Election Script - Screenplay
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ELECTION SCRIPT by Alexander Payne & JIM Taylor
Third Draft July 22,1997
Based on the novels by Tom Perotta
EXT. MILLARD HIGH -- DAWN
The school stretches out before us, slumbering in the overcast morning
air.
Along the front sidewalk, a lone JANITOR trundles a garbage bin filled
with overstuffed hefty bags.
A weathered FORD ESCORT pulls into the empty PARKING LOT and comes to
a stop near the athletic field.
A TEENAGE GIRL'S VOICE -
TRACY (VO)
None of this would have happened if Mr.
McAllister hadn't meddled the way he
did. He should have just accepted
things as they are instead of trying to
interfere with destiny. You see, you
can't interfere with destiny. That's
why it's destiny. And if you try to
interfere, the same thing's going to
happen anyway, and you'll just suffer.
JIM MCALLISTER, a teacher in his mid to late-thirties, emerges from
the car in running clothes and carrying a briefcase, gym bag, and
coffee mug. On his way to the field, he crosses paths with the
janitor.
JIM
Morning, Lowell
Lowell nods, hoists a bag and tosses it into a dumpster.
EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD -- DAWN
JIM CIRCLES THE TRACK, sweating and panting.
ON THE GROUND JIM does sit ups
JIM
Twenty-one... twenty-two.
He collapses onto his back. His head rolls to one side, and he
glances past the fence at --
THE PARKING LOT
Where a second CAR is just arriving. JIM watches as TRACY FLICK, a
junior, and her MOTHER get out.
The mother helps remove a CARD TABLE and a big plastic sack from the
trunk before Tracy heads toward the school.
MOTHER
(distant)
Good luck!
JIM turns his gaze toward the sky, closes his eyes, sighs.
INT. BOYS' LOCKER ROOM -- DAY
Naked in the showers, JIM pumps liquid soap from the wall- mounted
metal dispenser.
INT. HILLARD HALL DAY
THE LEGS OF A CARD TABLE - as Tracy spreads them open and locks them
into place.
STICKS OF GUM from a Plen-T-Pack are emptied into a FISHBOWL-
SCOTCH TAPE is wrapped around the end of a pen to attach a piece of
string
INT. BOYS' LOCKER ROOM DAY
AT THE MIRROR
JIM adjusts the knot of his tie, notices a little shaving cream in his
ear.
INT. MILLARD HALL DAY
FOUR CLIPBOARDS with pens and lined sheets of paper are being placed
in a row like little soldiers. The top of every sheet reads "Tracy
Flick for President: Official Nomination Signatures."
INT. FACULTY LOUNGE -- MORNING
AT THE REFRIGERATOR
JIM tries to place his lunch inside, but the shelves are too crammed
with old take-out containers. He opens one and smells it. Disgusted,
he drags a garbage can over and begins throwing things away.
Lowell appears in the doorway wheeling his squeaky maintenance cart
and watches JIM conduct his purge as A CHINESE FOOD BOX misses the can
and rolls on the floor.
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY -- DAY
Tracy is seated behind her card table strategically placed near the
school's main entrance. A sign taped to the wall behind her reads,
TRACY FOR PREZ. SIGN UP FOR TOMORROW, TODAY! She checks her watch,
readies herself.
JIM walks around the corner whistling vaguely.
TRACY
Good morning, Mr. McAllister.
JIM
Not wasting any time, are you, Tracy?
TRACY
(chirping)
You know what they say about the early
bird.
JIM
Yes, I do.
An awkward moment passes between them.
JIM
Well, good luck there, Tracy
TRACY
Thanks, Mr. M.
AS JIM turns and walks away, Tracy watches him. He stops and picks up
some litter, tosses it in a nearby garbage can.
TRACY (VO)
No matter what he says, Mr. McAllister
had it out for me from the start. Oh
sure, he was all smiles and good wishes
and everything, but underneath he was
just as unfair and petty as anybody
else.
INT. JIM'S CLASSROOM DAY
Alone in his room, JIM studies the Omaha World-Herald
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
He'll probably tell you how committed
he was to teaching and democracy and
integrity and all. Don't be fooled.
After laying the paper down to circle an article, JIM leans back in
his chair and momentarily loses himself in thought.
JIM (VO)
It's hard to remember how the whole
thing started, the whole election mess.
What I do remember is that I loved my
job. I was a teacher, an educator, and I
couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Suddenly a VOICE --
VOICE (OS)
Hey, Mr. M. Mr. M.!
JIM glances OUT THE WINDOW and sees a kid -- PAUL METZLER -- pointing
at him. Paul walks with a LIMP. Behind him, other STUDENTS approach
the school.
PAUL
Stop daydreaming! Get back to work!
JIM enjoys the affectionate joshing and gives the kid a wave. He
returns to his newspaper, a contented man.
JIM (VO)
The students knew it wasn't just a job
for me.
EXT. MILARD HIGH FOOTBALL STADIUM -- NIGHT
JIM sits in the bleachers, clapping his hands over his head.
JIM
C'mon, wolverines! Defense! Let's
hold 'em back!
JIM (VO)
I got involved. And I cared.
INT. MILLARD GYM DAY AT A PEP RALLY -
JIM is dressed as a WESTERN VILLAIN, and his black hat reads "Lincoln
South." With a menacing grimace he approaches a group of FOOTBALL
PLAYERS at a poker table.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
And I think I made a difference.
A CORNER OF THE SCHOOL DAY
JIM has a comforting hand of the shoulder of a CRYING GIRL
JIM (VO CONT'D)
I knew I touched the students' lives
during their difficult young adult
years, and I took that responsibility
seriously.
INT. AUDITORIUM -- NIGHT
JIM trots up the stairs to receive a plaque. He beams.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
In the twelve years I taught U.S.
History, Civics and current Events at
Millard, I was voted Teacher of the Year
three times - a school record.
INT. JIM'S CLASSROOM -- DAY
Mr. McAllister reads aloud from the newspaper as he paces in front of
his class of high school juniors, Tracy Flick among them. The seats
are arranged in a SEMI-CIRCLE.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
Standing in front of a room full of
young people, trying to make them think
that's how I wanted to spend the rest
of my life,
JIM slaps the newspaper for emphasis and addresses the class
JIM
So would this be an ethical situation
or a moral situation? What's the
difference between ethics and morals,
anyway?
Tracy shoots her hand into the air. JIM notices but keeps looking
around.
JIM (CONT'D)
Anybody
Other hands rise tentatively
JIM (CONT'D)
Derek
DEREK
Uh, ethics is like when you, uh, do
what society tells you is right and
morals are like, uh...
JIM
You're on the right track, who can
help him out?
DEREK
..morals are when...
Tracy's hand goes higher.
JIM
Michelle?
MICHELLE
Morals are like lessons, you know, like
the moral of a story; it's what you
learn from a story or a fable or
something. . .
JIM
Or a life experience. Good. And
ethics?
MICHELLE
That's more like, urn... Ethics is how
you use the morals... that you learn
from a story?
JIM weighs the answer, tries to be encouraging.
JIM
Okay. But we're still missing
something key here. What are we
missing?
TRACY
(hand still raised)
I know.
JIM
(finally)
Tracy.
TRACY
Ethics are...
FREEZE FRAME on Tracy, her hand lowering, her mouth agape.
JIM (VO)
Tracy Flick. Tracy Flick. I've never
met anyone quite like Tracy Flick.
INT. STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM -- DAY -- ONE YEAR PREVIOUS
JIM sits to one side, monitoring the student council MEETING about to
convene. A younger Tracy enters briskly and, unlike her casual teen
comrades, has made an attempt to dress for success. She takes a seat
right up front and opens her backpack.
After preparing her notepad and pen, Tracy puts a MICROCASSETTE
RECORDER on the table in front of her and pushes RECORD.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
She first showed up in my life as a
freshman delegate in student council.
I'd seen a lot of ambitious students
come and go over the years, but I could
tell right away Tracy Flick was
different.
JIM observes Tracy, trying to size her up.
ON TRACY -- putting all her little things in order, finally folding
her hands to wait.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
It wasn't long before everyone knew who
Tracy Flick was. She made sure of that.
Her drive was astonishing. Even scary.
A FAST-PACED MONTAGE BEGINS UNDER TRACY'S VOICE-OVER:
INSERT HILLARD HIGH YEARBOOK It fans open to the INDEX.
PAN DOWN to Tracy's name followed by countless page references
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
Some people say I'm an overachiever,
but I think they're just jealous.
A page number turns BOLD, and the other numbers drop away
Suddenly we are on that page, and we PAN to a headline: "Spanish Club
says Oh La!"
PAN to the group shot and ZOOM in on Tracy smiling in a big SOMBRERO.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
My Mom always tells me I'm different --
you know, special. And if you look at
all the things I've accomplished so far,
I think you'd have to agree.
We see Tracy on other pages too: "Yearbook Staff goes for it!" "Junior
Achievers put on the dog!" "Student Council meets the challenge;"
Oklahoma's a hit!
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
Here I am in Oklahoma.
The STILL of Tracy in Oklahoma suddenly COMES TO LIFE.
INT. MILLARD HIGH AUDITORIUM NIGHT
On stage, Tracy wears a cowgirl outfit and hams it up with exaggerated
gestures.
TRACY
(off-key)
I'm just a girl who can't say no...
TV INSERT/INT. CAFETERIA DAY
It's the closed-circuit school NEWS BROADCAST. Tracy is delivering a
stand-up report from the crowded cafeteria. Her dress and makeup are
an obvious if lame emulation of a professional newswoman.
TRACY (VO)
And here I am on KMHS, our student-run
TV station.
TRACY (ON TV)
..that's why Principal Hendricks made
the controversial announcement that the
littering must stop. Tracy Flick
reporting.
INT. STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
A Student Council meeting is underway led by the president, LARRY
FOUCH. A girl, ASHLEY, is speaking. JIM observes from the side.
TRACY (VO)
But it was in SGA, the Student
Government Association, where I made my
biggest mark. I never missed a meeting,
and I volunteered for every committee as
long as I could lead it.
Before Ashley can finish, Tracy STANDS UP
TRACY
I agree with Ashley. We should rent
the barrels at least a day beforehand.
What happened last time was a travesty,
I mean, we were --
LARRY FOUCH
(trying to quiet
her)
Yeah, no, I know, Tracy. That's why
we're -- Look, can we just take a vote
on this?
INT. JIM'S CLASSROOM DAY
BACK TO TRACY still frozen mid-sentence, waiting to finish her answer.
