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The Agnostic (First Draft)
by Matthew Rosen (pykomoose@yahoo.com)

Rated: R   Genre: Drama   User Review: ***
A group of high school students wade their way through personal tragedy with friendship and substance abuse during the social turmoil of the 2004 elections. Please keep in mind that this is NOT an expose and has NO political agenda. This is a story about people who, through despair and philosophical discussion, gain greater understanding of themselves and each other. Based on a true story.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



THE AGNOSTIC (FIRST DRAFT)

FADE IN:

INT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
                       EXTRA
Bapu, please don't do it!
                                                            
                       BEN KINGSLEY
What do you want me not to do? Not
to see Mr. Jinnah? I am a Muslim
and a Hindu and a Christian and a
Jew and so are all of you.
                                                            
A boy sits watching the film. The boy's reaction is one of
dorment inspiration. He is impressed by this new concept and
instantly connect's with it. He picks up the remote and
pushes a button. The film rewinds.
                                                            
                       BEN KINGSLEY
--nnah? I am a Muslim and a Hindu
and a Christian and a Jew and so
are all of you. When you wave
those flags and shout, you send
fear into the hearts of your
brothers.
                                                            
The boy grins as he smiles and finds mild peace.
                                                            
                       BEN KINGSLEY
That is not the India I want. Stop
it. For God's sake, stop it.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTAGE - DAY
                                                            
Head-shot of that boy about six years later. He has long,
curly hair and a goatee. Cue music.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
2004 was a year of cultural and
spiritual change for the entire
world. Overseas, American and
coalition forces were fighting for
Bush's ideals of freedom. Here,
Bush was fighting for his ideals
of what was right. They seem to
contradict each other in many
cases, but that's not what this
story is about.
                                                            

2.

As the voice over continues, the following are shown: Bill
O' Reilly, Osama Bin Laden, Iraqi War footage, and George W.
Bush
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I turned eighteen that year, and
as I grew, I found myself with
more and more freedom...and more
and more responsibility. It was
the first year I could vote. And
what an election it was. It was
also during this year that I
participated in the school
production of Much Ado About
Nothing.
                                                            
(cont.) Rex with car, Rex doing homework, John Kerry, and
Much Ado About Nothing cast photo which quickly zooms in on
Rex.
                                                            
Cut to footage of a rehearsal of the play. Close up on
Borachio's face.
                                                            
                       BORACHIO
If you would know your wronger,
look on me.
                                                            
As he speaks, zoom out to reveal a "Bush-Cheney 2004" tee
shirt.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
There is no subtle relationship
between these two events. It was a
year of conflict: Fundamentalists
vs Abortion, Fundamenalists vs
Gays, Fundamentalist Christians vs
Fundamentalist Muslims. It was the
Crusades all over again:
Fundamentalists vs the World; and
the World seemed to be losing.
                                                            
Show Washington pray-in, Jim McGreevey, an American soldier,
and the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
An American flag appears. Pan down revealing a New Jersey
high school. Zoom out. A group of students stand on the
sidewalk outside the school. The camera swings around a wing

3.

of the school. Around the corner is a picture window
revealing the school's cafeteria. Several people talk at a
table. Pan past them to the next table where several more
students sit and converse.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah, but you see, I don't really
agree with you as far as religion
goes.
                                                            
                       AARON
Well, what don't you agree with.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, for example: I went to that
church service with you your first
time back after your accident.
Some of the things your pastor
said really offended me.
                                                            
                       AARON
Such as?
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, there was this one part of
his sermon when he was talking
about how someone he once taught
was into witchcraft, paganism.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yes?
                                                            
                       REX
He called it satan worship. Now, I
happen to know a few pagans and a
few things about the pagan faiths.
And one subject that never comes
up is Satan.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah but...
                                                            
                       REX
Now you tell me, Aaron, how can
you worship something you don't
believe in?
                                                            
                       AARON
Okay, it's like this: there are a
certain specific set of things
that are good and a certain
specific set of things that are
evil, and everything evil is
Satan-worship.
                                                            

4.

                       REX
You really believe that?
                                                            
                       AARON
It's in the Bible.
                                                            
                       REX
This is the way I look at things.
Different faiths are simply
different perceptions of the same
entity. You can view God as one or
many beings, but you're still
worshipping the same thing. It's
like I don't believe that Jesus
was God, but I still follow his
teachings.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah, but that doesn't really
work.
                                                            
                       REX
Why not?
                                                            
                       AARON
Jesus's basic teaching was that he
was God. Either he was telling the
truth or he was just some nut in
the desert.
                                                            
                       REX
I meant his teachings about human
kindness and stuff.
      (pause)
It's not like I don't believe in
God; I do. The fact that you're
still alive is proof enough, but
the Bible to me is a very flawed
piece of liturature.
                                                            
                       ANDY
So you're not a Christian.
                                                            
                       REX
I am. At least on paper I am. I
just don't believe Jesus was God.
                                                            
                       JOEY
      (accented)
Matt, you're retarted! That's what
Christianity is!
                                                            

5.

                       ANDY
Yeah.
                                                            
                       REX
Alright then, I geuss I'm not a
Christian.
                                                            
                       AARON
So you believe in God, but not
God's word.
                                                            
                       REX
The Bible is not God's word. God
didn't write it. It even says so
in the Bible. It was written by
God's disciples, sinners. It's no
different from any other book.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yes, the Bible was written by
sinners, but it was written by God
through those sinners.
                                                            
                       REX
Prove it.
                                                            
Aaron is at a loss for words and is shocked by the bluntness
of this last faithless remark. As he searches for an answer
Rex realizes the ignorance of such a question and takes it
back.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, sorry. That wasn't exactly a
fair question, but think about it.
There are thousands of books and
dozens of books claiming God's
favor. What is it about this
particular work that nullifies all
others.
                                                            
                       AARON
It's just what I believe.
                                                            
                       REX
I know and I completely respect
that, but you should be willing to
respect that in the faiths of
others.
      (pause)
You know what, let's change the
subject. Have I told you about my
movie? It's called the Worst Movie
Ever. It's about an unemployed,
            (MORE)

6.

                       REX (cont'd)
amnesiac henchman and his...
      (VO)
Aaron and I have known each other
since freshman year and have
always been on friendly terms. The
real root of our friendship,
however, lies only a few months
before these discussions ever came
up.
                                                            
 
INT. AUDITORIUM HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Aaron walks up to an empty trash can on wheels. He climbs
inside.
                                                            
                       AARON
Tom, push me down that slope
there.
                                                            
A boy walks over, grabs the can and slides it to the area
where the tile slopes. A group of other students walk over
to view.
                                                            
                       JON
Okay, I gotta see this.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (preparing to push
       Aaron)
Ready?
                                                            
                       AARON
      (excited)
Yeah.
                                                            
Pippy sprints down the hall shoving the can ahead of him. He
nears the wall and lets go. Aaron braces and nears the wall
when...
                                                            
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
                                                            
The group of onlookers flinch as they watch him hit the
wall. Most begin to laugh, but several run down to help him.
                                                            
                       JON
      (just before
       rushing to
       Aaron's aid)
Oh my God.
                                                            
THE AGNOSTIC
                                                            
 

7.

INT. VICE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
In black and white, the vice principal screams at the driver
of the runaway waste disposal unit, who seems more or less
unphased by the assault. The dialog is muted.
                                                            
STARRING WHOEVER MCSOMEBODY
                                                            
E. T. CETERA,
                                                            
AND A THIRD ACTOR
                                                            
In color, the same vice principal sits at his desk, silently
showing sympathy. He reaches out to place his hand on the
boy's shoulder. The boy now sits in tears.
                                                            
PRODUCED BY PRODUCER PRODUCINGSTEIN
                                                            
 
INT. CENTRAL HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Rex exits a room to join the swarm of young men and women
crowded together in dim overcrowded school. As he passes the
various faces, he notices several of the tragedy's observers
gathered together, discussing the events.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey Jon! What's up?
                                                            
                       JON
Dude, Aaron just left school in an
ambulance.
                                                            
                       REX
What happened?
                                                            
                       JON
He got into that garbage can and
had Pippy push him down the hall.
                                                            
                       REX
Is he okay?
                                                            
                       JON
I dunno.
                                                            
The credits continue.
                                                            
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: HARVEY WEINSTEIN & ROBERT EVANS
                                                            
 

8.

EXT. NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
An ambulance pulls away. As the truck drifts farther and
farther away, the sirens get louder instead of softer. The
credits end, and the music fades out.
                                                            
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY REX MACAROE
                                                            
 
EXT. PIPPY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
The gray car seen with Rex at the start of the film pulls up
a winding, sloping driveway. When the car stops, the sirens
abruptly end. Rex exits the car and begins to walk toward
the house.
                                                            
 
INT. PIPPY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex enters the house through sliding glass doors.
                                                            
                       REX
Hello?
                                                            
Pippy's dad sits in a room adjacent to the kitchen at which
Rex entered the house. He shouts to Rex in a strong English
accent.
                                                            
                       PIPPY'S DAD
Hey, Mack. He's up in his room.
                                                            
Rex walks upstairs to find Pippy playing Halo.
                                                            
                       REX
Ooo. Halo.
                                                            
Pippy speaks for the first time in the film. He has traces
of a British accent, but they are hardly noticed when
compared to the extremely high pitch of his voice. Every
syllable slightly cracks in a tone that was enough to make
Michael Jackson sound like Barry White.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Yeah, it's pretty gay.
                                                            
                       REX
Sweet.
                                                            
He sits down on a bean bag chair and starts to play.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
We're gonna pick Jon up at work in
like a half hour.
                                                            

9.

