Episode 39 - "Glee Club"





OPENING SEQUENCE
(Shot of double doors opening as the camera moves though them slowly into the hazy, empty hallway.)

The halls of RFK junior high often echoed with the sounds of music.

Fade to

Lockers

(Shot of some lockers as the camera pans across to a sign, which reads - "Autumn Song Festival, RFK Junior High School presents The Kennedy Chorale, Singing School Songs, Lunch hour in the gym".)

The Kennedy Chorale.

Fade to

Lockers

(Another shot of lockers as the camera pans across to another sign, which reads - "Holiday Season Sounds, Performing: Kennedy Madrigals, A friendly get together, ****festive season!".)

The Kennedy Madrigals.

Fade to

Hallway

(Shot of a closed door. The camera pans over to another sign reading - "Wildcats on Broadway, With the Now-Tones, RFK auditorium at 7:30, **** tickets at ****.) And of course, the Kennedy Now-Tones. They were all part of a long-standing family of song.

(Shot of the door of the boys' restroom as a man in a jacket walks by, looking at a book. The camera pans with him.)

But, as with every family, there was a skeleton in the closet.

(The camera stops on a closed classroom door. On one side is a sign about basketball tryouts, on the other is a sign which says "Glee Club".)

(The camera moves in slightly as the door opens, showing Mr. Frace playing scales on the piano as a group of kids sings along off-screen. A boy passes the camera, which follows him in. He sets his hall pass on the piano, then walks toward the group of boys. The camera pans over with him.)

The boys' eigth-grade glee club.

(The boy stands next to Kevin.)

The singing group from hell.

(Shot of Mr. Frace frowning and glancing off.)

MR. FRACE: Oh, boy...

(Shot of the boys singing.)

Twice a week, we transformed Mr. Frace's choir-room into kind of a chamber of musical horrors.

(Close shot of Mr. Frace frowning slightly at them off-screen.)

MR. FRACE: Oh, my gosh.

(Close shot of Randy singing.)

Randy Mitchell - baritone.

(The camera pans over to Doug.)

Doug Porter - monotone.

(The camera pans over to Paul.)

Paul Pfeiffer - no tone at all.

(The camera pans over to Kevin.)

And of course...me.

(Kevin glances toward Paul off-screen and frowns slightly.)

(Close shot of Paul singing.)

Not that we didn't have heart. It's just that the thirteen-year-old-male voice isn't exactly...

(Close shot of Kevin looking forward.)

Designed for...well...

(Kevin glances at Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul singing.)

For singing.

(Shot of Mr. Frace at the piano as he frowns and sighs, then shakes his finger toward the kids off-screen and stands up.)

MR. FRACE: Hold that note.

(Shot of the kids as they hold the note.)

(Shot through the venetian blinds as Mr. Frace shakes his finger at the kids.)

MR. FRACE: Hold that note.

(Mr. Frace approaches the window.)

We weren't the stuff tabernacle choirs are made of.

(Mr. Frace peers out the window.)

So, out of a mutual respect for the arts...

(Shot through venetian blinds of a woman math teacher frowning toward the singing class.)

And humanity...

(Shot of Mr. Frace peering out the window, with the kids in the background.)

We'd reached an agreement.

(Mr. Frace reaches for the cord of the blinds.)

(Shot from behind Mr. Frace as he snaps the blinds closed.)

We wouldn't push Mr. Frace...if he wouldn't push us.

(Mr. Frace turns toward the class and gestures with both hands.)

MR. FRACE: Awright, awright - that's enough!

(Shot of the kids as they quit singing.)

(Close shot of Mr. Frace looking at them off-screen.)

MR. FRACE: Just, uh...(gestures)...get out your books and study. (Nods.)

(Shot of the boys sitting down on the risers.)

All in all...

(Shot of Mr. Frace sitting at his desk.)

(Wide shot of the guys seated on the risers.)

A pretty equitable arrangement.

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and Randy. Kevin and Paul look at each other as Kevin opens a songbook.)

PAUL: It isn't fair. Every other group gets to sing some songs and stuff - why can't we? (Frowns.)

KEVIN: Well, maybe because we...(big smile)...stink!

(Kevin and Randy look at each other.)

PAUL: Then why are we here?

(Close shot of Randy leaning forward slightly.)

RANDY: Because we have to be here.

(Randy looks over his shoulder.)

RANDY: Right, Warren?

(Shot past three kids of Warren standing up, holding his books.)

Warren Gander.

(Warren looks toward Randy off-screen as the boys look at him.)

No one had ever heard him sing a note, much less say a word.

(Close shot of Paul turning toward Kevin and Randy off-screen.)

PAUL: So, what you're saying is that we're losers. Is that it? (Frowns.)

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

But if Paul was looking to...

(Close shot of Randy nodding.)

Unite us in chorus...

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and Randy. Kevin sticks his tongue out toward Paul who is looking down, and most the boys make a loud fart sound.)

(Close shot of Mr. Frace looking up to the boys off-screen.)

(Wider shot of the boys as they smile at each other.)

He had just heard our best effort.

(Paul frowns, then looks at his book. Some Snuffy guitar plays.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking forward.)