JIM (VO)
Now at the end of her junior year,
Tracy was poised to win the presidency
of the student body. And so far she was
running unopposed.
TRACY COMES BACK TO LIFE
TRACY
...the rules of conduct determined by a
culture at a...
SHE FREEZES AGAIN
JIM (VO)
Oh. There's one more thing about Tracy
I think you should know.
INT. MILLARD STAFF-ROOM -- DAY
CLOSE ON DAVE NOVOTNY, another teacher in his mid-thirties
DAVE
Her pussy gets so wet you can't believe
it.
WIDE -
Dave is leaning across his desk to speak with JIM at an adjacent work
area. They eat sack lunches.
JIM (VO)
A few months before the election, she'd
had an affair with my best friend Dave
Novotny.
JIM
Don't tell me that. I don't want to
know that.
DAVE
She's incredible. Everything just gets
soaked.
INT. JIM'S BASEMENT DAY Dun-dun-DUN... Dun-dun-DUN
JIM and Dave are playing the opening notes of "Foxy Lady" through
cheap, distorting amps. JIM plays bass. Dave plays guitar and sings
into a microphone. They're bad. As in not good.
The basement is typical of a Midwest middle-class young couple -- half
storage and laundry, half makeshift roc-room.
JIM (VO)
Dave came to Millard the year after I
did, and we hit it off right away. We
backed each other up in teachers'
meetings and shared an interest in 60's
music and micro-breweries.
CLOSE ON DAVE really getting into it, playing to an unseen stadium.
Behind him JIM is very careful with his chords.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
You could tell Dave was one of those
guys who taught because they never
wanted to leave high school in the first
place, and that could get a little
irritating sometimes, but basically he
was a real good guy.
DAVE
(singing)
Foxy. . . Foxy. . . You know you're a
cute little heartbreaker... Foxy... You
know you're a sweet little love maker...
CAMERA DRIFTS toward the stairs leading up.
INT. JIM'S KITCHEN
CAMERA DRIFTS from the open basement stairway door and toward DIANE
MCALLISTER and SHERRY NOVOTNY seated at the kitchen table. They are
fussing over little six-month-old DARRYL NOVOTNY in his highchair.
JIM (VO)
Our wives became best friends too. And
when Dave and Sherry's son Darryl was
born, they asked us to be godparents.
At a particularly grating note from downstairs, Diane gets up and
closes the basement door.
INT. GEOMETRY CLASS
AN ISOSCELES TRIANGLE is being drawn on the blackboard and bisected.
PULL OUT to reveal Dave explaining.
The class is taking notes, and we zero in on a younger Tracy.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
YOU probably think the worst - that Mr.
Novotny was just taking advantage of one
of his students, but it wasn't like that
at all. Our relationship was based on
mutual respect and admiration. I mean,
during my sophomore year in geometry it
was strictly professional between us --
I mean, nothing.
EXT. GODFATHER'S PIZZA -- NIGHT The parking lot, the neon lights, the
promise of good times.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
It wasn't until junior year when we
worked together on the yearbook that
things got serious.
INT. GODFATHER'S PIZZA -- NIGHT Dave and Tracy are at a booth along
with six other students.
TWO KIDS DISSOLVE OUT OF FRAME,
and the others shift positions. Others continue to disappear in the
same way, until only Dave and Tracy remain.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
One night he took us editors out to
celebrate after a deadline. Eventually
Dave and I were left alone and we got to
talking - not like teacher and student,
but like two adults.
DAVE
You know, Tracy... I don't know how to
say this, but...
Dave's finger traces the rim of his frosty root beer mug.
TRACY
what?
DAVE
Well, I notice you don't seem to have
any close friends at Millard. You seem
to be kind of a loner.
TRACY
No, I'm not. I'm just really busy.
DAVE
I know. I know its not by choice. I
just mean, well, being the kind of
person you are, it must be really
difficult to find someone you can talk
to.
TRACY
What do you mean? What kind of person
am I?
DAVE
What kind of person?
Dave looks directly into her eyes.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Tracy, I've been watching you for going
on two years now, and I think you are
one of the most talented, hard-working,
sensitive, attractive, brilliant
students -- no, human beings -- I have
ever met. I mean, you're the real
thing. Special.
TRACY
(embarrassed, low)
Thank you.
DAVE
And I know sometimes people like you
have to pay a price for their greatness,
and that price is loneliness.
Tracy nods in quiet recognition.
DAVE (CONT'D)
I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong. But it
seems like you might need a friend.
INT. MILLARD YEARBOOK OFFICE -- DAY
A DOOR with cloudy glass and a stenciled sign: YEARBOOK OFFICE.
DISSOLVE through the door and TRAVEL through an empty room to discover
another door with a sign that reads DARKROOM.
TRACY (VO)
Since I grew up without a dad, you
might assume psychologically I was
looking for a father figure.
DISSOLVE through the darkroom door to
DAVE AND TRACY bathed in red light. Tracy is sitting on Dave's lap as
they make out hungrily.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
But that had nothing to do with it at
all. It was just that Dave was so
strong and made me feel so safe and
protected.
INT. DAVE'S CAR -- DAY
Dave drives. Tracy sits in the passenger seat.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
It was the first time somebody ever saw
the real me, the me that nobody else
knows.
DAVE
(looking around)
Here, get down.
EXT. NOVOTKY HOUSE - DAY
Dave wheels his car into the open garage. The automatic door closes
behind him.
INT. NOVOTHY LIVIMG ROOM
Dave stands up from his squat at the STEREO, and the sexy sounds of
Sade set the mood.
Tracy is seated awkwardly at one end of the sofa, a Diet Dr. Pepper in
one hand. Dave walks slowly toward her, a sexy, knowing look in his
eye. The music is sexy. Tracy is sexy. He's sexy. Keeping his eyes
locked on Tracy's, he takes the pop can from her hand and takes a sip
himself. Sexy.
INT. NOVOTHY STAIRCASE DAY
Dave and Tracy walk up the stairs and down the hall. Dave enters the
bedroom first, while Tracy pauses in the hall. His arm reaches out and
pulls her inside.
INT. NOVOTNY BEDROOM DAY
IN QUICK TIGHT CUTS we see Dave and Tracy DISROBING
Tracy's head and naked shoulders lay themselves on Dave's pillow. She
looks toward the foot of the bed at -- DAVE, unable to believe his
eyes. He looks at naked Tracy up and down, up and down, his breath
quickening. Sade wafts up the stairs.
DAVE
Look at you.
He descends out of frame.
TRACY (VO)
When I think back on my relationship
with Mr. Novotny, what I miss most. is
our talks.
INT. DAVE'S BASEMENT DAY
JIM is riveted by Dave's story; he is both horrified and titillated
JIM
You did it at your house? Your own
house?
DAVE
Look, Jim... Okay. I know it all
seems crazy, and maybe it did start out,
you know, for the... for the sex and the
danger. But now it's different. Jim,
what I'm trying to tell you is that
Tracy and I are totally, totally in
love.
JIM
In love?
DAVE
Yeah, it's serious. I mean she
inspires me in ways Sherry never has.
She even wants to read my novel.
JIM
But you haven't written your novel.
DAVE
That's the whole point. It's all in my
head; it's right here. I just got to
get it out there. Tracy wants me to
write it so she can read it. It's
beautiful.
JIM
Dave, I'm just saying this as your
friend. What you're doing is really,
really wrong, and you've got to stop.
Dave draws a heavy sigh and buries his head in his hands perhaps JIM
has reached him. Perhaps not.
DAVE
You're not just jealous, are you? I
mean, we both used to talk about her
JIM
(exploding)
That was just talk! Fantasy talk! What
are you, nuts? We talk about girls all
the time, but it doesn't mean anything.
I would never. . . I mean, I take very
seriously our strict moral code. The
line you've crossed is... it's illegal
and it's immoral.
DAVE
I don't need a lecture on ethics, Jim,
okay? I know what --
JIM
I'm not talking about ethics. I'm
talking about morals.
CLICK. SQUEAK. STEP STEP STEP.
SHERRY (OS)
Peek-a-boo!
Sherry comes down the basement stairs with Darryl in her arms.
DAVE
(to Jim,
whispering)
Look, I appreciate your concern. I
really do. But like I said, I got it
under control.
As Sherry approaches them, Dave rises to take Darryl, the perfect
father: hug, tickle, kiss.
JIM (VO)
I guess I don't have to tell you how
all this turned out.
INT. PRINCIPAL HENDRICK'S OFFICE DAY
CLOSE ON DAVE slumped in a chair. He is lost in agony: all he can do
is look down and draw short, gasping breaths.
Principal Walt Hendricks is at his desk, examining a little BOOKLET.
JIM
sits on the vinyl sofa.
CLOSE ON -- the small makeshift booklet whose cover reads, "There's a
place for us" in overdone fancy cursive.
THE SECOND PAGE shows a cutout from a travel magazine of a swanky
BEACHFRONT HOTEL. One room has been circled with the words "you and
me" written next to it. Below: "A time and place for us." We HEAR
Walt clearing his throat, swallowing.
THE THIRD PAGE has glued to it a POSTCARD showing a couple hand-in-
hand on the beach at sunset and reading, "Maui is for lovers." Below:
Take my hand and we'll soon be there.
THE LAST PAGE has a cutout of a bouquet of flowers. It reads, "Tracy,
See you in paradise? Love, your 'teacher' David. P.S. I really,
really need you now." The booklet is lowered.
DAVE
Tracy's Mom -- she doesn't understand.
WALT
No, I'd say she doesn't. I don't think
I've ever seen a mother quite so upset.
We're all very, very lucky she doesn't
want this public.
Dave looks at JIM for help. JIM looks away. Dave's breaths grow more
convulsive. Finally -
DAVE
But we're in love
WALT
Dave. Dave, look at me
Dave looks slowly up.
WALT
I want you to get some help.
DAVE & SHERRY'S LIVING ROOM NIGHT
Sherry cradles Darryl while Dave grovels at her feet.
JIM (VO)
After Dave got fired, Sherry kicked him
out of the house and filed for divorce.
SHERRY
Your novel? Are you fucking kidding me?
Dave follows Sherry as she takes the baby into their bedroom and slams
the door in Dave's face. Dave pounds on the door, eventually sinking
to his knees and crying.
DAVE
Sherry Sherry Sheerrry. ...
JIM (VO)
He ended up moving back to Milwaukee to
live with his parents. I haven't heard
from him in a long time. Poor guy. I
warned him.
INT. JIM'S CLASSROOM -- DAY
Tracy, still frozen, THAWS OUT. Maybe now she can finish
TRACY
...certain time in history and
RINGGGGG Maybe not.
