Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FADE IN
NATHAN
(optimistically)
Today is finally the day that I won‟t
get made fun of, I can feel it. This
is the day that I will finally get a
girlfriend, I can feel it. And why
shouldn‟t I have a girlfriend? I‟m
good-looking, I‟m smart, I‟m fun and
I know how to treat a girl.
(smiles)
Yeah, that‟s right, today‟s the day
that it all finally works out for me.
NATHAN
(yells)
Coming mom!
Nathan takes the time to fix one piece of hair on his head
even though it doesn‟t make a bit of difference then he
winks at himself in the mirror.
CAFETERIA
Three JOCKS, who are sitting a few tables over, laugh and
high five each other after seeing their direct hit.
BOY‟S BATHROOM
LATER ON
MATH CLASSROOM
The kid sitting behind Nathan starts poking him on the neck
with his pen. He ignores the first couple of pokes, but
when the bully pokes harder Nathan tries to swat the pen
away.
NATHAN
Will you stop please? I‟m trying to
learn something.
MATH TEACHER
Nathan, dear, please keep quiet and pay
attention, that‟s the only way you‟ll
learn algebra.
MATH TEACHER
Russell, I don‟t need any help, you can
keep quiet too.
MATH TEACHER
And X equals five, there‟s your answer.
MATH TEACHER
Ohhh, according to my guide, X actually
equals eight.
MATH TEACHER
OK class, so let‟s just pretend that the
answer is 5, OK?
The bully raises his hand and speaks up before being called
on.
RUSSELL
But how are we going to learn algebra
correctly if you can‟t even do it?
MATH TEACHER
I did do the problem correctly, I just
didn‟t get the answer. So at least now
you know how to do this problem.
The school bell RINGS and the whole class stands up,
anxious to leave.
HALLWAY
The bullies make eye contact with him before he can sneak
by without being noticed.
Nathan turns around and walks the other away to avoid any
potential confrontation.
BULLY IN HALLWAY #1
Hey, where are you going Nathan? Come
on, come over here!
BULLY IN HALLWAY #2
Yeah, we‟re not going to hurt you.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 6
BULLY IN HALLWAY #1
Much.
STAIRCASE
And into
ANOTHER HALLWAY
ANOTHER STAIRCASE
The bullies are standing about ten feet away with their
backs to him; he ended up taking a very long detour just so
he could avoid them.
HISTORY CLASSROOM
NATHAN
(whispers)
Hey, that hurt.
NATHAN
(whispers)
I‟m not telling you, that‟s cheating.
Nathan rubs his ear to lessen the sting then turns around
to look at the kid behind him again.
NATHAN
(whispers)
I can‟t tell you.
NATHAN
(whispers)
It‟s Monroe.
The bully flicks Nathan‟s ear again then leans over his
desk to whisper in his ear.
The bully flicks Nathan‟s ear again and Nathan again rubs
his ear to lessen the sting.
The school bell RINGS to signify the end of the school day.
HISTORY TEACHER
Well OK class, that‟s it, pencils down,
bring your exams up to me please.
HALLWAY
Nathan walks into his house and through the hallway into
the
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 9
LIVING ROOM
LATER ON
NATHAN‟S DAD
Nathan, Nathan, wake up.
DINING ROOM
NATHAN‟S DAD
Nathan, why don‟t you do something with
your life?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 10
NATHAN‟S MOM
Honey, not this again.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Now honey, I don‟t think that‟s the best
advice to give our young, impressionable
son.
NATHAN‟S DAD
OK, well at least get a job then, sign
up for a club, god forbid, join a team,
get some friends. All you do all day
long is lie around the house sleeping
and locking yourself in your dungeon of
a room, playing video games like a loser.
NATHAN
I talk to other people through my headset
when I play my games. Just the other
day I met a cool kid from Singapore when
I was playing Halo, he‟s my friend now.
NATHAN‟S DAD
I‟m talking about real friends. This
is no way to live, you need to start
experiencing life, these are your
formative years. How you are now is
how you‟ll be for the rest of your life.
Look at me, I was an All-State third
baseman at your age, captain of the
track team, I had a ton of friends, I
was class vice-president.
NATHAN
(sarcastically)
Why not president? Were you not cool
enough for that?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 11
NATHAN‟S DAD
Don‟t be a smart ass, the point is, what
are you doing? How come you don‟t even
have a girlfriend? Everyone has a girl-
friend at your age…are you gay? I mean
if you are, I supposed that‟d be OK,
maybe. It wouldn‟t be the most ideal
situation but whatever, we could learn
to live with it.
NATHAN
Have you ever thought that maybe girls
just don‟t like me?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Impossible, you‟re my son. I had so many
girlfriends in high school I lost count
by the second half of my junior year.
(his wife gives him a
stern look)
Honey don‟t worry, they didn‟t mean any-
thing to me; I‟m just telling a story to
prove a point.
NATHAN
And what‟s that point dad? That you
were better than me in high school?
OK, fine you were better than me! I
suck and you were awesome. Is that
what you want to hear?
NATHAN‟S DAD
No, not at all.
NATHAN
Then what do you want from me?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Just consider an extracurricular
activity, it‟ll make you a more well-
rounded individual, even if it‟s a damn
paper route…
NATHAN
(interrupts)
Do people still read the newspaper?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 12
NATHAN
Fine, I‟ll join something at school,
will that make you happy?
NATHAN‟S DAD
It sure will.
NATHAN
Fine.
NATHAN
Mom, may I be excused from the dinner
table?
NATHAN‟S MOM
You haven‟t finished dinner though.
NATHAN
I‟m not really hungry.
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK you can leave, just take your plate
and put it in the sink.
NATHAN
(sadly)
Thanks.
Nathan grabs his plate and walks out of the dining room.
His mom gives him a loving pat on the arm as he walks by.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Don‟t you think you were a little harsh
on Nathan?
NATHAN‟S DAD
He doesn‟t listen.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 13
NATHAN‟S MOM
You called him a loser though. I don‟t
think that‟s very good parenting.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Tough love honey, we have to be firm
with him. Believe me it‟ll all work
out once it sinks in. I just want him
to be cool.
NATHAN‟S MOM
For who? For him…or for you? Maybe
he‟s happy with who he is, ever think
about that?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Maybe he is…but I‟m not.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
NATHAN
(to himself)
Ahhh, a few new notifications, people
out there like me!
NATHAN
“What kind of loser puts as his status –
„Out apple picking with my mom…Nathan,
that‟s who!‟”
(innocently)
I like apples though.
(reads another comment)
“Have you gotten laid yet virgin?”
(innocently)
That‟s aggressive, I‟m only sixteen.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 14
NATHAN
That‟s sad, I thought both Chad and
Greg were my friends…I guess not.
NATHAN
“Behold, Nathan‟s only friend in life…
and she‟s a whore to boot.”
(innocently)
My mom is not a whore.
NATHAN
“Join this page if you think Nathan
Simpson is the gayest kid ever at Cedar
Heights High School.”
NATHAN
85 friends…58 more friends than I have.
After a few moments he flips onto his back and just stares
up at the ceiling as he tries to fall asleep.
NATHAN
(optimistically)
Today is finally the day that I won‟t
get made fun of, I can feel it. This
is the day that I will finally get a
girlfriend, I can feel it. And why
shouldn‟t I have a girlfriend? I‟m
good-looking, I‟m smart, I‟m fun and
I know how to treat a girl.
(smiles)
Yeah, that‟s right, today‟s the day
that it all finally works out for me.
NATHAN
(yells)
Coming mom!
Nathan calmly sits in the back seat while his mom drives
through the suburban streets to school.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 16
NATHAN‟S MOM
Nathan, are you sure you don‟t want to
sit up here in the front seat like a
grown-up?
NATHAN
No, I feel safer back here, if we were
to get into an accident I‟d rather have
my head hit the cushiony back of the
passenger‟s seat rather than the wind-
shield.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(sarcastically)
That‟s a pleasant thought.
NATHAN
I‟m just being realistic.
NATHAN‟S MOM
So your dad didn‟t mean what he said
last night at dinner.
NATHAN
Yes he did.
NATHAN‟S MOM
He didn‟t, trust me. He‟s been under
a lot of stress at work, unfortunately
he took his frustrations out on you.
He‟s sorry though, he really is.
NATHAN
(dismissively)
Whatever, we go through the same thing
all the time.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Well don‟t you think it‟d be a good idea
if you did join at least one afterschool
activity? For your social development,
not to mention your college applications?
NATHAN
Why would I want to hang out at a place
I hate any longer than I have to?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 17
NATHAN‟S MOM
What? School? You don‟t hate school,
why do you hate school?
NATHAN
Because I get made fun of.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(oblivious)
What? You get made fun of? I don‟t
believe that. Stop with the excuses.
NATHAN
It‟s true. My favorite part of the day
is when that final school bell rings at
2:55 so that I can just go home and
pretend that the prior six hours never
happened.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhh, Nathan don‟t be so overdramatic,
I‟m sure it‟s not that bad.
NATHAN
You can believe whatever you want, but
I‟m just telling you the truth.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Well I still think you should do an
extracurricular activity.
NATHAN
I know, but I‟m not going to.
NATHAN‟S MOM
But you promised your father.
NATHAN
I lied to get him off my back.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You make us so sad sometimes.
