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EVERWOOD

The Quality of Life

Lorenzo Buford

13 August 2003

[email protected]

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EVERWOOD:

The Quality of Life

FADE UP ON: A MONTAGE OF EVERWOOD, COLORADO. EARLY EVENING.

CUT TO:INT. DINING ROOM. MORNING.

Dr. BROWN, 40, is sitting at the dining room table with EPHRAM, 15, and DELIA, 8.No one is saying a word while picking through their food. Ephram drops his fork, getsup, grabs his plate with unfinished dinner, takes it to the sink and washes the food off theplate into the garbage disposal.

NERD (VO)Theres always a calm before the storm. Dowe hear it or prefer to stay unaware, sleepingin what we think is our perfect existence. Yet,there are some who are stirring restless, theyare no longer living the dream.

EXT. STREET. NIGHT.

NERD (VO)The quality of life could be the lack of disciplinein being responsible to our fellow man,

NERD, 15, dressed in black clothing and WENDELL, 15, are walking down the street.Truck passes with the TWO DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1 and #2, both 16 who tauntthem by calling them names and tossing raw eggs at them. The NERD steps in the line of fire and is hit by several eggs. The sound of a motorcycle is heard. A biker pulls up infront of the Nerd. The two DICKHEAD TEENAGERS take off as WENDELL isshouting at them. The NERD says nothing as he wipes egg of himself. The biker isCASSANDRA, 25, daughter of IRV HARPER.

CASSIE

You okay.

NERDThere goes my cholesterol count.

WENDELLI never want eggs again.

CASSIEIm Cassie.

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WENDELLNo one ever wants to know my name.

INT. NERDS BEDROOM. EVENING

NERD walks out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around him, hair dripping wet, goesand sits at the computer table. He rummages through the desk drawer until he finds abottle of pills that he sits next to his keyboard.

The Audience can read the title QUALITY OF LIFE, THE LAST WORDS OF ANERD.

NERD (VO)How does one measure the quality of life?My quality of life was based on my parentsdream. All is not right in the life of a nerdif you live someone elses dream.

He is opens the prescription bottle, shakes out two pills in his hand and swallows them.He reads the writing on the computer screen.

NERDThis nerd lives on the dark side of life andcannot enjoy the sunshine that exist for yourstereotype boy and girl next door. Some of usare just moody and the quality of life seems tobest achieve when one is in a haze.

He leans back in his chair, puts the caps back on the pill bottle and holds it tightly.

CAMERA PANS to bed.

The NERD imagines he sees himself sitting on the bed.

IMAGINARY NERDIt is time to disconnect.

NERDHave you ever wondered when you exitis there a void left, a feeling that peopleneed to express, and maybe you carriedthat unspoken feeling.

IMAGINARY NERDYoure not making a difference.

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NERDBut what if I did and didnt know it.

IMAGINARY NERDYou cant push people past their limitsand not expect them to push back.

NERDWendell is my best friend.

IMAGINARY NERDYou blurred the lines.

FADE TO CREDITS

END OF TEASER

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ACT 1

INT. COLLINS HOSPITAL ROOM. EVENING.

COLLIN, 15, sits in a chair addressing an unseen person.

NERD (VO)Is the quality of life measured by being a medicalmiracle validating human ingenuity,

COLLINIll never be this person. Ill keep wearing thisface like a mask. Ill learn my lines.

COLLIN looks at small piece of paper with facts about people he knows.

COLLIN (CONTD)Learn the lines Collin and everythingwill be just fine.

INT. DINING ROOM. EVENING.

EPHRAM is clearing dishes from the table. DELIA takes milk off the table and takes torefrigerator but accidentally drops the container. She looks at DR. BROWN andEPHRAM. DR. BROWN says nothing, just grabs a towel and goes to clean it up.DELIA continues cleaning off the table.

NERD (VO)Is the quality of life living the expectations of others? Is there a comfort zone living in limitationsand thinking this is all there is too life?

DR. BROWNMy culinary skills are still catching up to myenthusiasm.

EPHRAMYour enthusiasm is stunting our growth.

DR. BROWNMama Joes still has so much to offer.

EPHRAMWhy do we have to participate in your insanity?

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DR. BROWNConsider it a cultural investment in your future.

EPHRAMYou cant cook. Were exiled from civilization.

DELIAWe could have pizza every night.

DR. BROWNIts important to have all the food groups.

EPHRAMWell starve to death before you figureout the right combination.

EPRHAM walks out the kitchen. DR. BROWN looks perplexed. DELIA continues tomove about the kitchen as if invisible.

INT. BEDROOM. EVENING.

The NERD is asleep at his computer.

NERD (VO)Maybe to grasps the quality of life, is experiencingthe silent pause that causes reflection. Maybe it ishonoring the passing of someone who has leftan emptiness, a space, for something to fill it.

IMAGINARY NERD is standing at the door with suitcases.

IMAGINARY NERDIm ready to go. Bags are packed. Attitude hasbeen adjustment. Wake up. Its bye bye time.I hate soap opera good-byes.

There is an envelope laying next to the computer addressed to the EVERWOOD CITYPAPER and to WENDELL.

EXT. KITCHEN. MORNING.

SAMUEL FEENEY, 4, is sitting at kitchen table playing soldiers at war in his food.NINA, 30ish, SAMS MOTHER, is washing dishes at the sink.

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NINASam, stop it. If youre not going to eat, thengo outside and play.

SAM continues to play.

SAMWhen is dad coming home?

NINAEnough.

NINA grabs SAMS plate and throws it into the kitchen sink.

SAM runs out of the kitchen crying.

SAMI want daddy.

FLASHBACK - KITCHEN. MORNING.

NINA is talking on the telephone.

NINAHe told me all about you. Carl doesnt loveyou. He wants me. We have our family.Do you hear me? We are his family. Sostop calling here.

MALES VOICE is heard coming from the telephone.

MALE (VO)Im sorry. Tell Carl, I will not call again.

Theres a shock look on NINAs face. She slams the receiver down.

