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FADE IN:
INT. LAKESHORE HIGH SCHOOL - PRE-DAWN
The horizon shimmers with the first light of morning. A
typical suburban-farm school in Stevensville, Michigan
stretches out before us. Early before the mob of eager,keen
minds arrive: JANITORS are apathetically working on the
floors, classrooms, and bathrooms. A man enters from the
front entrance of the building - MR CLEMENTS, a tall,
ARROGANT, articulate history teacher wearing a blue shabby
suite.
He makes a manly nod at the janitors, unlocks his door and
enters his classroom. As his daily routine he checks for his
voice mail, afterwards he reluctantly skims through a pile of
ungraded papers.
EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
A dark-green, almost new TAURUS pulls up. A soft spoken,
slothful teen, JOHN emerges from the car. He places his book
bag on his back and walks towards the school's entrance. He
passes through hallways filled with old-fashioned lockers and
into the sophomore hall towards Mr. Clement's room.
He makes a knock--
MR. CLEMENTS
Oh...Come in...John.
JOHN
Did you grade my paper sir?
MR. CLEMENTS
Yes as a matter of fact I did - Let
me see if I can find it.
He skims through a pile of graded papers.
MR. CLEMENTS
Aha - Here it is. You got a 96%...
Good Job.
JOHN
So much for 6 dreadful hours at the
Library.
MR. CLEMENTS
Well... lets see what you did
wrong, I have it written somewhere
in here.
Mr Clements puts on his glasses, grunts as he goes through
the essay.
MR. CLEMENTS
OK. I think your paper was great.
The only thing I disagreed with,
was the significance of the Battle
of Saratoga.
JOHN
What about it? I mean it was the
turning point of the revolutionary
War.
MR. CLEMENTS
Yes it was. But I disagree with the
word choice you have in that
paragraph.
JOHN
I was trying to explain the whole
war from different view, using
Saratoga as the main aspect.
MR. CLEMENTS
(argumentative)
Mmm - I get your point. I was not
quite impressed on how you worded
your thesis.
John's face wears down.
MR. CLEMENTS
Anyway - it was a great paper...
You know what, I'll look it over
again. I promise you by tomorrow I
will have a new grade on there. A
higher one I hope.
JOHN
Thank you sir.
As he exits the room Mr. Clement makes a sound, he halts and
turns around to listen to the lofty teacher.
MR. CLEMENTS
I'm impressed by your willingness
to present your evidence.
John makes a quick nod and exits.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKERS - HALLWAY - MORNING
The students are in their masses. Cheerleaders, football
players, preppies, skids, smarties, all engraved in one
hallway. A QUICK VIEW OF JOHN LONELY ON HIS LOCKER. The bell
RINGS. The kids rapidly disperse.
EXT. LUNCH CAFETERIA - CONTINUOUS
The students in their social groups. John takes his food tray
walks to an unoccupied table. A mob of students, mostly
football players appear at the table. They are pissed off.
Among the crowd is a tough-looking, ferocious, kid named
RICKY.
RICKY
What the hell are you doing at our
table.
BOY # 1
(pats him on the back)
You know if I were you, I wouldn't
wanna mess with Ricky.
RICKY
Go play with your little flute or
something' we don't allow virgins
on this table.
The boys share a laugh.
JOHN
I'm sorry man, I'll leave.
RICKY
You better.
JOHN
Don't push it Bro.
BOY # 1
Did you hear that dagg.
BOY # 2
Who the hell' does this kid think
he is.
BOY # 1
Lets give him give a makeup.
They all nod their heads in-agreement.
RICKY
No guys - its cool. Let him go. It
was a just a simple
misunderstanding... No reason to go
postal on his ass. Right?
Ricky glances at the boys with a wicked eye.
RICKY (CONT'D)
Right?
BOY # 1,BOY # 2
(simultaneously)
Right.
He gets up and strides out of the CAFETERIA. He goes to a
STUDENT LOUNGE area where there are kids likewise divided
into social groups: some are eating, chatting, while others
are playing a hackie sac. He quickly notices his friend,
Trent. He is a jittery kid with piercing on his ears, nose,
and TONGUE.
TRENT
Hey, Bro.... What's the matter
dude.
JOHN
(angrily)
The seniors were giving me some
trouble again--
TRENT
Don't even worry that I've got
something in-store for those
Assholes.
