187                by          Scott Yagemann       REVISED SHOOTING DRAFT         November 4, 1996FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY    Rev. 7/10/96                             1   8   71   EXT. LOWER MANHATTAN SKYLINE - BROOKLYN BRIDGE - MORNING    1    RUSH HOUR    ON a pair of black Dexter penny loafers diligently    pedaling an old Schwinn mountain bike. ADJUST ANGLE now    to meet the bicyclist...    He's African-American. Anywhere from 33 to 40. Wears    wire-rim glasses, a fresh white oxford shirt, creased    slacks and a solid green tie. An unobtrusive figure, at    once familiar and yet undiscerning. The type you'd pass    on a sidewalk and never even notice. He's TREVOR GARFIELD.    ADJUST ANGLE FURTHER now to reveal the upper promenade    bike path and a dramatic view of Lower Manhattan behind    him. Morning sun glimmers off the Trade Center towers.    Trevor's shadow skitters along the wooden path, 160 ft.    above the East River.    A fat briefcase, strapped to the back of his bike, rocks    back and forth as he pumps the pedals.    FROM ABOVE now a sweeping view of Trevor, alone on the    bike path, a speck, suspended above a sea of rush hour    traffic on the bridge below.2   EXT. ATLANTIC AVENUE (BEDFORD STUYVESANT) - MORNING         2    A wrought-iron train trestle covered with graffiti shakes    as an "EL" TRAIN ROARS overhead. Trevor races parallel    with it along Atlantic Avenue. Every city block becomes    more and more rundown.3   EXT. ROOSEVELT WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOL (BEDFORD                 3    STUYVESANT) - MORNING    A cyclone fence frames the stalwart face of the old    three-story administration building. Ubiquitous gray    patches of paint fail to cover where taggers have most    recently left their marks. The ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, a    black man with a booming voice, barks at late-comers who    are about to be tardy...                            ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL                     (clapping his hands)              ... Let's go, people! Tardy lock-              out starts in one minute! Get              your butts in gear! One minute,              people! Move it!                                                  (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  2.3    CONTINUED:                                                      3     SUPERIMPOSE:    ROOSEVELT WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOL -                     OCTOBER 1994     The Assistant Principal, attention diverted, doesn't even     notice Trevor as he enters on his bike and races down the     sidewalk in front of the school. With all the prompting,     students still don't seem to be in much of a hurry.4    OMITTED                                                         45    INT. RWHS "A" BUILDING - MAIN ENTRANCE                          5     ... as Trevor squeezes through the doorway past students     being processed through card readers and metal detectors     and turns down the main hall.6    INT. RWHS - MAIN FLOOR                                          6     With a glance over his shoulder, Trevor hops back onto     his bike and pedals it down the middle of the corridor.     STRAGGLING STUDENTS either ignore him or look at him     like he's insane.                                STRAGGLING STUDENT                         (as Trevor passes)                  ... No ridin' bikes in 'a hallway,                  stoo-pit.6A   INT. STAIRWELL                                                  6A     As Trevor reaches the end of the main corridor... and     steers his bike down the stairs.7    INT. RWHS - BOTTOM FLOOR                                        7     Trevor coasts skillfully down the stairs and emerges     onto the bottom floor of the school. He pedals away     toward the other end of the corridor.7A   EXT. TREVOR'S CLASSROOM                                         7A     A crowd of 10th graders loiter outside Trevor's room.     Seeing him coming, they stir to life with a flurry of     taunts. Trevor chooses to face all dissension with a     smile.                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                               3.7A   CONTINUED:                                                  7A     As Trevor hops off his bike and unlocks the classroom     door, he notices two lovers making out in the hallway...                                VOICE IN CROWD                  ... Yuh late, Garfield.                                TREVOR                         (catching his breath)                  ... No, bell hasn't rung yet.                  Okay, let's get inside. C'mon.                         (as they file                          into the room)                  ... Morning, morning. Rise and                  shine.     TWO STUDENTS make passing comments...                                AUGGIE                         (shaking his head)                  ... You one crazy-ass nigga, G.                                TYWAN                         (a quarter stuck                          in one ear)                  ... Damn skippy.                                TREVOR                  Thank you for sharing, Auggie.                                TYWAN                         (provoking Auggie)                  ... Auggie doggie.                                AUGGIE (O.S.)                  Fuck you, Tywan. Yer mama's a                  gangsta-rapper.     Trevor offers a pleasant greeting to the two lovers.                                TREVOR                  'Scuse me, you two... this isn't                  the Playboy Channel.     Trevor enters the room, but ducks his head back into     the hall.                                TREVOR                  'Morning, Juanita.8    INT. RWHS - TREVOR'S CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION          8     Walls are covered with assorted science posters.     Styrofoam nuclei dangle from the ceiling. Trevor     unstraps the fat briefcase from his bicycle and sets     it on a metal stool next to his desk...                                                   (CONTINUED)                                                                   4.8   CONTINUED:                                                          8                               TREVOR                        (enthusiastically)                 Let's get started. August and                 Tywan, you pass out the books.                 Thank you, gentlemen.    Auggie and Tywan don't budge.                                TYWAN                 Whas up wit' your car, G?   Yer                 Pinto blow up?    The majority of students aren't even paying attention.          A    group in the back is already starting a card game.                               TREVOR                        (good-natured smile)                 No, I don't own a Pinto, Tywan.                        (addressing the class)                 Okay, can I have everyone's                 attention?    No response, but it doesn't phase Trevor.         He removes    the front wheels from his bike.                               TREVOR                 The purpose of the bicycle is to                 demonstrate the principle of                 centripetal force. That's the                 opposite of the force we studied                 yesterday, which was...                                 VOICE IN THE CROWD                 Magnum force.    Hoots and laughter.                               TREVOR                 Centrifugal force... Centripetal                 force is where the acceleration of                 a body moving in circular motion                 is directed toward its center by an                 opposing force, thus creating                 momentum that constrains the body to                 its circular path. Like a gyroscope.                        (sees nothing                         but yawns)                 It's better if I show you. Here,                 Tywan, you be my helper.    Tywan and Auggie are busy talking in the corner.        They    still haven't passed out the books.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                              5.8   CONTINUED:    (2)                                               8                                TREVOR                 Tywan?   Come on.    Tywan, solidly built like a Rodin bronze, saunters over.                               TYWAN                 Whad-up, G?                        (to rest of class)                 Hey, shut up! Y'all too damn                 loud, man!    Class quiets but only marginally.                               TREVOR                 I need you to demonstrate                 centripetal force.                        (removes briefcase                         from stool)                 Here, have a seat.    Tywan sits and Trevor hands him the upside-down bicycle.                               TREVOR                 Okay, hold the bike steady with                 your knees. That's it. Seat                 positioned against your chest.    Tywan glances over at Auggie and starts to laugh.                               TYWAN                        (to Auggie)                 Shut up, foo.                               TREVOR                 Okay, now crank the pedals and get                 that back wheel spinning about                 180 R.P.M.                               TYWAN                 Whas up wit' dat?                               TREVOR                        (coaxing him along)                 You'll see. Be patient.    A skeptical Tywan starts to crank the pedals, but he's    not pedaling hard enough.                               TREVOR                 ... Put some muscle into it.    Tywan cranks the pedals harder now. Trevor back-pedals    over to the textbook shelf and randomly selects a    physical science book (but doesn't open it).                                                      (CONTINUED)    1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                6.8   CONTINUED:    (3)                                            8                               TREVOR                 ... Keep pedaling. Harder.    A paper airplane sails past an oblivious Tywan. He    cranks harder and harder until he's sweating ham juice.    Now, he impales Trevor with a befuddled squint.                               TYWAN                        (incredulous)                 Whas up? I tol' you you was                 crazy, man.    A thin smile of confidence from Trevor now...                               TREVOR                 Now tilt the wheel to your right.    Tywan does and immediately the wheel pulls him to the    right, causing the stool to slowly spin on its axis.                               TYWAN                        (eyes wide like                         a little kid)                 Aw, damn. I'm spinnin'.   Lookit                 me, Auggie!    Trevor flickers a smile as Tywan's spinning starts to    draw the attention of the rest of the class.    Now Trevor refers to the physical science book in his    hand. Smile on his face immediately fades.    INSERT: Physical science textbook. In magic marker.    The large number 187 has been scrawled across every    page. Trevor flips through the book. He checks the    front page to see who it belongs to.    Juxtaposed to Trevor's distracted state, the class is now    focused on Tywan's achievement...                               CLASS                        (attempting unison)                 ... Tywan, Tywan, Tywan.9   INT. RWHS - "A" BUILDING - MAIN CORRIDOR - SECOND            9    PERIOD    One of the fluorescent lights overhead flickers. The    place is deserted except for a custodian who pushes a    cresting wave of trash ahead of his broom. Now Trevor    heads up the north stairwell at the far end of the    corridor. He clutches the desecrated physical science    book. A student slides down the banister past him.                                                            7.10   OMITTED                                                      1011   INT. COUNSELING OFFICES - WAITING AREA                       11     A PUERTO RICAN WOMAN prods a group of gangbanger wanna-     bes. Two of the teens hover over a Sony Walkman, sharing     the earphones.                             SECRETARY               Okay, fellas, off the table. Put               the Walkman away. I said put it               away...     A 10th grade counselor's office opens and a student     emerges. Trevor walks directly in.                             TREVOR               Walter, I need to speak with you.     WALTER (Anglo; 52) is a disheveled middle-aged counselor.     A lifer. He chews on an empty smoking pipe as he glances     through a student "cum" (cue-mm).                             WALTER                      (preoccupied)               I'm pretty busy right now,               Garfield. What is it?     Trevor sets the book down on Walter's desk and nervously     adjusts his glasses.                             TREVOR               Could you open it, please?     Walter opens the book.                             WALTER                      (a weary look                       of disgust)               Don't suppose this kid cares about               our budget crisis?                      (shuts the book)               Have the textbook room charge him               for the book.     Walter snaps the book shut and looks up at Trevor.     That's all?                             TREVOR               One-Eight-Seven is a penal code               number for murder, Walter.               Means the same thing as T-O-S.               'Terminate On the Spot.'                                                    (CONTINUED)                                                              8.11   CONTINUED:                                                     11                                 WALTER                         (piqued)                  For chrissake, I know what it                  stands for. Look, kid probably                  heard it in a rap song. Doesn't                  mean anything.                                TREVOR                  ... The book belongs to Dennis                  Broadway. He's a known gangster,                  Walter -- a 'Five Percenter.'                                WALTER                  Garfield, if I had a dollar for                  every time a student threatened                  faculty... Don't you think you're                  overreacting a little?                                TREVOR                         (suppressing                          trepidation)                  Did you tell Dennis Broadway he                  was getting a fail from me?                                WALTER                         (stymied)                  I have legal access to those                  files.                                TREVOR                  He's a transfer from Nixon High                  School, isn't he?                                WALTER                         (becoming defensive)                  Look, I'm not obligated to track                  you down every time a transfer                  student comes through here. You                  want confidential information                  like that, come look it up in his                  cum (cue-mm).     Trevor exhales a sigh of resignation.                                TREVOR                  Do you have him on a contract?                                WALTER                  If he gets through the semester                  without a fail then he gets to go                  back to Nixon, so what?                                TREVOR                  ... and be with his homeboys.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                              9.11   CONTINUED:    (2)                                             11     Walter's caught between a rock and a hard place.   His     instincts lean toward self-preservation.                                WALTER                  So he blew his opportunity. Now                  he has to learn to live with the                  consequences.                                TREVOR                  I don't think this kid's ready to                  deal with the consequences. I                  think he wants me dead.                                WALTER                  Relax, has nothin' to do with you.                                TREVOR                  I should have been told, Walter.                                WALTER                  Hey, I'm on your side, Garfield,                  but my hands are tied. Kid has a                  right to his privacy... Know what                  your problem is? You're an                  idealist.                                TREVOR                  What's wrong with that?                                WALTER                  You only see what you wanna see,                  that's what's wrong. On one hand                  you think someone's trying to kill                  you. On the other hand you                  actually believe kids are paying                  attention in your classes.     Trevor resigns himself to the fact that he's come to     the wrong person for support.                                TREVOR                         (collecting himself)                  Never mind. It's not a problem.                                WALTER                         (an empty promise)                  Tell you what, as soon as I get a                  chance I'll summons the kid.                  Promise.     Trevor's bemusement holds us.     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                              10.12   INT. RWHS "A" BUILDING - MAIN CORRIDOR - MORNING            12     Trevor retraces his steps back up the empty corridor as     the passing BELL RINGS. Within seconds the corridor is     teeming with teenagers.     Into SLOW MOTION now. MANEUVERING THROUGH the crowd to     DISCOVER DENNIS BROADWAY (16). About ten paces behind.     His Snoop-Dogg Afro frames a gold earring and a pair of     deep-set eyes filled with vitriol. Oblivious of Dennis,     Trevor presses on toward the north stairwell.     VARIOUS SHOTS OVERHEAD and THROUGH crowd as the gap     between Dennis and Trevor narrows. Every facial     expression, every blink of an eye, all magnified a     hundred times.     Broadway's right hand is wrapped in a dirty white     handkerchief as he reaches into the front pocket of his     baggie Solos and pulls out a block of wood with a     ten-penny nail imbedded in it.13   INT. RWHS - AT NORTH STAIRWELL                              13     Trevor's heavy eyelids blink as he slowly glances up into     a parabolic mirror on the wall. A silent, paroxysmal     terror registers on his face.     In a parabolic mirror, the blurred image of Dennis     Broadway, pushing hard toward a conclusion now.     BACK TO SPEED as Dennis explodes forward, body blocking     Trevor from behind, pinning him against a wall and     sending the "187" textbook flying.     He rams his weapon into Trevor's back.     In a SERIES OF RAPID-FIRE CUTS, filtered sunlight     shimmers off the sharpened nail as it slashes downward.     A barrage of stabbing motions, tearing at cloth and     flesh. Trevor's backward flailing arms are ineffective     in blocking the frenzied stabfest. Downward slashing,     again and again... 10 times.     Aftermath. As quickly as it began it's over. Dennis     Broadway slams open an exit door and is gone. Students     scatter like cockroaches. An eerie stillness lingers.     Trevor Garfield is lying on his back now in a pool of     blood; black plastic framed glasses in pieces on the     floor; lifeless arms spread out at his sides.   His     rheumy, unblinking eyes stare upward into infinite space.     Breathing is the major focus of his concentration now as     we SLOWLY MOVE IN ON his face. HOLD and now...                                                               11.14   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA) -                     14     SUPERIMPOSE: LOS ANGELES - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY,     SEVENTEEN MONTHS LATER     It's a tiny one bedroom house in the East San Fernando     Valley. A chain-link fence surrounds the perimeter and a     large olive tree shades the neatly-mowed front lawn.     And in the back there's a wooden tool shed that borders     a narrow alley.15   INT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM                               15     In the predawn light a terra cotta angel stands guard     over a bookshelf.16   INT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - BEDROOM                                   16     Stillness. Now the PHONE RINGS. A shape in the bed     stirs. A desk lamp flickers on, illuminating the phone.     Trevor's hand reaches for the receiver.                                 TREVOR                   Morning...                                 SUB UNIT (V.O.)                   'Morning, Mr. Garfield. This is                   the Sub Unit. Are you available                   for work?                                 TREVOR                          (clearing his throat)                   ... Yes, uh huh.                                 SUB UNIT (V.O.)                   There's a science class in the                   Valley at John Quincy Adams. It's                   a four day assignment. Teacher's                   name is Eskander.17   INT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - TREVOR'S PRAYER - SERIES OF SHOTS         17     We hear what God hears over the following...     A)   IN SHOWER          Trevor hangs his head under a torrent of soothing          water.     B)   TREVOR          Ceremoniously, he irons a shirt... and polishes his          shoes, a broad scar shows across the back of his hand.                                                       (CONTINUED)      1    8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                 12.17    CONTINUED:                                                      17      C)   ANOTHER ANGLE           His pressed slacks and tie hang meticulously over a           chair as he gets dressed.      D)   CRUCIFIX           Now Jesus Christ looks down on Trevor from his crucifix           on the bedroom wall.                                 TREVOR (V.O.)                          (kneeling bedside)                   ... If you're listening, God,                   please help me today. All I ask                   is a chance to do my job... t'do                   the job you put me here to do in                   the first place.                          (prayerfully now)                   Please help me accept those things                   I cannot change... and give me                   strength to change those things I                   can.                          (beat)                   ... This is me, Trevor, God.                   Amen.18    EXT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS H.S. (SAN FERNANDO VALLEY) -             18      "A" BUILDING - MORNING      Traffic bottle-necks as students cross in front of cars,      and big yellow L.A.U.S.D. buses pull in. The green lawn      is scattered with students (about 65% Hispanic).      Compared to the scarred, institutional look of Roosevelt      Whitney, the face of John Quincy Adams is unblemished.      (This is your own backyard, not the inner city)      Sagging pants (Dickies, Ben Davis) and oversized jackets      (County Bens, Duke, Georgetown) are represented. The      different socio-economic and ethnic groups stick with      their own kind; the IHPs (Individual Honors Program), the      taggers, the Gangbangers, the Asians, the Armenians...18A   EXT. JQA PARKING LOT                                            18A      Anglo boy, Stevie Littleton, gets out of his mom's Lexus      in the school parking lot and walks towards school.19    INT./EXT. TREVOR'S '64 RAMBLER AMERICAN - FACULTY               19      PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY      Trevor sits behind the wheel of his Rambler.      Watches a      passing parade of students with detachment.     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                 13.20   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - "A" BUILDING ENTRANCE - FEW           20     MINUTES LATER     Trevor, fat briefcase in hand, crosses the front lawn.     He's not the same Trevor we met back in Bedford-     Stuvyesant. Withdrawn, guarded, he manufactures a     cautious smile at students in passing.     Trevor now approaches VICTOR SIFUENTES, a young plain-     clothes narc, who intermittently wands students with a     metal detector at the front doors. FAVOR a kid now who     wears a baseball cap with an emblem on the crown that     says "Fucd."                               VICTOR                 ... Baseball cap, give it up.     The kid grudgingly reciprocates, handing over his cap.                               VICTOR                        (stopping Trevor now)                 Hold it, please.     Trevor produces his blue employee card.                               TREVOR                 I'm a substitute.                               VICTOR                        (pointing)                 Okay, you want the Main Office,                 straight ahead. Check in with                 Mrs. Ford.21   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - "A" BUILDING/MAIN CORRIDOR -          21     BEFORE FIRST PERIOD     Trevor wanders up the crowded corridor. Along with his     briefcase he now carries a sub folder that contains a     homeroom roster, lesson plans and seating charts.     A sporadic row of teachers, like weary sentinels, stand     outside their classrooms.     TEACHER #1 is an insipid woman in her mid-forties.   She's     overweight and wears too much make-up.                               TREVOR                 ... 'Scuse me. I'm lost. I'm                 looking for Bungalow...                        (checks homeroom roster)                 ... eighty-six.                                                   (CONTINUED)                                                                 14.21   CONTINUED:                                                        21                                TEACHER #1                         (pointing)                  All the way out, next to the                  parking lot. Last bungalow on the                  left.                                   TREVOR                  ... Thank you.                                TEACHER #1                         (fatalistic)                  Good luck.     Her comment weighs on him as he resumes his winding path     through the bustle of students headed for first period.22   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - MAIN CORRIDOR/CLASSROOMS -               22     TREVOR'S POV     Glancing through open doorways. Observing the inner life     of various classrooms in passing... sees students watch-     ing TV, teacher ignores them.     INTERCUT WITH:23   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - CLASSROOM #2                             23     ANGLO MALE, 39, slouching behind his desk, attempting to     read a newspaper but distracted by an offstage commotion.                                CLASSROOM #2 TEACHER (ANGLO MALE)                         (erupting)                  ... Sit down. I come back there                  and you're gonna be sorry.     INTERCUT WITH:24   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - CLASSROOM #3/COMPUTER LAB                24     On the opposite side of the corridor... we can hear     Ellen Henry's voice before reaching her doorway. All     brightness and light, full of enthusiasm...                                   ELLEN (O.S.)                         (like,    a buzzer;                          times    up)                  ... EEEEgghh!     Wrong. William,                  you know this.     C'mon, how do you                  find the pound    sign? What's the                  fastest way?                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                            15.24   CONTINUED:                                                   24     Now we see her through the doorway. ELLEN HENRY (TEACHER     #3). She's thirty, Anglo, and non-tenured. At the front     of the class ten students stand linked together, arm-in-     arm, in a human chain. WILLIAM (15) sits behind a computer     in the front row struggling to decipher the problem...                                ELLEN                         (playfully)                  You're not thinking.                         (a major clue)                  How 'bout Binary search.     William remains puzzled. The chain of students delight     in chiding him. "C'mon, Beavis!"...                                ELLEN                         (the answer)                  You split them!     Ellen attempts to bisect the impulsive chain of students     with a double-handed karate chop. Fickle chain that they     are, they resist.                                ELLEN                         (amused)                  ... Very funny.     Now a SLOW MOTION fleeting moment as she catches Trevor's     passing gaze and openly smiles at him.25   INT. MEN'S BATHROOM                                          25     Trevor rinses his face at the sink as Victor Sifuentes'     head speaks to him from above one of the heavily     graffitied stalls in b.g.                                VICTOR                  So who yuh here for?                                TREVOR                  Eskander.                                VICTOR                         (zipping up,                          exiting)                  Aw, man, you got bungalow                  duty.26   EXT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - BUNGALOWS - MORNING                 26     On a MEANDERING COURSE, MERGING with Trevor now.                                                    (CONTINUED)                                                                16.26   CONTINUED:                                                       26     Increasing evidence of tagging, and bands of wandering     students, indicate a higher degree of disorder the     further one gets from the Main Office.     FROM ABOVE NOW, like Algernon and his maze, Trevor     negotiates his own path deeper and deeper into the     configuration of bungalows.     ... And Trevor's trepidation. Eyes discerning every     passerby. His PULSE AUDIBLY RACES, senses heightened.     