Rebel Without A Cause
REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
by
Stewart Stern
CAST OF CHARACTERS
JIM'S FAMILY
JIM'S GRANDMA: A chic, domineering woman in her sixties who
has made her son Frank dependent upon her for every
breath he takes. She is the irritant in the
household--the silent ruler--the silent enemy of
Frank's marriage.
JIM'S FATHER: Frank is an unfeathered man who has never been
able to have fun. He is anxious to be a real father
to Jim, but has never learned how.
JIM'S MOTHER: Tense and immature, she has never found the
husband she married. Upset by the presence of her
mother-in-law, mated with an ineffectual and joyless
man, she takes out her disappointment on him and on
her son.
JIM: The angry victim and the result. At seventeen he is
filled with confusion about his role in life. Because
of his "nowhere" father, he does not know how to be a
man. Because of his wounding mother, he anticipates
destruction in all women. And yet he wants to find a
girl who will be willing to receive his tenderness.
JUDY'S FAMILY
JUDY'S FATHER: a junior partner in a law firm. Boyish,
attractive and debonair. Because he is frightened by
the adolescence of his daughter, Judy, his only
recourse is to criticize her.
JUDY'S MOTHER: Self-centered and frightened by the coming of
middle-age. She feels that Judy's blossoming youth
is threatening her wifely position as the desirable
object of the husband's attentions.
JUDY: The victim and the result. At sixteen, she is in a
panic of frustration regarding her father--needing his
love and suffering when it is denied. This forces her
to invite the attention of other men in order to
punish him.
BEAU: Judy's brother. Because he is very young he is a
danger to nobody and thus will grow up happily--
certain of the love of his father who feels comfortable
in giving it.
PLATO: Son of a divided family--an absent father and a
traveling mother--he feels himself the target of
desertion. At fifteen he wants to find a substitute
family for himself so that he need no longer feel
cold, and especially a friend who will supply the fatherly
protection and warmth he needs and cannot find.
BUZZ: A sado-masochistic boy of seventeen, who acts out
aggressively his idea of what a man should be in order
to hide his real sensitivities and needs. He was
probably rejected by both parents and must constantly
court danger and must constantly court danger in order
to achieve any sense of prestige or personal worth.
THE KIDS
HELEN, CRUNCH, MOOSE, GOON, CHICK, COOKIE, MIL: All
searching for recognition in the only way available
to them; all suffering from unfulfilled hungers at
home; all creating an outside world of chaos in order
to bear the chaos they feel inside. They are
soldiers in search of an enemy.
FADE IN.
A deep night sky. Matte shot. Camera searches slowly
upward through the heavens and the silver tone of a bell is
heard sounding the strokes of midnight.
On the final note of the bell, camera is full on the Milky
Way and there it rests, just long enough for a burst of
Easter singing to arise. The hymn is sung by the crude,
unmatched voices of children. Camera pans down to include:
Spire of a church. Camera continues its downward pan as the
singing continues and we pass a window beyond which is the
source of the singing. Camera pans off window to show--
Long shot. City. Night. Suddenly revealed--crisp and
sparkling with lights. Camera pans down and over:
A lonely street full of parked cars. The singing diminishes
but a thread of it remains. A car has just parked. The
headlights snap off. A MAN emerges whistling the same
melody and pulls some gifts from the front seat. He slams
the door and starts down the street in the direction of a
house with bright windows. He must pass an empty lot full
of rusty grass and litter which lies in darkness between two
street lights.
As the MAN walks by the lot, still whistling, a GROUP OF
FIGURES rises silently from the grass, figures who have been
lying in concealment until now. They step noiselessly onto
the pavement and follow the MAN. At the sound of their
boots the whistling stops.
The MAN glances behind him and sees the figures walking
after him, filling the pavement. A street light shows them
to be boys and girls and all quite young. The MAN moves on
more swiftly and the sound of their pursuit increases. He
begins to run toward the lighted house and the following
steps run too. Suddenly he stops under the next street
light and turns to face the figures. They are upon him and
around him quickly. Nobody speaks for a moment, then one of
the boys grins. His name is BUZZ. He is big and filled
with an awareness of his own masculinity.
BUZZ
(friendly, cool)
That was pretty what you were
whistling. Whistle some more.
The MAN whistles a nervous phrase, trying to make a joke of
the situation which he doesn't understand.
BUZZ
(continuing; suddenly)
You got a cigarette?
MAN
Oh, I think so--
The MAN fumbles in his pocket, finds a pack and drops it in
his nervousness. The FIGURES wait until he picks it up. He
offers one to BUZZ.
MAN
(continuing)
Filter tips.
BUZZ
(smiling, encouraging)
You smoke it. Smoke it, Dad.
Smiling uncertainly, the MAN puts the cigarette in his mouth.
BUZZ, still smiling, takes out a packet of wooden matches.
BUZZ
(continuing)
I'll light it for you, Dad.
BUZZ ignites a match and holds it near the Man's face for a
second, searching it. Then he ignites the whole box under
his nose. The MAN shrieks, and his packages fall. BUZZ
slaps him sharply, his smile gone.
The camera pans away as the figures enclose him, and holds
on a small mechanical monkey which has dropped from its
wrappings. It begins to dance madly on the pavement, then
runs down.
The feet of the figures scatter past the unmoving monkey.
Then camera rises to show that the man has disappeared.
There is a moment of awful stillness, then we see a boy
coming down the street alone. He is quite drunk, and he
slips once. This is JIM, a good-looking kid of seventeen
with a crew-cut and wearing a good suit. The spilled
packages on the pavement stop him. He bends down to see
what they are and picks up the mechanical monkey from the
wreckage. He smiles and winds it up. He sets it on the
sidewalk and sits down. He watches it dance for a moment,
happily. A siren is heard distantly, growing louder. JIM
pays no attention to it as he winds the monkey again and
releases it for its dance.
SUPERIMPOSE TITLE: "REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE" STARRING ____ as
siren rises piercingly close, and JIM looks up, we:
DISSOLVE TO:
Close shot. Throbbing light of police car. Night. The
siren screaming wildly, then dying. The sound of brakes.
Camera moves to reveal the police car stopped at the
entrance of a Precinct Station. Two officers dismount,
bearing between them the struggling JIM. They bear him up
the steps and in through the double doors.
Inside precinct station. Reception area. A large open space
onto which several corridors converge. In the middle is a
Sergeant's desk, really a quadrangular counter in the center
of which the SERGEANT stands. There are a few glass-walked
interviewing rooms which open off the area, and several
benches lining the walls. The scene is one of confusion,
activity and waiting. Phones ring. The arrested pass in
custody of officers. Present among others at JIM's entrance
are: JUDY, who is blonde and sixteen. She sits on a crowded
bench wearing an expression of downcast bitterness. On a
bench across the way from her are three remarkably dirty
little Mexican children without shoes or socks. The oldest
is a BOY of four who is protecting his little SISTER who in
turn mothers an infant crying on the bench beside her.
Standing at a corner of the desk is a docile, undersized boy
of fifteen named JOHN "PLATO" CRAWFORD. He is shivering.
With him is a large NEGRO WOMAN, his maid. JIM comes
through the doors and is led to the desk. One of the
officers presents a brief report to the SERGEANT, who
examines it.
SERGEANT
Mixed up in that beating on Twelfth
Street?
OFFICER
No. Plain drunkenness.
SERGEANT
This says he was picked up there.
OFFICER
They had him on the carpet for an
hour at Headquarters. He's clear.
Plain drunkenness.
SERGEANT
Young squirt. All right--You want
to lean him against something?
Stand him over there.
The officer leads JIM to JUDY's bench and stands him against
the wall beside it.
JIM is frisked, a look of prayer on his upturned face. The
OFFICER finds the toy monkey in his pocket and would take
it, but when JIM asks to keep it, the OFFICER hands it back
and moves away. Another officer enters and leads the
prisoner who is sitting next to JUDY into another room. JIM
sits beside her. He smiles at her but receives only a
chilling look. He winds the monkey up and sets it dancing
on the floor, but she is not amused. Camera pans to show
others reacting to the monkey with pleasure. We see PLATO
look up and smile a little. Camera stops on the MEXICAN
CHILDREN who are smiling too. A bald JUVENILE OFFICER named
GENE, squats before them, smiling.
GENE
You going to tell me your name now?
The little boy shakes his head.
LITTLE BOY
(touching GENE's bald pate)
Where's your hair?
GENE
It's all gone.
LITTLE BOY
Did you get a haircut?
GENE
No--it just fell out!
LITTLE BOY
(sympathetically)
Aw--
GENE laughs as another Juvenile Officer enters and pauses to
look at the children. His name is RAY.
RAY
What gang does he belong to?
GENE
Give him a couple of years.
RAY
Where's your mamma, honey?
LITTLE BOY
I don't know.
RAY and GENE exchange looks, then RAY moves across to JUDY--
camera following. He looks down at her, consults the file
in his hand.
RAY
Judy--we're ready for you now.
JUDY
(a mumble)
He hates me.
RAY
What?
JUDY
He hates me.
She rises. RAY leads her to one of the glass-walled offices.
Camera moves with them. JIM watches them go.
RAY
What makes you think he hates you,
Judy?
JUDY
I don't think. I know. He looks
at me like I'm the ugliest thing in
the world. He doesn't like my
friends--he--
RAY leads her into the office.
Inside small office as JUDY comes in, RAY following. He
indicates a chair for her while he sits down behind a desk.
JUDY
(continuing)
He doesn't like anything about me--
he calls me--he calls me--
She starts to cry. She doesn't hide it, but keeps wiping
the tears with the palms of her hands.
RAY
He makes you feel pretty unhappy?
JUDY
(crying)
He calls me a dirty tramp--my own
father!
RAY
Do you think your father means that?
JUDY
Yes! I don't know! I mean maybe
he doesn't mean it but he acts like
he does. We're altogether and
we're going to celebrate Easter and
catch a double bill. Big deal. So
I put on my new dress and I came
out and he--
RAY
That one?
JUDY
Yes--he started yelling for a
handkerchief--screaming. He
grabbed my face and he rubbed all
my lipstick off--he rubbed till I
thought I wouldn't have any lips
left. And all the time yelling at
me--that thing--the thing I told
you he called me. Then I ran out
of the house.
RAY
Is that why you were wandering
around at one o'clock in the morning?
JUDY
I was just talking a walk. I tried
to call the kids but everybody was
out and I couldn't find them. I
hate my life. I just hate it.
RAY
You weren't looking for company,
were you?
JUDY
No.
RAY
Did you stop to talk to anyone,
Judy?
(she is silent)
Do you enjoy that?
JUDY
No. I don't even know why I do it.
