LETTERS FROM ENGLAND.Episode Three.Four Eyes.By Peter. C. Murray

1:

FADE IN. EXT. HYDE FIELD OSSIPEE-SUMMER 1971-DAY

THE DUDLEY TIGERS play OSSIPEE. THE SCOREBOARD 4-0 BOTTOM OF THE THIRD OSSIPEE. NYLES on first, BUCKY on Second and GARVEY PYLE on third.

NED. (VO)The Dudley Tigers not a great team,but we fought down to the last out.

MARTY reaches for a bat.

NED. (VO)Marty was becoming a bona fide star.Not only could she call a game and hit like Ted Williams.

A FIRM HAND clutches her wrist. MARTY stares into TUG BREWSTER’S eyes. He’s not there to give advice.

TUG.That’s my bat. Nobody touches mybat.

MARTY lets go of the bat. NED offers MARTY A RED BAT.

MARTY.That’s okay Tug, this here isThe red beauty. Ned’s bat.It has a ton of hits in it.

TUG.Yeah right. You’ll probably strikeout.

MARTY steps up to the plate. She crouches down low and resembles RICK BURLESTON in his Rooster stance. AN INTENSE STAR into the PITCHER, A TALL KID with FLOWING BROWN HAIR DOWN TO HIS SHOULDERS. We hear plenty of chatter on the base paths. NYLES takes a few steps off third.

NYLES.Come on Marty. Come on now.

2.

BUCKY on SECOND. He cups his hands.

BUCKY.Plenty of real estate out there in right center Marty.

GARVEY PYLE on first.

GARVEY.Come on Marty. Let him come to you.He ain’t got nuttin.

The PITCHER goes into his windup. MARTY pumps her bat up and down behind her neck. The ball is right in her wheelhouse. MARTY swings and drives a ball deep between the RIGHT CENTER. NYLES CHUGS HOME, FOLLOWED BY BUCKY, THE RIGHT FIELDER fires to the FIRST BASEMAN. HE TURNS AND FIRES HOME. GARVEY PYLE slides under the tag. THE UMPIRE spreads his arms out for the safe sign.

UMPIRE.Safe.

GARVEY PYLE is mobbed. ALMON from the bench hops to his feet and hoots like an owl. He claps his hands approvingly and points over at Second Base, where MARTY is hunched over catching her breath.

ALMON.Way to go Maarty. Way to go!

RAY HOOPER, A PLUMP WOMAN keeps score. RAY is a full blooded Pequawket Indian. She is passionate about her the Dudley Tigers.

RAY.Who is that girl?

AUDREY, directly behind her.

AUDREY.Marty Campbell.

AUDREY a proud smile on her face as if Marty is her own daughter.

3.

RAY.By Jesus, she can play some ball.

MARTY takes off and steals third and slides in under the tag. CJ at the plate. He looks like a hitter, waggling his bat and his stance is that of a big leaguer. The pitch comes in and he drives a ball to the woods. THE CENTER FIELDER TRACKS IT DOWN AND CATCHES THE BALL AND FIRES HARD TO THE PLATE. Marty jogs home and receives a round of high fives.

TUG puts some TOBACCO in his mouth. NED turns to him.

NED. I guess she didn’t strike out like you predicted Tug.

TUG.Shut up Livingston.

CUT TO. EXT. HYDE FIELD-MINUTES LATER.

SCOREBOARD. DUDLEY 5, OSSIPEE 4. NED goes into his windup and fires a little off the plate for ball four. THE OSSIPEE runner takes his base.

NED.We managed to take the lead in the fifth. We held them until the bottom of the seventh. That’s when my arm got tired.

LOGAN calls time and trots out to the mound.

LOGAN.You look tired out there Ned.

MARTY runs out to the pitching mound.

LOGAN.What’s he got Marty?

MARTY.He’s gassed.

4.

LOGAN takes the ball and puts his arm up in the direction of RIGHT FIELD. TUG jogs in. LOGAN hands him the ball.

LOGAN.Ned switch with Nyles and play Center.

NED jogs out to center. He confers with NYLES who moves to right.

LOGAN.Okay we got two out and two on Tug.Ryan Ronson, their best hitter iscoming up. Let’s get this one.

MARTY.What have you got for pitches?

TUG.What’s it to you?

MARTY.I’m your catcher, I’d like to be ableto call some pitches.

TUG rolls his eyes.

TUG.I got one pitch. It’s an explodingfastball.

MARTY.See that’s easy. I’ll just throw down one.

TUG.Get back behind the plate.

MARTY goes back behind the plate. TUG warms up. Pitch after pitch, wild. THE OSSIPEE BENCH are encouraged by TUG’S wildness. THE CHATTER is loud and gives OSSIPEE HOPE. RYAN RONSON, A BEEFY RED HEADED KID, with a chunk of freckles all over his nose digs into the plate. MARTY gets into her crouch.

RYAN.Your relief pitcher is looking a bit

5.

RYAN (Continued.)wild out there.

MARTY.Yeah, but he throws hard and fast.Don’t expect him to give youany cookies.

RYAN nods.RYAN.

Nice job behind the plate. You’re almost as good as me.

MARTY.Thanks.

MARTY flashes a bunch of fake signs to TUG. TUG stares in completely confused. MARTY throws down the middle finger right side up. TUG shakes his head.

MARTY.Bring it Tug.

TUG goes into a short windup. He throws the ball inside. RONSON BAILS as the ball comes inches to his head.

RYAN.Wow Nelly, that was close.

MARTY throws the ball back to Tug.

MARTY.Just to let you know, I didn’t callit high and tight.

RYAN.I forgive you for it.

RYAN digs in again and adjusts his helmet and waggles the BAT. MARTY THROWS ANOTHER MIDDLE FINGER DOWN. TUG, the MIDDLE FINGER is getting to him. He windups and this time the ball is way off the plate. MARTY stretches her glove out and catches the ball.

UMPIRE.Ball two.

6.

MARTY calls time runs out to the mound. TUG with hands on hips shakes his head. MARTY holds the ball.

MARTY.Tug, see that white diamond byhome. That is called the plate.in order to strike guys out,you have to be around it.

TUG.Just get out there and catch.Leave the pitching to me.

MARTY returns behind home plate. She crouches and prepares for the next pitch. ANOTHER MIDDLE FINGER. TUG, goes into his windup. Ryan swings his bat into the strike zone a few times and then cocks it behind his ear and waggles it. TUG a hard throw. The BALL comes flying in and down the center. RYAN swings. WE hear a HARD CRACK and see the BAT SPLIT. The lifts shallow enough into the outfield. GARVEY moves back. NED charges in hard.

NED.I got it Garvey!

At the last second the wind drifts the ball back behind NED. He throws his arm behind him. BUCKY and GARVEY watch in slow motion. NED falls on his back. He lays on the ground not sure whether he caught it. BUCKY and GARVEY, eyes to the GLOVE. The BALL, SNOW CONED in the POCKET OF HIS GLOVE. NED gets up to his feet AND SHOWS THE UMPIRE THE BALL. BUCKY, pure ELATION. He LEAPS his entire 6’4 FRAM ON NED. The rest of the team PILES IN. THE CELEBRATION is like THE 7TH GAME OF THE WORLD SERIES.

FADE TO BLACK.

7.

ACT ONE.

FADE IN. EXT-DUDLEY THEATRE-FOURTH OF JULY-DAY

THE DUDLEY THEATRE. A LARGE LOOKING BUILDING WITH A PITCHED ROOF. THE BIG DUDLEY FOURTH OF JULY PARADE. NED and the LIVINGSTON FAMILY watch the FLOATS PASS. In the background, THE HIGH CHARGED SOUNDS of FIRE TRUCKS, POLICE CARS AND AMBULENCES.

NED. (VO)When we beat Ossipee it was two days Before the fourth of July. The Dudley fourth of July parade wasn’t much. There was the MONROE Library float.

