Brian Out of Bounds

bySteve Andriolo

P. 201.874.7157E. steveandriolo@gmail.comW. steveandriolo.comA. 41 Eton CourtBedminster, NJ 07921

FADE IN:

EXT. CUL-DE-SAC -- DAY

Maple trees wreath the cul-de-sac. Orange leaves fall as abreeze sweeps through the suburban neighborhood. The branchesof an oak tree CLICK against a pole supporting a basketballnet.

THUNK! A basketball bounces off the backboard just to theright of the blue target rectangle. It rolls across thedriveway and lodges itself underneath a Buick.

Behind the ball, two skinned knees plop down on the ground. BRIAN, an 11-year-old boy with a round face and tousled brownhair, peers under the car. He pulls the ball out from underthe car, stands up, and brushes dust from his knees.

ADAM, also 11, with straight blond hair, walks over.

ADAMI think under the car is out ofbounds.

BRIANI thought we said edge of thedriveway? Judges?

Brian turns to a group of kids sitting on a couple ofcardboard moving boxes.

ADAMGive me something, here, Brian! You're winning 10 to 2!

Brian smiles.

BRIANAlright alright.

Brian tosses the ball to Adam. Adam dribbles back to theedge of the driveway and drives to the net. He fakes leftaround Brian, but Brian steals it. Brian dribbles back tothe edge of the driveway, shoots, and scores.

BRIAN (CONT'D)That's game! Who's next?

Brian grabs the ball and turns around before almost collidingwith a MOVER carrying a large box.

MOVERCareful there, buddy.

BRIANSorry.

2.

Brian watches the mover haul the large box down the drivewayand slide it onto a moving truck. Two more movers walk by.

The front door of Brian's house swings open. BRIAN'S MOM, atall, thin woman with short blonde hair, steps onto the frontporch.

BRIAN'S MOMBrian, you just about ready?

BRIANOne more game?

BRIAN'S MOMWe don't have time.

Brian GROANS. The kids hop off the boxes and walk over.

BRIANGuess the tournament ends here.

ADAMLike any of us had a chance anyway.

BRIANTrue.

The kids LAUGH.

ADAMNice.

BRIANYou said it!

ADAMYou're not supposed to agree. Don'tyou know how friendship works?

Brian looks over at the movers, who pile the last of theboxes on the truck. Brian's Mom walks to the car and puts abox overflowing with kitchen wares in the back seat.

BRIAN'S MOM(to Brian)

Just going to go lock up. Are yousure you've got everything?

BRIANYeah.

ADAMSo, I guess this is it. On to yournew life in Jersey.

BRIANYeah.

3.

ADAMIt's a long way from Wisconsin. Whydid your Mom have to get a new jobanyway?

BRIANI don't know. But I think she'llonly have to work one out there.

(beat)It's going to be weird without allyou guys. We'll be back to visitI'm sure.

ADAMSure. I'll be good enough to beatyou by then.

BRIANMaybe if we don't visit for like ayear and my arms and/or legs falloff.

ADAMYou'll be kicking butt out there onthe courts I bet. Making new friendsand whatever.

BRIANYeah maybe.

Brian's Mom climbs in the car.

BRIAN'S MOMLet's get going, Brian.

BRIANAlright see you guys later.

ADAMLater.

Brian grabs his basketball and gets in the front seat. Hespins the basketball on his lap. Pink and lilac clouds dustthe clear sky above the basketball net.

BRIAN'S MOMAll set?

Brian nods.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)The apartment complex has a basketballcourt. Playgrounds and a pool too. Probably lots of kids.

BRIANOkay.

4.

The car backs out of the driveway and into the cul-de-sac. The houses of his neighborhood, nicely painted with fine-trimmed lawns, pass by his window. The moving truck snarlsto life and follows them down the street.

EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX -- DAY

A wooden sign with gold lettering spelling out "LakeviewGardens" guards the entrance to a large apartment complex. Below it, a smaller sign reads "Leasing Office" and pointsto the right. The car pulls into the lot outside the leasingoffice.

BRIAN'S MOMI'm just going to run in and get thekeys. Do you want to come?

BRIANI'll wait here.

BRIAN'S MOMOkay.

Brian's mom gets out of the car and walks to the rentaloffice. The moving truck lumbers up to the entrance to theleasing office's parking lot and idles on the main street.

Brian looks out the window. A man in a yellow raincoathobbles down the sidewalk, muttering nonsense. An old womanholds his hand and walks beside him, nodding as he speaks.The door to the leasing office opens, and Brian's mom bouncesdown the steps, jangling a set of keys in her hand. She opensthe car door and climbs inside.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Okay we're all set.

Brian's mom starts the car.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)They had maps of the complex, so Itook one for you.

She hands Brian a brochure. Brian unfolds it and studies theblack and white line drawings depicting the complex.

They drive down the road. More than a dozen red brick squarebuildings flank each side of the main street that meandersthrough the complex. Courtyards fill the spaces betweenthem, some of the lawns bright with green, others dark withmud from half-finished construction.

On their left, a swing in a small playground CREAKS as itsways in the breeze. Large weeds sprout up throughout theplayground. Dead leaves from autumns past carpet the ground. The rusted bars of a jungle gym hang broken and unused.

5.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)So it's not the most luxurious place. It'll work for us.

BRIANThe map says there are two otherplaygrounds.

BRIAN'S MOMThey're probably in better shape.

The car pulls into a parking spot. The moving truck rollsup behind it.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Here we are.

Brian's mom gets out of the car and walks over to the cab ofthe moving truck. Brian hops out of the car and walks to theedge of the long narrow courtyard of their apartment building.

A carpet of green spreads from end to end, dotted with a fewtrees. Brian's mom walks up behind him, keys jangling.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Oh, it's not so bad.

BRIANNo, it's okay.

Brian's mom looks around at the apartments. She gestures tothe first apartment on their left.

BRIAN'S MOMIt's this one right here.

Brian follows his mom up the stairs to the front porch. Abistro table and chairs sit at the other end of the porch,beside a chiminea. A large plant stretches up from thecorner.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Cute little setup they have.

Brian's mom unlocks the door to the vestibule, and then theinside door. They climb the stairs to the second floorapartment.

INT. APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS

Wood floors, scuffed in a few places, run throughout thespacious apartment. White paint, uneven where nail holes,pieces of tape, and tacks have been painted over, covers thewalls.

Brian's mom walks into the living room and twirls to take itall in. She peeks into the small kitchen.

6.

Brian slinks by her and looks around. He turns a knob onthe stove, clean but for a few dings and rust patches. Aneven ring of fire erupts from a burner as he turns the knob.

BRIAN'S MOMSeems good, right?

BRIANI think we can get some grilled cheesegoing on this no problem.

They walk to the back of the apartment. Brian peers intothe larger of the two bedrooms.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Well I guess this one is mine.

BRIAN'S MOMSo long as you're paying the rent.

Brian checks out the other bedroom. Sunlight spills throughthe windows.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Lots of light. You could put yourTV over there and your bed on thiswall.

Brian nods.

INT. APARTMENT -- EVENING

Take-out containers litter a round table in the corner ofthe apartment. Brian's mom plucks a piece of sushi with apair of chopsticks. Brian digs into a bowl of rice with aspoon.

Cardboard boxes line some of the walls. A few boxes sit inthe middle of the room, open and half unpacked.

BRIAN'S MOMWe did okay today.

BRIANUh-hunh. When's the cable guy coming?

BRIAN'S MOMTomorrow, supposedly.

BRIANOh but there's a game on tonight!

BRIAN'S MOMYou'll survive missing one game.

BRIANWhat if I don't?

7.

Brian grabs his throat.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Missing...game...draining...lifeforce.

Brian's mom rolls her eyes.

BRIAN'S MOMAlright alright, Mr. Drama.

BRIANAdam used to stream games on hisphone.

BRIAN'S MOMWell unfortunately for us Adam's nothere. You can use my laptop if youwant. Maybe you can pick up someoneelse's Wi-Fi.

BRIANYou have to pay to stream stuffonline.

BRIAN'S MOMWell my alarm clock is probably inone of the bedroom boxes if you wantto use the radio.

Brian shovels the last of his rice into his mouth. Hecollects his takeout containers and smushes them into thebrown bag they came in.

BRIANOkay. Maybe I'll look for it later. I wanted to go check out the pool.

BRIAN'S MOMNot tonight. It's already dark out.

BRIANMom, come on. I was allowed outafter dark at home.

BRIAN'S MOMThat was different. I had eyes allover the neighborhood. We don't knowanyone here yet.

Brian's mom adds one of her takeout containers to the brownbag.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)You can go out tomorrow after school.

8.

Brian hangs his head. He lifts his eyes, searching for areaction from his mom.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Hang your head all you want. Whydon't you work on setting up yourroom a little bit before bed?

Brian's mom pushes her chair out from the table and walksinto the bedroom. Brian puts the rest of the take-outcontainers into the paper bag.

Brian's mom walks back into the dining room area with a small,black alarm clock. The plug drags along the floor.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Here you go.

Brian's mom hands him the alarm clock.

BRIANWhere's the hamster go that runs it?

BRIAN'S MOMVery funny.

INT. BRIAN'S BEDROOM -- LATER

Across from the doorway, a TV rests on a small entertainmentstand. Chords snake from a video game console to the floor.

Rolled posters lean in one corner of the room. Boxes clutterthe floor. Brian clears a path through the boxes and walksacross the room.

He stops when he reaches the windows. Outside, a dull blueglow emanates from an area behind the parking lot across thestreet. Brian gazes out at the glow. Periodically, cars cruisedown the street that divides one side of the complex fromthe other. The blue light fades and is gone.

The alarm clock radio BUZZES to life as Brian plugs it in. He sets it on top of the bookcase and tunes it to a stationbroadcasting a basketball game.

Brian unpacks books from a few of the boxes resting on thebookcase. He slides a few basketball skill and drill books,an armful of basketball history books, and a couple of memoirsof famous players onto the shelf.

He grabs one of the posters from the corner and unfurls it. On it, Kobe Bryant leaps up for a shot. Brian tacks theposter to the wall. He steps back and looks the poster over.

He drags over a cardboard box filled with toys. He rummagesthrough it until he pulls out a Nerf basketball hoop andball.

9.

He hooks the hoop onto the back of his bedroom door and closesit. Clearing some boxes from the center of the room, Briansteps back and takes a shot. The bedroom door swings open. The soft ball ricochets off Brian's mom's face.

BRIAN'S MOMOw! Brian!

BRIANOops, sorry. You make a better Momthan a backboard.

Brian's mom tosses a stack of bed linens onto the bed.

BRIAN'S MOMThanks? Lights out soon. You needa hand with those sheets?

BRIANI think I can manage.

BRIAN'S MOMOkay.

Brian's mom starts to close the door.

BRIANHey Mom, do you know what's acrossthe street? I saw some weird bluelight.

Brian's mom walks over to the window and squints.

BRIAN'S MOMI don't see anything.

BRIANYeah, it's gone now. It was therebefore.

BRIAN'S MOMI don't know. Maybe some kids withground effects on their car orsomething.

BRIANWe should get those for the Buick.

BRIAN'S MOMAlready made an appointment.

She walks to the doorway.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Goodnight.

10.

BRIAN'Night.

Brian's mom leaves the room. The sound of the basketballgame fills the room as Brian stares at the window. He fightsto keep his eyes open, but they slowly close.

INT. APARTMENT -- MORNING

Brian's mom knocks on the door to Brian's bedroom.

BRIAN'S MOMBrian, are you up? The bus will behere soon.

Brian, dressed but disheveled, opens the door.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Someone's had better mornings.

BRIANThanks.

Brian follows his mom into the kitchen. She opens therefrigerator and hands him a paper bag.

BRIAN'S MOMDon't forget your lunch.

Brian opens the bag and looks into it.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)I've prepared foie gras with figsand gingerbread.

BRIANSmells like peanut butter and jelly.

BRIAN'S MOMOh, my mistake, the foie gras mustbe on tomorrow's menu.

BRIANUm, no thanks.

Brian's mom slings her purse over her shoulder.

Brian fumbles putting his lunch into his backpack. Hestruggles with the zippers as they catch on the fabric. Hefinally pulls it onto his shoulders. Brian's mom tousles hishair.

BRIAN'S MOMHey, no reason to be nervous.

11.

BRIANIt's just weird not to be walking toschool with Adam and Jason.

BRIAN'S MOMI know. Remember what I told you?

BRIANThe cool kids sit in the back of thebus.

BRIAN'S MOMThat's right. You'll survive. Ipromise.

Brian and his mom leave the apartment.

EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX -- MOMENTS LATER

Brian stands on the sidewalk that runs along the main streetdividing the apartment complex. He kicks at the ground,working dirt from a crack in the sidewalk.

A school bus pulls up to the stop. A female BUS DRIVER staresdown through the doorway. Long, wiry red hair falls to hershoulders.

Brian walks to the door. MADISON, an 11-year-old girl withbright streams of ribbons in her hair, pushes past him. Gold plastic Elvis sunglasses mask her eyes. Hoop earringsdangle from her ears.

MADISON(to Brian)

Ladies first.

OLIVIA, also 11, wearing black and white striped tights anda pink shirt knotted to one side, follows Madison into thebus.

OLIVIA(to Brian)

Beauty before ugly.

Olivia turns around.

OLIVIA (CONT'D)Sarah, come on already.

SARAH, another 11-year-old wearing purple jeans and a grayshirt with a heart emblazoned across the front, follows herin.

SARAH(to Brian)

The good seats fill up fast.

12.

Brian follows them into the bus.

INT. SCHOOL BUS -- CONTINUOUS

The girls strut past the driver.

BUS DRIVERLet's keep it down back there girls,okay?

Brian climbs the stairs into the bus. He stares down thecenter aisle. The girls toss their hips left and right asthey half walk, half dance to the back of the bus. Boys andgirls, Brian's age and older, crowd the last few seats. Thegirls trade giggles and the boys occasional punches. MusicWHINES from a dozen different sets of headphones.

Madison, Olivia and Sarah slide into seats at the very backof the bus. Madison puts her sunglasses back on. The chaosdiminishes closer to the front of the bus.

Brian's eyes dart to each side of the aisle as he looks atthe empty seats. The bus driver swings the door closed. Shesteps on the gas and the bus lurches forward. Brian stumblesforward a step and steadies himself with one of the seatbacks. Kids LAUGH as Brian stumbles. He turns around andslides into the seat directly behind the bus driver.

BRIANSo much for the back of the bus.

Outside the window, the man in the yellow raincoat shufflesalong the sidewalk. The bus TRILLS as it passes him. Brianwatches through the window as he waves at the bus. Madisonwalks to the front of the bus and slides in next to Brian.