BACK TO PRESENT MOMENT.

NINAI wanted him to.

EXT. STREET. MORNING.

NERD walks up to a mailbox and mails two envelopes.

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NERD (VO)When you dont value the quality of life, what happens?

EXT. FEENEY FRONT YARD / SAMS GARDEN. MORNING.

Sam is pulling plants out of the ground and throwing them around.

NINA walks to the window and sees SAM pulling plants out of the ground and throwingthem in over his shoulder.

NINASam, stop it. Stop it.

NINA runs outside and grabs SAM off the ground. He struggles. She holds him close ashe starts to cry.

SAMI want my daddy. I want my daddy.

EXT. MAIN STREET. MORNING.

NERD (VO)In Everwood, the quality of life has beenabout community, how citizens treat each other.Sometimes, we forget how to treat ourselves.

PEOPLE take notice of CASSIE pulling up on a motorcycle in front of MAMA JOESDINER.

INT. MAMA JOES DINER. MORNING.

DR. BROWN is sitting at the counter watching NINA move about the diner nervouslypouring coffee to CUSTOMERS. He stops her.

DR. BROWNSo I noticed when I mention Carl lately, theresthis silence, then a pause, followed by a longersilence.

NINADidnt someone once say, silence is golden?

ANDYGuess Im doing that uninvited guest thing again?

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NINASorry Andy, is there something else you need?

CASSIE, walks in. All heads turn. COUNTER MAN, 20ish, greets her.

COUNTER MANMay I help you?

CASSIELooking for a man.

COUNTER MANHavent had many requests for that.

CASSIE gives him a blank look.

COUNTER MAN (CONTD)Its a joke.

CASSIESo I guess, if this is your typical small town,everybody knows everybody, right?

DR. HAROLD ABBOTT, 40, walks in and over hears the COUNTER MAN speaking toCASSIE.

COUNTER MANYou could say this place is the heart of town.

DR. ABBOTTThis place is consistent with heartburn but newsspreads here faster than wildfire.

CASSIEIm looking for a manIrv Harper.

DR. BROWNI know Irv.

COUNTER MANWe all know Irv.

CASSIEGreat weve solved a mystery. Can you tell mewhere I can find him?

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DR. ABBOTT sits at the counter near Cassie.

DR. ABBOTTSo are you related to Irv?

CASSIEAbout as much as Im related to you.

Several people in the diner laugh. DR. ABBOTT is embarrassed.

DR. BROWNThis time of day, hes helping at the gradeschool. And you are?

CASSIEA stranger looking for direction.

COUNTER MANHe comes in here around 6:00 p.m.

CASSIEThanks, Ill be back.

DR. BROWNCan I give him a message from a stranger?

CASSIE(Exiting)

No, this is a personal delivery.

DR. ABBOTT(To DR. BROWN)

Well, we dont have to worry about yourapproach with women.

EVERYONE watches her leave and get on her motorcycle and take off.

COUNTER MANLeather on a woman is so hot.

DR. ABBOTTMotorcycles, women in leather, not a goodCombination. Shes trouble. What if she hasa gang outside of town waiting to come in andstir up trouble?

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DR. BROWNMaybe its not our concern. Irv doesntneed to tell us his business.

DR. ABBOTTWhats the fun of living in a small townif you cant know everyones business?

EXT. SCHOOL YARD. MORNING.

IRV HARPER, mid 60s, is pushing a GIRL, 6, on a swing. He is in earshot of DELIAand ARNIE, 6, who are sitting off to them selves. DELIA takes a bite out of an apple andoffers it to ARNIE.

DELIAYou can finish this for me.

ARNIEOkay.

DELIAAn apple a day keeps the doctor away.

ARNIEIf youre my girlfriend, why do you bossme around?

DELIAIts a woman thing, you wouldnt understand.

ARNIEOkay.

SCHOOL BELL rings.

DELIAIll see you inside.

ARNIEIll wait.

DELIAI have a headache. I need to be alonefor a moment.

ARNIE starts to say something, DELIA ignores him and he walks away.

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IRV stops pushing the little girl on the swing. She jumps off and runs into the school.IRV walks over to DELIA.

IRVThe nurse will have aspirins for your headache.

DELIAIs a headache a sign of a distraught heart?

IRVCould be your just frustrated with yourself forhow you are treating Arnie? Sometimes wehurt people when we are hurting. Better geton to class for the teacher worries.

DELIAIts not fun being a kid. You cant tell yourself what to do.

CASSIE has been watching IRV from across the street. She walks away before she isseen.

INT. COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY. MORNING.

NERD and WENDELL are walking down the hallway as DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1and DICKHEAD TEENAGER #2 are joking around at their lockers.

NERDSchool is nothing but a factory to createworker drones.

WENDELLHow can you beat the system if youdont understand it? Me, Im profitingoff peoples ignorance and greed.

NERDIs there a way out of this computer programwe are frying our minds in.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1 takes notice of the NERD and pretends like hes achimpanzee jumping around in front of them.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1Ding, ding, ding. The village idiot approaches.

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Nearby STUDENTS laugh as DICKHEAD TEENAGER #2 joins in monkeying aroundWENDELL and the NERD.

EPHRAM has been observing as he walking from the other direction. He interruptsDICKHEAD TEENAGER #1 and #2 antics.

EPHRAMYoure determined to fill that dumb ass quota.

The laughter turns toward the two DICKHEAD TEENAGERS.

INT. CLASSROOM. MORNING.

TEACHER, 40ish, is walking through the class.

TEACHERIm not sure if I agree with that answer.You cant rewrite whats in the textbook to suit your views.

NERDTextbooks are not accurate. Its historyfrom a white male perspective. We arebeing spoon-fed lies by a secretgovernment that hides behind a propagandamachine.

DICK HEAD TEENAGER #1The boy watches too many X-File reruns.

CLASS laughs.

NERDThe average person is blinded to the factthey are not in control of their lives and haveno real freedom. As long as they have asemblance of freedom, they would rather beasleep to the truth. The truth isnt out there

NERD (CONTD)its inside of us.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #2All that black makes you a gloomy boy.

