TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: This is part one of a two part episode; episode #37 (St. Valentine's Day Massacre) is the second part. Also, when I speak of "Winnie's theme," I mean the guitar music that is frequently played (in many episodes) when Winnie is in a scene. Maybe I can find a sound clip and link to it eventually.
NARRATOR: Around the end of 1969 a funny thing happened: 1970. Not that anyone was paying much attention. Still, with a new decade on the books, maybe it was time to heal old wounds, get over old hurts. It was possible. [As camera fades to next scene] After all...
[WINNIE turns to KEVIN as she opens her locker.]
WINNIE: Hi, Kevin!
KEVIN: [his locker, across the hall, is already open; turning to WINNIE] Hi.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN takes off his jacket] Yep, Winnie and I were friends now.
WINNIE: I like your shirt.
KEVIN: [taking books out of his locker] Oh, thanks. Can you believe all this history homework we're getting?
WINNIE: [putting her coat in her locker] I know what you mean.
[KEVIN looks at WINNIE, WINNIE smiles at KEVIN and then turns to put stuff in her locker. "Winnie's theme" starts to play.]
NARRATOR: [as WINNIE puts stuff in her locker] That incredible smile, the way she tossed her hair, the heart-stopping lilt of her perfume...
[KEVIN gazes at WINNIE, smiling a little.]
NARRATOR: [as WINNIE closes her locker.] ...I was over that.
[The guitar music stops.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN turns back to his locker] Really!
WINNIE: Well, see ya!
KEVIN: See ya.
NARRATOR: [as WINNIE walks down the hall] There you had it. Hello and goodbye.
[KEVIN closes his locker and looks down the hall.]
NARRATOR: [as WINNIE walks by PAUL and CARLA] Winnie and I were just a memory now. Not like Paul and Carla. They had something special.
[CARLA walks away from PAUL; PAUL just stands there.]
PAUL: [dejected] She dumped me.
KEVIN: [a bit annoyed] Paul...
PAUL: She dumped me!
KEVIN: [still annoyed] Paul, snap out of it!
PAUL: [emphasizing every word] She dumped me.
KEVIN: [now trying to be helpful] Wanna talk about it?
PAUL: She said she needed more time with her friends. She said I was suffocating her. [Looks at KEVIN] I thought she wanted to be suffocated. [sighs] What am I gonna do?
NARRATOR: Paul was in pain. I had to come up with something sensitive.
KEVIN: [enthusiastically] You want an ice cream sandwich?
[PAUL looks at KEVIN as if he is not being helpful.]
KEVIN: [trying to think of something to cheer up PAUL] How 'bout after school we go to the movies?
PAUL: [sighs depressed] Carla and I used to go to the movies.
NARRATOR: It was worse than I thought.
[PAUL starts blowing bubbles in his drink. Kevin watches him, surprised, and glances around.]
KEVIN: Paul, you can't let Carla see you like this. Do you want her to feel sorry for you?
PAUL: [looking up, hopeful and excited] You think she would?
KEVIN: [annoyed] No, that's not what I meant. You just can't sit around looking pathetic. You have to do something!
PAUL: [dismissing the suggestion] Like what?
KEVIN: [as PAUL blows bubbles again] Maybe... you have to make her jealous.
PAUL: [looking up] Huh?
KEVIN: [seeing that PAUL is responding to this idea] Maybe you oughta... go out with someone else.
PAUL: [encouraged] Maybe you're right. Maybe I should do it. I can do it, can't I?
KEVIN: [encouraging PAUL] 'Course you can.
PAUL: [happier] Yeah, I can.
KEVIN: So, let's see. Who are you gonna ask?
PAUL: [hesitant] Uh...
KEVIN: Well, who do you like?
PAUL: [sighing, depressed again] Carla.
NARRATOR: I was losing him. If Paul was gonna be saved, there was no time to waste.
[PAUL goes back to blowing bubbles. A whistle blows.]
[COACH CUTLIP stands up to a squatting position.]
[COACH CUTLIP: In wrestling, men, the most important muscle to utilize...]
