OPENING SEQUENCE

[Clips of hippies dancing, playing guitar, etc.]

[Music "Subterranean Homesick Blues" - Bob Dylan plays.]

[Clip of a woman's belly as she tucks flowers in her pants, and dances.]

NARRATOR: In 1969...

[Clip of two young men wearing strange hats.]

NARRATOR: ...a lot of people were doing a lot of things...

[Clip of a painted word "love" and some symbols.]

NARRATOR: ...a lot of other people didn't understand.

[Wider shot of several people sitting on the ground, painting.]

[Clip of a man leading a smiling woman by a rope, across a concert field.]

[Clip of a man walking away with an American flag draped around him.]

[Clip of a man hold a blue carnation and smiling.]

NARRATOR: "Love-ins"...

[Clip of a woman sitting on the ground with flowers in her hair.]

NARRATOR: "Be-ins"...

[Clip of upraised arms, as a flower is passed along.]

NARRATOR: "Happenings"...It was...different.

[Clip of a spaced-out young woman with "Love" painted on her forehead, looking at a piece of paper.]

NARRATOR: It was weird.

[Clip of a large crowd spraying water at each other.]

[Clip of a man walking through a pond, and a woman holding onto his leg.]

[Clip of a packed concert crowd.]

[Music ends abruptly.]

Cut to

EXT. EVENING. ARNOLD HOUSE.

NORMA [V/O]: Kevin, call your sister for dinner.

KEVIN [V/O]: Karen! Dinner!

NARRATOR: But where we lived, things were still pretty much normal.

Cut to

---

INT. EVENING. ARNOLD KITCHEN.

[Shot of the dining room door as KAREN enters, "hippied" out with beads and sunglasses.]

NARRATOR: With one exception.

[KAREN walks past the camera.]

[Close shot of KEVIN watching KAREN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN sitting down, and lowering her glasses.]

NARRATOR: OK - we knew her name was Karen.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking toward JACK and WAYNE off-screen.]

NARRATOR: But other than that...

[Shot from KAREN's perspective of WAYNE and JACK as they look at her and smile. WAYNE shakes his head.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking at them off-screen.]

NARRATOR: ...she might as well have been from Mars.

[Close shot of KEVIN frowning at her off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking toward JACK and WAYNE off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Mars, or...Pluto.

[KAREN tilts her head and makes a little face.]

Cut to

INT. DAY. ARNOLD KITCHEN.

NORMA [V/O]: A "D" in math?

KAREN [V/O]: Mom.

JACK [V/O]: Don't "mom" your mother.

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA, JACK, and KAREN sitting at the dining room table.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking over the edge of the refrigerator door toward them off-screen.]

NARRATOR: As far as I could tell, her main function in the family was an on-going battle-of-wills with our parents.

NORMA [V/O]: You've always been good at math.

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA, JACK, and KAREN.]

JACK: There's gonna be plenty of math on the SAT's, believe me.

[JACK picks up KAREN's report card.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking down.]

KAREN: Dad, geometry has nothing to do with life! [Frowns.]

[Shot of JACK and NORMA looking at her off-screen.]

JACK: "D" in math...

[Close shot of KAREN looking forward.]

KAREN: You're not even listening to me! [Frowns.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA, JACK, and KAREN, as KAREN stands and walks toward the camera.]

[Shot of KEVIN next to the refrigerator holding a glass of milk, as KAREN walks past the camera.]

NARRATOR: Not that my relationship with her was entirely nil.

[A little dramatic music plays.]

NARRATOR: Pay attention now...

[Wider shot as KAREN and KEVIN collide, spilling KEVIN's milk. KEVIN looks down, then they look at each other.]

KEVIN & KAREN: Watch it!

[KAREN walks off.]

NARRATOR: But it hadn't always been like that.

Fade to

CLIPS

[Clip of Kevie putting on a red cowboy hat. The camera pulls back quickly, showing KEVIN in cowboy boots, with a holster around his shoulders.]

[Clip of young KAREN dressed in a red cowboy hat, waving at the camera. She bends down to KEVIN who is playing on the floor.]

[Clip of KAREN on her bed, as Kevie runs up. KAREN picks him up and swings him around.]

NARRATOR: We used to play together.

[KAREN sets KEVIN down and whispers in his ear.]

NARRATOR: We used to share things. She'd tell me secrets...

[KEVIN smiles.]

NARRATOR: She'd make me laugh. We used to have fun.

[Clips of KAREN swinging KEVIN around.]

NARRATOR: But that was then.

[Music ends.]

Fade to

---

INT. KAREN'S ROOM.

[Shot of the closed door as KEVIN opens it, and pauses.]

[Shot of KAREN coloring in a book, on her bed. She glances at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: Hey!

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: A little privacy. [Nods.]

[Close shot of KEVIN glancing off, then looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: Do you mind?

KEVIN: Uh...sure!

[Close shot of KAREN looking at her coloring book.]

NARRATOR: Karen had her world...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN as he closes the door.]

NARRATOR: And I had mine, and never the twain shall meet.

[Music ends.]

Cut to

EXT. DAY. STREET.

[Sound of squealing tires.]

[A car drives across the shot as the boys look at it.]

NARRATOR: Until one day...

[Close shot of the driver, JULIE, looking at KEVIN off-screen as she stops the car.]

JULIE: Get in!

[Shot of KEVIN and PAUL looking at her off-screen. KEVIN glances at PAUL, then the car, and gestures.]

