Anxiety Stricken
 
Screenplay
 
 Written by
 
 ferf ziamond
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 FADE IN 
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Two burnout teenagers, BAGGER and NOPOLY sit in a smoke filled abandoned apartment. Cartoons on the television, volume on full blast, beer cans spread around. A Monopoly game board sits on the floor with the money and pieces unorganized.

Two typical mafia type gangsters, GHADO and ALFONZO burst through the door.

Ghado the taller of the two smirks, a horse voice.

GHADO

Feeling anxious boys?

The two have a look around.

GHADO (CONT.)

Have a good time at the

party? Now it’s time to

pay up.

INT. CAR - DAY

JIM PICKANEY, late thirties, behind the wheel, KELLY WHELMIN and son KEVVY sleep in the back seat. Jim narrates.

JIM’S VOICE

The three of us, my lovely

yet un-understanding wife

Kelly, her son Kevvy, and

myself approach our final

destination. Un-understanding

may not be a word, however

it explains Kelly perfectly,

in my eyes anyway. You’ll

understand when the time

comes. We drove from

Hillsboro Ohio just outside

of Cincinnati and are

arriving to our new little

home four hundred and

thirty miles away in

Lenoir North Carolina.

We pulled fifteen year old

Kevvy away from his good

friend Marshal who he grew

up with. Our family is

quite close with Marshal

and his mom. Four hundred

and thirty miles will

decide how close we remain.

They drive down a main road, storefronts, restaurants and a BOWLING ALLEY just before the turn off.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

I remember bowling.

The landscape is lush, children play on long lawns leading up to well crafted newly built homes. One stands out, a one story ranch, tanish in color, cultivated lawn, white picket fence.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

There’s ours. A window

next to the garage tempts

me to call the room my

office. A view of the

street, that works for me.

I am a cartoonist, yes, I

draw pictures and scribble

a joke underneath, I call

it a job and I still allow

myself to get stressed.

Yep, I‘m the guy that

average workers want to

slap across the head and

say, give me a break pansy!

For the record it’s not

the job that works me to

a frenzy, it’s the thoughts

eating away at my hopeless

brain. A pansy in a frenzy.

Jim looks to the back seat.

JIM

Honey, we’re home!

Kelly rubs her eyes.

KELLY

Wow. It’s still as

beautiful as it was three

weeks ago.

Kevvy stretches and grunts.

KEVVY

What the hell is this under

my ass? Ow! Shoot it’s the

damn seat belt buckle.

KELLY

Watch your mouth!

KEVVY

I didn’t curse ma.

KELLY

You said damn.

KEVVY

So?

JIM

Welcome home guys.

KEVVY

Great Jim. Shall we get our

gloves and throw the ball

around now?

JIM

If that’s what you want

to do smartass.

KEVVY

See mom. That’s where I

get it.

KELLY

Jim.

JIM

Relax Kelly. Look at this

place.

EXT. DRIVEWAY

They walk up to the front door.

INT. HOUSE

Inside is gorgeous. Wood floors, ceiling fans, a view of a lake out back from the large sliding glass doors.

KELLY

Where’s Kevvy?

JIM

He just went that way.

KELLY

Kevvy?

KEVVY

What?

KELLY

Where are you?

KEVVY

I’m in my room.

INT. BEDROOM

Kevvy lies down, his back on the floor with legs crossed while reading a motorcycle magazine.

INT. HALL

JIM

I have to take a walk.

KELLY

Jim, don’t start this crap

again.

JIM

I’ll be right back.

Jim walks to the sliding glass door, exits.

EXT. YARD

He walks along the lake.

JIM’S VOICE

I escape towards the lake.

I don’t know why I get

this feeling but it’s not

the first time. I begin to

panic and I don’t have a

reason to panic. I am

fearing made up things in

my mind. I’m dizzy, shaky,

hot, cold, confused. I

don’t want to walk too

close to the lake for

fear that I may jump in.

If Kevvy was next to me,

would I push him in? What

about Kelly? The thoughts

race. Am I losing my mind?