MADISONHaven't seen you around here before. What's your name?

BRIANBrian. Me and my mom just moved inthis weekend.

Madison gestures out the window.

MADISONYou know that creeper?

BRIANHunh? No.

MADISONHe's freaky. I see him walking backand forth to Walgreens and all overthe complex.

13.

BRIANMaybe he's got somewhere to be.

MADISONI guess. Whatever.

Madison slides out of the seat and walks back to the rear ofthe bus.

INT. CLASSROOM -- LATER

"Mrs. Henderson's Homeroom - Grade 5" scrolls across aninteractive whiteboard hanging on one of the walls of theclassroom.

On a clock above the board, the minute hand TICKS over to8:03. A bell RINGS. Two rectangular tables sit in the middleof the room.

Boys and girls file into the room. Madison bounces in, signsher name on the whiteboard, and walks to the back of theroom. She passes JON, a short, thin but muscular kid dressedin jeans and a basketball jersey.

JONWhat up, dork?

MADISONYou weren't on the bus. Mom driveyou?

JONUh hunh.

Madison sits at the back of the room. Brian walks up to MRS.HENDERSON, a young teacher, seated at her desk.

BRIANHi. I'm Brian Nash. I'm new.

MRS. HENDERSONOh of course, welcome, Brian.

Mrs. Henderson pushes her chair away from her desk and standsup.

MRS. HENDERSON (CONT'D)Everyone, this is Brian. He justmoved here from?

Brian looks out at the class. Eyes, some half closed withdrowsiness, stare back at him.

BRIAN(Inaudible)

14.

MRS. HENDERSONI'm sorry, where?

BRIANMilwaukee.

MRS. HENDERSONMilwaukee. Let's all make him feelat home. Give him a Jersey welcome.

A handful of kids yawn.

MRS. HENDERSON (CONT'D)You can take a seat anywhere, Brian.

Jon noshes peanuts from a ziplock bag and rests his feet ona chair next to him. He picks at his tattered shoes, partsof which are held together by duct tape. Brian walks to thetable and sits across from him.

BRIANNice jersey.

Jon stops chewing.

JONYou play? Or just a poser?

Brian pulls his arms out from the straps of his backpack andsets it beside his chair.

BRIANI play, some. Is there a rec teamhere or anything?

JONNope. But me and some of my boysplay pick up games after school.

BRIANAnyone can play?

JONAnyone that's me or one of my boys.

BRIANOh.

JONSo not you. If that's what you'reasking.

Jon drags his feet off the chair and pulls on his backpack. The bell signaling first period RINGS.

15.

INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA -- LATER

Long rectangular lunch tables fill the room, cluttered withstudents. A buffet of cafeteria food stretches along onewall. Three teachers stand in front of it, chatting witheach other as they supervise the students, occasionallyintervening to break up minor skirmishes.

Brian strolls to a table with a few kids seated at it andsits down. He places his bag lunch on the table. Morekids quickly crowd the table, mostly from some of the morepopular cliques. A dozen conversations of people and placesunfamiliar to him erupt all around. CHRIS, with short blondhair and wearing a polo shirt, leans forward and looks downat Brian, who is sitting a few seats away.

CHRIS(Shouting)

Hey you have Mr. Gootblatt forscience, right?

BRIANWhat?

CHRISGootblatt? For Science?

BRIANYeah.

CHRISHe can be kinda a hard ass.

Brian leans forward to hear better over the din.

BRIANWhat?

ZACH, in jeans and a tee shirt, elbows in next to Brian.

ZACHSorry.

BRIANIt's okay.

Another student pushes in next to Zach, who bumps Brian again.

BRIAN (CONT'D)(to Chris)

What were you saying?

A redheaded girl sits next to Chris and starts talking tohim. Brian turns away from the table, gazing out over thecrowded cafeteria. Across the room, a group of kids crowdone end of an otherwise empty table. Zach nudges Brian.

16.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Hunh?

Zach gestures across the table at HANNAH, a pretty girl withlong chestnut hair.

ZACHShe's asking you something.

BRIANWhat?

HANNAHI said where did you live beforehere?

BRIANSorry. Wisconsin.

JENNIFER, a girl sitting next to Hannah, giggles. She whisperssomething inaudible.

HANNAH(to Jennifer)

I know, he like zoned out.

BRIANNo I just didn't hear.

(beat)Nevermind.

Brian looks down to both ends of the crowded table. He grabshis lunch and stands up. He walks to a half-empty table andsits on the end.

EXT. SCHOOL BASKETBALL COURT -- AFTERNOON

Brian walks to the edge of the school's outdoor basketballcourt. He sets down his backpack and puts a basketball downnext to it. Written in thick black marker, "Brooklawn M.S."decorates one side of the ball.

Brian unties and reties his shoes, pulling hard on the laces. He picks up the ball and dribbles into the paint, spins, andpushes the ball up. It bounces off the backboard.

In the distance behind the basketball pole, a few kids walktoward the court. Brian grabs the ball and dribbles to theblock and takes a second shot. SWISH! The ball falls throughthe net.

Brian sets up for another shot at the free throw line andpauses, watching Jon and GOLIATH, an enormous seventh graderwith dark hair and angry eyes, approach the court. Brian'shands tremble. He shakes them out.

17.

BRIAN(to himself)

Geez, relax.

He shoots, and the ball plays along the rim before fallingaway from the net. He dribbles out to various points of thekey and takes some shots, missing most of them. Jon, Goliath,a couple of other boys, and CYNTHIA, a short, thick girldressed in a tank top with her hair held back by a bandanna,walk onto the court.

Brian's eyes flash to them and back to the net. He takes ajump shot. Goliath, barely needing to jump, deflects theball as it descends toward the basket. The ball bounces toJon, who catches it and holds it in his hands.

BRIAN (CONT'D)That'd be goaltending if we wereplaying a game.

JONAnd you'd be in trouble right now ifwe weren't giving you a warning.

BRIANWhat?

Jon spins the basketball in his hands.

JONI told you the rules in homeroom. Only me and my boys are allowed touse this court.

BRIANIt's the school's court.

JONWe play the best. We own thecourt.

Jon passes the ball to Goliath, who sinks a long hook shot.

GOLIATHWe didn't make the rules.

BRIANMr. Loeffler know about these rules?

Goliath steps forward. His tall shape shadows Brian.

GOLIATHNope and if he finds out about 'emyour days here are gonna get a lottougher.

Brian looks past Goliath and gazes up at the net.

18.

JONI tell you what. I'll let you playme for it?

Jon, Goliath, Cynthia and the others laughs out loud.

CYNTHIAHe's too scared I bet.

BRIANI'm not. And I will.

JONYou know that in order to win thoughyou actually have to make baskets,right?

BRIANI know.

Cynthia walks over to them.

JONYou win, you can play up here. Iwin, you stay off this court forgood.

BRIANOkay.

JONFirst to 7. Winner's out.

Jon thrusts the ball at Brian. It slams into his solarplexus.

JON (CONT'D)I'll even let you take it out first.

Goliath, Cynthia, and the other kids leave the court and siton the sidelines. Cynthia picks up a rock and scratches a"J" and "B" onto the blacktop. Brian stands at the top ofthe key, dribbling the ball. He fakes left and drives rightto the net. In a flash, Jon beats him to the post. Brianputs the ball up. Jon's hand comes down on the ball, slappingit away from Brian. He dribbles back to the three pointline.

Brian, his arms fanned, slaps at the ball in an attempt tosteal. Jon spins away and takes it all the way to the netfor a layup. It bounces off the backboard and through thehoop. On the sidelines, Cynthia scratches a tally beneaththe "J."

Brian catches the ball and bounce passes it back to Jon atthe three point line. He pops it up. SWISH!

19.

The ball drops through the net. Cynthia scratches two moretally marks next to the first under the "J." Brian chestpasses the ball back to Jon. Jon's legs shift back and forthas he passes the ball between them from one hand to the other. He blows past Brian, fakes a shot, and then puts it up againand into the net.

JON (CONT'D)You sure you've played this gamebefore?

Jon shoots from the three-point line. The ball rolls offthe rim and bounces onto the court. Brian grabs it anddribbles back to the three-point line. He steps to the freethrow line, jumps up and shoots it in.

BRIANOnce or twice.

More students crowd the sidelines. Brian looks out at theunfamiliar faces.

JONLook at that. Everyone's come towatch you lose.

Brian's hands tremble as he holds the ball at the three pointline. He starts into the paint but double dribbles.

JON (CONT'D)Wow, noob move right there.

Brian passes the ball to Jon. He sinks a shot from the three-point line, again from the free thow line, and finally drivesit all the way to the net, leaps up, and puts it through thehoop.

JON (CONT'D)That's game. And also embarrassing.For you I mean.

Brian watches the ball bouncing on the court.

JON (CONT'D)Can you find your way off the courtokay?

Goliath, Cynthia, and some of the other kids standingcourtside laugh.

BRIANI got it.

Goliath and Cynthia join Jon on the court and take shots.Brian shoulders his backpack and walks off the court.

20.

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH -- AFTERNOON

Brian steps out of his apartment, a map of the complex inhand.

ALICE, an old woman with gray hair and a haggard face, sitsat the small table on the front porch of the downstairsapartment. She puffs at a cigarette and flicks the ashesinto the chiminea.

ALICEYou must be Brian.

Brian jumps.

BRIANJesus!

ALICENope, name's Alice.

Alice coughs.

BRIANHow'd you know my name?

ALICEOh, met your mother earlier. Nicelady.

(beat)Have any pets?

BRIANWhat?

ALICECats? Dogs? That sort of thing?

BRIANNo, why?

ALICEGood. Rachel who lived upstairsbefore you guys had half a dozen.

Alice puffs her cigarette.

ALICE (CONT'D)Or maybe one. But it sounded likehalf a dozen, always scampering aroundup there. And I seen you come inwith a basketball. Don't think youcan be bouncin' that thing all hoursof the night.

BRIANI won't.

21.

ALICEThere's a perfectly good court inthe complex.

Brian looks down at the map.

BRIANBehind the apartments across thestreet?

Alice snuffs out her cigarette in the chiminea.

ALICEUnless they've moved it since thisplace was built back in the 70s.Stranger things have happened aroundhere.

A short distance away, the man in the yellow raincoat hobblesdown the sidewalk, muttering to himself. Alice gestures tohim.

ALICE (CONT'D)Case in point.

BRIANI saw him this morning.

ALICEI see him everyday. Get used to it.

BRIANWho is he?

ALICEHis name's Patrick.

BRIANWhere's he going?

ALICEIn circles most of the time.Usually with his mother.

(to Patrick)Hey Patrick where's your mother at?

PATRICK clasps his hands together, then touches his indexfinger to each finger on his other hand.

PATRICK(muttering)

Three twos two threes at six threetwos two threes at six three twos...

ALICEAhhh, he don't ever make sense.

22.

Walks around like he's keepin' secrets all the time.

BRIANHe's kinda scary.

ALICENah, harmless. Strange, maybe, butnot scary. Important to know thedifference.

A teapot WHISTLES from inside Alice's apartment. Alice heavesherself out of her chair.

ALICE (CONT'D)That'll be my tea.

She walks into the apartment through the sliding glass door.

ALICE (CONT'D)Might as well get on with your day'cause I'm not sharin' this pot.

Brian walks down the stairs and into the courtyard. To hisleft, the sidewalk splits and flanks an expanse of greenbefore winding around the building. To the right, thesidewalk forks and follows the street.

GIGGLING rings out from around the corner. Brian followsthe sidewalk around the corner.

EXT. APARTMENT COURTYARD -- CONTINUOUS

Madison and Olivia sit on the front steps leading up to anapartment. Three more stand in a semi-circle around them. Madison gets up and starts walking across the courtyard.

OLIVIAWhere you going?

MADISONTo get my bike. I'm bored. Let'sgo to Walgreens.

SARAHSo we can stare at Andrew?

Laughter erupts from the group.

MADISONShut up, Sarah! Like you wouldn'tif Justin worked there.

SARAHI don't even like Justin any more,duh.

23.

MADISONWho then?

SARAHIt's a secret.

MADISONWhatever.

Madison jogs to the apartment across the courtyard and wheelsover a purple and pink bike. Brian walks into the courtyardand stops at the sight of the girls. Madison walks up tohim. Olivia and Sarah follow.

MADISON (CONT'D)Oh, you again. Heard you met mybrother.

BRIANYeah. He's kinda a jerk.

MADISONYou should try living with him. I'mtrying not to. But my parents won'tlet me move out. Yet.

Madison looks Brian up and down.

MADISON (CONT'D)So what are you doing?

Brian tucks the map in his back pocket.

BRIANNothing. I was just...walking.

MADISONI see.

Madison looks Brian up and down.

MADISON (CONT'D)Well you can ride with us, if youwant.

OLIVIAMadison!

MADISONQuiet, Olivia.

(to Brian)We don't normally allow boys. Soit's a privilege.

BRIANThen why me?

24.

MADISONI dunno.

BRIANWell I don't have a bike.

MADISONYour loss then. Let's go, girls.

The girls gather their bikes from around the courtyard andbike down the sidewalk.

BRIANHey wait!

Madison stops her bike and puts one foot down to supportherself.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Anyone else in this complex from ourschool?

MADISONMy brother. He's at school latealmost every day though.

BRIANNo thanks.

MADISONSome kids that go to IntervaleElementary but that's it.

Madison, Olivia, Sarah and the rest of the girls peddle away.

Brian pulls the apartment complex map out of his pocket. Heunfolds it and looks down at the drawing.

A small square outlines the words "Playground 2." He glancesup from the map and looks across the street. He stuffs themap back into his pocket and walks across the street.

EXT. APARTMENT PLAYGROUND -- AFTERNOON

Wind HOWLS through a cracked yellow crawl tube. Rust corrodesthe thick spring of a spring rider topped with a whale, afew flecks of white paint all that's left of its eyes.

The seat of a swing, attached by a chain at only one end,twists in the wind. Brian leans on the top rail of the chainlink fence surrounding the rundown playground. He walksonto the playground. The dead leaves that carpet the groundRUSTLE as he kicks a path through them.

The faint SOUND OF KIDS PLAYING mixes with the rustlingleaves. Brian pauses and cocks an ear to the sky. Silence.

25.

He walks back to the playground entrance and the sound beginsagain. He stops, and the sound of the kids playing lingersa moment before vanishing.

Brian walks down the path from the playground to where itmeets up with a sidewalk. He looks both ways. Patrick'sfeet, pointed inward, shuffle forward. His yellow rain coatSQUEAKS as he walks down the sidewalk, away from Brian.