KEVIN: Us? [Frowns.]

[Shot of KAREN leaning next to JULIE and looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: Get in - we need to talk to you.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking a little surprised.]

NARRATOR: What was this? An actual conversation in public?

[Close shot of a girl in the back seat as she opens the door.]

[Shot of KEVIN and PAUL. PAUL grins, and KEVIN glances at him.]

NARRATOR: I was suspicious.

[PAUL smiles and gets in the car.]

NARRATOR: Paul...

[Shot of the back seat as PAUL settles in, smiling.]

NARRATOR: ...was less so.

[PAUL looks at KEVIN off-screen.]

PAUL: I think we should get in! [Smiles.]

[Close shot of the rear tire as the car squeals away.]

Cut to

EXT. DAY. ON THE ROAD.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JULIE off-screen, and frowning slightly as he hangs on.]

NARRATOR: Well, this was different! Life in the fast-lane.

[KEVIN looks at PAUL off-screen.]

[Shot of PAUL and SANDY as they smile.]

PAUL: Boy! Sharp turns, huh? [Smiles.]

[Close shot of KEVIN frowning slightly as he hangs on.]

KEVIN: So where are we going?

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective as JULIE turns around, smiling.]

JULIE: Going crazy - want to come?

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN turned toward him.]

KAREN: We need a favor.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN holding some papers.]

KAREN: We need you to drop these off for us at Tina Desario's locker.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: At your school? [Frowns.]

JULIE [V/O]: First floor, end of the hall...

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective as JULIE turns around.]

JULIE: One-oh-seven.

[She turns forward.]

[Close shot of KEVIN frowning and looking at KAREN off-screen.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN as she raises her eye-brows.]

KAREN: Will you do it?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: Why don't you do it? [Frowns.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN. She looks toward JULIE and SANDY off-screen, then to KEVIN.]

KAREN: We can't - were not gonna be in school.

[Shot of PAUL and SANDY as she looks at KEVIN off-screen.]

SANDY: We're taking one of our free days.

[She looks at PAUL.]

SANDY: Right? [Smiles.]

[Close shot of KEVIN glancing off.]

NARRATOR: Oddly enough...I smelled a rat.

[KEVIN frowns.]

KEVIN: A free day?

JULIE [V/O]: It's kind of an...

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of JULIE glancing toward KAREN off-screen.]

JULIE: ...independent study course.

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN smiling at JULIE off-screen.]

JULIE [V/O]: We all take it.

[Close shot of KEVIN smiling and glancing around.]

NARRATOR: What'd they think I was? A naive little kid?

[KEVIN shakes his head.]

KEVIN: I don't think I want to do it.

[Shot of SANDY and PAUL.]

SANDY: Oh, come on...[Frowns.] Be cool.

[PAUL looks at SANDY, then turns to KEVIN off-screen.]

PAUL: Yeah. Come on, Kevin - be cool! [Smiles.]

[Close shot of KEVIN sighing and looking off.]

NARRATOR: Uh-oh. A cheap, obvious appeal to my sense of cool.

[KEVIN looks at KAREN off-screen and frowns.]

KEVIN: Well, what if somebody stops me?

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN.]

KAREN: They won't. Nobody pays any attention.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: Look - if it's a teacher...

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN.]

KAREN: Just tell them your getting your books. If it's a student, uh...tell him it's none of his business. [Shrugs.]

[Close shot of KEVIN sighing and looking off.]

KEVIN: I don't know...

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN as she takes her glasses off and leans closer.]

KAREN: Look, it's just this once.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking off, then toward KAREN off-screen.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN.]

KAREN: Do it for me. [Smiles.] OK, Kevie?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking toward KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Whoa - "Kevie".

[KEVIN glances off.]

NARRATOR: She hadn't called me that in years.

[He smiles and shrugs.]

KEVIN: OK...

[He glances at the others.]

KEVIN: But just this once.

Cut to

INT. DAY. SCHOOL HALLWAY.

[Closer shot of KEVIN looking at a passing student.]

NARRATOR: Why'd I have a bad feeling about this?

[Slow-motion low shot of students walking past the camera. Two guys pause and look down at the camera.]

[Close shot of KEVIN as people walk past him.]

[Shot of the lockers as KEVIN walks toward them.]

NARRATOR: OK - I said I'd do it.

[KEVIN looks up at the lockers, pauses, and sighs.]

NARRATOR: So the best thing to do is just find the locker, drop the notes, and get out while the gettin' was still good.

[KEVIN slides the note in the locker slot.]

GEORGE [V/O]: Need some help?

[KEVIN looks toward a man at the dg of the shot.]

[Close shot of a man looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: I had a decision to make. Student? Teacher?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at the man off-screen.]

KEVIN: Uh...

[KEVIN looks off and frowns.]

KEVIN: None of your business? [Smiles.]

[Shot past KEVIN as the man smiles, shrugs and turns away.]

[Shot of KEVIN looking at him off-screen.]

[Bell rings.]

[KEVIN hurries away.]

JULIE [V/O]: You did it?

Cut to

EXT. DAY. THE CAR.

JULIE [V/O]: You you really did it?

PAUL [V/O]: I told you he'd do it.

[Shot of PAUL and SANDY looking at each other, as PAUL smiles and nods.]

JULIE: Boy! That is so cool!

[Close shot of KEVIN smiling.]

NARRATOR: Yeah - I was cool.

