a movie script and TV Pilot teaser

Written by Dr. Pelham Mead

(c) Western Writers Association 2019.

DON’T BE SQUARE

Written by Pelham K. Mead III

Based on the novel, “The Junior High.”

1 EPISODE ONE-DEATH OF A TEACHER. 1

2 SCENE 1-INT.-DAY- BUSINESS EDUCATION CLASSROOM, KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH.

FADE IN:

NARRATOR
The school bell rings and students begin to enter into Business class
210 on the second floor of Kakiat Junior High School. The teacher is Mr. NICK COZZA(60s), early 60s,, a grey haired, thin build, Business Education teacher. He stands in the doorway smiling at the students as they enter. Nick is an ‘Old School’ teacher who is slow, and methodical with his students. He follows the textbook exactly with his New York Brooklyn accent, and expressions like ‘yous guys.’ He is dressed in a white shirt, tie and brown slacks with dress shoes.

Suddenly, an Assistant Principal, HERMAN KASPAR(50S),short stocky, crew cut hair style appears at the classroom door. Herman is a career assistant principal, having been passed over for Principal several times. After a short Hello with HERMAN he walks into the classroom.

HERMAN KASPAR(50S)
Good morning Mr. Cozza, how are you doing today?

NICK COZZA(60S) BUSINESS EDUCATION
You’re here again? You evaluated me the beginning of the month, and MARTIN GOLDMEER,30s, the other assistant Principal, came in last week to evaluate me. I have tenure and there should only be one evaluation a year.(Showing a distressed face)

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Well, we felt there was a need for a follow-up, since your previous evaluations had to many “needs to improve ratings.”

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
It seems to me you are exceeding your authority as assistant Principal in over-evaluating a tenured teacher in just one month.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
You are entitled to your opinion Mr. Cozza.

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
Ok, class lets sit down in your assigned seats. Take out your textbook, and your homework. If you remember your assignment was to set up a small company called the Kakiat Pet Feed Store. Your were to set up a budget, and starting inventory based on the numbers provided in your textbook. Pely how much did you provide for grain for horses and goats?

JIM GOLDBERG (13), STUDENT
$5,000 dollars Mr. Cozza.
NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
That is right JIM(13). Good job. SUZY(13) can you tell me how many bales of hay you are projecting to sell this month in your store?

SUZY SMITZ (13)STUDENT
(SUZY is a small 13 year old blond with a pony tail and rimless glasses) I anticipate that with
$3,000 in hay bales purchased that I will have to sell 60 bales of hay at $50 dollars a piece.

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
Well, there is a problem Suzy. If you buy the hay for $3,000 and you sell 60 bales of hay that will give you $3,000 back. Where is the profit Suzy?

SUZY SMITZ, STUDENT
I do not know, Mr. Cozza
NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
Does anyone else have an idea how to make a profit on the hay bales if you paid $3,000 for 60 bales of hay?

ROGER WHITE (13)STUDENT
(Raising his hand) (Roger is a nerd, tall 5’9” with light brown hair cut short) Just add 50% profit to each bale of hay as a profit margin, so instead of selling each bale for $50, (what you paid for the bale) you add $25 dollars per bale.

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
So what would the profit be Roger?
ROGER WHITE (13)STUDENT
I figure 60 bales of hay at $75 each would equal $4,500 total or
$1500 in profit on the hay sales.
NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
That is correct Roger, nice work. Does everyone understand that you have to make a profit to stay in business? Are there any questions?

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIIPAL
Excuse me Mr. Cozza, what does selling Hay have to do with Business today?

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
Excuse me, I don’t understand your question. What do you mean Business today?

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Well, these students are obviously not farmers. Why are they working on a business problem for a farmer? Why not a gas station or a movie house?

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
Because that is the scenario the text book provides.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Oh, I see you could not modify the text book scenario to apply to suburban businesses?

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCAITON
I don’t see how it makes a difference. A profit for a business is the same regardless whether it is for a farmer or a movie owner.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I beg to differ with you Mr. Cozza. Perhaps if you were more up to date with your examples the more students would be signing up for Business Education classes instead of signing up for Yearbook instead.

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATIN
Well, I (suddenly Nick’s face looks distorted. He pauses and He reaches for his heart with a gesture of pain on his face, and falls down on the floor).

SUZY SMITZ, STUDENT
(Screaming) Oh my God, I think he is having a heart attack. Do something Mr. Kaspar.

NICK COZZA, BUSINESS EDUCATION
Someone run to the Nurse quickly and tell them Mr. Cozza fell down and is not breathing.

ROGER WHITE, STUDENT
I’ll run and get the Nurse.

HERMAN KASPAR
(Mr. Kaspar never gets out of his chair to check on Mr. Cozza) Everyone stay in your seat. The Nurse will be here shortly, and she will know what to do.
Muriel Watson, School Nurse’s office is two classrooms away from room 210 and the Nurse is there in minutes.

MURIEL WATSON(40S)SCHOOL NURSE
(Muriel wears the white uniform of a Nurse, she has brown hair with a little bit of grey showing, she wears glassed with dark rims, and is slightly overweight at 5’6” tall) What happened Mr.Kaspar?

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
He was teaching, and all of a sudden got dizzy, grabbed his chest, and fell to the ground. I think he may have had a heart attack?

MURIEL WATSON, SCHOOL NURSE
Let me check his vital signs. I am not getting a pulse. He isn’t breathing. I am going to have to call for an ambulance. Meanwhile, I will give him CPR to see if that will work.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Do what ever you need to do Muriel. I am going to go and tell the Principal Mr. Chisamore. (Herman Leaves the room).

FADE TO BLACK.

3 SCENE 2-INT.-DAY- THE AFTER MATH OF A TEACHER’S DEATH. 3
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
Herman Kaspar rushes to Principal Chisamore’s office to tell him the bad news.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
He is overreacting because he knows he is partially responsible for causing Nick Cozza having a heart attack in his classroom.

HELEN MARINO (40S)SECRETARY
He is busy on the phone right now. Is it important Mr. Kaspar?

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Yes, tell him it is an emergency.
HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
All right, I will tell Mr. Chisamore that you have an important thing to tell him.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Thank you Helen. I will wait here until he comes out. (Herman gestures toward a chair in the main office).

HELEN MARINO
Mr. Chisamore is off the phone and he says he will see you now Mr.
Chisamore.

HERMAN KASPAR
Thank you Helen.

Sam enters Principal Chisamore’s office,
HERMAN KASPAR (CONTINUED) (CONT’D)
Ray, we have a problem. I was following up on your orders to harass Mr. Cozza with constant evaluations today. While I was in the classroom, Mr. Cozza had a heart attack, and I think he died. Do you think anyone will hold us accountable for his death?

RAY CHISAMORE (60S)PRINCIPAL
What happened? He had a heart attack? Well what the hell does that have to do with us? You tell MARTIN GOLDMEER(30s)to keep his mouth shut. Get Mr. Cozza’s personnel file, and destroy the evaluations you guys did this month.
(MORE)

RAY CHISAMORE (60S)PRINCIPAL (CONT’D)
We don’t want to leave any evidence that we were intentionally trying to force a teacher to retire. Have you got that Herman?(Ray’s face was a combination of fear and anger).

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Yes Sir, you are the boss. We better cover our asses or there will be hell to pay. The Superintendent will want to know all the details, and the Union of course will get their two cents into the situation. We need to try and downplay the situation so teachers don’t go around pointing fingers at us.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Right you are Herman. Let’s get on it right away, and I will call the Superintendent of Schools. Darwin Carlson is not going to like this one bit. Helen Marino call Mr.
Carlson for me on the phone.

HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
Yes Sir, right away. (Several minutes later)
Mr. Chisamore, I have Mr. Carlson, the Superintendent of Schools on the phone. Pick up on line 2.

DARWIN CARLSON (60’S) SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, EAST RAMAPO CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Good Morning Ray. What can I do for you?

RAY CHISAMORE
We have a situation Darwin. A teacher just had a heart attack in his classroom.

DARWIN CARLSON, SUPERINTENDENT
That is most unfortunate. Why is it a situation?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Well, It might appear that I was trying to get Mr. Nick Cozza to retire by stressing him out with poor evaluations.

DARWIN CARLSON, SUPERINTENDENT
So what is wrong with giving him the legal annual evaluation?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
The problem is, I instructed my assistant principals to evaluate him every week this month to pressure him into retiring.

DARWIN CARLSON, SUPERINTENDENT
Really? Are you freaking crazy, Four evaluations in one month. Is that a national record for evaluations for a teacher? You stupid fool. How are you going to protect the district from being sued? And most of all how are you going to prevent the Union from going ballistic when they get a whiff of this teacher harassment? Boy, you got us into a real bad situation?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
I have instructed my assistant principal, Herman Kaspar, to destroy the evaluations forms in NICK’s personnel file so that the Teachers Union cannot get copies of his evaluations. If they request them or find that we did four evaluations in one month, there will be no written evidence.

DARWIN CARLSON, SUPERINTENDENT
Well, that may help, but it may not work if his wife or anyone else has a copy of his past evaluations or if he told any colleagues of getting so many surprise evaluations. Let me ask the district lawyers what their advice is. I will get back to you today.
Meanwhile, sit tight and keep your mouth shut.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Yes Sir, I will try to downplay the whole incident. I will contact his wife, and express my condolences and express to the faculty how sorry we lost a great teacher. Good bye.

Ray Chisamore, Principal, is seen looking out his office window and reflecting.

FADE OUT.

5 EPISODE TWO-THE VOICE OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH 5
6 SCENE 1-INT.-DAY- MAIN OFFICE OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. 6
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
Standing behind the Public address system in the right hand corner of the main office is JOHN CARUCCI(20s) an explosive speaker, full of enthusiasm and sarcasm.
JOHN is a Social Studies teacher that should have been a disc jockey. He is an Italian guy with thinning hair on top, and he wears horn rimmed glasses. JOHN is a teacher like no other teacher. He is sympathetic to his students. He takes the time to ask his students how they doing. He is a real caring person with a positive attitude, no matter what the situation. He is friends with everyone in the school in just his first year. He has more energy than a gang of teachers, and is always doing something to keep busy. JOHN can imitate anyone, actors, fellow friends, and famous people. He is man who tells jokes, makes up funny stories, and is always making people feel good.

He is dressed in a “spiffie” sports jacket, tie and slacks. JOHN is the “Voice of Kakiat Junior High school,” who makes the morning daily announcements every day.

JOHN CARUCCI (23)SOCIAL STUDIES AND PA ANNOUNCER
Good Morning Kakiat Junior High School. (Announced in the manner Robin Williams used in the movie,”Good Morning Vietnam.” Loud and with great emphasis on dragging out the Gooooood Mornnnning part).

It is with the greatest sadness that we take a moment of silence for the passing of a beloved teacher, Mr. Nick Cozza, who died of a heart attack in his classroom yesterday. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be greatly missed.

Now onto a brighter note, the Kakiat Junior High Tigers Football team , squashed The Panthers from North Junior High School yesterday with a score of 32-7. Let’s give a big hand for DANNY MATHERS(14) who scored two running touchdowns!
On another note: Students are reminded that mid-term exams are coming in several weeks. Please check the assigned test room schedule on the Guidance bulletin board.
This years Faculty Basketball team will feature Rick the Knapp, who never graduated from Syracuse, Don “The Tree Lee,” Al “The Mauler” Malden, Pel “the bomber Mead, Gerry the stomper Levitus, and Joe the Jumper Hughes.
Tickets are on sale now for the annual Student vs. Faculty basketball game which raises money for the Student Yearbook fund.
The Cafeteria staff wish to announce that personal pizzas will be on sale during lunch from now on. An automatic Pizza oven machine has been purchased, and will be used to crank out those delicious Pizzas. Remember “Don’t be Square.” That’s all for today. This is your announcer Johnny C. Signing off.

