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 TICKET TO RIDEbyKenneth WhiteKenneth White1108 Wellesley AvenueModesto, CA 95350-5044(209) 567-0600 (Voice)Ken1White@aol.com
 
FADE IN:WHITE WORDS AGAINST A BLACK SCREEN"In a Valley not so far away, not so long ago."Someone strums an acoustic guitar.EXT. THE CENTRAL VALLEY - MORNING A flat landscape. Only the sun moves. And the sprinklers.EXT. WEST SIDE - MORNINGRows of fields lie parched, barren, and encrusted with whatlooks like snow. It's salt. A train whistle echoes across the valley.Heat waves shimmer above a two-lane blacktop. A FIGURE materializes. It's KID GUITAR. Troubadour. Aguitar strapped to his back, he wears blue jeans, a plaidwork shirt, and sneakers.EXT. HIGHWAY 99 - MORNINGThe highway razors open the heart of the Central Valley.KID GUITAR (V.O.)The Valley. It's flat. It's dry. It'shard. It's what the locals know. Aplace of new beginnings and violentendings.EXT. MCHENRY AVENUE - MORNINGOn normal days, McHenry is an unremarkable business stripthat runs north like a runaway train. On this day, it'sanother planet.The sign on the Capri Motel reads: "Graffiti Night. Liveto Cruise! Cruise to Live!"LOCALS and OUT-OF-TOWNERS stake out their territory alongthe parade route and prepare to party.Cones block off parking lots. Padlocked chain link fencessurround businesses.
 
2KID GUITAR (V.O.)To outsiders, the towns all look thesame.EXT. TRAVELING HIGHWAY 99 - MORNING A POSSE of vintage roadsters rolls toward town."Graffiti Night"
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the annual sprinkling of "Lucas Dust"
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 officially kicks into gear.KID GUITAR (V.O.)The past is always present.EXT. MODESTO ARCH - MORNINGThe iron rainbow above I Street proclaims the city's motto:"Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health."KID GUITAR (V.O.) Around here, everyone's on a first-name-basis with "got to."Kid Guitar stands beneath the arch. He does a ZZ Topgesture, then melts into a watery mirage.EXT. MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE STADIUM - BACKSTAGE - MORNINGThe "Graffiti Fest" concert is about to rock. A FEMALE REPORTER from the local cable station and a YOUNGMALE REPORTER from the local radio station interviewWOLFMAN JACK.Each time The Wolfman speaks, we hear him through a varietyof radios: in cars, homes, offices, stores, backyards.THE WOLFMAN(straight voice)I do about a hundred dates a year.There's something magic about Modesto.I guess maybe it has to do with themovie "American Graffiti" and all thecruising.INT. DARK BEDROOM - MORNING"The Modesto Bee" lies on an unmade bed.The headline announces that native son and world-famousfilmmaker, George Lucas, will be the grand marshal for thisyear's "Graffiti Night" parade.
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