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of KAREN smiling at him.]

NARRATOR: After all...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: ...I was I was playin' with the big guys, now.

[KEVIN smiles and leans forward excitedly.]

KEVIN: So! Where do we go now?

Cut to

EXT. DAY. RFK JUNIOR HIGH.

[Shot of the car in front of the school as the bell rings.]

[KEVIN opens the door.]

KAREN: You guys got one minute to get to class!

[PAUL gets out.]

NARRATOR: Not exactly what I had in mind.

[The car pulls away.]

[Closer shot of KEVIN and PAUL as the car pulls out of the shot.]

NARRATOR: Still, Karen and I had kinda shared something.

[They look after the car and KEVIN sighs.]

NARRATOR: And there was no harm done.

[KEVIN looks at PAUL.]

WAYNE [V/O]: Where you and Karen go in Julie's car this morning?

Cut to

INT. EVENING. ARNOLD LIVING ROOM.

WAYNE: Hmmm?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Woops. Maybe I spoke too soon.

[Wider shot of WAYNE sitting on the table next to NORMA in the chair. JACK is at the dining room table in the background.]

WAYNE: Not that it's any of my business, of course.

[Shot of KAREN and KEVIN on the couch, looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

WAYNE [V/O]: I saw you at the bus-stop. So, let's just say I'm...

[Close shot of WAYNE.]

WAYNE: Curious.

NARRATOR: Leave it to Wayne...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen, a little worried.]

NARRATOR: ...to ferret out potential mis-doings.

[Shot of WAYNE, NORMA and JACK as WAYNE eats a banana.]

NORMA: You gave Kevin a ride?

[Close shot of KAREN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

KAREN: Well, sure!

[She nods once and smiles.]

NORMA [V/O]: A ride to where?

KAREN: To school...

[She frowns and nods once.]

KAREN: Right, Kev?

[She turns to KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at her off-screen, a little concerned.]

KEVIN: Uh, yeah! To school.

[Close shot of NORMA looking at them off-screen.]

NORMA: In...Julie's car?

[Shot of KAREN and KEVIN as they nod.]

NORMA: Oh. [Nods.] That was nice of you.

[Close shot of WAYNE leaning toward NORMA off-screen.]

WAYNE: Except...they didn't go right to school.

[WAYNE looks toward KEVIN and KAREN off-screen.]

WAYNE: Did ya, guys?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE, then KAREN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN: No...[nods]...we didn't, Wayne.

[Close shot of WAYNE looking at them off-screen.]

WAYNE: I didn't think so.

[Close shot of NORMA looking from WAYNE to KAREN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN.]

KAREN: See, Julie's car was sputtering...

[KAREN frowns, nods and gestures.]

KAREN: It does that when it's low on gas...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen with mild surprise.]

KAREN [V/O]: But Julie thought that we could make it to a gas-station.

[KEVIN frowns.]

NARRATOR: What?!

[KEVIN looks toward WAYNE off-screen.]

[Close shot of WAYNE looking at KAREN off-screen.]

WAYNE: Really...

[Close shot of KAREN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN: But then...we saw Kevin and Paul...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: So Sandy said, "Let's pick 'em up...

[KEVIN looks at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: "In case we have to push".

[KEVIN frowns.]

NARRATOR: Help!

[Close shot of WAYNE looking at them off-screen.]

WAYNE: And then?

[Close shot of KAREN nodding at WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN: And then...[gestures]...we made it to the gas-station.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: And there was this really cute guy working the pumps...

[KEVIN looks at KAREN then back to WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: So we stopped to talk for a while...

[KEVIN looks at KAREN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KAREN: And then...we dropped Kevin and Paul off at school!

[She glances at KEVIN, then looks at WAYNE.]

KAREN: Right, Kev?

[She turns to KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

NARRATOR: What was I gonna say?

[Shot of WAYNE, NORMA and JACK.]

NARRATOR: This story wasn't gonna float!

[Close shot of NORMA.]

NORMA: Well...[Frowns.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

[Close shot of NORMA.]

NORMA: You were lucky.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen and frowning.]

KEVIN: Huh?!

NORMA: You could have been late for school. [Nods.] Both of you!

[Close shot of WAYNE frowning.]

WAYNE: Mom, they didn't -

[Close shot of JACK at the table.]

JACK: Why the hell is Julie drivin' around with no gas. Didn't she ever hear...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JACK off-screen.]

JACK [V/O]: Of checkin' the gas-gauge?

[Close shot of WAYNE frowning.]

WAYNE: Dad...

[Close shot of JACK as he waves his finger.]

JACK: That funny little dial on the dashboard.

[Close shot of WAYNE frowning, then sighing.]

NORMA [V/O]: Maybe...

[Close shot of NORMA looking at KAREN off-screen.]

NORMA: We should give Karen some money so she can chip in for gas.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking forward.]

NARRATOR: Amazing. Karen had pulled it off.

[KEVIN looks at KAREN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN with her head tilted over, looking at NORMA off-screen.]

NARRATOR: She got them thinking like...parents!

[KAREN straightens up and smiles.]

KAREN: Well, I gotta do my homework.

[Wider shot of KEVIN and KAREN as she stands up and walks past KEVIN.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking after her.]

NARRATOR: I was beginning to look at my sister with a new respect.

[KEVIN looks off and smiles slightly.]

Cut to

INT. EVENING. KAREN'S ROOM.

[Some tabla music plays on her record player.]