FADE TO BLACK.

7 SCENE 2-INT.-DAY- KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL SMALL GYMNASIUM.

7

FADE IN:

NARRATOR
The scene opens with the school bell ringing, and students seen running through the gym doors slamming the doors and running into the locker-rooms. After quickly dressing in the boys locker-room, the boys all run into the back gymnasium where the sound of shouts, and doors slamming echo off the walls and ceiling. Standing in front of the class is a tall 6ft. 5 inches tall Physical Education Teacher dressed in grey pants with a blue stripe down the sides, a golf shirt with KAKIAT JHS Phys.
Ed. Embroidered on the left of the shirt. He has white high top basketball sneakers on and a lanyard hanging around his neck with dozens of keys with a whistle also attached. BOB has light brown hair in a crew cut style. This is BOB DILLEY(20s) KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER and
FOOTBALL coach.(Coach Dilley was a star Basketball player at Ithaca College in upstate New York and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education).

Meanwhile, in the locker-room
PELHAM MEAD, the other PHYSICAL
EDUCATION Teacher who is 6 feet talk, and trim and muscular with light blonde hair in a crew cut. He is wearing the same Instructor pants of grey with a blue stripe down the side, white addidas sneakers, a red T-shirt saying Springfield College, and a lanyard handing around his neck with many keys and a high pitch whistle. He is shouting for the boys to hurray up, and get dressed and lock up their lockers after they are done.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
The Second late school bell rings, and almost all of the boys are milling around the back gymnasium waiting for the shrilling blast of the teacher’s whistle. Suddenly, the whistle burst out hurting everyone’s ears.

BOB DILLEY (23)PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(Shouting to be heard above the noise) Line up, and sit on your attendance squads. Any medical notes bring them up now. If you have a mommies now, take it to the Nurse immediately, and have her approve the note and bring it back to me asap.

PELHAM MEAD (24)PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(Speaking to BOB DILLEY) Alright BOB, the locker-room is cleared. All the students are in the gym.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Squad one are there any absences? No. OK, Squad Two, any absences? Yes B2 is absent, That is JAMES FISHLY. Squad c absences..

NARRATOR
All the boys are dressed in Kakiat Junior high t-shirts in white and green shorts, white socks and sneakers. The girls are in a separate section of the gym.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
While Coach Dilley is taking attendance let’s all stand up, and get ready for Jumping Jacks. Ready, begin 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, Stop.
Pushups, assume the position on the floor, 10 pushups, (pause) Ready begin, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
COACH MEAD I have all the attendance and medical notes. We are ready for sit-ups. Class, buddy up with someone in your squad, one person will be on their back, and the other partner will be holding their straight legs. Sit-ups ready begin, 1,2,3,4,5, 10. Stop.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
You know Bob we have too many students in this class. I count 101 students total. The class limit is
45 per teacher, which would be only
80 students. I passed GERRY LEVITUS’ class in the big gym and he has only 22 students.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Yeah, I was thinking about that too. Maybe it is because we are new teachers that we have these overloaded classes?

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Exactly what I was thinking. How do we control the noise level in this small gym. I cannot blow the whistle every two seconds, when the noise level gets too high. We need to come up with a solution.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Exactly, I cannot hear my own voice in this small gym with 100 screaming 7th and 8th graders.
Let’s take the class outside where the noise level will be lower.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Good idea Coach. Let’s do it.(Shouting to the Gym Class). Class, we are going out today. The weather is still in the high 50’s, so it is still good weather for Flag Football. Exit the gym by the back doors on the left and the right, and follow us up the hill to the Football field. Ready, Move out.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
See you at the top of the field coach.

NARRATOR
The double size class of 101 male students rush out of the gym with an ear defying roar with the safety bars on the doors slamming open and closed. All 101 students begin jogging up the 60 degree hill behind the Kakiat JHS gymnasium.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
On the top of the hill, unseen from the bottom of the hill, is a full- sized Football field that the regular 9th grade Football team plays their games.

FADE OUT.

8 SCENE 3-EXT.-DAY- FOOTBALL FIELD ON THE TOP OF THE HILL. 8
FADE IN:

NARRATOR
From high up on the football field the two Physical Education teacher look down on the Soccer field (In front of the school) where a small gym class is playing Soccer on the lower field in front of the school.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Hey Coach Dilley, look down there on the soccer field. What do you see?

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
I see a small group of students playing Soccer. Yeah, is it GERRY LEVITUS’S gym class?

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Yeah, He has all the 9th graders, all 22 of them, and we have 101, 7th and 8th graders. What is wrong with that picture? I have a headache after this class every time we work with them, because the noise is so loud in the small gym.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We need to come up with a solution in controlling this large class.
They don’t even listen to the whistle, no matter how many times I blow it, till my ears are ringing.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(Shouting to the PE Class), one lap around the field and then we will line up in squads to practice centering the ball, quarterbacking and receiving the ball.
(MORE)

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The pass patterns we are going to work on are the button-hook pattern, and the square out or square in pattern. First to finish the run gets the football for the first squad.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Hey Pel did you hear about Nick Cozza? He had a heart attack right in his classroom. Herman Kaspar the assistant principal was evaluating him at the time. Some students in his class said that Nick had more than one evaluation that month and that may have caused the stress on Nick’s Heart.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
That is very sad to hear. I liked the man. We talked once in a while in the teachers cafeteria. He had been working for this district for
32 years. I imagine the Teachers Union is looking into the administrators role in his heart attack?

FADE TO BLACK.

9 SCENE 4-INT.-DAY- TEACHER LUNCH ROOM.

NARRATOR
JOHN CARUCCI has early lunch, period 3. He has brought a bag lunch from home, and is looking for a table to sit at when he sees NAT MOLOFSKY(50S) the Science department chairman, and Chief Building Rep for the Teachers Union, He is sitting alone in the corner of the room at a table gesturing for JOHN to come over and join him. Nat is a small man with grey hair and a clean shaven face.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Good morning Mr. Molofsky.

9

FADE IN:

NAT MOLOFSKY(50S)SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON
Actually, it is almost afternoon John. How are you doing? Have a seat.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Thanks. I have to get used to eating lunch so early in the day at 11:05.

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
Yes, the three period lunch system is a pain but with nearly 1,000 students attending Kakiat Junior High, we have no choice but to break up the lunch periods by grade level.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
I was wondering how did this school get the ridiculous name Kakiat? The first time I saw the name, I could not pronounce it properly. (Laughing).

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
Well, the truth is that the South Junior high students who knew they were getting split between South Junior high, and the new Junior high, got the opportunity to pick the name of the new building to make them like it a little more.

The choices in the vote were, Central Junior High, Eisenhower Junior High, and Kakiat Junior High. The students hated the idea of having to go to another Junior High so much, that they all picked the local Indian name of Kakiat, because they hated the name. Oh, well?

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
That is a funny story. Do you have any more gems about this school?

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
Do I ever? Did you know that when they opeRay the school in September of 1960 the school construction was not finished yet, and the seats for the auditorium had not arrived.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
So what did the Superintendent of Schools do?

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
He did not have a lot of choices. He could tell 600 parents and students that they could not attend school for several weeks while, other students were already in school or he had to come up with an alternative plan.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
So what was the plan?
NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
The Superintendent decided to forgo the Certificate of Occupancy inspection by the building inspector until the last five classrooms were finished, and the auditorium filled with seats. He took a chance and opeRay the school with construction still going on during the day. I heard they paid off the building inspector, not to inspect the building until all the construction was completed.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Did that plan work?
NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
At least we did not have to postpone the opening date and have teachers, students, and parents in a waiting mode. The downside of that decision was it was impossible to be heard in the classrooms when the electric saws started in or hammering on walls. Teachers complaiRay, but eventually they learRay a sort of sign language during the noise.
(MORE)

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE (CONT’D)
Students were patient when teachers had to hand out ditto flyers of notes almost every class. It took four weeks to finish the school properly.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
That’s amazing. I’ll bet it was a real stressful time for everyone involved.

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
One other thing John, as you know I am the Chief Building rep for the Teachers Union. What have you heard about Nick Cozza?

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Funny you should mention that. I heard some of my students taking about Nick being a great teacher, and that an administrator came ever week in the past month to evaluate him. Is that legal?

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
No, it isn’t legal. A tenured teacher gets only one announced evaluation a year. We heard that Nick had four unannounced evaluations in one month which is a violation of the Union contract.
Now we have to prove it and the administrators seem to have hidden all the evidence.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
I find it hard to believe. Nick was a great teacher from the old school of thinking, but still effective with his classes. Thanks for the stories Mr. Chisamore. I have a class to run to. See you around.

FADE OUT.

10 SCENE 5-INT.-DAY- KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY. 10
FADE IN:

NARRATOR
(It was the first semester of 7th grade for student PERRY GENOVESE(12). Perry had graduated from Oakwood Elementary school, and was looking forward to coming to Kakiat Junior High school because it had the only gymnastic team in the county. Perry was only 4 ft. 10 inches tall, and undersized for a
12 year old boy. He was however, a great athlete who loved to run, tumble or wrestle. Perry’s closest friend from Elementary school was a black student called ALFRADEO DONELSON(12).

PERRY GENOVESE (12)
(Talking to his buddy Alfredo Donelson in the school hallway) My daily schedule in 7th grade wasn’t too bad. I have Mr. Padua, the fat guy first period for English, Mr. Knapp for Science second period Health Education with Mr. Weizner, Lunch 4th period, Social Studies with Mr. Carucci; Wood Shop period 6, Ms. Beckie Mason for Music chorus, and Ms. Highcastle for Math last period 8.

ALFREDO DONELSON (12)
Yea, you and I are together only period 5 and 8. I even put in for my schedule early in the summer and I did not get what I wanted.

PERRY GENOVESE
When I first walked into Mr. Padua’s class for English I noticed the hard candies he had on his desk. When I looked closer at the candies I noticed that they has all Alted and stuck together in one big clump.

ALFRADO DONELSON
I heard about those candies from some other students who have him for English. The word is don’t ever try to eat one of his candies.

PERRY GENOVESE
What about Mr. Carucci? He was always wearing hair wigs to class to make the effect of a Revolutionary soldier. He even pretended to be George Washington in several classes. He had me in stitches. I sigRay up for cross- country last week. You should join us on the team Al. I know you like running and you are a good Knapp.

ALFRADO DONELSON
I didn’t get Mr. Carucci for a teacher, I got Mr. TUNIS, and all he talks about is when he was a part-time State Trooper in the summers at Harriman State Park.

PERRY GENOVESE
You know the Coach of the Cross- country team is the same guy who coaches the Gymnastic Team. His name is Coach Mead. I have him for 3rd period for Phys. Ed. You should talk to him Al. Remember when he came to your elementary school, and did a Gymnastic Exhibition? You said you loved it. Cross country goes from September to November, and Gymnastics starts in November and ends in March.

ALFRADO DONELSON
OK, I will talk to him today to sign up for Cross country. We will have a blast running for the same team.

FADE OUT.

12 SCENE 6-INT.-DAY- THE OVERCROWDED PHYSICAL EDUCATION 12
CLASSES.

FADE IN:
NARRATOR
The men’s office had two desks crowded into one room with a bathroom off to the side.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
The walls are concrete over cinderblocks, very Spartan looking. A large metal cage sits on the floor full of basketballs, soccer balls, and Footballs. A bulletin board is behind the door with announcements on it and a calendar with the days for team games home and away. Overall the room is messy with cleats on the floor, dirty shirts handing from a coat rack, papers all over the desks, and red Delaney attendance books stacked on the desks.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Hey, Bob, I have an idea how we can control that overcrowded gym class. Why don’t we pull out the trouble makers and have them exercise all period while the rest of the class goes outdoors?

