FADE IN: INT. DOCTOR'S WAITING ROOM - DAY CARL HUSTON (35), a large balding man wearing slacks and a cellphone to his ear sits next to his young son THOMAS (14), who is wearing an oversized shirt and sweatpants. While Carl seems to be listening to someone on the phone, his son Thomas keeps looking around the room and fidgeting with his hands. Carl puts his hand on his son's. CARL HUSTON Stop that, it's annoying. THOMAS But dad. The door opens up and DR. BLACKBURN (58), and older man with solid white hair and wearing a lab coat is talking with another young boy LESTER CURTIS (16). DR. BLACKBURN Everything checks out, and I think that you should be fine trying out for the football team this year. And I'd have to say that you've made an excellent recovery considering. LESTER CURTIS Thanks Doc. Lester heads towards the exit. Dr. Blackburn looks around the waiting room, his eyes finally resting on Thomas. DR. BLACKBURN I take it that you're here for a physical. Carl Huston puts his hand over the phone. CARL HUSTON Yeah. The coach said he had to get a physical if he wanted to try out for football this year. DR. BLACKBURN (To Thomas) What position are you thinking about trying out for?
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2. THOMAS I don't know, haven't thought about it all that much. DR. BLACKBURN It's okay, I'm sure you'll do fine...Why don't you follow me into my office and we'll get this over with. THOMAS (Nervously) Okay. INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - LATER Thomas is pulling up his sweat pants and underwear while Dr. Blackburn pulls off a pair of latex gloves and dumps them in the wastebasket. The doctor then grabs a chart and starts checking off different things on his list. THOMAS Is that it, am I done? Dr. Blackburn continues scribbling for a moment. DR. BLACKBURN Almost. There's just one last thing I want to check. THOMAS Alright. The doctor comes over to the boy. DR. BLACKBURN I want you to run in place for five full minutes, and don't stop until I tell you you're done. THOMAS Okay. Dr. Blackburn holds his watch up and motions for Thomas to proceed. Thomas starts to run in place, but after the first minute he quickly starts to tire. And after the forth minute, he is more walking in place than running, and he sounds like he's out of breath.
3. DR. BLACKBURN Stop. Thomas stops. Dr. Blackburn takes his stethoscope and listens to Thomas's breathing and heart. He then sits down on his stool. THOMAS Something wrong? DR. BLACKBURN Football huh? THOMAS (Nervously) Yeah. Is something wrong? DR. BLACKBURN I'm going to be honest with you. I don't think that you're in good enough shape for football. If you tried to do more physical activities. Did more exercising and walking this year, your body could handle it better next year. THOMAS Too much television and video games? DR. BLACKBURN A common affliction affecting a lot of kids your age. If you want I could write your a prescription for sunshine and a daily walk around the block. Thomas goes to put his sweatshirt on. THOMAS Do you have to tell my dad? DR. BLACKBURN No, I don't have to tell your dad. Technically you passed the physical. It is just that you're severely out of shape, and it is my recommendation that you learn how to walk before you start running hundred meter dashes. Dr. Blackburn escorts Thomas out of the room.
4. INT. DOCTOR'S WAITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS CARL HUSTON Everything check out? DR. BLACKBURN There's nothing wrong with your son that a little exercise couldn't help. The boy's father pauses for a moment slightly confused, but then chuckles to himself. CARL HUSTON Oh yeah...His mom's always says he got his appetite from my side of the family. Carl pats his own gut. Dr. Blackburn signs the release form and hands it to the father. DR. BLACKBURN There you go. He's all set. (To Thomas) And remember more exercise... THOMAS ...Less video games. DR. BLACKBURN Right. EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - MORNING COACH BEAN (45), a tall thin man wearing a maroon short sleeve shirt and matching worn baseball cap stands in a sea of young boys wearing gray shorts and t-shirts. COACH BEAN My rules are simple. I tell you to run, you run. I tell you to jump, you jump. FOOTBALL TEAM Yes sir! COACH BEAN Since this is everyone's first day we're going to keep it simple and concentrate on the basics, mainly being warm-up exercises and a little running. A few groans from the crowd.
5. COACH BEAN (CONT'D) What was that? Complaining already? FOOTBALL TEAM No sir! COACH BEAN That's what I thought. Now let's start off with some toe touching. Ready? FOOTBALL TEAM Ready. COACH BEAN Go. Coach Bean blows on his whistle, and then starts counting off as he does the exercise several times. Lester Curtis enthusiastically keeps pace with the coach. EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - LATER The team is on the track that surrounds the football field, and while Lester is in the pack of boys in the lead, coming up the far rear is a very exhausted Thomas. Thomas is just struggling to complete the four laps that the Coach told everyone to run before they hit the showers. Coach Been jogs up to him. COACH BEAN I told the missus that I'd be home before dark, and the way it is looking it's going to take you until Christmas. THOMAS Sorry coach. COACH BEAN Sorry coach? Sorry coach isn't going to cut it. Why don't you pick up those feet of yours and try a little running for a change? Thomas picks up the pace. INT. LOCKER ROOM - LATER After his shower, Thomas walks towards his locker and starts pulling out his change of clothes.
