Nothing

NOTHING
A TRUE STORY
Written by
Steve Janas
June 3, 2015
Woolf + Lapin
woolflapin.com
514-808-5134
AUDIO IN:
HELTER SKELTER by the Beatles begins and continues through

the scene. LOGOS and CREDITS intercut.
FADE IN:
TV SCREEN: NEWS REPORT
A CNN GRAPHIC flies in, and soon ANDERSON COOPER is

delivering breaking news.
ANDERSON COOPER
You're about to see an exclusive
interview with the mother of a girl
accused of luring a young boy to
his death in a case that echoes one
of the most horrific crimes in
American history, the Helter-
Skelter murders committed by the so-
called Manson family.
From the TV news report, we
CUT TO:
EXT. THE TRAILS - DAY
A desolate stretch of waterfront in North Philadelphia. FOUR

TEENAGERS are thrashing to the song.
TV REPORT (CONTINUED)
As the NEWS VIDEO ROLLS, the REPORTER narrates.
REPORTER (V.O.)
Jason Sweeney, only 16 years old,
still had freckles on his face and
dreamed about becoming a Navy SEAL.
Now a tiny American flag waves
above a simple stick cross, the
site where he was murdered. A judge
in the case called the brutality of
it Medieval.
The local PROSECUTOR is being interviewed.
PROSECUTOR
They crushed the right side of the
young man's face.
(MORE)
2.
PROSECUTOR (CONT'D)
And the injuries and the extent of
the injuries and the amount of
force necessary to inflict those
injuries is unspeakable.
REPORTER (V.O.)
Unspeakable in part because the
three young men who are accused of
doing this were only teenagers
themselves.
POLICE INTERROGATION VIDEO: DOMENIC COIA
Small of stature, dark and snake-like, DOMENIC COIA, 17, sits

as A COP asks him a question OFF-CAMERA.
COP (O.C.)
Were you high when you did it?
DOMENIC
No - we were stone-cold sober. As
sober as I am now. Sick, isnt it?
SWEEP ACROSS the thrashing faces to one in particular:

JUSTINA MORLEY. Fifteen years old, she is a pretty goth.
REPORTER (V.O.)
But prosecutors say Jason's murder
could only happen because this
young woman, 15-year-old Justina
Morley...
TV REPORT (CONTINUED)
Video ROLLS.
REPORTER
(OVER)
... allegedly lured him to an empty
lot for sex and the group wanted to
steal his $500 pay.
Cut back to the studio with Anderson Cooper.

3.
ANDERSON COOPER
Well, joining us now exclusively
from Philadelphia is April
Frederick, mother of Justina
Morley, and Justina's lawyer,
William J. Brennan.
April, do you believe your daughter

is guilty?
In the feed from the remote studio, APRIL FREDERICK sits

nervously next to her lawyer.
APRIL FREDERICK
No, I don't.
ANDERSON COOPER
You say that because of the -- your
knowledge of her? You...
APRIL FREDERICK
(cutting him off)
Absolutely, because I know -- I
know my child. I know who she is. I
know she's not capable of the
things that they're saying. She's a
sweet kid. She's a timid girl.
She's a nice girl.
SONG ENDS
INT. INSTITUTIONAL HALLWAY - DAY
TIGHT ON Justina Morley. A HAND grips her arm, guiding her.

OVER this we hear another TV interview:
INTERVIEWER (V.O.)
Youve said recently that America
is presently the greatest society
in history...
AUDIO BRIDGES
TO:
BLACK & WHITE TV INTERVIEW
From the 50s or early 60s. The subject is a dapper gent

with a pronounced German accent. ERICH FROMM.
4.
INTERVIEWER
... but if it continues on its
current path, it ensures its own
destruction. What do you mean by
that?
ERICH FROMM
I mean that it is the greatest
society from a material point of
view. But the American man of today
- and by man, I of course mean
woman as well - relates to other
men and the world overall as a
thing relates to other things.
The AUDIO BRIDGES to:
INT. INSTITUTIONAL HALLWAY/BEDROOM - DAY
Justina is led in to what looks like a hospital room and sat

on the bed. TIGHT on the RAZOR WOUNDS on her knees.
ERICH FROMM (CONTD)

(OVER)
Even you yourself have no value.
How can you, when you are nothing
more than a thing?
In Justinas room, a FEMALE VOICE speaks.
FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)

Are you going to be OK?
JUSTINA
(in a small voice)
Yes.
Fromm continues OVER:
ERICH FROMM (V.O.)

This produces a specific type of
individual I call a necrophilic
personality.
BLACK & WHITE TV INTERVIEW
TIGHT ON Fromms arm: a CONCENTRATION CAMP TATTOO is just

visible.
5.
ERICH FROMM
Basically, this is the personality
with a passionate connection to all
that is dead, decayed and putrid.
Its passion is to transform what is
alive into what is unalive.
Destruction for its own sake. Life
itself is the enemy.
INT. INSTITUTIONAL HALLWAY/BEDROOM - DAY
Justina and the room are neatly framed by the door frame as
the NURSE exits the room.
ERICH FROMM (V.O.)

For a necrophile, there is no
emotion; only sensation. There is
no love; only possession. There is
no trust; only control.
A GRAPHIC appears: ONE YEAR EARLIER. Then it fades.
The door closes, shutting Justina inside.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A typical big-city Catholic school, attached to a church and

surrounded by late 19th and early 20th-Century rowhouses.
INT. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS OFFICE - DAY
The PRINCIPAL, a nun, sits across a desk from Justina.
PRINCIPAL
Well, Justina, it is good to have
you back after your unfortunate
hospital stay.
JUSTINA
Thank you, Mother Superior.
PRINCIPAL
Maybe this time it will effect a
true difference in your behavior.
Justina says nothing, simply nods.

6.
INT. JUSTINAS PRISON CELL - DAY
Dressed in her PRISON JUMPSUIT, Justina sits at the little

DESK, writing in her NOTEBOOK.
JUSTINA (V.O.)
Im a cold-blooded, fucking death-
worshipping bitch who survives by
feeding off the weak and lonely. I
lure them, and then I crush them.
TV SCREEN: NEWS REPORT
The twin towers of the World Trade Center are ablaze. A

GRAPHIC on the screen says RECORDED EARLIER.
INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY
A GROUP OF STUDENTS and their TEACHER are watching the images

in silent horror. At the front is JASON SWEENEY, 14 and well
on his way to outgrowing his childhood stockiness.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Even though its 9/11, the Sweeneys are having family

dinner: Dawn, Jason, his father PAUL and sister MELISSA, 13 -
bright-eyed, but cursed with acne and frizzy hair.
PAUL
So - does anyone want to talk about
what happened today?
MELISSA
They closed school before I could
meet everyone in my classes for the
new year.
Jason is still brooding.
PAUL
Jason?
JASON
All those innocent people... Dying
because they needed someone to
protect them, and no one was there.
(looks up at the others)
If I was 18, Id join up. Id fight
for my country.
7.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
STUDENTS file into class as the TEACHER is writing on the

CHALK BOARD. Jason is one of them. So is EDDIE BATZIG, 14,
known as a blonde Harry Potter because of his rimless
glasses and close-cropped blonde hair. Jasons T-SHIRT bears
an image of Rocky the flying squirrel.
LATER
The teacher is at the board, in the middle of his lesson.
TEACHER
Now, beyond Arithmetic, Geometry
really represents the basics of
Mathematics, so a thorough
understanding of both is critical
for moving forward into higher
levels of math...
Jason is day-dreaming. Then:
EDDIE
(in a Bullwinkle voice)
Hey, Roc-KEE...
Even the teacher skips a beat. Jason smirks. A fellow fan.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jason and Eddie are walking together after school.
JASON
So your names Eddie? Eddie what?
EDDIE
Batzig. I live over on Hewson
Street.
JASON
Thats, like, two blocks from me. I
live on Susquehanna.
EDDIE
How come I havent met you before?
JASON
Ive been going to Catholic School
up until last year, when my folks
said they were going to stop
sending me because of my grades.
(MORE)
8.
JASON (CONT'D)
If I wasnt going to study, they
werent going to pay for it.
They come to a street corner, on which loiter Domenic and his

younger brother NICKY, along with their friend JOE MCKENNA,
17, with pink white-boy dreads and yellow UFO PANTS.
DOMENIC
(calling after them)
Hey sweet-cheeks! Youre looking
mighty tasty this afternoon.
Eddie and Nicky trade companionable nods as they pass.
JASON
You know those guys? The Coias?
EDDIE
Nicky, mostly. We hang out. Hes in
our grade. Dom - not as much. He
should be in high school, but I
think they held him back once or
twice.
EXT. EMPTY LOT - DAY
Jason and Eddie play WHIFFLE BALL.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
After dinner: Jason and Dawn are washing the dishes. The
PHONE RINGS in another room, and Dawn goes to answer it.
DAWN
(calling)
Hey, Meliss - can you get in here
and finish up for me? I need to get
that.
As Dawn leaves, Melissa enters and takes her place next to

Jason. They wash in silence at first, then Jason lets out a
long, silent fart.
MELISSA
(after a long beat)
Eww! Gross!
JASON
(half-laughing)
I dont know what youre talking
about.
9.
MELISSA
You farted!
JASON
It was the dog.
MELISSA
It wasnt the dog. Youre
disgusting!
(turning away)
Mom!
As she stalks away, Jason cant hold back and laughs freely.
EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY
Jason and Eddie sit as Justina approaches from the main gate,
dressed in her Catholic School uniform.
EDDIE
Isnt that Justina Morley? I
thought she went to Holy Name.
JUSTINA
Hi Jason! You gotta buck for a
pretzel?
Jason digs into his pocket and gives her a dollar. With a
flirtatious grin, she leaves.
EDDIE
What - you like her?
JASON
Shes kind of sweet.
EXT. SWEENEY HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY
Jason is showing Eddie the GARDEN that fills up most of the

small space.
EDDIE
You grow these?
JASON
Yeah, my mom and me... My sister
too, at first, but its not really
her thing.
EDDIE
I dont think itd be my thing
either.
10.
JASON
Whatever. Just try having a salad
with vegetables you grew yourself.
The taste is fantastic.
INT. JASONS BEDROOM - DAY
Jason and Eddie are sitting on Jasons bed, playing Doom.

Eddie is kicking Jasons ass.
EDDIE
(as he plays)
... There it goes - pow! Bullet
though the head, right between the
eyes... And, pop - head bursts like
a water balloon...
At that moment, Dawn appears in the bedroom door.
DAWN
(to Jason)
Hey, hon - you do your homework?
JASON
(still looking at the
screen)
Yeah.
DAWN
(mockingly)
Yeah, right, sure, uh-huh...
(turns to look at Eddie)
And whos this?
JASON
My friend Eddie.
DAWN
Well, hello, Eddie. Do you have a
last name?
EDDIE
Batzig.
DAWN
Eddie Batzig... Do I know your mom?
EDDIE
I dont know. Her names Jeanette.
She works right over here at the
yarn factory. Second shift.
11.
DAWN
Uh-huh.
JASON
(annoyed)
Mom!
DAWN
Sorr-Y!
(to Eddie)
He gets annoyed when I give his
friends the third degree. But I
want to know who my kids are
hanging around with. When youre a
parent, youll understand.
(to Jason)
Dinners in an hour, hon.
She leaves. Jason waits a beat, then turns to meet Eddies

gaze. He rolls his eyes. OVER this launches a screeching
assault of DISTORTED GUITAR that BRIDGES as we
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
Domenic Coia is coming down the sidewalk in his baggy JNCOs

and NIRVANA BAND T-SHIRT. A throbbing BASS joins the guitar.
Dom stops suddenly by a PARKED CAR and pulls out a 10-lb.
DUMB BELL.
INT. PARKED CAR - DAY
SMASH! Grab - the CELLPHONE in the seat is gone, along with

the LOOSE CHANGE on the dashboard. The SONG BRIDGES:
INT. REHEARSAL SPACE
Domenics band is playing what weve been hearing over. Nicky

is on BASS, Joe is on DRUMS, and on guitar is JOSH STAAB, a
short, sickly kid . Domenic himself, the star, is of course
behind the MICROPHONE.
DOMENIC
(singing)
I waver above as my body reels and
bruises and moans on the floor.
Bones break open,
I say nothing,
the pain, it lingers like chain
smoke breath.
12.
The song CONTINUES OVER the following scenes.
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
Domenic struts up to his STREET-CORNER BOY.
DOMENIC
Yo, dude - watchoo want for an Oxy-
80?
They carry out their business.
EXT. KONRAD SQUARE - DAY
A small park in the middle of the working-class Fishtown

neighborhood of Philadelphia. TWO NEIGHBORHOOD GUYS are
talking as Domenic walks through. One notices him.
GUY
Yo, Dom, you fucking junky
motherfucker. That was my moms car
you hit. Now youre gonna fuckin
gimme a box.
He puts his fists up - gimme a box is local lingo for Now

were going to fight. Domenic plays dumb.
DOMENIC
What - a cardboard box?
The guy punches him in the face.
The band hurtles into the songs chorus.
DOMENIC
(singing)
Me generation,
now you've got a product,
and the product is me.
Free thinking user,
lower your suture,
now look what you've got...
ME!
13.
EXT. ELEVATED TRAIN PLATFORM - DAY
The train doors open and Domenic emerges, lighting a

CIGARETTE. He encounters TWO GIRLS who, like him, dress like
goths. One is holding a CAKE that says HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
GIRL 1
Happy birthday, Domenic!
Domenic takes the cake - his astonishment looks legit.
GIRL 1 (CONTD)
I baked it myself... From scratch.
Doms astonishment suddenly turns twisted and, with dark

relish, he hurls the cake in front of the train just as it
pulls from the station. Girl 1 screams.
The song winds into a bridge:
DOMENIC
(singing)
Trust -
kiss it goodbye,
deal with the memory,
rise above it...
INT. REHEARSAL SPACE - LATER
The group is passing around a joint.
DOMENIC
Im gonna go out like Cobain.
JOE
(skeptical)
Is that right?
DOMENIC
Yeah - the worldll be Whyd he do
it? Whyd he have to go ahead and
kill that guy? Thats how Ill get
famous.
The band roars into the final chorus.

