Episode 28 - "On the Spot"
OPENING SEQUENCE
(Music "That's Entertainment" (?))
(The camera pans past a mask of an "actor's" face on a wall.)
Robert F. Kennedy Junior High had a long...
(Fade to shot of a black-and-white still photgraph of kids in a play.)
Proud theatrical tradition.
(Fade to a mask of an "actor's" face on a wall.)
(Fade to shot of a black-and-white still from "The Crucible". One character is bent over, locked up in stocks.)
Who could forget Scotty Gruenwald's tortured John Proctor in "The Crucible"?
(Fade to shot of a black-and-white still from the "Fiddler on the Roof". Tevya has his arm out.)
Or Tony Faranucci's towering Tevya in "Fiddler on the Roof"?
(Music changes to "There's No Business Like Show Business".)
(Fade to shot of a black-and-white still of kids holding up roses duriong an ovation. The camera pans across it.)
Sure, it wasn't Broadway. But for many of us...
(Fade to shot of another black-and-white still as the camera pans across it.)
The excitement of opening night brought out one undeniable feeling.
(Music grinds down.)
Total apathy.
Cut to
Cafeteria
(Shot of a man's legs as he stands on a chair. Sounds of noisy kids. The camera pans up to the man's face. He smiles and glances around the room.)
MR. WEBER: Students, if I may - a moment of your time!
(Shot past Mr. Weber of the kids. They ignore him, and continue talking.)
(Shot past two students of Mr. Weber standing on the chair.)
MR. WEBER: Stu-dents!
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin as he turns to her.)
KEVIN: Who's that?
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie as she looks at Mr. Weber off-screen.)
WINNIE: That's Mr. Weber - the new dramatics teacher.
(Shot past Kevin of Hobson sitting at the table behind him. Hobson looks over his shoulder.)
HOBSON: Geek. (Nods.)
(Kevin nods and frowns as he turns back to Winnie.)
KEVIN: Definite geek. (Nods.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at Kevin.)
WINNIE: He's not a geek! He's just...dramatic.
(Sound of Mr. Weber clapping his hands together three times.)
(Shot of Mr. Weber pressing his hands together in front of him, and gesturing.)
MR. WEBER: The fall play this year...will be Thornton Wilder's "Our Town".
(Mr. Weber gestures to off-screen students.)
MR. WEBER: Auditions...
(Shot past Mr. Weber as two students hand out flyers.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): Will take place this afternoon.
(Closer shot of Mr. Weber smiling.)
MR. WEBER: I invite all of you to come, be a part of this...haunting tapestry...of memory, and dreams.
(Mr. Weber smiles, then steps off the chair.)
(Shot of the cafeteria as the students resume their chat.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling and wadding up a piece of notebook paper, and turning toward Hobson behind him.)
KEVIN: At the buzzer - he shoots!
(Kevin throws the paper - lefthanded - over Hobson.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him and frowning slightly.)
WINNIE: Ya think I should do it?
(Shot of Kevin and Hobson still playing with paper balls, as Kevin quickly glances at Winnie.)
KEVIN: Do what?
(He turns back to Hobson.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)
WINNIE: Try out for the play.
(Shot of Kevin and Hobson still playing with paper balls, as Kevin looks at Winnie.)
KEVIN: You're kidding, right? (Smiles.)
(Kevin looks back to Hobson, then back to Winnie.)
I'd had some experience in this field, myself...
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen quizzically.)
Last year in Miss White's class.
(Shot of Kevin turning toward Winnie off-screen.)
So I knew whereof I spoke.
(Kevin frowns and shakes his head slightly.)
KEVIN: No...
(Hobson hits Kevin with a paper ball.)
KEVIN: That'd be a bad idea, Winnie.
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE: Why? I think it could be fun!
(Close shot of Kevin frowning.)
KEVIN: Fun? Do you know how many speeches you have to memorize? I mean, it's like taking eighteen biology tests!
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE: I'm a pretty good memorizer. (Nods.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning.)
KEVIN: Not to mention it's horrible.
(Close shot of Winnie looking down.)
KEVIN (V/O): I mean, you're standing out there all alone.
(She looks back to Kevin.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and gesturing.)
KEVIN: Your ears start to sweat - nah...
(Kevin frowns and shakes his head.)
KEVIN: Nah...I don't recommend it.
(Kevin looks down.)
(Close shot of Winnie frowning.)
WINNIE: I probably wouldn't be good, anyway. (Frowns.)
(Winnie stands up.)
(Close shot of Kevin as Winnie exits past him. He looks after her off-screen.)
OK - so I'd rained on her parade.
(Kevin glances off.)
I had to set her straight. No one in their right mind volunteers to be in a play.
(Kevin frowns and looks down.)
(Shot past Kevin as Paul approaches in front of him, holding an ice-cream sandwich, and smiling.)
PAUL: I'm gonna try out for that play. How about you? (Smiles.)
(Shot past Kevin looking at Paul off-screen, as Hobson walks behind Kevin and sets a flyer next to him.)
