Screenplay
“WILLIAM”
1995
Property Of
William T. Taylor
5678 Glenrock Drive
Frederick, MD 21703
1-301-662-1984
second draftcopyright #PAu 1-980-194
Scene 01 – Saturday, Sept. 1994 – Day
William -Age 20, freshman in college, one parent, only child, attends church, helps the less fortunate, quick to help and listen, reflects on his childhood for guidance, considerate and respectful. Determined, confident and aspires to be an elementary school teacher. William does not plan to have an influence on anyone – he just naturally does without knowing it.
William’s Mom -Age 52, single parent, loveable and financially struggling.
Pastor - Age 60 and conservative.
Bus depot, small town in West Virginia. William, William’s mom and their pastor are standing inside the bus depot.
WILLIAM’S MOM
(suddenly)
The bus is due any minute. (nervously) I know you’ll be fine but I will worry about you anyway. (realizes she is over reacting) I know, everyone goes to college.
WILLIAM
(puts arm around mom)
Mom I love you very much, I’ll remember everything you taught me. (upbeat) I have everything in order, I have already secured a full time job in Houston, I am going to college part time and in the very near future I will be a school teacher. I’ll be fine.
WILLIAM’S MOM
I know you will, I just wish I could have –
WILLIAM
Mom I will be just fine. I’ll be working full time and even though I’ll be going to college only part time, I’ll still get to become a school teacher. Thanks to you.
WILLIAM’S MOM
Well at least I feel better knowing that when you traveled to Houston, you already got yourself a job.
WILLIAM”S PASTOR
(decides to lighten the air)
I remember the first day I met William. It was on a Sunday, before the early service, at the church. He was nine years old and straight to the point and he said to me, “My Name Is William And I Want To Know More About This Church”. At that very moment I knew it would never be unclear what is on his mind and he was determined to get his answer.
William and William’s mom reminiscently laugh together.
WILIAM”S MOM
William has always found a lot of answers through you.
WILLIAM
Yea, but they were always easy questions.
The bus pulls up. William could see a mild panic in his mom’s eyes. William walks toward her.
WILLIAM
(hugging her)
I love you and I’ll be alright.
William turns to pastor.
WILLIAM”S PASTOR
(seriously)
You’re a natural, so just be yourself. (brief hug)
William gets on the bus, waves out the window and goes off.
WILLIAM”S PASTOR
William has balance of heart and mind, and with that combination he has distinct advantage over many.
Scene 02 – Monday, Sept. 1994 – Day
Edward McGee -Age 65, groundskeeper for the Douglas Estate, not healthy and well respected by the Douglas’s. Not a man of many words.
Mr. Douglas -Age 50 and caring.
William walks from bus depot, downtown Houston, to the Douglas’s estate. As William walks onto the Douglas’s estate Edward McGee meets him in the driveway.
EDWARD McGEE
I was expecting you, and I figured you would be on time or earlier. Did you walk the full five miles?
WILLIAM
Yes sir, I did.
EDWARD McGEE
(nod of approval)
I’ll take you to your room so you can drop off your things, then I’ll introduce you to Mr. Douglas.
They walk toward an apartment over a storage barn.
WILLIAM
It is great to be here, and as you said in our interview you need someone you can count on, and I’m your man! Thanks again for this opportunity.
Edward smiles and continues walking toward William’s apartment and when they arrive just outside the door.
EDWARD
Drop off your things and I’ll wait for you on the front lawn.
William does exactly as Edward stated and hurriedly met him on the front lawn.
EDWARD
Follow me, Mr. Douglas is expecting us.
Edward and William walk towards the back door of the house. As they approach the door, Mr. Douglas opens it.
MR. DOUGLAS
Come on in.
Edward and William enter the house. Mr. Douglas extends his hand to William.
MR. DOUGLAS
Hi, so you’re William the one Edward wanted to hire.
WILLIAM
Yes sir.
Mr. DOUGLAS
We think an awful lot of Edward, and he just doesn’t want to admit he is not as young as he used to be, so we encouraged him to run a help wanted ad for room and board, minimum wage, and get an assistant. That appears to be you. Well, if you can win Edward over that’s good enough for me. I just like to meet everyone so I’ll know your face and not be alarmed when I see you around the place.
WILLIAM
I understand sir.
MR. DOUGLAS
I understand you’re working your way through college - I admire that.
WILLIAM
Yes sir and thank you sir.
MR. DOUGLAS
(jokingly to Edward)
He certainly isn’t lacking respectfulness. Well let’s get him going and take some of that workload off of you.
WILLIAM
It was nice meeting you.
Mr. Douglas smiles in acknowledgement. Edward and William exit the Douglas’s house and as they walk away.
EDWARD
Take the rest of the day off and settle in. I’ll meet you in the stables in the morning at 6:00 AM.
WILLIAM
Yes sir.
William and Edward part walking in different directions.
WILLIAM
(talking aloud)
Edward is a strictly by the book type person but he seems fair. An honest days work for an honest days pay.
William goes back to his apartment, gives it a closer look. William walks through the small living room, the kitchen, and checks out the bathroom and then into the bedroom. William lies on the bed, looking up.
