The Cider House Rules Page #10

Homer looks away.

HOMER:

I didn't mean her. I'm talking

about... adults.

(annoyed)

You know who I mean!

Larch studies him.

EXT./INT. ST. CLOUD'S ROAD - TRUCK CAB - DAY

Buster is driving the old pickup truck, with the shovels and

a wheelbarrow in the back. Larch and Homer are in the cab,

they are being bounced all over the cab by Buster's wild

driving. Larch looks at Homer; he stares at him with a curious

smile.

HOMER:

What?!

Larch says nothing. Homer gives him a look.

LARCH:

(smiling)

It's just a marvel to me that you

still have such high expectations of

people.

HOMER:

I'm happy I amuse you.

LARCH:

(to Homer)

Try to look at it this way. What

choice does Buster have? What are

his options? Nobody will ever adopt

him.

(Buster considers

this)

HOMER:

Try to look at it *this* way. Buster

and I are sitting right here beside

you. We could have ended up in the

incinerator!

(Buster grins)

LARCH:

Happy to be alive, under any

circumstances--is that your point?

Buster is distracted; he drives the truck into a ditch and

it bounces around, missing a tree by an inch. He is up on

the road again in a few seconds.

HOMER:

Happy to be alive... I guess so.

They are all distracted by a luxurious convertible that

overtakes them on the hill to the orphanage. The fast car is

driven by a handsome man in the uniform of the Army Air Corps--

a YOUNG OFFICER. From the passenger seat, a BEAUTIFUL YOUNG

WOMAN smiles at them, rendering them speechless.

EXT. ORPHANAGE DRIVEWAY - DAY

The luxurious convertible (now parked) has drawn all the

orphans to it. The handsome young officer (WALLY) and the

beautiful young woman (CANDY) stand confused by the car;

they are surrounded by the curious orphans, with whom they

are painfully self-conscious. They are overly friendly to

the children as they are anxious of Larch and Homer and Buster

(in their gravedigging attire), who are getting out of the

truck. Nervously, Wally gives the children chocolates.

CANDY:

So many children. Are they all

orphans?

WALLY:

Well, this *is* an orphanage.

The kids climb into Wally's car.

CANDY:

Oh, they're getting into the car...

watch your fingers!

Curly tugs on Candy's dress, staring up at her, his face

already smeared with chocolate.

CURLY:

I'm the best.

CANDY:

(sweetly)

You are?

WALLY:

(good with kids)

The best? Wow! The best at *what*?

CURLY:

I'm the best one.

Curly's nose is streaming snot. Candy kneels beside him and

holds her handkerchief to his nose.

CANDY:

Here, blow...

Curly tries to talk while she's holding his nose.

CURLY:

I really *am* the best, I just have

a cold.

CANDY:

Blow! There, I bet that feels better.

CURLY:

(sniffs)

Yeah.

The other orphans are dying with envy--Candy is so beautiful.

(Some, like Buster, are torn between Candy and the car.)

LARCH:

Curly, come here!

CURLY:

(to Larch)

*Tell* them! I'm the one.

Virtually all the orphans have climbed into Wally's car.

HOMER:

(to Wally)

I'm sorry. They're not used to seeing

a car like this.

WALLY:

It's okay--I don't mind.

Larch, scowling, presents himself to the new couple.

WALLY:

We brought some chocolates for the

kids.

LARCH:

(witheringly)

Chocolates. How *thoughtful*.

Larch picks up Curly and carries him toward the boys'

division.

CURLY:

I'm the best! *Tell* them!

LARCH:

You're the best, Curly.

INT. LARCH'S OFFICE - DAY

Homer is seated in the desk chair. The impressive couple sit

in front of him.

HOMER:

So, Mrs...

CANDY:

Candy. Candy Kendall.

Wally jumps up to his feet to shake Homer's hand.

WALLY:

Wally. Wally Worthington.

Wally sits down. The three sit still for an awkward moment.

HOMER:

(to Candy)

How many months are you?

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