JOHN
(sitting down)
Yea whatever. Anyway, I was
thinking - do you think you can
lend me that guitar of yours.
TRENT
Why?
JOHN
I need to... do... Something.
A punk-kid with piercing, flips off Trent. Trent hesitantly
returns the favour.
TRENT
I thought you said playing a guitar
was a waist of time.
JOHN
I did, I just need to check
something out. Look will you give
the guitar or what!
TRENT
Alright - Alright I give you the
guitar man. Geez, they really
bullied you - didn't - they.
EXT. CLASSROOMS - CONTINUOUS
We see a quick flash of students absorbingly learning in
different classrooms. GEOMETRY, WELDING CLASS, and students
in the GYMNASIUM. ON SCREEN a clock spinning showing the fast
moving time.
INT. PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON
We see John quickly walking to his car. He takes out his keys
to open the door. A beautiful, radiant girl walks up to him.
STEPH
Hey neighbor.
JOHN
(astonished)
Oh... Hey Steph how are you?
STEPH
I'm great how are you?
JOHN
I'm OK.
He stares at her with - great discomfit.
STEPH
Listen. Can you give me a ride. My
car is at the garage. I was
counting on my girlfriends to take
me home, but they seem to have
disappeared.
RICKY
Yeah - sure. Hop in.
She goes around to the passenger's side.
STEPH
-- Thanks --
CUT TO:
INT. RICKY'S HOUSE
After dropping off STEPH, Ricky walks into his house which
sounds empty.
JOHN
Mom I'm home.
No one answers,he searches in the kitchen.
JOHN (cont'd)
Mom - Mom! Mom!
IN THE LIVING ROOM is his mom, SHELBY sitting on the sofa
with her hand on her face crying. She wearing a night dress.
He rushes to sit next to her.
JOHN
(comforting)
Mom what's wrong?
JOHN (cont'd)
Mom?
SHELBY
-- I don't want to talk about it --
JOHN
Mom what did he do to you.
SHELBY
Nothing! Nothing.
JOHN
Mom, I know he did something to
you. Tell me what did he do to you.
She removes her hand from her face. She has a disturbing red
eye. John's face quickly deviates with the sight of his
flimsy mother.
JOHN
That son of a bitch-
SHELBY
(overlapping)
Don't you say that - he's my
husband.
John rises - infuriated.
JOHN
MOM! He beat the shit out of you,
how can you say that?
SHELBY
(crying)
I don't know... I don't know what
to do.
JOHN
I know what to do. CALL THE POLICE!
SHELBY
NO. You will not call the POLICE -
no-one is calling the cops.
JOHN
(sitting down)
Mom. Listen to me...He is a
monster, how many times is he going
to do that to you - to me. Every
day I pray you will kick him
out...but you just keep on letting
that man into our house.
SHELBY
(softly, while crying)
I love him...I love-
JOHN
-THAT'S BULLSHIT! Mom he abuses us
both everyday. Every night, DRUNK
he wallops his way in here -- beats
the crap out of you, then he comes
to do the job on me. At midnight
you forgive him and y'all start
shacking each other.
SHELBY
Don't you talk to me with that
language! I-am-your-mother.
JOHN
Sorry, But I mean it, we need to do
something. Where the hell is he?
SHELBY
I don't know, he just walked out.
John gets curious.
JOHN
What did he hit you for this time?
SHELBY
I - can't say.
JOHN
Mom, why did that monster hit you?
SHELBY
I..I-
JOHN
Mom, look at me.
(Shelby looks directly at him)
Tell me why
SHELBY
I don't know. He was looking for
his beer, he couldn't find it -
then he...he... Started to go
ballistic and blamed me for his
missing beer and the next thing I
knew he was punching me around.
JOHN
He beat you over beer! He beet you
over beer!! That's it, I've had it.
I'm calling the police.
He quickly rises, walks to pick up the phone.
SHELBY
Ricky - Ricky, you will not call
anybody.
Before he commences dialing, WHACK! Shelby hits the phone to
the ground.
SHELBY
If you just as dial 9-1-1 by
mistake, you are out of this house.
You hear me boy? Do you understand
me?
He turns his back on her. He swiftly strolls to his bedroom
and bangs the door on his way in.
FADE OUT:
INT. RICKY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Ricky is sound asleep, there is a beautiful moment of silent.