Face it...

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

We knew where we stood. At the bottom of the heap.

(Kevin looks the other direction.)

And we were smart enough not to seek the limelight.

Fade to

Another Day - Glee Club

(Shot of Kevin, Randy and Paul talking as they walk across the room. The bell rings. The camera pans with them.)

Until, that is...

(Close shot of the closed venetian blinds being raised.)

(Shot of Kevin, Paul, Randy and others looking toward the window off-screen and squinting in the bright light.)

The limelight was thrust upon us.

(Shot of Miss Haycock standing at the window, with her hands joined in front of her.)

MISS HAYCOCK: There. That's better, isn't it? (Smiles.)

(She steps quickly to the piano. The camera pans with her.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at each other.)

KEVIN: Who's she? (Frowns.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock as she smoothes her skirt and sits down at the piano. She plays a chord, and smiles at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): My name is Miss Haycock...

(Close shot of two boys looking at her off-screen. One looks surprised.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): And if there's anything I want to impress upon you, it's...

(Shot of Miss Haycock as she plays another chord, then looking toward the class off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): Use your diaphragms...(gestures)...always use...

(Shot of Kevin and Paul, and others. Kevin frowns slightly and looks off. Paul looks blankly toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing, V/O): Your diaphragms...

(Joey leans past Paul toward Kevin, while looking at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

JOEY: What she say?

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen as she plays another chord.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): Do you hear how that sounds...(gestures)...full and supported...

(She looks toward the piano and plays another chord, then looks at the kids off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): If you're doing it right...

(She glances down, then at the kids and gestures.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): You'll feel it down here...

(Close shot of Doug looking at his stomach as he chews some gum.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing, V/O): I'm thrilled to be taking over...

(Doug looks at Miss Haycock off-screen as he swallows his gum.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing, V/O): The eigth-grade boys' glee club...

(Shot of four boys frowning slightly and glancing around. The camera pans over to some other boys, including Warren.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing, V/O): And when we sing, we'll always sing like this...

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and Randy. Kevin looks toward Randy and shrugs slightly, as Paul is smiling broadly at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing, V/O): Because we're always going to remember...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: To use our -

(She looks at the piano as she plays a little riff, then cups a hand next to her ear and smiles expectantly at the boys off-screen.)

(Wide shot of the guys as they look forward blankly.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling at the boys off-screen, with her hand next to her ear.)

(Shot of the guys looking forward.)

CLASS: Diaphragms.

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling at the boys off-screen as she lowers her hand.)

She was fresh out of teaching-school.

(She takes a deep breath.)

She was full of ideas.

(She exhales and smiles at the boys off-screen.)

And, oh yes...the woman was a total lunatic.

Cut to

Locker Room

(Shot of Paul leaning back against a locker.)

PAUL: Well, I think she's great.

(Shot of Kevin and Doug sitting on the bench facing opposite directions. Paul stands between them cleaning his glasses, and Joey stands in the background. Kevin has his foot up, tying his shoelace.)

KEVIN: Paul? Get a grip. (Frowns.)

PAUL: Why? Just because she sang...(shrugs)...a little?

(A boy walks behind Kevin.)

KEVIN: A little? (Frowns.)

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

KEVIN: I just hope she doesn't think we're gonna sing like that.

(Kevin looks toward Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul looking forward.)

PAUL: Well, maybe not at first.

(Paul looks at Kevin off-screen.)

PAUL: But once we master this diaphragm thing...

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

Diaphragms or no diaphragms...

(Kevin frowns and looks at his shoe.)

(Wide shot of all.)

Miss Haycock's arrival had sent a shudder of fear through all of us.

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

DOUG: I don't want to sing.

(Doug looks at Kevin off-screen.)

DOUG: That's why I took glee club in the first place.

(Wide shot of all as Randy approaches in the background carrying a basketball. Joey looks over his shoulder.)

JOEY: Yeah, why do we have to have a student-teacher, anyway.

RANDY: Relax, guys. There's nothin' to worry about. This won't last long.

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

KEVIN: What do you mean? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Randy looking off, slightly exasperated.)

RANDY: I mean...

(He looks at Kevin off-screen.)

RANDY: This is her first job - she has to look like she's trying...

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

Mitchell did have a point. In theory.

(Close shot of Paul holding up his glasses as he inspects them.)

KEVIN (V/O): Maybe he's right.

(Paul flips the strap over his head and looks at Kevin off-screen.)

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

KEVIN: Maybe she'll...get over it. (Smiles.)

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

RANDY: Trust me - in a couple of days...(Nods.)

(Randy looks at Paul off-screen.)

RANDY: She'll be acting just like Frace. (Smiles.)

Cut to

Glee Club

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Put away your songbooks, we won't need them after all.

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and Randy as Kevin glances over his shoulder at Randy. Paul sighs and frowns as he looks down.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): We'll need the entire hour for voice auditions.

(Paul smiles broadly as Kevin looks at Randy.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock seated at the piano as she puts her hands together and looks at the guys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Who wants to be first?

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly, and looking toward Paul off-screen.)

