The Driver
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THE DRIVER JULY 1, 1955
Written by Robert Wolterstorff
FIRST DRAFT July 10, 1990
THE DRIVER JULY 1, 1955 TEASER
FADE IN QUANTUM LEAP IN INT. ’49 FORD – DAY – SAM An explosion of blue light flares across the screen and then fades, revealing Sam. The deafening sound of a red-lining engine fills the interior of the old Ford. Sam’s hands are locked around the car’s vibrating steering wheel, his foot frozen to the gas pedal. He shakes his head, trying to clear his mind; attempt to deal with the scene in front of him. SAM’S POV – THROUGH WINDSHIELD He’s roaring down the center of an empty oval dirt track. His eyes dart to the speedometer. The needle hovers at 90 MPH. RESUME SAM He looks real worried. He’s coming into a turn that he knows he can’t possibly complete. EXT. TRACK – THE FORD As it slides into the turn. Its rear end begins to fishtail dangerously. ANGLE – PIT AREA – LENNY, BUMP AND NADINE Three teenagers each with a vested interest, watch as the Ford begins to careen out of control. Lenny has the look of a country greaser; slicked back hair, and a pack of cigarettes rolled in the sleeve of his white T-shirt. Bump is a lumpy farm boy; big, slow and cuddly. Nadine has the fresh scrubbed look of the girl next door. LENNY (concerned) What’s he doing out there?
BUMP Looks like he’s losing it.
NADINE (fearfully) Oh my God! EXT. TRACK – THE FORD It’s sliding helplessly toward a wooden barrier. Sam ducks as the car smashes through the wall. ON LENNY, BUMP, AND NADINE The three teenagers are running at full speed toward the crash site. NADINE (emotionally) Danny…Danny… please be all right. ON THE FORD The three kids race up to the car. Lenny and Bump work feverishly to pry open the front door. Once the door swings open, Sam spills out. ANGLE – CLOSE ON SAM He’s dazed, but alright. Nadine immediately beings smothering him with kisses. LENNY (to Sam) Fireball, you alright?
SAM Yeah… I think so.
BUMP We ain’t gonna get to NASCAR with you driving like that.
SAM NASCAR? Fireball? (Sam’s eyes roll) Oh, boy. SMASH CUT TO MAIN TITLE END OF TEASER
FADE IN EXT. RACE TRACK – DAY – SAM He’s still lying on the ground with a worried Nadine cleaning his face with her handkerchief. Sam still looks dazed and confused. SAM’S VOICE OVER This is one of those times that I wish I could have looked before I leaped.
NADINE (concerned) Danny, you near scared me to death out there. When I saw you crash, all I could think about was James Dean.
SAM (quizzically) James Dean?
NADINE Don’t you remember how he died in that awful car crash?
SAM (remembering) …back in ’55.
NADINE (confused) Back in ’55? This is ’55. Are you sure you’re okay?
SAM I’m fine, really.
NADINE You’re not acting fine. You’re acting funny.
Lenny approaches from the front of the car.
LENNY He’s just a little shook up, Nadine. Take more than a fence to stop Fireball Danny Roberts, right Fireball?
SAM Uh….right. Sam attempts to get up. NADINE What are you doing?
SAM Getting up?
NADINE (holding him down) I don’t think that’s such a good idea. What if you broke something?
LENNY He’ll know if he broke something once he gets up.
Lenny and Nadine take Sam’s hands and help him to his feet. Sam is a little wobbly, but okay.
LENNY So…anything broke?
SAM (checking himself) I don’t think so.
LENNY Whew… that’s a relief. You know how important this next race is.
NADINE (to Sam) I’m startin’ to get a bad feeling about that race.
LENNY (irritated) Nadine, would you mind your own business. This is guy stuff… it don’t concern you. NADINE (defensive) I’m Danny’s girl… so anything that concerns him, concerns me, ain’t that right Danny?
SAM (awkward) Uh… right, Nadine.
LENNY (uptight) What’s that mean? Now you ain’t gonna race?
SAM No, I’m gonna race… I guess.
NEW ANGLE – BUMP’S HEAD It suddenly pops out from under the front end of the car.
BUMP (glumly) Ain’t nobody gonna race this car.
LENNY (with great trepidation) What’s wrong?
BUMP We got big trouble. Driveshaft’s busted.
