NARRATOR: They say you can live a lifetime and never find love. So I guess I was lucky. Because true love crossed my path the first time I met the girl next door - Winnie Cooper.
[Cut to close shot through the windshield of KEVIN and WINNIE. WINNIE is twisted around, and KEVIN is holding her as they kiss. WINNIE pulls away.]
WINNIE: Kevin, wait!
KEVIN: What's wrong?
WINNIE: Isn't it kinda hot in here?
[KEVIN smiles.]
KEVIN: Feels fine to me.
[He smiles again, and leans over to kiss her. They kiss passionately.]
NARRATOR: Winnie and I'd been together longer than any couple I knew. Still, history only goes so far.
[WINNIE pulls back.]
WINNIE: Kevin?
NARRATOR: Kinda like Winnie.
KEVIN: What's the problem?
WINNIE: It's just that...[kiss]...if we don't stop now...[kiss]...I'm afraid I may not be able to later.
[KEVIN smiles.]
KEVIN: Well that's OK, isn't it? [kiss] I mean we love each other. [kiss]
WINNIE: Of course we do.[kiss]
KEVIN: And we've been going together, for what, six years now?
[WINNIE smiles.]
WINNIE: Six-and-a-half.
[More passionate kissing.]
NARRATOR: Unfortunately, the mathematics of the situation were open to interpretation. To me, they led forward, to that great unknown.
[KEVIN kisses WINNIE's neck. She starts to smile.]
NARRATOR: But to Winnie, they led...
WINNIE [brightly]: Do you remember when we used to ride our bikes up here when we were kids?
NARRATOR: Back!
[KEVIN frowns. They both look off.]
KEVIN: We did?
WINNIE: Yeah...before they built it all up.
[Wide shot of city lights.]
WINNIE: Now they have all the lights down there, but it used to be all dark.
KEVIN: Oh...yeah.
[He smiles and turns to WINNIE. They kiss some more.]
NARRATOR: See, the great thing about us was that we had this past together.
[WINNIE pulls away, looks off and smiles.]
WINNIE: And we went down the hill - we didn't even pedal - we would just glide.
NARRATOR: The bad thing about us was that we had this past together.
[KEVIN frowns, looks off, then back to WINNIE.]
KEVIN: You know, Winnie, you just changed the subject.
[She turns to him quickly.]
WINNIE: From what?
[KEVIN frowns and looks away.]
KEVIN:...never mind.
[WINNIE smiles and snuggles on KEVIN's shoulder. KEVIN is looking out at the lights.]
NARRATOR: Not that I minded being part of Winnie's past.
[WINNIE reaches forward to the radio, smiles, and snuggles again. KEVIN frowns.]
NARRATOR: It's just, when it came to who I was...
[KEVIN sighs, then kisses WINNIE on her head. He looks off.]
NARRATOR: She seemed to regard me as a known quantity.
[Sound of referee's whistle.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: Rather than the dangerous character I'd become...
[KEVIN is tripped, and falls face-down.]
NARRATOR: Eleventh-grade...
[KEVIN frowns, gets up, and runs back to the scrimmage.]
NARRATOR: Where yesterday's boys battled to become tomorrow's men. It's a game played for nothing less than image, status, and manhood.
Cut to
NARRATOR: Not to mention reputation.
[STEUBEN is opening his locker, looking toward guys off-screen.]
STEUBEN: I think I'm going to give Carol Masuchi another chance this weekend.
[JEFF walks past Steuben and KEVIN on his way to his own locker.]
JEFF: Oh, you mean she finally returned your calls?
[KEVIN is sitting between them. He glances at JEFF and chuckles with the group.]
[Close shot of STEUBEN gesturing with both hands.]
STEUBEN: Hey! She called me.
GUYS: Oooh...!
[STEUBEN looks toward JEFF off-screen, as he puts on his watch.]
NARRATOR: Face it. Every day was a trial, by a jury of your peers.
[Camera pans with JEFF as he turns from his locker and sits on the bench.]
JEFF: Chuck, how'd your date go with Marilyn last night?
[Close shot of CHUCK in the background. He is a little surprised, and tries to act non-chalant. He blinks and nods.]
CHUCK: Well, you know.
[Long pause as CHUCK looks at the guys blankly.]
CHUCK: Was fun.
[Shot of KEVIN looking toward CHUCK.]
KEVIN: Fun?
