Episode 58 - "Denial"



OPENING CREDITS
Ext. Night - Bus Parking at the Museum

(Shot of Winnie and Kevin standing in the parking lot, face-to-face. Winnie is crying.)

WINNIE: Kevin...I've met someone!

(Shot of Kevin. He looks hurt and surprised.)

KEVIN: Wh...?

(Sad guitar music begins.)

(Shot of Winnie. She brushes past Kevin.)

(Shot of Kevin looking after her off-screen. The camera pulls back slowly.)

Winnie Cooper was my first real love. She grew up in a house across the street.

(Shot of Winnie and Roger approaching each other near their bus.)

(Shot of Roger's hand on Winnie's back, guiding her to the door.)

She was the first girl I'd ever kissed. And now...

(Shot of Kevin.)

She'd broken up with me.

(Shot of Winnie glancing back at Kevin as she enters her bus.)

Cut to
Int. Day - Cafeteria

(Shot of Kevin.)

But it wasn't until the next day that I understood what it all meant.

(Background music fades.)

KEVIN: This is all a mistake!

(Shot of Paul chewing his food. He has a puzzled look on his face.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul sitting across from each other at a table in the middle of the cafeteria.)

PAUL: Huh?

KEVIN: What happened - with Winnie and me?

PAUL: Oh, that.

(Shot of past Paul of Kevin.)

KEVIN: It's just a big misunderstanding, right?

PAUL: Well...

KEVIN: She's probably just mad at me. Don't you think?

(Shot of Paul as he drops his shoulders and looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: Kev...

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Yeah?

(He takes a sip of milk.)

(Shot of Paul.)

PAUL: It's over. (Shrugs.)

(Shot of Kevin lowering his milk container.)

KEVIN: What?

PAUL: Well, I'm sorry, but that's what I think. I mean it's pretty clear. She met this guy...she likes him better...(Gestures.)

KEVIN: Who asked you?! (Frowns.)

PAUL: Well, you did. Remember?

KEVIN: That's not the point.

(Kevin stands up. Peter Armbruster approaches him.)

PETER: Hey, Arnold!

(He pats Kevin's shoulder.)

PETER: Heard the "Super Cooper" dropped you like a rotten egg. Sorry!

(Shot of Paul watching Peter exit the scene.)

KEVIN: Great. (Frowns.)

(Shot of Kevin leaning his hands on the table. He looks after Peter off-screen.)

One little tiff with my girlfriend, suddenly I'm headline news.

(Shot of Paul.)

PAUL: Kev? Maybe you should just...accept it.

(Shot of Kevin. He is defensive.)

KEVIN: Yeah? Well, I don't, OK?!

(Kevin picks up his tray and walks across the cafeteria. He glances back at Paul off-screen and frowns.)

Hey, I was fourteen. Acceptance was not exactly a major part of my emotional repertoire.

(Kevin stops behind a boy. The boy turns to Kevin, pats him on the shoulder, shakes his head, and silently walks away.)

What I needed was a little support - a sympathetic ear.

MADELINE (V/O): Kevin?

(Shot of Kevin tensing up and turning toward Madeline.)

(Shot of Madeline looking at Kevin.)

A wolf in sheep's clothing.

KEVIN: Madeline! (Smiles.)

(Shot of past Kevin of Madeline.)

MADELINE: I'm sorry about what happened with you and Winnie.

(She nods her head faintly.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

MADELINE (V/O): I guess...breaking up is hard to do.

KEVIN: Yeah. Well we're not really broken up.

(He shakes his head.)

(Shot of Madeline.)

MADELINE: Oh.

(She shrugs and shakes her head.)

MADELINE: I just thought...

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Yeah...

(He shakes his head.)

KEVIN: Well it's not like that, OK? (Smiles.) We're just working it out.

(Shot of Madeline.)

MADELINE: Well if you want to talk...(nods faintly)...I'm always available.

(Shot past Madeline of Kevin as he shakes his head.)

KEVIN: Thanks, but I won't need that. The whole thing's been blown out of proportion. (Smiles.)

(Kevin turns and starts to walk away. The camera pans with him. A boy approaches Kevin and puts his arm around his shoulder.)

BOY: Hey, Arnold. Tough break. My heart goes out to you, man.

(Sound effect "dink" as he taps his forehead against Kevin's, and exits the scene.)

