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by The Great Piranha (13 years old) (fortneyiii@aol.com)

Rated:

Genre: Teen Movies User Review: NOT YET
RATED
Life, love, and stupid tourists are addressed in this movie about a teenager living in Belize.

FADE IN:

EXT. TRAVEL AGENCY - DAY

Soft tropical MUSIC, Jack-Johnson-esque, plays as various
people walk in front of a modest travel agency--actually,
World Travel Agency, as proclaimed by the large red block
letters on the sign mounted on top. Inside, a female TRAVEL
AGENT wearing a uniform that screams "flight attendant"
shows a flashy brochure to a newly-married COUPLE, who have
their arms around each other.

The windows of the travel agency are ordained with colorful
POSTERS that showcase tropical flowers and well-tanned women
in bathing suits, advertising various locations: Hawaii,
Virgin Is., Belize, South of France.....

Zoom in on the poster of Belize until the photo becomes
real, and the camera is zooming in from the sky instead of a
street.

EXT. AMBERGRIS CAYE - DAY

Sunrise in Belize. From the sky, the camera zooms in on
Belize, then, as Belize is the only thing on the screen, the
camera focuses on a small ISLAND to the northwest of
Belize--Ambergris Caye.

New angle now. From the water, the camera zooms across the
sparkling ocean, picking up the reflection of the rising
sun, as it zooms in on a small row of docks, speedboats tied
to them, bouncing in the tiny waves. Past the boats, right
on the shore, there's a resort--nice and big, pool chairs
surrounding a glistening pool.

Zooming in past the resort, the camera travels through the
streets of San Pedro. Picturesque, colorful houses, rustic
but not completely run-down, these houses and the people who
live there depend on the resort. Zoom in on one
house--nothing makes it stand out--just another
run-of-the-mill house.

INT. JAVIER'S ROOM - DAY

A CLOCK RADIO's lights flash: 6:00. We hear a faint beep in
the back of the music. A HAND comes from the left of the
frame and bats at the clock. The clock is knocked to the
floor.

Quick cuts:

FEET slip into a pair of worn FLIP-FLOPS.

HANDS run along a moderate selection of CLOTHES on hangars
in a closet and grab a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

The door is slammed.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Olive-skinned feet in flip-flops stride across the kitchen
floor, then out the door--quickly, but not in a hurry.

EXT. JAVIER'S HOUSE - DAY

Start opening credits.

JAVIER, visible only from the waist down, makes his way
toward a BIKE, leaning against the house. His hands drag the
bike up to a standing position. A piece of MASKING TAPE is
stretched across the back of the seat. Written on it:
Javier. Timed to fit in as the title in the film's opening
credits. He runs his finger across the tape. Then, still
only visible from the waist down, he CALLS OUT:

JAVIER (OS)
Hey! Why'd you put this on my
bike??

HIS MOTHER responds: Shrilly, protectively.

JAVIER'S MOTHER (OS)
(calls)
So you won't lose it!

JAVIER'S FATHER calls out calmly, chuckling as he says:

JAVIER'S FATHER (OS)
Itzel, don't worry. He's not gonna
lose his bike.

JAVIER (OS)
Yeah, I'm not gonna lose my bike!

His fingers CLAW at the tape. Tired of his mother's
perennial overprotectiveness, he throws it on the ground.
The camera pulls up and reveals Javier Lorente--13, tall and
lanky with piercing eyes and dark hair--rolling his eyes.

JAVIER
(mumbles)
Seriously.

He hops on the bike and begins to pedal off. The camera
zooms out so that Javier, with his backpack, on his bike, is
framed against the sunrise.

JAVIER (VO)
So, hey, yeah. I'm Javier.
Lorente. Javier Lorente. I live on
Ambergris Caye--that's an island
in Belize. You may have heard of
it--either you live there or read
about it in some travel magazine.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY

A gloved hand picks up a Getaway magazine--on the cover:
Visit Belize, the gem of Latin America.

JAVIER (VO)
Everyone's saying "Oh, man, how
beautiful this place is!" "Oh,
this little town is so cute!"

EXT. BELIZE JUNGLE - DAY

Javier is in the back of a canoe, paddling. At the front,
his mother, Itzel Lorente, 35, hair in a bun and
conservatively dressed, holds a guidebook and points out
various exotic birds to wide-eyed tourists. Their DISPOSABLE
CAMERAS click-click-click like plastic woodpeckers. Javier
rolls his eyes.

JAVIER (VO)
But hey, I've been living here for
thirteen years, and I don't see
what the fuss is all about. Yeah,
we got pretty birds and stuff, and
there's this cool big dark hole
you can dive in, but other than
that...I mean, it's not really a
big deal.

EXT. TARMAC AT BELIZE AIRPORT - DAY

A gaggle of TOURIST FAMILIES, decked out in gaudy Hawaiian
shirts in the case of middle-aged fat men and pug-ugly golf
sweaters in the case of retirees, descend from a small
plane, EYES DARTING around in wonder as their cameras click.

JAVIER (VO)
And then you've got the tourists,
lured here by those travel
magazines, and sometimes those
downloadable internet photos of
Miss Belize...(beat) I mean, I
just hear about them, haven't
actually seen them. (beat)
Whatever. Anyway, they are
everywhere. They're always talking
really loud in their stupid
clothes....

INT. HOTEL--CONCIERGE DESK - DAY

A red-faced AMERICAN berates a frazzled EMPLOYEE.

JAVIER (VO)
And then they expect us to
be...well...their slaves. I mean,
seriously! You'd think they own
the place. And their stupid kids
run around screaming, and they're
always trying to take photos of
me--and yeah they tip, but do you
think I wanna be gawked at? Like
some sort of...I dunno...starving
African orphan? I mean, jeez!
(beat) Oh, and they never wear
sunscreen. It's like "Oh, we're
American's, we're the best. The
sun can't burn us, we'll just blow
it up with our nucular missles!"

EXT. DOCKS - DAY

Javier is helping his father (Andreas Lorente, 35, straight
out of a teen girl's hunk posters, with wavy hair, a full
chest, and a shell necklace) tie up his boat--a steady
speedboat--clean but could use a good coat of paint.
Sunburned tourist walk by.

JAVIER (VO)
Seriously.

EXT. BELIZE JUNGLE - DAY

Javier's mother leads a group of tourists through the
jungle.

KID (OS)
My feet hurt. I wanna STOP!

JAVIER (VO)
I really feel sorry for my mother.
I mean, she leads tourists through
the jungle all day. Now I don't
like school, but that's even
worse.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
So this tree is another one native
to Belize. There's a legend that--

No one is listening. A YUPPIE checks his email on his phone.
Some obese KIDS finish their candy, dropping the WRAPPERS on
the ground.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Hey! Can you please pick those up?

The kids, huddled around a portable game system, pretend not
to hear her. She SIGHS and goes to pick up the trash for
herself.

EXT. SEA - DAY

Javier's father's boat IDLES in the water near the big dark
diving hole, FISHING POLES hanging off the side. Three
COUPLES are in there: Two of them--COLLEGE STUDENTS on
spring break-- are on the bow, drinking beer. A potbellied
TYCOON dozes back near Javier's dad while his GIRLFRIEND,
who looks like she came straight out of Playboy, crosses her
legs in her scandalously small bikini, looking bored.

JAVIER (VO)
I'm not quite as sorry for my dad.
I mean, he still has to deal with
the tourists. But all he has to do
is drive a boat and help people
fish. And besides...the tourist
chicks still think he's hot.

The girlfriend gets up and SAUNTERS over suggestively to
Javier's father, LEANING DOWN to show him every bit of her
boobs that aren't covered by the bikini--which isn't much.

GIRLFRIEND
(tinkly-voiced)
Hey...my husband's asleep, so can
you rub some sunscreen on my back
for me?

She hands him the suntan lotion and WINKS. Javier's father
checks to make sure that her husband is really asleep, then
cracks a small smile.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Sure.

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

The school: A large, drab building with bright, lively
STUDENTS. Given the beautiful weather, the lockers are on
the outside of the buildings, and there are a lot of small
bungalows with large outside areas where students congregate
before and after school.

Javier pushes his bike up to the bike rack and LOCKS it on.
Then, his backpack slung over one shoulder, he starts to
walk to his locker when CARLOS, a friend of Javier's--13,
tall and chunky with messy layered hair and hands that talk
with his mouth, JUMPS out in front of him, GRINNING like a
maniac.

JAVIER
Carlos! What the heck, man?

CARLOS
I scare you?

JAVIER
(chuckles)
Yeah. Where's Santiago?

CARLOS
I dunno! Just 'cause he's my twin
brother I gotta know where he is
all the friggin' time?

JAVIER
So you don't?

CARLOS
Nah, I do. He's over there trying
to talk to Anna.

SANTIAGO is over by his locker. 13, he looks just like
Carlos, except for the fact that he's always chewing gum. He

opens his locker, then closes it, then opens it again,
glancing over at Anna, a girl with beautiful long hair and a
baby face, who has the locker next to him and is getting out
her books.

JAVIER
Define trying. Is she not
interested?

CARLOS
No, man, she doesn't even know if
he can form a complete sentence!
When I say trying, he is trying to
move his mouth here.

JAVIER
How long has this been going on,
six months?

CARLOS
Hey, man, go easy on him! You ever
try talking to a girl you like?

JAVIER
I don't like any girls.

Carlos gives him a strange look, the kind you might give a
streaker or a man pretending he was a cement mixer.

CARLOS
You gay?

JAVIER
No, idiot! I meant, like, I don't
like any girls NOW.

CARLOS
Hey, hey, just checking. Never
hurts to check.

JAVIER
It's cool. Y'think Santiago needs
help? If he wants, I can ask her
out for him.

CARLOS
Nah, I think he'd rather do it on
his own--if he possibly can.

Anna walks away without Santiago having said a word to her.
He collects his books and walks over to them dejectedly.

JAVIER
Hey, it's cool, man. One of these
days. You see her all the time.

SANTIAGO
I dunno, guys, it's like, it's
like I'm standing right next to
her and I think 'Man, I really
want to talk to her', so I open my
mouth but I can't say anything!
And then I tell myself I'm really
gonna do it this time and open my
mouth again, but then...

CARLOS
Then you don't say jack because
you're nervous.

SANTIAGO
More or less.

JAVIER
Look man, you like her, you'll
find a way. Eventually.

SANTIAGO
I guess.
(eager to change the subject)
So did anyone actually do the
friggin' homework?

JAVIER
No.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Last period. STUDENTS sit in a stuffy classroom on cheap
chairs writing on cheap desks as the TEACHER DRONES on,
pointing to x's and y's on a cheap chalkboard. This is a
regular portrait of the fallen public school system. The
kids look BORED AS HELL, especially Javier, who is watching
the clock, Santiago, who is watching Anna, and Carlos, who
is PLAYING HANGMAN with the STUDENT next to him.

The BELL RINGS. Students JUMP up, ready to get out of there,
another horrid day done with. The TEACHER starts to say
something, then forgets, then remembers, opens his mouth and
CALLS:

TEACHER
Mr. Lorente! Mr--Javier!

Javier TURNS around, a mixture of 'Can this wait' and 'What
did I do?' in his face. He walks over to the teacher. Carlos
is leaving, but Santiago pulls him back. Both of them turn
towards Javier, wondering what's going on--has he been
busted for something? What?

            TEACHER
      (to Carlos &
       Santiago)
If you two could...leave, so Mr.
Lorente and I...

JAVIER
Sir, if I'm in trouble, they want
to be the first to know. They have
a betting pool on how much smoke
comes out of my mother's ears when
I tell her I've gotten a
detention.

TEACHER
You're not in trouble.

Javier looks like a deer in headlights.

JAVIER (VO)
There are only a few real lies in
this world. "You're too good for
me," for instance. Heard that one
WAY too many times. "Good gravy"
is another. Never liked gravy.
Never will. But when a teacher
says you're not in trouble...it
means you are waist-deep in the
murky sea of trouble. Or, in the
rare cases that you really aren't
in trouble, they want you to get a
tutor. Now that would be horrible.

The teacher WAVES OUT Carlos and Santiago. They leave
reluctantly.

JAVIER
So, um...

TEACHER
I felt that we needed to talk
about your grade on the most
recent math test.

Javier cringes.

10.

JAVIER (VO)
Oh crap. The Tutor Talk.

JAVIER
Did I do all right?

TEACHER
Yes, that's the thing, Mr.
Lorente--just all right.

He slides a pile of PAPERS across the table to Javier. On
the top, SCRAWLED in red marker, is a very distinct C+.

JAVIER (VO)
Wait, what? That's not bad enough
for tutoring and not good enough
to put me in advanced...what does
this guy want?

JAVIER
Uh...yeah...so?

The teacher CLICKS his tongue disapprovingly, then looks at
Javier--a patronizing look.

