Disco Inferno

Thanks to R. Joy Helvie & TVNewsCam

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Act Four

Quantum Leap
Disco Inferno
April 1, 1976

Written by:  Paul Brown

Executive Producer:  Donald P. Bellisario

Supervising Producers:
Deborah Pratt
Paul M. Belous
Robert Wolterstorff

Producers:  Harker Wade

Co-Producers:
Paul Brown
Jeff Gourson
Chris Ruppenthal

Production #65401
Written:  July 12, 1989
Revised:  July 18, 1989

PART ONE

FADE IN

QUANTUM LEAP TO

INT. FUNKY MONKEY NIGHTCLUB - DANCE FLOOR - ON SAM

Sam leaps in and finds himself decked out in a white, three-piece polyester leisure suit.  His elephant-collar shirt is unbuttoned, exposing his chest hair and gold chains.  Sam is dancing to "That's The Way I Like It", by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.  Surrounded by mirror balls and flashing lights, Sam sums up his horror in one word....

SAM
Disco!

ANGLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR

The women have Dorothy Hamill wedge haircuts and wear clinging spandex disco dresses.  All the guys wear polyester three-piece suits and platform boots.

ON SAM

He surmises that he's Quantum Leaped to that black hole in time called "the seventies".

SAM'S VOICE
I'd rather be dead.

ANGLE - A MAN

dressed like a pimp, suddenly pulls out a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun from his long coat.  People scream and scurry away.  The man pumps the shotgun, then pulls the trigger, blasting a disco guy back into a wall.  Blood sprays.  The man pumps the shotgun again and aims at Sam, whose eyes widen in horror.

SAM'S VOICE
Oh, boy.

As Sam moves to escape, the man pulls the trigger.  The barrel explodes.

ANGLE ON SAM

The shotgun blast rips through him.  He flies back through a stained-glass window.

OTHER SIDE OF THE WINDOW - ON SAM

He crashes through the window.  Shattered glass sprays.  Sam lies back and groans.  Blood seeps from a huge smoking hole in his leisure suit.

CLSOE ON SAM'S FACE

His eyes are frozen in shock.

RAY (O.S.)
Chad, are you okay!?

SAM'S POV

He sees RAY STONE, (fifty-five), a tough, barrel-chested cowboy, looking down at him.  Although Ray has a middle age paunch, he can still take on most guys half his age.

ON SAM

His lips barely move.

SAM
I've been hit.

SAM'S POV - ON CHRIS

He appears beside Ray.  CHRIS (nineteen) has a rockabilly haircut, and wears boots, jeans, and a western work shirt.  Chris is still young and eager to prove himself.

ON SAM

He's stunned as he reaches down and feels the wound.  His fingers are covered with blood.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
(through
megaphone)
And cut!  That's a print!

ANGLE ON THE GLASS WINDOW FRAME

It suddenly moves.  Two guys appear and cart the balsa wood facade away.  We see the silhouette of a motion picture camera crew in the shadows beyond the dance floor.

ON SAM

He looks confused as Chris and Ray help him up to his feet.  All the extras and crew applaud for him.

ANGLE ON RICK

the pudgy director, who sports a mustache and wide '70's sideburns.  He wears a bush jacket and lots of Indian turquoise jewelry.  Rick reeks "low-budget", and drives his crew to work as quickly as possible.

RICK
(yelling)
Beautiful, babe, loved it.  Okay,
next shot, over here.  Let's go,
let's go.  We're an hour behind.

ANGLE ON RAY, SAM AND CHRIS

Ray pulls Sam's jacket off.  We see broken blood packs and exposed blasting caps strapped across Sam's chest.  Ray unlatches the cable attached to a vest on Sam's body.  Sam looks around in amazement.

SAM
(dazed)
I'm a stuntman?

Ray looks at Sam like his brain has been scrambled by the stunt.

RAY
Almost a dead one.
(turning on Chris)
I told you to check that safety pad!

CHRIS
(flustered)
I did.

RAY
(furious)
Then how come it was moved?!

CHRIS
(frightened)
I don't know.  I double-checked it.

RAY
You almost got your brother's head
taken off!

Sam looks relieved and rubs the back of his head.

ANGLE ON SHANNON (19)

She's an extra who stands with other extras and dancers.  Shannon is naturally pretty, with a little makeup and a Farrah Fawcett haircut.  She watches sympathetically as Ray yells at Chris.

ON SAM

He steps in front of Chris and reassures Ray.

SAM
I'm okay.

RAY
Don't stand up for him.

CHRIS
Somebody must've moved it while I
was working the nitrogen ratchet.

ANGLE ON RICK

The director looks frantic as he comes up to Ray, Chris, and Sam.

RICK
C'mon, guys, out of the way.  I've
got shots to get.

RAY
(pissed)
Not until I find out who moved my
safety pad.

RICK
Not my problem, babe.

Ray looks like he's going to deck Rick.

RAY
Someone gets killed on your set, it
will be.
(to Sam and Chris)
Let's go.

RICK
What's wrong?

RAY
You!  You're worried more about your
shots than people getting hurt.

Ray limps off

RICK
Wait, you can't quit.  I need you
for Friday's fire stunt.

RAY
Get someone else.  I'm off the
picture.

Chris appears shocked by his father's decision.

RICK
But I already paid you.

RAY
I'll pay you back.

Rick looks desperately for a quick solution.

RICK
Wait, how about you two?

RAY
(turning)
What's that?

RICK
You quit.  Not them.
(to Sam and Chris)
How about it guys?

RAY
I'm the stunt coordinator.  My boys
are with me.  I don't work, they
don't work.

RICK
Why don't you let them decide?

Rick looks at Sam, who shakes his head.

SAM
No thanks.

RICK
(to Chris)
What about you, kid?  That was your
big stunt, wasn't it?

Chris, hurt and betrayed, looks at his father.  After a long, tense moment, Chris shakes his head, "no".  Ray smiles fiercely at Rick, then limps off.  Rick turns to see all the dancers and extras who have been watching the argument.

RICK
(temper flaring)
Alright, people, quit gawking.
Line up for rehearsal!

The dancers reassemble on the dance floor.  The camera and lighting crews begin setting up for the next shot.

ON CHRIS AND SAM

They move back from the dance floor.  Chris unbuckles the jerk-off vest from Sam's body.

CHRIS
(tortured)
Chad, I swear I double checked it.

SAM
Forget it.

CHRIS
Dad won't let me.
(anguished)
Why'd he have to quit now?  Two days
away from my big stunt.  It would
have gotten me my union card.
(pleading)
Talk to him, Chad.  Maybe you could
change his mind.

SAM
Dad?

CHRIS
Yeah, if you talked to him, you
could get that stunt back for me.

SAM
(unsure)
I'll try.

