Episode 54 - "The Sixth Man
Thanks to Isaac Lew for the tape :-)
OPENING SEQUENCE
(Music "Let's Go" - The Ventures plays.)
(Close B/W clip of Joe DiMaggio swinging a baseball bat.)
(Wider shot as Joltin' Joe runs from home plate toward first base.)
ANNOUNCER: There it is! DiMaggio has hit in fifty-six straight games!
(The Yankee Clipper rounds first base and continues toward second base.)
There are a lot of great records in sports.
(Joe slides into second base.)
(Close B/W clip of Rocky Marciano practicing on a punching bag.)
Rocky Marciano fought to victory in forty-nine straight heavyweight prize-fights.
(B/W clip of a football game as the quarterback drops back to pass, and throws a long pass.)
The University of Oklahoma won forty-seven college football games in a row.
(The receiver catches the ball for a touchdown.)
(B/W clip of a hockey game as a goal is scored.)
But in the annals of sports...
(B/W clip of a black athlete successfully leaping the high bar.)
There was one record that surpassed them all.
(B/W clip of female sprinters (led by Wilma Rudolph?)
(B/W clip of Jesse Owens performing a long jump.)
One destined to go unbroken for time immemorial.
(B/W clip of Kareen Abdul-Jabbar shooting a basket.)
(Sound of a sports whistle.)
Cut to
Ext. Day - Arnold Driveway
(Close shot of a basketball going through the net.)
(Shot of Paul and Kevin as Kevin leans back in celebration.)
KEVIN: Arnold wins! The crowd's going wild!
(Kevin puts his hands near his mouth and simulates crowd-cheering noise.)
(Wider shot up the driveway as Paul bounces the ball, and Kevin gestures dramatically.)
I had beaten Paul Pfeiffer at basketball...
(Close shot of Kevin leaning back and simulating crowd noise.)
As near as I can remember, seven hundred...
(Shot of Paul bouncing the ball.)
Eighty eight times in a row. Give or take a hundred.
(Paul looks toward Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Wanna play again?
(He tosses the ball to Kevin off-screen.)
(Shot of Kevin as he catches the ball.)
KEVIN: Sure.
(Kevin tosses the ball back to Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Loser's out.
(Paul approaches Kevin.)
(Wider shot up the driveway of both as Paul dribbles.)
It was a streak that went all the way back to kindergarten.
PAUL: Brand new game...
(Closer shot of both as Paul dribbles and Kevin guards him.)
Maybe even before.
PAUL: Hondo's bringing the ball up court - he's looking good, folks.
(Paul leans from side to side slightly.)
PAUL: He goes left - he goes right...
(Paul go past Kevin.)
PAUL: He goes left!
(Wider shot up the driveway as Paul loses the ball, which rolls away. Kevin chases after it.)
Not that I was some kind of all-American.
(Kevin steps toward the basket and shoots.)
It's just...I was me.
(Close shot of Paul sighing.)
Whereas Paul...Paul was - Paul.
(Shot of Kevin tossing the ball to Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: One - zip.
(Shot past Kevin of Paul holding the ball and turning toward Kevin.)
PAUL: OK. No more "Mr. Nice-guy."
(Closer shot of them face-to-face.)
KEVIN: Really?
PAUL: Count on it.
(Paul dribbles.)
But we both knew better.
(Close shot of Paul as he dribbles in place.)
We knew some things never change.
(Close shot of Kevin nodding in rhythm to the bouncing ball.)
And in basketball...
(Shot of both as Kevin reaches out and grabs the ball.)
KEVIN: Steal!
(The camera pans with Kevin as he dribbles.)
As in our friendship...
(Kevin stops and sets up to shoot a...)
KEVIN: Jumper from the corner.
(He shoots.)
I called the shots.
(Close shot of the hoop silhouetted against the sun as the basketball goes through it. Sound of a sports whistle.)
Cut to
Int. Day - Gym
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip blowing his whistle.)
MR. CUTLIP: Men. (Frowns.)
(Shot of a group of bored boys sitting on the bleachers.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip as he looks at the boys off-screen and begins to walk in front of a blackboard that has the word "OPPORTUNITY" written on it.)
MR. CUTLIP: Let's talk about...opportunity.
(Mr. Cutlip pauses at the side of the blackboard.)
MR. CUTLIP: The opportunity...
(He knocks dramatically three times on the end of the blackboard.)
MR. CUTLIP: To be part of something big.
(Shot of the group of bored boys sitting on the bleachers.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Really big.
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the boys off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Bigger than all of us.
(Close shot of Paul and Kevin behind him.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Gentlemen...
(Wide shot past two boys of Mr. Cutlip and the blackboard.)
MR. CUTLIP: Basketball try-outs begin this afternoon.
(Mr. Cutlip flips the blackboard over. It reads "Signups". The boys sigh and moan.)
(Closer shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the boys off-screen. He tosses a piece of chalk up and catches it, then smiles and steps forward slightly.)