RAY
Do you think you can get back at
your Dad that way? I mean
sometimes if we can't get as close
to somebody as we'd like we have to
try making them jealous--so they'll
have to pay attention. Did you
ever think of that?
JUDY
I'll never get close to anybody.
RAY
Some kids stomped a man on Twelfth
Street, Judy.
JUDY
You know where they picked me up!
Twelfth Street! I wasn't even near
there!
RAY
Would you like to go home if we can
arrange it?
(no answer; to WOMAN OFFICER)
Did you notify the parents?
WOMAN OFFICER
She wouldn't give me their number.
RAY
What's your number, Judy? We'll
see if your Dad will come and get you.
JUDY looks up hopefully.
RAY
Unless you really don't want to go
home.
(silence)
Would you rather stay here?
Camera moves close on JUDY. She looks up and speaks very
quietly.
JUDY
Lexington 05549.
The wail of a siren is heard. JUDY looks off through the
glass wall toward JIM. RAY is heard dialing.
Med. shot. JIM's bench. JIM sits with his head back, eyes
closed. As the siren mounts louder, JIM opens his mouth and
imitates it--a long, forlorn wail.
Med. shot, PLATO and NEGRO WOMAN. PLATO smiles faintly and
moves out toward JIM, NEGRO WOMAN following. Camera pans
with them. PLATO sits by JIM. She stands over them. JIM's
wailing continues.
Med. shot. JIM, PLATO, NEGRO WOMAN. An OFFICER moves into
shot.
OFFICER
Hey!
JIM continues for a moment.
OFFICER
(continuing)
Hey! That's enough static out of you.
JIM
Want me to imitate a stupid cop?
OFFICER
Cut it out now. I'm warning you.
JIM
Yes, ma'am.
The OFFICER moves out. The NEGRO WOMAN bends over PLATO who
is shivering violently.
NEGRO WOMAN
You shivering, John? You cold?
PLATO shakes his head. JIM notices him.
JIM
Want my jacket?
PLATO looks up at JIM.
JIM
(continuing)
You want my jacket? It's warm.
PLATO wants it but shakes his head "no."
Full shot. JUDY's office. RAY and JUDY seated as before.
JUDY is still gazing through the glass.
RAY
Your mother will be down in a few
minutes, Judy--
JUDY
(clearing)
What?
RAY
Your mother will be down in a few
minutes.
JUDY
(startled)
My mother?
RAY signals to a WOMAN OFFICER just outside and leads JUDY
to the door.
Outside door as RAY turns JUDY over to the WOMAN OFFICER.
RAY
She's being called for.
JUDY
You said you'd call my father.
RAY
Goodbye, Judy. Take it easy.
JUDY doesn't answer. RAY goes back inside as camera leads
the WOMAN OFFICER and JUDY past JIM's bench. Camera stops
on JIM, PLATO and the NEGRO WOMAN. JIM stares at JUDY and
whistles but gets no reaction. GENE enters and comes to the
NEGRO WOMAN.
GENE
John Crawford?
NEGRO WOMAN
Yes, sir.
GENE
Come with me, John.
PLATO rises and goes with GENE, the NEGRO WOMAN following.
JIM is alone. He closes his eyes, throws his head back and
gives another siren wail as camera moves close on his face.
MOTHER (O.S.)
Jim!
JIM looks up suddenly, scared. Then he smiles mysteriously
and staggers to his feet.
Low angle. Tight three. JIM's parents and grandma framed
in the doorway, frozen. They are all dressed in evening
clothes. The MOTHER is a very chic but rather hard-faced
woman. The FATHER is an unfeathered man. The GRANDMA is
the smallest, also very chic and very bright-eyed.
Med. shot. JIM as he faces them.
JIM
Happy Easter.
Tight shot. The family.
MOTHER
Where were you tonight? They
called us at the club and I got the
fright of my life!
Silence.
FATHER
Where were you tonight, Jimbo?
Close shot. JIM. He says nothing.
Close shot. FATHER laughing uncomfortably.
Med. shot. JIM.
JIM
You think I'm funny?
JIM turns suddenly and walks to the glass wall of the office
behind which PLATO, the NEGRO WOMAN and GENE are visible.
He looks through the glass partition which separates him
from PLATO.
JIM
(continuing)
Why didn't you take my jacket?
Inside office. JIM is seen through the glass. He moves
away. PLATO is still shivering, cracking his knuckles.
GENE
Do you know why you shot those
puppies, John?
(silence)
Is that what they call you or do
you have a nickname?
PLATO
(a murmur)
Plato.
NEGRO WOMAN
You talk to the man nice now, hear?
He's going to help you.
PLATO
Nobody can help me.
GENE
Can you tell me why you killed the
puppies, Plato?
PLATO
No, sir. I just went next door to
look at them like I always do.
They were nursing on their mother
and I did it. I guess I'm just no
good?
GENE
What do you think's going to
happen, you do things like that?
PLATO
I don't know. End up in the
electric chair?
GENE
Where did you get the gun?
PLATO
In my mother's drawer.
NEGRO WOMAN
She keep it to protect herself, sir.
She scared without a man in the house.
GENE
Where's your mother tonight, Plato?
PLATO
She's away.
NEGRO WOMAN
Seems like she's always going
somewhere. She got a sister in
Chicago and she go for the holiday.
She says her sister is all the
family she has.
GENE
Where's your father?
PLATO is silent.
NEGRO WOMAN
They not together, sir. We don't
see him in a long time now.
GENE
Do you hear from him, son?
PLATO looks up as JIM and his family move into the next
office. JIM smiles at PLATO, who returns it feebly, then
looks away--embarrassed.
GENE
You know if the boy ever talked to
a psychiatrist?
PLATO
(smiling a bit)
Head-shrinker?
NEGRO WOMAN
(laughing)
Oh, Mrs. Crawford don't believe in
them!
GENE
Well maybe she better start.
Other office. JIM, his parents, GRANDMA and RAY are
gathered in the small room. JIM is humming THE RIDE OF THE
VALKRYIES to himself as if he had absolutely no interest in
what is happening around him. RAY suspects this is
something more than mere disinterest, so lets the humming go
on, in order to discover its real purpose. GRANDMA watches
everything like a tennis match, reacting with soft little
sounds of terror or astonishment or sympathy. No one pays
any attention to her. For a moment no one talks. RAY
watches JIM as he hums. Then the FATHER shakes his head and
looks up.
FATHER
I don't see what's so bad about
taking a little drink.
RAY
You don't?
FATHER
No. I definitely don't. I did the
sa--
RAY
He's a minor, Mr. Stark, and it
looks to me like he had more than a
little drink.
FATHER
(chuckling)
Say, listen--
MOTHER
(to JIM: in intimate,
half-humorous disapproval)
Jim--don't hum.
JIM merely rolls his eyes at her, then away--but continues
his humming.
FATHER
I guess I cut pretty loose in my
day too.
MOTHER
Really, Frank? When was that?
FATHER
Listen--can't you wait till we get
home?
RAY
Whoa! Whoa! I know you're a
little upset but--
FATHER
Sorry.
RAY
What about you, Jim? Got anything
to say for yourself?
JIM stops humming and shrugs.
RAY
Not interested, huh?
JIM shakes his head.
MOTHER
Can't you answer? What's the
matter with you anyhow?
FATHER
He's just loaded, honey.
MOTHER
I was talking to Jim.
FATHER
(to RAY)
Let me just explain to you--we just
moved here, y'understand? The kid
has no friends yet and--
JIM
Tell him why we moved here.
FATHER
Hold it, Jim.
JIM
You can't protect me.
FATHER
(to JIM)
You mind if I try? You have to
slam the door in my face?
(to RAY)
I try to get to him--what happens?
(to JIM)
Don't I give you everything you
want? A bicycle--you get a bicycle.
A car--
JIM
You buy me many things. Thank you.
FATHER
Not just buy! You hear all this
talk about not lovely your kids
enough. We give you love and
affection, don't we?
Silence; JIM is fighting his emotion but his eyes grow wet.
FATHER
Then what is it? I can't even
touch you anymore but you pull away.
I want to understand you. Why'd
you get drunk? You must have had a
reason.
JIM stares straight ahead, trying not to listen.
FATHER
Was it because we went to that
party?
(silence)
You know what kind of drunken
brawls those parties turn into--
it's no place for kids.
MOTHER
A minute ago you said you didn't
care if he drinks.
GRANDMA
He said a little drink.
JIM
(exploding)
You're tearing me apart!
MOTHER
What?
JIM
Stop tearing me apart! You say one
thing and he says another and then
everybody changes back--
MOTHER
That's a fine way to behave!
GRANDMA
(smiling)
Well you know who he takes after!
RAY
Outside, Jim. Come outside.
RAY pushes him out the door firmly, and into office vacated
by PLATO and GENE.
RAY
Excuse us a minute?
FATHER
(very overwrought)
Sure. Sure.
GENE's office. RAY and JIM alone.
JIM
Someone should put poison in her
epsom salts.
RAY
Grandma?
No answer. JIM turns away from RAY.
JIM
Get lost.
RAY
Hang loose, boy. I'm warning you.
JIM
Wash up and go home.
RAY
Big tough character. You don't kid
me, pal. How come you're not
wearing your boots?
Suddenly JIM flings himself at RAY who deftly flips him past
and drops him near the desk.
RAY
(continuing)
Too bad you didn't connect. You
could have gone to Juvenile Hall.
That's what you want, isn't it?
JIM
No.
RAY
Sure it is. You want to bug us
till we have to lock you up. Why?
JIM
Leave me alone.
RAY
No.
JIM
I don't know why--!
RAY
Go on--don't give me that. Someone
giving you hard looks?
JIM
I just get so--
(fighting tears)
Boy, sometimes the temperature goes
way up.
RAY
(suddenly gentle)
Okay. Okay. Let it out.
JIM starts crying.
RAY
You feel like you want to blow your
wheels right now?
JIM
All the time! I don't know what
gets into me--but I keep looking
for trouble and I always--I swear
you better lock me up. I'm going
to smash somebody--I know it.
RAY
Try the desk.
JIM smashes his fist against it, letting loose for a moment.
RAY watches, then sits near him.
RAY
That why you moved from the last
town? 'Cause you were in trouble?
You can talk about it if you want
to--I know about it anyway.
Routine check.
JIM
And they think they are protecting
my by moving.
RAY
You were getting a good start in
the wrong direction back there.
Why did you do it?
JIM
Mess that kid up?
RAY just nods.
JIM
(continuing)
He called me chicken.
RAY
And your folks didn't understand?
JIM
They never do.
RAY
So then you moved?
JIM
They think I'll make friends if we
move. Just move and everything'll
be roses and sunshine.
RAY
But you don't think that's a solution.
JIM is silent; he picks at his nails.