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DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1Lighten up, youre scaring the children.

TEACHEREnough.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1No one wants to hear nerd propaganda.

TEACHERI said enough.

NERDWe are being educated into ignorance.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1Someone smells like rotten eggs.

CLASS MEMBERS laugh.

EPHRAMWhy dont you back off from him?

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1Are you the white knight rescuing this damselin distress?

CLASS laughs out loud.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #2(To NERD)

No one wants you here. Youre too weird.

TEACHERPretend like Im not standing here.

EPHRAMYou believe ignorance is bliss. Thats whyyou are locked into Neanderthal mentality.

TEACHEREnough.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS.

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INT. AMYS BEDROOM. / COLLINS HOSPITAL ROOM. EVENING.

Amy is lying across the bed talking on a cell phone to Collin. The scene cuts back andforth. Collin is sitting in a chair.

AMYHows it going?

COLLINIm tired of these tests.

AMYItll be over soon. (Pause) I miss you. Thekids at school say hello. This time, I promiseno welcome home party. Itll just be us.

COLLINIm getting sleepy now. Ive got to get psychedFor more early morning tests. (Pause) I missyou Amy.

AMYI miss you too.

She hangs up cell phone. She stops the CD with a remote.

She picks up the cover laying on the night stand. It says MUSIC FOR AMY byEPHRAM.

She looks at COLLINS photo.

AMY (CONTD)I really do miss you.


COLLIN is addressing an unseen person.

COLLINShes not your girl in more. Shes mygirlfriend now.

INT. FEENEY LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. EVENING.

NINA is picking up after SAMS latest tirade that tore the living room apart. SAM isstanding in the doorway watching.

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NINAWe cant do this anymore!

INT. BROWN KITCHEN. EVENING.

Dinner is finished. DR. BROWN and EPHRAM are cleaning up the kitchen.

DR. BROWNI think Im getting a handle on thiscooking thing.

EPHRAM.I prefer being on diner detail.

DR. BROWNThere was a time when men had to goout and gather the food.

EPHRAMAt least they could recognize theirfood.

DR. BROWNSo how was your day?

EPHRAMThe usual. Im stuck in a town with theculture IQ of a lab rat. I dont fit in andits not worth the effort. (Pause) So, haveyou ever thought about giving up cookingand hiring a real cook.

DR. BROWNMy omelets have passed the taste test.Making a good omelet is an art form.You should appreciate the subtlety of myculinary talents.

EPHRAMAnd who do I have to thank for that?

EPHRAM walks out the kitchen.

DR. BROWN says nothing as he goes back to cleaning the kitchen.

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COLLIN wakes up from a bad dream. He gets up. He then addresses an unseen person.

COLLINTheres this empty space that I have to fillwith peoples expectations. (Pause) Letgo of me. I dont need you crippling me.Were not friends!


NERD attempts to call WENDELL but gets his message machine and leaves thefollowing message.

NERDIts time to disconnect.

NERD hangs up and takes out a bottle of prescription pills.

INT. HARPER KITCHEN / LIVING ROOM. EVENING.

EDNA, 60ish, is cooking. IRV walks in.

IRVGood to see youre enjoying yourself.

EDNAWatch it big guy.

IRVYou know the way to a mans heart.

EDNAWe did that this morning.

DOORBELL RINGS.

IRV answers the door.

IRVCassandra!

CASSIECassie.

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IRVCome in. Come in.

CASSIEIve played this moment over and overin my head. It never came out right.

IRVIts so good to see you Cassandra.

CASSIECassie.

EDNA walks in.

EDNAWho is it?

IRVCassandra, my daughter.

CASSIEI prefer people call me Cassie.

IRVThis is Edna, my wife.

CASSIEGreat. Arent we the happy one.

CASSIE walks out.

IRVCassie, wait!


DR. BROWN, DELIA, and EPHRAM are having breakfast.

EPHRAMYou are determined to ruin my morning.

ANDYA family breakfast is just what we need tostart the day off right.

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ACT TWO

INT. COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY. MORNING.

WENDELL is sitting alone at a table listening to message on his cell phone.

NERD (VO)Its time to disconnect.

EPHRAM walks into view and sits next to WENDELL.

EPHRAMSorry about your friend.

WENDELLNeed something?

EPHRAMThought you might want to talk.

WENDELLNo, I dont.

WENDELL leaves.

.EXT. SCHOOL YARD. MORNING

AMY and GIRL #1 and #2 are talking among themselves until they are interrupted byDICKHEAD TEENAGER #1 and #2. WENDELL is sitting nearby.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1Some people pollute the world instead of contributing to it.

WENDELLAt least he was conscious.

EPHRAM enters.EPHRAM

Its a shame your brain is not connectedto your mouth.

AMYA students death is nothing to joke about.

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DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1He was a waste of space.

WENDELLIm late for class.

AMYWendell I

WENDELLDont.

WENDELL exits.

GIRL #1Bet hes another time bomb.

GIRL #2Its the one who thinks theyre invisible,you have to watch out for.

AMYDo you ever hear how shallow you are?

AMY exits.

EPHRAM follows.

INT. EPHRAMS ROOM. EVENING.

DR. BROWN is standing in the doorway watching EPHRAM who is lying in bed readinga comic book and listening to music with headphones. He notices his father.

EPHRAMYoure doing that thing again.

DR. BROWN waits until EPHRAM takes off his headset.

DR. BROWNYoure spending too much time alone inyour room. Living in a shoebox isnt good.

EPHRAMHavent we already had our father and sonchat for the week?

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DR. BROWNHow are the kids at school dealing with this?

EPHRAMI am not a barometer for student feelings.

DR. BROWNIts important not to push this under the carpetlike nothing has happened.

EPHRAMWouldnt want lumpy carpet, would we?

DR. BROWNDo you want to talk?

EPHRAMNo.

EPHRAM puts back on his headset.

INT. MOTEL ROOM. EVENING.

