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THE LUNCHROOM
Episode Four
"See How They Run"
Teleplay by
Steven Cameron
Story by
Bruce Snyder
Created by
Bruce Snyder
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Bruce Snyder
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Vincent Biga
STORY EDITOR
Melinda Waterman
CONSULTING PRODUCER
Edward Drogos
CONSULTING PRODUCER
Max Majernik
CAST LIST
Will Cooper.................................
Joel Mayberry...............................
Brian Vandele...............................
Brock Warner................................
Reicther....................................
Casey Jennings..............................
Chris Hughes................................
Stacy Cifaretto.............................
Ellen Conner................................
Cathy Phenis................................
Mr. John Parker.............................
GUEST CAST LIST
Officer Cox.................................
Alfred Green................................
David Simon.................................
Mark Fontana................................
Toby Ehrlich................................
Eamonn Truman...............................
Ryan O'Malley...............................
Officer #1..................................
Officer #2..................................
Old Man.....................................
Old Woman...................................
Copyright © Bruce Snyder
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Reicther and Joel walk down the street, people in cars
passing by watch them.
JOEL
I don't know if we should be doing
this.
REICTHER
Don't be such a coward, it's all in
good fun. Besides, if we don't do
it now, they will do it to us
tomorrow.
Joel looks at him.
REICTHER (CONT'D)
These practical jokes have a window
of opportunity and the longer we
wait the more this window closes.
He uses his hands and pretends to close a window.
JOEL
Oh, I get it but what did they do
to us?
REICTHER
Nothing yet. He, who strikes first,
strikes hardest.
JOEL
I don't think that's right.
REICTHER
Everything I say is right! Now stop
questioning me. Are you an FBI
interrogator or something?
JOEL
Well, no.
Reicther and Joel walk up to Brian's house.
JOEL (CONT'D)
So is Brian going to help us?
REICTHER
Nope...he's the target.
JOEL
Target?
REICTHER
We're going to spray paint his car
...Picture this.
Reicther puts his hands in a television-esqe square around
the car and looks back at Joel who looks back at him confused.
REICTHER (CONT'D)
A rainbow print all over his car.
JOEL
Come on; let's just get out of here.
Look at this piece of shit, gray,
beat up, probably rat infested, it
seems like having to drive around
in it everyday is punishment enough.
Don't you think?
Reicther sighs.
REICTHER
Silly Joel. What do you know anyway?
JOEL
That this is a bad idea and we're
going to get caught.
REICTHER
Please, this isn't the movies and
we're doing it.
JOEL
I'm not doing it.
REICTHER
Fine you little girl, I'll do it
myself.
Reicther walks up to the garage and disappears around the
side of the house.
JOEL
(Whispers)
Where are you going?
He looks around nervously and a few moments pass, Reicther
walks back on screen with an armful of spray paint cans.
JOEL (CONT'D)
Come on, let's just get out of here.
He starts painting and Joel looks around nervously again.
REICTHER
This is the best prank ever. Even
Stevie Wonder could see this is the
best.
Joel shakes his head, Reicther laughs as he begins quickly
spray painting the hood and sides.
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
An OLD COUPLE watch the two outside with spray paint by
the car.
OLD MAN
Damned hooligans.
OLD WOMAN
We should call the police.
OLD MAN
Yes dear, I'll call them right away.
The Old Man goes over to the phone watching the two
kids, the Old Woman watches him with angry eyes.
OLD WOMAN
Do it.
OLD MAN
I will, I will.
The Old Man lifts the phone and dials.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Reicther finishes his rainbow collage and stops to
admire his work.
JOEL
Now can we go?
Reicther ignores him; they both have missed an
approaching police car until the lights start to spin.
Joel runs off into the backyard and Reicther stands
frozen in the same spot looking at the car.
Two officers get out of the car with gun drawn pointing
at Reicther.
OFFICER 1
Down on the ground! Now!
Reicther drops to the ground, the two officers cuff him
and sit him up.
REICTHER
I am so sorry officers; this is my
friend's car and I...I was just
playing a joke on him.
He starts to fake cry toward them, they ignore him.
OFFICER 1
(Into radio)
We're bringing him in, he's drunk.
OFFICER 2
The guys down at lock-up are going
to enjoy you.
The officer's laugh at Reicther's expense, Reicther
musters a smile as they pull him to his feet.
REICTHER
I'll be out by midnight.
