1
EXT.SCHOOL PARKING LOT – NIGHT.
BRET, a young teen age boy races from the football field to the parking lot of a school. It’s slightly dark as he stops.
Out of breath he looks around and sets his eyes on another car, yelling for the driver to stop as a dark two door sports type races out of the parking lot and heading down the street.
He runs to a small red fourdoor sedan with fear on his face, he is shown racing off in the same direction as the car which just left.
MOMENTS LATER
EXT.CITY STREET – CAR CRASH – NIGHT.
A city street is full of commotion and noise. Fire fighters are putting out a car in flames; people are standing behind police tape in shock talking among themselves.
Bret stands behind the tape clinching his fists. His face is motionless, no expression at all. He says nothing as he stares at a body and watching paramedics pull a white sheet over his face.
SEVERAL MONTHS LATER
INT.SCHOOL HALL WAY – DAY.
It is a busy school hall way where students are leaving for the weekend.Two young teenage girls DARLENE FULLER, a tall slender young girl with long wavy brown hair and JENNIFER CARROL, a shorter young girl with long straight black hair mess around in there lockers getting ready to go home.
JENNIFER
How do you think you did on that test?
DARLENE
Pain in the butt. I think I did pretty well though, on the first part anyway.
Both start walking down the hall towards the doors.
DARLENE(Cont.)
I hadtrouble with the second part of it too.
JENNIFER
I thought it was pretty easy myself, it was just long. Though I did get stuck on twenty seven.
DARLENE
Wasn’t that the order of Presidents?
JENNIFER
Ya, which was the hardest part for me.
As they walk down the hall two scraggly dressed boys, RGGIE MCCALLUM, and African American and ROY DONAVAN, a causation walk up to them.
ROY
(Chubby teen)
Hay, Darlene. Where’s that pathetic boyfriend of yours?
DARLENE
He should be getting out of history, Why?
REGGIE
Nope. He wasn’t there. Not when I looked in there anyway. I saw Mike, but not Bret.
JENNIFER
What were you doing over on this side of the building anyway; don’t you have algebra last hour?
(Pointing to the other side)
On the other side of the school?
REGGIE
Ya, but we were going to skip last hour.
DARLENE
What was he going to do with you two? Wait, I don’t want to know.
REGGIE
Well, if you see him tell him he owes me.
DARLENE
Ya, ya.
Reggie and Roy walk off. Darlene stands there puzzled.
DARLENE (Cont.)
What was that lunk head going to do with those two?
JENNIFER
You’re asking me? Who knows with them? He’s your man.
DARLENE
Don’t remind me.
JENNIFER
But I thought you didn’t want to know.
Just then MIKE, a young preppy type dressed in Jeans, button down dress shirt with a pull over sweater vest walks up behind them. He’s smiling like something’s up.
MIKE
Ladies, how’s it going?
She sees the look.
JENNIFER
What are you smiling about?
They stop right in front of the doors leading to the busses. A group of students walk past them going out. The scene outside is heavy with student traffic.
Students are getting on busses and cars. Traffic is slow as they try to drive out.
MIKE
You haven’t heard?
DARLENE
Heard what?
MIKE
Oh, just that Bret got pulled out of last hour, again. Bell came down and with out a word, hauled him out.
Jennifer starts laughing and Darlene looks pissed off.
DARLENE
For what?
MIKE
What I heard was, he tried to blow up Bell’s office with some huge fire crackers.
DARLENE
Not again, not again.
She’s hit with a revelation.
DARLENE(Cont.)
That’s why Reggie didn’t see him.
Darlene’s face turns red with anger.
DARLENE(Cont.)
It’s not funny guys. I’m seriously going to kill him.
JENNIFER
Come on Darlene, you know Bret. He’s…
DARLENE
He’s what? I’ve told him that if kept doing crap like this, it was over between us.
MIKE
You know as well as we do that you two will probably marry one day and make each other miserable.
JENNIFER
Plus, you know that you will never love anyone like you love him.
DARLRENE
(Glaring)
You’re not helping.
JENNIFER
Ya, but you know I’m right.
DARLENE
Fine! But let me hate him for a moment, will you?
Bret, wearing a leather jacket walks up to them laughing, acting like there’s nothing wrong.
BRET
What’s up guys? Sorry I’m late, I was detained.
DARLENE
(She hits him)
JERK!
BRET
(Grabs his arm)
What was that for?
Mike and Jennifer start laughing.
DARLENE
Why do you think you have to pull so much crap?
BRET
Oh, you heard I take it.
DARLENE
Ya, I heard and it’s not funny either. What’s the matter with you? Can you at least attempt to act like an adult?
She starts to walk out the door.
DARLENE (Cont.)
Come on, let’s go. I have to get home and get ready for prom.
EXT. OUTSIDE SCHOOL – PARKING LOT – DAY.
The four are walking to Bret’s car, an older black sports car. There are students racing off while others are still getting on busses and talking to other students.
Bret and the others get to his car. Darlene is still mad while Mike and Jennifer inquire about what happened in Mr. Bell’s office.
MIKE
So Bret what did Bell have to say? Are you expelled?