HOBSON: Says here ya get of of seventh-period for rehearsals.
(Kevin looks down at the flyer.)
Seventh-period?
(Kevin frowns.)
Gym?
(Kevin smiles at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Count me in...
MR. WEBER (V/O): Welcome.
Cut to
Auditorium
(Shot past two rows of students of Mr. Weber on the stage.)
MR. WEBER: Thank you all for coming.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mr. Weber off-screen.)
Maybe this guy Weber was a geek.
(Wider shot of the group of about two dozen students, as Kevin glances around them.)
But he was a smart geek.
MR. WEBER (V/O): Theater offers you...
(Closer shot of Mr. Weber.)
MR. WEBER: A chance...to surprise yourself. (Gestures.)
(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at Mr. Weber off-screen, then next to them as Kevin takes a script.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): To find a part of you...you didn't know you have.
(Kevin and Paul look at the script.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): Choose a part...
(Close shot of Mr. Weber as he gestures.)
MR. WEBER: That speaks to you in some way.
(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at the script.)
PAUL: I think I'll try out for the stage manager. (Nods.)
(Kevin looks at Paul and frowns.)
KEVIN: Are you crazy? That's the biggest part on the play!
(Close shot of Paul.)
PAUL: Yeah! (Smiles.) I noticed! (Nods.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
That was Paul for ya.
(Close shot of Paul looking at the script and smiling.)
Part ham...mostly baloney.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at the script.)
Me, I was looking for something with less visibility. Preferably with no lines to learn. Something simple, like...
(Kevin raises his eyebrows and looks up, then smiles as he turns over his shoulder.)
(The focus changes to the spotlight on the balcony in the background.)
KEVIN: Bingo!
(Shot of Kevin sitting in a chair behind the spotlight, with his arms folded.)
Spotlight operator.
(Kevin smiles and puts his feet up on the rail.)
Eat your heart out, seventh-period!
MR. WEBER (V/O): Paul Pfeiffer.
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mr. Weber sitting on a chair next to a table, looking at Paul. Paul stands a few feet away, looking at the script.)
PAUL: Ahem!
(Mr. Weber sets his paper on the desk and looks at Paul.)
PAUL: The name of our town is Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, just across the Massachussett's line.
(Shot of Kevin and the spotlight.)
Yep. Not for me, the pressures of auditioning.
(Closer shot from in front of Kevin as he smiles, puts his hands behind his neck, and leans back.)
Heck - this thing wouldn't even be turned on till the night before the play.
(Closer shot of Paul, and Mr. Weber sitting in the background.)
PAUL: The first act shows a day in our town. The date is May seventh, 1901.
(Close shot of Paul.)
PAUL: The time...is just before dawn.
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at Paul off-screen.)
MR. WEBER: Thank you, Mr. Pfeiffer. That was, uh...
(Close shot of Paul looking quickly at Mr. Weber off-camera.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at Paul off-screen. He inhales dramatically.)
MR. WEBER: Unique!
(Shot of Paul and Mr. Weber.)
PAUL: Thanks! (Smiles.)
(Paul hurries off.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber turning and looking at his paper.)
MR. WEBER: Ah! Gwendolyn Cooper?
(Close shot of Kevin with his hands behind his neck. He frowns.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): Reading for the part of Emily.
But wait a minute!
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mr. Weber sitting next to the desk as Winnie walks onto the stage.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and sitting up.)
KEVIN: Winnie - what are you doing?!
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mr. Weber and Winnie, both looking at scripts.)
MR. WEBER: For me, I'd rather have my children healthy...
(Close shot of Kevin frowning.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): Than bright.
(Close shot of Winnie reading.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I'm both, Mama, you know I am. I'm the brightest girl in school for my age. I have a wonderful memory.
(Shot past Winnie's script of Mr. Weber, as they both turn the page.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching in resignation.)
Well, she couldn't say I didn't warn her!
(Shot of Mr. Weber and Winnie.)
MR. WEBER: Emily, walk simply. Who do you think you are, today?
(Close shot of Winnie reading.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Papa - you're terrible! First you want me to straight, and the next minute you call me names!
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
Still, she wasn't awful.
(Close shot of Winnie reading.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I just can't sleep yet, Papa. The moonlight's so wonderful. And the smell of Mrs. Gibbs'...
(Winnie pauses and frowns.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at the script.)
MR. WEBER: Heliotrope.
(Mr. Weber looks back to Winnie off-screen.)
(Close shot of Winnie reading.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Heliotrope. (Sniffs.) Can you smell it?
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at Winnie off-screen.)
You had to admire her guts.
(Close shot of Kevin smiling.)
(Shot of Mr. Weber and Winnie.)
MR. WEBER: Thank you, Gwendolyn.
(He takes the script from her.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mr. Weber setting the scripts on the desk. Mr. Weber turns back around, and Winnie walks across the stage.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
I just hoped she wouldn't be crushed when she didn't get the part.
Cut to
Hallway
(Close shot of Winnie smiling excitedly at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: I got the part!