OFFICER 1
Its 12:30 better get a move on then.
Reicther checks his watch; it's stuck at 11:00.
REICTHER
Dang, I just bought this last week.
OFFICER 2
Well, you know what they say; Timex
is the king and all the rest suck.
REICTHER
That didn't even rhyme...
They toss him in the back seat; Officer 2 holds the door
open.
OFFICER 2
It wasn't supposed to.
He slams the door shut.
SMASH CUT TO:
OPENING CREDIT SEQUENCE:
Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" plays over the
credits.
AFTER CREDITS:
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Reicther walks into the police station with an officer
holding his shoulder.
REICTHER
What about my phone call? I get a
phone call, don't I?
The officer smiles in his general direction.
OFFICER COX
Of course you do son.
The officer points him to a payphone and tosses him a
quarter, Reicther hurries to the phone and dials.
JOEL (O.S.)
Hello?
REICTHER
Dude, you have to come get me.
JOEL (O.S.)
I don't know if I can afford bail.
REICTHER
You mean I have to post bail?
JOEL (O.S.)
You didn't know that?
REICTHER
Well yes but I thought that was for
serious offenses.
JOEL (O.S.)
Well what you did was a serious
offense unless Brian doesn't press
charges which I doubt he will.
REICTHER
I don't think he was home.
JOEL (O.S.)
Then you're screwed for the night...
I'll call the guys and see if they
have any cash.
REICTHER
Okay thanks.
JOEL (O.S.)
See you on the outside.
(Laughs)
Don't become anybody's bitch
overnight.
He bursts out laughing on the other end.
REICTHER
Hurry it up, I'm seriously on edge
here.
JOEL (O.S.)
I hear you.
The line goes dead, the officer joins Reicther.
OFFICER COX
So is anyone coming to pick you up?
REICTHER
Yes, No. My parents are out of town
and for some reason Brian, the guy
who owns the car isn't home either
so...
OFFICER COX
So you'll go into lockup for the
night with the rest of the
hooligans.
(Beat)
They might like you, it has been
awhile since they had a young one
but luckily for you I'm on night
watch so you should be safe.
He grabs Reicther and leads him down the hall towards a
large prison cell.
REICTHER
What do you mean "should"?
Reicther is brought up in front of the cell, inside the
cell are 6 men. ALFRED GREEN, 35 and in a wheelchair.
DAVID SIMON, 28, a large muscular man.
He grabs Alfred's chair and starts pushing him around in
circles.
ALFIE
I'll shank you if you one of these
days you fucking bastard!.
DAVID
Come on Alfie shank me, unless
you're not man enough anymore.
MARK FONTANA, 25, a good looking fit man with black hair
stops David from pushing Alfie.
MARK
What's wrong with you David? Pick
on me.
David scoffs, looks him over and walks away.
ALFIE
Thank you Fontana but I don't need
your pity, I can defend myself.
MARK
I know.
Mark walks back over to the bench and sits down.
TOBY EHRLICH, 30, a skinny pale looking man with big
glasses sits down beside EAMONN TRUMAN, 38, wears a
skull cap and has a bushy beard.
TOBY
Hey Eamonn, you're a minister,
right?
EAMONN
At one time, I was yes.
TOBY
Can you teach me faith? I watched
Oz and noticed that the black guy
on there taught the white man the
ways of the Koran.
EAMONN
It is possible my brother for any
man to learn the ways of my people
but how far are you willing to go?
Toby looks at him, scratches his head and looks at the
book.
TOBY
As far as I must to be with God in
the afterlife.
EAMONN
I haven't seen a women in about two
weeks, would you dress up for me
and dance?
TOBY
Yeah sure. It's this easy to become
spiritual?
EAMONN
Of course, God loves homosexual men
and men who are willing to
sacrifice for their God.
Eamonn smiles at Toby who just looks at him.
RYAN O'MALLEY, 24, wearing a green shirts sneaks up
behind Alfie's wheelchair. He begins going through his
wallet when Alfie spins around and grabs Ryan by the
throat.
ALFIE
Trying to take advantage of an old
crippled man are we? Where are your
lucky charms now you Irish fuck!
RYAN
(Choking, coughing)
Such hate old man, let go.
Alfie lets go of his neck and he falls back.
ALFIE
If you continue your stealing ways
I'll beat you to death with your
hearts, stars and horseshoe,
clovers and balloons.
