Rebel Without a Cause Page #18

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She swings at CRUNCH who faces her, challenging.

NEGRO WOMAN:

Clear out. Go on! Go on now!

MOOSE:

Let's go, Crunch.

They turn and move past camera. PLATO gets up off the floor.

We hear the sound of a heap starting. The NEGRO WOMAN

closes the door.

Inside PLATO's foyer as NEGRO WOMAN bolts the door.

NEGRO WOMAN:

Why you like to mix with bad boys

like that? Why you get in trouble

all the--

PLATO:

I have to go out. I have to warn him.

He starts up the stairs. She follows him heavily.

NEGRO WOMAN:

You not going anywhere! You

staying home while your mama's away.

Bedroom of PLATO's mother, a lacy affair with imported dolls

on the pillows. PLATO rushes in, opens the drawer of the

night-table and pulls out a gun. He checks to see that it

is loaded. The NEGRO WOMAN appears in the door and stares

at him, turns on the light which illuminates the bed-lamp.

NEGRO WOMAN:

John! What you doing with that!

You leave that be! Put it down

before you hurt yourself. Hear me?

But PLATO moves past her and out of the room. She turns

after him.

NEGRO WOMAN:

(continuing)

John! You stay home! John! John!

The slam of a door is heard below.

DISSOLVE TO:

JIM's garage. Night. JUDY waiting inside. JIM's car pulls

in, a radio going softly. He turns the motor off and is

about to turn off the radio when we hear the announcer:

ANNOUNCER:

Coming up now another request--this

time from the boys down at Anna's

Pizza Paradise--A new arrangement

of a great oldie in rhythm and

blues. Jim, this is dedicated to

you--from Buzz.

JIM stares at the radio, then turns it off.

Another angle.

JUDY:

They'll be looking for you.

JIM:

They saw where I jumped! I didn't

chicken! What do I have to do--

kill myself?

JUDY:

It doesn't matter to them.

JIM:

You were looking for me, weren't you?

JUDY:

(a small voice)

No--I was just--maybe--

JIM:

I tried to call you before.

JUDY:

I thought so.

JIM:

Want some milk?

JUDY comes forward.

JIM:

That's all I can do when I'm

nervous. Drink milk. Here--have a

slug.

She shakes her head. He takes a sip.

JIM:

You still pretty upset?

JUDY:

I'm numb.

She is shuddering a little.

JIM:

You cold?

JUDY:

Even if I'm near a fire, I'm cold.

I guess just about everybody's cold.

JIM:

I swear, sometimes, you just want

to hold onto somebody! Judy, what

am I going to do? I can't go home

again.

JUDY:

Neither can I.

JIM:

No? Why not?

(no answer)

You know something? Sometimes I

figure I'll never live to see my

next birthday. Isn't that dumb?

JUDY:

No.

JIM:

Every day I look in the mirror and

say, "What? You still here?" Man!

They laugh a little.

JIM:

Hey! You smiled!

JUDY shakes her head--beginning to warm to him.

JIM:

Like even today. I woke up this

morning, you know? And the sun was

shining and everything was nice.

Then the first thing that happens

is I see you and I thought this is

going to be one terrific day so you

better live it up, boy, 'cause

tomorrow maybe you'll be nothing.

JUDY:

I'm sorry I treated you mean today.

You shouldn't believe what I say

when I'm with the kids. Nobody

acts sincere.

JIM:

Why'd you get mixed up with them?

You don't have to prove anything.

JUDY:

If you knew me you wouldn't say that.

JIM:

I don't think you trust anybody, do

you?

JUDY:

Why?

JIM:

I'm getting that way, too.

JUDY:

(looks at him)

Have you ever gone with anyone who--

JIM:

Sure. Lots of times.

JUDY:

So have I. But I've never been in

love. Isn't that awful?

JIM:

(smiling)

Awful? No. It's just lonely.

It's the loneliest time.

She looks up. He kisses her forehead.

JUDY:

Why did you do that?

JIM:

I felt like it.

JUDY:

Your lips are soft when you kiss.

JUDY rises.

JIM:

Where you going?

JUDY:

I don't know, but we can't stay here.

JIM:

Where can we go? I can't go back

into that zoo.

JUDY:

I'm never going back.

JIM:

Listen! I know a place! PLATO

showed me before. An old deserted

mansion near the planetarium

(rises)

Would you go with me?

JUDY hesitates.

JIM:

You can trust me, Judy.

JUDY:

I feel as if I'm walking under water.

They start out.

DISSOLVE TO:

Inside bathroom. JIM's house. The water is running in the

sink and JIM's father is fixing a stomach settler. Gradually

he grows aware of a heavy pounding which insinuates itself

above the splash of water. The FATHER pauses, then turns

off the tap. The pounding continues. JIM'S MOTHER appears

at the bathroom door. She is seen in the mirror tying her

robe.

MOTHER:

Frank? I'm frightened.

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