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DIFFERENT SHADES OF BLUE
(Based on a True Story)
Screenplay by
Jack Stone
FADE IN:
EXT. BISCAYNE BAY/MIAMI BEACH - DAY
It's a bright sunny day with clear blue skies. The wind
blows cool out of the Southeast and the ocean's surface is
calm. It's a perfect day for a boating trip.
A tired and worn 50' BERTRAM SPORT FISHING BOAT carries a
handful of passengers out towards sea. They're all dressed
in black, save for the ships CAPTAIN who's decked out in full
Captain's white regalia.
The old weathered Captain, leather skin with wheel in hand
and a face drawn and serious steers the vessel towards the
Haulover Beach inlet bridge and out towards the open sea.
The palm trees sway to and fro from the tropical winds.
NOTE: ALL VOICE-OVER NARRATION'S ARE FROM CHIP AS THE THIRTY
YEAR OLD ADULT UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
CHIP (V.O.)
Christ, I never thought it would turn out
like this. Never. I used too wake up
early every morning and look up at the
tops of the palm trees. I wanted to see
them bent over, straining to stand from
the gusting winds. I'd pray the surf
would kick up as big as possible. Blow
winds blow. Then there was he. He'd
rise and look towards the same palms and
raise his clinched fist and curse
furiously. How dare they blow on a day
like this? Have they no compassion, no
understanding? There is no God that
hears.
A few cars cross South over the bridge towards Bal Harbor
Island.
The vessel chugs due East, towards the open sea.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I surfed. He was a fisherman. The
differences didn't stop there either this
just added fuel to the fire. The ocean
was his way of supporting his family.
If there was surf that usually meant I
skipped school. He'd really tear into me
for that... that is whenever he was
around.
(pause)
You heard the old sayings. Two peas in a
pod... Or, like father like son. Not
here. We never saw eye to eye.
Ceremoniously the ships flags are at half staff and all the
top of the line 6.0 sports fishing rod and reels sit in there
place holders waiting to be cast into the sea. Not on this
trip.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
One thing I never understood about the
man... he could brave the roughest ocean
conditions but like the wicked witch of
the west, he was scared to death of the
water. He swam like a lead sinker. Yet
day after day there he was standing
behind the wheel on the tuna tower.
Slowly heading out to sea.
Aboard this fishing vessel is a HANDSOME, REDHEADED YOUNG
MAN, CHIP STONE (30). As the boat heads out towards sea he
looks back towards the inlet rocks. A small group of surfers
huddle near the cut waiting to ride the surf that breaks out
of the inlet.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I was a fish... man you couldn't get me
out of the water. A goofy little kid
that always seemed to have a serious case
of sunburn. I can't remember a time when
my nose wasn't peeling off.
The silent solemn Captain steers the fishing vessel.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Captains stood guard like centurions
steering their vessels through the
crashing waves. Heading back to the calm
safety of the Biscayne Bay. Steering
wheel in hand, salty leathered man in
command.
(pause)
Opposites in every way. We were worlds
apart. I mean we didn't agree about
anything. I never let him know how I
felt. You just didn't do that if you
were his son. He had a saying. Children
were to be seen and not heard.
(pause)
I had plenty to say.
INT. CHIP'S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
1965.
The boys bedroom ceiling is covered in MARVEL COMIC BOOK
COVERS. They're perfectly placed without a hint of stucco or
paint showing through. A THIN, FRECKLED FACED RED HEADED KID
(11) with a crew hair cut sleeps amidst his MIAMI DOLPHINS
sheets.
The boys room is filled with MIAMI DOLPHINS FOOTBALL
PARAPHERNALIA and SUPER HERO POSTERS.
The boys father, (40), a tall and thin handsome tough guy
with a flat top crew cut enters the boys room. He turns a
Miami Dolphins football helmet light on.
Rise and shine boy. You're coming with
me. Let's go. Up an at 'em.
He roughly, yet playfully shakes the boy as he lies in bed.
CAP'N JACK
Hurry up and we can have some breakfast
at the marina.
Chip not really looking forward to the day slowly crawls out
of bed.
EXT. DRIVEWAY - SAME MORNING
A rusted out and sun parched 1962 two door, bronze FORD
FALCON pulls from the driveway with father and son.
CINDY, Chip's redheaded sister who's two years older sits in
the window of the home. She quietly pets a white cat with a
black spotted eye, watching as the Falcon drives off.
EXT. 167TH STREET CAUSEWAY - CONTINUOUS
The boy wipes sleep from his eyes as the Falcon approaches
the 167th Street Causeway bridge.
A red light signals, barrier arms drop, traffic stops. A
large cargo ship blows it's loud foghorn three times. HONK,
HONK, HONK.
The bridge goes up and the ship passes slowly under the open
bridge. Once safely through the bridge it sounds again
twice. HONK, HONK.
INT. 62 FALCON - CONTINUOUS
CHIP
How come them boats always blow their
horn when they're near bridges?
Three honks.
He beeps his car horn three times.
CAP'N JACK
Please open bridge. Two honks.
He blows his horn twice.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Thank you.
points to the bridge span and in a serious but story telling
manner:
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Do you see where the bridge span
separates?
Chip nods yes.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Not long ago a kid was fishing there when
the bridge went up. He had a record
breaking snook on line
begins to animate a fish fight.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
He was fighting the fish... and he wasn't
about to let that fish get the best of
him.
The drawbridge starts going down.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
But he didn't take notice that the bridge
started to come down. He just kept right
on fighting the fish. I tell ya, that
fish jumped and put up a hell of a fight.
But the kid didn't notice that the bridge
was slowly coming back down.
(pause)
The kid was crushed to death, smashed
right between the two sections.
His mother cried and cried for her son
every night. They didn't find him for
months. When they finally did, his
fishing rod was still in his hands and
the fish was still on the line. The kid
was flattened like a pancake. But that
fish didn't get away.
Chip watching as the drawbridge continues down. He's
horrified.
The barrier arms open and the traffic begins to move again.
The car behind the Falcon BLOWS it's horn. The Cap'n takes
off.
CAP'N JACK
(serious)
So how bout some pancakes for breakfast?
Chip sticks his head out of the car window.
CHIPS POV:
He watches the water through the metal bridge grating as the
cars tires HUM over the bridge.
WATER POV:
Looking back up at Chip through the bridge grating.
EXT. OCEAN/SPORT FISHING BOAT - DAY
CUT BACK TO OPENING SCENE:
The boat is now further out to sea. The shoreline is visible
in the distance as the boat reaches the pristine blue waters
of the deep Gulf.
CHIP (V.O.)
I never looked forward to the times he'd
drag me out of bed. I just wanted to
play ball in the park with my pals.
Sometimes we'd go to the park just to
watch the hippies get shoved around by
the cops. It was quite apparent even
then that the times they were a changin'.
EXT. GREYNOLD'S PARK - DAY
MIKE GRAVES (14), totally cool, wild and rebellious. CARL
(11), Mike's nutty and neurotic younger brother sports a
poorly cut crew cut, complete with bald spots covering his
head.
The pee wee, soft spoken and baby faced blonde haired kid
DAVID LENGAL (10) and Chip are tossing the football in the
park.
Suddenly, TWAAAAANG loud amplified rock music is heard.
VROOOOM a gang of about twenty Psychedelic motorcycles drive
past the boys.
MIKE
Wow. Cool hairs.
CHIP
Let's find out what's going on.
CARL
(paranoid)
I can't go. If mom finds out I went with
you guys she'll never let me out again.
MIKE
She didn't say you could come out
anyways. And when she finds out she'll
never let you go out ever again. So
what's the difference?
CHIP
Yeah, she'll just lock you in that
dungeon you call your bedroom and then
she'll throw away the key. The only way
you'll ever have any contact with the
outside world is through us. So you
better find out about cool stuff while
you can.
MIKE
Yeah, whatcha got to lose? Nothing.
Come on. She ain't gonna find out if
nobody tells. And there ain't no ratt
finks here. Right?
DAVID
Right.
Surprised they look at David.
CHIP
Right. But don't worry cuz if she does
find out we'll make good use of all your
cool stuff. I could use another set of
extension forks for my bike. Right?
MIKE
Right.
Mike and Chip scramble for their banana seat stingray bikes
popping wheelies as they ride off. Chip's bike has imitation
slick racing tires, a ridiculous sissy bar and exaggerated
extended front forks. Mike's bike is just as cool.
David jump on his generic bike and tries to catch up. Carl
grabs his wimp bike and takes off after them.
CARL
Hey wait for me.
EXT. THE HILL - CONTINUOUS
The hill is an old landfill the city turned into a hill with
a small CORAL CASTLE AT THE TOP. It's the cornerstone of
Greynold's park.
CHIP (V.O.)
Carl was the weirdest kid I knew.
Actually he was the weirdest kid anybody
knew. It wasn't entirely his own fault.
Carl was a accident and his mom was a
bitter abusive alcoholic. She favored
red wine. She drank wine like a fish
drinks water.
EXT. GREYNOLD'S PARK/THE HILL - CONTINUOUS
The kids arrive at the hill and there's a wild looking,
PSYCHEDELIC BAND playing acid rock at the top of the hill.
The parks packed with YOUNG ADULTS who are also anti-war
demonstrators.
Suddenly COPS arrive in droves from every direction.
Surrounding the hill. A REDNECK COP steps from his car and
begins to speak over a megaphone:
COP ON BULLHORN
You do not have the authority to...
Out of the crowd a tomato hits him.
COP ON BULLHORN (CONT'D)
I'll give you one minute to clear out of
here.
A Metro Dade riot bus pulls up. ONE HUNDRED COPS in full
protective gear begin to line up in riot format.
The band cranks the volume louder.
One longhaired YOUTH much like Abbey Hoffman stands on a
makeshift podium and attempts to use a megaphone to counter
the cops threats.
Many of the youths begin to make pig sounds.
ROWDY CROWD
OINK, OINK.
HOFFMAN
Don't let the cops hassle us this time
man. We got em out numbered.
Another YOUTH counters the Hoffman look alike:
YOUTH
Man we came here in peaceful protest.
We're not here to hassle with the pigs.
HOFFMAN
The pinko establishment must be squashed.
YOUTH
Using violence and force is dead wrong
man. We'll become like them.
COP ON BULLHORN
Clear out of here at once.
HOFFMAN
Somebody get this guy out of here. He's
interfering with our revolution.
The non-violent youth jumps up on the podium and tries to
take the bull horn away from Hoffman. A ridiculous fist
fight ensues between the two.
Youths begin to heckle the cops vocally, throwing rocks and
bottles as well. The cops move forward.
COP ON BULLHORN
Move along and nobody gets hurt.
Another YOUTH grabs the bullhorn as the melee continues.
YOUTH ON BULLHORN
Don't let the fascist pigs push us
around. Fight back.
A full on riot ensues as cops begin to kick the crap out
anyone in their path. The cop on the bullhorn continues to
intimidate the crowd.
COP ON BULLHORN
You are illegally assembled. Disperse
immediately.
The youth with his bullhorn hurls insults countering the cop.
YOUTH ON BULLHORN
Kill the pigs. Kill the pigs.
The riot worsens. The anti-war demonstrators chant.
ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATORS
Kill the pigs. Kill the pigs.
Hoffman and the other youth still go at it full on.
Mouths agape the kids watch this event unfold before their
eyes.
A lady cop chases a young man. Directly in front of the kids
she pulls him by the hair and beats on him with a bully club.
He's quickly subdued, handcuffed and led away.
THE FOCUS is on Carl as he watches the assault on the youth.
CHIP (V.O.)
Mrs. Graves would beat the holy hell out
of Carl all hours into the night.
Mercilessly.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CHIP'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Chip watches through his bedroom window into Carl's bedroom
window as Mrs. Graves beats Carl senseless. Carl CRIES out
for her to stop. She doesn't.
CARL
No mom. No...
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
I saw Carl cry more times than I ever saw
him laugh. That kid never deserved any
of it. I often wonder whatever became of
him?
EXT. GREYNOLD'S PARK/THE HILL - DAY
The riot ensues. A motorcycle cop rides up to the kids as
they sit on their bikes watching the mayhem.
MOTORCYCLE COP
You kids better get on home. Somebody
might get hurt.
The cop roars off. A bottle falls short of the boys,
CRASHING alongside of them. Mike and Chip don't flinch.
Carl and David react in fear.
An officer and a youth goes at it full force. Another
officer drags a bloodied handcuffed youth past the boys.
CHIP AND MIKE
(simultaneously)
Might?
MIKE
I got an idea. Let's go shoot off some
fire crackers.
CHIP
Where we gonna get fireworks?
MIKE
My mom's gots tons stashed for fourth of
July. She's got em hid... She thinks
she got em hid under her bed.
CHIP
Cool hairs.
A bottle crashes next to them. About the bottle:
CHIP (CONT'D)
That's a good waste of a five cent
deposit. Let's get out of here.
MIKE
(imitating the cop)
Yeah, someone might get hurt.
The kids race off as the confusion continues in the
background.
EXT. GRAVES RESIDENCE - CONTINUOUS
Chip and David sit on the front yard curb. Carl lurks behind
some brush hoping his mom doesn't call for him.
Mike exits the house with a grin from ear to ear. He has a
belly as big as Jackie Gleason's. It's filled with a large
role of firecrackers.
He also has his ugly mangy poodle CRACKER on a leash. Which
he affectionately drags behind him. Cracker fights him,
GROWLING the whole way.
CHIP
Got em?
MIKE
Got em. Let's go.
Just then MRS. LENGAL calls out for her son David.
MRS. LENGAL (O.S.)
David? David. It's time to come in now.
CHIP
(to David)
What timing. Boy it must really suck
being you.
DAVID
You guys save some for tomorrow OK?
MIKE
(giggling)
Not a chance.
DAVID
We can blow up my Red Corvette model?
They think about it for a second. Only for a second. Mike
shakes his head no. David mopes off dejected.
MIKE
Don't worry we'll tell you all about the
great time that you missed.
CHIP AND MIKE
(simultaneously)
Again.
Carl whispering from the bushes.
CARL
Let's get out of here before mom starts
calling for me.
Chip grabs his purple stingray.
CHIP
Hey, leave Cracker here?
MIKE
I gotta take him for a walk.
Cracker fights any attempt to be walked. The dog GROWLS and
SNARLS, pulling in the opposite direction.
CHIP
You mean he's going to take you for a
walk.
Chip dumps his bike and they leave on foot. Carl running
along and darting from bush to bush follows after.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Why'd you ever get that nuclear rat
anyway. What a mangy mut!
Cracker snarls along.