NATHAN
You guys make me sad sometimes too.
The car finally pulls into the high school parking lot and
stops in front of the main building.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 18
NATHAN‟S MOM
Anyways, have a good day at school.
NATHAN
Thanks.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Love you honey.
NATHAN
Love you too mommy.
Nathan gets out of the car. His mom calls out to him when
she notices that he left his backpack in the back seat.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhh Nathan, you forgot your backpack!
Nathan turns back around, reaches into the car through the
window and grabs his backpack.
NATHAN
Thanks mom!
NATHAN‟S MOM
Son sometimes I think you‟d forget your
head if it wasn‟t attached to your body.
Both him and the kid next to him laughs at the question.
NATHAN
(uncomfortable)
I don‟t suck penis.
NATHAN
(confused)
What do you mean?
NATHAN
(confused)
I don‟t know, but I don‟t have a boyfriend.
CAFETERIA
MR. WALDEN
Nathan, how‟s it going?
NATHAN
I‟m fine Mr. Walden.
(awkwardly)
How are you?
MR. WALDEN
I‟m good Nathan, but I got to say that
I‟m a little concerned about you.
NATHAN
Why‟s that?
MR. WALDEN
Have you been feeling OK?
NATHAN
Yeah, I‟m fine. Why do you ask?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 21
MR. WALDEN
Well Nathan I just got done grading your
paper on Beowulf, you got a C-.
NATHAN
Sorry sir.
MR. WALDEN
Part of me isn‟t even sure if you
actually read the book. Maybe you just
watched the movie?
NATHAN
I‟ll do better next time, I promise.
MR. WALDEN
Well that‟s the problem Nathan. This
is the fourth paper in a row that
you‟ve gotten a C+ or below.
NATHAN
It is?
MR. WALDEN
Yes. An odd turn for a kid that‟s a
lot better than that. I remember having
you as a student when you were a freshman
and sophomore. An A student in English,
in fact I heard from your teachers that
you were a straight A student.
(pause)
Not anymore though. These same teachers
also tell me that you‟re now a C+ student,
maybe you can become a B- student if
you get your act together by the end of
the semester.
NATHAN
C+? I guess I didn‟t even notice that
my grades have slipped that much.
MR. WALDEN
So this all begs the question, “what‟s
wrong?”
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 22
NATHAN
Nothing sir.
MR. WALDEN
Family life OK?
NATHAN
Yes.
MR. WALDEN
Girls? Is it a girl problem? Whenever
I see a student go downhill like this
it‟s usually because of a girl. Trust
me, there‟s plenty of fish in the sea,
don‟t let a girl get to you, it‟s
foolish.
NATHAN
No girl problem. I think I just lost
my focus a little bit.
MR. WALDEN
Well you have to get that focus back.
It‟s a bad time to lose your focus,
you‟re going to have to start thinking
about colleges, and your college
applications, in the next few months.
NATHAN
I know.
MR. WALDEN
So, you‟re OK?
NATHAN
Yes sir. I just need to focus more.
MR. WALDEN
OK. Look I know high school can be
(MORE)
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 23
NATHAN
OK, thanks sir.
MR. WALDEN
Hang in there…and I expect you to get
a better grade on your next paper.
NATHAN
I will sir.
HILARY
(flirtatiously)
Hi Nathan.
NATHAN
Hi, hi Hilary.
HILARY
I was just noticing you talking to Mr.
Walden. You looked so sexy.
NATHAN
(nervously)
I did?
HILARY
(seductively)
Ohh yes.
NATHAN
I didn‟t think you ever noticed me.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 24
HILARY
(laughs)
You‟re so silly, I‟ve always admired you
from a far.
NATHAN
(incredulous)
You have?
HILARY
Oh yes. I was wondering if you‟d like
to go to the big dance with me at the
end of this month. Everyone‟s going to
be there and I‟d love to be your date.
NATHAN
Me?
HILARY
Of course you, who else silly?!?
HILARY (cont‟d)
You‟re just so handsome and smart, you‟d
be the perfect date for me. I‟m tired
of hanging out with all these jocks,
with their fancy cars, Ken-doll looks
and big cocks. They don‟t stimulate me
the way I bet you can. You do think
you‟d be able to stimulate me, right?
Hilary rubs her chest to get Nathan even more excited while
her friends at the other table continue giggling to each
other.
NATHAN
I would absolutely love to be your date!
HILARY
Great, I know we‟ll have a good time.
NATHAN
I‟m so excited! I‟m so excited! I
can‟t wait to tell my mom I have a date
to the dance! I knew this day would
come if I just remained patient. This
is going to be so awesome!
HILARY
Oh wait.
NATHAN
What?
HILARY
You‟re a geek. That‟s right, I don‟t
hang out with geeks. Sorry.
HILARY (cont‟d)
Too bad you‟re not cool. If you were
we would‟ve had some fun together.
You know what a blowjob is, right?
(pause)
I would‟ve sucked your dick dry after
the dance. Oh well.
NATHAN
(confused)
Wait, does that mean we‟re not going
to the dance together?
HILARY
Get real. Girls like me don‟t hang out
with losers like you.
NATHAN
Ohhh, that‟s too bad. So you were just
messing with me?
HILARY
You‟ll get over it. Hey, look on the
bright side, at least you can tell your
stuffed animals later that a really hot
girl talked to you today. I bet I made
your day, didn‟t I?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 26
NATHAN
For two minutes you did I guess.
HILARY
See. Your welcome.
NATHAN
Bye.
Seeing that even the girls at school are making fun of him,
Nathan throws down the rest of his sandwich, packs up his
lunch and leaves the table.
LOCKER ROOM
GYM TEACHER
OK boys, on the football field in 5
minutes!
GYM TEACHER
OK boys, let‟s run the play again. This
time with more passion.
The two teams line up; the play is called and Nathan half-
heartedly runs down the field as a wide receiver since he
never gets the ball thrown to him anyways. The quarterback
throws it to another wide receiver for an incompletion.
GYM TEACHER
Awful, just awful! Run it again.
Nathan tries to get up but the bully kicks him in the chest
to knock him back down.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 28
The gym teacher looks behind him and sees that Nathan is on
the ground.
GYM TEACHER
Jesus Nathan, how did you fall down?
You didn‟t even have the ball? Get up
you‟re embarrassing yourself!
Two of the larger built guys on the other team, one of them
is the guy that just tackled Nathan, huddle up and whisper
to each other then they walk over to the quarterback of
Nathan‟s team and whisper to him.
GYM TEACHER
(blows his whistle)
You‟re on thin ice, Kolinsky! You know
damn well this is touch football, not
tackle.
GYM TEACHER
Just get back into position.
GYM TEACHER
Shake it off son, never let your opponent
see that you‟re hurt.
(pause)
You need a timeout?
NATHAN
No, I‟m fine.
GYM TEACHER
Thatta boy!
NATHAN
No, no, no! Stop!
GYM TEACHER
Play‟s over boys…play‟s over!
The bully pushes him towards the back of the sideline where
there‟s a steep hill leading to another field about 30 feet
below. He lets go of Nathan at the top of the hill and
pushes him down it.
Nathan goes tumbling all the way down the hill, scraping
his knee pretty badly in the process. He grabs his
bleeding knee once he ends up at the bottom of the hill.
Back at the top of the hill, the gym teacher runs over to
the bully and gets in his face.
GYM TEACHER
What‟s the matter with you?!?
GYM TEACHER
I blew the whistle five times! Five
times!
GYM TEACHER
Hit the showers, you‟re done!
The bully walks across the field with a smirk on his face,
giving fellow classmates high fives as he walks past them.
The gym teacher looks down the hill and sees Nathan still
rolling around the ground grabbing his bloody knee.
GYM TEACHER
Get up son.
(Nathan doesn‟t respond)
I said get up!
NATHAN
(to himself)
Thank god, another day in the books.
The cars and foot traffic thins out as Nathan walks further
away from the high school and towards the far end of the
parking lot.
DRIVER BULLY
Hey, kid.
DRIVER BULLY
What are you looking at?
DRIVER BULLY
Hey, grab me that can from the floor.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 32
All of the guys in the car laugh while Nathan says nothing
and just continues walking without losing his stride.
HALLWAY
BASEMENT
KITCHEN
He carries the step stool back over to the tree and places
it strategically underneath a branch that is about 6-7 feet
off the ground.
After one deep breath, he puts the noose around his neck
and after another deep breath, he slowly steps off the
ladder to hang himself.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
He grabs his cell phone from off his nightstand and dials
his sister at college.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Hello?
NATHAN
Hey Jess, it‟s me, your brother, Nathan.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Yeah, I think I could figure that out.
So, hey, what‟s going on? It‟s not
often that you call me at college.
NATHAN
I know.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Is everything OK?
NATHAN
I don‟t know.
JESSICA (O.S.)
What do you mean?
NATHAN
(innocently)
Am I a dork?
JESSICA (O.S.)
What?
NATHAN
You heard me, am I a dork?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 35
JESSICA (O.S.)
Why are you asking that question?
NATHAN
I think people at school think I‟m a
dork.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Why do you think that?
NATHAN
Just the way everyone treats me. They
don‟t treat me very nicely.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Well, do you think you‟re a dork?
NATHAN
I didn‟t for a long time, I truly didn‟t.
But now I‟m not so sure.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Why?