WILLIAM
(talking aloud)
I finally have my own place. (pause) What shall I do first? (he thinks for a moment, snuggles into the mattress) My first course of action in my own place, is no action.
William rolls over, adjusts his pillow for his head and falls asleep.
Scene 03 – Tuesday, Sept. 1994 – Morning
William gets to the stables early. Then Edward arrives. Edward looks at a clock on the wall; it’s 5:45 AM.
EDWARD
So, you don’t have a problem getting up early?
WILLIAM
Usually I don’t but I didn’t want to take the chance of being late. Mr. McGee you may have to tell me something once but you won’t have to tell me twice.
Edward shakes is head in approval.
EDWARD
Let’s walk around and I’ll show you the place.
William and Edward walk through the Douglas estate, identifying tractors, mowers, fencing, horses and Edward explains their care and maintenance.
Edward and William standing at the Douglas fence line.
EDWARD
(pointing)
Beyond this fence line is the Hollinsworth estate. Great neighbors----each respects the other.
Montage of William over the next couple of weeks, mowing, mulching, watering grass and flowers, moving hay, caring for the horses and cleaning the stables. William is feeling right at home.
Scene 03a – Wednesday, Sept. 1994 – Day
Postman –
Salesperson –
Volunteer –
William walks to campus and registers for class. William enters a large room following the detailed directions at each station to register. He collects all the necessary forms and sits at a table to fill them out. He finishes, submits them, writes a check and everything is approved. As William is walking out.
WILLIAM
(very satisfied says aloud)
That was easy enough. Now to secure transportation.
William looks in both directions, not knowing which way to go, decides right, and off he goes heading up one of the town streets. He stops and asks a postman.
WILLIAM
Excuse me, could you tell me if there is a bicycle shop in town?
POSTMAN
(kindly turns and points)
Go to the first stop sign and turn right. It’s about half a block down on the right.
WILLIAM
Thank you. Have a good day.
William enters the bicycle shop and walks up to the counter.
WILLIAM
(says to salesperson)
I need a bicycle to travel back and forth to school. Nothing fancy.
William and the salesperson walk towards a row of bicycles. After a little searching and considering the price, William decides on one. Writes a check and off he goes, riding his new bicycle.
As William is riding back to the Douglas estate, he cuts through a side street and passes by a soup kitchen. He rides just a little further, stops and turns to go back. William goes inside.
WILLIAM
(asks the volunteer)
Could you sue some help?
VOLUNTEER
(thankfully)
Saturday evenings are our busiest time. We can always use help then.
WILLIAM
Well that’s perfect, Saturday is better for me too.
Volunteer hands William a form.
VOLUNTEER
Fill out this information form and we can schedule you to work at your earliest convenience.
As William is writing.
VOLUNTEER
Are you starting to college this fall?
WILLIAM
(continues writing, proudly states)
Yes I am.
William completes form and hands it back to the volunteer.
VOLUNTEER
Well, when can you start?
WILLIAM
You said Saturday is your busiest day, so how about this Saturday?
VOLUNTEER
(smiling)
Saturday it is. The rush starts at 5:00 PM.
WILLIAM
(also smiling)
I’ll be here, and it is nice meeting you.
William walks out, gets on his bicycle and off he goes.
Montage of William attending evening classes on campus, studying in the library, volunteer work at the soup kitchen on Saturdays and church on Sundays. William is busy and happy.
Scene 04 – Friday, Sept. 1994 – Day
Jonathan Adams -Age 65, old fashioned, reserved, overseer for the Hollinsworth estate, longtime employee, very loyal, wise, an old dinosaur with a modern view and understands the generation gap.
William is mulching a line of trees on the adjacent property line of the Hollinsworth estate. Jonathan sees William working and walks over to say hello.
JONATHAN
I have seen you working for the past couple of weeks and this has been my first opportunity to say hello. I’m Jonathan Adams the Hollinsworth groundskeeper.
WILLIAM
Nice to meet you, I’m William. (pause) I hope you don’t mind that I continue working as we speak?
JONATHAN
Oh no, I’m impressed with your diligence.
William continues to work and Jonathan is observing.
WILLIAM
(politely)
Boy this is certainly a nice day isn’t it.
Jonathan sensing William is trying to be polite.
JONATHAN
Yes it is, when you have your health every day is good.
WILLIAM
(pauses)
Yea, health does have great value.
JONATHAN
What brought you to Houston?
WILLIAM
I like Texas and I am working so I can go to college.
JONATHAN
How long do you think it will take to save enough money to go?
WILLIAM
Well it’s more like when will I finish. I go to school part time in the evenings. This is my first year but it’s a start.
Jonathan is impressed with William’s attitude, so upbeat, and he wouldn’t neglect his duties as he talked.
JONATHAN
You must keep very busy working fulltime and school also.
WILLIAM
Yea, but I don’t mind. Some people don’t even get the opportunity. Even though it will take me longer this way, I go to bed each night knowing I will get there. (pause) I hope I’m not talking your ear off, I guess it’s because Edward and I don’t do much talking.
JONATHAN
(smiles encouragingly)
What are your hours?