LENNY Oh, that’s just great. That’s just great! (uptight) Now what are we gonna do?
BUMP As I see it, we got us a choice. We can either push it or tow it back to the garage.
Bump and Lenny both look at Sam.
SAM (uncomfortable) Is it too late to say I’m sorry?
EXT. PASTORAL COUNTRY ROAD – DAY A noisy, beat up, smoke spewing old Hudson suddenly cuts through the serenity with the disabled Ford in tow. Bump is driving the Hudson, with Lenny in the passenger seat. Sam is steering the Ford with Nadine pressed closely against him.
SAM’S VOICE OVER Leaping around as much as I have, one thing I’ve learned is that dreams come in all shapes and sizes. This one has four wheels and a busted driveshaft… courtesy of me.
INT. THE HUDSON Bump is driving while Lenny fidgets next to him.
LENNY (excited) …I’m telling you we gotta have that car ready tomorrow for them time trials.
BUMP I’ll do the best I can.
LENNY You’ll do better than that or you’re fired.
BUMP You can’t fire me…we’re partners.
LENNY But as partners, we decided that I’m the crew boss and you’re the crew, right?
BUMP (cautiously) Right.
LENNY So as your boss… I can fire you.
BUMP Okay… but just remember, if you fire the crew you’re gonna be the boss over nothing.
LENNY (a thoughtful pause) So you think we can get this thing ready for the time trials?
BUMP Yeah… I think so.
LENNY Great. That’s all I wanted to hear.
LENNY (a thoughtful pause) So you think we can get this thing ready for the time trials?
BUMP Yeah… I think so.
LENNY Great. That’s all I wanted to hear.
INT. FORD – TIGHT ON REAR VIEW MIRROR The mirror features the real Danny Roberts and Nadine almost cheek to cheek. Danny has the winning face of a small town hero. Chiseled features, short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. A young Steve McQueen. Camera pulls back to reveal Sam steering the disabled car. Nadine is as close to him as she can be without pushing him out the door.
NADINE Danny, I know you gotta race. I just can’t help worrying about you.
SAM Yeah… I know. I’m a little worried myself.
NADINE (surprised) I never heard you talk like that before.
SAM (covering) …I was just kidding.
NADINE (touched) I think you were just being honest. That’s why I love you.
Nadine kisses him hard on the lips, then suddenly pulls away from Sam.
NADINE What’s wrong?
SAM What do you mean?
NADINE You ain’t kissing back like you usually do.
SAM Oh…uh…it’s because my lips hurt. I hit them on the steering wheel when I went through that fence.
NADINE Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll take it a little easier.
She kisses him, lightly on the lips.
NADINE (CONT.) How’s that?
SAM Much better…thank you.
NADINE So what are you gonna wear to dinner tonight?
SAM …Dinner?
NADINE (scolding) Aw, Danny, you forgot, didn’t you. You know how important this is. I really want you to make a good impression on my parents. Now promise me you’ll change your clothes.
SAM I promise.
NADINE …And you’ll be there on time?
SAM Right on time. (beat) What time was that again?
Suddenly, THE PLATTER’S rendition of
"The Great Pretender" kicks in and plays through the next two shots. On
Nadine’s concerned look, we… CUT TO EXT. ROADSIDE SIGN – DAY The sign reads: YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE SACRED TOWNSHIP OF JUSTINE, SOUTH CAROLINA, POPULATION: 3,602. GOD BLESS OUR TOWN. The Hudson with the Ford in tow sputters through town. EXT. COUNTRY HOME – DAY The camera travels with the Hudson and Ford as it pulls to a stop in front of Nadine’s house. It’s a comfortable, lower middle class home with a long gravel driveway. NEW ANGLE – CLOSE ON NADINE She jumps out of the car and slams the door. As she leans into the window the music stops.
NADINE I’ll see you at seven.
SAM On the dot.
Nadine blows him a kiss. MUSIC UP: bridge of "The Great Pretender". Sam is noticeably touched by the sweet innocence of Nadine. The Hudson pulls out with the Ford in tow. Nadine lingers for a moment waving goodbye. Then turns and crosses to the house. The music fades. EXT. NADINE’S FRONT PORCH – DAY As Nadine crosses, she notices a new ’55 Chevy parked in the driveway. A look of concern streaks across her face. She climbs the stairs and crosses toward the front door. The old wooden screen door suddenly swings open. Nadine’s mother, Rose Ketchum, approaching forty, but trying to maintain the look of youth. Her hair is bleached blonde and she’s wearing a sundress that would look better on her daughter.
