AMERICAN MILKSHAKE
                         


                                 Written by

                               David Andalman
                         
                          Co-writer, Mariko Munro
                         
                         
                         
                                                             9/28/2011
                         
                         
                         
                        

          INT. OLD FASHIONED STAGE
                         
          Circa 1900.
                         
          A white man in a top hat introduces the final act of a black
          face performance.
                         
                              TOP HAT MAN
                    In the spirit of true minstrelsy,
                    you have again shown that laughter
                    is the wine of life.
                         
          Some 50 performers stand and break out into song.
                         
          Roll credits to the music.
                         
          An average American teenage boy begins to speak. His name is
          JOLIE.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    All my life, my parents have told
                    me I'm smart and talented. That I
                    can be anything I wanna be when I
                    grow up. Getting into the West
                    Branch Magnet Program was supposed
                    to be some kinda honor. They probly
                    thought I'd grow up to be a doctor,
                    or a lawyer, or scientist that
                    cures cancer and junk. I mean for
                    me school has always been a breeze.
                         
                         
          EXT. SUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOL - CIRCA 1990
                         
          Now in the mid-90s, for our story present day.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    But when I look around, I just feel
                    surrounded by dorks.
                         
          Angle on an old school hoop on the horizon. A kid silouettes
          against the sky lays the ball in.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    All I want, is to be like the kids
                    on varisty, who live in the Maple
                    Ave towers.
                                                                     2.
                         
                         
          EXT. MAPLE AVE TOWERS - DAY
                         
          A part of a suburban neighborhood lines with huge apartment
          buildings.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    The maple ave kids are coming up
                    from nothing. I mean, their only
                    shot at college is balling. And
                    they've got girls blowing up their
                    pagers twenty-four seven.
                         
          Black kids play ball apartment buildings towering over them.
                         
                         
          INT. BASKETBALL GYM
                         
          The young naive face of Jolie in the midst of tryout.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    I pray to God I make varsity. I'd
                    do anything to be like the Maple
                    Ave. kids.
                         
          Montage of tryout - Jolie the olny white kid among them.
          Suicide drills. Push ups. Machine gun defensive stand
          exercises. Scrimmaging. Jolie is just a breath behind
          everyone at pretty much all of them.
                         
          And now Jolie is at the line. A classic american basketball
          tryout drill. Miss and you run.
                         
          All the players but Jolie watch from the baseline.
                         
          Jolie lines up his shot carefully.
                         
          He glaces at the coach who holds a clipboard.
                         
          Jolie fires. For a split second it's dead on but then it
          bricks wildly.
                         
          The kids take off running.
                         
                                             COACH
                    That was terrible.
                         
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S GOLDEN BEDROOM - MORNING
                         
          Sounds of a high pace video game begin.
                                                                      3.
                         
                         
          JOLIE, in his tighty-whities, plays Sonic on a Sega Genesis.
          Also on the bed, black girl HENRIETTA AARONSON tries to do
          her homework.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Do you think you're gonna make
                    varsity?
                         
          Jolie drops his controller and tears up.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    School is so wack.
                         
          Jolie composes himself.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I support you no matter what. But I
                    can't be changin' no diapers.
                         
          Henrietta looks defeated.
                         
          Jolie pauses Sonic. Curls up with her.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    I've been fucking Henrietta for a
                    while. She's the best. She's
                    pregnant with someone else's baby
                    but I'm cool with that. In fact, I
                    think that's why I like her so
                    much. She's kinda thugged out.
                         
          Jolie rubs her stomach.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Your stomach's smooth.
                         
          Henrietta pops up.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Not now Jolie.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I think you look more beautiful
                    like this than anything. I wish you
                    could be this way forever. We'd be
                    so happy like this.
                         
          A drop of sweat runs down Henrietta's face and lands on a
          sheet of paper full of algebra equations.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I love you.
                                                                   4.
                         
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S LIVING ROOM - LATER
                         
          Jolie, now clothed, bounds down the stairs with bookbag and
          basketball.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Hey, Mr. Aaronson.
                         
                                 MR. AARONSON
                           (emerging from kitchen)
                    Hey.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    You got my check?
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    Shit man, those hours really add
                    up, hun?
                         
          Mr. Aaronson grabs his checkbook off the top of the TV and
          heads to the kitchen.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    I guess.
                         
          Jolie flips on the TV and catchs a little of the OJ Simpson
          trial.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O)
                    Henrietta's adopted. She lives in a
                    big house like me. Her parents pay
                    me to tutor her in geometry. She's
                    kind of an outcast. I think that's
                    why we click. Plus, our moms both
                    work for the same law firm. They
                    fly all over the country doing
                    somethin'.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson flips off the TV.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    What a mess... So, how do you think
                    she's doing? Is she gonna pass?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (STUMBING)
                    Uh, I don't know. Maybe.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson tenses up, then relaxes again and hands over the
          check.
                                                                   5.
                         
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    I don't get it. She was always a
                    great student.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (searching for word)
                    ...you know... Geometry's a hard
                    thing. Algebra leads to it and if
                    you dont get that then-
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                                       (INTERUPTING)
                    Yeah yeah I guess so. Well, you do
                    what you can.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    Yea.
                         
                                 MR. AARONSON
                    Peace out.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    Thanks.
                         
                         
          EXT. WEST BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                         
          The bells RINGS. Ethnic murals line some of the walls, others
          are just the old school red brick.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    My great great grandfather was a
                    famous black face performer.
                         
                         
          INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
                         
          Changing classes. Kids of all shapes, sizes and colors. Jolie
          emerges among them.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    They used to call him the greatest
                    performer of all time. But now.
                    Kids at school have never even
                    heard of him. I mean not even
                    magnet kids in AP history have
                    heard of him.
                         
                         
          INT. AP ENGLISH CLASSROOM
                         
          Jolie and his best friend HAROON are in the back. Haroon's a
          scrawny Afghan boy with glasses.
                                                                   6.
                         
                         
          Haroon glances at his bulky calculator watch and raises his
          hand.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Hey, can I be excused for the
                    Million Man March?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Hey, can I use the bathroom?
                         
          The teacher MR. MCCARTY already has the passes raised.
                         
                         
          INT. YELLOW HALLWAY
                         
          Empty except Jolie and Haroon.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Dude, don't they post who made the
                    team today?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Naw, not till Monday they said.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Alright man, have a good day at
                    school.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah right.
                         
                                               HAROON
                    See ya.
                         
          They smack a secret handshake and Haroon exits.
                         
          Alone, Jolie looks longingly out the window.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Lucky bastards.
                         
          EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT
                         
          Haroon waves good-bye to Jolie.
                         
          Minority kids are hopping into cars with their march signs,
          psyched to be getting out of school.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    This sucks. All the minorities get
                    an excused absence for the Million
                    Man March.
                                                                      7.
                         
                         
          An almost white looking kid enters the frame.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    But me, I'm stuck in school like a
                    bama.
                         
          Haroon waves a last goodbye from his Nissan Saturn.
                         
          INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
                         
          Jolie - still looking enviously out the window.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    I wish I was one of them. I wish I
                    was one of them. I wish I was one
                    of them. Fuck.
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S GOLDEN BEDROOM - DAY
                         
          Henrietta rocks out to her walk-man while jamming on some
          homework.
                         
          Jolie's in his underwear again playing Sonic.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    I'm supposed to tutor Henrietta
                    every Sunday. She's getting an F in
                    math. She knows how to do it
                    though. She's flunking on purpose.
                         
          Jolie looks back at Henrietta and smiles to himself.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                     She's so gangster.
                         
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S LIVINGROOM - LATER
                         
          Jolie, clothed, bounds down the steps again, this time two at
          a time.
                         
                         
          EXT. TOWN ESTABLISHING SHOTS
                         
          Suburban homes with large apartments towers in the
          background. The school is in the more urban part of town.
                                                                    8.
                         
                         
          EXT. WESTBRANCH SCHOOL GYM
                         
          The doors spray-painted "thug life."
                         
                         
          EXT. WEST BRANCH HS TRACK AND FIELD
                         
          Jolie and Haroon sit on the hill doing homework.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Hey you heard Fransisco got
                    arrested?
                         
                                                        SMASH CUT TO:
                         
          INT. BLAIR BLAZER GYM
                         
          FRANCISCO, bare chested, struggles against a security guard.
          He looks directly into the camera.
                         
                                             FRANSISCO
                    I'm innocent, this is bull shit!
                         
                                                                            BACK TO:
                         
                         
          EXT. CRUMBLING CONCRETE BLEACHERS - THAT MOMENT
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Over some pictures on the Internet.
                         
          Jolie looks confused.
                         
                              JOLIE (O.S.)
                    Oh you mean like netscape?
                         
                                                HAROON
                                          (LAUGHS)
                    Yea.
                         
          Haroon gets up to leave.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Yo dont forget I need my computer
                    homework back by Monday.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I got you. Dont forget to get me my
                    bio homework back.
                         
                                                HAROON
                    Yea duh.
                         
          The walk into the distance.
                                                                   9.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    My great great grandfather had a
                    song, Hallelujah I'm a Bum. Tupac
                    had a song, I'd Rather Be an
                    N.I.G.G.A., so we can get drunk and
                    smoke weed all day. I always
                    thought they were really similar.
                         
          INT. WEST BRANCH BIO CLASS - LATER
                         
          Haroon and Jolie in identical poses.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Yo. I gotta take a massive dump,
                    will you guard the door while I'm
                    in there.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yea.
                         
          They raise their hands - again in identical positions.
                         
                         
          INT. BATHROOM
                         
          Haroon in the stall taking a dump.
                         
          Jolie at the urinal - simultaneously pounding a Sunkist and
          taking a whiz.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I'm taking the most epic shit. Oh!
                    Dude! Don't they post who made the
                    team today?
                         
          Jolie looks suddenly worried. It dawns on him. He rushes off.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Don't forget I need my computer
                    homework back? Jolie!?
                         
          INT. D HALL
                         
          Jolie rushes toward the camera.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    As a white boy at West Branch I'm
                    just not cool.
                         
          He's zeroing in on a wall full of sports posters - at it's
          center a golden piece of paper labled "THE TEAM."
                                                                     10.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VO)
                    But making the team would change my
                    life forever.
                         
          Jolie looks down the list.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    It's my one shot to fit in with the
                    Maple Ave kids. To actually be
                    somebody!
                         
          Jolie's face brightens.
                         
          Jolie walks past it and does a double take.
                         
          It's the list.
                         
          CLOSE ON JOLIE'S EYES: pure intensity.
                         
          He stands motionless, holding his breath, reading.
                         
          Then leans back, covering his dropped jaw.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    Making the team, felt like the most
                    important thing in my life.
                         
          Jolie takes off running down the hall past a mop leaning
          against the wall.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    As a white boy I just didn't fit
                    in, not in Takoma Park. But now...
                         
          Jolie becomes a black silhouette against a row of windows.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    I was practically black.
                         
          EXT. SPARSE WOODS - DAY
                         
          Jolie, in his gold Webber jersey, hops in the woods. He wears
          large purple ankle weights, and "Jump Soles" (clunky and
          clumsy looking work out shoes).
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whisper)
                    I even ditched class to work on my
                    hops.
                                                                     11.
                         
                         
          Exhausted, Jolie gathers his basketball and backpack and
          leaves.
                         
          A metro train roars past in the background.
                         
          INT. JOLIE'S JUNKY BASEMENT - NO WINDOWS
                         
          Jolie is bench pressing and Haroon is spotting.
                         
          A single florescent fixture hangs overhead.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Man, I can't believe you made the
                    team.
                         
          Jolie finishes his set. Pops up.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I was the last bama on the list! If
                    Francisco hadn't been arrested I'd
                    still be a loser! I'd be just
                    another Joe Shmoe Lame-oh geek in
                    the Blair High School Magnet.
                         
          CLOSE ON HAROON: his face slowly falls.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh hey, can your mom give you a
                    ride home later. There's something
                    I gotta do.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Oh... Yeah. Yeah. That's cool.
                         
          They rotate positions - we see that Jolie has only been
          lifting 5 lb. weights.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    2.5's right?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Yeah.
                         
          Jolie leans down on the bar and grins to himself - still on
          cloud nine.
                         
                         
          EXT. STREETS OF TAKOMA PARK - DAY
                         
          A shiny cherry-red '93 Nissan Quest approaches.
                                                                    12.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (voice over, whispering)
                    Tupac. Biggie. Snoop Dog. Easy-E.
                    Dr. Dre. Suge Knight. Mr. T.
                         
          The Quest pulls to the curb - Jolie and his Dad inside.
                         
                                             JOLIE'S DAD
                    Alright bye. No injuries.
                         
          Jolie hops out in black and red basketball gear - black
          headband, black Jordans, even black socks.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Alright, bye Dad.
                         
          A clunker 90s cell phone rings. Jolie's Dad answers.
                         
                                             JOLIE'S DAD
                    Hey, you back from the hill? What
                    happened?
                         
          EXT. SMALL CLEARING IN THE WOODS
                         
          Henrietta sits alone on a stump listening to her Walkman.
                         
          Jolie bounds down a path startling her.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    It smells like dog shit in these
                    woods, Jolie. Why'd you want to
                    meet out here anyway?
                         
          Jolie chokes up.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Wow. That is pretty bad. It smells
                    like a dead mouse or something.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You dont want to be seen with me do
                    you? Cus I'm pregnant.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    ...what? No.
                         
          Henrietta softens.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You wanna make out with me?
                                                                    13.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yea but, I can't. Not no more. We
                    can't be hanging out any more. You
                    understand though right?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    ...Why?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Henrietta, I told you. I made the
                    basketball team. I'm a Blazer now.
                         
          Henrietta looks crest fallen.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    L...
                         
          Jolie hacks up some spit.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                    Look. If I make the NBA I'm gonna
                    take care of you and your baby.
                    We're gonna live in a big house in
                    Potomac. Be rich, have maids.
                    That's the reason I'm doing this.
                    Can't you see that? Can't you be
                    happy for me?
                         
          Henrietta shakes her head in utter disappointment.
                         