14.
DOMENIC
(singing)
Me generation,
now you've got a product,
and the product is me...
EXT. SCHOOL STEPS - DAY
With Josh and Joe in tow, Dom steps out of the school like a
king.
DOMENIC
I am without a doubt the most
popular kid in school.
INT. REHEARSAL SPACE.
The band winds it up.
DOMENIC
Free thinking user,
lower your suture,
now look what you've got...
ME!
EXT. TRAILS - NIGHT
There are maybe a DOZEN KIDS drinking, getting high, etc.

around a BARREL FIRE. Domenic is flinging ROCKS while talking
to Justinas older sister APRIL, a dead ringer except for
their difference in height.
DOMENIC
My dream house? I dunno... Id need
a little crawlspace under the
basement to put someone in. With a
window I could watch him through.
And a little tube, maybe, for air
and feeding him shit... See how
long I could string him along
before he dies.
APRIL MORLEY
What would you feed him?
DOMENIC
Im thinking Combos, probably.
Suddenly, theres a HARSH LIGHT. TWO COPS stand behind it.

15.
COP ONE
What are you kids doing back here?
DOMENIC
Nothing, officer. Its just me and
my family.
COP ONE
All these kids? Theyre your
family?
DOMENIC
Yes, officer. Theyre all my
family.
INT. APRIL MORLEYS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Domenic and April lie together, fully clothed, on top of

Aprils bed. Domenic has his arms wrapped around her.
APRIL MORLEY
How late are you planning on
staying?
DOMENIC
All night, if I could.
APRIL MORLEY
You can.
DOMENIC
But you wont put out.
APRIL MORLEY
I thought we were friends.
DOMENIC
You put out for other guys.
APRIL MORLEY
Again, I thought we were friends.
There is a sudden BUMP outside the door.
APRIL MORLEY (CONTD)

(shouting)
Go to bed, Justina!
She throws a pillow at the door.

16.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE - NIGHT
Justina, listening outside the door, recoils at the THUMP of

the pillow and, after a moment, goes away down the hall.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - DAY
Dawn is handing Jason a small WAD OF CASH.
DAWN
OK - thats for you and a friend to
go see a movie. Who are you going
to take?
JASON
(taking the cash)
I guess Eddie.
DAWN
Really? Thats nice. Take your
sister, too.
JASON
Seriously?
DAWN
I mean it.
INT. MULTIPLEX - DAY
Holding their MOVIE TICKETS, Jason, Eddie and Melissa head in

to the theater.
MELISSA
So, what is this? Theyre some kind
of mutants or something?
JASON
Oh, God - listen to her. If it
aint Hogwarts, shes out over
land.
EDDIE
(to Melissa, patiently)
Yes, theyre all mutants. Each one
has a unique special power that
made them freaks, but when theyre
brought together, they become
superheroes.
(MORE)
17.
EDDIE (CONT'D)
Theres Wolverine, who has blades
in his skin that come out when he
gets mad, and Cyclops, who shoots
laser beams out of his eyes...
MELISSA
Which one would I be?
EDDIE
Definitely Rogue. She absorbs the
memories and powers of others.
MELISSA
(pleased)
Awesome.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - DAY
Melissas in the bathroom, getting ready for school. Dawn

passes by, then pauses in the doorway.
DAWN
How did it go with the boys
yesterday?
MELISSA
Fabulous. Eddie is so nice!
Dawn grins. She knows a school-girl crush when she sees one.
INT. HOUSE PARTY - NIGHT
A CROWD OF ALTERNATIVE TYPES. Joe McKenna is here, looking

confused. Then he spots a familiar face: April Morley.
JOE
(approaching)
Hey!
His grin vanishes when he sees nothing but a blank look in

return. It is, in fact, Justina hes talking to.
JOE (CONTD)
Youre not April!
JUSTINA
(shouting over the music)
What?
JOE
(also shouting)
I said, Youre not April.
18.
JUSTINA
(shouting)
I know. Im her sister.
Joe nods and looks around the room. He turns back to Justina.
JOE
(shouting)
You wanna get outta here? I dont
know anyone.
EXT. REC CENTER - NIGHT
The neighborhood recreation center. Joe and Justina are

dangling idly on the SWINGS in the playground.
JOE
So youre April Morleys sister,
huh? Whats your name?
JUSTINA
Justina. Whats yours?
JOE
Joey McKenna.
JUSTINA
You hang out with April and Domenic
and those guys, right?
JOE
Yup.
JUSTINA
Youre all in a band or something,
like a Nirvana cover band...
Grinning, Joe pulls out a BAG OF WEED and some ROLLING

PAPERS.
JOE
Not all Nirvana - we do originals,
too. But Cobain is Doms personal
Jesus. Him and Charles Manson.
Ive heard him say it.
He makes a Do you mind? gesture with the weed and Justina

shakes her head. Joe begins to roll a joint.
JOE (CONTD)
You look just like her. April.
19.
JUSTINA
People always say that. Shes
taller, though.
JOE
Shes older than you?
JUSTINA
Yup.
JOE
Same last name? You and her?
Justina nods.
JOE (CONTD)
Im not saying nothing...
JUSTINA
You dont have to. I know. My moms
a whore - so what? She found Jesus.
JOE
Its just her? Raising all of you?
JUSTINA
Yup. I mean, there are guys around
from time to time. But I know how
to handle them.
JOE
What do you mean?
JUSTINA
Girls are sweet, and pretty... And
we have vaginas.
The last word, the bluntness with which she says it, gives
Joe pause. He looks at her.
INT. JOES APARTMENT - NIGHT
A cheap, one-room walk-up with a mattress on the floor. Joe

and Justina are on it, fucking like rabbits.
LATER
Justina spoons against Joe. A little taken aback, he puts his

arm protectively around her.
JOE
You dont have a boyfriend, do you?
20.
JUSTINA
Who the fuck would want me?
JOE
Oh, cmon...
JUSTINA
I just want to be normal. Have
kids. Make sure theyre not all
twisted like I am.
Joes not sure if shes yanking his chain, but still pulls
her a little closer.
INT. JOES APARTMENT - DAY
Morning. Joe wakes up and realizes hes alone. A moment

later, theres a LOUD KNOCK on the door.
AT THE FRONT DOOR
It opens onto the unsmiling face of April Frederick.
APRIL FREDERICK
Is Justina here?
JOE
(holding the door)
Nah, shes not here.
He sweeps his arm across the empty apartment to illustrate.
APRIL FREDERICK
Shes only 14, you know.
Joe didnt know, but he tries to hide his surprise.
EXT. SWEENEY HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
A three-story Fishtown rowhouse.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A sleep-over. Jason and Eddie are dressed for bed while

Melissa sits on the other end of the sofa watching them play
a VIDEO GAME.
MELISSA
I think the colors are pretty.
21.
JASON
Ill be sure to let them know. Then
they can start the celebrations.
MELISSA
Okay - you do that.
Eddie makes a sudden maneuver with his CONTROLLER and Jasons

character is killed.
MELISSA (CONTD)
Oh! Look at that! You got smoked!
Eddie totally killed you...
JASON
(to Eddie, impatient)
You know shes only down here
because she likes you, right?
EDDIE
I know.
Melissa is mortified.
MELISSA
(shrieking)
JASON! I cant believe you would
say that!
She leaps to her feet and runs out of the room.
MELISSA (CONTD)
(as she goes)
God...!
INT. NICKY COIAS BEDROOM - DAY
Nicky is doing practice Ninja moves in a home-made NINJA

costume. Eddie is behind a VIDEO CAMERA, taping him.
NICKY
(throwing a punch)
Pow! Right into the bridge of the
nose. Shove it back into the brain -
instant death. You gettin this,
special Ed?
EDDIES VOICE
Fuck you!
22.
EXT. ADAIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A relatively low brick building next to an urban rarity: a

large, green playing field.
INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY
Behind a PODIUM, the PRINCIPAL addresses the STUDENTS.
PRINCIPAL
The purpose for todays assembly is
to announce and congratulate the
members of the Honor Roll for the
previous marking period. Well do
this in alphabetical order, so
lets start with the Bs: Edward J.
Batzig.
Limp APPLAUSE fills the auditorium. Looking somewhat

embarrassed, Eddie gets up from his seat to get his
CERTIFICATE. TIGHT ON MELISSA, the only one clapping
vigorously.
INT. JUSTINAS PRISON CELL
Another day, another letter. Justinas on her bunk this time,

writing in her notebook.
JUSTINA (V.O.)
"So you say I'm manipulative, and
yes, I believe I am in ways. I'm
persuasively manipulative, and I
think I'm pretty good at it, too. I
enjoy dragging people along."
INT. JUSTINA MORLEYS BEDROOM - DAY
Justina puts on a CD. The Velvet Underground - ALL

TOMORROWS PARTIES.
SONG
And what costume shall the poor
girl wear/to all tomorrows
parties...
As the song plays OVER, she gets ready to go out: puts on a

BLACK DRESS, applies LIPSTICK AND EYE LINER - also black -
and puts on her BLACK GOTH SHOES over her funky STRIPED
SOCKS.
23.
EXT. FRANKFORT EL TRAIN - DAY
It snakes its way over the rooftops toward the towers of

center-city Philadelphia.
EXT. SOCIETY HILL STREET - DAY
A wealthy neighborhood of handsome 18th-Century townhouses.

Justina approaches one, climbs the steps, rings the bell.
INT. ENTRYWAY - DAY
The door opens on Justina standing in the doorway. Theres

the outline of a MAN holding the door - older, well-heeled,
distinguished.
MAN
(recognizing her)
Well, hello there.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Hardwood floors, high-end appointments: theres money here.

Ahead is an open doorway to a bedroom. Justina enters the
bedroom, goes to the middle of the room and stops. She faces
the bed, OFF-CAMERA.
MAN (O.S.)
(inside the room)
Go ahead.
Justina begins to undress.
SONG OUT.
INT. JOSHS HOUSE - DAY
Jason, Eddie and Nicky are playing a VIDEO GAME in the living
room. Dom is next to Josh at the scuffed TABLE in the dining
area, noodling on his GUITAR. He gets a text.
DOMENIC
Holy shit - its from Aprils
little sister. Justina.
Jason looks up from his game.
JOSH
I do not like that bitch. Fuckin
skanky ho. Wack-job, too.
24.
DOMENIC
She says shes bringing something.
JOSH
Something as in...
DOMENIC
Diesel, looks like.
Josh shrugs.
JOSH
In that case...
INT. JOSHS HOUSE - BASEMENT
Josh, Domenic and Justina are here. She points to her socks.
JUSTINA
Check these out - I got them on
South Street. Theyre porn-star
socks. Fuckin rad, right?
DOMENIC
Mind-blowing. Whatta you got?
A little disappointed at his response, Justina pulls several

small PLASTIC BAGS from her BOOKBAG. She hands them around.
JUSTINA
Joey told me where to get them. The
stamp is Scumbag, looks like.
Dom and Josh take the bags and rip them open. Inside are
folded wax paper bags they tear open wide enough to sniff out
the HEROIN inside.
DOMENIC
(pleased)
Alright, Tina. You done good.
Off her smile, we
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDWOOD MOTEL - DAY
The Sweeney and Batzig families are on a joint vacation. As

the boys rough-house in the water, Dawn and JEANETTE BATZIG,
Eddies mom, are chatting in LOUNGE CHAIRS.
25.
JEANETTE BATZIG
You ready for the boys to start
school yet?
DAWN
I know - high school...
Unbelievable. Too bad theyre going
to separate schools, though.
Theres no way Jason coulda got
into Bodine like Eddie. Not with
his grades.
JEANETTE BATZIG
Yeah - well see how long that
lasts.
Theres a loud SPLASH nearby, followed by the meaty THUD of

Jasons body slamming hard against the edge of the pool.
JEANETTE BATZIG (CONTD)

(furious)
EDDIE! Get your ass out of that
water this instant!
Chagrined, Eddie climbs out of the pool.
JEANETTE BATZIG (CONTD)

What the HELL is wrong with you?
Are you really that retarded? You
could have KILLED him! Right in
front of his mother! How would you
have felt then? Huh?
DAWN
Really, its alright. Jasons
alright. See?
Its true - Jason is standing in the water with the wind

knocked out of him but otherwise fine.
JEANETTE BATZIG
(still furious)
Hes always doing this shit!
Always! Youd think hed learn, but
no, never. Not this one. Stupid as
the day he was born! Always the
same - one bone-headed stunt after
another...
Standing in place, Eddie silently absorbs his mothers abuse.

