"When I grow up to be a man"
NARRATOR: If there's one way to describe adolescence...
[JEFF flips his wallet closed as he passes the camera.]
NARRATOR: It might be this...
Cut to
"Will I dig the same things"
NARRATOR: It's a gamble.
[The camera moves in slightly as PAUL steps outside.]
"That turn me on as a kid"
NARRATOR: An adventure into the unexpected.
"Will I look back and say"
[PAUL looks off, then descends the steps.]
NARRATOR: A step into the unknown.
"That I wish I hadn't done what I did?"
Cut to
NARRATOR: It's a time of life that pits hope against fear.
[The camera stops on CHUCK, who has his hands together, looking upward and frowning.]
"Will I joke around"
NARRATOR: And logic against prayer.
Cut to
"And still dig those sounds"
NARRATOR: A game of luck...and opportunity.
[RANDY takes a rabbit's foot from his rear-view mirror and rubs it between his fingers.]
NARRATOR: Not unlike, say, for instance...
[Doppler sound effect.]
Cut to
"When I grow up to be a man"
NARRATOR: Poker.
[Music fades as KEVIN's hand tosses a penny into the pot. The camera lowers and pulls back slowly.]
KEVIN [V/O]: Alright - I call.
[KEVIN sets his cards face up on the table.]
KEVIN: Pair of queens. [Gestures.] So let's see 'em.
[RANDY tosses his cards onto the table.]
RANDY: Two twos.
CHUCK: Nothin' but ace-high.
[CHUCK sets his cards on the table and rubs his forehead.]
PAUL: Two pair.
[PAUL sets his cards on the table.]
PAUL: Nines and fours. [Smiles.]
NARRATOR: The bi-monthly, Friday-night, high-stakes poker game.
[Everyone looks at JEFF.]
KEVIN: Jeff? [Gestures.]
[Close shot of JEFF looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Junior year...
[JEFF looks at his cards.]
NARRATOR: It was ritual.
[JEFF sets his cards down, and smiles at KEVIN off-screen.]
JEFF: Three kings.
[Shot past JEFF of CHUCK and RANDY looking at JEFF's cards.]
[Close shot of JEFF as he holds his hands over the pot.]
JEFF: Don't worry guys.
[JEFF pulls the coins toward himself.]
JEFF: It's goin' to a good cause.
[Close shot of KEVIN gathering the cards.]
JEFF [V/O]: Me.
NARRATOR: Course, it was more than...
[Wide shot of all as KEVIN gathers the cards.]
NARRATOR: Just a rotating tournament, depending on whose parents where out for the evening...and it was about more than just cold hard cash.
RANDY: OK - nickel ante.
[Close shot of JEFF putting a nickel in the pot, then putting his hands together.]
NARRATOR: This game was defined by personality.
[Close shot of CHUCK.]
NARRATOR: Ours.
CHUCK: OK, boys.
[CHUCK rubs his hands together and smiles.]
CHUCK: How about a little night baseball, huh?
[He sticks out his thumb.]
CHUCK: Nines are wild...
[He sticks out his index finger.]
CHUCK: Threes are wild. Any picture-card with facial hair...[gestures]...wild. [Nods.]
NARRATOR: There was the over-enthusiastic...
[CHUCK smiles and glances at the guys off-screen.]
[Close shot of RANDY looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
RANDY: Straight poker.
[RANDY looks at his cards and spreads them apart.]
NARRATOR: And the all-American.
[RANDY looks toward PAUL off-screen.]
RANDY: Paul, your bet.
[Close shot of PAUL looking at his cards and frowning slightly.]
NARRATOR: There was the cautious...
[PAUL glances up.]
PAUL: I dont' know - lemme think for a sec.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: Paul? [Nods.] While we're still young? [Gestures.]
NARRATOR: And, the impatient.
[KEVIN frowns, and thumbs through his cards.]
PAUL [V/O]: OK...
[Close shot of PAUL.]
PAUL: Three cents.
[PAUL puts the coins in the ante.]
[Close shot of JEFF looking at PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And of course...
[JEFF looks forward and makes a face.]
NARRATOR: The supremely confident.
[JEFF looks at his money and picks up a coin.]
JEFF: A...quarter.
[JEFF puts the quarter in the pot.]
[Shot past JEFF of KEVIN looking at him.]
KEVIN: A quarter?
[KEVIN looks at the other guys off-screen and shrugs slightly, then looks at JEFF.]
KEVIN: That's kinda steep, isn't it? [Smiles.]
[Shot past KEVIN of JEFF looking at him.]
JEFF: Quarter. [Gestures.]
NARRATOR: And despite our different styles...
[Close shot of KEVIN frowning slightly at JEFF off-screen.]
NARRATOR: We maintained the easy give-and-take of friendship...
[KEVIN looks at the other guys off-screen.]
NARRATOR: That I knew would endure well into the future.
Fade to Fantasy
OLD KEVIN: Don't put the glass right on the table. [Gestures.] My father'll kill me if he sees a stain.
[Shot of RANDY and PAUL looking at their cards. Their images are replaced by those of old men.]
OLD PAUL: I'm fairly certain these old chairs of yours are aggravating my prostate.
[Shot of old KEVIN frowning slightly, and looking at his cards.]
[Shot of old CHUCK and old RANDY. Old CHUCK looks at his cards as old RANDY picks his up.]
OLD CHUCK: This hand's an all-time beaut.
[He looks at old KEVIN off-screen.]
OLD CHUCK: You should frame it.
OLD RANDY: OK, then...who needs cards?
[Shot of old KEVIN looking toward old RANDY off-screen, then his cards.]
OLD CHUCK: Gimme four.
OLD RANDY [V/O]: Anyone else?
[Old KEVIN glances toward JEFF off-screen, then lays down some cards face-down.]
OLD KEVIN: Three.
[Shot of old RANDY and old PAUL. Old RANDY deals a few cards toward old KEVIN, then looks at old PAUL.]