ANGLE ON TRACI

She's a voluptuous, aggressive woman in a tight spandex dress and spiked high heels who struts over to Sam.  Traci is the queen of sexual innuendo (which, in case anyone forgot, was big in the seventies).

TRACI
Are you okay?

Sam nods, still slightly dazed.

TRACI
You're crazy...I like that in a guy.

SAM
(uncomfortable)
Really?

CHRIS
(the proud
brother)
He's done stunts you couldn't even
dream of.

TRACI
I don't know, I've got a pretty
vivid imagination.
(gazes at Sam)
Traci Duvore'.  Boogie Town
Records.  We're handling all the
music on this movie.

She hands Sam her business card.

TRACI
You're Chad Stone.
(they shake hands)
Leo, right?

SAM
(not sure)
...I guess so.

TRACI
I knew it.  You've got 'king of
beasts' written all over you.

Traci completely ignores Chris, who seems used to being the invisible man whenever his big brother is around.  Traci's eyes widen as a wardrobe man towels the fake blood off Sam's bare chest.  The wardrobe man hands Sam a flower print rayon shirt.

TRACI
(to Sam)
Ever break anything vital?

CHRIS
Are you kidding?  He's broken every
bone in his body.

TRACI
Every bone?

Sam refuses to touch that line and excuses himself.

SAM
I need some water.

Traci takes his arm and leads him away.  Chris marvels at his brother's prowess with women.

MOVING WITH SAM AND TRACI

Female dancers and extras smile at Sam as he clomps past the dance floor in his platform boots.  In the b.g., we see Rick haranguing a "gofer".

SAM'S POV

We see all the extras and dancers smiling right at the camera from Sam's point of view.  Even the male choreographer throws Sam an inviting look.

ON SAM

He approaches the craft service table set up next to a bar in the corner of the room.  An attractive female extra sitting on a bar stool smiles anxiously at Sam.

FEMALE EXTRA
Hi, Chad.

SAM
Hi.

The woman and Traci eye each other like alley cats.

FEMALE EXTRA
Aren't you gonna introduce me to
your new 'friend'.

SAM
Ah, sure.  This is Traci.  Traci,
this is....
(doesn't know)
I'm sorry, I'm blanking on your....

FEMALE EXTRA
(lashes out)
You didn't 'blank' on me in your
trailer last night!

The woman slaps Sam's face.  She starts to move away, then stops.

FEMALE EXTRA
And you promised me a few lines!

She throws a drink in his face for good measure, then storms off.  Sam takes a napkin off the craft service table and wipes off his face.  He reacts to the reflection in the tacky gold-veined mirror behind the bar.

ANGLE ON SAM AND THE BAR MIRROR

He looks up to see Chad's reflection.  Chad looks like a '70's disco sex mahcine (sort of a young Engelbert Humperdink) with black hair, blue eyes, wide sideburns, and a hunk's body.

BACK ON SAM AND TRACI

She catches Sam staring at himself in the mirror.

TRACI
(singing)
'You're so vain, you probably think
this song is about you...'bout you
...'bout you....'

Sam smiles uncomfortably at himself in the mirror.  The playback machine kicks in, playing Van McCoy's song "Do it...Do it...Do it....Do the Hustle".

VAN MC COY RECORDING
(over speakers)
'Do it...Do it...Do it...Do the
Hustle'....

Sam's attention is drawn past Traci to the dance floor.

SAM'S POV - AL

He's moving with the other dancers rehearsing the next number for the movie.  Al is lost rehearsing the hustle and doesn't seem to notice Sam.

BACK TO SAM

He looks shocked.

SAM
Al?

Traci notices something on Sam's neck and touches it.

TRACI
Nick hickie.

Sam turns and looks into the mirror.

ANGLE ON SAM'S REFLECTION IN THE BAR MIRROR

He sees that Chad has a hickie on his neck.

BACK ON SAM

He's shocked and embarrassed.

SAM
I've got a hickie?!

TRACI
(examines it)
Well, it's not a monkey bump.

SAM
Listen, Traci, I'll see you in a
bit.

Traci smiles coyly, then takes Sam's hand.

SAM
What are you doing?

TRACI
Giving you my mood ring.

As Traci forces the ring on his finger, he winces.

SAM'S VOICE
(frowns)
Great...a mood ring, from the self-
obsessed '70's...when everyone was
'getting in touch with their
feelings'.

TRACI
It's for getting in touch with your
feelings.
(beat)
Jade green means you're ultra
intense.  Blue means you're feeling
ecstasy.  And reddish brown means
you should chug some sangria.
(examines ring)
Ooo, it's turned black.  That means
you're tense, disoriented, harassed.

SAM'S VOICE
Maybe these damned things worked
after all.

TRACI
(seductively)
Call me and I'll turn it blue.

Sam smiles uncomfortably and walks off.  Traci's eyes move down Sam's body and watch him move....

ON SAM

Female extras smile and give Sam the eye as he passes.  Sam signals to Al on the dance floor.

ON AL

He ignores Sam and continues rehearsing the hustle.  The female dancers next to Al wave back at Sam.

ON SAM

He fakes a smile, then glares at Al

SAM
Psst.  Al.  Al, get over here!

ON AL

He waves at Sam, then turns away with a fancy dance spin.

ON SAM

He clomps on his platform boots around the side of the dance floor.

VAN MC COY RECORDING
(over speakers)
'Do it...do it...Do the Hustle'.

OBSERVER
(seeing Sam)
C'mon, Sam, do it...do the hustle!

Sam fires Al a furious look that says, "get your butt over here right now"!

ANGLE ON CHRIS

He's busy loading up the gear.  Shannon moves up to the edge of the dance floor so he can see her.  Chris looks up from his work.  Shannon pretends not to be aware of him.  She smiles at something.  Chris follows her gaze to see what she's smiling at.

CHRIS POV - ON SAM

He stands next to dance rehearsal.

ON CHRIS

He looks disappointed.

CHRIS
He's a real killer, huh?

SHANNON
(laughs)
His clothes are the killer.  And
those gold chains are ridiculous.

CHRIS
(defensive)
That's my brother.

Shannon looks at Chris's boots, jeans and work shirt.

SHANNON
I guess bad taste isn't genetic.
(watching Sam)
Does he usually talk to himself?

SHANNON AND CHRIS'S POV - ON SAM

He appears to be arguing with thin air.

ON CHRIS AND SHANNON

Chris smiles.

CHRIS
He's just goofing.
(puzzled)
Every girl I've ever met goes crazy
for him.

SHANNON
I'm not every girl.

CHRIS
What kind of guy do you like?

Shannon looks Chris up and down.

SHANNON
More natural.  You know, jeans,
cowboy boots, a blue work shirt
with....
(looks at his
shirt)
...pearl buttons.

CHRIS
(flustered)
Really?..well...I might know the
perfect guy for you.

SHANNON
(smiles)
I'd love to meet him.