CHUCK: Yeah. Well...we did stuff.
[The guys wait expectantly.]
JEFF: Well, what kind of stuff?
CHUCK: You know...stuff.
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF.]
NARRATOR: And those who left themselves exposed bore the full wrath of the adolescent mob.
[Shot of STEUBEN frowning and gesturing.]
STEUBEN: He didn't!
[Shot of CHUCK frowning.]
CHUCK: Did too!
[STEUBEN waves his hand at CHUCK, and smirks.]
STEUBEN: Nah, you didn't!
NARRATOR: It could be brutal.
[KEVIN looks at STEUBEN, then CHUCK.]
KEVIN: Hey, come on. Lay off him.
NARRATOR: But never so brutal as when the mob turned on you.
[Shot of STEUBEN looking at KEVIN off-screen. He moves forward.]
STEUBEN: You're right, Arnold. Maybe we should be talking about you and the Coopster.
[STEUBEN looks at KEVIN and blinks pointedly.]
[Close shot of KEVIN.]
KEVIN: What?!
[Shot of STEUBEN.]
STEUBEN: I mean you guys have been together for a long time.
[STEUBEN gestures expansively.]
STEUBEN: Uh, you want to give us some pointers?
[STEUBEN sits straddling the bench, and looks expectantly at KEVIN off-screen.]
[Close shot of KEVIN as he looks from STEUBEN to CHUCK.]
KEVIN: Well -
NARRATOR: At times like this...
[Shot of STEUBEN waiting.]
NARRATOR: The only thing to do was hope for a last minute reprieve.
[Bell rings.]
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF. JEFF looks at his wrist.]
JEFF: Oh, wow, look at the time. Gotta run.
KEVIN: Uh, yeah! Sorry, guys, I gotta go.
GUYS: Yeah, yeah...
[KEVIN hurriedly walks away from the guys, toward the camera. He glances over his shoulder then continues forward.]
NARRATOR: But still, if proving yourself in the locker room was tough -
Cut to
JACK: Norma, which one of these ties should I take with me?
[NORMA turns from the sink and looks at the ties.]
NORMA: Oh, don't worry, honey. I'll pack for you.
[NORMA takes the ties from JACK and smiles.]
[Shot of KEVIN doing homework at the table. He looks up toward his parents.]
NARRATOR: The homefront was no picnic, either.
[JACK is cleaning the coffee percolator, and NORMA holds a container of food.]
NORMA: You're gonna be alright, aren't you, honey?
[KEVIN gestures.]
KEVIN: Mom, please.
NORMA: Well, with Wayne gone until Saturday...
[NORMA pauses and frowns.]
[Shot of KEVIN. He frowns.]
[Shot of JACK and NORMA. JACK carries coffee grounds on newspaper to the trash. NORMA walks toward the refridgerator.]
KEVIN: Mom! You're only going to be gone one night.
NARRATOR: My parents were taking a trip out of town. Which for me, meant one thing -
[Close shot of NORMA at the open freezer, looking at KEVIN.]
NORMA: There's meals in the freezer for ya, honey. [Smiles] And they're all labelled.
[Shot of KEVIN gesturing.]
KEVIN: Mom, please - give me a little credit. I can take care of myself - I'm sixteen years old!
[Shot of JACK.]
JACK: Congratulations.
[Shot of KEVIN. He smiles.]
KEVIN: Thanks!
[JACK picks up the percolator and cup. He looks at KEVIN.]
JACK: Just don't forget to take out the trash.
[Shot of KEVIN looking at his parents off-screen.]
NARRATOR: All in all, a resounding vote of confidence.
[JACK puts the percolator on the counter. NORMA and JACK exit with their arms around each other.]
JACK: Come on.
NARRATOR: I mean, who did these people think I was?
[School bell rings.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: So I had an empty house to myself. What were my parents worried about?
[KEVIN pauses and looks past the camera.]
NARRATOR: Suddenly - I understood their concern.
[Wide shot of WINNIE arranging her locker. "WINNIE's Theme" plays.]
[KEVIN walks up behind her.]
KEVIN: Winnie, hi!
[WINNIE half turns in surprise.]
WINNIE: Oh, hi!
[WINNIE turns back to her locker. KEVIN is still behind her.]
KEVIN: Listen. I was wondering if you wanted to study for the SAT's tonight.
[WINNIE turns around.]
WINNIE: Tonight?
[She frowns.]
