C O L D   C A P R I C E

                         Written by

                        Daniel Gomez

1. INTRO

2. THE ANNIVERSARY

3. THE FAMILY JEWEL

4. THE TOMMY/POP SITUATION

BLACK SCREEN

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - SCHOOL LIBRARY - MORNING

We are immediately greeted by two high school SENIORS as
they share a private conversation. Isolated from the rest of
the students, these two seem to be in contrast from one
another although they are best friends.

They are engaged in a fast-paced conversation consisting of
two different styles all throughout.

The first boy, TOMMY, is dressed in a manner as if society
demands much from him. He is leaned back in his seat looking
uninterested in the situation at hand, when it's actually
the only thing on his mind.

The other boy, LENNY, is the complete opposite of his cohort
in both terms of appearance and personality. He, on the
other hand, is totally concentrated on what is being discussed.

                         LENNY
                   (nervously)
            No way, I can't do it.

                         TOMMY
                   (calmly)
            What's the big deal? It's just a
            joke we're gonna play and in a
            couple months we'll look back and
            admire our own work.

                         LENNY
            But it's your work, not ours. And
            besides, don't you see? This is not
            something you can admire, I
            wouldn't even want to be recognized
            for doing something like this.

                                                            2.

                         TOMMY
            You see? Now you're making it sound
            like we're going against humanity
            on this one. It's just a joke, a
            prank, why are you getting so damn
            patriotic all of a sudden?

                         LENNY
            Because I actually don't care only
            about myself!...

One librarian couldn't ignore the volume of Lenny's last
remark, forcing her to issue a loud SHH! across the room.

                         LENNY
            ...look, I know that some kids in
            this school won't care and may
            think that what you're going to
            pull is funny. But you gotta
            remember that some were hurt by
            what happened. And the teachers
            forget it. Are you actually gonna
            risk getting kicked out of this
            place your senior year?

                         TOMMY
            First of all Lenny, we are going to
            pull this, not just me. And second,
            there are so many delinquents in
            this place that the teachers will
            suspect over half the population of
            being responsible. Jesus, a crime
            occurring in this place is as
            frequent as a baby crying over
            spilt milk. Everyone's gonna expect it.

                         LENNY
            But they won't expect this Tommy.

                         TOMMY
            Exactly, because they think that
            since the day will be full of grief
            and sorrow, that nobody is gonna be
            daring enough to add a little humor.

                         LENNY
            There's nothing funny about this,
            and I'm not gonna be a part of it.

                         TOMMY
            Lenny! Lenny! Are you hearing
            yourself right? The same good-old
            sidekick that thought up the scheme
            against Principal Shelby?

                                                            3.

                         LENNY
            I don't know what you're talking about.

                         TOMMY
            What? Is your memory fading? Well
            anyway, it don't matter. Lenny,
            I've known you a long time and
            we've been partners on a lot of
            operations, what better way to
            depart from high school than with
            one like this?

                         LENNY
            No.

                         TOMMY
                   (angrily)
            Damn it Lenny! You do this every
            time. You're gonna give in anyway.
            What's the big deal? You act like
            we're gonna burn a flag or
            something. All this resistance over
            something that's gonna take no more
            than ten minutes, and nothing will
            be left to trace it back to me and you?

Lenny just lets his eyes wander and back to staring into
Tommy's, exposing the fact that he's thinking it over.

                         TOMMY
            Last one.

                         LENNY
            Last one Tommy?

                         TOMMY
            Last one. And remember, no more
            Tommy. It's T.

Tommy puts out his hand as a promise to Lenny that this will
be the final job.

Lenny gives a final thought for a couple more seconds until...

                         LENNY
            Okay.

Lenny shakes his head. Once again, he gave in. By the look
on his face, we see he is ASHAMED of himself.

                         T
            You know the drill?

                                                            4.

                         LENNY
            Like the back of my hand.

                         T
            Let's go to work.

And suddenly...

Lenny suddenly begins to COUGH LOUDLY, trying to get the
attention of everyone in the room. However, noone is responding.

Therefore, he coughs even louder and DROPS to the floor.

Lenny repeatedly HITS his own chest while coughing, as if he
is having a hard time breathing. Now, everyone is watching.

T gets out of his seat in a flash and runs over to Lenny to
check on him. He then looks up at everyone and speaks.

                         T
            Everything is fine, his allergies
            are just acting up. Mr. Wallace, Ms.
            Brown, we need to get him out of
            here. Now please!

                                            CUT TO BLACK

CREDITS ROLL

                                            CUT TO:

EXT. NORMAL AVE. - MORNING

We are now with another two students as they are making
their way to school. Unlike the previous two seniors, these
two seem to have quite an understanding and stable
friendship...at least for now.

The first boy is VINNIE, a not-your-everyday teenager who
unwillingly decides to not traditionally "live it up" during
his senior year.

The second boy is Vinnie's best friend Rocky, but ever since
they were little kids he has been known as ROCK. He, on the
other hand, strongly believes life is too short to not give
a damn, which is the only difference between him and his
companion.

Anyway, Vinnie and Rock are not experiencing the usual
enthusiastic and interesting conversations they share about
nothing really important. In fact, that is the reason why
their friendship works so well.

                                                            5.

They are able to act unbelievably comfortable around one
another and not worry about their image in front of others
as most high school students do.

Rock knows what is wrong with Vinnie, but he keeps it to
himself. Instead, he tries to humor him like always.

                         ROCK
            ...and then the chihuahua tells the
            other two to step back and then
            says,
                   (Mexican accent)
            "Liver alone cheese mine!"

Vinnie appears totally uninterested in listening to Rock. He
continues to pay mind to the music playing from his headphones.

                         ROCK
            Come on Tata, that's one of your
            favorites.

                         VINNIE
            Don't call me that.

                         ROCK
            But I always do.

                         VINNIE
            I don't care.

                         ROCK
            Whatever. Well, I got another one.

                         VINNIE
            They're not funny. Just drop it.

                         ROCK
            Yeah right, you'd just rather keep
            your head down and the laughs
            tucked away. That one always worked
            on you.

                         VINNIE
            True, but that was when I was
            dealing with Nikki and Amy...

                         ROCK
            ...and Clarisse, Annie, and Pauline
            and then that girl Jessica, again
            if I may be so bold to mention.
            Jesus, senior year and you still
            won't give it a rest.

                                                            6.

                         VINNIE
                   (sarcastically)
            Ha Ha! Well, today is...
                   (beat)
            I feel half past dead.

                         ROCK
            Okay, now I think you're over doing
            it. I'm just trying to get your
            mind off of it as best I can.

                         VINNIE
            Well you can't! Don't you get it?
            364 days ago...

                         ROCK
            I thought it was 365.

Vinnie gives him a look meaning that he already knew that
information ahead of time as he stops to check his watch.

                         VINNIE
            Well, I was about to mention that
            it will be 365 days in about 50
            minutes.

                         ROCK
            So that gives me 50 more minutes to
            try to heighten the day for you?

