Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Newwww
¶ 10:42 PM
EXT. ABOVE THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY - SUNRISE (FALL, 1991)
Most of Berkeley and Oakland is visible in the distance. The
sun rises over the Oakland Hills. The hills are black with
smoke and the sun barely breaks through, and it is tinted red
from the extra particulate matter in the atmosphere.
An edited version of the SONG "Tennessee" by Arrested
Development PLAYS as the CAMERA MOVES toward the hills.
MAIN TITLE CREDITS APPEAR on screen as the CAMERA PASSES OVER
West Berkeley and Oakland's low-income housing. A bus
arrives in this area. NICK ADAMS, a twenty-five-year-old
African American man, gets on before the bus starts its route
toward the hills. Nick is physically fit, bordering on being
too skinny. The CAMERA FOLLOWS the bus along its route.
CREDITS end.
CUT TO:
EXT. INTERSECTION AT SKYLINE BLVD. AND GRIZZLY PEAK
The area is devastated. The area is hazy with smoke. Some
former houses are still smoldering, but the fire is mostly
extinguished.
The bus from before arrives at the intersection.
INT. BUS
Nick is sitting at the front of the bus. The BUS DRIVER, a
white man in his fifties with grey hair, suddenly begins
TALKING to him.
BUS DRIVER
You're the only guy I've had all
day, you know?
Nick is only paying attention to what's outside of the bus.
NICK
What?
BUS DRIVER
You're the only guy I've had all
day. Opened the route too early, if
you ask me.
NICK
Oh. Not too early for me, anyway.
The bus driver chuckles.
BUS DRIVER
You're just heading on up to see
what happened to the neighborhood,
I'd bet.
NICK
I've got my reasons, you know.
BUS DRIVER
Oh? Do tell. You know somebody up
there or something?
NICK
(quietly)
I did, once.
The driver doesn't appear to have heard that.
BUS DRIVER
Next few weeks, I bet every rider I
get's just another looky-loo --
Nick doesn't respond.
The bus driver looks at Nick suspiciously in a large rear
view mirror.
BUS DRIVER
You sure you're not just here to
see the damage?
NICK
Yes, I'm sure! I'm getting off at
the end of the line.
This ends their conversation.
CUT TO:
EXT. GRIZZLY PEAK BLVD. - MOMENTS LATER
The bus stops, Nick gets off, and the bus turns around. Nick
is carrying an overpacked duffel bag that looks about twenty
years old. He has to strain to lift the bag over his
shoulder, and after he does it looks like it is cutting into
his skin.
Nick walks north up the street, passing destroyed houses
along the way. Occasionally there are PEOPLE looking through
the remains of their property for anything salvageable.
Most of these people are white and appear rich, their
expensive-looking cars parked close by.
Nick stops in front of the remains of a house that once had a
nice view. He sits in front of a solitary chimney and takes
in the view. He looks especially at the houses in west
Berkeley. He then shifts his attention to some of the other
people in the area. Some are former homeowners based on the
expressions on their faces, but others are simply enjoying
the view. There are people taking photographs in the rubble.
Nick LAUGHS at the sight of people finding joy in the
situation.
He looks again at the view, paying particular attention to
the area where we saw him get on the bus earlier. He appears
relieved.
NICK
It's so far away ...
Nick gets up.
NICK
I should hurry.
He repositions the bag on his shoulder and continues up the
street. Some of the people in the area look at him
disapprovingly, but Nick ignores them.
CUT TO:
EXT. GRIZZLY PEAK BLVD. - FARTHER NORTH
Nick eventually reaches the edge of the fire line, moving
toward vegetation that isn't burned. On a day like this
there would normally be joggers, bicyclists, and motorists,
but the haze is so thick most people are staying away from
the area.