What the hell is wrong

with me? I try not to cry

or make an ass of myself.

I feel a tear. I would

let it drop so not to

draw attention but no one

is around so I wipe it.

What if I had a real job?

In an office in the city.

I’d have to walk or run

away whenever I felt this

way. What if I worked on

a construction site? I

could end up killing myself.

Or at a store assisting

customers. I could

embarrass myself. How would

I handle that? Could I

handle that? Would I have

to be put away?

DREAM SEQUENCE
 
INT. RUBBER ROOM
 
 Jim sits at the end of a bed wearing a straight  jacket. He sways back and forth.
 
INT. HOUSE – DAY
 

Jim and Kevvy sit in Kevvy’s room at a poker table Jim sips wine, Kevvy, a soda. Kevvy’s eyes raise from the magazine.

KEVVY

Fun trip Jim?

JIM

It wasn’t so bad. You guys

slept through the beautiful

parts.

KEVVY

Not that trip. You’re

attack by the lake.

JIM

Shhhh! Your mother!

KEVVY

She’s out.

JIM

I know but you never know.

KEVVY

Thanks for making sense.

Kevvy looks back down at the magazine. Jim smiles.

JIM

It wasn’t enjoyable.

KEVVY

I could tell.

He looks over the magazine.

KEVVY (CONT.)

You gotta do something

about that. It’s scary. I

know you tried everything

but this is crazy.

JIM

Don’t say crazy.

KEVVY

You know what I mean.

JIM

I have to look into more

solutions.

JIM’S VOICE

I am doubtful as to there

being any solutions. I

don’t want to be so

negative in front of the

kid though. He lost his

father for God’s sake. He

doesn’t need his dad’s

replacement snapping out

or bringing him down.

DREAM SEQUENCE

EXT. BUILDING

A FIREMAN runs into a burning building. Grabs a child, carries the child to a window, hands the child to another FIREMAN.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

He lost his dad, a fireman

who saved a child before

going back into a building

to die himself. A hero.

The building smolders. Smoke blows from the window.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

How can I ask this kid to

call me dad? His dad was

a hero for crying out loud.

INT. BEDROOM

In a child’s room, YOUNG KEVVY and his FATHER sit on a bed looking through a magazine. Young Kevvy wears a fire helmet.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

The only memory he has of

his dad is that motorcycle

magazine. Maybe if he did

call me dad all these

weird feelings would go

away. If it wasn’t for

that child burning in

that building, we wouldn’t

have what we have now.

Why was I put into this

poor kid’s life? There

has to be a reason. I

over analyze as always.

BACK TO SCENE

Kelly enters. She puts down her packages by the door and rambles on.

KELLY

Kevvy, I saw a bunch of

kids skateboarding, cute

girls watching. A pizza

place down the road. I

picked up these little

decorations.

A ceramic bird and glass ornaments.

KELLY (CONT.)

There is other stuff in

the car. Give me a hand

guys.

Kevvy claps.

KELLY (CONT.)

Not that kind of hand. I

ordered some furniture.

The stores are so nice.

The people are friendly.

The air is pure. Why

didn’t we do this sooner?

KEVVY

It’s a treat ma.

EXT. DRIVEWAY
 

Kevvy follows her to the car.

KELLY

I spoke to your grandmother.

She’ll be here in two days.

Jim begins to follow with the words echoing.

KELLY’S VOICE

She’ll be here in two days.

JIM’S VOICE

The words bounce around my

brain uncontrollably.

Couldn’t I get away from

these people for at least

a week? Why did we come

here? My mind becomes

clogged.

KELLY’S VOICE

Two days.

JIM’S VOICE

I need to sit.

Jim crouches on the grass. Kelly is not pleased.

KELLY

What now?

KEVVY

Let him relax ma. He drove

a long way.

JIM’S VOICE

Kevvy to my rescue. I knew

I liked this kid for a

reason. I wish he could

call me dad. Why did his

father die? Am I going to

die? How am I going to

die?

Jim sits pulling blades of grass from the ground. He looks upward.