                         VINNIE
            No, it actually gives you 49 and a
            half now to shut your mouth so I
            can concentrate on my steps and not
            trip over my own feet.

Vinnie and Rock finally arrive at one of the school
entrances. As they are about to enter, Vinnie seems HESITANT
to walk on a certain side. Perhaps he feels threatened by
the mysterious boy who is seated by the entrance, although
he seems harmless.

                         ROCK
            Hey, it's not my fault that my mom
            couldn't give us a ride today as
            always.

                         VINNIE
            You were the one that snuck the
            damn car out of the garage.

                         ROCK
            Sorry.

                                                            7.

Vinnie and Rock now enter the building, but we do not follow.
Instead, we remain with the same boy by the entrance, MICKEY.
As he's listening to his CD player, his head keeps checking
from side to side. He must be waiting for someone.

Then, his expectations become fulfilled as his girlfriend
NATALIE arrives and plants a kiss on his cheek.

                         NATALIE
            Hey Sweetie!

Mickey just gives her a look of DISAPPOINTMENT. Apparently,
he expected a bit more than a tap on the cheek.

                         MICKEY
            That's it? I was looking forward to
            a little more affection from you today.

Natalie takes this remark offensively and shoots a look that
makes it abundantly clear. But she'll give her boyfriend
what he wants and attempts to submit to his request.

However, Mickey decides to not even bother having to request
something he feels should be automatic. Instead, he simply
turns his face away and begins to shake his head.

                         MICKEY
            Forget it.

                         NATALIE
            Fine!

Very upset, Natalie rises to her feet and heads toward the door.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY - MORNING

So we watch the same routine: Mickey realizing he was wrong
and trying to admit it to Natalie.

                         MICKEY
            Natalie, come here. I didn't mean to...

                         NATALIE
            Shut up Mickey. I'm not in the mood
            for this today. Any day of the week
            any week of the year you act that
            way even though I hate it so much.
            But not today.

                         MICKEY
            I know that today means as much to
            you as it does to me.

                                                            8.

                         NATALIE
            Oh really? You feel the same way I
            do? I doubt that very much.

                         MICKEY
            No really. I've been waiting for
            this, so that we can have the
            chance to spend the day with each
            other happily.

                         NATALIE
            That's not what I meant.

This last remark seems to have confused Mickey. But before
he can have a chance to say anything, he BUMPS into Vinnie,
who's returning from his locker the opposite way.

Although Vinnie ignores the bump since he seems angry due to
the tone in his voice as he's talking to Rock, Mickey
remains fixated on him.

Natalie sees this and for some reason she feels very
uncomfortable at the moment. Immediately she snaps out of it
and pulls on Mickey so they can get on their way to class.

                         VINNIE
            No, you gotta understand where I'm
            coming from here.

                         ROCK
            Why was he looking at you like that?

                         VINNIE
            I don't know. Don't get off the
            subject. Look, you don't get what
            it is I'm trying to say...

                         ROCK
            Yes I do Vinnie, today is the day
            that your own blood bit the dust.

Vinnie pushes Rock against a locker, showing that he does
not approve of his last remark.

                         VINNIE
            Why you gotta say it like that?

                         ROCK
            Come on, you know he was just as
            close to me as he was to you.

                         VINNIE
            What the hell are you talking about?

                                                            9.

                         ROCK
            I know. I know. I'm only a friend
            who stopped by every now and then
            for the last ten years but no,...
                   (smiling)
            ...it still doesn't compare.

                         VINNIE
            What's with that smile huh? At any
            point you still assume that the
            right thing to do is carry a smirk
            on your face.

Now he's done it, Vinnie finally triggered Rock to get
SERIOUS, as he rarely does, and he is now ready to let his
side be known.

                         ROCK
            Well you know what? I don't give a
            damn. I may have never felt a pain
            like the one you're feeling but at
            least I know how to cover it.
            You're not the only one that lost
            somebody man. Be strong, show
            everyone you are who you are and
            that nothing will keep you down.

It looks like Rock actually had an impact on Vinnie just now,
who just keeps his head down.

                         VINNIE
            You're right. I am who I am, and a
            lot of other people suffered the
            way I did. But, they didn't have
            this to show for it.

Vinnie then raises his hand to Rock's face and exhibits a
ring placed on his finger.

                         VINNIE
            You see that? That is all I am.
            Aside from a dead mother and a
            father who may as well be, this is
            all I have as a reminder of my own
            existence.

The final bell rings, indicating that all students must be
in class. Rock makes an attempt to leave, but Vinnie stops
him since he feels it's his turn to make a statement.

                                                           10.

                         VINNIE
            No no listen. All I hear is to put
            myself in everyone else's shoes.
            Let them walk a mile in mine one
            day and then they'll understand.
            What? I'm supposed to put my grief
            on hold for them? Forget
            that...forget them. Not anymore. I
            need to start focusing on my own
            problems first. Today is my day,
            I'm not going to let anyone take it
            away from me. Not even you.

Vinnie leaves Rock in a moment of SHOCK and finally goes off
to his first period class.

Rock, on the other hand, decides to skip his first class and
wander about the halls.

We are now left alone, gazing at a long hallway that lies ahead.

                                            FADE TO BLACK

Against black, TITLE CARD:	THE ANNIVERSARY

FADE IN:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - AFTERNOON

We are once again with Mickey, who is relaxing in his study
hall class. As before, he is listening to his CD player.

Now that it's his senior year, Mickey feels there is no
purpose to struggle in homework and studies. The only thing
he focuses on is the love of his girlfriend, whom he is
sharing their one-year anniversary with on this very day.

However, what he does not know is that for quite some time
she has been unhappy with him, but is afraid to let him know.
Although her mind has been spinning in recent weeks, the
only thing she is sure of is that he must know today.

As we watch Mickey enjoying his tunes, he is surprised by
the touch and sight of Natalie, who has skipped her class to
visit her boyfriend instead.

Natalie shows very clearly that she is happy to see Mickey
again. However, he remains serious around her.

                         NATALIE
            Hey Baby!

                         MICKEY
            What are you doing here?

                                                           11.

                         NATALIE
            I wanted to see you, so I cut
            drafting and here I am.

                         MICKEY
            You wait until senior year to start
            cutting? You're a little late.
            Besides, you love that class.

                         NATALIE
            Yeah, but I love you too.

                         MICKEY
            That's nice.

                         NATALIE
            Isn't it?

                         MICKEY
            Happy anniversary.

                         NATALIE
            Why do you say it like that? What's
            wrong?

                         MICKEY
            Just been thinking about this
            morning. I felt like a jerk.

                         NATALIE
            Oh yeah. Well, you were acting like
            one. But, it passed now, let's just
            enjoy the rest of the day.

                         MICKEY
            What's to enjoy?

                         NATALIE
            What are you talking about?

                         MICKEY
            You know what I'm talking about.

                         NATALIE
            No, I don't.

