"For us the living"
Written by
Jack Archer Lana
Based on his short story
FIRST DRAFT
2003 WINTER
THIS DRAFT: AUG 26TH 2007
©2007. All Rights reserved
FADE IN ON:
WABASH RIVER - MIDDAY
The yak river. High above we pull up to reveal the
Cities on both sides. We pull towards a bridge a person stands looking into the Wabash.
KEVIN (V.O)
Many people, don’t care anymore.
They feel like life has swept them
By. They do childish things only to
Be accept by others. Its starts when
Your in high school. The drugs, the
Sex, the wild parties.
The person is Kevin. He wears a black hoody.
The wind picks up.
KEVIN (CONT’D)
This is my story.
SKYLINE OF CITY - EVENING
An Amber yellow sky. The MAIN TITLE sequence begins.
CUT TO:
A series of SMASH CUTS:
Mike’s alarm clock is going off. Kevin misses bus. Heather is getting ready for school. Kevin walks to school. Mike’s wakes up and has a headache. Heather cleans up her mom’s beer bottles. Mike yelled at by father. Kevin’s bag breaks, he picks up his books. Mike walks into kitchen, mother has breakfast ready. Heather gets paintings together, had cigarette burn on it. She gets into car and goes to school. Mike gets into car. Kevin is picking up books. Guy on skateboard knocks books out of his hands. Mike driving. Heather arrives at school. Mike drives by Kevin and throws a banana at him. Kevin throws banana at car. Heather says hi to people at school. Mike walks in the door. Kevin walks into the school carrying his books. Heather says hi to Mike. Kevin is running to get to class. Heather says hi to Kevin.
Fade in and out of Black:
school-Lunch – DAY
Food is slopped on tray. Mike walks towards table with a bunch of people. Kevin walks to table with one kid. Kid with “push me” sign on his back. He gets shoved into trashcan or conveyor belt. He sits with Kevin. The kid who pushed him will sit with Mike. Several other kids will sit with Mike. Kid with food all over him sits next to Kevin.
Kevin
What happened to you?
Food Kid
That jerk Dave poured his lunch-lady-surprise on me.
push me kid
At least you didn’t get pushed in a trashcan!
Kid with chessboard joins the table.
Chessboard kid
Still got that “push me” sign on you, I see.
Push me kid
What are you talking about?!?
Kevin
Well if it makes you guys feel any better, Mike
threw a banana at me on the way to school today, and Bobby knocked my books out of my hands.
Chessboard kid
Loser!!
Cool table
bobby
Hey Mike, I heard you got pretty trashed last night. Holla!
Mike
Shut up! My dad is going to murder me. He caught me last night and said that if it ever happens again, he won't pay for anything; including college. I can’t pay for that.
Bobby
That sucks!
jake
Your birthday party is tomorrow night too!
mike
From the way my dad was talking, I’m surprised he didn’t call the cops on me.
Bobby
I’m just glad I can get trashed!
mike
We’ll still have the party; I just won't drink…or will I???
push me kid
Kevin, you seriously need to start sticking up for yourself, or you’ll have to find somewhere else to sit.
Kevin
Why do those jerks think they are so much better than us?
Mike
We are so much better than those losers over there. Up top! Let’s go shove kids into lockers!
DISSOLVE TO:
school-Hallway
Heather walks past Kevin and he checks her out.
Heather
Hey Kevin.
Kevin
Heather are how you? I mean…you how are? I mean…what’s up?
Heather
What’s up?
Heather walks away. Cool kids are trying to stuff kids into lockers in the background.
Kevin
That is the only girl in the world that has ever been nice to me.
Push me kid
In your dreams. Loser!
Security guards walk by. Cool kids run away. Security guards run out of shot, and then back into the shot to shove push me kid, and then runs back out of the shot.
Fade in and out of black:
Car scene 1#
Bell rings. Students exit the building. They pull up next to each other at a light. Chessboard kid puts in tape. Mike and cool kids put in CD. Hear classical and rap music. Shot of subwoofers. Rev engines. Race, and cool kids get pulled over. They are listening to Frank Sinatra. Shot of Chessboard kid raising the roof to rap music.
Fade in and out of black:
Kevin is trying to write Heather. Pen and paper flying out the window.
DISSOLVE TO:
Mike’s friends are helping him escape.
DISSOLVE TO:
Kevin is trying to call Heather. Phonebook flies out the window. Phone flies out the window.
DISSOLVE TO:
hank’s house
Cool kids are hanging out while drinking.
Hank
I thought you weren’t going to drink tonight.
mike
I’m not…or am I?
Hank
Yeah, you are.
Mike
Oh…right. It’s cool as long as we don’t get caught.
dissole to:
kevin’s house -evening
Kevin is typing an email to Heather. Shot outside of window. Nothing happens.
DISSOLVE TO:
Cool kids talking.
hank
Lets go hang out by the river.
They get in a car and drive towards the river.