DREAM SEQUENCE

EXT. SKY

Clouds form figures. A baby, an angel.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

When I die do I just

go away like it was before

I was born? Nothing?

The clouds turn dark.

EXT. CLIFF

A man jumps.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

Or is there really a

heaven and a hell?

INT. CAVERN

Fire and demons gathered. Typical image of hell.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

Can it be worse than my

nightmares? Am I doomed

to frightening images for

eternity?

INT. FUNERAL PARLOR

Jim lies in a casket.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

Will I have faculties

while lying in a box

forever? The thoughts

race back to Kelly’s big

news.

KELLY’S VOICE

She’ll be here in two

days.

BACK TO SCENE

INT. HOUSE – MORNING
 
 Jim lies in bed fully dressed staring at the ceiling  
 fan.
 
 JIM’S VOICE 

Two days pass. It’s time

for grandma to join us in

our tranquil getaway. Oh

joy! Kelly’s mom isn’t

the worst of people but

she can be a royal pain

in the ass at times. I

know her husband is

responsible for this

little trip. He just

couldn’t wait for us to

move far away so he could

ship her off to give

himself a vacation. I

envy that son of a gun.

EXT. GOLF COURSE
 
 GRANDPA stands, feet planted in the ground. He eases  
 back his club and whacks a ball. 
 
 GRANDPA
 Man I never felt so alive!
 It’s all in the follow 
 through.
 
 JIM’S VOICE 

He makes the best of his

time wife free while I

stand in the driveway to

greet his basket of joy.

EXT. DRIVEWAY

 Jim stands as a cab pulls in the driveway. MOM gets  out.

JIM

Hi mom.

The DRIVER smiles at Jim with his hand out.

JIM (CONT.)

What do I owe you my good

man?

DRIVER

Thirty one eleven sir.

Mom pulls her bag from the back seat.

JIM’S VOICE

Mom appears pleased to see

me but even more pleased

when seeing the house. I

imagine that hugging her

would be immensely

uncomfortable.

She approaches.

MOM

Hello Jim. Good to see you.

JIM’S VOICE

No hug. I am relieved.

Kelly emerges from the house.

KELLY

Mom!

She runs to hug mom.

JIM’S VOICE

It’s as if they hadn’t

seen each other two days

ago. I’d have to come back

a prisoner of war after

ten years to get her to

run to me like that.

INT. KITCHEN

They sit down to coffee, a talk show on TV.

MOM

You’re looking good Jim.

JIM

Yep. A lot has changed in

the last two days.

MOM

Where’s Kevvy? I bet he

got big.

JIM

Yea, we had to put him in

the garage. He can’t fit

in the front door anymore.

Kelly is stern.

KELLY

Jim!

JIM

Yea, yea. I got some work

to do.

KELLY

Right, go scribble some

pictures.

Jim walks toward his office.

JIM’S VOICE

Again it’s not the most

strenuous of work, but

some comments are not

called for. My scribbling

pays for everything we

have. I feel useless

enough without my work

being put down.

INT. OFFICE

Jim looks through a box, begins to unpack. He holds up an object.

JIM’S VOICE

There it is, my half a

trophy. I once won an

award for my art skill. It

came in two parts and over

the years only the top

piece remained.

He reads the trophy.

JIM

For an outstanding

performance in the field

of art. James Pickaney.

JIM’S VOICE

The bottom piece was just

a base. There was no

engraving or anything

special on it. The trophy

just can’t stand up

without it.

He throws the trophy into the closet.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

This is the beginning of

my new unorganized office.

He takes a seat at the desk looking out the window.

JIM

Inspiration. Give me some.

A bird, children, a random automobile. He draws a picture of a bird driving an automobile. A child leaping over it. A large portion of yogurt from the kids cup lands on the windshield. The bird makes a fist. The caption, “Darn kids!”

Kevvy looks over his shoulder.

KEVVY

You need help.

JIM

What did I tell you about

that? You’re gonna put me

closer to those padded

walls.

KEVVY

Sorry Jim. It is a clever

one.