          She drops Jolie's basketball and walks off.
                         
          Pregnant, her ass might be a little bigger than before.
                         
          Then she stops and turns.
                         
          Jolie spins his basketball on one finger.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Do you need a token for the bus or
                    some junk?
                         
          Crushed, Henrietta leaves.
                         
          Jolie watches her descend through a romantic archway of brush
          - a blacktop and basketball hoop in the distance.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    I felt bad but,
                         
          Jolie darts up the hill - basketball in hand.
                                                                     14.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    Henrietta had rich white parents.
                    And after I made the team
                         
          CLOSE ON: his black shoes and socks.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    I realized, compared to me she
                    wasn't thugged out at all. She was
                    just bad at Algebra.
                         
          Jolie disappears into the woods.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    For a while I was worried her Dad,
                    Mr. Aaronson, would be mad.
                         
          Jolie runs past a jungle gym with a little boy hanging from
          the monkey bars.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    But he was cool. He even offered me
                    20 bucks to mow the lawn. So,
                    everything worked out.
                         
          Jolie jogs past a pregnant woman.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    I guess.
                         
          INT. LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT (BUT NO WINDOWS)
                         
          The blazers dress after practice, everyone chatting among the
          many aisles. But Jolie is all alone in an aisle by himself.
                         
          Jolie slams the locker door.
                         
          INT. BASKETBALL GYM - NIGHT
                         
          Jolie is deep on the bench.
                         
          The acoustics are bad. The semi full bleachers fill the space
          with echoes.
                         
          The crowd is various shades of black. A lot of them have
          their feet kicked up.
                         
          Classic red versus blue.
                                                                     15.
                         
                         
          The action on the court is fast paced. The players are
          disciplined, setting screens and running concrete plays.
                         
          WENDEL, a guard, pulls up for a shot - swish.
                         
          The cheerleaders get excited.
                         
          The home score flashes red and reappears as 86 to 52. A blow
          out.
                         
          The team of Blair Blazers sit together, their heads moving in
          unison, following the action.
                         
          At the end of the bench are ARIUS and Jolie. ARIUS, covered
          in sweat, is a tall thin, care-free, light-skinned black kid.
          He has a huge scar on his head, a thick red headband and band-
          aids over his earrings.
                         
          Jolie is bone dry and still in his warm up suit.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Now it comes with two free
                    controllers and the game.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (not paying attention)
                    Oh yeah.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Yeah. We were playing that joint at
                    my place and one of the
                    cheerleaders was all confessing how
                    cute she thinks you are.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                       (EXCITED)
                    Which one?
                         
                                             ARIUS
                        (points to the cheerleader
                                        BENCH)
                    Christine Ortanyez.
                         
          Jolie focuses in on a particularly cute Panamanian
          cheerleader - CHRISTINE ORTANYEZ.
                         
          JOLIE POV: slow motion of Christine - taps her palms and does
          a leg kick then looks directly at us.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Jolie!
                         
          Jolie flinches.
                                                                     16.
                         
                         
          Coach Dale - in afine suit and gold rimmed glasses - glares.
                         
                              COACH DALE(CONT'D)
                    Get Pistol.
                         
          Jolie rips off his warm-ups in a panic. The shirt gets stuck
          over his head, then he trips over his pants.
                         
          His teammates look on with various expressions of concern and
          laughter.
                         
          A cheerleader from the opposing team points and giggles.
                         
                                 REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                        (O.S.)
                    Unsnap it!
                         
          Struggling, Jolie frees himself.
                         
          Coach Dale shakes his head and so does the fat black man
          directly behind him. Their expressions match exactly.
                         
          The old white referee blows his whistle hard - game over.
                         
          All the Blazers start high-fiving each other but Jolie.
                         
          INT. JOLIE'S MESSY ROOM - NIGHT
                         
          A six foot long poster of a '91 Lamborghini Countach covers
          the wall. A Nerf basketball hoop hangs on the closed door.
                         
          Haroon is dressed up as a woman, using a wig, socks as
          breasts, and a sheet as a skirt.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Come on man, we've gotta nail the
                    Marion Barry skit tomorrow or I'm
                    gonna get a B in English.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't feel like it. I told you.
                         
          Jolie throws an African hat and tap shoes off his bed and
          they smash against the wall.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Dude, it's was just a preseason
                    game, come on.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Man, if I can't get in when we're
                    up thirty in the preseason then I'm
                    never gonna play.
                                                                     17.
                         
                         
          Jolie pulls off his jersey and throws it down. He picks up a
          switch blade and looks at his warped reflection.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    He tried to put you in the game.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah, for thirty seconds.
                         
          There's a knock on the door.
                         
          Jolie wipes a teary eye and straights up.
                         
          ELLIOTT, Jolie's oddly old dad - enters with a bright orange
          Nerf ball off the bedside table.
                         
                                              ELLIOTT
                    Three. Two.
                                        (PUMP FAKE)
                    One.
                         
          Elliott dunks and freezes in mid air.
                         
          He makes the sounds of a sold out crowd, animatedly, in a
          comforting way.
                         
          The kids smile.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    Come on, Haroon. Let's get you
                    home.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Already?
                         
          Haroon follows him down the steps.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Elliott, will you go over this skit
                    with me. I think you'll really like
                    it and I need to practice or I'm
                    gonna get a B in...
                         
          There voices fade into silence.
                         
          Jolie stands alone, grabs a dumb bell and does a few curls.
          He pushes it up his bicpt with his hand so that it looks
          bigger.
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                         
          Jolie climbs in through the window.
                         
          The only light in the room comes from the Sega on pause.
                                                                  18.
                         
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I knew you'd be back.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Because you know I love you.
                         
          Jolie kissed her with lots of tongue.
                         
                                               HENRIETTA
                    Whatever.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                    What?
                         
          Jolie smiles.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    You're the best. I love you forever
                    Henrietta.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You promise.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I promise to God.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Are you gonna help take care of my
                    baby?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'd do anything for you.
                         
          Jolie turns off the TV, and in the near darkness of just a
          night light quietnly mounts her.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Wait. I want you to know... There's
                    some stuff. I feel like you're the
                    only one I can trust, the only one
                    I can talk too. Like about when I
                    ran away, and let those kids take
                    photos of me. I couldn't tell
                    anyone but you. You know that
                    right?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I know. They were just photos.
                    Everyone makes mistakes.
                         
          Henrietta caresses his face and they kiss.
                                                                     19.
                         
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    Jolie's stupid. He'll believe
                    anything. But I like him. I've been
                    failing algebra just so he can
                    tutoring me.
                         
          EXT. HENRIETTA'S MOONLIT HOME
                         
          The automatic sprinkler goes off.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA (CONT'D)
                    The thing is. He's not like other
                    guys. I mean, he's on the team, but
                    he's not really a cool kid. I've
                    always hated the cool kids.
                         
          Jolie steps off the porch and trips on a crack in the
          sidewalk.
                         
          INT. DIMLY LIT GIGANTIC AUDITORIUM - DAY
                         
          The theater class is spread out, bored and chatty. In the
          distance a girl is practicing dance steps on stage.
                         
          Christine walks down the aisle and sits next to Jolie.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Hey Jolie. Have you seen this
                    article?
                         
          Jolie is dressed in basketball attire - it's a game day.
          Christine is in her hot cheerleader uniform.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What? No. Lemme see.
                         
          She hands Jolie a newspaper. Their hands touch briefly, they
          lock eyes - a moment passes between them.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Wow. I heard Francisco got arrested
                    but I didn't know he made the
                    paper.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    I heard he got arrested because him
                    and a bunch of other kids banged
                    that pregnant girl Henrietta for a
                    dollar or something.
                         
          A REDHEAD dude with an orange hoody turns around with a
          spnoonful of green Jell-O, eating from his Tupperware bowl.
                                                                  20.
                         
                         
                              REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                    A dollar total. Or a dollar each?
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Each, I hope.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (DISTURBED)
                    That's a rumor, duh. They just took
                    photos.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    How do you know? Were you there?
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    I heard.
                         
                              REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                    Believe what you want man. That
                    chick got gang banged! Turned out
                    by mad dudes like a straight porno
                    scene.
                         
          Jolie, lost in thought. The bell rings.
                         
          INT. HISPANIC HALL
                         
          Dim. No windows.
                         
          Hispanic kids line the lockers.
                         
          Pants sag and Spanish is heard.
                         
          One black kid from the team, Arius, looks in a locker mirror
          and puts on cologne. He has a gold cross and greasy hair.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Jolie. I heard your old girl is a
                    straight chicken-head.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Who?
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    You haven't heard?
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Heard what?
                         
                                              ARIUS
                    That Maple Ave shit. You haven't
                    seen the porn video with your girl
                    Henrietta?
                                                                  21.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'm not with that girl man. I just
                    tutor her in Algebra.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Chill brother. I'm just saying...
                         
          MR. APPLEBAUM overhears this.
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    What are you boys buzzing about?
                    Maple Ave this.. Maple Ave that..
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    You can take the niggas out the
                    ghetto but you can't take the
                    ghetto out the niggas.
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    Come on Arius. I know you've got
                    somewhere to be.
                         
          Still stunned by the rumor, Jolie follows the steady flow of
          kids out a single door to the:
                         
          EXT. EAST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL - DAY
                         
          The sun backlights the school.
                         
          Jolie emerges from the school. Christine catches up to him.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Jolie, aren't you headed to
                    computer class?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What? Yeah.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Is everything alright? You look
                    kind of stunned or something.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What? No. I just. The sun was in my
                    eyes.
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                    Oh.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    What's up?
                                                                  22.
                         
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    I am totally struggling with my
                    program this month, do you think I
                    could look at your code?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    My programming skills aren't that
                    good. But we can copy Haroon's code
                    and just change the variable names.
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                    Really?
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    Yea.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Cool. Thanks.
                         
          Christine gives Jolie a hug.
                         
          Henrietta walks past and gives Jolie an eye. Jolie pretends
          not to notice.
                         
          From afar the kids look like ants walking in lines to and
          from the portables (trailer classrooms).
                         
          A school bell rings.
                         
                         
          EXT. CONVENIENT STORE
                         
          Henrietta approaches the Redhead Grunge Kid. They're both
          skipping class.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Hey, can I bum a cigarette?
                         
                              REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                    Aren't you pregnant?
                         
                                                HENRIETTA
                    Whatever.
                         
          Henrietta rolls her eyes and starts to walk away.
                         
                              REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                    Hold up. Here.
                         
                                                HENRIETTA
                    Thanks.
                         
          Henrietta lights up.
                                                                   23.
                         
                         
                              REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                    Fuck it, right?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Yea. I guess so.
                         
          INT. BACK OF CLASSROOM
                         
          Working in groups.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Dude, Christine's been jocking your
                    nuts lately. What's up with that?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't know man. I think she's
                    into me.
                         
                                             ANYA
                    She's probably just using you for
                    my code.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    It happens to me all the time.
                         
                                               ANYA
                    You wish.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Even if she does like you dude,
                    you'd have to be loco to get with
                    her.
                         
          Jolie looks over at Christine on the other side of the
          classroom. Christine smiles back.
                         
                                             HAROON (CONT'D)
                    Her last boyfriend Raymond -
                         
                                                                           CUT TO:
                         
          EXT. STUDENT PARKING LOT - SUN SET
                         
          Raymond, a cool Hispanic boy perched on a metal railing,
          cranes his head around and we see he's got a black eye and
          smokes a Camel.
                         
                                             HAROON
                        (O.S., CONT'D)
                    Has been having sex since junior
                    high.
                                                                     24.
                         
                         
          Ray hops off the railing, puts his arm around a girl and
          kicks over a trash can as they walk into the sunset.
                         
                                                                             BACK TO:
                         
                         
          INT. DIM BASEMENT CLASSROOM - THAT MOMENT
                         
                                             VLAD
                    That's nothing. Ray's been
                    suspended three times. They found a
                    gun in his locker. And he has no
                    blood parents. You don't want that
                    kind of sloppy seconds. It's big
                    trouble.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Hmmm.
                         
                                             VLAD
                    You would be the man, though. I'd
                    give you that.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Yea, that's true. You would be the
                    man.
                         
                                             ANYA
                    Why? What does that have to do with
                    anything?
                         
          All the boys roll there eyes.
                         
          IN SLOW MOTION Jolie turns to look at Christine, this time
          with his hoody up. Turning back he knocks his notebook off
          the table - papers scattering, a can of Sour Cream Pringles
          spilling.
                         
          Christine notices the commotion, laughs kindly. He smiles
          back.
                         
          EXT. DUSTY MULTIPURPOSE FIELD - SUNSET
                         
          CRACK - the sound of softball being hit.
                         
          The girls team warming up.
                         
          Jolie and Christine sit on small metal bleachers.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    You guys have the late practice
                    today, huh?
                                                                     25.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                    Well Coach Dale asked me to tape
                    the next game - you wanna see the
                    camera we're using? It's in the
                    small gym.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh yeah. All the way past C hall.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Come on. I know a short cut through
                    parenting class.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Through parenting class? Let's just
                    go the long way.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Come on. Don't be such a goody
                    goody. The teacher doesn't care.
                    Trust me. She's like a hundred
                    years old, she gets it. It's just
                    an excuse to have free baby sitters
                    for all the teen moms. And that's a
                    good thing.
                         
          She grabs his hand and leads him.
                         
                         
          INT. PARENTING CLASSROOM
                         
          Jolie and Christine cut through the chaotic after school
          `class.'
                         
          Henrietta is there, looking bored, and playing with a toy
          toddler.
                         
          Henrietta gives Jolie a suspicious look.
                         
          Jolie waves nervously.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Are you friends with her? That's
                    the girl I was telling you about.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I just tutor her in Algebra. You
                    know how we need community service
                    hours to graduate, well...
                                                                  26.
                         
                         
          INT. BLAZER GYMNASIUM
                         
          A mural of fire emblazons the walls.
                         
          A second floor balcony - overlooking the court. A space for
          storing of moldy old trampolines and gymnastic junk.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    It's hot as a mug in here.
                         