SHIFTING INTO SLOW MOTION AGAIN... And the reverberating     SOUND of a SPRAY PAINT MARBLE as Trevor rounds a corner     and comes face to face with three tag-bangers concealing     spray paint cans inside their oversized jackets. One of     the taggers locks eyes with Trevor as he passes, a slow     premonitory burn. The tagger has a "skin tight" (pelon)     hair cut and a string of black rosary beads around his     neck. A barcode tattoo on the back of his neck identi-     fies BENNY.27   EXT. UTILITY SHED AND VICINITY - MORNING                         27     ... Behind the bungalows, adjacent the delivery gate.     Meet DAVE CHILDRESS, a forty-something ditto-head.     The residual effects of a hangover linger as he sneaks a     cigarette before first period. He wears a faded Hawaiian     shirt and Huarache sandals. An old military tattoo     emblazons his left forearm. As he crushes out his     cigarette, something catches his eye.28   EXT. UTILITY SHED                                                28     ... Thru a chain-link fence we see a handful of cholo-     types loitering around the shed.     Childress investigates.    As he approaches the fence...                                CHILDRESS                         ... Hey, ese(s)?!     Homeboys scatter in all directions, some hop the chain-     link fence, others scurry out a narrow gate behind the     shed. Childress weighs an amused smirk. Now out of     nowhere a gangbanger lurches from the shed, buttoning     his sagging Dickies and tripping over his own feet. He     scrambles out the back gate and is gone.     Childress, curiosity piqued, now enters the compound     through a tear in the fence.     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                 17.29   INT. UTILITY SHED - MOMENTS LATER                              29     As Childress pokes his head inside he discovers...     Rita Nartinez, seventeen... braless. A niobium belly-     ring piercing her navel. She pulls a dark blue sweat     shirt on over her head. Glances up at Childress. Masks     her shame with a defiant smirk.     (Behind the heavy eyeliner and baggy pants of a chola,     Rita's really nothing more than a little lost girl.)                               CHILDRESS                        (knowing full well)                 What the hell's going on here,                 lil' sister?30   INT. BUNGALOW "84" - MORNING                                   30     Trevor flicks on the lights, exposing bare, colorless     walls and closed venetian blinds. His breathing's     slightly labored as he sets down his briefcase. His back     faces the mob of students that trickle in now as he takes     a surreptitious hit off an inhaler. Almost instantly his     breathing returns to normal.     Now he shuts his eyes and prepares to conjure up the     dormant enthusiasm he used to have. Takes a deep     cathartic breath. Now he digs a file folder out of his     briefcase, opens it, selects a dispatch and approaches     the blackboard.     BELL RINGS as he picks up a piece of chalk... and begins.     First he writes his name in the corner of the blackboard.     Now he moves to the center of the blackboard and begins     to write per the file folder in his hand...     "GLIS WAS VERY FRAPPER.    SHE HAD DENARPEN FARFIE'S     MARDSEN..."     No one pays much attention.    Back still facing the     class...                               TREVOR                 ... Before taking roll, I'd like                 to prove a point.     Now one or two students begin to notice the     indecipherable gibberish he is writing on the board...                                                     (CONTINUED)                                                               18.30   CONTINUED:                                                      30                                 BARSEK                         (Armenian; a disparaging                          laugh)                  'Farfie?'                         (cholo-like)                  Whad up, Farfie?     Trevor mentally blocks out the salvo of grunts, groans     and expletives. With each subsequent stroke of the chalk     he is exorcising his demons...                                TREVOR                  ... It's not important what... or                  who... 'Farfie' is.     Turning to face the class now...                                TREVOR                  Yuh wanna play, yuh gotta stay.                  Have a seat, please.     A handful of students take their seats.                                TREVOR                         (pacing now)                  The point I'd like to make is                  this... Anyone here can be a                  scientist.     ... a grudging buzz of confusion.                                ASIAN GIRL                         (sotto; puzzled)                  ... What's he talking about?                                 TREVOR                  ... A scientist is like a                  detective. He investigates data.                  He scratches the surface of things                  he doesn't understand to see                  what's underneath.                         (pointing to blackboard)                  ... Things like this. Okay, who                  wants to read?     Barsek (the class clown) breaks in...                                BARSEK                         (standing up)                  I'll do it.     Trevor quiets a harmless barrage of, "Bart," "sit down"     and "Armenian Power sucks"...                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                               19.30   CONTINUED:    (2)                                               30                                 TREVOR                  Come on, we don't need disrespect.                  Let 'im do it.                         (to Barsek)                  What's your name?                                   BARSEK                  Barsek.     A wisp of gratification flickers at the corner of     Trevor's mouth.                                   TREVOR                  Okay, Barsek.     Read.     (The following is read in fits and starts and accompanied     by diminishing laughter and ridicule.)                                BARSEK                  ... Glis was very frapper. She                  had denarpen Farfie's Mardsen.                  She couldn't galp a giberter for                  Farfie. Instead she wharked to                  plimp a mardsen binky for him.                                TREVOR                  Okay, anyone know what Barsek just                  said?     ... A unanimous "No." Trevor can see the light at the     end of the tunnel now. He's back in the zone.                                TREVOR                  That's alright. You don't need to                  understand something to answer a                  few simple questions about it.                  Every one of you is capable of                  decoding data. Watch.     Trevor writes question #1 on the board...              1. WHY WAS GLIS FRAPPER?                                TREVOR                  ... Why was Glis Frapper?   Can                  anyone tell me?     The Asian Girl, into it now, tentatively raises her hand.                                   TREVOR                            (pointing at                             Asian Girl)                  Okay.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                               20.30   CONTINUED:    (3)                                               30     Asian Girl's POV as she studies the first two sentences     on the board.                                ASIAN GIRL                         (slowly; cautiously)                  ... Glis was frapper... because...                  she had denarpen Farfie's mardsen?                                TREVOR                         (understated)                  That's right. You got it.                         (reactions all around)                  Let's try another.     Trevor reads and writes question #2 on the board...              2. WHAT DID GLIS PLIMP?                                TREVOR                  ... What did Glis plimp?     Before Trevor can finish writing the question, an     unidentified voice blurts out, "He plimped a Ho."     Scattered laughter. Trevor grimaces, shakes his head.     Now attempts to add the question mark at the end of the     sentence but the chalk breaks, causing dissension.                                 TREVOR                         (searching blackboard                          ledge)                  ... Hold on, hold on. Where's                  your teacher keep the chalk?                                ASIAN GIRL                  ... In the desk.     Trevor hastily rifles through the teacher's drawers.     A     startling discovery abruptly halts his search...     CLOSER now INTO a brown paper bag Trevor has opened.     Inside the bag is a .357 Magnum.     OFF Trevor's narrowing gaze, an offstage voice     interrupts...                                CHILDRESS (O.S.)                  ... Can I help you?     Trevor lifts his head to see Dave Childress standing in     the doorway of the bungalow. Trevor shuts the desk     drawer. You can hear a pin drop.     Childress piston-chews a wad of gum as he approaches     Trevor.                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                               21.30   CONTINUED: (4)                                               30                               CHILDRESS                 Sorry I'm late. Had to handle                 something. You a sub?                               TREVOR                        (puzzled)                 I thought this was Science.                 Ms. Eskander.     Childress weighs a shit-eating grin as he glances at     Trevor's name on the board.                               CHILDRESS                 No. This is Dave Childress,                 American History.     Some students brave a laugh at Trevor's expense.                               CHILDRESS                 ... Don't know how to break it to                 you...                        (glancing at                         Trevor's name again)                 ... Garfield... but this is                 bungalow 84.     Childress now places a patronizing hand on Trevor's     shoulder and steers him toward the window blinds.                               CHILDRESS                 See, you zigged when you shoulda                 zagged. Course it's not your                 fault someone jacked the number                 off my door. Keep askin' Garcia                 to fix it but all I get is 'nada.'     Childress draws the blinds on one of the windows exposing     another bungalow across the way.31   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - THROUGH WINDOW PANE                      31     ... In complete disarray. Students clutter the doorway     as wads of paper intermittently zing past them.                               CHILDRESS                 ... that mess over there, that's                 Eskander's.     OFF Trevor's unflinching stare...     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  22.32   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - MORNING                                     32     The bungalow was originally designed for lab science:     glass-encased cupboards, a caged white lab rat on a side     counter, an 8' by 3' counter top (island) at the front of     the room, including a built-in sink and butane gas valve.     Students crowd the opened windows on the far side of the     room. The chaotic atmosphere centers around one     student... Benny Chacon (18), the tagger we met earlier.     Trevor's back to square one. He struggles with     trepidation as he steps into the doorway of the bungalow     and hesitates.     A young black girl, LAKESIA STEWART (16), stands near the     doorway. She cradles a realistic looking E.N.A.B.L. baby     (Education Now And Babies Later).                                LAKESIA                 You our sub?     Trevor takes a peek at the doll.                               LAKESIA                 It's not real. We're studying                 teen parenting in home-ec.' It's                 computerized, so it cries and shit.     Crowd at the windows begins to disperse now, finding     their seats, except for Benny who doesn't budge. Trevor     approaches, gazes out the window, eyes sizing up the     situation.33   EXT. BUNGALOW #86 - TREVOR'S POV - TEXTBOOKS                    33     Scattered on the blacktop between the parking lot fence     and bungalow #86 are 35 science textbooks.34   INT. BUNGALOW #86                                               34                                TREVOR                        (addressing Benny;                          without prejudging)                 You know how the books got                 outside?     Benny plays with the black rosary around his neck.     Responds with mock ignorance.                               BENNY                 No speaky Engless.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                  23.34   CONTINUED:                                                         34     Class erupts with laughter.      A wad of paper sails past     Trevor and out the window.                                BENNY                  You speak Spanish, Mister... Whas                  yer name?                                  TREVOR                  Garfield.                                 BENNY                  ... You speak Spanish, Mister G?                         (as Trevor ignores                           the question)                  Eh, G... know what dat means when                  a homeboy calls you 'G'? Dat means                  gangster, homes. You a gangster,                  maestro?                                TREVOR                  No, I'm not a gangster.                         (beat)                  Would you please do me a favor and                  pick up the books?                                 BENNY                         (righteous                          indignation)                  Andate a la mierda.                         (more laughs)                  I ain't pickin' dat shit up.   You                  go pick it up.     Benny now finds a seat.      Trevor follows him.                                TREVOR                  What's your name?                                  BENNY                  Cesar Chavez.    Don't you recognize                  me?     Class laughs. Trevor refers to the seating chart (inside     the sub folder) in his hand but Benny's not sitting in     his proper seat. Benny indicates a 2" by 3" monitoring     device strapped to his ankle...                                BENNY                  See dis? I'm already on house                  arrest, homes. Ain't nothin' more                  you can do to me.                                                         (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  24.34   CONTINUED:    (2)                                               34     Suddenly three students across from Benny (the other     three taggers we saw earlier, Cesar Sanchez, Stevie     Littleton and Paco) stand with bold impunity. All are     17. Cesar has a buzz-cut, Stevie's an Anglo speed freak     with a runny nose and a bleached one-clip haircut (roots     showing) and Paco, a Latino.                                TREVOR                  Sit down, please.     Cesar, Stevie and Paco ignore Trevor and walk out of the     bungalow. Their departure is accompanied by a tumultuous     outburst of catcalls and whistles.                                 LAKESIA                          (peeking Benny's                           hold card)                  Mr. G, those guys that jus' walked                  out aren't even in here this                  period.                          (pointing to Benny)                  And this fool's name is Benny                  Chacon.                                BENNY                         (whirls in his seat)                  Shut yer mouth, hood rat! School                  girl bitch!                                 TREVOR                  Okay, Benny.   That's enough.     Benny turns his wrath on Trevor now.                                BENNY                  Hey, you ain't no real teacher.                  Fool, you're nothin' but a sub.                  T'ink yer so cool... You mus' be                  'Mr. culo.'     Scattered laughter. Trevor closes the sub folder and     just looks at Benny.                                TREVOR                         (a cool curiosity)                  Why do you wear a rosary?                                 BENNY                          (reacting)                  Ain't none a' yer damn business.                  To put God on me, okay? Why don't                  you jus' go sit down and read yer                  newspaper. Wanna-be, mother                  fucker.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                 25.34   CONTINUED:    (3)                                                 34     Trevor just stands there, studies Benny.       A palpable     beat.                                  TREVOR                  Are you done?     There is dead silence as Benny stares Trevor straight in     the eye. Trevor stares right back.                                BENNY                  Jus' gimme a referral.    Shit.     Trevor turns and calmly walks back to the island counter,     searches and finds a referral slip in one of the drawers,     fills it out...                                 TREVOR                         (cool deliberation)                  For future reference, anyone who                  disrupts a class, or in any way                  infringes on the rights of others                  to get an education, is subject to                  disciplinary action.                         (beat)                  When I'm here, ladies and                  gentlemen, I expect to be treated                  decently...                         (walks back                           to Benny)                  ... hopefully in an atmosphere of                  mutual respect. This classroom is                  our sanctuary, yours and mine.                  Respect it.                         (handing Benny                           the referral)                  For your information, I am a real                  teacher.                                BENNY                  Whatever you say, Opie.     Benny has a smirk on his face as he sashays past Trevor     with the referral slip.                                TREVOR                  Okay, who would like to help me                  pick up the books?     Benny, a self-aggrandized exit, crumbles the referral     slip and tosses it at Trevor, hitting him square in the     back.     Like a reflex, Trevor whirls and ducks.        Students laugh     at his heightened reaction.      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  26.34A   EXT. JQA - FACULTY DINING ROOM                                  34A      We see kids at an armored Coke machine.      PAN OFF machine      to see kids at lunch.35    INT. JQA - FACULTY DINING ROOM - LUNCHTIME                      35      Trevor sits by himself, lost in stirring a bowl of soup.      He observes a talkative clique of teachers at the far end      of the table, including Teacher #1.      Now Dave Childress sits down, disrupting Trevor's      solitude.                                CHILDRESS                  How goes the battle, Garfield?      Dave bites into a messy sandwich as he skims the front      page of a newspaper that someone left behind.                                CHILDRESS                  D'juh get that binky marsden farfied?      Trevor doesn't say a word. Just keeps stirring his soup      ... Now notices Ellen Henry as she enters and joins the      food line.                                CHILDRESS                  Know what I think? I think that                  Chacon punk's the one who opened                  your bungalow this morning.                         (another bite)                  Eskander doesn't know how to lock                  a window.      TREVOR'S POV - ELLEN AND CASHIER      The cashier (Armenian girl, 15) is one of Ellen's      students. As Ellen pays for a sandwich...                                ELLEN                  ... Come by the lab after school,                  we'll work on it...      BACK TO TREVOR AND CHILDRESS                                CHILDRESS                  Want some advice?      Trevor slides Dave a glance.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                               27.35   CONTINUED:                                                      35                                CHILDRESS                  First homeboy that gives you the                  slightest bit of trouble... send                  'um tuh Larry Hyland. He's their                  counselor. Right off the bat, yuh                  have to sacrifice one. Let 'um                  know who's boss. Show some balls.                         (as Trevor nods)                  And don't look for support from                  the administration. Most of 'em                  haven't been in a classroom in ten                  years. They don't know shit. I                  got tenure and I'm still out here                  in the damn bungalows. I should                  be in the 'A' building with a nice                  air-conditioned room.                         (sarcastically)                  You met Garcia yet? The principal?     Trevor shakes his head as Ellen Henry takes the empty     seat at the end of the table, smiles at Trevor.                                ELLEN                  Ah!  New blood!                         (extends a hand)                  Ellen Henry, computer science.                                TREVOR                  Trevor Garfield.     As they shake right in front of Childress' face he can't     help noticing the mean scar on the back of Trevor's hand.                                CHILDRESS                  Nice scar yuh got there.     There's something familiar about this sub.                                CHILDRESS                  Ever sub here before?                                TREVOR                  First time.                                CHILDRESS                         (curiously)                  What about permanent?                                TREVOR                  I taught seven years in the                  Bedford-Stuyvesant section of                  Brooklyn. Roosevelt Whitney High                  School.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                28.35   CONTINUED:    (2)                                                35                                CHILDRESS                  Roosevelt Whitney? Didn't some                  teacher get stabbed to death there                  last year?                                TREVOR                  Actually, he survived.                                CHILDRESS                  No, it was on 'Sixty Minutes.' Some                  gangbanger stabbed this guy with a                  ten-penny nail like a dozen times                  in a hallway and...     Childress looks from Trevor silently stirring his soup     down to the scar again... and now it hits him.                                CHILDRESS                  Jesus Christ, you're him.   It was                  you.     Ellen blanches.                                CHILDRESS                         (awestruck)                  Holy shit, Garfield. When was                  that? December before last? No,                  it was fall.                                 TREVOR                  October 27.                                CHILDRESS                  Whadda schmuck. I'm sittin' here                  givin' advice to a man with a                  purple heart.                                 ELLEN                  Excuse me...     Inexplicably, she gets up and leaves. As Trevor watches     Ellen go, Childress slides closer to him.                                 CHILDRESS                         (sotto)                  Lemme tell yuh somethin'. In my                  book you're a fuckin' hero. Damn                  straight.     Trevor slides a look back to Dave as he eats his soup.                                TREVOR                  ... Getting stabbed doesn't make me                  a hero.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                29.35   CONTINUED:    (3)                                                35                                CHILDRESS                         (disregards                          Trevor's comment)                  So what'd they give the kid?                                TREVOR                  They put 'im upstate in a facility                  until his twenty-first birthday.                                CHILDRESS                  That all? They shoulda caned the                  bastard. Like they did that kid                  in Singapore. Remember?                         (recollecting)                  President of Singapore had a few                  choice words. Use to have it                  memorized... He said something                  like, 'When a state of increasing                  disorder and defiance cannot be                  checked by the rules... then new                  and sometimes drastic rules have                  to be forged to maintain order.'                         (slides Trevor                          a glance)                  'The alternative is to surrender                  order to chaos and anarchy.'                                TREVOR                  So why do you still teach?                                CHILDRESS                  Same reason as you, Garfield -- for                  the paycheck.36   EXT. BUNGALOW #86 - AFTERNOON (SIXTH PERIOD; NEXT DAY)           36     The windows and blinds are shut now.37   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - CLOCK ON WALL - CONTINUOUS ACTION            37     is inching toward the top of the hour.     Closing their books and loading their knapsacks, the     students talk and pay more attention to the inexorable     march of time than to Trevor writing on an overhead     projector.                                TREVOR                  Okay, someone tell me the                  difference between the central                  nervous system and the lymphatic                  system?                                                        (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   30.37   CONTINUED:                                                       37     Rita Nartinez (the chola from the "utility" shed) sits     near the front of the class. She wears her usual heavy     eyeliner and a new nose ring.                                RITA                         (obscenely)                  Mr. G, you gotta nice butt.     Class erupts. Rita enjoys the attention.        Trevor turns     and looks at her squarely.                                TREVOR                  You seem to be an expert on                  anatomy, Miss --                         (checks roster)                  -- Nartinez. Central nervous                  system and lymphatic system.                  What's the difference?                                RITA                  ... Uh...     Trevor doesn't expect anything remotely close to the     right answer.                                RITA                  It's like the central nervous                  system, that's your brain and                  spinal cord, and the lymphatic                  system, that's the stuff in your                  blood that fights diseases.     A beat.   Trevor looks up at her.                                TREVOR                  Very good.     Trevor notices Cesar Sanchez writing on his desk.      Stevie     cranes his neck to observe. Paco snoozes.                                TREVOR                  Cesar.     Cesar throws back his head and jerks both hands from his     desk top. Trevor walks up the aisle.                                TREVOR                  You writing on your desk?                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                31.37   CONTINUED:    (2)                                                37                                CESAR                         (coolly)                  You see anything in my hands?                         (displaying his                          empty palms)                  I don't think so.     Trevor looks down at the tagging on Cesar's desktop. In     one corner are the letters K-O-S, and below that the word     "cartoon."                                TREVOR                  K-O-S, what's that? That a                  tagging crew?     Cesar shrugs with a big grin.                                TREVOR                  Cartoon... Is that you, Cesar?                         (off no response)                  'K-O-S' has something to do with                  your friend Benny?                                CESAR                  ... Dawg. You're a sucker. K-O-S                  stands for 'Kappin' Off Suckers.'                  Don't disrespect my homeboy, Benny.                  He don't like it. He don't like                  you.     Trevor dismisses Cesar's comments.                                TREVOR                  Do me a favor, Cesar. Go get a                  paper towel from the counter and                  wipe off your desk.                         (beat)                  And Mr. Littleton, please oblige                  me and turn that tagger shirt                  inside-out.     Stevie wears a fusion T-shirt emblazoned with a giant     spray can.                                STEVIE                         (refusing)                  Hyland said it was okay, Sucker.     Neither of them budge. Momentous deliberation. Now the     BELL RINGS and the classroom empties in a matter of     seconds. Cesar stares daggers at Trevor as he exits.     Rita hangs back, the last one to leave.      She doesn't want     anyone to see her talking to Trevor.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                              32.37   CONTINUED:    (3)                                              37                                RITA                         (self-conscious)                  Don't pay no attention to them.                  They jus' tryin' tuh fuck wit'                  you, Mr. G. I mean play wit' you.                         (beat)                  Sorry I said you had a nice ass.                                