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SCRUM
An original screenplay
By
Jason Gagne
03-15-04
FADE IN:
EXT. OLD RECREATION FIELD- NICHOLS COLLEGE - DAY
Early autumn. Raw, overcast afternoon. Rural Massachusetts.
We are in the middle of the brutal action of a RUGBY SCRUM.
MUDDY HANDS scrape at the white ball.
CLEATS dig and kick into the ground and bloody shins.
PUNCHES are thrown as the players vie for position. Blue and
green striped, collared shirts tear in the chaos.
Suddenly, the ball emerges from the pile and is tossed to..
BILLY, 22, a short, stocky, senior player.
He moves up the field, bleeding from the mouth. He's
immediately attacked by two other PLAYERS trying to drag him
down.
Before he goes down, he sets the ball on the ground and
drives over it.
One of his teammates, BERTO, 20, latin, black hair tied back,
picks up the ball and continues the advance.
He is hit. Hands claw at his face as he drives forward.
As he's going down, he pitches the ball to...
JACK TRUMBULL, 17, our hero. A tough, wiry kid. Jack catches
the ball and takes off with amazing speed down the sideline
toward the goal line.
Three HUGE OPPONENTS chase him down. One of them catches him
yards before the goal.
Jack bears the weight and keeps moving when another hits,
knocking him forward.
He stretches out for the goal and falls, slamming the ball
and his face hard into the ground. Score.
He doesn't move, eyes closed.
BOOTS, 21, built, shaved head, tough, and TERRY, 22, captain
of the team and a monstrous teddy-bear, roll off him.
Finally, Jack picks his head up out of the mud and smiles,
his mouthguard, covered with dirt and grass.
Terry offers his hand to Jack who takes it and stands to his
feet, his eye already starting to swell.
TERRY
Nice try, Jack.
JACK
Thanks.
LIAM
(os)
Alright, bring it in!
On the sideline, we see the coach, LIAM DALTON, 40. He's an
imposing figure. Past a mild beer gut we can see he was once
an athlete. He speaks with a Welsh accent.
The men come off the field like they just finished a battle.
Exhausted, sweaty and bleeding, they sit on the ground around
Liam. Billy is still coming across the field.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Alright, we've got the first tournament
of the season coming on tomorrow.
There'll be few good squads there so we
gotta be up for it. I think we got a real
shot this year, fellas.
Billy comes strolling up.
BILLY
What was that? Time for shots?
BOOTS
That's what I'm talkin' about.
The guys laugh. Liam is disheartened but tries to hide it
with a smile, he knows these guys are just here for a good
time.
LIAM
Alright, good practice, guys. I'll see
you tomorrow. Go have fun.
They all get up and start to gather up their gear.
BILLY
(to all)
Hey, it's freshman night over at the
Grape.
BOOTS
Yeah, it is.
Jack goes to Liam as he stuffs the balls into the bag.
JACK
Hey, Coach?
LIAM
Jack, you know I can't.
JACK
It's just..I know I can score on those
guys. I went to camp with half of ‘em
this summer..
LIAM
I wish I could, I really do. And God
knows we could use you, but you're in
high school. You can practice with us,
but if they catch you playin' in a game,
we could be disqualified.
He sees the disappointed look.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Oh, I almost forgot.
He reaches into his bag and pulls out an envelope and hands
it to Jack.
LIAM (CONT'D)
I called my sister, a teacher in Dublin.
Helped me write it. I never wrote a
recommendation letter before. You can
double check the spelling if you want.
JACK
I'm not supposed to read it.
LIAM
I won't tell.
JACK
I trust you.
LIAM
I mentioned I'm from Wales. Thought it
might help.
JACK
I need all the help I can get. Thanks a
lot coach.
He pauses.
JACK (CONT'D)
Is it as good as it seems?
Liam smiles.
LIAM
Over there? Better. They're the best in
the world. They breathe it.
He breathes in deep through his nose.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Day's like this remind me of it. Steppin'
out on that field after a good rain and
you can smell the shite coming off the
pasture, that's rugby. Nothin' like it in
the world.
Jack smiles. That's what he thought.
JACK
Well, I'll see you in the morning.
He turns to leave.
LIAM
Hey Jack. Sorry about tomorrow.
JACK
It's alright, Coach, I understand.
Liam watches as Jack slings his backpack over his back, picks
up his ball and gets on his bike and rides off.
EXT. WEBSTER, MASSACHUSETTS - DUSK
It's starting to get dark as Jack rides along the country
roads of the small working-class college town.
He passes farms, pastures of cows...
He rides across a field, 10 year-old kids play touch
football, they stop as he rides by and laugh to each other at
his uniform...
He rides down a dark path...
He rides down the main street of the quiet town. He comes to
a diner, he sets his bike against the outside of the building
and walks into.
INT. TEDDY'S DINER - NIGHT
It is a small place and you can tell most of the seats are
occupied by the same people every night.
An old man, MR. ROBERTS sits at the counter, thick glasses
and a flannel shirt. Next to him, is his wife, BEVERLY, they
look up as Jack comes in.
Also at the bar is OFFICER NORRIS, a young, overweight local
cop.
BEVERLY
Jack, don't you wear pads to your
football games?
JACK
Hi, Mrs. Roberts. Um, no we don't wear
pads, its rugby.
MR. ROBERTS
Atta boy, Jack. Don't need no fool pads.
We didn't wear no pads.
BEVERLY
No helmet neither. You see where that got
him.
MR. ROBERTS
A-h-h-h.
CINDY
(os)
Heeey, Jack.
CINDY is a 39 year old waitress who was once the homecoming
queen and thinks she hasn't changed a bit. She's wrong. She
looks at him seductively, snapping her gum.
JACK
Oh, hey Cindy. My mom around?
CINDY
(not taking her eyes off him)
Sure. SAM! Jack's here.
SAMANTHA TRUMBULL,38 comes over carrying two cups of coffee.
She's the opposite of Cindy, she has held onto her beauty but
is unaware of it.
JACK
I forgot my keys.
Samantha looks heartbroken when she sees him. He's a mess.
Cut, dried blood, eye swelling.
SAMANTHA
(rushing to him)
Oh, Jack, what are you doing to yourself?
JACK
Mom, it's just practice.
SAMANTHA
(handing him her keys)
Here you go, honey.
CINDY
(flirty)
Good to see you Jack.
JACK
Mom, could you do something here?
SAMANTHA
Cindy, that's sexual harassment.
TEDDY
(os)
It's sexual embarrassment coming from
Cindy.
TEDDY, 42, the greasy owner, comes up to the counter.
CINDY
Shut up, Teddy.
TEDDY
Why don't you shut up?
JACK
Hey, Teddy.
TEDDY
Jackie, what's up Buddy? Kickin' ass and
takin' names?
JACK
Doin' what I can.
TEDDY
Good to hear it.
(to the waitresses)
Alright, sewing circle's over.
They roll their eyes and go back to work.
SAMANTHA
I'll see you when I get home, Honey.
There's dinner in the oven.
JACK
Thanks, Mom. See you at home.
(to Cindy, mocking)
Byyyeee, Cindy.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
He comes to a small, run down house with a screened-in porch.
He leaves the bike in the driveway.
INT. JACK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Jack enters. The room is small. The walls are covered with
posters of rugby players. He goes to a bookshelf, looks
through a stack of videotapes. He takes one down.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Jack puts his dinner down on the coffee table. He presses
eject on an ancient VCR. He takes out a tape and puts his in.
As it goes in, we see the label.
CLOSE ON LABEL- Barbarians Vs. New Zealand 1973.
He sits on the couch leans forward and presses the play
button. We hear the BRITISH VOICE of the ANNOUNCER as he a
announces the game. We focus on the television. The play is
fast, professional. We can see that's where he wants to be.
He's lost in it.
We come closer and closer to the grainy image.
Close on the reflection in Jack's eyes.
He fast forwards it. Play. Action resumes.
He quietly ANNOUNCES the game, word for word in sync with the
announcer, British accent and all.
The play we are watching is among the greatest in rugby
history. Each player barely getting the ball off to the next
as they move it from their own goal, down the length of the
field.
The volume and intensity of the crowd rises steadily as the
play develops.
ANNOUNCER AND JACK
Kirkpatrick to Williams... This is great
stuff.... Phil Bennett covering, chased
by Alistair Scown. Brilliant!
(the announcers voice rises)
Oh, that's brilliant!
John...Williams, pullin', John Dawes.
(higher. Like a horse race
announcer)
Great Dummy! David, Tom David,
The half-way line!
(now nearly screaming over the
crowd)
BRILLIANT BY QUINNELL!
Twenty yards from the goal, QUINNELL has the ball and looks
as if they are finally going to bring him down when he throws
up the ball... It seems to hang there forever when, out of
nowhere, streaking down the line comes....
ANNOUNCER AND JACK (CONT'D)
THIS IS GARETH EDWARDS!
He lays out diving across the goal, slamming the ball to the
ground.
ANNOUNCER AND JACK (CONT'D)
A DRAMATIC START! WHAT A SCORE!!
He rewinds it. Play.
ANNOUNCER AND JACK (CONT'D)
Great Dummy. David, Tom David, the half
way line. BRILLIANT BY QUINNELL! THIS IS
GARETH EDWARDS! A DRAMATIC START! WHAT A
SCORE!!
Again.
ANNOUNCER AND JACK (CONT'D)
BRILLIANT BY QUINNELL! THIS IS GARETH
EDWARDS! A DRAMATIC START! WHAT A SCORE!!
He sits back, amazed as if it were the first time he saw it.
The screen freeze framed on the image of the score.
Jack takes out the tape and replaces the other one. As he
goes to turn off the TV, the other tape begins to play. He
stops.
He sits back down, his eyes fixed on the screen.
ON THE SCREEN- there is a younger Samantha in a wedding dress
and a large, athletic-looking man in a tuxedo, her husband,
JACK'S FATHER.
It is their wedding reception which is nothing more than a
backyard barbecue with friends.
A few of the GUESTS have Webster Fire Department formal
uniforms on. The camera moves around to three of them, pretty
drunk.
NARRATOR
Do you have anything to say to the
newlyweds?
FIREFIGHTER #1
Congratulations!
FIREFIGHTER #2
(raising his glass)
To Samantha, who's known us since she's
what.. two?
Two of them are laughing.
FIREFIGHTER #1
No wonder she married a guy from England.
FIREFIGHTER #2
And to our favorite Limey, Devin. And not
just because your the best scrum half our
club has ever had....
FIREFIGHTER #3 has been silent.
FIREFIGHTER #3
You're also our brother.
The other two look at him and agree.
FIREFIGHTER #2
To Devin and Samantha.
The camera zooms in on the newlyweds kissing, lost in each
other.
ALL THREE
To Devin and Samantha.
Jack smiles quietly as he watches. His face lit up by the TV.
INT. JACK'S ROOM - NIGHT
Jack sits in his bed, reading Hamlet.
INT. THE ANCIENT MARINER - AFTERNOON
The dark bar is quiet, a single bartender, JIM polishes
glasses. A few customers sit at the bar and in booths.
JIM
Usual?
LIAM
Sure, Jim.
Jim goes to a tap that reads Stewarts Root Beer.
JIM
Y'know a keg of root beer costs more than
a keg of Natty Light?
LIAM
It should. Tastes a hell of a lot better.
Jim smiles as he puts down the glass.
JIM
How'd you guys do last week?
LIAM
The boys did well. Looks like we got a
real shot this year.
The Bartender nods.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Any idea how Brett did? They scrimmaged
Springfield tonight.
BARTENDER
(nodding to the door)
Haven't heard but I have a feeling we're
about to find out.
The door opens with a COMMOTION as two teams enter, they are
SPRINGFIELD and AMHERST. Springfield's uniforms are filthy,
especially compared to those of the Amherst squad. Leading
them is BRETT DODD, the coach of Amherst. He's short, bald
and stocky but somehow speaks as if he's head and shoulders
above everyone else.
BRETT
Hey, Jim how ‘bout a keg of Natty Light
for the boys. Put it on my tab and I'll
have a bourbon.
He sees Liam sitting there.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Hey, Coach. How goes it? I heard you guys
came close to beating that Bridgewater
squad.
LIAM
Yeah, guys look pretty good. How'd your
boys do?
BRETT
Shut ‘em out. Too bad, they were supposed
to be good, we were hoping for a match. I
guess they're still working out the
kinks.
LIAM
Yeah.
BRETT
We got Harvard next week. They should
have a good team. I tell ya, I don't
think we can take another season like
last year. Shutouts and blowouts aren't
fun for anyone after a while.
LIAM
We'll give you a run.
BRETT
Oh, yeah? That's right, you said your
guys look pretty good.
LIAM
Yeah, yeah, they are.
BRETT
Liam, pretty good won't score on us.
LIAM
Well, I guess I was just being modest.
BRETT
I'll let you in on a little secret,
Coach. This may be my last year, I've
been talking to the coaches at the US
Eagles. Might be an opening.
(Drinks)
No, we're going straight through to the
New England tourney. Sorry to break it to
you Liam, but your guys will be ready to
quit by halftime.
(beat)
Anyway, we'll find out tomorrow.
LIAM
How's that?
BRETT
Just got back from the seed meeting.
We got you guys in the first round of the
tourney.
Liam nods.
BRETT (CONT'D)
I'll give you this, Coach, you are an
incurable optimist.
LIAM
It's terminal.
BRETT
Hope not. Hate to have that on my
conscience.
He picks up his drink and walks away. Liam watches him go as
Jim comes up.
JIM
Guy's an asshole, huh.
Liam nods.
LIAM
Good goddamn team though.
JIM
Yeah.
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - MORNING
Jack rides up to the small school on his bike. He gets off
and locks it up. The sign in front of the school reads Pep
Rally Today.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Jack steps out of a classroom with STEVIE ABROMOWITZ, 17, a
small, skinny kid. He is pale, with white blonde hair, nearly
albino. He is so small, he looks like he could be a couple of
years behind Jack.
JACK
How'd you do?
STEVIE
Alright, I guess. The last version of
Hamlet I saw was Ethan Hawke's so I was
having trouble remembering the details,
it was pretty abbreviated, not like
Branagh's.
JACK
You didn't even read it?
STEVIE
Actors read plays, Jack, everyone else
watches them. Anyway, I knew the story
enough to pass the test.
JACK
Whatever works, I guess.
STEVIE
You got class?
JACK
No, I gotta meet with Mr. Fournier. He
wants to see me about my college
applications. You?
STEVIE
AV lab.
INT. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT - DAY
Jack stands in front of a door with a plaque that says MR.
FOURNIER. He knocks.
INT. GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR'S OFFICE - DAY
MR. FOURNIER, a young guy, new on the job, not the cynic he
will be in ten years, looks over Jack's applications.
MR. FOURNIER
I'll be honest with you, Jack. I'm
concerned.
JACK
Why's that?
MR. FOURNIER
Well for one thing, these schools are all
in Great Britain.
JACK
Yeah, I know.
MR. FOURNIER
There are plenty of great schools here in
the US. Heck, Boston has the most and the
best. With your transcript and test
scores, you could get into almost any of
them, probably with a great financial aid
package.
JACK
I want to play rugby, Mr. Fournier.
MR. FOURNIER
You can play here.
JACK
They only have clubs teams in the US.
There's no NCAA Rugby league. You don't
understand, I want to play on a real
varsity team. With the best players.
They're just all in Europe.
MR. FOURNIER
I just don't know if it's realistic,
given your.. ah, financial situation.
JACK
I could get a scholarship.
MR. FOURNIER
With your grades you could get a
scholarship, here in the United States,
but these schools are very selective
about their foreign students-
Jack lays something on the desk. Fournier looks at him,
confused.
JACK
An EU passport. My father was from
London, Mr. Fournier. I have dual
citizenship. I wouldn't be a foreign
student.
He's surprised but undaunted.
MR. FOURNIER
Well, your essay certainly shows your
passion for the game, but I don't think
that and a recommendation from a club
coach is enough.
JACK
If they saw me play, if someone came
here, I could get a scholarship. Or at
least I'd know I'm not good enough. You
contact scouts for the football players
all the time.
MR. FOURNIER
Jack, I just don't think they'll come
here for one student.