MR. CUTLIP: Who'd like to play?
(The boys groan again.)
(Close shot of one boy looking at the others. The camera pans across them.)
Now ordinarily, the chance to play varsity ball...is something any kid would jump at.
(The camera stops on Paul and Kevin as they frown and look off.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip smiling excitedly at the boys off-screen, and raising both arms.)
MR. CUTLIP: Hands!
(Shot of the group of boys fidgeting slightly.)
In any other school...
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the boys off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Anyone.
(Shot of Paul and Kevin.)
In any other town...
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at the boys off-screen.)
For any other coach...
(Mr. Cutlip frowns slightly.)
(Close shot of Paul and Kevin as Kevin leans toward Tommy.)
KEVIN: He must be dreamin'.
KISLING: Yeah, no way I'm playing for that joker.
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Kisling.
(Tommy looks toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at Tommy off-screen and walking toward the blackboard.)
MR. CUTLIP: How about you? (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Tommy lookling toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KISLING: Uh...
(Tommy frowns heavily and slumps forward.)
But in the world...
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip as he turns from the blackboard and looks toward the boys off-screen.)
According to Ed Cutlip...volunteers weren't born.
MR. CUTLIP: What about you, Hill?
(Close shot of a blond boy closing his eyes. He shakes his head slightly then drops it forward.)
They were made.
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip turning away from the board where he has written the boys' names, and looking toward the boys off-screen. He smiles and holds out his hand.)
MR. CUTLIP: Martinson.
(Closer shot of another boy as two others look at him. He frowns and closes his eyes as other boys murmur.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Steele.
(Shot past two boys of Mr. Cutlip as he writes on the board.)
Made ya wonder if this was how they picked teams in Russia.
(Mr. Cutlip looks toward the boys and takes a few small steps.)
MR. CUTLIP: Who else?
(Close shot of Paul and Kevin as Kevin ducks down noisily. Paul turns around.)
(Shot of Paul looking down at Kevin off-screen. Mr. Cutlip is watching in the background.)
PAUL: What are you doing?
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking up at him as he fakes tying his shoe.)
KEVIN: Shhhh!
(Shot of Paul looking down at Kevin off-screen. Mr. Cutlip is watching in the background.)
Call it wisdom...
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking up at him, then down toward his shoe.)
Call it cowardice.
(Kevin looks up at Paul and frowns.)
All I knew was...
(Shot of Paul looking down at Kevin off-screen. Mr. Cutlip is watching in the background.)
I was gonna dodge this bullet.
MR. CUTLIP: Pfeiffer.
(Close shot of Paul as he turns forward slightly surprised.)
Unfortunately...the bullet hit Paul.
(Paul raise his eyebrows.)
PAUL: Me?
Cut to
Locker Room
(Shot of Kevin and Paul sitting on the bench. Paul is looking forward.)
PAUL: Why me?
(Kevin looks at Paul.)
KEVIN: I don't know...(gestures)...maybe he thought you were someone else.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen with mild surprise.)
PAUL: Huh?
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
Poor guy.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen with mild surprise.)
He'd become a victim of the system.
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: But don't worry - there's gotta be some way we can get you out of this.
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Ah.
(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Men.
(Shot of Kevin and Paul as Mr. Cutlip approaches them.)
KEVIN: Uh...hi, Coach!
MR. CUTLIP: So, Pfeiffer...see you at try-outs this afternoon? Hmmm?
(Close shot of Paul looking at Mr. Cutlip off-screen uncertainly.)
OK.
(Paul looks at Kevin off-screen.)
(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at each other.)
It was clear this kid needed help.
KEVIN: Ah...
(Kevin and Paul look toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: He can't make it.
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip frowning uncertainly at Kevin off-screen.)
KEVIN (V/O): He's busy with...
(Close shot of Kevin looking off, then at Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: Bassoon lessons...after school. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen with mild surprise.)
PAUL: Huh? (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking off.)
MR. CUTLIP: Hmmm. Didn't know you were a basoon man.
(Shot of Kevin and Paul looking at Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
PAUL: I'm not.
(Kevin and Paul look at each other. Paul looks at Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
PAUL: I'll be there, Coach. (Nods.)
(Shot of Mr. Cutlip, Kevin and Paul. Mr. Cutlip walks behind them and slaps Paul's shoulder as he exits.)
MR. CUTLIP: Atta fella.
(Kevin turns toward Paul.)
(Shot of Kevin and Paul, with Mr. Cutlip in the background.)
KEVIN: Paul, why'd you do that?
PAUL: Well, I don't know...
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
PAUL: He asked me...
KEVIN: Ah...(frowns)...come on, Paul...
(Shot of both.)
KEVIN: Get serious.
(Kevin rubs his cheek with a towel.)
PAUL: What do ya mean by that?
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: Man, you don't actually want to go to those try-outs, do ya? (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Paul looking toward Kevin off-screen expectantly.)
KEVIN (V/O): Trust me...