OLD PAUL: Uh, give me two.
[Old RANDY deals out two cards.]
OLD PAUL: Uh, uh, no wait, um...better make that three.
[Old PAUL sets another card on the table.]
[Shot of old JEFF and old KEVIN.]
OLD RANDY [V/O]: Jeff?
OLD JEFF: None. [Gestures.]
[Shot of old CHUCK and old RANDY looking at old JEFF off-screen.]
OLD RANDY: None? [Gestures.] You sure?
[Shot of old JEFF and old KEVIN.]
OLD KEVIN: I fold.
[Old KEVIN flips his cards face-down onto the table and frowns.]
OLD CHUCK: I fold.
[Shot of old CHUCK and old RANDY as they flip their cards onto the table.]
OLD JEFF [V/O]: Well, then...
[Shot past old JEFF of old KEVIN and old CHUCK as old JEFF reaches toward the pot. The camera moves in on his hands.]
OLD JEFF: Guess I'm the lucky winner.
Fade to Reality
NARRATOR: Still, we weren't old men yet. We were teenage boys.
[KEVIN takes a sip of soda.]
NARRATOR: Innocent. Uncomplicated.
CHUCK: So, is anyone hungry? [Nods.]
NARRATOR: Hungry.
[KEVIN looks at CHUCK, then they all stand up.]
JEFF [V/O]: Let's go.
Cut to
CHUCK: I got chips...
[JEFF and CHUCK squeeze past KEVIN and PAUL and pass the camera.]
NARRATOR: The eight-o'clock snack break.
[KEVIN looks in the cabinet above the refrigerator.]
NARRATOR: A chance to mix simple pleasantries with...
[Shot of KEVIN at the counter, and CHUCK, RANDY and JEFF behind him, all eating...]
NARRATOR: Complex carbohydrates and starch.
PAUL [V/O]: I can't believe it.
[Shot of PAUL opening the refrigerator and looking at the guys off-screen.]
PAUL: Do you guys have any idea what you are putting into your bodies?
[PAUL bends down and looks in the refrigerator.]
[Shot of CHUCK, RANDY and JEFF.]
JEFF: What do you mean - this isn't healthy?
[JEFF holds up a Twinkie[?]]
[Shot of PAUL at the refrigerator and looking at the guys off-screen.]
PAUL: I'd hate to see your digestive tract in ten years.
[Close shot of JEFF looking at PAUL off-screen.]
JEFF: Tell ya what - you don't ask, and I won't offer, alright?
[Closer shot of PAUL looking in the refrigerator, then looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: Kev, don't you have any fruit in this house?
[Close shot of KEVIN pointing with an Oreo cookie.]
KEVIN: Yeah, it's on the bottom.
[Close shot of PAUL looking in the refrigerator, then looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: No, all I see here is an apple pie.
[Shot of the four others.]
KEVIN: Right. [Gestures.] Apple's a fruit. [Smiles.]
[Shot of PAUL looking in the refrigerator.]
PAUL: Forget it.
[PAUL frowns and closes the refrigerator, then turns toward the dining room.]
PAUL: I got an orange in my car.
[PAUL exits toward the living room.]
PAUL: Least I plan ahead.
[Shot of CHUCK, RANDY and JEFF looking after PAUL off-screen.]
JEFF: Boy, he doesn't quit, does he?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking from the guys off-screen to PAUL off-screen and back.]
KEVIN: What do you mean? [Smiles.]
[Shot of the three.]
JEFF: Well, it's just that he's kinda like, um...how shall I say? Not fun. [Gestures.]
CHUCK: A major downer. [Nods.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]
KEVIN: What are you guys talking about?
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: Uh, Kev? About the ski-trip over Spring vacation...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]
KEVIN: Yeah, we're all still goin', right?
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: See the thing is...[gestures]...we don't think we're gonna have room for Pfeiffer.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]
KEVIN: Well, what do ya mean? I thought...[gestures]...all of us were goin'.
[Close shot of JEFF looking forward.]
JEFF: Well, it's not Paul so much. It's just that...
[JEFF gestures toward CHUCK off-screen.]
JEFF: Chuck's car...only fits four people.
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: You can check the manual.
RANDY: And my uncle's cabin only has four beds. [Gestures.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]
KEVIN: So, what are you guys trying to say?
[Shot of the three looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Even though it was pretty clear.
[JEFF looks past KEVIN, covers his mouth and coughs.]
[Shot of PAUL approaching the camera.]
PAUL: So, what did I miss?
[PAUL slows up and tosses his orange from one hand to the other.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Now, Paul Pfeiffer has been my best friend...
[KEVIN looks toward the guys off-screen.]
NARRATOR: For seventeen years.
[Shot of the three guys looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: I'd always told him everything.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at the guys off-screen as he smiles and shakes his head slightly, then looks toward PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: Nothing.
[Shot of PAUL tossing his orange from one hand to the other.]
KEVIN [V/O]: Really.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: No, we were just, uh...
[KEVIN looks at the other guys off-screen.]
KEVIN: Talking.
[Shot past PAUL of the other four guys. CHUCK looks at RANDY and JEFF.]
CHUCK: Well, come on guys. Let's get back to the game.
[CHUCK leads RANDY and JEFF past PAUL and the camera.]
[Shot of PAUL as CHUCK pats him on the shoulder and leads RANDY and JEFF through the doorway.]
NARRATOR: After all, Paul was just being himself.
[PAUL looks at KEVIN off-screen and holds up his orange.]
PAUL: Want an orange?
[KEVIN passes the camera and PAUL.]
KEVIN: No, thanks. Come on.
[They exit through the doorway.]
NARRATOR: As opposed, to say...
Cut to
NARRATOR: Some of the rest of us.
[The camera pulls back slowly. CHUCK is frowning at his cards.]
[Close shot of JEFF looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
JEFF: Chuck, the bet is a quarter.