He picks up the doodle.

KEVVY (CONT.)

It’s like when a bird

craps on a person’s car

right?

JIM

Can’t put nothing past

this valedictorian to be.

Speaking of that, how’s

the new school?

KEVVY

So far so good. Just a bit

uncomfortable around one

girl. She gets up and

walks out of the classroom

sometimes with no

explanation.

JIM’S VOICE

That might be strange for

Kevvy to grasp but not me.

 
FLASHBACK
 
INT. CHURCH

Jim as a child stands in church nervous. The congregation recites a prayer.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

At one time I can recall

doing something similar.

I was close to Kevvy’s

age when I had one of

those nutty feelings I

get from time to time.

He grasps the pew in front of him.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

An early Sunday morning

mass. I begin to panic

and I don’t have a reason

to panic. I fear made up

things in my mind. I tell

myself I have to run

screaming out of the church.

I leave but without running

and screaming.

He walks to the exit.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

My main concern was what

the people around me

thought.

The people continue reciting a prayer.

BACK TO SCENE

INT. OFFICE

JIM

Don’t take for granted

that you are somewhat

normal. You should be

there for people like

that girl if your help is

needed.

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

A mixture of ethnic backgrounds, some students gather by a desk in the back. Two burnouts at the window, one blows cigarette smoke outside, NOPOLY, the other, BAGGER, keeps an eye out for the teacher.

A cute brunette, CARM, sits alone in the back corner. Kevvy takes the seat beside her.

KEVVY

Hi.

Carm pops her gum.

CARM

Hey.

She turns the other way.

The teacher, early forties, tall, light hair, MR. QUINN, enters. Nopoly quickly drops the cigarette out the window. It doesn’t make it to the ground. It burns on the ledge outside the window.

MR. QUINN

Okay let’s settle down

and take our seats.

Bagger stands above Kevvy.

BAGGER

Dude, you’re in my seat.

KEVVY

If that’s how you do

things here.

An African American kid, JAMES, turns around angry.

JAMES

You just listen to Bagger

and get up.

KEVVY

Whatever you say.

He looks to Bagger.

KEVVY (CONT.)

Beggar.

The class lets out a groan.

CLASS

Oooooooh!

Carm smiles and nods at Kevvy approvingly while chewing loudly.

Bagger watches Kevvy find a new seat.

BAGGER

We’ll talk after class

you and me.

CLASS

Oooooooh!

Mr. Quinn steps towards the boys.

MR. QUINN

No one will be talking

after class Bagger.

Unless it is you and I.

CLASS

Oooooooh!

MR. QUINN

Okay guys that’s enough.

He approaches the chalkboard.

After a moment Kevvy gets hit in the back of the head with a chalkboard eraser. He leaps from his seat, turns around in a boxing stance. The class laughs. He sits down and laughs also.

Mr. Quinn picks up the eraser and motions for Bagger to follow him into the hall. Mr. Quinn notices the cigarette burning outside the window. The class silenced.

Once the two leave, the class becomes noisy with conversations.

STUDENT 1

New boy! You’re okay with

me.

STUDENT 2

Got yourself in trouble

with the wrong dude.

STUDENT 1

He ain’t so bad. Don’t

sweat it.

STUDENT 3

I’m glad I’m not you.

The same African American boy, James, sits turned in his seat staring at Kevvy. He shakes his head.

Carm approaches Kevvy, hands him a note. She stands for a moment, stares, heads out looking fearful.

Mr. Quinn re-enters the room alone.

MR. QUINN

Okay. Okay. No harm

Harold. The fun is over

get in your seats.

Kevvy appears worried and confused.

KEVVY

No harm Harold?

INT. HOUSE – DAY

Kelly approaches Jim at his desk.

KELLY

Hi hun.

She stands behind him rubbing his shoulders.

JIM

What do you need or what did

you lose?

KELLY

I resent that.

JIM

Oh, you’re just being

friendly?

KELLY

Is that shocking?

JIM

No, it’s exactly why I

had to marry you.