ROSE Nadine…where have you been?
NADINE I told you mama, I was out at the race track.
ROSE (dismisses the race track with a flip of her hand.) Well, I got a big surprise for you. (beaming) Come on out, you big surprise you.
The screen door swings open and out saunters Randy Butler. A cocky, handsome eighteen year old, as long as you don’t look too deeply into his cold eyes. RANDY (smiling) Hi, Nadine. Nadine attempts to cover up her unhappiness at seeing him, but she’s unsuccessful. NADINE Hi, Randy.
ROSE Well you two kids probably want to be alone. Just holler if you want a cold drink, or something.
Rose begins to exit, but she’s suddenly overcome with joy. She grabs Randy by the shoulders.
ROSE Oh, Randy…it’s just so good to have you back.
RANDY (saccharin) Thank you, Mrs. Ketchum. It feels real good to be back.
Rose exits into the house. NEW ANGLE – RANDY AND NADINE Randy approaches her. We can see Nadine is extremely uncomfortable.
RANDY What…no welcome home kiss?
NADINE (nervously ignoring him) How’s college?
RANDY Fine…how about my kiss?
NADINE Randy, things have changed here.
RANDY My feelings for you haven’t.
Randy tries to put his arms around her. Nadine pulls away.
NADINE (very nervous) I’m with Danny Roberts now.
RANDY I’m surprised. I’m real surprised. I thought you had more class than that.
NADINE Just leave it alone, alright.
RANDY If you wanna go out with trash, it’s okay with me.
Randy crosses to his Chevy, climbs in, and burns out of the driveway, sending gravel flying in all directions. EXT. MAIN STREET – DOWNTOWN JUSTINE – DAY A town who’s glory days have come and gone with the wind. The town consists of a Post Office, a couple of bars, the Hotel Justine and a number of other small businesses. The American flag and the Confederate flag are flying together in the town square over the statue of Robert E. Lee on his trusted steed. The Hudson chugs into the frame with the Ford still in tow. INT. FORD – SAM Sam is surveying the dying town.
OBSERVER (O.S.) Ah, the hustle and bustle of beautiful Downtown Justine.
WIDER TO INCLUDE AL He’s sitting in the backseat, right behind Sam, smoking a cigar and more than a little overdressed, especially for Justine. He leans forward.
OBSERVER I hear they’re thinking of putting a subway in. Rush hour can be a real bear here.
SAM Al, where have you been?
OBSERVER Gushy had a tough time finding this place. It’s not like Justine’s on any map.
SAM It’s kind of hard to believe people live here.
OBSERVER They don’t Sam…they die here. The ones who live…leave.
SAM Then what am I doing here.
OBSERVER Good question, Sam. Ziggy thinks it’s about dreams.
SAM Dreams? Who dreams in a town like this?
OBSERVER Kids…they dream about leaving.
SAM This must have something to do with the race Lenny and Bump keep talking about.
OBSERVER Only in a town like this would somebody name their kid Bump. What’s his father’s name…Klump?
SAM Al, Ziggy’s gotta be more specific. If I’m here to race I have to know how to drive in a race… I’ve never done that.
OBSERVER Nothin’ to it. You push down hard on the gas and try not to lose control.
SAM Thanks a lot.
Al punches data into his hand computer.
OBSERVER OK, let’s see… your name is Danny Roberts, you’re eighteen years old and you’re on your way to NASCAR.
SAM I know all that. Something hast to be wrong or I wouldn’t be here.
OBSERVER Sorry, Sam. Ziggy must have a loose chip. I’ll go back and reprogram. SFX – AL The imaging chamber door opens on the seat next to him. He slides in.
OBSERVER You just hang in there, Sam…and don’t forget…pedal to the metal.
The imaging chamber door closes.
SAM I already had the pedal to the metal and I almost killed myself.
EXT./INT. GUS’S GAS STATION AND GARAGE – DAY It’s a one tank station on the outskirts of town. The Hudson pulls in with the Ford in tow. INT. GARAGE – GREASE PIT – SAM, LENNY, AND BUMP The boys are all in the grease pit removing the driveshaft from the Ford.