RAY
(continuing)
Things pretty tough for you at home?
JIM
She eats him alive and he takes it.
JIM stares at his family through hole in door.
JIM
What a zoo!
RAY
What?
JIM
A zoo. He always wants to be my
pal, you know? But how can I give
him anything when he's--I mean I
love him and I don't want to hurt
him--but I don't know what to do
anymore except maybe die.
RAY
Pretty mixed up?
JIM
If he could--
RAY
"If he could" what? You mean your
father?
JIM
I mean if he had the guts to knock
Mom cold once I bet she'd be happy
and I bet she'd stop picking. They
make mush out of him. Just mush.
One thing I know is I never want to
be like him.
RAY
(interrupts)
Chicken?
JIM
I bet you see right through me,
don't you?
RAY shrugs.
JIM
How can anyone grow up in this circus?
RAY
You got me, Jim--but they do. Want
some water?
JIM
(as RAY gets a cup of
water from cooler)
Boy--if I had one day when I didn't
have to be all confused and ashamed
of everything--or I felt I belonged
some place.
RAY
(giving him water)
Here. Look, will you do something
for me? If the pot starts boiling
again, will you come and see me
before you get yourself in a jam?
Even if you just want to talk--come
in and shoot the breeze. It's
easier sometimes than talking to
your folks.
JIM
Okay--
RAY
Any time--day or night. You calmed
down enough to go back now?
JIM
(smiling)
You serious?
RAY smiles and opens the door.
RAY's office as JIM comes towards his MOTHER and forces
himself to kiss her.
JIM
I'm sorry.
MOTHER
All right, darling.
She rises and takes his arm. They start out through the
door into the hall, followed by GRANDMA and FATHER.
GRANDMA
(to RAY)
This was all very unfortunate, but
he made a mistake and he's sorry--
so we're not going to have any more
trouble. He's always been a lovely
boy--
JIM
Lovely! Grandma--if you tell
another lie you're going to turn to
stone.
RAY
Luck, Jim. Don't forget.
FATHER
(offering RAY three cigars)
Have some cigars.
RAY
No thanks, I don't smoke.
FATHER
Go on--Give 'em to your friends.
RAY
No--thanks, very much, Mr. Stark.
MOTHER
Frank--he doesn't want any.
JIM grins at RAY who nods. They all leave. RAY looking
after them, shakes his head and lights a cigarette. We see
JIM and his family pass through the main door. Waiting to
enter, in the custody of some uniformed police, are BUZZ and
the kids we saw at the opening, sullen and truculent. As
they march into the lobby and JIM grows smaller in the
distance, the music comes up and out.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
Low angle. Alley. Morning. A rabbit comes running down
the alley followed by a group of young kids, screaming with
pleasure.
As camera pans with the group, the littlest, a boy of five,
stops near us looking after the disappearing group. The
shouts of the children wane.
JUDY rushes out from a backyard beyond him. She is carrying
school books and a bag lunch. She wears a polo coat against
the winter wind.
JUDY
(yelling)
Beau!
The boy, who is her brother, BEAU, looks up but doesn't move.
JUDY stops at her gate. A car careens down the alley, past
him.
Long shot. JUDY and BEAU seen through a window in JIM's
house. JIM is in f.g. looking out through the curtains. He
smiles.
JUDY
(yelling)
What are you trying to do, get
yourself killed?
BEAU
(laughing)
Yes!
MOTHER (O.S.)
Your eggs are on the table, dear.
JIM turns from window and passes camera.
Full shot JIM's dining room. The MOTHER is just settling a
plate of eggs at JIM's place. They FATHER is seated,
drinking coffee and looking at the newspaper. GRANDMA comes
in from kitchen. JIM is neatly dressed in tie, tweed jacket
and slacks.
MOTHER
(continuing)
Sit down and eat--you'll be late.
JIM
(approaching table)
It'd stick in my throat, Mom. I'm
nervous or something--
GRANDMA
It's a wonder we don't all have TB
or some other terrible disease
after living in all those smokey
cities!
MOTHER
Well, drink your milk anyhow.
GRANDMA
(muttering)
There aren't so many factories here.
FATHER
Mother--
JIM
(still standing; he drinks)
You make any sandwiches?
FATHER
My first day of school, mother'd
make me eat and by golly I could
never even swallow till recess--
MOTHER
(bringing bag of
lunch from buffet)
There's nothing to be nervous about.
Here's peanut butter and meat loaf--
JIM makes a mouth-stuck-together-with-peanut-butter sound.
GRANDMA
What did I tell you? Peanut butter!
MOTHER
Well, there's a thermos of orange
juice and some apple-sauce cake in
the wax paper to wash it down.
GRANDMA
I baked that!
JIM
(kisses her cheek)
'Bye, Mom.
MOTHER
Goodbye, dear.
FATHER
(rising)
So long, young fella. Knock 'em
dead, like your old man used to!
JIM
Sure--
(gets to door and turns)
You know something? I have a
feeling we're going to stay here.
FATHER
And listen--watch out about the
pals you choose--Know what I mean?
Don't let them choose you--
But JIM is on his way out.
Full shot. JIM's backyard as JIM comes out of the kitchen
door into the early sunshine.
JUDY (O.S.)
Come out of the alley, Beau! This
is the last time I'm going to call
you.
JIM blinks, pauses and sees JUDY. He takes off his tie and
puts it in his pocket. Then he starts across the backyard,
camera panning with him to:
Full shot. The Alley with JIM coming out his gate, JUDY and
BEAU visible beyond. He stops again.
JUDY
Beau! All right--go to school alone!
She starts down the alley. BEAU skips after her and starts
tightrope-walking the gutter gravel.
JIM
(calling)
Hey!
JUDY glances at him briefly, but continues. JIM follows a
few yards, but on his side of the alley.
JIM
(continuing)
Hey, didn't I see you before some
place?
JUDY ignores him, but something self-conscious happens to
her walk. JIM runs across the alley.
Med. shot. JUDY stopping as JIM enters. BEAU tight-rope
walking on down the hill.
JIM
Hi. I saw you before.
JUDY
Bully for you.
JIM
You don't have to be unfriendly.
JUDY
Now that's true!
JIM
(smiling)
See?
JUDY
"Life is crushing in on me."
JIM
(smiling)
"Life can be beautiful." Hey, I
know where it was.
JUDY
Where what was.
JIM
Where I saw you.
(no answer)
Everything going okay now?
(no answer)
You live around here?
JUDY
(relieved)
Who lives?
JIM
See, I'm new.
JUDY
Won't mother be proud.
JIM
You're really flipped--aren't you.
JUDY looks up a little surprised.
JIM
(continuing)
Where's Dawson High School?
JUDY
You going there?
JIM
Yeah--why--
JUDY
Dig the square wardrobe!
JIM
(defensively)
Yeah. So where's the high school?
JUDY
(softer)
University and 10th--Want to carry
my books?
An auto horn, stuck, in the distance.
JIM
I was just getting my car. I could
take you.
The horn approaches, loud.
JUDY
The kids take me.
JIM
Oh.
Another angle. JIM and JUDY as the car, horn blowing,
wheels into view above them and comes careening into the
alley. JUDY sees it and moves a step away from JIM.
JUDY
I'll bet you're a real yo yo.
JIM
A what?
JUDY
(yelling over horn)
Goodbye! See you!
JIM
(yelling)
I'm not so bad.
JUDY is moving toward the car.
Med. shot. Car full of kids as it comes to a jolting stop
near JUDY. The boys wear suede coats, leather jackets,
black peggers, boots. Their clothing is not uniform--it is
the air they assume which is uniform: swaggering, self-
conscious, piratical. Someone is always combing his hair.
The driver is BUZZ, whom we recognize as the leader of the
stomp gang we met on Easter. He wears a leather jacket.
With him are CHICK, a slight bespectacled lad; CRUNCH,
BUZZ's first lieutenant; COOKIE, a hanger-on; GOON, a
character; and the girls HELEN and MILLIE. The kids are
screaming as BUZZ jams on the brakes. JUDY comes forward.
JIM hangs back.
BUZZ
Stella-a-a-a!
JUDY comes to them quickly, smiling.
JUDY
Steady Marlon!
BUZZ
Wanna make the colored lights go
around and around?
JUDY and BUZZ kiss ardently and without love. JIM goes for
his car.
BUZZ
(looks after JIM then
at JUDY)
What's that?
JUDY
A new disease.
BUZZ
(a little suspicious)
Friend of yours?
JUDY
I'm glad they let you out.
BUZZ
Nobody chickened.
JUDY
I heard about it. You're lucky he
lived.
BUZZ
They always live.
During this JIM has gotten his car and has driven up.
JIM
Where's University and 10th?
JUDY
(pointing right)
That way!
CHICK
(pointing left)
That way!
BUZZ
(pointing up)
That way!
Simultaneously, the kids laugh wildly. The radio blares.
JUDy lays her head on BUZZ's shoulder and his arm goes
around her as the car zooms away. JIM looks after them a
moment, then follows.
DISSOLVE TO:
Close shot. Bicycle rack. Wheels spin in, one after
another and drive straight into their slots. As the nearest
bike moves in:
Med. shot. PLATO just getting off his motor scooter. He
comes forward, passes camera which pans with him then
stops--as the school is suddenly revealed. Music starts
with a crash and keeps mounting through the following.
PLATO sighs and moves away from us to join the parade of
students filling the Main approach.
Parking lot as cars scream into their places noisily. JIM
gets out of one and comes forward. A motorcycle roars by,
just missing him. JIM stares off and starts to move as
camera pans with him to:
Another angle. School. Another crash of music. JIM moves
toward the parade.
Full shot. Mid-way down main approach. A number of kids
pass, gossiping happily as they greet each other for the
first time since vacation. Camera searches over them and
stops upon our special group moving toward us--BUZZ, JUDY
and the rest, all abreast. Others must park at their
passage or be elbowed out of the way, staring resentfully,
but not daring to challenge the group's priority. PLATO
runs forward, past them.
Door from within bouncing from hand to hand as students
enter. PLATO moves through the door and disappears in a
milling of kids. JUDY enters with her group and moves on
with them.
Med. shot. Monitor (inside corridor). The Monitor is an
athletic letter-sweater boy with an arm brassard that bears
the letters "HC". Kids pour past him. JIM enters.
JIM
Hi--can you tell we where I go?
I'm just starting here.
MONITOR
(pointing at brassard)
Mr. Bassett's office--203. He'll
tell you where your home room is--
JIM
Thanks a lot.
JIM moves out.
Angle shot. Corridor. Shooting past a row of steel lockers.
The clash and slam of doors as kids throw in coats, pull out
books and primp for the day ahead. PLATO comes to his
locker, which is the nearest, and opens it.