At the bell, students instantly shut their textbooks and collect their
things.
JIM
Okay. We'll pick up here next time
Tracy is miffed as she puts her things away: slam, stuff, zip. She
slings her backpack over her shoulder and heads toward the door. She
looks back at --
MR. MCALLISTER who himself now FREEZES as he talks to a couple of
students
TRACY (VO)
Now that I have more life experience, I
feel sorry for Mr. McAllister.
CLOSE-UP FROZEN DETAILS - of Jim's appearance - his slightly frayed
collar and bad tie; the heels of his old docksiders worn down at
irritating angles; the faded impression his too-big wallet has made in
his khakis; his growing bald spot; his ear hairs.
TRACY (VO)
I mean, anyone who's stuck in the same
little room saying the exact same things
year after year for his whole life,
wearing the same stupid clothes, while
his students go on to good colleges and
move to big cities and do great things
and make loads of money has got to be at
least a little jealous. It's like my
room says - the weak always try to
sabotage the strong.
Tracy turns and walks out the door.
INT. TRACY'S HOUSE -- DAY
CLOSE ON A SMILING LITTLE TRACY - in a Sears-style portrait. PAN
across a wall full of other framed photos of Tracy accepting awards,
dancing in a recital, poised to dive at a swim meet.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
One thing that's important to know
about me is that I'm an only child. So
my Mom is really devoted to me, and I
love her so much. She wants me to do
all the things she wanted to do in life
but couldn't.
AT THE DINING ROOM TABLE
Tracy's mother, BARBARA FLICK, finishes a letter and puts it in an
envelope.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
See, Mom used to be a stewardess for
Northwest and now works as a para-legal.
She likes to write letters to successful
women like Janet Reno and Elizabeth Dole
and ask them how they got to be where
they are and what advice do they have
for me, Tracy, her daughter.
CLOSE ON BARBARA'S TONGUE as the envelope flap slides across it.
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY DAY
A politician's SMILE plastered to her face, Tracy is at her card table
vigorously gathering signatures.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
Nine times out of ten they say you have
to hold on to your dreams no matter
what. The pressures women face mean you
have to work twice as hard, and you
can't let anything or anyone stand in
your way.
A shabbily dressed BURNOUT -- DOUG SCHENKEN -- walks past and grabs a
huge handful of gum.
TRACY
One per person! Put those back I
John just keeps on walking away, and his two BUDDIES take great
delight in his nimble-witted, quick retort.
DOUG SCHENKEN
Eat me
INT. HILLARD LIBRARY -- DAY
While other students sit in groups around her, Tracy sits apart at her
own table, concentrated and alone. She is writing little numbers by
her signatures.
TRACY
Ninety-seven.. .ninety-eight.
TRACY (VO)
But you know, winning isn't
everything. If you play fair and follow
all the rules thoroughly, you'll always
come out ahead. Win or lose, ethical
conduct is the most important thing.
Just ask Mr. McAllister.
EXT. PARKING LOT -- DAY CLOSE ON TRACY'S EXCITED FACE
TRACY
Mr. McAllister? Mr. McAllister! Wait up
I
Jim, his tie loose and his sleeves rolled up, looks up from unlocking
his car. Tracy runs toward him holding out a TERM PAPER FOLDER.
TRACY
I got all my signatures. One hundred
and fifty-eight -- way more than I need!
JIM
Hey, that's super
TRACY
Here they are.
JIM
You can put those in my box. I'll look
at them tomorrow.
TRACY
Could you approve them now? I'd like
to kick off my campaign right away, you
know, in the morning.
JIM
(resigned)
Right
He cursorily flips through the bound pages and offers them back to
Tracy.
JIM (CONT'D)
Looks good to me.
TRACY
Aren't you supposed to keep them?
JIM
NO, that's fine
TRACY
I thought you were supposed to keep
them.
JIM
Okay, fine. Sure
JIM throws his briefcase and Tracy's folder into the backseat.
TRACY
Thanks for everything.
JIM
You bet.
Tracy stays put as JIM climbs in, shuts the door and fastens his seat
belt.
TRACY
(cheery, awkward)
I can't wait to start campaigning.
JIM
Should be easy. So far no competition.
TRACY
Hell, you know, Coca-Cola's the world's
number one soft drink, but they spend
more money than anybody on advertising.
I guess that's how come they stay number
one.
JIM
Yeah. Okay. well, good luck Tracy
They exchange a long, curious stare. There's a tone at once
confrontational and vaguely sexual about this moment.
TRACY
You know, Mr. M., when I win the
presidency, that means you and I are
going to be spending a lot of time
together next year. And I for one would
like that time to be harmonious and
productive. Wouldn't you?
JIM
Sure
TRACY
Okay. That's good. I just wanted to
make sure.
JIM
Good luck, Tracy.
JIM pulls away and heads for the parking lot exit.
INT.EXT. JIM'S CAR ON STREET -- DAY
JIM drives stone-faced, unblinking. Something about the music on the
radio mocks him.
JIM (VO)
I don't blame Tracy for what happened
with Dave. How could I? Dave was an
adult more than twice her age.
EXT. GROCERY STORE PARKIKG LOT DAY
JIM pulls to a stop next to a giant DUMPSTER
Out of his window come yellowed newspapers, balled-up fast food bags,
and other detritus. He speeds away.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
Sure, she got on my nerves once in a
while, but I admired Tracy. I really
did.
INSIDE THE DUMPSTER we see Tracy's little bound book of signatures.
INT. MCALLISTER DIKING ROOM - MIGHT
JIM and his wife Diane sit at their dining room table, eating chicken
pot pies, baked potatoes with sour cream, salad with Lite Ranch
dressing. Not a word passes between them.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
Thank God for Diane. She was my best
friend, my source of love and strength.
Oh sure, we'd had our share of bumpy
times, but we'd always seen them
through. After nine years of marriage,
we were closer than ever. And the
secret? Good communication.
DIANE
Anything wrong?
JIM
Everything's fine. Just, you know,
school.
INT. MCALLISTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
JIM lies awake in bed while Diane snores beside him. Something seems
to be echoing in his head.
TRACY'S VOICE
...You know, Coca-Cola's by far the
number one soft drink... When I win the
presidency we're going to be spending a
lot of time together... a lot of time...
lots and lots and lots of time...
president and advisor. . .
CLOSE ON JIM'S EAR as Tracy's LIPS magically whisper into it.
TRACY
...harmonious and productive... close
and special... you and I... so close...
so intimate... together...
INT. MCALLISTER BASEMENT NIGHT
In the darkness a light pops on, and JIM quietly pads down the stairs.
He opens an old CEDAR TRUNK, lifts out a few blankets and a piece of
cardboard to reveal a row of PORNO TAPES cleverly concealed in the
bottom of the trunk.
ON THE TV SCREEN -
A FOOTBALL PLAYER in uniform and helmet filets a CHEERLEADER in a
locker room.
JIM watches with detachment, as though watching the news. He sips a
can of PEPSI. The football stud continues to bump and grind. Looking
at his Pepsi can, JIM is suddenly inspired.
JIM
(quietly)
Paul.
EXT. SKI SLOPE (REAR PROJECTION) DAY
PAUL METZLER is SKIING in goggles and scarf. Behind him is a cheesy
dated rear projection of other skiers. Suddenly Paul loses his balance
and FALLS.
CLOSE ON PAUL writhing in the snow.
PAUL
Why. . . ? Why. . . ?
PAUL (VO)
I was so mad at God when I broke my leg
at Shadow Ridge over Christmas break.
INSERT X-RAY LIGHT BOX
CLOSE ON AN X-RAY of a multiple FRACTURE.
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
The doctors told me I'd have to quit
sports for at least a couple years if
not forever.
INSERT YEARBOOK PICTURE
Paul kneels in his FOOTBALL UNIFORM. The photograph erupts in flames.
Bonanza-style.
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
...which meant no first-string
quarterback in the fall. It was like the
end of my life!
EXT. MILLARD HIGH FRONT STEPS DAY
Paul stands talking to FRIENDS in a very typical high school tableau.
All wear backpacks or carry books. A GIRL kneels to sign his cast.
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
When I got back to school everybody was
so supportive, and they all wanted to
sign my cast and everything...
EXT. MISSOURI RIVER LOCKOUT -- DAY Alone, Paul leans on his crutches
and watches the river
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
... but I still couldn't shake the
feeling that now my life had no purpose.
What did God want from me?
THE VAST MISSOURI - always flowing, never stopping, no beginning, no
end
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
Why did I exist?
INT. LIBRARY DAY
Paul is sleeping slumped over a table, his head cradled on crossed
arms. The Celestine Prophecy is open face down next to him.
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
Sometimes you can search everywhere for
answers. Then one day destiny just taps
you on the shoulder. I know, because it
happened to me.
A FINGER reaches down and taps Paul's shoulder. Paul comes to and
looks -- it's Mr. McAllister.
JIM
Paul, could I talk to you for a minute?
MILLARD HALLWAY - DAY
His arm on Paul's shoulder, JIM walks Paul down a deserted hall and
into Jim's classroom. JIM picks up some scrap paper off the floor and
puts it in the proper place.
PAUL (VO)
Mr. McAllister changed my life. And no
matter what they say he did or did not
do, I believe he is a good man.
JIM'S CLASSROOM - DAY Paul sits in a chair, while JIM stands
JIM
Paul, I know you've been pretty down
since your accident.
PAUL
I wanted to play next year so bad I
could taste it. And maybe go on to...
JIM
I know. I understand disappointment.
I really do.
PAUL
Yeah.
JIM
But you've got a big choice right now.
You can choose to be depressed about it
for the rest of your life. Or you can
choose to see it for what it really is:
an opportunity. I personally think you
have a big future ahead of you, and I
don't mean the fleeting glory of sports.
PAUL
What do you mean?
JIM
Let me give you a clue. You're a born
leader. You're one of the most popular
students at Millard. You're honest and
straightforward. You don't choke under
pressure, as we all saw in that amazing
fourth quarter against Westside. The
other kids look up to you. What does
that spell?
Paul furrows his brow and looks around, searching for an answer. His
lower lip is wet.
JIM
Student... council... president.
It takes a moment for this to sink in. Finally
PAUL
Who, me? Nooo. I never... I don't
know anything about that stuff, Mr. M.
Besides, that's Tracy Flick's thing.
She's always working so hard and --
JIM
Yeah, no, she's a go-getter, all right.
PAUL
And she's super-nice
JIM
Yeah. But one person assured of
victory kind of undermines the whole
idea of a democracy, doesn't it? That's
more like a... well, like a
dictatorship, like we studied.