                         MICKEY
            Don't lie to me Natalie. I know
            you're talking to him.

                         NATALIE
            Who?

                                                           12.

Natalie's sudden act of defense forces Mickey to become more
of an interrogator as he begins to really feel SKEPTICAL.

                         MICKEY
            I'm not stupid Natalie. Pop told me
            that you two were talking.

                         NATALIE
            Oh my God! Why can't he mind his
            own business? Because of him, we've
            had to make-up like 30 times. He
            won't keep his mouth shut.

                         MICKEY
            Is there a reason for him to keep
            it shut? Are you hiding something?

                         NATALIE
            No. But he's always the one who
            tells you things and screws it up
            for the both of us.

                         MICKEY
            Natalie, do you want to be with me?

                         NATALIE
            I...have to go.

                         MICKEY
            Fine, go back to him!

                         NATALIE
            Oh please! I'm going back to class.
            All I wanted was a day that I could
            remember with you. A day that all
            couples look forward to. Today is a
            day full of sadness, and you've
            just given me one more reason to
            feel that way.

Natalie gets up from her seat, and heads out the door to her
class.

Mickey is all alone, but only for a matter of seconds. It
seems that during this whole time, the conversation that he
was engaged in was being watched. But not by a teacher,
instead it was Mickey's best friend Paulie, or POP as he
likes to be called.

Some say that the nickname comes from the lollipop in his
mouth at all times. But Mickey always referred to him as Pop
since he always watches out for him and warns him about
everything as if he were his father.

                                                           13.

                         POP (OS)
            I told you man, she's lying.

                         MICKEY
            Shut up Pop. It's not the time.

                         POP
            Oh it isn't? Well excuse me. I've
            been telling you this for like half
            a year and now on the most
            important day that you should get
            it in your head, you don't want to
            face it.

                         MICKEY
            She's not talking to him. She would
            have told me.

                         POP
            Yeah she would have, but only about
            two months after you accuse her
            like she does every time. I told
            you ever since you started going
            with her man, she's too weird.

                         MICKEY
            What did you call her?

                         POP
            I called her weird, so what? She is
            man, the girl is confused. She
            doesn't know what she wants. She
            says she wants you, she keeps
            talking to him. She tells him she
            wants him, she comes right back to
            you. Now in a way, there's no
            reason to complain, cuz in the end
            you know you're the one who's gonna
            win. But I think it's about time
            you let her go so we can go out and
            find somebody else for you.

                         MICKEY
            What do you mean we? I can find
            somebody else on my own.

                         POP
            Then why don't you?

                         MICKEY
            Because I want to be with Natalie.

                                                           14.

                         POP
            Jesus Christ. Fine man, do what you
            want. I think you should move on.

                         MICKEY
            I can't.

                         POP
            Everyone can. "To move on, you have
            to let go. To let go, you have to
            move on." You know who taught me that?

                         MICKEY
            Who?

                         POP
            That kid who graduated last year,
            he went to film school. What was
            his name? Oh, David Gonzalez
            remember? Glasses, Spanish, played
            soccer.

                         MICKEY
            Oh yeah. He told you that?

                         POP
            Yup, he was stressing over a girl
            that he wanted ever since he was a
            freshman. They went out for a
            little bit but when it was over, he
            wouldn't let go. Her name was, um,
            Caroline. Now she's related to
            David's best friend Carl. And he
            didn't like what David was going
            through for this girl. So on
            graduation night, they got drunk,
            and Carl had a talk with him. He
            told him those very same words, and
            David was so ripped that they just
            got stuck in his head, and he's
            been living by that quote ever
            since. And one night, he told them
            to me.

                         MICKEY
            You were stressing over a girl too?

                         POP
            Nah, my dog died and I really
            missed him.

                         MICKEY
            Oh.

                                                           15.

                         POP
            But anyway, the point is that you
            have to let her go. It's just the
            right thing to do, for both of you.

                         MICKEY
            I'll see.

Pop's reaction to Mickey's answer shows that he is once
again disappointed.

                         POP
            Good enough I guess. But let me ask
            you this. What do you think she's
            thinking right now?

                         MICKEY
                   (confidently)
            Easy. She feels the same way I do.
            She doesn't want to lose me.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - ROOM 180 - AFTERNOON

Natalie is now in her drafting class, conversing with her
best friend JACKIE.

Jackie is in a way like Pop, she always watches out for her
friend and tries to change her decisions for her own good.

                         NATALIE
            I don't want him Jackie. I don't
            want him. I want to end it today. I
            can't take this anymore. He just
            never stops. Not even a smile on
            his face when he sees his own
            girlfriend.

                         JACKIE
            Shut up Natalie.

                         NATALIE
            What do you mean shut up?

                         JACKIE
            I mean, shut...up. I'm tired of
            your whining. If you don't want him,
            leave him. But you don't know what
            you want, do you?

                         NATALIE
            I do know what I want.

                                                           16.

                         JACKIE
            Oh yeah, then what is it? Mickey?

                         NATALIE
                   (Beat)
            No.

                         JACKIE
            What did you say?

                         NATALIE
            I said no.

The facial expression of Jackie changes dramatically. It
appears that Natalie has never said straightforward that she
does not want to be with Mickey. This surprises Jackie, and
soon makes her happy as well.

                         JACKIE
            So you do want to be with..

                         NATALIE
            Uh huh.

                         JACKIE
            Oh my God! Finally, you want to be
            with T!

                         NATALIE
            Stop calling him that, it's so dumb.

                         JACKIE
            Well, he doesn't mind. But, I don't
            believe it, you finally said it.
            I'm so proud of you.

                         NATALIE
            There's nothing to be proud of
            Jackie, I still have to finish the job.

Reality finally strikes Jackie, and she begins to calm down.

                         JACKIE
            Oh, then what are you going to do?

                         NATALIE
            I don't know. I want to tell Mickey,
            but I just don't know how.

                                                           17.

                         JACKIE
            Wait a second, why are you even
            going to tell him today? It's your
            one year anniversary. That's wrong,
            it's like a mother telling her son
            on his birthday that he's really
            adopted.

                         NATALIE
            Shut up, no it's not.

                         JACKIE
            Okay, maybe it isn't. But it still
            doesn't make it right that you're
            going to break up with him today...

                         NATALIE
            But I have to...

                         JACKIE
            ...making him feel even worse than
            everyone else?

                         NATALIE
            Look at how he's made me feel for
            the last few months. It's only fair
            to give it all back in such a
            simple sentence on such a hard day.

                         JACKIE
            Damn, you're a bad girl.

                         NATALIE
            No, I just finally learned how to
            handle my problem.

                         JACKIE
            I see. Well then, when are you
            going to do it?

                         NATALIE
            As soon as all three of us are
            together.

                         JACKIE
            So you're going to arrange a
            meeting for all the parties?

                         NATALIE
            No, I'm just going to wait. With
            how this day has been so far, I'm
            sure we're all bound to wind up
            together soon.

                                                           18.

                         JACKIE
            Game over?