6. Some of the other boys can be heard laughing in the background. Lester, who already has his pants on goes over to a nearby locker and pulls out his shoes and socks. LESTER CURTIS (At Thomas) First day is always the toughest. But just hang in there and you'll get the hang of it. THOMAS I don't know. First day was pretty rough. LESTER CURTIS Yeah, but that's just the way it is sometimes. But the good thing is when things get rough for a while, you just get used to it. Lester goes to put on his t-shirt and Thomas notices the pronounced scars on the other boy's back and side. THOMAS Where did you get all those scars? LESTER CURTIS I was in a pretty bad car accident last year right before school started. It messed up my insides pretty bad and they had to go in and operate and fix a few things. THOMAS You're kidding. LESTER CURTIS Nope, not really. Was in the hospital for almost a month, and a lot of people thought I wasn't going to make it. THOMAS That's amazing. LESTER CURTIS I guess...The worst part of it was getting back up on my feet again. THOMAS I bet it was.
7. LESTER CURTIS But truth is afterwards I was more disappointed about missing football season than I was when I found out I'd have to repeat a grade. THOMAS Really? LESTER CURTIS Yeah. EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY Lester and a group of other boys are trying out for the quarterback position, tossing the football to a couple of receivers. The boy repeatedly manages to throw several beautiful spirals into the arms of the two receivers. COACH BEAN (To Lester) Damn boy, your pa know you can throw like that? LESTER CURTIS He should, he's the won that taught me. COACH BEAN Heh. EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - LATER SERIES OF SHOTS - THOMAS TRIES OUT FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS -- Thomas tries to punt the ball and misses it completely. -- Thomas tries to run the ball and just gets knocked down and quickly tackled repeatedly. -- Thomas tries to tackle another slowly charging player and just gets knocked to one side. EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - LATER Thomas sits on the ground pouring water from his cup over his head. Coach Bean walks over to him. Can't run.
COACH BEAN Can't pass. (MORE)
8. COACH BEAN (CONT'D) Can't catch, and certainly can't tackle. So exactly what can you do? THOMAS I don't know. Coach Bean takes off his hat and scratches his head. COACH BEAN Yeah me either. But I barely have enough players as it is, and if someone gets injured I'd rather have you, then to have to tell Seymour over there to suit up. Thomas looks towards the bleachers at Seymour (15), who is an effeminate-looking overweight boy that seems to be wearing an excessive amount of eye shadow. THOMAS So does that mean I made the team? COACH BEAN Yup I guess it does. THOMAS What position? COACH BEAN I'm thinking first string bench warmer, third string offensive tackle. EXT. OXDALE JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT A good crowd has shown up, although less for what one would expect for a high school game. SUPER:
"First game of the season."
Coach Bean's team comes out on the field. OXDALE GAME ANNOUNCER (O.S.) It is a beautiful evening tonight, and I'm sure both teams plan on giving us a heck-of-a game. EXT. OXDALE JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT Coach Bean's offense is on the field. OXDALE GAME ANNOUNCER It's third and seven with Iola leading. Curtis has already thrown for seventy-eight yards.
9. Lester's receiver catches a sixteen yard pass. The boy than avoids one opponent and gets an additional five yards. EXT. HOME FIELD - EVENING The team faces off against the Mustangs, and the offense is out on the field less than seven yards from another touchdown. Lester hands off to his running back, who charges through the right side of the defensive line and scores a touchdown, and the crowd CHEERS. Thomas sits on the bench. EXT. RIPLEY'S JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL FIELD - EVENING Their opponents offensive line breaks down as several of Coach Bean's players rush through the line and towards the opposing quarterback. The boy is tackled hard and the ball is knocked out of his hand. The ball is quickly snatched up by a defensive player, who is immediately tackled COACH BEAN Great job boys! (To Lester) You know what to do. Lester gets up and puts on his helmet. LESTER CURTIS Yep. Offensive line comes out on the field. Thomas sits on the bench. INT. SCHOOL BUS - DAY The entire team are on a school bus headed to an away game. Everyone is talking amongst themselves. COACH BEAN Everyone quiet down for a second and listen. (Beat) Now listen boys, there's a good chance that this is going to be the toughest (MORE)
10. COACH BEAN (CONT'D) game we've had all season. Bryant is a good sized city, and their junior high has a lot more students. What this means is that their going bigger, tougher, and meaner. And you better believe that they know which team has won more games than them this year. FOOTBALL PLAYER Seven games won, no games lost! FOOTBALL TEAM Seven games won, no games lost! COACH BEAN Settle down everyone. Listen to me, these guys are going play rough, and they are going to play to win. We are playing in their home, where they'll be surrounded by their fans. They are going to be crude and rude, and we're not...Understand? The entire team goes completely silent. COACH BEAN (CONT'D) We are going to get off the bus, head directly to the locker room. We'll then suit up, play the game, and whatever the outcome we will be respectful of that other team. INT. BRYANT JUNIOR HIGH - LATER Coach Bean's team enter the building and are immediately greeted by students on either side of their path towards the lockers. The students start shouting obscenities and insults at the team, and some even throw things at the players. Not a single member of his team responds in any down the long trek to the locker room. EXT. BRYANT FOOTBALL FIELD -- LATER Bryan's football field greatly contrasts all the others that have previously been shown. There is plenty of well maintained lighting, stadium seating, and two men on staff whose only job is to record the games with two high definition digital cameras.