                       REX
I thought he was going to the
Mexico party.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Apparently not. He called up like
two hours ago and told us to meet
him at Hayek's at seven thirty.
Says he's got a surprize.
                                                            
                       REX
I hope it's buttsex.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Yeah.
                                                            
There is a short pause, then they both break out in
laughter.
                                                            
 
EXT. HAYEK'S - NIGHT
                                                            
The gray car pulls into the parking lot of the Hayek's deli.
With it is a black car. Pippy and Rex exit their vehicles.
Jon sits on the sidewalk, smoking a cigarette, holding an
apron and a brown paper bag. The three walk toward each
other.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
So I hear you got a surprize.
                                                            
                       REX
      (jumping up and
       down)
Whatisit whatisit whatisit
whatisit!!!
                                                            
                       JON
Calm down. All will be revealed.
We'll meet at my house.
                                                            
 
EXT. JON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex impatiently sits on Jon's porch. Pippy's car pulls up in
front of the house. Pippy and Jon get out and walk toward
him.
                                                            
                       REX
      (mocking)
"We'll meet at my house."
                                                            

10.

                       JON
Shouldn't 've been in such a rush.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah yeah, fuck you. Just open the
goddam door.
                                                            
He does and the three walk in.
                                                            
 
INT. JON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
They all go in. Pippy and Rex sit on the couch, and Jon goes
into his room.
                                                            
                       JON
      (shouting)
I'll be out in a minute. I just
need to get into some real
clothes.
                                                            
Pippy walks over to Jon's computer and looks at his AOL
Instant Messenger buddy list to see who's online.
                                                            
                       REX
Anybody on?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Yeah, a couple of people, but most
of them are at the Mexico party.
                                                            
Jon appears from his room, and with a "Da dada da da da
daaa!" he holds out a bottle of Jack Daniels liquor. Pippy
grins, and Rex sings a mock-hymnal as he pretends to gain
spiritual inspiration from the presence of the bottle.
                                                            
                       JON
Did I do good?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
You did good, alright.
                                                            
                       REX
I'll say. What brought this about?
                                                            
                       JON
Polish Mike. Okay, here's how the
story goes. I was at work today,
when Adrianna and Erica came in.
They asked if I wanted to hang out
later. I said no, I had the party.
After they left, Polish Mike came
and told me to get a reality
            (MORE)

11.

                       JON (cont'd)
check. There were two beautiful
girls, begging to hang with me.
And I was going to a fucking
party!? I said to myself, "My God!
He's right," and had the Parker
brothers get me some booze during
their lunch hour.
                                                            
                       REX
Sweet deal. So where are we gonna
do this thing?
                                                            
                       JON
I dunno yet. I'm gonna call the
girls. We'll decide after that.
                                                            
The phone rings. Jon walks over and picks up.
                                                            
                       JON
Yo...Nothing much, Mack and Tom
are over.
                                                            
                       REX
      (falsetto)
Hellooooo!
                                                            
                       JON
      (giving Rex the
       finger)
Mack says hi. How're you
doing?...Really?...
                                                            
A smile stretches across his face.
                                                            
                       JON
...No, you should stay the
night...No, just have a good
time...
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (whispering)
Dude, is his Mom staying out?
                                                            
                       REX
Sounds like it.
                                                            
                       JON
      (sarcastically)
Yeah, I've got a bottle of booze,
and I'm gonna organize a huge
party in one night. We're gonna
get drunk and fuck a lot. Be
serious, Mom...Well, don't. I'll
            (MORE)

12.

                       JON (cont'd)
be fine. You go out on the town,
meet some hot guy and have a good
one...Okay, see you
tomorrow...Bye.
                                                            
He hangs up.
                                                            
                       JON
Oh my God!
                                                            
                       REX
Is what just happened what I think
just happened!?
                                                            
                       JON
I think so.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Awesome.
                                                            
                       REX
"When fortune smiles upon
something as violent and ugly as a
booze binge, it seems proof like
no other that not only does God
exist, but you're doing his work."
                                                            
                       JON
Damned straight.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
That sounds familiar.
                                                            
                       REX
Kill Bill.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Oh yeah.
                                                            
                       JON
I'm gonna call the girls.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, I'm gonna go get From Dusk
Till Dawn out of my car. Be right
back.
                                                            
                       JON
Good, I've been wanting to see
that one. What's it about, again?
                                                            

13.

                       REX
Clooney and Tarantino fight
vampires in Mexico.
                                                            
                       JON
Haha, nice.
                                                            
Jon takes out a CD and places it into his stereo. Rex walks
toward the door and out of Jon's house.
                                                            
 
EXT. JON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex walks away from the house and toward his car. He opens
the door and pushes back the seat. He removes the DVD case
and heads back to the house. The music fades back in.
                                                            
 
INT. JON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Pippy is on the computer, surfing the web. Jon is dancing to
the jazzy punk music now playing on the stereo. Rex throws
down the DVD on the couch and joins in.
                                                            
CUT TO LATER
                                                            
Rex, Jon, and Pippy are sitting on a couch together. The
couch is obviously too small. The room is dark. The only
light comes from the television which shines directly on
their faces as they pass around the bottle of Jack Daniels.
Seated on the floor in front of the three friends are
Adrianna and Erica. As Rex's voice over comes in, the shot
cuts to whichever girl he is refering to at the time.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Adrianna went out with Jon for a
brief period early that summer.
During Anna's trip to Italy, she
met an ex. No one knows exactly
what happened, but when she came
back, she dumped. Jon hadn't yet
gotten over it, and she loved to
tease. Erica is Adrianna's cousin,
and the two are inseparable.
                                                            
Pippy strokes Erica's hair as they watch the film.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Is this bothering you?
                                                            
                       ERICA
No keep doing it.
                                                            

14.

The shot pans around the room to the television. George
Clooney and Harvey Keitel are conversing on screen.
                                                            
                       GEORGE CLOONEY
Whewww! Those acts of God really
stick it in and break it off,
don't they?
                                                            
                       HARVEY KEITEL
Yes, they do.
                                                            
George Clooney looks back at the wallet. He sees Harvey
Keitel's minister's license.
                                                            
                       GEORGE CLOONEY
Is this real?
                                                            
                       HARVEY KEITEL
Yes.
                                                            
                       GEORGE CLOONEY
I've seen one of these before. A
friend of mine had himself
declared a minister of his own
religion. Away to fuck the IRS. Is
that what you're doing, or are you
the real McCoy?
                                                            
                       HARVEY KEITEL
Real McCoy.
                                                            
                       GEORGE CLOONEY
You're a preacher?
                                                            
                       HARVEY KEITEL
I was a minister.
                                                            
                       GEORGE CLOONEY
Was? As in not anymore?
                                                            
                       HARVEY KEITEL
Yes.
                                                            
                       GEORGE CLOONEY
Why'd ya quit?
                                                            
                       HARVEY KEITEL
I think I've gotten about as up
close and personal with you as I'm
gonna get.
                                                            

15.

CUT TO LATER
                                                            
Adrianna throws up in Jon's toilet. Jon holds her hair
behind her head that she wouldn't get it wet in the water.
Rex sits in the living room watching the film.
                                                            
                       DANNY TREJO
And now for your viewing pleasure.
The Mistress of the Macabre. The
Epitome of Evil. The most sinister
woman to dance on the face of the
earth. Lowly dogs, get on your
knees, bow your heads and worship
at the feet of SANTANICO
PANDEMONIUM!
                                                            
                       REX
Jon get in here. You're gonna miss
the Salma Hayek scene.
      (looking offscreen)
Are you guys enjoying yoursel...
                                                            
SHOCK!
                                                            
He sees Pippy and Erica making out on Jon's couch, really
going at it. Pippy's inexperience is obvious, but he seems
to be handling himself fairly well. Rex doesn't know how to
react. He looks away, trying do decide upon a course of
action. He gets up and walks to the bathroom.
                                                            
                       REX
Umm. Pippy and Erica are making
out in there.
                                                            
                       ADRIANNA
Oh boy.
                                                            
                       JON
      (laughing)
Are you serious!?
                                                            
Rex nods.
                                                            
                       JON
Hold up. I gotta see this. Here,
get her hair.
                                                            
He does. Jon walks out. Several moments pass.
                                                            
                       REX
You okay?
                                                            

16.

                       ADRIANNA
No.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay...
                                                            
Several more moments pass. Jon returns.
                                                            
                       JON
That is so gross.
                                                            
Rex walks into Jon's hallway and sits on the floor in such a
way that the wall blocks the two involved teens.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I swore a blood oath to never
reveal these events to anyone.
This film remains a testement to
my honesty.
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
A bee lands on the glass. It sits for several moments before
a hand crushes it with great force and lack of restraint.
Aaron picks up the corpse of his victim and brings him back
to the table. On Aaron's tray is a small styrofoam bowl. In
the bowl is a thin purple liquid spiked with chunks of
lettuce, tomato, tater tot, cookie, and various other
substances that have no place in a purple liquid. He attacks
another bee and places the several he's killed into the
mixture.
                                                            
                       ANDY
      (amused and
       revolted)
Ewww...
                                                            
                       REX
      (likewise)
Beautiful.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah.
                                                            
                       JOEY
Goddam you guys.
                                                            
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            

17.

