Embedded Files
In a violent Pennsylvania coal town, a young man finds salvation in first love—only to face a loss that will shape the rest of his life.
Elaine, circa 1964
ELAINE
ELAINE
Elaine was fifteen and James eighteen when they met on July 14, 1962. Their turbulent five-year love became a refuge from the violence and turmoil surrounding them—and a bond that would shape the rest of his life.
Drama • Coming-of-Age • 97 pages • Based on a true story
About The Screenplay
About The Screenplay
Love, Violence and Coal Dust is an autobiographical coming-of-age drama set in Coalville, a hard-edged Pennsylvania anthracite town, during the 1950s and 1960s. Growing up amid street violence, family conflict, rigid Catholicism, and a town in decline, young James struggles to decide what kind of man he will become.
When he meets Elaine in 1962, their intense and often turbulent love becomes a refuge for them both. Over the next five years, they confront family turmoil, separation, reconciliation, and an uncertain future together—until sudden tragedy transforms first love into a memory that will sustain James for the rest of his life.
Why I Wrote The Story
Why I Wrote The Story
I wrote Love, Violence and Coal Dust to preserve the five years I shared with Elaine and the Pennsylvania coal town that shaped me. It is a story of first love, but also of violence, family, faith, and the struggle to decide what kind of man I would become. Elaine died four days before her twentieth birthday, yet the strength she gave me has remained for nearly sixty years. This screenplay is my way of keeping that love—and the world we knew—alive.
READ THE FULL SCREENPLAY
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FADE IN:
EXT. MILITARY DRIVE, A WINDING ROAD NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C.,
MAY 27, 1967 - NIGHT
A 1967 British Triumph convertible sports car is speeding
along a winding road. There is a terrible car crash, broken
metal and glass. The driver is ejected from the car.
INT. A HOME OFFICE - AFTERNOON
The room is filled with books. An older James sits at his
desk.
JAMES
I am older now and can look back on
my life with more clarity. Age has
given me time to see how little I
understood when I was young. I had
to learn the hard way every time.
EXT. JAMES GAVROS, FOUR-YEAR OLD, IS SAVED FROM DROWNING BY
A BLACK MAN ATLANTIC CITY SUMMER 1949- AFTERNOON
A sunny day on an Atlantic City beach, Four year old James
Gavros has wandered away from his parents' blanket and into
the ocean and after a few steps sinks underwater due to a
deep drop in the sand. He doesn't know how to swim and a
Black middle-aged man lifts him up and puts him on a small
pier's pylons where James crawls back to safety.
EXT. JAMES GAVROS, FIVE-YEARS OLD, WATCHES JACKIE ROBINSON
ON A 17 INCH BLACK AND WHITE TV- AFTERNOON
James sits in the living room spellbound as the Brooklyn
Dodgers and Jackie Robinson play the Phillies and Ben Chapman
of the Phillies yells nigger, nigger, nigger.
INT. OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH -JAMES SERVING MASS
FRIDAY - MORNING
James Gavros, and Frank Marone, best friends and both 10
years old are on the altar serving mass for Father Mike.
INT. COALVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL- JAMES ACCUSED OF CHEATING ON
TEST - AFTERNOON
The 6th grade students are taking a History exam. Mrs.
Dunshak, History teacher is giving the test. She is 68 years
old and has tenure.
MRS. DUNSHAK
James Gavros, you are cheating,
Give me your paper.
JAMES
No, Mrs. Dunshak, I am not cheating.
I never cheat.
Mrs. Dunshak grabs the paper with force and marks a big red
'F' on it and hands it back to James who is crushed.
INT. MINERS RESTAURANT JAMES'S MUSIC TEACHER VISITS JAMES'S
PARENTS- AFTERNOON
MUSIC TEACHER
I want to let you know that James
has a beautiful voice but it needs
to be trained
ANNA GAVROS
My son sings all the time. When he
was four, he would sit in the back
of our restaurant and sing.
DEMETRI
I'm not sending Jimmie for music
lessons. We sent his brother and
sister and they got married. He
will work in the restaurant and learn
the business.
INT. 7TH GRADE CLASSROOM 1956 -7TH GRADE CLASS - AFTERNOON
Without provocation, James punches Claude hard in the stomach.
Claude doubles over.
MRS. KROM
James, you will leave this room and
report to the principal's office.
(to Claude)
Claude are you all right?
CLAUDE HENDERSON
(doubled over and in
pain)
I can't catch my breath. My stomach
hurts. Why did he do that? I never
hurt him.
EXT. PLAYGROUND OUTSIDE COALVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL - AFTERNOON
It is two weeks later and James waited for Claude to come
out of school and again beats him without mercy
CLAUDE HENDERSON
Why are you hitting me?
JAMES
'Cause I don't like you.
CLAUDE HENDERSON
I never did anything to you
James turns his back to leave and Claude chases after him
with a knife. Frank Marone, James's best friend grabs Claude
before he can stab him.
FRANK
Why are you bullying this kid Jim.
He hasn't done anything to you?
JAMES
I don't know Frank. I just don't
like him and I don't know why.
FRANK
You're starting to act like every
other guy in Coalville. I'm your
best friend but next time I might
not be there to save you from being
stabbed
INT. DEMETRI GAVROS- MINER'S RESTAURANT EARLY SUMMER 1959-
MORNING
DEMETRI GAVROS, Greek, 44, 210 pounds, barrel-chested but
muscular at five feet nine inches is preparing for the
lunchtime rush. 'Venus' by Frankie Avalon is playing.
ANNA GAVROS, 47, Italian, black hair, is only five feet two
inches tall and weighs 170 pounds.
CUSTOMER
Two eggs over easy, bacon, and don't
overcook the eggs this time
DEMETRI
You just sit there and don't worry
about my cooking. You know where
the door is. Don't let it hit you
in the ass on the way out.
INT. GAVROS COALVILLE HEIGHT'S HOME SUMMER 1959 -JAMES
GAVROS DRESSES FOR WORK AT RESTAURANT- MORNING
June, 1959. JAMES GAVROS, 15 and five feet nine inches tall,
wiry, muscular young man dresses for work as a waiter at his
dad's restaurant.
EXT. MINER'S PARK HUMAN BOXING RINGS- MORNING
James walks down the hill from his home to the restaurant.
He crosses a highway to the top of Miner's Park and notices
two human boxing rings, one made up of girls and the other
of boys from the local Coalville high school.
EDDIE
Hit him in the mouth Billie, he can't
take a punch. He'll cry like a baby.
Hey, Scottie, you still wetting the
bed, you punk.
ANNIE
Hey, Barb, scratch her eyes out,
pull hair, c'mon, just beat the shit
out of the bitch and get this over
with.
JAMES
Annie, why are they fighting?
ANNIE
They both want the same guy.
James is disgusted.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT -JAMES STARTS HIS SHIFT - MORNING
James walking into the restaurant
DEMETRI
(sarcastically)
Hello son, glad you could make it.
JAMES
(Used to this greeting)
I'm ten minutes early dad. Hi mom,
I'm going to grab some breakfast
There is the usual bustle of customers talking, glasses
clinking, nothing out of the ordinary is happening.
James positions himself at the water station to begin his
shift
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT -WALLY WILESKI TRIES TO DRINK COFFEE -
CONTINUOUS
One of the town drunks, Wally Wileski who owns the gas station
at the top of the hill north of Coalville comes into the
restaurant and sits at the counter
WALLY
Jimmy, give me a coffee
JAMES
Ok Mr. Wileski, be right there
James pours a cup of coffee from the huge urns
JAMES
Here is your coffee Mr. Wileski
Wally's hands shake so badly that when he tries to lift the
cup to his mouth, he spills a third of it. He puts the cup
down and lowers his head to the cup to drink the coffee
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT- JAMES WAITS ON FRANCES MALICK-
MORNING - CONTINUOUS
James waits on Francie Malick, a 41-year-old male. Francie
who has a wife and two children has brought three young hoods
from Coalville with him.
FRANCIE
I'll have a coffee and the special.
Are you the special James?
JAMES
Cut it out Francie. Special is Meat
Loaf.
LOCAL HOOD 1
I'll have a hamburger and vanilla
shake
LOCAL HOOD 2
Make mine a hamburger too and a cherry
coke
LOCAL HOOD 3
I want a cheeseburger and a coke
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT -BLACK MAN ASKS FOR PERMISSION FOR
HIS FAMILY TO EAT- DAY
James and Demetri are working the day shift alone. A Well-
dressed Black man, thin, in his 30's, approaches Demetri at
the cash register near the front of the restaurant.
BLACK MAN
I would like to know if it's all
right for me and my family to eat
here
DEMETRI
As long as you behave, it's OK.
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT -BLACK MAN RETRIEVES HIS FAMILY -
CONTINUOUS
The Black man retrieves his wife and two small children.
They sit in one of the front booths. James waits on this
beautiful family of four.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT AFTER BLACK FAMILY LEAVES-
CONTINUOUS
JAMES
Dad, that was GREAT.
DEMETRI
As long as they behave, I don't care
about their color. They just have
to respect my restaurant
JAMES
Yeah dad I know but they get beat up
all the time by white people and you
treated them like human beings.
DEMETRI
Ok son. I'm great, you're great,
The world is great. Now get back to
work.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT -JAMES DELIVERS FOOD ORDER TO
FRANCIE'S TABLE - CONTINUOUS
James's hands are full with cokes and platters and as he
starts to put them down on the table, Francie grabs James's
crotch. James slaps Francie across the face hard
JAMES
Don't ever do that again Francie or
the next time you won't like what I
do to you
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT JAMES & FRANK TALK - AFTERNOON
Frank is James's best friend from childhood. They are
shooting free throws
JAMES
My dad came from Greece by himself
when he was twelve. His dad took
him out of school, worked him seven
days a week and abused him. He
survived that scum bag and made a
success of his life.
FRANK
That's a tough start Jim. Your dad
is a great cook.
JAMES
And his dad was one dumb son-of-a-
bitch. He decided to go back to
Greece during World War II.
INT. OLD STONE HOUSE IN GREECE - AFTERNOON -FLASHBACK
A German officer sitting at a kitchen table orders Michel
Gavros, Demetri's father, to get him wine. Michel refuses.
The officer shoots him dead
END FLASHBACK
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - CONTINUOUS
JAMES
The Germans killed him over a glass
of wine.
FRANK
That's a hell of a story. It sounds
like something out of Casablanca.
JAMES
But he has scars deep inside Frank.
He's working himself to death, seven
days a week, 14 hours a day, smokes
three packs of Lucky Strikes every
day and he's angry most of the time.
FRANK
It blows my mind that someone would
have to ask permission just to eat
in a public restaurant.
JAMES
Yeah, I know. I thought we freed
Black people after the Civil War.
FRANK
I don't know if it will ever change
Jim. It's been almost 100 years and
this country is still racist.
MONTAGE.
INT. LOCAL COALVILLE BARROOM MINERS GETTING DRUNK- MORNING
It is midmorning and there are at least 20 middle-aged men
out-of-work coal miners sitting at the bar drinking
boilermakers (shot of whisky and a beer)
BEN WILLIS EX MINER
Penn State looks good this year,
Maybe they go undefeated
CUSTOMER 2
No way they win it all. They got
too many niggers playing for 'em.
Ya can't win it all with niggers
playing
CUSTOMER 3
Yeah, niggers fold under pressure.
They can't think like white guys
when the going gets tough. They
ain't smart like white guys. They
just run fast like they learned down
south when the Klan was chasing them
INT. SAME COALVILLE BARROOM -MINERS GETTING DRUNK -
AFTERNOON
It is now afternoon and the same men are still sitting at
the bar drinking boilermakers with little conversation.
INT. SAME COALVILLE BARROOM -DRUNK MINERS NIGHT
The same men are still sitting at the bar drinking
boilermakers not talking. They are totally drunk staring
into space.
END MONTAGE.
INT. COALVILLE MINER'S HOME AFTER THE BAR CLOSES- LATER
Ben Willis, one of the miners at the bar, world war two
veteran, drunk and out of work now for two years stumbles
into his house
BEN WILLIS EX MINER
(Ben Willis, 220
pounds, 5' 10" with
a beer belly)
Get the hell down here woman. Make
some food, NOW.
MINNIE WILLIS
(Housewife, five two,
145 pounds)
Ben Willis, you been drinking all
day and night and now you expect me
to wait on you hand and foot? I'm
not your slave. Get it yourself
Ben Willis grabs his wife by the hair and drags her along
the floor. He picks her up and throws her into the wall.
BEN WILLIS EX MINER
Woman, get some food on this table.
CHARLIE WILLIS - MINER'S SON
(Charlie, five eight,
150 pounds)
Let her alone you fuckin' drunk.
You let her alone.
BEN WILLIS -EX MINER
And what the hell are you gonna do,
Charlie, you pissant punk. I made
you and I can take you out. You
think you can take me? Huh big guy?
OK, let's do it punk.
Ben grabs Charlie by the neck and throws him across the room,
picks him up and punches him square in the face bloodying
his nose.
EXT. COALVILLE HILLS- PUBLIC SCHOOL DRINKING PARTY - NIGHT
There is a hard-core drinking party going on in this remote
site in the hills above Coalville made up of junior and senior
students from Coalville public. One of the young women is
very sick and Anthony Mizelli, captain of the football team,
holds her while she throws up.
ANTHONY MIZELLI
Just let it out Joni, you'll feel
better
JONI
That's easy for you to say Mizelli.
I feel like shit. I have to get
cleaned up before I get home. My
dad will kill me. He still thinks I
don't drink or smoke.
ANTHONY
Maybe it's about time you tell him.
JONI
It's my last year here and I can't
wait to get out of Coalville. Once
I go away to college, I can do
anything I want and no one will be
watching me
INT. COALVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL A SATURDAY -MIKE
CHOWANAS AND BERNIE SAWATSKI RAID MIDTERM TESTS- NIGHT
Two students, Bernie Sawatski, athletic, five ten, blond
hair and Mike Chowanas, five eight, wiry, dark hair, are
roaming the halls of Coalville Catholic high on a Saturday
night with flashlights.
BERNIE
Hey Mike, I think I found the answers
to the English test
MIKE
OK. Let's copy them and get out of
here
The Coalville police have been called by neighbors who have
seen the lights. They confront Mike and Bernie.
COALVILLE POLICEMAN NUMBER 1
Guys, put your hands where we can
see them and don't move. You're
under arrest
COALVILLE POLICEMAN NUMBER 2
You've got to be the dumbest kids in
the school to think you could get
away with this. What are you
stealing?
