Episode 68 - "Graduation"



OPENING SEQUENCE
(Clip of President Nixon playing the piano. Music "Turn! Turn! Turn!" - The Byrds starts.)

(Clip of a huge crowd at Woodstock.)

Ninteen-seventy-one...

(Clip of a young man and woman in the crowd. He wears an Army shirt.)

Was a big year.

(Clips of band members playing on stage.)

Hot-pants were invented.

(Black-and-white still of Charles Manson and some policeman.)

Dennie McLain...

(Black-and-white still of Cassius Clay, AKA Muhammed Ali, looking at another black man through a caged window.)

Lost twenty two games...

(Black-and-white still of a group of black men with their arms raised.)

For the Washington Senators.

(Black-and-white still of three people in unusual dress, smiling as they stand in the street.)

(Black-and-white still of Margaret Mitchell with her mouth open in mid-laugh.)

(Clip of National Guard personnel chasing after protesters.)

And I graduated from...

(Clip of a U.S soldier in the jungle, firing his machine-gun.)

Junior high school.

(Clip of National Guard personnel crouched behind a car as one fires a tear-gas grenade.)

(Clip of Nation Guard personnel in front of the White House.)

But...we'll get to that.

(Clip of Angela Davis walking in a courtroom, smiling at the camera and giving the "Black Power" salute.)

(Clip of Lt. Calley and others.)

(Clip of Jane Fonda smiling and walking on a dirt road.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - The Street

(Black-and-white shot of the asphalt. The camera pans up.)

In the three years since I'd entered seventh-grade...

(The camera pans up to Kevin approaching on his 10-speed bike.)

A lot of things had changed.

(Two kids run across the street in front of Kevin. He looks at them and smiles. The picture fades to color.)

Still, in the suburbs where I lived, the currency of life remained about the same.

(Shot of the house and Wayne's car parked at the curb. Kevin rides through the shot.)

The whir of lawn-mowers.

(Kevin turns into the driveway. The camera pulls up and back.)

The cries of hide-and-seek. The dreams of parents. The struggles of children.

(Music ends.)

Cut to

Int. Day - Arnold Kitchen

(Close shot of Wayne looking down and frowning. Norma is behind him.)

The grinding of very small minds.

WAYNE: "B".

(Close shot of a multiple-choice quiz as answer "B" is circled.)

NORMA (V/O): Oh...honey, I think...

(Shot of Norma and Wayne as she gestures toward the paper.)

NORMA: Maybe it's "C".

(Wayne looks at her and frowns.)

WAYNE: That's what I said. (Gestures.) "C".

(They look at the paper.)

(Shot of Kevin reaching for a bottle opener magnetically clipped on the front of the freezer door.)

After a decade of hiding out in the cracks of the public school system...

(Kevin smiles slightly as he looks down and approaches the camera, and pops the cap off a bottle, then reaches toward a cabinet.)

My brother was facing the hard choices.

(Kevin removes a glass, and looks at Wayne off-screen.)

NORMA (V/O): Come on, now...

(Shot of Norma and Wayne looking at each other.)

NORMA: Try another one. (Points.)

(Wayne looks at the paper and frowns.)

WAYNE: That would be, uhhhhhh...

Not that he wasn't going down without a fight.

(Wayne frowns heavily and shakes his head.)

WAYNE: Nnnnn-eeee...."A"! Can we eat, now?

(Wayne closes the book.)

NORMA: Wayne!

(Shot of Kevin looking toward Norma off-screen as he sips from his glass.)

My mother, on the other hand, was standing guard between the rock...

(Sound of the door opening. Kevin looks toward it off-screen.)

(Wide shot from behind Kevin as Jack enters with his tie loosened, holding his jacket and briefcase.)

NORMA: Oh, welcome home, honey!

(Norma moves around the table.)

And the hard place.

JACK: Ehhh...

(Norma pats Jack on the back as she passes him. Jack sets his jacket on a chair and tosses his briefcase on the floor.)

(Shot of Kevin looking toward Jack off-screen.)

NORMA (V/O): Here's your drink.

Seemed my father had all but abandoned the concept of...

(Shot of Wayne looking at Jack as Jack sits down, holding a glass.)

Communication as we know it.

(Jack takes a sip.)

NORMA (V/O): Jack?

(Shot of Kevin looking toward Jack off-screen.)

NORMA: The contractor stopped by today. About the foundation? (Nods.)

(Close shot of Jack looking forward blankly.)

JACK: I don't want to talk about it.

(Jack takes another sip.)

NORMA (V/O): Well, he didn't seem to think it would be too bad. Just a matter of repouring a few walls...

(Jack swallows and sighs, looking forward.)

JACK: I don't want to talk about it.

(Shot of Kevin looking toward Jack off-screen.)

My guess was...the old man didn't want to talk about it.

(Shot of Norma looking off briefly.)

NORMA: Well, then...(shrugs)...shall we have dinner? (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin looking toward Norma off-screen.)

KEVIN: Good idea, Mom. (Smiles.)

NORMA (V/O): Good. Have a seat.

(Wide shot from behind Kevin as he walks toward the table and Norma moves to the sink.)

And there ya had it. In the great scheme of Arnold family life, things were moving on.