11. BRYANT ANNOUNCER I'd like to thank everyone for showing up for tonight's game, and I've got a feeling that all the football fans out there are not going to be disappointed. Once again Bryant and Iola are the two teams that are expected to place first and second in their division. And with both going into this with seven wins and no losses, better believe that were about to have ourselves a game. Coach Bean's team wins the coin toss. Bryant kicks off and the game is under way. The offensive line goes out onto the field and lines up for the first play, and there is a considerable difference in the size of Bean's offensive line to the average size of Bryant's defensive line. LESTER Blue thirty-two! Blue thirty-two! Hut! The center hikes the ball to Lester who starts falling back as four defensive lineman smash through and charge towards him. Lester quickly looks around for an open receiver but everyone is covered, and he is quickly sacked. The largest Bryant player, the one wearing number thirtythree presses down hard on Lester's leg as he gets up. BRYANT PLAYER # 33 I hope you like laying your back boy, cause that's all you're doing tonight. Lester slowly gets back up and sees that one of his blockers MARCUS (14) is still laying on the ground. Coach Bean and his assistant have both run out on the field. COACH BEAN You okay Marcus. MARCUS (Disorientated) Huh? COACH BEAN Help me get him off the field.
12. EXT. BRYANT FOOTBALL FIELD - LATER MONTAGE - FIRST HALF OF THE GAME -- Coach Bean's team runs a running play on third down, but comes up short for the first down. -- Kick off to Bryant and the receiving player runs a sixty yard return after the kick. -- Bryant's quarterback throws for a touchdown. -- Lester barely avoids another sack and throws the ball to an open receiver who is tackled immediately for a twenty yard gain. -- Lester hands off to a running back who powers ahead for a six yard gain. -- Receivers covered, Lester starts taking off for the scrimmage line, but at the last second tosses the ball to the running back that was behind him on the left side. -- Lester manages to block two of the other team's defensive players, giving the ball carrier the opening he needs to skirt past the defenders and reach the end zone. -- A quick series of successful passes result in a second Bryant touchdown. -- Two minutes left in the first half, Lester pass is intercepted. -- Thomas sits on the bench. -- Thirty seconds remaining, Bryant runs two running plays that result in a third touchdown. END MONTAGE EXT. BRYANT FOOTBALL FIELD - EVENING The ball is kicked off to Bryant. BRYANT ANNOUNCER I'd have to say things didn't go well for Iola in the first half. And now with them being two scores behind Coach Bean's boys certainly have their work cut out for them. Bryant's offensive go out on the field. A very worn Lester sits down next to Thomas.
13. He winces for a second and holds his side. THOMAS Are you okay? LESTER CURTIS Yeah, just a little sore. THOMAS You want me to tell the coach. Lester takes a big swallow of water and then spits it on the ground. LESTER CURTIS Nah...tough game, and the team needs its star quarterback. THOMAS Yeah. LESTER CURTIS And anyway, probably not anyone on this team that isn't sore. (beat) Besides you. THOMAS Yeah true. I bet this is the one game where everyone wishes that they were me. LESTER CURTIS Why do you say that? THOMAS Hard to get banged up when your sitting on the bench. LESTER CURTIS Yeah I guess. THOMAS Can I ask you a question? LESTER CURTIS Sure. THOMAS Do you ever get afraid? Afraid you're going to get hurt, or afraid that you're not going to be able to do something as well as everyone else when the time comes?