THE LIBRARY FLOAT with the theme THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO LIVED IN A SHOE. A SMALL GIRL WITH PIGTAILS sits on PAPER MACHE SHOE READING. BEHIND HER a BANNER, THE MONROE SUMMER READING PROGRAM.

NED. (VO)There was the local hardware store.In our town it was simply calledThe other store so it wouldn’tbe confused with Monroe’s Countrystore.

THE OTHER STORE FLOAT. THE THEME is ARCHIE’S GANG, WITH FOUR EMPLOYEES dressed as JUGHEAD, ARCHIE, BETTY, VERONICA AND REGGIE, play “SUGER, SUGER” to the crowd. THE DUDLEY MARCHING BAND follows playing the STARS AND STRIPES. NEXT, SIX FIRETRUCKS roll past the THEATRE.

NED. (VO)Then the rest of the parade consistedof our first responders. I swear Dudley was the only town I everknew that had the largest numberfirst responders I’d ever seen.The Dudley Selectman made sure that every town within a five mile radius was represented.

NED watches the OUTING CLUB float pass the THEATRE with it’s PAPER MACHE SAHALE VALLEY RANGE MOUNTAINS AND A HIKER getting

8.

ready to climb. NED’s attention is directed to LOUD VOICES BEHIND.

AUDREY. (VO)If you can’t see the ball, thenwhy wouldn’t you wear your glasses.

CHUCK. (VO)I’m not wearing them Mom.

AUDREY. (VO)Chuck, it could help you hit and field.

NED turns his head to the left. AUDREY and CHUCK in a heated argument. CHUCK turns towards NED. NED, like a flash turns his head back towards the PARADE.

MARTY. (VO)Ned! Ned!

NED looks across the street. MARTY in front of PARADE traffic and trots up the steps next to NED and his family.

BLAKE.Hi Marty.

MARTY.Hi Mr. Livingston.

EILEEN.Hi Marty.

MARTY waves to Mrs. Livingston. MARTY and NED watch the parade.

EILEEN.Great parade.

BLAKE.I swear to God, Dudley isn’t this bigwhere are all these fire trucks comingfrom.

NED.I think they breed with one another Dad.

9.

MARTY bursts out laughing. NED gets close to MARTY’S ear.

NED.Listen, I think I figured out whyChuck’s hasn’t gotten going yet.

MARTY.Why?

NED.He won’t wear his glasses.

MARTY.Glasses? I didn’t even know Chuck hadglasses.

NED.Yeah, he got them at the end of lastsummer. I saw him wearing them fromtime to time.

MARTY.Are you going to the fireworks?

NED.I think so.

MARTY.I’ll see you there. I’m supposedto be at The Other Store withAngus and Patrice. I’ll seeyou tonight.

CUT TO. EXT. THE OTHER STORE-DAY

THE OTHER STORE, looks more like a house than a HARDWARE STORE. NED and CHUCK come out from the store eating ice cream cones.

NED.Are you coming to the fireworks tonight?

CHUCK.Yeah, you should come with us.

10.

NED.

I will. We should go find the team.

NED and CHUCK walk down the CENTER OF DUDLEY.

CHUCK.I don’t know.

NED.Why?

CHUCK.Tug Brewster.

NED.He’s blowhard. Don’t even think about him.

CHUCK.I swear Ned, if he gets on my assabout my hitting one more time,I’m gonna bust his lip.

NED.Chuck, such violent talk fromsuch a mellow guy.

CHUCK.I don’t care. I’m sick of him.

NED.Look man, I think I know a wayyou could shut his trap without having to bust his lip open.

CHUCK.How?

NED.You have glasses. Wear them.

CHUCK.No, glasses are not the problem.

11.

NED.

Chuck, I wear them.

CHUCK.Yeah, but you’re not hitting, are you?

NED.So, I’m not hitting. Have you everthought you might not be able tosee the ball.

CHUCK.That snot Tug calls you four eyes.If I wear my glasses…

NED.Sticks and stones pal. It doesn’tbother me. They are nothing morethan an appendage.

CHUCK.I’m not wearing them.

NED.All right, you’re not wearing them.

CUT TO. EXT-DUDLEY TOWN CAMPGROUND-EVENING.

A MILLION STARS IN THE SKY. A HIGH-PITCHED SOUND FOLLOWED BY A CANNON SHOT. A FIREWORK EXPLODES INTO THE SKY WITH A BRILLIANCE OF BLUE, GOLD AND RED. CHUCK, MARTY, NED watch from the CHAPLAIN STATION WAGON. AUDREY AND EDGAR hold each other close as they watch from inside the car.

CHUCK.Now that was awesome.

NED.Ah, it was a six.

MARTY.A six? The color combination aloneshould have made that an eight.

CJ LOCKWOOD ambles over to the CHAPLAIN CAR.12.

CJ.

Hey guys.

NED.Hey there CJ. Enjoying the fireworks.

CJ.Not as good as the ones over in Sandwich.

MARTY.Where are you watching them from?

CJ.The Hooper’s truck. You shouldcome on over. The more the merrier.

CUT TO. EXT. HOOPER’S TRUCK-EVENING.

ANOTHER LOUD winding sound, followed by a CANNON SHOT and a FIREWORK, THIS TIME ELECTRIC GREEN. CJ ambles over with NED, MARTY and CHUCK.

CJ.Hey guys look who I found.

ALMON and BUCKY hop out off the truck. HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND. RAY HOOPER appears from the other side of the truck.

RAY.Well if it ain’t the rookies of the year. What do you think of the fireworks?

MARTY.Not bad.

RAY.I know one thing Maarty.

MARTY.What’s that?

RAY.You sure are a firework. I like theway you take command out there. Where

13.

RAY.the hell did you learn to play balllike that?

MARTY.Little League but that was two yearsago. I think I’m a little rusty.

RAY.Rusty. My score caard says here, thatyou went 3-4 against Ossipee and you threw out a base runner. Don’t you sell yourself short young lady, or you’re gonna be hearing from me.

MARTY smiles.

MARTY.All right, I won’t Mrs. Hooper.

ALMON looks up in the sky and sees A TINY FORMATION OF STARS.

ALMON.The staars sure are bright tonight.

CHUCK looks up. HE SEES ONLY THE MOON.

CHUCK.What are you talking about Almon. I don’t see any stars.

ALMON points. CHUCK’S VISION’S FOGGY. All he can see is the MOON.

CJ.I see them. Right around the moon rightAlmon?

ALMON.Ya!

ALMON glances over at CHUCK.

FLASHBACK-HYDE FIELD-DAY

14.

ALMON watches CHUCK from the on-deck circle. CHUCK squints his eyes before the pitcher goes into his windup. He puts his hand up.

CHUCK.Time!

CHUCK wipes his eyes and then steps back in the batter’s box. He stares out at the PITCHER. The ball travels out the PITCHEER’S HAND IN A BLUR. blur coming out of his hand. CHUCK STRUGGLES SQUINTING and SHAKING his head until POP. THE BALL INSIDE THE CATCHERS GLOVE.

UMPIRE.Strike three. Take a seat.

CHUCK tosses his helmet. A kick of dirt and he TOSSES HIS BATTING GLOVES BEHIND HIM. A GLOVE LANDS IN ALMON’S HAND.

ALMON.Hey Chuck. You’ll get em next time.

CHUCK.Yeah right. I suck!

FLASHFORWARD TO-HOOPER’S TRUCK EVENING

ALMON.Hey Chuck, do you wear glasses?

CHUCK freezes. SOMEONE has blabbed. His eyes fall on NED. NED takes a slow sip of his soda and shakes his head no.

CHUCK.So, what if I do.

ALMON.Hey calm down bro. I was just asking.

CHUCK.Sorry.

ALMON.How come you don’t wear em playing

15.

ALMON. (Continued.)

ball?

CHUCK.I don’t need them for Baseball.

ALMON.You can see twenty, twenty on the field?

CHUCK.No, not exactly.

ALMON.Then wear them.

CHUCK.Thanks a lot Ned.

CHUCK marches away from the truck and across the campground towards the canteen. NED and MARTY chase after him.

NED.Chuck, I never told anyone you wearglasses.

CHUCK.Then how come Almon knows.

MARTY.He could have guessed Chuck.

CHUCK.Mom!

CHUCK, FULL OF RAGE, MARCHES TOWARDS THE CAR WITHOUT LOOKING. HE LANDS SMACK INTO TUG WITH A SHORT KID NAMED LEROY.

TUG.Well if it isn’t Huey, Louis and Dewey.Tell me Dewey, kissed your girlfriend yet?

NED.Marty is not my girlfriend.

16.

MARTY turns away.

TUG.Are you sure about that? You two seemreal cozy together. Tell me what arethose private chats on the mound for?

MARTY.Strategy Tug. Something you couldn’tdefine in a dictionary.

TUG glances over at CHUCK. CHUCK, CLENCHED FISTS, ready to pop someone.

TUG.What are you looking at squirt?

CHUCK.Your fat ugly face.

TUG.Is that so? Tell me something squirtdid you learn how to hit yet?

CHUCK SWINGS. THE PUNCH LANDS HARD ON TUG’S JAW. TUG drops with a THUD. THE REST OF THE BASEBALL TEAM crowds in to have a look.

BUCKY.By Jesus you got some serious punchChuck.

BUCKY OFFERS CHUCK his SODA. CHUCK takes a sip. It takes funny. CHUCK offers BUCKY a puzzled look.

BUCKY.This buds for you.

BUCKY pulls out another SODA from his back pocket and takes a long swallow. GARVEY stares down at TUG out cold.

GARVEY.Should someone give him a hand up?

17.

CJ.Nah, leave him there to sleep it off.

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF ACT ONE.

18.

ACT TWO.

FADE IN-EXT-WAKEFIELD SCHOOL FIELD-DAY

A BALLFIELD WITH DUGOUTS AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE BETWEEN THEM. WAKEFIELD’S UNIFORM looks professional with PINSTRIPES and SCRIPT LETTERING like the DETROIT TIGERS. WE MOVE TO THE SCOREBOARD. The WAKEFIELD BENCH SCREAM AND HOLLAR. WE MOVE TO THE SCOREBOARD. DUDLEY 3, WAKEFIELD 2

NED. (VO)I had never seen Chuck throw a punchIn my life but the night of the fireworksTug, had brought that anger out of him.This didn’t end the glasses debate. The next day against Wakefield, Chuck replacedNyles in Center Field late in the game,While I went into right. CJ walked a batter.Then, Chuck’s world came crumbling downaround him.

CHUCK and NED watch LOGAN trot out to the mound and take out CJ. He waves for TUG. TUG trots in from the mound. CJ replaces GARVEY at SECOND. MARTY watches LOGAN hand TUG the ball. MARTY senses disaster.

MARTY.Logan, do you really think bringingTug in is wise?

LOGAN.Yes. He’s my only relief pitcher.

MARTY.Oh, come on Coach. Almon can changes speeds and has a nasty curve.

LOGAN.Marty, I appreciate all you do forthis team. You’re a good player,but don’t ever question your coach.

LOGAN runs back to the bench. TUG chuckles.

19.

TUG.I guess he told you.

MARTY a cold stare and a slow walk back to the plate. SHE crouches. TUG throws a few warmup tosses. TWO WAKEFIELD PLAYERS, MITCH AND BOBBY watch TUG. No velocity. PITCHES lack velocity.

MITCH.Bobby, this guy’s got one pitch.

BOBBY.A fast ball and no velocity.

MITCH SWINGS HIS BAT.

MITCH.What do ya say we start us a rallyboys!

THE WAKEFIELD BENCH erupt into HOOTS AND HOLLERS. THEY RAZ TUG MERCILESSLY. MARTY puts her glove out. She doesn’t bother with any signs. TUG goes into his windup and releases the ball. MITCH SLAPS a LOOPING hit over BUCKY’S head into CENTER FIELD and it zips towards CHUCK. CHUCK squints his eyes. HE CAN’T PICK UP THE BALL. CHUCK THROWS HIS GLOVE DOWN AIMLESSLY. THE BALL ROLLS UNDER HIS LEGS TOWARDS THE FENCE. The RUNNER ON FIRST SCORES. CHUCK CHASES THE BALL. IT BOUNCES AGAINST THE FENCE AND STICKS. CHUCK AN URGENT TUG. THE BALL JAMMED. MITCH heads towards SECOND hits the bag and heads towards third. NED runs over to help CHUCK.

CHUCK.I got it Ned.

CHUCK tugs the ball and it slips out of his hand and rolls towards SECOND BASE. MITCH hits third. CHUCK picks up the errant ball and lets it fly towards home. THE BALL SAILS WAY OVER MARTY’S HEAD and MITCH SCORES. THE WAKEFIELD TEAMMATES MOB HIM. CHUCK puts his hands on his hips. His eyes catch ALMON’S for but a second. ALMON has no expression. CHUCK turns away from the field.

NED. (VO)In the entire time I have known Chuck

20.

NED. (Continued.) (VO)Chaplain, I had never seen him so low.

I could have told him that it was only a game and that winning wasn’t everything. That wouldn’t have done any good.

CUT TO. EXT. WAKEFIELD BALLFIELD-EVENING.

MARTY AND NED step into the car and watch as AUDREY consoles CHUCK. CHUCK pulls away from AUDREY and gets in the car and stares out the window. CHUCK, his whole world has shattered.

NED. (VO)Chuck couldn’t get the feeling out of his mind that the team hated him.

CHUCK.Mom, call Logan tomorrow and tellhim I’m quitting.

MARTY and NED exchange a look of disbelief. AUDREY stares back at him in the same manner.

AUDREY.That’s a bit cowardly don’t you think?

CHUCK.Why? He probably hates me anyway. the entire team hates me.

AUDREY.Chuck you’re being childish.

NED. (Continued)At that moment, Chuck didn’t believehe was being childish. To Chuck hiserror was as big as Fred Merkle forgetting to touch third base.

CHUCK.I’m not playing Mom. Now please callLogan and tell him.

21.

AUDREY.No Chuck, I will not call Logan. Be

a man and call him yourself.

CUT TO. INT. CHUCK’S BEDROOM-EVENING.

CHUCK listens to NEIL YOUNG on his headphones. He throws a ball up in the air.

CUT TO. INT. CHAPLAIN LIVING ROOM-EVENING.

AUDREY PACES BACK AND FORTH on the phone.

NED. (VO)As Chuck sat in his room listeningto music, something interesting happened. Audrey made a phone call.

AUDREY.Ray, he really feels badly aboutthe error.

CUT TO SPLIT SCREEN-THE CHAPLAIN HOME/THE HOOPER HOME.

RAY listens intently to AUDREY.

AUDREY.He thinks everyone on the team hateshim.

ALMON fixes a large double decker sandwich and listens to the conversation.

RAY.I don’t hate him. I don’t thinkAlmon or Bucky hate him.

Almon puts the sandwich on a large plate.

AUDREY.He’s thinking of quitting the team.

ALMON prepares to take a bite.

22.

RAY.Quitting the team? Now that’s a

bit drastic.

ALMON puts the sandwich down and motions Ray for the phone.

ALMON.Ma. Let me talk to her.

RAY hands over the phone.

ALMON.Mrs. Chaplain, this is Almon. PutChuck on the phone.

AUDREY.All right. Chuck! Almon Hooper wants to talk to you.

CHUCK comes out of his room. AUDREY hands CHUCK the phone.

CHUCK.Hello.

ALMON.Chuck, listen to me. Bucky calledan extra practice for tomorrow. I want to see you there with your glove and your glasses.

CHUCK.Almon we’ve been over this…

ALMON.Bucky and I know where you liveBud. Bring the glasses.

NED. (VO)Sometimes your parents aren’t Can’t always make you tow the Line. Sometimes what’s neededis a good kick up the backsidefrom a peer. A class act like Almon Hooper is all it took,

23.