Brian ducks behind a nearby bush. Patrick hobbles down thesidewalk. Brian sneaks out from behind the bush and skulksalong a railroad tie wall. Patrick stops, counts on hisfingers and turns around.

Brian jumps behind a tree planted along the sidewalk andstands perfectly straight. Patrick continues walking.

Brian pops out from behind the tree and follows Patrick. Asmall staircase leads up to a flat expanse. Patrick climbsthe stairs. Kneeling beside the railroad tie wall, Brianpeeks around the corner and up the staircase. Continuing hiswalk, Patrick disappears from Brian's view.

Brian climbs the short staircase. At the top, a tall chainlink surrounds a basketball court. Woods border the courton two sides, trees huddling close to the fence.

Two backboards face each other at opposite ends of the court,dirty with black grime. An orange hoop peeks out from beneatha pile of dead leaves on the ground behind the post supportingthe far backboard. Closer to Brian, a rusted hoop juts outfrom a backboard, it's net long gone.

Brian walks to the entrance of the court. Dead leaves skitteracross the cracked pavement. Off to the side at the midcourtline, Patrick sits on an old bench, staring at the emptycourt. Brian enters the court and walks around, kicking someof the leaves to the side. He spins around to take it allin. He pulls out the map of the apartment complex. Flippingit to the other side, his fingers find the word "Amenities."He skims the bulleted list and reads "One basketball court."

BRIANGreat.

He crinkles the map up into a ball and tosses it onto thecourt. He stomps off the court toward his apartment.

Patrick stares at the empty court, counting on his fingersand occasionally pausing to gaze up at the sky.

INT. APARTMENT -- LATER

Brian rummages inside the living room closet. His basketballsits on the floor next to him. Brian's mom walks into theliving room from the bedroom.

26.

BRIAN'S MOMWhat are you looking for?

Brian backs out of the closet.

BRIANA broom. Like a big one you canpush along the ground.

BRIAN'S MOMWe don't have one. What do you needit for?

BRIANTo sweep the court so it's somewhatplayable.

BRIAN'S MOMMaybe Alice has one.

BRIANI think she's a little crazy.

BRIAN'S MOMI think she's your only option for abroom right now.

BRIANTrue.

Brian grabs a water bottle and leaves the apartment.

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH -- MOMENTS LATER

A pile of ash smokes in the chiminea. Alice flicks hercigarette into the pile and sips her tea. Brian walks outonto the front porch.

BRIANHi Alice. Do you happen to have abroom?

ALICEI may look like a witch, Brian, butI ain't.

BRIANI didn't mean--I mean like a broomthat I could sweep up some leaveswith.

ALICEWhat leaves?

BRIANOn the basketball court. It's amess.

27.

ALICEA mess? You sure?

BRIANPretty sure.

Alice gazes off into the distance.

ALICEI guess it has been a while since Iseen it. Wait here.

She stands up and enters her apartment through the slidingglass door. She returns a minute later with a long handledpush broom. Brian walks over and takes it from her.

ALICE (CONT'D)Make sure you clean the key good.

BRIANYou know basketball?

ALICEA little. Used to watch some a longtime ago.

A WHISTLE emanates from her apartment.

ALICE (CONT'D)Go on, now, I've got another potwhistlin'.

BRIANOkay, thanks.

ALICEYou can thank me by sweepin' my porchwhen you're done.

BRIANSure thing.

Alice hobbles inside. Brian jogs down the steps and acrossthe street.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT -- MOMENTS LATER

A wide broom head pushes away leaves and sticks, revealing aline of paint on the cracked pavement beneath. Brian leanson the broom handle and looks around the court. He continuessweeping until only a few leaves remain. He runs the broomover the faded key one more time, making sure every last bitof debris is gone.

Scooping up his basketball, Brian dribbles out to the paint. There, he takes a couple of jump shots. He sinks two ofthem and then drives in for a layup.

28.

The ball rolls around the rim before dropping through thenetless hoop. He dribbles out to the three point line.

A few dead leaves CRACKLE under the ball's bounce. The ballsails through the air and straight through the hoop.

BRIANBryant for three!

Brian jogs over to retrieve the ball and takes it back outto the three-point line again. He squints at the distantnet.

Overhead, the sky darkens. He heaves the ball into the air. THUNK! It hits the backboard and drops through the net.

BRIAN (CONT'D)And the crowd goes wild!

The ball bounces off the court and into some bushes. Astrong wind sweeps across the court, kicking up any remainingdebris and leaves into small cyclones and carrying them away.

The ball bounces back onto the court, as if tossed in bysome invisible hand.

BRIAN (CONT'D)What the?

Behind the bouncing ball, four figures wreathed with bluelight materialize. The ball bounces into Brian's hands. Hesteps back. LINCOLN, a kid with short, tightly curled hairand horn-rimmed glasses leads the group to Brian.

LINCOLNGreat shot, man.

BRIANThanks.

(beat)Umm. Who are you guys? Where did?I am so confused.

LINCOLNOh, my bad. I'm Lincoln.

DOWNTOWN, a skinny, skyscraping kid jogs to the midcourtline.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)That's my man, Downtown. He can hitit from anywhere outside the paint.

A basketball appears in Downtown's hands, and he pops it upand into the basket.

29.

DOWNTOWN'S up?

SHORT STACK, a small muscular kid with a blossom of long,dreadlocked hair dashes by Downtown, swiping the ball as itbounces.

LINCOLNThat's Short Stack.

Short Stack smiles and nods before blazing up to the net anddropping it in.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Fastest kid alive or dead.

Short Stack pulls it down and dribbles down court. SKYLAR, abirdlike girl with long red hair steals the ball from ShortStack and maneuvers it every which way through her legs andaround her back.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)That's Skylar. She's got more movesthan a barrel of monkeys.

Skylar eyes Brian suspiciously and nods her head. Lincolnlooks around.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)And Indiana. Is here. Somewhere.

(shouting)Yo Indy! Where you at?

DOWNTOWNProbably stuck in the void again.

INDIANA, a short, chubby round kid in kaki shorts and a button-up shirt materializes on the court, facing away from everyone.

INDIANAWhere is everyone?

LINCOLNIndiana, behind you.

Lincoln shakes his head.

INDIANAOh hey, guys.

LINCOLNHe's the best defensive player thisside of the divide, believe it ornot.

Indiana jogs over. Brian looks at each of them.

30.

BRIANWho are you guys?

LINCOLNJust a bunch of friends that like toplay some ball.

BRIANNo I mean you just...appeared.

INDIANAOh yeah that little trick. One ofthe perks of being dead.

BRIANWhoa Whoa Whoa, wait what? You mean?You guys are ghosts?

LINCOLNYup.

DOWNTOWNKaput.

BRIANNo way. That's insane. I'm insane! Clearly! There is no such thing asghosts!

Brian starts walking off the court.

LINCOLNSometimes you just need to acceptthings for what they are.

BRIANI accept things that are real. Like...uh...this pavement...thatball...this stupid apartment complex. Not ghosts. This is some trick thatjerk Jon is up to.

Brian looks around the court furiously.

LINCOLNAlright alright. Here then, justshake my hand and we'll leave youalone.

Brian reaches out but his hand passes through Lincoln's. Particles of blue light trail away from his hand as he movesit back and forth through Lincoln.

BRIANUnbelievable.

31.

LINCOLNCrazy, right?

BRIANBut...why? I mean how did you die?

LINCOLNHey, none of that matters right now. All that matters is that we're ateam and we're here to play someball. What's your handle?

BRIANBrian. From Wisconsin.

LINCOLNWhat do you say, Brian from Wisconsin? Up for a game?

BRIANWell, I'm not really any good.

Short Stack sprints up to Brian.

SHORT STACKWhat? We just saw you nail a bunchof sick shots.

Short Stack zips around the court, miming some of the shotsBrian took, talking 100 miles per hour.

SHORT STACK (CONT'D)You hit that killer layup and thenbolted to the the top of the key andpopped one up and it whizzed throughthe air and swish and again andKABOOM! you sunk that ball like itwas nobody's business.

Short Stack runs back around to the group, fighting to catchhis breath. Downtown pats him on the back.

DOWNTOWNEasy, take a breath.

LINCOLNThe Stack's right though. You hitsome tough ones.

Skylar strides up to Brian.

SKYLARMaybe he doesn't want to play 'causehe's got a problem with us?

She leans in close to Brian.

32.

SKYLAR (CONT'D)I don't trust him much anyway.

BRIANNo it's not that. I mean I was good. At home. It just seems like I lockup a lot lately when I try to playwith other people.

INDIANAEveryone's got their bad days.Guys, like remember that one time, Imaterialized IN the hoop?

DOWNTOWNIndiana, that happened way more thanonce.

LINCOLNWe're not exactly people on thisside of the divide, so you don'thave to worry.

INDIANAWe've lost it all already. You'vegot no reason to be nervous with us.

SHORT STACKAnd we're just dust in the wind whenyou leave this court.

BRIANSeriously, though, how did you alldie?

LINCOLNThat's something we don't talk about.

SHORT STACKYeah you know it's like in jail youdon't ask what other people are infor even if you've never been tojail which you probably haven't butI don't really know you personallymaybe you have but if--

INDIANAShort Stack! Your talking makes mybrain spin.

SKYLARCan we just get a game going already?

LINCOLNGood idea. So, Brian, you in?

Brian looks at the motley group of ghosts.

33.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)If not we'll blast out of here andleave the court to you. Usuallyit's more fun to play with otherpeople though.

BRIANOkay, yeah, I'll play.

INDIANAGreat!

LINCOLNAlright, let's get some full courtthree on three. Downtown and Indiana,you're with Brian. Skylar and ShortStack, with me.

BRIANBut one of the hoops is busted.

Lincoln looks past Brian to the other end of the court.

LINCOLNLooks good to me.

Brian turns around. A netted hoop appears on the backboardin an explosion of blue light, wisps of blue trailing offinto the evening.

BRIANAnother perk?

LINCOLNYou know it.

Lincoln nods. He passes the ball to Brian. Brian, Indiana,and Downtown walk out to the midcourt line.

BRIANSo Downtown is a nickname?

DOWNTOWNYup.

BRIANWhat about Indiana?

INDIANAYeah. All of use nicknames. Weleave our real names behind.

DOWNTOWN'Cept Skylar.

Brian looks at Skylar across the court.

34.

BRIANWhy Skylar?

INDIANAShe's still holding onto something.

Wind blows Skylar's hair to one side. She stares off intothe distance, across the apartment complex.

Brian dribbles the ball to the center circle. Lincoln jogsup to Brian.

LINCOLNI got Brian. Skylar take Downtown. Short Stack you got Indiana.

(to Brian)Remember, no worries.

BRIANOkay.

LINCOLNJump ball to start.

BRIANDowntown, shouldn't you take theopening tip?

Lincoln laughs.

LINCOLNYou think having anyone on my teamgoing up for the tip against Downtownis any kind of fair?

The ball vanishes from Brian's hands and appears betweenthem, hovering in midair. A trail of blue light beneath it,the ball pops up. Brian and Lincoln leap into the air, andBrian fingers the ball to his team.

Downtown catches it and dribbles toward the basket. Skylarstays tight on him as he moves about the court. Indiana'shand shoots up from the short corner. Downtown bounce passesto Indiana as Brian sprints to the free throw line.

Indiana passes the ball to Brian. Brian fumbles the ball inhis hands before getting a good grip on it. He jumps forthe shot and the ball sails over the backboard. Skylarretrieves it from the bushes. Brian, Downtown, and Indianajog toward their own goal.

BRIANSorry, guys.

DOWNTOWNYou'll get it next time, man.

35.

Skylar tosses the ball overhand to Short Stack. Short Stackraces down the court in a blaze of speed. Indiana strugglesto keep pace with him. Indiana catches up with Short Stack,and just outside the paint, slaps the ball away from him.

Indiana takes it back down the court. He drives in for thelayup. The ball bounces off the rim. Brian pulls it down,hesitates, and passes it toward Downtown at the three pointline.

Skylar intercepts the pass and drives down the court. Shepops it up and the ball rolls around the rim before droppingthrough the hoop. Brian jogs down the court; halfway down,he slows to a walk. Downtown scoops up the ball and tossesit to Brian. Brian drives to the block. His eyes dart aroundat the other players. He shoots. The ball bounces off thebackboard and into Skylar's hands. Brian makes a "T" withhis hands.

BRIANTime...time out.

LINCOLNWhat's up?

BRIANI'm ruining the game.

SKYLARI thought you were just confusedabout what team you were on.

LINCOLNSkylar, come on.

(to Brian)You just need to get your confidenceback.

BRIANIt's just so weird. I know I canmake these shots. I played tons ofgames back home with my friends.But now I just freeze up. I don'tknow what it is.

LINCOLNI've got an idea.

The ball materializes in Lincoln's hands. He passes it toBrian.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Here, you guys take it out one moretime.

Brian carries the ball out of bounds.

36.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Maybe you'll play better if you can'tsee us and we can't see you.

BRIANWhat do you mean?

LINCOLNYou'll see.

Brian throws the ball into play. Indiana catches it anddribbles down court. Brian jogs up to the free throw line.

Downtown moves about the corner trying to get clear of Skylar.Indiana passes it to Brian.

INDIANAGo for it!

Brian freezes and looks around. The ghosts vanish in a swirlof blue light. Brian pauses and squints hard at the net.

His hands steady. He arcs the ball toward the hoop. Theghosts reappear. SWISH! The ball drops through the hoop.

INDIANA (CONT'D)Alright!

LINCOLNSee, you got it in you.

DOWNTOWNYou just need to get used to newpeople.

BRIANI guess so.

SHORT STACKWe'll work on it with you we playhere all the time if you're up forit it's cool we're never ones topass on a game or anything.

LINCOLNAlright now my head is spinning.Let's take a break.

They walk off the court and sit on the sidelines. Brianpicks up his water bottle and takes a drink. He offers someto the others.

DOWNTOWNNah we don't need that anymore.

37.

BRIANDuh, right. So you guys play here alot?

LINCOLNYeah. Not much else to do this sideof the divide.

BRIANDid you all end up here at the sametime? I mean like how did you findeach other?

Lincoln's eyes flash to the others.

LINCOLNHey, I'm more interested in knowingwhy you're here playing on this crummycourt. The blacktop has more cracksthan a plumber's convention.

INDIANAYeah, no one ever comes up here toplay anymore. Not since the placewent to ruin.

SKYLARThey've got fancier courts at school. You should play there.

LINCOLNYou been outside the zone again,Skylar?

SKYLARI'm just saying I've heard.