EXT. SIDEWALK - CONTINUOUS
Mike's dragging Cracker on the leash. They stop for the dog
to take a leak against a fire hydrant. Behind them stands
the SUNNY ISLES CONVALESCENT HOME.
MIKE
I got an idea. Instead of setting 'em
off one at a time, why don't we just
shoot the whole shebang inside the
convalescent home and see what happens.
The kids are beaming with anticipation. Looking around very
suspicious they try to control their laughter.
MIKE (CONT'D)
(to Carl)
Take Cracker. Meet us by the stop sign
over there.
He points to the end of the street. Carl takes the dog.
Cracker walks away very obedient.
Mike and Chip take notice.
MIKE (CONT'D)
(to Carl)
We'll be right back.
Mike and Chip enter the convalescent home.
EXT. CONVALESCENT HOME - CONTINUOUS
Cracker is taking a leak on a stop sign. Suddenly,
firecrackers can be heard going off like mad. POP POP. POP
POP POP.
The side entrance door of the convalescent home flies open.
Mike and Chip tear out.
They stand laughing it up. Suddenly the fire alarm goes off.
CLAAAANG. TWO MIDDLE AGED, NOSY MEN exit the same side door.
MAN ONE
There they are.
Mike, Carl and Cracker take off like jets. One of the men
chase after them.
MAN TWO
Hey, you kids stop. We saw what you did.
The other man grabs Chip by the arm tightly, practically
yanking him off of his feet.
MAN ONE
You're in real big trouble kid. The
cops'll be here any minute.
Sirens can be heard WAILING and getting louder closing in on
them from the distance.
CHIP
Oww you're hurting my arm.
MAN ONE
You're going to jail you rotten brat. If
anyone dies in there, you'll get the
death penalty. I wouldn't want to be in
your shoes.
Chip rears his leg as far back as he can and THWACK. He
kicks the guy right in the shin.
MAN ONE (CONT'D)
(squealing loudly)
Ooowwww.
The man starts hopping up and down in pain. Chip takes off
running so fast, even The Flash couldn't keep up with him.
The man sets out in hot pursuit.
Fire engines turn the corner sirens BLARING. Chip runs past
one.
The man in pursuit is now inches away from Chip. He's
practically breathing down his neck.
MAN ONE (CONT'D)
(with fire in his eyes)
When I get my hands on you I'm going to
strangle the life out of you, you little
red headed bastard.
CHIP (V.O.)
I believed him. I was scared to death.
So scared in fact...
CLOSE-UP ON CHIP. SFX PLOP.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
It scared the crap out of me? It's a
horrible feeling running for your life
with a fresh warm load oozing down your
leg.
The man takes a nasty tumble.
MAN ONE
(crying out)
My leg. Oh, you broke my leg.
CHIP (V.O.)
I didn't stick around to see if he did.
SIRENS BLEND into the man's SCREAM as he sits in the street
WAILING and holding his bloodied scraped up knees and elbows.
Several FIRE TRUCKS arrive at the convalescent home.
Chip continues to runs for his life in the distance.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Chip runs into the house, panting and breathing hard. Fear
evident, he slams the door and locks every lock.
ELIZABETH, (35) Chip's mom is a typical southern bell. She's
doing a 500 PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE on the coffee table. She's
dresses like she's ready to go to a Tom Jones concert.
She curls up her nose and sniffs at the strange new odor.
Chip running by.
ELIZABETH
I guess you had to go pretty bad.
INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chip enters the bathroom slamming the door. The look of
humiliation and fear strain every muscle on his face. He
looks down at the mess in his drawers.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Two cop cars pull up in front of the home from both
directions. MRS. GRAVES, an emaciated but fierce 5' tall
woman drags Mike and Carl by the ears through the yard and to
the front door.
The cops and the Graves reach the door simultaneously.
The kids get a severe once over by the cops, then by Mrs.
Graves.
They pound at the door. BANG, BANG.
Elizabeth answers the door.
ELIZABETH
What's wrong?
COP
Ma'am, we'd like to have a word with you.
INT. CHIP'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chip sits in his bedroom separated from the others. He's
doing his best shoulder shrugging as if he doesn't know what
they're talking about.
Two cops stand with hands on hips hovering over him.
Chip shakes his head no.
The cops smell something awful.
CHIP (V.O)
Busted. They questioned us for an
eternity. OK, it was probably just a few
minutes.
INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mike sits at the dining room table being questioned by other
cops. He's shaking his head no.
CHIP (V.O.)
They tried to convince us that the others
guys had confessed. That each one of us
had ratted out the others.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Carl sits being questioned. He shakes his head no. Mrs.
Graves scowls at him. Hands on hips, she's shaking her head
no.
CHIP
But, we knew nobody would squeal.
INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The three delinquents sit at the dining room table. Suddenly
a worn-out, bandaged man walks into the house escorted by a
cop. Yikes. It's MAN ONE. He points at the three boys and
they all sink in their seats.
MAN ONE
That's them. They're the ones.
Six months later.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Chip sits at his desk. He stares out the window at the palm
trees. The winds howling.
MAN ONE walks down the aisle. He looks down on Chip and
scowls.
CHIP (V.O.)
That guy turned out to be my POLI-SCI
teacher the following year. What luck.
MAN ONE hands Chip a paper with a huge RED F on it. He
squints his eyes in pure hatred.
CHIP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I flunked his class.
INT. CHIP'S FAMILY ROOM - DAY
Chip runs into the house carrying a copy of the NORTH DADE
JOURNAL. Elizabeth's sitting on the sofa. It's commercial
time during her favorite soap opera.
CHIP
Did you see this?
He holds a copy of the NORTH DADE JOURNAL for her to read.
Headline: THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING.
On the cover is a Wide-Angle picture of Mike Graves grinning
from ear to ear, hands clasped behind his head, reclining
back in a chair and wearing cowboy boots with huge holes in
the soles. The boots are predominant in the picture.
ELIZABETH
I see they found Mike?
She goes back to watching the TV.
CHIP (V.O.)
Mike ran away after the firecracker
incident. He was missing for more than
two weeks.
INT. MUSTANG MACH I - NIGHT
Mrs. Graves and Chip ride predominantly around kid hangouts.
CHIP (V.O.)
Everyone thought he was dead. Which was
kinda cool cause I got to ride around
with Mrs. Graves late every night looking
for Mike. Most guys would probably think
it's not too cool to ride around with
your best friends mom. Not so. Mrs.
Graves drove a brand new souped up maroon
Mustang Mach I. It even had yellow
racing stripes. Besides as long as she
was with me, I knew that Carl was OK.
Mrs. Graves peels off leaving a nice patch in the street.
INT. MORGUE - NIGHT
A FAT, SWEATY MAN, in a white coat, followed by Mrs. Graves
walks down a long sterile corridor towards a body that lies
on a cooling slab.
The body's covered by a white sheet. An identity tag is
attached to the toe of the body.
Mrs. Graves is not crying.
The man in the white coat pulls down the sheet for Mrs.
Graves to get a good look at the dead boy.
Mrs. Graves begins to cry.
It's not Mike.
MRS. GRAVES
When I get my hands on that boy I'll kill
him.
The fat man covers the dead boy.
EXT. I-95 - DAY
Mike hitching a ride. An eighteen wheeler pulls over. Mike
runs towards the truck.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
The article said that he had a fight with
his mother about throwing some
firecrackers.
INT. EIGHTEEN WHEELER - CONTINUOUS
A GREASY REDNECK TRUCKER with huge sideburns bounces down the
highway, Mike at his side. The song, Rednecks, White Socks,
and Blue Ribbon Beer blasts over the radio.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
He held to the story that we didn't do
it. She didn't believe him. So... he
ran away. Two hundred miles. All the
way to Vero Beach. That's a long way for
a kid that practically never left his own
backyard.
INT. CHIP'S FAMILY ROOM - DAY
Chip reads the article out loud.
CHIP
Look, it says he walked the whole way.
What a creepy liar.
There's a knock at the door. Chip answers it. It's Mike.
He's wearing a pair of rap-around Ray Ban sunglasses. He's
also holding a copy of the North Dade Journal. He holds it
out like a trophy.
MIKE
Did you see this. Hundreds maybe even
millions of people will see me on the
front page. I'll get any chick I want
now. Life's great. I'm a star.
CHIP
Yeah, a shooting star. Man your dogs
must be killing you after walking two
hundred miles.
Mike pulls out a pen and signs the newspaper. He signs it,
MIKE
To my pal Chip. Best regards.
He tries to hand it to Chip but the door slams in his face.
Chip walks past his mother.
ELIZABETH
You know tomorrow is your birthday. I've
invited just about all the boys from
school. I want you to make sure that you
go over and invite Carl and David.
CHIP
I don't want David at my birthday party.
There's gonna be lots of grown up kids.
ELIZABETH
David has been one of your best friends
since we moved into this neighborhood.
As I recall he was your very first
friend.
CHIP
He's too young. Besides he'll probably
cry or do something really stupid to mess
things all up. And remember no girls.
INT. CLASS ROOM - DAY
The teacher, the knockout MISS NICHOLS, (27) a tacky southern
type platinum blonde bombshell walks towards over Chip.
Chip is beaming. He's crazy about her.
Miss Nichols shakes her head in dissatisfaction of him and
hands him his report card.
MISS NICHOLS
I've seen you do work much better than
this. I want you to tell your parents to
come in for a conference.
Chip slumps down low in his seat.
CHIP
I hate report card day.
Chip opens the report card and:
CLOSE-UP of the report card reveals a CHECK MARK IN SELF
CONTROL and a D IN MATH.
INT. CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS
The bell rings. The students begin to exit the classroom. A
really fat kid, TAB RAY approaches Chip who walks out of the
classroom in a daze.
TAB
Another check mark in self control huh?
CHIP
Maybe I'll get hit by a truck on the way
home and if I'm real lucky, I'll just die
a real quick horrible death.
TAB
You're dead meat.
CHIP
No duh. Hey, you're coming to my
birthday party Saturday right?
TAB
Sure I'll see you then.
A GROUP OF BOYS walk past Chip and Tab.
CHIP
Hey you guys gonna make it to my birthday
party?
The boys all nod their heads yes.
ONE OF THE BOYS
Sure. I'll see you Saturday.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Wouldn't miss it for nuthin'.
CHIP
Cool. See ya.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - SAME DAY
The 62 Falcon pulls into the driveway. exits the car and
walks towards the door.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Chip's face turns ghostly white.
CHIP
Why does he always have to show up on
report card day. I'm dead now.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
CHIP (V.O.)
He could be gone for weeks at a time.
But somehow, he never seemed to miss out
on a single report card day.
Cindy and Chip stand in front of Cap'n Jack. He opens
Cindy's report card and smiles wide.
The report card shows straight A's and no check mark in self
control.
The Cap'n pats her on the head and hands her a brand new five
dollar bill. He hugs her and she walks away.
The Cap'n turns his attention towards Chip. Chip smiles to
his father. The smile fades from both their faces.
Chip hands the Cap'n his report card.
The Cap'n opens the report card. He takes a quick look and
WHACK, backhanding Chip severely.
Chip hits the floor.
CAP'N JACK
Get up.
Barely up, Chip gets backhanded once again to the floor.
Chip begins to cry.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
You better not cry or I'll give you
something to cry about. Get up.
He does. Cap'n Jack pokes the kid in the chest to every
syllable he speaks. Chip does not dare to budge.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
I don't care if you come home with
straight F's. I don't ever want to see
another one of these again.
He's pointing to the check mark in self control. Cap'n Jack
mouths the words, TIME FOR A HAIR CUT:
The words are not heard but the narration is in sync:
CHIP (V.O.)
Time for a hair cut.
INT. BARBER SHOP - CONTINUOUS
The bruised face Chip sits in a Barbers chair getting his
head buzzed.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
I don't know what was worse. The
beatings or the haircuts.
The BARBER, a tall, raven-haired Errol Flynn Wannabee,
complete with pencil thin mustache practically shaves Chip's
head.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Give a kid a glass of Tang and a bowl of
Frosted Flakes for breakfast, ship him
off to school and five minutes later he's
squirming in a chair not aloud to say a
word. And somehow he ends up with a
check mark in self control. What's
wrong with this picture?
With expertise the barber brushes and blows the trimmings
from the kids neck. He spins him around. Cap'n Jack, Chip
and the horrible haircut is seen in endless multiple images
through the barber shops mirrors.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
It wasn't bad enough that I had to wear
it. But, I had to see multiple images of
my buzzed head in the mirror as well.
Haircut finished, the kid has a box of bubble gum shoved in
his face by the barber.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My reward for being a good sport about
it. As if I had a choice.
The kid gives the barber a look that would kill and takes a
piece anyway. Unwrapping it he shoves it in his mouth.
BARBER
Thanks alot Chip my boy. You look a
whole hell of a lot better now that you
got your ears lowered.
The barber flicks the kids ear. Shamed, Chip leaves with his
dad.
CAP'N JACK
Now you look like a real man.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Elizabeth has prepared all of the typical birthday
paraphernalia. Balloons, streamers etc.
A homemade birthday cake sits in the center of the dining
room table.
Twelve O/Clock.
Chip sits alone next to the cake.
Ice cream melts.
Two O/Clock.
Three Thirty.
Nobody shows.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Elizabeth quickly dials a phone number.
ELIZABETH
Hello, Mrs. Lengal. Hi. It's Elizabeth.
It's Chip's birthday today and I was
wondering if David would like to come
over and have some cake and ice cream.
(pause)
That's great you can send him right over.
She quickly dials another number.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Hello Lois, could you send Mike and Carl
over here right away. It's Chip's
birthday today and nobody from his school
showed up for his party. Send them right
over.
INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Elizabeth walks towards the dining room and watches the
dejected Chip sulk.
Suddenly there's a knock at the door. It's David Lengal.
Elizabeth answers the door.
ELIZABETH
Look who's here honey. It's David.
DAVID
Happy birthday Chip.
He hands Chip a birthday card. Chip opens it. There's a
five dollar bill in it.
CHIP
Wow. Thanks Dave.
The door flies open. It's Mike and Carl.
MIKE
Happy birthday Chip.
CARL
I don't know what came over Mom but all
of a sudden in the middle of yelling at
me the phone rings and then she says to
me... you get over to Chips birthday
right away.
Chip looks up at his mom who's smiling down upon him. He
smiles back. He understands.
CARL (CONT'D)
So I didn't ask any questions I just ran
over here as fast as I could. We don't
have any birthday presents though.
CHIP
That's O.K. I'm glad you guys are here.
(to his mom)
You were right mom. Thanks. Thanks
alot.