Pippy stands in line waiting to pay for lunch. Music is
playing. He pays and walks out into the cafeteria toward his
friends at the table.
                                                            
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
Aaron spits into the concoction. Everyone (Aaron included)
lets out a simultaneous "Ewww." Pippy pulls up a chair and
sits among them.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
So Mack. What's the deal with that
party thing this weekend?
                                                            
                       REX
My parents are leaving for
Kentucky tonight. I'll contact you
and Jon tommorrow with the
details. I'll pick you up, and the
invasion will commence.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Am I going to this?
                                                            
                       REX
It's entirely up to you. If you
want to come, I'll drop by and
pick you up. If not, fuck you.
                                                            
The laugh briefly.
                                                            
                       REX
But I should warn you. The will be
booze, and there will be drugs.
However, you should feel no
pressure to take part.
                                                            
                       AARON
What is this?
                                                            
                       ANDY
      (sarcastically)
Oh sure, I'll just watch you get
drunk.
                                                            
                       REX
Take it from me. That can be a lot
of fun too.
                                                            
                       AARON
Wait. Rex.
                                                            

18.

                       REX
Yes?
                                                            
                       AARON
What is this?
                                                            
                       REX
Oh my parents are gonna be out of
town this weekend for the opening
of our new house in Kentucky. I'm
inviting several friends over for
an invasion.
                                                            
                       AARON
Why?
                                                            
                       REX
What d'ya mean?
                                                            
                       AARON
I mean why not just be content to
be home alone or go hang out. Why
the drugs and booze?
                                                            
                       REX
Well, my mom's a bit of a shut in.
She's got a complex about our
house being too messy so she
refuses to let me have friends
over. I would be a fool to let
this once in a lifetime
opportunity pass me by. Now, I can
look back on that night with
pride.
                                                            
                       AARON
Or...you could not drink and not
do drugs and be proud about that.
                                                            
                       REX
I see what you mean, but I
wouldn't be proud of that. I'd
spend the rest of my life
regretting that, thinking about
the youth I threw away on school
and good behavior. I need a
change.
                                                            
Freeze-frame.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
This situation may require some
            (MORE)

19.

                       REX (cont'd)
explanation. My father's company
was being relocated to Kentucky.
Dad was one of the few lucky
enough to be invited to join them.
My parents wanted me to finish
high school here to take advantage
of their technology department.
Dad would go out first to work,
and the rest of the family would
follow later. The irony was I was
screwed over by our guidance
department and ended up with no
technology classes. Anyway, the
new house was finished, and my
family was going for the opening.
I would be home alone, and I
intended to take advantage of
that.
                                                            
 
INT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
The door opens. Rex, Pippy, Jon, and Andy walk in. The house
has piles of useless junk that was seldom if ever used. Dust
was everywhere. Pippy has something hidden in his coat.
                                                            
                       REX
Well this is it. Welcome to my
humble abode.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Wow. It's pretty messy.
                                                            
                       REX
      (joking)
Shut up! I don't need to take this
shit! Not from you! Not from
anyone! You asshole!
                                                            
They laugh as they walk into Matt's room.
                                                            
                       REX
Alright. I've got Apocalypse Now,
Fahrenheit 9/11, the Great
Dictator, and lots of other good
shit. I say we start with
Apocalypse cuz I gotta see that
high.
                                                            
                       JON
Be right back. I gotta shit.
                                                            
He walks away.
                                                            

20.

                       REX
Careful, the toilet isn't in great
shape.
                                                            
Pippy pulls the bottle of rum out of his coat and places it
on the desk. He also takes out a bag with a small amount of
marijuana.
                                                            
                       REX
Andy, You're gonna have quite a
night.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Oh boy.
                                                            
Rex takes a piece of tin foil and fashions it into a pipe.
They place in a bud.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Yeah I stole this off my dad last
night.
                                                            
                       REX
Nice.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Do we have to wait for Jon so we
can use the fan in the bathroom?
                                                            
                       REX
No, I've got incense here. The
smell's not a problem.
                                                            
He lights up. The weed glows as the fire from the lighter is
sucked into his lungs. He removes the pipe and inhales as
smoke rises from the foil.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Is it good?
                                                            
Rex, still holding the smoke in his lungs, smiles and nods.
Pippy lights up behind him. He exhales.
                                                            
DING!
                                                            
ONE
                                                            
Fast forward. They take five more hits each. During the
third hit, Jon comes back in and starts to drink. Matt
exhales.
                                                            
DING!
                                                            

21.

SEVEN
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Oh my God. This shit is amazing.
I'm already really feeling it.
                                                            
                       REX
I'm not yet.
                                                            
Fast forward. They take four more hits each. Time slows,
then returns to normal. They sit down, turn off the lights,
and start the movie. The music begins to play. helicopters
fly across the screen, their propellers projecting that
beautiful sound that American cinema will never forget. The
trees explode in a fiery burst of Jim Morrison's voice, and
Pippy starts to laugh.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Hey. Hey, you guys. I am so fucked
up right now.
                                                            
                       REX
Godammit, Pippy. Shut up.
      (to Andy)
Andy something you should
understand. Josh likes to overact
when he's high. He knows how dumb
he's acting. He just can't help
it. It's just the way he is.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Oh. Okay.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Hey Andy...Boo!
                                                            
Rex sighs. Then takes a drink from his giraffe cup. Cut to
the film. Martin Sheen starts to dance.
                                                            
                       REX
I saw an interview with Martin
Sheen on Inside the Actors'
Studio. He said that for this
scene he was so drunk he didn't
even have to act.
                                                            
Martin Sheen does karate in front of the mirror.
                                                            
                       REX
He said he felt a demon.
                                                            
Martin Sheen punches the mirror, breaking it.
                                                            

22.

                       REX
See, that was entirely unscripted.
The mirror was not supposed to
brake.
                                                            
Sheen stumbles over the bed, leaving a huge, red stain on
the sheets.
                                                            
                       REX
And that's real blood.
                                                            
They look at the screen, fascinated. Pippy looks nervous and
happy. He is smoking a cigarette. Slowly zoom in on Rex. As
the camera zooms, Pippy drops his cigarette into the giraffe
cup. Rex looks at his hand which seems twice its normal size
now. The walls seem to breathe. Rex reaches for the giraffe
cup, takes a sip, and coughs up a cloud of ash.
                                                            
                       REX
      (raspy)
Who put a fuckin cigarette in the
booze?
                                                            
Pippy shifts his eyes, holding back nervous laughter.
                                                            
                       MARTIN SHEEN
I wanted a mission. And for my
sins they gave me one.
                                                            
A flash of light and Rex is next to Jon at the computer. Jon
is talking on instant messenger. On his shirt is a stabbed
skeleton in pirate clothes. It has the subtext "Worst Pirate
Ever"
                                                            
                       REX
Is that Valerie you're-Pippy get
out of the entry, you fucker!
                                                            
Violently over to Pippy standing in the entry, staring out
the window at Rex's neighboring house.
                                                            
                       REX
Godammit, you're gonna get me
fucking busted...Fine let Kristen
see you like that, see if I care.
      (back to Jon)
Let me talk to Valerie.
                                                            
                       JON
      (laughing)
No.
                                                            

23.

                       REX
Aha! I was testing you! You're a
good friend, Jon. You're the worst
pirate ever...
      (motions to Jon's
       shirt)
But you're a good friend.
                                                            
Rex turns around and grabs Andy, who seems to have just
materialized behind him, in a head lock.
                                                            
                       REX
You see Andy, I know I'm acting
stupid, but I-I just can't seem to
help it. I'm sorry for acting this
way, but...I'm high!
                                                            
                       ANDY
Okay Mack. Thanks.
                                                            
                       REX
Jon! Jon, play "Alice," man.
                                                            
                       JON
Alright, hang on a second.
                                                            
                       REX
No! Do it now!
                                                            
                       JON
Wait a minute! I've gotta find it
first. There!
                                                            
Tom Waits begins to sing his hypnotic masterpiece. Rex and
Pippy begin dancing around like hippies caught in the
cerebral swing, whatever that means.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex in his room.
                                                            
                       REX
Where's the fucking booze!?
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex drinking the fucking booze in the kitchen. Mack walks
past to Andy.
                                                            
                       REX
Andy, did you hide the hooch.
                                                            

24.

                       ANDY
What? No. Of course not.
                                                            
                       REX
Are you sure?
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex dancing.
                                                            
                       ANDY
It's on the kitchen floor.
                                                            
                       JON
      (laughing)
Oh my God, he's so fucking gone!
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex and Pippy sitting on the floor with a ouiga board.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, now quiet...quiet...
concentrate... Are there any
spirits in the room with a
connection to a man named Minoj?
                                                            
Several seconds pass, but no changes occur.
                                                            
                       REX
Hello!?
                                                            
He knocks on the board.
                                                            
                       REX
Spirits!?
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
                       REX
No seriously, Andy where's the
fucking rum!?
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
                       REX
Pippy, get the fuck outta the
entry!!!
                                                            
                       PIPPY
sadjhgsadfjb!
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            

25.

Zoom in on the computer screen and the pattern that media
player makes as the song continues.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
                       REX
Andy, I'm sorry!
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex leans his head against the wall.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
                       REX
I'm sorry for I'm sorry for acting
so stu so stupid.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex pivots against the wall so that he's leaning on his
back.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
                       REX
And I'm sorry for apologizing so
damned much.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex slides down the wall and is now seated.
                                                            
                       TOM WAITS
There's only. Aliiiiiiiice.
                                                            
The music stops and the phone rings. Rex quickly stands up
and takes hold of the situation.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, everybody shut up and go to
the kitchen. That's my parents I
have to get the phone.
                                                            
They do so. Rex picks up the phone.
                                                            
                       REX
      (faus suave)
Hello?
                                                            
He walks into his room to talk. Fahrenheit 9/11 plays muted
on the TV.
                                                            

26.

