the red car, a feature film excerpt

8/7/2019 The Red Car, a feature film excerpt

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The Red CarBy

Charles Degelman

This material registered with the Writers Guild of America, West,Inc. Registration # 1366006


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FADE IN:

EXT. WARRINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY

AERIAL SHOT:

A rolling overview of green, New England hills, hardwoodforests, cow pastures and orchards.

A two-lane road winds beneath green parasols of maples, oaks,and elms, curving past white farmhouses with red barns,little bungalows.

SUPERIMPOSED: MASSACHUSETTS, 1953

The road splits around a grassy town common, bordered byshops, a red brick firehouse, a white church steeple and

finally... a schoolyard.

STUDENTS cover the terrain below, goofing, playing war,talking two by two.

SFX: SCHOOL BELL RINGING

Students file into a large, flat-roofed, modern SCHOOLBUILDING.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

CLOSE-UP ON:

Creased DRAFTSMANS PLANS reveal the outline, curves, andangles of a SOAP BOX RACER.

TEACHER (O.C.)Now when youre out lookin for ajob...

JAKE SPECTOR, 11, a small, dark-eyed boy traces the racers

outline with a finger.The plans bear the official seal of the All-American Soap BoxDerby. This is no jalopy but a streamlined, bona fide racingmachine.

TEACHER (O.C.) (CONTD)Before some fella hires ya, hesgonna tell you to do this...


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PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

A gold-fringed AMERICAN FLAG flanks the blackboard.

A TEACHER in a sagging, chalk-smeared suit turns his back ona zombied-out regiment of SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS.

The Teacher hikes up cheap rayon trousers to reveal scrawnywhite calves, socks, and garters.

The CLASS stifles a chorus of giggles and snorts.

TEACHER (CONTD)And why is this fella gonna tellyou to do this?

He holds his ridiculous stance and continues hollering at thechalkboard.

TEACHER (CONTD)Because he wants to know if youshined the backs of your shoes,thats why.

Jake continues poring over his soapbox plans.

The teacher drops his pants legs and turns back around toconfront a room full of suddenly frozen poker faces.

TEACHER (CONTD)(facing the class)

to know if you can finish a job,

thats why. Detail. Attention to...

The Teachers watery eyes land on Jake. In three lankystrides he reaches Jakes desk and snatches the plans offJakes lap.

TEACHER (CONTD)One of these days, Spector, Imgonna grab you like this...

He grabs Jake by the front of his jersey and twists.

TEACHER (CONTD)Im gonna pick you up like this...

The teacher yanks Jake out of his seat.

TEACHER (CONTD)And Im gonna mop the floor withya.

He shoves Jake back into his seat.

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LINDA looks up from the chattering cluster of girlfriends.

JOHNNY CONTADINI, 13, stands beside her. Contadini is builtlike a fireplug packed into a plaid shirt and blue jeans,.

CONTADINI

Hiya, Lawson.

LINDAMy name is Linda.

Linda turns back to her GIRLFRIENDS. Contadini moves forwardto lean over Jake and Alexandra.

CONTADINIHey, new kid. I hear you got plansto build a racer.

JAKE

Yeah, I...

CONTADINIDont waste your time. I alreadygot the race sewed up.

ALEXANDRAReally? Sewed up?

CONTADINIYeah. Really.

Alexandra looks at Contadini with sarcastic wonder.

ALEXANDRAWow. I never met a boy who sewsbefore.

Laughter explodes from the kids on the bus.

CONTADINIShut your pie hole, pig tails.

(To Jake)I got my dad helping me. He knowshow to build stuff.

JAKEI know how to build stuff.

CONTADINIDo not. You got the officialwheels?

JAKENo, I...

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Contadini turns and laughs at his BUDDIES at the back of thebus.

CONTADINIFeature this! The new kid...

(pointing at Jake)

Aint even got no wheels!

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD -- DAY

The broad, yellow rump of the SCHOOL BUS pulls away.