Unexpectedly George, 43, chunky, malignant uses tremendous
strength to hurl Ricky out of bed.
GEORGE
Did you steal my beer boy?
Ricky, trying to recollect his thoughts rubs his eyes to stay
awake.
GEORGE
Where is my bear boy? If I didn't
drink it, and Shelby didn't take
it. It must be you and that punk
you call a friend.
JOHN
I don't know what you are talking
about.
He resumes rubbing his eyes.
GEORGE
You don't know? - OK... OK. I'll
bring you up to speed!
George takes a half-finished beer, pours it on John
infinitely. The beer goes into his mouth, eyes and into his
P.J.
JOHN
Ahh. What the-
GEORGE
Do you get it now. Do you get it
now?
He finishes the bottle, takes another one and continues to
pour it on him. Poor John tries to wipe it of while trying to
escape from George. Unsuccessful though.
JOHN
I didn't steal your...
Shelby listens helplessly, to her screaming son. She is
leaning on the door with tears succumbing down her cheeks.
SHELBY
Leave him alone. He didn't he had
nothing to with your beer!
GEORGE
(pointing at Shelby)
You stay out of this Shelby!
JOHN
I don't know where your beer is.
GEORGE
Oh - Oh yes you do. I'll teach you
not to steal.
He ruthlessly slaps John. Shelby holds her mouth, crying in
despair.
JOHN
Mom, Mom. Mom help me.
SHELBY
(yelling)
Let him go George! He's innocent!
She tries to pull George away from her beloved son. George
holds her relentlessly and throws her against the wall.
JOHN
What are you doing to her.
(outraged)
Let her go!
John throws a firm punch on George's mouth. Shocked by the
punch he takes a moment. There is complete SILENCE in the
room, Shelby realizes what her son's in for--
SHELBY
No. No. No... Don't George - Please
don't
George furiously takes off his belt. With great huff he
clutches the belt and embarks upon hitting John. Shelby,
crying stands by the door watching her son cry in horror.
Due to his drunkenness, George gets tired, he stops beating
John, he throws the belt at his face.
As he walks out he forcefully grabs Shelby. We see John
slowly sitting down,crying.
CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAYS - NEXT MORNING
John stands by his locker, punching in the wrong code.
Impatient, he kicks it. It OPENS after another try. He is
joined by Trent who is drinking a GATORADE.
TRENT
What's up man. I thought you were
coming over to pick up the guitar.
JOHN
Something came up.
TRENT
Where did you get those bruises?
JOHN
None of your business.
TRENT
He beat you up again didn't he?
Look, John - you know I got your
back. Listen to me... We need to do
something quick or else-
JOHN
Or else what - Trent. I advise you
to stay out of this.
TRENT
(moves closer to John)
Look you know I've got them guns,
9MM's. We don't have to kill him,
just INTIMIDATE him that's all.
JOHN
(hesitantly)
You think I'll... I won't have
anything to do-
TRENT
Just at least get him off of you.
The bell rings.
JOHN
I'll talk to you later.
He slams his locker shut, and walks away.
INT. CLEMENT'S CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS
John enter's Mr. Clement's classroom. As students check each
others' scores, John approaches Mr. Clements. He hands him
back his paper.
MR. CLEMENTS
(grinning)
Good job. I read it again and gave
you a better grade. Keep up the
good work.
JOHN
Thank you sir.
MR. CLEMENTS
No you thank yourself, you deserved
it. Hard work pays.
From a distance is Ricky whose growing curious, watches John
and Mr. Clements's conversation. He gets up to see what the
fuzz is all about.
RICKY
What'd you get?
MR. CLEMENTS
It's none of you business. Worry
about your own paper.
Ricky follows John till he sits down. He leans over to his
ear and whispers to him--
RICKY
You know what, I hate your guts.
The students stir into their assigned seats by the sound of
the bell.
MR. CLEMENTS (cont'd)
I believe you have all received
your papers. Check it over if you
have any questions, come and ask
me. OK lets all open our books to
page 123.
AS STUDENTS OPEN THEIR BOOKS
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON
John who is joined by Steph oscillate towards the Taurus.
Ricky and his entourage emerge in front of them, blocking
their way.
RICKY
Steph I had no idea you were dating
this Asshole.