          Christine flips on a giant standing fan.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Stand in front of this. God that
                    feels good.
                         
          Her hair and cheerleader skirt blowing back. Jolie stands
          next to her.
                         
          Christine gracefully gets on her knees. Beat.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    The camera's under here. Come on.
                         
          She crawls under the trampoline, through the glittery tassels
          hanging around it's edges.
                         
          Jolie hesitates then follows but we stay behind. A pom-pom
          and a basketball rest in the foreground.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    The season hadn't even started and
                    my life had changed forever.
                         
          Just below the tassels Christine's top lands on the floor.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    I swear, exactly when we kissed
                    someone yelled score.
                         
          Kids of all shapes and sizes rush the court below with hockey
          sticks. Haroon and Vlad and Benjamin and Anya, and the
          Redhead Grunge Kid and Ray among them.
                         
                              REDHEAD GRUNGE KID
                    Score! Score! Score!
                         
                                             RAY
                    Shut your hole!
                                                                     27.
                         
                         
                                                JOLIE
                                          (VOICE OVER)
                       It felt like a million bucks.
                         
          Haroon pumps his fist yes as someone gets a shot past the
          goalie in warm ups.
                         
          Christine fixes her hair and walks out with a VHS camcorder.
                         
                                                 JOLIE
                                           (VOICE OVER)
                       I felt guilty cuz of Henrietta, but
                       as Tu Pac says, "Only God can judge
                       me."
                         
          Jolie stands behind, in the doorway, fixing his belt and
          getting a touch of wind from the fan.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                                          (VOICE OVER)
                       I did wonder if Henrietta's Dad,
                       Mr. Aaronson, even knew she was
                       pregnant.
                         
          Jolie takes a last glimpse of the intermural floor hockey
          game below them.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                                          (VOICE OVER)
                       But for some reason it just never
                       came up.
                         
          Jolie ducks into the stairwell.
                         
          Then all the lights go out.
                         
          Blackness.
                         
          Hold.
                         
          Haroon walks into a small shaft of light that goes unseen
          until it has his face to land on.
                         
                                                HAROON
                                          (OFF CAMERA)
                       Would someone please stop messing
                       around and put the lights on. This
                       league is for serious players only.
                         
          Haroon puts on his RoboCop goalie mask. BAM! He is body
          checked to the floor.
                         
                                                RAY
                       Boom! Step aside, nigga.
                                                                  28.
                         
                         
          Haroon slouched against the wall - blood dripping from his
          temple.
                         
                                             HAROON
                        (cringing in pain, almost
                                        CRYING)
                    Oww, man. I think you broke my
                    wrist.
                         
                                             RAY
                    Tell your boy Jolie to lay off my
                    girl Christine. Every time he makes
                    a move on her I'm gonna eat your
                    ass for lunch.
                         
                                             HAROON
                        (beginging to cry)
                    What? Why me?
                         
          INT. HAROON'S HOME - AFTER-SCHOOL DAY
                         
          Haroon, and Haroon's older brother ZEKE are rummaging the
          kitchen cabinets for snacks. Haroon's arm is in a cast for
          the rest of the movie.
                         
                                             ZEKE
                    Hey, are there anymore Handi-Snacks
                    or did you take the last one?
                         
          The doorbell rings.
                         
          EXT. HAROON'S HOME
                         
          Jolie and Haroon smack their secret handshake.
                         
          They cross the lawn with Zeke.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Dude, before I show you this
                    internet stuff at my Mom's place we
                    gotta talk about this Raymond
                    situation. Ray said he's gonna eat
                    my ass for lunch every time you
                    mess with Christine.
                         
          Haroon grabs a key from under the doormat of the second home.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yea he's just afraid to step to me
                    directly because he knows varsity
                    has my back. Don't stress though.
                    He's just a bully.
                         
          Haroon open the door to:
                                                                  29.
                         
                         
          INT. HAROON'S DIMLY LIT SECOND HOME - DAY
                         
          Thick curtains are drawn, most of the place empty but a small
          computer station is in the corner.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Don't stress? He broke my arm man.
                    How is anything under control?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Ray is just a bully. All you have
                    to do is hold your ground a little
                    probably.
                         
          Jolie fakes like he gonna punch Haroon and Haroon flinches.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    He'll back off.
                         
                                              HAROON
                    What? Are you serious? He blind
                    sided me. How am I supposed to hold
                    my ground?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Come on dude, isn't that why you
                    always carry that Batman figure
                    around?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    What?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Because Batman's the only superhero
                    that is just a regular guy.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Batman is a cartoon. This TOY is
                    for inspiration. We're talking
                    about real life. Are you loco?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Fine, then just stay close to me
                    and the team will get your back, I
                    swear.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Pinky swear. No leaving me behind
                    at lunch now that you're all tight
                    with the team or nothing.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Done.
                                                                     30.
                         
                         
          Haroon has fires up a video game on the PC.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Cool. Now let's conquor titen
                    again. I think we can break the
                    high score.
                         
                                                ZEKE
                    Seriously.
                         
                         
          INT. RUSTY OLD HIGH SCHOOL WEIGHT ROOM - DAY
                         
          Every kid on the team but Jolie is wearing light tan, suède
          Timberland boots.
                         
                                                WENDEL
                    What's up?
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    Hey.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    What's up Jolie.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    What's up?
                         
                                             MERLY
                    What's up? What's up with you?
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    What's up?
                         
                                                CODROY
                    What's up?
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    What's up?
                         
                                                SURGIO
                    Chillen.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Peace, nigger.
                         
          Jolie pauses for a second then half smiles.
                         
          Haroon's face turns red as a cherry as he "maxes" on the
          bench.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    See man. Ray can't mess with us
                    now. We're rolling too deep.
                                                                     31.
                         
                         
          Haroon looks around, the whole basketball team is working
          out.
                         
          MERLY leg presses a massive amount of weight.
                         
                                             HAROON
                        (dons his sombrero,
                         spreading a genuine
                                        SMILE)
                    Yea. I guess your right. Junior
                    year's actually gonna be cool. And
                    I love spirit week. Merly, did you
                    bring a hat for hat day?
                         
                                               MERLY
                    Yea.
                         
          Merly stops his leg presses - pulls on a black ski-mask.
                         
                                             MERLY
                    Hey, Jolie. Want to give us a lift
                    to Taco Bell for lunch?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yea. No prob.
                         
                                               HAROON
                    Cool man.
                         
                         
          EXT. STUDENT PARKING LOT - DAY
                         
          Kids from the team pile into Jolie's Toyota Camry.
                         
          Six are already in the ride, Haroon tries to squeeze in.
                         
                                             MERLY
                    You want my spot?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Ummm. Naw. Naw. I'm cool.
                         
                                               MERLY
                    You sure?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Jump in the trunk dude. It's not
                    far.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    You think so?
                                                                     32.
                         
                         
                                             MERLY
                    That's rediculous. Let's just bring
                    you back something? What do you
                    want?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Uh. Just like a couple burritos.
                    Here's a ten?
                         
                                             MERLY
                    No worries. I got you.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Oh thanks man.
                         
                                              MERLY
                    No prob.
                         
          Marly closes the door. Haroon stands alone in the parking lot
          in his sombrero.
                         
          Jolie waves as they drive off.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'll bring you some cinnamon twists
                    too!
                         
          Haroon looks around and sees Ray staring at him from the top
          of some steps.
                         
          Haroon looks scared, tips his sombrero to hide his face.
                         
          INT. TOYOTA CAMRY - DAY
                         
          Jolie drives his teammates, all eating Taco Bell.
                         
          Go-go music blasting.
                         
          In the rearview mirror a Cop emerges.
                         
                                             MERLY
                    The cops just followed us from the
                    left turn only lane.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    I knew it. Did you see his face?
                         
                                             MERLY
                    That dude is always messing with
                    us.
                                                                    33.
                         
                         
          EXT. STEEP STREET
                         
          The kids hang out outside the car with one of the cops.
                         
          Merly with the other Cop by the cop car.
                         
          The argument between Merly and the Cops escalates. Merly
          prevents the cops from grabbing his empty looking bookbag.
                         
          Merly takes off sprinting between two of the houses.
                         
          The cops hustle after him, their large belts bouncing.
                         
          Jolie and the other kids stunned.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    He's still dealing nickel bags I
                    bet.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Naw man. It's because of that
                    video. The Maple Ave thing...the
                    one with Jolie's girl Henrietta.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    She's not my girl.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    That's not what she said before she
                    started sucking everyone's dicks...
                    Don't believe me. Y'all can see the
                    VHS.
                         
          Arius pulls out his gold cain.
                         
          Jolie looks intensely shocked by this offer.
                         
                         
          INT. HIGH SCHOOL-- MAIN OFFICE
                         
          The kids that were out to lunch are waiting in line getting
          slips for being late.
                         
          The Administrator returns with PRINCIPAL GANUS, a 350 pound
          black man who looks like an ex-football player.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    Arius. This is your fifth detention
                    this semester. That means in-school
                    suspension for the week. Starting
                    now.
                                                                     34.
                         
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    What!? Did you hear what happened
                    to us? We got harrassed by the cops
                    man!
                         
          Arius follows Ganus into the bowels of the main office. The
          Administrator takes another call, and the coast is suddenly
          clear.
                         
          Jolie and Wendel scope out an escape route - the security
          guard no longer at the door.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Come on man. Coast is clear.
                         
          They peek into the hallway and see security round a bend.
                         
          Jolie and Wendel run as quietly as possible in the opposite
          direction.
                         
                                             SECURITY GUARD
                    Wendel! Get your ass over hear.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    What? What about Jolie?
                         
                                             SECURITY GUARD
                    He's in the magnet program. His
                    teacher will handle it.
                         
          Jolie doesn't dare look back.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    And just like that, with Marley
                    arrested and Arius doing in-school,
                    I might just get some playing time?
                         
                         
          INT. TRIG CLASS
                         
          Haroon enters and sits next to Jolie.
                         
          Haroon has double fresh black eyes.
                         
          The teacher and classroom is quite and dont even pay any
          attention to Jolie entering.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I thought you said Ray wasn't gonna
                    mess with me man?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Woah. Dude. Are you alright?
                                                                  35.
                         
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Do I look alright?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'm sorry man.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    That's all you got?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    No. Come on man.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    YOu said I just had to hold my
                    ground.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Well at least you've still got your
                    teeth.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    You're an asshole.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Let me get you back. Come to the
                    movies with me tonight dude. The
                    new Ice Tea flick is out. The
                    tickets on me. Coke, popcorn, the
                    whole nine.
                         
          Haroon rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    The whole nine? It's a movie.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    It's an Ice Tea flick and it's
                    gonna be tight as a mug.
                         
          Haroon looks disgusted and offended.
                         
                         
          INT. DARK GHETTO MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT
                         
          Henrietta leans in close to Jolie's ear. They whisper to each
                         OTHER:
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    We had an early game today against
                    Paint Branch. And I scored 3
                    points.
                                                                  36.
                         
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You know I saw you with that
                    Cheerleader.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Come on. Enough with that. I washed
                    my hands already. So I can please
                    you.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Just tell me yall are hooking up.
                    It's OK if you are. I just want the
                    truth.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    You want the truth. How is this?
                         
          Jolie reveals a plastic case meant for baseball cards. Out of
          it he slides a small newspaper cut out.
                         
          A picture of Francisco getting arrested with the headline
          `Sex Video Arrest.'
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                                       (ASHAMED)
                    Yeah. Francisco got arrested. What
                    about it?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I thought you said you didn't fuck
                    any of them.
                         
                                               HENRIETTA
                    I didn't.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Did you suck their dicks?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie. It's none of your fucking
                    business.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Well everyone at school says you
                    did. And now they're saying there's
                    a video and that's why Francisco
                    and Merly got arrested.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    They're not arrested. They got
                    questioned and shit and then they
                    got suspended.
                                                                    37.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    How do you know?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Because I hear all the Maple Ave
                    stuff.
                         
          Haroon pretends to watch the movie but is obviously
          uncomfortable.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Shhh. It's getting good you know.
                         
          Henrietta and Jolie whisper more quietly.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Look, that's all beside the point.
                    Whatever you heard about me at
                    school, they don't know shit. It's
                    a lie. I already told you. I ran
                    away from home. That's it. Now
                    leave me alone.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Why did you let them take pictures?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I told you. I needed money.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                    For what?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Duh, an abortion. Does that make
                    you feel better. But I decided I
                    want this baby Jolie. I want a real
                    family. So I went to Pizza Hut for
                    dinner instead. The one on
                    University Boulevard, do you want a
                    receipt or something?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Where did you sleep that night?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I told you. I slept at the ATM
                    machine. Now stop it.
                         
          Henrietta is on the verge of tears and it cracks Jolie.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Dang. I know. I'm sorry. I'm such
                    an idiot.
                                                                    38.
                         
                         
                                                HENRIETTA
                       But I love you. I just want to be
                       with you now. And put all that in
                       the past.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       Why didn't you come to me then?
                         
                                                HENRIETTA
                       We had just met.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       I know. Damn it. You could have
                       slept on my couch, easy. My parents
                       wouldn't have even cared.
                         
          We hear a killing on the screen.
                         
          They kiss.
                         
          The color cast on them shifts from a blue to a red. Jolie
          reaches under the starter jacket that lies across her lap.
                         
                                                   HENRIETTA
                       Jolie. No.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       You lied to me.
                         
                                                HENRIETTA
                       I didn't. I would never.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       How do I know?
                         
          Henrietta guides his hand up between her legs and she closes
          her eyes, succumbing to his fingers.
                         
                                                HENRIETTA
                       Don't you trust me?
                         
          From behind them they are silhouettes against the Ice-T
          action pic "Surviving the Game."
                         
          A baby is crying somewhere in the theater.
                         
          The red light cast on them begins to flash rapidly. In and
          out of blackness.
                         
          Jolie peaks at a boy one seat away. (Jolie's basketball is in
          the seat between them, with Haroon's Batman toy sitting atop
          it.)
                         