[COACH CUTLIP points to his head.]
COACH CUTLIP: ...is right here.
[COACH CUTLIP jumps up; the camera shows the PE class sitting in a circle around a wrestling mat, with COACH CUTLIP in the center. As KEVIN and PAUL talk, sounds of people wrestling are heard in the background.]
KEVIN: [whispering to PAUL] How 'bout Allison Healey? [smiles excitedly] I saw her watching you in English.
PAUL: [shaking his head] Too dumb.
KEVIN: Ok... Angela Lands. She's smart.
PAUL: [making a disapproving face] Her head's too... ovalish.
COACH CUTLIP: [as he sits down] Ok. Johnson, Oasley, [slams his hand down on the mat] on the mat.
[JOHNSON and OASLEY stand up and walk onto the mat.]
KEVIN: [enthusiastically] Jules Simons. She's pretty without her glasses.
PAUL: [again making a disapproving face] She reminds me of a banana.
NARRATOR: [as PAUL looks away from KEVIN and KEVIN tries to think of more girls] So, we'd narrowed it down to no stupid, oval-headed, or fruit-shaped women.
[COACH CUTLIP blows his whistle.]
COACH CUTLIP: [following the two boys as they wrestle, yelling] Concentrate!
KEVIN: [frustrated] C'mon, Paul, are you gonna put down every girl in this class?
PAUL: [smiling] Well... no, not everyone.
KEVIN: Who'd I leave off?
PAUL: [still smiling, a little embarrassed] I'd rather not say.
KEVIN: [excited] Why?
[The two boys who are wrestling go rolling by KEVIN and PAUL.]
KEVIN: [still excited] Do you like her?
PAUL: [still smiling a little] Well... maybe a little.
KEVIN: [excited] This is perfect! You gotta go out with her.
PAUL: [thinking the idea is ridiculous] I'm not gonna ask her out.
KEVIN: [still excited] Paul, who is it?
[PAUL turns away, still smiling and embarrassed, KEVIN watches him, waiting for his answer.]
PAUL: [turning back to KEVIN, still smiling and embarrassed] Winnie Cooper.
[KEVIN's smile quickly changes to a look of fear; the camera fades to show footage of an atomic bomb exploding.]
KEVIN: [concerned; halfheartedly; nodding his head slightly] Winnie Cooper. Really.
PAUL: [as he folds his towel and KEVIN buttons his own shirt] Well, I've known her for a long time, and we're already friends, so... and it wouldn't be like a date date.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN still looks worried] Ok, that was reasonable.
KEVIN: [feeling a little better about the idea] Well... maybe you should ask her out.
PAUL: [as he ties his shoe] Nah. Bad idea.
KEVIN: Why?
PAUL: [as he and KEVIN both tie their shoes] For one thing, the whole idea of me and Winnie, that's ridiculous.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN seems to agree silently] Uh-huh. That was true.
PAUL: [as he and KEVIN are still tying their shoes] And besides, there's the other thing.
KEVIN: [puzzled] What other thing?
PAUL: [a bit annoyed that KEVIN hasn't gotten the idea; looking down at his shoe] Well, aren't you...
[KEVIN looks at PAUL.]
PAUL: [still looking down at his shoe] ...I mean, [now nudging his head to the side] don't you still...
KEVIN: [a bit angry] Paul, you're telling me that you wouldn't go out with Winnie just because you think I'm still...
PAUL: [interrupting] It doesn't matter. I couldn't ask her anyway.
NARRATOR: [as an annoyed KEVIN looks at PAUL and then looks around] Well, maybe Paul couldn't...
NARRATOR: ...but I could.
WINNIE: [looking at KEVIN, surprised] Ask him out? You mean ask him out ask him out?
KEVIN: Well, yeah.
WINNIE: [curious] Why?
KEVIN: Well, it's kinda hard to explain, see, it's a long story. See, Carla dumped Paul, and Paul's feeling... dumped.
[WINNIE nods.]
KEVIN: And I think it would really pick him up to go out with you.