STEPH
I'm not dating him. He's my friend-
RICKY
(interrupts)
Yeah. Whatever.
The guys pave the way, John and Steph pass through. The sight
of the Taurus is disturbing. Its filled with shredded papers,
from front to back-seat. Ricky and his entourage stand a few
feat away and they are cracking up. The shredded pieces
doesn't stop John from going home.
STEPH
(helping him)
I'm sorry. These guys can be asses
sometimes.
He stares at her
RICKY
All the time.
STEPH
-- Excuse me --
RICKY
Not sometimes. All the time.
CUT TO:
INT. STEPH'S HOUSE/DRIVEWAY - AFTERNOON
The Taurus pulls up at the driveway. John's face is filled
with anger, he tries to hide it cause of Steph's presence.
STEPH
I'm sorry about your car.
JOHN
Thanks.
STEPH
Do you want to come in... For a
drink or something.
JOHN
No thanks, I have to go Trent's
house.
STEPH
Look - I know it's none of my
business - but why do you hang out
with Trent. I mean you are just
too... too... You do know he's been
in jail twice.
JOHN
I know. He is not as bad as people
perceive him.
STEPH
John he is a racist, he deals weed,
there is nothing more you need to
know.
JOHN
(offended)
I have to go, I'll see you
tomorrow.
Steph reaches over and kisses his cheek. She slowly retreats
from the car. In no time John pulls out of the driveway,
leaving Steph staring at him in disbelief.
EXT. TRENT'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
The car pulls up at a middle class urban-suburban house.
IN TRENT'S BEDROOM it is chaotic, books, clothes, video's
everywhere. Trent pulls out a black box from underneath the
bed. The contains of the box shock John. Two 9MM GUNS black
and silver. Trent hands John the black gun. Trent holds it
with great experience. He teaches John the use of the safety,
loading the mag, and hands him an extra MAG.
CUT TO:
EXT. JOHN'S HOUSE - LATER
John opens the front entrance, walks toward the living area.
George is sitting on the lazy-boy drinking a SAM'S LIGHT. He
is not surprised by John's entrance. He slowly puts his beer
down. He glances over the clock which states: 1.05
GEORGE
Where have you been, your mother
was worried sick about you.
JOHN
(passing by)
Don't talk to me.
George emerges from his lazy-boy, follows John.
GEORGE
What! Who do you think you are - to
talk to me like that.
JOHN
FUCK YOU!
He quickly removes his belt.
GEORGE
You asked for it.
As George grips the belt into a better, comfortable position -
John pulls the gun and swiftly walks towards George and
positions the gun on George's forehead.
JOHN
What now. What now! Go ahead beat
me up like you always do.
GEORGE
(softly)
Where did you get the gun?
JOHN
-- Sit down --
George resists the command.
JOHN
(yelling)
NOW ! I- said - sit - the - fuck'
down.
GEORGE
You will pay for this. I'll make
sure you will p-a-y
JOHN
Not if you are dead.
John slowly backs away from George.
JOHN
You will never touch my mother
again. You will never, never touch
me again! Is that understood?
No answer from George.
JOHN (cont'd)
(ferociously)
Is - that - understood!
CLICK! He turns the safety on.
GEORGE
(uneasy)
Yes. I understand you perfectly.
JOHN
Good. I'm OUT.
He exits the house. We see George trying to pick up his
bottle of beer, he is hesitating, his hands are trembling -
We can see how the incident troubled him.
CUT TO:
EXT. TRENT'S BEDROOM - FOLLOWING MORNING
Trent is sitting on his bed. John is walking back and forth
as in a military drill. His face is pale, his forehead is
wrinkled with signs of anger. In is hand is the 9MM gun in
which he grips powerfully. Trent's surprised as his friend is
breaking his mind.
JOHN
I should have shot him. I mean I
had him, I put the gun on his
forehead.
I don't know what happened
afterwards... I mean...I mean... I
didn't do it.
He stares at Trent for while, he face changes with the sudden
realization.
TRENT
What? What is it?
JOHN
Maybe he was not the one I wanted.
TRENT
What do you mean? He's the fucker
who beats you and your moms ain't
he?
JOHN
You know when I had the gun on his
forehead - it felt good, I just
couldn't pull the trigger.
TRENT
I know what it is... Its fear, I
realize its your first time doing
something like that so you crapped'
out and you couldn't shoot him.
