Bullied Screenplay

“Bullied”
Original Screenplay Written by Jason Wiese

“Bullied” Original Screenplay by Jason Wiese 2
FADE IN
INT. – NATHAN SIMPSON‟S HOUSE
SECOND FLOOR BATHROOM
NATHAN SIMPSON, a scrawny, nerdy-looking teenager with

glasses and a bad haircut, is staring confidently at
himself in the mirror as part of his daily ritual before he
leaves for school.
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‟S MOM (O.S.)

(yells)
Nathan, time for me to drop you off at
school, you ready?
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.
INT. – NATHAN‟S HIGH SCHOOL
CAFETERIA
Nathan is sitting by himself at a long table in an

otherwise crowded lunchroom cafeteria.
He‟s minding his business just eating a sandwich when

suddenly a big ball of tin foil comes flying over and hits
him in the face.
Three JOCKS, who are sitting a few tables over, laugh and
high five each other after seeing their direct hit.
Nathan drops his sandwich in frustration, puts the rest of

it and a juice box back in his brown bag, grabs his
backpack and walks away out of the lunchroom into the
HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF THE CAFETERIA
Nathan walks down the empty corridor and enters the
BOY‟S BATHROOM
Nathan walks into an empty stall in the dimly light, dirty

bathroom. He puts the seat down and sits on top of the
toilet to pass the time quietly until lunch is over.
He looks at his watch – 12:15 – then grabs a POPULAR

SCIENCE magazine out of his backpack and starts reading an
article.
LATER ON
Nathan is still sitting on top of the toilet reading his

magazine when he looks at his watch again – 12:29.
Suddenly the school bell RINGS and he packs away his

magazine and leaves the stall.
MATH CLASSROOM
Nathan is sitting in the front row, listening attentively

to the TEACHER at the front of the room.
The grandmotherly-looking MATH TEACHER is working on a

long, complex algebra problem on the chalkboard.
The teacher is so caught up in solving the problem that she

doesn‟t pay attention to the students – who are all bored
and totally disinterested.
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.
Undeterred, the bully pokes him even harder then laughs

along with the rest of the class, this time Nathan turns
around and looks at the kid.
NATHAN
Will you stop please? I‟m trying to
learn something.
The teacher hears Nathan‟s voice so she turns to chastise

him.
MATH TEACHER
Nathan, dear, please keep quiet and pay
attention, that‟s the only way you‟ll
learn algebra.
MATH CLASS BULLY

Yeah, Nathan, stop disrupting class,
we‟re all just trying to learn so we
can do well on our exams.
The bully and the whole class laugh.
MATH TEACHER
Russell, I don‟t need any help, you can
keep quiet too.
The teacher goes back to trying to solve the problem as the

bully becomes even more brazen and draws the word “gay”
across Nathan‟s neck.
Nathan feeling helpless to stop it, just sits there and

allows him to write while the rest of the class laughs at
him.
The teacher finally finishes the problem.
MATH TEACHER
And X equals five, there‟s your answer.
The teacher grabs a workbook from her desk to verify the

answer. She looks through it for the answer and is
surprised to see she didn‟t do it right.
MATH TEACHER
Ohhh, according to my guide, X actually
equals eight.
The teacher looks at the chalkboard, then back at the book

then at the chalkboard again to see if she can figure out
what she did wrong. She can‟t so she gives up.
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.
MATH TEACHER (cont‟d)

OK class, we‟ll pick this up tomorrow.
Nathan walks out of the classroom and into the
HALLWAY
Where he walks through a crowded hallway filled with

students rushing to their next class or going to their
lockers.
Nathan is heading towards a classroom down the hall but

stops abruptly when he sees two tough-looking BULLIES, both
wearing jean jackets, hanging out by a locker about fifteen
feet in front of him.
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.
BULLY IN HALLWAY #1
Much.
The bullies laugh as Nathan rushes through the hallway to

get away from them. He makes it to the end and walks down
the
STAIRCASE
And into
ANOTHER HALLWAY
That he walks all the way down then goes up
ANOTHER STAIRCASE
Where he takes just a few steps to get to his next

classroom.
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 is sitting in the second to last row of a packed

classroom. The room is quiet as all the students are busy
taking an exam.
The male student behind him tries to get his attention.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Psst.
Nathan ignores him so he does it again. This time he

flicks Nathan‟s ear.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Psst!
Nathan turns around and looks at the kid behind him.
NATHAN
(whispers)
Hey, that hurt.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

What‟s the answer to number 23?
NATHAN
(whispers)
I‟m not telling you, that‟s cheating.
Once Nathan turns back around to continue taking his test,

the bully flicks his ear again. Nathan tries to brush him
off but the bully does it one more time.
Nathan rubs his ear to lessen the sting then turns around
to look at the kid behind him again.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

(whispers)
What‟s the answer to number 23? Is it
Madison or Monroe?
NATHAN
(whispers)
I can‟t tell you.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

(whispers)
I‟ll tell you what, give me the answer
or I‟m going to punch you in the face
right after class.
Nathan looks at him hopelessly.
NATHAN
(whispers)
It‟s Monroe.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

(whispers)
See that wasn‟t that hard.
Nathan turns back around and continues taking his exam.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

(whispers)
Thanks bitch.
The bully flicks Nathan‟s ear again then leans over his
desk to whisper in his ear.
HISTORY CLASS BULLY

(whispers)
You are my little bitch, you know that,
right? Yeah, you know that.
The bully flicks Nathan‟s ear again and Nathan again rubs
his ear to lessen the sting.
Nathan‟s having a hard time concentrating on his exam and

just sits there, unable to answer the last five questions.
He stares intently at the last page of his exam but is
unable to clear his head enough to finish.
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.
The students stand up and line up one by one at the front

of the class to give their exams to the teacher.
HISTORY TEACHER (cont‟d)

Another day in the books. Enjoy your
afternoon and evening and I‟ll see you
all tomorrow.
EXT. – NATHAN‟S HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Nathan, carrying an oversized backpack that‟s almost half

his size, leaves the school building by himself and walks
past several large fields where the BASEBALL and SOCCER
TEAMS are practicing separately.
He stops to watch both teams practice and is clearly

envious of them - the teamwork, the camaraderie, the fact
that they‟re actually doing something after school.
After standing there for a few moments, he sees one of the

soccer players stop what he‟s doing and look sternly over
at him.
Upon seeing this, Nathan sheepishly walks away and past

another field where the JUNIOR and VARSITY CHEERLEADING
SQUADS are practicing their routines.
INT. – NATHAN‟S HOUSE
HALLWAY
Nathan walks into his house and through the hallway into
the
LIVING ROOM
Where he throws his backpack onto a chair, grabs the remote

control, turns the TV on and lays down on a couch.
He changes the channel until he comes to “The Maury Povich

Show” and an episode where Maury is giving guests lie
detector tests to prove paternity claims.
After several seconds, Nathan‟s eyelids get heavy then he

falls asleep after a few more moments.
LATER ON
Nathan is awoken by his DAD, a stern, athletic-looking guy

in his mid-forties, who is standing over him trying to wake
him up.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Nathan, Nathan, wake up.
Nathan‟s eyes begin to open.
NATHAN‟S DAD (cont‟d)

Are you just going to come home everyday
and sleep on the couch? You‟re wasting
your life away.
Nathan is groggy and starts rubbing his eyes to wake up.

Come on, wash up for dinner.
Nathan‟s dad walks out of the living room leaving Nathan

behind as he slowly stands up from the couch.
DINING ROOM
Nathan and his dad and MOM, a sweet-looking, motherly

figure in her early forties, are sitting around the table
eating dinner. Everyone is quiet until Nathan‟s dad speaks
up.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Nathan, why don‟t you do something with
your life?
Nathan drops his fork in frustration, as he knows he‟ll

have to sit through a speech that he‟s heard countless
times before from his father.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Honey, not this again.
Nathan‟s dad ignores his wife and continues.

You‟re in high school, these are supposed
to be the best years of your life.
You‟re supposed to be carefree, go out
there and cause some mischief.
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?
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?