WINNIE: Well, does he know you're asking me?
KEVIN: [smiling nervously] Not exactly.
WINNIE: [still not seeming to be for or against the idea] Well, why doesn't he ask me himself?
KEVIN: [trying to be convincing] Well, Paul's kinda shy...
[KEVIN and WINNIE stop walking; WINNIE looks at him as if she knows that KEVIN has another motive. There is a short pause.]
KEVIN: ...and... [laughs once quietly under his breath] ... he thinks I still...
[KEVIN smiles, hoping WINNIE gets the idea. WINNIE looks at him, not getting his message.]
KEVIN: ...y'know, that you and I... [realizing that WINNIE doesn't get it] ...well, he's got the wrong idea. [again trying to be convincing] Y'know, I tried to tell him, but, y'know, it's Paul.
[WINNIE nods, accepting the answer but still seeming to be indifferent.]
WINNIE: [nodding] Oh.
[WINNIE pauses to consider KEVIN's idea.]
WINNIE: [sincerely asking KEVIN's opinion] And you really think it's a good idea?
[Short pause.]
KEVIN: [wholeheartedly, smiling] Well... yeah. I think it's a great idea.
NARRATOR: And I did! At least I think I did.
[WINNIE nods. There is a short pause.]
WINNIE: [still almost indifferent] Ok then. I'll ask him to the movies tonight.
KEVIN: [smiling] Great!
["Winnie's theme" starts to play. Winnie looks at him for a few seconds, then walks away, looking a little upset but trying not to show it (as we find out later, it's because she likes KEVIN).]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN watches WINNIE walk away] There, nicely done!
NARRATOR: [sincerely, as KEVIN watches and smiles] This was gonna work out great.
[WINNIE walks over to another seat, having finished talking to PAUL. The guitar music stops. When KEVIN sees her leave PAUL, he walks over and sits down beside him, smiling with anticipation. PAUL is just staring off into space, lovestruck.]
KEVIN: [exhaling as he sits down] So, what's up?
PAUL: [smiling, lovestruck] Me? Nothing.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN turns away from PAUL and smiles, feeling smug and cool] Uh-huh. Like I didn't know.
PAUL: [still sounding dazed] Winnie Cooper just asked me to the movies.
[KEVIN turns to PAUL.]
KEVIN: [pretending to be surprised] You're kidding!
PAUL: [still lovestruck] I mean, isn't this an amazing coincidence? I mean, we were just talking about her, and now she goes and asks me out.
KEVIN: [smiling, obviously pretending to be surprised] Pretty amazing.
PAUL: [almost not believing what has happened] I mean, she asked me out! [now emphasizing every word] Winnie Cooper asked me out!
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks a bit annoyed] Ok, ok, I got the picture! Heck, I painted it!
PAUL: [sincerely] Kev, if there's a problem, just say the word, and I'll forget about the whole thing.
KEVIN: [smiling, trying to seem like he's happy] No, Paul, we've been all through this. I'm glad she asked you out!
PAUL: [excited] You are? You sure?
[There is a short pause.]
KEVIN: [smiling, again trying to seem happy for PAUL] I'm sure.
PAUL: [turning away from KEVIN, lovestruck] Great.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN smiles, satisfied] And it was great. Great to see Paul smiling again. [as PAUL smiles, still lovestruck] Well, grinning actually. [as KEVIN's smile turns to a look of knowing he had a bad idea] More like... beaming. [Sarcastically, as KEVIN turns away and sighs almost angrily; PAUL is still beaming] Uh-huh. You had to feel good about it.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN tosses and turns in his bed] That night I slept the sleep of the just...
NARRATOR: ...woke up bright and early the next morning...
NARRATOR: [as JACK, still in his bath robe, watches KEVIN and then looks at his watch, surprised that KEVIN is leaving so early] ...got a head start to beat the morning traffic...
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN takes off his jacket and walks toward his locker] ...and went about the business of starting a new day.
[A school bell rings as the camera fades to the next scene.]