He can see that's not enough for Jack.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
How ‘bout this? You apply to Nichols,
here in Webster, a safety school, a
couple others, maybe BC, BU.. Brown..and
I'll see what I can do about, I don't
know, finding a scout.
Jack thinks it over..
JACK
OK.
He smiles.
JACK (CONT'D)
Thanks Mr. Fournier.
He gets up to leave.
MR. FOURNIER
You're really that good?
Jack shrugs.
JACK
I just want to find out.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - MORNING
Jack finishes his breakfast as Samantha cleans the dishes.
SAMANTHA
I washed your uniform, it's on my bed.
JACK
Thanks.
He finishes his breakfast, gets up and goes into Samantha's
room. His uniform is clean and folded. He puts it on and
looks in the mirror. He looks the part. He's ready.
He walks out into the kitchen.
JACK (CONT'D)
Mom, you sure you don't want to come?
SAMANTHA
Oh, Honey, I'd love to but I have to
work.
JACK
Ok. Well, I'll be home later.
SAMANTHA
Good luck.
He kisses her cheek, grabs his rugby ball and heads out the
door. Samantha goes out the door and watches him go.
EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - DAY
It's a crisp, clear autumn day. The quad is much nicer than
the practice field. There are students playing frisbee,
throwing baseballs etc.
There is a section of the field marked off for the rugby
game. There are no fans watching. Jack stands by the bench.
The other players stand around talking, waiting for the other
team to arrive.
STEVIE
(OS)
Workin' on a new angle. It's all about
angles.
Jack turns back to see Stevie crouching down behind the
bench, aiming a small 8mm movie camera at him.
STEVIE (CONT'D)
(standing)
If you're trying to make someone look
more intimidating, you shoot ‘em from
down low. Orson Welles in Citizen Kane,
cut holes in the floor of the set to get
low enough.
JACK
Who?
STEVIE
Orson Welles? Citizen Kane? The best
movie ever made.
JACK
Better than Braveheart?
STEVIE
Where do you think Mel Gibson learned how
to direct?
JACK
I don't know.
STEVIE
So, I never been to one of these things
before so I figured I'd stop by.
JACK
You won't be disappointed.
INT. HUDDLE - DAY
The team sits on the ground as Liam starts his pep talk. Jack
kneels on one knee, listening to him. Stevie aims his camera
at the huddle.
LIAM
This is it guys. If the Nichols Bison are
gonna make a season of this, we start
right here.
BOOTS
Man, I hate that name. The Bison, its
such a pussy name.
BILLY
Yeah, can't we be something else?
They all agree. Liam is frustrated that they are not
focusing. He shakes his head.
LIAM
Yeah, whatever. Lets talk about it after
the game.
BERTO
How ‘bout the Devils?
TERRY
Here they come.
The team looks to see the AMHERST team across the field. The
boys know they're in trouble. The clean red shirts over
athletic physiques, make the team look like professional
superheroes.
LIAM
Look at them, they think we're a joke,
they think they're gonna come down to our
school, to our backyard and run all over
us! Are we gonna let ‘em?
An unenthusiastic.
TEAM
No!
BERTO
At least, we're not gonna like it!
A few laughs. Liam's disappointed.
LIAM
Ok, let's go get out there. Take it to
‘em.
Jack stands up, he's ready, excited. Stevie comes over.
STEVIE
I thought you can't play in the games.
JACK
Coach told me to suit up, a team with
substitutes is always more intimidating.
They don't know I can't play.
STEVIE
Ahh, strategy. So how does this work?
JACK
Well, they kick the ball off.
Our team kicks off the ball. It sails out of bounds.
JACK (CONT'D)
When the ball goes out of bounds, they
throw it in.
The ball is thrown above the heads of a mass of players.
Billy is thrown in the air to catch the ball..he does and is
immediately crushed..Jack winces.
JACK (CONT'D)
Oooh.
Close inside the scrum, Amherst is dominating.
JACK (CONT'D)
(vo)
Then there's a scrum, which is like a
face-off.
Guys pitching the ball off to each other, moving up the field
easily past Nichols PLAYERS...
JACK (CONT'D)
(vo)
You can only toss the ball backward. But
you can kick it forward.
.. Another Nichols player, WILLIAMS, 20, African-American,
with the ball getting leveled....
JACK (CONT'D)
(vo)
When you hit the ground, you have to let
go of the ball. Which you want to do
anyway so you can cover your head from
getting stomped on.
He releases the ball and covers his head as cleats dig and
kick in the action. AMHERST PLAYER #1 picks it up, tosses it
out at the last second.. to #2 streaking down the sideline..
..scoring..
JACK (CONT'D)
(vo)
A score is called a try. You set the ball
on the ground in the goal to score.
That's three points.
Amherst scoring.
JACK (CONT'D)
(vo)
After you score, you kick a fieldgoal,
like an extra point in football but in
rugby, if you make it, its two points.
Amherst kicks the fieldgoal.
Focus on Jack, he wishes he could be out there.
Terry gets the ball and tries to move it forward but can't
gain any ground.
He's pulled down hard.
Amherst is just dominating.
Score.
Score.
Liam is frustrated.
The team is half-assing it. Playing like they've already
lost.
Players slammed into the ground, again, and again.
For a moment the coaches exchange looks, Brett, smug. Liam
angry.
Halftime.
STEVIE
They gettin' shut out?
Jack doesn't look at him.
JACK
Yeah. But they'll score. I know they can
at least score on ‘em.
Liam overhears and looks out the corner of his eye.
The team comes to the sidelines and collapses, exhausted.
BILLY
Let's just go to the Grape.
LIAM
What?
BERTO
We can't even find each other out there.
They're frustrated. They just want to quit.
WILLIAMS
It's embarrassing, coach. Let's just call
it.
He can't believe what he's hearing.
LIAM
Is that what you guys want to do?
They don't say anything. Liam looks over the team, disgusted.
Then he looks at Jack.
LIAM (CONT'D)
No. If you guys want to quit and give
away this game, we're at least gonna give
the kid a chance to play. Jack, you start
the second half. He at least believes we
can score. Anyone who doesn't want to
finish, don't bother coming to practice
tomorrow.
No one has a problem.
BILLY
Get us on the board, kid.
Jack is pumped.
Jack stands on the sidelines, waiting for half-time to be
over. He can't wait to get out there.
TERRY
You ready?
JACK
I've been waiting for this as long as I
can remember.
BOOTS
He's like Rudy.
Terry smiles.
TERRY
Yeah. Except he's good.
The official blows his WHISTLE. Jack sprints out to the
field. The rest of the team jogs back on the field and play
resumes.
Jack is playing balls out. Sprinting, driving, hitting the
ground and popping back up.
The rest of the guys suddenly start running a little faster,
hitting a little harder.
They're working as a team, pitching, driving, tackling. They
still can't seem to make any headway.
Jack gets the ball and is driven to the ground. He gets up
and continues on.
Terry pulls down an Amherst player.
The sky darkens with storm clouds. Amherst scores again. It
starts to rain.
Faces land in the mud, bodies tackled to the ground.
The action is brutal, cleats stomp on fallen bodies, ears and
eyes are clawed at.
Billy and Terry stand up slowly and look at each other.
TERRY (CONT'D)
Havin' fun?
Billy smiles, his mouthguard is covered in mud.
BILLY
Hell, yeah.
The men continue their battle but it doesn't look good,
Amherst scores again. This time, our team is slow to get up,
they sit in the mud, catching their breath. But Jack is up
and ready, covered in mud. This is the greatest day of his
life. The rest of the team gets up.
Time is running down, Jack moves toward the goal, they are
close..fifteen yards out..
.....pitches off to Billy, who is brought down, releasing the
ball...
...Williams picks it up. He moves forward driving toward the
goal before his head is almost taken off. As he slams the
ground, the ball pops out to
... Terry, they are getting close. Terry gets a few yards
despite three guys on him.
...Jack streaks, the ball is pitched to him and he's
immediately hit...
As he goes down, he flips the ball to Billy, he's hit head
on, drives for the goal...
...players from both teams join the struggle, pushing against
each other just in front of the goal. The mass of muddy
players doesn't seem to move.
...We see the faces of the Nichols players, they want this,
their legs drive, their muscles strain, they GRUNT and YELL
and push until the pile collapses...
...over the goalline. Billy reaches out and slams the ball to
the ground.
SCORE!
The team gets up, exhausted, covered in mud, everyone of them
smiling. Jack is psyched.
Liam watches and smiles, looks down at the scorebook. 36-3.
Then back to the team. The Amherst players are bitter. Brett
is pissed, yelling at his players.
BACK ON THE SIDELINE- the team takes a knee around Liam.
LIAM
That was it! Brilliant. That is what I'm
looking for, you guys played like a team
and you saw what happened. I'm going over
to talk to the Coach. Excellent job.
Liam walks away, happier than he's been in a long time.
BERTO
(collapsing to the ground)
I am exhausted. Since when do we play
this game to get tired.
WILLIAMS
Yeah, right?
(catching his breath)
At least we only lost 36 to 3 instead of
zero. That's important.
BOOTS
They're good.
JACK
We could beat them.
Most of the guys laugh.
WILLIAMS
What? Yeah, right. We could barely-
BERTO
I don't know about that one, Jack-
TERRY
He's right.
Everyone quiets down as the Captain speaks up.
TERRY (CONT'D)
Do you know what Liam used to do before
he came here? He was a fly half for the
Welsh national team. The team that made
the semis in the world cup. They even
beat the All-Blacks that year. He could
show us things that we could crush other
teams with. We could be a real team, have
a real season. We could win. I forget
what it's like to win something. Remember
when you were in High School, we all
played something, right? Football,
wrestling. Man, there was nothing like
winning. This is it, me and Billy are
seniors. After this, we'll probably go to
some office nine hours a day, and slowly
turn into our fathers. You never really
win anything after college. But these are
the days we'll talk about for the rest of
our lives. This is our last chance to
feel that.
BERTO
I'm in college, I don't want rugby glory,
I want beer, drunk freshmen girls.. the
whole thing. You know, COLLEGE!
BILLY
You don't have to give up all that. This
isn't gymnastics, it's goddamn rugby!
We're just going to have to practice
harder. And want to win.
BERTO
Oh, well if we can still party, alright
then. I'm in.
WILLIAMS
The All-Blacks? What the fuck kind of
name is that? I mean, I don't know wether
to be offended or empowered?
JACK
They're called the All-Blacks because
their uniforms are all black.
WILLIAMS
(embarrassed)
Oh, all right then. I'm in.
TERRY
Alright.
BILLY
Y'know, it wouldn't be official if we
didn't have a drink on it.
They all look at each other and smile.
INT. THE FUZZY GRAPE - DAY
Billy gulps a plastic cup of beer, half going down his face,
crumples the cup and lets out a REBEL YELL, his eyes bulged
out of his head. These guys can party.
The dark wood, smoky room is filled with beer drinking co
eds. Televisions show college football. The whole team is
there. Jack and Stevie stand with them.
STEVIE
I can't believe you got us in here.
JACK
Terry can get us in anywhere.
AT THE DOOR
The familiar red shirts of the entire Amherst team walk by
the DOORMAN who points out where the Nichols team is.
The team walks together through the bar, straight for our
boys.
Stevie spots them. He's nervous.
They are getting closer.
Terry and Billy spot them too, and stand.
STEVIE
Hey, Jack...the other team's here.
They walk right up to Terry and Billy.
TERRY
Hey, boys good game out there.
Both sides are all smiles as Billy pours the beer.
JACK
Yeah, that's what a drink up is. After
the game, you get drunk with the other
team, it's rugby tradition.
STEVIE
What about him?
Off to the side, by himself is GERARD KEENE, 21. Huge. Built
like Stone Cold Steve Austin, with a similar demeanor. He
focuses on a TV so he doesn't have to talk to anyone.
JACK
Don't know him.
Berto overhears.
BERTO
Don't worry about that guy. Let's get
some drinks.
TERRY
(over the crowd)
Hey rookies, get over here.
They go over to Terry and Billy. Berto and Boots look on.
BILLY
(to Stevie)
Ok, here's how it goes. This is our
drinking game. You ever play rock, paper,
scissors?
JACK
Oh Man, you're in trouble.
STEVIE
Sure, when I was a kid.
BILLY
Right, well, it's that game but if you
lose, you drink. Pretty simple right?
STEVIE
Right.
BILLY
Ready. Rock, paper, scissors, shoot.
They both throw their hands out, Stevie puts down a
fist(rock) and Billy puts his hand out flat(paper). Stevie
loses.
BILLY (CONT'D)
Ok. You drink.
STEVIE
(smiling)
Damn.
He takes a sip of his beer and gets ready to go again.
BILLY
No, no, the whole thing.
STEVIE
The whole cup?
Billy nods. He slowly downs it. Billy refills it from the
pitcher.
BILLY
Ready. Rock, paper, scissors, shoot.
This time Stevie wins. He looks up to say something only to
see Billy finish his beer in one gulp while grabbing the
pitcher to refill.
BILLY (CONT'D)
Ready?
Stevie looks at him, debating..then turns to Jack.
STEVIE
Anyone up for Pool?
THE POOL TABLE
Jack racks the balls and lines up to break. He looks awkward.
He hasn't played much. Berto and Boots look on surprised how
bad he really is and try to keep straight faces. He shoots
and the cue ball skims off the other balls, barely moving
them.
BERTO
You weren't lying. You are not good.
Berto takes his shot and breaks up the balls.
BERTO (CONT'D)
You're stripes.
Jack lines up his shot, standing up almost straight, it's not
pretty. He pulls the stick back to shoot and when he does, he
knocks a cup of beer out of the hand of JESSICA ARMSTRONG,
19. She turns around. Jack turns and sees her. She's
beautiful. Long brown hair, wearing a Nichols College
sweatshirt. Berto and Boots cringe.
JACK
Oh, jeez. I'm really sorry. Let me get
you another beer, I didn't see-
JESSICA
No, no it's ok. It happens. Finish your
game. You can get me another when you're
done.
JACK
You sure? I could-
JESSICA
Just take your shot.
JACK
Ok.
She watches as he again lines up his shot. She looks at him
like he can't seriously be playing like that. He shoots
another terrible shot.
JESSICA
Wow.
He turns and looks at her.
JACK
What?
JESSICA
That was awful. I mean, actually painful
to watch.
JACK
Yeah, I know.
Berto takes his shot.
JESSICA
I can't stand here and let you embarrass
yourself. Let me give you a few tips.
JACK
Alright.
Jack starts to line up for the next shot. She stands behind
him.
JESSICA
First of all, you have to get down lower.
She starts to move him into position. He bends down at the
waist to get lower.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
You have to move your back leg back.
She lightly kicks his leg back. She can see this is not going
to be easy.
She puts her arms on top of his to show him the proper form,
her hair brushes his face.
Her body is against his, her face right next to his. Her lips
next to his ear.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
I try to get my chin right down on top of
the stick so I can get a good look at the
balls.
He looks out of the corner of his eye at her.
She doesn't notice.
She's not seducing him, just innocently trying to show him
how to play.
He's having trouble focusing. Berto and Boots stand open
mouthed, watching this go on.
BERTO
Is this happening?
BOOTS
He has got to be kidding me.
The shot is lined up.
JESSICA
Now just slide it back slow and follow
through.
The cue hits the ball and knocks it in. Jessica stands back
smiling.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
See, it's that easy.
Jack is about to say something when a large, belligerent,
FRATERNITY GUY, backed by others, pushes him. Jack turns.
FRATERNITY GUY
Hey, this is our game. We had quarters
down.
JACK
Oh, well we-
BERTO
No fuckin' way you did.
FRATERNITY GUY
They were right there on the table.
BERTO
There was nothing there when I put mine
down.
FRATERNITY GUY
You stole this game.
BERTO
Whatever. Why don't you take it back.
The Fraternity Guy starts for Berto when suddenly, Billy
comes out of nowhere, and with another REBEL YELL blind sides
him.
Instantly, a melee ensues between anyone in rugby uniform and
anyone wearing fraternity letters.
Boots drops a GUY with one punch and looks for someone else.
Jack is hit. He turns to hit back when Terry grabs him and
Stevie.
