A grey, smoke smudged sky over which we hear a distant radio sound.

The camera
continues downward past an unsightly row of bricks.
Int: home- day
On a computer/TV screen watching movies.
Scene 1: inside the living room ...Bill expressing wish to be writer
Uncle Bob
So ready to work?

Bill
no
Uncle Bob
-Everybody has a job at the gas station or at the motel.
Bill
- I don't want that.
Uncle Bob
Where eIse you going to get 10 bucks an hour and medical insurance .You got
friends watching your front and your back.
Bill
After high school, I'm going to go to be a writer and go on to write for movies.i will
go to school for writing.
Uncle Bob
Do what? Writing?
Bill
Yes
Uncle Bob (sarcastically)
And i wilI buy a mansion in Miami.
Uncle Bob

Bill grow up, be a better man.

Think about it.dreams never come true.
////////////////////////////
Scene 2: with roommate ...discussing about writers and favorite ones
Bill

What are we watching?

Roommate
ChanneI 5.
Roommate
Don't you want something to drink?
Bill
-That's okay. Thanks.
Bill
Can we watch the writer's interview on TV?
///////////////////// ...power of words monologue
Bill
Lights camera action speeding.
/////////////////////
Scene 3: shooting an improv scene in a studio and also at an exterior location.
Working on short films.
Bill
You know these Last four years at the theatre have gone by too fast.
Colleague
They aIways do. We had a good run.

Let us rehearse a scene. Bill and colleague rehearse a scene

Bill
I can't believe it's over.
Colleague
Well, everyone has left to get real jobs .the theatre is closing down.
////////////////////////story boarding /writing a scene.
Scene 4: in a classroom, not listening to the teacher....
in- classroom -day
Teacher, a kindly looking, grey haired civics head is using a pointer and a wall
chart.
Teacher
The constitution originated......not in this country, but where?

Teacher turns and Bill staring out the window. The teacher smiling and shaking his
head, walks over and stands about a foot way from him. Bill is so deep in thought he
is oblivious to the teacher's presence.

Mr. Bill, wouId you be interested in answering that?

Bill
I think it started as a..............

Teacher
-Don't even try.

If I were giving out grades for daydreaming, you'd be getting an A.

But in civics, you're faiIing....the problem with dreamers is, they usuaIIy aren't
doers.
Their achievements are grand up here......but here where it counts, they faII short.

Teacher
Now, the constitution originated in state assembly.I has an announcement.

Bill
Signing up the form in the hall way. If you are a student interested in the NYU
Pease sign up by Wednesday, November 8Th.''
Teacher
You are signing up

Teacher
Do you have some friends there?
Bill
-No.
Teacher
-Then there must be some other reason.
Bill
I thought I could go.
Teacher
I'm sorry. This is for students who did well in all classes.
It's not a sightseeing tour.
Bill
Maybe someday I'II go to school there.
Teacher
...you don't have the grades for local college.you are failing...
The secret to happiness in this Iife......is to be grateful for what u have.
...not everyone is meant to go to film school, write for movies.

Bill
Yes
Teacher
NYU is not for you.

Teacher
You cant focus nor dedicate yourself to one single task.

Teacher
You are crazy to think u can be writer.

/////
Scene: at work ....boss angry with Bill
Int- gas station - day
Bill makes his way down a gnarled catwalk through a maze to work.
Boss
You were Iate again today? You were Iate?
Bill
Was writing.
Boss
What? Get serious.
Boss
No special days here.
//////////////////////////////////
Scene: with the friend on his birthday receiving a gift t shirt and book and DVDs
Ext: work place

Its a hot day. Bill and his friend are eating lunch outside under the shade.in the
background of series of lights.
Ext- day
Another hot day. Billowing steam clouds rising from the giant chimneys mix with
heavy air. Bill, sweat through his grimy t shirt, does pushups next to machinery. His
friend with a grin on his face comes running up to Bill, carrying a brown paper sack.
Friend
What is today?
Friend
August 23 rd. And that is...?
Bill
My birthday.
Friend
Twenty-two big ones! Bill, it's starting to go by too fast.
Friend
WeII, I didn't have time to wrap it, but....
Friend
-Go ahead, open it.
Bill pulls out a bright green jacket with a gold cloverleaf on the front and on the
back the letting writer. Bill is knocked out of happiness.
Bill
-You shouldnt have. This is fantastic.
Where did you find this?
Friend
I saw it online and I said, ''That's gotta be yours.''
Bill
This is awesome.I don't know how.
Bill

I'm ever gonna thank you.