KEVIN: Uh, yeah. I-I figured...it was about time...[gestures]...we started getting ready.
[WINNIE is adjusting her locker as KEVIN moves next to her.]
KEVIN: For the test.
WINNIE: OK! [Smiles.] Where do you want to meet?
[KEVIN looks off non-chalantly.]
KEVIN: Uh, w-I don't know, anywhere...
[KEVIN leans back against the lockers, and looks at WINNIE.]
KEVIN: How about my house?
[Close shot of WINNIE smiling.]
WINNIE: OK!
[She turns back to her locker.]
NARRATOR: Bingo!
[Close shot of WINNIE in profile, looking in her locker.]
WINNIE: OK, as long as it's alright with your parents.
[She turns and looks at KEVIN.]
[Sound of penalty buzzer.]
KEVIN [smiles]: Sure! Definitely.
[KEVIN looks away.]
NARRATOR: Just one little detail.
KEVIN: I mean, it would be if they weren't out of town.
[KEVIN turns toward WINNIE. She turns and gives KEVIN a questioning look, then adjusts her locker.]
[KEVIN walks behind her, gesturing.]
KEVIN: But, you know, it's not gonna be like the neighbors won't be around, or anything.
[KEVIN is behind her as she smiles.]
NARRATOR: But who was I kidding? No way she was gonna fall for this pathetic ruse.
[WINNIE turns around and smiles.]
WINNIE: That's fine! [Nods.]
[KEVIN takes a small step toward her.]
KEVIN: Really?
WINNIE: Sure! We're just gonna study, right? [Nods.]
KEVIN: Absolutely. [Smiles.]
[WINNIE smiles up at KEVIN.]
WINNIE: Great! Then I'll see you tonight.
[WINNIE turns and exits.]
[The camera moves slightly closer to KEVIN as he looks after WINNIE off-screen.]
NARRATOR: And with that - the date was made. The trap was set.
Cut to
NARRATOR: And so, I prepared a proper study environment.
[KEVIN blows out the match.]
NARRATOR: A veritable temple of academia.
[Shot of KEVIN adjusting the lights. The doorbell rings. KEVIN turns around, and looks toward the door.]
NARRATOR: And when I was finished...
[He glances at his handywork, then faces the door.]
KEVIN: Come in it's open!
[Close shot of the darkened doorway as WINNIE entering slowly and looks around.]
WINNIE: Hi-ee!
[Shot of KEVIN standing in front of the fireplace. He gestures.]
KEVIN: Hi.
NARRATOR: Heh-heh.
[Close shot of WINNIE frowning as she approaches.]
NARRATOR: It was a call to romance no mere woman could resist.
[Fantasy shot of KEVIN in a smoking jacket, with pipe, looking "rico suave". Bluesy saxophone.]
[Shot of WINNIE frowning at KEVIN.]
WINNIE: It's kinda dark in here. Let's study in the kitchen!
[WINNIE crosses the scene and heads to the kitchen. KEVIN gestures as he stands in front of the fireplace.]
Cut to
NARRATOR: Then again...
WINNIE: OK - what's the opposite of parsimonious - "A" fastidious, "B" considerate...
[Shot of KEVIN looking in a cabinet.]
WINNIE [V/O]: ... "C" generous, or "D" none of the above?
[Shot of WINNIE looking up from the book and frowning.]
WINNIE:...Kevin.
[Close shot of KEVIN holding up a bag, and frowning.]
KEVIN: Want some pretzels, or something?
[He walks across to another cabinet.]
[WINNIE plops the book down, crosses her arms on the table, and shakes her head slowly.]
WINNIE: Kevin, you know you're never going to know all this when it's time to take the test.
[KEVIN frowns.]
KEVIN: Winnie, what's to know?
[The camera pans with KEVIN as he brings the bag and paper plates to the table.]
KEVIN: I mean it's a stupid test! All you have to do is show up on time, and bring some sharpened number two pencils.
[KEVIN sits and adjusts his chair. WINNIE turns toward him.]
WINNIE: Kevin, it's a little more difficult than that!
KEVIN: Right.
[KEVIN nods, then frowns and gestures.]
KEVIN: You have to fill in those little circles.
[KEVIN pours out some pretzels. WINNIE rolls her eyes and looks back at the book.]
NARRATOR: OK, so much for the small talk.
[Closer shot of them, as WINNIE looks at the book. KEVIN smiles and glances off, then turns to WINNIE.]