BERNIE
We ain't stealing nothin', just some
test answers
MIKE
God Bernie, why did you tell them
anything?
INT. COALVILLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE -
MORNING
FATHER O'MALLEY
Bernard, Michael, what were you
thinking of when you were roaming
our halls at night? Did you miss
school so much that you couldn't
stay away.
BERNIE
(thinking fast)
Father, I left my assignment in my
desk and I came back to get it
FATHER O'MALLEY
And you, Michael
MIKE
(reluctantly backs up
Bernie)
Me too, Father.
FATHER O'MALLEY
So, you two are so dedicated to
learning that you broke into our
school with flashlights just to
retrieve your assignments for Monday
BERNIE
Yes, Father, that's right. We love
school
FATHER O'MALLEY
And I guess that goes for you too
Michael.
Michael nods but knows this is going badly
FATHER O'MALLEY
It is good in this day and age to
see two truly dedicated scholars. I
am impressed.
BERNIE
Thank you, Father. We knew you'd
understand.
MIKE
Shut up, Bernie. I don't think he's
serious.
FATHER O'MALLEY
Are you boys crazy? You could have
been shot as burglars. I have never
seen anything so stupid in my entire
life. I don't have any choice boys
but to expel you from Coalville
Catholic High School.
INT. COALVILLE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL: -JAMES, MIKE AND BERNIE
BECOME FRIENDS- MORNING
James has returned to Coalville high for his sophomore year.
Two new students, Mike Chowanas and Bernie Sawatski from
'The Catholic School Test Raid' fame are in James's homeroom.
JAMES
Hey, I heard about you guys. They
threw you out of Catholic high.
They actually let you into public?
MIKE
Yeah, they said we could enroll but
that they'd be watching us closely
JAMES
Hell, you're famous in this town.
Didja really use flashlights at night
with the window blinds raised?
BERNIE
Yeah, we didn't think of that. Why
would people call the cops? We
weren't robbing the place.
MIKE
Yeah Bernie, like they could tell
from outside what we were doing. We
screwed up and it WAS dumb.
JAMES
Anyway, welcome to the lower classes.
It ain't so bad here, just not up to
Catholic school standards.
INT. MINER'S PARK RESTAURANT CHARLIE CHALLENGES JAMES -
AFTERNOON
Waiting on a table of local tough kids
JAMES
What can I get you guys?
CHARLIE WILLIS - MINER'S SON
I hear you're a punk Gavros. I hear
you're afraid to fight, that you're
yellow
JAMES
What's your problem Charlie?
CHARLIE WILLIS - MINER'S SON
Friday night, you and your two punk
friends be in the park at eight
o'clock and be ready to fight
JAMES
Friday, at eight o'clock, I'm busy
Willis.
CHARLIE WILLIS - MINER'S SON
If you don't show, I'll find you and
it'll be worse in public. Everyone
will see what a coward you are
JAMES
(angry finally)
See you Friday at eight Willis, at
the swings
EXT. MINER'S PARK FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE SWINGS- MIKE, BERNIE
AND JAMES WAIT TO FIGHT - NIGHT
JAMES
I don't even know these guys. I
mean I've seen them around but we
don't talk and now they want to fight.
Do you guys think I can take Charlie?
JOEY SOWATSKI
(Bernie's younger
brother)
Yeah, you can take him, no problem
Jim. I've seen him fight He just
talks big. He's got nothing.
EXT. MINER'S PARK -WILLIS AND FRIENDS ARE NO-SHOWS - LATER
BERNIE
It's eleven, they're not gonna show
up. They chickened out.
JAMES
Yeah, but it's not over. It won't
end here with Willis. He and I are
gonna have to have it out eventually.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT -BLOODIED TEENAGER CRAWLS INTO
RESTAURANT- EVENING
James is in charge of the eight to twelve shift weekdays at
the restaurant. DUTCH, the cook, 15, swarthy, five feet
eight inches, very muscular. KILLER, six feet tall and lanky
misnamed purposely, the dishwasher. KNUCKLES, five nine,
one hundred sixty pounds, wiry, tough, a great sense of
humor is the waiter.
A teenage boy bleeding profusely and having trouble breathing,
crawls into the restaurant having been beaten severely in a
fight behind the restaurant in Miner's Park.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT TOUGH GUY WANTS TO FINISH OFF HIS
VICTIM- EVENING
LOCAL TOUGH GUY
Where is he? Where's that bastard.
I know he came in here and I want
him.
Dutch grabs a police billy club from under the counter and
is waving it at the local tough guy
DUTCH
You can't have him. Get the fuck
out of here or I'll beat the shit
out of you
LOCAL TOUGH GUY
Yeah, OK for now, Dutch but it ain't
over. I'll get him at school next
week
The police were called and enter the restaurant. They don't
seem to care about the kid nearly beaten to death lying on
the floor
COP 1
(to Dutch)
What the hell are you doing with a
billy club. You're not supposed to
have one, only the police are issued
those. Where did you get it?
DUTCH
We need it for protection. You see
what goes on in the park almost every
night.
COP 1
You ain't supposed to have it. Give
it to me, NOW
Dutch gives the nightstick to the policeman
The boy has three broken ribs, a broken nose and is profusely
bleeding from his mouth and ears.
COP 2
We better get this kid to the
emergency room. He's bleeding pretty
bad
COP 1
OK, put him in the squad car but put
a blanket down first. Make sure he
doesn't bleed in my squad car or
you're gonna clean it up
COP 2
Yeah, I got it covered. This kid's
really a mess. He was really worked
over. It's gonna be a while before
he eats solid food.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT DEMETRI TREATS JAMES BADLY-
CONTINUOUS
As James has gotten older, Demetri starts to treat him badly.
James is leaving as his father is coming to work.
DEMETRI
Son, where are you going? I may
need you later today.
JAMES
Home dad, I'm tired, didn't get a
lot of sleep last night. I had a
date. I could use the night off.
DEMETRI
You know son, you can't get by on
your looks alone. Maybe you wouldn't
be so tired if you stayed home some
nights and left the girls alone.
JAMES
Dad, I work a lot of hours in the
restaurant, I'm doing well in school.
I don't depend on my looks
James looks down at his grease-stained waiter's shirt
DEMETRI
Do you think your shit smells like
ice cream? Why can't you be more
like Tim O'Reilly
JAMES
(hurt, deeply offended)
Dad, I really like Tim. He is a fun
guy but he spends most of his time
at the bars drinking and fighting.
Why would you compare me to him? I
work 60 hours a week in summer, wash
and polish your cars, cut the grass
in the park I don't know what else
you want from me
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT. -JAMES IS PROPOSITIONED ON WAY TO
LANSFORD - EVENING
Demetri and Leo, (Demetri's older brother) are co-owners of
The New Rialto restaurant, 25 miles from Coalville.
DEMETRI
Son, I want you to go to Lansford
and help your Uncle Leo.
JAMES
When do you want me there?
DEMETRI
You leave today and start work there
tomorrow.
EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE COALVILLE - EVENING
James standing on eastern corner of Coalville with his thumb
out. A car stops
MALE DRIVER
Where are you going?
JAMES
Lansford
MALE DRIVER
I'm going past there. I'll drop you
off.
JAMES
Thanks.
About five miles into the trip...
MALE DRIVER
Listen, I want to play with you and
I'll pay you. It won't hurt. You'll
like it.
JAMES
No, I don't do that kind of thing.
Just let me out at the next light.
The driver stops at the next light and lets James out. James
walks to the next corner and again begins to thumb a ride.
INT. COALVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, 10TH GRADE ART CLASS- AFTERNOON
Anthony Mizelli, captain of the football team, walks into
the classroom. Anthony can do anything or go anywhere he
wants to. In Coalville, football is king.
ART TEACHER, MRS. KALE
Hello Anthony. How is the team doing?
Are you ready for Friday night?
ANTHONY
Oh yeah. We're ready and afterwards
we're gonna party up at Raven Run.
Anthony walks out just like he came into the room, like a
peacock.
INT. JAMES'S BEDROOM JAMES'S NIGHTMARE - NIGHT
The picture is fuzzy at first but we can hear a fight going
on with many teenage boys in the picture. As focus begins
To clear, we see James on the ground being kicked and punched.
He is bleeding profusely and half dead. James is having a
nightmare. The town's violence has finally caught up to him
and his dreams have taken on a dark side.
TOUGH GUY 1
(kicking James
violently as he tries
to protect himself
on the ground)
Gavros, you've had this coming for a
while
TOUGH GUY 2
(kicking James as
well, hitting him
with a pipe)
Yeah, now see who is so smart. You
think you're better than we are
TOUGH GUY 3
(kicking and punching
James)
C'mon Gavros, say something smart.
You can't talk now, right?
INT. KITCHEN OF JAMES'S HOME -JAMES ASKS TO CHANGE SCHOOLS -
MORNING
JAMES
(James walking into
kitchen visibly shaken)
Mom, I want to change schools next
year. I want to go to Immaculate
Heart. I'm tired of fighting. I'm
tired of bad teachers. I'm just
tired mom.
ANNA GAVROS
(Very Catholic, glad
her son wants to go
to a Catholic school)
What brought this on? Are you sure
you want to do this? You know your
father loves the high school football
team and most of our customers are
from Coalville. How would it look
if you went to another school?
JAMES
I'm sure mom. I'm really tired of
having to look over my shoulder every
day to see who wants to fight.
ANNA GAVROS
OK son. I will talk to your father.
INT. MINER'S PARK RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
ANNA GAVROS
Your son wants to go to Immaculate
Heart High School next year. He
said he's tired of fighting
DEMETRI
He just changed schools last year
and he wants to change again? And
why Immaculate Heart? They don't
have a football team. Public school
was good enough for his brother and
sister.
ANNA GAVROS
I think this will be good for him, a
Catholic school
DEMETRI
OK, let him go to Immaculate Heart
but this is the last time.
INT. IMMACULATE HEART SCHOOL SEPT. 1959 JAMES'S NEW
HOMEROOM - MORNING
James starts junior year at Immaculate Heart High, located
eight miles from Coalville. Students are bussed in from
surrounding towns. It has approximately 400 students mostly
from upper middle class parents. The boys wear suits and
ties and the girls wear uniforms (not above the knee), a far
cry from the torn jeans at Coalville. The class stands to
say morning prayers.
JAMES
(His voice joining
the others)
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is
with thee.....
Morning prayers are over. The class waits for the bell to
change classes and classrooms
INT. SISTER MARIA CARMEL'S MATHEMATICS CLASS -JAMES FIRST
FIGHT/NON-FIGHT- MORNING
It is the third day of classes and James is abusing the boy
in front of him slapping him in the back of the head.
THE BOY
Stop it, I mean it. You're not so
tough
JAMES
Yeah? What are you gonna do about
it
The boy does nothing
INT. SISTER MARTINA THERESE'S ENGLISH CLASS -JAMES STARTS
SECOND FIGHT- AFTERNOON
James inflicts the same abuse on another boy, Tommy Holloran.
Tommy is very tough.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Stop it or we'll get into it later.
I'm warning you.
James continues the abuse throughout the class and Tommy
bides his time.
INT. IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - AFTERNOON
As students pass in the hall, Tommy Holloran pins James
against the wall, putting one knee firmly in his crotch and
his arm against his throat.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
OK tough guy, let's see if you can
do anything now. Let's see how tough
you are.
James does nothing. He knows he would lose this fight badly.
Tommy releases his hold on James and they go separate ways
to their classes.
INT. VERNALIS'S RESTAURANT TALKING WITH FRANK ABOUT
IMMACULATE HEART HIGH - AFTERNOON
JAMES
I thought he'd back down Frank. He
would have beaten the shit out of
me. These guys at Immaculate Heart
aren't wimps and the popular kids in
school are the smart ones. The nuns
actually give a damn if we learn.
It's like public school in reverse.
FRANK
You left all that fighting behind at
Coalville public. Didn't you learn
anything?
JAMES
I don't know why I started those
fights. Sometimes I don't know why
I do these things.
FRANK
It sounds like you have work to do,
that is if you survive.
JAMES
Maybe knowledge is more important
than fighting or running with a ball
being chased by eleven guys. It
makes you wonder why adults are
obsessed with high school football.
Why this love of violence?
FRANK
They're just reliving their own youth,
trying to recapture old feelings and
there's not that much to do in
Coalville.
JAMES
And the girls at Immaculate Heart
are smart too. I'm just not used to
that. I don't know how to talk to
them. There's a lot that's different.
EXT. A HORSE RANCH THAT RENTS HORSES - AFTERNOON
Demetri has given James money to take Knuckles and Killer
horseback riding. These guys are good with their fists, at
least Knuckles is, but a horse is an alien being to them. A
comedy of errors as they try to mount their horses and
then....
KILLER
(As his horse runs
out of control back
to the stable)
I can't control this fucking nag.
All he wants to do is run. Help. I
can't stay on this dumb horse. He's
trying to kill me.
KNUCKLES
(his horse refuses to
move)
GO KILLER! Yeah you get a horse
that runs and I got a mule. This
fucker won't move and I've kicked
him everywhere but his nose and ass.
After getting down from his horse, he is shaking a fist in
the horse's face.
KNUCKLES
You dumb ass horse, MOVE. You're a
fucking horse. All you've got to do
every day is eat hay and run. I'm
gonna hurt you, you dumb shit if you
don't start moving.
Knuckles's horse takes off back to the stable without him.
Killer's horse with him barely holding on is eating hay back
in his stall. James's horse has also run back to the stable
with him on it.
KNUCKLES
(as he walks back to
the stables)
That dumb, fucking, son-of-a-bitch
mule. He's gonna get a beating if
he thinks he can outsmart me. Wait
'til I get my hands on him. He can't
make a fool outta me.
INT. MINER'S PARK RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS TELL DEMETRI JAMES
IS THUMBING RIDES- AFTERNOON
CUSTOMER 1
Hey Demetri, I saw your kid thumbing
a ride last night.
CUSTOMER 2
Yeah, I saw him too a few nights ago
thumbing a ride on South Main Street
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
DEMETRI
I hear you're thumbing rides during
the week. I give you my car on
Saturdays but I think it's time you
got your own car. That way, you
won't keep asking for mine.
JAMES
How did you know I was thumbing rides?
DEMETRI
This is a small town, son. Customers
tell me everything
INT. JAMES'S 1953 CHEVY - MORNING
DEMETRI
Son, stop jerking the car. Take
your foot off the clutch when you
give it gas
James tries a number of times but keeps jerking the car and
Demetri is getting angry
DEMETRI
(slaps James out of
frustration)
You take the car and go learn how to
drive. I'm going to work.