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: You don't want to do this. Well, I mean let's face it...(gestures)...the whole idea's a joke, right?
(Close shot of Paul looking toward Kevin off-screen slightly puzzled, then sighing and looking off.)
PAUL: Maybe you're right...(Nods.)
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
PAUL: Maybe it's stupid. (Nods.)
Course it was stupid.
(Shot of both as Paul stands up and exits to a locker. Kevin looks after him as he rubs his towel on his neck.)
Paul Pfeiffer on a basketball team was like...
(Shot of Paul at a locker, looking over his shoulder at Kevin off-screen.)
Barney Fife working for the FBI.
Cut to
The Pizza Barn
(Shot past Winnie of Kevin smiling at her as they sit at a table. Music "Sweet Cherry Wine" plays. Kevin looks past Winnie.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Paul and two other boys entering. Paul carries a basketball.)
PAUL: Yeah, it's sure fun.
(Shot of Kevin looking past Winnie toward Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: I don't believe it.
(Winnie looks over her shoulder toward Paul off-screen.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Paul and the other boys talking to each other.)
(Shot of Kevin and Winnie looking toward Paul off-screen. Winnie smiles and waves.)
WINNIE: Hi, Paul!
(Wide shot of Kevin and Winnie at the table, with the other guys in the background. Paul approaches them.)
PAUL: Hi, guys! (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul, where have you been?
(Shot of all three.)
PAUL: I, I was...
(Paul sits down.)
PAUL: I was doing something.
KEVIN: Uh-huh. (Nods.)
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: Like trying out for the basketball team?
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at Paul off-screen.)
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: Well...yeah. (Shrugs.)
(Shot past Kevin of Winnie looking at Paul off-screen.)
WINNIE: Really? (Smiles.) How'd it go?
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
As if we couldn't guess.
(Kevin frowns, and looks at Winnie off-screen.)
Crash, and burn.
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: I think it went pretty well.
(Paul looks at Winnie off-screen.)
PAUL: At least Coach Cutlip thought so. (Nods.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: You're kidding. (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Well, I mean, I haven't made the team yet or anything, but...(shrugs)...so far, so good. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Kevin glancing off.)
WINNIE (V/O): Well, I think that's great.
(Close shot of Winnie looking at Paul off-screen.)
WINNIE: I'm so proud of you! (Smiles.)
(She looks at Kevin off-screen.)
WINNIE: Aren't you proud of him, Kevin?
(Close shot of Kevin looking slightly surprised.)
KEVIN: Uh...
(He looks at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Sure. (Smiles.)
Of course I was proud of him.
(Wider shot of all three.)
That went without saying. I was proud enough to say...
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul? How about getting us another pitcher of soda?
(Shot of all three.)
PAUL: You got it! (Smiles.)
(Paul picks up the empty pitcher.)
PAUL: This one's on me.
(Paul stands and walks around the table. Kevin looks after him.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Paul approaching the counter and setting the pitcher on it.)
PAUL: Hey, Woody, can you fill it for me?
(Shot of Winnie and Kevin looking over his shoulder at Paul off-screen.)
WINNIE: Good old Paul. (Smiles.)
(Kevin turns toward Winnie, then looks at Paul off-screen uncertainly.)
KEVIN: Yeah.
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Paul and two other boys talking to a cheerleader.)
But suddenly, "Paul was Paul"...
(One kid motions with the ball from the girl to Paul.)
CHEERLEADER: Hi, Paul. Nice to meet you.
PAUL: Nice to meet you, too.
(Paul and the cheerleader shake hands.)
Wasn't quite Paul.
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen.)
Something was different. Something was...
(Kevin glances off uncertainly.)
Wrong.
Cut to
Day - Arnold Driveway
(Close shot of the basketball on the low wall as Kevin's hands set his books down forcefully next to it and grab the ball. The camera pans up with the ball to Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Come on. Let's play.
(Shot past Kevin of Paul, who is wearing a sweater and holding his books at his side.)
PAUL: Now? (Frowns.)
KEVIN: Yeah. Right now. (Gestures.)
PAUL: But I thought we were going to study for American history.
(Shot of Kevin gesturing, then frowning.)
KEVIN: The War of 1812 was fought in, uh...(gestures)...1812. (Frowns.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul. Kevin waves his hand.)
KEVIN: There. We studied. OK?
(Paul smoothes his hair.)
PAUL: Well, as it happens, it was fought in...
(Shot of Kevin as he frowns and tosses the ball to Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Your ball out.
(Shot past Kevin of Paul as he catches the ball.)
PAUL: OK...
(Paul walks forward, and sets his books down.)
Course, I was only looking for a game...
(Shot past Paul of Kevin.)
And maybe a few answers.
(Paul takes off his sweater.)
KEVIN: So, how come you didn't tell me you were trying out for the team?
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: Well, I did. (Shrugs.) Kinda.
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: Yeah, but then I thought we agreed it was a bad idea, didn't we?