…or the drug store up the street, you
know what I mean.
NATHAN
Fine, I‟ll join something at school,
will that make you happy?
NATHAN‟S DAD
It sure will.
NATHAN
Fine.
The family is silent as they go back to eating dinner.

Nathan, who has now lost his appetite, is just pushing his
food around his plate and not eating anymore.
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.
Then Nathan‟s mom shoots her husband another stern,

disappointing look.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Don‟t you think you were a little harsh
on Nathan?
NATHAN‟S DAD
He doesn‟t listen.
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 is sitting at his desk playing on his computer, the

room is lit only by a small desk lamp.
He brings up his Facebook homepage and notices that he has

three “new notifications.”
NATHAN
(to himself)
Ahhh, a few new notifications, people
out there like me!
His initial excitement quickly turns to depression when he

clicks through to his profile page and realizes that the
first new comment is from someone making fun of him.
He reads the comments out loud to himself, one by one.
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.
Nathan quickly deletes both comments then defriends both

guys.
NATHAN
That‟s sad, I thought both Chad and
Greg were my friends…I guess not.
Nathan continues reading through his Facebook page and

notices that someone made a comment on one of his pictures
so he clicks through to see it.
The picture is of him and his mom smiling at a family

barbecue over the summer. Once again he reads the post
that a fellow classmate wrote out loud to himself.
NATHAN
“Behold, Nathan‟s only friend in life…
and she‟s a whore to boot.”
(innocently)
My mom is not a whore.
Nathan deletes the comment and defriends that “friend” as

well.
Nathan returns back to his Facebook homepage and notices an

invite to a Fan Page on the upper right hand corner:
“Nathan Simpson Is Gay” – “six of your friends like this
page.”
Curious, Nathan clicks through the link to get to the Fan

page. There he sees a picture of Screech from “Saved By
the Bell” with an opening message which he reads aloud.
NATHAN
“Join this page if you think Nathan
Simpson is the gayest kid ever at Cedar
Heights High School.”
Nathan then notices the page‟s friend count on the right

side of the page.
NATHAN
85 friends…58 more friends than I have.
A Facebook chat box opens up from another alleged “friend”

who writes, “why don‟t you just kill yourself? No one
likes you anyways, you won‟t be missed”
Calmly, Nathan writes back – “Leave me alone.”

To which the “friend” replies – “Why don‟t you leave the

world alone? Ohh, that‟s right, you will.”
And with that Nathan defriends him as well.
Depressed, Nathan turns off his desk lamp and crashes

stomach first onto his bed.
After a few moments he flips onto his back and just stares
up at the ceiling as he tries to fall asleep.
It‟s a new day and Nathan again stares confidently at

himself in the mirror to repeat his daily ritual.
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.

(yells)
Nathan, time to go!
NATHAN
(yells)
Coming mom!
Nathan again fixes 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.
INT. – NATHAN‟S MOM‟S CAR
Nathan calmly sits in the back seat while his mom drives
through the suburban streets to school.
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.
After a few moments of silence, Nathan‟s mom speaks up

again.
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?
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.
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.
STUDY HALL CLASSROOM
The study hall is a large room filled with a series of long

tables, each has 3-4 students, spread out, sitting at them.
Nathan is busy reading a textbook at his table where two

other STUDENTS are sitting.
One of the kids at the table whispers over to Nathan to get

his attention.
BULLY AT STUDY HALL #1

(whispers)
Hey…hey…faggot.
Nathan doesn‟t acknowledge him, so the bully calls out to

him again.
BULLY AT STUDY HALL #1 (cont‟d)

(whispers)
Hey…bitch, I‟m talking to you.
Nathan finally decides to acknowledge him and looks over.

(whispers)
Do you like to suck dick?
Both him and the kid next to him laughs at the question.
BULLY AT STUDY HALL #1 (cont‟d)

(whispers)
…because I heard you like to suck dick.

(whispers)
That‟s cruel man.
NATHAN
(uncomfortable)
I don‟t suck penis.

That‟s not what I heard, I heard not
only do you love to suck dick but you
swallow too.

(laughs)
Damn, that‟s crazy.

Yeah, you love to swallow.

Hey, you, are you the pitcher or catcher?
NATHAN
(confused)
What do you mean?

With your boyfriend…are you the pitcher
or catcher?
NATHAN
(confused)
I don‟t know, but I don‟t have a boyfriend.

Ohh come on Freddie, look at how sub-
missive he is, he‟s definitely the
catcher.
CAFETERIA
Nathan walks into the crowded lunchroom cafeteria holding

his brown bag lunch. He stands at the edge of the room
surveying the scene and trying to find a table with enough
empty room that he can sit and not be bothered.
After a few seconds he finally finds a table at the far end

of the room so he walks over and sits down.
He unpacks his lunch and begins to eat quietly by himself

while the room fills up with noise from the rowdy students
sitting all around him.
Just as Nathan makes it through half of his turkey

sandwich, his ENGLISH TEACHER, a handsome middle-aged man
dressed in a crisp but not expensive suit, sits down across
from him.
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?
Mr. Walden reaches into his briefcase, takes out a paper

and throws it on the table in front of Nathan.
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?”
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 notices that four GIRLS sitting at the table next to

him are looking and smiling at him, while giggling amongst
themselves.
NATHAN
I know.
One of the girls, HILARY, a very attractive senior with

long brown hair, waves at him playfully.
Distracted, Nathan doesn‟t really know how to react.
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)
MR. WALDEN (cont‟d)

difficult at times. If you have any
problems or if you need to talk to
someone, my door is always open.
NATHAN
OK, thanks sir.
Mr. Walden stands up and pats Nathan on the shoulder.
MR. WALDEN
Hang in there…and I expect you to get
a better grade on your next paper.
NATHAN
I will sir.
Mr. Walden walks away and as soon as he‟s out of sight

HILARY stands up, approaches Nathan‟s table and sits down
in front of him.
HILARY
(flirtatiously)
Hi Nathan.
Nathan is so nervous that a hot girl like Hilary would

actually be giving him the time of day that he‟s not sure
what to say. He takes a big gulp before opening his mouth.
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.
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?!?
Nathan can hardly contain his excitement.
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 takes another hard gulp and is still extremely

nervous.
NATHAN
I would absolutely love to be your date!
HILARY
Great, I know we‟ll have a good time.
Hilary touches Nathan‟s hand; her mere touch sends Nathan

into a further tizzy.
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 stands up and walks over to Nathan on his side of

the table.
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?
NATHAN
For two minutes you did I guess.
HILARY
See. Your welcome.
Hilary walks back over to her table and rejoins her

girlfriends so that they can all have a hearty laugh at his
expense.
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
Later in the day, Nathan is in a crowded men‟s locker room

changing for gym class.
The room has wall-to-wall lockers with a long wooden bench

sitting in front of them.
Since a majority of the other GUYS in the locker room are

buffed and chiseled, Nathan is subconscious over his
scrawny frame.
While the other guys don‟t have a problem taking their

shirts off, Nathan won‟t even take off his white undershirt
and opts to just put his gym shirt on over it.
The tough-looking GYM TEACHER barges into the locker room

and barks out an order.
GYM TEACHER
OK boys, on the football field in 5
minutes!
The gym teacher leaves as quickly as he entered. As the

guys get ready to file out of the locker room, one of them
notices how skinny Nathan‟s legs look in his gym shorts.
GUY IN GYM CLASS #1

Damn guys, look at Nathan‟s legs! I
mean, I know we have gym class together
all the time, but they‟re looking
particularly skinny today.
GUY IN GYM CLASS #2

Friggin‟ chicken legs if you ask me.
They look like something I ate for
dinner last night.
GUY IN GYM CLASS #1

(laughs)
That‟s not even an understatement.
EXT. – NATHAN‟S HIGH SCHOOL, FOOTBALL FIELD – DAY
Nathan and the rest of the class is standing on the 50 yard

line in the middle of the field. Nathan and his team are
wearing yellow mesh shirts to differentiate themselves from
the other team.
The gym teacher picks up the football from the sideline,

marches it to the 50 yard line and places it down in the
middle of the two teams.
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.
The gym teacher, who is standing on the sidelines, bellows

out.
GYM TEACHER
Awful, just awful! Run it again.
The two teams line up again at the line of scrimmage. The

play is run again and this time the ball is completed to
the other wide receiver 10 yards down the field while
Nathan half-heartedly runs down the field again.
This time though, the larger guy covering Nathan blatantly

knocks him down to the ground when the gym teacher isn‟t
looking even though he doesn‟t have the ball.
GYM CLASS BULLY

Stay down there dork.
Nathan tries to get up but the bully kicks him in the chest
to knock him back down.
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!
GYM CLASS BULLY

Yeah, get up dork.
The two teams line up again at the line of scrimmage.
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 CLASS BULLY

(to the quarterback)
Throw the ball to Nathan.
GYM CLASS QUARTERBACK

What? No way, he sucks!
GYM CLASS BULLY

Give him an easy pass that even he can‟t
miss. Then on the next play, hand it
off to him.
GYM CLASS QUARTERBACK

Why?
GYM CLASS BULLY

You‟ll see.
The quarterback goes over and whispers to Nathan as

everyone else gets into position. A large smile covers
Nathan‟s face when he realizes that he‟s actually going to
be a part of the next play.
The quarterback gets into place then hikes the ball.