KEVIN: [cheerfully] So, how'd it go last night?
PAUL: [while looking into his locker; happy] Fine.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN glances at PAUL and then continues to open his locker] Fine? Ok, fine was good. Fine was fine! [as PAUL partially closes his locker] Fine was...
[PAUL sighs with happiness.]
PAUL: [beaming] Isn't it a great day?
[KEVIN stops opening his locker.]
KEVIN: [surprised and concerned] Huh?
PAUL: [very happy] Isn't it amazing how one day you feel like you can't get any lower, and the next day... you're great!
[KEVIN, annoyed, nods and clears his throat sarcastically and goes back to opening his locker.]
KEVIN: So, heard from Carla yet?
PAUL: [as if he'd forgotten about Carla] Huh? Oh, no. Not yet. Not a word.
KEVIN: [still opening his locker] You'll probably run into her at lunch. You two'll probably be back together by the weekend.
PAUL: I don't think so.
[PAUL closes his locker.]
KEVIN: Why not?
PAUL: [smiling, lovestruck] I'm busy this weekend. [starts walking away] I got a date.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN turns and watches PAUL] Hmmm...
WINNIE: Yes, we're going out again.
KEVIN: [trying to seem happy; nodding] Really.
WINNIE: Why?
KEVIN: [trying not to seem bothered, smiling] Nothing. It's just I'm... surprised, that's all.
WINNIE: Kevin, what are you getting at?
KEVIN: Nothing, it's just... Paul's feeling better, and I know you don't like him, so...
WINNIE: [interrupting, defending herself] Well who says I don't like him?
NARRATOR: Ok, wrong choice of words.
KEVIN: No, I know you like him, it's just... speaking as his friend...
WINNIE: [interrupting again] I'm his friend, too, y'know. He's a great guy. He's fun to be with. [now almost dreamily] He's smart, he's funny... he's cute...
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks shocked at this last statement] Cyoo-hoo-hoot?
KEVIN: [in annoyed disbelief] Cute?
WINNIE: [offended] Besides, I really don't see how this is any of your business.
[WINNIE turns back to her locker.]
KEVIN: [angry] Oh c'mon, Winnie, remember? This was all my idea in the first place.
[WINNIE turns to KEVIN quickly, as if she was waiting for him to say this.]
WINNIE: [almost trying to be mean] Yes it was, wasn't it.
[There is a short pause.]
KEVIN: Well... I just think you oughta...
NARRATOR: [as WINNIE listens to KEVIN] Aw, heck, why beat around the bush? It was time to lay it on the line, for everyone's own good.
KEVIN: I don't think you should lead Paul on like this.
[Guitar music starts playing. There is a pause as WINNIE thinks and KEVIN watches her. Then WINNIE closes her locker. The guitar music stops.]
WINNIE: [seriously] Who says I'm leading him on?
[KEVIN looks worried as WINNIE walks away. Ironic guitar music starts to play.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN walks away from WINNIE's locker] Well, that about did it. I'd appealed to Paul, I'd appealed to Winnie... if they were determined to go through with this charade, there was only one thing I could do.
[A school bell rings; the guitar music stops; KEVIN stops walking.]
NARRATOR: I could...
[KEVIN runs into the boys' bathroom.]
NARRATOR: ...throw up.
[An ironic guitar lick plays.]
NARRATOR: After a few days, the sleep of the just was beginning to take its toll. I couldn't say exactly why.
[The guitar music stops.]
[PAUL gives a refreshed "Ahhh," and KEVIN wathces, disturbed, as PAUL, who is smiling and seems very happy, tosses the breath spray into his locker as if he were shooting a basketball. CARLA walks up behind KEVIN and watches PAUL with a slightly sad expression (PAUL doesn't see her).]
NARRATOR: [as PAUL happily puts on his glasses] And, Paul was working out his problems with Carla...
[PAUL closes his locker by nudging it with his elbow. He looks down the hall and sees WINNIE.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN and CARLA, both straightfaced, watch as PAUL quickly walks over to WINNIE] ...with Winnie.