NARRATOR: It was time to get...dangerous.
KEVIN: Winnie. Let's...do something else.
[KEVIN closes the book. WINNIE sits back.]
WINNIE: Like what?
KEVIN: Well, like...[shrugs]...go in the living room. [Gestures.]
[They glance toward the living room. She frowns, he smiles.]
NARRATOR: For starters.
[WINNIE looks down, then smiles and turns to KEVIN.]
WINNIE: Kevin?
[She folds her arms on the table and leans closer.]
WINNIE: You really didn't invite me over here to study, did you?
[KEVIN makes a face and glances off, then looks at WINNIE.]
KEVIN: No...
[KEVIN sighs and shakes his head.]
[Wider shot of WINNIE frowning, as KEVIN looks up and gestures.]
KEVIN: It's just that we have this whole house to ourselves...
[KEVIN twirls a pencil and looks down.]
KEVIN: And I thought that...[gestures.]
[Closer shot KEVIN of WINNIE, as she looks down, then back to KEVIN.]
WINNIE: Oh...
[KEVIN looks away.]
KEVIN: Look, Winnie... [He turns and gestures.]
KEVIN: We've been together a long time, and...
WINNIE:...and the guys are starting to talk.
[KEVIN pauses in surprise.]
[WINNIE smiles.]
WINNIE: Kevin, it isn't a secret - girls talk too, ya know.
[Shot of KEVIN looking off, and squirming.]
WINNIE [V/O]: All the time.
KEVIN: Well, like...what do you say when you...talk? [Smiles.]
[WINNIE looks off and smiles.]
WINNIE: Well, I say that we've been together along time, and that we care about each other, and that things between us are great...
[She looks neutrally at him.]
[Shot of KEVIN. He has a worried look.]
NARRATOR: Oh!
[KEVIN glances between WINNIE and the table.]
[WINNIE looks intently at KEVIN.]
WINNIE: Why, what do you say?
[KEVIN looks at her, then off.]
KEVIN: I, uh...say the same.
[KEVIN smiles at her, then looks away. WINNIE looks uncertain.]
NARRATOR: Yeah. More or less.
Cut to
NARRATOR: And so after all my attempts at intrigue, and danger, and seduction...
[TV: Bogie kisses her. Woman: "That's even better." ]
[Shot of KEVIN and WINNIE on the couch. She eats popcorn. He has his arm around her, and is frowning. He glances away.]
NARRATOR: Winnie and I ended up like we always did. Reminiscing.
[WINNIE smiles as she watches the movie.]
WINNIE: Do you remember the first time we saw this movie?
[They glance at each other.]
KEVIN:...I guess...[shrugs.]
WINNIE [Smiles]: I was sick with the flu, and you came over to keep me company.
[Closer shot of them. WINNIE looks off, smiling. KEVIN turns to her quickly and smiles.]
KEVIN: Yeah...
NARRATOR: Still, in a way, it wasn't all bad.
KEVIN: We must have watched five movies that week.
[They are looking at each other. WINNIE smiles.]
WINNIE: Seven. You visited me every day.
[They smile, then snuggle closer, and watch the movie.]
NARRATOR: Fact was, it felt pretty good, sitting there, holding her, away from school, and the guys, and the locker room.
[WINNIE covers her mouth as she yawns, then lays her head on KEVIN's shoulder.]
WINNIE: I should really call my parents. They don't know where I am.
KEVIN: No, let's watch a little more. You can call them later.
[WINNIE smiles as KEVIN stretches out a little. They look at the movie.]
NARRATOR: After all, there was no need to hurry - we had plenty of time.
[TV - Woman [frostily]: "Take me home". Bogie starts the car. B: "Alright, but I'm afraid this is as far as I'm gonna carry ya. From now on you can take care of yourself."]
[Fade to test-pattern on TV.]
NARRATOR: We didn't see the end of the movie.
[The camera pans slowly across the room. The telephone rings.]
NARRATOR: We didn't even hear the phone.
[The camera continues to pan across the dark room and the fireplace.]
NARRATOR: Because that night, Winnie and I had done something we had never done together before.
[The camera pans across the couch. KEVIN and WINNIE are crashed out.]
NARRATOR: We fell asleep.
Fade to
[Shot of KEVIN entering the kitchen.]
KEVIN: Coming...coming...
[KEVIN picks up the phone and looks toward the window.]