Nathan runs a quick 5-yard slant, catches the ball and is
immediately tackled hard by the class bully.
A collective groan is released by everyone after they see

the violent hit.
GYM TEACHER
(blows his whistle)
You‟re on thin ice, Kolinsky! You know
damn well this is touch football, not
tackle.
GYM CLASS BULLY

(laughs)
Sorry coach, I slipped!
GYM TEACHER
Just get back into position.
Nathan gets up slowly and coughs repeatedly, he‟s also

holding his side in pain.
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!
The quarterback walks over to Nathan again and whispers in

his ear, this time he‟s not smiling.
The two teams line up at the line of scrimmage again. The

quarterback hikes the ball and hands it off to Nathan.
Nathan starts running for his life when he notices that

he‟s being chased by the class bully.
He chases him along the sidelines and out of bounds.

Thinking the play is over, Nathan slows down and is caught
by the bully who grabs his back collar.
But the bully doesn‟t slow up, instead he pushes Nathan

further into the sideline. Nathan starts shouting for him
to stop.
NATHAN
No, no, no! Stop!
The gym teacher blows his whistle several times.

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 CLASS BULLY

(innocently)
What?
GYM TEACHER
I blew the whistle five times! Five
times!
GYM CLASS BULLY

I didn‟t hear it, I swear! I thought
the play was still going on!
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!
INT. – NATHAN‟S HIGH SCHOOL, LOCKER ROOM
Nathan is sitting by himself in the locker room, bandaging

up his knee and wiping away tears.
The school bell RINGS.
NATHAN
(to himself)
Thank god, another day in the books.
EXT. – HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT – DAY
Nathan is leaving school at the end of the day, walking

through the busy parking lot as all the students file out
of the building and go to their cars.
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.
Suddenly a car filled with FIVE SENIOR GUYS pull up right

next to Nathan and slowly drive alongside as he continues
walking.
The DRIVER is looking menacingly at Nathan.
DRIVER BULLY
Hey, kid.
Nathan looks over to the driver.
DRIVER BULLY
What are you looking at?
Realizing that the driver just wants to pick on him, Nathan

ignores him and continues walking.
DRIVER BULLY (cont‟d)

Hey, you gonna ignore me? Maybe I should
stop the car, get out and teach you some
respect?
Nathan keeps walking without saying anything, except he

does give him a slight headshake “no.”
DRIVER BULLY (cont‟d)

Loser.
The driver looks at his friend sitting in the passenger‟s

seat.
DRIVER BULLY
Hey, grab me that can from the floor.
His friend picks up a full energy drink can and gives it to

the driver who proceeds to throw it at Nathan‟s head.
All of the guys in the car laugh while Nathan says nothing
and just continues walking without losing his stride.
The driver peels out and speeds away, kicking up a big

cloud of dirt that covers Nathan.
Nathan continues walking through the parking lot, minding

his own business, when a few tears start streaming down his
cheeks. He tries his best to wipe them away.
HALLWAY
Nathan walks into his house and immediately heads to a door

that leads to the
BASEMENT
Nathan walks down the steps into the dark, unfinished

basement that is mainly used for storage and is cluttered
with a bunch of odds and ends.
He heads to the far end of the basement that his father

uses as a workbench area. There‟s a large table with tools
littered about everywhere and a bunch of wood leaning up
against the wall.
Nathan walks up to the workbench and opens a drawer that is

filled with old PLAYBOY magazines. He moves the Playboys
to the side, seemingly uninterested in looking at them,
then finds a long rope buried at the bottom of the drawer.
Nathan takes the rope out and studies it intently. He

pulls, stretches and yanks it to test its durability. Then
he studies it‟s length by stepping on one end of it and
pulling the other end to see how long it is.
Once he‟s satisfied with the rope, he walks back up the

basement steps and into the
KITCHEN
Where he puts the rope on the table, walks over to the

refrigerator and pours himself a glass of grape soda. He
calmly drinks the whole glass while he stands over the

table and reads the front page of the local newspaper.
Once he finishes his soda, Nathan picks up the rope and

opens the door in the kitchen that leads to the backyard.
EXT. – NATHAN‟S HOUSE – BACKYARD – CLOUDY DAY
Nathan walks over to a large tree towards the back corner

of the yard.
He throws the rope to the ground and studies the tree,

looking it up and down several times.
After he‟s satisfied with the size of the tree, Nathan

walks back over to the house and grabs a step stool that is
sitting next to a Weber grill.
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.
Nathan grabs the rope and methodically makes a noose out of

it, then he climbs up the step ladder and ties one end of
the rope around the branch. Once he‟s done, he gives it a
yank a couple of times to make sure it‟s securely tied.
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.
Now that he‟s dangling a couple feet off the ground, he

begins to struggle, swinging his feet wildly and grabbing
the noose around his throat in an effort to try to get
loose having now had second thoughts about hanging himself.
He starts losing energy and with that starts calming down

as life begins to get sucked out of his body.
Just as he stops struggling, resigned to his fate, the

branch suddenly snaps in two from the weight of Nathan‟s
body and he falls lifelessly to the ground. He‟s survived.
Exhausted and coughing uncontrollably, Nathan just lies on

the ground grabbing his throat where the noose is tied
around. He remains lying on his stomach for a while.
Once he recovers and gets his breath back, he starts

sobbing and punching the ground in anger both because he
hates his life and because he couldn‟t go through with it.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan is laying on his bed watching TV, again his room is

mostly dark with only his desk lamp providing light.
He grabs his cell phone from off his nightstand and dials
his sister at college.
After a few rings, she finally picks up.
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?
JESSICA (O.S.)
Why are you asking that question?
NATHAN
I think people at school think I‟m a
dork.
Jessica tries her best to avoid answering his question.
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!
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 still tries her best to avoid answering these kind

of questions truthfully.
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.
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.
Nathan hangs up his phone and just lies there motionless in

his bed. His eyes get teary and he cries himself to sleep.
NEXT MORNING
KITCHEN
Nathan walks into the kitchen and joins his parents at the
table for breakfast.
There waiting for him is a bowl of RICE KRISPIES. His dad

is sitting opposite him, dressed in a shirt and tie, he‟s
busy reading the local newspaper and barely notices Nathan
enter the room.
Nathan‟s mom is cooking over the stove, making eggs and

sausage for her husband, and doesn‟t notice Nathan enter.
Nathan‟s spoon hits the side of the bowl as he eats his

cereal, the noise finally alerts his mom to his presence.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Nathan, you little rascal! I had no idea
you were here!
NATHAN
I guess I‟m sneaky.
Nathan‟s mom approaches her son carrying a banana and a

knife.
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, not knowing there was a red mark there, is

surprised with the question so he grabs his neck.
NATHAN
What red mark?
Nathan‟s mom looks at her husband and tries to get his

attention.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ummm, dear, check out Nathan‟s neck.
Nathan‟s dad isn‟t paying attention and continues reading

his paper.
NATHAN‟S DAD
What?
Nathan‟s mom hits his newspaper to get his attention.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Honey, check out your son‟s neck?
Nathan‟s dad puts down his newspaper and is surprised to

see a big red mark on his neck.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Jesus son, what the hell did you do?
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 wants to move on from his dad‟s questioning so he

decides to agree with him.
NATHAN
Ummm, yeah, I did.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Well I hope you managed to get some
marks on the other guy too.
Uninterested, he goes back to reading his newspaper.
Nathan‟s mom is surprised that her husband is so casual

about the idea of him fighting.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You‟re OK with this? Seriously?!?
Nathan continues to eat his cereal quietly.
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?
NATHAN
Yeah.
NATHAN‟S DAD
See honey, he‟s OK. Everything‟s fine.
He goes back to reading his newspaper again.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(sarcastically)
Jeez, you‟re so compassionate.
Nathan‟s mom runs her fingers through Nathan‟s hair to

comfort him.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Are you really OK son?
NATHAN
Yeah, I‟m fine mom.
His mom kisses Nathan‟s cheek.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Good. Please don‟t fight anymore, OK?
Do that for your mom.
NATHAN
OK, I won‟t.
She goes back to cooking on the stove while Nathan

continues eating his cereal in peace.
NATHAN‟S MOM
You know Harold, it wouldn‟t kill you
to get a little more involved in your
son‟s life, would it?
With that, Nathan‟s dad finally takes an interest so he

puts his newspaper down and looks directly at him.
NATHAN‟S DAD
So is someone really messing with you
at school?
NATHAN
I guess you could say that.
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 looks up at her husband, shocked over hearing

the vulgarity. Nathan also seems quite taken aback.
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)

yourself. If you don‟t, no one else
in this world will. Don‟t take shit
from anyone.
NATHAN‟S MOM
(shocked)
Harold, come on!
Harold continues on, not paying attention to his wife.
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)
NATHAN‟S MOM (cont‟d)

session for today.
(looks angrily at Harold)
And I expected better from you Harold.
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!
LATER ON - SECOND FLOOR BATHROOM
It‟s yet another day for Nathan getting ready in his

bathroom before school but things are different this time.
His typically naïve but confident pose is gone, replaced by

him looking angrily at himself in the mirror, a clear
departure from Nathan‟s normal daily ritual.
NATHAN
(depressingly)
If no one likes me, why should I like
them?

(yells)
Nathan, let‟s go!
Nathan doesn‟t respond this time and just looks broodingly

into the mirror, his anger is showing even more now.
NATHAN
It‟s time to fight back.
He walks out of the bathroom, seemingly staring down his

mirror as he leaves.
HALLWAY
Nathan is rushing through a crowded hallway, carrying a

bunch of textbooks and notebooks, heading to his next
class.
As he comes upon three lettered jacket wearing JOCKS

hanging out by their lockers, one of them takes a hard
swipe down and knocks all his books out of his hands.
A split second later, another one of the jocks sticks his

foot out and trips him.
Nathan falls face first to the ground as his books go

flying across the hallway.
Everyone around laughs at his misfortune.
As Nathan struggles to stand up, one of the jocks steps on

his back to keep him down as he walks across the hallway.
HALLWAY JOCK BULLY #1

Here let me help you Nathan.
NATHAN
Get off my back!

What? I‟m just trying to help you!
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.

Man, I‟m trying to pick up your book,
but it keeps flying off my foot! I
can‟t help it!
Nathan, still laying on the ground, punches the floor in

anger. One of the other jocks notice this and mocks him.

Uh oh, look at Nathan, he‟s getting mad!
Everyone in the hallway laughs.


Ohhh no, I‟m scared Billy! What are
we going to do? He might get up and
challenge us to a spelling bee!

Or he‟ll just cry like the little bitch
he is.
Nathan stands up and angrily looks into the eyes of one of

the bullies.

What are you looking at nerd?
Nathan continues just staring him down without saying

anything.

Hey, walk away before we have problems.
NATHAN
Go for it.

What‟d you say loser?
NATHAN
I said go for it!
The jock laughs in his face.

Get out of here tool before you‟re sorry.
Nathan doesn‟t back down and just continues standing there.
The school bell RINGS signifying the start of the next

class so the two other jocks walk up to their friend and
grab him.

Hey, let‟s go, it‟s time for gym.

Yeah, I‟d rather spend my time looking
at chicks running around the soccer
field in their short shorts than dealing
(MORE)
HALLWAY JOCK BULLY #3 (cont‟d)

with this nerd.
(gets in Nathan‟s face)
You‟re lucky you were saved by the bell.
Nathan continues to stare them down, fuming, while the

three jocks walk away.
STUDY HALL CLASSROOM
Nathan is sitting by himself at a long table during study

hall where everyone else is quietly reading to themselves.
He is doodling in a notebook that‟s sitting on top of a

textbook as he hunches over in an effort to hide what he‟s
doing.
With his pencil in hand, Nathan is drawing a very graphic

picture of his high school blowing up with a big fireball
coming from the roof as students run out of the school,
scattering throughout the parking lot.
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.
Once the teacher walks by him, he takes his notebook back

out and continues coloring in the fireball with his pencil.
When he‟s done coloring in the fireball, he flips to the

next page of his notebook which shows a half drawn picture
of a classroom filled with students being terrorized by
another student wearing a long trench coat and holding a
machine gun at the front of the class.
Nathan takes his time to carefully color in the blast of

fire that comes from the gun which is shooting at the
roomful of terrified students.
The school bell RINGS signifying the end of the period and
all the students begin filing out of the room.
SCHOOL HALLWAY
Nathan is walking up a flight of stairs in a less

trafficked area of the school. There are only a few other
people on the staircase.
Halfway up the stairs, Nathan gets cornered by a LARGE

BULLY who doesn‟t let him by. The bully gets right in
Nathan‟s face.
NATHAN
Can I help you?
GAY BULLY
(menacingly)
Touch it.
NATHAN
(confused)
Excuse me?
GAY BULLY
You heard me, touch it!
NATHAN
Touch what?
The bully grabs his crotch.
GAY BULLY
This.
NATHAN
What?
GAY BULLY
Touch my dick faggot! Come on, touch it!
Nathan tries to escape but the bully continues to block him

from leaving.
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.
The bully unzips his pants.

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.
The bully punches Nathan in the stomach which makes him

fall down immediately. With him laying in the fetal
position, the bully kicks Nathan in the stomach.
GAY BULLY
None of this would‟ve happened if you
just touched it.
As Nathan rolls around on the staircase, the bully spits on

him and walks away.
MATH CLASS
Nathan is sitting in class doodling another violent drawing

in the back of his notebook while his teacher is busy
working on a complex math problem on the chalkboard.
As Nathan is intently coloring in the trench coat of a

teenager that is shooting up a classroom full of students,
the teacher turns around and asks Nathan a question.
MATH TEACHER
Nathan, based on this problem, what
is the answer?
Nathan, not paying attention, is caught completely off

guard.
NATHAN
Ummm, four?
Everyone in the classroom laughs because he is so far off

on the answer.
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?
The classroom continues giggling at Nathan while the

teacher calls him out.
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?
The teacher looks around the room as most of the other

students raise their hands. She finally points to one
student.
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 goes back to coloring in the trench coat on his

drawing as the teacher begins working on another problem.
LATER ON IN THE HALLWAY
Nathan is walking down a crowded hallway between classes

carrying a stack of books.
As a JOCK walks by him, he swoops his hand down knocking

all of Nathan‟s books out of his hands again and continues
walking down the hallway without missing a beat.
Nathan just turns around and stares angrily at the jock

walking by him. He‟s fed up with everything.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan is sitting at his desk in the dark, playing around

on his computer. He thinks to himself while he surfs the
internet.
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.
During his internal speech, he‟s goes to Google and

searches - “Columbine massacre” - which brings up an
article from the Denver Post on the teenagers that shot up
their school.
He reads the article intently, as he slowly scrolls through

it.
Once he‟s done, he goes back to the Google search page and
picks out another Columbine article and reads it.
After he finishes that article, he does a new search – “How

to build a bomb,” which leads him to several links on how
to build a simple homemade bomb.
He quickly peruses a handful of articles, reading up on the

different ways to build a bomb. Then he grabs a pad and
pencil sitting on his desk and starts taking notes
periodically on anything interesting he reads.
After that he does another search – “How to buy a gun” –

which leads him to several links, one of them being to
Craigslist.
He clicks through to Craigslist and finds a post from a guy

that is offering to sell a variety of guns. He reads the
post aloud softly to himself.
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 replies back to the Craigslist poster and softly

voices his response out loud.
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.
INT. – FRIENDLY‟S RESTAURANT
Nathan and his mother are sitting at a table eating dinner

on a Friday night.
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?
NATHAN
(thinking)
No, not really.
The conversation isn‟t really going anywhere so they

continue eating dinner.
NATHAN
Where‟s dad tonight?
NATHAN‟S MOM
He went out with some of the guys from
work.
NATHAN
Oh, OK.
Nathan‟s eyes focus on four high school STUDENTS, two boys

and two girls, who have just entered the restaurant.
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 snaps out of his daze.
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?
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 takes another look at the four fellow students

laughing with each other at a table close to them.
NATHAN
My idea of fun on a Friday night is
having dinner at Friendly‟s.
Nathan‟s mom grabs a hold of Nathan‟s hand.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Mine too Nathan, mine too.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan is sitting at his computer in the dark with “The

Late Show With David Letterman” playing on the TV in the
background.
He is researching more articles on his computer related to

the Columbine shooting and the Trench Coat Mafia.
Periodically, he stops reading and takes down some notes.
ENGLISH CLASSROOM
Nathan is sitting towards the back of the room doodling

away in his notebook while Mr. Walden is showing the movie
“Jaws” to the class.
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.
The school bell RINGS signifying the end of the period.

So your homework assignment tonight is
to do a compare and contrast of the
book and the movie. How were the two
different? What did you like, what
didn‟t you like in both. Due tomorrow,
no excuses.
As everyone begins to file out of the classroom, Nathan

hurriedly gathers his books together and stands up.
In his rush to leave class he drops his notebook that

contains all his drawings without realizing it.
After finishing erasing the chalkboard, Mr. Walden turns

around and notices a notebook laying on the floor.
He casually walks over to it and picks it up. Curiously,

he decides to thumb through it and is shocked to see a
graphic and violent drawing.
Intrigued he flips to the next page and sees another

drawing, then to another and to another. He‟s mortified.
Mr. Walden turns to the front cover of the notebook to see

if the person‟s name is on it. It says: “Property of
Nathan Simpson.”
With the notebook in hand, he rushes out into the

HALLWAY
And looks around the crowd of students to find Nathan but

he has no such luck, he is already gone.
EXT. – NATHAN‟S HOUSE – DAY
FRONT YARD
Nathan walks up to his front door and sees a UPS slip taped
on it – “Package left on back porch.”
Nathan walks around the house to the
BACK PORCH
Where he finds a package addressed to him sitting on the

deck. He picks it up and looks at it for a moment before
bringing it inside with him.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan opens the box which is sitting on his bed and

reveals two handguns, with extra clips, sitting in it.
There‟s a note sitting on top of the guns that simply says

– “Enjoy!”
He pushes the note aside then carefully picks up one of the

guns and holds it high above his head. He is in awe of
its‟ power and just stares at it in amazement.
NATHAN
Wow.
Nathan walks out of his bedroom holding the gun and enters
the
Where he stares at himself in front of the mirror and

practices gripping the gun.
Once he feels relatively comfortable holding the gun, he

practices aiming the gun and pretends to shoot the mirror.
NATHAN
(softly)
Boom!
INT. – MR. WALDEN‟S HOUSE
HALLWAY
Mr. Walden, carrying his briefcase after a long day of

work, enters his house; his tie knot is loosen and hanging
low off his neck.
He walks into the
DINING ROOM
Where his wife is sitting at the table dutifully awaiting

her husband‟s arrival. MRS. WALDEN is a prim and proper,
conservatively dressed, attractive middle-aged woman.
A full dinner is sitting on the table, piping hot since it

just came out of the oven.
Her husband immediately kisses his wife on the cheek, sets

his briefcase down on the side of the table and sits down.
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.
Mr. Walden looks bothered, like his mind is on something

else.
MRS. WALDEN
Is everything OK?
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 reaches into his briefcase sitting beside him,

takes out Nathan‟s notebook and puts it on the table in
front of his wife.
MR. WALDEN
This student dropped his notebook in my
class.
Mr. Walden opens the notebook up to a graphic picture of a

teenager standing in front of a classroom full of students
shooting a machine gun at them.
MRS. WALDEN
(shocked)
Ohhh dear. That‟s disturbing.
MR. WALDEN
Unfortunately there‟s a lot more of these
pictures.
Mr. Walden turns the pages one by one, slowly revealing

several graphic depictions of violence.
MRS. WALDEN
(shocked)
Oh my god. This is crazy.
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.
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.
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)
MRS. WALDEN (cont‟d)

might be aiding in the destruction of
several lives.
MR. WALDEN
That‟s a sobering thought.
MRS. WALDEN
It‟s true.
Mr. Walden flips through the notebook again.
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.
Mr. Walden reluctantly shakes his head in agreement then

the two go back to quietly eating their dinner together.
EXT. – MR. WALDEN‟S HOUSE, BACK PORCH - NIGHT
Mr. Walden is sitting quietly in a rocking chair on his

back porch calmly smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of
whiskey. Nathan‟s notebook is sitting on a glass coffee
table in front of him.
He gently rocks back and forth and looks deep in thought.

After a few moments he picks up the notebook and flips
through the graphic drawings again.
NATHAN
(to himself)
Nathan my boy, what are we going to do
with you? What are we going to do with
you?
HALLWAY - NATHAN‟S LOCKER
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.
Nathan walks up to his locker almost tipping over due to

the amount of books he‟s carrying. He struggles for a
moment to open his locker and is finally successful.
Four JOCKS wearing lettered jackets walk up to Nathan‟s

locker and surround him. MARK, the most athletic, handsome
guy of the bunch, approaches Nathan with a big smile.
MARK
Nathan.
NATHAN
Hi Mark.
MARK
You going to the big dance tonight?
As Mark distracts him, his friend reaches into Nathan‟s

locker and grabs his lunch.
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?
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 turns around and notices Mark‟s friend taking out

his lunch.
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.
When he approaches Mark, he throws the bag to another

friend and the four of them start tossing the bag around,
making Nathan the “monkey in the middle,” as he tries
desperately to get his lunch back.
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, a really attractive blonde, quickly rushes up to

Nathan. With a caring expression on her face, she looks
ready to console him.
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!
NATHAN
You think so?
BETHANY
I sure do.
NATHAN
OK, will you dance with me if I go
tonight?
Bethany runs her fingers up Nathan‟s shirt.
BETHANY
I think I can make that happen…as long
as you‟re gentle with me.
NATHAN
I will be, trust me.
Bethany continues running her fingers along his chest then

looks past Nathan and laughs out to the four jocks who have
walked a few lockers down.
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 shouts out down the hall to Bethany.
MARK
Come on Bethany! You can do it!
BETHANY
(laughs)
I can‟t, I just can‟t!
Bethany starts walking away from Nathan and towards the

four jocks.
NATHAN
What‟s going on?
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.
Bethany turns her back to Nathan and shakes her ass.
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.
Mark kisses his girlfriend, Bethany, then they walk off

hand-in-hand down the hallway with his friends following.
Nathan just stands by his locker sulking.
NATHAN
(to himself)
We‟ll see who gets the last laugh, I
will be going to the dance tonight.
KITCHEN
Nathan is making a sandwich in the kitchen when his mom

enters and puts her tote bag down on the table.
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?
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.
FIRST FLOOR BATHROOM
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.
She takes a step back to admire how nicely she thinks

Nathan looks.
Nathan looks very clean cut in a Sears-type suit but he

doesn‟t look hip at all, instead he looks like he‟s going
to his First Communion.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhhh, you look so handsome!
Nathan‟s mom pinches his cheeks while he tries to swat her

away.
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
Suddenly, Nathan does an about face and heads for the

staircase.
NATHAN
Oh mom, I need to grab something before
we leave.
Nathan runs up the stairs.
NATHAN‟S MOM
OK, hurry though, we‟re already running
late.
NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan walks into his bedroom, grabs his backpack from the
floor and puts it on his bed.
Then he walks over to his dresser, gets down on his knees

and starts digging through one of the drawers.
After a few moments of rifling around, he takes out two

handguns hidden under some clothes.
He puts the guns down on the floor then opens another

drawer and takes out a series of ammo clips hidden beneath
a pile of clothes.
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.
Then he picks up one of the handguns and looks at it

intensely. He strokes the barrel a couple times and runs
his fingers along it.