CUT TO:
The guys are sitting around the dining table with birthday
caps on. Each kid eating a huge piece of the birthday cake
and laughing.
INT. GREYNOLD'S PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
Kids stand in line waiting for recess. Several of the kids
poke fun at Chip and his ridiculous haircut. He's mortified.
One of the kids has a stylish David Cassidy shag cut. None
of the other kids have a crew cut.
A KID
Hey you better shut those car doors
before you get in an accident.
ANOTHER KID
If you lower those ears any further
they'll be scraping the ground.
They roar.
A DIFFERENT KID
That's a good one. Give me five on that.
They slap five.
ANOTHER KID
Hey carrot top did you get scalped by
Indians on a warpath before you came to
school today?
The kids act like little Indians on a warpath. They roar
with laughter.
CHIP
Carrots top are green?
They don't get it.
Miss Nichols hushes the children and the line methodically
moves towards the P.E. grounds.
INT. CHIP'S FAMILY ROOM - DAY
Chip sits watching TV. The Cap'n enters the room carrying a
small brown paper bag. He tosses it at Chip.
CAP'N JACK
Open it up.
Chip does. It's a pack of multiplication cards.
The Cap'n flicks off the TV.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
No boy of mine is going to be deficient
in mathematics. Math is an integral part
of education and... well, let's get to
it.
CUT TO:
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Cap'n swiftly turns multiplication cards. He turns one,
8X8=
Chip answers as quickly as possible.
CHIP
Sixty-four.
The Cap'n turns the card over revealing the answer is
correct. He has no facial expression as if to reward Chip.
Another card is turned. 9X7=
CHIP (CONT'D)
Sixty-three.
The Cap'n turns the card over revealing the answer. He turns
another card. 7X4=
CHIP (CONT'D)
Twenty-four. I mean twenty-eight.
CAP'N JACK
C'mon. That's four touchdowns. Four
touchdowns don't make twenty-four.
CHIP
It does if they missed all the extra
points.
The Cap'n stops and just looks at Chip. He's not amused in
the least. He flips another card. 8X6=
CHIP(CONT'D)
Forty-eight.
The Cap'n flips another card. 7X4=
CHIP (CONT'D)
Forty-two. I mean twenty four. I
mean...
CAP'N JACK
You're dumber than the day is long.
He flips another card. 7X6=
CHIP
Forty-eight. No, forty-two.
CAP'N JACK
I know flies stuck to a pile of shit that
are quicker than you.
He flips another card. 9X8=
CHIP
Seventy-two.
Another. 8X7=
CHIP (CONT'D)
Fifty-four. No six.
CAP'N JACK
What is it fifty-four? Or is it just
six?
CHIP
Fifty-six.
CAP'N JACK
So it wasn't fifty-four or six.
Again. 9X8=
CHIP
Sixty-two. I mean seventy-two.
CAP'N JACK
You're dimmer than a 10 watt light bulb.
The Cap'n begins to turn the cards very quickly. Chip cannot
answer any correctly. 7X3=
CHIP
Twenty-three.
6X6, 9X5.
The Cap'n throws the cards at Chip in disgust. They spread
out across the floor.
CAP'N JACK
If you ever want to amount to anything
you need discipline. And that's what I'm
going to teach you. Discipline. Now
pick em up.
Scared to death Chip obeys. As he does:
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
I expect you to know all of these by
tomorrow. You got it? I said you got
it?
CHIP
Yes, sir.
MONTAGES:
8mm and Super 8mm film footage of newspaper clippings, press
photos, etc. of Cap'n Jack tournament fishing with his crew.
They're fighting and boating award winning sailfish and
marlin.
CHIP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I never knew much about my father. Even
when we spent time together we were
really alone. There was this wall. This
unpenatrable wall. I never knew he held
several world records. I didn't know
that my father shot sixteen days of film
footage for the film, The Old Man Of The
Sea. All the Marlin fighting scenes were
shot from his boat. These are the things
that would have made a kid really proud.
I learned about these things thirty years
too late.
These photos and awards would include pictures of Ernest
Hemingway, Prince Charles, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ann
Margaret, Johnny Unitas, and the famous Suzanne Higgs.
EXT. OCEAN/SPORT FISHING BOAT - DAY
CAP'N JACK stands behind the wheel of his immaculate sport
fishing vessel.
The throttle of the boat subsides as a party member wrestles
with the fishing line that was just hit by a large jumping,
fighting blue marlin. Chip sits by his father and is
preoccupied with sheer boredom.
CHIP (V.O.)
I've seen this deck filled with so many
fish, there's no room left for the crew
to stand. Some guys would have given
their right arm for the privilege. Not
me.
The Capn's first mate, TOMMY WHITMORE, is a bleached out, sun
bronzed, handsome young man in his early 20's excitedly
shouts out instructions to the unskilled northerner.
TOMMY
Pull up and then reel on the way down.
You got that baby on the run.
CHIP (V.O.)
Northerners. They'd come in droves to
forget about the blizzards, shoveling
snow and the freezing weather. They save
their pennies to vacation in sunny Miami
Beach. Paying my old man handsomely to
set out to sea. To have a shot at
catching one of the big ones. And if he
didn't like you, you didn't catch
anything.
CAP'N JACK
(frenetically shouting)
Hey Tommy, toss me up a beer.
Tommy reaches into the cooler and swiftly climbs the latter
up to where the Cap'n is.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Don't lose this one. Make sure he goes
for the mount or we'll lose the
commission. If he don't want it, take
the rod from him and toss it to one of
the fellas who does.
TOMMY
Right, Captain.
Tommy grins and gives the Cap'n a mock salute. The party on
board are having a gas as the creature of the sea jumps into
the air for the fight of its life. None of this moves the
kid.
CHIP
(to his father)
Dad. Is it true that everybody dies?
CAP'N JACK
(shouting to Tommy)
Pull up the slack.
(to Chip)
Yeah, everybody dies.
CHIP
Even us? I mean, even you and me?
CAP'N JACK
(frenetic)
Pull up the slack or you'll lose it.
(to Chip)
Whatever else happens, you can bet on
these two things in this life. You're
born and then you die. That's it. They
say you got to pay taxes in between but I
say bullshit to that. You do all that
you can to get around that. Like don't
take checks when you can get em to give
you cash.
CHIP
What happens when you die?
CAP'N JACK
You just die. You rot. If you're lucky
someone will come along and toss some
flowers on your grave once in a blue
moon. That's it.
Chip's face shows that he realizes that death is a reality.
EXT. CASTAWAYS DOCK - CONTINUOUS
Flags of the catch of the day are at full mast. The boat
pulls into its slip. The tourists begin to swarm the docks.
EXT. CASTAWAYS DOCKS - CONTINUOUS
Chip stares at the dead fish hanging on the hook. The eyes
of the fish are glazed over and death's apparent. Flies
swarm around the fish' eyes.
A LARGE CROWD of tourists vie for position to get a better
look at the enormous fish that hangs on a dock scale. Large
black letters are painted on the fish. 229 lbs.
The docks photographer snaps a photo of the party standing
victorious over their kill. Along side them are the Cap'n
and his mate. The Cap'n yanks Chip making sure that he's
also in the picture.
CHIP (V.O.)
These guys were preyed upon just as much
as the dead fish on the hook.
INT. NORTHERNERS HOME/FRONT DOOR - DAY
The northerner receives a huge package via UPS.
CHIP (V.O.)
Any man that caught a fish like that was
a fool not to pay the over priced
taxidermy fee. They made sure that fella
would regret it for the rest of his life.
INT. NORTHERNERS HOME/FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The fish is mounted on a wall and boy does it look tacky,
CHIP (V.O.)
Boy, were they getting taken. Customers
would think that they were getting back
the actual fish that they caught. In
reality it was nothing more than a buncha
painted fiberglass nothin to hang on
their family room wall. The fish' meat
was sent off to be turned into smoked
fish and sold at markets.
The proud man stands in his living room surrounded by his
family and friends as he motions with his arms the tremendous
fight that he fought with the creature of the sea.
NORTHERNER
You should've seen the fight Joey. It
was like... Wow. It was incredible.
The Northerners voice fades.
NORTHERNER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You shoulda been there.
CHIP (V.O.)
It would be the typical fish story that
got better and better each time it was
told. The only difference was that these
guys had the proof hanging on their
family room wall. The real deal.
A kid not unlike Chip sits bored stiff as his dad tells the
story he's heard a thousand times before.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I can see the looks on those kids faces
whenever the proverbial... "so tell me
about the time you fought that fish."
came up.
EXT. MIAMI BEACH - NIGHT
MONTAGES:
Mid 1950's.
Clear skies. The streetlights sparkle like fools gold.
Hotels signs shine bright and colorful. THE CASTAWAYS, THE
NEWPORT HOTEL, THE DUNES, etc.
CHIP (V.O.)
Miami Beach. During it's heyday it
really pulled em in.
Waterfront hotels line Collins Ave. Tourist flock the
streets like cattle wandering aimlessly. Sports wear and
casual fashion abound.
The crews of the party boats stand on the docks like bronze
gods. Their shiny polished hulls bob in the water behind
them. Women dressed in the latest spring fashions flirt with
the dock workers as they walk arm and arm with their
husbands.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
These guys were like Hollywood icons.
Tan, muscular and tough as nails with
names like Slim Calaway, Ubby, Spider or
Cappy Reese.
Much in the manner of carnies, the crews pitch the next days
jaunts, taking deposits for the trips that would run the next
morning.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My father was born in Ohio. His
grandfather had moved to Miami and was
the first to start the sport fishing
tradition. Three generations later my
father would be the youngest man to ever
get his Captains license. He was about
seventeen at the time.
UBBY, smiling and stout. A handsome man in his early
twenties has rings around his eyes from the sunglasses that
he always wears. He looks like a raccoon.
A handsome couple walk past.
UBBY
So how bout you folks? Care to try your
luck for the big one tomorrow morning?
How bout you Ma'am care to try your luck
with a big one.
He grins as he gestures towards his cock. She loves it. The
husband who does not see the gesture apologetically smiles.
No takers.
Tommy does his well practiced southern boy, nice guy bit.
The women love him.
TOMMY
Well how you doing tonight sir? And
howdy Ma'am. Are you enjoying your
vacation here in sunny Miami Beach,
Florida? I'll bet you wouldn't want to
return home without telling your buddies
that you went out on a sport fishing trip
now would you?
The couple stops. That's all it takes.
TOMMY (CONT'D)
I didn't think so. How about stepping
down on the boat and have a good look
around?
They do. Tommy gives a sly smile over to Ubby who shakes his
head. He helps the couple step down on the boat as they
wobbly try to follow Tommy.
TOMMY (CONT'D)
Down here you'll find two Johnson fifteen
hundreds diesels that'll cruise at a
smooth 45 knots.
They step below on the Mischief.
EXT. CASTAWAYS HOTEL - NIGHT
The crowds of tourists wander to and fro. The bright lights
of the hotels shine and flash like diamonds to lure in the
crowds that wander by. Taxi cabs line the street.
EXT. HOTEL PATIO - CONTINUOUS
A professional board diver does a wonderful dismount and
dives into the brightly lit salt water pool which over looks
the well lit ocean. The moon shines bright on the water
casting a dancing shimmering light across the water.
INT. CASTAWAYS BAR - CONTINUOUS
A crowded, Miami Beach luxury hotel bar.
The board diver lands in the pool. He's seen by the bar
patrons through huge portholes. The crowd applauds as they
sip their martinis or vast array of umbrella toting
fashionable tropical drinks.
The hotel doorman opens the huge glass doorway and CAP'N JACK
steps into the Castaways bar entrance in the lobby.
He's dressed to kill, walking like a proud peacock strutting
his stuff. He's also more than slightly inebriated. A few
drunks pass him on their way out and wave hello.
A large bellied, white bearded, elderly man, JOHNNY CALLEN,
dressed in a gaudy flower print shirt, white shorts and flip
flops approaches the Cap'n. Strictly business:
CALLEN
That was a great tournament Cap'n Jack.
Two world records too. You can't top
that.
CAP'N JACK
Watch and see.
CALLEN
Listen, I got a proposal for you. One
that you can't refuse.
Just then an entourage of reporters and photographers follow
a classy woman who's pushing middle age and looking alot like
Lauren Bacall. She waves hello to Callen and smiles at Cap'n
Jack as she passes by.
CAP'N JACK
Who's that?
CALLEN
You don't know who that is? That's
Suzanne Higgs. She's one of the biggest
socialites this side of Atlantic.
CAP'N JACK
Va va voom. I want to meet her.
CALLEN
How about my proposal?
CAP'N JACK
You take care of me and I'll take care of
you. Scratch my back and I'll scratch
yours.
Callen understands. The two follow the entourage into the
bar.
MONTAGES:
Cap'n Jack being given a toast by the crowded bar patrons.
His trophies and award winning fish photos are mounted on the
bars wall.
Suzanne Higgs making eyes, partakes in the toast. Cap'n
Jack's quite aware and is drinking hard.
Higgs approaches him with some goofy flowered drink in her
hand. She toasts him. They stand very close.
SUZANNE
Let's get out of here.
CAP'N JACK
I never refuse a lady. Where to?
SUZANNE
How bout a ride in a convertible with the
top down and the wind in our hair? Sound
good?
CAP'N JACK
Just as long as your standing behind the
wheel lady. I can steer a boat through a
storm. But, I can't drive worth a damn
when I'm all...
Suzanne puts her hand over his mouth.
SUZANNE
You talk too much.
The Cap'n puts his finger over his mouth.
CAP'N JACK
Shhhh.
They exit the bar. Callen's all smiles.
EXT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
A brand new red Cadillac convertible with white interior
pulls up to the entrance of the lobby. The valet gets out of
the car and opens the door.
SUZANNE
(to the driver)
I'll take it from here.
The valet politely acknowledges and receives a nice tip.
EXT. COLLINS AVE - CONTINUOUS
Suzanne and the Cap'n drive down Collins Avenue crossing
Haulover bridge and into Bal Harbour Island.
INT. HOTEL BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The room over looks the ocean and the brightly lit Sunny Isle
pier.
Cap'n Jack and Suzanne fall into bed. It's sensual and
steamy.
They're finished going at it and roll over. She lights a
cigarette. He gets right to the point.
CAP'N JACK
I can't...
Real firm.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
I won't do it without a new boat. That's
final. Top of the line Sport Cruiser, 52
footer or nothing. The best equipment
money can buy. The best crew. You want
to win tournaments, you got to have the
edge. It's that simple.
SUZANNE
You got it. I wouldn't have it any other
way.
CAP'N JACK
So that's that.
SUZANNE
That's that.