KEVIN: Hello? Oh! Hi, Mom! Yeah, yeah, of course I'm up - I've been up for hours...[checks watch.] Uh, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. [Frowns.] I'm just getting ready for school...OK, I'll see you tonight. Bye.
[He hangs up and walks forward past the camera.]
NARRATOR: And that's when it hit me.
[Wide shot of the dark living room. KEVIN enters in the background. He walks up to the TV and turns it off. He looks toward the couch. "Suspense music" starts.]
KEVIN: Oh, my God.
[Shot of WINNIE asleep on the couch. Burst of music as the camera moves in slightly on her.]
NARRATOR: Somehow Winnie and I had slept through the whole night.
[Shot of KEVIN looking at her with horror.]
KEVIN: Oh, my God!
[He starts to hyperventilate, and hurries over to her.]
NARRATOR: I had to be calm - the voice of reason. I had to wake her gently, so she wouldn't -
[KEVIN kneels down and shakes WINNIE.]
KEVIN: Winnie! Wake up!
[WINNIE gets up on her elbow.]
KEVIN: It's seven o'clock! We slept in!
[WINNIE sits up, then looks at KEVIN, then away.]
NARRATOR: Panic.
Fade to
[Close shot of WINNIE, then KEVIN. Both are frowning. KEVIN turns the steering wheel sharply.]
NARRATOR: Fear is a great motivator - terror is even better.
[Shot of KEVIN's car zooming by the camera.]
[Close shot of WINNIE. She shakes her head and looks at KEVIN as she combs her hair.]
WINNIE: Kevin, slow down!
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at WINNIE off-screen, then back to the road. He turns sharply.]
[Shot of KEVIN's car zooming away from the camera. Sound of police siren.]
[Close shot of KEVIN in thought.]
NARRATOR: But I couldn't. All I could imagine what awaited us - angry parents, outraged neighbors, maybe even the National Guard.
[Wide shot of WINNIE's house as KEVIN pulls up to the curb.]
NARRATOR: Or...maybe nothing at all.
[Close shot of KEVIN and WINNIE. They look at each other. KEVIN looks out and around.]
KEVIN: There's no one here!
[Close shot of WINNIE.]
WINNIE: Who would be here at seven o'clock in the morning?
KEVIN: Well...you know, the mailman, the paperboy...[shrugs.]
WINNIE: Kevin, relax.
[KEVIN looks worried.]
KEVIN: Well, should I come in with you?
[WINNIE frowns.]
WINNIE: No, that's OK. It'd probably just make things worse. [Nods.] I'll take care of this.
[WINNIE gathers her things.]
WINNIE: See you at school.
[She gives him a quick kiss, and gets out.]
NARRATOR: And at that moment...
[WINNIE leans down and waves.]
NARRATOR: Looking into those eyes - I knew things would be OK.
[WINNIE walks toward her house.]
[Shot of KEVIN looking after WINNIE off-screen.]
NARRATOR: I mean, hey, what was the absolute worst that could happen?
[KEVIN looks down to start his car, then back to WINNIE off-screen.]
Cut to
KEVIN: You told them?!
WINNIE: Of course I told them!
KEVIN: You mean you told them the truth?
[WINNIE turns to KEVIN.]
WINNIE: I told them what happened. That we fell asleep on your couch.
NARRATOR: Course, I should have been relieved, but -
KEVIN: I can't believe you told them that! [Gestures.]
WINNIE: Why?
[KEVIN slows up as WINNIE walks past the camera to her locker.]
KEVIN: Well...
NARRATOR: Jeez, we we're red-blooded teenagers. Hadn't they considered the possibilities?
[The camera rolls back as KEVIN approaches WINNIE.]
KEVIN: What did they say?
[WINNIE looks up from her locker.]
WINNIE: Not much. They trust us. [Smiles.]
[KEVIN frowns and gestures.]
KEVIN: What's that supposed to mean?
WINNIE: Kevin, they knew nothing happened.
KEVIN: Oh.
[KEVIN is not completely relieved. WINNIE turns back to her locker.]
NARRATOR: And the funny thing was, just when I was supposed to feel off the hook - I felt insulted.
[WINNIE turns to KEVIN as she shuts her locker.]
WINNIE: The truth was, they were really relieved to hear I was with you.
[He sighs.]
KEVIN: Great. [Glances away.]