Bill
How's it Iook?
Friend
It looks great.
Bill
I can't wait to get to be writer or more so a script writer.
Bill
Guess how much money I have saved up? 1000$
Friend
That's a good start!
Bill
You're the onIy one who ever took me serious.
Friend
WeII, you know what my grandfather aIways said. Having dreams is what makes Iife
toIerabIe.''
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Scene: talking with friends about going to film event
Ext: day
Is walking toward a large elevator carrying a large box and holding a newspaper
clipping runs upto his friend.
Bill
What are you doing tomorrow night?
Friend
IittIe TV.
Bill
Writer Stephen king is speaking at the New York CIub. Wanna go?

Bill
He's the best
At this time, friend2 walks in
Friend 2
Are you gonna kiss his poster every night?
Friend
-What is your problem?
Friend 2
-Or maybe he'II Iet you wipe his ass.
Friend
-Why don't you Ieave him aIone? -Mind your own business.
friend
Hey, you wanted to be writer.
friend 2
I used to play sports too.
friend
You know what the teacher said about you?
friend
He said you had an Iot of taIent.
of taking risks.

But your probIem was, you were too afraid

You had no guts.

friend 2
Go to heII.
Bill
-Come on.-It's okay.

friend

He said you were a pussy.You didn't have to get into it

Friend2 walks off. Later on...
Bill
. I can take care of myseIf.
friend 2
Hey, you know what friends are for, right.

Bill
Ever since he started working here, hes been pissed off.
Friend
Because he's not the same kind of hero here he was in school......that he was
earlier.
He failed to make it.dont let that deter you.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Scene: friend gets shot
Friend
Bill, I need more water!
Bill
I'm not getting any!
Friend
Try another vaIve!
Bill
I'm not getting any!
A shooter comes and shots bill
Passerby
You are terrrorist.you take our jobs.
friend

We need to get out of here!

Friend is shot on shoulder.
Bill is sad, his face devoid of color and his eyes squeezed shut, looks like he might
faint. Sonia grips his hand.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Friend tells Bill to pursue his dreams and not to waste time, on hospital bed.
//////////////////////
Scene: tells Sonia that he is going to school
Bill
I'm going to school and be a writer
Girlfriend
Now is not the time.
Bill
If I don't go now, I'II never be any good to any. Im sorry.
Girlfriend
...if you have to go, then you'II have to go aIone.
/////////////////////////////////////
Scene: discussing with Uncle Bob about father's business
Uncle Bob
What are you doing here?
Uncle Bob
You can take a coupIe of weeks off.
Uncle Bob
Your father was good at business saved aII of his Iife......to bring the family to this
country.
Uncle Bob
He got a good job .He had a nice IittIe house...

Uncle Bob
Somebody soId him on the idea he ought to move to the countryside... ...and do
business. He was of honest sweat and toil...he buys some Iand, you know, and
starts real estate business. Within five months, real estate goes down. It was the
Depression.CouIdn't seII the Iand.There was no work. So one day......he moved back
home.
Didn't come back and left you with us.
We are not ones of writing or drawing pictures.
You are good hard working boy but it takes you an hour to read five pages.
WeII...

Uncle Bob
Chasing a stupid dream...causes nothing but you and everyone around you
heartache.
Uncle Bob
films, writing is for rich...
It's not for us. Theres nothing wrong with that.You can have a damn nice Life.
You can take over the hotel. A coupIe years, you will make more than me, even
bring your father here.
Bill
I don't wanna be them.
///////////////////////////////////////////////attendant
He turns and walks down the street.
Ext- bus station - day
Bill still in his black suit, sits in a nearly empty station. Tensely staring out at the
country side.as the bus finally moves into the city. The bus turns the corner on
Joseph Avenue and we see Bill's widen eyes.
Bill looks at NYU sign
Scene: talks with attendant

Bill
Excuse me, I need to see somebody about going to school here.

Attendant
The office is closed.
WeII, you could talk to libararian,he's helpful.///////////////////

Ext - night
Bill steps off the bus and stares in awe at large wooden sign NYU film school. He
walks down a lined lane towards campus.at the entrance gate, he approaches a
white haired guard.
Int - - day
Bill is sitting in the librarian Tim staring forward in a trance. Librarian Tim a tiny
vibrant man in his sixties enters spots Bill, walks over and sits down next to him.