[Close shot of CHUCK frowning at his cards.]
JEFF [V/O]: You threw in a nickel.
[CHUCK looks up distractedly.]
CHUCK: Uh...right.
[The camera pulls back as CHUCK removes his coin and puts it in his pile. He holds up another coin.]
CHUCK: Quarter.
[He puts it in the pot.]
[Shot of PAUL and JEFF as PAUL takes a drink of soda and JEFF slides his cards around in his hand.]
NARRATOR: By eight-thirty, Chuck Coleman's natural ebullience was fading fast.
[Shot of KEVIN and CHUCK as KEVIN sets his soda bottle down and looks at CHUCK.]
KEVIN: So, Chuck - what's wrong with you? [Frowns.]
CHUCK: Nothin'! [Gestures.] I just...have some stuff on my mind.
[Wider shot from behind RANDY and CHUCK.]
JEFF: What kind of stuff?
[JEFF rubs his chest.]
CHUCK [V/O]: Uh, you know...
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY.]
CHUCK: Eh...[gestures]...me and Alice. [Frowns.]
[RANDY looks at CHUCK.]
RANDY: What - are you guys fighting again?
[CHUCK looks at RANDY.]
CHUCK: No, it's nothing like that. [Frowns.]
[Shot of PAUL and JEFF.]
PAUL: Well, if you're not fighting, what are you two doing?
[Close shot of CHUCK looking off, then frowning and looking down. Music "Piano Concerto No. 1" - Tchaikovsky starts.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at his cards, then pausing and looking up.]
[Close shot of JEFF glancing toward KEVIN off-screen, then CHUCK off-screen.]
NARRATOR: There are moments in life...
[Close shot of PAUL looking up.]
NARRATOR: That alter history...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking toward JEFF off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And change the course of human events.
[KEVIN looks toward CHUCK off-screen.]
KEVIN: You didn't...
[He shakes his head slightly.]
NARRATOR: This was one of them.
[Close shot of CHUCK as he looks off and smiles and nods slightly.]
[Wider shot from behind RANDY and CHUCK as KEVIN rubs CHUCK's head.]
KEVIN: Alright, Chuck!
JEFF: Way to go, Coleman.
NARRATOR: It was a stirring revelation which merited only one response.
[Close shot of PAUL looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
PAUL: You know, I hope you used some kind of protection. [Frowns.]
[Shot of KEVIN and CHUCK smiling, then frowning and looking at PAUL off-screen as the music grinds down slowly.]
CHUCK: Huh?
[Close shot of PAUL looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
PAUL: I said, I hope you used protection. [Nods.]
[Close shot of CHUCK looking off, then shrugging and gesturing.]
CHUCK: Course I did, Pfeiffer. I mean, what kind of stooge do you take me for?
[Shot of PAUL and JEFF looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Ask an idiotic question...
[JEFF glances at PAUL as he takes a cigar from its package.]
[Close shot of CHUCK frowning and gesturing.]
CHUCK: Look - are we gonna play cards or not?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at his cards.]
KEVIN: No, I'm out.
[KEVIN tosses his cards face-down onto the table.]
[Shot of PAUL and JEFF.]
PAUL: Me, too.
[PAUL puts his cards face-down on the table.]
JEFF: Yeah, me too.
NARRATOR: Speaking of idiotic.
[PAUL looks at the cigar in JEFF's mouth.]
PAUL: Oh, you're not gonna smoke that thing, are you?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking toward PAUL off-screen.]
PAUL [V/O]: Do you have any idea what it's gonna do to your lungs?
[Shot of PAUL and JEFF.]
PAUL: Not to mention my sweater? [Gestures.]
[JEFF smirks slightly as he handles a book of matches.]
[Shot of KEVIN and CHUCK looking toward PAUL and JEFF off-screen.]
PAUL [V/O]: I don't believe it - he's actually lighting it.
[Shot of PAUL and JEFF as PAUL frowns and looks forward, and JEFF blows smoke toward him.]
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN looking at him as PAUL fans the smoke.]
KEVIN: Paul, come on...[frowns]...it's only a cigar. [Gestures.]
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL looking at him.]
PAUL: Look I have some air-freshener in my car - I'll be right back.
[PAUL stands up.]
[Close shot of JEFF looking at PAUL off-screen and shaking his head slightly. He removes his cigar and gestures with both arms.]
NARRATOR: I guess you could say Paul's consistency...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking from JEFF off-screen, then CHUCK and RANDY off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Was getting a little too consistent.
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY as CHUCK puts his head down and rubs his neck.]
CHUCK: Uh...brother.
[RANDY folds his arms.]
NARRATOR: And so maybe it was time...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking off.]
NARRATOR: To have a little talk with old Paul.
[Wider shot of all as KEVIN stands up.]
KEVIN: I'll be back in a minute.
[He exits past CHUCK.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: To clue him in to public opinion.
[PAUL approaches the camera which rolls back.]
NARRATOR: Delicately. Diplomatically.
[KEVIN follows PAUL and spreads his arms.]
KEVIN: Paul, you're being a real pain.
[KEVIN moves beside PAUL as they approach the sidewalk.]
PAUL: What? What's that supposed to mean?
[The camera pans with them as they cross the sidewalk.]
KEVIN: Well...ya just gotta lighten up a little.
PAUL: Lighten up about what?
[PAUL reaches for the door handle of his car, and KEVIN pulls his arm back.]
KEVIN: Well, for starters, you can forget about the air-freshener.
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: Do you know how much it smells in there?
KEVIN [V/O]: Paul, who cares?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen, then looking off and gesturing.]
KEVIN: It's just the guys...
[KEVIN looks at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: And we're playin' poker. I mean, don't make such a big deal out of it, OK?
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
KEVIN [V/O]: OK?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen and nodding slightly.]
PAUL: OK. Yeah.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: Great. [Smiles.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: Great.
[The camera pulls back as JEFF fans the air and blows smoke toward PAUL.]