                         NATALIE
            This time for sure.

Following his discussion with Pop, Mickey decided to check
on Natalie. She is unaware that he is watching her from
outside the classroom.

                                            FADE TO BLACK

Against black, we hear SOFT KNOCKS against a door.

Next, we hear the same door OPENING, followed by a VOICE.

                         VOICE (OS)
                   (whispering)
            Tata? Tata?

FADE IN:

INT. VINNIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

VINNIE'S POV:

We're in Vinnie's bedroom, and by the look of the surrounding,
it's really late at night.

We are able to see someone in the doorway. It's Vinnie's
older brother RICHIE.

                         VINNIE (OS)
                   (tiredly)
            Who...Who is it?

Richie comes closer to us.

                         RICHIE
            It's Richie.

                         VINNIE(OS)
            Richie? Wha...what time is it?

                         RICHIE
            It's a quarter to four. I can
            understand that  you're really
            tired. Sorry bout that.

                         VINNIE(OS)
            What do you want?

                                                           19.

                         RICHIE
            Just, do me a favor and turn on
            that light.

Richie grabs a chair from the corner and places right in
front of Vinnie, then sits in it. The light is turned on as
requested, and we are clearly able to see his face.

                         RICHIE
            Thanks. Um, today is the day...

                         VINNIE (OS)
            You're leaving already?

                         RICHIE
            Yeah well, I didn't want to wait
            til morning cuz I'm so excited to
            go. I figured I'll leave as soon as
            I'm ready.
                   (beat)
            Vinnie, you know that I'm not gonna
            be around much for a while. Before
            I go, I want to let you in on
            something. In a couple more days,
            you'll be starting your junior
            year...your hardest year.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            Hardest?

                         RICHIE
            Well yeah, it's when you need to
            start planning for your future. You
            have to get organized. Take
            standardized testing...complete the
            hard courses. I know you can do it.
            You have that same will to go far
            like Dad.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            Do I?

                         RICHIE
            Yeah you do. You're worthy of
            success.
                   (beat)
            Tata, I got something for you.

Richie then shows Vinnie a ring which he was holding tightly
in his hand the whole time.

                                                           20.

                         RICHIE
            This ring I got here, is known in
            our family to be its jewel. Our
            great-grandfather Edward made this
            ring himself and kept it close to
            him as the most valuable possession
            he'd ever own. Then, he gave it to
            his only son, our grandfather Frank.
            Now...

                         VINNIE (OS)
            Richie, I already know about how
            special that ring is in our family.

                         RICHIE
            True, but I don't think you
            understand what's unique about it.

                         VINNIE (OS)
                   (beat)
            You're right.

                         RICHIE
            Alright then. Well, the ring does
            not only get passed down from
            generation to generation like most
            helms do. Instead, it goes from
            brother to brother and so on until
            it starts all over again. The only
            thing that varies over the years is
            how many brothers get to hold onto
            the ring before it passes onto the
            next seed. That's why it's such an
            honor to be the youngest. That's
            the one who holds the ring the
            longest until he grows up to have a
            son of his own to give it to.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            And what if the next generation
            consists of only girls?

                         RICHIE
            Well it hasn't happened so far, so
            don't screw it up. Anyway, pay
            attention. Right now, you are that
            one Vinnie. And, this is actually a
            convenient time for you to hold
            onto the ring. The rest of us have
            noticed a change in you.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            Really?

                                                           21.

                         RICHIE
            Yeah. But it's normal. Everyone
            experiences change in high
            school...especially that one. This
            year won't be easy. But you must
            remember that no matter how many
            hardships, no matter how much
            stress or confusion, this is the
            one thing that will keep you stable.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            How is that?

                         RICHIE
            Well, this is more than just a ring.
            It's a symbol of our heritage. A
            symbol that stands for both love
            and family, the only two things
            that never die according to us.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            When did you get the ring?

                         RICHIE
            Dad gave it to me the day before I
            started high school. He explained
            to me alot about the ring. But,
            what stood out most was the fact
            that although he had to wait 10
            years to get it, he got to hold
            onto it for 14 years before passing
            it to me. I've had this ring by me
            for 4 years, and now, it's your
            turn. Treasure the ring Vinnie, let
            it act as a reminder of your own
            existence.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            I will.

                         RICHIE
            Good.
                   (beat)
            Well now, little brother, I give
            the ring to you.

Richie holds out the ring, followed by Vinnie's hand coming
into frame to accept it.

Also, as "Past" Vinnie reaches for the ring, the sound of
the school bell RINGS throughout the school.

                                            CUT TO:

                                                           22.

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - ROOM 360 - MIDDAY

Now we are with "Present" Vinnie, who has just woken up from
his touching memory. He takes a second to get familiar with
his surrounding again before he leaves.

He rises to his feet and heads to the door. Before his
departure, we notice a change in character. Not from bad to
better, but rather bad to WORSE. He exits the room and we
are left behind.

                                            FADE TO BLACK

TITLE CARD:	THE FAMILY JEWEL

WE HEAR OVER THE BLACK AND TITLE:

                         TEACHER #1 (OS)
            Okay come on, everyone get to class!
            Let's move it! let's move it! It's
            no time for chatting! It's time to
            get to class!

The SOUND of many students throughout the halls in the BG.

The sound now FADES DOWN.

TITLE CARD DISAPPEARS

BLACK SCREEN

Under the black, we hear the SOUND of a lock being TURNED.

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - VINNIE'S LOCKER - AFTERNOON

Suddenly, a door flies open to reveal Vinnie's face.
Apparently, he does not care about the teacher who's playing
hallway inspector. He plays it cool and still goes to his
locker, knowing well he will be late.

He trades a couple books from his bag with those in his locker.

Then he closes it, and again we are under BLACK.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            Damn! My English book.

It seems that Vinnie was rushing and forgot something in his
locker. He opens it once again.

The door swings open once more, but this time a GIRL is
standing behind Vinnie without him even knowing.

                                                           23.

                         GIRL
            Hey!

Her enthusiastic greeting causes Vinnie to jump in SURPRISE.
He must be really out of it.

                         VINNIE
            Carla, it's you.

                         CARLA
            Yeah it's me, who else would it
            possibly be?

                         VINNIE
                   (mumbling)
            A mime if I had my pick.

                         CARLA
            What?

                         VINNIE
            Nothing. What do you want?

Vinnie, finally ready to go to class, SHUTS the locker on us
for good.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY - AFTERNOON

Vinnie is making his way to class, and Carla is TRAILING
behind. This is because Vinnie really does not want anything
to do with her. She has been obsessed with him as long as he
can remember but she won't get it through her skull to give
it up.

                         CARLA
            I just wanted to say hi. I only saw
            you once today but you didn't
            notice me.

                         VINNIE
            Maybe I did notice, I just didn't
            acknowledge it.

                         CARLA
            What's acknowledge mean?

                         VINNIE
            Jesus. Look, is there somewhere you
            have to be?

                                                           24.

