The Red Car

ByCharles Degelman

This material registered with the Writers Guild of America, West,Inc. Registration # 1366006

FADE IN:EXT. WARRINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DAYAERIAL SHOT:A rolling overview of green, New England hills, hardwoodforests, cow pastures and orchards.A two-lane road winds beneath green parasols of maples, oaks,and elms, curving past white farmhouses with red barns,little bungalows.SUPERIMPOSED: MASSACHUSETTS, 1953The road splits around a grassy town common, bordered byshops, a red brick firehouse, a white church steeple andfinally... a schoolyard.STUDENTS cover the terrain below, goofing, playing war,talking two by two.SFX: SCHOOL BELL RINGINGStudents file into a large, flat-roofed, modern SCHOOLBUILDING.INT. CLASSROOM - DAYCLOSE-UP ON:Creased DRAFTSMAN’S PLANS reveal the outline, curves, andangles of a SOAP BOX RACER.TEACHER (O.C.)Now when you’re out lookin’ for ajob...JAKE SPECTOR, 11, a small, dark-eyed boy traces the racer’soutline with a finger.The plans bear the official seal of the All-American Soap BoxDerby. This is no jalopy but a streamlined, bona fide racing machine.TEACHER (O.C.) (CONT’D)Before some fella hires ya, he’sgonna tell you to do this...

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:A gold-fringed AMERICAN FLAG flanks the blackboard.A TEACHER in a sagging, chalk-smeared suit turns his back ona zombied-out regiment of SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS.The Teacher hikes up cheap rayon trousers to reveal scrawny white calves, socks, and garters.The CLASS stifles a chorus of giggles and snorts.TEACHER (CONT’D)And why is this fella gonna tellyou to do this?He holds his ridiculous stance and continues hollering at thechalkboard.TEACHER (CONT’D)Because he wants to know if youshined the backs of your shoes,that’s why.Jake continues poring over his soapbox plans.The teacher drops his pants legs and turns back around toconfront a room full of suddenly frozen poker faces.TEACHER (CONT’D)(facing the class)to know if you can finish a job,that’s why. Detail. Attention to...The Teacher’s watery eyes land on Jake. In three lankystrides he reaches Jake’s desk and snatches the plans offJake’s lap.TEACHER (CONT’D)One of these days, Spector, I’m gonna grab you like this...He grabs Jake by the front of his jersey and twists.TEACHER (CONT’D)I’m gonna pick you up like this...The teacher yanks Jake out of his seat.TEACHER (CONT’D)And I’m gonna mop the floor withya.He shoves Jake back into his seat.2.