INT. FRACKVILLE TUESDAY NIGHT DANCE JAMES FIGHTS THE
BROTHERS- EVENING
James and Tommy Holloran, the boy who humbled him at
Immaculate Heart, have become good friends and are at a dance.
A Frackville tough guy starts throwing small rocks at James
as he dances with a local girl. His brother is sitting next
to him. James walks over to him
JAMES
OK, let's take this outside to the
alley
There's no talking, the tough guy, his brother, James and
Tommy walk to the alley behind the building. James gets the
tough guy on the ground, straddles him and just punches away.
His brother jumps in but Tommy pulls him off and holds him
so he can't help his brother.
JAMES
Tell me when you've had enough
TOUGH GUY
OK, OK, I've had enough. You bloodied
my nose
JAMES
I'm gonna let you up but next time I
won't stop
EXT. THE HILLS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF COALVILLE -JAMES KILLS A
BIRD WITH A RIFLE- AFTERNOON
BILLIE
Jim, check out this .22 rifle my dad
got me. You want to try it out?
JAMES
Billie, I've never fired a gun in my
life. I couldn't hit the side of a
barn from five feet
BILLIE
Here, take the rifle and just aim at
that bird
JAMES
Billie, you're just wasting bullets
BILLIE
Go ahead, it's a rush even if you
miss.
James aims and fires. The bird falls to the ground dead
JAMES
Oh no, he's dead. I didn't mean to
do that. Oh my god, I'm sorry.
BILLIE
Hey Jim, you scored your first time
out. What the hell are you so pissed
about. It was just a bird. C'mon,
grow up. Hunting is a man's sport.
It's what makes us men. You know,
fight, fuck, hunt and drink. You
ought to be proud buddy.
James kneels down and throws up
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT - HUNTING AS A SPORT- AFTERNOON
JAMES
I went shooting with Billie the other
day and killed a bird. I just pointed
the damn rifle and shot. I didn't
think I'd hit anything.
FRANK
C'mon Jim, you killed a bird, it
wasn't Bambi's mom for Christ's sake.
JAMES
You don't get it Frank, I hate that
I killed that bird. It's not a sport
unless we give guns to the animals
and teach them to shoot back. Some
guy with a high-powered rifle hides
behind a tree while Bambi's mom looks
for food. He just pulls the trigger
and she's dead. How is that a sport?
FRANK
C'mon Jim, get over it. I think
Catholic school is making you soft.
Maybe you need to get drunk or laid
and forget about it.
JAMES
And that's another thing Frank, I've
never been laid.
FRANK
That's a hell of a segue, from killing
animals to getting laid? How did
you do that?
JAMES
(sarcastically)
It's because I'm ambidextrous Frank.
Hell, most guys talk about fucking a
woman as if they were going to the
bathroom. I think I'd only seriously
date a girl if she was a virgin.
The church says that a girl who has
sex before marriage is a whore.
FRANK
Well, good luck finding a girl like
that, Jim. This is Coalville. Every
girl past the age of 13 is, you
know...
INT. IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL HOMEROOM - MORNING
CHRIS KELLY
Jim, you should come to Girardville's
Saturday night dance. Most
Immaculate Heart students are usually
there.
JAMES
OK Chris, thanks for the invite.
I'll be there, what time?
INT. GIRARDVILLE DANCE HALL-JAMES THREATENED AT DANCE
BECAUSE HE'S FROM COALVILLE - EVENING
James, Chris, Tommy Stackowski and Billy Noonan are standing
around waiting to ask a girl to dance. Boys are in suits,
the girls in nice dresses. James leaves to go to the bathroom
downstairs and a Girardville guy follows him
GIRARDVILLE GUY
You're from Coalville, right?
JAMES
Yeah, I am
GIRARDVILLE GUY
I got beat up the last time I was in
Coalville.
The Girardville guy starts to put his fists up and is about
to start a fight when Chris follows them and intervenes.
CHRISTOPHER KELLY
Hold it. Jim is from Immaculate
Heart. He's OK
GIRARDVILLE GUY
Yeah? Well I saw him in Coalville
the day a gang beat me up, ran me
out of town
JAMES
I don't belong to any gang. My dad
owns the Miner's Restaurant and I
work there.
GIRARDVILLE GUY
I saw you there, thought you were
one of them. Coalville guys are
cowards. They only fight if they
have a gang behind them
As Chris and James are returning to the dance upstairs
JAMES
You know Chris, Coalville follows me
everywhere I go. I would have lost
that fight. Thanks.
EXT. A STREET IN FRACKVILLE- 'FRICTION' - EVENING
James, Tommy Holloran and Tommy Tomlin are talking to Gary
TOMMY TOMLIN
Gary, what's your secret? How do
you get all of those great-looking
girls?
GARY
It's pretty easy. Girls have one
big weakness
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Oh yeah? What's that
GARY
Let's sit in my car and talk. I
don't want my girl to hear me
INT. GARY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
TOMMY TOMLIN
Ok Gary, what is it, tell us
GARY
OK, are you guys ready? Not many
guys know about it.
Gary lets the suspense build. Gary is milking this for his
own benefit, his own amusement.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
We're waiting Gary. C'mon, give us
the secret
GARY
OK
(a few seconds)
It's FRICTION.
JAMES
What the hell do you mean, 'FRICTION'?
GARY
Anything that rubs against women,
like making out, or body contact,
and they can't resist it. They get
hot and bothered and can't control
themselves. Then, you guys are in
the driver's seat so to speak. You
can get anything you want from them
EXT. MINER'S PARK- AFTERNOON
James is in Miner's Park and spots Roberta and decides to
test Gary's friction theory.
JAMES
Hey Roberta, come here, I want to
talk to you.
James starts to rub Roberta's arm
JAMES
So what did you think about the
Phillies game last night.
ROBERTA
I don't give a damn about the Phillies
or any football team and why are you
rubbing my arm
JAMES
The Phillies are a baseball team. I
thought your arm was cold
ROBERTA
It's 80 degrees out. You're weird
but I like you, just not the arm
stuff. And don't ask me about the
Phillies again, I don't care about
football.
JAMES
It's BASEBALL !!!
EXT. FRACKVILLE VETERAN'S PARK- AFTERNOON
Tommy Holloran starts rubbing Sandy's shoulders
SANDY
Tommy, what the hell are you doing.
I don't want my shoulders rubbed.
Why are you touching me at all? Do
I look like I wanted you to rub my
shoulders? Did I send out a signal
that said 'Rub Sandy's shoulders'?
TOMMY HOLLORAN
You have nice shoulders San. Every
girl should have her shoulders rubbed.
SANDY
OK, what's goin' on Tommy? You've
never acted like this before. In
fact, you rarely ever talk to me and
now you're putting your paws on my
body, OK shoulders.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Nothin' is goin' on San. You just
looked like you needed a shoulder
rub. I could give you a back rub if
that's better.
SANDY
No, get away from me. Don't ever do
that again, It's creepy. It's not
like you were doing something wrong,
strange maybe but not wrong. Don't
worry, if I want my shoulders rubbed,
I'll ask next time, now just go away
TOMMY HOLLORAN
But Gary said...
(trailing off)
INT. GIRARDVILLE DANCE HALL-ROBERTA AND SANDY COMPARE
STORIES - EVENING
SANDY
Roberta, I have to tell you something
strange that happened to me this
week
ROBERTA
So tell me Sandy.
SANDY
I was sitting on a swing in Veteran's
Park minding my own business and
Tommy Holloran walks over and starts
rubbing my shoulders. I didn't ask
him to, we never even talk usually.
ROBERTA
Wait, the same thing happened to me.
I was in Miner's Park and Jimmie
Gavros called me over and he starts
rubbing my arm. When I asked what
he was doing, he said he thought I
might be cold. It was 80 degrees
out that day.
SANDY
Do you think it's in the water?
Guys can be such idiots. How would
they feel if we went around rubbing
them all the time? Wait, don't answer
that.....
INT. SISTER MIRIAM DELORES'S CHEMISTRY CLASS - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Chris, I've got a hard-on. Mim is
going to call on me next. What do I
do?
CHRISTOPHER KELLY
I just put one hand in my pocket to
cover it up
JAMES
I'd look stupid keeping one hand in
my pocket
CHRISTOPHER KELLY
Maybe, but you'd look more stupid
with that thing pointing
SISTER MIRIAM DELORES
Mr. Gavros, come to the board and
write the formula for carbon dioxide.
Come James, Don't sit there like a
bump on a log.
Some of the girls can see what he is doing and laugh. Sister
Miriam Delores notices, smiles, and ignores it
INT. DEMETRI'S BIG BUICK ON WAY TO COALVILLE FOOTBALL GAME -
EVENING
There is no dialogue. Demetri loves football and he's taking
four of his young workers and James to a game. Demetri,
Dutch and James sit in the front seat. Dutch puts his hand
on James's thigh. James recognizes it as a pass. He knows
he would lose in a fight with Dutch and Dutch works for his
father so he simply removes Dutch's hand.
INT. JAMES'S COALVILLE HEIGHTS HOUSE THE SEX TALK? -
AFTERNOON
JAMES
Mom, dad has never had 'the talk'
with me so you're 'it'.
ANNA GAVROS
What do you mean, I'm 'it'. What do
you want to know?
JAMES
You know, I'm starting to date. I
need to know what to do. I want to
know about sex.
ANNA GAVROS
(spits three times)
James, don't you ever say that word
in this house again. Do you
understand?
JAMES
Mom, you can't be serious.
ANNA GAVROS
I am serious. That word is bad. I
don't want you using it again
JAMES
(laughing)
SEX! SEX! SEX!
ANNA GAVROS
I'm leaving. When you get a new
mouth, you can talk to me
James is still laughing as Anna walks away.
James has turned 16 and he's grown into his body which is
slim and muscular from working at the restaurant, cutting
grass in the park, moving boxes and stacking shelves. Young
girls are attracted to him and flirt and he's not totally
sure why.
MONTAGE.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT-BARB, JAMES BEGINS HIS PROLIFIC
DATING - DAY
JAMES
Hey Barb, would you like to go out
this weekend? Maybe a movie?
BARB
Sure, Jim, what day? I'm free
Saturday
JAMES
Then Saturday it is. I'll pick you
up at seven if that's OK
BARB
See you Saturday James
DEMETRI
Son, this is the fifth night in a
row you're dating. Don't you think
you should slow down?
JAMES
Dad, I don't know why this is
happening. It's like I'm catnip. I
don't get it but I'm going to run
with it
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT SUSAN, A FEW DAYS LATER- JAMES
CONTINUES DATING- DAY
JAMES
Susan! What are you doing Saturday?
Let's take in a dance or a movie or
maybe both
SUSAN
That sounds like fun James. What
time? I'm looking forward to it
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT KATIE, A WEEK LATER- DAY
JAMES
Katie, what time do you want me to
pick you up on Saturday? We could
make a movie and then the cemetery
The cemetery is where young kids go to make out
KATIE
(laughing)
I didn't know you were picking me up
Saturday. James, do you think I'm
that kind of girl? Well I am! Pick
me up at seven and forget the
movies...
'She's Not There' by the Zombies starts to play
END MONTAGE.
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT-DEMETRI OFFERS JAMES FREE CONDOMS -
DAY
Demetri is standing at the cash register near the door as
James is about to leave for home to get dressed for his
Saturday night date
DEMETRI
Son, why do you take out all of these
girls and you don't do anything.
Then some other guy comes along and,
... I sell condoms under the counter
and you could have them for free
JAMES
Dad, I don't do that so I don't need
them, But thanks anyway, maybe someday
Demetri just shakes his head as James walks out of the
restaurant for home and to get ready for his date
INT. MANNHEIM DINER IN FRACKVILLE - AFTERNOON
James, Tommy Tomlin and Tommy Holloran are sitting in a booth
having milkshakes and burgers
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Jim, maybe you should slow down.
You can't go through girls that fast.
People are calling you the 'two week
kid'.
TOMMY TOMLIN
Jim, someday the right girl will
come along and you won't know it
JAMES
Tommy, maybe you're right or maybe
they're all the 'right' girl. The
truth is guys, I'm not going all the
way. It's just a lot of necking.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Wait a minute, you take them out, go
through all that trouble, spend money
and that's it?
TOMMY TOMLIN
Nah, don't listen to him, you're
fine Jim. I know guys just like to
brag. Nine times out of ten, they
get nothing. And what if you get
one of them pregnant. Then it's
over, you have to marry, get a job,
drop out of school, do the 'honorable'
thing.
JAMES
(with some enthusiasm)
Hey guys, I may have met the one,
Stephanie Orlowski. You guys know
her. She sits next to me in math
class.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Doesn't she go with Tommy Stackowski?
JAMES
She used to, they broke up and we've
dated a few times. I haven't looked
at another girl for two weeks.
TOMMY TOMLIN
Wow, a whole two weeks. A record.
Think about what I said, 'the right
girl coming along' Jim
Junior year at Immaculate Heart is over. It's June 1960
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT-JAMES WILL WORK IN LANSFORD FOR
SUMMER - DAY
Demetri and Leo are co-owners of The New Rialto restaurant
in Lansford, 25 miles away.
DEMETRI
Jimmie, you are going to spend the
summer working for your uncle Leo in
Lansford. He needs someone he can
trust at the cash register while he
cuts meat and cooks in the back room.
JAMES
Dad, this is my summer vacation. I
don't want to work in Lansford. I
don't know anyone there.
DEMETRI
You're going Jimmie. We need you
there. It's not open for discussion.
JAMES
What will I be doing there?
DEMETRI
You'll be in charge of the soda
fountain making sundaes and sodas
and you'll take cash. Leo is losing
money and we think it's the
waitresses.
JAMES
OK, when do I start? Where will I
stay?
DEMETRI
You'll start on Saturday. You'll
have an apartment upstairs above the
restaurant on the second floor.
INT. THE NEW RIALTO JAMES BEGINS WORKING - MORNING
James is positioned behind the soda fountain and is a full-
fledged soda jerk now. The soda fountain is next to the
cash register near the front door
UNCLE 'LAMBROS' LEO
Are you OK Jimmie? Do you know what
to do? It's mostly sodas and ice
cream and sometimes a sundae but
nothing fancy, a banana split is the
favorite
JAMES
Uncle Leo, I'm fine. It's the same
stuff I was doing at Miner's
Restaurant
UNCLE LEO
Good Jimmie. It will be a good
summer. You will learn a lot and
you'll have time to yourself
INT. THE NEW RIALTO RESTAURANT THREE WEEKS LATER-JAMES
LEARNS ABOUT GEORGE THE NEW COOK- MORNING
James is again positioned behind the soda fountain
UNCLE LEO
Jimmie, we've hired a new cook from
Greece, a boy we are sponsoring so
he can come here to the United States
and work and become a citizen. He
will be staying with you in the
apartment. He'll be here next week.