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
That will never work Pel. I attended Catholic School when I was a kid and those Nuns put up with nothing. Discipline was their middle name. When we were too noisy the Nuns would yell kneel and we all hit the ground faster than the speed of light because anyone standing got punished by holding water buckets for long periods of time with your arms held horizontal to the ground.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
How is that going to work for us?
BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Simple, when we blow the whistle we will have everyone go down on one knee or genuflect. Those that were still standing will do 25 pushups in front of the class. Peer pressure will work in addition to conditioned response.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Bob, you are a genius. We will try your approach at the next class.
(MORE)

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
I am sure in no time we will have that class as quiet as Gerry’s class of 22 students.

SCENE 7 -EXT.-DAY- LOVE ON THE HILL.

NARRATOR

FADE TO BLACK.

FADE IN:

The third period gym class is headed up the hill toward the football field on the top of the hill.
Coach Mead leads a double class of 85 Physical Education students up the hill behind the gym. While approaching the top of the hill something catches his eye. Perry Genovese a 12 year old gymnast that will go on to become a New York State All-around champion three times. Perry is a short and thin, tough little white kid who is always getting into fights.

PERRY GENOVESE(12)STUDENT
Hey coach slow up, you are wearing us out.

COACH PELHAM MEAD(PE)
Come on Perry you run this hill all the time in Cross-country.

PERRY GENOVESE
Yeah, but not in PE class.

PERRY GENOVESE-STUDENT
Hey coach what are those two teachers doing over there in the gutter?

NARRATOR
This is the beginning of an affair between Mrs. Renee Torbin, Physical Education teacher and Job Hughes, Social Studies. After this incident they become the gossip of the school from then on.

PELHAM MEAD,(PE)
(Coach Mead Looks over the right of the hill gutter toward two teachers lying down in the gutter. This happened just as he came over the top of the hill. He does not recognize RENEE TORBIN(PE) And JOE HUGHES(SS) at
first)
They must be practicing gymnastics or something, ha, laughs.

PERRY GENOVESE
Really, Coach, they seem to be hugging one another. Is that Mr. Hughes And Mrs. Torbin?

It could be?

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION

NARRATOR

Coach Mead blows his whistle to alert the two teachers that a whole class of
80 students are coming up the hill) whistle-tweet…

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
OK, class let’s move it up the hill And one lap warm-up around the field.

JOE HUGHES(24) SOCIAL STUDIES
Renee, the PE class is coming up the hill. We had better get out of here.

RENEE TORBIN(24), PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Oh, my God, I think Bill saw me let’s get out of her.

NARRATOR
Note: Joe And Renee get up And brush themselves off quickly and start walking quickly down the hill. They are about 50 yards away from the PE classes coming up the hill.
Naturally the gossip got around the building that day, And all week, that Mr. JOE HUGHES from Social Studies, And Mrs. RENEE TORBIN were having an affair.

FADE OUT.

13 SCENE 8-INT.-DAY- SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN’S 13
OFFICE.
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
FRED TUNIS(50’S) the Social Studies Department chairman is sitting behind his grey desk talking to JOHN CARUCCI regarding JOHN’s first classroom evaluation.

FRED TUNIS(50’S)SOCIAL STUDIES CHAIR PERSON.
John, I have completed your first class evaluation, and I have some points that need improvement.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
(Angrily) I noticed you cited me for having students sitting on the radiator. Do you realize that the class only has 32 chairs and tables, and you allowed the enrollment to go to 35 students.
The is 3 over the contract limit with the Union.

FRED TUNIS
I realize that John, but I have to make mention of it to get the administration to transfer three students out of that class.
(MORE)

FRED TUNIS (CONT’D)
If I don’t cite you for the problem, they will say there is no problem.

JOHN CARUCCI
Why did you put I needed improvement on student engagement? I do presentations in costume for my classes, but you missed all of them. I have a debate between Lincoln and Douglas arranged with Mr. Lee, and his Social Studies class also.

FRED TUNIS
Well, I have yet to see any of those demonstrations in your class.

JOHN CARUCCI
Tell you what Fred, you come in next Wednesday to my 4th period 7th grade on-level class, and you will see one of my demonstrations of General George Washington telling the class about the British chasing him out of Brooklyn Heights and his retreat to the upper Bronx to Fort Washington, then to Fort Lee and finally to the backwoods of New Jersey chased by General Howe British Army.

FRED TUNIS
OK, John, I will take you up on your challenge. I have not seen you do any of this historical demonstrations that you claim you do on a regular basic.

JOHN CARUCCI
Next Wednesday, then I will see you 4th period.

FADE TO BLACK.

14 SCENE 9-EXT.-DAY- THE BOMB SCARE.

NARRATOR
Student PERRY GENOVESE(12)(PERRY is
a short 5 ft.
(MORE)

14

FADE IN:

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Tall Student with light brown hair, and a gritty Italian attitude. His mother is divorced, and he has a chip on his shoulder) and his black friend ALFREDO DONELSON(12)(AL is
the son of a TEACHER from the SOUTH who moved to New York for a better life. He is a scrawny kid with short black hair, and horn rimmed glasses with a piece of tape on one hinge of the glasses. They are out on the Soccer field during lunch recess when a school alarm goes off. It is not the usual school bell, but a fog horn like sound. An announcement comes over the PA system which could be hear outdoors. It is Mr. Chisamore the school Principal.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
May I have you attention please. This is not a drill. I repeat this is not a drill. Teachers and students and staff, please stop what you are doing and leave the building following the Fire Drill signs in the hallway. Go to the nearest exit and leave the building in a quiet and orderly fashion.
Teachers line up you classes as far away from the building as possible out on the Soccer field or at the side entrance to the school grounds. I repeat this is not a drill.

PERRY GENOVESE
What do you think that is all about Al?

ALFRADO DONELSON
I think it is a Fire drill or something?

PERRY GENOVESE
Yeah, I guess you are right. Here come all the classes marching out onto the Soccer field. Now we have no room to play Soccer. Oh, well.

NARRATOR
JOHN CARUCCI and RICK KNAPP walk
their classes out onto the Soccer field and instruct their students to be quiet during the drill.
RICK(20s) is a short stocky guy with a short haircut and clean- shaven face. His hair is a dark brown with brown eyes.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
(Shouting to another teacher RICK KNAPP) Hey, Rick what is going on?

RICK KNAPP (20S)SCIENCE
I think it is a Fire drill however they use the school bell for a fire drill. Maybe it is a bomb scare again?

JOHN CARUCCI
A bomb scare? Are you kidding?
RICK KNAPP
No, we get several fake bomb scares a month. You are new. You will see what a pain in the neck they are in disrupting classes and wasting valuable time.

JOHN CARUCCI
Do they ever catch these guys?
RICK KNAPP
No, not yet. They try to trace the call but the caller usually uses a pay phone and then runs. Someday they will figure out how to nail them and this fake bomb scare crap will be history.

JOHN CARUCCI
(Seeing PERRY GENOVESE on the field JOHN CARUCCI yells out) Hey Perry how are you doing?

PERRY GENOVESE
I am doing good, Mr. Carucci. What is going on a fire drill?

JOHN CARUCCI
No, a Bomb scare we think. An administrator will come around at some point in a golf cart, and tell us what is going on and when we can re-enter the building.

PERRY GENOVESE
OK, thanks Mr. Carucci

CUT TO:

15 SCENE 10-EXT.-DAY-SEARCHING FOR A BOMB.

NARRATOR
The school district bomb policy is that the custodians remain in the building, and search the hall lockers which they have the master keys to. The Physical Education teachers are the only personnel that have the Master Keys to all the locks in the Physical Education Boys, and Girls locker rooms so they have to remain in the building and search for a bomb in the locker- rooms. The custodians search the halls by school policy and the Physical Education Teachers search the Locker rooms.

15

FADE IN:

GERRY LEVITUS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION CHAIR
(Standing in the Phys. Ed. Men’s office) Listen everybody it is our job to make sure the locker rooms are free from any hidden bombs. If you hear something ticking in a locker use your master key and open the locker. Be careful in case the door is wired to the bomb. Check all the unlocked lockers where anyone could just put a bomb, and run away. We have to complete this task in 20 minutes or less. Paper bags, gym bags and towels are all suspect.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
I will take the back locker room first.

NARRATOR
(Naomi is a tall 6”1” female Phys. Ed. Teacher with thick rim eye glasses and thick dark brown hair. She is wearing a light blue sweat shirt and pants matching outfit with black sneakers and a lanyard around her neck with three keys and a whistle).

NAOMI NEWMAN (20S) WOMEN’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Shelly and I will cover both of the girls locker rooms. If we fall behind in finishing we will call one of you men to come over and help us out.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sam you and I will take the front locker room since it is the largest locker room with the most locks.

GERRY LEVITUS
Well, lets do it. Come on PEL
PELHAM MEAD
Watch out for the sharp edges of the locker doors you can get cut Sam. I am going down the first aisle. Nothing yet. We are clear. The second isle is next. Something sAlls in this locker so I am going to open it. Phew, someone left a sandwich, and it rotted with mold on it.

Over on the other side of the gym where the girls lockers are located.

NAOMI NEWMAN, WOMEN’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION
I hate that we have to risk our necks looking for a bomb. I would not know a bomb if I fell over it.

SHELLY BLATT (50S) WOMEN’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(Shelly is an older woman with grey hair, dressed in high heels and a skirt and blouse. She does not look anything like a Phys. Ed. Teacher and is not wearing a whistle. She is her late 50’s)
(MORE)

SHELLY BLATT (50S) WOMEN’S PHYSICAL
Laughing, your right NORA what the hell are we doing looking for a bomb. What administrator thought that would be a good idea. The first time a Physical Education teacher gets blown up will be the last time they use PE teachers to search for bombs.

Back to the men in the boys locker rooms.
BOB DILLEY
(Sweating) (Talking to himself) Gotta be fast, gotta be calm. Open this door and that one, and the other, Nothing so far. Please let there be no bomb. What if I find something with wires hanging out of it?

PELHAM MEAD
(Yelling into the back locker room) Bob are you all right back there? Find anything?

BOB DILLEY
(Yelling back) I haven’t found anything yet. I will keep you informed.

GERRY LEVITUS
PEL, I think I hear something ticking inside this locker. Come over here and listen, what do you think? It sounds like a clock.
Should we open it?
PELHAM MEAD
Go for it SAM, I will stand outside. Only kidding. Let’s open it slowly.

GERRY LEVITUS
(Sam opens the lock with his master key, then slowly opens the door to the locker. It is a wristwatch, and a loud one at that. Someone’s football uniform is in here too. I guess the kid forgot to put his watch back on. I’ll lock it up again. Keep looking.

Over on the other side of the gym in the girls locker room the two women keep searching for the bomb.

NAOMI NEWMAN
(Speaking to Shelly), 15 minutes already. We only have five minutes left, should I call one of the men to come over, and help us?

SHELLY BLATT
No NORA, I am almost done, how about you?

NAOMI NEWMAN
Just a few more lockers that are open. Maybe we can get done on time. My heart is racing. This is really stressful. I don’t like bombs. (Laughing nervously)

Back over on the Men’s side of the gym in the boys locker room.

PELHAM MEAD
Time is up SAM, let’s get the hell out of here. I found nothing suspicious, how about you?