[PAUL and WINNIE start talking and happily walk off down the hall. KEVIN just stares at PAUL and WINNIE, looking almost frightened.]
CARLA: [sarcastically; angry and sad] Thanks, Kevin. Thanks a lot!
[KEVIN turns to CARLA, but she walks off down the hall. KEVIN, worried, turns back to look for PAUL and WINNIE. A cash register rings.]
PAUL: [to KEVIN] Carla is a dear friend.
[PAUL goes back to reading the book.]
KEVIN: Well, see... I'm not sure that she exactly sees it that way. Matter of fact, she told me...
PAUL: [not really listening; interrupting and excitedly pointing to something in the book] Here it is! Icarus!
KEVIN: [annoyed] Paul, you're not even listening to me.
PAUL: Sorry, Kev. I brought this book for Winnie. Mythology. She really likes Greek mythology. But you probably know that.
KEVIN: [pretending to be insulted at the suggestion that he might not know that] 'Course I know that.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks very annoyed] Fact is, Winnie never told me anything about mythology.
PAUL: [as he looks at the book] In my opinion, the Greeks did have the best gods.
KEVIN: [frustrated, trying to change the subject] Yeah, that's great. But...
PAUL: [not listening; rubbing his chin and staring off into space] I wonder what she'll look like when she's old?
KEVIN: [surprised and concerned] Paul, we really have to talk.
PAUL: [still staring off into space] Sure! Fire away.
[KEVIN starts to say something, but WINNIE walks up behind him and then past PAUL.]
PAUL: [excited, seeing WINNIE] Winnie!
[WINNIE looks at PAUL.]
PAUL: [holding up the book and pointing to it] Look! It's Icarus!
[WINNIE smiles at PAUL, but her smile fades as she looks at KEVIN. KEVIN sees her and looks very concerned and upset. WINNIE continues to look at him. PAUL sees WINNIE looking at KEVIN, and his smile fades as he turns to look at KEVIN and then back at WINNIE. WINNIE continues to look at KEVIN, and KEVIN continues to glance at her and then back at the table, still looking upset. Finally, KEVIN stands up.]
KEVIN: [trying not to seem upset] I have to go.
PAUL: [still holding up the book] Where're you goin'?
KEVIN: I don't know.
[KEVIN walks away as WINNIE continues to look at him, straightfaced.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN walks away] All I knew was I was in no mood for mythology.
[KEVIN puts his lunch tray down near the trash can and walks off.]
NARRATOR: I had to clear my head.
DELORES: [chewing some gum] Look at the way he moves his lips. It's disgusting.
[KEVIN looks annoyed at having to listen to DELORES.]
DELORES: Totally unbelievable. He water skis in this one.
[DELORES shakes her head slightly in disbelief at the show.]
KEVIN: [annoyed] Delores, do you mind?
[DELORES reaches for the gum in her mouth.]
NARRATOR: [sarcastically, as WAYNE walks in from the kitchen carrying two bottles of soda, glancing at the TV as he walks over and sits down on the couch beside DELORES] Yep, nothin' like an afternoon with Wayne's girlfriend to clear the cobwebs.
[WAYNE exhales as he sits down on the couch and hands a soda to DELORES.]
WAYNE: Did I miss anything?
DELORES: Ed's got a plan.
[DELORES smacks her gum. WAYNE glances at her.]
KEVIN: [annoyed, to DELORES] Do you have to do that?
WAYNE: What's the matter with him?
DELORES: [looking at KEVIN] He's just havin' a bad day.
[KEVIN looks very frustrated.]
WAYNE: [trying to be mean] Aw, what's the matter Kev? [now in a baby voice and as DELORES blows a bubble with her gum] Somethin' wrong in Kevvy-land?
KEVIN: [mad] None of your business, butthead.
WAYNE: My, my! Strong words! This wouldn't by chance have to do with a certain best friend, would it? And a certain ex-best-girl?
[WAYNE smiles slyly; DELORES is still watching the television.]
KEVIN: [angry] Who told you that?