Jake and Alexandra trudge down a puddled lane, books in hand.

JAKEAint even got no wheels. Thatkid cant even talk straight.

ALEXANDRAYeah, maybe. But guess what.

JAKEWhat.

ALEXANDRAHes right. How you gonna build arace car?

JAKEDadll help me.

ALEXANDRAWill not. Hes too busy with hiswork and his Boston friends.

Ahead of them, a two-story clapboard house huddles beneath alarge maple tree. Flowers burst from pots on the front porch,where AMY, a forlorn BEAGLE sighs.

Jake runs ahead of Alexandra, clambers up the stairs. Hestops to kiss AMY and play with her beagle ears.

From INSIDE, a womans voice sings out.

WOMAN (V.O.)Hall-loooo kiddos!

Holding the PLANS, Jake bursts through the screen door.Alexandra groans and pushes inside behind Jake.

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INT. SPECTOR FAMILY HOME - NIGHT

The Spectors home is NOT a typical 1950s household. A hugeBOOKSHELF dominates the living room. The walls are adornedwith impressionist prints, depression-era photos of workersand peasants, and modern, abstract paintings. Conspicuously

missing: A TELEVISION.

Jakes father, ALBERT, early 40s, sits at the head of theDINING TABLE reading The Boston Globe, circa 1953.

Albert is a quick, attractive man in a blue oxford-clothsporting a bow tie. Despite the bow tie and Ivy-League shirt,Alberts sleeves are rolled up to the elbows like a worker.

The dining area is connected to the kitchen over a COUNTER.

BEYOND THE COUNTER, Jake's mother, NANCY, mid-30s, a dark-featured, good-looking woman, putters with dinner.

As Jake enters breathless...

ALEXANDRA(sing song to Jake)

Youre late for din-ner! You get toset the ta-ble!

NANCYJake, Alexandra. Get a move on.

ALBERT(over the paper)

That means both of you. Give yourmother a hand.

Jake and a grumbling Alexandra set to work. Albert returns tohis paper.

ALBERT (CONTD)Listen to this crap. They sentencedthose union fellas today. The idiotjudge told em they could do timeor move to Russia.

Jake and Alexandra trudge back and forth with place mats,plates, silver.

ALBERT (CONTD)Can ya believe that?

ALEXANDRAMove to Russia? Thats a prisonsentence?

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ALBERTThere is no Russia, honey. We callit the Soviet Union.

(Rattles the paper)Lotta blood got spilled over thatlittle name change.

Nancy arrives from the kitchen bearing bowls of lima beansand cottage cheese.

ALEXANDRAHeck, Id go in a minute.

NANCYWhy Russia, Alex?

ALEXANDRAI bet its cool. I could take amillion pictures.

Nancy gobs peanut butter on the cottage cheese concoction.

ALEXANDRA (CONTD)(eyes the food)

And itd be about ten thousandmiles from here, too.

ALBERTSo... You like to take pictures?

ALEXANDRAYeah, like I only told you that a

hundred times.

ALBERTHmmmmm. Well have to do somethingabout that.

Nancy sets a peculiar-looking fish carcass on the table. Jakeprods the fish thing with his finger.

NANCYDont poke your dinner, Jake.

JAKEIt looks weird.

ALBERT(putting down the paper)

Hey, hey, hey. Dont sneer at yourmothers cooking.

Nancy scoops huge shapeless portions of lima beans andcottage cheese onto the plates.

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ALBERT (CONTD)Shes a worker, too, you know.

NANCYBesides, its healthy. Vitamins Aand E.

The family eats in silence. For about 10 seconds.

ALBERTSo how was school, Alex?

ALEXANDRAIts Saturday.

NANCY(to Albert)

So why did you go to work today?

ALBERTDidnt go to work. Drove in toBoston. Im installing a hi-fisystem for that new client.

NANCYI see. When are you going to buildone for us?

ALBERTSoon, dearie. Right now, its cashthat gets the job done.

Alexandra elbows Jake.