KELLY

Would you mind taking mom

to bowling league since

you’re in such a good

mood?

JIM

So you didn’t lose

anything. Why can’t you

take her? And when the

hell did she find time to

join a bowling league?

KELLY

A nice lady from the

market, Lucy. They hit it

right off. She’s from

Dayton. Small world. Their

almost the same age, mom

is younger. They both like

Elton John. Her dad back

in Dayton is having some

legal issues. Some

company, Crosdale is

threatening to sue him

over supposed faulty

machinery he used years

ago when he had a

business.

JIM

She’s only here a day and

a half and she finds a

bowling league? Couldn’t

she have used that energy

to find a motel?

KELLY

Please take her.

Kelly leaves the office. Jim stands alone.

JIM’S VOICE

I begin to worry. My

fears and what if

thinking take over. I

don’t want to drive her,

what if I snap in the

car? What if I have to

walk her inside? What if

I decide to throw her out

of the moving car? On the

other hand.

JIM

Honey, when will she be

ready to go?

Kelly yells from another room.

KELLY

She’ll be out front

waiting for you. Thanks

sweety!

EXT. DRIVEWAY

We back out of the driveway. Kevvy rides his bike into the garage, a hand covering his nose and mouth.

JIM

You okay Kev?

KEVVY

Fine Jim.

His voice is muffled. He hurries inside.

INT. CAR

Jim and mom stop at a red light. A commercial plays on the radio. Jim looks at the volume knob. Mom looks at him and clears her throat, preparing to speak. She sits with her purse in her lap, hands folded over it.

JIM’S VOICE

She wants to talk. I can’t

have that.

Jim reaches over, raises the volume of the commercial. Mom stifles, returns to gazing out the window with a sad face.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

I think I brought on a

feeling that reminds her

of her husband in Ohio.

EXT. GOLF COURSE

Grandpa stands on the green, a flag sticks out of a hole with an eighteen as clear as can be on it. His partner sinks a ball.

GRANDPA

It’s all in the follow

through.

Grandpa lights his cigar and reaches over to light his partners.

GRANDPA (CONT.)

Does the air taste sweeter

the last two days or is it

me?

EXT. BOWLING ALLEY

Lucy stands out front waving. Short, big smile, big bowling bag.

JIM’S VOICE

Mom can’t just let me go.

MOM

Wait Jim. I want you to

meet Lucy.

JIM

Great.

JIM’S VOICE

Now what? Do I get out of

the car? Do we shake hands?

Do I kiss her cheek? I need

this.

He gets out of the car.

INT. HOUSE

JIM’S VOICE

After the bowling tour I

get back to the house.

Kelly is in an uproar

over Kevvy’s bloody nose.

KEVVY

Ma relax.

JIM

What happened to you?

KELLY

A bully in his class,

that’s what happened to

him.

KEVVY

He’s not a bully, he’s a

burnout.

JIM

Sucker punch?

KEVVY

Yep.

KELLY

Please Jim.

JIM

What?

KELLY

I’m going up to talk to

your principal.

KEVVY

Ma!

JIM

You can’t do that

sweetheart.

KELLY

Your ass I can’t.

JIM

Then lend him one of your

dresses to wear tomorrow.

KEVVY

Yea ma, the pink one

should do the trick.

KELLY

See? Now you got him

using those man responses.

JIM

You’d rather?

KELLY

Oh shut up.

Kelly walks out.

KELLY (CONT.)

I’m going to get you a

cold rag.

JIM

So is he a big guy?

KEVVY

Big enough. But I can

take him in a fair fight.

JIM

Just don’t do it on

school grounds. You could

get suspended. And she

don’t need that.

He motions to the door where Kelly exited.

KEVVY

You’re telling me.

Besides, Bagger got a

week for this. And he

just came off a week for

smoking in the boy’s room.

JIM

Bagger?

KEVVY

Imagine?

Kelly runs back in with a cold rag, places it on the swollen nose.

KEVVY

Thanks ma.

Kevvy holds it on his nose and heads out.