WAYNE: [settling back on the couch] Oh, news gets around.
[WAYNE takes a sip of his soda.]
DELORES: [to KEVIN] Lisa saw 'em at Winky's havin' a soda.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks very frustrated] Great. My private hell was now a matter of public record.
WAYNE: [as DELORES blows another bubble] I must say, I'm not surprised.
KEVIN: [annoyed] What's that supposed to mean?
WAYNE: [still in a calm, almost chatty tone of voice, trying to make things worse for KEVIN] Nothing. Except I saw it coming. [as camera shows KEVIN listening] From a mile away.
[WAYNE puts his arm around DELORES and puts his head close to hers.]
WAYNE: [in a mockingly romantic voice] I wonder if he takes off his glasses when they make out?
DELORES: [annoyed, pushing WAYNE off of her] I'm trying to watch.
KEVIN: [angry] Look, Wayne, I don't have to take this.
WAYNE: [not sincerely] Sorry, sorry. [now with a sly smile] Gotta hand it to old Pfeif, though. [now with his voice raised to a higher pitch] He's a sneaky one!
[WAYNE gives a brief, high-pitched laugh and takes a sip of his soda.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN, looking frustrated, turns away from WAYNE] Aw, what'd Wayne know? Paul wasn't a sneak.
[KEVIN looks up at DELORES as she plays with the gum in her mouth. WAYNE looks at her and seems to be disgusted.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks angry] Besides, I was the one who set 'em up! [now as KEVIN raises his eyebrows, considering a possibility] Or was I?
[The camera is zoomed in on the TV again. "Mr. Ed" is still on. Wilbur says, "Ed, what's the matter?" Then Mr. Ed says, "Is Kevin blind, Wilbur?" At hearing this, KEVIN looks at the TV, surprised (presumably he is imagining this dialogue). Then Mr. Ed says, "Can't he see what Paul and Winnie are up to?" At hearing this, Kevin looks at the TV and now looks even more surprised and more annoyed than ever.]
COACH CUTLIP: The element of surprise, men. The key... to any takedown. [still holding BOY down] Plan your moves, know what you have to do.
[COACH CUTLIP stands up.]
COACH CUTLIP: [to BOY] As you were.
[COACH CUTLIP kicks BOY lightly.]
BOY: Ow!
COACH CUTLIP: [as he walks of the mat] Gallow, Dobby! You're next.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks at PAUL, who is sitting beside him] Ok, I'd planned my move. And I knew what I had to do.
KEVIN: Paul?
[PAUL turns to KEVIN. As PAUL and KEVIN talk, sounds of kids wrestling are heard in the background.]
KEVIN: You remember what we talked about the other day?
[PAUL looks confused.]
KEVIN: About Winnie?
PAUL: [a little uneasy] Sure. What part?
KEVIN: Well... the part where you said all I had to do was say the word, and then you'd forget about the whole thing.
PAUL: [still uneasy, turning away] Oh.
KEVIN: [almost demanding] So, would you?
PAUL: That depends. Are we talking hypothetically?
KEVIN: [shaking his head as if he doesn't care whether it's hypothetical or not] Yeah, whatever.
[COACH CUTLIP blows his whistle.]
NARRATOR: [as PAUL turns away and thinks] This was it. Here was Paul's chance to show where he really stood.
[KEVIN looks at PAUL, eagerly awaiting his answer.]
PAUL: [not very enthusiastic about the idea and shaking his head] I don't know. [looks up at KEVIN] A few days ago I would've said yes.
KEVIN: [angry] Oh, so now you're saying no.
PAUL: [annoyed] No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying...
COACH CUTLIP: [interrupting, in a stern voice] Pfeiffer, Arnold - on the mat.
[KEVIN and PAUL both look up at COACH CUTLIP , COACH CUTLIP slams down his clipboard.]
KEVIN: [still angry, as he and PAUL stand up] You're saying no, why don't you just admit it?
PAUL: [angry and yelling; as he and KEVIN walk onto the mat] Why don't you just come out and admit that you like her?