ALEXANDRA(whispering)

See? Told ya. Boston. Hes nevergonna get around to your stupidcar.

Jake and Alexandra push the fish food piles around theirplates in silence.

Albert shoves his plate away.

ALBERTWherere those brownies I broughthome?

Nancy rises and clears the plates. Jake rattles the plans infront of Albert.

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JAKEDad, take a look. I want to buildone of these.

ALBERTWhat is this thing?

JAKEA soap box racer.

ALBERTLike a jalopy?

Jake pushes the plans closer.

JAKECome on, Dad. This is a real racecar. An official one.

ALBERT(sarcastic)

Oh, boy! Official! Never trustanybody or anything that callsitself official, buster.

Albert turns to Alexandra.

ALBERT (CONTD)Alex. I have something for you.

Nancy returns with the brownies on a plate. She sits.

Albert takes a brownie and munches absent-mindedly while heperuses the plans.

ALBERT (CONTD)(to Jake)

Itd take a lotta work. To do itright.

Nancy leans between Jake and Albert, points to the brownies.

NANCY(eyebrow raised)

Home-cooked are they?ALBERT

Courtesy of the client.

NANCYAh, yes. Your client.

ALBERTShe sent you a special hello.

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NANCYWell. That makes all thedifference. Send her a specialthanks. Next time you see her.

Albert stares at Nancy.

NANCY (CONTD)That should be soon enough, rightAlbert?

Albert hands the car plans blindly back to Jake.

ALBERTWhats that supposed to mean?

Plans in hand, Jake EXITS toward his bedroom.

DISSOLVE TO:

SFX: A SLIGHTLY OUT-OF-TUNE PIANO PLAYS AMATEUR RENDITIONS OFBACH STUDIES.

INT. SPECTOR FAMILY HOME -- NIGHT

In the hallway, Nancy sits at the piano, playing and focusingintently on SHEET MUSIC.

Jake wanders by, unnoticed, stops at a hallway DOOR. Hepushes it open. From Jakes POV:

INT. ALEXANDRAS BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Albert sits on Alexandras bed showing her how to use a smallCAMERA. On the bed, a shiny cardboard CAMERA BOX.

ALEXANDRAWow. I thought you didnt hear me.

ALBERTCourse I did, honey. Just wanted to

keep it as a surprise.

PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES AS:

EXT. NEW ENGLAND BACK ROADS -- THE NEXT DAY

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MONTAGE:

Jake on his bike, turning into a lumber yard, talking to aWOODWORKER. The woodworker points. Jake follows his finger.

Jake scavenges wood scraps, ties them to his bicycle with

baling twine.

Jake pushes his bike -- now resembling a BURRO loaded withfirewood -- up a country road, balancing his wobbly cargo.

INT. SPECTOR FAMILY LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

Albert sits on the SOFA, squinting into a massive volume fromthe ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA.

JAKEYou got a camera for Alexandra.

ALBERTShhh. If your mom knew, shed killme.

JAKEYou help her. What about me?

Albert puts down the Encyclopedia.

ALBERTOkay, pal. You got me. Lets take alook at that crazy car of yours.

Jake pulls his father off the sofa and leads him to theBASEMENT DOOR.

INT. SPECTOR BASEMENT WORKSHOP -- CONTINUOUS

Jake leads Albert down the steps.

Jakes scavenged load of scrap wood, neatly sorted andstacked, glows beneath the cone of a WORKBENCH LIGHT.

Albert inspects Jakes haul.ALBERT

You did this?

JAKEYup.

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ALBERTLooks like you got your hands onthe right stuff.

JAKEAll we need is the wheels.

ALBERTJake, my man, you really know howto twist a guys short hairs.

JAKEHuh?

ALBERTNever mind. You did really well.

(pokes at plans)Okay. How do we procure these ah...official wheels?

INT. SCHOOL BUS - AFTERNOON

Jake sits alone at the front of the bus.

LINDA LAWSON climbs aboard.

LINDAHi.

JAKEHi.