FADE TO-EXT. HATTON FIELD-NEXT DAY.

BUCKY pulls up his TRUCK INTO THE PARKING LOT. BUCKY unloads bats from the car. ALMON gets out and grabs his glove and puts a set of GLASSES on his face.

ALMON.Buck?

BUCKY.Yeah.

ALMON.I want to throw batting practice.

BUCKY.Do you think this will work.

ALMON.If it don’t, then I ain’t being ateammate am I.

CARS AND TRUCKS pile into the parking lot. AUDREY’S is the last. NED, MARTY and CHUCK step out. MARTY walks onto the field.

ALMON.Maarty come here a minute.

MARTY looks up. The GLASSES on ALMON’S takes MARTY by surprise.

MARTY.Almon, are the glasses a new look we’reGoing for?

ALMON.No. I’ve had him for three years. I’mGonna convince Chuck to play with his.

MARTY.Now that’s clever.

ALMON.I’m gonna pitch to him, but nothing soft.I want you to be ready.

24.

MARTY.Almon, you’re a junk ball pitcher.

ALMON.I got a fastball. You just haven’t caught it yet.

CUT TO. EXT. HATTON FIELD-MINUTES LATER.

BUCKY leads a TEAM MEETING AT HOME PLATE.

BUCKY.CJ and I called this practice to Work on fielding. Ground ballsaar important, particularly ground balls to the Outfield.

TUG.I don’t know about the rest of you,but I’m fine with my fielding.

BUCKY.Shut your mouth Tug, before I run thisFun-go bat up your ass.

TUG.Everybody’s so touchy lately.

BUCKY.I want everyone who staarts in they’repositions. Almon’s throwing BP.

ALMON.Hold on a minute. I have something to say.

ALMON steps out from the crowd. A COLLECTIVE STARE from his TEAMMATES. THE GLASSES. THEY SENSE IF ALMON is wearing them, then no jokes. We move over to TUG. The sight of ALMON in glasses amuses him.

TUG.Nice glasses Almon. I guess youAnd Nyles have something in common.

25.

ALMON.No, there’s three of us.

CHUCK puts his glasses on. and puts them on. TUG busts a gut.

TUG.Wow squirt, you too.

ALMON busts through the circle. ALMON FACE TO FACE WITH TUG.

ALMON.I’m wearing the glasses for theRest of the season. If you have a beef about it, then meet me after practice.

BUCKY.Chuck, go hit.

CHUCK, taken by surprise.

ALMON toes the rubber. BUCKY heads out to SHORTSTOP.

ALMON.Chuck, don’t think I’m gonna be soft.You have to earn your hits.

MARTY CROUCHES BEHIND THE PLATE. Almon windups and throws a blazing fastball. CHUCK, FROZEN by SEEING THE BALL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE BALL POPS IN MARTY’S GLOVE and stings. She takes her hand out of her GLOVE. A few shakes and throws the ball back. MARTY chuckles.

MARTY.I guess you do have a fastball Almon.

ALMON THROWS AGAIN. CHUCK FREEZES AGAIN.

ALMON.Come on Chuckie! You can’t be afraidof the ball.

ALMON throws fastball after fastball each time CHUCK HOLDS THE BAT STILL. ALMON has had enough. HE PUTS HIS GLOVE OUT AND CATCHES THE BALL FROM MARTY. ALMON approaches the plate, EYES

26.

FIRM AND HARD. CHUCK looks away.

ALMON.

Look at me!

ALMON grabs his chin.

ALMON.Don’t be a chickenshit with me.

CHUCK.I’m not a chickenshit!

ALMON.Then show me you can hit goddamit!

CHUCK.I’ll show you!

ALMON.Then do it!

CHUCK paces for a moment and mumbles.

CHUCK.He calls me a chickenshit. I’ll showhim who’s the chickenshit.

CHUCK digs in. An ANGRILY SWING OF THE BAT IN ROUNDHOUSE CIRCLES. HE GLARES AT ALMON. ALMON HOLDS AS IF TO TEST HIM.

CHUCK.Throw the ball!

ALMON brings his leg into himself and throws hard over the top. CHUCK, DETERMINED WITH GRITTED TEETH. The BALL as big as a GRAPEFRUIT. A HARD SWING. A LOUD CRACK, LIKE A CANNON SHOT. THE BALL DEEP TO CENTER. NYLES drops back. THE BALL falls behind him.

ALMON.Hooowee! Now that’s a humdinga! give me another one just like that.

ALMON throws another hard fastball. CHUCK hits it to LEFT and it drops for a hit. ALMON changes speeds and tosses a slider.

27.

CHUCK whacks at it and the ball travels to right and drops in. ALMON throws CHUCK his entire pitch selection and with each pitch, CHUCK RAPS a hit.

NED. (VO)As we watched Chuck put on a clinic, we weren’t watching Jerry Kenney anymore, we were watching Ty Cobb. If that weren’t wild enough, he started to field like Roberto Clemente.

BUCKY, hits a long deep fly ball to CENTER. CHUCK reaches back and catches the ball, spins around and fires to CJ. Who whips the ball home. CJ slaps his glove towards CHUCK.

CJ.Nice play man!

BUCKY.All right. One more for everyone andthen bring it in.

BUCKY throws the ball up in the air and whacks the ball.

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF ACT TWO.

28.

ACT THREE.

CUT TO. EXT. WOLFEBORO-EARLY EVENING.

NED. (VO)Chaps first hit happened offthe bench against Wolfeboro.

LOGAN looks down at his lineup card. CJ stands at SECOND, NYLES at first. GARVEY grabs a bat. LOGAN pulls him back.

LOGAN.I need a pinch hitter.

LOGAN looks to his bench. CHUCK leans forward chattering with his team.

LOGAN.Chuck grab some wood.

LOGAN trots to the UMPIRE.

LOGAN.Chaplain for Pyle. Chaplain replacesPyle at second.

THE UMPIRE MAKES HIS CHANGE.

UMPIRE.Batter up.

CHUCK grabs a bat. He scans the bench. MARTY, crosses her fingers.

MARTY.Come on Chucky boy. You’re a hitter!You’re a hitter.

CHUCK a look over to NED. NED rises to his feet, clapping his hands together.

NED.Let him come to you Chuck. His stuffis mud.

29.

CHUCK digs in. A GLANCE OVER TO ALMON. ALMON leans with his foot on the bench.

ALMON.Rip a shot Chuckie. Rip a shot!

CHUCK checks LOGAN for a sign. He touches his ear, then rubs his chin, the hand goes down the thigh and then the fist.CHUCK stares into the Pitcher. The Pitcher checks the Catchers sign. He fires a fat curveball that flattens as it gets to the plate. CHUCK puts his might into the ball and the BALL POPS offHis bat and flies past the third base line and way down into left field. THE DUDLEY TIGER BENCH erupts. CHUCK charges around first and slides into SECOND BASE. The LEFT FIELDER throws low and the ball gets by the Shortstop. CHUCK leaps to his feet and heads to third and slides in safe. NED leans into MARTY.

NED. Jesus. He can fly.

MARTY.Yeah, I think we got a lead off guy.You mark my words, our Chuck is gonnalead us in stolen bases. Atta boy Chuck.

ALMON nods his head approvingly.

ALMON.Humdinga bud! Humdinga!

LOGAN steps in the third base box and walks over to third.

LOGAN.That was some charge you put into that.You go on anything but a ground ball.

CHUCK nods.

CUT TO-EXT. HATTON FIELD-DAY

DUDLEY takes on NORTH CONWAY. CHUCK up at the plate.

NED. (VO)Chuck’s hit was the first of many.

30.

NED. (Continued) (VO)Against North Conway, he went 3 for 4.

CHUCK laces a ball down the right field line that rolls into the WOODS. The right fielder chases it down and throws it to the Second Baseman. The ball comes in to third and Chuck slides in safely. THE BENCH up on their feet clapping with raucous celebration and HIGH FIVES all around.