GERRY LEVITUS
I am clear, BOB shut it down, and lets go. We are out of here.
Hurray.

PELHAM MEAD
(Yelling across the gym to the two women) NORA and SHELLY, we are done are you guys done? Let’s get out of here now.

NARRATOR
All five of the Physical Education teaching staff run out of the building using the side door, and breath a sign of relief that they did not find anything. Meanwhile assistant Principal HERMAN KASPAR is driving a golf cart around the building to make sure all the classes are liRay up and quiet outside the building.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Listen everybody, this is a bomb drill.
(MORE)

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
We had a threat over the phone, and have to act according to protocol. When the alarm horn sounds again you can re-enter the building.
Thank you for you cooperation.

(The loud fog horn sound blasts inside and outside the school building minutes later)

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
(Standing out on the Soccer field with his class) Well it looks like our bomb scare is over and the entire period is wasted. Back to our classrooms.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
(Standing next to RICK) Yeah, another wasted period. What a shame they cannot catch these pranksters?

CUT TO:

16 SCENE 11-INT.-DAY- JOHN CARUCCI’S CLASSROOM.

NARRATOR
It is fourth period 11:50am for the “On level” 7th grade Social studies class. FRED TUNIS(50S), the Department chairman is sitting in to observe JOHN CARUCCI do one of his Historical recreations for the students.
John enters the classroom after the students are seated with a white wig on his head and a jacket similar to the kind worn during the Revolutionary War by the Colonists army. The class begins laughing out loud.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is General George Washington, and I am in charge of the Continental Army who are fighting General Howe’s British Army.

16

FADE IN:

(MORE)

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES (CONT’D)
The Continental Army just pushed the British soldiers, and dependents out of Boston on March 17, 1776. The 11th month siege of Boston is over, and the British have left Boston with 120 ships for their Military base in Halifax, Nova Scotia with nearly 10,000 British troops and over 1,000 dependents or Torys as we call them.

I have come to New York to defend the city from the British with General Charles Lee of the Continental Army in charge. Now let’s go around the room, and I want each student to ask me one significant or important question about the military campaign on Long Island, Manhattan, Bronx Heights at Fort Washington, and Fort LEE in New Jersey.

My headquarters are in the Archibald KenRay Mansion at Number
1 Broadway in York Island as you may know. First student to start, the little lady to my right. What is your question ma lady?

SALLY JAMES(13) STUDENT
How many troops did you have in New York and Long Island, General Washington in 1776?

JOHN CARUCCI AKA GEORGE WASHINGTON
Good question ma lady. We have 19,000 colonial troops. I split the Continental Army into fortified positions in Brooklyn on Long Island, and in Manhattan, with some held in reserve in the so called “Flying Camp,” in Northern New Jersey, to be deployed when the British attacked New York.

PERRY GENOVESE (12) STUDENT
General Washington how many troops did the British have?

JOHN CARUCCI, AKA GEORGE WASHINGTON
Another excellent question young man.
(MORE)

JOHN CARUCCI, AKA GEORGE WASHINGTON
Let me see, according to our spies the British had 400 ships with 1200 cannons, and 10,000 sailors under the command of Admiral Lord Richard Howe, and they anchored in New York Harbor on August 13, 1776. On land more than 32,000 British and Hessian troops were under the command of the Admiral Howe’s brother General Sir William Howe.
Hessian troops are hired German mercenaries

BOBER JAMESON (13) STUDENT
Who won the battle of Long Island on August 22-30, 1776?

JOHN CARUCCI, AKA GEORGE WASHINGTON
Sadly, we lost the Long Island campaign because we made a mistake, and allowed Howe’s troops to flank our troops by passing through the Jamaica pass.

SUSAN HOLD (13), STUDENT
My question is similar to Bober’s question. What did you do after the British had you surrounded on Long Island?

JOHN CARUCCI, AKA GEORGE WASHINGTON
Realizing we had made some big mistakes, and Howe’s army outnumbered us, we fled on August 28th and 29th during a heavy night fog, by boat to Manhattan. I commandeered every available boat and raft I could find.

RONALD HAYES (13) STUDENT
Where did the Continental Army go after reaching Manhattan?

JOHN CARUCCI, AKA GEORGE WASHINGTON
We fled to Fort Washington in the Bronx heights, but Howe’s army followed us there and we eventually had to retreat across the Hudson river to Fort Lee on the palisades of the river.

NARRATOR
The class went on for the full 50 minutes with JOHN CARUCCI posing as General George Washington answering each and every question the student put forth. Mr. FRED TUNIS the Social Studies chairperson was impressed with his evaluation of JOHN and he changed his initial evaluation to all points good.) (The school bell rings and the class gets up and leaves.

FRED TUNIS, SOCIAL STUDIES CHAIRPERSON
Well JOHN, you proved me wrong. That was an excellent historical demonstration. You are well versed in all the facts surrounding General George Washington, and the class was well engaged in asking questions to try and trick you. I am going to change your first evaluation to all Good marks.
Thanks you JOHN it has been a pleasure.

CUT TO:

17 SCENE 12-INT.-DAY- THE HISTORY OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH 17
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
The Prep room is a dull looking room with no windows with a desk in the middle of piles of boxes, Chemistry sets and Biology charts around the room.
NARRATOR (CONT’D)
(Nat Molofsky is talking to RICK KNAPP, Science Teacher, and PHIL SPINA(50s) English teacher. PHIL SPINA is a 400 pound over-weight teacher who is also a Union Rep.)

NAT MOLOFSKY (50S, SCIENCE
RICK and PAUL, I think we have a problem with the Nick Cozza situation. The Teachers Union has requested the evaluation forms for Nick Cozza from the administration.
(MORE)

NAT MOLOFSKY (50S, SCIENCE (CONT’D)
We have been told there are no evaluation forms in NICK’s personnel file. This leads us to believe the files have been destroyed to cover up their harassment of Nick Cozza.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
I have heard, as well as other teachers have heard, from Nick’s students, that different administrator came in to evaluate Nick several times in one month.

PHIL SPINA (50S), ENGLISH
How are we going to prove the administration harassed Nick into having a heart attack?

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
Well, we tried the normal channels by making a formal request for his personnel file. Now it is up to the State Teachers Union Lawyers, and whether they want to bring a law suit against the administrators, and Ray Chisamore, MARTIN GOLDMEER, and Herman Kaspar and the School District as a whole.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
What does the Superintendent of Schools Mr. Carlson have to say?

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
He denies everything. He said he had no knowledge of Principal Chisamore breaking Union laws by evaluating a tenured teacher more than once a year. We of course do no believe him. Proving he is lying is another problem.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Where is there justice for Nick? What about his family, his wife and grown children?

NAT MOLOFSKY, SCIENCE
It will all have to play out in court if the Teacher Union Lawyers can get any evidence to prove their case. Time will tell.

FADE OUT.

19 SCENE 13-INT.-DAY-THE NICK COZZA LAWSUIT.

NARRATOR
Two months later a gentlemen shows up in the main office asking for Ray Chisamore. Helen Marino tells the stranger the Principal is busy at the moment. The stranger said he will wait.

HELEN MARINO (40’S)SECRETARY
What did you say your name was again Sir?

19

FADE IN:

MR. JOHN ADDISON(40s), LAWYER
My name is John ADDISON and I am from Smith and Laney Law firm.

HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
Mr. Chisamore will see you now. Go right in.

JOHN ADDISON, LAWYER
Mr. Ray Chisamore?
RAY CHISAMORE
Yes, how can I help you?
JOHN ADDISON, LAWYER
Consider yourself served Mr. Chisamore. You have thirty days to respond or your lawyer to respond in Supreme Court in New City, New York. Thank you (Mr. Addison walks out before Mr. Chisamore can say anything).

RAY CHISAMORE, LAWYER
But, I (Pause) (Mr. Chisamore is in shock at being presented with a subpoena for a lawsuit against him, his assistant principals, the Superintend of Schools Mr. Carlson And the School District for the Wrongful Death of Nick Cozza).

HELEN MARINO
What did he give you Mr. Chisamore?
RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
A subpoena! (Shocked look on his face.)

FADE OUT.

20 SCENE 14-INT.-DAY- OVERSIZED PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES. 20
FADE IN:

NARRATOR
PELHAM MEAD AND BOB DILLEY, both PE
teachers, have been trying to cope with an oversized Physical Education class of 101 boys. The class limit should be 45 students to one teacher. 80 should have been the maximum number of boys in the class. Guidance over-enrolled 101 students this class period and Coaches MEAD AND DILLEY- are stuck with them.

BOB DILLEY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All right class, let’s quiet down. Coach MEAD, and myself have discussed how to get this overcrowded class to quiet down, therefore, beginning today when we blow out whistle in the gym, everyone is to go down on one knee.

Anyone still standing will get to do 25 pushups in front of the class. If you get caught standing two times after the whistle is blown you will receive a zero for the class grade for the day, and you will get to do 50 pushups.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Let’s practice what Coach Dilley is talking about. Everyone stand up please. When I blow the whistle go down on one knee, and remain there on the spot and quiet at the same time. Ready (blows the whistle).

Everyone drops to the floor on one knee except two poor souls that did not listen to what Coach Dilley said.

BOB DILLEY
You two guys (pointing to two boys standing) did you not hear what I just said. Come up here now. Give me 25 pushups, now.

PELHAM MEAD
I think we found a solution to our noise problem.

The two students assume the starting position and begin their pushups in front of the class.
PELHAM MEAD (CONT’D)
Now you see what happens when you don’t pay attention or listen to what is being set. You end up being embarrassed in front of your friends.

From that day forward the largest boys gym class in the school had come under control for the first time in months.

CUT TO:

21 SCENE 15-INT.-DAY- SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOM OF JOHN 21
CARUCCI.
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
The second school late bell has just rung, and Social Studies teacher John Carucci is standing at the blackboard writing the assignment in chalk on the blackboard.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
As he turns around, and faces the class, all he sees is a sea of girl’s thighs. Every girl had a mini-skirt on, and it covered very little.
From the front of the class all John could see was a crowd of wide- open legs, which was very distracting, trying not to look up, and be distracted. John looked out over his science class only to notice how all the girls were wearing no bras, and their nipples were sticking out through their blouses or they were wearing blouses with the front buttons open down to their waist exposing their cleavage. Junior high girls were very physically advanced, but had no clue how they managed to get the boys hormones pumping. You could almost feel sexual tension in the air.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Bonnie, in the assignment reading last night you read how General George Washington learned from his mistakes in the 1776 campaign. What mistakes did he make in that campaign on Long Island, Manhattan or the Upper Bronx?

BONNIE BLATT(13) STUDENT
(A Short, cute red headed girl, with blue eyes wearing a mini- skirt) I think he made a mistake in the Battle of Long Island. He should have known that General Howe was known for flanking his enemies in battle, and he should have blocked the Jamaica pass to prevent his troops from being flanked.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
That’s right Bonnie. As he cannot help, but look up Bonnie’s legs to see a pair of white panties.(John tries to look away so as not to be distracted by Bonnie’s legs out in the isle.)(John turns to another students and asks) WILLIAM (William is a tall student with blond hair cut in a crew cut style with a flat top look).

How did General Washington escape from Long Island before British General Howe could surround him?

WILLIAM STARKEY (12) STUDENT
I don’t know Mr. Carucci.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES Really WILLIAM? OK, JODIE,
(A tall Jewish girl with a mini- skirt on) JODIE, how about you? Can you answer that question? (Jodie has a skirt on that was so small, it seemed like she had nothing on at all. Fortunately, she had her legs crossed to avoid grossing anyone out.