Brian spins his water bottle in his hands.

BRIANYeah, they do. I'm sort of notallowed to use them, though.

DOWNTOWNSays who?

BRIANA bunch of kids that think they ownthe court.

SHORT STACKOhh that sounds like the Wraithsthese dark shades that think they'reall that in the spirit worldterrorizing everyone they thinkthey're the best but they're notreally.

38.

BRIANWho?

LINCOLNBunch of ghosts that tried to driveus off this very court.

DOWNTOWNSome mean dudes.

SKYLARWe played them for it though andtaught them a thing or two.

BRIANI tried that and embarrassed myselfinto oblivion.

INDIANAWell you need to play them again andtake back that court!

BRIANEven if I didn't lock up when I play,they're still better than me.

LINCOLNPssh I doubt that. We'll just practice'til you're confident enough to playthem again.

BRIANI don't know.

LINCOLNFrankly, I think you already got theskills.

BRIANWell I mean if you guys don't mind.

SKYLARWe mind.

LINCOLNDon't listen to her. We'd be happyto help. And anyway we're only fivepeople.

Indiana presses his hands together and narrows his eyes, inmock concentration.

INDIANAYou bring balance to the teams.

39.

BRIANAlright, well thanks. It's gettinglate though so I better head home.I'll see you guys tomorrow?

LINCOLNWe're definitely not going anywhere.

Brian stands up and leaves the court. As he crosses thethreshold, the ghosts vanish. He turns around and watchesas an empty wind blows across the court.

INT. APARTMENT -- NIGHT

Brian's mom paces around the apartment, holding a cell phoneto her ear.

BRIAN'S MOMIt's good. Work is work. She picksup Brian's backpack and hangs it onthe coat rack.

The lock to the front door RATTLES.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)He's adjusting okay. There aren'tmany kids his age in the complex,but he'll meet people at school.

(beat)Yeah, he still eats, breathes andsleeps basketball.

Brian bounds up the stairs.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Oh hold on, he just got back.

(to Brian)How was it?

BRIANIt was great. Can I have a snack?

BRIAN'S MOMThere's leftover popcorn in thekitchen.

Brian nods at the phone.

BRIANWho's that?

BRIAN'S MOMYour grandfather.

BRIANHi Grandpa.

40.

BRIAN'S MOMYes, Dad, he says hello.

Brian dribbles the ball in the living room. Brian's Momholds the phone away from her mouth.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Brian! Not in the house!

CRACK! The sound of a broom handle wrapping on the ceilingof Alice's apartment thunders through the living room. Themuffled voice of Alice yelling rises up through the floors.

BRIANOops.

Brian's mom rolls her eyes.

BRIAN'S MOMWhat, Dad? No, it's nothing.

Brian puts his basketball down. Dribbling an imaginary ball,he fakes left and right around his mom and into the kitchen.

A bowl of popcorn balances near the edge of the counter. Apaper towel with a few greasy smears sits next to it. In onemotion, Brian crumples up the paper towel, spins around, andshoots it into the garbage can across the kitchen.

BRIANBoom shaka laka!

He fades back and bumps the bowl of popcorn. Kernels spillout across the floor.

BRIAN'S MOMBrian, what was that? Dad, let mego--I think Brian's causing havoc.Yes, love you too.

Brian's mom walks into the kitchen. Kernels CRUNCH underfoot.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Dude! You are in overdrive.

BRIANSorry. I got a little carried away.

BRIAN'S MOMAre you on some kind of massive sugarhigh I'm not aware of?

BRIANNo, I just, I had a good game--Imean I made some good shots up onthe court.

41.

Brian kneels down and pushes the kernels into a pile. Hismom kneels down and helps.

BRIAN'S MOMThat's great, just, it's slow downhour. Did you find other kids upthere?

Brian stares into the pile of kernels.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Brian?

BRIANWhat? No, not really.

Brian's Mom opens a cabinet below the sink and pulls out adust brush and pan. She sweeps the popcorn into the pan andwalks it over to the trash.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Hey Mom, do you believe in ghosts?

BRIAN'S MOMDid you have another vision of AuntSarah? Like when you were 7? Istill think that was George acrossthe street shining a laser into yourbedroom. Did you know his dad workedon the Hubble Telescope?

BRIANYeah, no, nothing like that. I'mjust curious.

Brian's mom returns the brush and dust pan to the cabinet.

BRIAN'S MOMI don't know. I guess anything ispossible.

BRIANSo, yes?

BRIAN'S MOMI guess.

BRIANWhat about heaven, then?

BRIAN'S MOMWhat about it?

BRIANI mean, if there's a heaven why wouldthere be ghosts?

42.

BRIAN'S MOMYou did have a vision again.

BRIANNo, I'm just wondering.

BRIAN'S MOMI don't know. Maybe the space betweenEarth and heaven is like a waitingroom.

BRIANOr maybe there's no heaven.

BRIAN'S MOMMaybe. What's with these questionsanyway? You're supposed to ask mestuff like "What's your favoritedinosaur?"

BRIANI'm eleven, Mom. Not five. Besides,I know your favorite dinosaur isAnklyosaurus.

BRIAN'S MOMWell he's a tank. With feet. Andhe always carries a club. That'ssmart.

Brian looks into the mostly empty bowl of popcorn.

BRIANCan we pop another batch?

INT. CLASSROOM -- AFTERNOON

A rainbow of algebra tiles cascade onto a desk. Madisonsets down the small bucket and sits across from Brian. Aclock at the far end of the classroom ticks closer to 2:20,the end of the school day. MR. YUHAS, a math teacher with ashriveled face and colored brown hair that barely masks thegray, circulates around the classroom.

MR. YUHASRemember, you need to move the algebratiles around in such a way as tokeep the scales mathematicallybalanced.

Brian leans on his fists and stares up at the clock. Anotherminute ticks by.

MADISONAre you going to help me with thisor not?

43.

BRIANWhat?

Madison looks across the room at Olivia, who has partneredwith Nick, a clean cut, square-jawed kid.

MADISONI'm only partnering with you becauseOlivia wanted to be alone with Nick. I can just as easily go join theirgroup. Mr. Yuhas didn't say we hadto be in pairs.

BRIANNo, let's do this.

Brian's eyes flick back to the clock.

MADISONWhat are you waiting for anyway?

BRIANJust this day to be over.

They sort the algebra tiles and place some of them on eachside of a drawing of a scale.

MADISONGoing to shoot some hoops again?

Brian stops sorting the tiles and looks up at her.

MADISON (CONT'D)I saw you up on the basketball courtyesterday.

BRIANWhat did you see?

MADISONJust you playing basketball.

BRIANAlone?

MADISONWell duh yeah. And you were reallyinto it. It was sort of sad.

BRIANThanks.

Olivia bounces over to their desk and throws her arms downacross it, messing up the tiles.

MADISONHey!

44.

OLIVIAO-M-G. Nick has been texting Sarahthe entire period. Since when arethey a thing?

(to Brian)Are they a thing?

BRIANHow should I know? Maybe he justlikes her more.

Madison giggles. Olivia gasps and stomps off.

MADISONGreat, now I have to run damagecontrol.

Madison pushes her chair away from the desk, stands up andwalks across the classroom to Olivia. Brian replaces thetiles. The five-minute bell RINGS.

MR. YUHASAlright everyone, let's get thiscleaned up. We'll work on this againtomorrow.

Brian pushes the tiles back into the bucket and collects hispapers.

EXT. SCHOOL BASKETBALL COURT -- MOMENTS LATER

Brian, his backpack slung over one shoulder, walks along thesidewalk adjacent to the school's basketball court. He watchesas Jon, Goliath, Cynthia, and a couple of other kids passthe basketball back and forth between them and take someshots.

The late afternoon sun hangs low behind them, casting longshadows before Brian. He pulls his backpack over his othershoulder and watches the shadows playing along the ground,doubling the court's attendance. Jon clenches the ball andlooks at Brian. Brian turns away and continues walking tothe busses.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT -- EVENING

Brian stands in the middle of the court, looking around. Inthe breeze, branches RATTLE the fence around the perimeterof the court.

BRIANHello? He dribbles the ball. Guys? Uh, it's me, Brian.

Brian paces around the court.

45.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Lincoln? Indiana?

A RUSTLING emanates from behind him. Brian spins around.

Patrick, wearing his yellow raincoat with the hood pulledover his head, shuffles up to the court. He walks over tothe bench at midcourt and sits down.

PATRICKThree twos two threes at six threetwos two threes at six three twos...

BRIANOh, Patrick, you scared me.

Patrick stops muttering, looks up at Brian, and smiles. Tentatively, Brian walks over and sits down on the benchnext to him and looks out over the court.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Come to watch a game?

Patrick rocks forward.

PATRICKThree twos two threes at six threetwos two threes at six three twos.

BRIANWell I'm not sure where everyone isso there won't be practice I guess.Maybe there never was anyone.

(beat)Maybe I'm just crazy.

PATRICKThree twos two threes at six threetwos two threes at six three twos...

BRIANWhat do those numbers mean anyway?

Patrick stops rocking and looks at Brian.

PATRICKIt's when the friends appear.

BRIANWait what?

Brian stares out over the court. He stands up and walks tothe key. He runs in for a layup and scores.

PATRICKThree twos three twos three twos.

46.

Brian makes two jump shots.

PATRICK (CONT'D)Two threes!

Brian dribbles out to the three-point line and shoots. SWISH! The ball drops through the hoop. Blue light flickers acrossthe court. He retrieves the ball and charges back out tothe three point line and sinks another one.

A strong breeze kicks up leaves and carries them off thecourt. A blaze of light swirls around the netless backboardand traces the shape of a hoop and net. Short Stackmaterializes just behind Brian, swipes the ball and sprintstoward the hoop. He tosses it up, and Downtown materializesin midair and knocks the ball away from the hoop.

DOWNTOWNDenied! That's with a capital D forDowntown.

Skylar materializes and catches the ball.

SKYLARCapital L for lame is more like it.

Downtown shrugs. Skylar shoots the ball and it drops throughthe hoop. On the edge of the court, Indiana creeps towarda large ladybug scurrying along a branch. The ball bouncesby him and the lady bug flies away.

INDIANAHey!

He turns back to the brush. Skylar pads over and scoops upthe ball. Lincoln appears in the center of the court.

LINCOLN(to Indiana)

Come on, Indy, Brian's here to playsome ball.

Indiana turns around.

INDIANAOh, hey Brian!

Lincoln walks up to Brian.

BRIANFor a minute there I thought I haddreamt all you guys up.

LINCOLNNah man you just need the code.Which I guess you worked out.

47.

BRIANPatrick told it to me.

LINCOLNYo P-trick you hook my boy up?

Patrick smiles and nods.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Well alright!

BRIANPatrick can see you guys?

LINCOLNHeck yeah. He's been coming up hereto watch our games for ages.

But hey, more importantly, you sunk a bunch of shots withhim watching!

BRIANI guess I just didn't think he waspaying attention. Or whatever.

LINCOLNThat's what most people think.Truth is his attention is just atsuch a high level people can'tunderstand it. That's why he doesn'tneed the code.

BRIANWhat's with that, anyway? The codeI mean.

Lincoln passes the ball to Brian.

LINCOLNIt's like the combination to thespirit world.

Downtown struts over, followed by Indiana.

INDIANATo our corner of it anyway.

DOWNTOWNWe don't just appear any old time.

LINCOLNOr for anyone.

(beat)Alright so you want to shoot somehoops or run some drills?

48.

BRIANYeah, whatever you guys want to do.

LINCOLNNo. It's what you are gonna do,man. Remember that. And what thatis is improve your game and takeback that court. Now yell it at me.

BRIANWhat?

LINCOLNCome on, let me hear you say it.

BRIANI want to take back the court?

LINCOLNNot want. You're gonna.

BRIANI'm gonna take back the court.

LINCOLNYell it at me!

BRIANI'm gonna take back the court!

(beat)But how?

LINCOLNWe'll worry about that later. Let'swork some speed and defense. Indianaand Short Stack are gonna hook youup.

Short Stack sprints up to meet them. Lincoln and Downtownwalk off the court.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Skylar, let's give 'em some room.

SKYLARI thought we came to play.

LINCOLNWe will.

Skylar thrusts the ball at Brian. He catches it, the forceof the pass briefly knocking the wind out of him. Brianturns to Indiana and Short Stack.

BRIANListen if Skylar doesn't want towait to play--

49.

INDIANAAh forget Skylar. She's alwaysgrumpy.

BRIANI'm not sure she likes me much.

SHORT STACKShe'll get over it what's not tolike you seem like a good kid I meanwe just met you but if you weren'tmaybe we wouldn't have appeared butwe did so that counts for somethingand anyway she's always got stuff onher mind.

BRIANSo what were you guys thinking?

INDIANAWell, first, how's your stance?

Brian squats a little, pushes himself onto the balls of hisfeet, and thrusts his arms out.

INDIANA (CONT'D)That's pretty good to start. Balanceis key.

Short Stack zips around behind him and gives him a smallshove. Brian steps forward.

INDIANA (CONT'D)Sink into it more. Keep your buttlow. Feet forward. Stay focused.

More weight to the balls of your feet but keep your heels incontact with the ground.

Brian sinks into a deeper squat. Short Stack gives himanother shove.

SHORT STACKSolid!

INDIANAOkay Short Stack, you want to goover some speed tips before we workon slides?

SHORT STACKSure thing no problem I'll get himgoing kicky fast in no time okay?

INDIANA(to Brian)

I can translate if you need me to.

50.

BRIANI'll try to keep up with him.

Short Stack walks over to the three-point line.

SHORT STACKOkay we'll start here let me see yousprint to the baseline and back.

Brian runs to the edge of the court and back toward ShortStack.

SHORT STACK (CONT'D)Okay now without stopping zig zag.

Brian zigs and zags.

SHORT STACK (CONT'D)Run in a circle.

Brian sprints in a circle.

SHORT STACK (CONT'D)Okay now stop. Hop on one leg.

Touch your right hand to your head. Whistle.

BRIANHow does this improve my speed?

SHORT STACKIt doesn't but it sure is funny towatch!

INDIANAShort Stack!

SHORT STACKOkay okay sorry I got carried away.

(beat)But your form looks good just rememberyou want to feel your feet behindyou if you try to be too quick withyour legs you will not be using yourfull strength to drive out andalthough you might feel a littlefaster because your legs are movingquicker you will actually be slower.

BRIANHow did you get to be so fast?Some ghost trick?

SHORT STACKNot at all I think it was from havingto spend so much time being cooped

(MORE)

51.

SHORT STACK (CONT'D)up in the hospital before comingover.