LENNY …You know how much Buddy Baker made last year on the circuit? Twenty-Nine Thousand Dollars, that’s how much.
BUMP Anybody can drive Daytona if you’ve got enough nerve. On asphalt you just drive with your fingers…it’s all the same. On the turns you nudge the wheel slightly and drift a little. But, on dirt, them rear wheels always gotta be diggin’. Ain’t that right, Danny?
SAM (unsure) Yeah…right. Those wheels really have to dig…deep…into the dirt.
Lenny and Bump give Sam a funny look. Sam smiles, trying to cover. Suddenly the sound of a blasting car horn comes from O. S. Lenny and Bump begin to shake their fists in an up and down motion. BUMP (to Sam) Odd finger pumps the gas. Come on Fireball, you ain’t getting out of this just ‘cause you’re the driver.
Sam joins them and comes up odd.
BUMP You lose, you pump. Sam climbs out of the grease pit and exits to the gas pump. EXT. GUS’S GAS STATION AND GARAGE – THE PUMP Parked in front of the pump is Randy Butler’s ’55 Chevy Impala. Randy is leaning against the car as Sam approaches.
RANDY Fill it up, Roberts.
SAM Leaded or unleaded?
SAM (catching himself) Uh…nothing. I’ll fill it up.
Sam takes the gas pump and begins pumping gas.
RANDY So how you been doin’ Roberts.
SAM Just fine.
RANDY Hear you got yourself a new girl.
SAM Yeah…I guess I do.
RANDY You know what I can’t figure out…How a fine little girl like Nadine could be going out with a piece of trash like you. (in Sam’s face) I mean, I really can’t figure it out. (intense) Maybe you can explain it to me.
SAM Maybe you should try calming down.
RANDY Maybe you should try calming me down.
Randy is now nose to nose with Sam itching for a fight.
RANDY Come on, trash, let’s go.
Randy shoves Sam hard against the car. Sam rebounds quickly, ready to fight. OBSERVER (O.S.) Don’t fight him Sam. WIDER TO INCLUDE AL SAM (to Al) What are you talkin’ about?
RANDY I’m talking about settlin’ this.
OBSERVER You can’t do this Sam. Ziggy found out what went wrong. Danny got into a fight. He was blinded in his right eye and he never raced again. All those dreams died, Sam, and the kids got sentenced to live in this town.
RANDY Enough of this dance, I’m taking you down. On Sam’s concerned look we… FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
FADE IN EXT. GUS’S GAS STATION AND GARAGE – DAY – CONTINUOUS ACTION Sam and Randy are still nose to nose. Al is standing next to the gas pump. Randy begins shoving Sam backward. Lenny and Bump emerge from the garage and cross quickly into the scene. RANDY (to Sam) Come on…let’s go.
SAM I’m not going to fight you.
LENNY What’s goin’ on, Danny?
SAM Nothing’s going on…it’s over. Sam puts his arms down, turns his back on Randy and walks away.
RANDY I’ll tell you what’s going on. You’re friend’s a chicken.
Randy makes a slow chicken sound.
BUMP (to Lenny) How come he didn’t fight?
LENNY I don’t know. Maybe he didn’t want to hurt him.
Randy pulls the hose out of his gas tank and hangs it back up.
RANDY Just put it on my tab.
Randy climbs into his car and burns rubber as he powers away. LENNY AND BUMP’S P.O.V. They watch as Sam converses with Al over by the side of the gas station. RESUME LENNY AND BUMP BUMP What’s he doin’ now?
LENNY Workin’ it out. My daddy used to do that all the time…’course that was always after a gallon of Moonshine. SAM AND AL SAM Was that the guy that took Danny’s eye?
OBSERVER That’s him. He’s the original spoiled brat, Sam. His father owns the local mill. The whole town works for him. Apparently, him and Danny were fighting over some girl.
SAM …Nadine.
AL But then, it’s always over some girl. I got in a fight once over the cutest little red head. She had these little freckles right on top of her big… (he makes a breast gesture with his hands) I just wanted to see if they were real and I got punched right in the mouth.
SAM Who punched you?
OBSERVER Her boyfriend. But, the good part is I landed right on top of her freckles.