First?

(Shot past Doug as the boys frown.)

Was she joking?

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at them off-screen expectantly.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Anyone?

(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking around.)

Only a complete doofus would want to be f-

(Paul raises his hand.)

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

(Shot of Kevin and Paul as Kevin looks at him.)

OK, then.

(Paul sets his books down, approaches Miss Haycock, and stands next to the piano. The camera moves in slightly on Kevin as he watches.)

It was time to show Miss Haycock exactly who she was up against. In other words...

(Close shot of Paul as piano chords are heard.)

It was time to sing.

PAUL (Singing): My country 'tis of thee...

(Close shot of of Joey.)

JOEY (Singing): Sweet land of liberty...

(Close shot of Doug.)

DOUG (Singing): Of thee I sing...

(Close shot of a boy.)

BOY (Singing): Land where our fathers died...

(Close shot of Warren looking forward blankly. Miss Haycock prompts him with several notes. He remains silent and twitches his nose.)

(Close shot of Kevin.)

KEVIN (Singing): From every mountainside...(gestures)...let freedom ring.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking slightly stunned.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock and Kevin looking at each other, with the guys in the background.)

There. We'd laid it out for her. Clear as a bell. The folly of it all.

(Kevin looks toward the guys, then approaches them.)

(Closer shot of Kevin as he walks toward the guys.)

The hopelessness. The complete -

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Yes!

(Kevin pauses and looks over his shoulder.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Yes!

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: That's the kind of passion we all need.

(Shot of Kevin looking at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

KEVIN: Huh? (Frowns.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I found that very moving.

(Shot of Kevin looking at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Thank you, Kevin!

(Kevin smiles quickly and shrugs.)

Sure, any time...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling at him off-screen.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul as Randy leans over and claps his hand on Kevin's shoulder as some kids giggle.)

RANDY: Atta way, Caruso.

(Randy move back as Kevin looks at him off-screen, then at Paul.)

Any time at all.

Cut to

Int. Day - The Bus

(Close shot of Winnie and Kevin's joined hands.)

WINNIE (V/O): She made you sing? All of you?

(The camera pulls back and pans up to Kevin and Winnie, and Paul sitting behind them with an elbow over their seat.)

WINNIE: That I'd like to see. (Smiles.)

PAUL: She said Kevin had passion.

(Close shot of Kevin looking forward.)

WINNIE (V/O): Really?

(Shot of Winnie smiling and laughing at Kevin off-screen.)

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

KEVIN: She made a total fool out of me - so can we just forget it? (Nods.)

(Shot of Winnie lookng at Kevin off-screen.)

WINNIE: Well, I think she sounds very sweet. (Smiles.)

(Shot of all three as Paul looks at Kevin.)

PAUL: So do I.

(Winnie smiles and puts her hand on Paul's shoulder. Paul looks at her and smiles.)

Right gesture...wrong shoulder.

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

KEVIN: Winnie, the woman's a fruitcake , OK? (Frowns.)

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

KEVIN (V/O): In fact...

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

KEVIN: Somebody oughta...(shrugs)...lock her up! In fact, somebody oughta -

WINNIE (V/O): Kevin...

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

WINNIE: That's not very nice.

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

Uh-oh.

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

WINNIE: What if it were me up there...standing there, scared out of my wits, teaching my first class?

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

KEVIN: Uh, well...

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

WINNIE: Is that how you'd treat me?

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

OK - this was tricky.

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

Very tricky.

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

WINNIE: Maybe you should think more about things like that, Kevin. (Frowns.)

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

It was pretty clear I was gonna have to find...

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

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

The moral highground, here.

(Winnie looks off.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

And fast.

Cut to


Glee Club

(Very close shot of Miss Haycock's mouth.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): Fwa...fwa...

(The camera pulls back as Miss Haycock gestures.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): Fwa...to sustain the note we simply let the air flow out gently...

(She lifts her finger and gestures.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Now, you try. (Smiles.)

(Wide shot of the guys.)

CLASS (Singing): Fwa...fwa...

Trouble is, our glee club wasn't exactly built for high ground.

CLASS (Singing): Fwa...

We'd been weened on low expectations.

(Shot of Kevin and Paul as Joey leans over.)

JOEY: Why's she doing this to us? (Frowns.)

(Shot of Warren frowning and biting his fingernails.)

Even Warren Gander was showing signs of strain.

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Now, men...

(Shot of Miss Haycock looking at he guys off-screen, holding her hands together.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I have a surprise for you. (Smiles.)

(She turns toward the piano.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at her off-screen.)

Great. What was it gonna be now?

(Shot of Miss Haycock turning forward, holding a stack of songbooks, and smiling at the guys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Today, we're going to begin our first song! (Gestures.) "Stout-hearted Men".

(Wide shot of the guys as they sag and groan.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): I have copies for all of you.

(Kevin sits down.)

Alright - that ripped it.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling as she hands out the songbooks.)

No one, but no one...

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

Had ever threatened us with an actual musical arrangement.

(Wide shot of Miss Haycock and the guys.)