TERRY
You two, get out of here, now. Go out
that door by the kitchen. GO! If they
catch you in here, it'll be my ass.
They agree and move quickly to the door.
Series of shots of the fight..
Terry ties up two guys handily..
The Bartender on the phone...
Amherst guys fight alongside the Nichols team..
Boots and Berto working over one guy when another hits
Berto...
Boots headbutts him and elbows another..
EXT. FUZZY GRAPE - NIGHT
Stevie and Jack come out the back door.
STEVIE
This is the greatest night of my life.
Just as they come to the corner of the building. Two police
cruisers pull up, lights flashing, SIRENS blaring. Unseen,
Jack and Stevie wait for the officers to go inside.
JACK
We better get outta here.
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
The sign in front of the school reads CONGRATULATIONS HAWKS
FOOTBALL
INT. ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - MORNING
Mr. Fournier is in the office of PRINCIPAL MEEKER.
PRINCIPAL
Listen, I don't care. You are a guidance
counselor. You are to provide guidance.
You are not an ‘encourage every foolish
whim' counselor. That would just be
ridiculous.
MR. FOURNIER
I thought we were here to help them
achieve their dreams.
PRINCIPAL
Who the hell told you that? Well, there's
the problem. I'm glad we cleared that up.
Have a good day.
MR. FOURNIER
Bill, this school spends thousands of
dollars to get football students scouted.
PRINCIPAL
That's because we HAVE a football team.
And PS, I did just not confirm that we
spend that money. We don't spend any
money on the damn cricket team either.
You know why?
MR. FOURNIER
Because it doesn't exist?
PRINCIPAL
Exactly.
MR. FOURNIER
This kid is good. We owe it to him to at
least try.
PRINCIPAL
Listen, it is our responsibility to GUIDE
these kids in a direction away from a
mistake that could ruin their lives. If
he doesn't get a scholarship to one of
these schools, what the hell is to become
of him. He'll end up stuck in Webster
working for the goddamn high school. Now
I'm sure neither of us wants that for
him. He has good grades, get him in a
good school would ya. Anything else you
can do on your own time.
INT. MR. FOURNIER'S HOUSE - MORNING
It is a small, neat, apartment. An alarm clock BEEPS. The
time flashes- 4:30.
KITCHEN
He enters. The sky outside the window is still dark. He turns
on the light, puts on coffee. He sits at the table, opens a
file folder..picks up the phone..dials...waits...
MR. FOURNIER
(almost yelling)
Hello?! Is this Leeds University? In....
(he checks his paper)
Oh, in Leeds? I don't have to yell? OK.
(lowering his voice)
Yes, I'm calling from the United States.
I wrote to you about a student of mine..
Jack Trumbull? Oh, it's about 5:00 AM.
Yeah, well anyway..
EXT. MR. FOURNIER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The house sits on a quiet street. A dog BARKS, a PAPERBOY
passes on his bike. The sky lightens.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Stevie, carrying his camera in one hand and books in the
other is about to go into the AV lab when his books fly out
of his hands and across the floor.
He turns to see three STUDENTS in football jerseys. One is
CHRIS CAVANAUGH, 17 good-looking, not very tall but built
like a tank.
CAVANAUGH
What's up Spielberg?
Stevie picks up his books.
CAVANAUGH (CONT'D)
When you gonna make a movie about me?
STEVIE
(scared)
I don't know.
Cavanaugh takes the camera.
CAVANAUGH
What you got on this thing? You got porn
on here? I bet you got gay porn on here,
don't you?
COACH STEVENSON
(os)
Mr. Cavanaugh.
They turn, startled.
CAVANAUGH
(shoving the camera back to
Stevie)
Hey, coach.
COACH STEVENSON
You thinking about joining the AV club?
CAVANAUGH
Um, yeah we were just talking to Stevie
about it.
COACH STEVENSON
Yeah, well if you want to play this
weekend, you'll talk to him after class.
He takes the camera from him.
CAVANAUGH
Sure, Coach. Later, Stevie.
They leave. Stevie and Coach watch them go.
COACH STEVENSON
Kid's a punk, just like his brother. Hell
of a ball player, but a punk nonetheless.
They give you any trouble, let me know.
STEVIE
Thanks, Coach.
COACH STEVENSON
Hey, Stevie, I wanted to talk to you. I
wanted to do some recruiting videos and I
thought maybe you could help me.
I tried using a camcorder but I don't
know what the hell I'm doing. Whaddya
say. I'll talk to the staff and see if I
can get you an elective credit.
STEVIE
Sure, Coach.
COACH STEVENSON
Good. Don't let those guys bother you,
Son. Stick with it.
STEVIE
I will.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - DAY
The guys are all there, on one knee around the coach. Terry
has just finished telling Liam about their decision.
LIAM
If that's what you guys want, yeah, we'll
pick it up. But if I commit, you guys
have to. I'm not gonna give any more than
you. You give me more, I'll give it right
back.
TERRY
We're ready, Coach. You show us where to
go and we'll get us there.
LIAM
Ok, let's get started.
They all sprint out onto the field.
Jack stands for a moment and watches, smiling then follows.
THE WHISTLE BLOWS
Bodies slam the ground... splashing mud.
The scrums are more violent, more urgent.
The intensity is palpable.
Liam, shows them plays. Moves.
He's out there, in the mix, like a retired racehorse back on
the track. He feels the magic of it.
He's in the scrimmage, he's got moves. He's tackled to the
ground, gets up...
He stands there, covered in mud, takes a deep breath in
through his nose.
As the sun begins to set behind the bare trees, we see them
there, on the wide expanse of the field playing until
darkness...
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT
The field is top of the line everything. Professional quality
lights make the field as bright as day. The PA is loud and
clear, the scoreboard new. The stands filled.
Stevie, bundled in a winter coat and hat is on the sidelines
with his camera. We watch through his lense, from a low angle
as Cavanaugh comes barrelling by with the ball, breaking
tackles and running it in for a touchdown. After the play, he
runs over to Stevie who fixes his glasses.
CAVANAUGH
You get that, Spielberg?
STEVIE
I got it.
Cavanaugh keeps running.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - NIGHT
The team packs up after practice. Jack and Berto sit on the
bench, changing their shoes.
JACK
Who was that guy the other night at the
Grape? That big guy you said not to worry
about?
BERTO
Gerard Keene. He's a goon.
JACK
A goon?
BERTO
Yeah, a guy they send out to put someone
out of commission.
JACK
Its legal?
BERTO
If he's good at it, he can do it legal.
And he is. But he sucks at playing so
they only bring him in when they need
someone taken out. He and Terry are from
the same hometown, used to be friends.
But our freshman year, he took out
Terry's knee in a game. Had to have four
surgeries to fix it. They're not really
friends anymore.
Jack looks at his shoes, thinks.
JACK
No, I guess not.
EXT. ROAD - DUSK
Jack rides his bike along the road when his chain breaks. He
stops, kneels down to look.
JACK
Damn.
He starts to walk his bike.
POV Liam's Truck.
In the headlights Liam sees Jack walking. He pulls over.
LIAM
Forget the training wheels?
JACK
Chain broke.
LIAM
Throw it in the back, I'll run you home.
Jack does.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
The pickup pulls into the driveway. Samantha steps out of the
house, her hand shielding her eyes from the headlights as she
tries to figure out who it is. She sees the bike in the back
and hurries down the drive.
INT. TRUCK - NIGHT
Jack starts to get out.
JACK
Oh shit, there's my Mom.
LIAM
‘Oh shit there's my mom'? Why ‘oh, shit'.
JACK
You'll see.
Samantha approaches the truck.
SAMANTHA
Are you alright? What happened?
She looks him over as he talks.
JACK
I'm fine. My chain broke. Coach gave me a
ride home.
She looks past Jack to Liam.
JACK (CONT'D)
Mom, this is my coach Liam Dalton.
LIAM
Hello, nice to meet you.
SAMANTHA
So, you're the one doing this to him.
LIAM
Well, um, I ah..
JACK
She's just giving you shit. She doesn't
mean it.
SAMANTHA
Jack.
JACK
Sorry.
SAMANTHA
Well, get in the house, dinner is on the
table.
Jack gets out of the truck.
JACK
Thanks Coach.
LIAM
Anytime.
SAMANTHA
You know, we have plenty, if you'd like
to stay.
LIAM
Oh, I don't think-
JACK
You don't want to turn down mom's
cooking, she's not very forgiving.
SAMANTHA
Jack!
JACK
Sorry.
LIAM
Well, in that case, sure, I'd be happy
to.
SAMANTHA
Great, I think we have some things to
discuss.
He suddenly wonders if this is a good idea as he gets out of
the truck.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Liam walks around the truck. He is dirty, still in his
practice clothes.
They all start to walk up to the house.
LIAM
Sorry, I'm not really dressed for dinner.
SAMANTHA
A son and a fireman husband; if you're
dressed for dinner, you're dressed for
dinner.
He smiles.
LIAM
So, you understand, I don't actually give
him those bruises, myself.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Dinner is finished. They sit around the table. Samantha pours
coffee for Liam and herself.
JACK
Well, I'm gonna take a shower if it's
alright with everyone.
SAMANTHA
(looking him over)
Please.
He walks out of the kitchen. Samantha and Liam sit for a
moment.
LIAM
Well, that was the best meal I've had in
a long time.
SAMANTHA
Glad you liked it. The recipe was for
Duck L'orange but I think it works with
chicken.
LIAM
Absolutely.
Awkward silence.
SAMANTHA
Such a nice night. Should we have coffee
out on the porch?
Liam smiles.
LIAM
That would be nice.
They take their cups and walk to the door.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Jack gets ready to take a shower. He carefully takes his
clothes off, revealing bloody cuts and scrapes over arms and
legs.
He hears something, he goes to the window and through the
sounds of the night he hears LAUGHTER coming from the porch.
His mother's laughter.He smiles to himself.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE PORCH - NIGHT
Samantha wipes tears as she laughs. Liam laughs also.
SAMANTHA
Ohh, it's so true.
(catches her breath)
I haven't laughed like that in a long
time.
LIAM
Me neither.
He looks out over the yard. Pauses.
LIAM (CONT'D)
You got a nice place here.
SAMANTHA
Oh, thanks. Yeah, we got it just after
Jack was born.
LIAM
We.
SAMANTHA
My husband and I.
LIAM
Oh.
Uncomfortable silence. Liam changes the subject.
LIAM (CONT'D)
So, the team looks like-
SAMANTHA
He died in a fire.
Liam stops.
LIAM
I'm sorry.
SAMANTHA
It was an old warehouse. Abandoned.
Captain called for them to evacuate but
the third floor collapsed before they
could get out.
He just listens quietly.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
It's been eight years.
LIAM
Doesn't seem like it, does it?
She looks at him surprised that he understands.
SAMANTHA
No.
He nods, sits back in the chair, looks across the yard. There
is a pile of wood dumped in the backyard.
LIAM
You'd think they would dump it closer to
the house.
SAMANTHA
Wouldn't you?
They look at each other and laugh again.
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
Jack and Stevie sit and have lunch. Stevie opens three
bottles of prescription pills and takes two from each. He
takes a bite of his sandwich.
STEVIE
Maybe I'll just take off to Hollywood
after graduation. Whaddya think?
JACK
I think you should. Stop wasting your
time on this recruiting tape bullshit.
STEVIE
I know, you're right but I just want to
finish a film, y'know? Just to see it
done. And who knows? Maybe somebody will
like it. I could be the Roger Corman of
recruiting videos.
(beat)
Anyway, I just see this as the first
step.
JACK
To what?
STEVIE
To seeing those words up there on the
screen some day, y'know. "A Stevie
Abromowitz film".
JACK
Stevie, we all know that is going to
happen. Hell, we've known it since you
were four, running around with that
plastic movie camera. Listen, we've been
best friends as long as I can remember so
I feel like I can tell you this. If you
let an asshole like Cavanaugh walk all
over you, it will never stop, everyone
will, for the rest of your life.
Stevie thinks about what he's saying.
EXT. AN OPEN FIELD - DAY
A banner reads, Springfield Autumn Tournament. Several teams
practice on the field.
A white van pulls up and stops. Our team gets out.
The stand tall, they are ready, confident. Somehow, they look
like better players before even stepping onto the field.
EXT. SIGN IN BOOTH - DAY
Liam steps up. Williams stands next to him.
WOMAN
Team name?
LIAM
Nichols College.
WOMAN
Just Nichols College?
LIAM
(he looks back at the team)
Oh, no, ah, the Nichols College..
WILLIAMS
All-blacks.
Liam looks at him, surprised, smiles.
LIAM
Guess we got a New Zealand fan on the
team.. the All-Blacks it is.
EXT. SIDELINES - DAY
Before the first game of the tournament, the whole team,
except Jack who stands unaware, approaches Liam.
TERRY
Coach, we need to talk to you. Um, listen
we've talked it over and we decided the
only way we can start this season is if
Jack plays.
Jack turns. Liam stands, thinking about it.
LIAM
Well, it would've been better if you told
me that before the two hour drive but,
Ok, yeah, I agree. It may mean we get
D.Q.'d from a lot of matches.
JACK
I don't think-
TERRY
Shut up, Jack. I'm the captain of this
team.
JACK
OK.
TERRY
(to Liam)
It's ok, we don't care.
REFEREE
(os)
Teams to the center of the field.
EXT. FIELD CENTER - DAY
Liam, Terry and Billy stand with the REF and the COACH and
CAPTAINS of the other team. They shake hands.
REFEREE
Questions?
LIAM
Listen guys, we have a situation. There's
this kid on our team. A senior...in high
school. We won't play without him, he's
part of the team.
COACH
Which one is he?
LIAM
(pointing)
That one there.
The coach looks at the Captains.
COACH
Whaddya think?
CAPTAIN#1
I sure as shit am not backing down from a
high school kid.
COACH
That's what I was thinking.
REFEREE
He can play as long as you don't object.
Once you accept, you cannot change your
mind, the game is legit.
COACH
That's fine. Sure, we'll play you, the
kid's in.
They shake hands.
LIAM
Thanks, good luck.
EXT. HUDDLE - DAY
The whole team is on one knee, listening to Liam.
LIAM
(to Jack)
You're in. You'll sub in with Berto.
BERTO
Thank Christ, there was no way I was
going this whole game.
Jack can't hold back a smile. The team pats him on the back.
Everything is coming together. They take a knee.
LIAM
OK, now this is really where we start.
You guys are good enough to beat anyone
at this tournament. It's just a matter of
wanting it. Look at those guys. They
think you're weak, you got a high school
kid on your team for crissake.
This riles the team.
LIAM (CONT'D)
I guess they're right.
The team is fired up.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Are they right?!
TEAM
NO!
LIAM
Get out there!
The all charge out onto the field.
EXT. GAME - DAY
The team plays together.
Shots of the tournament.
Center meetings and each team agreeing.
Jack playing well, scoring.
Team winning games. Players from the other team
congratulating Jack and the rest of them.
After the tournament, a YOUNG REPORTER carrying a camera
approaches.
He says something to Liam, takes a few things down in his
notebook and then Liam points to Jack. The reporter comes
over to him.
REPORTER
Jack? Jack Trumbull?
JACK
Yeah?
REPORTER
The high school kid, right? Mind if I ask
you a few questions for the Chronicle?
JACK
Um, no. Not at all.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Jack gets out of the white van.
JACK
See you guys on Monday.
He walks toward the house.
LIAM
Hey Jack!
He turns.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Nice job today.
JACK
Thanks coach.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Jack takes his cleats off at the door. He walks through the
dark house as quietly as he can.
He walks into the..
LIVING ROOM
Blue light comes from the static TV. On the couch, Samantha
sleeps huddled under blankets, a glass of wine on the table.
Cigarettes in the ashtray. A box of Kleenex on the table, one
balled up in her fist.
Jack goes to the TV. He sees a tape sticking out of the VCR.
It is the same wedding video. He clicks the TV off. The room
goes silent. Samantha wakes.
SAMANTHA
Jack?
JACK
Hi, Mom. Just got home.
SAMANTHA
What time is it?
JACK
Eleven thirty.
SAMANTHA
How'd the game go?
JACK
Great. We came in fourth place.