Bill
I want to go to school.
elderman
WeII, have you applied?
Bill
No, my marks have never been very good, even though I tried. But I'II try harder. I'II
work hard.
Tim
This university, its not for everybody.
Bill
Ever since I was a little, I wanted to go to schooI here.And ever since I was a Bill,
everyone said it couldnt be done. But the force of conviction in Bill's voice makes
librarian Tim finally turn and look at him.
Bill

My whole Iife, people have been teIIing me what I could do and couldnt do. I've
aIways Iistened to them, believed in what they said.I don't want to do that
anymore.
Tim
...Kaplan is nearby.
Tim
I can get you to Kaplan ...get some good score in the entrance exam .You make
good score, you can improve your grades. Maybe with a good GPA......you might
have a chance of getting into writing school.
Also finds a job at movie editing /script proof editing facility.
///////////
He jumps out of cab, pulling his duffel bag after him.
Ext- highway - night
Bill walks through campus as if like paradise found' the picturesque campus reveals
itself to him in its full splendor.

Ext - campus - day

Bill, lighter than air, walks across campus, a grin on his face as he nods to students
passing by as if he's one of them.
Were on Bill's face as finally reaches the final mecca of his pilgrimage. His mouth
drops open as he sees ...all his heroes on the wall and camera equipment.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Bill gets himself a volunteering job at editing company...
Scene: discuss about movie editing /poster
Bill
Hey, this pIace is reaIIy good.
lab partner
But u are working for free.
Bill

Yes iam i love this stuff and someday, I'm gonna be a writer.
Bill
I'm here to write.
Lab partner
Ok let us setup the software.
Bill proof reading scripts for plays etc.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Dean suspiciously eyes this vision in front of her.
Through a crack in the door Bill spies Ara in his office on phone.ara, who has been
growing increasingly concerned /
Scene: discuss with grad school advisor
Grad school advisor
Can I talk to you for a second?
School advisor
-How can I heIp you?
Bill
-I'm bill.
Bill
I'm here to talk about going to school here.
School advisor
Did you apply?
Bill
I'm not taIking about this year.i still havent written the entrance exam.
Bill
I was thinking about next springtime.
I'm gonna be a student here.
Bill

I've been a fan of writing for as Iong as I can remember, since I was IittIe.
Bill
As Bill I started--Is it aII right if I sit down?
Bill
I started writing, making movies.
Bill
I wasn't the best or anything but i kept doing it.But anyway...
Bill
...I've been working at a gas station/hotel front desk for about four years.
Bill
And I've been saving up my money.
Bill
And I've been pIanning on coming here. But....
Bill
My friend reaIIy understood what my dream was. And he toId me not to waste any
more time.
Bill
But I don't know. For some reason, I couldnt--See, he was in an accident on Friday.
Bill
You see what I mean?
School advisor
You might want to go and talk to librarian Tim.
Bill
He said that if I got good enough score at Kaplan---and I wiII, I promise-- that I'd be admitted here officiaIIy.
Bill
I just wanted to introduce myself

-Thank you.
///////////////////////////////////////////////Toby ...Kaplan............
Int classroom - day
A teaches is standing before the appropriate charts lecturing tectonic plates.
Bill, at a desk, is taking notes intently. Hes trying to write down every word
Toby
So a man may have historical inaccuracies...
Toby
I think that's aII for today. Everything he's saying is in the book.
Bill
I gotta make a good score.
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Bill asks Toby for tutor help. Toby scoots him off.

Bill gathers his stuff stands walks about graduate assistant.

Ext hall day
Bill makes his way down the crowded hall. He stops in front of student bulletin board
he frowns as he reads the monthly fees. A pretty girl moves next to him.
Scene: Bill talks with a gal ...Toby sees.
Gal
Hi, could you hoId this?
Bill
-Yeah, sure.
-Thanks.
gal
So you're interested in a room to rent?
Bill

I don't know. Maybe.

My brother has a house about five bIocks from campus.

So if you're interested, caII soon.
Bill
Maybe tonight. AII right, bye.
///////////////////
Bill winces. From graduate vantage point across the hall. The girl smiles and hands
him a telephone number. She gives a half wave, turns and leaves. Toby makes his
way toward Bill.
Scene: Toby willing to help out
Toby
You don't have a goddamn cIue, do you?
Toby
About how to get an A in that cIass.
Look, besides being an tutor at school...I'm aIso a tutor for hire.
Bill
I can't even afford a room to rent.
Toby
Wait, maybe we can make some other kind of deaI.
Bill
What kind of deaI?
Toby
GirIs.
Bill
-I don't know -Toby

I don't know the girIs here .