          Henrietta breathes hard.
                                                          39.
                         
                         
          Jolie bites his lower lip.
                         
                                             ANONOMOUS MAN
                        (O.C. yelling at the
                                        SCREEN)
                    Don't mess with his boy? You're
                    gonna get it now! Un-hun!
                         
          EXT. MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Haroon and I better get going. We
                    gotta finish our Magnet project for
                    R&E.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie, my Dad is picking us up. I
                    thought you were gonna help me
                    study?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I would but I can't. This is like
                    the biggest project of the year.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I have a huge test tomorrow and if
                    I don't pass this class I have to
                    go to summer school.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I know but Mr. Donaldson just
                    assigned a huge thing-
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Haroon. Would you mind letting me
                    talk to Jolie in private?
                         
          EXT. BEHIND THE MALL DUMPSTERS
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    The only time we go out is to the
                    movies, and you're always late, and
                    it's always the late show.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What are you talking about?
                         
          Henrietta rolls her eyes and looks upset.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie. I saw Christine was all over
                    you at school.
                                                                  40.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    She's just like that. She's a
                    cheerleader.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Tell me something. What do you
                    really want to do with your life?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What do I want to do?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Why do you repeat everything I say?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What do I wanna do? I mean, you
                    know that, right?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You're five-eight.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Spud Web was five seven.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What?
                         
          Henrietta's father Mr. Aaronson, rolls up in a VW van and
          speaks from the window.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    So what's happening kids? Haroon
                    said you guys were talking about
                    important stuff?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad, we're fucking studying here!
                    Do you mind?
                         
                               MR. AARONSON
                    In the parking lot? I just wanted
                    to see if you guys needed anything.
                    I made Rice Krispy treats. They're
                    still hot.
                         
          He showcases a saran wrapped tray.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad, have you seen how fucking fat
                    I am!?
                                                                  41.
                         
                         
                               MR. AARONSON
                    Henrietta. Just because you don't
                    want any doesn't mean Jolie
                    doesn't. Tutoring is hard work,
                    after all.
                                       (TO JOLIE)
                    I tutored high school kids in
                    Oakland in the 60's, and -
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad, we all know the story of you
                    saving kids in the ghetto, ok?
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    Jolie, are you hungry?
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                   UH-
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie's bailing, Dad. Come on.
                         
          Henrietta hops into the Van.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    Oh. Well. That's cool. That's cool.
                         
          Henrietta looks bummed. She cups her stomach and looks at it.
          Then scowls at Jolie.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'm really sorry, Mr. Aaronson, but-
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad. Just drive please.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    No worries, Jolie. Catch you later.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson makes the West coast gang sign as a friendly
          gesture as a good-bye as he drives off.
                         
          Jolie and Haroon watch them leave.
                         
                         
          INT. METRO - NIGHT
                         
          The train rumbles along.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    So you've been tutoring her in
                    Algebra and that's it?
                                                                  42.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yea.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Whatever man.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I was sitting right there.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    So?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    So man. I saw what was going on.
                    I'm not an idiot.
                         
          Jolie is silent.
                         
                                             HAROON (CONT'D)
                    You're ridiculous. I gotta jump
                    off.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What? I thought we were gonna play
                    street fighter?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I can play dune at home on my PC.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What are you scared I'm gonna smoke
                    you like a blunt again?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    You wish. You can't touch my
                    skills.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'd turn you into a straight
                    dikfor.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    What the hell is a dikfor?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    You don't know what a dick's for!?
                    You fucking homo-thug!
                         
          Jolie jumps on the seat and shoves his crotch in Haroon's
          face - thrusting hard. Several passengers laugh.
                                                                  43.
                         
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Oww! Dude, you're pealing off my
                    scab. Get off me! You know you've
                    been a real jerk lately.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Damn, Ray really smashed your face
                    didn't he?
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I think you're an asshole for lying
                    to Henrietta and Christine.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I never lied to them.
                         
          The metro rumbles to a stop.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                       (CONT)
                    I love them both.
                         
          Haroon exits.
                         
          Jolie looks longingly out of the window as the train pulls
          off.
                         
          INT. GYMNASIUM - LATE AFTERNOON
                         
                         POST PRACTICE:
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Kiss! Can anyone tell me what KISS
                    stands for?
                         
          Coach Dale underlines "KISS" on the blackboard.
                         
          All the bleachers are pushed in. The team gathered on the
          floor in practice jerseys. Five starters in white. The rest
          in red. All downtrodden.
                         
          Wendel wipes sweat off his chin.
                         
          Coach Dale eyes them down. Two dishevelled white assistant
          coaches flank Dale. A fat black man in a sweat-suit also
          hangs around, an unofficial assistant coach.
                         
          ASSISTANT #1 wears a gray sweat suit. ASSISTANT #2 sports a
          wrinkled dress shirt and tie. Both don clip boards and red
          whistles.
                         
          No one moves.
                         
          Jolie hesitantly gestures.
                                                                  44.
                         
                         
          Coach Dale nods.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Uh, Keep it simple stupid.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Why are you mumbling? Speak up.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Keep it simple stupid.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    That's right. Keep it simple
                    stupid.
                         
          The team stares blankly.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                    Ya'll screw up and say, "But I
                    thought..."
                                       (BEAT)
                    Kiss.
                                       (BEAT)
                    Keep it simple. You guys are
                    thinking too much on the court.
                    Stay aggressive and maybe we'll
                    have a chance of beating
                    Springbrook without Francisco and
                    Merly. We're short handed,
                    especially at guard positions, so
                    everyone has to be ready to play,
                    especially you Jolie. You're as
                    good as anybody on this team. I've
                    seen you play great when we
                    scrimmaged with JV.
                                       (BEAT)
                    And everyone, no more bringing your
                    stuff in a plastic bag. Get a real
                    bag. Something canvas. Use an old
                    backpack if you have to.
                         
                         
          EXT. GYMNASIUM - DUSK
                         
          A few boys from the team and a few girls from the cheerleader
          squad are hanging around a track and field practice visible
          in the distance.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Arius, man. When can I see the VHS
                    tape you mentioned?
                                                                  45.
                         
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    What? Oh, it got erased. Didn't you
                    hear the cops are on to the whole
                    thing?
                         
                                                JOLIE
                    Yeah, but-
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Man, Francisco is in the papers.
                    You haven't seen?
                        (turns and tugs at a
                                        CHEERLEADER)
                    Come here, girl. Sit on my lap.
                         
          Wendel lights a cig.
                         
          Jolie lays a towel over his head and turns to Wendel.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Henrietta didn't really fuck any of
                    them, did she? I mean she was just
                    posing nude for some photos, right?
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Well, they just paid her to do a
                    little strip tease or whatever but
                    things escalated.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    How can it just escalate?
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    How did World War 2 escalate? It
                    just did. Someone pulled out his
                    junk teasing her, and then she
                    started messing around with her
                    tongue on his balls, just laughing
                    and stuff. And it just went from
                    there.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Dude? If this is a psych, you got
                    me. OK? Just tell me the truth.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    I'm not lying. I'm dead serious.
                    You can see for yourself.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    It got erased I thought.
                                                                  46.
                         
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    The original did. But Arius has a
                    copy.
                         
          Jolie tugs on his underarm hair, worried.
                         
          They look over at Arius who is daydreaming.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                                       (TO HIMSELF)
                    Booooom.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Arius!
                         
          Arius snaps out of it.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    What happened to your head man?
                         
                                              ARIUS
                    The doctors said I was crazy so
                    they took a little piece of my
                    brain out.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    No they didn't.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Yes they did. Look.
                         
          Arius shows off the top of his head
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Damn.
                         
          CLOSE ON: Arius's brutal scar in his head. Arius pushes at it
          with his fingers.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    See how soft it is?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah.
                         
          Arius laughs. Looks around to make sure no one's listening
          in.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Come by Coach Dales office tomorrow
                    at 3 o'clock.
                                             (MORE)
                                                                     47.
                         
                                             ARIUS (CONT'D)
                    While he's gone opening up the
                    weight-room I'm showing the tape
                    for five bucks a head. You have
                    never seen anything like this, I
                    promise you.
                         
          A yellow Geo Jeep with 5 very thugged out kids rolls up.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Arright y'all.
                         
          Arius gives them the finger from the packed with 6 Jeep as it
          speeds off (Geo's are equipt with only 4 seats)
                         
          INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
                         
          Everyone working away - Haroon and Jolie seated in the back
          with a giant stand alone magnifying glass.
                         
          The teacher MR. APPLEBAUM puts a paper on Jolie's desk
          labeled B+, then Haroon's, labeled B-.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    B minus!? Are you serious?
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    Watch the language Mister
                    Mochtarzada.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Did you even read this shit?
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    Thin ice Haroon.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Come on Mr. Applebaum? The whole
                    undercover hooker bust opening in
                    this thing is genius.
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    It's not accurate Haroon. The OJ
                    trial didn't begin until long after
                    the Marion Barry bust.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Duh. Everybody knows that. It's not
                    an Encyclopedia. It's a story.
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    Haroon. This is a current events
                    history class. I think you missed
                    the point of the assignment.
                                                                     48.
                         
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I think you missed the point of the
                    story! The events were mixed up
                    because the character is mixed up.
                    You think I don't know -
                         
                               MR. APPLEBAUM
                    Enough !
                         
          Stunned, Haroon walks back to his desk.
                         
                                             HAROON
                        (under his breath)
                    ...fucking idiot...
                         
                              MR. APPLEBAUM
                    Detention. Today.
                         
          The bell rings. The clock shows 3 o'clock sharp.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Fucking dick-face man, it's not
                    fair!
                         
          Haroon brushes his notebook and pencils onto the floor in
          frustration.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Shit man. I'm sorry dude. You
                    deserved an A. It was tight as a
                    mug.
                         
                                              HAROON
                    Don't placate me asshole. You
                    didn't even read it like you said
                    you would.
                         
          Haroon holds up his cast.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    It's just a broken arm and a couple
                    black eye. Nothing to worry about
                    right? Go hang with your stupid
                    team.
                         
          Jolie looks at the clock as the room empties.
                         
          Jolie sheepishly leaves Haroon alone with Mr. Applebaum.
                         
          INT. HALLWAY
                         
          Jolie walks down a packed hallway and ducks into an office
          door.
                                                                  49.
                         
                         
          As Coach Dale leaves his office Arius catches the door. The
          team slips in one by one. All hanging out nearby.
                         
          INT. BASKETBALL COACH OFFICE - DAY
                         
          Pictures and trophies are all over the cramped room, spanning
          decades.
                         
          The team and a group of cheerleaders are hanging out waiting
          for the video.
                         
          Arius pops the tape in.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Look, look, look. Look. Right here,
                    I told you.
                         
          Ad-lib hollers.
                         
          Some laugh.
                         
                                             ARIUS (CONT'D)
                    I told you she was turned out.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                                       (TO JOLIE)
                    Damn.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Aw, man.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Hold up, I gotta rewind to the
                    funny part.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    What a slut! That's that girl you
                    tutor right?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (STUNNED)
                    Yea. ...Henrietta Aaronson.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    I told you! I told you! I told you!
                         
          Jolie looks devastated. The picture in a backwards blur -
          rewinding, we can make out Henrietta.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Shhhhhh. Shhhhh. This is it.
                         
          On the television is Henrietta.
                                                                   50.
                         
                         
                               GUY BEHIND THE CAMERA
                    What's the password?
                                       (BEAT)
                    Lemme see them shits again.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    When he grabs her tits it looks
                    like he's assessing a race horse.
                    He's like - lemme check out this
                    specimen.
                         
          Everyone laughs but Jolie.
                         
                              GUY BEHIND THE CAMERA
                    What would your daddy say if he saw
                    this?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                        (affecting a sexy voice)
                    He'd knock me out for the rest of
                    my life.
                         
          The kids in the room break out into ad-lib excitement.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Pause it. Pause it. Pause it. Look.
                    Right there. That's Francisco in
                    the back.
                         
          In the background of the video is a doorway to a hallway, and
          crouched on the floor as if waiting for a long time, is
          Francisco.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Coach Dale is coming. I'm serious.
                    He's coming now.
                         
          Wendel flips on the Sega Genesis. John Madden '95 appears on
          the screen.
                         
          Christine and Wendel each grab a controller.
                         
          Coach Dale enters.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    No weightroom today guys, we got
                    some studying to do. This is a copy
                    of last years Springbrook game. Get
                    comfortable, this could be a while.
                         
          The cheerleaders gather themselves.
                                                                   51.
                         
                         
          Coach Dale tries to insert the game tape but the VHS of
          Henrietta is still inside. He ejects the mystery tape, looks
          at it, unlabeled, and puts it in his bag.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                        (cont.)
                    Girls, you are welcome to watch but
                    please keep it down, we have our
                    work cut out for us.
                         
          The cheerleaders leave, Christine the last to straggle along,
          grabs Jolie's hand briefly on the way out.
                         
          Coach Dale turn off the lights and presses play on the game
          tape.
                         
          Arius considers swiping the VHS. So does Jolie. But there's
          no opportunity.
                         
          The low quality recording of a game plays: one pixilated,
          long take.
                         
          The blue team scores. The white team - THE BLAZERS - in-bound
          the ball, and the camera pans following the action. The video
          as primitive as it gets.
                         
          Jolie is in a daze about what has seen with Henrietta.
                         
          Coach Dale pauses the tape.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                    Now what was wrong with that shot?
                                       (BEAT)
                    Jolie?
                         
                                              ARIUS
                    He shot on the first pass of a half
                    court set.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Are you Jolie?
                         
                                             ARIUS
                        (scowling at the coach)
                    Do I look like white to you?
                         
          Beat.
                         
          Coach Dale assails Arius, wrestling him into a hold on the
          floor.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    How does it feel?
                                                                     52.
                         
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Owwww. My arm.
                         
          The other players stand back feeling awkward about the semi-
          abusive coach.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    How does it feel?
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Ah. Ah. Ah.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Look in my eyes. How does it feel?
                         