NATHAN
950 students can‟t all be wrong.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Nathan don‟t be so overdramatic, I‟m sure
everyone doesn‟t think you‟re a dork.
NATHAN
Some days it feels like it though.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Hey, you‟re in high school, it‟s a very
awkward time for most people. I‟m only
a couple years removed from it myself.
Jeez, remember when I had braces as a
freshman? I was so embarrassed I barely
left the house for five months. It was
awful.
NATHAN
(laughs)
I remember, you looked so goofy!
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 36
JESSICA (O.S.)
Hey, stop that!
(pause)
But that‟s my point, everyone goes
through an awkward phase, everyone does.
That doesn‟t mean you‟re a dork.
NATHAN
So do you think I‟m a dork?
JESSICA (O.S.)
(hesitantly)
Ummm, no, not at all.
NATHAN
Really?
JESSICA (O.S.)
No, you‟re not a dork. I mean you‟re
not the coolest kid I ever met, but then
again you‟ve got a good heart and that‟s
all that matters.
NATHAN
(innocently)
So I‟m not cool?
JESSICA (O.S.)
Nathan, what are you getting at?
NATHAN
Nothing.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Look, kid, hang in there. I know high
school is tough. Everyone has their ups
and downs. Just take things one day at
a time and don‟t listen to the other kids
that may call you names. They‟re just
self-conscious themselves, kids with no
self-esteem, you‟re better than them,
trust me. They don‟t have the heart
that you do.
NATHAN
If you say so.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 37
JESSICA (O.S.)
I know so…keep your head up, everything
will be fine.
NATHAN
I hope so.
JESSICA (O.S.)
OK, I have to go. I‟m meeting my
boyfriend at the student union, we‟re
grabbing a late night pizza.
NATHAN
Have fun.
JESSICA (O.S.)
Hey listen, you have any problems or
any questions, you just give me a call,
OK? Your big sis is here for you,
she‟ll always be here for you.
NATHAN
Thanks.
NEXT MORNING
KITCHEN
Nathan walks into the kitchen and joins his parents at the
table for breakfast.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Nathan, you little rascal! I had no idea
you were here!
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 38
NATHAN
I guess I‟m sneaky.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Here baby, have a banana with your Rice
Krispies, it‟s good potassium, you need
sll the vitamins you can get as a growing
boy.
As she starts cutting the banana into his cereal bowl she
notices a large red mark on the area of Nathan‟s neck where
the noose was secured the day before.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(shocked)
What‟s that red mark?!?
NATHAN
What red mark?
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ummm, dear, check out Nathan‟s neck.
NATHAN‟S DAD
What?
NATHAN‟S MOM
Honey, check out your son‟s neck?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Jesus son, what the hell did you do?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 39
NATHAN
Ummm, I don‟t know really.
NATHAN‟S DAD
You don‟t know? How do you not know?
NATHAN
Like I said, I don‟t know.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Did you get into a scrap with another
kid?
NATHAN
Ummm, yeah, I did.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Well I hope you managed to get some
marks on the other guy too.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You‟re OK with this? Seriously?!?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Honey, he‟s a guy. Boys will be boys,
especially in high school. Fights
happen. This is probably a good thing
if you think about it. At least he‟s
doing something social!
NATHAN‟S MOM
You‟re certifiable sometimes. What if
he got hurt?
Nathan‟s dad puts down his paper for a moment and looks at
his son.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Are you OK son?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 40
NATHAN
Yeah.
NATHAN‟S DAD
See honey, he‟s OK. Everything‟s fine.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(sarcastically)
Jeez, you‟re so compassionate.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Are you really OK son?
NATHAN
Yeah, I‟m fine mom.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Good. Please don‟t fight anymore, OK?
Do that for your mom.
NATHAN
OK, I won‟t.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You know Harold, it wouldn‟t kill you
to get a little more involved in your
son‟s life, would it?
NATHAN‟S DAD
So is someone really messing with you
at school?
NATHAN
I guess you could say that.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 41
NATHAN‟S DAD
Yes or no?
NATHAN
Yes.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Was this a onetime thing?
NATHAN
Not really.
NATHAN‟S DAD
So what are you doing about this?
NATHAN
What do you mean?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Somebody‟s messing with you, so what are
you doing about it?
NATHAN
I don‟t know, nothing.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Nothing?
NATHAN
What should I do?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Well you can stop being a pussy for one.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Harold!?!?!
NATHAN
(confused)
Wow, what?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Yeah, stop being a pussy or else you‟ll
be treated like one for the rest of your
life. Defend yourself. Stand up for
(MORE)
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 42
NATHAN‟S MOM
(shocked)
Harold, come on!
NATHAN‟S DAD
Fight back.
NATHAN
Fight back?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Yeah, fight back. A kid gets in your
face, retaliate.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Harold, I really don‟t think that‟s very
good advice to give our poor son.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Our poor son? Our poor son is our poor
son because he‟s getting his ass kicked.
Look at his neck, whatever he‟s doing now
doesn‟t look like it‟s working, does it?
NATHAN‟S MOM
But still, he‟s so small, how far do you
think fighting will get him?
NATHAN‟S DAD
Trust me Nathan that‟s the only way you‟ll
get these kids to stop. You stand up for
yourself, you‟ll gain the respect of the
other guys and they won‟t keep bothering
you. Hell, kids are such punks these days,
you stand up to them and most will just
leave you alone and not even bother to
fight. So you want to stop all this
stuff? Defend yourself, fight back.
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK guys, that‟s enough of a counseling
(MORE)
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 43
NATHAN‟S DAD
Sorry honey, I‟m just telling him the
way it is.
NATHAN
(pondering)
Hmmm, fight back.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Yeah, fight back!
NATHAN
(depressingly)
If no one likes me, why should I like
them?
NATHAN
It‟s time to fight back.
HALLWAY
NATHAN
Get off my back!
The bully walks over to his books, fakes picking one up and
kicks it down the hall instead, then he “tries” picking it
up again and ends up kicking it down a flight of stairs.
NATHAN
Go for it.
NATHAN
I said go for it!
The STUDY HALL TEACHER walks up and down the middle aisle.
Nathan hides his notebook underneath his textbook and
pretends to read when he approaches.
The school bell RINGS signifying the end of the period and
all the students begin filing out of the room.
SCHOOL HALLWAY
NATHAN
Can I help you?
GAY BULLY
(menacingly)
Touch it.
NATHAN
(confused)
Excuse me?
GAY BULLY
You heard me, touch it!
NATHAN
Touch what?
GAY BULLY
This.
NATHAN
What?
GAY BULLY
Touch my dick faggot! Come on, touch it!
NATHAN
No.
GAY BULLY
You‟re not leaving here until you jerk
me off faggot.
NATHAN
I‟m not going to do that.
GAY BULLY
You will or else I‟ll kick your ass.
GAY BULLY
Do it already! You have two choices –
your hand or your mouth.
Nathan tries to escape again but the bully pushes him back
into the wall.
GAY BULLY
You wanna go at it?
Fed up, Nathan takes a swing at the bully but misses badly.
GAY BULLY
Bad move faggot, now you‟re going to
get it.
GAY BULLY
None of this would‟ve happened if you
just touched it.
MATH CLASS
MATH TEACHER
Nathan, based on this problem, what
is the answer?
NATHAN
Ummm, four?
MATH TEACHER
Four? Four? Nathan have you been
paying attention at all?
NATHAN
(embarrassed)
Ummm, yeah.
MATH TEACHER
Then how could you even come up with that
answer?
NATHAN
I don‟t know…I guess I‟m just not that
smart.
MATH TEACHER
Class, does anyone who has actually been
paying attention have the answer?
MATH TEACHER
Yes, Andy.
ANDY
The correct answer is X equals the square
root of 144, so X equals 12.
MATH TEACHER
Very good, see Nathan, everyone else is
paying attention, you should too.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
NATHAN (V.O.)
I just wish I was a little kid again.
When I didn‟t have a care in the world
and everything was simple. When every-
one was friends. That kid Tommy who
tripped me today? We used to play
baseball together in Little League.
He was the shortstop and I was the
third baseman. We were buddies, I‟d
go over and use his pool every week-
end during the summer, of course I
would stay in the shallow end because
I didn‟t like the water, but it was
fun anyways. It kept me nice and cool.
And that kid Eddie who was flicking my
ears the other day in class? Every year
in grade school he‟d invite me to his
birthday party, which was the same thing
every year - the sundae bar at Friendly‟s.
I like Friendly‟s. Those were the days,
everything‟s different now. I don‟t
know why, but they are.
Once he‟s done, he goes back to the Google search page and
picks out another Columbine article and reads it.
NATHAN
“Selling a variety of guns in mint
condition. Need to sell fast, must not
have a criminal record, will do my own
background check via internet. Other
than that, no questions asked.”
NATHAN
“Hi. I‟m interesting in purchasing
a couple of guns. I have no record,
please let me know what I have to do
to facilitate a transaction.”
Nathan sends his email then goes back to Google search and
continues looking at more links involving the Columbine
shooting.
NATHAN‟S MOM
How was your week sweetie?
NATHAN
It was fine.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Anything big happen at school, or life
in general, this week?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 52
NATHAN
(thinking)
No, not really.
NATHAN
Where‟s dad tonight?
NATHAN‟S MOM
He went out with some of the guys from
work.