                       REX
Hey Mom...Good, good...Naw I'm
doing alright. How was the
opening...Oh...Is that gonna cost
us any thing?..Okay, well that's
good...You know, just a lot of the
same. I was watching some movies.
Went on the internet. Went into
Newton and hung out. You know.
Just same old, same old...Okay,
put her on.....Hey Kelly...Are you
having LOADS of funs?
                                                            
His eyes widen for a second as he realizes his speech
slipup.
                                                            
                       REX
Well don't worry, it's only a few
more days...I miss you too...Could
you put Mom back on the
phone?...Thanks...I love
too...Muh!...What time are you
coming home on Sunday?...
Alright...Okay...Okay see you
then...Love you too...Bye.
                                                            
He hangs up the phone and looks at the camera.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
The next morning. Rex is doubled over the toilet, puking.
Pippy, Jon, and Andy knock on the bathroom door.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah?
                                                            
                       JON
We're gonna get going now.
                                                            
Rex cringes from his hangover.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, see you later.
                                                            
                       JON
Alright, see you.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Bye. Thanks for having us over.
                                                            
                       REX
No problem. Thanks for coming.
Drive safely.
                                                            

27.

                       ANDY
Bye.
                                                            
A door opens and closes. Rex throws up some more.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex taking a shower. He's in a trancelike state. He looks
tired and worn out.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex in his bed. Sunlight pours through his blinds as he
rolls around, moaning, trying desperately to sleep through
the worst of his retribution.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex sitting at the computer again. Music begins to play. Rex
cringes and turns it off.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
The telephone cord connecting the computer to the phone line
in the next room. Pan over it. As it nears the computer, it
passes by Rex's pajamas at his feet. It goes behind the desk
and pans up over the monitor. Rex is masturbating.
                                                            
CUT TO:
                                                            
Rex asleep in his bed.
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
                       AARON
So how was you're invasion thing?
                                                            
                       REX
Aaron, you were right. After that
hangover I went through, you were
right.
                                                            
                       AARON
Ha, you see. I told you. You
should've just...
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I have few qualms about admitting
mistakes, but upon reexamining
that night, I realized something.
He wasn't right. The hangover
            (MORE)

28.

                       REX (cont'd)
hurt. I'll not deny that, but I'm
a better man for having gone
through it. And I'm not ashamed.
                                                            
                       AARON
...Then, you wouldn't have to
worry about it.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah, I know. Okay, stop. Now,
rewind.
                                                            
REWIND
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
March twenty sixth, 2003.
                                                            
 
EXT. NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
Rex stands out by the tennis court, wearing a tennis
uniform, carrying a tennis raquet. A bright teal minivan
pulls up to him.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey, Mom.
                                                            
He gets in. The van pulls away onto Ryerson Avenue, then out
toward Main street. As the van drifts out of sight, another
car drives up Ryerson. A kid sits atop the car's hood as it
slowly progresses.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Jesse Scove did a stupid thing. He
rode on the hood of Chris Wink's
car. When Chris slowed...
                                                            
Chris slows, and Jesse flies off the hood.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
...Jesse didn't.
                                                            
The car runs over Jesse, who lies limp as Chris gets out to
get help. A crowd rallies around him. Chris runs off.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I didn't personally know Jesse,
but I would've liked to. I met
Chris later on via our school
            (MORE)

29.

                       REX (cont'd)
production of Twelve Angry Men,
but after the accident, I hear he
went catatonic for a whole week.
                                                            
Jesse's yearbook dedication appears. Zoom in on his face.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I mourned with the community for
several days. There was no school.
We had to go, but it wasn't
school. Just people crying
together. He remained in the
hearts of the students and
teachers for years to come. People
were still wearing Jesse Scove
ribbons when tragedy struck Newton
again one year later.
                                                            
 
INT. NEWTON HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
A group of doctors rush a stretcher through the halls of
Newton Memorial Hospital. One of the nurses applies ice to
patient who is shown to be Aaron Bastin. The doctors stop in
a cubicle of the emergency room and pull the curtain. All
but one walk away. The remaining doctor seems disinterested
in Aaron. He looks at his clipboard as he addresses the
bleeding youth, never meeting his eyes. The nurse applies
the ice to an obviously unwounded part of Aaron's head. The
other side is swollen as big as a banana.
                                                            
                       AARON
The ice. The ice it's on the wrong
side.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Hmm?
                                                            
                       NURSE
He says the ice is on the wrong
side.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Nonsense. Trust us, son. We're
professionals.
                                                            
Aaron cringes with his whole body.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
      (marking his
       clipboard)
It's alright. You're doing fine,
            (MORE)

30.

                       DOCTOR (cont'd)
sport. Okay, I'm gonna ask you to
try standing up now.
                                                            
Aaron shakes his head.
                                                            
                       AARON
Never make it. I'm 'onna pass out.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Aaron, you're fine. I'm here to
help. You're not gonna pass out.
Now to help you, I'm gonna need
you to stand up. Nurse hold his
ice.
                                                            
Aaron slowly rises from the bed. With every ounce of
concentration he can afford, he forces himself to his feet.
His eyes then roll back and his body falls limp to the
floor.
                                                            
EXT. NEWTON HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
A helicopter rises from through the air.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
While Aaron was in the chopper
fighting for his life, I was back
at school fighting for his honor.
                                                            
 
INT. CHEM LAB - DAY
                                                            
Rex looks down at his desk as the class wastes the period.
                                                            
                       GIRL 1
      (offscreen)
Where's Aaron?
                                                            
Rex raises his eyes. Two girls are talking to each other.
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
Didn't you hear?
                                                            
                       GIRL 1
Hear what?
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
He got into a rolling trash can
and had Tom push him down the
stairs.
                                                            

31.

                       GIRL 1
Tom Bourbon!?
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
No, Tom Crowley.
                                                            
                       GIRL 1
Oh my God.
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
Stupid asshole. He deserved it.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey. Hey! Did Jesse deserve it!?
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
What?
                                                            
                       REX
Did Jesse deserve it?
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
Of course not.
                                                            
                       REX
And why not? He was a stupid
asshole for riding on Chris's
hood. He died as a result of his
own stupidity. According to you,
he deserved it.
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
I didn't know it was that serious.
                                                            
                       REX
What difference does that make?
                                                            
                       GIRL 2
I didn't know. Okay?
                                                            
                       REX
Of course not. It's easy to pass
judgement when you have no
emotional investment in the
outcome! So you sit there in happy
ignorance, and you talk. You talk,
and you talk, and you talk, and
you talk, but you don't have a
fucking clue. You know what? Fuck
it. Say whatever the fuck you
want.
                                                            

32.

                       GIRL 2
I didn't know.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Dispite the fact I won the
arguement, she brought up a good
point. Aaron was resposible for
Aaron. The entire ordeal was his
fault and his alone. But do we
really deserve the consequences we
bring about? Or does deserve
really even have anything to do
with it?
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
                       REX
Andy, who are you voting for?
                                                            
                       ANDY
I dunno. Probably Bush.
                                                            
                       REX
      (hiding discontent)
How 'bout you Joey?
                                                            
                       JOEY
      (feigning
       enthusiasm)
Nader!
                                                            
                       REX
Nice. What about you Aaron?
                                                            
                       AARON
I didn't register on time.
                                                            
                       REX
Who would you vote for?
                                                            
                       AARON
I'm thinking Bush.
                                                            
                       REX
Now. To you and Andy I pose this
question: Why?
                                                            
                       ANDY
I dunno. He's better than Kerry.
                                                            

33.

                       REX
I disagree, but you're entitled.
Aaron?
                                                            
                       AARON
Because he's Christian.
                                                            
                       REX
So's Kerry.
                                                            
                       AARON
Really?
                                                            
                       ANDY
Yeah, he's Catholic.
                                                            
                       AARON
Wow.
                                                            
                       REX
I don't think there's ever even
been a non-Christian candidate who
made it past the primaries.
                                                            
                       ANDY
What about Lieberman?
                                                            
                       REX
That's different. That was for
vice president.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Yeah, but he ran this year too.
                                                            
                       REX
True. However, he lost the
primaries to Kerry.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Okay.
                                                            
                       REX
But really what is it about Bush
you guys like? Aside from the
Christian thing.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Well, Kerry keeps saying that he's
gonna improve the economy and end
the war, but he doesn't say what
that plan is.
                                                            

34.

                       REX
Yes, but Bush already failed in
those areas. He's keeping his
plans that drove us into those
problems in the first place. At
least Kerry can agknowledge that
the problems exist. Bush hasn't
even done that. How about you
Aaron?
                                                            
                       AARON
Wait, where does Kerry stand on
abortion?
                                                            
                       REX
Pro-choice.
                                                            
                       AARON
Then, I could never support him
for president.
                                                            
                       REX
That's fine, but I could never
support a president who
discriminates.
                                                            
                       AARON
Bush discriminates?
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah!
                                                            
                       AARON
Against who?
                                                            
                       REX
He's wasting the country's time
trying to amend the Constitution
to ban gay marriage.
                                                            
                       AARON
Good!
                                                            
                       REX
Why!?
                                                            
                       AARON
Cuz it's gross!
                                                            
                       REX
Not to them.
                                                            

35.