BRET
(Arrogant smile)
No. I have to spend three weeks in detention, clean Bells office tomorrow, and pay for some books I wrecked.
INT. CAR – DAY.
Mike and Jennifer are in the back while Bret gets behind the wheel and a very pissed off Darlene sits next to him.
JENNIFER
I would assume that you’ll hear it from your parents.
BRET
Of course, my old man never passes up a chance to tell me what a screw up I am anymore.
Bret starts to drive out of the parking lot.
DARLENE
(Lashes out)
Just shut up and take me home.
Bret looks at her wondering how she can be so mad. Mike and Jennifer sit awkwardly over her out bursts.
BRET
Would you please explain to me why you’re so pissed off? It’s no big deal.
DARLENE
(Disgusted look)
You don’t get it do you?
BRET
I guess not, but you’ll probably explain it to me anyway.
DARLENE
Bret, I love you, but you are the most immature, childish, and aggravating person I know.
BRET
Is that a complement?
DARLENE
(Shoots him a look)
That’s what I’m talking about. You take nothing serious; everything’s a fricken joke to you.
BRET
(Rolls eyes)
If you’re going to act like my father, don’t. I get yelled at enough from him. I don’t need it from you.
DARLENE
I wish you would just grow up. I’m tired of your childish stunts. I’ve been putting up with them to long.
MIKE
(Interrupts)
Okay, I think this would be the perfect time to chill out before you two kill each other, and the two of us in the process.
DARLENE
Fine!
BRET
Fine with me.
Bret looks at Jennifer in the rearview mirror.
BRET (Cont.)
Jen, are you going home, or to Mike’s.
JENNIFER
I’m going to Mike’s. I dropped my stuff off last night so we wouldn’t have to hurry.
BRET
Cool.
EXT. MIKE’S – DRIVE WAY – DAY.
Bret pulls in. He gets out and lets Mike and Jen out of the back seat. Be for Jennifer gets out she reach over Darlene’s shoulders and gives her a hug. Mike stands waiting for Jen to get out.
JENNIFER
(She smiles)
It’s okay, Darlene. If you want to talk call me on my cell.
DARLENE
Thanks. I’ll see you later.
JENNIFER
What time will you two pick us up?
DARLENE
About six.
JENNIFER
See you then.
EXT. DRIVEWAY – BRET & JENNIFER – DAY.
Looks at Bret with an authoritive look.
JENNIFER (Cont.)
(Points)
You be nice.
BRET
Yes mom.
INT. CAR – BRET & DARLENE – DAY.
Bret gets back in the car. Darlene sits looking out her window waving to Jennifer. She finally looks at Bret then back out the window.
Bret backs out of the driveway and drives off.
BRET (Cont.)
Are we okay now?
DALRENE
Are you going to grow up?
BRET
I’ll take that as a no.
DARLENE
(Lashes out)
Don’t make fun of me. I’m tired of your crap. It’s getting very old and I don’t want to date a child.
BRET
You know there was a time when you liked my jokes.So what’s your problem?
DARLENE
(Calmly)
This time it scared me.
BRET
(Puzzled)
Why would it scare you this time? I’ve done much worse than this.
Darlene looks right at him intently.
DARLENE (Cont.)
You do know what today is don’t you?
BRET
Friday.
DARLENE
You know what I’m getting at.
BRET
(Aggravated)
Darlene, don’t!
DARLENE
It’s seven months to the day that Mark died.
BRET
Darlene!
DARLENE
And didn’t you two pull this same stunt then?
BRET
(Getting pissed)
Cut it out, I don’t want to talk about it. He’s a closed subject.
DARLENE
He? His name was Mark. He was your best friend and you act like he never existed.
Bret stops the car on a busy road almost causing the car to hit him in his rear. The lady then passes him and yells at him. Darlene is thrown forward but not hurt. Bret then looks at her with anger and explodes.
BRET
(Voice cracks)
That’s enough. Just shut up about it. I don’t want to talk about him so stop pushing. Are we done now?
Darlene sits there with tears streaming down her face. She looks at him with fear. Bret looks at her but says nothing. His face becomes tight, with anger.
Darlene sits there crying. After a few seconds, he finally and calmly speaks up.
BRET
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blow up at you. But I just can’t talk about him.
DARLENE
(Calmly)
Okay, let’s not talk about him. And I didn’t mean to press you like that.
BRET
I know. Forget about it.
He takes a look in her direction, grabs her hand. He then looks back at the road and drives off.
EXT. DARLENE’S DRIVEWAY – DAY.
Bret drive’s in ands parks in front of a two story white house with black shutters. There’s a dog chained up in the back yard barking.
DARLENE
Bret?
BRET
Ya?
DARLENE
I am sorry. But I need you to understand where I’m coming from. I’m scared that you’re…
BRET
(Interrupts her)
Dar, I know. But don’t worry about me.
DARLENE
I love you.
BRET
I love you too.
DARLENE
I’ll see you later. I told Jen we would pick them up about six.
Darlene gets out and looks back into her window.
BRET
Okay. Bye for now.
DARLENE
Bye for now.