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
KEVIN: You know, the whole thing about Cutlip, and -
PAUL: Hey! He's not so bad...
(Close shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: What?
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: Well, he isn't. Really...
(Paul shakes his head.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
What was this? Heresy?
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: I just thought I'd, you know...(shrugs)...give it a try. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul, you don't think you're gonna actually make the team, do ya? (Frowns.)
(Close shot past Kevin of Paul glancing off and sagging.)
PAUL: Well.
KEVIN: I mean, come on, it's ridiculous.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: You can't even beat me.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen cooly.)
KEVIN (V/O): You know?
(Close shot of Kevin frowning at Paul off-screen and scoffing. He turns away.)
(Shot of Kevin and Paul approaching the camera which rolls back with them.)
PAUL: I-I don't know, Kev. I just thought maybe I'd give it a shot.
(Kevin quickly grabs the ball from Paul.)
(Shot of Kevin dribbling and making a lay-up. Kevin catches the ball after a bounce and tosses it to Paul.)
KEVIN: One - nothin'.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen coolly, then bouncing the ball slowly.)
So we played.
(High shot from above the hoop as Paul dribbles and Kevin covers him.)
And for the first time ever...Paul didn't do...
(Shot of Paul as he passes Kevin and dribbles toward the basket.)
A running commentary on the action.
(He loses the ball against the garage door, and Kevin picks it up and begins to dribble.)
(Wider shot of Kevin dribbling and Paul covering him as some twangy Snuffy guitar plays. Kevin fakes Paul, then shoots a jumper.)
(Close shot of the backboard as the ball goes through the hoop.)
(High shot from above the hoop as Kevin catches the ball and smiles.)
(Fade to shot of Kevin dribbling and Paul covering him as Kevin shoots.)
(Close shot of the backboard as the ball goes through the hoop.)
(Fade to shot of Kevin dribbling and Paul covering him as Kevin shoots a lay-up.)
(Fade to shot of Paul dribbling and Kevin covering him, then stealing the ball.)
To this day, I don't know...
(Kevin dribbles, then shoots a hook.)
(Close shot of the backboard as the ball goes through the hoop.)
If I was really hot...
(Fade to shot of Paul dribbling and Kevin covering him, as Paul moves forward and shoots.)
Or if Paul was really cold.
(Close shot of the backboard as the ball bounces off the hoop.)
(Fade to shot of Kevin dribbling past Paul and shooting a lay-up.)
But, what I did know was...
(Fade to shot of Paul shooting and Kevin blocking the shot. Paul recovers the ball and shoots again. Kevin again blocks the shot.)
I was teaching Paul a lesson.
(Paul grimaces and holds his wrist as Kevin shoots.)
PAUL: Ow! Foul!
(Fade to shot of Kevin getting a rebound, then pushing off on Paul and shooting a basket.)
A lesson he'd never forget.
PAUL: Hey...
(Fade to shot of Paul dribbling and Kevin covering him, then stealing the ball.)
(Fade to shot of Paul dribbling and Kevin covering him.)
And it was for his own good.
(Kevin blocks Paul's shot, recovers the ball, dribbles, then shoots a basket.)
(Shot of Kevin and Paul. Kevin looks up toward the basket as Paul looks off.)
KEVIN: Swish! (Smiles.)
(Kevin catches the ball and makes some crowd noise as he turns toward Paul.)
KEVIN: Twenty one - three.
(Shot past Paul of Kevin smiling at him.)
KEVIN: And the game.
(Kevin tosses the ball once slightly.)
KEVIN: I win. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Paul frowning and looking off.)
For the record...
(Paul looks at Kevin off-screen and sighs.)
Win number seven hundred and ninety.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: So. (Smirks.) Ya wanna go again? (Nods.)
(Close shot of Paul frowning and looking down.)
(Close shot past Paul as Kevin tosses the ball to him.)
KEVIN: Go ahead...
(Kevin smiles and backs up.)
(Shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder toward the basket as Paul frowns and holds the ball.)
KEVIN: Free shot.
(Close shot of Kevin smiling slightly at Paul off-screen and swinging his arms slightly.)
(Close shot of Paul frowning at Kevin off-screen, then turning away. He walks a few steps down the driveway, forcefully sets the ball down, and turns toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen, then walking to his book and jacket, picking them up and walking down the driveway.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen as a dog barks.)
You know, people just don't always appreciate the nice things you try to do for them...
(Kevin frowns and shakes his head slightly.)
(Shot of Paul walking down the driveway and turning onto the sidewalk as a dog barks.)
Fade to
School Hallway
(Shot of Paul approaching his locker. Kevin trails behind him.)
The day after victory number seven-hundred and ninety, things were a little touchy.
(Paul puts his arm out toward his locker, cutting off Kevin accidentally.)
KEVIN: Hey.
(Kevin squeezes past Paul to his own locker. Paul looks after him.)
But I didn't avoid Paul.
PAUL: Hey.
(They dial their combos.)