He sits on the couch next to her.
JACK (CONT'D)
And Mom, they let me play.
She sits up a little. She turns on a dim lamp next to the
couch.
SAMANTHA
Really? That's fantastic, Jack.
They sit in silence. She looks at the wine and the Kleenex.
JACK
How was your night?
She fights tears.
SAMANTHA
It was good, I just..I ah, watched some
TV. There was a good show... on this guy
who....
She starts to break down. She buries her head in Jack's
shoulder.
JACK
I know, Mom. I know. I miss him, too.
After a moment, she sits up. She laughs a little.
SAMANTHA
Look at me. It's your big day and I'm a
mess. I'm sorry, honey.
JACK
It's ok.
SAMANTHA
So tell me about your game.
JACK
Don't you want to go to bed?
SAMANTHA
No, my son's a star player. I want to
hear about it.
He smiles.
JACK
OK....Well, after the tournament was over
this reporter comes up....
SAMANTHA
To you?
JACK
Yeah.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
We see the small house, dark except for the orange glow from
one window.
INT. COLLEGE LIBRARY - NIGHT
COLLEGE STUDENTS sit at tables and on couches. Some with
computers, others wearing Walkmen.
Jack sits at a table, writing in his notebook, a copy of
Hamlet open. He's just finishing up and closing his book
when, suddenly, a large book drops with a BANG on the table.
He's startled. Others look up. He looks at the book.
CLOSE ON THE BOOK-The Basics of Billiards and Pool.
He looks up to see Jessica, over her shoulder is a small,
cylindrical nylon pack that holds a musical instrument of
some sort.
JESSICA
I thought you could use it.
JACK
Hey.
JESSICA
Glad to see you made it out of there
alive the other night.
STUDENT#1
(os)
Sssshhh.
They look over at an annoyed STUDENT #1.
JACK
Oh, yeah I'm alright.
STUDENT#1
SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH!
JESSICA
You want to get out of here and go get a
drink?
He smiles.
JACK
Sure.
INT. DIZZY'S DINER - NIGHT
It is an old fashioned, 50's style diner. They sit across
from each other at a booth drinking chocolate milkshakes.
50's music PLAYS in the BG.
JESSICA
You don't seem like the rest of those
guys.
JACK
Why?
JESSICA
I don't know you just seem different. Not
so tough.
JACK
Thanks. Maybe it's the milkshake.
JESSICA
No, I just mean, well studying Hamlet and
all. Actually, just studying..
JACK
Well, you didn't seem like Minnesota Fats
either but apparently-
JESSICA
(laughing)
Ok, Ok.
(changing the subject)
So, I've never seen you around campus,
except for tonight.
JACK
Yeah, my classes are on the south campus.
JESSICA
South Campus?
He sips on his milkshake.
JACK
Some call it Webster High School.
JESSICA
You're in high school? Great. Tell me
you're at least a senior.
JACK
Oh yeah. I am.
JESSICA
18?
JACK
(hesitates)
This is the eighteenth year of my life,
yes.
JESSICA
(smiling)
Oh my God.
They both laugh.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
Ok, so you're a senior.
JACK
Yeah.
JESSICA
Know what you're doing next year?
He looks at her.
JACK
I'm going to Britain to play rugby.
JESSICA
Really?
JACK
Yeah.
He's waiting for her response.
JACK (CONT'D)
What do you think about that? Stupid
right?
JESSICA
No, I think it's great.
He's surprised.
JACK
You do?
JESSICA
Sure. I mean, I wish I'd have known what
I wanted to do when I was a senior. I'm
already a sophomore and I still don't
have a clue. I spend more time playing
this than studying or thinking about my
future or whatever the hell it is my
parents want me to be doing.
JACK
(motioning to the case)
When can I come see you play?
JESSICA
You don't even know what I play.
JACK
Well, it's obviously an accordion. I love
the accordion.
She smiles.
JESSICA
It's a flute. And I have a concert next
Friday at seven, at the College center
auditorium.
JACK
Can I come?
She sips on her milkshake, making him wait.
JESSICA
Sure.
Another sip. He smiles.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
As long as you don't start any fights. I
guess that would be alright.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Samantha tapes a newspaper article with a picture of Jack
onto the refrigerator.
The headline reads High School Kid Breathes Life Into Nichols
Rugby
Samantha and Jack stand in the kitchen. Samantha is bursting
with pride.
SAMANTHA
My baby..in the newspaper
Close on the picture.
We pull back to reveal we are now in the...
INT. DINER - DAY
Samantha has been reading the article to her coworkers and
customers. They are all impressed and happy for her. She
tapes it to the cash register.
TEDDY
Let's go girls, got hungry customers
waiting.
The women go back to work. When no one's looking, Teddy looks
over the article.
INT. THE ROBERTS' HOUSE - DAY
The old couple from the diner sit at the breakfast table. Mr.
Roberts reads the story about Jack.
INT. HIGH SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY
The Principal sits in a stall, reading the same article.
INT. AMHERST COLLEGE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT - DAY
Brett Dodd looks over the same article. He talks to his
assistant coach, PERCY STENGER, 32, who sits at his desk,
reading Sports Illustrated.
BRETT
Who is this fuckin' kid?
PERCY
(not looking up)
No idea, Coach.
BRETT
Well, apparently he's been running over
everyone on the south shore.
Percy closes the magazine, looks up.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Do me a favor, keep your eye on this
team, especially this Jack Trumbull. Keep
me posted. I don't think they'll do much
but I don't need any surprises, not this
year.
PERCY
Sure, coach.
BRETT
Good.
PERCY
Cause, y'know I have nothing else to do.
Its not like I have three kids and a
wife. Its not like-
BRETT
Well, maybe you should resign and go back
to paying tuition for Amherst night
school?
Percy just looks at him.
INT. MR. FOURNIER'S OFFICE - DAY
Once again, CLOSE on the article. This time on Fournier's
desk. Jack sits across from him.
MR. FOURNIER
That's great, Jack, just, wow..that's..
He looks to Jack. He can see he wants to hear some good news.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
I'm doing everything I can, Jack but so
far it doesn't look good. These schools
simply don't come to the States to look.
Jack nods.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
I'm sorry.
(beat)
You know, there's still time to send out
applications. Is there anywhere else you
might want to go?
Jack pauses.
JACK
When I was a kid, maybe six or seven, my
dad took me to see an exhibition game in
Foxboro. Scotland's National team against
the London Irish. It was the most
exhilarating day of my life. I knew right
there that's what I wanted to do. I've
always felt out of place. Like I know
there's something happening that I want
to be a part of and I can't get there.
Now, I feel like I can get there, that
I'm close. There's a chance, I know it
but if I let up at all, if I apply to
other schools, it's like admitting that
it might not be possible. I can't do
that. I made a promise to you, I sent the
ones you wanted me to but now I just have
to believe.
Mr. Fournier just sits in his chair, trying to understand.
MR. FOURNIER
That's a hell of a risk.
Jack doesn't care.
INT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY
Stevie and Jack have lunch.
Stevie opens a bottle of prescription pills and takes a
couple.
CAVANAUGH
(os)
Hey, Spielberg!
They turn to see Cavanaugh.
CAVANAUGH (CONT'D)
Hey, I got the dates that I need to get
those tapes in by. Coach wants to see you
before the end of lunch.
STEVIE
Yeah, Ok. I better get over there, then.
See ya , Jack.
JACK
See ya, Stevie.
CAVANAUGH
(sitting down)
Hey, Jack.
JACK
Chris.
CAVANAUGH
(watching Stevie walk away)
What's up with that kid? I mean he is pu
ny. What'd he start smoking when he was
like nine or something?
JACK
(evenly)
No, developed a heart condition when he
was seven. Medication stunted his growth.
Cavanaugh is embarrassed but tries not to show it. Changing
the subject.
CAVANAUGH
Haven't seen you at the games this year.
JACK
Yeah, I've had my own games.
Cavanaugh shakes his head.
CAVANAUGH
What the hell happened to you, Man?
JACK
What?
CAVANAUGH
In junior high, you were the best
fullback in the league. No one could
block for me like you. If you stuck with
it, you coulda been something.
JACK
That was a long time ago.
A long silence, awkward.
CAVANAUGH
Y'know, I got this picture. Had it for
years, framed and everything. Me and you,
probably eight years old, playing
football in my backyard. I used to look
at that picture and I could see us, all
of us, starting for Webster High Varsity.
When my brother was sent away , when my
dad left? That picture, that dream got me
through. And just when we were about to
finally get there, you just quit. You
sold out the whole team, and for what?
Some bullshit sport no one gives a fuck
about.
(beat)
I haven't looked at that picture since.
(thinking)
I'll have to find that thing. You can
have it. Maybe it'll help you remember
who you used to be.
The BELL rings. Cavanaugh gets up, looks at Jack like he's a
failure.
CAVANAUGH (CONT'D)
See you around, Trumbull.
He walks away.
INT. AV LAB - EVENING
Light flickers on Stevie's face and glasses as he watches the
footage he shot and prepares to edit it.
EXT. COLLEGE CENTER AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
Jack, dressed in sportcoat and khakis walks up the stairs
among nicely dressed CONCERTGOERS.
INT. COLLEGE CENTER AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
Jack sits in the audience, program in hand. The orchestra
plays something by Handel.
Suddenly, the music trails off to silence and the stage goes
black except for one spotlight that falls on Jessica as she
begins her solo.
Jack is entranced when he sees her. She wears a long, slim
black dress. Her hair, slightly curled, falls over her
shoulders.
As she plays, the silver flute shines in the light. The scene
is luminous. The music from her tiny instrument fills the
auditorium.
He's in love.
EXT. COLLEGE CENTER AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
Jack and Jessica walk through campus. It is a mild night. She
wears a long coat, elegant.
JESSICA
So you liked it?
JACK
It was amazing.
JESSICA
Thanks. It's better when everyone is
playing at once, you can't hear me mess
up.
JACK
No, no, your solo was the best part of
the concert, really.
She looks down, smiles. Nervous energy. She stops.
JACK (CONT'D)
What's wrong?
She looks at him. He's confused. Suddenly, she leans in and
kisses him, long and passionate.
She pulls back softly and they look into each others eyes.
JACK (CONT'D)
I'm no expert but it just may have been
the best music ever played.
She laughs.
JESSICA
So, when can I come see you play?
INT. ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - DAY
Mr. Fournier walks through the office. TEACHERS and
SECRETARIES rush around.
A couple of HOODLUM students sit outside the principal's
office. Fournier goes to his mailbox. Takes a stack of mail
and thumbs through. One envelope catches his eye. He rips it
open and reads quickly.
MR. FOURNIER
Ho-ly shit.
The two Hoodlums look at him. He looks at them. Busted. He
looks around. No one else heard. He turns to walk to his
office. On his way by he casually leans down to them and says
quietly.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
No one would believe you in a million
years.
And keeps walking.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
(to teacher)
Hey, Jim, how are you today.
He opens his door to his office and walks in. He turns back
to the Hoodlums and gives them an evil eye before closing the
door.
INT. CORRIDOR - DAY
Jack walks down an empty corridor.
INT. MR. FOURNIER'S OFFICE - DAY
Jack now sits facing Mr. Fournier. Mr. Fournier is even more
excited than Jack.
MR. FOURNIER
Ok, here's the situation. Leed's
University. They were impressed by your
essay and your coach's recommendation.
Now, they aren't willing to come here
just for you but there is a kid on the
Harvard team who wants to transfer and
they are coming to see him play in the
New England Tournament. You know that
one?
JACK
Of course, yeah! It's the best in the
Northeast.
MR. FOURNIER
Ok, they are going to be there. So
basically, if you can get to that
tournament, they said they will come and
watch you play and consider you.
JACK
Ho-ly shit.
MR. FOURNIER
I know.
JACK
That's awesome, Mr. Fournier. That's
great. Thank you. I gotta tell Coach.
MR. FOURNIER
No problem. Congratulations.
Jack runs out the door.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
(to himself)
That's what I'm here for.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - DAY
The team kneels around Liam.
LIAM
What do you guys think? The New England
Tournament. Nichols has never gotten
there. Can this team? You guys told me
you want to win. We got eight games left.
Can we get this kid to the New England?
Silence. Jack waits.
BILLY
Fuck yeah?
WILLIAMS
We'll get you there.
One by one, the players agree.
SERIES OF SHOTS
The team practices
Stevie shoots a football game...
Rugby games...
Bodies slamming the ground..
Headlines Nichols Rugby Wins Another
Blood spurts from mouthguards...
The team playing well..Jack scoring.. winning..
Trumbull Leads All-Blacks To Fourth Consecutive
Drinking at different bars with the teams...
Jessica at the games...Jack sees her in the crowd..
Samantha and the girls from work are there...
Students Protest Team Name
Samantha brings a cup of coffee to Liam....
Stevie on the sidelines getting some shots of Jack's
games....
Percy spies on the games... takes notes...
We see the kids who had been playing touch football, now
standing on the sidelines...
The crowds getting bigger..
EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - DAY
The REFEREE fires a starters pistol into the air signalling
the end of the game. The team comes off the field, war weary
but happy, congratulating one another.
LIAM
Alright, bring it in, boys, take a knee.
The team does.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Good game out there. We got two games
left this season. We only have to win one
of ‘em and we're in the New England
tourney for the first time in the history
of the club.
The team WHOOPS and CHEERS.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Settle down, settle down. Like I said, we
still got two games. The first game is
against UCONN. They are a solid team but
we've beaten better teams this season.
The last game of the season is Amherst.
They don't have a loss all season and
they are the favorite going into the
tourney. They embarrassed you in our
first game of the year. And....
He looks over the team.
LIAM (CONT'D)
..we can beat them. Y'know, before that
game, you know what their coach told me?
He said that my team would be ready to
quit by halftime. And you know what, he
was right...about that team....but that
team doesn't exist anymore and what has
taken its place is unshakable..
The team gets riled
LIAM (CONT'D)
undeniable...
They get louder.
LIAM (CONT'D)
indestructible!!
They stand cheering.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Get outta here! Four o clock on Monday.
They walk away yelling.
BILLY
(to Teddy)
And now? We party.
EXT. FRATERNITY HOUSE - NIGHT
There is a huge sign in front that says PIMP AND HOOKER
There is a raging party going on. The front yard and house
are packed with drunk COLLEGE KIDS. All the girls are dressed
as HOOKERS; skimpy dresses, high boots, excessive make-up.
The guys are PIMPS; big hats, long coats, gold chains and
rings.
INT. FRATERNITY HOUSE - NIGHT
Berto and Boots stand, talking to some HOOKERS. Boots is
dressed in a plain white robe with a gold cross on it, and a
small, white hat.
Berto wears a priest outfit.
They have to yell over the crowd to speak to each other.
HOOKER#1
What are you guys supposed to be?
BOOTS
I'm the Pope..
He leans in so they can hear.
BOOTS (CONT'D)
And he's my bitch..
Berto and Boots think its hilarious. Hooker#1 is offended.
She turns and leaves. They watch her go when Hooker#2 moves
in.
HOOKER#2
I think it's sexy.
THE FRONT YARD
Leaning against the house, Jack is talking to Jessica. It is
away from the crazy crowds, much quieter. He wears a white
fuzzy hat, leopard print robe, gold chains.
She wears hooker like Julia Roberts. She leans in, close to
him, like she's going to kiss him.
JESSICA
So Huggy, where did you get your outfit?
JACK
Billy has an unusual amount of pimp
clothes. Lent these threads to me.
They laugh, kiss.
JACK (CONT'D)
You?
JESSICA
Oh, just some things I found in my
closet.
He smiles.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
You looked great out there today.
JACK
Oh yeah? Well, you look great right now.
He playfully attacks her neck. She laughs.
JESSICA
I'm serious, you looked really good. Have
you heard anything? From schools?
JACK
Just that one scout from Leeds coming to
the tournament.
JESSICA
As soon as they see you play, they'll all
be banging down your door.
The kiss.
CRASH
They turn to see Billy, lying in the grass. He just came
through the ground floor window. He shakes the glass from his
pimp hat. SOUNDS from the party come from the broken window.
BILLY
(to self)
Son of a..
He looks up at Jack and Jessica who look at him, waiting for
an explanation.