MISS HAYCOCK: And, that's not all...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock holding her hands together, looking at the guys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: We're going to be singing it next month at the Spring Sing concert!

(She smiles excitedly and shrugs.)

(Wide shot of Miss Haycock and the guys as the kids groan.)

KIDS: What?!

MISS HAYCOCK: I know, I know...we don't have much time.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the guys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: But as I told Mr. Frace...my boys are up to it. And he agreed!

(She claps her hands together and smiles excitedly.)

(Shot of Kevin looking off.)

And suddenly it was clear.

(Kevin glances up to the guys.)

(Shot of Doug and others looking forward.)

Our reputation was on the line, here.

(Shot of Warren frowning.)

Our tradition. Our bad name.

(Shot of Kevin glancing off, then looking at Miss Haycock off-screen and raising his hand.)

KEVIN: Miss Haycock?

(Close wide-angle shot of Miss Haycock as she leans forward and nods, looking into the camera.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Yes, Kevin.

(Close shot of Kevin looking up at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

KEVIN: Do you really think this is a good idea?

(Close wide-angle shot of Miss Haycock looking into the camera, then frowning slightly.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Why not?

(Close shot of Kevin looking up at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

KEVIN: Well...I...(frowns)...we...(nods)..just think that...

(Kevin shakes his head and glances off. Some light fantasy music begins. Kevin pauses and looks toward Miss Haycock.)

WINNIE (V/O): Kevin...

(Close wide-angle shot of Winnie looking into the camera. She wears Miss Haycock's outfit.)

WINNIE: What if it were me standing up here?

(Close shot of Kevin looking off, then violently shaking his head. The music ends.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Kevin?

(Kevin looks toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

(Close wide-angle shot of Miss Haycock looking expectantly into the camera.)

MISS HAYCOCK: You think what?

(Close shot of Kevin looking up at Miss Haycock off-screen, then looking off and sighing.)

Awwwwwww!

KEVIN: That...it would be...

(He starts to stand up.)

(Wider shot as he stands up next to Paul, who looks at him.)

KEVIN: Fine.

(Kevin shrugs and looks off as the class groans.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling excitedly and pressing her hands together.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I knew you'd all feel that way!

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and Randy. Paul is beaming at Miss Haycock off-screen, as Randy frowns at Kevin, who is looking off.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Think of it. We're starting on...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the guys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: A new adventure. (Gestures.) Together. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin, Paul, Randy and others, as they all look at Kevin.)

And so in a flash, our fate was sealed.

(A boy slaps the music book against Kevin's stomach. Kevin looks at him.)

The glee club's...

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling as she clasps her hands together.)

Miss Haycock's...

(Close shot of Kevin frowning and looking off.)

And, of course...

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

(Shot of five kids frowning at him off-screen.)

Mine.

(Close shot of Kevin looking off. Twang of Snuffy's guitar. Kevin looks the other direction.)

(Shot of Doug and others frowning at Kevin off-screen.)

(Shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder.)

(Shot of Warren standing with his arms crossed, frowning at Kevin off-screen.)

(Shot of Kevin looking forward.)

Fade to

Glee Club

(Wide shot of the guys fidgeting as Miss Haycock begins playing the piano off-screen.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling at the guys off-screen. She plays with one hand, and gestures with the other.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): Men, men, men...alright basses...

(Closer shot of Randy, Joey, Doug and others singing. One boy covers his mouth and coughs.)

Over the next few weeks, Miss Haycock struggled to bring out our best.

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling at the guys off-screen. She plays with one hand, and gestures with the other.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Singing): Now, tenors...ahhhhhhh!

(Shot of Kevin and Paul and others as they sing.)

TENORS (Singing): Ahhhhhhhhhh!

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

Which, coincidentally, happened to be our worst.

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Splendid!

(Shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Now remember...(gestures)...diaphragms. (Frowns.) Diaphragms! (Smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and others as they sing.)

Meanwhile, I found myself trapped between raw enthusiasm...

(Kevin looks at Paul.)

And outright malice.

Cut to

Int - Locker Room

(Shot of the back of Kevin's jeans as a towel smacks him.)

KEVIN (V/O): Ow!

(Wide shot of Joey sitting in the bench, Paul next to him, and Kevin and Randy standing in the background. Kevin is nearly dressed, and Randy wears gym shorts.)

KEVIN: Hey!

RANDY: Nice goin', Arnold.

(Randy puts the towel around his neck as he walks along the lockers. Kevin looks after him and frowns.)

KEVIN: What's that for?

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

JOEY: That'd be great Miss Haycock. (Frowns.) We'd love to sing in the Spring Sing.

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

KEVIN: Come on, I didn't say that.

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

Well...not exactly.

(Wide shot of all as Doug approaches at the edge of the shot.)

DOUG: We're gonna look like idiots in front of the whole school...(Gestures.)

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

DOUG: Not to mention our parents. What are we gonna do?

(Wide shot of all. Randy is leaning back against the lockers with his arms crossed.)

RANDY: Well, for one thing, we're not gonna mention it to our parents. Deal?

(Randy looks at Kevin. Paul looks around the guys.)

PAUL: There's something else we could do.