JODIE ROTHSTEIN (13) STUDENT
He got all the boats he could, and crossed the East River at night in a heavy fog.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
That is correct JODIE, good job.(Trying to look away from looking up Jodie’s thighs). GAIL can you tell me where the British first landed when they came to New York City?

GAIL LEVINE (13)STUDENT
I believe they landed on Staten Island, Mr. Carucci.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Right you are GAIL. They used Staten Island as a base to attack the Continental Army at Brooklyn Heights on Long Island. What mistake did General Howe and his brother Admiral Richard Howe make when first landing on Staten Island? Anyone know? (Silence for a few seconds) Well the mistake the Howe brothers made was in not attacking immediately. They had their own agenda. Both brothers were members of Parliament and they voted against the war against the colonies. What they wanted was to negotiate a peace with the Continental Army and get them to turn in their arms and surrender.
Then they wanted to help themselves to the spoils of war by taking over large tracts of land for their own profit.

WALLY MOON (13) STUDENT
(Raising his hand) Mr. CARUCCI didn’t General Washington realize he could not win a war against 45,000 British troops?

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
No, he did not realize it at first until he saw how many troops the British sent to recapture their colony in New York and Boston. What George Washington did eventually learn was that he was always outnumbered, and he could not play war the way the British wanted him to play. He had to be satisfied with small skirmishes, and small victories, constantly on the run, trying to wear the British down.
Washington wrote the Continental Congress after his defeat on Long Island, and expressed his feeling that they could never defeat General Howe’s massive Army. The only thing they could do was wage a war of attrition. Did Napoleon, or Alexander the Great realize that they could not win a war of attrition.
(MORE)

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES (CONT’D)
Do we realize now that we cannot win the Vietnam War because the Communists are using the same tactics as General Washington, forcing a battle of attrition. The longer the war, the less patience the British Parliament had in spending a great deal of money and getting nothing in return.

NARRATOR
The class discussion went on for a while until the school bell rang signaling the end of the period.
The students in Mr. Carucci’s class jumped up, and all left the classroom.
As the classroom empties we see JOHN CARUCCI looking out into the courtyard outside the school, shaking his head about the stress of looking at so many mini-skirts. It was an embarrassment for him as a former Catholic school student he would have to make a major adjustment.

FADE IN:

22 SCENE 16-INT.-DAY-THE COVERUP.

NARRATOR
RAY CHISAMORE is meeting with his two assistant principals, MARTIN GOLDMEER, and HERMAN KASPAR
regarding the recent subpoena regarding the untimely death of teacher Nick Cozza.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Well, we have a big problem now that a lawsuit on behalf of Nick Cozza has been filed against all of us, the School District, and the Superintendent of Schools. I have spoken with Darwin Carlson, the Superintendent, and he assures me that the district will provide lawyers if this goes to court.

22

FADE IN:

MARTIN GOLDMEER (30) ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I had all copies of the evaluation reports from Nick’s file destroyed. Fortunately, Nick did not get the Union involved early on. However, they have requested his file already, and have photocopied all his records yesterday.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I never filed the evaluation I was working on when Nick had a heart attack. Since, I was in the room it is going to be hard to deny I was not evaluating him.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
You bring up a good point Herman. We need to carefully protect ourselves or this problem could explode beyond our imagination. The Teacher Union is sending their State level lawyers down to our School District to investigate the case. Do not give any interviews without legal counsel present. The Superintendent doesn’t know anything about the case except what I told him. If he feels threatened he might give us up as sacrificial lambs. We have to be real careful. Meanwhile, everything should be business as usual. Any questions?
OK, let’s get back to work.

FADE OUT.

23 SCENE 17-INT.-DAY- MAIN OFFICE OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH. 23
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
It is another day at Kakiat Junior High and starting the day is the PA announcements from JOHN CARUCCI, “The VOICE OF KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
JOHN CARUCCI, PA ANNOUNCER
Good morning Kakiat Junior High school.
(MORE)

JOHN CARUCCI, PA ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
Here are the morning announcements on this cold November morning.
Midterm exams are schedule for next week. All exams will be taken in the regular subject room by students. Check with your teacher what day you will be taking your midterm exam. Good news in sports, the Kakiat Tigers Football team has a game against the Washingtonville Patriots this coming Friday on the upper Football field here at Kakiat Junior High. Don’t be square, make sure you are there this Friday to cheer on our Football team to victory.
A notice from the gymnasium, Mr. Levitus the Physical Education department chairman wishes to announce a second shipment of gym uniforms for girls and boys has arrived. Student can purchase their PE uniform in the book store before school or during lunchtime. The uniforms are no longer mandatory.
Students can buy any shorts they want and t-shirt and sneakers.
The Cross-Country track team won their match against Pomona Junior High yesterday with 7th grade students Perry Genovese and Alfredo Donelson coming in first and second place respectively. Hats off to those two athletes. This is Johnny
C. Signing off and remember, Don’t be Square.

FADE OUT.

24 SCENE 18-INT.-DAY- HOMEROOM 121 WITH HOMEROOM TEACHER 24
JOHN CARUCCI.
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
After making the morning announcements JOHN CARUCCI goes to his HOMEROOM assignment before the first period class. HOMEROOM is a ten minute period where the students meet for attendance taking prior to the first classroom period of the day.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Any student not in their seat by the late bell is considered absent from school.
John is sitting at his desk in Homeroom 121 waiting for all the students in his homeroom to arrive. It is 9:15 am according to the school clock in the hallway. A young girl is standing in the doorway talking to her friends before homeroom is over.

ADRIENNE ROTH (13)STUDENT
(Speaking to a girl friend of hers, SUSAN standing in the doorway of her homeroom) Billy said he wanted to meet me after school today.

SUSAN GREEN (13)STUDENT
Really, that is surprising. I though you did not like PEL

ADRIENNE ROTH, STUDENT
Do you think he likes me?

SUSAN GREEN, STUDENT
I really don’t know. What about your old boyfriend Malcomb?

ADRIENNE ROTH, STUDENT
We’re done. I caught him cheating on me with SYRENNA WILSON.

NARRATOR
A black student comes running down the hallway. It is Malcomb, ADRIENNE’S ex-boyfriend. He Stops at the doorway. He is a black student and ADRIENNE is white.

MALCOMB JAMES(13)BLACK STUDENT
What’s up bitch. You dropping me just like that?

NARRATOR
ADRIENNE and MALCOMB get into a verbal fight. Suddenly, without warning, he punches ADRIENNE in the jaw with tremendous force. ADRIENNE falls to the floor unconscious, and SUSAN GREEN screams.

SUSAN GREEN, STUDENT
Oh My God, Help, Mr. CARUCCI, Help.
NARRATOR
JOHN CARUCCI is sitting at his desk in the homeroom, and he looks up just in time to see MALCOMB coldcock ADRIENNE, and SUSAN yelling for help. JOHN jumps out of his seat, and runs to the doorway.

MALCOMB JAMES, BLACK STUDENT
See bitch that’s what you get.

JOHN CARUCCI, HOMEROOM TEACHER
(Talking to MALCOMB who is standing over ADRIENNE) Get out of the way Please. (His voice is strained from the stress of the situation).
Are you OK? (He asks Adrienne while checking her pulse). (Shouting) – ADRIENNE is not responding, and her eyes are in the back of her head.
She has a faint heartbeat and fast. SUSAN hold her head off the floor for me while I call the NURSE.

NARRATOR
JOHN CARUCCI stands up and grabs the intercom phone, and calls the office. Hello, this is Mr. CARUCCI in Room 121, call for an ambulance, and call the Nurse immediately. I have an unconscious girl in my doorway that was punched in the jaw by a boy.

HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
OK, Mr. CARUCCI, we are calling an ambulance immediately, and telling the Nurse to get there immediately. Is she still breathing?

JOHN CARUCCI, HOMEROOM TEACHER
Yes, she is, thank God.
Five minutes later Nurse Mayberry arrives.

NURSE MAYBERRY(30S) SCHOOL NURSE
What happened Mr. Carucci?

JOHN CARUCCI, HOMEROOM TEACHER
This boy Malcom, punched ADRIENNE in the jaw, for no apparent reason, and she went unconscious, and fell to the floor.

NURSE MAYBERRY, SCHOOL NURSE
OK, did you call an ambulance?
JOHN CARUCCI
Yes, an ambulance is on the way.

NURSE MAYBERRY, SCHOOL NURSE
I have a slight pulse. She is still unaware of where she is however.

JOHN CARUCCI
I called an ambulance right away because she was unconscious, and may have suffered a concussion. (Turning to Malcomb who was standing in the hallway).
Now MALCOMB you are going to tell Principal CHISAMORE why you injured this girl for no reason. (Speaking angrily).

NARRATOR
JOHN grabs MALCOMB by the shirt collar, and practically lifts him off the ground, and begins to walk rapidly toward the Principal’s office in the front of the building. He drags the student all the way holding the shirt collar until he arrives at the principal’s office. It is then he realizes that MALCOMB’s feet aren’t touching the ground, and in his anger JOHN held MALCOMB off the ground all the way to the principal’s office.

JOHN CARUCCI, TEACHER
Mr. CHISAMORE, This student, MALCOMB JAMES took it upon himself to punch a girl names ADRIENNE ROTH in the jaw for no apparent reason. She fell to the floor unconscious in my homeroom. The nurse is sending the girl ADRIENNE ROTH to the local hospital to evaluate her condition. She might have a concussion.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Well Malcomb, what do you have to say for yourself?

MALCOMB JAMES, STUDENT
She disrespected me, the bitch.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Excuse me, we don’t use that kind of language here.

MALCOMB JAMES, STUDENT
(Pouting) Well, I am sorry.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL (CONT’D)
Helen call MALCOMB’s mother, and have her come down to the school immediately. We are going to suspend MALCOMB for assaulting a girl in the school.

HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
Yes sir, I will call MRS. WILLIAMS(40S) right now.

HELEN MARINO
Hello, MRS. WILLIAMS? This is Helen Marino, Principal Chisamore’s secretary at Kakiat Junior High School. Your son MALCOMB has been in an altercation with a girl, and he punched her causing her to become unconscious. MR. CHISAMORE wants you to come to the school immediately to pick up MALCOMB, and take him home. He is going to be suspended for a week from school.
MR. CHISAMORE will give you the details when you get to school.

MRS. WILLIAMS (40S) BLACK MOTHER OF MALCOMB
I don’t have a car, so I will have to call up for a taxi. It will take me at least 30 minutes to get there. Thank you for informing me of MALCOMB’S conduct.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
MALCOMB I want you to sit in my office until your mother comes to pick you up. Thank you JOHN. You may return to your first period class now.

FADE TO BLACK.

25 SCENE 19-INT.-DAY- STUDENT CAFETERIA 3RD PERIOD (11:00)LUNCH PERIOD.

25

FADE IN:

NARRATOR
7th grade student PERRY GENOVESE is talking to his black friend ALFREDO DONELSON in the cafeteria about school gossip.

PERRY GENOVESE
(Speaking to his friend Alfredo) Hey Al, did you hear about that girl being knocked out in her homeroom?

ALFRADO DONELSON
Yeah, I know the kid who punched her. His name is MALCOMB JAMES and he is in my bus in the morning.

PERRY GENOVESE
Really, what is this kid like?
ALFRADO DONELSON
He is just a 7th grader like us, but I think he wants to be known by his friends as a ‘Hard Ass.’ He is always picking fights on our bus. I just stay away from him.

PERRY GENOVESE
Don’t get involved. How about the cross-country match yesterday. Did you see that guy from the other team try to cut me off on the woodland path?