RANDY: Straight.
CHUCK: That's not a straight.
[RANDY points toward his cards on the table. The camera moves across behind JEFF.]
RANDY: Of course it is. Look. Two-three-four-five-six.
CHUCK: Two-three-four-five...nine. You know what two-three-four-five-nine is? Nothing.
KEVIN: Boy, Randy...maybe you should be studying your math.
RANDY: Yeah, really funny.
[Close shot of JEFF squinting and smiling broadly.]
NARRATOR: Which, of course, it was. To us, anyway.
[Close shot of KEVIN smiling broadly at JEFF off-screen, then looking at his cards.]
[Shot of CHUCK, RANDY and PAUL.]
RANDY: Hey, will you guys just shut up? [Gestures.]
[Close shot of JEFF smiling slightly.]
RANDY [V/O]: For your information...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at his cards.]
RANDY [V/O]: I failed my last three trigonometry tests.
[Shot of RANDY and PAUL.]
RANDY: When I flunk out, I bet it'll be really hilarious.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at RANDY off-screen.]
KEVIN: Oh, come on...[gestures]...you're not gonna flunk out.
[KEVIN looks at his cards.]
RANDY [V/O]: Oh, yeah?
[Shot of RANDY and PAUL.]
RANDY: My guidance counselor says if I don't pass, I'm not gonna graduate.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at RANDY off-screen.]
RANDY [V/O]: What do ya say to that?
[Close shot of JEFF looking at RANDY off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And of course, there was only one thing to say.
[JEFF sets his cards down.]
JEFF: Three kings.
[Close shot of CHUCK looking down and shaking his head as he frowns and starts to cry.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Of course, some of us were taking the news harder than others.
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY. RANDY frowns slightly, then rubs CHUCKs shoulder.]
RANDY: Chuck, it'll be OK...I still have a chance to pass. [Gestures.] If I apply myself, maybe -
CHUCK: Who cares about you? [Gestures.]
[Close shot of JEFF looking at CHUCK off-screen as he blows out some smoke.]
JEFF: What's the matter, Chuck? [Gestures.] You can't beat three kings? [CHUCKles.]
[Close shot of CHUCK frowning and glancing around the guys off-screen.]
CHUCK: I think Alice is pregnant.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
[Close shot of JEFF looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
JEFF: Here, congratulations.
[JEFF leans forward and holds his cigar toward CHUCK.]
JEFF: Have a cigar.
[Shot past JEFF of CHUCK and RANDY as CHUCK frowns and swats JEFF's hand.]
[Shot of PAUL.]
PAUL [V/O]: I knew it.
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL.]
PAUL: I knew it. [Frowns.]
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN looking at him.]
KEVIN: Shut up, Paul!
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL looking at him.]
PAUL: I was just tryin' to help. [Gestures.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: Yeah, well, don't.
[KEVIN looks at CHUCK off-screen.]
[Close shot of CHUCK looking down and frowning.]
NARRATOR: It's been said sobering news travels in bunches.
[CHUCK shakes his head slightly and looks up.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JEFF off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And after ninety minutes of poker...
[KEVIN looks at PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: There was no shortage of sobering news.
[KEVIN looks toward CHUCK off-screen.]
[Close shot of CHUCK looking forward.]
CHUCK: How could I be so stupid?
[CHUCK frowns and put his hand on his forehead.]
NARRATOR: Chuck was on the brink of fatherhood...
[The camera pans over to RANDY, who looks at CHUCK off-screen.]
RANDY: Well, at least you're passing trig.
[RANDY looks down and frowns, shaking his head slightly.]
NARRATOR: Randy was on the brink of repeating the eleventh grade...
[The camera pans over to PAUL, who frowns and picks up the air-freshener, spraying it toward the camera.]
[Shot of JEFF blowing smoke toward PAUL off-screen.]
[Shot of KEVIN looking from JEFF off-screen to PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And I was on the brink of hating my best friend.
[KEVIN frowns and looks toward the floor.]
JEFF [V/O]: Knock it off, Pfeiffer.
PAUL [V/O]: Not till you put that thing out.
[KEVIN ducks down under the table. The camera lowers with him.]
NARRATOR: But in addition to it all...
[KEVIN looks toward JEFF's feet and frowns.]
NARRATOR: In addition to the gut-wrenching teenage melodrama playing out before us...
[The camera pans down to JEFF's shoe as KEVIN reaches for a card underneath it.]
NARRATOR: One other thing seemed slightly amiss.
[KEVIN pulls out the card and flips it face up. The camera pans up with his hand as he looks at the card.]
KEVIN: Hey.
[KEVIN stands up, and flips the card around toward JEFF.]
KEVIN: You cheated!
[Shot of CHUCK, RANDY and PAUL looking toward JEFF off-screen.]
NARRATOR: We were in the presence...
[Close shot of JEFF holding his cigar and frowning slightly as some guitar plays.]
NARRATOR: Of a crook.
Fade to
NARRATOR: OK...now, where were we? After an hour-and-a-half of our monthly rotating Friday-night poker game...
[Close freeze-frame shot of JEFF holding his cigar and looking forward.]
NARRATOR: This guy's cheating...
[Close freeze-frame shot of RANDY looking at JEFF off-screen.]
NARRATOR: This guy's flunking school...
[Close freeze-frame shot of CHUCK frowning worriedly and looking forward.]
NARRATOR: This guy might be a father...
[Close freeze-frame shot of PAUL frowning and spraying air-freshener.]
NARRATOR: This guy is annoying everyone...
[Close freeze-frame shot of KEVIN looking at JEFF off-screen. Music fades.]
NARRATOR: And this guy? Well...
[Action resumes.]
KEVIN: You cheated. [Frowns.]
JEFF [V/O]: I did not.
[Wide shot of all from behind PAUL and RANDY.]
JEFF: My fingers were greasy from the potato chips. [Gestures.] I-I-I'm sure a card, ya know, just...