(Paul looks at Kevin, then Randy.)

PAUL: We could practice...(Shrugs.)

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

JOEY: Look, you got us into this, Arnold. So you gotta get us out.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at Joey off-screen and sighing.)

KEVIN: How?

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

RANDY: Talk to her.

(Close shot of Kevin glancing at Randy off-screen and shaking his head.)

KEVIN: She's never gonna listen to me. (Frowns.)

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

JOEY: Why not? You're Mr. Passion. You're the only one she will listen to.

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

RANDY: Talk to her.

(Close shot of Kevin glancing at Randy off-screen.)

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

RANDY: Our lives are depending on it.

(Close shot of Kevin glancing at Randy off-screen.)

Easy for them to say.

(Kevin looks at Joey off-screen.)

But how do you talk to someone...

(Kevin looks off.)

Who can't even hear?

Cut to

Glee Club

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling broadly at the guys off-screen as she waves her hand back and forth as she plays the piano.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Excellent. Excellent!

The fact was, even though we sang harmonies...

(Shot past Miss Haycock of the guys as they sing.)

That would make Quasimodo wince...chords not found in nature...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling broadly at the guys off-screen as she waves her hand back and forth as she plays the piano.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Good! Better! (Nods.)

Nothing detered Miss Haycock.

(Shot of Paul, Kevin, and others as they look at their songbooks.)

With a wisdom born of weeks of experience...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock singing along as she waves her hand back and forth.)

She pushed on, blindly - no! deafly...

(Close shot of Joey singing.)

Toward a goal that was...

(Close shot of Paul singing.)

Obviously beyond our grasp.

(Wider shot of Miss Haycock smiling broadly at the guys off-screen and waves her hand back and forth.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I know...

(She stands up.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Let's march in place. Let's try that - come on!

(She starts marching in place and smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul and others.)

We wanted to believe in her...

(Kevin frowns slightly at Paul, as Paul starts to march in place.)

But it was pretty clear, sooner or later, someone was gonna have to burst this bubble.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at his songbook.)

Someone like...

RANDY (V/O): Pssst! Arnold...

(Kevin slowly turns toward Randy off-screen.)

(Close shot of Randy leaning toward the camera slightly and looking at Kevin off-screen.)

RANDY: Huh-hmmm!

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

Me.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock as she waves her hand back and forth.)

(Shot from behind Miss Haycock of the guys as they reach the crescendo.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock gesturing with both arms and smiling, as the guys end the song unevenly.)

(Shot of Paul and Kevin, as Randy leans across Paul toward Kevin.)

RANDY: It's now or never, Arnold.

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder.)

(Shot of Warren looking at Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder.)

Aw, what the heck...was I a stout-hearted man?

(Kevin looks off.)

Or a craven coward.

(Kevin sighs and raises his hand.)

KEVIN: Miss Haycock?

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

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling broadly at Kevin off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Yes, Kevin? (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin glancing off.)

KEVIN: We've been...

(He looks at Miss Haycock off-screen and nods.)

KEVIN: Thinking this whole thing over. And...

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

(Close shot of Randy looking at him off-screen and nodding slightly.)

KEVIN (V/O): See...

(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

KEVIN: We don't really wanna be in the Spring Sing.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking forward blankly.)

(Wider shot of the guys.)

KEVIN: It's just that...(gestures)...we're not any good.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning and glancing off.)

KEVIN: So...

(Kevin looks at Miss Haycock off-screen as he frowns and shakes his head.)

KEVIN: Maybe we shouldn't do it.

There. Difficult, of course, but...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking forward blankly.)

Best for everyone concerned.

MISS HAYCOCK: You...really feel this way? (Nods.) All of you?

(Shot past Miss Haycock of the guys as they nod and say "uh-huh".)

BOY: Yeah...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking forward blankly.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I see. Well...

(She shakes her head slightly.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I had no idea...

And there ya had it.

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

We'd finally gotten through to her.

(Close shot of Randy nodding at Kevin off-screen.)

Miss Haycock was coming to her senses.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking forward blankly and shaking her head slightly.)

She was going to see reason. She was going...

(She frowns heavily and turns away.)

To cry...

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

(Shot of Miss Haycock turned around, as she sobs.)

(Shot past Miss Haycock of the guys.)

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

Needless to say...

(Close shot of Doug looking at her off-screen.)

We handled it...

(Close shot of Randy looking at her off-screen and frowning, shaking his head slightly.)

With a certain maturity.

(Randy looks at Kevin off-screen.)

RANDY: Well, what you do that for, Arnold? (Frowns.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul. Kevin looks toward Randy off-screen.)

KEVIN: Me? (Gestures.) You told me to!

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

JOEY: Way to go, Kev. (Frowns.)

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

PAUL: I can't believe you did that.

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

DOUG: You were supposed to talk to her. (Frowns.) Not make her cry.

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder, then at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock turned around, as she sobs.)

We had no idea what to do next.

(Shot past Miss Haycock of the guys.)

The only thing that could help us now...was a miracle.

(Close shot of Kevin frowning slightly and looking off.)

And then...it happened.