CAP'N JACK
Lady, I'm going to make you the most
famous lady in the world of sports.
He takes a non-filtered Lucky Strike from her hand and puts
it out in a tacky hotel ashtray. He reaches over and shuts
off the light.
EXT. CASTAWAYS DOCK - DAY
A brand new 50' white and turquoise, Bertram Sport Cruiser
Fishing Vessel pulls up to the dock and begins to back into
it's slot. The appropriately named, Sophisticated Lady is
spelled across the hull.
A beaming Cap'n Jack stands at the wheel. Everybody on the
dock stops dead in their tracks.
ROGER KUHN (37), a red headed man with a fair complexion jaw
drops. He wears sun glasses, has zinc oxide on his nose and
is sun burned from head to toe. Roger shouts from the dock.
KUHN
I don't know how ya do it. But ya do it.
What I want to know is who'dja do it to
to get it?
Tommy expertly secures the boats ropes to the dock.
CAP'N JACK
(shouting back)
Nothing to it when you're the best.
Roger shakes his head in wonderment. The boat glides into
it's slip space. All of the other Captains and mates, OOOH
and AAAH the arrival of this dream machine.
EXT. THE DOCK - CONTINUOUS
Johnny Callen is one of the men in the crowd. Cap'n Jack
climbs down the ladder.
CAP'N JACK
Come aboard.
CALLEN
We got a deal don't we?
CAP'N JACK
I do owe you one. So name it.
CALLEN
I need you to go to North Carolina and
bring back my new rig. I need it here
before the Metropolitan fishing
tournament begins. I need it before the
eighth.
CAP'N JACK
A deals a deal.
They shake hands.
CALLEN
I got to have it by the eighth.
The Cap'n gives his eye-eye Captain salute.
DISSOLVE:
INT. FALCON - NIGHT
Elizabeth's driving. She's all dolled up. Along side of her
is a POT ROAST and some dishes and silverware.
The Falcon pulls into the parking lot of the docks and parks.
She pulls on the rear view mirror and straightens her hair
and fixes her lipstick.
EXT. PARKING LOT OF DOCK - CONTINUOUS
Elizabeth exits the vehicle, straightens her blouse. She
walks towards the dock carrying the pot roast.
EXT. DOCK - CONTINUOUS
Elizabeth walks down the dock. The men on the dock get out
of the way. These tough guys know that the shits about to
hit the fan. Cap'n Jack sits on his boat, sipping Martinis
with his new female companion, Suzanne Higgs.
CHIP (V.O.)
My mom loved the guy. Thought he was
gold. Would have done anything for him.
Elizabeth walks up. He's busted.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He was a real sham sixty-nine. He
exploited every opportunity and everyone
that crossed his path.
Elizabeth's obviously pained.
The Cap'n stands and raises his hands as if about to say,
"there ain't nothing going on honey."
She tosses the pot roast on the deck of the boat and storms
off knocking anybody out of her way as she does.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
She went on a warpath that night.
EXT. COLLINS AVE. - CONTINUOUS
Elizabeth puts the Falcon in reverse smashing into two cars
parked in the lot. She PEELS OUT of the parking lot.
EXT. CAP'N JACK'S BOAT DECK - CONTINUOUS
Cap'n Jack stands with pot roast all over him. He watches as
the Falcon drives off.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
A real lady killer. He was the guy you
loved to hate and the man you hated to
love. A man's man. Isn't that what they
call em?
The roast slides across the deck and stops at the Cap'ns
feet.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He stopped coming home at all anymore
after that night.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - CLOSE TO SUNSET
Cap'n Jack pulls up to the home in Suzanne Higgs brand new
Cadillac convertible.
The home is the only house on the block that is not
maintained or well manicured. It's down right shameful,
broken jalousie windows, paint so badly faded and peeling
that one couldn't tell what color it was last painted.
The lawn is brown and dried up.
The neighbor's home has a sprinkler system and his lawn is
bright green. Down the block are perfectly maintained little
homes all painted beautiful shades of light pastels.
Cap'n Jack falls out of the car drunken.
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The electricity is turned off. Elizabeth's on the phone.
She's crying.
ELIZABETH
(on the phone)
Yes, I know. I know, I just don't know
what to do...
Chip grabs the phone from his mother. The Cap'n enters the
home.
CHIP
(yelling violently)
Don't call here making my mom cry.
CAP'N JACK
Way to go slugger. You give em hell.
Chip slams down the phone. Elizabeth turns to her husband.
ELIZABETH
He wants his money. He's going to
foreclose if we don't catch up on the
note.
CAP'N JACK
The hell with him.
ELIZABETH
He means it this time.
CAP'N JACK
What's for dinner?
ELIZABETH
The electricity... it's been turned off
now for nearly a week.
She notices the car in the driveway.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Where have you been?
CAP'N JACK
I've been out earning a living. What do
you think?
ELIZABETH
Things must be picking up. Whose car is
that?
CAP'N JACK
It's my car. I'm driving it aren't I?
ELIZABETH
Your car. We've got nothing and your out
playing the big man. I need some money
to buy food to feed these kids. I need
some money to pay the bills and you...
you're out pretending to be some kind
of...
The Cap'n back hands her and flies into a rage.
CAP'N JACK
You can't talk to me like that?
The phone rings again.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
(to Chip)
Answer the goddamn phone.
Chip picks up the phone.
CHIP
Hello. Who's calling please.
(whispers)
It's a man named Carson.
CAP'N JACK
Tell him I'm not here.
CHIP
He's not here. No, I don't know when
he'll be back. OK. Bye.
He hangs up.
CAP'N JACK
(to the kid)
I heard that you broke a window at Mike's
house? What did I tell you about playing
ball in the alley?
Chip is scared out of his mind.
CHIP
No, I didn't break the window. I really
didn't.
The kid gets backhanded.
CAP'N JACK
I got to lay out twenty bucks for a new
window and you're going to tell me you
didn't do it? Who taught you how to lie
like that anyway?
He turns to his wife.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Where do these kids learn how to lie like
this?
ELIZABETH
Just leave the boy alone.
CAP'N JACK
You talking to me?
The two children stand side by side as the Cap'n turns over
furniture and breaks anything in sight. The two kids watch
as he goes out of control.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
I want my dinner not your lip. Goddamn
it. You're worthless. You're good for
nothing.
ELIZABETH
Get out. Get out of here. I'm sure you
could do better with your sophisticated
lady.
The Cap'n grabs Chip by the arm and heads for the door.
CAP'N JACK
I've got a run to make. I'll be back in
a week.
He splits with Chip.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
The car drives off. The sad home is left in its wake.
INT. CADILLAC CONVERTIBLE - RAINY NIGHT
Two silhouettes are noticeable through closed curtains of a
beautiful mansion home. They dance. They hug.
Chip sits silently, alone in the car parked in the driveway.
He waits for the return of his father.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - SAME RAINY NIGHT
The house is lit by candlelight. Cindy sits by the window
watching the rain fall. Elizabeth walks to her side.
ELIZABETH
Hurry along. It's time for you to go to
bed.
Cindy kisses her mother good night and runs off.
CINDY
Will things ever be OK again?
ELIZABETH
Everything will be just fine honey. Just
fine.
CINDY
Night mom.
ELIZABETH
Goodnight.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - SAME RAINY NIGHT
Elizabeth stands at the window taking Cindy's place. She
looks out at the rain. The cat jumps into the window. She
pets the cat.
INT. CADILLAC - SAME RAINY NIGHT
Chip is curled up asleep in the car. Two silhouetted figures
begin to kiss. The lights go out.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NORTH CAROLINA/BAY - DAY
The Cap'n stands behind the wheel of Callen's new Hatteras
Sport Fishing Vessel THE HELLEN C. Chip stands at his side.
The wind blows through his hair.
Tommy climbs swiftly up the rail and stands by the Cap'n.
TOMMY
Nice. Smooth and quiet.
CAP'N JACK
Not as nice as my new rig. Go down below
and check the bilge. See if she's taking
on any water.
Tommy shakes his head yes and slides down the rail
disappearing out of sight.
EXT. HELEN C - CONTINUOUS
The HELEN C' cutting through the water at top speed. Chip
sits next to the Cap'n.
CAP'N JACK
Brand spanking new. Two hundred and
seventy grand for one of these baby's.
CHIP
Dad.
CAP'N JACK
Yeah.
CHIP
I gotta go to the bathroom.
CAP'N JACK
(jokingly)
What do you want me to do?
Hold it for you? Go on. Hold onto the
rail tight. I'd hate to have to fish you
out of the water.
The Cap'n takes off his hat and knocks Chip on the head.
EXT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
The kid stumbles down the rail.
INT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
Chip wobbles walking down the steps. He opens the bathroom
door and is confused to see Tommy in the process of giving
himself a heroin fix. Tommy looks up surprised.
TOMMY
Goddamn it.
Tommy slams the door shut. Chip doesn't understand.
EXT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - SUNSET
The boat pulls into a marina in Charlotte, South Carolina.
Tommy is not around to cast the lines and secure the boat.
CAP'N JACK
(shouting)
Tommy. Where in the hell is he?
A few local dock workers help the Cap'n secure the boat. The
Cap'n storms down below.
INT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
Tommy is whacked out on dope. He half sits and half slumps
on one of the lower bunks.
CAP'N JACK
(kind)
You told me you quit.
TOMMY
I'm sorry man.
CAP'N JACK
Why, Tommy? Why? My kid can't see you
like this. It ain't right.
Chip walks up behind his father.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
(shouting at Chip)
Get out of here. You here me? Get out
of here.
Chip runs away.
EXT. DOCK - SUNSET
Dejected Chip sits alone on the dock tossing rocks into the
bay.
EXT. FLORIDA BAY/CALLEN'S HATTERAS - STORMY DAY
Palm Beach.
The sky is deep gray. The winds howl furiously. Palm trees
that line the shoreline are stressed and bent as the palms
flap in the strong wind.
The Hatteras cuts through the water. The Cap'n is on the
radio.
CAP'N JACK
Two eleven. Advise.
RADIO DISPATCHER (O.S.)
You are advised to take the boat as far
inland as possible. Camille's about to
meet you head on. She's approximately
three hours from shore.
CAP'N JACK
What's her coordinates?
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
Latitude 28.6, longitude 34.7.
Wind speed is already gusting up to 94 and intensifying.
Seas 16 to 20 feet. Higher in the gulf.
CAP'N JACK
I think the best thing for me to do is
take it out into the open. I'd make
better time getting it to Miami.
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
That is ill advised. Find a secure
marina and dock it.
CAP'N JACK
No go... I'm signing off.
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
Secure the vessel.
CAP'N JACK
I got a deadline and I'm going to meet
it.
RADIO DISPATCHER (O.S.)
You're nuts. Find a port and...
CAP'N JACK
(interrupting)
Stow it.
Cap'n Jack puts down the mouthpiece and turns the radio off.
EXT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
The storm is intensifying.
The Hatteras continues to push on. The Cap'n is attaching
one end of a rope to the steering wheel of the boat and the
other end to himself.
Tommy begins to show signs of fear.
TOMMY
What the hell are you doing? We've got
nothing to prove.
CAP'N JACK
(to Tommy)
Take the kid down below.
(to Chip)
It's going to get a little rough. I don't
want you to get washed over board. Stay
down below until I come and get you
myself.
TOMMY
Man, this is the craziest thing you've
ever pulled. Think about your kid. Turn
back. Let's get off of this rig until
she passes.
CAP'N JACK
Now you're giving the orders?
TOMMY
So we lose a day. So what?
CAP'N JACK
(shouting)
Do what I told you.
TOMMY
You're gonna get us all killed.
Tommy grabs the kid and heads down below.
EXT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
The wind howls angrily. The vessel is rocking incredibly
taking a good beating.
INT. CALLEN'S HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
There's no secure place for the kid. Waves pound hard
against the hull of the boat.
Water forces its way into the boat from a broken porthole.
Chip is soaked. Water continues to pour into the vessel.
Chip does everything he can not to be tossed about.
Impossible.
EXT. OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
The sound of crashing waves against the hull. Waves pass
over the boat engulfing it. The vessel gets tossed about
taking a bad beating.
The Bimmini tower is torn from the boat. Cap'n Jack steers
the vessel straight into the hurricane.
The windscreen is torn from the boat.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
No other man in the world would run a
ship straight into a hurricane.
EXT. OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
Thunderous waves play with the ship. The outriggers are torn
from the vessel. Water pushes over the side of the boat
ripping the Cap'n from the wheel. Dangling over the side of
the boat by the rope he manages to pull himself back to the
wheel.
Tommy's almost washed over board.
The Cap'n grins ear to ear.
CAP'N JACK
Come on. Come on. Is that all you got.
I've had bath water give me a rougher
time.
EXT. CASTAWAYS DOCK - SAME DAY/SUNNY
The storm has passed. Signs of hurricane destruction are
apparent. The crippled vessel limps into the harbor.
Callen sees his brand new boat and sits down. He cries like
a baby as the boat heads towards the dock.
EXT. HATTERAS - CONTINUOUS
The boat is secured at the dock. The Cap'n climbs down the
ladder and open's the cabin doors.
CAP'N JACK
Chip?
The interior of the boat is destroyed. From under the rubble
Chip crawls out. He is scared to death. Not crying he's
possibly in shock.
CHIP
Is it over?
CAP'N JACK
Hey, slugger. How ya doing?
No answer.
Cap'n Jack suddenly realizes his mistake. He holds his kid
attempting to console him.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Listen to me. I promise never to put you
through something like that ever again.
Cross my heart. OK?
Chip inattentively shakes his head yes.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
OK.
Cap'n Jack stands and Callen heads towards him. Callen wants
to vent his anger.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Made the deadline. Looks like you'll
make the tournament after all.
He hands the Cap'n his check.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
(to Chip)
Lets go get some lunch. I'm starving.
CUT TO:
A few months later.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY
Little league football teams are playing a game. The North
Miami Beach Gators dressed in blue and white and the North
Dade... whatevers dressed in red and white.
Cap'n Jack stands on the sideline, he's head coach of the
Gators. Tommy's his assistant coach. The Cap'n sends in a
replacement player for Chip who wears #72. He runs towards
the sideline.
CHIP (V.O.)
Nothing stopped this guy. One season he
got the fever and decided to coach little
league football.
CAP'N JACK
I saw that. You bit the kid. You're
lucky the ref didn't see it. He could
have penalized us fifteen yards. If
you're gonna bite someone make sure you
don't get caught.
EXT. SIDELINE - CONTINUOUS
Some of the players sit on the bench while others fidget
about. Cheerleaders on the sideline go through cheering
motions.