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin at his open locker.)
KEVIN: Ya, well, uh...I figured you would...
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie smiling excitedly.)
WINNIE: Isn't it amazing?!
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin.)
KEVIN: Yeah...(Frowns.) Uh, I mean uh - no!
(He shakes his head slightly.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie smiling.)
WINNIE: I have to go.
(She looks off, then back to Kevin.)
WINNIE: I have to call my mom at home, and my dad in Chicago!
(She looks off and frowns.)
WINNIE: What time is it in Chigaco?
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin reaching in his locker.)
(She turns to the camera, smiling, and hurries past it. Kevin frowns slightly.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie running down the hallway.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking after her off-screen, and smiling as he closes his locker.)
Well, it was good to see her smiling.
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie going up the stairs quickly. Paul approaches around the corner slowly, looking downcast.)
But there's a broken heart...
(Shot of Kevin next to his locker.)
For every light on Broadway.
(Paul walks past the camera.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: Struck out.
(Paul dials his combo.)
(Shot of both.)
KEVIN: You didn't get a part?
(Paul opens his locker, looking at Kevin.)
PAUL: Not even the belligerent man in the back of the auditorium.
(Paul puts his notebook in the locker.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul as Paul looks off.)
PAUL: "Is there no one in town aware of social injustice, and industrial inequality?"
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and glancing off, then looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Huh?
(Close shot of Paul turning to Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: That's the belligerent man's line - I couldn't get it.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
(Close shot of Paul looking off.)
PAUL: Now we'll never know if there is a part of me I didn't know I had.
(Paul sighs and looks down.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: I'll tell ya what. Why don't you work the spotlight with me.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Spotlight? (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Yeah. Why not? You know, Mr. Weber said that lighting is like another character.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: He said that?
(Paul straightens up and smiles slightly.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: And besides, we get out of seventh-period.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: A major character? (Smiles excitedly.)
Uh-oh.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen and frowning.)
I knew that look.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen and smiling.)
The look of a man possessed.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen and frowning.)
NORMA (V/O): I think it sounds like fun!
Cut to
Int. Evening - Arnold Kitchen
(Shot of Norma at the kitchen counter, opening a jar of salad-dressing.)
NORMA: I used to love school plays. (Smiles.)
(Shot of Wayne and Kevin.)
WAYNE: What are you playing? A buttercup? Ehh....
(Close shot of Jack looking at the boys off-screen and smiling as he eats.)
NORMA (V/O): "Our Town."
(Close shot of Norma as she stands next to the table, looking at Kevin off-screen.)
NORMA: That's the one about the girl who falls in love, and then she dies...(frowns)...but she comes back for one last visit to see her family? (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Norma off-screen.)
KAREN (V/O): Mom.
(Kevin looks toward Karen off-screen.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Karen looking at Norma off-screen.)
KAREN: "Our Town"...(nods)...is an indictment, of the meaninglessness of bourgeois middle-class existence. (Nods.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Jack and Norma. Norma holds a bowl and looks at Karen off-screen. Jack's looking at his food, holding a roll.)
NORMA: Oh.
(Jack glances at Norma.)
JACK: How much is it gonna cost me?
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen.)
Dad, as always, had his own perspective on the arts.
NORMA (V/O): Jack.
(Close shot of Jack.)
JACK: Just askin'. (Gestures.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling and looking at his food.)
(Close shot of Norma looking at Kevin off-screen as she sits down.)
NORMA: Who else is in it?
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Norma off-screen.)
KEVIN: Uh, no one. Except...Winnie.
(Close shot of Norma smiling at Kevin off-screen.)
NORMA: Well, then - we have to go!
(Close shot of Jack looking at Norma off-screen.)
JACK: Hah? (Frowns.)
(Shot of Kevin and Wayne as Wayne leans over.)
WAYNE: Oh, nice goin', butthead! (Frowns.)
(Kevin turns toward Norma and gestures.)
KEVIN: Look, Mom, it's really not -
(Close shot of Norma smiling at Kevin off-screen.)
NORMA: Kevin, get tickets for all of us! (Gestures.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Norma, then Karen, then Jack off-screen.)
(Shot of Jack frowning at Kevin off-screen, then ripping his roll apart.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Jack off-screen, then at his food.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I always expect a man to be perfect.
Cut to
Int. Afternoon - Auditorium
(Shot past George of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): And I think he should be.
(Wide shot of George and Winnie, and Mr. Weber at his desk on the stage.)
GEORGE: Oh, uh, I don't think it's possible to be perfect, Emily.
(Close shot of Kevin in the balcony, watching them off-screen. Paul is behind him, reading the spotlight manual.)
My own opinion was, my dad had the right idea. What was the big deal about all this?
PAUL: Candlepower!
(Close shot from behind Kevin as he turns over his shoulder.)
KEVIN: Huh?
(Shot past Kevin and the spotlight as Paul approaches and looks at the spotlight.)
PAUL: Ya know this baby pumps out 750,000 candles o' light?!