Full shot. Corridor. JIM moves toward us from the distance.
Crowded at the entrance to a classroom in f.g. are JUDY and
her pals. They are sneaking a smoke, passing the cigarette
from one cupped hand to another. As JIM comes near, JUDY
sees him. So do the others. They fold their arms across
their chests and whistle "We are the girls of the
institute"--all but JUDY. JIM glances at her and continues
on past camera. A bell starts ringing crazily over the music.
Close shot. PLATO. He is straightening his tie in the
mirror. Above it, pasted to the locker door, is a still of
Alan Ladd. In the mirror we can see JIM moving past. PLATO
sees him too. He wheels around and stares.
PLATO
(to himself)
Hi.
The strident music of the students diminishes. The ringing
of the bell stops. There remain only JIM's footsteps.
Long shot. JIM moving off down the corridor. PLATO is in
f.g. looking after him. He slams his locker and starts
after JIM, moving at the same speed and hovering near the
wall. The footsteps of the two boys echo stonily. They are
alone. JIM stops at a bulletin board near a bend in the
corridor. PLATO stops too.
Bulletin board. JIM looking at the notices. PLATO drifts
in several yards away and hangs near the wall watching JIM
who doesn't see him. JIM reads:
Insert: Bulletin board, "Attention All Juniors and Seniors"--
Planetarium field trip--2 pm--Sharp!"
Another angle. JIM and PLATO as JIM turns from bulletin
board and starts away.
PLATO
(clearing his throat)
Hi.
JIM
Hi there.
PLATO
You remember me?
JIM
No. I don't think so--
PLATO
I'm sorry--I made a mistake.
JIM starts toward camera as PLATO after another look, turns
in the opposite direction and walks away from us, smashing
his fist against the wall as he goes. JIM stops, full in
camera. His face clouds, trying to remember. He turns full
around to look after PLATO, then turns back and continues on
his way. The footsteps fade.
DISSOLVE TO:
Full shot. Planetarium seen from the parking lot--a great
dome crowns it--the city lies below. Camera picks up JIM's
car maneuvering through the crowded lot. In b.g. a few
other late-comers are dashing up steps to Planetarium. JIM
drives into a small lot behind observator, parks, then runs
to observatory entrance.
Full shot. Lobby as JIM runs through, opens door of theater
and passes inside.
Long shot. Sky full of stars seen past JIM's head.
Darkness. This is not our sky. It is a replica of it
projected onto the dome of the Planetarium. The stars slide
their tentative ways in an ever-changing pattern. One of
them is much larger than the rest and increases in size as
we watch. Music of the spheres is heard--a high threatening
tremolo.
LECTURER (O.S.)
For many days before the end of our
earth people will look into the
night sky and notice a star,
increasingly bright and increasingly
near.
JIM looks around for a seat and passes down aisle. Seen
beyond him is the projector, moving slowly, its great dumb-
bell head sparkling with pin-points of light. JIM takes a
seat in front row. PLATO, in the row behind him, moves over
a seat to be nearer. They exchange looks.
Full shot. Normal students watching intently.
LECTURER (O.S.)
As this star approaches us, the
weather will change. The great
polar fields of the north and south
will rot and divide, and the seas
will turn warmer.
Low angle. LECTURER. A dry, elderly man in a stiff white
collar. He is seated at a desk, the light from the reading
lamp spilling upward onto his face.
LECTURER
The last of us search the heavens
and stand amazed. For the stars
will still be there, moving through
their ancient rhythms.
Angle shot. Students. Some watching, some taking notes.
An OLD LADY TEACHER in f.g. taps the heads of two kids in
the row before her. They stop their whispering. She smiles
at them.
LECTURER (O.S.)
The familiar constellations that
illuminate our night will seem as
they have always seemed, eternal,
unchanged and little moved by the
shortness of time between our
planet's birth and its demise.
Med. shot. PLATO staring upward.
LECTURER (O.S.)
Orion, the Hunter.
PLATO looks off.
Med. shot. JIM (from PLATO's angle). JIM is seated in the
row ahead of PLATO. His lips are parted as he looks up.
JIM
Boy!
PLATO
(leaning forward)
What?
JIM
(surprised)
Once you been up there, you know
you been some place!
LECTURER (O.S.)
Gemini, the Twins.
Two shot. JUDY and BUZZ. BUZZ has his arm around her. He
is nuzzling her ear. She is blandly watching the dome.
LECTURER (O.S.)
(continuing)
Cancer, the Crab.
BUZZ pokes JUDY who looks at him. He curves his wrist
toward her, opening and closing his first two fingers like
the pincers of a crab.
BUZZ
I'm a crab!
She laughs. So do the others.
Med. shot. JIM (PLATO behind). Seen from JUDY's angle. JIM
turns at the sound of the laughter, and smiles.
LECTURER (O.S.)
Taurus, the Bull.
JIM
(in good imitation)
Moo!
He waits for approval.
Angle shot. JUDY, BUZZ and group (seen from JIM's angle).
He is in f.g. They are staring at him. Nobody laughs.
CRUNCH
(flat)
Yeah, moo.
BUZZ
Moo. That's real cute. Moo.
GOON
Hey, he's real rough--
CRUNCH
I bet he fights with cows.
BUZZ
Moo.
They turn from him. JIM withers and looks front. JUDY
smiles a little and looks away so the others cannot notice
her amusement.
LECTURER (O.S.)
Sagittarius and Aries--all as they
have ever been.
PLATO leans in and touches JIM's shoulder, lightly at first,
then harder. JIM turns to him.
PLATO
You shouldn't monkey with him.
JIM
What?
PLATO
He's a wheel. So's she. It's hard
to make friends with them.
JIM
I don't want to make friends.
He turns back, unhappy at having revealed himself.
Another shot. JUDY, BUZZ, CRUNCH. JIM seen in b.g. The
kids are whispering among themselves and pointing at JIM,
who looks up and notices. He is getting uncomfortable.
LECTURER (O.S.)
And while the flash of our
beginning has not yet traveled the
light years into distance--
Full shot. The dome. The star rushes nearer, looming
larger and larger. The music rises in tension and volume.
LECTURER (O.S.)
Has not yet been seen by planets
deep within the other galaxies, we
will disappear into the blackness
of the space from which we came.
Two shot. JIM and PLATO staring upward, cringing back into
their seats as the light on their faces increases. Music is
up loud.
Full shot. The dome seen past PLATO's head. The heavens
grow brighter as the star plummets near. Music at crescendo.
LECTURER (O.S.)
Destroyed as we began in a burst of
gas and fire.
The sky is blasted by a wild flash of light. Music reaches
explosion. The stars appear again.
Moving shot. Faces of normal kids watching seriously--very
impressed.
LECTURER (O.S.)
(continuing)
The heavens are still and cold once
more. In all the complexity of our
universe and the galaxies beyond,
the Earth will not be missed.
Med. shot. JIM and PLATO looking up.
LECTURER (O.S.)
Through the infinite reaches of
space, the problems of Man seem
trivial and naive indeed. And Man,
existing alone, seems to be an
episode of little consequences.
PLATO ducks his head down on the back of JIM's chair. JIM
looks at him.
LECTURER (O.S.)
That's all. Thank you very much.
The lights go on. The rustle and confusion of kids
stretching after sitting too long. Scattered applause. JIM
rises and ruffles PLATO's hair.
JIM
Hey, it's over. The world ended.
PLATO looks up at him.
PLATO
What does he know about Man alone?
Med. shot. LECTURER as he reaches over and turns a dial.
"Morning Song" by Grieg comes on softly.
Low angle. OLD LADY TEACHER rising. She stares around at
the bustling students and claps her hands sharply, but the
noise is barely heard above the tumult.
TEACHER
(shrill)
May I have your attention? May I
please have your attention?
Classes will meet at the busses
outside. May I have your attention?
(to herself)
The heck with it.
She picks up her coat and bag.
Planetarium parking lot. School busses and autos, some new
and some heaps, are parked in f.g. Beyond is the dome of
the Planetarium. Kids mill about, some already driving off
in their cars. One bus, already full, pulls past camera.
Med. shot. Front of bus seen from within. Driver in f.g.
Kids swarm up the steps and enter. PLATO is among them, but
keeps looking back for JIM. PLATO boards the bus and pauses
near the driver to peer through windshield. His face clouds.
Long shot. JUDY and group. Seen from PLATO's angle through
windshield. They are standing idly in a loose line near
BUZZ's car. They are looking back toward Planetarium.
Med. shot. Front of bus, seen from within. PLATO turns
suddenly and pushes his way past the kids who are boarding.
PLATO
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Full shot. Parking lot. Bus in f.g. Beyond it JUDY and
the group are visible. PLATO squeezes out.
MALE TEACHER
John, where you going?
PLATO
I forgot something. I'll get a hitch.
PLATO moves quickly past the teacher who climbs in. The
door slams, the bus moves away. PLATO stops and looks after
it. The last cars are clearing the lot. Only JIM's and
BUZZ's remain. PLATO looks at the small, waiting group.
Med. shot. The group seen from the rear. PLATO in the
distance facing them.
BUZZ
What you looking at?
Med. shot. PLATO wild-eyed with fear.
PLATO
Nothing.
He runs off, camera panning with him. His goal is the
Planetarium Entrance, visible beyond. He races toward it
frantically.
Med. shot. The group looking off after PLATO. BUZZ,
nearest camera, pulls a switch-knife from his pocket and
pops the long blade open. JUDY stares at it, then looks up
at BUZZ apprehensively. CRUNCH sits down on the bumper and
lights a cigarette.
Display lobby. Planetarium as PLATO rushes in, out of
breath, stops and looks around. In distance he sees JIM
leaning over the pendulum pit, smoking quietly. PLATO
doesn't move. JIM hasn't even looked up.
PLATO
(screaming as if he
were yelling "fire!")
What's your name!
JIM
Jim. What's yours?
PLATO
(a little quieter)
Plato. It's a nickname.
JIM nods. PLATO goes over to him, camera following, until
they are close together, both leaning over the rail.
PLATO
Listen, I told you not to fool with
them. Now they're waiting for you.
JIM
I know. That's why I came back.
PLATO
You scared?
JIM
I just don't want trouble.
PLATO
He has a knife.
JIM
I saw it. Gee, look at that thing
swing, will you? Do you think it
never stops?
PLATO
No. It's perpetual motion.
JIM
Oh, I bet some little guy comes in
here at night and pushes it. Go-
go-go!
PLATO walks cautiously to the door and starts outside,
camera following.
Long shot. Kids (corner of Observatory) with PLATO leaning
out of door, seeing them, pulling back quickly.
Inside display lobby as PLATO pulls back through the door.
JIM seems to have disappeared. PLATO stares around frightened.
