmother’s this afternoon in Tampa.  The
house finally sold last week, so she needs us to help her figure out what to keep.

EXT  TWO LANE HIGHWAY  THROUGH SWAMP  DAY
Verna’s CHRYSLER, FRANK driving, VERNA in the front, TED in the back, passing through
open country.  The car passes a lonesome sign that reads TAMPA  22
INT  MAXWELLS  CHRYSLER  DAY

Frank
It’s a shame, Mamma’s lived in that house for almost fifty years.  All our memories
are there, she knows all the neighbors, or at least the ones who are still alive,  the
store across the street, not it’s all going, they call it Urban Renewal.

Verna
I don’t  know why you and your mother are so attached to that old termite
infested rooming house?  She’s lucky anyone wanted to buy it at all.

Frank
She’d do just fine if she could just get decent roomers instead of the trash that’s
pouring into the neighborhood, when I was a boy--

Verna
When you were a boy, gasoline was a nickel a gallon

EXT  STREET   DAY
RESIDENTIAL STREET lined with large old Victorian style home, once grand,but are now
very neglected.  Some of them have “ROOM FOR RENT” signs.  On some front porches,
elderly white people sit rocking and conversing.  On the SIDEWALK black children are
playing tag and skating.
GRACE MAXWELLS HOUSE  two story, with a large porch, a “sold” FOR SALE sign.
GRACE MAXWELL comes out of the FRONT DOOR.  Two BLACK CHILDREN have come
half way up her walk in their game of tag.

Grace
Get outa my yard, it’s still my yard, leave me be.

THE BLACK CHILDREN are startled, they skip away
The Maxwells CHRYSLER pulls up in front of the house.
FRANK, VERNA and TED get out of the car, GRACE walks slowly down the walk to meet
them.  They embrace, then walk back into the house, VERNA last, shaking her head as she
looks around.
INT  GRACE MAXWELLS LIVING ROOM  DAY
The room has old Victorian furnishings, heavy drapes, faded rugs and upholstery.  Paint is
cracking, peeling, we see old photographs of GRACE as a young woman, FRANK as a
teenager and young man, FRANK and VERNA on their wedding day.
GRACE is walking to her favorite chair, followed by FRANK, TED, VERNA
They all sit down.

Grace
Them pickaninnies have no manners.  I’ve been running them outta here
at least every hour for weeks.  I guess they figure they don’t need to be polite
anymore now that they have their civil rights.

Frank
Well Mamma, it’ll be better in the new house.

Grace
Easy for you to say, I’m too old for all this change.  First I had to deal with
being widowed right after you were born, your father killed in the war and all, then I
spend my whole life to pay for a house that I can’t live in anymore cause the
neighborhood is gone to hell.

TED looks down at the floor next to him.  We see a large PALMETTO (WATER BUG)
emerge from a hole rotted hole in the floor.  TED gets up

Ted
Grandma, do you have a coke cola in the fridgidare?
Grace
Sure Ted honey, you got a girlfriend yet?
Ted
Well, I see a girl named Janet, why?
Grace
Is she pretty, I don’t want you marrying any ugly girls.

GRACE looks at VERNA judgementally, they do not like each other

Ted
Don’t worry about it, I like her

TED walks out of the living room,toward the back of the house, the camera follows him as he
walks thought the old house, thought dining room.  He stops for a moment and looks into
the bedroom which has boxes piled up, clothes hanging on the closet doors, dressers piled
with nick nacks, clutter abounds.  Ted continues to the kitchen, it has open shelves packed
with canned goods, many of which are rusted.  He opens the refrigerator and gets out a
bottle of coca cola, he opens it on a WALL OPENER.
INT  UPSTAIRS HALLWAY  DAY
We see a long hallway from the back of the house to the front.  All the doors are open except
one.  At the front we hear voices as they ascend the stairway.

Grace
They’ve all moved out except George.  He’s just found another place yesterday, so I
guess he’ll be moving soon.

GRACE, FRANK come up the stairs,down the hall to a door marked #3.  GRACE knocks on it.

Grace
George, you in there, Franks here

The DOOR opens, we see GEORGE who is elderly, white, bald, with a cauliflower ear.

George
Hello Ms. Maxwell, Frank, come on in

The door opens into GEORGES ROOM  It is plain white, with a single iron bed, dresser,a
chair, wash stand and mirror.  GEORGE sits on the bed, as does FRANK.  GRACE remains
standing.

George
Well Frank, it’s good to see you, I guess living up in Pasco agrees with you,
thought Tampa hasn’t been the same since you left.

Frank
You’ve been telling me that for eighteen years George.

George
Well it’s true, you still play tennis?

GEORGE looks up, TED is standing in the doorway

Ted
Hi George, how are you?

George
Ted, I didn’t know you were here, wait, Bobby wants to say hello

George lifts his hand, holds out his INDEX FINGER

George
Here Bobby

A GREEN PARAKEET lands on George’s finger.  George slowly moves his hand with BOBBY
perched on it toward TED.  TED holds out his INDEX FINGER and BOBBY steps onto it

George
I had a hard time finding a room where they would let me keep him, most places
don’t allow pets, I guess they figure the roaches are enough company.

GRACE glares at George
INT  LIVING ROOM  NIGHT
GRACE, FRANK. TED descend the stairs back into the living room
GRACE turning to FRANK

Grace
Well son, I’m glad you’re staying to help

GRACE to TED

Grace
And you young man, get yourself a good looking girlfriend
Verna
Well, I guess we’d better hit the road, see you in a couple of days H.L.
Frank
Okay H.L., call me when you get home, collect for me, okay?
Ted
Don’t worry Papa, I’ll make sure she does, bye grandma

INT  CHRYSLER  NIGHT
VERNA is driving TED is in the front

Ted
Grandma is taking this pretty hard.

Verna
She takes everything hard, she likes it that way.

Ted
What do you mean?

Verna
I mean in the twenty plus years I’ve known her, she has
complained about everything she can complain about.

Ted
Well yes, but everything is changing on her, she’s so old

Verna
She complained even when it wasn’t changing.  Look at George, with all
he’s been through and he still tries to be happy.

Ted
What do you mean, what he’s been through?

Verna
Oh, that’s right, you don’t know.

Ted
Know what?

Verna
George is a homosexual.

Ted
What?

Verna
George is a homosexual.  When he was a teenager, they caught him with having sex
with a team mate on the football team at his school.  The other guy said that George
initiated it, so he got shipped off to a mental hospital for ten years.