DISSOLVE TO:
Computer monitor goes flying out Kevin’s window.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. bridge- day
On cops
Kevin goes for a walk to cool off. Cool kids hanging out by river. They are playing with fireworks. Hear sirens. Everyone runs. Mike jumps off of a bridge. Kevin swims and saves him.
Kevin
Are you OK?
Mike
Don’t take me to jail.
Kevin
What?
mike
Oh, it’s you.
Shot of guy in animal suit.
kevin
Oh, it’s you.
Kevin starts to walk away.
mike
Wait! I’ll give you all the hay you want!
kevin
What?!?! What are you talking about?
Mike
When did you get here? What did you do with the horse?
Kevin hears the cops.
kevin
Why am I doing this?
Kevin picks Mike up and carries him to his car.
mike
My car is over there.
Kevin
I don’t have a license.
mike
So…?
kevin
I’ve never driven before.
mike
It’s cool. Take my keys.
kevin
I’m taking you home. Where do you live?
mike
I can’t go home. My dad will kill me.
kevin
Where am I supposed to take you?
mike
I don’t know. Just not my house.
Kevin
I’m either taking you to the station or to your house.
mike
I can’t go home. I can’t get caught by my father.
Kevin
Why should I care?
Mike
I have something you want.
kevin
Hay?
mike
No. What? There’s got to be something I can do for you. I’ll give you money.
Kevin gets out of car.
DISSOLVE TO:
Kevin drives (through people’s yards) to Mike’s house. They sneak inside through a 2nd story window.
Fade in and out of black:
heather fight with mom
Heather is painting in her room. Her mom comes home drunk with a man.
heather’s mom
Did you clean up the house?
heather
I cleaned up your mess; all those beer bottles. Who was that man you were with?
heather’s mom
None of your business. Shut up.
heather
When are you going to start being the mom around here instead of me?
Heather’s mom slaps Heather.
Heather’s mom
Don’t tell me how to be a mom.
heather
Someone needs to.
heather’s mom
It’s not my fault that your father left us.
heather
When is this going to stop? What is it with you and alcohol? What is it with my friends and alcohol? I don’t understand. Why does everyone think that alcohol is the answer? It certainly hasn’t been the answer in this family.
Heather’s mother throws a chair at her.
Heather’s mom
Look Heather; I know I have a problem…do you think I’m proud…
Heather
Then get some help!
Heather’s mom
I don’t want it. I don’t need your help. I don’t need help from anybody. I’m going to bed.
Heather’s mom goes to her room. Heather cries.
fade in and out of black:
next day
Kevin misses the bus. Mike drives past him and offers him a ride.
mike
Need a ride?
Kevin
No thanks.
mike
Get in the car!
Kevin looks down at his books.
kevin
Ok.
Kevin gets into his car.
Kevin
Thanks.
mike
It’s the least I could do.
kevin
Actually, the least you could do is throw your breakfast at me.
Mike
I know I’ve been a jerk to you, which is why I want to know why you did that for me last night.
Guy in car
Creepy.
Kevin
I don’t know. I just did.
Mike
What can I do to make it up to you? What do you want?
Kevin
I don’t want anything from you. I just want to know what makes you and your friends cool, and me a loser.
mike
So its popularity you want.
kevin
I didn’t say that…but what if that is what I want?
Mike laughs hysterically.
mike
Oh…you’re serious. Well…this is awkward. What if I could help you? How about I take you to a party this weekend.
kevin
Yeah right. All of your friends will be jerks to me.
mike
Then how about I take you out to Britney’s party.
kevin
The class president? Who is going to be there? Are people going to be drinking?
mike
Do you have a problem with that?
kevin
No. I just don’t drink because I don’t see the point.
mike
Hey, well that’s cool. So I will see you Friday.
kevin
I’ll think about it.
Mike pulls into a parking spot at school. Push me kid walks in front of the car. Someone runs up and mauls him.
DISSOLVE TO:
Kevin walks up to his friends who are hanging out in the corral. Chessboard kid is playing chess.
Chessboard kid
Check!
choir boy
But not for long.
He moves piece.
Kevin
Hey. How’s it going guys?
Chessboard kid
Greetings and salutations.
choir boy
Hello, my baby
Hello, my honey
Hello, my ragtime gal
Send me a kiss by wire
Baby, my hearts on fire
If you refuse me
Honey, you'll lose me
Then you'll be left alone
Oh baby, telephone
And tell me I'm your own
Hello, my baby
Hello, my honey
Hello, my ragtime gal
Send me a kiss by wire
Baby, my hearts on fire
If you refuse me
Honey, you'll lose me
Then you'll be left alone
Oh baby, telephone
And tell me I'm your own
(pause)
kevin
You’re creepin’ me out kid.
Push Me Kid gets pushed into the scene and talks from the floor.
Push me kid
What’s up guys?
food kid
Preparing for an exhilarating day of learning!