JIM
Paul, what's your favorite fruit?
PAUL
Huh? Oh. Uh... pears
JIM
takes a piece of chalk from the lip of
the blackboard.
JIM
Okay, let's say
PAUL
No, wait -- apples. Apples.
JIM draws illustrative circles on the board as he speaks.
JIM
Fine. Let's say all you ever knew was
apples. Apples, apples and more apples.
You might think apples were pretty good,
even if you occasionally got a rotten
one. Then one day there's an orange. And
now you can make a decision. Do you want
an apple, or do you want an orange?
That's democracy.
PAUL
I also like bananas.
JIM
Exactly. So what do you say? Maybe
it's time to give a little something
back.
INT. STUDENT COMHON AREA DAY
Tracy directs her friend ERIC OVERHOLDT on a ladder as he hangs a
large POSTER high on a wall.
TRACY
The right side is too high. The right
side. Just a smidge.
Suddenly she notices a small COMMOTION in the adjacent cafeteria and
goes to investigate.
INT. CAFETERIA DAY
A small crowd of students compete to sign Paul's nomination petition
taped to the wall.
GUY
(signing)
Hey Paul, you going over to Anthony's
on Friday, or what did you decide?
PAUL
I gotta talk to him first.
Tracy watches the hubbub, none too pleased, and pushes her way to the
front of the group.
TRACY
Who put you up to this?
PAUL
Huh? Oh, hi, Tracy
Tracy stares at him.
TRACY
Who put you up to this?
PAUL
What do you mean?
TRACY
You just woke up this morning and
suddenly decided to run for president?
PAUL
No. Uh... I just... you know, I just
thought --
TRACY
Thought what?
PAUL
Well, see, I was talking to Mr.
McAllister about my leg and
everything... and how I still want to,
you know, do something for the school
and --
TRACY
So Mr. McAllister asked you to run.
PAUL
Well, I mean, you know, I talked to him
and everything, but he just said he
thought it was a good idea... and how
there's all different kinds of fruit
and... It's nothing against you, Tracy.
You're the best. I just thought --
TRACY
Okay, Mr. Popular. You're on.
With that Tracy turns and SIGNS Paul's sheet
THE "I" IN "FLICK" is dotted with a STAR
CLOSE ON TRACY'S FACE - as she walks away, Paul and his fans receding
behind her
TRACY (VO)
You might think it upset me that Paul
Metzier had decided to run against me,
but nothing could be further from the
truth. He was no competition for me: it
was like apples and oranges. It just
meant I had to work a little harder,
that's all.
INT. TRACY'S BASEMENT NIGHT
CLOSE ON TRACY'S FACE --
in a xeroxed photograph. "Vote Tracy!" is written at the bottom.
Tracy is making campaign buttons with her BUTTON MACHINE. She
manufactures her buttons with almost alarming intensity. PATRIOTIC
MUSIC begins to rise.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
You see, I believe in the voters. They
understand that elections aren't just
popularity contests. They know this
country was built by people just like me
who work very hard and don't have
everything handed to them on a silver
spoon.
THE TRACY BUTTONS
drop one by one into a box. All the little round Tracys smile up at
us.
EXT. MILLARD PARKING LOT DAY
Paul is in the driver's seat of his hitching big-wheeled PICKUP TRUCK.
His door is open, and his radio blasts a SONG carefully selected to
boost soundtrack album sales. Various FRIENDS OF PAUL'S hang around.
Tracy watches the scene from her seat on the SCHOOL BUS
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
Not like some rich kids who everybody
likes because their fathers own Metzier
Cement and give them trucks on their
sixteenth birthday and throw them big
parties all the time. They don't ever
have to work for anything.
The .bus pulls away.
INT. TRACY'S LIVING ROOM AFTERNOON
CLOSE ON TRACY'S FACE -
staring into camera as she exercises on a NORDIC TRAC, Drenched in
sweat, she moves in a hypnotic frenzy.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
They think they can all of a sudden one
day out of the blue waltz right in with
no qualifications whatsoever and try to
take away what other people have worked
for very, very hard their entire lives.
No, it didn't bother me at all I
INT. PAUL'S PICKUP -- DAY
Paul drives home, his stereo thumping. Silent, he appears lost in
thought, as though a little gopher idea were burrowing its way to the
surface. Oh, look -- there's its snout now.
PAUL
Paul... Paul... power... Paul... Paul
for President... progress... promise...
peanut... Paul-i-tics... yeah...
President Paul... Punt for Paul! No.
EXT. METZLER HOME DAY Paul pulls into the driveway and hops out of
his car.
INT. TAMMY METZLER'S BEDROOM DAY
Two GIRLS are kissing on the bed. They are TAMMY METZLER and LISA
FLANAGAN, fifteen and seventeen respectively. Lisa breaks away. Tammy
tries to kiss her again, but Lisa resists.
TAMMY
(softly)
What?
LISA
I told you ... I can't. I just -- It
doesn't feel right anymore, you know?
INT. METZLER KITCHEN DAY
Whistling a cheerful tune, Paul tosses his backpack on a chair, grabs
a banana, and opens the refrigerator.
INT. TAMMY METZLER'S BEDROOM DAY
Tammy is still trying to comfort Lisa.
TAMMY
If you could just get out of your head.
Tammy leans forward, puts her palm on Lisa's cheek. Lisa looks at
Tammy as though at a stranger. Tammy leans forward and .kisses Lisa's
eyes. Lisa jerks her head out of Tammy's hands.
LISA
I said no!
Suddenly, there's a quick KNOCK at the door, and Paul enters. The
girls rise quickly.
PAUL
Hey, Tammy, guess what happened today.
TAMMY
Don't you fucking knock?
PAUL
Yeah. So guess what happened. So Mr.
McAllister, he --
(noticing Lisa)
Oh hi. Lisa.
TAMMY
Paul, get out!
PAUL
So Mr. M. calls me in and tells me --
LISA
I gotta go.
Lisa pushes her way past Paul and runs down the hall
TAMMY
(to Paul)
You dumbshit!
PAUL
What'd I do?
THE SCENE FREEZES.
TAMMY (VO)
You know how they say one day a big
meteor might come and crash into the
Earth and kill everybody? Well, I think
that would be a good thing.
BACK TO LIFE - Tammy turns away from Paul in disgust and runs after
Lisa
INT. METZLER LIVING ROOM AND FOYER CONTINUOUS
Tammy finds the front door flung open and through it sees Lisa
slamming the door of her beat-up Honda Civic and starting the engine.
TAMMY
Lisa
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET CONTINUOUS
Tammy runs up to the car as it pulls away. She pounds on the window.
TAMMY
Stop! Wait!
Lisa stops the car, rolls down the window
TAMMY (CONT'D)
Where 're you going?
LISA
I'm not like you.
TAMMY
What...?
LISA
I'm not a dyke, okay, and we're not in
love. We were just... I was just
experimenting.
Lisa speeds away, and we watch her car grow smaller and smaller.
CLOSE ON TAMMY'S FACE -
as we see the greatest disappointment of her short life break across
her face.
TAMMY (VO)
How can something that seems so true
turn out to be such a lie?
EXT. ELMWOOD PARK -- DAY
Lisa and Tammy are swinging synchronized on a swingset, smiling and
laughing. The image is slightly OVEREXPOSED as though to suggest an
ideal memory.
CLOSE ON TAMMY looking over at Lisa
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
I mean Lisa and I were destined to be
together. It was so obvious. Of all the
people on the planet who had ever lived,
somehow we'd found each other.
CLOSE ON LISA
in SLOW MOTION, swinging next to us. She looks back, her face so
happy.
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
Lisa...
INT. TAMMY'S ROOM -- DAY
CHOMP-CHOMP-CHOMP Tammy eats an asparagus spear.
GNAW-GNAW-GNAW Lisa eats an asparagus spear
TAMMY drinks a big glass of water. She giggles a little.
LISA drinks a big glass of water. She giggles too.
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
I remember one time Lisa and I did an
experiment with asparagus to see how
long it takes your pee to smell. We peed
a little every five minutes.
AN EGG TIMER: Ding I Tammy and Lisa, very serious now, smell little
Dixie cups
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
For her it took about fifteen minutes,
and for me it was twenty.
INT. LIBRARY DAY
Lisa studies at a table, surrounded by other busy students.
TAMMY (VO)
Everyday I found some new way to tell
Lisa I loved her.
Suddenly Tammy walks by, drops a folded NOTE in front of Lisa, and
walks on. Lisa opens it.
NOTE
(Tammy's voice)
If you died right now, I would throw
myself into one of my Dad's cement
trucks and get poured into your tomb.
Lisa looks over her shoulder at Tammy, who is now at the door of the
library. Tammy nods at her with quiet loving reassurance.
TAMMY (VO)
But it just seemed like the closer we
got, the more she pulled away.
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY DAY
Lisa watches Tammy open her locker and notices a four-frame PHOTO-
BOOTH PHOTOGRAPH taped to the inside of the door. In the photos Lisa
and Tammy are clowning and smooching. Lisa reaches over and YANKS the
photos off the door.
LISA
Are you crazy?
TAMMY
What?
LISA
People can see this.
TAMMY
So?
LISA
These are private -- these are for us.
TAMMY
I know.
LISA
But other people can see them too.
TAMMY
I don't care.
LISA
Well, I do.
Lisa walks away with the photos
EXT. ELMWOOD PARK DAY
CLOSE ON LISA SWINGING -- next to us, a final reprise of Tammy's
favorite memory
TAMMY (VO)
What did I do to make her change?
What's wrong with me?
Lisa swings out of frame, and the swing returns EMPTY.
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
(a whisper)
Lisa.
EXT. HILL ABOVE A POWER PLANT TWILIGHT
Tammy sits on a promontory overlooking an Omaha Public Power District
station -- towers, wires, insulators, a loud HUM.
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
Sometimes when I'm sad, I sit and watch
the power station.
Tammy lifts a pair of BINOCULARS to her eyes, sees THE POWER PLANT.
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
They say if you lie between two of the
main wires, your body just evaporates.
You become a gas. I wonder what that
would feel like.
TAMMY'S STREET -- EVENING
Lisa's car speeds away, growing smaller and smaller. We're back at the
BREAK-UP. CLOSE ON TAMMY'S FACE as she stares down the street, unable
to move. It starts to rain. Tears roll down her cheeks, mixing with
the rain. very French, very sad.
TAMMY (VO CONT'D)
I don ' t know what I did to make Lisa
hate me so much, but somehow she decided
to hurt roe. And she knew exactly what
to do.