KEVVY (CONT.)

I got some reading to do.

He gets comfortable on his floor next to the poker table and opens the motorcycle magazine. He places the note from Carm inside and begins to read it.

CARM’S VOICE

Kevvy. I know you don’t

know me well, but there

is something about you

that makes me feel open.

Boy do I need to share

this with someone.

He is startled noticing Kelly standing by his door. He quickly closes the magazine and tosses it into a box of books and papers.

KELLY

By the way Kevvy, I have

good news.

KEVVY

What?

KELLY

Guess who’s coming for a

visit?

KEVVY

Who?

KELLY

Guess.

KEVVY

Who?

KELLY

Guess.

KEVVY

This can go on all night.

Grandpa?

KELLY

No.

KEVVY

Ma.

KELLY

Okay. Marshal and Gwen

are coming down. Gwen is

bringing her new friend

Jeff.

KEVVY

Excellent! When?

KELLY

Next weekend. Are you

excited?

KEVVY

Who’s Jeff? Another

boyfriend?

KELLY

Stop it.

Jim approaches the door.

KELLY (CONT.)

Oh Jim, I was just

telling Kevvy about our

house guests next week.

JIM’S VOICE

No! Please God no! Who

now? My mind races. This

is not happy news.

JIM

Who honey?

KEVVY

Better tell him ma. I

don’t think he’ll enjoy

the guessing game as much

as I did.

KELLY

Gwen, Marshal and Jeff

from back home.

JIM

Jeff?

KELLY

Gwen’s new friend.

JIM

Another one?

KELLY

You’ll like him. Give him

a shot.

JIM’S VOICE

She’s been telling me to

give Gwen’s boyfriends a

shot for five years and

every six months it’s a

different guy.

JIM

I’m still giving her last

eleven guys a shot. Where

are they?

KELLY

Jim.

JIM

I guess they’ll be

staying in my office?

JIM’S VOICE

Those words just make it

out before the room begins

to spin. I hear Kelly

speaking but I can’t make

out a word. I make my way

to the front door as her

voice gets louder and

blurrier.

Kevvy takes her by the arm.

KEVVY

Ma, Jim hasn’t been

feeling so great. Let him

walk it off.

KELLY

He needs to grow up and

let us spend time with

our friends instead of

worrying where they’ll

be sleeping.

KEVVY

So they won’t be staying

in his office?

KELLY

Of course they will.

ONE WEEK LATER

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Jim wakes with the radio playing.

JIM’S VOICE

I hear a commercial that

seems to be intended

directly for me.

RADIO WOMAN

Do you have those

feelings of anxiety? They

come in the form of dizzy

spells, nervousness, heart

palpitations. Do you

wonder if this could be

your last day?

Jim jumps up.

JIM

I’m not dreaming? Oh my

God! That is me! I’m not

alone?

JIM’S VOICE

This is the opening of

the largest, heaviest,

most destructive door

I felt would be locked

shut forever.

He moves closer to the radio.

JIM’S VOICE (CONT.)

I slowly sit at the edge

of the bed to hear the

rest. It is hard to believe

that there is an answer to

the beyond normal feelings

I have had throughout most

of my life.

He grabs a pen and a piece of paper.

JIM

A normal life?

Kelly walks in slowly.

KELLY

Are you okay in here

honey?

JIM

Never been better apple

of my eye.

He picks up the phone.

KELLY

You’re not drinking in the

middle of the day are you?

Jim gets on the phone.

Kevvy yells from his room.

KEVVY

Maaaaaa!

Kelly turns around and heads out.

INT. BEDROOM

KEVVY

Ma? Where’s the box my

magazines were in?

He stands holding a pen.

KELLY

I think grandma has them.

She was in the reading

mood.

KEVVY

Oh perfect.

KELLY

Before you start with that,

why don’t you take a ride

to the airport with me to

meet Marshal and Gwen?

KEVVY

Sure thing.

He drops the pen on the poker table.

INT. BEDROOM

Jim hangs up the phone, smiles, contemplates.