                       AARON
But to raise a kid you need male
and female influences.
                                                            
                       REX
Aaron, I don't know how much you
know about the birds and the bees,
but homosexuals can't have
children.
                                                            
                       AARON
That's what marriage is for!
                                                            
                       REX
Not always.
                                                            
                       ANDY
They have artificial insemination.
                                                            
                       AARON
Or they could adopt.
                                                            
                       REX
What's wrong with that?
                                                            
                       AARON
Because it takes a man and a woman
to raise a child.
                                                            
                       REX
Alright, let's look at this
objectively. Say you've got a kid
in an orphanage. Would you rather
he stay in the orphanage where he
is basically one of two hundred
kids cared for by ten parent
figures who have no emotional
investment in them except their
next paycheck, or have two parents
of the same sex who will love them
unreservedly?
                                                            
                       AARON
I think the orphanage is actually
a healthier environment.
                                                            
                       REX
Are you serious!? Did you know
that kids in orphanages actually
have growth problems because they
don't get any real love?
                                                            

36.

                       AARON
Okay, but that's better than the
ridicule and the teasing that the
kids would endure at school. I
mean those are the social
situations that breed killers.
                                                            
                       REX
Tell me something. Have you ever
been made fun of?
                                                            
                       AARON
Well...
                                                            
                       REX
Have you ever been made fun of?
Because I have. I'm pretty sure
you have too. In fact I would go
as far as to say that everyone at
this table has suffered ridicule.
And some of it due to their
parents.
                                                            
                       AARON
That's not what I mean.
                                                            
                       REX
You have, and I have, and let me
let you in on something. So has
everyone else. It doesn't weaken
us; it strengthens us.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah but wouldn't you rather not
get made fun of.
                                                            
                       REX
Sure, but that's not the world we
live in is it? And shutting people
out isn't gonna end that. Do you
realize that thirty years ago
interracial marriages were still
illegal? People cited morality.
Those laws were lifted, and the
world's not any worse off.
                                                            
Pippy comes over and sits down.
                                                            
                       AARON
Well, I don't know if we're not
any worse off.
                                                            

37.

                       REX
Yeah, everybody talks about the
good old days when the world was a
simple place, but you go back to
the twentieth century dark ages
and you've got war, promiscuity
much worse than today. Married
couples were having wife-swapping
parties; hippies were living in
communes. Times go up and down,
man. This isn't the end of the
world.
                                                            
                       AARON
You think things are getting
better!?
                                                            
                       REX
No, but things could be worse.
                                                            
                       AARON
      (to Pippy)
Tom, what do you think about gay
marriage?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
I think it's horribly discusting,
and I hate it.
                                                            
                       AARON
There you see!
                                                            
                       PIPPY
But! I gotta support my brother.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
His brother's gay. That makes him
a gay, Jewish immigrant. Not
exactly the greatest position to
hold considering the times.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Besides between the war and the
economy, there are more important
things to worry about right now.
                                                            
 
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
                                                            
                       MR. GRAHAM
You guys know what you're doing
for Halloween this Sunday?
                                                            

38.

Everyone in the class begins talking out of turn. Mr. Graham
doesn't seem to mind much.
                                                            
                       MR. GRAHAM
Quiet down. Quiet down. Listen to
this. This is an article from
Weird NJ. It's a magazine about
strange attractions in the area.
This one's about the quote "most
haunted house in NJ."
                                                            
                       GIRL 3
Mr. Graham. I know the people who
own it.
                                                            
                       MR. GRAHAM
Oh, really? The Wershings?
                                                            
                       GIRL 3
Yeah, it's over by Bear Creek.
                                                            
                       MR. GRAHAM
That's the one. Okay, here we go.
      (reading)
GLENN WERSHING IS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST
and runs the local historical
society in the Huntsburg Section
of Sussex County. We visited Glenn
one day inquiring about local lime
kilns. During the conversation,
our Weird New Jersey travels came
up, and Glenn told us he and his
wife Jackie live in a haunted
house. We were invited over, and
this is their story.

Glenn: This is the Thomas P. Hunt
house and it was built in 1835
along...
                                                            
Fade out, then back in as he finishes the article.
                                                            
                       MR. GRAHAM
      (reading)
After going through all that at
the house, the cat jumps on me!

Glenn and Jackie gave us a tour of
the house and where the happenings
occurred. They are currently
trying to get a historic grant or
declaration to designate the area
a historic district. The area is
            (MORE)

39.

                       MR. GRAHAM (cont'd)
rich with Indian lore and the
early American Industrial
Revolution. Glenn has been
studying Indian artifacts since he
was five years old. Jackie
currently works with the local
historical society. Both are
retired.
      (addressing the
       class)
Here's another good one. This one
is at CO Johnson Park in Andover.
Satan's Tunnel.
                                                            
He begins to read the article.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I was born on Halloween. That was
my eighteenth birthday, and I
wanted to to something special.
This Satan's Tunnel thing sounded
interesting, and I wanted to see
it for myself.
                                                            
 
INT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
                       MACK'S DAD
Just be sure to be back by eleven.
You may be eighteen, but you still
have your provisional license.
                                                            
                       MACK'S MOM
Yeah Rex, I'd rather you didn't
go.
                                                            
                       REX
I know.
                                                            
                       MACK'S DAD
I don't think you're allowed in
the park after dark. If that's the
case, you come straight home.
                                                            
                       REX
Alright.
                                                            
                       MACK'S DAD
Promise me.
                                                            
                       REX
I promise.
                                                            

40.

                       MACK'S DAD
Okay, have fun.
                                                            
                       MACK'S MOM
Yeah, and be careful. Don't forget
it's Halloween.
                                                            
                       REX
I know. Bye.
                                                            
                       MACK'S DAD
See you later.
                                                            
                       MACK'S MOM
Bye, I love you.
                                                            
                       REX
I love you too.
                                                            
EXT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex walks out to his car. He goes in, adjusts his Buddy
Christ dashboard figurine. The car pulls away.
                                                            
EXT. PIPPY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
He drives through a woodland road, when a deer jumps in
front of his car, and he is forced to stop short. After a
moment of hesitation, he starts off again. He pulls into
Pippy's driveway. Then, he exits the car.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey, Tom! I'm ready to go!
                                                            
The garage door opens. Three people come out: Pippy, Andy,
and a third kid. They greet him.
                                                            
                       REX
Pippy. Andy. Jesse.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Mack. Andy. Jesse.
                                                            
                       JESSE
Andy. Pippy. Mack.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Pippy. Mack. Jesse.
                                                            
                       REX
      (looking offscreen)
Jim.
                                                            

41.

The camera pans, following all the characters' lines of
sight. There is no Jim. Rex grins.
                                                            
                       JESSE
      (laughing)
Shut the fuck up.
                                                            
They all laugh.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Alright. Jesse come with me. Andy
go with Matt. You head out first
'cause I don't know where this
place is.
                                                            
They drive off. As they drive, they pass a car pulled over
by two patrol cars. The driver is outside the car, shouting
at the police.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I should've known not to go. Let
me rephrase that. I did know not
to go. It's the Alice in
Wonderland syndrome. I'm too
stupid to follow my own advice. I
spotted these omens, I knew they
were omens, but I went anyway.
                                                            
 
EXT. CO JOHNSON PARK - NIGHT
                                                            
They pull into the CO Johnson parking lot past the sign
reading "Park closed after dark. No trespassing." The two
cars pull in and park underneath a streetlight. They get
out.
                                                            
                       REX
We shouldn't park here.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Why not.
                                                            
                       REX
The cars are right out in the
open. We're trespassing. Cops are
gonna be patolling the area
looking for vandals. I don't wanna
get arrested.
                                                            
                       JESSE
So what are we gonna do?
                                                            

42.

                       REX
There's another lot on the far
side of the park. It'll be a
longer walk, but the cars will be
harder to see from the road. I
suggest we get in our cars and
head over there.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Man lets just head out. Don't
worry about it. The cars'll be
fine. Let's just go.
                                                            
                       REX
Alright.
                                                            
They start to walk a path into the woods.
                                                            
                       JESSE
So, what's the story with this
place?
                                                            
                       REX
Satan's Tunnel. It's an unfinished
railroad tunnel. From what I
understand, a bunch of workers
disappeared digging it. Or they
were killed in an accident or
something.I read this one time,
this guy went in, and he heard a
bunch of wolves right by him, but
they weren't there. I think.
Anyway, he came out...
                                                            
They walk out of sight into the woods.
                                                            
FIVE MINUTES LATER
                                                            
                       PIPPY
I dunno. There's gotta be a path
down there someplace.
                                                            
                       REX
Fuck it. Let's just leave. We're
not going to find it in the dark.
      (whispering)
Wait! What's that?
                                                            
Through the trees can be seen a small flashlight shining
into a car. Nearby are a pair dim red lights.
                                                            
                       REX
Shit it's a cop.
                                                            

43.

                       PIPPY
Shit.
                                                            
                       REX
Everybody stay calm. We'll
probably get off with a warning.
Let's just head down. We'll have
to face it eventually.
                                                            
They walk down and see the siren on the roof of the police
car.
                                                            
                       COP
Hello.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey.
                                                            
                       COP
Are uh these your cars down here?
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah.
                                                            
                       COP
Which of yours are they?
                                                            
Pippy and Rex raise their hands.
                                                            
                       COP
You're not allowed in the park
after dark.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay.
                                                            
                       COP
You're trespassing. This is
private property.
                                                            
They nod.
                                                            
                       COP
What are you doing here?
                                                            
                       REX
There's supposed to be some sort
of abandoned tunnel out there. I
heard a rumor it's haunted.
                                                            
                       COP
You guys have your licenses on
you?
                                                            

44.