[KEVIN leans against the wall as he sighs and smiles at KAREN off-screen.]

[Shot of KAREN sitting cross-legged on her bed, coloring.]

[Wider shot of KEVIN smiling at her off-screen.]

KEVIN: The gas-gauge.

[KEVIN turns and struts over to a high-back wicker chair and sits down.]

KEVIN: That was some story. [Smiles.]

[Shot of KAREN as she colors.]

KEVIN [V/O]: I can't believe Mom and Dad bought it.

[KAREN glances up, and shakes her head and frowns.]

KAREN: They never listen.

[Close shot of KEVIN as he reaches down and picks up an album cover.]

KEVIN: Yeah...

[KEVIN looks thoughtful.]

KEVIN: That was pretty fun today, huh? [Smiles.]

KAREN [V/O]: What was fun?

KEVIN: Well, you know, the school and all...[Smiles.]

[Shot of KAREN as she colors.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen and gesturing.]

KEVIN: I-I can't believe your lockers are the same size as ours. [Smiles.]

[Shot of KAREN as she colors.]

NARRATOR: Yep. We were really connecting now...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: So, uh...where'd ya go today? Really. [Smiles.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking up and frowning.]

KAREN: Kevin!

[Close shot of KEVIN as he slowly spins the album cover between his hands.]

[Close shot of KAREN frowning at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: Be careful with that.

[Close shot of KEVIN frowning.]

KEVIN: Sorry!

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen, and shaking her head slightly.]

KAREN: Don't you have any homework to do? [Frowns.]

[Close shot of KEVIN taking a breath and looking off.]

KEVIN: Well...

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: And close the door on your way out. OK? [Frowns.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: OK...[Frowns.]

[KEVIN sets the album cover down, stands up, looks toward KAREN, then walks to the door.]

NARRATOR: If that's the way she wanted it.

[KEVIN looks at KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Fine.

[Wider shot of KAREN as she looks at KEVIN off-screen, then sighs and look away.]

[Close shot of KEVIN as he opens the door and looks at KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Anyway, that was the end of my relationship with my sister.

[KEVIN closes the door.]

[Sound of a car screeching to a halt.]

Cut to

EXT. DAY. THE STREET.

[Close shot of SANDY opening the rear door and looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN leaning over next to JULIE, looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Until...

KAREN: We need another favor.

[Close shot of SANDY holding the rear door open.]

PAUL [V/O]: Come on, man!

[Shot of KEVIN and PAUL as PAUL grins at him, then hurries past the camera.]

[Close shot of KAREN leaning over next to JULIE as they watch PAUL pass them, then looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Shot of KEVIN frowning and looking off.]

[Shot of KAREN and JULIE looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: Look - it's the last time, I promise.

[Shot of KEVIN frowning at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: No way! [Gestures.] I-I-I just did you a favor last week!

[Shot of KAREN and JULIE looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: It's really important. [Frowns.]

JULIE: Really...important.

[Shot of PAUL and SANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

PAUL: It sounds pretty important to me!

[Closer shot of KEVIN looking off-screen and frowning.]

NARRATOR: Amazing. Did they think they could turn me on and off like a...

[Shot of KAREN and JULIE looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: ...like a...

[Shot of PAUL and SANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen and gesturing with both arms.]

KEVIN: Your gonna get in trouble! Karen - you're ditching school! [Frowns.] Mom and Dad are going to find out...

[Shot of KAREN and JULIE. JULIE glances at KAREN then to KEVIN off-screen.]

JULIE: I guess he's not as cool as we thought. [Nods.]

[Shot of KEVIN as he gestures.]

KEVIN: Fine. I'm not cool.

[Shot of KAREN and JULIE looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: It's OK. [Frowns.]

[She shakes her head.]

KAREN: You don't have to do it. I understand. [Nods.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

[Shot of KAREN and JULIE looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Shot of PAUL and SANDY looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Aw, heck. Was I made of stone?

[KEVIN sighs and nods.]

KEVIN: Let's go...

[Close shot of the rear tire as the car squeals away.]

Cut to

INT. DAY. SCHOOL HALLWAY.

NARRATOR: OK...some words that come to mind, here. Sucker, stooge, push-over.

[KEVIN looks off.]

[Wide shot of GEORGE approaching and smiling.]

GEORGE: Hi!

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at GEORGE as he passes by.]

NARRATOR: Still, Karen had said it was important.

[GEORGE slows and looks over his shoulder at KEVIN, then walks off, as KEVIN glances at the locker, and off.]

NARRATOR: Maybe there was a reason she was skipping school. Something I wouldn't understand...

[KEVIN looks down at the papers.]

NARRATOR: Something complicated.

[Close shot of the papers as he pulls out the note.]

NARRATOR: Like...

[Close shot of the note. "Tina - Meet me after school at the hill"]

[Close shot of KEVIN frowning.]

KEVIN: "The Hill"?!

Cut to

EXT. DAY. THE HILL.

[KEVIN slows up near the camera and looks off.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of BRIGHTWING sitting on a large boulder playing his guitar. KAREN sits on the ground, painting the rock.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]

NARRATOR: I was mad.

[Closer shot of BRIGHTWING and KAREN.]

NARRATOR: This was why I was risking life and limb?

[Close shot of KEVIN as he gets off his bike and drops it, then walks past the camera.]

[Wider shot past KAREN as KEVIN approaches.]

KAREN: That's really beautiful...