CUT TO:
EXT. TILDEN PARK ENTRANCE - LATER
Nick stops in front of the sign for the south entrance of
Tilden Park. He HEARS the VOICES of two young boys and a
man. They are DISTORTED and barely audible. This is the
beginning of a series of memories for Nick. With each one,
as Nick visits each new location, the film should grow
steadily BRIGHTER and SOFT, and the DISTORTION should
clarify.
The voices belong to a six-year-old version of Nick, a friend
of his named HOPKINS JUNIOR, and HOPKINS SENIOR. Hopkins
Junior always SOUNDS excited, while the younger Nick and
Hopkins Senior share a more relaxed SPEECH PATTERN.
VOICE OF YOUNG NICK
Thanks for taking me here, Mr.
Hopkins.
VOICE OF HOPKINS SENIOR
No problem, Nick.
VOICE OF HOPKINS JUNIOR
Wait till you see the --
The VOICES FADE OUT. Nick looks more determined to move on.
As Nick walks into the eerily deserted park he passes several
locations. Each location has an undesirable layer of soot
covering it.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAIN RIDE PARKING LOT
Nick walks through the parking lot of the train ride. There
are no rides today and the entrance is blocked off. The
VOICES continue.
VOICE OF HOPKINS JUNIOR
You've never been on the train
ride? It's so fun, they give you a
little ticket and after your fifth
ride you get a free ride! And I got
a train whistle.
The SOUND of Hopkins Junior BLOWING a TRAIN WHISTLE can be
HEARD, equally DISTORTED.
As the train ride isn't open, Nick moves on.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOTANICAL GARDEN
The garden area is closed, but Nick smells the flowers from
outside the fence. He breathes in too deeply and coughs from
the smoke. The VOICES continue as he looks at the plants
through the fence.
VOICE OF HOPKINS JUNIOR
Oooh! Look at the cactus!
Nick doesn't linger outside the garden very long.
CUT TO:
EXT. MERRY-GO-ROUND
Nick walks up to the deserted merry-go-round. No one is
around and he mounts a wooden horse. Nick looks at the
horses around him and the VOICES continue.
VOICE OF HOPKINS JUNIOR
This is just like Mary Poppins!
VOICE OF YOUNG NICK
Who's Mary Poppins?
The merry-go-round isn't rotating today. Nick appears upset
about this, and he bounces up and down on the horse. AUDIBLY
dissatisfied, he dismounts and continues his walk.
CUT TO:
EXT. PONY RIDE
The ponies are in the stable, and their harnesses are sitting
still and empty.
FADE TO:
EXT. PONY RIDE - FLASHBACK (1972)
Many kids are riding the ponies. We SEE a younger Nick and
Hopkins Junior among them, but they are not FOCUSED on.
FADE TO:
EXT. PONY RIDE (1991)
Nick walks past the pony stable and continues down the road.
CUT TO:
EXT. EQUESTRIAN CAMPSITE - MIDDAY
The campsite is as deserted as the rest of the park. Nick
finds a suitable spot and sets down his duffel bag and opens
it up. He pulls out a large canvas tent, a bag of petrol
soaked charcoal, and food. He carries the charcoal over to a
campsite barbecue, meticulously removes the black-greased
grill, and pours in the charcoal. He lights one match and
places it at the edge of the charcoal pile and watches the
flame transfer from one charcoal briquette to the next.
Satisfied that the fire is growing, Nick goes back to his
things and begins to methodically prop up the tent. When he
finishes, his stomach GROWLS.
Nick SNAPS his fingers, pulls out a wire brush and picks up
the food. Back at the pit, he replaces the grill and lets it
burn for a few moments before vigorously brushing the grill
clean. This causes a lot of ash, rising sparks and smoke.
The CRACKLING is accompanied by the VOICES of children
playing. The VOICES are now almost as clear as normal sound,
but there are so many OVERLAPPING that they are indistinct.
The VOICES get LOUDER and the film image is now as bright as
it will get.