LISA'S BEDROOM DAY
CLOSE ON PAUL'S FACE --
matched in size to Tammy's. He is moaning, gasping.
FROM OVERHEAD --
Paul is sprawled on Lisa's bed, surrounded by stuffed animals. His
legs dangle over the edge of the bed, and Lisa kneels between them,
her head bobbing up and down.
PAUL (VO)
I sure was surprised the day Lisa
Flanagan asked me for a ride home and
ended up blowing me.
Lisa pauses and looks up at Paul.
LISA
I've wanted this for so long.
She resumes with renewed vigor
PAUL
Uhhh... teeth. Teeth.
LISA
Sorry.
INT. MILLARD HIGH CAFETERIA DAY
Paul and Lisa sit with some other friends at a lunch table. Paul has
one arm around Lisa as he eats with his other hand.
PAUL (VO)
Life is so weird. First Lisa has a big
fight with my sister, and the next thing
you know she's my girlfriend.
Lisa turns around to look at
TAMMY seated at another table directly behind them. She and Lisa lock
eyes before they both turn around again.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD DAY
Paul poses for a campaign photo in his football uniform. He freezes
in position as though about to throw a pass. Lisa adjusts his
position -- CLICK.
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
Since Lisa knew all about public
relations and stuff, she offered to help
me with my campaign. We made a great
team!
Tammy spies from underneath the bleachers
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY DAY
Paul is on all fours as Lisa stands on his back to hang a poster with
Paul's football picture reading: "Paul Metzier You Bet-zier!"
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
It seemed so natural, the two of us
together. It was like destiny.
Tammy watches from a nearby classroom door, her nose and cheek pressed
against the window.
EXT. LISA'S HOUSE DAY
Paul's truck pulls up, and Paul and Lisa get out
PAUL (VO CONT'D)
That spring was perfect. My leg wasn't
bugging me too much, and the weather was
so nice. And every afternoon after
school. Lisa and I would go to her house
to fuck and have a swim. It was like we
were in a world all our own.
Tammy emerges from behind a tree. She's on her bike. Angry and
fragile, she watches the couple enter Lisa's house.
EXT. LISA'S BACKYARD DAY
Tammy peeks OVER THE FENCE and sees --
LISA AND PAUL swimming. Paul dives off the board and resurfaces right
into Lisa's arms.
MOVE CLOSER TO TAMMY as she dies a thousand deaths.
TAMMY (VO)
I had to do something. I didn't know
what, but I had to do something.
FADE OUT
INT. SHERRY NOVOTNY'S BACKYARD -- DAY
A laughing BABY BOY is lowered into frame and pulled back up again.
Then he swings across frame. It's little DARRYL NOVOTNY.
WIDE -
JIM has Darryl by the ankles and is swinging him between his legs.
Diane and Sherry are setting the picnic table. Stacked charcoal
briquettes burn off in a nearby barbecue.
JIM (VO)
Around that time Diane and I were
hanging out a lot at Sherry Novotny's
house, giving her our love and support
and helping her make it through a
difficult time.
DIANE
Jim, don't. You're scaring him.
JIM
He likes it.
Darryl's laughter suddenly turns into CRYING
DIANE
Here. Give him to me.
(as she takes
Darryl)
is little Darryl dizzy? That's it. .
come here. . .
SHERRY
You got him?
DIANE
Yeah.
Sherry heads into the house. JIM watches her walk, then turns toward
Diane and Darryl. It's as though Diane, not Sherry, were the infant's
real mother, so loving and attentive is she, so swelled with maternal
piety.
JIM (VO)
Diane really wanted to have kids -- and
so did I -- but it seemed like there was
always a reason to wait: she had to
finish nursing school, I had to get my
masters, we needed a new house, we
needed more money. Finally we just
decided to go for it...
INT. JIM'S BEDROOM NIGHT
A DIGITAL THERMOMETER reads 99.3. Behind it Diane lies in bed reading
a copy of Self.
JIM (VO)
...but for over a year we hadn't had
any luck. And Diane was getting
desperate.
INT. JIM'S HOME OFFICE NIGHT
At his desk, JIM studies a High Society magazine. He is naked.
JIM closes his eyes and bites his lip as though feeling something he
wished not to leave him. He quickly replaces a stack of magazines in
his desk and goes across the hall to --
INT. BEDROOM CONTINUOUS
where 'Lisa''s car speeds away, growing smaller and smaller. We''re
back at the BREAK-UP. CLOSE ON TAMMY''S FACE as she stares down the
street, unable to move. It starts to rain. Tears roll down her
cheeks, mixing with the rain. very French, very sad.' waits in bed.
She puts aside her magazine and welcomes Papa Bear. Lisa pauses and
looks up at Paul. closes the door behind him.
INT. MCALLISTER BEDROOM LATER
JIM and Diane copulate. Although ostensibly near climax, JIM seems to
be struggling. Diane's exhortations, once forbidden and exciting, now
seem routine.
DIANE
You gonna do it? You gonna do it?
JIM
Yeah, uh, just a minute
DIANE
Come on, doit. Doit. Fill me up. Come
on, fill me up
JIM
Yeah, just --
DIANE
Do it!
JIM finally climaxes
DIANE (CONT'D)
Okay!
With that JIM rolls off of her. Diane immediately hoists her knees to
her chest.
CLOSE ON JIM - on his side of the bed facing away from Diane.
DIANE
Could you hand me the remote?
EXT. NOVOTNY BACKYARD AS BEFORE
JIM is snapped out of his reverie by Sherry's voice
SHERRY
Say, Jim. Jim.
JIM looks. Sherry is walking out the patio door holding a big bottle
of wine with a corkscrew sticking out of it.
SHERRY (CONT'D)
Could you get this? I can't
JIM
Sure.
JIM takes the bottle. CLOSE ON the neck as the cork emerges: POP!
INT. NOVOTNY KITCHEN -- DAY
Sherry stands at the base of a stepladder as JIM climbs up and points
to a spot on the ceiling.
JIM (VO)
Without Dave around. Sherry needed a
lot of help around the house.
JIM
Here?
SHERRY
(indicating)
More this way.
JIM
Okay. Give me the drill.
JIM looks down at Sherry as she hands it up. Her blouse reveals a bit
more than it should, and JIM pauses to get an extra glimpse.
THE POWER DRILL BIT penetrates the ceiling.
EXT. HOVOTHY FRONT YARD -- DAY
A shirtless JIM is MOWING the lawn on a hot day. He shuts it off as
Sherry emerges from the house with lemonade. She wears culottes, a
halter top, and flip-flops.
JIM
I'd always liked Sherry, but we'd never
had a chance to spend any time alone
together. How with Dave out of the
picture, I began to see what an
incredibly sensitive and giving person
she was.
JIM downs his glass in big thirsty gulps and hands her back the glass.
He watches her walk back to the house.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
Plus she had finally dropped all that
weight from her pregnancy, and really
she looked great.
THE RIPCORD of the lawnmower is pulled a couple of times until it
starts.
INT. YOUHKERS DEPARTMENT STORE -- DAY
IN WOMEN'S ACCESSORIES -
Sherry looks at herself in the mirror modeling a colorful floppy hat.
She spins around for Jim's approval.
JIM (VO)
We got to be pretty good buddies. I
even took her to the mall one time while
her car was in the shop.
JIM smiles and nods. She puts on another. Sherry is like a young
girl on a date. She grabs Jim's hand and pulls him in another
direction.
AT THE MAKEUP COUNTER - Sherry spreads on lipstick.
SHERRY
What do you think?
It's clear what JIM thinks.
JIM
You look great
INT. JIM'S CAR -- DAY
They're driving home. There are packages on Sherry's lap and in the
backseat.
SHERRY
I can't afford this stuff right now.
JIM
Oh, come on. You've had a hard year,
you're cooped up with the kid all the
time. Let go; live a little.
SHERRY
You sure?
They come to a stop at a red light. Out one window JIM spots a MOTEL.
JIM
So what do you think? Should we get a
room?
SHERRY
Should we get a what?
JIM
points at the motel.
SHERRY (CONT'D)
Oh.
Her smile fades, and she stares straight ahead. There's an icy,
uncomfortable silence.
SHERRY (CONT'D)
(stiffly)
That's not funny.
The light changes. JIM swallows, accelerates
INT. JIM'S KITCHEN DAY
JIM walks in through the backdoor. Diane is loading the dishwasher.
They peck-kiss.
DIANE
How'd it go?
JIM
Fine. You know. We just went to
Crossroads.
DIANE
You guys have fun?
JIM picks an apple out of a bowl.
JIM
(between bites)
Yeah. No. I mean, you know.
DIANE
What?
JIM
Well, Sherry's great. But she can be a
little much sometimes.
INT. MCALLISTER BEDROOM NIGHT
Diane lies face-down, and JIM is on top of her. JIM makes spirited
love with her.
DIANE
Oh, Jim! Oh, God!
SHERRY'S HEAD, like a cut-out from a tabloid cover, floats in from
off-screen and lands on the back of Diane's head. At the right moment,
her face COMES TO LIFE and vaguely mouths the words that Diane is
saying, like a badly-dubbed movie.
DIANE/SHERRY
Oh, God. Just like that. Oh yes. Fill
me up...
Jim's wicked desire increases with each movement
Now TRACY FLICK'S FACE floats over and replaces Sherry's. Tracy mouths
Diane's words.
DIANE/TRACY
Do it, Jim. Fuck me.
JIM is at once in deep-space ecstasy and surprised at himself.
Diane's voice now changes: it's Tracy's VOICE.
TRACY (OS)
Fuck me, Mr. McAllister
FADE OUT
UNDER BLACK
JIM (VO)
So like I was saying, things were going
pretty well in my life.
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY -- DAY
It's passing period, and hundreds of students clog the halls
JIM (VO)
... that is, until things started going
all haywire with that damn election.
A distant DING-DING grows louder and louder. Everyone turns toward the
source, far down the hall, and eventually TAMMY emerges wearing a
makeshift SANDWICH BOARD that reads "Tammy Metzier For President."
Smiling a perverse smile, she rings a hand bell. Salvation Army style.
Paul is at his locker and watches Tammy go by.
PAUL
Tammy? Tammy, what are you doing?
Tammy ignores her brother and keeps walking directly toward us,
finally INTO CAMERA.
INT. MILLARD TEACHERS' OFFICES -- DAY Tracy sits opposite Mr.
McAllister.
TRACY
You're the advisor. You should stop
her. She's not qualified. She's just a
sophomore.
JIM
Calm down, Tracy. Just calm down.