                                              ARIUS
                    Ahhhhhh!
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    If I ever see you back away from a
                    rebound again I'm gonna bench you
                    for the season. You wont play one
                    second the whole year. You got that
                    boy?
                         
          Arius pinned and cringing squirms, eyes tearing, shirt
          bunching up and revealing a tatoo on his back for "Maple
          Ave."
                         
          While everyone's distracted Jolie eyes the bag with the VHS,
          inching closer. Just as he's about to make his move the coach
          release Arius and sits back down.
                         
          Then he pounces on Arius again and Jolie quickly grab the
          tape.
                         
                                              ARIUS
                    Ahhhhh!
                         
          EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
                         
          Rain pours.
                         
          Jolie sits on a stump, drenched and pounding a can of Coca-
          Cola and holding a basketball.
                         
          Henrietta comes timidly down the path with an umbrella and
          flashlight, removing her Walkman headphones.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie, you are soaking wet. What's
                    going on? Why did you want to meet
                    here in the middle of the night?
                                                                  53.
                         
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     This. This tape is going on. I saw
                     it. The whole team saw it.
                         
          Henrietta is silent.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     You lied to me. Why?
                         
          Jolie puts the VHS on the stump and smashes it violently with
          his basketball. Then he pulls the tape out of the VHS
          cassette and throws it into the air dramatically.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     Don't you have anything to say?!
                     Don't you?!
                         
                                              HENRIETTA
                     What the fuck?
                         
          Silence.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                     How could you lie to me like this?
                     How could you make a fool of me
                     like this?
                         
                                              HENRIETTA
                     How could I tell you when you never
                     listen?
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     Why? Why not? I love you.
                         
          Jolie hugs her.
                         
                                              HENRIETTA
                     Sometimes love is not enough.
                         
          Jolie just looks at her.
                         
          Jolie is dumb struck.
                         
          Henrietta hugs him.
                         
                                              HENRIETTA
                     I just couldn't tell you about
                     Maple Ave., Jolie. I just couldn't
                     let you down. Your a Magnet kid.
                     Your smart. Your excellent at
                     computer, math and science. You
                     don't understand where I'm coming
                     from. What's important to me.
                                                                  54.
                         
                         
          Henrietta hides her face in his shoulder.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I think we shouldn't see each other
                    anymore.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I think you're right.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    You do?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                                       (TEARING UP)
                    Yeah. This time I think you're
                    actually right.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Kiss me one last time.
                         
          A beautiful silhouette kiss against the dark blue sky in the
          rain. Jolie's basketball in a glistening puddle. Magnetic
          tape from the VHS strewn about.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I never meant any of that to
                    happen. Things just got out of
                    control.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'll tell your Dad I'm not your
                    tutor anymore.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Thanks. Oh, and here. I want you to
                    have this back.
                         
          Henrietta ejects her tape from her Walkman.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What's this?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    It's Milkshake. The 95 R&B mix you
                    gave me at our second tutoring
                    session.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh. One of those tracks isn't even
                    out yet though.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Yea, I know. And some are older.
                    It's kind of fucked up.
                                                                  55.
                         
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      Just like us I guess.
                         
                                               HENRIETTA
                      Just like everyone.
                         
          Jolie looks at the mixtape and Henrietta leaves him standing
          alone in the rain in the woods.
                         
                                                    FADE OUT.
                         
                         BLACKNESS
                         
          Hold.
                         
          INT. FOOTLOCKER
                         
          As Chris Rock would say, Jolie, Christine and Haroon are in
          the mall `white people used to go to.'
                         
          Jolie takes a suede Timberland boot off the shelf.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                      Dude, I was thinking about getting
                      some Tims.
                         
                                                HAROON
                      So what?
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      So you haven't noticed all the kids
                      on the team wear them?
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                      Duh.
                         
                                               HAROON
                      Man, with sandals you never have to
                      tie your shoes. That's all I'm
                      saying.
                         
          Jolie sizes up the boot next to his foot and looks in the
          mirror.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      Do you have these in a size ten.
                      And bring a what -
                          (looks to Haroon)
                      Size 7? Yeah size seven for Haroon.
                         
          Footlocker kid nods and goes.
                                                                     56.
                         
                         
                                                HAROON
                       I told you, man, I don't want Tims.
                       I'm a sandals guy. Like Jesus. And
                       Muhammad.
                         
          Haroon sits down defeated and looks in the mirror.
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                       You'd look good in them, Haroon.
                       You should try them on. Come on. Be
                       cool.
                         
          Haroon looks at his toes, wiggles them.
                         
          Christine and Jolie french kiss as the Footlocker Kid returns
          with three boxes of shoes, stopping short to watch Jolie and
          Christine make-out. Haroon looks away sheepishly.
                         
          Begin the make out montage:
                         
          EXT. BLAZERS GYM PARKING LOT - DUSK
                         
          Run down gravel plot built to fit fifteen cars. Empty except
          for Jolie and Christine.
                         
          Wendel and Arius driving off in a bright yellow Geo jeep
          packed with 7 other kids.
                         
          Christine and Jolie are french kissing. Both wearing their
          Timberland boots.
                         
          EXT. BEAUTIFUL CEMETERY - NIGHT
                         
          On the bank of a stream.
                         
          Jolie unzips Christine's daisy dukes under the moonlight and
          traces her exposed skin with the tips of his fingers.
                         
          EXT. EMPTY "SAFEWAY" GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT - NIGHT
                         
          Drizzling.
                         
          Jolie's Toyota Camry is fogged up, and there are feet in the
          window.
                         
          INT. TACO BELL - NIGHT
                         
          Jolie and Christine are kissing.
                         
                                                CASHIER
                       Anything else with that?
                         
          We see Christine slip Jolie a lot of tongue.
                                                                  57.
                         
                         
          EXT. TACO BELL PARKING LOT - DAY
                         
          Jolie and Christine walk out of the bell.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    Jolie.
                         
          Jolie turns to see Mr. Aaronson and Henrietta in their VW
          van. Henrietta sits all the way in the back wearing
          headphones.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Mr. Aaronson.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    What's up? You kids want anything
                    from the Bell.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    We just ate. But thanks.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    OK, well. We're on for this Sunday
                    right?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh. Uh, Henrietta didn't tell you?
                    I, uh, can't tutor anymore.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    What? Uh, why not? Your Dad hasn't
                    mentioned, uh.-
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    No, it's just, the team. Basketball
                    is taking up so much time now is
                    all. Getting ready for the playoffs
                    and everything. Honestly, I'd be so
                    tired I wouldn't even be any good.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    Dang, Well are you still gonna mow
                    the lawn at least?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I could probably recommend someone.
                    My buddy Haroon's older brother
                    maybe.
                         
          The car behind them in line honks loudly.
                                                           58.
                         
                         
                               MR. AARONSON
                    What's his number? Lemme grab a
                    pen.
                         (shuffling through the
                                         GLOVE BOX)
                    You sure you don't want a bean
                    burrito or anything?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    No. I'm good. It's-.
                         
          Honk!
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad!
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    I'll get it from your dad.
                         
          Jolie waves.
                         
          Henrietta glares at Jolie as they drive off.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                    Wow. She really hates you or
                    something.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What do you mean?
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Don't pretend like you didn't see
                    that evil eye she gave you.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What evil eye?
                         
                         
          INT. TOYOTA CAMRY
                         
          Parked.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    You know their's a rumor going
                    around that you were hooking up
                    with her?
                         
          The engine roars to life.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Who? Henrietta?
                         
          Jolie blasts the AC - blowing their hair back.
                                                                  59.
                         
                         
          Christine kills it.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Some people even say you're still
                    hooking up.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Henrietta Aaronson?
                         
          Jolie notches up the AC a touch.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I tutored her in algebra. Her dad
                    is a long time friend of the
                    family.
                         
          Jolie leans over and kisses Christine.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    I was gonna say. Because she's
                    kinda pregnant.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I know, right. You'd have to be
                    twisted to get down with that.
                         
          Jolie bites into a bean burrito, some beans spilling down his
          cheek.
                         
          INT. JOLIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                         
          Redman's Whatever Man is playing.
                         
          Jolie makes out with Christine.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Do you have a jimmy?
                         
          Jolie searches through his sloppy dresser drawers.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    I never had to use a condom with
                    Henrietta.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                    Hurry up.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Dang. I don't see one here.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                    What?
                                                                   60.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Well maybe we can just do it a
                    little bit.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                    No way.
                         
          Christine rolls over.
                         
          Jolie is still for a moment.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (WHISPERS)
                    I won't even do it. I'll just feel
                    it.
                         
          Jolie nestles close to her.
                         
          Beat.
                         
          The sheets move.
                         
          Christine lightly moans.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                                         (BARELY AUDIBLE)
                    Oh.
                         
          The covers begin to shuffle
                         
          CLOSE ON: Jolie's closed eyes.
                         
                                                                        DISSOLVE TO:
                         
          INT. FANTASY SMOKE FILLED BASKETBALL COURT
                         
          A spotlit Jolie dribbling down a seemingly endless court.
                         
          Faint roars of an unseen sell-out crowd cheer him on.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    In my head I kept thinking about
                    dribbling a basketball down an
                    endless basketball court, playing
                    point guard in the biggest game of
                    the year. The Springbrook game.
                         
          A spotlit Christine does a cartwheel followed by a split.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    That kept me focused so I wouldn't
                    bust in about two seconds.
                                                                  61.
                         
                         
          Jolie looks down at his soiled pants, forgetting his
          basketball that bounces off into darkness.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                        (VOICE OVER)
                     I was gonna pull out but...
                         
          Three old white referees, also spotlit, are blowing their
          whistles and pointing furiously at Jolie as they charge
          closer, revealing they all have the face of Mr. Aaronson.
                         
                                                                          BACK TO:
                         
                         
          INT. JOLIE'S BEDROOM - THAT MOMENT
                         
          Jolie's face of extreme worry.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     Uh, I better not keep going.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                         (under her breath)
                     Oh. Fuck.
                         
          Silence.
                         
          Christine takes a few second to cool off.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                     Have any music we can listen to?
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     Yea.
                         
          Jolie grabs some sheets around him and walks over to desk
          with CDs and junk. In a sneeky manor he grabs a tissue and
          wipes himself clean, then grabs a Handi-Snacks wrapper and
          throws them in the trash together.
                         
          Then he pulls out an All Eyes on Me CD. We get a long close
          up of the cover.
                         
          The music begins to play.
                         
          Jolie and Christine cuddle.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                     Do you ever wish you were Tu Pac?
                         
                                              JOLIE
                     No. Do you?
                                                                  62.
                         
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Actually yeah. Sometimes.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Really? Shit, so do I. All the
                    time.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                    I can't believe he shot those drunk
                    cops and then the cops' guns turned
                    out to be-
                         
                               JOLIE AND CHRISTINE
                    -stolen.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Yeah. So cool right.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    So SO cool.
                         
          Jolie and Christine kiss.
                         
          EXT. TACO HUT AT FOUR CORNERS - DUSK
                         
          The crossroads. Two huge four lane roads cross to form a
          massive intersection. Behind it, a Taco Bell parking lot full
          of cars.
                         
          A short line at the 'Drive-Thru.'
                         
          Kids from the team are hanging out by Jolie's Toyota Camry.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    As the season rolled on, the Taco
                    Hut became the spot to be. Some
                    days I would just look around and
                    soak it in. I couldn't believe I
                    was even here.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    That looks like one of them locks
                    you can just bust with your hands.
                         
          They eye a girly looking chain that locks a new forest green
          girls mountain bike to a bike rack.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    I don't think so. The rack thing's
                    not, like, stuck down.
                                                                     63.
                         
                         
          Arius contemplates breaking the lock. He sips the last of his
          huge soda, the cup still heavy from ice, and launches it over
          a few parked cars. It crashes loudly in a dumpster.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Arright ch'all.
                         
          Arius walks away toward the rack.
                         
          He yanks the new shiny green mountain bike with two arms up
          toward his chest. The entire bike rack jerks off the ground
          but the lock doesn't break.
                         
          Arius walks on like nothing has happened. Disappears among
          the parked cars - the sun setting behind them.
                         
          INT. BLAIR BLAZERS HIGH SCHOOL FOYER
                         
          A large entrance-way with drop ceilings, a black floor, and
          red trim.
                         
          The Blazers Emblem is mounted high. A giant copper shield
          divided into four, like something out of a gladiator movie.
                         
          It's lunch period and kids from the team are hanging out.
          Jolie, Haroon, Vlad and Christine are nearby.
                         
                                              CHRISTINE
                                        (WHISPERING)
                    Jolie. I have to tell you
                    something. Wanna go outside for a
                    sec?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (eyes on Ray approaching)
                    Sure.
                         
          Ray, walking past, intentionally brushes Haroon with his
          shoulder. Haroon drops his Handisnacks - his crackers
          crumbling across the floor.
                         
                                               RAY
                    Dead man.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    You're not gonna do shit.
                         
                                             RAY
                    This aint about you.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Man just chill out.
                                                                    64.
                         
                         
                                               RAY
                    Fuck you.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    You're just rude. That's why your
                    Mom beat your ass growing up.
                         
                                             RAY
                    Keep talking about my Mom nigga.
                    I'll smash your fucking nigga lips
                    in.
                         
          In a flash Arius wrenches Ray by the collar, swings him
          around into the tall windows and they slam into them.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Say it again.
                         
          Ray throws a punch and a fight breaks out. Kids come running
          to watch from different classrooms.
                         
          Arius gets Ray by the collar again and swing him around into
          the window but this time they fall through the glass.
                         
          Ray lands on his back outside. Arius falls forward hanging
          half out of the window and glass punctures his gut.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    My fucking gut. I'm bleeding all
                    over my fucking Guess. My Guess
                    shit man!
                         
                                             RAY
                    Ah fuck man. I'm OK. I think I'm
                    OK.
                         
          A large crowd has gathered around the blood and broken window
          in the aftermath of a fight.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Ah shit, man! Ahhh! My fucking gut
                    is burning!
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Holly shit. You need help. Someone
                    call an ambulance.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Whoa dude. That is a lot of blood.
                    Where is he going?
                         