LINDACan I sit down?

JAKESure!

Jake scoops his book bag off the seat. Linda sits. At first,they ride in awkward silence. Then...

LINDAI thought you were really brave,

standing up to Mister Lewis.JAKE

He took my plans.

LINDAFor that car thing.

JAKEIm gonna build one. With my dad.

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LINDAWish I wasnt a girl.

JAKEWhy?

LINDACause girls dont get to buildstuff like that.

JAKECould if you wanted.

LINDAMy dad would never. He thinks girlsbelong...

The school bus slows, stops. Linda rises.

LINDA (CONTD)I gotta go. See ya!

As the bus pulls away...

FROM JAKES POV:

Linda walks down the driveway of a large, modern home nestledin a pine grove. A power boat gleams in the garage.

INT. SPECTOR BASEMENT WORKSHOP - DAY

Jake and Albert toil over the car construction.

SFX: MUFFLED VOICES AND FOOTSTEPS

The basement door opens, throwing a shaft of daylight intothe workshop.

NANCY (O.S.)Albert. Theres somebody up here tosee you.

ALBERTHuh?

(annoyed)Who?

NANCYJust come upstairs. Now.

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Grumbling, Albert wipes glue and sawdust off his hands andclimbs the stairs. Jake follows.

INT. SPECTOR FAMILY DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

A tall, relaxed-looking GENTLEMAN in a cardigan, pressedkhakis, and well-worn loafers sits knee-to-knee with Nancy onthe SOFA, nursing a glass of iced tea.

Alexandra hovers by the hallway door.

At Alberts entrance, the Gentleman rises, smiling broadly.

NANCYAlbert, this is Mister Matthews.

MATTHEWSPlease. Call me Roger. Lord knows

everyone else does.

Matthews speaks in an aristocratic New England accent. Hemoves around the coffee table and extends a hand.

NANCYMister Matthews...

MATTHEWSNancy...

NANCY(laughing)

Sorry. Roger stopped by to getacquainted.

MATTHEWSWelcome Wagon sort of a thing, ifyou take my meaning.

Albert shakes Matthews hand, scrutinizing him warily.

NANCYRogers chairman of the WarringtonBoard of Selectman.

ALBERTAh. Right. The New England townmeeting. Purest form of democracy.

MATTHEWSIt can be.

(chuckles)When were not squabbling overcenturies-old feuds.

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Matthews takes his seat on the sofa.

NANCYIced tea, Albert?

Albert remains standing.

ALBERTSure, honey.

(to Matthews)And this is Jake.

Matthews rises again, extends a hand to Jake.

MATTHEWSHow do you do, young fella?

Jake shakes hands shyly.

ALBERTWeve been building a soap boxracer, Jake and I. For the derby.

Matthews frowns, recovers. He gives Jake a slap on the back.

MATTHEWSCrackerjack!

Jake stumbles forward.

MATTHEWS (CONTD)A big event here in town. Finalist

goes on to the nationals. Glorydays, eh Jake? Maybe youll build awinner, put Warrington on the map.

JAKEMaybe.

MATTHEWSThats the spirit!

(to Albert)So Nancy here has been tellingtales out of school. Claims youre

quite the inventor.ALBERT

Electrical engineer.

MATTHEWSSays youre employed out there atthe new electronics factory. A realhum-dinger. Face of the future soto speak.

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ALBERTHeres hoping.

MATTHEWSYou people couldnt have landed ina better place.

Jake joins Alexandra in the doorway.

Nancy returns with an iced tea. She casts Albert a be nicelook, and rejoins Matthews on the sofa.

NANCYWe really appreciate you coming by.Weve met so few of our neighbors.

MATTHEWSMy pleasure, Nancy.

(to Jake and Alex)

And you two... Hows school going?

JAKE / ALEXANDRA(in chorus)

Fine.

Matthews laughs easily and shifts on the sofa.

MATTHEWSSo folks. As chairman of theWarrington town meeting...

He pauses, contemplates Jake and Alexandra.