CUT TO. EXT. FRYBURG ACADEMY FIELD-MAINE-DAY

A WET SOGGY DAY. FRYBURG 2, DUDLEY 2. TOP OF THE 6TH INNING.CHUCK STEPS UP TO THE PLATE.

NED. (VO)Against Fryburg, Chappy got two hitswalked once and got on by an error.Oh, I almost forgot. He stole fourbags.

CHUCK LEANS IN. A HARD-RIPPED BALL BETWEEN SECOND AND SHORT. and rips a hard-hit ball between second and short. CHUCK rounds first and watches the ball come in. He holds.

CUT TO. MOMENTS LATER. CHUCK STEALS SECOND.

A FEW MOMENTS LATER, he watches the Pitcher’s high leg kick. HE WIGGLES HIS FINGERS and then like a shot, CHUCK STEALS THIRD.

WE MOVE TO THE SCOREBOARD. DUDLEY 5 FRYBURG 4. BOTTOM OF THE 6TH.

NED. (VO)We would have won that game, but Martygot a little too passionate for her britches.

CUT TO. EXT FRYBURG ACADEMY FIELD

THE RAIN COMES DOWN IN BUCKETS. MUD COVERS HOMEPLATE. CJ, goes into his windup and fires a strike down the middle. The Umpire pulls back from the plate.

31.

FRYBURG UMPIRE.Ball two?

MARTY holds the ball in her glove. MARTY shakes her head. On her haunches she the ball back to CJ.

MARTY.Where was that?

FRYBURG UMPIRE.Off the plate.

MARTY flashes some signs. CJ nods his head and goes into his windup and fires another perfect strike down the heart of the plate. Once again, the UMPIRE STANDS BACK.

FRYBURG UMPIRE.Ball three. 3 and 0.

MARTY, THE TEMPER BOILS.

MARTY.Ump, your killing me here.

FRYBURG UMPIRE.Ball three!

MARTY rises to her feet and throws the ball back to CJ. He shakes his head at Marty. MARTY nods, she understands how he feels. MARTY crouches. A FLASH OF FINGERS and the GLOVE GOES UP. CJ windups and fires a pitch that would make Tom Seaver weep from the perfection of it.

FRYBURG UMPIRE.Runner take your base.

MARTY UP OUT OF HER CROUCH IN a nano second.

MARTY.I want to know are you blind?

FRYBURG UMPIRE.What did you say?

32.

MARTY.That pitch was perfect, and you know it.

FRYBURG UMPIRE.I saw as a ball. Tell your PitcherYour Pitcher to hit the plate.

NED. (VO)As they say a Catcher has to protectTheir pitcher. Even from the Umpire.

MARTY and the FRYBURG UMPIRE jaw back and forth with one another.

NED. (VO)Marty must have jawed with the Fryburg Umpire for a good five minutes.

MARTY and the FRYBURG UMPIRE FACE TO FACE. THE FRYBURG UMP yells so loud a wad of TOBACCO hits MARTY in the nose.

NED. (VO)Earl Weaver couldn’t have put on a better show then Marty put on that day.

MARTY WIPES THE TOBACCO OFF HER NOSE.

MARTY.You spit tobacco juice in my face.

NED. (VO)Now in all the years I’ve knownMarty, I had never heard her drop the F bomb. That day, she putthe word Mother in front of it.

IN SLOW MOTION WE HEAR MARTY say the word MOTHER…FOLLOWED BY F-BLEEP.

NED. (VO)That was it. She was done.

33.

THE FRYBURG UMPIRE, A FORCEFUL FINGER AND MARTY is ejected. MARTY, beyond angry. A KICK OF DIRT AND THEN SHE SMEARS MUD OVER THE FRYBURG UMPS SHOES. The entire DUDLEY TIGERS BASEBALL restrains her.

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF ACT THREE.

34:

ACT FOUR.

EXT. SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE LITTLEFLEET-SUMMER-DAY

PILES OF WOOD, DRY WALL, BROKEN WINDOWS AND BITS OF WOOD STREWN ABOUT THE MAIN OFFICES. ABOVE THE MAIN DOOR, A FAÇADE OF SCAFFOLDING. IVAN TRICKLE, scrapes old paint off the walls.

NED. (VO)While the Livingston Summer was filled with Baseball, horses and theatre, the same could not be said for Glynn Barrett. He was doing the work of twelve men. with construction on hold, Glynn had a skeleton crew. The crew consisted of his five teenage daughters, his wife, Ivan and the man who used to be the caretaker the old Mary Waits school, Bull Ward.

A large LORRY drives through the front drive and parks in front of the PILE OF RUBBLE.

NED. (VO)Bull’s real name was Marvin, but when You saw Bull it was pretty obvious whyeveryone knew him as Bull.

BULL WARD built like an OX, with fading red hair, steps out. His chin is made of solid rock and his eyes are wide and blue. He GRABS HUNKS OF RUBBLE WITH HIS THICK MEATHOOK HANDS and tosses them in the LORRY.

INT. EXT. THE MAIN LOBBY-DAY

GLYNN BARRETT, in a white shirt and BLUE JEAN OVERALLS is on the phone.

INTERCUT TO BLAKE’S LIVING ROOM/MAIN LOBBY SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE-DAY

BLAKE.Glynn how close is the campus frombeing ready?

35.

GLYNN stares in at a WALL, with a LARGE HOLE. PLASTER torn apart from both sides and ELECTRICAL WIRES dangle down below.

GLYNN.

We’re coming along. We’re coming along.

BLAKE.What does that mean?

GLYNN.Oh, now Blake we had some set backswith that construction crew, butI think we’re on our way now.

BLAKE senses GLYNN is stalling.

BLAKE.Have you hired a faculty yet?

GLYNN.How about a Welsh Archeologistwho lead a dig as far away as Marrakesh. A business Manager, who ran a Littlefleet cigar shop.A London Dance critic for theLondon Times. A concert pianistfrom Michigan, two economics professors, One from the London School of Economics and another from the New York Stock Exchange.

BLAKE, senses complete bull.

BLAKE.Sounds like you’ve been busy.

GLYNN.I’m not wasting time Blake. Thiscampus will be up and running bythe end of August. Did I tellyou I’m interviewing a publishedpoet? Daniel something.

GLYNN looks through the CLUTTERED RECEPTION DESK.

36.

GLYNN.This guys a genius. He’s but written radio plays, had several of his poems published and he’s written a number of

short stories for a number of highprofile magazines.

GLYNN finds the piece of paper he’s looking for.

BLAKE.What magazines?

He puts his glasses on. THE NAME DORSETT comes into view.

GLYNN.Dorsett. Daniel Dorsett. Don’tyou worry Blake, we’ll be ready.You can take that to the bank.I’ll talk to you soon.

BLAKE hangs up. He wipes his worried face.

BLAKE.Will we?

NED. (VO)My Dad knew Glynn was in wayover his head. It was true, Glynn had hired all these people.Now he was hiring Daniel Dorsett.Little did I know, how influential Daniel Dorsett and his family were to be in our lives. Daniel’s decision to answer Glynn’s ad started two weeks before.

CUT TO. EXT. CHILTON SUSSEX ENGLAND.

A LARGE STONE CATHEDRAL with a giant STEEPLE that seems to rise to the heavens. A RED MORRIS MINOR passes through the CHILTON and turns the corner past a monument. The car then turns right down a side street and parks.

CUT TO. EXT-MAYSIDE STREET CHILTON-DAY

37.

DANIEL DORSETT, portly, and English, dressed in black jacket and grey trousers contemplates his next move in life. A leisurely WALK down a busy street full of SHOPS, OUTDOOR CAFÉ’S, SWEET SHOPS, and a LARGE WH SMITH’S. DANIEL, a hard drag off his

cigarette and he tosses it across the street and pops into THE HOUND AND CROWN PUB.