NATHAN
Oh, OK.
They are laughing and joking with each other, having a good
time. Nathan looks longingly at them, understanding the
contrast between him having dinner with his mom and those
kids having a great time with each other.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Are you OK honey?
NATHAN
Oh yeah, I‟m OK.
NATHAN‟S MOM
So I understand there‟s a big school
dance next Friday.
NATHAN
That‟s what I hear.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Are you going to go?
NATHAN
I don‟t think so.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Why not?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 53
NATHAN
I don‟t know, it‟s just not my thing.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Maybe it should become your thing.
NATHAN
I don‟t know.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You know Nathan sometimes it‟s good to
get out of your comfort zone and do
something different.
NATHAN
I suppose so but regardless I‟m not
going.
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK, I can‟t force you to have fun and
I‟m not going to nag. But I do think
it‟d be fun.
NATHAN
My idea of fun on a Friday night is
having dinner at Friendly‟s.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Mine too Nathan, mine too.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
ENGLISH CLASSROOM
The movie ends and the credits roll as Mr. Walden stands up
from his desk and addresses the students.
MR. WALDEN
OK class, you‟ve read Peter Benchley‟s
bestselling book and now you‟ve seen
the movie…assuming you were one of the
two people in the world that hadn‟t
seen it before.
HALLWAY
FRONT YARD
Nathan walks up to his front door and sees a UPS slip taped
on it – “Package left on back porch.”
BACK PORCH
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
NATHAN
Wow.
Nathan walks out of his bedroom holding the gun and enters
the
NATHAN
(softly)
Boom!
HALLWAY
DINING ROOM
MRS. WALDEN
There you are! I was worried that dinner
was going to get cold before you got home.
MR. WALDEN
Sorry I‟m late. What‟s for dinner?
MRS. WALDEN
It‟s Italian night, so we‟re having some
chicken and pasta.
MR. WALDEN
Smells delicious.
MRS. WALDEN
Is everything OK?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 57
MR. WALDEN
Yes.
(thinks for a moment)
No.
MRS. WALDEN
What‟s wrong?
MR. WALDEN
It‟s one of my students. One of my
good students. Actually he was one of
my good students before, now he‟s just
average. Suddenly his grades took a
nosedive of late.
MRS. WALDEN
Why‟s that?
MR. WALDEN
I‟m not sure, but I did find this today.
MR. WALDEN
This student dropped his notebook in my
class.
MRS. WALDEN
(shocked)
Ohhh dear. That‟s disturbing.
MR. WALDEN
Unfortunately there‟s a lot more of these
pictures.
MRS. WALDEN
(shocked)
Oh my god. This is crazy.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 58
MR. WALDEN
I know.
MRS. WALDEN
So what are you going to do?
MR. WALDEN
I don‟t know.
MRS. WALDEN
(puzzled)
You don‟t know?
MR. WALDEN
No, I don‟t know.
MRS. WALDEN
Well you have to tell the police. This
is obviously a cry for help. This kid
could be dangerous, very dangerous.
You need to get help for this kid,
before he hurts someone, or hurts him-
self.
MR. WALDEN
Maybe they‟re just harmless drawings?
I don‟t want to get the kid in trouble,
he‟s a good kid. I don‟t want to screw
him for the rest of his life.
MRS. WALDEN
He‟s a good kid?
MR. WALDEN
He is.
MRS. WALDEN
I‟m not so sure a good kid would draw
these kind of pictures.
MR. WALDEN
Maybe this is just how he gets out his
aggression, how he blows off steam.
I mean he‟s a small kid, he can‟t fight,
so maybe this is how he fights, at least
in his mind.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 59
MRS. WALDEN
Are you listening to yourself? Since
the kid can‟t fight, maybe he‟s showing
you exactly how he thinks he can fight,
by blowing up the school, by shooting
innocent people.
MR. WALDEN
Who said they were innocent?
MRS. WALDEN
What do you mean?
MR. WALDEN
I‟m pretty sure I know kids pick on him.
MRS. WALDEN
That may be so, but look at these
drawings. Maybe this is how he thinks
he can get revenge. In his mind, maybe
this is how he thinks he can level the
playing field.
MR. WALDEN
Perhaps, but I don‟t think so.
MRS. WALDEN
Perhaps?
(picks up the notebook)
I don‟t think this is something you can
take too lightly.
MR. WALDEN
I know, I know and I‟m not taking this
lightly. I just want to do what‟s best
for him.
MRS. WALDEN
Well think about what‟s best for the
rest of the students too.
MR. WALDEN
I am.
Mrs. Walden grabs her husband‟s hand from across the table.
MRS. WALDEN
Honey, do what‟s right, that‟s all I ask.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 60
MR. WALDEN
I am trying to do what‟s right.
MRS. WALDEN
Then you know what to do.
MR. WALDEN
I suppose.
MRS. WALDEN
Go to the authorities. It‟s the safe
thing to do, the smart thing. He can
seek help that way and I‟m sure he‟ll
get it.
MR. WALDEN
(reluctantly)
I guess so.
MRS. WALDEN
You don‟t need this added stress in
your life. Do you really want to wake
up every morning wondering if this is
the day that he goes off? Or do you
want to go to bed every night thinking
if the next day will be the day that
he finally falls off the deep end?
It‟s not worth it.
MR. WALDEN
Every student is worth it in my eyes.
MRS. WALDEN
(exasperated)
You know what I mean.
MR. WALDEN
Do I?
MRS. WALDEN
You should.
MR. WALDEN
I just don‟t want to destroy his life.
MRS. WALDEN
You won‟t be, you‟ll be saving his
life. Besides if you do nothing you
(MORE)
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 61
MR. WALDEN
That‟s a sobering thought.
MRS. WALDEN
It‟s true.
MR. WALDEN
The kid‟s got talent though.
MRS. WALDEN
That may be so but still…
MR. WALDEN
(interrupts)
Maybe I can encourage him through his
art.
MRS. WALDEN
After you get him help.
(grabs his hand again)
Go to the authorities.
NATHAN
(to himself)
Nathan my boy, what are we going to do
with you? What are we going to do with
you?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 62
The school bell rings and the hallway quickly fills up with
students leaving their classrooms and heading to their
lockers.
The walls are filled with posters promoting the big dance
that night.
MARK
Nathan.
NATHAN
Hi Mark.
MARK
You going to the big dance tonight?
NATHAN
Ohhh, I don‟t know.
MARK
You should, you should. I might even
have a girl lined up for you.
NATHAN
You do?
MARK
Yeah, do you like retarded fat girls?
NATHAN
(confused)
What?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 63
MARK
Yeah I mean she‟s not full blown retarded
but she is pushing two bills. I figure
she‟d be right up your alley.
NATHAN
Hey, what are you doing?
Nathan tries to grab his lunch from the guy but he throws
the brown bag over his head to Mark.
Once it lands in his hands again, Mark opens the bag, grabs
an apple out of it and takes a bite. Then he drops the bag
on the floor and steps on it, smashing everything inside.
Mark pats Nathan on the face then walks down the hallway
with his three other friends.
MARK
Enjoy the day loser!
MARK‟S FRIEND
See you later bitch.
BETHANY
Don‟t listen to those guys Nathan,
they‟re just jerks. They can‟t help
being who they are.
NATHAN
Yes they can, they‟re right I am a
loser.
BETHANY
No you‟re not. You‟re a good guy!
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 64
NATHAN
You think so?
BETHANY
I sure do.
NATHAN
OK, will you dance with me if I go
tonight?
BETHANY
I think I can make that happen…as long
as you‟re gentle with me.
NATHAN
I will be, trust me.
BETHANY
(laughs)
OK, I can‟t do this anymore. I thought
I could but I can‟t, it‟s too funny!
NATHAN
(confused)
What?
MARK
Come on Bethany! You can do it!
BETHANY
(laughs)
I can‟t, I just can‟t!
NATHAN
What‟s going on?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 65
BETHANY
Sorry I don‟t feel bad for you. You
are a loser.
Bethany high fives her four jock friends as they shout out
in support of her.
BETHANY
Dream about me freak.
MARK‟S FRIEND
I‟m sure he‟s going to do more than
dream about you tonight.
MARK
Yeah enjoy masturbating to my girl,
while I get the real thing tonight
after the dance.
NATHAN
(to himself)
We‟ll see who gets the last laugh, I
will be going to the dance tonight.
KITCHEN
NATHAN‟S MOM
(exhausted)
What a day. I‟m exhausted, thank god
the weekend‟s here.
NATHAN
Rough day?
NATHAN‟S MOM
Rough week. How was your day?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 66
NATHAN
It was fine, nothing really interesting
happened.
NATHAN‟S MOM
That‟s OK. So it‟s Friday night, you
know what that means…dinner at Friendly‟s!
What are you going to get tonight for
desert, that cute little clown face
sundae where they use Reese‟s Pieces
for the eyes, nose and mouth?
NATHAN
Actually mom, I think I‟m going to the
dance tonight.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(proudly)
Really? I‟m so happy! That‟s great!
NATHAN
You don‟t mind? I mean we did have plans
to go to Friendly‟s tonight.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhh that‟s quite alright Nathan, we go
to Friendly‟s every Friday night, it‟s
OK if we take a rain check.
NATHAN
Are you sure?