26.
EXT. FRANKLIN LEARNING CENTER - ESTABLISHING - DAY
An urban high school with an elaborate stonework edifice.

STUDENTS are arriving for class.
INT. HOME ROOM - DAY
Appearing uncertain, Jason enters the room. There are about

20 STUDENTS here already. He turns to the one closest to him,
a PRETTY GIRL.
JASON
Is this Room 208?
PRETTY GIRL
Thats what it says on the door. I
mean, if you got this far in
school, you should be able to read,
right?
She walks away. Blown off, Jason meekly finds a seat. A BOY
next to him with the beginnings of a hipster beard leans
over.
BOY
Welcome to the lair of the Venus
Bitch Trap.
Jason snickers appreciatively.
INT. FRANKFORD EL TRAIN - DAY
Jason and the kid from school lounge on the plastic seats,
waiting for their respective stops.
BOY
So whats your name?
JASON
Jason.
BOY
Im Wes. Pleased to meet you.
JASON
Likewise.
WES
Where do you call home?
27.
JASON
Fishtown. More the river side,
though. Not, like, Kensington.
WES
And whats your pleasure?
JASON
What do you mean?
WES
What do you like? Music?
JASON
Yeah, I guess.
WES
You play?
JASON
Nah... I wish, though.
WES
Its not too late. I play drums.
You should stop by practice
sometime.
JASON
Yeah? Thatd be pretty awesome.
EXT. WESS HOUSE - NIGHT
A rowhouse in Port Richmond, by an off-ramp for I-95. Jason

knocks on the front door and a few moments later Wes answers.
In the BG are MANY VOICES, chatting, laughing - like a party.
WES
(giving Jason a Bro-hug)
Dude - glad you could make it.
He seems like he could be buzzed - but just a little.
JASON
(intrigued by the sounds
in the house)
No problem.
INT. WESS HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Wes leads Jason down the steps to a studio/hang-out with a

DRUM SET and other musical items.
28.
There are SEVERAL YOUNG PEOPLE here - a real party

atmosphere. Standing with a cheap LES PAUL around his neck is
a kid Wes introduces as CHRIS.
WES
(getting behind the drums)
You ready, dude?
JASON
Ready for what?
WES
To play.
JASON
I told you - I dont play.
WES
Yeah, well see about that. Go pick
up that bass over there.
Seeing it, Jason picks up the BASS GUITAR and slips it over
his shoulder.
WES (CONTD)
Turn it on.
Jason does. POP! Hummm...
WES (CONTD)
Alright, come over here.
Jason does and Wes, reaching over, plucks out a rapid-fire

sequence of notes on one of the strings.
WES (CONTD)
Can you do that?
Jason tries. Hes clumsy at first, but starts to get the hang
of it.
WES (CONTD)
Nice and steady, nice and steady...
Okay, now that was a D. Go up one
string - thats an A. Just do the
same thing...
Jason does as hes told. It takes some work, but he soon more-
or-less masters the change.
29.
WES (CONTD)
Okay, one more. This is an F. Put
your finger down here, on this
fret. And do the same thing: da-da-
da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da...
Jason follows along, and soon gets the entire progression

down. Wes gradually introduces a basic 4/4 beat on the drums
and adds words, from Jim Carrols PEOPLE WHO DIED.
WES (CONTD)
(singing)
Jed was sniffing glue, he was 12
years old/ Fell from the roof on
East two-nine
Kathy was eleven when she pulled
the plug/ 26 reds and a bottle of
wine
Bobby got leukemia - 14 years old/
He looked like 65 when he died. He
was a friend of mine
Chris abruptly joins with the guitar on the chorus. Its

obvious he knows the song well. Its a crowd favorite.
GROUP
(singing)
Those are people who DIED, DIED
They were all my friends/And they
DIED...
Jason is a little startled at first, but soon joins in,

singing along.
WES
(singing)
Sarah took a dry-dive from a hotel
room/Bobby hung himself from his
cell in the tombs
Judy jumped in front of a subway
train/And Eddie got slit in the
jugular vein
Eddie, I miss you more than all
the others...
Keeping the beat with one DRUMSTICK, he thrusts the OTHER at

Jason in rhythm to the song.
WES (CONTD)
(singing)
This song is for YOU, my brother
30.
GROUP
(singing)
They were all my friends/And they
DIED...
Off Jason, really getting into it, we
CUT TO:
EXT. BODINE HIGH SCHOOL - ESTABLISHING - DAY
SUGGESTED MUSIC CUE: SISTER DO YOU KNOW MY NAME, BY THE

WHITE STRIPES
A massive, square brick building, like an old factory.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Eddie Batzig alone sits among 35 KIDS in the middle of a

class.
TEACHER
Now that youve arrived at Bodine,
were going to build on the basics
you learned in your respective
grade schools, but were going to
do so at an accelerated pace. So
keep up.
EXT. FRANKFORD EL TRAIN - DAY
Eddies on his own ride home. Unlike Jason, he has no one to

talk to.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Eddie is walking from the El station when he looks up and

sees a familiar face: Nicky Coia.
EDDIE
Dude!
They clasp hands.

31.
EDDIE (CONTD)
Wherere you headed?
NICKY
Down the trails to get high. Doms
got some weed. You wanna come?
EDDIE
(snorts)
You need to ask?
They head off together.
Under cover of some DEBRIS, Eddie, Nicky and Domenic are

passing around a JOINT, chatting brightly.
LATER
Domenic, Nicky and Eddie are in the midst of a rock fight.

Theyre battered and bleeding, but having a good time.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
The traffic on I-95 flanks the street on one side; riverfront

factories are on the other. Ahead - a junk yard filled with
DEAD CARS. Bruised from their fight, Eddie, Nicky and Dom
lurch down the middle of the street, obviously fucked-up.
MUSIC OUT
EXT. JUNK YARD - NIGHT
The hood of a junked car is opened, revealing the engine.
DOMENICS VOICE (O.S.)

Good - the sparkplugs are still
here.
TIGHT on a SPARKPLUG: Domenic smashes part of it away with a

ROCK, leaving only the ceramic tip.
WIDE
Rows of JUNKED CARS stretch away into the halogen twilight.

With Eddie and Nicky nearby, Dom holds a ROCK in one hand and
the CERAMIC TIP of the sparkplug in the other.
32.
DOMENIC
Now, watch.
He hurls the rock at the side window of the car. It bounces

off harmlessly.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
And now...
Giving it an almost lascivious brush against his tongue

first, Domenic flings the ceramic at the window, which
shatters instantly and almost noiselessly.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
(holding his hands up)
Science.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHT
Tightly packed rows of houses line both sides of the street.

Dom and Nicky wait impatiently in front of one.
DOMENIC
Dude - what the fuck? Why is he
taking so long?
NICKY
I dunno.
DOMENIC
I mean, the entrance to the alley
is right there! Up, around, in the
back... It shouldnt take this
long...
Hes cut off by the distant sound of GLASS SHATTERING.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
Oh, youre kidding me...
EXT. HOUSE - PORCH - NIGHT
The inner door opens, revealing Eddie. He opens the screen

door to let the others in.
DOMENIC
We could hear you all the fuck the
way out here... What happened?
EDDIE
I couldnt get the sparkplug to
work.
33.
DOMENIC
So whatd you use?
EDDIE
A rock.
DOMENIC
(shaking his head)
Priceless... Lets go.
All three disappear inside the house.
MUSIC UP: SISTER DO YOU KNOW MY NAME
EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT
The song picks up where it left off as Domenic makes a

shadowy deal with a PUERTO RICAN KID between two parked cars.
Nicky and Eddie watch nearby.
INT. JOSH STAABS BASEMENT - NIGHT
Josh mixes up the purchase as the others watch: the HEROIN

gets dumped into a METAL CAP. A SYRINGE squirts a measurement
of WATER into it. Josh pulls the plunger out of the syringe
with his teeth and uses it to stir the water and powder into
a solution. He then draws it back into the syringe.
As Eddie looks on nervously, Josh straps off his arm, looks

for a vein, finds it, and plunges the needle in. TIGHT ON THE
SYRINGE as it fills with a dark red blossom of Eddies blood.
SONG (OVER)
Sister, do you know my name? Ive
heard it before and I wanna
know...
WIDE on all four of them: Domenic, Nicky, Josh and Eddie

passed out on a dope nod.
FADE TO:
INT. JOES APARTMENT - NIGHT
Justina, Domenic and Joe sit around the KITCHEN TABLE as Joe
fills out a PRESCRIPTION from a stolen PAD.
DOMENIC
So whered you get the pad?
34.
JOE
(gesturing to Justina)
Tina nabbed it off her doctor when
he wasnt looking.
DOMENIC
(looking at Justina)
Youre working as a team now?
Joe flashes a grin at Justina.
JOE
Shes my partner in crime.
Justina smiles sweetly at Dom.
JUSTINA
I pretty-much live here now.
Domenic turns back to the prescription pad.
DOMENIC
Can you make it for Oxys?
JOE
Dont have the DEA stamp. We can do
Xanax, though.
DOMENIC
Thatll have to work, I guess.
JOE
Youll have buyers. Down on Front?
Believe me - that little punk-ass
Roddie Noonan sells a ton a weed
down there. He just asked me if I
could get him an ounce for a buck-
fifty.
DOMENIC
And?
JOE
(shrugging)
I took his money.
EXT. FRONT STREET - NIGHT
Domenics on the prowl, looking for buyers. A FEW YOUNG

PEOPLE approach.
35.
DOMENIC
(sotto; as they pass)
Watchoo need? Pills? I got pills.
They keep walking.
LATER
Domenic tries the same thing on a GUY walking past.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
Yo, dude - you need Zannies? I got
Zannies.
The guy doesnt stop.
LATER
ANOTHER GUY approaches Domenic.
GUY
Whaddya have?
DOMENIC
Xanax.
GUY
Can I see?
Domenic pulls out a PILL BOTTLE and shows it to the man.
GUY (CONTD)
How much you sellin it for?
DOMENIC
Five each; hundred for the bottle.
GUY
I see... Got something to wrap them
in?
Domenic puts his hand in his pocket. When he looks up, the
guy is holding a POLICE BADGE.
GUY (CONTD)
Sorry, son... I think you can guess
whats next.
36.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Joe and Justina emerge from a Pizza place holding a fresh

PIZZA, heading home.
JUSTINA
Whats Dom gonna make off that
script I got him? A couple hundred?
JOE
Is that important to you? What you
can get for Dom? Well, just as long
as you come home to me every night.
At that moment, A SHADOW steps up behind and speaks to him.
SHADOW
Dont burn me, motherfucker.
Joe gasps as a KNIFE gets shoved between his ribs. Joe goes
down in an instant. The Shadow disappears.
Justina sinks to her knees next to Joe and watches the bloody
foam spew from his mouth as he loses consciousness. She
reaches beneath him, and when she brings her hand back out,
the fingertips are covered in blood.
Fascinated, she touches the blood to her lips.
EXT. COIA HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A rundown row house on a ratty-looking block.
INT. COIA HOUSE - NIGHT
TIGHT on Domenic getting punched close-fisted in the face,

hard enough to draw BLOOD.
WIDE: the living room is shabby and depressing. Nicky watches

their father DOMENIC SR. - drunk and slurring his words -
give Domenic another blow.
DOMENIC, SR.
(as he hits)
Motherfucking punk-ass! Whaddya
thinking? Gettin busted on the
street, peddlin DOPE?
Another punch.
37.
A different day.
INT. COIA HOUSE - DAY
Sitting on the battered furniture are Domenic, Dom Senior,

and a young, very metrosexual HISPANIC MAN.
DOMENIC, SR.
And what kinds of things will you
be doing with Dommy, Mr....
HISPANIC MAN
(slight accent)
Maldonado. Oscar Maldonado.
DOMENIC, SR.
Mr. Maldonado?
OSCAR
Well, the function of an advocate
is to act as a kind of big
brother to keep kids out of the
criminal justice system. As an
alternative to jail time. So - big
brother kinds of things. Bowling,
Go-Karts...
DOMENIC, SR.
Well, at least its a couple hours
I dont have to worry about him.
INT. OSCARS APARTMENT - DAY
An urban hipster loft dominated by SEVERAL PHOTOGRAPHS of

semi-nude male underwear models. The front door opens and
Oscar enters, followed by Domenic. Oscar picks up a GUITAR
from its STAND.
OSCAR
(showing Dom)
See? Custom Ibanez. Thats what I
used on most of my albums. I teach
music theory at Temple.
Domenics eyes find the photos on the wall.
OSCAR (CONTD)
Oh, you like those? Theyre
original Martin Andersens.
Exquisite, arent they?
38.
DOMENIC
Indeed.
INT. JASONS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Dawns in the doorway, holding a piece of paper - Jasons

REPORT CARD - and Jasons on his bed, reading a JAPANESE SCI-
FI NOVEL, trying to ignore her.
DAWN
Jesus Christ, Jay - all Fs? You
couldnt even get a D for good
measure?
JASON
(still reading)
Guess not...
DAWN
Jason, really - what am I going to
do with you? Would you tell me,
please? Because Im all out of
ideas.
Jason puts the book down in frustration.
JASON
Ma - its a piece of paper. A high
school diploma is just a piece of
paper, and nothing more. What the
hell am I going to do with that?
Dawn throws her hands up.
DAWN
(frustrated)
Alright, listen - this is beyond
me, this is beyond your father.
Weve said it before: its going to
take military school to straighten
you out.
JASON
Ma...
DAWN
No son of ours is going to be a lay-
about bum. Im making the call,
Jason.
She disappears from the doorway.

39.
INT. BATZIG HOUSE - BASEMENT
Jason and Nicky are on the ratty couch. Eddies at the little
table. Theyre all passing a JOINT around.
JASON
Fucking military school...
EDDIE
You believe em?
JASON
With my folks? Anything is
possible. Its all about what they
fucking want - not what I want.
EDDIE
What do you want?
JASON
I dont want that.
NICKY
You could run away.
JASON
Run away?
NICKY
Yeah! You could make it on your
own. Youre old enough... You just
need to climb outta the nest.
JASON
Where would I go?
NICKY
My brother might know somebody.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jason, Eddie and Nicky are walking three abreast. Its

Halloween, and the streets are full of KIDS IN COSTUMES.
EDDIE
Remember when we used to go trick
or treating?
JASON
We went last year.
40.
EXT. REC CENTER - DAY
Domenic, Josh and Joe are sitting on some picnic tables by

the little skater park as Nicky explains Eddies plight.
DOMENIC
Jesus, dude - that sucks.
NICKY
Hes looking to get away, and needs
somewhere to go. I thought maybe
you might know somewhere, somebody,
who could, like, hide him...
Domenic thinks, then shrugs.
DOMENIC
Were going to a Halloween party.
Thats a start. Wanna come?
SUGGESTED MUSIC CUE: DANCE MONKEY BY SAGE FRANCIS
EXT. STREET - DAY
Domenic, Josh, Joe, Nicky, Eddie and Jason all form a

roughshod little posse walking down the street under the El
tracks, passing joints and rough housing.
MUSIC BRIDGES AS WE
CUT TO:
INT. HALLOWEEN PARTY - NIGHT
Its jumping. The song is blasting and a CROWD OF KIDS, some

in costume but most not, is jamming along. Jason, Eddie,
Domenic and the others are back in the kitchen, drunkenly
playing Quarters with PLASTIC CUPS full of beer from a KEG.
LATER
Jason, happily buzzed, is on the floor doing some kind of

interpretative dance to the hip-hop.
LATER
Fresh from the keg with a full CUP OF BEER, Jason is talking
to Justina, whos standing against the wall.
41.
JASON
(slurring a little)
Im gettin into music now. Im in
a band, and were getting good...
Plus, I talked to Dom and those
guys about ideas I had for managing
their band, and they really liked
them.
JUSTINA
Cool.
Jason gives her a more plaintive look.
JASON
Remember, back at Adaire, when you
used to come over from Holy Name at
recess and get me to buy you
pretzels?
Justina gives him a non-committal grin, then spots something

of interest in the crowd.
JUSTINA
Excuse me.
She slips away.
MUSIC OUT.
INT. HALLOWEEN PARTY - DAY
Morning. The room is full of passed-out kids. One of them

stirs. Domenic.
DOMENIC
(hung-over)
Uh.... Christ.
INT. FRANKFORD EL TRAIN - DAY
Jason, Eddie, Nicky, Domenic, Josh and Joe are travelling

home to Fishtown.
DOMENIC
So, dude - you know theres no way
we can hide you, right?
JASON
Yeah, I guess.
42.
DOMENIC
Youre just gonna have to go
home... Man up. Face the music.
Instead of answering, Jason stares glumly out the window.
INT. JASONS BEDROOM
Jason is at his computer. A website is loading: Valley Forge