                         CARLA
            Well, I have lunch right now but I
            thought I should see you instead Tata.

                         VINNIE
            Don't call me that.

                         CARLA
            Why not?

                         VINNIE
            It's a family nickname. You're not
            family.

                         CARLA
            Oh...okay then. So...let's talk.

                         VINNIE
            Let's not.

                         CARLA
            Why?

                         VINNIE
            Because I don't want to talk to you.
            I've never wanted to talk to you. I
            never will want to talk to you.
            So...don't talk to me.

Vinnie believes he has finally made it clear to Carla what
he thinks of her. As he is making his way down the hall, she
YELLS out to him.

                         CARLA
            I saw you in the library this morning!

This last remark really gets Vinnie's attention. He turns
around and marches back to Carla with determination.

                         VINNIE
            What about it?

                         CARLA
            Well, I saw what happened.

                         VINNIE
            With what?

                         CARLA
            You know, those two...

                         VINNIE
            You know what happened to my ring,
            don't you?

                                                           25.

                         CARLA
            What?

                         VINNIE
            My ring. You know what happened to it.

                         CARLA
            What ring?

                         VINNIE
            Don't lie to me. You know about the
            ring my brother gave me.

                         CARLA
            Vinnie, I don't know what you're
            talking about.

Vinnie is really beginning to get angry, but he tries his
best to keep it locked in.

                         VINNIE
            Carla, I know you're a stupid
            airhead. But today...
                   (beat)
            ...now again, where the hell is my
            ring?!

                         CARLA
            I don't have it.

                         VINNIE
            Then who does?

                         CARLA
            I don't know.

Vinnie starts realizing that there is no use of yelling at
Carla.

                         VINNIE
            Carla, do you have any idea how
            much that ring means to me? Huh? My
            brother gave me that ring the day
            before he went to college. He left
            a couple days earlier cuz he was so
            excited to go.

Carla looks as though she is going to cry.

                                                           26.

                         VINNIE
            When he got there, he visited my
            uncle. He wanted to let him know he
            was in the area.
                   (beat)
            He died over there along with my uncle.

The TEARS are really starting to show.

                         VINNIE
            It was around 8:47 a.m.

We see that Carla is really beginning to feel emotional, but
Vinnie could care less about how she feels.

                         VINNIE
            You see, that ring was the last
            gift he ever gave me. But now it's
            gone. The last time I saw it was in
            the library. So one last time,
            where is my ring?

The pressure has been laid thick on Carla. She appears very
HESITANT about what she is about to say. Vinnie just looks
ANXIOUS to hear her response.

Right when she is about to open her mouth, we hear...

                         TEACHER #2 (OS)
            Hey, you two! Get to class!

Vinnie just looks over at the teacher, but tries to pay no
mind. When he is also about to speak, we hear once again...

                         TEACHER #2 (OS)
            Hey, I said get to class right now!

                         VINNIE
            Alright!

Vinnie just looks at Carla one last time before he goes.
That look on his face...he knows. He knows that she knows.

                                            FADE TO BLACK

FADE IN:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - STAIRCASE - AFTERNOON

We see an empty staircase, everyone should be in class.

After only a couple of seconds, we witness Vinnie slowly
ascending the steps. At the same time, the SOUND of a door
opening is heard OS.

                                                           27.

It flies by Vinnie as something unimportant, until his name
is called from a VOICE up above.

                         VOICE (OS)
            Vinnie!

Now, Vinnie looks up and for the first time throughout the
day a smile comes across his face.

                         VINNIE
            Natalie.

We now see Natalie at the top of the staircase holding a
pass in her hands. She must have been on her way to the
office or something of that sort, but she was surprised and
glad to see Vinnie on her way.

Vinnie RUNS up to the top of the staircase to meet up with
Natalie.

Now they are face to face. After a few seconds of silence,
Natalie finally speaks.

                         NATALIE
            I told Jackie.

                         VINNIE
            Really? What did she say?

                         NATALIE
            Well, she was happy. And she called
            you T again. I told her to stop
            because it annoys me so much.

                         VINNIE
            Yeah I know. If I'm gonna have a
            nickname, I'd like for people to
            use it right.

                         NATALIE
            I know...Tata.

                         VINNIE
            Just not today. Reminds me too much
            of my brother.

                         NATALIE
            Sorry.

                                                           28.

                         VINNIE
            Besides, that other kid who thinks
            he's a joker is trying to get
            everyone to call him T. The last
            thing I need is to be mixed up with
            that jerk.

                         NATALIE
            Don't worry about him, it's all
            over now, Hon.

                         VINNIE
            Yeah, but just think if I wasn't
            there, what would have happened?

                         NATALIE
            I don't want to think about that.
            As long as it didn't happen,
            there's nothing to debate. We all
            went through with what was planned
            all along, and it was done because
            of you.

                         VINNIE
            True.

                         NATALIE
            True...

Natalie tends to mimic some of Vinnie's lines because she
likes to tease.

                         NATALIE
            ...hey I just realized that you
            didn't address me correctly.

                         VINNIE
            Oh, I'm sorry...boo.

                         NATALIE
            That's so nice to hear.

                         VINNIE
            Isn't it?

It seems that Vinnie likes to mimic Natalie as well.

Natalie just smiles at him, and he does the same. He then
moves closer to her, and attempts to kiss her. But...

                         NATALIE
            Wait! I have to give you something.

                                                           29.

                         VINNIE
            What?

                         NATALIE
            Come downstairs with me first.

                         VINNIE
            Okay.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY - AFTERNOON

The hallway we just left is now rid of hallway inspectors
and airheads. Vinnie and Natalie come in and continue their
conversation.

                         VINNIE
            Okay what is it?

Natalie just looks at him for a moment, and then puts her
hand in her POCKET BOOK. Vinnie just waits for what he is
about to see.

Then, Natalie's hand emerges in a CLOSED fist, and we are
still unable to see what she holds.

Vinnie looks IMPATIENT to see what she has to give him.

She finally unclenches her fist, and we see Vinnie's ring.

Vinnie's facial expression now displays CONFUSION. Did
Natalie take his ring? He is totally unsure of why she would
do something like that.

                         VINNIE
            You took it?

                         NATALIE
            No, it wasn't me Vinnie. I swear.

                         VINNIE
            You're not supposed to swear, you
            taught me that.

                         NATALIE
            Well, in this situation I can't say
            that I promise. I'm just telling
            you that I didn't take it from you.
            I took it from the person who took
            it from you.

                         VINNIE
            You saw who took it?

                                                           30.

                         NATALIE
            Yeah, it was...

                         VINNIE
            Mickey.

We now see Mickey with Pop right behind as always. All the
parties together at once just like Natalie had predicted.

                         MICKEY
            Actually, no Vinnie it wasn't me
            who took your ring. But, thanks for
            thinking of me. There's no reason
            for me to take your stupid little
            ring. Just like how there's no
            reason for you to take my girl.