Ted
Oh my God.  Then what happened?

Verna
Well, when he got out, his family wouldn’t have anything to do with him, he couldn’t
get a good job, so he moved to Tampa and was a prize fighter until he got hit in the
head one too many times, then he worked tending bar in some dive until he retired.

He’s one of most kind hearted people I know and in spite everything he’s been
through, he is just glad to be alive and free.

Ted
Gee, I didn’t know any of that.

Verna
Well, don’t let on I told you, Grandma and your Papa don’t know any of it.

Ted
How did you find out?

Verna
Oh you know I have that kind of face, people tell me things because
they trust me.

Ted
Do you think he was happy?

Verna
Ted, people make their own happiness in life, no one else hands it to you.  You get
what God gives you and then you try to make the best of it, that’s up to you.
My mother put me out when I was fifteen because I wanted to go away to school and
she wanted me to stay on the farm and take care of her.  So I left, I got an education, I
made a life.  You’ll have to do the same thing some day, you can’t stay in Pasco the
rest of your life.

TEDs FACE in the lights of a passing car

Ted
Mamma,  what does H.L. mean?
Verna (laughs)
Honey Lamb

EXT  BUSINESS STREET  DAY
AL CALDWELL (Gary’s father)  walks into  FRANK MAXWELL INSURANCE.   He is
dressed in rancher clothes, it is late afternoon.
INT  MAXWELL INSURANCE  DAY
AL walks up to the service counter

Frank
Good afternoon Al, what can I do for you today?
Al
Good afternoon Frank.  I want to cancel my insurance policies, I’ve gone with
another broker.

AL pulls out some PAPERS and puts them on the COUNTER

Frank
That’s pretty serious Al,  what is the reason, did someone give you a better price, I
represent a number of companies, I’m sure I could match the --

Al
No Frank, that’s not why
Frank
Why then?

Al
Well, I’ve decided I’d rather not spend my money at any nigger lovin
businesses anymore.

Frank
What the hell are you talking about?  I;ve been writing your policies
for sixteen years.

Al
Well Frank, it’s not so much you, it’s that son of yours.

INT  MAXWELLS  KITCHEN  DAY

Ted
I’ve decided to rebuild the engine in the Rambler myself.

Frank
What?

Ted
I’m going to do the ring job myself.  I’ll read up on it and do it here in the back yard.

Frank
Not in my back yard you don’t.  I don’t want this place looking like white
trash lives here.  Besides, what if you don’t get it back
together, or it doesn’t run, then what?

Ted
I’ve got to do something, why can’t I fix it here?

Frank
You just can’t, now don’t bring it up again

FRANK gets up and leaves the table.  VERNA walks in, watches Frank leave, turns to Ted.

Verna
What was all that about?
Ted
I don’t  know.

INT  SCHOOL LIBRARY   DAY
TED walks down a row of books, his FINGERS are following the shelves, then they come to a
book and pull it from the stack.
THE COVER OF THE BOOK, “AUTO REPAIR”
JANET CRAWFORD walks up from the side and greets TED

Janet
So, you’ve decided that your car should give up smoking?
Ted
Yeah, I’m tired of buying oil by the case.  I’m going to try to do a ring job
myself,  I just need a place to do the work.

TED and JANET walk to the check out counter.  KEN WALKER is seated behind it working
as a student aide.

Ken
Car problems?

Ted
Yes I’ve got to do a ring job on my Rambler.

Ken
Do you need any help?

Ted
Of course, but I’ve got to find a place to do the work, my dad says I can’t do
the work at the house.

Ken
Well, why don’t you do the work at my house?  My father is a mechanic,
we’ve got his whole shop and all the tools you’ll need.

INT  SCHOOL HALLWAY  DAY
It is the change of class time, the HALLWAY is full of students hurrying to class.  GWEN
JOHNSON is talking to PATRICIA WHITE in front of their lockers.  GWEN closes her locker

Gwen
Bye, see you at lunch

GWEN  turns to walk away, takes two steps and turns back toward Patricia to say one more
thing when she accidentally walks into SUZANNE SIMPSON a white girl.  SUZANNE has on
a lot of make-up, she is the consummate “sweater girl”.  SUZANNE grabs GWEN by the
THROAT and slams her up against the wall, she reaches into her PURSE and pulls out a
RAZOR BLADE BOX OPENER, and pushes out the blade.  SUZANNE then puts the BLADE
to GWEN’S THROAT.

Suzzane
Look you black nigger, watch where you’re going, I don’t like being touched by
filth like you.

SUZANNE glares at GWEN for a moment, who is still startled. SUZANNE, then relaxes her
grip a little, puts the BLADE away in her purse, then squeezes GWEN’S THROAT one more
time.

Suzzane
That’s to remind you to stay outta my way.

SUZANNE releases her grip and turns to walk away.  PATRICIA watches the scene.
GWEN pushes herself away from the wall, then walks up behind SUZANNE and grabs the
STRAP of SUZZANES PURSE from behind.  GWEN pulls SUZANNE down backwards
abruptly onto her back, then GWEN straddles SUZANNE and starts to hit her in the face
with her FISTS left and right.

Gwen
I don’t stay outta anyones way unless they ask me to polite.  What’s the matter, your
mamma never teach you any manners. Pull a knife on me you cracker bitch, I’ll bust
your painted face in.

GWEN continues to lay into SUZANNE who is whimpering.  Out of the crowd emerge
DAVID HAMPTON  and KEN WALKER  who pull GWEN off of SUZANNE.  SUZANNE
starts to get up, with the assistance of two white girls.
JANET CRAWFORD walks up to PATRICIA WHITE

Janet
What happened?
Patricia
Gwen accidentally bumped into Suzzane, Suzzane pulled a razor on her and
threatened to cut her.  Gwen just got even.

SUZZANE’s EYES are starting to swell shut, she looks at JANET CRAWFORD standing with
PATRICIA WHITE who have now walked over next to GWEN.  SUZANNE glares at JANET

Suzzane
So you’ve turned to nigger lovin too?  You and your queer boyfriend,
figures, no decent white folk’d have either of you.

JANET is crushed
SUZANNE continues to the crowd

Suzzane
Well what da ya expect, her daddy’s a drunk, her mother ran off, probably
whoring down in Miami Beach

TO JANET

Suzzane
You’re fat, you’re ugly, them niggers can’t help bein born black, but you’re white, if
you choose to run with em, you’re worse than they are.

MR. WILLIAMS and COACH JOHNSON

Mr. Williams
Okay everybody, break it up.
Coach Johnson
Come on Suzzane, Gwen, lets go to the office.

