Hardcore Page #2

One of the youngsters reaches over and snaps the set back on

as Joe leaves the room.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

As Joe leaves the den, he passes Jake Van Dorn and Wes De

Jong. Unlike his older brother, Jake is not a man of the

soil. He has been to college and runs his own business. He

looks well-groomed and comfortable in his navy suit, white

shirt and striped tie. Wes is Jake's brother-in-law and

friend. They get along well enough.

JOE:

(to Jake and Wes)

Television. If you don't buy one

yourself, the kids go someplace else

and watch. And what do they sell on

television? More televisions.

JAKE:

(light)

They got to make their money, too,

Joe. Give the kids a break. It's

Christmas.

Joe shrugs and walks into the dining room.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BASEMENT - DAY

Anne listens as NADINE, her sister-in-law, about forty, and

RUTH, her niece, about twenty, help her set out celery and

carrot stalks.

RUTH:

...and they hadn't heard a word from

him before he died.

Three children, BILL, LENARD and JANE, ages six to ten, walk

over to the three mothers. Lenard, six years old, wears a

blanket over his head in mock Biblical dress.

BILL:

Aunt Ruth, can we use Timmy for the

Nativity play? We need him to play

the Christ-child.

RUTH:

But Timmy's only six months old.

BILL:

We won't hurt him. I'm going to be

Joseph, Jane's Mary and Lenard will

be one of the shepherds.

Bill looks at blanket-headed Lenard, who has no idea of what's

going on.

RUTH:

I don't think so...

NADINE:

You can't do that. That's blasphemy.

If anybody pretends to be Christ,

it's blasphemy.

BILL:

But he's only a baby.

Anne nods in agreement. Bill seems disappointed.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Jake and West stand with their arms around their respective

daughters, Kristen and Marsha. The girls squirm and giggle

politely.

JAKE:

(teasing Marsha)

Your dad and I aren't sure you and

Kristen should go on the YC Convention

tomorrow.

KRISTEN:

Oh, Dad.

Wes plays along:

WES:

I don't know, Kristen, that's a long

trip to be on a bus with all those

boys.

MARSHA:

You mean those creeps.

KRISTEN:

There are more chaperones than boys

anyway.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BASEMENT - DAY

Every family is in place. The social order is complete:

grandfather, parents, children, grandchildren. The long table

is stacked high with salads, casseroles, and vegetables.

The diners turn their heads toward Jake who stands at the

far end of the table, his closed fists pressed against the

tabletop. He lowers his head in prayer.

One of the mothers, looking at her son, Lenard, quickly pulls

the blanket off his head.

The CAMERA TRACKS ACROSS the table toward Jake.

JAKE:

We thank the Lord for bringing this

family together at graduation time.

We ask Thee to watch over this family

and keep us together in the coming

year.

CUT TO:

EXT. JAKE'S HOUSE - MORNING

Two cars are parked in the driveway of Van Dorn's suburban

ranch-style home.

CUT TO:

INT. KRISTEN'S ROOM - MORNING

Marsha sits on the bed as Kristen finishes packing her

suitcase.

The items include: a bright red sweater, jeans, underclothes,

Tampax, and a Bible.

CUT TO:

INT. DINING AREA - MORNING

Jake, Wes and Anne wait in the spotless dining area. Harold

Jay looks in the refrigerator.

JAKE:

(to Anne)

Sis, would you check if Kristen has

everything packed?

Anne nods and walks into the bedroom.

WES:

You want to go for coffee after we

send the girls off?

JAKE:

No. Thanks anyway. I've got to get

over to the office.

WES:

Anne wants to make sure you come

over for dinner Sunday. With Kristen

gone you'll be all alone.

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