(Shot of Kevin frowning and looking after the boy off-screen.)

Seemed pretty clear if I was going to survive this, there was only one thing to do.

(Kevin walks quickly out of the scene.)

Cut to
Int. Day - Pizza Barn

(Shot of Winnie entering through the door and pausing.)

(Music "How Do You Do!" starts and plays through the scene.)

I had to quell these rumors.

(Shot of Kevin and Paul at sitting at a table. Sounds of pinball machines.)

KEVIN: She's here. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Paul looking over his shoulder.)

(Kevin stands up and walks toward Winnie.)

It was kind of a big moment. The first step toward making up always is.

(The camera moves back to include Winnie as Kevin approaches from behind. Winnie is nodding and talking to someone off-screen.)

WINNIE:...pretty well.

KEVIN: Winnie?

(Winnie turns toward Kevin. She is mildly surprised.)

WINNIE: Kevin. Hi.

(The camera stays on Kevin.)

KEVIN: How are you?

WINNIE: OK. How are you?

KEVIN: Great!

(He smiles and gestures.)

WINNIE: Good.

And they said we'd split up.

WINNIE: Kevin...

KEVIN: Hey! Don't give it a second thought.

(Shot of Kevin looking optimistic.)

No sense dwelling on the past. It was all behind us now.

ROGER (V/O): Hey, Winnie. Our pizza's ready.

(The camera pulls back slightly to include Roger, who has walked up behind Kevin.)

(Kevin and Roger turn their heads to each other.)

ROGER: Hey.

(Shot of Kevin as Roger crosses in front of him and puts his arm around Winnie.)

(Shot from over Kevin's shoulder of Winnie. She is a little bit embarrassed.)

WINNIE: Kevin, you remember Roger.

(Shot of Kevin over Winnie and Roger.)

ROGER: Hey!

(Kevin and Roger shake hands. Kevin smiles.)

KEVIN: How you doing?

ROGER: OK.

I wanted to crush every bone in his hand.

(Kevin looks uneasy.)

(Shot of Winnie. She notices Kevin's uneasiness as Roger puts his arm around her again. Winnie looks around nervously.)

WINNIE: Uh...It was good talking to you Kevin.

(Winnie looks at Kevin and barely nods her head.)

(Shot of Kevin from behind Roger and Winnie.)

KEVIN: Yeah.

(Kevin smiles, but is uncomfortable.)

Yeah. Great talking.

(Winnie and Roger walk out of the shot.)

(Shot of Kevin as he dejectedly looks after them.)

Cut to
Int. Night - Arnold Living Room

(Shot of Kevin adjusting the TV. Norma is folding laundry in the background. Jack is sitting in a chair to the side, behind a newspaper.)

Well, there was always home.

(Close shot of Kevin in front of the TV. He leans forward, revealing Jack in the chair behind him. Jack lowers the newspaper page and looks at Kevin. Kevin moves back.)

The last refuge from the slings and arrows of the ninth-grade rumor mill.

(Wide shot of Kevin, Norma, and Jack.)

NORMA: Kevin, guess who I ran into at the grocery store today?

(Shot of Kevin.)

NORMA (V/O): Doug Porter's mother.

(Shot of Norma folding clothes.)

NORMA: She mentioned that you and Winnie are going through some tough times?

(Norma has a compassionate, motherly look on her face.)

Great! I'd made the big leagues...

(Shot of Kevin.)

In the supermarket checkout line.

(Shot of Norma with a concerned look on her face.)

And worse, it was being broadcast in front of my dad.

(Shot of Jack behind the newspaper. He sighs and rattles the paper.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: I'd rather not talk about it, Mom.

(Shot of Norma folding clothes.)

NORMA: I understand. (She nods.)

(Kevin gives Norma a little smile and nods. He looks back at the TV.)

(Shot of Norma.)

NORMA: You two have been together for so long, I'm sure it will work out.

(She smiles and shrugs.)

Nnhhnhh!

KEVIN: Mom!

NORMA: Why don't you just...

(She gestures in the air.)

NORMA: Pick up the phone and give her a call? (Shrugs.)

(Norma carries laundry toward Kevin.)

It was the stupidest suggestion I'd ever heard.

(Shot of Kevin. He makes a face, and rolls his head around while watching Norma exit the scene.)

(Sound of a phone being dialed.)

Cut to

The Kitchen

(Shot of Kevin dialing the phone.)