TEACHER
Javier, you're a smart boy...

JAVIER (VO)
Oh, God...

TEACHER
And you have a lot of talent, you
really do. But it's not playing
out into your schoolwork. Now as
bright as you are, I really wish
you'd apply yourself and work to
your full potential.

Javier looks disgusted.

JAVIER (VO)
They're like this all the time:
"Oh, Javier's so smart, I just
wish he'd apply himself more"--I
don't have any...you know, hidden
talent or whatever! What you see
is what you get. And if I did have
some hidden talent or whatever...I
wouldn't waste it on friggin'
school.

The teacher sees that Javier is upset and BACKPEDALS.

11.

TEACHER
Of course...of course these grades
are perfectly acceptable, don't
misunderstand me...I just think
you can do better, and you'll have
to if you want to go on to
secondary school.

JAVIER
Yeah. OK. Thanks. I'm sorry.

He puts on his backpack and coldly walks out.

JAVIER (VO)
Secondary school?

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

Javier exits the classroom. Santiago and Carlos, who have
been sitting on a bench waiting for him, JUMP UP and head
over to him, soundlessly drilling him with questions, a mix
of curiosity and concern--and, of course, a genuine interest
in spreading the word around. Javier SMILES, shaking his
head, soundlessly saying "It's fine". Carlos and Santiago
look relieved and disappointed.

JAVIER (VO)
I mean, I guess it would be good
to get off this island...for once.

They head over to the BIKES, joking with each other. Carlos
gives Javier a friendly PUNCH in the arm, Javier gives him a
friendly punch back, and before you know it they're shoving
each other and Santiago has to BREAK THEM UP.

JAVIER (VO)
Away from the tourists and crap
like that...but then again, what's
the point? I'm probably gonna end
up being a busboy or a hotel
manager...realistically, what's
the point? Seriously.

They UNLOCK their bikes. Voice-over narration ENDS.

JAVIER
Santiago, Carlos you guys are
going to the Costa Maya festival?

12.

CARLOS
Of course, man! Hey, it would not
be a party without tequila or
Carlos.

JAVIER
But it would certainly not be a
good party with tequila IN Carlos.

CARLOS
Heh. But yeah, I'm going, and he's
going too, 'cause Anna's gonna be
there.

SANTIAGO
Hey, come on...

CARLOS
You're going too, right?

JAVIER
Yeah, why not? It's fun! I mean,
what more can you want from a
festival?

JAVIER (VO)
Money falling from the sky,
probably. But that's about it.

They get on their bikes and PEDAL off.

EXT. STREETS OF SAN PEDRO - DAY

A POSTCARD SETTING--rustic buildings and little cafes.
Javier and his friends pedal leisurely down the street,
staying out of the way of PEDESTRIANS.

The boys are keeping their eyes straight ahead, WATCHING the
road. A heavily sunburned forty-something MOTHER is keeping
her eyes straight ahead, on her romance novel, not watching
her kid, a six-year-old GIRL who sees something shiny on the
side of the road. MONEY? She SCAMPERS over to get
it--directly into the path of Javier and his amigos.

Quick cuts:

GIRL STOOPS to pick up the coin.

Carlos' eyes WIDEN. He gives a SHOUT.

The MOTHER's eyes DART away from her paperback. She JUMPS
up.

13.

The GIRL turns, looking horrified.

Javier pushes back on the pedals, STOPPING the bike. It
falls over. Javier hops off just in time.

Santiago and Carlos steer around of Javier and the girl.

JAVIER
Oh Jesus...

CARLOS
She OK?

SANTIAGO
Looks like it. (to GIRL) Are you
all right?

She looks frightened--who wouldn't be, these guys almost ran
her over--so she bites her lip and BACKS AWAY.

The Mother RUSHES over to her little girl, CLUTCHING her
paperback romance in one hand. She looks the girl over--no
major damage-- then turns FURIOUSLY on the guys with that
"Mother Bear" I-gotta-defend-my-kid anger only found in a
mother. She GLARES and raises her voice, but not to a yell.

MOTHER
Why don't you watch where you're
GOING?

Carlos and Santiago SIGH and prepare for a verbal berating,
which they will soon shrug off. But Javier has reached the
end of his rope with pissy tourists. Already angry from the
conversation with his teacher, he STRIKES back.

JAVIER
(indicating girl)
Why don't you watch where SHE'S
going?

MOTHER
(shields girl)
Leave her out of this!

JAVIER
Why? She was the one who ran in
front of my friggin' bike!

CARLOS
(softly)
Javier, man...

14.

Javier HOLDS up his hand: Not now, Carlos, can't you see I'm
having a pissing contest with a tourist? He is not about to
stop.

MOTHER
Well, she's not used to having
people race around the streets
like madmen!

CU: Javier's face. CONTORTED with anger.

JAVIER (VO)
OK. First of all, I am not a
madman. Second of all, that is how
everyone rides their bikes here,
and everyone is safe unless they
don't run in front of us.
Seriously. And third, who CARES if
she is or isn't used to something?
This is how I ride my damn bike,
and the idea that I should change
it to suit a menopausal sunburned
American suburbanite is insulting.
If she thinks that she can waltz
in here and get whatever she wants
because she's throwing down money
like fertilizer, she's wrong.

JAVIER
(spits)
Well, I guess she IS used to her
mother abandoning her in the
middle of a working street!
Because last I checked mothers
actually watched where their
children were going so they didn't
run in front of bikes! And there
weren't any problems then!

MOTHER
(indignant)
Look, I will not have you talk to
me this way!

JAVIER
(bitterly)
Just because my parents work for
you for a week and a half doesn't
mean you can treat me like this.
Or take pictures of me like I'm a
national monument.

15.

MOTHER
I wasn't taking any pictures!

JAVIER
My mistake. You all look the same,
I come to think of you all now as
a sunburn with a sneer.

MOTHER
You know what, the service on the
island has been horrible--

JAVIER
(blows up)
LADY, I AM NOT HERE TO PROVIDE
SERVICE TO YOU!

Intense moment. Carlos and Santiago want to leave, but STAY
out of loyalty. The girl SHRINKS against the wall, while
Javier and the Mother GLARE at each other in a contest of
wills. She's LOSING. She finally turns, GRABS her daughter
up by the arm, and STORMS away, calling over her shoulder:

MOTHER
I am NEVER coming back to this
island again!

JAVIER
Fine! Don't! And tell your friends
too! It'd be a lot better!

He takes his anger out on the bike, SLAMMING down his fist.
The handlebars RATTLE. He turns to Carlos and Santiago,
murder in his eyes.

JAVIER
(deadpan)
Seriously.

Javier returns to his normal demeanor. Carlos and Santiago
RELAX.

JAVIER
So what were we talking about?

SANTIAGO
The Costa Maya festival.

CARLOS
Hey, who wouldn't want to go to a
huge party like that?

16.

JAVIER
Nihilists, maybe?

They all have a good LAUGH.

JAVIER
I gotta head home, you know my
mother....(mutters something
unintelligible)

CARLOS
Yes, we know her.

EXT. STREETS OF SAN PEDRO--COSTA MAYA FESTIVAL - DAY

Close-up on Javier's Mother. She looks PANICKED, and one
wonders why, with all the pretty booths and nice smells and
happy people that surround her. Pull back a little: Javier's
father is walking with her. Javier is not. Javier's mother
BLINKS, then calls:

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Javier!

Javier is about ten feet ahead of her and POWER WALKING fast
to get more distance between them. He turns and looks at her
with no small amount of irritation on his face.

JAVIER
(stonily)
What.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Stay by us, Javier.

Javier's father rolls his eyes.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Itzel, be careful what you wish
for. He may live with us 'til he's
fifty. (beat) Let him run off and
have fun. You and I can spend some
time together, huh?

Javier's mother casts a furtive glance at Javier, then
HISSES to her husband:

JAVIER'S MOTHER
But what if he gets into trouble?

17.

JAVIER'S FATHER
(sarcastic)
But what if a giant rock falls out
of the sky? (beat) Itzel, he's
thirteen, and of course he's gonna
get into trouble. A little bit.
But if you try to keep him on such
a short leash, he's gonna go
looking for trouble just to make
you mad.

Javier's Mother looks DEFEATED.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Javier, you can go.

Javier starts to WALK OFF. Then his father calls:

JAVIER'S FATHER
Wait! You need some money?

JAVIER
(calls back)
I've already got some, but thanks!

Javier's father nods.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Don't kill anyone, and don't come
home too late.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Eight o'clock!

Javier's father smiles at Javier, as if to say 'I know your
mother's nuts', and MOUTHS "Later."

Javier starts off aimlessly, taking in the sights, sounds,
smells, and everything else he can sense. He TOYS with a
rock on the ground with his foot as he MAKES HIS WAY over to
a street filled lined with booths showcasing paintings.

Javier STOPS at the first booth and pretends to be
interested. Standard tropical PAINTINGS--sunsets, birds,
etc, line the booth. Three women are putting them out--a
toothless old HAG whose clothes are even older than she is,
a nondescript middle-aged WOMAN, and a cute GIRL who has a
great figure but doesn't flaunt it. The girl SETS a painting
down in front of Javier. He SMILES.

JAVIER
Nice painting. You make it?

18.

She takes a glance at him, gives him the
'why-are-you-talking-to-me-I-don't-even-know-you' LOOK, and
steps back behind the elder women. Javier SHRUGS.

JAVIER (VO)
If I were a girl and some guy came
up to me and started being all
nice, I would at least say
something back. Seriously.

He WANDERS aimlessly off towards another BOOTH, teeming with
crude paintings, when:

CARLOS (OS)
JAVIER!

Carlos and Santiago come running up. Santiago is CHOMPING at
his gum like a cow on his cud. Carlos grabs Javier's
shoulder and SHAKES him as if trying to get information out
of him.

CARLOS
Javier, man, there is this awesome
punta dancing contest--

SANTIAGO
But you gotta have three people to
join.

JAVIER
I'm gonna make us look like
idiots, and you know it.

CARLOS
That's the point! Think any of us
can dance better than you?

JAVIER
Guys, I'm not good, I'm just gonna
embarrass myself--

SANTIAGO
No one cares, man.

CARLOS
Besides, if you don't embarrass
yourself with us, you'll probably
embarrass yourself on your own.

SANTIAGO
And who would laugh at you then?

19.

JAVIER
Not you guys.

CARLOS
Look, c'mon, I mean, if you really
don't want to do it--

Javier SHRUGS and tosses his head. A WHAT THE HELL, OK look.

JAVIER
Fine. It's cool. I'll do it.

Carlos GRABS Javier and gives him a hearty NOOGIE.

CARLOS
And he comes through again! Way to
take one for the team, man.

JAVIER
Yeah.

EXT. STREETS OF BELIZE--COSTA MAYA--PUNTA CONTEST - DAY

Carlos gestures toward a CROWD gathered in a circle. PUNTA
MUSIC blares from the center of the circle. The three amigos
head in that direction, in no hurry whatsoever.

JAVIER
So Santiago, any new developments
on the Anna front?

SANTIAGO
(solemn)
Nope.

CARLOS
I told him to buy her chocolates
or some crap like that. He never
listens.

JAVIER
To you? Not surprised.

Carlos fakes rage.

CARLOS
One day I will kill you.

He then breaks into a MAD SCIENTIST LAUGH--"Bwa-ha-ha-ha!"
The guys CHUCKLE as they reach the outer layer of the huge
crowd.

20.

JAVIER
This may take awhile. Anyone think
to bring a crossword puzzle book?

Carlos gives a crafty little SMILE--I'm a sly son of a gun
and I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, it seems to say. He
beckons and then DIVES into the crowd, shoving past elbows
and shoulders.

CARLOS
Excuse me! Pardon me! We have to
give our lost orphan handicapped
diabetic little brother his
breathing meds! 'Scuse me!

Before you know it they're at the FRONT--a perfect view of
the center, and a better chance of getting in. Three GUYS a
year or two older than Javier and his friends are FINISHING
a crappy dance--one that was obviously improvised.

The music abruptly STOPS. People CLAP...yeah, the dance
sucked, but what the heck, it's fun. The MC, a cool-looking
guy wearing BLING and other fashionable accessories, steps
into the center with his MICROPHONE, connected to the
meager, low-budget SPEAKER SYSTEM. He looks like he took the
job thinking it would be fun, and then figured out that it
gets old after the first ten minutes. He FEIGNS ENTHUSIASM.

MC
And those were some great moves
by...

He FALTERS. Who are these guys? A TALL GUY steps forward
from the three and takes the mike. He attempts to sound
gangster and fails miserably.

TALL GUY
The Cool Quatro is in the house,
yo.

MC
(blinks)
There are three of you. Not four.

The tall guy JERKS HIS THUMB towards a CHUBBY GUY, who waves
to the crowd.