And he didn't avoid me, either.
(They open their lockers simultaneously.)
Cut to
Cafeteria
(Shot across two tables. Kevin sits at the far one as Paul approaches with a tray.)
We were just...non-chalant.
(Paul puts his tray at the opposite corner from Kevin, then sits down.)
(Shot of Kevin looking casually toward Paul off-screen.)
I was non-chalant...
KEVIN: Hey.
(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
He was non-chalant...
PAUL: Hey.
(Close shot of Kevin looking forward.)
(Wider shot across the tables as they look down.)
It was kind of like the non-chalant challenge.
(They open their drinks and sip simultaneously.)
Cut to
Lockers
(Shot of Kevin dialing the combo on his locker. Paul approaches and pauses behind him then hurries to his own locker and sighs.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul.)
But by the end of the day it was clear.
(Shot of Paul and Kevin at his open locker.)
Somebody had to break the ice.
(Kevin turns to Paul.)
KEVIN: What's goin' on? (Smiles.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: Oh, nothing.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: So, do you want to come over to my house after school today? (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Paul looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Can't.
(Paul looks toward his locker.)
(Close shot of Kevin glancing off.)
Obviously a bald-faced lie.
(Kevin looks toward Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Well, you know, I could really use your help studying for history. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Paul looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
KEVIN (V/O): I mean...that stuff's really tough, you know?
(Paul frowns and looks toward his locker.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: And besides, "Mission: Impossible"'s on at four th-
PAUL (V/O): Thanks, but...
(Close shot of Paul looking toward his locker.)
PAUL: I got something I gotta do.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Like what?
(Close shot of Paul looking toward his locker.)
PAUL: Basketball try-outs.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: What?
I couldn't believe it.
(Close shot of Paul looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
I'd explained to him...
(Paul looks forward.)
Argued with him...
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
And the kid still wouldn't listen to reason.
(Close shot of Paul looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Seeya.
(Shot of Paul walking past Kevin, who looks after him, then turns back to his locker.)
And that settled that. If Paul insisted on being something he wasn't...
(Kevin removes his jacket from his locker and frowns in thought.)
I had only one option left.
(Kevin closes his locker as he turns away.)
Cut to
Basketball Practice
(Shot of Mr. Cutlip blowing his whistle and holding a clipboard as he watches the players off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Millman! (Frowns.) Let's show a little hustle, huh?!
(Shot past Mr. Cutlip of the boys in the background as they practice.)
MR. CUTLIP: Shake a leg!
(Wider shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at his clipboard as Kevin enters behind him.)
It was time to appeal to a higher power. To use the term loosely.
(Kevin slows up as he approaches Mr. Cutlip.)
(Shot past Kevin of Mr. Cutlip looking toward the boys off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Thompson! You want a tea party - go to Boston!
(Mr. Cutlip chuckles and looks at his clipboard.)
KEVIN: Mr. Cutlip?
(Mr. Cutlip turns toward Kevin.)
MR. CUTLIP: Arnold.
(Mr. Cutlip looks toward the boys off-screen.)
(Shot of Mr. Cutlip and Kevin.)
KEVIN: I was wondering if we could talk for a second.
(Mr. Cutlip turns toward Kevin.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: See...
(Kevin looks off, then at Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: It's about Paul. Paul Pfeiffer?
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking at Kevin off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Ah.
(Mr. Cutlip looks at his clipboard.)
MR. CUTLIP: Pfeiffer...(Frowns.)
(Mr. Cutlip frowns at Kevin off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: He's not in any kind of trouble, is he? Drugs? Theft? Armed robbery?
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: Uh...
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip turning away toward the boys off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Good. Glad to hear it.
And...
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
So much for small-talk.
KEVIN: It's just...I'm his best friend...and, uh...(smiles)...he actually thinks you might put him on the team. (Snorts.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking toward the boys off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Oh, he does, does he?
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: Yeah. And...frankly...I think you might be leading him on.
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip turning slowly toward Kevin off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: That so? (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: Well, yeah. I mean...(gestures)...I play tons of B-ball with him in my backyard, so, I should know. I beat 'em every time. (Smiles.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip turning slowly toward Kevin off-screen and frowning.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: Ya know?
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
Course, in some way...
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
I knew I was betraying my best friend. But...
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip turning away toward the boys off-screen.)
Facts were facts.
MR. CUTLIP: This isn't your backyard, son!
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
KEVIN: Huh?
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Pfeiffer...(Nods.)
(Shot of both looking toward the boys off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Look at 'em. (Points.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Paul guarding another boy who receives a pass then tosses the ball to another boy.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen.)
So I looked at Paul.
(Shot of Paul covering another boy.)
He still looked like the guy I'd beaten...
(The boy receives a pass, then tosses the ball to another boy.)
Seven-hundred ninety times in a row.
(Wider shot of the group of boys as Paul steals the ball. The boys approach the camera as Paul passes the ball.)
The only thing is...
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen.)