(Shot of Wayne's hand and arm reaching in and pressing the button to cut off Kevin's call.)

(Kevin is surprised and turns around.)

(Shot of Kevin and Wayne facing each other.)

WAYNE: Don't do it.

(He shakes his head.)

KEVIN: What?

WAYNE: You're going to call her, right, hmm?

Darn!

(Kevin looks around, embarrassed.)

I'd been picked up on my brother's misery antenna.

KEVIN: I wasn't going to call her. (Shakes his head.)

WAYNE: Good. Because it's a "losers" move.

(Wayne gives Kevin a dumb look and shakes his head, then starts to walk to refrigerator.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

Course, Wayne had been dumped by every girl in the tri-county area.

(Shot from over Kevin's shoulder of Wayne getting the milk container from the refrigerator.)

So he did speak with a certain authority.

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: OK, then what should I do?

(Shot of Kevin and Wayne. Wayne gestures with the milk container.)

WAYNE: You keep your distance...

KEVIN: Uh-huh.

WAYNE: You make her suffer...

KEVIN: Uh-huh.

(Close shot of Wayne looking serious.)

WAYNE: Otherwise, you're just some road kill on the side of the highway, waiting to get run over a second time.

(Wayne smiles, then frowns at Kevin.)

(Shot of Kevin frowning.)

KEVIN: Wayne, this is none of your business.

(Wider shot of Kevin and Wayne in the middle of the kitchen.)

WAYNE: Fine! Do what you want.

(Wayne backs up a few steps, then points his finger at Kevin.)

WAYNE: But if you do call her back, may as well hang a billboard up saying "Winnie, come back, please." Better yet, maybe you should throw a party for her.

(Wayne smiles, then makes a face.)

WAYNE: Uh-hhehhe.

(Shot of Kevin shaking his head.)

KEVIN: Huh. Talk about stupid!

(Shot of Wayne walking out of the kitchen. He pauses to laugh at Kevin again, then exits.)

(Shot of Kevin in thought.)

The very thought of a party - talk about ridiculous! What would I do - invite her, get her alone, work a little magic on her?

(Kevin starts to smile as he thinks about it.)

Cut to
Ext. Day - Bus Stop

(Kevin and Paul sit on the curb. Two girls and two boys stand on the sidewalk behind them.)

KEVIN: I'm having a party!

PAUL: A what?

KEVIN: It seems like a good time. What do you think?

PAUL: Why are you having a party?

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Well, I have a lot of friends I can invite. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Paul.)

Hey, no need to show all of my cards.

PAUL: Like Winnie?

(He raises his eyebrows. Kevin tries to be nonchalant.)

KEVIN: Yeah, for example.

PAUL: Frankly, Kev...

(He shrugs and shakes his head.)

PAUL: It sounds a little obvious.

KEVIN: Uh-huh.

(He looks uncertain.)

KEVIN: Well...that's why we're gonna have it at your house. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Paul. He is mildly surprised.)

PAUL: What?

KEVIN: Paul, if you're a friend, you'll do this.

(Shot of Paul shaking his head.)

PAUL: Forget it.

Cut to
Int. Day - Pizza Barn

(Shot of Winnie and Paul at a table in the middle distance. Sound of a pinball machine.)

WINNIE: Yeah, I'd love to go!

PAUL: Great, great.

(Close shot of Kevin watching them while stirring his drink with a straw.)

WINNIE (Faint V/O): What time?

It was a stroke of genius, planned...

PAUL: (Faint V/O): About seven o'clock...

(Kevin spills some drink into his lap. He is embarrassed and grabs some napkins.)

By a mastermind.

PAUL (V/O): Well, see you there.

(Shot of Paul standing and walking toward the camera.)

(Shot of Paul sitting at Kevin's table.)

KEVIN: So what'd she say?

PAUL: She's gonna come.

KEVIN: Really?

PAUL: And she thinks the luau thing is a going to be perfect.

KEVIN: What?

PAUL: You have any good recipes for spinach dip?

KEVIN: Paul! (Gestures.) Did my name come up?

PAUL: Oh, of course!

(He gestures reassuringly.)

PAUL: She asked if you were going to be there.

KEVIN: Good...good. Did she seem happy?

(Paul nods slowly.)

PAUL: Yeah...yeah, she was happy.

KEVIN: I knew it!