RYAN
(under breath)
You forgot the pot of gold,
dickface.
They all look up and see Officer Cox standing outside
the cell with Reicther. He pushes Reicther in, locks the
door and walks away.
OFFICER COX
Have fun.
Reicther grabs onto the bars and looks out as all the
prisoners look at him.
Mark walks up to Reicther.
MARK
Hey kid, how did you get in here?
REICTHER
I've done some very bad things so
if I were you I'd back off before I
do those same things to you!
MARK
Okay killer. You know why I'm here?
REICTHER
Rape?
Mark laughs out loud and hits Reicther on the arm.
MARK
Nah, I kinda assaulted a police
officer.
SWIPE TO:
INT. MARK'S APARTMENT - EVENING
It's a small place with very few pieces of furniture.
There's a knock on the door. Mark walks up, in a white
tank top holding a beer and answers the door. There are
TWO POLICE OFFICERS.
OFFICER #1
Sir, stand aside. We're coming in.
MARK
No your not.
Mark SLAMS the door while OFFICER #2's hand is still in
the door way. We hear the officer shriek. Mark laughs.
He begins to walk away before the door is KICK DOWN.
There are now FOUR other POLICE OFFICERS.
OFFICER #1
Looks like we are coming in.
MARK
Oh shit.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRISON CELL - PRESENT
Mark finishes his story.
MARK
Small time stuff compared to real
prison but I guess they deem it
enough to be placed here for a few
weeks.
REICTHER
I see. My name is Reicther.
MARK
Mark. Don't worry about these guys,
they won't hurt you.
Reicther shakes Mark's hand.
REICTHER
Am...Am I your bitch now?
Mark laughs again this time he walks away.
MARK
You're funny kid, I like you.
Alfie wheels up to him.
ALFIE
The names Alfie, I'm in here on Pot
Possession...For medical use of
course.
SWIPE TO:
EXT. STORE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Alfie is sitting in front of the store on the sidewalk.
He is smoking POT and laughing his ass off. Suddenly TWO
OFFICERS walk up and give him an annoyed look.
OFFICER #1
Sir, what are you doing?
ALFIE
Oh, this? This is...
(thinks)
For medical purposes. Yeah, that's
the ticket. Here, watch.
Alfie takes a big puff and stands himself up.
ALFIE
Oh my God! I can walk again!
He tries to move but only collapses onto the sidewalk.
He begins giggling.
ALFIE
Oh man. I thought my legs were
fixed.
The officers pick him up and begin to carry him away.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRISON CELL - PRESENT
Alfie is still smiling about it.
ALFIE
Good times. You smoke?
REICTHER
Um...(lying) yeah. Definitely.
ALFIE
Hey maybe we can hook each other up
on the outside when the other is in
need of a little tokie tokie.
He winks at him, Reicther seems confused. He then looks
around.
REICTHER
(Whispers)
So why are the rest of these guys
here?
ALFIE
(Points to Ryan)
That sneaky Irish bastard was
caught stealing Lucky Charms at the
local Grocery Store.
RYAN
I stole more then that.
ALFIE
Whatever you say you Irish mick.
SWIPE TO:
EXT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
SIRENS are going off. A CHAIR smashes through the window
of the store and Ryan jumps out carrying a grocery bag.
Right behind him is a big POLICE OFFICER.
After a few seconds of chasing, the Officer finally
catches up and HITS Ryan with his police Baton. Ryan
falls to the ground, dropping the bag. TWO BAGS of LUCKY
CHARMS fall out. The officer begins to laugh.
OFFICER
Oh the irony.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRISON CELL - PRESENT
Ryan is looking off into nothing.
RYAN
They are magically delicious.
EAMONN
(to Reicther)
I was arrested for blowing up a
racist Christian church.
TOBY
I thought you were arrested for
whipping your dick out to a chick
while drunk.
EAMONN
That's what "they" want you to
think.
Everyone, except Reicther, gives him a look. Eamonn sighs.
EAMONN
(embarrassed)
It was two ladies.
SWIPE TO:
EXT. PARK - NIGHT
TWO YOUNG FEMALES, both in their early 20's, are walking
along a sidewalk inside of a park. Both are minding
their own business when Eamonn, drunk and stumbling
about, comes up to them.
EAMONN
(slurred speech)
Excuse me ladies, while I whip this
out.