(Close shot of Kevin and Wayne as Kevin sits down and looks toward Jack off-screen.)

For some of us, anyway.

(Kevin smiles at Jack off-screen.)

KEVIN: Hi! (Waves.)

(Close shot of Jack turning toward Kevin off-screen, opening his mouth to speak, then pausing and sighing.)

JACK: Hnnnn...

(Jack looks forward and slumps slightly.)

Cut to

Int. - Auditorium

(Wide shot of Mr. Diperna at a podium on stage. Some microphone feedback is heard.)

MR. DIPERNA: Students, parents, faculty and friends - welcome!

(Wide shot of the crowd of students in the audience. Kevin and others are near the center.)

BOY: Eat it!

(Closer shot of Mr. Diperna as he walks in front of the podium.)

MR. DIPERNA: Who said that? (Frowns.)

The final week...

(Shot past the podium and Mr. Diperna of the kids in the audience as they laugh.)

Of junior high school.

(Someone makes a fart sound.)

Kinda brought a lump to the old throat.

(Wider shot of Mr. Diperna frowning and taking a few steps to the side as kids laugh again.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul, and Randy and Doug behind them. Paul turns toward Kevin.)

PAUL: Shhh! Come on, guys. This is serious. (Frowns.)

MR. DIPERNA (V/O): Alright, people...

(Randy leans forward slightly.)

RANDY: Yeah, come on.

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

RANDY: Pfeiffster's gotta make a speech. (Smiles.)

(Randy, Doug and Kevin smile.)

MR. DIPERNA (V/O): After my opening remarks, here's what'll happen...

(Randy and Doug feign sleep and make snoring sounds.)

MR. DIPERNA (V/O): When your names are called...

(Wide shot of Mr. Diperna at the podium, pointing with his rolled up speech.)

MR. DIPERNA: You'll walk up the right-hand aisle, to collect your diplomas.

(Close shot of Barbella as he raises his hand.)

(Close shot of Mr. Diperna pointing with his paper.)

MR. DIPERNA: Yes.

(Close shot of Barbella looking at Mr. Diperna off-screen.)

BARBELLA: Do I get one this year?

(The audience giggles.)

(Shot of Kevin, Paul, Randy and Doug. Paul is looking at Mr. Diperna seriously as the others giggle.)

(Shot of Mr. Diperna looking at Barbella off-screen.)

MR. DIPERNA: I fail to see the humor in that, Mr. Barbella.

(Close shot of Barbella as he gestures.)

BARBELLA: Just checkin'. (Smiles.)

(He looks off.)

(Shot of Kevin, Paul, Randy and Doug.)

PAUL: I don't get it. (Frowns.) This is a major moment in our lives.

MR. DIPERNA: Alright, as I was saying...

PAUL: Isn't anyone aware of that?

But if Paul was looking for allies...

(Kevin looks at Doug and Randy, who frown and shake their heads.)

He was in the wrong camp.

RANDY: Get off it, Pfeiffer.

KEVIN: Yeah, come on Paul - lighten up. It's just a stupid graduation. (Frowns.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul as they look at each other.)

PAUL: To you maybe. Not to me.

KEVIN: Paul, what's the big deal?

(Shot past Paul of Kevin as he glances off.)

KEVIN: I mean, we're gonna see all these people next year in high school, right?

(Shot past Kevin looking forward, of Paul looking at him slightly uncomfortably.)

MR. DIPERNA (V/O): You go out the side door...

Hey. The whole thing seemed pretty clear to me.

(Paul looks forward. Sound of the school bell.)

Cut to

The School Hallway

(Shot of Kevin as he hurries down the stairs as two girls talk to each other. The camera rolls back with him.)

It was time to move on. Time to bid goodbye to old times.

(A girl passes the camera and bumps into Kevin, causing him to drop his books. They turn and face each other.)

BECKY: Watch it, Kevin! (Frowns.)

(Shot past Kevin of Becky looking at him.)

Old nightmares!

(Shot past Becky of Kevin looking at her.)

KEVIN: What did I ever do to you?!

(Shot past Kevin of Becky looking at him.)

BECKY: As if I had to tell you.

(Shot of both as Becky hesitates, then walks off toward the stairs. Kevin looks after her.)

On the other hand...

(Kevin approaches his books and kneels down.)

Maybe some things went beyond simple farewells.

(Kevin gathers his books.)

Things like, say...

(Kevin looks up and pauses.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mrs. Heimer talking to another woman. Some "heavenly" music plays.)

(Shot of Kevin as he stands and looks at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: Miss White! (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at the woman off-screen, then turning toward Kevin off-screen.)

Miss White. My old English teacher.

(She tilts her head slightly and smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin smiling at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

My secret flame.

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mrs. Heimer and the other woman as she turns toward Kevin slightly, revealing an advanced state of pregnancy. "Brahm's Lullaby" plays.)

MRS. HEIMER: Mrs. Heimer. Remember?

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: Oh. (Nods.) Right. (Smiles.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mrs. Heimer and the other woman as she smiles, and they turn and walk off.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer off-screen as Paul approaches behind him and adjusts his glasses.)

PAUL: Boy. (Frowns.) What happened to her? (Frowns.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mrs. Heimer and the other woman walking away, as Mrs. Heimer rubs her back.)

Well, one thing was clear - whatever was happening...

("Brahm's Lullaby" fades.)

Cut to

Int - Gym Class

(Shot of Mr. Cutlip approaching the camera to the beat of marching drums. The camera rolls back with him.)

It wasn't always a pretty sight.

(Mr. Cutlip stops, and puts his hands behind his back. The drums stop.)

MR. CUTLIP: Men!

(Shot past Mr. Cutlip of the squad of guys.)

(Shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the guys off-screen.)

MR. CUTLIP: I have good news.

(Mr. Cutlip looks off.)

MR. CULTIP: And...

(He looks at the guys off-screen again.)

MR. CUTLIP: I have bad news. (Nods.)

Ed Cutlip - the man, the educator, the cliche.

(Shot past Mr. Cutlip of the squad of guys, as he looks down and starts to pace.)

(Shot past the guys of Mr. Cutlip. The camera rolls to the left and pans to the right with him as he paces.)

MR. CUTLIP: The good news is, after three years of long hours, backbreaking work...

(Shot from Mr. Cutlip's perspective of the Randy, Kevin and Doug, as the camera rolls left and pans to the right.)

MR. CUTLIP (V/O): And total dedication - on my part...

(The guys frown and sigh.)

MR. CUTLIP (V/O): You men are ready to move on.

(Close shot past the squad of Mr. Cutlip frowning as he turns the other direction.)

MR. CUTLIP: The bad news is...

(He takes a few steps, the pauses in front of the squad.)

MR. CUTLIP: I won't be going with you. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off, then at Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)

MR. CUTLIP (V/O): I'll be...

(Shot of Mr. Cutlip looking down as he unfolds a letter and holds it up with both hands.)

MR. CUTLIP: Here.

(Shot from behind Mr. Cutlip of the guys.)

MR. CUTLIP: At the Northeast College of the Great Plains, Indianapolis Campus...

(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the guys off-screen.)

MR. CUTLIP: Indianapolis, Indiana.

(He looks toward the letter, then the guys off-screen.)

MR. CUTLIP: Post office box two-four-eight.

(Shot of Randy, Kevin and Doug looking slightly puzzled.)

MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Beginning in August, I'll be assuming the position as Assistant Athletic Director...

(Shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the guys off-screen.)

MR. CUTLIP: The "big time", people.

(He looks off and smiles, accompanied by the sound of trumpet fanfare.)

(Shot from behind Mr. Cutlip of the guys, as he puts his hands behind his back.)

MR. CUTLIP: But before I go...

(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the guys off-screen.)

MR. CUTLIP: I'd like to leave you with a thought. One to carry with you years from now when you look back and think...(smiles)...of Coach Cutlip.

(He looks emotionally toward the ceiling. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" organ music plays.)

(Shot of the guys glancing toward the ceiling.)

(Shot past two guys of Mr. Cutlip looking toward the ceiling and raising his hands.)

MR. CUTLIP: Free at last. (Gestures.) Free at last...

(Shot from behind Mr. Cutlip of the guys as he turns around, still looking up. The camera moves in on him.)

MR. CUTLIP: Thank God, Almighty - free...at last.

(Shot of Randy, Kevin and Doug. Randy is looking up, Kevin and Doug are looking at Mr. Cutlip off-screen, frowning slightly.)

We were witnessing the passing of an era.

(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip as he closes his eyes and shakes his fists.)

Amen!

Cut to

Ext. Evening - Winnie's Front Lawn

(Wide shot of Kevin and Winnie sitting on the lawn near the lamp post.)

An era that lead directly from physical education...

(Shot past Winnie looking off, of Kevin looking at her.)

To love.

(Winnie turns toward Kevin. He smiles in embarrassment and looks off.)

Ahem. Platonically speaking.

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

WINNIE: Kevin, what do you think's gonna happen to us?

(Kevin looks at her.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

KEVIN: Us?

Actually, I had more than a few thoughts on the matter.

WINNIE: All of us.

(Winnie looks off.)

KEVIN: Oh.

(Kevin looks off.)

(Wide shot of both.)

WINNIE: I mean, next year.

(Winnie looks forward.)

WINNIE: In high school. You think we'll be OK?

(She looks at Kevin.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

KEVIN: How do you mean?

WINNIE: I don't know.

(Shot looks off.)

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking off.)

WINNIE: Sometimes I wonder if the good times are really all gone.

(She looks at Kevin and shrugs slightly.)

WINNIE: Whether they meant anything at all.

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

Good old Winnie - you had to love her. Those vulnerable...

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

Doe eyes, reaching out for my manly reassurance.

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin as he smiles and taps her on the arm.)

KEVIN: Of course we'll be OK.

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

KEVIN: It's gonna be great! We're all gonna be goin' to the same school.

(Winnie smiles tightly.)

(Shot past Winnie's cast of Kevin smiling and looking off.)

KEVIN: Me, you...

(Kevin looks at Winnie's foot dreamily.)

KEVIN: Paul...

(Winnie's toes waggle.)

God - that cast was driving me crazy.

WINNIE (V/O): Oh.

(Close shot of both as Winnie looks forward.)