JAMES
That's fine Uncle Leo. Does he speak
English? What part of Greece is he
from?
UNCLE LEO
He speaks English but he's got a
strong accent. He's from a small
town outside of Athens.
INT. THE NEW RIALTO RESTAURANT A WEEK LATER-JAMES IS
INTRODUCED TO GEORGE- MORNING
James is making a chocolate sundae as George, the new Greek
cook and Uncle Leo come into the restaurant. George is 21
and extremely good looking.
UNCLE LEO
Jimmie, I want you to meet George
Papadopoulos. He is our new cook
and he'll be working with me in the
back. He's also your new roommate.
I showed him the apartment and he's
put his stuff up there already.
JAMES
George, glad to meet ya. Welcome to
America. Kalimera.
GEORGE
Hello Jeem, I am glad to meet you
also. Kalimera.
INT. THE APARTMENT UPSTAIRS- GEORGE TALKS ABOUT POOSH AND
KEECK - EVENING
GEORGE
It is good to be here Jeem. I will
learn the restaurant business from
your uncle and father.
JAMES
They are probably the best cooks
around George, but they're strict.
GEORGE
Good. I want to learn much. It is
good to be free here. In my country,
the government and the police control
everything. Maybe we can go out
this weekend and poosh and keeck.
JAMES
Poosh and keeck? What is poosh and
keeck George, a Greek game like
football or soccer?
GEORGE
No, jeem, it is poosh and keeck,
make love with woman, poosh and keeck,
you know?
INT. LOCAL BAR IN LANSFORD THREE WEEKS LATER - EVENING
GEORGE
I love theese country Jeem. These
women are so friendly.
JAMES
You have been with four different
women in three weeks, George. They
are only this way with you my friend.
GEORGE
But, Jeem, you are handsome, no?
JAMES
I'm OK George but you give off
pheromones. These women love you.
GEORGE
What are pheromones Jeem? Are these
contagious? I don't understand
JAMES
That's OK George, just know that
these women all want you so save
some strength for work tomorrow and
maybe save one of them for me.
INT. THE APARTMENT-GEORGE WITH TWO GIRLS AT THE APARTMENT -
LATER
Two attractive young women and George are sitting on the bed
GEORGE
Jeem, don't you have some work to do
in the restaurant?
JAMES
Yeah George I do. Thanks for
reminding me. I will go work in the
restaurant, meditate on life and
what I'm doing wrong.
George has been with half of the females of Lansford. The
summer ends and James returns to Coalville and his senior
year at Immaculate Heart High.
INT. IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR YEAR SISTER MIRIAM
DELORES HOMEROOM- MORNING
SISTER MIRIAM DELORES
Good morning class. This is your
new homeroom and you WILL behave. I
expect you to be here on time every
morning and ready for class. Anyone
who cannot do this will deal with
me. Now class, stand for morning
prayers....
INT. ANNUAL RETREAT AT IMMACULATE HEART CHAPEL -VISITING
PRIEST TALKS - MORNING
Every year the senior class boys must attend meetings with
visiting priests during 'retreat'. Today's visiting priest,
Father Romano is holding court in the chapel.
FATHER ROMANO
Good morning, boys. I am sure you
have been looking forward to this
retreat all summer and here we are.
I am going to talk about your role
in dating and respecting young women
There is nervous laughter and noise but it is an undercurrent.
The boys do not know what to expect from Father Romano.
FATHER ROMANO
Do you have any questions about dating
and how you should act while dating?
(a few seconds of
silence)
No? Come now, boys, you must have
some questions. Are you telling me
you know exactly what you should do
when escorting a young woman on an
evening excursion? Well, does anyone
want to tell us what he knows about
this subject?
There is total silence. Some of the boys are smiling and
want to speak but they are afraid.
FATHER ROMANO
OK then, let me paint a picture you
might be familiar with. You and a
young woman are driving in your
automobile.
(three seconds of
silence)
You turn off the main road onto a
long dirt road.
(three seconds of
silence)
You drive for ten minutes
(three seconds of
silence)
Stop the car,
(three seconds of
silence)
Turn off the ignition
(three seconds of
silence)
And pull out a rosary.
There is a roar of laughter. The boys warm up to Father
Romano as he charms them. He understands their libido and
disarms their apprehension about this subject.
A student yells out from the back of the chapel
STUDENT
Yeah that's right, Father, we pull
out
(a few seconds of
silence)
'A rosary'
More laughter from the boys
FATHER ROMANO
Men, please I beg of you, do not
attempt to squeeze out every penny
you have put into the young woman.
Again, there is loud laughter and howling. The boys are
relaxed and Father Romano can now talk candidly and they
will listen. He talks about respect for young women and the
scene trails off slowly.
INT. TOMMY HOLLORAN'S KITCHEN - EVENING
James visits Tommy Holloran at home after school and notices
how his parents treat him with love and how different that
is to his life in the restaurant
TOMMY HOLLORAN
You wanna stay for dinner Jim?
JAMES
I'd like to but I have to get back
to work in the restaurant tonight
MRS. HOLLORAN
Tom's friends are always welcome and
we have a lot of food
MR. HOLLORAN
Sit down Jim and join us. We want
to know how you are adjusting to
Immaculate Heart. I heard you and
Tom did not get off to a good start
TOMMY HOLLORAN
We didn't but that's old stuff.
We're good friends now.
JAMES
(quietly to Tommy)
Tom, do your parents always treat
you this way?
TOMMY HOLLORAN
What way? They just treat me like
I'm their son.
JAMES
(to Tommy)
Not in my house... They don't ask
me what I think or how my day was.
MRS. HOLLORAN
Tommy, how was school today? Don't
forget your homework. I hope you
are listening to the nuns.
INT. MRS. KELLY'S HOME - EVENING
James visits his friend Chris's home and notices how his
mother cares for Chris, his sister and four brothers.
MRS. KELLY
Christopher, you have homework and I
need you to help with the twins'
baths later. Mary Ann, I could use
your help for the cake sale this
weekend. I want you all to know
that I love you and all of the help
you give around here. I could not
do it without you.
JAMES
You guys really work together Chris.
Does your mom say she loves you all
the time
CHRIS KELLY
Not all the time Jim but often and
we know she loves us. It's hard on
her since dad died and she's had to
be both mom and dad while we were
growing up.
INT. IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL STAIRWELL TO LUNCHROOM -
DAY
Students are walking down stairs to the lunchroom when a
bully pushes the books out of a student's hands, who doesn't
fight
JAMES
Pick them up
BULLY
I'm not gonna pick them up
JAMES
Then you're going to have to go
through me
The bully picks the books up and the line moves again to
lunch
EXT. A FARMER'S MARKET IN TAMAQUA - AFTERNOON
James and his father are returning from a trip to the New
Rialto restaurant in Lansford. They stop at a farmer's market
in Tamaqua, a town between Lansford and Coalville
DEMETRI
(As they are looking
at fruit, Demetri
just blurts out)
Son, when I was young, my father and
uncle abused me physically
(a short pause)
And sexually
JAMES
Dad, I'm sorry. I am really sorry.
Thank you for telling me.
DEMETRI
(trying to act as if
it doesn't matter)
It's no big deal son.
JAMES
It's a big deal dad. Trust me, it's
a big deal.
This is the first act of intimacy Demetri has ever had with
James and possibly anyone. Demetri turns back to the fruit
as if he has merely commented on the weather, James looks
at his father differently.
INT. JAMES'S HOME COALVILLE HEIGHTS PENN STATE ACCEPTS JAMES
FOR NEXT YEAR- MORNING
ANNA GAVROS
A letter is here from Penn State for
you son
JAMES
Thanks mom.
(opens and reads the
letter)
They've accepted me at State for
next year. Can I go to campus mom?
ANNA GAVROS
You'll have to talk to your father
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT AFTER MIDNIGHT - NIGHT
JAMES
Dad, I've been accepted at Penn State.
Can I go to University Park?
DEMETRI
Son, you're my ace in the hole. If
a waitress or a dishwasher doesn't
show up, I need you to fill in. No,
I want you here for now. You can go
to the extension campus in Pottsville
INT. MCANDREW HOME- FIVE YEAR OLD ELAINE MCANDREW
MOLESTED - NIGHT
'STONES' by Neil Diamond playing softly in background (the
first 90 seconds of the song)
Elaine lies awake, terrified. Footsteps stop outside her
bedroom. Her door slowly opens. A MAN enters.
ELAINE
Please don't hurt me. I'll be good.
He closes the door. Later, Elaine lies motionless beneath
the covers.
MAN
If you tell anyone, I will kill you
and your mother.
INT. ST. CASIMIR'S CHURCH - ELAINE MCANDREW'S GETS FIRST
PERIOD - MORNING
Elaine Mcandrew feels something unfamiliar. A red stain
spreads across her white dress. She is getting her first
period but no one has told her about this change in her life.
She thinks she is dying as she runs out of church crying.
INT. MCANDREW HOME ELAINE CUTS HERSELF WITH A RAZOR- NIGHT
Elaine Mcandrew, now 14 years old, is sitting on the side
of her bed with a razor blade. The emotional pain is so bad
that she draws the razor across her arm. The physical pain
briefly replaces the pain she cannot name.
INT. ELAINE'S HOME IN COALVILLE ELAINE QUESTIONS HOW ANYONE
WILL EVER LOVE HER - AFTERNOON
ELAINE
How can God love me, how can anyone
love me. I feel dirty, ashamed.
I'm not like other girls. I feel
different from other girls
PATTI
It wasn't your fault Elaine. You
were only five years old. You
couldn't fight back. You have to
tell someone. You have little
sisters. He could do it to them.
ELAINE
I can't tell anyone. Who would I
tell? They would hate me, probably
blame me, call me crazy. If they
didn't believe me, I couldn't face
that. I don't know if anyone in my
family will believe me
PATTI
You have to tell someone, maybe the
police, a priest
ELAINE
If I do that, they'll put him in
jail. My family would hate me. No,
I can't tell the police. You have
to promise not to tell anyone Patti
PATTI
I promise, I promise but I don't
like it. He did a terrible thing
and he should pay. You shouldn't
have to go though this alone.
ELAINE
Thank you Patti. I couldn't take
the anger I'd have to face. I
couldn't take the town talking about
me, the stares, being called a slut
or a whore.
(starting to cry)
No one is ever going to love me
PATTI
You won't do something stupid Elaine,
will you
ELAINE
Like what Patti, like killing myself?
No, I won't do that.
INT. SMALL AIRPLANE COCKPIT -GUS MCANDREW, ELAINE'S FATHER,
IS GIVING FLYING LESSON TO A YOUNG MAN - AFTERNOON
GUS MCANDREW
Just ease back on the throttle, you're
coming in too fast to land. Lower
your landing gear. Pull up, you
aren't going to reach the runway
The plane crashes short of the runway. Gus survives with
broken ribs and a broken leg. The young pilot does not.
Gus's licenses are later revoked.
EXT. RINGTOWN MAIN STREET- JAMES AND THE BLONDES - EVENING
James is hanging out in Ringtown this summer, a small town
seven miles north of Coalville, where his close friend Frank
lives. He notices three young blonde women who look
available. They have halter tops and short shorts.
JAMES
(to youngest blonde
woman)
Hi. What's your name?
MILLIE
I'm Millie
JAMES
Do you want to dance?
MILLIE
There's no music. It's the center
of town.
JAMES
I'll sing.
James starts to hum 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow'
MILLIE
I love that song
She dances with Jim on the sidewalk
INT. JAMES'S CAR WITH RINGTOWN BLONDE - NIGHT
James and Millie have dated for the past two weeks nearly
every night. They are parked on Main Street in Ringtown and
it is late and the streets are deserted. They begin to make
out passionately and James makes his eventual sexual pass
MILLIE
(to James's sexual
advances)
Go ahead
James grabs her by the shoulders and has her sit up
JAMES
You don't want me to do this to you.
I'm taking you home. I'm doing this
for your own good.
EXT. MAIN STREET IN RINGTOWN, JULY 14, 1962 - EVENING
James, back in Ringtown, is standing on the sidewalk with
Frank next to his car when sisters Elaine and SUE MCANDREW
approach. Linda Ronstadt's 'Just One Look' plays in the
background. The music starts to fade.
ELAINE MCANDREW, 15, beautiful, five feet five, 120 pounds,
black hair.
ELAINE
(to Sue Mcandrew)
Act like you are not interested.
Sue Mcandrew, 14, also beautiful, five feet three, 125
pounds, black hair looks a lot like Elaine. These young
women are the proverbial Irish twins.
SUE
That is Jimmie Gavros Elaine
ELAINE
I know who he is. Now look cool
This is James's thunderbolt moment. It is as if he is struck
by lightning. He has never felt this way before. He can't
take his eyes off of Elaine
JAMES
Hello. My name is Jim Gavros. I've
never seen you before. Who are you?
Do you live here?
ELAINE
(trying to be cool)
I'm Elaine Mcandrew. I live two
blocks away in the corner house.
JAMES
Would you like to go somewhere for
ice cream or a soda or --
ELAINE
(not hesitating, a
little too eager)
-- Yes, I would. Where will we go?
JAMES
We could go to Coalville to Vernalis's
ELAINE
Let me tell my sister where we are
going.
(To Susan Mcandrew)
Sue, I am going for ice cream with
Jimmy Gavros.
SUE
Elaine, you know you are not allowed
in cars with boys. What if mom and
dad find out. What will I tell them?
They'll be angry.
ELAINE
We'll be back before curfew Sue.
It'll be all right. I'll meet you
back here in about an hour and we
can go home.
SUE
I'm worried mom and dad will find
out. If they ask, I'll have to tell
them Elaine. It's Jimmie Gavros,
his dad owns the Miner's restaurant
and he has a reputation with girls.
James and Elaine leave for Vernalis restaurant, not his dad's.
James keeps his private life secret from his parents,
especially his mother.
INT. JAMES'S CAR WITH ELAINE LEAVING RINGTOWN FOR COALVILLE-
EVENING
JAMES
Your name is Elaine? Where do you
go to school?
ELAINE
I go to Immaculate Heart High School.
I'm going to be a junior this year.
JAMES
I graduated from Immaculate Heart a
year ago. It changed my life. The
nuns were great.
ELAINE
My mom said I had to go to Immaculate
Heart. The nuns are OK but I'm having
a hard time. It's hard to study in
my house. I have four sisters, three
that are still living at home so
there's always noise and my mom yells
a lot.