TREVOR                         (a pensive beat)                  ... Apology accepted.                                RITA                         (in her own defense)                  I ain't no school girl.                                TREVOR                  God forbid anyone should think                  that.     Rita flickers an awkward smile, turns and exits. The     class empties and Trevor is left staring at the empty desks     where Benny and Cesar sat... WHACK -- Trevor's reverie is     broken by a BASKETBALL smashing against the side of the     bungalow.     POV - OUT THE WINDOW     A group of boys grin mischieviously at the reaction they     get from Trevor... continue smashing the ball against     bungalows.     TREVOR     shifts his gaze from them to the venetian blinds framing     the window... to the clock over his desk.38   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - CLOSE ON VENETIAN BLINDS - LATER           38     (AFTER SCHOOL)     as they open -- revealing the clock -- and just as     suddenly close. TILT DOWN to find Trevor working the     cords to the blinds he's rigged over the timeplace.     A FAINT KNOCK breaks his spell as he glances up to     discover Ellen Henry standing in the open doorway.                                   ELLEN                  May I come in?                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                             33.38   CONTINUED:                                                    38                                   TREVOR                  Yeah...                         (points at her)                  ... Ellen.                                   ELLENA                            (pointing back)                  Trevor.     He sees her looking quizzically at the blinds he's rigged     over the clock.                                TREVOR                         (explaining)                  I'm making time a reward instead                  of a distraction.     Impressed, Ellen peruses the room now with a benign gaze.                                ELLEN                  Clever... Listen, I wanted to                  apologize for jumping up like I                  did at lunch. I was just feeling                  a little weird...                                   TREVOR                  It's alright.                                ELLEN                  For what it's worth, Dave                  Childress thinks you walk on                  water.                                TREVOR                  Is that a good thing?     Ellen flickers a grin, point taken.                                ELLEN                  I think it takes a lot of                  courage to go back into a                  classroom after something like                  that.                                TREVOR                  Not if the only thing you ever                  wanted to do was teach.                                ELLEN                         (smiles)                  Now you see, there's our                  predicament.                                                     (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  34.38   CONTINUED:    (2)                                               38     WHACK -- the noise pulls Ellen's attention out the     window where the boys play a rough game of BASKETBALL.                                ELLEN                  I assume you've met Benny Chacon?                                TREVOR                  I have.                                ELLEN                         (absently)                  Last week Benny and his tagging                  crew had Ms. Eskander pinned in                  the corner over there.                         (pointing)                  ... She's seven months pregnant                  and he's tormenting her with a                  broom handle... Can I help you                  with those?     Trevor is trying to put some books on an upper shelf,     but he's having trouble raising his arm high enough.     Ellen sees he's in pain.                                TREVOR                  No thanks.     She watches him struggle, then breaks the awkwardness.                                ELLEN                  So anyway, Gloria kicks Benny...                  and if the district construes it                  as assault and battery on a                  student, she's gone.                                TREVOR                  They'd do that?                                 ELLEN                  In a heart beat. She's non-                  tenured, they don't want to get                  sued...                          (with resignation)                  Don't be surprised if she files                  for stress leave by the end of                  the week. Too bad, too. She's a                  good teacher.     WHACK... WHACK... Outside, the kids continue to play.     The late sun makes their violent shadows swarm over Ellen.                                ELLEN                  Can I ask you a personal question?                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                35.38   CONTINUED:    (3)                                                38     Trevor glances up.    Here's what she really wants to     know...                                ELLEN                         (tentatively now)                  Why'd that kid attack you?                                TREVOR                  Because I flunked him.                                ELLEN                         (sobered)                  Is there any way you can see                  something like that coming?                                TREVOR                  When they say they wanna kill you,                  you'd best take it serious. This                  kid was an O.T. -- Opportunity                  Transfer -- but nobody told me                  until it was too late.     A beat.                                ELLEN                  Did you know Benny's an O.T.?...                  In less than a year he's been                  convicted of felony assault and                  suspended twice. I even testified                  against him as a character witness.                  Now I get to see him every day in                  homeroom. I'm stuck with him.                  Condition of his probation is                  that he stay in school.                                TREVOR                  You talk to the principal?                                ELLEN                  Many times... Three weeks ago,                  Garcia calls Benny's mother in for                  a conference, but she refuses to                  show up. She's afraid they'll                  deport her because she's illegal.                  So she contacts the A.C.L.U. and                  some attorney tells her she                  doesn't have to come in.                         (still can't                          believe)                  Garcia got cold feet and dropped                  the whole thing.                         (fear building)                  This kid's threatening me and all                  he's worried about is a lawsuit.                                                        (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                    36.38   CONTINUED:    (4)                                                 38                                TREVOR                         (intent now)                  What'd Benny say to you?     Tears involuntarily well up in Ellen's eyes.     HOLD for     an awkward moment as she collects herself.                                ELLEN                  That he wanted to hurt me.   Real                  bad.                                TREVOR                  Does he know where you live?                                ELLEN                  I think so. Someone's been phoning                  me at night and hanging up... Two                  weeks ago, my car was broken into...                  And last Friday, I think he was                  inside my house... But I can't                  prove it.     The shadows of the basketball players rage inside the     bungalow.                                ELLEN                         (bottom lip quivers)                  ... I don't know what to do.                                  TREVOR                  You can quit.                                  ELLEN                  You didn't.     OFF Trevor's severe gaze...39   EXT. LA RIVER OVERPASS - NIGHT                                    39     ... Trace the cold underbelly of the overpass. The glare     of oncoming headlights flash overhead as we DISCOVER a     tagging wall.     CLOSER now...     ... The wall is completely covered with graffiti. The     centerpiece of the wall is a 5' by 10' multi-color     "placa" that reads...                                      K.O.S.     ANGLING TO DISCOVER an Anglo tagger now as he defaces     the "S" in K-O-S, covering it with his own piece.                                                      (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/11/96                                     37.39   CONTINUED:                                                         39     Suddenly the lone tagger feels a presence at his back.     He freezes. Now slowly turns to see...     ... Benny, Cesar and Paco.     Merely shadows. Benny lights a blunt, illuminating his     face. Passes it to Cesar...                                   TAGGER                  Do I know you?                                BENNY                         (indicates tagging)                  You should. You're fuckin' with                  my piece, puto.                                TAGGER                         (nervously)                  ... You from K.O.S.? No shit?     Cesar and Paco burst into hysterical laughter which     only manages to get Benny piqued.                                TAGGER                         (panicking)                  Look, I didn't mean nothin'. Lemme                  fix it. I can fix it. Okay?     Cesar and Paco laugh harder.                                BENNY                         (to Cesar)                  Eh, shut up, mojado!                         (to Tagger now)                  Don't mess wit' me, whiteboy.    I'll                  cap yer ass.     He pulls a .380 or a .25 automatic out of his pocket.     Brandishes it at Cesar and Paco...                                BENNY                  I said shut up! Shut the fuck up!     A BEEPER hooked on Benny's pants pocket BEEPS. Benny     shuts it off. The Tagger sees his opportunity and makes     a break for it. Without a second thought, Benny SHOOTS     him in the leg. Tagger crumbles to the ground. Benny's     really pissed now. Checks his beeper's glow-in-the-dark     face for the message.                                BENNY                         (reacting to message)                  I don't have no time to put up                  wit' 'dis shit!                                                          (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/11/96                                38.39   CONTINUED:    (2)                                             39     Cesar and Paco attempt to subdue their laughter but     fail...                                BENNY                  You think it's funny?!     Benny lifts a pant leg.    Indicates his ankle monitor with     the barrel of his gun.                                BENNY                  I don't call my P.O. in 15                  minutes, I'm fucked.     Venting rage, Benny walks up the wounded Tagger and     STARTS SHOOTING (one hand high near his face, shooting     downward). Now he kisses the crucifix on his rosary like     a sick, distorted affectation.                                BENNY                  Dis is K.O.S.' neighborhood.     Cesar and Paco laugh even harder now, falling all     over each other. Benny storms off. He marches past a     street lamp and is swallowed up by the night.40   EXT. L.A. RIVER - NIGHT                                       40     SUBJECT CAMERA FOLLOWING Benny. Oblivious that he's     being followed, Benny walks at a steady pace. As we     continue gaining ground on him, a SOUND UPCUT of     TREVOR CALLING ROLL transports us to...41   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - ON BENNY'S EMPTY DESK - NEXT MORNING      41     (FIRST PERIOD)     Amid unresponsive cross talk:                                TREVOR (O.S.)                  Sergio Arrellano... Blanca                  Orantes... Andrew Blackwell...                  Benny Chacon...                                LAKESIA                         (chiming in)                  Benny's not here.     Trevor gazes opaquely at Benny's empty seat.                                LAKESIA                  I think he went AWOL, Mr. G.                                                             39.42   EXT. VACANT DIRT LOT - AFTERNOON                              42     An eight-year-old Hispanic kid pulls a red Flexi-Flyer     wagon (laden with pop bottles and aluminum cans) across     weeds and cracked earth.     He suddenly stops and stares at something in the weeds.     Snatches it up, studies it, and tosses it with everything     else.     SLOWLY MOVING IN ON the wagon now...     ... thru a thin shroud of dust as it bangs and bumps     along.     Even CLOSER now on the last retrieved article... It's     Benny's ankle monitor.43   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - "A" BUILDING - MAIN CORRIDOR -       43     DAY (FIFTH PERIOD)     Trevor emerges from Assistant Principal Ford's office and     walks up the empty corridor, without breaking stride.                                ELLEN (O.S.)                      (muted)               ... Trevor.     Trevor retraces his steps back to the door of Ellen's     plant-filled, personalized computer lab. Over the     CLACKING of COMPUTER KEYS...                             TREVOR                      (quietly)               Eskander filed for stress leave.               They want me to finish out the               semester.                             ELLEN               That's great...                             TREVOR                      (with humility)               It's only 'til the end of the               year.                             ELLEN               Listen, I never thanked you               for letting me cry on your               shoulder.     Trevor flickers a conciliatory nod, now he averts his     eyes.                                                   (CONTINUED)                                                               40.43   CONTINUED:                                                      43                                 TREVOR                  That's okay.                                ELLEN                         (digressing now)                  Hey, have you seen Benny lately?                         (as Trevor shrugs)                  Ford told me he hasn't phoned                  his P.O. in four days.                         (weighs guilt;                          whispering)                  You know what they say. Be                  careful what you pray for. Don't                  get me wrong, Benny's made my life                  a living hell. I even moved back                  in with my mother because of him.                  I love my mother, but if I eat one                  more dinner off a TV tray or watch                  one more rerun of 'Wheel of                  Fortune,' I think I'll lose my                  fucking mind.     Now an EGG TIMER RINGS O.S. on Ellen's desk.      Back into     the classroom...                                ELLEN                         (to class)                  Time's up. Everyone stop working.     Realizing now that all the CLACKING COMPUTER KEYS have     stopped moments ago. All eyes are fixed on Ellen and     Trevor.     ... Big knowing grins all around.44   OMITTED                                                         4445   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - EVENING                                   45     Balmy and still.     ON bug zapper above garage, a churning, SLOW MOTION     swarm of bugs repeatedly throw themselves headlong into     the light.46   INT. TREVOR'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION                   46     MUSIC plays faintly on the STEREO. Numerous artifacts     occupy the bookshelves. A primitive AFRICAN MASAI BOW     (with two arrows) is mounted on a wall.                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  41.46   CONTINUED:                                                      46     Trevor, tie loosened. Ellen, in nylon stocking feet,     leaning back against a couch. On the coffee table before     them are dirty dishes and half-full wine glasses.     Trevor's lost in a thin introspective smile.                                ELLEN                         (breaks the silence)                  ... So you have a wife hiding in a                  closet somewhere?                                 TREVOR                          (smile widens)                  No.   No wife.                                ELLEN                  Don't you ever get lonely?     Trevor considers the question.                                TREVOR                         (genuinely)                  Sometimes. There's this passage                  in God's Lonely Man by Thomas                  Wolfe where he says, '... The                  whole conviction of my life rests                  upon the belief that loneliness is                  the central and inevitable fact of                  human existence.' I believe that.                                ELLEN                  God that's depressing.     They both laugh.                                TREVOR                  ... My New York mentality.                         (beat)                  It's not always easy looking on                  the bright side.                                ELLEN                  Especially after spending a year                  in and out of a hospital, I                  would guess.     A beat.                                TREVOR                  Actually, that wasn't the toughest                  part -- it's the robbery that's                  been hardest to recover from.                                ELLEN                         (didn't know about this)                  What'd they steal?                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                 42.46   CONTINUED:    (2)                                              46                               TREVOR                  My passion. My old, unguarded                  self. I resent that. I want them                  back.     He offers a smile.        Ellen returns it.                                ELLEN                  They're still there. Everybody                  around me seems to have given up.                  They're all so beaten down. But                  you're different. You refuse to                  be beaten.                                  TREVOR                  So do you.     Kindred souls.      Ellen fills her glass.                                 ELLEN                  Remember the last time a student                  surprised you?                                TREVOR                  You mean where a light goes on?                                ELLEN                  Yeah. Where the kid surpasses all                  your expectations.                                TREVOR                  ... Been awhile. So few you can                  actually get through to... You?                                ELLEN                         (thinks)                  ... That would have to be Daniel                  Terrazas. This was last year                  sometime. Kid was failing miserably                  ... But he was the best Salsa dancer                  in the whole school.                                  TREVOR                           (brightens slightly)                  Uh-oh.                                ELLEN                  So I made 'im a deal. Tutoring in                  exchange for Salsa lessons.                                TREVOR                  Saw it... Jerry Springer.                                                      (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   43.46   CONTINUED:    (3)                                                46                               ELLEN                  No, no. He was a perfect                  gentleman.                                 TREVOR                         (dryly)                  Male teachers can't do things like                  that. They get arrested.                                ELLEN                  Yep, double standard... By the way,                  did you know Cesar Sanchez was                  Special Ed?                         (as Trevor shakes                          his head)                  Yep, he never should've been                  mainstreamed. His I.E.P. says he's                  L.H. but he acts more like S.E.D.                                TREVOR                  Severely Emotionally Disturbed...                  that's great.     A beat. Then Ellen gets up, wine glass balanced in her     left hand.                                ELLEN                  Come on, Garfield -- on your feet.                  Lemme teach you how to Salsa.                                TREVOR                         (resisting)                  No, no, I'm no good at that.     Ellen spins the tuner on the STEREO to a LATIN STATION     and practically yanks Trevor to his feet.                                 ELLEN                  Let's go.   Don't play shy with me,                  homeboy.     Trevor grimaces, awkwardly relinquishes, as Ellen walks     him through it.                                 ELLEN                         (still holding wine                          glass)                  That's it... Okay, follow me. It                  starts on the one. Step forward                  with your left foot... One. Change                  weight on, two.                                 (MORE)                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                             44.46   CONTINUED:    (4)                                             46                                 ELLEN (CONT'D)                  And three, feet                  back together... Now do the same                  in reverse, starting with your                  right foot.                         (talks their way                           through)                  One, two, three... One, two                  three...     Trevor concentrates. Up to speed now. Technically he's     got it, he just needs to loosen up. Ellen suppresses a     gleeful snicker. Now, Trevor attempts to cut loose.     He spins Ellen once, into a tango step, one-two-three.     Now an awkward dip, causing her glass to spill wine down     the back of his shirt...                                ELLEN                         (horrified,                          giggling)                  Oh, my God... your shirt.   Oh, no,                  I'm so sorry.                                TREVOR                         (self-conscious)                  It's alright.     He dashes toward the hallway bathroom.                                ELLEN                  Can I help?                                TREVOR (O.S.)                  Grab the baking soda outta the                  fridge.     In a flurry, Ellen rushes into the kitchen. Flips on the     kitchen light, jerks open the refrigerator and locates     the baking soda.     FOLLOWING now, as she MOVES STEADILY FROM the kitchen TO     the hallway bathroom...47   OMITTED                                                       4748   INT. TREVOR'S - HALLWAY/BATHROOM                              48     as Ellen steps into the doorway and lets out a startled     gasp, dropping the box of baking soda.     Trevor is bent over, scrubbing his shirt in the sink.     His bare back and shoulders are scattered with brutal     knife scars.                                                             45.49   EXT. MOTHER HENRY'S - AFTER MIDNIGHT                          49     A tract house in the central San Fernando Valley.     Trevor's Rambler is parked at the curb. The house is dark     except for a porch light.     Trevor and Ellen are greeted by Ellen's golden retriever     Jack, who's chained to the front porch. JACK WHIMPERS,     ready to bark.                             ELLEN               Don't start barking, Jack.                             TREVOR                      (petting him)               Hey there, boy. You're a good               dog. Yes, you are.     Jack nuzzles up to Trevor, tail wagging furiously, no     barking. Now Trevor stands and faces Ellen...                             ELLEN               Sorry for reacting the way I did               back there.                             TREVOR               Don't apologize. That's how most               people react.                             ELLEN               Didn't scare me. It just               surprised me.                             ELLEN               ... Thanks for dinner.   I had a               good time.                             TREVOR               You're welcome.     Awkward silence. Trevor struggles with the urge to kiss     her good night. They look at each other timidly for a     moment. Now he moves to kiss her and she inadvertently     adjusts her stance. The result is a kiss that doesn't     quite hit her mouth. It's an awkward moment. Ellen     feels horrible for him, desperately picks up a strange     little plant by her feet.                             ELLEN               Here... you need a little life in               that place of yours.     Trevor takes it, smiles "thanks"...                             TREVOR               ... Good night.                                                   (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                    46.49    CONTINUED:                                                        49      ... turns and starts toward his car...                                 ELLEN                          (a half-wave)                   ... Night.50    INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - AROUND 2 AM                               50      In the moonlit darkness. Trevor's abandoned bed. The      sheets are twisted and damp. We TILT UP to see a digital      clock at bedside reading 2:49 AM, and Trevor's sweat-      panted figure moving down the hall in b.g.51    EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - LOW ANGLE - TREVOR - NIGHT                  51      madly pedaling TOWARD us on a bike. He wears running      shoes, shorts and a Morehouse College sweat shirt and his      face is contorted from the effort. He wipes sweat from      his head, takes a gasping hit from his inhaler as CAMERA      CRANES UP to reveal Trevor on a stationary bike in the      back yard of his house, rapidly going nowhere.52    INT. TREVOR'S HOUSE                                               52      His sleepless night continues. Planted at his desk.      Trevor corrects a stack of science papers, like a fervent      prayer. Sun peeks through the window above his desk.                                                        CUT TO:52A   OVER SUBURBAN CLUTTER - RISING SUN - ESTABLISHING                 52A      Then burning out to white.52B   EXT. TREVOR'S BUNGALOW - DAY                                      52B      Shimmering in heat waves.53    INT. TREVOR'S BUNGALOW - DAY                                      53      It's sweltering.    A single fan stirs the air.      Amidst growing disorder, Trevor stands behind the front      counter. AGENDA is written on the overhead as he      flips through pages of a physical science text book.      Rita's out of her seat, feeding the caged, white lab rat.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                              47.53   CONTINUED:                                                     53     Cesar, with sunglasses and typical disregard, holds court     in the back of the room. He and Stevie are high.     Trevor eyes them, finds what he was looking for in the     book...                                TREVOR                         (addressing class)                  Since some of you seem to have an                  interest in anesthetics, I've                  prepared a little demonstration.     Glances over at Rita now.    Checks the wall clock.                                TREVOR                  Rita, bring your friend in the                  cage over here, please.     Bringing the cage over...                                RITA                  His name's Snowball. Like 'dat                  lil' pig dude from Animal Farm.                                TREVOR                         (coolly impressed)                  You've read Animal Farm?                                CESAR                         (above the din)                  ... schoolgirl.                                RITA                         (snapping a look)                  Shut up, Cesar.                                TREVOR                  You read Animal Farm, Cesar?                                CESAR                  No, but I fucked a sheep.     Stevie and Paco love it.                                 TREVOR                  Cesar, come up here.                         (gesturing)                  I want you to have a front row                  seat for this.     Surprisingly, Cesar does what he's told as Trevor removes     an old pocket watch from his briefcase and sets it next     to Snowball's cage...                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                                48.53   CONTINUED:    (2)                                                53                                TREVOR                  And remove the 'lokes.'     Cesar removes his dark glasses.       His eyes are bloodshot     and vapid.                                TREVOR                  Why your eyes so red?                                 CESAR                         (lying)                  Mus' be pink-eye, sir.                                 CESAR                         (eyes Trevor's pocket                          watch)                  Nice watch, homes. Can I have it?     Disregarding Cesar, Trevor opens a drawer and removes two     latex surgical gloves from a cardboard box. He puts on     the gloves and selects a petri dish from another drawer.                                TREVOR                         (pointing)                  Rita, would you bring me a sugar                  cube from the shelf over there?     She does. Trevor now removes a small amber bottle     (with an eye-dropper top) from his briefcase. The     class starts to settle down now as Trevor pre-measures     water in a pipette and adds it to the petri dish.                                TREVOR                         (referring to text)                  Cesar, read Young's rule for us.                  Page 564. At the top.                                CESAR                         (like it's above him)                  I ain't gonna read 'dat shit.                                TREVOR                  Rita, give Cesar your book.    Let                  'im read.     Rita places her book on Cesar's desk.                                CESAR                  Forget it.     Jeers from the class, "Come on, read".       "Hurry up,     Cesar."                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                     49.53   CONTINUED:    (3)                                                     53                                TREVOR                         (prompting him)                  'Young's rule...' Go on.     Rita points to the passage in the book.        Cesar slaps her     hand.                                RITA                         (reacting)                  ... Chunt. (Choont.)                                   CESAR                  Stoopit bitch.                                TREVOR                  Touch her again, Cesar, and you'll                  answer to me personally.     Rita knits her eyebrows at Trevor.        Cesar laughs.                                CESAR                  You like her, Mr. G?     Class erupts.                                RITA                         (shrinking)                  Shut up!                                 TREVOR                          (genuinely)                  Settle down, everyone. We all                  have to learn how to forgive and                  get along. C'mon, Cesar, read.                  Please.     At first Cesar doesn't budge.         Now grudgingly he looks     down at the book...                                CESAR                         (attempting to read)                  ... Young's rule... ff... fo...                                TREVOR                  ... Formulates.     Cesar heaves the book across the room: Class erupts,     "Refer 'im," "Send 'im tuh Hyland." Trevor walks over     and picks up the book. Class now settles. Watches     Trevor closely to see what he's going to do. Trevor     gazes at Cesar...                                                          (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   50.53   CONTINUED:    (4)                                                53                                TREVOR                  ... I say everyone deserves another                  chance. Whadda you say, Cesar?     Cesar knits his eyebrows, puzzled. Now Trevor walks over     and sets the textbook down in front of Rita...                                TREVOR                  Rita, would you please read Young's                  rule for me?                                RITA                         (hesitates and...)                  ... 'Young's rule formulates                  proper dosage levels for children                  and adolescents.'                                TREVOR                  Thank you.     Resume the lesson now.     Trevor indicates the amber bottle...                                TREVOR                  ... In the brown bottle I have a                  prescription for liquid Demeral.                                STEVIE                  Where'd that come from, sir?                                TREVOR                  A doctor.     Cesar grudgingly watches as Trevor places a measured drop     of the liquid demeral into the petri dish and stirs the     solution.                                TREVOR                  Demeral is a morphine sulphate...                  and is soluble in water.     Using the pipette, Trevor administers two drops of the     demeral and water solution to the sugar cube, which he     has placed inside Snowball's cage. As Snowball eats the     sugar cube...                                TREVOR                  Young's rule says, divide the age                  of the patient by the patient's                  age plus twelve, giving us the                  fraction of the adult dosage                  suitable for the patient.                                (MORE)                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                              51.53   CONTINUED:                                                     53                                TREVOR (CONT'D)                  In Snowball's case, I've                  calculated the dosage necessary                  to tranquilize a one-year-old                  child... then further divided                  that fraction by 30, based on his                  weight, to arrive at .002                  milligrams.     Having eaten most of the sugar cube, Snowball is rendered     unconscious.                                TREVOR                  ... Don't worry, he'll be back to                  normal in exactly 10 minutes.     Trevor peers at his pocket watch.54   INSERT - FULL SCREEN - TREVOR'S POCKET WATCH                   54     The hour and minute hands read 2:40.    HOLD as we...                                              TIME DISSOLVE TO:55   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - TEN MINUTES LATER                          55     Trevor's pocket watch now reads 2:50...                                RITA                  ... He shoulda woke up by now?     Snowball isn't moving. HOLD for an uncomfortably long     moment ON the class, clustered around Trevor's desk.     The class, for once, is completely silent. Beads of     perspiration form on Trevor's upper lip as he     resolutely watches the sleeping rat.                                CESAR                         (accusatory)                  You just caught a murder case,                  homes.     Now Snowball begins to stir and the class reacts with     scattered applause. A thin smile flickers across     Trevor's face. As the BELL RINGS....                                TREVOR                  Okay, anyone who didn't finish                  answering the questions on 246,                  finish them for homework.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                              52.55   CONTINUED:                                                     55     As students head for the doors, he pulls off his latex     gloves and looks for his pocket watch... but it's gone.                                TREVOR                  Hold it, Cesar.     Cesar and Stevie are almost out the door.                                TREVOR                  Where's my watch?                                CESAR                         (urgently)                  Hey, I gotta go. I ain't got no                  watch.                                TREVOR                  Empty your pockets, both of you.                                CESAR                  Want me to break it down to you?                  I gotta catch a bus.     Cesar heads out the door.56   EXT. BUNGALOW #86 - MOMENTS LATER                              56     Trevor locks bungalow #86, picks up his briefcase, and     along with the rest of the foot traffic, heads in the     direction of the "A" building.57   EXT. JQA - ON EDGE OF BUNGALOWS                                57     As Trevor rounds a corner and runs smack into Ellen on     the opposite side of a chain link fence.                                TREVOR                         (making excuses)                  Sorry. I'm trying to catch Hyland                  before he leaves.     Trevor keeps moving.                                TREVOR                  I've been meaning to come by your                  room.                                ELLEN                         (keeping it light)                  ... It's almost been a week.   My                  guess is you're avoiding me.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                               53.57   CONTINUED:                                                      57     Trevor's tongue-tied. Now he removes the Proventil     inhaler from his pocket, take an innocuous hit.                                ELLEN                  You okay?     Trevor nods, sustains an awkward smile.                                TREVOR                  Has nothing to do with you, Ellen.                  It's... hard for me...     A struggle, fighting against his true feelings...                                TREVOR                  Pretty much been like that                  since... you know, my accident.                  Has nothing to do with you.                                ELLEN                  Is it because I'm white?                                TREVOR                  No.     Trevor stares into her eyes, a soulful, searching gaze.     Now he averts a self-conscious look.                                ELLEN                  We can still be friends.   Just don't                  pull away.     Trevor just looks at her.    Nods, somewhat bewildered.                                ELLEN                         (back to lighter note)                  Now, can I ask you a favor? After                  you're done with Hyland, can you                  give me a ride to my car? It's at                  the mechanics, about five or six                  blocks up Lankershim. If you can't,                  it's okay, I can walk.                                TREVOR                         (a little embarrassed)                  ... I think I can manage that.     Victor Sifuentes approaches now.                                ELLEN                  Que paso, Victor?                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  54.57   CONTINUED:                                                      57                                VICTOR                         (into walkie-talkie)                  Base three to base one. 'Found                  'im.     As their paths converge and they stop, face to face...                                VICTOR                  Mr. Garcia would like to speak                  with you in his office.     OFF Trevor's puzzled look...58   OMITTED                                                         5859   INT. PRINCIPAL GARCIA'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON                      59     A wall air conditioner...     blows on Stevie and Cesar's sweaty backs. Trevor enters,     shirt equally drenched in sweat. The dead silence is     like that of a courtroom. MR. GARCIA, late forties,     drawn, sits behind his desk...     MR. HYLAND, stands in the outer office behind a glass     partition, head lowered. Hyland flashes Trevor a     defeated smile as we...     Trevor coolly deciphers the situation.     Garcia reaches down, switches on a portable tape recorder.                                MR. GARCIA                  You don't mind if I tape record                  our conversation. Matter of                  record. You understand.                         (indicating                          Mr. Hyland)                  Of course, you know Mr. Hyland.     Trevor weighs the situation.    Nods.                                TREVOR                  Am I being questioned?                                MR. GARCIA                         (beat)                  Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Littleton tell                  me you've accused them of stealing                  your watch. If that's the case, I                  need to address the accusation.                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   55.59   CONTINUED:                                                       59                                TREVOR                  ... For the record, I primarily                  suspect Mr. Sanchez. Although I                  wouldn't be surprised if Stevie                  was an accomplice.                         (glances over at                          Cesar and Stevie)                  Beginning of sixth period, Cesar                  admired the watch. I believe his                  exact words were, 'Can I have it?'                         (looks back to Garcia)                  Either way, I'd like my watch back.                                   MR. GARCIA                  Anything else?                                TREVOR                  When I asked him to empty his                  pockets, Cesar refused.                                MR. GARCIA                  Is that true, Mr. Sanchez?                                CESAR                  No way. He never asked me nothin'                  like that! I don't go 'round                  taxing no teachers...                                 MR. GARCIA                  Okay.   Calm down.     With fervor now, Cesar turns his pockets inside out,     emptying the contents (house keys and two dollars in     change) onto Garcia's desk.                                CESAR                  ... I ain't got no watch, man.                                MR. GARCIA                  Mr. Littleton, may we see your                  pockets too?     Stevie empties his pockets now. Nothing but a twenty     dollar bill and an empty pack of Marlboros.     Trevor just stares at him.                                TREVOR                         (last try)                  I'd like a locker search, please.     Garcia hesitates, now looks to Cesar and Stevie...                                                        (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  56.59   CONTINUED:                                                      59                                MR. GARCIA                  You're excused, gentlemen.   Take                  your things. Thank you.     The boys collect their belongings off Garcia's desk and     shoot looks at Trevor as they exit. Now Garcia turns     back to Trevor...                                MR. GARCIA                         (unflinching pragmatism)                  ... Let me try and explain                  something. I try and think of                  our students here at John Quincy                  Adams like they're my clients.                  I can't accuse anybody just on                  your hunches. I need more than                  that. I need facts.                         (looking at Hyland)                  I won't have another law suit like                  we did with that Blackwell case.                         (now to Trevor)                  Boy's mother spent $400 that she                  couldn't afford on new clothes for                  her son. Unfortunately we                  considered the clothing gang                  attire and sent the boy home.                  That cost the district a quarter                  of a million dollars.                         (beat)                  So I want you to be straight with                  me, Mr. Garfield. Did you                  physically see Cesar take your                  watch?                                TREVOR                  No, I didn't...                                MR. GARCIA                  Do you have any witnesses who saw                  him take it?                                      TREVOR                            (pause)                  ... No.                                MR. GARCIA                  Unless there's reasonable cause to                  show that Cesar, or Mr. Littleton                  took your watch then I can't                  authorize a locker search. I'm                  sorry. Any concerns regarding my                  decision, you can look up in the                  handbook. It's section 628.1 of                  the Education Code.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                               57.59   CONTINUED:                                                      59                                TREVOR                         (to Garcia)                  That was my grandfather's watch.                  Can't you see what they're doing?                  Weren't you ever a teacher?                                MR. GARCIA                  Afraid I never had the privilege.                  Teaching and being a principal                  don't necessarily go hand in hand,                  Mr. Garfield.     OFF Trevor's defeated gaze...60   EXT. GARCIA'S OFFICE - MAIN CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON                60     As Trevor and Hyland emerge from Garcia's office and walk     steadily up the empty corridor...                                 HYLAND                         (sotto)                  Is it me or is Garcia a real                  asshole?     Trevor doesn't respond, lost in thought.                                TREVOR                  I've been thinking about                  videotaping my classes.                                HYLAND                  ... Yeah, well, here's some free                  advice. Cover your ass.     Trevor slides him a glance. They stop in front of     Hyland's office door. He unlocks the door with a key...                                HYLAND                  If Garcia asks, your main purpose                  is to observe you, not the                  students. Excuse me, I mean his                  `clients.'     PHONE RINGS as they enter...61   INT. HYLAND'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON                                61                                HYLAND                  Some gangbanger might think we're                  violating his civil rights...     Trevor weighs it as Hyland picks up the phone...                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   58.61   CONTINUED:                                                       61                                HYLAND                         (into phone)                  ... Yeah?     Signals Trevor to take a seat.                                HYLAND                         (into phone)                  Sorry, Iris. Completely forgot.     INTERCUT Trevor as his eyes idly fix on an index card     box (on Hyland's desk) labeled, "LOCKER COMBINATIONS."     Hyland hangs up.                                HYLAND                         (to Trevor)                  Yuh have a minute? Wanna talk to                  you about our discipline committee.                  Gotta run up to the office real                  quick first.     Trevor shifts his gaze back to Hyland.                                TREVOR                  Yeah, fine, go ahead.   I'll wait.     Hyland rushes out and Trevor glances back at the index     box. Momentous deliberation. Now he reaches over and     carefully opens the small tin box. Methodically now, he     flips through the file cards until he finds Cesar     Sanchez's locker combination. Trevor's eyes scanning     the information on the locker combination card. LOCKER     #204. Combination sequence...08-24-53.62   EXT. TRAFFIC SIGNAL - AFTERNOON                                  62     Trevor's Rambler, with Ellen in the passenger seat, stops     at a large intersection.63   INT./EXT RAMBLER - CONTINUOUS ACTION                             63                                ELLEN                  ... I have to fly up there for a                  computer conference.                                 TREVOR                  When's that?                                ELLEN                  Day after tomorrow.                                                        (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                              59.63   CONTINUED:                                                  63     As Trevor gets distracted by something he sees...                                TREVOR                  Never been to San Francisco.64   EXT. RITA'S BUS STOP - TREVOR'S POV                         64     At a right angle to Lankershim, down Magnolia Blvd., Rita     Nartinez sits alone on a bus stop bench.                                ELLEN (V.O.)                  Oh, you should go sometime,                  Trevor. I think you'd like it.                  Really. It's only an hour by air.                  Maybe five or six by car.                  Completely different attitude                  from L.A. Much more like a real                  city... like Chicago or New                  York...     As Ellen continues talking we see a lowered blue Nissan     mini-truck (with matching shell) pull up next to the bus     stop. A cholo from the utility shed hangs out the     passenger window and taunts Rita. Rita immediately     stands and walks back down Magnolia.     The mini-truck follows her in reverse. Rita halts and     begins ranting at the cholo, waving her arms all around.     Now she stomps away and the mini-truck drives away with a     lurch.                                ELLEN (V.O.)                  ... Only problem is I hate to                  leave Jack with my mother for any                  extended period of time. I'm                  afraid she'll forget to feed him                  and he'll starve to death.65   INT. TREVOR'S RAMBLER                                       65     INTERCUT Trevor's distracted gaze.                                TREVOR                  If you want, I'll take care of                  Jack.                                ELLEN                  I can't ask you to do that.                                TREVOR                         (straight at Ellen now)                  Sure you can.                                                              60.66   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - AFTERNOON (NEXT DAY; FIFTH PERIOD)         66     Trevor's conference period. He stands atop a ladder in     the front of the room, drilling holes in the wall for a     jerry-rigged camera mount. As he climbs down, Rita     enters. Paces back and forth, wringing a clenched spiral     notebook, English Comp. essay tucked inside...                               TREVOR                        (continues working)                 ... Aren't you supposed to be at                 P.E. fifth period?                               RITA                        (rants; kicks a desk)                 ... Sunland Boyz gettin' crazy,                 ol lady's... fucked up. Fuck dis                 being down shit. I wanna do                 somethin' wit' my life.     A POLAROID PHOTO drops out of her notebook.     Trevor     reaches down and scoops it up.     INSERT - POLAROID PHOTO/DEAD GANG MEMBER IN CASKET     Puppet... a young 16-year-old cholo, dressed in gang     colors, laid out in an open casket.     ON TREVOR     Now as he hands the photo back to Rita.                               TREVOR                 ... You know this guy?     Rita takes the photo back.    She doesn't want to talk     about it.                               RITA                        (unravels now;                         begins to cry)                 'Gotta make J-C next year. 'Got                 to! I ain't never gonna get up                 outta here.                               TREVOR                 Rita, slow down.                               RITA                 'Dat bitch Quinn, I'm 'onna sue                 her ass. 'Swear tuh God...                                TREVOR                 Okay, okay.   Calm down a second.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                                 61.66   CONTINUED:                                                        66     Rita collapses into a desk.                                  TREVOR                  Who's Quinn?    What's she teach?                                  RITA                  English Comp.    She's failin' me.     Trevor tentatively picks up Rita's essay (branded with a     big red "F") and begins reading it.                                RITA                  'Bitch say I don't talk right.     Trevor scrutinizes her with a glance.        Now back to Rita's     essay.                                  RITA                  She hates me.    She's racist                  against me.     Trevor sets the essay down on Rita's desk.        Regards her     with genuine candor...                                TREVOR                  Just cause you're a Latina doesn't                  mean everyone's racist against                  you.                                RITA                         (prideful)                  Hey, I'm a La Raza, prof-eh.                                TREVOR                  Okay... just stop blaming everyone                  else. You're too smart for that.                         (as Rita's rocked                          back)                  And every mistake in that essay is                  fixable, okay? So relax, it's not                  the end of the world.     Rita collects herself, wipes the streaks of mascara     running down her cheeks with her sleeve. Trevor studies     her for a moment.                                TREVOR                         (points to counter)                  Tissues are in the first drawer.     Rita pulls herself together and walks over to the island     counter.                                                         (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   62.66   CONTINUED:                                                       66                                 TREVOR                          (innocuously)                  How come you always wear so much                  makeup?                                RITA                         (wounded)                  ... To make me pretty.                                TREVOR                         (frankly)                  You don't need it.     She grabs a handful of tissues, dabs at her smeared     mascara. Now her hair falls forward, exposing the back     of her neck... and a tattoo that reads "Puppet" in     a scrawling signature. She tosses her hair back and it     disappears.                                TREVOR                         (slightest bit                          probative)                  That your name?     He indicates the back of her neck.                                RITA                         (with fervor and                          frustration)                  It's a gang thing. But I'm                  kickin' dat shit... Jus' cuz I look                  down for my neighborhood don't                  mean I'm stupit.                                TREVOR                  I know you're not.     She inserts her "failed" essay inside the rolled-up     spiral notebook.                                TREVOR                         (offers)                  The ideas in your essay aren't the                  problem, Rita. It's your                  punctuation and grammar.                         (beat)                  They need work. Am I lying?                         (as Rita shrugs)                  If you want help I'm here for you.                  Okay?                                RITA                         (tentatively now)                  ... I dunno.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                63.66   CONTINUED:                                                       66                                TREVOR                  Have to be in the library after                  school.                                RITA                         (shaking her head)                  ... Somebody could see us.                                TREVOR                  All right then, I'll come to your                  house.                                RITA                         (spontaneous and                          decisive)                  No... No way.                                 TREVOR                  Where then?   You name the place.     The passing BELL for 6th period RINGS.       OFF Rita's torn     gaze.67   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - ON VIDEO CAMERA - SHORT WHILE LATER          67     (6TH PERIOD)     ... fully mounted now on the wall above the blackboard.     NEW ANGLE     Every eye in the class is riveted on the camera. SETTLE     ON Cesar and Stevie seated in the back of the bungalow.     OFF their malignant stares...                                CESAR                         (grumbling)                  Dog, you invadin' my privacy.                  Bitch.                                 TREVOR                          (remaining calm)                  Cesar, would you come up here                  please?     Leveling a hard look, Cesar swaggers up to the island     counter.     Rita watches, a bated gaze, from her seat.     Trevor motions for him to come around behind the counter.                                                        (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  64.67   CONTINUED:                                                      67     Now Trevor removes his grandfather's pocket watch from     his briefcase and furtively dangles it for Cesar to     see.                                TREVOR                         (calmly)                  Since you were so concerned, I                  though you might like to know... I                  found my watch.     Cesar glares at the watch, looks up at the video     camera.                                CESAR                  ... You broke into my locker.                  Dat's a serious felony, prof-eh.                  You caught a case for sure now.                                TREVOR                  Whadda yuh propose to do, Cesar?                  Tell Garcia?                         (as Cesar weighs it)                  Whadda yuh gonna tell 'im? That I                  broke into your locker to steal                  back the watch you denied taking?                  I don't think so. I'd say we're                  even now, wouldn't you, Cesar?                                CESAR                  No, I'd say we're just getting                  started, ese.     Cesar walks out. Trevor smiles innocuously. At a     stalemate now. You can hear a pin drop. Suddenly     the CRIES of an E.N.A.B.L. BABY break the palpable     tension...68   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - 4 P.M.                                    68     ... Trevor's Rambler is parked out front.69   INT. TREVOR'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION                   69     A stilted Rita, planted on the couch.    