[Shot of KEVIN and CHUCK looking at JEFF off-screen.]
JEFF [V/O]: Shot right outta my hands.
[Close shot of JEFF as he puffs his cigar.]
JEFF: Alright. Alright. [Gestures.] Then ask yourselves this - why would I possibly cheat at cards? [Smiles.]
[Shot past JEFF of PAUL looking at him.]
PAUL: Well, the way I see it...your motive is greed.
[Shot past PAUL of JEFF.]
JEFF: Excuse me, Lieutenant Columbo, maybe I'm just a better card-player than all you guys. [Smiles.]
[He taps his head and looks at PAUL.]
JEFF: You ever think of that?!
[Shot of KEVIN and CHUCK looking at JEFF off-screen.]
CHUCK: I can't take this anymore.
[CHUCK stands up, and KEVIN looks after him as he crosses behind him.]
CHUCK [V/O]: This is insane!
[Close shot of JEFF as he blows some smoke toward PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And somehow...
[Close shot of PAUL frowning and spraying air-freshener toward JEFF off-screen.]
NARRATOR: I couldn't avoid the thought maybe Chuck was right.
[Shot of KEVIN frowning, then standing up and exiting.]
Cut to
KEVIN: You OK?
[Shot past KEVIN of CHUCK looking at him, then looking down, then back to KEVIN.]
CHUCK: Listen, I-I know what you're thinking. [Gestures.] That my life would be over.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
KEVIN: No...[Smiles.]
CHUCK [V/O]: No, I-I know how it sounds.
[KEVIN frowns.]
[Close shot of CHUCK looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: But it wouldn't be that bad, really.
[CHUCK looks down.]
CHUCK: I mean, Alice and I...
[CHUCK looks toward KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: We could live in my parents' attic until we graduate high school...and after that...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
CHUCK [V/O]: We could move into the garage...
KEVIN: Chuck, why don't you wait till you find out for sure? [Gestures.] I mean, it's not like you're a doctor, or anything. [Smiles.]
[Close shot of CHUCK frowning at KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: You think so? [Smiles.]
[Wider shot from behind CHUCK of both.]
KEVIN: Yeah.
[KEVIN gestures and steps forward.]
KEVIN: Yeah, I mean...
[KEVIN gestures and faces CHUCK.]
KEVIN: How much do you really know about biology, anyway?
NARRATOR: Apparently just enough to be dangerous.
[PAUL enters from the dining room and switches on the light, then walks between KEVIN and CHUCK.]
PAUL: Excuse me - I gotta make a phone call.
[PAUL passes the camera. KEVIN looks after him off-screen.]
KEVIN: Paul! [Frowns.]
[CHUCK starts to exit.]
[Shot of PAUL holding the phone handset and looking over his shoulder toward KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: Yeah?
[PAUL looks at the phone as he dials.]
[Shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen as CHUCK exits in the background.]
KEVIN: We were in here. [Gestures.]
[KEVIN looks over his shoulder to CHUCK, who has just walked thought the dining room.]
KEVIN: Ya know, Chuck and I...
[KEVIN looks at PAUL off-screen and gestures.]
[Shot of PAUL holding the phone handset and approaching the camera.]
PAUL: Right...[Gestures.] And now Chuck left...[gestures]...and I'm gonna make a phone call. [Nods.]
[Close shot of KEVIN frowning at PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And I don't know...
PAUL [V/O]: Hello?
NARRATOR: Maybe because of what the guys had said, or...
[Close shot of PAUL looking down as he talks on the phone.]
NARRATOR: Maybe because of the way he was acting...
PAUL: Yeah, I'm gonna be...
NARRATOR: Or, but suddenly...
[Shot of KEVIN frowning at PAUL off-screen, then turning toward the door and exiting, shaking his head.]
NARRATOR: I was beginning to see Paul in a whole new light.
Cut to
RANDY: I mean, my dad expects me to go to some great college. [Gestures.] I don't know how to tell him I might not even graduate from high school.
[Close shot of JEFF looking down as he shuffles the cards.]
JEFF: I would suggest doing it over a nice dessert.
[He looks at RANDY off-screen.]
[Close shot of RANDY looking down.]
RANDY: Thanks.
[Shot of KEVIN and RANDY looking at each other.]
KEVIN: Hey, I'm watching you Billings...[points]...so hang on to your cards ****.
[Shot of CHUCK and RANDY as PAUL takes his seat.]
PAUL: OK. I'm back.
RANDY: Oh, were you gone?
[Shot of JEFF and KEVIN as JEFF deals.]
NARRATOR: And so, there we were - five friends playing poker.
[JEFF flips some cards over while dealing.]
[Shot past KEVIN and JEFF of CHUCK, RANDY and PAUL.]
CHUCK: Hey. Maybe if you dealt a little slower...
[JEFF deals a card face up to CHUCK, who picks it up.]
CHUCK: My cards wouldn't end up in the cheese puffs.
NARRATOR: Five friends arguing and sniping.
[Shot of JEFF and KEVIN as JEFF deals.]
NARRATOR: Carping, and whining. Taking humbrage at even the pettiest offense.
JEFF: Yeah, well maybe if you learned how to shuffle, you could deal once in a while, huh?
[JEFF flips over more cards while dealing.]
CHUCK [V/O]: You call that dealing?
[Shot past KEVIN and JEFF of CHUCK, RANDY and PAUL.]
JEFF [V/O]: Suffer.
[PAUL reaches for his cards and accidentally knocks his plastic glass off the table and gestures.]
NARRATOR: Five friends who couldn't agree on a thing.
[RANDY looks at the snack bowl as PAUL picks up his glass.]
RANDY: Hey.
[RANDY tilts the bowl forward.]
RANDY: We're out of food.
NARRATOR: Except one thing.
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF.]
JEFF: Yeah, someone should run out and get more.
[Shot past KEVIN and JEFF of CHUCK, RANDY and PAUL.]