(Kevin looks toward her as she looks off.)

WINNIE: Then...Paul hasn't told you...(Frowns.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

KEVIN: Tell me what?

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at him.)

WINNIE: Never mind.

(She shakes her head.)

KEVIN: No, what is it? (Smiles.)

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking at her.)

KEVIN: Has he got a girlfriend?

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie frowning and glancing off, then looking at Kevin.)

KEVIN: Getting contact lenses?

(Winnie looks off.)

After all, the guy was my best buddy.

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin looking off and smiling.)

There was nothin' he didn't tell me.

WINNIE: Kevin...

(Kevin turns toward Winnie expectantly.)

(Close shot of Winnie looking at Kevin off-screen as thunder rumbles in the distance.)

WINNIE: He's going away to school next year. (Frowns.) Prep school.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen as lightning goes off, illuminating his face.)

KEVIN: What? (Frowns.)

Cut to
Ext. Day - The Busses

(Shot down the stairwell as Paul enters the bus. Kevin frowns behind him.)

KEVIN: Paul, tell me this isn't true.

(The camera pulls back down the aisle as they pass a kid taking his seat.)

PAUL: Look, Kev - I wanted to tell ya, but -

KEVIN: I don't believe this! Prep school? (Gestures.) Paul, nobody goes to prep school!

Nobody who was my best friend, anyway.

(Paul looks over his shoulder then passes the camera as Kevin hesitates slightly and frowns, then passes the camera.)

(Shot of Paul sitting next to a boy in the rear seat as Kevin passes the camera.)

KEVIN: Paul!

(Kevin sits in the seat in front of Paul, facing backward.)

PAUL: Let's not make a bigger deal out of this than it is. (Frowns.)

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)

KEVIN: Oh, yeah...what was this - your parent's idea?

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking down slightly.)

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)

KEVIN: This was your idea?! (Frowns.)

PAUL (V/O): Kev...

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)

PAUL: It's just a country day-school...(shrugs)...I'll be back in the afternoons!

KEVIN: "Country day-school"?

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: What are ya gonna wear?

(He glances off and frowns heavily, then looks at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: Little frilly dresses and parasols? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Paul frowning slightly at Kevin off-screen.)

OK - that was mean. I admit it.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)

I meant it to be mean - I loved this guy.

(Kevin glances off, then looks at Paul off-screen.)

KEVIN: Look...it's you and me we're talkin' about. Doesn't that mean anything to you?

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: Kev...(Shrugs.) It's not then end of the world. (Frowns.)

Cut to

Science Classroom

(Shot of Mr. Cantwell at a table. Beakers are burbling.)

MR. CANTWELL Armageddon...the final frontier...

(High shot of the class.)

MR. CANTWELL (V/O): The splitting of atoms...the tearing apart of nature's closest bond.

(Shot of Mr. Cantwell at the table as he nods slightly.)

MR. CANTWELL: Let's take a look.

(He looks toward the beakers.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul sitting next to each other at a table. The camera moves in slowly as both look forward.)

OK, I was mad. I felt lost.

(Kevin looks at Paul.)

My best friend had betrayed me.

(Kevin looks forward again.)

So, of course, there was really only one thing to say.

KEVIN: So...got your...

(They look at each other.)

KEVIN: Polo outfit all picked out?

(Kevin glances forward.)

PAUL: What? (Frowns.)

(Kevin looks at Paul.)

KEVIN: Maybe you should start smoking a pipe.

(Shot past Kevin of Paul frowning at him.)

KEVIN: That'd be pretty stupid.

(A kid "shh's" Kevin.)

(Paul looks forward.)

Yep. Thought I'd be real adult about this.

(Paul looks at his notes.)

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking forward.)

KEVIN: And you'll need some new underwear.

(Paul slowly looks at Kevin.)

KEVIN: I hear all those guys wear pink.

(Kevin looks at Paul.)

MR. CANTWELL (V/O): Please...

(They both look forward.)

(Shot of Mr. Cantwell at the table, looking at them off-screen.)

MR. CANTWELL: I need your complete attention.

(Shot of Kevin and Paul. Kevin looks forward as Paul sighs and looks down.)

But I didn't care - I was on a roll.

KEVIN: One word of advice, prep-man...

(Kevin looks at Paul.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)

PAUL: Kevin...I don't have to take this.

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him as Paul looks forward.)

KEVIN: Whatever you do...

(Kevin looks over his shoulder slightly.)

KEVIN: Never...(Frowns.)

(Kevin looks at Paul.)

KEVIN: Ever...

(Paul looks at Kevin.)

KEVIN: Let 'em see you eat spaghetti.

(High shot of the class as students giggle.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking toward the class, then looking forward.)

PAUL: OK...

(Paul closes his book and looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: I've had enough!

(He stands up.)

(Shot past Paul of Kevin as he stands up.)

KEVIN: Oh, yeah? What are ya gonna do about it?

(Shot of Mr. Cantwell at the table. He looks at Kevin and Paul off-screen as he pours one beaker into another.)

MR. CANTWELL: Gentlemen, please - control yourselves. (Frowns.)

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)

But suddenly, I knew what I had to do.

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)

The lasting thing.

(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)

The caring thing.