CASSIE walks into the hotel room is carrying fast food. She turns on the TV. There is aknock at the door. She answers door. IRV is standing there.

CASSIEYou found me?

IRVEverwood isnt a big city.

CASSIESo?

IRVCan I come in?

CASSIECan we do this later?

IRVNo. You left so fast.

CASSIEWe werent having a Kodak moment.

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IRVIs this about Edna? Why are you here?

CASSIEOnce again, Ive ruined a happy moment.

IRVDont.

CASSIEI expected something different. You beingmiserable. Me content with you beingmiserable. But I didnt expect happy facesand laughter.

IRVI have a new life.

CASSIEGood for you, I know the old life was inconvenient.

IRVNow, wait a minute. You came to my house.No matter what you may think, I will be respected.

CASSIEIsnt that something to be earned or is it handedout to fathers who ruin their childs life.

IRVI think we need to start over.

CASSIEIm not a little girl anymore who stares out a windowwondering when is daddy coming home.

IRVCassandra.

CASSIEIts Cassie. Cassie.

IRVSorry.

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CASSIEI didnt know you had re-married.

IRVEdna is a good woman. She has rough edgesbut a good heart.

CASSIEMom didnt have rough edges.

IRV notices her fast food on the table.

IRVWhy dont you let me buy you a real dinner?We can talk.

CASSIEI think this day has peaked for drama.

IRVTomorrow then?

CASSIEYeah. Ill stop by.

IRV leaves quietly. CASSIE closes the door, goes and sits on the bed. She turns up thevolume on the TV with the remote and cries.

EXT. PIZZA PARLOR. EVENING.

WENDELL is having a large coke and pizza. He is sitting alone. EPHRAM walks in.

WENDELLThanks for coming to meet me.

EPHRAMHow many of these cokes have you had?

WENDELLThree. Im on a binge. Want to catch up.

EPHRAMNo, Im a one-cup guy. So, how are you doing?

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WENDELLHe liked being different, being the voice abovethe crowd.

EPHRAMBeing in the popular crowd is such a downer.

WENDELLI connect people to their dreams and wishes. Thatswhat I do.

EPHRAMPeople fail themselves. Its their choice.

WENDELLWere suppose to be there when a friend isin trouble.

EPHRAMSometimes we dont know when we need to bethere or just get out of the way. People do haveissues with boundaries.

WENDELLCrossing the line can push you over the edge sometime.

EPHRAMI know youre upset.

WENDELLHe was my best friend. At least when I felt Iwas less than zero, we were there together.

EPHRAMIm the kid that got thrown against lockersso I dont think Im part of anyones team.

WENDELLWe became friends in the sixth grade. Somekids were smacking him with wet towelswhen he came out of the showers. Then a couple of guys pissed on him. I grabbed a baseball batand threaten to swing at them if they didnt back off.Since then, weve always looked after each other.

EPHRAM gets a dumbfounded look on his face.

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WENDELL (CONTD)He wrote a suicide note. Well, more likean essay. He sent it to the paper. Its comingout in tomorrows edition. He sent a copy tome. Its an essay he wrote called TheQuality of Life.

WENDELL pulls copy out of his pocket and hands it to him.

WENDELL (CONTD)Maybe I had boundaries with the wrong person.

EXT. DOCTORS OFFICE. MORNING.

DR. BROWN and Dr. ABBOTT pull up at the same time in their cars. They both get outof the car at the same time.

DR. BROWNI was thinking.

DR. ABBOTT gets office supplies out of the trunk of his car. A bag breaks and spillsthings and DR. BROWN grabs a bag out of the trunk of his car to help.

DR. ABBOTTDoes that come with a bag of chips, andanother black eye?

DR. BROWNBack to thinking. Maybe we should have sometype of counseling service set up for students totalk about what happened.

DR. ABBOTTWe cant be everyones parents.

DR. BROWNChildren dont always talk to their parents.

DR. ABBOTTPeople in this town have normal children minuspresent company.

DR. BROWNDo you know the signs of depression?

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DR. ABBOTTLets start with you.

DR. BROWNMost children dont talk to their parents.Most parents dont have the time to listen.

DR. ABBOTTI know my family. Im not the one who hasput his family problems on public display.Do you really know yours?

DR. BROWNIm just concerned that someone else is outthere who needs to be heard.

DR. ABBOTTI see cracks in your glass house doctor.

DR. ABBOTT walks away.

DR. BROWNIve never lived in a glass house. Cantafford all those window washers.

INT. DR. BROWNS OFFICE. MORNING.

DR. BROWN enters. EDNA is reading the essay in the town paper.

EDNAMorning Doc.

EDNA hands him the morning paper.

EDNA (CONTD)Town has something else to talk about.

DR. BROWN looks at the article.

DR. BROWNGuess, were not so safe from the world.

EDNAEvery place has growing pains.

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DR. BROWNSo young.

EDNADiscipline. Kids have it too easy.They have to many distractions. Soboredom sets it.

DR. BROWNSometimes being rigid makes things crack.

EDNAYou have a patient waiting.

INT. MAYORS OFFICE. MORNING.

ROSE, 40ish, is on the telephone, apparently annoyed with the caller.

ROSEYes, I understand the barking is keeping you up at night.

DR. ABBOTT walks in without knocking and is carrying the town paper.

DR. ABBOTTRose, we need to talk.

ROSE(To caller) One moment.

She puts hand over receiver.

ROSE (CONTD)Harold, that door is there for a reason.

DR. ABBOTTI cant be kept out today.

ROSEIll call you back.

ROSE hangs up telephone.

DR. ABBOTTWe have a situation.

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ROSEYes, in this office, Im not your wife. Imthe Mayor.

DR. ABBOTTThen this is a professional visit.

ROSEHarold, this is not a good time.

DR. ABBOTTWe need to talk about the incident.

ROSEIncident?

He shows her the article in the paper. She is shocked.

DOCTORIm concerned that parents may overreact to this incident.

ROSEYou mean, the suicide.

DR. ABBOTTThis could have serious repercussions if we dont acknowledge it. You knowsweeping things under the carpet doesntresolve issues.