As Mickey is talking, Pop makes his way behind Vinnie and
Natalie.

                         VINNIE
            I didn't take your girl, you just
            lost her. As for my ring, I didn't
            lose it, you took it.

                         MICKEY
            What did I just say? I didn't take
            your damn ring!

                         VINNIE
            Then maybe your boyfriend here did.

                         MICKEY
            Pop, did you take the stupid man's
            ring?

Pop simply shakes his head rapidly and has a face that says,
"Why would I do that?"

                         MICKEY
            You see? He didn't do it, I didn't
            do it. But what you did do was take
            my girl.

                         VINNIE
            Once again, I didn't take her, you
            lost her. She doesn't want you
            anymore, she wants me. And this
            time it's for real. You actually
            have a reason to be paranoid this
            time around.

                         MICKEY
            Is he right Natalie?

                                                           31.

Natalie moves between Vinnie and Mickey to form a triangle
with Pop on the outside. She is unsure of what to say.

                         POP
            Well, come on! Say something!

                         MICKEY
            Pop, shut up. Natalie, this is what
            I want you to do. Settle this.
            Choose right now, him or me? I'm
            tired of feeling this way, I just
            want to know what you want. If you
            want him, I'll go. But if you want
            me, then we go and you can't talk
            to him no more cuz it's ruining
            everything we had, we have, and we
            will have.

Natalie remains SILENT.

                         POP
            Look, we're all getting tired of
            this. You have to choose now. Stop
            with this choosing every three
            months just so that we have to keep
            following the same routine.

Natalie is being pulled in two different directions, and is
totally confused. She looks up at Vinnie.

                         VINNIE
            Do what you want Natalie. Just do
            what you want.

The way Vinnie says these words affect Natalie very much.
Vinnie seems so innocent, it's not right to do this to him
on a day already filled with pain for him.

Natalie surveys each party one more time, even Pop, and
finally says something.

                         NATALIE
            I want...

We can see that Mickey and Pop are leaning forward, anxious
to know her answer. But Richer remains motionless, as if he
senses he's going to lose her after all.

                         NATALIE
            ...Vinnie.

All we see right now is how quickly the expressions change
on Vinnie's and Mickey's faces. Mickey is heartbroken.
Vinnie is happy.

                                                           32.

Pop is just plain disappointed in what he had to see.

Vinnie walks over to Natalie and gives her a hug. And just
when he's about to kiss her, we hear...

                         MICKEY (OS)
            Wait.

Vinnie and Natalie freeze, and turn back to look at Mickey.

                         MICKEY
            Okay, that's what you want to do
            Natalie? Fine. But at least do me
            the favor of not doing that in
            front of me. I tried Natalie. But,
            I guess you were...
                   (beat)
            ...I was just so worried that I
            would lose you at every corner. But
            now it's really happened. September
            11, 2001, thousands died. September
            11, 2002, we die. I love you, now
            and forever. Goodbye.

Mickey, now very hurt, just turns around and makes his way
back to class with Pop following by his side.

Natalie and Vinnie just watch as they go. They both have
their reasons to feel bad. Natalie just threw a whole year
away, but she did it for the better.

Vinnie has a good heart. He knows when he does wrong, and
right now he's done it. But it's about time he's looked at
it from his own point of view like he said before. It's now
time for him to be happy.

Vinnie and Natalie just stare at each for a couple more
seconds until Vinnie finally breaks the silence.

                         VINNIE
            You okay?

                         NATALIE
            Yeah.

                         VINNIE
            No you're not.

                         NATALIE
            Well, what do you expect? A year of
            my life is now wasted.

                         VINNIE
            Then why are you with me now?

                                                           33.

                         NATALIE
            Because I realize that you are
            better in every way.

                         VINNIE
            Do I make you happy?

                         NATALIE
            Yes.

                         VINNIE
            Are you sure?

                         NATALIE
            Positive.

                         VINNIE
                   (beat)
            I think we should leave now.

                         NATALIE
            Good idea. I can't be in this place
            any longer today. Too much stress.

                         VINNIE
            Tell me about it.

                         NATALIE
            Okay, well first I woke up this
            morning and...

                         VINNIE
            Natalie, I didn't really mean for
            you to explain.

                         NATALIE
            Oh...sorry.

We now watch as Vinnie and Natalie make their way towards
another staircase holding hands. The end of this story, the
beginning of theirs.

They open the doors and make their way to the exit. As we
continue to watch, the doors slowly begin to close on us
until they get the job done. Nothing more to tell on their
behalf, except...what a day.

                                            FADE TO BLACK

Under black, TITLES appear across the screen reading:

HAPPILY EVER AFTER FOR THESE TWO? NOT EXACTLY.

                                                           34.

UNFORTUNATELY, BEFORE VINNIE WAS ABLE TO ASK OUT NATALIE TO
MAKE THEIR TITLE OFFICIAL, SHE BROKE HIS HEART. SHE WENT
BACK TO MICKEY ONCE AGAIN, AND CONTINUED THEIR DYSFUNCTIONAL
RELATIONSHIP.

WHERE'S VINNIE? ALONE ONCE AGAIN. HE LOST THE GIRL HE WANTED
SO DEARLY AND MUST REGRET ALL THAT HE FELT TOWARDS HER NO
MATTER HOW PAINFUL IT MAY BE.

A VALUABLE LESSON WAS TAUGHT TO HIM:

NOTHING IS WHAT IT SEEMS NO MATTER HOW GREAT IT MAY APPEAR.

Titles disappear, under BLACK again.

TITLE CARD:	THE TOMMY/POP SITUATION

Title card disappears, under black we hear Vinnie's voice.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            You see that? That is all I am.
            Aside from a dead mother and a
            father who may as well be, this is
            all I have as a reminder of my own
            existence.

FADE IN:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - FIRST FLOOR BOYS BATHROOM -
MORNING

We are at the same scene that we witnessed before but now a
different location.

During the whole encounter between Vinnie and Rock at the
beginning of the day, Pop was in the bathroom overhearing
the conversation.

We HOLD on Pop and view his reactions over what he is hearing.

                         VINNIE (OS)
            No no listen. All I hear is to put
            myself in everyone else's shoes.
            Let them walk a mile in mine one
            day and then they'll understand.
            What? I'm supposed to put my grief
            on hold for them? Forget
            that...forget them. Not anymore. I
            need to start focusing on my own
            problems first. Today is my day,
            I'm not going to let anyone take it
            away from me. Not even you.

                                            CUT TO:

                                                           35.

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY - MORNING

Once again, we watch as Vinnie leaves Rock in a state of
SHOCK and heads to class.

Next, we see Rock leave to wander around the halls as we did
before.

But this soon, as soon as Rock EXITS, the bathroom door
OPENS and Pop walks out very CAREFULLY as if he's breaking
into someone's home.

Pop then walks down the hallway, LOOKING into every
classroom along the way.

He stops at the end of the hall and SMILES as he peaks in
the window.