14. LESTER CURTIS Sometimes. After the accident I had a lot of days like that. Lots of wondering if I'd ever be able to do all the things that I did before. THOMAS Yeah. LESTER CURTIS But sometimes you can't worry about all that. Sometimes you just have to go out there and give it your best shot. THOMAS And that's what you do? LESTER CURTIS At least that's what I try to do. A third down pass to a Bryant receiver is knocked out of the air by a defensive player. Coach Bean comes over to the two of them. COACH BEAN Alright Lester, you know the plays and what needs to be done. LESTER CURTIS Yes sir. Lester puts on his helmet and walks out on the field with the rest of the offensive line. COACH BEAN (To Thomas) Be ready if I need you. MONTAGE - SECOND HALF OF THE GAME -- Lester passes the ball on first down for a fifteen yard gain. -- Several quick plays later result in the team's second touchdown. -- Bryant's offensive line marches down the field, but this time the other team holds them at the thirty-eight yard line. -- Bryant missed the field goal attempt. -- Coach Bean has Lester concentrate on short passes and the running game which takes the other team by surprise initially,
15. and also takes time off the clock as the team slowly executes first down after first down. -- Third and nine on the twenty-seven yard line Lester's hand is hit as he throws knocking the ball out. -- A offensive lineman manages to snatch up the ball, but is quickly tackled. -- Their kicker kicks a thirty yard field goal. -- Bryant gets the ball. -- Bryant runs a running play that catches the other team unaware and results in a fifteen yard gain. -- With five minutes left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Bryant gets two quick first downs off of passing plays. -- Two of Bryant's receivers take off towards the end zone. -- The Bryant quarterback throws the ball up in the air, where it is intercepted. -- Lester's offensive line tries to run the ball first down, but comes up with nothing. -- Lester throws a twenty yard pass that bounces off the helmet of a Bryant player and ends up in the arms of his receiver just before the two minute warning. -- Lester goes into shotgun formation, and executes a perfect twenty-seven yard pass for a first down. -- Number thirty-three runs over the left guard and gets his hands on Lester again sacking him. -- The left guard has to be helped off the field with one minute and thirty-five seconds remaining. END MONTAGE EXT. BRYANT FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT Coach Bean looks over his players for anyone that could replace the injured player, but there isn't anyone except Thomas. Coach Bean looks at the time remaining on the clock. He heads over to where Thomas is sitting on the bench.
16. COACH BEAN (To Thomas) Get your helmet on. I need you to get in there and block for a couple of plays. THOMAS But coach? COACH BEAN Did you hear me? Did I stutter? THOMAS No sir. COACH BEAN So stop your belly aching and get out there. Just get in the way and stop Mongo over there from getting his third sack. THOMAS Alright. Thomas joins the other in the huddle. LESTER CURTIS Glad you could join us. Ready to play some football? THOMAS Yeah I guess. RECEIVER You guess? That guy's going to eat you alive. Ain't you been paying attention? He's already knocked two of players out of the game. LESTER CURTIS (To Thomas) Don't mind him, don't mind anyone. Remember he's been running up and down the field while you're fresh and ready to go. THOMAS Okay. LESTER CURTIS We're going to try red rover six. Got it? OFFENSIVE LINE Got it.
17. Second down and eleven, the ball is hiked and number thirtythree slams into Thomas knocking him to his feet, while Lester maneuvers away from Thomas' side of the field and throws a seven yard completion. The team huddles again. LESTER CURTIS (To Thomas) You going be okay? THOMAS Yeah he just knocked the wind out of me. LESTER CURTIS Exactly. He's tired and you're not. Alright everyone this time we're going to run up the left side and try to get the first down. Lester hands off the ball even as number thirty-three charges towards Thomas. This time Thomas is more ready for him and braces himself, but he still manages to get a hand on the running back and stop him right before he can make the first down. Coach Bean calls for a time out with less than thirty seconds on the clock. COACH BEAN Alright boys. We don't have a whole lot of time. And at this point a first down isn't going to help much. I want both main receivers to run a crisscross pattern and then take off to the end zone. Lester and the rest of the offensive line head out for what will probably be the last play of the game. The center hikes the ball. SERIES OF SHOTS - LAST PLAY OF THE GAME -- Number thirty-three slams into Thomas, but this time he holds his ground. -- The two receivers run the crisscross pattern and then start taking off down the field. -- Thomas starts pushing number thirty-three back until he stumbles and falls accidentally entangling the feet of a nearby defensive lineman who also drops to the ground.
18. -- Lester pumps the football a couple of times, but both receivers are too well covered as the defensive line starts to close in. -- Lester notices the hole on the left side caused by Thomas' successful block of thirty-three. END SERIES OF SHOTS Lester runs for the hole. LESTER CURTIS Block for me Thomas. Everyone's covered. He hears Lester and charges straight through the hole with the quarterback right behind him. Thomas runs ahead and blocks a defensive player, while Lester shifts quickly to one side evading another player. The two teammates run down the field unopposed for nearly thirty yards. BRYANT'S COACH Stop 'em dammit! A safety comes up, but Thomas manages to get in his way and the two of them fall to the ground. Lester surges past the two of them. One of the receivers provides the last crucial block as Lester runs into the end zone as time runs out. FADE OUT:
19.