SAM That’s a great story, Al. Now back to me. All I have to do is stay out of a fight until the race?
OBSERVER …And then everybody lives happily ever after. (thinking) I wonder what ever happened to that red head?
SFX – THE IMAGING CHAMBER DOOR Al steps inside. OBSERVER …You know… I think I still have her phone number. The imaging chamber door slams shut. Sam shakes his head and we… CUT TO EXT. THE KETCHUM HOUSE – NIGHT – ESTABLISHING It’s a tranquil setting with Georgia Gibbs rendition of "Tweedley-Dee" wafting from a radio in the house. The camera slowly pushes in. INT. KETCHUM DINING ROOM Sam and the family are in the middle of dinner. Sam sits stiffer than the statue of Robert E. Lee in the town square. Frank Ketchum, Nadine’s father, is a care worn man who looks a lot older than his forty-two years. Nadine is extremely uncomfortable. The atmosphere is dismal except for Rose, her mother, who bounces to the music as she clears the table.
FRANK Rose, I think we’ve heard enough of her nibs… Miss Georgia Gibbs for one evening.
ROSE I’ll turn it right off.
FRANK (to Sam) Nadine tells me you race cars.
SAM (uncomfortable) Yes, sir.
FRANK What do you plan to do for a living?
SAM Uh…race cars.
FRANK How about when you grow up?
SAM Like I said, I’m going to race cars…sir. (Frank continues to stare at him.) Someday there’ll be a lot of money in auto racing.
FRANK Yeah…but you gotta be good.
NADINE He is good daddy. Danny’s the best race car driver in the whole state.
FRANK I understand Randy Butler is a pretty good racer, too. But he’s smart enough to know that it’s just a hobby.
NADINE (annoyed) I don’t want to talk about Randy Butler, okay?
ROSE That reminds me. He called here again today…
NADINE (upset) Mama, I don’t care. I just want him to leave me alone.
ROSE But, Nadine. He’s such a nice boy…
NADINE (interrupting, angrily) Maybe for somebody, but not for me.
FRANK (sharply) I don’t like that tone, young lady.
NADINE (raising her voice) Why can’t you just accept the fact that it’s over.
A frustrated Nadine, jumps up and exits quickly to the front porch.
SAM (uncomfortably) Excuse me.
Sam follows Nadine outside. EXT. PORCH – NIGHT Nadine is leaning against the railing. She looks extremely unhappy. Sam approaches.
SAM Are you okay, Nadine?
NADINE I’m sorry. They never stop talkin’ about Randy. Randy this, Randy that. They don’t know him at all. He puts on this big show for them and they think he’s so special. He thinks all he has to do is snap his fingers and I’ll come running. I wish he’d just leave for good. Hold me, Danny, hold me tight.
Nadine puts her arms around Sam and hugs him tightly. Sam awkwardly consoles her. SAM Everything’s going to be okay Nadine.
NADINE Not as long as I’m stuck here in Justine. Once you win that race, we’ll get married and we’ll never look back.
SAM …Right.
ANGLE – THE SCREEN DOOR It swings open and bangs hard against the house, startling Sam and Nadine.
FRANK Nadine, get inside. Your mama needs your help with the dishes.
Nadine reluctantly pulls away from Sam.
NADINE (softly to Sam) I love you, Danny.
Sam nods, sincerely moved.
SAM …Me too.
Nadine exits, past her father, into the house. Frank stands there staring at Sam.
SAM (after an uncomfortable beat) Well…than you very much for that delicious dinner, Mr. Ketchum. You wife is quite a cook.
FRANK (cold) I don’t want you seeing Nadine no more…you understand?
SAM I’m not sure I do.
FRANK Her Mama and me want better for her than you can offer.
SAM Does Nadine’s happiness enter into this?
FRANK (intense) Nadine’s happiness ain’t none of your business, it’s mine. You just stay away from her, you hear. Whatever you and Nadine had, it’s over.
Frank enters the house and slams the door. Sam is stunned.
OBSERVER (O.S.) Further proof that anyone can have a child, but not everyone can be a parent.
WIDER TO INCLUDE AL Al is standing at the bottom of the porch steps. He beckons to Sam.
OBSERVER Come on, let’s take a walk.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – NIGHT – SAM AND AL They are walking down the side of the road on their way back to town.