TALL GUY
He counts as two people, bro.

The MC ROLLS HIS EYES.

21.

MC
All right! Thanks a lot! And next
up, let's get funky with the Chic
Chiquitas!

He gives a look like he's about to be sick--Did I just say
'get funky'???

The 'Chic Chiquitas' STRUT onto the stage. There are four of
them, led by Anna. The second girl is a BEAUTY QUEEN, or at
least trying to be one, with tight pants and more money
spent on makeup than most countries spend on their defense
budget. The third is a homely-looking TAGALONG, and the
fourth is the girl from the art stand.

SANTIAGO
(Re: Anna)
Whoa! Man, she's--

CARLOS
Yes, Lover Boy, she is wearing
tight pants. And she's gonna
dance. You're gonna have a lot to
think about tonight, aren't you?

While Santiago stares LONGINGLY at Anna, Javier is calmly
TRANSFIXED on the girl from the art stand.

JAVIER (VO)
Well, she shows up again. Small
world, I guess. She's cute. (beat)
DAMN, she's hot. You know, I want
to talk to her. It's like when you
see a book with an amazing cover,
you want to read the first page to
see if it's any good or not. This
is like the...the GOD of covers.

The MUSIC starts to play. The girls DANCE to the music,
putting their hearts into it, SHIMMYING and SHAKING
SUGGESTIVELY. This is a teenage boy's wet dream. Or wet
reality. They're all good, even the Tagalong, but the girl
from the art stand is the BEST by far.

The three guys, EUPHORIC and wide-eyed, say "Oh, God,"
almost in unison.

The girls go on for another minute or so, SHAKING their
nether regions with their hearts and souls. The guys are
simply transfixed, staring.

22.

CARLOS
This. Is. Amazing. (to Santiago)
Dude, can your girlfriend dance,
or can she friggin' dance?

Santiago NODS blankly.

The music STOPS. The girls finish up, PANTING from their
exhaustive workout. The guys are DISAPPOINTED. The MC comes
back onstage, leading the crowd in a round of applause.
Javier, Santiago, and Carlos clap louder than everybody
else.

MC
And give it up for the Chic
Chiquitas! I'm telling you,
they've got TALENT, man!

The Tagalong BOWS. Anna BLOWS KISSES to the crowd. None come
in Santiago's direction; he looks CRESTFALLEN. The beauty
queen WAVES like, well, a beauty queen, and the girl from
the art stand just stands there modestly with her hands
folded, but a huge GRIN on her face, aimed unknowingly at
Javier. He GRINS back. She doesn't see.

MC
All right! And next up we have...

CU on face of art stand girl as she MELTS into the crowd,
LAUGHING with her friends. MC's voice FADES OUT.

JAVIER (VO)
OK, that's it. Pandora's box has
been opened and all the little
demons are jumping out and pushing
me toward her. I gotta talk to
her.

He takes off running, PUSHING his way through the CROWD.

CARLOS
Oh, come ON, man!

Javier scoots around or pushes bast DISGRUNTLED TOURISTS and
IRRITATED ONLOOKERS until he gets to the edge of the crowd,
at which point he takes off RUNNING like Dracula's gonna get
him.

EXT. STREETS OF SAN PEDRO--COSTA MAYA FESTIVAL - DAY

The four girls stand talking by a DILAPITATED FRUIT STAND,
where they have purchased luscious TROPICAL FRUITS from an

23.

ANCIENT WOMAN. They are talking nonstop and GIGGLING, as
girls are wont to do.

Javier RUNS UP, out of breath, his head SWIVELING and
looking in all different directions, until his eyes LOCK on
the girls. He TAKES A STEP forward. Then STOPS. LEANS
against another fruit stand. Tries to take another step.
STOPS. Leans back against the stand again and attempts to
appear nonchalant.

JAVIER (VO)
It's so hard trying to talk to a
girl...well, not the convincing
yourself that you should do it and
'what's the worst that can happen'
and all that...but actually doing
it, trying to go up and open your
mouth, because there's some
unstoppable force keeping you from
doing it. It's like you gotta find
that right window of opportunity.
(beat) Like when she's not
surrounded by other girls.

He shakes his head with RESOLVE and starts walking forward.
He halves the difference between himself and the girls
before the beauty queen looks STRAIGHT AT HIM. Javier
recoils and stops in his tracks. He SHAKES his head,
shuffling his feet on the ground. The girls are huddled
together, GIGGLING about something. Then Anna turns out of
the huddle and calls:

ANNA
Javier!

She BECKONS him over. Looking like a deer in headlights, he
steps forward RELUCTANTLY as if going to his execution.

ANNA
They were asking me why you're
hanging around and stalking us.

JAVIER
Who--me--stalk--what??

ANNA
(flirting)
Do you have something you'd like
to say to one of us, Javier?

She's smiling like a shark, thinking he likes her. Or one of
the girls around her, which would be good gossip fodder.

24.

JAVIER
Uh, yeah...

He looks DETERMINED: C'mon, man, let's do this. Anna GRINS
with anticipation.

He turns SHYLY to the girl from the art stand. She looks
honored but shy as well, and would probably like to crawl
into a hole as much as he does.

JAVIER
Uh...you, you dance...punta
...good..very. Very good. Punta
dancing. You. Yeah.

She SMILES serenely and looks down at the ground, BLUSHING.
Anna GUSHES:

ANNA
Oh, Javier, that's so sweet!

JAVIER
Uh...yeah. Listen, I got to...you
know...go. So, bye. Yeah.

He HURRIES away, looking DISGUSTED with himself. TOURISTS
think he's mad at them, and look mildly put off.

JAVIER (VO)
Why does it have to be that when I
talk to girls, I'm focusing so
much on them that there's no room
in my brain to focus on...coherent
conversation? (beat) Seriously.

EXT. STREETS OF SAN PEDRO - NIGHT

One week after Costa Maya and the streets of Belize have
reached a state of Belizean NORMALCY. It's about 7 PM, and
the tourists are CRAMMING into the bars, ready to HOBBLE out
four hours later. Javier creeps along cautiously on his
BIKE, ringing his bell to alert a BOISTEROUS TOURIST who is
yakkety-yakking to his pudgy wife that they're in his way.

BOISTEROUS TOURIST
Yeah, I see you, buddy! I'm
standing here!

JAVIER (VO)
In the middle of a public street,
yeah.

25.

BOISTEROUS TOURIST
(patronizingly)
Go on! Vamanos!

Javier GLARES at the tourist for mocking his language, then
pedals around him. Fade in his VO above the tourists' voices
as he weaves through the crowd.

JAVIER (VO)
They won't let us gather in public
places, you know, to have a party
and stuff? And they've got a
curfew too. 9 o'frickin' clock. I
used to think all that was
stupid--still do, of course. But
now I know why. THEM. (re:
tourists) They want to vacation in
peace, and we ruin the splendor of
the island, of course. Besides,
we're DANGEROUS! We might ROB
them! Life on this island is
always about the tourists. Well,
screw them. I don't want to have
to go to someone's house to have a
party I should be having in
public. I don't want to have to
take my parents to a late movie if
I want to go see it. I don't--

A VACATIONING SOCCER MOM with a camera runs up.

VACATIONING SOCCER MOM
Excuse me! Excuse me! Can I get a
picture, please?

            JAVIER
      (irritated, fake
       dumb)
Ehh...No...no comprende ingles.

VACATIONING SOCCER MOM
�Una foto, por favor?

JAVIER
Uh....Tengo que ir.

He pedals off furiously.

JAVIER (VO)
(savagely)
They can all go DIE.

26.

EXT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT

Javier rides his bike up to a small house filled with
TEENAGERS and LOUD MUSIC. It seeps through the walls to
where some teens are loitering outside and talking. Javier
DROPS his bike and walks over to Santiago, who is leaning
against the wall, examining the scene. Santiago does not do
well socially.

JAVIER
Seen Anna yet?

SANTIAGO
Yeah. But I didn't talk to her.

JAVIER
I could tell her for you, you
know. It's tough for you, and I
get that. I could--

SANTIAGO
I wanna be the one who does it.
I'll talk to her somehow...like
get her alone after school or
something...it just wouldn't sound
right coming from you, no offense.

JAVIER
None taken. I know what you mean.
If you ever need help diverting
some of her friends, though, I'd
gladly take the job.

SANTIAGO
Which one of them do you like?

JAVIER
What?

SANTIAGO
Wait wait wait--man, I saw you
drooling at the girl who was punta
dancing with them--you know, the
one who had on the tight jeans?

JAVIER
They all had on tight jeans. Was I
seriously drooling?

SANTIAGO
I think so, yeah. Like, not
literally maybe, but you were
metaphorically drooling. There was
metaphorical drool all over the
(MORE)

27.

SANTIAGO (cont'd)
venue.

Javier looks QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE.

JAVIER
Where's Carlos?

SANTIAGO
He ran off to go inside. I didn't
want to follow him.

JAVIER
Why not? Betcha Anna's in there.

SANTIAGO
Yeah, having an orgy with some
guy. I don't do well at parties.
I'm either accidentally spilling
my drink on people or getting
drinks purposely poured on me.

JAVIER
C'mon, I'll go with you and--

SANTIAGO
And have you heard the music in
there? That stuff could incinerate
the ears of a deaf man.

JAVIER
Whatever. I'm gonna go find
Carlos, alright?

He JOGS OFF to the door. Santiago CALLS after him:

SANTIAGO
Shut the door quickly!

Javier rolls his eyes, lays a hand on the knob, turns it,
and is greeted by an apocalyptic DIN that could explode a
tank. He braces himself and DIVES in to the abyss of sexual
dancing and blaring music.

INT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT

Javier SHUDDERS from the musical assault as he travels
though the massive orgy at a soundtrack pumped up thousands
of decibels louder than most would think possible. He walks
up to a GUY who is DANCING like there's no tomorrow and
YELLS in a faint-sounding voice:

28.

JAVIER
IS CARLOS HERE?

DANCING GUY
SAY WHAT?

JAVIER
I SAID: IS CARLOS HERE?

DANCING GUY
DID YOU JUST CALL ME QUEER!

The Dancing Guy looks MAD ENOUGH TO KILL, so Javier SHAKES
HIS HEAD fervently and heads over to a DANCING GIRL, who has
just broken out of a circle and is heading towards the soda.

JAVIER
HAVE YOU SEEN CARLOS?

DANCING GIRL
SORRY, WHAT?

JAVIER
I SAID HAVE YOU SEEN CARLOS?

DANCING GIRL
YEAH, I THINK HE MIGHT BE OUTSIDE!

Javier says an obscene word that is drowned out by the
music, then, frustrated, turns and SCOOTS through the throng
to the door, exiting quickly.

EXT. PARTY HOUSE - NIGHT

Javier STUMBLES out of the house, under the influence of
sound waves.

SANTIAGO
So you didn't find him?

JAVIER
WHAT???

People TURN, wondering if a fist-fight will break out.

SANTIAGO
I said, did you find him?

JAVIER
I CAN'T HEAR YOU. I'M GOING AROUND
BACK TO LOOK FOR HIM, OK?

29.

He turns and strides around the side of the house. There are
a bunch of people loitering around, but no Carlos. A handful
of POPULAR PEOPLE are in a circle discussing the latest
relationship developments. Some REJECTS sit around in a
corner, either talking or playing an RPG. Two TOUGH GUYS
smoke cigarettes. And then, sitting on a rock by herself,
drawing on a little sketch pad, is the girl from the art
stand. Javier starts to walk over.

JAVIER (VO)
I don't really believe in God,
but, you know, I see her before
and now I see her again. Whatever.
Man...she's...screw this, she
thinks I'm a stalker anyway, I'm
just gonna go talk to her. What's
the worst that could happen?
(beat) Seriously.

JAVIER
HI.

HEADS TURN.

ART STAND GIRL
Hey, it's you. Why are you talking
so loud?

JAVIER
I'M SORRY, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO
SPEAK LOUDER, I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

She puts her finger to her lips.

JAVIER
OH! This better?

She nods.

JAVIER
So...uh...nice seeing you here
again, right?

He has to STRAIN to hear her.

ART STAND GIRL
Yeah. Are you following me?

JAVIER
Well, no, I mean, not, I mean,
I'm...

30.

ART STAND GIRL
You don't have to, you know, stalk
me or whatever. I'd love to, uh,
y'know, get to know you.

JAVIER (VO)
Oh yes oh yes oh yes oh yes oh
yes...

JAVIER
That's...yeah, that's cool, I
guess.

He sits next to her.

JAVIER
So..uh...whatcha drawing there?

ART STAND GIRL
Just...just stuff.

JAVIER
Cool. Can I see it?

ART STAND GIRL
Not now.

JAVIER
So...what's your name?

ART STAND GIRL
Julia. Yours?

JAVIER
Javier.