TRACY
Are you sure all her signatures are
real? It's not easy to get all those
signatures.
JIM
As far as I know, they--
Suddenly LISA AND PAUL are sitting where Tracy was.
PAUL
We can't both run, can we? We're
brother and sister. Can we?
LISA
It's a conflict of interest. And Paul
was first.
JIM
Anyone who gets signatures in on time
can run. And she got in just under the
wire. Nothing I can do.
Now TRACY replaces Lisa and Paul
TRACY
Let me see them. Let me see them
Sighing, JIM fishes in his drawer and hands Tracy some sheets
TRACY
These are a bunch of burn-outs. And
look at this one, I can't even read this
one.
JIM
(taking the sheet)
Looks like Tim Kobza.
LISA AND PAUL again
LISA
She's doing this to get back at me
PAUL
For what?
LISA
I mean at you.
PAUL
For what?
LISA
I don't know. You're her brother you
should know.
TRACY returns.
TRACY
Tim Kobza? Tim Kobza! Who's he? I've
never heard of him!
JIM
Look, why don't we just forget about
Tammy? We'll have the assembly
tomorrow, everybody'll make their
speeches, and I'm sure everything will
be fine.
INT. MILLARD GYMNASIUM DAY
The entire student body is assembled on the bleachers. There is a
palpable mood of boredom and apathy.
JERRY SLAVIN, a handicapped kid in a wheelchair, is at the
microphone. His head lists to one side, and he takes long breaths as
he speaks.
JERRY
I love Millard High, and I will be a
dedicated vice President. A vote for
Jerry Slavin is a vote for good
government. And even if I can't really
stand up for you, I will.
(cracks himself up)
Thank you.
Jerry motors away amid scattered applause and coughs. JIM steps
forward, clapping, and raises the mike.
JIM
Thank you, Jerry, and good luck. Again,
Jerry is running unopposed for Vice
President. So we'll move on now to the
presidential race with three candidates
running. The first in alphabetical order
is Tracy Flick.
Tracy steps forward with a small stack of index cards. During her
speech she flips the cards over one by one but rarely looks at them.
TRACY
Poet Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "I
cannot make my days longer, so I strive
to make them better." With this
election, we here at Millard also have
an opportunity to make our high school
days better. During this campaign I
have had the opportunity to speak with
many of you about your concerns. I
spoke with freshman Eliza Ramirez, who
told me how alienated she feels from her
own homeroom. I spoke with sophomore
Reggie Banks, who said his mother works
in a cafeteria and can't afford to buy
him enough spiral notebooks for his
classes. I won't bore you with long-
winded promises about all the new and
innovative things I will definitely
achieve during the year in which it will
be my honor and privilege to represent
each and every one of you, but I can say
that my years of experience on the
student council have taught me the three
most important attributes the president
needs to possess; commitment -
DOUG SCHENKEN
Eat me
DOUG'S BUDDY
Eat me raw!
There is scattered laughter. Tracy pauses, wait Hendricks bounds up
and grabs the mike.
WALT
If you can't be adults and give these
candidates the courtesy they deserve,
then you don't deserve to be called
adults but children* Because that's what
children are. And you'll be treated like
children. So let's all listen up.
Walt backs away to his seat. Tracy resumes
TRACY
The three most important attributes the
president needs to possess are:
commitment, qualifications, and
experience. I'll add one more; caring.
I care about Millard, and I care about
each and every one of you, and together
we can all make a difference. One of
the things I would like to establish is
a regular open forum where any student
can come and voice their concern about
issues we face here at Millard. I and
the rest of the student council would
then interface with the faculty and
staff, so a continuous dialogue would
exist.
Walt whispers to Jim.
WALT
I'd say she knows a thing or two about
student-faculty dialogue.
JIM nods solemnly
TRACY
When you cast your vote for Tracy Flick
next week, you won't just be voting for
me. You'll be voting for yourself and
for every other student Our days won't
be any longer, but they can sure be
better. Thank you.
Tracy smiles and walks back to her folding chair. There is polite
applause and a few whistles. JJJB comes back to the microphone.
Tracy takes her seat next to Paul and glances at him. Paul scares
straight ahead, a fat bead of sweat on his forehead. One of his legs
is jiggling.
JIM
The next candidate for student body
president is Paul Metzier. Paul?
Paul awkwardly makes his way to the mike. Though by no means
thunderous, his applause clearly exceeds Tracy's. A small cluster of
jocks "woof" for him, shaking their fists in the air. Paul manages a
weak grin for his buddies.
Tracy shifts in her chair, her smile stiff and forced
Lisa smiles and nods at Paul from the bleachers, giving him
encouragement and a silent reminder to remember what they talked
about.
Tammy's eyes dart between Lisa and Paul. She shows no emotion, reveals
nothing.
The applause quickly dies, and after a moment Paul remembers to look
at the white paper in his hand. He speaks in a barely audible
monotone, never once glancing up.
PAUL
As many of you know I broke my leg
pretty bad thi3 year and the experience
has made me reevaluate what I want to do
with my life and that is help people
when you think about it a school is more
than a school it's our second home where
we spend all cur time and grow as
individuals and a community but is our
school everything it could be I want our
school to reach its true potential that
is why I am running for president.
JIM pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly pained
A few loud SOUND EFFECT SNORES saw through the air, and Walt points a
stern finger at - you guessed it -- Doug Schenken.
PAUL
I know what it is to fight hard and win
like when we almost went to state last
fall and I threw that fourth-quarter
pass against Westside for the touchdown
that won the game by three points I
won't let you down like I didn't then I
promise we can all score a winning
(big breath)
touchdown together. Vote Paul Metzier
for president thank you.
Paul now gets considerably less applause, but his jock friends remain
loyal.
JIM
Okay, Paul. Now our final candidate for
President - another one of the Metzier
clan -- sophomore Tammy Metzier.
Tammy approaches the mike. There are scattered mocking whistles and
catcalls.
Tammy calmly looks over the crowd, waiting for the jeers to subside.
She makes eye contact with Lisa, who stares back.
WALT
People. People I
The room quiets down. Tammy puts her lips close to the mike,
TAMMY
Who cares about this stupid election?
NOW there's something worth listening to.
TAMMY (CONT'D)
We all know it doesn't matter who gets
elected president of Millard. You think
it's going to change anything around
here, make one single person happier or
smarter or nicer? The only person it
matters to is the one who gets elected.
The same pathetic charade happens every
year, and everyone makes the same
pathetic promises just so they can put
it on their transcripts to get into
college. So vote for me, because I
don't even want to go to college, and I
don't care, and as president I won't do
anything. The only promise I make is
that if elected I will immediately
dismantle the student government, so
that none of us will ever have to sit
through one of these stupid assemblies
again!
There is a sudden huge cathartic eruption of cheers and applause.
Tammy has set them free. Even cynical old Doug Schenken and his
buddies join in.
STUDENTS
Tammy! Tammy! Tammy!
In total control, she steps back from the mike and CURTSIES.
Walt shoots an angry, confused look at Jim, who shrugs. Tracy is
clearly upset, but her smile remains eerily fixed Paul just looks
confused and ashamed. Jerry Slavin is convulsed in laughter and
chants along with the multitude.
Tammy quickly grabs the mike for one final exhortation.
TAMMY
0h don't vote for me I Who cares?
Don't vote at all!
The students go nuts.
INT. WALT HENDRICK'S OFFICE DAY
Dr. Hendricks is in a serious post-assembly discussion with JIM and
VICE-PRINCIPAL RON BELL.
WALT
That little bitch made a fool of us I
want her out of the election. Getting
everybody all riled up like that. She's
finished, you hear me? Washed up.
JIM
Walt, we can't throw her out of the
election just because we don't like her
speech. That's not what student
government's about.
WALT
(grumbling)
Yeah... whatever. All I know is she's
a troublemaker. She's on my list.
RON
All we need to do is send a message, so
maybe we should just suspend her.
WALT
Right. That's it. She's suspended for
a week!
To emphasize his point, Walt throws his STYROFOAM CUP at the
wastepaper basket and misses. Lowell the janitor, passing by outside
the door, notices the cup bouncing on the floor.
JIM
I think that's a little strong Walt.
Ron?
RON
We don't want to make a martyr out of
her. Three days sounds right to me.
WALT
Okay. Three days. Take care of it.
EXT. STREETS DAY
Tammy rides her bike on this crisp sunny spring day. The music is
buoyant. Tammy is all smiles.
TAMMY (VO)
Being suspended is like getting a paid
vacation. Too bad it was only three
days
EXT. 7-11 DAY
Tammy is hanging out by the entrance. A DUDE emerges from the store
carrying a 12-pack of beer. En route to his car, he throws Tammy a
pack of CIGARETTES.
DUDE
Here you go.
Tammy looks at the pack
TAMMY
Hey -- I said lights I
EXT. SACRED HEART ACADEMY -- DAY
A cigarette hanging out of her mouth, Tammy rides by the front of this
Catholic girls' school.
NOW AT THE ATHLETIC FIELD -
Tammy gets off her bike, goes to look through the surrounding fence at
GIRLS PLAYING LACROSSE
in their cleats, short skirts, jerseys. LITURGICAL MUSIC accompanies
SLOW-MOTION close-ups of the girls in action.
Tammy seems to breathe them in
INT. TAMMY'S ROOM -- DAY
Wearing headphones. Tammy DANCES to music only she can hear. She
happens to glance toward her door and notices a MANILA ENVELOPE
sliding under it. She opens the door and finds a startled Paul.
TAMMY
What do you want?
PAUL
Oh. Hi, Tammy. I was just, you know,
I went to all your teachers and got your
assignments.
Tammy looks at him, picks up the packet.
PAUL (CONT'D)
I just thought, well, last time you got
suspended you fell so behind and -
TAMMY
Okay, Paul. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
Paul smiles at the acknowledgment of his good deed.
TAMMY (CONT'D)
Now could you leave me alone?
PAUL
Yeah. Oh, one more thing. Tammy. You
know, all this election stuff. 'Cause,
you know, everyone is saying it's so
weird that you're running against me,
and, well, it is kind of weird, and you
haven't really told me why you're doing
it and didn't tell me in advance or
anything. But that's okay, you know. l
respect your privacy. I just want you
to know that no matter who wins, if it's
you or me, there's no hard feelings.
We're still brother and sister. Okay?
Cause... and I hope you feel the same.
TAMMY
Sure, Paul. No hard feelings.
PAUL
Okay. Great. I feel good.