Wearing less     makeup than usual.     Her notebook and pens are laid out on the coffee table     along with an old English grammar textbook. Trevor     stands in the kitchen doorway...                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                 65.69   CONTINUED:                                                         69                                TREVOR                  Want something to drink?    We have                  Coke, Fanta or Sprite...                                RITA                         (self-consciously)                  ... Coke's awright.     OFF Trevor's mollifying nod...70   INT. TREVOR'S KITCHEN - TREVOR                                     70     A moment of self-examination as he pours a glass of Coke     for Rita...                                TREVOR                         (to Rita offstage)                  'Want you to know, you're not the                  only one risking a reputation                  here. Normally I don't tutor                  students at my house.                         (adds ice cubes)                  Rita, maybe you can clear                  something up. Can you explain                  to me what machismo is all about?                  Cuz this whole respect/code of                  honor thing baffles me.71   INT. TREVOR'S LIVING ROOM                                          71     as Trevor approaches the couch, eyes focused on Rita's     soda.                                TREVOR                         (preoccupied)                  Ask yourself this question. Is                  pride really that important?     Now he looks up and freezes.    Quickly turns away.     Rita, lying on the couch, completely naked.        Not sexual in     the least. More like a distorted offering.         Or a patient,     placidly waiting for her doctor.                                TREVOR                         (plainly)                  Put your clothes on, Rita.     An awkward moment. Chagrin becomes repressed sobs as     Rita picks up her pile of clothes off the floor and gets     dressed. This is one fucked-up little girl.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                              66.71   CONTINUED:                                                     71                                TREVOR                         (affected)                  No harm done... Don't cry now.     Fully dressed again, remotely staring, Rita holds back     tears. Trevor sits down on the couch next to her. Opens     textbook.                                TREVOR                  Why don't you go ahead and copy                  the first rule there for the verb                  'to be.' Can you do that for me?                                RITA                         (hiccups a sob)                  I jus' wan'ed to thank you.                                TREVOR                  You don't have to thank me, I'm                  your teacher.     Rita opens her notebook and begins to copy the rule. She     wipes at the tears with the sleeve of her baggy sweat     shirt. Trevor resists the urge to comfort her.                                TREVOR                  ... From now on I think the best                  thing for us to do is meet in the                  library.72   INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - THAT EVENING (MAGIC HOUR)              72     Trevor kneels at the foot of his bed. Fully dressed,     shirt and loosened tie. Glimpses up at the crucifix on     the wall. Bows his head again...                                TREVOR                         (prayerfully, to                          himself                  ... I'll try.73   EXT. BLYTHE STREET PROJECTS - EVENING                          73     BOOMING DOWN FROM the Blythe St. sign...     A cement barricade covered in graffiti chokes off street     traffic.     ... Crack dealers and gangbangers freely wander the rows     of clapboard tenements, kids throwing sneakers, bangers     drinking from glass bottles.                                                      (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                               67.73   CONTINUED:                                                   73     Now apartment 105 (Cesar Sanchez's).     MOVING IN ON the MUTED sounds of an ARGUMENT (in Spanish).74   INT. APARTMENT 105 - CONTINUOUS ACTION                       74     Dingy. Yellowing walls. Cesar and his mother continue     their arguing as Cesar watches first the "Animaniacs" and     switches channels to "The Deer Hunter," while his BABY     SISTER CRIES in her high chair.     MRS. SANCHEZ is older looking than her thirty-four years.     Clutching her purse...                 MRS. SANCHEZ                                          *             (on the verge              (subtitles... You stay              of tears)                 out of my         ... Deja mis cosas, Cesar.     things, Cesar. You hear         Me oyes? Ese dinero es         me? That money puts         para poner comida en el        food on your baby         plato de tu hermanita.         sister's plate.     Cesar yells at his SISTER to stop CRYING...                 CESAR                     (subtitlesshut up,         Callate el osico, Rosillo!     Rosillo!             (now to his mother)         Que? Me estas mandando?        You tellin' me what to         Yo soy el hombre de esta       do?! I'm the man in         casa! Enceneme respeto!        this house! you show me                                        respect!)                 MRS. SANCHEZ           (subtitlesIf you're the        *         Pues si eres tan hombre,       man then         ve busca trabajo. Para         go get a job. Take care         que mantengas a tu madre y     of your mother and         hermanita y no tenga que       sister. Don't rob from         robar de mi bolsa.             my purse.)     In a rage, Cesar digs into his pocket and throws twenty     dollars in his mother's face. She cowers.                 CESAR                  (subtitlesHere, I don't         Tenga, no nesecito su          need your         pinche, apestoso dinero!       stinkin' money!)     They're interrupted by a KNOCK at the front door.                                CESAR                         (indicating door)                  I ain't getting it. You get it.                                                    (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                     68.74   CONTINUED:                                                         74     Cesar plops down on an old worn out recliner and goes     back to watching "Animaniacs" on the TELEVISION.     ROSILLO STOPS her CRYING and Mrs. Sanchez carefully     gathers the money scattered at her feet.75   INT. APARTMENT 105 - FRONT DOOR                                    75     Behind the screen door, a silhouette fills the doorway.     MOVING IN ON CESAR.     He can faintly hear the O.S. conversation as he watches     TV.                 MRS. SANCHEZ                                                *                 (O.S.)                    (subtitlesYes, who's         Si, quien es?                     there?)                 TREVOR (O.S.)             (subtitlesMrs. Sanchez?         Senora Sanchez? Soy el            I'm Mr.                           *         senor Garfield, Profesor          Garfield, Cesar's         de ciencia de Cesar.              science teacher.                                MRS. SANCHEZ (O.S.)                         (surprised)                  Si, maestro.     Cesar's stunned look lifts him from the recliner.                 TREVOR (O.S.)             (subtitlesI know it's         Se que es tarde. Ojala no         late. Hope         este estorbando nada.             I'm not disturbing         Me permite hablar con             anything. May I speak         usted por un momento?             with you a moment?                                MRS. SANCHEZ (O.S.)                  Entre, por favor.76   INT. APARTMENT #105 - CESAR'S POV - TREVOR AND MRS.                76     SANCHEZ     PIVOTING now to see Trevor enter the front door.     Cesar glares with flint-hard eyes at Trevor.                                  TREVOR                  Hello, Cesar.     Breaking his unrelenting stare, Cesar now squeezes past     Trevor and out the screen door, slamming it behind him.     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   69.77   INT. APARTMENT #105 - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER                    77     Mrs. Sanchez cradles Rosillo in her lap.                 MRS. SANCHEZ                                              *             (beside herself)            (subtitlesI don't know         No se que hacer, maestro.       what to         El no hace caso.                do, maestro. He doesn't                                         listen to me.)     ROSILLO begins to CRY again...                  MRS. SANCHEZ           (subtitlesGod, but there          *         Perdona me Dios, pero hay       are         veces que quisiera              times I want to kill         matarlo.                        him.)     Suppressing her emotions, she comforts her baby. Trevor     weighs a vacuous stare. Now he notices a bruise under Mrs.     Sanchez's hairline, above her left eye.                  TREVOR              (indicating bruise)        (subtitlesHow'd that         Como paso eso? Arriba del       happen...         ojo?                            above your eye?)     Overcome with shame, she attempts to cover the bruise.                               MRS. SANCHEZ                 Nada... es nada.78   EXT. BLYTHE STREET PROJECTS - EVENING                            78     Steadfast and unflinching, Trevor beats a path back to     his car, parked outside the barricade. Cesar now appears     from nowhere. Carries a '40 ouncer' in a paper bag.     He's been drinking.                               CESAR                        (venting rage)                 Puto! You lied to Benny. You                 said you don't speak no Spanish!                                TREVOR                 No I didn't.                               CESAR                 'At's bullshit!                               TREVOR                 Enjoy hitting your mother, Cesar?                 You must be proud of yourself.                                                     (CONTINUED)                                                              70.78   CONTINUED:                                                     78     A handful of gangbangers, drinking and loitering     around Trevor's car, sharpen their stares and listen     intently. Cesar grows nervous.                                CESAR                         (to gangbangers)                  ... He's lyin', man.                         (at Trevor)                  Fuckin' liar! Homeboy don't                  never disrespec' his mother.                  Never. You hear me, joto?!                                TREVOR                  Whatever you say, Cesar.     Trevor steps around the gangbangers and climbs into     his car...                                 CESAR                  I'll find out where you stay.                  Trucha, homes!     As the Rambler drives away Cesar heaves his 40 ouncer at     it. Shatters all over the pavement.                                CESAR                  Valla ala chingada!     Cesar stands in the middle of the street, throwing hand     signs.79   EXT. PARKING LOT/BUNGALOW #86 - NEXT MORNING                   79     Trevor approaches, via the parking lot, through a gate in     a chain-link fence. ADJUST the ANGLE now to discover     first period students mobbing the open doorway of     Bungalow #86.                                TREVOR                         (pushing through)                  'Scuse me. What's going on?                         (and)                  Lakesia, who opened the door?                                LAKESIA                  It was like that when I got here.80   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - CONTINUOUS ACTION                          80     Trevor squeezes through the doorway to find Dave Childress     pacing the bungalow, assessing the damage. VIDEO CAMERA     (AND HOUSING) are scattered in pieces all over the floor.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                               71.80   CONTINUED:                                                      80     One of the windows is smashed-in. A serpentine trail of     BLACK SPRAY PAINT encircles the entire room. Provocative     epithets tag the walls... "Pinche madre", "Puto" and "Fuck     you G!"                                CHILDRESS                  Whoever did this is gonna pay!                  Better believe it, ese(s).     A curious stream of students fill the room now.     Childress     vents his anger at them...                                CHILDRESS                         (crazed now)                  Get the hell outta here!                                  TREVOR                  Dave...                         (to Armenian kid)                  Barsek, don't touch anything,                  okay?                                  CHILDRESS                  Get out!!     And now Snowball... as Barsek discovers him... Lifeless.     Impaled by a pair of scissors on the front counter.                                BARSEK                         (an incredulous,                          sickened laugh)                  Oh, damn. Lookit the rat.     OFF Trevor's stricken gaze...     Childress snaps. He grabs Barsek by the throat. The     crowd scatters, students tripping over each other to get     out of the bungalow.                                CHILDRESS                  Think it's funny?! Huh?!       Yuh                  little fuck!     Trevor attempts to separate Childress from Barsek...                                  TREVOR                  Dave!   No!   Let go of 'im!                                CHILDRESS                         (to Barsek)                  D'you do this?!                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                               72.80   CONTINUED:                                                      80                                   BARSEK                            (choking)                  Nooo...     Trevor pries them apart. Barsek crumbles to the floor,     gulping for air and scurrying out of the bungalow on his     hands and knees.                                TREVOR                  He didn't do anything.    He's a                  good kid.81   EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD - MORNING (NUTRITION PERIOD)                81     ESTABLISHING the different student factions.     MUSIC, playing over a PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, fills the     quad.     Trevor, now an interloper, crossing the senior lawn,     openly searching for Cesar.     Tag-bangers, a clique of eight or nine K.O.S. wanna-be(s).     Feature PACO (16) as they take quick hits off a blunt.     Now Cesar extinguishes the blunt with his fingertips and     hides it as Trevor wanders into their midst.                                TREVOR                         (glances around;                          sniffs)                  Been smokin' the chronic, Cesar?                                CESAR                         (a smirk)                  I'm hooked on phonics... not                  'hooked on chronic.'     Laughs all around.                                TREVOR                         (not amused)                  You wouldn't happen t'know who                  vandalized bungalow eighty-six                  last night?                                CESAR                         (feigning ignorance)                  You guys know anything about that?                         (off silence)                  Sorry, maestro... nada.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                              73.81   CONTINUED:                                                     81                                 TREVOR                         (sotto)                  Garcia may not think there's                  enough here to prove anything.                  But you and I both know who's                  responsible. Don't we?                                 CESAR                  Whadda you, a narc? Seriously, I                  don't know what the fuck you're                  talkin' about.     Trevor maintains his fervent demeanor. Now he notices     the ring on Cesar's right index finger.     INSERT - CESAR'S RING     emblazoned with a green marijuana leaf.                                TREVOR                         (pointing)                  The ring, Cesar... lemme have it.     Cesar dramatically jerks back his finger.                                CESAR                  Watch it, eh... that's my trigger                  finger.     As Cesar, with purpose, aims an invisible gun at Trevor...                                TREVOR                  It's inappropriate attire...                                CESAR                  ... Bang.                                TREVOR                         (momentous                          deliberation)                  ... Are you finished?     Cesar starts to laugh.    A crowd begins to gather.                                CESAR                  What? Finished with what?   Don't                  get crazy on me, dude.     The boisterous crowd escalates... hoots and hollers.     After weighing the situation, Trevor exchanges palpable     looks with Cesar.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                                74.81   CONTINUED:                                                       81     Now he reluctantly back-pedals, squeezing his way past     the wall of bodies pressed in behind him.     His departure across an empty lawn is accompanied by a     hail of "boos" and taunts.82   EXT. BURBANK AIRPORT - LANDING RUNWAY - TWILIGHT                 82     as an 737 ROARS down onto the tarmac. In the f.g.,     Trevor and Ellen PEEL away from the curb angrily.83   EXT. TREVOR'S RAMBLER (AIRPORT VICINITY) - NIGHT                 83     Traveling down Hollywood Way.84   INT./EXT. RAMBLER - TREVOR AND ELLEN - CONTINUOUS ACTION         84     - NIGHT     in the front seat...                                ELLEN                  ... These conferences mainly focus                  on software now.                                TREVOR                         (far off)                  Software sells.                                ELLEN                         (flickers a smile)                  So, how's Jack?                                TREVOR                  ... Jack's good.     As they pull up to a stop light...                                ELLEN                         (flirtatious)                  And what about Trevor?   Was Trevor                  a good boy, too?     Triggers an unintended response...                                TREVOR                         (self-consciously)                  What's that supposed to mean?                                ELLEN                         (innocently)                  Nothing...                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                  75.84   CONTINUED:                                                         84                                TREVOR                  Is that supposed to mean                  something?                                ELLEN                         (baffled)                  Trevor...     The light changes to green. An impatient young man in     the car behind them BEEPS his HORN. Lays it on a little     too long.     Trevor snaps.85   EXT. INTERSECTION - CONTINUOUS ACTION - NIGHT                      85     As Trevor gets out of the car, marching up to the car     behind, slamming his hand down on its hood...                                TREVOR                  Can't you see I'm talking to the                  lady?!     The young man shrinks, quickly rolling up his window.86   INT. RAMBLER - CONTINUOUS ACTION                                   86     as Trevor gets back in and they drive away. Not a word     is spoken. Exorcising his demons now. He simmers.                                   TREVOR                  ... I'm sorry.     Forgive me.     OFF Ellen's disturbed gaze...87   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - NIGHT                                        87     as the Rambler pulls into the driveway. Ellen's '92 Jeep     Cherokee is parked on the street. Bug zapper above the     garage flickers on.88   INT./EXT. TREVOR'S FRONT YARD THROUGH CAR WINDSHIELD -             88     CONTINUOUS ACTION     Light now spills into the front yard.         No sign of Jack.     Trevor SHUTS OFF the IGNITION.       A portentous silence.                                                          (CONTINUED)                                                               76.88   CONTINUED:                                                      88                                ELLEN                  ... Come out, come out, wherever                  you are. Where is he?     Trevor reaches for a flashlight in the glove compartment.89   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - RAMBLER - CONTINUOUS           89     ACTION     Trevor and Ellen step out of the car.                                  TREVOR                           (tentatively)                  Jack?     MOVING THROUGH the chain-link fence, into the front yard.     Ellen whistles faintly. Trevor turns on his flashlight.                                ELLEN                  Here, boy... here, Jack.   Come to                  Mommy, sweetheart.     The glare of the flashlight fixes on the trunk of the     olive tree.     Jack's chain stretching tautly toward the back alley.                                ELLEN                         (reacting)                  ... Oh, my God.     Trevor and Ellen, propelled now toward the alley, hearts     pounding, frantically rushing toward the conclusion as     the flashlight traces the length of the chain...                                  ELLEN                           (right behind Trevor)                  Jack?!     The chain disappears over the top of the alley wall.     Trevor kicks open the alley gate and freezes.90   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - OTHER SIDE OF ALLEY WALL - JACK           90     centered in the flashlight beam, dangling there,     strangled to death at the end of his dog collar.91   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - ELLEN AND TREVOR - NIGHT                  91                                  ELLEN                           (gut-wrenching)                  Jack!                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                    77.91   CONTINUED:                                                        91     Trevor holds her back. She unleashes her torment, punching     and kicking until fully spent, crumbling to her knees now,     sobbing hysterically.                                ELLEN                  ... Jack.     HOLD ON her fitful sobs, and...                                                       CUT TO:92   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - IN ALLEY - THAT NIGHT                       92     (APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER)     Trevor, a beaten hypnotic gaze, watches as an ANIMAL     REGULATIONS OFFICER fatefully slams the cargo door of his truck.                                ANIMAL REGULATIONS OFFICER                  Don't beat yourself up too much.                  It was an accident. He was probably                  after a cat... or someone walked                  past back here in the alley.                  Whatever it was, he jumped over the                  fence. What can you do?     Ellen watches Trevor's house; behind a screen door.93   INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT                                     93     Ellen sits on Trevor's bed, fighting back tears.     Trevor enters with a glass of water and a pill.     Sits     down on the edge of the bed.                                TREVOR                         (offering pill)                  It's aspirin...                                ELLEN                         (refuses it)                  ... I can't talk to you right now,                  Trevor. Please. I'm so upset I                  can't even drive. I just need some                  time alone.     Trevor acquiesces. Steps over to his desk and sets the     glass of water down. A key protrudes from one of the desk     drawers. He leans over, removes the key and plays with it     for a moment.                                                       (CONTINUED)     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                78.93   CONTINUED:                                                    93                                TREVOR                         (beat)                  I know about what's not fair. I                  left part of my lung in a damn                  hospital because some gangbanger                  didn't like the grade I gave him.                  Sometimes you do all the right                  things. You work hard in                  school... get a good job... pay                  your taxes. Things still go bad.                         (eyes flicker)                  I'm so sorry, Ellen.     Ellen shuts her heavy eyelids now.    Shuts out the world.94   EXT. ALLEY BEHIND TREVOR'S HOUSE - NIGHT                      94     A thorough investigation now at the foot of Jack's     wall...     ... Trevor's flashlight fixes on a faint set of shoe prints     in the dirt.     Waffle-soled Doc Martens.    He follows their trail, down     the alley.     Hesitating at the wall again. He now focuses his     flashlight beam on a smattering of graffiti... and     discovers a fresh tag...     In black spray paint, the letters K.O.S. Trevor reaches     out and touches a coagulated trickle of paint. As he     inspects the faint residue on his fingertip...95   OMITTED                                                       9596   EXT. FREEWAY UNDERPASS - LATER THAT NIGHT                     96     About 2 a.m.    The street's empty.     Cesar's darkened apartment is tucked away in the     distance. Now a lone figure emerges and beats a path     through the projects... CLOSER now... it's Cesar. White     T-shirt, sagging gray dickies...     FOLLOWING HIM now... as he crosses the edge of a dirt     lot. FOCUSING ON his Doc Marten boots and their waffle-     soled print...     1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                               79.97   EXT. FREEWAY UNDERPASS - NIGHT                               97     Merging with Cesar as he slinks down the dark alley     corridor. Lighting a blunt off his Zippo lighter...98   FURTHER DOWN                                                 98     Cesar spray paints a wall with a can of black enamel paint.     He takes another hit. Chokes down a shit-eating grin. And     admires his work... a goofy dog smoking a blunt.     ... below the dog he scrawls the word, "CARTOON." Above     it, "K.O.S. As he slips the spray can into his front     pocket, he senses a presence..                               CESAR                 ... 'At you, Stevie?     Profound silence. Grin dissolves. Riveted, Cesar takes     another slow hit off his blunt. Suddenly a coyote darts     past him.                               CESAR                        (startled)                 ... Hells, man. Stupit dog.     His sick smirk returns. But only momentarily. Now a     premonitory flicker registers on his face. He blinks as     a Masai arrow splits the darkness and pierces his left     pectoral muscle.     Exhaling a stunned breath, Cesar looks down at the arrow.     An incredulous, stupefied laugh escapes him as he pulls     the arrow out of his chest and studies it...     The normal length of the arrow's been shortened by half     and the tip has been fitted with a modified hypodermic     needle. (The needle extends from a rubber stopper which has     retracted into the hypodermic casing, causing the     solution in the hypo to jettison through the needle and     into Cesar).                               CESAR                 ... Mutha fuck.     Now back-pedaling, stumbling, dropping the arrow, he     turns and runs off.99   EXT. FREEWAY UNDERPASS                                       99     Cesar collapses onto a pile of garbage bags. MOVING IN.     His eyes fixed and dilated. Forehead beaded with     perspiration. Fighting against the effects of the     injection...     Now blackness...      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                     80.100   INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (3 AM)                               100      Ellen awakens with a start.      She glances about, momentarily disoriented.      Now she      remembers where she is and what happened.                                 ELLEN                   Trevor?      No response.    Choking back emotions.101   INT. TREVOR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT                                  101      TV SET ON.    Ellen enters, glances around.     No Trevor.                                 ELLEN                   Trevor?102   INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER                              102      As Ellen returns. She notices the glass of water on the      desk. Bravely collects herself. Crosses over to the      desk and sits down.                                 ELLEN                   ... Where'd you put the aspirin?      Like an involuntary reflex she tugs on the center drawer      of the desk, but it's locked. Now she pulls on one of      the side drawers and it slides open. Ellen stops at what      she sees...      ... a treasure-trove of homemade shivs, Bic lighters,      Walkmen, pagers... and Benny Chacon's black rosary beads.      BACK TO Ellen and her curious, sobered look.      Now she slowly      shuts the drawer.103   INT. TREVOR'S FOYER - A SHORT WHILE LATER                          103      Fumbling in her purse for her keys, Ellen makes a hasty      departure.104   EXT. FREEWAY UNDERPASS - PREDAWN                                   104      Almost six AM. Encroaching sunlight creeps toward the      horizon. A vapid stillness. Not a soul stirs.105   EXT. FREEWAY UNDERPASS - TIGHT ON CESAR'S FACE -                   105      CONTINUOUS ACTION      as he comes to.                                                         (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                 81.105   CONTINUED:                                                     105      Eyes feverish, registering pain. His head throbs. He      begins to move and discovers a pounding in his right      hand...      ... Lifting his hand up in front of his face.    Cesar's      ring index finger has been severed clean off.    Blood is      everywhere.      Cesar emotes a silent panic-stricken scream. Reduced to      a snot-sobbing wreck, he frantically searches the ground      on his hands and knees...                                CESAR                   My finger. Please, somebody help                   me! Where's my finger?!106   OMITTED                                                        106107   INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION - MORNING              107      PUSHING IN ON the Emergency Room Sign... MOVING PAST the      unrelenting urgency that permeates the ER. DISCOVER      Cesar now in a wheelchair, right hand completely wrapped      in gauze. He pleads with two police DETECTIVES...                                 CESAR                   ... I put it on my mother, sir.                                 DETECTIVE #1                          (leaning forward;                           good cop)                   ... So your science teacher shot                   you with an arrow full of drugs                   then chopped off your finger.                   Come on, you can do better than                   that, Cesar.                                 CESAR                   It had to be him!                                  DETECTIVE #2                           (bad cop)                   He smoke the `mota' for yuh, too,                   eh ese?                                 CESAR                   Pinche madre... he hates my guts,                   man!                                 DETECTIVE #2                   You covering for somebody, homes?                                 (MORE)                                                       (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   82.107   CONTINUED:                                                       107                                 DETECTIVE #2 (CONT'D)                   Cuz, this circumstantial bullshit                   won't hold up in court, I'll tell                   you that right now.      Detective #1 refers to a rap sheet...                                  DETECTIVE #1                          (sadly)                   Caught too many priors, Cesar.                   Juvenile GTA, vandalism...                                 CESAR                   I know he did it! Don't you hear                   what I'm saying?                                 DETECTIVE #1                   You saw his face?                                  CESAR                          (lying)                   Yeah, yeah. I seen him.      Detective #2 shakes his head and grimaces.                                 DETECTIVE #2                   Lemme save yuh from perjuring                   yourself, asshole... You're full                   of shit.                                  CESAR                   I swear it!   For reals!                                 DETECTIVE #2                          (turns to leave)                   C'mon, this guy's wasting our time.                          (points to Cesar)                   Come up with something better than                   that, or the truth, then maybe we'll                   talk.      Detective #2 walks away.     Detective #1 follows.      Cesar hangs his head, mumbling a disparaging flood of      Spanish expletives...108   INT. E.R. RECEIVING DESK - ANONYMOUS POV - CONTINUOUS            108      ACTION      THROUGH passing patients and personnel... APPROACHING the      receiving desk.                                                         (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                 83.108   CONTINUED:                                                     108      ... As the blurred shoulder of an orderly CROSSES OUT to      reveal a legal-sized white envelope now on the counter      top.      A busy E.R. nurse notices the envelope. Glances around.      Picks up the envelope and reads the name typed across the      face of it... CESAR SANCHEZ... narrowing her gaze as she      opens the envelope.      In the envelope, Cesar's severed finger, nesting in a      clump of newspaper.      Appears to be something tattooed across the side of it      but we can't quite make it out.      The Nurse gasps and drops the envelope, spilling the      finger onto the counter top.      CLOSE now ON the finger and the fresh "tatt" scrawled      across its side: R-U-DUN?      SOUND FADES now from the scene, replaced by a TECHNO HIP-      HOP TRACK that CONTINUES THROUGH the CUT...109   EXT. BUNGALOW #86 - AFTERNOON (6TH PERIOD)                     109      Rain lashes the faculty parking lot...110   INT. BUNGALOW #86 - CONTINUOUS ACTION                          110      HIP-HOP TRACK FADES now replaced by the buzz of      cross-talk. Trevor strolls the aisles, an open      science book in hand.      (NOTE: Rita is dressed in overalls, very subdued      compared to her usual attire.)      Cesar's back... and seated in his regular seat, across      from Stevie Littleton. Uncharacteristically, his eyes      are fixed on the book in front of him.                                 TREVOR                          (addressing class)                   ... Name one of four parts that                   make up the human hand?      Trevor holds up his hand for display.                                 TREVOR                   ... Hands, please.      A reluctant cross section of hands go up.                                                     (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                   84.110   CONTINUED:                                                       110      6th period is by no means a synchronized whole but there      has developed an odd sort of order to its madness.      Trevor looks around.      Picks on an Anglo girl in the second      row.                                  TREVOR                   Christian.                                 CHRISTIAN                   ... The metacarpals.                                 TREVOR                   The Metacarpals. That's one.                          (to class)                   Name some more?      Now he picks on Rita...                                  TREVOR                   Rita.                                 RITA                   The wrist... and thumb.      A flurry of thumbs go up as if on cue.                                  TREVOR                   Good.                          (holding up all his                           fingers now)                   ... And don't forget the phalanges.      Fingers shoot up and wiggle on cue...                                 CLASS                          (in unison)                   Phalanges, phalanges, phalanges...      Scattered laughter and groans at this embarrassing      routine...      Cesar's beaten gaze remains riveted to his book. Now he      slides a look at the "R-U-DUN" tatt on his right index      finger. The severed finger has been sewn back on,      supported by a finger brace.      Stevie openly stares at the back of Trevor's head as      Trevor passes by in the aisle.111   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - "A" BUILDING/COMPUTER LAB -             111      AFTER SCHOOL      RAIN steadily plays AGAINST the WINDOWS.                                                         (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/10/96                                  85.111   CONTINUED:                                                      111      Ellen sits behind her computer, lost in a grading      program...      Trevor now enters.    Damp hair and shoulders.                                    TREVOR                   May I come in?      Ellen stops what she's working on.                                 ELLEN                          (reticently)                   Hi.                                 TREVOR                          (concerned)                   Where'd you go the other night?                                 ELLEN                   I was going to ask you the same                   thing.                                 TREVOR                   ... I went for a run.                          (changes subject)                   Wanna get some Chinese later?                   There's a new place in the Valley                   Center. 'Spose to be pretty good.                                 ELLEN                          (an excuse)                   ... Can't tonight. Maybe another                   time.      Weighs it, and...                                 TREVOR                          (stands there for                           a moment)                   ... I should probably correct                   papers anyway. Some of these                   bungalow kids actually care                   about a grade. Even Cesar's doing                   better. Today, for the first time                   since I took over for Eskander, he                   actually did his work.                          (beat)                   Today Cesar Sanchez was a success.                   Maybe for the first time in his                   life.                          (blinks now)                   You alright?                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                86.111   CONTINUED:                                                      111                                 ELLEN                   ... Much better, thank you.      A tacit satisfaction that all is well...                                 TREVOR                   ... I really am sorry about Jack.      He exits now leaving Ellen alone with her thoughts.112   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS SCHOOL LIBRARY - MORNING                 112      Before school tutoring session. The minute hand on the      wall clock jerks ahead one minute... 7:23 AM.      Trevor and Rita at a table near the back of the library.      Trevor gazes blankly at Rita's essay. Rita revises one      of the pages.      INTERCUT Dave Childress at the front counter as the      librarian (late fifties) photocopies a page from a      history book for him. Childress scrutinizes Trevor and      Rita as he waits.      Satisfied now, Rita slides the page to Trevor...                                   RITA                   ... Finished.      Trevor blinks himself back to reality...                                 TREVOR                   ... Let's hava look..      He adjusts his glasses.      Pores over the paper...                                 TREVOR                   ... Good.                          (deliberating)                   ... I was just thinking, since                   your essay's about gangs and                   getting away from their influence,                   you probably could've left some of                   those double negatives you like so                   well.                                 RITA                          (confused)                   So now you wan' me to use bad                   grammar.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                87.112   CONTINUED:                                                      112                                 TREVOR                          (explaining)                   Only if it suits your topic.                                 RITA                   I know. We're all products of our                   environment 'n' shit.                                 TREVOR                   No, I think that's just an excuse.                          (beat)                   I say if we're strong, we can rise                   above adversity.                          (lets it sink in)                   But it's like rap or hip-hop...                   Correct all the grammar and it                   loses its impact.                                 RITA                   So you like hip-hop, Mr. G?                                  TREVOR                          (shakes his head)                   ... I hate it.                                 RITA                          (reacting)                   What kinda black man are you?      Trevor bursts forth a laugh.      Childress perks up at the front counter.      Trevor's laugh evokes a smile from Rita.      Now she pries      a little further...                                 RITA                   Why you here anyways? Don't you                   got nothin' better t'do?                                 TREVOR                   ... Everything I wanna do is right                   here.                          (back on track now)                   It's a good essay, Rita. You put                   a lot of effort into it, it shows.                                 RITA                          (a laconic grin)                   Comes from the heart, maestro.                   I'm a writer... not a fighter.      Trevor returns a cognitive flicker.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                               88.112   CONTINUED:                                                     112                                 TREVOR                          (hinting now)                   ... Ms. Quinn was telling me she                   picks two seniors each year to                   read their essays at graduation.                                 RITA                          (taken aback)                   She ain't gonna pick my paper.                   Anyway, I don't wanna get up in                   fronna all those people and make                   a fool outta myself.                                  TREVOR                   Why not?   It'd be a Pyrrhic                   victory.                                  RITA                   What's dat?                                 TREVOR                   ... In your case, irony. Refers                   to King Pyrrhus. Never mind.                   Look it up sometime.      OFF Rita's reluctance...113   EXT. LOS ANGELES RIVER/SEPULVEDA DAM BASIN - AFTERNOON         113      A churning fist of muddy water cuts a path along the      perimeter of a golf course and jogging trail.      TRACING jogging trail, KEEPING PACE now with a die-hard      runner. Something registers in the runner's eyes, pace      slowing, now stopping. Not fully comprehending what he      is looking at...      FOLLOWING HIS GAZE... THROUGH a curtain of rain and tall      swamp grass... along the riverbank... TO the base of the      Burbank Boulevard Overpass.      SLOWING ANGLE to discover precariously jutting out of the      rushing waters, in a tangle of chicken wire fence, a      partially decomposed torso...114   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS COMPUTER LAB - AFTER LUNCH              114      (5TH PERIOD)      Ellen walks down an aisle of computers as the class      settles...                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                                 89.114   CONTINUED:                                                       114                                 ELLEN                   ... Before getting side-tracked                   with viruses and T-S-R programs,                   we were talking yesterday about                   E-Mail.      INTERCUT Stevie. Ellen passes Stevie's computer as      he shares cryptic information with a kid sitting next      to him.      Ellen approaches her computer console on wheels at      the front of the class.                                 ELLEN                   If you click-on the mail icon in                   your tray, you'll be ready to                   send and receive mail. My                   computer's already set-up.                   Everyone go ahead and click the                   white envelope in the lower...      Ellen's interrupted by her own computer. A little white      envelope icon in the lower left hand tray flashes and      BEEPS. Now a COMPUTER VOICE announces: "You've got mail."      Ellen's taken aback.    Class titters.   Now she grins.                                 ELLEN                   Looks like someone's way ahead of                   me. Alright.                          (adapts and                           demonstrates)                   To retrieve your mail simply double                   click the top item in your mail                   list.                          (as she does)                   Since we're all a part of the                   same network, we share mail... so                   go ahead and do that.      The message read:    TEACHER FUCKS NIGGERS      Class is dumbstruck. Ellen's riveted. Now she turns.      Without losing her temper, she scours the class with      a narrow gaze.      Class starts to buzz.    Now a clicking frenzy to retrieve      the same message.      The anonymous message pops up on computer screens all      around the classroom.      Ellen's POV of students (and Stevie). Deciphering      reactions. LINGERING ON Stevie's poker face.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                               90.114   CONTINUED:                                                     114      Her own poker face now...                                 ELLEN                   Whoever sent that message isn't                   as anonymous as they think.      Ellen turns to her console, clicks the REPLY button.    A      new mail message window opens up. It's addressed to      the anonymous sender, STUDENT #00. Ellen types in:                                 GO TO THE OFFICE      All the while anticipation builds on Stevie's face.    He      glances around, starting to get nervous.      Ellen now clicks the SEND button...      Stevie's COMPUTER BEEPS...    COMPUTER VOICE:   "You've got      mail..."      ... A window opens in the middle of Stevie's monitor      revealing Ellen's return message.      Class erupts and Stevie springs out of his seat...                                 STEVIE                   'Dat's bullshit, man!      He rushes up to the front of the class.                                 STEVIE                   You best step off, Ms. H. Cuz                   you can't prove nuthin'. And I                   know you can't afford to lose                   'dis minimum wage job 'a yers.                                  ELLEN                           (beat and)                   You're right, Stevie. I can't                   afford to live in a big house                   south of the boulevard. Like                   you do.      Class erupts again, coming down on Stevie and his wanna-be      poor boy from the streets image. They're laughing at him      now, not with him. In a rage, Stevie kicks open the      hallway door and exits the classroom.115   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS MAIN OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER             115      Ellen hastily enters, looking for Stevie. Addresses      IRIS (a thirty-something Hispanic woman) behind      the counter...                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                               91.115   CONTINUED:                                                     115                                 ELLEN                   Iris, did Steven Littleton come                   in here?                                 IRIS                   Haven't seen 'im.      Teacher #1, the insipid woman, checks her mail slot.    It's      her conference period.                                 TEACHER #1                          (appalled)                   You're not supposed to leave                   your classroom unattended.                                    ELLEN                             (reacting)                   Sue me.      Teacher #1 exits in a flurry. Ellen now glances to her      right. Seated there in rigid silence is BENNY CHACON'S      MOTHER (51).                                 IRIS                          (offers; sotto)                   Benny Chacon's mother. Told                   'er Garcia had to leave early                   today but she jus' sits there.                   She been saying some pretty                   crazy things.      Mrs. Chacon begins speaking Spanish in plaintive spurts.      Ellen can't decipher what she is saying...                                 ELLEN                          (to Mrs. Chacon)                   ... Espanol, muy poquito, senora.                          (beat)                   Mrs. Chacon... you have to slow down.                          (back to Iris)                   What's she saying?      Hesitating.    Now with apprehension...                                 IRIS                   You heard 'bout that body they foun'                   in the L.A. River... She says she                   thinks it's Benny.      OFF Ellen's unblinking gaze...116   EXT. LOS ANGELES COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE (DOWNTOWN) -          116      EVENING      A concrete fortress... Ellen and Mrs. Chacon approach.                                                               92.117   OMITTED                                                        117118   INT. ASSISTANT CORONER'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS ACTION            118      Ellen and Mrs. Chacon sit stiffly in front of the      ASSISTANT CORONER (mid-forties). Desk cluttered. Half-      eaten sandwich in front of him. He nurses a Styrofoam      cup of coffee as he flips through a John Doe folder.                              ASST. CORONER                You say he's been missing                approximately four weeks?                              ELLEN                ... Four, almost five weeks.                              ASST. CORONER                That's a long time. Lots a                things happen to a body after                four or five weeks. Makes it                difficult to I.D.      A faint, incongruous smile.                              ELLEN                       (indicating John Doe)                So he just sits here?                              ASST. CORONER                We keep 'um up to thirty days.                Lady, we get 80, sometimes 90 Does                a month. Floaters, gangbangers,                illegals, junkies. Most of 'um                cheap homicides. Nobody's even                lookin' for 'em.                       (indicating folder)                This guy here, has a dent in his                head. Could be post-mortem                trauma. Probably hit a retaining                wall on his way down river after                that rain we had. Who knows.                       (beat)                Yuh ask me, this kid was dead                before he got his head caved in.                Overdose by morphine. That's what                it looks like t'me.      Ellen weighs it. Assistant Coroner now refers to some      sort of questionnaire.                              ASST. CORONER                On the phone you said the mother                mentioned some identifying marks.      Ellen refocuses a far-off, introspective gaze.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                93.118   CONTINUED:                                                      118                                 ELLEN                          (affirmative)                   She said he has some pockmarks on                   his chest; from a bad case of                   chicken pox. And there's a bar-                   code tattoo on his neck.      A cognitive flicker now as the Assistant Coroner sets      down his coffee...119   INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - EVENING                                     119      The acrid fecal smell causes Ellen to flinch. Averting      her eyes, she holds onto Mrs. Chacon's arm as they stand      next to the autopsy table. A plastic diaphanous sheet      covers the body.      Now the Assistant Coroner raises the sheet...      Mrs. Chacon's traumatic gaze confirms her worst fears.      She raises a hand to her mouth. Now the tears come...                                 MRS. CHACON                   ... Benito.      As she comforts Mrs. Chacon...                                  ELLEN                          (to Assistant Coroner;                           sotto)                   Did you find any rosary beads with                   the body?                                 ASSISTANT CORONER                   No.120   INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT                        120      ... The digital clock next to Trevor's bed reads:      2:14 a.m.      Trevor sleeps. HOLD for a portentous moment. Now the      stillness is broken by a CLATTER at the front door.      Someone enters the house. Trevor awakens. Jolts out of      bed. Disoriented a beat.121   INT. TREVOR'S HALLWAY                                           121      In boxer shorts and a T-shirt, adjusting his glasses,      Trevor ventures through darkness...                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                               94.121   CONTINUED:                                                     121                                 TREVOR                   ... Who's there?      A light flickers on in the living room.                                 ELLEN (O.S.)                   You should keep your door locked.      ADJUSTING the ANGLE now as the living room comes INTO      VIEW...      Ellen paces back and forth, consumed by what's troubling      her.                                 TREVOR                          (still half asleep)                   What's the matter?      Ellen ignores his question.                                  ELLEN                          (impaling him with                            a look)                   I just want you to tell me one                   thing...      Now something she sees stops her pacing...      ... The black rosary beads on the dinner table.                                  TREVOR                           (off Ellen's                            puzzled look)                   What?      Following her gaze, he picks up the rosary beads.    As he      places them in a drawer in the credenza.                                  TREVOR                   What is it?      Ellen's confused.     Lost in a fixated gaze.                                 ELLEN                   ... If you had any idea what I've                   been thinking lately... you'd                   think I was crazy.                          (running it through                           her mind)                   ... Remember that John Doe they                   found in the L.A. River. Turned                   out it was Benny.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                 95.121   CONTINUED:                                                       121                                 TREVOR                          (impacted)                   Who told you that?                                 ELLEN                   ... Benny's mother identified the                   body.      Trevor just looks at her, a bated pause.       Now he blinks.                                 TREVOR                   Benny was no saint, Ellen. This                   is a kid who terrorized hald the                   school. He even broke into your                   house. Maybe we should think                   about that 'fore we shed any tears.      Ellen just looks at him.                                 TREVOR                   ... Maybe he's better off.                                 ELLEN                   That's a horrible thing to say.      Trevor accepts that it is.                                  TREVOR                   Do you believe for every troubled                   kid like Benny there's one or two                   others just waiting to take his                   place? Like Cesar... or his                   friend Stevie.      An awkward moment of silence...                                 ELLEN                   You don't know anything about                   Cesar's finger, do you, Trevor?                                 TREVOR                   Sometimes a person just runs out                   of bad choices. Then he's gotta                   pay a price. What happened to                   Cesar was inevitable.      Ellen flickers a terrified smile.                                 ELLEN                   You're scaring me.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                                 96.121   CONTINUED:                                                       121                                 TREVOR                   We make choices in life and we                   live by 'em. You and I chose to                   be teachers, to stand on                   principle. Benny and Cesar,                   they're takers. They want what                   they want, and they want it now.                                    ELLEN                   Trevor...                                  TREVOR                           (unravelling)                   I'm sorry but everyone can't                   always get what they want.                   Sometimes you gotta take                   responsibility for your actions.                   Have you ever been ready to die                   for a fundamental principle? They                   haven't. You think those punks                   would die protecting your Civil                   Rights?                                    ELLEN                   Trevor, don't.                                 TREVOR                   Did you know Cesar hits his                   mother? Steals money from her                   purse? Did you know that?      Ellen blanches.                                 TREVOR                   Did you know he was here that                   night? In the alley?                                 ELLEN                          (confused)                   What are you talking about?                                 TREVOR                   Cesar. Jack was provoked.     It                   wasn't an accident, Ellen.    Cesar                   killed him.      Ellen just stares at him.       Traumatized...                                 ELLEN                          (momentous deliberation)                   Where'd you get the rosary beads?                                                         (CONTINUED)       1   8   7 - Rev. 7/22/96                               97.121    CONTINUED:                                                   121                                  TREVOR                           (pause and...)                    I like you, Ellen. I like you so                    much. Do you believe that?                                  ELLEN                           (riveted)                    Yes.       Trevor can't find words.                                  ELLEN                    ... I don't know you.       With that, Ellen turns and walks out of the house as       quickly as she came.                                  TREVOR                           (plaintively)                    ... You do know me. I'm a                    teacher, just like you.123A   EXT. STUDENT QUAD/QUEBRADITA - AFTER SCHOOL                  123A       (CINCO DE MAYO)       ESTABLISH hoardes of cowboy hats, belt sashes and boots       as they dance to the loud Mexican band music on the       patio...       Non-Hispanics, along with non-Quebradita cliques, look on       from the lawn area...       DAVE CHILDRESS       hanging back, on the fringes, scoping out the crowd.       Notices a pack of cigarettes in the chest pocket of a       15-year-old kid standing next to him. Kid's wrapped up       in talking to another kid, points to something O.S.                                  CHILDRESS                           (to the kid with                            cigarettes)                    ... Don't you know it's not polite                    to point at people. Everytime you                    point a finger at someone else...                           (demonstrates)                    ... There's three fingers pointing                    back at you.                           (lesson over)                    Lemme have a cigarette.      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/22/96                                  98.122   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - MEN'S BATHROOM - AFTER SCHOOL          122      ... Cinco de Mayo. The sounds of a QUEBRADITA waft in      from outside in the quad.      At the same time, Steve follows him into the rest room.      They're all alone.                                 STEVIE                  Eh, Mr. G?      Bracing himself with a fixed, straight-ahead look.                                STEVIE                         (boldly)                  I'm talkin' ta you, Garfield.                         (beat)                  Know what you did to Cesar.                         (wild notion)                  ... I'm thinkin' maybe you did                  Benny, too.                         (incredulously)                  That possible? You crush my                  friend's skull? Fuck 'im up wit'                  a two-by-four, maybe a baseball                  bat?      No response.   As Trevor starts to leave, Stevie blocks      his path.      Trevor steps to one side to go around... but Stevie      blocks his path again.                                TREVOR                         (trying to maintain)                  Please, step out of the way.                                STEVIE                  ... You kill my friend?   Huh?      Trevor's head begins to swim. His life's falling apart.      Like a trapped animal, he back-pedals a step to escape...      but then suddenly snaps.      He explodes into Stevie, crushing him against the bath-      room wall.      Trevor impales Stevie with a look that says it all.      Stevie immediately shrinks. Trevor now blinks. Cooling      himself down. Slowing his breathing. Stevie slips out      from under his hold and bolts for the exit.      1   8   7 - Rev. 7/22/96                              98A.123   EXT. STUDENT QUAD/QUEBRADITA - CONTINUOUS ACTION             123      Cesar and his tag-bangers... Cesar holds court, drowned      out by the MUSIC. Now Stevie arrives. Out of breath.      Urgent to tell his story.      Rita... Makeup subdued, wearing a cotton button-down blouse.      She watches the Quebradita from behind a tree. A desire      to be part of it, she moves a little closer...      ... as Cesar notices her. His head races from Stevie's      news. Eyes penetrating. Now galvanized. On a rampage,      he shoves his way through the crowd.      Victor Sifuentes... on the opposite side of the patio,      snapping a look, spotting Cesar moving in for the kill.      With a start, Victor barks something into his walkie-      talkie and squeezes his way into the Quebradita crowd...      Cesar shoves Rita to the ground.                                CESAR                  School girl bitch!                                                    (CONTINUED)                                                                  99.123   CONTINUED:                                                        123      Rita gets to her feet immediately...                                 RITA                          (shaken)                   You gotta problem?!                                 CESAR                   Yer fuckin' maestro, 'at's my                   problem!                                 RITA                   I don't know what yer talkin'                   'bout!                                 CESAR                   Garfield killed Benny!      Rita looks at him like he's insane.    Cesar's entourage      gathers around them.                                 RITA                   Yer crazy.      She turns her back and starts to leave.       Cesar grabs      her again...                                 CESAR                   Don't turn yer back on me when                   I'm talkin' t'you, bitch. You                   think yer better than everybody                   else. Well you ain't! You ain't                   nuthin' but a whore!                                 RITA                   Fuck you, asshole!                                 CESAR                   What? You forget about the time                   in the bungalows? We all had our                   turn wit you, man!                                 RITA                   Shut up!                                 CESAR                          (gets in her face)                   What the fuck you been fuckin'                   a nigger for? Huh? You think                   he's gonna protec' you? Stop                   me from doin' whatever I want                   wit' you? Stop any of us from                   doin' what we want wit' you?!      Rita just stands there, destroyed and sobbing now.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                                100.123   CONTINUED:                                                       123                                 RITA                   Fuck you, Cesar.                                   CESAR                   No, fuck you!      He grabs her blouse and rips it wide open. His eyes      glisten with fervor now as he punches Rita (with his      good hand) square in the face. She crumbles to the      ground as Victor bursts through the crowd and      restrains Cesar.      As Rita gets to her feet and flees into the Quebradita      crowd...                                 CESAR                   Garfield better watch his back!124   OMITTED                                                          124125   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AUDITORIUM - NIGHT                        125      Standing room only.    An impassioned crowd.                                 ANGLO WOMAN                   ... I wanna know if this boy was                   killed and whether it was gang-                   related.      The audience erupts in unanimous support...                                 ANGLO WOMAN                          (playing to crowd now)                   As a mother and a taxpayer, I have                   a right to know. And if it was                   gang-related then I want tighter                   security...      At this point she's drowned out by the crowd.      On stage the discipline committee, including Trevor,      Childress, Hyland and Quinn sit at the dais. Garcia      stands at the podium, waiting for silence. MRS. FORD,      the assistant principal, a full-figured black woman in      her mid-fifties, stands alongside him, gesturing for      the crowd to settle down.                                 MR. GARCIA                   The death...                          (too noisy)                   The death of Benito Chacon is not                   gang-related.                                 (MORE)                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                101.125   CONTINUED:                                                       125                                 MR. GARCIA (CONT'D)                   That's something you heard on                   the news. It's wrong. It's                   misinformation.                                  HISPANIC MAN                           (shouting out)                   Who says? How can you be so sure?                   You're talking about my kid's                   safety.                                 MRS. FORD                   Please, everyone just calm down.      Audience settles.                                  MR. GARCIA                   Thank you, Mrs. Ford.                           (now)                   ... The police at this point                   aren't even sure if it's a case of                   murder. The reason we're having                   this meeting tonight is to quash                   all the rumors floating around out                   there. Okay. Here's what we do                   know. Benny Chacon ultimately died                   from a drug overdose, technically                   it was morphine.                           (volume rising again)                   Which is what heroin breaks down                   into...                                 STEVIE (O.S.)                   ... Dat's bullshit! Benny was no                   junkie! I know who did it!      Heads turn...      ... Ellen quietly enters now and stands just inside      one of the doors at the back of the hall...      Up at the dais, Trevor notices her.                                 STEVIE                   It's not the gangbangers y'gotta                   worry about. It's the teachers!                                 MR. GARCIA                   That's exactly the type of rumor                   we don't need, Mr. Littleton.      Stevie deliberately stands and points at Trevor with      vitriol in his eyes...                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                    102.125   CONTINUED:                                                           125                                 STEVIE                   ... It was Garfield.      The audience grows silent.                                 MR. GARCIA                          (losing his patience)                   Say one more word and you're                   suspended.                                 MRS. FORD                   ... Sit down, Stevie.      Trevor doesn't even flinch.       Childress scrutinizes him      with a glance.                                 STEVIE                          (ranting)                   You're a fuckin' murderer,                   Garfield!                                    MR. GARCIA                             (calling for assistance)                   Victor?                                 STEVIE                   ... Maybe I can't prove it but I                   know he did it. He fucked up                   Cesar and he killed Benny.                          (to crowd)                   Ast 'im!      As Victor and another plainclothes cop attempt to remove      Stevie...                                 STEVIE                   Touch me and I'll sue yer ass!                          (as Victor backs off;                           now to Trevor)                   Yer dead, G! Yer a dead man!      With that Stevie shoves Victor aside and bolts for the      door.      Garcia attempts to regain his composure...      Trevor glances back to the spot where Ellen was      standing... but now she's gone.126   EXT. FACULTY PARKING LOT - NIGHT                                     126      Meeting's broken up. Dave Childress, cigarette dangling      from his mouth, jogs a step to catch up with Trevor...                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                                  103.126   CONTINUED:                                                         126                                 CHILDRESS                   Garfield, wait up...      Trevor maintains a steady pace, one hopeful eye scouring      the parking lot for Ellen...                                 CHILDRESS                   ... Don't let that Littleton punk                   get to you.      Trevor ignores him.                                 CHILDRESS                   Lil' bastard's a tweaker. He's a                   speed freak. You didn't know that?      At Trevor's car now.    Hesitating.    Turning to      Childress...                                 TREVOR                          (testing his patience)                   What is it, Dave? How can I help                   you?      Unintentionally in Trevor's face...                                 CHILDRESS                   How 'bout a ride?                          (taking a step back)                   ... The wife wouldn't let me drive                   my own car. Ain't that a bitch?      Childress is pitiful. Wears a grease-stained tie with      his wrinkled Hawaiian shirt and a Windbreaker.                                 TREVOR                          (with resignation)                   ... You smell like beer.                                 CHILDRESS                   I only had two. That's all.                   Swear ta Christ.      Raising his palms. Surrendering.       Trevor studies him      with a sad grimace.                                 CHILDRESS                   I live right up here off Chandler.                   I'll buy you a drink.127   INT. CHILDRESS'S GARAGE - NIGHT                                    127      Dave's Sanctuary.                                                          (CONTINUED)                                                               104.127   CONTINUED:                                                      127      At the end of a gravel driveway, behind a darkened house.      Garage door open.      Childress chain smokes and drinks beer as he leans      against the dented fender of his '66 Lincoln Continental.      Trevor nurses a Diet Coke...                                 CHILDRESS                   ... I had the same situation                   'round the time of that 'Night                   Stalker' thing. Remember that?                   Whole city was scared shitless.                   My wife was convinced the frickin'                   mailman was the 'Stalker' for                   about a week there.                          (a tubercular chuckle)                   Some mental giant in my 4th period                   starts this rumor, see. Childress                   is the 'Night Stalker.' Right?                          (chug-a-lugs)                   ... Idiots. Even after they                   caught that Ramirez jerk, I'd                   still hear those fucks '... They                   got the wrong guy. Childress is                   the Stalker, ese.'      He finishes beer.    Crumples it.      Trevor studies him, without expression. Now he notices      something stapled to the tar paper wall...      Trevor's POV of the "Certificate of Excellence in      Teaching," yellowed and dogeared, hanging obliquely by      one staple.      ... as Childress opens another beer.                                 TREVOR                          (excusing himself)                   I better get goin'. Thanks for                   the soda.                                 CHILDRESS                   Wait, wait. Hold your horses.                   Just hold on...      ... Finding a key in a drawer.                                 CHILDRESS                          (a twisted grin)                   ... Can't leave without meetin'                   the kids.      Childress unlocks a particle board cabinet against the      garage wall.                                                    (CONTINUED)                                                                105.127   CONTINUED:                                                       127      A watery glint in his bloodshot eyes. Cabinet door      swings wide now, revealing a mini arsenal of handguns...                                    CHILDRESS                   Ta-dah... Huh?      Trevor's eyes remain expressionless.      Childress rhapsodizes as he removes and handles some of      the guns...                                 CHILDRESS                   ... This one's from                   Czechoslovakia. It's a C-Z .22                   automatic. Ten round clip. Glow-                   in-the-dark sights.                          (eyeing the sights)                   Ain't that a beauty?                          (next)                   ... Then we gotta custom Smitty, 9                   'milli.' With extended grip.                   These Smith & Wessons kick like a                   mutha.                          (and next)                   Now this one's special. A Glock                   21. Lightest gun in the world.                   The barrel and firing pin are                   metal. See. Everything else on                   it's plastic.                          (handing it to Trevor)                   Here, feel that.      Trevor takes it, reluctantly weighs it in the palm of his      hand. Sets it down.      Now Childress removes a gun from a holster in the small      of his back, under his Windbreaker...                                 CHILDRESS                   ... 'Course you can never be too                   prepared. My pukey lil' Davis                   .380.                                 TREVOR                          (a severe squint)                   You wear that thing at school?                                 CHILDRESS                          (a smirk)                   ... Don't worry. They never use                   metal detectors on teachers.                          (beat)                   I also keep a .357 inside my desk.                                 (MORE)                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                               106.127   CONTINUED:                                                      127                                 CHILDRESS (CONT'D)                          (a wry grin)                   ... But you already know that.                   Didn't think I was payin'                   attention, did'ja? Shoulda seen                   the look on your face.      Pretending now.    Aiming the .380 at an imaginary      student...                                 CHILDRESS                   Now, Jose, if I've told you once                   I've told you a hundred times,                   stay in your cotton pickin' seat.                          (aiming gun)                   Boom!      Childress laughs and chokes on his cigarette. Now he      gazes at the .380 in his hand. Lost in a stupid,      recalcitrant grin...                                 CHILDRESS                   Haven't you ever just wanted to                   blow one of these little bastards                   away?      Childress glances up into Trevor's unflinching gaze.      Smiles to himself now. Thinks he's funny...                                 CHILDRESS                          (digressing)                   ... Speaking of blowing, you ever                   wanna fuck a high school girl,                   Garfield?                          (off no response)                   'Caught yer girl, Rita, bustin' a                   train out in the 'utility' shed                   couple months back. Swear to God.                   She had at least five or six                   cholos lined up back there.                          (as Trevor's eyes                           narrow)                   Face it, brother, she's a slut.                   C'mon, I know you had 'er.                          (bragging now)                   I even did her.                                   TREVOR                   You're drunk.                                 CHILDRESS                   I know you been laughin' at me                   behind my back.                                 (MORE)                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                  107.127   CONTINUED:                                                         127                                 CHILDRESS (CONT'D)                   I'm talkin' about screwin' high                   school broads and you're givin'                   off this self-righteous attitude                   like your shit don't stink.      Childress rolls back on his heels.                                 CHILDRESS                   ... Tell me the truth now,                   Garfield. Did yuh do it? C'mon,                   I won't tell. Did yuh whack Benny?                   Whadda 'bout Cesar? That was                   generous, only taking his finger.                   I woulda cut off his balls.                                 TREVOR                   ... Go to hell, Dave.      All traces of a smile fade from Dave's face.      Trevor      just stands there. Doesn't say a damn word.      Childress makes his own momentous conclusion.                                 CHILDRESS                          (almost exulted)                   You really did it. You son of a                   bitch.      Awkward glint of admiration in Childress's eye.     Leans      forward, hangs a hand on Trevor's shoulder.                                 TREVOR                          (disgusted)                   You probably think you and me are                   alike.      Trevor turns and exits the garage. PULLING BACK FROM      Childress's dull anesthetized gaze. Deep down inside      Childress knows he's a pathetic piece of shit...128   EXT. TREVOR'S DRIVEWAY - AROUND MIDNIGHT                           128      Trevor pulls into his driveway, right up to the garage      door. He SHUTS OFF the IGNITION and narrows a gaze out      the front windshield...129   INT. TREVOR'S CAR - GARAGE DOOR - TREVOR'S POV -                   129      CONTINUOUS ACTION      Caught in his headlights, tagged all over.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                  108.129    CONTINUED:                                                        129       Spray painted threats like, "YOU'RE DEAD," "187-UM,"       "TEACHER-K" (crossed out) and a CARTOON VERSION OF       TREVOR WITH "X'S" WHERE HIS EYES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.129A   INT. TREVOR'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (SHORT WHILE LATER)             129A       Dimly lit. Trevor stands in front of the television       set, staring at a late-night repeat of "Talk Soup."       INSERT - TALK SOUP       A clip from "Sally Jessy Rafael" or "Jerry Springer."       One of those Sturm und Drang moments. Everyone points       the finger at everyone else. No one willing to take       responsibility for themselves.       Only partially watching the television. His eyes are       fixed on a point somewhere in his own mind, lost to the       world.130    INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS SCHOOL LIBRARY - EARLY MORNING             130       (BEFORE SCHOOL)       Into a parabolic mirror above the library doors...       ... an empty corridor stretches forever.       Trevor, now unshaven, looking like he hasn't slept, sits       amidst total silence in his regular spot. No sign of       Rita. He checks his wristwatch.       WALL CLOCK       reads... 7:10 AM.                                                       BACK TO:       TREVOR       peering toward the library doors.   Nothing.   Now above       the doors...       TREVOR'S POV       BACK AND FORTH between the mirror and Trevor.   His eyes       glazed and unblinking.       FURTHER INTO the parabolic mirror now.   Breathing becoming       more and more labored.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                               109.130   CONTINUED:                                                      130      In a flicker, we're transported back to Roosevelt      Whitney... Dennis Broadway's image SLOWLY COMING TOWARD      us down the long corridor...      BACK TO SCENE      Trevor catches his breath and blinks...      ... Back to reality.    The mirror is empty.      He removes his Proventil inhaler from his shirt pocket.      Suppressing gasps, he takes two hits.      Two girls at the magazine racks whisper to each other,      eyes firmly fixed on Trevor.      Suddenly there's a presence at Trevor's side...                                 LIBRARIAN                   ... I don't think she's coming.131   EXT. RITA'S TRAILER (SUN VALLEY) - SAME MORNING                 131      (7:30 AM)      Strictly low rent district. The small dirt yard in front      is contained within a cinder block wall.      Rita, back to her chola look, heavy makeup, black (right)      eye where Cesar punched her, watches her two younger      brothers as they fight over a toy truck. Her      three-year-old baby sister, Maricella (too big to be      carried) straddles her hip as Rita yells at the boys...                                 RITA                   Be nice to your brother, Antonio.                   Don't make me go get Mommie.      Trevor's car pulls up.    Rita's taken aback.                                 RITA                          (setting Maricella                           down)                   Go play wit' your brothers.      Rita attempts to thwart him at the sidewalk.                                 RITA                          (almost defensive)                   Whatcha doin' here, maestro?                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                110.131   CONTINUED:                                                       131                                 TREVOR                          (with fervor)                   I want you to come back to school,                   Rita. You can't afford to miss                   finals. They won't let you                   graduate.                                 RITA                          (overlapping)                   No way. Forget it. I can't.                   What's wrong wit' you.      Trevor really does looks like hell.                                 TREVOR                          (beseeching her)                   Cesar and Stevie won't bother you.                   That's a promise.      Something stirs deep inside her.                                 RITA                          (struggles with it)                   Why'd they have to kill Snowball?                                 TREVOR                   ... They didn't.                                 RITA                          (on the verge of                           tears now)                   What's it fuckin' matter?! 'At                   school shit's for other kids, not                   me!                                 TREVOR                   That's not true. You're so smart,                   Rita. Don't you know that? You                   have an opportunity here to change                   your life. Please don't throw                   away everything we've worked for.      Trevor just stares at her, incredulously.      Rita lowers her gaze, unable to look him in the eye.      Momentous deliberation, and now...                                 TREVOR                   I know what happened with Childress.                                  RITA                           (knitting her                            eyebrows)                   What?                                                        (CONTINUED)                                                                 111.131   CONTINUED:                                                        131                                 TREVOR                          (beat)                   He won't ever touch you again.                                 RITA                          (protesting too                           much)                   He ain't done nuthin' tuh me.                   That boy's fulla shit. What's he                   been sayin'?                                 TREVOR                   Doesn't matter.                                 RITA                   He ain't never touched me no ways.                   What's he sayin'? He say he                   fucked me?! He say dat?!                          (off Trevor's look)                   He's a damn liar!                          (erupting again;                           tears streaming                           down her face)                   Get the fuck outta here! I don't                   need yer damn pity and I don't                   need you!                                 TREVOR                          (genuinely)                   But I need you, Rita.      Beat.                                 RITA                          (hardening)                   You made a mistake.    Dat's all.      With that Rita scoops up Maricella and exits.132   INT. MR. GARCIA'S OFFICE - SAME DAY (LUNCH PERIOD)                132      Trevor sits transfixed in front of Garcia.       Still hasn't      shaven.                                 MR. GARCIA                   See these?      Garcia holds up a handful of phone messages.                                 MR. GARCIA                   They're phone calls about you.                   Good ones.                                 (MORE)                                                         (CONTINUED)                                                               112.132   CONTINUED:                                                      132                                  MR. GARCIA (CONT'D)                   Cesar's mother told me how you                   tried to help him. You're evidently                   a good teacher. You should be                   commended on your efforts. However...                          (pause)                   I'm going to have to let you go.      Trevor blinks.                                 