BILLY (CONT'D)
Terry thinks he's so fuckin' funny.
He gets up, dusts himself off. Goes to the window, opens the
broken pane and climbs back through.
BILLY (CONT'D)
Alright, motherfucker.
Jessica and Jack look at each other and laugh.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Jack walks Jessica home down a quiet, tree-lined street.
JACK
So, what about you?
JESSICA
What?
JACK
You ever think about music school?
JESSICA
Well, yeah. I mean, I did. When I was
applying to schools, I wanted more than
anything to go to Berklee.
JACK
In California?
JESSICA
No, no, Berklee School of Music in
Boston. I went and auditioned and
everything. I actually got in.
JACK
Really?
JESSICA
But that's all that was there, music. I
mean, what would happen if I turned
thirty and realized I didn't have it?
Then where would I be? So my parents and
I decided I would come here and study
business. It was just too big a risk.
JACK
Wow.
JESSICA
What?
JACK
Nothing, it's just...well, I'd risk
mediocrity for a chance at greatness any
day.
JESSICA
Mediocrity?
JACK
Well,...yeah.
He looks her in the eyes.
JACK (CONT'D)
Jess, when I heard you up there, I
couldn't breathe. You were perfect. If
you can do that for even one second, be
perfect, then it means its possible and
if its possible to reach perfection doing
something you love, then anything else
you do in your life can only be mediocre
in comparison. Don't you think?
JESSICA
Perfection. And what is perfection for
you, in your life what would it be?
JACK
Gareth Edwards. 1973 Barbarians against
the All-Blacks. For thirty seconds of
that game, there was perfection.
She looks at him.
JESSICA
I don't have any idea what any of that
means but it sounds pretty good.
JACK
It was.
She smiles. She kisses him, long and passionate.
JESSICA
Was that mediocre?
JACK
No.
JESSICA
Perfection?
JACK
Almost, but I think we should keep
working on it.
She smiles.
INT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Stevie walks down the corridor. Cavanaugh catches up with
him.
CAVANAUGH
Hey, Spielberg?! What's up with that
tape. It needs to be done by Monday.
STEVIE
I know, I know. The whole thing is
finished it's at my house. I just want to
get some shots of this last game, y'know,
some shots of you breaking the record.
I'll edit them in. You can use it just as
it is if you want, I could just go home
and get it-
CAVANAUGH
No, no. That's a good idea, Spielberg.
Just make sure it's done.
STEVIE
I never miss a deadline.
CAVANAUGH
Whatever, just make sure I have it on
Monday. I'll see you later.
He goes off down the hall.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DUSK
The sky is winter purple as snow begins to fall. Jack and
Liam load a wheelbarrow with wood from the woodpile to stack
under the porch.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DUSK
Samantha stands with a cup of coffee watching them through
the window. She smiles.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DUSK
Jack and Liam are moving the pile of wood closer to the
house. Jack returns with the empty wheelbarrow.
JACK
So Coach, I've never heard any stories
from your days on the Welsh team.
LIAM
They're mostly long stories.
JACK
It's a big pile.
LIAM
What do you want to hear?
JACK
How ‘bout your greatest victory.
LIAM
My greatest victory. Let's see. Well,
there was this one year. I don't even
remember what year it was. They all blend
together now. At any rate, we had played
tough all season and had only lost a
couple of matches. It was our biggest
tournament of the year. And we had made
it to the final. This tourney was huge,
especially for us. So, they were leading
but a try would put us ahead. We were in
Scotland and all of the sudden, this fog
rolls in. It was surreal. Suddenly, you
could barely see three feet in front of
your face. Anyway, time was running down
and we had one more shot. We moved up the
field and as we got to the goalline, we
just hit a brick wall, stopped cold.
There were only a few seconds left when
suddenly through the fog I see the ball,
just hanging there, suspended, like it
was on a wire. Next thing I knew I was
face down on the ground, the ball at my
fingertips. I had scored. I could see the
line and see the ball but the refs
couldn't see it through the fog. By the
time they saw it, the chaos of bodies
and... well, the ball was well short of
the goalline. I was probably the only one
who knew I had scored. I never told
anyone.
There was no way it would be reversed on
my word and I figured it would be better
if no one ever knew. But I knew we won.
JACK
So you actually lost your greatest
victory.
LIAM
Ironic, huh?
JACK
Wouldn't that make it your greatest
defeat?
LIAM
Oh, no, I have a long list of great
defeats.
Jack laughs.
JACK
Oh.
LIAM
I know it probably sounds shallow and
pathetic but since the day I started
playing this game, I've always wanted to
carry off that trophy. That first place
for a major tournament. Y'know, bringing
it home, putting it on the mantle...I
don't know. That was probably the worst
part. Being so close.
Jack listens, he understands. The wheelbarrow is full.
JACK
I think its your turn.
LIAM
Damn.
Liam picks up the handles and wheels off. Jack stands and
looks out over the yard. He closes his eyes and smells the
air.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - EVENING
Jack and Liam sit at the table. Samantha brings two cups to
them and sets them down.
JACK
Mom makes the best hot chocolate.
LIAM
(looking at Samantha)
I don't doubt it.
She smiles.
ON THE TABLE
Is the Webster Chronicle. A headline reads, CAVANAUGH GOES
FOR RECORD TOMORROW.
SAMANTHA
Are we going to the game tomorrow?
JACK
The guy's such a dick.
SAMANTHA
I'm sure, but the whole town's gonna be
there, it'll be fun. And Stevie's going
to be shooting it, you should be there
for him.
(beat)
C'mon, Jack.
JACK
Fine.
SAMANTHA
Good. How about you, Liam?
LIAM
Sure, sounds like a good time.
INT. STEVIE'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
Stevie bundles himself in a sweater, coat, hat gloves, wraps
his camera in a scarf and puts it in his backpack. He sneaks
down the stairs, and out the front door.
EXT. STEVIE'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
There is fresh snow on the ground as Stevie walks down the
sidewalk. We see his breath.
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD - AFTERNOON
Everyone in the town is there to see Cavanaugh break the
record. Jack, Liam and Samantha stand together in the stands.
INT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD - AFTERNOON
Stevie makes his way to the sidelines. He walks up to the
Coach.
COACH
Hey Stevie. I thought the best place for
you would be around the fifty. I got a
spot for you.
STEVIE
Ok.
INT. PA ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - EVENING
The sun goes down and the stadium lights come on as two cable
access type ANNOUNCERS sit in the booth.
ANNOUNCER#1
Unseasonably early snow should make this
an interesting contest.
ANNOUNCER#2
And one to remember as Chris Cavanaugh
goes for the all time rushing record for
Webster High.
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT
Stevie sets up his camera. His breath condenses in the cold
air. He brushes snow off the camera and puts it on a tripod.
INT. PA ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - NIGHT
The two Announcers drink coffee.
ANNOUNCER#1
And here they come!
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT
The team comes charging onto the field led by Cavanaugh. The
crowd goes crazy. Stevie catches it all.
THE TEAMS
Are lined up. The other team kicks off. The RECEIVER catches
it and returns it to the twenty yard line.
THE OFFENSE
Runs out onto the field.
STEVIE
Shoots the plays.
The snow picks up.
CAVANAUGH
Runs people over, gaining yards.
THE CROWD
Stands up, cheers.
STEVIE
Brushes snow from his camera. Tightens his scarf, pulls his
jacket closer. He takes off his gloves to fix adjust the
lense.
INT. PA ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH - DAY
The two announcers are into the game.
ANNOUNCER#1
Coming into the third quarter, Hawks lead
21 to 3.
ANNOUNCER#2
That's right, but the real score is
thirty nine. Chris Cavanaugh is thirty
nine yards away from history.
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY
Cavanaugh is tackled out of bounds. He lands near Stevie.
CAVANAUGH
(to Stevie)
Shouldn't be long now.
He runs back onto the field and flips the ball to the Ref.
STEVIE adjusts the setting on the camera. He COUGHS as he
looks through the lense.
The SCOREBOARD Shows start of fourth quarter.
Cavanaugh breaks tackles and is brought down.
ANNOUNCER#1
And that's another six yard drive.
ANNOUNCER#2
He's got seventeen to go and four minutes
left.
The crowd is LOUD with anticipation.
STEVIE
Adjusts the lense. Dark circles around his eyes. His red,
bare hand shakes. He blinks his eyes to try to get his vision
straight. He COUGHS.
CAVANAUGH
Drives for a few more yards.
ANNOUNCER#1
That's a first down. First and 10 on the
thirty.
Stevie shivers. He's pale. He struggles to aim the camera and
keep his eyes open.
ANNOUNCER#2
Cavanaugh, breaks to the outside!
Cavanaugh runs around the end and down the sideline. The
crowd is deafening, on their feet as he sprints past.
STEVIE
Desperately tries to follow with his camera.
CAVANAUGH
Raises his hands as he runs into the endzone.
ANNOUNCER#1
Touchdown! A new rushing record for Chris
Cavanaugh!
The team celebrates in the endzone. The stadium goes nuts.
THROUGH THE LENSE
The camera moves erratically before facing straight up at the
black sky and bright lights. Snowflakes land and melt on the
lense.
FROM ABOVE
We see Stevie's small form, lying in the snow, unconscious.
The camera and tripod lay next to him.
Coach Stevenson kneels next to him as others gather around.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
The DOCTOR talks to Stevie's parents, both of whom are
shaken. Coach Stevenson and Cavanaugh stand listening. Mr.
Abramowitz has his arm around his wife as they listen to the
Doctor. Jack and Samantha come rushing down the hallway as
the Doctor explains.
DOCTOR
He's stabilizing but it's still a
critical situation. This weather combined
with his existing weak condition...
Mrs. Abramowitz sobs.
SAMANTHA
It's OK, Beth. It'll be OK
DOCTOR
... look, his body just doesn't have the
strength to overcome extreme elements.
When it couldn't warm itself, it began
shutting down to keep the heart warm and
working.
MR. ABRAMOWITZ
So what are we looking at here, Doc?
DOCTOR
Fortunately, he's young and there were
paramedics on site. We are expecting,
after some time, that he should come
through this alright.
MR. ABRAMOWITZ
Any long term affects?
DOCTOR
Its still very early but from what we can
tell right now, no.
MRS. ABRAMOWITZ
Thank god.
DOCTOR
But we are still watching him closely. It
will take some time.
His parents hug each other and cry.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
I think the best thing for you to do is
just go home.
MRS. ABRAMOWITZ
I can't. I just can't.
MR. ABRAMOWITZ
We can't leave him.
(beat)
Damn.
MRS. ABRAMOWITZ
What is it?
MR. ABRAMOWITZ
I left the front door open and the TV on.
JACK
I'll go back.
CAVANAUGH
No. Jack, you should be here. Let me go.
I'll go lock up for you and turn off the
TV. I should be getting back anyway.
MR. ABRAMOWITZ
Would you? That would be great, thanks.
It locks from the inside so you don't
need the keys. Thanks Chris.
CAVANAUGH
No problem, I'll go right now.
He goes down the hall.
MR. ABRAMOWITZ
Hey Chris!
He turns.
MR. ABRAMOWITZ (CONT'D)
Congratulations. On the new record. Whole
town's proud of you.
CAVANAUGH
Thanks, Mr. Abramowitz.
Coach watches him go.
EXT. ABRAMOWITZ HOUSE - NIGHT
Cavanaugh pulls up to the house in his pick up truck. He
walks through the snow up to the front door.
The front door is wide open. We can hear the TV in the house.
He walks in.
INT. ABRAMOWITZ HOUSE - NIGHT
It looks like they dropped everything and ran out. He looks
around...walks over to the TV and shuts it off. It is eerily
quiet.
He walks around the house. There is a staircase. He goes
up... comes to a bedroom. Stevie's.
INT. STEVIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Movie posters adorn the walls. Braveheart, Casablanca,
Citizen Kane. There are stacks of videotapes. Cavanaugh looks
down the list.
On top of the VCR are more tapes. He scans them...takes one
from the stack, looks at it.
Recruiting Video
He looks around, puts it in his jacket and walks out.
EXT. ABRAMOWITZ HOUSE - NIGHT
Cavanaugh locks the door from the inside and closes it. Walks
down to his car and pulls away.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Jack and Samantha walk in. They look tired. The clock says
11:30.
SAMANTHA
You should get to bed, Hon. You got a big
game tomorrow.
JACK
I don't know, maybe I shouldn't go. I
should be at the hospital.
SAMANTHA
You know what I think? I think you should
go to your game and for two hours forget
about everything else and play.
JACK
Maybe this is all a mistake. Playing just
doesn't seem so important right now.
SAMANTHA
Jack, its important to you. You should
go.
He listens, she's right.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - MORNING
Samantha makes breakfast in her robe. The phone RINGS.
SAMANTHA
Hello? Beth, how is he?
Jack comes into the kitchen, listening. Samantha smiles at
him.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
Oh, thank God. That's great, yeah, I'll
let him know. Ok, thanks, bye.
She hangs up.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D)
He stabilized over night, they are going
to keep him under for a few days but it
looks like he's going to be fine.
(beat)
He should be able to have visitors on
Wednesday.
He looks at her and smiles.
EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - DAY
The sun is out and melts what's left of the snow that fell
the day before. Jack approaches the team on the sidelines.
JESSICA
(os)
Hey handsome.
He turns.
JACK
Hey.
JESSICA
Are you OK?
JACK
Yeah, they say he's gonna be fine.
JESSICA
That's great, Jack.
She hugs him.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
So, you gonna kick some ass today?
JACK
(thinks about it)
If I have to.
JESSICA
Yes, you do. Good luck.
She kisses him.
He walks away toward the team. As he approaches, Liam walks
up to meet him.
LIAM
How you doin'?
JACK
Be a lot better after we win today.
Liam smiles.
LIAM
Alright, bring it in. Take a knee.
They do.
LIAM (CONT'D)
We can end it right here. We win today,
and we're in the tournament. You guys
ready?
TEAM
YEAH!
LIAM
I said, ARE YOU READY!
TEAM
YEAH!
THE BALL
Gets kicked off by our team.
WILLIAMS
Receives it, he moves it up the field, pitches it off to
BILLY
who drives into another player, his legs drive as he throws a
punch. He's brought down.
TEDDY AND BOOTS
drive the pile over the ball.
WILLIAMS
picks it up and pitches it off to
JACK
Sprints down the sideline.
This is team work, grunt work as they drive the ball down the
field.
The other team is tough. Teddy gets an elbow in the mouth.
Hardly notices.
No holds barred in this game.
INSIDE THE SCRUM
Cleates into shins. Punches, elbows, headbutts, utter chaos.
Somebody's fingers go into Billy's mouth, he bites them.
Our team scores...scores...
Percy lurks nearby, watching with a clipboard. Time winds
down. Our team is leading comfortably.
The game ends and our team celebrates. They congratulate each
other, muddy, bloody, tired. They come to the sidelines.
The two coaches cross the field to each other.
UCONN COACH
Great game, Coach. You done a hell of a
job with that squad.
LIAM
Thanks, Coach. It was a hard fought
battle.
UCONN COACH
Do me a favor. Kick the shit outta Brett
Dodd's team in the New England.
LIAM
We'll do what we can. Thanks, coach.
The UCONN COACH walks away. Liam stands alone on the field,
savoring the moment.
ON THE SIDELINES
BERTO
(looking at his bleeding
fingers)
Someone fuckin' bit me out there.
Billy looks around guiltily.
BILLY
We goin' to the Grape to celebrate?
JESSICA AND JACK stand together.
She hugs him.
JESSICA
You were so good out there.
She looks at him.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
Your mom should be home from work by now,
you should go tell her. She's probably
dying to hear.
JACK
Yeah, that's a good idea. Ok, I'll call
you later?
JESSICA
You better.
He kisses her, goes over and picks up his bike.
He rides through town. He passes a field where the kids are
playing with the football. This time, they are trying to copy
what they saw on the rugby field. Pitching the ball off and
tackling each other, no more touch.
They stop and watch as Jack passes.
We focus on ONE. Confident. He's the type who, at nine, you
already know is going to be an athlete.