The smile fades from Brian's face.

BRIANYou were sick?

SHORT STACKYeah really sick I guess. So wheneverthey let us outside I would just runback and forth and up and down andall over the playground.

(beat)Thought maybe I could sprint so fastI'd leave the cancer behind.

Indiana walks over to them.

SHORT STACK (CONT'D)And if Indiana wasn't chasing somebug in the yard he would just watchand laugh and think I was crazy thewhole time.

INDIANAWell who likes running that much,really?

BRIANYou were both there? I'm sorry. Imean I know you said you guys don'ttalk about it.

INDIANAThat's Lincoln's rule. Just don'ttell him we told you.

BRIANI won't.

INDIANAWe've been best friends since we metin the hospital. Short Stack wascalled Chester back then. I wasMichael.

(beat)He came over first. Then me.

Indiana spins the ball in his hands.

INDIANA (CONT'D)Sometimes it doesn't matter how goodyour defense is. Things still getthrough.

52.

BRIANI'm sorry.

INDIANADon't be. It's in the past. Can'tchange it.

(beat)Come on, let's run some slide drills!

They practice more basketball drills as the evening comeson.

INT. SCHOOL -- DAY

The hallway bustles with students. A group of girls huddledaround a locker chatter away. A boy dodges people as hesprints down the hallway, firing a water gun blindly behindhim at a pursuer.

Brian spins the dial on the padlock to his locker andshoulders his backpack. He walks down the hallway and passesa small alcove in which Nick and Sarah are huddled together,kissing. From the opposite direction walks Jon, flanked byGoliath and Cynthia. Jon shoulders into Brian as he passes.

BRIANOw. Jerk.

Jon stops and turns around.

JONWhat did you say?

Behind him, Goliath eclipses the fluorescent ceiling lights.

BRIANNothing.

JONThat's what I thought. And didn't Itell you to stay away from the court?

BRIANI haven't been on it.

JONI suppose that was your twin I sawgawking at us playing yesterday.

BRIANI just walked past it. You have toget to the busses.

JONWell find another way.

53.

CYNTHIAYeah we don't need no pansy watchingus play.

BRIANWhatever.

JONWhatever and my man Goliath herewill be using your head as a ball.

BRIANFine.

Goliath glares down at him.

JONCome on, G.

Jon, Goliath, and Cynthia walk away.

INT. CLASSROOM -- MORNING

Large lab stations encircle an array of tables. Studentswork independently with various experiments--some exploresurface tension, others mix solutions together to growcrystals. At one table, Olivia steadies a small sheet ofpaper while Madison drops blue food coloring onto it usingan eyedropper.

OLIVIADon't you dare spill a drop of thatstuff on me. I don't want Smurfhands if I get paired with Nick againin math class.

MADISONMaybe Nick has a thing for Smurfs. And then he'll like you more thanSarah.

OLIVIAIs she still texting him? I toldher I saw him first!

MRS. ROSENTHAL, a nervous-looking teacher with pale skin andfrayed dark hair, walks around the classroom.

MRS. ROSENTHALRemember, as soon as you finish withthe kit you're working on pass itaround so everyone can complete allof the experiments.

Brian, alone at one of the smaller lab stations, picks up aneyedropper. He slowly lowers it over a test tube and squeezesthe bulb on the end of the dropper.

54.

The liquid in the tube changes from clear to red. The clockticks closer to the end of the period.

As Brian continues with his experiment, most of the othergroups finish. Students slump in their chairs, yawn, anddoodle in the edges of their notebooks. Mrs. Rosenthal circlesback around to the front of the classroom.

MRS. ROSENTHAL (CONT'D)Okay class, we're nearing the end ofthe period. Does anyone still needto do one of the experiments?

A majority of the kids' hands shoot up into the air.

MRS. ROSENTHAL (CONT'D)Oh. Well which one are peoplemissing?

MATT, a plain-looking kid with blond hair and glasses, raiseshis hand.

MATTWe still need the PH test.

The rest of the class MUMBLES in agreement.

MRS. ROSENTHALRaise your hand if you need the PHtest.

The majority of the class raises their hands. Brian looksup from his work.

MRS. ROSENTHAL (CONT'D)Who has it?

Brian slowly raises his hand. Mrs. Rosenthal turns to therest of the class.

MRS. ROSENTHAL (CONT'D)Well what do you think we should doabout that?

MATTGet 'im!

A rumble of laughter rolls over the class. Even Mrs.Rosenthal cracks a smile.

MRS. ROSENTHALAlright, class, quiet down.

(to Brian)Are you almost done?

BRIANYeah.

55.

MRS. ROSENTHALOkay, well, just do as best you canand pass it on when you're done.

Matt's hand shoots up again.

MATTWhat if we don't finish before classis over?

MRS. ROSENTHALThere's a summary of the experimentalong with study questions in theback of the book. If you don't finishthe experiment complete the questionsfor homework.

The class GRUMBLES.

MATTThanks a lot, Brian.

Brian looks away from the class. Across the room, Madisonwatches him, a moment of sympathy flickering across her face.

INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA -- LATER

The bell RINGS. Students pile into the cafeteria, takingtheir places at the long tables and in the lunch line. Jonpushes past Madison.

JONOut of the way.

MADISONOw! Why do you have to be such ajerk all of the time?

JONI dunno. Why do you have to be mysister all the time?

Brian's hand clenches his brown bag lunch. He walks up anddown the aisles created by the array of lunch tables.

Shouting kids crowd each table. Tall windows overlook a largeconcrete patio. A light drizzle patters the glass. Brianwalks up to the door leading out to the patio.

EXT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA -- MORNING

A 2-foot high wall runs around the perimeter of the patiooutside the cafeteria. Brian sits on the wall, huddled undera small overhang. He eats his sandwich as rain slowlysaturates the brown bag. A TEACHER opens the door to thepatio.

56.

TEACHERCome on, students aren't allowed outhere when the weather's bad.

BRIANIt's just a drizzle.

TEACHERWell you have to come in anyway.It's just the rules.

BRIANOkay.

Brian gathers his lunch and walks inside.

INT. APARTMENT -- AFTERNOON

The door to the apartment swings open. Brian walks up thestairs. The sound of RUNNING WATER and the CLANKING of dishesechoes from the kitchen. Brian unslings his backpack andwalks into the kitchen.

BRIANMom. You're home early.

BRIAN'S MOMYeah, I took the afternoon off.

Brian's mom walks into the living room to the round table inthe corner of the apartment. A plastic bag sits on the table. She pulls out two DVDs.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)I thought we could make it a movieday.

She hoists a grocery bag from the floor onto the table andpulls out popcorn and candy.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)And I got snacks. Peanut buttercups for you and Dots for me.They're fruit flavored so that meansthey're healthier.

BRIANUh hunh. Mom, this is awesome but Iwanted to shoot some hoops today. I'm really trying to get better.

BRIAN'S MOMOh.

BRIANCan I play for just a little while?We could watch them later.

57.

She pulls her cell phone from her pocket and looks at thetime.

BRIAN'S MOMWell, it is early yet. Okay, be backby 5 for dinner and we'll watch theseafter.

BRIANOkay.

Brian leans forward and plants a kiss on his mom's cheek.

BRIAN'S MOMYeah yeah, I'll see you later.

He grabs his ball and exits the apartment. Brian's mom walksover to the sliding glass door. She draws open the blindsand watches as Brian crosses the street and jogs toward thebasketball court.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT -- LATER

The basketball drops through the hoop. Blue light snakesacross the ground before leaping upwards. It dissolves again,leaving Downtown in its place.

DOWNTOWN'S up, B.

BRIANHey, Downtown.

Lincoln, Short Stack, and Indiana appear a moment later.

LINCOLNI'm just sayin', Larry Bird's heads-up move in Game 1 of the Finalsagainst the Rockets--greatest playI've ever seen.

(beat)Hey, Brian, what's fresh?

BRIANNot much. Just anxious to get playingtoday.

Brian looks around the court.

BRIAN (CONT'D)No Skylar?

LINCOLNNah she had some stuff to...takecare of.

58.

BRIANI think she sorta hates me.

LINCOLNThis has got nothing to do with you. Girl's just got some things she needsto figure out.

INDIANAHave you seen those kids that aregiving you trouble any more?

BRIANYeah. I ran into them today. Newsflash--they're still jerks. I justcan't figure out people like that.

INDIANAIt's usually easier not to.

SHORT STACKYeah you never know what is going onin someone's life like if there'ssomething making them that way orthey just feel insecure or who knows.

BRIANCan't you guys slime them orsomething?

LINCOLNSorry, that only works in movies.You just need to ignore them.

DOWNTOWNUntil you school them on the courtsagain.

BRIANEasier said than done.

LINCOLNWe'll see about that.

Downtown shoots the ball from the three point line, sinkingit.

BRIANDowntown, can you give me somepointers on shooting?

DOWNTOWNSure, but you already got the knowhow. You hit a bunch of shots justto make us appear.

59.

BRIANIt's just it's one thing when I'mpracticing by myself. But I panicunder pressure.

DOWNTOWNAnd if you miss a shot it starts achain reaction of more missed shots?

BRIANYeah, exactly.

DOWNTOWNSounds like you need a confidenceboost.

BRIANI guess so. It's weird though Inever did back at home. I mean backin Wisconsin.

DOWNTOWNNew faces new fears.

BRIANWhat?

DOWNTOWNIt's when you move someplace new orstrange or different. Your oldfriends, maybe they knew your quirksbut they didn't care. They likedyou anyway. You grew together. Butnow it's like you gotta start allover. You feel like your flaws aremagnified for those who don't knowyou.

Brian passes the ball to Downtown.

BRIANYeah how did you know?

DOWNTOWNMy family moved around a lot. I hadto make new friends every few months. Sometimes I didn't even have timeto. 'Cept out on the court. Butthat was hard 'cause I was so nervousit ruined my game. Felt like I hadto learn to play all over again everytime.

BRIANBut you did it. You hit shots allthe time like they're nothing.

60.

DOWNTOWNYeah occasionally. Confidence ismost important.

(To Lincoln, ShortStack, and Indiana)

Actually, guys, you mind giving ussome one-on-one time?

LINCOLNAbsolutely.

Lincoln, Indiana, and Short Stack walk off the court.

DOWNTOWNMaybe even evaporate for a sec.

Lincoln, Short Stack and Indiana spin around, enveloped by ablue cocoon of light, and vanish.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)Alright, for now that's less eyes toworry about.

Downtown dribbles the ball to the net, stopping just beforeit. Brian follows.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)So what I used to do--and honestly Istill do it sometimes--is just takelike 50 easy shots. No joke.

From just a few feet away, Downtown shoots the ball, bouncingit off the backboard and into the net. He pulls it down andrepeats the same shot a few more times.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)It seems dumb but it was enough topsych myself up for harder shots.

Downtown dribbles back to the three-point line, shoots, andscores. Brian grabs the ball and passes it up the court toDowntown. Downtown dribbles to the midcourt line. He raisesthe ball to eye level.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)If you believe you can do it, youcan.

He shoots the ball. It arcs high over the court and dropsthrough the basket. Brian jogs to Downtown.

BRIANWow, great shot. I see why yournickname is Downtown. You sink themfrom anywhere.

61.

DOWNTOWNYeah that's part of it. Also helpsme remember where I came from. Iknow Lincoln especially doesn't wantanything to do with the past.But I think it's important toremember.

BRIANWhat do you mean?

DOWNTOWNLike I used to live downtown in thecity. It wasn't the bestneighborhood, but it was home.Some days I can still here my Momcalling me in off the streets forthe night. "Clement get your scrawnybutt in here!" She'd yell and allmy friends would laugh.

BRIANWhy do you, uh, haunt here then?

DOWNTOWNMy family moved out this way after Idied. I was killed on the streetsby a stray bullet.

BRIANJesus.

DOWNTOWNThey wanted to put as much spacebetween them and the city as theycould. So I followed them.

BRIANSo they live here?

DOWNTOWNA few towns over.

BRIANCan you still visit them?

DOWNTOWNSometimes. It's not as easy as youthink. They can't talk to me oranything like you can.

BRIANWhy not?

DOWNTOWNWho knows?

(MORE)

62.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)The spirit world is weird like thatsometimes. Doesn't seem to be anyconsistency with the rules.

(beat)Come on, let's see you take someconfidence shots.

Downtown passes the ball to Brian. Brian walks up to justbelow the net. He looks back at Downtown.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)Trust me.

Brian shoots. The ball bounces of the backboard and intothe net.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)Alright! Every shot counts. Nowtry a bunch more.

The ball repeatedly drops through the hoop as Brian scoresdozens of shots.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)How you feelin'?

BRIANGood, actually.

DOWNTOWNAlright now take it back some.

Brian dribbles the ball to the free throw line and sinksone.

DOWNTOWN (CONT'D)See, this is child's play to you, B! Now for three.

Brian runs back to the three-point line. He looks over thetop of the ball to the net. Indiana, Short Stack, and Lincolnquietly reappear behind him. Brian lobs the ball through thesky. SWISH!

INDIANANice! Brian spins around.

BRIANGuys, you were watching?

LINCOLNYeah man and you did great.

Brian continues shooting from different positions on thecourt, making most of them. The sun sits low behind the trees. Long shadows creep over the court. Brian checks his watch.

63.

The numbers flicker to 6:13. Lincoln jogs over.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)You still got time or you gotta go?

Brian looks back over the apartment complex.

BRIANUh, no, I can hang out a while longer.

EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX -- EVENING

Brian's Mom walks across the parking toward the basketballcourts. As she nears the basketball court, the sound oftalking and the basketball bouncing on the pavement ringsout.

She steps onto the sidewalk and slowly climbs the steps tothe court. She takes a step backwards and crouches slightly.

In the middle of the court, Brian plays basketball, alone,occasionally talking to himself. She watches Brian a momentbefore walking back down the stairs and back to the apartment.

INT. APARTMENT -- EVENING

Brian's mom sits at the round table, paging through amagazine. An empty dinner plate sits in front of her. Brianwalks up the stairs.

BRIANMom?

BRIAN'S MOMHey there.

Brian's mom looks up at a wall clock.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)What happened to 5 o'clock?

Brian puts his basketball on the floor.

BRIANSorry. I guess I got carried away. We were having a good game.

BRIAN'S MOMWe?

BRIANI mean me.

BRIAN'S MOMI went to look for you before.

64.

BRIANYou did?

BRIAN'S MOMYes.

BRIANWhy?

BRIAN'S MOMBecause you said you'd be back andyou weren't and then I was worried. And I saw you up there. And it lookedlike you were talking to yourself. Are you sure everything is okay?