Paul is about to leave again but
PAUL
Oh. Oh. Yeah. Right. One other
thing. Since you know Lisa so well,
could you give me some advice? I want
to get her something for helping me with
the election. You know, something
really special -- like flowers or candy
or flowers and candy. Or is that too
typical? I mean, can you think of
something? Something really special?
You know, something she'd really like?
Tammy looks as though she'd like to push the button on all the world's
atomic bombs.
EXT. TRACY'S DRIVEWAY DAY
CLOSE ON A GIANT OUTLINED "0" --
drawn on white paper. A hand enters frame with a brush and begins to
fill in the outline with blue tempera-paint.
Camera RISES to reveal the "0" as part of a giant banner. Tracy is
working on some letters, while ERIC OVERHOLDT is working on others.
TRACY (VO)
What happened at the speeches was an
unconscienceable travesty. That little
bitch Tammy Metzier wanted to make a
fool out of me. Well, it wasn't going to
work. People do care who wins. Things do
matter.
Finally, we're high enough to read:
WHO CARES? I DO: VOTE TRACY!
TRACY
Eric, the "r" is supposed to be green,
not blue.
ERIC
Oh. Okay.
Eric carefully paints over his mistake, then works up some courage.
ERIC (CONT'D)
So, Tracy, I was wondering if after we
finish with these you'd like to go to a
movie or something.
TRACY
That's okay. I'm too busy.
Ouch.
INT. MILLARD YEARBOOK OFFICE -- NIGHT A haggard Tracy sits alone at a
computer monitor
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
People are so ungrateful. If all those
students who cheered for Tammy Metzier
only knew how hard I worked for Millard.
Like all the late nights I spent at the
yearbook office just to give them their
memories.
THE MONITOR
displays a DIGITIZED PHOTO of the Millard yearbook staff. DAVE
NOVOTNY peers proudly from behind two of the taller students. A CURSOR
in the shape of tiny SCISSORS makes a small circle around Dave's face.
Suddenly, the cursor turns into a tiny HAND and drags Dave's dislodged
head into the TRASH.
Tracy concentrates as she deftly controls the mouse.
TRACY (VO CONT'D)
One of my duties was to clean up the
group photos. It was a cinch with our
new software.
THE COMPUTER MONITOR AGAIN --
as Tracy outlines a piece of the WALL and places it in the void where
Dave used to be, blurring the edges for a perfect effect, voila!
Satisfied, Tracy taps on the keyboard.
TRACY
(under her breath)
Let's see... "save" is Command "S."
Okay.
INT. MILLARD HIGH HALLWAY -- NIGHT
Tracy is heading down the hall toward the exit when she rounds a
corner and, suddenly deeply troubled, sees that
HER NEW "WHO CARES?" BANNER has come loose on an upper corner and is
drooping.
Tracy puts down her things and JUMPS up to slap the corner back into
place. Satisfied, she turns away. But then - SHOOP! The banner
fights back, peeling even further from the wall. Tracy prepares for
battle.
INT. YEARBOOK OFFICE NIGHT
Tracy enters and grabs a long aluminum STRAIGHT-EDGE.
INT. HALLWAY NIGHT
Standing on an overturned GARBAGE CAN and wielding the straight-edge,
Tracy tries to smooth the banner. But she's not holding the ruler flat
against the wall and -- RIP! -- she slices the banner lengthwise. Now
the plastic garbage can begins to buckle. Struggling to retain her
balance, Tracy accidentally hooks the banner and as she TUMBLES yanks
the whole thing down.
Overcome with anger and frustration, she thrashes around on the ground
and TEARS UP what remains of her banner.
PAUL METZLER smiles down at Tracy from his poster across the hall.
Tracy looks up at it. Instantly she is on her feet, lunging for the
poster. She jumps up, TEARS it down, and RIPS Paul's head into pieces.
Blood issues from a thin paper cut on one hand. Tracy regards it at
first without comprehending, then raises it to her mouth. While
sucking her wound, her gaze falls on --
ANOTHER SMILING PAUL mocking her pain.
ANGLE FROM WAY DOWN THE HALL
Hurricane Tracy begins a savage assault on the fragile coast of
Millard High. Paul's campaign posters fill the air, shredded to pieces
by the powerful winds of jealousy and rage.
TIME DISSOLVE --
to Tracy even farther down the hall, still jumping, still ripping.
TRACK FROM OVERHEAD - THE HALLWAY FLOOR - where a thousand bits of
Paul lie scattered -- a grinning mouth here, an eye there.
TILT UP finally to Tracy, sweating, panting. She finishes ripping a
poster and looks to find another. But there are no more Paul posters:
she has destroyed them all. Tracy raises her hands and sees they are
streaked with Blood.
INT. GIRLS ' BATHROOM NIGHT
Tracy is at the sink, washing away the blood. She pats her hands dry
with paper towels. The gravity of what she's done now sinks in, and
she panics.
TRACY
I didn't do this. I didn't do it.
She lifts the top off a garbage can, removes the PLASTIC LINER.
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY NIGHT
With frantic haste, Tracy stuffs the evidence of her awful deed into
the garbage bag.
EXT. BACK OF HILLARD HIGH -- MIGHT
Tracy's face is half-obscured by the bulging bag she carries down the
sidewalk.
EXT. HILLARD PARKIMC LOT - MIGHT
Tracy opens her TRUNK and heaves the garbage bag inside slamming the
trunk, she looks around - no one.
INT. TRACY'S CAR NIGHT
Tracy drives, sucking on a wounded hand. She glances frequently in the
rear-view mirror.
EXT. STREET MIGHT
Tracy's car drives down a REMOTE ROAD. There are no sidewalks here,
and the surroundings consist of scrubby vegetation and industrial
structures. In the background looms a POWER PLANT.
INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS
We now sense that Tracy has a plan. She throws the car into reverse,
backs up and turns onto -
EXT. A SMALL ACCESS ROAD -- CONTINUOUS
Tracy stop the car near an EMBANKMENT. She gets out and pulls the
garbage bag from the trunk.
With a big shove Tracy sends the bag cartwheeling down the hill
Breathing hard but clearly relieved, Tracy watches the evidence of her
deed tumble into obscurity.
NOW THROUGH BINOCULARS Tracy's shadowy figure runs back to the car.
EXT. HILL ABOVE POWER PLANT NIGHT
Tammy momentarily drops her BINOCULARS before raising them again.
THROUGH THE BINOCULARS - Tracy's car speeds away.
Tammy drops her binoculars and mounts her bike
EXT. EMBANKMENT -- NIGHT
Tammy skids to a stop, drops her bike, and heads down the embankment.
CLOSE ON THE HEFTY BAG
as Tammy draws near. She pauses at first, but intrepid curiosity
conquers her fear. She unties the knot.
FROM INSIDE THE BAG we see Tammy's sudden look of HORROR
PAUL'S MANGLED FACE smiles up at her. Tammy raises it toward camera
INT. NOVOTWY BATHROOM -- MORNING
CLOSE ON A DRAIN
as a hand extracts a huge WAD OF HAIR -- stringy, mucousy. fetid.
JIM holds it up for Sherry, who stands behind him in her bathrobe.
JIM
There's your culprit
He examines it from different angles. Both scrunch their faces
JIM (CONT'D)
Shall we give it a name?
SHERRY
(not missing a
beat)
Dave.
CLOSE ON AN OPEN TOILET - Plop! The hairwad joins several smaller
stringy friends.
NOW AT THE SINK
JIM washes his hands. Sherry glances between JIM and the water
running in the shower. It's getting steamy.
SHERRY
Did you know Dave's a bed wetter?
JIM
No, I... uh, didn't know that
SHERRY
All his life. He's tried everything.
JIM
(about the shower)
Still clear?
SHERRY
Yep.
JIM
We'll let it run awhile
JIM turns off the faucet and reaches for a towel. Sherry offers him
another.
SHERRY
This one's clean.
JIM takes it and dries his hands. Sherry now stands very close to
him. JIM
sets the towel on the sink. It's a little awkward as they look into
each other's eyes, standing so near.
SHERRY (CONT'D)
I guess you'd better get to work huh?
You're going to be late.
She slowly wraps her arms around Jim's neck and pulls him to her, a
hug of gratitude and warmth -- nothing sexual here, just the embrace
of two people in need of shelter from the storm of life. No, nothing
sexual at all.
SHERRY (CONT'D)
Thank you, Jim.
Now sherry begins to cry a little, and things begin to change -- hands
wander, cheek brushes cheek. Finally lips meet, tenderly at first.
And then it is a deluge.
INT. NOVOTNY LIVING ROOM DAY
JIM and Sherry stumble in from the hallway locked in an embrace. They
rove around the room, barely able to keep their balance. Finally,
they fall to the ground.
CLOSE ON LITTLE DARRYL --
playing with his foot in the CRIB. Through the bars behind him we can
discern the murky shape of Sherry and JIM rutting and grunting like
wild boars.
EXT. NOVOTNY DRIVEWAY DAY
JIM starts his car. Sherry leans into his window. She looks around
the neighborhood before kissing him firmly on the mouth.
SHERRY
Hey Yeah?
SHERRY
Take me to that motel. Like you
wanted.
JIM
Right now?
SHERRY
Easy, tiger. Come by after school.
I'll leave Darryl with the sitter.
JIM
Three twenty-five.
SHERRY
Three twenty-five.
EXT. HILLSIDE ROAD -- DAY
VROOM! JIM roars past us in his new RED FERRARI CONVERTIBLE
EXT. ITALIAM RIVIERA (REAR PROJECTIOH) CONTINUOUS
JIM wears a BLACK SUIT and hip HRAPAROUND SUNGLASSES as he drives. He
lights a cigarette. Behind him is a cheesy dated REAR PROJECTION Of a
curvy MOUNTAIN ROAD. Next Stop: portofino!
JIM (VO)
What had blossomed between Sherry and
me was too real, too powerful to deny.
For the first time in years, I felt free
and alive!
EXT. MILLARD HIGH PARKING LOT DAY
JIM'S Ferrari heads up the driveway and into his assigned space He
opens the Ferrari door.
JIM'S FOOT touches the pavement - not a shiny Salvatore Ferragamo
loafer but a worn out Dexter.
WIDE -
JIM is back in his own clothes, and his car has reverted to a Ford
Escort in need of a wash. He heads toward the school.
INT. HILLARD LIBRARY -- DAY
JIM enters the library, walks among the stacks.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
So as you can imagine, my thoughts
weren't on the election that Monday
morning.
JIM takes a BOOK from the shelf
JIM (VO CONT'D)
My thoughts were only on Sherry, on how
perfect she felt inside. There was a
special poem I wanted to read to her
later, at the motel, as she lay next to
me.