ROSEAre you talking our marriage?

DR. ABBOTTThis is not the time.

ROSENo, it isnt. I have a lot to do beforetomorrows town council meeting.

DR. ABBOTTWhy cant life be like the Music Man?

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ROSEHarold, you cannot live in an antiquated world.

DR. ABBOTTEverwood may have a problem. Our kidsmay have a problem.

ROSEWere good parents. We have a good family.This will just give people something to talk about. It will pass.

DR. ABBOTTWe cant pretend this didnt happen.

ROSEWe cant change what happened.

DR. ABBOTTDo you think we listen to our children?

ROSEWe listen to our children more than we haveheard each other. Now get out Harold,I have work.

DR. ABBOTT leaves. ROSE picks up the paper to read.

TELEPHONE RINGS.

She ignores it as she reads the essay.

INT. SCHOOL MUSIC ROOM. MORNING.

Amy is standing in the doorway listening to EPHRAM playing the piano. He senses apresence, looks up and stop playing.

AMYSorry didnt mean to interrupt.

EHPRAMYou okay?

AMYIs this a new song?

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EHPRAMWhich is harder, peoples expectations or yours?

AMYYoure right, this off the beaten path to the library.

AMY leaves.

EPHRAM goes back to playing piano at a greater intensity.

INT. DINER. MORNING.

CASSIE is sitting at the counter having breakfast. NINA is pouring her a fresh cup of coffee.

CASSIEThis town reminds me of a Rockwell painting.

NINEWe have our skeletons.

CASSIEI was too poor to have skeletons in my closet.

They both laugh.

NINAI couldnt think of living anywhere else.

CASSIEI always wanted to be where I wasnt.

NINASo what brings you here?

CASSIEThe past, the present, and a questionable future.

NINALately, Ive been wondering what happened tohappily ever after.

CASSIESome man must be writing your life story.

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WAITRESSWould you care for anything else?

DR. BROWN enters.

CASSIEA man will turn you upside down, inside outand you will still love him.

NINAWe have good apple pie here at the dinner.

DR. BROWNIs this a private conversation or may I listen in?

CASSIEI have somewhere to be. Later.

CASSIE reaches in her jacket pocket, lays a few bills on the counter and leaves quickly.

DR. BROWNI thought women found this beard attractive.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. MORNING.

EPHRAM and AMY are walking toward each other.

AMYHey.

EPHRAMHey.

AMYI decided to take up a collection for flowers.

EPHRAMWhy? Its not like he was on anyones radar.

AMYWhats with you?

EPHRAMWhy act like we care? Was he was making adifference?

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AMYOkay, putting sarcasm aside for the moment,have I done or said something I shouldnt have?If I did, Im sorry. So dont drop the worldsproblems on my shoulder.

EPHRAMLife sucks when youre world unravels.

EPHRAM walks away.

INT. KITCHEN. MORNING NEXT DAY.

EDNAR is cooking. IRV enters.

EDNALets take the bike up to the mountainthis weekend.

IRVSomeones feeling the call of the wild.

EDNAMore like retreat from KP detail.

IRVYouve been a good sport.

EDNAYou remember that when we bet again.

EDNAIf Im going to leave you speechless,maybe we shouldnt start our mornings so

IRVCassandras visit just has me out of sorts.

ENDAWhatever she is feeling, she needs to be heard.

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IRVNo one heard that boy. I remember that boy.Always was being picked on by the other kids.Never fitted in. I remember trying to measureup to that badge of manhood. Dam! How can Iexpect her to forgive me, if I cant forgive myself?

They hug.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO

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ACT THREE

INT. DR. BROWNS OFFICE WAITING AREA. AFTERNOON.

EDNA is sitting at the desk filling out a report when DELIA walks in.

DELIAHi Edna.

EDNAAfternoon Private. That face is mighty long.Have you been eating sour grapes?

DELIAThinking.

EDNAMust be heavy thoughts.

DELIAWill thinking hurt you?

EDNANot thinking hurts a lot of people.

DELIADoes everyone give up because they donthave quality of life?

EDNAYou have been thinking. Maybe your fathershould answer this one.

DELIADo you have quality of life?

EDNAYou see this face, this is quality of life.

DELIAWill he go to Heaven?

DR. BROWN enters.

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DR. BROWNDelia?

EDNAA daughter needs a father at a time like this.

DR. BROWNSomething wrong?

DELIADo we have quality of life?

DR. BROWN walks up and puts his arm around his daughter and they hold each othertight as EDNA looks at a picture of IRV sitting on her desk.

INT. AMYS BEDROOM. EVENING.

AMY is doing her homework. BRIGHT, 16, walks in and stands at the door.

AMYIm not doing your homework.

BRIGHTJust seeing how youre doing? So how is Collin?

AMYHes tired of taking tests.

BRIGHTYou didnt give up like I did.

AMYYou didnt give up. We all have had ourmoments of doubt.

BRIGHTYou didnt.

AMYI love him. I know dad thinks Im too youngto know about love but I do.

BRIGHTYoure lucky you have someone.

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AMYYou okay.

BRIGHTThis suicide thing, just got me thinking, maybewe dont treasure the time together. You know,take things for granted until its too late.

AMYYeah.

BRIGHTThe way that weird kid dressed all in black,definitely had issues. (Pause) Collin will getthrough this. Itll be like it was before.

AMYYoure right. Just like before.

BRIGHT goes and hugs his sister and leaves quickly.

AMY stares at a picture on her desk of COLLIN.

EXT. PORCH. MORNING.

DOORBELL RINGS.

IRV answers.

CASSIE is standing there. She is carrying a knapsack.

IRVMorning. Come in.

CASSIELets talk out here.

IRVYoure always welcome here.

CASSIE goes and leans against the porch railing.

CASSIESo this is your life?

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IRVIm ready to hear what you have to say.

CASSIEMomma said it was a bad ideal to do this.

IRVIm glad you did.