(Shot of the group of guys approaching as they play.)
He didn't play like him.
(Paul gets a pass and shoots. The camera pans up with the ball as it goes in the basket.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen and frowning slightly.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip clapping his hands and looking at Paul off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP: Looking sharp there, Pfeiffer!
(Shot of Paul smiling as he is congratulated by team-mates.)
It was astonishing. This was the man who'd launched a million air-balls...
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen.)
In my backyard?
(Kevin looks toward Mr. Cutlip off-screen.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen.)
I felt like I was watching a total stranger...
(Shot from Kevin's perspective as Paul covers another boy who has the ball.)
Some kid I'd never even met.
(Wider shot as the boy tosses the ball away out of bounds. Paul smiles and boys clap.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen.)
So, I did the only thing I could think of.
KEVIN: That a boy, Paul! (Smiles.)
(Kevin claps his hands.)
(Wider shot of Paul and other boys.)
KEVIN (V/O): Way to go!
(Paul pauses and looks toward Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin smiling toward Paul off-screen.)
(Closer shot of Paul looking a little bewildered.)
(Wider shot of the boys as one passes the ball to Paul who drops it, chases after it, and kicks it out of bounds.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking toward Paul off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin frowning and glancing down, then at Paul off-screen.)
And there ya had it.
(Close shot of Paul playing.)
One word from me...
(Paul pauses and looks toward Kevin off-screen.)
And suddenly, Paul was Paul again.
(Paul raises his eye-brows.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip looking toward Paul off-screen and frowning heavily, then shaking his head and rubbing the end of his nose with the back of his fist.)
(Shot of Paul and two other boys as Paul takes a pass and begins to dribble. He pauses, then lobs a long pass.)
(Shot of Mr. Cutlip and Kevin looking up toward the ball off-screen.)
BOY (V/O): Air ball!
(Shot of the boys playing as one boy dribbles away from the camera. Paul begins to cover him, then stumbles backward and falls down.)
PAUL: Oh!
(Closer shot of Paul on the floor.)
(Shot of Mr. Cutlip and Kevin looking toward the boys off-screen. Mr. Cutlip holds his arms out.)
MR. CULTIP: Come on, Pfeiffer! (Gestures.) You're playin' like a girl! (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Paul on the floor. Sound of Mr. Cutlip blowing his whistle.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Pankus!
(Closer shot of Mr. Cutlip and Kevin as Mr. Cutlip frowns and nods directionally.)
MR. CUTLIP: Get in there for Pfeiffer!
(Close shot of Paul getting up as Pankus passes him.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Alright - let's hustle it up, now!
(Close shot of Kevin frowning, turning away, and walking toward the door.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Hill!
After that, there didn't seem to be much reason to stick around any longer.
(Kevin pauses and looks over his shoulder toward Paul off-screen.)
I mean, hey...
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen sadly.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Martinson!
(Paul looks forward.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): The game is basketball!
(Wider shot of Paul and other boys as Paul angrily knocks a towel off the bench.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Look it up in the dictionary, will ya?!
(Paul sits down and looks toward Kevin off-screen.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): Come on!
(Shot of Kevin glancing off.)
Didn't want to embarrass the guy or anything.
(Kevin glances toward Paul off-screen, then turns and walks toward the door and out.)
MR. CUTLIP (V/O): The rest of the plays...
Cut to
Evening - Kevin and Wayne's Bedroom
(Close shot of Kevin at his desk and writing in his notebook. The camera circles slowly. Sound of rain and thunder can be heard.)
I tried to study for my American history test that evening.
(Kevin pauses and frowns.)
But somehow, I just couldn't concentrate.
(Kevin looks off.)
Maybe there as a reason.
(Kevin grabs the back of his neck and frowns. He rolls his head around and looks at his hand. The camera continues to circle slowly, and includes Wayne on his bed in the background. He is holding a book flat with small paperwads lined up on it.)
WAYNE: Butthead at three o'clock. Launch missile.
(Wayne flicks a piece of popcorn toward Kevin.)
(Kevin grabs his neck and turns toward Wayne.)
KEVIN: Wayne - knock it off, will ya?!
(Wayne flicks another piece.)
KEVIN: I'm tryin' to study!
(Wayne flicks another piece and smiles.)
(Shot of Kevin looking toward Wayne off-screen.)
KEVIN: Wayne!
(Shot past Kevin as Wayne puts down the book and put his hands together.)
WAYNE: What's the matter, little brother?
(Kevin looks toward Wayne.)
WAYNE: You seem...(gestures)...troubled.
(Some sitar music plays.)
(Close shot of Kevin sighing and turning toward his desk.)
(Close shot of Wayne looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WAYNE: You want to talk about it?
(Close shot of Kevin looking over his shoulder toward Wayne off-screen.)
KEVIN: No.
(Close shot of Wayne looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WAYNE: I understand. (Smiles.) Some things...(gestures)...just too deep for words. (Nods.)