[Shot from behind KEVIN as he approaches them.]

KAREN: Brightwing.

[KEVIN pauses.]

[Close shot of KEVIN as he frowns and mouths...]

NARRATOR: "Brightwing"?

[Close shot of KAREN painting the rock, and looking at BRIGHTWING off-screen.]

BRIGHTWING [V/O]: The rain'll wash it off. And then it'll be perfect.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Gimme a break.

KEVIN: Hey! [Frowns.]

[Close shot of KAREN as she turns toward KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN walking toward the camera.]

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN as he approaches.]

KAREN: Kevin...[Smiles.]

[Close shot of KEVIN frowning at her off-screen.]

KEVIN: Look. We've got to talk - about the notes - about everything!

[Close shot of KAREN looking at him off-screen.]

KAREN: You haven't told anyone, have you? [Frowns.]

[Close shot of KEVIN shaking his head and frowning at her off-screen.]

KEVIN: No, but...!

[KEVIN pauses and frowns.]

NARRATOR: I wanted to tell her that this was wrong.

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN as she stands up.]

That somebody was bound to find out. That she c-

[KAREN smiles and hugs him.]

[Another Snuffy version of "Catch the Wind" plays.]

KAREN: I knew I could trust you!

[Close shot from behind KAREN as KEVIN frowns, then smiles and hugs her.]

[Wide shot of KEVIN, KAREN and BRIGHTWING, as KAREN lifts KEVIN and spins him around, and they laugh.]

[Closer shot of KEVIN and KAREN spinning around.]

[Wide shot of KEVIN and KAREN spinning, then falling to the ground, laughing.]

NARRATOR: I could always tell her tomorrow.

[Music fades.]

Fade to

INT. DAY. KAREN'S SCHOOL.

NARRATOR: Well, in for a penny, in for a pound.

[KEVIN blows a big bubble and pops it as he walks toward the locker.]

NARRATOR: Whatever that meant.

[KEVIN pauses at he locker.]

NARRATOR: Wednesday morning's were becoming routine.

[KEVIN slips the note in the locker.]

GEORGE [V/O]: Hi.

[KEVIN looks off-screen, and nods slightly as he chews his gum.]

KEVIN: Hi!

[Close shot of GEORGE looking at KEVIN off-screen as he crosses his arms.]

GEORGE: George Finch. [Nods.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at GEORGE off-screen. He frowns and nods slightly.]

KEVIN: Kevin Arnold.

[Close shot of GEORGE looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

GEORGE: How ya doin'? [Nods.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at GEORGE off-screen. He shakes his head slightly.]

KEVIN: Not bad...

[KEVIN looks at him off-screen while chewing his gum.]

KEVIN: Seeya, George!

[Music - "You Can All Join In" - Traffic starts.]

[KEVIN turns around and walks away.]

Cut to

EXT. DAY. THE HILL.

NARRATOR: And then after school...I was up to the hill.

[Shot of SANDY swinging on a rope.]

"Here's a little song you can all join in with"

[Close shot of SANDY doing some needlework.]

"It's very simple and I hope it's new"

[Close shot of KAREN painting the rock.]

"Make your own words up if you want to"

[Close shot of KEVIN holding a guitar and smiling.]

"Any old words that you think will do, yeah"

[Shot of JULIE and SANDY sitting on a rock as SANDY plays the guitar.]

[Close shot of BRIGHTWING playing the guitar.]

[Close shot of KEVIN with a guitar as JULIE puts her black felt hat on him.]

[Shot of KEVIN, BRIGHTWING and KAREN as KEVIN swings off on the rope. the camera pans with him out them back, and KAREN and BRIGHTWING catch him.]

"Yellow, blue, what'll I do"

[Shot of some tall grass. The camera pans up to KEVIN in the background in a yoga lotus position, with his eyes closed.]

"Maybe I'll just sit here thinking"

[Close shot of SANDY smiling.]

"Black, white"

[Wider shot of KEVIN with a guitar, and JULIE and SANDY sitting on the rock.]

"Stop the fight, does one of these colors ever bother you"

[Close shot of KEVIN with the guitar as the black hat gets put on his head.]

[Shot of KEVIN, BRIGHTWING and KAREN as KEVIN swings off on the rope. the camera pans with him out them back.]

NARRATOR: It was fun!

[KAREN and BRIGHTWING push him off again. The camera pans with him.]

"Here's a little dance you can all join in with"

NARRATOR: Maybe because they were big kids...and I was a little kid.

"It's very simple and I hope it's new"

[KAREN and BRIGHTWING catch KEVIN as he swings back.]

NARRATOR: Or maybe it was something else.

[Close shot past KEVIN of KAREN smiling at him.]

"Make your own steps up if you want to"

[Shot past KAREN of KEVIN laughing. He has a few dabs of paint on his face.]

"Any old steps that you think will do"

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN as she rubs his head.]

[Shot past KAREN of KEVIN frowning and twisting his head.]

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN smiling at him.]

[Shot past KAREN of KEVIN as she dabs a dot of paint on his nose.]

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN smiling and rubbing his head.]

[Music ends abruptly.]

Cut to

INT. AFTERNOON. ARNOLD KITCHEN.

[The theme from "One-Adam Twelve" plays on the TV.]

KEVIN: I'm not avoiding you, Paul. [Frowns.]....I-I just went on a ride with myself - that's all......Yeah......Alright. Seeya tomorrow.