(He smiles excitedly.)

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie approaching.)

WINNIE: Kevin?

(Shot of Kevin looking up and smiling.)

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: Hi.

KEVIN: Hi. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Paul.)

PAUL: Uh, I'd better be getting home.

(Paul has an embarrassed smile. He looks at each of them.)

PAUL: Got a party to plan!

(Paul smiles and stands up.)

(Shot of Kevin sitting, and Winnie standing next to the table, as Paul hurriedly exits the scene.)

PAUL (V/O): Oops!

(Sound of a collision.)

PAUL (V/O): Sorry!

WINNIE: Paul tells me you're going to be at his party.

KEVIN: Well, yeah, yeah. I'm going to help him with some stuff. (Nods.)

WINNIE: It was so thoughtful of him to ask me!

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Well, I had a little something to do with that. (Smiles.)

WINNIE: I just want to make sure it was OK.

KEVIN: Sure it's OK. Yeah, it's gonna be a ball! (Smiles.)

Yeah, everything was working out. Just a matter of hours now, before we'd be together once again.

(Shot of Kevin smiling.)

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: Then we'll see you there! (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin smiling.)

"We"?

KEVIN: Uh-huh.

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: Kevin, it's just so nice you invited us. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin. He still has a frozen smile.)

"Us"?

KEVIN: Uh-huh.

(Shot of Winnie.)

Either Winnie had become royalty overnight, or...

ROGER (V/O): Winnie!

(Shot of Winnie turning and waving.)

(Shot of Kevin smiling.)

(Shot of Roger near the door, smiling and waving at Winnie.)

(Shot of Winnie smiling and turning back to Kevin.)

WINNIE: Bye!

(She walks off.)

I was going to throw a party for the girl that I loved...

(Shot of Winnie and Roger.)

And her boyfriend.

(Shot of Kevin. The camera zooms closer as the sound of the pinball machine increases. Kevin leans his head against the post next to him. ("Dink".)

Fade to
Int. Day - School Hallway

(Shot of Paul quickly coming down the stairway into the crowded hallway. Kevin is catching up behind him.)

By the next day, I had figured out a very workable solution to my problems.

KEVIN: Paul!

PAUL: Kev, forget it, I am not canceling the party!

KEVIN: Why not!

(Paul and Kevin have stopped at Paul's locker. Paul starts to dial the combination.)

PAUL: Because everybody is coming. My mom already bought seven cases of cola, eight bags of potato chips. And four different colored streamers.

(Paul shakes his head and dials his combo again.)

Just like the guy - always thinking of himself.

KEVIN: Paul, you gotta cancel it.

(Close shot of Paul. He turns to Kevin and frowns.)

PAUL: Kev, you're the one who told me to invite them.

KEVIN: I told you to invite her, not uh, "What's-his-name".

PAUL: Roger?

(Kevin frowns at Paul.)

PAUL: Sorry.

(Paul opens his locker. Kevin slams it shut.)

KEVIN: "Sorry"? That's all you have to say is "sorry"?

PAUL: How was I supposed to know that she was gonna bring him? (Frowns.)

KEVIN: Well, I...you're th-

PAUL: Kev, forget it. The party's happening.

Faced with a betrayal of this magnitude, the line had to be drawn.

KEVIN: OK, then - I'm not coming.

(Shot of Kevin crossing his arms and looking away.)

No way the guy was going to throw a party without me. Heh-heh.

(Shot of Paul turning toward Kevin. He smiles in mild disbelief, and shrugs.)

PAUL: Too bad. You're going to miss the party of the decade.

(Paul smiles and walks off.)

(Shot of Kevin frowning.)

(Sarcastically): Heh-heh-heh.

Cut to
Int. Day - Classroom

(Shot of Kevin sitting at a desk, resting his head on his fist.)

Still, at least I stood my ground. For what that was worth.

(A student approaches behind him and puts some books on the desk next to him.)

(The camera slowly pans up from Kevin to reveal Madeline. She looks down at Kevin and takes a deep breath.)

MADELINE: Hi, Kevin!

(Shot of Kevin turning and looking up at her.)

KEVIN: Hey.

(Madeline starts to sit down slowly.)

MADELINE: Did I hear that Paul Pfeiffer is having a party at his house tomorrow night?

(Shot from the rear of the classroom up the aisle as Madeline sits down.)