                                               JOLIE
                    I dunno.
                                                                    65.
                         
                         
          Arius hobbles around leaving a trail of blood on the linoleum
          tiles as Principal Ganus and Mr. Applebaum appear on the
          scene and hold him up.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    An ambulance is on the way.
                         
          Arius is hobbled out. Ray is shepparded off by Mr.
          Applebaum..
                         
          A trail of small spats of blood across the linoleum floor.
                         
          Principal Ganus is surveying the scene with a few of the kids
          who were present.
                         
          INT. PACKED BLAZER GYM - NIGHT
                         
          The crowd is filled with energy.
                         
          Brightly lit.   A home game. Everything is red, white, and
          black.
                         
          The glossy floor shines like it has just been polished.
                         
          Go-go music, blasting over the sub-par audio system, fades
          out.
                         
          The fifteen Blair Blazers in their red and white warm ups
          have taken center court for a ritual.
                         
          Huddled in a pack, hunched over and jumbled together with
          their arms around each other, swaying back and forth, they
          get pumped up:
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Who's house?
                         
                                                WHOLE TEAM
                    OUR HOUSE!
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Who's house?
                         
                                                WHOLE TEAM
                    OUR HOUSE!
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Who's house?
                         
                                                WHOLE TEAM
                    OUR HOUSE!
                         
          Ad-lib hollers in excitement as the huddle breaks and they
          head for the bench.
                                                                    66.
                         
                         
          Players wipe the soles of their shoes on the way over.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                     OK, starting five. Let's go.
                         
          Five players shed their warm ups and gather on the bench.
          Jolie is one of the starters.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                     OK, we're gonna come out in a
                     twenty-two going black on made
                     buckets. Wendel and Jolie up front.
                         
          Everyone puts their hands in together in a circle.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                     Defense on three.
                         
                                              WENDEL
                     Defense on three. One! Two! Three!
                         
                         LATER
                         
          The bench players have formed an entry way for the starters
          to take the court.
                         
          On a crappy microphone:
                         
                                              ANNOUNCER
                     Starting at point guard. Number
                     twenty two. Joel "Jolie" Jolson.
                         
          Jolie trots the isle of his teammates. Wendel stoically slaps
          fives and gives pounds as he takes center floor.
                         
          He takes in the experience - looking at the huge crowd in the
          stands around him. All applauding.
                         
          Jolie's smile fades, and we see he has spotted Henrietta in
          the crowd, and not far from her - Christine.
                         
          Whistle!
                         
                                                    SMASH CUT TO:
                         
          INT. BLAZERS GYM - GAME TIME
                         
          The noises of the game and crowd are very frantic and
          everything is fast paced.
                         
          Coach Dale looks at the clock - 30 second left, Blair is down
          1 with the ball.
                                                                    67.
                         
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Jolie! Get back in the game! Take
                    Pistol.
                         
          Jolie barrels toward check-in ripping off his warm-ups (top
          and bottom), squats at mid court - the buzzer sounds - he
          taps Pistol an underhand five.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Who you got?
                         
          Pistol points at a huge BLOND DUDE who pounds his chest
          ferociously.
                         
          A buzzer indicating a substitution.
                         
          Jolie is passed the ball - he puts a quick move on his man,
          jab step and cross, slicing through the lane. He fakes a pass
          behind his back and goes up for a lay up when his shot is
          blocked and he is slammed violently by a help-side defender.
                         
          The ref blows his whistle hard and gestures - calls a foul.
                         
          Jolie is on the ground in pain, holding his hand, wincing.
                         
          INT. JOLSON'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
                         
          Jolie still in his basketball attire, looks down over a large
          bandage on his thumb.
                         
          The microwave buzzes.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    That was a great move you made. You
                    would have been on the line for two
                    if that guy didn't injure you.
                         
          Jolie pushes his food away.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Owwwww! My thumb. Sharp pain just
                    shot all the way threw my neck.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    Are you alright?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    More ravioli or anything. I could
                    microwave some more.
                                                                  68.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    No, I'm good.
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S HOME - DAY -- STAIRWELL
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I don't care if I go to Summer
                    School!
                         
          Crumpled on the steps, Henrietta shrieks again.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    This shit is meaningless! Who gives
                    a crap!?
                         
          A paper on the floor is marked with a big fat red F with a
          circle around it.
                         
          A note is paper-clipped to the corner of the page.
                         
          Henrietta shrieks again - launches her TI-81 Calculator at
          Mr. Aaronson, who dodges and it breaks a few plates that were
          on display.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson acts fast.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                                       (MUMBLING)
                    You're gonna break this thing.
                         
          He checks the calculator and bee lines for the phone.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                        (genuinely amazed by her
                                        ANGER)
                    Unbelievable.
                         
          He dials - in the background kitchen Henrietta's STEP-MOM
          rises and comes to check out the commotion.
                         
                                              STEP-MOM
                        (O.S.)
                    Did Henrietta just break my
                    grandmother's China?
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                        (grabbing the phone)
                    Shhhh.
                         
          Henrietta's shriek carries over into:
                         
          INT. LIVINGROOM
                         
          Jolie and Elliott eat ice cream - they both look very tired.
                                                                     69.
                         
                         
          Jolie lies on the couch, still in uniform.
                         
          The late nights lurid news plays on a small white television.
                         
                              MALE NEWS ANCHOR
                        (on the television)
                    They said 'had they known it was
                    Jordan's Dad they never would have
                    done it...'
                         
                              FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR
                    If only they had seen the license
                    plate... Airness, they might have
                    known.
                         
          On the TV: Jordan's Dad's Red Lexus 400, parked, now with a
          smashed back window as well. The shot zooms into the license
          plate - AIRNESS.
                         
          The phone rings.
                         
          Elliott checks the circa 90's caller ID - a separate box
          wired to the phone.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    The Aaronsons? At this hour? Should
                    I get it?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't know?
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                                       (ANSWERS)
                    Hello.
                         
          EXT. JOLIE'S HOME - NIGHT
                         
          Jolie in his uniform and Timberland boots, and his Dad
          Elliott in boxers, a T-shirt and barefoot, run to the
          minivan.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    They think only you can talk her
                    off the ledge.
                         
          Jolie looks like a deer in headlights.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Why me?
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    That's what she said.
                                                                    70.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Really? Dang.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    Well she's not literally on a
                    ledge. Figuratively. Do you know
                    what figuratively means?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Duh. Come on, Dad. Just drive.
                         
          They hop in the van.
                         
                         
          EXT. STREETS OF TAKOMA PARK
                         
          The drive past a sign that symbolizes `Caution, Kids at
          Play.'
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S LIVINGROOM
                         
          Jolie, still in his pajamas, walks up the steps then stops to
          look down them with frightened hesitation in his eyes.
                         
          The four parents look up - some give a few encouraging nods.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    You don't have to do this.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Don't worry, I know how to help
                    Henrietta get her shit together.
                         
                                                ELLIOTT
                    Jolie.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Dad. Come on. You know what I mean.
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S BEDROOM
                         
          Total darkness. No TV. No overhead light. Both kids are
          wearing white.
                         
          Henrietta's stands in front of a mirror, face wet and red
          from crying.
                         
          Jolie hugs her from behind.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Henrietta, your Dad showed me the
                    test. It was bad, but if you get an
                    A on your last exam you'll still
                    pass.
                                                               71.
                         
                         
          He flicks on a soft warm lamp and kisses her neck.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                    You just gotta learn to distribute.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You really think I don't know how
                    to do that shit?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    That test isn't why I was so mad.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What is it then? You can talk to
                    me. You can tell me anything.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I wasn't invited with you guys to
                    the Tyson fight tomorrow. The one
                    on pay TV. I heard everyone was
                    going and I just flipped out. I
                    mean what's the deal?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What? You mean the Bowe fight?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Yeah. Bowe, Tyson, whatever. The
                    point is the whole team's going.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah. It's pretty much just a team
                    thing though.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    No it's not. Wendel, Arius, and
                    Codroy are all bringing girls.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh. I didn't know that. Well, why
                    don't I just call you when I figure
                    out what time we're going.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Well the fight is at eight, right?
                         
          Henrietta puts her hand on his leg.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Is it?
                                                                  72.
                         
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Yeah. And everyone's going to
                    Muhammad Ali's Rotiserie Chicken at
                    City Place.
                         
          She slides her hand up.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Yeah.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Well, I don't know. You have a lot
                    of studying.
                         
          Uneasy with her advances, Jolie plucks a Cliff Livingston
          basketball card off the wall.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Cliff Livingston. I forgot about
                    that guy.
                         
          Henrietta goes for a kiss.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Henrietta. Come on? We're not
                    together anymore.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                                       (SUDDENLY ANGRY)
                    You know Spud Web only gets a
                    roster spot because he's a circus
                    freak. He shouldn't be there, and
                    that's why he sells tickets. Don't
                    you get it. He's not good, he's
                    just a draw. Is that what you want
                    to be, a circus freak?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    He won the dunk contest. The guy's
                    a beast. You're way out of your
                    league.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    The league is about making money.
                    Jolie, the only reason you even got
                    on varsity is because your Dad paid
                    for the new uniforms. You never
                    would have made it even with
                    Francisco getting arrested. Don't
                    you realize that?
                                                                   73.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    No he didn't.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Yes he did. They cost over two
                    thousand dollars. How could you not
                    know that? I mean you made Varsity
                    at Blair after being cut from JV
                    last year. When have you ever seen
                    that happen?
                         
          The news hits Jolie hard.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    That's not true. Where did you hear
                    that?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    My Dad talking to your dad on the
                    phone in the kitchen.
                         
          Jolie looks at his bandaged hand - lost in deep depressing
          thought.
                         
          Henrietta leans into Jolie. Strokes his leg. Jolie, defeated,
          leans into her comforting arms.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I still love you, though. None of
                    that matters to me.
                         
          Henrietta kisses him.
                         
          He kisses her back.
                         
          Henrietta's father knocks.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Dad, we're studying here! Do you
                    mind?
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                                       (OFF SCREEN)
                    Sorry. I just wanted to see if you
                    guys needed anything.
                         
          Silence for a moment as the kids are frozen, then we hear him
          head down stairs.
                         
          Jolie lies down and Henrietta spoons him. They cuddle.
                                                                     74.
                         
                         
          EXT. HENRIETTA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                         
          A full moon illuminates: Jolie leaves with his Dad and a big
          fat rice crispy treat in his mouth.
                         
          They pass a Black Volvo and an old Red Volkswagen Bug and
          Golden Retriever sleeping in the yard.
                         
          They hop into the Minivan. Jolie takes a big bite of the rice
          crispy treat as they drive past a "speed hump" sign.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    It must have been good for
                    Henrietta too, because afterwords,
                    she didn't mention joining the team
                    to the Bowe fight, she didn't
                    mention Christine, she didnt
                    mention nothing.
                         
          As they drive off Jolie looks back at Henrietta's home
          getting smaller and smaller. A speed hump sign in the
          foreground, and a basketball hoop set up on the street.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    Still though, I was worried she'd
                    show anyway. If she did, I didn't
                    know what I was gonna do.
                         
          EXT. CITY PLACE MALL - NIGHT
                         
          Wide, dark, empty streets, lit up by pools of light from
          street lamps.
                         
          Haroon and Jolie cross to: Muhammad Ali's Chicken, a
          restaurant with TV's in the windows, and a color scheme of
          red, black, and white.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    So she was just pissed because you
                    didn't invite her to this?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    But it sounds like she was really
                    freaking out. I mean you said she
                    smashed their PC.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah, when I first got there she
                    didn't even have any clothes on.
                                             (MORE)
                                                                    75.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                    She threw her pajamas into the
                    fireplace. I swear to God.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I don't know. I mean maybe
                    something more is going on?
                         
          They pass a BLIND BLACK MAN in a black suit poking around a
          seeing-eye stick, trying to orient himself.
                         
                                              HAROON (CONT'D)
                    I mean, she's pregnant and it
                    sounds like she's keeping the baby.
                    Like she's fulfilling some need or
                    something.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah - the need for something.
                         
          They cackle.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    You wear a condom right?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't have to. She's pregnant.
                         
          They laugh harder.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Ah man. Ah man. That is crazy.
                         
          INT. CITY PLACE MALL
                         
          They enter and their demeanors shift - they both affect
          bravado.
                         
                                             HAROON
                                       (SOFTLY)
                    Have you ever been here?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (SOFTLY)
                    Not for a fight?
                         
          INT. MUHAMMAD ALI'S CHICKEN
                         
          Haroon and Jolie walk threw looking for their friends; we
          take in the setting as they do.
                         
          An old dude finishes a coke through a straw; we hear the loud
          bubbling noise. The giant plastic cup has a picture of
          Muhammad Ali in his prime.
                                                                  76.
                         
                         
          B & W Muhammad Ali posters fill the walls. Ali stands in
          glory over his unconscious opponents, or lays blows to their
          faces, sweat frozen in the air as it flies from their bodies.
                         
          The food is laid out cafeteria style. The tables and booths
          are a step above any fast food joint. Televisions hang from
          every angle, some even face the streets to attract
          pedestrians.
                         
          On every television, without exception: a boxing match. Bowe
          versus a large white guy, Golota.
                         
          Watching are about a hundred and fifty black people of all
          ages, mostly male, packing the restaurant.
                         
          The crowd subdued by the early rounds.
                         
          Jolie finds his friends from the team and their girlfriends
          lining the shinny metal railing that guides people along the
          buffet style assortment of chicken and biscuits.
                         
          Jolie is the only white person in the whole spot.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Hey.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Hey.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    Did you see those guys who killed
                    Jordan's Dad got life?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah. I did.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    They said, if only they had seen
                    the license plate, Airness. They --
                         
                              JOLIE AND CHRISTINE
                    Never would have done it.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Dude, my dad just 911-ed me.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    When did you get a pager?! That is
                    tight, dude.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Last week. You just haven't been
                    around that much.
                                                                  77.
                         
                         
          Haroon peels off as the crowd ad-libs excitement. Jolie looks
          to the match.
                         