JIM’S VOICE

Even though the comforting

words of Lucinda are still

fresh in my mind, some

anxiety from the thought

of the house guests takes

over. How did a week go

by so fast? Why do they

need these friends? Why

can’t anyone find a damn

motel?

Kelly stands at the door.

KELLY

Honey! We’re off to the

airport!

JIM’S VOICE

Kelly seems too happy. I

don’t want to take away

from that.

JIM

How wonderful.

KELLY

Glad you are in favor of

company.

Kelly and Kevvy hurry out.

INT. OFFICE – LATER

Jim sits at his desk holding a pencil between his nose and upper lip. Big band music plays on the radio, a half drawn cartoon strip sits in front of him.

From the window,

EXT. DRIVEWAY

Kelly pulls up with a car load.

INT. OFFICE

Jim notices none of it.

INT. KITCHEN

Kelly walks in, Gwen follows angrily. Through the kitchen window,

EXT. YARD

Kevvy and Marshal wander over towards the lake.

INT. KITCHEN

Kelly is sarcastic.

KELLY

That was fun.

GWEN

I don’t know why I

brought him here.

KELLY

Some of his words weren’t

curses.

GWEN

Even if he needs to get

stupefied to get on a

plane it doesn’t mean he

should embarrass me every

chance he gets.

KELLY

You need to talk to him

when he sobers up.

Kelly makes her way towards Jim’s office while Gwen follows.

GWEN

If he sobers up.

INT. OFFICE

KELLY

Here is Jim’s new office.

Kelly pauses as they both see Jim in a trance with his pencil still between his nose and upper lip.

KELLY (CONT.)

And here is my screwball

husband.

The pencil falls to the desk.

GWEN

At least yours is sober.

Jim is embarrassed.

JIM

Hey Gwen. Welcome.

A loud slam comes from out front. They look out the window.

EXT. DRIVEWAY

A man staggers from their car.

INT OFFICE

Jim stands, starts to the door angry.

JIM

What the hell is this guy

doing to our car?

KELLY

Honey no.

GWEN

Jim it’s okay.

JIM

We’ll see how okay it is.

Kelly stops herself from calling.

KELLY

Let’s just see what

happens Gwen.

GWEN

We can’t do that.

KELLY

You’re right. Jim might

hurt him.

GWEN

On second thought, let

him go.

KELLY

I can’t.

Kelly approaches the window.

KELLY

Jim don’t!

EXT. DRIVEWAY

Jim grabs the man, throws him against the car. An airplane liquor bottle falls to the ground. The man grunts and takes an aimless swing.

Jim tosses him to the ground, the liquor bottle bursts on his back.

JIM

What are you doing to my

car moron?

Kelly and Gwen run towards the men.

KELLY

Jim no! Don’t! It’s Jeff!

Kevvy and Marshal look on from the side of the house. Marshal laughs and pats Kevvy’s shoulder.

JIM’S VOICE

The entire ordeal makes

me appear somewhat brave.

I am stunned but proud.

JIM

Why didn’t you say

something?

GWEN

Is he okay?

JIM

Let him rest.

Jim struggles lifting him up from the ground.

JIM (CONT.)

Oh shoot. His back is

bleeding. I better get

him inside to sleep it

off.

KELLY

Not on our good sheets.

GWEN

Kelly.

KELLY

Sorry Gwen. It’s just

that everything in the

house is new.

GWEN

We’ll cover his back with

a towel.

JIM

Are you two gonna make

small talk or help me put

this carnival act inside.

GWEN

Jim.

JIM

Sorry Gwen, he’s just so.

He waves his hand in front of his nose.

JIM (CONT.)

Did they tap a keg in the

seat next to his? He

smells like a reused barf

bag.

GWEN

I’m sorry you guys. He

has to get like this in

order to fly.

JIM

At least he can fly. I

start shaking if I have

to drive passed the

airport.

They make their way to the front door.

JIM’S VOICE

One flight was enough to

know that planes are off

limits for me.

FLASHBACK

INT. AIRPLANE – MORNING

A younger Jim sits nervous beside a young Kelly.