Eamonn reaches below frame and unzips his pants. The
girls look down and begin to laugh.
LADY #1
(laughing)
Oh my.
LADY #2
(laughing)
Is that a tootsie roll between your
legs or you just happy to see us?
Eamonn, embarrassed, quickly zips up and runs away.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRISON CELL - PRESENT
Everyone is chuckling or smiling at Eamonn.
EAMONN
Do you know how cold it gets around
here at night?
As everyone continues to laugh, Alfie turns to Toby.
ALFIE
(Points to Toby)
The oddly shaped freak show is here
because he's an alcoholic who
drives and gets caught unlike the
rest of us.
SWIPE TO:
INT. TOBY'S CAR - NIGHT
Toby is at the wheel with a beer in his hands. He's
bouncing around, singing along with Paul Simon's "You
Can Call Me Al" which blasting out of the radio.
TOBY
(drunk; singing)
"I can call you Betty,
and betty when you call me,
you can call me Al!"
CUT TO:
EXT. TOBY' CAR - CONTINUOUS
Instead of being on the road, Toby is driving on the
SIDEWALK. As he goes along he runs into a few mailboxes
and some PEOPLE jump out of his way.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRISON CELL - PRESENT
Toby lets out a small chuckle.
TOBY
Yeah, I did that. And I'm probably
one of the few prisoners that will
ever admit that I actually did what
I was sent here for doing.
DAVID
I'll admit what I did. What I did
was justice.
Everyone turns to David who is drawing a small Nazi
symbol on his upper left arm.
REICTHER
Who's that?
ALFIE
David Simon. I'd stay away from him,
he assaulted a man leaving him
paralyzed for life because he was
taller than him.
SWIPE TO:
INT. ALLEY - DAY
In the middle of the alley, David is on top of someone
continually punching the person. All the while, David is
smiling deeply enjoying it.
DAVID
Three inches does make a difference.
A big difference asshole!
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. JAIL CELL - PRESENT
Reicther seems to confused.
REICTHER
How do you know so much about the
assault?
Alfie looks down at his legs.
ALFIE
Because it was me who he nearly
killed.
SWIPE TO:
INT. ALLEY - DAY
David gets up from the person he was beating to reveal a
very bloody Alfie.
ALIFE
What's with the numbness of my legs?
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. PRISON CELL - PRESENT
Alfie wheels away leaving Reicther in awe, he glances
toward David who looks back. Reicther stands frozen
looking at him.
DAVID
What you looking at boy?
Reicther turns away.
INT. HOLDING AREA DESKS - NIGHT
Officer Cox sits at a desk with his feet up. Another
Officer walks on-screen.
OFFICER 1
Hey Cox, what's with the new kid?
OFFICER COX
We're holding him overnight.
OFFICER 1
Do you think he should be in there
with those men? He doesn't look
older than 15 and some of those men
might take advantage of him.
OFFICER COX
Are you questioning my work?
Officer Cox gets to his feet, Officer 1 backs up.
OFFICER 1
I'm just saying, I trust your judgment.
OFFICER COX
don't ever question me upon my decisions.
Officer Cox sits back down, Officer 1 sits across the
desk from him and begins flipping through a book of mug
shots.
INT. CELL - NIGHT
David stands behind Reicther who stares forward.
DAVID
I seen you looking at me earlier
and I don't like it.
REICTHER
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it -
DAVID
I think you did or else you
wouldn't eye me.
Reicther gulps. Ryan walks over to Toby.
RYAN
I heard you're trying to become
spiritual and all that. Ever think
of becoming a Christian?
TOBY
No.
RYAN
You could choose any religion you
wanted and you chose to be a Muslim?
TOBY
Yes, and your point?
RYAN
It seems stupid is all, it's like
if I went to Australia and tried to
be one of them.
Toby looks away from him.
TOBY
Your Irish accent isn't even that
believable Ryan and I think you
need a tic-tac.
Ryan breathes into his hand and smells his own breath.
RYAN
Whatever, I'm a bloody Irishman and
their is nothing you or anyone else
can do about it.
Ryan breathes on Toby for a long moment and walks away.
Alfie rolls up to Mark and hits his shin with his chair.
ALFIE
I'm really hungry, you?
MARK
A bit, over the years I've learned
to conserve my energy.
ALFIE
I think if they don't feed us soon
we should eat Toby, look at him,
he's skinny and fresh.