CUT TO. INT. THE HOUND AND CROWD-DAY

DANIEL enters and pushes his way through a THICK CROWD TO THE BAR. THE HOUND AND CROWN PUBLICAN approaches DANIEL. DANIEL JANGLES A FEW SHILLINGS AND PLACES THEM ON THE BAR.

DANIEL.McEwan’s Brown Ale and I’ll havea packet of crisps.

THE PUBLICAN pulls the draft into a glass and tilts it so the foam will provide a clear head. DANIEL takes his drink and his packet of crisps. He puts the ale to his lips and offers THE PUBLICAN A TOAST WITH HIS GLASS.

DANIEL.Cheers mate.

PUBLICAN.Fifty three p.

THE PUBLICAN counts his money and DANIEL finds a nice quiet booth to himself. He pulls out the LONDON TIMES and reads about TED HEATH’S latest proclamation and shakes his head.

DANIEL.Such rot?

LAVINIA.What is?

DANIEL looks up at LAVINIA STONEHURST, a tall woman in her 60’s with brown hair that is shading gray.

DANIEL.Hello Lavinia. I was going to popround to your bookshop whilst Iwas here.

38.

LAVINIA.May I?

DANIEL.Certainly dear.

LAVINIA takes a seat across from DANIEL.

LAVINIA.Now what is such rot?

DANIEL turns over the LONDON TIMES WITH TED HEATH’S PICTURE across it.

LAVINIA.Oh, him.

LAVINIA doesn’t want to think or talk politics.

DANIEL.What are you having luv?

LAVINIA.Sherry.

DANIEL waves for the BARMAID.

DANIEL.Sherry for the lady please.

THE BARMAID nods and is off to the bar.

LAVINIA.How’s the writing?

DANIEL, looks at his ALE seeing if there could be an answer to his troubles.

DANIEL.I’m afraid I’ve run into a bit ofa rough patch. No one’s takinganything. Not poetry, not a shortstory, nothing literary. I may have to go back to teaching.

39.

LAVINIA.Any prospects there?

DANIEL.I heard Chilton is hiring, but doI really wish to rowdy boys withraging testosterone again?

LAVINIA.I think I might have the answer toyour prayers.

DANIEL RAISES AN EYEBROW.

DANIEL.Oh?

LAVINIA.After our drink, come by the shop.I have that book on Tennyson you’vebeen looking for. I’ll show you thewonderful opportunity that I mayhave found for you.

DANIEL.I shall do that.

CUT TO. EXT. CROWN BOOKS-DAY

LAVINA thumbs through a selection of books in the back. SHE PULLS out a book on TENNYSON and hands it to DANIEL. He examines it.

DANIEL.Yes, this is the one.

LAVINIA.Come this way. I have another bookyou might be interested in.

DANIEL follows LAVINIA down a line of bookshelves until she stops at the AMERICAN POETRY section. She pulls out a bookOn the COLLECTIONS of WALT WHITMAN. DANIEL, raises a puzzled eyebrow.

40.

DANIEL.I’ve been meaning to see if I couldfind a copy of Whitman.

LAVINIA.I think that book may come in handy.

LAVINIA leads DANIEL back to the front of the empty shop and pulls out a copy of the CHILTON REGISTER and opens the CLASSIFIED SECTION with LARGE PICTURE OF LITTLEFLEET AND A CLASSIFIED AD. DANIEL reads.

DANIEL.Come help young American’s broadentheir minds and learn English poetryand writing. Southern New HampshireCollege in the United States is openinga British campus for studies abroad.We are seeking a resident poet to guideyoung minds beyond their wildest imaginations. Contact Glynn Barrett at Southern New Hampshire College Littlefleet.

DANIEL thinks the idea is absurd and has a good chuckle about it.

LAVINIA.Seriously Daniel, I think you couldoffer your wisdom to these wide eyedAmericans.

DANIEL.I don’t know Lavinia. AmericanStudents?

LAVINIA.Surely, they are no different thanEnglish students?

DANIEL.True, students are students.

41.

LAVINIA.Promise me something.

DANIEL.I shall endeavor to try dear

Lavinia.

LAVINIA.You will at least write them aLetter.

DANIEL.All right, I shall do.

CUT TO. INT-ALLARD HOUSE EASTERLY SUSSEX ENGLAND-EVENING

A WHITE COTTAGE along MAIN STREET. WE MOVE TO THE TOP WINDOW, where we hear the SOUND OF A TYPEWRITER BANGING AWAY.

INT. DANIEL’S OFFICE-EVENING.

DANIEL stares at a COVER LETTER. He finds two spelling mistakes and pushes through WHITE OUT PAPER and hits the keys to correct them. He examines the page. SMUDGED words. DANIEL pounds his desk at the height of frustration.

DANIEL.Damn! Damn! Damn! You bloody fool.

SIMON appears in the doorway. He’s 14, inquisitive and bright. He spins a FOOTBALL in his hands.

SIMON.What ya doing Dad?

DANIEL.Ruining my life.

SIMON.Oh, carry on then.

DANIEL turns around and watches Simon walk down the hallway. He has no idea what Simon meant. He rises to his feet.

42.

DANIEL.Oi!

SIMON, a QUESTION appears and offers itself in DANIEL’S DIRECTION.

SIMON.Are you cross with me?

DANIEL.No, not at all.

DANIEL walks over to him like a chum.

DANIEL.I was wondering how the Footy was?

SIMON.It was quite good actually. Insteadof Gareth stacking his team full ofthe best players, we had Walsey pickcaptains.

DANIEL.That sounds democratic. Were youpicked?

SIMON.No, Selby was. He wasn’t a badCaptain, so it worked out. I scored a goal.

DANIEL.Did you?

SIMON.I did. It was sort of a fluke though.The ball came to me and I when I hitit bounced off Peter Sinclair-Murphy’s bum and went it.

DANIEL can’t help but chuckle.

DANIEL.A goal is a goal my boy. Celebrate

43.

DANIEL. (Continued.)it.

Simon is about to enter his room.

DANIEL.Simon?

SIMON.Dad?

DANIEL.This rough go of it I’m having, Idon’t want you to worry. It won’tlast.

SIMON.I’m not. Are you worried?

DANIEL.A little, but in my office, I amworking on something that I hope will supplement the poetry.

SIMON.Well done Dad.

DANIEL.Have a nice night my lad.

SIMON.Thanks.

SIMON enters the room and closes the door. DANIEL smiles with pride at SIMON. He enters his office and returns to the cover letter. NORMA appears. She is the same age as Daniel, around her late forties, with a head of strawberry blonde hair and reddish cheeks. She is beautiful to look at. She approaches the room slowly and begins to rub DANIEL’S SHOULDERS. DANIEL feels his muscles relax.

NORMA.My word Daniel, You’re all tense.

44.

DANIEL.I’m sure what you are doing now willget rid of it all.

NORMA.

Did Simon tell you about his goal?

DANIEL.Yes, he did. I must say the storyrather amused me.

NORMA.Knowing how hard our Simon cracks theball, I am sure Peter Sinclair-Murphy’sbackside is going to be a bit sore.

DANIEL chuckles. He brings NORMA around and sits her in his lap and puts his arms wide around her. He looks deeply into her eyes, like he is still a teenager. NORMA looks down at the typewriter.

NORMA.Is this the masterpiece that will payOur bills for the next twenty years?

DANIEL.No. This could be a job prospect?

NORMA.Go on!

DANIEL.Yes, teaching.

NORMA.Oh Daniel, I thought we discussed that.

DANIEL.Now Norma this is different. This couldbe a University job at an American University in Littlefleet.

NORMA.Oh, I do believe I saw a news storyabout that on The South Today.

45.

NORMA. (Continued.)The American starting up the college,Seemed rather cocksure of himself.Too cocksure if you want my opinion.

DANIEL.Really? Then should I send in myletter and CV?

NORMA.If I were you, why not. It couldn’thurt. It’ll be good practice.

NORMA rises to her feet. DANIEL, a SNATCH of NORMA’S HAND. HE draws her close to him.