(Paul looks at Kevin.)
KEVIN: Paul, it's not even turned it on yet.
PAUL: Yeah, but when she does...(smiles)...powee!
(Closer shot of Kevin turning forward and frowning as Paul looks at him.)
I should have seen it coming.
(Kevin smiles.)
Paul had found his calling.
PAUL: Ya know, Kev...
(Paul taps Kevin with the manual and frowns.)
PAUL: It only takes one guy to run this thing...(frowns)...and I was just wondering if -
(Kevin turns to Paul.)
KEVIN: Paul! You want to run the spotlight...(gestures)...fine with me.
(Kevin looks forward again.)
PAUL: Really?! You don't mind?
(Kevin shakes his head.)
PAUL: Thanks, Kev! (Smiles.) I won't let you down!
(Closer shot of Paul looking off.)
PAUL: I'm gonna run the best spotlight the school ever saw.
(He turns toward Kevin off-screen and shrugs.)
PAUL: And you can still be my assistant!
(Close shot from behind Kevin as he turns over his shoulder and frowns.)
KEVIN: Assistant? (Nods.)
(Shot of Kevin and Paul.)
WINNIE (V/O: Darn it!
(They look toward Winnie off-screen.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie, George and Mr. Webb in a little group, and Mr. Weber at his desk.)
WINNIE: I forgot my line again!
(Winnie turns to Mr. Weber.)
I guess Winnie was having problems of her own.
(Shot past Mr. Weber of Winnie looking at him.)
WINNIE: I just can't seem to remember anything.
(Shot of Mr. Weber looking at Winnie off-screen.)
MR. WEBER: Just relax, Gwendolyn.
(Shot past Mr. Weber of Winnie looking at him.)
MR. WEBER: Let's take it from, uh..."giving away my daughter".
(Winnie turns around.)
(Shot of Winnie, Mr. Webb and George.)
MR. WEBB: I'm giving away my daughter, George. Do you think you can take care of her?
GEORGE: Mr. Webb, I want to - I want to try.
(Mr. Webb walks off. George steps closer to Winnie.)
(Shot past Winnie of George.)
GEORGE: Emily, I'm gonna do my best. I love you, Emily.
(Shot past George of Winnie.)
GEORGE: I need you.
WINNIE (as Emily): Well, if you love me, then help me. All I want is someone to love me.
(Shot past Winnie of George.)
GEORGE: I will, Emily. Emily, I'll try.
(Shot past George of Winnie. She pauses.)
(Shot past Winnie's shoulder of Mr. Weber.)
MR. WEBER: And I mean...
(Shot past George of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): And I mean...
(She pauses.)
(Shot past Winnie's shoulder of Mr. Weber.)
MR. WEBER: Forever.
(Shot past George of Winnie. She sighs and looks off.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Forever.
(Shot past Winnie's shoulder of Mr. Weber.)
MR. WEBER: Don't you hear, forever and ever?
(Wide shot of all three as Winnie turns, throws up her hands, and sighs.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective.)
MR. WEBER: Let's take five, people.
(Mr. Weber stands up. George walks off.)
(Shot of Kevin looking toward the stage off-screen, and Paul looking at Kevin, holding a clipboard.)
PAUL: OK, Kev, make a note. We're gonna need another chamois.
KEVIN: What?! (Frowns.)
(Kevin half-turns toward Paul.)
PAUL: Since you're my assistant, I thought you might keep a list. (Gestures.)
KEVIN: Paul, I'm not gonna keep a list! (Frowns.)
(Kevin turns forward.)
PAUL: OK - fine! (Points.) I'll do it myself.
(Paul shakes his finger at Kevin.)
PAUL: But we're gonna have to talk about your attitude!
(Kevin frowns as Paul hurries off.)
Paul was taking this whole thing a little too seriously.
(Kevin makes a face and turns forward.)
Cut to
Hallway
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: Kevin? Did you see what happened today?
(She turns to her locker.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
Come to think of it, everyone was taking this play too seriously.
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie.)
WINNIE: I forgot all my lines...(Frowns.)
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin.)
KEVIN: Yeah, well...
(Kevin frowns and shakes his head.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie.)
WINNIE: I never forget things - I'm a good memorizer!
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin.)
KEVIN: Winnie, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure you'll be fine. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: But what if I'm not? (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
WINNIE (V/O): What if it gets worse?
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen, and frowning heavily.)
WINNIE: What if I wreck the whole play?!
(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: Well, Winnie, you don't have to do it if you don't want to.
(Close shot of Winnie frowning at Kevin off-screen.)
KEVIN (V/O): I mean it's just a play!
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen. He leans forward slightly and smiles.)
KEVIN: And it's all just to get out of seventh period anyway. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Winnie frowning at Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling at Winnie off-screen.)
(Close shot of Winnie frowning at Kevin off-screen. She blinks and shakes her head.)
WINNIE: That's the most insensitive thing I've ever heard in my life! (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Kevin glancing around.)
WINNIE (V/O): You don't understand anything, Kevin!