(Close shot of Kevin at the desk. He looks over his shoulder at Wayne off-screen.)
And even though I knew I should let the matter drop...
KEVIN: What do you mean by that?
(Shot past Kevin of Wayne looking at him.)
WAYNE: You think I'm made out of stone?
(Wayne moves closer to the end of the bed.)
(Shot of Kevin turning around slightly and looking at Wayne off-screen.)
WAYNE (V/O): Hey, I live around here.
(Wayne sits at the end of the bed facing Kevin.)
WAYNE: I see things.
(Close shot of Wayne looking at Kevin off-screen. He pauses and looks down, then at Kevin off-screen.)
WAYNE: It's Paul, isn't it? I mean...(shrugs)...you carry the guy on your back for fourteen years, and...now, he doesn't need you anymore. (Frowns) Ungrateful twerp.
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Wayne off-screen.)
WAYNE (V/O): But, uh, don't let it get to you. I mean...
(Close shot of Wayne looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WAYNE: The guys always been a loser, right? (Nods.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Wayne off-screen.)
It was...horrible. I one fell swoop...
(Close shot of Wayne looking at Kevin off-screen.)
My neanderthal brother...
(Wayne smiles and nods slightly.)
Had looked into my innermost feelings.
(Close shot of Kevin glancing off.)
And it wasn't a pretty sight.
(Kevin looks at Wayne off-screen.)
KEVIN: He's not a loser, Wayne.
(Close shot of Wayne looking at Kevin off-screen.)
WAYNE: Sure he is. (Frowns.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Wayne off-screen.)
WAYNE (V/O): You know it, and I know it.
(Shot past Kevin of Wayne as Wayne holds up a finger.)
WAYNE: If he walks like a duck...
(Wayne stands up.)
WAYNE: If he talks like a duck...(gestures)...then it must be the Pfeiffster.
(Wayne smiles and chuckles.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking toward Wayne off-screen.)
But suddenly, I knew it wasn't true. Not any more.
(Wider shot of both as Kevin stands up and faces Wayne.)
And at that moment, I knew what I had to do.
(Kevin pushes Wayne backward onto the bed. Wayne gets up slowly.)
(Close shot past Kevin of Wayne frowning at him and approaching.)
(Close shot past Wayne of Kevin looking at him.)
(Close shot past Kevin of Wayne frowning at him.)
(Shot of both as Wayne picks up Kevin.)
(Wider shot of both as Wayne tosses Kevin onto the bed.)
KEVIN: Wayne!
(Wayne begins to push Kevin around.)
KEVIN: Think about it!
Fade to
Night - Arnold Driveway
(Wide shot of Kevin bouncing the basketball. Some Snuffy guitar plays.)
When you're fourteen...
(Closer shot of Kevin holding the ball.)
Bruises heal quickly.
(Kevin shoots. Sound of the ball going through the net.)
Some of them, anyway.
(Kevin grabs the ball as it returns to him.)
But that night...
(Paul approaches from the street.)
I felt a kind of hurt...
(Kevin bounces the ball a few times.)
I knew wasn't just gonna disappear.
(Kevin shoots again. Sound of the ball going through the net.)
Not by itself.
(Kevin grabs the ball as it returns to him. He gets set to shoot again, and Paul bounces his ball.)
(Shot of Kevin turning and looking at Paul off-screen.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul pausing and looking at him.)
PAUL: I want a game.
(Shot past Paul of Kevin looking at him.)
KEVIN: What?
PAUL: You heard me.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: I want a game.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Why? (Frowns.) So I can beat ya one more time? (Nods.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Who says you're gonna beat me?
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul, I beat ya every time.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Yeah. Well maybe not this time.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Forget it. I don't really feel like lettin' ya win. (Frowns.)
(Kevin turns away.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: I want a game!
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Paul, come on. I've been creaming ya for the past fourteen years! (Gestures.) What makes ya think it's ever gonna be any different?
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Because!
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Because what?
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: Because things change, Kev. I've changed.
(Close shot of Kevin looking off, then at Paul off-screen.)
KEVIN: Not to me.
(Close shot of Paul looking at Kevin off-screen.)
PAUL: I know.
(Close shot of Kevin looking at Paul off-screen, then tossing the ball to him.)
KEVIN: Prove it. (Points.) Loser's out.
(Close shot of Paul as he starts to dribble and Kevin covers him.)
(Wider shot of Paul dribbling, then driving in past Kevin for a lay-up.)
(Shot of Paul getting the ball as Kevin walks to half court and turns.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul looking at him.)
PAUL: One - zip.
(Paul tosses the ball to Kevin.)
(Shot past Paul of Kevin catching the ball. Paul moves forward to guard him.)
(Kevin fakes around Paul and dribbles toward the basket.)
(Shot of Kevin shooting the basket as Paul holds his hand up. Kevin gets the ball. They walk toward the back-court, and Paul turns toward Kevin.)
KEVIN: One up.
(Kevin tosses the ball to Paul.)