We see what he sees: Vinnie, talking to a random classmate,
unknowing that he is being watched.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - ROOM 119 - MORNING

Pop continues to smile for a couple more seconds and then
begins to ROLL HIS EYES from left to right as if he is
plotting something. He then walks out of frame.

Vinnie is still conversing with a STUDENT. But this time we
are aware of the subject they are discussing.

                         VINNIE
            I can't believe it. We've only been
            in school for a week, and already
            we have a book report to do.

                         STUDENT
            Yeah it really does blow. But what
            can you do?

                         VINNIE
            I can shove that book in her mouth
            if I had the chance.

                         STUDENT
            Or the guts.

                         VINNIE
            Shut up, um...

                         STUDENT
            Ray.

                                                           36.

                         VINNIE
            My fault. Shut up Ray! Why do you
            have to get technical about things?
            You know what? Forget it. I'll just
            do the thing that is best for
            myself. I'll start working on the
            report today so it gives me less to
            do later on.

                         RAY
            I guess that's a good idea.

                         VINNIE
            Yeah. But I gotta get out of here
            though.

                         RAY
            Well, this is study. Of course
            he'll let you go to the library if
            you need to. Besides, he's a
            substitute, what would he care?

                         VINNIE
            True. Mr...., what's this idiot's
            name again?

                         RAY
            Mr. Santiago.

                         VINNIE
            Hmm...makes sense.
                   (shouting)
            Mr. Santiago?

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - SCHOOL LIBRARY - MORNING

Vinnie walks in through the doors, informing us that he got
the okay to do his studies.

We TRACK along with Vinnie as he makes his way to the sign-
in counter. However, he's not the only one we are following.

Coincidentally, Pop is in the same room, and he sees that
Vinnie has come in. In the BG we see Pop slowly moving along
as Vinnie does.

Vinnie gets to the counter and searches for the paper to
sign in.

He finds it, and as he is signing he is SURPRISED by the
appearance of Natalie.

                                                           37.

                         NATALIE
            Hey you!

                         VINNIE
            Hey what's up?

Vinnie attempts to kiss Natalie on the cheek, but she backs
away.

                         NATALIE
            I don't think it's such as good
            idea to do that. I'm still being
            held captive remember?

                         VINNIE
            Yeah yeah.

Natalie can clearly see that Vinnie is upset. He doesn't
understand why he must wait so long if they are so crazy
about each other.

Vinnie is done at the counter and makes his way to one of
the tables, Natalie follows.

Next, Vinnie sits at the table and gathers what he needs.
Natalie sits down as well.

                         NATALIE
            So what are you doing here?

                         VINNIE
            I need to get a book cuz I got a
            report to do.

                         NATALIE
            But school just started.

                         VINNIE
            I was aware.

                         NATALIE
            When is it due?

                         VINNIE
            About three weeks from now, but I
            figure I'll get started on it now.

                         NATALIE
            I see.

                         VINNIE
            Yup.

                                                           38.

Vinnie looks through his notebook, with Natalie just STARING
at him. She expects for him to talk, but he's not cooperating.

                         NATALIE
            What's wrong with you?

                         VINNIE
            What's wrong with you?

                         NATALIE
            Oh don't start this.

                         VINNIE
            Start what? I'm just being cautious.
            I can't ever look at you, talk to
            you, or even think about you cuz it
            goes flying back to your boyfriend
            faster than birds in the wintertime.

                         NATALIE
            It's not my fault.

                         VINNIE
            Oh no? Then why won't you end it
            already?

                         NATALIE
            Easier said than done, that's what
            I always tell you.

                         VINNIE
            You know what else you always tell
            me? "We're gonna go out and we're
            gonna have such a good time. I
            already have a photo album for us.
            We're gonna go to homecoming
            together. We're gonna go see Sweet
            Home Alabama together."

                         NATALIE
            Why do you have to be a jerk?

                         VINNIE
            I'm at the limit Natalie. I told
            you I want to be with you and you
            told me you want to be with me. So
            then why can't we get on with it?

We briefly move to another section of the library, and once
again we see Lenny and Tommy.

                         LENNY
            Because I actually don't care only
            about myself!...

                                                           39.

One librarian couldn't ignore the volume of the Lenny's last
remark, forcing her to issue a loud SHH! across the room.

We return to Natalie and Vinnie.

                         NATALIE
            It's hard okay Vinnie. I really do
            like you, but I love Mickey. I know
            you understand because that's all
            you've ever been besides sweet and
            funny and caring. You've been
            understanding, so please understand
            this.

                         VINNIE
            Whatever.
                   (beat)
            I swear I'm gonna catch an ulcer
            before I graduate because of you.
            Damn thing is so tight!

Vinnie REMOVES the ring from his finger and places it in the
front pocket of his BOOKBAG. He rises from his seat and
makes his way to the bookcases but is interrupted by Natalie
again.

                         NATALIE
            Don't ever swear, remember?

                         VINNIE
            Just like always, you care about a
            little thing like that, but not
            about me.

                         NATALIE
            Are you gonna remind me of how
            cold-harded I am?

                         VINNIE
            No, I think you've finally figured
            it out for yourself.

Vinnie finally gets going so he can work on his assignment.

Natalie begins to SHAKE her head. Next, she heads towards
the computers.

On her way we see that Pop was listening to the conversation,
but Natalie was unaware of it.

Vinnie is searching through the aisles of books for the one
that his report is based on.

                                                           40.

CU of BOOKBAG: We observe a HAND going into the pocket and
removing the ring from it.

Then, it is revealed that Carla was the one who took the
ring. But now we realize the one who planned the theft...Pop.

Pop SMILES at Carla and places a kiss on her cheek. Carla is
so EXCITED to be needed from somebody after all.

During this occurrence, we see that Natalie WITNESSED the
whole thing take place.

Back to Vinnie searching for the book.

He finally comes across it, and a SMIRK appears on his face.

Suddenly, he becomes INTERESTED in what he hears coming the
other side of the aisle.

                         TOMMY
            Damn it Lenny, now I'm getting
            angry. You do this every time,
            you're gonna give in anyway. What's
            the big deal? You act like we're
            gonna burn a flag or something. All
            this resistance over something
            that's gonna take no more than ten
            minutes, and nothing will be left
            to trace it back to me and you?

Vinnie SLOWLY moves closer to the spot where Lenny and Tommy
are talking so he can hear clearly.

The "Project Pals" don't notice him there, and continue with
the discussion.

                         T
            You know the drill?

                         LENNY
            Like the back of my hand.

                         T
            Let's go to work.

And suddenly...

Lenny suddenly begins to COUGH LOUDLY, trying to get the
attention of everyone in the room. However, noone is responding.

Therefore, he coughs even louder and DROPS to the floor.

Lenny repeatedly hits his own chest while coughing, as if he
is having a hard time breathing. Now, everyone is watching.

                                                           41.

T gets out of his seat in a flash and runs over to Lenny to
check on him. He then looks up at everyone and speaks.

