The Cider House Rules Page #12

FUZZY:

(disappointed)

Oh. It's the best time! How come we

only get pumpkins once a year?

Fuzzy coughs and coughs.

HOMER:

Don't get too excited, Fuzzy.

FUZZY:

Why can't we have pumpkins for

Christmas, too? We don't get any

good presents at Christmas, anyway.

Homer looks out the window at Wally again. His decision forms.

EXT. ORPHANAGE DRIVEWAY - DAY

Homer approaches the flashy car, where Wally is still pacing.

HOMER:

Has anyone offered you anything to

eat?

WALLY:

Actually, someone did. I just didn't

think I could eat anything.

An awkward silence, which Homer covers by examining the car.

HOMER:

(trying to sound casual)

I wonder if you might give me a ride.

WALLY:

Sure! Be glad to! Uh... a ride where?

HOMER:

(unprepared)

Where are you going?

WALLY:

We're heading back to Cape Kenneth.

Homer nods, but he has no idea where Cape Kenneth is.

HOMER:

Cape Kenneth...

Wally nods.

HOMER:

That sounds fine.

INT. STAIRWAY/CORRIDOR - DAY

Homer runs up the stairs, two steps at a time; he races into

a corridor at full speed, exhilarated. Suddenly Dr. Larch

appears in front of him. Homer stops abruptly, out of breath,

unable to speak.

INT. LARCH'S OFFICE - DAY

As Homer stands guiltily, Larch rifles through an X-ray file,

holding various X rays up to the lit screen. He quickly finds

the one he's looking for, attaching it briefly to the screen

for a confirming look--a heart X ray, which Larch waves at

Homer as he talks.

LARCH:

(sarcastic)

Doubtless you'll let me know what

immensely worthwhile or at least

*useful* thing it is that you find

to do.

HOMER:

(restrained)

I wasn't intending to leave here in

order to be entirely useless--I expect

I'll find some ways to be of use.

LARCH:

In other parts of the world, I suppose

there are other ways.

HOMER:

(still restrained)

Of course.

LARCH:

(blows up)

Are you really so *stupid* that you

imagine you're going to find a more

gratifying life? What you're going

to find is people like the poor people

who get left here--only nobody takes

care of them as well! And you won't

be able to take care of them, either.

There's no taking care of *anybody*--

not out there!

HOMER:

(feeling trapped)

You know I'm grateful for everything

you've done for me...

LARCH:

(calmly)

I don't need your gratitude.

Larch hands Homer the heart X ray.

HOMER:

(exasperated)

I don't need this--I know all about

my condition.

LARCH:

It's your heart--you ought to take

it with you.

Camera closes on Homer with the X ray.

INT. KITCHEN - LATE AFTERNOON

Buster and Mary Agnes are serving the evening meal while

Larch rails at Angela and Edna, who are helping Buster and

Mary Agnes. The sound of children in the dining hall is

intermittent and chaotic.

EDNA:

Going where? Does he have a plan of

some kind?

ANGELA:

Will he be back soon?

LARCH:

I don't know! He's just leaving--

(to Angela)

you're the one who says he needs to

see the world!

(to Edna)

*That's* what he'll do--he'll see

the world!

EDNA:

(stunned)

He's leaving...

ANGELA:

He'll need clothes... some money...

LARCH:

Let him try to *make* some money!

That's part of "seeing the world,"

isn't it?

ANGELA:

(angrily)

Oh, just stop it! You knew this was

going to happen. He's a young man.

LARCH:

(almost breaking)

He's still a boy--out in the world,

he's still a boy.

ANGELA:

Just find him some clothes, Wilbur.

He could use some clothes.

Camera closes on Larch, fighting tears.

INT. BOYS' DIVISION - AFTERNOON

Homer is packing his things--we see the heart X ray, and

some photos of Larch and Edna and Angela.

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