(Kevin draws his arm back and swings toward Paul.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul as Kevin hits him.)

PAUL: Ugh!

(High wide shot of the class as Paul falls backward onto his chair.)

(Shot of Mr. Cantwell pouring one beaker into the other and looking at Kevin and Paul off-screen, then looking at the beakers in shock as one starts to foam and overflow. He sets them down.)

MR. CANTWELL: Oh...golly!

(He crouches behind the table, raising his arms over his head.)

And with that...

Cut to

The Hallway

(Shot of the empty hallway as an explosion is heard, and smoke pours from the doors into the hallway. Sound of a fire alarm, and students enter the hallway from the smoking doorway.)

Ninth-grade ended...with a bang.

Fade to

Ext. Day - Arnold Driveway

(Wide shot up the driveway of Kevin wearing a dark suit, facing the basketball hoop, shooting and making a basket.)

Graduation day.

(The ball bounces back to him. He dribbles a few times.)

I thought I'd get in a little practice on my jump-shot.

(Shot past the basket of Kevin as he shoots again. The ball goes through the net and bounces toward Kevin. He picks it up.)

I didn't feel...

(Close shot of Kevin as he looks toward the basket off-screen and frowns.)

Like graduating.

(Kevin looks at the ball.)

I felt more like...shooting hoops.

(Kevin looks up and shoots.)

(Shot from behind Kevin as the ball goes through the net and returns to him.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward the basket off-screen.)

At least with a basketball hoop...

(He shoots.)

You knew where ya stood. It didn't move around...

(He picks up the ball as it returns to him.)

Or go to prep-school.

(Kevin looks at the basket as he adjusts the grip on the ball.)

Nope, a hoop...

(Close shot of the basket.)

Stayed put.

(The ball hits the rim and bounces away.)

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly at the basket off-screen.)

(Close shot of the basket as it creaks, and starts to fall apart.)

(Wide shot up the driveway as the rim falls to the ground with a loud noise and rocks back-and-forth. Kevin looks at the ball as it bounces next to him.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - The Arnold Front Door

(Close shot of the windows in the door as the doorbell is heard. Kevin slides the curtain aside and looks out, then opens the door and takes a step outside.)

KEVIN: Paul?

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)

PAUL: Happy graduation. (Nods.)

(Close shot of Kevin smiling slightly at Paul off-screen.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)

PAUL: It's an underwater watch.

(Paul flips a small package into the air.)

PAUL: Hope you drown...

(Shot past Paul of Kevin as he catches the package.)

PAUL: With it.

(Paul exits past the camera.)

(Shot past Kevin of Paul walking down the walkway, then cutting through the shrubs.)

(Wider shot up the walkway of Kevin looking after Paul off-screen.)

(Music "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" - Randy Newman starts.)

(Kevin glances at the package.)

Fade to

The Street

(Long shot of Kevin walking up a sidewalk toward the camera, frowning slightly.)

"Broken windows"

I went for a walk. Travelled streets I'd once known.

"And empty hallways"

Long ago, when life was...

(Kevin glances off.)

"A pale dead moon"

Simple.

"In the sky streaked with gray"

(Kevin looks off the other direction with mild interest, then slows up.)

"Human kindness"

(Shot through a chain-link fence of Kevin looking past it, then walking along it.)

"Is overflowing"

(The camera moves around and come closer as he pause in front of the fence and puts his hand on it.)

"And I think it's going"

When life was...

(Shot from Kevin's perspective through the fence of two young boys and a young girl climbing on a jungle-gym in the distance.)

New.

"To rain today"

(Close shot through the fence of Kevin looking at them off-screen.)

(Shot past Kevin of the kids as they climb. The camera moves in on the kids slowly past Kevin. The shot fades to home movies of young Kevin, Paul and Winnie climbing on the jungle-gym.)

"Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles"

(Closer shot of young Paul climbing the bars.)

"With frozen smiles"

(He smiles at he camera, then rolls around a bar.)

(Another clip of the three of them as the run across the playground.)

"To chase love away"

(Clip of Paul and Kevin on the slide.)

"Human kindness"

(Clip of young Winnie sliding down, then running around toward the ladder.)

(Clip of young Kevin and young Paul sliding down together.)

"Is overflowing"

(Clips of all three running away from the camera toward the jungle-gym, then climbing on it.)

"And I think it's going to rain today"

(Fade to a shot of Kevin in profile, looking at the kids off-screen. The camera moves in slowly.)

I guess that's when I knew...

"And I think""

The old days were gone.

(Kevin looks down slightly.)

Things had changed. And they were never gonna be the same again.

"It's going to rain today"

(Shot from Kevin's perspective through the fence of the kids on the jungle-gym.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking down as the music ends.)

(Sound of a Volkwagen idling, and a car horn.)

MRS. HEIMER (V/O): Kevin?

(Kevin looks over his shoulder. The camera pans quickly to Mrs. Heimer as she looks at Kevin off-screen through the passenger window.)

MRS. HEIMER: Kevin?

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: Miss - Mrs. Heimer.

(Wider shot of Mrs. Heimer in her VW parked at he curb.)

Maybe it was coincidence.

(Shot of Kevin looking at her off-screen, then glancing off.)

Maybe it was fate.