Jack rides down the main street. People know him, he can't
wipe the grin off his face.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Jack rides into the driveway, throws his bike down. And runs
into the house.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
The screen door SLAMS shut as he tears through the porch and
into the kitchen where he's stopped cold..
Samantha sits at the kitchen table. Her eyes red. She's a
nervous wreck. She doesn't look at Jack.
Jack walks in slowly.
JACK
Mom?
He's getting nervous.
JACK (CONT'D)
Mom? What is it? What's wrong?
She doesn't look, its like she doesn't hear him.
JACK (CONT'D)
Mom!
She turns. She doesn't want to say it. She looks at him.
SAMANTHA
(tears streaming)
Stevie...died..this afternoon.
He's confused.
JACK
What? But..but they said..
SAMANTHA
It was sudden cardiac.... his heart just
collapsed or something. Oh God, I don't
know. They said it happened too fast-
JACK
No...no, that can't be right.
She gets up. She comes to him. He doesn't want to hear it.
He backs up.
SAMANTHA
Jack.
He turns and takes off out the front door.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Jack sprints off the stairs and across the yard still
carrying the ball. He grabs his bike and peddles off.
Samantha comes out on the front stairs.
SAMANTHA
Jack!
She watches him go.
EXT. PATH - AFTERNOON
Jack rides fast down a path we haven't seen before...
Through the woods....
He comes to an old football field.. goalposts stand like
relics rising from tall weeds, casting long afternoon
shadows....the ground is a mixture of tall grass and bare
dirt..
He rides his bike right onto the field, throws it down..
He stands there, in the middle of the field as if waiting for
an answer.. He looks around..
After a moment, his frustration overcomes him.
JACK
Aahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
He kicks the ball hard and high. It lands and disappears in
the grass. He's in a fog... walks to goalpost, looks up at it
from the base, into the bright blue sky. He begins to calm
down.
He walks over to where the ball landed... kicks the grass
until he finds it. He looks down at it.
He sits down next to it. Picks it up, looks at it. Looks
around. He doesn't know what to do.
He looks down at the brown dirt, takes a handful and holds it
up to his nose, breathes in deeply, exhales and breaks down.
The sun starts to set.
Down the dirt road comes LIAM'S PICK-UP TRUCK. He pulls up
and gets out. He sees Jack sitting in the middle of the
field.
Liam walks slowly over. Jack doesn't move. He knows who it
is.
He stands over him.
LIAM
Your Mom said you might be here.
Jack doesn't say anything.
LIAM (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, Jack.
Nothing. Liam sits down next to him.
LIAM (CONT'D)
She's worried about you.
JACK
She always is.
LIAM
(smiles)
Yeah, I guess you're right.
(beat)
My mom used to walk me to school everyday
until I was fourteen.
Jack looks at him.
JACK
Fourteen? What, was she afraid you'd be
kidnapped or something?
LIAM
Nah.
(beat)
Afraid I wouldn't go to school.
Jack nods. He looks out over the field. Pauses.
JACK
My dad used to take me here when I was a
kid. This is where he taught me to play.
His team used to play here. The ‘Webster
Fire Department Lions'.
Liam smiles slightly.
JACK (CONT'D)
He could've played professional. He met
my mom when she was on a year abroad in
London. When she called him and told him
she was pregnant, he just moved here and
married her. He gave up everything. She
quit school.
(beat)
They gave up everything, for me. Every
now and then, he'd get a newsclipping
from one of his old teammates or there
would be a game on...you could see it in
his face, he wanted so badly to be there.
Not that he wasn't happy or that he
didn't love us because he did, just that
he wished sometimes that things were
different, that he was there, y'know.
LIAM
Yeah, I do.
They sit in silence for a moment.
JACK
Coach, how did you end up here, in
Webster?
He hesitates. Looks down, pulls at the grass.
LIAM
One night, after a big loss, I went out,
got piss drunk, got in a fight, almost
killed a guy. Almost got killed myself. I
woke up in the hospital to divorce
papers. Coaches weren't too happy about
it either and since I was past my prime,
they thought it would be good time for
them to let me go. So I figured I needed
a fresh start. And since America is the
world capital of fresh starts, I signed
the divorce papers, went to London and
got on the first flight to the US which
happened to be Boston. Of course, after
about a week, I realized city life was
not for me. I bought a car for six
hundred dollars and just started driving.
I remember that day. It was spring and I
had the windows down and I was just
driving along, happy as could be and
that's when I smelled it, the thawing
pastures. It was home. Home away from
home. I pulled in and never left. That
was five years ago.
(looks out over the field)
Doesn't seem like it.
He looks at Jack. Jack is looking down at the ball.
LIAM (CONT'D)
People die, Jack. People leave us. People
let us down. Its awful but its real. Its
how we deal with it that makes us who we
are. Anyone can be gracious in victory,
in good times. But it's the truly great
ones who walk off the field in defeat,
just grateful for the challenge.
JACK
I shoulda been there. I was going to the
hospital but I went to the game instead.
LIAM
Your mom said he never even woke up.
JACK
But I shoulda been there. What if he did,
maybe he did for a second. Maybe-
(he can't hold the tears)
GODDAMMIT!
He picks up his bike and tries to leave. Liam grabs him.
LIAM
You're not a kid, Jack. You can't run
away from this. Your mother is worried
sick.
He calms his voice. Looks at him like a friend.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Go home, let her know you're alright.
Jack looks at Liam. He knows he's right.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Samantha is on the phone when Jack enters. She sees him.
SAMANTHA
He's home, I'll talk to you later.
She hangs up. He stands in the doorway still a mess from his
game, dirt streaked down his cheeks from crying. She looks at
him for a moment and then rushes to him, throws her arms
around him and squeezes. He hugs her back.
JACK
I'm sorry, mom.
SAMANTHA
Me too, Honey. Me too.
(beat)
It'll be ok, Jack.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
The early evening light over the house is a light blue fading
up to the black sky.
INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING
It is homeroom, first thing in the morning. The room is loud
with conversation before the teacher comes in. Cavanaugh is
there, accepting congratulations from admiring STUDENTS. The
door opens and the TEACHER comes in. He's an older man, meek,
carrying a briefcase. He walks to his desk, the weight of the
world on his shoulders.
TEACHER
Please take your seats.
They don't hear him.
TEACHER (CONT'D)
TAKE YOUR SEATS!
The class turns, startled at the uncharacteristic shout.
They sit. Cavanaugh still whispers to the STUDENT next to him
about the game.
TEACHER (CONT'D)
I've just received some upsetting news.
It seems your classmate, Steven
Abramowitz, passed away yesterday of
complications of a heart condition.
The class GASPS. Cavanaugh whips his head around.
CAVANAUGH
What did he say?
STUDENT#1
Stevie Abramowitz died.
Cavanaugh is shocked by the news.
EXT. CEMETARY - DAY
It is raining. Jack stands with Samantha on one side and
Jessica on the other.
There is a large CROWD of mourners at the funeral. Stevie's
father holds his mother who is a wreck.
Among the faces in the crowd are Liam, Mr. Fournier, Mr.
Meeker, Coach Stevenson...
INT. CAVANAUGH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The room has sports heroes on the walls and trophies of every
kind all around.
Cavanaugh is visibly shaken. He looks over the tape marked
RECRUITING VIDEO. He puts it into the VCR and sits down on
the edge of the bed to watch.
INT. JACK'S ROOM - NIGHT
He looks through old pictures of him and Stevie. Young kids
having fun, playing baseball, swimming. He then finds a
picture of him with his father.
His father is wearing a rugby uniform, has just finished a
game. Jack is on his shoulders.
He puts the pictures away, picks up a book and sits on his
bed.
INT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Jack stands outside Mr. Fournier's office. He is about to
knock but stops himself. He looks at the door, then walks
away.
LATER
The BELL rings for the end of the day. Students file out of
classrooms. Jack goes to his locker, looks in.
He takes out his cleats, looks them over...then puts them
back. He can't bring himself to go to practice.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - DAY
The team is all there.
LIAM
Alright, let's go. Get out there.
The team walks out. Liam looks out across the field for any
sign of Jack. Nothing.
EXT. NICHOLS COLLEGE LIBRARY - DAY
Jack walks up the steps, backpack slung over his back.
INT. NICHOLS COLLEGE LIBRARY - DAY
Jack sits at a table, reading. He fidgets in his seat. He
looks around. He can't sit still.
JACK
Damn.
He gets up, grabs his bag and rushes out of the library.
INT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Jack's locker opens and he grabs his cleats.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - AFTERNOON
The team stops and watches as Jack makes his way over. Liam
walks over to meet him.
LIAM
Wasn't sure I'd see you today.
JACK
I wasn't sure myself.
LIAM
You up to this?
JACK
I don't know.
Liam understands. They walk onto the field together.
INT. BRETT'S OFFICE - DAY
Percy stands while Brett sits behind his desk. Brett seems
anxious.
PERCY
We could just object to him playing. He
is in high school. We object. Take him
out of the mix-
BRETT
Yeah, and everyone knows I'm the coward
who wouldn't go against the high school
kid. No thanks, but if you come up with
any other brilliant plans, let me know.
Percy pouts.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Regardless of what happens tomorrow, they
are already in the tourney. We'll
probably see them again. You got the
camcorder? I want a tape of the whole
game so we can shut ‘em down when it
counts.
EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - DAY
Game day. The team gets ready to play on our side of the
field. The familiar red shirts of the Amherst team loom on
the other.
Keene sits on the bench, leering across the field.
Terry watches him. Boots sees it.
BOOTS
(to Terry)
That guy steps one foot on that field and
I promise you, he won't walk off under
his own power.
ON OUR SIDE
Liam gives the pre-game pep talk to the guys.
LIAM
If anyone thinks this game doesn't count,
that we're already in the tournament no
matter what, so it doesn't matter? You
are dead wrong. This is the most
important match of the season. If we beat
‘em today, we send a message to every
team in the league that we are a team not
to be fucked with. We win today and we
get in their heads and I promise you, we
will crush them in the New England. But
if we lay down, if we decide this match
doesn't matter, then we're just another
team with a lucky run on an easy schedule
who couldn't hang with the big boys. They
embarrassed you and they're dying to do
it again, right now. Think about that
when you're out there.
The team hangs on his every word.
REFEREE
(os)
Teams on the field!
LIAM
Alright, this is it. TAKE IT TO ‘EM!
The team charges on the field. Liam grabs Jack.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Forget about everything. Play your game,
you'll do fine.
Jack looks at him. Nods.
ON THE FIELD
The ball is kicked off to our team.
BILLY receives it. He runs over an Amherst PLAYER.
He's tackled, hits the ground and releases the ball.
A melee of bodies fight for the ball. The ball pops out from
the pile into the hands of an Amherst player.
He takes off down the field, chased by Jack and Billy.
They take him down.
ON THE SIDELINE
Percy moves along the sideline with the camcorder, trying to
be stealth as he tapes the game.
ON THE FIELD
Our guys slowly move the ball upfield.
The game is an all out brawl. Fighting for every foot of
ground.
Another scrum when the ball is tossed out to Teddy, he
lumbers toward the goal, two men on him. His legs don't stop
moving and he SCORES.
LIAM is pumped.
BRETT is infuriated. He YELLS at his team.
SHOTS OF THE GAME
AMHERST scores..
JACK moving up the field..
JACK scoring..
FACES getting hit...hitting the ground..
EYES getting clawed...
AMHERST scores..
The WHISTLE BLOWS...
ON OUR SIDELINE-
LIAM talks to the guys.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Ok, great first half, we're only down one
try. Everyone's doing their jobs. Keep it
up, one more half and we'll own the
tourney.
SECOND HALF
The action on both sides is more desperate as both teams vie
for field position.
JACK is fully immersed in the game. He's focused. He catches
a pitch from Billy and fights off tackles as his legs pump
and he drives down the field.
BILLY scores.
AMHERST scores.
TERRY scores.
WILLIAMS scores.
LIAM'S scorecard AMHERST 21 Nichols 23
Our team leads by less than a try.
Jack has the ball. He runs up the sideline and is tackled out
of bounds, knocking into PERCY who falls over the bench.
Percy looks up at Jack with the camcorder and in a FLASH,
Jack sees STEVIE looking up at him with his camera. He
stands, stunned, dazed.
The Ref grabs the ball from Jack.
REFEREE
Let's go, Son, back on the field. A
minute forty-five left to play.
Jack steps back onto the field, trying to shake it off but he
can't. He's dizzy.
BILLY
(to team as they line up for
the throw in)
Keep it out of our end of the field and
we win this game. If you get the ball,
kick it out of our end.
The ball is thrown into the pile of players. Amherst controls
it, moves it up the field.
Jack moves along mindlessly with the crowd.
He sees Percy on the sidelines.
He tries to clear his eyes.
BRETT
Keene!
Keene perks up. He stands, ready to go out.
Amherst gains ground.
PERCY
Wait!
Keene stands on the sidelines.
Our guys are doing everything they can to stop them. Finally,
yards from the goal, they are stopped and there is a scrum.
Jack stands nearby. Some Amherst players break from the scrum
as Billy comes out with the ball.
BILLY
JACK!
Billy pitches the ball to Jack, barely getting it off.
Jack looks, the ball sails to him. He is standing virtually
alone. He catches it and stands for a moment, confused.
Brett glares at Percy.
BILLY (CONT'D)
Kick it out! Kick it out!
AMHERST players rush toward him. He finally tries to kick the
ball but it is too late, he's swarmed.
He falls to the ground.
The BALL slides through the mud.
An AMHERST player picks it up. Our team watches hopelessly
out of reach as AMHERST scores to win the game.
BRETT
(to Percy)
You're lucky.
JACK sits up in the mud, not even sure what just happened.
OUR TEAM drops their heads in exhausted defeat.
AMHERST celebrates.
ON THE AMHERST SIDE
BRETT (CONT'D)
So, the high school hero choked.
ON OUR SIDE
Liam is disappointed.
ON THE FIELD
All the players get to their feet. Jack sits in the middle of
the field. Billy and Williams get him to his feet and they
all walk off.
ON THE SIDELINE
Jack comes off the field. The team is down, none more than
Jack.
BERTO
Its alright, Jack. Don't worry about it.
JACK
Thanks. I'll see ya, guys. I gotta get
home.
He picks up his bike. He walks it off across the field. Liam
goes after him.
LIAM
Hey!
Jack keeps walking.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Hey, Jack!
He slows down but keeps moving. Liam catches up.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Hey, it's alright, Kid. We'll get ‘em in
the tournament.
JACK
I'm not going.
LIAM
Whaddya mean?
JACK
I'm done, Coach.
LIAM
What?
JACK
I'm no good to you guys right now.
LIAM
We can't win without you.
JACK
You would've won today.
LIAM
I never took you for a quitter, Jack.
Jack stops. He looks at Liam.
JACK
You know what, Coach? You picked the
wrong town.
LIAM
What?
JACK
You should've just kept driving, ‘cause
now you're stuck here. It won't let you
leave. And if you try, it will kill you.
Like it did to Stevie and my dad.
LIAM
What are you talking about?
JACK
My dad was going to meet with the owners
of the London Irish. I was old enough and
he was young enough and there was a spot
for him. He got a call. He was going. My
mom doesn't know I know but he told me
one night. He wanted to make sure it was
o.k. with me. I was nine. And three days
before he was supposed to go, he got the
call to that goddamn empty warehouse.
LIAM
Jack.
JACK
You picked the wrong town.
They stand for a moment.
JACK (CONT'D)
Good luck with the tournament.
He walks away.
INT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Jack stands outside Mr. Fournier's office. This time, he
KNOCKS.
INT. MR. FOURNIER'S OFFICE - DAY
Jack sits across from him.
MR. FOURNIER
Sure, there's still time to get the
applications in. They'd have to be in the
mail by the end of the week.
JACK
Ok.
MR. FOURNIER
Are you sure that's what you want to do.
Jack hesitates.
JACK
Yeah, I'm sure.
MR. FOURNIER
Ok.
(hands him four manila
envelopes)
There's an application in each one. Just
fill ‘em out, seal them up and I'll send
them for you. Just bring ‘em back by
Friday.
JACK
Ok. Thanks.
MR. FOURNIER
Sure.
Jack gets up to leave. On his way out he turns.