SUZANNE and GWEN are led off to the office.  PATRICIA puts her arm around JANET who
is softly crying.

Patricia
You okay?

Janet
I’ll be okay

THEY walk away slowly, the HALLWAY is almost deserted now.

Patricia
It’s only words honey, after a while, you’ll get used to em

Janet
Thanks

INT  VINCE JONES  MUSTANG  NIGHT
VINCENT & GARY CALDWELL are in the car, Vince is driving

Vincent
I don’t believe it, Suzzanes parents grounded her for a month

Gary
She was only defending herself.

Vince
Parents, they just don’t understand, anyway you got to make the best of a bad
situation.  When are Karen and her folks getting back from Jacksonville?

Gary
Next week

Vincent
Well, as long as we’re both dateless, we might as well take advantage
of the situation.

Gary
What you got in mind?

Vincent
Let’s go over to Brooksville n see if we can pick up some girls that’ll put out.  If we go
out of town, Karen n Suzzane won’t hear about it.

Gary
Good thinking old buddy, let’s do it.

EXT  DRIVE INN RESTAURANT  NIGHT
VINCENT’S MUSTANG drives into the drive inn and parks.  A WAITRESS comes out to the
car.
Waitress
What’ll you two guys have?
Gary
Burger, fries and a vanilla shake.
Vincent
The same, but a chocolate shake.
The WAITRESS walks away, VINCE AND GARY look around the parking lot, they see a few
cars,one of them is a FORD FALCON with two girls in it, Carrie & Samantha.

Carrie
Look at the two guys over there in the Mustang, I don’t think they live around here.

Samantha
No, they’re from Pasco, recognize the red & black jacket on the cute one?

VINCENT

Carrie
Well, I was looking at the other one, he looks like he plays football.

GARY
Carrie & Samantha get out of the FALCON and walk over to the MUSTANG.

Samantha
You guys looking for some company?

Vincent
Sure

VINCENT & GARY open the doors of the MUSTANG and get out, Carrie & GARY get into
the back seat, VINCE & Samantha get into the front seats.

Samantha
So where are you two from?

Gary
Pasco

Vincent
Yeah, it gets boring some times, the same faces, the same places, so we thought we’d
come over n check out Brooksville.

THE WAITRESS arrives to pick up the left overs from GARY & VINCENTs order.

Carrie
(giggling)  Oh, Gary, you’re so funny, where’d you hear that one?

Gary
I’ve got plenty more, let me tell you

Vincent
Hey guys, since you two are having such a good time n I’d like to get to know Samantha a
little better, why don’t Samantha n me go for a drive n leave the two of you here?

Samantha grins her approval

Carrie
Well okay, I’ve got my car here so we’ve got wheels.

Samantha
Well then it’s settled.  Vince can drop me off at my house, after we’ve gone
for a little ride.

Gary
Well old buddy, you can just meet me back here at midnight.  I’m sure Carrie can
drop me back here after she shows me the sights of Brooksville.

EXT  ORANGE  GROVE  NIGHT
VINCENT and Samantha making out, soft groans of passion and warm deep kisses
EXT  LAKESIDE  NIGHT
Carries FALCON parked by the lake, the full moon shining over the lake waters.  We hear
Gary and Carrie through the STEAMY WINDOWS.  Carrie is giggling.

Carrie(voice)
Oh Gary, do it again.

We hear groans of passion, the FALCON shakes a little from the movement inside.  We hear
a long sigh from Carrie

Carrie(voice)
Oh yes, come on, I'm ready, give it to me.

The FALCON shakes again, then the noise and the sighing stops.  In a moment the BACK
DOOR opens and GARY gets out.  He zips up his pants.  GARY leans against the back of the
car, angry, confused, shaking.

Carrie
Gary, what’s wrong?  It’s okay, come on back inside

GARYs FACE, glaring into the darkness

Gary
Just shut up and leave me alone, I’m fine.

EXT  DRIVE IN RESTAURANT  NIGHT
The DRIVE IN SIGN lights turn off,  the WAITRESS begins to clean up the tables inside.
GARY is leaning against the wall outside, staring down at the pavement, he is anxious.
VINCENTS MUSTANG drives in. GARY walks over to it and gets in.
INT MUSTANG  NIGHT
VINCENT looks at GARY

Vincent
Well ole buddy, did you score?

Gary
I don’t want to talk about it.

Vincent
Whats the matter, was she on the rag?

Gary
I said I don’t want to talk about it.

Vincent
What’d she do, turn cold on you??

Gary
I couldn’t get it up, are you satisfied?  Now shut the fuck up and leave me
alone.

Vincent
Well, I bet Ken WALKER wouldn’t have those kinda problems.

GARY looks at Vincent with a look that would kill

Gary
Just drive the fuckin car, n don’t tell this to anybody or I’ll knock your teeth
down your throat, got it?

EXT  KEN WALKERS HOUSE  DAY
The WALKER HOUSE is neat, flowers planted around the front porch, on a large lot.  We
pan over the roof and see the back yard which has several clothes lines full of clothes.  At one
back corner of the lot, we see a large shed, with TEDs RAMBLER parked in front of it, with
the HOOD removed and leaning against the side of the car.
TED is leaned over one fender, KEN is leaning over the other side
We see a ENGINE HOIST being placed in position over the RAMBLER.
The ENGINE is raised out of the RAMBLER and KEN operates the hoist and swings it
around onto a HEAVY WOODEN WORK TABLE.
TED removes the cylinder head bolts, KEN removes the oil pan bolts.
TED prys off the CYLINDER HEAD, KEN is removing the CONNECTING ROD NUTS
KEN pushes the rods out and TED pulls the pistons out of the block.
STORM CLOUDS appear in the sky, followed by LIGHTENING BOLTS, then thunder.
KEN and TED cover the work bench with a heavy tarpaulin.
MRS. WALKER is waving from the back porch

Mrs. W.
Yall boys come on in this house, it’s fixin to storm

KEN and TED run across the yard, up the steps and into the BACK DOOR
INT  WALKER KITCHEN  DAY
It is storming outside, the rain is pouring down, lightening flashes through the windows
thunder claps are heard occasionally.  TED and KEN are washing up at the sink, GREASY
WATER flows off of their hands and down the sink drain.

Mrs. W.
You boys finish up and get away from that sink.  I don’t want you two gettin
electrocuted.
Ken
Yes mamm,

TO TED

Ken
One night during a storm, I saw this sink light up like the fourth of July.