He drives away and she just stares at him. She then turns and walks into the house. A dog barks his head off in the back yard.
DARLENE (Cont.)
Shut up Max.
INT. FULLER HOME – BED ROOM – DARLENE – NANCY –DAY.
It’s getting towards late afternoon. Darlene and her mother, NANCY, a slim woman in her mid 40’s stands behind Darlene doing her hair while she sits in a chair in front of a makeup desk.
NANCY
So how was school today?
Darlene isn’t paying attention and doesn’t say a word. Nancy notices this and has some fun with it.
NANCY
I thought that your dress would look great with your bunny slippers.
DARLENE
Ya, okay.
NANCY
And did I tell you that your father is getting a sex change?
DARLENE
That’s nice.
Nancy stops with Darlene’s hair and sits on the edge of her bed.
NANCY
Okay what he do now?
Darlene turns around to her and questions what she just said.
DALRENE
(Smiles oddly)
What do you mean?
NANCY
I know when my children are having problems. Trish would clean, and Tony would avoid people. So what’s up?
DALRENE
(Lets down smile)
Bret got in trouble again. But this time, he scared me.
NANCY
How?
DARLENE
He set off a giant firecracker in Bell’s office with a today and it causing a small fire that created some damage.
Nancy starts laughing, but Darlene doesn’t think it’s funny.
DARLENE (Cont.)
It’s not funny mom. I really wanted to kill’em.
NACNY
I’m sorry honey, but that is funny. Wrong, but funny.
DARLENE
How can you say that? Just because Bret has a problem with Bell doesn’t mean he can…
NANCY
(Interrupts)
Look, I’ve known Edward Bell ever since we went to high school together. So I can understand why Bret would do that, as wrong as it was.
Darlene gets up and walks over to the bed.
DARLENE
But it was why he did it.
NANCY
What do you mean?
DARLENE
Today is exactly seven months that Mark Curtis died. And I think that he was trying to finish what they started.
NANCY
What they started? I don’t know understand.
DARLENE
On the day of Mark’s accident they tried this same stunt, but they were interrupted and got caught.
NANCY
So it was like in honor or something?
DARLENE
I think so.
NANCY
How’s his drinking been?
DARLENE
That’s been great. He hasn’t touched a drop since the valentines dance.
NANCY
But you’re worried.
DARLENE
A little bit.
Darlene puts her head on her mother’s shoulder.
DARLENE (Cont.)
Mom, what am I going todo? Sometimes I feel like we’re just not right for each other
Darlene looks at a picture of her and Bret sitting on her night stand by her bed.
DARLENE (Cont.)
Then I think I’d be lost with out him. Have I completely gone insane?
NANCY
No, you haven’t. You love him and that’s that.
She looks Darlene directly in the eyes.
NACNY (Cont.)
Look, you can’t help who you fall for. You’re not supposed to. I never thought I would ever fall in love with your father.
DARLENE
Really, Why?
NANCY
Because your father was just like Bret. Your dad was a spitting image of what Bret is now, and I always said would never want to be with anyone like that.
DARLENE
(Laughs)
Daddy? You’ve got to be kidding me.
Darlene sits there laughing waiting for the rest of the story while Nancy walks over to the door and looks out. She then walks back to the bed.
NANCY
No. When I met your father, he was the most obnoxious and arrogant jerk you would ever meet.
DARLENE
I would never believe dad was ever like that.
NANCY
(Smiles)
Oh ya, and what a temper. But he had this charm about him that could make the girls fall.
DARLENE
Let me guess, you fell for it.
NANCY
And there were times when I just wanted to break up with him too, and did.
Nancy walks over to the make up table. She grabs a brush and starts brushing Darlene’s hair,
NANCY (Cont.)
But something told me that he was the one I would spend the rest of my life with, and twenty three years later.
DARLENE
So you’re telling me that Bret and I will be with each other for ever?
NANCY
I’m not saying that. What I am saying is that God brought you together for some reason.
She stops brushing and looks Darlene in the face.
NANCY (Cont.)
But if you ask me, I can’t see either of you being with anyone else, no matter how much you two drive each other nuts.
They both start laughing and hug. Nancy wipes a tear from Darlene’s face.
NANCY (Cont.)
Now let’s fix your make up and show your father how pretty you look.
INT. TAYLOR HOUSE – KITCHEN – BRET & JOHN – DAY.
Bret walks into the kitchen where his father, JOHN, a big tall man in his early to mid 40’s sits with a phone in his hands.
As Bret tries to walk past him, John stops him. Bret stops and looks directly at him. His attitude is defensive, while Johns is frustration and anger.
JOHN
(Sitting)
Son.
BRET
(Sarcastic)
Father.
JOHN
Guess who I just got off the phone with?
Bret stands there looking unsurprised who his father just got off the phone with. John sits there waiting for Bret to answer.
BRET
Gee, I don’t know, the President?
John rises quickly from his seat and lays into Brett.
JOHN
Watch that sarcastic mouth of yours.
(Points at Bret Sternly)
You know what I’m talking about. I don’t understand why you think you can treat people like this.
BRET
Forgive me dad for not being the perfect child you always wanted.