PLATO
Jim?
JIM is looking at another exhibit whose mechanical voice is
heard.
JIM
I'm here.
PLATO
(coming with him)
They're still there!
JIM nods. They watch the exhibit a while longer.
PLATO
Jim--Do you think when the end of
the world comes it'll be at night?
JIM
No. In the morning.
PLATO looks up questioning. JIM smiles and shrugs.
JIM
I just have a feeling.
They start moving, camera leading.
PLATO
If you don't want trouble, I know a
place we can go--
JIM looks up at him.
PLATO
It's a big mansion and we could
sneak around there and they
wouldn't even know. You could be
safe--
They turn a corner quickly.
Doors to balcony (from inside) as JIM and PLATO come to them
from behind camera, fling the doors open and step outside.
Balcony as JIM and PLATO come onto it, lean on the parapet.
PLATO points off.
PLATO
There it is.
High long shot. Mansion. (Matte). It is falling into
elegant ruin, casting long afternoon shadows on the great
lawns and promenades.
Closeup PLATO looking urgently at JIM.
PLATO
Should we go?
Two shot. JIM and PLATO. PLATO's back is to us. JIM looks
past him and sees something.
JIM
(quietly)
The shadows are getting long.
PLATO turns to look too.
Long high shot. Parking lot. JIM's car is where he left it.
Into the driveway, like logs driven before a sea, the
shadows of the waiting kids appear and advance until the
kids themselves come into view. They pause there a moment,
then look up.
HELEN
(smiling)
Le soleil tombe dans la mer.
Laughter. The kids scatter along the wall at the foot of
the balcony stairs. BUZZ goes to JIM's car, knife in hand,
and stands silently.
Low angle. Two shot. JIM and PLATO staring down from
balcony parapet. At last JIM moves out past camera.
Low angle. Long shot. JIM and PLATO. JUDY in f.g. The
two boys walk down the stairs. Camera pans with them as
they reach parking lot level and start walking past other
members of the group.
Traveling shot. JIM and PLATO coming forward.
Dolly shot. BUZZ from JIM's angle. As camera moves in
toward BUZZ standing alone at the car, he suddenly bends
down and slashes JIM's tire. Camera stops. There is the
hiss of air escaping. BUZZ straightens and smiles past camera.
Close shot. JIM inhaling sharply in shock and suppressed
anger.
Full shot over JIM's car. Group in b.g. motionless. JIM
and PLATO approach the car. JIM stops and looks down. BUZZ
stands smiling and puts away the knife.
Close shot. Rear wheel. The tire slashed, the wheel rests
on the ground.
Full shot. Car. Shooting between group and BUZZ toward
backs of JIM and PLATO, who are looking down at car which
rests on its rims. JIM turns and moves toward group. He
stops, looks from one to the other and smiles nervously.
Then he looks straight at BUZZ.
JIM
(wearily)
You know something?
BUZZ
What?
JIM
(reproachfully)
You watch too much television.
Med. shot. The group and JIM. JUDY has come to BUZZ,
stands on the wall above him.
BUZZ
Hey, he's real abstract and different.
JIM
I'm cute, too.
Suddenly GOON starts clucking softly like a chicken. One by
one the others pick it up. BUZZ, the last, crows. Silence.
Med. shot. The group and JIM.
JIM
Meaning me?
BUZZ
What?
JIM
Chicken?
The group gives a quick, short laugh.
Med. shot. JIM as he takes off his glasses, smiles. Shakes
his head disapprovingly.
JIM
You shouldn't call me that.
Close shot. PLATO watching anxiously.
Med. shot. BUZZ with JUDY watching above him. JIM enters
shot until he is close to BUZZ's face. He looks up at JUDY.
Camera closes in until we are tight on the three. The heads
are nearly touching.
JIM
(softly to JUDY)
You always at ringside? You always
travel in this rank company?
BUZZ clutches JIM's hair and jerks his head up. He cracks
JIM smartly across the face with the palm of his hand.
Close shot. JUDY looking at JIM. Her eyes clear in
recognition.
Another angle. The group and JIM as JIM tears free and
comes at BUZZ, slugging. But BUZZ, with a laugh, leaps onto
the parapet and turns, the knife in his hand again. JIM
stops short. The group and PLATO move in around him.
JIM
I thought only punks fought with
knives.
BUZZ
Who's fighting? This is the test,
man. It's a crazy game.
HELEN
Les jeux de courage!
Close-up. CRUNCH. He is smiling. His arms are around the
shoulders of the kids who flank him.
CRUNCH
(wetting his lips)
Machismo. Machismo.
Med. shot. Group.
JIM
Machismo?
BUZZ
Somebody find him a knife.
Close shot. PLATO seen between heads of MIL and COOKIE.
COOKIE holds up a switch knife and tosses it over into the
circle.
PLATO
Jim!
Full shot. Circle as the knife falls at JIM's feet. JIM
stoops and picks up his weapon, then faces BUZZ. Then he
springs his blade.
BUZZ
You know the action? No cutting.
Just sticking--jab real cool.
BUZZ hops from the parapet. They begin stalking each other.
BUZZ slides his knife from hand to hand trying to hypnotize
JIM. Suddenly he pokes out and pricks JIM's shirt. The
group sighs "Ole!" JIM makes no effort at self-defense.
Silence. BUZZ pricks JIM again, "Ole!"
BUZZ
(as he maneuvers)
What you waiting on, Toreador? I
thought you wanted some action!
JIM cuts out half-heartedly.
BUZZ
Big brave bull. Hah! Toro! Hah!
Hah!
GOON
Moo!
BUZZ
Come on--Fascinate us. Impress us.
What's happening? Let's go!
JIM
I don't want trouble.
BUZZ
(furious suddenly)
You crud chicken! You're wasting
our time!
BUZZ viciously slaps JIM across the face. JIM lashes out
and misses. BUZZ hops back.
BUZZ
Yeah--that's pretty close. How
about a little closer, Toreador?
Cut off a button and you get to
join the club!
Outside entrance of parking lot. A uniformed GUIDE of
middle-age stares past camera. Cries of "Ole," are heard in
the distance.
GUIDE
(turning)
Mr. Minton! Mr. Minton! Trouble!
The LECTURER appears running. He stops short at what he
sees, and blinks in the sunlight.
GUIDE
Look. There's your audience.
LECTURER
Oh, I don't think so. From the
school?
Inside circle. JIM is covered with sweat and about to drop.
He is getting the worst of it, still refusing to defend
himself.
Close shot. PLATO. He is looking on in despair.
GROUP
Ole! Ole!
Suddenly, with a cry, PLATO pushes through.
Inside circle as PLATO comes through. His eyes are wild.
He holds a tire chain in his hand.
MIL
Buzzy! Look out! He's got a chain!
BUZZ
(smiling as he sees PLATO)
Hey! Chicken Little!
BUZZ trips PLATO quickly and kicks him while he's down.
CRUNCH grabs the chain.
JIM
All right--you want it, you got it!
Suddenly JIM transforms. He bores forward expertly--pricks
BUZZ again and again. Cries of Ole greet him. BUZZ is
surprised.
Full shot. Group. We hear only the breathing of the
combatants. Beyond we see the GUIDE approaching swiftly.
The LECTURER trails at a safe distance.
Closeup. CRUNCH. He looks up. His smile fades.
CRUNCH
Honk. Let's split.
Group as they look off and see the GUIDE and LECTURER
approach. BUZZ and JIM are both breathing hard. PLATO is
getting to his feet.
BUZZ
Split for what? Couple old poopheads?
He folds up his knife and puts it away. So does JIM.
JIM
You satisfied or you want more?
BUZZ
How 'bout you? Say the word and
you're cold, Jack--you're dead.
JUDY
Buzzie--we better get out of here.
BUZZ
What's eating you, Judy? You want
him alive?
JIM
Where can we meet?
BUZZ
Know the Millertown bluff?
COOKIE
The bluff, Buzz! That's dangerous
up there.
BUZZ
Draw him a picture, Chicken Little.
Eight o'clock. Cookie, you call
Moose and get a couple cars. We're
going to have us some real kicks.
Little chickie-run. You been on
chickie-runs before?
JIM
Sure--that's all I do.
The GUIDE bursts in among them. The LECTURER remains on the
fringe.
GUIDE
All right--all of you--start moving!
JUDY
You mean l'il ol' us? What's the
matter with the nice man?
GUIDE
Don't clown with me.
BUZZ
Why'nt you go suck on something sweet?
GUIDE
You think you're tough? I got a
son twice your size and I can still
handle him.
LECTURER
Don't lose control, Mr. Jamison. I
think if we just explain--
GUIDE
Explain to these? They think they
own the world!
CRUNCH
The world is round!
MIL
The world is flat!
COOKIE
All the world's a stage!
There is wild laughter from the kids as they close around
the GUIDE and start edging him away, up the steps toward the
Planetarium balcony.
KIDS
The world goes round the sun!
Goodbye proud world!
I got the world on a string!
The world's my oyster!
Hey! A fish-eater! Brain food.
They are gone. The LECTURER looks after them then comes to
JIM. JIM looks down at his shirt. There are spots of blood.
PLATO opens it, spits on a handkerchief and starts to wipe
the blood away.
LECTURER
(smiling wanly, to JIM)
Sometimes the world is too much
with us, isn't it, son? What was
the disturbance?
JIM
Nothing.
LECTURER
You're bleeding. Are you all right?
JIM
I scratched my mosquito bites. I'm
fine.
LECTURER hesitates.
JIM
I'm fine--thanks!
LECTURER goes. JIM impatiently closes his shirt.
PLATO
Are you really going to meet them?
JIM
Who knows. Plato?
PLATO
What?
JIM
What's a chickie-run?
DISSOLVE TO:
Downstairs hall. JIM's house. A single light is burning.
JIM steals in from the kitchen, peers cautiously into the
living room, then starts up the stairs. A crash is heard
above. JIM stops, undecided whether to go or stay, then
moves quickly up the stairs, no longer trying to be quiet.
Upper hall. JIM's house as JIM rises into view at the top
of stairs. He sees a figure on hands and knees mopping
something off the rug. Leaklight from the staircase dims
details. An apron is tied around the figure's waist and its
bow sticks bravely in the air.
JIM
Mom?
The figure straightens and turns around, smiling. It is the
FATHER. He is neatly dressed in his business suit but wears
a Mary Petty apron.
FATHER
Hiya, Jimbo.
JIM leans against the wall, shaking his head and trying not
to laugh. The FATHER laughs unhappily, trying to make it
all seem a joke.
FATHER
You thought I was Mom?
JIM
Yeah!
FATHER
It's just this get-up. The girl's
out and I was bringing Mom's supper.