JULIA
Ah. (beat) By the way, thanks for
the compliment on my dancing.

JAVIER
Hey, I mean, it was great, and...

JULIA
I should have said something nice
to you then, but, you know, the
girls were there giggling and that
just made me nervous.

JAVIER
Believe me, I was nervous, too.

31.

They turn towards each other and lock eyes for a split
second. They were both about to say something to each other,
but it's already been said, in a way.

JULIA
So...uh...well, this is awkward.

JAVIER
Yeah. Yeah, no--

JULIA
I've seen you before, you know.

JAVIER
No kidding? Where?

JULIA
Around. I was with Anna and
everyone.

JAVIER
What was I doing?

JULIA
Oh...nothing, really. Just,
y'know, stuff. I'm home-schooled,
though, so you never would've seen
me at your school.

JAVIER
I should've looked harder.

She stifles a LAUGH.

JAVIER
Oh God...I'm sorry, that came out
wrong. I meant I wish I'd seen
you...you know?

JULIA
I know what you mean. It's fine.

JAVIER
So...where'd you learn to dance
like that?

JULIA
I taught myself.

JAVIER
Who better to learn it from?

32.

JULIA
Yep...so, um, tell me about you. I
mean, I know your name, but that's
it, and you know my name and that
I draw and I dance and stuff,
so...

JAVIER
There's not much to tell, really.
I'm just Javier, y'know? What you
see here, that's really all there
is to know about me.

JULIA
Oh, come on. There has to be more
to you than...who you are. Not
that that's bad, but--

JAVIER
Alright, alright, lemme try here.
Let's see. I like music. All
types. Can't sing it, can't write
it, but I like to listen to it.

JULIA
Mm-hmm. Tell me more.

JAVIER
Um...I've got two parents, my
mother, who thinks I may kill
someone if I don't eat my
vegetables, and my father, who's
the voice of reason. He gets to
schmooze with Playboy models on
his boat all day.

Julia NARROWS her eyes.

JAVIER
(quickly)
Of course I find Playboy quite
offensive and have never read it
and never plan to and--

JULIA
Javier. (beat) You don't need to
try so hard. Listen, it's gonna be
curfew soon, and I have to go
home...but do you want to meet
on...um...Saturday?

JAVIER
Not tomorrow?

33.

JULIA
I'd like to, but...I'm busy. I'm
sorry. But I can't wait for
Saturday. You want to meet down by
the docks, then?

JAVIER
Yeah. How about the one farthest
away from the hotels?

JULIA
Sounds great. I can't wait. (beat)
It was great meeting you.

She takes her pad and pencil, WAVES, and slinks off. Javier
stands there, LOVESTRUCK. Carlos APPEARS behind him.

CARLOS
Hey, man...Santiago said you were
looking for me?

JAVIER
Mm-hmm.

CARLOS
Hey, weren't you talking to one of
the girls from the dance contest?
The one with the real nice butt?

JAVIER
Yeah...

CARLOS
Man, you like her, don't you?

JAVIER
Shut up.

CARLOS
I dare you to form a complete
sentence after basking in the
glory of whatever girl that was.

JAVIER
Go away.

CARLOS
Jeez! First you're looking all
over for me and asking people if
they're queer, now you're telling
me to go away and fawning over a
girl. Are we a little bipolar
here? (pause) Don't take it
personally. I'll chalk this up to
(MORE)

34.

CARLOS (cont'd)
temporary insanity on account of
you being infatuated with Miss
Nice Butt. Catch you later.

JAVIER
Listen man, don't take it personal
or--

CARLOS
You're in love, Romeo, and I don't
need more of an excuse with that.
I'll just go over there and start
ranting about Queen Mab, you think
about Juliet. (beat) Hey, do you
know if one of Romeo's friends
ever hooks up with one of Juliet's
friends? Santiago would like that.
(beat) See ya.

He waves and departs. Javier is FILLED with raging
TESTOSTERONE.

JAVIER (VO)
This is the best day of my LIFE!
Oh man...I LOVE her! Oh YES! I'M
ON TOP OF THE FRIGGIN' WORLD!

He GLEEFULLY dances over to where his bike is parked,
humming.

One of the TOUGH GUYS smoking in a corner turns to his
friend and sneers from behind his cigarette.

TOUGH GUY
Queer.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

A few days have passed. Javier and his father have just
started their DINNER, a slightly edible melange of meat
juxtaposed with green vegetables. Javier's mother is serving
herself and coming to the table.

JAVIER
Dad, is it OK if I go out
tomorrow?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
I don't think--

35.

JAVIER (VO)
There's a reason why I ask Dad
these things. I've always thought
my mother may want to take out a
life insurance policy on me but
never got the chance to, so she's
trying to keep me as protected as
possible until she can get some
time off to get that insurance.
Meanwhile, my dad...well, he just
understands what it's like.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Itzel. (to Javier) Since when do
you need permission to go
anywhere? Just don't break any
laws and be back by dinner. Why
would you ask?

JAVIER
I mean...OUT out.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Oh...

JAVIER'S MOTHER
(shrieks)
He's moving OUT?

JAVIER'S FATHER
(snaps)
No, Itzel, he wants to go on a
friggin' date.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Well in that case, no--

JAVIER'S FATHER
(mischievously)
In that case, no way am I letting
you go without you telling me who
it is. Huh? Which lucky senorita
has fallen for my son?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Andreas, are you sure this is a
good--

JAVIER'S FATHER
Itzel, it's something called love.
I'd at least want my own son to
have some.

36.

Javier's mother SLAMS down her fork.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
(tense)
Maybe you can give him some of the
love you get from those whores on
your boat.

She starts to STALK off, then, over her shoulder:

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Be a real man and show her some
respect, Javier.

She leaves. Javier's father heaves a MAMMOTH SIGH.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Be prepared, son. Love is a
wonderful thing, and it will also
make you want to pull your hair
out.

JAVIER
She's not gonna make me want to
pull my hair out!

JAVIER'S FATHER
I didn't say her specifically. I'm
sure she's wonderful, 'cause I
know you've got great taste. You
are my son, after all.

He CHUCKLES.

JAVIER'S FATHER
You'll make it work. Don't worry.
You'll do fine.

He reaches towards his neck, which is the home of a BEADED
NECKLACE.

JAVIER'S FATHER
If you want, you can borrow this.
You know, every day I wear this,
the supermodels on my boat,
they're all over me. I was wearing
it the day I met my mother, so it
might be good luck. (chuckles)
Just give it back to me, your dad
needs some love too.

He gives Javier a FRIENDLY PUNCH on the shoulder and heads
off in the direction of Javier's mother.

37.

JAVIER'S FATHER
I'm off to negotiate with hostile
peoples. Wish me luck!

He and Javier both smile at each other wryly.

JAVIER (VO)
I'm glad he understands. All the
time I hear adults say: "Oh, you
kids are to young to know what
love is!" Now, I may not have
known Julia long enough to want to
marry her, but I just keep
thinking out her and I feel great
when I do...and I want desperately
to see her again and see her smile
and all those romantic cliches
that are now actually coming true.
My God. I'm pretty sure that's
love.

EXT. DOCKS - DAY

Javier is LOITERING around while his father prepares the
boat next to him.

JAVIER'S FATHER
She say when she was coming?

JAVIER
She just said Saturday. She'll
come soon.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Alright. Well, good luck. I've got
to head off as soon as my--

A family of five walks over: A DAD with a beer belly who's
ready to fish, a FRUMPY MOM carrying an oversized BEACH BAG
and looking like a desperate housewife, and three KIDS who
are none too happy to be dragged along on Dad's fishing
excursion. The woman walks up to Javier and HANDS him the
bag.

FRUMPY MOM
Can you put this in the boat,
please?

JAVIER'S FATHER
He doesn't work for me.

38.

JAVIER (VO)
Or for you.

FRUMPY MOM
(ignores him)
Can you put this in the boat,
please?

Javier, thoroughly disgusted, decides to play the part she
wants him to play.

JAVIER
Si, si, senorita, muchas gracias.

He BOWS exxageratedly, and his father barely supresses a
SMILE. He takes the bag, moves towards the boat, fakes a
clumsy stumble and DROPS the bag into the water. He feigns
surprise.

JAVIER
Oh no!

He RUNS over to the woman, faking remorse.

JAVIER
Oh, Senorita! I so sorry...I so
sorry...I am no worthy of carry
your bags...

He FAKE CRIES. The woman looks furious, but feels compassion
for this apparently poor, modest little worker.

FRUMPY MOM
Doug, give him a quarter.

The father SIGHS, and, as if he was parting with a kidney,
tosses a quarter at Javier, who fumbles with it and
'accidentaly' tosses it into the water.

JAVIER
Oh! Now I have drop that too and
waste wonderful American money!

His father looks at him, pretending to be stern and
reproachful, but he can hardly mask his pride.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Come, come, let's go fish.

He USHERS the family onto the boat, winking at Javier, who
STOPS CRYING and SMIRKS back. Javier's father starts the
boat and speeds away from the dock.

39.

JAVIER (VO)
She said she'd be here. She said
she'd be here. She won't
forget--Jesus, man, calm down,
you'll be fine. You'll be fine.
Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Quick cuts to show passage of time:
Javier SITTING on the dock.
Javier LEANING against a pillar.
Javier KICKING some ropes.
Javier CHECKING his watch.

JAVIER (VO)
An hour can feel like an eternity.
And it did. Then, she finally
shows up, and I want to go all
'where have you been!", but she
smiles and starts jogging toward
me and I'm not really that mad
anymore.

Julia JOGS in Javier's general direction, waving. He starts
heading over too, and meets her halfway.

JULIA
Were you waiting long?

JAVIER
No.

JULIA
Good.

She LOOKS at him. He LOOKS DOWN.

JULIA
So, um...what do you want to do?

JAVIER
Whatever you want to do, I guess.
I mean, you know, I was thinking
we could get lunch and, you know,
do whatever...

JULIA
OK. Do you know a good place to
get lunch?

JAVIER
No. But I know a satisfactory
place to get lunch.

40.

Julia SHRUGS.

JULIA
Then we should go.

EXT. CAFE - DAY

Javier and Julia share a PATIO TABLE at some mediocre,
run-of-the-mill CAFE. Javier is eating a BURGER. Julia, a
SALAD. They're talking ANIMATEDLY, oblivious to the TOURISTS
who are looking at them.

JAVIER (VO)
That awkward feeling when you're
with the person you like...and you
don't know what to say...that goes
away after five minutes. Five
minutes to break the ice and then
Julia just opened up and I opened
up and it's been nonstop talking
ever since. (beat) The thing about
talking to other people is that
it's like scuba diving. You can
choose how immersed you want to
be...but once you get down far
enough, it's beautiful, and
intriguing, and makes you wish you
brought more oxygen. It also makes
you feel very isolated, not
noticing the tourists who are
staring at the 'indigenous peoples
of Belize--how exotic!' or the
owner, who is staring at 'those
damn kids who just talk and take
up space'.

CU on Julia.

JAVIER (VO)
She's like a movie, a beautiful
movie that you never want to end.
She's not only an amazing dancer,
she's an artist too. Her mother is
something like the seventh best
artist in Belize and gives her art
lessons and stuff. She loves
school--except for math, that is.
Her mom is just as nuts as mine.
And her dad...he lives in Belize
City and she doesn't see him much.
It's kinda sad, but she doesn't
seem to mind. She actually loves
this island, and seems to tolerate
(MORE)

41.

JAVIER (cont'd)
the tourists. She's in love with
the beaches.

CU of Javier.

JAVIER (VO)
Of course I tell her everything I
can about myself to impress
her...cause obviously I want her
to think I'm as amazing as she
thinks I am. Nothing but talking
for an hour straight. I've never
really gotten to know someone like
this before...especially someone
like her.

CU on MANAGER, a disheveled, grumpy old man, the type that
screams "Get off my lawn" at you. He wears a SCOWL.

JAVIER (VO)
Then the manager kicked us out.

Abrupt cut to:

EXT. STREETS OF SAN PEDRO - DAY

Javier and Julia walk through the middle of the crowded
street, moving to the side to create room for a cruising
GOLF CART with POLICE LIGHTS on it.

JAVIER
So...why do you like to draw so
much?

JULIA
I don't know. It just relaxes me,
I guess. I like putting the beauty
of the island--

Javier ROLLS HIS EYES. She doesn't notice.

JULIA
--down on canvas. It's a way of
expressing myself too, I guess.
And it's...I mean, haven't you
ever wanted to create beauty?

She doesn't expect an answer to that question, which is
good, because he doesn't feel like giving one.

42.

JAVIER
Can I see your stuff sometime?

JULIA
You mean now? It's in a gallery...

JAVIER
(impressed)
Your stuff's in a GALLERY?

JULIA
With my mom's. It's over this way.