CASSIEI didnt come here to argue. Yes, Im angry.I am pissed! I need to understand why youabandoned us.

IRVI didnt abandoned you, well, not the way youthink. Too many people were being hurt.I kept hurting because I didnt know how tomake the hurting stop.

CASSIENow I hurt and I cant make it stop. It needsto stop.

IRVIm glad youre here but you never respondedto my letters.

CASSIE pulls a stack of bundled letters from her knapsack and hands them to IRV.

IRVWhats this?

CASSIEThese are the letters you wrote along with theletters I wrote. I never saw your letters. Minewere never sent. When I got older, I stoppedbecause I believed I was just another statisticfrom a broken home. I dont want to be broken.

IRVIm so sorry.

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CASSIEGrandmother never mailed my letters. I neversaw yours. Grandmother died a few weeks ago.

IRVCant say Id miss her. Sorry.

CASSIEAs mom would say, she had too much grit in hercraw. But I didnt doubt that she loved me.

IRVYou were lucky.

CASSIEWhen I was going through some of her things,I found these letters..

She takes a bundle of letters out of her knapsack.

CASSIEI hated you all these years because I thoughtyou didnt want me.

IRVYour mother and I loved you. We just didntlove each other enough.

CASSIEI cant believe grandmother would do this.

IRVWoman had a lot of vinegar in her.

CASSIEYou never tried to see me.

IRVIm ashamed of some things Ive done. I dontknow how Ill be able to make amends. Withthe constant fighting, it wouldnt of doneneither of us any good. I thought maybe it wasbest I stayed away.

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CASSIEI kept making up imaginary fathers and eventuallywent looking for one through relationships.

IRVToo many years of my life I stopped caring formyself, for everyone, then I met Edna and thebitterness, the anger started going away.

CASSIEI wanted you to have the letters I wrote.You shouldnt have stopped trying to reach me.

She walks away.

IRV clutches the letters tightly.

INT. MAIN STREET. AFTERNOON

Dr. ABBOTT is walking toward his office eating an ice cream cone. He is interrupted byDR. BROWN.

DR. BROWNDr. Abbott!

DR. ABBOTTWhen I speak of your craziness in years tocome, and I will, I have nothing nice to say.

DR. BROWNSo have you given any more thought tomy suggestion?

DR. ABBOTTTheres no more cover story here.

DR. BROWNTeen suicide is growing at an alarming rate inthis country. We think it cannot happen to us.We are not immune from the ailmentsof the world.

HAROLDYou are proof of that. Youve infect us all withyour charming personality.

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DR. BROWNWe should have an open forum with the students.Discuss this. Depression takes on many forms.

HAROLDIm having a conversation with one. Now,if youll excuse me, saving the world today, Icannot; but I can help my patients. Stopturning over rocks looking for snakes. Theobvious problems keep us busy.

DR. BROWNArent you concerned how this may affect everyone?

DR. ABBOTTWhen someone wants to die, theyll find away?

DR. BROWNEven you cannot be that detached from life.

DR. ABBOTTLife is a privilege. People abuse it. Simplefacts are usually hard to see but I guess withyour celebrity status, this detour into the commonlife is a bit of jog for your rich life perspective. Youcant make someone be practical, responsible.If its not in them, its not in them. So dontinflict yourself on the unwilling.

DR. BROWNSo this means, you agree to an open forum.

DR. ABBOTTIs this going to be an ongoing thing with us, Isay yes, at some point, just to shut you up, andgive my ears a rest.

DR. BROWNGlad were on the same page.

DR. BROWN walks away.

DR. ABBOTTWere not on the same page. Youre a menace tocommon sense.

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INT. MAMA JOES DINER. AFTERNOON.

People are sitting around reading the essay.

TOWNS PERSON #1I think its in bad taste publishing that essay.

TOWNS PERSON #2This is what happens when you dress in black all the time. It makes you depressing.

TOWNS PERSON #1What does a kid know about the quality of life?

TOWNSPERSON #2Were making a mountain out of a mole hill.He wasnt like the rest of the students. Look at theway he dressed. It wasnt normal.

DR. BROWN(Entering)

Whats the topic for today?

NINAThe quality of life.

DR. BROWN takes a seat at the counter.

TOWNS PERSON #2Sensationalism that all it is. Boy was tragic,should let him rest. No sense in painting usall as being tragic.

TOWNS PERSON #1So what do you think of that boys essay Dr. Brown?

DR. BROWNI think I want a Denver omelet with extra avocados.

INT. COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY. MORNING.

STUDENTS are standing around reading the paper. EPHRAM walks up and over hearsDICKHEAD TEENAGER #1 and #2.

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DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1What a nerd?

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #2He acts like he is our judge and jury.

EPHRAMDumb nuts, did you know that suicide is the thirdleading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds?Its a serious problem. Its nothing to joke about.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1Maybe we should watch out for you. Arent youlike one of those statistics, feeling stressed,confused, brooding, and having a bad haircut.

AMY walks up and hears DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1.

AMYBeing idiots is becoming a way of life for you two.

DICKHEAD TEENAGER #1 and #2 walk away.

EPHRAMAmy?

AMYWhats the point in being superficial?

EPHRAM watches her walk away alone.

INT. ABBOTT DINING ROOM. EVENING.

The ABBOTT FAMILY is having dinner.

ROSEDid you know him Amy? Bright?

BRIGHTAre you serious? Hes a nerd!

AMYThats cruel.

BRIGHTI didnt see you being his friend.

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DR. ABBOTTEnough. Were lucky our problemsarent as bad as others. Not everyone copeswith life as well as they should.

ROSEHarold, how could say such a thing?

AMYHis essay is disturbing.

BRIGHTEphram is our next prime candidate. He has thesomber look of a lost puppy. Some girls dig thesensitive dudes.

AMYStop it.

BRIGHTHes a nerd. Would you want that nerdfor your son-in-law?

AMY gives a dirty look. DR. ABBOTT is horrified.

ROSEHave either of you ever had thoughts like this boy?

DOCTORRose?

ROSEWe need to know Harold. You know you cantalk to us anytime about anything.