-Introduce me to few-Bill
-I don't know any girIs here.
Bill
Hey, wait a minute.
Bill
Maybe I do know some girIs.In fact, I know a Iot of girIs.
Bill
-I just gotta find them.
Toby
-That's the spirit.
Toby
As you can see, I'm pretty goddamn desperate.
-And I'm in Iove.
///////////////////////////////////////////////independent filmmaker
Scene: meets an independent film maker
For a Part time job, meets a local film maker
Filmmaker
You gotta keep your eyes open around here, Bill...
Bill
Anything I can do to heIp with the shooting..., you just Iet me know.
Filmmaker
-Why should I heIp you?
Bill
-I want to be your assistant.

Filmmaker
-I've got a fuII crew.
Bill
Couldnt you use somebody eIse?
Bill
I mean, I'II work for free.
Filmmaker
What's in it for you?
Bill
I want to learn
Bill
I figured if I'm gonna write for movies.i need to learn as much as i can.
Writer
Meet me here tomorrow, a.m.
//////////

////////////////////////////////with girls///////////////
Ext- various locations
A series of shots showing Bill going up to a number of attracting girls...in interesting
campus locales and attempting conversations. He is laughably inept and he is
continually rebuffed. Finally, out of desperation, he approaches a girl sitting by
herself in the cafeteria. She turns and smiles as...
Ext scene: asking girls

Bill
-Hi there, what's your name?

-Donna.
Bill
-Great. My name's bill.
Bill
-I've got this buddy, toby.
Girl
-toby with the two watches?
Bill
-His name's toby. He's a sweetheart.
Girl walks off
Bill
-WeII, maybe I'II see you around.
Cut to
Toby
Don't waste time reading the question if it's an Iong test in a short period.
Toby
-Two of them wiII be simiIar.It'II be one of those two. Ones absurd. Forget that one.
Girl walks by
Girl
...have we met somewhere before?
girl
You know, you Iook reaIIy familiar to me.
Bill
Maybe yoga class. Do you have yoga class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday?
Assistant
I'm in there on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday :

Bill
Yeah, he's in that cIass.
girl
I bet that's where.
girl
I knew you Iooked familiar.
girl
WeII, anyway, this is kind of embarrassing, but......you heard about the dance on
Saturday night, right?
girl
Okay. AII right, weII, I was just wondering, do you have any pIans?
Bill
No he doesnt
girl
-That's great. So you're avaiIabIe?
Bill
-toby wouId Iove to go.
girl
ReaIIy? This is so great.
I wouId Iove to introduce you to my roommate, EIza.
toby is all excited.
///////////////////////////at job
Scene: at editing workplace -- i took the practice exam yesterday night and i got A
Bill
I got an A on a practice test.
Lab partner
-That's great, Bill.

Lab partner
So you're in student housing?
Bill
No, I'm Iiving with a friend in New Jersey.
Lab partner
Where?
Bill
-I haven't really found a pIace to stay yet.
lab partner
-Funds pretty Iow, huh?
Bill
AII my savings went for this entrance exam and bills.
lab partner(sets up movie screening)
Bill
-This is where it starts and finishes.
lab partner
We got work to do, Bill.
///////////////////////////
Scene: they see a really beautiful girl.
Toby
Bill
-Come on, that's impossible.
Toby
-It's your job to give it a shot.
Bill
She's out of our Ieague.

Toby
TeII her I'm a good man.Just teII her that, pIease.

Bill takes a deep breath and then walks up to Mary...

Bill
That Iooks great.
girl
I think you'II reaIIy enjoy it.
girl
Hi, are you interested in joining a student activity?
Mary hands Bill a sheet of paper.
Mary
Here are ur choices.
Bill studies the sheet.

Bill
Do you see that guy over there?
Over by the piIIar.
Bill
CouId you wave at him a IittIe bit
Bill
Just kind of humor him.
Mary looks as Bill like he is retarded.nevertheless; she shrugs and casually waves
over at Toby. Toby waves back enthusiastically.
Bill
That was perfect. Thank you.
Bill

-What's IFC?
girl
-We organize film events?
Bill
Where do I signup?
Bill
Right here.
girl
You are a student at NYU, right?
Bill
Yeah, Im, through and through.
girl
The first meeting is tomorrow night at the ACC:
Bill
-See you there.
girl
-AII right, bye.
Cut to
Bill talking with Toby.
Bill
She has a boyfriend who's on the basketball team.
Toby
-You Iooked Iike you were in.
Bill
-WeII, I'm sorry.
///////////////////////////////////

With filmmaker dante....

Bill
I know a good way to shoot and i can write better.
Dante looks at him like he's a piece of dirt.
Dante
Who the heck asked you?
Bill
Iam sorry

////////////////////////////////////
At the film club
Girl
-What's your name again?
Bill
-bill.
girl
I need your student I.D.
Bill
Im not a student here
Girl
What. Cant let you in?
Bill
WiII you please forget I said that?
Bill
-You know what a tremendous fan I am of the writer who is speaking tonight.
girl

-It's the ruIes.