They all take out their IDs and hand them to him.
                                                            
                       COP
      (to Pippy)
How old are you?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Seventeen.
                                                            
                       COP
      (to Rex)
And you?
                                                            
                       REX
Eighteen.
                                                            
                       COP
      (reading license)
Today!?
                                                            
                       REX
That's right.
                                                            
                       COP
Okay, this is what we're gonna do.
I have to write you parking
tickets. I'm also giving you
verbal warnings for trespassing.
If you're caught trespassing here
again you will be arrested. I want
you to go sit in your cars while I
write out the tickets.
                                                            
They go into the car and sit down. The silence grows and
becomes progressively more awkward.
                                                            
                       REX
Well one good thing came out of
this.
                                                            
                       ANDY
What's that?
                                                            
                       REX
      (grinning and
       shaking)
I'm scared.
      (VO)
That ticket cost me forty six
dollars. To me that came to almost
one month's pay. Perhaps you'd
like to know what I did for work.
                                                            
 

45.

EXT. ANDOVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex's Silver Death Machine pulls up to a brick building with
a cross on the wall.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Leave it to the agnostic to work
at a church.
                                                            
INT. METHODIST CHURCH - NIGHT
                                                            
He walks to the door, unlocks it, and enters. He walks
through the lobby into a large, dark room. He walks over to
the side wall as the light explodes from the ceiling, making
the room visible. There is a platform upon which can be
found a table with candles, an organ, seats for the church's
choir, and a podium. The wall displays several banners
showing religious iconography: doves, crosses, flaming
tongues, etc. In front of the platform are rows of pews,
bisected by an aisle.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
The church shares the building
with the local preschool. I set up
this room to fill the needs of
whomever is using it at the time.
I pull the pews out on Saturday
for the church and back in on
Sunday for the school. It's easy
work, but somone has to do it.
                                                            
Rex pushes in the chairs.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Right now I'm setting up for the
fundraiser they're holding.
                                                            
Rex carries a long table from the storage room to the
sanctuary. He sturggles because the size of table makes it
awkward to grip, and he's not strong.
                                                            
                       SAMUEL L. JACKSON
      (VO)
"Ezekiel 25:17: 'The path of the
righteous man is beset on all
sides by the iniquities of the
selfish and the tyranny of evil
men. Blessed is he who, in the
name of charity and goodwill,
shepherds the weak through the
            (MORE)

46.

                       SAMUEL L. JACKSON (cont'd)
valley of darkness, for he is
truly his brother's keeper and the
finder of lost children, and I
will strike down upon thee with
great vengeance and furious anger
those who attempt to poison and
destroy my brothers, and you will
know I am the lord when I lay my
vegeance upon you. I been saying
that shit for years, and if you
heard it, it meant your ass. I
never gave much thought to what it
meant..."
                                                            
Rex looks at the tables now erected around the sanctuary as
he stands in the doorway.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
And people wonder why I don't go
to church anymore.
                                                            
He turns off the lights and walks out.
                                                            
INT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex sits in his room, watching television. Pulp Fiction is
playing.
                                                            
                       SAMUEL L. JACKSON
Now I'm thinkin', it could mean
you're the evil man. And I'm the
righteous man. And Mr. .45 here,
he's the shepherd protecting my
righteous ass in the valley of
darkness. Or is could by you're
the righteous man and I'm the
shepherd and it's the world that's
evil and selfish. I'd like that.
But that shit ain't the truth. The
truth is you're the weak. And I'm
the tyranny of evil men. But I'm
tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real
hard to be the shepherd.
                                                            
There is a reflective expression on Rex's face.
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
                       AARON
What's it rate?
                                                            

47.

                       REX
The Triplets of Belleville? PG13,
I think.
                                                            
                       AARON
Is there any loud cursing in it?
                                                            
                       REX
No, there's hardly any dialog.
There is some nudity at the
beginning, but it's not erotic or
anything.
                                                            
                       AARON
Okay, I'll ask my mom.
                                                            
                       REX
See here's what I don't get. Your
mom let you see the Passion, which
is probably the most violent and
vulgar movie I've ever seen, but
you can't watch movies with
excessive cursing.
                                                            
                       AARON
That's different. The Passion is a
religious movie.
                                                            
                       REX
So's the Last Temptation, but I
bet you wouldn't be allowed to see
that.
                                                            
                       AARON
Come on.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, okay. I appreciate that, but
the cursing shit, I don't.
                                                            
                       AARON
I has more to do with my younger
sister hearing it.
                                                            
                       REX
That's not what I mean. What I'm
getting at is this: there's no
such thing as a curse word.
                                                            
                       AARON
What d'you mean?
                                                            

48.

                       REX
I mean I can say shit, or I can
say poo. Both words have the exact
same meaning. Which one do you
find more offensive?
                                                            
                       AARON
What d'you think?
                                                            
                       REX
Exactly. What is it about the word
shit that offends people? The
meaning is in no way vulgar. Does
it have to do with how the sounds
are arranged? What is it?
                                                            
                       AARON
Well, what offends me about
cursing in movies is the fact that
the actors are actually cursing.
There are no camera tricks or
illusionation involved.
                                                            
                       REX
Illusionation, I like that. But
why should that offend you? The
only word restriction in the Bible
involves the Lord's name in vain.
That doesn't apply to the word
fuck.
                                                            
                       AARON
People do say God's name in vain
though.
                                                            
                       REX
Alright. That I can appreciate. I
don't have a problem with it, but
I appreciate that you might. But
how do you know there's no
"illusionation" involved? Cursing
could be computer generated by
state of the art digital imaging
technology. Clamation
illusionation. Cartoon curses.
                                                            
They crack up laughing.
                                                            
                       REX
Aaron, tell me something. Do you
think the Earth was really created
in a week?
                                                            

49.

                       AARON
Yes.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay.
      (VO)
I had suspected it. I wasn't sure
though. I wasn't surprised either.
I had known Aaron to be
somewhat...gullible.
                                                            
INT. AUDITORIUM HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
A group of people are lounging. Among them are Rex, Pippy,
Jon, Aaron, and a girl.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
I've heard of tsunamis swallowing
entire towns, killing hundreds of
people. Those things can get huge.
                                                            
                       JON
As huge as Helenka's penis?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Let's no get carried away.
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Yeah, it is pretty big.
                                                            
Aaron stirs at hearing this.
                                                            
                       AARON
What?
                                                            
                       HELENKA
      (ditsy)
My penis. I'm a transexual.
                                                            
Everyone tries desperately hard to hold in their laughter.
This includes Helenka. Aaron gives her a look of someone who
doesn't know what to think of a situation.
                                                            
                       AARON
Excuse me?
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah you didn't know that.
                                                            
It becomes a little harder to stop laughing.
                                                            
                       AARON
Seriously?
                                                            

50.

                       HELENKA
Sure, when I was thirteen I
decided I wanted to be a girl. So
I had an operation done.
                                                            
                       REX
You see what the do is they cut
off the penis. Then they turn it
inside out and put it back in.
                                                            
Aaron cringes.
                                                            
                       AARON
Why!?
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Because I'm a girl, with or
without a dick.
                                                            
Aaron looks at her carefully. He is either trying to
determine how honest she is or trying to imagine her as a
male. Meanwhile the others burst out laughing. So does
Helenka.
                                                            
                       AARON
What's so funny?
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Aaron I'm kidding.
                                                            
                       JON
You da man, Helenka!
                                                            
They high five.
                                                            
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (extremely sincere)
Are you serious? How do you
explain dinosaurs, then?
                                                            
                       AARON
I think dinosaurs did exist, but
there was a great flood that wiped
them all out.
                                                            
                       JOEY
You mean Noah's flood?
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah.
                                                            

51.

                       JOEY
But Noah saved all the animals.
                                                            
                       AARON
He would've missed some.
                                                            
                       ANDY
I dunno. I always just took that
one week thing as symbolism.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
What about carbon dating?
                                                            
                       AARON
I don't even know what that is.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Okay the halflife of a carbon atom
is 6000 years. They can follow how
old something is by observing how
far along the atom has
deteriorated.
                                                            
                       AARON
But where'd they come up with
that? No one's old enough to have
seen the atom deteriorate.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
It's done by observing atoms in
different stages. Okay look. Take
one thousand atoms. Arrange them--
                                                            
Zoom in on Rex as his voice is muted.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I think we all know what happens
next.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTAGE - DAY
                                                            
INT. DAILY SHOW SET - NIGHT
                                                            
                       JON STEWART
Tell us who's gonna win.
                                                            
                       JOHN ZOGBY
      (instant and
       confident)
Kerry.
                                                            

52.