Brian's face grows red.

BRIANYes, I'm fine. I told you I'm fine.

BRIAN'S MOMI know moving to a new town can behard. It just takes time. You'llmeet people.

BRIANKinda hard when there's no one inthese ghetto apartments to meet!

Brian stomps off to his bedroom and closes the door behindhim. Brian's Mom follows him to his room.

BRIAN'S MOMBrian, come on. Brian? You can bemad at me but don't forget youpromised Alice you'd sweep her porch.

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH -- EVENING

Pine needles and debris pile up as Brian pushes them intothe corners of the porch with the broom. Alice, leaning on acane, walks down the sidewalk toward the porch. Brian stopssweeping and looks up.

BRIANHi, Alice. Sorry I didn't get tothis sooner.

Alice slowly climbs the steps to the front porch. She looksup at Brian, as if noticing him for the first time.

ALICEHunh?

65.

BRIANI said I'm sorry I didn't sweepsooner.

Alice looks straight ahead and walks to the sliding door.

ALICEIt's alright. You're young.

BRIANAre you ok?

She heaves the sliding door open.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Alice?

ALICEYou've got your whole life ahead ofyou.

(beat)Probably.

Alice walks into her apartment. Brian stands at the doorway. Brian watches as she walks over to a small table set againstthe wall. Alice digs in the pocket of her dress and pullsout a pack of matches. She strikes the match against herteeth, igniting it.

She lights a candle that sits on the table, flanked bypictures. The glass jar that holds the votive flickers withblue light. Brian squints into the dim light of Alice'sapartment. Alice turns around and walks to a recliner. Sheslumps into the chair and clicks on the television.

BRIANSo I'll just finish up out here.

(beat)Do you want this door closed?

ALICEPlease.

Alice continues to stare in the direction of the television. Brian slides the door shut and continues sweeping. Brianlooks at the pictures of the girl and recognizes her asSkylar. Candlelight glints off the trophies, which Briancan now see are of a girl, mid-jump, shooting a basketball.

BRIAN(quietly)

Skylar.

ALICEPardon?

66.

BRIANWho...who is she?

Alice hobbles to her chair.

ALICEShe is my daughter. Or...was...shedied.

Alice struggles to stifle a SOB.

BRIANI'm so sorry.

Alice wipes her eyes.

ALICEIt was a long time ago. It's justyou think it ain't gonna be so hardevery day after a while. But youcan't help feelin' there's more emptyspace around you now. She helped tokeep things whole.

BRIANMaybe she still is around. I meanmaybe when you die, you don't reallygo away forever.

Alice sticks a cigarette between her lips.

ALICEYeah and smoking does wonders foryour health.

BRIANMaybe it's ok just to believe.

Alice stares at the end of her cigarette.

ALICEThat's great you've got so much faith.But it never got me anywhere.

BRIANI mean you just never really know.

ALICEI know that if there was some kindof afterlife she'd come and see me.Wouldn't she? And if there were aGod he wouldn't make people withproblems. Like Patrick.

Alice clicks on the TV.

67.

ALICE (CONT'D)And he--if it is a he--he wouldn'thave taken her from me in the firstplace.

(beat)Brian, if you wouldn't mind closingthe sliding door when you leave.

BRIANOkay.

Brian leaves the apartment.

INT. BRIAN'S BEDROOM -- MORNING

Outside the bedroom window, the sun breaks through the clouds. Dust sparkles in a ray of light streaming into Brian's room. Brian opens his eyes. He climbs out of bed and pulls on apair of shorts and a T-shirt. He walks over to his closetand slides open the door to reveal a few beat-up pairs ofbasketball shoes. He picks up a pair and pulls them onto hisfeet. He leaves his room and walks up to his mom's bedroomdoor. The door CREAKS as he pushes it open. Inside, Brian'sMom tosses from one sleeping position to the next.

Brian walks back into the living room to the round table. He picks up a note pad. Pens knock against each other as heyanks one from a molded clay holder.

INSERT NOTE:

"Mom, went to play basketball, be back later. -Brian"

He scoops up his basketball and leaves the apartment.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT -- MORNING

The ball drops through the hoop. Brian stands at the three-point line. He jogs over to the ball, grabs it, and walksback to the three-point line. The net looms in the distancebeyond the basketball's orange horizon as Brian holds theball at eye level.

OLIVIA (O.S.)Watch out!

Brian flinches and spins around. He lowers the ball. Oliviaand Madison walk onto the court, Olivia twirling a fake daisybetween her fingers.

OLIVIA (CONT'D)Ha ha nice flinch.

Olivia tucks the daisy behind her ear.

BRIANWhat are you guys doing here?

68.

Olivia, mockingly, mimes playing basketball.

OLIVIAWe came to watch you shoot some hoops.

MADISONOlivia, shut up.

OLIVIAWhat?

MADISON(to Brian)

We were just taking a walk. Yousure are up here a lot though.

OLIVIAYeah, playing basketball alone andtalking to yourself. You're gonnaend up like that creeper that's alwayswalking around here.

BRIANHis name is Patrick. And he's not acreeper.

OLIVIAWhatever.

Near the entrance to the court, Patrick, still in his yellowraincoat, clambers up the stairs and shuffles to the benchat midcourt.

OLIVIA (CONT'D)Speak of the freak.

(shouting)Hey Patrick you find some rain to gowith that coat yet?

BRIANLeave him alone! You know maybeNick at school doesn't like youbecause you're obnoxious.

OLIVIANick does so like me! What do youknow? Him and Sarah are just friends. He told me.

BRIANWell I've never seen two friendskiss so much.

OLIVIAYou didn't even! Madison, he didn't! Did he?

69.

MADISONUm, maybe I have seen them inSnuggler's Cove at school.

OLIVIAUgh!

Olivia storms off the court. Madison watches her leave.

BRIANAren't you going to run after her?

MADISONI don't know, maybe.

(beat)Can I see your ball for a minute.

BRIANWhy?

MADISONBecause. I'll give it right back. I promise.

Brian hesitates before handing Madison the ball.

MADISON (CONT'D)How do you even play on this crappycourt.

BRIANI don't really have a choice. Thanksto your brother and his goons.

MADISONOh. Right.

(beat)I know he can be a bully.

BRIANCan be?

MADISONOur parents have always been hard onhim. I'm not even sure why really. It's no excuse, I know. Sorry, forhim.

BRIANIt's not your place to be sorry.

Madison holds the ball up to eye level, shoots and misses.

MADISONI just wanted to try.

70.

BRIANYou were close.

OLIVIA (O.S.)Madison! I need some support here!

MADISONUgh. See ya.

Madison jogs off the court. Brian stands still, holding theball. He watches as Madison disappears into the parking lotbeyond the court. He walks back over to the three point line,looks around, and shoots the ball.

The ball drops through the hoop and bounces beneath the basketas blue light dances across the court. Lincoln, Downtown,Short Stack, Indiana and Skylar appear.

LINCOLNWhat up, B? You're here early today.

BRIANYeah, it's Saturday.

LINCOLNOh, right. We lose track sometimesthis side of the divide.

SKYLAR(Sarcastically)

Great, so we get an extra longpractice today.

BRIANSkylar, what did I do to make you somad?

Skylar turns around and walks away.

SKYLARNothing.

LINCOLNSkylar, hold up a sec.

She vanishes in a wisp of blue light. Brian looks at Lincoln.

BRIANI'm sorry. I didn't mean to--

LINCOLNHey, it's alright.

BRIANI just don't understand.

71.

LINCOLNLike I said, no one understandsSkylar.

Indiana walks over to them.

INDIANAShe'll come around. She just takesher time warming up to people.

SHORT STACKYeah alive or dead it doesn't mattershe probably won't like you at firstno matter who you are but that'sjust what you get with her.

Lincoln looks around the court.

LINCOLNI was going to suggest we get ascrimmage going but now we've got anodd number of players.

(to Brian)Want to work some ball handling drillsinstead?

BRIANSure, I need all the help I can get.

LINCOLNI'll have you dribbling circles aroundthem dudes at school. Come on.

Brian follows Lincoln to the far end of the court.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)So how are your ball handling skills?

BRIANPretty good I think.

LINCOLNIt's just that pesky confidence thing,right?

Brian nods.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)You ever hear that tip about how ifyou're giving a speech you shouldpicture everyone naked?

BRIANYeah. You...you want me to picturethe other players naked?

72.

LINCOLNPssh nah. That never works.Picture all you want, they're stillnot going to be naked. And even ifthey were, would that make you anyless nervous?

BRIANNot at all.

LINCOLNYou see what I'm saying, then.Nah, what you got to do is startgetting a feel for the ball. I dothis every time before I play.

Without dribbling, Lincoln tosses the ball back and forthbetween his hands, using only his finger tips.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)First I just get a sense of it.

He raises the ball and continues to toss it back and forth.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Up high.

He lowers the ball, still tossing it back and forth.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Down low.

He then passes the ball around his knees, without dribbling,and then up around his waist, and finally up around his headbefore moving back down to his waist and knees again.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)See, I'm just getting close with theball before I even start dribbling. Easy. Then I work some circles andmaybe figure eights.

Lincoln circles the ball down to the ground and rolls itaround his legs, first each individually and then in a figureeight.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Easy enough, right? You wanna try?

BRIANSure.

LINCOLNJust start slow. No pressure. Nobounce. Let it flow.

73.

Brian passes the ball between his fingertips, first up highand then down low. Then he passes it around his body at hisknees, then up to his waist, and finally up around his head.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)You got it--pshh you're a pro.Keep it going!

Brian passes the ball around his body and onto the ground,where he rolls it around his legs.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Now once I get a good feel for it, Iwork dribbling.

He dribbles the ball to the front and back with one hand,and then switches to the next and practices the same drill.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Front to back and left to right.

Lincoln passes the ball back to Brian. Brian dribbles theball.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Okay pound that ball into the ground.

Brian dribbles fast and low.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Sometimes it's like a war out on thecourt. So the ball slamming theground needs to sound like a machinegun.

Brian dribbles even faster.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Rat tat tat! Yeah like that!

Lincoln looks down the court toward Downtown, Short Stack,and Indiana.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Form up!

Downtown, Short Stack and Indiana take defensive positionsaround the court.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Okay now I want you to own that balland take it all the way to the otherend of the court.

BRIANOkay I'll try.

74.

LINCOLNDon't try--rat tat tat past thoseguys!

Brian dribbles the ball down the court. Downtown jogs up tomeet him, angling to get the ball away. Brian fakes leftand drives right.

Short Stack runs up to him and tries to steal the ball.

Brian spins away, keeping the ball under control and dribblingacross the lane.

Approaching Indiana, Brian fakes right and spins left, butIndiana stays on him. He passes the ball from one hand toanother and tries to get around Indiana, who still staysclose to him. Indiana's eyes meet Brian's. Brian dribblesthe ball through his legs and drives down the lane to thebasket, leaving Indiana behind. He shoots and scores.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Alright!

Lincoln walks over to Brian.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

Brian puts his hands on his knees, catching his breath.

BRIANThanks. For a second there I thoughtMichael had me.

Lincoln looks up at Brian.

LINCOLNMichael?

BRIANYeah, er, I mean Indiana.

LINCOLN(to Indiana)

You told Brian your old name?

INDIANAYeah. Well we were just talkingabout how things used to be.

LINCOLNOh okay how things used to be. Sosomething else we agreed not to share.

(beat)Who else told their old name?

75.

SHORT STACKI did.

DOWNTOWNYeah, so did I.

(beat)Why's it matter, though? Skylardoesn't even use a nickname.

LINCOLNWell Skylar likes to do a lot ofthings differently. You guys talkabout your past on the other side?

SHORT STACKYeah well Indiana and me did Idon't know about Downtown but--

DOWNTOWNSame here and you know what? I'mcool with that. I don't want toforget where I came from.

LINCOLNOkay, well hey we had an agreementis all I'm saying.

BRIANSorry, I wasn't trying to be noseyor anything.

LINCOLNWell asking us all a bunch of personalquestions is a funny way of showingit.

INDIANAHe didn't ask. We just told him.It just came up.

LINCOLNOh why don't we get it all out inthe open then, hunh?

Lincoln paces around the court.

BRIANLincoln, I didn't mean--you don'tneed to tell me anything.

LINCOLNNo, no, since we're all sharing--youwant to know who I was? I was theshy kid who got made fun of for hisstupid thrift store reject glasses!

(MORE)

76.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)The one who maybe wasn't as smart aseveryone else and needed extra helpall the time! I was the one whocouldn't figure out girls and maybedidn't even know if he liked them! Okay? I'm the one who took crap forit every day of my life from kids atschool. Even my family.

(beat)And maybe I was the kid who couldn'thandle hearing it anymore.

Lincoln looks off into the distance.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)And took the only way out I knew.

Downtown, Short Stack, Indiana, and Brian stare at Lincoln.

BRIANLincoln, I--

LINCOLNDave. It was Dave back then.

BRIANI'm sorry.

LINCOLNDon't be. I was weak.

Lincoln sits on the ground. Brian walks up to him.

BRIANOh yeah? Because since moving hereyou're one of the strongest peopleI've met. Alive or dead.

Lincoln looks up at him.

BRIAN (CONT'D)And you know what? You're actuallymaking me start to believe I havewhat it takes to take back that court.

LINCOLN'Cause you do.

BRIANBecause I do. And you helped me seethat. Now are we going to finishpractice, or what?

Lincoln smiles.

77.

LINCOLNAlright. But I let you off easy thefirst time. Form up and let's runit again, double hard.

They continue working on ball handling skills as the eveningdarkens and comes on.

INT. APARTMENT -- EVENING

Brian and his mom sit at the dinner table.

BRIAN'S MOMI was thinking.

Brian stops his spoonful of peas just short of his mouth.

BRIANUh oh. Remember what happened lasttime you did that. If you don't I'msure Tim back home does.

BRIAN'S MOMWho knew a kid would go so fast downa slip 'n slide?

BRIANYou put it on the steep hill in ourbackyard. He lost half the skin onhis leg!

BRIAN'S MOMTim had a scraped knee or two comingto him. Anyway, I was thinking whydon't you invite some kids over fromschool to play basketball?

BRIANMom.

BRIAN'S MOMWhat? I'm serious.

BRIANI don't know. The kids here arejust different.

BRIAN'S MOMWhat do you mean?

BRIANI don't know! They just are!

BRIAN'S MOMOkay okay. It was just a thought.

Brian picks at his food.

78.

BRIANI think I'm full.

Brian gets up from the table and walks to his bedroom.

INT. BRIAN'S BEDROOM -- LATER

Brian lays on his bed, tossing his basketball at the ceilingand catching it again. Brian's mom KNOCKS on the door whileslowly pushing it open.