CHUCK: So, who wants to go?
[CHUCK looks toward KEVIN off-screen.]
CHUCK: Kev?
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF.]
KEVIN: What...[gestures]...leave you guys with all the cards?
JEFF: Alright, fine. [Gestures.] I'll go.
[Shot past KEVIN and JEFF of CHUCK, RANDY and PAUL.]
PAUL: No way, he'll just go out and get another deck.
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF.]
KEVIN: Alright, I'll go. [Gestures.] But I'll take the deck of cards with me.
[KEVIN stands up, leans forward and grabs the cards.]
JEFF: Course, Kev, how do we know...[gestures]...you won't cheat?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JEFF off-screen.]
KEVIN: Me? [Frowns.]
[Shot of CHUCK, RANDY and JEFF looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
[Close shot of KEVIN frowning.]
NARRATOR: So, naturally...
[He sits down.]
NARRATOR: There was only one solution.
Cut to
NARRATOR: We did what any five petty-squabbling...
[KEVIN makes a left turn toward a parking space.]
NARRATOR: Distrustful best friends would do.
[Shot of the car approaching the camera.]
KEVIN: Why does it take five guys to go get food?
[KEVIN parks the car in front of the camera.]
RANDY: Because we're hungry. [Gestures.]
JEFF: Because we're morons.
CHUCK: Hey, who you callin' a moron.
JEFF: Hey, figure it out, Sherlock.
[KEVIN looks toward the guys.]
KEVIN: Hey - you guys maybe quit pickin' on each other?
PAUL: I'm gonna go get stuff, OK?
[KEVIN looks forward.]
KEVIN: No, you go...and you'll come back with twelve pounds of fruit.
[KEVIN looks over his shoulder.]
NARRATOR: Woops.
[Close shot of PAUL looking off.]
PAUL: Stupid. [Frowns.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: What did you say, Paul? [Frowns.]
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: Nothing.
[Shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: No - because I heard you say something. [Nods.]
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: I didn't say anything.
[Shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
CHUCK [V/O]: Well, here's what I say...
[Shot through the windshield of all, as CHUCK points at JEFF.]
CHUCK: Maybe you're a moron, but let me tell you something. Stewart and Irene Coleman didn't raise any morons.
JEFF: No, you deserve all the credit for that, alright?
[PAUL frowns and starts to get out.]
PAUL: I'm outta here...
KEVIN: Me, too.
[KEVIN starts to get out.]
Cut to
PAUL: No, not those.
[KEVIN pauses and frowns.]
PAUL: They're bad for you.
[KEVIN forcefully puts the bag back.]
KEVIN: God, Paul...[gestures]...what is your problem?
PAUL: What problem? [Shrugs.]
NARRATOR: I'm not sure if I was angry at Paul, or if I was angry at myself...
[PAUL frowns, then starts forward. KEVIN follows.]
NARRATOR: For suddenly hating my best friend, but...
[KEVIN taps PAUL's arm.]
KEVIN: You know, it used to be fun to hang around with you.
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN looking at him.]
KEVIN: And I don't know what it is now, but being with you is like...
[KEVIN looks off.]
KEVIN: Being...
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL looking at him.]
PAUL: What?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: I don't know...
[KEVIN frowns and looks off.]
KEVIN: I just think...
[KEVIN looks at PAUL off-screen and pauses.]
NARRATOR: But what I didn't want to say was...that Paul had changed.
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: You know, Kev...[frowns]...you've changed.
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN as PAUL walks past him.]
KEVIN: What?
[Shot of both.]
KEVIN: Hey!
[KEVIN trots in front of PAUL.]
KEVIN: What's that supposed to mean?
PAUL: I mean, you hang around with those guys...[gestures]...and all you care about is being cool in front of them.
KEVIN: I do not. [Gestures.] And besides, they're your friends, too. [Gestures.]
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL looking at him.]
PAUL: No. They were you friends first. We were friends...[gestures]...so I just came along.
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN.]
KEVIN: What, so I can't have any other friends other than you? [Frowns.]
[Close shot of PAUL looking off.]
KEVIN [V/O]: That's ridiculous.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
KEVIN: You know, I call you when the guys get together. [Gestures.] I invite you to the poker games. [Gestures.] I -
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: Yeah, and that ski trip over Spring break...[frowns]...I bet you were gonna invite me to that, too, right?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen and shaking his head slightly.]
PAUL: That's what I thought.
[PAUL turns away.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
CHUCK [V/O]: Hey, I can't even sit in the car with you morons.
[Shot past KEVIN of CHUCK, RANDY and JEFF approaching, as PAUL passes them.]
RANDY: Shut up, Chuck.
[JEFF and PAUL glance at each other as they pass, then RANDY looks at JEFF.]
RANDY: You know, I wouldn't have be here if it wasn't for your cheating.
JEFF: Hey, Mr. Mathwhiz, don't you have some studying to do, or something?
[Close shot of KEVIN frowning at them off-screen.]
RANDY [V/O]: Look, shut up about my math already. At least I don't cheat.
[Shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
JEFF [V/O]: Maybe you should - you haven't won a hand in three months.
[Close shot of KEVIN frowning and looking off.]
CHUCK [V/O]: Why don't you both take a hike. You sound like you're married.
[KEVIN looks toward the guys off-screen.]
KEVIN: I don't believe you guys. [Nods.] You know you make me sick?
[Shot of the three guys, with PAUL in the far background.]
CHUCK: Oh, yeah? [Frowns.] Well...[shrugs]...what are ya gonna do about it?
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at CHUCK off-screen.]
KEVIN: What am I gonna do about it? [Frowns.] What are you gonna do about it? [Nods.]
[Shot of the three guys, with PAUL in the far background.]
NARRATOR: And of course...
[CHUCK glances at RANDY, then KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: There was only one answer.
Cut to
KEVIN [V/O]: Gentlemen?
[Some Snuffy guitar plays as the camera pans down to KEVIN.]