Mrs. W.
How about a piece of potato pie?

Ken
Thank you mamm, I love sweet potato pie.

TED and KEN sit down at the table.  Mrs. W brings two large pieces of pie, then milk.  Then
she sits down with the boys at the table.

Ken
Ted, let me show you something

KEN pulls out a CONNECTING ROD CAP, WITH THE BEARING SHELL IN IT.

Ken
This is a connecting rod cap, and this is the Babbitt shell that goes in it.  You see these
grooves in it?

BABBITT SHELL, we see deep grooves that run the length of the inside of the shell

Ken
Did you ever get stuck in sand with this car, real deep?

Ted
No

Ken
You changed the oil regular, right?

Ted
Yes

Ken
Well, these grooves are caused from some kind of substance like sand, that grinds,
like sandpaper.  It looks like someone must have put sand in the engine, right
into the oil

Mrs. W.
Oh Jesus, that old trick?  I’m sorry Ted.
Ted

I don’t get it

Mrs. W.
When somebody wants to do in your car, they sabotage the motor, you know, put
sugar in the gas to mess up the valves, or sand in the oil to grind up the mota.  My
husband gets about one of these every two years.  Some people.

TEDs FACE
(FLASHBACK SCENE, INT LOCKER ROOM  DAY)
GARY CALDWELL is talking to some teammates as TED looks on

Gary
Yeah, when I really want to get someone, I put sand down the motor of their car, my
daddy taught me that trick, great way to mess up someone's car.

INT  WALKER  KITCHEN  DAY
The thunderstorm has stopped, a WHITE MAN walks into the kitchen.  TED is startled for a
moment.  The man is in his mid forties, very handsome, dressed shorts.

Man
Oh, excuse me

Ken
It’s okay this is Joe, he’s my uncle’s friend

Mrs. W.
My brother is down visiting from New York, this is his friend who he lives with.

Joe, this is Ted Maxwell, Ken’s friend.

JOE walks over and shakes TEDs HAND

Joe
It’s a pleasure to meet you Ted.

Turns to Mrs. Walker

Do you have anymore of that sweet potato pie?

Mrs. W.
Sure honey, it’s in the cooler.  You want some coffee?

EXT  WALKER’S BACK YARD  DAY
TED and KEN are reassembling the engine

Ted
So tell me about your uncle and his friend.

Ken
Well, my uncle James went north years ago, right after high school.
He and Joe have a restaurant in Greenwich Village.

Ted
Don’t they have families?

Ken
You are naive aren’t you?

Ted
Huh?

Ken
They live together, I guess you could say they’re married to each other, you
know.  They’re gay.  You know, Queer.

TED flinches

Ted
You mean queer means, like two guys, like doin it?

Ken
Didn’t you know that?

Ted
I just know it’s the worst thing you can call someone and I’ve been called it most of
my life.

Ken
I’m sorry Ted

Ted
No, it’s okay, I’ve never met anyone who was like that before, at least to
talk about it, tell me about them, I want to know more.

INT  WALKER  KITCHEN  DAY

Joe
Well Marie, what do you think?

JOE nods towards the back yard

Mrs. W.
Oh honey, as a three dollar bill, and hasn’t even figured it out yet, just like James
before he got outta this place.

A BLACK MAN appears at the kitchen doorway, tall, handsome,  powerfully built, he walks
up behind Mrs. W., leans over and kissed her on the cheek, then behind Joe and also kisses
him, but on the mouth.

James
You two talking bout me again?  Where’s the rest of that potato pie?

Mrs. W.
Just sayin how every colored girl n some of the white ones in Pasco was after you till
you moved nawth.

Joe
Well Marie, all of you are very attractive in your family’

JAMES looks out the window toward the shed
James
I see Ken is helping that white boy with his car.
JAMES turns to MARIE

James
Generous and good hearted, just like his mother.

Joe
And his uncle.

EXT  WALKERS BACK YARD  DAY

Ted
So they sleep together?  In the same bed?

Ken
Yes, and they’re very happy, they have lots of friends, they go on wonderful
vacations, the theater, why half the stars on Broadway have
autographed photos up in the restaurant.

Ted
Seems hard to believe

Ken
How far you been outta this town?

Ted
North Carolina, the mountains, why?

Ken
Boy, you gotta get out and breathe, this little place is no place for you.

Ted
Well, if we don’t finish this car, I’m not going anywhere.

ENGINE HOIST, the ASSEMBLED ENGINE is raised, Ken swings it around over the hood,
slowly it descends into the engine compartment.
KEN and TED are leaning over the fenders again.

Ted
What’d you do with that gas line?

Ken
It’s over here, sorry.

KEN passes the RUBBER HOSE to TED
The BATTERY cables are reconnected to the battery by KENS HANDS

Ken
Now, if I can just get this cock sucker on here.

TED’S FACE,

Ken
Sorry

TED LAUGHS
KEN LAUGHS
The IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY are turned by TEDS HAND
The EXHAUST PIPE sputters, first roughly, smoke rolls out, then the engine settles down to
a smooth idle, occasionally the engine is “gunned”, it runs strong and smooth.
TED and KEN shake hands, then in a spontaneous moment, TED hugs KEN, then just looks
into his eyes for a moment.
MRS. W., JOE and JAMES are standing on the back porch, applauding.
INT  WALKERS KITCHEN  NIGHT
The KITCHEN TABLE is covered with just dirtied dishes,  TED and KEN are sitting at the
table,  MRS. W. starts to clear the table.

Ken
Oh mamma, just leave em, if I wash them, it’ll help get the grease outta my
hands, you know Phoebe just hates me to have dirty hands.

Mrs. W.
You just worry about your grades, but I’ll be glad to let you wash em.

Ted
Mrs. WALKER, thank you, that was delicious.

Mrs. W.
Well, I’m goin on out to watch TV, good night Ted.

Ted
Good night  Mrs. WALKER.  Please thank Mr. WALKER when he gets back from
Tampa.  It was real nice of him to let us use his tools n all.

Ken
Good night Mamma

MRS. WALKER exits, the door to the kitchen closes

Ted
I think I’ve figured out two things, I think it was Gary Caldwell who put the sand in
my engine.

Ken
Well, that lock we put on the hood will take care of that, what else?

Ted
Gary tried to get me to do something with him one night in the locker
room last fall.  I was very nervous, I felt like he knew my secret and I couldn’t
figure out how he could read my mind like that.

Ken
What secret?