          We see the fight itself, close up on the television:
                         
          Bowe has Golota cornered.
                         
          A couple of blows are deflected and Golota, the lug, clinches
          Bowe in a bear hug.
                         
          Disappointment from the crowd.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    A sucker move.
                         
          The crowd roars again, but this time they rush to the windows
          - jostle for a view of the street where:
                         
          INT/EXT. MUHAMMAD ALI'S CHICKEN
                         
          Two black kids wrestle on the sidewalk.
                         
          We see Haroon behind them on the pay-phone, watching.
                         
          The kids fighting have jeans that are falling off and one of
          them has lost a gym shoe.
                         
          In the windows everyone cheers them on, pounding the
          Plexiglas. Including Jolie and Christine.
                         
          Above them in the windows are two televisions of the fight,
          that face the street. In the TV, the boxers and the referee
          shuffle aimlessly around the ring.
                         
          The kids on the sidewalk are scrappy; they grab and stretch
          at shirts; neither can escape the others' grasp.
                         
          They reach a stalemate, knotted awkwardly and exhausted; fury
          replaced by heavy breathing; one has a bloody nose and a huge
          scratch on the cheek
                         
                                             FIGHT KID 1
                    You ripped my Polo shit,
                    motherfucker! You ripped my Polo
                    shit!
                         
                                             FIGHT KID 2
                    You scratched my face, nigger!
                         
          The crowd watches the stalemate and the cheering and pounding
          mellows, slowly they bore, returning to their seats.
                         
          Suddenly on the television there is a whirlwind of action and
          punches are chaotically thrown by both fighters.
                                                                     78.
                         
                         
          The crowd erupts at the televisions.
                         
          The kids on the sidewalk remain tangled, breathing hard.
                         
          On television Golota throws a combo of blows below the belt
          and Bowe tumbles to the mat. The referee jumps and waves
          furiously at the penalty which he reports to the judges in a
          series of arm waves and animated hand signals.
                         
          We see the people in the front rows at the boxing match,
          almost all white, and wearing glamorous suits and dresses.
                         
          The patrons go berserk.
                         
          Extreme close-up on the replay: Golota pounding Bowe in the
          nuts; Bowe's face distorted in pain.
                         
          Ad-lib excitement from everyone but Jolie who is looking over
          at the entrance.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    Strangely Henrietta never showed. I
                    should have been relieved, but
                    instead I felt awful. It was like
                    yesterday we were in love and today
                    she didn't even care I was with
                    Christine.
                         
          They all look at the TV - Golota has won - his arm is raised,
          he's the new champion of the boxing world.
                         
          EXT. BLAIR BLAZERS GYMNASIUM - NIGHT
                         
          The little gravel parking lot is filled to the brim. Kids of
          all shapes and sizes are gathering. Some carry signs. Most
          are wearing red and white.
                         
          The opposing school kids wear blue.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                        (O.S.)
                    This is what it all comes down to.
                         
          EXT. NEARBY SUBURBAN STREETS
                         
          The streets lined with cars.
                         
          Kids and parents walk in droves.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                        (O.S.)
                    This is where we find out what
                    we're made of.
                                                                     79.
                         
                         
          EXT. TICKET BOOTH WINDOW IN GYMNASIUM
                         
          The line spirals around the corner and down the steps.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                        (O.S.)
                    What we have trained for, not just
                    this season, but for you seniors,
                    the last four years.
                         
          CLOSE ON: A ticket torn at the door. One in a long line.
                         
          INT. BLAZERS WEIGHT ROOM
                         
          Coach Dale is directly in front of a stand alone chalk board.
                         
                                              COACH DALE
                        (O.S.)
                    Is it unfair that we drew
                    Springbrook in the first round?
                    Yes. Random seeding is only because
                    the sorry white schools complained
                    to the school board about always
                    losing in the first round. When I
                    was younger the regular season
                    meant something around here.
                         
          Coach Dale begins diagraming the board.
                         
                              COACH DALE (CONT'D)
                    But that means nothing now. We
                    gotta go out and play no matter
                    what. We're gonna open in a one-
                    twenty-two. Wendel on the ball,
                    Pistol on the two. Falling back
                    into the half court, we go one-
                    twenty FIVE. Forcing left. Trap and
                    take the throwback.
                                       (SUDDENLY DISTURBED)
                    Where's Jolie?
                         
                                             ASSISTANT COACH
                    He's such a goof ball, man. This is
                    the playoffs. Where is he at?!
                    Who's seen Jolie?!
                         
          INT. LOCKERROOM SHOWERS
                         
          Three Cheerleaders drag Jolie, with his bandaged thumb, to
          the showers. Jolie looks genuinely scared.
                                                                  80.
                         
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      Ms. Bart. I know you're the
                      cheerleading coach and all, but
                      this really better be important.
                      I'm supposed to be in the weight-
                      room by now.
                         
                                               CHEERLEADING COACH
                      You're injured. And like I said,
                      this is more important than any
                      basketball game. This is life or
                      death Jolie.
                         
          They arrive at the last shower stall - Christine on her knees
          in tears.
                         
                                                  JOLIE
                      Christine?
                         
          Jolie steps into the shower.
                         
          The Coach leaves them alone.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                      Jolie. I haven't had my period in
                      three months.
                         
          She sobs.
                         
          Jolie gets on his knees.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      Well, maybe you should get one of
                      those things and check it out.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                      A pregnancy test?
                         
                                                  JOLIE
                      Yeah.
                         
                                               CHRISTINE
                      I did.
                                         (SHE CRIES)
                      I'm pregnant with your baby.
                         
          She cries and shivers.
                         
          Beat.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      No worries. My Dad will let me put
                      it on his credit card. Trust me.
                                                                  81.
                         
                         
          She cries.
                         
          Suddenly Jolie has a face of determination. He unwraps his
          bandaged thumb and throws it on the floor.
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                       Oh God. I'm sorry.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       No. It's not your fault. I gotta
                       run though. Let's talk about this
                       after the game, OK? The team needs
                       me.
                         
          Christine nods but clearly wants to refuse.
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                       What for? You're injured anyway.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       I'm ok though. I can play through
                       it. do you understand. I just gotta
                       do this?
                         
                                                CHRISTINE
                       What? I just told you I'm pregnant
                       with your baby. Doesn't that mean
                       anything.
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       Tonight I'm gonna play for you and
                       our baby.
                         
          Jolie kisses her and runs off.
                         
                         
          INT. WEIGHTROOM - MOMENTS LATER
                         
          Jolie sneaks in.
                         
          Coach Dale notices.
                         
                                                ASSISTANT COACH
                       Jolie! Where the hell have you
                       been!?
                         
                                                JOLIE
                       I got stuck with no toilet paper,
                       coach.
                         
                                                ASSISTANT COACH
                       Damn man. This is the biggest game
                       of the year.
                                                                     82.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I know. It wasn't my fault. I gotta
                    be light on my feet.
                         
                                             ASSISTANT COACH
                    You make me sick.
                         
                                             COACH DALE
                    Bring it in.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    My hand is all better. Look.
                         
          Jolie takes a ball from an assistant coach and pounds it
          showing no sign of pain. Then palms it in his bad hand.
                         
          Dale stares at him like he's a fool.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Let's go baby! Bring it in.
                         
          The coaches exit, and the players quiet down for a quick
          prayer.
                         
                                             TEAMMATES
                    Hail Mary Full of Grace, the lord
                    is with you, blessed are you among
                    women, and blessed is the fruit of
                    your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother
                    of God, pray for us sinners, now
                    and at the hour of our death. Amen.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Domination baby! Domination!
                         
          The team snaps into game mode forming a single file line.
                         
          The two assistant coaches scramble in with game balls and
          hand them off to the first and second players in line. Jolie
          ditches his practice ball and files in.
                         
          The players start clapping in rhythm. One. One, two. One.
          One, two.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    That night. I never played. None of
                    us did. Because there never was a
                    game. Before the opening tip even
                    kicked it off a fight between
                    schools broke out in the crowd.
                    Some fired a gun twice, and all
                    hell broke loose.
                                                                     83.
                         
                         
          EXT. GYMNASIUM - NIGHT
                         
          All of Wayne Avenue fills with police cars.
                         
          Mobs of kids and parents and players flee the scene. Among
          them are all the characters we know.
                         
          WENDEL and WENDELS MOM duck into their old Buick.
                         
          Christine's and CHRISTINE'S MOM run for their Lexus.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson and Henrietta run for their VW van.
                         
          HAROON'S DAD and ZEKE and Haroon sneaks him off to the gold
          80's Nissan hatchback.
                         
          Jolie and Elliott run and duck behind the red Nissan Quest
          mini van.
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    Jolie, are you OK?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah. Was that gun shots?
                         
                                             ELLIOTT
                    I don't know. Stay down just in
                    case.
                         
          From the van, Jolie and Elliott see Francisco, Arius and
          Hunio all running into the woods among the chaos.
                         
          INT. MAIN OFFICE
                         
          Lined with windows, yields a view to an empty hall.
                         
          Jolie sits, waiting...sees Christine and a couple other
          cheerleaders, no longer in uniform, pass by. Jolie waves and
          Christine holds up both hands as if to say "come on" and
          continues walking...
                         
          Suddenly a group of black girls come barreling down the
          hallway like they are possessed.
                         
          They are followed in droves by other minorities.
                         
          Black girls bounce up and down and cry and paw at each other.
                         
          Black boys and kids of other races, not quite as ecstatic but
          still amazed join the celebration.
                         
          A couple of kids are slammed loudly against the window in the
          excitement.
                                                                    84.
                         
                         
          Through the glass Jolie can hear:
                         
                                             BLACK GIRL
                    We won! We won! We won!
                         
          SUPERIMPOSE in the top left corner in white letters: OJ
          Simpson was just found not guilty.
                         
          The hallway is growing into total commotion and chaos.
                         
          Jolie walks through the doorway into the hall and the camera
          follows without a cut.
                         
          Jolie looks out of place as he takes it all in.
                         
          The wild scene rages.
                         
          Jolie looks back into the main office.
                         
          Ray comes out of Principal Ganus's door. His eyes red from
          tears, he curses to himself.
                         
          Principal Ganus emerges, acknowledges the commotion in the
          hallway.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    What the hell is going on out
                    there?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    OJ Simpson....not guilt.
                         
          Principal Ganus is stone faced. He gestures Jolie into his
          office.
                         
          Ray brushes shoulders with Jolie.
                         
                                             RAY
                    You're dead.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    Look who you're stepping to, Ray. A
                    little white boy?
                         
          Ray blows it off.
                         
                                              PRINCIPAL GANUS
                                       (BEAT)
                    Jolie. Come with me.
                                                                    85.
                         
                         
          INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    Look. I'm not proud of what
                    happened in that gym.
                         
          Surrounded by proud school ornaments and paraphernalia.
                         
          Jolie sits alone in a chair, an empty chair adjacent him.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    Everyone who was caught fighting is
                    being suspended for a minimum of
                    three days. And that includes most
                    of the team. But a suspension for
                    you would only tarnish the
                    reputation of the Magnet program.
                    So...
                         
          Principal Ganus thumbs through a manila envelope.
                         
                                              PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    You're going to do this school a
                    favor,
                                       (BEAT)
                    at the international math meet.
                         
          He hands Jolie a form.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    You were great your freshman year.
                    Your calculus teacher tells me your
                    still great, but for some reason
                    you quit.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I made JV that year.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    Well, there's going to be no
                    rematch of the Springbrook playoff
                    game. Both teams are forfeiting. So
                    now you've got plenty of time,
                    that's for damn sure.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    They're not rescheduling our game?
                    That's insane.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    The math team needs you Jolie.
                    We're on the verge of nationals.
                                             (MORE)
                                                                  86.
                         
                               PRINCIPAL GANUS (cont'd)
                    This year we settles for nothing
                    less than number one, second to
                    none.
                                       (BEAT)
                    In whole numbers.
                         
          The principal laughs at his own joke.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    You can go now.
                         
          Stunned, Jolie grabs his bag and heads for the door.
                         
                                             PRINCIPAL GANUS
                    Oh, one more thing. You will also
                    join the team for an additional 40
                    hours of community service, as part
                    of the new "Adopt a Highway"
                    Program. It's part of the team
                    punishment.
                         
                         
          INT. BALZERS HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    It's not fair man. I mean everyone
                    got suspended on the team but me.
                    Just because I'm in the Magnet.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Wake up dude. Life's not fair. Who
                    ever said it was.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Are you sure you wanna do that?
                    We're in the middle of C hall.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I told you. I don't give a fuck.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Really? On Mr. Applebaum's door?
                    Yall have been warring. He's gonna
                    know it was you.
                         
                                              HAROON
                    So what?
                         
          Haroon pulls out a spray-paint can and writes the words
          'Thugg Life' over Mr. Applebaum's classroom door and wall.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                                       (SOFT)
                    Jesus Christ, man.
                                              (MORE)
                                                                   87.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                    You just sprayed painted `thugg
                    life' on Mr. Applebaum's door.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I know. Duh.
                         
          They admire the work for a moment. Then run for cover.
                         
          They burst through an exit and out into the blinding light.
                         
                         
          EXT. SCHOOL ZONE
                         
          Haroon and Jolie run into the teachers' parking lot ducking
          between cars as they catch their breath.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    You could get suspended for that.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Who cares? What does school even
                    matter?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What's gotten into you?
                         
                                              HAROON
                    I don't know.
                                       (BEAT)
                    Maybe my parents are getting
                    divorced and you don't even know
                    about it.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Are you serious?
                         
          Haroon draws the spray can like he's about to go to work on
          the cars, but Jolie fights him for it.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Gimmie my spray-paint! Owww. Fuck
                    you.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    It's for your own good. This car
                    belongs to Principal Ganus.
                         
          They stair each other down.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    I swear, of all the things you have
                    to worry about.
                                                                  88.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What's that supposed to mean.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Come on dude.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Come on what?
                         