KEVIN: The ante is one dollar.
[KEVIN antes up.]
[Shot of CHUCK as he antes up.]
[Shot of RANDY as he antes up.]
[Shot of PAUL as he antes up.]
[Shot of JEFF as he antes up.]
[High wide shot of all.]
NARRATOR: The last hand of the night.
[Close shot of CHUCK frowning at his cards.]
KEVIN [V/O]: Cards?
[He looks at KEVIN off-screen as he sets two cards face down on the table.]
CHUCK: Two.
[Close shot of KEVIN as he deals out two cards.]
NARRATOR: The play was intense.
[KEVIN collects CHUCK's rejected cards.]
NARRATOR: The conversation...
[KEVIN looks at RANDY off-screen.]
[Close shot of RANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: At a minimum.
[RANDY sets some cards face down on the table.]
RANDY: Two.
[Close shot of KEVIN as he deals out two cards.]
NARRATOR: What had begun three hours ago...
[KEVIN looks toward PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: As a simple...
[Shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Game among friends...
[PAUL sets some cards face down on the table.]
PAUL: Three.
[Close shot of KEVIN as he deals out three cards.]
NARRATOR: Had, by ten-thirty, developed into an all-out grudge-match.
[KEVIN looks toward JEFF off-screen.]
[Shot of JEFF looking at KEVIN off-screen, then setting a card down and tapping it.]
JEFF: One.
[Close shot of KEVIN as he deals out a card.]
[Shot of CHUCK frowning at JEFF off-screen, then glancing at KEVIN off-screen.]
KEVIN [V/O]: I'll take two.
[Close shot of KEVIN as he picks up two cards.]
NARRATOR: Suddenly, we were no longer boys playing a man's game.
[Shot of RANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: We were men.
[RANDY glances at PAUL off-screen, then looks down.]
NARRATOR: Men at war.
[Shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Defending our turf.
[PAUL looks at his cards.]
[Shot of KEVIN looking at the others off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Standing our ground.
[KEVIN looks at his cards.]
CHUCK [V/O]: Alright.
[Close shot of CHUCK.]
CHUCK: I bet twenty cents.
[CHUCK puts in some money, then looks at RANDY off-screen.]
[Close shot of RANDY looking at CHUCK off-screen and putting some money in the pot.]
RANDY: Thirty.
[RANDY looks at PAUL off-screen.]
[Shot of PAUL glancing at RANDY off-screen as he puts some money in the pot.]
PAUL: Thirty-five.
[He looks at JEFF off-screen.]
[Close shot of RANDY looking at PAUL off-screen, then looking down.]
JEFF: And I'll raise you...
[JEFF puts some money in the pot and looks at PAUL off-screen.]
JEFF: Fifty.
[JEFF looks at KEVIN off-screen.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JEFF off-screen, then looking down as he picks up some money.]
KEVIN: Fifty-one.
[KEVIN looks at JEFF off-screen as he puts the money in the pot.]
[High wide shot of all as PAUL and RANDY ante up.]
NARRATOR: It was time to show no mercy. Take no prisoners.
[Shot of KEVIN looking toward PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: The bets were down.
[KEVIN sets his cards face up on the table, rubs his hands together, and looks at CHUCK off-screen.]
KEVIN: Pair 'o jacks.
[Shot of CHUCK as he sets his cards down.]
CHUCK: A straight. Almost.
[CHUCK looks at PAUL off-screen.]
[Shot of PAUL as he sets his cards down.]
PAUL: Two pair - jacks and nines.
[PAUL smiles slightly and rubs his hands together.]
[Shot of RANDY as he sets his cards down.]
RANDY: Three sevens.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JEFF off-screen and gesturing.]
KEVIN: It's up to you, Jeff.
[Shot of JEFF looking off and rubbing his nose.]
[Shot past JEFF of RANDY looking at him.]
NARRATOR: And then...
[Shot past RANDY of JEFF looking at him, then his cards, then RANDY again, and slapping his cards face down on the table and joins his hands.]
JEFF: I fold.
[Shot past JEFF of RANDY looking at him.]
JEFF [V/O]: I got nothin'.
[RANDY looks at the cards, then the others off-screen, then JEFF.]
RANDY: You mean, I win?
[Shot past RANDY of JEFF looking at him.]
JEFF: You win.
[Shot of RANDY.]
RANDY: I won. [Smiles.] I can't believe it - I won.
[RANDY pulls the money toward himself.]
[Shot of KEVIN looking at RANDY and chuckling.]
NARRATOR: At the very brink of disillusionment...
[Shot of PAUL chuckling.]
NARRATOR: And despair...Randy Mitchell...
[Shot of JEFF smiling.]
NARRATOR: The perpetual loser...
[Shot of RANDY smiling as he picks up some coins.]
NARRATOR: Finally won a hand.
[Shot of KEVIN as the telephone rings.]
KEVIN: I'll get it.
[KEVIN starts to stand up.]
[Wide shot of all as KEVIN passes the camera.]
[Shot of the telephone on a table as KEVIN passes the camera on picks it up.]
KEVIN: Hello? .......Yeah. Yeah, hang on.
[Shot of the guys turning toward KEVIN off-screen.]
KEVIN [V/O]: Chuck, it's Alice.
[CHUCK looks at the guys, then stands up and passes the camera.]
[Shot of KEVIN as CHUCK passes the camera and takes the phone from him. KEVIN looks at him expectantly as CHUCK shrugs and shakes his head slightly.]
CHUCK: Alice?
[Shot of the guys at the table looking toward CHUCK off-screen.]
[Close shot of CHUCK as he smiles.]
CHUCK: That's great. [Smiles.] Uh...that-that's great.
[Shot of the guys at the table looking toward CHUCK off-screen.]
CHUCK [V/O]: Yeah. Me, too.
[Shot of KEVIN and CHUCK.]
CHUCK: I'll call you when I get home. OK, bye.