ALFRADO DONELSON
No, I was too far behind you in the woods to see what you were doing. I didn’t get my second breath until we came out of the woods onto the Football field.

PERRY GENOVESE
I had to push the guy back when he tried to cut in front of me on that narrow path. The coaches never see that crap. I guess it is all part of cross-country track? Are you coming to practice today?

ALFRADO DONELSON
Sure, I will be there. I am beginning to like running.

PERRY GENOVESE
You want that muffin in your lunch?
ALFRADO DONELSON
No, you can have it.

FADE OUT.

26 SCENE 20-INT.-DAY- PRINCIPAL CHISAMORE’S OFFICE.

NARRATOR
Ray Chisamore looks angry as he explains a situation that just happened. I’ve asked both of you to meet with me because the SUPERINTENDENT of SCHOOLS Darwin
CARLSON, and hired a replacement for NICK COZZA, and he is a black man. I don’t know what Darwin’s thinking was, but I did not even get to interview this gentlemen. I was told the Business Education position would continue with a permanent sub and next year the course is being dropped from the curriculum.
The DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL JUDY
MEYERS(40S), and Darwin interview this prospective SOCIAL STUDIES teacher, and did not allow me to interview him for fear that I would not hire him. I think this situation is all about Board pressure to hire more minority teachers. I have to tell you I was very angry with Darwin for doing this to me and I want to share with you why we did not get any input on his hiring. So, next week Mr.
JEFFERSON JONES will be reporting to our school for his first day. Treat him well, and do not attempt to harass him in any way. He is a bomb waiting to go off with the SUPERINTENDENT’s backing.

26

FADE IN:

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Wow, that is a first. The SUPERINTENDENT must really want to have black teachers on the faculty really bad?
(MORE)

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I had heard that the Board held a secret meeting after getting a poor review by the State on the amount of minority teachers in the district.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I heard that rumor too. The pressure is on to hire minority teachers to match the increasing minority students in our school district.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Remember, be nice to this guy and stay away from him for now. I don’t want him running back to the SUPERINTENDENT and spilling his guts that we treated a black teacher badly. Hush will be the word people. Have a good day now.

FADE OUT.

27 SCENE 18-INT.-DAY- RICK KNAPP’S SCIENCE CLASSROOM 1968. 27
FADE IN:

NARRATOR
RICH KNAPP(20s),is a second year science teacher. He is preparing his classroom for an incoming class when MARTIN GOLDMEER appears at his doorway to speak with him.(Rick has dark thick hair, a muscular build and he is 5 ft. 9” tall. He wears glasses for reading but usually keeps them in his pocket. Rick is an occasional smoke and loves cigars)

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Good morning, Mr. Knapp. I need to tell you RICK that this new kid RICHARD FLYNN(12) is being evaluated by the Guidance department as to his proper placement. He may have A.D.D. or some other learning impairment.
(MORE)

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
We just got his academic and discipline records the other day and realized that he was expelled from elementary school on numerous occasions. We may have to move him to a below level class, instead of an on level class like yours. For now just be careful what you say to him since he seems to have a chip on his shoulder.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Thanks Marty, I will keep an eye out for RICHARD when he comes into my class this period.

NARRATOR
MARTIN GOLDMEER walks away down the hallway.
RICK KNAPP returns to his desk in his classroom as the late bell rings. He begins to take attendance in his class book.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Welcome to Science 7, and my name is MR. KNAPP. Check your schedules and make sure you have Science 7 period six, M-F. Now let me check the attendance. To make things easy I want everyone to pick up their books, and line up against the wall. Thanks.
Now, where I call your last name take a seat in the first row. Five students will sit in the first row and then we will move to five more in the second row and so on. This will be your assigned seat for the semester. When I take attendance and your seat is empty I will assume you are absent. Are there any questions about that?

NARRATOR
Suddenly a student bursts into the room, huffing and puffing from running. He slams the door and then he quickly grabs the nearest seat.

RICHARD FLYNN(12) STUDENT
Is this MR. KNAPP’S science class?
NARRATOR
RICHARD is a short 5.1 feet in height boy, with light blond hair, a scar over his right eye, and a very white complexion. He is dressed in a plaid shirt and Lee Jeans and old worn out sneakers. He has a high pitched voice almost like a girls voice.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Yes it is, and you are late. What is your name son?

RICHARD FLYNN, SCIENCE
My name is Richard. Richard Flynn.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
OK, Richard I are assigning seats for attendance, and you will sit behind GAIL GOLD in row four.
Please take your seat.
NARRATOR
As MR. KNAPP continued calling out
32 names of students in the class, Richard begins talking to his friends around his seat.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Richard, you need to stop talking, and just sit there until we have the attendance seating completed.

RICHARD FLYNN, STUDENT
(Richard gives MR. KNAPP an ugly face. Learning forward in his chair he taps a girl named GAIL behind the head).

GAIL GOLD,(13)STUDENT
Stop that please.

RICHARD FLYNN, STUDENT
(Laughs out loud) Ha ha

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
(Stops what he is doing, and looks at Richard and says), Richard, this is the second time I have had to speak to you. Quiet down.

RICHARD FLYNN, SCIENCE
(Gives Mr. Knapp the middle finger, and says) “Fuck you.”

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
(Hearing the words “Fuck you,” in his class, he becomes angry immediately. He walks over to Richard, and says). Richard step outside into the hallway please.

RICHARD FLYNN, SCIENCE
(Shouting) No, you cannot make me.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
“Really” (as he grabs RICHARD by the arm, and starts to drag him toward the door).

RICHARD FLYNN, STUDENT
(Richard pulls away)
NARRATOR
Losing his patience, Rick grabs RICHARD by the armpits, and lifts him up, and slams him against the wall where the light switches were. As RICHARD slides down the wall the lights all go out creating a dramatic finish to the confrontation.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
The class all breaks out clapping, and chanting, MR. KNAPP, MR. KNAPP. MR. KNAPP leaves RICHARD on the floor, and goes over to the intercom on the wall.

Taking the intercom off the wall, he calls the office to send a security guard to take Richard to the Guidance Office for the period. Security Guard DAN HEALY(70) appears, and tells Richard to leave the room, and follow him to the Guidance department. (Dan is a kind old man that is retired. He wears his pants up to his chest with a staiRay old white shirt and dirty dress shoes. He has a little bit of an Irish accent. His hair is completely grey and he is in his early 70’s)

DAN HEALY (70) SECURITY GUARD
(Dan is one of the school security guards. He is a gray haired, pale skin, Irish gentlemen) Hello MR. KNAPP. Who is the student I am taking to Guidance?

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
There he is DAN, RICHARD FLYNN is his name.

DAN HEALY, SECURITY GUARD
OK, young man, lets go visit the Guidance Office. (Dan leads RICHARD down the hallway to the GUIDANCE office in the front of the school).

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
(RICK returns to his desk) Alright, everyone has a seat now, and I expect you to be in the correct seat every class so I can get the attendance quickly and accurately. Let’s begin.

FADE TO BLACK.

28 SCENE 19-INT.-DAY- THE BLACK TEACHER.

28

FADE IN:

NARRATOR
One week later JEFFERSON JONES(30s),JEFFERSON is 6 ft. Tall,
with a full afro hair style, a mustache, very dark skin, and talks with a slight southern accent. He us dressed in a three piece business suit, and florsheim shoes. The new Black Business Education teacher reports to the Kakiat Junior High office for his first day.

JEFFERSON JONES (30’S) SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
Good Morning, my name is JEFFERSON JONES, and I was supposed to report to KAKIAT Junior High School as the new BUSINESS EDUCATION teacher.

HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
Hello, we were expecting you MR. JONES. Principal CHISAMORE would like to welcome you to KAKIAT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. Just one
minute. Mr. CHISAMORE, the new teacher, MR. JONES is here. Shall I send him in?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Sure, send him right in, HELEN.
JEFFERSON JONES, SOCIAL STUDIES
Good Morning Sir. It is good to be here today.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
I just wanted to take a minute and welcome you MR. JONES to our school. You are replacing a teacher who left for another job. HELEN MARINO will give you an class attendance book and a Lesson Plan book. You will be reporting to FRED TUNIS the department Chairman for Social Studies. Your lesson plans are due to him every two weeks before the Friday payday. If you need an classroom supplies Mr.
TUNIS will provide you with them. HELEN MARINO also has you teaching schedule for you.
(MORE)

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL (CONT’D)
I believe you have prep second period and LUNCH DUTY fifth period and your own LUNCH will be fourth period. You have five Business Education classes of 8th and also 9th grade students. 7th graders are not allow to elect Business Education because their schedule is too tight. Again, welcome and my door is open if you ever have any questions or concerns.

HELEN MARINO
Here are your supplies and schedule MR. JONES. Your classroom is at the top of the stairs, first class on the left.

JEFFERSON JONES
Thank you MR. CHISAMORE, And HELEN MARINO. I am looking forward to teaching here.

MR. JONES leaves the main office and heads toward his classroom up on the second floor.

FADE OUT.

29 SCENE 20-INT.-DAY- PRINCIPAL CHISAMORE’S OFFICE.

NARRATOR
Principal CHISAMORE meets with his assistant Principals to report that the new black Social Studies teacher has reported as expected.

RAY CHISAMORE
Well, Marty, and Herman, Mr. JEFFERSON JONES has reported today and has begun Social Studies. If you meet him in the hallway be friendly. Meanwhile, stay away from his classroom.

29

FADE IN:

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I saw him walking up the stairs dressed in a three piece business suit, and a full afro hair style. He certainly stands out from the other faculty.

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
He had a relatively easy teaching schedule with LUNCH Duty. I think he will blend in fine here.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
I certainly hope so. I am sure the Superintendent will be on my back for oral progress reports as to how he is doing. I will just have to take this situation in stride.

FADE TO BLACK.

30 SCENE 21-INT.-DAY- TEACHER CAFETERIA FOURTH PERIOD 11:50. 30
FADE IN:

NARRATOR
Several teacher have learned that a new black teacher was hired, and they are discussing their views.
Teachers PHIL SPINA(30)-English; AL MALDEN(20s)SOCIAL STUDIES, RICK KNAPP-SCIENCE and BECKIE
MASON(20s)MUSIC are all involved at one table in the discussion

PHIL SPINA (30S)ENGLISH
(Talking to AL MALDEN) Hey Al. did you hear they hired a black teacher?

AL MALDEN(20’S)SOCIAL STUDIES
Yeah, Principal Chisamore buckled to the pressure from the SUPERINTENDENT of SCHOOLS to hire
some minority teachers, since our staff was deemed all white by the Board of Education.

PHIL SPINA (30’S)ENGLISH
Really, wow that is shocking. I never thought of our district as having racial imbalance in hiring.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
(Joining the table with his tray of food)-Did I hear you guys talking about the new black Social Studies teacher? He has a thick southern accent.

AL MALDEN, SOCIAL STUDIES
I guess the kids are going to have problems understanding him?

PHIL SPINA, ENGLISH
I am all for more minority teachers being hired. We have a lot of black and minority students, and no role models of color on the faculty for the kids to follow.

BECKIE MASON (20’S)MUSIC
We have only two other black teachers out of 75 white teachers on the faculty. That seems to be an imbalance.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
It has been a long time coming since the district was cited in the 1950’s for a lack of segregated schools. The Federal government gave the district one year to correct the imbalance of white schools to one all black school The solution was to take the black students from the Hill area in the south, and bus them to Pomona Junior high to provide some black students to balance against all the rich white students from the north county.

BECKIE MASON, MUSIC
I never though RAY CHISAMORE particularly liked minority people. He always makes that mistake of calling them ‘those people.