MATTHEWS (CONTD)Maybe you two have something elseyoud like to...

ALBERTTheyre part of the family. You cansay what you need in front of them.Right, kids?

JAKE / ALEXANDRA(in chorus)

Right.MATTHEWS

Of course. So... As chairman, Ioften get calls from, lets justsay, the authorities.

ALBERTUh-huh.

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MATTHEWSLast Thursday, I received a callfrom a mister O'Connell. Familiarwith the name?

ALBERT

A good Irish name. Ever read anyOCasey?

MATTHEWSNo, I cant say I...

Albert pulls a volume out of the mammoth bookshelf. He handsit to Matthews.

ALBERTDrums Under the Windows.

He taps the book.

ALBERT (CONTD)Now theres a writer with somethingto say.

Matthews leafs through the book, distracted.

MATTHEWSYes. Im sure. So this fellaO'Connell claims that both you andNancy have been associated with theah... American Communist Party.

ALBERTClaims?

MATTHEWSHe submitted documentation.

ALBERTThat implies you asked for proof.Good for you. Most people dontbother.

MATTHEWS

Please, Mister Spector. Hear meout. The man was serious.

ALBERTClowns generally are.

NANCYAlbert, please.

(to Matthews)

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ALBERTNo, no, no. Read it. Please. Itsall about rebellion. A workersrebellion. Youll love it.

Albert pushes the book back in Matthews hands.

ALBERT (CONTD)From one good neighbor to another.

MATTHEWSWell, thank you. Im sure Illenjoy it.

ALBERTI bet you will.

Matthews is about to retort, thinks better of it. He turns toleave.

MATTHEWSBy the way... We'd love to see youall down at the First UnitarianChurch. King Street, Sundays. Tena.m.

ALBERT(stunned)

Church?

Matthews walks past the speechless Albert to the door.

MATTHEWSGive you a chance to meet somedarned fine folks here in town.

He shakes Nancys hand, steps onto the porch and turns.

MATTHEWS (CONTD)(to Nancy)

Come on down. Please.

EXT. SPECTOR FAMILY HOME - CONTINUOUS

Matthews eases his long legs into a new Buick. He gives theSpectors a hearty wave and rumbles down the road.

Albert and Nancy face each other. Jake and Alexandra jointhem and -- wordlessly -- the family quartet gathers in atight little circle on the front porch.

DISSOLVE TO:

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SFX: THE SOUND OF NANCYS OUT-OF-TUNE PIANO.

INT. SPECTOR BASEMENT WORKSHOP -- NIGHT

Beneath the warm cone of a work light...

Jake and Albert hover over the plans, scattered woodworkingtools, Jakes scavenged wood and lengths of new white pine,plywood, and masonite.

MONTAGE: Albert teaches Jake to:

Guide a bucking saber saw along a pattern scribed onto asheet of plywood; mix powdered glue with water in just theright proportions; handle wood-shaving planes, miter box,brace and bit, clamps.

A skeletal framework rises into the light.

Jake and Albert stand back to admire their handiwork. Albertshakes a Pall Mall out of a pack, taps it on the workbenchand lights up.

ALBERTI got an idea for the brakes andsteering...

JAKELike in the plans?

Albert puts his hand on Jakes shoulder.

ALBERTSometimes its good to bend therules.

JAKEI guess.

ALBERTI want this baby to rise above thecrowd. Especially here. In Podunk,Massachusetts.

Jake stands silent.

ALBERT (CONTD)You okay, Jake?

JAKEYeah. I love that smell.

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ALBERTWhat smell?

JAKEThe wood. The glue. Even yourstinky cigarette.

Albert laughs and stubs out the cigarette. He douses the worklight and together, Jake and Albert climb the stairs.

DISSOLVE TO:

SFX: CHURCH BELLS

EXT. WHITE NEW ENGLAND CHURCH - DAY

PARISHIONERS climb the granite steps of the colonial-era

CHURCH, greeting one another with familiarity.

