분야
hwp by
James L. Brooks.
FADE IN
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
A restaurant supply truck is curbside, near a small
restaurant. GERALD GRUNICK, forty-one, is closing the back
door of his truck, feeling good about the world, a common
state for him. He moves towards the cab of the truck and gets
inside as we SUPER:
KANSAS CITY, MO. - 1963
INT. TRUCK - DAY
As he sits down beaming over his recent good fortune... now we
REVEAL his twelve-year-old son, TOM, seated quietly beside him.
He seems a bit down. Gerald glances at his son.
GERALD
I dont know a recent Saturday Ive
sold more. You didnt think Id
sell that health restaurant, did you?
TOM
No. Not even you.
GERALD
Why so glum?
TOM
I dont know.
GERALD
(a beat)
Go ahead.
TOM
No, nothing. Ive got a problem,
I guess.
GERALD
Were you bothering by those
waitresses making a fuss?
TOM
No. But, honest. What are you
supposed to say when they keep
talking about your looks? I dont
even know what they mean -- "Beat
them off with a stick."
Gerald stiffs a grin.
GERALD
You know, Tom, I feel a little
proud when people comment on your
looks. Maybe you should feel that
way.
TOM
Proud? Im just embarrassed that
I like when they say those things.
GERALD
As long as thats your only problem
youre...
TOM
Its not.
He looks directly at his father and talks quietly, and sincerely.
TOM
I got my report card. Three Cs,
two Ds and an incomplete.
GERALD
Oh my. I see you studying so hard,
Tom. What do you think the problem is?
TOM
Ill just have to try harder. I dont
know. I will.
(talking himself
into it)
I will. I will. I will.
He shakes his head for emphasis, glad hes received this pep
talk from himself -- he hands the card to his father.
TOM
Thanks, Dad, this talk helped. Will
you sign it, please?
GERALD
(as he signs)
Would it help if I got you a tutor?
TOM
(suddenly hopeful)
That would be great.
(worried)
It better help. What can you do with
yourself if all you do is look good?
SUPER THE LEGEND -- "FUTURE NETWORK ANCHORMAN"
FADE OUT
FADE IN
BOSTON, MASS. - 1965
INT. HIGH SCHOOL - AUDITORIUM - DAY
AARON ALTMAN, looking almost preposterously young in his
graduation gown -- is delivering his valedictory. He is a
rare bread -- a battle-scarred innocent.
AARON
...and finally to the teachers of
Whitman High School, I dont have the
words to express my gratitude which
may have more to say about the quality
of the English Department here than
my own limitations...
He awaits a laugh and gets only the weird sound of collective
discomfort.
AARON
...that was, of course, not meant to
be taken seriously. A personal note.
I am frequently asked what the special
difficulties are in being graduated
from High School two months shy of my
fifteenth birthday. I sometimes
think it was the difficulties
themselves which enabled me to do it.
If Id been appreciated or even tolerated
I wouldnt have been in such a hurry to
graduate. I hope the next student who
comes along and is able to excel isnt
made to feel so much an outcast. But
Im looking forward to college; this is
the happiest day Ive had in a long
time. I thank you and I forgive you.
This is very little applause.
ANGLE ON TEACHERS
MALE TEACHER
Im always so confused by Aaron.
Is he brave and earnest or just
a conceited little dick-head?
BACK TO AARON AS WE SUPER: "FUTURE NETWORK NEWS REPORTER"
ANGLE ON STAGE
As Aaron walks to his seat past three full grown tough looking
semi-literate high school graduates.
YOUTH #1
Later, Aaron.
EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY
Clusters of graduates at the fence bordering the sunken school
yard looking down as the tough cap and gowners seen earlier
cuff Aaron around.
CLOSER IN
Aaron feeling from a blow -- his lip bleeding -- his teeth
covered with blood...as he gets to his feet. He is livid --
something primal triggered by this brutality.
AARON
Go ahead, Stephen -- take your
last licks.
(points at his
face)
But this will heal -- what Im
going to say to you will scar you
forever. Ready? Here it is.
He dodges as they come after him. They catch him by the hair
and hurl him to the ground. As he gets up he hurls his
devastating verbal blow.
AARON
Youll never make more than
nineteen thousand dollars a year.
Ha ha ha.
They twist his arm and grip him -- his face scraped on the
concrete.
AARON
Okay, take this: Youll never
leave South Boston and Im going
to see the whole damn world. Youll
never know the pleasure of writing
a graceful sentence or having an
original thought. Think about it.
Hes punched in the stomach and sinks to the ground. As the
Young Toughs walk off Aaron catches a phrase of their
conversation.
YOUTH TOUGH
Nineteen thousand dollars...
Not bad.
FADE IN
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - 1968
INT. SUBURBAN HOME - NIGHT
JANE CRAIG, ten years old, is in her room typing. Above the
desk where she works is a bulletin board with letters and
pictures tacked to each one. Her desk has several file racks
which contain bulging but neat stacks of air mail envelopes --
a roll of stamps in a dispenser is to one side. Jane types
very well in the