She BECKONS him up a street and down an alley, stopping in
front of a SHACK. An OLD WOMAN sits at the front door, and
they raise their hands in greeting.

JAVIER (VO)
It's kind of hard to believe that
a building so ugly can hold so
much beauty--

They head through the entrance--there is no door--and Javier
is greeted by an AMAZING PAINTING that gives a new meaning
to 'work of art'.

JAVIER (VO)
But it does.

INT. ART SHACK - DAY

Javier is staring in AWE at the beautiful painting.

JAVIER
Wow! Julia! Wow! Did you paint--I
can't believe--that's so--I mean,
was it--how did you--

JULIA
(dryly)
It's my mother's.

Javier GRIMACES. Open mouth, insert foot.

JAVIER
Oh! Well...I couldn't tell. Learn
from the best, right?

JULIA
Here are mine.

43.

She gestures to a WALL OF PAINTINGS--there's nothing wrong
with them, but they're unspectacular. The brushstrokes are
solid, but the effects and the color leave a lot to be
desired. Javier fakes RAPTURE.

JAVIER
Julia! Did you seriously make
those? I mean--those are amazing!
I can't believe--wow!

JULIA
It's not that hard--just take a
brush and paint what you see. You
should try it, with boats or
whatever.

JAVIER (VO)
Me? Paint? Paint boats? I can't
paint and I certainly can't paint
a boat! Why would I want to paint?
I have better things to do,
like...like....fine. To impress
her. It's not like I can tell her
painting sucks, I mean, with her
being so dedicated to it.

JAVIER
Boats. Yeah. Paint boats. I will
paint boats.

JULIA
All right. I think you'd be good
at it.

JAVIER (VO)
Me? Good at painting boats? She's
got a sense of humor.

He pretends to be studying the paintings. She turns her head
to the paintings as well. They stand there in silence.

JAVIER (VO)
This would probably be a good time
for me to hold her hand.

He takes a look down at her HAND, which is hanging limply by
her side. His hand moves towards hers and pulls back.

JAVIER (VO)
Dammit...c'mon, you can do this...

She puts her hand in her pocket.

44.

JAVIER (VO)
Does she want me to hold it or
not?

She takes it OUT again. His hand moves towards hers, then
HESITATES, then starts moving again...and her hand goes back
in her pocket.

JAVIER (VO)
Screw this!

He lets his hand hang limply by his side. Unbeknownst to
him, her HAND moves toward his, then hesitates, then
decidedly reaches out and GRABS it. His hand squeezes hers.
CU on hands.

JAVIER (OS)
So where do you go to paint all
this?

JULIA (OS)
You want me to show you?

JAVIER (OS)
Not yet.

They SQUEEZE each other's hands again.

EXT. SUMMITT - DAY

A SUMMIT overlooking the beach, which is populated by
TOURISTS, UMBRELLAS and BEACH BALLS. Beyond that is a very
beautiful view of the water. Javier and Julia enter. They've
made a long trek, but neither is out of breath. SIDE BY
SIDE, they step to the EDGE and look out.

JAVIER
So this is where you come to
paint?

JULIA
Yeah. I just feel so inspired
here. And the place is so
beautiful.

JAVIER
Yeah, all the sunburned tourists
and their stupid umbrellas and the
beach balls and the goddamned
screaming kids--

She SMACKS his arm firmly. He rubs it, surprised.

45.

JULIA
Just ENJOY it. (beat) Look, beyond
them there's the ocean. And the
boats. Tell me THAT'S not
beautiful.

JAVIER
It is.

They both turn and look at the ocean, but Javier is drawn to
Julia more than the sparkling waters.

JAVIER (VO)
This would be a good time...I
should definitely kiss her now.

He LEANS toward her.

JAVIER (VO)
C'mon, you can do this!

Then he finds himself KISSING AIR as she squats down and
picks up a ROCK.

JAVIER (VO)
Damn it all!

JULIA
See? Even this rock inspires me.
Now I want to do a painting of a
bunch of rocks. I don't know why.
I just feel so inspired up here.

Javier feels pretty INSPIRED too. He tries to lean in to
KISS Julia again as she turns back to the sea, but she
doesn't notice, turning around and walking back the way they
came.

JULIA
We should probably go now...it's
getting a little late, don't you
think?

JAVIER
(disappointed)
Yeah, I guess. See you, then.

JULIA
I'd love to do this again. Why
don't we talk to each other
through Anna and we can hang out
again sometime.

46.

JAVIER
(distantly)
Yeah, that's...that's great.

JULIA
Well, thanks for a great time!

She TURNS and starts WALKING AWAY.

JAVIER (VO)
Are you an idiot? You had a
chance, and you can't let it just
walk away from you like that! Man
up! Get some!

JAVIER
Julia, wait!

She stops, about fifteen feet away from him.

JULIA
What is it?

JAVIER
(awkwardly)
Would you...I mean, would you mind
if...can I kiss you?

She LIGHTS UP. A virgin as far as kissing goes, she would
love a kiss from Javier, who is beginning to grow on her.

JULIA
I'd love that.

He STRIDES purposefully toward her.

JAVIER (VO)
Now, how am I supposed to do this?

They awkwardly WRAP THEIR ARMS around each other. He PLANTS
his lips on hers. They HOLD the kiss for about five seconds,
then gently SEPARATE.

JULIA
(shyly)
Thank you.

JAVIER
Thank YOU.

And with a WAVE and a SMILE, she heads off again. Javier is
smiling like a doofus--he's on top of the friggin' world. He
starts JUMPING and PUMPING HIS FIST.

47.

JAVIER
Yes! Yes! Yes! Hell yeah! Yes!
Amazing!

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Javier and his dad are eating DINNER--minute rice.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Your mother called. She'll be
running a little late--one of the
tourist kids ran into an ancient
temple and they had to search for
him.

Javier gives an ANNOYED GRUNT. His father NODS
sympathetically.

JAVIER'S FATHER
So how'd your date go?

JAVIER
Good. No, it went great. It was
amazing. We had a wonderful time.

JAVIER'S FATHER
That's great, son. Glad you had
fun. (solemnly) Now, your mother
wants...

Javier GROANS. He'd rather face torture.

JAVIER'S FATHER
I know, I know...but your mother
still wants me to have a talk with
you about, you know, the birds and
the bees.

JAVIER
Jesus, Dad...you know I know about
all that, and--

JAVIER'S FATHER
Of course I know you know all
about that. But I can't lie to
your mother, can I? (grins) So
here goes. Birds are pretty. Bees
sting you. There. Now I don't have
to lie to your mother, and you
don't have to listen to stuff you
already know about.

48.

Javier GRINS.

JAVIER
Thanks.

JAVIER'S FATHER
No problem. But seriously--don't
do anything stupid, OK? I know
you're a smart kid, but when
you're madly in love, certain
abilities are impaired, like how
to form a complete sentence and
sometimes, you know, how to say
no. So just be smart, because I
refuse to be a grandfather before
I'm fifty.

JAVIER
(appalled)
Dad! Neither of us...it's not...we
haven't even thought about going
that far.

JAVIER'S FATHER
(grins)
Yet.

JAVIER
Or ever. What would God think?

JAVIER'S FATHER
God's got other things on his
mind. You have the saints who run
the charity programs over in
Africa and the hellions who
massacre people...why would he
want to waste his time on a
hormonal teenager?

JAVIER
Good point.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Well, I'm sure I'm the last person
you'd want any more dating advice
from. I know I sure as hell didn't
ever want any from my father.
(beat) You want to take the boat
out for a quick spin? I could give
you another driving lesson.

Javier is ENTHUSIASTIC.

49.

JAVIER
Definitely!

He picks up his DISH and puts it back in the CUPBOARD.
Quick cut to:

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

Javier, in the same pose he was in before the cut from the
last scene, is taking out BOOKS from his LOCKER.

JAVIER
Frickin' English...

Anna HURRIES up to Javier, holding an ENVELOPE and followed
by a THRONG OF GIGGLING GIRLS.

ANNA
Javier? Julia wanted me to give
this to you.

The girls behind her GIGGLE incessantly like a hoard of
cicadas.

GIGGLING GIRL
It's so CUTE!

Anna leans in towards Javier.

ANNA
She really likes you, you know.
You're lucky. Just watch out for
her mom.

Javier looks PANIC-STRICKEN.

JAVIER (VO)
Her MOM? (beat) Well, she's got to
have a mom, I guess. But WATCH OUT
for her? Is she going to, like,
come after me with a stick or
something? Is she that protective
of Julia? Is she plotting to kill
me right now, or something? Does
she think I'm some psycho--

Anna and company have left, and Santiago has appeared in
front of Javier. He is SEETHING.

SANTIAGO
What the hell do you think you're
DOING, man?

50.

JAVIER
What?

SANTIAGO
I turn my back for one second and
you're getting LOVE NOTES from
ANNA? I thought you were my
friend! This is screwed up, man!

JAVIER
Santiago? Are you nuts?

SANTIAGO
What?

JAVIER
This is about MY girlfriend, man.
And besides, you need to make a
move, otherwise someone else is
gonna get her, and you can't get
mad at them if you don't try for
her first. That's Man Law.

SANTIAGO
I'm sorry, man. I'm just...y'know,
tense, because I can't...

JAVIER
Hey, it's cool. You want me to ask
for you?

SANTIAGO
Really? I know I should do it
myself, but, y'know, I just
can't...

JAVIER
It's cool, man. Give me today, and
I'll do it for you. No sweat. I'll
help you.

SANTIAGO
Thanks man. I'm sorry for earlier.

JAVIER
Hey, what are friends for? But if
she says yes when I ask her for
you, you gotta stop being such a
pussy-willow and make a move or
something. Deal?

SANTIAGO
Deal.

51.

Javier gives Santiago a REASSURING PAT on the shoulder.
Confidence renewed, Santiago WALKS OFF. Carlos comes HUFFING
UP.

CARLOS
I'm sorry, man. He's been acting
weird for a while now...

JAVIER
Of course. I mean, love is the
weirdest thing in the world.

CARLOS
Weirder than spray cheese?

JAVIER
Probably.

INT. ENGLISH CLASS - DAY

A TEACHER dramatically reads from a book. In the back of the
class, Javier reads the LETTER under the DESK.

JULIA (VO)
Dear Javier...
I guess I should have told you
before...my mother really doesn't
think I should be going out with
boys...anyway, the woman we saw
outside the art gallery? She was
friends with my mother...

INT. MATH CLASS - DAY

A STUDENT does a problem at the board. Javier continues
reading the LETTER.

JULIA (VO)
...and she told her that she'd
seen you and I go in together. I'm
sure she didn't mean to tell on
us, but anyway...my mother says we
can't go out again. Of course....

INT. SCIENCE CLASS - DAY

The TEACHER is writing some sort of formula on the board.
Javier is still READING.

52.

JULIA (VO)
...that doesn't mean we still
can't see each other. I'm no good
at lying and I haven't really done
anything like this before, but
this is ridiculous and my mother
won't change her mind. I'd love to
meet you Saturday again--I'll just
tell her I'm going out with
Anna--and if you could find a
place for us to meet that's out of
the way where no one will find
us...

Javier PERKS UP.

JULIA (VO)
...then tell Anna, and she'll tell
me. Saturday, same time. Love,
Julia.

Javier SWOONS.

JAVIER (VO)
LOVE???

SCIENCE TEACHER
Ahem. Mr. Lorente?

JAVIER
Yes?

SCIENCE TEACHER
Are you with us?

JAVIER
(sighs)
Yes sir.

The teacher nods contentedly and turns back to the board.

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

Javier, note in hand, hurries over to Anna and her GIGGLING
GIRLFRIENDS.

JAVIER
Listen. Tell her I know what we
should do, and to meet me the same
place as last time. Tell her it's
a surprise.

53.

The girls SWOON.

ANNA
Oh, Javier, do you know how cute
that sounds? She will LOVE it!

Javier looks like he could have done without Anna's
comments.

JAVIER
OK. And there's one more thing?

ANNA
Yes?

He LEANS IN. This is not for ANNA'S POSSE to hear.

JAVIER
Will you go out with Santiago? He
really likes you, you know.

They hear anyway, and GIGGLE relentlessly.

ANNA
Santiago? Really? He likes me?
Yeah, sure! Sure, I'll do it!

Giggles and 'awws' from the GIRLS.

JAVIER
Well then. Um. Thank you. I'll be
going now.

GIGGLING GIRL
G'bye!

JAVIER (VO)
A mental facility hath no idiocy
like a giggling teenage girl.

He STRIDES away.

EXT. DOCKS - DAY

Javier is sitting on the DOCK, PAD AND PENCIL in hand,
lazily dangling his legs above the water. He focuses on a
ramshackle boat, then starts making a few preliminary
SCRATCHES with the pencil. He then RUBS IT OUT with the
eraser.

JAVIER (VO)
No, no, no...