WILLIAM
Monday through Friday 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
JONATHAN
(optimisticly)
Well you have your weekends free.
WILLIAM
(comfortably)
Not completely, I do volunteer work on Saturday evenings and I enjoy church on Sundays, but it really is a nice balance in my life.
JONATHAN
(thinking to himself)
This young man is willing to work hard for school and still listens to his heart for others. I understand completely the need for balance of life. This young man is breath of fresh air.
JONATHAN
If in your spare time you wish to come over and visit for a chat, please do. I am here on Saturdays too.
WILLIAM
(joyfully)
Thank you Mr. Adams, I will do just that.
Jonathan turns to walk away and as he is walking he talks over his shoulder.
JONATHAN
Call me Jonathan, after all we are colleagues.
William smiles for a moment, and then goes back to work.
Scene 05 – Saturday, Sept. 1994 – Morning
William sees Jonathan as he walks towards the Hollinsworth stable and calls to Jonathan as he draws near.
WILLIAM
Well it’s Saturday and I thought I would stop by for a visit, if I am not interrupting your work.
Jonathan starts to speak but William interrupts.
WILLIAM
I didn’t know the best time to come over so I just guessed this might be your break time.
JONATHAN
(smiling and thinks to himself)
He doesn’t realize I’m not on a clock.
JONATHAN
Yes, as a matter of fact now is a good time.
WILLIAM
(smiling)
I’m glad I guessed right.
William and Jonathan enter the stables and there are several horses.
WILLIAM
You have more horses.
JONATHAN
The Hollinsworth’s have children and the Douglas’s do not.
WILLIAM
Do you do all the work yourself?
JONATHAN
Most of it but I do need help regularly. Speaking of help, I do have to hire someone regularly. If you could use some extra money I could use you on Saturdays and Sundays if you can work it into your busy schedule.
WILLIAM
(quickly replies talking to himself)
I could work on Sundays before the soup kitchen and after church on Sundays.
JONATHAN
(interrupts)
My hours are flexible; I just need someone I can count on.
WILLIAM
(enthusiastically)
Well you can certainly count on me. How soon could you use me?
JONATHAN
When can you start?
WILLIAM
(beaming)
(quickly) Tomorrow------If that’s okay?
JONATHAN
Perfect, tomorrow it is.
William is beside himself, not knowing what to do next.
WILLIAM
Do you need some help with anything today? (pause) Free of charge of course. I’m just hanging out and I would be glad to help if you need me.
JONATHAN
(thinks for a moment)
It would free me up for other things if you would mow behind the stables, about two acres.
WILLIAM
Sure, I would love to help.
Jonathan gets the riding mower.
JONATHAN
The Douglas’s have one similar to this one.
Jonathan starts the mower for William.
JONATHAN
(pointing)
Just follow the fence line.
Off William goes on the mower. When finished he returns. Shuts off the tractor and Jonathan walks over.
WILLIAM
Do you want me to fill’er up with gas?
JONATHAN
No---don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it; you already have been very helpful. You go on and enjoy your day.
As William walks away.
WILLIAM
I’ll see you right after church tomorrow.
JONATHAN
(forgetfully)
We haven’t discussed your pay.
WILLIAM
(yells back)
You haven’t seen my work either. You can decide after you see how I work.
William walks away. As Jonathan walks back into the stable.
JONATHAN
(says aloud)
I know I will like his work habits and he has a fair attitude.
Scene 06 – Sunday, Sept. 1994 – Day
William meets Jonathan at the stables immediately after church.
JONATHAN
Let’s walk around the grounds to familiarize yourself and then you can come back and start mucking stalls. You keep track of your time and give it to me each week. You may work up to 9:00 PM, or less, whichever works better for you.
WILLIAM
Sounds great and thank you.
Montage of Jonathan and William walking the Hollinsworth estate. Through the stables, storage barn, paddock areas, identify’s horses, goes over the use of the mowers and tractors and ends up back at the stables.
JONATHAN
(seriously)
Mr. Hollinsworth is very protective of his family. You must limit yourself to the areas we discussed.
WILLIAM
I understand and I’ll ask you before I do anything new.
Jonathan gives a serious nod of approval.
JONATHAN
(semi-seriously)
Well I know you know how to take care of stables. Show me what you can do with this one.
William quietly starts to work, mucking stalls.
Montage of the next few weeks. William works at the Douglas’s and the Hollinsworth’s, attends college, volunteer work and church.
William in bed before going to sleep.
WILLIAM
(writing a letter to Mom)
Dear Mom, I love you and miss you but I have to say I am excited with all my opportunities. Thank You. School is great and I am enjoying the soup kitchen and I attend church regularly. But I have to tell you more about Jonathan. Jonathan is the groundskeeper for the adjacent Hollinsworth estate and he is allowing me to work part time, allowing me flexible hours, for extra money. I have great respect for him and I believe we are going to be good friends. I can certainly count on him as long as I don’t cross the employer/employee relationship. Jonathan takes his long time position with the Hollinsworth’s seriously. He just seems so wise. You can certainly feel more comfortable about me being away from home with Jonathan in the picture. I love you Mom! Until Next Time. William