Chessboard kid
Ha! I guarantee a grand victory in 3 swift moves.
kevin
Mike just invited me to go to a party with him.
(pause)
food kid
Mike? You mean the jerk Mike? You’re not going, are you?
kevin
Well…
chessboard
Don’t forget about my chess tournament Saturday.
push me kid
Since when do you talk to Mike?
kevin
I don’t. But yesterday… Never mind.
Chessboard kid
Checkmate. Pay up.
Choir boy hands chessboard kid $5.
Food kid
So Mike seriously invited you to go to a party with him?
Kevin
Yeah.
Chessboard kid
You know that the only reason they invited you is so that they can humiliate you.
Kevin
I don’t know.
Push me kid
I think it’s a bad idea. You are crazy!
Choir boy
Boy. Boy. Crazy boy.
everyone
Shut up!!!
Kevin
Maybe I am being crazy.
Chessboard kid looks at his watch.
Chessboard kid
Holy Moses! We only have nine minutes and forty seven seconds until class starts. I need to go!
DISSOLVE TO:
heather talks about party
Teacher is talking in front of class.
Teacher
Blah Blah Blah. I need to leave class for a minute. You can talk amongst yourselves until I get back.
Teacher leaves the room. Shot of Kevin working on a worksheet.
Britney
Hey Tiffany, are you coming to my party this weekend?
Tiffany
Yeah, I won't be there right away, but I’ll be there.
Britney
Great. How about you Heather?
heather
I don’t know. I don’t have a ride.
tiffany
I can give you a ride, if you want me to.
heather
No thanks. I have to help my mom.
britney
You really should come. It will be a lot of fun.
tiffany
We never see you at parties.
heather
I know. I’m not a big partier.
Britney
You need to have more fun every once and a while. Your mom can take care of herself.
Heather
I don’t know…
Tiffany
That’s it. You’re going. I’ll pick you up at 10.
Heather
All right. I guess I’ll go.
Shot of Kevin with a look of excitement.
dissolve to:
Shot of Kevin writing “Party at Britney’s”
DISSOLVE TO:
car scene #2
Bell rings. Students exit the building. Chessboard kid pulls up next to old ladies. He looks at them and revs his engine.
DISSOLVE TO:
Old ladies have hands on hood of car while being frisked by the police.
DISSOLVE TO:
party scene #1
Mike and Kevin pull up in car.
mike
So here we are.
kevin
Yes. Here we are.
(pause for 30 seconds)
Mike and Kevin simultaneously get out of the car. They walk towards Britney’s house.
kevin
So, what do you guys do at these parties?
mike
Well, everyone does their own thing. You know like…
Guy jumps through window or off of the roof.
mt. dew kid
Do the Dew!!!
Mt. Dew kid opens can and chugs the entire thing. He runs away.
kevin
Like that?
mike
Well, not exactly.
Two guys carry out another guy duct-taped in a trashcan.
kevin
How about that?
mike
Well, not exactly.
Guy rides past them on a flaming bike.
kevin
That?
mike
Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.
Mike and Kevin enter the house.
kevin
Where is Britney?
Mike
I don’t know. Where are any of the girls for that matter?
Random guy on couch
Where do you think they are?
Random guy points towards a door. Mike and Kevin walk threw the door to find all the girls cooking, mopping, and sewing, and doing laundry in the kitchen.
mike
Oh. Ok.
Mike and Kevin leave the room.
random guy on couch
Let’s get this party started! WHOOOOOOO!!!!
Tiffany and Heather enter. Tiffany walks to Britney and starts talking to her.
mike
Hey Heather. Have a drink.
Mike hands Heather a drink. Mike walks away and Heather sits down next to Kevin.
kevin
Hey Heather. How are you doing?
heather
Good. You want this?
kevin
No thanks.
Heather sets the drink down. Bucky walks past and picks it up.
Heather
I didn’t expect to see you here.
kevin
Yeah, it’s good to see you here.
Heather
You having fun so far?
kevin
It’s ok I guess. I’m not a big drinker
Heather
Me either.
Guy takes big drink of beer. The girls enter the room carrying alcohol. Different shots of people drinking alcohol and going upstairs. Mt. Dew kid drinks a Mt. Dew and throws the can behind him into a pile of 5 cans. People drinking alcohol. Kevin sitting on couch. People drinking alcohol. Mt. Dew kid drinks a can of Mt. Dew and throws in into a pile of 20 cans. People drinking alcohol. Kevin talking to people. Bucky sitting on couch next to Mike drinking. Mt. Dew kid drinks a Mt. Dew and throws cans into pile of 200. People drinking. Some guy stumbles and spills beer on Heather. Drunk guy laughs hysterically.
kevin
Dude. You jerk! Why are you laughing?
drunk guy
Because I didn’t get alcohol spilt all over me. HA HA HA
Drunk guy stumbles away.
kevin
Are you OK?
heather
I’ll be all right. I should have known not to come to this party.