SAM I just can’t figure it out. Why do Nadine’s parents keep pushing her towards Randy?
OBSERVER It just so happens that Nadine’s father works for Randy’s father down at the mill…along with everybody else in town.
SAM So he’s using his daughter to get closer to the boss.
OBSERVER That’s part of it. But, I think he really believes he’s doing what’s best for Nadine. Upward mobility. That’s the American way.
SAM But, she hates Randy.
OBSERVER I guess he figures all that money will help her get used to him.
NEW ANGLE – ACROSS SAM AND AL A set of headlights appear from out from out of the night. The care suddenly swerves off the road heading straight for Sam and Al. Sam leaps out of the way as the car passes through Al. The car skids to a stop – It’s the Hudson. Loud country music blares from the open windows. Jimmy Roger’s rendition of "Uh, Oh, I’m Falling In Love, Again." OBSERVER Whew…Looks like another wild night in Justine. SFX – AL The imaging chamber door opens, and Al steps inside. He kicks his foot up and makes a party time hooting sound. The imaging chamber door slams shut, and Al is gone. ANOTHER ANGLE – THE HUDSON The door swings open and we see Lenny seated in the passenger seat. LENNY Get in.
SAM Where are we going?
LENNY We’re going to get the new driveshaft.
SAM (confused) Is there a place open this late?
Music up on "Uh Oh’s"… SMASH CUT TO EXT. OTIS SALVAGE – NIGHT Three silhouetted figures are scaling a tall, rusted chain link fence. Sam, Lenny and Bump climb over the top and drop into the auto graveyard. Sam and Lenny land like cats. Bump lands a little heavy, on top of Sam and Lenny. CLOSE ON SAM, LENNY AND BUMP Sam looks extremely nervous.
SAM I can’t believe we’re going to steal a driveshaft.
LENNY When did you get religion?
SAM Why don’t we just wait ‘till morning and then buy it?
BUMP (like talking to a child) ‘Cause we don’t have any money.
SAM Wait a minute. What if we left an I.O.U.?
BUMP Good idea. But don’t sign it.
Sam is still not convinced.
LENNY Danny, we ain’t got a choice. We’ll pay ‘im back when you win, okay?
That’s all Sam needs; more pressure
SAM (reluctantly) Okay…let’s get this over with.
NEW ANGLE – SAM, LENNY AND BUMP As the boys cautiously make their way through the eerie skeletal remains of dead cars, they suddenly hear the rustle of a heavy, old chain. The three boys freeze. SAM What was that?
Lenny shushes him. Now we hear the sound of galloping hooves.
SAM Do you hear that?
LENNY It’s just Gordon.
SAM Gordon?
NEW ANGLE – JUNKYARD DOG The meanest, ugliest, fattest junkyard dog you’ve ever seen in your life is lumbering toward them. Fangs bare, spittle dripping. Looking like a canine locomotive. ANGLE ON SAM Sam is ready to bolt and run, but Lenny and Bump grab him and hold their ground. Just as the dog leaps, Lenny reaches in his back pocket and pulls out a little piece of steak. He tosses it up, the dog grabs it, and lands happily on the ground. LENNY (rubbing the dog’s stomach) How ya doing Gordon? How’s my pal? (to Sam) Okay…let’s go get that driveshaft.
Sam clutches his heart as Patti Page’s rendition of "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" kicks in. INT. GARAGE GREASE PIT – MORNING – BUMP Bump is struggling with the installation of the new driveshaft.
BUMP (to driveshaft) Get in there you little weasel.
ON LENNY AND SAM They are sitting by the edge of the pit, watching Bump struggle with the driveshaft. The three guys have been working all morning. They’re hot, sweaty and covered with grease. LENNY Come on, Bump, you could’ve built a whole new car by now.
BUMP You want it done fast, or you want it done right?
SAM I vote for right.
BUMP Thank you Danny for your vote of confidence.
He shoots Lenny a "so there" look.
BUMP Now would you mind passin’ me that ballpeen hammer.
Sam passes Bump the hammer. Bump’s read to smack the driveshaft when Lenny interrupts. LENNY Don’t hit it too hard or you’re gonna break it.
BUMP How ‘bout if I hit you instead?
Bump bangs on the driveshaft and it slides in.
BUMP Damn…I broke it!