Military Academy. He begins reading. After a few moments, he
leans forward, drawn in.
EXT. SWEENEY HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A bright, Fall morning.
INT. DAWN & PAULS BEDROOM - DAY
Dawn and Paul are asleep when the door bursts open. There
stands Jason, fully dressed.
JASON
You ready, Ma?
DAWN
(sleepy and baffled)
Ready for what?
JASON
Military school. The entrance exam
is today.
DAWN
You little bastard... You called my
bluff.
EXT. VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY - ESTABLISHING - DAY
The whole campus reeks of prestige and tradition.
INT. RECEPTION HALL - DAY
A well-appointed reception hall in the main building. Dawn is

looking out the window at the parade grounds - with all the
CADETS in their blue uniforms - when shes approached by a
man in a more senior and ornate version of the same uniform.
The COMMANDANT.
43.
COMMANDANT
(holding out his hand)
Are you Mrs. Sweeney?
DAWN
Yes...
COMMANDANT
Im Arthur Saint-John, Commandant
of Cadets.
Puzzled, Dawn takes his hand.
COMMANDANT (CONTD)
Youre Jason Sweeneys mother?
DAWN
Yes.
COMMANDANT
I just wanted to let you know that
you have a very special young man
there.
DAWN
Jason? Special? Hes a C student at
best.
COMMANDANT
Oh, no - we tallied the results of
the exam, and your son scored the
14th highest.
DAWN
(dumbfounded)
The 14th highest?
COMMANDANT
Yes.
DAWN
What are they tested on?
COMMANDANT
Math, English, Reading
Comprehension and Philosophy.
Dawn takes a moment to try to absorb this.
DAWN
You sure were talking about the
same kid here?
44.
COMMANDANT
Yes, were sure. We definitely want
him to attend.
Dawn takes another moment, glances out the window again.
DAWN
(looking back)
How much does it even cost to go
here?
INT. DAWNS CAR - DAY
Jason is beside himself with excitement while Dawn, driving,

just looks worried.
JASON
I love it... I love it, I love it,
I love it.
DAWN
I think youve made your point.
JASON
I love it.
DAWN
Remember what the Commandant said
about running around the track in
your heaviest coat if youre even
five minutes late for class?
JASON
I dont care, as long as I can go
here. If thats the price for being
a couple minutes late, then thats
the price Im willing to pay.
Thats what makes you a man.
Dawn doesnt respond. She just looks more worried.
INT. COIA HOUSE - NIGHT
Domenic, Nicky, Josh and Justina are snorting DIME BAGS of

heroin. Justina has just finished hers. Nicky, staggering,
gets up to go upstairs.
JUSTINA
(wiping her nose)
Is there any more?
45.
DOMENIC
I dunno. Did you bring any?
She sits there, looking dejected. Clearly, she did not.
INT. NICKYS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Nicky is going into a nod on his bed when Justina enters.
NICKY
What do you want?
She starts stripping.
NICKY (CONTD)
Christ...
JUSTINA
I thought maybe youd like a little
company.
She starts crawling into bed with him. He pushes her on to

the floor.
NICKY
Just go home, Justina.
Looking humiliated, Justina gets up and leaves.
EXT. TRAILS - DAY
Domenic, Nicky, Eddie, Josh and Joe are passing a JOINT

around.
DOMENIC
The great grand-daddy of all
psychopaths was Ed Gein... He had a
jacket made out of the skin of dead
women - so he could become his own
mother. Literally crawl inside her
skin, he said.
Eddie is clearly disturbed by this.
EDDIE
Why do you find that interesting?
DOMENIC
Find what interesting?
EDDIE
Serial killers, and such.
46.
DOMENIC
Its death, dude. The ultimate
power. Nothing can defeat it.
Eddie takes his hit. Joe is next to him, but distracted by

something behind him. With a mischievous nod of encouragement
from Domenic, Eddie passes the joint past him to Josh, next
in line.
JOE
(noticing)
Yo!
EDDIE
You snoozed, dude.
JOE
Yeah? Well, you skip me again,
youll see me body-slam you.
DOMENIC
(taking his hit)
Thats why you should worship
Death. Its always gonna win. Its
stronger. A law of nature.
With a little SIGH of exasperation, Joe goes back to fiddling

with whatever was bothering him before.
NICKY
You gotta agree with that, dont
you, dude?
He passes the joint to Eddie.
EDDIE
(taking his hit)
I guess.
Joe is still preoccupied. Domenic gives Eddie a devilish nod

in Joshs direction. Eddie hesitates, then passes the joint
to Josh. Looking up, Joe sees that Eddie passed him by once
again and stands menacingly.
EDDIE (CONTD)
(trying to make a joke out
of it)
You gotta stay awake, man!
Without a word Joe picks Eddie up, lifts him over his head,
and slams him to the ground as hard as he can.
DOMENIC
Oh, shit!
47.
Everyones cracking up except Eddie, still lying on the

ground. He finally gets up, grabs his glasses from where they
landed, and skulks silently off from the group.
INT. JASONS BEDROOM
Jasons SCI-FI NOVEL is resting on his chest as he gives a

hopeless look to Dawn, sitting next to him on his bed.
JASON
Theres no way at all?
DAWN
Its almost $20,000 a year, Jay. I
mean - your dad would have to get
three more jobs to pay for it. Id
have to get, like, five...
Jasons trying to take the news well, but failing.
DAWN (CONTD)
Military schools are expensive, and
this was one of the best. I went
online... There was one I found
that we could manage. But its,
like, in Canada - out in the
tundra...
Jason looks away, at nothing in particular.
DAWN (CONTD)
But you dont want tundra, do you?
No response from Jason.
DAWN (CONTD)
Ill go away now. Sorry, honey.
She gets up to leave, then pauses to give Jason a kiss on the

forehead.
INT. OSCARS CAR - DAY
Its idling outside the Coia house, with Oscar at the wheel.
His pants are unbuckled and he looks spent. Domenics next to
him, rinsing his mouth out with a COKE. As he opens the door
and spits, Oscar hands him a brightly-wrapped PRESENT.
OSCAR
Merry Christmas.
48.
DOMENIC
What is it?
OSCAR
Open it up and find out.
Domenic peels the wrappings off and uncovers a VIDEO CAMERA.
DOMENIC
A camera.
OSCAR
I thought you were an artistic boy.
Maybe a filmmaker. Just dont sell
it for smack. Ill find out about
that, believe me.
EXT. THE TRAILS - NIGHT
Domenic, Nicky, Eddie, Josh and Joe sit around a barrel fire,
drinking FORTY-OUNCERS. They are very fucked-up. In the BG,
over the river and the city skyline, are FIREWORKS.
Joe lifts his beer in a toast.
JOE
Happy fucking New Year.
They all raise their cans.
DOMENIC
I have something to confess.
JOSH
What?
DOMENIC
Ive been giving Oscar blow-jobs
for money. His friends, too.
They all stare at him.
JOSH
What the fuck did you say? Youre
giving him blow-jobs?
Domenic tries to blow it off.
DOMENIC
Nah... Im just playing with you...
JOSH
The hell you are.
49.
JOE
I always said you were gay.
DOMENIC
Im bisexual... Anyway, its just a
set-up. And its gonna pay off.
JOE
How?
DOMENIC
Youll see.
INT. PARKED CAR - DAY
A CERAMIC TIP strikes the drivers-side window. SMASH! It

disintegrates, revealing Eddie - who threw the tip - along
with Dom and Nicky. Eddie reaches inside for the LOOSE CHANGE
on the dashboard.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Eddie waits while Joe visits a makeshift SHACK in a vacant

lot. He emerges a moment later and joins Eddie on the
sidewalk.
JOE
Lets go.
They begin walking.
EXT. ANOTHER STREET - DAY
Joe and Eddie are walking when Eddie suddenly jumps, as if

startled.
JOE
(pausing)
What the fuck, dude?
EDDIE
I thought I saw something.
He continues walking. Joe gives him sidelong glances.
INT. CORNER MARKET - DAY
Eddie stands quietly by the counter, behind which a

dispirited-looking YOUNG WOMAN waits on Joe.
50.
JOE
Pack a reds...
The clerk hands him his CIGARETTES, takes his CASH, and the
two boys leave.
INT. JOSHS BASEMENT - DAY
Eddie, Domenic, Nicky, and Joe watch Josh mix up the DOPE
they just bought. Theyve already hit a couple times, and it
shows in their behavior.
JOSH
Whered you get this? That homeless
dude?
JOE
Yup.
JOSH
I heard someone died off a his
shit...
JOE
(fishing out a CIGARETTE)
Thats why I go to him.
DOMENIC
(seeing the cigarette)
Oh, dude - let me bum one?
Joe holds out the PACK.
EDDIE
(looking at the pack)
How bout that chick, huh?
JOE
What chick?
EDDIE
At the bodega... The way she kept
talking to me... About the
Slimjims. Although shes right -
the spicy ones are better.
All the other guys are looking at Eddie now.
JOE
Dude, you say some of the most
whacked, fucked-up shit, you know
that?
51.
Eddie starts to get flustered and defensive.
EDDIE
What do you mean?
JOE
That girl didnt say shit to either
you or me.
Eddie looks around at the group, his defensiveness growing.
EDDIE
(getting angry)
What... What the fuck? I dont get
it.
DOMENIC
You dont get what?
EDDIE
Why I dont ever get any respect.
Ever.
(gesturing at Josh)
I mean, you give him more respect.
JOSH
And why shouldnt I get respect?
EDDIE
Because...
Josh lets him struggle for a beat. Eddie waves his hand.
EDDIE (CONTD)
Never mind...
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jason and Eddie walk next to each other. Jason glances at his
friend, at the bruises on his face from the rock fights.
JASON
Those guys do that to you? That
shit on your face?
EDDIE
Yeah.
JASON
And theyre your friends?
52.
EDDIE
Yeah, theyre my friends. Theyre
your friends, too. Remember that.
They helped you out... Or tried to,
anyway.
JASON
Yeah, well thats not exactly a
problem anymore... My folks cant
afford military school. Its
expensive as a motherfucker.
EDDIE
(confused)
So - you wanted to go?
JASON
(after a beat)
I dunno... Maybe...
Jason, Eddie and Nicky are again playing a VIDEO GAME when
Justina arrives. This time she just gives the room a quick
look as she and Dom head upstairs. After a few moments, Nicky
follows, abandoning the game.
Eddies been casting anxious glances at Justina since she

arrived. Now he stands up as well.
EDDIE
Just take my turn. Ill be right
back.
He heads upstairs, leaving Jason alone in front of the TV.
LATER
Eddie has returned, in body at least. Hes only half-

conscious, on the edge of a full-blown nod, trying to hold up
his end the game.
JASON
(frustrated)
Dude - not in that room! You know
its a trap... Watch it! Youre
shooting at shadows... That was a
civilian!
EDDIE
(slurring)
Oh... Shit... I didnt see...
53.
JASON
DUDE! That was me!
He looks over: Eddie is passed out with the CONTROLLER in his

hand.
JASON (CONTD)
Dude?.... Dude?... Eddie?
No response. The game makes an abrupt ELECTRONIC SQUAWK that

startles Eddie, who gasps as if he were drowning. Jason looks
at him for a moment, disgusted. Finally he gets up and
leaves.
Jasons jamming on his BASS. He has his HEADPHONES on, so we

cant hear exactly what hes playing. It seems pretty
aggressive, though.
INT. DAWNS CAR - DAY
She prowls the rainy streets; wipers going, windows steaming.
THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD
A solitary figure walks along the sidewalk, soaked. Jason.