JAMES
How old are you?
ELAINE
I just turned 15 in June.
JAMES
(A little concerned
by her age)
Fifteen is pretty young. I'm
eighteen. I just finished my first
year at Penn State. I work for my
dad as a waiter when I'm not in
school.
ELAINE
I know who you are. My friends say
that you have a lot of girlfriends,
that you don't stay with one girl
for very long
James and Elaine arrive at Vernalis's restaurant in Coalville.
The restaurant is not crowded. They grab an available booth.
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT IN COALVILLE, JAMES AND ELAINE -
CONTINUOUS
JAMES
Is that what they are saying about
me? I didn't know I had a reputation.
ELAINE
You do. They also say you are a
good dancer. They say you use a lot
of big words.
JAMES
(James is smiling,
pleased at the gossip)
Some of that's true, I can dance but
the 'girlfriends' thing is not true.
I spent my senior year at Immaculate
Heart with just one girl.
ELAINE
Really, don't worry, it makes you
more interesting. They also say
you're cute but I don't know about
that
(Elaine smiles as she
says this)
JAMES
I'm not cute. Men are not cute.
Men are good looking or suave or
tough. Puppies are cute. Babies
are cute.
(short pause)
So you came with me because I can
dance, I'm 'cute' and I've dated a
lot of girls?
WAITRESS
What can I get you
ELAINE
I'll have a coke and a Chocolate
Marshmallow sundae
JAMES
Just coffee and vanilla ice cream.
ELAINE
(loosening up)
Tell me about all of your
girlfriends...
JAMES
When I turned 16, for some reason
girls seemed to like me and I didn't
know why because a year earlier,
they wouldn't even talk to me. It
was like, all of a sudden, they wanted
to be with me and I couldn't figure
it out.
ELAINE
So, you have dated a lot of girls.
My friends were right.
JAMES
When I first went to Immaculate Heart,
I was really shy. It was hard for
me to approach a girl and then they
just started to talk to me.
ELAINE
So, it wasn't your fault that you
dated so many girls, they asked you
out.
JAMES
No, I asked them out but they made
it pretty easy. They would just
start a conversation and hint that
they weren't doing anything that
weekend.
ELAINE
(changing the subject
purposely)
What are you studying at State?
JAMES
I'm majoring in Political Science.
I started as an accounting major but
it was pretty dry. All debits and
credits.
ELAINE
You're not going into the restaurant
business like your dad?
JAMES
No. That's my dad's dream, not mine.
It's really hard work and long hours.
In the summer, I work an eight hour
shift from four to midnight but then
we clean for another three hours so
I don't get home until 3:30 in the
morning and I smell like hamburgers
and French fries after cleaning the
grill.
ELAINE
What is YOUR dream?
JAMES
I love music but my parents want me
to get an education, something to
fall back on just in case.
ELAINE
(noticing the time)
I have a curfew so I have to get
back to Ringtown. Sue is waiting
for me.
James and Elaine finish eating and leave to return to
Ringtown.
INT. INSIDE JAMES'S CAR AT THE ENTRANCE TO RINGTOWN JAMES
KISSES ELAINE- NIGHT
At the entrance to Ringtown, James abruptly pulls over to
the side of the street, stops, and kisses Elaine passionately.
She returns his kiss. A car pulls up alongside with Elaine's
parents and three younger sisters inside.
ELAINE'S MOTHER
Elaine, are you in there? Come out
here immediately.
Elaine quietly opens her door and gets out of James's car
and into her parents' car. They turn around and start driving
home. James hesitates for a moment and then speeds up to
follow them home. James arrives at Elaine's house as they
are exiting their car.
JAMES
It was my fault, Mrs. Mcandrew. I
took Elaine to Coalville for ice
cream.
ELAINE'S MOTHER
(Sue had told Mrs.
Mcandrew it is Jimmie
Gavros)
She is not allowed in cars with boys
Jimmie. She knows better
They walk into their house leaving James alone outside.
There is nothing more he can do so he goes home.
INT. ELAINE'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
SUE
I tried to cover for you as long as
I could but mom and dad kept pushing.
They didn't believe you were in the
ladies room for 30 minutes.
ELAINE
You told them I was in the ladies
room? You couldn't think of something
more original?
SUE
I told them you got your period and
it was a big one but after a half
hour --
ELAINE
-- Oh no, now I'm embarrassed
SUE
No reason to be Elaine. They know
you weren't in the bathroom obviously
since you were kissing Jimmy Gavros
in the front seat of his car
ELAINE
Oh, that's right.
SUE
What was it like Elaine? Is he a
good kisser?
ELAINE
He stuck his tongue in my mouth. At
first, it seemed gross and then it
felt exciting.
SUE
EW!
ELAINE
No, Sue, it's not what you think.
People do it all the time. It's
called French kissing
SUE
EW!
ELAINE
Someday you'll know what I mean
SUE
Elaine, you're only 10 months older
than me. It's not like you're
experienced.
Sue changes subject, animated now
SUE
Elaine, I heard rumors that Jimmy
Gavros has been with a lot of girls.
I heard he only lasts two weeks with
each girl and then moves on
ELAINE
Who told you that? And anyway, why
would I care? I just went for ice
cream with him. We didn't pledge
eternal love Sue
SUE
Elaine, you were kissing him in his
car on your first date. I think you
like him. You let him kiss you after
being with him for just two hours.
What's going to happen after two
weeks?
INT. FRACKVILLE THURSDAY DANCE JAMES IS WITH SANDY- EVENING
James is at the dance with Sandy, an attractive young girl
of 17. He has been dating Sandy for two months.
JAMES
Sandy, I'd like to take you to my
Penn State dance Saturday. I really
like you
SANDY
I can't, I have plans for Saturday
Jim.
INT. A FRACKVILLE POOLROOM SANDY'S EX-BOYFRIEND - EVENING
James is shooting pool when Sandy's ex-boyfriend comes in
DANNY
You're Jim Gavros.
JAMES
Yeah, I am. Who are you?
DANNY
I'm Sandy's boyfriend and I'm going
to kick your ass
JAMES
She doesn't have a boyfriend, she
has an ex-boyfriend
Danny swings at James and connects solidly in the jaw. James
is dazed and Danny hits him again before Tommy Holloran steps
in and drags James out of the poolroom
EXT. OUTSIDE THE POOLROOM - CONTINUOUS
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Are you OK? Danny is tough Jim. He
would have hurt you if it went on
any longer
JAMES
I know. Someday, I have to learn
how to fight. You know Tom, I'm
beginning to think Sandy isn't worth
all of this trouble and anyway, I
met this girl I can't get out of my
head
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Another girl? You're just getting
done with this one
JAMES
This one's different Tom. I don't
know why
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Right Jim, this one's different
INT. DETURK'S RESTAURANT IN COALVILLE ELAINE AND
GIRLFRIENDS DISCUSS JAMES- AFTERNOON
Elaine and her girlfriends are talking about boys
PATTI
You know, the rumor is that Jimmie
Gavros just necks and necks but
nothing else. I can't believe that.
You can't spend two hours necking
and not get to at least second base
ELAINE
What is second base?
GINA
You know, first base is kissing,
second base is feeling a girl up,
and third base is oral sex and a
home run is going all the way
ELAINE
You mean he actually puts his tongue
inside your
(Elaine trails off
vocally)
Vagina
PATTI
Yeah and it feels great. I usually
let guys do that all night if they
want to. It's not REAL sex, not
like intercourse
GINA
Patti, you're such a slut
PATTI
Like you've never let a guy do it to
you Gina
GINA
No, I haven't. I let them touch my
breasts but not 'down there'
ELAINE
What if a guy is pushy? How do you
stop him?
PATTI
Why would you want to? Just don't
let him put his thing in you though.
You can get pregnant, unless you
WANT to get pregnant
ELAINE
I don't want to get pregnant. I'm
only 15. I want to be in love first
PATTI
You can't always find love Elaine
and sometimes you just get so horny.
Like I said, it's not real sex.
GINA
Elaine, don't listen to her. Wait
for that special guy.
Elaine touches her lips, remembering their kiss
INT. JAMES'S HOME IN COALVILLE HEIGHTS, FOUR WEEKS AFTER
THEIR FIRST MEETING - DAY
James telephones Elaine
JAMES
Listen, I know your parents won't
let you ride in my car but I'd like
to see you again if you want to. We
can walk
ELAINE
My parents and I had a long talk
after that night and they agreed to
let me date even in cars but I have
a curfew of 11 O'Clock. They know
your family and like what they have
heard about you.
JAMES
Then you'll go out with me? I'd
like to see you Saturday night if
you aren't busy, maybe a movie.
ELAINE
I don't know James. There's talk
that you've been with a lot of girls.
Are you going to leave me after two
weeks?
JAMES
Hell, then if there's been talk, it
must be true.
(James does a double
take)
Define 'With'
ELAINE
You know, 'With'
JAMES
No, I don't know.
ELAINE
(A little softer)
Just 'With'
(two seconds pass)
Sexually.
JAMES
I know this is Coalville Elaine. I
know guys here brag about how many
girls they've BEEN WITH but I haven't
BEEN WITH any girl that way. Maybe
I just haven't met the right girl
ELAINE
But how can you take so many girls
out and do nothing?
JAMES
That's funny. My dad says the same
thing. He even offered me free
condoms. Are you scared of me?
ELAINE
No. I'm not scared of anyone. I
like you.
(surprised)
Your dad offered you condoms?
JAMES
Then who is talking about me?
ELAINE
You know, girls. Maybe they're angry
with you because you did nothing.
(again)
Your dad offered you condoms? Does
he know you and I are dating?
JAMES
Yes he did but I refused them since
I don't do anything, right? Do you
think I did nothing?
ELAINE
I do now.
(laughing)
I might have to teach 'YOU'
JAMES
But you believed the rumors
ELAINE
I wasn't sure. You know, where
there's smoke....
JAMES
Trust me, I'm all smoke. Will you
go out with me?
ELAINE
I'd love to James
JAMES
Saturday, seven p.m.
ELAINE
I'll be ready James. How should I
dress?
JAMES
Wear whatever you feel comfortable
in. It doesn't matter. I just want
to see you again.
INT. JAMES'S CAR PARKED IN THE CEMETERY WITH ELAINE -
EVENING
James and Elaine go on their first planned date to a movie
and afterward, have driven to the cemetery where Coalville
young people park and neck. They are kissing passionately
when Elaine takes the car keys from the ignition, puts them
into her bra, and begins running around the headstones
laughing while James just watches her. James is moved.
After a little pursuit, James and Elaine return to the car
and finish their 'necking'.
As James drives Elaine home in silence, 'You Take My Breath
Away' by Eva Cassidy is playing in the background (first 102
seconds)
INT. JAMES'S CAR FRONT SEAT ON THE WAY TO GREET TWO BLACK
FAMILIES MOVING INTO COALVILLE - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Elaine, two Black families are moving
into town today and I want to be
there to welcome them
ELAINE
Where are they from? Do they know
Coalville doesn't have any Black
people?
JAMES
I don't know. All I know is that
they're moving in
ELAINE
People in Coalville aren't going to
like it. They've never been around
Black people
JAMES
Maybe it's time they started. When
I was young, I was saved from drowning
by a Black man. They are just like
us Elaine. They bleed red if you
cut them. They feel emotions just
like us. They want their kids to go
to school, just like us. They--
ELAINE
I get it and I agree, but people
won't like you doing this
JAMES
The hell with people if that's what
they think. I don't understand how
they can be so damn cruel. Hell,
they were still lynching Blacks in
the south only a few years ago.
INT. LANDLORD AT THE APARTMENT THE BLACK FAMILIES WERE
SUPPOSED TO MOVE INTO - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Hi. Where are the Black families?
They were supposed to get here today
by noon
LANDLORD MR. HUGHES
Hello James. How are you, how is
your father? The restaurant?
JAMES
He's fine Mr. Hughes. Where are
your new tenants?
LANDLORD
Some men were waiting, told them to
keep moving-that their kind wasn't
welcome here.
JAMES
And nobody stopped them? Those stupid,
ignorant fools.
James fights back tears
LANDLORD
Jim, take it easy, you have to live
here, your dad has a business here.
People don't like being told what to
feel.
JAMES
I used to believe in this town Mr.
Hughes. I grew up with these people.
How could I have been so blind to
the prejudice?
ELAINE
Not everyone in Coalville is
prejudiced Jim. We have a lot of
good people
JAMES
Who do nothing when it counts, then
the bigots win.
LANDLORD MR. HUGHES
They have families and jobs Jim.
They have to pay bills. Who do they
turn to when they can't put food on
the table? You don't have to work
here. Your dad pays all the bills.
You have food, a home, college
JAMES
Yeah, I do have all that.
Takes a breath and continues
ELAINE
Please Jim, let's leave this street.
I don't feel safe here anymore
INT. SATURDAY NIGHT -JAMES'S CAR AT A DRIVE-IN MOVIE -
EVENING
James starts to touch Elaine sexually and she lets him.
James, still the boy scout stops necking and
JAMES
What are we doing? I can't do this.
Elaine just sits quietly not understanding. They have been
dating a while and they like each other a lot and this seems
like the natural next step.
JAMES
We have to go to confession
James drives to church, exits the car with Elaine and they
find seats in a pew near the confessional booth.
ELAINE
Jim, I like you. I don't know why
you are acting like I did something
wrong.
JAMES
Forgive me father for I have sinned...
FATHER O'MALLEY
For your penance, say ten 'Hail Marys'
and ten 'Our Fathers'
INT. ELAINE'S COALVILLE HOME LAUGHING WITH SUE ABOUT
CONFESSION- AFTERNOON
ELAINE
(laughing)
He took me to confession. I couldn't
believe it
SUE MCANDREW
(laughing)
He took you to confession because
you fooled around?
ELAINE
Yes and I wouldn't confess.
SUE MCANDREW
I guess that kills all the gossip
about Jimmie Gavros and women
INT. JAMES'S HOME IN COALVILLE HEIGHTS, JAMES UNCOMFORTABLE
WITH SEX - EVENING
James has taken Elaine to his house. Again, James starts to
touch Elaine sexually and again, she does not stop him
JAMES
I can't do this anymore Elaine. I
don't feel comfortable. It's a sin.
I'm taking you home.
Elaine again is quiet and confused at something that seems
so natural. She doesn't understand why he is so frustrated.
INT. JAMES'S CAR IN FRONT OF ELAINE'S HOUSE BREAKUP OVER SEX-
EVENING
JAMES
The church says it's a sin Elaine.
I am breaking up with you. I can't
do this anymore. I want to touch
you but it's wrong.