FADE TO WHITE
EXT. INTERSECTION AT OREGON AND DOHR ST., BERKELEY - EARLY
MORNING (1972)
The exposure has returned to normal. In this area, houses
look tattered and the streets are unclean. At this
particular intersection there is an old Victorian house with
chipping paint on the corner. From several blocks away,
police SIRENS can be HEARD. There is also the SOUND of a
TRAIN passing and of a distant FREEWAY.
Nick, now a boy of six, is waiting near the corner. He is
carrying a brand-new duffle bag. He looks awkward carrying
it because it is nearly the same size as he is. It is the
same bag seen earlier, only newer. His clothes have a
similar look of being brand new yet from a discount store of
some kind.
Standing behind him is RHONDA ADAMS, a twenty-seven year old
African American woman. She is Nicks mother. Her hair is
long and not made up, naturally curly and unorganized. She
wears a simple blue dress.
An AC Transit bus arrives at the intersection.
RHONDA
Now be sure and get on the right
bus, and go to school.
YOUNG NICK
Yes, Mama.
She gets on the bus and leaves Nick behind.
Nick stands, waits, and readjusts his duffle bag repeatedly.
CUT TO:
TITLE: THIRTY MINUTES LATER
CUT TO:
EXT. INTERSECTION AT OREGON AND DOHR STREET - 30 MINUTES
LATER
Nick yawns. A big yellow 1960s school bus turns the corner
and stops in front of Nick. The doors open and Nick gets on.
CUT TO:
INT. SCHOOL BUS
Nick greets the driver SILENTLY, who does not respond, and
observes the empty bus. He sits in the front seat.
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL BUS
The bus continues down the road towards the hills. The
CAMERA FOLLOWS the bus in a similar fashion to the opening
sequence. On the way it picks up other people around Nick's
age. The kids who appear to know each other congregate in
the back of the bus, and others find their own seats. Nobody
pays any special attention to Nick at the front.
The bus ends its route at an elementary school and everyone
gets off.
EXT. OXFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BERKELEY
All of the students are gathering at a list posted on the
wall to see which classroom they are scheduled for.
Nick approaches the list and eventually gets close enough to
see his name.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY
Nick is carrying his duffle bag up a flight of stairs at the
end of a hallway, he walks down the hall. At the end of the
hallway he enters a classroom.
CUT TO:
INT. CLASSROOM
The classroom has settled and the TEACHER begins her generic
introduction. She is a young, short-blonde-haired woman in
her early thirties.
TEACHER
Hello! How are all of you?
Welcome to my class. I thought we
could start things off today by
introducing ourselves to the class.
Just say your name and how old you
are. Then later we will have a
group activity where we will really
get to know each other...
Everyone has already found a seat, Nick is in the front row
of tables. The other students are ethnically mixed, for an
early 70s classroom, and groups have formed based on who's
from where. Nick is the only one from his area in this
class, however, and is sitting isolated. He is not really
paying attention to anyone but the teacher.
When the class's attention falls on Nick...
YOUNG NICK
(quickly and nervously)
My name is Nick Adams and I'm six
years old.
CUT TO:
EXT. OXFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - RECESS
Nick is playing with a kick ball against a wall by himself
while others around him are playing in groups.
CUT TO:
INT. CLASSROOM - LATER
The class participating in a group activity. The teacher
hands one sheet of paper to each group. She hands one to
Nick, assuming he's part of a group. Nick fills out the
sheet by himself. The other groups are getting LOUDER trying
to fill out the sheet, with more people it takes longer to
fill out.
Nick walks up to the teacher, who is sitting at her desk, and
turns in the assignment.
TEACHER
You're finished?
Nick nods.
TEACHER
You finished quickly, didn't you?
Nick shrugs.
YOUNG NICK
Can I use the bathroom, please?
As Nick asks this, a boy leaves his group and comes to the
teacher. It is Hopkins Junior. He is a white kid, his
clothes appear old and worn, and his hair is messy.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Can I use the bathroom?