Ted
Well, I think I’m like your uncle and his friend.  I’m not sure, but I know that
girls don’t do anything for me and I just don’t have any interest in them, you
know, romantically.
I think Gary knows that.

Ken
What did he do?

INT  SCHOOL LOCKER ROOM NIGHT
GARY CALDWELL has just made his invitation to TED
Gary
If Mama’s boy want any favors, he better put out
GARYS HAND is over the bulge in his pants
TEDS FACE, very nervous, filled with confusion and fear.

Gary
You know you want it.  You really got off on that rubdown last week, I
saw your face.

GARYS HAND over his crotch

Ted
Look man, I don’t know what you want, but I’m going back to the office and
I’m callin the principal, so get the hell out, NOW.

INT  WALKERS  KITCHEN  NIGHT

Ken
So you turned him down and he’s been out to get you ever since. Boy talk about jilted
lovers.

Ted
And spreading rumors and gossip all over town.

INT  SCHOOL  CAFETERIA  DAY
The cafeteria is buzzing as usual, but the previously all black table now includes JANET
CRAWFORD and TED MAXWELL.

Janet
So what is everyone planning for prom night?

Phoebe
Well, I’ve had my plans for years

PHOEBE reaches out and puts her arm around KEN who is sitting next to her.

Gwen
I’m still waiting to be asked.

GWEN winks at DAVID HAMPTON who is seated across the table.
David

Okay, I can take the hint.  Will you go with me to the prom Miss Johnson?

Gwen
Of course, Mr. Hampton.

ALL EYES turn toward TED and JANET

Ted
Is there anyone else I would go with?

Janet
Not if you want to live to be twenty one.

THE GROUP LAUGHS
INT  MAXWELLS LIVING ROOM  NIGHT
FRANK is watching TV.  He is sitting in a recliner, feet up, shoes off a beer in his hand.  Off
screen  we hear Verna

Verna (voice)
Ted, hurry up, you told Janet you’d pick her up at seven thirty and it’s quarter past
now.

VERNA walks in and sits down in a chair next to FRANK

Verna
I swear, that boy would be late for the second coming of Christ.

TED enters the room, dressed in a tuxedo

Ted
How do I look?

FRANK picks up the REMOTE CONTROL and pushes the MUTE button.

Frank
Just fine son.

VERNA gets up and straightens TED’S tie and jacket

Verna
Now, you don’t want to go over to Janet’s looking like you’ve just come out of working
in an orange grove.  Stay right there, I want to get you something.

VERNA goes off screen, FRANK looks up at Ted

Frank
I don’t  know what we’d  do around here without your mother to keep all of
us in line.

VERNA returns from off screen, she has two small flower boxes in her hands.  She opens one
and takes out a red carnation.  She pins the CARNATION to TEDS TUXEDO LAPEL.

Verna
Well,now you look like somebody who’s going someplace. Don’t move.

VERNA picks up a FLASH CAMERA  off the coffee table. She holds it up to her eye, and
snaps a picture, the flash goes off in TEDs eyes.

Ted
Are you trying to blind me?

Verna
No, I just want a good picture of you all dressed up.  Now that box has Janet’s orchid
in it, so don’t forget it.

TED starts to leave, VERNA stops him and pulls out his hand, she puts keys into it.

Verna
Take the Chrysler.

TED smiles and kisses her on the cheek, he nods goodbye to FRANK and walks out.
VERNA watches Ted walk out.  we hear the back door open and slam shut.  She turns and
sits down in her chair.  FRANK picks up the REMOTE and turns the sound back on the TV.
VERNA picks up the REMOTE and “mutes” the TV.

Frank
What?

Verna
He doesn’t belong to us anymore Frank.  Soon he’ll be leaving us for good.  It seems
like yesterday we brought him home from the hospital.

FRANK looks at Verna, then picks up the REMOTE and turns the sound on again.
EXT  JANET CRAWFORDS HOUSE  NIGHT
A SMALL WOODEN HOUSE on a DIRT STREET.  The house has FRONT PORCH on it is
Janets father HENRY CRAWFORD, sitting in a rusted metal chair, dressed shirt less in
overalls, drinking a beer.  Several empty cans are next to the chair and on the porch. The
bare light bulb hanging off the porch casts a light around the front of the house.  Next to the
house is a PICKUP  TRUCK (the same one that tried to run the Marshalls off the road, with a "U.K.A. Never" bumper sticker on it.).
THE MAXWELL CHRYSLER pulls up in front of the house, the lights and engine are turned
off.  TED gets out and walks up the steps of the porch.  He is carrying the box with the
corsage.

Ted
Good evening Mr. Crawford, how are you tonight?

HENRY CRAWFORD is obviously drunk.

Henry
Oh, I’m as good as I’ll ever be.  Janet’s inside, go on in and wait in the living room.

INT  CRAWFORD  LIVING ROOM  NIGHT
The FRONT SCREEN DOOR opens.  TED walks in, BOX in hand.  The room has unpainted
wallboard, a naked light bulb hanging from the ceiling, a funeral home calendar with a
portrait of Jesus hanging askew on a nail, the month shows MAY.  The sofa is very worn and
dingy.  On ANOTHER WALL we see an old picture of HENRY and JANETS MOTHER on their wedding day, also a photo of them holding baby Janet.  The whole room is very
depressing.
TED sits down in a CHAIR and trys to look comfortable.  From off screen we hear Janet

Janet (voice)
Ted, is that you?  I’m almost ready,  I’ll be out in a minute.

The SCREEN DOOR opens, HENRY CRAWFORD comes through the living room toward
the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Henry
Damn women, always fussing.

HENRY walks to the head of the hall

Henry
Hurry up young un, you’re a keepin this man waitin.

HENRY continues to the REFRIGERATOR, opens it and gets out two beers.  He turns and
walks back through the living room and out the SCREEN DOOR, which slams shut after
him.
JANET enters the living room.  She is dressed in a cheap prom dress, she walks to the center
of the living room and spins in front of TED
Janet
Well, how do I look?

Ted
A vision of pure radiance, pure radiance.

TED stands up and opens the BOX.  He removes the corsage and pins it on her dress.

Janet
Careful, don’t draw blood, don’t want to attract the vampires.

EXT  PASCO ARMORY  NIGHT
The ARMORY is the sight of the prom.  Numerous cars are arriving and couples in their
evening wear are walking into the front door.
The CHRYSLER parks in one of the parking spaces near the building.  TED turns off the
lights and motor, then gets out of the car, walks around and opens the PASSENGER DOOR
so that JANET can get out.
KEN WALKER and PHOEBE LUCIUS arrive on the curb in front of the CHRYSLER

Ted / Janet
Good evening.