[KEVIN hangs up, takes a step toward the camera, then pauses.]

WAYNE [V/O]: What's that on you face?

[Shot past KEVIN of WAYNE holding a carrot, standing next to NORMA who faces the sink.]

[Close shot of KEVIN as he looks surprised.]

KEVIN: Uh...

[He quickly rubs his nose.]

KEVIN: I was, uh...

[KEVIN glances off as he breathes heavily.]

NARRATOR: Uh-oh...Stay calm, now. How would Karen handle this?

KEVIN: Fingerpainting!

[Close shot of WAYNE laughing, and glancing at NORMA then back to KEVIN off-screen.]

WAYNE: Fingerpainting?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KEVIN: Uh, yeah...in art class.

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of WAYNE and NORMA.]

WAYNE: Come on, Kevin. [Frowns.] Fingerpainting is for five-year-olds.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WAYNE off-screen.]

KEVIN: Th-th-that's the idea...it was just...like, uh...an experiment.

[Close shot of WAYNE.]

WAYNE: Oh, please continue.

[WAYNE laughs a little.]

WAYNE: This is fascinating.

[Close shot of KEVIN.]

KEVIN: Uh...

[He rubs his nose.]

KEVIN: See...

[Close shot of WAYNE looking at KEVIN off-screen expectantly.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking off.]

NORMA: Ugh...

[Shot past KEVIN of WAYNE and NORMA as she bends forward and puts her finger in her mouth.]

NORMA: Um.

[NORMA turns toward WAYNE and gestures.]

NORMA: Wayne...

[NORMA tears off a paper towel.]

NORMA: Wayne - run and get me a band-aid...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen, then glancing off.]

[Shot of WAYNE and NORMA looking at each other, then WAYNE looks at KEVIN.]

NORMA: Thank you...

[She shakes her finger.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

NARRATOR: And suddenly I got this...

[A bit of heavenly music plays.]

NARRATOR: ...weird feeling.

[Close soft-focus shot of NORMA looking down.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

[Close soft-focus shot of NORMA looking down.]

NARRATOR: My God - my mother was spilling her own blood, making my dinner...

[NORMA looks at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

NARRATOR: And all I was giving her in return were lies.

[Close shot of NORMA looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Music ends.]

NORMA: Honey? Are you OK? [Nods.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

KEVIN: Uh, s-sure, Mom.

[Close shot of NORMA looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

NORMA: Well, you look all white. [Smiles.] It's just a little cut. It's nothing to worry about. [Smiles.]

NARRATOR: Lies.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

[Sound of tapping. KEVIN looks over his shoulder at the TV.]

[Close shot from behind KEVIN as he looks over his shoulder.]

[TV Fantasy. Close shot of the TV. Black-and-white shot of JACK and NORMA dressed in police uniforms, standing at a closed door.]

-JACK: Open it up! We know you're in there!

[Close shot from behind KEVIN as he looks over his shoulder.]

[Closer shot of JACK and NORMA.]

-JACK: Open up! No use tryin' to hide from us...

-NORMA: We know all about your secret!

-[NORMA knocks on the door.]

-NORMA: Open up, Kevin!

-[The door opens. KEVIN is wearing a hippie outfit.]

-[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of JACK and NORMA looking at him, as JACK waves his night-stick.]

-[Shot past JACK and NORMA of KEVIN. The camera zooms in quickly and the shot fades to color. KEVIN's nose is painted red.]

-KEVIN: Mom? [Frowns.] Dad? [Frowns.]

-[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of JACK and NORMA looking at him, as JACK waves his night-stick.]

-JACK: Book 'em, Norma.

-[NORMA hold up a pair of hand-cuffs, and lets one drop.]

-[Close shot of KEVIN frowning.]

-[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of JACK and NORMA looking at him, as they laugh.]

Cut to

INT. NIGHT. KEVIN AND WAYNE'S BEDROOM.

NARRATOR: Suddenly, I felt in over my head.

Cut to

INT. EVENING. ARNOLD LIVING ROOM.

NARRATOR: And then...the next night...

[Closer shot of KEVIN and JACK as KEVIN flexes some kind of stick.]

NARRATOR: ...it happened.

NORMA [V/O]: Um, Karen?

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA approaching KAREN.]

NORMA: Is something wrong at school?

[Shot of KEVIN and JACK. KEVIN is looking at NORMA off-screen, and breaks the stick.]

KAREN [V/O]: I don't think so.

[JACK looks at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: Why?

[Close shot of NORMA frowning at JACK off-screen, then at KAREN off-screen.]

NORMA: How's your math coming?

[Close shot of KAREN looking up at NORMA off-screen.]

KAREN: Fine! [Nods.]

[KAREN looks down, and turns a page of her notepad.]

KAREN: I'm doing it now.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking toward NORMA off-screen, then looking off and sighing.]

NARRATOR: Phew - false alarm. Just a homework nudge.

[KEVIN looks toward the TV off-screen.]

NORMA [V/O]: I just got a, uh, call...

[KEVIN looks toward NORMA off-screen.]

NORMA [V/O]: ...from a guidance counselor...

[Close shot of NORMA looking from KAREN off-screen, to JACK off-screen, and back.]

NORMA: A George...something.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen and looking a little worried.]

NARRATOR: Did she say "George"?

[A bit of music of doom plays.]

[Close shot of NORMA looking at KAREN off-screen.]

NORMA: Do you know him?

[Close shot of KAREN looking up at NORMA off-screen and smiling.]

