Homegrown Page #12

A seemingly innocuous question - but weighted to Will. He

considers... then half-nods.

Renee dismounts -- secures a grip on the seat. Will steps on.

RENEE:

I’ll hold you steady. You just

pedal. Ready?

WILL:

I think so.

Will starts pedaling. Renee jogs along. After several

strides, she lets go.

69.

Will feels her release -- looks over his shoulder. His

balance shifts. The bike swerves --hits the curb. Will falls

off into a neighbor’s yard. Renee runs to him.

RENEE:

You okay? I’m so sorry.

WILL:

You said you would hold on.

RENEE:

I know - but that’s how you learn.

I say I’ll hold on, but I let go to

show how easy it is alone.

Renee plants a kiss on his cheek. Will mounts the bike.

RENEE:

I’m sorry. Ready to try again?

WILL:

This time just tell me that you’re

going to let go.

RENEE:

This time I am definitely going to

let go. Just keep pedaling.

Renee takes out her phone -- snaps a photo of Will on the

bike -- smiles. Will turns stern:

WILL:

Don’t do that.

RENEE:

What? Everyone on earth has a photo

of their first bike ride - for most

us it’s before age 8, but still.

WILL:

No. Erase it.

RENEE:

Nothing to be embarrassed about.

You look cute.

WILL:

(fierce)

Erase it.

Renee’s smile disappears, put off by his overreaction --

deletes the photo.

70.

RENEE:

Never talk to me in that tone of

voice again.

Will softens -- faintly nods.

INT. PRISON DINING HALL - DAY

Charlie walks to his usual place between the gangs. The Black

Prisoners give nods of respect, but he keeps his head down.

The Skinheads, down in number, don’t even look at him, unsure

what to do without their leader.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - ESTABLISHING - DAY

Birds celebrate the spring.

INT. CHEMISTRY LAB - DAY

MRS. DALTON (60s) lectures. Will sits front and center. His

CLASSMATES are far nerdier than in the previous courses.

A knock on the classroom door, then it opens. Ganthon and

Counselor step inside, beaming, staring at Will.

INTERCOM (O.S.)

Students, we have a very special

announcement.

From the corner, WE SLOWLY PUSH IN toward Will.

INTERCOM (O.S.)

For the first time in school history,

we have a U.S. Presidential Scholar.

Please extend your biggest Golden

Lion congrats to Will Nasy. One of

just 140 scholars out of the entire

country.

Titters among the class as we continue to slowly PUSH IN.

Will is composed, breathing methodically.

Mrs. Dalton smiles. Ganthon and Counselor approach -- pat him

on the back. Counselor hands Will a plaque emblazoned with

the Presidential seal and a small AMERICAN FLAG PIN.

His surroundings blur as we arrive TIGHT ON Will’s face:

Detached. Contemplative. Determined.

71.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

Bell. The double doors fly open. STUDENTS flee.

Will approaches the bike rack. Renee runs from the building

to him, beaming -- throws her arms around him.

RENEE:

Congratulations! So proud of you!

You’ve come a long way since

silently scowling in Ganthon’s

history class...

Will lets a smile slip.

WILL:

Let’s do something different this

weekend.

RENEE:

But we love our weekend movie

tradition.

WILL:

Movies tonight... But tomorrow I

want to take you somewhere.

(off Renee’s nod)

You have to give your word you’ll

never tell anyone about it.

RENEE:

You know you can trust me.

They share a kiss, then Will mounts his bike and adeptly

pedals away. Renee glows.

EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY

Will cycles home - past the...

EXT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY - CONTINUOUS

He notices a scuffle in the school alley. Ben gets pushed

around by FOUR LARGER CLASSMATES. One of them takes a video

of it on his phone.

EXT. ALLEY - DAY - CONTINUOUS

WILL:

Hey!

72.

Will pedals toward them. They relent, startled. The main

BULLY gives Ben one last shove.

BULLY:

(to Ben)

You’ve got a big f***ing wise-ass

mouth to go with that scrawny body.

The Larger Kids walk away. Ben hangs his head, embarrassed.

WILL:

What was that?

BEN:

I’m the smallest kid in the f***in’

class. One day I’ll grow - and I’ll

be able to defend myself.

Will stares at Ben for a long beat.

WILL:

Defense is for the weak. You must

learn to attack.

BEN:

Great. I’ll call once puberty comes

knocking.

WILL:

Size is inconsequential. When

facing a larger opponent, you must

strike first. You have the element

of surprise.

Ben makes eye contact with Will for the first time. Will

assumes the fighting stance. Ben mirrors him.

WILL:

Throat or nose. Soft on the fists.

Both will stun - possibly

incapacitate - the opponent.

Ben nods, engaged in the lesson.

WILL:

Hit me.

(off Ben’s uncertainty)

Do it.

Ben throws a soft jab at Will’s chest. Will easily shifts out

of the way -- pushes Ben’s shoulder in a fluid movement,

knocking him off-balance.

Ben is taken aback by Will’s aggression. Will continues:

73.

WILL:

On your toes. Firmly plant only

when you throw the punch - then

back on the toes. Stable.

Ben steadies -- throws another punch -- connects with Will’s

chest. Will pushes Ben’s other shoulder: Ben absorbs it.

WILL:

Weak punch. But your balance is

better.

Will stops -- points to his solar plexus.

WILL:

Solar plexus. The optimal target.

Solid contact will knock the breath

from your opponent.

(off Ben’s nod)

Hit me. Solar plexus, throat, or

nose.

BEN:

I don’t want-

WILL:

Do it.

Will pushes Ben forcefully, provoking. Ben bounces on his

toes -- grits his teeth -- swings at Will.

Will easily sidesteps it --strikes Ben directly in the solar

plexus. Ben doubles over -- gasps for air.

WILL:

Your emotions must remain in

control. Your attack must be

calculated.

Will helps Ben stand upright.

WILL:

Breathe. Open the lungs. Now you

know exactly where the solar plexus

is. If you connect, the opponent

will double over. Then you can kick

or punch freely.

Ben starts to catch his breath. Will places a hand on his

shoulder.

74.

WILL:

Work on your strength and the speed

of your punches. Next time will be

the last time he bullies you.

Ben nods, half scared/half inspired.

EXT. CABIN DRIVEWAY - MOVING - DAY

Renee’s car winds up the long driveway.

INTERCUT - INT. RENEE’S CAR - MOVING - CONTINUOUS

Renee drives, in awe. Will fidgets beside her.

RENEE:

This place is unbelievable.

WILL:

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. IRENEE

It’s beautiful.

INT. CABIN - DAY - MOMENTS LATER

Will opens the door. Light invades the cabin for the first

time in months.

Renee stands in the doorway, speechless. Will enters.

WILL:

Everything looks so small.

Will stands over his bed, vulnerable, exposed. Renee joins

Will -- hugs him from behind.

WILL:

See what I mean when I say that I

grew up differently?

She squeezes him tighter. He strokes her arms.

RENEE:

Which was your bed?

Will points. Renee sits on it. Will joins her; they kiss,

then she rests her head on his shoulder.

RENEE:

What’s he like?

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