                         T
            Everything is fine, his allergies
            are just acting up. Mr. Wallace, Ms.
            Brown, we need to get him out of
            here. Now please!

T POINTS at two random students.

                         T
            You two! Come on, he needs help?
            Help me bring him to the nurse!

                         MS. BROWN
            I think you should wait for her to
            come up here!

                         T
            No this can't wait Ms. Brown, we
            have to take him now! Believe me,
            you don't want to know what's after
            this! These carpets sure are nice!

                         MR. WALLACE
            Okay okay! Just go, but be careful
            with him!

                         T
            Indeed we will! Don't panic we have
            it under control.

T FOLLOWS as the two students are HOLDING Lenny up so he
won't fall.

Vinnie sees all that just occurred, and feels it should not
be ignored. Therefore, he follows as well.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - MORNING

As the students are helping Lenny down the hallway, T STOPS
and CALLS to them.

                         T
            You guys go on ahead. Take him to
            the nurse, I gotta get his stuff.

                         STUDENT #1
            Okay, don't worry about him, we got
            him.

                                                           42.

                         T
            Yeah, appreciate it.

The three guys walk on, leaving T all alone. A smile slowly
comes across his face, almost like a reenactment of The Grinch.

T RUNS down the hallway, he's searching for something, but
we have no clue what for.

He suddenly stops and STARES at something on the wall...a
fire drill.

T slowly walks over to it, doesn't even bother to check if
anyone is around, and right when he is about to pull...

                         VINNIE (OS)
            Don't do it.

T RAPIDLY turns to his side and sees Vinnie not too far away.

                         T
            Don't do what?

                         VINNIE
            I heard what you and your buddy
            were talking about. Not all of it,
            but believe me, enough to get the
            idea of what you're planning to do.

                         T
            Maybe I just like to pull simple
            pranks.

                         VINNIE
            This one isn't simple, you're going
            for the jackpot.

                         T
            I don't know what you mean.

                         VINNIE
            Okay then, let's go over the facts.
            One: you're a prankster, two: It's
            9/11, and three: you're standing in
            front of the biggest setup to such
            a grand prize. Well, a grand prize
            to only someone like you.

                         T
            What do you mean, someone like me?

                                                           43.

                         VINNIE
            I mean, a moron like you that
            doesn't know how to respect certain
            things that need the support.

                         T
            Why do you care about what we do?

                         VINNIE
            Well, I know what's stupid. Can you
            guess what this is?

                         T
            Okay, any other reasons?

                         VINNIE
            Actually there is...

Vinnie LIFTS up his hand just to see that his ring is not there.

                         T
            What? You have five more reasons.

                         VINNIE
            No.

                         T
            Spit it out!

                         VINNIE
            For you, I don't have to. Just
            think about it, what you're doing
            is totally uncalled for, it's not
            funny, and it won't make a point.

                         T
            Two of those are true. It is
            uncalled for, and there is no point,
            but I happen to think it's funny. I
            could care less of what anybody in
            this school thinks of me. I could
            drop dead right now and nobody
            would even think in their mind,
            "Where's T?" The only way they will
            remember is if they say, "I need
            gum, oh hey where's that kid at?"
            So this is how I'm gonna repay them.
                   (beat)
            So...I guess I do have a point
            after all. Two to one, so if you
            don't mind, I'd like to get on with
            my operation.

T REACHES for the fire drill once more, but this time...

                                                           44.

                         MR. WALLACE(OS)
            Tommy!

Tommy looks over to see Mr. Wallace and Ms. Brown with faces
meaning big trouble for him. Behind them stand Natalie,
Lenny, and the two students who "helped" him.

                         MS. BROWN
            So this is what you were trying to do?

                         TOMMY
            Um...I...I was on my way back to
            get Lenny's things, and this kid
            here tried to pull the fire alarm
            and I was explaining to him the
            horrors of prank pulling.

                         NATALIE
            No reason to lie T. Lenny told them
            everything. He didn't even make it
            half way to the nurse.

                         TOMMY
            You traitor!

                         LENNY
            Shut up Tommy, you're whacked out,
            you need to talk to somebody.

                         TOMMY
            It's T!

                         LENNY
            You see?

                         MR. WALLACE
            Okay, let's go Tommy, you're going
            to see Principal Shelby.

                         MS. BROWN
            And he still hasn't forgot about
            that trick you pulled on him.

                         TOMMY
            That wasn't my idea, it was Lenny!
            I swear! I swear!

                         MR. WALLACE
                   (sarcastically)
            Sure it wasn't.

Mr. Wallace accompanies Tommy down the hall, leaving Ms.
Brown with the rest of the bunch.

                                                           45.

The students all head back inside the library.

                                            CUT TO:

INT. SANE CITY HIGH SCHOOL - SCHOOL LIBRARY - MORNING

Vinnie walks over to his bag and just when he is about to
open the pocket, Natalie comes by.

                         NATALIE
            Hey again.

                         VINNIE
            Hey.

                         NATALIE
            Do you want to talk about what just
            happened?

                         VINNIE
            Not really.

                         NATALIE
            Oh, well okay then.

Vinnie just stares at Natalie BLANKLY.

                         NATALIE
            Vinnie, I'm going to do it. I
            promise. We'll be together just
            like we said we would. And we're
            going to be happy. Do you believe me?

A smile slowly comes across Vinnie's face.

                         VINNIE
            Yeah, I believe you.

                         NATALIE
            Good.

Natalie gives Vinnie a big smile and leans closer to kiss
him, but...

The bell RINGS to head on to the next class.

                         MS. BROWN
                   (shouting to all)
            Okay everyone! You're all going to
            your homeroom so we can watch the
            memorial ceremony! Let's go move it!

                         NATALIE
            Well, I'll see you later Vinnie.

                                                           46.

                         VINNIE
            Okay.

Natalie leaves, along with the rest of the students.

The smile on Vinnie's face gradually changes into a look of
DISAPPOINTMENT.

                         VINNIE
            Great. My life.

Vinnie finally gets to reach into his bag to obtain his ring.

However, he comes out with nothing. Vinnie checks again, but
nothing. He continues to search.

He still can't find it, forcing him to THROW all his books
to the floor.

                         VINNIE
                   (angrily)
            Where is it?!

                         MS. BROWN
            You okay there Vinnie?

                         VINNIE
            No Ms. Brown I'm not! My ring is gone.

OVERHEAD SHOT: We HOLD as he continues searching, but to no
avail. Vinnie simply looks UP and SHAKES his head. There's
nothing he can do, bad luck has beaten him once again.

Vinnie picks up his belongings and heads to the entrance
door of the library.

                         MS. BROWN
            Don't go out that door Vinnie.

                         VINNIE
            Not today Ms. Brown, not today.

Vinnie reaches the door and opens it. He looks back at the
library once more.

Obviously disappointed, Vinnie shakes his head again and leaves.

We are now left staring at the doors as they close on us.

                         VINNIE (VO)
            What a day.

                                            CUT TO BLACK

END CREDITS