Jake and his family emerge from the family car, a battered,WAR-SURPLUS JEEP. Borne by the easy-moving flow of churchgoers, the Spector family disappears into the massive frontdoors.

INT. WHITE NEW ENGLAND CHURCH - CONTINUOUS

The church is a pristine example of colonial simplicity,paneled and painted white with a choir loft at the back,floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows, vases full of lilies.

The Spector family sits in a pew surrounded by UNITARIANS.

ON THE PULPIT:

A youngish MINISTER delivers a sermon.

MINISTERBuddha tells us to ...regard onesenemy as ones best friend. Howdifferent an attitude than thatwhich exists in todays society,

where...Jake studies the stained-glass windows.

Albert, head bowed, sketches ELECTRONIC DIAGRAMS in a smallnotebook.

Nancy elbows Albert as an ancient ORGAN roars to life. TheCONGREGATION rises to sing. Nancy sings in a fine clear voicewhile Albert continues to sit, sketching absent-mindedly.

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Alexandra and Jake grip a hymnal and mouth the words of songstheyve never heard before.

EXT. WHITE NEW ENGLAND CHURCH - LATER

Outside, the Minister stands in his vestments, shaking handswith parishioners. Roger Matthews stands beside him. As theSpectors emerge...

MATTHEWS(to Nancy)

You sing beautifully, Nancy.

The Minister takes Matthews cue.

MINISTERWed love to see you at choirpractice.

NANCYWhy, Im flattered.

She ignores Alberts double take.

NANCY (CONTD)I may just take you up on that.

MINISTERTuesdays, seven p.m. Plenty ofcoffee, cookies, and chit chat.

The Spectors turn to leave. Matthews stops Albert and pullshim aside.

MATTHEWSSo, Albert. Hows that race carcoming?

ALBERTIts a contender, Rodge.

MATTHEWSMight even carry the Warrington

banner to the Nationals, right?ALBERT

Might even. It just might do that,by gosh.

MATTHEWS(tight smile)

Best of luck to you!

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FROM MATTHEWS POV:

Albert descends the granite steps, then stops.

ALBERTWhy do you ask?

MATTHEWSOh, no reason really.

ALBERTOh, come now, Rodge. Behind everyquestion, theres always a reason.Right?

Without waiting for an answer, Albert continues his descent.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SCHOOL ENTRANCE - NEXT MORNING

Jake and Alexandra descend into the morning bustle ofarriving STUDENTS. Alexandra disappears inside.

Linda catches Jake by the sleeve at the school entrance.

LINDAHave you heard of the Rosenbirds?

JAKEThe who?

LINDAThe Rosenbirds. Thats what theycall them on television.

JAKEYou have a television?

LINDASure. Dont you?

JAKE

No.LINDA

They said that these two people,the Rosenbirds? Theyre going toget electrocuted!

JAKEHuh? Why?

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LINDAThe television said they stole theparts to an atom bomb and they havetwo little kids and everything.

JAKE

Jeepers.

LINDAMy Dad says they deserve it.

JAKEWhy?

LINDAI dont know.

SFX: HOME ROOM BELL RINGS

Jake and Linda race to the entrance with other stragglers.They disappear into the darkness. A TEACHER pulls the schooldoors shut.

INT. CLASSROOM -- AFTERNOON

STUDENTS with nodding heads and open mouths work offlunchtime cafeteria carbos. Girls pass notes. A FAT BOY, facecompressed into his desktop by sleep, sucks his thumb.

A TEACHER drones on at the front of the class.

TEACHERSo...um, in Marbury v. Madison, theum, Supreme Court declared for theum, first time that um...

Jake sits in the back of the room.

FROM JAKES POV:

A FLY buzzes fitfully against a windowpane.

OUTSIDE, a huge CROW, wings and claws outspread, lands on apost and arranges its feathers.

In the BACKGROUND, Jake hears...

LINDA (V.O.)...the Rosenbirds they call them.