[Close shot of WINNIE smiling and nodding at KEVIN.]
WINNIE: So I guess everything turned out OK!
[KEVIN smiles half-heartedly.]
KEVIN: Yeah.
[WINNIE smiles.]
WINNIE: I'll seeya at lunch?
KEVIN: Yeah.
[KEVIN looks after WINNIE off-screen.]
NARRATOR: Yeah.
Cut to
NARRATOR: They say for every action...
[Shot of KEVIN running up the court.]
NARRATOR: ...there is an equal opposite reaction.
[The camera rolls up on STEUBEN, who is watching KEVIN come his way. KEVIN knocks him down.]
NARRATOR: When your sixteen, and your manly pride has been shrivelled...
[Shot of CHUCK turning quickly toward KEVIN off-screen.]
NARRATOR: There's only one thing to do...
[KEVIN stick-checks CHUCK, who crashes.]
[KEVIN turns and smiles, and runs across the scene.]
[Shot of JEFF turning around and seeing KEVIN coming toward him off-screen.]
JEFF: Kevin!
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF colliding. JEFF falls in front of the goalie.]
Cut to
STEUBEN: Playing a little bit rough out there, eh, Arnold?
[Shot of KEVIN standing at his locker, pulling off his "red" shirt. KEVIN frowns and gestures.]
KEVIN: Hey! If you can't handle it, why don't you go play badminton with the girls?!
[STEUBEN sits straddling the bench. He gestures, looks down, then back to KEVIN.]
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF.]
NARRATOR: OK, maybe I was a little out of control. I had my reasons.
JEFF: You OK?
KEVIN: Yeah. Why?
JEFF: Oh, I don't know, just looked like you were going to take a life out there.
KEVIN: Ah, I don't know. I'm just feeling...[frowns]...frustrated.
[STEUBEN looks up.]
NARRATOR: Uh-oh...
[KEVIN looks up.]
[General pause in activity.]
KEVIN: I mean, I'm just having a bad day.
[KEVIN frowns, and sits on the bench.]
STEUBEN: Right...
NARRATOR: But it was too late.
[Shot of STEUBEN looking at KEVIN and nodding slightly.]
NARRATOR: I'd broken the first rule of the locker room.
[STEUBEN gestures.]
STEUBEN: What's the matter, Arnold.
[Shot of KEVIN looking over his shoulder at STEUBEN.]
STEUBEN [V/O]: Trouble...in paradise?
[Shot of CHUCK standing next to STEUBEN.]
CHUCK: Yes, is...Winnie shutting you out?
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF. They both look in Chuck's direction. Jeff raises his eye-brows, KEVIN hesitates.]
KEVIN: Well, uh, no, no.
[He glances down.]
KEVIN: We...she and I are just...
[KEVIN looks at JEFF, then down.]
KEVIN: You know.
[Shot of CHUCK and STEUBEN. CHUCK gestures with his pads.]
CHUCK: Come on, Kev! Tell us something interesting.
[KEVIN looks at CHUCK, then quickly at JEFF. Jeff raises an eybrow.]
[Close shot of STEUBEN.]
STEUBEN: We're waiting, Arnold.
NARRATOR: Oops.
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF as Jeff stands up.]
[Shot of STEUBEN smiling and nodding.]
STEUBEN: Or is there really just nothing to tell?
[Shot of KEVIN glancing around.]
NARRATOR: Now everything within me told me to keep my mouth shut.
[Shot of CHUCK, then STEUBEN.]
NARRATOR: But somehow, the way those guys were looking at me...
[Shot of KEVIN.]
NARRATOR: It just slipped out.
[Shot of KEVIN frowning, then looking up at the guys.]
KEVIN: Hey, for your information, Winnie was over at my house last night.
[Shot of STEUBEN in mock awe, then looking toward JEFF.]
STEUBEN: Whoa!
[Shot of KEVIN looking at STEUBEN.]
KEVIN: All night...
[Shot of CHUCK and STEUBEN, and other interested guys behind them.]
STEUBEN: And?
[KEVIN snorts, then gestures and smiles.]
KEVIN: Hey, use your imagination.
[Shot of STEUBEN thinking.]
NARRATOR: Which of course, they did...
[Shot of CHUCK.]
NARRATOR: - what little they had.
[Shot of JEFF at his locker. The camera pans with JEFF as he stands behind KEVIN, and leans closer.]
JEFF: Is this true?