(Sound of a boy singing a note. Kevin pauses, then turns over his shoulder.)

(Close shot of Paul turning over his shoulder.)

(Close shot of Doug looking over his shoulder.)

(Close shot of Joey looking over his shoulder.)

(Close shot of Randy frowning and looking over his shoulder.)

(Close shot of Warren.)

WARREN (Singing): Ahhhhhhh...

(Shot past Miss Haycock of the guys. Some light music plays as she looks off and starts to turn around.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock as she turns, and looks at Warren off-screen.)

It took the tears of a student-teacher to bring a song to...

(Close shot of Warren singing.)

WARREN (Singing): Ahhhhhhh...

The lips of Warren Gander.

(Close shot of Doug looking at Warren off-screen.)

DOUG (Singing): Men, men, men, men, men, men...

(Close shot of Randy frowning slightly at Warren off-screen.)

RANDY (Singing): Men, men, men...

(He looks forward.)

RANDY (Singing): Men, men...

(Close shot of Kevin turning forward.)

And the rest is history.

(Close shot of a kid.)

KID (Singing): Men, men, men...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling as she looks at the guys off-screen.)

(Wide shot of the guys.)

GUYS (Singing): Men, men, men...

(Close shot of Warren.)

WARREN (Singing): Men who will fight for the right they adore...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling and sighing at Warren off-screen, then putting her hands together.)

GUYS (Singing): Start me with men who are stout-hearted men...

(Wide shot of the guys.)

GUYS (Singing): And we'll soon give you ten thousand more...

And so began the great glee club comeback of nineteen-seventy.

Cut to

Another Day in Glee Club

(Close shot of Miss Haycock sitting att he piano, waving her arms, as she mouthes the songs words. Sound of adult men singing throughout the next several scenes.)

"Give me some men who are stout-hearted men"

There were only two weeks left before the big Spring Sing, but during those two weeks...

(Close shot of the guys singing.)

"Who will fight for the right they adore"

We breathed...slept...

Cut to

Cafeteria

(Close shot of Kevin singing as he slides his tray along.)

"And we'll soon give you ten thousand more..."

And ate...

(Kevin walks past the camera, followed by Paul who is also singing.)

"Stout-hearted Men".

(Wider shot of Warren looking at his songbook as he walks past the camera, followed by Doug, Joey, and Randy who are also singing.)

Cut to

Ext. Day - The Street

(Shot from the sidewalk of the bus approaching.)

It became our anthem...our battle-cry...

(Sound of the bus horn as it passes the camera.)

Cut to

Int. Boys' Restroom

(Shot of Warren holoding a songbook, as Joey and Doug stand beside him. Randy sits against a mirror, which reflects Kevin holding a songbook and Paul standing next to him.)

As we rallied round our secret weapon...

Cut to

Int. Evening - Kevin and Wayne's Bedroom

(Shot of Kevin lying on his back on top of his bed, with his head at the foot end. Wayne approaches in the doorway in the background.)

It was kind of...infectious.

(Wayne tosses a poker chip toward Kevin and misses. He tosses another one, hitting the songbook.)

Cut to

Glee Club

(Shot of Miss Haycock standing in front of the chalkboard, which has "Spring Sing, Tonite!!!!!!" on it, and raising her arms and gesturing.)

"When stout-hearted men..."

And when the day had finally arrived...we had gone from horrible...

(Wide shot of the guys singing.)

To...

(The sound of adult men stops abruptly at the crescendo.)

CLASS: Men.....!

(Close shot of Kevin singing.)

KEVIN: Men....!

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling as she gestures with both arms.)

(Shot of the guys as they gesture dramatically toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock bowing dramatically as the music crescendos and ends. She straightens up.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Magnificent! (Smiles.)

(She puts her hands together and smiles broadly.)

(Wide shot of the guys looking at each other and smiling.)

Well, anyway...we were ready.

Cut to

Int. - Spring Sing

(Shot of a curved banner reading "Spring Sing".)

CHOIR (Singing, V/O): Follow every rainbow...

(Wide shot of a choir on stage singing as a man conducts, and a woman plays the piano. The banner is above the choir.)

CHOIR (Singing): Till you find your dreams.

(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking through a partially opened door toward the off-screen choir.)

(Shot of the conductor bowing as the audience applauds off-screen.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking through the partially opened door.)

PAUL: I'm not ready for this. (Frowns.)

(Kevin closes the door slowly.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul at the door, and a girl nearby.)

KEVIN: Sure ya are.

PAUL: No, I'm not. (Frowns.)

(A boy walks through the shot.)

KEVIN: Oh, come on, Paul - it's just one song.

(Paul turns slowly.)

Or so I kept telling myself.

(Paul and Kevin walk across the room, past other students wearing blue robes. The camera follows them.)

PAUL: Look around. These guys are practically professionals. People are paying a buck-fifty to see them.

(They pause near a drinking fountain.)

PAUL: And us.

(Paul sneezes.)

Uh-oh.

(Paul bends down and gets a drink of water.)

That sneeze was a bad sign.

(Paul stands up and sneezes again.)

A very bad sign.