Elaine leaves the car crying and running into her house still
not understanding James's reluctance.
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT IN COALVILLE JAMES AND FRANK
DISCUSS ELAINE- DAY
JAMES
I was nearly done with my shift at
the restaurant and a woman who comes
in all the time asked me if Martin
Luther King is a communist. I said
'No' and I asked her where she heard
that. She said her husband told
her.
FRANK
Jim, you have to give them a break.
Most of them haven't graduated from
high school. They can barely pay
their bills and they're exhausted by
the end of the week. They're tired
and it's easy for some bigot to plant
ideas in their heads.
JAMES
-- Who only see life as a Norman
Rockwell painting.
(pauses)
But I have another problem. Elaine
and I are going too far sexually. I
really love her and I don't know
what to do.
FRANK
ARE YOU CRAZY. Do you know how many
men would love to be with her. You
should be grateful she's letting you
touch her. You have to lose the boy
scout thing. Just go with your
feelings. They'll tell you what you
should do. Don't fuck this up or
I'll kill you myself.
JAMES
And each time we break up, she keeps
dating the 'bad boys'. What is it
with women and bad boys?
FRANK
Sometimes people grow up confusing
love with pain. They keep choosing
what feels familiar, even when it
hurts them.
JAMES
I can usually just break up and leave
a girl but I can't seem to do that
with Elaine. I keep going back to
her and thank God, she keeps taking
me back. I think this may be serious.
JAMES
Frank. How do I tell? I mean, I've
never felt this way before. It's
deeper and I can't put my finger on
it.
Frank laughing
FRANK
I don't think it's your finger you're
putting on it Jim
JAMES
Frank, be serious. I need help and
I can't talk to my parents or my
brother or sister
FRANK
OK. I think it's serious too. Just
hang in there and if you still don't
know in ten years, marry her
JAMES
Right Frank. Thanks for being serious
FRANK
I was trying Jim but with you it's
hard sometimes. Most guys would
kill for an 'Elaine'.
INT. JAMES'S HOUSE, NEW YEAR'S EVE SEX FOR THE FIRST TIME -
EVENING
James misses Elaine terribly and calls her.
JAMES
Elaine, I really miss you. I don't
know what to do. I only know I want
to be with you.
ELAINE
I want to be with you too. Pick me
up and let's talk.
Later James and Elaine sit together in his quiet house.
Their nervousness gives way to tenderness. This time James
does not pull away.
They make love.
'The Way You Look Tonight' by Tony Bennett plays in the
background.
INT. MIKE'S TAP ROOM ON SOUTH MAIN STREET, COALVILLE THE
FIGHT WITH JACKIE HEALIE- NIGHT
James and Elaine have double dated with Ed, Frank's brother
and Ed's fiancee. Ed meets James at Mike's Tap Room after
dropping off both women. James is sitting alone with a beer
waiting for Ed. Three local toughs are sitting in a front
booth.
JACKIE HEALIE
There's Jim Gavros. He asked out my
girl last year. I think I should
teach him a lesson.
Jackie throws peanuts at James. Ed finally arrives
JAMES
Hi Ed, I think I need your help.
Jackie Healie is looking for a fight
probably because I asked his girl
out a year ago
ED
A year ago? He's still pissed at
you?
JAMES
Yeah, I guess so and she turned me
down so figure that out. I didn't
know she was his girl.
ED
OK, what do you want me to do?
JAMES
Just keep the fight fair. There are
three of them so I waited for you
James walks over to the booth where Jackie is sitting with
his two friends
JAMES
Jackie, you're looking for a fight
so let's take this outside
It's one A.M. James, Ed, Jackie and his friends walk outside
to a well-lit but deserted Main Street and James and Jackie
square off. James hits Jackie twice in the face
JACKIE
I've had enough. I quit.
JAMES
You quit? We just started.
ED
That was fast. I didn't know you
could fight.
JAMES
Neither did I. I fake it well.
ED
That's a good left hook. Remind me
never to get you mad
JAMES
Right Ed. You're six-foot-two, 200
pounds but I'll let you know when I
get mad so you can get ready.
INT. THE CAPITOL MOVIE THEATER FRANCIE MAKES A PASS AT
JAMES AGAIN- EVENING
Francie Malick who had previously grabbed James's crotch in
the restaurant is the manager of the Capitol movie theater.
JAMES
Elaine, I'm going to the lobby for
popcorn and cokes
ELAINE
OK, but hurry back. The movie is
starting.
James has the popcorn and cokes and his hands are full.
Francie approaches
FRANCIE
James, just one feel. C'mon James,
let me feel you up
JAMES
Francie, you come closer and I'm
gonna hit you. I mean it Francie.
I'll hit you
James starts to put his food down when Francie's boss walks
in. Francie backs away.
INT. TOM GAVROS'S CAR JAMES TALKS ABOUT POSSIBLE PREGNANCY-
AFTERNOON
Elaine confided her fear to a girlfriend. Now the whole
town thinks she is pregnant.
Tom Gavros, visiting, and James are driving to Frackville to
pick up Tom's wife who is visiting relatives
JAMES
Tom, we made love and Elaine may be
pregnant. I'm going to have to drop
out of college and get a job
TOM GAVROS
It's too soon Jim. You don't know
if she's pregnant. Just wait and
see if she gets her period
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT DEMETRI CONFRONTS JAMES OVER
PREGNANCY RUMORS - EVENING
James and Demetri have worked the four to midnight shift
DEMETRI
Son, I want to talk to you in private.
Let's go over to the booth by the
mirror
This 'private' booth is in the middle of the restaurant.
Waitresses and dishwashers walk by as Demetri and James talk.
JAMES
OK dad
DEMETRI
(quietly)
Son, do you have something you want
to tell me?
JAMES
No, dad. Everything is fine.
DEMETRI
(A little louder)
Son, do you have something to tell
me
JAMES
(James knows what his
father is alluding
to but he's not sure
Elaine is pregnant)
No, dad, I don't have anything to
tell you
DEMETRI
(now very loud, almost
yelling, so everyone
can hear their
'private' talk)
Son, you are going to have to do the
honorable thing.
JAMES
Dad, there is no problem. Everything
is good and thanks for keeping this
little talk private
INT. JAMES'S HOME THE NEXT DAY ANNA CONFRONTS JAMES OVER
PREGNANCY RUMORS MORE DIRECTLY- AFTERNOON
James has driven his mother home after the Sunday shift they
worked together.
ANNA GAVROS
(as she walks in the
door)
Is she pregnant?
JAMES
No mom, she's not pregnant
EXT. A COALVILLE MAIN STREET JAMES ASKS ELAINE ABOUT HER
PERIOD- AFTERNOON
JAMES
Have you gotten your period yet?
ELAINE
Yes, a week ago
JAMES
A week ago? And you didn't tell me?
EXT. MINER'S PARK - DEMETRI'S ROSE GARDEN - AFTERNOON
Demetri is attending to his rose garden. He is forty-eight
and is experiencing a major heart attack, his first.
DEMETRI
(falling down in the
garden clutching his
chest)
Please help me.
WOMAN IN THE PARK
Are you OK?
DEMETRI
I think I'm having a heart attack.
Run to my restaurant there and get
help
Woman in the park runs into the restaurant
WOMAN IN THE PARK
I think your husband is having a
heart attack
ANNA GAVROS
Oh no, God no.
(yelling in the
restaurant)
Someone please help, my husband is
having a heart attack
A female customer immediately runs to the park and takes in
the severity of Demetri's situation
FEMALE CUSTOMER
Demetri, hold on. I'll get my car
and we'll take you to the hospital.
Hold on Demetri
With the help of some customers, Demetri is helped into the
car and driven to the hospital where he is operated on.
INT. WAITING ROOM AT THE HOSPITAL - EVENING
DOCTOR
The operation was a success but this
was a major heart attack and he's
not out of the woods yet. I want
someone to sit with him all night
JAMES
I'll sit with Dad
INT. DEMETRI'S BEDSIDE - LATER
No dialogue as James sits in a chair all night as Demetri,
in an oxygen tent, sleeps and the noise from the motor is
all we hear
INT. GAVROS HOME - AFTERNOON
ANNA GAVROS
(to James)
Now that your father has had his
heart attack, your brother is getting
a hardship discharge from the Air
Force and Louise is coming home from
Michigan. We are going to keep the
restaurant going until your father
gets well enough to come back
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT W/FRANK TALKING ABOUT VIETNAM - DAY
JAMES
Frank, I was lying in bed last night
thinking about this war. I don't
know if I can kill someone but I
don't want to be killed. How do you
just shoot someone you don't know?
FRANK
Yeah, especially since you have a
hard time killing a bird. But what
choice is there? If they draft us,
we have to go and that means sitting
in a foxhole waiting to kill or be
killed.
JAMES
We could go to Canada, apply for
conscientious objector status.
FRANK
Not a great choice Jim. We're stuck
with this war. It's just the way it
is. Men go to war
JAMES
I hate this. We don't have a say in
this thing. Vietnam makes no sense.
Why are we there? They didn't ask
us to come. I don't think communism
is gonna go away if we win. We die
for no good reason. I know I have
to go but...
INT. DETURK'S RESTAURANT JAMES AND ELAINE DISCUSS JAMES
MOVING TO STATE CAMPUS - AFTERNOON
James and Elaine drink coffee and discuss James's move to
Penn State campus in September for his Junior year at State.
JAMES
Elaine, I've opted out of a dorm
assignment and I'm going to get a
room at State College
ELAINE
Will you come home some weekends.
Nine months is a long time.
JAMES
I'll be home at least once a month
and there's Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and Easter. Maybe your parents will
let you come up to campus
ELAINE
I don't think so. I had to fight
just to have them let me in a car
with you.
JAMES
I know but we've been together for
over a year now. Don't you think
they know we've been sleeping
together?
ELAINE
I think they suspect it but parents
are funny like that. They probably
know deep down but won't admit it.
MONTAGE:
James gets to State College and quickly finds a room off
campus, checks in with the admissions office and gets his
class schedule set up. Then, he applies and gets a job at
the Mineral Industries library and a second job as a waiter
at a Jewish fraternity.
END MONTAGE
Junior year at state has ended and James is home for the
summer
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT JUNE 1964 -JAMES CAN'T WORK FOR
DEMETRI- AFTERNOON
JAMES
Dad, I need to talk to you in the
kitchen
They walk back to the kitchen
JAMES
Dad, I can't work for you anymore
but I'll take a job somewhere else
and we can put two-thirds of the
money I make towards college.
DEMETRI
No son of mine quits. You're fired
and you've got to move out of the
house, it's not big enough for the
both of us
JAMES
Dad, there are five bedrooms and
only you and mom live there. I think
we can fit
DEMETRI
Don't be a wise guy. You can work
with me in the restaurant or move
out
INT. GAVROS HOME AS JAMES PACKS TO LEAVE - EVENING
DEMETRI
James, you can come back to work and
then you can stay in the house
JAMES
Dad, I can't do that. You just keep
yelling at me
DEMETRI
You don't move fast enough with the
orders. When I make them you have
to get them to the table fast or
they get cold.
JAMES
When you and I handle the whole place,
there are at least 50 people there
at any one time. Sometimes I even
run.
DEMETRI
You're not always looking at me or
the grill to see if there are orders
waiting
JAMES
I can't move any faster dad. We
just can't work together. You yell
at me. It's humiliating
DEMETRI
I yell at everyone. Why should you
be any different?
JAMES
I don't know. Maybe it's because
I'm your son. Maybe it's because I
don't know how you feel about me
DEMETRI
(ignoring James's
statement on feelings)
OK then, move out and you won't be
coming back son.
JAMES
I'll be gone tomorrow by noon.
DEMETRI
Good, go, and you won't have a car
or spending money.
That night, James visits Jack, a friend and local DJ who has
a trailer on the west side of Coalville Heights near the
local radio station.
INT. JACK'S TRAILER - EVENING
JAMES
Jack, I need somewhere to stay for a
while. My dad is throwing me out of
the house. Can I bunk with you?
JACK
Sure, I have two bedrooms. Come by
later and I'll show you around
INT. MINER'S RESTAURANT A WEEK LATER- AFTERNOON
DEMETRI
(To Jack)
I heard my son is living with you.
I advertise with your station so he
can't stay with you
INT. JACK'S TRAILER JACK EVICTS JAMES- EVENING
JACK
Jim, your dad has threatened to pull
his advertising and my boss told me
I have to move you out
JAMES
I understand Jack. Give me a couple
of days, OK?
INT. TOMMY HOLLORAN'S HOUSE IN FRACKVILLE - MORNING
JAMES
Tommy, my dad has thrown me out of
the house and I need a place to stay
for a while. Can I stay here?
TOMMY HOLLORAN
Let me check with my parents but it
should be OK
(to his parents)
Mom, dad, can Jim stay with us for a
while? He's having trouble at home
TOMMY'S DAD
Sure son.
TOMMY'S MOM
James is welcome here Tommy.
TOMMY HOLLORAN
C'mon, I'll show you our room and
you can unpack
EXT. ALLEY BESIDE TOMMY HOLLORAN'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
A week later, James is walking on the street near Tommy
Holloran's house when his father pulls up in his car
DEMETRI
Son, you can come back home and you
don't have to work for me. Your
mother won't give me any peace
EXT. CHERRY STREET IN COALVILLE - NIGHT
JAMES
Elaine, I'm back home but my dad
took my car away. I got a part-time
job at a garment factory but it
doesn't pay much
ELAINE
That's OK, we can walk. It doesn't
matter
Elaine sees her father's car parked on the street
ELAINE
There's my dad's car and I have a
key
JAMES
It IS cold out here. I'm right behind
you
INT. ELAINE'S FATHER'S CAR - NIGHT
'When I Fall In Love' (Michael Buble) plays in the background
As it snows outside, Elaine and Jim make love in the back
seat. They are oblivious to the outside world. This goes
on for nearly two hours. James walks home through the snow,
smiling, barely feeling the cold.
INT. DETURK'S RESTAURANT JAMES AND ELAINE HAVE SUNDAY LUNCH
TALK ABOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE- AFTERNOON
JAMES
Last night was incredible Elaine. I
walked home the long way and didn't
care how cold it was, or that it was
snowing.
ELAINE
Jim, I have to tell you something.
When I was a little, girl, I was
molested. Before I met you, I used
to cut myself.
JAMES
I'm sorry Elaine. I didn't know.
ELAINE
I don't know how much more I can
take. I don't think I will make it
to twenty.
Elaine pauses to catch to catch her breath
ELAINE
Last week my brother-in-law came
into my room and wanted sex. I never
know who is going to try to use me
next.