54.

He tries again, a small sketch giving the basic outline of
the boat. It looks horrible.

JAVIER (VO)
This looks ugly.

He turns his attention to the BOAT.

JAVIER (VO)
Then again, that looks ugly.
(beat) Who would build a piece of
crap like that? (beat) Now if I
built it...

He makes a few bold, efficient STROKES on the paper. It
looks like the boat, except...better.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Javier and his father are in the kitchen. His father holds
several SHEETS of notepad paper--Javier's, covered with
BLUEPRINTS for boats.

JAVIER
So what do you think?

JAVIER'S FATHER
Now the fact that I love you and I
love boats will impede my
judgement, you realize. (beat)
These are AMAZING, Javier. I mean,
if they built my boat like
that...these aren't ART, of
course, but they're practical and
they're good-looking and they'd
probably save fuel, too.

He PATS Javier on the shoulder.

JAVIER'S FATHER
You may have found your niche.

JAVIER
I don't want a niche.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Did I say you wanted one? You've
got one, and you should feel
lucky. You're good at it. And I
mean it.

55.

JAVIER
Thanks. (beat) Hey, can I borrow
your boat Saturday?

JAVIER'S FATHER
No problem. Going out with your
girlfriend again?

JAVIER
Yep.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Saturday. Javier's mother is STIRRING something
unrecognizable in a pot. Javier heads to the door.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Where are you going, Javier?

JAVIER
Uh...out?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
What are you going to do?

JAVIER
Um...Dad said I could take the
boat out.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Who will you be with?

JAVIER
Uh...nobody?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Nobody?

JAVIER
Just me.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
And what time will you be back?

JAVIER
I dunno. Before dinner.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
I need a more specific time than
that, Javier.

He ROLLS HIS EYES.

56.

JAVIER
Before six, then.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
That's too late. Be back at five.

He walks out the door, MUTTERING.

JAVIER
(mutters)
What's the difference?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
What was that?

Javier starts to sprint away from the house.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
AND CALL AT ONE! REMEMBER TO EAT
LUNCH!

He DOESN'T HEAR.

EXT. STREETS OF SAN PEDRO - DAY

Javier is RUNNING down the street. He's late, he's late,
he's LATE! He cuts around people, nearly running over a
tourist.

TOURIST
Hey, watch it, buddy!

JAVIER
Sorry!

JAVIER (VO)
God, I hope I'm not late.

He RUSHES past Anna and Santiago, who are WALKING TOGETHER.

ANNA
Hey, Javier!

SANTIAGO
Hey, man!

JAVIER
(breathlessly)
Hey.

57.

SANTIAGO
See you! (beat) Wonder why he's in
such a hurry?

ANNA
Probably late to go see Julia.

SANTIAGO
Is that his girlfriend's name?

ANNA
Yes.

SANTIAGO
Ah.

He very AWKWARDLY GROPES for Anna's HAND. She lets him take
it, BLUSHING slightly.

EXT. DOCKS - DAY

Javier SPRINTS up to the boat. Julia isn't there yet.

JAVIER (VO)
Good. Lesse. I gotta start the
boat...

He CLIMBS into the boat.

JAVIER (VO)
Got some drinks...my boat
blueprints...air tanks...(beat)
Only thing I'm missing is Julia.

He STARTS the boat. It CHUGS to life.

JAVIER (VO)
Sounds good.

He starts to RUMMAGE AIMLESSLY in a compartment when Julia
runs onto the docks.

JULIA
Javier?

JAVIER
Hey, Julia! Great...great to see
you! Hey, come on in...I figured
we could go out in my boat
today...y'know, so your mom's
friends won't see us?

58.

JULIA
Great!

She HOPS IN.

JULIA
I told her I was with Anna. She
says she wants me back around
five.

JAVIER
I can make that happen.

JULIA
I've never really done anything
like this before.

JAVIER
Get on a boat with another guy, or
lie to your mother?

JULIA
Both.

JAVIER
Ah. (beat) Well, I promise I'm a
good driver.

He starts UNTYING the ropes. Julia HELPS.

JAVIER
Let's get outta here.

He GUNS the engine, and the boat SHOOTS away from the dock.
Julia GRABS onto the sides. Javier PATS the seat next to
him, barely big enough for one and a half. She SITS, their
thighs touching. Javier starts to put his arm around her,
hesitates, and keeps two hands on the WHEEL.

EXT. OCEAN - DAY

JAVIER (VO)
This. Is. Awesome. I am in a boat,
roaring across the water, sitting
really really really close to my
girlfriend...

The boat ROCKETS past a SAILBOAT that some TOURISTS have
rented for the day. The wake DRENCHES them. They shake their
fists and yell obscenities.

59.

JAVIER (VO)
...the Belizean dream!

CU of Julia. She looks elated.

CU of Javier. He looks over at Julia. Then, PULL BACK: He
lifts up his arm and puts it around her, steering with one
hand. They speed through the water for a few minutes. Then,
Javier stops.

JULIA
That was fun.

JAVIER
I'm feeling dizzy.

JULIA
Me too.

They SMILE at each other for a fleeting moment.

JAVIER
Hey, I got, um, some cokes in a
cooler back there. Want one?

JULIA
Sure.

He heads back and picks out two COKES, tossing one to her.
She pops it open, and it FIZZES all over her. She LAUGHS.

JAVIER
Man, I'm so sorry! Is everything
OK?

JULIA
Oh yeah, yeah, it's fine.

She takes a large SIP of her coke.

JULIA
So do you just want to sit out
here and, y'know, talk?

JAVIER
Actually...

JULIA
Yeah?

JAVIER
I was thinking...maybe we could go
diving.

60.

JULIA
(delighted)
Really? I've never been?

JAVIER
Hey, that's fine. I'll be there.
You just put on the mask, and it
connects to the tank, then you put
on a wet suit--I brought one, just
in case--

JULIA
(laughs)
I'm already wearing a bathing
suit! This is Belize! Seriously!

She SHEDS her shorts and shirt, revealing a modest bikini.

JULIA
So then we put the masks on and
just dive?

JAVIER
Yep. That's how we do it. You need
help?

JULIA
I think I can get it.

She TRIES to put the tank on. In a few seconds she's TANGLED
in it.

JULIA
(giggling)
Never mind, I can't. Will you
help, please?

JAVIER
Sure.

He wraps his arms around her and starts to DELICATELY
UNTANGLE the equipment, putting it on correctly. She starts
putting on her flippers. He takes off his shirt and then
starts to SUIT UP himself.

JAVIER
(muffled)
Ready?

Julia gives a THUMBS-UP. He NODS, then dives over the side
of the boat, popping up in the water and waving for Julia to
follow him.

61.

She DIVES too, and they submerge beneath the water.

INT. OCEAN - DAY

Javier and Julia swim side-by-side through a colorful array
of AQUATIC CREATURES and PLANTS.

JAVIER (VO)
I know that taking your girlfriend
diving and looking at her
underwater is probably one of the
most cliche thing you can do.

He slips his HAND into hers.

JAVIER (VO)
But I understand why people do it.
It's so peaceful and serene down
here--you're really alone.

CU of her HAIR, streaming behind her like, well, STREAMERS.

JAVIER (VO)
People are so beautiful
underwater. She'd be beautiful
anywhere, but HERE...this is just
amazing. Being so close to her,
alone and together, just the two
of us plunged into a
sea--literally--of beauty and
wonder...I don't know why I didn't
have a girlfriend before, 'cause
this is frickin' awesome.

HAND IN HAND, they swim through the ocean, enjoying the
moment. Music plays as they tour small reefs, frighten fish,
and STARE, enraptured, at each other.

Cut to:

EXT. OCEAN - DAY

Back on the boat, they're drying off, SHIVERING.

JAVIER
Did you like that?

JULIA
It was amazing. So peaceful.
Really beautiful, too.

62.

A long, awkward PAUSE. They both know exactly what to say,
but neither wants to say it. Javier breaks the silence.

JAVIER
I think I love you.

AWKWARD PAUSE.

JULIA
Well! That was kind of...abrupt.
(beat) I think I love you too.
(laughs) God, if my mom were here,
she'd be screaming, "Oh, you don't
know what love is, you're too
young!"

JAVIER
So would mine. (beat) Do you think
anyone really knows what it is?

JULIA
Love?

JAVIER
Yeah.

JULIA
Oh, I'm not even going to try to
define it...what do you think it
is?

A BEAT. Javier SHRUGS.

JAVIER
Pretty much this.

She SMILES widely at him, again.

JAVIER
Mind if I kiss you again?

She LAUGHS.

JULIA
You don't have to ask.

He takes scoots over to where she's sitting and PLANTS his
lips on hers for as long as he can manage. They both BREAK
AWAY at the same time. They SMILE at each other again, then
look at their feet, neither knowing what to say.

63.

JAVIER
Oh! Hey! I, um, I went down to the
docks the other day and started
drawing boats...

JULIA
Hey! Can I see them?

He NODS and starts RUMMAGING in a pile over on the side of
the boat. He pulls out some PAPER, triumphantly.

JAVIER
So, I realized I wasn't so good at
the drawing thing...I actually
started drawing, like, what I
thought the boats SHOULD look
like. Like, designing them.

She HOLDS out her hand for them. He places them there. She
THUMBS through them.

JULIA
Wow, Javier! These are...these
are...amazing boats!

JAVIER
Thanks. I mean, I'm not good at
drawing, but--

JULIA
Yeah, the drawing part's OK, but
the BOATS! They're better than the
ones in the harbor!

JAVIER
Thanks, but they're nothing like
your--

JULIA
They don't have to be like mine! I
just think it's so cool that
you're doing...such AMAZING stuff!

She leans over and gives him a PECK on the cheek.

JAVIER
(blushes)
Thanks.

A pause.

JULIA
Do you want to head back?

64.

JAVIER
No.

JULIA
(laughs)
Me too--I meant, do you think we
should head back?

JAVIER
Nah. I brought some fishing rods,
we can stay out her forever.

She giggles. So does he. Cut to:

EXT. SCHOOL - DAY

The end of the day. Javier is HUMMING to himself, putting
books back in his locker. Anna MATERIALIZES next to him,
SANS ENTOURAGE.

ANNA
(cautiously)
Javier?

JAVIER
Yeah?

She looks at her FEET.

ANNA
Julia wanted me to give this to
you. (beat) She had a really,
really good time.

She thrusts a LETTER in his hands and scurries off.

JAVIER (VO)
Something's wrong.

He nervously OPENS the letter as he makes his way to his
bike.

JULIA (VO)
Dear Javier. I'm sorry--

JAVIER (VO)
I should probably sit down for
this.

He takes a seat on a BENCH, biting his lip.

65.

JULIA (VO)
I'm sorry I have to tell you this,
but my mother says she knows. I
don't know how she knows, I don't
know who told her.

Javier CURSES under his breath.

JULIA (VO)
Anyway, I'm grounded.
Indefinitely. And even when I'm
not, she's got to know where I am
at all times, and it can't be with
you.

Javier KICKS the ground. Hard.

JULIA (VO)
But I won't be able to stand that.
My mother goes to bed early, and
so I can just stand by the window
and wash the dishes. If you come,
like after curfew, I can go out
into the yard--the one place I'm
allowed to go--and maybe we can
talk awhile. My house is three
blocks from where I was in the
punta competition--it's got art
all around it. (beat) I'm so
sorry. We'll find a way to make
this work somehow. Love, Julia.

Javier jumps up angrily.

JAVIER
GODDAMNIT!

HEADS TURN. He CRUMPLES up the paper and THROWS it on the
ground, then, after a thought, picks it back up, then STORMS
away, gets on his bike, and pedals off.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

The sound of Javier SLAMMING his bike down is heard
offscreen. His Mother JERKS at the sound. She is chopping
VEGETABLES. Javier walks into the house, shouting.

JAVIER
Dad, I need to get out after
curfew tonight, can you--

66.

He turns and sees his mom, then GRITS his teeth, preparing
for the inevitable.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Don't shout, Javier! In the house!
My goodness! And your father's on
a sunset cruise, he won't be back
until about eleven. And going out
after curfew? Absolutely not. It's
there for a reason, you know. What
were you going to do?

Javier knows there's no way he can tell her. He FABRICATES a
response as he goes along.

JAVIER
Well, uh, I was planning to, um,
go over to Santiago and Carlos's
house...hang out, sleep over, you
know?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
On a school night? Of course not.
You have homework! Oh--but if
you've already told them you
would, you should call them and
tell them you can't come.

Javier gets a DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS look. Oh crap, I'm
doomed.

JAVIER
What? They...it's OK, they won't
mind.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Javier, if you make a commitment,
the polite thing to do is at least
let them know you can't make it!

She returns to CUTTING VEGETABLES, shaking her head.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Honestly, I think I taught you
better than that.