JACK
Thanks for all your help, Mr. Fournier.
MR. FOURNIER
That's what I'm here for.
JACK
Can you let the recruiter know that I'm
not going to the tournament.
Mr. Fournier is disappointed to hear that.
MR. FOURNIER
Yeah. Sure.
JACK
Thanks.
He leaves.
EXT. WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Jack walks down the stairs, stops when he hears.
JESSICA
(os)
Hey.
He turns to see her. He doesn't want to right now.
JACK
Hey.
She's been waiting for him.
JESSICA
Where've you been? I've been calling your
house-
JACK
Yeah, I know..I-
JESSICA
I spoke to Terry. Said you quit.
JACK
Well, its a little more complicated than
that.
JESSICA
Is it?
Jack's starting to get pissed.
JACK
Yeah.
JESSICA
Man, you almost had me fooled.
JACK
What?
JESSICA
All your talk about being perfect. About
following your dreams. You almost had me.
JACK
You don't understand-
She looks at him.
JESSICA
No, I guess I don't.
He looks at her, frustrated, angry.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
Don't worry. After a while, mediocrity
isn't so bad. There's plenty of company.
He stands there and watches as she turns and walks away.
INT. JACK'S ROOM - DAY
Jack folds up his rugby shirt. He puts it, along with his
cleates, and the ball in a box, closes it and puts it in his
closet.
SERIES OF SHOTS
Jack in class.
He's just a regular High School Kid.
He's alone.
He looks over the applications at home.
The team practices without him.
Eating dinner with his mom.
She's worried about him.
NICHOLS RUGBY HEADS TO NEW ENGLAND TOURNEY comes off the
printing press.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Jack works in the backyard, raking leaves.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Samantha does the dishes.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Jack picks up the rake and notices the head is loose. He
looks down to see the screw is missing.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
She hears the door open.
JACK
(os)
Mom, I'm goin' up the hardware store, you
need anything?
SAMANTHA
No, thanks.
JACK
Ok, be back in a while.
SAMANTHA
Ok.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jack rides his bike along the backroads of the town.
INT. JAMESON'S HARDWARE STORE - DAY
A bell DINGS as Jack enters the small store. The owner, MR.
JAMESON an older man stands behind the counter.
Jack looks through the drawers of screws until he finds what
he's looking for. He goes to the counter.
MR. JAMESON
Hey, Jack. How're you doin'?
JACK
Doin' alright. How ‘bout you, Mr.
Jameson?
MR. JAMESON
Can't complain.
He pays for the screw.
JACK
Well, see you later, thanks.
MR. JAMESON
See you, Jack. And good luck this
weekend.
Jack looks at him.
MR. JAMESON (CONT'D)
At the tournament.
Jack is flustered. He doesn't know what to say. He stammers.
JACK
Um..well..yeah, actually..I ah,
He can't bring himself to tell him he quit.
JACK (CONT'D)
Thanks, Mr. Jameson. I'll see you later.
He walks out.
EXT. JAMESON'S HARDWARE STORE - DAY
As Jack walks out, a man, MR. THOMES, 40, is walking in.
MR. THOMES
Hey, Jack. Kick some ass this weekend,
Buddy.
Jack, turns as Mr. Thomes continues into the store.
JACK
(to self)
Thanks.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jack rides down past the field where the kids play. They are
all wearing old Polo type shirts, having a great time
tackling each other, they seem to have learned a little more.
As Jack comes riding toward the field, the one KID that we
focused on before, sees him coming and stops playing. He
walks to the edge of the field.
He hesitates.
KID
(barely enough nerve)
Hey, Jack!
Jack looks, rides over and stops. Four of the kids come over.
Four others stand on the field, waiting for the game to
continue.
KID (CONT'D)
Hey, um, what time is the first game on
Saturday?
JACK
What?
KID
At the New England, what time should we
be there for the first game?
Jack is confused.
JACK
You're going?
The kids laugh at the question.
KID
Yeah.
He can't believe what he's hearing.
JACK
Its a two hour drive.
KID#2
My dad is taking the day off from work.
He's drivin' us all up there to see you
guys play.
Jack is blown away. Stunned silence.
KID#1
So what time should we get there?
JACK
Um,...noon. The first game is at noon.
KID#3
(os)
Hey, Cavanaugh! Let's go!
Jack looks at him.
JACK
Cavanaugh? You Chris' kid brother?
KID#4
(os)
MATT! C'mon, I gotta go soon!
He nods, almost embarrassed.
MATT
We'll see you up there, Jack.
The three turn and run back onto the field. He stands for a
minute and watches.
EXT. STREET - DAY
He rides through town.
As he goes, different people on the street wave to him as he
passes, more and more of them wish him luck.
INT. JACK'S ROOM - DAY
Jack sits on his bed, looking over the applications.
INT. MR. FOURNIER'S OFFICE - DAY
Jack sits across from Mr. Fournier. He hands the manila
envelopes to him.
He's disheartened to see Jack there. But he has a job to do.
Mr. Fournier looks the envelopes over.
He sees that they are not sealed. He slides one of the
applications out. Looks at it.
He looks at Jack.
JACK
Thought you might want them back. I'm not
going to use them.
Mr. Fournier is happy to hear it.
MR. FOURNIER
So, what are you going to do?
JACK
Go to practice.
(beat)
I don't suppose you called that
recruiter, yet.
MR. FOURNIER
Call me an optimist.
Jack smiles.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD - DAY
Dressed in his practice gear, Jack walks confidently,
strongly, across the field to the team.
The team stops.
We focus on the FACES of Terry..Berto...Williams..Boots...
Billy..as Jack walks toward them.
They welcome him back with pats on the back as they get back
to work.
INT. AMHERST LOCKER ROOM- DAY
The team sits in front of a small cart with a TV and VCR.
Brett stands next to it. He stops the tape.
Keene sits in the corner, quiet, angry.
BRETT
We were lucky to win that game. I don't
know what happened to that kid but I'm
not planning on it happening again.
Amherst has won this tournament ten out
of the twelve years I've been here. This
is it, my last year and I am not leaving
ten and three, especially with a loss to
some half ass country school club led by
a high school kid. Their game is simple
and we will shut it down. If we have to
practice from now till game time, we will
shut it down. Back out on the field.
The team files out.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Keene! Hold on a minute.
He steps out of line and goes to his coach.
BRETT (CONT'D)
You good for this tournament?
Keene knows what he means.
KEENE
Yeah, I'm good.
BRETT
Good.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
The white van pulls up. Jack walks out of the house with
Samantha.
Liam is driving.
Jack opens the door to get in.
TEAM
Hi, Mrs. Trumbull.
She smiles.
SAMANTHA
Hi, boys.
(to Jack)
Good luck, Honey. I wish I could be there
but I have to work either today or
tomorrow.
JACK
It's ok. Today's just the preliminary
rounds. If we make it through these,
tomorrow will be the big day, if not, you
won't have missed anything.
SAMANTHA
Ok.
Jack climbs into the van.
Samantha and Liam exchange subtle glances. She mouths "good
luck" silently, no one notices but him, he smiles.
Jack closes the door and they pull away. Samantha stands in
the driveway and waves.
EXT. MASS TURNPIKE - DAY
The van rolls along through the November foliage. Jack looks
out the window.
EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD- DEERFIELD ACADEMY - DEERFIELD, MA- DAY
The van pulls onto the grounds of the prestigious [rep
school. A banner reads WELCOME NEW ENGLAND RUGGERS.
They pull into the parking lot before the huge grounds where
teams warm up in clusters of blue, green, yellow, red...
The van parks. The guys get out and look out at the scene
with awe. They all start to walk toward the field..
LIAM
Hold up a sec, guys.
He goes to the back of the van and opens the door. There is a
cardboard box in the back.
LIAM (CONT'D)
I thought if we're gonna make an
impression as the All-Blacks we're gonna
need these.
He opens the box, revealing the brand new black uniforms with
bright white letters.
The team looks at each other like kids on Christmas, they all
start pulling off their clothes right there in the parking
lot.
ON THE FIELD
The team strides single file across the field, instant
badasses.
Liam approaches the registration booth.
REGISTRAR
Name?
LIAM
Nichols College All-Blacks.
There are a few looks from other players in the line when
they hear the name. They know who they are.
IN THE PARKING LOT
Another VAN parks. The door slides open and the AMHERST team
steps out. Game faces. Confident. Ready for battle.
Brett gets out of the passenger side. Percy, the driver's
side. They look over the field of competitors.
BRETT
Let's get this party started.
He walks away leaving Percy standing there.
PERCY
(to himself)
‘Get this party started'?
He shakes his head.
PERCY (CONT'D)
Idiot.
He follows.
EXT. GAME FIELD - DAY
The team gets ready for their first game. They are on one
knee before Liam.
He looks them over.
LIAM
You guys know what to do. You're ready.
Finish it.
Jack scans the sidelines. Liam notices.
LIAM (CONT'D)
(to Jack)
Don't worry. He'll be here.
MOMENTS LATER
Just as Jack is ready to walk onto the field, he sees the
four kids from Webster, standing with the FATHER of one of
them. One of them is Matt Cavanaugh. They wait anxiously for
the game to start.
The WHISTLE blows...
THE BALL sails across a bright blue sky...
SHOTS OF..
High powered play...
Fast..
Tackles are hard...
Our team scores...
Jack playing with everything he has..
FLASHES OF team jersey colors...
Tournament card as they make their way through...
Blood..Mud..
Muscles strain...
Brett accepting victories without satisfaction..
Preoccupied by Nichols' success...
Jack looks at the sidelines for the recruiter...
Nothing..
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - NIGHT
Jack stands in the kitchen. He's still muddy, fresh cuts on
his face.
He's upset, he holds the phone to his ear.
JACK
He didn't show.
Pause. Samantha enters from work. She sees he's upset and
listens.
JACK (CONT'D)
We have to win our first game tomorrow
just to get into the semis. Any reason
why you didn't tell me that?
Pause
JACK (CONT'D)
Right, right, optimist, got it. Ok, well
a little reality won't kill me. Alright,
I'll see you then. Thanks.
He hangs up.
Jack turns to his mother and starts before she can say
anything..
JACK (CONT'D)
I guess the scout doesn't come for
preliminary rounds, only semi-finals and
finals. He wants to see how players
perform under pressure.
SAMANTHA
So he'll be there tomorrow?
JACK
Yeah, he's coming up from New York in the
morning. Mr. Fournier's coming, too.
SAMANTHA
So, if you're playing tomorrow, I guess
you did well today.
Jack snaps out of it.
JACK
Oh, yeah. If we win our first game
tomorrow, we'll be in the semis.
SAMANTHA
That's great.
JACK
If we don't, this has all been for
nothing.
SAMANTHA
You will.
Jack nods quietly. Pauses. Doesn't look at her.
JACK
So, any messages for me?
She hesitates.
SAMANTHA
No.
(beat)
I'm sorry, Honey.
He stands for a moment.
JACK
It's ok.
(beat)
Well, I'm gonna take a shower and get to
bed.
He exits, leaving Samantha standing there.
INT. OLD TOWNE TAVERN - NIGHT
Percy and Brett have a drink and discuss.
BRETT
I can't worry about this Trumbull kid
right now.
I mean, we should get by WPI no problem
but then we're most likely looking at
Harvard in the semis. They got that All
American line backer turned scrum half
with more tries than half of this field
combined.
He sips his whisky.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Make sure Keene's ready.
PERCY
Keene? The team's playing well. You think
we'll need him?
BRETT
I think we should have him ready.
Percy doesn't like it but agrees.
EXT. BILL'S BARBER SHOP - MORNING
Several MEN sit and wait for BILL to finish with the CUSTOMER
in the chair. They read the Webster Chronicle.
CLOSE on the sports headline.
NICHOLS RUGBY ADVANCES IN TOURNEY-FINAL ROUND TODAY
EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD DEERFIELD ACADEMY- DAY
Jack and the rest of the team warm-up with a practice on the
field among the other teams.
OFFICIALS put the names of the teams on the bracket board.
Eight teams left. They put the card that reads Nichols
College All-Blacks across the bracket from the Amherst card.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
Samantha stands in front of the bathroom mirror. She looks
the best we've seen her. She puts on lipstick. She wants to
impress someone.
There is a KNOCK at the front door. She goes to it and opens
it to see..
Jessica standing there, looking the best we've seen her.
Samantha smiles.
EXT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
They walk into the house together and the door closes.
EXT. I-95 NEW YORK - DAY
DEKLAN MATTHEWS, 37, the Leeds University scout, drives along
in his mid-size rental car. He looks over at a dossier with
the words Harvard University-John Cunicelli.
EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD DEERFIELD ACADEMY- DAY
The Harvard team practices. We focus on one huge, built All
American player, JOHN CUNICELLI.
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY
The Amherst team sits, waiting for the tournament to start.
In the corner, leaning against a locker is Keene, listening
to a walkman, festering.
EXT. MASS TURNPIKE - DAY
Mr. Fournier drives along in an older Nissan Sentra. He picks
up his cell phone and puts it in his shirt pocket.
IN THE SUBARU
Jessica and Samantha talk and laugh as they drive along.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
Cars start to fill up the lot. FANS begin trickling onto the
field.
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Percy enters.
PERCY
They're calling for teams on the field.
Brett looks at the team.
BRETT
GET THE FUCK OUT THERE!
They all charge out of the locker room, BANGING on the
lockers as they go.
Keene walks out last. He passes Brett and Percy. He throws
one punch into a locker and continues on
It leaves a dent.
Percy and Brett look at it and then each other.
EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD DEERFIELD ACADEMY- DAY
The team is on one knee around Liam.
LIAM
Well, we just got a break. Evidently,
almost the entire Maine team got food
poisoning last night. They have to
forfeit. So we get a bye into the semi.
The team isn't very happy but they'll take it.
LIAM (CONT'D)
So go relax, it will be a while before we
play. I'll be watching the other games to
see what we're up against. You might want
to do the same.
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
Samantha and Jessica park, check their appearances in the
rear-view mirror and get out.
They walk across the lot and onto the grass.
They approach the team.
SAMANTHA
Did we miss it?
JACK
Hey, Mom. No, you're right on-
He sees Jessica. She slows down. Walks to him.
Samantha sees Liam. He's happy to see her. They smile at each
other.
Jessica and Jack stand silently for a moment.
JESSICA
I'm-
JACK
It's ok. You don't have to. You were
right.
She smiles, relieved.
JESSICA
I missed you.
JACK
Yeah, me too.
MR. FOURNIER
(os)
Jack!
He turns to see Mr. Fournier almost jogging to them.
JACK
Hey, Mr. Fournier. Is he here?
MR. FOURNIER
(out of breath)
No. He's stuck in traffic.
(beat)
In Connecticut.
JACK
Connecticut!
MR. FOURNIER
I'm sorry. He said he might be here for
the semis but probably not ‘till the
finals. How long before the semi?
JACK
They have to give us at least two hours
between matches.
Jack's pissed but calms himself.
MR. FOURNIER
Ok, don't worry. It'll work out.
LIAM
I guess we'll just have to get into the
final.
Mr. Fournier smiles.
SERIES OF SHOTS
Berto and Boots watch Boston College and University of New
Hampshire play...
The four kids are there, this time with three fathers, Matt
is with them...but alone at the same time...
Samantha and Liam watch the Amherst game..
Jack and Jessica watch the Harvard game..
Mr. Fournier makes phone calls..
Traffic starts to move for Deklan Matthews, the scout.
Amherst wins another, so does Harvard..
UNH beats BC...
ON THE SIDELINES
Team on one knee around Liam.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Ok, that puts us against UNH in the semi.
Amherst has Harvard.
LATER
The team gets ready. They stand on the sidelines.. Jack is
pumped. The UNH team is on the other side of the field, game
faces all around. Liam talks to them as they stand.
LIAM (CONT'D)
This is where it counts fellas, this is
the hard part. Get out there and keep
doing what you been doing.
Looks them over.
LIAM (CONT'D)
Only, do it better.
REFEREE
(os)
Teams on the field.
Both teams charge from the sidelines to the center.
The whistle BLOWS
A foot kicks the ball..
it bounces.. Billy scoops it up...
Tackled...