UPSTAIRS LOFT - ON SAM AND AL

They look down at the camera crew and the dance rehearsal.

SAM
Al, this is worse than anything
imaginable.

Al excitedly watches the dancers rehearse.

OBSERVER
(star struck)
Are you kidding?  You're on the set
of a low-budget disaster movie
...'Disco Inferno'!  With lights,
cameras, and plenty of action!

SAM
(miserable)
But I'm back in the '70's.

OBSERVER
The happiest time in my life...
disco, swinging singles, hot tubs,
EST, mantras, Farrah Fawcett, edible
underwear....

SAM
(remembering)
The 'Me Decade,' when people had all
the morality of two dogs in the
park.

Sam yanks on the mood ring that's stuck on his finger.

OBSERVER
What's wrong?

SAM
My mood ring's stuck.

OBSERVER
(examines ring)
Looks like you're in a bad mood,
Sam.

Sam fires Al a look.

SAM
Where am I?

OBSERVER
Burbank, California.  April 1st,
1976.

SAM
Great, I'm the butt of a cosmic
April fools joke.  What's Ziggy say
I'm here to fix?

Al is mesmerized by the dance rehearsal.

SAM
Al?...Al!

Al gets startled from his daydream.  He hits the side of his hand computer.

OBSERVER
Ziggy crashed on us last night.
He's been doing real screwball stuff
ever since.  Like putting extra
zeros on all our paychecks.  Half
the staff rushed out on vacation.

SAM
(suspiciously)
...Why didn't you?

OBSERVER
I can't go.  I'm always on standby
for you.  Besides this is like a
vacation.  I always wanted to be
in the movies.

SAM
Great, you're star struck.
(beat)
Al, what am I doing here?

Al's face suddenly darkens.

OBSERVER
...We were able to come up with one
thing....
(off Sam's look)
Somehow, in the next two days, Chris
is going to die.

SAM'S POV - ON CHRIS

He's talking to Shannon near the dance floor.

BACK ON SAM AND AL

Sam watches Chris sympathetically.

SAM
He dies?  How?

OBSERVER
Don't know.

SAM
Where?

OBSERVER
Don't know.

SAM
Well, when?

OBSERVER
Sam, we don't know.

SAM
Well find out!

OBSERVER
We won't know until we get Ziggy
fixed.  You've just got to play big
brother for a few days.  Make sure
Chris doesn't do any stunts, race
fast cars, or....

Al notices a frightened look pass over Sam's face.

OBSERVER
Sam?

Sam speaks, almost afraid to say the words....

SAM
(remembering)
...my brother...I have a big
brother.

Sam turns to Al for some response.  Al pretends not to know for a tense beat.  Then, he slowly nods.

OBSERVER
I was wondering when you were going
to remember that.

SAM
(searching his
memory)
...Tom!  His name is Tom!  How could
I forget something like that?

OBSERVER
The leap 'swiss cheesed' your
memory.  Remember?

SAM
(scared and
confused)
...But I can't remember anything
else about him...where is he?
What's he doing?  Al, you've got to
help me.

OBSERVER
You know the rules...I can't.

SAM
Al, he's my brother!

OBSERVER
You never really talked about him
that much.  I honestly don't know.

Sam is overcome by a strange fear.

SAM
(desperate)
Al, please, you've got to find out.

OBSERVER
(after a beat)
I'll do what I can.  Now, if I were
you, I'd worry about the little
brother down there....

SAM'S POV - ON CHRIS

He's talking to Shannon and laughing, oblivious to his possible fate.

OBSERVER (O.S.)
...who's going to die in two days.

BACK TO SAM

We hold on Sam's expression.  He looks frightened and alone as we....

FADE OUT

ACT TWO

FADE IN

EXT. STUDIO LOT - PICKUP TRUCK - DAY - ON SAM

He's loading equipment in Ray's pickup truck.  He's now dressed in tight jeans, cowboy boots, and a loud shirt that's buttoned up.  A sexy dancer passes him.

DANCER
Hey, Chad.  You're lookin'
dy-no-mite.

Sam smiles as she struts past.  Sam checks himself out in the pickup's sideview mirror.

ANGLE - SIDEVIEW MIRROR

We see Chad's reflection.

ON SAM

He pumps up a little, strikes a macho pose, then pops open three buttons on his shirt.

SAM
Why not.

Sam's attention is suddenly diverted to the sound of Ray and Chris' voices o.s.

ANGLE ON RAY AND CHRIS

They carry more equipment and argue as they approach the truck.

RAY
Just understand this...it ain't my
fault.

CHRIS
But we could've finished the show.
One more day...it wouldn't have
made any difference.

RAY
Listen you want to work for me,
then you do what I say.  Otherwise
go to work for someone else!  Ya got
it?

CHRIS
Got it.

Chris slams the back door of the pickup and storms off.

RAY
And easy on that door!

Sam walks up to Ray.

SAM
He's trying real hard.

RAY
That's not good enough.  Make one
mistake in this business, you're
dead.  You know that.
(beat)
But he won't listen....

SAM
Maybe if you didn't yell.

RAY
What, you want me to baby him like
your mother did?

This throws Sam for a beat.

SAM
I'm not saying that.

RAY
Well what are you saying?

SAM
Just ease up a little.

Ray thinks about this for a long beat, then nods.  Maybe he has been to hard on him.  Chris carries foam pads out of the sound stage and tosses them in the back of the truck.  Ray attempts to lighten things up.

RAY
Hey, kiddo, you gonna wear that
frown all day?

He throws a few fake jabs at Chris.  Chris blocks them.  Ray fakes with a left jab and playfully pops Chris on the head.

RAY
Gotcha.

Chris manages a smile.

RAY
Look it, Chris, that director in
there he's dangerous.  He takes too
many chances.  You've got to trust
me on this one.  You'll get your
shot.

CHRIS
When?

Ray thinks about it, then turns to Sam.

RAY
What do you say, Chad?  We've got
that stunt on 'Earthquake' tomorrow.
You think the kid's up to it?

SAM
(caught off
guard)
...Well...ah....

CHRIS
Chad, c'mon.  I can do it.  I can do
it.

SAM
...Ah....

Ray senses that Sam is reluctant.

RAY
(to Sam)
Up to you.  It's your stunt.

Sam thinks about it for a frantic beat.  Chris smiles expectantly.  Sam hates to do it, but he has no choice.

SAM
No.

CHRIS
(pleading)
No?!  Chad, c'mon.  I'm ready!

SAM
Not this one.

CHRIS
It's just a little fall.

SAM
(panics)
A fall?

CHRIS
It's a piece of cake.

SAM
I can't give it to you.  Sorry.
Next time.

Chris looks to Ray for support.

RAY
Okay.

Chris looks like he's been betrayed and walks off.

RAY
(concerned)
It's not that tough a gag, Chad.

SAM
I have my reasons, okay?

ON SAM

He turns and follows Chris to the parking lot.