KEVIN: Take a deep breath. (Gestures.) You know how you get once it starts.

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

PAUL: It's my nerves.

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

KEVIN: Come on, Paul - what's there to be nervous about? Remember?

(Kevin looks off.)

KEVIN: We've got Warren. (Smiles.)

(Close shot of Paul looking off.)

(Shot of Warren in the distance, surrounded by the other guys. One rubs Warren's head, and Warren smiles.)

(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at each other as a boy in a blue robe approaches.)

BOY: Hey! You guys are in the eigth-grade glee club, right?

(Kevin and Paul look at him.)

BOY: Can't wait to hear you sing. (Smiles.)

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

KEVIN: You, too! (Smiles.) What are you singing?

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

BOY: We're starting out with Thomson's "Hallelujah". Then "Pater noster qui es in coelis".

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

BOY (V/O): The Vulpius version. Then something a little lighter.

(Close shot of Kevin looking at the boy off-screen, and frowning slightly.)

BOY (V/O): Some selections from "La Bohème".

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

BOY: How about you?

(He looks at Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul looking off.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

"Vulpius"? "La Boheme"?

(Kevin smiles self-conciously.)

KEVIN: "Stout-hearted Men".

(Close shot of Paul as he sneezes.)

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

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Here they are!

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock descending the stairs, holding a small, white, flat box.)

MISS HAYCOCK: My boys. (Smiles.)

(Shot of Paul and Kevin approaching the camera.)

(Wide shot of the boys around Miss Haycock as Paul and Kevin passes the camera.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Come on, everybody. Gather 'round.

(She opens the box.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I brought something for you.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Here. (Smiles.) Pass these out. (Smiles.)

(Shot past Miss Haycock's hand and the box, which contains black bow-ties, of the boys.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Everyone gets one.

Yep...

(One boy takes the box as others reach into it.)

Miss Haycock was in her element.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock smiling and looking at the boys off-screen.)

Whatever element that was.

MISS HAYCOCK: I'm so proud of you all. (Sighs.) Ever since I was a little girl...

(Shot of Kevin and others as he frowns and adjusts his bow-tie.)

No, jeez, don't tell us this. We don't wanna...

(He looks toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: I've dreamed of standing up in front of a choir and molding them in song.

(Shot of Kevin looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (V/O): Tonight will be my very first time.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: And I have you to thank.

(Snuffy's guitar plays.)

MISS HAYCOCK: My men. I'll never forget any of you.

(Wider shot of the guys. Kevin and Paul look at each other. Warren, Joey, Randy and others are looking at Miss Haycock off-screen.)

The funny thing is, in a way, that turned out to be true.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Alright. (Smiles.)

(She starts down the stairs.)

MISS HAYCOCK: Let's line up...(Smiles.)

(Wide shot of all.)

MISS HAYCOCK: We're next!

(She makes her way through the guys, smiling. Snuffy's guitar fades.)

Cut to

The stage

(Wide shot of the stage as the guys file onto it and take their place.)

And so, from the murky depths of Mr. Frace's choir room...the eigth-grade boys glee club finally stepped into the light.

(Shot of the full audience as they applaud.)

(Shot of the guys taking their places.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock standing just behind the stage curtain. The camera pans with her as she walks on the stage. The audience applauds again. She takes her position and turns toward the boys off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking forward.)

Sure, we had misgivings.

(He looks toward Paul off-screen.)

(Close shot of Paul looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

But gazing down on Miss Haycock's...

(Shot of Miss Haycock looking at the boys off-screen, as she holds her hand near her stomach and gestures.)

Confident face...we knew we had nothing to fear.

(She moves her hand near her mouth and gestures in a rolling motion as she mouthes "fwa...".)

She believed in us.

(She gives a small thumbs up sign, nods, and smiles.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

And, of course, we believed...

(Kevin looks over his shoulder.)

(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Warren looking off.)

In Warren.

(Shot of Miss Haycock looking at the pianist off-screen, and nodding.)

(Shot of the pianist looking at Miss Haycock off-screen, and nodding, then beginning to play.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

But as I look back on that night...

(Close shot of Paul looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

It isn't the anticipation I remember best.

(Shot of the audience.)

And it isn't the faces in the audience...

(Shot of Miss Haycock as she waves both hands back and forth, looking at the guys off-screen. She motions forward with one hand.)

(Close shot of Warren.)

WARREN (Singing): Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

(Shot of Miss Haycock smiling at Warren off-screen, holding her hand out.)

What I remember best...

(Shot of Kevin, Paul, and some other guys.)

Is that...

(Close shot of Warren.)

WARREN (Singing): Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Warren Gander's voice chose exactly that moment...

WARREN: Awwwkk.

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking slightly surprised and pausing.)

(Close shot of Warren frowning and swallowing.)

To change.

(Shot of Kevin, Paul, and some other guys looking at Warren off-screen.)

(Shot of another group of boys lookng at Warren off-screen.)

(Shot of some audience members looking at each other.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock raising both hands and gesturing, then motioning toward Warren off-screen.)

(Close shot of Warren.)

WARREN (Singing): AhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhAwwwkk.