[CHUCK hangs up the phone, looks at KEVIN, then looks at the guys off-screen and gestures.]
CHUCK: She's not pregnant! [Smiles.]
[He looks at KEVIN, who smiles.]
[Shot of the guys at the table looking toward CHUCK off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And there you had it.
[The guys smile at each other.]
NARRATOR: Fortune in men's lives.
[KEVIN and CHUCK sit down. CHUCK and PAUL shake hands.]
NARRATOR: Face it. In poker...and friendship...
[CHUCK rubs his hand back through his hair.]
NARRATOR: Anything could happen.
[CHUCK lifts his soda bottle.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: And anything usually did.
[KEVIN looks over his shoulder as RANDY leads PAUL out the door.]
KEVIN: Seeya later, guys.
RANDY: Thanks, Kev. Guess I'll go hit the books. [Gestures.]
[RANDY passes the camera, and PAUL looks at KEVIN.]
PAUL: Seeya.
[PAUL passes the camera as KEVIN frowns at him. CHUCK walks outside.]
CHUCK: Boy...[gestures]...I will never have sex again. [Frowns.]
[CHUCK passes the camera. KEVIN looks after him and smiles as JEFF steps outside.]
CHUCK [V/O, Faintly]: Hey, wait up!
[KEVIN looks at JEFF.]
KEVIN: Hey, Jeff. Sorry about that last hand.
JEFF: Well...[gestures]...he deserved to win one.
[JEFF pats KEVIN's shoulder.]
JEFF: Seeya Monday.
[JEFF passes the camera.]
KEVIN: Bye. [Smiles.]
JEFF [V/O, Faintly]: Hey, Coleman...you owe me seven dollars.
CHUCK [V/O, Faintly]: I do not.
JEFF [V/O, Faintly]: I want an IOU.
[KEVIN goes inside and pushes the door closed behind him.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: The funny thing is...
[KEVIN starts to pick up the cards.]
NARRATOR: That night, cleaning up...I kept thinking about that last hand. The one that had turned things around...for Randy.
[KEVIN looks off, then flips over one of JEFF's cards.]
NARRATOR: For all of us.
[Close shot of JEFF's cards and KEVIN hand. The king of clubs is showing as KEVIN flips over more cards - the king of hearts and the king of spades.]
NARRATOR: The one Jeff had lost.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at the cards off-screen, then toward the guys outside.]
KEVIN: Wait a minute. [Frowns.]
[Close shot of the cards and KEVIN's hand as he turn over another card - the king of diamonds.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at the cards off-screen.]
KEVIN: Jeff won. [Frowns.]
[KEVIN looks toward the guys off-screen.]
NARRATOR: I felt pretty foolish...
[KEVIN looks at the cards off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Having questioned the guy's integrity. His honesty.
[Close shot of the cards and KEVIN's hand as he turn over the last card - another king of hearts.]
[Close shot of KEVIN frowning at the cards off-screen.]
NARRATOR: That fact that this deck had...
[Close shot of the cards.]
NARRATOR: Five kings.
[Shot of KEVIN smiling slightly and looking toward the sound of the front door closing.]
[Shot of PAUL approaching slowly.]
PAUL: The door was open.
[He reaches for his jacket on the couch.]
PAUL: I forgot my jacket.
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN looking at him.]
KEVIN: Oh.
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL looking at him.]
NARRATOR: I guess that silence said it all.
[Shot past PAUL of KEVIN looking at him, then down.]
NARRATOR: That things had changed between Paul and me.
[KEVIN looks at PAUL.]
NARRATOR: That the unspoken ease of our friendship...
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL looking at him.]
NARRATOR: Was slipping away.
PAUL: So, I guess I'll see you in school.
KEVIN [V/O]: Yeah.
[PAUL turns toward the door.]
[Shot of KEVIN hesitating.]
KEVIN: Paul?
[KEVIN passes the camera.]
[Shot past KEVIN of PAUL at the doorway as KEVIN approaches him.]
KEVIN: Uh...
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen, then glancing off.]
KEVIN: I just wanted to say that, uh...
[KEVIN looks at PAUL off-screen.]
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: But there was no way to say it.
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at PAUL off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Those seventeen years...
[KEVIN smiles slightly.]
NARRATOR: He knew what I meant.
[Close shot of PAUL looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
PAUL: Thanks. [Smiles.]
[Wider shot of both as PAUL exits.]
NARRATOR: After all...
[KEVIN moves to the door and closes it slowly.]
NARRATOR: Standing there on the edge of adulthood...we knew that the problems of men were not easily solved.
[KEVIN approaches the camera.]
NARRATOR: That life was a risk.
[KEVIN smiles slightly as the camera rolls back with him.]
NARRATOR: That growing up...was a gamble.
[KEVIN looks toward the table off-screen and smiles, then turns toward the hallway.]
NARRATOR: That the time for bluffing, had passed.
[KEVIN puts his hand on the light switch.]
OLD RANDY [V/O]: Come on, Paul...
[KEVIN turns toward the camera and frowns.]
[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of the table.]
OLD RANDY [V/O]: Let's see what ya got.
[The images of the guys as old men fade in.]
OLD PAUL: Uh, is this a three, or an eight?
OLD RANDY: Eight.
[PAUL looks at KEVIN.]
OLD PAUL: After forty years, I should think you could afford a new deck of cards.
[Shot of KEVIN looking toward the table off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Still, ya never knew.
OLD KEVIN [V/O]: Jeff...
[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of the guys.]
OLD KEVIN: What's that under your sleeve?
OLD JEFF: My cufflink.
OLD KEVIN: Yeah? Well that cufflink better not be able to beat three queens.
[Shot of KEVIN looking toward the table off-screen and smiling slightly.]
OLD JEFF [V/O]: Never mind.
NARRATOR: With a little luck...
[KEVIN turns off the light and turns toward his room.]
NARRATOR: Things just might turn out OK.
Fade to
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