Janet
You two certainly look elegant tonight.

Phoebe
Thank you.

Ken
Shall we make our entrance?

KEN offers PHOEBE his ARM,  TED watches them walk toward the building.

Janet
Well, handsome prince, what are you waiting for?

Ted
Oh, sorry

TED offers JANET his ARM, She pushes it down

Janet
No, I think we’ll do it this way

JANET offers TED her ARM, they both laugh

Ted
Nothing like a woman who knows how to take charge.

GARY CALDWELL and KAREN YOUNG in Garys car. Gary gets out and looks toward KEN,
PHOEBE, TED and JANET.

Karen
Gary, I’m waiting

Gary
Oh just get out, I’m busy

KAREN is annoyed, she forces the door open abruptly, gets out and slams it, she looks
toward the building.

Karen
Do you ever think of anything besides Ted Maxwell?  Every time you see him, you just
stop everything else.  What are you in love with him or something?

GARY glares at her, then assumes a false reconciliatory tone.

Gary
Well, I’m sorry Miss Young, I forgot that you like to be number one.

Karen
Don’t you forget it either.

GARY and KAREN walk into the armory, arm in arm.
INT  ARMORY  NIGHT
The inside of the armory has been lined with crepe paper which is dark blue with stars in it.
The theme is ‘Starry, Starry Night” and the lights are low through the blue paper.  Flowers
are arranged throughout the room, each of the tables has flowered center pieces, the band is
playing slow dance music,couples are dancing on the dance floor.  TED, JANET, KEN and
PHOEBE walk up to a TABLE and sit down.
GARY CALDWELL and KAREN YOUNG enter the room, they walk stiffly across the room to
a table where VINCENT JONES and SUZANNE SIMPSON are seated and sit down.
THE STAGE where the band THE ACCIDENTS are playing.  The slow music stops and a
faster song begins “Summertime Blues”
TED to JANET

Ted
My kind of music, shall we?

Janet
Lets.

TED and JANET get up and walk toward the dance floor.  KEN  looks at PHOEBE who nods
“yes”, they get up too.
The dance floor is soon filled with students who are dancing to the pounding rhythm of the
song.  Many other black couples are on the dance floor, GWEN JOHNSON, HER DATE,
PATRICIA WHITE,HER DATE, DALE HARRIS, HIS DATE, DAVID HAMPTON, HIS
DATE, DIANE LUCIUS, HER DATE.  The BLACK STUDENTS soon begin to get into the
spirit of the dance and move in very intricate and skillful ways.  Soon, they are LINE
DANCING, boys on one line, girls on the other, TED and JANET fall into the lines without
thinking, TED is next to KEN, JANET is next to PHOEBE.  PATRICIA WALKER AND HER
DATE take center of the space between the lines, they move in and out, around each other
with skill and precision.
KEN  turns to TED

Ken
I bet you’ve never seen dancing like this before.

TED shakes his head “no”

The WHITE STUDENTS continue to dance, some trying to ignore the show in their midst,
but gradually white couples join the line with the black students, at first self consciously,
then they begin to loosen up and enjoy themselves.  The lines moves and one by one couples
dance down the center, showing their stuff.  Then a WHITE BOY comes to the end of the
boys line, opposite PATRICIA WHITE who is at the end of the girls line.  They hesitate for a
moment, then PATRICIA dances out to meet him.  He joins her and they dance down the
center, “goofing” off of each other to diffuse the tension of the moment.  KEN and PHOEBE
nod to each other.
The DANCE FLOOR shows that now everyone is dancing in the line dance except GARY,
KAREN, VINCE and SUZANNE.
GARY, SUZANNE and VINCE walk off the dance floor.  KAREN stops for a moment, looks
at them, looks at the LINE DANCERS having fun.  KAREN puts down one FOOT, then
ANOTHER FOOTand joins the dance.  She soon is at the end of THE GIRLS LINE, dancing and laughing.
TED looks up and sees KAREN is opposite him.  JANET is next to KAREN and pushes her
out toward TED. TED dances out to meet her.
VINCENT taps GARY on the SHOULDER and points with his FINGER.
TED and KAREN are dancing in the center. They meet in the middle, hands behind their
backs, doing the “rooster strut”, they meet NOSE to NOSE, turn and then proceed in mutual
spins meeting each other again.  Both of them are very good, and there is obvious chemistry going on.  TED looks at KAREN they are both laughing, having a very good time.  KAREN
dances up to TED and kisses him long on the mouth, then they both fall back into their
respective lines.  JANET beams from the other end, then looks and sees KEN is opposite her.
PHOEBE

Phoebe
It’s your turn girl, strut yo stuff.

PHOEBE pushes KAREN out to meet KEN.  They also do the rooster strut, playing with each
other in the dance.  At the end of the line, JANET leans up and kisses KEN on the lips.
KEN’S EYES “pop” out of his head.  JANET laughs and falls back into the girls line, KEN
hesitates for a moment, looks at PHOEBE who is shaking her head with a loving but stern
look.

Phoebe (thoughts)
Thats my man, just can’t keep the ladies off him.

The BAND concludes “Summertime Blues”.  The DANCERS break up and go back to their
tables, laughing and very relaxed.
GARY is fuming at his table, drumming his FINGERS on the table top, glaring at the dance
floor.
KAREN walks up and pulls the chair out to sit down.  GARY grabs the chair

Gary
No nigger lovers allowed at this table

KAREN looks at him

Karen
Well, I’m sure I’m welcome somewhere.

KAREN starts to walk away.  GARY gets up and comes up behind her, he grabs her ARM
with his HAND

Gary
No, I think it’s time I took you home.

KEN points toward the door
TED,JANET, PHOEBE turn to look
GARY is pulling KAREN out of the door
EXT  OUTSIDE OF ARMORY  NIGHT
KAREN is crying

Karen
Gary, stop it, you’re hurting me.

KAREN wrenches her arm loose and stops.

Karen
What is your problem?

Gary
I don’t have a problem but you do.  You pissed me off, dancing with that faggot
Maxwell, kissing him right in front of everybody.

Karen
I can’t deal with you, just leave me alone, I’m going back inside, I’m not going to let
you spoil my evening.

Gary
Well, this is for spoiling mine.