The crowd cheers.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Nobody saw it coming.
                                                            
INT. CAMPAIGN FORUM - NIGHT
                                                            
                       SUPPORTER
For the first time I feel like God
is in the White House.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
When God fights a war over a
grudge, one begins to wonder if
the apocalypse is truly upon us.
                                                            
INT. 2000 DABATE - NIGHT
                                                            
                       MODERATOR
New question. How would you go
about as president deciding when
it was in the national interest to
use U.S. force, generally?
                                                            
                       DUBYA
I would be very careful about
using our troops as nation
builders.
                                                            
INT. AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex sits behind the stage. Much Ado About Nothing is
playing.
                                                            
                       DON JOHN
It must not be denied that I am a
cold dealing villain.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Pay no attention to the man behind
the curtain.
                                                            
INT. DAILY SHOW - NIGHT
                                                            
                       CALVIN TRILLIN
The only king we have is Jesus.
And I feel blessed to bring that
news.
The only king we have is Jesus.
I can't explain why we have Jews.
                                                            

53.

INT. AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
                                                            
                       REX
      (as Antonio)
...villains, that dare as well
answer a man indeed As I dare take
a serpent by the tongue.
                                                            
INT. 2004 DEBATE - NIGHT
                                                            
                       JIM LEHRER
New question, two minutes, Senator
Kerry.

"Colossal misjudgments." What
colossal misjudgments, in your
opinion, has President Bush made
in these areas?
                                                            
                       JOHN KERRY
Well, where do you want me to
begin?
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Nobody saw it coming, but no one
was surprised when it came.
                                                            
INT. CAMPAIGN FORUM - NIGHT
                                                            
                       DUBYA
They misunderestimated me.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Stop!
                                                            
Blank screen.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I think you see what I'm getting
at.
                                                            
A bell rings.
                                                            
 

54.

EXT. NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
Rex leans against a wall. On either side of him are windows,
revealing a crowded hallway. A girl goes up to one of the
windows, looks at him, and taps the glass. Rex turns to look
and, upon seeing her, offers a sarcastic glare. She walks
through the door to meet him. They hug.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
Hey lady.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey man.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
Can I have a ride home?
                                                            
                       REX
No, I can't today. I've got to see
about getting a job.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
Aw, come on.
                                                            
                       REX
I'm sorry, but I really can't
today.
                                                            
She puts on a sad face.
                                                            
                       REX
Ohmygod, don't cry.
                                                            
He hugs her again.
                                                            
                       REX
Tell you what. I'll drive you home
tomorrow.
                                                            
She brightens.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
I have to catch the bus.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, I'll talk to you later.
                                                            
They give a friend kiss, the kind of which Italian people
are fond. He watches her board the bus.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
It's not what you think; don't
            (MORE)

55.

                       REX (cont'd)
think I didn't want it though. My
dating drive had shut down
sometime around the turn of the
millenium. I was eighteen with a
crush. A fucking crush. Well, this
isn't a love story, so let's move
on.
                                                            
He walks to his car and drives away.
                                                            
INT. HAYEK'S - DAY
                                                            
Rex walks into the deli section and acts confused for
several moments. He spots a familiar face among the crew.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey, Jon.
                                                            
                       JON
Oh, hey. What d'you need?
                                                            
                       REX
Job application.
                                                            
                       JON
I wouldn't advise it, but if you
really want a job, wait a few
months. There'll be some people
leaving soon.
                                                            
                       REX
      (sighs)
Alright. How does band practice
sound tonight?
                                                            
                       JON
Coo'. I'll call Tommy.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, see you around six, I guess.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I left the deli. On my way home, I
stopped to buy twenty dollars of
gas I would never use.
                                                            
Rex pulls out of a gas station and continues to drive.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
The three scariest moments of a
car crash are as follows. One: you
            (MORE)

56.

                       REX (cont'd)
floor the brake, but car slides on
a slushy road. You realize you are
about to crash.
                                                            
He braces himself, a light but loud scraping sound is heard,
and the screen goes blank.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Two:
                                                            
Profile of Rex as he surveys the damage from within the car.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
You wonder why you can't see
everything in front of you, and
you realize the hood is blocking
the windshield. Three: You attempt
to open the door, but well, one
can't ask for a miracle. Can one?
                                                            
He pulls to the curb. The engine makes a horrible screeching
noise as it runs. He parks and crawls over to the passenger
door and exits the vehicle. He walks to the front of the car
and looks down. Cut to a wide shot that slowly zooms out.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
The car buckled like a belt, like
a strap which instantly tightened
locking me down and removing all
the and liberty for which I had
waited eighteen long years.
                                                            
STILL SHOTS OF THE DAMAGED CAR
                                                            
                       REX
A freedom which, once achieved,
was taken for granted.
                                                            
INT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex sits alone in his room, hunched over something on his
bed. On his TV is a muted presedential press conference. The
camera zooms in on the notebook on his bed. He is writing
the voice over playing over the scene.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I became careless and let it slip
away because someone I had never
met stopped short, causing a
            (MORE)

57.

                       REX (cont'd)
violent crash that only he could
drive away from. I was left here
waiting. A lone, confused kid with
no religious affiliation writing a
monolog when he should be
studying.
                                                            
He turns pages until the notebook closes. He flips past all
the preliminary work of the film, including a conception
sketch of the promotional poster. The young screenwriter
stands up and moves to his computer. The screen comprises a
wordperfect document entitled The Worst Movie Ever. He
saves, closes, and creates up a new document. He enters the
title:
                                                            
THE AGNOSTIC
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Then again, that's life.
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
                       AARON
Did you know that in Canada, it's
illegal to criticise
homosexuality?
                                                            
                       REX
No.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah, can you believe that.
                                                            
                       REX
Yes, actually.
                                                            
                       AARON
Why?
                                                            
                       REX
In all honesty, I don't agree with
it, but I don't jump at the chance
to defend a citizen's right to
persecute. I don't agree with the
law, but I do agree with the
thought.
                                                            
                       AARON
It's more complicated than that.
                                                            

58.

                       REX
Yes it is, but in a way, Canada is
everything America pretends it is.
                                                            
                       AARON
Are you joking?
                                                            
                       REX
A little, but look at it like
this. Canada has no crime, no
pollution, apparently no bigotry.
                                                            
                       AARON
I dunno. Some people believe some
weird stuff.
                                                            
                       REX
      (joking)
Not the Mormons.
                                                            
                       AARON
What's that?
                                                            
                       REX
Seriously?
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah, I've never heard of that
before.
                                                            
                       REX
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. It's a sect of
Christianity out in Utah. It's got
something to do with Jesus being
in Arkansas or something.
                                                            
                       AARON
      (laughing)
That's so dumb!
                                                            
                       REX
Not to them.
                                                            
                       AARON
It should be. Jesus lived in
Israel, not Arkansas!
                                                            
                       REX
Man, look at you.
                                                            
                       AARON
What?
                                                            

59.

                       REX
The Jesus in America thing comes
from the book of Mormon. Their New
Testament. You criticise gay
marriage on the fact that the kids
would suffer ridicule. How many
angry letters has your mom written
to the state about the school?
                                                            
                       AARON
We lost count around eighty.
                                                            
                       REX
And how much flack have you gotten
for it?
                                                            
Aaron is silent.
                                                            
                       REX
The Mormons are stupid for
believing in their Holy Book, and
scientists are wrong for doubting
yours.
                                                            
                       AARON
If you look at the effect of
Christ on history, then...
                                                            
                       REX
If you look at evolution's effect
on history, you get the same
thing. These are trite details
that don't mean shit. You eat
pork, don't you?
                                                            
                       AARON
Of course.
                                                            
                       REX
Even though God says, in the
Bible, that it's a sin.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah but things change.
                                                            
Pause. Rex grins.
                                                            
                       REX
At last you understand.
                                                            
Freeze frame.
                                                            

60.

                       REX
      (VO)
Don't let my actions mislead you.
I'm not an atheist. I'm not a
Christian or a Muslim or a Jew
either. I believe in God, in a
force beyond any sane man's
comprehension.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL'S TOP FLOOR - DAY
                                                            
Rex walks through the hall past a window which displays, for
the first time, the beautiful and complex architecture of
the school. Beyond the farthest reaches of the large
schoolhouse, an American flag waves in the wind.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I believe the entire universe
comprises this force that
comprises this universe. All
violently streaming together in
chaotic harmony.
                                                            
INT. AUDITORIUM HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
The red trash can lies overturned on the ground where Aaron
slammed into the wall. There is a blood stain on the floor
where Aaron's head hit the ground.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
I believe this force is present
when we are born and when we die.
It was present when Aaron's fate
collided with the fate of the
brick wall in Newton High School,
2004.
                                                            
FADE TO:
                                                            
The can is now upright, and the custodian is moppiing the
blood stain.
                                                            
INT. MOVING BUS - DAY
                                                            
Rex sits head to head with his reflection in the window.
Trees flow past as he goes.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
It was present as I rode home,
            (MORE)

61.

                       REX (cont'd)
trying to make sense of the day's
events.
                                                            
He looks over to the anonymous girl who currently sits
across from him. She does not notice him.
                                                            
FADE TO:
                                                            
PIC OF YOUNG REX
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
It was present when I was the dumb
kid who swore to never cry over a
death.
                                                            
INT. OPERATING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Doctors and nurses huddle around the head of an unconscious
body of Aaron Bastin. It is plain that they are performing a
difficult operation.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
It was present those days I wish I
could break it. The force was
present as Aaron fought for his
life.
                                                            
INT. VICE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Pippy sits in tears.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
It was there when Pippy fought for
his soul. It was there when I
arrived home that day.
                                                            
INT. REX'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Matt enters his home. His mom sits at the computer, playing
Snood.
                                                            
                       MACK'S MOM
How was school?
                                                            
                       REX
It was good. You know: same old,
same old.
                                                            

62.