(Close shot of Winnie turning toward her locker, then back and frowning.)
WINNIE: You don't understand anything at all! (Frowns.)
(Winnie slams her locker and hurries past the camera.)
(Shot of Kevin frowning, and turning over his shoulder.)
(Shot of Kevin as he looks after Winnie off-screen.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie walking away quickly.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and looking up, as he raises his arms.)
Actors!
Fade to
Cafeteria
(Shot of Kevin holding his tray, approaching the camera, which rolls back with him.)
Over the next two weeks, I learned a valuable lesson about show-folk.
(Kevin turns at Winnie's table and sets his tray down. Winnie is reading her script.)
WINNIE: I can't talk now, Kevin.
(Kevin turns around and frowns, and walks off past the camera.)
They make lousy lunch companions.
Cut to
Auditorium
(Shot of Kevin leaning back, reading a comic book.)
Meanwhile...I had problems of my own.
(Wider shot of Kevin, and Paul cleaning the spotlight.)
My relationship with Paul had deteriorated into a classic...
(Shot past Kevin of Paul.)
Labor-management confrontation.
(Close shot of Paul as he turns and looks at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Kevin - I need you to do something for me.
(Shot past Paul of Kevin. Kevin gestures without looking up.)
KEVIN: Nah, I'm on my break.
(Shot past Kevin of Paul.)
PAUL: Look...I know you're having troubles taking orders from me...(gestures)...because I'm your friend. (Gestures.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul! (Frowns.) I'm having troubles taking orders from you...
(Kevin points at his head with his comic book.)
KEVIN: Because you've completely lost your mind!
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
KEVIN (V/O): I mean, you can't even turn that thing on till next Monday...
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: So why don't you just sit back, relax, and enjoy it?! (Gestures.)
PAUL: I'm relaxed! (Gestures.) I-it's just that...
(Paul glances at the spotlight, then back to Kevin.)
PAUL: What if the bulb burns out during the show? (Gestures.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul. (Gestures.) It's a brand-new bulb - it's never been used once.
(Close shot of Paul pointing at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: You can't guarantee that! Can you?!
(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen, then looking back to his comic book.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: I think we should time...how long it'll take to get to the utility room...(gestures)...and back...(gestures)...with a new bulb.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at his comic book.)
KEVIN: Good idea. You do it.
(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: Fine!
(Paul starts to take off his watch.)
PAUL: You think you can time me, or is that too much to ask?
(Paul hold his watch out toward Kevin.)
(Shot past Paul of Kevin as he takes the watch. He frowns, looks at the watch, then Paul, then back to the watch.)
KEVIN: Go!
(Paul hurries off. Kevin frowns and looks after him off-screen, then tosses the watch on the table.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and looking off.)
At last - a little peace and quiet!
MR. WEBER (V/O): No, no, no, no, no.
(Kevin looks toward the stage off-screen.)
(Shot of Mr. Weber leaning toward a girl seated in a group.)
MR. WEBER: You can't play Mrs. Soames "silly".
(He glances over his shoulder at some builders making noise, then back to the girl.)
MR. WEBER: She has...
(An off-screen builder hammers loudly. Mr. Weber glances over his shoulder again.)
MR. WEBER: Can we hold the work, please?!
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
Even Mr. Weber was showing the pressure.
(Shot of Mr. Weber looking at the girl in the group.)
MR. WEBER: She has...dignity.
(He makes a fist, pauses, then straightens up, assuming the character of Mrs. Soames.)
MR. WEBER: Don't know when I've seen such a lovely wedding.
(Closer shot of Mr. Weber.)
MR. WEBER: But I always cry. Don't know why it is - but I always cry. I just like to see young people happy, don't you?
(Mr. Weber, in character, looks at the girl off-screen and smiles, then looks off again. His eyes are misty.)
MR. WEBER: Oh, I think it's lovely.
(Wide shot of the stage. The kids applaud lightly.)
MR. WEBER: Ahem! We'll have none of that!
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen, and smiling.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): We have barely a week to go!
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mr. Weber and the group of kids in the chairs.)
MR. WEBER: Gwendolyn?
(Mr. Weber holds his arms out. Winnie and Mr. Webb approaches from each side.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
The fact was, with just a few days left, Winnie seemed more lost than ever.
(Shot past Mr. Webb of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Why can't I stay for awhile? Just as I am? Let's go away.
(Shot past Winnie of Mr. Webb.)
MR. WEBB: No, no, Emily.
(Shot past Mr. Webb of Winnie.)
MR. WEBB: Now stop and think a minute.
WINNIE (as Emily): Don't you remember what you used to say?
(Winnie pauses and looks off.)
(Shot past Winnie of Mr. Webb looking at her patiently.)
(Shot past Mr. Webb of Winnie looking down.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
Heck - even I knew the lines by now.
KEVIN: All the time you used to say...
(Shot past Mr. Webb of Winnie looking up.)
WINNIE (as Emily): All the time you used to say...
(Winnie looks off and pauses.)