NATHAN‟S MOM
Of course! This is great that you‟re
going to the dance. Let‟s get you all
spiffy so that all the girls will fight
over you.
NATHAN
(laughs)
Mom, the girls aren‟t going to fight over
me.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Yes they will, you watch.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 67
Nathan‟s mom helps him get ready for the dance by fixing
his hair, then handing him a perfectly pressed shirt to
wear and finally helping him tie his tie.
Once Nathan is fully dressed, his mom does one final touch
up on his hair.
NATHAN‟S MOM
There…perfect.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhhh, you look so handsome!
NATHAN
Thanks mom…stop pinching my cheeks
though!
NATHAN‟S MOM
I can‟t help it, you look so cute!
Come, let‟s get you to the dance.
Nathan and his mom walk out of the bathroom and into
THE HALLWAY
NATHAN
Oh mom, I need to grab something before
we leave.
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK, hurry though, we‟re already running
late.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 68
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan walks into his bedroom, grabs his backpack from the
floor and puts it on his bed.
Nathan picks up the guns and the ammo clips and walks back
over to his bed, he unpacks his backpack and puts its‟
contents on his bed.
NATHAN
Coming mom!
Nathan hurriedly packs his bag with the two handguns and
the ammo clips, puts the backpack on his back and rushes
out of the room.
LIVING ROOM
Nathan walks into the room where his mom is waiting for
him.
NATHAN‟S MOM
What‟s with the backpack?
NATHAN
I‟m staying over my friend Billy‟s house
tonight. I mean if that‟s OK with you.
NATHAN‟S MOM
That‟s perfectly fine with me. Look at
(MORE)
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 69
NATHAN
OK, OK, let‟s go.
NATHAN‟S MOM
I‟m so excited that you‟re going to the
dance…you look so adorable tonight…I
wonder who will be the lucky girl to
get the first dance with you…How about
that girl Sally, you know that cute
little blonde that lives down the street…
she‟s cute, I like her. Or how about
Molly, I‟m really good friends with her
mother…maybe you can befriend her tonight
and I can put in a good word for you
with her mom when I see her next week
at church.
She looks over to Nathan and notices him staring out into
the distance.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Well here we are at the school. So,
your dad and I are going on a nice
little dinner date tonight, but if
you have any problems give me a call
or text. OK?
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK, get going. Show them that you can
dance like Michael Jackson.
Nathan grabs his backpack and gets out of the car. He just
stands there and stares at the large school building in
front of him as his mom drives off.
GYM
Nathan enters the crowded gym and surveys the scene – most
STUDENTS are dancing in the middle having a good time,
while several other students are hanging out in small
groups around the perimeter.
Mr. Walden notices Nathan enter from the far side of the
gym.
HALLWAY
BATHROOM
HALLWAY
Just as he gets to the gym door and reaches out for the
handle, prepared for his final act; Mr. Walden walks out.
MR. WALDEN
Ahhh, Nathan, there you are, I was hoping
to find you.
NATHAN
(surprised)
Mr. Walden…h-hi.
MR. WALDEN
Why are you all sweaty?
NATHAN
(nervously)
I guess it‟s a little hot in here.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 72
MR. WALDEN
Nathan, walk with me.
Mr. Walden puts his arm around Nathan and guides him back
down the hallway.
MR. WALDEN
I saw you step out from the gym a few
minutes ago. I was hoping that I‟d be
able to run into you before you got
back.
NATHAN
Why‟s that sir?
MR. WALDEN
I want to talk to you in private.
NATHAN
About what?
MR. WALDEN
Let‟s get to my classroom first, then
we‟ll talk.
MR. WALDEN
Are you enjoying the dance?
NATHAN
I don‟t know sir, I just got here.
MR. WALDEN
Well I‟m glad you made it out. I think
this is the first dance I‟ve seen you at.
NATHAN
It is sir.
MR. WALDEN
What made you come out?
NATHAN
I don‟t know, I guess I just wanted to
see what one was like.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 73
MR. WALDEN
Well OK, I won‟t keep you too long as
I‟d like to get you back to the dance
so you can actually start enjoying it.
MR. WALDEN
Come sit down.
MR. WALDEN
Nathan, do you have any idea why I called
you into my classroom right now?
NATHAN
No sir.
MR. WALDEN
Do you care to explain this?
NATHAN
(naively)
It‟s my notebook.
MR. WALDEN
It is. Care to take a look at what‟s
inside it?
NATHAN
(nervously)
No.
MR. WALDEN
This is pretty gruesome stuff.
NATHAN
How did you get this?
MR. WALDEN
You dropped it in my classroom the other
day.
NATHAN
Why didn‟t you give it back to me then?
MR. WALDEN
I didn‟t find it until you were down the
hallway.
NATHAN
You know you had no right to go through
my stuff. This is private, you invaded
my privacy!
MR. WALDEN
You‟re right, it was a mistake, but it‟s
a mistake I‟m glad I made.
(pause)
You want to talk to me?
NATHAN
Not really.
MR. WALDEN
Come on Nathan, I told you before, you
can talk to me, my door is always open.
NATHAN
I don‟t think you‟d understand.
MR. WALDEN
I was a teenager before, try me.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 75
NATHAN
I hate school.
MR. WALDEN
Most kids your age do. Call it a necessary
evil, something you have to do in order
to secure a good future for yourself.
NATHAN
Yeah, most kids hate school but they
still manage to have fun while they‟re
stuck in here. I don‟t.
MR. WALDEN
Why‟s that?
NATHAN
I can‟t go more than one period without
getting made fun of.
MR. WALDEN
Kids can be cruel, especially at this
age.
NATHAN
You know I used to stand in front of my
bathroom mirror every morning and tell
myself that this was the day that I will
get a girlfriend, that this is finally
the day that I won‟t get made fun of.
I feel so stupid now looking back at
that, I was just so naïve. I really
believed for some reason that things
were going to magically change one
day even though I wasn‟t changing at
all. And I wasn‟t even wishing to be
cool, I just wanted to blend in. In
actuality, being a nobody made me a
somebody. Unfortunately it was a
somebody in a bad way. I‟m tired of
people picking on me.
MR. WALDEN
And do you think this is the answer?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 76
NATHAN
I don‟t know, maybe.
MR. WALDEN
Maybe?
NATHAN
At least they‟d stop picking on me, one
way or the other. Some would be dead
and the ones that survive would finally
respect me.
MR. WALDEN
That‟s a screwed up way of looking at
life, you don‟t really believe that,
do you?
NATHAN
I don‟t know what I believe anymore.
MR. WALDEN
This really is some serious stuff you‟re
drawing.
NATHAN
What do you want from me, I‟m angry.
I didn‟t used to be, but I am now.
MR. WALDEN
Well at least you have a creative outlet
to get your aggression out, and thank-
fully they‟re just drawings at this
point. But I‟m afraid that they might
become something more.
NATHAN
So what now? Are you going to tell the
principal?
MR. WALDEN
Honestly Nathan, after looking through
this notebook, I should do more than
tell the principal. I should go to the
authorities, the police. These drawings
shouldn‟t be taken lightly.
NATHAN
I don‟t think you need to go to the
police, they‟re just harmless drawings.
MR. WALDEN
Maybe so, but they could also be a cry
for help and if this cry for help isn‟t
taken seriously by someone then these
drawings can turn into actions, violent
actions.
NATHAN
So you‟re going to tell the cops?
MR. WALDEN
Nathan, I agonized over this all last
night with my wife, thinking about what
I should do, what my responsibilities
are to ensure the safety and security
of not just you but all the other
students here in this school as well.
Even the bad ones that constantly make
fun of you.
(pause)
You‟re such a good, sweet kid. This
isn‟t you.
NATHAN
I didn‟t think it was me either. I
just got fed up.
MR. WALDEN
Understandable…
(points to the notebook)
…But this isn‟t the answer. If you
turn these drawings into action, your
life is over. You‟ll either be dead
or in jail for the rest of your life.
You have a big future ahead of you,
don‟t ruin it.
NATHAN
I‟m not so sure I have a big future in
front of me.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 78
MR. WALDEN
You do.
NATHAN
But my grades…
MR. WALDEN
(interrupts)
You can get them up with no problem.
NATHAN
I guess.
(pause)
So what are you going to do?
MR. WALDEN
I‟m not going to the authorities Nathan,
hell I won‟t even go to the principal,
even though I should.
After hearing this, Nathan takes his hand off his gun.
NATHAN
What‟s that?
MR. WALDEN
Forgetting for a second about the content
of these drawings, the fact remains that
you have some serious talent. How long
have you been drawing for?
NATHAN
Ever since kindergarten. Granted I‟ve
been drawing pretty nice nature scenes
and landscapes for most of my life, the
violent depictions are something new
for me.
Mr. Walden gets up, walks over to his desk and takes a
pamphlet out from one of the drawers.
MR. WALDEN
I think you should use this creative
outlet for good.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 79
MR. WALDEN
I want you to enroll in this special
art program that‟s held up at the
community college.
NATHAN
Art program?
MR. WALDEN
Yes, it‟s one of the top programs in
the state for high school students.
It‟s pretty intensive, three days after
school and Saturdays each week. It‟d
look great on a college application
and if you complete this you‟d be
almost guaranteed to make it into a
prestigious college art program, like
Cal Arts or RISD.
NATHAN
How did you find out about this?