RAY
(calling out)
Five-thirty call tomorrow...don't be
late!

He catches up to Chris as they walk to the car.

CHRIS
I could've goten my card with that
stunt.

SAM
You can have one next week.

CHRIS
I've been hearing that for nine
months.

Chris jumps into the driver's side of Chad's covertible maroon '76 Corvette.  Sam gets in the other side.  He picks up a tape box on his seat.

SAM
Look at all these old 8-track
tapes....

CHRIS
'Old'?  You just bought 'em.

SAM
(backpedaling)
Yeah, well they get old pretty
quick.
(reading tapes)
Donna Summer, Barry White, Neil
Sedaka, The Village People....
(pauses)
Kung Fu Fighting?

CHRIS
(starting the
car)
Your favorite song, dude.

Sam suddenly remembers Al's instructions.

SAM
Wait, I have to drive.

Chris punches it and peels out.  Sam's head snaps back.

SMASH CUT TO

EXT. CORVETTE - DAY

The car winds around a tight mountain road.

CUT TO

INT. CORVETTE - DAY - ON SAM

He nervously watches Chris.

SAM'S VOICE
I didn't mind playing big brother to
Chris...for in some strange way, it
brought back the memory of my own
brother Tom.
(beat)
But when I try to remember more
about him, there's this...fear.
(beat)
I don't know if I'm more afraid of
what might happen to Chris or
finding out about my own brother....

DISSOLVE TO

INT. CHAD AND CHRIS'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSE ON A PHOTOGRAPH

We see and old Halloween photograph of Chad and Chris taken when they were 3 and 9 years old.  Chad is dressed like a pirate.  Chris appears frail in his devil's costume.  A hand moves into frame and picks up the photograph.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL SAM

He smiles at the photograph.  It stirs a memory.

SAM'S VOICE
(remembering)
...Tom played basketball...in the
Indiana State Championships...it
was....1964...and he made the All
American team...I remember...he was
All American!
(excited)
...and he...he...dammit what!

Sam's face fills with emotion.

SAM'S VOICE
(anguished)
...why can't I remember?

The sound of Chris playing guitar in the next room awakens Sam from his daydream.  Sam sets the picture back down and approaches Chris's room.  He knocks.

INT. CHRIS'S ROOM - NIGHT - CLOSE ON CHRIS'S HAND

His fingers expertly play an original song on the guitar.

WIDER - CHRIS

He plays his guitar while reading from sheet music on a stand.

ON SAM

He opens the door and peeks in.  He watches Chris play.

ON CHRIS

He stops and picks up a pencil to write new notes on his sheet music.  He notices Sam standing at the doorway.

CHRIS
There's a thing called 'knocking'.
You might awnt to try it sometime.

Sam knocks on the door.

SAM
How's that.

Chris ignores him and resumes playing.  Sam enters and sits at the desk chair.  He sees stacks of original music on Chris's desk.  It's obvious that Chris is a skilled musician.

ON SAM

He watches Chris play.  He's chilled by the fear that Chris might somehow die within the next two days.

ANGLE ON CHRIS

His fingers blur as he plays the guitar.

ON SAM

He marvels at Chris's extraordinary musical talent.

SAM
You're good.

Chris assumes Sam is being sarcastic.

[center]CHRIS
Too bad you can't make a living at
it.

SAM
Why not?

CHRIS
I can't play that disco garbage.

SAM
Disco won't last forever.  It'll
probably die in a couple of years.

CHRIS
How do you know?

SAM
I've got a feeling.  Maybe in a few
years all the disco maniacs will
become Urban Cowboys.

CHRIS
(still pissed)
Why didn't you give me myshot?

SAM
I have my reasons.

CHRIS
There's still time.  You could call
Dad.  Tell him to....

SAM
(firm)
Chris, I'm doing the stunt.

CHRIS
You just want to play big brother
and order me around.

Chris's words jog Sam's memory.  A faraway look glazes over Sam's eyes....

SAM
Sometimes big brothers do things
little brothers don't understand.

CHRIS
Yeah, like what?

SAM
(remembers)
...I had a friend...great athlete.
Best in his high school.  All State
in basketball, track, football.
(beat)
He had a little brother who tried
to be just like him...in fact, the
little brother was even offered a
basketball scholarship to Indiana
State.
(beat)
But his gift was in something
else...physics...and his big brother
made him follow it.  The kid went to
M.I.T. instead.
(smiles)
Won a Nobel Prize.

Chris can't believe this is his brother Chad talking.

CHRIS
Well, I'm not winning any Grammy
Awards.

SAM
How do you know until you try?

Sam looks at the original songs and sheet music stacked on Chris's desk.  Chris looks over the music too.  We see that this is what Chris secretly wants.  The doorbell rings.

CHRIS
(excited)
She showed up!  I can't believe it!
(off Sam's look)
Shannon.  I met her on the set
today!

Chris jumps up, grabs a brush and quickly combs his hair.

CHRIS
(suddenly
insecure)
Chad, do me a favor.  Don't hit on
her, okay?  Please

SAM
Why would I hit on her?

CHRIS
(obviously)
'Cause you hit on everybody.
(off Sam's look)
Promise me.

SAM
Okay.  I promise.  I won't hit on
her.

Chris looks at him like, "I don't know if I believe you".

SAM
Cross my heart.

CHRIS
What heart?

CUT TO

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - ANGLE ON TV

We see "Saturday Night Live" playing on the T.V.

WIDER TO REVEAL - SAM, CHRIS AND SHANNON

They die laughing.  Chris and Shannon sit on the couch together.  She's dressed in earthly clothes and Birkenstock sandals.  Sam is laughing and having a ball.

SAM
(remembering)
Oh, yeah, this next bit is great.
Chevy Chase imitates President Ford.

Chris looks curiously at Sam like, "how would you know"?

CHRIS
This show is live.

SAM
(busted)
...Yeah, but it's three hour tape
delayed.  A friend back EAst called
and told me about it.

CHRIS
(suspicious)
Chad, you don't know anyone East of
Vegas.

ANGLE ON THE TELEVISION

The "Conehead" sketch ends.  Chevy Chase appears as Gerald Ford and does a pratfall off the stage.  The audience howls.

ON CHRIS, SHANNON AND SAM

They all die laughing.

SHANNON
If Ford falls one more time, there's
no way he's going to beat Carter.

SAM
What makes you so sure Carter will
will the Democratic nomination?

SHANNON
He won Illinois by forty-eight
percent.  And he's pulling ahead of
Wallace, Jackson and Udall with the
delegates.

Sam smiles, knowing that Shannon's prediction will come true.

SAM
You may be right

Chris jealously watches Shannon smiling at Sam.  He ssupects that Chad (Sam) is up to his old tricks again.

SAM
You're really up on this election.