(Warren frowns and swallows, and glances off.)

It was...cruel.

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

Before our very eyes...

(Paul looks worriedly at Kevin off-screen.)

(Close shot of Kevin turning worriedly toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

Warren had transformed from lyric tenor...

(Close shot of Miss Haycock glancing off uncertainly, then looking at Warren off-screen and motioning.)

To...

(Close shot of Warren.)

WARREN: Awwwkk.

Well...a bullfrog.

(Shot of the audience as they start to look at each other and murmur.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder.)

So the rest of us did the only thing we could.

(Kevin looks down.)

(Wide shot of the guys as they look at each other.)

We panicked.

(They all rustle their songbooks as they look at them.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock turning toward the pianist off-screen.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Whispered): Keep going! (Gestures.)

(Shot of the pianist as she starts to play.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the guys and waving her hands.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Whispered): Keep going!

(Shot past the audience of the guys as they start to sing unevenly.)

GUYS (Singing): Men, men, men, men...

(Close shot of Kevin looking at his songbook.)

But the die was cast.

(Shot of Kevin, Paul and others as Paul sneezes.)

(Close shot of Paul covering his mouth and looking at Kevin off-screen.)

Paul sneezed.

(Paul sneezes again.)

(Shot past Paul of Doug as he teeters over backward.)

Which was too much for Doug.

(Wider shot of all as Doug falls off the back of the riser, nearly taking another boy with him.)

(Close shot of Kevin.)

Somebody laughed.

(Kevin drops his book.)

And I dropped my music.

(He bends down and picks it up.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the guys and waving her hands.)

MISS HAYCOCK (Whispered): Keep going!

(Shot of Paul, Kevin, Joey and others. Paul sneezes.)

It was kind of a chain reaction.

(Paul sneezes again.)

(Close shot of Doug as he appears above the riser, and another boy reaches down and grabs his arm.)

I'd like to say we rallied...

(Shot of Paul, Kevin, Joey and others. Paul covers his face with both hands and sneezes.)

But...we didn't.

(Close shot of Doug as falls behind the riser.)

(Close shot of Miss Haycock looking at the guys and waving her hands, nearly in tears.)

(Shot of Paul, Kevin, Joey and others as a boy hits another on top of the head with the music.)

(Close shot of Kevin and Paul looking at the songbook and singing.)

(Wider shot of all the guys.)

Fade to

"Later"

(Wide shot of Miss Haycock and the guys on stage as she conducts them.)

It was no one's fault, really.

(The guys reach the crescendo as Miss Haycock raises her arms.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock as she makes the final gesture. She looks at the guys off-screen, slightly stunned.)

(Wide shot of the guys.)

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

(Close shot of Paul covering his mouth and sneezing.)

(Shot of the silent audience.)

(Shot of Miss Haycock holding her hands up, looking at the guys off-screen, slightly stunned.)

(Close shot of Kevin looking off.)

I guess we'd just been pushed...

(Close shot of Joey looking off.)

Beyond our limits.

(Joey looks toward Warren off-screen.)

(Close shot of Warren looking toward Miss Haycock off-screen.)

We we're a bunch of eigth-grade boys.

(Shot of some of the guys looking off.)

Not an ensemble of...

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

Stout-hearted men.

(Shot of Miss Haycock holding her hands up, looking at the guys off-screen, slightly stunned, then lowering her arms and breathing heavily. The audience starts to applaud.)

As for Miss Haycock...

(She starts to turn around.)

(Wide shot of Miss Haycock and the guys on stage.)

She'd dreamed of molding us into something we weren't.

(Shot of Miss Haycock as she turns and exits.)

But that night...

(Shot past the audience of the guys as they extend their arms toward Miss Haycock off-screen. Paul sneezes, and the spotlight gets smaller on the guys.)

She got her wake-up call.

(The camera pans to the side of the stage. Sound of adult men singing "Stout-hearted Men".)

The only problem was...she wasn't there to answer it.

(Shot of Paul, Kevin, and others with their arm out. Paul sneezes again.)

(Wide shot of the guys with their arm out. The camera pulls back slowly.)

We never found out where Miss Haycock disappeared to, although some said she'd gone back to college.

(The audience is included as the camera continues to pull back.)

Still, I like to think that - where ever she is...there's a warm spot in her heart for the eight-grade boys' glee club. After all, we'd learned from her, and in a way...she'd learned from us. We'd learned together.

Fade to

Ext. Day - Glee Club

(Shot through the venetian blinds of Mr. Frace looking out the window, and the boys in the background. The music reaches the crescendo.)

BOYS: Men.....!

Or so I like to tell myself.

(Mr. Frace frowns and snaps the blinds closed.)

Fade to
CLOSING CREDITS

(Sound of Paul sneezing.)

Supporting Cast
Mr. Frace - William Lanteau
Miss Haycock - Andrea Walters
Randy - Micheal Tricario
Doug - Brandon Crane
Joey - Dustin diamond

Music

"Stout-hearted Men" - Traditional
"Climb Ev'ry Mountain" - Rodgers & Hammerstein



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01/04/05 20:05