KEVIN: Well, sort of. Kind of. Anyway, I'm not going. (Gestures.)

(Shot of Madeline smiling.)

MADELINE: Well that's a surprise!

(Shot of Kevin frowning.)

KEVIN: What do you mean by that?

MADELINE: It's just I know you're one of Paul's best friends...and I just ...(shrugs.)...expected...

(She shakes her head and looks down.)

KEVIN: Well I decided not to go.

(Kevin shakes his head and glances around.)

KEVIN: It's gonna be stupid and boring...and there are going to be a lot of people there that I don't want to see, anyway.

(Close shot of Madeline looking forward. She turns and looks directly at Kevin.)

MADELINE: Winnie?

(Shot of Madeline with a questioning look on her face. She looks away.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

I must have been as transparent as a piece of cellophane.

KEVIN: Uh, no.

(Kevin shakes his head unconvincingly.)

(Shot of Madeline. She looks at Kevin.)

KEVIN: Uh, yeah.

(Shot of Kevin. He tries to be nonchalant.)

KEVIN: She was thinking of maybe coming by.

(Shot of Madeline nodding.)

MADELINE: I can imagine that must be hard.

(Shot past Madeline of Kevin.)

KEVIN: What?

MADELINE: Going to a party alone, that she's going to be at.

(Shot of Kevin looking forward and thinking.)

Now wait a minute. What was this girl saying here? Why couldn't I go to my best friend's party?

(Kevin glances at Madeline.)

(Shot of Madeline looking at Kevin out of the corner of her eye.)

And who said I had to go alone?

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Madeline?

(Music "Rescue Me" starts as Madeline turns toward him quickly.)

MADELINE: Yes?

(She acts as though she doesn't know the question Kevin is going to ask.)

(Kevin looks at Madeline with determination.)

KEVIN: Do you want to go to a party?

(Madeline smiles with satisfaction.)

PAUL (V/O): Cheeseballs?

Cut to
Int. Evening - Paul's Basement

(Wide shot of kids dancing or sitting around. Paul is walking around, offering snacks.)

PAUL: Cheeseballs?

(He walks to another group.)

PAUL: Cheeseballs?

(Nobody wants one.)

As the party was getting into gear, Paul was on edge.

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline sitting on stools at the bar, facing the party.)

KEVIN: Do you want a soda?

MADELINE: Sure.

(Kevin stands and walks around the bar toward the refrigerator.)

I was a veritable pillar.

(Close shot of Madeline. She smiles as she looks after Kevin, and rests her chin on her hand.)

Whatever lay ahead, I was prepared.

(Shot of Kevin turning from the refrigerator.)

(Shot of Madeline. A boy walks up behind her and starts to look at her. As Madeline turns toward the boy, he looks down and walks away.)

(Shot of Kevin smiling.)

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline. She is smiling amusedly at the boy off-screen. Kevin is behind her, opening the soda.)

Not to mention I was armed with the best-looking date at the party.

(Wider shot as Kevin walks around the bar to join Madeline. He hands a soda to her.)

MADELINE: Thanks.

(They are both just happily sitting for a few seconds.)

Yep, I was feeling pretty confident. I was ready for anything.

(Madeline glances toward the stairs off-screen.)

MADELINE: Look who's here.

(She starts to waggle her foot. Kevin looks at Madeline a moment as the words sink in, then quickly looks toward Winnie.)

(Shot of Winnie coming down the stairs.)

And that's when anything walked through the door.

(Close shot of Kevin looking off screen.)

(Shot of Winnie pausing on the steps. Roger joins her.)

With Mr. Anything.

(Close shot of Kevin. He is looking off-screen toward Winnie, and speaks to Madeline without looking at her.)

KEVIN: Come on! (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Madeline turning to Kevin. She is mildly perturbed.)

MADELINE: Where?

(Kevin is still looking toward Winnie.)

KEVIN: I want you to meet someone.

(Shot of Kevin standing and taking Madeline's hand. They walk across the room.)

No sense in putting this off. It was time to fight fire with fire.

(Kevin and Madeline approach Winnie and Roger.)

KEVIN: Hi.

WINNIE: Hi, Kevin.

KEVIN: Have you ever met Madeline?

(He gestures toward Madeline.)

Of course...

(Shot of Kevin watching Winnie.)

I knew it was a cruel blow.

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: Hi, Madeline. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Madeline.)