(Shot past Winnie of Mr. Webb frowning slightly.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching them off-screen.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber.)
(Shot past Mr. Webb of Winnie frowning and raising her arms.)
WINNIE: I can't do this! I'll never be able to do it! (Frowns.)
(Winnie starts toward the camera.)
(Shot of Mr. Weber frowning and gesturing.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie running off the stage.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching her off-screen, and frowning.)
This wasn't just stage-fright.
(Wider shot as Kevin stands up and heads toward the door. The camera pans with him.)
This girl was in trouble.
(Paul opens the door.)
PAUL: Kevin - what was my time?
(Paul turns and holds his hands out, as Kevin hurries past him and waves.)
KEVIN: I can't talk - I gotta go!
(Paul moves to the doorway and points with the boxed light-bulb.)
PAUL: One thing, I ask of you!
(Close shot of Paul waving the light-bulb at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: One thing!
Cut to
Hallway
(Shot of Winnie quickly passing the camera. Kevin trots after her.)
KEVIN: Winnie!
(The camera pans with him as he exit into the courtyard behind Winnie.)
KEVIN: Winnie, wait up!
(Winnie turns abruptly, frowning.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie.)
WINNIE: What's your advice, now?! (Frowns.) Quit school?! Lock myself in my room?!
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin.)
WINNIE: Change my name?!
(Kevin shrugs.)
KEVIN: OK - forget it!
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie frowning at him, then looking down.)
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin.)
KEVIN: I'm...(gestures)...just tryin' to help.
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)
WINNIE: Mr. Weber says it's quite natural. (Shrugs.) All actors go though this. Even Laurence Olivier.
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin as he looks off, then at Winnie.)
KEVIN: Oh, well...that's good, I guess.
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie glancing down and sighing, then looking at him.)
WINNIE: You were right - I shouldn't have done this.
(She frowns and shakes her head.)
(Close shot of Winnie as she turns away from Kevin.)
WINNIE: I should just quit. (Frowns.) I have an understudy. I'm sure she'd be better than me.
(She glances at Kevin off-screen, then away again.)
WINNIE: Let's face it - she couldn't be any worse.
(She turns to Kevin off-screen and sighs heavily.)
(Close shot of Kevin hesitating.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: What do you think I should do?
(Close shot of Kevin hesitating and glancing off.)
KEVIN: I think you should...
(Kevin looks at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: Do whatever you want to do.
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: I want to quit! (Shrugs.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: Then I think you should quit! (Shrugs.)
(Close shot of Winnie glancing off, then looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: I can't quit!
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: Why not?! (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: My father's coming out to see me.
(She looks down for a moment, then back to Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
(Close shot of Winnie turning away and glancing off.)
WINNIE: He's flying in from Chicago just to see the play.
(She turns back to Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE Mom and Dad haven't seen each other for two months.
(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)
KEVIN: Oh...
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
(Wider shot of both as Kevin leans against the rail.)
KEVIN: Is there anything I can do?
WINNIE: You can tell me to break a leg. (Smiles slightly.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking off, then at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: But the play's not for a week. (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: No - mean really break a leg. That way I won't have to do it. (Smiles slightly.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: Then...(shrugs)...break a leg. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen and smiling slightly.)
(Bit of "Winnie's Theme" plays.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling at Winnie off-screen.)
Fade to
Ext. Night - Auditorium
(Wide shot of the front of the building, which has a large banner advertizing the play. People are walking toward the entrance.)
But just Winnie's luck, the night of the performance, she was still in perfect health.
Cut to
Int. Auditorium
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the Arnold's finding their seats. The hum of the crowd is heard.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the audience off-screen. Sound of the door opening. Kevin looks over his shoulder.)
(Shot past the spotlight of Paul flipping through pages on the table, then hurrying over to the spotlight.)
I guess everyone was feeling a little tense.
(Wider shot of Kevin looking at Paul, as Paul sights through the spotlight. Kevin looks toward the audience off-screen. Paul walks behind Kevin, checking the electrical cord.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper walking along a row of seats in front of the Arnold's.)
Especially Winnie's parents.
(Jack stands and shakes Mr. Cooper's hand. Mrs. Cooper starts to take a seat. Mr. Cooper starts to take the second seat away, then sits next to her.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the audience off-screen.)
But...at least I could relax.
(Kevin smiles.)
I had complete confidence in Paul.
(Kevin turns over his shoulder.)
KEVIN: Paul?
(Wider shot as Kevin frowns and turns around the other way.)
KEVIN: Paul?
(Shot of the closed door as Mr. Weber opens it and leans in.)
MR. WEBER: Ah. Kevin...
(Shot past Mr. Weber of Kevin turning toward him.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at Kevin off-screen.)
MR. WEBER: Paul is ill.
(Close shot of Kevin frowning.)
KEVIN: Ill?! (Frowns.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): Just a little case of nerves...
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at the spotlight off-screen.)
MR. WEBER: But uh, you'll have to operate the spotlight. (Frowns.)