PHIL SPINA, ENGLISH
I haven’t met the guy yet, has anyone else?

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
I imagine we will meet him soon enough. I understand he came to school dressed in a three piece business suit, and he has a full afro hair style.

AL MALDEN, SOCIAL STUDIES
I am sure with the Civil Rights movement in full swing we can expect to see a lot more minority teachers hired in the future.

BECKIE MASON, MUSIC
That is for sure.
PHIL SPINA, ENGLISH
Hey RICK have you seen that new female Phys. Ed. Teacher, ahh Ronnie Bronson. She is really stacked, if you will excuse the expression Beckie.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Yeah, and she loves to wear tight sweaters. I understand from PELHAM MEAD that GERRY LEVITUS, the PE
chairman is making a fool of himself catering to her every needs.

AL MALDEN, SOCIAL STUDIES
Really, you guys are so petty. So what if a female teacher has a large chest. What do we men care? Only kidding, she is stacked. Sorry Beckie.

BECKIE MASON, MUSIC
That is OK, I know how you men think. It is all about the physical looks of a woman.

RICK KNAPP, SCIENCE
Well, she is a PHYSICAL-education teacher, Beckie. Ha. With the emphasis on Physical.

FADE TO BLACK.

31 SCENE 22-INT.-DAY-FLASH FORWARD TO 1975, UPSTAIRS IN 31
ROOM 204 ENGLISH.
FADE IN:
NARRATOR
It was a busy morning at Kakiat Junior High. The Fall of 1975 was in full swing and the classroom heaters had begun to come on in the cold mornings. Suddenly smoke began to appear under MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO(30S)English Classroom MRS. DIPPOLITO was on a break in the Teacher Lounge at the time 10:30 am. A student coming out of Nurses office next to room 204 noticed the smoke coming from under the room 204 door. She ran back into to tell the Nurse who came out and saw the smoke.

NURSE MAYBERRY
Hello, main office. We have a fire on the second floor. Smoke is coming out of room 204, MRS. DIPPOLITO’s classroom. The door is locked and I do not know where she is. Hurray call the Fire Department

HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
Calm down MRS. MAYBERRY. I will send MR. CHISAMORE up there right away to confirm that there is a fire.

NURSE MAYBERRY
Hurray, I am telling you smoke is pouring out under the door of room
204 and it is not my imagination.
HELEN MARINO, SECRETARY
Alright Mr. Kaspar is on the way up to the second floor. He just left.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
(Running up the stairs to room 204, standing there gasping for breath) Holy cow it is a fire. My keys cannot open the classroom, damm?
MRS. MAYBERRY where is your outside phone?

NURSE MAYBERRY
Right over there Mr. Chisamore. (Gesturing to a phone sitting on the nurses desk)

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I am going to call out for the Fire Department, we have a fire, and have to evacuate the building.
Hello, Hillcrest Fire department. This is Assistant Principal Herman Kaspar from Kakiat Junior High School. We have a fire on the second floor in room 204. Smoke is pouring out of the room and it is locked. Hurray. The emergency code is ALPHA 360. Send fire trucks right away. (Running back down the stairs, Sam enters the main office) HELEN MARINO I am going to pull the main fire alarm. Cover you ears.

NARRATOR
The Main FIRE ALARM goes off ringing in all the halls and classrooms in the building. Mr. Chisamore gets on the PA and announces.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Attention please. May I have your attention please this is a fire drill please evacuate the building in an orderly fashion. Teachers exit by the nearest outside door to your classroom. There should be no talking. Calmly leave your classroom immediately. Let me repeat, do not delay, calmly walk in double file to the nearest outside door exit and leave the building. Mr. Chisamore we have a fire on the second floor, and it is for real. I confirmed it in MRS. DIPPOLITO’s classroom in room 204. We need to evacuate immediately.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
OK, lock all the doors, and the vault and let’s get out of here. Hurray I can smell the smoke already.

NARRATOR
The administrators in the main office walked briskly out the front doors while all the classes on the first, and second floors, exit the building by the side doors. The teachers, students, and staff are all standing out on the Soccer field 100 yards away from the building which is starting to send black smoke up into the air.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Here come the fire trucks, thank God. Herman, go and tell them where the fire is located.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
(Waving his hands to attract the attention of the Fire Chief in his red truck) Hello, the fire is on the second floor room 204 on the inside of the building near the front of the school.

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG(50s)
(Talking to Herman Kaspar) OK, if we enter through the front door our hoses might be long enough to go upstairs. We might have to go in from the side. JIM take the hook and ladder around the left of the building.

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
What the hell is going on? It this a drill or a real fire?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
I am afraid it is a real fire on the second floor in room 204.
Herman confirmed that smoke was pouring out under the door and the door is hot and locked. He could not get into the room. I don’t know where MRS.DIPPOLITO is. It is her room that the fire has started in. The NURSES office is right next to that room and we could lose all the medical supplies and cots? Damm what a mess.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
(Talking to RAY CHISAMORE) What is going on? I just went out for some lunch at the local Deli, and when I came back I could see the black smoke stretching up into the sky from three miles away

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
We seem to have a real fire on the second floor. Herman went up there to confirm the smoke pouring out from under the door of room 204.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Room 204, that is BARBARA DIPPOLITO’s classroom. Is she alright?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
We don’t know where she is. Her room is locked.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
I think she has a prep period second period. She must have been in the teacher lounge? That is where she usually goes during her break.

RAY CHISAMORE
We have no way of confirming that now. Maybe when Sam takes the golf cart around the building he may see her line up on the back side of the school?

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Gee, I hope so. She is a good friend of mine.

NARRATOR
Meanwhile, back in the building the classes are all filing out of the sides and back of the school building. Pelham Mead was in the men’s bathroom when the fire broke out. As he heard the fire alarm he quickly finished up in the bathroom and hurried out of the building on the second floor.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
The smoke was too thick to see through on the end of the hallway so Pel decided to go down the stairs, and then out the side door. As the rushed down the stair case where he saw a small girl lying crumpled on the floor near the bottom of the stairs on the first floor. He quickly runs over to her.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Hi I am Coach Mead, are you OK? We have to get out of here quickly.
Can you walk?

SMALL FEMALE STUDENT
(Crying) I twisted my ankle and fell down, and everyone left me here.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
No problem, let me carry you outside. Try not to breath the smoke in. We will be out of here in s flash. Be calm.

SMALL FEMALE STUDENT
(Crying) Thank you,(sobbing).
PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(Carrying the girl, he exits the side of the building choking from the heavy smoke) By the way what is your name little girl?

SMALL FEMALE STUDENT
My name is NINA TURETSKY(13). Thank you Coach Mead.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(Seeing the Math Department. Chairperson-PAUL LEWIS(60s) directing students away from the building, he yells to him)
Paul give me a hand with this girl. My arms are killing me…(cough)

PAUL LEWIS(60)MATH DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Put her down, and I will take care of her. What is your name? OK, can you walk? If not I will help you hop on one leg. Let’s get away from the building.

NARRATOR
Paul is a short Jewish man with greying hair, and a bald spot at the back of his head. He has a thin beard, mustache, a large nose and thick eyebrows.

PELHAM MEAD, PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Asking PAUL LEWIS)
What happened?

PAUL LEWIS, MATH DEPARTMENT CHAIR
I don’t know, but I think a fire started in Mrs.Dippolito’s classroom on the second floor?

FADE TO BLACK.

32 SCENE 23-INT.-DAY- FLASHBACK TO A MONTH BEFORE THE FIRE, 32
OCTOBER, 1975.

FADE IN:
NARRATOR
JOHN CARUCCI thinks back to a month before the fire when he was standing in MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO’s(20s) room 204, ENGLISH. THE MONTH IS OCTOBER.Barbara
Dippolito is a busty, big haired blond dyed. She is very outspoken and assertive. Recently divorced with two children. She is a pretty woman for mid-30s with lots of makeup, and always dresses like a fashion model. She is actually Jewish, but has married an Italian guy.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
(John walking by MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO’S classroom, when he notices clothes lines with papers hanging from them.
(MORE)

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES (CONT’D)
He sticks his head in the door and says hello).
Hello, MRS. DIPPOLITO. Hi
Barbara, I mean MRS. DIPPOLITO, how are you doing?

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO, ENGLISH (35)
I am doing great, how are you DOING JOHN?

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
My, you are creative. What are the clotheslines, and the papers hanging from them for?

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO
They are student project outlines on cards, and I hung them from cord to make an impression, and to demonstrate how many students were doing writing projects.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
That’s great. Do you mind if I stay a while and observe your class?

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO
Sure, makes yourself at home, John you are always welcome.

SALLY HALSTEIN(13)STUDENT
Mrs.Dippolito can you help me with my outline?

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO, ENGLISH
Gotta help this student, sit down JOHN,and relax.

NARRATOR
JOHN goes over to the window and sits down at the back of the class. On the window ledge JOHN notices something out of place. For some reason a pile of crumpled papers were stuffed into the space between the wall and the radiator.
(MORE)

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
It looked really messy, and out of place. Just then, he saw a student crumple a piece of paper, and throw it toward the existing pile of papers on the radiator near the window.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Barbara you classroom is amazing. One thing however, what is with that mess of papers stuffed into the radiator compartment?

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO, ENGLISH
Oh yes, I have been meaning to have one of the students clean it out.
We do not have a trash can, so they have been dumping the papers on the radiator.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Don’t you think that could cause a fire?

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO, ENGLISH
No, the radiator is turned off this early in the fall season. I will get to it soon.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
I can get rid of it for you.

MRS. BARBARA DIPPOLITO, ENGLISH
Don’t worry JOHN, I will get to it.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Well, I gotta run. Thanks for letting me observe your class. Amazing creativity, I am most impressed. I wish we had more teachers like you.

END OF FLASHBACK

FADE TO BLACK.

33 SCENE 24-EXT.-DAY- THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING OUT 33
ON THE -SOCCER FIELD.

FADE IN:
NARRATOR
The fireman try to enter the school through the front doors, but their hose will not reach the second floor going up the stairs. a second approach with a ladder to the second floor. the fireman knock out the windows on the outside of the building and drag their hoses through the windows to the hallway outside. the fireman have to use axes to break down the door when the fire started. later, they made it to the second floor, the nurses office was ablaze, room 2006 next to 204 was completely in fire and smoke. after an hour to put out the fires, which had spread through the plaster walls through three classrooms in a row and the nurses office. Downstairs the water from the fireman flooded all ten thousand books on the shelves, ruining most of them completely.
When the fireman were done, the two classrooms on the side of the outside of the building were trashed.
The fireman have to rip out the windows to gain access to the fire which was on the inside of the second floor classrooms.

FIREMAN #1 (40)
(Lead fireman climbing up the Hook and Ladder to the second floor of the school) HAND ME THAT AXE.

FIREMAN#2 (30)
Here is the axe. Cover your eyes with your helmet shield. The glass is going to spread in all directions. I am sure it isn’t safety glass.

FIREMAN #1
OK, stand back here goes the first shot.
(MORE)

FIREMAN #1 (CONT’D)
(Fireman Swings his axe and smashes the side window of the second story classroom to a million pieces of glass shards in al directions.

FIREMAN#2
Hook the window frame and pull the whole thing out with your axe.

FIREMAN #1
(He hooks the hook side of his axe around the frame of the window and give a couple of strong pulls and the window frame drops one story to the ground) I’ve got it. Pass me up the hose and I will climb in the window.

FIREMAN#2
(Climbing up the ladder pulling the heavy hose) OK, here is the hose.
Watch for sharp edges of the window as you step in.

