Rebel Without a Cause Page #16

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JIM:

I was in it.

MOTHER:

How!

JIM:

It doesn't matter how. I was

driving a stolen car--

MOTHER:

Do you enjoy doing this to me or

what--

JIM:

Mom--I'm not--

MOTHER:

And you wanted him to make a list!

FATHER:

Will you let him tell it!

JIM:

She never wants to hear. She

doesn't care!

MOTHER:

I guess when I nearly died giving

birth to you--that shows how much I

don't care!

FATHER:

Just relax, please relax!

JIM:

I told you Dad, it was a question

of honor. They called me chicken--

you know, chicken! I had to go or

I would never have been able to

face any of those kids again. So I

got in one of these cars and a boy

called Buzz got in the other. We

had to drive fast and jump before

the cars went over the edge of the

bluff. I got out okay but Buzz

didn't. He was killed.

MOTHER:

Good Lord!

JIM:

I can't keep it to myself anymore--

FATHER:

Well, just get it off your chest, son.

JIM:

That's not what I mean. I've never

done anything right. I've been

going around with my head in a

sling for years...I don't want to

drag you into this but I can't help

it. I don't think I can prove

anything by going around pretending

I'm tough any more, so maybe you

look like one thing but you still

feel like another.

FATHER:

You're absolutely right!

JIM:

Are you listening to me? You're

involved in this! I want to go to

the police and tell them I was

mixed up in this thing tonight?

FATHER:

You what?

MOTHER:

No!

FATHER:

Did anyone see you there? I mean

did they get your license number or

anything?

JIM:

I don't think so--

FATHER:

Well--

MOTHER:

What about the other boys--Do you

think they'll go to the police?

JIM:

What's that got to do with it?

MOTHER:

Why should you be the only one.

FATHER:

Look Jim. Far be it from me to

tell you what to do, but there's--

MOTHER:

Are you going to preach now? Are

we going to have a sermon?

FATHER:

I'm just explaining what you mean!

You can't be an idealist all your

life! Nobody thanks you for

sticking your neck out!

MOTHER:

That's right!

JIM:

Except yourself!

FATHER:

Will you wait a minute?

JIM:

You don't want me to go.

MOTHER:

No! I don't want you to go to the

police! There were other people

and why should you be the only one

involved!

JIM:

But I am involved! We're all

involved, Mom! A boy was killed!

I don't see how we can get out of

that by pretending it didn't happen!

FATHER:

You know you did wrong. That's the

main thing, isn't it?

JIM:

No! It's nothing! Just nothing!

You always told me to tell the

truth. You think you can just turn

that off?

MOTHER:

He's not saying that! He's saying

don't volunteer!

JIM:

Just tell a little white lie?

FATHER:

You'll learn as you get a little

older, Jim.

JIM:

I don't want to learn that!

MOTHER:

Well, it doesn't matter anyhow--

because we're moving.

JIM:

No! You're not tearing me loose

any more.

MOTHER:

Do I have to spell it out?

JIM:

You're not going to use me as an

excuse again, Mom. Every time you

can't face yourself you want to

move and you say it's because of me

or the neighborhood or some other

phony excuse. Now I want to do one

thing right and I'm not letting you

run away.

(silence)

Dad?

FATHER:

Son--this is all happening so fast--

JIM:

You better give me something, Dad.

You better give me something

(stops as he sees the

emptiness in them)

Mom?

MOTHER:

Jimmy, you're very young--and a

foolish decision now could wreck

your whole life.

JIM:

Dad--answer her--aren't you going

to stand up for me?

The FATHER is mute, helpless... Suddenly JIM screams.

JIM:

Dad?

He leaps at his FATHER, dragging him to his feet, hands at

the man's throat.

MOTHER:

Stop it! You'll kill him! Jim!

Do you want to kill your father?

Suddenly JIM loosens his hands and rises. He looks swiftly

at each of them--moves a few steps toward the door, looks

back at them again--then rushes out of the house. The

parents stand frozen.

DISSOLVE TO:

Outside Precinct Station. JIM's car comes to a stop at the

curb. JIM gets out and approaches the flight of steps

leading up the entrance. A bare bulb on either side is the

only illumination. As he mounts the first step, the double

doors above him swing open revealing several people. JIM

stops short. So do they.

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