(Mr. Weber looks at Kevin off-screen and nods slightly.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and gesturing.)
KEVIN: But Paul knows the cues - I can't -
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at Kevin off-screen.)
MR. WEBER: There's no time. (Nods.) You'll just have do...
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mr. weber off-screen, with his mouth open.)
MR. WEBER (V/O): The best you can.
(Close shot of Mr. Weber as he frowns and shakes his head slightly, then exits, closing the door.)
(Shot past the closing door of Kevin frowning.)
KEVIN: Wait! Mr. Weber!
(Close shot from behind Kevin as he turns toward the stage and looks off, breathing heavily.)
Great. Paul had been stricken with the world's first documented case of back-stage fright.
(Kevin glances toward the spotlight off-screen.)
(Wider shot of the spotlight in the foreground, and Kevin looking at it.)
And I had to pick up the pieces...
(The house lights dim, and Kevin looks forward and frowns.)
In the dark.
(Kevin hurries across the room.)
(Close shot of the script on the table as Kevin flips through it. The camera pans up to him as he turns with the script and shines a small flashlight on it.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the empty stage, as the stage manager walks out.)
STAGE MANAGER: This play is called..."Our Town."
(Curtain opens to audience appplause.)
(Close shot of Kevin flipping though the script.)
(Sound of applause. Kevin looks up.)
(Close shot of the stage manager.)
STAGE MANAGER: Well...I better show you how "Our Town" lies.
(Shot of Kevin next to the spotlight. He looks at it, and moves it around.)
I didn't even know how this thing worked!
(Closer shot of Kevin as he moves some squeaky levers.)
(Close shot of the stage manager.)
STAGE MANAGER: Up there...(points)...is Main Street.
(Shot of Kevin sighting down the spotlight.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the stage, as the spot moves across the background.)
(Close shot of the stage manager.)
STAGE MANAGER: Uh...that-that is (points)...up there.
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the stage off-screen.)
It was horrible. I could feel my ears starting to sweat.
STAGE MANAGER (V/O): Way back there...
(Kevin swings the light.)
(Close shot of the stage manager as he points. The spot is on the other side of him.)
STAGE MANAGER: Is the railway station.
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the stage off-screen and frowning.)
STAGE MANAGER (V/O): Tracks go that way...
(Kevin swings the light.)
(Close shot of the stage manager as he gestures. The light shines behind him.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning.)
(The stage manager looking at Kevin off-screen.)
(The audience murmurs.)
(Close shot of Jack frowning with his fingers on his lip, then looking over his shoulder toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin.)
It was humiliating. I wanted to just walk away.
(Kevin frowns, and slaps the spotlight off.)
STAGE MANAGER (V/O): There, are the children...
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the stage as the actors come out.)
STAGE MANAGER (V/O): Coming home from school already.
But then...
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I can't Lois. I've got to go home and help my mother.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
WINNIE (as Emily)(V/O): I promised.
Then I realized I couldn't walk away.
(Shot of Winnie and Mr. Webb.)
MR: WEBB: Emily! Walk simply. Who do you think you are, today?
WINNIE (as Emily): Papa, you're terrible! One minute you tell me to stand up straight, and the next minute you call me names. I just don't listen to you.
(Closer shot as Winnie kisses Mr. Webb on the cheek, then walks toward the camera.)
MR. WEBB: Golly - I never got a kiss from such a great lady before.
(Winnie kneels down, picks up a flower, and smells it.)
She looked beautiful.
(Winnie looks up toward Kevin off-screen.)
And terrified.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
And I knew she needed me.
(Shot of Winnie hesitating and looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin lining up the spotlight and turning it on.)
(Close shot of Winnie as the spotlight moves over onto her.)
Those next few minutes seemed to last a thousand years.
(Fade to a shot of the Cooper's in the audience.)
Every moment was potential disaster.
(Shot past some audience heads of Winnie and Mr. Webb.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Why can't I stay for awhile - just as I am?
(Close shot of Kevin and the spotlight as he watches them off-screen, with a pen-light in his mouth.)
We were both struggling.
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Don't you remember what you used to say? All the time you used to say...
(She pauses.)
(Shot of Mr. Weber watching from the edge of the stage.)
(Close shot of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper watching.)
(Close shot of Winnie glancing off.)
And then, a weird thing happened.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen, holding the pen-light in his mouth.)
(Some eerie music plays.)
I was holding the light on Winnie, when everything got very quiet.
(Close shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie looking off.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen, holding a pen-light in his mouth.)
And I felt something. I don't know what it was. I felt like...
(Shot past Winnie of the spotlight beam.)
I was holding her up with that light. That we were connected by the light.
(Closer shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
And I wouldn't let her fall.
(He takes the pen-light from his mouth.)
(Shot of Winnie and the spotlight beam.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)
KEVIN: Come on. Just keep goin'.
(Close shot of Winnie looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber looking at Winnie off-screen.)
(Shot of Winnie and Mr. Webb as she turns to him.)
WINNIE (as Emily): That I was your girl.