FIREMAN #1
(Shouting) I’m in (cough) putting my respirator on too much smoke in here. Turn on the water.

FIREMAN#3 (48)
(Yelling) Water is turRay on. Hold on tight.

FIREMAN#2
Slow down and let me get through the window with you. Steady here I come. (He steps through the window into a room completely filled with smoke)

FIREMAN #1
I cannot see the door, but I must be near the front of the classroom. Follow me and hold onto that hose. Do we still have enough hose left to get into the building?

FIREMAN#2
Yeah, we have plenty of hose line left. Is the classroom door open?

FIREMAN #1
I found the door. It’s open. Wow the hallway is completely in flames. Let’s water down the hallway so I can get to the locked classroom. What number is it again? Never mind we probably would be able to see the classroom number in this thick smoke. It should be the second room from the stairway.
Follow me.

FIREMAN#2
I am pulling the hose and I am right behind you. Spray the ceiling so it doesn’t collapse on us. Did you find the second classroom yet?

FIREMAN #1
I think I found it. Stand back and hold onto the hose I am going to drop it so I can slam the door with my axe. Ready? (He takes a full swing with the axe with smoke clouding his vision) The door cracked. One more blow ought to do it. You OK?

FIREMAN#2
I am OK. My oxygen is on. I can’t see anything but smoke. Is the door open yet?

FIREMAN #1
Yeah, damm, I got it. The door is down. Stand back for a blast of hot air. OK, clear, let’s blast the hell out of this room to kill the flames and smoke. Tell the CHIEF on your walkie we are going to need a second hose in here right away. Too many classrooms are up in flames for just the two of us. I found the source of the fire, but the room is trashed, walls burn out, windows blown out and the ceiling is gone. We are dosing it now.

FIREMAN#2
(Talking on his walkie talkie) Chief can you hear me? Send up another two men with another hose. The fire is too big for us to handle. Do you confirm?

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG (50’S)
I hear you. We are sending up two more men with another hose. Keep trying to suppress the flames from spreading any further. Hang in there the next crew is headed up the ladder. Get those men moving up that ladder. Hold the water until they get in the window.

FIREMAN #1
We have got the flames out in the second room. The first room next to the stairs is next. It looks like a Nurses office (cough), lots of smoke. We’ll hose it down next.

NARRATOR
The second team makes it though the window, and the water was turned on. They begin hosing down the other classrooms enveloped in flame. An hour later the fires were all out, and only smoke remains, and the smell of burnt wood.

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG (50S)
(Later on around 12:30 pm) Where is the Principal? I need to talk with the Principal right away to inform him of the status of the building.

FIREMAN#1
I think he is out in front of the building Chief.

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG
(Walking to the front of the school building) Where is Mr. Chisamore?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
(Shouting to the Fire Chief) Over here Chief. So what is the situation?

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG
(Speaking to RAY CHISAMORE) We have put the fire out and are mopping up now. I toured the building on the first, and second floor. The first floor library sustained a lot of water damage from the water leaking through from the classrooms above it on the second floor.
(MORE)

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG (CONT’D)
The second floor we need to get some commercial fans to blow out the smoke for 24-48 hours.

My boys will bring some commercial fans back front the firehouse and put them in place tonight.
Upstairs on the second floor five classrooms are charred. You lost the Nurses office also, and the ceiling and floor tiles are also destroyed. I estimate you have several hundred thousand in fire damage, which I am sure your insurance company will cover. Now for the problem at hand.

I cannot release the building until we remove the smoke and close off the damaged areas. Your students will have to go home without coats, and their books tonight. I know that is a hardship, but no one can go back into the building until we can clean the whole building of smoke.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
That is really bad news. Now I am going to have to send one of my Assistant Principals up to the High school to notify the Superintendent of Schools Darwin Carlson that we need buses immediately. We need to also inform him that the students will have to go home without coats in this November weather. Herman can you take your car and drive up to the High School, and call the SUPERINTENDENT of SCHOOLS, and
request school buses immediately to take all the Kakiat Junior High students home?

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
OK, I am on it. I will be back in fifteen minutes.

FADE OUT.

34 SCENE 25-INT.-DAY-STUDENTS LINE UP OUTDOORS.

34

FADE IN:

PERRY GENOVESE, STUDENT
(Talking to a few students lined up on the Soccer field) Anyone get their coat? I have mine in the locker in the school, and boy it is getting cold out here.

ALFRADO DONELSON, STUDENT
Yeah, my leather jacket is in the school locker also and all I have is this thin short sleeve shirt.

SUZY SMITZ (13)STUDENT
I am freezing too. My legs are frozen in this mini-skirt. So much for fashion. When are we going to get out jackets and go home? It has been hours since the fire started. I missed my lunch hour too.

RICHARD WHITE (13) STUDENT
Boy am I hungry. Just my luck to miss lunch and when are we getting back in the school?

35 SCENE 26-EXT.-THE FIRE IS OUT.

NARRATOR
Standing outside the school with the other administrators on a cold day after the fire was over.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
(Using a portable bull horn) Attention students, and faculty. I have just spoken with the Fire Chief and he has informed me that the fire is tentatively out for now but the thick smoke is still on the second floor making visibility impossible.
(MORE)

35

FADE IN:

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL (CONT’D)
The FIRE CHIEF has informed me that he cannot release the building until commercial fans can be brought in to blow the smoke out of the halls and classrooms on the second floor. The library is completely flooded and cannot be used. Therefore, I know it isn’t pleasant but we are ordering the buses to pick us up now and take everyone home without their coats or book bags. No one will be allowed to enter the building for 24-48 hours. Police patrols will be on duty all night to protect the school. I am sorry for this inconvenience but we have to listen to the FIRE CHIEF he is the one responsible.

FADE TO BLACK.

36 SCENE 27-EXT.-DAY-STUDENTS REACTION TO THE FIRE.

36

FADE IN:

PERRY GENOVESE, STUDENT
Damm, I can’t believe we have to go home with no coats.

ALFRADO DONELSON, STUDENT
I have thin blood, and I cannot take this cold without a coat.

JOHN CARUCCI, SOCIAL STUDIES
Well folks, it looks like I lucked out going out for lunch. I have my jacket on me. Has anyone seen Mrs. Barbara Dippolito yet?

BECKIE MASON, MUSIC
I think someone said she was at the back of the building where the teacher lounge teachers went.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Marty can you take the golf cart and look around the back of the school to see if Mrs.DIPPOLITO is OK? Thanks.

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIIPAL
I will check BARBARA out right away. The golf cart is over by the janitors room fortunately, far away from the side of the building with the fire.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
(Ten Minutes later) Marty, did you find MRS.DIPPOLITO?

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Yes, she is OK, but a little shaken up that the fire started in her classroom.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Ray, we have a major problem. One of the teachers, NAT MOLOFSKY, told me one of the boys in his class is missing. The student asked to go to the bathroom shortly before the FIRE ALARM went off, and in the confusion of leaving the classroom, MR. MOLOFSKY did not realize that the student BARRY NEEDLES(13) was missing. He just happened to count all his students while they were line up outside and he was one student short. After asking the students in his class they reminded him that BARRY NEEDLES went to the bathroom just before the FIRE ALARM. What should we do? I have asked around all the classes line up outside and no on knows where BARRY NEEDLES is. NAT MOLOFSKY says
he is a 7th grader, small in size wearing blue pants and a red and white striped golf shirt. He wears glasses and has light blonde hair in a short cut.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
A missing student. Oh, no. Now we find out. CHIEF, I need to speak with you. CHIEF, we just discovered we have a missing student by the name of BARRY NEEDLES. He is a small 7th grader dressed in blue pants and a striped red and white t- shirt. He has light blond hair in a short cut and wears glasses.
(MORE)

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL (CONT’D)
He went to the bathroom on the second floor of the far wing of the school. The far wing is on the other side of the school from where the fire was.

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG
Well that is a major problem. I can dispatch some of my men to search the building for this student. I am not confident that if he was anywhere near the fire that he could have survived. Can you show or tell me where the boys bathroom is located that he would have used?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
I think so but I will have to ask Mr. Molofsky, his teacher, what boys bathroom is closer to his science classroom. Sue you have the golf cart, can you go around to where Mr. MOLOFSKY and his class are and find out where the nearest boys bathroom might be located.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
This is my worst fear, losing one student out of 1,000 students is easy to do. The timing was bad with the fire Drill going off just after BARRIE NEEDLES left the classroom. I am worried RAY.

NARRATOR
The fireman begin to search the building. A half hour goes by, and still no word. The buses have begin to arrive, and the students are boarding them, and going home.

RAY CHISAMORE, HERMAN KASPAR, MARTIN GOLDMEER, JOHN CARUCCI, PELHAM MEAD, BOB DILLEY, and NORMA NEWSOM, and NAT MOLOFSKY,
all wait for word about missing BARRIE NEEDLES.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Please GOD help them find this kid. I can’t take anymore stress I have to sit down for a little bit.

HERMAN KASPAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Are you OK RAY? You don’t look well. I have a bottle of water do you want some?

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Yes, let me have a little water. This missing student thing is killing me. I feel a little light headed. I need to sit down.

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG
Mr. Chisamore we haven’t found any bodies in the fire area or in the bathrooms. We searched the entire building. We will keep looking all night but the outcome does not look good.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
What am I going to tell this kid’s mother and father? Oh, my God why is this happening?

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG
The student in question may have collapsed from smoke inhalation or he may still be hiding somewhere in the school. We just don’t know.
There is a lot of smoking debris in the classrooms, and my men said they did not recover a body anywhere in the ashes.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
I can’t tell the Superintendent of Schools about this until I am absolutely positive as to what happened to this student.

MARTIN GOLDMEER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Maybe, he got out of the school and walked home. Junior high students are known to do stupid things like that sometimes.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
We need some answers, and before it gets dark in a few hours. CHIEF, what do you recommend?

FIRE CHIEF BUTCH LONG
You can go home and I can put you on call if we find something we will call you first thing. There is nothing you can do here. Let us do our work and maybe this will turn out well in the end.

RAY CHISAMORE, PRINCIPAL
Well, it is my responsibility to call Mr. and Mrs. Needles. It really pains me to have to tell Barrie’s parents that he is missing in a school fire. Oh, well. I will call him when I get home.

NARRATOR
All of the teachers and administrators reluctantly go home to wait for the dreaded call from the Fire Chief.

Somewhere in the school building in a Janitors cleaning closet, a frightened boy lies crying and curled up in a room that is locked from the outside. When the smoke started to move down the hallway he hid in a room with a slightly ajar door, which turned out to be a Janitorial closet, that had a self locking mechanism in the door. When BARRIE hid in the closet as the smoke enveloped the hallway the door locked closed. He banged and kicked the door again, and again, but he could not budge the locked door. The closet was full of cleaning supplies, pails and mops with a strong smell of ammonia in the air. BARRIE NEEDLES was alone in a locked closet, and no one knew where he was. Barrie is a small 7th grader with wire rim glasses, light brown hair, freckles, and a short pug nose. His hair is a crew cut style.

FADE TO BLACK.

37 SCENE 28-INT.-NIGHT-IN A JANITORIAL CLOSET IN KAKIAT 37
JUNIOR HIGH.

NARRATOR
BARRIE NEEDLES is curled up in a pre-natal position falling asleep, with smoke seeping under the door, and smoke enveloping the hallway outside the closet. The light bulb overhead flickers, and then goes out, and then there was nothing but darkness. Barrie cries in the dark void of the closet.

BARRIE NEEDLES (13)STUDENT
Help. Help me someone. (Cough) (crying) Mommy, I am sorry.

FADE IN:

FADE TO BLACK.
THE END.