KAREN: Yeah! Yeah, he's cute. [Nods.] He's young.

KAREN [V/O]: He looks like a student.

[Close shot of NORMA looking at KAREN off-screen.]

NORMA: George Finch.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen and looking a little worried.]

[A bit of music of doom plays.]

NORMA [V/O]: He wants me to...come in for a conference, tomorrow.

[Close shot of JACK frowning toward NORMA off-screen.]

JACK: What kinda conference? [Frowns.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA and KAREN looking at JACK off-screen.]

NORMA: I'm not sure.

[NORMA looks at KAREN.]

NORMA: He said we'd discuss it tomorrow.

JACK [V/O]: What's this all about?

[Close shot of KEVIN turning to JACK off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: I have no idea, Dad.

[Close shot of KEVIN turning to KAREN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KAREN looking at JACK off-screen.]

KAREN: Maybe he wants to talk about my future.

[KAREN pauses, then looks at NORMA off-screen.]

KAREN: Maybe he wants to talk about my life.

[KAREN pauses, then frowns heavily at JACK off-screen.]

KAREN: Isn't that what everyone around here likes to talk about? [Frowns.] What's gonna happen to poor Karen?!

[KAREN slams down her notepad and stands up.]

NARRATOR: Wow!

[The camera pans to NORMA looking after KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Another great performance.

[Shot of JACK frowning as he watches KAREN walk past him.]

NARRATOR: Maybe she could pull it off!

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Anyway, now was not the time to panic.

[KEVIN looks toward JACK off-screen.]

[Close shot of JACK frowning and nodding at NORMA off-screen.]

JACK: I'm comin' with you to that conference.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JACK off-screen.]

[A bit of music of doom plays.]

[KEVIN looks forward and frowns.]

NARRATOR: Now was the time to panic.

[A bit of music of doom plays.]

Cut to

INT. NIGHT. KAREN'S ROOM.

KEVIN: You've gotta tell 'em. [Frowns.]

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN reclining on her bed, coloring.]

KEVIN: We've gotta tell them, now.

[Shot past KAREN of KEVIN as he approaches and holds one of the bedsteads, and gestures.]

KEVIN: And they're gonna find out tomorrow, anyway!

[Shot from behind KEVIN of KAREN as she taps her pencil and looks at him.]

KAREN: So what?

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at her and shaking his head slightly.]

NARRATOR: Did this person have cement in her head?

KEVIN: Well, if we tell them now, they'll understand.

[He looks off and shrugs.]

KEVIN: They'll ground us for a couple of weeks...[nods]...but you know Mom and Dad...they're -

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: I hate to burst your bubble, little one...

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: But Mom and Dad are not the sun and the moon.

KEVIN: Huh?

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: They're people! Like you and me!

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: Wrongo!

[KEVIN shakes his head and frowns slightly.]

NARRATOR: They were Mom and Dad.

KEVIN: But -

[KEVIN frowns.]

[Shot past KEVIN of KAREN as she slides her painting forward and sits up.]

KAREN: Kevin, I'm sorry I got you into this.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KAREN [V/O]: But everything's gonna be OK. Now, will you trust me?

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: Only if you do something for me.

KAREN [V/O]: What?

KEVIN: You've got to promise not to cut school anymore.

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: And you gotta promise to stop going to the hill. [Pause.] Will you do that?

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: OK. [Nods.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: Really? [Smiles.] You promise?!

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: No school...no hill. [Smiles.]

[Close shot of KEVIN smiling at KAREN off-screen.]

NARRATOR: And suddenly, it was like a ten-ton weight had been lifted off me.

KAREN [V/O]: Everything is gonna be just fine, Kevie.

[KEVIN nods and smiles at KAREN off-screen.]

KEVIN: Yeah.

[Close shot of KAREN smiling and nodding at KEVIN off-screen.]

KAREN: Yeah.

[Close shot of KEVIN smiling at KAREN off-screen, then turning toward the door. He hesitates, and looks over his shoulder.]

[Some Snuffy guitar plays.]

[Wide shot of KAREN smiling at him off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN smiling at KAREN off-screen, then exiting.]

Fade to

INT. NIGHT. KEVIN AND WAYNE'S BEDROOM.

NARRATOR: That night, it did seem fine.

[KEVIN rolls onto his side.]

NARRATOR: Things were back to the way they should be. It was going be OK.

Fade to

EXT. NIGHT. ARNOLD HOUSE.

JACK [V/O]: Now, look. It-it, I know 's two-thirty in the morning...and we're, we're just tryin' to find our daughter.

Cut to

INT. NIGHT. ARNOLD KITCHEN.

JACK [On the phone]: We thought she might be with Julie.

[JACK moves out of the shot, as KEVIN rubs his head.]

JACK [On the phone]: No - Julie's not here!...Who?

[KEVIN looks at JACK off-screen.]

JACK [V/O - On the phone]: Sandy Potter?

[KEVIN looks toward NORMA off-screen.]

NORMA [V/O]: No, I called her first. Maybe they're at Tina's.

[KEVIN looks toward JACK off-screen.]

JACK [V/O to NORMA]: Who the hell is Tina...?

NARRATOR: Karen had lied to me.

JACK [V/O - On the phone]: Did you look in your garage?....The garage! Doesn't she keep that bucket of bolts in the damn garage?

NARRATOR: It was time to face the music.

[JACK sighs heavily and paces at the edge of the frame.]