AMYMom!

BRIGHTI dont need my head shrunk.

DOCTORWere a normal family. We dont have thosekind of issues.

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INT. BROWN KITCHEN. EVENING.

EPHRAM walks in with bags of diner food followed by DELIA.

DELIAWhy do people kill themselves?

EHPRAMThere are a lot of reasons.

DELIAIf you have a reason, does that mean youregoing to kill yourself?

EHPRAMNo.

DELIAWhat reasons kill you?

EHPRAMYou dont have to worry about that stuff.Go wash your hands and help me set the table.

BAR. NIGHT. EVENING.

CASSIE is sitting at the bar having a drink. DR. BROWN walks in.

DR. BROWNNever found my answer in the bottom of a glass.

CASSIEIts fun to get there.

DR. BROWNDr. Brown.

CASSIECassie.

DR. BROWNYoure lucky, I dont know me yet. I know yourfather, hes a good man.

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DR. BROWNIm around if you need to talk.

CASSIEDont you have children of your own toworry about?

DR. BROWN walks away.

CASSIE continues drinking.


CASSIE and IRV are picking at their food.

IRVYou know I have enough guilt about what Ivedone. So, I cant feel any worst. So, why areyou here?

CASSIEEasy for men not to take responsibility for wherethey leave their sperm.

IRVCassie!

CASSIEIm not feeling you.

IRVWhat do you expect?

CASSIEI wanted to look the man in the eyes whodeserted me and made my quality of life, abig fat zero.

IRVCassie, you are always in my heart.

IRV pulls out a wallet and takes out a picture and shows her.

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IRV (CONTD)When I was growing up, we have the wrong viewsof what being a man was. Guys were about scoring,having a good time. I didnt handle my responsibility.

CASSIEIm tired of searching for a father in other men.

IRV puts his hand on top of CASSIES hand.

IRVCassie, Im sorry. I hope someday youll forgive me.

She pulls away and goes back to picking at her food.

EXT. PORCH. EVENING.

NINA is sitting on the porch. DR. BROWN shows up with carrying two cups of coffee.

NINAThe yard looks so sad without Sams flowers.

DR. BROWNHe can start again.

NINAMaybe we cant.

DR. BROWNSo, how do you like your criticism, on a scaleof 1 to 10.

NINADont Andy.

DR. BROWNIm here.

NINASometimes telephones arent the greatestinvention.

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DR. BROWNNot knowing, is that any better?

She places her hand on his. They sit quietly.

FADE OUT.

END ACT THREE

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ACT FOUR


COLLIN addresses an unseen person.

COLLINThis life doesnt register on the radar.You always measure up to everyonesexpectation. How can I compete withsomeone like you?

INT. HARPER LIVING ROOM. MORNING.

IRV is sitting at a writing desk reading one of CASSIES letter. On the desk sits a photoof CASSIE as a little girl.

CASSIE (VO)I hope you are doing okay Daddy. Mommais not crying so much. Miss you. I hope youwill not stay mad at me. I drew a picture of ahouse, with you, me and momma wavingin the front yard. Come home soon Daddy.We miss you.

IRV wipes tears from his eyes as he reaches for the telephone.


IRV is sitting at a booth doing a crossword puzzle and drinking coffee when CASSIEwalks in.

CASSIEYou know Ive rehearsed this so often

IRVYoure here, thats whats important.

She sits.

IRVI know this hasnt been easy.

CASSIEI know life is about the school of hard knocks.Just didnt expect it from my father.

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IRVI read the letters.

CASSIEI use to believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairyand that there was a boogie man under my bed.

IRVWhat do you want me to say that will make thingsright?

CASSIEI wish you could make the hurt go away.

IRVWhen I left, I was poisoned to everyone I touched.Your mother had the sense to leave before I ruinedboth of your lives.

CASSIEYou had a daughter.

IRVI didnt want to face you as a failure.

CASSIEHave you any idea happens to a daughter whenthere is no father in her life?

CASSIE runs out.

EXT. FUNERAL HOME WAITING AREA. AFTERNOON.

EPHRAM is standing with Wendell. Several students walk by.

WENDELLTo be dead, to be noticed.

AMY walks up.

AMYHi Wendell. Ephram.

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WENDELLHi Amy. Ill see youinside.

WENDELL leaves.

EPHRAMSurprised to see you here.

AMYI know I didnt know him well but justwell, you know. So, hows Wendell?

EPHRAMTheres a dark cloud around his head.When I read his essay in the paper, didnt realizehow much he was hurting.

AMYGuess people keep their dark moments tothemselves.

EPHRAMYeah.

They look at each. She gives EPHRAM a hug. He hugs her back.

INT. LIVING ROOM. AFTERNOON.

DR. BROWN and EPHRAM are walking in from the funeral services.

DR. BROWNI didnt realize so many people knew him.

EPHRAMPeople have a morbid curiosity for tragedy.

DR. BROWNIts a shame they didnt get to know him.

EPHRAMWe only want to know the things that areconvenient. Be a tragedy if people started caring.

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DR. BROWNHe took his life. He stopped caring. Sometimespeople dont see the love that is in their life.

EPHRAMDeath brings out guilt feelings, doesnt it?

DR. BROWNI cant change the past.

EPHRAMYour promises for the future are bleak.

DR. BROWNSo is this the teen angst youre going through?

EPHRAMIm a teenager.

DR. BROWNYou can always talk with me.

EPHRAMI dont need a doctors prescription.

DR. BROWNIs that what you think?

EPHRAMWhen you have to deal with real issuesconcerning family, you put on that doctor mask.

DR. BROWNDo you ever hear yourself, or does your angerat me make you deaf?

EPHRAMWhat teenager relates to his parents?

DR. BROWNI should have seen the signs.

CUT TO FLASHBACK:

DR. BROWN is having a consultation with the NERD.

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DR. BROWNI see you have been on various medication fordepression.

NERDGuess Im a test case for suppressing identity.

DR. BROWNHow are things now?