GARY hits KAREN his FIST landing squarely on her LEFT EYE.  She screams, turns and
GARY grabs the BACK OF HER DRESS and pulls, ripping it down the back.
INT  ARMORY   NIGHT
TED and JANET are sitting by themselves, JANET looks up, her face shows surprise, she
raises her hand and points with her FINGER.  TED turns to look
KAREN is staggering in the doorway, her LEFT EYE blue and swollen, her DRESS half torn
off her, she is crying.  TED and JANET jump up and rush to her side.
INT  CAR  NIGHT
GARY is driving, his FACE reflecting in the dash board lights.  He is angry, his collar is
loose, there are some stains on his shirt, we hear his thoughts.

Gary (thoughts)
Goddamn faggot lovin bitch, she never would put out.
So, now she’s got the hots for Maxwell
I took care of her, now I’ll take care of him

A SINISTER SMILE creeps onto GARY’S FACE
The BACK BUMPER OF A CAR, A BUMPER STICKER “NEVER, U.K.A.”  TWO LEGS walk
up to the back of the car.  A HAND inserts a KEY into the TRUNK LOCK and opens the
trunk  GARY looks into the trunk rummages around among various items and pulls out a
long thin rubber hose, then a metal can labeled “GASOLINE” .
Small Town Boy, by Edward Garren,  page 80
GARY crouches in front of the GAS CAP of the car, he opens it and puts the hose into the
tank. then, he sucks on the hose to start the flow of gas.  The GASOLINE flows out of the end
of the rubber hose, into the can labeled GASOLINE.
EXT  MAXWELLS HOUSE  NIGHT
The HOUSE is dark,  no lights.  GARY walks up the street to the yard in front of the house.
He takes the CAP off the GASOLINE can.  GARY starts walking backwards slowly
GASOLINE pours out slowly.
GARY is standing, holding a lighted MATCH, he throws it forward.  There is an instant flash,
then a low burning.  GARY swaggers away, laughing.
INT  CAR  NIGHT
GARY is driving, he lifts a WHISKEY BOTTLE to his lips, takes a long drink, we hear the car
engine speed up.
EXT  ROADSIDE  NIGHT
A sign showing a CURVE ARROW,  GARYS CAR speeds past.  We hear, squeal of tires, then
screech of locked wheels sliding on pavement.  We then hear a loud crash.
GARYS CAR is on it’s side, surrounded by broken wooden fencing.  We hear the sound of
frantic cows mooing.
INT  FARMERS  HOUSE  NIGHT
A LIGHT comes on, the FARMER gets up, his WIFE is behind him, they were both sleeping
in bed.

Wife
What the hell was that Jim?

Farmer
I don’t know, but I bet it’ll cost money.

INT  MAXWELLS KITCHEN  DAY
VERNA  is spooning coffee into the top of the percolator, she places it on the STOVE and
turns the BURNER on.  FRANK walks into the kitchen, half asleep, in his bathrobe.

Frank
I guess Ted is still asleep.

Verna
I think they went to a breakfast after the prom.

Frank
I’m gonna go get the paper, I’ll be right back.

EXT  MAXWELLS HOUSE  DAY
FRANK walks out of the front door and down the walk to the sidewalk where the PAPER is
resting.  He leans over and picks up the paper, turns around, his EYES catch sight of a
BLACK SPOT on the lawn.  He walks over to look.  He sees a BLACK, BURNED CROSS in
the lawn.  He drops the PAPER on the grass and marches into the house.
The FRONT DOOR opens, FRANK comes out, pulling TED in pajamas by the arm.  VERNA
follows, somewhat bewildered.  FRANK drags TED up to the spot on the lawn.

Frank
You see that, that’s what your nigger lovin has done for us.
Ted
What?
Frank
You and your nigger friends, it’s the talk of the town, people have canceled policies
because of it.  I’ve kept my peace, but this is the last straw.  Next time they come
around they’ll burn the house down.  As soon as you graduate school you’re outta
here.  I want you out of my house, out of this county, understand?

FRANK stomps back into the house.  VERNA walks up behind TED, holding her hand in
front of her mouth.  She then kneels down and touches the BURNED GRASS with her
HAND.
VERNA gets up and turns

Verna
I’m sorry Ted.  I never thought it’d come to this.

VERNA walks away slowly, still stunned.  TED remains, frozen, staring at the charred grass.
The camera booms away showing first TED, then TED and VERNA walking into the house,
then THE BLOCK where the house is located, then the sky above the town.
EXT  MAXWELLS  HOUSE  DAY
TED comes out of the back door, dressed in jeans and a Tshirt, the DOOR slams, he strides
to his RAMBLER and gets in, starts it and drives briskly away.
EXT  TWO LANE HIGHWAY  DAY
TEDs RAMBLER is speeding along open road.  It is going very fast
INT  RAMBLER  DAY
TED removes the SEAT BELT and pushes the ACCELERATOR to the floor.  TEDs FACE has
a cold steely look on it.
EXT  TWO LANE  HIGHWAY  DAY
A NARROW BRIDGE with heavy concrete sides which are abrupt, close to the edge of the
road. TEDs RAMBLER is approaching at a rapid rate of speed.  The CONCRETE SIDE
imposing immovable.
INT  RAMBLER  DAY
The SPEEDOMETER reads 95, TEDs face, cold, determined, TEDs EYES hard, with a small
tear in one corner, looking straight ahead.  The CONCRETE BRIDGE SIDE through the
windshield.
TEDs EYES,

Gary (voice)
You know you want it.

Frank (voice)
You see that, that’s what your nigger lovin has done for us.
I want you out of my house, out of this county, understand?

EXT  CITY  STREET  DAY
An older TED, in his late twenties, rolling himself along in a WHEELCHAIR, his LEGS are
useless, he is dirty, poorly dressed, he pauses in a niche in a doorway, looks longingly at the
people walking by.
EXT  TWO LANE HIGHWAY  DAY
The RAMBLER is headed directly for the CONCRETE BRIDGE SIDE.  At the last possible
moment, it swerves and misses the bridge.  It comes to a stop along the side of the road.
INT  RAMBLER  DAY
TED starts to cry, tears gush from him as he lets out an agonizing cry.  He sobs for a while,
then turns to the empty seat next to him and says

Ted
Thank you

TED fastens the SEAT BELT and engages first gear.
EXT  JANET CRAWFORDS HOUSE  DAY
TEDs RAMBLER pulls up in front of the yard.  TED gets out and walks to the porch and
front door.
TED knocks on the screen door.
JANET comes to the screen, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, she opens the DOOR and
motions him in but he declines

Ted
I’d rather sit out here.