KEVIN: Yeah -[snorts]- of course it's true. [Gestures.]
NARRATOR: And with that, I became a god.
KEVIN: But -
[KEVIN looks at the guys, pats the air, and nods.]
KEVIN: Just don't tell anyone, OK?
[Close shot of STEUBEN as he stands. ]
STEUBEN: Our lips are sealed.
[STEUBEN looks off and smiles faintly. The camera pans over to CHUCK. He "zips his lip", then cocks his imaginary pistol.]
[Shot of KEVIN and JEFF. Jeff smiles a little at Chuck. KEVIN looks at JEFF.]
NARRATOR: And the most amazing part is...
[Shot of CHUCK and STEUBEN smiling.]
NARRATOR: I actually believed them.
Cut to
NARRATOR: By lunchtime I had pretty much forgotten about the whole thing.
[They pause.]
KEVIN: I'll get some napkins.
WINNIE: I'll meet you at the table.
[WINNIE heads off with the tray.]
NARRATOR: Everything felt right.
[Shot of WINNIE walking away to a table.]
NARRATOR: With me, with Winnie...
[She smiles at KEVIN, and stands at the end of the table.]
[Close shot of KEVIN smiling at WINNIE, then starting to walk off for napkins.]
GUY: Hey, Arnold?
NARRATOR: Until my fan club arrived.
GUY: You want to tell us about you and Cooper?
KEVIN: What?
[Shot of WINNIE standing at the end of a table. Girls gather excitedly around her, and start to question her.]
KEVIN: What are you talking about?
[STEUBEN moves close to KEVIN.]
STEUBEN: Come on, Arnold, fill us in on the details.
KEVIN: Get lost, Steuben!
[STEUBEN smiles at his friends.]
GUYS: Ooooh!
NARRATOR: Suddenly I was getting this queasy feeling...
[Shot of WINNIE and her freinds looking toward KEVIN. She frowns.]
NARRATOR: And it wasn't the goulash.
[Shot of KEVIN looking at the guys, then STEUBEN.]
KEVIN: Hey, Steuben. I thought I told you not to tell anyone.
STEUBEN: Well, hey! If your gonna walk the walk, you got to talk the talk.
[KEVIN glances around, then frowns.]
KEVIN: Get outta my way!
[KEVIN pushes STEUBEN backward into a cafeteria worker, and kids laugh and clap. KEVIN walks quickly toward WINNIE off-screen.
[Shot of the girls stepping back, revealing...nothing but the tray.]
[KEVIN looks down at the tray, then up.]
NARRATOR: But I was too late.
KEVIN [V/O]: Hi, Mrs. Cooper?
Cut to
KEVIN: Hi, this is - Kevin. Is Winnie there?
NARRATOR: By that night, nothing had changed.
KEVIN: Yeah. I understand. Sorry.
[He hangs up the phone.]
NARRATOR: Face it - I needed help.
[Shot of the kitchen door as JACK enters with a bag of trash.]
JACK: Kevin! I thought I told you to throw out the trash!
[JACK holds up the bag.]
KEVIN: Oh! Sorry. [Smiles.]
[Shot of JACK looking at KEVIN off-screen.]
JACK: Ehhhhhhh..
[JACK moves over to the sink and opens the cabinet underneath it.]
NARRATOR: Still, I guess help is where you find it.
[Shot of KEVIN.]
KEVIN: Dad?
[JACK is emptying the trash.]
JACK: Yeah?
KEVIN: I have to talk to you about something that happened here last night.
[JACK glances at KEVIN.]
JACK: What is it?
[Shot of KEVIN.]
KEVIN: Winnie came over last night, and...
[Wider shot of KEVIN pacing and gesturing.]
NARRATOR: And so I recounted the whole sorry tale. I was looking for some advice. And maybe a little sympathy.
KEVIN [V/O]:...see there was all this tension with the guys in the locker room. [Gestures.]
[JACK frowns, folds his arms, and leans against the counter, looking at KEVIN.]
NARRATOR: After all, my dad had been sixteen once.
KEVIN [V/O]:...and shot my mouth off...
NARRATOR: He knew what the guys were like.
KEVIN [V/O]:...and then Winnie heard me. [Gestures.]
[KEVIN leans back on the counter and looks at JACK.]
KEVIN: Women, huh?
[Shot of JACK sighing and looking away.]
KEVIN [V/O]: I mean, what am I supposed to do?
[JACK frowns more.]
[Shot of KEVIN standing up straighter, and looking at JACK in mild surprise.]
NARRATOR: But if I was looking for someone to back me up...
[Shot of JACK. He looks sideways at KEVIN.]
JACK: Get in your car, go over and apologize right away.
[Shot of KEVIN looking at JACK.]
NARRATOR: ...I came up short.
[KEVIN looks toward the window, then to JACK.]
KEVIN: You think she'll listen?
[Shot of JACK frowning at KEVIN, then bending to pick up the trashbag.]
[Shot of KEVIN and JACK, as JACK straightens up, with his back to the camera.]
JACK:...I wouldn't.
[JACK walks past KEVIN with the trash and looks at him.]
[KEVIN is looking forward. He looks over his shoulder as JACK exits, then forward. He sighs.]
Fade to
NARRATOR: I didn't go right away. Maybe I was too proud. Maybe I was too afraid.
[Shot of KEVIN walking up the driveway.]
NARRATOR: I kept telling myself, over and over, that what I had done [rings bell] wasn't really so bad.
[Close shot of KEVIN as he sighs.]
NARRATOR: But I guess I knew better.
[WINNIE opens the door slowly, and stands silently in the doorway.]
KEVIN: Hi.
[Close shot of KEVIN.]
NARRATOR: I knew what I had to do - apologize.
KEVIN: Winnie, listen. I've given this a lot of thought, and, what I did was wrong.
[Shot of WINNIE. She looks at KEVIN cooly.]
[Shot of KEVIN.]
KEVIN: It's just that...the guys were really getting on me -
and I know it's no excuse...[nods]...but I guess I...kinda let them
get the wrong idea about us.
[Long pause as he looks off. He looks back and smiles embarrassedly.]
KEVIN: OK, I definitely let them get the wrong idea about us.
[Shot of WINNIE. She has a hurt look.]
KEVIN: But ya gotta understand something, Winnie.
[Shot of KEVIN.]
KEVIN: You know when guys...get together, sometimes things get a little out of control...I mean...[shrugs and nods]...not necessarily in this case, but...sometimes...
[Shot of WINNIE. She is frowning.]
KEVIN: You know what I mean.
[Shot of KEVIN. He sighs.]
KEVIN: Anyway, I'll take care of it. I promise. [Nods faintly.]
[Wider shot of them at the doorway.]
WINNIE: How?
[Close shot of KEVIN. He frowns.]
KEVIN: What?
[Closer shot of WINNIE. She looks at KEVIN intently.]
WINNIE: How can you fix something like this?
[KEVIN glances away, then looks at WINNIE.]
KEVIN: Look, Winnie, can we talk about this inside?
[Shot of them on the porch. WINNIE puts her hand behind her as she slowly backs up.]
WINNIE: Sure!
KEVIN: Great.
WINNIE: Because my parents aren't home. So if you want me you got me!
[WINNIE swings her hands at her side.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking concerned.]
[Closer shot of WINNIE.]
WINNIE: Come on, Kevin! This is what you were in such a hurry about, wasn't it?
[She frowns and shakes her head slightly, then sighs and takes a step forward.]
WINNIE: Now's your chance!
[She is on the verge of tears.]
[Shot of KEVIN. He looks at her, and shakes his head faintly.]
KEVIN: Winnie!
[WINNIE moves closer and hugs KEVIN. She very nearly cries.]
KEVIN: Winnie. Can't we just go back to the way things used to be, and just forget about all this?
[Close shot of WINNIE as she pulls away, and frowns.]
NARRATOR: And after all the times I wanted to hear her to say "yes"...
WINNIE: No. We can't.
[WINNIE frowns and turns away.]
[Wider shot of WINNIE shutting the door behind her.]
[Close shot of KEVIN looking at the door.]
NARRATOR: They say hindsight is 20-20, and I guess it's true.
[Wider shot of KEVIN standing on the porch, looking at the door. The camera pulls back and up slowly.]
NARRATOR: Because as I stood outside Winnie's house that night, I suddenly saw it all so clearly. I'd sold both of us short - by taking something most people never have, and throwing it away for something less. I'd been in such a rush to impress people who really didn't matter, I'd torn apart the only ones who did.
[Most of the dark house fills the frame. KEVIN stands in the porchlight.]
[The light clicks off.]
Fade to
NARRATOR: Us.
Fade to