MR. WALDEN
I want to help you out, I really do, so
I did some quick, intensive research
last night on my computer. I found out
about this program and I stopped up at
college today during my lunch break to
chat with the program director. It
sounds really good.
NATHAN
(surprised)
You did all of that for me?
MR. WALDEN
I sure did Nathan.
NATHAN
Nobody‟s really done anything for me,
ever.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 80
MR. WALDEN
I told you I care. That wasn‟t lip
service.
NATHAN
At least this will give me something
to do after school, I guess.
MR. WALDEN
Nathan, this could very well be the
beginning of your future.
NATHAN
You think so?
MR. WALDEN
Sure.
(pause)
So will you enroll in this?
NATHAN
(smiles)
Yes, yes I will!
MR. WALDEN
Great. You‟re in luck, the next program
session starts next weekend and runs for
three months.
NATHAN
Next weekend? Do I even have enough time
to enroll?
MR. WALDEN
Don‟t worry, I already enrolled you with
the program director this afternoon.
NATHAN
You did?
MR. WALDEN
I figured you‟d come around and understand
this would be in your best interest.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 81
NATHAN
Sneaky Mr. Walden.
MR. WALDEN
I know.
NATHAN
This looks expensive though. I‟m not
sure my parents will want to pay for
this.
MR. WALDEN
Don‟t worry about that either. I had a
heart to heart talk with the director
and he agreed to give you a full scholar-
ship.
NATHAN
He did?
MR. WALDEN
Yes.
NATHAN
Why?
MR. WALDEN
Let‟s just say he was willing to help
out a troubled, yet intelligent, student
in need.
NATHAN
I‟ve never really felt the need to thank
anyone for anything…but thank you Mr.
Walden that was really nice of you.
You didn‟t have to do this.
MR. WALDEN
Hey, it was my pleasure.
(points at his notebook)
You just need to promise me that these
kind of drawings will stop for good.
Go back to drawing pretty little trees
and cows in pastures.
NATHAN
I will sir, I promise.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 82
MR. WALDEN
Good because I‟ll be watching you and
if I see another one of these drawings
then I will not only go to the principal,
but I will go to the authorities too.
NATHAN
I know.
MR. WALDEN
Good. Don‟t make me regret this decision.
Instead, make me proud.
Mr. Walden picks up the notebook, rips out all the violent
drawings and throws them into the trash can.
NATHAN
(confused)
My drawings.
MR. WALDEN
I‟m sure we can both agree that it‟s not
a good idea to have these laying around.
NATHAN
You‟re right.
MR. WALDEN
Come, let‟s go back to the dance.
NATHAN
Actually I think I‟m just going to go
home.
MR. WALDEN
Are you sure? It looks fun out there.
They‟re playing some great music.
HALLWAY
NATHAN
Yeah, I don‟t feel much like dancing
anymore.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 83
MR. WALDEN
OK, understandable.
NATHAN
No she‟s at dinner with my dad, I‟m just
going to walk home.
MR. WALDEN
OK, I‟ll see you on Monday morning,
enjoy your weekend.
NATHAN
You too Mr. Walden.
He walks a few feet into the pitch dark woods that‟s lit
only by the moon above, takes out his two handguns, unloads
them and separately tosses the guns and clips far into the
woods.
NATHAN
And that‟s that.
Once he sees them land, Nathan walks out of the woods and
continues walking down the barely lit, quiet road.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You have your pencils?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 84
NATHAN
Yep.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Erasers, don‟t forget you need erasers.
NATHAN
Yes mom, I have them.
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK, well, have fun. I‟m really happy
that you decided to do this, I think
it‟ll be great for your development.
I owe that Mr. Walden a fruit basket
or something for getting through to
you.
NATHAN
See you later.
NATHAN‟S MOM
I‟ll be here at 3p sharp to pick you up.
BRIDGET
Excuse me. Is anyone sitting here?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 85
NATHAN
Ummm, yeah sure. I mean, no, no one‟s
sitting here.
BRIDGET
Do you mind if I sit?
NATHAN
Yes, please.
Bridget takes a seat and settles in, she also takes out her
art supplies and places them methodically on the table in
front of her.
BRIDGET
(bubbly)
Hi, I‟m Bridget.
NATHAN
(nervously)
Hi, I‟m Nathan.
NATHAN (cont‟d)
(worriedly)
Are you going to make fun of me now?
BRIDGET
(confused)
What?
NATHAN
Ohhh nothing.
BRIDGET
So where do you go to school?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 86
NATHAN
I‟m a junior at Cedar Heights High.
How about you?
BRIDGET
I‟m a junior at Montclair High.
NATHAN
(awkwardly)
So we‟re both juniors, cool.
BRIDGET
(smiles)
Yeah it is.
NATHAN
So what brings you here?
BRIDGET
I like art.
NATHAN
I should‟ve realized that. How did you
find this program though?
BRIDGET
My mom. She actually works here at the
college. I‟ve always been big into art –
drawing, painting, sculpting – so she
thought this program would be good for
my college applications. I want to be
a famous painter, like a female Picasso.
How about you, why are you here?
NATHAN
One of my teachers thought this would
be good for me, that it‟d help me get
out of my shell. I don‟t know if
you‟ve been able to pick up on this
yet but I‟m a little awkward…or so
I‟ve been told.
BRIDGET
Don‟t listen to other people. I think
you‟re cute.
NATHAN
You do?!?
BRIDGET
Yeah, in an awkward kind of way.
She grabs his arm and shakes it to show that she was just
playing around.
BRIDGET
Relax! I‟m just kidding.
ART TEACHER
Good morning class and welcome to your
first day of an intensive three month
art program. Class is four times a
week and attendance is mandatory. I‟ll
need you to notified me in advance if
you‟re going to miss a class. You miss
more than three classes without a valid
excuse then you will not get credit for
the class.
NATHAN
Wow, she‟s tough.
NATHAN
(whispers)
I know, but that‟s OK, I don‟t plan to
be absent. I don‟t have anything else
to do, ever.
BRIDGET
(laughs)
You‟re silly.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 88
The art teacher looks around the room waiting for questions
but there are none so she continues.
ART TEACHER
OK, let‟s jump right into it then. I
don‟t like to teach art in a vacuum,
so I‟d like everyone to partner up with
someone. There will be some projects
that you‟ll work together on, it‟ll
teach you the value of teamwork, which
is sorely missing in a lot of art
projects. Then there will be solo
projects that you work on, however
you‟ll work with your partner on the
evaluation of these projects.
Constructive criticism will make you
a stronger artist and it‟ll probably
help make your skin a little thicker.
Having thick skin will help you keep
your sanity if you choose art as a
career path, which I hope you will
since you‟re in this program. Working
with a partner on the evaluation will
also help you develop articulation
skills, another crucial part in your
development as an artist. If you can
intelligently explain your art and what
you were thinking when you made it,
then you‟ll gain more fans who can
truly appreciate you as an artist.
So go ahead, partner up.
BRIDGET
Would you like to be my partner?
NATHAN
Are you sure you want to be mine?
BRIDGET
Of course, you look fun. I bet you‟ll
be a good time.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 89
NATHAN
I‟d really like to be your partner then.
BRIDGET
Good!
ART TEACHER
OK class, your first assignment is a
simple one. I‟d like each of you to
draw your interpretation of this vase.
NATHAN
OK, this looks pretty easy.
BRIDGET
Deceptively easy maybe. There‟s a lot
we can do with shading, lighting and
composition. Not to mention, we can
get really creative with this.
NATHAN
What do you mean?
BRIDGET
Well maybe I see something more than a
vase here, maybe I see a scene.
NATHAN
What kind of scene?
BRIDGET
I don‟t know, maybe I see a man coming
home on his wedding anniversary giving
a vase filled with a dozen red roses
to a very appreciative wife who is
crying in joy after seeing the love
of her life greeting her with flowers.
Maybe that‟s what I see.
NATHAN
(amazed)
Wow, you‟re really good at this.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 90
BRIDGET
I told you, I like art.
NATHAN
I think maybe I‟ll just stick with drawing
a simple vase.
BRIDGET
Suit yourself, but don‟t be afraid to
open your mind.
NATHAN
Is that a challenge?
BRIDGET
You can take that for whatever you think
it is.
NATHAN
I take that as a challenge. OK Bridget,
I accept your challenge.
BRIDGET
Oh, you do, do you?
NATHAN
Yes. I bet my drawing will be more
unique than yours.
BRIDGET
You‟re on. No peeking though, you
have to do this yourself.
ART TEACHER
OK class, time to wrap it up. Why don‟t
you take a few minutes to discuss your
drawing with your partner.
BRIDGET
OK, what do you got?
NATHAN
You first.
BRIDGET
Nah, I asked you first.
NATHAN
Should we show ours at the same time?
BRIDGET
OK.
BRIDGET
One.
NATHAN
Two.
BRIDGET
Three.
BRIDGET
OK, explain yours.
NATHAN
I went a little bit morbid which, if
you knew me better, you‟d completely
understand. The vase is actually an
urn, sitting on someone‟s mantel in
their living room, by a baby grand
piano. I was thinking that the ashes
would belong to the homeowner‟s mother.
BRIDGET
You‟re weird Nathan.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 92
NATHAN
(sadly)
I get that a lot.