EXT. A PARK WITH SWINGS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF COALVILLE -
EVENING
James and Elaine have walked to a park on the south side of
Coalville. His dog, Pal, digs a hole and buries one of
James's shoes
JAMES
Elaine, I don't know what I'm gonna
do next year. My dad has pretty
much said he won't pay for State and
I haven't got the money for tuition,
let alone room and board
James notices that one of his shoes is missing and he knows
exactly what happened and yells
JAMES
PAAAAAAAAAL.
PaL quickly digs up James's shoe and Elaine can't contain
her laughter. She is laughing all the way as James walks
her home
INT. GAVROS HOME JAMES'S SISTER LOUISE IS HOME - EVENING
LOUISE GAVROS JULIAN
Jim, why don't you come to Wilmington
for a while and work and save until
you can afford to go back to college.
I'm secretary to H. Rodney Sharp who
married into the DuPont family and
I can get you a job.
JAMES
Thanks Lou, it's the best, hell it's
the only option I have. It shouldn't
take too long to save tuition money
INT. ELAINE'S HOME JAMES TELLS ELAINE HE IS LEAVING -
AFTERNOON
JAMES
Louise has offered me a way to get
the money for college but it means
I'll have to live in Wilmington and
work until I can save enough.
ELAINE
Not another separation. Lately,
we've been apart more than we've
been together. And then, you'll
return to State for nine more months
JAMES
It's not forever Elaine, just another
year at most and I'll still come
home as often as I can and maybe you
can come up for a visit.
ELAINE
My parents still aren't going to let
me stay overnight even with you and
they like you
JAMES
I wish they liked me a little bit
more. I don't know, maybe I should
just take over the restaurant and
pat hamburgers for the rest of my
life. Would you still want to be
with me?
ELAINE
I don't care what you do as long as
we're together.
James leaves the next day for Wilmington. Louise gets James
an interview with DuPont at the experimental station as a
lab technician. James, after working three months, saves
enough to return to Penn State.
INT. DUPONT EXPERIMENTAL STATION - MORNING
No dialogue as James is seen mixing chemicals for a new
product, home insulation using carbon black. James's face
is nearly black from the black powder
INT. LOUISE (GAVROS) JULIAN'S HOME IN WILMINGTON - EVENING
JAMES
Lou, I have enough money saved to
finish my senior year at State.
Thanks. The admissions office
accepted me back
LOUISE GAVROS JULIAN
Only one more year and you will have
your diploma
JAMES
And I can get my old library job
back since I'll still need rent and
food money
INT. COALVILLE VERNALIS'S RESTAURANT JAMES AND ELAINE TALK
ABOUT THE LAST YEAR APART - AFTERNOON
James will go to campus for winter semester and Elaine has
already started her classes studying to be a medical
technician
JAMES
We're almost there. I leave in a
week for campus. I'll write as often
as I can. I still have to get a job
so I can eat and pay rent but there's
light at the end of this tunnel
ELAINE
I'll write too. It won't be long,
you'll see. It'll go by fast.
(a few beats)
Jim, I need to practice taking blood.
Will you let me practice on you before
you leave?
JAMES
Let me get this straight, you want
to stick needles in me and take blood?
ELAINE
Yes, I need to learn How to find a
vein
JAMES
I hate needles. You'll have to find
someone else. How about Pal
ELAINE
Funny Jim. I don't know where to
find a vein in a dog and I don't
think that would help with humans.
James has found an apartment off campus for his senior year
with three friends: Mikey from Coalville public, Bill and
Peter from Coalville Catholic.
INT. PENN STATE APARTMENT JAMES'S SENIOR YEAR - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Thanks guys. This should be a good
year. The apartment ain't much but
we just sleep here
MIKEY
I get the cot in the living room
BILL
Pete and I are going to use the small
bedroom off the kitchen which leaves
the bed in the second room for you
Jim
MONTAGE:
INT. POLITICAL SCIENCE 200 CLASS - MORNING
James is attending a lecture in an auditorium with 150 other
students.
James leaves the class and quickly walks across campus to
his Sociology class in a normal classroom with 25 other
students.
After Sociology class, he runs to the Mineral Industries
library to put in four hours at the front desk
At three P.M., James leaves the library for Political Science
224, his final class of the day
END MONTAGE
INT. THE COLLEGE APARTMENT THREE A.M. FURNACE HAS SHUT OFF-
NIGHT
MIKEY
Jim, the furnace has shut down again.
It's your turn to go down and turn
it on.
James gets up with only underwear on and is shivering
JAMES
Whooooo, it must be ten below in
this place. The landlord forgot to
tell us the furnace had a mind of
its own
James pads to the basement, turns on the furnace and returns
to his bedroom to try to get back to sleep before his first
class
INT. THE COLLEGE APARTMENT AT PENN STATE MIKEY INVITES A
GIRL TO STATE- AFTERNOON
MIKEY
Jim, I got drunk this summer and I
promised this girl she could come up
for the Pittsburgh game next week.
I forgot about the whole thing until
she wrote me. By Saturday night,
she'll be drunk. Come up at around
two in the morning and slip into bed
with her and I'll come back to the
apartment. She won't know who's in
bed with her.
JAMES
You went to confession last Friday.
Doesn't this bother you?
MIKEY
I was sorry for my sins last week.
That doesn't mean that I'm not going
to go out and sin on Saturday.
JAMES
She'd be too drunk to know who's
touching her. That's rape, Mikey,
forget it.
INT. THE COLLEGE APARTMENT KITCHEN RAW EGGS AND MIKEY-
EVENING
Bill, Peter, Mikey and James are sitting at the kitchen table
having dinner. Peter has taken his turn cooking
BILL
Pete, what is this stuff? It's still
moving. Where did you learn to cook
PETER
I've never had to cook before. The
meals were just always there. I'm
experimenting on you guys
MIKEY
Great Pete and I'm not insured. If
I get food poisoning, you better
hide
PETER
C'mon Mikey, it's not that bad. The
cookbook said to leave the guts in
the chicken and they say that chicken
is better half cooked
MIKEY
Pete, this could kill us, seriously
PETER
I'm just kidding, Mikey. I cooked
it, just not as long as the book
said to, maybe only ten minutes
instead of the hour it was supposed
to cook
MIKEY
Pete, tell me you cooked the damn
bird
PETER
Kidding again, you're easy, actually
I cooked it one hour for every pound.
Mikey with his wicked sense of humor sitting next to James
ignoring Peter's last joke about cooking the bird
MIKEY
Hey Jim, this egg has your name on
it
Mikey cracks a raw egg on James's head
JAMES
What the hell did you do that for?
Mikey is laughing hard as he runs out of the apartment to
his job.
As Pete gets up to put something into the refrigerator, Mikey
has doubled back sends a second raw egg and nails Pete
squarely in the middle of his forehead.
PETER
I'll get you Mikey, you wait
Pete fills a bucket with water and chases Mikey up the street
who is laughing so hard he splits his pants
PETER
He's got to come back here sometime.
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN GLORIANNE BRINGS FOOD FROM DORMS-
AFTERNOON
MIKEY
Hey cousin. You don't know how much
this means to us. I'm starving. We
haven't eaten for nearly two days.
GLORIANNE
This was all I could carry. I hope
it helps. They don't like apples so
I have a lot of them. There is
sandwich meat, assorted breads and
tuna casserole
JAMES
Glor, thanks. We were really getting
hungry. Mikey and I get paid tomorrow
so we can grocery shop but I wasn't
sure we'd make it through today
GLORIANNE
This food would go to waste anyway.
Most of the girls don't finish their
meals and I asked them to save the
rest
PETER
Thanks again Glorianne. We owe you
It is late spring, two weeks before finals
INT. DRAFT OFFICE OCTOBER 1965-JAMES IS GETTING HIS PHYSICAL -
DAY
DOCTOR
Do you have any physical issues that
might cause you not to serve in the
military?
JAMES
The only thing I know I have is a
hernia I got lifting boxes at my
dad's restaurant
DOCTOR
I am going to place my hand on your
groin and apply pressure and I want
you to cough hard. You have a
inguinal hernia. Have it repaired.
Then come back and enlist.
INT. THE NAVY RECRUITMENT OFFICE ANOTHER REJECTION- DAY
NAVAL RECRUITER
OK Do you have any physical problems
we should know about?
JAMES
I have an inguinal hernia. I took
my Army physical and they turned me
down for that.
NAVAL RECRUITER
If the Army turned you down, we don't
want you.
INT. THE AIR FORCE RECRUITMENT OFFICE A THIRD REJECTION- DAY
AIR FORCE RECRUITER
So, the Army and Navy turned you
down. There's no use applying here
then. Go get it fixed and come back.
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT WITH FRANK AFTER BEING TURNED DOWN
FOR DUTY - DAY
JAMES
(facetiously)
You know Frank, I'm heartbroken.
All three branches of the military
turned me down. I can't enlist until
I pay $800 to have my hernia fixed.
What should I do Frank? Help. This
is a hard decision.
FRANK
You have got to be one of the luckiest
bastards in the world. You have a
million dollar deferment in your
groin, probably from all of those
women you never fucked.
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE. JAMES LOOKS FOR
A ROOM- MORNING
James is in D.C. and is looking for a room. He finds a
rooming house on Massachusetts Avenue (no dialogue is
necessary, just showing James moving into the room)
MONTAGE.
INT. IBM BUILDING MANAGER'S OFFICE FOR INTERVIEW - AFTERNOON
MANAGER AT IBM
Jim, I am very interested in HIRING
you for a job with IBM
JAMES
Thank you sir. I'd love to work
here. This is IBM. And my dad says,
'A day's work for a day's pay' and I
believe that
INT. A RESTAURANT IN DC FOR INSURANCE COMPANY INTERVIEW
LUNCH - AFTERNOON
INSURANCE INTERVIEWER
Jim, we're looking at you as an
underwriter
JAMES
What does an underwriter do?
He is having no luck getting a job even with a college degree.
INT. EMPLOYMENT AGENCY JAMES IS WORKING WITH -- AFTERNOON
JAMES
I am having no luck. You've gotten
me interviews but I can't break
through. What am I doing wrong?
AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE
I don't know Jim. You DO look awfully
young which may be hurting you.
We'll just keep trying
JAMES
I am running out of money. I Need a
part-time job while I interview
AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE
Why don't you try the Washington
Post. They hire young people for
their library research. These are
people who file newspaper clips and
look up information for the reporters.
James applies and gets the job at the Washington Post in
their library so he has rent and food money
INT. THE WASHINGTON POST LIBRARY - AFTERNOON
Visual: James stripping newspapers and filing the clippings
in filing cabinets for reporters to use in the future
INT. FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE BUILDING JAMES TAKES CIVIL
SERVICE EXAM- MORNING
No dialogue. James is sitting in a room with 35 other people
taking the civil service exam
INT. WASHINGTON NAVY YARD EMPLOYMENT OFFICE JAMES FILLS OUT
EMPLOYMENT FORMS- MORNING
NAVY CLERK
You have passed the civil service
exam. I'd like you to fill out these
forms and get them back to me
JAMES
Here they are. When will I know if
I can start work?
CLERK
It usually takes about two weeks but
this is an easy one. You just
graduated from college. There's not
a lot of background checking needed
JAMES
How will you contact me?
CLERK
By mail. We'll tell you when to
start, where to show up and what
your duties will be. You'll get
your picture taken for a badge that
will get you admitted and a decal
for your car
END MONTAGE.
Jim is back in Coalville for Thanksgiving
INT. THE GAVROS HOME IN COALVILLE HEIGHTS THANKSGIVING -
NIGHT
Elaine is spending the night at The Gavros home for the
Thanksgiving holiday. A baby is crying in the middle of the
night and Louise gets up to take care of her child. Elaine
hears the cries and helps Louise.
LOUISE GAVROS JULIAN
I am finally glad to meet you Elaine.
James is smitten with you. Are your
parents OK with you spending the
night here?
ELAINE
Yes, they know there is a full house
and they like Jim
LOUISE GAVROS JULIAN
This is my little girl, Mary Anne
ELAINE
She is beautiful Louise
LOUISE GAVROS JULIAN
Yes she is and I am totally in love
with her. They don't tell you about
the unconditional love you feel before
you have a child. Do you want
children?
Elaine holds the baby close smiling.
ELAINE
Very much.
LOUISE GAVROS JULIAN
How is it going with Jim? I know he
can be dumb sometimes
ELAINE
It's OK. I think he is still trying
to find himself and I want to be
there for him. He needs me.
INT. DETURK'S RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
ELAINE
I've sent out letters and resumes to
doctors and hospitals in the D.C.
area and I've gotten three responses
so far and they all want to talk to
me
JAMES
That's great. The job at the Navy
Yard is OK but sitting at a desk all
day is driving me crazy. They don't
have anything for me to do yet.
They're sending me to computer class
when I get back but in the meantime,
I sit there and wait.
ELAINE
It'll get better Jim and I'll be
there by April. My classes end in
late March
JAMES
I'll find an apartment in the
meantime. We'll actually be living
together finally after three years
of Coalville
ELAINE
Yeah, I'm excited. I think my mom
pretty much understands that we'll
be living together. We don't talk
about it.
JAMES
I know you and your mom don't always
get along but she's hung in there
with five daughters. Coalville is
a town where women were second class
citizens. When your dad had his
breakdown, she was left with four
girls and a lot of bills. Some women
would have given up.
ELAINE
She had my older sister Rose to help
but Rose had her own problems with
Larry
JAMES
You mean the 'Larry' who made passes
at you while he was married to your
sister. You mean that 'Larry'?
ELAINE
Yeah, that 'Larry'. Rose deserved
better. She's helped me and my
sisters often when mom was in one of
her tirades
JAMES
I know. I've met you at Rose's
when you and your mom weren't getting
along. The only problem is that
Larry lived there too.
ELAINE
Well, now he's gone. They're getting
a divorce and Rose gets to keep the
house
JAMES
She still has two kids to raise and
not a lot of men to choose from.
It's not exactly raining good guys
in Coalville
ELAINE
Maybe we could have her down to D.C.
sometime and give her a break
JAMES
Sure, we'll work that out Elaine
MONTAGE:
A montage of apartment hunting: Jim is back in D.C. checking
the Washington Post classifieds for available apartments in
a safe part of town. He finds one on 16th Street six blocks
north of the White House and rents it
END MONTAGE
INT. USED CAR DEALERSHIP - MORNING
No dialogue. James needs a car to get to work. He visits a
car lot, spots a 1958 Corvette in decent condition and buys
it on credit. James writes a check for a $200 deposit
INT. THE NEW APARTMENT ON 16TH STREET IN DC ELAINE MOVES IN-
AFTERNOON
Elaine moves in with her bags and books
JAMES
I hope you like it Elaine. It's
near a bus line and this is a safe
area, only six blocks north of the
White House
ELAINE
It's fine Jim. It is so good to
finally be here. It seems so long
since we met that night in Ringtown
JAMES
You mean the night you were flirting
with me, just happened to walk down
the street past Frank and me?