(He looks at her off-screen again.)

In any event...

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at him off-screen.)

MRS. HEIMER: You seem troubled. (Smiles.) Can I give you a lift?

(She tilts her head.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - Hilltop Road

(High shot of the VW on a twisting mountain road.)

I took the ride.

(The car pulls to the side of the road and slows.)

(Shot from in front of the car as it stops.)

MRS. HEIMER: It's pretty here, isn't it?

(Shot past Mrs. Heimer of Kevin looking down. He looks up, and frowns and nods.)

MRS. HEIMER: I often come here to think.

(Kevin looks at Mrs. Heimer.)

The funny thing is, there was I time when I would have given my right foot to be...

(Shot past Kevin of Mrs. Heimer looking at him.)

With this woman who used to teach me English.

(Shot past Mrs. Heimer of Kevin looking at her.)

But that was once-upon-a-time.

(Kevin looks down.)

In seventh-grade.

MRS. HEIMER: So, how are things?

KEVIN: OK.

(He looks at her.)

(Shot past Kevin of Mrs. Heimer looking at him.)

MRS. HEIMER: I see. (Nods.)

(Shot past Mrs. Heimer of Kevin looking down.)

KEVIN: I graduate tonight, you know.

(He looks at her.)

MRS. HEIMER: I know. (Nods.)

KEVIN: But...(Frowns.)

(He looks down.)

KEVIN: That's pretty much it.

(Shot past Kevin looking down, of Mrs. Heimer looking off and nodding slightly, then looking at Kevin.)

MRS. HEIMER: Is there anything else?

(He looks at her.)

(Shot past Mrs. Heimer of Kevin looking at her. Snuffy's guitar plays as the camera moves in slowly.)

Course, I wanted to tell her...more than anything I wanted to tell her about Paul, and Winnie...

(Kevin looks forward.)

About my family. About how my years with them meant more to me than life. About how - no matter how long I lived...I would always...

(He glances at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

Always treasure these precious days.

(He looks down again.)

KEVIN: Nah...

(He smiles tightly and shakes his head.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at him off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking down.)

KEVIN: It's just...

(Kevin looks at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: I don't think I'm ready for all this.

(He shakes his head.)

KEVIN: You know? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer smiling slightly at him off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at her off-screen, then frowning slightly and looking down. Music ends.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer frowning slightly and looking off, slightly surprised.)

But I guess change can't be stopped. No matter how you might wish otherwise. Anyway...

(Mrs. Heimer swallows.)

That's when it happened.

(She turns toward Kevin off-screen.)

MRS. HEIMER: Kevin?

(Close shot of Kevin turning toward Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at Kevin off-screen, then looking off.)

MRS. HEIMER: I think we'd better go.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: Go where? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MRS. HEIMER: To the hospital.

(The camera pans down to her stomach as "Brahm's Lullaby" plays.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: Oh, my gosh!

(He looks toward her stomach.)

(Shot past Kevin of Mrs. Heimer looking down uncertainly, then at Kevin.)

MRS. HEIMER: You'll have to drive.

KEVIN: Me?!

(She nods.)

(Shot past Mrs. Heimer of Kevin looking at her.)

KEVIN: But, I don't know how to drive! (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at Kevin off-screen, then sighing and looking off.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer's stomach off-screen.)

KEVIN: Oh, my gosh! (Frowns.)

(Shot past Kevin of Mrs. Heimer looking down. Kevin looks over his shoulder toward the rear window. Music ends.)

KEVIN: Help!

(Kevin turns toward his window. The camera moves in on his open mouth.)

KEVIN: Hellllllppppp!

(Very high shot of the car at the edge of the road, with many blocks of residential area in the background. Kevin's yell echoes.)

(Shot from in front of the car as Kevin opens his door. Music "Pomp and Circumstance No.1" plays. He closes the door and runs around the front of the car. Mrs. Heimer opens her door.)

KEVIN: Help!

(Kevin helps her get out.)

(Shot through the windshield and rear window of Mrs. Heimer and Kevin going around the back of the car.)

KEVIN (V/O): Help!

(Shot of Kevin opening the door, and Mrs. Heimer backing into the seat.)

(Shot from inside of Mrs. Heimer sitting back, as Kevin closes the door.)

(Shot from in front of the car as Kevin runs around the front of the car, slipping and nearly falling down, then opening the door.)

(Shot of Kevin getting in and closing the door. He looks at Mrs. Heimer off-screen and pauses, then looks at her stomach off-screen.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Mrs. Heimer's hands on her stomach as she rubs it.)

MRS. HEIMER (V/O): Oh...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Mrs. Heimer off-screen.)

KEVIN: Oh, my gosh!

(The camera pans over slightly as he reaches for the key, then moves the gear-shift lever around.)

(Shot through the windshield as the car lurches backward.)

(Very high shot of the car backing up onto the road, then weaving forward as the car backfires. The music plays throughout the next several scenes.)

Cut to

Int. Afternoon - Auditorium

(Close shot of Mr. Diperna at the podium.)

MR. DIPERNA: Members of the class of 1971...

Cut to

The Road

(Shot of the top of the car as it crests a small hill.)

KEVIN (V/O): Oh, my gosh! Oh, oh, my gosh!

(Shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at Kevin off-screen.)

MRS. HEIMER: Oh...

(Shot of Kevin glancing at Mrs. Heimer off-screen. He jerks the steering wheel, and the sound of squealing tires can be heard.)

Cut to

Int. Afternoon - Auditorium

(Close shot of Mr. Diperna at the podium.)

MR. DIPERNA: Tonight, we meet to celebrate...a very significant occasion.

Cut to

The Road

(Shot of the car as it goes over the crest of a small hill, away from the camera. The car license is NXS 307 - a California plate.)

KEVIN (V/O): Oh, my gosh!

(The camera pans down the the asphalt as the car disappears over the hill. Sound of the car horn.)

Cut to

Int. Afternoon - Auditorium

(Close shot of Mr. Diperna at the podium.)

MR. DIPERNA: A time to face new challenges.

Cut to

Ext. Day - Hospital Parking Lot

(High shot of a hospital parking lot containing three cars and two ambulances, as Kevin pulls up and jerks to a stop behind them. He gets out of the car.)

KEVIN: Be right back.

(He runs toward the doors with a sign reading "admittance" over them.)

KEVIN: Help!

Cut to

Int. Afternoon - Auditorium

(Wide shot of Mr. Diperna at the podium. About a dozen faculty sit on the stage behind him. A conductor and the musicians are in front of the stage.)

MR. DIPERNA: A time...for looking forward. A time...for looking back.

Cut to

Int. Day - Hospital Waiting Room

(Shot of Kevin sitting on a couch with his jacket off, and fidgeting. The camera pulls back slowly, revealing two men smoking cigarettes next to him.)

That June day of 1971, I faced a truth.

(A man exhales smoke in Kevin's direction. He grimaces and fans the smoke with his hand.)

About myself. About my times.

(He fiddles with the end of his tie nervously and looks down.)

The world I knew had changed. And now...

(The three of them look past the camera. Kevin perks up.)

(Shot of a nurse approaching through a doorway, carrying an aluminum clipboard against herself. She pauses and gestures with her finger.)

(Shot past the nurse of the guys on the couch as they look at each other. Kevin smiles and stands up.)

There was no turning back.

Cut to

Mrs. Heimer's Hospital Room

(Shot of Mrs. Heimer holding a baby in a blanket. The nurse bends forward and takes the baby from her.)

(Shot of Kevin wearing a gray hospital smock as the nurse hands the baby to him. He looks uncertainly at Mrs. Heimer off-screen, then holds the baby.)

(Shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at Kevin off-screen.)

(Shot of Kevin holding the baby and smiling at Mrs. Heimer off-screen. The nurse smiles in the background. The camera moves in slowly.)

Suffice it to say, that that afternoon...

(Kevin looks at the baby as the music swells.)

I embraced the future. I became a dad - well, kinda.

(Kevin looks at Mrs. Heimer off-screen and smiles.)

(Shot of Mrs. Heimer looking at Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the baby.)

And that night...

(Kevin looks at Mrs. Heimer off-screen and smiles. The music crescendos.)

MR. DIPERNA (V/O): Ladies and gentlemen...the class of 1971!

(Music ends.)

Cut to

"Later"

(Wide shot past the audience of Mr. Diperna at the podium as a girl walk across the stage to him. Snuffy's guitar plays throughout.)

I graduated from junior high school.

(The girl accepts her diploma and walks across the stage.)

(Close shot of Mr. Diperna in profile, speaking in to the microphone.)

MR. DIPERNA: Kevin Arnold...

(Mr. Diperna turns away from the camera. The focus changes to Kevin in the background as he smiles and approaches. He takes a few steps and looks toward the audience off-screen, which is applauding.)

(Shot of Norma, Jack and Wayne in the audience.)

WAYNE: Yeah - whoo!

(Wayne raises his fist.)

WAYNE: Butthead!

(Jack nudges him.)

(Wide shot past the audience of as Kevin approaches Mr. Diperna at the podium.)

(Shot past Mr. Diperna of Kevin as they shake hands.)

MR. DIPERNA: Well done, Kevin.

(Kevin looks toward the audience off-screen, then nods at Mr. Diperna. The camera rolls back as Kevin passes Mr. Diperna and approaches.)

Not that I did it alone.

(Kevin passes the camera as Mr. Diperna leans toward the microphone.)

MR. DIPERNA: Clarence Barbella...

(Barbella approaches Mr. Diperna, wearing a light blue suit with wide lapels.)

(Wide shot past the musicians of Barbella approaching Mr. Diperna at the podium. The faculty stands as they applaud.)

(Shot of Mr. Diperna and Barbella as they shake hands. Tony turns toward the audience off-screen and holds his diploma up.)

(Wide shot past the musicians as Barbella walks across the stage.)

Fade to

"Later"

(Shot of Mr. Diperna at the podium.)

MR. DIPERNA: Randall Mitchell...

(Wide shot past the musicians as Randy walks across the stage.)

I did it among people who had filled my life.

(Shot of Mr. Diperna and Randy as they shake hands.)

MR. DIPERNA: Well done.

(Randy takes his diploma, mouthes "Thanks", and exits.)

Fade to

"Later"

(Shot of Mr. Diperna in the same position, facing away from the camera.)