MADELINE: Hi. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin. He is a bit uncertain and looks back and forth at the girls.)

But I was merciless.

(Shot of Roger and Winnie.)

WINNIE: Madeline, this is Roger.

MADELINE: Hi.

ROGER: Nice meeting you.

(They shake hands. Roger looks at Kevin and nods his head.)

ROGER: Hey.

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Hey! (He smiles broadly.)

And it was high time for them to turn tail and run.

(Shot of Roger and Winnie facing Madeline and Kevin, all in profile.)

(Paul hurries into the scene from behind, and stands facing the camera.)

PAUL (To W&R): Hi, guys! I'm glad you could make it - the spinach dip is amazing.

WINNIE: Hi, Paul.

PAUL: Oh, let me take your things.

(Winnie hands her coat to Paul. Roger starts taking off his jacket.)

Rats! Foiled by spinach dip. It was time to call an audible.

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline. Kevin is again uncertain.)

KEVIN (To Madeline): Let's dance.

MADELINE: Good idea.

(Music "Mustang Sally" starts.)

(Close shot of a strobe light on a table. The camera pulls back to show people dancing.)

The gauntlet was down. I had no choice but to become the life of that party.

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline dancing.)

I danced with abandon.

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline dancing and laughing.)

I answered the question on everybody's lips.

(Shot of Kevin pausing and looking toward Winnie off screen.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger sitting alone in the distance, laughing and talking.)

"Is there life after Winnie Cooper?" You better believe it!

(Kevin starts dancing wilder than before.)

Fade to

Later

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline at the pool table.)

Kevin Arnold was a fun-loving guy with a beautiful date.

(Kevin is leaning over her, showing her how to handle the cue.)

(Kevin looks toward Winnie off screen.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger still laughing and talking.)

(Shot of Madeline and Kevin shooting. It is a bad shot. They frown, then smile.)

Fade to

Later

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline dancing again. Kevin takes off his sweater. Madeline leans back against the furniture and laughs. Kevin starts to wave his sweater around at her.)

(Shot of Kevin walking backwards into a girl, causing her to drop her cup. Everybody looks at Kevin.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin.)

No doubt about it. I was the center of attention.

(The girl looks at him, then her dress.)

KEVIN (To girl): Sorry.

(The girl runs off.)

(Shot of Paul bending to pick up the cup.)

(Shot of Paul rising and standing next to Kevin.)

PAUL: Maybe it's time for you to take a breather, Kev.

KEVIN: Hey!

(He glances in Winnie's direction, then nods at Paul.)

KEVIN: Is this a party or what?

(Shot of Paul. Winnie is watching Kevin from behind them.)

PAUL: I don't get it. (Frowns.)

(Shot of Kevin. Winnie is still watching him.)

Sheesh. What was this guy's problem?

(Shot of Paul walking off.)

(Shot of Kevin turning toward Winnie. She looks away.)

I wasn't hurting anybody.

(Shot of Kevin looking around. He hurries off screen.)

(Shot of Madeline leaning against the desk looking downcast. Kevin approaches.)

KEVIN: Do you want to dance?

MADELINE: That depends.

KEVIN: What do you mean?

(Close shot of Madeline.)

MADELINE: Are you going to be dancing with me...

(She turns her head in Winnie's direction.)

MADELINE: Or her? (Sighs.)

(Kevin looks in Winnie's direction.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger talking.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: What are you talking about? (Smiles.)

MADELINE: Maybe it's time you made up your mind.

(Kevin looks off screen.)

MADELINE: About Winnie.

KEVIN: Huh?

(Madeline turns and looks in Winnie's direction.)

MADELINE: She's making a fool of you.

(She shakes her head.)

(Music "You are Everything" starts.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger starting to dance.)

(Shot of Kevin and Madeline. Kevin is looking in Winnie's direction and smiling.)

(Madeline turns and looks at Kevin. He still looks off.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger dancing.)

(Close shot of Kevin in profile, looking at Winnie and Roger off screen.)

(Madeline is on the far side of Kevin. She looks at Kevin and notices him looking at Winnie. She rolls her eyes.)

MADELINE: Kevin!

(Shot of Kevin turning toward her.)

MADELINE: Find me when you make up your mind.

(She nods faintly, then exits.)

(Shot of Kevin looking after her.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger as Madeline walks from behind the camera toward them. She pauses next to Winnie and looks at Kevin, then walks off.)