JIM’S VOICE

I almost walked out of

one before take off. If

the door hadn’t shut

before I got out of my

seat, I just may have.

It was a 727 from

Cincinnati to Miami. What

was supposed to be a

vacation was nothing but

a huge stress producer.

Just before taxiing to

the runway my nerves

become unsettled. As

usual I begin to panic

and I don’t have a

reason to. Again I fear

imaginary things in my

mind. I feel trapped.

Sweat pours down my

forehead as I take off

my seatbelt and take two

steps forward.

Jim takes a step. A STEWARDESS approaches. She holds his arm.

STEWARDESS

Sir, you have to remain

seated.

JIM’S VOICE

I react quickly.

JIM

I think I’m going to

puke.

Kelly tugs on his shirt.

KELLY

Vomit Jim.

JIM

I’m trying to honey.

KELLY

No, it’s vomit, not puke.

STEWARDESS

That is what the bags are

for sir.

She reaches over for a bag. Jim covers his mouth with it, begins breathing in and out as if hyperventilating. She eases him back into his seat.

STEWARDESS (CONT.)

Seatbelt sir.

Kelly leans over.

KELLY

I got it. Thanks for your

help.

JIM’S VOICE

I slowly calm myself and

notice that we are in the

air.

White clouds are seen out the window.

EXT. BACKYARD – MORNING

Under a blue sky with scattered white clouds, before school, Kevvy stands by the lake with a magnifying glass in his hand over an ant hill. Marshal walks over.

MARSHAL

So what do you do down

here in Carolina for fun?

KEVVY

Burn bugs, look at girls,

analyze my step dad. I

got a skateboard!

MARSHAL

What’s wrong with your

step dad?

KEVVY

Nothin. He just goes

through some periods when

he needs a friend. I bet

if I called him dad, he’d

be all better.

MARSHAL

So why not call him dad?

KEVVY

What would my real dad

think?

MARSHAL

Your real dad? Huh, he’s

in a place where it’s all

rainbows and pleasure.

He’s probably yellin at

you to call the poor dude

dad. After all, sufferin

is down here.

Marshal motions upward. The blue sky and white clouds.

MARSHAL (CONT.)

Not up there where hero

firemen rest in an

eternal cocktail party.

You got to do what makes

the people around you

happy.

KEVVY

Maybe. So what else are

they teachin in the old

school?

MARSHAL

You remember last years

lesson, bein white ain't

cool, this year it’s bein

male ain’t cool. Suppose

next year’ll be livin

ain’t cool.

KEVVY

I hear ya. Same shit here.

Kevvy looks down at the ant hill then back at Marshal.

KEVVY (CONT.)

I’m in some trouble.

MARSHAL

What’s wrong?

KEVVY

Got in a fight last week.

The kid comes back from

suspension today.

MARSHAL

Want me to stop by?

A look of agreement from Kevvy.

INT. CLASSROOM

The class is silent, Kevvy enters. They all stare including Bagger who sits by the window with Nopoly. James stares from two seats in front of where Kevvy puts his books down.

Carm sits displeased and nervous chewing her gum.

Kevvy notices Bagger.

KEVVY’S VOICE

Dammit. This asshole is

back.

Bagger stares him down. Kevvy notices Carm.

KEVVY’S VOICE (CONT.)

And now I got Carm still

giving me an attitude.

Carm won’t give him a stare.

KEVVY’S VOICE (CONT.)

The note! That’s why

she’s mad!

JIM’S VOICE

He finally realizes why

she has been so cold

towards him the last few

days. His mind clogged

with Bagger’s anger,

Marshal’s visit, and my

abnormalities steered him

away from Carm’s note.

Kevvy blurts out as the class settles.

KEVVY

So what the hell did

grandma do with my

magazine?

JIM’S VOICE

Perfect timing.

MR. QUINN

Something you need to

share?

Mr. Quinn rests his briefcase on his desk. The class laughs.

KEVVY

Sorry Mr. Quinn. I just

thought of something.