He ROLLS HIS EYES and grudgingly picks up the phone,
DIALING. Three RINGS, and then Carlos picks up.

CARLOS (VO)
'Yello?

67.

JAVIER
Hi, it's Javier. I just wanted to
tell you I can't come over
tonight.

CARLOS (VO)
What?

Javier sneaks a FURTIVE LOOK at his mother, who luckily
hasn't heard.

JAVIER
I know, I know, it sucks--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Language!

JAVIER
--but I'll be able to come over
some other time.

CARLOS (VO)
I don't understand a word you're--

JAVIER
Thanks, man. I knew you'd
understand.

CARLOS (VO)
What the hell are you talking--

Javier HANGS UP and STRIDES AWAY.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Did you tell them?

JAVIER
(irritated)
What did it SOUND like?

He walks into his room and closes the door FORCEFULLY.

INT. JAVIER'S ROOM - DAY

Javier THROWS himself on the bead, holding his HEAD like he
has a headache.

JAVIER (VO)
I have to go see her tonight. I
have to.

68.

He swings his FIST into a PILLOW, releasing his pent-up
frustration.

JAVIER (VO)
She'll forget about me. She's
gonna think I don't care. She'll--

His mother pokes her HEAD through the door.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Oh, and Javier, I got up early
today and had a long tour, so I'm
going to get to bed early.

JAVIER
It's five o'clock.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
I know. Now I put out some food
for you--eat it all, it's good for
you--do all your homework, then be
in bed by nine.

JAVIER
NINE??

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Nine-thirty. I'm going to bed. I
love you.

She LINGERS a moment, then leaves. Javier tilts his head
back and speaks, seemingly, to God.

JAVIER
Why do you make my life so
miserable and then just throw down
gifts like this? (beat) I'm a
teenager! These are tough years! I
need some consistency in my life!
(hurriedly) Thanks. Amen.

He kicks back.

JAVIER (VO)
Now I've got four hours to kill.

He leans over and turns the RADIO on--softly--then picks up
his sketch PAD and continues to design boats.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Javier looks around FURTIVELY.

69.

JAVIER (VO)
There is nothing wrong with what
I'm doing.

He puts his hand on the DOORKNOB.

JAVIER (VO)
This is not bad. Bad is those guys
selling cocaine to tourists on the
street corner. I'm not bad. I'm in
love.

He TURNS the doorknob.

JAVIER (VO)
And who CARES what they think? My
mom and the cops and the tourists?
Who cares? Not me.

He OPENS the door.

JAVIER (VO)
I just have to see Julia. There's
no way they would understand. Why
do I need to be with my parents to
go out at nine to see my
girlfriend? Why can't SHE see me
again?

He STEPS OUT and closes the door.

JAVIER (VO)
Seriously.

EXT. STREET OF SAN PEDRO - NIGHT

9 PM. Javier bikes past a closed GIFT SHOP, skirting around
some TOURISTS. There's a FLOWERPOT out front, filled with
gorgeous flowers.

JAVIER (VO)
Those looks nice.

He GLIDES over to them.

JAVIER (VO)
I should totally take one and give
it to Julia.

He TEARS one off.

70.

JAVIER (VO)
I am SO original. Seriously. What
am I even going to say to her?
'This flower looked so pretty and
it reminded me of you and I
thought you should have it?'
(beat) That's actually pretty
good.

He heads back to his bike, shrugging.

JAVIER (VO)
She'll like it. It's pretty.
She'll think of me when she sees
it.

He gets back on his bike and pedals into the STREET. Ten
feet away, a group of drunk COLLEGE STUDENTS are walking in
front of him.

STUDENT IN SOMBRERO
Hey! Buddy! Outta our way!

Javier's face TWITCHES. He wants to give these guys hell,
but...it's not that worth it.

JAVIER
Sorry.

He PEDALS around them.

STUDENT IN SOMBRERO
Adios, man.

JAVIER
Adios.

He SHAKES his head lightly. These guys are stupid...but he
can deal with them. Just give them the sorry and the adios,
that's all they want.

EXT. JULIA'S HOUSE - NIGHT

A street cramped with MIDDLE-CLASS HOUSES, each surrounded
by a FENCE. One of these is painted with FLOWERS. PAINTINGS
and ROCK SCULPTURES adorn the GARDEN. Javier bikes up.

JAVIER (VO)
And...this is it.

He PEEKS over the fence. Julia is washing DISHES and looking
out the window. NO ONE ELSE is around.

71.

JAVIER (VO)
Yes!

He starts WAVING, but she can't see him. The FENCE is in his
way.

There's a GATE. Javier tries to open it, but it won't budge.

Javier sizes up the fence, then backs up, gets a RUNNING
START, and JUMPS, getting a leg up on the fence, and then
FALLS, taking the fence with him.

JAVIER
Oh God!

The noise wasn't loud, and JULIA doesn't look up. But it
does catch the eye of a GOLF CART COP loitering around who
has yet to catch anyone in his career. This, he thinks,
might be a good time, so he PUTTS on over.

JAVIER (VO)
Oh, crap...

The Golf Cart Cop is FAT and BALDING, but still manages to
put on an air of AUTHORITY--after all he is a cop, and
Javier's just fallen down with a fence on top of him.

GOLF CART COP
Just what do you think you're
doing, sonny?

JAVIER (VO)
Oh God, he called me sonny. This
won't end well.

JAVIER
Um...climbing...the...fence?

GOLF CART COP
(scoffs)
Not very well.

Anna happens to look up from the DISHES, and, upon seeing
her boyfriend trapped under a large chunk of her FENCE and
staring up at a COP, she RUNS out of the house and over to
Javier.

JULIA
Javier, are you all right?

JAVIER
Yeah. Yeah, just a little
winded...

72.

JULIA
I can't believe you climbed the
fence for me.

JAVIER
I'd climb a mountai--

GOLF CART COP
And I can't believe he broke the
fence on my watch! That's called
breaking and entering, sonny, and
vandalism too.

A LIGHT goes on in the house, and JULIA'S MOTHER, a stern,
bespectacled woman in her 40s, comes out in her NIGHTGOWN.

JULIA'S MOTHER
Julia, what's going--who is this?

She GLARES, and then realizes: she KNOWS who Javier is, and
then GLARES harder.

GOLF CART COP
Does he live here?

JULIA'S MOTHER
(indignant)
No.

GOLF CART COP
Didn't think so.

He PUFFS out his chest, waiting for someone to pin a MEDAL
on it. Deducing something is, after all, a first for him.

GOLF CART COP
So we've got breaking and
entering, damage to property, and
vandalism here. So you want to
press--

JULIA
No! We don't want to press
charges.

She STARES DOWN her mother, who looks DOUBTFUL.

JULIA
We don't want to press charges.

The cop WILTS. He really wanted to book someone.

73.

GOLF CART COP
Well, son, I'm still gonna have to
take you home and talk to your
parents. You were breaking curfew
too, you know.

Javier WINCES. He can already hear his mother scream.

GOLF CART COP
Let's go.

He unclips some HANDCUFFS from his belt.

JULIA
You don't need to put him in
those.

The cop realizes he probably doesn't and reluctantly puts
them back. He helps Javier up, and, GRIPPING his arm, guides
him to the CART. He sits Javier down next to him, then hops
in the other side and DRIVES AWAY, turning on the ROTATING
LIGHT.

Julia's mother turns to Julia. She looks ready to spit fire.

JULIA'S MOTHER
What in God's name was that?

INT. JAVIER'S ROOM - NIGHT

Javier is SLUMPED DEFEATEDLY on his bed. Sounds of an
ARGUMENT between his parents can be heard from the next
room.

Javier rolls over, puts his hands together in PRAYER, and
tilts his eyes skyward.

JAVIER
God, I'm sorry for what I did. I
know it was--well, it wasn't
wrong. It was the right thing to
do. I think you'd say that too.
But I know I wasn't supposed to do
it. Please, absolve me of my sins.
(beat) I hope he wins the
argument. Let him win. Please.
Amen.

74.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

The next day. Javier walks into the kitchen like a man on
death row. A bowl of CEREAL is sitting there for him,
untouched. Javier's Mother looks murderous, the warden ready
to throw the switch on the electric chair. Javier's Father
shakes his head in frustration, the defense attorney who did
all he could.

JAVIER (VO)
Oh, God. He lost.

Javier's father casts him a PITEOUS LOOK. His mother starts
out SOFTLY--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Javier, honey...

Javier's father MUMBLES something unintelligible. Javier's
mother pretends not to hear this, and begins to raise her
voice.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
How could you DO something like
this! Pull a stunt like that--what
were you thinking!

Javier's father is at the END OF HIS ROPE. He stands up
sharply, his chair CLATTERING to the floor.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Itzel, I already told you, he
WASN'T thinking! Didn't you do
anything stupid when you were his
age? (bitingly) Or were you such a
prude that you went to school,
went home, and then did your
homework and your chores until it
was time for bed?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
At least I acted in a way that
wouldn't dishonor our family--this
is going to be all over town, you
know--and I could follow rules!

JAVIER'S FATHER
He wasn't thinking about the
rules, all right? He was thinking
about the girl.

Javier's mother HUFFS.

75.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
That's no excuse.

JAVIER'S FATHER
(biting)
It's the best there is. Weren't
you ever in love with someone so
deeply that it clouded your
vision? I know I was...

He LOOKS HER IN THE EYES and harshly ends his sentence.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Once.

She stares back PENSIVELY. Then glares, and:

JAVIER'S MOTHER
No, I was not. I always managed to
keep my head, unlike some people.

Javier's father sighs deeply, pulls his chair back up and
slumps down into it. He's said his piece. He's played his
trump card. There's nothing left he can do. Javier sighs
too: He's screwed.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
We're doing this--

JAVIER'S FATHER
Not we--

She ignores him.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
--Because we love you and we want
you to grow up to become a
responsible young man--

Javier thinks about ROLLING HIS EYES, but decides that
wouldn't help matters.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
--So we--

JAVIER'S FATHER
Not we--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Have signed you up for the Youth
Cadet Corps.

76.

She takes a BROCHURE off the counter and slides it over to
Javier. On the cover, there are kids of about Javier's age
marching. They look miserable--but responsible.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
It's right here on the island, and
it takes place after school, so
your daily routine won't change
much.

Javier freezes up.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
It's run by the island police--

She TURNS the page, revealing a picture of the same GOLF
CART COP that caught Javier. Under him is the title: PROGRAM
DIRECTOR. Javier SHUDDERS.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
--and it's full of constructive
activities. There's camping trips,
community service, marching,
everything to help teach respect
and how to become a constructive
member of society.

JAVIER'S FATHER
He has YEARS to learn how to
become a constructive member of
society-

Emboldened by his father, Javier speaks up.

JAVIER
What if I don't want to become a
constructive member of society?

He looks to his dad, who nods. His mother glares.

JAVIER
All I want to do is see my
girlfriend.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
And you can, once you prove that
you can be a responsible young man
and follow the rules that we set
out for you.

Javier GRIPS the table, his KNUCKLES turning white.

77.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
I'm starting to think that maybe
this girl is bad for you--she
seems to be leading you down the
wrong path.

JAVIER
(grits teeth)
She is NOT leading me down any
wrong path.

She IGNORES him and continues, gesturing to the brochure of
the Youth Cadet Corps.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
This is only six months, but we
can make it longer if need be.

Javier stands up, pushing back his chair, A LA HIS FATHER.

JAVIER
You know, what, FINE!

His voice RISES unwaveringly. He rears to his full height
and looks his mother DEAD IN THE EYES.

JAVIER
Then I'll just go to school, come
home, do my homework, then go out
and march and learn how to be a
(mockingly) constructive member of
society. And I'll never see my
girlfriend, and I'll never see my
friends, and I'll never have a
life.

He roughly SHOVES the chair back to its place under the
table.

JAVIER
And then in a few years, when I
become a 'constructive member of
society', I'll look back on all of
the fun times I had right now,
marching under the blazing sun and
learning to be a constructive
member of society!

He STORMS off to his room.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Jesus CHRIST, Itzel.

78.

INT. JAVIER'S ROOM - DAY

Javier slams the door and heads over to the RADIO, turning
up the music as LOUD as it can go.

JAVIER (VO)
I can't BELIEVE her.

He FLOPS onto his bed.

JAVIER (VO)
Why would she do this?

He GLARES at the ceiling.

JAVIER (VO)
She's so stupid. She just doesn't
understand.

He throws his hands up in a "why" GESTURE, then EXHALES
quickly and harshly.

JAVIER
Seriously.

Javier picks up the DRAWING PAD and flips through his
SKETCHES. He turns to the next blank page and starts drawing
again.

The DOOR opens and Javier's father walks in--cautiously, as
if going through a minefield. Javier stays focused on his
DRAWINGS.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Hey, Javier?