Dawn pulls over, stops, opens the door.
DAWN
Jason! Get in the car!
Dawn sits across the kitchen table from Jason, still wet, a
TOWEL wrapped around his neck. Paul is seated next to Dawn.
DAWN
The school called. Said youve been
cutting again.
JASON
And you were out looking for me?
DAWN
Theyre getting on my case about
it, Jay. Your dad and me. I tell
them that, unless Im there to walk
you from class to class, I cant do
much about it...
(MORE)
54.
DAWN (CONT'D)
And your grades for the second
marking period - you want to talk
about those?
JASON
No.
DAWN
Do the math, Jay. By the end of the
year, you need 30 credits. Youre
halfway through and you have zero.
How is that going to work?
JASON
I dunno.
Dawn looks at him with a mixture of exasperation and love.
DAWN
Mr. I dont know doesnt live
here. What are you gonna do?
After a long beat, Jason almost whispers his response.
JASON
Drop out.
DAWN
What?
JASON
(louder)
Id like to drop out.
DAWN
What - from school?
JASON
Its stupid for me to keep going,
Ma. I just keep beating my head
against a wall. Its pointless.
DAWN
So thats your solution? Giving up?
PAUL
Youre gonna have to get a job.
Youre not sitting on your ass all
day playing video games.
Dawn looks at him sharply, but Jason, nodding eagerly,

responds first.
55.
JASON
Yes! I know. I want that. Something
useful. That means something. I
dont wanna sit on my ass all day
in a classroom, not making shit.
PAUL
You have any ideas?
JASON
Well, you have your own company,
dad...
After a moment, Paul gives Jason a sly grin.
Jasons in bed, sound asleep. The ALARM CLOCK RINGS. 5:30

a.m. Jason slaps the buzzer off without opening his eyes.
JASON
Ohh...
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY
Wearing a HARD HAT, Jason stands by the back of a PICK-UP

TRUCK next to Paul. The pick-up is filled with CANNISTERS OF
PLASTER.
PAUL
Alright, Jay - they need these in
the back bedroom. Knock yourself
out.
JASON
Right.
He grabs one. It weighs a ton. He grabs another. He can

barely stand. He carries them away, wobbling a little, as
Paul chuckles.
PAUL
Only fifty years til retirement...
Youll get used to it.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - ENTRY - NIGHT
The door opens and Jason enters: filthy, exhausted - almost a

zombie.
56.
DAWN
(from kitchen)
Hey, Jaybird - how was your first
day?
JASON
Ugh....
He slouches up the stairs.
INT. SHOWER
Eyes CLOSED, JASON lets the WATER wash the days grime away.
Jasons head hits the pillow and hes out like a light.
Jasons in bed, sound asleep. The ALARM CLOCK RINGS. 5:30

a.m. Jason slaps the buzzer off without opening his eyes.
JASON
Ohh...
Time to do it all over again.
EXT. GAS STATION PARKING LOT - DAY
From a LUNCH WAGON, Jason is buying breakfast for Wes and

Chris. Its a bitterly cold winter day - everyones breath is
steaming.
JASON
(handing a SANDWICH to
Wes)
Here you go, dude.
WES
Thanks - what do I owe you?
JASON
Dont worry about it, man - its on
me.
WES
Dude...
57.
JASON
Really. Its on me. Dont worry
about it - Im working.
Theres a hint of pride in his voice as he says this.
INT. OSCARS CAR - DAY
Dom in the seat next to him, Oscar holds Doms video camera,
watching whats playing on the screen.
OSCARS VOICE
(through the camera
speakers)
Oh... Oh... Oh... OH!
Oscar lowers the camera, looks out the window at nothing.
OSCAR
Dude - are you really gonna do this
to me?
DOMENIC
You said I could be a filmmaker.
OSCAR
How much?
DOMENIC
A thousand bucks.
Oscar looks at him.
OSCAR
A thousand?
DOMENIC
Yeah... And a pizza.
OSCAR
A pizza... Anything else?
Domenic thinks.
DOMENIC
A Spiderman backpack.
OSCAR
And?
Domenic makes a show of thinking hard.

58.
DOMENIC
I believe thatll do me. For now.
Oscar thinks a beat.
OSCAR
Alright, look - I dont have a
thousand bucks on me... Obviously.
Youll have to stop by my place to
get it.
DOMENIC
Okay... The other stuff, too?
OSCAR
Youll get it all.
INT. FAST FOOD PLACE - NIGHT
Jason and Eddie sit across from each other over a pile of
EMPTY WRAPPINGS. Each is still sucking on a SODA.
EDDIE
Thanks for the meal, Jay.
JASON
No problem, man. Nothing I wont do
for my friends, yknow?
They fall into a short silence.
JASON (CONTD)
So whaddya want to do now?
EDDIE
(after a beat)
You wanna get high?
INT. EDDIE BATZIGS BASEMENT - NIGHT
Jason and Eddie sit at the table with Domenic, whos rolling
a huge JOINT. Before closing it, he sprinkles some WHITE
POWDER in.
JASON
Whats that?
DOMENIC
Angel dust.
EDDIE
Whered you get this stuff from?
59.
DOMENIC
I have my sources - not Joe.
(licks the paper)
Thanks for calling when you had
some cash, though. That was a
solid.
EDDIE
Nothing we wont do for our
friends.
(nudges Jason)
Right, buddy?
SHORTLY LATER
Domenic lights the joint. He takes a huge hit, holds it in,

passes the joint to Eddie. Eddie takes a huge hit, holds it
in, and passes the joint to Jason. Jason hesitates a moment,
looking at it, then does his hit.
FADE TO:
POV: JASONS TRIP
The basement is a vast, existential blackness. Theres MUSIC.

Something like music. Music by aliens. TWO FIGURES are here,
Domenic and Eddie, but as if re-imagined by some absinthe-
soaked Cubist. They appear to be dancing, thrashing. Theres
a PICTURE on the wall. Shapes, textures - shifting and
evolving... The darkness closes around us.
FADE TO:
ALARM CLOCK
Its BLEATING impotently, and has been for a while. It says

9:30. WIDE of Jasons bedroom. Hes an inert lump beneath the
covers. The door flies open and Dawn stands there, holding
the PHONE in her hand.
DAWN
Jay, its your father. He wants to
know if youre planning on coming
to work.
JASON
Oh - I feel sick.
DAWN
Sick?
60.
JASON
Yeah, like, to my stomach.
DAWN
So, what - youre not going to work
then?
JASON
No... Could you tell dad?
DAWN
(into the phone)
Mr. Sweeney wishes to inform you
that he will not be available today
due to a physical indisposition.
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY
PAUL
(into phone)
What - the little pussy couldnt
call out of work himself? He had to
have his mommy do it for him?
Dawn shrugs.
DAWN
(in agreement)
Yknow?
INT. COIA HOUSE - DAY
Nicky, Josh and Eddie are watching TV when Domenic comes down
the stairs fully outfitted in a BASEBALL UNIFORM. The name on
the back reads COIA.
JOSH
(seeing Dom)
Dom - what the fuck?
DOMENIC
Its my dads old uniform, dude.
JOSH
OK, but - why?
61.
DOMENIC
Im headed over to Oscars.
JOSH
(understanding)
Oh... Is today the day?
DOMENIC
Yup - Im about to score a home
run.
INT. OSCARS APARTMENT - DAY
The door opens and Domenic enters, whistling. He stops cold.

The whole place is covered in CLEAR PLASTIC - the furniture,
walls, everything. Oscar is standing by the bathroom, sipping
a JACK DANIELS. Probably not his first today.
OSCAR
Domenic - so glad you could make it
to my party. Youre actually not
the first to arrive. Let me
introduce you to one of the other
guests...
A HISPANIC MAN steps out from the bathroom: towering, bullet-

headed, very mean-looking. Hes holding a SHOTGUN.
OSCAR (CONTD)
We call him Cabrn...
Cabrn cocks the gun.
INT. JOSHS HOUSE - NIGHT
Josh opens the door to find Domenic standing there. Hes been
severely beaten.
JOSH
Dude - what happened?
Domenic enters, slams the door shut behind him.
DOMENIC
It was Oscar... And his fucking
crew.
JOSH
His crew?
62.
DOMENIC
Buncha gangbanger, Rican
motherfuckers. They stuck a gun in
my mouth.
JOSH
No shit.
DOMENIC
Look at this.
He rolls up his sleeve, revealing a SEVERELY BRUISED arm.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
They slammed my arm in a car door.
Over and over. I was afraid it
might be broken.
JOSH
And they stuck a gun in your mouth?
DOMENIC
At Oscars. He had the place
covered in plastic to keep the
blood off his precious stuff.
Psycho fuck.
JOSH
But they let you go?
DOMENIC
Yeah, but he knows where I live.
Thats why Im here.
He looks fearfully out the window.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
I need a gun.
INT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY
Jason is installing Sheetrock. Or, rather, the METAL BEADS

that hold it in place. He starts waving one in the air as if
it were a sword.
JASON
(in a pirate accent)
Thrust... Parry, Thrust... Ill
send ye to a watery grave, ye
scurvy sea dog... OW!
He drops the metal as it slices open the flesh of his palm.

63.
INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - DAY
Dawn is standing by Jason, whose injured hand has been

BANDAGED and compressed, as the DOCTOR prepares to stitch the
wound.
DOCTOR
So, before we stitch up your hand,
Jason, were going to have to apply
a local anesthetic...
He holds up a huge HYPODERMIC NEEDLE. Jason, already severely

traumatized, cant help it. TEARS start streaming from his
eyes.
JASON
Oohh...
Dawn pulls him close sympathetically and lets him bury his
face in her shoulder to avoid seeing the needle go in.
INT. SUSQUEHANNA STREET - DAY
Eddie slouches along the street smoking a CIGARETTE, hollow-

eyed and half-there.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - ENTRY - DAY
Dawn opens the door to find Eddie on her stoop.
DAWN
Hi, Eddie.
She turns toward the stairs.
DAWN (CONTD)
(calling)
Jason - its Eddie!
JASON (O.S.)
(calling back from
upstairs)
Okay!
She turns back to Eddie, still on the doorstep.
DAWN
You can come in if you want.
EDDIE
Im okay.
64.
DAWN
If you say so...
They stand in awkward silence.
DAWN (CONTD)
(after a beat)
Hows your mom?
EDDIE
Fine.
Finally, theyre rescued by Jason thundering down the stairs.

By the time he gets to the front door, Eddie has already
left. Dawn catches Jasons arm.
DAWN
Whats up with Eddie? Suddenly he
doesnt want to come inside
anymore? Suddenly he doesnt want
to talk to me?
JASON
Ill talk to him, Ma. Bye.
He kisses her cheek and ducks out the door.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jason and Eddie walk side-by-side.
JASON
My mom says you were kind of rude
back there.
EDDIE
Yeah?
Jason glances at his friend. It doesnt seem like hes

listening. Suddenly he looks up.
EDDIE (CONTD)
You got ten bucks I can borrow?
JASON
Borrow?
EDDIE
Cmon, dude...
JASON
What do you need it for?
65.
EDDIE
Im sick.
JASON
So go to a doctor.
EDDIE
Dude...
Jason stops abruptly, frustrated and angry.
JASON
No.
EDDIE
What do you mean, no?
JASON
No... Im not giving you ten bucks.
EDDIE
Why not?
JASON
Because Im not paying for your
fucking drug habit, dude.
EDDIE
MY drug habit?
JASON
Yes - your drug habit. Youre a
fucking wreck, man.
EDDIE
(defensive)
What? Who the fuck do you think you
are? What about you?
JASON
What about me? Im not a junkie!
Eddie looks as if Jason has just slapped him.
JASON (CONTD)
(angry & bewildered)
What?
EDDIE
Youre a fucking stuck-up prick.
Thats what you are.
66.
JASON
Yeah? Then get yourself a job, buy
all the dope you want, and you
wont need me around.
He starts walking away from Eddie, who stands in place

watching him go.
EDDIE
(finally; calling)
Fuck you, Jason!
Domenic, Nicky and Josh are having a rock fight with a GROUP
OF PUERTO RICAN KIDS about the same age. Bloodied himself,
Domenic nails the other groups leader, then holds his hands
up in a T.
DOMENIC
(yelling)
Yo, dudes - hold on! Truce!
The other kids pause expectantly.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
You dont know where I can get a
gun, do you?
Looking dispirited, Jason sits across the table from Dawn.
JASON
I dont know how much longer I can
take it, Ma.
DAWN
You could go back to school.
Jasons scowling glance is all the response Dawn needs.
JASON
This work - I mean, look what its
done to Dad. His back, his
shoulders... Hes always in pain.
DAWN
So what else would you do?
Jason thinks for an answer. Hes got nothing.

67.
DAWN (CONTD)
Listen - I dont mean you have to
tell me right now. But think about
it. Take a week, and really think
about it. And then well talk...
Give your grandpop a call. Hes
good with this stuff.
JASON
(nodding)
I will.
Jasons on his bed, talking on the PHONE. On the TELEVISION

is the news. Blossoms of fire are erupting over Baghdad.
Shock and awe.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
Same place, a week later: Dawn on one side of the table,

Jason on the other.
JASON
The Navy.
DAWN
The Navy?
JASON
I talked to grandpop about it, like
you said, and we were talking about
his old experiences when he was in
the service, and... I want to join
the Navy.
DAWN
Well - you always did love the
water.
JASON
I can serve my country, I can
travel - itll be awesome.
DAWN
But the Navy is a pretty big thing,
Jay. You have to decide what you
want to do in the Navy. Have you
thought about that?
68.
JASON
Me and grandpop talked about that,
too. We talked about Dads friend
Rich. The one who was a SEAL.
DAWN
So you want to be a Navy SEAL?
JASON
Yeah! Go in, get the job done, and
get out!
Dawn thinks about it. Finally, she looks back at Jason.
DAWN
Okay, so heres the deal. When you
turn 17, Ill sign the paper to let
you join the Navy early. On two
conditions.
JASON
Yeah?
DAWN
One: you get your GED.
JASON
And whats the other?
DAWN
That if youre ever in a place
where someone is shooting at you,
you tell that person to stop
shooting so you can run to the
nearest drug store and buy a
postcard for your mom. Because you
promised her. Thats what I want
you to do. Okay?
JASON
(sarcastically)
Yeah - Im sure thats going to
work, Mom.
Dawn smiles. She was only kidding. Sort of.
EXT. KONRAD SQUARE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
Some time has passed. Leaves are sprouting on the trees.

69.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Eddie vomits hard into the toilet. When he slouches back

against the wall, he looks dreadful.
INT. JOSHS BASEMENT (CONTINUOUS)
Josh, Dom, Nicky and Justina sit around, dope sick as well,
as Eddie remains in the tiny bathroom.
DOMENIC
Christ - we gotta get enough for a
bundle, at least.
JOSH
Everybodys onto us. I dont know
where to get money for shit.
DOMENIC
Wheres your boy been at, special
Ed? Jay?
Eddie slouches out of the bathroom.
EDDIE
He hasnt been around. A lot.
DOMENIC
You still buds?
EDDIE
(bitter)
Yeah... Were still buds.
Dawn opens the door. Eddie is standing there.
DAWN
Hi, Eddie. I havent seen you
around for a while.
EDDIE
Is Jason around?
DAWN
Yeah - Ill go get him.
She disappears inside the house, and Jason soon appears in

her place. He looks wary at seeing Eddie here.
70.
JASON
Hey.
EDDIE
Hey.
JASON
Whats up?
EDDIE
You wanna go for a walk?
Jason thinks about it for a moment.
JASON
Yeah, OK... Let me just grab my
jacket.
EXT. REC CENTER - DAY
Eddie and Jason are sitting on a bench. Its a chilly day.