DISSOLVE TO:

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INT. SPECTOR CITY APARTMENT -- FIVE YEARS EARLIER

Albert and Nancys kitchen bulges with VISITORS, leaningagainst counters and crowded around a table, drinking beer.

MEN in fedoras speak animatedly, many with foreign accents.

WOMEN wearing flowered dresses smoke cigarettes and talk asexcitedly as the men.

Alexandra sits on one mans lap, listening intently.

Albert and Nancy stand in the corner talking to a THIN MANwith slicked-back hair and a trimmed moustache. A small,determined WOMAN hangs on the Thin Man.

LINDA (V.O.)...electrocuted! And they have twolittle kids and everything.

Down a smoke-filled corridor...

INT. CITY APARTMENT LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

A living room, warmed by clanking radiators and illuminatedby the light of shaded lamps, crammed with books and recordsin shelves. Paintings, photos, and sketches cover the walls.

A YOUNGER JAKE and two small boys, ROBERT and MICHAEL, sit onthe carpet helping Jake set up an electric train.

Raucous voices float down the corridor.

JAKEDo your mom and dad have parties?

ROBERTYeah. They get real noisy. We cantsleep.

JAKEBlah, blah, blah. Just like ourparents.

Jake connects the TRANSFORMER by wires to the electric pick-ups on the train tracks. Michael finds a tiny paper AMERICANFLAG in the box and sticks it on the front of the train.Robert places the LOCOMOTIVE on the tracks.

JAKE (CONTD)Okay. Test run. You guys ready?

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MICHAEL AND ROBERT(together)

Yeah! / Ready. / Blast off!

Jake pushes the transformer dial forward.

CLOSE UP ON:

Blue-white electrical pulses flare from the wire connections,the rails. The locomotive lurches into motion. Jake, Robert,and Michael cheer.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SPECTOR BASEMENT WORKSHOP -- RETURN TO PRESENT

The SOAP BOX RACER crouches in a nest of wood shavings under

the cone of the workbench light. The struts, cables andpulleys, and its bright, red wheels reveal a sharklike designthat leaps forward, even in repose.

ALBERTOkay, kid. Grab that end, and...

Albert and Jake lift a contoured masonite panel into place.They press the panel along the racers side.

JAKEYahoo!

ALBERTNot yet dammit!

JAKEOkay! You dont have to get crabbyabout it!

ALBERTJust grab that C-clamp and...

Jake fits the clamp in place but bungles it.

Albert grabs the clamp, slaps it in place. Stops. Takes adeep breath. He gently places the clamp back in Jakes younghands and guides him.

ALBERT (CONTD)Perfect. Tighten her up.

They slip a second clamp in place. The panel fits perfectly.

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ALBERT (CONTD)Couldnt a done it better myself.

Albert lights a Pall Mall. Beside him, Jake admires the car.

JAKE

Hey, Dad. Back in Boston. Rememberthose people that came up from NewYork?

ALBERTLot of people came up from New Yorkback then.

JAKEThey had two kids. We playedelectric trains while you guys weretalking in the kitchen.

Albert freezes. He turns to Jake.

ALBERT(guarded)

The Rosenbergs?

Albert sits down on the bottom stair.

ALBERT (CONTD)What made you think of them?

JAKEA friend at school told me. Her

parents have a television.

ALBERTGood for them. What did she say?

JAKEShe said theyre going to getelectrocuted.

Albert throws his cigarette on the floor, grinds it into theconcrete.

JAKE (CONTD)But those kids... Robert. AndMichael. They didnt do anyth...

ALBERTI know.

He stands and trudges up the stairs, stops, turns to Jake.

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ALBERT (CONTD)Nobody did anything.

He opens the door and stands silhouetted in the back light.

JAKE

Dad? Whats going to happen...

Albert disappears up the basement stairs. He slams the doorbehind him.

JAKE (CONTD)... to us.

He stands alone in the gloomy basement, silhouetted by thelight.

-- END ACT ONE --

28.

the red car, a feature film excerpt

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