NERDIm not talking to myself and answering back.

DR. BROWNThats good.

NERDIf this is what life is all about, what do we have tolook forward to? I dont want to grow up andbecome a duplicate of my parents and spawnother duplicates.

DR. BROWNI dont think youll have a problem with yourown identity.

NERDI have to be mad to fit in.

DR. BROWNId like to see you in a few weeks, lets see how thisnew medication is helping with your hallucinatoryexperiences.

DR. BROWN gets a concerned look on his face.

NERDI dont want to be mad. But insanity is aprerequisite to make it nowadays.

BACK TO PRESENT TIME:

EPHRAMWho really opens up to their parents when theirparents seem confused about what their doing?

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DR. BROWNLife doesnt come with a manual. We do the bestwe can and hope its the right thing and if not,then we attempt to fix it before its totally messed up.

EPHRAMWhats messed up is you think a father and sonmoment makes everything right? Thats messed up!

EPHRAM exits.

EXT. GRAVEYARD. EVENING.

WENDELL is sitting on top of the NERDS tombstone. He is holding a bottle of beerthat is wrapped in a brown bag. He takes a long sip. The NERD walks up and sits nextto him.

WENDELLThis sucks you know. This like invalidatesour friendship. We could have talked.

NERDSometimes we talk until we exhaust ourselvesand start again, same drama, same issues.

WENDELLYou hurt me. Your life affected everyone.

NERDDeath brings out popularity.

WENDELLWe always said wed be there for each other.

NERDExpectations are hard to live up to especiallywhen someone crosses a line that blurs friendship.

NERD reaches out to touch WENDELLs hand but pulls back.

WENDELLIm sorry. I responded without thinking.I said the wrong things to you. So what happens now.

NERDYou go on.

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WENDELLUs against the world. Thats how it was supposeto be. Us against the world.

NERDYou are a connector. You connect things thatlook like they cant be connected.

WENDELLIm sorry for what happened between us.

NERDWe didnt connect.

WENDELLYou didnt have to leave.

EPHRAM walks up and sees WENDELL sitting on the NERDS tombstone talking tohimself.

EPHRAM(Walks up.) You okay.

WENDELL regains composure.

WENDELLI wasyou knowso, whats going on?

EPHRAMMy father use to talk to my mother.

WENDELLI really need to be alone now.

EPHRAMOkay. If you want to talk or do something, just let me know.

WENDELLSure.

EPHRAMOkay. Well, Ill see you around.

EPHRAM leaves.

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WENDELLWhat are friends for if you cant be a friendwhen the lights are going out?

Wendell pours some of the liquor on the grave. He then takes a long sip.

WENDELL (COND)Good bye James. Maybe its time for meTo disconnect. Thats what friends do,Stick together. I miss you James.

He grabs the bottle and chugs the drink.

INT. PLAYGROUND. EVENING.

CASSIE is sitting in the swing. IRV is sitting in the next swing.

CASSIEThe Army has been good to me. It helped meto find direction, discipline.

IRVThats good.

CASSIEI wasnt always good. I was too shamed to cometo see you after all I have done.

IRVDont ever feel that way. Youll alwaysbe daddys little girl.

CASSIEIm going overseas. Its an undisclosed location.There are loose ends in my life that I need to tietogether. This war on terrorism will last for aslong as it take. Reality is I dont want to be acasualty and have loose ends in my life.

IRVYoull be fine. You have your mothers spirit.

CASSIEGuess when I signed up I never thought I wouldever be in this situation.

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IRVPeople want safe places.

CASSIEI was mad at the world. Now the world is goingmad. I dont want to contribute to the madnessso I want to make a difference.

IRVUnfortunately, life isnt so clear cut.

CASSIEI saw you the other days with the kids on theplayground. You were laughing and talkingwith them. I dont remember you laughing.I dont remember you taking me to the playground.I remember doors slamming. You brokeMoms heart. I learned to live without one.

IRVWhat do you want from me?

CASSIE fights back tears. IRV gets up, and goes to her and begin pushing her gently inthe swing. He pushes her little harder and she goes higher into the air. They both startlaughing.

EXT. DELIAS SCHOOL YARD. MORNING.

NERD (VO)Quality of life for many people is having integritywith one self, belief in one self even during adversemoments, living your truth even when you feel stonesare being cast toward you.

DELIA is sitting at a table alone reading a book. ARNIE walks up to her.

DELIAWhat do you want?

ARNIEI want you to stop toying with me. So, I dontwant to be your boyfriend anymore.

DELIAI havent made that decision.

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ARNIEI dont want to be your boy toy.

ARNIE walks away.


COLLIN is pacing back and forth.

COLLINOnly one of us can be here. It cant be you. IIm going to be whom I decide to be. However,long it takes for me to figure it out, its okay.Im not all right with you trying to run my life.

He walks over and takes his photo off the dresser. He has been addressing the photo. Hetakes the photo out of the frame and rips it to pieces.

COLLIN (CONTD)Its my turn to have a life.

EXT. SAMS GARDEN. AFTERNOON.

NINA, DR. BROWN, SAM, DELIA are in SAMS garden replanting flowers.

NERD (VO)The quality of life for a community beginswithin the heart of its citizen. It can beginwith a simple gesture, or begins with reachingout to someone who is hurting silently, offeringa helping hand. Its the trusted look offeredwhen you are at that place where you dont knowwhere to turn.

INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING.

DR. BROWN is standing in the doorway of the dining room watch Ephram helping Deliawith her homework. DELIA looks up and sees her father.

DELIATeacher wants us to write this essay for classabout the quality of life.

He quietly watches his family.

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DR. BROWN (VO)Quality of life is simple, its life with itsups and downs, its tears, its laughter.

EPHRAM (VO)The Quality of life is the days you feel as brightas the sun, or feel like a storm thats coming. You just take it moment to moment.

NERD (VO)Its looking into the eyes of the one you love,looking into the eyes of someone hurting, itsfeeling sometimes without completely understanding.

FADE OUT.

END ACT FOUR

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Ever Wood 1