SHANNON
I work for the League of Women
Voters at school.  President Ford is
speaking on campus this week.  If
you guys want to come, I"ll get you
special passes.

SAM
That would be great.

Sam notices someone standing on the balcony.  The holographic cigar smoke gives his identity away.

ANGLE ON BALCONY - AL

He wears a blinding white three-piece leisure suit with a satin scarf tied around his neck.

BACK ON SAM

He gets up.

SAM
I need to get some air.

Chris smiles, glad to be rid of Sam.

CHRIS
Take your time out there, pal.

EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT - ON SAM

He comes outside to find Al rehearsing a new dance step.  Sam closes the sliding glass window, then motions Al to follow him so Chris and Shannon won't hear their conversation.

SAM
(whispering)
Where'd you dig up the costume?

OBSERVER
This old thing.  I've been waiting
years for polyester to make a
comeback.

Sam notices Al holding a clutch bag.

SAM
Al, is that a purse?

OBSERVER
(defensive)
It's not a purse...It's a man bag,
Vintage 1976.

SAM
You owned a man bag?

OBSERVER
All my pants were too tight to carry
a wallet.
(grins)
Women loved it.

SAM
Is Ziggy fixed yet?

Al unzips his "man bag" and pulls out his hand computer.  He smacks the side of the computer, then punches in some data.

OBSERVER
We're still having trouble with him.
Right now he's....
(reacts to
computer)
Japanese!

SAM
Ziggy is Japanese?!

OBSERVER
No, he's spitting everything out in
Japanese.  Must be from those
foreign microchips we fed him.

SAM
Al, how was he killed?

Al is suddenly uneasy and nervous.

OBSERVER
Who?

SAM
What do you mean, who?  Chris!

OBSERVER
Chris, yeah, well, we're still
checking.  We know it happens
sometime in the next two days.

SAM
He's a good kid, Al.  He's got a
future, and from what I just heard,
it's in music.  I've got to make
sure he gets that chance.

OBSERVER
You're really getting attached to
him, aren't you?

SAM
(nods)
I see a lot of myself in him.  That
same drive he has to prove himself,
it's jsut like I was with my own
brother.
(beat)
I remembered, Al.  My brother Tom
was the one who talked me into going
to M.I.T.
(beat)
He changed my life.  I just wish I
could shake this fear I have and
remember....

Al watches Sam compassionately.  He seems to watn to help his friend, but can't.

OBSERVER
(changing the
subject)
Hey, you're on the set of
'Earthquake' tomorrow.  Chuck
Heston, Ava Gardner, Victoria
Principal.  Pretty exciting, huh?

SAM
(still
disoriented)
Exciting?  I'm supposed to do a
stunt and I don't know what it is.

OBSERVER
How tough can it be?

ACT THREE

FADE IN

EXT. HIGH RISE - LEDGE - ON SAM

He looks in horror over the ledge.

SAM
This is a piece of cake!?!

OBSERVER
It is if you're suicidal.

Sam glares at him.

DIRECTOR (O.S.)
(through
megaphone)
We're ready whenever you're ready.

OBSERVER
(yelling)
Ready!

SAM
Al, I can't do it.

OBSERVER
You have to if you want to leap out
of here.

SAM
The only leap I'm going to make is
to my death.

A crowd of extras press up behind Sam.  A woman stands next to him.  She drags a cigarette and looks down at the air bag below.  She flicks the cigarette, then turns and glares at Sam.  Cameras are rolling.

SAM
(unnerved)
Hi.

The woman sees that Sam doesn't recognize her.

WOMAN
(pissed)
Is that all you have to say, Chad?

SAM
Huh?

WOMAN
You don't remember me do you?
(off Sam's
confused look)
Rap party.  'Poseidon Adventure.'

Sam still doesn't understand.  She fumes.

WOMAN
(reminding him)
I came as the giant clam.  You were
Aqua Man.

SAM
I don't remember.

WOMAN
Maybe it was a flying fish.

She suddenly pushes Sam and jumps herself.  Sam flies over the ledge.  Her body hurtles to the air bag below.

ON SAM

He dangles from a girder and looks up at Al.

ON AL

He turns and sees Lorne Greene standing next to him.

OBSERVER
(star struck)
Sam, look, it's that 'Bonanza' guy
-- Lorne Greene!  Lorne Greene's
right here!

ANGLE - LORNE GREENE (EXISTING FOOTAGE)

He reaches down, struggling to grab Sam's hand.

ANGLE - ON SAM

He dangles from the girder.  His hands are slipping.  We see Lorne Greene reaching out to help him.

SAM
Help....

ON AL

He marvels at the movie star beside him.

OBSERVER
Hold on Sam.  Lorne will save you!

ON SAM

He tries desperately to hold on, but his hands are slipping.

SAM
Al!

Sam dangles from the girder.  He grabs for Lorne's hand, but misses.

OBSERVER
Look out!

Sam screams as he free falls....

SAM
Allllll!

WIDER ANGLE - ON SAM

He free falls twelve stories to the street below.  He flails his arms and legs as he rips through the air.

ANGLE ON GLASS WINDOW - ON SAM

He hits the fake glass, which shatters and sprays around him.  The air bag beneath catches his fall.  The bag billows around him.

ANGLE ON - RAY

He hobbles up to the air bag.

RAY
Chad!  You okay, boy?

Sam groans and crawls out of the air bag.  Ray helps Sam out.

The stuntwoman crosses to Sam as the entire crew erupts in applause.

STUNTWOMAN
Once a screamer, always a screamer.

She gives him a big phoney hug.  Sam shoots her a look.  She turns and sees Chris walking away.

CUT TO

ON CHRIS

He just looks back at him.  This could have been his big shot.

CUT TO

INT. CHAD AND CHRIS'S APARTMENT - DAY

Chris enters, pissed.  Sam follows a short distance behind.

CHRIS
I could've done it.  I could've had
my card.  I could've been a stuntman
right now.

SAM
Chris, is that what you want to be?
A stuntman?

CHRIS
Why not?  It's what Dad wants me to
be.  It's what you want me to be.

SAM
Chris, I'm asking you...what do you
want to be?

Chris silently thinks about it.

CHRIS
I don't know anymore.

SAM
What about your music?

CHRIS
Oh, yeah, c'mon, can you see me
telling Dad, 'I'm going to be a
musician'.

SAM
It's what you really want, isn't
it.

CHRIS
I want to make Dad proud of me.

SAM
And for that, you're willing to
risk your life?

Chris can't believe this is Chad talking.

CHRIS
You've been risking your life every
day for the past ten years.

SAM
Yeah, and what have you been doing
every day for the past ten years?

Chris thinks about it.

SAM
Well, what have you been doing?

CHRIS
Playing guitar.

SAM
You want to make Dad proud....do
what you do best.

Chris considers this.  He's tempted by the idea.

SAM
You've just got to go for it.  And
it'll take as much courage as any
stunt I can think of.