BRIDGET
(backtracking)
Ohh no, in a good way. You‟re unique.
I like that.
NATHAN
OK, what about yours? Tell me about
your drawing.
BRIDGET
You can‟t tell what it is?
NATHAN
The girl in the picture definitely looks
like you, so you drew a self-portrait.
BRIDGET
Yes, but there‟s someone else in the
picture. Do you know who that is?
NATHAN
Not sure.
BRIDGET
(laughs)
It‟s you silly! I drew a picture of
you and me at our workstation drawing,
with the vase sitting between us in the
background.
NATHAN
(surprised)
You drew a picture of me? No one has
ever drawn a picture of me, well at
least one that didn‟t have a penis
going into my mouth or someone‟s foot
kicking my groin.
BRIDGET
(confused)
What?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 93
NATHAN
Nothing.
BRIDGET
Ohhh, I get it, that was a joke.
(laughs)
That was funny!
Bridget and Nathan walk out of the main building with the
other students at the end of class.
BRIDGET
So how are you getting home?
NATHAN
My mom is picking me up? You? How are
you getting home? I‟m sure my mom could
drop you off if you needed a ride.
Bridget walks over to her bike, grabs her helmet and puts
it on.
BRIDGET
Thanks for the offer, but I rode my
bike here.
NATHAN
I wish I knew how to ride a bike?
BRIDGET
You don‟t know how to ride a bike?
NATHAN
No.
Bridget gets on her bike, ready to pedal off.
BRIDGET
Well maybe one day I‟ll teach you.
NATHAN
I‟d like that.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 94
BRIDGET
It was a pleasure meeting you today
Nathan.
NATHAN
You too Bridget.
BRIDGET
I‟ll see you next week. Enjoy the rest
of the weekend.
BRIDGET
Ohhh yeah and try to draw something
a little more upbeat next time. No
one likes a Donald Downer.
NATHAN
OK, I will.
BRIDGET
See you later friend.
Once she‟s far into the distance, Nathan notices that his
mom has driven up to the front of the building and she‟s
beeping her horn.
DINING ROOM
NATHAN‟S MOM
So, Nathan how was your first day in
the art program?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 95
NATHAN
It was good.
(smiles)
I met a girl.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(excitedly)
You did?!? That‟s so great!
NATHAN‟S DAD
(cynically)
This isn‟t another imaginary friend
like the last time, is it?
NATHAN
No dad she‟s real.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Real ugly probably.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Harold, is that really necessary? Your
boy has taken an interest in a girl,
isn‟t this what you wanted? You should
be happy and you should be encouraging
Nathan.
NATHAN
You‟re right.
(looks at Nathan)
Nathan, I‟m really happy for you.
NATHAN‟S MOM
So, what‟s her name?
NATHAN
Bridget and she goes to Montclair High,
she‟s a junior just like me.
NATHAN‟S MOM
This all sounds promising.
NATHAN
We‟ll see. She‟s my partner in class
so we‟ll have to work together on a lot
of projects.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 96
NATHAN‟S MOM
This is great, this is great! You guys
are going to work together, get to know
each other really well, you‟ll fall in
love, get married, have kids. I‟m going
to be a grandmother!
NATHAN
(laughs embarrassingly)
Mom! Slow down! I just met her today.
You already have us getting hitched.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Yeah, wait for him to scare her away.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Harold, stop. My baby isn‟t going to
scare her away, he likes her!
NATHAN
Mooom, I don‟t know if I like her yet.
I just met her today.
JESSICA
Ohhh come on, you like her. Why else
would you mention that you met her
today if you didn‟t like her?
NATHAN
OK, fine, I like her…a little.
JESSICA
Well play it cool. You don‟t want to
look too desperate.
NATHAN
But I am.
JESSICA
I know that, but she doesn‟t. You don‟t
want to appear too desperate, it turns
girls off. Just like guys don‟t like
girls that are too needy.
NATHAN
I like any type of girls. Basically if
they talk to me, I‟ll like them.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 97
JESSICA
(jokingly)
Beggars can‟t be choosers, right?
NATHAN
Hey!
JESSICA
I‟m just kidding, bro!
JESSICA
I‟m proud of you kid. I hope everything
works out with this girl.
NATHAN‟S MOM
And I hope she‟s a good girl too.
NATHAN
I think she is, at least she seems like
she is.
JESSICA
See what happens when I make a weekend
visit from college? Nathan falls in
love! I should come home more often.
JESSICA
Let‟s go to the mall after dinner Nathan
and find you a nice shirt that you can
wear to impress this lovely lady.
NATHAN
OK!
JESSICA
It‟ll also give me an excuse to go
shopping too.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 98
Bridget types: “Well maybe one day we can hang out and do
something on a Saturday night…that is if we can find a date
that‟ll work for both of us. LOL!”
Nathan logs off his computer and climbs into his bed. For
the first night in a very long time, he lays in bed with a
giant smile on his face. He‟s completely satisfied.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 99
GYM
NATHAN
Son-of-a…
The same gym class bully that pushed him down a hill before
picks up a ball and throws it at Nathan‟s head.
GYM TEACHER
OK, calm down everyone! He gets the
point, he‟s out!
GYM TEACHER
Come on Nathan, don‟t be a drama queen.
Get to the sidelines and take a seat.
GYM TEACHER
OK everyone, back to the game.
ENGLISH CLASSROOM
MR. WALDEN
For the past few weeks we‟ve concentrated
on newer books from the 20th century,
now we‟re going to go a little farther
back in history and read one of my
personal favorites.
MR. WALDEN
James, come on up and read the first
page.
MR. WALDEN
Come on James, come on up here.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 101
JAMES
(nervously)
It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times…
JAMES (cont‟d)
(nervously)
…it was the age of wisdom, it was the
age of foolishness, it was the epoch
of belief, it was the epoch of
incredible…
MR. WALDEN
(interrupts)
Try that word again.
JAMES
Incred-incred-incredulity, it was the
season of light, it was the season of
darkness…
Mr. Walden quietly walks behind Nathan and sees him drawing
a picture of a girl so he leans down and whispers to him.
MR. WALDEN
Nice picture.
MR. WALDEN
(whispers)
Don‟t worry, it‟s OK. I like the tone
of that one much better than your old
ones.
JAMES (cont‟d)
…it was the spring of hope, it was the
winter of despair, we had everything
before us, we had nothing before us…
Nathan tries to brush him off but the bully doesn‟t flinch.
JAMES (cont‟d)
…we were all going direct to heaven,
we were all going direct the other way…
The bully pushes Nathan‟s head hard then sits back in his
seat, Mr. Walden doesn‟t notice any of this.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 103
JAMES (cont‟d)
…in short, the period was so far like
the present period, that some of its
noisiest authorities insisted on its
being received, for good or for evil,
in the superlative degree of comparison
only.
BRIDGET
How‟s it going Nate?
NATHAN
Nate?
BRIDGET
Yeah, I‟ve decided to give you a nickname.
I like Nate. What do you think about it?
NATHAN
(thinking)
I like it. Nate, yeah I can get used
to it.
BRIDGET
Good. So how was your day today Nate?
NATHAN
Ahhh, you know. It was school.
BRIDGET
What does that mean?
NATHAN
Let‟s just say today was a good day
because I was only made fun of twice.
BRIDGET
Do you get made fun of a lot?
NATHAN
Sadly, yes.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 104
BRIDGET
That sucks.
NATHAN
Do you think any less of me?
BRIDGET
Absolutely not. I think a little less
of your fellow classmates at Cedar
Heights though.
NATHAN
You do?
BRIDGET
Of course. Look, I don‟t know you that
well yet, but you don‟t seem like the
type of guy that should be getting made
fun of unprovoked.
NATHAN
Thanks, that‟s awfully kind of you to
say.
BRIDGET
I told my mom about you the other day.
NATHAN
You did? Why?
BRIDGET
I just wanted her to know that I met
a nice kid. She‟s always on my case,
asking me when I‟m going to meet a
nice boy. So I told her I just did
last weekend.
NATHAN
(smiles)
That‟s funny because I told my parents
that I met you too.
BRIDGET
Oh yeah, you did?
NATHAN
Yeah, same reason too. I just wanted
to let them know that I met a nice
girl.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 105
BRIDGET
You think I‟m a nice girl?
NATHAN
Ohhh yes, yes I do.
BRIDGET
(smiles)
Thank you.
The art teacher enters the classroom, puts her several bags
down by the desk and immediately gets into the day‟s
assignment.
ART TEACHER
Good afternoon class, let‟s jump right
into it, shall we? Today I‟d like every-
one to think about a simple pleasure in
life, you‟re simple pleasure. What
basic thing or idea gives you happiness
in life? OK, once you have that simple
pleasure in your head I want you to
convey that through art. It could be
a drawing, a painting, a sculpture,
computer animation, heck it could even
be through Paper Mache. It‟s a pretty
straightforward, open-ended assignment.
Any questions?
ART TEACHER
OK, get to work then.
NATHAN
(turns to Bridget)
This is tough. So many possibilities.
BRIDGET
I know. It‟s these open-ended projects
that are the most difficult. We can
do anything. I usually like to be more
focused, given much more direction then
I use my creativity to build something
off of that.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 106
NATHAN
(thinking)
Hmmmm, simple pleasures, a simple
pleasure. What‟s your simple pleasure?