KEVIN: [still angry] Because I don't!
PAUL: [yelling, very angry] Good, because I do!
COACH CUTLIP: [also angry] That's enough! Let's see if you can exercise something other than your lips.
[PAUL takes off his glasses.]
PAUL: [angry; as he hands his glasses to another kid to hold] Here.
[KEVIN, very angry, glares at PAUL and walks toward the center of the mat.]
NARRATOR: [as PAUL walks toward the center of the mat and KEVIN and PAUL glare at each other] There you had it. Reasonable men agreeing to disagree.
COACH CUTLIP: [as KEVIN and PAUL continue to glare at each other] Alright, men, remember now: speed, balance, science. And... [as he moves his arm down in a chopping motion to start the match] wrestle!
[KEVIN and PAUL run at each other and start fighting (not wrestling). They both push each other down on the mat and start rolling around, practically trying to strangle each other. COACH CUTLIP watches them, concerned.]
COACH CUTLIP: Hey... men! Men!
[COACH CUTLIP looks frustrated; KEVIN and PAUL start slamming each other's heads down on the mat.]
COACH CUTLIP: [almost disappointed] Boys, that's not wrestling!
[KEVIN pins PAUL down, but soon they both have each other in a head lock and are moving around the mat in a circle, each trying to escape the other's lock.]
PAUL: Give!
KEVIN: Give!
PAUL: Give!
KEVIN: You give!
PAUL: Give!
KEVIN: You give, I'm not givin'!
[As KEVIN and PAUL continue to rotate in a circle around the yellow center of the mat and COACH CUTLIP tries to separate them, the class stands up and gathers around the mat, yelling excitedly and enjoying the fight. Sad guitar music starts playing.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN zig-zags down the street, still coming toward the camera] I'd never felt so lost in my life. I tried to make sense of what had happened. I wanted to believe Paul had lied to me. Winnie, too. But somehow, I knew better.
[KEVIN pulls over near the edge of the road, close to the sidewalk, and looks sadly at the Coopers' house.]
NARRATOR: I'd been lying to myself.
[A car pulls out of the Coopers' driveway. PAUL and WINNIE sit down on a chair on her front porch. KEVIN slowly rides his bike closer to WINNIE's house but is not peddling. He is watching PAUL and WINNIE.]
NARRATOR: The funny thing is, now that I was sure about my feelings for Winnie...
[The camera shows WINNIE talking to PAUL.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN watches solemnly] ...it was too late.
[WINNIE kisses PAUL on the cheek. KEVIN continues to watch.]
NARRATOR: [as WINNIE gets up and walks inside her house while PAUL remains seated on the porch] There they were: my best friend and my best girl. I'd brought them together. And now I had no right to interfere.
[KEVIN looks away, seeming to angry at himself. PAUL gets up and starts walking away from the Coopers' house. KEVIN sees him and rides his bike toward him. Soon he is riding along the edge of the road, parallel to PAUL, who has walked off of WINNIE's lawn and onto the sidewalk. The guitar music stops. KEVIN stops riding.]
KEVIN: Paul?
[PAUL stops walking, hands in his pockets, and looks up at KEVIN.]
PAUL: [in a soft voice] Yeah?
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN and PAUL look at each other] It was time to offer my congratulations. It was the decent thing to do. It's what Mr. Ed would do.
KEVIN: [softly, still a little angry] Look. I'm sorry about what happened in gym.
[There is a short pause.]
KEVIN: [now sounding sincere] I guess I... sorta... lost my head, y'know?
[PAUL is staring at his feet.]
KEVIN: [obviously having a hard time saying this] Anyway... and for what it's worth...
[There is a pause as KEVIN hesitates.]
KEVIN: [trying to sound sincere] I hope you and Winnie will be very happy.
[There is a pause. PAUL is still looking at the ground.]
KEVIN: Ok?
PAUL: [sad] She dumped me.
KEVIN: [looking at PAUL, surprised] Huh?
[There is a short pause.]
PAUL: [still looking at his feet] She dumped me.