SHOTS OF THE GAME
Liam scans the spectators..
Terry drives...
Jack is tackled..
Berto...pitches to Williams... tackled..
Boots lumbers toward the goal.. scores..
The other team scores..
Jack looks at Mr. Fournier who shrugs helplessly..
THE AMHERST GAME
Cunicelli running all over the team...scoring, unstoppable.
Brett nods to Percy...
Percy doesn't want to but he sends Keene into the game..
Play resumes..Keene is like a bull..
The ball is pitched to Cunicelli...
Keene hits him head on.. slides his shoulder to Cunicelli's
knee, grabs the back of his ankle and...
POP!..
Cunicelli goes down, his leg bent at the wrong angle.. he
writhes in pain.
Percy looks on, knowing he was responsible...
Brett is satisfied..
AT OUR GAME
Samantha and Jessica watch the game...
Billy gets an elbow in the mouth..
Berto lowers his shoulder into a player, knocking him back...
Jack gets stepped on..
Jack scores..
He puts his hands up...
The team celebrates on the field...
THE AMHERST GAME
An Amherst player runs, untouched to score the try.
Amherst wins..
The OFFICIALS place the cards on the bracket.
FINALS-AMHERST vs. NICHOLL'S
ON THE SIDELINES
Jack stands with the team.
MATT
(os)
Hey, Jack.
Jack turns to see the young Cavanaugh and his three friends.
JACK
Hey, Matt.
MATT
You guys are doing awesome out there.
JACK
Oh, thanks. One more to go.
MR. FOURNIER
(os)
Jack.
They turn.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
He's here.
Liam overhears.
MR. FOURNIER (CONT'D)
He's waiting to speak to you in the AD's
office.
JACK
Ok.
Jack looks to the kids.
JACK (CONT'D)
Gotta go.
MATT
Good luck in the final.
JACK
Thanks.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Jack, Liam and Mr. Fournier walk down the linoleum corridor.
INT. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT OFFICE - DAY
They walk in to see Deklan sitting at the desk, on his cell
phone. He motions for them to come in and give him a second.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
A PAIR OF SHOES comes into view.
They walk down the hall. The sound of Deklan's VOICE comes
from the office. The Shoes slow quietly and stop outside the
door.
INT. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT OFFICE - DAY
The three stand and wait for Deklan.
DEKLAN
(into phone)
Yeah, I'll be on the early flight. That's
fine. Cheers.
He hangs up and looks at them.
MR. FOURNIER
Mr. Matthews, I'm John Fournier, this is
Jack Trumbull and his coach, Liam Dalton.
Deklan stands and puts out his hand.
DEKLAN
Liam Dalton.
They are all surprised that he knew his name. They shake
hands.
DEKLAN (CONT'D)
When I was fifteen, I saw you play one of
the greatest matches I've ever seen. In
Scotland, in the fog. They said you lost
but I couldn't believe it.
Liam laughs uncomfortably.
LIAM
I didn't want to either.
DEKLAN
Deklan Matthews. It is a pleasure.
LIAM
All mine. Deklan, this is a player of
mine. Wants to go to your school. Jack
Trumbull.
They shake hands.
JACK
Nice to meet you, sir.
Deklan's face turns somber.
DEKLAN
Nice to meet you Jack, but there's a
problem. You see, John Cunicelli just
blew out his knee.
They wait for an explanation.
DEKLAN (CONT'D)
He was our recruit. Without him, I can't
stay. I have a flight from Boston leaving
in three hours. It'll be at least two
hours before the final.
My hands are tied, it's the
administration. I have to answer to them.
You see, I've never even seen you play,
Jack. I can't just spend the school's
time and money on someone who I've never
seen play. I'm sorry.
JACK
But Coach will tell you-
DEKLAN
I can't take his word or anyone's. It's
not my call. I have to be on that plane.
Liam and Mr. Fournier protest.
DEKLAN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, gentlemen. Liam, it was an
honor to meet you.
They shake.
LIAM
He's good.
DEKLAN
I believe you but it's not enough. I'm
sorry but I really have to go. Jack, good
luck. John, it's been a pleasure.
He walks out. The three stand in silence.
EXT. HALLWAY - DAY
Deklan walks out of the office and past the pair of Shoes.
They turn and face down the hall behind Deklan. We move up
from the shoes to see....
CAVANAUGH
Hey!
Deklan turns.
INT. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT OFFICE - DAY
They all stand in front of a TV and VCR cart that has been
wheeled into the office. They curiously watch as Cavanaugh
slides a tape into the VCR.
As it goes in, we see the label.
RECRUITING VIDEO
CLOSE on the screen as the tape plays.
A STEVEN ABROMOWITZ PRODUCTION
OF A STEVEN ABROMOWITZ FILM
JACK TRUMBULL-HIGHLIGHTS
The opening shot is of Jack, shot from a very low angle.
We focus on the faces of all of them as the film plays.
Jack, Cavanaugh, Mr. Fournier and Liam watch the film and
Deklan.
Deklan sits in his chair, watches for a few minutes. He looks
at the three of them, no expression...
Finally, he takes his cell phone from his pocket, presses a
button and puts it to his ear.
DEKLAN
Hi, Grace. Yeah, listen, you better book
me on that later flight, I have one more
guy I gotta look at.
They all smile.
DEKLAN (CONT'D)
Yeah, ok, thanks.
He hangs up, looks at them and smiles.
Jack looks at Cavanaugh.
CAVANAUGH
Kick some ass.
JACK
Thanks, I will.
EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD - DAY
Cavanaugh walks over to where the three Fathers stand with
their sons and Matt.
MATT
(to Chris)
Did you find him?
Cavanaugh puts his arm around Matt's shoulder and looks out
to the field. Matt looks up at him.
CAVANAUGH
Yeah, I did.
The fathers look at him like he's a celebrity.
FATHER#1
Hey, nice job on the record, Chris.
CAVANAUGH
Oh, thanks..
FATHER#2
Yeah, congratulations..
ON THE SIDELINES
Jack stands with the rest of the team. Jessica is excited and
nervous. She kisses him.
JESSICA
Good luck.
The crowd is huge. We recognize a lot of faces from Webster.
Jack stands next to Liam.
JACK
Is this tournament big enough?
LIAM
For what?
JACK
For your trophy. Does this count?
LIAM
This is the most important tournament
I've ever been to.
JACK
We'll carry it home, Coach. Don't worry.
TERRY
(os)
Hey, Coach! Brett wants to wish you luck
before the game.
IN THE CENTER OF THE FIELD
Brett and his Captain stand with the OFFICIAL and Terry as
Liam approaches. The Official, Terry and the Amherst Captain
have long faces.
LIAM
Hey, Brett, good luck tod-
OFFICIAL
Liam. Amherst has objected to Jack
playing.
Liam is shocked.
LIAM
What? But they can't-
OFFICIAL
It's their right, before the game. He's
in high school.
Liam looks to Brett.
LIAM
You son of a-
BRETT
You're lucky they've let him play this
long. This is too big. I can't take the
chance.
OFFICIAL
(to Liam)
You can play without him.
Liam looks to the sidelines, sees Jack and Deklan. He thinks.
Looks at Terry, who slowly shakes his head ‘no'.
LIAM
No. We'll forfeit this game right now,
and the tournament, if you agree to play
it out with Jack in. Save yourself the
embarrassment of everyone knowing what a
coward you are. No one will know a thing.
Who knows? Maybe you'll even win. Either
way, you walk away with that trophy...New
England Tournament Champion.
Brett likes the sound of that. He thinks about it.
BRETT
Alright.
LIAM
(to Official)
Tim?
OFFICIAL
I'll agree to this only to keep a riot
off my hands. Alright lets get to it.
Liam comes off the field.
The teams line up, opposite each other. They stare each other
down. Like two armies across a battle field.
The Official raises his arm and blows the WHISTLE.
The ball is kicked off.
The energy is explosive. The crowd is LOUD with every hit.
Jack carries the ball.. legs driving...
Every player in the game looks professional..
The hits are hard..
Faces slide through the mud..
Inside the scrum, players kick, stomp, throw punches..
Jack scores..
Brett is angry..looks over at Keene, who sits on the bench.
Amherst drives.. Nichols kicks it out.. Amherst drives
again.. breaks through... scores...
BRETT
(to players)
I want you all over that Trumbull kid,
shut him down.
Terry bulls over Amherst players, is tackled hard...
The Amherst team starts teaming up on Jack, shutting him
down.
Amherst scores again..
Jack is tied up..
Deklan takes notes..
He shakes his head..
The WHISTLE blows for the end of the first half.
The team gathers around Liam.
LIAM
Alright, they got us by two tries. It's
fine, play aggressive. Relentless. One
more half.
Liam sees Jack is frustrated. He goes to him.
LIAM (CONT'D)
This is it, one more half for the rest of
your life. You can do this. Don't give up
on me now.
JACK
I won't.
He runs back on the field. Liam pulls Terry aside.
LIAM
Tell everyone to get them off Jack. This
game is lost. We gotta let him show what
he can do.
Terry nods.
Teams are lined up. Each player on our team looks at Terry,
one by one and nods. They are all on the same page.
The ball is kicked off for the second half..
Players from both teams take brutal shots..
Elbows to the face..
Fingers in the eyes..
Billy holds players off Jack..
Jack plays as hard as we've seen him..
Everyone takes shots for him...
He scores..
Brett is infuriated...
On the ground, cleats stomp on backs, legs and arms as the
men try to protect their heads..
Close on Liam's board, Score 20-18 Amherst leads...
Our team drives down the field..
Jack has the ball, is tackled. A cleat SCRAPES down the side
of his head. He puts his hand over his ear as he stands in
pain...
Blood streams down his face...
OFFICIAL
Have that looked at, Son.
He goes to the sidelines. He approaches Liam.
Samantha and Jessica watch as he comes over.
LIAM
Let's see what we got.
He takes his hand away to show that his ear hangs half torn
from his head. It is all there, just not all attached.
Samantha clutches her hand to her mouth, Jessica looks away.
LIAM (CONT'D)
That's not good, Jack. You need to have
it stitched.
JACK
How much time is left?
LIAM
Four minutes and counting.
JACK
Can you tape it up for four minutes?
Liam debates.
LIAM
Yeah...I can.
He wraps a bandage around his head and tightly tapes it up.
It looks like a headband that goes across his ear.
SAMANTHA
Is he crazy?! Are you?!
LIAM
Don't worry. I've seen it before. It's
just cartilage. He'll be fine.
Jack runs back onto the field.
Brett sees him. He looks to Keene.
Our team drives down the field.
It's frantic..desperate..
We are close to the goal line,
OFFICIAL
TWO MINUTES!
Driving. Berto tosses the ball to Billy.
Billy lunges for the line...
He's stopped...
An Amherst player picks up the ball and kicks it out...
The ball bounces all the way to the other goal..
Jack and the rest of the team sprint for it...
Brett nods to Keene..
Keene runs out onto the field...
Boots sees him...
Jack gets to the ball.. picks it up...
Waits as the rest of the team gets back...
We see Jack's eyes through the mud and the cuts and the
blood.
Time seems to slow as the players charge down the field
toward him..
He takes a step forward...
Over the play, the sound of the crowd fades out and the
familiar VOICE-OVER and CROWD from the tape of the ‘73
Barbarians/ All-Blacks game fades in...
Billy gets back just as an Amherst player is about to deck
Jack. He dishes it off..
Billy catches the pass from Jack...
BRITISH ANNOUNCER
(over the crowd)
Kirkpatrick to Williams...this is great
stuff..
He drives and gains more yards, Amherst players bearing
down...
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Phil Bennett covering, chased by Alistair
Scown.
He dishes it off to Terry who drives...
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Brilliant!
(announcer's voice rises)
Oh, that's brilliant.
He's tackled but flips it to Berto as he goes down..
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
John..Williams, Pullin..
He gets it off to Boots..
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
(louder like a race horse
announcer)
John Dawes!
He fakes like he's going to pass it off but drives ahead..
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Great dummy!
Then to Williams..
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
David! Tom David! The half-way line!
To Billy...
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
(screaming over the crowd)
BRILLIANT BY QUINNELL!
Billy is swarmed by Amherst players, it looks like the end of
the play when...
Billy desperately throws it up, it hangs until..
Jack comes streaking down the sideline...
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
This is GARETH EDWARDS!
He sprints down the sidelines toward the goal.
KEENE has gotten free and now bears down on him. Jack doesn't
see him...
Boots tries to get to him but is tied up..
Fifteen yards...
Keene is nearly on top of Jack... when, in a virtual TRAIN
WRECK, Keene is blind-sided, leveled, knocked unconscious.
Jack never saw him. He dives, and slams the ball into the
ground.
BRITISH ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
WHAT A SCORE!
The crowd erupts. Jack stands, exhausted but smiling as his
team swarms him.
Terry stands over Keene. Looks at him then goes to celebrate.
Jessica and Samantha scream and hug.
Liam smiles..laughs...
Brett is pissed...throws his clipboard
Matt cheers..
Cavanaugh pumps his fist...
The team lifts Jack up.
They come off the field.
JACK
(to Liam)
Let's go get your trophy, Coach.
Liam just looks at him and smiles. They look across the field
to see Brett quietly accepting the trophy.
JACK (CONT'D)
But...
LIAM
It's ok, Jack.
DEKLAN
(os)
Congratulations, Jack!
Jack turns.
DEKLAN (CONT'D)
That was one hell of a game. I think it's
safe to say we'll have a spot for you on
the B side next fall. And I'm
recommending you for a scholarship. If
you're interested.
Jack looks to Liam.
LIAM
(to Deklan)
Hell yeah, he's interested.
(to Jack)
There'll be others. It's ok, this is more
important.
He wraps his arms around him and lifts him up.
LIAM (CONT'D)
You're going, kid, you're going!
Jack smiles and laughs. Liam puts him down. Jack turns to see
Jessica, she hugs him.
JESSICA
I'm so proud of you.
They kiss.
Samantha looks at Liam, he puts his arm around her and
smiles.
FADE OUT:
INT. CAVANAUGH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Chris goes to his closet, pulls a box from the top shelf and
puts it on the bed. He looks through letters and pictures and
pulls out a small frame.
He turns it over and looks at a picture of two eight-year old
KIDS playing football in a backyard.
TITLE: FIVE YEARS LATER
INT. BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA-BACKSTAGE - DAY
PERFORMERS in tuxes and gowns pack up instruments after a
performance. Among them, we see Jessica. Dressed in a long,
sleek, elegant gown. She hurries to put away her flute and
rushes out the door.
INT. TRUMBULL HOUSE - DAY
ClOSE on the gold face plate of a trophy.
NICHOLS COLLEGE ALL-BLACKS 2004 NEW ENGLAND TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONS
We pull back to see that it sits on the mantle, along with
three others.
Samantha stands by the door with her coat on.
SAMANTHA
We're gonna be late.
Liam comes into the kitchen buttoning his shirt, and putting
on his coat.
LIAM
We won't be late.
He kisses her.
LIAM (CONT'D)
I promise.
She smiles
EXT. ROUTE 1 - FOXBORO, MASS - LATE AFTERNOON
Traffic moves into the Stadium parking lot as the sun goes
down and lights come on.
A sign reads Exhibition Match Today.
INT. FOXBORO STADIUM - LATE AFTERNOON
Samantha and Liam go through the turnstiles.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
Jessica enters.
IN THE STANDS
Samantha and Liam make their way to their seats.
They find them, they are good, close to the field.
JESSICA
(os)
Do you see him?
They look to Jessica, she makes her way to them.
SAMANTHA
Not yet.
IN THE TUNNEL
We see Jack. In the full uniform of the British Lions
professional rugby team.
He's bigger, older but its him.
Over the loudspeaker...
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and Gentlemen, THE BRITISH LIONS!
They run onto the field.
SAMANTHA
Do you see him? Do you see him?
They strain to look. Liam points.
LIAM
There.
Jack is facing them, standing on the field with the rest of
the team. They see him. Samantha leans into Liam, hugs him,
her eyes tearing up. Jessica wipes tears from her eyes while
trying to clap. Liam smiles.
Close on Jack as he looks out over the crowd.
He smiles. He made it.
The End.
FADE OUT:
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