TEACHER
I was just about to give Nick,
here, a pass. You two should share
it.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY
Nick and Hopkins Junior walk out of the classroom. Neither
are saying anything, but Hopkins Junior looks at Nick every
now and then on the way to the bathroom.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM
The bathroom is patterned with miniature red, orange and
brown tiles. There is only one light, and a clock on the
wall. The clock reads 2:02.
The two start to do their business. Hopkins Junior begins to
WHISTLE the tune of Sly & the Family Stone's "Family Affair."
Nick knows the tune and starts to WHISTLE along with him.
When they finish their business, Hopkins Junior begins to
SING the CHORUS of the song, and Nick joins on. The
ACOUSTICS of the room are perfect.
They find every single way of SINGING that CHORUS with
various ROUNDS and HARMONIES. Nick had brought his pencil
with him from class, and begins to use it like a microphone.
They trade the "mic" back and forth.
The clock now reads 2:10.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
They are still SINGING the CHORUS and are having a good time.
The clock now says 2:25. By now they are more laughing than
singing. Without saying anything they decide to go back to
their class. They begin to talk to each other as they pass
through the door.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY
They walk out of the bathroom and head toward their class at
the other end of the hallway. Their conversation continues.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
...But everybody just calls me
Hopkins Junior.
YOUNG NICK
Well, my name's Nick Adams. But
you can call me Nick.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
You want to come to my house this
weekend? We could go camping.
YOUNG NICK
I've never been camping before...
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET - MORNING
Nick is standing on his porch with his duffle bag. His
mother is watching him through the screen door. She looks
worried.
RHONDA
You be careful.
YOUNG NICK
Yes, mama.
A brand new 1972 Volvo pulls up in front of Nick's house.
Its trunk is covered with liberal bumper stickers. When it
stops, Hopkins Junior opens the door and runs out straight
for Nick. Hopkins Senior steps out of the car with the
enthusiasm more normal for an adult. He is a middle-aged
wannabe hippie, but his hair is straight and his clothes are
clean, even if they are worn. He doesn't step away from the
car, but he waves to Rhonda and she nods back.
Nick and Hopkins Junior go back to the car.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
This is my dad.
YOUNG NICK
(shyly)
Hello.
They get in the car.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR
Nick is sitting in the back seat, Hopkins Junior in the
passenger seat.
HOPKINS SENIOR
So, I hear you've never been
camping, Nick?
YOUNG NICK
Yes, sir.
HOPKINS SENIOR
You don't have to call me sir. The
Bay Area isn't the best place to go
camping, but there are a few spots
not far from our house. We just
got this new tent, we can give you
the old one if you'd like...
FADE TO:
EXT. FRONT OF HOPKINS HOUSEHOLD JUST OFF OF GRIZZLY PEAK,
OAKLAND HILLS - DAY
The Hopkins live in a two story house with a beautiful view
of the Bay Area. The Volvo pulls into the driveway and
everybody gets out.
HOPKINS SENIOR
Why don't you go play in the back
yard while I get our stuff ready?
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Okay!
CUT TO:
EXT. BACK OF HOPKINS HOUSEHOLD
In the back yard there are many expensive looking toys thrown
about. Nick and Hopkins go play. Mrs. Hopkins watches and
smiles from a second floor balcony.
HOPKINS SENIOR
You boys ready?
CUT TO:
EXT. GRIZZLY PEAK BLVD.
The three of them are walking north. Nick carries his duffle
bag, and both Hopkins Junior and Senior have large hiking
backpacks, though Hopkins Junior's is one made especially for
children. Hopkins Senior is also carrying a wrapped-up tent.
Nick and Hopkins Junior are walking a few feet behind Hopkins
Senior.
YOUNG NICK
How come you don't want to drive?
HOPKINS SENIOR
It's only a couple miles away, and
it's good exercise. A little
walking never hurt anybody.
Nick looks confused but doesn't question it.