KEVIN: [still very surprised] She did?
PAUL: [still heartbroken] We decided just to be friends.
[KEVIN looks at PAUL and seems to feel sorry for him.]
PAUL: Well, actually, she decided. [shaking his head] Anyway, it's over.
KEVIN: [a little angry] After three lousy dates?
NARRATOR: Wait a minute. What was I saying here?
PAUL: [still feeling dejected] It's ok. Really. It wasn't personal. She just... likes somebody else.
[KEVIN sits up straighter and is paying very close attention now.]
KEVIN: [trying not to seem overly excited] Oh.
PAUL: I should've known. I mean, it was pretty obvious. [Now looking up at KEVIN] But hey, I had to take a shot, right?
[KEVIN just looks at him, trying to think of something to say. There is a pause.]
PAUL: The thing I can't figure is... why she asked me out in the first place. Can you?
KEVIN: [feeling guilty but not wanting to make PAUL feel worse] Well... yeah. She... told me she thinks you're cute.
[PAUL looks up, surprised. KEVIN watches him.]
PAUL: [happier now] She said that?
[KEVIN nods his head. PAUL smiles and starts to walk away.]
KEVIN: Paul?
[PAUL stops and looks up at him. There is a short pause.]
KEVIN: [very serious, almost with a sense of urgency] Did she say who it was?
PAUL: I can't tell you. She made me promise.
KEVIN: C'mon, Paul! I...
[KEVIN stops in mid-sentence. PAUL looks at him, trying not to smile. KEVIN seems to get PAUL's message.]
NARRATOR: But suddenly I knew. He didn't have to tell me. It was written all over his face.
[There is a short pause.]
PAUL: Sorry about that scissors-lock.
KEVIN: It's ok. Never felt a thing.
PAUL: Yeah, sure. I heard you wimperin'!
KEVIN: In your dreams!
[PAUL, happier now, laughs quietly and walks away as KEVIN watches him, smiling. Happier guitar music starts to play.]
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN looks at the Coopers' house and then up at the sky] I hadn't noticed what a beautiful night it was - lit by starlight. The world smelled clear and clean. For a minute, I didn't feel like a kid anymore. But for the first time in a long time...
NARRATOR: ...I felt young.
[KEVIN walks up the Coopers' sidewalk to the front door and rings the doorbell. WINNIE answers the door.]
WINNIE: [smiling] Kevin!
KEVIN: [smiling] Hi.
NARRATOR: [as KEVIN and WINNIE look at each other, smiling] It all made sense now. I loved Winnie Cooper. And she loved me!
[The guitar music stops.]
KEVIN: [still smiling] Winnie, I just want you to know that... I know.
[WINNIE's smile fades, and she looks puzzled.]
KEVIN: [still smiling] You don't have to say anything. Just... know that I know, ok?
WINNIE: [a little concerned] Know what?
KEVIN: [surprised that WINNIE doesn't see what he's getting at] Winnie, Paul told me! And I'm glad he did...
WINNIE: [interrupting; surprised] Paul told you?
KEVIN: [excited and smiling] Well, yeah! Isn't that great?
WINNIE: [raising her voice, now very angry] Paul told you?!
KEVIN: He says you're crazy about me!
[WINNIE slams the door in KEVIN's face. KEVIN's smile fades and he just stands there in front of the door, confused more than anything. A short version of "Winnie's theme" begins to play as the words "To be continued..." are displayed on the screen and KEVIN still stands in front of the door (the camera is zoomed in on his face). As the camera fades to the "Executive producer" credit, "Winnie's theme" ends on a sad, ironic chord. An owl hoots in the background as the camera fades to the closing titles.]
Excecutive producer: Bob Brush
Co-producer: Matthew Carlson
Co-producer: Michael Dinner
Co-producer: Ken Topolsky
Director: Peter Baldwin
Robert Picardo Ed Cutlip Juliette Lewis Delores Krista Murphy Carla HealeyIf you find errors, or have suggestions, please send an e-mail to reynders@merck.de Peter.