Jim flips through the book and finds the poem he seeks. His lips move
silently.
JIM'S VOICE (VO CONT'D)
Close, close the lovers keep. They stay together in their sleep. Close
as two pages in a book That read each other in the dark..
Suddenly -- a grating VOICE from the loudspeakers.
VOICE (OS)
Mr. McAllister to the Principal's
Office. Mr. McAllister to the
Principal's office.
JIM smacks the book closed
INT. WALT ' S OFFICE - DAY
LISA FLAMAGAN - her face streaked with tears from outrage and
confusion.
LISA
It's not fair. It's not fair
Paul sits next to Lisa on the vinyl sofa. He wants to console her,
but he doesn't know how.
PAUL
I just don't think anybody would do
something like that on purpose. It must
have been some kind of mistake. Like a
maintenance thing.
JIM enters.
WALT
Jim, where the hell have you been?
JIM
Nowhere. I don't have class until
second period.
WALT
Even tried you at home. We've got a
situation here.
LISA
If Paul loses tomorrow, it's not fair.
There has to be another election, with
posters.
JIM
What's the problem?
LISA
Didn't you see?
WALT
Somebody tore down their posters.
LISA
Those posters cost a lot of money we
don't have I There's no time to make
any more posters, there's no --
WALT
We'll get to the bottom of it.
PAUL
(to Lisa)
We still have some extra ones, don't
we? Maybe we can just --
LISA
It was Tammy I That's who it was.
PAUL
Oh, no, hey. Like I said. Tammy
wouldn't... she...
WALT
Well, that speech she gave -- it was
pretty, you know, pretty out there. But
we'll get to the bottom of it. Don't
you worry. Mr. McAllister is going to
see to that. Right, Jim?
JIM
(his thoughts
elsewhere)
Oh yeah, you bet.
LISA
She should be expelled. Or worse!
WALT
You two just go back and focus on your
studies. Mr. McAllister's going to
handle this.
INT. CHEMISTRY CLASSROOM DAY
A BUNSEN BURNER --
as a VIAL containing blue liquid is held to the flame. The solution
magically changes from blue to yellow.
Wearing goggles, Tracy holds the beaker with chemist's tongs Her two
LAB PARTNERS observe.
The classroom door and a STUDENT approaches the teacher, MR. BECKMAN,
to deliver a note.
MR. BECKMAN
Tracy?
Tracy looks up through her goggles.
INT. MILLARD HALLWAY DAY
LONG TRACKING SHOT . - of Tracy as she leaves the classroom. AS
she walks through the .desolate halls and descends a flight of stairs,
she holds her head high, suggesting a serene, almost regal confidence.
TRACY (VO)
When I arrived at school that morning,
I was shocked to find that one of my key
banners had been removed by vandals. I
noticed that a few of my rival's posters
had also been tampered with. Of course,
I was outraged, but one day before the
election is not the time to lose your
head over a couple of posters. When
you're in the public eye, attacks like
that just come with the territory.
Finally she reaches the
INT. SCHOOL OFFICE DAY
Upon seeing Tracy, MISS LINDA BEEDER, the "They 're-all-my-kids office
administrator, points wordlessly to an open door of a conference room.
JIM
is inside.
JIM
Tracy. Come on in. And shut the door
behind you.
She goes in and closes the door in our face.
INT. LITTLE CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY
Tracy is seated in a chair. JIM hovers above her, alternately leaning
on a desk and pacing.
JIM
I guess you know why you're here
TRACY
If it's about the posters, I think it's
so awful. It's a travesty.
JIM
A travesty. Huh. That's interesting,
because I think you did it.
TRACY
Wait - are you accusing me? You're not
serious.
(indignant)
I can't... Mr. McAllister, we have
worked together on SGA for three solid
years and... I mean, I can't believe it.
I'm... I'm shocked!
JIM stares at her.
TRACY (CONT'D)
Mr. M., I am running on my
qualifications. I would never need to
resort to, you know, to vandalism like
a, you know... Plus, my own best banner
was torn down. Did I do that too?
JIM
Were you or were you not working in the
Watchdog office over the weekend?
TRACY
I was. So? Mr. Pecharda let me in.
As you know, with all my
responsibilities I often come in on the
weekend and have permission to do so.
But I left very early, around 6:30.
JIM
6:30. How do you know what time the
posters were torn down?
TRACY
I don't. I just know they were there
when I left. I'm giving you helpful
information is all. You know, instead
of wasting time interrogating me, we
should be out there trying to find out
who did this.
JIM
Okay, Tracy, so who do you think did
it? Whom should we "interrogate?"
TRACY
well, I don't know. It could have been
anybody. There are a lot of, you know,
subversive elements around Millard. You
know, like Rick Thieson and Kevin Speck
and those burn-outs. Or Doug Schenken -
what about him? Or what about Tammy
Metzier? Her whole thing is being anti-
this and anti-that.
JIM shifts gears
JIM
You're a very intelligent girl, Tracy.
You have many admirable qualities. But
someday maybe you'll learn that being
smart and always being on top and doing
whatever you need to do to get ahead,
and yes, stepping on people to get
there, well, there's a lot more to life
than that. And in the end, you're only
cheating yourself.
TRACY
Why are you lecturing me?
JIM
This isn't the time or the place to get
into it, but there is, for just one
example, a certain former colleague of
mine, who made a very big mistake, a
life mistake. I think the lesson there
is that, old and young, we ail make
mistakes, and we have to learn that our
actions, all of them, can carry serious
consequences. You're very young, Tracy
underage, in fact -- but maybe one
day you'll understand.
TRACY
I don't know what you're referring to,
but I do know that if certain older and
wiser people hadn't acted like such
little babies and gotten all mushy,
everything would be okay.
JIM
I agree. But I also think certain
young and naive people need to thank
their lucky stars and be very, very
grateful the whole school didn't find
out about certain indiscretions which
could have ruined their reputations, and
chances to win certain elections.
TRACY
And I think certain older persons like
you and your "colleague" shouldn't be
leaching after their students,
especially when some of them can't even
get their own wives pregnant. And they
certainly shouldn't be running around
making slanderous accusations.
Especially when certain young, naive
people's mothers are para-legal
secretaries at the city's biggest law
firm and have won many successful
lawsuits. And if you want to keep
questioning me like this, I won't
continue without my attorney present.
JIM draws a long breath as he tries to control himself
JIM
Okay, Tracy. Have it your way.
There's a KNOCK. JIM and Tracy turn to see
TAMMY METZLER timidly poking her head in.
TAMMY
You wanted to see me, Mr. M.?
JIM
Just wait outside. Tammy.
TAMMY
Okay. But is this about the posters?
JIM
Possibly. Please just wait outside.
TAMMY
Okay.
(looking at Tracy)
Because I know who did it. So.. I'll
just be outside.
Tammy manages to squeeze in a naughty little smile before closing the
door.
INT. OUTER OFFICE DAY
Tammy sits patiently in a chair, bobbing to an unheard song. The door
opens, and Tracy emerges.
JIM
Tracy, don't go away. Come in, Tammy.
As Tammy and Tracy cross, Tracy speaks in a low voice but loud enough
for JIM
to hear.
TRACY
This ought to be good
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY
Tammy sits facing Jim, cradling her backpack.
JIM
So... what do you have to tell me?
TAMMY
Well, this is hard for me, but I think
it's important to be honest. Don't you?
JIM
(impatient)
What is it. Tammy?
TAMMY
I'm the one. I did it. I tore down
Paul's posters.
JIM
Looks at her skeptically doesn't say a
word.
TAMMY (CONT'D)
I did it.
JIM
And when did you do it?
TAMMY
This weekend.
JIM
Exactly when?
TAMMY
I don't know. Yesterday. Sunday.
JIM
And how did you get in the school?
TAMMY
Door was open.
JIM
Which door?
TAMMY
I don't know. All I know is I did it I
JIM
I don't believe you.
TAMMY
I have proof.
She burrows in her backpack.
INT. OUTER OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS
Tracy stands up from her seat and manages to PEEK THROUGH THE WINDOW
of the conference room. She sees --
pulling out a handful of POSTER SHREDS from her backpack and handing
them to Jim.
Tracy turns away and covers her mouth with one hand.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM CONTINUOUS
THE POSTER FRAGMENTS in Jim's hands. TILT UP to Tammy really hamming
it up.
TAMMY
You don't know what it's like to grow
up in the shadow of an older brother
like Paul. it's always Paul, Paul,
Paul, Paul. Never Tammy. I'm only
Paul's little sister. You must be
Paul's little sister. He's so perfect,
and I'm so troubled. I hate him! I
hate him! And I tore down his posters,
It was a horrible, cowardly act, but I
did it,.. I did it... l did it... And
I'm not sorry...
JIM watches her performance until he can't take it anymore he's got
other fish to fry.
JIM
Final I don't know what your problem
is, but if that's the way you want it,
that's the way it'll be. I don't have
time. You're out of the election, and
I'm turning you over to Dr. Hendricks.
He throws the door open.
JIM (CONT'D)
Tracy?
INT. OUTER OFFICE CONTINUOUS
Tracy is frightened but still plays the indignant victim.
TRACY
Yes?
JIM
Looks like today's your lucky day
What does he mean?
TRACY
What do you mean?
JIM
You're off the hook. Tammy here has
confessed.
It takes Tracy a second to figure out how to react. But once she's got
it, she runs with it.
TRACY
I told you! I told you!
(pointing at Tammy)
You're going to pay for my banner!
JIM
That's enough, Tracy. Quit while
you're ahead, okay? I'll handle this.
(to Hiss Seeder)
Could you ask Walt to come in?
STAFFROOM DAY
JIM is feverishly TYPING.
JIM (VO)
The rest of the day was unbearable. I
kept smelling Sherry on my clothes and
on my fingers and I just couldn't wait
to get out of there.
He yanks the paper out of the carriage and hurries away.
INT. XEROX ROOM -- DAY
A PHOTOCOPY COLLATOR in operation.
JIM pulls sheets out and stacks them.
JIM (VO CONT'D)
I wanted everything to be perfect that
afternoon, so I decided to give myself a
little time to prepare during eighth
period.
INT. JIM'S CLASSROOM DAY
Students are settling into their seats. JIM breezes in, a sheaf of
papers fucked under his arm.
JIM
Pop quiz, everybody
The class groans.
JIM (CONT'D)
No whining. If you've done your
reading, this is an easy one.
JIM peels off a stack of papers for each row
JIM (VO)
I'd have exactly forty-eight minutes to
make all the arrangements.
JIM glances at the clock: 2:08
JIM
If