CUT TO:
EXT. GRIZZLY PEAK BLVD. - FARTHER NORTH
Nick is a little out of breath from the steady and winding
incline of Grizzly Peak. The Hopkins appear used to it.
HOPKINS SENIOR
It's a shame all of these houses
are here, there used to be a nice
view from here.
CUT TO:
EXT. TILDEN PARK ENTRANCE - LATER
The arrive at the entrance to the park.
YOUNG NICK
Thanks for taking me here, Mr.
Hopkins.
HOPKINS SENIOR
No problem, Nick.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Wait till you see the pony and
train rides! Oh and the merry-go
round! Oh and Lake Anza --
HOPKINS SENIOR
I don't know if we'll have enough
time to go to all of those today.
YOUNG NICK
(smiling)
Maybe next time, then.
CUT TO:
EXT. PONY RIDE - ANOTHER DAY
This is the same SCENE from the FLASHBACK earlier, with many
children riding the ponies. Only this time Nick and Hopkins
Junior are FOCUSED on, and there is no DISTORTION of the
IMAGE. Their clothes are different from the previous SCENE.
Hopkins Senior can now be seen watching from the sidelines.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRAIN RIDE - ANOTHER DAY
Hopkins Junior, Senior and Nick are sitting on a moving
miniature train, with a beautiful view of Tilden Park behind
them. Their clothes are different from the previous SCENE.
There are other families on the train as well.
Hopkins Junior is BLOWING on a wooden TRAIN WHISTLE.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Do you want to try?
He hands the whistle to Nick. Nick BLOWS on the whistle
nervously and QUIETLY.
HOPKINS SENIOR
Come on, I think you can do better
than that!
Nick BLOWS the whistle extra LOUD. He then laughs in joy.
CUT TO:
EXT. EQUESTRIAN CAMPSITE - ANOTHER DAY
Nick and Hopkins Junior are playing catch on the grass field
while Hopkins Senior cooks hot dogs and hamburgers on the
barbecue pit close by.
Nick throws the ball but Hopkins Junior misses the catch. As
he goes after the ball, his attention shifts to the ground.
Nick appears puzzled on the other side of the field. Hopkins
reaches down and picks something up, cradling it in his
hands.
Nick runs over to Hopkins Junior.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
I caught a snake!
It is a tiny garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia).
Hopkins Junior carries it over toward the picnic tables and
puts it in a Dixie cup.
The CAMERA TRACKS and ZOOMS in on the head of the snake.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE COURTYARD, BERKELEY - ANOTHER
DAY
CU artificial whale's head. The CAMERA TRACKS backward to
reveal the Lawrence hall of science.
With Lawrence Hall's fountain in the FOREGROUND and the
Golden Gate far in the BACKGROUND, Nick and Hopkins Junior
climb the body of a life-sized artificial whale among other
children. Their clothes are different from the previous
SCENE. They slide down the nose of the beast before climbing
back up and sliding down the tail.
Hopkins Senior is sitting at the lip of the fountain,
occasionally taking photographs. He is sitting with other
parents. He is in the middle of a conversation with
MARJORIE, the mother of one of the other children.
HOPKINS SENIOR
...And I take them all over Tilden.
MARJORIE
I see. You know, now that the
weather's clearing up you ought to
take them to Strawberry Canyon to
swim.
HOPKINS SENIOR
Nah! If we're going to go swimming
we're going to go to Lake Anza!
Hopkins Senior snaps one more photograph.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAKE ANZA - ANOTHER DAY
Nick, Hopkins Junior and Senior are sitting on the sandy
beach of Lake Anza. Hopkins Junior and Senior are wearing
swimsuits but Nick is wearing a pair of boxer shorts.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
How come you didn't have a
swimsuit?
YOUNG NICK
I ain't never gone swimming before.
Hopkins Junior's mouth drops open.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Well, come on!
Hopkins Junior drags Nick toward the water. Nick starts to
show signs of fear as he gets closer to the water. Once in
the water, Nick breaks free from Hopkins Junior's grip.