///////////////////////////outside film
Scene: trying to get into a film festival but couldnt get in
Bill
I need one ticket for the film festival conference.i have 10 bucks.
Passerby
-Ten bucks? Youre 90 short.
Bill
- can I buy that ticket from you?
Passerby
-Yeah, for 100 bucks.
Bill
-PIease, can I get in? I got 10 .
Attendant
-I couldnt do it. I'd Iose my job.
Bill
Do you have an extra ticket? PIease?
Bill
-One ticket. I just need one seat.
Passerby
Whatever
///////////////////////////Librarian Tim
Scene: discussing with librarian Tim about Kaplan score
Librarian looking at the scores.
Bill
I know my grades have gone down

Bill
...I have Iot of extracurricular activities.
Librarian
U got good score
Librarian
You did a good job, Bill.
Librarian
Admissions peopIe, you never can teII.
They're a funny bunch of people.
Bill
Have I done aII I can?
Librarian
Dont know Bill
Outside the mailbox.
Bill
Your application for admission......to the NYU has been evaluated by....''
//////////////////////////
Ext campus - day
A cold winter day. librarian Tim and Bill walk down a sidewalk a framed by a
webwork of leafless frozen branches.
Bill, pulling a letter out of his mail slot, holding his breaths, opens the letter, as his
face falls.
//////////////////////////
Bill grabs the letter from his box. Looks skyward as if in a prayer, takes a deep
breath
and rips it open. Close on Bill's face as he absorbs the rejection. He collapses to his
knees, his head dropping to the ground.
///////////////////////

Ext -day
Bill, carrying a small bag, walks up the snow covered sidewalk. He hesitates
Staring up at his house.
Int - day
Bill steps inside, his face flushed.
/father
Scene: with Uncle Bob for New Years etc.
Uncle Bob
Where have you been for so Iong?
Bill
I've been preparing for the entrance exam and working at a studio.
Bill
-I'II go to NYU next year.
Bill
I didn't make it to school this semester.
Bill
But it was so exciting.
Uncle Bob
Jesus, we stiII have to Iisten to this crap?
That score didn't make you smarter.
but I'm gIad you made good score.
///////////////////////////at office
Scene: at work place ...labmate admonishing Bill.
Bill
iam a totaI faiIure.
Bill

Everything I did, Work, the studying, four hours a night's sIeep .

Bill
I've bIown another year of eIigibiIity.
Bill
This entire year's been a waste.
lab assistant
You got your head so far up your ass about writing......you don't get that you
became more focused ,more determined than last year.you got a good score at
Kaplan.
Don't be wasting my time.
///////////////////////////
Scene: with the tutor to see if he can improve Kaplan scores further
First three chapters for next week.
Start thinking about those.
///////////////////////////
Bill
If I don't get in next semester, its over, done.
Tim
WeII, you did a heII of a job, Bill, chasing down your dream.
Bill
I don't care. If it doesn't produce resuIts, it doesn't mean anything.
Librarian
I think you'II discover that it wiII.
Bill
Maybe I haven't prayed enough.
Librarian Tim
I'm sure that's not the probIem.Praying is something we do in our time.

The answers come in God's time.

Bill
Have I done everything I possibly can?
Bill
Can you heIp me?
librarian
In

years of my studies......I've come up with onIy one hard, incontrovertible fact:

Librarian
Prayer is the only answer.
///////////////////////////
Scene: at mailbox checking if accepted or not
Int - mail center - day
Bill
ls there anything in box

please?

Bill snatches the letter from the box. He stares at it, unable to breathe, unable to
open it.
Ext twin lakes - day
Bill sits on a bench next to the picturesque oval shaped lake boaters share the
crystal clean waters with swans and ducks.
Bill takes a deep breath, closes his eyes and opens the letters.
Bill
Reading the letter ---You've been accepted for the faII semester....''
''Congratulations, you are....''
He opens his eyes and we see his reaction. He screams exultantly. He jumps up
whoops and dives into the water. Birds scatter.
Int -day
Bill, his hair matted down, his clothes in damp disarray, marches, beaming, past and
sweats

covered workers. He reaches the door.

His coworkers surround Bill and congratulate him. Bill spots his Uncle Bob. He holds
the acceptance letter in front of him.

going to film school.////////////

Uncle Bob
AII right, bill. Way to go!
Uncle Bob
I cant believe it?
So, Iisten, you wanna work tiII it's time to go to school?
Bill
No, I gotta get back