                                              HAROON
                    Are you numb? The whole school
                    knows Christine is pregnant with
                    your baby.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Dude. It's not like that. She's
                    gonna get an abortion. She comes
                    from a wealthy family.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    So what if she does. Doesn't it
                    mean anything to you?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't know. I don't know what it
                    means. It just happened.
                         
          Jolie ponders the situation. Haroon shakes his head.
                         
          Jolie pulls out a magic marker and begins to write on the
          car.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Magic marker? That is so lame.
                    Don't get me started.
                         
          Haroon pops the top of his spray can and begins to shake it.
                         
                         
          INT. JOLIE'S BASEMENT - NIGHT
                         
          Lit by a TV, the room could be it's own apartment.
                         
          Wendel sleeps with a Super Nintendo controllers in his laps,
          on a futon. Arius, Codroy and a few kids from the team are
          asleep all around the room.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    Once everyone heard that I got
                    Christine pregnant, it was like I
                    was the coolest kid in school.
                                              (MORE)
                                                                   89.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                    All the kids from the team wanted
                    to hang at my place while my
                    parents were gone. And even some
                    cheerleaders came too.
                         
          Christine and Jolie make-out, lying on the floor/power pad.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (V.O., cont.)
                    I told them all it was Haroon who
                    spray-painted `Free Mike Tyson,'
                    and even he was cool too.
                         
          Haroon, half asleep, sparking the tail end of a blunt.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (V.O., cont.)
                    We even smoked a blunt. It was our
                    first time gettng blazed and drunk.
                         
          Soda cans, crumbs, bags of chips, and other treats and
          wrappers are scattered around.
                         
          On the television: the audience laughs wildly at a Monkey
          doing sign language on the Carson show.
                         
                                             JOHNNY CARSON
                                       (ON TELEVISION)
                    What's he saying now? What's he
                    signing?
                         
          The guest interprets.
                         
                                             GUEST
                                       (ON TELEVISION)
                    He wants to say he loves you all,
                    and he wishes he could hang onto
                    these people a little longer,
                    connect with them a little deeper,
                    before it's all over.
                         
          The Carson crowd laughs wildly.
                         
          Jolie's hand slides up Christine's skirt.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Jolie! No way. Not until you know
                    what.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Don't worry.
                                                                  90.
                         
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    When? You've been saying you're
                    gonna get your Dad's credit card
                    for like a month. Time is of the
                    essence here, duh.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    I told you I'm on it. First thing
                    when my parents get back. But this
                    is the best time to do it because
                    we dont have to wear a condom. Come
                    on, let's go upstairs. Trust me.
                         
          He reaches back up her skirt.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    No means no, Jolie.
                         
          Christine pushes him away.
                         
          Haroon comes out of the bathroom.
                         
                                             HAROON
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Dude. I am blazed out of my mind
                    right now, but I think someone's
                    hiding in your shower?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Forreal?
                         
                                             HAROON
                                       (WHISPERING)
                    Yeah, dude. Check it.
                         
          Jolie grabs a portable phone, bracing himself for battle.
                         
          INT. BATHROOM
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Who's there?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Damn Henrietta. You scared the shit
                    out of me.
                                                                  91.
                         
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    How could you?
                         
          She opens the curtains.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What? What are you doing in my
                    basement bathroom?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I'm catching you cheating with
                    Christine! You asshole!
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Shhh. People are sleeping.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Don't lie to me. You think I dont
                    know shit. She's pregnant with your
                    baby.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Whao.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You think the Maple Ave. kids don't
                    hear mad junk about the Magnet
                    kids.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Henrietta, relax.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    I know about all that stuff, how
                    y'all hooked up during floor hockey
                    intramurals under the trampoline.
                    Everything. You think I don't have
                    friends? I have friends!
                         
          Henrietta starts crying.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Come on, I know you have friends
                    Henrietta.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    You think I'm a fool? I watched you
                    make out with her on the Power-pad
                    two second ago!
                         
          Crying, Henrietta exits.
                         
          The basketball team and cheerleaders have woken up from the
          argument, and are now enraptured by the drama.
                                                                    92.
                         
                         
          Jolie and Haroon looks like dear in headlights.
                         
                                             CHRISTINE
                    All this time you've been hooking
                    up with some pregnant girl failing
                    out of school. I am so fucking
                    humiliated right now. Don't you
                    ever, ever, ever so much as speak
                    to me again. Come on girls.
                         
          Christine and three other cheerleaders leave the party.
                         
                                             WENDEL
                    Damn Jolie, all the girls just
                    bounced.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Yea, let's get out of here.
                         
          The kids from the team leave and Jolie and Haroon stand
          alone.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Damn man. I better go too. This
                    shit is too fucked up right now.
                         
          Jolie stands all alone.
                         
                         
          EXT. MAPLE AVE - NIGHT
                         
          The street sign reads Maple Ave.
                         
          It is lined with tall apartment buildings. Government
          housing. Bus stops. And cheap liquor stores and sub shops.
                         
          Jolie walks down the street.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                        (V.O.)
                    The next day I found out Christine
                    had the abortion on her own. She
                    said she asked the doctor to see
                    the fetus.
                         
          Jolie approached one of the apartment buildings.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                        (V.O., cont.)
                    The doctor said she wasn't supposed
                    to showed it, but did anyway.
                         
          Jolie buzzes up to an apartment.
                                                                  93.
                         
                         
          INT. MAPLE AVE APARTMENTS - NIGHT
                         
                         ELEVATOR
                         
          Jolie rises.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                         (V.O., cont.)
                     Christine said the dead fetus
                     looked like a baby squirrel. Like
                     the ones that fall out of the nest
                     and are on the sidewalk dead with
                     no fur yet. I guess it went well
                     though.
                         
                         
                         ARIUS'S APARTMENT
                         
          The living room of a small dim one bedroom.
                         
          Sensual R&B tunes play softly from a small radio.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                         (V.O., cont.)
                     After that Arius said not to worry
                     about anything. That Christine
                     would be cool, and Henrietta was
                     just fucked up anyway.
                         
          A gold cross hangs on the fake wood paneling with some framed
          family photos at a summer bar-b-que, a wedding, and the
          beach.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                         (V.O., cont.)
                     He even invited me back to his
                     place. It was the first time I had
                     ever been to Maple ave.
                         
          Four kids from the team are playing cards around a coffee
          table for one dollar bills siting mostly on a puffy floral
          patterned couch covered in shinny plastic.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                         (V.O., cont.)
                     Everybody played this ghetto
                     version of Jin Rummy called `Tunk.'
                         
          They all wear Addidas flip flops with socks and name brand
          sweatpants (Hillfiger, Nautica, Polo, etc.). Some of the kids
          have on athletic shorts on under their sweatpants,
                                                                  94.
                         
                         
          In the background, Jolie has a gray ratty hoody on, and is
          hunched over and old PC computer with Arius, a beer-bellied,
          balding black dude who is smoking a cigarette and has no
          shirt on.
                         
                                               WENDEL
                      Jolie, you want in?
                         
          Everyone else, other than Jolie, is also shirtless. The kids
          have exquisite ABS, the kind you see on television.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      Naw. I gotta see this.
                         
                                               ARIUS
                      Ok. Here it goes.
                         
                         CLOSE ON:
                         
          An arrow clicks on the play button, but the image stays
          frozen: a low res picture of a bare ass black man mounted
          miliary style on a black girl.
                         
          The image moves for a brief moment. We hear a grown with half
          a thrust, and the image freezes again.
                         
          Then it reverts to the beginning image.
                         
                                                  JOLIE
                      Wow.
                         
                                               ARIUS
                      Yeah. This is the future right
                      here.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                      Why wont it go play or whatever?
                         
                                                  ARIUS
                      Bandwidth.
                         
                                               JOLIE
                                         (CONFUSED)
                      Oh yea.
                         
          Jolie tokes a blunt.
                         
          Arius takes a last puff and puts it out.
                         
          A little cute six year old girl comes out of the bedroom with
          a sheet of paper and pencil.
                                                                     95.
                         
                         
                                             CUTE GIRL
                    Arius. Who was the first president
                    of the United States?
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    Uh, George Washington.
                         
          She runs back into the bedroom.
                         
                                             ARIUS
                    So. That's what it's all about. I'm
                    a capital venturist man. Internet
                    porn is the future of sexual
                    healing. Henrietta was just the
                    first of many. It's big business.
                    Dollar bills man.
                         
          Jolie looks on, stoned. Not sure what to make of it all.
                         
                         
          EXT. THE BELTWAY - DAWN
                         
          A six lane highway banks a sharp curve. It's raining lightly.
                         
          On the shoulder of the highway are kids from the Blair
          Basketball team picking up trash with pokers. They are spread
          out - a kid every 25 yards or so - and together they extend
          clear around the curve and out of sight.
                         
          Jolie pokes a Coke can.
                         
          Jolie plucks the can off the end metal nail and realizes he
          also stabbed the tape liner notes of MC Hammer's "Please
          Hammer Don't Hurt'em." There is a picture of Hammer on the
          cover.
                         
          The coach sits in a nearby van with its lights on, parked in
          the shoulder. He sips hot coffee, watching.
                         
          Jolie looks closely at the tape insert.
                         
          It's a picture of Hammer but someone has scratched out his
          eyes with a pen. And the poker has put a hole through his
          face.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    I wasn't sure what to make of it
                    all. Why Henrietta's parents never
                    know she was pregant until too
                    late? Or why I never said something
                    myself? It was like none of it
                    really mattered, or was even real
                    at all, until it was too late.
                                                                     96.
                         
                         
          CLOSE ON: An old PC monitor. A picture slowly emerging from a
          blurry pixilated square of colors.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (VOICE OVER)
                    After that I used the internet to
                    find a bunch of places that would
                    take Henrietta's baby up for
                    adoption. It wasn't easy, but I
                    found all the information right
                    from Haroon's basement, using
                    Netscape.
                         
          The picture of a couple materializes: hopeful parents and
          their profile.
                         
                         
          INT. HAROON'S SECOND HOME - DAY
                         
                                             HAROON
                    This couple looks good.
                         
                                              JOLIE
                    Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're perfect.
                    All I have to do is convince
                    Henrietta.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Are you guys still on good terms?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't know. Our sessions are in
                    the kitchen now.
                         
          Adreseis enters.
                         
                                             ADRESEIS
                    We got the trampoline set-up. Come
                    on.
                         
          They make their way to the back yard.
                         
                         
          EXT. HAROON'S BACKYARD - DAY
                         
          Haroon's brothers have set up a trampoline to dunk on an
          adjustable rim lowered to 8 ft.
                         
          The younger brothers do an awesome array of dunks. Jolie and
          Haroon sit on the side.
                                                                  97.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                                       (BUMMED)
                    It's weird, I don't really care if
                    I make the NBA anymore.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Really? What do you care about
                    then?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I don't know.
                         
          Haroon's youngest brother runs, bounces, and does a 360 jam.
                         
          Haroon's Dad emerges from the house.
                         
                                             HAROON'S DAD
                    Good one, Adreseis!!
                         
          Haroon turns.
                         
                                             HAROON'S DAD
                    I've made some grill cheeses! Come
                    and get it!
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Sweet! Now that Mom moved out we
                    always eat American. You wanna eat
                    with us?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I do but there's something I gotta
                    do.
                         
                                             HAROON
                    Oh yeah. That's right.   Well, good
                    luck with it all.
                         
                         
          INT. HENRIETTA'S BEDROOM - DAY
                         
          Henrietta lies on the bed studying.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson enter.
                         
                              MR. AARONSON
                    Hey Henrietta. Jolie is here. He
                    brought over a gift.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Oh yeah. Let him in.
                                                                     98.
                         
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Hey. What's up? Uh. I brought over
                    my Super Nintendo. I thought the
                    baby might want it.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Did Jaguar 64 finally come out?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    No. Come on. I'm just trying to
                    show you I actually care.
                         
          Mr. Aaronson smiles and leaves, closing the door lightly
          behind him.
                         
          Jolie hands over the Nintendo.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    And I brought this too.
                         
          Jolie pulls a jersey out of a paper bag.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Your practice Jersey!
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Yeah. I'm not gonna need it anymore
                    so.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Really? Why not?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    I'm not playing next year. I want
                    to focus on my studies.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie. Thank you.
                                       (SMELLS IT)
                    It smells like you. Someday little
                    Benny will wear it. That's what
                    I've decided to name him, Benny.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Oh. Wow. Well. Uh, before you name
                    him, I was kinda thinking maybe we
                    could discuss, uh,
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    What?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Well,
                        (Jolie sits next to her)
                                             (MORE)
                                                                  99.
                         
                                             JOLIE (CONT'D)
                    I was also thinking maybe we could
                    talk about the possibility of you
                    giving up your baby for adoption?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie. How could you even say that?
                    I've wanted a family of my own, a
                    real family, since as long as I can
                    remember. There is no way I could
                    ever give little Benny away. Ever.
                    In a million years. Do you
                    understand that?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Well. Yeah. I guess so. But at the
                    same time, it just doesn't seem
                    like the smartest thing. I've
                    already found a really wealthy,
                    well educated, good meaning couple
                    who'd like to meet up with you
                    about it.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Never. No way Jolie. End of
                    discussion.
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    Don't you even want to think it
                    over for a few days? I mean, look
                    how lucky your parents are to have
                    you. You'd be making some couple
                    just as happy. And your child would
                    have more opportunities. I mean
                    you're still in High School, know
                    what I mean?
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Jolie, I can't even believe you're
                    suggesting that? Dont you see how
                    racist that is?
                         
                                             JOLIE
                    What?
                         
          Jolie is silent.
                         
                                             HENRIETTA
                    Now do something to cheer me up. I
                    am totally offended you wanted to
                    give away my baby.
                         
          Jolie sits in silence for a moment, pondering his situation.
                         
          He stands up and heads to the door, demoralized.
                                                                  100.
                         
                         
          Then he turns and looks at Henrietta on the bed.
                         
          Jolie looks at her bulging belly, much of it exposed.
                         
                         BLACKNESS
                         
                         
                         HOLD
                         
          Credits roll to Micheal Jackson's Billy Jean.