ELAINE
I wasn't flirting with you. You
couldn't keep your eyes off me. I
tried to avoid you
JAMES
Right, I know, you walked toward the
far side of the sidewalk so I couldn't
see you
ELAINE
You're really sure of yourself, aren't
you?
JAMES
No Elaine, not really. I'm getting
a taste of the real world. They
weren't exactly waiting for me down
here.
ELAINE
We can figure this out as we go.
The important thing is that we're
together finally.
JAMES
Yeah, it feels good, no parents, no
town, just us.
ELAINE
I have an interview in Georgetown
tomorrow morning with a doctor as a
lab tech. I need to get some sleep
tonight
JAMES
I wouldn't bet on that Elaine but if
that's true, we need to get to bed
now so you can sleep in a few hours
ELAINE
JIM!!
JAMES
Just kidding, maybe a little.
INT. THE APARTMENT ELAINE GETS THE JOB- EVENING
ELAINE
I got the job Jim, on my first
interview
JAMES
Elaine, that's great. When do you
start?
ELAINE
Monday morning and he's nice. He's
married with two children. I'm going
to like this job.
EXT. BRITISH CAR DEALERSHIP LOT - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Elaine, are you sure you want a
British car? They break down a lot.
They aren't known for their
reliability
ELAINE
I do, Jim. I saw this Triumph
convertible and it is so cute
JAMES
Cute? You're buying a car because
it's cute? OK, let's go in and talk
to them
Elaine test drives the 1967 Triumph convertible. She
completes the paperwork and later drives it off the lot with
James beside her.
INT. JAMES AND ELAINE'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Elaine, this job is driving me crazy.
All they ask me to do is sit and
read manuals. There's no real work.
I don't know how much more I can
take.
ELAINE
Then quit. Find another job. We
can watch our expenses
JAMES
This is my first real job out of
college. Three months at my first
job would look terrible on a resume.
ELAINE
If you're not happy, quit Jim. We
can find a way.
INT. JAMES AND ELAINE'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Elaine, I've had it. I'm going after
my first love--music--and I can't do
that in Washington. The best music
teachers are in New York.
ELAINE
Jim, you can't leave me here alone.
I love my job, and I'm not quitting.
You can't just go to New York.
JAMES
It's the only place I can find out
whether I have any talent.
ELAINE
The best singers go there after years
of training. You're not ready.
JAMES
Maybe not, but I have to try
INT. NEW YORK MUSIC TEACHER'S STUDIO - AFTERNOON
James finishes singing scales and performing vocal exercises
as the MUSIC TEACHER accompanies him on piano.
MUSIC TEACHER
Jim, you have a lot of work ahead of
you, but there's talent there. I
can work with you. I won't lie--it
will take years.
JAMES
What do you charge for a lesson?
MUSIC TEACHER
Fifty dollars an hour.
JAMES
How many lessons would I need?
MUSIC TEACHER
At least twice a week, maybe three
times. And you'd have to practice
every day.
JAMES
That's at least a hundred dollars a
week. I'd still need a job, rent,
food...
MUSIC TEACHER
It's called paying your dues, Jim.
Every singer goes through it.
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
JAMES
Frank, I bombed in New York. Music
lessons would cost at least a hundred
dollars a week and I can't afford to
live there. I thought it would be
easier.
FRANK
So, what are you gonna do?
JAMES
I applied for a programming job in
Philadelphia. That's what I was
studying with the government. I
also have to sell the Corvette. I
can't afford to keep it.
INT. JAMES'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
James speaks to Elaine on the telephone.
JAMES
Elaine, I'd like you to come to
Philadelphia and find a job here.
ELAINE
I won't do that. I like Washington,
I like my job, and I am comfortable
here
JAMES
I understand.
James conceals his disappointment.
JAMES
Would you come up for a visit?
ELAINE
Yes, I still want to be with you but
I love my job and my boss and you
haven't been very stable- six months
in Washington, two months in New
York and now Philadelphia
INT. JAMES'S PHILADELPHIA APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
James talks to Elaine on the telephone.
ELAINE
Jim, my old roommate is getting
married so I let her take over that
apartment. I had to find another
place.
JAMES
That shouldn't be too hard in
Washington. There are plenty of
government secretaries looking for
roommates.
ELAINE
I found a place a month ago, but my
new roommate has sex with her
boyfriends in our bedroom while I
am sleeping there.
JAMES
Have you asked her to take them
somewhere else?
ELAINE
I've tried. She says it's her
apartment and I'm the new kid.
JAMES
I don't know what to tell you. You
may have to find a new apartment.
INT. A PHILADELPHIA RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
JAMES
This programming job is better than
the Navy job. Maybe New York taught
me I wasn't prepared. I have a
political science degree and no
musical training.
ELAINE
You don't have any responsibilities
yet, Jim. You could work part-time
and study music. I'd help.
JAMES
Men in my family don't do that. Tom
was first trumpet in the state two
years running, he started three
successful groups, then gave up music
to raise his family.
James considers this.
JAMES
My dad got married during the
depression. He hitchhiked eighteen
miles through freezing rain and snow
to put food on the table. I've had
things a thousand times easier than
he did. How can I drop out and study
some more? I had four years at Penn
State.
INT. JIM'S PHILADELPHIA APARTMENT - EVENING
James speaks to Elaine on the phone.
JAMES
Elaine, I love you, will you marry
me?
ELAINE
Yes, Jim, I'll marry you. I want
Louise in the wedding party.
JAMES
I'll tell her. I don't think that
will be a problem.
ELAINE
I want you to know I've been with a
man three times.
James assumes 'been with' means dating not sex.
JAMES
Do you love him?
ELAINE
No. He has a criminal record. He's
a three-time loser.
INT. JIM'S PHILADELPHIA APARTMENT - EVENING
James is again on the telephone with Elaine.
JAMES
Elaine, I'm torn. Marriage is a big
step. I don't know what to do.
ELAINE
Jim, get your ass down here.
JAMES
I'll take the train Friday
ELAINE
I'll pick you up at the station. We
can talk.
JAMES
I need to understand why I feel this
way. We've been together nearly
five years. I feel completely
comfortable with you.
Elaine absorbs the blow.
ELAINE
Just come, Jim.
INT. ELAINE'S VIRGINIA APARTMENT - EVENING
Jim enters. Two young men are visiting and seem familiar
with Elaine.
ELAINE
Jim, you were supposed to call me
from the train station.
JAMES
I know but I wanted to surprise you.
It looks like I did.
ELAINE
I'm glad you're here. These are
friends of my roommate. They were
just leaving.
JAMES
Elaine, we need to talk.
ELAINE
Can we talk tomorrow? I am tired.
It's been a long week and I haven't
seen you in six weeks.
James and Elaine make love. It is tender and intimate, as
though they were never apart.
INT. ELAINE'S OFFICE SATURDAY - AFTERNOON
Elaine carefully measures liquids into a test tube as James
watches.
JAMES
My brother graduates from West Chester
State tomorrow. I'd like you to come
with me.
ELAINE
Sure Jim. It's been a while since
I've seen Tom. I forgot to tell you
we're having a party tonight.
JAMES
I didn't bring any dress clothes.
ELAINE
You won't need them. It's casual.
INT. ELAINE'S VIRGINIA APARTMENT - EVENING
About 35 people crowd the apartment. From the balcony, James
spots Elaine walking down the street with two men.
JAMES
Elaine!
She ignores him and keeps walking.
INT. ELAINE'S VIRGINIA APARTMENT - LATER
Jim pulls Elaine toward him and tries to kiss her. She pushes
him away.
ELAINE
I'm angry. And hurt. And lonely.
JAMES
I don't understand. What did I do?
ELAINE
You left me here after I followed
you to Washington.
JAMES
We saw each other once a month. I
came to Washington. You visited me
in New York and Philadelphia. We
wrote and talked every week.
ELAINE
It wasn't enough. You never asked
what I wanted.
JAMES
You never said anything. I didn't
know it was that bad. We could've
figured it out.
James sits across the room, wounded. Elaine has never
confronted him this way before.
ELAINE
I've been with a man sexually.
James stares at her, devastated.
Seeing his reaction, Elaine SCREAMS and runs from the
apartment. James freezes. Seconds pass before he races
after her.
EXT. ELAINE'S APARTMENT PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
James searches the lot. The Triumph is gone.
He hurries back inside.
INT. ELAINE'S VIRGINIA APARTMENT BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jim is sitting in a daze in the same bedroom chair. A young
woman who is a friend of Elaine's is trying to comfort him
YOUNG WOMAN
Don't worry, Jim. She'll be back.
It's all right. She's a good driver.
EXT. MILITARY DRIVE, NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C. MAY 27, 1967-
NIGHT
Elaine's Triumph speeds along the winding road.
Tires screech. The Triumph leaves the road and crashes in
an explosion of metal and glass.
Elaine is ejected. The car rolls over her.
INT. ELAINE'S VIRGINIA APARTMENT BEDROOM - NIGHT
A policeman enters. Someone directs him to the bedroom,
where Jim still sits staring into space.
POLICEMAN
Does Elaine McAndrew live here?
YOUNG WOMAN
Yes.
POLICEMAN
She has been in an accident on
Military Drive. They are taking her
to Georgetown Hospital.
The room falls silent.
POLICEMAN
Her injuries are severe. You
shouldn't watch when they bring her
into the emergency room.
INT. GEORGETOWN HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Six young people sit or walk around in the waiting room.
ELAINE'S ROOMMATE
Jim, don't look when they bring her
in.
Hours pass. One by one, the others leave until only James
and ELLIE, Elaine's close friend, remain.
ELLIE
Jim, she'll be okay.
Jim paces, barely holding himself together.
JAMES
Sure Ellie. Car crashes happen all
the time. People survive.
Eight hours after Elaine arrived, a DOCTOR enters.
THE DOCTOR
I am sorry, we couldn't save her.
James hears the words but cannot respond.
Later, he stares through the window of a train bound for
Philadelphia, tears streaming down his face.
INT. JAMES'S PHILADELPHIA APARTMENT - MORNING
James telephones his brother.
JAMES
Tom, she's dead. Elaine's dead. A
car crash. I don't know what to do
TOM
Stay there. I'll send someone for
you. He'll be there in about forty
minutes.
The man arrives, picks up Jim and they drive to Jim's brother
Tom in West Chester, Pa.
INT. TOM GAVROS'S HOME, WEST CHESTER PA. - AFTERNOON
Tom embraces James and kisses him on the cheek.
JAMES
Tom, I killed her. I wasn't driving,
but I killed her. I didn't love her
enough.
EXT. MCANDREW HOME- MORNING
SUPER: TWO DAYS LATER
James rings the bell. Mrs. McAndrew opens the door and
immediately embraces him.
MONTAGE - FIVE DAYS WITH ELAINE'S FAMILY..
James eats silently with Elaine's mother and sisters.
No one says much. They are all numb.
Elaine's sisters cry together.
Day becomes night. James goes home to return the next
morning.
Another silent meal. Another silent evening with the
McAndrews.
END MONTAGE.
INT. GAVROS HOME - NIGHT
ANNA GAVROS
Where have you been? What are people
going to think?
JAMES
Mom, she's dead. Who cares what
people think.
INT. VERNALIS RESTAURANT JUNE 1967 FRANK AND JIM TALK AFTER
ELAINE'S DEATH- AFTERNOON
JAMES
Frank, it's like my life is divided
into two parts, before that night
and after. A few days after the
funeral, I was lying in bed, and she
touched me. I felt a calm I'd never
experienced before. I know it was
Elaine. I can't explain it, but I
know.
FRANK
I'm really sorry Jim. I don't know
what to say. I don't know if there
are words this time.
JAMES
(becoming agitated)
People don't die because they're
upset over a relationship. They
cry, they yell, they get angry, they
get even but THEY DON'T DIE.
FRANK
No, they don't usually die
JAMES
Frank, she once told me she wouldn't
make it to twenty. She died four
days before her twentieth birthday.
Did God send me to Washington for
one last visit, or did my being there
cause her death? I keep reliving
that night.
FRANK
You can't take all of this on
yourself. You can't be the White
Knight.
James fights tears as patrons start to stare.
JAMES
She told me she'd had sex with him.
I froze. Maybe only for a few
seconds, but by the time I reached
the parking lot, she was gone. If
I'd reacted faster, she could've
told me to go to hell--but she'd be
alive.
FRANK
JIM, I want you to slow down, get a
hold of yourself. I'm here, guy.
We have a lot of time to talk
JAMES
Why am I alive and she's dead. Hell,
I should have gone to Vietnam and
probably would have died there and
she'd be alive. My friend said I
wouldn't know when the right girl
came along and he was right.
FRANK
I'm taking you to the Miner's
Restaurant. You need your family.
JAMES
NO! They've never asked what happened.
They've never said they were sorry.
FRANK
They don't know what to do.
JAMES
All they had to do is talk to me,
hug me. Tell me they hurt for me.
My family isn't comfortable with
feelings. Only my mother came to
the funeral, probably because of
what people would think. My brother
and sister stayed home. I was dying,
Frank, and no one came.
FRANK
You can't choose your family.
JAMES
I understand them now. We never
hugged, kissed, or said, 'I love
you.' My brother and sister are as
emotionally crippled as I am. They
couldn't understand the depth of my
loss.
James struggles to regain control
JAMES
Elaine's mother and sisters took me
in. They cried with me, hugged me,
talked to me. They should've hated
me, but they didn't. When I think
of the years we lost--and the children
we might have had, I lose it.
A beat
JAMES
This is a life sentence without
parole.
EXT. PHILADELPHIA STREET- AFTERNOON
A month later.
James spots a woman ahead of him. From behind, she looks
exactly like Elaine.
Hope flashes across his face. He runs after her.
James catches up. The woman turns.
She is a stranger.
JAMES
I'm sorry, I thought you were someone
else...
As the woman walks away, James watches her disappear into
the crowd.
JAMES (V.O.)
Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendour in the
grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather
find Strength in what remains behind.
A beat.
JAMES (V.O.)
You still give me strength, Elaine.
Goodbye My Friend by Linda Ronstadt plays over the closing
credits.
FADE OUT
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