                       MACK'S MOM
Tom called. He asked me to tell
you.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, thanks.
                                                            
Rex walks to the phone and takes the reciever. He closes the
door to his room and hesitates. After several moments he
dials and places it against the side of his face.
                                                            
RING
                                                            
RIN--
                                                            
                       PIPPY'S DAD
Hello?
                                                            
                       REX
Hi, is Tom there?
                                                            
                       PIPPY'S DAD
Just a second, Rex.
                                                            
Several clicks are heard as the reciever is rested on a
table or counter or other hard surface. Muted dialog is
barely discernible.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Here it comes.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (picking up phone)
Mack.
                                                            
                       REX
Hey.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
I assume you know why I'm calling.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah, I know. How's he doing?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (crying)
Not well. His parents called; He's
at Morristown now. They've gotta
open on his brain.
                                                            

63.

                       REX
Tom, I need you to listen to me.
Are you listening?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Yeah, I'm listening.
                                                            
His voice begins to clear as he speaks.
                                                            
                       REX
      (stern)
This is not your fault.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (breaking down)
I know! I mean I don't. My brain
knows, but my heart doesn't. I
oushed him into a wall!
                                                            
                       REX
You pushed him, but he asked you
to. You did nothing wrong.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
He's gonna die!
                                                            
                       REX
You did nothing wrong! Don't
worry. He's gonna pull through.
Aaron's strong. He'll make it.
Hell, in six months we'll be
laughing about all this. You, me,
and him.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
      (stifling his
       tears)
Thanks, Mack.
                                                            
                       REX
Don't even worry about it. I you
need anything, anything at all,
don't be afraid to call me back.
I'm here for you man.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
Thanks, Matt. Bye.
                                                            
                       REX
See you later.
                                                            
He hangs up the phone and grasps his head. He could cry at
any moment, but something is holding him back.
                                                            

64.

                       REX
      (whispering)
Fuck. Fuckfuckfuckfuck fuck!
                                                            
He clenches his fist against his mouth.
                                                            
                       REX
      (whispering)
Goddammit.
                                                            
He clenches his fists together, and drops his head. He lifts
his head up and looks down at his folded hands. He starts to
cry. He bows his head and starts to pray.
                                                            
                       REX
I know that I am a sinner. I don't
go to church. I take your name in
vain. I am cynical about your
teachings. And I have no remorse.
I do not ask your forgivness, nor
do I desire any clemency for
myself. But Aaron has always been
your faithful servant. Please
guide him in his time of need.
Guide his loved ones, and guide
Tom. In the name of your glory, I
plead your wisdom. In the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
                                                            
 
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
                                                            
Aaron sings his way to the table.
                                                            
                       AARON
      (singing)
Much more than a mascot,
You'll love him a whole lot.
He is really super silly.
He's Matthew Rosen.
                                                            
                       REX
Well if it isn't Frankenstein's
monster.
                                                            
                       AARON
      (laughing)
You're right!
                                                            
He moves his hair to the side, revealing the scar from his
operation. He calms down and becomes serious.
                                                            

65.

                       AARON
Where's Andy?
                                                            
                       REX
Hes getting lunch.
                                                            
Aaron looks toward the kitchen.
                                                            
                       REX
Are you gonna tell him?
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah, I'll do it when he gets
back.
                                                            
                       REX
God damn, this sucks.
                                                            
                       AARON
Yeah.
                                                            
They wait. Matt starts to drum on the table. Aaron drums in
beat with him. Andy arrives.
                                                            
                       AARON
Andy, you know how my mom is
always writing letters to the
state about the school, and the
school hates me for it?
                                                            
                       ANDY
Yeah.
                                                            
                       AARON
Well they wrote some bad things on
my permanent record. Like I'm a
bad seed, they called me...Oh man
what was that word?
                                                            
                       REX
Derelict?
                                                            
                       AARON
No, not derelict...Defiant! That's
it. Anyway they're that an aid
follow me around and watch me to
find an excuse to kick me out. I'm
not gonna wait around for that to
happen so this is my last day of
school.
                                                            

66.

                       ANDY
Wow. What're you gonna do for
education?
                                                            
                       AARON
I've already arranged it. I'm
going to VoTech.
                                                            
                       ANDY
Wow. Good luck with that.
                                                            
The bell rings. Aaron disposes his tray. Matt walks to him.
                                                            
                       REX
It won't be the same without you.
See you 'round.
                                                            
He gestures to shake hands. They shake, and Matt hugs Aaron
with his free hand.
                                                            
                       AARON
      (laughing)
Okay.
                                                            
                       REX
Good luck.
                                                            
                       AARON
Thanks.
                                                            
They walk away in opposite directions.
                                                            
 
INT. PIPPY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
                       REX
Read it and weep. Full house.
                                                            
Matt places down his hand, 2-7 offsuit. The corresponding
cards are J-7-9-7-2. Matt downs a clear drink with a green
tint.
                                                            
                       PIPPY
How do you do that!? You had 2-7
offsuit. That's the worst possible
hand!
                                                            
                       JON
The magic of the gargle-blaster.
                                                            
                       REX
I'll drink to that.
                                                            

67.

Matt and Jon toast and drink.
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Straight flush.
                                                            
She plays her hand, 8-10 onsuit.
                                                            
                       JON
Very nice, Hel.
                                                            
She puts down her drink and starts to gather her chips.
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Drunk...
                                                            
                       REX
Wow. That was almost a sentence.
                                                            
                       HELENKA
That was supposed to be a
sentence. I meant, "Drunk but
still winning."
                                                            
                       REX
That's not a sentence either.
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Whatever. I have to stop eating
these chips.
                                                            
                       REX
Why is that.
                                                            
                       HELENKA
It'll dehydrate me with its
osmosis. It'll give me a hangover.
                                                            
                       REX
      (smirking)
I didn't do well in science class.
What is osmosis again?
                                                            
                       HELENKA
Osmosis is the movement of water
molecules from an area of high
concentration through a membrane
to an area of low concentration.
                                                            
                       REX
Ah yes.
                                                            
They start to laugh.
                                                            

68.

                       HELENKA
I can't make sentences but I can
explain osmosis!
                                                            
                       REX
You want me to quiz you on vocab
too?
                                                            
                       PIPPY
I'm going all in.
                                                            
 
INT. SENIOR LOUNGE - DAY
                                                            
Rex and Andy sit on a couch in Newton High School's senior
lounge.
                                                            
                       REX
Man, why the fuck is the library
closed?
                                                            
                       ANDY
I dunno. They're stupid or
something.
                                                            
Rex takes from his backpack the book Cat's Cradle by Kurt
Vonnegut. The condition of the book is so poor the cover has
to be taped on. Andy takes out a notebook and a calculator
and works out math problems. Rex stops reading for a second
and watches a couple kiss. He looks back down at his book.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
Mack!
                                                            
Rex looks up. A class of sophomores walks toward the
library. The anonymous girl waves to him.
                                                            
                       REX
I'll be right back. Fives.
                                                            
Matt walks over to the girl. They stand outside the library.
                                                            
                       REX
What're you doing down here?
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
Same as always, chemistry.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay.
                                                            

69.

                       ANONYMOUS
Yeah, I've gotta work with a
partner today. I hate that.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah, I know. I can't stand
working with people.
                                                            
They stop talking for a moment, and just look at each
other's faces.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
What?
                                                            
                       REX
      (shrugging)
Io know.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
I have to go to class.
                                                            
                       REX
Okay, see you.
                                                            
They hug for a moment. Then they kiss, not the way platonic
friends kiss, their mouths meet, and they draw from each
other's life force. The energy materializes in a glorious
white light that fills their images and washes over every
inch of the screen.
                                                            
                       TEACHER
No making out in the hallway,
Mack.
                                                            
The light disappears. Matt looks behind him.
                                                            
                       ANONYMOUS
I've gotta go to class.
                                                            
                       REX
Yeah. I'll see you later.
                                                            
She walks into the library. Rex stands there for several
seconds before walking away. He sits down next to Andy and
pretends to read.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
Aaron would've called that
degrading ourselves in public. I
can't speak for her, but I didn't
feel degraded. I'd had my first
kiss in front of the Newton High
            (MORE)

70.

                       REX (cont'd)
School library on December 21,
2004. I was 18, it was the winter
solstice, and brighter days were
ahead.
                                                            
EXT. REX'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
An orange truck drives away as Matt, his mother, and his
sister watch.
                                                            
CLIP FROM THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
                                                            
Blondie ties Tuco's hands as Tuco balances on a flimsy
cross. A noose is around his neck, tied to a tree. Tuco
stuggles to balance.
                                                            
INT. REX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Rex sits on his bed watching The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Slowly zoom in on his face.
                                                            
                       REX
      (VO)
So what does it all mean really?
If my life has proven anything, it
has proven that the unfaithful can
be rightous. Heaven or hell, it's
still an eternity of redundance.
Some things will never be
understood, because there will
always be something more to
understand. I find this
comforting. But if we refuse to
accept our differences can there
ever be any true progress for
humanity?
                                                            
Rex looks at the camera.
                                                            
                       REX
Fuck you.
      (mumbling)
Existential asshole.
                                                            
He smirks.
                                                            
END CREDITS
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Larry Boodry Date 9/8/2005 ***
Very good, especially for a first draft...I really liked the dialogue, the coversation between Rex and Aaron about religion was really done well...My only complaint is that you seem to rely too much on other movies to fill space on the page...Instead of quoting the actors from whatever movie your characters are watching, describe the scene in the 'scene description' area. Good luck as you continue to work on this...


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