The score board shows that the Gators are up by six with 3:12
left in the game.
CAP'N JACK
This is it. It's all or nothing. Do you
want to win this championship game?
(to all the players on the
sidelines)
Or do you want to go home just another
bunch of losers?
(to Chip)
You're playing like a little girl.
Chip doesn't like being admonished.
EXT. SIDELINES - CONTINUOUS
Some badly choreographed teenage cheerleaders are on the
sideline cheering for the team. The crowd boos the badly
performed play by the two teams.
Cap'n Jack is growing tense.
CAP'N JACK
I think that one of those girls could
play better than you.
EXT. FIELD OF PLAY - CONTINUOUS
A yellow flag goes flying. The personal verbal assault is
temporarily halted by the ref's bad call.
The ref signals off sides on the Gators.
EXT. SIDELINE - CONTINUOUS
The Cap'n goes ballistic, chewing out one of the officials on
the sideline..
CAP'N JACK
What the hell was that?
(to the ref)
What kind of call was that? You goddamn
blind bat.
(he throws down his cap)
You couldn't make the right call if you
were fighting your way out of your wife's
fat ass.
The referee throws another flag. Unsportsmanlike conduct
called on the Cap'n.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
OK, pal. OK. Just wait till the games
over. I'm gonna kick your ass. But
good.
EXT. SIDELINE - CONTINUOUS
The clock is ticking with 1:19 left to play. It's still six
to nothing.
EXT. SIDELINE - CONTINUOUS
North Dade had been moving at will. The Cap'n paces the
sidelines.
North Dade has the ball and it's 4th and 8. The filled
little league stadium fans are going wild.
The Cap'n signals for a time out, motioning for Chip to come
to him.
CAP'N JACK
(to Chip)
That number ten is killing us. Get back
in there and stop him. Whatever it
takes. Hold him, tackle him. I don't
care what you do just don't let him catch
the ball.
He pats Chip on the ass.
CAP'N
Now get in there and tear his head off.
North Dade lines up behind the ball.
Number 10 lines up opposite Number 72. They set. The
quarterback barks the signals.
QUARTERBACK
16. 24. Hut, hut, hike.
The ball is snapped. Number 10 goes out for a long pass.
He's about to fly past number 72.
Chip grabs #10 by the jersey and swings him around, a full
360 degrees. He's yanked to the ground. The balls sails
over their heads.
Silence. Finally the referee signals an incomplete pass and
N.M.B. has the ball.
The opposing coach on the other sideline goes crazy.
The fans go wild. The opposing coach screams and yells
penalty to no avail.
The clock ticks to zero. A gun goes off. BANG. The Gators
win the Cranberry Bowl. The kids try to pick up the Cap'n.
They can't. Chip doesn't participate in the revelry. He
walks away alone. The team runs off the field ecstatic.
EXT. SIDELINE - CONTINUOUS
Elizabeth and Cindy step from the bleachers. They're excited
for the team. They approach the Cap'n but a slightly younger
and prettier female beats her to it.
The Cap'n hugs the young woman patting her on the behind.
Elizabeth reacts sadly. She stops dead in her tracts.
Chip walks over to his mother and the three of them just walk
away.
The commotion of victory continues.
INT. N.M.B. CIVIC CENTER - DAY
Awards ceremony. The team is present at a luncheon banquet.
Everybody is in coat and tie. The coach is standing before
the kids and their parents. He is handing out enormous and
extravagant trophies.
CAP'N JACK
And this award goes to the most improved
team player... Mr. Mighty Max Werner.
A tiny, blonde haired kid with a black eye, stands. He goes
to get his trophy. The Cap'n playfully socks Max in the jaw.
The audience politely applauds mixed with laughter.
The Cap'n shakes his hand like he just socked a brick wall.
With his hand he gestures to quiet the guests. There is a
hush over the crowd.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
I am especially proud to hand out this
next award. This young man's got guts.
He's one hell of an athlete. And one
hell of a great kid.
Chip sits with a group of kids, but he is isolated.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
I'm talking about my own son.
Chip is obviously embarrassed and ashamed.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
The award for the best defensive back
goes to... Chip Miller.
The audience politely applauds. Chip won't go get his
trophy. Some kids poke at him. Others goad him under their
breath.
A KID NEXT TO HIM
Hey, Miller go get your trophy.
ANOTHER KID
Yeah, we all know that you deserve to win
it.
He heads towards the mantle.
CHIP (V.O.)
Number 72. Standing in full uniform I
weighed 72 lb. That's why I was given
the number. I probably was the best
defensive player in the league, but I was
legally too old for the team.
(beat)
The Cap'n lied about my age. He forged
my birth certificate papers so I could
play on his team.
Not really wanting to take the trophy that is almost as big
as he is. He takes it from his father.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The thing is everybody knew it.
He starts back to his seat. The Cap'n stands smiling wide
and applauding. There is polite applause. The small army of
kids give him looks filled with accusations as he heads back
to his seat.
CHIP CONT'D) (V.O.)
But nobody ever questions the Cap'n.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
A front view of a bus. The destination chart reads:
CHARTERED ORANGE BOWL.
INT. BUS - DAY
A crowded bus full of Miami Dolphins fans.
Cap'n Jack and Chip sit together on the bus, which is heading
for the Dolphins vs. the Bears at the Orange Bowl. Chip
wears full Dolphins garb, pennant, cap, jersey (#12) the
works.
Everybody's wearing Miami Dolphin colors except one man in a
Bears cap he's getting totally harassed by the football
fanatics.
CHIP
Dad, can I see the tickets again.
A drunk next to the Cap'n fills the Cap'n drink. Cap'n
Jack's drinking a rum and coke. He's obviously, drunk and in
a festive mood.
CAP'N JACK
Sure.
He hands the tickets to Chip. The kid looks at them. He's
stoked. The Cap'n quickly takes them back.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Better put them away before you lose
them.
CHIP
I won't lose them. Honest.
The Cap'n begins to put the tickets back in his pants pocket.
CAP'N JACK
Don't want to take any chances. The
games sold out.
The tickets fall to the floor.
EXT. ORANGE BOWL STADIUM - CONTINUOUS
The bus pulls into the parking lot. Chip can be seen looking
at the crowd.
EXT. ORANGE BOWL - CONTINUOUS
The bus unloads and the fans disappear into the sea of
people.
EXT. ORANGE BOWL - CONTINUOUS
The Cap'n and Chip stand in line waiting to enter the
stadium. They come to the ticket taker and the Cap'n is
searching for the tickets. A spectator standing behind them
in line:
SPECTATOR
Come on buddy. Put a move on.
The Cap'n cannot find his tickets.
CAP'N
Did you give me back those tickets?
Chip shakes his head yes. They step out of line.
CAP'N JACK
If you didn't bother me about the damn
things they wouldn't be lost.
The Cap'n spots a scalper trying to sell a pair of tickets.
He rapidly approaches him.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Hey buddy, you got two?
SCALPER
Sure, I got two. If you got two.
CAP'N JACK
I don't got two. I need two.
How much?
SCALPER
I just told you.
The Cap'n realizes what he's saying.
CAP'N JACK
Two hundred bucks.
The coin toss is being announced over the P.A. System from
inside the stadium.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
And Chicago calls heads.
SCALPER
That's what I said.
The Cap'n notices the head of security walk past the gate.
He grabs his son practically dragging him towards the gate.
CAP'N JACK
Just do what I do if you want to see the
game.
The Cap'n pushes past the crowd gathered at the gate. He
gets up to the ticket taker and...
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Did the head of security just go in
there.
He points towards the long stairs leading into the stands.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
And Miami will receive the kick off.
TICKET TAKER
Yes sir.
CAP'N JACK
Thanks alot pal.
He barges towards the stadium. Chip in pursuit.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
No matter what happens. Don't look back.
Just keep moving.
TICKET TAKER
(yelling)
Your tickets. Sir you forgot to give me
your tickets.
They disappear into the crowd.
EXT. ORANGE BOWL STADIUM - CONTINUOUS
Pushing through the maze of people Chip watches his father,
not the game. The crowd stands to cheer the play. Everybody
stands clapping and cheering except the kid. He sees an
empty seat and sits down. He's isolated and buried in a sea
of half crazed football fanatics.
INT. THE KING AND I LOUNGE - NIGHT
A seedy bar atmosphere. The place is run by low level
mobsters. There is illegal gambling, loan sharking and
betting on games.
Cap'n Jack enters the bar with his kid. NORM the owner of
the joint stands behind the bar.
CAP'N JACK
Hey Norm give my kid here a coke and
don't forget to put a cherry in it.
The Cap'n heads for a back room door. He knocks. A slat in
the window opens. A pair of eyes looks through the slat. It
closes. The door opens. Cap'n Jack steps in the crowded
smoke filled room. He receives a handshake from the GOON at
the door.
NORM is a typical opened shirt scumbag gangster type with too
many rings and necklaces. He's a man you wouldn't want to
fuck with. He stands behind the bar. He turns to his BAR
BACK who is just as repulsive.
NORM
Give the kid a coke already.
The kid sits at the bar. The bar back pours the kid a coke.
He drops a cherry in the glass. The kid stairs at him. He
drops another cherry in the glass. Still no response. He
drops a handful of cherries into the glass. The kid smiles
and takes the glass.
BAR BACK
Oh, brother.
INT. SMOKED FILLED BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Cap'n Jack sits at a card table.
The Cap'n is being dealt a hand at a poker table that is full
of tough looking goons. Norm approaches the Cap'n.
NORM
You owe me a grand on today's game Cappy.
CAP'N JACK
I'm good for it. Put me down for a
couple a grand on tonight's game. I'll
take the Colts plus the spread. I'll be
up a grand and we'll be even.
NORM
I can't keep covering your bets. You
gotta pay up.
CAP'N JACK
You'll owe me a grand after tonight's
game.
NORM
If you don't come in you'll be in the
hole for three gees.
CAP'N JACK
Yeah. Yeah. I got the luck of the Irish
tonight.
The Cap'n wins the hand. He collects the pile of chips. He
smiles over to Norm who pats him on the back falling for it.
NORM
OK, Cappy.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - DAY
CHRISTMAS EVE. Elizabeth is standing on a rickety old ladder
putting Christmas lights on the house. She is having a rough
go at it. CHIP and Mike exits the house tossing a basketball
into the air.
ELIZABETH
Well, we might not have a tree this year
but we're going to celebrate just the
same.
CHIP
I'm going to Victory Park to shoot some
rims. OK?
ELIZABETH
I need your help hanging these lights.
CHIP
C'mon mom. What's the sense. We all
know that there ain't no such thing as
Santa anyway.
The kids starts to walk away.
ELIZABETH
All right Mister Scrooge. You just make
sure that you're home in time for dinner.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Chip and Mike bounce the basketball back and forth as they
walk along the neighborhood street.
CHIP
Man, I hate living in that house.
Everybody thinks that we're a bunch of
pigs. I asked my dad how come we can't
paint the house and all he tells me is,
why bother, the paint will peel away
eventually anyway. Why does she bother
with those stupid lights? Half of them
don't work anyway. Besides, what good is
Christmas lights outside without a
Christmas tree inside?
MIKE
Think we can do it ourselves?
CHIP
Do what?
MIKE
Paint the house.
CHIP
Paints got to be awful expensive. I
don't think I could make enough between
the paper route and mowing lawns.
MIKE
I'm glad I don't have that problem.
CHIP
Yeah, cause your house is made of brick.
You don't paint brick laser breath.
Chip tosses the ball hard back to Mike. Mike in turn passes
it back to Chip and he misses. The ball rolls away and up
onto the porch of a nearby quadruplex apartment complex.
It's a very nice and well maintained unit.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Nice going,
(spells out)
ratt fink.
Chip runs to retrieve it.
MIKE
I'd rather be a ratt fink than a
chemotherapy crew cut kid.
Chip shoots him a bird.
MIKE (CONT'D)
What kind of bird is that? A bald eagle.
Mike pulls the under part of his chin.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Goot.
As he grabs the ball he looks up at the names on the
apartment mailbox. The name on the third slot is the name of
his fathers, JACK MILLER.
CHIP
Hey, Mike come here.
Mike runs over.
MIKE
What now moron than off.
CHIP
Look.
He points to the mailbox.
MIKE
So?
CHIP
So that's why he never comes home. He
don't stay on the boat like he said. He
lives here.
MIKE
What makes you think that your dad is the
only Jack Miller's in the whole world.
CHIP
Shut up stupid. I just know that's all.
Just then SCOTT CONRADY a neighborhood kid rides by on his
bike.
SCOTT
Hey, your mom's calling for you to come
home. It sounds like something's wrong.
MIKE
Hey, you better go and find out what she
wants.
CHIP
She just wants me to help put up those
stupid lights.
MIKE
Maybe she wants to give you another
haircut. Looks like you haven't had one
in at least three minutes.
CHIP
You're a riot Alice.
He gestures with his fist.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Bang zoom.
The three kids continue towards the basketball court. Where
other kids can be seen in the distance shooting rims.
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - CONTINUOUS
The kids are playing three of three. Mike sinks a shot,
whoosh, no net. Chip, Mike and Scott are victorious.
MIKE
Game.
They motion high five's and other ridiculous victory salutes.
The losers wave it off.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Nice game.
He fakes a handshake to one of the losers who falls for it
and acts like he's combing his hair. Mike trips one of the
others.
Mike, Chip, and Scott simultaneously shout:
THE FOUR BOYS
Psyche.
CHIP
(to Mike)
Let's get out of here.
SCOTT
See you guys later.
MIKE
Not if I see you first.
SCOTT
Hardy har har.
MIKE
Dee har har.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Chip and Mike are walking along and they come across a
KIWANIS CLUB lot where Christmas trees are being sold. A
pathetic Christmas tree is sticking out of a garbage bin,
base up.
CHIP
Wait.
Chip walks over to the can and climbs up to have a look.
He walks over to the salesman that has just finished tying a
tree to the roof of a car.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Hey mister. Whatcha gonna do with that
old tree there?
SALESMAN
Nothing.
CHIP
Can I have it?
SALESMAN
Sure.
CHIP
Thanks.
SALESMAN
What do you want that tree for?
MIKE
It's for a class experiment.
SALESMAN
We got a lot full of nice trees. Just
have your folks come by and check us out.
We got the best deals in town.
CHIP
Thanks, but I want that one.
SALESMAN
Suit yourself.
In an awkward fashion he pulls the tree out of the bin. It
towers him.
MIKE
What do you want with that?
CHIP
What do you think? Once it's fixed up
it could probably... maybe be OK?
MIKE
OK, Charlie Brown. How ya gonna get it
home?
