EXT. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – FREDDY’S APARTMENT – AT THE KITCHEN TABLE - MORNING
Freddy’s expression clearly indicates that he is not happy about going back to school. He stares at his pancake, which is only half finished. His dad stands next to the kitchen counter, watching Freddy.
FREDDY’S DAD
Something wrong with the pancake?
FREDDY
No, just not hungry.
FREDDY’S DAD
First day of school making you nervous?
FREDDY
Yeah, a little.
FREDDY’S DAD
It’s natural that you would be a little nervous. It’s only your second year at Jefferson.
But try to think positive. You’re going to turn sixteen this year. Be learning how to
drive. I think it could turn out to be a great year, but you got to give it chance. Okay?
FREDDY
I’ll try, Dad. I better get going. Thanks for the pancake.
FREDDY’S DAD
(Taking out his wallet and giving Freddy a bill.)
Here, this is for lunch. I didn’t fix you a lunch. This year the snack bar’s going sells
hamburgers. That'd be good once in a while. Huh?
FREDDY
(Taking the bill, trying to smile but still somber.)
Yeah, thanks, Dad.
Freddy grabs his pack and goes out the door.
STREET ON A HILL LEADING TO JEFFERSON HIGH - MORNING
Freddy is walking up hill to school when about a hundred feet from the intersection his enemy Spike, a white school bully, and his friends drive up and pull alongside Freddy without stopping.
GUY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
Hey Freaky, we’ve been looking for you. Welcome back to school, you fucking creep.
GUY IN THE BACKSEAT
Can’t believe they’re letting a retard like you back in school.
Everyone in the car laughs.
CUT - FREDDY’S IMAGINATION
EXT. SAME LOCATION
He walks up to the car and lifts his shirt revealing sticks of dynamite. The expressions on the faces of the guys in the car change to terror. Freddy lefts his hand to reveal he is holding a switch. Then a close-up shot of his thumb pushing down on a button. The bombs explodes in slow motion for Freddy (bullet time in video games) so that he sees the car and its occupants blown up, their face being torn from their heads, their limbs being torn from their bodies. He can hear their distorted screams in slow motion. Then he too is blown up.
CUT - BACK TO PRESENT TIME
The car drives on to the intersection, the two guys in the back seat looking back at Freddy, smiling, and giving him the finger. A moment later Freddy also reaches the intersection. The light is red for cars but the PESDESTRIAN SIGNAL changes from <WAIT> to <WALK>. Spike leans over toward the passenger window.
SPIKE
(Wearing a nasty grin.)
You goin to cross the street or what, chickenshit?!
GUY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
What are you waiting for, Freaky, your daddy to come and hold your hand while you
cross the street?
Freddy doesn’t say anything but looks over at the bus stop where some students are hanging out before school starts. A few students watch him indifferently. Freddy looks nervous. He looks at the pedestrian signal: <WALK>. Freddy starts to step off he curb onto the street but then hesitates.
GUY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
What do think, that Spike’s gonna run you over. (Laughter in the car.)
GUY IN THE BACK SEAT
Look at the klutz. He can’t even cross the street. (More laughter.)
Freddy looks over at the bus stop. Everyone is watching the little drama. He grimaces, steps off of the curb, and takes two steps. Just then Spike’s car lurches forward with a roar and screech, stopping suddenly but not before hitting Freddy as he tries to jump out of the way ending flat on the street. He turns on his side and looks up. The car backs up, pulls around and stops.
FREDDY
(Angry but frightened.)
What the fuck are you doin?
GUY IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
Watch where you’re goin faggot. The streets are for cars, not cunts. (Laughter.]
CUT - THE BUS STOP
Guys nodding their heads and grinning worldly wise. Girls giggle nervously.
1ST MALE STUDENT AT THE BUS STOP
Man, you see that?
2nd MALE STUDENT AT THE BUS STOP
Some shit. Freddy just got flattened.
3rd MALE STUDENTS AT THE BUS STOP
Fuckin a.
1ST MALE STUDENTS AT THE BUSSTOP
That was some shit alright.