JIM
(giggling)
And you dropped it?
FATHER
(laughing too)
Yeah! Shh!
JIM
That's funny!
FATHER
I better clean this up before she
sees it.
He starts dabbing among the spilled dishes with a wet cloth.
JIM watches him.
JIM
Let her see. What could happen.
The FATHER continues dabbing.
JIM
Dad--
The FATHER looks up at him.
JIM
Dad--don't. Don't.
JIM touches his FATHER's elbow, bringing him to his feet.
They look at each other a moment then JIM goes to his
bedroom. The FATHER goes back to mopping up the mess.
Inside JIM's room as he comes in, shuts the door and throws
himself miserably on his bed. He writhes as if the pain he
feels were physical. Outside, radios are heard in the
night--tuned to different stations. He feels under his
jacket and holds up his hand to the moonlight. There is
blood on it. He reaches up and takes his alarm clock and is
setting it as camera glides to his window and holds over the
rooftops.
Full shot. JUDY's backyard. Moonlight. JUDY stands near
camera looking up at the moon. The radios seem louder out
here. One breaks through.
ANNOUNCER
Time now for the seven o'clock news.
Friends, the next time you go
shopping.
JUDY'S FATHER (O.S.)
Judy.
She wheels around.
Long shot. The FATHER standing erect on back porch,
silhouetted against a window.
JUDY'S FATHER
What are you wishing for, Judy?
Med. shot. JUDY. She hasn't moved.
JUDY
(softly)
I wasn't wishing. I was looking at
the moon.
Full shot. Backyard featuring the FATHER. We see him now
as a tall and handsome man. There is something boyish and
appealing about him.
JUDY'S FATHER
(singing lightly)
"Man in the Moon, how came you
there--
Up in the sky where you are
shining--
Floating so high in the frosty
air--?
Oh, say--Man in the Moon!"--
JUDY comes forward, stands below him on the step. Her look
is adoring.
JUDY
(astonished)
How did you know that?
JUDY'S FATHER
We used to sing it in school.
(smiles)
Don't look at me with such horror.
They had schools in those days.
JUDY
But the same song. I think it's
fantastic!
JUDY'S FATHER
We were romantic then too--
JUDY
Are you and Mom home tonight?
JUDY'S FATHER
No. Why?
JUDY
Nothing, only it'd be nice to spend
an evening together for a change.
JUDY'S FATHER
With us old creeps? Come on, we
have to eat.
JUDY
(rising)
Daddy--
He looks at her.
JUDY
Good evening.
JUDY'S FATHER
Hi.
He turns away and goes into the house. She hesitates and
then follows. Something in the moods has changed. He has
neglected to hold the door for her.
Dining room. JUDY's house as the FATHER comes to the head
of the table and takes his seat. Three places are set.
JUDY follows. She stands above his chair, looking down at
him as he drinks his tomato juice.
JUDY
(quietly, afraid)
Didn't you forget something?
JUDY'S FATHER
What?
JUDY doesn't answer, but leans down and kisses him quickly
on the lips.
JUDY'S FATHER
(continuing; shocked)
What's the matter with you?
JUDY freezes, frightened. He collects himself a little.
JUDY'S FATHER
(continuing)
You're too old for that kind of
stuff, kiddo. I thought you
stopped doing that long ago.
JUDY
(very hurt)
I didn't want to stop.
The mother enters briskly from another part of the house--an
attractive, brittle woman of thirty-five.
JUDY'S MOTHER
Didn't want to stop what?
JUDY'S FATHER
Nothing.
JUDY
I was talking to Dad.
JUDY'S FATHER
I didn't kiss her so it's a big thing.
JUDY'S MOTHER
(calling to kitchen)
Bertha! You can serve the souffle!
(to FATHER)
Fish souffle.
(to JUDY)
You don't have to stand there,
darling. Drink your tomato juice.
JUDY slides into her chair reluctantly and unfolds her napkin.
JUDY
I guess I just don't understand
anything.
JUDY'S FATHER
I'm tired, Judy. I'd like to
change the subject.
JUDY
Why?
JUDY'S FATHER
I'd like to, that's all. Girls
your age don't do that. You need
an explanation?
JUDY
(very low)
Girls don't love their father?
Since when? Since I got to be
sixteen?
She half-rises to kiss him again.
JUDY'S FATHER
Stop it now! Sit down!
Suddenly the FATHER slaps her. Even as he does it he is as
stunned as JUDY. The mother stops eating. She has never
seen such a display and is shocked. He tries to control
himself by buttering a piece of bread. There is a terrible
silence into which BEAU enters in his pajamas. He runs to
his FATHER's chair, then halts--looking from face to face.
The FATHER puts an arm around him, hugs him almost savagely.
JUDY'S FATHER
(thickly)
Hi, rascal.
BEAU
(hushed)
Hi.
JUDY rises, weeping.
JUDY
May I please be excused?
She starts out. The FATHER rises and follows after her.
JUDY'S FATHER
(softly)
Hey, hey, Glamorpuss. I'm sorry.
She leaves the room, interrupting the joke he was going to
make. He turns back to the table and sits down. The MOTHER
rises and comes to him.
JUDY'S FATHER
(continuing)
I don't know what to do. All of a
sudden she's a problem.
The mother stands behind his chair. She tips his head back
against her body and kneads his neck and shoulders.
JUDY'S MOTHER
She'll outgrow it, dear. It's just
the age.
BEAU
(in a sudden burst)
The atomic age!
The door slams.
JUDY'S MOTHER
(kissing her
husband's hair)
It's the age when nothing fits.
Inside JIM's room. We see him lying on his bed as before.
His eyes are open. The alarm clock goes off. JIM starts as
if shot, then stops the wild ringing. The time is seven-
forty-five. He makes no move to leave the bed. There is a
light tap on the door, then it opens and the FATHER is
there, seen in light from the hall and still wearing the apron.
FATHER
You awake?
JIM
Yes.
FATHER
Listen--I took a steak out of the
freezer. I thought we could have a
real old-fashioned stag party--just
the two of us, what do you say?
JIM
I'm not hungry.
The FATHER turns away.
JIM
Hey--I want to ask you something.
FATHER
(happily)
Shoot, Jimbo.
JIM
Suppose you knew that you had to do
something very dangerous--where you
have to prove something you need to
know--a question of honor. Would
you do it?
FATHER
(laughing)
Is there some kind of trick answer?
JIM
What would you do, Dad?
FATHER
(evading)
I wouldn't do anything hasty.
Let's get a little light on the
subject.
The FATHER turns on the light and looks at JIM who is now
sitting on the edge of the bed. He removes his jacket and
the bloody shirt is revealed. The FATHER stares.
JIM
Blood.
FATHER
How'd that happen! What kind of
trouble you in?
JIM
The kind we've been talking about.
Can you answer me now?
FATHER
Listen--nobody should make a snap
decision--This isn't something you
just--we ought to consider all the
pros and cons--
JIM
We don't have time.
FATHER
We'll make time. Where's some
paper. We'll make a list and if
we're still stuck then we ought to
get some advice--
He goes out, to the study next door. JIM rises.
JIM
What can you do when you have to be
a man?
FATHER
Well, now--
JIM
Just give me a direct answer!
(pause)
You going to stop me from going, Dad?
FATHER
You know I never stop you from
anything. Believe me--you're at a
wonderful age. In ten years you'll
look back on this and wish you were
a kid again.
JIM
Ten years? Now, Dad--I need an
answer now!
FATHER
I just want to show you how foolish
you are. When you're older you'll
laugh at yourself for thinking this
is so important--
During this, JIM has kicked off his shoes and put on his
boots and jacket and goes out.
Living room featuring stairs. JIM comes running down the
stairs and out the kitchen door.
FATHER (O.S.)
Jim? Will you listen? You can't
go out till we--Jim!
The FATHER comes down the stairs, goes to the front door and
calls:
FATHER
Jim? Jim!
He goes to kitchen door, calls again, gets no answer, comes
back into the living room, sees he is still wearing the
apron. He rips it off and throws it down--then starts for
the stairs.
DISSOLVE TO:
The Plateau. Moonlight. Wind shrieks over the exposed
plateau, which is several hundred yards long. It cuts into
the darkness like the prow of a ship and ends in empty air.
A dozen cars are scattered about, defining a sort of runway
in the center. There are twenty kids present, but very
little talk. Most of them belong to BUZZ's group but there
are a few whom we have not met before. They stand in small
clots, murmuring and smoking. The atmosphere is strung
tightly, like the moments before a dawn attack. In b.g.
near the cliff's edge, are two cars of similar make and
model. They face away from camera toward the edge of the
plateau. There are no headlights anywhere...blackout
conditions.
MOOSE, a boy in a leather jacket and cheap yachting cap
stands guard between the cars, his back to us. His hands
are on his hips. His legs are spread. Some girls drift in.
Another angle. Plateau featuring PLATO as he wanders
through the crowd searching for JIM. He passes BUZZ's car
where BUZZ, JUDY and the rest are eating hamburgers. They
have all changed into fighting wardrobe.
BUZZ
(calling out)
Hey, Chicken-Little.
PLATO stops.
BUZZ
Where's Toreador? He beg off?
PLATO
He's not scared of you.
BUZZ
(laughing)
Yeah?
(to GOON)
Goon! You seen that adolescent
type anywheres?
COOKIE
He won't show.
GOON
Well, you going to wait all night?
I'm getting nervous, man! We got
to do something!
CRUNCH
(looking off)
Hey, Buzz!
BUZZ
What?
COOKIE
Over there.
BUZZ snaps on the spotlight again and swings it off.
Full shot. JIM's car as JIM gets out and PLATO runs to him.
JIM
How'd you get here?
PLATO
I hitched.
JIM
Boy, I bet you'd go to a hanging.
PLATO
My personality's showing again.
Should I leave?
JIM
No. It's okay.
BUZZ enters.
BUZZ
Come on. Let's see what we're
driving.
JIM gets out; PLATO starts to follow.
BUZZ
Just him.
JIM
Stay there.
The two boys move away. PLATO looks after them, hurt, then
goes to side of JUDY and stands.
Dolly shot. JIM and BUZZ as they come forward.
BUZZ
What you say your name was?
JIM
Jim Stark.
BUZZ
Buzz Gundersen.
JIM
Hi.
BUZZ
Glad to meet you.
They shake hands briefly as they walk. They come to MOOSE
and stop.
MOOSE
Got some goodies for you, Buzzie-boy.
BUZZ
Flashlight?
MOOSE produces one and hands it to BUZZ who goes to one of
the guarded cars, motioning JIM to come, too.
Closer shot. BUZZ, JIM and MOOSE seen as hood is raised,
revealing their faces beneath it. BUZZ explores the motor
with the flashlight.
BUZZ
Looks good.
MOOSE
Clean as a whistle. They both got
plenty breeze.
BUZZ
Look good to you?
JIM
Sure. It's fine.
BUZZ
Okay.
He closes the hood. Group moves across to other car.
JUDY and PLATO. The other kids are behind them. JUDY looks
to see that their attention isn't on her, then speaks
quietly to PLATO.
JUDY
Is he your friend?
PLATO
Yes. My best friend.
JUDY
What's he like?
PLATO
Oh, I don't know. You have to get
to know him. He doesn't say much
but when he does you know he means
it. He's sincere.
JUDY
Well, that's the main thing--don't
you think so?
PLATO
Maybe next summer he's going to
take me hunting with him--and
fishing. I want him to teach me
how and I bet he won't get mad if I
goof. His name's Jim. It's really
James but he likes Jim more.
(laughing)
People he really likes--he lets
call him "Jamie."
JUDY
Want to finish my hamburger? I
only took a bite.
PLATO
Okay.
Full shot. Guarded cars. JIM is close in f.g. at wheel of
his car. BUZZ is beyond, at wheel of his. Both boys are
gunning their engines, listening critically. JIM lets his
idle.
JUDY, GOON and group. They watch in silent anticipation.
PLATO starts away from them.
Traveling shot. PLATO hurrying away from the group. He
stops, looking off.
JIM and BUZZ. PLATO in distance.
BUZZ
Better try the doors. Jump out.
JIM opens his door.
BUZZ
No--quick, man! You got to break
quick.
JIM shuts his door and tries again. So does BUZZ. Then
both boys walk forward to the edge. Neither says a word.
BUZZ puts his hand on JIM's shoulder.
High angle. The edge of the bluff (process). JIM and BUZZ
are directly below us. Under them the plateau falls steeply
away in a sheer drop of a hundred feet to the ocean below.
Two shot. JIM and BUZZ. JIM is staring below. He is
beginning to perspire. He lights a cigarette. Without
taking his hand from JIM's shoulder, BUZZ borrows the
cigarette from his lips, takes a drag and hands it back.
JIM takes another puff then tosses it into the abyss.
BUZZ
(quietly)
This is the edge, boy. This is the
end.
JIM
Yeah.
BUZZ
I like you, you know?
JIM
Buzz? What are we doing this for?
BUZZ
(still quiet)
We got to do something. Don't we?
Long shot. JIM and BUZZ with PLATO in f.g. JIM and BUZZ
appear to him as two close friends. Suddenly they break and
go, without speaking further, to their cars. They back up
to the opposite end of the plateau, headlights dark. PLATO
follows them with his gaze.
Group shot. GOON and others looking up as the cars glide by.
Med. shot. JUDY waiting as BUZZ and JIM move into starting
position next to her. JUDY goes to BUZZ. JIM is in b.g.--
looking on.
JUDY
Feel okay?
BUZZ
Give me some dirt.
She bends out of sight for a moment as BUZZ goes on talking,
then hands him the dirt. He rubs it into his palms.
BUZZ
Hey, Toreador! She signals. We
head for the edge. The first guy
who jumps--chicken!
JUDY and BUZZ kiss, without much interest.
BUZZ
What's happening?
JUDY
Good luck, Buzz.
She starts out, without kissing him again.
JIM
(calling softly)
Judy.
Med. shot. JIM's car as JUDY comes to him.
JIM
Me too.
She looks at him a moment then bends and hands him some dirt.
Their heads touch for an instant.
JIM
Thank you.
She breaks the look and hurries away.
Long shot. The cars. They are lined up in two rows--
headlights facing each other. JUDY comes into shot. When
she gets near camera, she stops and turns back to face them.
BUZZ
Hit your lights!
Suddenly the headlights of all the cars come on full.
Reverse shot. JUDY. She is in the center of the glare.
Behind her we see the other kids filing out of their cars,
hurrying toward the edge of the bluff. The sound of the two
motors revving then dying and revving again.
Inside JIM's car. JIM grips the wheel firmly, relaxes his
hands to rub his palms together and crack his knuckles. He
grips the wheel again. Steps on the accelerator, winding
his engine into a roar. He lets up, looks tensely at--
BUZZ in his car. His chin juts forward. He lets go of the
wheel, starts to comb his hair.
Slow pan shot. Spectators staring off at the cars. A boy
has his arm around the girl in front of him, his cheek
against hers. Both are looking off. Some of the kids smoke.
All are involved in the blasting of engines.
PLATO among the spectators near edge of the bluff. He is
chewing his lip. Camera pans down to show that the fingers
of both his hands are tightly crossed.
Close shot. JUDY staring tensely into the glare. Suddenly
she raises her hands high above her head.
Close shot. JIM sweating it out. He leans forward,
squinting, ready.
Close shot. BUZZ. He puts his comb between his teeth and
clamps it hard. He settles himself for the run.
Long shot. Plateau. The cars are in close, seen from the
rear. JUDY is a small distant figure, arms stretched high.
The exhaust blasts. Now she drops her arms. The cars leap
ahead.
Med. shot. JUDY. She whirls to see the cars snap by, then
begins running up the center of the plateau between the
lines of spectators.
Full shot. Spectators. Shooting over their shoulders as
the cars approach and scream past.
Pit shot. Cars. As they approach, gaining speed, and
thunder over the camera.
Inside JIM's car. (Process). He is tense.
Inside BUZZ's car. (Process). His hands hard on the wheel.
The comb is still between his teeth. He begins edging
toward the door on his left.
Moving close shot. JUDY biting hard on her finger, as she
runs forward.
Close shot. PLATO. Both hands cover his mouth. The
fingers are still crossed.
Inside JIM's car. (Process). As he edges to his left. He
is driving with one hand. He opens the door, gets set for
his jump.
Inside BUZZ's car. (Process). He reaches for the door
handle and misses. As he raises his arm to reach again, the
strap of his windbreaker sleeve slips over the handle. He
looks down in panic, then back at the drop ahead. He tugs
but cannot get the sleeve loose.
Closeup. PLATO staring. He shuts his eyes tight and keeps
them shut.
Shooting at backs of the two cars as they race through the
row of lights toward the edge.
Inside JIM's car. (Process). His face is soaked. He looks
once toward BUZZ--then ahead. His eyes widen in fear. He
shoves left and flings himself forward, and out.
Outside JIM's car as he sprawls forward--into camera.
Inside BUZZ's car. (Process). BUZZ leans way forward now.
He seems to rise in his seat. His mouth opens and the comb
falls out.
Full shot spectators staring in disbelief. Suddenly a youth
ducks his face into the neck of his girlfriend so he cannot
see. At the same instant--
CROWD
(in a single breath)
Oh!
Rear view. Edge of the bluff as the two cars go over.
There is NO human sound.
Close shot. JIM as he stops rolling.
BUZZ's car in flight. (Special effects). The car soars
through the night, the vehicle of a terrible journey.
Med. shot. BUZZ. (Process). Surprise has gone. He rides
lightly on the thrill of his last moment--then suddenly, his
face twists in a spasm of protest and loss.
The kids staring at his flight.
JIM unaware of the disaster--glad he made it.
Low angle. Edge of the bluff. With headlights blazing,
both cars dive down.
Med. shot. JUDY standing frozen as the spectators shove
past and around her.
Wide angle. Edge of the bluff as spectators swarm to it,
stand looking down.
JIM on hands and knees, trying to rise. Legs rush by him,
knock him onto his face.
Long shot. (Special effects). Both cars plunge into the
ocean below.
JIM at edge of bluff. He is pushing through spectators.
JIM
(a harsh whisper)
Where's Buzz! Where's Buzz!
PLATO working his way through the crowd.
PLATO
(calling)
Jim! Jim!
CRUNCH. CRUNCH looks up as he hears JIM's repeated cry.
JIM enters behind him, continuing blindly on his way.
CRUNCH
(tight fury)
Down there! Down there is Buzz!
JIM looks over the edge.
Rear view. Spectators. A siren wail approaches. The kids
wheel and scatter, panicking past the camera.
Close shot. MOOSE. Looks at JIM. Runs.
Close shot. GOON. Turns. Runs.
Med. shot. JIM seen between legs of hurrying kids. The
sirens and the pounding of their feet on the hard turf. JIM
is sitting on the edge of the bluff. PLATO rushes in, stops
short as he sees him.
PLATO
Come on, Jim! We got to get out of
here!
JIM doesn't move. PLATO grabs his arm and yanks.
PLATO
Get up! Get up! Come on!
JIM stands. PLATO pushes him.
PLATO
Go on! Move!
They start away, PLATO still pushing from behind.
Med. shot. JUDY. She is standing alone in the wind on the
emptying plateau. JIM and PLATO move past in the distance.
JIM sees her and stops.
Close shot. JUDY. She is shuddering violently but there
are no tears. She seems not to see or hear or be aware of
anything around her.
Full shot. JIM and PLATO watching JUDY. JIM moves toward
her, camera panning with him and leaving PLATO behind. JIM
stands before JUDY until she notices him. He shakes his
head for all the sorrow he feels, but no words come.
Tentatively he offers her his hand. After a moment, she
takes it. She knows only that help is being offered and
that she will accept it with trust. JIM leads her away
toward the car.
DISSOLVE TO:
High long shot. JIM's street. Night. There is no movement
anywhere. In the house bordering the street a few lights
still burn. JIM's car approaches out of distance and slows
when it reaches the alley.
Med. shot. JIM's car as it slows and stops. JIM, JUDY and
PLATO in the front seat. JUDY has the door open before the
car even stops. She is shaking, agitated and withdrawn.
JUDY
(hardly audible)
This is fine--
She gets out and starts away, leaving door open.
JIM
(calling quietly)
Judy. Will you be okay?
PLATO looks at him. JUDY hesitates. JIM raises a hand to
her in a shy farewell. She smiles vaguely, then hurries
away from them.
Near JIM's backyard (alley). JIM and PLATO.
JIM
I got to go in. You better get
home too.
(touches PLATO)
Hey--what?
PLATO
Why don't you come home with me? I
mean nobody's home at my house--and
I'm not tired, are you? I don't
have many--people I can talk to.
JIM
Who has?
PLATO
If you want to come we could talk
and then in the morning we could
have breakfast like my dad used
to--
(pauses--then
excitedly as though
an idea had suddenly
struck him)
Gee...if you could only have been
my father...we could...
JIM
(interrupting)
Hey...you flipped--or something?
You better take off...
PLATO
(suddenly, pleasantly)
O.K. G'night. I got to pick up my
scooter. See you tomorrow.
JIM
Yeah.
PLATO turns, walks up the alley to the street. JIM goes
into his kitchen door.