(Fade to shot of Kevin dribbling as Paul covers him. Kevin fakes Paul and shoots a jumper.)
(Wider shot of both watching the ball in flight and going in the basket. Paul sighs and gets the ball.)
(Fade to shot of Paul dribbling and Kevin guarding him.)
That night...
(Paul turns and shoots.)
(Shot of the ball going in the basket.)
Paul Pfeiffer and I played...
(Kevin gets the ball. Fade to shot of Kevin dribbling and Paul guarding him.)
The most important game of our lives.
(Paul blocks Kevin's shot, and they both go after it.)
(Fade to shot of Paul dribbling and Kevin guarding him. Paul turns and shoots.)
(Shot of the ball bouncing off the rim.)
PAUL (V/O): Oh!
(Fade to shot of Paul shooting over Kevin and making the shot. Fade to Kevin dribbling and Paul guarding him. Kevin pulls up and sinks a shot.)
(Wider shot of Paul dribbling, then driving in past Kevin for a lay-up.)
(Shot past Kevin of Paul approaching him with the ball.)
PAUL: Eight - six. Mine.
(Fade to shot of Kevin getting a rebound, then dribbling as Paul covers him.)
We both played hard.
(Wiider shot of Kevin dribbling as Paul covers him.)
And we both played to win.
(Kevin makes a short shot.)
And no game ever mattered more.
(Shot past Paul as Kevin approaches, bouncing the ball.)
To both of us.
KEVIN: Eleven - ten. Mine.
(Wider shot of Paul dribbling, then driving in and missing a shot.)
Maybe change is never easy.
(Shot of Kevin and Paul reaching for the ball. Paul wins.)
You fight to hold on.
(Paul shoots a short jumper.)
You fight to let go.
(Wider shot as the ball bounces off Kevin to Paul.)
(Shot of Kevin dribbling and Paul covering him. Kevin shoots a basket. Fade to Paul dribbling, then shooting over Kevin and making the shot. Fade to Kevin making a short shot, then reaching after the ball.)
But that night...
(Wider shot of Kevin tossing the ball to Paul.)
After seven-hundred ninety...
(Close shot of Paul.)
Consecutive loses...
(Shot past Paul of Kevin guarding him.)
(Slow-motion shot of Paul turning and shooting a jumper.)
(Different slow-mo shot of Paul shooting.)
(Another slow-mo shot of Paul shooting.)
Paul finally beat me.
(Close slo-mo shot of Kevin watching the ball in flight.)
(Shot of the ball in flight.)
Fade to
Gym
(High shot of the basket as the ball goes though it. Paul is wearing the white team uniform and gets the ball. Sound of crowd cheering. Paul trots to the baseline, turns, and passes the ball in to a team-mate.)
(Shot of Paul getting the return pass and dribbling forward.)
Paul made the basketball team that year.
(Shot across the court of the crowd in the bleachers, and Mr. Cutlip and some cheerleaders on the sideline. Some players trot across the court.)
(Close shot of Paul dribbling and holding up two fingers to signal the play.)
(Close shot of Jack in the bleachers, saying something to Norma.)
And he had some loyal fans.
(The camera pans across Norma to Winnie, who claps.)
But his biggest fan...
WINNIE: Come on, Paul!
(The camera pans to Kevin who is watching calmly.)
Was also his best friend.
(Shot from Kevin's perspective of Paul dribbling and being covered by an opposing player. He passees the ball, moves to the high post.)
(Close shot of Mr. Cutlip watching the game off-screen intently.)
(Close shot of Kevin watching the game off-screen.)
(Shot from Kevin's perspective as Paul gets a pass, dribbles past a screen and shoots.)
(Wider shot as the ball goes in the basket.)
(Close shot of Jack and Norma cheering and standing up and clapping.)
(Close slo-mo shot of Mr. Cutlip raising his fists and mouthing "Yes!".)
(Close slo-mo shot of Winnie smiling and cheering as she jumps up.)
(Slo-mo shot of Paul high-fiving a team-mate.)
(Close slo-mo shot of Kevin standing up and looking toward Paul off-screen.)
(Slo-mo shot of Paul smiling excitedly and trotting down the court.)
(Close slo-mo shot of Winnie smiling and looking toward Paul off-screen, then Kevin off-screen.)
(Close slo-mo shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen and smiling slightly.)
(Closer slo-mo shot of Paul smiling excitedly at Kevin off-screen.)
I guess sometimes you have to grow apart....
(He slows up and gives the "thumbs-up" sign.)
To keep growing together.
(Close slo-mo shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen and giving the "thumbs-up" sign.)
(Close slo-mo shot of Paul smiling at Kevin off-screen, then trotting down the court.)
(Close slo-mo shot of Kevin looking toward Paul off-screen and smiling.)
Fade to
CLOSING CREDITS
Music
Sweet Cherry Wine - Tommy James & The Shondells
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Episode Info
Wonder Years Menu
02/14/04 12:00