MR. GARCIA                          (beat)                   As much as I'd like to have you                   stay until the end of the year, I                   can't overlook the seriousness of                   certain accusations.      Mr. Garcia waits for a response but none is forthcoming.                                 MR. GARCIA                          (for example)                   ... Is it true you had meetings with                   a female student at your house?                                 TREVOR                   I was trying to help her.                                  MR. GARCIA                   The implications are still there,                   Mr. Garfield. I can't afford to                   open the door for another lawsuit.                   Sure you can appreciate my position.                          (pause)                   You can stay until Friday. I hope                   that will be sufficient.      This part registers only minimally with Trevor.133   EXT. BUNGALOW 86 - AFTER SCHOOL (SAME DAY)                      133      A VAPID SILENCE HOLDS us. The bungalow is awash in a      sun-soaked pool of light...      Trevor makes his way toward the parking lot with his      briefcase and a cardboard box of personal belongings.134   INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - "A" BLDG. - MAIN CORRIDOR/             134      COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS ACTION      Plagued with doubts, Ellen lingers in the doorway,      confiding with Hyland...                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                  113.134   CONTINUED:                                                         134                                  HYLAND                   You're not being an alarmist.                           (minimizing her                            concerns)                   He gets a little overzealous at                   times... like some other people                   I know.                           (beat)                   I don't think the rosary adds up                   to much either, frankly.                                 ELLEN                   Why?                                 HYLAND                   It's probably his.                          (beat)                   Look, when I received my first                   Holy Communion all the boys got                   black rosaries and the girls got                   white. Trust me, there must be                   millions of black rosaries filed                   away in desk drawers from here to                   the Vatican.      Ellen flickers a sad indecisive smile.                                 HYLAND                   This guy's been through a lot,                   Ellen. The system failed him.                   I don't think any of us can really                   appreciate what he's been through.                          (beat)                   I say we give the man a break.      Ellen acquiesces a pensive nod.135   EXT. FACULTY PARKING LOT/ADJACENT STREET (3:20)                    135      THROUGH a CHAIN LINK FENCE Trevor approaches his car.      Traffic is bumper to bumper.136   OMITTED                                                            136&                                                                        &137                                                                      137138   EXT. FACULTY PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS ACTION                       138      ... as Trevor unlocks his car.     And hesitates.                                                          (CONTINUED)                                                                     114.138   CONTINUED:                                                            138      TREVOR'S POV - DRIVER'S SIDE CAR DOOR      ... a bold 187 has been "keyed" into the paint.                                                          BACK TO:      TREVOR      Rivetted. Now he slides the cardboard box, along with      his briefcase onto the front seat.      Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, Ellen pulls up in her      Cherokee.      She deciphers Trevor with mixed emotions.        Trevor adjusts      his stance, covering the "187."      Ellen now tentatively rolls her window down halfway...      TAILPIPE SPUTTERS, a portentous idle.                                 ELLEN                          (stilted)                   ... I'd like to apologize for                   the other night.      Trevor stands there transfixed for a moment.       Now he      looks into her eyes. A soulful gaze.                                 TREVOR                   Shouldn't listen to me.    I was                   half asleep.      His eyes become damp.    Trevor smiles bravely.                                 ELLEN                   We really need to talk.                                 TREVOR                   ... Not tonight. Have to finish                   some work...                                    ELLEN                   Tomorrow then?     It's important                   to me.                                 TREVOR                          (far off now)                   ... Okay.                                 ELLEN                          (resolves it in                           her head)                   ... How 'bout seven o'clock?      Trevor nods.    Ellen flickers a tenuous smile.                                                                115.139    INT. ELLEN'S CHEROKEE - SIDE VIEW MIRROR                        139       ... as she rolls up her window and drives away, leaving       Trevor standing in the middle of the parking lot. His       image gets smaller and smaller in the mirror.139A   INT./EXT. ELLEN'S JEEP CHEROKEE - ELLEN'S POV                   139A       as she watches him in the side view mirror, torn with       mixed emotions.140    OMITTED                                                         140thru                                                                   thru143                                                                    143144    EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON                            144       Seeing now that the whole house has been tagged with       graffiti (not only the garage) as the Rambler pulls into       the driveway. With dead calm, Trevor leaves his box of       belongings behind and enters the front door, carrying his       briefcase.144A   EXT. STOLEN BUICK REGAL - CONTINUOUS ACTION - LATE              144A       AFTERNOON       ... as it parks about two houses down from Trevor's.145    INT. BUICK REGAL - CONTINUOUS ACTION - LATE AFTERNOON           145       All three tag-bangers produce firearms... Cesar loads the       cylinder chamber on his .357 magnum. Stevie double       checks a 7 round clip and a 39 Smith and Wesson. And       Paco plays with a .38 caliber revolver that he hides in       the deep front pocket of is County-Bens.       The interior of the Buick snaps with the hard sound of       gun metal... cocking hammers, loading cartridges and       spinning cylinder chambers...       ... As the gun preparations systematically stop. Cesar       now flicks ON an ELECTRIC HAIR CLIPPER, sets it on 'NO       CLIP,' and passes it back to Paco. Paco runs the clipper       over his head. Hair tumbles off in chunks. Stevie       fidgets, picks up a naked one-eyed doll off the floor,       raises it INTO VIEW...                               STEVIE                 Where'd you jack 'dis car from,                 homes?                        (referring to doll)                 'At's nasty, man.                                                                116.146    INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - SUNSET                                  146       Dutifully seated at his desk. Like a fervent prayer.       Lost in correcting his final graded assignment.146A   INT. TREVOR'S BEDROOM - POV - SUNSET                            146A       PAST wrought iron bars on the outside of the window.       Sun hangs above a distorted horizon.                                                      MATCH CUT TO:146B   ELLEN'S POV - SAME SUNSET                                       146B       ... PAST high tension lines outside Mother Henry's       kitchen window.147    INT. MOTHER HENRY'S KITCHEN - DUSK                              147       Ellen's preoccupied with thought as she rinses dishes       and places them in the dishwasher. O.S. hear "WHEEL       OF FORTUNE" on the TELEVISION.       Now a wet DISH slips from her grasp and SHATTERS on the       floor.                                MOTHER HENRY (O.S.)                 Ellen?       As she picks up the pieces...                               ELLEN                 ... It's alright, mother.148    EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - DUSK                                      148       Sun goes down.   A palpable stillness permeates.149    INT. BUICK REGAL - K.O.S. TAG-BANGERS - CONTINUOUS              149       ACTION       All three heads clipped "skin tight." Fixed gazes       holding. Stevie nurses a runny nose as he smokes       another "Sherm." Now something flickers in Cesar's       eyes...                               CESAR                 ... Okay, let's smoke this bitch.      1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                    117.150   EXT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS ACTION - DUSK                    150      The house is quiet now as Stevie and Paco disappear      around the back.      Cesar approaches the front door, undaunted, gun drawn.      Without breaking stride he kicks open the door...151   INT. TREVOR'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS ACTION - EVENING                 151      Trevor sits on his bed, watching the red orb of the sun      disappear over the horizon. He can hear DOOR OPENING and      someone moving in his house.                                TREVOR                  I'm in here, Cesar.      Cesar, Paco, and Stevie enter the bedroom, guns drawn.                                CESAR                  Dont' move, mutha fucka!      Stevie flips on a light. Paco SHOOTS out the TV set in      the living room -- an act of intimidation. Cesar jams      his .357 under Trevor's chin. Gets in his face.                                CESAR                  You killed Benny. And you cut off                  my finger... Say it.      Trevor stares right into Cesar's eyes, unflinching.                                   TREVOR                  Yeah.   I did.                                   STEVIE                  Told yuh.     Fuckin' A, man.                                   PACO                  Lemme do 'im.                                 CESAR                  No.   This nigga's mine.      Cesar sticks the gun barrel right between Trevor's eyes      ... and squeezes the trigger. Click. An empty sound.      Trevor blinks. Cesar exhales a malicious laugh.     Opens a      fist to reveal six bullets.                                CESAR                  Ever seen The Deerhunter, ese?                                                       CUT TO:                                                       (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                      118.151   CONTINUED:                                                          151      ANOTHER ANGLE      In the middle of the dark house -- Trevor's dining room      table. Trevor on one side, Cesar/Paco/Stevie on the      other. Cesar's seated, loading one of the six bullets      into a cylinder chamber. He shoves the gun toward Trevor      as Stevie and Paco train their pistols on him.                                 CESAR                   You gon' do yourself, mayate.                   Put it to your head and pull the                   trigger.      Trevor grabs the pistol without hesitation, puts it to      his head and squeezes off TWO ROUNDS without incident.      He slams the gun down in front of Cesar without a blink.      A crazed, watery glint in his eye.                                 TREVOR                   That macho enough for you, Cesar?                   Huh? That make me a man?                                 CESAR                   Take more'n that.                                 TREVOR                   Then you do it.      All three tag-bangers are taken aback.                                 TREVOR                   C'mon, show me what you got.    Mano                   a mano.                                 STEVIE                   He's playin' with yer head.                                    PACO                   Vato's scared.     He tryin' to twist                   outta it.                                 TREVOR                   I gotta be a fool to prove you're                   a fool? -- okay.      Trevor picks up the gun again, puts it to his head and      pulls the trigger... click. Slams the gun down.                                    TREVOR                   C'mon.                                 CESAR                   Tha's not how we playin' it.                                                           (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                   119.151   CONTINUED:    (2)                                                151                                 TREVOR                   Why -- you too chickenshit to play                   yer own game? Got no cojones?      Paco lashes out and hits Trevor with his pistol drawing      blood.                                  PACO                   Shut up!      Cesar stares at him.                                 TREVOR                   You gonna let your homies defend                   your punk ass, Cesar? You gonna                   let me dis you? I pulled three                   times, you pussy, you leva, you                   coward! Lessee you pull one.                   C'mon, be a man! Get some respect                   back! Do it!      Cesar takes the gun and raises it toward his head.                                 PACO                   Whatcho doin', homie?      He grabs Cesar's arm, but Cesar pushes him away.                                 CESAR                          (to Trevor)                   You disrespectin' me, vato?   You                   sayin' I ain't a man?                                 TREVOR                   I'm sayin' you're a fool.      Cesar puts the .357 to his temple again...                                  STEVIE                   Don't do it!      They are mesmerized into inaction as Cesar grits his teeth      and pulls the trigger. Click.                                 PACO                          (instant adulation)                   You the man, Cesar! You the man!                   Orale, vato!                          (to Trevor)                   He got character, homes.                                 STEVIE                   Crazy mutha fucka.                                                        (CONTINUED)      1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                   120.151   CONTINUED:    (3)                                                151      Trevor looks at Cesar in disgust as he takes another      bullet and blindly loads it into the cylinder chamber.                                 CESAR                   Yer turn.      He spins the cylinder and slams the gun on the table.                                 TREVOR                   You think you got respect now?                   Your kinda respect is bullshit.                   Only thing you honor is stupidity.                   You ready to die for stupidity,                   Cesar? I am, if it'll teach you                   somethin'. See you can't kill me,                   homeboy. Yeah, my body... but                   what I am, who I was? That's                   been dead for over a year. And                   I'm never gonna get it back -- no                   matter how many of you I get rid                   of. I realize that now...                          (furious)                   ... I was a teacher! I wanted to                   help you!...      He snatches up the gun, puts it to his head and pulls the      trigger again... click. Trevor slams it back down on the      table.                                 TREVOR                   You can't kill me... and you can't                   scare me.      Cesar's sweating now, glancing between Trevor and the gun      on the table. Stevie and Paco shift uneasily.                                 PACO                   Don't do it, homie.                                 STEVIE                   He's crazy.                                 TREVOR                   Yeah, but isn't that what you                   respect? Bein' loco? Don't listen                   to 'em, Cesar. If you gonna live                   stupid don't do it half-assed --                   take it all the way. Take your                   turn. Pull the trigger.      Caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place,      Cesar's hand inches toward the gun. Suddenly Trevor is      screaming at him.                                                        (CONTINUED)       1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                        121.151    CONTINUED:    (4)                                                     151                                  TREVOR                    Macho is bullshit, fool! Your                    whole way of life is BULLSHIT!       Cesar explodes to his feet and screams right back.                                  CESAR                    It's all I got!       Silence.    Trevor studies him with an enigmatic look.                                  TREVOR                    Well then, I'll take your turn for                    you...       He snatches up the pistol and puts it to his head...                                    CESAR                    No!       ... pulls the trigger.       BLAM!!   The SHOT knocks Trevor       out of his chair.152    OMITTED                                                               152thru                                                                         thru167                                                                          167167A   ON PACO AND STEVIE                                                    167A                                    PACO                    You see dat!    He's out! He's                    fuckin' out!    Snuffed hisself!                    Aw, shit!       Stevie's stunned.                                  STEVIE                    What'd he do that for?       He walks toward the back of the house like a zombie.                                  STEVIE                    ... Let's get outta here.       Paco pulls at Cesar, who's staring at Trevor's dead body.                                    PACO                    C'mon, homie.                                  CESAR                    He took my turn.                                                           (CONTINUED)       1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                122.167A   CONTINUED:                                                    167A                                     PACO                    ... What?                                  CESAR                    It was my turn. He took it...                    He dissed me.                                  PACO                    So fuckin' what, man!     He's dead!                    Let's go!       Cesar shrugs him off, picks up the .357.                                  CESAR                    I gotta do this.                                     PACO                    Fuck dis shit!     Leave it!       He tries to pull Cesar away, pleading with him in Spanish,       but Cesar shoves him off.                                  CESAR                    I got one chance in six. I'm                    'onna beat 'dis bitch... For                    honor, vato.                                     STEVIE                    No!!       Paco rushes toward him, but is stopped by the BOOM!       of the .357. Frozen in shock, Paco stares down at       Cesar's body as Stevie re-enters the kitchen.                                  STEVIE                    Cesar?... Why'd he do it?      Why?167B   ON PACO AND STEVIE                                            167B       Not knowing himself, Paco stumbles out of Trevor's       kitchen toward the back door. Finally Stevie follows       him as we PULL BACK to reveal the crumpled bodies of       Trevor and Cesar lying on the floor.                                  NEWSCASTER (V.O.)                    ... Last night tragedy struck in                    North Hollywood where a high                    school teacher and one of his                    students were both found shot                    to death inside the teacher's home.       V.O. continues through the...       1   8   7 - Rev. 9/4/96                                   122A.168    EXT. J. Q. ADAMS H.S. - MORNING (GRADUATION DAY)                168       TWO WEEKS LATER       ... the marquee outside the school reads...                     HAPPY GRADUATION -- CLASS OF '97                                 NEWSCASTER (V.O.)                   ... The teacher has been                   identified as forty-one-year-old                   Trevor Garfield, formerly of                   New York City. Most recently he                   taught science at John Quincy Adams                   High School in the San Fernando                   Valley...                          (beat)                   Confidential sources reveal that                   the teacher had publicly been                   accused of foul play in the                   death of another student whose                   body was discovered just last                   month in the L.A. River...168A   EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD - AFTERNOON                                 168A       Graduation in progress. Standing room only.       Administrators have begun to take their seats up on a       makeshift stage. Garcia, Hyland, Assistant Principal       Ford, etc...                                                         (CONTINUED)       1   8   7 - Rev. 7/11/96                                122B.168A   CONTINUED:   (A1)                                            168A       Bleachers now as guests and family members fan themselves       against the searing heat. A banner strung across the top       row of seats reads...                       CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF '97       Faculty members are seated in the first two rows down       on the field. In front of a sea of mortar boards.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                                                123.168A   CONTINUED:                                                      168A       Dave Childress now enters, his usual shabby attire,       nursing another hangover. He takes a seat away from the       other teachers.168B   EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD - PODIUM - SHORT WHILE LATER                168B       As the first speaker approaches the podium...       ON two inch high heels, an occasional wobble as the white       high heels make their way up to the podium. ANGLE RISING       now, LINGERING ON a clinging powder blue dress and mani-       cured fingernails. HOLD ON her clenched essay. Now       CONTINUE UP to reveal Rita Nartinez.       She wears lipstick... and only a moderate amount of eye       shadow. She wears a slightly nervous, preoccupied look.       Now...       Rita at the podium, as she adjusts the microphone, a       nervous reflex. Places her essay on the podium. Stares       down at it...                                  RITA                    ... The title of my essay is,                    'Mi Vida Loca'... 'My Crazy Life'...       Rita hesitates.    Now she gazes out at the graduating       class.168C   FACES IN CROWD                                                  168C       Waiting... Intently fanning themselves...168D   DAVE CHILDRESS                                                  168D       Apathetic. Arms draped over the empty chairs on either       side of him.168E   BACK TO RITA                                                    168E                                  RITA                           (turning to Quinn)                    Ms. Quinn, can I say somethin'?                           (correcting                            herself)                    ... May I say something?       Ms. Quinn (45) hesitates, now acquiesces with       uncertainty...                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                                     124.168E   CONTINUED:                                                           168E                                  RITA                    ... There's been a lotta talk las'                    couple weeks whether Mr. Garfield                    done those things they been writin'                    about in the newspaper. He once                    tol' me you can't blame everything                    on yer environment.                           (beat)                    But I t'ink you can push a good                    teacher too far and he might jus'                    go bad like anybody else...169    OMITTED                                                              169thru                                                                        thru172                                                                         172173    INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS COMPUTER LAB - AFTERNOON                      173       INTERCUT VARIOUS CUTS OF Ellen's hands as she clears a       bulletin board... removes a computer graphics display from       a wall... empties desk drawers... and packs away her       computer in a box.                                   RITA (V.O.)                    ... I dunno if Mr. 'G' did all                    those bad things. All I know                    is dat teachers don't get no                    respect. 'At's the simple truth.                    And if Mr. 'G' is responsible,                    well den he ain't the only one                    responsible...                                                          BACK TO:174    INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AUDITORIUM - PODIUM (GRADUATION)              174                                   RITA                    ... We're all responsible. You and                    me... all of us. I'm up here today                    cuz a him. He was dere for me                    when nobody else was. Thing is...                    I shoulda been 'dere for him                    too... but I wasn't. I turned                    my back on the only person who                    ever cared about me.                           (pause)                    He said if I could stand up here                    and read my essay it would be a                    Pyrrhic victory.                           (beat)                    I ast' 'im, 'What's up wit' dat?'                                                          (CONTINUED)                                                                125.174    CONTINUED:                                                      174       A trickle of incongruous laughter, awkward yet       cathartic...                                  RITA                    He told me in my case it was                    irony... and to go look it up...                    so I did.                           (beat)                    I wonder now if Mr. 'G' was really                    talking 'bout hisself.                           (beat)                    It refers to this guy named                    Pyrrhus. He was a king back                    'round 300 B.C.       Rita refers to a piece of scratch paper she has tucked       inside her essay...       INTERCUT ELLEN AND:175    INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS COMPUTER LAB                             175       again... as she now empties one last drawer, she dis-       covers her teaching credential. Reluctantly picks it up.       Holds it for a moment. Now read across the face of the       credential...                                STATE OF CALIFORNIA                        COMMISSION ON TEACHER CREDENTIALING                              issues this document to                                    ELLEN HENRY175A   BACK TO GRADUATION                                              175A                                  RITA (V.O.)                           (verbatim now)                    ... Pyrrhus defeated the Romans                    on two occasions. But those two                    victories lost him a large part                    of his army. Now whenever people                    say something's a Pyrrhic victory                    they mean it's a victory gained                    at too great a cost.       Childress stares off into space, flickers a pathetic smirk.       And now Stevie seated amongst the graduates. Glancing       up from under his mortar board cap. He adjusts       a gaze into the bleachers.                                                                 126.175B   STEVIE LITTLETON'S POV - HIS PARENTS                             175B       Early forties, upper-middle class. Stevie's mother       catches his eye. Like an incongruous SLOW MOTION dream,       she mouth the words, "Were... So... Proud... Of... You."175C   STEVIE LITTLETON                                                 175C       ... as guilt eats at him, weaving its insidious web.175D   BACK TO RITA                                                     175D       now at the podium. Holding back tears, Rita now carefully       folds up her piece of scratch paper... and fixes a distant       unblinking gaze...176    OMITTED                                                          176177    INT. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS COMPUTER LAB - AFTERNOON                  177       ... Slowly SCAN the walls, stripped completely bare now.       END ON Ellen standing obliquely in the doorway. Brief-       case in hand, files and papers tucked under one arm. Her       face, a solemn vacuous gaze.       Now she drops something into the trash can, shuts off the       lights, and leaves. As the door slowly closes...       MOVE IN ON the trash can...       ... and Ellen's crumpled teaching credential.   Add another       name to the list of fallen heroes as we...                                                       CUT TO:       BLACKNESS       ... and ROLL END CREDITS.                                   THE END