DANIEL.Norma what would I ever do without you?

NORMA.Probably starve.

DANIEL AND NORMA share a laugh.

DANIEL.I swear you’re still as beautiful asthe day I met you.

THE TWO SHARE A WARM KISS.

CUT TO. EXT. ROAD TO FULGROVE-DAY

DANIEL drives out of LITTLEFLEET and heads towards the little VILLAGE OF FULGROVE. He passes the FOG COVERED CORN FIELD. He drives past the IVY-COVERED STONE HOUSE and down the drive. DANIEL’S jaw hangs low. LARGE PILES OF RUBBLE. THE MORRIS MINOR SCREECHES TO A HALT. DANIEL STEPS OUT OF THE CAR AND EXAMINES THE MESS BEFORE HIM. THE LOUD BLARE OF A LARGE LORRY Startles DANIEL and a quick turn in the DIRECTION OF THE LORRY. BULL WARD pops his head out.

BULL WARD.If I can ask you to move your car sir?

46.

DANIEL.Right.

DANIEL gets in his car and examines the surroundings. PILES AND PILES OF RUBBLE EVERYWHERE with no place to park. DANIEL steps out of the car again.

DANIEL.There’s seems to be no place to park.

BULL WARD.Turn back.

BULL WARD points up the other end of the drive on the left is a LARGE CAR PARK.

DANIEL.Oh, I see.

DANIEL steps into his car and manages to turn around and drive off towards the car park.

CUT TO. EXT. MAIN OFFICE-DAY.

A FULL TORENT OF RAIN. DANIEL escapes and enters the FRONT DOOR OF THE MAIN OFFICE. DANIEL takes a few gasps of breath. He looks open and sees more mess. PLASTER, WOOD, SINKS, STOVES and any assortment of junk you could imagine. DANIEL, wonders has he come to is the right place. A turn to his right. A LONG HALLWAY CLUTTERED WITH MORE JUNK. A MEDIUM BUILT WORKER with a PAINTERS CAP AND WHITE OVERALLS RUNS QUICK SHORT STROKES WITH HIS BRUSH UP A BEAM.

DANIEL.Bloody hell! They don’t expect tobe ready in two weeks do they?

GLYNN. (VO)We most certainly do.

THE WORKER TURNS AROUND. GLYNN grins from ear to ear.

GLYNN.Glynn Barrett at your service my good chap.

47.

GLYNN snatches DANIEL’S hand with a grip so firm that DANIEL feels his arm wrenched from its socket. DANIEL pulls back and rubs his shoulder.

GLYNN.Dorsett right?

DANIEL stares at GLYNN with a look that can only say, “WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO.

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF ACT FOUR.

48.

ACT FIVE.

FADE IN. INT GLYNN’S OFFICE-DAY

GLYNN and DANIEL examine each other. GLYNN with a smile on his face. DANIEL, seems a bit overwhelmed and fidgety. DANIEL starts to speak, but then stops. This is not the sort of interview he has ever experienced. He looks around the office, trying to come up with some way to start polite conversation. He stares at the OAK WOOD PANELLING in the office, then behind GLYNN is a WINDOW that overlooks the grounds in the back. He can just make out a MARBLE SUNDIAL. DANIEL once again stares at GLYNN. GLYNN CONTINUES TO SMILE. GLYNN can see DANIEL is full of questions. DANIEL opens his mouth again to speak, then loses his train of thought. GLYNN’S CHESHIRE CAT SMILE REMAINS. GLYNN’S WARM GLARE. DANIELS shifts in his seat. A FIRM GRIP ON THE ARMS OF THE CHAIR. FINALLY GLYNN opens up his drawer on his desk and opens a CIGARILLO CIGAR.

GLYNN.Cigar?

DANIEL stares at it. He wants one badly, but should he? This is after all an interview.

DANIEL.No. Thank you.

ANOTHER LONG STARE FROM GLYNN. DANIEL can’t take it anymore this time he is going to say something. It’s going to be jolly intelligent in all. He opens his mouth to speak. GLYNN leans forward and waggles his finger at him.

GLYNN.Dorsett, I can see you are man filledwith questions.

DANIEL, thrown off by the substantial statement. GLYNN rises from his seat and paces around the room, animated, excited and willing to tell his story.

GLYNN.Your thinking, how can this collegepossibly start a semester in two weeks?

49.

GLYNN (Continued.)Look at this mess. Surely in a year you

could do it, but not in two weeks. That is where you are wrong my friend. I am determined to see this through.I owe this to the students. We’regoing to have two hundred American students taught by forty professors, half of which are British. What ifthe building was in need of repair?Hell, I’ll put classrooms in that damn gym if I have to. These kids deserve the best and we’re givingit to them.

DANIEL.That’s smashing.

GLYNN.You’re damn tooting that’s smashing.

DANIEL raises an eyebrow. He’s never heard the term damn tooting before.

GLYNN.Imagine you have ten kids in a class and you’re lecturing them on poetry.

DANIEL.All right.

GLYNN.You don’t have a classroom. Where do you go?

DANIEL is about to open his mouth. GLYNN snaps his finger so loud DANIEL jumps.

GLYNN.You have a tea at your house in your yard. It’s comfortable and relaxed.you talk about Byron, Keats, Shelly,Whatever the lecture of the day is.Say you’re an archeology student.

50.

GLYNN. (Continued.)You don’t want to hear some lecture

In a classroom. You want to dig.And I bet you that there are someancient artifacts out along the west wing that are aching totell you a story

DANIEL is drawn in. GLYNN has conjured the dream for him.

GLYNN.How about theatre? Yeah sure youcould teach some history of theatreclass in a classroom, but what thestudent really wants to do, is seegood Irish theatre in Dublin.

DANIEL fixates on GLYNN in a trance.

DANIEL.All right I could see that.

GLYNN.What if you want to learn the piano?Do you want some boring drab pianoTeacher? No, you want to be taughtby a classical pianist. This isthe course study we are offering Daniel. Real world professorswho have seen and done it? Wewant you to be part of it.

GLYNN sits down. THE BEAMING SMILE REMAINS AS IT HAS DURING THE WHOLE INTERVIEW. DANIEL takes it in. He wants to say something or come up with an intelligent question. DANIEL draws a complete blank.

GLYNN.You know something Dorsett. I like your style. You got the job.

THE WORDS CAME OUT, BUT DANIEL REACTS LIKE HE HASN’T HEARD GLYNN CLEARLY.

51.

DANIEL.What did you say?

GLYNN.You’ve been hired my good man.

GLYNN shakes DANIEL’S HAND FIRMLY AND ONCE AGAIN ALMOST WRENCHING HIS ARM OFF IN THE PROCESS.

NED. (VO)It turned out to be the strangest jobInterview Daniel Dorsett had everexperienced. Not once was Daniel askedthe standard job question, tell me about yourself. That was Glynn’sstyle. He showed you his vision andmade you believe. Daniel left theinterview thinking this man Glynncould move mountains.

DANIEL.Thank you, Mr. Barrett. Thank yousir. Thank you very much indeed.

GLYNN.Ah cut this Mr. Barrett crap. Callme Glynn.

DANIEL.When would you like me to start?

GLYNN.Tomorrow morning at nine sharp. Howare you with a lathe?

DANIEL stares at him a bit perplexed.

CUT TO. INT. NED’S BEDROOM-EVENING.

NED packs in a reserved manner. His suitcase is barely packed. He looks over at his BOOKSHELF. A BASEBALL signed by THE DUDLEY TIGERS. NED examines the picture thinking about what might havebeen.

52.NED. (VO)

We left for England two weeks beforethe Dudley Theatre season ended. Logan had decided to pitch me on

my last game. I pitched okay, but we lost 5-2 to Conway.

NED leaves the PICTURE on the shelf and picks up his RED BAT. He takes a few practice swings and slumps on the bed. He examines the bat.

NED. (VO)I rewound the game in my head with my red bat. Marty had dubbed itthe red beauty. Little didI know that my final at bat, with red beauty would be a strikeout that killed a rally and end the game. The loss, all but securedDudley’s elimination from the DistrictPlayoffs. I felt responsible. Iwas in no mood to move to EnglandAnd discover the world. I just wanted to be alone.

DARCY. (VO)Ned, phone.

NED throws the bat on the phone. He makes the long walk into the living room with his head down and shoulders slumped. He finds DARCY DANGLING THE PHONE.

NED.Who is it?

DARCY.It’s your girlfriend Marty.

NED.She’s not my girlfriend.

NED picks up the phone.

NED.Hello. Oh, hi Marty. Why don’t youcome here?

53.

DARCY.Good luck with that, she’s afraidof the house.

NED.Darcy go away! Oh, okay. I’ll see you and Chuck at the Chapel in fiveminutes.

NED hangs up the phone. DARCY is amused.

NED.What’s so funny?

DARCY.Let me get this straight, Martyrefuses to come to this house,because she thinks it’s haunted.So, the two of you decide to meetAt the Chapel, which you are afraidOf. Oh, what a priceless couple the two of you make.

NED.We’re not a couple.

EILEEN looks up from her book.

EILEEN.Darcy leave your brother alone.Now why are you meeting Martyat the Chapel?

NED.She said she and Chuck have somethingfor me.

BLAKE pokes at the fire.

BLAKE.Okay, but don’t be out too late.We have to be at the college atten tomorrow.

CUT TO. EXT. THE SAHALE CHAPEL-EVENING.54.

THE SPOOKY SAHALE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT. NED finds MARTY AND CHUCK sitting on the steps.

NED.What’s up?

CHUCK.We wanted to wish you bon voyage.

CHUCK nods to MARTY. She presents a CARD and A LONG BOX. NED, taken by surprise.

MARTY.Chuck and I got you something.

NED.You didn’t have to.

CHUCK.We wanted to.

NED stares at the box.

CHUCK.Open the damn thing already.

NED opens up a BASEBALL CARD with a picture of the RED SOX team standing by the wall of FENWAY PARK. He opens it and reads the card. “IT’S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE THAT COUNTS IT’S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME.” THE CARD is signed by LOGAN AND THE TEAM. NED tears off the wrapping from the box. HE opens it. A GOLD TROPHY OF A PITCHER GOING INTO HIS WINDUP. NED reads the inscription. “TO NED, THE MVP OF THE DUDLEY TIGERS.” NED is touched by the sentiment.

NED.Thanks.

MARTY.That should cheer you up a little.You took that loss pretty bad.

NED.Yeah, I guess I did. Damn NateBriley. He owns my ass.

55.

CHUCK rises to his feet. CHUCK GRABS HIS HAND FOR A FIRM HAND SHAKE AND PULLS HIM IN FOR A HUG.

CHUCK.Listen, don’t forget to write. Iwant a Letter from England once aweek.

NED looks over at MARTY.

NED.What about you. A letter a week.

MARTY.No, a two letters a week will suffice.

NED.I guess I better bone up on my letter writing skills. I’llpractice on the plane.

AUDREY. (VO)Chuck! You forgot to feed the cat.

CHUCK.Listen I gotta go.

CHUCK gives NED a bear hug.

AUDREY. (VO)Chuck, where are you?

CHUCK.Oh, good lord. I’m coming Mom.

CHUCK runs down the road. WE HEAR A LOUD LECTURE OUT OF AUDREY. MARTY and NED laugh as they watch the lecture from the CHAPEL. NED and MARTY a long look at each other. NED with his eyes on her hair. It’s different and off her shoulders.

NED.Hey what did you do to your hair?

56.

MARTY.Nothing why?

NED.It’s straight. Usually it’s in a ponytailor tucked under a ball cap.

MARTY.Why are you commenting on my hair?

NED.I don’t know. I like it.

MARTY stares into NED’S EYES and she warms into a smile.

MARTY.Do you have to go?

NED.England?

MARTY.No. Now.

NED.No.

MARTY.Good. The big dipper is out.

MARTY points.

NED.I can never find that thing.

MARTY leans close to NED and she points. NED FOLLOWS HER FINGER AND SEE’S THE BIG DIPPER. HER HAIR DISTRACTS HIM. IT SMELLS NICE.

MARTY.See that thing that looks like a bear.

MARTY’S EYES STRAIGHT AHEAD at the STARS, then she turns towards NED. THEIR EYES MEET AGAIN. NED feels comfortable next to her. Like nothing he’s ever felt before.

57.

MARTY.What is it?

NED.Nothing.

NED, the moment, intense and he rises to his feet quickly.

NED.I better finish packing. I’ll walk youhome if you like.

MARTY.That would be kind of you.

MARTY and NED walk up the road. QUIET. YOU CAN HEAR CRICKETS AND THE BROOK BABBLING UNDER THE BRIDGE. AN OWL hoots.

NED.Here you are.

MARTY, jerks forward. HER ARMS AROUND NED HOLDING HIM TIGHT. A TEAR TRICKLES DOWN HER CHEEK. She pulls away.

MARTY.You have fun in England. Make friends.

NED.I will.

NED notices the tear on her face.

NED.Marty are you crying?

MARTY.No, you jerk. I have dust in myeye.

MARTY, WIPES HER EYE. She can’t take this moment any longer and runs down her drive. NED watches her, confused. What did he do?

58.

MARTY THROWS THE DOOR OPEN and trots past PATRICE AND ANGUS, and up the stairs WIPING HER EYES. PATRICE and ANGUS exchange a look. PATRICE puts down her NEEDLE POINT and climbs the stairs.

CUT TO. INT. I93 TAXI-DAY

NED, stares out the window in deep thought as he watches MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE PASS HIM BY, followed by signs for the BOSTON, and surrounding towns like SOMERVILLE, DANVERS, SWAMSCOTT and many more. The traffic out the window a blur. NED TUNES OUT THE SOUNDS OF ROWDY COLLEGE STUDENTS.

NED. (VO)Glynn gave my Dad to splurge for a taxi ride to LAGUARDIA AIRPORT in New York. It would be a longgrueling eight-hour ride. I wasn’tmuch into this trip. I was a confused mess.

THE CAR travels through SUMNER TUNNEL through the heart of BOSTON.

NED. (VO)Marty’s hug from the night before, ran through my head in a film loop.

THE CAR HITS THE MASS TURNPIKE HEADING OUT OF BOSTON AND THROUGH CONNECTICUTT.

NED. (VO)

Sure, Marty and I had hugged a time or two, but this one was different. The hug we shared, meant much more to her than any hug we had shared. I sensed Marty was no longer the bratty tomboy I knew as a child. She was now turning into a supremely confident woman.

THE TAXI travels through CONNECTICUTT, WE SEE SIGNS FORNEW YORK CITY.

59.

NED. (VO)I felt a loss of innocence. We were growing up.

THE TAXI TRAVELS OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE HEART OF THE CITY. THE TAXI COMES TO A STOP IN FRONT OF A LIGHT. THE SIGN AHEAD OF THEM FOR LAGUARSIA AIPORT AND SHEA STADIIUM. THE TAXI MOVES ALONG AND PASSES BY SHEA STADIUM AND THEN INTO LAGUARDIA AIPORT.

NED. (VO)I wanted to spend time exploring this new Marty.

NED stares out a PLANE WINDOW. WE hear the SOUND OF THE ENGINE. THE PLANE STARTS TO MOVE SLOWLY DOWN THE RUNWAY. A THOUSAND LIGHTS OF NEW YORK CITY are out the window.

NED. (VO) However, I had to put that part of my life on pause.

BLAKE glances over at NED, EILEEN and DARCY. He has a giant excited smile on his face. DARCY rolls her eyes. EILEEN chews her gum and NED remains fixed outside at the window. DOWN BELOW THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LEAVING IN THE DISTANCE.

NED. (VO)England awaited and the hope of a new adventure.

FADE TO BLACK.

END OF EPISODE.