(Close shot of Mr. Weber smiling.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling.)
WINNIE (as Emily)(V/O): There must be a lot of places we can go.
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I'll work for you - I can keep a house!
No matter what - I wouldn't let her fall.
(Close shot of Kevin smiling.)
(Music fades.)
(Fade to wide shot of Winnie walking forward with the spotlight on her.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Oh, mama - just look at me for a moment, as if you really saw me.
(Close shot of Kevin watching.)
That night I learned something. About courage...
(Shot of Winnie and Mama in the spotlight.)
And maybe about love.
(Mama sets the table as Winnie leans on a chair.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Mama, fourteen years have gone by. I'm dead! You're a grandmother, Mama.
(Mama walks around the table. Winnie follows.)
WINNIE (as Emily): But just for a moment now, when we're all together...
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Mama, just for a moment, let's be happy! Let's look at one another!
(Shot of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, and Karen and Norma behind them, watching. Mr. Cooper glances down slightly, then back.)
(Shot of Winnie and Mama.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I can't! I can't go on!
(Mama exits. Winnie turns and gestures.)
WINNIE (as Emily): It goes so fast!
(Winnie walks across the stage.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching her off-screen.)
WINNIE (as Emily)(V/O): We don't have time to look at one another!
(Close shot of Mr. Webber watching.)
(Shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Take me back. Up the hill to my grave. But first...wait.
(Winnie looks off.)
WINNIE (as Emily): One more look.
(Close shot of Kevin watching.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking off. The camera moves in slowly.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Goodbye...
(Music "Appalachian Spring" - Aaron Copeland plays.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Goodbye, world! Goodbye, Grover's Corners. Mama and Papa...
(Shot of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, and Karen and Norma, watching.)
(Close shot of Winnie. The camera moves in slowly.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Goodbye, to clocks ticking...and mama's sunflowers...and food and coffee...and new-ironed dresses...and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up! Oh, Earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you!
(Shot of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper watching emotionally, as they join hands. Norma glances at them.)
(Close shot of Mr. Weber watching and smiling.)
(Close shot of Norma as she smiles.)
(Close shot of Winnie looking off, then down.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching, as a tear rolls down his cheek.)
(Wider shot of Winnie turning to the stage manager.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?
(Shot past the stage manager of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): Every, every minute?
(Close shot of the stage manager.)
STAGE MANAGER: No. The saints and poets, maybe.
(Close shot of Winnie looking down.)
STAGE MANAGER (V/O): They do, some.
(Shot of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper watching, near tears, as he rubs her hand. Norma looks at them. Mrs. Cooper leans over and kisses his hand.)
(Close shot of Winnie.)
WINNIE (as Emily): I'm ready to go back.
(Wider shot of Winnie turning and walking to a row of chairs, and taking a seat.)
(Fade to the lens of the spotlight. The camera pans over to Kevin watching the play off-screen.)
(Music fades.)
(Fade to close shot of the stage manager as he takes out his watch.)
STAGE MANAGER: Hmmm. Eleven o'clock in Grover's Corners. You get a good rest, too.
(He closes the watch.)
STAGE MANAGER: Goodnight.
(Wide shot of the audience applauding, then rising.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the cast lining up on stage.)
(Close shot of Winnie smiling, looking over the audience off-screen.)
(Music plays.)
(Shot past Winnie of the Cooper's smiling and applauding. Winnie takes her bow, and rises again.)
(Close shot of Winnie smiling toward her parents off-screen, and sighing.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling.)
I couldn't exactly say we made theater history that autumn evening...maybe we weren't even very good.
(Shot of Winnie and the cast looking toward Mr. Weber and applauding as he joins them.)
The thing is, it didn't matter.
(Mr. Weber stands next to Winnie, and shakes his joined hands, smiling.)
We made it through.
(Wider shot of Kevin at the spotlight as Paul joins him, holding a towel on his forehead.)
(Closer shot of Paul.)
(Shot of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper applauding and smiling at Winnie off-screen, nearly crying.)
And the critics were kind.
(Close shot of Winnie smiling at her parents off-screen.)
And a week later...
(Close shot of Mr. Cooper applauding and looking at Winnie off-screen.)
Mr. Cooper moved back in with his family.
(Close shot of Mrs. Cooper applauding, and looking toward Mr. Cooper, then Winnie off-screen.)
(Shot of Winnie as Mr. Weber presents her with roses. She smiles and looks toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling.)
(Shot of Mr. Weber standing next to Winnie in the spotlight, with the other cast members next to them.)
(The image freezes and fades to black-and-white.)
Fade to
CLOSING CREDITS
Mr. Weber - Nicholas Hormann
Hobson - Sean Baca
"Stage Manager" - Joel Elrady
"Mr. Webb" (AKA Purdle the Turtle) - Parker Jacobs
"George" - Ryan Francis
Mr. Cooper - H. Richard Greene
Mrs. Cooper - Lynn Milgrim
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Episode Info
Wonder Years Menu
01/01/05 17:15