JANET walks out onto the porch, they both sit down in the rusted glider.

Janet
Well, it must be important to have you over here this early on a Sunday
morning.

Ted
I have to leave Pasco

Janet
What?

Ted
Somebody burned a cross in the front yard last night.  Papa says I have to leave as
soon as I graduate.

Janet
Oh Ted, I’m sorry, what are you going to do?

Ted
Well, I just tried to kill myself, but I couldn’t.

Janet
What?

Ted
I was gonna crash my car into a bridge, make it real messy.

Do you believe in God?

Janet
What kind of question is that, of course I do.

Ted
Well, I wasn’t sure, but something came into the car with me and I just knew that It
wasn’t my time, that crashing the car would only make things worse, maybe break my
back and be in a wheel chair the rest of my life.

Janet
Well, whatever it was, I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself.

Besides,how would you get outta here if  your smashed up your car?

They look at each other and start smiling at each other, then Ted laughs

Ted
Well, you have a point

Janet
I’ve been thinking

Ted
Yes, I smell the smoke.

Janet
Oh gosh, the cornbread

JANET jumps up, runs into the house, then comes back out again, holding a smoldering pan
of charred cornbread in two frayed oven mitts.  She sets the pan down on the edge of the
porch and sits back down on  the glider.

Ted
You were thinking?

Janet
Yes.  I have no future here, I’ve always wanted to live someplace
interesting.   All that ever happens here is gossip, poverty and ignorance.
I want out.

Ted
Like Tampa?

Janet
Try again.

Ted
I don’t know.  Where did you have in mind?

Janet
San Francisco

Ted
San Francisco, like in California?

Janet
Yes, San Francisco, like in California!!
I’ve got some money saved up,I just need a good friend to go with me so I won’t feel
so alone.  Are you game?

Ted
California?  That’s three thousand miles.

Janet
You think your car won’t make it?

Ted
Of course it’ll make it.

Janet
So, are we partners or not?

Ted
Partners!

Janet
Put er there partner.

They shake HANDS
INT  SCHOOL  CAFETERIA  DAY
TED, JANET, KEN, PHOEBE are at the usual lunch table.

Ken
So you’re going to California?
Janet
Yep
Ken
I’m jealous, I’m only going as far as Tuskegee.
Ted
Well, you can always come to live in California after medical school

KAREN YOUNG walks up to the table.  She is moving slowly, partially from her injuries,
partly from embarrassment.  She taps TED on the shoulder, TED turns around.

Karen
Excuse me, can I sit down?

Ted
Of course, here.

TED gets up so that KAREN can take his seat.  he moves to the other side of the table so he
can face her.   As they both sit down, they look at each other.

Janet
Karen, are you gonna press charges against Gary?

Karen
What good would it do?  His uncle, ole Judge Caldwell would just let him off.
Besides, I think his accident was enough of a pay back.

Ted
Accident?

Karen
Oh, that’s right, you don’t  know. He totaled his daddy’s car in a cattle loading
pen out on the river road.  It was kind of funny, the car on it’s side in about two feet of
cow shit.  I think it is the perfect picture.  He’s in traction, with both legs broken so I
guess he won’t be around to spoil graduation for the rest of us.

Janet
See Ted, I told you, there is a God.

Karen
I owe all of you an apology.

Ken
No, you don---

Karen
Yes, I really need to say this.  I’ve sat and listened to Gary go on and on for most of
this school year.  I just sat and listened to it.  Oh every now and then I would offer
half hearted protest, but mostly I just sat like a dutiful little girlfriend and put up with
it.
You know Ted Gary was the one who spread all the rumors about you all over town.

TED nods

Karen
And he let the air out of your tires.  He’s also the one who put the glue in
your locks, wrote those names on your cars with the marker.

PHOEBE and DIANE nod

Karen
He was very jealous of you Ken because you are getting a full athletic scholarship and
he’s probably going to get drafted and end up in Viet Nam because he can’t even get
into a private college, his grades are so bad.

KEN nods

Karen
Ted, I finally figured out that you never tried anything with him in the locker room,
he was just making trouble.  Actually, I’m beginning to wonder about him myself.

TED smiles

Karen
But mostly I hope you’ll all forgive me because I should have spoken up, should have
not gone along with it.  In a way, I earned this because of my silence in the face of his
awful attitude and behavior.

KAREN points to her BLACK EYE

Karen
So, I kinda deserve it for being so dense.

PHOEBE reaches across the table and takes KARENs HANDS

Phoebe
Better late that never.

Janet
So where are we having the graduation party?

Karen
My house!!

EXT  MAXWELLS  HOUSE  DAY
TED is loading the Rambler, VERNA walks up to him and gives him a large cast iron
SKILLET.

Verna

Now you take this with you for good luck.

Ted

Mamma, you’ve had that skillet longer than you’ve had pappa.

Verna
Yes, I know.  I always wanted to go west, so you can take a little piece of me  with you.

They hug.  VERNA starts to cry.

Verna
Also, take this

VERNA hands TED an old COOKBOOK

Verna
It’s got my best recipes in it, they need to stay in the family

Ted
Oh Mamma, You’re comin to see me as soon as I get settled.  It’s not like we’ll never
see each other again.

Verna
Well, I just didn’t think it’d come down like this.  Your father won’t say a word.

FRANK MAXWELL comes out of the house, carrying a new tool box.  He walks up and puts
it down on the ground in front of TED.

Frank
Well son, I thought you should have some good tools to use, you know, in case you
need to work on your car.  You did a real fine job on that engine son.  I’m proud of
you.

FRANK looks at TED
FRANKs FACE is holding back tears, he and Ted hug, then FRANK quickly walks back into
the house.
VERNA pulls out TEDs HAND and pressed a wad of money into it.

Verna
Now you take this and don’t say a word.

Ted
I love you Mamma

Verna
I love you too Ted,  God will be with you.

“Small Town Boy” by Bronski Beat begins to play.
TEDs RAMBLER pulls up to JANET CRAWFORDs HOUSE
The RAMBLER pulls away from JANETS HOUSE,
TED AND JANET in the car
THE RAMBLER passes the courthouse, the drugstore,  the high school, the armory, and
leaves town onto an open highway.

EXT ~ OPEN HIGHWAY SHOTS, GOING WEST ACROSS AMERICA

EXT  OAKLAND  BAY  BRIDGE,  DAY
The RAMBLER comes out of the TUNNEL on the islands in the middle of the bay, it motors
west toward the SAN FRANCISCO SKYLINE.

CREDITS