Hallway. JUDY's house. Three doors open onto it: one is
closed--this is JUDY's room:--another, leading into BEAU's
room is open, but the room beyond is dark: the third, also
open, reveals the bedroom of JUDY's parents. As JUDY comes
into the hallway, the parents, who are reading in their
beds, look up. JUDY hesitates, then starts toward her own
room.
BEAU (O.S.)
(quietly)
Hello, little cute sister.
JUDY stops. BEAU appears at his door in white pajamas, a
small ghost. JUDY looks at him.
BEAU
Hello, darling, baby-pie, glamor-
puss, sweetie--
JUDY touches BEAU's head and tries to smile.
JUDY'S FATHER
(calling from his bed)
Beau! You belong in bed!
BEAU flees. JUDY turns without another glance at her
parents, and opens the door of her room.
Inside bedroom of JUDY's parents. As JUDY slams her bedroom
door o.s., the FATHER reacts. Perhaps, he wishes she had
given him a chance to say goodnight. The MOTHER, who use
reading glasses, looks up at the slam. Then she looks over
at her husband, shrugs when she catches his gaze, and goes
back to her magazine.
Inside JIM's living room. The television is on, but only a
hum comes from it, and the screen is a flickering gray. The
FATHER sits lumpily in a chair by the fireplace, still
dressed but with his collar open. The sound of JIM's step
in the dining room makes him open his eyes. Fear of facing
his son makes him shut them again. The boy comes in, a
bottle of milk in his hand. Seeing his FATHER there, he
stops short--his impulse is to flee. Instead he comes in
and looks down at the sleeping man whose eyelids, fluttering
in the FATHER's masquerade of sleep, make him seem to be
having a dream. JIM is torn between his desire to leave and
his need to speak. He turns off the television quietly,
then lies down on the couch across the way. He mumbles the
things he would say to his FATHER and the answers he feels
he would get. The old man opens his eyes once, sees the boy
there, head banging upside down from the couch. Then he
shuts them again.
Upside down long shot. Room (JIM's viewpoint). Suddenly,
inverted in his vision, the MOTHER appears at the head of
the stairs, in bathrobe and nightgown. She pauses a moment,
then runs down crying:
MOTHER
He's home! You're home! You're
all right!
The camera rights itself suddenly.
JIM as he completes his turn, pulling his head up and sitting.
FATHER as he pretends to awaken with a start.
Full shot, room as the MOTHER hurries to JIM, holds him,
inspects him, kisses him.
MOTHER
What happened, darling. We were so
worried. I was going to take a
sleeping pill, but I wouldn't till
I knew you were home.
JIM
I have to talk to someone, Mom. I
have to talk to you both. And Dad
this time you got to give me an
answer.
FATHER
Go ahead.
JIM
I'm in terrible trouble.--You know
that big high bluff near Miller-
town Junction?
FATHER
Sure--there was a bad accident
there. They showed the pictures on
T.V.
JIM
I was in it.
MOTHER
How!
JIM
It doesn't matter how. I was
driving a stolen car--
MOTHER
Do you enjoy doing this to me or
what--
JIM
Mom--I'm not--
MOTHER
And you wanted him to make a list!
FATHER
Will you let him tell it!
JIM
She never wants to hear. She
doesn't care!
MOTHER
I guess when I nearly died giving
birth to you--that shows how much I
don't care!
FATHER
Just relax, please relax!
JIM
I told you Dad, it was a question
of honor. They called me chicken--
you know, chicken! I had to go or
I would never have been able to
face any of those kids again. So I
got in one of these cars and a boy
called Buzz got in the other. We
had to drive fast and jump before
the cars went over the edge of the
bluff. I got out okay but Buzz
didn't. He was killed.
MOTHER
Good Lord!
JIM
I can't keep it to myself anymore--
FATHER
Well, just get it off your chest, son.
JIM
That's not what I mean. I've never
done anything right. I've been
going around with my head in a
sling for years...I don't want to
drag you into this but I can't help
it. I don't think I can prove
anything by going around pretending
I'm tough any more, so maybe you
look like one thing but you still
feel like another.
FATHER
You're absolutely right!
JIM
Are you listening to me? You're
involved in this! I want to go to
the police and tell them I was
mixed up in this thing tonight?
FATHER
You what?
MOTHER
No!
FATHER
Did anyone see you there? I mean
did they get your license number or
anything?
JIM
I don't think so--
FATHER
Well--
MOTHER
What about the other boys--Do you
think they'll go to the police?
JIM
What's that got to do with it?
MOTHER
Why should you be the only one.
FATHER
Look Jim. Far be it from me to
tell you what to do, but there's--
MOTHER
Are you going to preach now? Are
we going to have a sermon?
FATHER
I'm just explaining what you mean!
You can't be an idealist all your
life! Nobody thanks you for
sticking your neck out!
MOTHER
That's right!
JIM
Except yourself!
FATHER
Will you wait a minute?
JIM
You don't want me to go.
MOTHER
No! I don't want you to go to the
police! There were other people
and why should you be the only one
involved!
JIM
But I am involved! We're all
involved, Mom! A boy was killed!
I don't see how we can get out of
that by pretending it didn't happen!
FATHER
You know you did wrong. That's the
main thing, isn't it?
JIM
No! It's nothing! Just nothing!
You always told me to tell the
truth. You think you can just turn
that off?
MOTHER
He's not saying that! He's saying
don't volunteer!
JIM
Just tell a little white lie?
FATHER
You'll learn as you get a little
older, Jim.
JIM
I don't want to learn that!
MOTHER
Well, it doesn't matter anyhow--
because we're moving.
JIM
No! You're not tearing me loose
any more.
MOTHER
Do I have to spell it out?
JIM
You're not going to use me as an
excuse again, Mom. Every time you
can't face yourself you want to
move and you say it's because of me
or the neighborhood or some other
phony excuse. Now I want to do one
thing right and I'm not letting you
run away.
(silence)
Dad?
FATHER
Son--this is all happening so fast--
JIM
You better give me something, Dad.
You better give me something
(stops as he sees the
emptiness in them)
Mom?
MOTHER
Jimmy, you're very young--and a
foolish decision now could wreck
your whole life.
JIM
Dad--answer her--aren't you going
to stand up for me?
The FATHER is mute, helpless... Suddenly JIM screams.
JIM
Dad?
He leaps at his FATHER, dragging him to his feet, hands at
the man's throat.
MOTHER
Stop it! You'll kill him! Jim!
Do you want to kill your father?
Suddenly JIM loosens his hands and rises. He looks swiftly
at each of them--moves a few steps toward the door, looks
back at them again--then rushes out of the house. The
parents stand frozen.
DISSOLVE TO:
Outside Precinct Station. JIM's car comes to a stop at the
curb. JIM gets out and approaches the flight of steps
leading up the entrance. A bare bulb on either side is the
only illumination. As he mounts the first step, the double
doors above him swing open revealing several people. JIM
stops short. So do they.
Low angle. CRUNCH, MOOSE and their parents. JIM's back in
f.g. The boys stare down at him.
High angle. JIM (from the boys' point of view) as he stares
up at them. MOOSE's father takes his arm and starts him
down the stairs, the others moving too.
MOOSE
Let go of me--
MOOSE'S FATHER
You want a good crack in the mouth?
JIM starts forward up the steps. CRUNCH grabs him.
CRUNCH
This place appeal to you or something?
They move down the steps as JIM breaks away and continues up.
He goes through the doors.
Inside doors as JIM comes through and stops. He looks back
through the glass. We see the group reach the curb where
their cars are parked. There is a brief discussion which we
cannot hear, then CRUNCH and MOOSE move off to MOOSE's car.
JIM turns back. He looks worried as he passes camera.
Med. shot. CRUNCH and MOOSE. They stop at MOOSE's car and
look back at the entrance. The parents are seen beyond
them, getting into their cars. CRUNCH is near tears with
anger.
CRUNCH
What's he going to pull--
MOOSE
Nothing, Crunch. They picked him
up like the rest of--
CRUNCH
You see any cops?
MOOSE'S FATHER
(yelling)
You monsters start home. We're
going to--
MOOSE
Yeah. Yeah.
MOOSE'S FATHER
We're following you so better get
there.
CRUNCH
You see any cops?
MOOSE
No--
CRUNCH
He's going to cheese, I tell you.
Nobody arrested him!
MOOSE
I think I should go home.
CRUNCH
No. We're going to bring him down.
MOOSE
Crunch--my father's--You going to
kill him?
CRUNCH
(crying)
You clean out of your head? Come on!
CRUNCH gets into the car. MOOSE follows. They gun the
motor and throw the car into a sharp U-turn. MOOSE'S FATHER
jumps into his car. He steps on the starter but nothing
happens--just the empty whirring, over and over. Finally it
starts, but the boys have gone.
Inside Precinct Station. Juvenile division. A desk
sergeant is writing in the record book. Facing him across
the desk and handcuffed to an officer is a young hoodlum,
very different in appearance from the kids we have met--a
typical duck-tail 'cat'.
SERGEANT
(spelling)
W-O-J-T-what?
HOODLUM
O-W-I-C-Z. Wojtowicz. What's the
matter, man? That's the craziest
name in town! It swings!
JIM
Excuse me--but--You know where I
can find--I mean I don't remember
his last name--
SERGEANT
Look--can't you see I'm writing?
HOODLUM
(combing his duck-tail)
Man, this cat never stops. He just
keeps going like Big Jay at a session!
OFFICER
Shut up.
HOODLUM
He's writing a book about me--
SERGEANT
What I could write about you they
wouldn't print.
JIM
I think his first name's Ray--I
have to see him. It's very important.
SERGEANT
What's the charge?
OFFICER
Assault with a deadly weapon.
JIM
Listen--
SERGEANT
(annoyed)
He's not here. He's not at
Juvenile Hall. I don't know where
he is. He's out on a call and
he'll be out all night. How old
are you?
JIM
My parents know I'm out. They know
I'm here.
SERGEANT
Come back tomorrow.
JIM
I'll wait for him.
SERGEANT
Why don't you come back tomorrow,
son?
(to hoodlum)
Ever been booked before?
JIM turns away, notices a phone on the wall--puts in a coin,
asks for a number.
Bedroom of JUDY's parents. Through an open door we hear a
radio playing-- a late disc-jockey show for teenagers in
which numbers are dedicated by request. JUDY'S MOTHER and
FATHER are in bed, FATHER has phone in his hand.
JUDY'S FATHER
Who wants her? Who? Jim who?
Never heard of you.
He hangs up phone, looks at his wife. She rolls over in bed.
The FATHER turns off the bed lamp, then sits up, worried in
the dark.
JUDY's bedroom. It is her radio we have heard. She turns
off light, opens the door a crack, and looks out toward her
parent's room.
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