(Shot of Kevin. He hesitates, then walks out of the shot in a different direction.)

(Shot of Winnie and Roger dancing.)

(Fade to shot of Kevin sitting on shelf in the laundry room.)

Thought I'd spend some time with the washing machine...

(Shot of Kevin looking up.)

(Shot of Winnie framed by curtains in the doorway.)

WINNIE: Hi.

KEVIN: Hey.

(Closer shot of Winnie in the doorway.)

WINNIE: Kevin, can we talk?

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Talk about what? (Frowns.)

(Shot of Winnie. She sighs and enters.)

WINNIE: We shouldn't be acting like this.

KEVIN: Well how do you want us to act?

WINNIE: I don't know...

(Shot of Kevin looking away.)

WINNIE (V/O): Kevin, I care about you.

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: You mean a lot to me.

(Shot of Kevin sliding off the washer and taking a step toward Winnie.)

KEVIN: I do?

(He smiles faintly.)

WINNIE: And...I need you...

(Shot of Kevin.)

I wanted to take her right there and tell her how much I missed her.

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: To...be my friend.

(Shot of Kevin. His smile fades.)

KEVIN: Your friend?

The words cut my heart out.

(Shot of Winnie looking at Kevin. She swallows.)

I couldn't have been more unprepared.

(Shot of Kevin.)

I said the first thing I felt.

KEVIN: I don't want to be your friend.

(He shrugs and looks away.)

KEVIN: I got enough friends.

(Kevin walks past Winnie.)

(Shot of Winnie facing away from the camera, looking at Kevin. Kevin faces away, leaning on the washer.)

WINNIE: Kevin...

(Close shot of Kevin facing the camera, with Winnie in the background.)

KEVIN: Look, Winnie, let's just do both ourselves a favor and keep away from each other.

WINNIE: You really mean that?

KEVIN: Of course I really mean that!

I guess I was hurting her, but I just didn't care anymore.

KEVIN: I'll tell you another thing, Winnie.

(Shot from over Winnie's shoulder as Kevin turns and walks up to her.)

KEVIN: This whole thing's stupid. It's really not that big a deal.

(Kevin is close in Winnie's face.)

KEVIN: And to tell you the truth our relationship didn't mean that much to me, alright?!

(Shot of Winnie. She is speechless.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

It was the biggest lie I ever told.

(Shot of Winnie. She is upset.)

And she believed every word of it.

(Shot from party room as Winnie hurries toward the doorway and looks for Roger.)

(She walks past the camera, revealing Kevin looking after her.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective through the doorway of Winnie talking to Roger.)

(Shot of Kevin moving toward doorway.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Winnie and Roger hurrying across the room and up the stairs.)

(Close shot of Kevin watching them leave. Madeline cuts into the shot and blocks his view.)

MADELINE: So how'd it go?

(She nods solemnly.)

KEVIN: Fine, fine. Piece of cake.

(He smiles but doesn't look happy.)

MADELINE: I'm glad.

(She sighs heavily and shakes her head.)

MADELINE: I never saw what the big deal about Winnie Cooper was anyway.

(She looks at Kevin haughtily.)

(Shot of Kevin getting angry.)

And that left just one thing to say.

KEVIN: Madeline...

(Kevin slides the curtain open.)

KEVIN: Get lost!

(Kevin brushes past her, and walks past Paul toward the stairs.)

PAUL: Kev, where are you going?

(Kevin walks up the stairs without looking back.)

Fade to
Ext. Night - Arnold Front Yard

(Shot of Kevin walking from the street toward his house.)

That night I didn't feel much like going home.

(Shot of Kevin pausing and looking toward the window.)

Facing the inevitable questions.

(He shrugs and starts to walk toward the garage.)

It was only nine-thirty, so I thought maybe I'd hang out in the garage for awhile. Maybe spend the night there.

(Shot of Kevin looking through the window into the garage.)

(Shot through the window of Jack fixing the lawnmower.)

Unfortunately, someone else was already hanging out in the garage.

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of the door opening.)

KEVIN (V/O): Dad?

(Jack looks up at him.)

JACK: Hey...

(Shot of Kevin entering and closing the door.)

KEVIN: What are you doing?

(Close shot of Jack inspecting the sparkplug.)

JACK: I'm trying to get this damn mower repaired.