BRIDGET
Good question. I have a lot of simple
pleasures.
NATHAN
Like ice cream sandwiches.
BRIDGET
(laughs)
Yes, like ice cream sandwiches…and fresh
cut grass, a cute little puppy or a rainy
day during the Spring.
NATHAN
I like rainy days too…but then again
that‟s probably because it gives me an
excuse not to leave the house.
BRIDGET
Ohhh, that‟s sad.
NATHAN
Not really, I like my house.
BRIDGET
How about you, what‟s your simple
pleasure?
NATHAN
I don‟t know…maybe my TV. At least it
doesn‟t talk back to me.
BRIDGET
Interesting.
NATHAN
I also like conversation…when it‟s not
mean-spirited. Ohhh and I like to read…
BRIDGET
There‟s an art gallery downtown that‟s
having a special exhibit of a local
artists‟ work this weekend. I‟ve been
following him for a while, he‟s really
cool.
NATHAN
Oh yeah?
BRIDGET
Yeah, he‟s the one that does those weird
stencil drawings around the mall parking
lot. Nobody‟s supposed to know that
he‟s the guy responsible, but I do.
NATHAN
I like those drawings. Very unique.
BRIDGET
So do you want to go with me?
NATHAN
What, to the mall?
BRIDGET
(laughs)
No, jeez you‟re going to make this
difficult for me, aren‟t you?
NATHAN
I don‟t mean to.
BRIDGET
Would you like to go to the art gallery
exhibit with me this weekend? Saturday
night perhaps?
NATHAN
(smiles)
I‟d love to!
BRIDGET
Great, so it‟s a date!
NATHAN
It is?
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 108
BRIDGET
Well yeah.
(pause)
OK come on, we have to do our project
now. We have to think about what we
want to do.
NATHAN
I don‟t know if I can concentrate, I‟m
so excited. I have a date!
BRIDGET
Think about how I feel! I was so
nervous this whole afternoon because
I was thinking about asking you out
to this exhibit.
NATHAN
Why were you nervous?
BRIDGET
I didn‟t know if you‟d say yes or not.
NATHAN
I would‟ve said yes a thousand times
over.
BRIDGET
(sighs)
Ahhh, that‟s so sweet.
(playfully taps his hand)
Come on, enough stalling, we have to
do some work now!
ART TEACHER
OK kids, socializing hour is over now,
get to work. You‟re here to make art,
not to become best friends, so make
some art!
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 109
NATHAN
Yes, Miss Anderson.
BRIDGET
So do you know what you‟re going to
do yet?
NATHAN
Besides pass out from excitement? No.
BRIDGET
I‟ve got some ideas.
BRIDGET
Here, come on, just start drawing some-
thing. It‟ll get your creative juices
flowing.
NATHAN
OK.
NATHAN
Are you going to sculpt something?
BRIDGET
Nah, I‟m more of a painter than a
sculptor. I mean I like sculpting and
all but I love painting, so I‟m going
to paint. Did you figure out how you‟re
going to do your project?
NATHAN
I like to draw. That‟s usually my
outlet. I‟m not good with paint, I‟m
like a messy Jackson Pollock.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 110
BRIDGET
(smiles)
You‟re funny.
NATHAN
I don‟t mean to be.
BRIDGET
Nate, just take your compliment and be
happy.
LATER ON
ART TEACHER
OK class, time is up. We‟re going to
do something different today. Today,
you will come up to the front of the
class and very simply, very quickly,
tell everyone your simple pleasure
and show how you chose to express it.
NATHAN
Do I have to?
ART TEACHER
Yes, I‟m not asking you, I‟m telling
you. Come up here.
ART TEACHER
Remember, keep it short and sweet.
I want the emotion to come out of
your art, not your words.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 111
NATHAN
My simple pleasure is comic books. I
like comic books because for an hour,
or for however long it takes me to read
one, they take me out of real life and
put me into this imaginary world where
I can pretend to be anyone or anything.
It‟s a great escape for me, at least
for a little while, in an otherwise
tough existence.
Nathan turns his pad around to show the class his detailed
drawing of five comic book heroes – Superman, Spiderman,
Aquaman, Batman and Captain America.
NATHAN (cont‟d)
So I drew a collage of my favorite
comic book characters – Superman,
Spiderman, Aquaman, Batman and Captain
America. I would‟ve drawn more but I
knew I was going to run out of time,
so I stuck with five. Superman is my
favorite, so he‟s the largest character
drawn in the collage. He gets top
billing.
ART TEACHER
Thanks Nathan. I love the detail you
put into your drawing.
(pause)
Let‟s continue going around the room.
Bridget, your turn.
BRIDGET
My simple pleasure is grapes…plain and
simple. I love grapes and there‟s
nothing I like better than grabbing a
bowl of them, sitting on my front porch
and hanging out with my grandmother
when she‟s over the house.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 112
ART TEACHER
Very nice, very nicely done Bridget.
NATHAN
So I‟m assuming you rode your bike again
today and don‟t need a ride from my mom?
BRIDGET
Yeah I‟ve got my bike here.
NATHAN
Well just know you have a standing
invite to get a ride home.
BRIDGET
I‟ll keep that in mind. I might have
to take you up on that offer on a rainy
day.
NATHAN
Please do, it‟ll be my mom‟s pleasure.
BRIDGET
Not yours?
NATHAN
Ohhh that goes without saying, but some-
thing tells me my mom will take even
more pleasure in it, if that‟s possible.
BRIDGET
Don‟t forget, Saturday night.
NATHAN
There‟s no way I‟ll forget that.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 113
BRIDGET
Good, so I‟ll meet you at the gallery.
7 o‟clock sharp.
NATHAN
7 o‟clock.
NATHAN
(shocked)
Wow.
BRIDGET
(laughs)
Goodbye Nate!
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhhh, there he is! There‟s my boy!
NATHAN
Stop it mom!
NATHAN‟S MOM
I‟m just so happy and proud, your first
date!
NATHAN
OK, OK, OK don‟t get me all riled up
though, I‟m nervous enough as it is.
NATHAN‟S MOM
I‟m just excited that‟s all.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 114
NATHAN
Well if you‟re excited think about how
I feel.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Have fun tonight son.
NATHAN
Thanks dad.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You look great. I‟m sure she‟s going
to have a good time.
NATHAN
Thanks mom.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Well, I‟ll be waiting in the car.
NATHAN
Great, by the way I need to make one
quick stop before you drop me off at
the gallery.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Sure thing, anything you need.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Don‟t take too long up here, it‟s not
polite to keep a girl waiting.
NATHAN
I won‟t mom.
NATHAN
(optimistically)
This is the day that I will finally get
a girlfriend, I can feel it. Today‟s
the day that something will finally
work out for me.
BRIDGET
There you are mister!
Nathan keeps one hand behind him back, like he‟s hiding
something from Bridget.
NATHAN
Sorry I‟m late, I had to run to a couple
of stores and it took me a little more
time than I thought it would.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 116
BRIDGET
Oh yeah, why did you have to go to the
store?
NATHAN
For this.
Nathan takes his hand out from behind his back to reveal
Bridget‟s simple pleasure, a bag of grapes.
BRIDGET
(laughs)
Ha ha ha, grapes! Nate, You‟re awesome!
NATHAN
I thought it‟d be a nice little gesture.
BRIDGET
(excitedly)
It is, it is!
Bridget takes the grapes and gives him a big hug. She
continues laughing.
NATHAN
What‟s so funny?
BRIDGET
It‟s funny because I got something for
you too.
NATHAN
Really? You didn‟t have to get me any-
thing.
BRIDGET
I wanted to though.
Bridget reaches into her bag, takes out a comic book and
gives it to Nathan.
BRIDGET
Here.
NATHAN
(surprised)
A Superman comic book! Oh my god!
you shouldn‟t have!
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 117
BRIDGET
I know, but I did, and I‟m happy I did.
Next time you want to get away from the
real world, just open up this comic book
and read. You‟ll feel better. Just
think of me when you read it though.
NATHAN
I will! Thank you! Thank you! Thank
you!
BRIDGET
You‟re welcome. Here I‟ll hold onto
your comic while we walk around.
NATHAN
OK, don‟t steal it though.
BRIDGET
Don‟t worry, I won‟t.
(pause)
Come, let‟s check out all the art now.
I took a sneak peak while I was waiting,
this artist is awesome.
The two walk around the gallery checking out the various
paintings as Bridget periodically digs into her bag of
grapes to eat.
BRIDGET
Would you like one?
NATHAN
No, I‟m good.
BRIDGET
OK, suit yourself. These are good
grapes though, thanks.
“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 118
BRIDGET
This right here, this is my favorite
work of his.
NATHAN
Very provocative.
BRIDGET
It is. Look at the two lovers. Their
embrace is so powerful and their love
is so strong that they‟ve actually
become one.
NATHAN
I hope I can love someone as much as
that one day.
After a few moments, Bridget moves away and they both look
into each other‟s eyes.
NATHAN
That was my first kiss.
BRIDGET
(smiles)
Mine too. Do you want to go for a
second one?
NATHAN
(sheepishly)
Sure.
NATHAN
Can I buy you an ice cream sandwich after
this?
BRIDGET
(laughs)
I‟d love too! It‟ll go great with my
grapes.
NATHAN
Let‟s go then.
FADE OUT