Alfie licks his lips, Mark pats him on the back.
MARK
Trust me friend, we won't have to
make that decision.
ALFIE
I'm against cannibalism but the
strongest need to survive.
MARK
Then why wouldn't we eat you?
ALFIE
Because that guys all pale and
looks sickly, my legs don't work
but I still am a strong old bastard.
David smacks Reicther in the back of the head repeatedly.
DAVID
Can you hear me boy? Huh, can you?
Reicther looks forward taking the abuse, David continues
to slap him.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I know you know I'm here so turn
around and face me.
David forcefully turns Reicther to look at him, Reicther
closes his eyes tight.
REICTHER
(to himself)
Happy place. Go to my happy place.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Fight back boy.
David punches Reicther in the stomach forcing him to
fall to the ground. Mark approaches behind David and
turns him.
REICTHER
My happy place doesn't usually
sucker punch me.
MARK
What is wrong with you?
DAVID
Come on hero, you want some?
David swings at him, Mark ducks and punches him in the ribs.
MARK
The guards will beat us if we
fight, just stop.
David swings again and Mark dodges hitting him in the ribs.
DAVID
I'm tired of your attitude, all of
you.
Everyone looks at him, Mark helps Reicther up. Officer
Cox walks down the hallway.
OFFICER COX
What's all of the commotion?
DAVID
Nothing officer, we're just getting
acquainted better.
OFFICER COX
I don't trust you but I guess
everything looks fine. Don't make
me come back here though or someone
will regret it.
Officer Cox walks away. David turns back to Mark.
DAVID
You're dead motherfucker.
He walks toward him, Alfie sneaks up behind him and
pulls out a hand made knife. He jabs it into his side
multiple times before stopping, David falls to his knees
and than face first to the ground.
MARK
Jesus Christ Alfie, what are you
doing?
ALFIE
I'm sorry, I don't know what came
over me.
TOBY
My God. You just killed a man!
ALFIE
(scoffs)
What are they going to do? Send me
to jail?
MARK
Okay We have to hide the body, at
least until morning.
RYAN
No way I'm covering for you two,
you treat me bad.
MARK
We're all in this together,
accessories to murder or at least
that's what I'll tell the officers.
Mark grabs his arms, Eamonn grabs his legs and
they move him over to the bench.
FADE TO:
INT. HOLDING AREA DESKS - MORNING
Officer Cox sits behind the desk, Officer 1 stretches
and checks his watch.
OFFICER COX
I haven't heard anything from the
goof troop lately, better go check
on them.
OFFICER 1
I think I'll go out and get some
food, you want anything?
OFFICER COX
Coffee.
Officer 1 smiles and walks off, the phone rings.
INT. CELL - MORNING
Alfie sits on the opposite side of the room, Mark walks
over to him.
ALFIE
I can't believe I did that.
MARK
It's okay, he was a bad man and
maybe he didn't deserve to die
but he was going to hurt Reicther.
ALFIE
I know but revenge is all I could
think about, I just felt like
someone else when I stabbed him.
Footsteps in the hallway approach, Mark and Alfie
quickly run over and sit around David.
Officer Cox walks on-screen and looks at them.
OFFICER COX
Why are we all so friendly?
ALFIE
We're getting to know each other.
OFFICER COX
I see.
He eyes them all, they all smile back at him.
OFFICER COX (CONT'D)
Okay well, Mr. Reicther you've
posted bail and are free to go.
REICTHER
Really? You serious?
OFFICER COX
Serious as a heart attack.
Officer Cox opens the doors, Reicther turns to Mark.
MARK
Goodbye.
They shake hands, he goes around shaking everyone's
hand before walking toward the door.
ALFIE
Try to do some good in the world
young man.
REICTHER
You too.
Reicther leaves, Officer Cox locks the cell back up.
Ryan sneaks over to David's body and steals his shoes.
EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY
Reicther walks out with Joel.
REICTHER
I hate you so much for leaving in
there! I watched a guy get killed.
JOEL
Oh quit with the exaggerations. I'm
sorry but I don't have that kind of
money and neither did any of the
gang.
REICTHER
I'm still angry about -
A car with colorful spray paint obscenities sits in
front of Reicther and Joel.
JOEL
Brian had his fun and we paid for
ours.
Reicther smiles.
REICTHER
I paid, you ran like a little girl.
Reicther and Joel get into the car and pull off.
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE
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