Chip picks up the basketball and tosses it to Mike.
CHIP
How else, I'm gonna carry it.
He makes a few thwarted attempts at picking up the tree.
CHIP (CONT'D)
This is going to be tougher than I
thought.
MIKE
You can't do it. Just forget about it.
C'mon, let's go.
CHIP
I'm taking it with me. I don't care how
I get it back.
MIKE
Look, I'm out of here. See you later
Wally Gator.
Mike takes off dribbling the ball as he leaves.
Chip begins to drags the tree towards home.
EXT. STREET - LATER SAME DAY/SUNDOWN
Chip drags the tree along the street towards his home. One
side of the tree is being to be worn off by being dragged
along the ground. A CARLOAD OF TEENAGE KIDS razz him as they
pass by.
ONE OF THE KIDS
Hey Paul Bunyan when you gonna stop
cutting down trees.
They think it's a riot.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - EARLY EVENING
The neighborhood Christmas lights are all glowing and
gleaming.
Chip continues to drag the tree towards home. One side is
completely worn down from being dragged across the ground.
The lights on Chip's house are not lit. Exhausted and proud
as a kid could be he shouts aloud:
CHIP
Mom. Hey, mom. I got us a tree.
Cindy comes out of the house.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Look, I got us a tree. Where's mom?
CINDY
She's in bed. She got hurt.
CHIP
What happened.
CINDY
She fell off of the ladder and couldn't
get up. She called and called for help.
But nobody came to help her. I know you
could here her. You just ignored her.
Chip sits down.
CHIP
Man, I thought she just wanted me to help
her hang those stupid looking lights. Is
she gonna be OK?
CINDY
I guess.
CHIP
Help me bring the tree in. Let's
decorate it... And then we'll finish
hanging the lights. Whaddaya say?
Cindy shakes her head, YES.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - NIGHT
Brother and sister position the tree so the worn out side is
towards the wall.
They begin to trim the tree.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
The Christmas tree lights glow from inside of the house.
They finish hanging the exterior lights.
Cindy flips a switch and the lights illuminate. The lights
half lit and half blown look pathetic but the kids don't seem
to mind. They share a smile of accomplishment.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - EARLY MORNING
Christmas morning. Cap'n Jack barges in the front door. He
wears a tacky Santa outfit.
CAP'N JACK
Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Ho ho
ho.
Sleepy-eyed the kids walk down the hall. Elizabeth half
walks and half limps.
ELIZABETH
Want some coffee?
CAP'N JACK
I heard you kids were extra specially
good this year.
The kids are only slightly amused at this badly portrayed
Santa.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
So... Santa brought you both exactly what
you wanted for Christmas.
He points out towards the lawn. The kids look out the window
and see TWO TEN SPEED BICYCLES a GOLD MURRAY and a WHITE
GIRLS COLUMBIA.
CHIP
Wow.
CAP'N JACK
The white one is for Cindy in case you
were wondering.
They both run out onto the yard and check out their bikes.
Elizabeth hands the Cap'n a cup of coffee. Cap'n Jack looks
at his wife both guilty and shamed. They watch the kids
checking out their bikes through the window.
ELIZABETH
When do you want to tell the kids.
CAP'N JACK
Not till after the holidays. What
happened to you?
ELIZABETH
I fell off the ladder putting up the
lights. Look, Chip brought the tree home
and the kids finished hanging the lights.
CAP'N JACK
They're a couple of gems.
The kids come running back into the house.
CHIP
Can we go for a ride on our bikes?
ELIZABETH
After breakfast.
EXT. STREET - SAME DAY
Chip rides his bike swiftly towards Mike's home. The Graves
are on the lawn playing with a Cox Model Airplane.
CHIP
(shouting)
Look what I got. A new ten speed.
The plane takes a dive to the ground. It sputters to a halt.
MIKE
That's not a new bike. It's got some
scratches on it.
CHIP
Maybe it happened when it was in the car.
MIKE
No chance man. It's not a new bike.
CHIP
You're just jealous because you only got
an airplane.
MIKE
I got lot's of cool stuff.
CHIP
Yeah, maybe. But you didn't get a new
bike. Let's go riding.
EXT. SIDEWALK -CONTINUOUS
Mike and Chip ride towards Scott Conrady's house. They stop
in front of the Conrady's home. Scott's dad has just
finished hanging a basketball net in the driveway. Scott
shoots a few rims.
CHIP
(yelling)
Hey Scotty look at my new bike.
SCOTT
Cool hairs.
The kids are checking out the bike when a souped up black two-
door comet screeches to a halt. Two older teenage kids get
out of the car.
TEENAGER NUMBER ONE
Hey, that's my bike you little punk.
He pushes Chip off of the bike and starts to take the bicycle
from Chip.
CHIP
It's not your bike. I just got it for
Christmas.
Chip jumps up grabbing the bike. The teenager pushes Chip to
the ground.
TEENAGER NUMBER ONE
It's my bike. You stole it from my front
porch last night.
The teenagers begin to load the bike into the trunk of the
car. Mr. Conrady steps over:
MR. CONRADY
The kid said he got it for Christmas.
Put the bike down and get out of here or
I'll call the cops.
TEENAGER NUMBER ONE
Call the cops. It's my bike. I'll be
the one pressing charges. And this
little creep will be the one going to
jail.
The teen shoves Chip.
TEENAGER NUMBER TWO
C'mon, let's get out of here. We'll lift
another one.
TEENAGER NUMBER ONE
(to his buddy)
Easy for you to say. It ain't your bike.
(to Chip)
You better watch out punk. If I see you
around you're gonna get it.
The teenager makes a fist, punching it into his other hand
and then tosses the bike onto the ground. The teenagers jump
in their ride patching out as they split.
MIKE
(yelling at the car as it pulls
away)
You guys ain't so tough. C'mon back you
chickens. We ain't through with you yet.
Chip looks at his bike as it sits in the street.
EXT. CASTAWAYS DOCK - SUNSET
Chip, on the boat is hosing the salty mist off of the
Mischief. A tacky Gucci gold Cadillac pulls up to the docks.
Norm and a couple of very serious looking thugs head straight
towards the boat.
NORM
Hey kid where's your old man.
CHIP
(agitated)
I don't know.
NORM
Listen kid, don't get smart with me.
Your old man's been dodging me for a
month now. He owes me alot of dough.
CHIP
He owes you money?
NORM
(to one of the thugs)
Smart kid huh?
(to the kid)
Where is he?
CHIP
How should I know. Get out of here.
NORM
Don't get smart with me you little punk.
CHIP
First you say I'm smart. Then you tell
me not to get smart. Make up your mind.
Either I'm smart or not so smart. Duh.
NORM
I'll throw you in the bay you little wise
ass.
Norm tries to step down onto the boat.
CHIP
I wouldn't try it if I was you.
The kid hoses down where Norm is about to step onto the
transin. He slips and falls splashing into the bay.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Looks like you really needed to cool it.
He turns the hose on the goons. As they fish Norm from the
water.
NORM
You better tell your old man that I was
here to see him.
They walk off. The goons try to towel off Norm but he pushes
them off.
NORM (CONT'D)
Get off of me.
GOON
Hey, that's a pretty tough little kid.
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY
Chip, carrying his school lunch slides into a seat. At
another table, a very pretty, Italian girl PAM GIOTTA, turns
around and smiles at him. The girls that sit with her
whisper and giggle.
Chip sits next to his buddy Mike.
MIKE
Hey, you gonna eat your chocolate
pudding.
CHIP
Of course.
MIKE
I wouldn't do it if I was you. Everybody
knows that chocolate pudding is old Mrs.
Havens doody.
Chip digging into his pudding.
CHIP
I like to eat Mrs. Havens doody.
Mike puts a small amount of the pudding into a white napkin.
He holds it up.
MIKE
Then you might as well eat her butt
wipings too.
Chip grabs the napkin and stuffs in into his mouth.
CHIP
Umm. Mrs. Havens butt wipings
suspiciously taste a lot like chocolate
pudding.
INT. CLASSROOM - SAME DAY
The school clock bell rings 3:00. The class day has ended.
EXT. SCHOOL YARD - CONTINUOUS
Students pile out of the classroom.
EXT. ROW OF BICYCLES - CONTINUOUS
Chip is unlocking his bicycle, THE STINGRAY. Pam Giotta,
LISA WALKER, A cute little blonde thing, and a few of her
girlfriends walk over to him. They giggle. She gestures for
her friends to go away.
PAM
Hi.
CHIP
Hi.
PAM
Lisa is having a birthday party this
Saturday night.
He looks over to Lisa. She smiles and waves hello. She's
one of the girls in the background.
PAM (CONT'D)
I want you to go with me.
(pause)
You can just meet me there if you want
too?
CHIP
Saturday?
PAM
Yeah.
CHIP
Who else is going?
PAM
Everybody. Everybody that's real cool.
CHIP
I don't know.
He gets on his bike and starts to ride off. Pam jumps on her
bike.
PAM
Hey, wait. Wait for me.
EXT. SCHOOL YARD - CONTINUOUS
Peddling hard Pam catches up with Chip.
PAM
Can I ride home with you?
CHIP
If you want to, but don't start talking
about dumb girl stuff.
PAM
Oh, I won't.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Chip and Pam ride along.
PAM
Where do you live?
CHIP
I live on 174th. Where do you live?
PAM
I live on 172nd. We live real close.
They turn down 174th street. Chip sees his house and ashamed
realizes how it looks.
PAM (CONT'D)
Which house is yours?
CHIP
That one.
He points to the nicest house on the block.
PAM
That's a real nice house.
CHIP
Yeah.
He stops.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Look I gotta go now.
PAM
Aren't you going to invite me in?
CHIP
I'm not allowed to have my friends
inside.
PAM
Why?
CHIP
I don't know. They mess up the carpet I
guess. My mom just put new carpet in.
You better go now.
PAM
Will you go to Lisa's party?
CHIP
I'll think about it.
PAM
I hope you go. I'll see you then. Bye.
CHIP
See ya.
He waits for her to leave.
PAM
Well, aren't you going in?
Chip doesn't want her to see him go to his house so:
CHIP
Can I ride you to your house?
Pam all smiles.
PAM
Sure.
They ride past his home. It stands out like a sore thumb.
He ducks down as he passes.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Pam rides her bike across her lawn. She drops her bike.
PAM
Thanks for taking me home. Well, I guess
I'll see you at the party.
CHIP
OK.
PAM
Bye again.
CHIP
Bye.
He rides off popping a wheelie.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Chip riding past the apartment that had his father's name on
the mailbox. He notices a car in the driveway that looks
alot like his fathers.
He confirms that it is his fathers.
He goes back to the mailbox and looks at the apartment
number. It is apartment #4.
EXT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He goes to the apartment door, hesitates and then knocks.
A woman answers the door. THE SAME WOMAN THAT WAS AT THE
FOOTBALL GAME. She's towel drying her hair. She recognizes
the kid as Chip.
WOMAN
Jack, you better come here.
CAP'N JACK (O.S.)
What is it?
Cap'n Jack comes to the door. He feels like a heel.
Silence. Then:
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
(to the woman)
I'll be right back.
WOMAN
We got to be there at...
CAP'N JACK
(interrupting)
I said I'll be right back.
EXT. CAP'N JACK'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
He and Chip walk towards the car.
CAP'N JACK
Listen. Your mother and me, we don't get
along anymore. We're getting divorced.
I ain't going to be living at home
anymore. Never again. That's just the
way it is.
(suddenly)
Hey, how come you're not riding your new
bike.
CHIP
(crying)
I don't like it.
CAP'N JACK
Why not?
CHIP
Because you stole it. That's why.
CAP'N JACK
What are you taking about. Who told you
I stole it? That bike cost me a couple
hundred bucks.
CHIP
Yeah, sure it did. I gotta get home.
Mom's expecting me.
Chip gets on his bike. He rides away.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
The kid rides off on his bike. The Cap'n stands in the
distance.
CAP'N JACK
(shouting)
I'll call you soon. We'll go to the game
next week. Whaddaya say?
Chip ignores him.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - DAY
Chip pulls up on his bike. The next door neighbor MR.
MANGLE'S is painting his house a light pastel orange with a
bright orange trim.
Chip approaches Mr. Mangles watching him dip the roller into
the 5 gallon paint bucket of paint and applying it to the
house.
Chip stops and watches a few strokes.
Chip steps towards Mr. Mangles' property.
He's about to cross the property boundary. Mr. Mangles stops
him in his tracks pointing towards the property line.
MR. MANGLES
Hold it right there.
CHIP
What?
MR. MANGLES
Don't come any closer.
CHIP
What did I do?
MR. MANGLES
Just don't come any closer.
Mr. Mangles goes back to painting.
CHIP
How long does it take to paint a house?
MR. MANGLES
A couple of days.
CHIP
Paint must be awful expensive.
MR. MANGLES
I'd say it cost me about forty bucks.
CHIP
Forty dollars?
MR. MANGLES
Yeah.
He stops painting.
MR. MANGLES (CONT'D)
What's with all the questions?
CHIP
I want to paint our house.
MR. MANGLES
That's something your father should do.
CHIP
I'll bet you hate living next to our
house.
MR. MANGLES
Let's just say that it doesn't help my
property value.
CHIP
He left.
MR. MANGLES
Who left?
CHIP
My father. He ain't coming back either.
MR. MANGLES
That's too bad kid. Look, I gotta get
back to work. I'll see you later.
Mr. Mangle continues to paint. Chip looks at his own house.
CHIP
Forty bucks.
He shakes his head as if to say it might as well be a
million.
EXT. LISA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Elizabeth pulls up in front of the Lisa's house. Chip is
dressed up for the party. The music can be heard coming from
the house. Bright lights shine out of the living room
window.
ELIZABETH
You have a real good time tonight. Don't
do anything to get yourself in trouble.
OK?
CHIP
All right mom.
Elizabeth kisses him on the cheek. He cringes, swiftly
wiping his face.
CHIP (CONT'D)
Mom, they might see.
He starts to get out of the car.
ELIZABETH
Wait. You forgot the present.
She hands him the gift wrapped in pink and green paper with a
bright green bow.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
My boy is growing up.
He smiles shyly and walks to the door. Nervously he knocks.
Lisa answers the door.
Lisa answers the door.
CHIP
Happy Birthday. This is for you.
Lisa takes the gift.
LISA
Come in.
INT. LISA'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
A very nice home filled with young kids on the verge of
becoming teenagers. Pam notices Chip from the distance and
is very excited.
CHIP
There's no adults here?
LISA
No, my mom went out. She won't be home
until midnight.
CHIP
Midnight?