CHRIS
But I don't know anything about the
music business.

SAM
Leave that to your big brother.

We hear a woman's sweet country voice singing "Lying Eyes" as we....

CUT TO

INT. PALOMINO CLUB - NIGHT - ON A COUNTRY SINGER

She's singing to a crowded honky tonk.  A sign reading "Amateur Night" is posted to the side of the stage.  The Palomino's house band plays back-up.

ANGLE - THE BAR - ON SAM AND TRACI DUVORE'

They stand at the bar.  She holds Sam's arm and points to a man sitting in the crowd.

TRACI
...Steve Linley, he's the A&R V.P.
for our Country Western label.

ANGLE ON STEVE

He's a short, frizzy-haired guy with horn-rimmed glasses and a big Stetson hat.

TRACI (O.S.)
The only Texas cowpoke every born in
Brooklyn.

BACK ON SAM AND TRACI

Sam smiles.

TRACI
He's kind of a sleazeball, but he
can make things happen.

SAM
Thanks for doing this for Chris.

TRACI
(breathy)
I didn't do it for Chris.
(kisses him)
See you Saturday.

Traci flashes a killer smile, then struts back to Steve.  Sam watches her move.

SAM
Chad, you owe me.

INT. PALOMINO - ON CHRIS AND SHANNON

He watches the singer and nervously tunes his Fender Strat-o-caster.  Shannon smiles and rubs his shoulder.

Sam comes up.

CHRIS
Where's Dad?

SAM
Don't worry, he'll be here.

SHANNON
(to Chris)
You're on next.

FOLLOWING SAM

making his way around the perimeter of the room.  All the women check Sam out as he passes.  He glances into an adjoining bar room.

INT. PALOMINO - BAR - ON RAY

He's slouched on a barstool with a beer and a cigarette.  Sam comes up to him.  Sam sees that Ray is slightly drunk.

SAM
Dad?

RAY
Hey, big time.

SAM
How long have you been in here?

Ray holds the bottle up to the light and judges the time by the beer inside.

RAY
Almost a six pack.

SAM
C'mon, Chris is on next.

RAY
I can hear him from here.

Ray swigs his beer.  A tense beat.  Sam can't figure Ray out.  We hear Chris begin playing in the next room.

SAM
You know, all he wants is to make
you proud.

RAY
I am proud.

SAM
Then show him.  Go in ther where he
can see you.

Ray just sits there and swigs his beer.

SAM
Why are you doing this?  What have
you got against him?

Ray thinks about this.  The beer is having its effect.  After a long beat, he tells the truth....

RAY
He got born weak.

SAM
...what?

RAY
Weak.  Premature.  After your mom
and me split, she raised him wrong.
I've got to make him tough...make
him a man.

Suddenly, the crowd in the next room cheers as Chris plays a series of hot guitar licks.

SAM
Then why don't you come listen to
the man.

After a tense beat, Ray gets up and walks with Sam into the main room.

INT. PALOMINO - ON CHRIS

He's playing on stage.

ON SAM AND RAY

They come in together.

ON CHRIS

His fingers rip up and down the strings, reeling off hot rockabilly guitar locks.  (NOTE:  In this sequence, Chris plays GUITAR and HARMONICA.  He sings an original song -- to be determined later.  His style is similar to the music of "Bruce Hornsby and The Range.")  Chris finishes the song, holding the last wailing cord.  The crowd goes wild, amazed by Chris's voice and guitar ability.  Even the back-up band applauds Chris's performance.  As Chris takes a bow, he sees his fatehr standing at the back of the audience.

ANGLE ON SAM AND RAY

Sam hoots and applauds.  Without a word, Ray turns and walks back into the other bar room.

ON CHRIS

His smile falls.  He comes down from the stage.  He hands his guitar to Shannon, then follows Ray.

INT. BAR ROOM - ON CHRIS

He approaches Ray, who sits at the bar.

CHRIS
...What did you think?

Sam and Shannon come up behind Chris.

RAY
I think you're wasting your time.

Chris is crushed by his father's words.

SAM
He was good, Dad.  Everybody loved
him.  He got more applause tonight
than I got on my stunt this morning.

CHRIS
Forget it, Chad.  He doesn't care.

RAY
Hey, c'mon, kiddo.  I didn't hurt
your feelings again, did I?

He playfully pops Chris with a light jab.

RAY
C'mon, put 'em up.

Chris shakes his head, no.

RAY
Don't you want to box with your old
man anymore?
(pops him again)
Afraid I'll whip ya?

Ray fakes low, then pops him with a right.  Chris turns to walk away.  Sam comes up behind Ray.

SAM
Leave him alone, Dad.

RAY
See, if I'd a raised you instead of
your mom, you'd be able to take me
right now.

Ray pops Chris on the back of the head.

SAM
Dad, lay off.

Sam holds Ray's arms back just as Chris spins around and blasts Ray's jaw with a blinding hook.  He knocks both Ray and Sam down.

SHANNON
Chris!

CHRIS
Let's go.

He takes the guitar from Shannon and strides out of the club with her.

ON RAY

He lies on the ground.  Sam helps him up.  Ray feels his bruised jaw.

RAY
Kid knows how to throw a punch.
(beat)
Lucky for him you were holding me.

SAM
Lucky for you, he only threw one.

DISSOLVE TO

INT. CHAD AND CHRIS'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - ON SAM

He enters the dimly lit apartment.

SAM
(calling out)
Chris?...Chris?

As Sam's eyes search the apartment for Chris, they fall on the mantel photo.  He fingers the photo.  A haunted look fills his eyes.  As he struggles to remember, he hears....

OBSERVER (O.S.)
(sincerely)
Cute kids.

A startled Sam fumbles the photo, almost dropping it on the ground.

WIDER TO INCLUDE AL

He's looking at the photo.

SAM
(spooked)
Al, I gotta get out of here.  This
place is driving me crazy.  And I
don't know why.

OBSERVER
You'll leap as soon as you stop
Chris from dying.

SAM
(flaring)
But I did that.  It can't happen
now....I took the stunt myself.

OBSERVER
We're not so sure, Sam.  Ziggy's
still down.  We don't know exactly
when it happened.

SAM
(nods
introspectively)
Al, I've got this strange feeling
that comes over me.
(beat; look at
Al)
It's Tom, isn't it?

OBSERVER
Sam, don't torture yourself.

SAM
(fighting to
remember)
Tom went to....West Point....He
became an officer....we all went to
his graduation....Me, Katie, my Mom
and Dad....
(searching)
...After that....he....he....
(tortured)
Dear God, I can't remember.

Al can't stand to see Sam agonize about his brother any longer.

OBSERVER
(softly)
...I'm really not supposed to do
this, but....

Al reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wallet photo.

OBSERVER
...After you leaped, we locked up
all your personal stuff.  I snuck
this out of your wallet.