MR. DIPERNA: Douglas Porter...

(Doug approaches and they shake hands.)

MR. DIPERNA: Congratulations, Douglas.

(Doug takes his diploma, mouthes "Thank you", and exits.)

Fade to

"Later"

(Shot of Mr. Diperna in the same position, facing away from the camera.)

MR. DIPERNA: Rebecca Slater...

(Becky approaches and they shake hands.)

MR. DIPERNA: Congratulations.

(Slates takes her diploma, mouthes "Thank you", and exits.)

And in their own way...

(Wide shot past the musicians as Becky walks across the stage.)

Had made it richer.

(Music ends.)

Fade to

"Later"

(Wide shot of the audience as they applaud.)

Fade to

"Later"

(Close shot of Paul at the podium, looking at the silent audience off-screen.)

PAUL: The future rushes at us, and we in turn stand ready, armed with our hopes...

(Wide shot from the back of the auditorium.)

PAUL: Our dreams, and our memories.

(Close shot of Kevin looking down.)

I did it among people I loved.

(Kevin looks toward Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul at the podium, looking at the audience off-screen.)

PAUL: Therefore, as we stand here...

(Shot of Norma, Jack and Wayne looking at Paul off-screen.)

PAUL (V/O): At the end of one journey...

(Shot of Ida and Debbie looking at Paul off-screen. The light reflects in their glasses.)

PAUL (V/O): At the beginning of another...

(Shot of Randy and Doug looking at Paul off-screen.)

PAUL (V/O): Let us make a bond.

(Shot of Becky looking at Paul off-screen.)

(Shot of Kevin looking down as the camera moves in very slowly. Snuffy's guitar plays throughout.)

PAUL (V/O): To never forget our times...

(Kevin looks toward Paul off-screen.)

PAUL (V/O): At RFK junior high.

(Close shot of Paul looking around the audience off-screen.)

PAUL: And to never forget...

(Paul looks at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: The friends that we made here.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen as the camera moves in very slowly. Kevin smiles slightly.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen and smiling slightly.)

(Close shot of Kevin smiling slightly at Paul off-screen. The audience starts to applaud, as does Kevin.)

(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen and smiling.)

(Shot past Paul of the audience applauding enthusiastically.)

(Shot of Mr. Cantwell and Mr. Cutlip. Mr. Cantwell wears a neck brace, a cast on one arm, and a bandage on his cheek. Mr. Cutlip applauds.)

(Shot of Ida and Debbie applauding as the audience behind them stands up, then they do.)

(Shot of Norma, Jack and Wayne standing up, with others, and applauding.)

(Shot of Kevin standing up and applauding.)

(Shot from the back of the auditorium as the faculty on stage rises and applauds.)

Fade to
Ext. day - The Sidewalk

(Long shot of Kevin and Paul on the sidewalk. Kevin fades back to throw a football to Paul.)

(Shot of Paul as he catches the pass, then throws it back.)

(Long shot of Paul and Kevin as Kevin catches the ball.)

I couldn't really say what I did that summer.

(Kevin pauses and looks past Paul, then gestures slightly.)

It passed in kind of a blur.

(Kevin walks forward slightly as Paul looks over his shoulder.)

(Shot of Winnie approaches in the distance, and waving.)

WINNIE: Hi! (Smiles.)

(She kicks her leg out - minus the cast, gestures toward it, and giggles.)

What I remember...

(Close shot of Kevin and Paul as Kevin tosses the football to Paul and they take a few steps toward Winnie, smiling.)

Are green lawns and sprinklers...

(Shot of Winnie approaching and skipping a little faster.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul as Winnie approaches past the camera. Kevin and Paul look at each other and smile.)

And the smell of backyard grills.

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and Winnie smiling, as Wayne opens the front door in the background.)

And the nearness of friends.

(Wayne steps onto the porch.)

WAYNE: Hey. Butthead. (Gestures.) Dinner's ready.

(Kevin, Paul and Winnie look at Wayne.)

KEVIN: In a minute.

(Wayne turn and pauses, then frowns at Kevin and goes inside.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Winnie off-screen.)

There was time.

(Close shot of Paul smiling at Winnie off-screen, then Kevin off-screen.)

Ahead lay new places - other days.

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie smiling at him.)

But for now...

(Shot past Winnie of Kevin and Paul. Snuffy's guitar fades.)

PAUL: So. Next year we get our driver's licenses, huh?

(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at Kevin, then smirking slightly and looking off.)

(Close shot of Kevin smiling at Paul off-screen. "With A little Help From My Friends" starts.)

KEVIN: Yeah. (Nods.)

(Wide shot from across the street as they face each other on the sidewalk.)

I never wanted it to end.

(The camera rises slowly as they continue to talk and gesture.)

Fade to
CLOSING CREDITS

Supporting Cast
Mrs. Heimer - Wendel Meldrum
Mr. Diperna - Raye Birk

Music
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" - The Byrds
"Brahm's Lullaby"
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" - Julia Ward Howe
"I Think It's Going To Rain Today" - Randy Newman
A classical Instrumental
"Pomp and Circumstance No. 1" - Sir Edward William Elgar



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02/27/05 16:20