CU of Nick's knees and the water at that level.
YOUNG NICK
I think this is far enough.
Hopkins Junior looks puzzled. He moves to grab Nick again.
HOPKINS SENIOR
(shouting from the beach)
Don't force him.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
(shouting back, slightly
disappointed)
Okay!
Hopkins Junior suddenly grins before splashing Nick and
laughing. Nick splashes back and also laughs.
They continue to play in the water but Nick never goes in
deeper than his waist. Hopkins Junior is not hindered by the
water, however, and swims away from Nick.
Nick stands waist-deep in the water by himself.
FADE OUT:
TITLE: ONE YEAR LATER
FADE IN:
INT. SECOND GRADE CLASSROOM - DAY (1973)
Nick, Hopkins Junior, and their classmates are filling out
standardized test forms.
Nick and Hopkins Junior are sitting in desks right next to
each other. A PROCTOR is administering the test from the
head of the classroom.
PROCTOR
Remember, these tests don't affect
your grade. Just take your time
and answer them as best you can.
When you see the stop sign, STOP!
CU of the test book. On one page is a passage of text with
an illustration underneath. The illustration is of a
Nineteenth Century street with gas-fueled street lamps, a
horse and buggy, and men in top hats. On the other page is a
series of questions and bubble-in answers.
Nick looks frustrated as he tries to read the passage. He
glances at Hopkins Junior and notices that he has already
bubbled in several answers.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEAR MAILBOX OF THE HOUSE ON DERBY STREET - DAY
Rhonda Adams walks down the sidewalk towards her house. On
the way in, she opens the mailbox and picks up an envelope
from the California State Board of Education. Rhonda opens
it in the sunlight.
CU of the letter. WE only SEE one sentence that says "We are
enrolling Nicholas in the Resource Specialist Program (RSP)."
CUT TO:
INT. THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM - DAY (1974)
All of the students are starting to look older. Nick and
Hopkins Junior are working together on a project.
CU clock at 1:15.
The TEACHER, a middle-aged man wearing khakis and a green
sweater, walks up to Nick.
TEACHER
Nick, it's time for you to go to
room 47.
YOUNG NICK
But what about this --
TEACHER
(handing Nick a hall pass)
You'd better go or you could be
late.
Nick looks upset and shifts his attention to Hopkins Junior.
YOUNG NICK
Sorry. See you later.
Nick gets up and walks out of the room.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Where does he go every other day?
Before the teacher can answer, another KID comes over to the
table. This kid has blonde hair and blue eyes.
KID
Do you want to join our group?
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD - JUST BEFORE THE LUNCH BELL RINGS
(1977)
Nick is now in the sixth grade. Having been excused a few
minutes early, he's already eating his lunch on his own when
the BELL RINGS. Students begin to file out of the building
to socialize and eat their lunch. Nick spots Hopkins Junior
as he walks out, but Hopkins Junior walks past Nick to join a
group of other kids eating their lunch.
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - MORNING
(1978)
There are long lines of children waiting to pick up their new
class schedules. Nick walks with Hopkins Junior to the back
of the line.
NICK
Do you think we'll be in any of the
same classes?
HOPKINS JUNIOR
I don't know.
NICK
We didn't do anything together last
summer.
HOPKINS JUNIOR
We went swimming that time.
NICK
Oh, yeah, you're right. Maybe
we'll get to do more this year.
By now they have arrived at the table to pick up their
schedules. After they do, they compare them.
CU of their schedules. They have no classes in common.
Nick's schedule says "01 - 7TH GRD MATH" while Hopkins
Junior's says "01 - ALGEBRA."
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Damnit.
NICK
Well, maybe next year. We'll still
see each other at lunch, though,
right?
HOPKINS JUNIOR
Yeah...
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET - DAY
Nick is doing some home work in front of the TV when his
mother walks through the front door. Her BREATH SOUNDS
LABORED. Her eyes are bloodshot and her skin is dry.