JOHN
No. No. It wasn't fear, I want to
take it out one someone else,
RICKY! I want him to suffer for all
those years I've had with him. I
may have spared George but I won't
do the same thing to Ricky. He
should suffer! That motherfucker' I
wanna... I wanna...
He resumes his marching drill. He starts to smirk, with an
evil look in his eye. Trent is astonished by his friend's
sudden behavior.
TRENT
Dude, Are you OK.
JOHN
I've never felt better before. It's
not George who I want... Its Ricky.
You with me?
TRENT
Always.
JOHN
Good you got a plan?
INT. LAKESHORE HIGH SCHOOL - CONTINUOUS
The BELL rings, the student as their daily ritual, waist time
finishing conversations before proceeding to their classes.
MR CLEMENTS' ROOM - he leans by his desk taking attendance.
With a loud voice, he calls for any absent students. Steph
mentions John's name. As makes a tick in the grade book, two
boys dressed in BLACK MASKS enter, John and Trent, they pull
out guns and Trent opens fire at Mr. Clement. The students
cry out, screaming and screeching. Using disguised voices
Trent and John call out for silence. The students follow.
JOHN
(pointing at Ricky)
OK, Shoot Him.
Trent hesitates as Ricky's tears fall down. John from out of
nowhere --
BANG! pulls the TRIGGER. Bleeding ceaselessly, Ricky's eyes
fold.
TRENT
(sarcastically)
Geez - that sucks.
ON THE SCHOOL, we see the whole school in distress. After
hearing the sound of the vicious guns, everyone
apprehensively running in all sorts of directions. Some
students stepping on each other as the make their way out the
exits.
They are joined by a mass of POLICE cars, the officers rush
to help the students. Other policemen are taking out
rifles,shot guns,and hand guns.
BACK IN CLEMENT'S ROOM already 6 dead bodies on the floor.
Trent like a mad man, humming, dances around the existing
students picking the perfect target. With great force, he
shoots one of the girls. The girl turns out to be Steph. John
turns to see the fallen beauty.
JOHN
Oh - you motherfu'- you shot Steph.
TRENT
Oh shit. I'm sorry man. I didn't
realize it was her.
JOHN
If you stopped humming that awful
sound you could have recognized
her.
Their VOICES suddenly change back to normalcy.
TRENT
I'm sorry man.
JOHN
Well she's dead now. Nothing we can
do about it. DAMNIT!
One of the students stares at Trent, realizing his true
identity.
TRENT
What are you looking at?
The student stutters. Trent unmercifully shoots him between
the eyes.
TRENT (cont'd)
(immediately)
Lets go.
John makes his way out the door. He stops and turns back,
unsuccessfully searches for someone in the room. He notices a
boy underneath a desk, possibly on of Ricky's entourage who
bullied him - he holds up his gun and shoots the kid. At this
point we can faintly hear AMBULANCE sirens.
TRENT
Enough now, save some for tomorrow.
Lets move out.
JOHN
(peeping out the door)
Right on schedule. Which way again.
TRENT
I'll lead... You follow.
EXT. HALLWAYS - CONTINUOUS
The two villains are running in the hallways. Trent is up
front. He makes a turn hoping to get out of the school
through the back door. An unoccupied POLICE vehicle is far
across where they stand. He halts at exit-
RICKY
Remove everything.
JOHN
ALL RIGHT.
A COP pops out from behind them, he pulls out his gun. Trent
turns around still in possession of his 9MM.
POLICEMAN
Put your weapons down boys!
TRENT
(pointing his gun)
NO, you put your fuckin' gun down.
POLICEMAN
I said put your gun down now!
John points his gun at the officer. Shots are fired by two
officers from the distant police car. Trent falls down, cries
in agonizing pain. His body finally gives up.
JOHN
Trent! NO!
POLICEMAN
Put your gun down boy, or you'll
end up like him.
John slowly puts his weapon down. The policeman, joined by
two others vicarate John.
JOHN (V.O.)
This is it. This is it. What have
I accomplished? Revenge was sweet,
but the consequences will be
bitter... Well if I'm asked in
court why I did this... I'll simply
say, HE PUSHED ME. I told Ricky not
to push it, but he never bothered
to listen. I...mean... he didn't
know who I was, what I stood for.
He just made me open my eyes to see
the world in a whole different
view.
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