Nathan, did you get lost or something?
Let‟s go!
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)

my little son, going to the school dance,
sleeping over a friend‟s house, you‟re
finally coming out of your shell. I‟m
so proud of you!
Nathan‟s mom kisses him on the cheek.
NATHAN
OK, OK, let‟s go.
INT. – NATHAN‟S MOM‟S CAR – NIGHT
On the drive to school, Nathan‟s mom is very talkative

while Nathan just sits there, barely paying attention
because he‟s so nervous. He looks aimlessly out the window
concentrating hard on nothing in particular.
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.

Earth to Nathan…are you there? That‟s
OK, I understand you must be nervous.
It‟ll be fine, you‟re going to have a
great time. It‟s natural to be nervous,
but you‟ll be comfortable once you get
that first dance under your belt. So
what kind of music are the kids
listening to now? In my day, it was
a lot of soft rock from the „70s, like
Lionel Richie. Ohhh and the BeeGees,
I loved the BeeGees. They just don‟t
make good music like that anymore, it‟s
(MORE)

all a mess now…I don‟t understand hip-
hop, what is that? It‟s not music, I
can tell you that. And these kids
making music these days, where‟s the
talent? Everyone thinks they can sing,
everyone is a singer now. Well you
know what? That‟s not true.
The car pulls up to the front of the high school.
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 remains silent.
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.
He slowly walks up the steps that lead to the front

entrance.
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.
He looks out of place dressed in his cheap suit while

everyone else, even the TEACHER CHAPERONES, are dressed in
more stylish clothes.
Mr. Walden notices Nathan enter from the far side of the
gym.
After a few moments, Nathan turns around and walks out of

the gym and into the
HALLWAY
Nathan walks down a long, quiet hallway and heads to the
BATHROOM
Where he sets his backpack on the counter and splashes some

water in his face to relax.
After that he stares at himself in the mirror for a few

moments then fixes his already perfectly combed hair.
Next he takes out his handguns, methodically loading them

both with a clip of ammo and sticking the guns in his
waistband. Finally he zips up his bag and puts it on back.
He takes a deep breath then walks slowly of the bathroom

and back into the
HALLWAY
Nathan walks slowly down the long, quiet, empty hallway,

he‟s sweating profusely. He is also almost frozen with
fear as he knows he‟s just a few seconds away from shooting
up the gym filled with students.
Nathan grabs the guns in his waistband a couple times while

he‟s walking down the hall to make sure they‟re secured.
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 quickly buttons his sports jacket in order to hide

his guns.
NATHAN
(surprised)
Mr. Walden…h-hi.
MR. WALDEN
Why are you all sweaty?
NATHAN
(nervously)
I guess it‟s a little hot in here.
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.
The two continue walking down the hallway.
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.
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.
The two walk up to a classroom, Mr. Walden opens the door

and they both walk in.
MR. WALDEN‟S CLASSROOM
MR. WALDEN
Come sit down.
Mr. Walden leads Nathan to a desk in the front row.
MR. WALDEN
Nathan, do you have any idea why I called
you into my classroom right now?
NATHAN
No sir.
Mr. Walden walks over to his desk, reaches into a drawer,

takes out Nathan‟s notebook and drops it in front of him.
MR. WALDEN
Do you care to explain this?
Nathan just looks at the notebook sitting in front of him,

mortified that it ended up in his teacher‟s hands.
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 starts flipping through the notebook slowly.
The first half of it is filled with harmless notes and

complex formulas from math class, which leads into the
second half that is filled with page after page of
elaborate drawings featuring macabre violence – mass

killings, terrorism, explosions.
Nathan just sits there speechless.
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 sits on a desktop next to Nathan to get more

comfortable.
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.
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 points at one of the graphic drawings depicting

a teenager shooting up a classroom filled with students.
MR. WALDEN
And do you think this is the answer?
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, worried that he might get into serious trouble,

discreetly reaches into his jacket and puts his hand on one
of his guns, seemingly contemplating shooting the teacher

and escaping.
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.
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.

With that said, I‟m taking a huge risk
on you by not going to the police. So
you have to do something for me.
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.
He then places the pamphlet on the desktop in front of

Nathan and sits back down next to him.
MR. WALDEN
I want you to enroll in this special
art program that‟s held up at the
community college.
Curious, Nathan picks up the pamphlet and starts looking

through it.
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.
MR. WALDEN
I told you I care. That wasn‟t lip
service.
Nathan looks through the pamphlet again.
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 continues to flip through the pamphlet while

contemplating the answer.
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.
NATHAN
Sneaky Mr. Walden.
MR. WALDEN
I know.
Nathan continues to look through the pamphlet.
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.
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.
Both of them stand up and head over to the door.
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.
The two of them walk out into the
HALLWAY
NATHAN
Yeah, I don‟t feel much like dancing
anymore.
MR. WALDEN
OK, understandable.
The two of them approach an exit door to the outside.

Are you going to call your mother to
pick you up?
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.
Nathan walks outside while Mr. Walden remains in the

hallway watching him walk off into the distance.
EXT. – WOODED AREA CLOSE TO SCHOOL – NIGHT
While walking home, Nathan passes a very wooded area

alongside a one-lane road.
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.
EXT. – COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS – DAY
Nathan‟s mom pulls up in front of a large building on a

sprawling college campus.
INT. – NATHAN‟S MOM‟S CAR
NATHAN‟S MOM
You have your pencils?
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 opens the door and gets out of the car.
NATHAN
See you later.
NATHAN‟S MOM
I‟ll be here at 3p sharp to pick you up.
As Nathan‟s mom drives away, he starts climbing up the many

steps that lead to the entrance of the main building.
INT. – COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ART CLASS
Nathan enters the art room which is filled with easels,

paintings on the wall, a kiln and other assorted art
materials.
There are only a handful of students already in the room so

he surveys the scene and takes a seat at a workstation in
the middle of the room.
As Nathan settles into his seat and unpacks his art

supplies from his backpack, BRIDGET, an adorable, petite
girl with strawberry blonde hair, enters the room.
She also surveys the scene before walking up to Nathan‟s

workstation, which has an empty seat at it.
BRIDGET
Excuse me. Is anyone sitting here?
Nathan‟s eyes light up at her unique beauty, she definitely

looks like an “art girl.”
NATHAN
Ummm, yeah sure. I mean, no, no one‟s
sitting here.
He‟s immediately smitten as he hurriedly moves his art

supplies to his side of the workstation.
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.
Bridget enthusiastically reaches out her hand to shake

Nathan‟s.
NATHAN
(nervously)
Hi, I‟m Nathan.
Instinctively, Nathan puts his guard up and is afraid that

Bridget might start picking on him.
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?
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 lights up.

NATHAN
You do?!?
BRIDGET
Yeah, in an awkward kind of way.
Bridget laughs playfully as Nathan just sits there, not

knowing how to react.
She grabs his arm and shakes it to show that she was just
playing around.
BRIDGET
Relax! I‟m just kidding.
After a few moments, Nathan breaks into a smile then a full

on laugh.
The ART TEACHER, a trendy-looking hipster in her mid-

thirties, enters the room.
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.
Bridget leans over and whispers to Nathan.
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.
ART TEACHER (cont‟d)

This is a serious program and it‟s for
serious students. Any questions?
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 turns to Nathan.
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.
NATHAN
I‟d really like to be your partner then.
BRIDGET
Good!
After everyone finishes partnering up with someone, and

moving their seats, the art teacher speaks up.
She grabs a vase from behind the desk and puts it on a

table in front of the room to showcase it.
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.
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.
MONTAGE of Bridget and Nathan working independently on

their art projects but also laughing with each other and
joking around. Bridget looks like she‟s genuinely enjoying
Nathan‟s company.
Towards the end of class, the art teacher addresses the

students.
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, all smiles, excitedly turns to Nathan.