NICK
Hi.
RHONDA
(after a breath)
Hey.
NICK
You okay?
RHONDA
Yeah. Just a little --
She goes to her room and lays down on her bed.
RHONDA
-- tired, that's all.
She closes her eyes and goes to sleep.
FADE OUT:
TITLE: THREE YEARS LATER
FADE IN:
INT. BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - AFTERNOON (1981)
Nick is now sixteen years old in the tenth grade. He is
walking through the crowded hallways of Berkeley High School
at the end of the school day. He shakes hands with or gives
high-fives to several other African Americans that he knows.
CUT TO:
EXT. BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL COURTYARD
Nick walks out of the building. Nick goes towards a group of
African Americans hanging out after school. The CAMERA stays
at a distance but can SEE that Nick is getting along well
with them.
NICK
(to the others, barely
AUDIBLE to the audience)
I gotta go check on my moms, but
I'll hang with ya'll later.
He hand-gestures a goodbye to the group as walks toward the
west gate.
CUT TO:
EXT. DHOR STREET, BERKELEY - LATER
Nick is walking back toward his house. Away from his peers,
he now looks stressed.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Nick collects the mail from the mailbox and walks up to the
house.
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET
Nick sets down his stuff before he looks at the mail in his
hands. There are a number of bills labeled "Second Notice"
as well as a paycheck labeled as a disability payment. He
walks back toward his mother's room.
She is laying in her bed with an oxygen tank plugged into her
nose. You can see a tumorous bulge on her neck.
NICK
(quietly)
Hey, mom, you awake?
Her eyes open slowly and she nods.
NICK
Your check came today.
He waves it in the air.
RHONDA
(slowly)
Oh, good.
CUT TO:
INT. BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION - DAY (1983)
Students stand in line to receive their diplomas. The
PRINCIPAL is handing them out after he CALLS their names.
PRINCIPAL
...Nick Adams...
Nick's name is read but he isn't there to receive it on
stage.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK IN THE BOX KITCHEN, BERKELEY - DAY
Nick is working as a cook. He drops some fries in a fryer
and a bubble splashes oil on his arm and hand. Nick REACTS
appropriately to the burn, by YELLING.
The MANAGER, a slightly overweight white man in his mid
thirties, is near by and his attention falls on Nick at this
moment. He becomes angry.
MANAGER
Damnit, Nick. You're fired.
NICK
What?
MANAGER
Get out of here, you're fired. You
might want to have that looked at.
Nick doesn't say anymore, he angrily walks toward the
bathroom.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK IN THE BOX BATHROOM
Nick removes his Jack in the Box uniform. He walks toward
the paper towel dispenser and pulls out a long sheet of it.
He wraps his hand and arm with the paper towel, wincing from
the pain.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER LOBBY, BERKELEY - NIGHT (1986)
Nick is mopping the floor behind the concession stand. The
doors to the nearest theater open and only a hand full of
people come out. Nick walks into the theater with the mop
and a trash can on wheels.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREETS OF BERKELEY - DAY (1987)
Nick is pushing his mother in a wheel chair a number of miles
from their house to Alta Bates hospital. His mother has her
oxygen tank attached to the wheelchair.
Nick has to constantly lift the chair to avoid the abundance
of uneven sidewalk. As hard as Nick tries it is still a
bumpy ride.
Nick hits an especially bad crack in the pavement and the
rubber part of the wheel comes off of its rim. Nick has to
stop, sit on the ground, and fix the wheel with his mother
sitting in the chair. While down there he notices the bump
also severely bent the wheel, and it will no longer function
properly. He spends some time trying to bend it back but
it's just impossible.
Nick continues toward the hospital, pushing the wheel chair
at a recline to avoid using the front wheel.
CUT TO:
EXT. ALTA BATES HOSPITAL ENTRANCE
Nick pushes his mother through the automatic doors.