CUT - BACK TO FREDDY AND THE CAR
FREDDY
(On his feet.)
Assholes!
SPIKE
(Leaning over to the passenger side window.)
We’re scared to death, Freaky. Ha, ha, ha. Next time don’t be fucking walking in
front of my car. Next time you might get run over. Ha, ha, ha.
The car screeches around the corner. Freddy, looking dazed, starts across the street. A horn blares and he jumps back. The light is red and the pedestrian signal says <WAIT>. He looks over at the bus stop. A couple guys laugh, some smile, one gives a sympathetic smile, turns his hands outward showing his palms, raises his shoulders—all as if to say “Such is life.”
The camera pulls back and upward, showing Freddy standing in the street near the gutter.
INT. HOMEROOM – FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Freddy walks into homeroom and Bruce Dermin catches him at the door bumping him and knocking him into the side of the door, forcing his way pass Freddy. Dermin is only slightly taller than Freddy but stocky and tough.
BRUCE DERMIN
(Looking back at Freddy.)
Watch it, spaze. Heard you ran into Spike’s car. You oughta watch where you’re
walkin. Might lose your pedestrian license.
Bruce gives Freddy an evil smile and continues on to his desk.
FREDDY
(Under his breath.)
Asshole.
BRUCE DERMIN
(Walking back to Freddy.)
What did you call me you little motherfucker?
FREDDY
You’re hearing things.
The teacher, MRS. BORDEN, sees the boys.
MRS. BORDEN
(Exasperated.)
Boys!
Bruce says something inaudible to Freddy as he tries to push Freddy back out of the classroom into the hallway against students who are trying to get into the classroom.
FREDDY
(Audibly.)
Get your fucking hands off of me.
As the rest of the students look on, Mrs. Borden has walked over to the boys. The teacher grabs Bruce by his jacket and he turns violently toward her not knowing it’s the teacher, looking almost as if he would hit her. But she’s no pushover.
MRS. BORDEN
Don’t even think about it, Bruce. You touch me and I won’t have you in the vice
principal’s office but down at the police station.
FREDDY
(A look of satisfaction.)
That’s where he belongs.
MRS. BORDEN
(Sternly.)
You keep quiet.
The teacher now has both boys’ attention.
MRS. BORDEN
I don’t get you guys. The first day of school and you’re at each other’s throats.
FREDDY
He started it.
BRUCE DERMIN
Yeah right.
The teacher looks over at the other students, most of whom are sitting at their desks but a couple guys are standing. They all seem to be enjoying the show.
MRS. BORDEN
Everyone please sit down. I’ll take roll as soon as I’m finished talking to these two.
Turning back to Freddy and Bruce.
MRS. BORDEN
So what is it, you behave or I write you up and send you to the Vice Principal’s office?
Bruce says nothing and turns his head in disgust.
FREDDY
I’m not the one looking for trouble.
BRUCE DERMIN
There was no trouble anyway. We got into a shoving match. Big deal. And you
sneaked up on me. How was I to know it wasn’t some jerk like Anderson over there
pulling somethin on me. Freddy and me are pals, right, Freddy?
FREDDY
(Looking frustrated.)
Not likely, but like Bruce said, what happened was no big deal. Just a shoving match.
MRS. BORDEN
(Shaking her head frustrated.)
All right. Go sit down. Opposite sides of the room. And stay there for the rest of the
year. Okay?
BRUCE DERMIN
Be a pleasure.
MRS. BORDEN
Freddy?
FREDDY
The further apart the better as far as I’m concerned.
Freddy sits in the row nearest the door. Bruce walks across the room and gives Anderson a right-on handshake and drops cynically into his chair. The teacher is now standing at the front of the room trying to put on a happy face.
MRS. BORDEN
(Forced cheerfulness.)
Welcome back everyone. I hope you had a great summer and I hope you will have a
great school year. After I take roll, we will walk together to the gym for an
assembly on violence.
INT. SCHOOL GYM
Lots of noise. Students crowded on the bleachers. They sit according to class but within class groups segregated into ethic groups. PRINCIPAL SMITH is standing at the podium, the vice principal, MR. HURT, is standing on one side farther back and police OFFICER MCELROY is standing on the other side of the podium.
