The Cider House Rules Page #8

The film breaks--to huge cries of disappointment from the

orphans. Fuzzy coughs and coughs while Larch fumbles with

the projector. Angela turns on the light while Larch squints

at the broken film. The orphans are chanting, "Kong! Kong!"

LARCH:

Homer! I need you!

Homer gets up and walks to the projector.

LARCH:

I thought you took care of this. It

always breaks in the same place.

It's your splice, isn't it?

HOMER:

(angry)

It's *your* splice! You blame me for

everything!

Larch abruptly lets go of the film.

LARCH:

Angela, we need a new movie, a new

projector, a new typewriter--*that's*

what they should replace around here!

Edna comes in; she speaks to Larch, then quickly leaves.

EDNA:

We have a delivery. Imminent, in my

estimation...

Larch turns to Homer.

LARCH:

Homer, would you get this one?

Homer shifts his weight to the other foot; aggravated; he

stands there.

HOMER:

She's a patient, right? She should

see a doctor.

Homer and Larch stare at each other.

LARCH:

(trying to stay calm)

Homer, you are a skilled and gifted

surgeon. You have near-prefect

obstetrical and gynecological

procedure.

Homer is also trying to avoid a fight.

HOMER:

I just mean I'd rather fix the movie.

Tonight.

Larch can't hide his disappointment.

LARCH:

Sure. Okay. You splice. I'll deliver.

It is an uneasy peace.

INT. BOYS' DIVISION - NIGHT (LATER)

Homer is adjusting Fuzzy's breathing tent as the other boys

climb into bed.

FUZZY:

Homer... doesn't King Kong think the

woman is his *mother*?

HOMER:

Uh, sure--that's what Kong thinks,

all right.

FUZZY:

That's why Kong loves her!

Larch comes in and walks over to Homer and Fuzzy. Larch and

Homer exchange a look.

HOMER:

I thought it was my turn.

LARCH:

It is. I'll get this. You go ahead.

Homer sits down with 'David Copperfield.' There is quiet

anticipation while Homer readies himself to read.

HOMER:

(reading)

"Whether I shall turn out to be the

hero of my own life, or whether that

station will be held by anybody else,

these pages must show."

Larch continues to adjust Fuzzy's breathing tent.

HOMER:

"I was a posthumous child. My father's

eyes had closed upon the light of

this world six months, when mine

opened on it."

FUZZY:

(whispers to Larch)

His father's dead, right?

LARCH:

(whispering back)

That's right, Fuzz.

Close on Fuzzy.

HOMER (O.S.)

(continues reading)

"There is something strange to me,

even now, in the reflection that he

never saw me..."

As Larch bends over Fuzzy to fix the breathing apparatus,

Fuzzy whispers.

FUZZY:

Is *your* father dead?

LARCH:

(nods, whispers)

Cirrhosis--it's a disease of the

liver.

FUZZY:

*Liver* killed him?

LARCH:

*Alcohol* killed him--he drank himself

to death.

FUZZY:

But did you know him?

LARCH:

Barely. It hardly mattered that I

knew him.

FUZZY:

Did you know your mother better?

LARCH:

(nods, still whispers)

She's dead now, too. She was a nanny.

FUZZY:

What's a nanny do?

LARCH:

She looks after other people's

children.

FUZZY:

Did you grow up around here?

LARCH:

No. She was an immigrant.

FUZZY:

What's an immigrant?

LARCH:

Someone not from Maine.

EXT. ST. CLOUD'S - NIGHT

The orphanage in moonlight. Not a sound.

EXT. ST. CLOUD'S - MORNING

The children are chasing a ball near the incinerator.

A VERY FRIGHTENED GIRL---not one of the orphans--is lying

next to the incinerator.

Edna kneels by the strange girl, who cringes with fear.

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