KEVIN: Uh, I-I know where she is.

JACK [V/O - On the phone]: Well check it, for - !

JACK [V/O to NORMA]: He didn't even check his damn garage...

KEVIN: Uh, I-I've been helping her ditch school, and, and-and...

JACK [V/O - On the phone]: Look, look, uh, check that Tina...

[JACK's gestures toward NORMA.]

JACK [V/O - On the phone]: What's-her-name's number...

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA and JACK. NORMA turns to her purse as JACK is on the phone.]

NARRATOR: Karen was right - they never listened.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]

KEVIN: I-I know where she is! She's at the hill. It-it...that's where she goes...

[KEVIN shrugs slightly as he itemizes on his fingers.]

KEVIN: With Julie and Sandy and Tina!

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA and JACK.]

JACK [on the phone]: Uh, no.

[JACK looks at NORMA.]

JACK [to NORMA]: Julie left an hour ago.

[NORMA turns around, concerned.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at them off-screen.]

KEVIN: I said she's at the hill! [Frowns.] That's where she goes - that's her big secret! [Frowns.]

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA and JACK as JACK slams the phone down, then looks at NORMA.]

JACK: They took Julie's car...They've gone to San Francisco.

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at JACK off-screen, then looking away.]

NORMA [V/O]: They've run away?

JACK [V/O]: I'll, uh...put on some clothes.

[Shot from KEVIN's perspective of NORMA and JACK, as JACK touches NORMA's arm and walks past her, then past the camera.]

[NORMA looks after him off-screen, then covers her mouth and starts to cry.]

[Shot of KEVIN looking at NORMA off-screen as JACK walks therough the doorway in the background. The camera moves in slowly.]

NORMA [V/O]: Oh, my God...

[KEVIN looks over his shoulder, then at NORMA off-screen.]

NARRATOR: I didn't sleep. I laid there...

Fade to

INT. NIGHT. WAYNE AND KEVIN'S BEDROOM.

NARRATOR: Thinking about what had happened to Karen. To me, to all of us.

[KEVIN yawns a little.]

NARRATOR: About how big the world is, and how full of strangers. And how I might never see my sister again.

[Music "Catch the Wind" - Donovan starts and plays throughout.]

Fade to

CLIPS

"In the chilly hours and minutes"

[KAREN drags him backwards across the floor.]

"Of uncertainty"

[She holds up the toy Conestoga wagon KEVIN was playing with.]

"I want to be"

[She takes off her red cowboy hat and puts it on KEVIN.]

"In the warmhold"

[New clip of KAREN setting Kevie down and whispering in his ear.]

"Of your loving mind"

[KEVIN smiles.]

"To feel you"

[Clip of KAREN spinning KEVIN around quickly.]

"All around me"

"And to take your hand"

"Along the sand"

[New clip of KEVIN and KAREN sitting on the floor as KAREN takes off a cowboy boot.]

"Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind"

[KEVIN puts it on as KAREN removes the other boot. KAREN leans forward and crawls off-screen.]

"When sundown pales the sky"

[KEVIN puts on the second boot.]

[New clip of KAREN wearing the red cowboy hat, and waving at the camera.]

"I want to hide awhile"

[She smiles, then kneels down next to KEVIN, who is playing with the toy wagon. The camera pans to KEVIN.]

"Behind your smile"

[KEVIN looks toward the camera and smiles.]

"And everywhere I'd look"

[He stands up and smiles.]

"Your eyes I'd find"

[KEVIN walks forward smiling, as KAREN climbs on the bed.]

Fade to

INT. NIGHT. WAYNE AND KEVIN'S BEDROOM.

"For me to love you now"

[Sound of a car pulling up outside.]

"Would be the sweetest thing"

[KEVIN gets up on his elbows. The camera moves in slowly.]

"It would make me sing"

"Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind"

[Sound of the car doors opening and closing.]

[Sound of the kitchen door opening.]

[Sound of KAREN crying.]

"When rain has hung the leaves with tears"

Fade to

INT. NIGHT. ARNOLD KITCHEN.

"I want you near"

"To kill my fears"

[Shot of the living room doorway as KEVIN approaches and leans on it, looking toward KAREN off-screen.]

"To help me to leave"

NARRATOR: In 1969, people tried so hard...

"All my blues behind"

[Shot of KAREN, JACK and NORMA. KAREN is looking down.]

NARRATOR: ...to find themselves.

[Close shot of NORMA looking at KAREN off-screen, and shrugging slightly.]

NARRATOR: Sometimes they got lost.

"For standing in your heart"

[Shot of JACK and KAREN looking at each other. JACK says something and flips her lip with his finger.]

"Is where I want to be"

[Shot of KEVIN leaning his head against the doorway with his arms crossed, looking at them off-screen.]

"And I long to be"

NARRATOR: Sometimes they found their way home again.

[Close shot of KAREN looking up at toward KEVIN off-screen and smiling slightly.]

"Ah, but I may as well"

[Shot of KEVIN as he stands up straighter and looks at KAREN off-screen.]

"Try and catch the wind"

[Close shot of KAREN looking at KEVIN off-screen.]

[Close shot of KEVIN looking at KAREN off-screen. He raises his eye-brows and smiles slightly.]

"Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind"

Fade to

CLOSING CREDITS

Music
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" - Bob Dylan
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" - Iron Butterfly
"You Can All Join In" - Traffic
"Catch the Wind" - Donovan

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