PRINCIPAL SMITH
I want to welcome...
Feedback noise occurs, becoming so loud that the students stop talking, put their hands over their ears, and let out moans of discomfort. A tech person runs over to the podium and makes adjustments. The noise subsides and suddenly the students break out in laughter and noisy talk.
PRINCIPAL SMITH
Okay, let’s keep the chatter down... (pauses, but to little effect). We’ve invited Officer
McElroy here to reassure you that at school you are safe... (pauses). If you keep talking
you will only extend this assembly and the additional time will be taken from your
lunch break....
A moan come from the audience and some “shut up’s” from the students to one another.
Teachers walk up from the floor into the bleachers, telling students to keep quiet. The noise begins to subside.
The camera cuts to the face of police Officer McElroy who is standing a few feet from the podium. He smiles, but his gaze is both faintly amused and jaded.
PRINCIPAL SMITH
As you all know... please stop talking. (Brief pause.) As you all know by now Tyrone
William was gunned down over the summer.
MIKE TORRES
(Sitting with Latino students, loudly.)
All ri-ight! (Drawing out the word.)
LATINO STUDENTS
General laughter, some scattered applause.
Camera pans to various faces. The girls among the various ethnic groups either smile, look surprised or look sad. Black students express anger. One of the black students, a friend of Tyrone named RASHEEM DRIVER, stands up shouts at Torres.
RASHEEM
Fuck you, Torres!
PRINCIPAL SMITH
Mr. Driver and Mr. Torres would you please go with Vice Principal Hurt. I will talk to
you later. To anyone else who feels the need to disrupt this assembling, I will
guarantee a free suspension.
The vice principal, Mr. Hurt, walks over to the bleacher and signals for Mike and Rasheem to come down to him. They follow Mr. Hurt out of the auditorium, Mike looks back at his friends and smiles. His friends smile back broadly, nodding their heads as if to say “bad boy’s in trouble.” The black students Rasheem was sitting with wear grim, angry looks.
During this time shots of Freddy sitting with his friends, Jackie, Moog, and Ed. They look young and loser pathetic compared to the gangsters. They don’t get involved but simply observe the biracial drama.
PRINCIPAL SMITH
As I was about to say, it is because of Tyrone’s tragic death that this assembly has been
called and Officer McElroy has been invited to reassure you that Jefferson is a safe
school. Officer McElroy is with the Alta Vista Police Department and is in charge of
its DARE program.
Officer McElroy walks to the podium with a few slow claps coming from the audience.
OFFICER McELROY
Good morning to all of you. The reason I am here, as Principal Smith stated, is to
reassure you that keeping San Diego’s high schools safe for students, teachers, and
staff is one of the police department’s highest priorities. After the shooting death of
Tyrone Williams a number of parents called the school to express their concerns
about the safety of the school... (Interrupted by JARELL JOHJNSON.)
JARRELL JOHNSON: BLACK STUDENT
That don’t do Tyrone any good. If you guys had been doin your job Tyrone would
still be alive. And what about that little girl who was killed? We ain’t worried
about getting whacked at school because we got homies here to watch our backs. It’s
in the hood where the bad shit happens. You be waiting for the bus and some fuck
drives by and wastes you. What the police do in the neighborhood is harass guys like
us who ain’t done nothin.
The principal walks over to the microphone, leans in front of Officer McElroy to speak.
PRINCIPAL SMITH
(With a tired expression.)
Johnson, your concerns are valid but what is being addressed today is on-campus
violence, and please watch your language. This is a public forum... (Jarrell
interrupting.)
JARRELL JOHNSON
And there’s plenty of shit goin on at this school. You just don’t see it. Just because no
one gets shot don’t mean there ain’t no violence. And what about Ms Douay, the art
teacher who got knifed two years ago. Ain’t that violence?
Many of the other students applaud Johnson’s comment.
PRINCIPAL
(Consoling.)
Yes, Mr. Johnson, it was an act of violence, a vicious act of violence. And that
is what Officer McElroy is here to talk about. So why don’t we give him a chance.