Al holds up the photograph.  Sam looks at it.

ANGLE ON PHOTO - SLOW PUSH IN

We see a faded color photograph of Sam (15) standing with his big brother, Tom, who wears a cadet's uniform.  Sam wears Tom's hat askew on his head.  They're both laughing as Tom holds Sam in a brotherly headlock.

MOVING IN ON SAM'S FACE

as this long forgotten memory comes back to him.  Tears cloud Sam's eyes.

SAM
...He died in Viet Nam...

After a stunned beat, he reaches for the photograph, but his hand floats right through it.

OBSERVER
I'm sorry Sam...It'll be waiting
for you when you come home.

Sam smiles sadly, fighting back the tears.

CUT TO

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - NIGHT - ON CHRIS

He's talking to the director on a telephone.  We see Shannon waiting in her car.

CHRIS
...yeah, Rick, this is Chris Stone.

RICK'S VOICE
(over phone)
Hey.  It's late.  What do you want?

CHRIS
I know my dad quit on you.  But do
you have someone for that fire stunt
tomorrow?

RICK'S VOICE
(over phone)
Well, I don't have a Stone.

CHRIS
You've got one now.

As Chris turns and nods at Shannon, we....

FADE OUT

PART FOUR

FADE IN

EXT. RAY'S HOUSE - EARLY MORNING

Ray is washing down a speed boat as Sam pulls up in the Corvette.

RAY
What's wrong, couldn't get a date?

Sam gets out and walks up.

SAM
(confused)
What?

RAY
(laughs)
You're usually dropping someone off
this early in the morning.

SAM
Chris didn't come home last night.
I was hoping he came here.

RAY
For what?
(feels his jaw)
To admire the damage.

SAM
I'm worried about him.

RAY
If I know you boys, he's feeling no
pain right now.
(laughing)
He's probably off with that little
blonde girl.  He'll be back in a
couple of days for his job.

CUT TO

INT. "DISCO INFERNO" SOUND STAGE - DAY - ON CHRIS AND SHANNON

They walk through the set.  We see the crew setting up for the fire stunt.

ANGLE ON RICK (THE DIRECTOR)

with a megaphone.  He hands a cup of coffee back to a "gofer".

RICK
(through
megaphone)
I told you three lumps of
sugar...three!  Did you get that?
Do you hear that?

GOFER
(terrified)
Yes sir.

RICK
Then DO IT!

The gofer scurries away to get him another cup of coffee.

RICK
Who do I gotta sleep with to get a
decent cup of coffee around here?!

Rick turns and sees Chris and Shannon.

RICK
Chris, babe...you made it!

He shakes Chris's hand, then looks at Shannon.

RICK
...And you brought a cheerleader.

CHRIS
No, this is Shannon.

RICK
Hi, doll.

He shakes her hand.  Shannon feels like she's been slimed.

RICK
Okay, we're gonna be up for you in
about ten minutes, so just hang
tight.

Rick turns and walks off.

RICK (O.S.)
(through
megaphone)
Let's go, let's go!  Time is money!

SHANNON
(worried)
Chris, you sure you want to do this?

CHRIS
What do you mean?

SHANNON
I don't know.  Shouldn't your Dad
be here to check this out or
something?

CHRIS
(temper flaring)
I checked it out, okay?

SHANNON
What about your brother?

CHRIS
He told me to do whatever I want to
do.  So I am.

Off Shannon's concerned look, we....

CUT TO

EXT. RAY'S HOUSE - MORNING - SAM AND RAY - CONTINUOUS

SAM
What makes you so sure he'll want to
come back?

RAY
What the hell else is he gonna do?
Be a musician?

SAM
Why not?

RAY
Chad, we went through this last
night.

SAM
But we didn't settle it.  Chris was
great.

RAY
(grudgingly)
Okay, he was good.

SAM
And he needed to hear that from you.

RAY
That doesn't mean I want him to go
ruin his life.

SAM
But don't you see.  That's exactly
what you're doing by forcing him to
be a stuntman.

After a long beat....

RAY
...I don't know...Sometimes I find
myself doing the same things to
Chris that my father did to me.
It's like I can't stop myself....
(remembering)
My old man was a stuntman, so I
became a stuntman.  I had to prove
to him I could do it...And I did.

Sam is suddenly overcome by a sick feeling.

SAM
You don't think Chris is crazy
enough to do that fire stunt on his
own, do you?

Sam and Ray exchange a look as we....

CUT TO

INT. "DISCO INFERNO" SET - DAY - ON CHRIS

He stands on the upper loft of the disco set.

ON RICK

He uses a megaphone to talk to Chris.

RICK
(through
megaphone)
...Okay, babe, when you hear your
cue, start running across the loft.
You'll hit your mark, the charge
will go off behind you.  You'll come
flying down into the air bag here.
(beat)
Okay, everybody, let's go, we're an
hour behind.

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Rick, shouldn't we get a rehearsal
first?

RICK
The hell with it.  We'll shoot the
rehearsal.

ANGLE ON THE CREW

They hesitate, knowing this is a bad idea.

ON RICK

His temper flares.

RICK
I said we're shooting the rehearsal!
Let's go, people.

ON CHRIS

He nervously studies his mark.

CUT TO

INT. "DISCO INFERNO" SET - ON CHRIS

He appears tense waiting....

RICK (O.S.)
(through
megaphone)
Alright, everyone, positions....

ANGLE ON TRACI

She stands next to the Special Effects Coordinator, who works a control board of detonators.

CUT TO

INT. CORVETTE - ON SAM

He drives down a freeway off ramp.  A light up ahead turns red.  Sam floors the Corvette.  Sam rockets into the intersection and skids right.  He screeches past a guard gate at the studio's back lot.

INT. DISCO INFERNO SET - ON RICK

He raises his megaphone.

RICK
...alright, give me fire...bring in
the smoke...and...action!

LOFT - ON CHRIS

He waits for his cue.

EXT. SOUND STAGE - DAY - THE CORVETTE

screeches to a stop.  Sam jumps out of the car and runs into the sound stage.  Ray limps after him.

INT. DISCO INFERNO SET - ON SAM

He runs inside and passes Traci.

TRACI
Hey, Chad....

ANGLE ON CHRIS

He runs across the loft.

ON SAM

He yells.

SAM
No!

ON CHRIS

He runs across the loft as it explodes.  The blast rocks the stage.  Chris drops straight down into the structure.

ON SAM

He reacts, horrified.

ON SHANNON

She screams.

ON RAY

He's stunned.

ON RICK

He's surprised by the size of the explosion.

RICK
What happened?!  What happened?!

ON SAM

He runs across the set, which is engulfed in flames.  Ray limps after him.  Smoke billows from a doorway.

ANGLE - CREW AND EXTRAS

They race out of the building.  Several crew members try to douse the flames with extinguishers, but the fire is out of control.