Javier GRUNTS.

JAVIER'S FATHER
I know you're upset. And you have
a right to be. Believe me, I am
too. (beat) Listen, I talked to
your mother.

Another GRUNT.

JAVIER'S FATHER
I bargained her down to a month.

JAVIER
A whole MONTH???

79.

JAVIER'S FATHER
I know, I know. But that's as low
as she'd go. This was the best I
could get. Just do the stupid
thing for one month, then I'll
convince her you're a model
citizen, and you can go back to
seeing your girlfriend--or no,
wait! Maybe you will anyway. Your
mother still wants you to go over
an apologize.

JAVIER
WHAT??

JAVIER'S FATHER
With her. For breaking the fence.
It'll take ten minutes, and it'll
make her happy.

Javier thinks this over.

JAVIER
One month.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Instead of six.

They sit in SILENCE for a moment.

JAVIER
Thanks.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Don't mention it.

EXT. JULIA'S HOUSE - DAY

Javier's Mother, tight-lipped, GRIPS JAVIER'S SHOULDER and
STEERS him towards the door of Julia's house. She rings the
bell.

Julia's mother opens the door, looking just as irritated.

JULIA'S MOTHER
(curtly)
Come in.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
(just as curt)
Thank you.

80.

She SQUEEZES Javier's shoulder, prompting him to mumble:

JAVIER
Thanks.

Julia's mother hold the door open for them.

INT. JULIA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

The living room is small and sparsely furnished--a couch,
two chairs, and a card table--but numerous PAINTINGS line
the walls. Most of these seem to be Julia's mother's art.
Some look like they could be from other respected artists.
One or two are Julia's.

JULIA'S MOTHER
Please sit.

She seats herself in a chair, so Javier's mother sits down
primly on the couch, and he follows suit.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
(prompting)
Javier?

Javier is not prepared to say anything.

JAVIER
Uh...is Julia here?

JULIA'S MOTHER
She is in her room.

Javier grits his teeth.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Javier, do you have something you
need to--

JAVIER
(deadpan)
I'm sorry for breaking your fence.

He STARES, hard, at Julia's mother, who stares right back.

JULIA'S MOTHER
And...?

81.

JAVIER
And what? I broke the fence. I'm
sorry. I'll pay for it, if that's
what you want. Or fix it. I'm not
that good, but I'll--

JULIA'S MOTHER
No--what else are you sorry for?

JAVIER (VO)
Sorry I have to apologize to YOU.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
What do you mean? Did he do--

JULIA'S MOTHER
Are you sorry for tempting MY
daughter?

JAVIER
What?

JAVIER (VO)
I don't tempt. Tempting is for
biblical serpents and candy bar
commercials. I just wanted to be
with her.

JULIA'S MOTHER
You heard me. Stringing her on,
taking her out--you should have
heard what she told me! He took
her on a boat!

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Well--

JULIA'S MOTHER
He coerced her into going diving!
She's never been trained--

JAVIER
I didn't coerce her to do
anything! And she did a fine--

Julia's mother is fighting as hard as she can to protect her
little girl's reputation. Trying to set Javier up as the bad
boy, she points at him--definitively, accusatorially--and
says:

JULIA'S MOTHER
He put his tongue in her mouth!

82.

Javier's mother's MOTHER BEAR INSTINCT kicks in. She purses
her lips, clenches her fists, and prepares to fight.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
I had kissed like that with boys
at his age, as had all my friends.
(beat) Just because you didn't
till you were twenty--

JULIA'S MOTHER
He's got her brainwashed, I tell
you, she has this compulsive need
to be with him--

JAVIER
I didn't--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
(coolly)
Maybe if her father were around--

JULIA'S MOTHER
And not only did he break the
fence, he was sneaking into our
house at night! Do you realize
what he could've done to her?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Oh, so he was sneaking over to do
something to her?

JULIA'S MOTHER
What are you going to do when he
starts creeping into other girl's
houses at night and--

JAVIER
That's not what--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
It seems to me that he was
invited. What are YOU going to do
when your daughter lures all
manner of men to the house and one
of them--

JULIA'S MOTHER
Maybe if you tried to control
him--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
What about trying to control HER?

83.

JAVIER
Wait, this is--

JULIA'S MOTHER
I'm not the one raising a juvenile
delinquent.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
And I'm not raising a little
temptress.

JAVIER
She's not--

JULIA'S MOTHER
She doesn't know right from wrong
yet! She's just--

JAVIER
She does know--

JAVIER'S MOTHER
You think he knows any better? He
was trying to be Romeo. Just
because the man you love is in the
capital--

JULIA'S MOTHER
Oh, Romeo and Juliet? Did that
turn out well? Do you want them to
die now?

JAVIER'S MOTHER
I want what's best for my son.

JULIA'S MOTHER
I hardly think that's what he
wants.

JAVIER
What?

JULIA'S MOTHER
I KNOW what he wants.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
Oh, he wants to--and your daughter
doesn't?

JAVIER
We never--

84.

JAVIER'S MOTHER
We are leaving. Javier will not
help you repair your fence. He is
not sorry for what he did to your
fence.

JAVIER
Mom, you don't have to--

She STORMS out the door, beckoning him to follow.

JAVIER (VO)
That was the weirdest thing I have
seen in my life.

EXT. JULIA'S HOUSE - DAY

Javier's mother walks down the street at a quite brisk pace.
Javier STRUGGLES to keep up.

JAVIER (VO)
Did she just stick up for me?
(darkly) Or was she just sticking
up for herself? (beat) I wonder if
that means I don't have to do the
Youth Cadet Corps.

He GLANCES at his mother, who is looking murderous and
MUTTERING something completely unintelligible except for the
word 'whore'.

JAVIER (VO)
Guess not.

EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Fifteen ADOLESCENT BOYS, including Javier, are lined up in
front of the police station. Inspecting them is the GOLF
CART COP. He paces back and forth as he ADDRESSES them.

GOLF CART COP
Atten-SHUN!

A few boys correct their POSTURE. Javier ROLLS HIS EYES at
the lame sergeant imitation.

GOLF CART COP
My name is--well, it doesn't
matter, you will address me as
Sir. Always. If you're offered a
billion dollars, you call me Sir.
If your head's on fire, you call
(MORE)

85.

GOLF CART COP (cont'd)
me Sir. Now, over the next six
months, we will work on teaching
you respect, teamwork, and trust,
as well as reform you into model
citizens. Every weekday after
school, we meet here. If you miss
a session, I will call your
parents and ask why. We're gonna
start off every meeting with an
inspection.

He starts going down the line and INSPECTING, starting with
Javier.

GOLF CART COP
Tuck in that shirt!

Javier does, grudgingly.

GOLF CART COP
Spit out the gum! Off with the
shades! Take off the hat! I don't
wanna see it again!

Javier looks on in DISGUST.

JAVIER (VO)
If Satan ran a boot camp, this
would be it. And that cop would be
Satan. Acting like he's all
high-and-mighty and we just have
to bow down to him and do whatever
he says. How the hell are we gonna
learn respect when the guy
teaching it to us doesn't deserve
any? Why does he think he does?
Respect can't be commanded, it
must be earned. (beat) Hey, I just
learned something. (beat) This
still sucks.

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

The BOYS, led by the golf cart cop and another PORTLY COP
with a LANKY COP bringing up the rear, carry some coolers
and tents to a clearing. The cops carry NOTHING. Javier has
some POTS balanced on top of a cooler.

JAVIER (VO)
You march and you camp and they
yell at you and say salute. And we
salute. That's not respect. That's
(MORE)

86.

JAVIER (cont'd)
saluting. These guys could fall in
a river and I would not risk my
life to save them. That would be
respect.

The POT falls off Javier's cooler. As he bends over to pick
it up, the cooler OPENS and FOOD SPILLS EVERYWHERE.

JAVIER
Damn!

GOLF CART COP
(turns)
Language--(sees food) What the
hell! Can you even CARRY
something? It's not that
hard--pick it up and DON'T DROP
IT!

He turns around. Javier rushes around PICKING UP FOOD.

GOLF CART COP
(mutters)
Damn kids.

LANKY COP
Hey kid, you're holding up the
line! Get a move on!

JAVIER
I'm going!

He picks up the last of the stuff and KEEPS GOING.

JAVIER (VO)
I am not becoming a model citizen.
I am not becoming a model citizen.
How does carrying a heavy cooler
make you a model citizen?

EXT. STREETS OF BELIZE - DAY

Javier and the boys MARCH down a DIRT ROAD, DUST FLYING up
all around them. The Golf Cart Cop leads.

JAVIER (VO)
Only two more weeks. Two more
weeks, and then--and then I'll
NEVER get to see Julia again,
because the day her mom lets her
get within a mile of me, I'll kiss
the fat cop--Sir or whoever.
(MORE)

87.

JAVIER (cont'd)
(beat) This SUCKS.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

The church on Sunday afternoon is CROWDED and HOT. Javier
and his parents are dressed nicer than normally, getting
up--services have just FINISHED.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Javier, we want to say hello to a
few people...you want to go...

He GESTURES in the direction of the CONFESSION BOOTH.

JAVIER'S FATHER
...and...confess?

He rolls his eyes at the word 'confess'--but Javier's mother
is staring down at him, prodding him.

JAVIER'S FATHER
Please?

JAVIER
Sure.

He SAUNTERS over to the confession booth and is just in
time--a LARGE MAN is exiting, so he goes right in.

INT. CONFESSION BOOTH - DAY

The BOOTH is a small, dank place, with two sides separated
by a wall with a 'talking hole' in the middle. On the other
side is the PRIEST, a good-natured 60-something, who,
luckily for Javier, doesn't take everything too seriously.

JAVIER
Forgive me, father, for I have
sinned.

PRIEST
Mmhmm. What was it, my son?

JAVIER
I snuck out after curfew, father,
to meet with a girl I love--just
to meet with her--and I snuck over
to her house and ended up breaking
the fence.

88.

PRIEST
I see.

JAVIER
But now my mother put me in the
youth cadet corps, and I have to--

PRIEST
I absolve you of your sins.

JAVIER
That's it?

PRIEST
(chuckles)
I was young once, my son. And it
seems to me you are paying the
price for your sins. And I'm sure
you didn't mean to break the
fence.

JAVIER
(relieved)
Thank you, father.

PRIEST
Anytime.

Javier steps out of the confession booth...

INT. CHURCH - DAY

...and is suddenly FACE-TO-FACE with JULIA. Javier's face
LIGHTS UP--it's a Christmas miracle, and in the spring too!

JAVIER
Julia?

She looks around FERVENTLY, hoping her mother isn't hiding
behind something. When she decides that it's SAFE, she
throws her arms around Javier.

JULIA
I can't believe I found you here!

JAVIER
Well, there aren't that many
churches on the island...thank God
for that.

89.

JULIA
(giggles)
Amen.

JAVIER
I thought you weren't allowed to
get out of the house!

JULIA
I tried to use that excuse on my
mother this morning, but she still
said I had to go to church.

Javier LAUGHS.

JAVIER
(Re: the booth)
So you were going...in there?

JULIA
I was listening outside, so I know
I'm probably forgiven too. (beat)
I couldn't help it. The walls were
paper-thin, and when I heard your
voice I wanted to break in.

They LOOK at each other for a few minutes, SOAKING UP the
love.

JAVIER
Let's go sit down.

They head to a PEW and sit down, legs touching.

JAVIER
Must be hard, being stuck in the
house...especially if you're
home-schooled. I can imagine
you're quite sick of your mother?

JULIA
I am...but I heard about you
having to do the youth cadet corps
too...that must be horrible.

JAVIER
(mans up)
No, it's not that bad. I'll get
through it.

There's a SILENCE, but it's not awkward.

90.

JAVIER
I missed you.

JULIA
I did too.

JAVIER
All the time I was praying for God
to give me just a little time with
you...and He did. Amen. I guess we
have five minutes at the most.

JULIA
What do you think we should do?

JAVIER
Just sit here and enjoy it.

JULIA
(teasing)
With all those noisy, annoying
tourists with their whirring
cameras and their whiny voices and
their stupid sunburns and their
noisy kids?

To prove her point, a SUNBURNED TOURIST, apparently a quite
religious one, walks by.

JAVIER
And you. (beat) I don't care about
all that anymore. As long as
you're here.

He takes her HAND in his. The SUNBURNED TOURIST, camera
click-click-clicking, runs back over to capture the moment.

JAVIER (VO)
(sighs contentedly)
I'm holding hands with the girl I
love...in Belize, the nicest place
on earth. (beat) Life is good.

Julia leans over to him and WHISPERS:

JULIA
I love you.

He SQUEEZES her hand and WHISPERS back:

JAVIER
I love you too.

91.

JAVIER (VO)
And it just got better.

CU of their hands.

Fade to black.

Roll credits.

FADE OUT.

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