(Shot of Kevin walking across the garage toward the mower, as Jack rises and walks to the workbench in the background.)

(Kevin is looking at the lawnmower. Jack is facing away at the workbench. He holds the sparkplug up to the light, then wipes it off.)

KEVIN: Need any help?

(Jack turns toward Kevin.)

JACK: Nah.

(Jack notices Kevin is not happy.)

JACK: Uh...how are things going?

(Jack walks back to the lawnmower and kneels down.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Unh, OK.

(Shot of Jack looking at the lawnmower.)

JACK: With, uh...Winnie I mean.

(Shot of Kevin from a lower angle. His hands are in his jacket pockets, and he is looking down, totally dejected.)

KEVIN: Well...things are pretty much over with us you know.

(Shot of Jack fixing the mower. He stops working and sighs in thought. He looks up at Kevin.)

JACK: I guess it must hurt a lot, doesn't it?

(Shot of Kevin as before.)

KEVIN (Hesitantly): I guess so.

(Shot of Jack looking at Kevin. He smiles a little in compassion.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

(Shot of Jack looking off in thought.)

JACK: Wish I could say it gets easier.

(He looks at Kevin.)

(Sad guitar play intermittently plays throughout.)

(Shot of Kevin turning toward Jack.)

KEVIN: Can we go inside?

(Shot of Jack. He looks at Kevin, then rises and smiles.)

But I knew I wasn't going to make it inside.

(Close shot of Kevin turning toward Jack. Kevin hugs him, and Jack puts his arms around him. Kevin presses his face against Jack and is on the verge of tears.)

(Jack sighs and pats Kevin.)

JACK: You just hang in there now.

(Different shot of Jack, facing the camera. He looks down at Kevin and smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin still holding Jack.)

Fade to
Ext. Night - Winnie's House

(Sad guitar plays intermittently throughout.)

(Shot of Kevin riding his bike up the sidewalk. The camera pans with him as he slows and stops. Winnie's house is in the background.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Winnie's house, and turning off the light on his bike.)

Love makes you do funny things.

(Shot of Winnie's house.)

(Shot of Kevin parking his bike.)

It makes you proud. It makes you sorry.

(Shot of the bike in foreground as Kevin walks toward the house in the background. The camera moves forward with Kevin.)

(Close shot of Kevin walking toward camera. He stops walking and sighs. He turns and starts to walk away. The lamp post near the driveway flicks on. Kevin stops walking.)

(Shot from the street of Winnie opening the door, and Kevin turning toward her.)

(Close shot of Kevin.)

(Close shot of Winnie standing in the doorway.)

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Hi.

(High wide shot. Kevin is in the foreground on the path to the house. Winnie is in the doorway. They are about twenty feet apart. Winnie steps outside the door.)

WINNIE: Hi.

(Close shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: I'm sorry about what happened tonight.

(Close shot of Winnie.)

(Shot of Kevin. He looks around, then smiles at Winnie.)

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: You cold?

(Close shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: No. No, I'm fine.

(Close shot of Winnie looking at him.)

(Close shot of Kevin. He shrugs.)

KEVIN: I'm gonna go home. I just wanted to stop by.

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: Well I'm glad you stopped by, Kevin.

(Close shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Yeah, well. What was I gonna do? (Gestures.) Never talk to you again? (Smiles.)

(Shot of Winnie. She giggles.)

(Shot of Kevin smiling.)

(Shot of Winnie.)

WINNIE: Pretty stupid party, huh?

(Shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN: Yeah, pretty stupid.

(Wider shot of Winnie. The camera pulls back to include Kevin. Winnie and Kevin start chatting. The camera continues to slowly pull back.)

That night we talked. About life. About our times together. Maybe we weren't the same two kids we had once been. But some things never change.

(The camera continues to pull back, and starts rising.)

Some things last. And even though I didn't know what was going to happen to us, or where we were going...

(The camera stops moving.)

I just knew I couldn't let her out of my life.

(Kevin and Winnie continue to chat.)

Fade to
CLOSING CREDITS

Supporting Cast
Madeline Adams - Julie Condra
Roger Dikovian - Art Hoffman

Music
"How Do You Do" - Mouth & McNeal
"Rescue Me" - Fontella Bass
"Mustang Sally" - Wilson Pickett
"You Are Everything" - Stylistics



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06/05/00 22:15