Eddie lights a CIGARETTE.
JASON
When did you start smoking?
Eddie shrugs, takes a drag, doesnt answer. He offers the

cigarette to Jason as if it were a joint. Jason shakes his
head.
JASON (CONTD)
Im gonna start training soon. To
be a Navy SEAL.
EDDIE
(surprised)
Really?
JASON
Yeah. I signed up for SCUBA
lessons. They start May 31st.
EDDIE
(nodding)
Thats cool.
JASON
Is that what you wanted to talk
about?
Eddie shakes his head, looks away. Takes another drag.

71.
EDDIE
Nah, I just... I wanted to say Im
sorry. Im sorry we fought.
JASON
Well - I just got sick of you
bumming money off me all the time.
That got old, dude. It really did.
EDDIE
(nodding)
I know, I know...
He looks away for an extended beat.
EDDIE (CONTD)
Hey, you know whos hanging out
with us a lot now? Nicky, Dom and
me?
JASON
Who?
EDDIE
Justina Morley. April Morleys
little sister? Remember how she
used to come over from Holy Name
and bum money for pretzels?
Jason nods. He remembers.
EDDIE (CONTD)
You had such a fucking crush on
her, dude.
Jason doesnt say anything.
EDDIE (CONTD)
You should start hanging out with
us again. You know youd get lucky.
Justinall fuck anything that
moves.
JASON
(with a sidelong grin)
Oh yeah? Even you?
Eddie gives a smirky nod in response. Jason sits bolt

upright.
JASON (CONTD)
Are you serious? You fucked her?
Eddies grin widens.

72.
JASON (CONTD)
How was it?
EDDIE
Theres one way for you to find
out, dude.
Jason sits back against the bench, not sure whether to take
him seriously or not. Eddie slaps his shoulder in a buddy-
buddy way.
EDDIE (CONTD)
What are you doing right now?
JASON
(shrugging)
Nothing, really.
EDDIE
I was heading over to that guy
Shawns. From Adaire - remember
him? The guy with the great big
dog?
JASON
(remembering)
Oh, yeah...
EDDIE
Wanna come with? Figured wed stop
there, and then head over to Josh
Staabs place, hang there for a
while. You, me, those guys and
Tina. Shell be there.
Jason thinks about it. It doesnt take long to nod yes.
EXT. SHAWNS BACK YARD - DAY
TIGHT on a HUGE DOG: part mastiff, part whatever. It looks

nervous.
WIDE
Four boys are in the back yard with the dog, which is not
leashed: Jason, Eddie, SHAWN and LOUIS.
JASON
What is it?
SHAWN
I dunno - some kinda mutt.
73.
JASON
You dont have it tied down?
SHAWN
Hes fine when no ones around.
Eddie picks up a STICK and throws it at the dog.
JASON
What the fuck are you doing, man?
EDDIE
Seeing if hell fetch.
He throws ANOTHER STICK. The dog seems to be getting more

agitated.
SHAWN
I dont know if thats such a good
idea, man - hes kinda high-strung.
Eddie throws ANOTHER STICK.
EDDIE
Hes not doing anything.
Suddenly, the dog bolts at them in full attack mode. The boys
scramble and a bottleneck forms at the back door, with Jason
at the rear. Just as he gets to the door, it slams in his
face.
JASON
What the...
He tries it. Its jammed.
JASON (CONTD)
(shouting)
Guys! The doors stuck!
Jason tries forcing the door with his body, but it still
wont open. He turns toward the dog, real fear on his face.
INT. SHAWNS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Eddies on the other side of the door, holding it shut.
JASON (O.C.)
(screaming and pounding)
Ahh! Its biting me! Get it off!
Let me in! Let me in!
74.
Eddie only leans harder in response, a strange, dark fire in

his eyes.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Jason lies in the bed, ARM BANDAGED, IV DRIP set up. Dawn
enters, sits next to him in a chair. Melissa is here already.
JASON
How long do I have to stay here?
DAWN
The shots are going to take a
couple days, Jay.
JASON
(frustrated)
Jeez... Wheres dad?
DAWN
Working. Hes pulling some long
hours. Otherwise hed be here.
Dawn waits a moment, then broaches a delicate subject.
DAWN (CONTD)
Jason... I went over to Shawns
house to ask his mom what
happened... And she said that both
Shawn and Louis saw Eddie holding
the door shut on you. Do you know
why he would do that?
Jason looks down at the bedsheets.
JASON
No.
DAWN
Okay... Theres another thing...
JASON
Yeah?
DAWN
Eddies getting a reputation around
the neighborhood... You know that,
right?
Jason remains silent, wont look her in the eye.

75.
MELISSA
I dont know why you have to hang
out with those losers. Why dont
you spend more time with Wes and
the guys from school?
JASON
(testy)
Shut up - you used to like Eddie!
MELISSA
Used to...
DAWN
Its those damned Coias. Theyre
thugs. I dont know why he ever got
mixed up with them in the first
place.
(an extended beat)
And finally...
JASON
What?
DAWN
Its the drugs. Were talking hard
drugs, heroin... Its not exactly a
secret anymore.
JASON
Ive never seen him do it. Hes
never done it around me.
DAWN
Its pretty obvious, Jason. You
just have to look at him.
Jasons heavy look just gets heavier.
JASON
So what are you saying?
DAWN
That maybe its not such a good
idea for you to keep hanging around
Eddie.
Jason sighs deeply.
JASON
Hes my friend! What am I supposed
to do - turn my back on him?
76.
DAWN
You cant let him drag you down,
Jay!
MELISSA
And hes definitely going down.
JASON
Maybe itll be the other way
around! Huh? Maybe Ill pull him
up!
Dawn looks away in frustration.
JASON (CONTD)
Maybe he just needs an example. A
good influence to balance out the
bad ones. That could be me.
DAWN
(shaking her head)
Its really sweet of you to think
that way, Jay...
JASON
Mom - I cant just give up on him.
I wont.
Dawn looks back at him, silent, conflicted.
INT. SEPTA BUS - DAY
Its full of PASSENGERS. Dawn gets on and is surprised to

find two familiar faces: Eddie and his mom, Jeanette.
DAWN
(sitting next to Jeanette)
Look at this - someone to talk to
on the ride home... But arent you
usually at work right now?
JEANETTE BATZIG
Yes. But I just spent my entire day
in court, didnt I, Edward?
Dawn looks at Eddie, glaring straight ahead with two burning

charcoals for eyes.
DAWN
(to Eddie)
And... What were you doing in
court?
77.
When Eddie doesnt respond, Jeanette speaks up.
JEANETTE BATZIG
Breaking into cars... With those
Coias. He got probation, but next
time hes doing time, the judge
said.
(shakes her head)
I raised him to be better than
this. But what are you gonna do?
You act like a low-life son-of-a-
bitch, you get treated like a low-
life son-of-a-bitch.
Dawn looks at Eddie as if shed never seen him before.
Dawn has ambushed Jason just as hes arrived from work.
DAWN
I dont want you near Eddie, Jason.
I do not want you near him.
Jason looks back at her, dismayed.
JASON
Why?
DAWN
Jay, hes not the same person he
used to be, and I dont want you
around him. The bottom line is,
hes hanging around with low-life
scum, and scum begets scum.
JASON
Mom, thats not right. Im a good
kid. I dont do any of that stuff.
And if I hang around with Eddie,
there might be hope. Theres always
hope...
DAWN
(cutting him off)
No, Jason - theres no hope. There
is no hope. Not for Eddie. I dont
want you around him. End of story.
Jason looks like hes about to argue, but hes tired from
work. Instead, he turns and goes sullenly up to his room.
78.
EXT. GAME STOP - DAY
Holding a PLASTIC BAG, Jason leaves the store, Eddie right

behind.
JASON
Ill let you borrow this after I
check it out.
EDDIE
Well, Im not doing anything right
now... Cant I check it out at your
place?
JASON
(after a beat)
Nows not the best time.
EDDIE
Why not?
JASON
Just... Its not.
EDDIE
Why?
JASON
Well, you know, my moms home and
all.
EDDIE
So? Your moms home - so what?
JASON
Well - you know...
Eddie can see somethings up.
EDDIE
No, I dont know. Why dont you
enlighten me?
JASON
(uncomfortable)
Dude... Just, trust me. Alright?
EDDIE
Why cant I go to your house?
Jason looks like hes going to turn away from Eddie, then
turns back abruptly.
79.
JASON
Because my mom doesnt want you
there. OK?
EDDIE
What do you mean? When did she say
this?
JASON
Right after you held the door on me
with that fucking dog! Okay? Thats
when!
Eddie looks at him, speechless.
EDDIE
(after a beat)
So what are you going to do?
JASON
Im gonna go home and play with my
new fucking game. Thats what.
He starts walking away.
INT. CORNER STORE - DAY
A little urban bodega, with an immigrant SHOPKEEPER behind

the counter. Dom enters, followed by Justina.
JUSTINA
Okay - now what?
DOMENIC
You ever been bait?
JUSTINA
Bait? No... Well - jailbait.
DOMENIC
Just grab a candy bar or something.
Walk out with it. Let the guy catch
you.
JUSTINA
What are you going to do?
DOMENIC
Ill be busy.
He moves off toward the back of the store.

80.
EXT. CORNER STORE - DAY
Justina comes out, pulling the CANDY BAR she just stole from
her pocket. The shopkeeper storms out after her.
SHOPKEEPER
Hey! Hey, you! Stop! Thief!
Justina stops and turns toward him.
JUSTINA
What?
SHOPKEEPER
You didnt pay for that!
JUSTINA
Yeah, so what? Its just a candy
bar.
SHOPKEEPER
You didnt pay for it! If youre
not going to pay for it, Im gonna
call the cops!
Justina throws the bar at the man.
JUSTINA
Keep your fucking shit, then.
She walks away. Meanwhile, Domenic sneaks unnoticed out of

the shop, holding an expensive PORTABLE STEREO in its box.
INT. EDDIE BATZIGS BASEMENT
Eddie and Nicky are shooting dope from DIME BAGS.
NICKY
This stuffs shit... Were gonna
hafta cop again soon. Well need
cash.
EDDIE
(drugged)
So lets get it.
NICKY
From where?
EDDIE
Jason.
81.
NICKY
Hes just gonna give it up?
EDDIE
No, Im gonna take it. Right after
I kill him.
NICKY
You what?
EDDIE
Im going to kill Jason Sweeney.
A grin spreads slowly across Nickys face.
NICKY
You havent got the balls.
Josh is web surfing on a COMPUTER in the corner as Eddie and

Nicky play a video game on the TELEVISION.
JOSH
(over his shoulder)
I dont know about Dom, lately
Nick. Hes been acting a little
crazy, a little paranoid. Like the
thing with the gun...
EDDIE
(killing a bad guy)
Pow! Just like Jason Sweeney.
NICKY
You havent got the balls.
EDDIE
I do. Great, big hairy ones.
NICKY
With a throbbing, veiny penis...
They crack up, collapsing into giggles. Josh just shakes his
head.
Holding a 9 MM. PISTOL, Domenic fires off several rounds at a

BOTTLE set up a short distance away. Then the gun jams.
82.
DOMENIC
(examining the gun)
God-DAMN it!
Domenic, Nicky, Eddie, and Josh are shooting DOPE in the

living room.
DOMENIC
Thats it. The last of it.
NICKY
Thats it?
DOMENIC
I got a bundle for 60, and thats a
deal. That shit only goes so far.
EDDIE
Jason gets five hundred bucks every
Friday.
DOMENIC
Yeah, so? What are you saying?
EDDIE
Im going to kill Jason Sweeney.
JOSH
(shaking his head)
Not this shit again. Christ...
NICKY
You dont have the balls.
(turns to Domenic)
But you do.
DOMENIC
Balls for what? Killing Jason?
NICKY
Youre the leader, dude. We cant
pull it off without you.
DOMENIC
Are you guys serious? You want me
to help you kill Jason Sweeney?
Eddie and Nicky trade glances. They look serious.

83.
NICKY
Over 500 bucks! Dont be a fucking
victim, dude. Never be a victim. Be
the one who comes out on top.
Right? You and me, we have to watch
out for each other... Right? We
need your help.
Domenic looks at his brother for a long moment.
DOMENIC
If were gonna do it, we have to do
it soon. Before anybody goes
chickenshit and backs out.
INT. EDDIE BATZIGS BASEMENT
Eddie and Nicky are down here with Justina.
NICKY
Do you want to be a part of this or
dont you?
JUSTINA
Yeah, of course I do.
NICKY
Okay, so this is what we need you
to do - pretend to be Jasons
girlfriend so you can get him
alone, where well be waiting.
JUSTINA
(intrigued)
And then what?
EDDIE
And then we kill Jason. Take his
money, split it up. Four ways.
An excited grin appears on Justinas face.
JUSTINA
Really? Thats so cool.
NICKY
You gotta be convincing, though.
JUSTINA
Convincing?
84.
NICKY
You gotta make sure he thinks you
like him.
JUSTINA
(confidently)
Im pretty sure I can do that.
All three look at each other expectantly for a moment.
EDDIE
So thats it, then. Thats the
plan... Should we shake on it?
JUSTINA
(grinning mischievously)
I can think of something a little
better...
SHORTLY LATER
Eddie, Nicky and Justina are all naked on the old mattress.
Eddie and Nicky are pulling a train on her - Eddie getting it
in the front, Nicky giving it in the rear. Their gazes meet.
Its almost like theyre fucking each other, and Justina is
merely a vessel.
INT. WALGREENS - DAY
Domenic is walking among the aisles. He picks up a BOX from a

rack and examines it. LATEX GLOVES.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Melissas on the couch watching a movie when Jason comes

barreling down the stairs.
MELISSA
Where are you going?
JASON
Out.
MELISSA
No youre not. Mom and Dad grounded
you.
JASON
Mom and Dad dont have to know.
Neither ones gonna be back from
work before 10.
85.
Melissa looks skeptical, so Jason changes tack.
JASON (CONTD)
Look - Ill feed the dog for a
week. Just dont say anything,
okay?
MELISSA
Well, tell me where youre going at
least. So someone knows.
JASON
Just out - with Eddie and them.
MELISSA
Whos them?
JASON
Dom, Nicky, Justina.
MELISSA
Whos Justina?
JASON
Morley. You remember her. From
Adaire?
MELISSA
(remembering)
Oh, yeah...
(then, teasingly:)
What - is she, like, your
girlfriend or something?
Jason turns to go.
JASON
(on his way out)
Something...
INT. MOVIE THEATER
Jason sits next to Justina in the theater. As the movie runs,

she slips her hand into his crotch, surreptitiously
masturbating him.
JASON
(reflexively)
Oh!
He clamps down on this initial reaction, trying his best to

keep it together. Justina grins at him.
86.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
Jason is walking Justina home after the movie.
JUSTINA
So, tomorrow afternoon, right?
JASON
Sure... What?
JUSTINA
What do you mean, What?
JASON
Tomorrow afternoon, what?
JUSTINA
Whyd you say sure if you didnt
even know what you were agreeing
to?
JASON
I dunno... I figured whatever it
was, it had to be pretty cool.
Justina smiles at him.
JUSTINA
That sounds like a compliment,
Jason.
JASON
(grinning)
I guess Im just a sweet-talker -
even when Im not trying to be.
JUSTINA
You are sweet.
(a beat)
What I meant was tomorrow
afternoon, down at the trails...
Ive always had this fantasy about
having sex by the water.
Jason skips a step.
JASON
S... Sex?
JUSTINA
Yeah. I mean, you want to, dont
you?
87.
JASON
Yeah... Of course... Do you?
JUSTINA
I was the one who brought it up,
wasnt I?
JASON
I was just making sure.
JUSTINA
Okay, then... What time do you get
off work?
JASON
Like, four.
JUSTINA
But you have to stop at the bank,
right?
JASON
(confused)
What?
JUSTINA
You get paid on Fridays... You have
to stop at the bank and cash your
check.
JASON
Well, yeah - but Im taking that
into account. So, still - four.
JUSTINA
Okay. Ill meet you at the El at
four.
JASON
Okay.
TIGHT ON CD PLAYER
Someone inserts a CD: The Beatles WHITE album. A finger

stabs the Play button and the psycho-music opening guitar
riff begins playing.
MUSIC BRIDGES OVER the following scenes:

88.
EXT. TRAILS - DAY
HELTER SKELTER is in mid-riot. The four kids thrash, but

its weird, SLOW MOTION, psychedelic. The landscape has gone
surreal. A boundary has been crossed....
Eddie, Domenic and Nicky are holding identical BLACK HOODIES.

Theyre all looking at each other.
DOMENIC
Alright, fellas - lets do this.
They all start pulling their hoodies on.
SHORTLY LATER
Their hands covered in LATEX GLOVES, the boys grab their

weapons: a CLAW-TOOTHED HAMMER for Domenic and, for Eddie, a
HATCHET.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Eddie, Nicky and Dom walk, all clad in black like angels of
death, their weapons hidden in cheap BACKPACKS.
MUSIC OUT.
INT. BANK BRANCH - DAY
The teller is counting out Jasons pay in TWENTIES on the

counter.
TELLER
Alight, Jay, there it is - $525.37.
Now dont let all that cash get you
into any trouble.
JASON
(scooping up the cash)
Know where I can find some?
He scoots away as the teller smirks at him.

89.
A cross-roads formed by two dirt paths. The area is shielded

by DENSE VEGETATION. Eddie, Nicky and Dom arrive and start
pulling off their backpacks.
EDDIE
So whaddya think?
Dom points to the vegetation.
DOMENIC
Lets find hiding spots. You there,
me there, and Nicky there... Have
him surrounded on three sides.
EDDIE
And?
DOMENIC
And what?
EDDIE
Who goes first?
Domenic looks at him a moment, then shrugs. Eddie seems

determined.
EDDIE (CONTD)
Ill do it. Ill hit first.
EXT. EL STATION - DAY
The train is just rumbling away as Jason comes through the

turnstile. His face breaks into a wide grin. Justina is
waiting for him.
JUSTINA
(smiling)
Hi.
JASON
Hi.
JUSTINA
You ready to have some fun?
Jason cant hide his blush. He tugs at his sweaty shirt.
JASON
Well, I need to stop home first,
and clean up from work.
(MORE)
90.
JASON (CONT'D)
Believe me, you probably dont want
to get too close to me right now.
Justinas grin fades.
JUSTINA
Thats alright - I dont care.
JASON
Really... Two seconds. I promise.
He walks off with Justina, who glances at her WATCH.
The boys wait, breathless with anticipation. Eddie keeps

tossing his hatchet from hand to hand, as if it were hot.
Jason and Justina walk. Her CELL PHONE RINGS. She answers it.
JUSTINA
Hello?
Eddie is on the other end of the line. Nicky, Domenic and

Josh are here as well.
EDDIE
(into the phone)
Where the fuck were you?
EXT. STREET/INT. JOSHS HOUSE - DAY
Intercut between the two sides of the call.
JUSTINA
(sharply)
Where are you?
EDDIE
At Joshs house. We were wondering
what happened to you, so we came
back here to call.
JUSTINA
What - are you bitching out?
91.
EDDIE
Domenic says he wants to.
JUSTINA
No! No way. Ill be there in 20
minutes. Just wait for me, okay?
EDDIE
Whats taking so long?
JUSTINA
Just 20 minutes, OK? Bye.
She hangs up, and notices Jason eyeing her strangely.
JUSTINA (CONTD)
Just my mom.
EXT. SUSQUEHANNA STREET - DAY
Jason and Justina approach the Sweeney house.
JASON
Ill just be a minute.
Without warning, Justina pushes him back against the wall and
plants a full-blown, tongue-and-all kiss on his mouth.
JUSTINA
You said two seconds.
JASON
(a little breathless)
We could do it here. No ones home.
JUSTINA
I told you - Ive always wanted to
do it by the water.
JASON
Alright - just let me change my
shirt at least. Okay?
JUSTINA
Sure.
He disappears inside.
92.
Back in their hoodies and backpacks, Dom, Eddie and Nicky

approach the entrance to the trails. Domenic flings a hand in
front of Nicky, stopping him.
DOMENIC
Guys, whoah - look.
They look. The street ends in a cul-de-sac, where a POLICE

CAR sits parked with a COP visible behind the wheel, looking
downward.
DOMENIC (CONTD)
A fucking cop.
NICKY
I dont think he saw us.
He ducks into the trails, Eddie right behind him. Looking a

bit stunned, Domenic follows as well.
Walking with Jason, Justina looks up and sees the same cop
car. Jason looks as well.
JASON
Oh, shit - a cop.
JUSTINA
It looks like hes got his donut.
He should be happy... Lets go.
She leads him back into the trails.
EXT. TRAILS - DAY
The cross-roads where Dom, Nicky and Eddie were hiding

before. Jason and Justina arrive, Justina shooting quick
glances around for signs of the boys.
BY EDDIE
Hes hiding behind the same tree as before. The other boys
are in their former places as well. Theyre all watching
Jason and Justina.
93.
BY JASON & JUSTINA
JUSTINA
How about here?
JASON
(uncertain)
Here?
JUSTINA
Yeah, why not? Its hidden from
view.
She slips off her top, exposing her breasts. Before Jason can
react much, shes unfastened his pants and pulled them to his
ankles.
BY EDDIE
As, holding his hatchet, he watches the scene unfold before

him. Justina has pulled Jasons shirt off, and is now kissing
his bare chest. They sink from view into the tall grass.
EDDIE
Three... Two... One...
Holding up the hatchet, he breaks cover, running toward Jason

and Justina. Domenic follows, wielding his hammer, folllwed
by Nicky.
MUSIC UP: HELTER SKELTER
BY JASON & JUSTINA
Hearing the commotion, Jason jumps to his feet, fumbling with

his pants. He sees Eddie and the others.
JASON
What are you guys doing here?
The answer Eddie gives is a whack to his head with the

hatchet. A geyser of BLOOD erupts, spraying high into the
air.
JASON (CONTD)
(screaming)
Im bleeding!
He tries to run. Picking up a large ROCK, Nicky hurls it at

Jason, knocking him down again. There, Eddie and Domenic both
set upon him.
94.
Blood pouring from his mouth, Jason looks over at Justina,

still lying half-naked nearby. They meet each others eyes.
JASON (CONTD)
(screaming)
You set me up!
Justina still hasnt moved. Shes lying on the ground,

listening to JASON SCREAM as long as hes able to, letting
his BLOOD shower onto her. She begins rubbing it into her
bare flesh.
BY JASON
Domenic and Eddie - now joined by Nicky - rain down blows

onto Jasons head. Blood is still pulsing out in great gouts,
in time to the weakening beat of Jasons heart. Finally, it
runs out completely. Dressed now, Justina steps up to the
boys. They trade looks, eyes filled with every emotion
imaginable.
At last, Domenic rifles through Jasons pockets and grabs his

WALLET. He quickly counts the CASH inside and nods at the
others. Then, over Jasons bludgeoned, lifeless body, they
engage in a group hug. HELTER SKELTER stumbles and lurches
to its conclusion.
RINGO STARR (V.O.)

(screaming)
I got blisters on my fingers...
FADE TO:
Josh is trying to watch TV, looking very worried, when the

door opens. Domenic, Nicky, Eddie and Justina enter, covered
in BLOOD.
JOSH
Oh, shit...
They pull off their hoodies and stuff them into the WASHING
MACHINE in the small laundry room behind the kitchen.
DOMENIC
Christ, I hope that cop didnt see
us.
NICKY
He didnt, dude.
95.
JOSH
There was a cop?
NICKY
He didnt see us.
JOSH
So... What? It happened? You did
it?
DOMENIC
Yeah, it happened.
He throws Jasons wallet on the table. Josh glances at Eddie,

staring at the wallet with an inscrutable expression on his
face.
JUSTINA
(sitting at the table)
Christ, that was a rush.
Nicky plays a track on the CD: HERESY by Nine Inch Nails.
JOSH
Are you serious?
JUSTINA
Ive never been more turned on in
my entire life.
Josh looks at her contemptuously.
JOSH
So what now?
DOMENIC
We need to come up with an alibi,
dude. But first things first...
He pulls out his phone to call his connection.
POLICE INTERROGATION VIDEO: DOMENIC COIA
Domenic is again responding to cops off-camera:
DOMENIC
We just kept on hitting and hitting
him... We took Sweeneys wallet,
split up the money, and we partied
beyond redemption.
96.
The party has really gotten rolling. The DEALER has arrived,
and Dom, Nicky, Justina, Eddie and Josh are avidly consuming
the DOPE hes brought, ripping open the bags and snorting the
powder directly with their noses. The MUSIC is still
blasting.
TRENT REZNOR
God is Dead, and no one cares/ If
there is a hell, Ill see you
there...
ON JOSH, with Justina, as he shoots them with heroin. All

four following conversations happen in the same spot in the
midst a continuous 360-DEGREE spinning shot, cutting
seamlessly between the subjects, emphasizing the sense of
being circled, entrapped.
JOSH
Why the fuck did you do it,
Justina?
JUSTINA
It wasnt my idea. Really. I just
wanted to hang with you guys
because I thought you were cool.
Mixing a new shot, Josh gives her an incredulous look.
CUT:
Its Josh and Dom now.
JOSH
I have to admit, dude - Im having
a hard time with this. Whyd you
have to kill him? You could have
just robbed him, deal with the
parents later, like usual... Fuck -
its Jason. If you asked him, he
probably would have given you the
money.
DOMENIC
(doing his line)
We were stopping a rape, man.
JOSH
A rape? What are you talking about?
97.
DOMENIC
They were about two seconds away
from doing it, maybe less. He was
going to rape her. We had to do
something.
JOSH
Uh... I dont know about that. Last
I heard, luring him down there was
kind of her idea.
DOMENIC
Im not going to stand by and let
someone get raped. I wont.
Josh looks at him with the same incredulous look he gave

Justina.
CUT: Its Nickys turn with Josh now. The dope, instead of
bringing Josh down, appears to be magnifying his anxiety.
NICKY
(doing his line)
I think were gonna have to do
something about Tina.
JOSH
Do something - like what?
NICKY
Like what we did with Jason.
JOSH
Are you serious?
NICKY
Shes gonna talk, dude. Shes the
weak link in the chain.
Josh gives him the look.
CUT: Eddies turn.
EDDIE
You know, every other one of those
guys swung like a pussy. I was the
one that offed him.
JOSH
Is that right?
EDDIE
Fuckin A. Someone had to man up
first, and turns out it was me.
98.
This time, Joshs look is not incredulous so much as pitying.
LATER
Nicky has passed out. Domenic is slow-dancing by himself to

the MUSIC. Eddie and Justina are long gone, and Josh is lying
sleepless on the couch. CONAN OBRIAN is on TV, doing a
scripted bit with GWYNETH PALTROW.
CONAN OBRIAN
(on TV)
And Gwyneth Paltrows Number One
way of preparing for a role is?
GWYNTH PALTROW
(on TV)
I beat a homeless guy to death with
a hammer.
The TV crowd cracks up at the line. At home, Josh goes into a

full-blown panic attack.
TRENT REZNOR
(singing)
God is dead! And no one
cares.../If there is a Hell, Ill
see you there...
MUSIC BRIDGES as we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE TRAILS - NIGHT
PUSH IN slowly on Jason Sweeneys ruined corpse. A weak

HEARTBEAT sounds every second or so. A GRAPHIC spells out:
CORONERS REPORT - JASON SWEENYS OFFICIAL TIME OF DEATH:
12:10 a.m.
The heart stops.
MUSIC OUT.
EXT. SWEENEY HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
INT. DAWN & PAULS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Dawn is sitting on her bed leaving what must be her 50th

message on Jasons voicemail.
99.
DAWN
(into phone)
Hey, Jaybird - its mom. Listen,
dont worry about punishment, okay?
Just call me. Im starting to get
worried. Love you. Bye.
She hangs up as Paul appears in the doorway, dressed from

work.
PAUL
Was that Jay?
DAWN
If that kid didnt know what
grounded was before, hes sure
gonna now.
INT. MELISSAS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Melissa is on her bed, hugging her knees. Shes very worried.

She digs out her own CELL PHONE and dials Jasons number.
JASONS VOICE (V.O.)