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.
Both of them brace to turn around their drawing so the

other one can see it.
BRIDGET
One.
NATHAN
Two.
BRIDGET
Three.
They reveal their drawings to each other.
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 spends a few moments to take the drawing in, then

she shakes her head in approval.
BRIDGET
You‟re weird Nathan.
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 looks at Bridget‟s drawing a little harder.
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 looks at the drawing even harder.
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?
NATHAN
Nothing.
BRIDGET
Ohhh, I get it, that was a joke.
(laughs)
That was funny!
Bridget is clearly smitten with Nathan now as she just

gazes into his eyes while he sits there awkwardly.
Bridget and Nathan walk out of the main building with the
other students at the end of class.
At the bottom of the steps Bridget walks over to a bike

rack off to the side of the stairways.
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.
BRIDGET
It was a pleasure meeting you today
Nathan.
Bridget extends her hand to shake Nathan‟s.
NATHAN
You too Bridget.
BRIDGET
I‟ll see you next week. Enjoy the rest
of the weekend.
Bridget slowly rides off on her bike.
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.
With a big smile on his face, Nathan gives her a big,

awkward wave and watches her ride off. Bridget laughs at
his goofy wave good-bye.
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.
He snaps out of his daze and skips enthusiastically to his

mom‟s car.
DINING ROOM
Nathan, his parents and his sister JESSICA, home from

college for the weekend, are sitting around the table
eating dinner.
NATHAN‟S MOM
So, Nathan how was your first day in
the art program?
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 disapprovingly slaps her husband on the wrist.
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.
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 hits her husband on the wrist again.
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.
JESSICA
(jokingly)
Beggars can‟t be choosers, right?
NATHAN
Hey!
Jessica playfully slaps him on the arm.
JESSICA
I‟m just kidding, bro!
Jessica puts her arm around his shoulder.
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.
Nathan, his face covered with a broad smile, is loving the

positive attention he‟s getting from his family.
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.
LATER ON IN NATHAN‟S BEDROOM
Nathan is sitting in the dark at night playing on his

computer before bed. He‟s on a website researching top art
colleges.
Suddenly, an AIM box pops up from “ArtChick083094” asking

to become his buddy. Nathan accepts and a text box pops
up: “Hi it‟s Bridget, whatchu doing?”
Nathan responds: “Hi Bridget, I‟m not doing anything, just

sitting in my bedroom watching TV before bed. What are you
doing?”
Bridget types: “Just eating an ice cream sandwich, watching

re-runs of the Golden Girls.”
Nathan types: “Ohh that‟s cool…I like ice cream sandwiches,

they‟re tasty.”
Bridget types: “Yeah, another slow Saturday night for me.

I can‟t really say I‟m one of the popular girls in school.
I think I‟m a little too unique to be popular. LOL!”
Nathan types: “I know what you mean.”
Bridget types: “Do you usually do a lot of things on

Saturday night?”
Nathan types: “No, not really. I mean unless I go out to

dinner with my parents. But that‟s usually it.”
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 types: “That would be nice. As I said, I‟m usually

open.”
Bridget types: “Well I just wanted to say hi and get you on

my buddy list so that we can talk whenever. I gotta go
now, good night!”
Nathan types: “Good night to you too!”
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.
GYM
A disinterested-looking Nathan standing by himself in gym

class immediately gets hit in the head hard by a fast
flying red ball during a game of dodgeball.
NATHAN
Son-of-a…
Stunned, Nathan stumbles around in a daze when suddenly

he‟s hit by four, five, six balls that are flung hard at
him.
The same gym class bully that pushed him down a hill before
picks up a ball and throws it at Nathan‟s head.
GYM CLASS BULLY

Come on, aim more for the head! Am I
the only one that can do this?!?
Tired of Nathan‟s classmates excessively picking on him,

the Gym Teacher blows his whistle to make them stop.
GYM TEACHER
OK, calm down everyone! He gets the
point, he‟s out!
Still dazed, Nathan finally falls to the ground.
GYM TEACHER
Come on Nathan, don‟t be a drama queen.
Get to the sidelines and take a seat.
Nathan stands up and gingerly makes his way over to the

sidelines.
Laughing, the gym class bully huddles up with a few of his

fellow teammates and players from the other team, both guys
and girls, in the middle of the gym to discuss something.
GYM TEACHER
OK everyone, back to the game.
With that everyone takes their position. The gym teacher

blows the whistle to start the action again.
Everyone runs to the middle of the gym from their

respective side to pick up a ball then, when they all have
one, they abruptly stop, turn towards Nathan and throw
their balls right at him.
He tries to block some of the balls but it doesn‟t help, he

gets pelted hard repeatedly even though he is minding his
business on the sideline.
ENGLISH CLASSROOM
Nathan is sitting towards the back of the room while Mr.

Walden is standing in front addressing the class.
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.
He picks up a book from his desk and shows it to the class.

Charles Dickens‟ “A Tale of Two Cities.”
The first page does a great job in
setting up the book…the stark differ-
ences between the two locations, England
and France.
(pause)
Do we have a volunteer to stand up in
front of the room and read the first
page aloud?
He looks around the room but no one raises their hand, so

he picks a student randomly.
MR. WALDEN
James, come on up and read the first
page.
JAMES, an average-looking male student, sheepishly tries to

hide behind his book to avoid being picked. No such luck
though.
MR. WALDEN
Come on James, come on up here.
James slowly stands up and walks to the front of the room.

He takes the book from Mr. Walden and prepares himself to
read in front of the class.
JAMES
(nervously)
It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times…
As James begins to read, Nathan quietly opens his notebook

and continues working on a half-drawn portrait of Bridget
that he‟s been doing from memory.
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 begins to walk around the room.
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.
Startled, Nathan quickly covers up the picture to hide the

fact that he‟s doodling during class.
MR. WALDEN
(whispers)
Don‟t worry, it‟s OK. I like the tone
of that one much better than your old
ones.
Mr. Walden continues walking around the classroom.

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…
A tough guy-looking BULLY, sitting directly behind Nathan

in the last row of class, leans over his desk to whisper in
his ear.
ENGLISH CLASS BULLY

Your mother‟s a whore.
Nathan tries to brush him off but the bully doesn‟t flinch.
ENGLISH CLASS BULLY (cont‟d)

(whispers)
No seriously, your mother‟s a whore.
She went down on me last night. I have
the bite marks on my dick to prove it.
Next time tell that bitch not to wear
so much lipstick, I had to take two
showers, and I had to scrub really hard
to get that shit off my balls. Thank
god your sister was there to help me.
JAMES (cont‟d)
…we were all going direct to heaven,
we were all going direct the other way…
The bully‟s friend sitting next to him decides to get in on

the act of picking on Nathan.
ENGLISH CLASS BULLY #2

(whispers)
Wait, you had his mom last night? I
had her yesterday morning. After she
dropped Nathan off at school, she
texted me and asked to meet her on the
50-yard line. She gave me the best
ride of my life…in broad daylight.
Dirty little whore.
ENGLISH CLASS BULLY

Yeah, she is a dirty whore.
The bully pushes Nathan‟s head hard then sits back in his
seat, Mr. Walden doesn‟t notice any of this.
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.
Nathan continues working on his drawing of Bridget.
INT. – COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS, ART CLASSROOM
Nathan and Bridget are getting settled into their

workstation at the same time.
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.
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.
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?
The teacher looks around the room but no one has a

question.
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.
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 is looking at him with puppy dog eyes and suddenly

decides to interrupt him.
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?
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 is still in a dazed over being asked out on his

first date.
NATHAN
I don‟t know if I can concentrate, I‟m
so excited. I have a date!
Nathan waves his hand to cool himself down.
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!
The Art Teacher walks over to their workstation and sees

that they haven‟t made any progress.
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!
NATHAN
Yes, Miss Anderson.
Bridget gets to work on sketching out her project as the

art teacher walks away.
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 picks up a pencil from the table and gives it to