LENNY What!!
BUMP Just jokin’, it’s in. The boys cheer. LENNY Alright, let’s go down to Mohawk and clean off this grease.
SAM …Mohawk?
EXT. MOHAWK LAKE – DAY – THE HUDSON Camera pulls back to reveal three piles of clothes stacked next to the car. In the B.G. we hear the whoops and yells of Sam, Lenny and Bump. ROPE SWING A naked rear end flys by conveniently covered by a well placed branch. It’s Sam. He drops into the water joining Lenny and Bump. ANGLE – LAKE – SAM He hits the water and immediately wishes he could fly out.
SAM (whooping) Is it always this cold?
The guys splash and dunk each other and then swim toward land. LAKESIDE – SAM, LENNY AND BUMP The three boys are now drying off in the sun. Exhausted from the rough-housing.
LENNY You know the only thing I’m gonna miss when we leave here is this lake.
SAM I just wish it was heated.
BUMP We can heat it and put it wherever we want it, once we get to NASCAR.
SAM (uncomfortable) What if we don’t make it to NASCAR?
BUMP We gotta make it. It’s our only chance to get out of here.
Lenny is staring up into the sky, as if lost in a daydream.
LENNY You know what my biggest fear is…winding up like my old man. Working in that lousy mill, from sun up to sun down. Coming home so tired he couldn’t even eat. Just sittin’ there drinkin’ shine all night. Then he’d pass out. My brother, my mama and me…we’d have to carry him to bed. Then one mornin’…he just didn’t get up. (getting choked up) We couldn’t help him anymore.
BUMP The first think I’m gonna do when we hit the big time is get my folks outta here. I’m gonna buy them a great big house right there in Daytona Beach, Florida…so they can watch us race every year in the 500.
LENNY You think they might have room for my mama?
BUMP Sure, Lenny, as many as she needs. (a beat) What about you, Danny? What’s your dream?
SAM (moved by the boys) Same as yours, to win that race.
Bump suddenly jumps up. BUMP You gotta win this one first. Come on, I’ll race you to the water.
Sam and Bump jump up and the three boys haul their butts into the lake. Whooping and hollering, trying hard to feel good again. CLOSE ON A HAND Pouring lighter fluid over the piles of clothes. Camera pulls back to reveal Randy Butler. A sick grin on his face. He pulls out a Zippo lighter from his pocket and sets the clothes on fire. FADE OUT
END ACT TWO
FADE IN INT. HUDSON – DAY – SAM, LENNY AND BUMP The three guys are still quite naked. Bump is driving.
BUMP Who could’ve done something like this?
LENNY I know who did it. That slime Randy Butler. He’s just trying to get back at Danny for being with Nadine.
BUMP Well, why didn’t he just burn Danny’s clothes?
SAM Sorry. I’ll buy you a new set of long johns. Let’s look on the bright side. At least we’re not walking.
Suddenly we hear the muffled explosion of a tire blowing out. EXT. THE HUDSON – TRAVELING The front left tire is shredded. The car begins to swerve and then slides to an abrupt halt at the side of the road.
LENNY Oh, man, why does everything have to happen to us. We’re gonna be late for the time trials.
SAM And I still have to pick up Nadine.
BUMP You aint’ gonna pick her up dressed like that.
Bump laughs heartily at his lame joke.
LENNY (impatiently) Come on…let’s go. Odd finger changes the tire.
Lenny, Bump and Sam begin to shake their fists in an up and down motion. They throw out their fingers and Sam comes up odd…again.
BUMP You lose…you change.
SAM Are you guys cheating?
LENNY How can you cheat at odd finger?
SAM (embarrassed) Would you mind pulling the car a little further into the woods?
BUMP What?...And ruin the rim?
EXT. HUDSON Sam sneaks out, crosses to the trunk of the car, removes the spare tire and covers himself with it. He proceeds quickly with the jack in hand to the left front tire – facing the road. As he bends down to remove the tire…
OBSERVER (O.S.) …Shine on…shine on Harvest Moon up in the sky…
CAMERA WIDENS TO INCLUDE AL OBSERVER I just couldn’t resist this opportunity to drop in. Warm weather we’ve been having…
SAM I suppose Ziggy didn’t know about this, either.
OBSERVER No, actually he did. I just wanted to have |