PAM
(approaching)
Everybody's here. Now we can play spin
the bottle?
LISA
That's a great idea.
CHIP
Spin the bottle?
PAM
(taking him by the arm)
Let's go.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A group of pre-teen kids sit in a circle on the floor.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Coca-Cola bottle spins. It falls on Lisa. A cute young
boy, TONY with shoulder length hair hesitates and then kisses
Lisa.
ALL THE KIDS
(simultaneously)
How was the kiss.
LISA
(to CHIP)
It was OK. It's your turn.
He looks about. He sees them all anxiously waiting for him
to spin. Sheepishly he does.
The bottle slowly spins to a halt. It stops pointing of
course at Pam. She's in ecstasy. She closes her eyes and
puckers for the kiss.
Chip bends towards her and quickly pecks her right on the
lips.
ALL THE KIDS
(simultaneously)
How was it.
PAM
He's a real good kisser.
Chip blushes. All the kids HOOT and HOLLER. Some of the
boys pat Chip on the back. He's feeling great.
EXT. POOL PATIO - CONTINUOUS
A small group of kids are sitting by the pool. Chip sits
with Pam. A bustling noise comes from the lawn area. The
kids are spooked. Mike Graves crashes through the bushes.
He falls down tumbling onto the porch. He's loaded.
CHIP
What are you doing here?
Mike stumbles into the patio.
MIKE
Look what I got.
Mike shows them a badly rolled marijuana joint.
CHIP
Get that stuff out of here.
MIKE
What's wrong?
CHIP
Where'd you get that?
MIKE
What's it matter. I just got it.
CHIP
You better get out of her with that
stuff.
MIKE
Try it. It ain't that bad.
CHIP
I'm never touching that stuff. It's for
idiots.
(to Pam)
Let's go inside.
They get up and walk away. Mike sticks the joint in his
mouth. He forms a square with his fingers.
MIKE
You're turning into a real L7 Miller.
EXT. LISA'S HOME - LATER SAME EVENING
Chip and Pam are on the front porch. A car pulls up to pick
up Pam. It's her mother.
PAM
I want you to come meet my mother.
CHIP
No way.
Pam pulls him by the arms towards the car.
PAM
Mom, this is Chip. The boy I told you
about.
PAM'S MOM
Hi.
(to Pam)
It's getting late Pam. It's time to go.
PAM
Well, I guess I'll see you in school on
Sunday?
CHIP
Yeah, I guess.
Pam pulls him away from the car.
PAM'S MOM
Pam let's go.
PAM
Be right there.
PAM
Good-bye.
CHIP
So long.
Pam closes her eyes and puckers up again.
CHIP
Kisses her on the lips.
Pam pulls him towards her and kisses shim long and hard. His
eyes open wide.
PAM
Wow.
She runs to the car and jumps in waving good-bye. The car
drives off.
CHIP
Wow.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
Sleepy eyed Chip sits at the dining table. He opens a box of
LUCKY CHARMS and pours some into a bowl. One by one he picks
the Charms out of the cereal putting them into a separate
bowl.
Elizabeth steps from the kitchen carrying a plate of burnt
toast.
ELIZABETH
Sorry the toast is a little burned.
She sits the toast on the table. Cindy begins to scrape a
piece of toast and butter it.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
I have something to tell you kids.
You're not going to like what I have to
say.
Elizabeth and Chip speak simultaneously.
CHIP
You and dad are getting a divorce.
ELIZABETH
Your father and I are getting divorced.
Chip continues to put all of the Charms in one bowl unfazed.
CINDY
Daddies not going to live here anymore?
CHIP
Duh, when's the last time he stayed here
anyway?
ELIZABETH
That's enough of that. Your father and
I... we don't get along anymore.
CHIP
(interrupting)
You mean he doesn't want anything do to
with us anymore. Isn't that what you
really mean?
CINDY
Don't yell at her.
CHIP
Don't tell me what to do freckle faced
buck-toothed creep.
ELIZABETH
Don't you think things are bad enough
around here without you two going at each
other.
(pause)
I'm going to need your help.
CHIP
What can I do?
ELIZABETH
You can start by being kinder to each
other. Remember, we're family not
enemies. We need each other to pull
through this.
CHIP
He never was there whenever we needed him
anyways. Never. Ever. Never ever.
Chip digs his spoon into his bowl of mostly Charm cereal.
Elizabeth realizing he's right sits and watches her kids eat.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - DAY
Chip stands watching Mr. Mangles put the finishing touches on
his house.
Mike rides up on his bike. Mr. Mangles steps off of the foot
ladder, wipes his brow and admires his work.
CHIP
Now I know why nobody came to my birthday
party.
MIKE
Why?
CHIP
Cause their parents wouldn't let them
come to this ugly old house that's why.
MIKE
How'd you figure that out. I could have
told you that Einstein.
CHIP
Yeah, that's why.
EXT. FOCUSED ON MANGLES HOME - CONTINUOUS
Mr. Mangles pulls out of his garage in his cherry, chromed
out model T.
MIKE
Hey, how about giving us a ride?
MR. MANGLES
Well, you see Mike, if I give you a ride
then I have to give a ride to every kid
in the whole neighborhood. And if I gave
only you a ride then I would be accused
of giving you special attention.
Therefore, giving you a ride would mean
that wouldn't be fair to the other
children in the neighborhood. Now would
it?
He takes off grinning. Mike is a little overwhelmed by this
deceptive speech.
Chip is looking at the freshly painted home of Mr. Mangles.
CHIP
It looks great. Huh?
MIKE
It would look better if he painted it
black and red.
CHIP
That's gross.
MIKE
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I
got an idea.
EXT. MANGLES HOME - CONTINUOUS
Mike goes onto Mr. Mangles' lawn and turns the hose on. He
begins to spray the house with the hose. The paint begins to
wash off of the freshly painted house.
CHIP
No way.
MIKE
Yes, way.
The two stare in amazement that the paint came off the house
that easy. Mike turns the hose off.
CHIP
I'm outta here.
He takes off running.
MIKE
Wait for me.
The two boys run towards the Graves home. They stop only
when they get to the front door. Breathing heavily:
CHIP
We're in big trouble now.
MIKE
If we're going to get into trouble we
might as well go all the way. I got an
idea.
CHIP
What now?
MIKE
Wait here. I'll be right back.
Mike runs inside his house.
Mike exits the house carrying a golf club and a box of large
frogs.
CHIP
What are you going to do with Carl's frog
collection?
MIKE
They ain't frogs they're toads.
Chip pulls one out of the frogs.
CHIP
They're huge. OK, so what are you doing
with Carl's toad?
MIKE
What are we going to do with Carl's
toads. Look we're in big trouble already
right?
CHIP
Right.
MIKE
Let's go.
The boys march back to Mr. Mangles' house. Mike pours the
box of toads onto the lawn. They begin to hop every which
way.
Mike takes position, sets, swings and WHACK, he golfs a frog
into Mr. Mangles house. The frog hits the wall leaving a
horrible, bloody red frog imprint on the house.
CHIP
Oh, man. That's gross.
He swings again and then again.
CHIP
It's my turn.
Chip swings, WHACK into the wall.
EXT. MANGLES'S HOME - LATER SAME DAY
There are about fifteen frog imprints covering the wall of
the house.
MIKE
Now, we're in real trouble.
EXT. DRIVEWAY OF MANGLE HOME - CONTINUOUS
Chip and Mike sit on their bikes waiting for his arrival.
Mr. Mangles pulls his hotrod into his driveway.
Immediately Mr. Mangles sees the damage to his home. He
jumps out of the car and runs over to the boys screaming.
MANGLES
What you have done to my home? You
rotten kids. You miserable rotten...
Just then Mrs. Graves arrives.
MRS. GRAVES
Who are you yelling at? Nobody yells at
my kids but me.
MR. MANGLES
Take a look. Take a good look at what
those kids did to my home?
MRS. GRAVES
Did you kids do this?
MIKE
No way.
CHIP
Why would we do something like that?
Neighbors begin to step out of their homes to see what the
commotion is.
MRS. GRAVES
You see. They said that they didn't do
it.
Mr. Mangles is trembling now.
MR. MANGLES
Oh, it was them kids all right.
MRS. GRAVES
Did you see them do it?
MR. MANGLES
Well, no... But I...
MRS. GRAVES
Don't you ever blame my kids for
something that they didn't do. Do you
understand me? I said do you understand
me?
MR. MANGLES
I'm sorry. I got carried away.
MRS. GRAVES
I think you owe these boys an apology.
Don't you.
MR. MANGLES
Well, I guess so. I'm sorry boys.
MRS. GRAVES
You're sorry all right. Let's get out of
here.
Mrs. Graves and the boys walk away. Mangles house damage
apparent in background.
MIKE
Thanks mom.
MRS. GRAVES
You ever do something like that again and
I'll kill both of you myself.
A few days later.
EXT. MANGLES HOME - DAY
A fencing company is putting a six-foot aluminum fence along
the side of Mr. Mangles' property and Chip's. Mr. Mangles is
re-painting his home.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Mike and Chip walk along a neighborhood street. A canal runs
parallel to the street. Up ahead are several cop cars,
lights blinking, a rescue vehicle, and a crowd of spectators.
A cop is directing traffic while the crowd begins to push and
shove, gathering around the scene.
A nosy, hefty, ELDERLY JEWISH WOMAN talks with one of her
ELDERLY FEMALE friends.
JEWISH WOMAN
I think it's horrible.
(to the cops)
How long are you going to leave that poor
man in there?
The COP, a chubby OFFICER KRUPKE TYPE ignores the lady.
COP
Come on, keep the area clear.
The cop moves the crowd back.
JEWISH WOMAN
I think it's awful. You really need to
get that man out of the water.
A man in a business suit is floating in the canal face down.
COP
We're working on it lady. Could we have
some co-operation by moving back just a
little bit. Thank you very much.
He's having a heard time moving the crowd back.
JEWISH WOMAN
I think you should be less concerned with
us and more concerned with the man in the
water.
Chip and Mike arrive at the scene.
CHIP
What happened?
JEWISH WOMAN
Oh, it's awful. Just awful. There's a
man floating in the canal. He's been
there all day. And these cops aren't
doing anything about it. It's awful,
just awful.
Chip and Mike push past the crowd and they see the man
floating in the canal.
MIKE
Hey, don't they teach you cops how to
swim?
A COP
OK, wise guy just keep out of the way.
MIKE
Pull the guy out already.
The cop has just about had enough.
COP
I don't tell you how to be a kid do I?
Don't tell me how to be cop. So be a kid
and beat it.
Suddenly Chip breaks from the crowd. He dives into the canal
and swims towards the dead man.
COP
Hey you, get out of there.
A SERGEANT runs up to the cop and begins to bitch him out.
The Sergeant is a slight, redneck fellow. The cop towers the
Sergeant.
SUPERIOR (CONT'D)
How'd he get past you?
COP
I don't know. I'm tryin here. I'm
tryin.
The Superior tosses his hat to the ground.
Chip begins to pull the dead mans body towards the bank of
the canal. The crowd begins to cheer him on.
Once Chip pulls the body to the bank the cops yank him out of
the water and handcuff him.
The crowd goes ballistic. One MAN, a greasy street type:
MAN
Yeah, ya big tough guys. Bullying around
a little kid.
JEWISH WOMAN
A better kid I never saw. Leave the boy
alone. He's doing your job for you.
The Sergeant shrugs it off motioning for the Krupke cop to
removes the cuffs.
COP
Listen here, that was a real stupid thing
that you just did. Get out of here
before I change my mind and drag you in.
A cop covers the body with a white sheet.
Soaking wet, Chip starts to walk away.
The crowd begins to cheer him. Mike makes like Chip's a
hero. He lifts Chip's arms in triumph.
Chip takes a bow.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - DAY
Elizabeth sits in front of her son. She's pissed off.
ELIZABETH
That was the stupidest thing you've ever
done. Jumping into the canal and
interfering with the police. You're
lucky they didn't arrest you.
CHIP
What if the guy was still alive? Would
it have been stupid then?
ELIZABETH
Well... He was dead. So it was stupid.
How could you do something like that
anyway?
CHIP
What's the difference. A dead guy. A
dead fish.
ELIZABETH
You're becoming impossible to handle.
First, what you did to Mr. Mangles' home
was just heartless. Then this. I don't
know what I am going to do with you.
Elizabeth reaches into her purse and hands Chip fifty cents.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Here. Do something right for a change.
Go and get me the Sunday paper. Do you
think you can do just one thing without
messing it up?
Chip exits.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Chip kicks a can dejectedly as he walks down the street.
Mike comes running up from behind.
MIKE
Hey, where you going?
CHIP
I gotta go get the Sunday paper for my
mom.
Mike sees the Sunday paper sitting on the porch of a home.
MIKE
How much money you got?
CHIP
Fifty cents.
Mike motions to the porch.
MIKE
Why waste it on buying the paper.
Chip looks around. The coast is clear. He runs up to the
porch and snatches the paper.
MIKE
Fifty cents sure can buy alot of comic
books.
Chip shakes his head yes.
INT. CONVENIENT STORE - CONTINUOUS
Chip walks to the counter carrying a handful of comics. He
plops them on the counter. He hands the salesman the fifty-
cent piece.
Mike walks up to the counter with a different comic.
MIKE
This marvel team up with the Human Torch
and Spiderman is better than that Hulk
and Sub-Mariner special issue.
CHIP
I like the Hulk and The Sub-Mariner
better.
MIKE
If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be
getting any comics at all. You owe me.
The counter person starts to put the comics into a paper bag.
Chip pulls a different comic from the pile and takes the
Marvel Team Up from Mike.
CHIP
I want this one instead.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Chips and Mike are heading back home. Chip is carrying the
Newspaper and reading The Hulk and The Sub-mariner as the two
walk along.
The man who's paper that was stolen steps off of the porch.
He's still in his bathrobe. Without saying a word the man
gestures with his finger for the boys to GET OVER HERE.
The boys together say:
CHIP AND MIKE
Who me.
MAN IN BATHROBE
Yeah, you.
The boys look at each other as the man takes the paper from
Chip.
MAN IN BATHROBE (CONT'D)
Get out of here before I call the cops on
you.
They haul boogie.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Mike and Chip are walking along.
CHIP
What am I going to tell my mom?
MIKE
Tell her you got robbed.
CHIP
She ain't gonna believe that. Man I'm
dead now.
MIKE
At least you got the Marvel Team Up.
Someday, when it's a collector's item
she'll be glad that you had the common
sense to buy it instead of that stupid
paper.
CHIP
I don't know why I ever listen to you.