Hey, its Jay... Leave a message,
blah, blah, blah... Bye.
Theres a BEEP, and Melissa dials in Jasons PIN. Dawns

voice comes from the phone next.
DAWNS VOICE
Hey, Jaybird - its mom. Listen,
dont worry about punishment, okay?
Just call me. Im starting to get
worried. Love you. Bye.
Melissa presses a button on the phone, showing that its been

heard. She presses another button.
DAWNS VOICE (V.O.)

Jay, its mom. This is getting
ridiculous. Just call me back...
Melissa does the same with this message.
INT. DAWN & PAULS BEDROOM - SUNRISE
Dawn wakes up from a dream, a look of fresh certainty on her

face.
100.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Dawn is at the breakfast alcove, looking at her PHONE as Paul

walks in to grab some COFFEE.
DAWN
Jasons at the beach.
PAUL
Is that right? How do you know
that?
DAWN
I had a dream last night that he
was at the beach. And now Im
seeing that hes listened to all
the messages I left, but hasnt
answered. So thats what happened.
He went to the beach, and doesnt
want to deal with us til he gets
back.
PAUL
And youre basing this on what - a
dream?
DAWN
You know I get those dreams
sometimes, Paul. Just like my
grandmother? She would smell roses
just before someone died? Hes at
the beach.
Paul still doesnt look convinced.
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
TIGHT on the STREET SIGN: BEACH STREET, it says.
WIDE
The cul-de-sac is filled with POLICE ACTIVITY: vans from the

Major Crimes Unit, police cars both marked and unmarked, etc.
EXT. TRAILS - DAY
A JUNIOR OFFICER is leading DET. AARON BOOKER - black, mid-

50s - to the murder site. The officer is filling him in as
they walk.
101.
JUNIOR OFFICER
White male, were guessing in his
early 20s...
BOOKER
Homeless guy?
JUNIOR OFFICER
Not likely. The clothes were too
nice.
BOOKER
What about I.D.?
JUNIOR OFFICE
No wallet.
They get to the murder site. Booker sees the body.
BOOKER
Jesus Christ...
INT. MORGUE - HALLWAY - DAY
Dawn and Paul, looking shell-shocked, are being led by an

ATTENDANT.
INT. MORGUE - OFFICE - DAY
The door opens, and the attendant leads Dawn and Paul in. On
a table lies a LOOSELEAF BINDER full of photographs.
DAWN
(to attendant)
What is this?
ATTENDANT
Were going to ask you to try to
identify the body through these
forensic photos. Its probably for
the best - for your own sake.
With a deepening sense of dread, Dawn and Paul approach the

book. Paging through it, they react to the gory images of
what could be their son. Then:
102.
TIGHT ON PHOTO
Its a HAND, facing upward with the fingers splayed open.

Across the palm is a prominent and very familiar SCAR.
DISSOLVE TO:
PURE WHITE
After a moment, the whiteness disappears, and were TIGHT ON

TWO EYES. Dawns eyes. Unseeing at first, they swim back into
focus, and thats when we hear the SCREAMS. Dawns screams.
WIDE
Dawn falls to the floor in SLOW MOTION, screaming, as Paul

and the attendant rush to her aid.
FADE TO:
INT. TATTOO SHOP - DAY
Joe McKenna is working on a CUSTOMER when Justina enters. He

looks up as she staggers over, obviously fucked-up. The
customer notices too.
JUSTINA
Hey, Joey-buns...
She giggles.
JOE
(as he works)
Hey, babe.
Justina watches the needle on the customers skin,

fascinated.
JUSTINA
So much blood...
JOE & CUSTOMER

(in unison)
What?
JUSTINA
And it was right there, too...
Right from the neck.
Joe looks at the customer.

103.
JOE
Sorry - Ill just be a minute.
He leads Justina away by the arm.
INT. BATHROOM
Joe sits Justina down on the toilet and stands facing her.
JOE
Whatd you cop - dope? Just how
fucked-up are you?
JUSTINA
So much blood...
JOE
Yeah, you keep saying that. What do
you mean? Whose blood?
Justina looks at him.
JUSTINA
(slightly annoyed)
Jason.
At that moment, theres a KNOCK on the door. Its JOES MOM.
JOES MOM (O.S.)

Joe! You in there?
JOE
Yeah, Ma. What is it?
JOES MOM (O.S.)

Justinas mom is here. Shes got
some men with her... They look like
they might be cops.
Joe looks at Justina, his eyes wide. He locks the door and
turns back to her.
JOE
Okay, now tell me everything. And I
mean everything.
INT. TATTOO SHOP - DAY
JOES MOM, haggard despite only being in her thirties,

emerges from behind the counter. Waiting for her are
Justinas mom, Aaron Booker, and TWO PLAINCLOTHES OFFICERS.
104.
JOES MOM
Shes back there with Joe, in the
bathroom.
BOOKER
Doing what?
JOES MOM
I dont know.
Booker starts heading behind the counter himself.
BOOKER
Well, tell her we need to talk to
her. Now.
INT. BATHROOM
Justina is finishing up her story.
JOE
And you just left him there? Then
what did you do?
An insistent KNOCK comes at the door.
APRIL FREDERICK (O.S.)

Justina, honey, you really need to
come out. These men really need to
talk to you...
JOE
Just one minute, April.
APRIL FREDERICK (O.S.)

(frustrated)
Joe!
JOE
(to Justina)
So then what did you do?
Another KNOCK on the door. This ones far more powerful.
BOOKER (O.S.)
Justina! This is Detective Aaron
Booker, Philly PD. Homicide
Division. We have some questions
for you. We need you to come out of
there right now!
105.
JOE
(sotto to Justina)
What did you do?
JUSTINA
We just went to Joshs... Scored
some dope...
BOOKER (O.S.)
(pounding on the door)
Justina!
JOE
(to Booker)
Just one second!
BOOKER (O.S.)
No, Im afraid I cant give you
that. I need you to open this door
right now.
Joe has the look of a cornered rat.
JOE
What did you do, Tina? What did you
do?
Theres another POUND on the door.
JOE (CONTD)
Now youve told me... Im
implicated. Im going to have to
testify...
BOOKER (O.S.)
Well break the door down if we
have to!
Joe gets an idea.
JOE
Unless we were married... Then they
couldnt force me.
BOOKER (O.S.)
Ms. Morley! Justina! Im serious -
if you do not open this door, we
will break it down.
JOE
(to Justina)
Would you? Would you marry me?
106.
JUSTINA
(startled)
What?
Another POUND.
BOOKER (O.C.)
Justina!
JOE
Would you marry me? So I dont have
to testify against you?
Justinas face splits into a grin and she nods joyfully.
JUSTINA
Yes! Yes, I would!
They hug. Outside, the detective POUNDS on the door again.
BOOKER (O.C.)
This is your last warning! The next
thing youll hear is...
Abruptly, Joe stands up and unlocks the door. He opens it,

revealing a SMALL CROWD of serious faces outside.
JOE
Its all good.
INT. JUSTINAS PRISON CELL
Justinas on her bunk, writing another letter.
JUSTINA (V.O.)
I am guilty. But I still don't
feel guilty for anything. . . . I
still enjoy my flashbacks. They
give me comfort. I love them.
ANOTHER DAY
Justinas at the little desk now.
JUSTINA (V.O.)
Tell me you don't enjoy these
gullible humans. It's funny how
easy it is to persuade them into
lies.
107.
LATER
Another letter. Shes back on the bunk.
JUSTINA (V.O.)
You need to have offsprings (sic)
with me. I need you! I'm serious
and you should take me seriously
into bed with you. . . . I love
you!
INT. DOMENICS PRISON CELL
Reading Justinas LETTER on his bunk, Domenic rolls his eyes

and tosses it away.
INT. PRISON GARAGE - DAY
A PADDY WAGON awaits its prisoners: Domenic, Nicky, Eddie and

Justina. They arrive, dressed in PRISON JUMPSUITS, and board
the van as ARMED GUARDS watch.
INT. PADDY WAGON - DAY
Dom, Nicky and Eddie ride in one section, while Justina rides
in a separate, caged-off section.
NICKY
(to Justina)
I knew we should have killed you.
JUSTINA
They broke down my Moms door... I
wasnt even there, I was at Joes
tattoo shop.
EDDIE
We knew you would fucking tell.
JUSTINA
Im sorry! Im sorry! I have
nightmares about Jason, about
having to walk around with him all
the time, but hes dead...
The van falls into an awkward silence for a beat.
NICKY
Strip.
108.
JUSTINA
What?
NICKY
Strip. You say youre sorry? Strip!
EDDIE
Yeah - take it off! Strip!
NICKY & EDDIE

Strip! Strip! Strip!
Justina glances at Domenic, who shrugs. Standing, Justina

pulls off her jumpsuit and her underwear and stands there
naked before them, as Eddie and Nicky hoot and holler.
INT. COURT ROOM - SENTENCING - DAY
Paul stands before the defendants, minus Justina, making his

post-sentencing address to them.
PAUL
Look at you - the three bad-asses
who killed my son. Just look at
you... Well, now I want you to look
at me. Cause this is how its
gonna be. Every night when you
close your eyes, you'll see mine
looking back at you for what you
did to my boy. Look at me! All of
you! Eddie? Nicky... Look at me,
Domenic, with your evil eyes...
With maximum insouciance, Dom raises his eyes to Pauls.
DOMENIC
I never thought I had evil eyes,
but I guess I do. And I'm cool.
A GASP moves through the crowd. Paul turns purple with rage,
and has to be restrained by the BAILIFF.
EXT. SWEENEY HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A dreary day heading into winter.
Dawn stands in the doorway looking at everything inside, left

just as it was on the day Jason died. Melissa joins her.
109.
MELISSA
You cant keep it like this
forever, Mom.
Dawn doesnt respond. She simply walks away.
LATER
Dressed to work, Dawn begins pulling POSTERS off the walls

and BOXES of Jasons belongings out of the closets. She finds
his PORN MAGAZINES and his little CIGARETTE BOX of WEED. She
pulls out one BOX in particular, full of little STORIES
composed by a child, with mediocre handwriting and no regard
for punctuation. One stands out from the rest, however: in
careful handwriting, its addressed to Dawn. She sits on the
bed and begins reading.
JASONS VOICE (V.O.)

If I was here and you couldn't see
me, I'd still sit next to you and
watch TV. If I was here and you
couldn't see me, I'd still work on
the garden with you in the yard
Dawn drops the little booklet into her lap as the tears come.
Again.
WIDE - TIME LAPSE
With Melissas help, Dawn moves the PACKED BOXES out of

Jasons room until its just a room, empty and barren.
Finished, they stand in the doorway, looking in. Then they
close the door.
INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - BASEMENT
The WASHING MACHINE rumbling behind her, Dawn is folding

laundry. This goes on for a beat, until shes startled by
JASONS VOICE.
JASONS VOICE
I love you, Ma.
Dawns head whips around, looking for the source of the

voice. Shes alone. Its like it came out of thin air, out of
nothing.
DAWN
(after a beat)
I love you too, Jaybird.
110.
She goes back to folding laundry. Her eyes have started to go

red, but theres also a faint smile at the corner of her
lips.
FADE TO BLACK.
ROLL CREDITS
(Nirvanas ALL APOLOGIES would be great end-title music,

budget permitting)
END

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NOTHING

HELTER SKELTER by the Beatles begins and continues through

TV SCREEN: NEWS REPORT

A CNN GRAPHIC flies in, and soon ANDERSON COOPER is

From the TV news report, we

EXT. THE TRAILS - DAY

A desolate stretch of waterfront in North Philadelphia. FOUR

As the NEWS VIDEO ROLLS, the REPORTER narrates.

The local PROSECUTOR is being interviewed.

POLICE INTERROGATION VIDEO: DOMENIC COIA

Small of stature, dark and snake-like, DOMENIC COIA, 17, sits

EXT. THE TRAILS - DAY

SWEEP ACROSS the thrashing faces to one in particular:

Cut back to the studio with Anderson Cooper.

April, do you believe your daughter

In the feed from the remote studio, APRIL FREDERICK sits

INT. INSTITUTIONAL HALLWAY - DAY

TIGHT ON Justina Morley. A HAND grips her arm, guiding her.

BLACK & WHITE TV INTERVIEW

From the 50s or early 60s. The subject is a dapper gent

The AUDIO BRIDGES to:

INT. INSTITUTIONAL HALLWAY/BEDROOM - DAY

Justina is led in to what looks like a hospital room and sat

ERICH FROMM (CONTD)

In Justinas room, a FEMALE VOICE speaks.

FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)

Fromm continues OVER:

ERICH FROMM (V.O.)

BLACK & WHITE TV INTERVIEW

TIGHT ON Fromms arm: a CONCENTRATION CAMP TATTOO is just

INT. INSTITUTIONAL HALLWAY/BEDROOM - DAY

ERICH FROMM (V.O.)

A GRAPHIC appears: ONE YEAR EARLIER. Then it fades.

The door closes, shutting Justina inside.

EXT. HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL - ESTABLISHING - DAY

A typical big-city Catholic school, attached to a church and

INT. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS OFFICE - DAY

The PRINCIPAL, a nun, sits across a desk from Justina.

Justina says nothing, simply nods.

INT. JUSTINAS PRISON CELL - DAY

Dressed in her PRISON JUMPSUIT, Justina sits at the little

TV SCREEN: NEWS REPORT

The twin towers of the World Trade Center are ablaze. A

INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY

A GROUP OF STUDENTS and their TEACHER are watching the images

INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Even though its 9/11, the Sweeneys are having family

Jason is still brooding.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

STUDENTS file into class as the TEACHER is writing on the

The teacher is at the board, in the middle of his lesson.

Jason is day-dreaming. Then:

Even the teacher skips a beat. Jason smirks. A fellow fan.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Jason and Eddie are walking together after school.

They come to a street corner, on which loiter Domenic and his

Eddie and Nicky trade companionable nods as they pass.

EXT. EMPTY LOT - DAY

Jason and Eddie play WHIFFLE BALL.

INT. SWEENEY HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

As Dawn leaves, Melissa enters and takes her place next to

EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY

EXT. SWEENEY HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY

Jason is showing Eddie the GARDEN that fills up most of the