CUT TO:
INT. ALTA BATES HOSPITAL
Nick's mother sits inside an examination room while Nick
talks to a DOCTOR.
DOCTOR
It doesn't look good.
NICK
Wh-what do you mean?
DOCTOR
There's nothing we can do about her
disease.
NICK
What are you trying to tell me?
DOCTOR
She's not going to survive much
longer.
Nick looks at him, stunned.
NICK
Well, how long does she have?
DOCTOR
Hard to say, could be a few weeks,
could be a year or two. We just
don't know...
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY (SUMMER, 1991)
There are a hand full of people surrounding a grave as a
casket is lowered inside. Nick is crying, SILENTLY.
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET - MORNING (FALL, 1991)
Nick is sitting in front of the television. He starts to
flip through the channels. He stops on a local news channel.
They are covering the Oakland Hills Firestorm, SHOWING the
devastation. The Hopkins Household is ON SCREEN for a few
moments, on fire.
Just as Nick recognizes the house, he HEARS FOOTSTEPS and
SEES a shadow at the front door. Through the front window he
can SEE a PG&E truck park at his house.
There is a KNOCK on the door, but Nick doesn't answer it.
After a few moments, there is a BANGING on the door from a
nail.
Through the front door, we can hear the MUFFLED VOICES of the
LANDLORD and PG&E ELECTRICIAN.
LANDLORD
I guess he isn't hear. Shame what
we're doing but they haven't paid,
so what can you do?
ELECTRICIAN
Cut the power?
LANDLORD
Yeah I guess so.
Nick's attention falls back on the TV. It is only a few
moments before the picture tube and all the lights turn off.
The SOUND of the PG&E truck driving away can be HEARD.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET, DOOR - LATER
There is an eviction notice nailed to the door. The door
opens and Nick steps out of the darkness inside to read it.
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE ON DERBY STREET
Nick grabs around in the dark looking for a flashlight. He
finds a child's toy flashlight. After turning it on, he
looks at it for a moment. He goes into his room and finds
the duffel bag from his childhood. He begins to stuff all of
his belongings inside. All of his clothes and all of his
belongings go inside the bag, including the tent given to him
by Hopkins Senior.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAKE ANZA BEACH - AFTERNOON
The sun is beginning to go down and the sky is red from all
the smoke in the air. The lake is as deserted as everything
else in the park. Nick is standing at the water's edge.
Without hesitation he walks into the water, forgetting to
undress. He gets to his knees and stops, just the way he did
when he was a child, but he's now taller. He's less afraid
of the deep and continues walking into the water.
He gets to the rope signifying the deep area, and goes
underneath it. The water is still only to his stomach. He
continues to walk but suddenly falls completely underwater.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAKE ANZA, UNDERWATER
The CAMERA SEES an underwater cliff that Nick has fallen off.
It can also SEE Nick flailing underwater, having never
learned how to swim, being pulled deeper by his shoes and
other clothes. He manages to grab hold of the cliff and he
pulls himself up.
CUT TO:
EXT. STILLNESS OF LAKE ANZA
The water is calm until Nick jumps up and takes a LOUD deep
breath. He is now safe but he's still flailing his arms. He
rushes as fast as he can out of the water back to the beach.
Once out of the water he falls down on the sand. It sticks
to his clothes, his face, and all over his body.
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN BERKELEY SIDEWALK - DAY (1993)
The CAMERA TRACKS, first SEEING Nick's duffel bag, then his
(now more beaten and worn) shoes, his legs, and then him. He
is sleeping on the street. By his head lays a cup with a
small amount of change. Lying on his face is a cardboard
sign that says "Please Help."
A young father with his son on his shoulders is walking down
the sidewalk. It is Hopkins Junior. He SEES the duffel bag
and recognizes it. He moves the sign and SEES that it is
Nick, who stays asleep. Hopkins Junior is shocked for a
moment, but then puts some change in the cup and walks away.
FADE OUT
THE END
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