INT. CHIP'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Chip sits in a chair much like he's being interrogated by an
underworld kingpin. The comics sit on the coffer table next
to him.
ELIZABETH
I can't handle this anymore. I've had
it. I talked to your father. I'm
sending you to him.
CHIP
(mocking)
Send me to him. Great. Where is he
anyway?
ELIZABETH
He's running a yacht in Boston. I'm
sending you there for the summer.
INT. BOSTON AIRPORT - DAY
The clock shows that it's a minute to twelve.
Chip steps off of the plane. The passengers are all greeting
their family and friends. Chip looks for his father but
doesn't find him.
INT. BOSTON AIRPORT- -CONTINUOUS
Chip walks towards the baggage terminal. His bag is the only
one left spinning around the machine. Chip grabs his bag.
He looks at his Miami Dolphins watch it's half an hour later
than it was when he got off of the plane.
INT. AIRPORT - EVENING
It's dark outside. The airport is not busy anymore. A tall,
thin black janitor pushes a mop.
Chip sits curled up on a bench. He's sleeping.
From the distance a hipper Cap'n Jack walks towards him.
Cap'n Jack is wearing flair legged slacks and his hair is
longer and combed back. He looks like a middle aged man
going through a mid-life crisis.
CAP'N JACK
Hey slugger.
Chip opens his eyes and looks at his father like he is a
stranger. He closes his eyes to go back to sleep.
Cap'n Jack shakes him.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Hey wake up sleepy head. It's time to
go.
Chip opens his eyes and realizes that the man is his father.
CHIP
What time is it?
CAP'N JACK
Time to go.
They begin to walk away. Chip struggling to carry his
baggage.
CAP'N JACK (C0NT'D)
Boy, do I got lot's of great things
planned. It's great to see you. Are you
hungry? You must be starving. Let's get
a bite to eat, and then...
Cap'n Jack's voice fades.
The clock on the wall shows that it's 7:30 in the evening.
EXT. MARINA - NIGHT
The old Falcon pulls up to a dock. In front of the car is a
huge 80 foot yacht. It's immaculate.
CAP'N JACK
Call this home for the summer.
CHIP
This is your new boat?
CAP'N JACK
Naw, I'm running it for some jerk. Come
on board you gotta see this rig.
They step onto the yacht.
INT. YACHT - DAY
The boat is beautiful. No expense spared. This is not The
Mischief. This boat is crazy, extravagant 60's modern
furniture fills the spacious rooms.
CAP'N JACK
First thing tomorrow morning we sail for
Provincetown. You're in for the time of
your life.
A young attractive, blonde woman HONEY, (25) steps out of the
kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. She's dressed in casual
hip fashion of the times.
CAP'N JACK (CONT'D)
Honey come here I want you to meet my
son.
HONEY
Hi.
She kisses his forehead. Chip quickly wipes it away.
HONEY (CONT'D)
It's nice to meet you.
(to the Cap'n)
He's precious.
(to Chip)
I'm making dinner. We're having lobster.
You do like lobster don't you?
CHIP
It's OK for a bottom crawling scavenger.
CAP'N JACK
Hey, let me show you to your quarters.
The Cap'n rushes Chip along.
INT. BEDROOM OF THE YACHT - DAY
The door opens in to a small room. It's filled with
psychedelic posters and purple bed coverings.
CAP'N JACK
This is your room. There ain't a lot of
space but hey, you won't be doing
anything but sleeping here anyway. Check
this out.
The Cap'n turns off the lights and hits a switch, turning on
a black light. The posters light up like a pinball machine.
CAP'N JACK
Pretty nifty, eh?
CHIP
Who's that lady?
CAP'N JACK
You mean Honey? She's one of the
crewmembers.
CHIP
Is she going to go to Pro...
Chip has a hard time saying the name.
CAP'N JACK
Provincetown? Yeah, she goes everywhere
the boat goes.
CHIP
Is she your new wife.
CAP'N JACK
No we're just good friends.
Chip acknowledges what the Cap'n is really saying.
CHIP
You mean she's your girlfriend.
The Cap'n avoids the issue.
CAP'N JACK
Let me show you the master's quarters.
INT. YACHT - NEXT DAY
The Cap'n stands behind the wheel. TWO engine keys are
turned. The engines kick on. VROOOM.
EXT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
A white stretch limousine pulls up to the dock.
The chauffeur opens the passenger door and a small entourage
of young adult's step out of the limousine. They're the HIP
JET-SET TYPE, part revolutionary fashion victims and part
wealthy hippie.
They are not unlike the Andy Warhol's underground following.
EXT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
The strange group begins to board the yacht.
A guy named LENNY (30), dressed in a paisley velvet Nehru
shirt owns the boat. Inheritance. Lenny is a Jewish, John
Lennon wannabee. He's obviously stoned and quite eccentric.
From behind the wheel the Cap'n shouts to Lenny.
INT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
CAP'N JACK
(shouting to Lenny)
Lenny come up here. I want you to meet
my boy.
LENNY
(shouting back)
Aye aye Cap'n.
He salutes the Cap'n. The crowd moves towards the boat.
CAP'N JACK
(to Chip)
This guys a real creep. But he pays
well. So be real nice to him. He'll
probably buy you whatever you want. He's
that way. He throws his doe around
because it ain't really his. His old man
knocked off and left him a fortune in
soda fountain machines. Jetsprays.
EXT. DOCK - CONTINUOUS
LENNY
(to the entourage)
Hey, let's all go and meet the Cap'ns
kid.
The strange crowd follows Lenny like he's a Guhru Messiah.
INT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
Lenny approaches the Cap'n followed by his entourage of
freaks.
CAP'N JACK
Lenny, this is my boy Chip.
(to Chip)
Say hello to Lenny.
CHIP
Hello to Lenny.
LENNY
Hey, that's good.
The strange crowd begins to tease Chip about his hair and his
clothing.
A YOUNG, HIPPIE GIRL that calls herself FLOWER is the most
obnoxious.
LENNY
Listen to me kids as soon as we get to
Ptown we've just got to get this kid some
new threads.
FLOWER
We can have a blast. I see him wearing
landlubber hip huggers. Yes, most
definitely.
LENNY
No. I see him wearing a green nehru with
gold trim.
FLOWER
No no no, that won't do. That was
yesterdays look. I'm talking the latest
fashion.
The crowd of followers wait to see Lenny's reaction to
Flowers audacious comment that Lenny could possibly be wrong.
It goes by unchallenged.
FLOWER (CONT'D)
A new haircut too.
LENNY
First he's going to have to grow it out.
FLOWER
The yippie look is all the rage this
year. He's right on schedule.
Flower touches Chip's hair.
FLOWER
Just a trim here and there and he's now.
Chip doesn't know what to make of these weirdo's. One thing
that he does know is that he doesn't like them much.
He pushes the girl's hand off of his head.
One of the WOMEN dressed in pink hot pants and a tube top
shouts excitedly to Lenny's guests. She's looking towards
the water of the bay. Her attention is on a group of
baitfish swimming near the boat.
YOUNG WOMAN
Everybody quick look at all the fishies.
The crowd wanders off in the direction of the young woman.
FLOWER
Oh, look.
LENNY
Let me show you Toni's interior design
work below. You have got to see the
masters quarters.
The strange crowd follow Lenny.
ONE OF THE CROWD
This is spectacular.
The crowd disappears down stairs.
CHIP
That's your boss?
CAP'N JACK
Yeah he's alright once you get to know
him.
CHIP
He's a hippie. You hate hippies.
CAP'N JACK
The money's good.
CHIP
What's wrong with running your own boat
back home?
CAP'N JACK
Tommy's taking care of things. Besides,
there comes a time in each man's life, a
time to shed his skin.
EXT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
The yacht plows through the inlet waters of the Massachusetts
Bay. Chip can be seen isolated, sitting alone on the front
of the stern.
EXT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
The yacht pulls into the Provincetown harbor.
EXT. STREETS OF PROVINCETOWN - CONTINUOUS
The group of freaks wander through the streets of
Provincetown causing quite a ruckus.
The Cap'n, Honey and Chip sit at a sidewalk cafe. The crazy
crowd approaches the trio as they eat lunch.
Lenny pours open some expensive shop bags. It's clothing for
Chip.
LENNY
(to Chip)
Eh. Eh? What do you think?
The clothing is absolutely shocking. The Cap'n laughs aloud
spitting his food all over the table.
Flower holds up a POLYESTER GREEN SHIRT to Chip's chest.
FLOWER
Wear this one out for dinner tonight. It
will be a major statement against the
norms of society.
INT. CHIP'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Boxes are strewn all over the room.
Chip stands in front of his dressing mirror. He's wearing
some of the new clothing. LANDLUBBER HIP HUGGER JEANS, the
stupid tight polyester BRIGHT GREEN SHIRT and a pair of GREEN
PLATFORM SHOES. He looks like some kind of twisted human
Christmas tree. A total spectacle.
He pulls the shirt off of his body. He kicks one of the
shoes against the mirror and the mirror cracks.
He begins to put his old clothing on and begins to proceed
out of his room. He's on a mission and it is in his eyes.
He's had enough.
INT. SHIP - CONTINUOUS
Chip storms towards the master room and almost knocks on the
door. He stops, hesitates and pushes open the door.
INT. MASTER QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
CHIP
I'm not wearing those stupid...
Chip sees Honey sitting on the Cap'ns lap and kissing his
cheek seductively.
The Cap'n is hand rolling a marijuana cigarette. There's a
small pile of weed on the table in front of him.
Scattered about in the room is the beautiful people obviously
stoned and getting higher.
Chip stopped in his tracks absorbs it all for a moment.
Lenny jumps up and slams the door is in his face.
INT. SHIP'S HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
CHIP (CONT'D)
(quietly)
Clothes.
The Cap'n steps from the room. Being careful to not let Chip
see back into the room as he does.
CAP'N JACK
Wear whatever you want. It's alright
with us. Me.
CHIP
You were smoking pot.
CAP'N JACK
Nah, I was rolling a cigarette.
CHIP
When did you start smoking? You don't
smoke.
CAP'N JACK
I just started.
CHIP
I know what you were doing. I've seen it
before.
CAP'N JACK
What do you mean you seen it before?
CHIP
You don't get it. You never have. I'm
not just some stupid little kid. I
haven't been a little kid for a long
time. You don't see that but it's true.
I don't think you ever will see it
either. I don't want to be around some
guy that's supposed to be my father...
but looks like a total freak. Doing
drugs with a bunch of losers.
The Cap'n slaps Chip across the face.
CHIP (CONT'D)
You think that's the answer to
everything. Someday I'm going to grow up
and I'll be just as big as you and you'll
never hit me like that again.
Chip runs towards the deck. The Cap'n follows.
EXT. YACHT - CONTINUOUS
CAP'N JACK
I'm sorry I hit you.
CHIP
You ain't never gonna hit me again.
CAP'N JACK
I'm sorry. You're right I'm never going
to hit you ever again.
CHIP
You're never going to hit me again and
you're never going to see me again.
Chip takes off running. He jumps off of the boat and runs
down the dock.
CAP'N JACK
Chip. Chip, come back. I'm sorry. Come
back. You can't just leave like this.
Where you going to go? Get back here.
As Chip runs on:
CHIP (V.O.)
I told myself if Mike Graves can walk two
hundred miles I could walk two thousand.
The only thing on my mind was getting
back home and somehow raising the money
to paint our home. I wanted kids to be
able to come over to our house and sit in
our home too. Especially Pam. It was
time to change things. The time had come
to make that change.
EXT. I-95 HIGHWAY - DAY
Chip exiting a 1957 Chevy station wagon. He waves good-bye
to the driver and sticks out his thumb.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
I imagined every color combination under
the sun. Pale yellow and lime green.
Cream and light brown. Light green and
deep forest green. Sky Blue and Dark
Blue. I settled on sky-blue and a darker
shade of blue.
EXT. CHIP'S HOME - DAY
SLOW MOTION MONTAGE:
CHIP'S FANTASY SEQUENCE:
Chip's in the back seat of a nice white Plymouth Fury III
with light blue interior and bubble seat covers. Chip's
beaming.
Elizabeth drives slowly down the street past the familiar
homes. Chip's home is now in view. It's beautiful and well
maintained. The most beautiful home on the block.
The house is light pastel blue and a darker shade of blue on
the trim. The lawn is lush green freshly mowed and the
sprinklers are watering the perfectly manicured lawn.
Elizabeth smiles. Cindy sits next to her mother holding her
cat.
Neighbors wave hello as they pull into their blacktop paved
driveway.
Chip gets out of the car as Pam Giotta rides up on her bike.
Chip waves hello to her.
Mike Graves points a thumbs up.
INT. WHITE PLYMOUTH - DAY
Chip sits in the back seat of the car. It comes to a stop.
A WOMAN sitting in the drivers seat looks back towards Chip.
She's like any typical house wife of the time. A LITTLE
GIRL, her daughter sits next to her mother.
WOMAN
This is as far as we go. What's a young
man like you doing hitch hiking anyway?
You be very careful young man.
CHIP
Yeah. Thanks for the ride lady.
Chip jumps out of the car. He walks on.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. OCEAN/YACHT - DAY
Return to opening scene. The older Chip stands on the deck
of the boat. The engine's power subsides.
Chip addresses the people on the ship. Although all are
older, CINDY, ELIZABETH, and TOMMY are now recognized as some
of the people on board. It's a memorial service.
CHIP
I don't know how many times I heard
people say that a man ain't supposed to
cry. It took me a long time to realize
that a man is just a man... and not much
more. It's true that a son expects much
from his father. And when his father
fails him it causes the kid alot of
grief. I don't know very much about
anything, but what I do know is that when
you're a parent you're thrown into a
situation something you're not really
prepared for I guess.
EXT. HATTERAS - DAY
Cap'n Jack stands behind his wheel. He's smiling down
towards a fishing party as they boat a fish. The Cap'n turns
towards Chip and smiles. A ten year old Chip, squinting from
the sun stares back at his father and smiles.
CHIP (CONT'D) (V.O.)
It must have been hard being Cap'n Jack
Miller everyone expected more from him
than he could give. I sure know that it
was hard being his son. I didn't
appreciate much of what he tried to do.
Or who he was trying to be. He was
exactly like me. Trying to fit into a
world that wasn't made for guys like us.
Anyways, that's all over now. He's gone.
I just wish I could go back and have some
of those times all over again. You never
really know what you've got till it's
gone and then it's too late. The Cap'n
wasn't really a such bad guy after all.
The camera pulls up and continues upward until the boat looks
like just another white cap on the ocean.
The camera continues to pull up until the ocean blue is all
that we see.
FADE OUT.
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