CREW MEMBER (O.S.)
Get out.  It's too big.

ON SAM AND RAY

Sam runs onto the flaming set to find Chris.  Ray follows.

MOVING WITH SAM AND RAY

through the set.  They're both coughing and blinded by smoke.  Sam leads them up a staircase.  Ray limps behind him.  Beams are heard cracking around him.

They make it to the top of the stairs.  Ray hacks and doubles over.  He's too old to make it.

OBSERVER'S VOICE
Sam!

WIDER TO INCLUDE AL

He materializes out of the fire.

BACK ON SAM

he can barely make out Al's figure.

SAM
(whispers)
Al!

OBSERVER
Right here, Sam.

SAM
(to Ray)
Dad.  Go back.

RAY
(hacking)
No.

SAM
I'll find Chris.  I swear.

Ray tries to stay, but he's too old to go any further.  Ray hacks and nods his head.  He turns and limps back down the stairs to the exit.

SAM
(coughing)
Al, I can't see you.  I can't see
anything.

OBSERVER
Follow me...I'll be your eyes.

SAM
What?

OBSERVER
Trust me, Sam...this way.

MOVING WITH SAM AND AL

They walk down the hallway.

OBSERVER
Follow my voice...okay turn right
here.

Sam turns down another hallway.  His hands blindly search ahead of him.

OBSERVER
Down this hallway, then to your
left.

SAM
This way?

OBSERVER
Hurry.  We're losing time.

They walk down the corridor.  Al hears a crack and looks up.

OBSERVER
Sam, jump back!

Sam recoils.

ANGLE ON A BEAM

It crashes right through Al's holographic image.

OBSERVER
Sometimes it pays to be a hologram.
(beat)
Sam, step over the beam.  It's right
in front of you.

CUT TO

NEW ANGLE - AL

He turns a corner with Sam following.

OBSERVER
He's right here.

Sam gets down on his knees.  His hands blindly feels the carpet until he finds Chris lying unconscious.  Sam hefts Chris in his arms.

SAM
C'mon, Al, hurry.  I'm dying in
here.

MOVING WITH SAM

He staggers down the hallway.

CUT TO

INT. SET - DAY

It's literally a disco inferno.  Firemen douse the set.  Rick yells at various crew members, who recoil from the blaze.

CLOSE ANGLE - DOORWAY - ON SAM

blackened with soot, holding Chris in his arms.

ANGLE ON SHANNON

She smiles through her tears.

ANGLE ON THE CREW

They cheer as Sam carries Chris out of the burning structure.

ANGLE ON RAY

He tears up at the sight of his two sons coming out alive.

ANGLE ON RICK

He comes up to Ray.

RICK
(panting)
Ray, babe, that was close, damn
close.  Thank God you showed up
to....

Ray suddenly swings and decks Rick.  Ray towers over him.

RAY
Pay you back, babe.

CUT TO

EXT. PARAMEDIC TRUCK - DAY - ON SAM

Traci holds Sam's hand.  He looks at Chris, who lies unconscious on a stretcher.  Paramedics tend to him.  Shannon and Ray sit beside Chris.  Chris's eyes flutter open.  He looks dazed for a moment, then focuses on Sam.

SAM
They say I'm crazy, but that was
crazy.

Chris nods slightly.  As the paramedics lift him, a harmonica drops out of Chris's pocket and clatters on the ground.  Ray picks it up.

RAY
I think you're going to need this.

Ray sticks the harmonica in Chris's pocket.  Chris smiles and reaches out for his father's hand, gripping it tightly.

ANGLE ON SAM

He smiles.

Traci notices the mood ring on Sam's finger.

TRACI
Wow, look...you were exposed to all
that heat, but your mood ring's
bright blue.  You know what that
means?

SAM
Guess I'm in a real good mood.

ANGLE ON THE MOOD RING

It glows bright blue on his finger as we....

SLOW DISSOLVE TO

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - FORD RALLY - DAY

A warm spring day.  We see red, white and blue streamers and posters that read "Ford '76".

ANGLE ON RAY, CHRIS, SHANNON, SAM AND TRACI

They eat ice cream cones and wait for President Ford to arrive.  Chris is on crutches, but otherwise healthy.

SHANNON
Ford should be there any minute.

RAY
You really think that peanut farmer
has a chance against the President?

SAM
Hey, who can predict the future?

SHANNON
Somehow you did.  You knew Chiris was
going to get hurt.

Sam looks at Chris

SAM
Call it brother's intuition.

OBSERVER'S VOICE
And a trusting friend.

WIDER ANGLE TO INCLUDE AL

He's standing inside the cordoned-off area.  SAm turns to Chris and looks at him for the last time.  Chris sees the look.  Sam hugs him.

CHRIS
What was that for?

SAM
For being my brother.

Chris is touched and embarrassed, but seems to understand in some strange way.

MOVING WITH SAM AND AL

As he crosses through the crowd.  He meets Al at an area that isn't quite so crowded.

SAM
Hey, Al.

OBSERVER
How you doing, Sam?

SAM
Pretty good.
(beat)
Thanks for looking out for me.

OBSERVER
(nods)
Hey, that's what I'm here for.
We're a team, remember.

SAM
(heartfelt)
And Al, thank you for giving me
back my brother.

Al smiles, touched by Sam's sincerity.  Sam glances over at Chris.

ANGLE ON CHRIS AND SHANNON

They're laughing.  Shannon wraps her arms around Chris.

BACK ON SAM AND AL

watching Chris and Shannon.

SAM
(smiles)
...So when am I gonna leap?

Al shrugs.

STUDENT'S VOICE
Look out, he's coming.

The crowd surges forward.  Someone bumps into Sam, knocking the ice cream cone from his hand.  Police and security push the crowd back.  The Presidential anthem plays.

ANGLE ON PRESIDENT FORD

We see only the bald top of his head as he makes his way through the crowd.  People cheer and wave American flags.

ON AL

He stands inside the rope, invisible to all the Secret Service agents and police standing guard.

ON SAM

He stands near Al on the other side of the rope.  He cranes his neck to see the President coming toward them.  Sam's eyes suddenly flick to the ground.

ANGLE ON ICE CREAM

It melts in a puddle on the edge of a staircase.

ON SAM

His eyes widen as President Ford heads right for it.

SAM
Look out!

Sam's scream is swallowed up by the roar of the crowd.

CLOSE ON PRESIDENT FORD'S FOOT

It steps right into the puddle of ice cream and slips.

ANGLE ON SAM AND AL

Their eyes mirror President Ford's bouncing trip down a long flight of stairs.  The crowd gasps.  The cigar drops from Al's mouth.  Sam can't believe what he's just done.

SAM
Al, was that what I was here to do?!

OBSERVER
I don't know, but that was one
hulluva stunt!

Al watches in amazement as Sam suddenly....

QUANTUM LEAPS

FADE TO BLACK

THE END