Rebel Without a Cause Page #13

---

JIM:

Ten years? Now, Dad--I need an

answer now!

FATHER:

I just want to show you how foolish

you are. When you're older you'll

laugh at yourself for thinking this

is so important--

During this, JIM has kicked off his shoes and put on his

boots and jacket and goes out.

Living room featuring stairs. JIM comes running down the

stairs and out the kitchen door.

FATHER (O.S.)

Jim? Will you listen? You can't

go out till we--Jim!

The FATHER comes down the stairs, goes to the front door and

calls:

FATHER:

Jim? Jim!

He goes to kitchen door, calls again, gets no answer, comes

back into the living room, sees he is still wearing the

apron. He rips it off and throws it down--then starts for

the stairs.

DISSOLVE TO:

The Plateau. Moonlight. Wind shrieks over the exposed

plateau, which is several hundred yards long. It cuts into

the darkness like the prow of a ship and ends in empty air.

A dozen cars are scattered about, defining a sort of runway

in the center. There are twenty kids present, but very

little talk. Most of them belong to BUZZ's group but there

are a few whom we have not met before. They stand in small

clots, murmuring and smoking. The atmosphere is strung

tightly, like the moments before a dawn attack. In b.g.

near the cliff's edge, are two cars of similar make and

model. They face away from camera toward the edge of the

plateau. There are no headlights anywhere...blackout

conditions.

MOOSE, a boy in a leather jacket and cheap yachting cap

stands guard between the cars, his back to us. His hands

are on his hips. His legs are spread. Some girls drift in.

Another angle. Plateau featuring PLATO as he wanders

through the crowd searching for JIM. He passes BUZZ's car

where BUZZ, JUDY and the rest are eating hamburgers. They

have all changed into fighting wardrobe.

BUZZ:

(calling out)

Hey, Chicken-Little.

PLATO stops.

BUZZ:

Where's Toreador? He beg off?

PLATO:

He's not scared of you.

BUZZ:

(laughing)

Yeah?

(to GOON)

Goon! You seen that adolescent

type anywheres?

COOKIE:

He won't show.

GOON:

Well, you going to wait all night?

I'm getting nervous, man! We got

to do something!

CRUNCH:

(looking off)

Hey, Buzz!

BUZZ:

What?

COOKIE:

Over there.

BUZZ snaps on the spotlight again and swings it off.

Full shot. JIM's car as JIM gets out and PLATO runs to him.

JIM:

How'd you get here?

PLATO:

I hitched.

JIM:

Boy, I bet you'd go to a hanging.

PLATO:

My personality's showing again.

Should I leave?

JIM:

No. It's okay.

BUZZ enters.

BUZZ:

Come on. Let's see what we're

driving.

JIM gets out; PLATO starts to follow.

BUZZ:

Just him.

JIM:

Stay there.

The two boys move away. PLATO looks after them, hurt, then

goes to side of JUDY and stands.

Dolly shot. JIM and BUZZ as they come forward.

BUZZ:

What you say your name was?

JIM:

Jim Stark.

BUZZ:

Buzz Gundersen.

JIM:

Hi.

BUZZ:

Glad to meet you.

They shake hands briefly as they walk. They come to MOOSE

and stop.

MOOSE:

Got some goodies for you, Buzzie-boy.

BUZZ:

Flashlight?

MOOSE produces one and hands it to BUZZ who goes to one of

the guarded cars, motioning JIM to come, too.

Closer shot. BUZZ, JIM and MOOSE seen as hood is raised,

revealing their faces beneath it. BUZZ explores the motor

with the flashlight.

BUZZ:

Looks good.

MOOSE:

Clean as a whistle. They both got

plenty breeze.

BUZZ:

Look good to you?

JIM:

Sure. It's fine.

BUZZ:

Okay.

He closes the hood. Group moves across to other car.

JUDY and PLATO. The other kids are behind them. JUDY looks

to see that their attention isn't on her, then speaks

quietly to PLATO.

JUDY:

Is he your friend?

PLATO:

Yes. My best friend.

JUDY:

What's he like?

PLATO:

Oh, I don't know. You have to get

to know him. He doesn't say much

but when he does you know he means

it. He's sincere.

JUDY:

Well, that's the main thing--don't

you think so?

PLATO:

Maybe next summer he's going to

take me hunting with him--and

fishing. I want him to teach me

how and I bet he won't get mad if I

goof. His name's Jim. It's really

James but he likes Jim more.

(laughing)

People he really likes--he lets

call him "Jamie."

JUDY:

Want to finish my hamburger? I

only took a bite.

PLATO:

Okay.

Full shot. Guarded cars. JIM is close in f.g. at wheel of

his car. BUZZ is beyond, at wheel of his. Both boys are

gunning their engines, listening critically. JIM lets his

idle.

JUDY, GOON and group. They watch in silent anticipation.

PLATO starts away from them.

Traveling shot. PLATO hurrying away from the group. He

stops, looking off.

JIM and BUZZ. PLATO in distance.

BUZZ:

Better try the doors. Jump out.

JIM opens his door.

BUZZ:

No--quick, man! You got to break

quick.

JIM shuts his door and tries again. So does BUZZ. Then

both boys walk forward to the edge. Neither says a word.

BUZZ puts his hand on JIM's shoulder.

High angle. The edge of the bluff (process). JIM and BUZZ

are directly below us. Under them the plateau falls steeply

away in a sheer drop of a hundred feet to the ocean below.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote