FNL Script: Accessories, Part II
Title: FNL Script: Accessories, Part II
Author: vacheqirit
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: S1
Disclaimers: FNL and these characters are the properties of their owners. No infringements intended.
Author's Note: This is the second part of my AU (Alternate Universe) Script.
ACT 2
13 INT. DILLON HIGH FRONT OFFICE - DAY
MATT enters the suite and looks for TAMI in the counselor's
office. She isn't there. He continues to look for her
throughout the suite, finally coming across her in a back
corner, making copies. MATT approaches her tentatively.
MATT
Um...Mrs. Coach?
TAMI turns around, her hands spreading a book across the
copier's glass.
TAMI
Oh, hi Matt.
She turns back to her work. There is a certain tension
between them.
MATT
Hi. Can I talk to you a minute,
Mrs. Coach?
TAMI doesn't look up.
TAMI
It's Mrs. Taylor, Matt.
MATT
Right, sorry, Mrs. Taylor.
TAMI
I need to finish this. Can you
give me a minute?
MATT
Sure, sure, I'll just wait in your
office.
TAMI
(annoyed sing-song voice)
That'd be fine.
MATT walks back to Tami's office and takes a seat. He checks
the clock on the wall. He watches people wander through the
office. He clasps and unclasps his hands as he stares into
space. Another check of the time. He gets up to leave when
TAMI breezes into her office.
TAMI (CONT'D)
Sorry, got caught up in a little
impromptu counseling...occupational
hazard. Now is there something I
can help you with?
MATT
I'd like to ask...I'm hoping
you...I need to ask a favor.
TAMI assumes a skeptical posture.
MATT (CONT'D)
I know this is kinda awkward, but I
don't really have anyone else I can
ask. I...have a doctor's
appointment, and my grandma hates
doctors and would just get all
confused about paperwork and
insurance and everything, so I
wondered if...if you could take me?
TAMI
(relaxes)
Oh, well, a doctor's appointment?
I'm sure I could work that into my
schedule. When is it?
TAMI consults her dayplanner.
MATT
It's tomorrow afternoon. I'll have
to miss practice, but there's
really no other time I could fit
this in.
TAMI
(scanning her schedule)
That should be fine. I'll see you
in the parking lot right after
school tomorrow.
MATT
Thank you, ma'am. I really
appreciate this.
MATT exits TAMI'S office.
14 INT. PANTHER FIELDHOUSE, THE WEIGHT ROOM - DAY
JASON and TIM enter the fieldhouse in the midst of a
conversation.
TIM
Have you talked to Coach about
this? He might not like it.
JASON
Are you kidding? Extra time on
conditioning at no cost to the
team? He'll be pestering us to get
every kid on the roster to sign up
with us.
JASON prods TIM'S upper arm.
JASON (CONT'D)
I mean, look at these guns. You're
a walking advertisement, my man.
Nothin' left to do but count the
money.
TIM
But I thought we weren't gonna make
any money.
JASON
This is the thing, Grasshopper:
You gotta spend money to make
money. Except we don't have any
money. What we have is knowledge
and experience, so that's what
we're gonna spend now so that we
can make money later.
He gestures to TIM to lean in close to hear him as he speaks
under his breath.
JASON (CONT'D)
I shouldn't really put it this way,
but it's like being a drug dealer:
the first hits are free, and after
that, the need takes care of the
rest.
TIM
That's kinda...twisted.
JASON
We're just peddling what this town
wants to buy, which is kids that
can win State. If we can do that,
we've got a future. It's win-win.
TIM
I don't know if I'm going to like
working for you. You're a hard
ass.
JASON
Naw, not so much these days. But
my biceps--iron-clad!
They spot MATT nearing the end of his session in the weight
room and approach him.
JASON (CONT'D)
Saracen. Riggins and I have a
proposition for you.
MATT
What's...what's up?
JASON
We think you need some extra
training. To keep competitive
MATT
Uh...OK.
JASON
We thought we could train you. On
off days and weekends.
MATT's eyes flick towards the COACH'S office.
MATT
Did...did Coach ask you to?
TIM
Naw, it was our idea.
MATT
Do...do you need me to pay you,
'cause I really can't...
JASON
Here's the thing, Saracen. You're
kinda our guinea pig to see if we
can get a training-coaching
business going. 'Texas Forever' is
what we're calling it. We figure
if we can make you our poster boy,
we can get other kids to sign on as
paying clients.
No cost to you, but you'd have to
commit to make it work. Think you
can do that, Matty?
JASON and TIM wait on MATT'S reply.
MATT
Um, well...I guess so.
JASON tries not to show how pleased he is.
JASON
OK then. Let's do a quick
assessment, see where you are.
He scrutinizes his guinea pig.
JASON (CONT'D)
Upper body needs the most help, but
we need to work the lower for
balance, more quick response under
pressure.
JASON scrawls on a clipboard and hands it to TIM.
JASON (CONT'D)
I'm gonna let Timmy create your
program. Let's start with the free
weights.
MATT looks back and forth between them. TIM takes up
position behind the bench press and looks at MATT
expectantly.
TIM
What do you bench, Seven? I took a
guess.
MATT does a quick calculation of the weight set on the bar.
Two hundred pounds.
MATT
Uh, yeah. I...I can't lift that
much.
TIM looks at the bench, looks back at MATT, and frowns.
TIM
That is completely lame. You gotta
at least bench your weight. What
are you, one-seventy? One-seventy
five?
MATT
(cringing)
One-sixty.
JASON and TIM exchange glances.
JASON
No wonder you're such a girl! You
and Julie been on some diet
together?
TIM
Don't you load up at the Freeze,
man? Maybe you need to pound down
some of those triple-deckers they
got.
JASON
He needs protein, Timmy. Some of
those shakes, the ones you make
with peanut butter and soy milk.
They taste good, too.
TIM
(cracking up)
Like you ever drank that crap, Mr.
Aztec Burger.
JASON
We're trying to be professionals
here, do it right the first time.
We'll put a diet together for you
too, Saracen.
MATT
Great. More people telling me what
to eat.
JASON
What's that?
MATT
I..it's just...everybody's in your
business when you're QB1.
JASON
Saracen, you don't know how lucky
you are.
MATT
You're right. I don't.
TIM
I do. You've got Texas Forever
backing you up. We're your secret
weapons, Seven.
MATT
Do you come with your own carrying
cases, or do I have to squeeze you
into my Panther bag?
JASON
(grinning)
We're self-propelled. Just let us
make you look good, and you'll make
us look good.
TIM pulls the shades down off his head to cover his eyes and
strikes a body-builder pose.
TIM
'I make this look good.'
The guys nod their heads at this movie call-out.
JASON
I think this is gonna work out just
fine.
15 EXT. BUDDY'S NEW DEALERSHIP - DAY
COACH lurches his truck into a parking space and exits with
his face in lock-down mode behind his wraparound shades.
BUDDY supervises a team of construction workers who are
putting the final touches on the exterior of the dealership.
BUDDY
Paint and trim gotta be finished
today. And don't think I'm
cleanin' up after y'all. I'm the
client here.
He turns to see COACH standing nearby.
BUDDY (CONT'D)
Eric, good to see you. Can I help
you with something? I'm a little
tied up today as you can see...
COACH seethes, which BUDDY doesn't notice.
COACH
We need to talk.
BUDDY steps back to view the installation of neon lights over
the showroom windows.
BUDDY
Did the electrician come?
Shouldn't this be all lit up?
COACH
You and your signs, Buddy. There
isn't a sign in the whole world big
enough to satisfy your ego.
BUDDY
Aw, Eric, don't spoil my fun. You
can be such a buzz kill.
COACH
You might want your name written
sky-high, but I don't.
BUDDY points at the building.
BUDDY
Don't forget that corner.
(to Eric)
What now?
COACH
The billboard, Buddy. The one with
my face 30 feet up in the air?
BUDDY
Pretty impressive, seeing yourself
that big, isn't it?
COACH
No, Buddy, it's ridiculous. It's
insane. It's not, by the way,
something I signed off on.
BUDDY
What do you mean? You said you'd
be supportive, whatever I needed.
COACH
I meant that figuratively, Buddy! I
didn't think you were going to turn
me into your poster boy!
BUDDY
After all I've done for you, for
the team, you want to ream me out
over a billboard picture? A really
good one, too?
COACH
Don't do that. Don't talk down to
me.
BUDDY now turns to face COACH.
BUDDY
I'm sorry, but what exactly is the
problem here? Your picture gets
the dealership a little Panther
love from the locals, the Panthers
get a shout-out, and you can
literally be larger than life.
It's the perfect marriage of
commerce and passion.
COACH
Take it down.
BUDDY
What?
COACH
You take that billboard down. And
I mean right now.
BUDDY
What is this really about, Eric?
Do you want money?
BUDDY reaches into his back pocket. He removes his money
clip, peeling off the bills in large denominations.
BUDDY (CONT'D)
Has it really come to this? Maybe
it has. Maybe I should've expected
this, what with all your money
problems lately...
COACH
I swear, Buddy, one of these
days...
BUDDY
One of these days? One of these
days, Eric, you're gonna realize
who really makes things happen
around here, and if you're smart,
you'll learn to appreciate what
people like me can do for you.
COACH
More like what you can do TO me,
Buddy.
BUDDY
How's that now? Is this a 'who's
is bigger?' type conversation?
Because I'll tell you right now,
you are not gonna win that one...
COACH
You are beyond belief, Buddy.
BUDDY
What are you gonna do, sue me? We
had a verbal contract.
COACH
Don't try to snow me. One way or
another, that sign's gonna come
back to bite you. You wait and
see.
BUDDY
Thanks for stopping by, Eric.
Always a pleasure doing business
with you.
BUDDY turns back to his work while COACH gets back in his
truck.
16 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
TAMI sits in a waiting room, leafing through a magazine.
MATT exits through a door leading to the examination rooms,
rolling down one sleeve. He checks in with the nurse and
turns to TAMI.
TAMI
All set?
MATT
Yeah, sorry it took so long.
TAMI
Not a problem. I love catching up
on my "In Style" reading.
17 EXT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
They make their way out of the building. TAMI rummages
around in her purse. Once they are both in the car, she
realizes she has left the phone in the doctor's office.
TAMI
Matt, I'll be right back. I think
I left my phone inside.
18 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
TAMI sees the phone on a side table, picks it up, and is just
about to leave when a nurse approaches her.
NURSE
I'm glad you came back. I forgot
to tell Matt that the lab will be
calling him with his results in
about a week.
TAMI is taken aback.
TAMI
His results?
NURSE
Comparing his levels with those
when he finished treatment.
This is unnerving.
TAMI
Treatment. Of course.
NURSE
You'll let him know?
TAMI
Oh yes. I'll let him know.
She leaves.
19 I/E. TAYLOR CAR - DAY
TAMI sits for a moment, trying to process what she's just
heard.
TAMI
The nurse told me to tell you that
the lab will call you in the next
week with your test results.
MATT blanches. He hasn't expected to hear this from her.
MATT
OK.
TAMI
You realize what a difficult
position you've put me in. If you
have a health problem, eventually
the school will have to know, but
right now, I'm concerned about what
this means for Julie, and for your
teammates, and anyone else you come
in contact with. What do you
expect me to do here, Matt?
MATT can't put the genie back in the bottle.
MATT
I'm sorry, ma'am.
TAMI
I hope you're not putting anybody
at risk. I hope you wouldn't be so
selfish.
MATT
No ma'am. I'd...I'd never do
anything like that, ma'am.
They drive off in silence.
20 INT. TAYLOR HOME - EVENING
COACH TAYLOR watches game film in the family room while TAMI
cleans up after dinner.
TAMI
Honey.
COACH
Hm?
TAMI
I need to talk to you for a minute,
hon.
TAMI comes out of the kitchen and takes up position in front
of COACH.
COACH
C'mon, don't stand there, don't
stand in front of the TV, please.
TAMI
Can you just pretend you're me and
I'm you for the purposes of this
hypothetical discussion?
COACH
Wait...what now?
TAMI
You're me, the counselor, and I'm
you, the person who needs to be
counseled. It's not that hard to
follow.
TAMI sits down on the coffee table, directly in COACH'S line
of sight.
TAMI (CONT'D)
You've come to me plenty of times
for my unbiased advice, so now I
need some from you. Because I
don't know if the information I
have can stay confidential when I
know it might have serious
consequences.
COACH
So what are you asking me, exactly?
TAMI
I'm asking if it's legitimate for
me to pass along private,
confidential information if it
might affect a number of other
people.
COACH
What kind of information?
TAMI
Information like...like Smash using
steroids. That kind of
information.
This gets COACH'S attention.
COACH
Is someone else using steroids? If
they are, honey, you need to tell
me right now.
TAMI
No, it's not that. It's a health
problem.
COACH
A health problem? Someone on the
team has a health problem?
TAMI
I'm not sure yet if it's a health
problem, and I didn't say it was
someone on the team.
COACH
I doubt you're coming to me about
one of the rally girls having an
STD.
TAMI is exasperated.
TAMI
Don't do that, don't be a jerk.
Just help me figure this out.
COACH leans back in his seat and crosses his arms over his
chest.
COACH
What's at stake here?
TAMI
I suppose I should just tell you.
It's about Matt.
COACH
Matt Saracen has a health problem?
Semis are coming up, I can't have
him have a health problem.
Wait...what kind of health problem?
You need to tell me everything
right now.
TAMI
Like I said, I don't know what kind
of problem. I took Matt to the
doctor for an appointment today.
COACH leans forward again.
COACH
So that's why he missed practice.
TAMI
They assumed I knew his history,
because they're checking his levels
compared to the ones 'when he
finished treatment.'
TAMI sits back to let this information sink in.
COACH
I don't really know what to make of
that. And unless Matt tells me
something, I can't very well go ask
him about his blood tests, can I?
TAMI
No.
COACH
I wish you hadn't said anything.
TAMI
He's a surprising one, Matt. It
was pretty damn smart of him to
have me take him, because he knows
that the school counselor is
legally bound not to reveal any
kind of personal information.
COACH
(to himself)
And he told me to play Weston if I
thought he couldn't get it done. I
just thought it was nerves. Damn,
can anything else go wrong? I mean
really?
They sit for a moment.
COACH (CONT'D)
So, what do you think this might
be?
END ACT 2
20 ACT 3
21 INT. SARACEN HOME - DAY
JULIE enters the house and immediately sets about making tea
in the kitchen. GRANDMA settles back into her easy chair and
turns down the volume on the TV, but only enough so they can
talk over it.
GRANDMA
Tell me, darlin', how are things
with you? I hardly know what
you're up to anymore. Except
football.
JULIE
We're good, I'm good. We're really
busy, like you said. It's pretty
exciting, semis coming up.
GRANDMA
Exciting? It's thrilling, that's
what it is. I can't wait to see my
Matthew playing for State again.
It's almost too much to hope for,
twice in a lifetime.
JULIE
So do you think he's excited, about
semis and everything? I think he's
been a little nervous lately.
GRANDMA
Oh, that's natural. Lots of
pressure, lots of expectations.
Who wouldn't be a little nervous?
JULIE
Is he eating OK? Is he getting
enough sleep?
GRANDMA rocks back and forth as JULIE arranges the tea tray.
GRANDMA
He's fine, honey. He gets a little
wound up sometimes. And of course
he's always been a little
more...susceptible, I suppose is
the word, since the leukemia.
JULIE drops the teapot she has been preparing. The CRASH
scares both of them. Hot tea, tea leaves, and pottery shards
shoot to the far corners of the kitchen.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
Goodness, Julie! Are you alright?
Are you burned? Quick now, step
away from there.
GRANDMA reaches for a dish towel and drops it over the tea
pooling on the linoleum. JULIE is immobilized. GRANDMA goes
to find the broom and dustpan and begins to clean up.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
Honey, come on now, help me clean
up a bit. Don't fuss, it was an
accident. I have another teapot
around here somewhere.
JULIE finally steps aside and leans down to pick up some of
the larger shards of pottery.
JULIE
So Grandma, what was it like for
him, when he was sick?
GRANDMA
Cancer treatment? It's worse than
the disease itself. And he was
only a little boy. So much time in
the hospital. It was hard on all
of us.
JULIE tries to hold it together.
JULIE
How old was he, Grandma?
GRANDMA
I think he was six when he was
diagnosed. He came to live with me
when he was ten, after he was in
remission. But the strain was too
much on his mother. And
financially, well, they just never
recovered.
They finish cleaning up.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
There now, that's better. Shall we
try again honey? I'm a bit hungry
now.
JULIE sits down at the kitchen table, shaken.
22 INT. COACH TAYLOR'S OFFICE - DAY
COACH and MAC review strategies for the semifinal game, which
is two days away.
MAC
I think you should talk to him.
COACH
You're the Offensive Coordinator,
he's your guy.
MAC
It would mean more coming from you.
COACH
Alright.
MAC leaves the office and calls out to the locker room for
one of the offensive linemen, BRADLEY.
MAC
Bradley! In here now!
BRADLEY hustles to the office, half-dressed.
BRADLEY
Yeah, Mac?
COACH
We wanted to ask you something.
BRADLEY, all two-hundred and fifty pounds of him, looks
unflappable.
BRADLEY
Yes, sir.
COACH
You been on the line ever since I
came on board with the Panthers,
and we couldn't have protected
Saracen without you. You've done a
helluva job. I just want you to
know that.
BRADLEY now looks more uneasy.
BRADLEY
Uh...thanks, Coach.
COACH
But this is your last game coming
up...
MAC
Unless we get to State.
COACH
You're a senior, and we want to
acknowledge your contribution to
the team.
MAC
So we were thinking, and the team
seems to agree...
COACH
...that you should be our solo
captain at semis.
COACH and MAC watch BRADLEY for his reaction, though they
already know what it will be. BRADLEY, usually quick with a
zinger, is struck dumb.
COACH (CONT'D)
That be OK with you, Bradley?
BRADLEY
Uh, yes sir. Yes sir. Thank you,
sir!
MAC
Alright then.
BRADLEY
You're awesome, Coach. Thank you
so much.
COACH
You're welcome.
BRADLEY
It's been a privilege playing for
you, it truly has.
COACH
I appreciate that. Alright, we'll
see you at practice tomorrow.
BRADLEY
And can I say, sir, that it's great
to see you get a little recognition
around here.
That billboard out on 10 just makes
me smile every time I see it.
COACH grimaces, and MAC lowers his head, trying to hide a
smile.
COACH
Yeah well, that...Buddy kinda
sprang that on me. Makes me look
foolish.
BRADLEY
Oh. I didn't know that.
MAC
That's all for now, Bradley.
BRADLEY
So you really don't like it? Does
Buddy know?
COACH
Oh he knows. You bet he knows.
BRADLEY
Yeah? Well. I guess I'm sorry
about that, Coach. Like I said,
you deserve the best.
MAC
Go on, now, leave Coach alone,
before he changes his mind about
your being captain and all.
BRADLEY
Right. Thanks again, Coach.
BRADLEY exits the office. MAC puts his hands on his hips and
shakes his head.
MAC
Wish there was something we could
do about that sign problem of
yours.
COACH takes his Panther hat off and takes out his
frustrations on his hair.
COACH
It's the sign of the times.
23 EXT. MUNICIPAL PARK - DAY
JASON, TIM and MATT meet for a Texas Forever session away
from the scrutiny of Panther Nation. Playground equipment, a
small man-made lake, and a soccer field full of kids surround
them.
MATT
So...why are we meeting here?
TIM
I thought we should try something
different.
JASON
What's the plan, Timmy?
TIM
I was watching "The Biggest Loser"
the other night...
MATT
Is that some kind of joke?
Training The Biggest Loser using
tips from "The Biggest Loser?"
TIM doesn't let this get him off track.
TIM
...and some of them trained on the
beach, just using the water and the
sand and all that.
MATT
But...we're not at the beach.
TIM
Yeah, but there's a lake here, and
sand around the edge...
JASON
It's November.
TIM regroups as MATT and JASON look at him with irritation.
TIM
Well, that's kinda the point. That
you need to work out whenever and
wherever you can. Not all our
clients are gonna have weight sets
at home.
TIM inclines his head to one side, indicating the jungle gym.
TIM (CONT'D)
Get up on those monkey bars, Seven.
MATT looks at the bars, looks at JASON, who shrugs, and
approaches the equipment.
TIM (CONT'D)
Go on. Let's see how fast you can
work those.
MATT reaches for the first bar and swings hand-to-hand to the
end of the apparatus.
JASON
Another pass, Saracen.
(to TIM)
I like it. Thinking outside the
box there, Riggs.
TIM
Thanks. We're gonna turn this
playground into an ass-kicking
obstacle course.
They watch MATT continue his work on the monkey bars when a
SOCCER BALL rolls by. A kid of about ten approaches. He
scoops up the ball.
KID
Hey. Oh...wow. Street and
Riggins. And Saracen, too.
Awesome.
JASON
Hey there. How you doing today?
The KID pulls a face.
KID
Soccer. It's lame, but I'm pretty
good, so it's OK. My mom won't let
me play football.
TIM
Why not?
KID
She says I'm too small and I'll get
hurt.
He looks at JASON.
KID (CONT'D)
Like you. And she thinks everybody
around here is crazy to care about
football so much and she wants me
to have no part of it.
He repeats this last phrase in a high-pitched whine, as if
he's heard it a thousand times.
JASON
Yeah well, she may be right.
TIM
Street...?
JASON
I mean, all those things can
happen. But if you work out with
Riggins and me...like Saracen
here...
MATT finishes his monkey bar work and returns to the group,
panting, having broken a sweat.
JASON (CONT'D)
You just might end up playing for
State. And beyond.
TIM
Remember these words, kid: 'Texas
Forever.' Look us up in a couple
years. We'll train you, if you're
still interested.
The KID'S eyes grow wide and he grins at these three larger
than-life heroes.
KID
'Texas Forever.' I won't forget.
A man approaches the group.
MAN
Ryan, we're waiting on that ball!
KID
Dad, look, it's Street and Riggins
and Saracen! They're part of Texas
Forever. They could make me the
next Riggins!
The MAN, alarmed at the idea of his child morphing into the
redoubtable RIGGINS, whisks his son back to the safety of the
soccer field.
JASON
I think we've just found our new
training facility, gentlemen.
24 EXT. INTERVIEWER'S HOUSE OUTSIDE LUBBOCK - DAY
TYRA sits in her truck, trying to compose herself. She wears
a suit borrowed from TAMI and has a stack of notecards in
front of her. She plays with her hair and tugs at the neck
of her blouse.
Finally she takes a deep breath, checks herself in the
rearview mirror and exits the truck to approach the house.
Rings the bell.
BERT VAN CLEAVE, mid-sixties, imperious, opens the door wide.
He is self-made, having invented a widget that became
indispensible to the oil industry. He is a bachelor of the
old school.
They regard each other. VAN CLEAVE doesn't greet her, so
TYRA extends her hand.
TYRA
Mr. Van Cleave? I'm Tyra Collette.
VAN CLEAVE
You're early.
TYRA
Oh. Is...should I come back?
VAN CLEAVE
You're not that early. Come in.
He holds the door open for her and she steps into the foyer.
The house is dim, starkly furnished and chilly. The two of
them size each other up. TYRA, in heels, is the same height
as VAN CLEAVE.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
Well. You're the tallest applicant
I've ever interviewed. Including
the boys.
TYRA has heard this kind of thing her whole life and tries to
respond with humor.
TYRA
Anything to stand out in a crowd!
VAN CLEAVE
That's a strange thing to say.
Flustered now, she starts to babble.
TYRA
It's just that I've always been
tall, so I thought since I'm here
about a scholarship, which has
nothing to do with how tall I am,
that I'd make a joke about actually
trying to be tall so I can stand
out, you know, among all the
applicants...
VAN CLEAVE's expression isn't encouraging. TYRA decides she
should speak only when spoken to from here on. He leads her
down a hallway to a small office. He indicates a chair and
takes a seat behind his desk.
VAN CLEAVE
So. I'm supposed to plumb your
depths to decide if you're worthy
of this scholarship. Do you think
you have any depths to be plumbed?
TYRA'S not sure she likes how this question was phrased.
TYRA
I've had some experiences that show
I'm a good candidate, yes.
VAN CLEAVE
(scrutinizing her)
A good candidate would start with
dressing appropriately. That's
quite an ensemble you're wearing.
TYRA
The suit? Well, thank you.
VAN CLEAVE
It wasn't a compliment. Did you
borrow that? From your mother
maybe? Or your sister?
Now she wonders if she's dealing with yet another dirty old
man.
TYRA
I borrowed it. From a friend. But
I don't see how that has anything
to do with why I'm here.
VAN CLEAVE
Really. Then I think we need to
back up a little.
She fears she's already sabotaged this interview, so she goes
on the offensive.
TYRA
Look, I dragged myself up here to
meet with you in good faith, and I
put on this...
Pulls at the lapel of her jacket.
TYRA (CONT'D)
'sincere suit,' to talk about what
I've studied and what I've overcome
so you can underwrite my tuition.
He isn't phased in the slightest.
VAN CLEAVE
Of course that's why we're here. I
just don't think you're presenting
yourself properly.
TYRA is now so angry, confused and terrified that she can't
speak.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
That suit doesn't suit you, as it
were. It doesn't fit you properly,
it's a terrible color, and it's
downright frumpy.
VAN ClEAVE casts his glance at the PURSE she brought with
her, on the floor next to her chair. It is a satchel made of
metallic fabric, with a pattern of studs along the strap.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
That's yours. Am I right?
She blushes as if he has seen directly into her soul.
TYRA
Yes.
VAN CLEAVE
That's you. That's your style.
That purse tells me more about the
real you than this school-marm
getup you've got on.
TYRA
'School-marm'? Wow. Mrs. T is SO
not a school-marm.
VAN CLEAVE sits back in his chair and regards her again.
VAN CLEAVE
I think we need to start over.
TYRA tries to act nonchalant.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
How about this...
He reaches into his back pocket and brings out his wallet.
He opens it and selects a credit card, walks around the desk
and holds the card out to her.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
Take this. It's got a nice high
limit, don't you worry. There's a
mall a few miles from here. Go buy
yourself the kind of outfit you
think reflects the person you are,
put it on, and come back here.
Then you'll be ready to talk about
yourself.
TYRA
(flummoxed)
I don't think I can do that, sir.
VAN CLEAVE
Just go shopping. And if you're
still interested in talking about
college and whatnot when you're
finished, I'll be here.
TYRA feels cemented in place. This experience is entirely
not what she expected. VAN CLEAVE thrusts the card at her.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
Take it now, or we're finished
here.
TYRA takes the card and looks at it, then looks back at VAN
CLEAVE.
TYRA
Clothes? You want me to buy
clothes?
VAN CLEAVE
Good God, what kind of woman
hesitates to go shopping on someone
else's dime? Get going!
TYRA gathers up her purse and quickly heads out of the house.
25 EXT. VAN CLEAVE'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
TYRA gets into her truck and fights back tears. She looks at
the credit card, looks back at the house, and the set of her
face changes. She pulls out onto the street.
END ACT 3
Author: vacheqirit
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: S1
Disclaimers: FNL and these characters are the properties of their owners. No infringements intended.
Author's Note: This is the second part of my AU (Alternate Universe) Script.
ACT 2
13 INT. DILLON HIGH FRONT OFFICE - DAY
MATT enters the suite and looks for TAMI in the counselor's
office. She isn't there. He continues to look for her
throughout the suite, finally coming across her in a back
corner, making copies. MATT approaches her tentatively.
MATT
Um...Mrs. Coach?
TAMI turns around, her hands spreading a book across the
copier's glass.
TAMI
Oh, hi Matt.
She turns back to her work. There is a certain tension
between them.
MATT
Hi. Can I talk to you a minute,
Mrs. Coach?
TAMI doesn't look up.
TAMI
It's Mrs. Taylor, Matt.
MATT
Right, sorry, Mrs. Taylor.
TAMI
I need to finish this. Can you
give me a minute?
MATT
Sure, sure, I'll just wait in your
office.
TAMI
(annoyed sing-song voice)
That'd be fine.
MATT walks back to Tami's office and takes a seat. He checks
the clock on the wall. He watches people wander through the
office. He clasps and unclasps his hands as he stares into
space. Another check of the time. He gets up to leave when
TAMI breezes into her office.
TAMI (CONT'D)
Sorry, got caught up in a little
impromptu counseling...occupational
hazard. Now is there something I
can help you with?
MATT
I'd like to ask...I'm hoping
you...I need to ask a favor.
TAMI assumes a skeptical posture.
MATT (CONT'D)
I know this is kinda awkward, but I
don't really have anyone else I can
ask. I...have a doctor's
appointment, and my grandma hates
doctors and would just get all
confused about paperwork and
insurance and everything, so I
wondered if...if you could take me?
TAMI
(relaxes)
Oh, well, a doctor's appointment?
I'm sure I could work that into my
schedule. When is it?
TAMI consults her dayplanner.
MATT
It's tomorrow afternoon. I'll have
to miss practice, but there's
really no other time I could fit
this in.
TAMI
(scanning her schedule)
That should be fine. I'll see you
in the parking lot right after
school tomorrow.
MATT
Thank you, ma'am. I really
appreciate this.
MATT exits TAMI'S office.
14 INT. PANTHER FIELDHOUSE, THE WEIGHT ROOM - DAY
JASON and TIM enter the fieldhouse in the midst of a
conversation.
TIM
Have you talked to Coach about
this? He might not like it.
JASON
Are you kidding? Extra time on
conditioning at no cost to the
team? He'll be pestering us to get
every kid on the roster to sign up
with us.
JASON prods TIM'S upper arm.
JASON (CONT'D)
I mean, look at these guns. You're
a walking advertisement, my man.
Nothin' left to do but count the
money.
TIM
But I thought we weren't gonna make
any money.
JASON
This is the thing, Grasshopper:
You gotta spend money to make
money. Except we don't have any
money. What we have is knowledge
and experience, so that's what
we're gonna spend now so that we
can make money later.
He gestures to TIM to lean in close to hear him as he speaks
under his breath.
JASON (CONT'D)
I shouldn't really put it this way,
but it's like being a drug dealer:
the first hits are free, and after
that, the need takes care of the
rest.
TIM
That's kinda...twisted.
JASON
We're just peddling what this town
wants to buy, which is kids that
can win State. If we can do that,
we've got a future. It's win-win.
TIM
I don't know if I'm going to like
working for you. You're a hard
ass.
JASON
Naw, not so much these days. But
my biceps--iron-clad!
They spot MATT nearing the end of his session in the weight
room and approach him.
JASON (CONT'D)
Saracen. Riggins and I have a
proposition for you.
MATT
What's...what's up?
JASON
We think you need some extra
training. To keep competitive
MATT
Uh...OK.
JASON
We thought we could train you. On
off days and weekends.
MATT's eyes flick towards the COACH'S office.
MATT
Did...did Coach ask you to?
TIM
Naw, it was our idea.
MATT
Do...do you need me to pay you,
'cause I really can't...
JASON
Here's the thing, Saracen. You're
kinda our guinea pig to see if we
can get a training-coaching
business going. 'Texas Forever' is
what we're calling it. We figure
if we can make you our poster boy,
we can get other kids to sign on as
paying clients.
No cost to you, but you'd have to
commit to make it work. Think you
can do that, Matty?
JASON and TIM wait on MATT'S reply.
MATT
Um, well...I guess so.
JASON tries not to show how pleased he is.
JASON
OK then. Let's do a quick
assessment, see where you are.
He scrutinizes his guinea pig.
JASON (CONT'D)
Upper body needs the most help, but
we need to work the lower for
balance, more quick response under
pressure.
JASON scrawls on a clipboard and hands it to TIM.
JASON (CONT'D)
I'm gonna let Timmy create your
program. Let's start with the free
weights.
MATT looks back and forth between them. TIM takes up
position behind the bench press and looks at MATT
expectantly.
TIM
What do you bench, Seven? I took a
guess.
MATT does a quick calculation of the weight set on the bar.
Two hundred pounds.
MATT
Uh, yeah. I...I can't lift that
much.
TIM looks at the bench, looks back at MATT, and frowns.
TIM
That is completely lame. You gotta
at least bench your weight. What
are you, one-seventy? One-seventy
five?
MATT
(cringing)
One-sixty.
JASON and TIM exchange glances.
JASON
No wonder you're such a girl! You
and Julie been on some diet
together?
TIM
Don't you load up at the Freeze,
man? Maybe you need to pound down
some of those triple-deckers they
got.
JASON
He needs protein, Timmy. Some of
those shakes, the ones you make
with peanut butter and soy milk.
They taste good, too.
TIM
(cracking up)
Like you ever drank that crap, Mr.
Aztec Burger.
JASON
We're trying to be professionals
here, do it right the first time.
We'll put a diet together for you
too, Saracen.
MATT
Great. More people telling me what
to eat.
JASON
What's that?
MATT
I..it's just...everybody's in your
business when you're QB1.
JASON
Saracen, you don't know how lucky
you are.
MATT
You're right. I don't.
TIM
I do. You've got Texas Forever
backing you up. We're your secret
weapons, Seven.
MATT
Do you come with your own carrying
cases, or do I have to squeeze you
into my Panther bag?
JASON
(grinning)
We're self-propelled. Just let us
make you look good, and you'll make
us look good.
TIM pulls the shades down off his head to cover his eyes and
strikes a body-builder pose.
TIM
'I make this look good.'
The guys nod their heads at this movie call-out.
JASON
I think this is gonna work out just
fine.
15 EXT. BUDDY'S NEW DEALERSHIP - DAY
COACH lurches his truck into a parking space and exits with
his face in lock-down mode behind his wraparound shades.
BUDDY supervises a team of construction workers who are
putting the final touches on the exterior of the dealership.
BUDDY
Paint and trim gotta be finished
today. And don't think I'm
cleanin' up after y'all. I'm the
client here.
He turns to see COACH standing nearby.
BUDDY (CONT'D)
Eric, good to see you. Can I help
you with something? I'm a little
tied up today as you can see...
COACH seethes, which BUDDY doesn't notice.
COACH
We need to talk.
BUDDY steps back to view the installation of neon lights over
the showroom windows.
BUDDY
Did the electrician come?
Shouldn't this be all lit up?
COACH
You and your signs, Buddy. There
isn't a sign in the whole world big
enough to satisfy your ego.
BUDDY
Aw, Eric, don't spoil my fun. You
can be such a buzz kill.
COACH
You might want your name written
sky-high, but I don't.
BUDDY points at the building.
BUDDY
Don't forget that corner.
(to Eric)
What now?
COACH
The billboard, Buddy. The one with
my face 30 feet up in the air?
BUDDY
Pretty impressive, seeing yourself
that big, isn't it?
COACH
No, Buddy, it's ridiculous. It's
insane. It's not, by the way,
something I signed off on.
BUDDY
What do you mean? You said you'd
be supportive, whatever I needed.
COACH
I meant that figuratively, Buddy! I
didn't think you were going to turn
me into your poster boy!
BUDDY
After all I've done for you, for
the team, you want to ream me out
over a billboard picture? A really
good one, too?
COACH
Don't do that. Don't talk down to
me.
BUDDY now turns to face COACH.
BUDDY
I'm sorry, but what exactly is the
problem here? Your picture gets
the dealership a little Panther
love from the locals, the Panthers
get a shout-out, and you can
literally be larger than life.
It's the perfect marriage of
commerce and passion.
COACH
Take it down.
BUDDY
What?
COACH
You take that billboard down. And
I mean right now.
BUDDY
What is this really about, Eric?
Do you want money?
BUDDY reaches into his back pocket. He removes his money
clip, peeling off the bills in large denominations.
BUDDY (CONT'D)
Has it really come to this? Maybe
it has. Maybe I should've expected
this, what with all your money
problems lately...
COACH
I swear, Buddy, one of these
days...
BUDDY
One of these days? One of these
days, Eric, you're gonna realize
who really makes things happen
around here, and if you're smart,
you'll learn to appreciate what
people like me can do for you.
COACH
More like what you can do TO me,
Buddy.
BUDDY
How's that now? Is this a 'who's
is bigger?' type conversation?
Because I'll tell you right now,
you are not gonna win that one...
COACH
You are beyond belief, Buddy.
BUDDY
What are you gonna do, sue me? We
had a verbal contract.
COACH
Don't try to snow me. One way or
another, that sign's gonna come
back to bite you. You wait and
see.
BUDDY
Thanks for stopping by, Eric.
Always a pleasure doing business
with you.
BUDDY turns back to his work while COACH gets back in his
truck.
16 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
TAMI sits in a waiting room, leafing through a magazine.
MATT exits through a door leading to the examination rooms,
rolling down one sleeve. He checks in with the nurse and
turns to TAMI.
TAMI
All set?
MATT
Yeah, sorry it took so long.
TAMI
Not a problem. I love catching up
on my "In Style" reading.
17 EXT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
They make their way out of the building. TAMI rummages
around in her purse. Once they are both in the car, she
realizes she has left the phone in the doctor's office.
TAMI
Matt, I'll be right back. I think
I left my phone inside.
18 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
TAMI sees the phone on a side table, picks it up, and is just
about to leave when a nurse approaches her.
NURSE
I'm glad you came back. I forgot
to tell Matt that the lab will be
calling him with his results in
about a week.
TAMI is taken aback.
TAMI
His results?
NURSE
Comparing his levels with those
when he finished treatment.
This is unnerving.
TAMI
Treatment. Of course.
NURSE
You'll let him know?
TAMI
Oh yes. I'll let him know.
She leaves.
19 I/E. TAYLOR CAR - DAY
TAMI sits for a moment, trying to process what she's just
heard.
TAMI
The nurse told me to tell you that
the lab will call you in the next
week with your test results.
MATT blanches. He hasn't expected to hear this from her.
MATT
OK.
TAMI
You realize what a difficult
position you've put me in. If you
have a health problem, eventually
the school will have to know, but
right now, I'm concerned about what
this means for Julie, and for your
teammates, and anyone else you come
in contact with. What do you
expect me to do here, Matt?
MATT can't put the genie back in the bottle.
MATT
I'm sorry, ma'am.
TAMI
I hope you're not putting anybody
at risk. I hope you wouldn't be so
selfish.
MATT
No ma'am. I'd...I'd never do
anything like that, ma'am.
They drive off in silence.
20 INT. TAYLOR HOME - EVENING
COACH TAYLOR watches game film in the family room while TAMI
cleans up after dinner.
TAMI
Honey.
COACH
Hm?
TAMI
I need to talk to you for a minute,
hon.
TAMI comes out of the kitchen and takes up position in front
of COACH.
COACH
C'mon, don't stand there, don't
stand in front of the TV, please.
TAMI
Can you just pretend you're me and
I'm you for the purposes of this
hypothetical discussion?
COACH
Wait...what now?
TAMI
You're me, the counselor, and I'm
you, the person who needs to be
counseled. It's not that hard to
follow.
TAMI sits down on the coffee table, directly in COACH'S line
of sight.
TAMI (CONT'D)
You've come to me plenty of times
for my unbiased advice, so now I
need some from you. Because I
don't know if the information I
have can stay confidential when I
know it might have serious
consequences.
COACH
So what are you asking me, exactly?
TAMI
I'm asking if it's legitimate for
me to pass along private,
confidential information if it
might affect a number of other
people.
COACH
What kind of information?
TAMI
Information like...like Smash using
steroids. That kind of
information.
This gets COACH'S attention.
COACH
Is someone else using steroids? If
they are, honey, you need to tell
me right now.
TAMI
No, it's not that. It's a health
problem.
COACH
A health problem? Someone on the
team has a health problem?
TAMI
I'm not sure yet if it's a health
problem, and I didn't say it was
someone on the team.
COACH
I doubt you're coming to me about
one of the rally girls having an
STD.
TAMI is exasperated.
TAMI
Don't do that, don't be a jerk.
Just help me figure this out.
COACH leans back in his seat and crosses his arms over his
chest.
COACH
What's at stake here?
TAMI
I suppose I should just tell you.
It's about Matt.
COACH
Matt Saracen has a health problem?
Semis are coming up, I can't have
him have a health problem.
Wait...what kind of health problem?
You need to tell me everything
right now.
TAMI
Like I said, I don't know what kind
of problem. I took Matt to the
doctor for an appointment today.
COACH leans forward again.
COACH
So that's why he missed practice.
TAMI
They assumed I knew his history,
because they're checking his levels
compared to the ones 'when he
finished treatment.'
TAMI sits back to let this information sink in.
COACH
I don't really know what to make of
that. And unless Matt tells me
something, I can't very well go ask
him about his blood tests, can I?
TAMI
No.
COACH
I wish you hadn't said anything.
TAMI
He's a surprising one, Matt. It
was pretty damn smart of him to
have me take him, because he knows
that the school counselor is
legally bound not to reveal any
kind of personal information.
COACH
(to himself)
And he told me to play Weston if I
thought he couldn't get it done. I
just thought it was nerves. Damn,
can anything else go wrong? I mean
really?
They sit for a moment.
COACH (CONT'D)
So, what do you think this might
be?
END ACT 2
20 ACT 3
21 INT. SARACEN HOME - DAY
JULIE enters the house and immediately sets about making tea
in the kitchen. GRANDMA settles back into her easy chair and
turns down the volume on the TV, but only enough so they can
talk over it.
GRANDMA
Tell me, darlin', how are things
with you? I hardly know what
you're up to anymore. Except
football.
JULIE
We're good, I'm good. We're really
busy, like you said. It's pretty
exciting, semis coming up.
GRANDMA
Exciting? It's thrilling, that's
what it is. I can't wait to see my
Matthew playing for State again.
It's almost too much to hope for,
twice in a lifetime.
JULIE
So do you think he's excited, about
semis and everything? I think he's
been a little nervous lately.
GRANDMA
Oh, that's natural. Lots of
pressure, lots of expectations.
Who wouldn't be a little nervous?
JULIE
Is he eating OK? Is he getting
enough sleep?
GRANDMA rocks back and forth as JULIE arranges the tea tray.
GRANDMA
He's fine, honey. He gets a little
wound up sometimes. And of course
he's always been a little
more...susceptible, I suppose is
the word, since the leukemia.
JULIE drops the teapot she has been preparing. The CRASH
scares both of them. Hot tea, tea leaves, and pottery shards
shoot to the far corners of the kitchen.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
Goodness, Julie! Are you alright?
Are you burned? Quick now, step
away from there.
GRANDMA reaches for a dish towel and drops it over the tea
pooling on the linoleum. JULIE is immobilized. GRANDMA goes
to find the broom and dustpan and begins to clean up.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
Honey, come on now, help me clean
up a bit. Don't fuss, it was an
accident. I have another teapot
around here somewhere.
JULIE finally steps aside and leans down to pick up some of
the larger shards of pottery.
JULIE
So Grandma, what was it like for
him, when he was sick?
GRANDMA
Cancer treatment? It's worse than
the disease itself. And he was
only a little boy. So much time in
the hospital. It was hard on all
of us.
JULIE tries to hold it together.
JULIE
How old was he, Grandma?
GRANDMA
I think he was six when he was
diagnosed. He came to live with me
when he was ten, after he was in
remission. But the strain was too
much on his mother. And
financially, well, they just never
recovered.
They finish cleaning up.
GRANDMA (CONT'D)
There now, that's better. Shall we
try again honey? I'm a bit hungry
now.
JULIE sits down at the kitchen table, shaken.
22 INT. COACH TAYLOR'S OFFICE - DAY
COACH and MAC review strategies for the semifinal game, which
is two days away.
MAC
I think you should talk to him.
COACH
You're the Offensive Coordinator,
he's your guy.
MAC
It would mean more coming from you.
COACH
Alright.
MAC leaves the office and calls out to the locker room for
one of the offensive linemen, BRADLEY.
MAC
Bradley! In here now!
BRADLEY hustles to the office, half-dressed.
BRADLEY
Yeah, Mac?
COACH
We wanted to ask you something.
BRADLEY, all two-hundred and fifty pounds of him, looks
unflappable.
BRADLEY
Yes, sir.
COACH
You been on the line ever since I
came on board with the Panthers,
and we couldn't have protected
Saracen without you. You've done a
helluva job. I just want you to
know that.
BRADLEY now looks more uneasy.
BRADLEY
Uh...thanks, Coach.
COACH
But this is your last game coming
up...
MAC
Unless we get to State.
COACH
You're a senior, and we want to
acknowledge your contribution to
the team.
MAC
So we were thinking, and the team
seems to agree...
COACH
...that you should be our solo
captain at semis.
COACH and MAC watch BRADLEY for his reaction, though they
already know what it will be. BRADLEY, usually quick with a
zinger, is struck dumb.
COACH (CONT'D)
That be OK with you, Bradley?
BRADLEY
Uh, yes sir. Yes sir. Thank you,
sir!
MAC
Alright then.
BRADLEY
You're awesome, Coach. Thank you
so much.
COACH
You're welcome.
BRADLEY
It's been a privilege playing for
you, it truly has.
COACH
I appreciate that. Alright, we'll
see you at practice tomorrow.
BRADLEY
And can I say, sir, that it's great
to see you get a little recognition
around here.
That billboard out on 10 just makes
me smile every time I see it.
COACH grimaces, and MAC lowers his head, trying to hide a
smile.
COACH
Yeah well, that...Buddy kinda
sprang that on me. Makes me look
foolish.
BRADLEY
Oh. I didn't know that.
MAC
That's all for now, Bradley.
BRADLEY
So you really don't like it? Does
Buddy know?
COACH
Oh he knows. You bet he knows.
BRADLEY
Yeah? Well. I guess I'm sorry
about that, Coach. Like I said,
you deserve the best.
MAC
Go on, now, leave Coach alone,
before he changes his mind about
your being captain and all.
BRADLEY
Right. Thanks again, Coach.
BRADLEY exits the office. MAC puts his hands on his hips and
shakes his head.
MAC
Wish there was something we could
do about that sign problem of
yours.
COACH takes his Panther hat off and takes out his
frustrations on his hair.
COACH
It's the sign of the times.
23 EXT. MUNICIPAL PARK - DAY
JASON, TIM and MATT meet for a Texas Forever session away
from the scrutiny of Panther Nation. Playground equipment, a
small man-made lake, and a soccer field full of kids surround
them.
MATT
So...why are we meeting here?
TIM
I thought we should try something
different.
JASON
What's the plan, Timmy?
TIM
I was watching "The Biggest Loser"
the other night...
MATT
Is that some kind of joke?
Training The Biggest Loser using
tips from "The Biggest Loser?"
TIM doesn't let this get him off track.
TIM
...and some of them trained on the
beach, just using the water and the
sand and all that.
MATT
But...we're not at the beach.
TIM
Yeah, but there's a lake here, and
sand around the edge...
JASON
It's November.
TIM regroups as MATT and JASON look at him with irritation.
TIM
Well, that's kinda the point. That
you need to work out whenever and
wherever you can. Not all our
clients are gonna have weight sets
at home.
TIM inclines his head to one side, indicating the jungle gym.
TIM (CONT'D)
Get up on those monkey bars, Seven.
MATT looks at the bars, looks at JASON, who shrugs, and
approaches the equipment.
TIM (CONT'D)
Go on. Let's see how fast you can
work those.
MATT reaches for the first bar and swings hand-to-hand to the
end of the apparatus.
JASON
Another pass, Saracen.
(to TIM)
I like it. Thinking outside the
box there, Riggs.
TIM
Thanks. We're gonna turn this
playground into an ass-kicking
obstacle course.
They watch MATT continue his work on the monkey bars when a
SOCCER BALL rolls by. A kid of about ten approaches. He
scoops up the ball.
KID
Hey. Oh...wow. Street and
Riggins. And Saracen, too.
Awesome.
JASON
Hey there. How you doing today?
The KID pulls a face.
KID
Soccer. It's lame, but I'm pretty
good, so it's OK. My mom won't let
me play football.
TIM
Why not?
KID
She says I'm too small and I'll get
hurt.
He looks at JASON.
KID (CONT'D)
Like you. And she thinks everybody
around here is crazy to care about
football so much and she wants me
to have no part of it.
He repeats this last phrase in a high-pitched whine, as if
he's heard it a thousand times.
JASON
Yeah well, she may be right.
TIM
Street...?
JASON
I mean, all those things can
happen. But if you work out with
Riggins and me...like Saracen
here...
MATT finishes his monkey bar work and returns to the group,
panting, having broken a sweat.
JASON (CONT'D)
You just might end up playing for
State. And beyond.
TIM
Remember these words, kid: 'Texas
Forever.' Look us up in a couple
years. We'll train you, if you're
still interested.
The KID'S eyes grow wide and he grins at these three larger
than-life heroes.
KID
'Texas Forever.' I won't forget.
A man approaches the group.
MAN
Ryan, we're waiting on that ball!
KID
Dad, look, it's Street and Riggins
and Saracen! They're part of Texas
Forever. They could make me the
next Riggins!
The MAN, alarmed at the idea of his child morphing into the
redoubtable RIGGINS, whisks his son back to the safety of the
soccer field.
JASON
I think we've just found our new
training facility, gentlemen.
24 EXT. INTERVIEWER'S HOUSE OUTSIDE LUBBOCK - DAY
TYRA sits in her truck, trying to compose herself. She wears
a suit borrowed from TAMI and has a stack of notecards in
front of her. She plays with her hair and tugs at the neck
of her blouse.
Finally she takes a deep breath, checks herself in the
rearview mirror and exits the truck to approach the house.
Rings the bell.
BERT VAN CLEAVE, mid-sixties, imperious, opens the door wide.
He is self-made, having invented a widget that became
indispensible to the oil industry. He is a bachelor of the
old school.
They regard each other. VAN CLEAVE doesn't greet her, so
TYRA extends her hand.
TYRA
Mr. Van Cleave? I'm Tyra Collette.
VAN CLEAVE
You're early.
TYRA
Oh. Is...should I come back?
VAN CLEAVE
You're not that early. Come in.
He holds the door open for her and she steps into the foyer.
The house is dim, starkly furnished and chilly. The two of
them size each other up. TYRA, in heels, is the same height
as VAN CLEAVE.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
Well. You're the tallest applicant
I've ever interviewed. Including
the boys.
TYRA has heard this kind of thing her whole life and tries to
respond with humor.
TYRA
Anything to stand out in a crowd!
VAN CLEAVE
That's a strange thing to say.
Flustered now, she starts to babble.
TYRA
It's just that I've always been
tall, so I thought since I'm here
about a scholarship, which has
nothing to do with how tall I am,
that I'd make a joke about actually
trying to be tall so I can stand
out, you know, among all the
applicants...
VAN CLEAVE's expression isn't encouraging. TYRA decides she
should speak only when spoken to from here on. He leads her
down a hallway to a small office. He indicates a chair and
takes a seat behind his desk.
VAN CLEAVE
So. I'm supposed to plumb your
depths to decide if you're worthy
of this scholarship. Do you think
you have any depths to be plumbed?
TYRA'S not sure she likes how this question was phrased.
TYRA
I've had some experiences that show
I'm a good candidate, yes.
VAN CLEAVE
(scrutinizing her)
A good candidate would start with
dressing appropriately. That's
quite an ensemble you're wearing.
TYRA
The suit? Well, thank you.
VAN CLEAVE
It wasn't a compliment. Did you
borrow that? From your mother
maybe? Or your sister?
Now she wonders if she's dealing with yet another dirty old
man.
TYRA
I borrowed it. From a friend. But
I don't see how that has anything
to do with why I'm here.
VAN CLEAVE
Really. Then I think we need to
back up a little.
She fears she's already sabotaged this interview, so she goes
on the offensive.
TYRA
Look, I dragged myself up here to
meet with you in good faith, and I
put on this...
Pulls at the lapel of her jacket.
TYRA (CONT'D)
'sincere suit,' to talk about what
I've studied and what I've overcome
so you can underwrite my tuition.
He isn't phased in the slightest.
VAN CLEAVE
Of course that's why we're here. I
just don't think you're presenting
yourself properly.
TYRA is now so angry, confused and terrified that she can't
speak.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
That suit doesn't suit you, as it
were. It doesn't fit you properly,
it's a terrible color, and it's
downright frumpy.
VAN ClEAVE casts his glance at the PURSE she brought with
her, on the floor next to her chair. It is a satchel made of
metallic fabric, with a pattern of studs along the strap.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
That's yours. Am I right?
She blushes as if he has seen directly into her soul.
TYRA
Yes.
VAN CLEAVE
That's you. That's your style.
That purse tells me more about the
real you than this school-marm
getup you've got on.
TYRA
'School-marm'? Wow. Mrs. T is SO
not a school-marm.
VAN CLEAVE sits back in his chair and regards her again.
VAN CLEAVE
I think we need to start over.
TYRA tries to act nonchalant.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
How about this...
He reaches into his back pocket and brings out his wallet.
He opens it and selects a credit card, walks around the desk
and holds the card out to her.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
Take this. It's got a nice high
limit, don't you worry. There's a
mall a few miles from here. Go buy
yourself the kind of outfit you
think reflects the person you are,
put it on, and come back here.
Then you'll be ready to talk about
yourself.
TYRA
(flummoxed)
I don't think I can do that, sir.
VAN CLEAVE
Just go shopping. And if you're
still interested in talking about
college and whatnot when you're
finished, I'll be here.
TYRA feels cemented in place. This experience is entirely
not what she expected. VAN CLEAVE thrusts the card at her.
VAN CLEAVE (CONT'D)
Take it now, or we're finished
here.
TYRA takes the card and looks at it, then looks back at VAN
CLEAVE.
TYRA
Clothes? You want me to buy
clothes?
VAN CLEAVE
Good God, what kind of woman
hesitates to go shopping on someone
else's dime? Get going!
TYRA gathers up her purse and quickly heads out of the house.
25 EXT. VAN CLEAVE'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
TYRA gets into her truck and fights back tears. She looks at
the credit card, looks back at the house, and the set of her
face changes. She pulls out onto the street.
END ACT 3