BRIAN'S MOMCan I come in?

BRIANI guess.

Brian's mom walks into the room carrying a plastic shoppingbag.

BRIAN'S MOMHere.

She hands the bag to Brian.

BRIANWhat is it?

BRIAN'S MOMEarly Christmas present.

BRIANWhy?

BRIAN'S MOMBecause you need a pick me up.

Brian takes the bag. He peeks into the bag and pulls out ashoe box. He takes off the lid to reveal a pair of Lebron XBasketball sneakers.

BRIANWhaaaaaat? He leaps to his feet.Mom, these are awesome! I love them.

Brian turns them over in his hands. Light glints off thegold Nike swoosh. Brian puts them on and laces them up.

BRIAN'S MOMHow do they feel?

BRIANPerfect. I can't wait to try themout.

Brian hops up and down on both feet.

79.

BRIAN'S MOMWell the faster you get to bed thefaster you'll be able to wake up andstart breaking them in.

Brian sits on his bed and bounces into repose.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)You can't sleep with them on.

BRIANWhy not? That's like 7 hours ofadditional breaking in time.

BRIAN'S MOMI don't think that counts, butwhatever.

Brian pulls the blanket over himself.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Goodnight, kiddo.

BRIANGoodnight, Mom. Thanks.

Brian's mom stands up and exits the room.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT -- DAY

In a flash of gold, Brian's feet race down the court. Aheadof him, Short Stack drives the ball toward the net. Briancatches up and gets in front of him.

SHORT STACKThose shoes are fly and so fast evenI can't keep up with them!

BRIANEarly Christmas present from my mom.

Brian's hand lashes out as he tries to swipe the ball fromShort Stack. Short Stack pulls it away and passes it toDowntown.

SHORT STACKToo slow maybe you should put a pairon your hands!

Downtown shoots and scores.

LINCOLNThat's game.

Lincoln looks around. Brian catches the ball and dribblesup. He tucks the ball under his arm and looks around.

80.

BRIANAny word from Skylar?

LINCOLNNah, she's still MIA. You guys upfor another game?

Indiana jogs up.

INDIANAIf Brian is.

BRIANOkay.

LINCOLNI'll sit out this time and you guyscan play some two on two. Short Stackand Brian against Downtown andIndiana.

BRIANHey, do I get a nickname?

LINCOLNWell we don't usually give nicknamesto the living.

BRIANWhy not?

LINCOLNBecause you're alive. You need toown your name. Your real name. It'swho you are. It's a part of yourstory.

BRIANMaybe I just need a break from thatstory for a while.

Lincoln looks him up and down.

LINCOLN(to Short Stack,Downtown, and Indiana)

What do you guys think?

INDIANAI think it'd be OK to give him one,just this once.

(beat)How about the Jersey Kid?

LINCOLNNah that's not unique enough.

81.

DOWNTOWNHe's not even from Jersey. Ah!Backbone Brian. 'Cause you've gotthe courage and confidence.

INDIANAThat makes it sound like he's soskinny all you can see is hisvertebrae.

SHORT STACKI know since he's from Wisconsin andnow here he should be the Cheese ofthe East.

DOWNTOWNNo one wants to be called Cheese.

Lincoln looks out over the complex to the hills that surroundthe town.

LINCOLNI got it. Smallville.

DOWNTOWNHow is that better than Backbone?

BRIANI'm not that small.

LINCOLNI know. It's got nothing to do withyour size. It's because of all thepotential you got. Smallville wasthis unsuspecting little nothing ofa town. But out of it came thegreatest super hero ever known:Superman.

The rest of the gang murmurs in agreement.

BRIANAlright, I like it.

DOWNTOWNJust don't forget where you camefrom.

BRIANI won't.

Brian takes the ball out.

INT. BOY'S LOCKER ROOM

Brian puts his foot up on a bench and unties his newbasketball shoes.

82.

JASON, a skinny Indian kid with baggy clothes and a Metsbaseball cap gets changed across from Brian in the lockerroom.

JASONWow are those Lebron's?

Jon and Goliath enter the locker room. Jon looks down atBrian as he passes. Brian's eyes flick to Jon.

BRIANYeah.

Jason pulls off his shirt and tosses it in his locker. Hegrabs his gym shirt and stretches it over his head.

JASONVery cool.

JONI thought they only let people buythose who actually knew how to playbasketball.

Goliath laughs.

MR. LOEFFLER, a wide-eyed gym teacher with strangled, yellowhair and a red face strolls through the locker room.

MR. LOEFFLERThree minutes, guys. And then headout to the weight room.

Brian hurries to change before leaving the locker room.

INT. WEIGHT ROOM

Mr. Loeffler sits on a weight bench. Exercise machines crowdthe room. A ring of kids surrounds him.

MR. LOEFFLEROk, same groups as yesterday, buttoday Group A has the weight roomand B has the mats.

The students GROAN.

MR. LOEFFLER (CONT'D)Remember, this is exercise time, notsocialize time.

Brian follows a stream of students toward a door leading toan adjacent room. He turns around; Jon walks across the roomto a weight machine.

83.

INT. MAT ROOM

In the room adjacent the weight room, huge exercise matstile the floor. A pile of unused mats rests in a corner.

A group of kids rush into the room, kick off their shoes,and start clambering up the stacked mats. Some push othersoff in a game of king of the hill.

Brian steps onto the mats and sits down. Mr. Loeffler walksin and surveys the chaos.

MR. LOEFFLEROff those mats!

He looks around the room.

MR. LOEFFLER (CONT'D)And shoes off in here, everyone.

Brian stands up and looks around. More kids kick off theirshoes and toss them by the door. Brian unties his shoes andwalks them over to the door.

MR. LOEFFLER (CONT'D)Pair up and start with sit-ups ifyou can't think of something to workon. Good practice for the President'sfitness contest.

Jason walks over to Brian. Brian keeps glancing over at hisshoes.

JASONYou need a partner?

Brian turns around.

BRIANHunh?

JASONTo work on sit-ups.

BRIANOh yeah, sure.

Jason lays down in a sit-up position on his back. Brian holdshis ankles to the floor. He continues looking at the pile ofshoes. He counts off as Jason performs sit-ups. Jason sitsup.

JASONHow many was that?

BRIANFifty-two.

84.

JASONReally? Felt like two hundred.Alright. Your turn.

BRIANI don't know. Maybe I'll sit thisone out.

JASONNo way. I'm not getting in troublewith Loeffler.

BRIANOkay, fine.

JASONIt's no big deal.

Brian lays down. Jason grips his ankles. As Brian performseach sit-up, he contorts to try to see around Jason. Once,when he comes up, he sees Jon near the door to the mat room.He stops.

JASON (CONT'D)This is timed you know.

BRIANI know.

Brian continues doing sit-ups as fast as he can, continuouslytrying to see around Jason.

JASONThat's time. You did seventy--

Brian hops up and walks a few steps towards the pile of shoes.His Lebron's rest untouched in the pile.

JASON (CONT'D)Man you must really love those shoes.

BRIANIt's just that they're new.

Mr. Loeffler walks up behind them, holding a clipboard inhis hand.

MR. LOEFFLERHow'd we do?

Brian startles and turns around.

JASONI did sixty-five.

Brian looks at Jason. Jason shrugs. Mr. Loeffler scribblessomething on his clipboard.

85.

MR. LOEFFLERYou? Uh, Nash is it?

BRIANYeah.

Brian turns around to look at the door just in time to seeJon disappear into the weight room.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Sorry, hold on.

Brian runs over to the pile of shoes. He scours around forhis shoes. He tears through the pile, more furiously thelonger he looks.

MR. LOEFFLERHey hey what on earth are you doing,Nash?

BRIANThey're gone!

Brian continues clawing through the pile.

BRIAN (CONT'D)They're gone! I didn't even havethem a day.

MR. LOEFFLERWhat are you yelling about?

BRIANSomeone took my new sneakers.

He runs into the weight room and thrusts his finger at Jon.

BRIAN (CONT'D)It was you!

Jon smiles. Mr. Loeffler follows behind Brian.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Mr. Loeffler, it was Jon!

MR. LOEFFLERI'm sure they're somewhere aroundhere. Let's not go accusing people.

Brian spins around and stares into Loeffler's eyes.

BRIANNo. They're gone and he stole them.

JONHey I don't even know what you'retalking about.

86.

MR. LOEFFLER(to Brian)

Did you see him do it?

BRIAN(beat)

No.

Mr. Loeffler turns to the class.

MR. LOEFFLERDid anyone else see Jon take theshoes?

Some people shake their heads; others mumble 'No.' Brian'sface reddens. His eyes grow watery.

BRIANGod DAMMIT Mr. Loeffler I KNOW hedid it.

The class grows quiet.

MR. LOEFFLERAlright alright, Nash, take a walkup to Mr. Decker's office.

BRIANBut I didn't do anything!

MR. LOEFFLERDidn't you? Go, now.

Brian storms out of the gym.

INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

Diplomas hang on the wall of the principal's office. Briansits in a chair against the wall, across from a large mahoganydesk. MR. DECKER, with salt-and-pepper hair and and a graysuit, strides to his desk.

MR. DECKERSeems you had a bit of a tantrum ingym class today.

Brian stares at the floor.

MR. DECKER (CONT'D)Why was that?

BRIANJon stole my shoes. I told you that.

MR. DECKERBut you didn't see him. And you haveno proof.

87.

Brian thrusts his socked feet out.

BRIANI have no shoes!

MR. DECKERAnd you didn't just misplace them?

BRIANNo. I mean ask Jason he was there.

The intercom on Mr. Decker's phone buzzes. Mr. Decker pressesa button.

MR. DECKERYes, Jean.

JEAN (O.S.)Mr. Loeffler's here.

Mr. Decker pushes himself up from his chair and opens thedoor. Mr. Loeffler walks into the room. CLUNK! He dropsBrian's Lebron's onto the desk.

MR. LOEFFLERFound these in the mat room.

BRIANThat's impossible. I looked--you sawme look.

MR. DECKERMaybe you didn't look hard enough.

Brian stares at the shoes. Mr. Decker hands them to him. Brian puts them on.

MR. DECKER (CONT'D)You need to think before you act.

BRIANOkay.

Mr. Loeffler leaves the room and returns a minute later withJon.

MR. DECKERAlright. Now just apologize to Jonand I think we can call this resolved.

Brian stares hard at Jon. Jon smiles.

BRIANI'm sorry.

JONGood.

88.

MR. DECKERJon.

JONI mean. Apology accepted.

Mr. Decker stands up from his chair.

MR. DECKERGreat. That's that. On with the restof the school day then.

Mr. Decker shoos them from his office.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT - MORNING

Brian throws the basketball overhand at the backboard. Itslams against the backboard and bounces back to him. Hesnatches the ball again and whips it at the backboard a secondtime. It ricochets off and through the net.

The ghosts appear in a smattering of blue light. Indianaappears and ducks out of the way as the ball bounces hardpast him.

INDIANAWhoa.

LINCOLNEasy there. You keep whippin' thatball at the backboard there's notgoing to be much backboard left.

BRIANI'm just sick of everyone. Of school. Of this town.

(beat)I just feel like I'm better at beinga ghost than I am a human being.

LINCOLNI know how hard it can be, but yougotta keep at it. There's no substancehere on the other side.

Lincoln, Downtown, Indiana and Short Stack hover in front ofBrian, thin apparitions.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Sure we play basketball now and then,but that's it. There's no taste. Noflavor. Not even color.

(beat)And there's no warmth.

Indiana stands nearby, looking at the ground.

89.

INDIANAThat's the worst part. You get tiredof being cold all the time. I'dtake a whole life of hell just to bewarm again.

DOWNTOWNWe all would.

BRIANEven Skylar? She doesn't seem towant anything to do with the living.

INDIANAEspecially Skylar.

LINCOLNIt'll get better.

BRIANBut how do you know that?

LINCOLNYou just have to have faith.

BRIANIt's not always that easy.

LINCOLNIt wouldn't be faith if it was. What do you say?

BRIANI don't know.

LINCOLNSmallville. Come on.

BRIANOkay.

LINCOLNGreat.

The basketball vanishes from Brian's hands and appears inLincoln's. He bounces the ball a few times, passing it betweenhis legs.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Alright, let's get a full court gamegoing. Three on three.

Lincoln looks around.

LINCOLN (CONT'D)Skylar said she'd be here today.

90.

Skylar appears.

SKYLARAnd so I am.

LINCOLNGreat. Skylar, Downtown and ShortStack against me, Indiana, andSmallville here.

SKYLARWho's Smallville?

LINCOLNOur man, Brian.

SKYLARSo he gets a nickname now?

INDIANAWe decided it wasn't a big deal.

SKYLARWell it is.

(to Lincoln)You especially know it's a big deal.It's what separates us from them.

LINCOLNWell we made an exception.

BRIAN'S MOM (O.S.)(calling)

Briiiiiian?

BRIANOh no. It's my Mom.

SKYLAROh this is great. Why don't we getthe whole family involved?

LINCOLNSklyar, come on.

SKYLARIf only we were so lucky to havefamilies still. Like he even deservesit.

LINCOLNSklyar!

SKYLARWhatever. I don't know why I evencome up here anymore.

91.

Skylar drifts away into the distance.

LINCOLN(to Brian)

She didn't mean it.

BRIANIt's fine. I better go anyway.

LINCOLNWait--there's one other thing I haveto tell you. The reckoning, it's--

BRIAN'S MOMBrian, are you here?

Brian turns around.

BRIANHi, Mom.

He turns back to look at Lincoln, who has vanished.

BRIAN'S MOMWhat on earth are you doing? Schoolcalled. And you're not there. Incase you haven't noticed.

BRIANI know. I'm sorry. I didn't feellike it today. I mean I didn't feelwell.

BRIAN'S MOMCome on, dude! You were just playingbasketball. What is going on?

BRIANNothing.

BRIAN'S MOMSomething! This isn't like you. You can't just skip school!

BRIANBut I hate school. I hate the kidsthere. I hate this town!

BRIAN'S MOMIt's just because it's new.

BRIANIt's not. It's different. No onelikes me! I'm bullied at school andno kids live here except a bunch ofgirls.

92.

BRIAN'S MOMI'm sorry. We didn't have a choice.

BRIANWe did! You didn't have to takethat stupid job.

BRIAN'S MOMWe needed the money.

BRIANWell then you didn't have to choosethese apartments! I know you liketo pretend that this place is nicebut it's a dump!

(beat)Everything was fine back home.

BRIAN'S MOMIt wasn't.