Nathan to encourage him.
BRIDGET
Here, come on, just start drawing some-
thing. It‟ll get your creative juices
flowing.
NATHAN
OK.
As Nathan takes the pencil from Bridget, she very briefly

and gently rubs her index finger along his hand. It‟s so
brief that Nathan doesn‟t even notice her quiet flirtatious
gesture.
Nathan begins working on the sketch for his project.
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.
BRIDGET
(smiles)
You‟re funny.
NATHAN
I don‟t mean to be.
BRIDGET
Nate, just take your compliment and be
happy.
Both of them fall silent as they concentrate on drawing

their sketches.
LATER ON
The art teacher walks to the front of the room to get

everyone‟s attention.
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.
She looks around the room then picks Nathan to go first.
ART TEACHER (cont‟d)

Nathan, why don‟t you start off?
NATHAN
Do I have to?
ART TEACHER
Yes, I‟m not asking you, I‟m telling
you. Come up here.
Nathan slowly lumbers up to the front of the room with his

drawing.
ART TEACHER
Remember, keep it short and sweet.
I want the emotion to come out of
your art, not your words.
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.
Superman is front and center in the middle of the drawing,

much larger than the other comic book characters that flank
him on either side.
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.
Nathan walks back to his seat while Bridget gets up and

walks to the front of the room.
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.
Bridget turns her canvas around to show a remarkably clear

and detailed painting of her and her grandmother sitting on
a porch and eating a bowl of grapes while watching the
sunset.
ART TEACHER
Very nice, very nicely done Bridget.
EXT. – COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS, MAIN BUILDING – DAY
After class, Nathan and Bridget walk out of the building

with the other students.
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 walks Bridget over to the bike rack.
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 grabs the helmet from her bike.
BRIDGET
Don‟t forget, Saturday night.
NATHAN
There‟s no way I‟ll forget that.
BRIDGET
Good, so I‟ll meet you at the gallery.
7 o‟clock sharp.
NATHAN
7 o‟clock.
After a few moments of silence, Bridget reaches in and

kisses Nathan on the cheek then smiles.
NATHAN
(shocked)
Wow.
BRIDGET
(laughs)
Goodbye Nate!
Bridget gets on her bike and rides away. Nathan stands

there and watches her until she disappears down the road.
SECOND FLOOR BEDROOM
Nathan is standing in front of the mirror fixing his

already perfectly placed hair when his mother excitedly
enters.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Ohhhh, there he is! There‟s my boy!
His mom pinches Nathan‟s cheeks as he pushes her away.
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.
NATHAN
Well if you‟re excited think about how
I feel.
Expressionless, Nathan‟s dad walks into the bathroom, looks

at his son then nods his head in approval.
NATHAN‟S DAD
Have fun tonight son.
He gives Nathan a handshake and, with that simple gesture,

quietly walks out of the room.
NATHAN
Thanks dad.
Nathan‟s mom picks a piece of lint off of Nathan‟s

shoulder.
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.
She takes the time to fix one errant piece of hair on

Nathan‟s head.
NATHAN‟S MOM
Don‟t take too long up here, it‟s not
polite to keep a girl waiting.
NATHAN
I won‟t mom.
As soon as his mom leaves the room, Nathan stares at

himself in the mirror.
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.
Trying to act cool, Nathan throws his comb up in the air

and tries to catch it but he fumbles around and it falls to
the floor instead.
Nathan looks sheepishly at the mirror, accepting the fact

that he can‟t even try to look cool, and then leaves.
INT. – ART GALLERY
Bridget is standing close to the front entrance of a

trendy, half full but intimate art gallery looking at a
painting hanging on a wall.
There‟s a mix of young, trendy hipsters in their twenties

and older couples dressed more sophisticated – sports
jackets for the men, cocktail dresses for the women –
milling about.
Bridget excitedly turns to the door every time it opens,

hoping to see Nathan enter, but is disappointed the first
few times when someone else walks in.
She continues walking slowly through the gallery and looks

at another painting on the wall.
Suddenly the front door opens, Bridget turns and is

delighted to see Nathan enter. A huge smile covers her
face. She runs up enthusiastically to greet him.
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.
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!
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 looks at the comic book in awe, he can‟t believe

someone cares about him enough to get him his simple
pleasure.
NATHAN
I will! Thank you! Thank you! Thank
you!
Nathan gives Bridget an awkward hug, a hug much more

awkward than the one she gave to him.
BRIDGET
You‟re welcome. Here I‟ll hold onto
your comic while we walk around.
Bridget puts the comic book back into her bag.
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.
She offers him a grape from the bag.
BRIDGET
Would you like one?
NATHAN
No, I‟m good.
BRIDGET
OK, suit yourself. These are good
grapes though, thanks.
Bridget and Nathan walk over to a sculpture of a man and a

woman embracing each other so hard that their bodies have
become one.
They both look at it intently.
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.
As Nathan continues to look deeply at the sculpture,

Bridget looks him in the eyes then leans in and gives him a
kiss on the lips.
Nathan is surprised at first and almost instinctively moves

away, but he stays with it and learns to enjoy the kiss.
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.
This time Nathan leans in and gives Bridget a long, sweet

kiss. After the kiss, Nathan lightens the mood.
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.
Bridget grabs a hold of his hand as they leave the gallery

and walk outside.
FADE OUT

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“Bullied”

Original Screenplay Written by Jason Wiese

INT. – NATHAN SIMPSON‟S HOUSE

SECOND FLOOR BATHROOM

NATHAN SIMPSON, a scrawny, nerdy-looking teenager with

NATHAN‟S MOM (O.S.)

INT. – NATHAN‟S HIGH SCHOOL

Nathan is sitting by himself at a long table in an

He‟s minding his business just eating a sandwich when

Nathan drops his sandwich in frustration, puts the rest of

HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF THE CAFETERIA

Nathan walks down the empty corridor and enters the

Nathan walks into an empty stall in the dimly light, dirty

He looks at his watch – 12:15 – then grabs a POPULAR

Nathan is still sitting on top of the toilet reading his

Suddenly the school bell RINGS and he packs away his

Nathan is sitting in the front row, listening attentively

The grandmotherly-looking MATH TEACHER is working on a

The teacher is so caught up in solving the problem that she

Undeterred, the bully pokes him even harder then laughs

The teacher hears Nathan‟s voice so she turns to chastise

MATH CLASS BULLY

The bully and the whole class laugh.

The teacher goes back to trying to solve the problem as the

Nathan feeling helpless to stop it, just sits there and

The teacher finally finishes the problem.

The teacher grabs a workbook from her desk to verify the

The teacher looks at the chalkboard, then back at the book

MATH TEACHER (cont‟d)

Nathan walks out of the classroom and into the

Where he walks through a crowded hallway filled with

Nathan is heading towards a classroom down the hall but

The bullies laugh as Nathan rushes through the hallway to

That he walks all the way down then goes up

Where he takes just a few steps to get to his next

Nathan is sitting in the second to last row of a packed

The male student behind him tries to get his attention.

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Nathan ignores him so he does it again. This time he

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Nathan turns around and looks at the kid behind him.

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Once Nathan turns back around to continue taking his test,

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Nathan looks at him hopelessly.

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Nathan turns back around and continues taking his exam.

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

HISTORY CLASS BULLY

Nathan‟s having a hard time concentrating on his exam and

The students stand up and line up one by one at the front

HISTORY TEACHER (cont‟d)

EXT. – NATHAN‟S HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

Nathan, carrying an oversized backpack that‟s almost half

He stops to watch both teams practice and is clearly

After standing there for a few moments, he sees one of the

Upon seeing this, Nathan sheepishly walks away and past

INT. – NATHAN‟S HOUSE

Where he throws his backpack onto a chair, grabs the remote

He changes the channel until he comes to “The Maury Povich

After several seconds, Nathan‟s eyelids get heavy then he

Nathan is awoken by his DAD, a stern, athletic-looking guy

Nathan‟s eyes begin to open.