Johnson gives a disgruntled look but says nothing more. The principal turns the microphone back over to McElroy.
OFFICER McELROY
As one of your own has just pointed out, high schools are not completely safe
environments. And as you know, two years ago a student was shot and killed after
school at Bay-View High. That is why it is important for all of us to work together to
prevent violence at Jefferson. And that means students must communicate to the
administration any aggressive behavior such as bullying that they see occurring on
campus or any threats to commit violence that they may hear about.
LATINO STUDENT
Hey I ain’t no snitch. (Laughter.)
OFFICER McELROY
I understand that no one wants to be a snitch, but what a snitch really is is a person
who tells authorities about someone who has committed or is going to commit a
criminal act. Snitches protect innocent people. Those who refuse to snitch protect
criminals.
LATINO STUDENT
And who’s goin to protect the snitch. The police? Don’t think so. (Laughter and
applause.)
OFFICER McELROY
It’s true that snitches often put themselves at risk. That’s what heroes do—put
themselves at risk to protect innocent lives.
LATINO STUDENT
(Cynically.)
Hero’s just a word. It don’t mean shit on the street. What’s the point of being a hero if
you’re dead? Nothin. That’s just how it is.
JARRELL JOHNSON
(Blurting out.)
Officer McElroy!
OFFICER McELROY
Yes, Mr. Johnson.
JARRELL JOHNSON
You ever shoot someone with that gun of yours?
OFFICER McELROY
(McElroy looks over at Johnson.)
No, I haven’t and I hope I never have to.
A groan from the audience and increasing chatter.
JARRELL JOHNSON
That’s problem. Lots of bad guys need to be shot like the guy who killed Tyrone and
that little girl. And you haven’t caught him. You see that’s why there’s gangs in the
hood. Cops can’t protect us and when they do shoot someone it’s some innocent nigga.
Had Tyrone belong to a crew he’d probably still be alive or at least his crew would
make sure someone paid a price for killin em. You see I ain’t worried at school my
homies got my back.
LATINO STUDENT
We got cha your back too, nigger.
Laughter from Latino guys. Chatter increasing.
A BLACK STUDENT
(Standing.)
Fuck you, Hernandez!
PRINCIPAL SMITH
I warned you, Hernandez. You too, Thomas. I want to see both of you in my office
after the assembly.
EXT.STUDENTS WALKING TO CLASS
Jackie, wearing a long black coat, dark hair slicked back, and Freddy are walking to class with other students. Because of his appearance and intense expression, something like Robert DeNiro’s taxis driver, Jackie is more threatening looking than Freddy. However, like Freddy he is a short, skinny kid, a loser, in other words.
JACKIE
(To Freddy.)
Nice to know the fucking cops and admin got everything under control.
FREDDY
Man, do I hate this fucking place, nothing but bangers and bullies.
JACKIE
Yeah I heard Spike hit you with his car.
FREDDY
God I hate that guy.
JACKIE
Like I said, it’s nice to know that the cops and admin got everything under control.
Spike walks up behind Freddy and shoves him. Spike has a couple of friends with him. Spike is tall, wiry and athletic. However, his head looks a little like that of Frankenstein’s creature, long and narrow, as if it had been put into a vice. His mouth seems incapable of a friendly smile and with his eyes gives him an inherently malicious look.
SPIKE
I’ve got your back, Freaky.
FREDDY
Whadaya hassling me for. I ain’t done nothin to you.
SPIKE
That’s what I do, Freaky. What are you gonna to do about it?
FREDDY
Maybe I’ll go to Officer McElroy and tell him about you knocking me down with your
car this morning. I got plenty of witnesses.
SPIKE
Like hell you will. Fucking snitch and like the beaner said you’ll end up dead. And
believe me you got no witnesses. So you better keep your mouth shut.
Spike shoves Freddy again and he and his two friends walk on.
FREDDY
I’m gonna to kill that guy one of these days.
JACKIE
(In earnest, smiles reassuringly.)
You ever get serious about that, you can count me in.