BRIANI hate that you made us move here.

(beat)And I hate...just...leave me alone.

Brian turns around. His Mom reaches out her hand and thenwithdraws it. She walks back toward the apartments.

EXT. APARTMENT PLAYGROUND

Brian sits on one of the last rusty swings on the playground. Skylar appears behind Brian.

SKYLARBrian--

BRIANMom, I said--

Brian turns around.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Oh. Great. Skylar.

SKYLARIs it true what you said to yourmom? About school and living here?

BRIANWell I wasn't making that stuff upabout getting kicked off the court.

SKYLARYou know, sometimes I forget howhard it can be on the other side.

(MORE)

93.

SKYLAR (CONT'D)And all I can think is this kid'salive and he's got everything, aMom, and he's always complainingabout stupid kids at school. Likeany of that matters.

BRIANBut it does matter to me.

SKYLARI know. And the thing is, I justmiss it so badly. All of it.

A glimmer of light appears beneath Skylar's eye as a ghostlytear trails down her cheek. Skylar looks back toward theapartments.

SKYLAR (CONT'D)I miss her.

BRIANAlice.

Skylar nods and brushes away her tear.

SKYLARHow did you know?

BRIANThe pictures and trophies in herapartment.

Skylar half laughs, half sobs.

SKYLARI barely even played that year. Gota trophy just for showing up.

BRIANWhy don't you talk to her?

SKYLARBecause I can't. That's just how itis with certain people. And it'snot fair.

Skylar stares into the sky.

SKYLAR (CONT'D)We were best friends. We never evenfought the way a lot of mothers anddaughters do. When people die theyalways say 'it was his time, or she'sin a better place now, or she wasmeant for something better.'

(MORE)

94.

SKYLAR (CONT'D)But there's nothing better on thisside of the divide. Just some crappybasketball.

Skylar gets right in Brian's face.

SKYLAR (CONT'D)You have to make it all count withthe ones that you love while you'rehere. You can't take life for granted.

BRIANI know. I'm sorry. I mean I try notto.

SKYLARPromise me you won't!

BRIANI promise.

Skylar wipes the tears from her eyes. They scatter into flecksof glitter and vanish.

SKYLARI don't care that you play with us. You're pretty good actually. Butdon't forget where you came from.Don't waste the time you have withyour family. Okay?

BRIANOkay.

SKYLARAlright.

Skylar dribbles the ball.

BRIANYou really think I'm alright atbasketball?

SKYLARI do. You could use some work onstealing, though. Come on, I'll go over some things with you.

Together, Skylar and Brian work on his stealing technique.

INT. APARTMENT -- DAY

Brian's Mom flips through a photo album. Pictures of herand Brian flash by.

Brian walks into the apartment.

95.

BRIANMom?

Brian's Mom turns another page in the photo album. He sitsdown next to her and looks at the album. A picture of Brianand his Mom flexing their muscles at the town pool back homestares back at him. A tear splashes the cellophane coveringthe photo.

BRIAN'S MOMI'm sorry it's been hard for you. It was supposed to be better for us. I figured with only having one jobnow we'd be able to hang out moreand have movie nights again.

BRIANI shouldn't have gotten mad backthere.

BRIAN'S MOMIt's okay. I didn't think about howbig of a change it might be.

Brian's Mom closes the album and leans back on the couch.

BRIAN'S MOM (CONT'D)Maybe we should just move back.

A tear rolls down her cheek. She rubs it away.

BRIANNo. We'll make it work. I meanI'll learn to adapt. There has tobe cool kids at school somewhere. And if not it's going to be my choicefor movie night for a lonnnng time.

Brian's Mom laughs. Brian picks up a DVD of The Sound ofMusic.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Starting ASAP.

BRIAN'S MOMWhat if I told you there were goatpuppets in that movie?

BRIANStill not selling it.

BRIAN'S MOMCome here.

Brian's Mom hugs him.

96.

BRIANYeah yeah yeah.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY

Jon, Goliath and Cynthia amble down the hallway. Jon glaresat Brian as he walks by. Brian closes the door to his locker.

BRIANHey! Jon.

Jon stops and turns around.

JONWhat up, benchwarmer? Or maybe Ishould call you cheerleader.

Goliath and Cynthia laugh.

BRIANI want another shot.

JONAt what?

BRIANAt playing you for use of the courts.

Jon laughs.

JONWant another shot at losing, hunh?And why should I give you anothershot?

BRIANBecause if I lose I'll stay off thecourt forever.

JONYou're already doing that. So, no.As much as I'd love to embarrass youagain.

Jon turns around. Brian looks down at his sneakers.

BRIANI'll give you my shoes too.

Jon turns around. He looks down at Brian's feet.

GOLIATHMake him kiss them everyday too.

CYNTHIAYeah! While you're wearing them righthere in the hallway.

97.

JON(to Brian)

Well?

BRIANFine. But if I win I get free use ofthe courts. In fact everyone getsfree use of the courts from now on.

JONFine. When?

BRIANTomorrow at 3.

JONDone. See you there.

Jon, Goliath and Cynthia walk away.

EXT. APARTMENT BASKETBALL COURT -- MORNING

Brian runs up to the court.

BRIANGuys? Lincoln?

(beat)Oh wait, duh.

Brian walks up to the basket and lobs the ball in in threequick shots.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Guys? Lincoln? I did it. Ichallenged Jon.

He dribbles the ball back to the top of the key and shootsagain.

BRIAN (CONT'D)It's this afternoon. Downtown? Where is everyone?

PATRICK (O.S.)They're not here, Brian.

Brian spins around. Patrick sits on the bench.

BRIANHunh? What do you mean?

PATRICKThey're gone. It happens that waysometimes.

BRIANJust like that? I don't understand.

98.

PATRICKThe Reckoning. It's when they'recalled to settle accounts.

BRIANWith...with God? Like, in heaven?

PATRICKWho can know for sure?

BRIANBut how do you know?

PATRICKI've heard it whispered in the rustleof dead leaves. Sung in the hollowsof trees. I don't know much. But Iknow how to listen.

Brian puts his ball on the ground and sits on it.

BRIANI can't do it without them there. Ican't beat Jon without knowing they'rethere rooting for me.

PATRICKThey'll always be rooting for you. And the skills are in you. They'vetaught you everything you need toknow. You've got your confidenceback. You just need to have faith inyourself.

BRIANBut what if I can't? What if I lose?

PATRICKThen life will shuffle forward. Asit always seems to do. No matterwhat.

Patrick pushes himself up from the bench and walks towardthe stairway leading away from the court.

BRIANHey Patrick, can I ask you something?

PATRICKOf course.

BRIANHow come you walk around this complexsaying weird things sometimes?

Patrick stops walking.

99.

PATRICKI guess I'm just listening so intentlyto the world, I don't even realizeI'm doing it.

(beat)And sometimes I just like messingwith people.

Patrick laughs and walks away. Brian dribbles the ball andshoots it through the hoop one more time.

EXT. SCHOOL BASKETBALL COURT - DAY

Brian watches from behind the fence as Jon, Goliath, andCynthia pass the ball back and forth, dribbling and shooting.

Jon dribbles fast past Cynthia and pushes her to the sidebefore shooting.

JONHuzzah!

Cynthia laughs as she pushes herself up. Goliath stridesover.

GOLIATHYou think he's even gonna show?

Jon looks around.

JONI don't know. He's a loser. And loserslike losing. So probably.

Brian walks up behind them.

BRIANYou ready to do this.

They turn around.

JONWhat is that, your serious face?

Brian stares at him. Jon thrusts the ball hard at him.

JON (CONT'D)First to 10. Losers out.

Brian catches the ball. He surveys the school yard. A coupleof kids walk by, paying little attention to the game. Brianbreathes a sigh of relief.

JON (CONT'D)Let's get on with it already.

On the sidelines, Cynthia scratches a line in the pavement.

100.

Brian dribbles the ball, slowly at first. Then he pounds itfaster and faster into the pavement. He drives left. Jonstays on him a moment before Brian passes it between his ownlegs and drives right, around Jon.

He goes up for the layup, and the ball drops through thehoop.

Goliath and Cynthia BOO from the sidelines.

CYNTHIACome on, Jon, open up on him!

Brian passes the ball to Jon. Jon dribbles fast before drivingdown the lane. He fakes a shot and then puts it up.

Brian leaps up and smacks the ball away. They both sprintafter it to recover it. Brian beats Jon to the ball andgrabs it. He dribbles, backing up toward the net.

Jon swats at the ball. Brian maneuvers it between his legs,evading Jon's attempt at stealing it each time. Brian spinsaway and dribbles across the key. He shoots and scores!

JONSo you've been practicing. Must beextra hard to do when you have nofriends.

BRIANYou're just wasting what little brainpower you have saying stuff likethat. And stinking up the courtwith your breath.

Brian runs back to retrieve the ball. Jon breathes into hiscupped hands and sniffs it while looking around to see ifanyone is paying attention. Cynthia and Goliath laugh onthe sidelines. Jon signals Cynthia to come over. She jogsover. He whispers something to her and she jogs away.

BRIAN (CONT'D)Don't want her to see you lose?

JONNot exactly.

Jon dribbles past Brian to the short corner. He fakes andthen puts it up. SWISH!

Cynthia walks back onto the court and over to the sidelines.

CYNTHIA(to Goliath)

What's the score now?

101.

GOLIATHEight to six, Brian.

CYNTHIAWell then give me that. You're asleepat the wheel.

Cynthia grabs the stick from Goliath and scratches the scoreon the blacktop. As she does, kids from school begin filingonto the sidelines to watch the game. Soon, seemingly theentire school surrounds the game.

Brian looks around at the crowd. A familiar tremor works itsway to his fingers.

JONAnd here I thought no one was goingto have the joy of seeing you loseagain.

Jon winks at Cynthia. Then he thrusts the ball at Brian. Itslips through Brian's fingers and slams into his chest,knocking the wind out of him. Brian COUGHS.

Brian grasps the ball. He drives down the lane. Jon swipesat the ball. The ball gets caught up between Brian's legs ashe tries to pass it from one hand to another.

Jon grabs the ball, dribbles back to the three point line,drives back to the basketball for a layup and scores.

Cynthia scratches another tally under Jon's name. The crowdcheers.

Brian takes the ball out again. His hands tremble. He drivesto the post. Jon stays on him. Brian leaps for the jump shot.

Jon soars up beside him and slaps it away. They both land atthe same time, and Jon shoulders by Brian.

Brian falls to the ground. Jon retrieves the ball, dribblesout to the two-point line and shoots. The ball bounces offthe backboard and through the net.

Cynthia and Goliath cheer as Cynthia scratches two moretallies under Jon's name. Jon: nine. Brian: eight.

Brian still sits on the ground. He scans the crowd. The facesof a hundred kids stare back at him, some laughing, somecheering, some texting. A few have their phones held up asthey record the game.

In one corner, he finds Madison, watching intently. Behindher, the vague, glowing-blue shape of Skylar appears andstrafes through the crowd.

102.

She mouths "You can do it" before thinning and driftingupwards.

The vast sky hangs above the playground. Brian stares up atit. The crowd around seems to shrink beneath its vastness.

Brian pushes himself up from the ground and walks over toJon. Jon lobs the ball at Brian. Brian drives down the lanepast Jon. He goes up for the layup. The ball hangs on therim a moment before dropping away.

Jon grabs the ball and dribbles out to the two-point line.

JON (CONT'D)Game point.

BRIANWin or lose. Life goes on.

JONJust with less basketball for you.

Jon dribbles hard down the lane. Brian keeps pace with him. As they approach the net, Brian swats the ball away fromJon. Jon fumbles and stumbles forward.

Brian jumps over Jon and races toward the ball. He scoops itup and dashes to the two-point line. He closes his eyes,braces himself and shoots.

The ball sails toward the net. Jon scrambles to his feet andleaps up, trying to catch the ball on the ascent.

He falls short and the ball hits the backboard, skims therim, and drops through the hoop.

Brian breathes a sigh of relief. The crowd cheers.

JON (CONT'D)Dammit!

Cynthia breaks the stick she's using to tally the score overher knee. Madison runs over to Brian, surrounded by theloud bustle of the crowd.

MADISONHey.

BRIANHi.

MADISONGood...good game out there.

BRIANThanks. And now anyone can use thecourt.

103.

JON (O.S.)Hold up a minute.

Brian turns around.

JON (CONT'D)I've changed my mind.

BRIANWhat?

JONYou heard me. We've decided thisgame doesn't count. So we're goingback to the way it was.

BRIANWell, you can't.

JONNo? Goliath, I don't know, punchhim in the stomach.

Goliath walks toward Brian. His anger melts to fear thoughas behind Brian, Lincoln, Short Stack, Indiana, and Downtownappear, larger than ever. Downtown crosses his arms.

Goliath, Jon, and Cynthia turn white. They slowly back awaybefore sprinting off the court. Brian looks behind him, butsees only a faint swish of blue light. Brian smiles.

MADISONWeird. I had no idea I was sointimidating.

Brian laughs.

MADISON (CONT'D)Hey, how are you getting home today?

Brian looks over at the empty Bus lot.

BRIANUm, walking I guess.

MADISONMy Mom's supposed to pick me and Jonup, but I just assume walk. If that'sokay.

BRIANYeah. It's a far walk though.

MADISONSo it is.

Brian and Madison walk off the court.

104.

EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - AFTERNOON

Brian and Madison walk through the apartment complex towardtheir apartments.

MADISONSo hey, maybe sometime if you'rebored you could teach me somebasketball or something.

BRIANReally?

MADISONSure. Walgreens gets old.Basketball will be somethingdifferent.

BRIANWhat about Olivia? And Sarah?

MADISONThey get old too. What do you say?

BRIANOkay.

MADISONCool. See ya later, then.

BRIANBye.

Brian walks back to his apartment.

EXT. APARTMENT PORCH - LATE AFTERNOON

Despite it still being light out, the moon hangs full in thesky. Alice sits on her porch, staring up at it.

BRIANHey, Alice.

ALICEHey there, Brian.

Alice nods to the sky.

ALICE (CONT'D)Moon's out already.

Brian turns to look at it. A blue halo surrounds it.

BRIANOh yeah.

Brian holds up his basketball to it.

105.

BRIAN (CONT'D)About the size of a basketball.

ALICEHeh. So it is.

The sky grows darker and a few stars emerge.

BRIAN(pointing)

And look. A bunch of kids have cometo size up the court for a game.

Alice smiles. A tear rolls down her cheek.

BRIAN (CONT'D)And I bet they can here us as wecheer them on from down here.

ALICEYou think so?

BRIANYeah, Alice, I do.

FADE OUT